The views expressed in Towing Path Topics are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) or of its North West Region or of the Lancs and Cumbria Branch. They are, however published as being of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter.
No reproduction is permitted without acknowledgment.
Cover: Tram Road plaque, Garden Street, Preston (see page 12)
Photograph acknowledgements (All others by the editor)
Pages 10, 31, 32 John Hewerdine
Page 29 Nigel Hardacre
Abbreviations
LCT - The Lancaster Canal Trust
CRT - The Canal and River Trust
LCRP - Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership
L&L - The Leeds & Liverpool Canal
FBW - Fund Britain’s Waterways
Copy date for next edition 15th December
The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication.
Editor: David Faulkner 22 Moorland Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8EX
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Editor’s comments
September already, the edition where we describe our summer exploits. FBW at Johnsons Hillock, Branch trip, Fylde Steam Fair organised by us; Tram Road plaque and Region event on the ‘Danny’ organised by others. No Balsam Bash this year. We might have done more if we had more help, especially committee members.
Unfortunately there is a string of bad news - the passing of Tony Dunning and Gordon Biddle plus 3 significant problems on the Lancaster Canal. If you want to fill up your email in-box, sign up for CRT navigation closure notices. I only receive them for the Lancaster and L&L, heaven knows how many they must send out nationally.
We enjoyed our time at the Fylde Steam Fair, we will go again next year all being well. Hopefully in better weather. We have had a look at Garstang show but it is only one day and probably too agricultural. If you have any suggestions for likely events for us to have a stand please let me know.
I have reproduced Nigel Hardacre’s flyer for his talk to the branch in September on page 29. We hope plenty of you will join us at our new venue, it is easy to find. Nigel is a man of many talents, his walks are very popular and he is gradually adding to them. Details are on the branch events on the IWA website.
Apologies if I have mentioned the weather too often in this edition. It reduced numbers at our events and made them less pleasant to attend than if the sun had shone. Better luck next year maybe?
David
Branch Chair’s report
Welcome to our autumn edition of the branch newsletter. Let’s hope there is still time for some summer weather, it has certainly been a funny old year so far.
If you have tried boating this summer you will no doubt have encountered problems, if only islands of weed. Progress along our local canals has been hampered by various issues - CRT stoppage notices have been coming thick and fast at times. On the Leeds & Liverpool the Wigan flight seems to be a regular culprit and now the Lancaster Canal has been cut in half by the breach at Hollowforth aqueduct. That is in addition to the river lock on the Ribble Link and problems at Glasson Dock.
Our canals are old and need regular maintenance, which is expensive, but necessary. Breaches are even more expensive, which makes the proposed cut to CRT’s budget very worrying. The Fund Britain’s Waterways is becoming increasingly important. Please support it when you can.
We did our bit in a small way in May to support the national campaigning weekend by having a stand at Johnson’s Hillock. Thanks to all those who helped and to John Hewerdine who wrote a report. We also publicised the issues at the Fylde Steam Fair where people were interested and sympathetic. Both events were hampered by the poor weather.
We would have gone to the Burnley Canal Festival at the end of August but they were not interested in having our stand. We are hoping to attend the CRT event at Burscough to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the opening of the western end of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. That is on October 19th.
We did not manage to support Haslam Park’s Balsam Bash this year. The first time we have missed for quite a while. That stuff is getting absolutely everywhere but the efforts to keep it out of the Ribble Link from the park are paying off.
Any campaigning that we do needs people to help. That can be turning up to help on a stand or maybe writing letters to your MP and local councillors. Our branch committee all work very hard but there are not many of us and we do have lives outside the waterways.
My request in the last newsletter for help with booking speakers fell on deaf ears. How about having a go at editing the newsletter? Being chair of the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership adds to my workload and we know what happened to our last branch chair...
There are some rewards for your branch chair. Our branch contributed to the cost of the new tram road blue plaque. The unveiling ceremony was followed by a delicious buffet at the house in Winkley Square belonging to the chair of the Friends of Winkley Square. The centre piece was a cake looking like the plaque. More food was on offer at the Region event on the SS Daniel Adamson but I had to pay for that. The trip was very enjoyable, helped by good weather but not helped by closure of the M6 southbound. Thankfully Nigel was driving.
