The Big Humpty. A River Medlock story

The Big Humpty is a large culvert on Manchester's River Medlock. Its actually called the Bank Bridge Culvert. It is situated to the east of Manchester near Clayton Vale. This is a video that tells a story about a section of the river Medlock and goes into the History of Manchester. We look at the remnants of old factories and the possible mine drainage sough of the Old Bradford colliery a Mine in Manchester. A large flood along the section of the river washed away parts of a graveyard . This History documentary and urban explore goes through a large culvert telling the story of the river as we go. Underground Manchester at its finest.

[@MartinZero]

Music; Forgotten by Aurora B. Polaris Also Simulacra by Aurora B.Polaris. Marcus's Channel and his video of the day kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaG1go2el52oi5Y

[@David-hi9rp]

Are you sure tour name isn't Tony as our neighbour looks like you here in Failsworth Manchester ?!

[@markthackray3185]

Playing the tunes on KZbin , they are outstanding. I love boards of Canada so can appreciate this kind of tunes.

[@goldwing537]

@@markthackray3185 I`ve got a lot of their stuff

[@eddyhenningsson3121]

You picked good music for this, the Medlock series is a lot of episod and this is perfect for this. 🙂

[@wibblywobblyidiotvision]

Hello Martin. Excellent video, as usual. The engineers "back in t' day" weren't as daft as it might seem. The idea of bricking the riverbed is exactly to provide a fast, smooth route for the river, not to slow it down at all. When you've got a lot of water coming in, you need to get a lot of water through, and fast. A natural riverbed will snag trees, rocks, and lord knows what else, and in a flood situation it will start eroding the banks. This happens fast - in 1872, it took an hour from the start of the flood to taking out the cemetery - around here in 2015 we had major flood, from the time where the river started to leave its bed due to natural damming with a few trees, it took under 10 minutes to utterly and absolutely remove a quarter of a mile of road, which took 2 years to put back in....

[@stebates7757]

Was going to comment the exact same thing 😂 smooth fast running river prevents snagging of debris. That was their reasoning anyway 👍

[@rachelmurr1466]

You know your sunday gets better when Martin Zero post a video, kick back, make a coffee and enjoy 😁

[@paulwilson7234]

Say no more your words enough 👌

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

Well said, I'm gonna go make my coffee now lol that sounds fantastic

[@bobjackson6524]

Fully agree

[@jaredmehrlich6683]

I've got my morning Pepsi

[@rachelmurr1466]

@@jaredmehrlich6683 fair play but you can't dunk biscuits in Pepsi like you can with coffee! Enjoy anyway 👍

[@markthomas6045]

Another great episode Martin! It's nice to see the younger folk taking an interest in historical things. The old photos of the arches and the men working in what look like miserable conditions contrasted with the modern filming of the area really brings history to life. This is what makes your channel so great. Keep up the good work!

[@weyayemanjoe3082]

I agree 👍

[@whiskeycook3323]

I absolutely love martins work

[@thomasdieckmann5711]

Hi Martin, great work once again. I really love the way you give context with old maps and add old historic photographs. There is only one thing I missed: brew time 🙂

[@brianartillery]

You had Brewboy with you, too! Glaring oversight.

[@keithsquawk]

and was it biscuits or cakes?

[@antl82]

Brilliant video, brought a tear to my eye when you mentioned and showed photos of Bradford pit. My uncle worked there for donkeys years till it closed. Have a few pictures somewhere. If I find them, I'll send them over to your Facebook page!

[@danielbarrows7144]

The further adventures of Martin’s coat, can’t wait for episode #2 lol One of your funniest lines “does your coat go off on adventures without you?”😂

[@jonnybluegiant7764]

That brickwork in the overflow looked beautiful

[@tardismole]

I've heard of garden gnomes going off on adventures, but this has to be the first coat making a bid for freedom. Glad you got it back.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah I think the coat peaked too soon

[@glawrencea6009]

I'm from California, I find your show absolutely fascinating. Thank you.

[@robertschmitz8036]

I am so hooked on these amazing videos about the city I love. Faithful viewers look for critical things like who made the tea, and did James buy biscuits on clearance again! Lol Joshing aside, you all are doing something I love, honoring our past.

