Surrey Archaeological Society

Evaluation by S Dyer of SCAU for Thirlstone Homes Ltd, of a redevelopment site within the centre of Esher, indicated that the ground level had been reduced in modern times, removing any levels of archaeological interest. (289)

Evaluation by S Ford of TVAS of a former British Telecom site, for Fairclough Homes Ltd, recorded a linear feature and a hollow which contained no finds. A peaty deposit identified in the geotechnical works was found to be disturbed buried topsoil. (301)

Evaluation by S Weaver of TVAS for Alfred McAlpine Homes Southern Ltd. The site had clearly been previously disturbed. Five pottery sherds were recovered from the evaluation, four of which are probably of medieval date; the fifth is likely to be prehistoric, perhaps dating to the Bronze Age. (301)

Evaluation by G Hayman of SCAU for Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd of land to be used as a tip site for soil disposal from the M25 Junction 8-10 widening. Several pieces of struck flint probably of Neolithic or Bronze Age origin were recovered from the ploughsoil. No evidence for a feature noted on aerial photographs was discovered and it seems certain that the crop mark was caused by differential ploughing.

Evaluation by Lawson-Price Environmental on behalf of Octagon Developments Ltd, in advance of residential development on the south-western side of St George’s Hill. A linear feature was recorded, leading to a larger area being opened up for excavation. A worked flint fragment was recovered from the feature, as were a number of burnt flints; these were probably redeposited by natural erosive action down the hill slope. The ditch was probably a field boundary, representing use of the hill slopes around the hillfort for agricultural purposes in the Iron Age.

A watching brief by R Poulton of SCAU for Clive Thomson, on works associated with a new house and garage, found that the area had been extensively disturbed by previous development; no features or finds of archaeological interest were noted.

Evaluation by G Hayman of SCAU for Mrs E Bickley, of a site proposed for residential development immediately south of the ramparts of the hillfort. An undisturbed soil profile was recorded, but no features or finds of archaeological interest

A watching brief by R Poulton & N Hembrey of SCAU, for Elmbridge Borough Council, on works to underpin the foundations of the house, which lies within the scheduled site of Oatlands Palace. A brick wall of the Tudor palace was observed, which may be associated with the Buttery, based on Gough’s drawing c1600.

A watching brief by J Robertson of SCAU, for the Parochial Church Council, was kept on works close to the village church. Only rubble debris, possibly resulting from the building of the church hall in the 1960s, was recovered.