What the heck is a lek?
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
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This keystone was an important part of the canal bridge as it is the focus of the forces in the arch. The two keystones (one over each side) are dated 1814, the year the bridge was constructed.
Swindon was initially served by two canals. The Wilts & Berks Canal opened in 1810 and linked the Kennet and Avon Canal at Semington near Melksham to the Thames at Abingdon. The North Wilts Canal was dug in 1819 from a spur off the Wilts & Berks at Swindon up to the Thames at Latton near Cricklade. Both were latecomers in the ‘mania’ of canal building. Both canals were built to bring coal from Somerset to the towns of Wiltshire and Berkshire and beyond via the Thames.
John Street Bridge was just at the junction of the North Wilts branch in the new parts of Swindon. However, the bridge predates the building of the railway works and so reflects an earlier road route.
The bridge was demolished when the canal was filled in to create Fleming Way, a major arterial road through Swindon.
This object was chosen by Rachel from Dorcan Academy. They highlight the impact of intense canal building in the 18th century, driven by the Industrial Revolution and the need to transport goods inland. By 1850 around 4800 miles of connected waterways had been constructed. This boosted the economy and turned Britain into the leading industrial nation.
Swindon was built on large clay deposits which led to brick manufacturers. These brickworks supplied the materials to line the canal network.
Rachel also found it interesting to consider how the bridge was abandoned and forgotten, like the canal it crossed when the railway came. The thing that had once brought prosperity was later seen as an inconvenience.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!