THERE seems to be some confusion about the history of Roswell Pits (re Mr Isaacson s letter). In the hope that we can forget the idea that the pits are a purely 20th Century feature, I enclose an Ordnance Survey map for 1898. The map shows clearly that th

THERE seems to be some confusion about the history of Roswell Pits (re Mr Isaacson's letter). In the hope that we can forget the idea that the pits are a purely 20th Century feature, I enclose an Ordnance Survey map for 1898. The map shows clearly that the pit existed in 1898, and appears to be full of water. In 1920, for which I also have a map, it is almost unchanged but is certainly full of water as it is marked in blue. The present day map shows that the pit was enlarged at some point, and the new pit dug to the south west.

The pit at issue - the subject of the plan for a marina - was therefore dug before the turn of the 19th Century - and had probably been there in some form since the early 1800s. By the way, none of the maps show moorings.

I hope this helps.

JIM KELLY

Newnham Street

Ely