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December 06, 2008
Of rain and reservoirs
Water, and in particular the soft water from the Pennine Hills, played an important part in the development of the Yorkshire woollen industry. By the time the Industrial Revolution had kicked in and big mills were being constructed in the valleys, there was a growing demand for a constant supply of water.
In 1836 work began on three reservoirs in the Holme Valley - Boshaw Whams, Holmestyes and Bilberry - with a view to regulating the flow of water in the River Holme.
The overflow of Bilberry reservoir
me photographing the overflow of Bilberry Reservoir, photo: Richard Coombes
Bilberry holds an important place in the history of the Holme Valley.
It was just before one o’clock on the morning of Wednesday 5th February 1852 that, after several days of heavy rain, the water level in Bilberry Reservoir rose to a dangerous level and began washing over the embankment. The dam was only clay and earth and as soon as the water flowed over the top it started to wash away the banking. Several large cracks appeared and the dam was breached.
Eighty-six million gallons of water, weighing over three hundred thousand tons, hit the Holme Valley and it’s inhabitants, and, as was reported in the London Illustrated News, “…hurried them without a moment’s warning into eternity.”
”view of the Bilberry Reservoir, looking down the Valley, shewing [sic] the remains of the Embankment”
The overflow chimney seems to be still standing, on the right of the breached embankment. The overflow was not working on the night of the 5th – the valve beyond the dam was jammed shut, and had been for many months.
A flood hit Holmfirth again in 1944. No reservoirs burst this time, just particularly persistent heavy rain.
Hollowgate, Holmfirth, May 29 1944, photo Harry Bray
looking towards Victoria Street, Holmfirth, May 29 1944, photo Harry Bray
It was Harry’s son, Trevor, who sold us the film we were using to take the pictures above. Trevor Bray fuelled my first photographic endeavours, supplying 120 roll film for the Voigtlander camera, chemicals for developing and paper for printing, his patient advice always given with a smile. His daughter Helen is the third generation of Holmfirth photographers.
more about the 1852 flood here.
Posted by john at December 6, 2008 01:35 AM