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River Teme: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:13, 6 April 2006

The river source is in the Kerry Hills south of Newtown, Mid-Wales. It flows across the border into England close to Knighton. From there to its confluence with the River Severn, at Worcester 100 km downstream, it flows through Shropshire and Worcestershire. The upper reaches of the river are usually steep with fast flowing but relatively shallow waters. There are some mills, and weirs at Ludlow. Below Tenbury the river is more tranquil but still quite shallow, with strong cross currents. Water levels in the Teme are highly variable, something which has been made worse in recent years through increases in water extraction for agriculture use.^[1]

The River Clun flows into the Teme at Leintwardine, Herefordshire. The Kyre Brook flows into the Teme at Tenbury Wells. The River Rea flows into the Teme at Newnham Bridge, south of Cleobury Mortimer, in Worcestershire.

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Recreational use

Canoeing

ACountryside Agency report in September 2003 entitled Improving access for canoeing on inland waterways: A study of the feasibility of access agreements stated:

There are no formal access agreements for canoeing on the Teme. However, unlawful canoeing does occur and there are many claims about the resulting conflict. As a result of its character, the demand for canoeing is seasonal, when there is enough water in the river, and is more in the upper reaches where the faster water can be found. However, this part of the river is also the most valuable for fishing, with riparian owners keen to protect their interests and prevent canoeing, on the grounds that the Teme is not suited to canoeing under any circumstances. While there is probably less conflict below Tenbury, there is also less interest in canoeing, and probably less opportunity, given the water levels.^[1]

Fishing

Fishing is popular on many stretches of the Teme, with its barbel fishing being particularly noted.

History

Despite claims to the contrary (in older versions of this article), the best evidence is that the river Teme was not generally navigable, except by canoes and such like. The exception to this is the final 1.5 miles from Powick Mill to its confluence with the river Severn. There was a coal wharf near Powick Bridge, whose owner had the right to use a towing path to the river Severn. In the 18th century, pig iron was brought up the river to Powick Forge (as the mill then was). William Sandys (who improved the Avon was also authorised to improve the Teme, but there is no evidence that he did so. The only indication of the commercial use of vessels above Powick is a single reference to the miller at Stanford on Teme having a boat capable of carrying 10 tons in 1750. This cannot have operated over any great distance, as it would have eben unable to pass mill weirs.

references

C. Hadfield, Canals of the West Midlands (1969), 58-9; H. Lloyd, The Quaker LLoyds in the Industrial Revolution (1975), 148-50.

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