Monument Number 1488327 |
| Hob Uid: 1488327 | |
Location :
Somerset
Somerset West and Taunton
Withypool and Hawkridge
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| Grid Ref : SS8494036600 |
| Summary : Evidence of a possible water-meadow of post-medieval date is visible on aerial photographs to the north of Weatherslade. Although individual gutters cannot be seen as earthworks, their presence is indicated by a flush of water on the combe slopes. It is probably a simple example of a type of water-meadow known variously as a catch-work, ditch-gutter or field-gutter system. Such water-meadows are typical of Exmoor and are usually found on combe or hill slopes. They are designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream along the slope via a series of roughly parallel channels or gutters. When irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow from gutter to gutter, thereby irrigating the slopes. This film of water prevented the ground freezing during the winter and raised the temperature of the grass in the spring, thereby encouraging early growth, particularly important during the hungry gap of March to April. |
More information : Evidence of a possible water-meadow of post-medieval date is visible on aerial photographs to the north of Weatherslade, at circa SS 84943660. Although individual gutters cannot be seen as earthworks, their presence is indicated by a flush of water on the combe slopes.
It is probably of a type known as a catch-work, ditch-gutter or field-gutter system, which are typically found on combe or hill slopes. They are designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream along the slope via the roughly parallel channels or gutters. When irrigation was required the gutters were blocked, causing water to overflow from gutter to gutter, thereby irrigating the slopes. This film of water prevented the ground freezing during the winter and raised the temperature of the grass in the spring, thereby encouraging early growth, particularly important during the hungry gap of the March and April.
The system was probably supplied with water by a spring immediately to the west. (1-3)
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