Website - Sheffield Community Heritage Forum

Sheffield Community Heritage Forum have now set up their own blogsite for the latest developments in the local history around Sheffield.  They will also be posting important news and events on the blogsite in addition to photos of Sheffield’s fantastic heritage community.

 They meet quarterly and meetings are open to everyone and anyone interested in finding out more about the heritage activity happening in Sheffield and its surroundings.


If you are not already a member of the mailing list, please contact schf@sheffield.ac.uk to begin receiving all information and updates on events and projects happening in Sheffield’s cultural and heritage environment. You can also send your own promotional or informative material to the address from where it will be circulated amongst members.

To contribute blog posts or photos to the site, please don’t hesitate to contact the administrator on the email above.

Blogsite at http://schf.wordpress.com/

News - Action threat over fears of lost heritage as buildings bulldozed

DEVELOPERS are being threatened with enforcement action by council archaeologists over failures to meet planning obligations which are designed to protect and record important historical sites and artefacts.


Several sites have been identified where cash-strapped builders have left archaeological digs and projects incomplete, leading to worries that irreplaceable evidence is being lost as the bulldozers move in.

Archaeologists employed by South Yorkshire’s four councils said the problem was now so widespread that they had been forced to call in colleagues from their enforcement departments to remind firms of their responsibilities.

Conditions are attached to most major planning consents which oblige the developers to engage the services of private archaeology firms to survey and catalogue any finds on building sites before work begins.

This is overseen by a planning authority’s own archaeological service, with staff keeping a record of which firm is carrying out work on which site, and signing off when the obligations have been fulfilled.

Particular problems with the process have surfaced in South Yorkshire after some private companies, including Sheffield University-based Arcus, disbanded – leaving some sites unsurveyed and archaeological work half-finished.

Dinah Saich, the principal archaeologist at South Yorkshire Archaeology Service (SYAS), which covers Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley, said archaeology was often not the “first thing” on firms’ minds.

She added: “In any planning case there are a number of conditions attached and the reason councils have enforcement officers is that things can go wrong at any stage of the process.

“We are now having to work with the enforcement teams at councils in certain problem areas, particularly in cases and on sites where the developer can’t easily be tracked down.”

According to a recent report written by South Yorkshire Archaeology Service staff, one site is currently of major concern, because the company developing is not responding to attempts to negotiate.

The report says: “Enforcement officers have been assisting SYAS with a number of cases where planning conditions are outstanding, but unfortunately the developers of one scheme cannot be reached and it is unlikely that this project will now be completed.

“We continue to liaise with Sheffield University over these and other projects that require completion,

“The Department of Archaeology is investigating whether research funding can be obtained to see some of these excavations and building recording projects through to completion.”

According to the report, the scheme where developers cannot be contacted is particularly important because is covers the site of the city’s former Sylvester Wheel.

The wheel, which was in Sylvester Street, close to the city centre, was used for grinding edge tools, and represents an important part of the city’s industrial and toolmaking heritage.

Ms Saich said: “The problem is that developers had signed up with providers like Arcus and we are now having to try and persuade them that they need to sign up with someone else to meet their obligations.

“Often companies think that because they haven’t heard anything about the archaeology, in some cases for a few years, that they just don’t need to finish the project, and don’t need to spend money on it.

“But every site that has not been properly surveyed is an issue for us and work must be seen through.”

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/action-threat-over-fears-of-lost-heritage-as-buildings-bulldozed-1-4385698

Festival of British Archaeology - Doncaster CCQ

On Saturday 23rd July the excavations for the new Doncaster Cultural Quarter were opened to the public as part of the Festival of British Archaeology.  This site represents a huge part of Doncaster history dating between the Roman Danum to the World War I practice trenches.

Section of trench looking North East

The greatest area of importance on the site is the Romano-British cremation site in the south eastern area of the site.  This site is slightly south of the Roman town and main road to Lincoln (Lindum Colonia) it is also quite close to the possible Roman road from Templeborough in Sheffield. The archaeologists think there are around 15-20 cremations on site.  These cremations are believed to date between 140-170 AD and the urns are believed to be St. Albans ware. They only have until the end of August to fully excavate these finds which seems measly to say how important these finds are!

 

Items brought by Doncaster Musuem

Doncaster Museum brought several items to show the public representations of finds from the site.  These included Roman and World War I items such as funerary goods and medals. The recently found Roman glass jug was not on display.

Archaeologists from SYAS gave guided talks throughout the day which were very informative and useful for deciphering this site.  The ground is mainly sandy pebbles which help to differentiate between the natural and man made features 

The World War I trench remains are believed to date from the latter stages of the war when Doncaster was home to many troops preparing to leave for the front.  Remains of wooden planking could be seen during the excavation.

The site has seen several other uses including a horse-fair known as Glasgow Paddocks, bus station and college buildings.

The Romano-British cremations being excavated (looking South east)

Hopefully there will be another open day before the site is built on and the potential for finds is lost for another generation.

Archaeology in South Yorkshire: Number 13 Now Available

The latest edition of South Yorkshire Archaeology Service's "Archaeology in South Yorkshire" review covers the years 2005-2007 and gives brief details of hundreds of excavations and watching briefs from the area. There are a good selection of maps, diagrams and photographs to illustrate the areas extensive wealth of historical artefacts.  There are also several in depth reviews of sites such as Tickhill Friary, Brodsworth and Thorne Moors.

This book is well worth buying and is available from SYAS priced £12.50 ISBN 978-0-9557341-0-6
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development/urban-design--conservation/archaeology/annual-review (although this edition isn't showing as of yet)