There will probably be hundreds of springs throughout our area together with lots of troughs and wells lining the various water courses. Obviously we cannot record them all, but here below I have compiled a list (which is ongoing), and in some cases with photographs of the many fine examples I have collected along with the many contributors who are giving their valued help with this project (listed below).
For obvious reasons "water" is the most important thing we have (after fresh air of course!), so to record these historic water courses and their access points can only be a very beneficial project, and will hopefully add to our overall picture of just where they all are! To think back at one time most of these wells would have been the only source of drinking water for the people of both Haslingden and Helmshore. Sadly it appears that some of these wells have become redundant nowadays, and some have sadly had their water courses diverted (diverted where? and by whom?), but thankfully most of them still remain intact.
It is also interesting to find names of buildings or local areas which have taken on their names directly relating to "WATER, SPRINGS, WELLS and BROOKS" and here are a few examples:
BROOK STREET, (Hud Hey to Worsley Park with Swinnel Brook running under the actual road itself), COLDWELLS (Off Higher Hud Hey Road), SPOUT HOUSE (Off Haslingden Old Road), SPRINGFIELD LODGE (Behind and to the left of the Rose and Crown) SPRING LANE (between Lower Lane and Blackburn Road, (old original - SPRINGSIDE (properties now gone - off Spring Lane and above Blackburn Road), SPRING STREET (properties now gone and ran parallel and to the South side of Queen St - now the West View estate behind the Griffin Pub.), SPRING VALE, (area at the bottom of Charles Lane), SPRINGWOOD, (Manchester Road below Bentgate on way to Ewood Bridge), WATERFALLS (area approached from Moor Lane - opposite Farmers Glory), WATERFOOT (Mayfield/Flaxmoss area Top of Jubilee Road Haslingden), WATERFOOT HOUSE (was off Grane Road near to the late Coronation Street/Every Street), WATERSIDE ROAD (Off Grane Road/Charles Lane), WELL BANK (Off Victoria Street), WELL HOUSE (corner of Victoria Street and Blackburn Road), WELLSPRING FARM over Grane, WELLS STREET (off Bury Road).
Also we have several well established "Brooks and Streams" which usually make their way down to either Swinnel Brook, River Ogden or the River Irwell. Here are some of these:-
Our main secondary water courses (adding to this list on a regular basis)
WOODNOOK WATER Comes down Northfield Road, Rising Bridge crossing over the road towards the old railway track and onward towards Woodnook, Accrington.
DUCKWORTH CLOUGH BROOK from Cribden bottom next to the Laund Hey Playing Fields and makes its way eventually to Clough End
COLDWELLS/MARTIN CROFT From Haslingden Moor past Coldwells into the Martin Croft Clough bottom which runs to the south west side of Martin Croft Farm (see old postcard below) and shortly after the farm (50 yards approx) turns to a right angle and crosses the field to join the Swinnel Brook.
WATERFALLS From near to the Old Smallpox Hospital (Copy Farm) which borders Haslingden Moor (Moor Lane access opposite Farmers Glory), then makes its way down through a Clough, locally known as the "Waterfalls", and on past the West side of Sunny Field farm and continuing South through to Carrs then runs alongside Todd Hall Road for a short while before then crosses over to eventually join up with the Swinnel.
JINKY OR GINGKY BROOK from Cribden and breaks just below Spout House crossing the road and makes its way to Back Laneside Road (Sizehouse), Sykeside
HEAP CLOUGH
PRIESTENTAX the water runs off the Moor via Priestentax and almost follows the lane for part and then veers off to the field and eventually comes over the Troy Quarry which you can see in the following photograph.
You can see stream coming from the field and comes over the top Troy Quarry (Click over photo to enlarge) |
Grane Head Brook to the West Side of Bentley House (Click over enlarge) |
GRANE HEAD BROOK Starts over on Egerton Moss and collecting waters from there and the Top O'th Moss and Bentley Moss and runs down the West side of Bentley House and into Grane Head just before the water enters the Calf Hey Reservoir.
This is the route of Hog Lowe Clough and part of whats commonly called "Fairy Glen" (Click over to enlarge) |
HOG LOWE CLOUGH (also known as "Fairy Glen" and Clough Side at the bottom) Starts over on Bentley Moss and the waters continue down the Clough known as Hog Lowe Clough and down to Clough Side just before the water enters the Calf Hey Reservoir.
