A plaque to commemorate the 250th birthday of John Rennie was unveiled on 7th June by Damian McGettrick, ICE West Midlands Chairman, at Rudyard Lake. Rennie, a leading civil engineer of his generation, designed the Rudyard Dam and reservoir to supply water to the Leek branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Damian McGettrick and Roger Cragg, PHEW West Midlands Regional Panel Member, next to the newly unveiled plaque at the Rudyard Lake Visitor Centre.
Rennie (1761-1821) designed many bridges, canals and docks around the country and the 250th anniversary of his birth, June 7th 2011, is being celebrated nationally by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Rudyard Dam and Reservoir, completed in 1801, was designed by Rennie to supply water to the Leek Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal, feeding the ever growing system of canals. It is the second largest English reservoir in the ownership of British Waterways.
In 1829, the North Staffordshire Railway Company laid a track skirting the lake making it a haven for day-trippers from Manchester and the Potteries.
Among the most famous visitors were John Lockwood Kipling and Alice Macdonald who met there in 1863, later married and named their first-born son after the lake.
Damian McGettrick, Chairman of ICE West Midlands, unveiled the plaque along with Ray Perry, Chairman of the Rudyard Lake Trust.
Damian said: “John Rennie is without doubt one of the most important civil engineers of his, or indeed any generation, and it is an honour to unveil a plaque marking the 250th anniversary of his birth.
“Many of the canals, bridges and docks that were so vital to the Industrial Revolution were designed by Rennie and Rudyard Lake is one of his finest contributions.
“The lake is not only a beauty spot but played a key function and is an amazing example of civil engineering and the importance it plays on our everyday lives.”
Click here to view The Rudyard Lake Trust web site and learn more about the Lake