Feb 2021 Newsletter is available under publications. Open Newsletter Briefing Note detailing further geophysical action at Woodspring Priory, Action again curtailed by coronavirus. Open Report 2020 Updated report on Woodspring Priory wall repairs, now with photos of completed repairs. Open Report Report on a terrain modelling survey at Iwood undertaken to investigate a linear feature. Open Report Report on a documentary and photographic study of the outside of Wick St Lawrence church. Open Report Updated report of a grophysical survey and terrain modelling of the Roman road at Haydon Grange, Priddy. Open Report Report on a watching brief on wall repairs at Woodspring Priory identified the reuse of a 16th century fireplace fragment. Open Report A leaflet titled “YCCCART - A Brief History” is available under publications. Open Leaflet June 2020 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Briefing Note detailing geophysical action at Woodspring Priory. Sadly, the action was curtailed by rain and then coronavirus. Open Report Reports on a photographic and documentary study of Puxton church in three parts. A little gem of a building church in a rural setting. History Open Report, Inside Open Report, Outside Open Report March 2020 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on a geophysical survey at Burnt House Ground, Yatton which revealed no significant archaeology. Open Report Report on a documentary study of three possible overlooked decoy ponds in Congresbury, Nailsea and Tickenham. Open Report Report on a gradiometry survey in Kenn which revealed a large palaeochannel but nothing of archaeological significance. Open Report Report on archaeological watching brief at Iwood Farm, Congresbury, which revealed Mesolithic flints and pre-Conquest pottery. Open Report 2019 Report on gradiometry survey in another field in Kenn, named 'Brickyards' on early maps, which revealed no evidence of brick making. Open Report Report on a geophysical and terrain modelling survey at Haydon Grange near Priddy which appears to have established the line of the Roman Road. Open Report Reports on a photographic and documentary study of Kingston Seymour church in three parts (History, Inside & Outside). A fascinating church in a lovely setting. History Open Report, Inside Open Report, Outside Open Report Record of animal bone found during an excavation at St Andrew's church Congresbury in 2011. Open Report December 2019 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on a documentary study of a 1539 map of the coast of North Somerset, which recorded, from the sea, coastal defences and seamarks between Portishead and Porlock Weir. Open Report September 2019 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on a gradiometry survey by Kingston railway bridge, which revealed an enigmatic anomaly. Open Report Report on gradiometry survey, off Kenn Road, Kenn, which may have revealed the site of "The Old Brickyard" first recorded in 1821. Open Report Report on an earthwork survey in King’s Wood, which uncovered the remaining three walls of a possible 19th century beer house. Open Report Report on trial pitting at Stallard's Batch, Cleeve, which failed to find any substantial Roman buildings, despite the large number of Roman finds in the area. Open Report Report on resistivity and terrain modelling surveys at Towerhead House, Banwell, which have confirmed the documentary references to the demolished Elizabethan house being in the former orchard. Open Report Report of an earthwork survey at Charterhouse, Mendip, carried out after walls were revealed which were identified as part of Cheddarford Mills. Open Report Report on gradiometer surveys over land to the NE of Ham Farm, Yatton which revealed features, assumed to be ditch complexes, with features indicating domestic and/or industrial activity. It is highly likely that this dates to the Roman period. Open Report Report on photographic and documentary study of a limekiln at Sander's Down, Mendip which is well preserved, but out of bounds to the public. Open Report Report on a manual earthwork survey on a former cottage in Velvet Bottom, Mendip, which revealed something of the structure. Open Report May 2019 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on the manual survey of an isosceles triangular bank / lynchet enclosure at Beercroft, south of the Charterhouse Centre, Mendip. No parallel for this earthwork has been seen elsewhere and its purpose is unknown. Open Report Report on a survey of The Mindry House, formerly located to the east of the old Charterhouse School. It was referred to in the late 17th to the early 19th century, and destroyed in November 2017. Open Report Report on a documentary and field study of the settlement at the Millgreene Gate, Mendip, which lies on either side of the Shipham to Charterhouse road, around 1200m east of Tynings Farm, Cheddar. Open Report Report on a survey of a small earthwork at the foot of a small cliff opposite Cheddar Head Farm, Priddy, thought previously to have destroyed or badly damaged in the 1930s. Is this the Falda Latronum of the 1181 perambulation of Charterhouse-on-Mendip? Open Report Report on