ennine Link PMagazine of the Huddersfield Canal Society

Issue 205 Spring 2019 Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd Registered in No. 1498800 Registered Charity No. 510201 Registered Address: Progress House 396 Wilmslow Road Withington Manchester M20 3BN ennine Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Link Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 08.30 -16.00 Friday 08.30 -13.00 P Issue 205 Telephone: 01457 871800 EMail: [email protected] Website: www.huddersfieldcanal.com Kirklees College – The dramatic main block of Kirklees College was completed in 2012 Patrons: Timothy West & Prunella Scales Alan Stopher beside the newly repositioned 2E. President: David Sumner MBE

Council of Management Alan Stopher 101 Birkby Hall Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, Chairman West Yorkshire, HD2 2XE Tel: 01484 511499 Trevor Ellis 20 Batley Avenue, Marsh, Huddersfield, Vice-Chairman West Yorkshire, HD1 4NA Tel: 01484 534666 Mike McHugh The Old Chapel, Netherton Fold, Huddersfield, Treasurer & Co. Secretary West Yorkshire, HD4 7HB Tel: 01484 661799 Patricia Bayley 17 Greenroyd Croft, Birkby Hall Road, Huddersfield, Council Member West Yorkshire, HD2 2DQ Graham Birch HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 Martin Clark HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 Keith Noble The Dene, Triangle, Sowerby Bridge, Council Member West Yorkshire, HX6 3EA Tel: 01422 823562 Peter Rawson 45 Boulderstone Road, Stalybridge, Cheshire, SK15 1HJ Council Member Tel: 0161 303 8003 Keith Sykes BEM 1 Follingworth, Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, HD7 5XD Council Member Tel: 01484 841519 Eric Woulds HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 Tony Zajac HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Editorial 4 Dates for your Diary 21 Council Member Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 Chairman’s Report 8 Uppermill Volunteers (UCAN) 22 Stalybridge Town Centre 11 Greenfield Volunteers (GGSS) 24 NON-COUNCIL POST Getting to the Art of it 14 Standedge Aqueduct 25 Bob Gough Administrator 200 Years of the 16 Marsden Shuttle 26 Jidoku Puzzle 43 19 Notice of the 2019 AGM 30 Huddersfield Waterfront 20 220 Club - Twentieth Draw 31

The views expressed in Pennine Link are not necessarily those of Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd Cover: Victoria Quays development at Wool Road, Dobcross. Photo: Bob Gough

2 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 3 Editorial ‘Summer’s Quay’ development facing Armentières Square in Stalybridge. My stint as It is now perhaps a good point to have guest Editor has a look at some of the developments given me the that have taken place to date and to chance to reflect consider what is still in store. The period on my earlier immediately following restoration saw involvement in the a number of canal side developments Restoration of the taking place during a period of expansion Huddersfield Narrow and in particular in construction and investment in the final tranche of schemes which the private sector housing market. involved securing significant funding Unfortunately, the period of ‘recession’ from the Millennium Commission and following the banking crisis in 2008 English Partnerships. Needless to say, the put an untimely stop to this investment benefits to be accrued through this major and many proposed schemes were investment had to be set out in great mothballed. Peter Rawson detail and specialist consultants were Recovery has taken some time but there engaged to assist with this process. are signs of renewed interest which is The rÔle of the restored canal in very encouraging. In Huddersfield, the be opened up providing a much more and visitors into the town centres all the regeneration of the towns and education sector has invested heavily and pleasant experience for all canal users. contribute to footfall for the town centre communities which line the Tame there are some significant and striking businesses and help create a vibrant and I don’t want to get too parochial here and Colne Valleys was a key factor in new buildings alongside the canal. secure town centre environment. securing the funding and in 2021 it will Redevelopment of the former Sellers but we have two recently completed be 20 years since the canal reopened. Engineering site has allowed the canal to developments where I live, here in Investment in our major cities is currently Stalybridge. A modern development booming and from where I’m writing facing the canal in Armentières Square this, I can see Manchester City Centre which houses sixty-nine apartments is and the number of cranes working now fully occupied by tenants paying away is quite bewildering. It’s not commercial rents. The Stalybridge Town quite the same in the smaller towns and Centre Challenge, formed through an villages along the canal line but with initiative by Greater Manchester Metro high city centre land values and costs Mayor, Andy Burnham and supported by and the benefit of good road and rail Tameside Council is putting together a connections to Manchester and Leeds, strategy for the regeneration of the whole not to mention the beautiful countryside town. The Canal and the River Tame, on our doorsteps, they are all starting to which both run through the heart of the look more attractive to developers. A town are major assets and improved well-used and well-maintained canal is a access and facilities for all visitors will be vital component in attracting continued key to the success of this initiative. investment along the two valley corridors. Many of the sites will benefit from river In Greater Manchester the recently or canal frontages which bodes well revised Spatial Framework has focussed Milnsbridge Waterfront - part of an early flush of developments for improvements and accessibility to more on the regeneration of under-used immediately after restoration. both of these existing assets. These and derelict sites within our town centres

