One of the challenges the amateur historian faces is that oral history is just that; oral. It consists of many threads, many truths and a huge amount of speculation, tempered by half-memory and rumour. Anecdote is neither fact, not proof, and without names, written histories or external corroboration, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to discern the actuality.
Maps are not infallible, but can be a good indicator to changing history. I include some here for perusal of readers who’re interested in the speculation myself and reader [Howmuch?] have been engaged in over what caused the scar in Jockey Meadows.
We don’t know, we have no idea. It’s interesting, like a discussion in a pub. This is not an adversarial process, but a continuing, delicious engagement with landscape history. We don’t pretend to know the truth. but the black art of attempting to find it is worth the experience alone.
Current OS mapping for Jockey Meadows - note the wet area southeast of the field boundary north of the A461. Click for a larger version.
1884 1:2,500 map. No sign of any pit or extraction in Jockey meadows. Click for a larger version.
1919 OS 1:25,00 draft. Not a lot has changed, but Jockey Meadows are still just that. Click for a larger version.
1938 1:10,000 Epoch 5 plan (best available for the period) - again, much has changed, yet the fields are undisturbed. Click for a larger version.
By the 1956 1:10,000 drafting, a large marsh appears in Jockey Meadows. This is remarkable when one considers that by now, the extent of quarrying to the south and east must be lowering the water table significantly. Click for a larger version.