BBC Radio 4 Open Country

A month ago I was standing on Hythe beach with Helen Mark, presenter of Open Country on Radio 4. We were discussing the creation of the first Ordnance Survey map, published in 1801, and known as the Mudge Map. With the threat of invasion from France, and the beaches of Kent the most likely landing grounds, military planners need a decent map of the county to prepare the country’s defences.

I wonder if Napoleon managed to get his hands on a copy of the map?

The broadcast goes out at just after 06.00 on Saturday morning 6 August. If you are not a farmer or insomniac, it is repeated at 15.00 on Thursday 11 August and can be listened to again on Podcast.

                                  Here’s the link to the BBC website

And a small selection of pics below.

This is an extract from a military map showing the start of Hythe Royal Military Canal, from just below Shorncliffe Camp and Redoubt.

                                      

As his flotilla of invasion craft takes shape, Napoleon  casts a covetous eye across the Channel to Kent. So near, yet so far…