I am going to the National AGM in Leicester on 28th September, another buffet lunch in prospect. It will be interesting to hear what progress is being made with our governance and financial issues. My sisters live in Leicestershire so cheap overnight accommodation.
On your behalf I attend Region meetings and the monthly meetings of the Lancaster Canal Trust executive. Both on Zoom/Teams so no travelling.
It is not only the canals that are showing their age, our members are getting older too. Sadly this year we have lost Tony Dunning, our former vice chair and someone we could rely on to help at all of our events. His wife Janet is continuing on the committee although rather isolated in Egremont without a car. Gordon Biddle has also died so there will be no more of his well researched books.
It is not all gloom and doom. Work has started on the towpath improvements on the Northern Reaches as part of the Lancaster to Kendal Towpath Trail. One day you will be able to ride your bike or mobility scooter all that way.
Our winter social meetings resume on 17th September. We thought the room at the Ibis Hotel was too small so we have moved to St Bede’s at Clayton Green a mile south of M6 junction 29. Should be easy to get to for many of our branch members. We will have a Zoom webinar in January for our Scottish members and others for whom it is too far to travel. Saves the rest of us turning out in mid-winter too. I hope you can join us for a Christmas party in December with a hot supper. We thought that would be a cheaper alternative to a meal out, especially for a couple.
After much debate we have introduced a charge at the social meetings for non IWA members. We do not get many usually but those that come are not very generous and this emphasises one of the advantages of being an IWA member.
That’s quite enough from me. Thanks again to the committee and everyone who has helped at our events. If you have any comments or suggestions please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
David Faulkner
REPORT FROM THE NW REGIONAL CHAIRMAN
What a change we have just experienced! A new Labour Government with a huge majority and plans to revolutionise many aspects of daily life. We now have two objectives with the incoming Government Ministers.
The first, obviously, is to lobby strongly for increased funding. If we are to believe the Chancellor of the Exchequer, growth is her prime target and the continuing rise in demand and usage of a structurally declining asset such as the waterways must feature. But I do not hold out great hopes. Her early announcements presage cutting back on such projects (Stonehenge By-Pass etc.) and, as I indicated some time ago, we will not be anywhere the top of her revised agenda. That should not stop us pressing the case, however.
The second objective must be the protection of our waterway environment. The decision to double house-building in rural area is already causing some angst. Here in Wyre, for example, where I serve as a Councillor and which includes a substantial part of the Lancaster Canal, our annual target for new housing has just been increased from 275 to 637 and local planning officers already have their eyes on two rural and tranquil sites immediately adjacent to the canal.
In the meantime, our National Chairman, Mike Wills, and his Officers have been devoting their time to management and administrative issues for the IWA and urgent work is afoot to find people and money to enable a more permanent solution.
You may have noticed also that there have been changes to the Regional CRT team, in that, amongst other things, Daniel Greenhalgh has been promoted to a more national role and Jon Horsfall is now securely in place as Regional Director. Our thanks to Daniel for all his help in the past.
So, finally, we have over 330 brand new MPs in this Parliament and it is up to all of us to lobby those in our area, who may not appreciate the importance of our canals, to ensure that they understand the issues and support us.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Gordon Biddle
Sadly, Gordon died since our last edition.
I first met Gordon when we arrived in Langho in 1977. The branch met at Blackburn Library in those days and he lived in Clitheroe. He then moved down south for work.
He worked closely with Charles Hadfield and was a staunch member of the Railway and Canal Historical Society.
He later returned to the NW and lived north of Kendal.
I met him a few times whilst I was National Chair.
Audrey Smith
Tony Dunning
It is with great sadness that we record the death in June of Tony Dunning, a long standing and loyal member of this branch.
Tony joined the IWA in 1972 and was involved in various restoration projects including Sowerby Bridge Basin, The Montgomery and the Ashton Canal.
Helping children with brass rubbing and a rare moment of relaxation on the WRG stand.
