Watching brief by G Rapson of MOLA during underground cabling works between Coombe Farm, Park Farm and Coast Hill Road, much of which was laid using a mole-plough, providing limited excavation opportunities. Open-cut trenches close to Vale House, the old rectory for St John’s church, revealed a section of a domestic rubbish pit containing a small amount of ceramic domestic debris and a large number of fragmented wine bottles, the majority of which date from the late 18th century.

Evaluation by G Kinsley of SLR revealed the remains of an 18th century barn, but no evidence for earlier occupation or activity. A palaeoenvironmental assessment by M Allen of Allen Environmental Archaeology was carried out during the evaluation to examine colluvial deposits. Tentative evidence for human activity was noted within a sequence that contained buried soil horizons and was suggestive of changing land use.

Watching brief during 2007 and 2008 by D Brooks of Bourne Hall Museum during refurbishment of the presumed 16th century building. The building was recorded by the DBRG as it was stripped back and its 16th century origin confirmed. The excavation of a trench for new footings within the building revealed a layer of burnt timber containing pottery of late medieval date over a mortar/chalk floor or surface, suggestive of the presence of an earlier building on the site, which had been destroyed by fire.

Evaluation by S Holden of PCA revealed evidence of prehistoric activity in the form of residual finds, a probable gully of early Roman date, and post-medieval remains including an element of an 18th century structure and 19th century landscaping. The evaluation illustrated that archaeological remains lie at a depth that will not be impacted upon by most of the groundworks involved in the development proposed for the site, and they will be preserved in situ beneath it.

Watching brief by S Nelson of EEHAS during the alterations to the building and during demolition of a rear, presumed 19th century, extension. The building is a late 17th century timber-framed structure, with 18th and 19th century alterations and additions. Stripping of all internal plaster surfaces allowed details of the timber framing and sequence of development to be recorded and a previous programme of building recording be augmented.

Training excavation by T Howe of SCC and R Savage of SyAS. Two trenches were excavated in an attempt to both locate the former dwelling of Alexander Raby (who ran an iron and copper manufacturing business on the mill site between 1770 and 1809) and better characterise the oldest of the former mills shown on a detailed map of 1798 before it was demolished around 1820. Raby’s house could not be definitely located, but a number of features were revealed on the former mill site, including two filled-in millraces and evidence for internal structures.

Historic building recording and watching brief by B Davis and S Beach of WA during alterations and conversion to Chatley Farmhouse and associated farm buildings. The building recording demonstrated that parts of the farmhouse date to the late 16th or early 17th centuries, and a two-bay timber-framed structure with brick chimney-stack remains fossilised within the present structure. The building was extended in the late 17th or early 18th century, and was given a major upgrade in the late 18th century, with several other farm buildings added at this time.

Historic building recording and watching brief by P Copeland and I Froneman of CgMs prior to and during conversion works. The Town Hall is thought to have been constructed in 1708 on the site of an earlier chapel, although no evidence for this structure now visibly survives. Subsequent alterations to the interior have obscured much of the original fabric, little of which was revealed during the refurbishment. A written, drawn and photographic record of the structure was compiled, together with further observations made during alterations.

Evaluation and excavation by J Robertson of SCAU, undertaken as part of the park regeneration programme. The area of the former tennis courts was evaluated, with evidence for the remains of a hexagonal dovecote, structural walls and a hearth being revealed. The area was thought more suitable for geophysical survey, however, and this technique was pursued here subsequently (see report below).

Excavation, under guidance of A Guinness of Heritage Enterprise, exploring the remains of the building present on the site since at least the early 18th century and which was demolished between 1961 and 1973. (405)