single pgs 4 pdf - Somerset County Council

S O M E R S E T
H e RITAGE
Annual Report 2002

Contents
Front cover shows St Margaret’s Almshouses, Taunton
repaired and converted into three houses. The project was
coordinated by the Somerset Building Preservation Trust
working with the Falcon Housing Association. Grant-aid
and technical advice was provided by Somerset County Council.
Our consultant Rachel Shaw provided educational and
outreach support throughout the project
Introduction 1
Archaeology 2
Heritage Management 7
Conservation and Enhancement 10
Outreach and Community Heritage 16
Facts, Figures and Thanks 22
Professor Mick Aston and Bob Croft with some of the 3000
visitors to Athelney during the Time Team excavations

Introduction
Welcome to the 2002 Annual Report of the Architectural
and Historic Heritage Group of Somerset County Council.
Culture and Heritage
Following re-organisation of the County Council the Group
left the Environment & Property Department and joined
the newly created Culture and Heritage Directorate. This
Directorate formally combines those services which had
previously been brought together for the purposes of a
Best Value Review. The outcome of the Review strongly
underlined the need for the County Council to give
Culture and Heritage a much greater profile by developing
services that have been assessed as being fair but
capable of improvement. This challenge is now being
taken up by our new Director, Jane Murray with Archive
and Records Service, County Museum Service, County
Library Service, Arts and Victoria County History.
Unlocking Somerset’s Historic Environment
One major step forward in widening our service base
and providing better and easier access to the historic
environment was made possible by the Heritage Lottery
Fund. Their award in the summer of 2002, funded the
post of an Archaeological Outreach Officer to investigate
the ways and means of making the Sites and Monuments
Record available on the Internet for schools, colleges,
libraries and the general public (see page 17).
Highlights of a very busy and productive year for the
Group included the successful completion of St Margaret’s
Almshouses, Taunton for social housing, the archaeological
award for the Lopen Mosaic and the Royal visit by Prince
Charles to Hestercombe. These and other achievements
were only made possible through the continued support
Living in the Iron Age
Pointing the way in
(see pages 20 and 21) Cheddar (see page 13)
and funding from our partners, especially the District
Councils, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery
Fund.
The Architectural and Historic Heritage Group
The Group comprises two multi-disciplinary teams of
building conservationists and archaeologists supported
by other specialists who provide professional expertise
and guidance on all aspects of the historic environment.
The Group is responsible for the nationally important
Edwardian gardens at Hestercombe and also the Peat
Moors Centre near Shapwick.
This report has been written and compiled by staff of the
service and reviews some of the activities carried out in
2002 in pursuit of the Group’s stated objectives:
“...to ensure that Somerset’s historic environment
is protected and enhanced through... the wider
planning process, effective liaison and partnership,
maximising funding and other resources, advancing
knowledge, standards and skills, and improving
public access, understanding and enjoyment.”
1

Archaeology
Every year new aspects of the archaeological heritage
of the county are revealed through development and
research. This report highlights some of the key sites
examined during 2002.
Non-Conformists Burials in Wellington
Excavations by Exeter Archaeology in Wellington produced
evidence of the health and lives of the 17th and 18th
century residents. The site is behind the nineteenth century
church and adjacent to the cemetery so an archaeological
condition was placed on the planning permission. This
was intended to be a watching brief in case the demolition
of the building revealed disturbed burials or any other
archaeological remains.
During the excavation of the existing foundations of the
Congregational Church human remains were unearthed.
(photo above right) The police were contacted and a
Home Office Licence was issued to Exeter Archaeology
in order for these remains (and any further burials) to be
archaeologically excavated, recorded and removed. At
that time there only appeared to be a limited number of
burials on the site. However, after two further weeks of
excavation it became clear that after removing 30 burials
there could possibly be a total of c.100 within the
development area. Therefore, excavations ceased and
the developers, A & H Gadd Ltd. designed a piling
foundation scheme which preserved the remaining
burials in-situ.
Research has indicated that these burials belong to a
non-Conformist sect and are likely to date from 1680’s
through to the late 19th century (c. 1879). They are
currently being analysed at Bournemouth University after
a grant was offered by English Heritage. These forms of
rural post-medieval burials are rarely excavated
archaeologically although some urban sites such as
Spittlefields in London have been extensively analysed.
The Wellington examples are particularly important as
they offer the potential of assessing the impact of
industrialisation on human health as they can be
compared with the data on urban populations from sites
such as Kingston-upon-Thames, St Augustine the Less,
and Portland St Andrews. This data is particularly
relevant in an international context to the study of affects
on population health in the rapidly industrialising
countries in the developing world.
2

Athelney - New Research
Athelney, the “Isle of the Princes” where King Alfred
camped his army before defeating the Danish invasion,
was the focus of archaeological attention this summer.
This project was inspired by the rediscovery of the
important medieval document, the Cartulary of Athelney
Abbey, which had been missing since the 18th century
and renewed interest from the Channel 4 Time Team.
This resulted in two major events, an exhibition on Alfred
and Athelney, in the County Museum in Taunton throughout
the summer, and an archaeological excavation on the
site. The archive exhibition brought the Athelney Cartulary
back to Somerset and it was shown to HM the Queen
during her visit to Taunton in May.
This was the second visit by the Time Team, celebrating
10 years of programmes by returning to Athleney
following their original programme in 1993. Although
at that time no excavations were carried out GSB
Prospection did conduct a geophysical survey and
fieldwaking took place. This evidence indicated that
important archaeological remains survive on the site.
In 2002 a conservation and management project was
submitted to English Heritage. Although Athelney Island
is currently under grass the site was ploughed for many
years and it was assumed that any building remains had
been robbed over the last 400 years as indicated by
numerous historical references. However, the geophysics
indicated that stone foundations might survive on the site
despite many generations of ploughing damage. One of
the main objectives for the 2002 research programme
was to assess the nature and extent of any surviving
walls around the area of the abbey church. The project
also looked at two areas on the western part of the
island, firstly where metal working slag had been found
during field walking and secondly at the end of the island
closest to East Lyng where there were indications of a
boundary ditch feature. Following this partnership project
with the Time Team a major public open day was
organised which was attended by over 3000 people.
photo above: Excavations at the eastern end of the
site revealed part of the Athelney cemetery area.
Photograph shows Bob Croft describing the
archaeological work to Councillor Cathy Bakewell
whilst Channel 4 - Time Team film in the foreground.
The Church Area
Excavations on the east end of the church showed that
many of the walls had indeed been robbed out and that
the abbey church expanded into an area of an earlier
cemetery. The main body of the church was also
investigated and despite early indications that this had
also been robbed, very well preserved foundations of
the north wall were revealed still in-situ including part
of a buttress.
3

