Whispering trees
Posted by Stuart Bell
Hidden amongst the undergrowth, just a mile northwest of the village of Prickwillow, lies this derelict World War II pillbox. 28,000 of these were built across the British countryside in 1940-41, when Germany was making plans to invade the United Kingdom. Today, fewer than 6,000 remain, silent relics of a battle that was fortunately never fought.
On an overcast windy day such as today, the area around this pillbox has a rather eerie atmosphere. With the looming banks of the river in the distance, and the rustling of the tall, old trees and grasses all around, you can close your eyes and imagine that you are hearing the whispering of hundreds of people, telling stories of yesteryear.
Those of you who are geocachers, this has surely got to be an excellent location for a cache (the exact position is indicated in the map); otherwise you will find that you pass this pillbox if you try my Branch Bank byway route from Ely.
Incidentally, take a look at the weird shape of the field in which the pillbox lies (click on “satellite” at the top of the map, and then click on the “+” icon on the image). The eastern edge of the field winds around in a meander, almost like a river … which is precisely what it was: up until 1830, the Great Ouse flowed along what is now the main road through Prickwillow, before veering off to the north alongside the field in which the pillbox lies. Prickwillow village is built on the riverbed of the original course of the Ouse.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I didn’t know about the old course of the Ouse. It’s a good job that it doesn’t flow along the Prickwillow road anymore, otherwise it’d be difficult to drive/cycle along it.
September 7th, 2007 at 11:01 am
I have found an alternative route to avoid the main road from Adelaide to Prickwillow.
It is however a bit off road and ok for off road cycles, it is pleasant.
After crossing last railway crossing and prior to leaving Adelaide the is a footpath signed to the right next to a barn. This is a bridleway, and used by farm vehicles, follow this until you reach the Hereward way junction, turn left here and follow short grass drove for about 1/4 mile, the path then becomes a normal farm track, and brings you out on the Isleham road, Prickwillow. Here turn left and back to main route.