The River Medlock Episode X. The disappearing River

[@28YorkshireRose12]

I wonder when was the last time the waterman came down those steps and turned that mechanism. . . I wonder how his redundancy was announced, and what was the justification for terminating a job that had been so important for so long. It's utterly amazing just how much history is hidden, even lost, beneath our streets, or for that matter, on the surface. It's also very sad to think of the workmanship and expertise that went into making these places, and even sadder, the inevitable loss of life that was so commonplace in centuries passed, only for all that effort to be abandoned and left to wrack and ruin. . . I wonder what those men would think of it now, if they could see what became of their efforts. Thought provoking videos, Martin. Very well done, thank you.

[@Stop..carry-on]

28YorkshireRose12 I thought exactly the same when you see the difference, what would the old boys say? Regarding the manned station I think they just removed all restrictions in the river at the station and said good enough

[@updy]

28YorkshireRose12 you couldn’t have said it better

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

Agreed

[@knowlesy3915]

It is very sad but also many things are just not needed to be manned anymore. Its also sad though when you see an old photo of say a train stn & its clean, with flowers & now, graffiti weeds & p*ss.

[@TheFjmtb]

So my office is on the right, just before the syphon. Have worked there 11 years and have seen people down on the gate quite frequently. Admittedly they don’t sit in that little hut anymore, and probably haven’t since we developed modern methods of river monitoring. However when the medlock is in flood is still needs regulating

[@hullhistorynerd]

One of the things that gives me that weird feeling of the hairs raising on the back of my neck is seeing those long buried bridges still there, under the city, still crossing the river. Another fantastic video! I can see you really suffered for your art in this one!

[@MartinZero]

I suffered in those last two Culverts 😃 Yes those bridges are a wow

[@Tobeshadow]

Fascinating stuff...That siphon is bloody terrifying at full flow!

[@derek-press]

@Xtra Spice Mikey I would think you would definitely be dragged under

[@Tobeshadow]

@Xtra Spice Mikey One hundred percent!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah, it would suck you in

[@harrisonread133]

It would be interesting to see a camera take the ride and see how long it takes to come back up and where.

[@bryan3550]

I'm intrigued by how the siphon would have been built - under the basin! Rather spooky that the basin retaining wall holds that body of still water under the building... Not exactly a sanitary idea. The stone siphon portal is a gem of masonry. Have you checked out the outfall where it resumes the river's path?

[@semajdis]

Like something Granada would have made once upon a time. This is turning out to be a great body of work. Thanks for all the effort you are putting in (and risk, schlepping through all that crud).

[@Davethehedgehog]

Martin's videos are superb. I've been a fan for ages now, since the Standedge Canal videos and before. These are the kinds of videos they should be showing in local schools to kids to get them excited

[@MartinZero]

Cheers, yeah its been an epic journey

[@megagarrym6318]

@@Davethehedgehog I was thinking the same thing whilst watching the video. Martin really should be on the TV with a decent budget and a crew.

[@kollusion1]

You'll have to change your name to, Martin "The Medi" Zero!

[@johnvickers5750]

Excellent vid Martin. The people in the gasworks photo are more likely to be carrying coke which was a by-product left over from the gas production & was much cheaper, usually backed up with cheap coal slack, often used on fires with cast iron ranges in backroom terraced houses. At least thats what I remember from my childhood experience.

[@spex357]

I remember my Grandma being told to stop using coal for cooking on the range and in the room fires, and use coke instead as we had the 62/3? clean air act. You must remember the endless line of smoking terraced house chimneys, the horse and cart bring it in huge sacks. The dung as no one had a garden laid in the road to rot or feed the tufts of grass that grew out from the joints in the sets, which soon went when the car took over. The stench of horse manure as you turned into your street on a summer's day would make your eyes smart. As Coal and pop both came via horse along with the vegman and the rag and bone man it could be like walking through a manure processing plant at times with endless mounds up the road, and now they moan about CO2, Greta says she can taste it but I bet it's not as tasty as a three year old cobs early morning deposit.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks John I realise now it was probably coke

[@johnvickers5750]

Martin I can tell you as a child we used to scrabble for coal chucked down the railway embankment from steam locos by firemen who were from our street! In them days neighbors had open door friendships which is sadly missed today.

[@LittleCarol]

@@johnvickers5750 When you start off with nowt, you don't forget to appreciate what we have now!

