River Blithe
The River Blithe is a river in Staffordshire,England.It is a Tributary of the River Trent and runs for around 20 miles from source to its confluence with the River Trent.
Etymology
The Origins of the name Blithe probably come from the old English for gentle,cheerful,quiet or merry[1]. This is probably rooted in fact as the River runs as a gentle stream for most of its journey to the River Trent.
Course
The Blithe rises in the Hills to the East of Stoke on Trent near to Heywood Grange Farm at around 800 feet above sea level.[2]. It is joined by several smaller streams as it makes its way towards Caverswall. The River though is still only a small stream at this stage. It passes the village of Blythe Bridge and roughly follows the Stoke to Derby Railway line.The countryside is mainly agricultural and is intensively farmed. The River passes through Uttoxeter and then flows into Blithfield Reservoir. On Leaving the reservoir it flows for about another 5 miles until it reaches its confluence with the River Trent.
Blithfield Reservoir
The River Blithe runs into the Blithfield Reservoir near to the village of Abbots Bromley and a few miles North of the town of Rugeley.The reservoir was constructed by the South Staffordshire Water Company and was opened in 1953.[3] The reservoir is a major water source for South Staffordshire but is also utilised for a range of leisure activities from Angling to Water Sports. There is also an educational centre on the site.
References
- ^ Horovitz, David. The Place names of Staffordshire. ISBN 0 9550309 0 0.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|ppublisher=(help) - ^ Ordnance Survey Explorer 258 Map. Ordnance Survey. ISBN 0 319 21894 5.
- ^ . South Staffordshire Water Plc http://www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/community/blithfield.asp.
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