DOCSLIB.ORG

The Foss Navigation at Strensall (From the River Foss Society)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Foss Navigation at Strensall (From the River Foss Society) The Foss Navigation at Strensall (from the River Foss Society) Discussions to build the Foss Navigation from York to Stillington began in 1791, and in 1793 work commenced in constructing the canal in York. By 1805-06 the canal was built and opened as far as Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Lime, coal and building materials were the main cargoes carried upstream, whilst timber and farm produce were the main cargo carried downstream. Tanneries were also served by the canal. During its brief life the Navigation suffered from lack of water, this was due to the main source of water, Pond Head reservoir, being situated too far away between the villages of Oulston and Yearsley in the Howardian Hills, a distance of some twelve miles. The coming of the York to Scarborough railway in 1845 spelt the end of the canal as a commercial concern, income from cargo carried was down and in 1852 The Foss Navigation was sold to the York Corporation and an Act was obtained to abandon the Navigation and it fell into disrepair, apart from a short distance in the centre of York. The industrial archaeology of the Foss Navigation Canal can be clearly seen in Strensall village approximately six miles upstream from the City of York. The river Foss having canalised up to this point for the carriage of cargoes. Evidence of the canal include: The iconic canal bridge, a dry dock for the transfer of cargo, two locks, one low level, and one double high rise lock, together with the site of the lock keepers house. Strensall New Bridge, known locally as Old Humpy dates from 1796 and is surprisingly one of the oldest bridges in York, it’s in regular use today, albeit with a traffic weight limit of nine tonnes. The bridge in situated next to the low rise lock, but all that remains of the lock are its walls, the lock gates having been removed. The lock walls are in reasonable order but crumbling in places, the River Foss Society has been involved in having some offending trees removed whose roots are damaging the lock walls. Strensall New Bridge: “Old Humpy” The lock wall had been damaged by trees growing out of it for years The trees growing out of the canal wall next to “Old Humpy” at Strensall have been cut down. To prevent further growth of the tree roots the exposed trunks have been drilled and treated with glyphosate plugs. This has been achieved by drilling 13mm holes in the trunk and inserting plugs 6 to 7cm apart. Some 400 plugs were fitted and 57 trunks were treated in this way. This method, clearly labour intensive, is certainly neater and more environmentally friendly than spraying them with glyphosate, which could find its way into the river and damage wildlife. This work will help to prevent the collapse of the lock wall and preserve the heritage of the canal era. The work was carried out by a local tree surgeon and the cost, approximately £450, funded equally by Strensall Parish Council and the Robert Wilkinson Trust who are the owners of the property (see images and further sources below). 1 In the centre of the village, close to the Sheriff Hutton road bridge which was built by John Carr in 1798, is the remains of a dock, known locally as the “drydock” it was thought to be used for the transfer of canal cargoes. The dock still has part of its gate winding gear in place. Remains of the “dry dock” winding gear Strensall lock keepers house (c.1967) Situated approximately one mile upstream was the double high rise lock, this was installed at right angle to the river and was built to take a newly dug section of the canal over the high ground, north to Sheriff Hutton bridge, a distance of some 1.6 miles where the canal terminated. It was intended to install the canal as far as Stillington but the canal builder ran out of funds, so Sheriff Hutton became the canal terminus. Situated at Sheriff Hutton bridge was small hotel and reservoir, last used in 1852, but nothing remains there now the area together with the new canal having been back filled and returned to agriculture, but the route of the canal can still be seen by the rows of trees lining the route. Double rise lock (c.1967) Site of double rise lock as it is today Returning to the double high rise lock, it was back filled in the late sixties but the top of the original lock wall can still be seen in the garden as it slopes down towards the river Foss. The lock keepers house stood beside the double lock, the area has now been transformed into an attractive country property overlooking the river. 2 Some of the 400 plugs put in cut trunks For further information on the Foss Navigation and Strensall, see the Spring 2020 and Winter 2019/2020 River Foss Society Newsletters: https://www.riverfosssociety.co.uk/newsletters/ For a brief history of the River Foss see: https://www.riverfosssociety.co.uk/foss-history/ John Millett. (River Foss Society, April 2020) 3 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The River Foss Walk
    Community Action for Nature Exploring York and all The path through New Earswick EXPLORING passes through a nature area that it has to offer has managed by keen local volunteers never been so easy. from Community Action for YORK Nature. The group are striving to create and manage the area We’ve routes for all ages rich in wildlife that can be visited and enjoyed by all. and abilities, ready and waiting for you to explore. The River Foss Bug hunt! What critters can you find? The name ‘Foss’ is likely to have come from the Roman word ‘Fossa’, meaning ditch. Between Whilst you’re out and 1793–1806 a stretch of the river was canalised for a distance of 12m between York and Sheriff Hutton O Spider O Snail O Worm O Woodlouse about, remember let’s be bridge. This involved building several bridges, six locks, two reservoirs and straightening several respectful and patient of sections. Barges carried coal, lime, brick, potatoes, others. Let’s keep as safe corn, and even whale blubber on one occasion! O Millipede O Shrimp O Leech O ................. as possible by following Earswick Village Pond The village pond can be found social distancing measures. adjacent to the riverside footpath Haxby to the City Centre and close to Earswick Village Hall. It’s home to ducks, moorhens and beside the River Foss trail dragonflies which patrol the area around the pond and along the course of the river. Distance Est. Time 4.5 miles 1:30 hrs Did you spot any birdlife on your walk? O Blackbird O Greenfinch All Saints Church, Huntington O Blue tit O House martin A picturesque small church can be found on the If you’re planning to travel to, from O Bullfinch O Robin banks of the River Foss in Huntington.
