Dorset Council is beginning to outline the next steps to redevelop the North Quay and Weymouth Bowl sites, as a recent archaeological dig draws to a close.
Archaeological work carried out at the North Quay site in Weymouth finished last week. Context One, a local independent Heritage & Archaeology company, carried out the dig, which involved making four large exploratory trenches at strategic locations around the site and examining what is discovered.
The team and Council officers were surprised at how well-preserved remains survive across some of the site. Interesting finds include: –
- There was evidence for the remains of two medieval buildings in separate trenches
- In both cases, these were superseded by Georgian buildings
- The remains of 18th century buildings with Victorian and early 20th century additions were encountered in all trenches
- The partial floor plans of the later buildings were revealed just below the tarmac including dividing walls, flagstone floors, hearths, courtyard paviers, stone thresholds and drainage systems
- Historic maps and old photographs have helped identify the exact buildings along North Quay and the former High Street that were investigated during the evaluation.
Community and heritage groups, historians and residents all provided vital support to the team, helping answer questions and offering valuable local knowledge that helps Context One build a full picture of the history around the North Quay site.
All this archaeological information will now be taken away, evaluated, and put into context alongside all the other historical data and records that can be found on the area. A final report will be produced by Context One in the next few weeks, which will be shared with Dorset residents and fully considered alongside the development proposals. Once this has happened, we will review the next steps for the North Quay and Weymouth Bowl sites.
Councillor Tony Ferrari, Weymouth resident and Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, said:
“Local interest and community groups made it clear that they wanted the opportunity to explore what lies beneath the ground at North Quay before demolition and redevelopment takes place, and we were happy to accommodate such activity. By working together to pool our knowledge of the area, we could make the most of this wonderful opportunity to uncover some of Weymouth’s rich history.
I want to thank Context One and the many volunteers, residents, and local heritage groups for their support during these archaeological works. I was lucky enough to attend the dig and speak to the team on site and was fascinated by what they have unearthed. It’s heart-warming to hear of the passion and enthusiasm from the local community to fill in the knowledge gaps and help the team get a better idea of the site’s history. I’m told that the team on site even brought in volunteers to speak with passers-by while work was continuing, such was the interest of some residents.
I’m looking forward to seeing the full report soon when we can fully consider the significance of Context One’s findings and see if/how they affect the current development proposals for the North Quay site. We will make this report available for everyone to see and, in the meantime, we’ll continue to engage with interested parties and keep everyone up to date with what is happening.”
Huge thanks needs to go to Mr Mark Vine here, he brought the whole community together some already history savvy and inspired many to learn more about the town’s history and in doing so created a movement of people who care about not only the history but the future of this historic port and the community, this is a rare attribute indeed.
The trenches were very interesting and it would be brilliant to see some recognition of them in any future development, such as some kind of preservation which could be viewed in situ.
A big thank you to Mr Tony Ferrari and his team at Dorset Council for supporting the trial excavation of North Quay and its sadly lamented old High Street. The four trenches have proven beyond a doubt that there is plenty of viable archaeology left just under the surface of the car park and three out of four of the trenches showed good remains of the medieval buildings of Weymouth, giving real hope that a lot more of it remains to be found before the developers move in.
Thanks too, to Context One Heritage and Archaeology for allowing members of Dig the Street to work alongside them. Thanks for the patience they showed to our volunteers and their sheer professionalism during the excavation.
And a big thank you, to the people of Weymouth who came to watch the Dig and support it in their hundreds. It was very heart-warming indeed.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the new developer, who ever they may be, were to put up a memorial, perhaps using some of the Medieval and Tudor stones thrown into the waters of the quay in the 1960s, to honour those soldiers who fought and died during the Crabchurch Conspiracy and the Battle of Weymouth. (500 at least perished during the fighting) and also if the new addresses created by the new build, were to adopt the names of some of the participants of the siege and battle, who, during their own century, were some of the leading figures of the day.
And a huge thanks to you Mark and Dig The Street for your support, passion and enthusiasm before, during and after these works 🙂
It was an absolute pleasure, I assure you.