19 replies to this topic

[Auroraf1]

Hi Chaps

This must have been asked before, but why are Druids corners at Oulton and Brands so called?

There must be a plethora of myths and legends. What re they and does anyone know the truth?

[arttidesco]

I wonder if the naming of the corners had anything to do with the Cyclists and Cross country runners who first used the Brands Hatch track ? Must be a good question since no one has attempted to answer it yet :-)

Edited by arttidesco, 14 May 2010 - 09:57.

[ensign14]

I thought they were named after local farms or landmarks. No need to get so excited about Druids, though, often the toponym Druid is a corruption of Andrew. There are lots of Druidses in the Midlands named after the Drews family of landowners.

[rateus]

I wonder if the naming of the corners had anything to do with the Cyclists and Cross country runners who first used the Brands Hatch track ?

Druids corner was not on the initial circuit - it was only added after cars began racing there (clockwise - the cyclists had run anti-clockwise) and the track was tarmaced.

[Vitesse2]

I think ensign's probably right. I had a quick look on the excellent new OS Open Data, which can produce very large scale images, but no clues there (although Brands apparently has a Clarke Curve )

Possibly farm or field names, but to check that you'd probably have to go back to 18th or 19th century tithe maps.

[P.Dron]

I think ensign's probably right. I had a quick look on the excellent new OS Open Data, which can produce very large scale images, but no clues there (although Brands apparently has a Clarke Curve )

Possibly farm or field names, but to check that you'd probably have to go back to 18th or 19th century tithe maps.

I have a reprint of the 19th Century one-inch Ordnance Survey map, sheet 80, showing the western half of Kent. The line of the road now known as the A20 and the site of Brands Hatch are easily identified, though it was then called Barnshatch. The question was asked (but not answered) in a previous thread: when did the name change from Barns to Brands?

Most of the circuit seems to have been constructed on what was once called Hever Wood. To the south of this, there is a hamlet on the OS map called Portobello, which obviously gave its name to the straight between Hawthorn and Westfield, though it has since been renamed*. However, there are no clues on the map to any Druidic practices.


*According to that fount of knowledge, Wikipedia, this is now the 'Derek Miner Straight'.

Edited by P.Dron, 14 May 2010 - 12:59.

[ensign14]

BrV- and BVr- (where V is a vowel) are often changeable. -e14, Brummagem Birmingham

[David McKinney]

... there are no clues on the map to any Druidic practices.

But the Coldrum Stones, one of the sacred sites of Shamanic Druidry, are only about three miles away

[Sharman]

It's all to do with unsuspecting virgins being sacrificed by old men with beards at the beginning of spring.

[David McKinney]

Why do you think I wear a beard?

[Tony Matthews]

It's all to do with unsuspecting virgins being sacrificed by old men with beards at the beginning of spring.

Everyone should have a hobby...

[Doug Nye]

Don't forget our oaths Dave. This could get dangerous come Walpurgis Night...

DCN

[Giraffe]

Where's my razor?!?!

[elansprint72]

Druid's Corner at Oulton was in existence before the racing circuit was built, as part of the 12ft wide military camp road system, according to the 25th anniversary booklet.
Somewhere I have a copy of Cheshire Life magazine with a feature on the "new motor circuit" which had some old maps in it. Can I find it?

[David McKinney]

Don't forget our oaths Dave. This could get dangerous come Walpurgis Night...

DCN

Very true...

[arttidesco]

@ #9 #10 & #ominous 13 I thought Hairy Hill was opposite Devils Elbow at Lydden ?

Back on top thanks for the story behind the triple apex Druids at Oulton ES72 and the map insight P.D. :-)

[Sharman]

Very true...

If the Dutch cap fits insert it!

[P.Dron]

If the Dutch cap fits insert it!

Shame on you, Sharman. Are you a shaman?

[Tony Matthews]

Shame on you, Sharman. Are you a shaman?

If the shaman fits, put him in the recovery position and call an ambulance.

[D-Type]

Hi Chaps

This must have been asked before, but why are Druids corners at Oulton and Brands so called?

There must be a plethora of myths and legends. What re they and does anyone know the truth?

I read somewhere that some Druidic remains were found near the site of Druids at Brands.

I've no idea about Oulton.