I have written before about Green Lane. it was originally part of an ancient medieval ridgeway that traced a line from brill, through steeple Claydon, Thornton and Calverton. The track crossed the wailing Street at Gib Lane and proceeded eastwards through Greenly, eventually joining the newport Road at Stonebridge House Farm. All that visibly survives today is the track besides the cemetery and the street still named Green Lane.
The canal interrupted the road but there may have been a tunnel under the canal for the movement of livestock. The railway interrupted the line of the road, although a crossing was still possible it may be that the farmer preferred to use the Blue Bridge. So by about 1850 the track probably ended at Ledsam Street.
The old road was not without its attractions. The trees on either side offered a degree of privacy to courting couples and was thus a favourite rendevouz for lovers. It also was useful as a venue for fights where two men could slug out their differences without observation and interference from the local constable. There are also reports from the 19th century that this was a popular area for picking mushrooms. Apparently the trees provided enough shade and cooler temperatures for the plentiful growth of mushrooms.
At this stage in the 19th century Green Lane was very much "outside" the town of Wolverton. there were no buildings on the Stratford Road west of the Royal Engineer and the church and vicarage so Green Lane was very much in the country.
The canal interrupted the road but there may have been a tunnel under the canal for the movement of livestock. The railway interrupted the line of the road, although a crossing was still possible it may be that the farmer preferred to use the Blue Bridge. So by about 1850 the track probably ended at Ledsam Street.
The old road was not without its attractions. The trees on either side offered a degree of privacy to courting couples and was thus a favourite rendevouz for lovers. It also was useful as a venue for fights where two men could slug out their differences without observation and interference from the local constable. There are also reports from the 19th century that this was a popular area for picking mushrooms. Apparently the trees provided enough shade and cooler temperatures for the plentiful growth of mushrooms.
At this stage in the 19th century Green Lane was very much "outside" the town of Wolverton. there were no buildings on the Stratford Road west of the Royal Engineer and the church and vicarage so Green Lane was very much in the country.