Monument record 15397 - Pepperstreet Moss

<1> Leah, MD; Wells, CE; Appleby, C; Huckerby, E, 1997, The Wetlands of Cheshire (North West Wetlands Survey 4), p. 124, 129, 194 (Monograph). SCH3260.

Pepperstreet Moss was investigated by the North West Wetlands project, an archaeological and paleoecological study of the varied wetlands of Cheshire, undertaken between 1993-95. It forms part of a series of wetlands lying between Crewe and the Shropshire border, with a further outlying group to the north-east, between Crewe and Alsager. Within this area, a variety of wetland types is represented from numerous small basin mires, often less than 1 hectare in extent, to the valley mire deposits found alongside some of the minor rivers and streams. Larger mosses (circa 10-20 hectares) such as White Moss, Oakhanger Moss and Wybunbury Moss, also occur. The underlying geology is masked by drift deposits made up of both till and fluvio-glacial sands and gravels. In places these deposits have resulted in the flat landscape characteristic of the Cheshire Plain, but in some areas, particularly to the south of Crewe, a much more varied and irregular topography occurs. Many wetlands developed in kettle holes left in the surface of these glacial deposits, although the role of subsidence of salt solution hollows also played a part in some cases, such as Wybunbury.

Pepperstreet Moss is located on the Doddington Estate, the location of several small basin mires which form the eastern extent of a cluster of basin mires roughly contained within the triangle of roads formed by the A51, B5071 and Bridgemere-Birchall Moss minor road. Of the Doddington Estate mires, Pepperstreet Moss, together with Speakman's Moss (CHER 15398), were chosen for palaeolecological study, whilst Birchall Moss (CHER 15382) was selected for an example of a mire on the western extent of the cluster. Both sites support stands of woodland which have helped preserve deep peat deposits. The stratigraphy of both sites is similar; the base of the mosses contain gyttjas, with the organic infill comrising sequences of sedge/wood peats, Eriophorum/Calluna peats and Sphagnum peats. Both mosses contained S sect Cuspidata pool peats circa 0.20-0.35m deep, while macroscopic charcoal was also recorded in the Pepperstreet peats.

At Pepperstreet, 4.5m of organic sediment was found to exist; three samples were taken and the pollen content examined. At 4.30m there was 78% tree and shrub pollen of which 69% was birch and 4% willow and pine. Herb pollen was 21% and 4% charcoal was recorded. It is probably representative of a relatively open birch scrub typical of the early Flandrian I. By 3.75m depth, hazel pollen has risen to 58% with 28% pine an 9% birch with no alder and very little elm or oak, a spectrum typical of the early Flandrian. The upper sample from 0.30m was formed in Flandrian II or III, with an increase of tree pollen comprising largely oak, hazel and alder. Herb pollen is present with possible cereal type and ericales, also an increase of charcoal (6.3%); this indicates a wooded landscape with some clearings. In summary, the site has the potential to provide a record of the Mesolithic period onwards.

Documentary evidence shows that Pepperstreet Moss remained uncultivated in the nineteenth century, which probably helps explain its well preserved nature. It is depicted as heath-type land on various Doddington Park Estate plans, as well as on the 1842 Tithe Map, where it is described as 'moss' and recorded as being held in hand by Sir John Delves-Brougton. The name 'Pepperstreet' may refer to an old road, potentially the road from Woore to Nantwich which was possibly diverted with the laying out of the Doddington Park Estate.