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Summary

A possible catch meadow of probable post-medieval to 19th century date is visible on aerial photographs of 1951 as subtle narrow curvilinear earthwork ditches on the east facing combe slopes of the River Avon south-west of South Brent village. The earthworks have probably since been levelled.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1951, RAF/540/483, RAF/540/483 RS 4375-4376 24-APR-1951 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352103.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as subtle earthworks.

Bluesky International Ltd/Getmapping PLC, 1999-2017, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery SX6959 20-APR-2015 (Aerial Photograph). SDV363087.

The ditches are not identifiable 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.

Three curvilinear ditches are visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as earthworks up to circa 2m wide and between 60 and 150m long, on the east facing combe slopes overlooking the River Avon.
The channels are interpreted as the remains of catch meadow gutters potentially of post-medieval to 19th century date.
Catch meadows abstracted from springs or streams and redistributed it along channels or gutters to irrigate combe slopes. Originating in the medieval period they were in widespread use in Devon in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
No features are depicted in this location on the available historic maps and any watermeadow in this location is likely to have fallen out of use by the late-19th century.
The gutters are not identifiable as earthworks on digital images derived from aerial photographs of 2015 and have probably been levelled.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

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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