An Archaeological Heritage Assessment of Land At

An Archaeological Heritage Assessment Racecourse Poultry Farm Pantasaph Flintshire

(NGR SJ 15355 75446)

On Behalf of Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd

ABRS Report No 2020-RPHC

An Archaeological Heritage Assessment

Racecourse Poultry Farm

Pantasaph

Flintshire

(NGR SJ 15355 75446)

On Behalf of Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd

September 2020

ABRS Project No 2020-RPHC

Archaeological Building Recording Services (ABRS)

2-3 Lower Grove New Radnor Presteigne Powys LD8 2SS

Tel 07423813638

email: [email protected]

A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph.

An Archaeological Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Poultry Farm, Babell Road, Pantasaph, Flintshire (NGR SJ 15355 75446).

Summary

1. Introduction 1

2. Aims and Methods 2

3. Methodology 2

4. Site Location, Geology & Topography 3

5. Historical & Archaeological Background 4

6. The Standing Buildings 8

7. Cartographic Sources 8

8. Site Visit 11

9. Appraisal of the Development Impact 11

10. Conclusion 12

11. References & Sources 13

12. Colour Plates 14

Appendix Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (HER) Centred on the Proposed Development Area. 20

Figures

Figure 1 3 Figure 2 4 Site Location Proposed Development Area in Red. (Supplied by Client) Figure 3 9 Figure 4 9 “Old Series” Ordnance A Map of Ysceifiog Survey (1831-1835). Parish in the County of Flint (1846). Figure 5 10 Figure 6 14 First Edition Ordnance Proposed Development Survey (1872). Area (Looking East – North East). Figure 7 14 Figure 8 15 Proposed Development Proposed Development Area, Bungalow Area, Central Concrete (Looking North – North Roadway (Looking East – West). North East).

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Figure 9 15 Figure 10 16 Proposed Development Proposed Development Area, Hardstanding at Area, Hardstanding & Northern End of Site Septic Tank at Southern (Looking West – South End of Site (Looking East West). – South East). Figure 11 16 Figure 12 17 Proposed Development Proposed Development Area, Extent of Probable Area (Arrowed) with Terracing, Original Scheduled Ancient Ground Level (Left) Monument in the (Looking North – North Foreground, Looking West). North West From Bridleway Following Route of Old Racecourse. Figure 13 17 Figure 14 18 Proposed Development Proposed Development Area (Estimated Location Area – As Existing (Not Arrowed), Looking South to Scale (As Of Sept East From Bryn Mair 2020)). Convent, Pantasaph. Figure 15 19 Proposed Development Area – As Proposed (Not to Scale (As Of Sept 2020)).

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An Archaeological Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Poultry Farm, Babell Road, Pantasaph, Flintshire (NGR SJ 15355 75446).

Summary

This document is an archaeological heritage assessment of Racecourse Poultry Farm, Babell Road, Pantasaph, Flintshire (NGR SJ 15355 75446), commissioned from Archaeological Building Recording Services (ABRS) by Mr Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd in advance of the proposed redevelopment of the site for agricultural use.

Mae’r ddogfen hon yn asesiad treftadaeth archaeolegol o Ferm Dofednod Racecourse, Heol Babell, Pantasaph, Sir Flint (NGR SJ 15355 75446) a gomisiynwyd gan Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd o flaen ail-ddatblygu’r safle at ddefnydd amaethyddol.

This heritage assessment has confirmed that the proposed development area is located within open countryside. The assessment confirms that there are no known heritage assets within the proposed development area. Cartographic sources indicate that the proposed development area has remained undeveloped until the late 20th century. It is likely that the existing development will have had a detrimental impact upon earthfast archaeological remains, if any, but the westernmost areas of the proposed development area may be relatively undisturbed. It is likely that further archaeological work will be required; this should be confirmed in conjunction with the Planning Control Archaeologist, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust.

Mae'r asesiad treftadaeth hwn wedi cadarnhau bod y safle wedi'i lleoli yn cefn gwlad. Mae'r asesiad yn cadarnhau nad oes unrhyw asedau treftadaeth hysbys o fewn y safler ardal ddatblygu arfaethedig. Mae ffynonellau cartograffeg yn dangos nad yw'r safle wedi'i datblygu tan ddiwedd yr 20fed ganrif. Mae'n debygol y bydd y datblygiad presennol wedi cael effaith ar olion archeolegol, ond gall ardaloedd gorllewinol yr safle fod yn gymharol ddi-sail. Mae'n debygol y bydd angen rhagor o waith archaeolegol; dylid cadarnhau hyn â Ymddiriedolaeth Archeolegol Clwyd Powys.

The proposed development is located adjacent to a Scheduled Ancient Monument. There will be no physical impact upon the Monument, nor upon any of the identified heritage assets, both built heritage and archaeological. The proposed development will have no impact upon the setting of the known assets either.

Mae'r datblygiad wedi'i leoli wrth ymyl Heneb Gofrestredig. Ni fydd unrhyw effaith ffisegol ar yr Heneb, nac ar unrhyw un o'r asedau treftadaeth a nodwyd. Ni fydd y datblygiad yn cael unrhyw effaith ar bennu'r asedau hysbys ychwaith.

©ABRS 2020 1 Report No 2020-RPHC A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph.

1. Introduction

In accordance with Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 10, 2018, this document is an archaeological heritage assessment of Racecourse Poultry Farm, Babell Road, Pantasaph, Flintshire (NGR SJ 15355 75446).

This assessment has been commissioned from Archaeological Building Recording Services (ABRS) by Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd in advance of the proposed demolition of the existing poultry sheds and the construction of new poultry sheds on the same site. The proposed development area is located to the east of Babell Road, west – south west of Holywell and consists of an established poultry farm.

The Clwyd Powys Historic Environment Record (HER) has been consulted and indicates that the proposed development area is adjacent to a known heritage asset, Whitford Dyke, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The proposed development area is located some 700m south west of the Pantasaph Conservation Area (CA) and over 1 km south of the Gorsedd CA. The nearest listed building is 640m north east of the proposed development area.

2. Aims and Methods

The aim of the heritage assessment is to present information on the extent, character, date, integrity and state of preservation of heritage assets present and potentially affected by the proposed development, both standing built heritage and potential earthfast archaeological remains. The assessment will compare the proposals with identified heritage assets and state why these will not be detrimentally affected. For those heritage assets identified as being at risk from the proposed development, a suitable mitigation strategy will be suggested to minimise that risk. The assessment should, once the above information has been gathered, assist in providing an informed planning decision as to whether further stages of work are necessary.

