Standean

Rock Pond, Standean

Standean is Stony Valley from the Sarsen stones that occur in the overlying deposits on the chalk.

Rock Pond is a point where these have been placed after being dug out of the arable fields over generations, this is to save damaging the plough, and the ploughman in times of horse or oxen.

Please note this is on PRIVATE land with no public access.

Holding water august 2001, first time in a long time

From the S.W. looking up at the bank, over some of the sarcen stones, dumped here by farmers over the years.

Looking uphill from the south, the sarsens are at the left, there is a fence/hedge line at the right

There is Gorse growing here, an indication of the acidic soil of a clay cap to the downs in this area.

There is an article in 'The Downland Post', April 1926, with a plan showing many sarsens scattered around the area as in 1905, the article goes on to mention that some had been moved the following year. 1926 Article - Rock Pond - Standean
I was only able to readily identify a small number to the SW of the pond, no doubt many others lie buried in the grass and undergrowth. I was told by the farmer that some were moved when the pond was last restored and fenced.

There is an older plan and image here -Standean

Looking south down Standean valley at the site of a dry pond (centre of picture, embankment on slope).
Brighton and the Sea beyond.

My thanks are due to the Farmer and the Countryside Ranger for facilities.