Alan Stopher developments which bring new residents and protecting our greenbelt. This augers

4 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 5 well for the many such sites which front also to be trained by the Trust to carry onto the canal in our town centres which out more tasks. HCS is a voluntary DO YOU LIKE BOATING? are ripe for development. It is essential (and Charitable) organisation in itself for us to campaign with colleagues at the and campaigns with colleagues at the Huddersfield Canal Society Needs You! Canal and River Trust (the Trust) for all Trust for the best possible service for canal side developments to fully embrace all canal users and in particular to see We need crew to help run the Marsden Shuttle. No previous experience the environment and for additional that the long-term standards agreed by required, just an interest in boats, canals and people! Full training if you’d service facilities and secure moorings the Trust ( at the time like to join us. Hop aboard and have a chat with our friendly crew, or to be provided by working with the the agreement was signed) with the contact the HCS office for more information. Local Authorities and developers at the funders, local authorities and the canal earliest possible stage in the development society are adhered to. You’ll have seen of their proposals. The safety and that volunteering always features very security of all canal users is crucial and heavily in Pennine Link and this issue is understanding and addressing their no exception with pieces from several concerns will help attract more visitors of the working groups and a substantial including boaters to spend more time in article from my colleague Eric Woulds our communities in a safe and pleasant on the Marsden Shuttle operation. The environment. commitment from all the volunteers is amazing and we are all very grateful for We are blessed on the Huddersfield the work they are doing to help make canals with a wide range of volunteer the canal attractive and accessible for all groups who selflessly give their time to users. improve the standard of maintenance of the waterway. Litter is a serious problem In conclusion I think that, whilst there is Eric Woulds particularly in our town centres where a lot more to come, the restoration of the inevitably it gets blown alongside and canal has significantly helped regenerate into the canal. Unlike the streets there many areas of land alongside/close by its THE MARSDEN SHUTTLE AT TUNNEL END is no publicly funded service to remove route and brought many people to live litter from the canal and its surroundings and work in the area. I’m sure that the Huddersfield Canal Society volunteers crew the Society’s own boat, the Marsden although I appreciate that colleagues main funders of the canal restoration will Shuttle, operating a ‘water taxi’ service between Marsden Station and Tunnel from the Trust are removing litter and be pleased with what has happened to End for visitors to Standedge Visitor Centre. We try to do this every weekend debris from bywash and overflow date but also sure that they would like to between Easter and the end of October but we need the crew. Commitment is as grillages on a daily basis. The Society’s see much more! The need to maintain much or as little as you like - every day we have a Skipper and Crew is a day the own volunteer team, led by our Vice- the canal to the highest possible standard Shuttle can operate. Crew just need one day training, but there’s the opportunity Chair Trevor Ellis, concentrates on areas will not diminish but will accelerate as to train for the ‘Skippers’ Certificate’ too. It’s not too difficult, and learning to steer not currently covered by other groups investors make their long-term plans. and control a boat is great fun. We also meet lots of people who come to admire and brings a great deal of experience I trust that I have made my thoughts on the scenery, and want to know more about our part of the world. It’s a chance to which is well-respected by the Trust. the need to supplement the volunteer spend days out on the most scenic stretches of canal in the country, and we have These groups are well-supported by workforce on the canal clear so, if you occasional trips further afield when we visit canal-side festivals, often travelling the Trust and are increasingly essential are interested in getting involved, please through the longest, highest and deepest tunnel on the canal network. if the standard of the canal is to be contact Dr Bob Gough on 01457 871800 maintained to the level needed to attract and he’ll give you more information and more visitors and investors. Indeed, it is point you in the right direction. Looking forward to having you on board! clear that volunteer group and numbers Peter Rawson HUDDERSFIELD CANAL SOCIETY will need to expand even further and Tel: 01457 871800 [email protected] www.huddersfieldcanal.com

