Woodditton History
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'A Tanner Will Do'
An evocation of village life in the nineteen thirties and forties. Rodney Vincent's book about village life before, during and after WW II centres on Wood Ditton but could be about almost any small rural East Anglian village at the time. This is no dry collection of historical facts but an account, sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, of what life was really like in those times, seen through the eyes of a schoolboy. Since the book was first published, it has been through 6 updates and sold nearly 600 copies, (November 2006) a seventh, better presented, edition is available, with more pictures and updated text. The book is available from Tindalls Booksellers, High Street Newmarket; Topping & Co Booksellers, High Street Ely, price £10.95 also from Heffers Booksellers Trinity Street and the Grafton Centre Cambridge; or by post direct from the author. |
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Woodditton remains a quiet village, largely untouched by the roar of traffic. Many old houses survive and a few, like 'The Three Blackbirds' pub and the adjacent row of three cottages, are believed to date from the late 17th century. There are new developments too, on the old farmyard site, behind The Blackbirds and also on land previously forming part of the stud property by the crossroads.
Once mainly dependent on agriculture, racehorse breeding now far exceeds arable farming as the chief local industry. Much of the land including several studs between Woodditton/Kirtling/Saxon Street and Newmarket is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum and managed by Darley Stud Management, their headquarters at Dalham Hall Stud, situated within the parish boundary between Woodditton Hill and The Duchess Drive. Woodditton Stud, founded on its present site in 1851 and occupying a central position, is also owned by the Sheikh.
Once mainly dependent on agriculture, racehorse breeding now far exceeds arable farming as the chief local industry. Much of the land including several studs between Woodditton/Kirtling/Saxon Street and Newmarket is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum and managed by Darley Stud Management, their headquarters at Dalham Hall Stud, situated within the parish boundary between Woodditton Hill and The Duchess Drive. Woodditton Stud, founded on its present site in 1851 and occupying a central position, is also owned by the Sheikh.
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In 1953 The Eve Stud, as it was then known, produced Pinza, the horse that gave the late Sir Gordon Richards his first and only Derby win. Pinza, along with other famous racehorses, lies buried under the Cherry Lawn on the stud premises. A restored/rebuilt cottage standing close by the stud is named after the classic winner. For the Stud history select here |
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Marquis of Granby and British Legion Hall,Woodditton. About 1970.Hall now demolished. Courtsey of Cambridge Archives |
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Woodditton school closed in the early 1980's and became a private house but the old Victorian flint building, through which generations of village children passed, still looks much the same from the outside. Ditton Lodge, a County First School lies within the parish boundary, in St John's Avenue Newmarket.
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An anomoly exists regarding Woodditton Parish, in that something like two thirds of the population come within what is generally regarded as part of Newmarket. This is the area of the town south of the railway line from Woodditton Road and including part of New Cheveley Road known as Woodditton Urban ward.
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There are lovely local walks to be enjoyed, from West End going down Camois Hall Lane, or from Stetchworth Road following the path across a large arable field to the Devil's Ditch, which has changed little over many centuries. Heading south from West End along 'Old Boys' Lane' takes the walker to the largest area of local woodland, Ditton Park Wood. Another public path starts at The Three Blackbirds and leads to some fine distant views of The Devil's Ditch and Newmarket Heath, with Ely Cathedral visible on a clear day.
From the Little Ditton end of the village Parsonage Farm Lane passes the beautifully restored part Tudor farmhouse and continues along an interesting bridleway through well maintained stud grazing paddocks. It reaches Kirtling after passing Lucy Wood. The Roman track Icknield Way runs from the Devil's Ditch in a north-easterly direction across the middle of the parish, skirting the church and passing through Saxon Street by Saxon Hall. |
The local woods provide sanctuary for several species of deer and are renowned for their display of bluebells in the spring.
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The 17th century inn 'The Three Blackbirds' has a reputation for serving good food and makes a good stop for refreshments after a walk. (Tel 01638 730811 to confirm opening times) |