Abandoned Canal - Chesterfield Canal Lady Lee Arm. Revisited in Winter.

Abandoned Canal - Chesterfield Canal Lady Lee Arm. Revisited in Winter.
Back in early August 2021, I visited one of Chesterfield Canal's disused canal arms near Worksop - the Lady Lee arm.
The canal has been abandoned and disused for many, many years. I have not been able to find the exact year of closure, but I understand this is well over 100 years ago.
The old canal is accessed via a bridge on the main Chesterfield Canal towpath in between Shireoaks and Worksop (just past the Lock Keeper pub), which initially peaked my interest as it didnt seem to actually go anywhere. However after my initial explore, I was delighted to find the old canal arm's route in to the old Lady Lee Quarry near Rhodesia Worksop. At the end of the canal was a small wharf on the entrance to the old quarry where the boats would be loaded with stone.
During the summer months, it was challenging to navigate the overgrown folliage, weeds and trees. Much of the interesting stuff was hidden from view and inaccessible. I vowed to return in winter once the growth had died down.
So here we are...
I headed for the old canal route in the woods and was able to find the former cutting easier to access. The old wharf brickwork and loading area are much easier to see.
Although the wharf is still difficult to access due to being a dumping ground for cut down trees and branches, you can still stand in the entrance to the dock. The brickwork has seen better days and the stonework is collapsing in places, but it is still possible to see the evidence of the workings.
**Wobbly Runner**
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My channel was set up in 2020 mainly to feature my running adventures. I planned to film and showcase the days out and destinations my running travels took me. Mainly the Peak District and the sights and marvels of Sheffield and the surrounding regions.
However due to Covid restrictions, I found a new interest in researching and exploring old abandoned places - railway lines, canal, woodland, parks to name a few.
So the videos you'll find will be mainly be of those things. Of course, where possible I'll be running to my destination.
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[@ffrancrogowski2192]

I now have viewed this supplement video, and it is much easier to see the walls of this disused canal arm. It's still stunning to know and find out where these remains are in existence. Good on you to go back and produce this extra. May thanks.

[@WobblyRunner]

Thanks very much. I loved exploring this little arm. Was so simple and basic little section but it seemed to capture my imagination. Cheers for watching and all your support 👍🙂

[@markg99]

A nice explore there mate. Glad you didn't get a hospital visit recommended after this one!

[@WobblyRunner]

No hospitalisation is always a bonus after a walk 😄👍

[@eggy77]

A slightly belated happy birthday! Great revisit, definitely more accessible, and less stingy bitey things 😁

[@WobblyRunner]

Like night and day

[@charzi]

I've driven past that bridge to 'nowhere' for years and had no idea of what it was for! I'm still amazed at the old mill and mill pond that existed at the Millhouse roundabout and Starbucks/Travelodge! So many people travelling along the bypass with no idea!

[@WobblyRunner]

👍 Is that old mill still there? I don't recall ever noticing it

[@charzi]

@@WobblyRunner there are old buildings like the Millhouse Pub that I think we're part of it, but everything else is long gone. I found a puzzle yesterday I can't find the answer to, in Shireoaks Marina there's what looks like a bricked up tunnel portal heading in railway direction opposite the entrance, but I can't find any info that it was a tunnel, but I don't know a reason for it!

[@WobblyRunner]

@@charzi I know the wall you mean. I was stood looking at it a few weeks ago wondering the same. I did see a photo hanging somewhere (can't remember where now) that showed some colliery buildings in the same place.

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

That was a hell of a lot clearer, it's amazing how much the undergrowth takes over in the summer. I'm due to park by the bridge on the canal @0:09 to start my next stage of the Chesterfield Canal trek that I'm doing, so I may well pop down to see the arm off shoot.

[@WobblyRunner]

Well worth a trip. Glad I revisited it.

[@truthwarrior2431]

Walk this every day and never really gave it much thought 🤔 your actually better off going to lady Lee through Rhodesia, much easier walking. Great content thanks 👍

[@WobblyRunner]

I might try that way next time 👍.

[@scottc1589]

Wobbly, I hope you had a happy day! 🧁 I agree - there's definitely more water in the arm now. That got me thinking. (🤨🙄😵‍💫) It looks like water flows into the arm from under the narrow, back wall at the end of the pier. The old map you showed of the site possibly shows a feeder into that spot. That got me wondering (😱) if you know how the arm was watered. Was it just from the Chesterfield Canal? I think that would have made for very stagnant water at the pier. The holes in the wall are interesting. It appears to me that they would have been below the water level of the canal when it was watered. If so, then it seems unlikely to me that they were used to put water into the canal. It makes me wonder if they were used to take water from the canal, possibly to be used in the quarry for things like wetting saws? That would also cut down on stagnation. The only other idea I have is that they were a type of 'French drain" to keep the loading dock area less waterlogged.

[@WobblyRunner]

You're right. There is a bit of a stream coming down that bit. Not sure where it's coming from though...

[@danielgoddard3286]

Loving the videos Paul. Hope you liked the Christmas present.

[@WobblyRunner]

Lovely stuff. I love it ta. Going above the bed. Did Charlotte send you the photo from when I first saw it?

[@danielgoddard3286]

@@WobblyRunner Yeah she did. I thought ye might like it.

[@WobblyRunner]

@@danielgoddard3286 can't beat cow art

[@neildexter6362]

I do know that stone was taken from Lady Lee to build the Houses of Parliament.

[@michaelhibbert4393]

Perhaps you need to contact Rod Auton…Chesterfield Trust publicity officer he knows quite a bit about the Chesterfield canal…he might be enlightening about the lady lee arm

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Michael 👍. I'll look into that.