Calm to Cantankerous. Manchester's lesser know waterway.

This video is about the Wince Brook. One of Manchester's lesser know waterways. It is a tributary of the River Irk. The Wince brook from its source in Chadderton Oldham Lancashire only appears from a culvert after running a considerable length. Its source is situated in a former mill lodge reservoir. It runs past an old industrial colliery site. The Stockfield colliery. One of a number of collierys or coal mines in Chadderton Oldham. It runs past foxdenton Park and becomes very cantankerous as a large discharge from a sewage farm joins it. The rest of the Wince brook passes old Cotton mills runs underneath a former railway yard. Then it finally ends in the town of Middleton. This video is very much about the History of Manchester and the story of the Industrial revolution. We have to use our imagination to envisage what the Wince brook looked like pre industrial revolution.
Music: Savfk, Strange the dreamer

[@andrewward1887]

It’s amazing how much I know about Manchester England sitting in my home in Pennsylvania USA. When I come over for a visit I’ll be able to tell the locals about the history in their back yard.

[@Johnketes54]

I have similar about the Lehigh river and Dunmow number 7 in Pennsylvania from the South East of England

[@jamiecurran3544]

This is all filmed where I also used to hang around when I stayed at my Auties house, my mom n Auntie grew up around the Stocksfield area, the guard dog at the cement place on Peel Street used to bark at her n scare the shit out of her!😂, my dad's cousin owns a big house near the sewage works on Foxdenton Lane, great video Martin, this brings back a lot of memories mostly good ones!🤔😂✌️

[@billfunk1219]

Your videos are always interesting and impressive. I am struck by just how much research you do to present these wonderful videos! As always you and your great crew remember to stay safe! All my best from Utah!

[@Johnketes54]

​@michaeloneill7813Not crappie enough, They lost the plot years ago

[@jonathanlayne-gordon9007]

Martin and James have me seriously considering a trip from TX to Manchester just to explore all the incredible places and things he's shown us

[@peterspencer6442]

You wouldn't regret it, there's so much old industrial archaeology in these parts and it's wonderful to imagine all the stories that may be lost to time behind it all

[@cynthiatyler1606]

I'm with you on that one. 💯

[@MyNameIsGeronimo]

Tx?

[@jimherbert007]

Make a trip of it and head up to Scotland as well, my TX based boss loved it last year

[@nickcook7408]

Texas, huh? We have a lot of history here in Manchester but we don’t have the sunshine you have, and you’ll think our portions are tiny. We’re not making fun of you because you’re a tourist, that’s just how big our portions are. FWIW 😉

[@Dan23_7]

Bloody hell I’ve never known 46 mins to go too fast. This was amazing Martin, James, and Roy. I was glued. “Red brick giants” I love that term. They’re disappearing slowly but surely and it’s such a shame. They took one down in Bamber bridge near me about 8 years ago for new plastic housing.

[@pietweety7020]

Can’t believe I’m watching this on KZbin and my wife is watching Emmerdale on tv, it should be the other way round!! Excellent video as always👍

[@russellmurray8102]

What you need are felt-soled waders with tungsten stud inserts embedded in in them. This allows you to walk on sloppy surfaces, and muddy banks, anglers use them when wading

[@garyhardman8369]

Thanks for taking me on the adventures underground. As a young man, I would have thought nothing of going into such tunnels. As a kid, I went into a few of the workings of the wet earth colliery in Clifton. Fifty years later, I have developed claustrophobia, to the extent that I get uncomfortable even watching somebody else in a confined space... Funny old thing the brain!

[@michaeldavies9533]

Martin and friends,many thanks for your very interesting video 📷 you do take some chances though,,keep them coming please.,very enjoyable.

[@countesscable]

I’m from Swansea and is kids used to have loads of exciting derelict industrial ruins, and I’m amazed that I’m still alive from going down tunnels, sliding down slag heaps, and playing in the ruins of such salubrious places as Arsenic works. Now that I’m old, I am horrified!

[@chucky2316]

Nice to have you back

[@ethanshinabarger4390]

I wish you made more videos, you should do this for a living, so well done, informative, funny, exciting, hits all angles IMO!

