Source/Archive record SCH6775 - Archaeological watching Brief at Old Hall, Hotel, Sandbach, Cheshire

In January 2011 Archaeological Research Services Ltd were commissioned by IB Construction Ltd to undertake an archaeological watching brief at Old Hall Hotel, Sandbach, Cheshire. The work was carried out during exploratory groundworks for a proposed extension to east of the existing seventeenth century Grade I listed building. The objective of the watching brief was to identify and record any archaeological features possibly associated with the hall. The Development Control Archaeologist of Cheshire East Council required that a watching brief should be carried out to observe any groundworks taking place for the proposed extension in order to identify any potential archaeological remains. This involved monitoring under watching brief conditions the machine excavation of two small exploratory evaluation trenches, service trenches, foundation trenches and a soak-away pit. A photographic record was also made of the basement, which revealed no significant historic features. The photographic record is reproduced as Appendix 2. The results of the watching brief revealed that no archaeological remains were present within the excavated areas. The only finds present were reasonably modern butchered animal bones.