[@greg6172]

Almost Martin with zero coat. Thanks for another great video. All the best from Australia

[@MartinZero]

Nice one 😄

[@ianbishop247]

14:40 Once as field service engineer I was told I had a call at a firm in Bradford. SO I headed up the M62 from my home in Denton. As I got to Hartshead services I rang my company who then gave me the full address. It was at British Vita (now Vitafoam) in Bradford, Manchester. I had lived in East Manchester all my life an never knew there was a Bradford in Manchester - Doh!

[@ruthbrierley1798]

Thanks for another great video Martin! It's always nice to hear the Medlock music. And, glad you got your coat back!!!

[@MartinZero]

I would have been gutted if it had ended up going over a weir and being lost forever Ruth 😀

[@ivormorgan460]

Thanks for showing that Martin,I have lived in Australia for the past 55 years,the Medlock I knew was the free running part up to Daisy Nook area,green fields clean river, used to go to the Meddie as kids most weekends, about the age of 11 we discovered the Red River,and it was an amazing discovery at that age,me and my pal Geoff Davies could not figure out what was going on,pure dread and excitement,I am 83 now so this was 70 odd years ago,I can't remember the Humpty but vaguely remember at one point we had to have our backs to the wall and inch slowly forward,the whole journey along the Red River was a scary eye opener,I don't think we got much further than Bradford pit,maybe to where City stadium is now,it was just a one off, no desire to ever go there again, sad to see the Meddie harnessed like that,a very dangerous playground for kids in those days.

[@JemTheWire]

Amazing. I am Manchester born and bred, but never knew that all this was under my feet. Strangely enough, I found your channel from a collaboration you did with Darren of AdventureMe. Two fantastic channels I really enjoy watching. A great laugh when you get together. Very educational too. I can just imagine you and you mates in the pub after one of your adventures. Great stuff.

[@andyhill242]

Fascinating as always, Martin.

[@robertphillips6296]

Thank you for posting this.

[@cornelius9180]

Thank Martin, great episode as usual 🙏

[@Mantakev]

I love these videos.

[@ashkanyavari]

Beautiful detailed video

[@Haerleif]

another fantastic video, thanks for sharing, love the old pictures!

[@billfunk1219]

Great videos and you have great friends to go with you to explore these historic places.

[@annbarns652]

loved this and the music that went with it .

[@Me..D.S]

There's something about the Medlock series music that brings back some great memories of watching your series from the beginning all those years ago. 😀 Thank you for putting a smile on my face with a lil bump of excitement through my veins. 😊🙌🏼

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

A coat that goes on adventures without you...that's funny Martin! Glad you got it back.

[@Bivolari]

Part of the informative nature and fun of your videos is the crew you surround yourself with.

[@porkscratchings5428]

Result getting your jacket back lol. Amazing how Man City is built on an old colliery, thanks for sharing, another fab vid. 👍🥂

[@Pytchblend]

This was a fun video, thanks Martin :)

[@2011thekaj]

True , I get excited when a new post comes up. I'm like.. Hell yeah. Lay back because this Is going to be a Interesting video. Thanks Martin

[@MrSteffen2020]

Thanks you Martin for nice video see you next time

[@zeberdee1972]

Still as always a cracking video with all the history and old photo's . I do like your video's they are the best .

[@DEAD-DROP]

So many great features along this one! The red brick was beautiful! Appreciate all the maps and old photos, some really great insight. Cheers Martin!

[@albertattwood8746]

Another fascinating trip up the Medlock. The stories that go with it are uncanny. Great stuff Martin and Team 👍

[@stuartwelsh9961]

Brilliant great video that

[@bobingram6912]

The river that keeps giving. Another brilliant episode guys, Sunday armchair time again, magic!!👍👍👍👍

[@nigelericogden3200]

Love your videos Martin … best wishes to you, James and ALL the team … thanks mate 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Nigel, much appreciated

[@shenanigan87]

Another greatly improved Sunday thanks to a Martin Zero video! I probably know more about the Medlock by now than about many rivers that are actually near me... Loved seeing that storm drain in action, always neat to witness such structures when things are actually in flood, helping to get rid of excess water. The coat going on adventures without you was of course the icing on the cake! :)

