Where is Adel Dam?

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 9:46 am

Google "history adel dam" for chapter and verse.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 12:49 pm

I was rather hoping there had been a pub called Adel Dam. This photo (which I took on April 4 2013) shows a breeched retaining wall close to the hide overlooking the dammed large lake in Adel Dam Nature Reserve. I don't know for sure but I think the wall here may not be the main wall of the dam which may be well hidden now and not readily seen nor reachable.

anon The mouse · Post by **anon The mouse** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 8:06 pm

Is Adel Dam in the middle of the nature reserve then? Also I think Adel is an old place... well historic , (Ive seen pics of the church) I assume it was once a village if it is not now. If it was once a village then what was its pub called? My uncle (aproaching 100 yrs of age )once told me that everywhere once -had a church, -and a pub and - possibly a PO. and these were the things that people used to navigate. Post offices had the name of the place on the board outside, church spires could be seen from a distance and pubs, well great place to rest weary legs, to get to know strangers, (ha) and learn local lore etc. if asking directions of someone to a place . //They might tell you go past... St Marys, turn left past The old George, past PO. It's on right etc.I think we possibly still do this but its more complex now, curry house and takeaway and more ethnic elements creeping in. But in those days there were fewer immigrants, life was simpler in that there were fewer distractions and things were generally English, like the pub, the church and the Po. (I really hope I can say this without offending anyone or starting a race issue. I'm only saying that pubs were part of a navigation system along with churches and later P.O.s that everyone once used.)Anon the mouse.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 8:30 pm

The Lawnswood Arms (opposite which the main rd north used to go)The Eyrie (now shut)The Stables - long walk to WeetwoodMore of a Hamlet cut thru by 'new' Otley rd. Some history + images herehttp://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messages.aspx ... D=3595John Hearfield's map is good. http://www.johnhearfield.com/History/Adel.htm

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 9:01 pm

Thanks Jogon for the John Hearfield's map as it helped me clear up some doubt I had in my mind about where the old turnpike road ran. I have wondered why the present day High Weardley Lane that comes off Eccup Lane before Weardley is such a wide lane. I now know that it used to be part of the turnpike road.Also the map shows a 'road/track' leading off above the 'e' in the small font 'Eccup' which seems to follow the route of a track that I walk on occasionally and which in some parts at least looks as if it was once wider than it is now.Cheers

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 10:44 pm

Leodian wrote: I was rather hoping there had been a pub called Adel Dam. This photo (which I took on April 4 2013) shows a breeched retaining wall close to the hide overlooking the dammed large lake in Adel Dam Nature Reserve. I don't know for sure but I think the wall here may not be the main wall of the dam which may be well hidden now and not readily seen nor reachable. That's Adel dam and the lower stonework (which is stepped) is an overflow with the breach being the sluice area they'd open to release more water when the level dipped below the overflow.I'm happy that's the main retaining wall, as it has the "business end".Coming cross an 18th. Century waterpower system was quite a surprise sunday!!

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 10:49 pm

Jogon wrote: Parksider Possibly due to being a twitcher since 60's I've always known it as Adel Dam Nature Reserve & 'Golden Acre Park Lake'Initially with stockades, Membership & key access, now open space public access.Suspect many visitors only ever see Golden Acre at Adel & it's Dam so assume same. Reserve a bit hidden.Nature Reserve (Adel Dam) Mid 1700'sGolden Acre (New Adel Dam) 1825Current Otley Rd 1842 The maps don't help either, there is one OS survey marking Golden Acre park lake as "Black Hill Dam" and the lower dam as "Adel Dam" later maps don't show adel dam and one names black hill dam as adel dam......So again quite a surprise. Map wise I wonder if adel dam ended up drained many years ago, and remained so until the nature reserve maybe wanted to refill it. I'll have to read the kind references given us now!!

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 10:53 pm

anon The mouse wrote: I think Adel is an old place... well historic , (Ive seen pics of the church) I assume it was once a village if it is not now. If it was once a village then what was its pub called? My uncle (aproaching 100 yrs of age )once told me that everywhere once -had a church, -and a pub and - possibly a PO. and these were the things that people used to navigate. As a village Adel was very spread out. The church is the famous Norman Adel Church.Not sure about a pub, the oldest beer house I know is the halfway house over on otley old road by Cookridge hall which was a farm cum pub.The site is still rough ground and the gateway remains.Some great histories of Adel and they only mention the Halfway House so no pub I know of in Adel although going t'other way we had the New Inn at Eccup......

anon The mouse · Post by **anon The mouse** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 11:10 pm

Hi Thanks for the links jogon,I did try to follow but its difficult when one doesnt have the local knowledge. I am interested in Adel as it does seem to be a place with a lot of history. I read via the link jogon, mention of a quarry. Now I am wondering ...A stone mason ancestor in the late 1700 early 1800s lived at Woodhouse. Would this be anywhere close. Where did all the stone that was used to build leeds come from? I remember the Adel Dam nature reserve from childhood when it was a lock and key rspb sanctuary. It was a very very beautiful place... I remember that much. I hope it is still as protected and as thriving as when it was a lock and keyreserve. I'll make a note of the history books mentioned. Thanks Anon the mouse.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 15 Apr, 2013 11:32 pm

anon The mouse wrote: Hi Where did all the stone that was used to build leeds come from? Now that's one question that interests me very much being a big Beatles fan. The stone used in Leeds buildings came from Liverpool, which of course was world renowned for it's quarries, and made famous by these little urchins before they became famousHope that helps