Guide Service Reservoir, Blackburn, Lancashire- Watching Brief and Evaluation Report

This report presents the results of a programme of archaeological investigation undertaken in advance of the construction of the proposed new service reservoir, off Haslingden Road, Guide, Blackburn (SD 7029 2596). The development is being undertaken by United Utilities, and involves substantial earth-moving works that will have an impact on the sub-surface archaeological resource.
Following on from the results of a desk-based assessment of the entire development area (OA North 2003), an archaeological watching brief was maintained during topsoil stripping of the field within the study area, the results of which demonstrated good preservation of structures that were probably associated with eighteenth century buildings of Sudell Nook Farmstead, as identified in the desk-based assessment. The results of the watching brief necessitated a programme of evaluation trenching in order to establish the nature, extent and character of the buried remains, and to confirm their date. Both stages of work were undertaken in May 2006 by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North).
Evaluation Trenches 1 to 4, totalling 60 metres in length, revealed evidence for the layout and extent of Sudell Nook Farm and for its abandonment in the early 20th century. This was demonstrated both by structural remains and by the large dumps of pottery that appear to have been accumulated over a period spanning the eighteenth to early twentieth centuries.
Following the evaluation, the watching brief programme continued during further development excavation works. The watching brief programme was undertaken in June 2006.