Site Event/Activity record ECH6266 - Land of Littler Lane, Winsford, Cheshire. Metal Detecting Survey

A total of 317 finds was recorded during the metal detecting survey, of which 21 were not metal. The 296 metal finds break down into 1 silver, 154 copper alloy, 106 lead/lead alloy, 23 iron and 12 other metal (e.g. aluminium, tin). The earliest identifiable items were three lead spindlewhorls of medieval date. Thirty-seven coins were found, the earliest of which is a George II penny minted in 1760. There are two George III ‘cartwheel’ pennies first minted in 1797 and for several years thereafter, and an undated George III halfpenny. The remainder of the assemblage dates to the reign of Victoria up to that of Elizabeth II. Twenty-five buttons were found along with a number of buckles. Household equipment consists of six items of cutlery, two possible pill boxes and an iron candle-holder. Six spherical lead shot were also recovered. With the exception of the spindlewhorls all of the finds are post-medieval in date. The results of the survey broadly align with the predictions of the potential for archaeological material suggested by the desk based assessment and the consulted online resources. The medieval spindlewhorls and sherds of courseware pottery indicate low-level medieval activity on site, perhaps reflecting agricultural practice. The assemblage is heavily skewed, however, towards the post-medieval period reflecting the rapid expansion of Winsford and its annexation of the Borough of Over in the mid-19th century. The medieval and post-medieval objects are of a largely utilitarian domestic nature. However, the lead shot is suggestive of some military action in the vicinity, perhaps a Civil War skirmish. The finds have no distinguishable cluster and there is no obvious spatial pattern to the distribution.