6 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 7 One of these is pictured below in mid- I’m pleased to say that our proposal to Chairman’s Report December as the new concrete footing run a second Pennine Explorer cruise was After a week’s Even full reservoirs in Spring are no was reaching the stage that allowed this approved by CRT and planning is now sunny and guarantee of sufficient water for Pennine section of pound to be re-watered. This underway. Starting at Portland Basin, unseasonably warm cruising as last year demonstrated. The essential work hampered the ability of Ashton-under-Lyne on 22nd June 2019 weather during Huddersfield Narrow is dependent on our Marsden Shuttle crews to deliver the cruise will visit Stalybridge, Mossley, the last week of compensation water from Scammonden passengers to the usual Tunnel End drop Uppermill, Diggle, Marsden, Slaithwaite, February there are reservoir, which provides drinking off point but undeterred, some trips were Milnsbridge and Huddersfield with an signs that Spring is water to residents of West Yorkshire. still made before Christmas. optional final day on the Broad Canal on 1st July for those with suitable sized boats. arriving very early this year. Greater If prolonged dry spells become more Our December 2018 Operation and As with the event in Summer 2017, weather unpredictability is a feature of frequent it will not be surprising if water Maintenance meeting with Canal the cruise is aimed at those that have climate change and its effect on the canal companies favour domestic supply over & River Trust colleagues gave us an not navigated the Huddersfield Narrow system will make planning more difficult water for the canal. Building in resilience opportunity to catch up with plans for Canal before. The picture, overleaf, is a for the navigation authority. to the canal supply could become an the new management arrangements reminder of the spectacle of the cruise increasing challenge. now that two Regions have responsibility Although reservoirs have mainly returned at Tunnel End Marsden in 2017. This of the Huddersfield Narrow. We were to winter levels in the Pennines, the last The programme of winter maintenance “Roving Rally” will allow boaters to enjoy advised that a single manager was being fortnight’s dry weather in the east has work on the HNC was completed by the magnificent scenery of our Pennine appointed to manage all engineering resulted in a major fire on the tinder- January 2019. With the Rochdale now canal, and jointly with the Trust, we will work on the Huddersfield and Rochdale dry moor at Standedge. The picture experiencing its winter works, the Narrow bring together a team of volunteer lock- on both sides of the Pennines. Also (below) indicates that it started from the is providing an alternative Trans-Pennine keepers to help the boats through many adverts were out for two Area Operations layby in Standedge cutting and spread route for narrow-beamed craft. Some of of the 74 Locks. cont’d on page 11 northwards over Close Moss. Such fire the completed work included wall repairs, Managers to manage all aspects of is unprecedented this early in the year. the largest task being rebuilding of two customer relations. sections of wall at Tunnel end Marsden. Alan Stopher Alan Stopher

8 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 9 Our friends at Calder Navigation Society We get some unusual approaches from The spectacle of the cruise at had offered their support for the downhill time to time. One was from Huddersfield Tunnel End Marsden in 2017. sections. A programme of evening events University asking us to give talks to arts is being planned to add to the fun. If any students (a separate piece elsewhere of our members is interested in lending a in Pennine Link relates to this). We’ve hand during the last week of June please now been asked for archive photos to contact Bob at the office. contribute to a garden being designed for the Chelsea Flower Show! As always I’m Your Society has continued its sure we’ll rise to the occasion. involvement in the scoping of the Colne Valley Greenway from Slaithwaite to Over the years the Society has been Marsden, attending regular planning involved in a number of publications. meetings and a well-attended public Trevor Ellis’s book on the Standedge meeting at Slaithwaite Civic Hall in Tunnels continues to sell well and we February. We’re also hoping the current have almost reached the break-even point bid for funds to continue the towpath on the 1,000 copies originally ordered. relaying from Milnsbridge to Slaithwaite If you haven’t got your copy yet, don’t will be successful. forget there is a £1 discount on the cover price for HCS members. This edition includes notice of our AGM. Your Council of management believes I’ve penned a shorter report than usual that the Thomas Bourne room at the but with the bonus of these pictures to Standedge Visitor Centre is the best take the place of words. After all there’s central location for this meeting and a plenty to read in this edition about what is 7pm start on a Thursday evening allows happening on our favourite canal. sufficient time to stage our Volunteer Happy Easter! Social immediately afterwards. Alan Stopher

