GLOBAL DISCOVERY AT CANAL by Andrew Jackson
(Article reproduced with permission of the Bucks Herald - Feb 2003)
Historians in Wendover believe they have made a globally significant discovery, which could help scientists gauge whether or not global warming is affecting the planet.
They have found day-by-day records of the amount of water flowing through Wendover Canal dating back to 1841 – a time from which almost no such statistics exist world-wide.
The Wendover Arm trust, which made the discovery, is now studying the data and comparing it to current water level readings. If this shows more water passing through last summer than in 1841 it will suggest global warming is causing drier summers and under the same theory experts believe it may show more water last winter than in 1841, with global warming causing wetter winters.
Initial analysis from the Wendover data suggests global warming may not have had that significant an impact but experts say it is far too early to make definitive conclusions.
Whatever the eventual results Wendover Parish Council is delighted at such an internationally important discovery being made on its doorstep – and hopes it may make the town a tourist attraction.
The national centre for Ecology and Hydrology, which studies the possibility of global warming, has already met with the Wendover Arm Trust and representatives from the parish council to share information and decide on what to do next.
Scientists from the centre are said to be excited at the potential information they can decipher from the 19th century figures.
Trust members made the discovery while carrying out research on the canal, about which they were writing a book, and they believe there may be even older figures dating back to when the canal was built.
Wendover Arm Trust member John savage said: "A very historical water measurement device was built with the canal in the 1790’s. Water measurement experts are extremely interested in this because it’s one of the longest continuous water measurements in the country, if not the world."
He added: "If you want to establish a change in climate, any evidence over a long period generally doesn’t exist. They’re extremely interested in Wendover – they say it is of global significance. There are very good records from 1840. This has huge significance."
Terry Marsh, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said that figures were now being looked at in depth.
He said: "This is not so much a discovery as a rediscovery. Records from 1841 are extremely rare – not only in this country but world-wide.
Ann Hooton, clerk to Wendover Parish Council, added: "Something which is significant like this will be of great benefit to Wendover"
Accompanying photo caption:
EXCITING FIND: John Savage and Cllr Eileen McKechnie at the Wendover canal
Ó Bucks Herald (may be reproduced without alteration on condition acknowledgement is made to Bucks Herald)