The purchase of a caravan allowed the family to attend branch meetings and national events. They were soon helping on the sales stand at the National rallies and at Trailboat rallies up and down the country. Their caravan recorded record mileages.
Things went quiet following marriage to Janet and a move to Egremont in Cumbria. The National Traiboat rally at Glasson Dock in 1989
For many years the family owned an Amphicat twin-hulled kayak. Taking it to Northern Reaches dingy rallies often earned them the prize for greatest distance travelled even though they regarded it as their local canal. By removing the centre board it was possible to stand in the hole and carry the boat. The Westmorland Gazette featured a photograph of Tony carrying the boat across the A65 to publicise the blockage of the Lancaster Canal.
At a national event the Amphicat with its electric outboard motor attracted the attention of the secretary of the Electric Boat Association. Tony was soon an active member of the EBA. That was typical of Tony, always ready to help. A comment made by many in the cards and letters sent after his passing.
His licence as a bus driver and later an HGV driver came in useful for shifting stuff to and from head office for rallies. The Dunning caravan would be at the National for as long as 3 weeks, 2 before and 1 after helping to set up and take down. Tony and Janet were on the campsite team at the National for a number of years from 1996 onwards
For years Tony brought the screen and projector for branch meetings. With Janet he was on the committee for many years and we timed committee meetings to coincide with branch meetings so that they only had to bring their caravan once. Latterly he was vice-chairman.
He was awarded the Richard Bird medal in 2017 for services to IWA. Tony was also a keen bell ringer (church bells not hand bells).
Tony leaves Janet and their daughter Shelagh.
The blue plaque is located in Garden Street just off Winckley Square in Preston. It commemorates the last remaining abutment of the Old Tram Road that ran from Walton Summit to the basin in the centre of Preston (now s car park). It replaces a previous plaque that probably went missing years ago during repair works.
Funds for the plaque have been raised with contributions from our branch of IWA, Lancaster Canal Trust, Friends of Winckley Square, Friends of the Old Tram Road, Preston Historical Society and individual donations.
It was unveiled by the Mayor of Preston, Cllr Phil Crowe. In addition to words from the mayor there were short speeches from Glen Cookson who has been closely involved in the replacement of the old tram road bridge and our own Nigel Hardacre.
From the chair’s report, Towing Path Topics, Autumn 1984
“Nearer to home, the condition of the Lancaster Canal's southern end (around Ashton Basin and Haslam Park) is a cause for concern.
The only sure thing is that complacency will achieve nothing. The positive side of events is the result of active campaigning and fund raising by IWA members - both nationally and locally. Those things which cause us concern will not just go away. WE - that is members of N. Lancs and Cumbria - MUST BE ACTIVE. WE must campaign and WE must raise money. The Branch Committee are committed to doing both these things during 1984/85, but they need the positive support of the members - that is YOU. COME to Branch Meetings (keep up to date, offer to help, support the raffles and sales table). COME on IWALK 2, in June next year. (You'll enjoy yourself, campaign & raise funds all in one go). SUPPORT us in campaigning for a better attitude to the Lancaster Canal in the Preston area.
The Branch Committee have recently had an informal meeting with Mr. S. Simm (Area Engineer, BWB) and Mr. K. Dodd (Amenity Officer, BWB). There was much useful discussion and we hope that dialogue of this kind will continue. There is no doubt in my mind, that the 'professionals' and the 'enthusiasts' can and must work alongside each other if we are to maintain and, dare I say it, improve and extend the waterway network.
The Branch Committee has also met with the committee of the Lancaster Canal Trust in recent months. We discussed, amongst other things, the Trust's proposals for a phased restoration of the Northern Reaches. It is pleasing that open discussion is at last taking place. We have many members who have dual loyalties, and I am sure that they have been concerned at the lack of liaison in the past years. We do not necessarily have to agree with each other but we should be talking. After all, both Trust and Branch want only the best for the Lancaster Canal.”
