Cropmark of possibly early-mid 19th century decoy pond, 'Joyce's Decoy' (or 'Solly's Decoy'/'Widegeon Pond'), south-west of Lauriston Farm (EHER 12120)

The cropmark remains of a decoy pond, described as having been out of use for 20 years in 1886. It was a large pool with eight pipes and was known by several names: 'Joyce's Decoy' after the nearby farm; 'Widegon Pond' after the label on the 6" map; and incorrectly as 'Solly's Decoy' after Mr Richard Solley who has been proven never to have held the decoy.

Site of a decoy pond, showing as a dark cropmark in arable on aerial photographs. <1> <2> A banked marshy area on the 6" map is called Widgeon Pond. <3> Not marked on the Chapman and Andre map of 1777. <4> See aerial photographs <5> <6> and cropmark plot <7>. 'Joyce's' or 'Solly's Decoy' situated half a mile to the east of Goldhanger Decoy No.3 (EHER 46268), one mile S.S.E. from Goldhanger and beside the creek running up to Joyce's Farm. It is in Tolleshunt Major, or Beckingham parish. The pool is large with eight pipes and was also known as the 'Wigeon Pond'. In 1886 it was said not to have been in use for twenty years. The second name was used by Payne-Gallwey, but Mr. E. A. Fitch ascertained that Mr. Richard Solley has never held this decoy, and for this reason Christy adopted the first name. <8> NRHE data transfer: Widgeon Pond. <9> September 1972. Field survey. Extant. <10> See also EHER 9996 for a nearby decoy pond to the east.