[@t0m541]

Amazing the difference in the river when it's in flood, when you were under the culvert in all the debris I did think that it was surprising that there was such a lot from a small river, in fact the photo from when the syphon was built does show a huge full flood river behind the workers. Such a shame that the water and rivers companies let the rivers get so contaminated with rubbish, eventually that syphon will block then the fun will start, especially for those in the apartments just above the water level in the basin. Great video Martin, rounds off a rainy Sunday in style...

[@normathomas8276]

Should never have built those sky scrapers they look awful and totally out of caracter

[@Pob76]

Wish the city of Manchester could clean all these kinds of places up . I know they’ve done great work to date, but still a ways to go!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Tom, yes I dont fancy living in a ground floor in those appartments

[@LittleCarol]

@@MartinZero Why do people think it is ok to keep throwing rubbish into waterways? Where do they expect it to go? My parents played hell with me for dropping a sweet wrapper on the floor outside, even when I meekly picked it up and put it in my pocket, I still got a clout!

[@b4mouse]

Thanks for persevering Martin. The whole Medlock thing has been great viewing, even for a Brummie. Nice to see James Brindley get a mention, a real icon around my parts.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks John yeah he was a very special man Mr Brindley

[@bobingram6912]

Please let there be more!!!! Once again you've given us a history filled vid c/w old pics to tie it all in, magic. That siphon stonework just great to see, glad you made it before the floods. As I've said before, 200 years of history at river level and look up 45° and there's a b****y great modern skyscraper being built on that history - amazing. Thanks for your enthusiasm in bringing this to all of us Sunday Medlock followers. 👍👌❤🐝

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Bob, yes there is more to come

[@tommelo4270]

Martin, I have never seen anyone who loves their city as much as you love Manchester. This series is truly remarkable. I hope that it will shine for you and give you the accolades that you deserve. It is much more than a documentary, it is a thrilling adventure that is punctuated with your marvelous music. Thank you for taking us on such a beautiful journey.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Tom, yes its turned out to be quite an epic adventure for me. 👍

[@RiojaRoj]

Another thought provoking and interesting look into our northwest industrial past. Most of it lost to the masses. Your work Martin really needs to reach the wider population because you're bringing the industrial revolution to the people who haven't got a clue as the importance of what Manchester and it's people gave this country and the world ! Thanks Roj

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Roj yeah we certainly find some hidden Gems

[@Nathan.Manchester]

I'm loving the videos they are well researched and I learn things I didn't know about Manchester 😁

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Nathan. hope your well

[@danieltoth-nagy5097]

A few days ago I couldn't image how quickly I will watch all of these videos in a short turn. But you can't just stop watching them. Thanks, Martin!

[@harrisonread133]

Great video. Watching you from valley forge Pennsylvania. Keep up the good work.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Harrison many thanks and regards to Valley Forge Pennsylvania 👍

[@harrisonread133]

@@MartinZero I have an idea. If you can send a camera in the drainage pit. Maybe interesting to see and maybe you might find something.

[@kollusion1]

0:25 Hey, where's all the water gone? 4:05 Great references on the old aerial pic! 5:28 We really don't realise how good we have it nowadays. 8:31 Makes you wonder about the foundations of them things? 9:37 I'm really impressed with them old photos you find, that tie in with your findings. Must be very time consuming, & at times frustrating. It's a real shame, that with all our many, rich & diverse histories, that Cottonopolis isn't better refurbished, maintained, respected, & taught in schools. I don't remember learning any of these great stories in school. Great vid as always Mart, love the ladder too! Cheers.

[@Zentron]

Manchester City Council really needs to sort out the Manchester waterways! Also, the history that Manchester has lost is staggering!

[@extrude22]

They are not the councils responsibility. Canals are managed by the Canal and Rivers trust and rivers by the Environment agency.

[@Zentron]

@@extrude22 Well I guess we need to give them a kick up their collective arses!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah some of these places have changed beyond belief

[@ianlainchbury]

What a shame that siphon mechanism is in such a bad state. A clean up, and copy of the newspaper article would bring history alive at that point! Fascinating video again Martin.

[@2H80vids]

Compared to the many £billions being spent in the area, that would cost pennies to put together. When it comes to the development of that actual bit, they should build that into the agreement. The stonework all looks pretty good; a tidy-up would be a really good start, followed by rebuilding all the machinery. Add a viewing area and a few noticeboards and you'd have an educational visitor attraction. Get Martin on the case.

[@ianlainchbury]

@@2H80vids Indeed. Small fry compared to what theyre spending on that building!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Ian

[@JenniferEKirk]

I always look forward to your videos. This one has not disappointed!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Jennifer

[@catharineholton49]

Amazing engineering.. and amazing and intrepid exploration. Fantastic video. Totally engrossing.. and the difference in the water flow of that siphon was actually scary.!! So well done as usual Martin.

