Report by Greta Turner on progress on the clearance and study of the scheduled moated site. It is suggested that the small island east of the main island was never part of a larger island, later split, but was just a retaining bank to help control the run-off from the moat. A detailed survey drawing prepared by the RCHME is presented. A later report notes the completion of restoration and ‘opening’ of the site, with a reconstruction drawing. (267; 284; see report in SyAC 87, 127-145)

Report on the examination of earthworks by P J Gray and Gwyneth Fookes. It is suggested that there may have been an enclosure on the summit of Gravelly Hill some 12-15 ha in extent, marked by banks up to 4.5m in height; in places there seem to have been sections with a triple bank. To the north, on flatter downland, field lynchets were noted and it is suggested that these were associated with the enclosure. The relationship, if any, with the War Coppice Iron Age hillfort, just to the west, is not clear.

Evaluation trial trenching carried out by S P Dyer for SCAU and the National Rivers Authority located a silted up stream channel, possibly a former course of the Colne, but no artefacts of archaeological interest were found. (279)

A prominent brick tower is identified by P Sowan as an observatory for surveying the line of the Merstham Tunnel on the London & Brighton Railway Company line constructed in 1838-41. The structure is described and the possibility of its present appearance resulting from later modifications is discussed. (SIHG 76) Four substantial square brick pillars linked at the top with iron ties are identified by P Sowan as the remains of an observatory for the surveying of a tunnel on the London Brighton & South Coast Railway's Quarry Line, which opened in 1899. (SIHG 76) TQ291 546

Remains of buffer depot 124, one of a series built between November 1941 and December 1942 and used for storage of supplies in the Second World War and subsequent ‘cold war’ located by P Sowan. (SIHG 74)

Test excavation some years previously by R Masefield of a possible RB tile production site located a large pit feature filled with 550 fragments of RB tile. They included much waster material represented by partially fired, overfired and distorted material, and a range of tile types, including roof, flue and hypocaust tiles. Fabric analysis by I Betts at the Museum of London demonstrated that the Reigate tilery had been supplying tiles to major sites in London. (282; see report in SyAC 90, 247-259)

Observation by D W Williams for the Hygate Partnership of the digging of foundation trenches revealed a stone wall probably dated post 1800 with an associated chalk surface. Beneath this surface deposits of late 12th/early 13th century date were found. (280)

Observation by D W Williams of the digging of floodlight cable trenches south of the standing buildings revealed a number of general levels: featureless brown sandy loam below possibly 16th/l7th century layers below a possible 18th century courtyard surface, itself below a spread of late 19th century stone and brick rubble. At three points adjacent to the sunken garden were observed the substantial footings of stone walls bonded with yellow mortar.

Excavation by D W Williams of the surviving north-east corner of a 17th century building reconstructed in the 18th century. A section had been recorded in 1989; it had been discovered when a substantial part of the remains were removed for use as backfill for sand caverns. There was no evidence for earlier occupation along this part of London Road. Finds included part of a 16th century mullion and transom window, possibly from the Priory, and a complete late l7th century wine bottle, still corked and half full. (275)

Remains of buffer depot 339, one of a series built between November 1941 and December 1942 and used for storage of supplies in the Second World War and subsequent ‘cold war’, located by P Sowan. (SIHG 74)