Pitsford Together – Graveyard Extension Community Project

After much searching around for a specialist to carry out the archaeological works at a realistic price Derek Roberts of Pre-Develop Archaeology and David Crawford-White of Heritage Learning Services were engaged. They could not have been better people to work with, professional and fun.

Stage 1- November: They wasted no time and the geophysical survey investigation work to survey the ground area was carried out. It was cold and windy, the volunteers, keen and brave. Children from Pitsford School were also involved. It was hard work, but fun.

Stage 2 – January: The readings were evaluated and an excavation (trenching and test pitting) plan approved. The Dig began and, thankfully, Mark Adams used a digger to clear away the top surface. It was fascinating to see the evidence of early farming methods, the core of the historical ridge and furrow and an old pebbled track about 2ft below the ground. At one point a post hole was uncovered (which we non-archaeologists would never have spotted). Derek and David became quite excited and started talking about a Roman Roundhouse; thankfully that did not emerge.

Visitors came and went; some days were busier than others but, again, it was fun and interesting. The weather was kinder. The volunteers keen and interested. The children were able to join in the excavation and metal detecting. One child located a special find of a length of metal chain and a ‘fractional farthing’ – early pennies were often cut into half (halfpenny) or quarters (farthing, derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'feorthling'), and until 1827 the farthing was the smallest denomination of British coin.

Stage 3 – February: David organised an after-school activity session. Children and parents came to see the photos, take part in a range of activities; games, quizzes, animal bones and teeth to handle, artefacts and quiz, mammoth bones, pottery lots of fun things to do. It was a great success. In the evening there was a talk by Derek about the Community Excavation, not so well-attended, but that was expected.

Funding for these works: We don’t own the land so we cannot apply for grants. All of the funding to date has been by donation by village residents by cheque or donation to a Collection Pot (village resident Kevin Coles initiative).

There is a burial/interment crisis in the UK (Telegraph article: The cost of dying - one in five cemeteries could close within a decade amid a crisis that 'can't be ignored') in which at two cemeteries in Northampton - Towcester Road and Dallington - trees have been cut down and grass walkways dug up to create extra graves. We have the offer of this burial ground extension.

We really need your donations no matter how small. Particularly if you are one of the 30% who voted to buried/interred in Pitsford please donate by https://www.collectionpot.co.uk/pot/2865/ by

cheque or cash delivered to: Keith Isaacs, 9 The Square or Maureen Holliday, Pitsford Farmhouse, Church Lane. Email: maureeneholliday@runbox.com 078844 90997