Above: The stone closest to the shore is now a couple of feet above the water line.
Above: This gatepost is furthest away and the only one of the four to be finely carved (click to enlarge).
With September now upon us, and lots of rain on the way, I thought the water level in Errwood Reservoir was bound to rise. But it seems that’s not the case. It still continues to drop, exposing yet more features that have been hidden since the last severe drought in 1984 (view 1984 gallery).
Above: Five stone features – the furthest one just a speck on the right of the inset – have recently appeared above the water.
There are five stones starting to emerge above the surface on the western side of Errwood Reservoir. The one nearest to the water’s edge is now a couple of feet above the water line and within easy reach. The other three in this group are only just breaking the surface and may be just stones rather than posts.
The fifth looks the most interesting as it’s more finely carved, but it’s further into the reservoir so impossible to get close to.
I’ve pin-pointed the position of the nearest post on this fade using my walking app (see inset at top of page). Simply click the ‘Now’ button – or drag the green slider – to see where it stands – usually well below the waters of Errwood Reservoir. I’ve also shown where the water level has dropped to over recent weeks.
Comparing it with the old map from the 1890s shows it once lay close to a pair of large barns that once sat opposite Errwood Cottage, beside the entrance drive to Errwood Hall, which now runs under the modern bridge. I’m guessing that the other three nearest stones also formed part of this large structure.
The fifth stone post – which must have been a gatepost – is a bit of a mystery. I’m struggling to see where exactly it lay in the old landscape. I’m hoping someone with a more accurate GPX device may be able to get a fix.
The twin barns
I haven’t found any photos just of the barns, but there are quite a few where they appear in the landscape alongside other buildings (click any to enlarge).
The twin barns are on the right, with Errwood Hall just visible in the far distance behind them, and Errwood Cottage to the left.
A wonderful photo of Errwood Cottage with one wing of the barns on the slope behind.
A rear view of the twin barns at far right, with Errwood Cottage just below and the road to Long Hill snaking up the opposite side of the valley.
A very early photo of servants and gamekeepers at the gates to the Errwood Hall drive with the barns just visible in the background.
I went for walk alongside Errwood reservoir last night. there are two gatepost facing each other clearly visible. The three stones further out can be seen but as yet the Bridge isn’t in sight. I did see the bridge once many years ago. The reservoir is very low so if the rain keeps off we may soon get to see it once more.