The name Stretham derives either from Roman times - ‘homestead or village on the road’(strata’ is Latin for paved road), or from old English ‘ystrad’ meaning road and ‘ham’ for village
Of local interest is Stretham Old Engine which is the last survivor in the southern Fenland of over 100 steam-powered pumping stations applied to fen drainage in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also the largest and most complete example of any of these, and one of the earliest, having been erected in 1831. On Open Days (http://www.strethamoldengine.org.uk/info.htm ) it is driven by electricity to demonstrate its former manner of working.
About Village Sign Caches
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This cache belongs to the Village Sign Series, a series of caches based on ornate signs that depict the heritage, history and culture of the villages that put them up (generally on the village green!).
The signs can be made of different materials from fibreglass to wood, from forged steel to stone. They can depict anything from local industry to historical events. The tradition probably started in Norfolk or Suffolk and has now spread across most of the country so we thought we would base a series on them!
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More information, bookmarks and statistics can be found at the Village Signs Website
If anybody would like to expand the Village Sign Series, please do.
I would ask that you request a number for your cache first at www.villagesignseries.co.uk
so we can keep track of the Village Sign numbers and names to avoid duplication.