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Summary

The remains of probable post-medieval to 19th century ridges made for fruit tree planting and improved drainage within an orchard were visible as low, parallel earthwork banks on aerial photographs of 1947 onwards on the gentle south-facing slopes at Beacon, Luppitt parish.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ORCHARD (Post Medieval to XX - 1540 AD to 1947 AD? (Between))

Full description

Devon County Council, 1838-1848, Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848 (Cartographic). SDV349431.

The visible earthworks correspond with a plot depicted as an orchard.

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

The visible earthworks correspond with a plot depicted as an orchard.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RS 4440-4441 11-APR-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV356127.

The banks are visible under moderate orchard planting.

Ordnance Survey, 1982, OS/82219 V, OS/82219 V 1685-1686 03-SEP-1982 (Aerial Photograph). SDV357675.

The banks remain visible across much of the former orchard. It has been largely cleareed of trees. Buildings are visible at the northen end.

Next Perspectives, 2010, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery ST1704 4-MAY-2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDV359490.

Earthwork banks remain visible across approximately 34% of the former orchard plot.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2016-2018, The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV359463.

Low parallel earthwork banks, the remains of an orchard of probable post-medieval to 19th century date, were visible on aerial photographs of 1947 onwards and digital images derived from aerial photographs of 2010 and 2014 on the gentle south-facing slopes at Beacon, south of of Hartridge, Luppitt parish.
The banks were spaced up approximately 4 metres apart and were aligned cross-contour, presumably to aid drainage. The visible earthworks fall within a plot of circa 0.5 hectares depicted as an orchard on the Tithe Map for Stockland and the Ordnance Survey 25 inch first edition map. The earthworks are therefore interpreted as ridges made to improve soil depth for fruit tree planting and improved drainage, dating from the post-medieval period to 19th century in date.
The orchard remained well planted in 1947 but had been largely cleared of trees by 1982, by which time development had encroached on the north end of the plot, closest to the road. Digital images derived from aerial photographs of 2010 and 2014 show earthwork banks surviving in only circa 0.17 hectares of the plot, towards the southern half, much of the northern portion affected by further development.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #75881 ]
SDV349431	Cartographic: Devon County Council. 1838-1848. Tithe Mosaic, approximately 1838-1848. Digitised Tithe Map. Digital.
SDV356127	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1974. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1974 RS 4440-4441 11-APR-1947.
SDV357675	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1982. OS/82219 V. Ordnance Survey. Photograph (Paper). OS/82219 V 1685-1686 03-SEP-1982.
SDV359463	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2016-2018. The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme Project. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:2
SDV359490	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2010. Aerial Photography for Great Britain. Aerial Photography for Great Britain Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives APGB Imagery ST1704 4-MAY-2010.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7508 - The Blackdown Hills AONB and East Devon River Catchments National Mapping Programme (NMP) project (Ref: ACD1228)

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