[@dh2032]

coat going on adventures without you was of course the icing on the cake, yes

[@gerryegan4872]

Another great video, Martin, thanks for putting it out there. Always enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work. Regards.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Gerry

[@missmerrily4830]

Always a happy moment when I see your latest video is up. They're always unfailingly interesting and of course this one's no exception. Your combined knowledge is awesome and that footage of the sewage outflow was a stark warning about straying into dangerous places! That was some force of water. The big Humpty itself is pretty impressive too. Martin what a tale of woe with your coat! Life's so unkind sometimes..... but at least you got it back and the giant squirrel of doom was defeated! Thanks everyone, that was a really entertaining video.

[@ashkanyavari]

Mr martin hi … you always making my day… watching feels like family ☝️

[@shirleylynch7529]

So glad you caught your coat, what a super explore. Love the intro filming. Great time was had by all. So informative as well. Thank you for an amazing trip.

[@navigator902]

A Sundays delight, another Martin Zero production, some of the best historical documentations of the inter workings history of the Area... giving a taste of the surrounding area.... Great to see the team and the man James, brew master par excel-lance.... Cheers.

[@williamturner6366]

brilliant martin and the lads totally enjoyable.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks William

[@fac51nh]

Been a good few years since I've been through there. One of the easiest culverts to get into..Cheers for another great video 👍

[@malcbury9739]

Absolutely amazed at how you make such interesting videos of things that ordinary folk would just view as 'oh, just a river culvert'. Fascinating as always and who knew there was a coal mine so near to Manchester City Centre. Great work, Martin, keep it up!

[@MartinDHayes]

Another excellent adventure Martin! The Big Humpty is HUGE! And I'm so glad you got your rain coat back, what a story. And what a good friend Roy is for retrieving it. Keep up the outstanding work. I always look forward to your videos! Cheers from USA!

[@simonross8218]

Hi Martin, re: your waders. Dry the waders out, and hang them up! Fill the right leg up with water to locate where the hole is, then mark it. Then get yourself a tube of aquasure, most good tackle shops sell it or go online. Then follow the instructions (once they have dried out again) I have used waders for fishing for 30+yrs, and have had an extra 4yrs just from one repair of this stuff!!! Really interesting vid as always, thanks!

[@vsvnrg3263]

another fantastic show. they did a fabulous job of converting the river back to nature upstream of the big tunnel. you would never know it had been bricked up.

[@tharkthax3960]

Liked the moment when you were convinced the water was coming from the Bradford pit 😄 It's pure class - and as always a treat of a video. Thanks 😊

[@paulbrown1022]

Another good one Martin. There is a similar set-up on the river at Stoneyholme in Burnley. It is stone rather than brick, but seems to do the same job of getting floodwater through as quickly as possible. It has a small channel for the daily flow, but a wider squared-off stone channel for higher flows. I remember seeing it in full spate as a child, bloody scary when you’re stood (or rather running as fast as poss over it, ha ha) on the bridge over it, water lapping the underside! Aaargh.

[@jeffjones6107]

That brick laying for that culvert was amazing done by proper tradesmen and it's rarely seen. Another informative video Martin a great watch 👍

[@blueneeson9888]

Thanks You Lot A Brilliant Video From Blue

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Blue

[@SurRon_OffRoad]

mate... back on form again with vids every week ..love it , nice1 martin👌

[@pambrown8697]

I love how you show the original photos and current photo, it is amazing.

[@MartinZero]

Cant beat those old photos Pam 👍

[@adamdnewman]

Superb Video Martin and Co. Glad you got your coat!😀

[@williamwelbourn7932]

Great video Martin. Have been catching up with the video's since getting home from my two week holiday.

[@goldenaxe1986]

Fantastic Video Martin. Great Group of Guys, Great Pictures of the Past, Well informative & Very enjoyable to watch, I've Watch quite a few Videos of yours but After this one i Subscribed, Great Work, Excellent !!!

