New Line Reservoir, Bacup

Although Bacup received it's water supplies from nearby Sheephouses Reservoir, this small reservoir at New Line was built in 1853 to provide local mills with their water for power.

Following its closure as a water supplying facility it became the home of Lumb Valley anglers, but by 1982 the water level had dropped so much that it was declared unsafe and was threatened with demolition.

It was reprieved in 1985 and was incorporated into the Britannia Greenway Scheme which included a general landscaping of the area and construction of footpaths and bridleways.

Now smaller than its original size when it was supplying water, New Line reservoir is a pleasant spot to enjoy some of the scenery and widlife. It has a diverse plantlife and is occasional home to Canada and White Geese and Mallard and Muscovy Ducks. Now owned by Rossendale Borough Council, the reservoir provides free fishing to local anglers.

A claim to fame is that the reservoir and surrounding hills were used as a backdrop in the film Whistle Down the Wind. In 1961, some scenes of the famous movie starring Hayley Mills were filmed here. In this selection of pictures, some of the local residents can be seen enjoying the water.