NHER 67988 (Monument record) - Undated timber-framed well

20 January 2024. Casual Observation.
Noted by [1], eroding from base of cliff at [2]:
Base of square, timber-framed well.
Loose timbers from this structure were present "all over the beach", two of which were brought in for examination. They appear to be oak and made from roughly-split sections of trunk and shaped with a straight-bladed axe (suggesting a prehistoric date is unlikely). The half-lap joints had been filled with a sandy, tar-like substance.
See photographs (S1).
P. Watkins (HES), 14 February 2024.

27 January 2024. Excavation.
Excavation of remains of well by T. Pestell (NCM) and [1].
This work confirmed that only the very base of the well survived. An interesting discovery was an outer wattle lining behind the timber planks. No dating evidence was recovered - it appeared that the surviving basel fill may have been material that collapsed soon after the well was constructioned. Radiocarbon dating is to be undertaken if funds can be raised.
Further details awaited. See photographs (S2).
P. Watkins (HES), 14 February 2024.

The position of this well suggests it once served a property on the now lost section of Beach Road. Although undated at present it has been noted that this timber-framed well is very similar to one that was exposed by coastal erosion at Walcott in 1947 (NHER 7085) - see published article (S3).
P. Watkins (HES), 14 February 2024.