    [Show full text]
  • Yorkshire GREEN Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study
    Yorkshire GREEN Project – Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study Report Yorkshire GREEN Project Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study (YG-NSC-00001) National Grid National Grid House Warwick Technology Park Gallows Hill Warwick CV34 6DA Final - March 2021 Yorkshire GREEN Project – Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study Report Page intentionally blank Yorkshire GREEN Project – Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study Report Document Control Document Properties Organisation AECOM Ltd Author Alison Williams Approved by Michael Williams Title Yorkshire GREEN Project – Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study Report Document Reference YG-NSC-00001 Version History Date Version Status Description/Changes 02 March 2021 V8 Final version Yorkshire GREEN Project – Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study Report Page intentionally blank Yorkshire GREEN Project – Corridor and Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study Report Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Overview and Purpose 1 1.2 Background and Need 3 1.3 Description of the Project 3 1.4 Structure of this Report 7 1.5 The Project Team 7 2. APPROACH TO ROUTEING AND SITING 8 2.1 Overview of National Grid’s Approach 8 2.2 Route and Site Selection Process 11 2.3 Overview of Stages of Development 11 3. THE STUDY AREA 16 3.1 Introduction 16 3.2 York North Study Area 16 3.3 Tadcaster Study Area 17 3.4 Monk Fryston Study Area 17 4. YORK NORTH OPTIONS APPRAISAL 19 4.1 Approach to Appraisal 19 4.2 CSEC Siting Area Identification 19 4.3 Substation Siting Area Identification 19 4.4 Overhead Line Routeing Identification 20 4.5 Combination Options 20 4.6 Screening of York North Options 24 4.7 Options Appraisal Summary of Remaining York North Options 28 4.8 The Holford Rules and Horlock Rules 76 4.9 York North Preferred Option 76 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Pastsearch Newsletter Issue 85: January 2020
    PastSearch Newsletter Issue 85: January 2020 Welcome to PastSearch Newsletter You can find a downloadable version at www.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk Contents 2019 Round Up...........................1 Snippets from Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways of Great Britain...............................2 Artefact Corner................4 Book Review....................4 Food Rationing Introduced in WWII............................5 This Month in History.................7 British Monarchs ............8 HOSM Local History Society..................9 Picture This.....................10 Just For Fun....................10 Dates for Your Diary......11 Just for Fun Answers...............11 What’s Been in 2019 Round Up the News.............12 Adverts............................13 Through 2019 worked on ten sites, in Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Everingham, Storewood, Pocklington, Driffield, Sledmere, Beverley, Brough and Cottingham and produced reports recording the results of The archaeology encountered on each one. Talks took me to Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Poppleton, Easingwold, Hollym, Nafferton, Pontefract and even Nottingham. I also gave a walking tour around York on the places connected to the Rowntree family and their chocolate factory/shop sites. Finally I became involved with the Bishop’s Palace Community Excavation in Howden, searching for the East Wing buildings of this medieval complex for the Bishops of Durham. An interim report was also written, and it is hoped that further work can be carried out in 2020. 1 Historical Account of Navigable River, Canals and Railways of Great Britain FOSS NAVIGATION 33 George III, Cap. 99, Royal Assent 30th April, 1796. 41 George III, Cap. 115, Royal Assent 23rd June, 1801. The river which gives its name to this navigation has its source near Newburgh Hall, about four miles north of Easingwold, whence it crosses Oulstone Moor, where a reservoir is constructed, for the purpose of supplying the navigation in dry seasons.