Photo below: A section cut through
the ditches confirmed an Iron Age date
for the occupation on Athelney hill.
Western ditches
At the western end of the island two sections were
excavated to reveal a substantial ditch that followed
the edge of the island. It was clear from these sections
that there were at least two main stages to this ditch.
A deeper earlier ditch contained what appeared to be
Iron Age type pottery. Subsequently this ditch silted up
and was re-dug at a later date. Detailed analysis of the
pottery and other artefacts from these ditches is still
awaited but the indications are that the earlier prehistoric
ditch was re-dug in the Saxon or early medieval period.
Radio carbon dating evidence from bone samples has
provided Iron Age dates for the origins this defensive
ditch. This is one of the most significant finds from
Athelney and it confirms that occupation occurred on
the hill long before the abbey was founded in the 9th
century.
Education and site conservation
The archaeological research was coordinated to provide
evidence of the nature and extent of the buried remains
with a view to securing a long-term management;
conservation and interpretation plan. The 2002 Athelney
project was a great success involving local groups and
the nearby schools of Burrowbridge and Stoke St Gregory
led by Rachel Shaw. The project was also used as an
opportunity for A level archaeology students from Richard
Huish College to see how such projects are coordinated.
Photo below: Monument to King Alfred erected in
1801, repaired by the Group in 1985.
4

Dinnington - Roman Villa
A large Roman building was first recorded at Dinnington
following the droughts of 1976. Early in 2002 landowners
working with local archaeologist, Alan Graham discovered
evidence of mosaic remains on the site. Permission was
obtained for Channel 4 Time Team, to undertake a small
research excavation and carry out an extensive geographical
survey of the site. The results of this research were quite
spectacular. They revealed the remains of a very substantial
courtyard villa with at least three rooms containing 4th
century AD mosaics. The upper layers of the villa and
the mosaic floors were affected by plough damage.
Photo right: Dr.David Neal recording the 4th century
mosaic at Dinnington. The plough damage can be
clearly seen.
The River Huntspill Project
The Environment Agency and Somerset County Council
are undertaking a joint project examining the archaeological
remains that are at risk of erosion from the Huntspill
River. The river, a SSSI owned and managed by the
Agency, has a wealth of archaeological remains
preserved in its banks. The first year of the project
examined a Roman occupation site beside Bleak Bridge.
In February 2002 work focused on a two-week excavation
of one of the Roman salt-making sites which are visible
in the riverbanks. The excavation team included many
local volunteers displayed great fortitude and resilience in
the face of appalling weather conditions. The excavations
discovered many features of the salt-making process
including large circular tanks where the salt water from
tidal creeks was retained to allow sediment to settle out
and part of a rectangular open-hearth structure where
the brine was evaporated to leave salt. The hearth walls
and kiln furniture were made of clay mixed with straw
fired at low temperatures producing pottery called
briquetage that often retained the handprints of its makers.
Middle photo: The waterlogged conditions helped to
preserve organic artefacts including part of a wickerwork
basket, one of only six known from Roman Britain.
Lower photo: Local volunteer archaeologists working in
very muddy conditions at Bleak Bridge.
5

Photo below: scientific analysis of clay deposits
being taken by English Heritage at Bleak Bridge.
Samples from the peat and clay under and over the mound
were analysed to show how the local landscape had
changed over 6,500 years. Raised bog dominated the
area for most of the prehistoric period until it became
part of the coastal salt marsh with salt production occurring
in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. The salt marsh continued
in the area until the 16th century and is shown as ‘Brent
Marsh’ on Bowen’s 1750 map of the county (below).
Origin of Villages - Excavations at Ash
Terrain Archaeology carried out an excavation of a plot
of land at Back Street, Ash prior to the building of two
houses. Initially the site was evaluated by C & N
Hollinrake which produced evidence of a medieval
building. The site is important because Ash has a
fascinating yet little understood history. Originally Ash
was two medieval planned settlements appearing first
as Esse (Ash Tree) in 1225 and then Ash Bologne in
the later 13th century. Strangely another settlement is
mentioned in records in the 14th century called
Pykesash. The excavation took place in the area of the
modern village associated with the Ash Bologne place
name on an empty plot which had been used as an
orchard for the last two centuries.
Photo above: Local schoolchildren visiting the
excavations at Ash near Martock.
The excavation revealed traces of a small stone building
which had apparently been destroyed by fire in the 16th
century. Large amounts of pottery were recovered from
a ditch which ran around the building which represents
one of the largest and most complete sequences of late
medieval ceramics yet found in such a rural site in
Somerset. The ditch itself remains somewhat enigmatic,
as it is very unusual to see a ditch so close to a building.
It has been suggested that it might have acted as a
surface water drain designed to help reduce damp
conditions around the building.
6

