See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Narrow curvilinear earthwork ditches, interpreted as the gutters of a 19th century catch meadow irrigation system, are visible on aerial photographs taken from 1946 onwards. The system was possibly still partly in 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.

The earthworks partly correspond with water channels in this location.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

The earthworks partly correspond with water channels in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/3G/TUD/UK/223, RAF/3G/TUD/UK/223 Vp1 5068-5069 12-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352279.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as earthworks.

Ordnance Survey, 1995, OS/95080, OS/95080 V 123-124 12-APR-1995 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352110.

A single earthwork ditch is visible.

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 from 1946 onwards. The earthwork channels follow the contours of the southeast facing combe slope and occupy an area of circa 1 hectare. They are interpreted as the gutters of a 19th century catch meadow irrigation system possibly associated with the farmstead at Rill and which tapped a stream to the west.
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.
The earthworks partly correspond with water channels depicted on the late 19th century and early 20th century First and Second Edition Ordnance Survey maps, suggesting that the system was possibly still partly in use by this time.

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)

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.