Newsletter – January 2015
February 1st, 2015You may already be familiar with Dowles Brook which flows through the heart of the Wyre Forest and joins the River Severn close to the historic town of Bewdley. It is a popular destination for walkers and a haven for wildlife. However, following its quiet meanderings through leafy woods, it is now hard to image that for over 300 years it was the source of industrial output which brought employment and some prosperity to this rural setting. With Baveney Brook, it is only about nine miles long but at one time it powered more mills than the length of the River Severn from Bristol to Welshpool.
This was the topic of our speaker this month, Tim Booth who has dedicated much of his adult life to researching and conserving the remaining mills and their machinery. In his talk he took us on a photographic journey along the brooks showing the remaining legacy of blast furnaces and mills which in some cases still show the remains of their original water wheels.
Our meeting on Tuesday 3rd March at 8pm in St. Saviour’s Church Hall sees Julian Hunt presenting ‘Worcestershire Turnpikes’. Some of the Turnpikes in Worcestershire date back 300 years. The tolls levied along them paid for the maintenance of the main roads between the city and its surrounding towns. Prior to the Turnpikes the state of the roads made them impassable for much of the year and dangerous when passable. Visitors are most welcome at all our events – Home page for details and contacts.