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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: gazza on Monday 25 June 12 09:57 BST (UK)

Title: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: gazza on Monday 25 June 12 09:57 BST (UK)

Hi ,I was looking at some old maps of Walthamstow and something caught my attention/curiosity.
I noticed the name of an old reservoir(now filterbeds) was once called the "racecourse reservoir".
This implies there was a racecourse nearby in days of yore. I've never heard of one. I assume horses given the age. (Should add nothing to do with greyhounds or walthamstow stadium as it is before its time, and miles away ,which is all google spews up).
If any local historians can share any knowledge about it I would like to know. Thanks :)

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 26 June 12 17:17 BST (UK)

can you give us the era your loooking at please .
trevor

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: gazza on Tuesday 26 June 12 18:30 BST (UK)

Hi, looking on google it says The "racecourse reservoir" was converted into filter beds in 1968. I do not know how long it was known as that prior to that date. I wonder if it got its name if  the original reservoir was built on a former racecourse or one very adjacent?
I imagine the reservoirs must have been built during the 1800's, but not sure when exactly presently. :-[

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 26 June 12 18:47 BST (UK)

sorry i meant what era or how old were the maps you were looking at.
regards
trevor

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: gazza on Tuesday 26 June 12 19:43 BST (UK)

Hi Trevor, sorry,my fault. Should have made myself clearer. It was a bit of a convoluted route by way of maps that I found the reference in some text. I didnt actually see it named so on a map per se.
I've tried looking on old-maps wbsite but the site does not seem to be working well for me.

http://www.newhamstory.com/node/2423

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42780

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 26 June 12 20:03 BST (UK)

try this site www.london1878.com/stanford23.html  see if this helps at all , or do a google search for east london waterworks .
regards
trevor

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: gazza on Tuesday 26 June 12 20:16 BST (UK)

Thanks Trevor. I can see from the 1878 map that it was a reservoir at that time period.

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 26 June 12 20:45 BST (UK)

i did think earlier i wonder if it is a bit of a misnomer and could be mill race course and over the years has been shortened especially as a river runs close by ?!
regards
trevor

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: Colin Cruddace on Tuesday 26 June 12 23:33 BST (UK)

Quote from: t mo on Tuesday 26 June 12 20:45 BST (UK)

i did think earlier i wonder if it is a bit of a misnomer and could be mill race course and over the years has been shortened especially as a river runs close by ?!
regards
trevor

That's what I thought as well  :)

Water diverted from a nearby stream or river to power a water wheel for operating various factories. Usually known as a mill race, but sometimes as a water course (perhaps if it didn't power a mill  ::) )

Colin

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: gazza on Saturday 30 June 12 23:55 BST (UK)

That is interesting. I have never heard of the term Mill race before. The reservoir /fbeds were nearby to coppermill lane and a coppermill stream. So perhaps this is the answer.  :)

Title: Re: Walthamstow racecourse (not greyhound track)
Post by: t mo on Sunday 01 July 12 06:05 BST (UK)

your obviously to young to have heard of them then not like us old codgers[ well i am any way]  ::) ;D
regards
trevor