HISTORY OF DECOYS. | |
| "The lands are mostly pasture. The River Axe divides this parish from Wookey and Wedmore. Here is a large Decoy pool." Stoke Decoy, three-quarters of a mile SW. of Stoke Rodney, and 5 miles WNW. from Wells, situated on the N. bank of the River Axe. Probably not constructed until after 1802, in which year an Act was passed for the drainage of the extensive marshes that bordered the river, and which previously used to be under water nearly all the winter, rendering the working of a Decoy impracticable. However, after the Decoy was made, a subsequent and more complete system of drainage destroyed it. Little remains now of this Decoy, or the last one described, save their outline and the Decoymen's cottages. Nyland Decoy, one mile and a quarter W. of Draycot, on a tributary of the River Axe, is thus referred to by Collinson (" Hist. Somerset," iii. p. 606, 1791). " Nyland Hill, rising abruptly out of the valley, has a picturesque appearance. Near it is a very large Decoy pool, in which a great number of Wild-duck, Teal, Wigeon, Sea-pheasants (Pintail), and other fowl are captured." This Decoy has long been disused, but distinct traces of its formation are now left. It was close to the SW. slope of Nyland Hill, and the Decoyman's cottage is still standing. Cheddar Water, 1½ miles SW. of Cheddar, and 1½ miles S. of Axbridge, on the north bank of the Axe, there was formerly a Decoy, where the stream called Cheddar Water joins the former river. It has long ceased to be worked, and its outline can now scarce be traced. These last four Decoys all lie within 1¼ miles S. of the railway from Wells to Axbridge. Kenn Moor, 2 miles SE. of Clevedon.-In the parish of Kenn, and about 2½ miles N N E. of Yatton, is a farm known as " The Decoy Pool Farm," whereon, many years ago, a Decoy existed in the low meadows bordering the stream which flows from Tickenham to Clevedon, these meadows being often flooded during the winter months. | |
Index List of Illustrations