The Church and Power

[jmr]

Christ Church in Tintwistle and, at the bottom right, a rather modest hydro-electric generator.

L1100494.jpg

[Findus]

I realize that posting "very nice" is a bit dim, but I find this picture very nice, comforting and atmospherical, you could just stare at it and wait untill Miss Marple comes padling down the river in a Canadian canoe ....

anyway a very nice picture, wish I would of taken it ....

[marc_dufour]

A funny title for a perfect composition, John
Marc

[jmr]

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

I do consider myself very fortunate to have this kind of thing not 100 yards from my front door.

[hm1912]

I'm interested in the hydro generator. Has it got a story to it?

[jmr]

Ilan,

indeed it has.

The current installation dates from 2,000 when it was introduced as one of three hydro-turbines in the Longdendale Valley. Collectively they contribute some 240kW to the National Grid. The one shown in the photo was originally used to power a narrow-gauge electric railway along the side of the valley. This took over from the earlier steam powered system which was used in the original construction of the reservoirs from 1848 to 1877.

[hm1912]

Thanks JR. It's nice to know that the government invests in a variety of energy sources to supply the national grid. The idea of a small hydro station sounds very interesting to me (comming from the West Coast of Canada, where huge Hydro dams power the province -- and parts of California too).

Best,

[ejd]

Miss Marple? More Captain Webb, maybe. Although Tintwistle is not in Shrophire, the picture brings to mind John Betjeman's poem A Shropshire Lad:

The gas was on in the Institute,
The flare was up in the gym,
A man was running a mineral line,
A lass was singing a hymn,
When Captain Webb the Dawley man,
Captain Webb from Dawley,
Came swimming along the old canal
That carried the bricks to Lawley.
Swimming along -
Swimming along -
Swimming along from Severn,
And paying a call at Dawley Bank while swimming along to Heaven.

Rgds, John

[jmr]

John,

thanks for the poem. Although Tintwistle usually has some heavenly qualities, it's been as hot as hell recently. Oh well, at least it's started to rain now - that'll fill the reservoirs up.

[andybarton]

Interesting spot and story behind the shot. Thanks for sharing, John.