EDO5428 - 8 North Street, Wareham; observations and recording 2004

Lilian Ladle of Wareham and District Archaeological Society conducted archaeological observations and recording following demolition of a 1960's brick extension to the rear of Farwells, to allow construction of a new extension. Observations were made during digging of the foundation trenches for the new building, and of layers revealed by the lifting of paving stones from a small courtyard area. It is thought that this is the site of the medieval chapel of St Nicholas, a chapel of ease to the parish church of St Peter's which was located on the corner of North Street and East Street, but no evidence of this building could be detected. The area was much disturbed, with quantities of mid-eighteenth century Verwood-type pottery being recovered from the spoil of the foundation trenches. Mrs Ladle concluded that it was likely that the chapel had been demolished after the Reformation and that a domestic dwelling replaced it. This building, or its successor, was destroyed during the Fire of Wareham in 1792.