- Hale Duck Decoy
Hale Duck Decoy is a
duck decoy located near to the village of Hale, in Halton,Cheshire , England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, owned by Hale Estates and administered by Halton Borough Council.cite web |url= http://www2.halton.gov.uk/nature/content/localnaturereserves/haleduckdecoy/?a=5441 |title= Hale Duck Decoy |accessdate=2008-10-04 |publisher= Halton Borough Council ]History
The precise date of its construction is not known, but there is evidence that it was built in the 17th century. Records show that in 1754 it was repaired and improved by its owner at that time, Mr. Ireland-Blackburne. In 1886, now owned by Colonel J. Blackburne, M.P., it was still being worked. [cite book | last = Payne-Gallwey| first = Ralph| authorlink = Sir Ralph Frankland-Payne-Gallwey, 3rd Baronet| coauthors = | title = The Book of Duck Decoys: Their Construction, Management and History |edition= | publisher = | year = 1886 | location = | pages = 100–102 | url = http://www.decoymans.co.uk/pages/title.html | doi = | id = | isbn = ] By the early 20th century it became disused.cite book | last =Pollard| first =Richard | authorlink = | coauthors =
Nikolaus Pevsner | title =The Buildings of England: Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West |edition= | publisher =Yale University Press | date =2006 | location =New Haven & London | pages = 191| url = | doi = | id = | isbn =0 300 10910 5 ] In the 1960s a conservation group began to restore it. A lease was then taken byCheshire County Council which was passed to Halton Borough Council to continue the restoration. [cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2005/05/11/duck_decoy_feature.shtml |title= Hale Duck Decoy |accessdate=2008-10-04 |publisher=BBC ] It has subsequently received a grant from theHeritage Lottery Fund to develop it into anature reserve . In 1991 its walls were breached by a high tide and this was followed by a programme of replanting the trees which had been lost.tructure
The decoy covers an area of AcreAndHectare |5| round=0 which is surrounded by a
moat crossed by aswing bridge . It has the shape of an irregular pentagon which contains a central pool with five pipes radiating from it. Within the decoy is agamekeeper 's cottage.Today
The decoy is accessible, but only to guided tours of up to 20 people.
References
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