Ho Hum 40 years on and it seems not a lot has changed. At least close links with LCT have been maintained. Ed
Region Trip on the SS Daniel Adamson
The steam tug known as ‘The Danny’ moored at Sutton Wharf on the River Weaver. The beautifully restored ‘Art Deco’ upper and lower lounges opposite.
IWA members from across the NW Region met on the SS Daniel Adamson on 16 August. We gathered on the promenade deck for a buffet lunch. Before that Sir Robert Atkins, Region Chairman, presented Colin Greenall with the Tetlow Trophy to mark his contribution to the IWA and the waterways over many years. Colin has recently retired as chairman of the Sankey Canal Restoration
Before and after lunch we were able to explore The Danny. Later the general public joined us family cruise’ to Marsh Lock and back,
Sailing on the Danny is very quiet and smooth, you just seem to glide along. Of course the 2 powerful engines originally designed to pull a long string of barges are just ticking
We were lucky with the weather so we were on deck much of the time, rather than in the fascinating lounges.
Colinsayingafewwords with Sir Robert and his wife Dulcie in the background
Branch members
Audrey, Richard and Gillian Smith (right)
Ian & Lesley Treanor with Nigel Hardacre (below)
Crew member Phil safely steered us to Marsh Lock which connects to the River Mersey where we turned round..
The gubbins behind the wheel is the steam powered steering engine power steering 1903 style!
Canal & River Trust, IWA, Kendal Town Council, Lancs County Council, Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancaster City Council and Westmorland & Furness Council
All being well, our January edition will be able to show the towpath upgraded to the new standard. This is at North Road, Holme.
The contract for the towpath improvements for the Kendal to Lancaster Towpath Trail has been awarded. Work was due to start mid-August and should be finished in November. The finishing point is the North Road intersection at Holme but if we can find some more money, under the same contract we can go as far as bridge 151 and hopefully bridge 147, which would take us past Holme village.
Meanwhile we have a new website.
www.lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk
It includes 10 circular walks of varying lengths plus information for cyclists and paddle boarders.
As part of the community involvement aspect of the SPF award there will be a mural; Sedgewick Cubs have been involved in that.
Two ‘Paddle and Pie’ events were held at Country Fest and at the Holme Festival of Sport (in the rain!). The first attracted 50 participants, the second 25, not helped by the poor weather.
Biodiversity is an important part of our plans for the Trail. Cumbria Wildlife Trust will be creating a wildflower meadow by the towpath at Burton Road junction, Kendal. To clear the site, a 2-day scything course has been organised for volunteers. After that raking and seeding will be required, hopefully involving youngsters.
Maintaining the Towpath Trail will be an ongoing task. Weeds, grass and brambles encroach from both sides, reducing the width significantly if allowed to grow unchecked. We will need to organise volunteers, perhaps encourage people or groups to adopt a length.
With increased footfall along the improved towpath it remains to be seen whether litter becomes a problem.
To save money, CRT are no longer emptying bins provided for ‘dog poo’ bags. Local councils are similarly cash-strapped and reluctant to take on the responsibility of providing and emptying bins. It is causing consternation locally and nationally.
The Lancaster Canal Trust
The AGM was held at Crooklands Hotel on 6th August. It was chaired by Robin Yates in the absence of the president, Hal Bagot. The formal business did not take very long and after refreshments (including some very nice shortbread biscuits), Peter Jones gave an illustrated talk on the Waterway Recovery Group work party in February and progress with the restoration of the next 2 furlongs (F2an3).
There is a little progress with negotiations to remove the water pipe that is preventing removal of the bund to connect the first furlong to the in-water section. United Utilities have suggested that the pipe could be re-laid in a channel under the bed of the canal when the section is pumped dry to allow the bund to be removed. CRT approval would be needed.
Attempts to recruit a paid Volunteers Manager have so far been unsuccessful and more volunteers are needed.
If you are interested in helping the Trust, no matter how infrequently please contact Robin Yates at chair@lctrust.co.uk
The tasks for volunteers are varied and need not be very onerous. Below is an extract from Robin’s monthly bulletin for a recent work party.
