A bench mark (? from at least 1851) at Golden Acre Park

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 09 Apr, 2013 2:23 pm

This photo (taken April 8 2013) shows a bench mark (BM) that I spotted (just!) on a wall at Golden Acre Park (GAP). On looking at the Old-Maps UK website I found that there is a BM marked at the spot on an 1851 map, so this BM is old (assuming it is the original which it might be). The wall is near to the Adel Dam nature reserve access/egress point on the Bartles Lane track (that runs from the A660 to Arthington Road). I shall post next an 1893 map that shows the location of the BM (the 1851 map is too small scale to readily show the BM).

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 09 Apr, 2013 2:35 pm

This is the map that I took from the 1893 1:2500 map in the Old-Maps UK website. The bench mark (BM) is about in the centre and has 409.2 next to it, which I think means it is just over 409 feet above the reference level (probably sea level, but I'm unsure). The BM with 414.5 near the weir is still there just inside Golden Acre Park.Both BMs are also noted on an 1851 map in the Old-Maps UK website but at 1:10,560 that map would be too small a scale to reproduce well enough.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 09 Apr, 2013 2:35 pm

Hi LeoI was up there about 0830 today.These benchmarks are fascinating - that Liits chap seems to collage them. sounded familiar but I think it's a different onehttp://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messages.aspx?ThreadID=3806

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 09 Apr, 2013 2:39 pm

This photo (taken April 8 2013) shows the wall with the old bench mark. The wall is falling down in parts and doesn't look like it will stand up much longer without repair.PS. Hi Jogon. 8:30 is too early for me as I like lying in bed too much!

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Tue 09 Apr, 2013 3:16 pm

Time to put your Anorak on...http://www.oncloudseven.com/fayers/fbmlist.htm

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 16 Apr, 2013 6:48 pm

LeoI had a mooch up there s'afternoon. Blowing enough to bring branches down but warm & bright.This wall & this bench mark - are they the odd wall 'on it's own' at the Parkway corner of the park?http://binged.it/ZxWfOuIf so that is the wall which was put up to attempt to close off Damstone Lane. New Otley Rd 1840 so it's a recent one unless, as someone said, use of old stones.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 16 Apr, 2013 7:47 pm

Hiya JogonYes it will be there, as it is the short stretch of wall just approaching the Parkway grounds coming along Bartles Lane from Arthington Road end just as you get beyond the Golden Acre Park (GAP) lake. It is also I think where the track from Adel Willows (?) that you once mentioned reaches GAP there.I was on Otley Chevin in early p.m. today and it was rather windy on the exposed top ridge! I was surprised that in general the ground was drier than I expected. Nice views, when I could stand up!

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Tue 16 Apr, 2013 8:09 pm

Leodian wrote: Hiya JogonYes it will be there, as it is the short stretch of wall just approaching the Parkway grounds coming along Bartles Lane from Arthington Road end just as you get beyond the Golden Acre Park (GAP) lake. It is also I think where the track from Adel Willows (?) that you once mentioned reaches GAP there.I was on Otley Chevin in early p.m. today and it was rather windy on the exposed top ridge! I was surprised that in general the ground was drier than I expected. Nice views, when I could stand up! You were braver than me Leodian! We had planned a walk on Otley Chevin today but changed our minds due to the forecast. Instead we walked from Ilkley to Addingham on the Dales Way. It was windy enough at ground level - glad you survived your walk!

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 16 Apr, 2013 8:54 pm

Hi TasaI never done that walk but (when the weather is better!) I may at some stage try the walk from Ilkley to Beamsley Beacon (likely continuing to Bolton Abbey area to get the Dalesbus service 74 back to Ilkley) which does not seem too hard on the map, though I doubt my respiratory system and legs will stand it! I don't know how long it stays up but I was surprised that the Easter Cross is still up at the top of the Chevin. Edit added at about 20:35. I've just got round to reading today's YEP and on page 4 it reports that a second attempt is to be made to take down the cross after too few people came the first time as it is usually taken down two weeks after Easter Sunday.

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Tue 16 Apr, 2013 10:05 pm

Yes, we noticed (from the safety of ground level in Otley!) that the Easter Cross was still up and thought perhaps it was being kept there until Ascension Day, although I couldn't remember this happening in the past. You've cleared up a mystery for us - thank you I hope the lack of volunteers doesn't mean that the appearance of the Cross will be in doubt in future years - it's something which I've always looked out for as a landmark at that time of year.