Worsley Woods Action Group
The History of Worsley Woods
by Ian MacDonald
The estate which included what would become Worsley Woods had been acquired by the Bridgewater family in 1630. In 1737 the first Duke of Bridgewater had sponsored an Act of Parliament to make the Kempnough Brook navigable for transporting coal from his mines, but this work was never completed because the Third Duke began to build what would become the Bridgewater Canal which would eventually run from Worsley to Manchester carrying coal from his mines.
At this stage of the development of the Canal, the Old Warke Dam and a lower dam which was fed by the twirl hole, were constructed by using the Kempnough Brook which started near Walkden and ran eventually to the sea by way of the rivers Irwell and Mersey. The areas around the upper dam were landscaped in the period 1845 to 1855. In 1850, the Aviary and its boathouses were constructed and it was in this period that the first plantations were made, consisting mainly of ash, poplar and oak. The whole area was owned by Bridgewater Estates Ltd,
The railway from Manchester to Leigh and beyond was constructed about this time and ran near the area. Additionally, a mineral railway was connected and ran from Sanderson's sidings to the Bridgewater Canal, passing via a tunnel under Greenleach Lane and a bridge over Worsley Road This is now the path which runs behind the popular Woodland Play area, which was created in 2008, and ends opposite the start of Duke's Drive. The line also went over a tunnel, near the back of the Lodge, which gave pedestrian access between the woods and Greenleach Lane at its junction with Broadoak Road, the path crossing the main railway line via a bridge and steps on the embankment.
In 1870 the flour mill at Mill Brow, in Worsley village, was closed and the lower of the two dams was closed around the turn of the century. Between1890 and 1909 the New Plantation was planted between the Brook and Greenleach Lane, as was the northern end of the Old Warke Dam area and further parts of the woodlands to the west of Roe Green village. Gradually the northern arm of the Old Warke Dam silted up and alder and willow carr grew spontaneously in that area in the period 1925-1957 creating what is now valued as a rare wet woodland.
In 1950 the woodlands were bought by the Trustees of Swinton and Worsley Amenity Society from Bridgewater Estates, following a public funding appeal organised by the Swinton and Pendlebury Rotary Club under the Presidency of Mr. Percy Hamer who lived in The Lodge situated at the start of the area. Ownership of the Woods was donated to the two local Councils and were then split for financial purposes equally to the Worsley Urban District Council and to the Swinton and Pendlebury Borough Council, which were both then parts of the Lancashire County Council. A joint committee was set up by the Councils which consisted of five or six Councillors from both the local Councils. The Committee met regularly and was responsible for the administration and funding of the Woodlands.
In 1950 the woodlands were bought by the Trustees of Swinton and Worsley Amenity Society from Bridgewater Estates, following a public funding appeal organised by the Swinton and Pendlebury Rotary Club under the Presidency of Mr. Percy Hamer who lived in The Lodge situated at the start of the area. Ownership of the Woods was donated to the two local Councils and were then split for financial purposes equally to the Worsley Urban District Council and to the Swinton and Pendlebury Borough Council, which were both then parts of the Lancashire County Council. A Committee made up of councillors from both local councils met regularly and was responsible for the administration and funding of the Woodlands.
The building of the M62 Motorway in 1969 through the 30 hectare site had a major impact on the trees and the wildlife of the Woods at the time, Fortunately birds, bats, butterflies and a multitude of insect life not only returned but now thrive a-plenty. Human visitors have gradually, if reluctantly, become accustomed to the Motorway's presence.
For forty-eight years the Worsley Woods Action Group has been involved in maintaining the Woods and now we have to adopt to changing circumstances in order to continue that role. Recently, COVID has been a severe hindrance to working as a group and meeting regularly. In view of this, members have agreed that it is time for a new way forward by joining forces with the Worsley Civic Trust. The WCT has always shown a keen interest in the activities of the Group and in the upkeep of the Woods and now we look forward to continuing to protect and enhance our lovely woodlands together.
The Worsley Woods Action Group amalgamated in the Summer of 2022 with Worsley Civic Trust as both groups have the common aims and tend to have the same people as members of both groups and due to falling members it seemed a sensible choice to combine the two groups.
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