How does your garden grow? Alan Stopher Alan Stopher

10 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 11 Day of Action spots’ across town were cleared up by Stalybridge Town Centre Wednesday 27th February 2019 the Council and all their services and the volunteers involved did a great job Stalybridge Volunteer Group wall are now proudly exposed not having A comprehensive Day of Action was leaving the town centre well-tended seen the light of day for a long time. organised by officers from Tameside We held our second main Clear Up and spick and span by the end of the MBC in conjunction with the River and day of the year so far on Saturday 23rd The rest of our main Clear Up Sessions day. The Council and all officers and Canal Sub Group which is part of the February. The warm unseasonal weather 2019 are the fourth Saturday of each operatives involved should take great Stalybridge Town Centre Challenge held out for us and we managed again month meeting at Holy Trinity Church credit for organizing and implementing initiative (see Editorial for a little more to remove a large amount of debris alongside Armentières Square at 9.30am this Day of Action to such great effect. detail). from the towpaths and landscaped areas on each occasion. More specifically the The Stalybridge Community must be very alongside the canal. dates are: - A number of the Council’s services pleased with the outcome. 27th April, 25th May, 22nd June, The unusually mild weather has including Street Cleansing, Grounds 27th July, 24th August, 28th September, Mersey Rivers Trust encouraged the plants to spring into life Maintenance, Neighbourhood Services 26th October and 23rd November. and of course this includes weeds and and Single Regulatory Services came The Mersey Rivers Trust have expressed unwanted growth of buddleia plants together to tackle a range of Street Scene a keen interest in clearing up the River and ivy. Our volunteers cleared heavy issues across the town. Once again a Tame through the town centre and have undergrowth that regularly spreads onto number of our own volunteers came ambitions to see Salmon return to the an access path down to the towpath along to do some work on the canal and river. The latter ambition is a longer-term from the Aldi Car park. It also needed we were ably supported by James Wynne goal but there are already Salmon in the several spritely volunteers to remove a of the Canal and River Trust. We chose River Goyt in Stockport at the confluence huge mass of ivy covering the canal side Peter Rawson to do some work on Lock 6W which is a with the Tame. However, a lot of work wall and offside towpath opposite the prominent feature of the town centre in is needed to allow the Salmon to bypass Tesco store. This path and the retaining Armentières Square. The mild weather a large number of man-made weirs on was still with us and we were able to the Tame for them to progress upstream. make good progress in painting the lock Mersey Rivers Team Leader Warren gates and gearing and the boater’s bridge Andrew was present at the Day of Action at the tail of the lock. with a team of experienced volunteers who worked hard to remove a large This was a fantastic coming together amount of debris from the River on the of the Council’s services and other day, they did a great job. partners and stakeholders together with committed volunteers. Many ‘grot Peter Rawson

Above: A clear run from shopping at Tameside MBC Aldi to the canal towpath. Peter Rawson Main picture: Ivy’s ‘short back and sides’ reveals the offside landscaping.

12 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 13 Getting to the Art of it An unusual opportunity arose when Alan Stopher made an initial visit to University of Huddersfield art lecturer the University in October 2018 to brief Simon Woolham asked Huddersfield second year Fine Art students and a Canal Society for a series of presentations second visit in mid-January 2019 this on the HNC. Simon is a canal enthusiast time to meet first year undergraduates himself and enjoys long-distance walking on the Contemporary Art and Illustration along canal towpaths to gain inspiration course. His initial presentation set the for his own artistic endeavours. The aim scene and this was followed by a walk was to introduce students to a ‘residency’ from the main campus past Lock 1E as on a canal theme which involved using far as Queen Street Bridge. The students brass-rubbing techniques (frottage) to stopped along the way to capture a gather textures along the canal which wide variety of textures using paper and runs through the campus. crayon. A large montage is in prospect as the ideas develop. Alan Stopher

The picture, from the top of the steps to Queen Street South, shows a group of the students with Simon himself in the centre. Photo: Alan Stopher 14 - Pennine Link Subsequently, in the hands of the North Protection Society, MPs were lobbied, there 200 Years of the Pocklington Canal Eastern Railway, the canal gradually fell was extensive publicity in the press and into disuse early in the 20th century and even the House of Commons learned of The County of Yorkshire has a great Wales. Work did not start until 1815, the last commercial craft to use the canal the Pocklington Canal and its plight. diversity of canals and navigable rivers. despite proposals half a century before. was the keel Ebenezer, in 1932. The The canal was saved. These unhappy One of the lesser-known navigations, the The canal was completed in 1818 at a cost railway company purchased a lorry for the events encouraged waterways enthusiasts Pocklington Canal celebrated its 200th of £32,695. Canal Head was established owner of this keel to avoid maintenance to explore the possibility of restoring the anniversary in 2018. In contrast to the on the Hull- turnpike a mile or so short obligations. Pleasure craft stopped canal and, in 1969, the Pocklington Canal industrial origins of the Huddersfield of the town itself but in a convenient place using the canal soon after, because of Amenity Society (PCAS) was formed. Narrow, the Pocklington was promoted for local farms to bring their produce by deterioration of the lock gates. Volunteers soon began their work with the by rural businesses seeking an outlet for horse-drawn carts. It would have been long-overdue task of clearing obstructions their products. Situated in a sparsely significantly more expensive to continue The canal was never formally abandoned from the towpath, which is now open populated part of East Yorkshire between the canal into Pocklington, a market town and with nationalisation of the railways in throughout the length of the canal. the Derwent Valley and the Yorkshire which is at the foot of the slope on to the 1948, ownership passed to British Transport Wolds it is accessed via the tidal River Yorkshire Wolds, and a proposed extension Commission and then, in 1963 to the Considerable restoration has been carried Ouse downstream of Selby and a 9 mile did not materialise. British Waterways Board, subsequently out over the years and two-thirds of the stretch of the River Derwent. This too was renamed as British Waterways. In 1959, canal is open to navigation, the latest The canal was mainly used to carry tidal but is now maintained at more steady a proposal, to infill the canal with section of two miles and two locks to the coal and agricultural produce. It was levels by a barrage at Barmby where the “inoffensive sludge” from a water treatment Arm being opened in July 2018 to never a great financial success. Like two rivers meet. plant angered many people, including coincide with the bi-centenary the Huddersfield Narrow the canal was landowners, local residents, and members celebrations. Thanks to its rural location, The full extent of the canal is shown on sold to a railway company, in this case of the Inland Waterways Association. the canal has remained essentially as it was the map (below) which is courtesy of the the York and North Midland Railway in With support from the Inland Waterway built. The upper part of the canal is in Pocklington Canal and Amenity Society. 1848 and, like many English canals in railway ownership, deteriorated through The Pocklington Canal was a late addition lack of dredging and other maintenance. to the waterways network of England and

