I was recently told that at the rear of the Waitrose supermarket in Eastern Avenue, as you head down towards Fossetts Park and the proposed site of the new Southend United Football Club, there is a late Bronze Age or early Iron Age (8th to 5th century BC) circular univallate hill fort with extensive views across the Roach valley. From what I have been able to find out, this type of hill fort is rare and surviving examples are of national importance. The purpose of this particular example is not yet known; however it is thought that there is likely to be good evidence surviving below ground.
Having only just found out about this extremely rare archeological find, I'm going to do a little more investigating on my own... Like many people in the town, you hear all kinds of crazy rumours, most of which come to nothing, however as I'm interested in this sort of thing, and can see the value of such a site, I'd like to know if the site is going to be fully surveyed, and when any archeological surveys likely to take place.
I would like to think that as a this site has been scheduled as an Ancient Monument that any further buiding developments close to the site should be reconsidered or at the very least put on hold till we know more, as this site could prove to be a significance attraction and boost to the local tourist industry.
If you know of any plans for the site, or would like to comment, this is the place to do it.
Anna Heim
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