Archaeologists working in one of the trenches
Archaeologists have started new investigations in Grosvenor Park
as part of a council funding application under the Heritage
Lottery`s Parks for People programme.
Several trenches are being excavated to locate the remains of a
19th century town house, which was demolished when the park was
created in 1867. It is thought that ‘Cholmondeley’s Mansion’ sat on
the site of earlier medieval buildings attached to the collegiate
church of St. John, which was passed to Sir Hugh Cholmondeley after
the dissolution of the monasteries.
The archaeologists also hope to establish how the area was used
during the Roman period and will pay special attention to a ditch
that was first found during the building of the Union Street Baths
in 1899. Prior to the building of retirement homes on the site of
St. Augustine’s Convent in 1994, archaeologists uncovered a
complete adult, human skeleton at the top of the ditch and further
studies are now taking place to confirm the date, age and sex of
the remains.
Last year, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded Chester City Council
£50,000 towards preparing a bid which, if successful, could
generate between £250,000 and £5 million to rejuvenate Grosvenor
Park. The archaeologist’s finds will contribute to a Conservation
Management Plan, which is being developed as part of the council’s
“stage 1” funding application under the national Parks for People
programme. The council is in the process of developing proposals
for the park which will include restoration, new facilities and
opportunities for training and voluntary community participation in
its management. The bid will be submitted in March 2008 and
hopefully progress to a final “stage 2” bid later that year.
The current excavations are being used as a training opportunity
for archaeology students from Chester University and will also be
open to volunteers. The work will be on view to the public and
guided tours will be available.
15 May 2007
Contact: Dan Garner, Senior
Archaeologist on 01244 402027
Back to the Latest news