Scheduled Monuments which have been subject to degradation or neglect are targeted as part of an ongoing
programme of works. In 2002 a number of burial mounds on the Mendip Hills were cleared of scrub
(see Chewton Mendip photo below) enhancing their setting within the landscape, and preventing their
degradation through root damage. The difficult issue of badger damage is also being tackled on two sites -
non-lethal measures are being introduced to attempt to control their sett location and spread.
Heritage Management
Countryside Archaeology
The importance of the historic environment is achieving
an increased profile through the recognition and
management of archaeological and historic sites within
the countryside. Government grant aid, through agrienvironment
and woodland grant funding, which affects
large areas of the county, necessitates guidance on the
principles of protection and preservation for recognised
and potential sites which fall within the landholdings for
these schemes.
In 2002 the number of consultations and preparatory
consultations increased to 257. The majority of these
were related to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme,
and some 15 new sites were discovered in the process.
Within the total land area assessed for its potential were
276 known archaeological sites.
Government funding to farmers via the Countryside
Stewardship Scheme provides scope for the protection
or preservation of many aspects of the historic environment,
from maintaining a grassland cover on monuments, to
traditional and historic buildings, to hedgerow works
which preserve historic field patterns. Three Environmentally
Sensitive Areas - the Levels & Moors, Blackdowns and
Exmoor - lie within Somerset, and management of the
historic environment is a key part of their remit. Provision
of advice to the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs ensures that their records are updated and
allows informed management to take place.
Historic Landscape Characterisation Project
Following the successful completion of a series of English
Heritage funded projects, Oscar Aldred’s contact came
to an end in May 2002 and he joined the Icelandic
Archaeological Institute in Reykjavik. Full details of the
HLC project can be found in the Annual Report for 2000.
7

Photo below: A new survey of Fenny Castle, a
motte and bailey castle in the wetlands near
Godney has been undertaken by Exeter University
with funding from SCC and the Somerset
Archaeological and Natural History Society.
Levels and Moors
New projects
Several collaborative projects were developed in 2002
in the Levels and Moors area. The second stage of the
River Huntspill Project was carried out with funding from
the Environment Agency (see page 5). The Group report
on peat wastage and archaeology has lead to a research
project dating the uppermost peat layers on the Somerset
moors, which has also succeeded in gaining funding
from the Agency. The objective of the project is to obtain
information on how much peat has been lost to desiccation
since reclamation and drainage of the moorland began.
Another project examining the condition of the most
important waterlogged archaeological sites in the county
was also approved for joint funding by English Heritage
and the Environment Agency, to begin in 2003. European
funding has also been secured through the Leader+
scheme for the establishment of a Heritage Network in
the Avalon Marshes area of the Brue valley.
Those within the countryside sphere will be aware
of the coming reorganisation for agri-environment
schemes - various consultation documents are
circulating, and responses highlighting the importance
of the historic environment will hopefully enhance its
profile in the forthcoming review.
Other consultations included assessments for
the woodland grant scheme - recognition of
archaeological sites prior to planting can often
result in their protection within the rural environment.
Liaison with Forestry Commission occurs frequently,
with visits to possible new sites and provision of
management advice for known monuments.
Photo left: Jan Grove carrying out a condition survey
at Adscombe Chapel on the Quantocks.
Photo left: Remains of a medieval cross base at Castle
Farm, Wookey parish being inspected by SCC and
English Heritage. Many of the medieval crosses in the
county are in need of repair and conservation.
8

Hestercombe Gardens
2002 saw the continuing restoration of the formal
gardens by the partnership of Somerset County Council
and Lutyens Jekyll Garden Company in accordance with
the Restoration Plan approved in 2000. The work was
undertaken by the gardens team with help from the
Group’s conservation team.
Photo below: The highlight of the year was a
visit by HRH Prince Charles on the 17th May.
The staff had an opportunity to meet Prince
Charles, and the photo shows Jill Pullinger
exchanging a few words. Jill left the Gardens
in August after 9 years voluntary service.
Restoration work included:
The secure fixing of two urns on the Dutch Garden wall.
These urns have been a valuable addition to the vertical
elements within this somewhat flat garden space.
The realignment of the Victorian Terrace central beds.
We also took the opportunity to fit preserved timber to
the inner edges of the beds to enable ease of
maintenance.
A new glasshouse erected to replace the one, which had
to be dismantled to make space for a new covered area
in which the rare colony of bats could ‘limber up’ before
the fories into the landscape garden.
In the Rose Garden a major project for this year involved
the clearance of the beds, realignment of the edges,
timber edging and planting the beds with new roses to a
design supplied to us by our Gertrude Jekyll planting
specialist Professor Michael Tooley.
In the Dutch garden, the replacement of the planttraining
wall bars on the high rear wall of the garden so
plants can be trained up them and so dress the walls.
Photographs show restoration progress in The Plat
at Hestercombe, middle 1997, bottom 2002.
1998 45,000
1999 47,000
2000 55,500
2001 60,000
2002 72,000
Table 1. Visitor Numbers
9

Conservation & Enhancement
Each year the Group undertakes a wide range of
environmental enhancement schemes generally funded
in partnership with District and Parish Councils. Longer
term conservation agreements exist in Langport,
Wincanton, Bridgwater and Frome.
Bridgwater THI
2002 was notable for the start of the Bridgwater Townscape
Heritage Initiative (THI). In March an application was
received from the YMCA for funding towards a drop-in
and accommodation centre on the vacant site of 16 St
Mary Street. The grant would cover the ‘conservation
deficit’ of using traditional materials on the new building
that went beyond the standard normally required by the
local planning authority. The application received approval
and work was well underway by the end of the year. A
revised scheme was received for repair and reinstatement
works to the facade of The Lions, West Quay. However,
the cost of these works and the limited funds of the
Bridgwater THI prohibited a full grant being offered.
In spring 2002 Sedgemoor District Council, as owners,
agreed to financially support a comprehensive scheme
for the Cornhill: to introduce a bistro/restaurant in the
Corn Exchange and refurbish the Market and shopfronts.
Half of the Bridgwater THI Common Fund is ring-fenced
for the Cornhill and this would be matched by
Sedgemoor District Council.
Since the start of the Bridgwater THI Sedgemoor District
Council has pursued a rescue package in partnership
with SAVE, a charitable trust for Castle House, a Grade
II* listed experimental concrete building. By September
the transfer of the building to SAVE was completed, and
discussions started with a local housing association,
English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund on the
long term use, repair and funding for the project.
photo below left: The junction of St Mary and Dampiet
Streets before work starts on the THI supported project
and right: during construction of the YMCA building.
10