All work follows the Chartered Institute for Archaeologist’s (CIfA) Code of Conduct and adheres to their Standard and guidance for historic environment desk-based assessment (2017) and follows Cadw’s guidance document Setting of Historic Assets in Wales (2017).

3. Methodology

All work has been carried out based upon plans supplied by the client or their agent.

The archaeological resource is by its nature an incomplete record. Where there are significant alluvial or colluvial deposits, made ground or lack of archaeological investigation, archaeological remains can remain undetected.

The following sources have been consulted to assess previous land use and archaeological potential:  Archaeological records (Clwyd Powys Historic Environment Record (HER)).  Previous Ordnance Survey and other maps of the area from online sources.  Historical background material (ABRS Reference Library and FRO, NMR, National Library of Wales).

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A site visit was also undertaken in order to assess the current state of the proposed development area.

Figure 1 Site Location Reproduced from 1:50000 map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. ©Crown Copyright 1990. All rights reserved. Licence number 100053136.

4. Site Location, Geology & Topography

The proposed development area is located in countryside between the settlements of Gorsedd and Babell, some 3km west – south west of Holywell (Figure 1), within the historic County of Flintshire. The proposed development area lies within the historic parish of Ysceifiog (NGR SJ 15355 75446).

The proposed development area is a working poultry farm east of Babell Road (Figure 2). The boundaries are established property boundaries marked by agricultural hedges and post enclosure hedging.

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The Geological Survey of Great Britain indicates that the underlying geology is likely to be Glaciofluvial Deposits – sands and gravels overlaying Bowland Shale Formation – Mudstone. The proposed development area lies at approximately 199m OD.

Figure 2 Proposed Development Area in Red. (Supplied by Client)

5. Historical & Archaeological Background

5.1 Historical Background

An approximate translation of the placename Ysceifiog means a place where elder trees grow. Ysceifiog is one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire and one of the few places in Wales recorded in the Domesday survey as Schiviau, as it was under Norman control, part of the ancient cantref of Teigeingl that was annexed to Cheshire. The Parish originally comprised the eight townships of Batingen, Garneddwen, Gellilyfdy, Pen Ucha'r Plwy, Prys, Trefraith, Tre'r Llan Isaf and Tre'r Llan Uchaf. The Church is dedicated to St. Deiniol, the first Bishop of Bangor, and reputedly has 5th century origins; it was replaced by a stone-built church in the 11th century. By the early 19th century, the Parish had been neglected by the Dean of St Asaph and had earned the reputation for being “...one of the three worst and most unruly parishes in North Wales” and the church building deteriorated so badly that it became unsafe and had to be rebuilt in 1835.

The Parish straddles an established trackway which has potentially been in use since prehistory, which later became a route used by pilgrims to St Winefride’s Well at Holywell. During the 15th and 16th centuries Ysceifiog became an important stopping point on the

©ABRS 2020 4 Report No 2020-RPHC A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph. trade route linking the River Dee at Chester to inland Wales with pack-horse trains of ponies passing through the village. The route later became part of the London – Holyhead Post Road with the settlement even being shown on John Ogilby’s map of 1675.

The Parish remained largely rural in nature, dependent on agriculture with mills at Pant Gwyn Mawr and Ddol and there was an important drove-route from North Wales to the Midlands and southern England passing through the Parish. The 19th century saw the development of large-scale lead mining on nearby Halkyn Mountain and several small local quarries extracted limestone, marl and tufa. The era also saw the beginning of cotton spinning, mainly in the large Holywell mills, but homeworking in the surrounding villages teased the raw cotton to prepare it for spinning.

In 1833, Samuel Lewis 's A Topographical Dictionary of Wales described Yseifiog thus:

This parish, which is situated on the roads from Denbigh to Mold and Holywell, comprises a very considerable tract of good arable and pasture land, which is enclosed and cultivated; and a portion of hilly ground, which is too elevated for culture. The village, which is small, is seated on an eminence, commanding some finely varied and extensive prospects; and the surrounding scenery presents many interesting features. Lead abounds in the parish, and several mines, which had been worked for many years with great advantage, have been recently discontinued, in consequence of the present low price of the metal. On the high ground in this parish are the remains of a Roman encampment; and at Bryn Sion was found, in the year 1816, a very beautiful torque of pure gold, measuring fifty-two inches in length, and weighing twenty- four ounces; which was purchased by the Marquis of Westminster for three hundred guineas.

The first recorded race at Holywell Racecourse took place on Thursday 9th November 1769, the course was described as an oval, flat course of 2 miles one furlong circumference with a slight hill as the horses entered the final 4 furlong straight. The first meeting opened with a Match for 100 Guineas in which Mr Maurice’s Guinea-Pig beat sole rival Lord Grosvenor’s Arabian. The feature race, the Holywell Cup for Members of the local Hunt was won by racing fanatic Sir W.W. Wynn’s Brown George, beating Willow and Cadwallader. Meetings, administered by Sir T. Mostyn continued to be staged annually; in 1807 the Mostyn Mile Championship was launched, the inaugural running being won by Young Chariot owned by Mr Cholmondeley. The race was contested for each of the next 29 years, with Mr Mostyn winning 3 of the last 4 runnings of the event. The final meeting took place on Wednesday 20th October 1852.

5.2 Archaeological Background

A search of the Clwyd Powys Historic Environment Record (HER) covering a radius of 1km centred on the proposed development area was carried out as part of this assessment on August 12th 2020 (Appendix).

Prehistoric

There are a number of finds and sites known to date from the prehistoric period recorded by the HER within the search area. Some 250m south west of the proposed development area is

©ABRS 2020 5 Report No 2020-RPHC A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph. a series of prehistoric earthworks contained within the Holywell Racecourse earth circle (PRN 102385). The circle was investigated in 1925, the bank and outer ditch surrounds a barrow and is abutted by Offas Dyke (this section also known as Whitford Dyke) on two sides, no definitive date for circle has been confirmed, but it predates the Dyke. Within the circle is Babell Lower Stables Tumulus (PRN 102383), a documentary reference to an earthwork, since destroyed. Within the same group is a barrow excavated in 1925 (PRN 102386), described as a mound 18m in diameter, there was a central primary pit burial and three secondary cremations, a number of flints were also found. The circle also includes Holywell Racecourse earth circle and barrow (PRN 102384). All are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments as part of Whitford Dyke (FL006).

