Hoton Road

Image: © Alan Murray-Rust Taken: 12 Dec 2011

Near Gorse Farm, looking towards Wymeswold. The straightness of the road gives the impression that it might have been realigned when the airfield was constructed, but in fact it follows its traditional line. The wide verges have a particularly interesting tale. They were treated as 'waste' land on which the rights to pasture stock were let, the rents accruing to the parish. In 1942 the Parish Clerk requested payment from the Air Ministry in lieu of rent on the grounds that the verges were so damaged by vehicles from the air base that the pasturage was unlettable. After an exchange of somewhat terse correspondence, the Ministry did indeed agree to make payment, although not to the extent originally requested. The final sum was £6 per annum, which was a not inconsiderable sum in relation to Parish funds at the time. The complete correspondence can be found here http://www.hoap.co.uk/who/hoton07.htm

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