New book that reveals just what lies beneath our feet
AT last there is irrefutable proof of cavemen (and women) in Stockport! Emma Brown has compiled fascinating colour photos, a tremendous amount of historical lore and a hands-on, or rather ‘waders-on,’ search of hidden underground tunnels and caves.
She has pursued her interest in Subterranean Stockport (her new book by Amberley Publishing) to the extreme length of swimming in dangerously polluted rivers, crawling down death-trap tunnels coming close to unconsciousness from hypothermia – braving poison gas in enclosed spaces and dodging rocks hurled by naughty boys.
A sense of adventure made her join a small band of urban explorers mapping these hidden secrets beneath our feet. Excavating and crawling down cold, muddy, water-filled tunnels requires a particular form of courage.
The book is not just about the town’s many water tunnels built in the 18th century to feed water to early textile mills. Caves in Stockport’s sandstone rock, which may have been inhabited in prehistoric times, line the riverbanks.
Here we are in the 21st century and some are still inhabited. Homeless men and women find shelter in these basic spaces just as their prehistoric ancestors must have done. They are explored along with the much later air raid tunnels of WW2 – several complexes exist at Brinksway, Dodge Hill, Portwood and Heaton Norris as well as the shelters open to the public in Chestergate.
Redundant railway tunnels surveyed included that linking the former Tiviot Dale Station under Lancashire Hill. Many are remarkable for their interesting colours and otherworldly shapes.
Emma has also recorded the old mills, their water tunnels and wheel-pits before indifferent owners and cash strapped authority allow them to fall to the demolition hammer.
Don’t try exploring the tunnels yourself, I say read her book – go with Emma and her intrepid band of explorer friends in their rubber dinghies on an intriguing cruise through subterranean Stockport. That way you can avoid the water borne bacteria which grew so rapidly on her test petrie dishes, rockfalls and the possibility of drowning. »●If you like this stuff see Stockport Heritage Magazine in newsagents, bookshops £2.80 and online www.stockportheritagemagazine.co.uk and learn more unusual facts about your hometown.