ennineennine LinkLink PPMagazineMagazine ofof thethe HuddersfieldHuddersfield CanalCanal SocietySociety

Issue 162 Summer 2008 Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd Registered in No. 1498800 Registered Charity No. 510201 Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 08.30-16.30 Friday 08.30-13.30 Telephone: 01457 871800 EMail: [email protected] Website: www.huddersfieldcanal.com President - David Sumner MBE Council Members Neville Kenyon Meadow Head, Tottington, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 3PP Chairman Tel: 01457 871800 Trevor Ellis 20 Batley Avenue, Marsh, Huddersfield, HD1 4NA Vice-Chairman Tel: 01484 534666 Steve Picot HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Treasurer Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5QR Tel: 01457 871800 John Fryer Ramsdens Solicitors LLP, Oakley House, 1 Hungerford Road, Company Secretary Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD3 3AL Andrea Fisher 53 Bayfield Close, Hade Edge, Huddersfield, HD9 2QX Boat Co-ordinator (East) Tel: 01484 686136 Alwyn Ogborn HCS Ltd, Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcrss, Editor Pennine Link OL3 5QR Tel: 07973 269639 [email protected] Jack Carr 19 Sycamore Avenue, Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 6JR Council Member Tel: 01257 265786 Eric Crosland 44 Marina Terrace, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4RA Council Member Tel: 01484 659748 Keith Noble The Dene, Triangle, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 3EA Council Member Tel: 01422 823562 David Sumner 4 Whiteoak Close, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 6NT President Tel: 0161 449 9084 Keith Sykes 1 Follingworth, Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, HD7 5XD Council Member Tel: 01484 841519 Vince Willey 45 Egmont Street, Mossley, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancs., OL5 9NB Council Member Tel: 01457 871800

NON-COUNCIL POSTS Claire Bebbington Marketing Officer Bob Gough Administrator

The views expressed in Pennine Link are not necessarily those of Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd

2 - Pennine Link ennine PLink Issue 162

It does seem to good an opportunity to (address opposite, as usual) and we shall miss! This detail from our cover photo is publish your witicisms next Issue; no perfect for a ‘Caption Competition’. prizes, just good fun and the chance to Send your suggestions to the Society see your humour in print!

Editorial 4 The Story of DB1 - Part 11 23 Chairman’s Report 5 Canals in 28 Disconnected Jottings 6 Society Events 2008 32 News from the East 10 Bird Box News 33 Mikron Theatre Company 12 Fishy Stuff 34 Society Volunteers 14 Wordsearch - 5 36 Letter to the Editor 16 Jidoku - 9 37 LNWRC Minute Book 17 ‘CBW’ Stones - A Theory 38 Hollinwood Canal Society 18 Looking Back 40 The Canal’s Cilly Season 20 What the Papers Said 44 2008 Photographic Competition 21 The 74 Club 46

Cover: Wednesday, 25th June 2008 - Boats waiting at Wool Road for their ascent of the Diggle Flight and Tunnel Transit. Photo: Bob Gough Pennine Link - 3 Editorial

A letter has flooded flowing back up the pound to go over the in by Jove. overflow nearby. The missing cill prevented Although the the filling of the , water going straight author had less through, hence our surplus and the dry than a trouble free pound I found above. About 5 boats were transit, it is still stranded until a repair could be carried out. heartening to be The nearest boat had a crew of 4 Canadians contacted in this who took the situation in their stride and way. My letters page is usually empty or visited the Lowry Centre (and more local very sparse and I encourage everyone to let places) as a day out. They also joined the me know what you think and drop me a 74 Club and passed comments on the line. I will always respond. excellence of the canal, as did the other new The mystery surrounding the stones marked members listed on page 47. I sold all the C B W has a very plausible explanation by stranded boat crews a copy of the Towpath Trevor Ellis on page 38. Bob has been trying Guide and Bob informs me that sales have to crack this enigma for some time and I am now topped 750. Pretty good going for such sure he would welcome any other input a short period since publication. The sales from archivists out there, budding or speak volumes for the quality of the experienced. There - that’s two things to publication and a reprint is on the cards. write in about. I was pleased to be one of the HCS people Whilst on the subject of membership who attended the meeting with Robin Evans th contact, you may remember that some at Dukinfield town hall on the 5 June, as issues back I floated the idea of having pages mentioned by our Chairman. I felt that this for historic and listed structures along the meeting was quite a useful exchange of canal and flora & fauna on the banks. views and ideas between the owners and Both these articles need someone to users of the waterways. Of particular research and write them. Everyone I am in interest, I thought, was the intention of BW close contact with has either no time or to make more use of volunteers by the lacks the knowledge (or both), to take on the appointment of a person to steer through all task. I am still hopeful of finding an the Health & Safety issues and get certain author(s). Any offers out there? organisations ‘Safety Trained and Approved’. Or something like that. I am sure an awful Martin Clark highlights some cill problems lot of small but very necessary tasks of track experienced recently. The one at Lock 13W improvement could be undertaken for the had an impact on ourselves, being moored benefit of all users. We, (HCS), apparently, just about a quarter of a mile down stream. are now approved. Hence the paddle gear Having had our pound drained some weeks oiling undertaken by Trevor and his team. earlier and finishing up on the mud with the See page 14. daddy of all lists, (about 30 degrees), we thought it must be our bad luck in the Don’t forget the Society Events on page 32; ascendancy. Without going into too much your support would be very welcome. I will th detail, the pound draining was due to youths be at the Uppermill Treasure Hunt, 24 fully opening Lock 12W and draining the lot. August, but away for the other dates. Also, When 13W failed, we wondered where all don’t forget the Photographic Competition. the water was coming from because it was The more entries the merrier. Alwyn Ogborn 4 - Pennine Link Chairman’s Report