[@stevegalvin9122]

Really enjoyed watching the medlock series. I work in and around Manchester and often peer down to the rivers and wonder, so thanks for shedding some light on the subject. I am really happy there are fish thriving, it just goes to show what assets to the city our rivers would be if they were cleaned up and opened up a bit so you can see them. I live in Stockport and they have opened a small section of river up near little Egerton Street where it flows under the shopping precinct. I also think you should invest in a couple of walkers poles for the next time you are knee deep! Good work.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Steve, We had our brush handles with us 😃Is it the Mersey thats been opened up in Stockport ?

[@stevegalvin9122]

@@MartinZero Yes it is, they have tried to make a feature out of it. It's a lot cleaner than it used to be!

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

You had me hooked from the beginning. You have everything here. Class..no drama..a place that is dear to my heart which I miss and long for..history from beginning to end of a project..great photos..friends..stories.. You explain everything in layman's terms....your a natural wonder.Why the heck hasn't a network picked you up. Love ya Martin. Thank you again.❣❣

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Patty. Really appreciate it

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

@@MartinZero your welcome . I'm playing catch up on this series. ❤❤

[@alanhunter2051]

The effort you have put in to the whole river is just amazing. The history under out feet that is hidden from the public is just incredible.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Alan

[@darkstatehk]

I didn't want this series to end! What I love about these videos are the excursions into history, the map comparisons, seeing remnants of old Manchester built on older Manchester. I work in a textile related industry and it's amazing to see those old mills that would have been churning out fabrics, metalwares being forged, cloth being dyed, yarns being woven, and so much more....250 years ago. The River Medlock flows near where I used to live and somewhere on Medlock Vale when I was a kid, I found a construction buried in the undergrowth on the opposite of what was Unimetal Scrap yard (some of you may know it as the airplane works). We dug out the outline and it appeared to be some kind of water diversion device. To this day I still want to revisit that location and dig it out. Fascinating!

[@Tuberuser187]

Ahhh! Yes, just what I need right now. Great music, great explores and the history all with Marks personality. Always caps off my Sunday night, thank you for the upload.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@MancunianDrummer4hire]

I’m a Clayton lad, and the Medlock has always been a mystical water course in my heart. You have exceeded all my questions regarding its journey. Your videos are superb, martin. The music really adds to the ambience of yoyr discoveries, seeing places joe public will never see. Love your channel. Would be great to go upstream from phillips park and find its source. You are a Manchester legend, mate.

[@spex357]

I get to the end and suddenly think, "the sound", I forget your a massager of tones, great work again.

[@MartinZero]

Ha, thank you 😄

[@bendavies8303]

Another brilliant video Martin. It always amazes me the number of times I've driven and walked down these streets without ever knowing what was under my feet.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ben. Yeah that lower end of Deansgate hides the Medlock very well

[@huddd001]

There is a lot of general rubbish in the Medlock, (plastic, old tyres and the like) but the water itself is so clean. All thanks to The Clean Water Act.

[@glengraham7080]

Yes, the litter is quite shameful really. As you say, the water is so much cleaner than no doubt it was a few years ago.

[@MartinZero]

Yeah I was very surprised at the cleanliness

[@swampthing20]

Hearing the Medlock music in a new Sunday night Martin video is just the best thing. Brilliant again mate - thank you. That syphon at full pelt looks scary as hell.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks. Yes it was very scary, certain death

[@richardbourne7360]

Thanks for the great videos Martin. I have really enjoyed the River Medlock series.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Richard, More Medlock to come

[@richardbidinger2577]

One thing I have noticed that the British and Japanese seem to have in common, is epic construction projects that last for generations and are so well constructed, that they can still be used as foundations for more modern things. You guys don't mess around when you build things, and here in the US, we haven't built anything that epic since the turn of last century. Great video, great series, can't wait to see what you do next.

