Sluice excavations unearth ancient bridge

3:56pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

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EXCAVATIONS while restoring the sluice at the Millennium Green in Whitchurch have uncovered what is believed to be the remains of an ancient bridge.

Chairman of the trustees of the Millennium Green Graham Burgess believes the bridge could be centuries old and is keen to find out more about what has been unearthed.

He hopes people from the area will step forward to help piece together the story behind it.

"This is obviously wood from an old house that has been cut to size.

"This leads off into the next field, so the next step is to excavate there."

The meadow has received a donation of £600 from the Four Lanes Trust to restore the historic sluice that's been used to drain the water meadows.

The trust gives money to people with ideas and projects which it feels will improve life in Basingstoke and the surrounding district.

In July 2008 The Four Lanes had agreed to finance a first stage and more serious excavation and their funds combined with Millennium Green Trust funds and volunteer labour led to a more comprehensive exploration.

Talking about the trust Graham Burgess said: "They are very good at helping community projects. Modern agriculture has replaced these things now, and throughout Britain many of the old sluices have been lost.

"It's a historic thing but it's not hidden away on private ground. The public can see it and it's educational for children and adults."

Graham now hopes to complete the security fencing and to raise funds for a dendrochronological analysis to determine the ages of the various pieces of construction.

The sluice pedestrian bridge will be upgraded.