On 1st April 2008 It was fortunate that Bob could meet I was pleased to with Robin Evans the Chief Executive of represent the at a meeting in Society at a Dukinfield on 5th June. Robin had been dinner at the delighted to contribute the foreword to House of the Towpath Guide and was able to Commons where congratulate Bob face to face. There was the honour of Parliamentarian of the Year a good representation from our Society was conferred on Charlotte Atkins - MP at the meeting which was held as one of for Staffordshire Moorlands. a series throughout the country to offer waterways enthusiasts the opportunity to The award was made on behalf of The raise issues direct with the head of BW. Inland Waterways Association, and the Our members present were impressed by dinner was hosted by Bob Laxton MP the dedication of the BW senior and attended by many leading waterway management team and the frankness figures including the Waterways Minister, with which Robin addressed their Jonathan Shaw MP; twenty other MPs, of concerns. all the major parties; the Speaker of the House of Commons, and around 20 On the previous day I had attended a other guests of IWA. symposium organised by Kirklees Council’s tourism team (Huddersfield to All the MPs present had made significant those further afield!). Some 60 delegates contributions to the well-being of the were involved in group discussions on waterways during the past year, and were ideas for improving tourist attractions to contenders for the prestigious award. the area and, of course, the Huddersfield Unfortunately, IWA President John Narrow Canal was acknowledged as a Fletcher was indisposed but vice vital ingredient in this endeavour. The President Dave Fletcher presented the meeting was held at the National Coal award. Our local representative MP was Mining Museum near Wakefield and was David Heyes of Ashton under Lyne who followed by a tour of the mine. This is a has been very supportive of our Society’s fine visitor attraction which I would efforts. He needed no persuading to buy recommend to all – but small children a copy of our new Towpath Guide! may be intimidated by the underground Talking of which, I would add my thanks tour. I also realised that I could have and congratulations to the many been more appropriately dressed for the accolades heaped on Dr Bob Gough, our experience! full time Administrator, on the The Society’s first Open Day was a great publication of this excellent book which success. We had a steady flow of visitors has received rave reviews in the throughout the day despite the poor waterways press and beyond. weather. We are resolved to repeat the Information on how to buy this book is event next year. Thanks to our Marketing featured on page 47. Officer, Claire Bebbington and to (over)

Pennine Link - 5 Disconnected Jottings Notes about the national waterway restoration scene After the last given on the basis of British Waterways issue, I have acting as lead partner. promised Editor The Council is now applying for the grant Ogborn that to be confirmed on the revised basis that Disconnected they will take the lead. BW had Jottings will negotiated a lease of the Stroudwater contain no more Navigation from the Company of rants! Well, I’ll try – at least for this Issue. Proprietors of the The Cotswold Canals (is that the only canal company still in Returning to the subject of the last Issue, existence in its original state?). If the it was a tremendous relief to see that the revised HLF bid succeeds, that lease will district council in Stroud has agreed to be transferred to Stroud District Council. take over the lead role in the restoration The Cromford Canal of the Cotswold Canals in the place so After lengthy negotiations, planning suddenly vacated by British Waterways. permission has been granted for the The €12m Heritage Lottery grant towards Smotherfly scheme on the Cromford the phase 1a restoration scheme Canal. This proposal, submitted as two between Stonehouse on the Stroudwater planning applications to the adjoining Navigation and Brimscombe Port on the local authorities of Bolsover and Amber Thames & Severn Canal remains Valley by the Friends of the Cromford uncertain, however, as that grant was Canal, proposes the restoration of 1.8km

