A watching brief was undertaken by Colchester Archaeological Trust during topsoil and subsoil stripping and associated groundworks for the construction of a rear conservatory (CBC planning application F/COL/11/1820). <1> A foundation trench covering an area 3m by 3.25m was hand-dug by contractors immediately to the rear of the house. This was excavated through 200mm of concrete patio slabs and an associated sandy gravel base. Below this there was a layer of dark brown loam, interpreted as the upper level of the garden soil. The foundation trench was excavated 200mm into this layer and then halted at the required dig depth. A few sherds of pottery were recovered from the excavation, but these were not retained as they clearly dated to the 20th century. No archaeological contexts were distinguishable in the bottom of the trench.