Water Pipeline and Photo Puzzles

Boothstown has lots of odd objects hidden away - many are relics from the workings of the canal and coal railways. A number of photos were posted on this web site in 2001, and readers were invited to offer explanations for the objects shown. Some interesting information was supplied, notably on the features associated with the water pipeline from Thirlmere to Manchester.

The first photo (right) shows a cast iron 'box' with a padlocked 'lid'. There are some letters on the top, well worn, but which look like 'MCWW'.

The second photo (right) shows some sort of hatch. This is located close to the cast iron 'box'.

A number of people contacted this web site to explain that the two photos above show features associated with the water pipeline from Thirlmere to Manchester. The pipleline runs beneath these features. The letters 'MCWW' refer to Manchester Corporation Water Works. Two related features may be seen close by. Firstly there is a pair of gates either side of the main road, which appear to lead to nowhere (photo below, left). Then there is the valve house (photo below, right), close to the canal (there are other large stone valve houses nearby).

The photo (right) shows some sort of winding mechanism. This object is on the south side of the Bridgewater canal, just below the towpath, between Boothstown and Astley. It is thought that this was once used to operate a wooden 'dam' to control levels of water in the canal. There is a similar mechanism at Worsley.