THE news that United Utilities is to recommence using water from Houghton Green pool in Winwick was of particular interest to Alan Sharpe.
Because the farmer and author from nearby Southworth Hall Farm is producing a book on the history of Croft and has unearthed fascinating details of the pool's history.
Mr Sharpe, aged 74, is producing a collection of work aided by his friend Judith Holden and other contributors, which he hopes will be released this Christmas.
His family has lived in the area since the 1920s and he has unearthed details about it.
He said: "The lake at Delph Lane Middleton arises due to the extraction of sandstone after MC Alpines, the M6 contractors, bought the land from the Robinson family of Middleton Hall Farm in 1960.
"The area was grazed by cattle until 1992 when the Winwick water works were closed.
"In 1900 to 1904 when the water tunnel and three shafts were developed from Dam Lane to Delph Lane three men were killed, two of which were buried in Croft Unitarian Church yard in Lady Lane.
"When the pumping station started in 1904, it dried up all the local wells where people had previously got their water from."
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