Monument record 15560 - Sub-circular, ditched enclosure, south-east of Hollowcowhey Farm

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, 08/06/2022 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Ditched feature to the south-east of Hollowcowhey Farm identified from LiDAR data (source 2).

<2> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, 2020, 1m (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

The ditched feature, which appears to be an enclosure, is visible on LiDAR imagery dating to 2020. It is defined by a sub-circular ditch, measures approximately 73m by 65m, and there is a possible entrance at its north-eastern extent. It underlies an existing boundary which is depicted on nineteenth century mapping (see source 3). The date is unknown but the subtle appearance of the earthworks indicates some antiquity.

<3> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, Rainow, 1850 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

<4> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993) (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

The ditched feature, is faintly visible on air photographs dating to 1992-3.

<5> Historic England & Archaeological Research Services, 2017, Cheshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Sampling the Peak Fringe, Cheshire Plain and Mersey Valley, 1597963 (Digital Archive). SCH8172.

The enclosure is overlain by narrow ridge and furrow which has been recorded by the Cheshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project. Lidar data was not available for this particular area at the time of this study perhaps explaining why the enclosure itself was not identified.

<6> Mary Wiltshire and Sue Woore, 2011, 'Hays' Possible Early Enclosures in Derbyshire, Vol 131, 2011, p.195-225 (Article in Journal). SCH9196.

The fact that the enclosure is located close to Hollowcowhay Farm could be of significance as placenames incorporating the name 'hay' potentially derive from the Old English '(ge)haeg', loosely meaning enclosure, and 'haga' or 'haia', with a similar meaning. During the Anglo Saxon period there is evidence that 'haga/haia' names are associated with hunting, in particular the hunting of deer, and that 'hays' were deer enclosures.