The ducks seemed to prefer sunbathing to swimming, all lined up in a row beside Otley weir. There was a corn mill on the riverside here in Otley in 1130 and later there was a fulling mill (where wool was cleaned) and, for 300 years, Garnetts Paper Mill. The mill weir is still there and now has an Archimedes Screw hydro-electric plant. The site of the mill, Garnett Wharfe, has in recent years been redeveloped into housing, as you can see on the far bank, and what remains of the old mill building is now a restaurant.
When I took the photo I was standing in Wharfemeadows Park, and from here there is an attractive riverside walk to Gallows Hill Nature Reserve. There used to be an open air Lido (outdoor swimming pool), which local people are hoping to resurrect, and there is a large playground for children to enjoy.
Each year the big Yorkshire Agricultural Show was held on the meadow by the bridge. My veterinary aunt inspected all the show animals before they were allowed to enter. Unfortunately the farmers refused to pay her for her days work, so that was that.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks look so funny all lined up!
ReplyDeleteAn impressive structure.
ReplyDelete