Stories from a Didsbury picture ….. no 5 …. always respect the River Mersey

This will be the last of the short series featuring a picture from Andrew and a story from me.

Didsbury floods, 2021

I began the short run after Andrew offered up five images, each of which linked the present with Didsbury’s past.

I had no idea where each story would take me, and over the course of the week, the stories have ranged from Withington Hospital, the first occupants of Knight Road, and the TransPennine Trail, with a sideways glance at defribialtors, the history of a much loved fishmongers, and  Didsbury’s own railway station.

And I end with “The flood basin from the gardens of the University Vice Chancellor’s house Broomhurst”, which is a salutary reminder of the power of the River Mersey and its importance to the township.  

Didsbury Floods, 1930

Over the centuries the river has been both a gift and at times a threat.  

On the upside the Mersey has provided a natural barrier in more unsettled times, driven the mills along its banks and provided supplies of water.  

But it remains a formidable and at times a dangerous force that can breach the defences and flood large parts of the neighbouring land. 

Today the flood prevention schemes allow for excess water to be released into catchment basins.

But as the recent floods have demonstrated, even with such schemes, homes can still be in danger.

Andrew is the Labour Councillor for Didsbury East on Manchester City Council please contact me at cllr.a.simcock@manchester.gov.uk

Location; Didsbury

Picture; “The flood basin from the gardens of the University Vice Chancellor’s house Broomhurst”, 2021, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and Didsbury, 1930