Good! Should discourage metal detectors and the like! It's a special site this, it's significance has gone hidden for a while. Hopefully the next few years will change this. [/quote]
I feel this is an unfair comment. Not all metal detectorists should be tarnished with the same brush. The majority are honest, and help archaeologists a lot! If it wasn't for detectorists a lot of artefacts would remain unfound. Is it better to leave things to rot or deteriorate unfound? Or to be found and shared with the world in museums?
The only access to Stanlow is either with the farmer who's sheep and cows graze Ince & Frodsham marshes. The wildfowlets who shoot on the same land as the farmer uses. The other access is through the refinary. Here you will need to get past the barriers on oil sites road to get to the offices. Then you will need a pass to get you through the gates to the ferry. You will also need a pass to board the ferry. Once over the canal the ferryman unlocks the gate to the island then locks it behind you. From the river Gowy to Eastham locks this land is leased to the RSPB and there is no public access at all. Besides the farmer and shooters the only other people allowed access are bird counters who count the birds on the Marsh once a month.
I know a few adventures that descended onto the island for a major explore (don't think they used any of the ways above) they did get onto the island and back (avoiding security) sadly they couldn't post pics up as they got a visit from the men in black ! (After clocking a number plate) 😮
Please do not adjust your mind, there is a slight problem with reality
A bit different from days gone by when I used to repair the television for Sgt. Roper who lived on the island. I just drove down Oil Sites Road, through the refinery & on to the ferry without being stopped & was then loaned a wheelbarrow to take my toolbox along the track to his cottage!
I'd love to go. I tried to organise two visits with the PR departments of Stanlow / Essar, but neither would entertain it, even for an educational visit.
This little gem has been written in a notebook and hidden away for a long time. I cannot remember where I originally copied it from, but thought it nice to share, before it's lost or thrown in a skip. There has been an concerted effort to put the punctuation as it was translated, not typo mistakes, so this is the copy.
It must be very old. Hope you like it.
Headed:
Poem written by an unknown Stanlaw monk. Translated from Latin by Rev.F.G.Slater of Ince.
STANLAW
"Stanlaw ! where I hope to lie when my hour shall come to die, Hard thy lot and brief thy fame Still thou teachest by thy name - STAN and LAW together blending Name all neighbour names transcending LAW is Hill - I lift my eyes To the hills beyond the skies. STAN is Stone - O! Corner Stone ! What art thou but Christ alone ? Alter Stone, on thee there lies That blest Bread of Sacrifice Stanlaw ! 'tis the Lord above Gave thy name to tell his love '
Stanlaw Abbey founded 1178 by John de Lacy Monks transferred to Whalley Abbey, Lancs in 1296.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
Here are a few photo's taken on Stanlow Island around 1999/2000. Pictures show the ferry, ships berthed on the island and some stonework.
I don't know whether the walls are original from the abbey or the stonework had been re-worked by the Manchester Ship Canal Police staff who used to live in the houses which backed onto the area photographed. Judging by other illustrations and photo's posted, the tunnel entrance may well be original.