[@jamessones4044]

I love this stuff. The past is always more interesting to me than the future. Thanks Martin! 🙏🏼🙌🏻

[@boilerroombob]

Great trek martin and friends......Martin that was worth every second of its 45 minutes for me sat here in front of me log fire and youtube on the t.v ... excellent history and footage and good to see you back underground I look forward to the next one regards rob

[@tterbronnoc]

I thought that you'd gone in to retirement Martin 😂 perfect Sunday afternoon viewing material 🙌

[@lorrainemerry8661]

Same here

[@Storiesandyarns]

Great to see your videos back again Martin.

[@deangeyer2512]

Hello from Harrisville Michigan I love watching your videos of England history

[@carlrehnberg4581]

Yeah, a tributary of the mysterious river Irk. There must be an absolutely wild geology behind the masonry and stone of the culvert. High iron content from the colliery, then chalkantite buildup, flowstone buildup... I could have spent a day in there trying to look whats behind through the cracks. Absolutely loved the culvert part (haven't seen the rest yet, and I am already commenting)!

[@fac51nh]

Thanks for another outstanding video Martin and gang. Always a great watch.

[@tomsurbanexplore]

Wow this was an amazing interesting video I like the way you show then & now maps brilliantly done it's good they kept the remaining Brick work with times on it that will show people there used to be a mill nearby thanks to Roy showing the photos brilliant video Martin as always 👍

[@williamturner6366]

another great informative vid martin you and your team have got more balls than a snooker table for going into those culverts . when you showed a picture of your mam i must admit i had a tear in my eye. please keep us informed for a long time to come..love and admiration from an old ardwickian. all your team keep safe. god bless.

[@SMlFFY85]

Until relatively recently 10-15 years ago there was a car dealership near the hospital in Oldham that was full of Reliant three wheelers, I can't imagine the place was very busy with customers.

[@ianhudson2193]

Another fascinating production........ ......something new and interesting every time.... I'll never look at water in Manchrster when I poke my nose over an old bridge in the same way again....

[@hereiam2942]

Great video. Love lookimg at old architecture and more so, maps. Great detail.

[@therestlessgardener9287]

The Times bollard that remains in what looks to be a residential area kind of brought a tear to my eye; of course time and civilizations move on but losing heritage makes me sad. And that pic of your mom was awesome. She was adorable and I definitely see the family resemblance.

[@carldickson2603]

Cheers Martin, as a Middletonian I remember when the Times mill was demolished, I was brought up on moorclose then moved more into Middleton off wood street. It's a crying shame that they've left the iconic Warwick mill in that dilapidated state, Another fantastic video. 😊

[@davidberlanny3308]

Great video, thoroughly enjoyed this one, big thanks to Roy for guiding you there👏👏. That photo of his of the tower being blown up was quite something!! Thank you very much for sharing your Mum's memories of the area, what a lovely picture of her as well😍. The cantankerous outflow was quite a sight, I'm amazed that you could get so close. Good luck from Spain!!

[@ianboyle1621]

test

[@mikeede49]

Great video Martin, I love it when I can relate to the subject. I worked on the bend of Grimshaw lane opposite Times Mill from the mid 80s till I retired in 2012, so thanks for jogging my memory I'd almost forgotten about the mill being demolished.

[@markthomas6045]

Brilliant Martin, just bloody brilliant!

[@chrisjackson4457]

Brilliant as always Martin, I have only recently found your channel and I am not from Manchester but I absolutely love all the stuff you do, I used to work for British waterways (now CRT) and I love industrial history …..well done mate.

[@jetsons101]

Martin, this was quite the adventure, so much information and detail --- outstanding. The quality of you work is why I became a member. At 38:54 you're very lucky to have such a lovely Mother. Martin, you road around in a Reliant 3-wheeler and lived to talk about it, now that's amazing... Thanks to Martin, James and Roy for being part of the adventure.

[@ltipst2962]

I'm sure you've some tales too Mike. You've obviously a good heart

[@jetsons101]

@@ltipst2962 Thanks, there is good in us all.

[@ltipst2962]

@@jetsons101 I'm sure you're right. Had to just share you made a nice comment, have a lovely eve :)

[@jetsons101]

@@ltipst2962 Thanks...