There are two further barrows within the search area, some 460m to the south west is Llyn Du round barrow (PRN 102387) and some 900m to the north – north west is Yr Orsedd Farm Tumulus (PRN 102506).

Fieldwalking south west of the proposed development area at the turn of the millennium recorded areas of prehistoric flint scatters (PRN 85709, 120316, 120317 & 120318).

Romano British

There is as yet no evidence of Romano British activity recorded by the HER within the search area.

Early Medieval

Some 250m (at its nearest point) west and north west of the proposed development area is the route of Offa’s Dyke (PRN 28089 - 28105), recently interpreted as Whitford Dyke (PRN 106719 – 106724). The Dyke is an important early medieval land division and is also protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (FL006). The monument is described by Cadw as... “comprises the remains of a multi-period complex of earthworks, situated within pasture fields to the south and west of Lower Stables. The complex consists of two lengths of dyke (formerly identified as Offa’s Dyke, but more recently identified as the Whitford Dyke), abutting an earlier earthwork consisting of a round barrow c.24m in diameter and 1.1m high, set eccentrically within an oval, hengiform enclosure, c.108m northeast to southwest, by 95m. The oval enclosure is defined by a bank with an external ditch. The barrow, dating to the Bronze Age (c.2300 BC - 800 BC), was excavated in 1925, and revealed an inhumation in a central pit and three secondary cremations, one in-urned. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual, and early medieval defensive organisation and settlement. The monument is an important and unusual relic of a multi-period landscape and retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both intact burial or ritual deposits and environmental and structural evidence, including buried prehistoric land surfaces. The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive”.

Medieval

Evidence of medieval activity within the search area is sparse. There are two early medieval findspots recorded by the HER, an iron socketed spearhead is recorded from Pant Asaph Farm (PRN 44885), north east of the proposed development area. Some 360m south west of

©ABRS 2020 6 Report No 2020-RPHC A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph. the proposed development area three pennies of Edward I-II, (c.1307-14) were found by fieldwalking and metal detector (PRN 118981).

Thomas Badeslade's 1740's estate map of Mostyn Park records one strip field (PRN 120493), probably early medieval in date to the north of Pantasaph, some 930m north – north east of the proposed development area.

Post Medieval & Modern

There is extensive evidence of post medieval and modern activity recorded by the HER within the search area. The proposed development area itself is located within the infield of Holywell Racecourse (PRN 103608), a well preserved 19th century racecourse. Associated with the racecourse are; the Grandstand (PRN 99273), an irregular octagon shaped stone and brick structure, some 650m to the south west of the proposed development area, and the starters chair tower (PRN 99271), which is constructed of limestone blocks on a mound with a stone spiral staircase in the centre, now only 1m high, some 40m south east of the Grandstand.

There is extensive evidence of the area’s well known extractive industries, including, Holywell Racecourse mine (PRN 103607), some 750m to the south west. There are three shafts at Pantasaph (PRN 85210, 85203 & 85204), to the north east of the proposed development area, also at Pantasaph is a limekiln (PRN 103661). Some 900m north – north west of the proposed development area is the Wacco lead mine (PRN 18220) consisting of three shafts (PRN 85200, 85201 & 85202) and the site of a building (PRN 85209). Near to the mineworking is Wacco Cottage (PRN 89662), the ruined remains of a post medieval building, and an area of standing ridge and furrow earthworks (PRN 89598).

Some 800m north west of the proposed development area is the site of Pantasaph Friary (PRN 103662), a post medieval Friary, associated with the Friary are the gardens (PRN 22969) and a Roman Catholic Church (PRN 44317) recorded on the early edition Ordnance Survey. Crossing the Friary is the Pantasaph turnpike road (PRN 89641), an early 19th century turnpike road. The settlement of Pantasaph is also designated as a Conservation Area (PRN 141626).

The HER also records a number of placenames and map references which may indicate sites of historical or archaeological significance including the fields names Erw-y-Wal Gerrig (PRN 99335), Coetiau yr Odyn and Rough Plas Newydd (PRN 99337) and the nearest to the proposed development area, some 520m to the south east, Near Mill Field and Farther Mill Field (PRN 99277). Placename evidence suggest a possible well at Ffynnon Grayanau (PRN 99329), some 580m south west of the proposed development area.

Undated

The HER records four features, which are as yet undated, south west of Lower Stables Farm is a low bank between 2 ditches (PRN 106722). It is potentially a continuation of Whitford Dyke, but this is not confirmed. Some 600m south west of the proposed development area is Holywell Racecourse barrow II (PRN 102530), a low mound some 250mm high. The remains of the starters tower for the race course stands in the middle of the mound.

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Some 770m north west of the proposed development area is a faint circular cropmark recorded on aerial photographs (PRN 89599) and 950m north – north west is Gorsedd Church Standing stone A (PRN 102381), this limestone block with two holes drilled through it top and bottom is in fact a gatepost as noted by the HER description.

6. The Standing Buildings

There are six listed buildings and structures recorded by the HER within the search area, all with the exception of the Grade II* listed Pantasaph Friary are listed at Grade II.

Listed Buildings

The listed buildings are by and large all associated with the Friary and located some 900m north east of the propose development area. The Grade II* listed Friary building (PRN 60645) dates to 1849 and is in the Gothic style to the design of T H Wyatt and was built by Lord and Lady Fielding in honour of their marriage. Associated with the Friary are the archway (PRN 60652) and entrance piers (PRN 60649), West Gate (PRN 60644) and the Chapel of the Sepulchre (PRN 60646).

Adjacent to the Friary site is a Grade II listed K6 telephone box (PRN 32299).

Unlisted Buildings of Historical Interest

There are nine unlisted buildings of historical interest recorded by the HER within the search area. Associated with Pantasaph Friary are the Lodge (PRN 44316) and St Clare’s Convent (PRN 96021).

There are two farmsteads, Bryn-Du (PRN 99370), some 600m south – south east of the proposed development area and Calcoed Pellaf (PRN 55924), a further 500m south – south east.