Top O'th Slate
I clearly remember another spring catchment in the field immediately bordering the East of Top O'th Slate Nature Site. A area on the site where there is a picnic table if you just go a few yards behind the table and up the incline and immediately over the wall its there. This could be and I do stipulate could be (because I do not have any evidence, but may relate to a branch off from the ones we have recorded in High Street and Spring Lane) It would be great if this could be investigated!
High Street - Hudrake
The area which is now built on with modern houses, prior to this it had been pens and allotments, prior to this it was land owned by Baxters Brewery. You can (or could) gain footpath access from High Street through a snicket in the wall. You can also gain access from below on Lower Lane. (The same Spring that fed the brewery also was responsible for the feed to the Spring Lane well).
On 29th January 2016 David Cardwell wrote:
"Talking about wells at the top of Hud Rake were it changes to High Street there used to be pens and inside there is a well covered that would feed the watering hole down Spring Lane. Me and my dad uncovered it one day, it was so deep, and when you dropped a stone into it you couldn't hear it hit the bottom"
Spring Lane (Was also known previously as Pagg House Lane) Runs between and connects Lower Lane and Blackburn Road. At one time the old Haslingden Workingmen's Club was built at the side of the well.
Spring Lane Well (Click over photo to enlarge) |
It is said that the origins of this watercourse start somewhere up on Cribden and are picked up around the old Top O'th Slate/Higher Lane areas. It is also said that this particular watercourse was the "water input" for the late Baxter's Brewery which was based at the top of Spring Lane adjoining Lower Lane. The water fed the brewery whilst at the same time continuing its path to this very old communal drinking water well. The local communities of both Spring Lane and also Springside would have used the well. (Springside was almost opposite the well and the Workingmens club and ran alongside what is now named Pagg House, it was a row of small cottages which were demolished many years ago, it ran parallel and elevated above the Blackburn Road and ended more or less just before the small entry to the Parish Church Grounds). For Springside see photo below.
Springside (off Spring Lane (Pagghouse Lane)- elevated and overlooking Blackburn Road)
A photo of "below Springside" on Blackburn Road which you can see water cascading over the bank with large Icycles in the winter (Click over photo to enlarge) |
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Trough at Clough End on way up to Sherfin/Duckworth Clough (Click over photo to enlarge) Photo: Kristy Burbidge 2016) |
Years ago I worked for Shepherd Bros who took over the old Mill and changed its use to Sawmills and Timber Importers. I do remember on a couple of occasions that something went wrong with the water supply to the offices and also the mill and to correct it I had to go to a small spring/reservoir which was covered in by a timber frame with sloping roof which was covered with bitumous felt, and which was in a field just below the Quarry (now tip) and more or less to the fore front of the nearby property called "Greenhouses" I can't be sure but it could be that this trough could well be fed from that same "line" which would have fed the Offices and Mill.
Although when a child I do remember the trough always to contain water, in more recent times I have noticed the trough was dried out and only had leaf debris showing.
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Beautiful decorated Water Trough at Clough End (Click over to enlarge) Kindly shared to us by Krissy Rawlinson |
Duckworth Clough Brook etc
From what I can remember It starts from Cribden and I first noticed it showing from the flat field at the base of Cribden which lies to the NW side neighbouring the Laund Hey Sports Field (see photo I took in 2003 - Note the white bath spring fed well)
Duckworth Clough Brook following the same route as the bridleway (Click over to enlarge) |
Then when the "Brook" is almost at base level and at the point of some 30 yards approx before you hit the area where once stood Redferns farm (Duckworth Clough Farm) and the point were you would join the tarmac road that leads up to the tip. The brook turns to almost right angles at this point and culveted under the bridleway and for a short distance into the adjoining field, and can be seen in the field below coming back out at approx 20 yards into the field where it shows it with all the rushy area. (see the next photo)
Note the rushy area where the "Brook" comes out and then follows the line of the Clough (Click over the photo to enlarge) |
From the point of being culveted at Clough End it will remain culveted (having joined the Swinnel under Brook St), before eventually re-appearing "open" at the point where it comes out from the bottom corner of the old Haslingden Corporation Yard and close to the old railway line or By Pass (see photo below)
Swinnels first exit after leaving Brook Street is close to the By Pass |
Clough End Road (opposite the small cottages which are set back with allotments/hen pens across from them) - the ring road from Hud Rake to Worsley Park
PHOTOGRAPH ON ITS WAY
Clough End Road (turning up from the traffic lights at Worsley Park, at the junction straight in front a well was there built into the retaining wall.
