A drawing schedule is attached

Cookham Village is situated on the south bank of the Thames, roughly midway between Maidenhead and Bourne End (Fig. 1) [Drg. No. 749/57]

The Church Paddock is immediately to the west of Holy Trinity Church, between the Village and the Thames. For accuracy a long line of sight was chosen along the length of the High Street as a base line (xx) with the point of origin at the west end (GCP HA). This gives a (yy) axis 5.29d west of grid north. The OS datum levels are towards the west end of the High Street on the north side 25.43 and on the south east parapet of the Thames bridge 30.48. So as to be able to accurately relate various surveys of parts a series of permanent survey points and fixed transits were installed. (Fig 2) [Drg. No. 749/4].

All main survey was carried out using established methods [standard appendix C] using an EDM [standard appendix B]. Plotting is all CAD using various AutoCAD systems.

A detailed survey was carried out of the church area with an origin on GCP CA and located relative to the area survey points with an accuracy of +- 0.01m. The base line (xx) is parallel to the paddock axis so as to enable geophysics grids to fit the site, this base line for consistency is used for all setting out and recording. This base line (xx) is at 16.04d west of grid north. The OS level on the bridge parapet was transferred onto GCP PB and GCP CA. The NG co-ordinate of the Paddock centre is 8967:8553. (Fig 3) [Drg. No. 749/40].

GCP PB was designated as the datum base for the excavation and position data converted to GCP CA for plotting. Each trench was for convenience given a local datum designated "origin" for recording finds, detail and plotting with the yy axis parallel and along the length of the trench, the xx axis being across the trench at right angles. (Fig. 5) [Drg. No. 749/47]

The positions and orientation of the trench points of origin were established accurately by EDM thereby fixing all data relative to the area surveys. The main outline and main features of the trenches were recorded by EDM from GCP PB. (Fig. 17) [Drg. No. 749/62]

Features and finds were recorded by having a fixed tape from the origin along the yy axis and measuring from this axis the xx offset horizontally helped by a level and plum bob. Detail was recorded by use of a planning frame both vertically and horizontally, the position of the frame being recorded from the origin.

The levels of finds were recorded by others with a dumpy level using the datum level on GCP PB.

The attached plots are orientated in which ever direction is best to display the information but plots can be turned to any orientation.

The excavation was intended to seek answers to two archaeological questions:

Gravel and rubble exposed in the trenches was consistent with the geophysics (Fig. 6) [Drg. No. 749/48], (Fig. 8) [Drg. No. 749/56], (Fig. 12) [Drg. No. 749/49]. However it appears that the geophysics was showing two different levels of feature. It is possible to accurately match the edge of the excavated features with the corresponding contour on the geophysics plot, shown red and orange (Fig. 16) Drg. No. 749/47] and thereby establish the likely extent of these features. As may be seen the position of the channel bank in trench 2 and the extent of the gravel/rubble in trench 3 can be established in this way, thereby satisfying the objectives of the excavation as defined in the WSI as above.

In trench 2 was revealed a gravel bank corresponding to the indications of the edge of a channel on the geophysics and auger. This trench was at the maximum depth for safety, therefore auger bores were taken to the west in line with the centre axis of trench 2 and to a point in line with the central axis of trench 3. These auger bores allowed the stratigraphy of the trenches and in particular the top of gravel to be extended. (Fig. 9) [Drg. No. 749/50]. Bore samples were taken as shown and sent for geological interpretation (separate report).

The archaeological interpretation is in the main report.