Monument record BSE 123 - West Front of Abbey

1996: A succession of watching briefs assoicated with the conversion of areas within the West Front of th Abbey church demonstrated that large lumps of bonded core work have been torn or fallen down and are 'floating' in the accumulated demolition debris. There is evidence that medieval wall/pier stubs are in situ benetah only a very shallow covering of garden soil. The N nave wall was seen only 3cm beneath the surface. The presence of the most westerly pier of the N arcade has been demonstrated however its structureal relationship with the piers of the W transept remains uncertain at this stage (S1).

A pipe trench dug by workmen working on the northern half of the West Front restoration uncovered wall fragments. Three areas of bonded material were identified, two representing columns/pillars in the north wall and north arcade. The third area was identified as a large loose fragment of rubble. The section showed clear, uniform (single deposit?) rubble around the walls which was still continuing down at 1m deep. Details in archive (S2, S3).