Frome THI
Over the last 14 years a series of partnership grant aid
schemes have provided funding for conservation and
regeneration work in Frome. A Town Scheme based on
the Catherine Hill area commenced in 1988 and with an
extended area, a Conservation Area Partnership Scheme
followed in 1996. The present Townscape Heritage
Initiative covering a much larger area of the town was
approved in 1999 and the deadline for making grant
commitments was reached on 31st July 2002 with all of
the available grant funding of £754,000 fully committed.
The THI identified three ‘Critical Buildings’ and two of
these, the Feather Factory and the Lamb Brewery, have
been resolved through grant funding. Eight of the nine
Target Buildings have been improved, six of them with
grant aid and three of the five buildings in Bath Street
have been completed. This work has resulted in three
buildings being removed from the Buildings at Risk
Register and eight previously derelict buildings being
restored to full repair with new long term uses.
Photo below: N o 8 Bath Street, Frome
part of a terrace dating from 1811-13.
Coat of Arms on 2 nd floor of the Thynne
family of Longleat. Building repaired with
grant-aid from the THI fund.
In the public realm the conservation of statues at the
Blue House Almshouses has been completed and work
has commenced on the restoration and re-erection of
the second Bunn Pillar. The Conservation Team recovered
the recently discovered stone sections from a local
resident’s garden and have prepared a site close to
the pillar’s original position in Christchurch Street West
for re-erection in 2003.
The THI is funded by the local authority partners, Somerset
County Council, Mendip District Council and Frome
Town Council, together with English Heritage and the
Heritage Lottery Fund.
Photo right: The former Morlands and Bailey’s
sheepskin works at Glastonbury were the subject
of a detailed appraisal by SCC, English Heritage,
South West Regional Development Agency and
historic building consultants. The important buildings
on the site have now been identified. The historic
setting of the site, including the Beckery Chapel,
adds to the regeneration potential of the site.
11

Photo below: The former Stoate’s Flour Mill,
a 19th century complex of mill buildings now
included within the Conservation Area.
Watchet Conservation Area
In the summer of 2002 the Group undertook a review
of the Conservation Area designation in the Civil Parish of
Watchet, at the request of West Somerset District
Council. Evidence of semi-urban activity at Watchet
dates back to Saxon times and the settlement developed
as the port and trading area of the royal hundred of
Williton. Its distinctive character emanating from its
function as a Bristol Channel port. The existing Watchet
Conservation Area was designated in 1975 and largely
reflected the pre-19th century historic core, which is
characterised by small-scale narrow streets with modest
buildings constructed from a limited range of materials.
The nineteenth century saw the transformation of
Watchet from a small Medieval port to an industrial
centre. This transformation was over a short period
around the 1860s and included the redevelopment of
the harbour and arrival of two railways. The increase in
industrial activity is also reflected in the terrace housing,
partly built from materials imported as return cargo and
ballast from South Wales. Since 1975 the appreciation of
19th century development and industrial archaeology has
grown and the review concluded that the area should be
extended to include the former Stoate’s Mills complex off
Mill Street, together with the surviving evidence of the
West Somerset Mineral Railway and the West Somerset
Railway.
Other significant areas recommended for inclusion
included East Quay, which in 1975 was a busy working
wharf but is now seeking a new role, and the Pleasure
Grounds, which rises above East Wharf and are a
defining landscape feature and important open space.
The recommendations were adopted by West Somerset
District Council and the new Conservation Areas
designated on 24 October 2002. The Map shows the
original Conservation Area (light shading) and the new
additions (dark shading).
OS licence N o LA 07683. Based on Ordnance Survey map.
c Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.
12

Water Trough, Somerton
To mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II,
Somerton Town Council commissioned the repair and
restoration of the unique water trough and ornamental
light in Cow Square which had been erected to
commemorate the Coronation of King Edward VII,
August 9th 1902. The project was funded with assistance
from Somerset County Council, South Somerset District
Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Wyvern
Environmental Trust. The restoration involved the removal
of the trough to the Bristol workshop of Dorothea Restorations.
This provided an opportunity to rebuild the paved base
and improve the setting of the trough including the repair
of the County Finger post. This work was carried out
by the Conservation Team using reclaimed stone kerbs,
slabs and setts from our salvaged materials yard at Wells.
Photo right: Water Trough after completion
of the repair works and new paving.
Cheddar Market Cross
In November 2001 the Group was consulted by Highway
Services on a scheme to enhance and protect the Grade
II* listed medieval Market Cross, as part of a programme
of works under the Local Transport Plan. The Group
developed the design for the scheme and provided specialist
advise to WS Atkins on its implementation. The basis of
the scheme was to create a paved area around the Cross
with kerbing and bollards to keep traffic away from the
structure, and to provide a pedestrian crossing point. A
restricted pallet of natural materials was chosen,
including cobble paving, salvaged lias kerbing, and
Draycott Marble edgings and quadrant kerbs. The laying
of the cobble paving was a challenge for the contractor,
compounded by the need to complete the works before
the summer season and by an exceptionally wet spring.
The scheme was completed with a bespoke pedestrian
finger signpost at the apex of the new paved area. The
cost of patterns for new cast elements is high, therefore,
the design had to be such that the basic form could be
used elsewhere in the County. The finger post was cast
and manufactured at the Cerdic Foundry, Chard and
erected in time for Christmas 2002.
Photo right: The completed Cheddar
Market Cross scheme.
13

