News - 'Fascinating dig' at Old Manor House uncovers mix of artefacts (Kirkby Hardwick)

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL dig on the site of the Old Manor House in Kirkby Hardwick has revealed interesting finds.

The two week excavation, which culminated in a Heritage Open Day, discovered a 17th century clay pipe, 2000BC flint, a Tudor earthenware cistern, Chinese export porcelain and 18th century Notts salt-glazed stonewares.

Carried out by Kirkby and District Archaeological Group and the county's community archaeologists, the dig was funded by Nottinghamshire County Council's Local Improvement Scheme.

The Old Manor House, the ruins of which are behind Sutton Parkway Station off Penny Emma Way, dates back to the 13th century.

Cardinal Wolsey stayed there in 1530 and Charles I was garrisoned there after the attack on Newark Castle.
The Manor House was demolished in 1966 and much of its footprint was lost under waste from Summit Colliery.

Local MP Gloria De Piero attended the dig along with Richard Butler of Nottinghamshire County Council and local councillors John Knight, Steve Carroll and Rachel Madden.

Two former residents of the Old Manor House, Geoff Shirley, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Betty Kirk, from Ravenshead, were among volunteers who took part in the project.

Geoff said: "I have very fond memories of living on this site as a child so I was fascinated to come back and try and trace aspects of my childhood."

County council archaeology leader Ursilla Spence said: "This site has proved to be a fascinating dig. We have uncovered a mix of artefacts and as a result have built up a remarkable picture of the area."

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Fascinating-dig-Old-Manor-House-uncovers-mix/story-13631351-detail/story.html

Event - Digging deep for interesting finds (Kirkby Hardwick)

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are hoping to discover some interesting finds during a two week dig at Kirkby Hardwick manor house.

The dig will culminate in a Heritage Open Day on October 15 from 10am to 4pm where members of the public will be able to go along to find out more.

The dig is being carried out by Kirkby and District Archaeological Group and the county's community archaeologists.

It was funded by Notts County Council's Local Improvement Scheme.

The ruins of the house, situated behind Sutton Parkway Station in Sutton-in-Ashfield, have a history stretching back to the 13th Century with Cardinal Wolsey staying there in 1530 and Charles I being garrisoned there soon after the attack on Newark Castle.

The house was demolished in 1966.

Ashfield MP Gloria de Piero, Notts County Council Cabinet Member Richard Butler, who heads the Local Improvement Scheme funding panel and representatives from Ashfield District Council will attend the dig on October 14.

Guided tours of the excavation will be carried out during the open day and people will have the chance to talk to archaeologists.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Digging-deep-interesting-finds/story-13519959-detail/story.html

Dig - Kirkby Hardwick Medieval House

A chance to excavate the remains of one of Nottinghamshire's great medieval houses....

Kirkby Hardwick is one of Nottinghamshire's lost great houses. It had medieval origins, built on and altered over the centuries, to become a grand residence. It was tragically demolished in 1966, leaving only a few fragments of the original building upstanding.

Join the Community Archaeologists and Kirkby and District Archaeology Group in a fortnight excavation to uncover the remains of this once-glorious house.

The excavation aims to uncover some of the foundations and footprint of the building, and start to understand how the building developed over time.

The dig will take place from Monday 3rd October until Friday 14th October, between 9am and 4.30pm (tbh).

Spaces are very limited and will be given strictly on first-come-first-served.

If you are interested in coming along or want to find out more, please get in touch with the community archaeologists.

For further info go to http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/history/archaeology/communityarchaeology/latest-news/