    [Show full text]
  • Invertebrates of the River Foss
    Invertebrates of the River Foss A report for the River Foss Society Illustration s of freshwater mussels from Martin Lister’s Historiae Animalium Angliae, published in 1678. Lister was the first naturalist to record invertebrates from the River Foss. Martin Hammond [email protected] December 2017 Introduction Over 170 aquatic invertebrate taxa have been recorded from the River Foss, mostly identified to species level but a few identified only to genus, family or other level. The majority of data are from Environment Agency sampling stations at Marton Abbey, Lilling Green, Strensall, Huntington Church and Castle Mills for the period 1995 to 2016. Few records are available for the upper Foss, where a considerable number of additional species are likely to be found. For a few groups, especially molluscs, older records are available and these provide valuable insights into changes in the ecology of the river. Archaeological investigations from riverside sites in central York also provide some interesting information about the past fauna of the Foss. For example, examination of deposits at Layerthorpe Bridge has revealed statoblasts of the bryozoan Lophopus crystallinus from several samples of fluvial sediment (statoblasts are pods of cells which allow asexual reproduction). These deposits ranged in age from the Anglo-Scandinavian period to the 19th century (Hall et al, 2000), indicating that Lophopus had a very long history of occupation of the lower Foss. The Crystal Moss-animal, to give its English name, is a colonial invertebrate which is a filter-feeder on microscopic algae and bacteria in nutrient- rich, slow-flowing waters. Although once widespread, the Crystal Moss-animal has declined greatly.
    [Show full text]
  • RIEVAULX ABBEY and ITS SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, 1132-1300 Emilia
    RIEVAULX ABBEY AND ITS SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, 1132-1300 Emilia Maria JAMROZIAK Submitted in Accordance with the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Leeds School of History September 2001 The candidate confirms that the work submitted is her own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Dr Wendy Childs for her continuous help and encouragement at all stages of my research. I would also like to thank other faculty members in the School of History, in particular Professor David Palliser and Dr Graham Loud for their advice. My thanks go also to Dr Mary Swan and students of the Centre for Medieval Studies who welcomed me to the thriving community of medievalists. I would like to thank the librarians and archivists in the Brotherton Library Leeds, Bodleian Library Oxford, British Library in London and Public Record Office in Kew for their assistance. Many people outside the University of Leeds discussed several aspects of Rievaulx abbey's history with me and I would like to thank particularly Dr Janet Burton, Dr David Crouch, Professor Marsha Dutton, Professor Peter Fergusson, Dr Brian Golding, Professor Nancy Partner, Dr Benjamin Thompson and Dr David Postles as well as numerous participants of the conferences at Leeds, Canterbury, Glasgow, Nottingham and Kalamazoo, who offered their ideas and suggestions. I would like to thank my friends, Gina Hill who kindly helped me with questions about English language, Philip Shaw who helped me to draw the maps and Jacek Wallusch who helped me to create the graphs and tables.
