River Biss
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| River Biss | |
|---|---|
 The River Biss flowing under the town bridge in Trowbridge
|
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Region | Wiltshire |
| Length | 18.385 km (11 mi) |
| Discharge at | Staverton, Wiltshire |
| Source | |
| - location | near Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire |
| - coordinates | |
| Mouth | |
| - location | Staverton, Wiltshire |
| - coordinates | |
The River Biss is a small river in Wiltshire, England and is a tributary of the Avon. The name is of uncertain origin; it is claimed that the word is from the Old Norse bisa, meaning "to strive".[1]
[edit] Progress
The Biss rises as the Biss Brook[2] near Upton Scudamore[3] on the western side of Salisbury Plain, and flows northwards passing Westbury towards Trowbridge.
The Baptist church at North Bradley lies close to the River Biss and in the 19th century river baptisms took place with over 2000 in attendance; the bridge here is still called 'The Baptising'.[4]
The river enters the centre of Trowbridge from the southeast through the Biss Meadows Country Park, where local wildlife can be seen.[5] It then flows through the Town Park, where a small constituent lake is haunt to wildfowl, before passing behind shops and industrial buildings in a Riverside Walk which was opened in 1993 by the Duke of Edinburgh.[6] The walk is now largely an overgrown tarmac path for which improvements have been suggested.[7] In November 2007, the District Council announced a study into implementing those improvements.[8] Before leaving the centre of Trowbridge, the Biss flows under the Town Bridge in roughly the location of the original river crossing which gives the town its name; in this area the river is home to a species of yellow water lily known as "Brandy Bottle" after the shape of its fruit and its characteristic scent.
Although Trowbridge is a former woollen cloth manufacturing town, for which a supply of water is required, the Biss was never substantial enough to satisfy the demands of that industry.[9] However, there was an attempt to supply the town; the Trowbridge Water Company was formed and piped water was turned on in the town on 30 September 1874. Supplies were inadequate, however, and the venture failed.[10] The company had premises in Waterworks Road, now a residential area.
On leaving the town centre, the Biss continues northwards through the Ladydown area towards Bradford on Avon, where it is a popular venue for canoeists.[11] It is crossed by the Kennet and Avon Canal at the Biss Aqueduct before flowing into the River Avon in Widbrook Wood, south of Staverton. Here, narrowboats are made available for hire.[12]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Longstaff, John C. (1911). Notes on Wiltshire Names. Bradford on Avon: Library Press, 127.
- ^ Biss Brook.
- ^ Source.
- ^ Baptist church
- ^ Biss Meadows.
- ^ Trowbridge Town Council & Environment Agency information board at Trowbridge Library
- ^ Riverside Walk Assessment (PDF).
- ^ Riverside Walk Improvements.
- ^ Use in Industry.
- ^ Trowbridge Water Company.
- ^ Canoeing.
- ^ Staverton Marina.
[edit] References
- Trowbridge Nature Trail, leaflet published jointly by West Wiltshire District Council and the Trowbridge Civic Society.
