Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire An archaeological watching brief for Stepnell Ltd by Stephen Hammond Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code RHA03/85 October 2003
Summary Site name: Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire Grid reference: SP 8848 0950 Site activity: Watching Brief Date and duration of project: 22nd 30th September 2003 Project manager: Steve Ford Site supervisor: Stephen Hammond Site code: RHA 03/85 Area of site: 3551 sq m Summary of results: A watching brief was implemented during topsoil and ground reduction stripping as part of an extension to Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, on an area of raised land which had not already been affected during previous building work. No archaeology was observed. Monuments identified: None Location and reference of archive: The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited at Buckinghamshire County Museum in due course. This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford 02.10.03 Steve Preston 02.10.03 i
Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire An archaeological watching brief by Stephen Hammond Report 03/85b Introduction This report documents the results of an archaeological watching brief carried out at Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire (SP 8848 0950) (Fig. 1). The work was commissioned by Mr Alan Garlick of Stepnell Ltd, Cane Lane, Grove, Wantage, OX12 0AB. Planning consent has been granted by Aylesbury Vale District Council for the extension and refurbishment of Henderson Mess (02/01401). As a condition of this consent an archaeological watching brief was to take place during groundworks after a building survey had been carried out on four World War II bunkers. This report is concerned with the watching brief; the building survey is reported separately (Reeves and Challis 2003). This is in accordance with the Department of the Environment s Planning Policy Guidances, Archaeology and Planning (PPG16 1990) and Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15 1994), and the District s policies on archaeology. The field investigation was carried out to a specification approved by Mr David Radford of Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Service. The fieldwork was undertaken by Stephen Hammond of Thames Valley Archaeological Services between the 22nd and 30th September 2003 and the site code is RHA03/85. The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited at Buckinghamshire County Museum in due course. Location, topography and geology The site is located on the eastern side of the Halton RAF camp to the north-east of Wendover. The disused Wendover arm of the Grand Union Canal passes the site to the west (Fig. 1). The underlying geology is Lower Chalk (BGS 1990) and this was observed on site. The site lies approximately between 170m and 175m above Ordnance Datum at a point where the Chilterns begin to rise steeply to the east, reaching over 250m within 1km of the site. Archaeological background The site area was thought to have two areas of archaeological potential. Firstly the presence of World War II bunkers recorded during an earlier visit (Reeves 2003) that would be removed during groundworks and secondly 1
the close proximity of a Neolithic long barrow, a Scheduled Ancient Monument (County SAM No. 27126) close to the proposed works. The Neolithic long barrow is orientated east - west, typical for this type of monument, and stands on a slight spur east of the Henderson Mess. It forms an elongated oval c. 1.2m high and approximately 45m in length and 20m in width, with slight signs of tapering towards the west end. The barrow is only one of three such monuments recorded in Buckinghamshire, and the only example to survive as an earthwork (information from the SMR). There is a possibility of further archaeological deposits associated with this barrow being present on the proposal site. Objectives and methodology The aims of the watching brief were to excavate and record any archaeological deposits that would be damaged or destroyed by the new groundworks. Particular attention would be paid to finds or deposits uncovered that could possibly be associated with the Neolithic long barrow. This would involve the examination of areas stripped of topsoil/overburden during the reduced level stripping exercise and excavation of foundation trenches and possibly drain trenches. If features were identified then sufficient work would be done to date, characterize and record the remains. Spoil heaps would also be continuously checked for finds. Should any unexpected discoveries of features whose existence and/or significance was unknown at the outset of the watching brief but subsequently prove to be potentially of county or national importance then these would be reported to the County Archaeological Service and the client. Consideration would then be made to preserve the find in situ but if this was not practical then such discoveries may give rise to a salvage excavation. Results A watching brief carried out during the initial phase of stripping (topsoil removal) to a depth 0.25m across the whole of the proposal area noted that this had failed to strip enough overburden to reveal any potential archaeological deposits/horizons or natural geology. Instead, the initial strip revealed 0.10m of mid brown/grey clayey silt topsoil with occasional angular and sub angular flint covering 0.15m of light grey chalky clay/silt with occasional charcoal flecking and occasional angular and sub angular flint inclusions. A further strip to the intended new levels was also monitored. A large area of the site was observed during the deep ground level reduction phase. Typically, the sections revealed that the light grey layer continued for another 0.10m. Below this a light yellow/brown clayey silt with moderate chalk inclusions was noted, 0.20m thick, covering a creamy white crumbly chalk natural with moderate angular and sub angular flint inclusions. 2
This continued to the maximum depth of the reduced strip, noted to be 3.70m. Only the raised area towards the east of the site had potential for archaeology as it was noted that the part of Henderson Mess demolished for the construction of the new building had already severely truncated the natural. No deposits or finds of any archaeological nature were discovered during the exercise. Conclusion The archaeological watching brief failed to locate any archaeological finds or deposits. Though it was recorded that previous development had truncated the archaeologically relevant levels. In particular no finds were discovered which could have been associated with the Neolithic long barrow despite an intensive investigation. References BGS, 1990, British Geological Survey, 1:50,000, Sheet 238, Solid and Drift Edition, Keyworth PPG15, 1994, Planning and the Historic Environment, Dept of the Environment Planning Policy Guidance 15, HMSO PPG16, 1990, Archaeology and Planning, Dept of the Environment Planning Policy Guidance 16, HMSO Reeves, P, and Challis C, 2003, Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, a Building and Photographic Survey, Thames Valley Archaeological Services report 03/85a, Reading 3
SITE SITE 09000 08000 SU88000 89000 Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, 2003 An Archaeological Watching Brief RHA03/85 Figure 1. Location of site within RAF Halton and Buckinghamshire. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Pathfinder 1118 SP80/90 1:25000 at 1:12500 Ordnance Survey Licence AL523324A0001
Henderson Base, R.A.F Halton, Buckinghamshire, 2003 N 09800 A4011 09600 Parade Ground Site of Neolithic Longbarrow (27126) Halton Camp SITE 09400 SP88200 88400 88600 0 500m Figure 2. Location of site. RHA 03/81
N Shelter 1 Shelter 2 Shelter 3 Shelter 4 Area observed between 23-9-2003 to 30-9-2003 Area of truncation Henderson Mess, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, 2003 An Archaeological Watching Brief RHA03/85 Figure 3. Location of observed areas and areas of truncation from previous building.