[@MarkJT1000]

We have the Victorians to thank for all this kind of stuff. They had the money and the vision to make these things happen. And everything was really over engineered and stronger more durable than anything we build today.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Richard. Yes its incredible what they built back then. More Medlock

[@Tony-xx2vs]

Thanks Charlie and Martin loved it and learnt a lot without having to get my own feet wet. 😃

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Tony, we get wet so you dont have to 😆

[@missmerrily4830]

What an interesting and nail-biting episode of the Medlock's story! It was so good to be able to see the river in full flow at the end there, by contrast with its mellower mood earlier in the video. On the topic of that photograph of the women with prams, kids and coal sacks, there was an awful coal shortage from the end of WW2 through towards the end of the 1950s. Women and kids often went out scavenging for coal, and the gas works probably provided rich pickings. With almost everyone's home only heated by coal fires, we were all perpetually cold. I have an early memory of being in a phone box with my mum and her crying and begging a coal merchant to spare her 100cwt (hundred-weight) of coal as we were frozen, and she'd often take us outside for a walk, just so it would seem warmer when we came back in. And Dad routinely carried a big bucket on his perambulations around the town, picking up any stray nugget of coal which had been dropped by the lorries that were delivering coal to those lucky enough to get some! A great video. Thank you and thanks for the whole series on the Medlock which has been so fascinating.

[@suecordingley538]

Thanks Martin, I’ve enjoyed the River Medlock series 🙂

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Sue, one or two more to come

[@rydermike33]

What an epic and fascinating adventure. Enjoyed every moment of it Martin and Charlie. Many many thanks.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Mike

[@EveinEden301]

Brilliant as always, have loved this series Martin. 😃

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Yvette

[@WickerMan73]

Just wonderful, thanks for all your danger work martin on the medlock series. Brilliant our kid

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@tonymartin1119]

Well, what an end to this fascinating series about the River Medlock! Great work you guys.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Tony, not quite the end, we arent at the River Irwell yet. possibly 2 more to come

[@sharonstuebi8181]

God Bless you Martin! You are such a good story teller! And your cinematography is captivating. Then you go next level with maps and photographs Thank you for taking an old lady in a wheelchair in Peru along on your journeys . We love you and are always on the lookout for your next adventure BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME,CURIOSITY AND TALENT

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Sharon, I really appreciate your messages. I am always so impressed you watch my videos so far away. thank you so much

[@stevenholden9520]

brilliant! thanks Martin. I look forward to every episode.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Steven

[@MrGebbo1]

What a contrast. One minute the meandering and calming Medlock and the next a raging torrent. That wall holding the canal back was scary. Another fabulous video Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Geoff yeah one hell of a contrast

[@Shrimpmann]

Me and my friend tried following the river chelt however when we got to the under ground section we both realised we didn’t have torches and had to turn back, but following the river we went passed Waitrose where there is a small waterfall which my friend jumped down just to realise it was above his head shame I hadn’t filmed it. Thanks for your videos as they inspire me and my friends to go places we never would have gone before :)

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Be careful out there 😃👍

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

The hidden history is totally fascinating and makes you realise how much has been lost and still being lost. Seeing the medlock in almost draught condition and then in flood has also made me think that perhaps if the authorities had the money that clearing the rivers may well alleviate any possible problems of flooding. Well done Martin you make these videos so interesting.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much. Yeah I was gobsmacked looking at the culvert in flood

[@robmez]

Saved the best to last Martin, just like that naughty pud at the end of a meal you cant resist, fantastic filming of the river in flood, think you be in big trouble if you fell in their, and again the quality of workmanship used on the weir was incredible , many of these skills are lost forever ,thanks again Martin, keep well

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Robin, yes that culvert in flood is scary. More Medlock to come

[@markvanharen9413]

@@MartinZero hope so am dying to see where that siphon ends up to or (if its possible ) how it looks from the inside) seen all ur medlock footage

[@MrWrobstar21]

This is better than lots of history programs I've seen on TV made by production companies! Kudos to you sir!!!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Rob

[@delphius1]

Martin, this was really interesting. Now I can understand the link between the Medlock and the canal. When Castle field flooded back in the Summer I now understand how the Medlock has a direct link to the canal. The river must have been a good 2-3 ft higher even than this video. Hope no Geese were harmed in the making of the video. :-)

[@MartinZero]

I would never harm a goose. Wow that would be good to see the river even higher as you say

[@craiglogistics2092]

Another fascinating part of Manchester which many people will never know about but we are blessed with the courage of Martin & Co, to bring us Sunday delights

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Craig, yeah its definitely a hidden bit

[@2H80vids]

Another brilliant episode Martin. When you finish the final episode, (is there one more to come?) would you consider editing them all together into one documentary-length episode? Certainly keep all the individual pieces, but a full-length one would surely be the definitive work on the subject of the Medlock. The quality and content is done to a really high standard and your editing skills are certainly good enough. Just a thought.☺ Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Dougie. Have you looked at the playlist section on my Channel. They are all there lined up in order

[@2H80vids]

@@MartinZero Yep, I've watched every one of them Martin. I was just thinking that re-editing them into one documentary episode would make sense. As I said, certainly leave all the individual episodes in place, but you could remove the intros and outros from them and tinker with them just enough to make the one full-length programme. Taking it a stage farther, put the documentary on a DVD and, combined with the "lost rivers" book, you would have a definitive history of the Medlock. I'm not suggesting it would become a bestseller, but anyone interested in the subject would love it. As usual, just a thought.☺ I'm off to watch the latest upload. All the Best, Dougie.