PHOTOGRAPH ON ITS WAY
Near Mangholes Farm, Kings Highway, Acre
Spring well at Near Mangholes Farm, Kings Highway, Acre (Photo I took 26th January 2004) On the border of Acre and Haslingden and across from nearby Mangholes Farm |
Near Sherfin Farm, Kings Highway, Sherfin
Near Sherfin Farm, Kings Highway, Sherfin Photo: Annie Taylor (Acre) |
Maiden Street, Acre
Maiden Street, Acre Photo: Annie Taylor (Acre) |
Rossendale General Hospital
At the rear of the old hospital - this photo was kindly contributed by Chris Howarth.
Kings Highway by Laund Lane (Just at the point where the footpath starts to head down towards Kirkhill Old Toll Bar) The Spring feeds into a old enamel bath at this point with the waters are collected for animal drinking.
Kirkhill Old Toll Bar (Kirkhill - Haslingden Old Road)
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Kirkhill Toll House (Click over photo to enlarge) You can see the well within the wall next to the house on this photo. Photo: Dr. D.H. Tupling |
Pittheads - Top of Wells Street
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Pittheads at the top of Wells Street (Click over to enlarge) Photo: Joan Merrill |
Joan Merrill added: My uncle, Jim Mead, the man with the bucket in the first photo, lived in one of the cottages at Pitt Heads, before moving to Wells Street. He kept the garden at the top of Wells Street and in the late 1950's there was a burst water main in the area and as you can see a queue formed by the well. He and his friends were kept busy all day.
Back Hindle Street - Water Tanks (originally Central Haslingden)
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Note the stone supporting arms which housed water tanks |
Whilst the attached is not a water trough or well, its worthy of consideration, just where did the townsfolk get their water from.
The picture is of houses in Back Hindle Street which were built in the mid 18th century. Haslingden did not have piped water or sewers etc until a hundred years later and then only for some.
Halfway up the properties can be seen two sets of stone supporting arms, built into the construction. On these arms would sit water tanks constructed from large stone slabs bolted together and lined with lead. Rainwater from the roofs would be collected into the tanks and then used as a water supply for the homes. This water considered a safer means of supplying water as many sources ran the risk of being contaminated by poor drainage etc.
The house at the corner of Well Bank (Well House) and Blackburn Road still has its tank supports on the back wall.
Spout House (Laund Lane, Off Haslingden Old Road )
Spout House, Laund Lane, Off Haslingden Old Road (Click over photo to enlarge) |
"I now passed up by "Spout House," so called from the flush of waters bursting forth from the hill at its rear waters which course away in most circuitous channel, and, in their sweep towards the river, accomplish herculean work. Should the rambler follow them he will find they pass through the lower fields to Lonsdale's Buildings, where they are utilsed by Messrs. Ormerod's for sizing. Thence they flow onward to the foundries, and to the reservoirs of Syke Side. Next, the woollen works of Messrs. Smith are served by their volume, to be afterwards delivered at the Fall River Weaving shed. From this point they flow towards the Holme, emptying themselves through the grounds of Joshua Townsend, Esq., into the Irwell below. Few people, as they pass these grounds, and note the channel flowing through them, and the fountains play, associate them with the spout of water bursting forth from Cribden side, or dream of the mighty work which it accomplishes in its short and circuitous course. (information taken from the publication "Rambles around Rossendale".
Jinky or (Ginky) Brook
(Just below Spout House above Haslingden Old Road and continues down and across to the South towards Sizehouse (Back Lane)
HOPEFULLY TO HAVE A PHOTO SOON
Back Laneside - Opposite Size House Mill
(Nowadays Size House Village apartments)
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Well at Back Laneside - Sizehouse (Click over photo to enlarge) Photo: Robert Wade (Wadey) and uploaded here on 18th Jan 2016 |
15th January 2016 Michael Mullaney wrote: There is a deep stone trough in the wall opposite what was the Size House Mill on Back Lane. Not sure just where the water came from but there was a mill lodge just back a short way and to the side there was a small stream which we called "Jinky Brook", which broke ground just below Spout House. Its Sunday name if any I believe was Jenkinsons Brook as it supplied water to a mill known as Jenkinsons. This is now all culverted and runs under Size House Village, but used to continue down to Syke Side.
