[Tealeaf]

Lets look at the evidence, shall we?

1) We know there are trenches on the top of the coppice

2) As kids, we were told that those trenches had been built in WW2 to stop airborn landings; until the 1970's, there was other WW2 remnants dotted around, such as the pillbox on the canal between Church & Clayton, but no other evidence elsewhere of these type of trenches.

3) We know from documentary evidence that there were entrenchment exercises on the coppice in late 1914/early 1915.

4) The trenches we know about do not resemble WW1 trenches as developed (i.e. in a zig-zag pattern)

5) There was a very well written letter to the Observer last week stating that WW1 trenches are still in evidence on the coppice.

6) No "Expert" testimony as yet been forthcoming

Conclusion:

1) The trenches we know about are in fact, WW2 trench barriers;

Or

2) the trenches are early WW1 trenches (but lacking the sophistication of the actual ones as developed in 1915-1918.)

Or

3) They are in fact, WW1 trenches that were developed & expanded for a new purpose in WW2

Or

4) There are 2 sets of threnches up there...the ones we know about (WW2) and another lot(WW1) which not many people are familiar with.


I wish Owd Bert was here. He would, no doubt, give the definitive answer