Geograph - photograph every grid square

During World War Two, two parallel rows of earthworks were dug running north- south in a field in Ryton Willows, designed to prevent enemy aircraft from using it as a landing ground. Each row contains a number of pits, with spoil heaped next to them as an extra obstruction. The standard plan for trench layouts was for them to be constructed in a grid layout of 150 yard squares, with pits at least 2 feet 6 inches deep and preferably 4 feet wide. The obstructions at Ryton Willows do not follow this system, as they are not arranged in a grid, but instead are formed into two lines, 191m apart. A grid arrangement was probably not used in this case as the field was too narrow for aircraft to land in a north-south direction, making another row of obstructions unnecessary.

The obstructions are very readily accessible from the public footpath which leads through the Ryton Willows Nature Reserve, and can be seen well preserved both on the ground and in aerial photographs.

A Guide to the Archaeology Of the Twentieth Century Defence Sites of Tyne and Wear by R Whaley, J Morrison and D Heslop. Newcastle City Council Tyne & Wear Specialist Conservation Team (2008):
Link Archive Link

Tyne and Wear HER(1904): Ryton Willows, WW2 aircraft obstruction ditches Link Archive Link

Ryton Willows is a Local Nature Reserve located on the banks of the Tyne, just north-east of Old Ryton Village. It consists of 43 hectares of grassland, ponds, woodland and locally rare species of flora and fauna. Because of this it has been designated as a site of special scientific interest. The majority of the site is grass and scrub growing on extensive alluvial deposits deposited by flooding and the altered course of the River Tyne over thousands of years. The steep bands to the south harbour woodland, some of which is likely to be ancient and from which water seeps maintaining the ponds at its base.

The Willows was an important area for recreation in the early C20th. Trippers were brought up the River Tyne by boat from Newcastle. Up until 1953, they could also arrive by train at Ryton Station or by ferry from the north shore until the early 1960s. There were swings, 'shuggy boats' and roundabouts at the fair, boats for hire on the local pond and teas at a café. In winter there were curling matches on the Curling Pond and a skating rink.

Ryton Willows was used for lots of other sporting activities including under-arm bowling, pigeon and sparrow shooting, rabbit coursing, quoits, football, ice skating and curling and so the area was busy and congested, especially at weekends. Golf was played on Ryton Willows by the Ryton Working Men's Club until 1911. Ryton Rugby Club have records of a match between Ryton and Blaydon on Ryton Willows in 1876.

Wikipedia: Link
English Nature: Link
Gateshead's Countryside Sites: Link
Tyne and Wear HER(13570): Ryton, Ryton Willows Golf Course Link