Pictures below show the plaque in its
design stage and the Queen’s car
processing up Wells High Street.
THE RAILWAY AGE IN WELLS 1859 - 1963
Great Western
Railway
formerly
Portway
Burcott Road
N
to Cheddar
S & DJR (S.W. Johnson) GWR ( C.B. Collett )
Wells Tucker Street Station &
Yard
opened 5th April 1870
closed 9th September 1963 (passengers)
Wells Priory Road Station &
Yard
opened 15th March 1859
closed 29th October 1951 (passengers)
Wells Railway Plaques
The Wells Relief Road was constructed for much of its
length on the route of former railways and on the sites
of three stations. These stations stood remarkably close
to one another as they were the terminals for the three
railway companies that initially served the city: Bristol &
Exeter Railway; Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway; and
East Somerset Railway. As part of the Relief Road works,
Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and local railway
enthusiasts asked the County Council to mark the site
of each station with a commemorative plaque. The
artwork for the stainless steel plaques were designed by
John Parsons of Wookey Hole. The bases were built by
the Group’s Conservation Craftsmen using Draycott
Marble salvaged from the Burcott Railway Bridge that
was dismantled as part of the Relief Road works. Sawn
and polished by Wells Cathedral Stonemasons of
Cheddar, the Draycott Marble produced a very attractive
capping stone to each base.
to Glastonbury
Somerset & Dorset Joint
Railway
formerly
Great Western Railway
formerly East Somerset
Glastonbury Road
Wells East Somerset Station &
Yard
opened 1st March 1862
closed 1st January 1878 (passengers)
to Shepton Mallet
The plaques were unveiled on 6 March 2002 by Mrs P
Hayes, the widow of the last Station Master at Wells,
and assisted by Roger Bennett of BBC Radio Bristol.
Scale:
0 50 100 150 200 250
Ministry of Food
Cold Store 1942
Somerset County Council
metre
based on O.S. Maps 1908, 1930 & 1968
Wells High Street
Construction work on the High Street phase of the city
centre enhancement scheme commenced in January
and was completed, on schedule, in May. This project,
which began in 2000/01 with works in Sadler Street,
has created a safer, more comfortable environment for
shoppers and visitors by providing greater pedestrian
priority and minimising traffic impact while retaining the
historic character and features of these streets.
Using natural stone materials pavements have been
widened, water channels realigned and stone sett
pitchings reproduced.
The High Street works had to be carefully programmed
to be completed before a visit by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
on the 2nd May as part of her Jubilee tour of the country.
Funding was made available from the Local Transport
Plan. The scheme was designed in collaboration with
Andy Davison, Project Engineer with Atkins. Atkins
Construction undertook the works under the direction
of Mike Hodd.
14

Photo below: West Coker, the Group’s
Conservation Craftsmen undertook the
scheme under difficult working
conditions in November.
West Coker
West Coker is an attractive village to the west of Yeovil,
the majority of which is designated as a Conservation
Area. At the centre of the village was a raised stone
pavement to the busy A30 in need of repair, with
unattractive concrete kerbing and pedestrian barrier that
blighted the area. At the request of the Parish Council,
the Group prepared, on behalf of the Area Highway Manger,
a small scheme for the resurfacing of the pavement with
natural stone, replacement of the kerbing with a low lias
stone retaining wall and replacement of the unsightly
barrier with one of oak posts and metal rails. In addition,
the scheme extended the new paving to enhance the
space in front of the memorial wooden bus shelter.
Cannington (right)
2002 saw the completion of the Cannington
enhancement scheme. The scheme which included
new lighting, removal of overhead cables and
resurfacing had suffered long delays waiting for
the right weather conditions to lay the surface dressing
in the churchyard paths and surrounding lanes.
Bicknoller (far right)
The medieval stocks in Bicknoller churchyard
were conserved and re-instated by the Conservation
team, working with the Parochial Church Council,
Matt Conlon of Cheddon Fitzpaine Forge,
and Andy Fowler of Chard.
15

Outreach & Community Heritage
The Group continues to be involved with a wide of
variety of community projects and local schemes.
Wherever possible we actively promote the importance
and educational value of archaeology and the historic
environment.
St. Margaret’s Almshouses
This year children, teachers and helpers from Holy Trinity,
Halcon, Holway Park and Blackbrook Primary Schools
continued their involvement with the St. Margaret’s Leper
Hospital/Almshouses project.
Over three days in April they made the now-familiar
journey to the Almshouses, some for the third or fourth
time, to see the craftsmen at work. On their previous
visit, the burnt roof timbers were being removed, and
they could see the bare bones of the building. Since
then, it had been shrouded by a temporary roof of white
sheeting, concealing the progress of the restoration
work. However, the first group had the excitement of
seeing the final covers removed, to reveal the almostfinished
thatched roof.
It is impossible to judge the long-term impact this project
has had on the children. It has certainly given them some
unique, memorable, experiences and a sense of
privileged involvement with the building and the people
doing the work. We hope it has given them some insight
into issues of conservation and responsible heritage
management as well as the technical aspects of the
project. It has opened their eyes to the reality of the
local past, the actual lives of individual, often excluded,
people. This awareness spilled over into action in the
case of one school which had raised money for a leprosy
charity in South America. It is to be hoped that the St
Margaret’s project will pave the way for more such
opportunities for creative partnership between the
heritage specialists and the local community.
The St Margarets Almshouse project has brought
architects, archaeologists, conservators, schoolchildren
and members of the local community together to ensure
the survival of this historic building.
The site was even busier than before, with plasterers,
builders and thatchers at work, so the visiting groups
were kept small. Robert Battersby, the architect, took
children into the almshouses, where they could see the
restructuring of the building taking shape. At this halfway
stage, they could see clearly where new materials
were replacing or repairing old. They were also quick to
spot that the original stone commemoration plaque had
been removed for conservation.
16
Photo: On 31 st October 2002 the keys to St Margaret’s were handed over to Rev.Ray,
Chairman of Falcon Housing Association by Mike Foden, Chairman of the Somerset
Building Preservation Trust in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Taunton.

