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Summary

Narrow curvilinear earthwork ditches interpreted as the gutters of a 19th century catch meadow irrigation system are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1955.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1955, RAF/540/1625, RAF/540/1625 F21 37-38 24-MAY-1955 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351141.

Narrow curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2019-2020, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (AI&M, formerly NMP) (Interpretation). SDV362982.

Narrow curvilinear ditches, less than 2m wide, are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1955. The visible earthwork channels follow the contours of the southeast facing combe slope and occupy an area of circa 1.25 hectares. They are interpreted as the gutters of a catch meadow irrigation system that was probably associated with Bowden Farm and which tapped a spring-fed stream to the immediate west. Catch meadows were popular in the 19th century but many continued in use into the mid-20th century, although it is unclear whether this system was still in use by this time. The earthworks are not visible on the available aerial imagery after 1955 and have possibly since been levelled. The gutters of this catch meadow system truncate and so post-date the earthwork bank of possible drain MDV126344.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8098 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey, Area 2, Avon Valley to Plymouth (Ref: ACD2040)

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