Throughout the 19th and early 20th century Horwich Bleach Works was situated on Bridge St, supplying jobs for the locals. Water was needed for the running of the works and today there is still evidence of cannalisation as Pearl Brook leaves the woodland area, heading towards the bleach works site. Pearl Brook meanders through the reserve, and although today it is quite shallow, that was not the case in the 'Great Flood' in 1850, when the brook burst its banks and water flowed down Winter Hey Lane. In those days the brook was known as Purl Brook, the spelling only being changed in the 1930's. Two reservoirs also provided the works with water, although in 1901 the drought was so severe that both reservoirs ran dry and water had to be brought in from Wildersmoor.
One of the most commonly asked questions about Bridge St LNR is "Why do you call that area the Coffin Lodge?" Well, one of the two reservoirs was built in the shape of a coffin - hence its name of Coffin Lodge, this is the reservoir situated in the main area of the reserve. This was a fairly common practice in the 19th century, with Coffin Lodges attached to bleach works up and down the country. Its name conjures up gruesome connotations and this Coffin Lodge certainly lives up to its name. Unfortunately, the Coffin Lodge had a reputation as a 'suicide hot spot', especially with teenagers, with many a local choosing to end their life there.
Horwich Bleach Works closed in 1937 but the Coffin Lodge remained for some years afterwards. The Lodge was eventually drained in the late 1950's, and is now one of our wetland areas complete with ponds. The second reservoir owned by the bleach works, named 'Miss France Lodge', after one of the first owners, was sited in 'Willow Dell', and suffered the same fate. This too is now a wetland area with ponds. The rest of the reserve was once known as Linear Park, named for its shape. This too is a common name for park areas that are longer than they are wide. Linear Park was once the home to hens and pigs, as a local family used to rear their stock here. Locals have always refered to the reserve as 'Bulls Brew', as one way to access the reserve is down a steep slope by what was once 'The Black Bull' and is now 'Il Torro'.
Taken from the top end of Bridge St in 1912. Reproduced from the book 'More About Horwich' with kind permission from the author.
But, what does Local Nature Reserve mean and how did Bridge St LNR actually become a LNR? Well, Natural England suggests that for every 1000 people there should be 1 hectare of land designated as LNR, providing benefits for both wildlife and people. As LNR is a statutory designation, this means that areas with this designation are afforded protection from being otherwise developed and these areas are managed with conservation in mind. In 2009 a survey was carried out by Lancashire Wildlife Trust to provide supporting evidence for the designation process. In 2010 the site was cleared ready for the addition of ponds.
The site was declared a local nature reserve in October 2011. Ponds were added to the Coffin Lodge, above left, and to Willow Dell, formerly Miss France Lodge, above right and also to Balsam Glade. New pathways were added to the reserve, making a circular walk.