[@duncanhowarth9514]

Hiya Mike. It was Martins mother that bought him his wellys. He mentions the fact in a video that he posted about 2.5-3 years ago. Had I have had some wellys I could have crossed the Pennines with them a few weeks ago, having bumped into Martin and James in an establishment of hospitality at breakfast time. Sadly I was bereft of the necessary footwear. Two good down to earth blokes! James just needs to be getting himself out of bed earlier in the morning when they've got assignments on their hands. ;-)

[@navigator902]

Excellent reminiscent and touching memories ... especially of your Dear Mom, her picture was beautiful... now I see how you get your Looks Martin Zero... Thanks Mate, Cheers...

[@philippabaker1078]

What a superb video! Well done you three. X

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Much appreciated your time and efforts to produce your volgs. An aspect of life we would never see. thanks very much team Keep safe warm dry and virus free all

[@MartinZero]

Thanks David

[@petewadsworth8492]

In 1977 i had a reliant robbin because I had past my test on a motorbike. And all these years later I've still got a three wheel Volkswagen trike. Great video.

[@David_Owsnett]

Marvellous video Martin, Roy and James.

[@adventuresinruby]

I love all your videos and here is another one! Have rewatched the River Irwell one with Dial House and underground tunnels. I worked in Dial house in the 1970’s and once went into the beginning of the tunnels with GPO/BT engineers. Sadly I didn’t get to go far but have always been amazed by them. I was told that they continued to Stockport and connected all the telephone exchanges but how true that is, I just don’t know. All the best Martin and thanks for all your hard work!

[@Zozzle12]

Brilliant Martin!! As a kid in my early teens I used to spend a lot of time at the brook behind what was then Chaddy Grammar School - the section from Crossley Bridge on Broadway, down to Foxdenton Lane. We always thought the brook to be an open sewer that flowed into the sewage plant. I remember seeing condoms in the brook. As kids we used to jump the brook and generally play around. As kids we never wondered where the brook started and we assumed it ended at the sewage plant. Now I know differently. Thanks Martin. I lived at the corner of Denton Lane and Eaves Lane and I've been in Canada for 56 years, since 1968.

[@bengreenhalgh1951]

Martin, you're a legend! Always loved the Wince Brook when I lived in Chadderton and spent so much time playing in it! There always used to be rumours of a 'flush' that happened to clean the tunnels. Never saw it though, and now I know why Thunder tunnel was always so loud! Thanks again!

[@Dave64track]

Great video with some really good attention to detail as with all the other videos you never fail to impress us with something new. The black and white map comparison says it all which sometimes makes you realise that we are just building on every little bit of green land available and it makes you wonder at what cost to the land and when will it end. A great thanks to all involved in making this video possible in showing us places that we would never normally see or know about. We might be removing all the history above ground slowly but below ground tells another story as shown in this video. Thanks guys.👍

[@nigelbarker4135]

A nice nod to your beautiful mum👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@geoffwilliamson9444]

Always a delight to see a Martin Zero video come up in my notifications, keep up the awesomely good work!

[@richardschild1640]

Each time you post one of these video's i cant help but to think "Now surely his supply of brooks and culverts in the Manchester area must have dried up" but then there's always a new video. Love them, love them... Keep it up Martin!

[@EclecticMusicMan]

Your video’s are some of the best produced and informative that pretty much any topic you do is so interesting to watch. Even the humour is humorous to.

[@mesmogruvinski]

Thankyou Martin, James and Roy. Another belting videologue. You know, i used to go play my saxophone down an outflow pipe that runs into the Mersey. The echo was amazing. I'd wait for the sound to bounce back, then I'd harmonise with it. I didnt dare go up it. I probably would have if you and the gang were with me.😊

[@MrTech1210]

Yeah that cantankerous flow does seem like “treated effluent” from a sewer outflow. Having worked in the water industry for 10 years, I would estimate that by looking at that cantankerous flow, it’s probably discharging at a flow rate in-excess of 1000 litres per second! Looking at an areal view of the area, that sewage plant looks considerably a large one, I would expect that the treated effluent is to a high standard there. Great video again, always enjoying 😊

[@OkenWS]

I also work in the industry and went looking at the EA information for the Wince Brook and there were several RNAGs - ammonia (but not BOD) and P to name a couple - attributed to continuous and intermittent discharges. Lots of treatment works across the country in need of some TLC at the moment I think, especially where groundwater is concerned, but we are probably still within 5% of the best things have ever been. Imagine the state of that brook when it was surrounded by active industry, pre-Environment Act.

