Meeting to be held in Pontefract to gain support over documenting or saving Pontefract Friary

June 24, 2011 - PRLog -- A public meeting will be held on the Tuesday 12th July, in Pontefract, West Yorshire at the central Methodist Church is support of Pontefract Friary Action Group, the meeting will update members of the public about PFAGs activities, progress and the actions we have taken. Public and proffesional support for this project is urged as our heritage is at immediate risk.

About the group:

Preservation of St. Richard’s medieval Dominican Friary, the Hermitage, the Dispensary and the Valley Gardens.

The Pontefract Friary Action Group aims to record before destruction, and if possible preserve the archaeological remains of the unique 13th century Dominican Friary of St Richard. The Group was established on 2nd June 2011, by a coalition of local community organisations with a shared interest in protecting the heritage of the medieval market town of Pontefract, the historic centre of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Urgent and specific concerns relate to the plans of the Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust, acting through their contractor Balfour Beatty, to demolish buildings constructed as a part of the development of Pontefract General Infirmary during the 1960s and 1980s. The Trust is currently demolishing the Accident & Emergency Department and various ward areas. It proposes to clear the foundations to a level one metre [over three feet] below ground level and to flatten the site which, when the Friary was constructed in the thirteenth century [1256], was a terraced area containing important buildings.

The impact of this demolition work will be to destroy much of the archaeology of one of only five Dominican Priories established in Yorkshire, along with associated medieval cemeteries. The Pontefract Friary Action Group has been established to fight these proposals, to protect the heritage of Pontefract. Specifically, we want the Trust to:

• Recognise and protect the thirteenth century terracing of the Friary, with its associated building remains, which continue to endure after nearly 800 years.
• Take the requisite steps to ensure that future developments respect the ancient remains beneath the ground.

As the present work continues, much of these ancient and unique remains (which are proven too exist) will be lost forever. We propose to undertake archaeological excavation to locate, record, and, where possible, allow sympathetic re-planning of the site to preserve the ancient structures within future re-development.

The Friary Action Group is also opposed to planning consent being given to the Trust, in relation to buildings within the conservation area which may impact on the Grade 1 listed Hermitage [c1386 and of international importance] and an early 15th century Oratory [small private chapel] associated with the Priory at Nostell. Both of these important sites are accessed through a 19th century Dispensary [c1880] paid for from public subscription and currently regarded as ‘at risk’ by the Friary Action Group.

Specifically we want the NHS Trust to:

Fund a desk top archaeological assessment of the whole site, prior to any further damage, and to agree to allow urgent archaeological investigation and excavation by Pontefract & District Archaeological Society. This must also include a detailed published report of their findings.


Join the PFAG group on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pontefract-Friary-Action-Gr...


Press Release issued on behalf of Pontefract Friary Action Group by HeritageDaily

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