Unlocking Somerset’s Historic Environment
This year, after a lot of hard work preparing the bid, the
Somerset Sites and Monuments Record received a grant
from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to improve public
access to the SMR. Currently SMR information can only
be accessed through direct contact with the SMR
Officer. The information exists as computer database
and a number of paper records. Each SMR entry lists all
the references that are relevant and a summary of what
is known. The main aims of the project are to make the
database available on a website and to make the public
aware of its existence and its value in research.
Photo below: Front cover of
the current SMR leaflet.
In September 2002 Talya Bagwell was appointed as the
Outreach Officer to accomplish this task. Her work on
the HLF project began in October 2002 with an initial job
of sorting through and cataloguing the Group’s vast slide
collection. From these a number of slides were selected
for scanning for archive purposes. It is also planned that
each SMR entry on the website will be accompanied by
a digital image. The Group’s slide collection is housed in
filing cabinets organised on a parish and district basis.
Over 9000 slides were catalogued and 1500 selected for
scanning. The slides cover a whole range of sites from
aerial photographs of cropmarks to pictures of
milestones through to snapshots in time taken during
actual archaeological excavations and, as such, are an
extremely valuable resource.
A tender process was put into action to select a
company to construct the website. The winning design
needed to meet a number of important criteria, the
primary ones were that it should be simple and easy to
use and also that it should work efficiently on home
computers without taking too long and without
‘crashing’. A shortlist of three proposals was selected
and each company was visited for a presentation and
discussion. Finally a company from Birmingham, Dotted
Eyes, was chosen to undertake the work, which is now
in progress.
17

Once the website is up and running, scheduled for
Autumn 2003, the task of promoting its existence will
begin. Outreach work has already commenced with a
number of visits to local societies. A full programme
of talks and a travelling exhibition is currently being
assembled for the autumn and winter of 2003.
These are to be hosted by local societies, libraries
and museums.
The website (see left) is planned to consist of the SMR
database which is to be linked with a map. Each will be
searchable using a number of different search criteria
such as site type, date, location or event type. As well as
the database and the linked map the website will contain
a number of other elements concerning the historic
environment of Somerset. These will include sections on
topics such as Chronology, Definitions of Archaeological
Terms, a County Bibliography, and Summaries by period
of archaeological evidence in the County, information on
planning and themed essays on such topics as Defence,
Agriculture and Transport.
Lopen Roman Mosaic reconstructed (below left)
The Lopen Local History group has taken up the project
to examine and promote the story of the mosaic. They
have held several public lectures and open evenings and
have raised over £1500 towards their project. A particular
success was an award from the Local Heritage Initiative
Fund to construct and document a replica panel of
the mosaic and to tell the story to local people. The
reconstructed panel will be placed in Lopen parish
church. A public exhibition giving details of the
archaeological finds was organised by South Somerset
District Council in conjunction with Alan Graham and
SCC in Yeovil museum. This coincided with a photographic
display by Pauline Rook who recorded the events at
Lopen in a series of quality black and white photographs.
The Group has produced a newsletter and held several
sessions to work on the reconstructed mosaic panel.
The public interest and support in local archaeology has
been given a tremendous boost entirely due to the sharp
eyes and prompt action of the Osborne family. George
Caton the digger driver received the 2002 Tarmac finders
award for his discovery. The presentation was made at
the British Archaeological Awards Ceremony in Liverpool
in November 2002. The County Council was represented
by Paddy Mc Master and Bob Croft.
18

Peat Heritage Project Update
The Peat Heritage Project was launched in October 2001
following a successful funding bid to the Countryside
Agency’s Local Heritage Initiative scheme. The project
aimed to record, document and celebrate the social and
landscape heritage of the Somerset Peat Industry.
Picture below: detail from Peat Heritage
Project postcard designed by Ashcott and
Meare Primary Schools with local artist
Kate Lynch. (see also back cover)
Since its launch, the project has interviewed and traced
around 20 people involved within the industry over the
last 100 years and has pieced together their memories,
anecdotes and experiences to form a comprehensive
archive of oral recordings, transcriptions and photographs.
This archive, which will be held at the Somerset Rural
Life Museum, will be compatible with the Museum
Service’s programme of archival digitising, aiming to
make all stored archives accessible in more forms for
more users.
In July 2002 project co-ordinator Nancy Ashworth
worked with local artist Kate Lynch and two local
schools, Ashcott and Meare Primary schools, to turn
the amazing anecdotes into an illustrative format. The
children produced a triptych ‘mobile’ display of the three
main periods covered by the project, 1900-1939, 1940-
1959 and 1960-present day. With the help of Kate Lynch
each child painted onto the board their chosen anecdote
(from digging peat to flying pies) and brought to life some
of the memories they had heard.
Now completed, the boards have been professionally
photographed and turned into sets of postcards. These
will help to publicise the project and its archive and also
provide some income for future reprints. The triptych will
be based at Peat Moors Centre when not exhibiting at
community venues such as schools, village halls and
libraries.
Work is currently underway to complete a book (Voices
from the Peat) which will be a host of memories and
anecdotes shared by the people who kindly took part in
interviews, from tales about the Glastonbury to Burnham
Train Crash, to coping with flooded peat fields and
making blackbird pie.
19