[@darreno9874]

Great video Martin, keep them coming. God bless

[@MrDazvere]

My old playground! I’ve run across the pipe on many occasions (and never fell in) before the spikes were added! Played football on Jumbo field and played golf on the pitch and putt that used to be on the flat lands above the Brook. Been ratting down the banks of the Brook behind the Times mill and had a rope swing over the Brook. Remember the massive fire in the mills. I lived on The Meadows, Alkrington.

[@PhillyBill59]

Another excellent trip thru the Manchester time tunnel. Thanks Martin & Crew...and glad to have you all back in action.

[@screwthecabal6453]

Glad top have you back doing what you love and we enjoy!

[@neilbethell2299]

Another fantastic video👍

[@familylife3624]

Good to see you all back after Christmas lads another great little video well done , The picture of times mill by Alan McEwen was a mate of the late fred dibnah I've got a book of his and it's shows a load of the old buildings around Manchester and chimneys old Fred was knocking down

[@gregbolitho9775]

Nice 1, really liked the photos and the walk. Thanks m8s, keep up the good walk.

[@MrRiverspider]

Between cooking for 8 of my Children,and putting them to bed, I managed to watch. and so glad i did. Your video's hit the spot again. Thank you stay safe :)

[@englishmaninmarktredwitz2228]

All your videos are great but this time you have excelled yourselves. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@simonmcowan6874]

Brilliant, been waiting ages it seems for another post, absolutely not disappointed, this for me ranks as one of your top films, well researched, good filming, but super editing, had me glued to the screen from the beginning to the end, just excellent, thank you.

[@darrenbuckley7000]

Walked these same journeys as a younger man. Good to see it with lighting.

[@paigedarby7581]

What a fantastic surprise for for a rainy Sunday! So glad to see you back!

[@Wedgedoow]

What a story, I wonder what Post 10 would make of the culverts, thank you and your team for another very entertaining history lesson.

[@TheMancDroneGuy]

Great video from the main man and the team 👏👏👏👏👏

[@splintergg]

There used to be some old jeep chassis in the brook at Holden Clough near Lee's Road, that was in the 70's, I remember playing there as a kid. Could still be there but not been back as we emigrated to Aus. Love you vids, great stuff Martin and team 👍👍

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Very interesting, Martin. Those mills were something else. 👌 Thanks for sharing.

[@John-nw8uj]

Cotton and Coal, what made Manchester the second city in UK. Wonderful vid most informative, another most interesting piece of the history of South Lancashire. Well done to you and your team. John

[@markwolf8152]

Fascinating video and very enjoyable. I live in Bristol but love your enthusiasm and how much research you put in to bring these rivers and brooks to life

[@garethparr9482]

Said d it 20 times before and sure I will be saying it for 20 times to come. Thankyou guys for the lengths you go to bringing us these great videos. Your videos are far better than most of the shite we have to suffer on the telly. Keep em coming guys we love em 👍

[@readmylisp]

All good stuff. I hope teachers are showing these local history gems to the next generation.

[@StiggysGuitarLoft]

As I told you a while back Martin my mates and I went to Radcliffe School and we met on a Saturday and did this tunnel run till the end. If memory serves It goes to a concrete pipe about 4 feet high and pretty much ends up at a small 10 inch pipe. However the tall part in the middle we called the vault. This was back in the 90s maybe 95. It made me smile to see the large water deposit waterfall as I slipped and put my hand in it that way and wiped it on my mates coat lol

[@smithy4432]

Fantastic video Martin and team. Being a Chadderton lad found it incredibly interesting. Great research you brave lads.

[@anarchodandyist]

What a great video. Have been around Foxdenton and those parts of Chaddy over the years and never knew any of that was below my feet.

[@charleydavidson69]

Hi Martin. Great video and if you look at 19 minutes 42 seconds the mill is called Springfield Mill. I really enjoy your videos. Old maps, old photos, industrial archeological - lovely.

[@Phil-M0KPH]

Marvellous as always.

[@lesbendo6363]

Thank you for the Adventure! 🇨🇦

[@charlesbryant5649]

Springfield Mill on the early map certainly nails the second source. Still a lot of water. Fascinating as usual.

