Reflections of Old Map

Reflections on a Map

In the trunk of papers stored in the upstairs flat of the Clubhouse I found a map. It was in several pieces. I have re-assembled them as best I can and photographed the end product.

It is now available for review.

Although there is one corner piece still missing, it provides enough detail to give us an insight to some of the changes in the Course.

There is no date on the map. However, my first estimate is that it is probably from the 1920s.

 

I first shared the original with a group of Seniors following a Ball-in-the Bag game on Friday 25 March. There appeared to be several points of interest raised by this map. For me, it provides yet more evidence of how the Club has evolved over the years and causes me to think that as the upcoming planned changes to the Course are implemented, that this is just the latest development in a long, on-going story.

Several questions arise in the first instance. There will be others, I am sure, which I am more than happy to add to this list. With help of members, we can perhaps provide some answers to these questions too.

 

  1. The Clubhouse is on the site of the Old Liberal Club. Is there any memorabilia from this time?
  2. There are two sets of holes marked on this map. The numbered holes are highlighted in red ink on the original. What are these plans for? Was this merely a proposal or was it a plan of a previous version of the Course (black lines) and a new version (red lines)?
  3. Looking at the field, holes 4 and 5 appear to be beyond the existing wall. This piece of the map is missing. However, even if it were present, surely these two holes would be beyond the boundary of this map? Did the Club ever own this piece of land?
  4. Hole number 6 appears to go over a bit of field and the green appears to be very close indeed to the wall. Does this seem reasonable?
  5. Going along the wall adjacent to Barm’s Farm, you reach the A6. It appears to be a very much smaller road than it is now.  However, the bridleway across the Course appears to be at least as significant as the A6: presumably the vehicle traffic would have been more horse than car?
  6. There is some sort of track across the 9th. Was this related to the old racecourse? I am a little surprised that there is no marking on the map relating to the racecourse.
  7. Russia Mere: I am curious about the name. If the map was from the 1920’s, the Russian revolution would have been relatively recent. Would this mere have been named in recognition of this event? Or is it more likely to relate to rushes in the mere?
  8. Pell’s Well: I understand that Pell’s Dam is the ditch between the lake and the A6. The map shows Pell’s Well near to the quarry. Is there any evidence of Pell’s Well now? Who was Pell, that he (or she) should have these landmarks named after him (or her)?
  9. Finally, there are numerous walls marked on the map. What boundaries do they mark out? Do they relate to “gates”, referred to in some old documents, as areas enclosed for sheep grazing?

 

Any responses to these questions, or additional reflections on this map which can be added to this section, will be most welcome.

 

Jon White  28/03/16

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