“Wednesday 14th – at Stainton. Refitting the weed suppressant cover on the first section of F2an3 (by Sellet Hall bridge). Also, setting up the electric submersible pump to take water from First Furlong and start the process of filling this first 50m from the bridge to the new bund to assess leakage/drainage detail. And, erecting a number of Bird Boxes along F2an3 length. If there is time, trimming back vegetation along the path to Hincaster tunnel.”
If you would like to receive Robin’s monthly bulletin of LCT news by email use the address chair@lctrust.co.uk to request it.
Problems on the Lancaster Canal
This is a message dated 12 August from CRT’s Regional Director to an enquiry from Sir Robert Atkins
Ribble Link Sea Gate.
The initial problem experienced on the Lancaster was failure of the seals on the Ribble Link sea gate. Whilst initially, it was possible to allow boats that had left the Lancaster for summer cruising to book a passage back on, the circumstances surrounding tides and its operation made it exceptionally tricky to get boats that needed to, to get off (i.e. visitors or those wanting to cruise). The NW team have been working with all those affected, giving regular updates and have been supporting boaters with specific needs wherever possible.
Although we are not in a position to contribute financially to lifts/ movements – we have been supporting arrangements where we are able. A number of boaters have made there own arrangements to have boats transported.
A full evaluation of the refurbishment was concluded last week. This followed an earlier review that identified a number of key challenges involved with undertaking repairs. Mobilisation will be completed over the next three weeks and the works will now include the removal of the sea gate, the refurbishment of a number of other ancillary components (sensible to do whilst it’s out) and improvements to access for future maintenance. Completion of the refurbishments are likely to take a further 8-10 weeks.
We will keep all those affected updated and continue our individual conversations with any boaters with specific needs.
Hollowforth Aqueduct
The breach was reported on Saturday 20th July. The washwall piles had been undercut, the embankment washed out, a section of the Aqueduct wingwall washed out, severe cracking to the North barrel of the aqueduct and a large void had opened up under the towpath.
The Trust mobilised its operations teams and contractors who installed 2 temporary dams North & South of the breach. We have installed over-pumping to deliver up to 10 Megalitres per day North to South. Furthermore the breach area to minimise the leakage through the breached area.
The towpath is closed from bridge 37 to bridge 39. CRT design and geotechnical engineers are currently producing a design solution to rebuild the embankment and collapsed Aqueduct. CRT have now involved specialist design contractors to help expedite the works. Land access has just been agreed on Friday 9th August following negotiations with landowner’s land agents. JN Bentley will begin setting up access tracks and site compound this week. Heritage surveys have taken place as the Aqueduct is a listed structure and Environmental surveys as a result of any impacts of the works.
Discussions are underway to install a temporary 3-sided dam around the breach area (to be in place for approx. 1 week). This would allow boats that are currently stuck North of the Dam to come through to the South. The contractors are finalising the design for this today. Once the design has been agreed with CRT, they will begin to install the 3sided Dam. This will take approximately 2 weeks to install. We have told the boating community this will be in place by 30th August.
There’ll be a further update on the 16th – but the latest from the website below Jon Horsfall
09/08/2024 14:51
As we continue to manage the breach on the Lancaster Canal, we’ve been making steady progress on multiple fronts. While the water levels remain low, our teams have been adjusting the over-pumping efforts, leading to gradual increases both north and south of the breach area. This is an encouraging sign, but there’s still more work to be done to fully restore the levels. Over the next week, we’ll keep pushing to raise the canal levels, especially north of the breach, with our teams focusing on keeping the feeder channels clear and carrying out vegetation removal to increase flows. Although this will take some time, it remains a top priority for all our teams on the Lancaster Canal. For now, the Glasson Flight will need to remain closed to assist with this effort.
In line with our earlier investigations, we are developing a solution to install a temporary three-sided dam around the breach. This would allow restricted boat passage between the north and south of the breach area. Initial plans are going well, and we aim to have this dam in place by the end of the month. Our contractors are carrying out surveys this week to finalize the design, and we’ll keep you posted as this plan progresses.
We’ve got a few important surveys lined up for next week as well. On Monday, 12th August, a bat survey will be conducted to ensure there are no roosting bats in the work area. Then, on Wednesday, 14th August, we’ll be carrying out a topographical survey to confirm that the embankment is safe for reinstatement.
