What's In A Name

Guy has been busy with some research on the origin of the name of the crossing.  Here is what he found.

 Colloquially referred to as the ‘Travis Perkins Crossing’ for ease of communications and directions, the level crossing has most recently reverted to its Proper Noun name of the land on which it is situated,

i.e. ‘The Black Meadow’.

Curious as to the derivation of the name, I did some internet research and discovered the plot of land known as “Black Meadow” was included on the Oswestry Parish Liberties Of Oswestry field name map of 1838.

Later in the 19th century, it was also quoted by name in 'The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser with which is incorporated THE SALOPIAN AND MONTGOMERYSHIRE POST' of Saturday, 1st August 1896. On page 3, in a column article headed THE LIGHT RAILWAY TO LLANGYNOG – THE PROPOSED ROUTE, the narrative reads:

“It is proposed to leave the Cambrian Railways at the level crossing below the Cemetery, and, passing through the lower portion of The Black Meadow, the line would run on to Morda between the Paper Mills and the river, crossing the Morda road at the lowest point. ...”

[For further reading, a screenshot copy of the full article is also appended below.]

As to the true origin of the name, I haven’t yet discovered it. Could it be because of superstitious (black) connotations with historic local knowledge that the meadow adjoins and runs south of Oswestry Town Cemetery and south-west of “Gallowstree Bank”, due east of where the crossing is located and on which “The Highwayman” public house now stands?

Thanks to Guy for the research. 

Until next time