Whitworth, Cowm Reservoir 1951
Photo ref: W413013
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Photo ref: W413013
Photo of Whitworth, Cowm Reservoir 1951

More about this scene

Rochdale Corporation started planning this reservoir in 1866. The existing water supply failed in 1868, when old pumps and barrels were used. Unexpected fissures in the reservoir bed meant that the lake was not satisfactorily filled until 1886. 4,000 trout were placed in Cowm and Spring Mill reservoirs in 1887. Tyre burning polluted the reservoir in 1975 and it has not been used for drinking water since.

A Selection of Memories from Whitworth

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Whitworth

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If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I was christenedin St John's Church. My parents were marries there, as were my two uncles. I was born at 8 Meadow Cottages and my life-long friend Mavis Ellis (nee Lock) was born next door but one to me. I lived with my grandma and grandad, Hannah and Walter Ufton. At some time in the 1920s my great-grandmother lived at Meadow Cottages also. Most of my uncles and aunties attended St John's School as I did for a ...see more
I learned to bell ring with Brian Heginbottom in the 50s. After many years of the bells not ringing we were able to repair the the bell room and the bells and rang for the millennium, they are now rang every Sunday, they have a practice night every Tuesday, anyone interested should contact Myles Hargreaves at the church.