The Delph in the River Ribble

The Delph in the River Ribble

Map of the River Ribble by Robert Porter of Goosnargh in 1756


There is a significantly deep 'Delph' in the River Ribble by Avenham Park and adjacent to the Old Tram Road bridge (at the time of writing - temporarily removed, whist a new one is constructed).  The word 'delph' comes from an Old English word (ge)delf, meaning a quarry. 

If you look at Old Ordnance Survey Town plans, and other maps, the feature is illustrated, but not necessarily indicated.  Also, if you look at modern day satellite imagery, you can see something is there.  Looking down from the Old Tram Road bridge (when you once could), the river bed is 'rock'.  The feature was included in a survey that Robert Porter of Goosnargh did in 1756 to create a Map of the River Ribble.  His map indicates a 'Stone Delf'.

What was the stone from the 'Delph' taken for?  If you have a look at the Preston History website, you can see one of the 'on this day' posts reveals an answer.  This is related to the Parish Church.


The church tower and steeple were taken down in 1813, and a new tower built, twenty-seven feet taller than the previous one. The tower is thought to have been built from red sandstone, quarried from the stone delph in the river, near the present tram bridge. The soft sandstone apparently proved too perishable to last long, and, in 1853, the whole building was taken down and the present church erected.




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Further reading and sources of information

The Delph in the River Ribble by Avenham Park

https://www.mylancs.uk/2024/03/the-delph-in-river-ribble-by-avenham.html

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Industrial archaeology from the Ribble -  Preston History website

https://prestonhistory.com/2023/12/21/industrial-archaeology-from-the-ribble/

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On this day … 23 March 1770 -  Preston History website

https://prestonhistory.com/2023/03/22/on-this-day-23-march-1770/

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Location: Avenham Park, Preston PR1 8JT, UK

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