Originally, Back Lane was the main old and ancient highway from Haslingden to Edenfield, Bury and beyond with just a few cottages and farm adjacent to Size House Mill.
Well behind door at Junction of Kirk Hill Rd with Oakenhead Wood Road. |
It is at the junction of Kirk Hill Rd and Oakenhead Wood Rd and is down a flight of steps behind the door opposite the sign to the wood. I have known it be used, years ago, by the occupiers of the cottages on the left at the top of the lane before the bend. It is behind the grit box. The farm to the right is Fred Pilling's, where, according to the 1909 map, there is another well in the farm yard. I used to haymake for his dad as a kid .
John R Edwards
PS On the barn across the road was a bench mark - 951 ft.
St. Peters Avenue
My grandfather, Ernest Ashworth, was a partner in Ashworth and Hobson, builders in Rawtenstall. His workmen were building a pair of houses No's 29/31 on St. Peter's Avenue, Haslingden. On digging for the foundations the ground was found to be somewhat suspect and on digging deeper an underground stream was discovered, and after this was diverted the farmer reported that the water supply to the well which was situated in the middle of the field at the junction of St. Peter's Avenue and Helmshore Road had been cut off.
It is reported that a belt of "quicksand" runs from under 16/18 Colldale Terrace to across the road at properties 29/31 on St. Peter's Avenue. How far this belt of "quicksand" extends I do not know, but my father used to report that when the road joining the top half to the bottom section of Jubilee Road was being laid the cobble stones used to sink into the ground.
Michael Mullaney wrote on 30th January 2016:
There was a well fed from a spring in the centre of the field on the corner of St. Peters Avenue and Helmshore Road, now its a sports field. The field was always wet and was used only for cattle grazing and hay making. When they came to turn it into a sports field it was very difficult to drain and several attempts were made before it dried sufficiently to be played on.
There is a band of sand which runs from Long Shoot across Poplar Street (under houses with dropped door and window lintels. Down Princess Street and across Sand Pits where it breaks surface, into Colldale Terrace and St. Peters Avenue and on towards Helmshore Road,. The houses in St. Peters Place are built on concrete pontoons to stop them sinking into the sandy earth.
Opposite Station Hotel, Helmshore Road
Rear of Higher and Hud Hey Road and "Tapstone House"
Tapstone House, Hud Hey Road on the junction with Martin Croft Road (Click over to enlarge) |
Martin Croft Road
In the field which belongs to Martin Croft farm and accessed from Martin Croft Road and just before the property I always knew as "Sunnyfield". The well is shown in the photo with a white circle (see the photo above "Rear of Higher Hud Hey and Tapstone".
Coldwells (Approached from Bridge Street (1960) or alternatively from Higher Hud Hey Road)
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Coldwells natural spring well Photo: Jean Tomlinson |
The Photo was taken around 1960. We used to walk across Sunnyfield and up to Coldwells to collect spring water in a bottle, then we walked past a large hole which I was told was were they burned cattle which had been killed as they had foot and mouth disease.
Well House (Corner of Blackburn Road and Victoria St)
Well House, Blackburn Road on the corner with Victoria Street Once home to James Turner the dentist and later the home of Mr and Mrs. Smith both teachers from Haslingden Modern School. |
Hutch Bank areas:
Underbank
Underbank Well - below Hutch Bank (Click over photo to enlarge) |
Windy Harbour Farm (Near Hutch Bank, accessed from Grane Road (Quarry Road)
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Trough near to Windy Harbour Farm (Nr. Hutch Bank Quarry - (Click over photo to enlarge) Photo: thanks to Brian Smith/Jackie Ramsbottom |
Three Lane Ends (Opposite Holden Arms/Cemetary, Grane Road.
