Stroud in 1871
Stroud in 1871
Moving on from the Tithe maps of middle 19th century this 1871 map extract shows significant differences. The tithe map was produced by mapmakers for the Tithe Commissioners while this 1871 map is the first detailed map produced by the Ordnance Survey. Although this means that the two maps are not directly comparable, some differences are clear.
Stroud now appears as a village name.
The road network is shown much as today and Beckham Lane (now Winchester Road) is fenced and the land either side enclosed. Following Beckham Lane east from the Ramsdean Road / Rothercoombe Farm Lane crossroads we pass the Seven Stars Inn now with its roadside triangle, on to the Methodist Chapel (Primitive) and so to the double bend at Stroud Farm. The road continues east to Berelands Farm now located somewhere below the A272/A3 interchange.
The Methodist Chapel (now a private house) has an interesting history (see https://www.myprimitivemethodists.org.uk/content/chapels/hampshire/s-hampshire/stroud-common-primitive-methodist-chapel). This website explains that:
‘The Primitive Methodist Magazine for October 1853 pp.617-618 contains an account by George Waite of the opening of Stroud Common Primitive Methodist chapel in the Buriton mission of Newbury circuit.
It was first missioned ten or twelve years previously “amidst raging persecution” and a piece of copyhold land was obtained by Mr Waite and William Heath from John Berry. The new chapel was 18′ x 22′ and 11′ high to the ceiling, built of flint with stuccoed walls both inside and out.
It was opened on 24th July 1853 with a tea meeting in Mr Vick’s barn. Sermons were preached by John Knight, W Isaac (Independent), WH Whittington and Messrs Outridge, Vick, Rust and Waite. The total cost was £86, of which £20 was raised in opening collections, £50 borrowed on a note of hand, leaving £16 to be raised.’
Stroud common has gone (apart from the name) having been divided into fields although some seems to remain as rough grazing. North Stroud Lane now appears roughly along the western boundary of the old common and connects the brick works with brick kilns and yards before passing south over Stroud Bridge and on to Ramsdean. Ramsdean Road is no longer a track and passes close to the Pest House. Ridge Common Lane appears for the first time.
The little road that today runs alongside the modern School (and which school was not present in 1871) passes east to a property at Holmwood (and which is no longer present other than as a brick scatter seen in the field when ploughed). I suspect that Holmwood may have been the local farm as it is shown as a courtyard bounded by buildings and also because the adjacent field was formerly known as milking plat. To the south is the present building at Holmwood Cottage and its adjoining orchard. This track extends east from Holmwood towards the present location of New Buildings Farm and then turns north to join Beckham Lane (Winchester Road) just south of Stroud Farm (now the Red House).
Other new appearances include: Alpha Cottages (although this is probably much older); Stroudbridge Farm and Stroud Bridge; Stroud Farm (now The Red House) and the adjacent Methodist chapel (primitive).
Some of the previous common land is shown as scrub and rough grazing and we see brickyards and kilns identified.
Furzefield Copse now has its modern name (formerly Holmwood Copse) and much of the former agricultural land to the east of the copse has reverted to rough grassland with lines of trees. I speculate that these clayey fields may have been the furze fields from which Furzefield Copse was re-named, furze being old English for Gorse.
The brick works is shown as a complex of linear buildings, presumably drying sheds, and Stroud Lodge is shown behind.
Ramsdean Road passes north from Stroud Bridge and Stroudbridge Farm, past the Pest House and so to Beckham Lane and across as a new access road to Rothercoombe Farm and the associated hop kilns.
Ron Allen.
