Autum is here!!!
The week began by witnessing the River Medlock preparing for it inevitable winter weight. Tonnes and tonnes were taken from the river floor just inside of the debris screen. Whilst this seems mechanically invasive, this is important as urban rivers need to sustain a suitable water carrying capacity, with winter likely to bring increased turbidity (how much sediment is in the water). The dredging allows for the winter increase of deposited sediment, especially at slower moving sections like behind the debris screen at Pin Mill Brow and helps to reduce flood risk. Hope that makes sense.
However, what was actually cool about the dredging, is the now exposed pillars of the railway viaduct which used to fly over the valley, heading to the now long-gone Ancoats goods station. Demolished in the early 1970’s, now is a perfect time to see them poking out the river and try to imagine how different the now relatively idyllic spot would have felt not even a few generations ago….ask Dave.
Location on what-three-words (///dared.mash.data)
Autum also means the great 2026 apple quest has begun. So far, we’ve conquered trees over the peaks in Edale, made bare the orchards on the flats of Chesire and finally harvested the plentiful offerings the Lower Medlock valley provides. We made sure to collect the right ratios of apple variety, ensuring this year’s cider is THE perfect nectar come spring next year! Thank you, Hannah, Freya, Lucia, Andrea, Farmer Mark and David for making this year’s harvest possible and a fun couple of days. Keep your eye out for the day of the great apple press!
Much of the practical work this week has centred on giving Christ Church Roundhouse a bit of a facelift in preparations for its new lease of life, more to come in the following week about this. Ears pinned people!
R.I.P All Souls Church
I do not want to talk about it yet and have too much to say.
See you about,
Alex, FOMV
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