Archaeology dig at St. Luke's in Formby uncovered 16th Century finds
A community archaeology project in Formby was launched on Saturday at St. Luke's Church grounds in an attempt to find evidence for the origins of the settlement. The project is being organised by Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership with the support of Heritage Lottery Funding.
The first phase of excavation began on 17th October near land behind St Luke’s Church in Formby - a Victorian church that is believed to have been built upon a much earlier medieval chapel. It is believed that the excavation could provide evidence for the earliest phases of Formby’s settlement.
The excavation will be overseen by community archaeologists from the award-winning Big Heritage, who have organised a series of similar projects across the region. Big Heritage founder, Dean Paton said “The Formby place name suggests a Viking origin, but physical evidence for settlement is extremely thin on the ground. Excavating near what we believe to be a possible medieval church is the ideal starting point, and we’re excited to be working with the community to find out more about the area.”
The project is the final part of a series of heritage initiatives organised by Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership. Alongside the excavation, local primary schools are set to receive visits from archaeologists who will explore how the coastline has influenced settlement for thousands of years.
John Dempsey, project officer with the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership, said: “The history of the Sefton coast is incredible – from the prehistoric footprints trapped in the sediment beds on the beach to the shipwrecks of the 20th century.
“We’re hoping our latest project will shed light on the fascinating past of the “Viking Village” of Formby”.
The Big Heritage team got down to business at St Luke's Church, Formby on Saturday 17th October, for the first of their four day archaeological dig at the site.
Site manager Rob Philpott briefed an enthusiastic team of volunteers, before Dean Paton and the crew started work at two points in the grounds of this historic church.
The St Lukes site is fascinating, with 19th century pipe stems emerging almost as soon as the first turfs were removed, although the Big Heritage team also hope to find evidence of Formby's Viking past during the project.
"With assistance from 45 volunteers, local schoolchildren and experts, we're really looking forward to four great days of discovery with Big Heritage in the marvellous setting on the edge of Formby's pinewoods."
The Big Heritage on Facebook have been posting about the dig so far.....
Day one was a fun-filled day when two trenches were opened by a group of volunteers ranging from age 13yrs to 80 years old. The Vicar ended up staying and getting stuck in with the dig and some early finds.
Day Two saw Cassie who is a volunteer, drawing some of the first features. She researched and dated some of the soda bottles that were unearthed on day one.
A lot of soil moving and some exciting discoveries through the second day. A parishioner had asked one of the volunteers if they had permission to dig from the Vicar only to realise it was the Vicar Harvey himself at the bottom of the hole!
Day Three
The team from Big Heritage are still hard at it on our archaeological dig at St Luke's Church, Formby, with volunteers sieving furiously and the number of finds for examination steadily building.
Rob Philpott and Dean Paton are excited about one piece of carved stone in particular, which may date back to before the 16th century, indicating a previous structure on the site.
Stone that could date back to before the 16th century
Brierley's Ginger Beer bottle
More recent finds have included a remarkably well preserved" Brierley's Ginger Beer of Southport" bottle, which was made in the early 20th century
Thanks to Big Heritage and the small army of volunteers who are putting so much effort into the dig, we can't wait to see what turns up next!
Day 4
The final day of the St Lukes Dig in Formby, may have been the aftermath of the sandblow that threatened to submerge the church in the 18th century.
Some great finds - with highlights including carved stonework dated from before the 17th century, fragments of beer pots from the Tudor period, a Victorian earthware Brierley's Ginger Beer bottle from Southport, and more recent glassware including a fine stoppered bottle.
The team of volunteers and experts continued digging until reinforcements arrived to reinstate the trenches late this afternoon.
Children from St Luke's Primary in Formby
Today the crew were joined by children from St Luke's Primary in Formby, who were rivetted by a bone workshop, and Formby Cllr Denise Dutton popped down to lend a hand with the digging.
Sefton Partnership on Facebook.... Thanks to Dean and Rob and the whole Big Heritage team for a great four days, special thanks to all our volunteers and of course, to St Luke's Vicar Harvie Nicol for his unstinting support.
Big Heritage are hoping to send us a grown-up archaeological precis of the finds in a week or two, and we'll publish that on our Facebook page then. What a great four days!
This little red squirrel watched as we closed down the final trenches in Formby until next year.
An amazing project that achieved so much in a short-space of time, with a wonderful group of volunteers and new friends.
Big thank to Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership Scheme for inviting us to work with them and to St Luke's Church for their generous hospitality.
We'll give you a rundown of what we've discovered by then end of the week!
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If you want to find out more, please visit the Big Heritage website HERE
You can also follow their progress on Facebook HERE
You can also catch up with news on Sefton Partnership Facebook page HERE
Thankyou to Big Heritage for the photos and information that they have allowed us to use on our website.
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Also a big thankyou to Sefton Partnership for all the information and photos they provide on their Facebook page. We look forward to the end findings.