The Pocklington Canal Amenity Society’s trip boat � New Horizons brings its invited guests up the

�������������������� newly restored Thornton Lock in preparation for ���������������� the cutting of the tape on 25th July 2018. ����

16 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 17 JIDOKU 43

An early user of the restored section has just been through Swingbridge No.8 between Bielby and Walbut Lock on 26th July 2018. water throughout its length and there are no problems with buildings or other obstructions to hinder restoration. The canal lies within three Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which means that all operations must have the consent of Natural England. With the momentum gained from the recent reopening PCAS is keen to press on with the final sections of restoration. Of the five locks two, Coates Lock and Top Lock, are substantially complete having had significant restoration. Of the other three chambers, Sandhill Lock is in worst condition and will need to be substantially rebuilt. This is currently the Back down the Pocklington after the festival. focus of a £150,000 appeal for funds as Merdeka and Beresford share Lock with The initial letters featured being: understandably the Society felt that it was its integral swingbridge on 30th July 2018. best to tackle the worst remaining obstacle Note the unusual wheels to lift the paddle gear on Panama, Kiel, Suez, Grand canal of China, St Lawrence Seaway, The Intracoastal this picture and the picture on the previous page. first. If a reader is interested in joining this Waterway of the USA, , Rhine waterway, . worthwhile restoration project, details of Fill in the missing blanks using these initial letters, bearing in mind membership and the current appeal can be The line map is produced courtesy of PCAS that each 3x3 block can only have one of each canal and there found in pages on this link: and the images are all mine, taken during must be no duplication in horizontal rows or vertical columns. http://pocklingtoncanalsociety.org/ July 2018, when my wife and I cruised the restored lengths of canal and attended the Solution on Page 31 This article draws heavily from the website 200th anniversary festival. of PCAS, an organisation I was pleased to Alan Stopher join during our visit in 2018. February 2019

18 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 19 Huddersfield Waterfront Quarter Dates for your Diary

Saddleworth Historical Society presents: The talk has been organised as a joint The Standedge Tunnels event with the Canal Society in the SHS 2019 events calendar. An Illustrated talk by Trevor Ellis Very kindly, they are offering free Saddleworth Museum, admission to our Society members, so High Street, Uppermill, OL3 6HS remember to bring your membership Wednesday 22nd May at 7.30pm card as proof of entitlement. Alan Stopher

Readers might be interested in a ‘Before and After’ of the latest development at Stalybridge Festival 22-23rd June 2019 Huddersfield Waterfront Quarter. Above is a photo of Huddersfield Canal Society is once We will be joined by the East the new student apartments again proud to support the 2019 Manchester Community Boat Project’s which are in the final stages of internal completion. Festival which is taking place on the craft, Community Spirit II, which will In the foreground is the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd June. be providing boat trips on the canal. second Lock 3E site. This Lock was opened in May 2001 at We are working with the Festival the start of the newly built Committee and Stalybridge Town 300 metre long Sellers Tunnel. Team to make it a memorable event, The working Lock is pictured right, in a photo from April so please come along and show your

2006, and the grey building Bob Gough support, whether on foot or by water! in the background is the Tin This year, this will Shop, new at the time to coincide with the replace the facility demolished for the canal restoration. Lock 3E at the east end of the newly completed Pennine Explorer The subsequent rebuilding of the whole site to channel. The timber balk inserted in the former Cruise which is accommodate Kirklees College brought about headgate recess can be seen covered in a dusting guaranteed to bring the opening out (and filling in) of the tunnel of snow in the top picture taken in February this added colour to the year. which meant construction of a second new Alan Stopher event.

