|
I WAS pleased to learn that the area
behind Nantwich Swimming Baths was not to be the site for the planting of 100
trees to mark the 100th anniversary of Nantwich Rotary Club as I had
thought might be the case. The trees were actually planted in a wide area on the other side
of the river.
Which left the behind-the-baths area free
as one possible site for a new all-in-one Tourist Information Centre (TIC) which was outlined
in my Letter from Nantwich of July 2005.
I am also assured that the
proposed move by the current TIC to a one-stop "shop" at Nantwich Civic
Hall - to join other Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council offices - does not
mean the end of the all-in-one TIC project.
I still favour the Mill Island
site for the new TIC - and a Battle of Nantwich museum for the baths site
- but there is room for all opinions in deciding the future of Nantwich.
But Civic Hall or Mill Island . .
. There is not a great to choose in terms of distance from Nantwich Town
Centre to a new TIC. I hope a new TIC - or a new home at the Civic Hall
for the present TIC - doesn't put off visitors seeking
information and / or accommodation - or locals wanting to book tickets for
local stage productions. No, I haven't changed my mind about the wisdom of
a new TIC, but I suppose that as Nantwich expands we will have to get away
from the idea that everything must be so much to hand that it must not be
more than a couple of yards from Nantwich Square.
lTwo more things you might like to
know about . . .
I AM told that there are plans
afoot to extend the improvements to the riverside footpath from the
railway bridge to Nantwich Lake in Shrewbridge Road. Currently you would
need stout walking shoes to tackle it. Like the new TIC, the footpath is
part of a grand scheme to improve the riverside. (See Update No 2 -
a new letter - about this walk).
FINALLY, the old Nantwich Mill
millrace could be brought back into a useful role. When the old corn mill was
standing, the millrace was the route taken by the River Weaver under the
mill to provide motive power for the various items of machinery. This was
a man-made section of river. The original route
of the river, which is still here, was round the side of the mill, which resulted in
the formation of Mill Island. (The Mill race can be seen
here).
Now there is an idea of using the
cascading water to drive a turbine to provide electricity in the area.
Occasional events such as the Battle of Nantwich or Nantwich Food Fair
could be provided with electricity from such a turbine. Yes, a generator
could be provided with the same result, but this new idea would save having to use
petrol (or whatever) to run the generator. Mother Nature would be the
source of power.
All far fetched, with not a cat's
chance of coming to fruition? Let's wait and see. Such ideas have a habit of
becoming reality. (See this page for a
2009 update). |