[@brucej9575]

@@2H80vids Taking that idea further, I think it would make a great series on Discovery channel or something similar.

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

A river I'll probably never visit but I find these videos absolutely fascinating.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much. Some of those mines you go in. OMG !!!

[@colin5021]

Really nicely done Martin - good on ya! Are you going to show us the other end of the siphon?

[@MartinZero]

Yes we will be going there Colin

[@colin5021]

Excellent! Have fun.

[@lawrence5117]

Great stuff Martin. Probably the best of the Medlock episodes. Thanks

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Lawrence

[@carlmayne3519]

You look at those huge towerblocks built right on the banks of the rivers and just wonder how the hell it all doesnt collapse into the river .. some real feats of engineering there, just the river walls themselves ... Your videos are always great to watch - Keep it up!! :D

[@ronniebiggs4026]

You can bet that the new piled foundation go down another 20foot plus past the old foundations .

[@Stop..carry-on]

Very deep Piled foundations - I believe they keep going till they hit something hard ie bedrock or until the piles are going in so slow they time the amount going in and reference it to inch’s per minute and that would mean it’s ok

[@ronniebiggs4026]

Do one Correct dude ,and of course it depends on the type of piling works requested by the Engineers 👍

[@ronniebiggs4026]

Wombley Womberly ..I was thinking that myself when I saw all that stinking water just feet from the underside of the steel supporting structures..I have to say I haven’t seen any Rats in Martins videos ,maybe he scares them away with the Manc accent 😂😂👍🐀🐀🐀

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Carl, yeah thats what I was thinking, right on the bloody edge

[@Dazzy84]

Its amazing how rivers and waterways work. Great upload martin. 👌

[@MartinZero]

Yes fascinating and thanks very much

[@DawsonsMemes]

You don’t realise how many secrets Manchester has of its industrial past

[@MartinZero]

Incredible isnt it

[@totherarf]

The more you know thee more you realise there is to know! A Knowledge Fractal ;0)

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

This series has been fascinating. I actually think it is something unique on KZbin. The passion, courage and research in each vlog has saved this river from being forgotten. I actually drove to Manchester the other day and saw a tiny sign on the motorway that said "River Medlock." And I thought: "Martin's river." You should be immensely proud of this documentary series and thank you so much for sharing it with us. The syphon in flood was a wonderful way for the Medlock to show it's eternal power and the difference it has made to the city over the centuries. Brilliant stuff!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Les. Much appreciated. Yeah I have enjoyed doing it

[@brianatkin7302]

Another wonderful and interesting video. That old picture of the women and kids with the prams reminds me of going to Bradford gasworks with my dad in the mid fifties to get sacks of coke to help with the coal for our fire at home, happy days? Not too sure about that as it was blooming cold hence the need for the coke.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Brian, hard times but good memories

[@AdmiralJT]

I love that you actually run over to places instead of cutting, makes it feel as if we are there with you even more. Amazing learning about these places with your passion for them.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you, I like a bit of run and gun 😃

[@yorkiepudd7404]

Hot damn Martin that was an unexpected end, it just leaves me with more questions. At some point canal side will have been blocked off to build the wall that holds the basin water level up. ignoring all the crap n debris with our northern weather, there has to be times the river does not cope and waters rise to the point, that it must at some rise high enough to overcome the wall and flood the basin. i wonder when that last happened and consequence it has on the basin, i would love to see that flash flooding happen, but more so the whole bug bare i think about is get some teams in and clear out the crap lol oh on a different note from a previous cheers for posting the back ground music info - Artist: Aurora B.Polaris Title: Forgotten - downloaded and is a great chillout piece As always MARTIN THANKS for your time making & posting great content of History past & present, cheers ken

[@English_Dawn]

