The Trust is very fortunate that survey work on birds, the aquatic habitats and archaeology is proceeding on schedule at Old Bridge Meadow and Overy Mead Piece.

As residents may have seen, a team of archaeologists spent three days in late July excavating exploratory trenches in Old Bridge Meadow preparatory to compiling information for the proposed wetland enhancement. They had previously dug trial trenches in the other meadows, on the Wittenham side of the Thames, which also form part of the Earth Trust River of Life II proposal.

Four excavations were made on the periphery of the future work area. Detailed survey was carried out and some fragments of clay pottery and other pieces were found. All the soil profiles were logged and photographed. The excavations have all been backfilled and the soils have been restored.

The full reports of the findings are awaited. These, together with other information, will be presented in a series of local public exhibitions towards the end of October.

Shammy Puri (Trustee, Hydro-geologist)
Gillian Johnson (Hon.Secretary)
Richard Farrant (Chairman)
[email protected]
www.hurst-water-meadow.org.uk

See www.earthtrust.org.uk for further information on River of Life II