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Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 27th December, 2023)

Water Divining in Standish


Water Divining in Standish
An employee of United Utilities using divining rods to locate a water main on Almond Brook Road. He did later bring out more modern devices to try to pinpoint where the main and supply pipes lie - but I was a bit surprised to see him employing this ancient method (which does work, by the way).

Photo: David Long  (Sony DSC-RX10M3)
Views: 1,784

Comment by: Eddie rowland on 27th December 2023 at 00:14

To Kath Ha.
I can see that you enjoy wigan world Kath check yesterday's post Eddie.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 27th December 2023 at 05:57

Could it be that when a leak cannot be detected they rely on Devine Intervention?

Comment by: Maureen on 27th December 2023 at 05:58

I know it works,I have my own.

Comment by: Helen of Troy on 27th December 2023 at 07:31

As you say Rev Long, water divining works. The metal rods are a modern invention , I have seen film of hazel twigs being used to source water. Along with other ancient methods used by people long ago we shouldn't dismiss their ways. Along with ' lay lines' & the like I find the subject fascination....an interesting photo.

Comment by: Poet on 27th December 2023 at 07:35

Looks more like the water found him .

Comment by: Kath H on 27th December 2023 at 08:41

Good morning Eddie. I did see your post yesterday, but didn’t reply because I didn’t see Maria Christmas Eve as planned because someone in the group had an health issue. All being well I will see Maria and Stan on Friday and will have a chat. Will let you know how we get on. Best wishes for 2023.

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 27th December 2023 at 08:45

How unusual! They say the old ways are the best and it's good to see them being used, even if alongside more modern methods. A fascinating thought as well as a fascinating photo.

Comment by: Aubrey on 27th December 2023 at 09:14

Yes, it does indeed work. United Utilities used that method to locate the approximate location of a water mains outside my house. It was accurate within a yard.

Comment by: Johnny on 27th December 2023 at 09:26

Why don't the water aid charity, who are always on the telly begging money not buy some these dowsing rods and send them to Africa

Comment by: Veronica on 27th December 2023 at 09:38

How very strange in this day and age. I’m surprised that method works through concrete.

Comment by: DTease on 27th December 2023 at 10:07

“I don’t know, yer ask um fer some new technology and all yer get is a pair of grandma’s old knitting needles”

Comment by: Kath H on 27th December 2023 at 10:08

Eddie. Of course I meant 2024. Typing error.

Comment by: PeterP on 27th December 2023 at 10:17

Veronica sometimes the ground is rock hard just like concrete but they still find the water

Comment by: David Barker on 27th December 2023 at 11:02

My Dad worked for many years at BCWW, Bolton Corporation Water Works, they had a small depot , opposite Westhoughton Parish Church ,he retired after a transfer years later , working at United Utilities depot at Bolton.
He repaired many burst water mains, and found them, the ones not visible , using divining rods, he always had a set in the van, they worked every time .

Comment by: Veronica on 27th December 2023 at 11:24

I don’t why they bother with technology then Peter P. Seems the old ways are the best…
I’ve always fancied going in the fields searching for mediaeval coins and trinkets with a metal detector.

Comment by: Maureen on 27th December 2023 at 11:26

My hubby made mine, to try them out we waited for a blazing hot Summers day where there would ( we thought) be no chance of finding any water.. so to try them out we went in the garden and asked them by thought to find water , the sticks immediately pointed to the bird table where there was water in a tray for the birds.. I use them every time I misplace something, they always work.just put a picture of the object you’re looking for in your mind.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 27th December 2023 at 11:30

Johnny - they know where the water is - they need the money to drill down deep enough to access it and install systems to bring it to the surface.

Comment by: Cyril on 27th December 2023 at 13:07

It does appear to work doesn't it and probably in the same category of mysteries that dumbfound us; like as to how pigeons and migratory birds can find their way to and fro. There's even a British organisation for dowsers: https://britishdowsers.org/dowsing-explained/

Comment by: Mr Logic on 27th December 2023 at 13:42

"Scientific evidence shows that dowsing (water divining) is no more effective than random chance. It is therefore regarded as a pseudoscience."