[@tomsurbanexplore]

Wow another amazing video glad Roy got your coat for you if that was me I'd be devastated that's a massive tunnel " the big humpty " good video Martin 👍

[@lindamccaughey6669]

That was so excellent. The Big Humpty is gorgeous. I’m really pleased you got your coat back would have been a huge loss. Thanks for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care

[@nesleinf]

I like your ressearch on every place you visit. Your films are just fantastic. Love from Denmark

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much 👍

[@rw8074]

Hi Martin. Thumbs up on another excellent video from you & friends. I was pleasantly surprised you added more to the Medlock series👍 As mentioned in latter comments; The brick gully was designed to take water away quickly at both low & average to high flows. This was a two-fold design to take along silt & detritus with it. You've mentioned yourself in previous videos how polluted the river was, so the fast flow even in drought conditions prevented foul sediments building up; they were effectively flushed through. Secondly: In higher flash-flood conditions the water has that huge open slightly sloped area to flood onto without causing damage to the side-walls. Likewise, larger detritus would still get swept away & not cause a blockage or flood the land. Anything too big left behind after water levels receded was easily removed out of the way manually. I really love all your videos, it's your content that drew me into subscribing etc. on here on KZbin. 'Really appreciated, thanks fella 👍

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks so much

[@yonmons]

Brilliant these videos give that feel good factor ! Good to see James mum is still letting him out !

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Gary, yeah he got done for getting dirty last time

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Wow bricks galore 🧱🧱🤩🤩. Not very practical but looks smart . That culvert is amazing ! Built the same as the egg shaped sewers so as the water rises the capacity increases , old engineering is so cool 😍😍🧱👍🏼

[@adrianstansfield]

Great video again Martin & a very funny story about the lost jacket I couldn't stop laughing ☝😂😂😂😂

[@MartinZero]

I couldnt stop crying 😄

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

That tunnel profile looks like they'd use for a railway tunnel, except the rail ones have ballast etc on the bottom hiding the invert. That coat needs its own show. Imagine if it had a go pro attached to it!

[@MartinZero]

That would of been cool actually

[@jonathanlayne-gordon9007]

"YA lyke sewas?" "Yeah, Uh luv sewas" I love these guys

[@davidberlanny3308]

Roy is an absolute diamond, what a great friend to have. Loved the pictures of the building work in the Medlock, a narrow gauge line, traction engines and a river diversion show just what a major task it was. Also good to see the pictures from the Bradford Colliery, in particular the steam lorry taking a full load of coal out. If you watch John Mills doubleboost channel you will occasionally see one of these lorries in steam and running. A grisly tale from the floods in 1872. I've been caught out a couple of times in my car in flash floods over here, it can be seriously dangerous and often costs lives. Roy's footage from that storm drain in full flow shows just how powerful it can be. Great video and lovely to hear that Medlock music again, well done!! Good luck from Portsmouth (back home in Spain tomorrow)!!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers David, safe journey

[@mesmogruvinski]

Big shout to Roy the Fearless Explorer. Hope your coat washed ok, Martin. Great video as per. You, Roy and James make a great team.

[@andyhill242]

Loved the side story of Adventure Coat; glad it had a happy ending.

[@liamphillipclark1]

Nice old school photos Martin mate the train one was mint to see 👌🏻

[@djp120970]

Great as usual, glad you got the coat back!

[@MartinZero]

Me to its cost too much 😃

[@trueleo7893]

Grew up a mile from this, used to jump it lol. Good video.

[@WailuaMark]

Interesting video. I enjoy exploring places like this one, especially if they're old. New subscriber here. I currently reside in East Tennessee. I move house every few years around these 50 states. I'm fortunate to have an employer who allows this nomadic lifestyle. I'm from Oahu. When I retire, I'll most likely head over to the UK, exhaust the American maximum 6 month stay limit, and explore your country for that 6 months. Love your videos! Thanks!!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Mark hope you get to visit

[@rpmillam]

I look forwards to Sundays it helps me understand the area.

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

I love that sound track that you use for the Medlock explores. Another interesting video, cheers Martin

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@jayd1974]

Brilliant and interesting video lads and great you rescued your coat👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Jay

[@mikerogers5043]

Another great video. So glad you got your coat back, like you, I'd be chasing it down the river.

