Work to uncover the foundations of the original St James’ Church in Gisburn Forest has restarted after a winter break and the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is encouraging volunteers to come along and join in.
The village of Stocks-in-Bowland was flooded early in the 20th century following the construction of Stocks Reservoir and many families had to move away from the area. The second phase of the excavation work will see keen volunteers surveying, digging, trowelling and brushing their way through the next couple of weekends to reveal the footprint of St James’ Church, which was originally built in the 1850s before being demolished and relocated in its present position at Dalehead.
Excavation work will carry on until mid-May by which time it is hoped that the final part of the church – the chancel – will have been uncovered.
The project has been funded by United Utilities, with a contribution from the AONB, and is being overseen by professionals from Oxford Archaeology North with valuable input from Slaidburn Archive. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Sandra Silk at the AONB office on 01200 448000 or email sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk.
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