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COUNDON WEDGE

Adjacent to the village of Allesley lies the open spaces of the area known as Coundon Wedge, so called because it forms a wedge of open land between the built up residential areas of Coundon and Allesley.
Consisting of gently undulating farmland one of its attractive features is the number of many mature trees, particularly at the south western end. Coundon Wedge is in the City's important Green Belt.


Peaceful scene in Coundon Wedge
Many of the fields are now mostly used for pony grazing

Luckily the public has access to much of the Wedge. These pastures with the shallow brook are popular with local children.


 
The River Sherbourne 3 miles from its source

In early summer the pastures are yellow with wild buttercups and the untrimmed hawthorn hedges are able to produce a mass of white "May" blossom.


Early summer buttercups
Early Summer

A new Woodland Cemetary for Allesley Church is being developed in this pleasant field

 
New Woodland Cemetary
New Woodland Cemetary Site

The wide fields behind the old Church of All Saints, Allesley were the scene of archery practice after church by the bowmen of Allesley in centuries past.

Wedge Valley
Handsome Oak and Horse Chestnut Trees in the "wedge" field.
THE LANES

The lovely quiet Staircase Lane (it is now a cul-de-sac) forms the western boundary of Coundon Wedge. Still rather steep and narrow it no doubt was at one time more difficult to travel along judging by its name.
The infrequency of vehicular traffic makes it ideal for walking.

Quiet old lane
Staircase Lane
  Quiet old lane
Staircase Lane
 

Staircase Lane


To the horror of lovers of this delightful piece of countryside some years ago a new road was proposed splitting Coundon wedge in half.
This was for the benefit of a nearby national car manufacturer. A strongly fought, and at times bitter, campaign was fought but as so often happens progress triumphed over sentiment and the road was built.

New road across fields
New road across Coundon Wedge
 

Some householders on other roads in the area have benefited by the reduced traffic but there is no doubt that the peace and tranquility of Coundon Wedge has suffered from the noise of the speeding cars and heavy lorries despite attempts to limit the problems by embankments.

   
NORTHFIELDS FARM

The land to the west of Staircase Lane is part of the former working farm known as Northfields Farm, now sadly vacated.


Peaceful scene in Coundon Wedge
Northfields Farm house
(soon after this the listed house was damaged in a mysterious fire and demolished.

In front of the house is a large park-like pasture field with 3 huge specimen mature lime trees.


Much of the land is lush water meadow pasture. Now, since farming ceased, its only farming use is a hay crop taken by a nearby farmer. Also the field hedgerows are no longer trimmed back so severely and the shrubs are rapidly developing.

 

Running along the length of the land is a small stream, the 'young' River Sherbourne. Only about 3 miles from its source near Corley Moor the stream usually runs shallow and clear but at times it becomes dirty and deep when road drains pour storm water into it. Interesting birds seen regularly are grey wagtails, wild ducks, moorhens and the occasional kingfisher flashes along.

 
 
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