The
Brent Reservoir (popularly called the
Welsh Harp) is a reservoir which straddles the boundary between the London boroughs of
BrentThe London Borough of Brent is a London borough in North-West London, UK and forms part of Outer London. The major area is Wembley.It borders Harrow to the north-west, Barnet to the north-east, Camden to the east and Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Kensington & Chelsea to the south, and...
and
BarnetThe London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the east.-Districts:The pattern of settlement is...
and is owned by British Waterways. The reservoir takes its informal name from a public house called The Welsh Harp, which stood nearby until the early 1970s.
The reservoir is fed by the
Silk StreamThe Silk Stream is a waterway in London. It is one of the major components of the Blue Ribbon Network.The Silk Stream is a tributary of the River Brent, which it joins at Brent Reservoir. There are several feeders to the Silk Stream including Burnt Oak Brook, Edgware Brook, the Edgwarebury Brook...
and the
River BrentThe Brent is a river within Greater London which is a tributary of the River Thames. It is 17.9 miles long, running north-east to south-west, and it joins the Thames on the Tideway at Brentford....
, and its outflow is the River Brent. It is said to contain enough water to fill 3 million baths, and in 1994 when the reservoir was drained over of fish were captured, 95% of which were
RoachThe Common Roach is a freshwater and brackish water fish native to most of Europe and western Asia...
. However, fishing is prohibited.
The reservoir is also a
sailingSailing is the art of controlling a boat with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to change the direction and speed of a boat...
centre (although the Youth Sailing Base is closed for redevelopment).
Construction of the reservoir
Plans for the construction laid in 1803 were abandoned because of cost. However canals continued to develop in the early 19th century and there were water supply problems. By 1820 there was not enough water to supply the
Grand Union CanalThe Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 220 km with 166 locks...
and the
Regent's CanalThe Regent's Canal is a canal across an area just to the north of central London, England. It provides a link from the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal, just north-west of Paddington Basin, in the west, to the Limehouse Basin and the River Thames in east London.- History :First proposed by...
so under an Act of Parliament in 1819, the Regent's Canal Company decided to dam the River Brent and create a reservoir.
The reservoir was constructed by William Hoof between 1834 and 1835. The water flooded much of Cockman’s Farm, to supply the Regent's Canal at
PaddingtonPaddington is an area of the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965...
. It was called Kingsbury Reservoir and its spread between Old Kingsbury Church and Edgware Road. Hoof, who was awarded the tender for the work (including the construction of a bridge) received the sum of £2,740 and six shillings.
Construction did not proceed without problems; in August 1835, a few months before completion, four brothers named Sidebottom drowned in an accident.
Additional building was completed in December 1837 to extend the reservoir. In 1841 after seven days of continuous rain the dam head collapsed, killing two people. It was after this that a supervisor was employed for the first time, with a cottage near the dam. This cottage still exists.
At its greatest extent it covered 400 acres (1.6 km²) in 1853, but was reduced to 195 acres (789,000 m²) in the 1890s, and subsequently reduced to 110 acres (445,000 m²).
Recreation
During the second half of the 19th century the area became a destination for recreation and evening entertainment, almost entirely due to W.P. Warner (1832-1899), who in 1858 became licensee of the Old Welsh Harp Tavern. The tavern stood on the Edgware Road, near where it crossed the Brent. Warner, who fought with distinction in the
Crimean WarThe Crimean War was fought between the Russian Empire on one side and an alliance of the British Empire, France, the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia on the other. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, created the tavern along the lines of the London Pleasure gardens (ironically at the same time when the most famous of all, the Vauxhall finally closed). For 40 years, Warner made the Old Welsh Harp Tavern one of London's most popular places and it was celebrated in song by the music hall star Annie Adams as 'The Jolliest Place That's Out'.