Our design team, in collaboration with our partners, are busy developing the repair solution and methodology, which will allow us to move forward more efficiently.
Update on 16/08/2024:
Over the last week, our teams have been working hard on the Temporary works, design, and material procurement to support the installation of a three-sided dam. This will create a controlled window for boat movement between the north and south of the breach.
While our original goal was to have boat passage ready by the end of August, due to the scale of work needed, the plan has been revised. We now expect this window to open around the 20th of September. Our teams will be working weekends to ensure everything is in place for this temporary boat passage and we will be able to share more details as the works progress.
Starting Tuesday, 20th August, our contractors will begin installing stock-proof fencing, access tracks, and the site compound. This phase is expected to take about two weeks to complete.
In the meantime, our top priority remains recovering water levels, which are gradually improving both north and south of the dam. Overpumping is being used but is carefully monitored to support the recovery. The Glasson Flight will need to remain closed to assist with this effort.
At this stage, we expect the repair works on the embankment and aqueduct to continue through the end of the year. A more accurate timeline will be provided once design and on-site work are fully underway.
Thank you for your continued patience and support. Our next update will be shared on Friday, 23rd August.
The above item is a bit lengthy but I have included it to illustrate just how complicated repairs can be. Ed
‘Lanky’ problems (continued)
Glasson Dock
Problems with the sea gate at Glasson Dock continue.
In September 2023, because of flood defence concerns, the Environment Agency (EA) used its legal powers to take control of the gate to do some work on it. When they took it over, the gate could be lowered fully and it was lying safely flat in the gate pit, so there was vessel access to the inner dock and hence to the marina. When the EA handed the gate back to the port in early 2024, the gate was not able to open and since then has been stuck in the upright position, blocking the entrance to the port, and thus to the neighbouring marina in Glasson Basin and access to the Glasson Branch of the Lancaster Canal.
The Basin is managed by Canal & River Trust and the marina by Aquavista. The stuck gate was preventing vessels getting in or out of the dock and thus impacting the businesses of all parties. Glasson Dock remains a commercial dock, as well as its use by recreational vessels. Some boat owners say they have had to spend thousands of pounds getting their boats craned out.
The gate has now been removed so that it can be inspected to see whether repair is feasible or whether other options need to be considered. The Environment Agency is leading this inspection.
Meanwhile the EA has been providing sandbags and contacting homeowners and businesses to ‘investigate options for temporary flood resilience measures’ due to the increased risk with the gate out of place.
The Port Commission says that it cannot afford to repair or replace the gate and that the Environment Agency had promised the funding.
Whatever the outcome it seems that it will be quite some time before this problem is resolved.
This year sees Kennet going into Dry Dock on the 16th September for a Survey, the metal work required along with blacking and a complete topside repaint to bring her back to her best. This is going to leave our funds extremely low, with nothing in reserve to start the new 6 year maintenance period. We therefore need to take this opportunity to raise money to “Keep Kennet Afloat” . We are looking for people to contribute towards the cost of paint and blacking Kennet, which we will need while in drydock.
Paint for topside and signwriting: -
0.5 litre @ £15, 1 Litre @ £30, 2.5 Litres @ £75
Bottom Blacking:- £45 per linear foot
To donate to any of the above or multiples then please go to our “About Page” on the website.
Alternatively contact us by:-Email: treasurer@leedsandliverpoolcanalsociety.co.uk or kennet@leedsandliverpoolcanalsociety.co.uk Tel: 07730 070723
Lancashire Local History Federation Day School with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society
A day school to commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Parbold to Wigan.