undated enclosure south of the former Piney Sleight Farm, in Cheddar, surveyed in 1987. It's date and use remain unknown. Open Report Annual Review of 2018 now available under Publicatiuons/Documents. Open Review February 2019 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on two excavations at Iwood. A historic farmhouse, south of Iwood Farm depicted on an 1840 map but removed by the time of a 1885 map, coincided with a patch of large stones, some bearing mortar, in the side of re-cut ditch. In addition, a nearby length of recently re-cut ditch revealed an apparently previously unknown wall. Open Report Report of a photographic and documentary study on the Congresbury mills. Research has established that the West Mill at Congresbury and Iwood Mill can be traced back to at least 1086. During the 18th century West Mill was surprisingly a slitting mill where iron bars were turned into rods for nail making. Open Report 2018 A guide to St Andrew's Church, Congresbury is now available under publications. Open guide October 2018 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on geophysical surveys at Goblin Combe Farm where results were surprisingly largely negative. Open Report Report of a photographic and documentary study of the old stone crosses in Kingston Seymour. It is unusual for a parish to have remains of both village and churchyard crosses surviving. Open Report Report on an attempt to locate a stone wall at Iwood seen by a metal detectorist. A small excavation was unable to locate this feature. The finds seem to indicate a modern dump consolidating the track from the field to the nearby bridge over the Yeo. Open Report Report on the old stone crosses of Wick St Lawrence. which is one of those rare villages that possesses both a village and a churchyard cross. Open Report July 2018 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on a documentary and photographic survey of Congresbury bridge. Research has established that there was a bridge at Congresbury earlier than 1551. A new stone bridge was built in 1710, which by 1904 had a raised parapet and steel girders. This was replaced in 1924 by the current bridge. Open Report Report on a number of minor discoveries and finds that have been made at Woodspring Priory in the 21st century and since the geophysical studies were carried out in 2012. Open Report Report on the research undertaken regarding the ruins of a windmill on Cleeve Hill, Cleeve. Conflicting accounts of the origin of the current structure appear unresolvable, other than to say it is probably 18th century in date. Open Report 1598 Survey of Congresbury. Thanks to Vince Russett the survey has been transcribed in full Open Document Report on Terrain modelling in fields bordering Ham Lane, Yatton. Results indicated that the features were subtle, and showed some correlation between resistivity (RM15) findings and terrain modelling. Open Report Open Appendices 1596 Survey of Congresbury. Thanks to Vince Russett the survey has been transcribed in full Open Document 1567 Survey of Congresbury. Thanks to Vince Russett the survey has been transcribed in full Open Document 2017 Congresbury Parish Survey. We are extremely pleased that Dick Broomhead, the author of the Congresbury parish survey, which was carried out in the late 1980s, has allowed us to publish it on the YCCCART web site. Open Foreword by V Russett Open Report Updated report regarding small carved boundary stones, marked TW, in King's Wood, Cleeve and Congresbury. Additional stones have been found and it is now believed that the stones were the private boundary stones of Thomas Wickham, vicar of Yatton, in the third decade of the 19th century. Open Report Reports on Gradiometry surveys at Kenn Moor Road Yatton, which revealed a buried plalaeochannel beneath the latest alluvium in the area, not visible at the surface and probably of Roman or earlier date. A circular magnetic anomaly alongside it could be a Roman or earlier round house. Open Report Report on a gradiometry survey in a paddock to the south of Congresbury which has revealed a possible Romano British kiln. Open Report September 2017 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on survey undertaken as part of a presentation to the public attending a community event at the Masonic Hall, Yatton. No evidence was found of any pre-19th century structures. Open Report Updated report on the Old Stone Crosses of Yatton. New documentary research has found evidence for building accounts for the cross in 1524-6, a nationally important find. Open Report Report on a gradiometry survey at Wrington Road, Congresbury which revealed possible evidence for iron smelting or pottery kilns. Other features recorded may indicate occupation, potentially of prehistoric date. Open Report Report on gradiometry survey off Moor Road, Yatton which revealed that a segment of the field has intense activity, potentially of Roman date. Open Report Report on an enclosure near Moor Lane Geophysical surveys revealed little or no internal structures, and the enclosure is potentially a medieval stock enclosure, with a possible role in the management of pre-enclosure Kenn Moor. Open Report June 