G.It was constructed as a millpond around 1833 when the Industrial Revolution made West Yorkshire and northern England the centre for cotton-spinning, weaving and other mills. It is situated above the town of TodmordenThe beach is hidden on the moors at Langfield Common. It claims to be the longest sand beach in England. the highest in England.
You can also find out more about the following: Gaddings Dam Preservation Company bought the deeds to the reservoir in 2001 for £1,500, on the condition that it was preserved for the people of Todmorden. Gaddings is now a very popular and valued swimming area in Todmorden, as access to water has been severely restricted.
As one of the regular dippers puts it, “a wild swimmer’s paradise”.
We just finished the production of a feature-length documentary. Wild WaterWe learned about the community that uses the dam and the swimmers, who swim all year. So we embarked on the 9km circular walk of Stoodley Pike to take in the glorious views and industrial heritage – and enjoy a cold water plunge.
Gaddings Dam has a number of hiking routes. The easiest is to take a 20-minute walk up an eroded steep trail. The trail begins opposite the Shepherd’s Rest In a pub, we met up with some main characters from film.
Clive is one of them. He swims 500-600 times a year, and is often found on the beach playing his banjo. Jamima, Donna and Vicky are all Saturday Morning Crew members who love to swim.
In one of the wettest parts of the country, the sun has made a rare appearance. We were recently told that in the last six month there has only been two days of rain. While on the climb, we discuss the wind direction (of course), the weather, and the estimated water temperature of 5C. We stop for a break and to take in the view after 15 minutes at Vicky’s usual spot. Calder Valley is a shimmering landscape of moorland, lakes, and fields. Wind turbines are gently turning in the distance.
We head up the hill, and when we reach the top we can see the splendor of the dam, as well as the wind. The body of water never fails to look anything less than spectacular: rugged, windy, industrial … and inviting. We go to the regular swimming spot on the wall rather than the beach. It is more sheltered, and the sheer dropoff allows us to enter the water faster.
The water is clear and dark. It only takes three steps to be submerged up to the shoulders. This sensation spreads throughout your body, which automatically makes your mind want to swim. Everyone laughs at each other, shouts and cajoles before the breath calms down and the mind is clear. We’re only a few minutes away from walking up the stone bank with goosebumps and skin tingling with adrenaline. After drying off, and wanting to get warm we left our fellow swimmers. We then headed for the eastern corner to pick up Pennine Way.
Two grouse, likely fleeing from a local shoot, fly past as single flags mark the route. Peat bogs on the moor are an important carbon sink. You can even feel them wobbling if you jump and fall. When we come to some poles marked with the Crows (Community Rights of Way Service), we stop. The sign tells us the path has been sunk deep into the black soggy peat, and that we need to find an alternative route.
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What appears to look like a Victorian bathtub, built in the middle, is actually the de-silting and settling chamber for the Warland reservoir
Our tour takes us to an excellent example of the industrial heritage in the area. It looks like an old Victorian bath in the middle nowhere. But it is a de-silting tank and settling chamber for the Warland Reservoir. The Warland reservoir has been inactive for many years, but this is a great example of Victorian Engineering.
Continue reading Stoodley PikeThe obelisk is 37 metres high and was constructed in the 19th Century. Its barely-visible engraving describes it a “Peace monument built by public subscription in 1814 commemorating the surrender of Paris to allies“ (during the Napoleonic Wars). There’s a nice ledge to sit on and eat lunch. Two hungry dogs are watching us. We meet a barefooted runner as we leave the monument. This demonstrates the desire of humans to be in direct contact with nature and environment. It also echoes the philosophy of those who like “skin”-swimming at Gaddings Dam.
The valley’s splendor unfolds before us as we descend toward the picturesque hamlet Mankinholes. Only when we reach Old Coach Road will we lose these spectacular views. Eric Spofforth is a retired mountain dog handler from the locality. He says that the path was constructed by John Fielden, local MP, during the cotton-famine in the early 1860s, to keep his men busy and away from mischief.
We cut through the moor at the bottom before we reach the top. Mankinholes The past is the Top Brink Inn. We resist the temptation to drink a beer and head down to Lumbutts Water Tower, which looks like something from the Brothers Grimm. It was restored thanks to a 2017 crowdfunding campaign. The water tower was powered by three enormous 30ft diameter, 6ft wide water wheels that were stacked one on top of the other. Lumbutts MillThe centre is located in the former.
We then drove back for about a quarter of a mile to our starting point, where we rewarded ourselves with a pie and pint of Yorkshire finest. Shepherd’s Rest.
Wild Water From 27 March, the film is on tour in UK cinemas