Great video Martin very brave and well-researched and edited again. The social dimension was well-illustrated. The women and children with the coal. Churchill to his surprise lost the "Soldiers Election" after the War to Clement Attlee who started Nationalising industries including coal. Rationing was still in force when Churchill returned to power in '50. The Brazil Mill with it's belt-driven apparatus was illustrative. ☺ James Brindley was a self-taught Mill-hand so it's all the more impressive to see his innovations. I think the transfer of water from one canal system to another i.e. from the Rochdale Canal to the Bridgwater Canal is by way of a "sough". But what do you do with the river? As you saw, it can change into a torrent rapidly and the logistics of the siphon has to cope. That very southern tip of Deansgate, beyond Knott Mill and the railway, over the Bridgewater Viaduct is not very well traversed by pedestrians and a lot of the water-engineering hidden. There are not many trendy-bars yet that far south. The Council have big plans to redevelop that area what they call the "Southern Gateway" so I hope careful curation takes place of these historic yet practical day-to-day assets takes place.👍 The

[@stevenchaloner162]

@yorkie pudd it happened this year. i recall the medlock/irwell were overflowing and in turn the canal also broke and flooded the streets of castlefield. and its hapened a few times that i recall. I wouldnt be surprised if it was close to breaching the wall again now with the rain we have had recently. edit, i just looked it up and the manchester evening news report was on 29 JUL 2019. guess they didnt make that siphon quite big enough to deal with serious rainfall. it would be interesting to know if the last part of the video where the river was high was the start of the flood that ended up breaching the banks

[@kazman500]

yorkie pudd I’m Sure curious where the blue arrow is and where it comes out!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ken glad you found the music. More to come the journey hasnt finished yet

[@martinjames9250]

The film of the River Medlock in full flood...... "Oi! Zero! Get down there, ya tart! Give us an action shot!!" In all seriousness, Martin. A wonderful series of videos. Keep on keeping on Matey!

[@KarlHamilton]

Always good to see The Haçienda getting a mention ;)

[@MINI-4X4-RADIO]

Top Tune: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_Zl2OjrM6cpbs

[@MartinZero]

Oh yes. Fac 51

[@avaatkinson14]

Great video Martin, really interesting seeing and hearing the local history of the Medlock and the canals.

[@SuperEmpirical]

According to some the first Bessemer ingots were produced at Knott mill, loads of history around there.

[@MartinZero]

I dont know what they are but it sounds good. Was it a prestigious Iron works then ?

[@SuperEmpirical]

@@MartinZero The Bessemer process was the first inexpensive method of mass producing steel, A major breakthrough and catalyst in the industrial revolution. Here's the wiki link.... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessemer_process

[@lescampbell4196]

Got diverted tonight picking the Mrs up from Oxford Rd and passed the syphon and Hotspur Press. You would have no idea all that was next to you, another hidden gem that you have shown us. Well done for finding your holy grail of rivers too

[@neilvincent5524]

Yes! Sunday night is Medlock night

[@MartinZero]

Oh yes Neil

[@thecornerplot]

My fellaa just come in said exact same lol .......excited just put it on cant wait martin your bloomin amazing 👍👍😍

[@jeffreyquinn3820]

Martin Zero: Walking through Manchester's yuck areas, so we don't have to.

[@neilvincent5524]

Jeffrey Quinn - staring into the jaws of hell so we can do it from the comfort of our own homes!

[@macfast71]

What a fantastic series this has been. Just makes you think about all the history that has gone before. If it wasn't for people like yourself Martin, that would all be lost and forgotten. Got me hooked. Some well chosen music also. Many thanks Martin 👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@debbiepitcher9806]

The medlock finished? Feel rather sad ☹️. Hopefully for a different part of Manchester or something that links into one of the rivers? Thank you again for yet another great video. 😁😁

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Debbie, not over yet. We havent quite got to the end

[@BrianReeves2]

Martin your excitement is contagious.

[@Odin029]

I was about to run to the store then this vid popped up. The store can wait for half an hour

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Odin

[@navigator902]

Martin absolutely fascinating historical pictures and walking in reality... some of the best video seen so far.Give Charley a hand shake for me, thank him too.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Frank. I will pass it on

[@michaelbattman2971]

My Dad who is now 89 was at Manchester Grammar during the war. He tells of a day he 'wagged' school to go and watch the gas works burn after they'd been hit by German bombs - probably around 1942/3.

[@richardbidinger2577]

Odd, that I should wonder during the video how Manchester did during WW2, and you gave me the answer right here. I'm from the US, so I wouldn't know right off, but given all the old photos Martin shows us, I was curious. Thank you.

[@totherarf]

Well we have the Germans to thank for Piccadilly Gardens ...... Bombs sometimes bring benefits (although I am sure it was not seen that way at the time)!

[@anneforster510]

@@totherarf Is that right ?? I have seen photos of air raid shelters during the war by the side of what became Piccadilly Gardens . The gardens were built on the site of the old Manchester Infirmary, the sunken part of the gardens was where the basement of the building was. I can't remember reading that it took direct bombing but I stand corrected if this was so.