Bob Gough for preparing the With the season reaching its height we Transhipment Warehouse with a video are still disappointed by the low number presentation and refreshments. Indeed of boats using our canal. The fact that the they deserve our applause for all their Standedge Tunnel is open only for two efforts on our behalf. days a week is undoubtedly a feature that prevents many boaters from The Society’s AGM held this year at enjoying our facilities. Your Society Uppermill Masonic Hall was attended by continues to bring pressure to bear on 20 members. It was a good venue and BW Yorkshire to improve this situation the business was followed by a well and the signs are that they are adopting a researched presentation by Bob on the more pragmatic approach to the Building Stones of Manchester. His problem. knowledge of different types of stone is quite remarkable and his talk was greatly We hope you can find time to enjoy our appreciated by the audience. canal during the summer months and that you will take advantage of some of Re-elected to HCS Council were Trevor the special events listed on page 32. Ellis, Keith Sykes and Vince Willey. We thank them for their continuing Neville Kenyon commitment.

6 - Pennine Link of the Pinxton Branch of the canal, coupled with the proposed Rother Link mainly through a former opencast coal from the Chesterfield to the Sheffield & mining site to the former terminus of the South Yorkshire Navigation, a Pinxton to branch at Pinxton Wharf. Chesterfield Link could be part of an important north-south waterway avoiding The route of the canal has been the and passing through an completely lost through the opencast site area in need of the sort of regeneration a but the river Erewash had been diverted waterway could bring.) into a temporary channel around the edge of the mining works. The intention The is that, rather than see this temporary At last work is starting on the long- channel re-graded into the landscape awaited €11.5m scheme to restore the when the river is restored to its original Droitwich Junction and Droitwich Barge course, the temporary channel will form Canals through Droitwich Spa linking the the basis of a rerouted canal across the and the Worcester & site. The next step will be for the Friends Canal. to seek detailed agreement with UK Coal A formal ceremony to mark the and other landowners prior to raising the commencement of work attended by money through grants and whatever local authority, canal society and BW other sources become available and prior members of the restoration partnership to the detailed designs already prepared and representatives of funding bodies being developed into working drawings was held on 6th June. More news of this, ready for construction. as work progresses including the Written quickly, that doesn’t sound too construction of a channel through an difficult! Believe me, it is, but after three existing culvert under the M5 motorway, or four years of negotiation and having the building of four new locks and the already spent over €13,000 of its own restoration of existing locks and the money on the scheme, and having the making of part of the river Salwarpe major landowner, the two district navigable. councils and Derbyshire County Council With the help of grants, including from on side, the Friends have already the Heritage Lottery Fund, most of the overcome huge hurdles to seize the money required has been secured but opportunity presented by the end of there still remains a shortfall. The opencast mining. Waterways Trust’s appeal to fill this My guess is that they will see the scheme funding gap remains open (see through to completion – as the first of www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk). what will be several large schemes of The Navigation restoration on this attractive and The Driffield Navigation Trust has been important canal. (Nobody is proposing it unable to find the matching funding yet, but I rather fancy a scheme to build required to support the €750,000 grant a new canal from Pinxton Wharf to the that had been offered by the Heritage . When the Cromford Lottery Fund towards lock repairs, new and the Chesterfield canals are lock gates, a road bridge and dredging. eventually restored to navigation,