2017 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on gradiometry and resistivity surveys in fields bordering Ham Lane. northwest of Yatton, which revealed a wealth of enigmatic features possibly resulting from a Romano - British industrial site, with potential evidence for temporary enclosure and drainage in the medieval period. Open Report Report making the case for the natural rock outcrop at Wrington Road, Congresbury being the feature responsible for the place name 'Mansbury', known since 1567 at the latest, and potentially, the meeting place for the Hundred of Congresbury during the period between the middle of the 11th century and beginning of the 14th. Open Report Report by R Broomhead of documentary & archaeological survey of two Moorland sites In Yatton & Congresbury. The widening of an existing ditch and the excavation of a new pond within the field in Yatton produced evidence of Romano-British activity. Open Report March 2017 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on the recording and study of Gang Wall, the medieval drainage bank separating Yatton and Congresbury Moor, and the associated Rennie's siphon. Open Report A manual survey using an electronic, hydrostatic level (NivComp) revealed that some surface features appeared to correlate with the previous resistivity results. Open Report 2016 December 2016 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on recording of an ox-house and its surrounding earthworks, at Claverham Court Farm. The re-use of a post-medieval roof, and extraordinary details of the floor makes this more than an ordinary agricultural building. Open Report Report on resisistivity, gradiometry and Nivcomp terrain surveys at Locking Castle which confirmed and enhanced previous surveys and revealed the structures on the motte for the first time. Open Report Report on a trial excavation and other unpublished records relating to Wemberham, Yatton, discovered in the Keith Gardner archive. Open Report Report on Taylor's Wood, Congresbury, containing archaeological sites from an undated, but possibly prehistoric enclosure, a burial cave, a Roman building and later military history. Open Report September 2016 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter Report on an evaluation excavation at Congresbury Cross, which revealed significant 14th century basement structures. Open Report Report on a number of small carved, apparently early 19th century boundary stones, in King's Wood, Cleeve and Congresbury. These are believed to be the private boundary stones of Thomas Wickham the vicar of Yatton. Open Report Report showing the extent of potential Romano-British pottery kilns in Congresbury, established by gradiometry and resistivity surveys. Open report Report on gradiometer and resistivity surveys at Banwell. This revealed possible domestic activity close to an area where Roman remains have been found. Open report Report on gradiometry survey on Congresbury cricket pitch. This identified several service pipes and two high level responses which could indicate potential archaeology. Open report Report on a gradiometry survey at Iwood, which revealed possible Romano British kilns. Open Report Report on gradiometry and resistivity surveys to the south of Congresbury. Gradiometry survey revealed possible enclosure, trackway and what may be the results of trench digging. However, resistivity surveys revealed no significant archaeological features. Open report Report of resistivity survey on St George V playing field, Congresbury which revealed a rectangular high resistance anomaly worthy of future investigation. Open report Updated report on excavation at Iwood which now incorporates preliminary reports on the spur and bones. Open report 2015 Report on gradiometry survey in a field to the south of Congresbury, which seems to have located the site of a possible Romano British pottery kiln. Open Report Report on excavation at Iwood which confirmed resistivity results and revealed what may be the foundations of a wall / structure and pottery suggesting an occupation site dating between 1580 and 1650. Open Report Report on the use of an electronic, hydrostatic level (NIVCOMP) to record the three- dimensional appearance of a stone fragment found in unconsecrated land by Congresbury church. Open Report Report on a further gradiometry survey south of Silverstone Way, Congresbury which revealed no archaeological features. Open Report A report on a gradiometry survey south of Silverstone Way, Congresbury, shows the survey revealed 3 enigmatic parallel lines. Open Report Dictionary of dialect words used in North Somerset has been updated with more words. Open Report on resistivity surveys, in a field bordering Ham Lane Yatton, has revealed what appears to be a rectangular building as well as enigmatic circular features. Open Report Report on further resistivity surveys in a field at Iwood which again revealed a wealth of previously unrecorded features including a possible building. Open Report Report on additional resistivity surveys in a field at Iwood which revealed a wealth of previously unrecorded features. Open Report Report on survey at Wemberham, Yatton