20 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 21 Uppermill Community Action Network

December UCAN volunteers were joined by Kate from the RSPB for a tree felling session at the viaduct woodland. A number of storm damaged trees needed to be removed and the team used the felled wood to produce wildlife friendly areas (pictured right). With the ground prepared the team met one very wet Saturday to plant around 90 native trees and bushes, including holly, elder and hawthorn. The purchase of the trees had been made possible following the receipt of a grant from the Saddleworth Hydro and UCAN would like to thank them for their generous funding. UCAN would also like to thank Kate from the RSPB for her continued support. Other tasks included leaf clearance from the canal towpath and litter picking. January For the first meeting of the year volunteers concentrated their efforts on completing the task of clearing compacted fallen leaves UCAN from the towpath near Wade Lock. Other work undertaken during the month There is still more to do and we are always included vegetation clearance, litter picking If you would like to get involved in our pleased to welcome new members. Our and wildflower seeding around recently project days for this year, please contact forthcoming programme is as follows:- cleared areas of the viaduct woodland. UCAN’s Group Leader Peter Killan on: March – Thursday 7th, Saturday 30th 01457 878361, or e-mail at: February [email protected] April – Thursday 11th, Saturday 27th Volunteers tackled the job of clearing mud Of course, you can keep updated on our Volunteering in the local environment is a and rotting leaves along the canal towpath Groups activities by visiting our Facebook great way of meeting others, enjoying some from Limekiln Lock to Wool Road car page, listed under: healthy exercise & fresh air, with a well park (pictured opposite). Work has also groups/1899154207069001 earned hot drink and biscuit at the end! continued in the Viaduct Woodland where vegetation continues to be cleared and, as All equipment is provided by CRT and you part of the long term plan for the area, bat are recommended to wear stout footwear and bird boxes, built for UCAN by Men in and suitable clothing for the weather Sheds, have now been sited in the wood, conditions on the day. The usual meeting where hopefully they will be in time for the point is 10am at the canal bridge on UCAN UCAN breeding season. Moorgate Street. Sheila Chapman

22 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 23 Street Scene Greenfield Group .

Towpath project in Greenfield The Greenfield Group have adopted the The forthcoming project dates are: stretch from Division Bridge to Manchester March: Saturday 30th Road, heading in the Mossley direction. April: Tuesday 9th & Saturday 27th Two tonnes of gravel were laid in February, May: Thursday 9th, Saturday 18th in addition to to the two laid earlier in the year. Much more will follow shortly. June: Tuesday 4th & Saturday 22nd If you haven’t volunteered beforehand and Vegetation has been cut back and general would like to be included on the mailing tidying up started, ready for Spring. list for future dates and details of our work, As usual, Volunteers always enjoy a well- please contact the Project Leader, deserved brew (pictured below with Project Gill McCulley on 07963 521195 or Leader, Gill, far right). email: [email protected] Everyone is always warmly welcomed! SSGG

SSGG IS GREENFIELD-BASED COMMUNITY ACTION WORKING FOR YOU TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY (A sub-group of Greenfield & Grasscroft Residents Association) - YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE -

