St Mary and St Nicholas church, Leatherhead
A ground penetrating radar survey by M Udyrysz of SUMO of the church interior and land immediately to the south revealed numerous probable and possible burials and a number of uncertain anomalies.
A ground penetrating radar survey by M Udyrysz of SUMO of the church interior and land immediately to the south revealed numerous probable and possible burials and a number of uncertain anomalies.
Geophysical and metal detector survey by T Schofield and M Sommers of Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company confirmed the location of a buried Second World War tank, one of a pair of Covenanter Mk III (Cruiser V) tanks known to have been buried at the site, the first of which was excavated in 1977 and is currently on display in the Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset. An area of magnetic enhancement was also identified that may identify the location of the first tank that was excavated.
Historic building recording by M Henderson of HB Archaeology & Conservation Ltd during repairs to the south gable of the late 17th century main range.
Test pit evaluation by R Bradley of Worcestershire Archaeology along the proposed route of a fish pass revealed a series of archaeological deposits forming an alluvial sequence consistent with the location of the site in a waterlogged landscape, adjacent to a managed watercourse. While the dating of the alluvial formation remains uncertain, with the exception of a single prehistoric flint flake, the majority of the diagnostic finds from the test pits related to activity from the mid-18th to early 20th centuries.
A metal detector survey by T Schofield and M Sommers of Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company recovered artefacts including munitions and domestic items within the partially extant buildings of the former Second World War military camp.
Watching brief by S Nelson of EEHAS during the construction of a disabled access ramp to the Church House, in the north-west of the churchyard, revealed considerable modern disturbance, possibly associated with the construction of the building. Post-medieval glass and pottery were recovered from the disturbed deposit together with a small assemblage of disarticulated animal and human bone. The latter represents at least two individuals, one of whom had a pathological growth on the lower leg, possibly from disease or trauma.
Watching brief by R Watts of AOC revealed sections of three brick structures, all probably related to drainage provision and of recent date. Considerable truncation was recorded and although the natural, an orange/brown silty clay and gravel mix, was revealed across the extent of the groundworks, no finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed.
A magnetometer survey by R Davies of ADAS on the site of a new car park revealed two possible linear features of archaeological origin; however, the presence of significant amounts of ferrous material may have masked other archaeological features. A subsequent watching brief by S Dalby and J McNicoll-Norbury of the same unit, revealed the foundations of a 19th century gymnasium known from cartographic evidence but no other finds or features of archaeological interest. The possible linear features noted from the geophysical survey were not identified.
Visit by M Higgins of the DBRG/SCC to consider whether further recording would be valuable. Southwood Manor Farm House is a large building now divided into three. Number three is the right-hand portion comprising the majority of a timber-framed wing; a narrow timber-framed range comprising two builds each of three bays, mostly floored. Neither of these appears to be a complete house and it is likely that it has always served a support function to the attached farmhouse. The rear three bays have smoke-blackened timbers and a side purlin roof of a late medieval character.