    [Show full text]
  • Part 1 Rea Ch Classifica Tion
    RIVER QUALITY SURVEY NATIONAL RIVERS AUTHORITY NORTHUMBRIA & YORKSHIRE REGION GQA ASSESSMENT 1994 PART 1 REA CH CLASSIFICA TION FRESHWATER RIVERS AND CANALS VERSION 1: AUGUST 1995 GQA ASSESSMENT 1994 \ NORTHUMBRIA & YORKSHIRE REGION To allow the development of a National method of evaluating water quality, the rivers in all the NRA regions of England and Wales have been divided into reaches, which are numbered using a coding system based on the hydrological reference for each river basin. Each classified reach then has a chemistry sample point assigned to it and these sample points are regularly monitored for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved oxygen (DO) and Total Ammonia. The summary statistics calculated from the results of this sampling are sent to a National Centre where the GQA Grades are calculated. A National report is produced and each region can then produce more detailed reports on the quality of their own rivers. For Northumbria and Yorkshire Region, this Regional Report has been divided into two parts. PARTI: REACH CLASSIFICATION This report contains a listing of the river reaches within the region, with their start and finish grid reference, approximate length, and the 1990 and 1994 GQA class for each reach. The reference code of the chemistry sample point used to classify the reach is also included. A sample point may classify several reaches if there are no major discharges or tributaries dividing those reaches. The sample point used to classify a reach may change and the classification is therefore calculated using the summary statistics for each sample point that has been used over the past three years.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transport System of Medieval England and Wales
    THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF MEDIEVAL ENGLAND AND WALES - A GEOGRAPHICAL SYNTHESIS by James Frederick Edwards M.Sc., Dip.Eng.,C.Eng.,M.I.Mech.E., LRCATS A Thesis presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Salford Department of Geography 1987 1. CONTENTS Page, List of Tables iv List of Figures A Note on References Acknowledgements ix Abstract xi PART ONE INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter One: Setting Out 2 Chapter Two: Previous Research 11 PART TWO THE MEDIEVAL ROAD NETWORK 28 Introduction 29 Chapter Three: Cartographic Evidence 31 Chapter Four: The Evidence of Royal Itineraries 47 Chapter Five: Premonstratensian Itineraries from 62 Titchfield Abbey Chapter Six: The Significance of the Titchfield 74 Abbey Itineraries Chapter Seven: Some Further Evidence 89 Chapter Eight: The Basic Medieval Road Network 99 Conclusions 11? Page PART THREE THr NAVIGABLE MEDIEVAL WATERWAYS 115 Introduction 116 Chapter Hine: The Rivers of Horth-Fastern England 122 Chapter Ten: The Rivers of Yorkshire 142 Chapter Eleven: The Trent and the other Rivers of 180 Central Eastern England Chapter Twelve: The Rivers of the Fens 212 Chapter Thirteen: The Rivers of the Coast of East Anglia 238 Chapter Fourteen: The River Thames and Its Tributaries 265 Chapter Fifteen: The Rivers of the South Coast of England 298 Chapter Sixteen: The Rivers of South-Western England 315 Chapter Seventeen: The River Severn and Its Tributaries 330 Chapter Eighteen: The Rivers of Wales 348 Chapter Nineteen: The Rivers of North-Western England 362 Chapter Twenty: The Navigable Rivers of
    [Show full text]
  • Community Profile: Foss
    Community Profile: Foss This area cover the stretch of the River Foss from Piccadilly all the way upstream to Earswick. It also covers South Beck, and Westfield Beck up to Wigginton. The main river extent on the River Foss reaches up to Yearsley Bridge. Upstream of this location the River Foss is designated ordinary watercourse and is located within the Foss Internal Drainage Board area. As such, it is managed by the of the Internal Drainage Board. There are no flood defences in this area. Flood warning services are provided for the Foss at properties on Huntington Road, Haley's Terrace, Yearsley Crescent, The Groves, Foss Bank and properties surrounding Wormalds Cut and Foss Navigation. There are emergency plans in place for Wigginton, Haxby and New Earswick, however there are currently no flood wardens within this area We estimate that around 610 residential properties are currently at risk of flooding from the River Foss within this area during a 1% (1 in 100 year) flood event. This may rise to 730 due to climate change. As part of the River Foss Model Improvements project in 2009, a study to investigate the feasibility of flood storage on Westfield Beck, primarily by utilising data from the previous study together with additional modelling. Conclusion from the report included that to prevent flooding the peak water level at the New Earswick culvert should be maintained. Furthermore, there were no sites with ground levels suitable for natural storage and it will be necessary to excavate a storage pond. A preferred site for a pond was identified on the left bank of Westfield Beck, between the York and Scarborough railway line and Haxby Road.
    [Show full text]
  • Castle Piccadilly Conservation Area Appraisal 2006
    rd Approved 23 March 2006 CONTENTS Preface Conservation Areas and Conservation Area Appraisals Introduction The Castle Piccadilly Conservation Area Appraisal 1. Location 1.1 Location and land uses within the area 1.2 The area’s location within the Central Historic Core Conservation Area 2. The Historical Development of the Area 2.1 The York Castle Area 2.2 The Walmgate Area 2.3 The River Foss 2.4 The Castlegate Area 3. The Special Architectural and Historic Characteristics of the Area 3.1 The York Castle Area 3.2 The Walmgate Area 3.3 The Castlegate Area 4. The Quality of Open Spaces and Natural Spaces within the Area 4.1 The River Foss 4.2 The York Castle Area 4.3 Tower Gardens 4.4 Other Areas 5. The Archaeological Significance of the Area 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Evidence from Archaeological Investigations 6. Relationships between different areas covered within the Appraisal 6.1 Views from within the area covered by the Appraisal 6.2 Views into the area covered by the Appraisal 6.3 The relative importance of the different parts of the area covered by this appraisal Conclusion Appendix 1. Listed Buildings within the Appraisal area CASTLE PICCADILLY CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL 1 PREFACE INTRODUCTION CONSERVATION AREAS AND THE CASTLE PICCADILLY CONSERVATION AREA CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL APPRAISALS This appraisal was approved by the City of York The legal definition of conservation areas as stated Council Planning Committee on 23rd March 2006 in Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings as an accompanying technical document to the and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 is: Castle Piccadilly Development Brief 2006, which is also produced by the City of York Council.
