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
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