[@MartinZero]

Wow, that would have been something to see

[@steveboarder518]

Another great chapter in The Medlock series Martin. Episode 1 was the first of your videos that I watched and I've been hooked ever since. Was quite shocking to see that syphon and wier in full flood! Absolutely fascinating to see Manchester from down in the river and how it's changed over the decades. Feel like I know the gritty industrial parts of the city so well thanks to you, keep up the fantastic work 👍👍😊

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Steve, yeah its a different world in that river

[@maggiefleuriot4427]

Thanks so much for this fantastic vid. I got scared for you a couple of times, and I want to say you are a couple of star gents for doing this for us. Looking forward to seeing more of Manchester soon. Those Owen Street skyscrapers look very glam, actually. Here in Pretoria they are developing an area in the east called Menlyn where we live and I actually enjoyed watching the buildings go up.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Maggie, wow Pretoria, am very impressed your watching so far away

[@viennacat1]

Superb as always. Such a contrast in conditions from being in the culvert to back ‘outdoors’. One hell of a scary place & the river looks dead when in the culvert, but it’s so full of life in the daylight. Those old original bridges are such a treat to see, craftsmanship!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Peter, yeah those hidden bridges are amazing

[@albiondave7312]

those people were probably fetching coke in the prams when i was a lad i used to go to the gas works for coke and fetch it home on the crossbar of my bike the gas works rendered coal into coke and gas and other products like coal tar etc thanks for the memory it was in the late 50s in crewe

[@MartinZero]

Thanks, yes I realise now. Hard times

[@Gribbo9999]

From 1849 to 2019 is 170 years. Let's hope your videos can still be seen in some archive in 2189. What a wonderful bit of urban history your videos will be then! Your documentation of these hidden bits of Manchester is really important archaeology. Great videos Martin. Timeless - Keep them coming.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much 👍

[@drowningcows7631]

Is that hearing protection sign on your safety helmet from the hacienda? am I misremembering that? Where did you get it from?

[@stevenchaloner162]

its definitely the hacienda/factory records version you can get the sticker from a site called redbubble. com. Search "factory" under stickers section comes in 3 sizes and probably others also sell it but thats the place i got mine.

[@drowningcows7631]

@@stevenchaloner162 Thanks!

[@MartinZero]

Yes it is a sticker from Redbubble 👍

[@danehardinge8801]

The entrance to that syphon is beautiful, it should be listed. Great video again.

[@colinc5269]

Well done Martin - the quality of your stuff is as ever wonderful . Keep it up - it's much appreciated.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Colin

[@neilwilliams2409]

Excellent job again Martin. Great series of videos.👍

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Neil 👍

[@johnrooney1860]

Once again brilliant video Martin so many secrets your undoing great job.john Rooney

[@stevelong6358]

Great video. awsome old pic. great seris river medlock. thanks martin...

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Steve

[@peterwalton1502]

Martin another great video of Manchester’s hidden rivers. Please keep them coming as you are filming an excellent historical record 👍👍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Peter

[@irvinehornby2142]

thats was a fabuous journey Martin , my 2x gt grandparents lived in chorlton on medlock in 1850, ludlow street which i believe is now a universiry. again thank you you made an old man very happy to see old familuar places .

[@davidjames9775]

Thanks Colin great video and history. Pity the council don't clear the rubbish away. Even my support worker is watching your videos. Great information.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much, give him my regards

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Just finished binge-watching all 10 episode very good Martin this is really exciting stuff keep these videos coming thank you so much safe travels from Bakersfield California USA

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Katherine

[@LittleCarol]

Thank you for this Medlock Series, Absolutely brilliant. Thank you for taking me on a journey I could have never made on my own. I am truly thankful for all your efforts.

[@lewisfirth6502]

Hi Capt. Z, Another quality vid but also the comments that enrich the moment and encapsulate the feelings of people viewing and gratefully sharing their emotional input upon the remembering the the workers n builders of the past, I could go on all day on my appreciation of your urban enthrallment but the men in white coats have cornered me . cheers Martin.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Lewis. Much appreciated. Escape the men in white coats. Jump in the River

[@sputumtube]

Abso-f**king-lutely awesome. Wouldn't it be wonderful if some eccentric millionaire were to assemble a team to clear these places of overgrowth, fallen woodwork, old tyres and so on. I've said it befor and I'll say it again.... this stuff is priceless. Thanks for bringing us along Martin. Much appreciated.

