Visit to the Poulton Research Project - Saturday 14th June 2008
Details of the Poulton Research Project are shown on its website www.poultonproject.org. The original brief of the project was to investigate claims that a church/chapel/abbey/monastery had stood on the site in the mediaeval period. The excavation has uncovered evidence of usage of the site regularly (if not continuously) since mesolithic times, and that a chapel did exist for some hundreds of years. The building eventually became redundant and the stone was "quarried" for use elsewhere.
The site is situated on the edge of the higher ground above the flood plain of the Dee, overlooking the area of swampy ground where the pool was located which gives the area its name.
Preliminary briefing about the site, and local history.
Mike Emery beginning his presentation.
Mike showing one of the ditches, clearly visible as a dark curve.
Society members listening intently.
Reconstructed post circle, with the silver birch posts (as per the originals) in the original holes.
The remains of the Chapel footings, much disturbed following looting of most of the stonework for use elsewhere.
View along the site, with the tent where finds are washed and shelter achieved fron the deluge.
Grave in course of excavation
Grave in course of excavation
Grave in course of excavation
Volunteers working on excavations
Construction of round-house, based on excavated evidence of size, number and layout of post-holes.
This area, now silted, was the pool from which Poulton gets its name.
Potential alignment on Moel Famau, which at 270° (that is - due west) would display the setting sun at the equinoxes.
The "Head" - produced by the "Meet the Ancestors" Team.
After the morning visit to the Poulton Research Project (and lunch at the Grosvenor Garden Centre cafe) the members visited Holt, a small village on the Welsh side of the Dee, which has a number of interesting historical features and associations and which provided members with a delicious strawberry and cream tea!
The remains of Holt Castle
The mediaeval font in Holt Church, showing the arms of Richard III.
The carved stone face on the underside of the Credence Table in Holt Church
The bridge over the Dee at Holt - England to the left, Wales to the right.
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