    [Show full text]
  • River Factfiles the Swale, Lire and Ouse Catchment We Are the Environment Agency
    ^ Environment Agency River factfiles The Swale, Lire and Ouse catchment We are the Environment Agency. It’s our job to lookafteryour environment and ma future generations. Your environmeiv water you drink and the ground' E n v i r o n m e n t A g e n c y usiness, Government anc Information Services Unit environment cle Please return or renew this item by the due date The Environmen Due Date your environment a better place. Published by: Environment Agency Rivers House 21 Park Square South Leeds LSI 2QG Tel: 08708 506 506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov.uk © Environment Agency All rights reserved. This document may he reproduced with prior permission of Ihe Environment Agency. The River Swale begins as a small series of becks on the Northern Pennines within the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. It flows eastwards along Swaledale and passes through Richmond and Catterick before turning south eastwards to join the Ure at Boroughbridge. The River Ure also rises on the Pennines just south of the Swale and becomes known as the River Ouse at the point where Ouse Gill Beck runs in. The Swale, Ure and Ouse catchment Arkli ICHMOND itOMPfrON- -sw> River Swale KIPLIN HALb\ River ske SWALEDALE CA1 :r ic k River Swale liver Ure NORTHALLERTON MIDDLEHAM WaTerf JERVAUX ABBFY MASHAMV W^ST . ( TANFlEUD' ' — ' \ ) n o rto n 1 COIIYERS River UreA Rive* lie )N, NEWBY HALL BOROUGHBfi River Skell Total catchment population: FOUNTAINS Approximately 380,000 AB8EY aldboroughN River Ure Total catchment drainage area: Ouse Gill Beet 3,300 square kilometres LINTON- River Ouse ON-OUSE Main tributaries ot the Swale: River Nidd., Arkle Beck, Bedale Beck, River Wiske, YORK Cod Beck.
    [Show full text]
  • River Response to Recent Environmental Change in the Yorkshire Ouse Basin, Northern England
    River response to recent environmental change in the Yorkshire Ouse basin, northern England. Sean Anthony Longfield, B.Sc. (H ons) 'N/ Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Leeds School of Geography July 1998 The candidate confirms that the work submitted is his own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the w'ork of others II A b s t r a c t Longfield, S.A. 1998. River response to recent environmental change in the Yorkshire Ouse basin, northern England. University of Leeds, Ph.D. This study examines historical variations in flood frequency and magnitude in the Yorkshire Ouse basin, northern England, over the last 900 years. The causes of temporal and spatial variations in flooding are evaluated through investigation of climatic and land-use controls. Documentary evidence of flooding and climate suggests that a series of large floods between 1263 and 1360 were associated with climatic deterioration from the Medieval Optimum. A shift to generally milder conditions between 1361 and 1549 resulted in no floods being documented in the Ouse basin The frequency of large magnitude floods increased dramatically between 1550 and 1680, as a result of low temperatures, increased surface wetness, more frequent snowfall and a southward shift of prevailing storm tracks over middle latitudes, associated with the onset of the "Little Ice Age’. In contrast, during a wanner phase of the Little Ice Age, between 1681 and 1763, the frequency of localised summer flooding increased in the Ouse basin due to more frequent high intensity, short duration convective storms.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Revision 2 (March 2013)
    YORK CITY OF YORK Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Revision 2 (March 2013) City of York Council Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Revision 2: March 2013 City of York Council Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Integrated Strategy Unit: Flood Risk Management Revision 2 : March 2013 Contents GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................... 5 ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 8 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 13 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 13 1.2 Purpose of the Assessment .......................................................................................... 14 1.3 Contents ........................................................................................................................ 14 2 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................ 16 2.1 River Network ............................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Broad Physical Characteristics ....................................................................................
    [Show full text]