Site Event/Activity record ECH4650 - Site visit to Macclesfield Riverside Park

A local resident reported a line of timber posts (CHER 4681/1) visible in the eastern bank of the River Bollin between SJ90387592 and SJ90347595 (2). The posts were approximately 0.1-0.2m in diameter and regularly spaced at around 0.3m intervals. Although the posts displayed some damage and degradation, especially at the top, the intact posts had small peg holes. The wood used for the posts seemed to be roughly finished round wood. It is probable that the outer face comprised planks attached to the posts by pegs. Posts were also visible on either side of the channel at SJ90347598 and in the bank at SJ90367602. Historic maps (3 & 4) show that the course of the river was very straight and that meander is more recent. This explains the posts on either bank at SJ90347598, as the modern course of the river is cutting across the, now infilled, channel depicted on the historic maps at 90 degrees. To the south was a stone revetment (CHER 4681/2) on the same bank running south from SJ90417587 to SJ90437569. The revetment comprised flat sand/grit stone squared rubble built to courses approximately 0.5m wide. It was buried in places by alluvium and survived up to a height of 0.5m. The river channel is very straight at this location. To the north of the timber revetment (CHER 4681/1) was a further stone revetment (CHER 4681/3) on the eastern bank. The revetment comprises flat sand/grit stone squared rubble built to courses similar to those to the south and was approximately 0.5m wide and 0.5-7m above the water level. It is probable that the revetments were intended to constrain the river channel to the western side of the valley. This was probably done to build up a difference in height between the river channel and the valley floor, the energy of which could be utilised by the mill at Prestbury (CHER 1579/1) (1). The Countryside Ranger for the park reported a series of linear earthworks (CHER 4680) which are reputedly part of a water meadow or WWII anti-glider ditches (5). A series of eight evenly spaced linear earthworks aligned ENE to WSW were observed. Each bank was approximately 0.8m high and 3-4m wide and flanked by two shallow furrow like depressions. A channel, c.0.2m wide, was clearly visible running along the top of the bank. The banks connect to a NNW to SSE trending sinuous earthwork at their ENE end. This feature, up to c.1m high, may follow the contour and has short 90 degree spurs on its eastern side. Probable water meadow, however it is not readily apparent if the water source is the Dane or the stream to the immediate north. A few stone slabs in this stream may be the remains of a sluice or weir. The short spurs on the sinuous earthwork may be associated with some form of sluice mechanism. The site is bisected by a modern pipeline.