For many years now, I have travelled from Lofthouse in Upper Nidderdale over the moors and down to Masham in Wensleydale, firstly with my parents in our trusty little three-wheeler Reliant Regal then, in more recent years, I have driven my own family.
Looking up to my right on the descent towards Leighton Reservoir I have always been intrigued by a stone pillar standing high on the top of the hill. It is an imposing construction and something I have always wanted to know more about. It is only now with a high-power zoom lens that I can see more detail and with access to the internet, I can do some research.
This is one of four sighting towers erected by The Harrogate Water Company during the 19th century as part of the preparing for building Roundhill and Leighton reservoirs. There were four towers originally, the one constructed from wood is long gone, as far as I am aware the remains of the other two still stand and on a further visit to Yorkshire, I plan to look them up.
The Colsterdale Sighting Tower is an example of Victorian ingenuity, there is a gap and bay aligning the gaps in the four towers the construction of straight dam walls became possible, so I understand. You might know better and if you do, please let me know.
It seems to me, that is a throw away society where nothing is built to last anymore, this tower still stands in an exposed location years after it has outlived its original purpose. I marvel at the skill, ingenuity, and commitment to erect something like this in an inaccessible place without all the modern equipment we have today.
In a year when many of us are still living with a hosepipe ban in place, I think of just how much we owe to those who have gone before us and how much we take things for granted. We are not the first generation to be creative.