Rob Holmes,

Senior Art Editor

Miles walked this month: 49 What’s a weapontak?

I’m a sucker for old maps and was fascinated by this lovely tapestry map on display at Nottingham Castle, showing the area where I grew up, on the Nottinghamshire/ Derbyshire border. I just love the way each town and village is illustrated – so idyllic! As for ‘weapontak’, I had to Google that one – it’s an administrative division of Norse origin, similar to the term ‘hundred’, used in other counties.

Pitted puzzle

Equally interesting was this curious stone carving I came across just outside the churchyard in the lovely village of Water Newton, on the banks of the River Nene near Peterborough. What could it possibly be? The top of a longdismantled stone spire? A highrise ‘hotel’ for medieval bugs and mini beasts? A remnant of the village’s Roman past maybe? And why are some of the holes filled up? Professor Google failed me this time – over to you…

Note to self: …wonder if any CW readers can help unravel the secrets of this mystery masonry?