LOWER RACE

It seems likely that in the context of a district, the name of the area, the 'Race', came from the water 'Race' when water was released from a pond or dammed upstream, scouring the overburden away.

See mining methods (Scouring)

The dictionary definition of 'Race' is 'A fast-flowing channel of water'.

Photograph (1) courtesy of Councillor Mr Neil Waite

This first photograph probably taken in the mid to late 1800s shows the area of the lower race, while this 2nd 2006 photograph shows the extent of the changes that have taken place since.