The Offords
Community Website
Feb 2009 Edition
Millennium Green History 1
Introduction
Previously known as Haycroft and more recently as Walker’s Field, the land has been a grazing meadow for many years. Originally it ran down to the River Great Ouse but in 1850 the London to York railway sliced through it, resulting in the current 8.9 acre wedge shape. Gravel has been extracted at various times, leaving a somewhat undulating surface, but the large low-lying area to the south was caused by gravel extraction for RAF Graveley during World War 2. As a result the land has a variety of habitats including wetland reeds, riverside willow trees, a deep pond and un-improved grassland.
Previously known as Haycroft and more recently as Walker’s Field, the land has been a grazing meadow for many years. Originally it ran down to the River Great Ouse but in 1850 the London to York railway sliced through it, resulting in the current 8.9 acre wedge shape. Gravel has been extracted at various times, leaving a somewhat undulating surface, but the large low-
The land came up for sale in 1998 and was bought with contributions the National Lottery and the Offords Parish Councils. A charitable trust was formed to negotiate the purchase and develop a plan based on local residents’ preferences. The Green was officially opened in 2000 and a children’s play area added in 2001. Since then the Green has developed as an open space in the centre of the village. The trustees have tried to satisfy the mixed requirements of everyone who uses the Green, taking into account the limitations of the Trust Deed one of whose objectives is “to be an attractive place for people to take air and exercise, meet others and pursue leisure activities and pastimes consistent with shared enjoyment of the whole of the land”. The Trust Deed also ensures that the land is here in perpetuity and cannot be used for housing or other developments.
Early History
What is now the Millennium Green once extended east to the river. A map of 1799 shows the meadow as 10 acres, 2 rods and 20 perches, named Halfcroft or Haycroft Close, and owned by “Blundell”. The enclosure of
What is now the Millennium Green once extended east to the river. A map of 1799 shows the meadow as 10 acres, 2 rods and 20 perches, named Halfcroft or Haycroft Close, and owned by “Blundell”. The enclosure of
the open fields had a dramatic effect on both parishes. The large open fields, largely away from the village centre, were enclosed into smaller field and given to the major landowners. In return a number of footpaths, roads and bridleways were improved or built from new (e.g. New Road in Offord Cluny). Also, in return for giving up the right to tithes, which could be substantial, the Rectors were given land from which to obtain an income. By coincidence, this period in Offord Darcy coincided with a change in the major land owners. In particular, the old Lords of the Manor, which had been the Naylor/Blundell families since 1606, passed through the female line to Charlotte Matilda Greene, who married George Thornhill in 1809. The map to the right, dated sometime after 1811, shows the final settlements as they affected the Thornhill estate. Fields 1 and 2 totalled 13 acres, 0 rods, and 39 perches and were exchanged from the ownership of George Thornhill (acquired on marriage from Miss Greene) to the Rector. The boundary between 1 and 2 still exists as part of the eastern boundary of the Millennium Green.
Picture reproduced by permission of Edmund Thornhill. Not to be copied or reproduced without permission
Brief History by Graham Sherlock, December 2007