Peat Moors Centre
The year began with collection of a good quantity of
coppice material from the County farm estate woodland
near Donyatt, supplemented by material supplied by
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust from their working coppice
woodlands. This allowed for the programme of general
site maintenance to continue. One major project was
the building of a new shelter with assistance of members
the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers on a ‘natural
break’ weekend.
The Centre organised a number of major events during
the year, which coincided with the ancient quarterly fire
festivals. Each event has it’s own successful formula
which will be carried over from year to year. In May, the
‘Beltane Gathering’, a three day event at which the main
attraction where members of the Silures and Settantii
Iron Age re-enactment societies who demonstrated a
range of period activities. The ‘Lughnasa Skills Fair’ at
the beginning of August was the highest grossing day of
the year and featured demonstrations of a range of craft
skills. The year ended (or began!) with the ‘Samhain Fair’
and the annual burning of a Wicker Man ceremony
which was witnessed by over 100 people and included
the introduction of a storytelling competition for the
‘Bardic Chair of the Avalon Marshes’. The Chair was
awarded to Sharon Jacksties, who has subsequently
moved to Langport and has organised a season of
storytelling evenings in conjunction with the Centre for
the 2003 season.
Throughout the year a wide selection of demonstrations
and courses were provided. Bronze casting courses by
Neil Burridge continued to be popular as were the
demonstrations of basket making and flint knapping.
David Freeman’s regular monthly living history experience
‘At home with Veratrix’ was always well received.
The number of school visitors remained at similar level to
the previous year, largely because smaller parties
attended for a whole day of activities rather than a part.
However it was clear that the demand is intense for this
service as at peak times it was sadly necessary to turn
schools away.
During the summer months two new track way
reconstructions where completed. Centre staff built a
modified version of the ‘Sweet track’ in the peat cut. This
was built in the hope that it could satisfy modern Health
and Safety requirements which felt that that an accurate
reconstruction was too narrow for visitors to safely cross.
To this end wider planks were used, but this created new
problems due to the natural twist within the oak trunk
used. However, an alternative order to the construction
process was revealed by working in the extremely wet
conditions. It was found that an effective way to work
was to drag the planks over the bottom rail while
balancing on it and then levering the plank into position
using the cross posts, which could then be pushed into
the soft ground by hand. The reconstruction was
televised on a BBC South West magazine programme
which featured a short item on the significance of the
original discovery. Sarah Bidgood a student in Experimental
Archaeology at Exeter University constructed a short
section of the Walton Heath (hurdle) trackway in order to
test her hypothesis that cattle could use it. Centre staff
put her in touch with Alan Difford of Porters Hatch in
Meare, who maintains a small stock of Dexter cattle.
These animals were trained fairly quickly to use the
trackway, with the minimum of coercion, although it was
not possible to entirely mimic the original ground conditions
of the original trackway. Once the experiment was
conducted, the trackway was moved to the peat cut
at the Centre for demonstration purposes.
Members of the experimental archaeology course at
Strode College undertook a tin smelting experiment
following on from the smelting of copper. Although it was
insufficient to create a bronze axe head as was originally
planned, the student did go on to smelt bronze in order
to bring the experiment to its logical conclusion. As with
the majority of experimental archaeology, the learning
process itself is a measure of success to which end this
experiment had a very positive result. The students
chose to construct a Curach (an Irish vessel, similar to
a coracle) as their autumn project. These two courses
highlight the strong public interest in the field of
experimental archaeology encouraged in part by the high
profile archaeology enjoys in the media and act as a
valuable opportunity for community involvement in the
development of the Centre.
20

Over the summer, the continued deterioration of the
garden sheds which acted as display buildings reached
a crisis point. The decision was taken to replace these
with a purpose built visitor reception building in collaboration
with partners, and outline plans began to be considered.
The year ended with the departure of Assistant Warden
Nancy Ashworth, who left to take up a post as ‘Youth
Biodiversity Action Plan Officer’ for Bath and North East
Somerset Council. Nancy had been at the Centre since
April 1999 and in addition to her excellent work with
young people has been responsible for much of the
grounds maintenance over that time, greatly reducing
the nettle patches on site with vigorous mowing and
the construction of wattle fences. However, her lasting
testament will be the Peat Heritage Project, which she
undertook almost single-handed.
Photo below: Living History at Peat Moors Centre is
featured in “Living the Past” by Val Horsler published
by Weidenfeld + Nicolson.
Table 2: Visitor Numbers 2001 2002
Adults 4085 4472
Children 2532 2533
Total Visitors 6617 7005
School Children 1737 1545
Number of Schools 46 41
Students 156 416
Colleges 9 13
21

Facts, Figures and Thanks
During the year 17 monuments were added to the schedule
for Somerset and 29 alterations or additions made to the
statutory lists of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic
Interest including: Pen Pits, Penselwood (picture left).
Built in 1935 in the International Functionalist style by
P.J.B. Harland for the composer Sir Arthur Bliss. The
House and nearby Music Room were upgraded from
Grade 11 to Grade 11* in January 2002. Pen Pits is a
comparatively rare example of a listed 20th century
building in Somerset. Original painting is in The Musée
du Louvre in Paris.
Table 3. Historic Environment Facts and Figures
Area Listed Buildings Scheduled Register of Historic Register of Historic Conservation
Grades Monuments Parks & Gardens Battlefields Areas
I II* II I II* II
Sedgemoor 53 91 998 77 1 Sedgemoor (1685) 16
Mendip 91 210 2620 242 1 3 8 30
West Somerset 33 101 1093 171 1 4 21
Taunton Deane 37 119 1485 33 1 1 4 42
South Somerset 94 271 4272 67 2 4 9 Langport (1645) 83
Somerset 308 788 10468 589 5 9 25 2 192
11564 39
22

Almost all the work undertaken during the year required
the active support, collaboration or agreement of a variety
of partners ranging from organisations, authorities, societies
and individuals. In particular the District Councils, all of
whom work closely with the County Council protecting
archaeological sites and historic buildings, and conserving
and enhancing conservation areas.
Consultations
The Group acts as archaeological advisors to all District
Councils and advises Sedgemoor and West Somerset
on applications affecting historic buildings. In 2002 the
Group was consulted on 1570 planning applications and
highway matters an overall increase of over 5% on 2001.
All consultations increased by 8%.
In addition, advice is provided to a range of statutory
undertakings, such as Wessex Water, and the number of
such consultations continues to increase year on year.
Staff advise the Forestry Commission on all woodland
grant schemes. Most of this work is covered under
Countryside Archaeological advice which is funded by
English Heritage. With their help we provided detailed
comments on almost 100 Countryside Stewardships
Schemes as well as a variety of applications for work
within the Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Somerset.
Funding
As in previous years, partnership funding has been essential
and in 2002-2003 grant-aid was received from both
English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund to support
staff salaries. All five District Council continued to contribute
towards the costs of providing an archaeological and
historic buildings advice service. Total staffing numbers
for 2002 remained at 19 (18.2 FTE) the same as for 2001
(see page 25).
Table 4: Consultations
Planning Applications and Highway Matters 2000 2001 2002 Other Consultations 2000 2001 2002
Somerset County Council 126 128 179 Forestry Commission 24 37 48
Sedgemoor District Council 336 365 291 MAFF/DEFRA 74 107 193
Mendip District Council 302 493 579 Wessex Water 53 167 122
West Somerset District Council 59 26 31 Miscellaneous 44 72 90
Taunton Deane Borough Council 111 129 118
South Somerset District Council 481 346 372
Totals 1415 1487 1570 Totals 195 383 453
All Consultations 1610 1870 2023
Table 5: Funding the Service (£000)
(figures in bracket for 2001 - 2002) Architectural & Historic Heritage Peat Moors Centre Hestercombe Gardens
Expenditure
Employees 252.6 45.4 76.7
Premises - 6.6 -
Transport 16.8 0.6 -
Supplies & Services 78.7 10.4 28.4
GROSS EXPENDITURE 348.1 (334.9) 63.0 (60.8) 105.1 (88.0)
INCOME 98.1 (107.6) 27.9 (26.5) 66.1 (49.0)
NET EXPENDITURE 250.0 (227.3) 35.1 (34.3) 39.0 (39.0)
(excluding central apportionments)
23

