Metal detecting survey and archaeological evaluation of land at Station Road, Fladbury

To carry out the metal detecting survey, an independent grid was established across the impacted area using a Real Time Kinetic Global Position (GPS). Transects 2m wide running northsouth across the area were marked out by bamboo canes and the grid was tied into the OS National Grid. Metal detecting sweeps were carried out along the transects using a Garrett Ace 250 metal detector and identified metal objects were retrieved using a spade. The trial trenching comprises the excavation of six trenches, each 20m long and 1.6m wide, to achieve a 4% sample of the impacted area of the site (estimated at 4700sqm). Trenches were laid out using a Real Time Kinetic GPS The metal detecting survey uncovered a range of metal objects, but these appeared to be largely of agricultural origin and could not be specifically linked to the former existence of the WWII camp to the north. There was a slight bias in the deposition towards the gateway to the site from Station Road and it is thought likely that some objects may have derived from materials imported to shore up the entrance to the field from the road. Three linear features were recorded within the site in Trenches 1, 2 and 6. Although these could not be very closely dated, the material recovered, in the form of ceramic fragments and metal objects is largely indicative of post medieval activity and the paucity of material would not suggest that they were directly related to settlement. Two ditches are likely to have either been drainage ditches or boundaries related to agricultural activity. Feature 205 was at the base of the linear depression identified as a former holloway on the Historic Environment Record (WSM69159). This feature is traced from a location close to the point at which Station Road crosses the railway line 200m south of the site to a small wood 800m NNE of the site on high ground above Craycombe House. The holloway may have been an alternative route to Station Road which formerly led from Craycombe Farm to Fladbury. If so, it appears to have gone out of use prior to 1811 as it is not shown as a route on the Ordnance Survey drawing surveyed in that year or on subsequent maps.