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Summary

A catch meadow of probable post-medieval to 19th century date is visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as narrow and roughly parallel curvilinear earthwork ditches on the south-east facing combe slopes south of Babland Farm. The ditches are mostly not identifiable as earthworks on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2019 and have probably been levelled.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CATCH MEADOW (Post Medieval to Mid 20th Century - 1540 AD to 1946 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1890, Devon County Council RAF/CPE/UK/1890 RS 4095-4096 10-DEC-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV169268.

Curvilinear ditches are visible as very subtle earthworks.

Environment Agency, 2019, National Lidar Programme, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM 25-FEB-2019 (Cartographic). SDV363691.

Ditches are identifiable as curvilinear 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.

Curvilinear narrow and roughly parallel linear ditches are visible under pasture on aerial photographs of 1946 and clearly identifiable on visualisations derived from lidar data captured in 2019 as earthworks measuring circa 2m to 4m wide and from 30m to 120m long, closely following the contours of the west facing combe slopes west of Ley Coombe.
The channels are interpreted as the remains of catch meadow gutters of probable post-medieval to 19th century date.
Catch meadows diverted water from springs or streams along channels, or gutters, to redistribute it to irrigate combe slopes. Originating probably in the medieval period they were in widespread use in Devon in the 19th century with many continuing in use into the mid-20th century. The subtle character of the earthworks on the aerial photographs of 1946 might support the interpretation that this system had ceases to be maintained some time prior to the mid-20th century.

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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