Site Event/Activity record ECH4540 - English Heritage field visits to Oakmere Promontary Fort & the Headless Cross

The condition of the Promontory Fort wasn't as bad as expected. It is not under arable and the farmer appears to be controlling the gorse. There is no bracken. The two main risks to the promontory fort (SM25688) were identified: Erosion caused by the cattle on the rampart (mainly on the eastern side). They were up to c. 2m across and 0.5m deep. This is an on-going problem; the scars of other now grassed over scars are clearly visible. Over time this has had significant impact on the morphology of the fort and the archaeology. Rabbit burrowing: this was at its worst along the Mere side to the west and wrecks the archaeology. The Headless Cross (SM2567): A sandstone cross base in the hedge line on the Tarporley Road re-set on a concrete base. It was almost invisible from the farm side because of the overgrowth of brambles etc. While the monument is not at risk, good management would include keeping the overgrowth cut back so that it is visible and less likely to be damaged through hedge cutting or similar. To note, also, recent tree planting includes birch and rowan only c3metres from the cross base and there should not be any further planting here.