Site Event/Activity record ECH5617 - St Nicholas's Parish Church, The Village, Burton

Observations made during re-setting of the steps at the southern entrance to the graveyard around the parish curch. Bedrock is close to the surface in this area and the purpose of the work was to try and understand the origin of the pronounced difference in levels between the ground inside and outside the churchyard (build up within churchyard due to centuries of burial or quarrying away of bedrock outside the graveyard). The text below, as sent to Paul Broadhurst of the DAC, outlines the findings. Paul Burton Parish Church, Replacement of Steps at Entrance to Churchyard This is just to confirm that I visited Burton this morning in order to examine the strata that had been exposed by the removal of the steps leading into the churchyard. The main aim of the exercise was to establish whether the steps had been constructed on a build up of soil (within the churchyard) and artificial ramp (on the outside) or whether they had been laid directly onto an entrance cut directly into the bedrock. The answer seems to be the former, which is a useful, if minor, piece of information that may prove useful when considering any future schemes at the church. I also took the opportunity to inspect the lifted stones for inscriptions and evidence of re-use of former gravestones but nothing of interest was apparent. I doubt that anything further of interest will turn up but the contractors have my number if this does happen and, in these circumstances, I will be happy to attend. I was notified of the start of works by the architect, Mr Quick, but unfortunately do not have his contact details. I have briefed the contractors that all is in order but would it be possible for you to forward this message to him so that he knows that archaeological observations are complete? Thanks in advance for this and, if you do wish to discuss matters further, please get in touch. Mark Leah Development Control Archaeologist Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service Cheshire Shared Services Tel: 01244 973289 Email: mark.leah@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Location: The Forum, Chester CH1 2HS