Domestic buildings are, Bryn-y-Gwynt (PRN 99276), a potentially 17th century dwelling some 120m north west of the proposed development area, with a shared boundary. The Kennels (PRN 99275), lie some 730m south east of the proposed development area and 700m to the north is the Bryn y gaseg (PRN 89630), a turnpike cottage. Within St Paul’s Church, Gorsedd is the parish war memorial (PRN 144816), a wall mounted brass plaque.

7. Cartographic Sources

All maps reproduced with north to top of page, following Ordnance Survey standard unless indicated otherwise with appropriate north arrow and key.

As a result of restrictions and closures brought about by the Covid-19 situation in August 2020, it was not possible to visit the Flintshire Record Office (FRO) to view any available historic maps of the proposed development area.

The earliest currently available map recording the proposed development area is the Old Series Ordnance Survey (Figure 3) published between 1831 and 1835. The map was published at a small scale, the equivalent of 1:50,000, nevertheless it is possible to locate the proposed development area using road alignments and prominent features, including the

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Figure 3 “Old Series” Ordnance Survey (1831-1835).

Figure 4 A Map of Ysceifiog Parish in the County of Flint (1846).

©ABRS 2020 9 Report No 2020-RPHC A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph. racecourse which is identified and named; Lower Stables are mapped, as is Bryn-y-Gwynt, north of the proposed development area. The map records the proposed development area as being undeveloped at the time.

The next available map of the proposed development area is “A Map of Ysceifiog Parish in the County of Flint” published in 1846 for the purpose of parish tithes (Figure 4). The map describes the proposed development area as field number, 1232, part of Ty'n y Caeau Farm, occupied by Richard James, undertenant to Lord Mostyn, and described as pasture and also records the racecourse. The map again records the proposed development area as being undeveloped.

In 1872 the first edition Ordnance Survey 1:2500 scale of the area was published, it is the first modern representation of the proposed development area (Figure 5). The notable features recorded on previous maps are again apparent and the proposed development area is, again recorded as being undeveloped. The large, regular fields seen on the map would suggest that the landscape is largely post enclosure.

Figure 5 First Edition Ordnance Survey (1872).

The remainder of the pre war and post war Ordnance Survey maps available on online resources show no significant changes to the proposed development area until the late 20th century when poultry sheds were built. It is understood from the current unit manager that the four westernmost sheds were constructed in 1968, a further three sheds were constructed during the 1970s and the south easternmost shed in 2013.

There are a number of aerial photographs of the adjacent Scheduled Ancient Monument which include partial views of the proposed development area. The images show nothing of archaeological or historical significance within the proposed development area.

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8. Site Visit

The proposed development area was visited on August 27th 2020 in order to assess the present state of the site and the wider context of the proposed development area within the landscape. As part of this assessment, the Pantasaph and Gorsedd Conservation Areas were also visited. The proposed development area is a working poultry farm to the east of Babell Road. There are established property boundaries marked by mixed agricultural fencing and hedges to the north, south and east, the westernmost boundary is marked by a hedge along the highway verge.

The proposed development area consists of eight standing chicken sheds (Figures 2, 6 & 14), and a late 20th century bungalow (Figure 7) surrounded by areas of mixed hardstanding and grass (Figures 8, 9 & 10).

The site visit did not reveal any clear evidence for the presence of archaeological remains, either below ground or as standing earthworks. There is clear evidence of ground disturbance within the footprint of the standing buildings, which themselves are located within a probable “cut and fill” terrace (Figure 11) and around them, including the access roads and trackways. This disturbance will have impacted upon any potential archaeological remains, if any, almost certainly truncating or destroying all but the most substantial remains, if any.

Cartographic sources indicate the proposed development area remained undeveloped until the late 20th century, prior to this it was probably agricultural land.

9. Appraisal of the Development Impact

Description of the Proposed Development

The proposed development consists of the demolition of the existing chicken sheds and the construction of three new build sheds, a single storey residential unit and associated infrastructure on private land to the east of Babell Road (Figure 15). The proposed development will be contained within the existing boundaries and the existing access will also be retained.

Physical Impact

Archaeology

This heritage assessment has confirmed that the proposed development area is located within an area of some archaeological potential. The Clwyd Powys Historic Environment Record (HER) indicates that the proposed development area is located adjacent to a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM). The scheduling protects “an important and unusual relic of a multi-period landscape and retains significant archaeological potential”.

This heritage assessment has confirmed that there are no identified archaeological remains within the proposed development area and the site visit carried out as part of this assessment confirmed that the majority of the proposed development area has been subject to extensive ground disturbance which will have impacted upon earthfast archaeological remains, if any within those areas. The westernmost extent of the proposed development area appears to have remained largely unaffected by the current development and will house the proposed

©ABRS 2020 11 Report No 2020-RPHC A Heritage Assessment of Racecourse Farm, Pantasaph. new bungalow. The archaeological potential of this area could be investigated through a programme of archaeological attendance, the extent and scope of this can be confirmed in conjunction with the Planning Control Archaeologist, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust.

Standing Buildings

There are six listed buildings within 1km of the proposed development area. The buildings are sufficiently remote to ensure there will be no direct physical impact on the listed buildings from the development.

Impact on Setting

Archaeology

The proposed development area is located within a varied archaeological landscape with known sites of archaeological significance, including a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The proposed development, the replacement of current chicken sheds, which are an established feature within the landscape (Figure 12), with new chicken sheds will have no impact upon the setting of these known and identified sites of archaeological significance.

Standing Buildings

The listed buildings are located within the Pantasaph Conservation Area, some 650m to 700m north east of the proposed development area and are sufficiently remote to ensure there will be no direct impact upon their settings or upon the setting of the Conservation Area from the proposed development (Figure 13).

10. Conclusion

This assessment has been carried out following Cadw’s Setting of Historic Assets in Wales (2017) and the Clwyd Powys Historic Environment Record (HER). The proposed development area is located within open countryside between the settlements of Gorsedd and Babell. Cartographic sources indicate that the proposed development area remained undeveloped throughout the modern period until the construction of the existing chicken sheds.

It is possible that the westernmost part of the proposed development area contains, as yet unidentified earthfast archaeological remains relating to previous occupation activity, including possible prehistoric, early medieval and post medieval. The archaeological potential of these areas could be established through a programme of archaeological attendance, the extent and scope of this can be confirmed in conjunction with the Planning Control Archaeologist, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust.