The amusements were focused not just on the inn, but around the reservoir. Warner operated a race track until an Act of Parliament made it illegal. The first
greyhound racesGreyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
with mechanical
hareHares and jackrabbits are leporidaes belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets.Hares are very fast-moving...
s took place here in 1876. In 1891, there was an attempt by Capazza to launch his Patent Parachute Balloon, which failed to leave the ground. Accounts record 'nasty incidents' among the 5000 spectators. These activities attracted a mixed clientele and crime and violence was not uncommon. One observer described the races as a 'carnival of vice'. The reservoir, like nearby
Hampstead HeathHampstead Heath is London's largest ancient parkland, covering . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London clay The Heath is rambling and hilly, embracing ponds, recent and ancient...
, was also famous for
Bank HolidayA bank holiday is a public holiday in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. There is some automatic right to time off on these days, although the majority of the population not employed in essential services A bank holiday is a public holiday in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. There is some...
fairs. There was an incident during its Victorian heyday when a bear escaped from the menagerie.
The first formal cycle race was held at the Welsh Harp on 1 June 1868 .. It was won by
Arthur MarkhamArthur Matthew Markham was an English cyclist who won the first formal cycle race held in Britain-Biography:Markham won what is said to be the first formal cycle race held in Britain. It was in a meadow at Brent Reservoir, known locally as the Welsh Harp, in north-west London on Whitsun Monday, 1...
. He received a silver cup from the licensee of the Welsh Harp Hotel, who had sponsored the race. . For many years Markham had a bicycle shop at nearby 345 Edgware Road.
The race was held the day after what is often referred to as the world's first race, in the park at St Cloud west of Paris. It was won by another Englishman,
James MooreJames Moore was a bicycle racer. He is popularly regarded as the winner of the first official cycle race in the world in 1868 at St-Cloud, Paris, although there appears to be no verifiable contemporary evidence for this. He won the world's first road race Paris-Rouen in 1869, covering the in 10...
. His grandson, John, believes Moore is buried near the reservoir.
In winter, the reservoir froze for skating; national and international ice-skating events were held. In February 1893, Jack Selby drove a coach and four horses across the reservoir. Towards the end of the 19th century, urbanisation led to the end of this hedonistic chapter.
The
Midland RailwayThe Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
built its
Welsh Harp stationWelsh Harp railway station was built by the Midland Railway in 1870 on its extension to St. Pancras station.With a single island platform between the slow lines, it was important for people escaping from the City for a day out, fishing or boating on the Brent Reservoir built in 1838...
on its new line from
BedfordBedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town of Kempston...
to
St.PancrasSt Pancras railway station is a major railway station situated in the United Kingdom that is celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London, between the British Library, King's Cross station and the...
. The area lost its attraction with the development of
West HendonWest Hendon is a place in the London Borough of Barnet.-History:West Hendon was a settlement within that part of the ancient parish of Hendon known as the Hyde, and is now a part of the London Borough of Barnet. It was formally known, from 1878-1890, as New Hendon, a small railway development on...
between 1895 and 1915.
NaturistsNaturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....
gathered at the Welsh Harp from 1921, until in June 1930 about 250 sunbathers were attacked by 200 objectors. This is referred to as "The Sun-Bathing Riots".
Later the reservoir was popular for speed boat and other water sports, until its size became unsuitable.
War history
The Mechanical Warfare Department, part of the
War OfficeThe War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1963, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
based nearby in
CricklewoodCricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:...
, used the Welsh Harp for secret tests of a new weapon from 1916 - the
TankA tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility and tactical offensive and defensive capabilities...
, especially the amphibious
Mark IX tankThe Mark IX tank was a British armoured fighting vehicle from the First World War, the world's first specialised Armoured Personnel Carrier .-Development:...
. Early film of these tests was shown on
BritishThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
TelevisionTelevision is a widely used telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images, either monochromatic or color, usually accompanied by sound. "Television" may also refer specifically to a television set, television programming or television transmission...
in the late 1990s. During the Second World War, a seaplane kept on the reservoir was rumoured to be an escape route for the
Prime MinisterA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. The position is usually held by, but need not always be held by, a politician. In many systems, the prime minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet, and...
. Local residents have recounted swimming to the plane.
