A team of National Highways traffic officers gave up their time to help with the conservation of the 800-year-old Grace Dieu Priory – and unearthed a long lost piece of ancient wall.

The volunteers had offered to help remove some of the thick vegetation and shrubbery that had grown over the ruins at the Priory near Thringstone over recent years.

Dating back to 1239 when it was a house for Augustinian canonesses, the Priory was closed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and later converted into a Tudor house. 

But from the end of the 16th century the buildings went into dilapidation and are now cared for by the Friends of Grace Dieu Priory who are trying to prevent the ruins going into further decline.

The volunteers uncovered a lost piece of wall at Grace Dieu Priory

Highways News website reports that traffic officers based at the nearby Shepshed outstation decided to do their bit to help the historic site - and gave up a day to carry out some clearance and conservation work.

Led by Team Manager Mark Endacott and Operations Manager Simon Mansfield, the team managed to clear a large area - exposing an additional piece of ruins wall that had not been seen for many years. 

Mark said: "We all agreed that we wanted to try to make a bit of a difference to a cause within our local community and with the priory being so close to our outstation it seemed an obvious choice.

"It was a great day working together as a team and enjoying some fresh air whilst at the same time giving something back to the local community. 

Hard labour for traffic officers clearing some of the vegetation away from the ruins

"The work seemed to be well received by dog walkers and we even rescued a frog that we were able to return to the local stream."

Alison Brand-Barker, Community Engagement Officer for the National Forest Company which organised the work, added: "We were delighted to have a team from National Highways with us for a day to help care for the beautiful Charnwood Forest Geopark landscape. 

"We cleared vegetation from a historic wall at Grace Dieu Priory, enabling heritage features to be seen by visitors to the site, and made new habitats for insects, mammals and fungi. 

"The Friends of Grace Dieu Priory were thrilled with what National Highways achieved."