Talking on the towpath

Even on a cold November day in the aftermath of Storm Arwen, there were plenty of hardy souls to meet along the Sefton and Bootle end of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. From walking group members to bird-feeders, former soldiers to paddlers, Waterfront met warm and friendly Liverpudlians, with plenty to say.

John

Local resident, John, spends his retirement paddling up and down the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for 10 miles each day

Samantha Marine

As a community roots coordinator, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Sam is the driving force of activities along Sefton’s canal. “It’s my job to supercharge people spending time by water. I run paddleboarding and kayaking sessions. I work with NHS Sefton to run walks for people referred to the mental health outpatients facility. Eight canal adoption groups help to maintain a stretch. There’s also exciting work with street artists and the local poetry society planned.”

Maureen

81 year-old Maureen is a stalwart of the weekly walking group: “Don’t get me started, otherwise I’ll talk the hind legs off a donkey,” she says. “I love walking by water. I used to walk with rambling friends, but now I’m the only one left. I like the group, walking’s no fun on your own. It’s good to talk, but if you want to be quiet that’s fine… just drop back and stay in your thoughts. If you’re in a difficult situation walking gives you another perspective on things. I try to be philosophical. Why worry about things you can’t change?”

Kevin

Kevin volunteers with the walking group, back-marking to keep everyone safe. “For people like Maureen, you know it’s just a chance to have a bit of a gab,” teases Kevin. “For others, it’s a great way to get out of the house and get outdoors in the fresh air every week. I’m a kayaker down in Albert Dock, but through the group I’m starting to explore the canal much more. So it’s opening my eyes to the water on my doorstep too.”

Steve, Patricia and Jack

“This is our grandson Jack, and we walk along here every Monday,” says Steve proudly. “We also ride along the canal on the weekend. We just upgraded our mountain bikes about a year ago to electric ones, because my knees have gone! I love coming along here to see all the wildlife. We’ve noticed a lot more people using the canal since lockdown, ramblers, anglers, family groups. It’s a great way to get into town one way, or out into the countryside the other.”

Liam and Chris

We met Liam and Chris marching purposely in full kit. When we stopped them for a chat it made perfect sense. “We were soldiers together. We’re walking from Liverpool to Leeds for SSAFA, the armed forces charity,” says Liam. ”We’ve raised about £2,000 so far. We’re just going to tell war stories to each other and rewrite our own legend. We enjoy reliving our younger days doing things like this. I’ve had one hip replaced, so I’m just trying to wear out the other one!”

Tony

We meet Tony feeding the geese, coots, moorhens and swans along the towpath. He says: “I’m just on my way down to the sea at Crosby on my bike and I’m feeding them on the way. I don’t use bread only peas, lentils and seeds that suit their digestive system better. I’ve always loved the water. Even though I’m a working class kid from Bootle, I put myself through university and moved to Miami. So any time I’m by water, I’m back there. And it makes me happy.”