Archaeological Watching Brief at Glebe Lodge, Thames Street, Sonning, Wokingham

Although the work indicated in the planning application comprised the installation of a swimming pool, erection of a wall and associated landscaping works, the scope of the works was subsequently curtailed. Only a single trench was excavated for the erection of a wall, with no other ground reduction taking place. The trench measured 4.47m in length, 0.80m in width and was excavated to a depth of 0.55m. A 360� excavator equipped with a toothless ditching bucket reduced the area under the supervision of an archaeologist. The development site is located 25m from St Andrews Vicarage where evidence of 10th to 14th century Medieval occupation was discovered, along with associated finds. Part of the aims of the investigation were to record any Medieval deposits that might be associated with the nearby evidence of activity dating to that period. No evidence of Medieval activity or earlier was observed during this stage of works. It is likely a Post-Medieval coal store was located in the excavated area. This comprised a lean-to structure which adjoined the existing boundary wall, visible on historic OS Maps dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a portion of which is still visible immediately north of the excavated trench.