Drainage

This flat featureless area of rich farmland was once an extensive lake said to have formed in the last ice age. Attempts to drain the lake were made, first by Thomas Fleetwood of Bank Hall in 1692, then a further attempt was made in 1780, but it wasn't until the mid 19th century when steam pumps were available that drainage finally succeeded.
Bizarrely, the fields just to the right of this ditch are now being used to grow turf for sports grounds and gardens etc. while half the world is hungry and we import fruit and vegetables.