Ladybridge Farm: Excavation (Site Code lbf07 Intervention 03)

Ladybridge Farm Areas 4 & 5 Site Meeting Notes

Date: 25th May 2010 10.30am

Present: Alan Coe Tarmac (AC); Lucie Hawkins NYCC (LH); Lee Mitchell Tarmac (LM); Steve Timms MGA (ST); Andy Hammon EH (AH)

Introduction

A site meeting was held to review Area 4 following completion of the site works. ST showed the group around to look at the excavated features. The vast majority of soil features had proved to be natural in origin and were either the remains of tree throws or hollows in the subsoil. The remaining features comprised two post medieval boundaries and a single undated pit that was recorded in the southeastern corner of the site adjacent to the site boundary. This had contained a large concentration of cobbles but no finds. Two other linear features were excavated close to the eastern boundary of the site. Neither contained any finds and both are considered to be possibly natural in origin.

Most of Area 5 had been stripped of topsoil and the area was walked over during the meeting. The site was characterised by a number of natural features that included one large sink hole. The lower lying eastern part of Area 5 contained a large number of field drains and part of this was covered with standing water. Three parallel lines of post holes were visible running from north to south along the line of a recent field boundary. These have been confirmed by the local farmer to be modern in date. A small portion of the eastern part of Area 5 adjacent to the strip map and sample area had not yet been stripped due to the wet ground conditions and soft nature of the underlying deposits in this area.

Discussion

ST explained that Area 4 had been completed in accordance with the sampling strategy outlined in the WSI. LH and AH indicated that they were happy to sign off Area 4 on that basis and it could be handed over to the quarry for mineral extraction following confirmation in writing from North Yorkshire County Council.
Following the walkover of Area 5, ST, LH and AH agreed that the current northern extent of the excavation areas did not require to be modified as part of the iterative process. The area to the north of Area 5 would therefore be investigated according to a strip map and sample strategy as originally proposed.
It was agreed by all parties that the results of Area 4 and Area 5 should be incorporated into a single assessment report rather than two separate documents.
ST suggested that the parts of Area 5 along the north eastern edge that remained to be stripped could be invested as part of the strip map and sample area adjacent. AH and LH agreed in principle. AH requested ST to send a drawing showing the extent of the area in question to EH for consideration.
AC stated that the intention was to work in the strip map and sample area in August once the site had dried out. In the meantime efforts would be made to reduce the amount of standing water by digging drainage channels under archaeological supervision if necessary.
It was agreed to hold a site meeting to review and sign off Area 5 on completion of the site works. ST would advise on a suitable date.

It was agreed that the next site meeting would be held in late May to coincide with the completion of the fieldwork in Area 4 and the completion of the topsoil stripping and mapping of Area 5. (Date of meeting to be confirmed).

Actions

ST to send EH and NYCC a map showing the extent of the ground left in Area 5 that still needs to be stripped.

LH to confirm in writing to NYCC that Area 4 has been completed.

ST to advise on date of next site meeting.

archaeological planning consultancy > thornborough > investigations > lbf07 intervention 03: meeting notes, 2010-05-25