There are a number of known and identified heritage assets, both below ground and built heritage within 1km of the proposed development area, the most immediate being part of Offa’s/Whitford Dyke, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the scheduling also includes a round barrow. The proposed development will have no impact upon these known heritage assets.

11. References & Sources

British Listed Buildings website http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk accessed Aug 2020 http://www.bgs.ac.uk/ Aug 2020

Cadw. 2018 Guidance for the Submission of Data to the Welsh Historic Environment Records (HERs) http://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=en&id=2183

Cadw. 2017 Setting of Historic Assets in Wales

CIfA. 2017 Standard and guidance for historic environment desk-based assessment.

CIfA. 2014 Code of Conduct

Clwyd Powys Historic Environment Record Historic Environment Record (HER) Aug 2020

Flintshire County Council Discover Ysceifiog. http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Holywell%20Hunt%20Racecourse.html

Welsh Government. 2018 Planning Policy Wales (Ed 10).

12. Colour Plates

Figure 6 Proposed Development Area (Looking East – North East).

Figure 7 Proposed Development Area, Bungalow (Looking North – North West).

Figure 8 Proposed Development Area, Central Concrete Roadway (Looking East – North East).

Figure 9 Proposed Development Area, Hardstanding at Northern End of Site (Looking West – South West).

Figure 10 Proposed Development Area, Hardstanding & Septic Tank at Southern End of Site (Looking East – South East).

Figure 11 Proposed Development Area, Extent of Probable Terracing, Original Ground Level (Left) (Looking North – North West).

Figure 12 Proposed Development Area (Arrowed) with Scheduled Ancient Monument in the Foreground, Looking North West From Bridleway Following Route of Old Racecourse.

Figure 13 Proposed Development Area (Estimated Location Arrowed), Looking South East From Bryn Mair Convent, Pantasaph.

Figure 14 Proposed Development Area – As Existing (Not to Scale (As Of Sept 2020)).

Figure 15 Proposed Development Area – As Proposed (Not to Scale (As Of Sept 2020)).

Appendix Archaeological Remains & Standing Buildings within 1km of the Proposed Development Area

PRN Site Name Description Form Period Type Former grandstand. An irregular octagon shaped stone and brick structure measuring around Holywell 8.7m long and 7m wide. Much of the first floor brickwork has fallen away exposing a timber Racecourse framework. Internally, there is a fireplace in the northern room and doorways placed in the, 99273 Grandstand south, west and east walls. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Structure Post Med Grandstand Holywell Racecourse 103607 mineworkings Three turf-covered disused mine shafts Structure Post Med Mine Starter's Chair Tower erected on the possible site of a tumulus and now almost destroyed. The Holywell building is constructed of limestone blocks with a stone spiral staircase in the centre which now Racecourse starter's only reaches 1m in height. It has a diameter of 16.8m. Limestone blocks are scattered all around 99271 tower the structure as well as some stone stair treads. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR Build Post Med Tower Field named "Erw y wal gerrig" (Acre of the wall of stone) on the 1846 Tithe Schedule. Field 99335 Erw-y-Wal Gerrig name only. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Placename Post Med Wall Well depicted on Allottment Map of 1805. No visible remains. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - 99329 Ffynnon Grayanau Flintshire SMR) Structure Post Med Well Bryn y gaseg Building named 'Bryn-y-gaseg T.P.' on 1871 6" OS map. A house - possibly the original cottage Turnpike 89630 turnpike survives. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Build Post Med Road 99370 Bryn-Du Farm Farm house and outbuildings. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Build Post Med Farm Rendered domestic dwelling thought to date to the 17th century and now in the process of being 99276 Bryn-y-Gwynt modernised. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Build Post Med House Calcoed Pellaf Farmstead likely to contain traditional farm buildings as those depicted on 1st edition (1872) 55924 farmstead OS map corresponding with buildings on the modern digital mapping. Build Post Med Farmstead Gorsedd, Gorsedd First World War (1914-1918), Board / Plaque / TabletBrass Plaque Mounted On Wooden Parish WW1 Board. Inscription: To The/ Glory Of God And In/ Honoured Memory Of The/ Men From This Memorial Plaque, Church/ Who Died For Their King And /Country In The Great War/ 1914 - 1919./ (Names)/ War 144816 war memorial Rhuddasant Eu Bywyd Drosom Structure Mod Memorial Holywell 103608 Racecourse Well Preserved Racecourse Of The Nineteenth Century. N0685 Structure Post Med Racecourse Coetiau yr Odyn and Rough Plas Field named 'Coetiau yr odyn and rough'. Field named probably associated with kiln site which 99337 Newydd stood to the south west. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Placename Post Med Kiln Fields named 'Near Mill Field' and 'Farther Mill Field' on 1846 Tithe Schedule. No trace of a Near Mill Field and mill in this area. Thought to be field name only. There is a stream nearby (possible mill race?). 99277 Farther Mill Field (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Placename Post Med Mill Pantasaph turnpike Road shown on 1832 map showing proposed turnpike roads. this road is now in use as a modern Turnpike 89641 road tarmac road. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Structure Post Med Road 141626 Pantasaph C A Conservation Area for Pantasaph in the Flintshire Unitary Authority. Designated 09-06-1988 Doc’s Mod Cons’ Area

