Monument record 4681/1 - Remains of a Timber Revetment

Small timber posts visible in the erroded bank of the River Bollin (1).

A line of timber posts visible in the eastern bank of the River Bollin between SJ90387592 and SJ90347595. 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.

It is probable that the timber revetment is associated with the stone revetment to the south (CHER 4681/2) and north (CHER 2681/3) which 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) (2).

<1> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Wilkinson CF 10/03/2010 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<2> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, Various, Historic Environment Record Site Visit Record, Edwards R 10/03/2010 (Unpublished Document). SCH5294.

<3> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 409/2 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.