New Members welcome [email protected] or ring: 01457 597666 Masonry work was being completed at the Standedge Aqueduct bridge when our Chairman took this picture in November last year Pointing of the stonework was underway following month and project completed on schedule by Network Rail. Photo: Alan Stopher Pointing 24 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 25 their goods and services to prospective However, as the weddings are usually on Marsden Shuttle - here we go again ...! hirers. HCS has been present at all the Saturday, which is often a quieter day, we Writing this mid February, it’d usually be on the 9 February we provided transport Fayres, and we’ve been quite successful think the trade-off is worth it. We also a while before the next Shuttle season is to the Visitor Centre for a happy Bride historically in obtaining charters for the have a ‘ring fence’ arrangement with CRT on us. and Groom, and as the weather was ‘Wedding Taxi’ service from Lock 42E to so that days when we want to run public so good over the weekend of 23/24 the Visitor Centre. trips or have some other event lined up, The HCS Volunteer Crews normally February, we decided to take her out for are kept free. operate weekend services between However, recognising the ‘added value’ a weekend to catch the back end of the Tunnel End and Lock 42E between of arriving at the wedding venue in a There’s a lot of affection for our little blue half term holidays. Easter and the end of October. The boat, CRT have taken on the bookings boat, and she’s given the Society great now (almost) traditional end of season Normal service will, in fact, start before for the Shuttle so they’re now booked service in the 28 years since David Essex jolly that’s the Scary Shuttle, when Easter this year - as it’s quite late, we’re in conjunction with the venue. This has cracked the sugar-bottle of champagne we run Halloween trips, is usually the starting to run weekend trips from the resulted in an increase in uptake for the on the hull to launch her at Marsden last operating weekend for around 5 end of March. No problem getting crew service – we already have 18 weddings (October 1991) when she was newly months and that’s the last we see of each either – our enthusiastic volunteers turn booked for 2019. Apart from this being built and red in colour. She has been re- other until the start of the next season, out in all weathers to make sure we have a valuable source of income for the named Oldham Otter, re-fitted, painted although last year Boat Crew were a boat running from Tunnel End. Not Society, it makes sure that large numbers blue and back again as Marsden Shuttle invited to the annual CRT Christmas only does this save a bit of leg work for of people see what we do, and we’re since then. Nearly 30 isn’t necessarily party at the Visitor Centre. I think there visitors to Standedge Centre and the guaranteed a showing in the wedding old for a canal boat, but if we want to were more boat crew there than CRT Waters Edge Café if they’ve started in photos! Great publicity, and we like carry on operating for the next 30+ years staff, and it was great to meet up with Marsden (especially if it’s raining) it gives to think we help to make the happy then we need to start thinking about HCS and CRT colleagues over a few people an opportunity to see a boat couple’s day. The down side is that if what we do next. In particular, she’s complimentary pints and a superb buffet! running on the canal at weekends which we’re looking after the Bride and Groom showing her age both inside and out, and would otherwise be devoid of traffic due (and as many guests who’d like a trip) we needs more repairs and maintenance However, the winter break hasn’t been to the CRT policy of only allowing Tunnel can’t run the public service. than she used to. Comes to us all … complete between the 2018 and 2019 passages Monday, Wednesday and seasons - we had a weekend of Christmas Friday. It also, importantly, publicises the trips at the end of December (suitably fact that HCS is looking after the canal’s trimmed up with tinsel and fairy lights), interests and that we’re still very active. The Shuttle operation is, however, undergoing some subtle, but important changes. CRT management are investing heavily in promoting Standedge Visitor Centre as a wedding venue. They have regular ‘Wedding Fayres’ where the venue is promoted by Happy Bride and Groom arriving

Eric Woulds suppliers who ‘sell’ at Standedge Visitor Centre. Christmas Shuttle - smiles frozen in place ... Eric Woulds

26 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 27 Myself, Mike McHugh (Boat Manager) in the canal, but it’s quite a challenge and Terry Lomas (Skipper and Trainer) for some people to get on and off, have been looking at what’s possible. and we don’t know how many people At first we were thinking about a full haven’t used the boat due to the poor re-fit, but it was pointed out to us by access. Accessibility is now a key design a respected local boat builder that, no requirement, particularly for the less matter how much we spend on internal mobile and for wheelchair users. There fittings or the engine, it’s still a 28 year may have to be a compromise about old hull. Fair point, so we’ve been how much of the boat is accessible, but discussing what we’d like to see in a we want to make sure getting on and off replacement, and have visited a couple isn’t a barrier in the new design. This will of other Society boats to get some be achieved by means of a fold down ideas. We’re just about ready to finalise ramp – quite a difficult design problem Eric Woulds a specification and start talking to boat due to the differing levels at Lock 42E builders about a ‘next generation’ Shuttle and Tunnel End, but we think we’ve got (working title Shuttle 2) which will truly there! be a boat for the 21st century. Venturing abroad: Trips at Stalybridge Carnival - slight evidence of Tunnel Rash visible... Thirdly, we know sitting outside as We identified three key areas that our opposed to in the cabin is a popular get to know, future crew mates. We’ll current boat hasn’t got which we want option, especially for children and in be trying out ‘free’ trips at the Standedge to incorporate in a replacement. First, summer. The new design will have some Wedding Fayre (30/31 March) too – diesel engines are no longer the only outside seating on the forward deck, no set fare but donations welcomed. option – the Tunnel Boats at Standedge which incidentally assists access issues, Experience from previous operations are all electric so that’s what we should as there’ll be flexible (fold up) seating so where we’ve done this has shown we be specifying. The current range of that a wheelchair space can be created if collect at least as much as when we take electric options, especially battery types, we need one. It’s also handy of course fares, often more. There’s the added is pretty bewildering so there’s still a lot to accommodate prams and pushchairs advantage of being able to claim gift of work to do in this area. We also want instead of on the roof, which is where aid too which increases the value. As to make sure we can still get to Ashton they often have to go at present. mentioned earlier we already have 18 or maybe even to Huddersfield without weddings booked this year, and thanks This all costs money of course and the charging issues so that has to be taken to an effective recruitment operation last Society has limited resources. The into account, either by making sure the year we now have more crew, and after Society Management Council have batteries will last that long or by sourcing training, qualified Skippers, than we’ve discussed the proposals in principle, a charging point at an appropriate Bob Gough had for a long time. and so far we’re still going ahead as it’s Where it all began with David Essex launching at location. accepted that running a boat is a vital Tunnel End - October 1991. There’s still room for more. If you’re Second, our Shuttle is notoriously difficult part of the Society’s objectives, and we interested, get in touch with the HCS before the half way point in it’s likely for passengers to get on and off. Those have to plan for the long term future office and you’ll be pointed in the right life span. Lower maintenance costs of of you who are familiar with the boat of the operation. We also have a new direction, or come and have a chat with running an electric boat also helps. will know that the only way on and off income stream from weddings that’s any Boat Crew member when we’re is via a movable step at the bows which providing a steady annual income – no Anyway, 2019 is looking to be a great running. No doubt you’ll be on the stern alternates between being on shore at certainty that this will be forever but as year already. Just before the start of the deck with a tiller in your hand before you Tunnel End, and on the boat at Lock 42E things are going it looks quite likely. On operating season we’ll be having a Boat know it! A word of warning though – due to differing loading levels. Luckily, the basis that a replacement boat will last Crew get-together to bring everyone up boating can be addictive … thanks to the skill and attentiveness as long as the current one, income will to speed with operational news, and to Eric Woulds of crew we’ve never dropped anyone start to exceed total expenditure well enable everyone to have a chat with, and Volunteer Skipper