Programme
• 09.30 – 10.00 Assemble & coffee
• 10.00 – 10.20 Mike Clarke (L&LCS) - The historical importance of Lancashire’s waterways, putting the L&LC 250th anniversary into perspective
• 10.25 – 11.00 Bill Froggatt (Lancashire Heritage Officer for Canal & River Trust) - Constructing the Lancaster Canal
• 11.00 - 11.15 Short break
• 11.15 – 11.50 Bill Aldridge (Wigan Archaeological Society) Researching the Douglas Navigation
• 11.50 - 12.00 Colin Thunhurst (L&LCS) - Kennet on the L&LC, 25 years of L&LC canal anniversaries
• 12.00 - 12.15 Q & A session
• 12.15 – 13.30 Lunch
• 13.30 – 14.05 Mike Clarke (L&LCS) -Traffic and traders on the L&LC in Lancashire
• 14.10 - 14.45 Dr Alan Crosby - Canals in the Lancashire landscape
• 15.45 – 15.00 Short break
• 15.00 – 15.35 Dr Paul Hindle (Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society) - The Lancaster Canal, transport, change & urban growth
• 15.35 - 15.50 Q & A session
Fee £22 (to include lunch) £14.00 (day school only) There is ample ‘pay & display’ car parking in the vicinity. Delegates may bring their own packed lunch Applications must be received by 25 October
For application form see ‘Clogs & Gansey’ No 59 L&LCS website Or contact: Zoë Lawson, ‘Old Cuddy Cottage’, Cuddy Hill, Woodplumpton, PR4 0BP Tel: 07471908077 Email: elizoelaw@gmail.com
We spent 2 days at the show with the IWA gazebo and Lancaster Canal displays kindly leant to us by The Lancaster Canal Trust. The weather was cloudy with the odd light shower, so overall attendance was probably down. Fortunately it kept dry for taking down the gazebo.
Ruth brought her plants on the Sunday but trade was slow. We sold a few items of IWA merchandise but the objective was to speak to people about the current state of the waterways and the threats for the future. It would have been nice to sign up some new members but despite giving out membership leaflets I am not optimistic.
We tried the show this year in place of Country Fest at the Westmorland Showground. We felt that people attending were more in tune with canals and their history. As usual people were interested in the large map of the waterways and willing to talk about places they had visited or intended to visit. Near to Kirkham was a lot easier than traipsing up to Crooklands. Ed We had visits from Nigel’s brother Damien and his miniature traction engine. Note the Saturday weather.
‘WWW’ - Wellington, Waterloo and Waterways 1793 - 1815
A talk and presentation covering the wider picture of Britain’s struggle against Republican and Imperial France whilst we built the canals and navigations during the 1790s ‘Canal Mania’ and into the early years of the 19th Century. Tuesday September 17th (see page 33)
The speaker is Nigel Hardacre who has a unique insight into both areas as a Canal restoration volunteer with the Inland Waterways Association and the Lancaster Canal Trust, and also as a member of a ‘living history’ recreated unit of 1812 to 1815 ‘33rd Regiment of Foot’. Uniform, kit and Brown Bess musket will also be brought along.
Branch trip to the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal
The weather on the days before our trip was atrocious and I was asked if we were going ahead. We carried on regardless and the day turned out mainly dry although sunny it definitely wasn’t.
Paul Hindle, chair of the M,B&B Canal Society was our very knowledgeable guide.
We started by walking a short distance along the arm to Bolton. This is still in water and there are great views across the valley. There is an unusual arrangement for stop planks to allow the canal to be drained from either direction using the same sluice.
We retraced our footsteps past what is left of the old workshops to the Meccano Bridge. Beyond that we walked along the Bury arm in the direction of Radcliffe to the site of the 1936 breach. You can still see concrete and steel rails used as reinforcing for a previous repair in 1881. The good news is that it is finally being repaired using modern techniques as part of a housing development on both sides of the canal.
We then walked down the hill past the gate-less Prestolee locks (2 staircases of 3 locks each) to the arm leading to Salford (not Manchester!). Over the very solid looking Prestolee Aqueduct which spans the River Irwell, and onwards to Ringley. Our pub lunch was in ‘The Horseshoe’ overlooking the Irwell. Good food and a decent Thwaites pint.
