A hand-drawn map from approximately 1950 was created to identify all of the fields and lands to the west of Peterborough, with the intention of identifying all of the land farmed by the Horrells. Each field stated its name and acreage and the boundary of each plot was carefully drawn. Although the size of the fields is varied, it is remarkable to see the huge area farmed by the Horrells, whom most people will associate with the dairy in what is now Netherton. Many of the fields were lost as Peterborough spread west and they were consumed by housing developments in Longthorpe, Netherton, Westwood and Bretton.
The field names provide clues about their use or their owners, for example Westwood cowfield and Scrimshire (likely to be a reference to Dr Scrimshire), but some are a little more curious and others downright silly. 1st cottage piece sat next to 2nd cottage piece; Little Walker was likely to be related to Long Walker (possibly the name of another doctor) and Blind Lane may have related to a blind resident, or more likely, to the dangerous blind corner on the track that ran next to it. However, Thieves Hurn Barn Field, Dib daw and Craney may leave you scratching your head, as might Girl Guide, Trundly Paddock and 1st and 2nd
Polo. But the prize for the strangest name goes to Bum Gardens! Comparisons between the original and modern maps reveal that the site of Bum Gardens is now underneath the roundabout at the junction of Nene and Longthorpe Parkway, a hotel and a golf course – none of them were inspired to incorporate the name.
