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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 1951. The catch meadow has probably since been levelled.

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 do not correspond with any curvilinear features in this location, although water channels are shown to the immediate northeast and east.

Royal Air Force, 1951, RAF/540/483, RAF/540/483 RS 4376-4377 24-APR-1951 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352103.

Narrow curvilinear ditches are 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 in 1951. The earthwork channels follow the contours of the southeast facing combe slope and occupy an area of circa 0.7 hectares. They are interpreted as the gutters of a 19th century catch meadow irrigation system which probably tapped Horse Brook to the northeast.
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.
No features are depicted in this exact location on the available historic mapping, although water channels likely associated with this system are shown to the immediate northeast and east on the late 19th century First Edition Ordnance Survey map. The northeast half of this catch meadow has been levelled following construction of the A38 during the second half of the 20th century and the remaining extent has probably since 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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