Prior to 1859, the inhabitants of Ramsden had the rights to graze their livestock on Ramsden Heath (part of the ancient Wychwood Forest), comprising several thousand acres of open, unfenced land to the north of our parish, extending to Shipton in the west and to modern-day Charlbury to the north. In what could be seen as a "land grab" by local landowners (legitimized by the Inclosures Act), the inhabitants of Ramsden were granted access to three fields (the Allotments), today totalling ten acres, as compensation for the loss of those grazing rights. The land came to be administered by the "Ramsden Poors Allotments Trust". That organisation persists to this day, with the land being used in part for conventional allotments and in part, to date, for grazing.

The land is divided into three plots, as shown in the map. Plot 31 is currently used for traditional allotment tenancies, for villagers growing fruit and vegetables. Plots 32 and 37, and part of plot 31, have in recent years been leased as paddocks for grazing sheep and horses.

Planning the future of the allotment land

The Ramsden Poors Allotments Committee is considering alternative uses of the allotment land, specifically Plot 37, and wants to canvass the views of residents at a public meeting in Ramsden Memorial Hall at 6.00 p.m. on Friday 17 October.

More information about the options being considered is provided in this briefing document.