9 LONDON ROAD

In August 1981 a two metre deep foundation trench for an extension on the side of 9 London Road failed to reach undisturbed natural subsoil. Further more the hole produced a collection of early medieval pottery sherds. Owing to the unusually large size of the disturbance, ie greater than 6m by 5m, the nature of the feature could not be identified. There was no evidence to suggest the disturbance was later than medieval.

CRACK IN BRIGHT'S GARDEN WALL

West House is a solicitor's office which stands on the corner of West Square and London Road. Separating its rear garden from London Road is an apparently well built, red brick, Victorian garden wall. Approximately opposite the 9 London Road extension and 4 metres from the west end of the wall a top-to-bottom crack has been visible for many years. Although repaired and repointed recently the position of the crack is still discernable, The crack is probably caused by the wall sinking down into the soft silty fill of a deep ditch.

5 GATE ST. REAR GARDEN WALL

When an extension took place to Maldon Telephone Exchange, about twelve years ago, an observer noted that the site's rear brick wall had exceptionally deep foundations, perhaps in excess of ten feet. Even above ground today one can see parts of this thirteen inch thick brick wall has widened foundations. Such precautions would be necessary to prevent problems such as the cracking visible in Bright's garden wall.

33 BEELEIGH ROAD EXCAVATION - 1980

• The bottom north-east corner of the site had been greatly disturbed early in medieval times.
• Late Saxon pottery types were evident.
• A small Romano-British pit or well at the highest south end of the site.
• A large proportion of the finds were Roman pottery sherds.
• Only 33 Beeleigh Road, among several similar large brick houses, has had to be demolished because of a history of foundation problems. (see jigsaw pieces 12 & 13)