Surrey Archaeological Society

A watching brief by R Poulton of SCAU for the Project Design Partnership on works within the medieval undercroft, found that the rear wall of the undercroft was built directly against natural chalk. Chalk-block foundations relating to both the undercroft and later features were noted.

Evaluation by R Poulton of SCAU for W H Smith Ltd as part of redevelopment of the shop site. The work took the form of observation of clearance and groundworks, with recording of the archaeology uncovered. SCAU were assisted by the GMVEU. Much of the site had been disturbed by modern development and the High Street frontage was found to have essentially been removed by modern basementing. Elsewhere no occupation levels earlier than the post-medieval period survived; the only pre-19th century wall foundations recorded probably relate to the House of Correction, built soon after 1767.

Examination of the cellars by GMVEU led to the discovery of an infilled chamber which, when excavated, was found to be a small room built of dressed chalk of which a little over a metre in height survived above floor level. The remains of what appeared to be blind arcading above a ledge survived, with doorways at the north west and south east corners of the chamber. Stylistically the room appears late 12th century in date. The rubble infilling the room contained material no earlier than the 1270s. (300)

Evaluation by GMVEU to the rear of the standing buildings recorded chalk-block walls and chalk quarrying pits, all of 13th to 14th century date. (292)

Examination of the cellars by GMVEU, who recorded large chalk-block walls. (292)

Excavation by GMVEU within the standing building, built c1600, revealed a thick black layer containing material of mid-12th to mid-14th century date. Several features cut into the natural chalk below this layer were also investigated. (292)

A watching brief by GMVEU during alterations to the building recorded a brick-lined well or pit of probably 18th century date built into a cupboard in the cellar. (292)

A watching brief by GMVEU on alterations to the building noted earlier foundations, probably associated with the timber yard known to have been sited here in the 19th century. (292)

Evaluation by C Currie on behalf of Sunley Turriff and Stephen Limbrick Associates, of an area thought likely to contain the boundary wall of the Dominican Friary. Much of the area was found to have been disturbed by the construction of terraced houses, probably at the beginning of the 20th century, and recent dumping activities. No features or finds of archaeological interest were recovered. (302)

Report by D J Turner on the re-appraisal of the barn by Dave Stenning. The barn, which is mid-late 14th century in date, contains three re-used posts, a tiebeam and remnants of aisle-ties from a 13th century barn (as well as two octagonal posts from a 13th century domestic aisled hall). The earlier barn would have been larger than the present one, comparable in size to the Cressing Barley Barn. (294)