Holden Wood reservoir is the lowest in the line of three reservoirs to the West of Grane Road, the others being Ogden and Calf Hey reservoirs.  SPAG members have spent some time recently looking at the route of the tramway from Musbury Heights quarry and it was during a ramble along its route that my walking companion pointed out a rectangular stone standing upright in the grass, close to the water.

On closer inspection we found the expertly carved initials BRW, not only on this but on other stones as well.  We were aware that this reservoir was built to supply water to local mills and was only later used to provide drinking water but what were the initials?

Taking down Mike Rothwell’s trusty Industrial Archaeology of Haslingden & Helmshore we find that the reservoir was built in 1840-41 but in 1852-53 the Bury & Radcliffe Waterworks Company purchased it.  Mystery solved but were these then boundary stones?

In 1856 Calf Hey Reservoir was completed and in 1912 Ogden Reservoir was opened.  Organisational changes then occurred until in 1935 the Irwell Valley Water Board was formed before even more changes which led to the current owners, United Utilities taking control.