"There is no known influence in physics that would account for how buried water would move metal rods."

Comment by: Tom on 27th December 2023 at 13:49

Mr Logic, it .must be true because Maureen said I'd does.

Comment by: Joe Tapper on 27th December 2023 at 14:00

I'm a utilities man, and I can say we only use the rods for a laugh when we see someone peeping out of their. window
Usualy they come outside and ask if dowsing works, we can then tell them anything, which ends with them brewing up and getting the biscuits out.

Comment by: Maureen on 27th December 2023 at 14:36

Some folk will only believe what they can see… and understand ..they just have closed minds .

Comment by: Owd Reekie on 27th December 2023 at 16:34

The most bizarre aspect of this photo is that the “diviner” is trying to do this on water saturated ground and with his wets on to protect himself from the rain. Despite the above ground conditions does he really expect to find some water deep down underneath the concrete? I don’t think so somehow. He is probably a mate of Joe Tapper and trying to cadge some tea and biscuits.

Comment by: Veronica on 27th December 2023 at 16:49

Well said Maureen. I have plenty knitting needles I must have a go sometime. Not while it’s raining though..

Comment by: Irene Roberts on 27th December 2023 at 17:01

I agree, Maureen, and I totally believe you and the others on here who say that divining works, although it is something I have never experienced personally. However, were I a "utilities person" and knew that the ancient art of divining was deliberately used to get a cup of tea and biscuits out of people I would have kept my mouth shut and not spoiled it for others.

Comment by: e on 27th December 2023 at 18:26

As Kepler wrote to Copernicus Maureen !

Comment by: Maureen on 27th December 2023 at 18:46

Thank you ladies.. Veronica, I’ll tell you how Cliff made them shall I.. you get two of the plain plastic pens…Bicc… take the middle piece out so you’re left with just the plastic body next Cliff used metal coat hangers, then bent each one at one end for 7 inches so you’re left with a 7 inch piece for holding the sticks,push the longer end through the plastic body..hold each one in the hands making sure that they’re loose enough to move inside the body of the pen..then of course one in either hand with one just an inch above the other to allow for movement.. next ask it to find anything you want, keep your hands still. and wait instil you get any movement .. I’ve tried my best to explain and I hope you can understand me.. if not just ask me anything, and thank you again for believing me. xx

Comment by: Maureen on 27th December 2023 at 18:55

I’m very sorry, I should have said the short pieces of coat hanger wire should just be pushed into the longer pieces for handles, then just hold in front of you.

Comment by: Maureen on 27th December 2023 at 19:13

Again, I’m so sorry for missing an obvious bit of info out.. the longer piece of metal should measure 15 inch.

Comment by: Veronica on 27th December 2023 at 19:40

I think I’ll just believe you Maureen. It’s been going on for Centuries so there must be something in it. But thank you for ‘pointing’ out how to make them pointers. I’m better sticking to my knitting. ;o))

Comment by: Bill on 27th December 2023 at 21:26

I wuz thinking of having a go at making a pair but I dont think Im skilled enough to be honest

Comment by: Maureen on 28th December 2023 at 13:59

Okay Veronica, I’ve made it sound more complicated than it is .

Comment by: Veronica on 28th December 2023 at 17:04

Not really Maureen but seeing the picture how it turned out was really good. xx

Comment by: Rev David Long on 2nd January 2024 at 11:30

Unfortunately, it appears neither diving nor modern technology worked in this instance - a crew arrived at first light on January 2nd and began digging holes in front of the house to try to locate the water pipes. They succeeded - but then drove away - presumably another crew will come to deal with whatever the problem has been.
What I find strange is that, at some fairly recent date, everyone's lead pipes were replaced with plastic ones to reduce lead poisoning. Why didn't they draw up plans of where all the pipes were located when they carried out that work?

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