using an electronic, hydrostatic level, which produced contour and 3d images of the villa and other targeted sites. Open Report Appendices Report on survey at Woodspring Priory using an electronic, hydrostatic level, which produced contour and 3d images of features across the site. Open Report Open Appendices Report on a resistivity survey in a field off Brinsea Road, Congresbury revealed possible structures as well as enigmatic circular and linear features. Open Report 2014 Report on a gradiometry survey at Cobthorn, Congresbury, which revealed possible previously unknown Romano-British potter kilns. Open Report Reports on gradiometry surveys in two fields off Brinsea Road, Congresbury have revealed possible previously unknown Romano-British pottery kilns. Open Report 1 Report 2 Report on gradiometry survey in field off Brinsea Road, Congresbury has revealed, what appears to be, previously unknown Romano-British kilns. Open Report Report on survey on Cadbury Hill using an electronic, hydrostatic level. This is the first full description of the use of this equipment to survey in detail surface features and illustrate them in three dimensions. Open Report Open Appendices Report on gradiometry survey in Congresbury has revealed possible previously unknown Romano-British pottery kilns. Open Report Report on resistivity survey at Congresbury church which revealed the end wall of the large building/buildings, previously revealed in the orchard, as well as several previously unknown buildings/structures. Open Report Report on gradiometry survey north of the river at Iwood, where no archaeological features were revealed. Open Report Report on resistivity survey by the bridge at Congresbury revealed a circular feature worthy of future investigation. Open Report Reports on gradiometry and resistivity surveys at Wemberham Villa have revealed a potential dock area and evidence of further buildings. Open 601 Report / Open RM15 Report Report on resistivity survey in Wrington. Survey followed the discovery of Bronze Age artefacts but revealed no structures. It is assumed that this is an example of ritual deposition in a wet place. Open Report 2013 December 2013 Newsletter now available under publications. Open Newsletter New slide show section can be accessed from publications page. Includes a short slide show on Woodspring Priory. more> Report on a resistivity survey on the site of a demolished farm house at Iwood has revealed track ways, the site of a well and a possible cobbled area and structures. Open Report Report on a gradiometry survey at Iwood has revealed what appear to be two large enclosures, containing signs of domestic activity, beside a potential track way running north to south. Open Report Report on a gradiometry survey at Iwood has revealed the continuation of the possible track way revealed in an adjacent field and the site of what may be a hearth, close to this track way. Open report Report on a a gradiometry survey at Iwood has revealed circular features and possible ditches either side of a trackway which may be associated with the Neolithic/Bronze Age flint scatter found in an adjacent field. Open report YCCCART report on gradiometry survey at Iwood which revealed paleochannels, which relate to those recorded in an adjacent field. Open report Open weekend at Woodspring Priory, Kewstoke, North Somerset (ST34316614) on 18th & 19th May 2013, 10am - 4pm. Woodspring Priory was a Victorine house, remote and rural, and always poor, although wonderful medieval buildings remain at the site. It is owned and maintained by the Landmark Trust. Recent geophysical surveys (See report Y12/2012 on this site) have provided stunning new insights into the history of the site. The weekend will have exhibitions of the surveys, a 'Now and Then' exhibition with 19th century images of the Priory, walks, and other events. This is also an opportunity to see parts of the Priory normally not open to visitors. Please be aware that access is over bumpy ground not suitable for wheel chairs and there is livestock so dogs must be kept on a lead. More details will follow asap. 2012 YCCCART newsletter for 2012 has been released. Open newsletter YCCCART report on a resistivity survey on Yatton Moor from which no significant features were revealed. Open report YCCCART report on gradiometry and resistivity surveys at Iwood Manor which revealed a number of features including possible walls and structures. Also identified were hints of a possible Roman road which is said to run through the grounds of the manor. Open report YCCCART report detailing further surveys at Tyntesfield requested by the National Trust which revealed a number of features probably associated with previous foundations, service pipes and garden features. Without an excavation, interpretation of these features can only be speculative. Open report YCCCART report describes the amazing 2011 & 2012 gradiometry and resistivity survey results from Cadbury Hll, Congresbury. The surveys revealed a number of features previously identified in excavation and earthwork survey, and many other previously unknown features. Open report YCCCART report describes the results of a limited