The Severn Ham at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, isn't a culinary dish but rather is 170 acres of common land, low lying pasture, in a bend of the River Severn with the River Avon as its border on the other side. The word "Ham" occurs in a number of English place names and derives from an old name for a piece of land located in this manner which often floods. The Severn Ham spends most of the year growing grass and a wide variety of wild flowers, as well as providing habitat for birds such as lapwings and curlews - it is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Parcels of 30 acres are rented out for the grazing of sheep. For the rest of the year the Ham is covered to a greater or lesser degree by water that might otherwise cause damage to the town. When this happens the common takes on the appearance of a large lake with only the line of telegraph poles that cross it indicating the water's temporary presence. The Abbey Mill and sluice control room (see previous post) can be seen on the left.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