[@MartinZero]

Relief wasnt the word Mike

[@MrYfrank14]

One reason for the brick trough is , it prevents trees and debris snagging on things and creating a dam which eventually breaks and you get more damage from the sudden rush of water. The sides prevent erosion and also give the water more places to go without causing damage. The shape of the big humpty is common with hand dug tunnels that don't have any support. The shape supports itself. I dont know why they would use that design in a brick tunnel. Maybe they felt the earth wasn't strong enough and it needed more support.

[@Junk_World_Templar]

Watching you on here and following you on insta for the last few years has given me an unnatural interest in waterways of Manchester haha, for a Middlesbrough born bloke I have a pretty comprehensive knowledge of the Rivers of Manchester thanks to you haha. Excellent vid.

[@AlisonBryen]

Same, I live near Wolverhampton, but know a surprising amount about the rivers and culverts of Manchester!

[@daviespaulaann8913]

Fantastic work as ever martin...made me laugh the story of your coat...x

[@MartinZero]

I laughed after 😄

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

Looked like a fun day out exploring. Lovely place and great to see you got your jacket back! Great Video!

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Mike

[@thehouseholder5468]

Love a walk and explore with Martin , hope he gets around the West Midlands for an exploration soon , I’ve worked and been around the river rea in Birmingham all my life and would love to know more about it

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

A very enjoyable program, Martin. You'd got a good team with you, and there was some real good old riverside architecture on the way. It was very good of Roy to help you to get your coat back from the river, A real genuine man. From start to finish, smashing to watch - well, it's to do with Manchester, and another one of your Medlock goodies. Many thanks Martin, and keep well.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ffranc hope yer well

[@peterkilvert2712]

Another great adventure. Hope your coat washed OK. I always thought that the flood prevention in the red brick river was the width of the overall channel. Whereas the central channel was created for when the flow is light, so it would not meander and always have a focussed water channel to keep any debris on the move. Thanks again, Pete

[@trucker5722]

Great video lads.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you

[@Dave64track]

Great video it looks more like a railway tunnel than a culvert. The old photos from back in the day say it all what a job laying all those bricks. I think your coat didn't want to feel left out and it wanted to see all the culverts on the Medlock and have a catch up. What no cuppa and biscuit along the way someone is slacking in you're team. 👍

[@markshomeengineering5243]

This vid popped up in my feed outta nowhere. What a f@cking great Video. Awesome content, superbly produced 👍

[@jamesevans3404]

Again Martin and team, great video! Really interested in that sewage over flow chamber, brilliant footage and explore lads 👍🏼

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much James

[@AshtonArcher]

Great stuff! Nice coat rescue!

[@MartinZero]

Almost went under that branch for a second there 😄

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Great video - good news about the coat...!

[@oldmanhuppiedos]

The sequel from last time, it remains fascinating Martin. Back then it was still a lot of manual work. That is a considerable amount of water through the overflow. Special story about your jacket, luckily found again.

[@LyndseyB-hx7ck]

Loved this Martin. My gt grandad was a Bevin boy at Bradford pit during the Second World War. His regular job was a barbed wire worker at Richard Johnson & nephew aka Bradford Iron works, went to an exhibition about it a few years back at Clayton Hall. Thanks for this! Ps the coat adventure really cracked me up ha. Take care

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Lyndsey, yeah the coat calamity turned out ok 😀

[@mikegreyfromnz]

Great Video Martin, glad you got your coat.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Mike

[@garethevans7602]

I enjoyed that 🙂

[@almaxx9680]

Good one fellas 👍 enjoyed that 😎 Glad you got your coat back

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Al

[@Bender24k]

Martin's coat goes on more underground adventures than I do LOL. Brilliant - thanks!

[@MartinZero]

It actually did the Humpty on its own

[@thomasswallow6418]

A nice video Martin. I'm glad that you managed to get your coat back!

[@MartinZero]

At that price, so am I Thomas 😆

[@simonmcowan6874]

Love the 'medlock' theme music, I'm still into my old trance music, this reminds me of the good old days.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah its a keeper