excavation in a field at Iwood, Congresbury, which revealed a feature thought to be a post hole on the line of an enclosure boundary. Open report YCCCART report - gradiometry & resistivity surveys have been carried out at Woodspring Priory. Resistivity surveys in particular exceeded expectations and revealed a number of previously unknown features, one associated with the spring in the orchard fronting the priory. Open report YCCCART report - gradiometer surveys in Wraxall appear to have relocated a Roman villa and revealed a Roman industrial area. Open report YCCCART report of a survey of a paddock off Venus Street, Congresbury in an area of known Romano–British pottery kilns. The gradiometry survey revealed no significant features. Open report YCCCART report of a gradiometry survey was undertaken in Wick St Lawrence at the request of the North Somerset County Archaeologist in order to investigate a flat area (house platform?) close to a deep pond. Sadly no building structure was found. Open report A new leaflet has been prepared by YCCCART giving a brief history of Woodspring Priory and the archaeological investigation made during this Summer. Open leaflet YCCCART report of 13 test pits dug in Yatton near St Mary’s Church and in the Conservation Area failed to discover any structures in existence prior to the modern village being constructed. Open report YCCCART report of the manual survey of Iwood (Open report). This is the first report to include the use of the electronic hydrostatic level to produce contour and three-dimensional images in an archaeological survey, although its use has been described previously (see YCCCART newsletter, December 2011). It would appear to have potential for accurate recording of surface features." Saturday 14 July As part of the National Archaeology Week Vince Russett, the North Somerset County Archaeologist, will lead a guided tour of Cadbury Hill Fort. The tour starts from the Star public house car park at 10:00 am. YCCCART will have a stand at the following events: 30 June Congresbury Village Fete, St Andrews School, 1:30-4:30 pm 14 July Clevedon Archaeology Day, Queens Square, 10:30-4:00 pm 21 July Yatton Village Fete, St Mary’s Church, 2:00-4:30 pm Please drop by, we would be delighted to see you and explain what we have been doing and show some of the results we have recorded. Friday 25 th May, YCCCART had a visit by John Penrose MP at Woodspring Priory, its new field assignment. Mr Penrose is the minister for Tourism, Historic Property and Archaeological Sites in the UK. He was accompanied by North Somerset Councilor Robert Cleland, and the County's Archaeologist Vince Russett. YCCCART has been requested to carry out a full geophysical survey and a report will be forwarded to The Landmark Trust whose representatives, Marilyn Donohue (Property Manger), Simon Verdon (Head of Business Operations), and Caroline Stanford (Historian) were at Woodspring Priory to meet the minister. The Official license has been applied for, and as soon as the paper work is completed the survey will commence. Watch this space on our website for updates on the progresses made and findings. Councillor Cleland, North Somerset’s Heritage Champion, presented his report Conservation Heritage Champion to the Council meeting on 17 January 2012. His very comprehensive and interesting report describes the positive action undertaken in all heritage matters in the county and includes a section on the work being carried out by YCCCART. The report is available from the North Somerset Council website. 28 May 2012 Reports YCCCART has written up some old surveys made at Cleeve during the years 2006 - 2008. One survey was on Goblin Coombe Cottage which is the remains of Thomas Cox’s house which predates 1799 (Open report). The other report relates to quarrying, a number of boundary stones and the remains of World War II activities (Open report). 21st March 2012 Cadbury Hill Unwrapped Vince Russett, North Somerset County Archaeologist, will give an illustrated talk about the amazing new geophysical results from Cadbury Hill Fort. Congresbury History Group is hosting the talk in the Methodist Hall Congresbury and starts at 7.45pm. Open to all, non members will be charged £2. Cadbury Hill Fort Progress - The geophysical surveys for the current English Heritage licence have been completed and the final report is being compiled. YCCCART report of the manual survey of the north east ramparts of Cadbury Hill Fort is now available. Open report YCCCART Report on a resistivity survey on the field at the bottom of Venus Street, Congresbury where we may have identified a building. Open report Talk to Scouts - YCCCART members recently gave a talk about the Romans to Claverham Scouts and invited them to come on a walk around Cadbury Hill Fort. Cadbury Hill Fort Surveys The geophysical surveys planned on the eastern part of the hill have been completed. Trees, bushes and brambles have been cleared since last year’s surveys on the western side. So, until the end of March when the English Heritage licence expires, we will extend the surveys on the western side and undertake further manual surveys. Why not come and help