Miracle of the New River

London's parks are its great glory and the spring time is the best time to visit them. The huge chestnut trees are in flower and stand majestic in most of the parks while the foiiage of other trees and vegetation is rich and green.

Sharon has been practicing her walking in Clissold Park, Hackney, which provides a green lung to the tens of thousands of local residents who use it for everything, from going for a long run, to sitting in the sunshine or enjoying tea and cakes in the historic building that was once home to a rich family. The park covers some 54 acres.

A still stretch of water runs through the park, with trees reaching across the banks and shady areas where fish must lurk. This is a remnant of The New River. At the start of the 17th century the population of London had grown to about 180, 000 people and as there was nowhere for sewage to go other than into the water supply. Virtually all wells, rivers and springs had become seriously polluted. A new water supply had to be found. The solution was to dig a “new river” to bring water from the River Lee, about 20 miles away from the crowded city. This opened in 1613, when there was no pumping technology and so a route had to be chosen that was downhill all the way. The New River ran for 20 miles along the 100 foot contour, dropping about five inches per mile until the water reached its destination. The New River still functions today as a source of water for Londoners, but it now stops at a reservoir in Stoke Newington. As well as Clissold Park another section can be seen in Islington.

But on a pleasant sunny Sunday, a person practicing walking with her crutch was much more interested in the flat easy paths, the greenery and the birds. Not to mention a nice cup of tea.

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©Phillip Bruce 2009.