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Stone trough at Three Lane Ends (Click over photo to enlarge) (Photo: Brian Smith/Jackie Ramsbottom) |
Holden Vale (Holcombe Road, Near to Holden Vale Conference Centre (now closed)
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Spring that floods Holcombe Road, Near to old Holden Vale Conference Centre now closed. Comes from the direction of Holden Wood Reservoir. (Click over to enlarge. (Photo: Robert Wade - Wadey) |
Holden Vale (Holcombe Rd - Old Bleach Works Offices - Bosses Car Park)
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Holden Vale by the old Offices (Photo: Peter Shuttleworth) |
Some old Grane Settlements who all had/have their own wells:
Heap Clough
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Trough at Jacky Barn, Heap Clough, Grane (Click over to enlarge) Photo: Kindly contributed by Robert Wade |
Calf Hey House (No 1)
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Below Calf Hey Photo: kindly contributed by Wadey (Robert Wade)
Calf Hey (2)
Just after leaving the Calf Hey Car Park (Click over to enlarge)
Photo: kindly contributed by Wadey (Robert Wade)
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Calf Hey (3)
Just at the side of the lane directly at the back of Calf Hey House (click over to enlarge) |
Hartley House
Lower Ormerods
Long House near Lr Ormerods
A lovely little spring and well at "Long House" Grane (Click over photo to enlarge) |
Alden
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A Spring and trough in the Alden Valley (Click over to enlarge) Photo: kindly contributed by Liz Dawson. |
Robin Hoods Well (Alden)
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Robin Hoods Well - Alden (Click over to enlarge) Photo: Robert Wade (Wadey) |
On 22nd January 2016 Dave Wise wrote:
One well in Helmshore is Robin Hood's well up Alden past the entrance to Dowry Head. When we had the water shortage in 1959 all water had to be boiled. Robin Hoods well was still giving running water as clear as a bell. My father and me used to go up there with bottles to make up the milk for my sister who was born in the June. Then the well was quite a big structure with stone sides and a roof but this was altered probably for safety reasons and the sides were removed and the stone roof now sits on the well, I am looking through old photos to see if there are any of the well. Further on from there on the path to Holcombe is the cairn in memory of Ellen Strange who was murdered there whilst walking home.
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Trough on Greens Lane, Ewood Bridge (Click over to enlarge) Photo: Brian Smith |
Also information coming in for Hartley House, Grane, also well further over than Lower Ormerods, Calf Hey House well Laund Hey.
Thanks to: Annie Taylor (Acre) (for coming up with the suggestion of doing this particular blog) and for photos and information on Well near Sherfin, Well at Mangholes, and Victorian Well near Maiden Street (Acre), Sandra Smith for alerting me to the well at the old Helmshore Railway Station. Kristy Burbidge for the photo of the Clough End trough. Robert Wade (Wadey) for his photo of the trough opposite the Station Hotel, Helmshore and also for his photo of the well at Back Laneside, also Holden Vale spring and Robin Hoods Well and Calf Hey House No.1 photo, also Jacky Barn Heap Clough. Michael Mullaney for kindly offering the information on Back Lane, trough near to Size House Village and also for information on water tanks on Back Hindle Street. John McGuire in Australia for information regards to Spring Lane Well. Joyce Thorne for information on Spring Lane Well and also for information on Springside. Eileen Webster for alterting me to Robin Hoods Well. Marie Ives for offering the Well at the side of the old Kirkhill Tollhouse. Joan Merrill for the two photos and information about the Pittheads (top of Wells Street). Clifford Hargreaves for information on St. Peters Avenue Well. Ralph Clark for offering the spring on Kings Highway with footpath to Kirkhill. Jean Tomlinson for photo and information on Coldwells well. Andy Skipper Tullock for Waterfoot (Haslingden) Jackie Ramsbottom for information on "Spout House". Barbara Hendry for Waterside Road, Jennifer Rawlinson for Well Bank, Christine Haworth for Brook Street and photo behind Rossendale General Hospital. Brian Smith/Jackie Ramsbottom for photo of Three Lane Ends trough, Windy Harbour trough and Greens Lane Trough. David Cardwell for information on the High Street Hud Rake well. Margaret Griffiths for identifying Green Lanes Trough, Peter Shuttleworth for the photo of Holden Vale Well. John R. Edwards for photo and info on Well at junction of Kirkhill Road with Oakenhead Road. Chris Aspin for kindly informing me about Longshaw Brook and also Springhill Church, Helmshore. More on their way soon...
Outside of Haslingden Library (Fountain not working) |