In 2023, to mark the 50th anniversary of the preservation of Flass Vale, Redhills CIO and the City of Durham Parish Council commissioned Archaeological Services Durham University to undertake excavations at the site of Flass Well, Durham. In celebration of Archaeology & Community, the 2024 CBA Festival of Archaeology theme, find out more about this well and its place in local history!
Image above shows archaeologists from Archaeological Services Durham University, carefully undertaking excavations at the site of Flass Well.
Flass Well is known to have provided residents of the Flass Vale area with drinking water from the late 19th Century or before, until the water source gradually fell out of use in the post-War period. The well was first shown on the 1861 Ordnance Survey map, although no structures were depicted which suggest that it was a natural spring at this time. In 1863, a drinking fountain was constructed beneath the viaduct on North Road on land donated by the North Eastern Railway Company. Historic documents note that this drinking fountain was fed by water from Flass Well. The fountain was subsequently relocated in the 1960s to its current position on the west side of North Road roundabout.
The excavations have uncovered the remains of the well, which provided the residents of Flass Vale with drinking water from at least the late 19th century to the post-War period. During the excavations, the remains of a brick and concrete structure were exposed in addition to an assemblage of artefacts.
Archaeological excavations undertaken in July 2023 confirmed the absence of a well-shaft or any pre-mid-19th century structures at the site of Flass Well. This supports the interpretation that the well remained a natural spring until c.1863.
During the excavations, the remains of a brick and concrete structure were exposed. A hole had been cut through the floor of the structure and this would have provided access to the spring water, which flowed into a chamber underneath the floor. The remains of iron fixings on the structure’s floor mark where a water pump was fitted. To the north of the well, a series of steps were discovered along with a concrete post setting for a gate or fence post: the latter suggests that the well was surrounded by railings. No evidence was identified to show the connection between Flass Well and the drinking fountain on North Road mentioned in the historic documents.
Archaeologists involved in the excavations also uncovered an assemblage of modern-day artefacts within the well; these included bricks, glass bottles, animal bones including cattle and sheep, a mask, a Darth Vader action figure and 16 shoes, but only one pair!
Remains of shoes and an action figure uncovered at Flass Well.
The Ghost of Janet Ramshaw is said to haunt Flass Well. Ainsley's Almanac of 1887 contains the story of Janet Ramshaw, who lived in Western Hill with her mother and pet parrot. She regularly walked to the well with her fiancé, but was stabbed to death by a jealous lover named Jabez Trickett, who then enlisted. The identity of Janet's murderer was revealed by the unlikely intervention of her parrot, who had witnessed the event and recounted it. Trickett was brought back to Durham, and went mad with remorse before his execution. A subsequent spate of ghostly sightings starting in 1789 described: “a spectral form gliding along with noiseless step…uttering a strange unearthly shriek”: this caused the well to be shunned at night…
The excavations undertaken by Archaeological Services provided insights into the construction of the structure of Flass Well, highlighted the importance of the site as a historic water source for local residents and uncovered the story of Janet Ramshaw. Flass Vale was purchased by the City of Durham District Council in 1973 to protect the land from development after a successful campaign led by local groups and residents. The site and Archaeological Services Durham University’s information board (PDF download available below) can be viewed via a public right of way which runs adjacent to the site of the well.
Poster - Excavations at Flass Well Durham City
Redhills CIO and the City of Durham Parish Council commissioned Archaeological Services, Durham University.
The following Archaeological Services staff were involved with the project: Rachel Wells and Liv Carrington conducted the excavations, and Henry Morris conducted the research for the well.
Our Department of Archaeology is a leading centre for the study of archaeology and is ranked =5th in the world (QS World University Rankings by subject 2024). We are an inclusive, vibrant and international community. Our students develop knowledge and gain essential and transferable skills through research-led teaching and lab-based training.
