There are a couple of good Youtube videos from the Midlands Outdoors channel which explore Sheepwash and the surrounding Canal and Rattlechain lagoon area. Be sure to give that channel a subscribe and like.
Obviously locals will venture over here every day, to walk their dogs, go to work or for exercise, but these videos offer a newby’s experience to the area and a genuine unbiased commentary on what he sees. Using drone footage, subtle music and a gentle narration, it captures a moment of reflection about the industrial past and the changing face of nature within it.
Some links to complement the videos can be seen below under each.
First a visit to Sheepwash entering at John’s Lane. The “derelict house” is of course connected to the former farm and currently houses two businesses.
♥The bird flight diverters, and the story of how those were added by National Grid can be read HERE.
♥ The overview history of the site can be read HERE.
♥The story of the two brickworks once occupying the site can be read HERE.
♥The Haines branch canal story is HERE.
♥ The transformation of the site from industrial to nature reserve recovery is discussed HERE.
The next video explores more of Sheepwash, but also Rattlechain lagoon and connecting BCN mainline.
There is considerable history and controversy surrounding the white phosphorus chemical waste dump of the former Albright and Wilson.
♠ Further sightings and discussion of The Netherton tunnel can be read HERE.
♠ The Rattlechain brickworks story can be read HERE.
♠ Historic pictures/maps and discussion of the Rattlechain brickworks/lagoon are HERE.
♠ This can be read in conjunction with how John’s Lane has changed HERE.
♠ Discussion of the two tunnels into Sheepwash can be found HERE.
♠ An overview of someone who carried Albright and Wilson’s toxic waste by canal barge from their Langley factory can be read HERE
♠ An updated “what’s left” of this “toxic trail” journey is HERE.
♠ Some of the views from the hill overlooking Rattlechain lagoon are discussed HERE.
♠ The issue of white phosphorus poisoning wildfowl on the lagoon, and the story of how campaigners had to take on this muti-national company can be read HERE.
♠ These birds were found to be being systemically poisoned, see HERE and HERE by the waste chemical contained in this lake.
♠The Friends of Sheepwash remain committed to campaigning against building any houses on or adjacent to this contaminated land which directly threatens the nature reserve and connected wildlife.