Tuesday 20 January 2015

Newmiller Dam - Wakefield

On Saturday morning, our walking group was treated to a guided tour of the Newmillerdam area of Wakefield by one of the rangers.  The weather was freezing and we had several snow showers and lots of ice and hard ground under foot.  


 The guide gave us some of the history of the woods around this area.  These tree's in the plantation were grown to make pit props for local collieries (now all gone).  Some one was clearly out to make a profit.
 One of the woods we walked through had been owned by a famous photographer from Barnsley (who's name escapes me).  He specialised in ghoulish montage postcards of pit disasters! We came across a derelict looking building in the woods.  The photographer had plans to build a swimming pool here and these were going to be his changing rooms.
 The pool looked very neglected now.

 Some of the area's fair glistened when the sun shone, and we could feel the warmth of it too - but it didn't stay out for long.


 It was an area I have not explored much, so I have plans to go back and have another look around.
 We were soon back at the dam.

 To my delight, the ranger took us back to his base in the boat house and popped the kettle on!



 The hall that the lake had once belonged to is no longer there.  It was demolished by Wakefield Council in the 1960's.  Such a shame.



 If I hadn't been walking with the group, I doubt that I would have ventured out on this morning as it was very cold and showery, but I really enjoyed this walk - as I do each and every one of them!

11 comments:

Amy at love made my home said...

Such wonderful atmospheric pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us. xx

Twiggy said...

Gorgeous photos, we spend so much time here. My friend's dog loves to rootle around in the leaves and the boys can spend hours building dens in the woods. Mr Twigs used to have meetings in the boathouse sometimes when he worked for WMDC, he said he always got distracted by the ducks swimming by the window :)
Twiggy

Linda P said...

Being part of a walking group of like minded folk must be a good way of going to places so full of
history as well as beauty. What a shame the house was demolished, but it's good that the boathouse was restored and still stands.

Jo said...

We don't go to Newmillerdam as often as we used to as we have to keep Archie on his lead otherwise he'd be straight in the water. It's a lovely place for a stroll though.

Young at Heart said...

Wow.....stunning pictures......quite a trip!!x

Lisa said...

Love all the photo effects you've used on this selection of photos. My goodness it looked chilly though, bet you were glad of that warming cuppa at the end.
I bet the pool would have given you frostbite!
Lisa x

tlcukjourney said...

Diane your photos are gorgeous! I would love to go on a long walk in these places! I hope you're well and I hope you're having a great week!
Tammy x

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Fabulous photos but I REALLY love the first photo! x

Jan said...

Walking with a group is a good motivator. These are lovely photos. Jx

Lyn said...

oh I love that boathouse! what a gem. xxx

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

What an interesting walk and such lovely pics Diane, plus a cup of tea at the end - heaven! Lesley x