EDO4236 - New Vicarage, Fordington, Dorchester; excavation area C

Wessex Archaeology undertook excavation of the area proposed for the construction of a new vicarage for St George’s Church, Fordington, in the lawn in front of the previous vicarage building, during July and August 1982. Three areas were investigated. Trench C was a small excavation trench started by the vicar, in the western part of the garden. The remains of a cellar of a cottage were found in this trench. This cellar comprised of a rectangular cut into the natural chalk, with retaining walls of stone and Broadmayne brick surviving on the northern and eastern sides. THe cellar measured about 4.5m by 2.5m internally and survived about 0.85m deep. No secure dating evidence was recovered, but the use of brick in the construction suggests an 18th or more probably a 19th century construction.