Archaeological dig on the Chesterfield Canal

AS PART of its Staveley Town Deal project, the Chesterfield Canal Trust commissioned York Archaeology to carry out an archaeological dig.

This is on the currently derelict canal at the end of Bellhouse Lane in Staveley.

Demolished many years ago

The intention was to investigate the remains of a railway bridge that was demolished many years ago and to find what remains of the old Bellhouse Canal Basin. This will inform plans for the design of the canal in the area which will be restored and put back into water next year.

The professional team was on site making preparations for two days including overseeing a digger which was excavating to a depth of about four or five feet. Then volunteers came to help for four days. There were eight volunteers every day and they did a splendid job, remarks Rod Auton.

The towpath side abutment wall of the bridge was completely cleared revealing some holes that may have held iron supports for the original girder railway bridge.

Gas works

Also uncovered were the stone walled narrows that led into a short arm of the canal built to serve the gas works which were sited right next to the canal. It is believed that coal was probably brought from the nearby Hartington Colliery, formerly New Hollingwood Colliery.

The narrows were capped with some massive coping stones which had random holes in them. It was thought that they had been recycled from a former use. The grooves that held stop planks to hold water back for maintenance were as clear and clean as the day that they were cut into the stonework.

Beyond the narrows, a length of dressed stone wall was uncovered, being the bank of the short arm.

Part of the wall of the canal basin itself was discovered as was a land drain which led into a cast iron pipe.

There were a few finds of pottery and bottles and of course coal, but this was incidental to the main purpose of the excavation.

Open Day

The final day of the dig was designated an Open Day when people could go for guided tours so that the archaeologists could explain everything. Amazingly about 250 people came, all incredibly interested in the work. Many had tales from their childhoods when the basin still held water.

The volunteers ranged from schoolchildren to pensioners. All worked really hard, said how much they had enjoyed the experience and wanted to know when they could come back for more.

The excavation was them filled in again. It will reappear when the canal is restored here in about a years' time.