Digging for history in park
QUEST TO UNCOVER REMAINS OF ANCIENT STRUCTURE
A SECOND Tyneside park is to be investigated in a community archaeological dig.
People are being invited to join in two days of excavations on the Lawe Top at North Marine Park, in South Shields.
The aim is to uncover the remains of Trinity Towers, a castellated structure which was built in 1810.
It was built by Trinity House in Newcastle as a watch tower for river pilots and later became the home of the radar training department of South Shields Marine and Technical College.
During the Second World War it was used by the military, but was demolished in the 1960s.
Three years of community digs since 2013 at Northumberland Park in North Shields found evidence of the medieval St Leonard’s Hospital and around 40 burials.
The digs were part of the park’s wider £2.2m restoration programme and the South Shields excavation will be a similar venture.
South Tyneside Council and the Friends of North & South Marine Parks have been given a development grant of £194,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to draw up detailed restoration plans leading to a future bid for a £2.45m award.
The creation of the park began in 1883 and it is on English Heritage’s Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The community dig will take place on April 20 and 21 from 10am until 4pm, with supervision and equipment provided by archaeologists from nearby Arbeia Roman fort supported by the Friends of North & South Marine Parks.
Nick Hodgson, archaeological projects manager at Tyne Wear Archives and Museums, said: “Trinity Towers was a very attractive Gothic castellated landmark structure.”
He added: “This is an opportunity for local people of all ages to experience a real archaeological dig and to unearth a piece of South Tyneside’s past. “Who knows what lies buried just beneath the grass of North Marine Park?” A geophysical survey will also be carried out of the park area in the hope of detecting signs of Roman activity, with the results on display at the towers dig.
Children will also be able to take part in their own dig to find hidden items and collect a prize from Arbeia Fort.
Deputy council leader Alan Kerr said: “This is an opportunity for families to enjoy a great day out in the park while helping to explore its history.”