Archaeological Dig in Bramcote
21 August, 2007
Nottinghamshire County Council’s archaeologists are working with local volunteers to survey the churchyard next to the old church tower, also know as the ‘Sunken Church’, on Moss Drive in the village.
Buried gravestones dating back to the medieval period and the 18th and 19th centuries are being revealed and their inscriptions are being recorded as part of the project, which is being funded by the County Council’s Building Better Communities (BBC) initiative.
The church tower contains features from both the 14th and 15th centuries and a small 13th Century chapel existed before this.
Abandoned
The remains of the chapel were abandoned in favour of the newly built St Michael’s and all Angels' Church in 1861, and its nave and chancel were demolished in 1862.
The work forms part of a wider £50,000 project which aims to create a medieval- style community garden in the churchyard and restore some of its features.
So far the funding has helped to renovate six tombstones and some repairs to the church tower.
An application to the Lottery Fund has been submitted to source funding to design seating for the site and a new stain glass window for the tower.
Gravestones
Peter Hillier of the Bramcote Conservation Society said: “The gravestones that are being unearthed are covered in moss and earth which has taken time to clear but as they are so old we are also using church records to try and decipher the inscriptions.
“We hope the wider restoration project will help establish a community facility which will also have educational benefits for local school children.”
”Historic Asset”
Local County Councillor Stan Heptinstall said: “This site is a real historic asset for the local community and it is fantastic that we are making the most of it.”
Local County Councillor Brian Wombwell said: “It is hoped long-term that we will find extra funding to carry out extensive restoration works to the tower, which really is a local landmark and is in poor condition.”
Programme
BBC is a wide ranging five-year programme which will see £25 million invested in making the county a better place to live and work.
The name ‘Sunken Church’ suggests that the ground level around it must have been raised but there is no conclusive evidence of this.
By Editor.
