The Building of the Leeds Infrastructure

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 19 Feb, 2012 8:04 pm

It's a regret of mine that never saw West End before the dam was built. As I did not have a car at the time I was not readily able to get to the area. I may not though have even known that a dam was being built. The tantalising rare glimpses of the West End remains when Thruscross Reservoir is in drought conditions are interesting, but it would have been nice (and subsequently a bit sad) to have seen West End before it was flooded.

Post by **chameleon** » Sun 19 Feb, 2012 8:40 pm

Leodian wrote: It's a regret of mine that never saw West End before the dam was built. As I did not have a car at the time I was not readily able to get to the area. I may not though have even known that a dam was being built. The tantalising rare glimpses of the West End remains when Thruscross Reservoir is in drought conditions are interesting, but it would have been nice (and subsequently a bit sad) to have seen West End before it was flooded. I do have some vhs from during the last drought. If I uncover it from its hiding place, I'll get it transferred and onto my flickr account. (don't hold your breath - it will be a while)

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Sun 19 Feb, 2012 8:55 pm

Leodian wrote: It's a regret of mine that never saw West End before the dam was built. As I did not have a car at the time I was not readily able to get to the area. I may not though have even known that a dam was being built. The tantalising rare glimpses of the West End remains when Thruscross Reservoir is in drought conditions are interesting, but it would have been nice (and subsequently a bit sad) to have seen West End before it was flooded. Leo2 Books and one website photo collection have most:-1. Washburn Valley Yesterday by David Alred vol 1 http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1858 ... 0_details2. As above Vol 2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1858 ... tailsbooks are out of print so keep their circa £15 price.and finally, available right now - the North Yorks Web Site:-http://www2.northyorks.gov.uk/unnetie/go to 'click here' search imagesput 'west end' or 'thruscross' in the boxand there are lots of the old place.Also worth a look are Aked's and Harry's Dam both on geograph.org.uk (aked's is breached, harry's worth a visit).

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 19 Feb, 2012 9:35 pm

Cheers Jogon for the http://www2.northyorks.gov.uk/unnetie/ link. I have the 2 Washburn Valley books that you also mention. PS. It never ceases to amaze me that the relatively small River Washburn can support the major reservoirs:- Thruscross, Fewston, Swinsty and Lindley Wood. It just shows what a good job a dam can do.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sun 19 Feb, 2012 11:35 pm

Leodian wrote: Cheers Jogon for the http://www2.northyorks.gov.uk/unnetie/ link. I have the 2 Washburn Valley books that you also mention. PS. It never ceases to amaze me that the relatively small River Washburn can support the major reservoirs:- Thruscross, Fewston, Swinsty and Lindley Wood. It just shows what a good job a dam can do. A dam good job, perhaps?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 20 Feb, 2012 1:16 am

raveydavey wrote: Leodian wrote: Cheers Jogon for the http://www2.northyorks.gov.uk/unnetie/ link. I have the 2 Washburn Valley books that you also mention. PS. It never ceases to amaze me that the relatively small River Washburn can support the major reservoirs:- Thruscross, Fewston, Swinsty and Lindley Wood. It just shows what a good job a dam can do. A dam good job, perhaps? That made me .

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 21 Feb, 2012 1:41 pm

Clever location and design too.http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2704777This shot from the works site looks up the left western inflow valley (clickable map below pic). That brings in Capelshaw Beck and much of the outflow from Rocking Moor.That I think is where most of the Mills + Dams were/are.The eastern/right hand inflow valley brings in the river washburn which 'heads' near stump cross caverns. Some other shots traced it up http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=28950080West End used to have a bridge or point known as the meeting of the waters where they did.Researching the Dam and area threw up another Leeds link:- one of the shooting huts and/or grouse moors. Assumed everything up there was Duke of Devonshire.But I was intrigued to note it had, or did belonged to a "Mr Nicholson of Roundhay"

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Tue 21 Feb, 2012 2:35 pm

I'm probably a bit late for this discussion now, but I've just remembered that I have a book somewhere called "West End: A Sunken Village" by Alastair Laurence. If there's anything I can look up for you or add to the info which is already here, please shout!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 21 Feb, 2012 10:57 pm

In case anyone did not know, if the proposed changes to the boundaries for wards in a General Election go ahead then the Thruscross area and even including Greenhow will be part of an oddly shaped 'Leeds North West & Nidderdale' ward. That will include such as Alwoodley and parts of Roundhay. Stump Cross Caverns will be in that ward!

bigpants · Post by **bigpants** » Wed 22 Feb, 2012 9:19 pm

We visited the washburn valley reservoirs as a school trip in the early 80's. My memory isnt great but i do remember that the concrete channel at the outflow of the dam is called "the stilling pool." I found this a strange and somehow chilling name. Would make a good film title methinks