Wildlife and nature conservation
During construction, the Welsh Harp attracted uncommon birds. James Harting and Walpole-Bond were regular visitors and shot many birds. Harting documented these in his 1866 book the Birds of Middlesex. They included rare vagrants to the UK such as
Little BitternThe Little Bittern is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, native to the Old World, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Madagascar. Birds from temperate regions in Europe and western Asia are migratory, wintering in Africa and further south in...
,
Squacco HeronThe Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides, is a small heron, 40-49 cm long with 82-95 cm wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Greater Middle East. It is a migrant, wintering in Africa. It is rare north of its breeding range....
and
White-rumped SandpiperThe White-rumped Sandpiper, Calidris or Erolia fuscicollis, is a small shorebird.Adults have black legs and a small thin dark bill. The body is dark brown on top and mainly white underneath, with brown streaks on the breast and a white rump. They have a white stripe over their eyes. This bird shows...
. This started an interest in the birds of the Welsh Harp that continues until today, giving a unique historical perspective of a site in London. The next prominent ornithologist was
William GleggWilliam Glegg was the founder of the Calday Grange Grammar School. A man of considerable local standing, he founded the school in 1636. He gave of land to provide an annual income of £12 per year for a schoolmaster...
from the 1920s onwards and he wrote a paper for the London Naturalist in 1930 called 'The Birds of Middlesex since 1866, then a follow-up book to Harting's in 1935, called A History of the Birds of Middlesex. After the Second World War, a new generation of ornithologists took an interest, such as Professor Warmington, and Eric Simms (Naturalist), who lived just south of the reservoir in
Dollis HillDollis Hill is an area of north-west London. It lies close to Willesden, in the London Borough of Brent. As a result, Dollis Hill is sometimes referred as being part of Willesden, especially by the national press...
. They were joined by Dr Leo Batten in the late 1950s. He still visits the reservoir today and was one of the movers in setting up the Welsh Harp Conservation Group (WHCG) in 1972 to fight off development. The WHCG has worked to protect the area as a nature reserve, including preventing a golf course and driving range from being built. The WHCG produces an annual report and also published a book about the reservoir –
Birds of Brent Reservoir – in 2000, which includes chapters on the social history, the effects of urbanisation, the habitats, as well as a study of the birds and other wildlife. The WHCG organise management work, such as annual refurbishment of the tern rafts and work with Brent and Barnet councils on site management, including applying for
National LotteryThe National Lottery is the largest lottery in the United Kingdom. It is operated by Camelot Group, to whom the licence was granted in 1994, 2001 and again in 2007. The lottery is regulated by The National Lottery Commission. The National Lottery undertook a major rebranding programme in 2002...
bids.
The eastern and northern marshes were designated a SSSI in 1975, due to the diversity of breeding waterbirds. Much of the reservoir and surrounding space was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2005.
Birds of the reservoir
The reservoir is an important site for breeding waterbirds such as
Great Crested GrebeThe Great Crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus is a member of the grebe family of water birds.- Description :The Great Crested Grebe is 46-51 cm long with a 59-73 cm wingspan. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer...
,
GadwallThe Gadwall is a common and widespread duck of the family Anatidae. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name. Its conservation status is Least Concern....
,
ShovelerThe shovelers, formerly known as shovellers, are four species of dabbling ducks with long, broad spatula-shaped beaks:* Red Shoveler, Anas platalea* Cape Shoveler, Anas smithii* Australasian Shoveler, Anas rhynchotis...
, Common Pochard,
Tufted DuckThe Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula, is a medium-sized diving duck with a population of close to one million birds.- Description :The adult male is all black except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill. It has an obvious head tuft that gives the species its name.The adult female is brown with paler...
and
Common TernThe Common Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution breeding in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and east and central North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions...
. At one stage, the reservoir was second only to
Rutland WaterRutland Water is Anglian Water's drinking water reservoir in the county of Rutland, England, just east of the county town Oakham. It was known as Empingham Reservoir during its construction and until its official opening in 1976. The centre of its dam is at British national grid reference...
for the most breeding pairs of Great Crested Grebe in the UK. Other breeding birds include eight species of
warblerThere are a number of Passeriformes called "warblers". They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous....
