The Riley Trust was most helpful and gave permission, subject to any excavation being away from the football pitch and not obstructing public access of the park. This made things a little difficult as the only position that complied was up against the play area, not ideal as the resistivity at this point was unclear. A line of auger bores was taken across the line of the channel at the location of the proposed trench. These revealed the stratigraphy and the channel, which enabled accurate positioning of a trench. As this was a town centre site with easy access it was decided to run it as a training excavation. The training and excavation was supervised by Ray Spencer assisted by Colin Smith and was very well attended by MAS members and others. Logistics and people were organised by Joy Blake.

An area of 4m & 2m had the turf removed and the underlying material was hand dug, mainly by trowel, down to the natural which was the original gravel. In the process was revealed layers of alluvium with, at the bottom (-1.30m), a clearly defined section of channel. This section of channel was filled with clay/silt with no inclusions, indicating that it was open for some time and filled by low energy water action. The shape indicated that it was probably created by scouring during flood events, but this could have happened at any time during the last 10,000 years. At (-0.50) were indications of a narrow horizontal band, dipping above the channel. This could be decayed organic material, possibly a buried land surface. If so, it may be showing that there was a depression across the site caused by the channel and may explain the position of the ownership boundary. The top layers showed clear evidence of extensive ploughing, which appeared to have removed the depression. This ploughing is not consistent with small plots at the rear of properties, however it is known that some of these plots were merged prior to the enclosure act.  The upper layers under the topsoil produced a large quantity of finds. These included pottery sherds, some of good quality, one a decorated pie dish and a considerable amount of roof tiles, a few being peg tiles. Dating indicates late 19thC to early 20thC, probably the period just before the park was formed. Whilst these types of finds can indicate midden spread by a farmer, the quantity of tile suggest demolition in the vicinity. A number of finds came from the upper alluvium, these were buttons, coins (halfpenny’s  1896, 1937, 1973) marbles, and a cheap chain bracelet.

Whilst this investigation did not produce spectacular results or evidence of early occupation, it did add to our understanding of the evolution of the area and raise further questions. No further investigations are proposed for this site for the moment, as we are concentrating on the adjacent properties. If anybody knows of land or a garden adjacent that would allow investigation, please let us know.

Rookery Park, Marlow

Whilst there are records of two phases of buildings here (farm, then large house) these are not precise or on the record. It is also suspected that, at an early date, perhaps C16, there was a chapel, but its location is unknown. The farm existed in the early C19 and may have been built during the C18 or C17. This was demolished and a large house built in the late C19, extended in the C20, then abandoned and purchased by WDC and demolished to form a park in about 1962. The archaeological justification for the investigation was to resolve the uncertainties of evidence and get it all on the formal record.

A terrain survey of the whole area was followed by resistivity, under Peter Borrows, of the east end where the old maps showed buildings. All the old maps were digitised on CAD and the results of the resistivity superimposed. A problem is that the buildings on the old maps cannot be accurately positioned on the survey, however the building shape from resistivity seemed to coincide with the later house. It was noticed that, in a few positions, small areas of structure were showing through the grass. One of these was excavated by Roelie Reed and Joy Blake. This revealed a brick plinth with a concrete top in which were 4 small studs, also intact brickwork that appears to head towards other indications of structure. When plotted, it seemed that this coincided with buildings of the farm, not the house. However, records indicate that not all of the farm was demolished when the house was built and that parts of the farm buildings were incorporated into the house.

Whilst our small excavation was taking place, Transport for Bucks were building a cycle path by widening the existing path across the park. In the process of these works they smashed through old structures without recording anything. We made strong representation, to Wycombe District Council and County, that this was contrary to all relevant guidelines. The response was an apology and an attempt at an explanation by claiming that they had no record of any buildings. We submitted that this was rubbish as it was well recorded, on the HER and the sale plan at the time of WDC purchase. This was an unfortunate incident which underlines the importance of getting archaeology accurately on the record. It perhaps produced something of benefit, as WDC Chief Executive and senior officers gave an undertaking to introduce procedures to prevent similar happening again and we are involved in discussions to achieve this. (We shall see!).

Now that TfB seem to have finished making a mess of the area, we have permission for the next phase of excavation. This will consist of a number of small one-day trenches, following the structure, probably over several weeks. Please let me know when would be convenient for you at mintit@btclick.com .

Holy Trinity Church Paddock, Cookham

You may know that the PCC were proposing to build a new community centre on the Paddock, but it seems this has been put on hold. Previous investigation by MAS on the north end of the Paddock revealed much, including a rubble lens - the purpose of which is unclear. Also revealed by geophysics and excavation was a bank to a watercourse of channel. This confirmed indications from investigations on Riverdene (an adjacent property) and elsewhere that Cookham Village was an island prior to the C12. However, the exact edge of the island, or what may have been on this island, at the south end of the Paddock is unknown. Discussions with the PCC show that they intend to take a responsible attitude to potential archaeology and agreement was reached in principle that investigation would be by MAS, but not when this might happen.

Low Grounds, Marlow (Harleyford)

We have approval from County for further major investigations, including excavating two or three Barrows, geophysics on a Neolithic enclosure revealed by Oxford Archaeology and a massive fieldwalk. Progress on these is difficult, as the owners want clarity as to the Environment Agency and Wycombe District Council’s intentions before granting access.

Colin Berks

For your diary:

MAS Events - September 2011 to January 2012

(please note address of venue due to changes)

Thursday 29^th September 2011, Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow at 8pm

Lobsters and Tars

- an analysis of the skeletons of RN seamen and marines of Nelson's Navy

CERI BOSTON

Ceri, a professional archaeologist and osteologist, will describe her fascinating research into how the origins and lifestyles of 18th-early 19th century RN sailors are reflected in their skeletons.

Thursday 13^th October 2011, Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow at 8pm

Wallingford Castle

– revealing the history and life of this medieval royal stronghold of the Thames Valley

JUDY DEWEY

Recognised as the leading authority on Wallingford’s past, Judy, who is also the Hon. Curator of the town’s museum, is returning by popular demand to give us interesting insights into the town’s important royal castle from the Conquest into the medieval period.

Thursday 24^th November 2011, Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow at 8pm

The History of Place Names

DAVID PEACOCK

David will illustrate the development and the common elements which make up many place-names (especially those drawn from Old English/ Anglo-Saxon), and some of the pitfalls in interpretation.

Thursday 19th January 2012, Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow at 8pm

Excavations at Goldcliff when the tide goes out

JENNIFER FOSTER

In the Iron Age, peat growth raised the level of the foreshore at Goldcliff, in the Severn Estuary, above the summer tide level, so summer houses were built. Exciting finds there are the Mesolithic

footprints of men, women and children; a real window into a moment of the past. Jennifer, who specialises in the study of prehistoric artefacts, has worked on the site over the past 20 years.

Entrance £2.50 members or £3.50 visitors for the above talks

Free Refreshments

For all MAS enquiries, including membership, please contact

Joy Blake on 01628 523896 or joyblake@btinternet.com

http://www.marlow-archaeology.org/

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Talks organised by other societies:

Marlow Society History Group

Monday 18^th July 2011 at 7.30pm

Marlow Artists

Hazel Malpass

Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow

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Berkshire Archaeology Research Group

Thursday 13^th October, 2011 at 7.30pm

Autumn Quarterly Open Meeting

Simon Crutchley from English Heritage to talk on LIDAR.

To be followed after the break by Trevor Ottlewski:

showing photos and talking about his visit earlier this year on behalf of BARG to the TVAS excavations at Beeches Manor, Wokingham.

De Vitre Room, The Cornerstone,

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