Tittesworth
The River Churnet, rising
in Staffordshire under the Roaches, is dammed a mile or so north
of Leek town centre to create Tittesworth Reservoir for Severn-Trent
Water.
The watershed between the
proto-Churnet and a tributary of the Dane at Turner's Pool (no
relation!) is but a few paces - separating the Mersey basin from
the Trent, which the Churnet joins outside Stoke-on-Trent after
wandering circuitously south and west from Leek.
The more enlightened attitude
now prevailing among all the water companies allows for much wider
public use and enjoyment of the facilities they control. There
is a sizeable Visitor Centre here with toilets, cafe, shop and
warden service.
A network of gravel paths
allow access all around the reservoir. A pleasant walk through
open grassed and wooded areas.
Nature Reserve areas have
been created and the expanse of water, mixed woodland and farmland
ensures a varied and changing bird population throughout the year.
Migrating Osprey call in for a few days or longer, an egret was
here last year and flocks of Fieldfare and other thrushes descend
on the fields around in winter as do twittering flocks of Siskin
in the larches.
Dominating all views north
and most views east are the rocky outcrops of Hen Cloud and The
Roaches.
From a spit of land ...
looking SE to the outflow ...
... and north towards the
Visitor Centre.
The outflow and protective
boom to stop boats being swept down! The creek behind was still
icy even after two days thaw. No sun gets to water level in winter
and probably not much in summer due to the dense tree canopy along
the banks.
Continued
in Part II
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