. In 2008, the first nesting attempt by
Great CormorantThe Great Cormorant , known as the Great Black Cormorant across the Northern Hemisphere, the Black Cormorant in Australia and the Black Shag further south in New Zealand, is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds...
took place as well as the first nesting attempt by
Grey HeronThe Grey Heron , is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds retreat in winter from the ice in colder regions...
for several years, neither attempt was successful.
The reservoir has always enjoyed a reputation for rare birds. As well those documented above during its early days, it attracted two
Black-winged StiltThe Black-winged Stilt is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family . Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize...
s in 1918; the first Great White Egret in London in 1997;
Blue-winged TealThe Blue-winged Teal is a small dabbling duck. Its placement in Anas is by no means certain; a member of the "blue-winged" group also including the shovelers, it may be better placed in Spatula. It is not a teal in the strict sense, and also does not seem closely related to the Garganey as was for...
in 1996;
Lesser ScaupAythya affinis, the Lesser Scaup , is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the Little Bluebill or Broadbill. It is apparently a very close relative of the Holarctic Greater Scaup or "bluebill" Aythya affinis, the...
in 2003 and
Penduline TitThe penduline tits are a family of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. All but the Verdin and Fire-capped Tit make elaborate bag nests hanging from trees , usually over water; inclusion of the Fire-capped Tit in this family is disputed by some authorities.-Characteristics:Penduline...
s in 1996 and 1997. Remarkably for an inland site, it also attracted rare warblers, notably
Aquatic WarblerThe Aquatic Warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in temperate eastern Europe and western Asia, with an estimated population of 15,000 pairs. It is migratory, wintering in west Africa...
in 1955, Hume's Warbler in 2004,
Yellow-browed WarblerThe Yellow-browed Warbler or Inornate Warbler is a leaf warbler which breeds in temperate Asia. This warbler is strongly migratory and winters in tropical Southeast Asia...
s in 1994 and 2003; however, most significant was an Iberian Chiffchaff on 3 June 1972, the first record in the UK.
The current list of birds recorded at the reservoir is 250 species. The most recent species added to the list was Waxwing in 2005.
Insects
Many other forms of wildlife have also been studied and were documented in the WHCG book. There have been 28 species of butterfly at the reservoir, including breeding
Marbled WhiteThe Marbled White is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Found across most of Europe , north Africa, and as far east as Iran, the late twentieth century has seen an expansion of its range in the UK....
, the closest site for these to the centre of London. Scarce species include a single
Dark Green FritillaryThe Dark Green Fritillary is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. It is often seen, on pastures and flowery banks, and nearby areas where the preferred foodplants for the larvae, Viola canina and Viola riviniana, grow...
in 1999. Prior to the construction of the reservoir,
marsh fritillaryThe Marsh Fritillary is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.The Marsh Fritillary is in decline in Europe and one of 11 butterflies covered by the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan. The UK distribution can be seen on the National Biodiversity Network. The adult butterflies are marked in...
used to breed. Dragonflies have been studied and 14 species have been seen, of which 12 breed at the reservoir.
Mammals
Few mammals are seen, the grey squirrel the most obvious; the
red foxThe red fox is a mammal of the order Carnivora. It has the widest range of any terrestrial carnivore, being native to Canada, Alaska, almost all of the contiguous United States, Europe, North Africa and almost all of Asia, including Japan. In Ireland and the UK, where there are no longer any other...
is common but mostly nocturnal.
MuntjacMuntjac, also known as Barking Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15-35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France and Germany.-Description:...
have been present since the beginning of the 21st century but are shy, their presence noted mainly by tracks although there have been a few sightings during the day in 2008. The reservoir is notable for bats with three species of pipistrelle, noctule, Leisler's bat, serotine and
Daubenton's batDaubenton's Bat, Myotis daubentoni, is a Eurasian bat with quite short ears. It ranges from Britain to Japan and is considered to be increasing its numbers in many areas.The name commemorates the French naturalist Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton....
all recorded on a single day in September 2007. Regular bat detection evenings throughout 2008 have shown that Nathusius' pipistrelle is present and may be breeding at or near the reservoir.
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