The M.E.N's Neal Keeling traces artist Liam Spencer's odyssey
Ten years ago artist Liam Spencer started "tramping" on Deerplay Moor north of Bacup. He was seeking the source of a much maligned thread of water, forever entwined in Lancashire's natural, and industrial history.
Liam has found joyous proof that the River Irwell is emerging from the grim image which was also highlighted in a 1950 House of Commons debate. The then MP for Rossendale, Anthony Greenwood, chose to refer to another Manchester Guardian description of the river as a "melancholy stream". The mills, dye works, and factories which lined the river are long gone or ruins enveloped by nature - and a haven for a revival.
Liam said: "In one part of the river it was a scruffy urban location, Townsend Fold, between Rawtenstall and Ewood Bridge, where there is a bypass bridge over the river. But within 200 yards there is a lot going on. There is a shingle beach which has been full of wildflowers. There's bricks, junk, and tyres, but it has been a good spot to visit over the seasons.
"I used to fantasise about commuting in a kayak. So I have had that relationship with the Irwell and then living in Rossendale, being surprised at what an interesting river it is and the diversity of wildlife." Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel Play now "The first thing I did was take photographs with a view to making drawings and paintings, which is how I have worked for years - locations initially. As it took shape I took videos too. All the wildlife that I am using as projections I have filmed myself. The deer were in our garden.
"It is incredible, and if you had told that to a naturalist in the 1970s they would not have believed you, it would have been inconceivable. The first time I arived in Rawtenstall, and leaned over a wall and saw a kingfisher, I really did not expect that. A kingfisher is an indication that you have a healthy river- if there are no fish for them to feed on it is not a good state of affairs.
As he looks from his kitchen window, Liam can see the small stream which flows alongside the field adjoining his house. "It’s a perfect miniature v -shaped valley, just like in the geography text books. They’re called cloughs here in Northern England. Bridge Clough joins the Whitewell Brook, the first significant tributary to join the Irwell at the appropriately named Waterfoot. Liam's studio is in Waterfoot, on the banks of the Whitewell.