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An evaluation was carried out at this site in August 2009 by MAS in advance of a proposed cemetery extension. Two trenches were excavated in proximity of the north side of the church. A single flint blade was recovered from a topsoil context, unrelated to any excavated feature - together with the previously recorded flint finds in this area is suggests there was prehistoric activity or settlement nearby. A number of sherds of medieval pottery, including rims and a handle, were also recovered from a feature which has been interpreted as an oven or kiln. They are dated within the range 13th-15th century, and would appear to represent domestic rubbish rather than kiln waste. Also observed was the remains of medieval or post-medieval rig and furrow cultivation. In November 2009 two further evaluation trenches were excavated, followed by small-scale excavation. No finds or features were recovered from the two new evaluation trenches. The excavation included re-opening parts of trenches 1 and 2, removing the section between them and extending several metres to south and west to check for any other associated features. During the November 2009 excavations three separate hearths/fire areas were identified, one of which could be the base of an enclosed oven, while the other two features appear to be open hearths. Ovens and hearths of this type and size could be related to a number of domestic activities - as bread ovens, brewing places and grain drying kilns - but there was no direct evidence in the charcoal layers to give an indication of function. The lack of evidence of medieval structures or finds makes any extensive settlement in this area unlikely. It is possible that the hearths were associated with the building or possibly repair of the church.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)