Ancient Coldean
Many of the gardens in Coldean are likely to produce archaeological evidence for activities in the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods. When the Coldean estate was being built workmen found ditches dating from the Roman times, and an Iron Age round house was uncovered in the Nanson Road area. The excavations at Varley Halls found a Bronze Age settlement consisting of ditches and house terraces cut into the side of the steep hill. There was also a child burial.
In the early part of 2009 the Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society conducted a watching brief on a new house extension in Wolseley Road, as part of a planning condition. The house extension trenches found nothing but building rubble from the original house construction, but in the garden the cutting for a soakaway revealed a new ditch.
The house owner allowed the BHAS Field Unit to open a small trench, about 2 metres long and 1 metre wide to investigate another section of the ditch. The finds from this small section included cattle bone, flint flakes, fire-cracked flint (from a possible hearth) and cream ware pottery that probably comes form kilns in the Chailey area. The ditch appears to going in a direction would link it to another ditch found in the 1950’s excavation which included in its fill a cremation urn burial. Both ditches are dated to the first century A.D.
A student from Sussex University, with BHAS support, has conducted some resistivity surveying in the fields to the west of the pathway that links Varley Halls to Stanmer Great Wood. The results of the survey show a number of interesting anomalies that may prove to be part of the ancient settlement. One feature may prove be the location of a ploughed out burial mound or tumulus.
John Funnell (Archaeological Co-ordinator Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society)
I am interested in finding out as much as I can about Coldean. A relative of mine lived in Park Road between 1946 to 1948,under some un happy circumstances. I would very much like to know more about the street and what life was like during those years. If there is no one that can help, then perhaps someone can suggest some reading material for me.Many thanks.
By: Roberta Thompson on August 28, 2009
at 9:14 pm
If you like local history you might be interested in joining the Friends of Coldean. The Group is a friendly small gathering of local people which rose from the ashes of the 50+ Action Group which used to meet in the Old Library.
The Group meets regularly and has arranged trips out to such places as the old Police Cells beneath Brighton Town Hall – but don’t let that put you off!
There are exciting plans for the autumn with another reminiscence project hopefully linking in with Coldean School and WRVS Heritage +. Previous successes with the WRVS have included the “TEA” installation which can currently be seen at Emmaus in Portslade and the Coldean Tapestry which can be seen at New Larchwood. Contact Jean or Mary on 676416
By: steve a on June 13, 2009
at 10:11 am
I have researched the history of Stanmer and aultimately Coldean. For instance, in 1881 Coldean was a part of Stanmer and where New Larchwood now stands was called The Menagerie. I have a card file data base on people mentioned in the Stanmer Census returns and Parish Register from about 1600 until 1901. If anyone would like any info. about any one living in Stanmer between those dates please contact me.
By: jean thomas on June 13, 2009
at 9:51 am