Marshall’s Arm became the first Local Nature Reserve in Vale
Royal in 1998. The then Borough Council chose the site because its
grasslands, wetlands and woodlands are a haven for wildlife and yet
the area is close enough to housing and schools for people to enjoy
it.
Paths, seats, waymarkers and information boards were installed
with the help of volunteers and the wrought iron
‘heron’ gates (off Saxons Lane) were made to celebrate
the centenary of Mid Cheshire College.
Local History
Marshall’s Arm is a loop of the old River Weaver which
meandered towards Northwich until the early 1700s, when the growing
salt trade led to demands for a canalised waterway to provide
faster and cheaper transport. As the River Weaver was straightened
into the Weaver Navigation, some of its meanders were cut-off
including the ‘arm’ by the Marshall family’s
Hartford Manor estate.
By 1734, the Weaver Navigation had begun to bustle. Barges
carried coal upstream to fire the salt pans and returned laden with
salt.They passed alongside the ‘arm’ through the new
timber-sided lock. By 1796, Hartford lock had a keeper and a
cottage.
By the mid 1880s, boat traffic had increased so much that
Hartford lock was replaced with “paired” brick and
stone locks. However,within 30 years, the locks had become such a
bottleneck that they were removed completely. Then competition
arrived from rail transport and brine piping. By 1918, waterway
tonnage had halved.
Marshall’s Arm became a popular fishing and beauty spot
during the 1930s and 40s. Visitors came from Manchester and beyond
by train. Local people can remember learning to swim in
‘Paddling Pool’ below Pignut Hill; which became shallow
after 1902 when the up-river entrance of the Arm was blocked
off.
Since then, silt has built up in the closed end of
Marshall’s Arm providing a foothold for reeds and willow.
Although natural, these changes mean that the remaining wetland -
and its wildlife - will disappear in time. The Reserve is managed
to prevent this.