28 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 29 Notice of the 2019 AGM 220 Club - 20th Draw This quarter, the Club HUDDERSFIELD CANAL SOCIETY LIMITED benefits from 60 subscriptions, so we can Notice is hereby given that the Thirty Ninth Annual General Meeting of the above offer a Prize Fund of £144 named Company will be held at the Standedge Visitor Centre, Waters Road, which means the first prize Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6NQ on 6th June, 2019 at 7.00pm to transact the is £96 and the second following business: prize, £48. The more who subscribe, the higher the 1. To approve the Minutes of the 2018 Annual General Meeting. prize fund offered for your 220 2. To receive and adopt the Accounts for the Company for the year £2 a month stake. ending 31st December 2018 together with the Report of the Council of To join, you need to C Management and of the Accountants thereon. complete the form which B 3. To elect Accountants and authorise the Council of Management can be downloaded from to fix their remuneration. our website by following L U the Members’ Area link, or 4. To re-elect Mr. Trevor Ellis as a member of the Council of Management if you prefer, call the office retiring by rotation. and we’ll send you a paper copy by post. 5. To re-elect Mr. Alan Stopher as a member of the Council of Management Do consider completing a Standing Order retiring by rotation. and then you’ll never miss a draw. 6. To re-elect Mr. Keith Sykes as a member of the Council of Management For legal reasons, only Huddersfield Canal Solution to Jidoku 43 retiring by rotation. Society members are eligible to subscribe 7. To consider any other nominations*. to HCS 220 Club, so if you are reading this and not a Society member, join us and 8. Any other business. then sign up to the 220 Club. DATED the 18th Day of March 2019 AND here are the results of our By Order of the Council twentieth quarterly draw: M. H. McHugh, Company Secretary Total Subscribers: 60 Total Prize Fund: £144 1st Prize: Mr B Diggle winning £96 * Any member must give notice, in writing, of their intention to propose any other member 2nd Prize: for election and that member give notice in writing, signed, indicating his/her willingness to Mr A Daniel winning £48 be elected. Such notices must be submitted to the Secretary, Mike McHugh, Huddersfield Canal Society, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Oldham, OL3 5QR not less Congratulations to the prize winners! than four nor more than twenty-eight intervening days. Such proposals shall be voted upon at the Meeting, either by a show of hands or ballot according to the wish of the member being proposed. MEMBERSHIP RATES COPY DATE ADVERTISING RATES Individual £9.00 Articles, letters and comments Page Per Issue Per Year N.B. A member entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy for Issue 206 of Pennine Link Family £11.00 Qtr £12.50 £50.00 to attend and vote on his/her behalf. The Form of Proxy enclosed must be completed and should reach the Editor at returned to the Administrator, Huddersfield Canal Society, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Life £90.00 Transhipment Warehouse, Half £25.00 £100.00 Road, Dobcross, Oldham, OL3 5QR before the date of the Meeting. A proxy must be a Associate £15.00 Wool Rd, Dobcross, OL3 5QR Full £50.00 £200.00 Member of the Company. Corporate £150.00 by 20th May 2019

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