Nempnett/Regil RR (4) - 7 August 2018 >

Nempnett to Regil, 7 August 2018 (IV)

          (for Introduction/rationale see 1st Blog: The North 
               Somerset Roman Road Project, published 30.12.18)

Steve Hastings, Martyn, myself. Returned to this proposed road again to illustrate our activities to our newest member, Steve.

1.  Yet again up the track opposite Peter’s farm ( Church Farm ) near Nempnett church.

Saw nothing new. However, Peter met us with an interesting document and a map about “Belvedere Manor “, the building next to the church, which according to Historic England was once the parsonage and is grade 2 listed, dated 16th century, though with many modern features, especially the windows; Peter says there are big old fireplaces inside. Peter also talked of the remains of an old church in the grounds of the Manor to its east, where we could see what looks like an old wall. Could there have been a Roman structure about 20 to 50 yards from the Roman road, perhaps even a temple predating the church? No doubt all very fanciful!

Stupidly I did not ask to photograph Peter’s papers. However Historic England record is easily accessed and the map from this is added here.

2.  Where the line crosses Pit Lane and the stream, again!

Descending into the stream bed to look at the “abutment “mentioned a week ago, it can be seen, with its squarish form projecting into a bend of the stream and near vertical faces, to be quite different from the landform of the other projections into stream bends, as these take the shape of slopes. Having brought no tools, it was not possible to break into The hardened earth of the vertical sides to see if they were in fact sustained by stonework. Job for another day!

 3.  Proceeding north of the stream up the hill towards Gravel Laneand past the bend of the line that leads to the “abutment “, we found a cut through the hedge row wide enough for a  vehicle but with no signs of vehicle traffic in the fields on either side; perhaps used only for movement of livestock. In the gap the hedgerow line was continued by a low hump studded with large stones. The agger?