NHER 69553 (Monument record) - Undated burial within churchyard of SS Peter and Paul's Church

November 2013. Watching Brief.
Maintained during groundworks associated with installation of new oil tank adjacent to north wall northern chancel extension.
Ground reduction for the tank's foundation pad demonstrated this area was much disturbed, with the natural geological deposits overlain by material containing flint demolition rubble (some pieces of which were still joined with lime mortar) and material likely to represent debris from the 19th-century restoration of the church. Fragments of animal bone and oyster shells were also noted within this deposit.
An exploratory sondage dug against the brick drain skirting the chancel wall did though disturb what appeared to be in situ human remains. Careful cleaning confirmed the presence of an east-to-west aligned burial but no grave cut could be identified. Although the exact date of these remains was uncertain they clearly predated the 19th-century brick drain running around the base of the chancel wall. The distrubed bones were reburied adjacent to the in situ remains.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 October 2025.