Before setting off from the marina today, we took a look at Fairfield Moravian Settlement, about 10 minutes walk away. This was founded at the end of the 18C by a group of Moravians as a self contained community. Moravians are a small Protestant Christian group with origins in Czech Republic. The houses and Church were built around a square and even today, almost all of them remain in church ownership and are rented out. We met one lady who has lived here since 1983.
A statue at the entrance is a reminder of the commitment of Moravians to education, especially that for girls.
The red pillar box dates from the Victorian period with a VR monogram.
The development houses of varying sizes and have been kept in good condition even though there is still an historical feel, despite the inevitable parking of vehicles!
This larger house was once lived in by a local moll owner who became a keen advocate for factory reform in the first half of the 19C, latterly becoming the MP for the area.
Another view of some houses,
The church is placed where it has little pomp, serving the spiritual needs of the community. Unfortunately it was not open so we could not see its internal style.
Right at the end of the 18C the Settlement founded a girls school which gradually developed and served a particular need at a time when many thought that girls need not be educated! At the start of the 20C it became a grammar school under the control of the local authority. In more recent times it has become a comprehensive high school with academy status. More about the school can be found here.
And so we left, passing between the imposing stone gate posts.
Back at the boat we eventually cast off with a slight frizzle dampening the day. (Actually, it did not last to lunch time even though it remained quite chilly). We planned to stop at the junction to empty the elsan and top up with water. Unfortunately there was already another boat beginning to fill up and expected to be a while so we just did the first task.
Just after the junction we passed Fielding's Wharf, a strange reminder of the past as developers have done their best to surround it and make it invisible to the rest of the world! In the past it was the departure point for day trips.
Much of this area is a reminder of its mill town past and the subsequent economic hardships as that industry declined. Some things must be on the up as these five new houses are on the market for around £600K each!
The canal is followed by a railway line for about a mile - there is no indication we can see on old OS maps about the purpose of this towpath bridge as they all show no arm here! perhaps it pre-dates the railway and was buried under it.
And so we reached Dukinfield Junction with a convenient mooring place just in time for lunch. The Portland Basin Museum opposite seemed to be busy with families.
Setting off once more we turned right under the bridge to start on the Peak Forest Canal.
Immediately we passed over the River Tame (giving its name to the local authority Tameside).
Our only 'obstacle' today was a lift bridge not fare after the start of the canal. It took 63 (hard) turns to lift the deck to a point at which Christine gave up waiting, having judge that there was now room for the boat to get under. Mike was grateful because there was still quite a bit more to go before it was fully open. It closed rather quicker, much to the relief of a waiting car driver who arrived after the bridge was about a quarter open.
The canal now runs along a valley, clinging to the hillside with a steep drop down to the immediately adjacent buildings. However, trees and shrubs have now grow to the extent that we rarely could see what lay beyond the towpath.
For a short distance the towpath swapped sides with two 'snake' bridges enabling horses to cross more easily. For some reason they are better known on the Macclesfield but the design seems to be the same.
After a short stop to check the prop - we found nothing there so assumed that a patch of slow progress was due to the lack of depth - we decided that the next recommended moorings were some distance ahead so we pulled in just after Bridge 9 where there is a good piece of Armco for mooring. Despite being under the flight path from Manchester Airport we were not unduly disturbed,. The busiest period seemed to be over.
6.2 Miles - 0 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment