News from the City
 Overall,
2004 was a relatively quiet year for archaeological fieldwork in
Worcester, though the early months of 2005 have continued the upward
trend seen in the last few years.
In the city centre, archaeological recording in the High Street
has continued to turn up interesting remains, including localised
areas (between street surfaces) where organic materials such as
leather are preserved. Nearby, at the Guildhall, a watching brief
on excavation of a lift pit recorded a massive stone foundation,
believed to be that of the medieval Guildhall, and extensive survival
of worked timbers (reused in the 1720s building) which are likely
to be from a partial rebuild of the Guildhall in around 1600. The
City Council is about to appoint consultants to prepare a Conservation
Statement for the Guildhall, which will guide future works and
uses of the buildings and site.
A
long-running watching brief took place between College Street
and Severn Street, during replacement of gas mains for Transco.
Medieval street surfaces and other deposits were recorded along
much of the line. Dumped rubble layers recorded in Edgar Street
may support Nigel Baker and Dick Holt’s suggestion that
this street was formed as a causeway, probably across the Roman
defensive ditch. Further S, a dump of red marl below Severn Street
has been tentatively identified as part of a defensive bank,
though currently undated.
Archaeological interventions in advance of or during developments
at 32-34 Lowesmoor, Pierpoint Street, the Worcester College of
Technology, Deansway, and at All Saints Road, have all recorded
medieval remains.
The proposed redevelopment of the Royal Worcester Porcelain sites
presents perhaps the biggest challenge that the conservation and
archaeological services in Worcester have faced for several years.
The buildings on the site, most of which will need adaptation for
new uses, form one of the most important complexes of porcelain
making structures in Britain, in continuous use for over 200 years.
The Pan Grinding Shop (listed II*) is one of only two to survive
in Britain – much of the grinding machinery is still intact.
The proposed changes here have focused attention on the historical
development of the site, which has been poorly researched in the
past. Following appraisal of the buildings and records it is now
possible to identify the main phases of construction and the architects
involved.
However, the site is also rich in below-ground archaeological
remains. It lies on the W bank of the former Frog Brook, and water
management features including the medieval City Ditch are expected.
A considerable length of the medieval City Wall lies within the
site, including a corner tower. The Anglo-Saxon, medieval and post-medieval
St Peter’s church, with its accompanying graveyard, is also
within the site. An initial phase of archaeological field evaluation
is underway, and has recorded Roman occupation, potential Anglo-Saxon
activity, and medieval structures including part of the City Wall.
Beyond the city centre, field evaluation of a cropmark site just
E of the new Infirmary suggested that it may have been a Roman
enclosure, while at Windermere Drive, Warndon (the former Elbury
Mount School), evaluation produced evidence of prehistoric activity
in the form of burnt areas, perhaps a cooking site, and a single
flint.
Finally, English Heritage and Worcester City Council are funding
the production of a Conservation Management Plan for the City Walls
and other parts of the medieval defences. The draft plan is expected
to go out to public consultation in late spring.
The Commandery and Fort Royal project
As reported in The Recorder 70, Worcester City Council have been
granted just under £1M from HLF towards a £1.4M refit
and redisplay of the Commandery. A further stage of works is planned
to take in Fort Royal.
The Commandery displays currently concentrate on Worcester’s
part in the Civil War, especially the Battle of Worcester in 1651,
and to a limited extent on occupants of the building. This will
change dramatically, and the new display will focus on the history
of the Commandery, and how the various uses of the buildings over
the years have affected the buildings themselves. This complex
story will be told through six layers reflecting significant changes
at the site.
The Monastic Hospital (1480) focuses on the extensive rebuilding
around this time. The ‘Tudor Makeover’ (1550) shows
the Commandery becoming a private house. The Royalist Army headquarters
(1651) will continue the Civil War theme and allow better links
with Fort Royal. In the Georgian Period the Commandery was one
of several gentry estates with large gardens on the SE side of
Worcester. The College for the Blind (1880) will show the site
moving away from domestic use. Littlebury’s Printworks (post
1945) also allows a focus on the conservation of the buildings.
Currently an oral history project is underway, involving many
people who have lived or worked at the Commandery during the 20th
century. The buildings will be closed for refurbishment from summer
2005 until reopening in 2006 (date to be announced). Works will
include reroofing the area of the Painted chamber to ensure that
the late medieval wall-paintings are not damaged by the elements,
and the provision of access to the first floor with lifts in both
main wings.
Some interpretation work will be carried out on Fort Royal, and
landscaping works in the Commandery grounds.
There will also be an archaeological
excavation in the grounds of the Commandery, focusing on parts
of the medieval complex demolished in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The public are invited to take part in the excavation, which
will run six days a week (Tuesday – Sunday)
from June 21 – July 31 this year, and a similar period next
year. There will also be a programme of schools activities and
visits, and an outreach worker will be working with local community
and youth groups.
Further details will be appearing in the press and on the Worcester
City Museum website www.worcestercitymuseums.org.uk
in due course. In the meantime, if you are interested in taking
part in the excavation, please write to:
Archaeological Excavations 2005
The Commandery
Sidbury
Worcester
WR1 2HU
or email: archaeology@cityofworcester.gov.uk |
