Weir Is It?
The cache, a small black push-topped conical tube, is hidden on the public pedestrian access route - a lane then stony path - from Burley-in-Wharfedale to Burley weir and stepping stones - a beautiful location on the River Wharfe. This is part of well-known hiking trails in the area such as Burley to Askwith and Burley to Ben Rhydding via Askwith.
Correct Yorkshire (-speak) for the cache name according to the Yorkshire translator would be 'Wheear is it'.
Note: as the cache is hidden in an open public location visible for some distance, you will need to look out for muggles and time your activities accordingly whilst employing suitable stealth tactics.
To reach the cache location: park at N 53 55.125 W 1 45.317 near the start of Leather Bank, the access road for the weir - of course making sure that you secure any valuables out of sight. Then head the short distance to the cache location. From here you can carry on to the location of another SawaSawa cache GC7BJT6: On't'way'teur't'Stones and a little further to the goit, weir and Stones.
The weir was constructed in 1792 in order to divert water into the newly constructed [Greenholme] mill goit and ensure a steady flow of water to power the mill. It is intact, steps the river down by some 6 metres, and is a fine piece of industrial archaeolog - and is a key part of the industrial history of Burley.
Cotton mills were established [below a weir and] alongside a small canal (goit* [or leat** - which you cross over as you approach the river]) taking water from the Wharfe in the 1790s and this led to the development of an industrial village in the nineteenth century [and the construction of Greenholme Mill in 1819 - another source says a cotton mill was established on the site in 1792].
In the 1830s nearly 400 operatives worked in these mills. Later after William Fison and William Edward Forster took over ownership of Greenholme Mills in 1850, the mills were extended and worsted yarn and cloth became the main products. There was employment for over 700 workers in the later nineteenth century, when the population reached 3000.'
Smaller textile mills were also established at Woodhead, but employment was limited and all except for the Bleach Mill failed long before the end of the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century the textile industry suffered from reduction in markets and investment. By the mid-1960s all local mills were disused [Greenholme Mill closed in 1966] but small businesses mainly of a sales or service nature have more recently located themselves in the old mill building . . .'
*goit (UK Yorkshire & Lancashire): a small artificial channel carrying water. Usually used with respect to channels built to feed mills.
** leat: an artificial watercourse, canal or aqueduct, but especially a millrace
The goit supplied water power to the Greenholme Mills to produce initially cotton then wool [in fact, worsted]. At the time it grew to be the largest water-power scheme in England and continued to be used after similar manufacturers and switched to other power sources.
After renovation of the derelict overspill channel [ie. the goit], it now supplies a small hydroelectric plant located by the old mill which has a 329KWh Kaplan inward flow turbine generating 1,400 MWh per year - enough to power 310 homes. The plant, completed and opened by the local MP Philip Davies on 20 August 2011, also has a downstream by-pass for fish to ensure the biodiversity of the river is not affected.
Whilst at the weir, see if you can spot grey heron which are commonly seen there, or kingfisher which have become increasingly common at quiet spots along the banks - especially where there are overhanging branches.