[@PlasticAssasin8]

Thanks so much for showing all this. What a pity they demolish the mills rather than turning them into historic housing. They have done that in a few places where i live and its great to see the old stuff still around and modernised

[@davehanson7764]

Great video Martin, happy new year by the way. I hope you had a good Christmas

[@Kriv]

Know this Brook well, it was right by where I grew up in the late 80s. We spent a day clearing the brook near the apple and pear pub, pulled out so many tyres, shopping trollies and bikes. Made it on to Granada tonight!

[@ianflint4610]

Caused a chuckle - my wife grew up in one of those houses in 'posh' Alkrington just a stones throw from the Wince Brook. Posh??? Not been there for a few years since the in-laws passed away. These videos would have fascinated my father in-law who was a chemical plant engineer. He worked in quite a few of those mills and he himself grew up with the river Irk at the bottom of his garden.

[@RingwayManchester]

Great as always bishop

[@MartinZero]

Thanks GD

[@judithsmith9274]

Brilliant video Martin. Really enjoyed it. Love the old Mills and the history behind them.

[@chrisbow1776]

I need to get back to binge watching your videos like I used to do every week a year ago. I love them, but around a year ago I got into watching caught on camera ghost reaction videos. I will have days of watching your stuff when I decide to sit down and binch on them.

[@thehouseholder5468]

Thank you ❤

[@70mmbobbyj]

Another great video. I see James has finally got some proper waders.

[@4418CARLOU]

Very informative. All three of you are mad bending down traipsing through that water.

[@theymademedoit6814]

Great vid 👌. Those old mills are amazing .Wow that Warwick mill

[@terryalmond8777]

Love the way you pronounce reservoirrrrrr...thanks for another super Vid .

[@rjmun580]

He's being posh - we usually say Reservoy round here.

[@taloire43]

Thanks for a very interesting video Martin. Springfield Mill at the area of the second source gives the game away!

[@ManchesterMudlarks]

great video martin as always lots of fun , but missed the tea break lol

[@John-oy8nj]

Another great video Martin love the way you explore your local history.

[@mesmogruvinski]

You should be on the telly. Your use of maps and your explanations are fantastic. Thanks for posting, boss.

[@tonymartin1119]

I’ve always thought that Wince Brook is formed from the confluence of the Stock Brook and the Springs Brook, near the sewage works.

[@earlt.7573]

Fantastic video, the photo / old map comparisons are a fave with me, so much has changed over time it's amazing. Lovely photo of your Mom, thanks for the stories, it's the nice thing about having that family connection to an area, going back to where you had adventures as a kid and where your folks played and worked when they were young. The tale of the 3 wheeler that ended up in the stream is priceless, be funny to find that still sticking out the mud somewhere, ha ha. Cheers !!!

[@PaulanthonyBridge-kt4eg]

Enchanting, journey into mysteries.

[@KathyFarr-it7xo]

Hi Martin, I watch your channel whenever you put out a new video. My father lived in Mossley as a boy so it reminds me of his home area. I live in Tasmania Australia and you have inspired me to try and do something similar here. Well done, enjoy your channel very much.

[@peterbrameld696]

Yet another great video Martin, very many thanks, Peter

[@geoffreysmith7226]

Hi Martin, Great Video, when I was a lad crossley playing fields was Chadderton Tip very interesting about the culvert under nearth. On Sunday the 30th of April at 9-00am the Hartford Mill chimney is being knocked down I will be there to watch it.

[@pbartmess]

Thank you for your comprehensive research and thorough explanation. Your underground lightshows are always very enjoyable!

[@nezbitt1469]

Fantastic video guys, & all around my local area. Lots learned again thanks to your extensive research as always 👍🏻

[@jacquelinefilby1842]

James is better at making tea than acting as the side kick😅 We still love him to pieces though

[@Jimyjames73]

I like the way how you lite up the tunnel with them colourful lights @12:09😉🚂🚂🚂

[@stephenwhite4293]

At the beginning of the video you show the car park where the pit shaft was if you look carefully just above your cursor there is a shadow on the ground maybe made by the said shaft made bye the ground drying at different rates.

[@gaynorwoods1510]

Love your stories & videos very informative I always pass on information to others keep up the good work it’s appreciated

[@MrTallwilly]

Thanks again for another well done video. Cheers from minnesota usa.