103662 Pantasaph Friary Monastic Building Still Used. N0685 Build Post Med Friary Listed building: Pantasaph (Grade II) Description Pantasaph is a Roman Catholic complex of buildings, comprising the church of St David's and a Franciscan friary. To the south is the ruined convent of St Clare's and the A55 dual carriageway. Pantasaph is situated on ground sloping gently to the south, backed by the hill to the north on which the garden is laid out. In 1846 Viscount Fielding later 8th Earl of Denbigh married Louisa the only child and heiress of David Pennant of Downing and grand-daughter of Thomas Pennant. In thanksgiving for their marriage they decided to build a church on their estate at Pantasaph and the foundation stone was laid on 16 August 1849. The following year Lord and Lady Fielding were received into the Catholic church, and the church became Roman Catholic. The architect of the church was T.H. Wyatt, who also made alterations to the Fieldings' home at Downing. Pugin was called in to give Catholic finishing touches to the interior. Not all his work remains, and alterations to the interior began as early as c. 1893. From the outside the church is a simple single-aisle building with a gabled roof and porch. The tower has a stepped pyramidal stone tower. The friary buildings adjoin the church on the north side forming a courtyard open on one side. These are also in Gothic style, possibly by T.H. Wyatt, and were built in 1858-65. The hill behind the friary has been used to its full advantage for the creation of a dramatic set of Stations of the Cross representing Christ's journey to Calvary. The entrance is marked by a stone arch surmounted with a stone cross. In niches on either side are statues of St Francis and St Anthony. The pathway zigzags its way up the hill with a Station at each turn in the path. Each station is marked by a tiny Gothic chapel containing a depiction of the particular station. The path is also punctuated by recesses for benches. The sides of the path are decorated with large rocks and the remains of coarse gravel can be seen in the pathway. The path widens out to form an apse-shaped space which marks the site of Calvary at the top of the hill. This is marked with a half life-size crucifix and a group of bronze figures representing Mary, Mother of Christ, Mary Magdalen, and St Peter. Steps either side of the last station provide a view over the boundary wall to the Irish Sea. Below Calvary and built into the hillside is the fourteenth and last station, erected by benefactors, one named Francis Reynolds. This takes the form of a much larger chapel, known as the Chapel of the Sepulchre, and is sometimes used for Mass and Benediction. On an axis with this chapel is a steep flight of stone steps which leads to the monastery buildings below. Below the Chapel of the Sepulchre is a Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes made in the quarry which supplied the building stone for the chapel and monastic buildings. Pantasaph Friary, According to a guidebook written in 1964 originally there was no planting on the hill at all. 22969 garden When the garden was made in 1875-79 the hillside was planted with Scots pine and larch, with Multiple Post Med Garden

an underplanting of cherry laurel, mahonia, and yew, and a ground cover of Vinca minor. The planting has thinned and beech is now being planted. The Calvary area is planted around the edge with Irish yew and the vista to the Chapel of the Sepulchre is planted with Scots pine on either side. The main drive to the Friary has an avenue of sycamore interplanted with clipped Irish yews. The paddocks either side of the drive have a perimeter planting of Scots pine. The graveyard attached to the chapel has a perimeter planting of Chamaecyparis species. Two kitchen gardens are sited either side of the approach to the Stations of the Cross. They are bounded by low rubble limestone walls. The one to the east contains the remains of a glasshouse and some fruit bushes, whilst the one to the west is now a field. Pantasaph Friary, Lodge depicted on 2nd ed OS 1:10,560 map. (Holywell Common and Halkyn Mountain 44316 lodge Historic Landscape Characterization, project database, 2000) Build Post Med Lodge 103661 Pantasaph limekiln Appears As An Earthen Bowl Dug Into The Hillside 2.5mdiameter And 25cms Deep. N0685 Structure Post Med Lime Kiln Pantasaph Mine Mound of spoil, presumably originating from mine workings. 85210 Shaft Electric powerline pole erected on mound. earthwork Post Med Mine Shaft Pantasaph Roman Roman Catholic church depicted on 2nd ed OS 1:10,560 map. Located in the grounds of Catholic Church (St Pantasaph Monastery. (Holywell Common and Halkyn Mountain Historic Landscape 44317 David) Characterization, project database, 2000) Build Post Med Church Lead mining shaft. 85203 Pantasaph shaft 1 See entry also under PRN18220. earthwork Post Med Mineshaft Lead mining shaft. 85204 Pantasaph shaft 2 See entry also under PRN18220. earthwork Post Med Mineshaft Pantasaph, St 96021 Clare's Convent Convent subject to photographic survey, as a condition of planning permission, in 2003. Build Post Med Convent 99274 St Clares Convent Site recorded in former Flintshire SMR. As yet undescribed. Build Post Med Convent Small domestic dwelling and outbuildings called 'The Kennels'. This site was shown on the 1805 Allotments Map as 'Dog Kennel' and on the 1964 6" OS map as 'The Kennels'. (Clwyd 99275 The Kennels County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Placename Post Med Kennel No structural remains visible at all. There is a slight kink in the field boundary at this point which may indicate the location of a former building. Stone rubble in the area may have originated from a structure, or from field enclosure banks. Several sherds of late post-medieval pottery (on ground) - likewise may originate from a former 85209 Wacco building building or from spreading practices. build Post Med Building Wacco ridge & Ridge And 89598 furrow Site recorded in former Flintshire SMR. As yet undescribed. Cropmark Post Med Furrow 85200 Wacco shaft 1 Most northerly of a series of 3 shafts set atop a SW facing scarp immediately to N of A55. earthwork Post Med Mineshaft 85201 Wacco shaft 2 Set atop a SW facing scarp immediately to N of A55. earthwork Post Med Mineshaft

85202 Wacco shaft 3 Most southerly of 3 shafts set atop a SW facing scarp immediately to N of A55. earthwork Post Med Mineshaft Several shafts and earthworks can be located in the fields to the north of the A55, the larger shafts being at SJ14607630 and SJ15107630. To the east of the Gorsedd to Babell Road, several large shaft-mounds are clearly visible in the fields to the north of the road to Pantasaph. Wacco/Bryn-y- In the field immediately to the north of the A55, workings are located in the vicinity of 18220 Gaseg Mine SJ15007630, crossing the field in an east to west direction. Earthwork Post Med Lead Mine 89662 Waco cottage Site recorded in former Flintshire SMR. As yet undescribed. Build Post Med House Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28089 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28090 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28091 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Early Linear 28092 entry Earthwork Medieval Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28093 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28094 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28095 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28096 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28097 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28098 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28099 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28100 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28101 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Early Linear 28102 entry Earthwork Medieval Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28103 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork

Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28104 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Offa's Dyke - DC Linear 28105 entry Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Pant Asaph Farm 44885 find Finds recorded by National Museum & Galleries of Wales catalogue. finds only Med Findspot Whitford Dyke - Linear 106719 Whitford Course Of Supposed Dyke No Trace On Ground. Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Line Of Supposed Dyke Visible As Cropmark On 86 CPAT Air Photo. Dyke visible as very low ridge in field immediately to west of farm buildings. Whitford Dyke - c0.10m high at 1510 7535, visible beyond this field only as raised area in hedge bank. Linear 106720 Whitford Completely ploughed out in fields. Cropmark Early Med Earthwork Described By Fox In 1926 As A Low Bank Intermittently Visible And As A Low Bank Between 2 Ditches. Present Condition Not Known. Line Visible As A Vague Cropmark On CPAT 86 AP. Proposal by CPAT in 2009 to re-excavate Fox's trench just north of the hengiform monument, but this proved impossible to locate with certainty so a new section was excavated in the vicinity. In general, this confirmed Fox's findings, revealing a slight surviving bank around 5.4m wide and perhaps 0.15m high, with a western ditch 4.2m wide and 0.75m deep and an Whitford Dyke - eastern ditch 3.7m wide and 0.55m deep. Unfortunately, no dating evidence was forthcoming Linear 106721 Ysceifiog from either ditch (Jones 2008; 2009 in Jones, Grant & Hankinson, 2013). Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Whitford Dyke - Linear 106724 Ysceifiog Supposed Dyke Finally Fades Out In This Steep Field With No Trace To S Until Treuddyn. Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Whitford Dyke - Fox Described The Earthwork To The N Of The Road As Clearly Marked But Disturbed By Linear 106723 Ysceifiog F6 Ploughing To The S Of It Present Condition Not Known. Earthwork Early Med Earthwork Whitford, Strip Thomas Badeslade's 1740's estate map of Mostyn Park shows one strip field here, (Turner, E. 120493 Field 2011). Doc’s Med Strip Field Three pennies of Edward I-II, c.1307-14: London, 10cf3 and 11a; Canterbury, 11c. The coins are relatively unworn and original association is likely (PAS, 2009). Ysceifiog, pennies The first was found whilst fieldwalking in search of flints in July 2006, the others were found 118981 of Edward I and II with the use of a metal detector between Feb and March 2007 (British Museum, 2009). finds only Med Findspot Pantasaph Friary, archway to the way 60652 of the cross Grade II listed gateway Build Post Med Gateway Pantasaph Friary, entrance piers and 60649 flanking walls Grade II listed gateway Build Post Med Gateway Pantasaph Friary, Friary Guest 60645 guest house Grade II* listed friary guest house Build Post Med House

including linking range Pantasaph, Telephone Call- Box near the 32299 'Fielding Arms' Grade II listed telephone kiosk Structure Mod Tele Box 60644 West Gate Grade II listed house Building Post Med House Chapel of the Sepulchre, including walls 60646 flanking entrance Grade II listed chapel Build Post Med Chapel Known Only From Evidence Shown On A E Davies Unpublished Plan.The Area Has Now Been Built On By A Local Farmer And No Evidence Of A Barrow Remains.; Babell Lower No trace of a tumulus in field (OS 1961). Bronze Round 102383 Stables Tumulus Now no evidence for a mound anywhere here. Bungalow at this location (CPAT 1999). Doc’s Age Barrow An assemblage of 100 worked flints collected by Mr Peter Jones of Gorsedd between April 2002 and 2006 from the surface of a ploughed field. The overall appearance of the assemblage Babell, Foel dda suggests that it is mainly of Neolithic date, but also contains a small quantity of Mesolithic and 85709 Bach, flints Early Bronze Age flintwork (Walker, E, nd). finds only Prehis Flint Scatter A collection of 18 flints dating to the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age found in 2002 by Peter Jones during fieldwalking, (PAS Database, 2011). Babell, Foel dda This is part of an assemblage of flints found between 2002 - 2006, see PRN 85709 which is the 120316 Bach, Flints I main record, (Turner, E. 2011). finds only Prehis Flint Scatter A collection of 31 flints dating to the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age found in 2003 by Peter Jones during fieldwalking, (PAS Database, 2011). Babell, Foel dda This is part of an assemblage of flints found between 2002 - 2006, see PRN 85709 which is the 120317 Bach, Flints II main record, (Turner, E. 2011). finds only Prehis Flint Scatter A collection of 51 flints dating to the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age found in 2004 by Peter Jones during fieldwalking, (PAS Database, 2011). Babell, Foel dda This is part of an assemblage of flints found between 2002 - 2006, see PRN 85709 which is the 120318 Bach, Flints III main record, (Turner, E. 2011). finds only Prehis Flint Scatter Limestone Block With Two Holes Drilled Through It Top And Bottom.Stands In Front Garden Of The Lawns Babell Where It Was Moved To From Front Wall Possibly. It Is Gatepost.; See Also PRN 102382 Two monoliths removed from site of Gorsedd Church before its construction in 1852. Used as gateposts near Druid Inn, Gorsedd. One is at the side of the gate in the first field on right of road Standing Gorsedd Church from Inn to Babell. It is 4ft high and 15-18 inches thick. The other is at the entrance to the field Bronze Stone;Gate 102381 Standing stone A immediately behind Gorsedd vicarage, and is 5ft6 high and 2ft x 15 inches thick (RCAHM Structure Age/Mod Pier

1912, 94). Illustration of the two pillars in Pennant's History of the parishes of Whiteford and Holywell, 1796. Drawing now in NLW. Stones removed from site of church and one is now in a field belonging to Orsedd Farm, close to lane leading to back of Gorsedd Vicarage, just behind outbuildings. The other is a gatepost on W side of road from Gorsedd Church to Pantasaph, 200yds S of vicarage gate (Davies 1949, 394-5). Formerly recorded in SMR as Babell Stone, although grid ref was in Gorsedd and description is for Gorsedd church. Upright stone is now set in the middle of the front lawn of "The Lawns". Stands 1.41m high above present ground surface, but is apparently buried deeply. width 0.4m, thickness 0.38m . 2 holes drilled from NE side, the upper going right through the stone, the lower one only part way (CPAT 1999). Mound 18m Diameter 1.5m High Within Earthen Circle. Ecxavated 1925 Showing Central Primary Pit Burial And Three Secondary Cremations.A Number Of Flints Were Also Found. Barrow lies within Holywell Earth Circle. Circumference 70 paces, height 4ft composed of clayey soil with some gravel. After excavation the mound was restored to original shape. Totally excavated by Fox in July 1925. Beneath the mound was a circular ditch 6ft wide, 3ft deep and 31ft in diam., surrounding an oval stone cairn 10x 8ft and 2ft 6 high. A sloping "passageway" 5ft long and 3ft 6 wide led into the ditch from the N. A large oval pit 9ft 6 x 7ft x 5ft deep lay beneath the cairn with an entrance on NW side cut in 2 sloping steps. Remains of a skeleton found in base of pit. Secondary cremation within an urn placed in cairn. A second cremation lay within a pit dug into SW slope of mound and a third near top of barrow just NE of cairn. Only 5 flint flakes recovered (Davies 1949, 402-9). A very distinct mound in excellent condition sited on flat ground within earth circle. 20m diam x 1.2m high (CPAT 1999). NMGW has 4 BA flint flakes, two retouched, and 1 BA scraper. (CPAT Lithics, 2001) Holywell Barrow is within the circle (PRN102385), but off-centre to the south (Jones, Grant & Bronze Round 102386 Racecourse barrow Hankinson, 2013). Earthwork Age Barrow Circular Bank And Outer Ditch Investigated 1925 Surrounds Barrow And Is Abutted By Offas Dyke On Two Sides. No Definite Date For Circle But Proved Older Than Dyke Contemp Or Older Than Barrow. SU0885; The circle is a very slight earthwork with an overall diameter of 315-365ft. The height of the bank, which is composed of clayey, sandy soil, varies from a few inches to 3ft, its overall breadth being from 40-50ft. On the outside is a ditch which at present is about 1ft below the surface of the ground (Davies 1949, 408-9). Two sections about 3ft wide were excavated across the circle by Fox in 1925, revealing the Holywell ditch to be up to 4' 4" deep and the bank 1' 7" high and 43ft across. No finds were recovered. Racecourse earth Excavation of two trenches by CPAT in 1996 on the N and NW sides of the circle failed to 102385 circle reveal conclusive evidence for the circle, but did suggest that Offa's Dyke cut the circle on the Earthwork Prehis Enclosure

