IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Britannia Close, MANCHESTER, M26 3DX

Housing development for the Irwell Valley Housing Association, on the site of the former Britannia Mills in Radcliffe. Image] can be seen in front of the housing block.

Approaching the dropped-bridge at Water Street.

Looking towards Water Street from the bridge at Victoria Street.

When Water Street was improved (late 1970s/early 1980s?), the bridge was removed and the canal is now blocked at this point. Here, it continues from the other side of the road (Image]). The tall chimney of Apex Mill and the more recently built canal side apartment blocks can be seen behind the green footbridge at Victoria Street Image

.... of canal towpaths. Simple notice from the Canals and Rivers Trust asking cyclists and walkers to be more sparing in their use of canal towpaths, some of which have been very busy in the last couple of weeks as people take advantage of them, and the glorious weather, to undertake their "daily permitted exercise" during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.

View from the Victoria Street footbridge, looking towards Water Street.

In the Bulrushes was created in 2001 by sculptor William Pym who took inspiration from the nearby Manchester, Bury and Bolton canal and the industries that historically used the canal as their route of transport. The canal is thick with bulrushes and the artist imagined that objects lost a generation ago would be hidden forever among the reeds. The sculpture depicts a weaving shuttle with bulrush motifs and a small canal barge hidden in the bottom of the bulrushes, only visible close up. The sculpture is illuminated at night, making a beacon and a tower of enclosed light. This sculpture was the second* partnership between Irwell Sculpture Trail and the Irwell Valley Housing Association for a new social housing development at the site of the former Britannia Mills. * The first sculpture developed by the partnership was Image

In the Bulrushes was created in 2001 by sculptor William Pym who took inspiration from the nearby Manchester, Bury and Bolton canal and the industries that historically used the canal as their route of transport. The canal is thick with bulrushes and the artist imagined that objects lost a generation ago would be hidden forever among the reeds. The sculpture depicts a weaving shuttle with bulrush motifs and a small canal barge hidden in the bottom of the bulrushes, only visible close up. The sculpture is illuminated at night, making a beacon and a tower of enclosed light. This sculpture was the second* partnership between Irwell Sculpture Trail and the Irwell Valley Housing Association for a new social housing development at the site of the former Britannia Mills. * The first sculpture developed by the partnership was Image], in 1999.