Two of our party walked back to the start, the rest of us drove back in the cars left at the pub earlier. An interesting trip, mainly due to Paul’s extensive knowledge of the canal and surrounding area. Ed
The Value of Education
We have just done IWA Lancashire & Cumbria Branch, Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Johnson’s Hillock, “Face the Local Population” presence, by one of our local locks. Our message for the passing population was to be, “Shortage of Finance for the British Waterways”. There was light rain for most of the day and, as a result, it was seasonally cold. The sky struggled to give out the impression that we are now in the Month of May.
The days leading up to our, “Event” had been encouraging and most of us had accepted that the heating at home should, by now, be off most of the time. Sunshine had been increasing over the preceding days and we were all optimistic that the day would be a good one. It turned out to be disappointing due to the threat of rain, and a simple summary of the event might have been, “A Waste of Our Time!”, but was it?
I don’t think so! Although the number of people appearing along the Towing Path was well down on the previous few days, and I mean, WELL DOWN! the few people we engaged in discussion proved to be both enlightening and informative. It convinced me that we were dong exactly what we need to do, if the British Waterways are to get the support which we need.
It really is about education and even those of us prepared to attend or be involved in running such an event need to be reminding ourselves why we love the environment, of which we are so proud. Doing something like this really does “sharpen our minds” and remind us why we need to press on with talking to folk about it, in the environment we love and value.
The spirit of the IWA members present was warm and welcoming and I didn’t hear any of our group expressing opposition when three cyclists expressed concern about the money the British Government spends on rehabilitating homeless refugees. Neither did I hear too much about the cost to our economy, if we stopped supplying arms capable of killing or destroying the homes of thousands of innocent people, in far-off places.
Although, at the end of the day, we were cold and weary, there was home-made Simnel cake and, “a nice cup of tea”, in the home of a nearby local member. Spirits were high because, although nothing was said about it, we all knew that we had been doing exactly the right thing in good company and, as Northerners, we had no control over the weather.
May the Lord smile on us, and help us to easily find the right tops (Gillian don’t forget to colour code them) for the pop-up Gazebos. Also, we’d like better weather please, for the next one.
John Hewerdine
Branch Programme
New meeting night (3rd Tuesday in the month) and new venue (see overleaf)
DATE SPEAKER
Tuesday 17th Sept Nigel Hardacre member of a ‘living history’ recreated unit of 1812 to 1815 ‘33rd Regiment of Foot’.
TOPIC
‘WWW’ - Wellington, Waterloo and Waterways 1793 - 1815 covering the wider picture of Britain’s struggle against Republican and Imperial France whilst we built the canals and navigations during the 1790s ‘Canal Mania’
Tuesday 15th Oct Dr David Harrison Member of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society
Tuesday 19th Nov Ian McCarthy
Tuesday Dec 17th
Christmas party Hotpot supper
Tuesday 21 Jan 2025 Steve Haywood Author On Zoom:
Mtg ID 890 2654 5186 Passcode 086651
We will email you a link in January
The Sankey Canal
The Rochdale Canal
Quiz & Videos Please notify the editor by December 8th if you are joining us
Steve has written several amusing books about his 50 years of cruising the canals and has a fund of stories plus some pithy comments.
Free to IWA members; we are introducing a fee of £4 per meeting for non members to help to pay for the room and speakers.
Social meetings new venue
St Bede’s Parish Centre, Preston Road, Clayton Green PR6 7EB
It is 1 mile south along the A6 from junction 29 of the M6 signposted Bamber Bridge then Chorley. The entrance is on the LHS between 2 black gateposts about 50 yards before the Lidl roundabout. If you miss the entrance turn left at the roundabout onto Westwood Road and the rear entrance is 50 yards down there. Ignore the No Entry signs.
Approaching from Chorley it is easier to turn right into Westwood Road at the Lidl roundabout then left into the school entrance.
Park in the car park or go past another No Entry sign to park next to the hall and its entrance.
Entrance from A6 (Preston Road).
If you miss it go 50 yards to roundabout, first exit into Westwood Road
Entrance from Westwood Road, ignore No Entry signs. Park on RHS or go straight on to park by the hall. To reach hall go through gates and park on LHS
BRANCH COMMITTEE
Chairman David Faulkner Langho 07912 249265 01254 249265