Training
During 2002 staff took part in a wide range of training
events. Photograph above shows members of the
Somerset Conservation Officers Group (County, District
and National Park staff) at Henley Manor, near Crewkerne.
The training day was designed to develop recording,
research and interpretative skills and knowledge.
Continuing professional development (CPD) visits were
made to the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum,
Fishbourne Roman Palace, Waddesdon Manor and
Colgraves seed trial grounds.
24
Acknowledgements
English Heritage; Bristol University
particularly Professor Mick Aston and Vanessa Straker;
The Environment Agency; English Nature;
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA Taunton Office);
Levels and Moors Partnership (LAMP); RSPB; The Clark Foundation
have all contributed towards the archaeological work on the Somerset
Levels and Moors.
We would also like to thank the following Town and Parish Councils for
their help and support: Doulting, Frome, Watchet, Langport,
Wincanton, Somerton, Cheddar, Wells, West Coker and Cannington.
Thanks also to Lopen History Group; Local Heritage Initiative Fund
and the Countryside Agency; Primary Schools at: Ashcott; Meare;
Holy Trinity Halcon, Holway Park and Blackbrook, all in Taunton;
The Morgan family at Athelney; Mike Holloway and Trudy Rigers at
Dinnington; Alan Graham and Terrain Archaeology; Richard Huish
College and Jenny Setchell; Heritage Lottery Fund for the Peat
Heritage Project and Unlocking Somerset’s Historic Environment;
Jerry Sampson (Caroe and Partners) and Andrew Clarke for Henley
Manor.
All photographs are by staff except for the following:
Derry Babbs (p.21); Bob Winn (cover small centre, p.9 middle & bottom);
Kiff Hancock (inside front cover); Mendip District Council (p.11 top);
Chris Chapman (p.1 left); Pauline Rook (p.3, p.4 upper & lower, p11
bottom).

Staff List
Architectural and Historic Heritage Group
Russell Lillford MA (Dist), Dip.Arch.Cons, Dip. TP, MRICS, MRTPI,
IHBC, FRSA Group Manager, advisor to the Somerset
Building Preservation Trust and member of the Diocesan
Advisory Committee for Bath and Wells.
Tel: (01823) 355424
Sarah Bisson
Group administrator
Tel: (01823) 355426
Conservation Team
Nic Wall BA (Hons), MSc,DipLA, Dip.Arch.Cons, MLI, MRTPI
Senior Conservation Officer
Tel: (01823) 355425
Roger Hagley Dip.Arch.Cons, HNC (Building), IHBC
Senior Conservation Officer
Tel: (01823) 355616
Andy Stevens and Ian Lewis
Conservation Craftsmen
Mobile (07711) 46549
Patrick Stow BSc, MICE, CEng
Consultant Structural Engineer
Tel: (01460) 220973
Archaeology Team
Bob Croft BA, FSA, MIFA
Principal Archaeologist and member of the Diocesan
Advisory Committee for Bath and Wells.
Tel: (01823) 356089
Chris Webster B.Tech (Hons), Cert.Post.Ex, MIFA
Sites and Monuments Record Officer
Tel: (01823) 355620
Richard Brunning BA, MA, MIFA
Levels and Moors Archaeologist
Tel: (01823) 355517
Steven Membery BSc (Hons), HND
Development Control Archaeologist
Tel: (01823) 355619
Oscar Aldred BA, MA (until 10 May 2002)
Historic Landscape Archaeologist
Tel: (01823) 355693
Jan Grove B.Tech. HND, MA, AIFA
Countryside Archaeological Advisor
Tel: (01823) 356202
Talya Bagwell BA, MA, PIFA (from 6 October 2002)
Archaeological Outreach Officer
Tel: (01823) 355693
Rachel Shaw MA, PGCE
Consultant on Education and the Historic Environment
Tel: (0117 986 8638)
Peat Moors Centre Tel: 01458 860697
Edward Wills B.Tech. HND, MAHI
Warden
Nancy Ashworth BSc. (Hons) (until 31 December 2002)
Assistant Warden
Hestercombe Gardens Tel: 01823 412950
David Usher Head Gardener
John McGugan Deputy Head Gardener
Steven Turner Gardener
Sarah Ruston (from 5 August 2002) Trainee Gardener
Michael Watkins Trainee Gardener
Jill Pullinger (until 30 August 2002) Full-time Volunteer
25

Contact Details
Architectural and Historic Heritage Group
Directorate of Culture and Heritage
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton, TA1 4DY
Tel: 01823 355426
Fax: 01823 356889
Email: heritage@somerset.gov.uk
Jane Murray, Corporate Director
August 2003
Peat production over the last 100 years.
1900 - 1939 1940 - 1959 1960 - present day
copies of this report are available online at
www.somerset.gov.uk/heritage