Crime Lake

Today's Sky Watch image is looking across Crime Lake, between Ashton and Oldham.

The weather has been rather hot lately, so the sky is rather hazy even though it was sunny. The hazy sky is reflected hazily on the surface of the lake.

In the distance can be seen the former cotton mills in Hathershaw. Apart from these distant glimpses of industry, you could imagine yourself to be miles from a town here.

Crime Lake was formed when the Hollinwood Canal was built on an embankment over a small valley, which was then allowed to fill up after a culvert collapsed. In Victorian and Edwardian times the lake was a popular destination for Sunday afternoons out.

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See Bird's Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It links with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

Just Fishing

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"Just Fishing" is a picture of a couple of gentlemen enjoying the lovely summer weather with a spot of angling in the fishing lake at Chadwick's Dams.

Popularly known as "Chaddy Dams" (also seen here) the fishing and boating lakes, now part of Stamford Park, were originally constructed to supply Park Hall Mill, which was on Mellor Road.

What could be nicer on a warm, sunny day, than sitting beside the lake and fishing? Well, a lot of things as far as I'm concerned, as I have never seen the appeal of it myself! I get bored sitting around doing nothing! However, it is certainly a popular occupation for many people and this is one of the most pleasant locations near Ashton to come and do it!

"Just Fishing" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Chaddy Dams

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One of the most popular short strolls on the outskirts of Ashton is the picturesque walk around Chadwick's Dams, between Ashton and Stalybridge. Commonly known as "Chaddy Dams", these two reservoirs in the shallow valley of the Cock Brook were built to supply Chadwick's factory at Park Hall Mill.

The land containing these two reservoirs passed into the ownership of Ashton and Stalybridge Corporations in 1891. The lower reservoir became Stamford Park boating lake while the higher one (the one in today's photograph) was stocked as a fishing lake.

119 years later, the land remains in local council ownership. The boating lake still exists although it has suffered a drop in its popularity. The upper reservoir remains pretty much the same other than the valley sides have become wooded.

Beyond the trees can be seen the buildings of the appropriately called Lakes Hospital, now part of Tameside Hospital.

A photo of "Chaddy Dams" appeared on this blog two years ago.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Duck Pond

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Another visit this week to Stamford Park, on the border of Ashton and Stalybridge, where today's photo shows the duck pond.

Just three mallards to be seen in this picture, I'm afraid. There are more around, as well as a number of geese, but they were being camera shy on this occasion.

"Duck Pond" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


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Sky Watch: Crime Lake

You wouldn't think that this scene is just a few miles from the centres of Ashton and Oldham - it is such an oasis of rural tranquility, with plenty of sky to add perfection to the photo!

Crime Lake is an unusual feature in Britain of being a lake that is part of a canal. The canal came into the lake bottom right and then curved round to the right, behind the tall trees. The towing path follows the edge of the water. The lake extends to the left and was formed when a small valley became flooded when a culvert under the canal embankment collapsed. Rather than re-build the culvert, the canal company bought the land in the valley and allowed it to flood.

In Victorian and Edwardian days Crime Lake was a popular destination for Sunday outings, with rowing boats and a steam launch offering visitors to chance to get afloat. Nowadays the lake is part of Daisy Nook Country Park and is popular with walkers and anglers.

The canal is now disused but the Hollinwood Canal Society have been carrying out work to preserve what is left and have ambitious plans to re-open the canal eventually.

See Google Aerial View of this location.
See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch is the regular Friday feature on this photo blog. It will link with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

Sunday Stroll: Knott Hill Reservoir

Another popular short walk near Ashton is to Knott Hill Reservoir, in the valley between Hartshead and Hazelhurst.

The reservoir was built shortly after 1835 to replace the earlier and smaller Tongue Bottom (Tombottom) reservoir a short distance higher up the valley, behind the present Hartshead Inn.

Knott Hill Reservoir is no longer used and its water level was dropped to the present level when the dam embankment showed signs of instability. The photo was taken from the path that ran around the original waterline of the reservoir, which can also be seen on the opposite side and gives a good idea of how deep the reservoir was when it was in use.

Today it is managed by Tameside Countryside Service as a nature reserve and the path around the outside is a popular walking route. Hartshead Pike is seen on the hill in the background, enticing the more energetic walker!

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Saying Boo

Who wouldn't say "boo" to a goose? This particular gaggle looks as if they wouldn't be very bothered if you did! They are clearly on a mission, walking determinedly past me!

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago at Crime Lake at the edge of Daisy Nook Country Park. Crime Lake last appeared on here in February.

See Google Aerial View of this location.
See LiveSearch Birds Eye View of this location.

Stamford Belle

The "Stamford Belle" moored up in the middle of Stamford Park Boating Lake, Darnton Road. The "Stamford Belle" is a trip boat that takes customers around the island on the lake. Sadly, it was not operating on the day the photo was taken.

Alphabet Friday - Goslings

"G" is for "Goslings" and there were plenty of those at Chadwick Dams, behind Tameside Hospital, in June. No wonder they are pushing out ducks and white geese!

Chaddy Dams again

A different shot of Chadwick Dams, as seen last Wednesday. The chimney visible behind the trees is at Tameside Hospital. The path leads to the junction of Mossley Road and Rosehill Road.

Goose Lake

Not "Swan Lake" but more like "Goose Lake" as the only things to be seen moving on the Stamford Park Boating Lake are dozens of Canada Geese.
The boathouse is open for business, but there are no takers, even on a bright and sunny day.

Chaddy Dams

Tucked away behind Tameside Hospital, between Mossley Road and Ridge Hill, is the lake known as Chadwick Dams. The lake, fed by the Cock Brook, lies on the boundary between Ashton and Stalybridge. The scene shows yesterday's warm June sunshine.