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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 1946 and 1947. The system had mostly fallen out of use by the late 19th century.

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

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

One of the earthworks corresponds with a water channel in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 2089-2090 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Narrow curvilinear and sinuous ditches are visible as earthworks.

Royal Air Force, 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2105, RAF/CPE/UK/2105 RS 4090-4091 28-MAY-1947 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351151.

Narrow curvilinear and sinuous 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 and sinuous ditches, less than 2m wide, are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1947. The earthwork channels follow the contours of the southeast facing combe slope and occupy an area of circa 2.65 hectares. They are interpreted as the gutters of a 19th century catch meadow irrigation system possibly associated with Combe farmstead and which tapped a spring-fed stream that rises circa 40m to the southwest. Catch meadow systems are designed to irrigate pasture by diverting water from a spring or stream. The water is carried along the valley sides via one or more channels or gutters and 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 and April. One of the earthworks corresponds with a water channel depicted on the late 19th century Ordnance Survey map, suggesting that the system had mostly fallen out of use by this time. The earthworks are not visible on later available aerial imagery and have possibly since been levelled.

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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