[@RolandMillward]

Another superb video. Thanks for all the time and effort you put it and sharing this with your viewers. Keep up the good work!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Roland

[@ArcAudios77]

Great filming Martin, Mark & Charlie. My thanks for another fascinating insight into this River's passage. Regards

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much

[@howarddavies4384]

Only just come across this amazing series of videos and for me it was a journey back to my early working years. I started work with what was then North West Gas back in 1976 and my office was at Gaythorn and the office window can be clearly seen on one of the old photos. Around 1978 / 79 the culvert through Gaythorn was found to be in need of replacement and I observed for from my window the removal of probably around 80m of the old culvert and for a period the Medlock ran as an open river and you could identify many remains of previous buildings along it's run together with the River Tib and yes I've actually seen a short length of it run free for a while where it joined the Medlock through an arched culvert from under Whitworth Street. The video that covers the Bradford Road Gas Works also brought back many memories as my office moved there in 1979 and I was very familiar with the Medlock's course as there were large gas mains running in the vicinity and over the Medlock itself. The large gas holder shown in this video was a 10 million cubic foot one which I had extensive involvement in automating in the 1980's, although now decommissioned it's now largest in the UK and was previously surpassed only by 12 million sized one at Greenwich where what is now the O2 arena. Off to view the Gould Street Gas Works video now where I was based for 4 years from 1982 and where I was present when they broke into the old retort house there. Thanks Martin for your excellent videos.

[@bobjackson6524]

WOW, WOW, WOW ive only seen 4or5 Medlock videos yet, But surely this one must be the best. The part where the river is eventualy redirected and sent on a completely dufferent path!!! Not visable from street level, And those 2 or maybe 3, original bridges buried under modern day manchester!!! Fascinating indeed. I had an AMAAAAZING idea Martin. What if...... You continued to do the same style journey, Along the Irwell!! From where it leads in at Prestolee and The Croal, All th way through to Chethams, Blackfriars, and onward through to the quays, mode wheel, Barton, Hulmes Ferry, Irlam, Caddishead, Warburton and so on, out to where the Mersey estuary leads out to sea. If i had the resources and the knowledge id definately want to traverse and video log all that amazing beauty and history. 😁😁😁😁💖🙏💖

[@nedseagoon5101]

Superb as usual Martin. Well done. You’re right to get as many shots as you can while you’re there. Remember, the shots you take today will be as valuable to future historians as the ones you use yourself today. More please!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Randy. Yes am always scared of missing something

[@deanbr6ndo70]

These vids should be televised, they're that good.well done again lads.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Deano

[@anneforster510]

A brilliant continuation of the Medlock series Martin. I was nearly retching as you were going through that culvert with all the detritus and flies etc. To be able to see those hidden places through you is an amazing thing. The arches of long hidden bridges and that winch mechanism by the siphon, just incredible to see. What a poignant photo of the men standing by the machinery and the siphon, such engineering although still there in theory, to see it as it is now is very sad. I know the water still flows but how smart it looked then, I ,like many others, would love to see all the rubbish (most of it probably drifting down the river naturally when it's in flood) cleared away and some order brought to the area again. I think big business responsible for the building locally should have a levy imposed to tidy the place up in a similar way to house builders having to improve road junctions when a new estate is built. Well done Martin and Charlie , loved it 😊😊👍

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Anne. Hopefully see where that culvert comes out eh 👌

[@adrianford2336]

Thanks Martin what an excellent video have enjoyed all your Medlock series what a history this river has and what a strange place to find a Canada Goose.

[@MartinZero]

Oh yes did you notice it peeping

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

Always enjoy spending time with you, martin! Another great video. Ty!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Polly

[@gerardhand1954]

Thanks Martin. I spent the early part of my life in Clayton and the Medlock was a significant part of my childhood. This whole series of videos is wonderful, the production is quite professional. Extremely informative and very enjoyable. Thanks again and please continue with the good work.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Gerard, great that it means something for you, much appreciated

[@suzantonn1188]

Just caught this last segment, very interesting. Can't believe all the hydrology in, under and around the city. It's truly a marvel that engineers of past centuries could figure out and bring to fruition these wonderful waterworks. To construct buildings on top of all this time and again seems audacious, but then Montana is almost desert like in comparison! Well done!

[@MartinZero]

Thank you very much Suzan 👍

[@rheingau2011]

Very fascinating and interesting. Love to see the difference between the old pictures and present status. Also the wonderful brick- and stonework. The city of Manchester really owes you. something.

[@MartinZero]

Thank you Peter

[@PhilTimms]

A great informative series about the life of a river, thank you for taking the time and effort it must have taken.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Phil