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Summary

The remains of ridges made for improved drainage and soil depth within an orchard of probable 19th century date were visible as earthwork banks to the north-east of Higher Ranscombe, Chudleigh, on aerial photographs of 1946 and images derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ORCHARD (Post Medieval to XIX - 1540 AD to 1840 AD (Between))

Full description

South West Heritage Trust, 1838-1848, Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments (Cartographic). SDV359954.

The plot in which the banks are visible is listed as Back Orchard, plot 402.

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

The visible earthworks correspond with a plot depicted as an orchard.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1824, RAF/CPE/UK/1824 RP/RS 3060-3061 04-NOV-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352344.

The banks were visible as earthworks under planting.

Fairy Surveys Ltd, 1964, FSL/6412 V, FSL/6412 V 2036-2037 07-FEB-1964 (Aerial Photograph). SDV357115.

The banks were visible under dense but uneven planting.

Environment Agency, 1998-2017, LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor, LIDAR SX8681 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017 (Cartographic). SDV361470.

The banks were visible as earthworks in three much reduced and non-contiguous areas.

Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R., 2018-2019, The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley (Interpretation). SDV361305.

The remains of parallel earthwork ridges were visible as earthworks under tree cover on aerial photographs of 1946, on the lower slopes overlooking the Oxencombe Brook, Chudleigh.
The closely spaced banks measure circa 4 metres wide, crossing the contours of the north-facing slopes. The plot in which the banks are visible is listed as Back Orchard on the Tithe Apportionments for Chudleigh (plot 402). It is depicted as an divided into two or three smaller orchards on the Ordnance Survey 25-inch first edition map. The banks are interpreted as earthworks made to enhance drainage and provide additional depth of soil within the orchard and were probably made prior to 1840. The banks remained moderately planted in 1964, but most had been cleared and large areas of bank had been levelled on images derived from lidar data captured between 1998 and 2017.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV352344	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/CPE/UK/1824. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/CPE/UK/1824 RP/RS 3060-3061 04-NOV-1946.
SDV357115	Aerial Photograph: Fairy Surveys Ltd. 1964. FSL/6412 V. Fairy Surveys Ltd aerial photograph. Photograph (Paper). FSL/6412 V 2036-2037 07-FEB-1964.
SDV359954	Cartographic: South West Heritage Trust. 1838-1848. Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments. Tithe Map and Apportionment. Digital.
SDV361305	Interpretation: Hegarty, C., Knight, S. and Sims, R.. 2018-2019. The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping Survey. Area 1, Haldon Ridge to Dart Valley. Historic England Research Report. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV361470	Cartographic: Environment Agency. 1998-2017. LiDAR DTM data (1m resolution) EA: South Devon Coast to Dartmoor. Environment Agency LiDAR data. Digital. LIDAR SX8681 Environment Agency DTM 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAY-2017.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7515 - The South Devon Coast to Dartmoor Aerial Investigation and Mapping (formerly NMP) Survey (Ref: ACD1748)

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