15 trusty Spaggers travelled on the heritage railway, happily drawn by a beautifully preserved steam engine, from Rawtenstall to Burrs Country Park, Bury yesterday.   An excellent buffet lunch was provided in a private room in the Lampost cafe and a brief introduction was given as to what we would be seeing in the afternoon.  We then split into two groups to do a one mile or two mile tour, to accomodate different levels of activity.

Many of us had never visited the park before, despite living only a few miles away.  Remarkably, there is an Iron Age fort near a curve of the River Irwell and although access is not possible, it’s still a pleasant surprise to view it from the path.

Just below the fort, a huge weir and sluice gate was built to allow water to enter a canal, as required.  This is a most interesting example of early water management, providing water for Burr Mill, Higher Woodhill Mill and Elton Reservoir.  Burrs Mill would open a further sluice gate from the canal to fill their mill lodge after which the tail race would take it either to Higher Woodhill Mill lodges or empty it back into the Irwell.  Renewable energy at its best.

The return train did its best to live up to railway lore by arriving 20 minutes late but with such good company, this presented little hardship..