Our inaugural talk back in January 2020 was Neil Coldrick talking about the Holcombe Moor Heritage Group’s then current excavation on Cinder Hill.  In January 2024, with the dig now finished, Neil took us on their roller coaster journey from inception to the final conclusions.

Glossing over many of the issues involved in excavating on an MOD firing range (including live ammunition) we learnt how the name of the field gave the first clue to what might lie beneath the earth.  Having uncovered a medieval furnace in remarkable condition, with a final carbon dating period in the 13/14th C they then went on to find a what appeared to be a second one, just as covid hit.  When able to resume digging this too was excavated and also found to be in excellent condition.

As digging progressed, many conundrums appeared although several were answered as time went on (some involving mole activity!) and things became clearer.  The one that remains a total mystery is a trench which starts as a pit to the North of the furnace, passes to the East and South and finishes after 14 metres!

Amongst many interesting finds, a Queen Elizabeth I silver shilling must surely be the star of the show!

This site is considered to be of national importance and so our congratulations to all concerned in HMHG.  Neil’s next dig will be at Mitchell Field Nook above Bacup on behalf of SPAG, starting in March of this year.