N side (Owen 1996 - CPAT Report 209). Suggested that PRN 106722 may be a cursus monument running up to join this earth circle from the south, rather than a section of Offa's Dyke as originally believed (Gibson, A, 1999, 132). It is in an uncharacteristically elevated location, has no entrance [in the relatively slight bank] and an external rather than internal ditch (Lynch, Frances, 2003) Earthen Circle And Barrow Set Within It. Both Excavated 1925. Offa's Dyke On Both Sides Of The Circle But Suggestion Is That Circle Is Older Than Dyke And Contemporary With Or Holywell Older Than Mound. Suggested that PRN 106722 may be a cursus monument running up to join Racecourse earth this earth circle from the south, rather than a section of Offa's Dyke as originally believed Bronze Multiple 102384 circle and barrow (Gibson, A, 1999, 132). Earthwork Age Site A tumulus very worn down by cultivation, presumably this scheduled site, in a field on west side of road from Gorsedd to Babell, 300 yds n of Llyn Du farm . Height 1 and 1/2 to 2 ft, circumference 75 paces. Very low mound c0.5m high, diameter unknown. Much eroded by ploughing. Site finds of a spear or pointed weapons and a skeleton c1819 (Davies 1949, 410). Scheduled 1995: round barrow c0.30m high, 26m diameter spread by cultivation but with smooth unbroken profile. No apparent ditch. (Cadw 1995). Quite discernible as a low circular mound close to the field gate. Sited in a flat field overlooking Llyn Du round a slope to S. Dimensions: diameter 22m, height 0.4m max. Although not recently cultivated, Bronze Round 102387 barrow site location near the gate means that it is poached on east side (CPAT 1999). Earthwork Age Barrow Possible Barrow 0.5m High 8m Diameter In An Area Much Mutilated By Mining And Quarrying. (Clwyd County Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Davies reference incorrect Yr Orsedd Farm Nothing visible at this NGR. Farmer has been at this farm since 1961 and cannot remember Bronze Round 102506 Tumulus anything being there in his time (CPAT site visit 10/11/99). Earthwork Age Barrow Cottage Farm Faint circular cropmark observed on aerial photograph. No visible remains. (Clwyd County Circular 89599 cropmark Council 1979 - Flintshire SMR) Cropmark U/N Feature Low Mound 0.25m High And 19.6m Diameter.The Remains Of The Starters Tower For The Races Stands In The Middle Of The Mound.; A much worn down tumulus 70 paces circ and 1ft high. A round building or tower (now Holywell ruinous), connected with old racecourse, stands on N half (Davies 1949, 412). Racecourse barrow Considered that the site is more than likely a modern mound formed during construction of Mod/Bron Mound;Rou 102530 II tower (CPAT site visit 9/11/99). Earthwork ze Age nd Barrow Supposed Dyke Represented Here By Low Bank Between 2 Ditches Assoc. To Sw Of Lower Stables Farm With Earthen Circle And Barrow Car2398 Sectioned By Fox To Nw And Se Of Circle, Relationship Not Examined. This site is suggested to be a cursus monument associated with the earthen circle and barrow. Its morphology does not fit in with its intrepretation as Offa's Dyke. It also appears to run up, Early Linear Whitford Dyke - and join, the earthen circle, rather than crossing it. Two parallel ditches with central mound Med/Neol Earthwork;C 106722 Ysceifiog F6 orientated SE-NW. The ditches are 15m apart and traceable for some 70m. The bank has Earthwork ithic ursus

previously been believed to be part of Offa's Dyke, although the flanking ditches are unusual and it is noticable that the bank does not cross the earth circle, although on the N side the Dyke at least crosses the circle's ditch. It is possible that the central mound is a bank barrow associated with a cursus (Gibson, A, 1999, 132 & 139 and pers comm.). As Gibson suggested, the section immediately to the south-east of the hengiform site could be a cursus. This section does not readily match the alignment of those to the north and south and this could, therefore, be an earlier monument which was incorporated into a much later boundary. (Jones 2009, pp25) Excavation in 2012 consisted of a single trench, 25m long and 1.5m wide, located towards the southern end of the field immediately north of Ty Griana (SJ 1526 7491). The eastern ditch which was 4.9m wide and 0.56m deep, had broad sloping edges with a fairly flat base. The western ditch, which measured 5.7m wide and 0.7m deep, contained evidence of significant later activity, with two recuts along the outer, western edge. In addition, there was a large sub- circular pit, 1.7m in diameter and 0.3m deep, cut into the base of the ditch. Both ditches had been disturbed at some point in the past and the only artefacts recovered were of post-medieval date. Radiocarbon dating of samples from the lower fills of the eastern ditch unexpectedly produced dates of between AD 1665-1950, presumably indicating a degree of disturbance by later activity, perhaps related to nearby quarrying. The inner edges of the ditches were separated by around 8m, although no surviving bank material was apparent. (Jones, N. W., Grant, I. and Hankinson, R., 2013).

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