Pennine Link - 7 The Trust had hoped that the regional The development agency Yorkshire Forward A problem has arisen at Woolsthorpe Top would provide the bulk of the money Lock on the Grantham Canal. The lock needed but the agency has committed all had been re-gated in 1992 and was used of its available funding in the timescale by trail boats last year at the Grantham required elsewhere. There is some on Water Festival. Significant cracks have concern in the area that the badly silted appeared in the off-side wall which has waterway should be dealt with urgently, moved to such an extent that British to reduce the risk of a repeat of the Waterways have installed heavy steel floods of last year. The Heritage Lottery props between the lock walls to prevent has let the Trust know that a resubmitted the wall from collapsing. bid will be considered if and when the These props were only hired until the matching funding can be found. end of the last financial year. After that, East Midland Development Agency as a Remainder Waterway, BW’s legal At first sight there seems to be a responsibilities are mainly limited to significant contrast to Yorkshire Forward’s health and safety issues and, as such, it hot-cold approach to grants towards was decided that the lock would be filled waterway restoration in the approach of with rock or aggregate to keep the walls the East Midland Development Agency. apart until such time as a source of funding for repair could be found. At recent Northern Canals Association meetings, EMDA grants have been The Grantham Canal Restoration Society reported for €850,000 towards have been able to pay for the continued substantial enabling works prior to the hire of the props and have agreed a construction of the proposed new canal scheme of repair with BW whereby the terminal basin on the river Rother in collapsing wall would be rebuilt in mass Chesterfield, a similar amount to concrete faced in brick to match the rest purchase land needed to rebuild the of the lock chamber. The rebuild will not between Snarestone and be straightforward because the walls of Measham, and a grant to help pay for the these locks sit on an inverted arch important Green Infrastructure Study into structure forming the bottom of the lock. the link between the Grantham Canal at Demolishing the damaged wall, and so Cotgrove and the river Trent. The agency reducing the weight placed on one side is also seriously supporting Lincolnshire of the arch, would probably cause the County Council and the Environment arch to be displaced sideways unless Agency’s big plans to create the new weight was correspondingly reduced on Fens Link waterway. the other side of the lock. The scheme of I suspect that it is not that the two partial demolition and piling designed to regional development agencies have a overcome this problem is not the sort of different approach to waterway job BW will entrust to volunteers. restoration as such, but that Yorkshire Putting BW’s budget together with Forward, whilst it has given grants to Alkaline money that the Inland Waterways waterways, has other much larger fish to A queue at Alcoholics AnonymousAssociation and the Grantham Canal fry; for instance, in the still deprived Restoration Society can raise (including a former mining areas of South Yorkshire. 8 - Pennine Link legacy that IWA can use for this purpose) development is complete, the leaves a shortfall of €50,000 from the partnership between BW, the local likely contract cost. IWA believes that it authorities and the canal society hopes can raise another €20,000 but that still that the next length of canal can be leaves a gap of €30,000 to be filled, and rebuilt in a similar way as part of a filled quickly as the work needs to be redevelopment scheme for the adjoining done urgently. Can you help? If you land. could, or you know of someone who The Canal might be able to help, please telephone Not quite the beginning of restoration of John Bayliss, the IWA East Midlands the Newport and Shrewsbury Canals but, chairman on 07889 444190. perhaps, just as important in the eventual The Link restoration of these West Midlands With the new Liverpool Link Canal due Canals, is the news that the & for completion later this year across the Wrekin Borough Council seems likely to Pier Head between the current terminus buy a stretch of the of the & Liverpool Canal and the and a disused warehouse with its docks and the river Mersey, I am hoping associated at Wappenshall to visit the city towards the end of July near Newport in . with your President. Although we are This could be the start of a partnership going with our wives to visit an art between the Council and the Shrewsbury exhibition, we just might find time to and Newport Canals Trust whereby the look at the canal works! canal and the historic warehouse would The Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal be restored as an important visitor On 9th May, the excavations from the two attraction and the creation of an ends of the tunnel being built in Salford important honeypot site on the route of under the Inner relief Road and the the derelict canal. Manchester – Liverpool railway, met. Keith Gibson It is hoped that this €5.9m scheme, that will include new locks and a winding There is a tradition which says if hole to re-create the first section of the you fold 1,000 Origami Cranes, MB&B, will be complete by Autumn then your wishes will come true ... allowing boats onto the canal from the river Irwell. A man travelled to Japan to see an old friend and at their meeting, Very appropriately, the new tunnel is to opened a suitcase and tipped out be named after the Manchester, Bolton & 1000 paper Cranes. Bury Canal Society’s former chairman Margaret Fletcher who sadly died in He said: “Why is 2006, having negotiated the construction my life such a of the tunnel but too soon to see it disappointment?” complete. Childhood She replied: When this short length of canal through A very young gangster “I think you should get out more.” the €600m Middlewood Locks J Pond

Pennine Link - 9 News from the East

As you can see from the photos, the early She went down in stages. First to the Easter gave the Canal a cool start! Transhipment Warehouse, in time for the I remember it well, Gwen, Ronnie and I Society’s Open Day and launch of the were quite ready to moor up the boat Towpath Guide, and then through to that day. Ashton. Everyone joined in the various stages, some going thro-t-Tunnel and So far the season has been busy with some taking her to Ashton and back. training courses for the Certificate in It served to give everyone some locking Community Boat Management and the experience, team building, working Elementary First Aid Certificate. Also the together and generally having a really Shuttle went on a journey to Portland good time (well, okay, there were some Basin Marina in Ashton to have various bits where we fell down) but the humour services to her workings and a much was mighty at times. Thanks to everyone needed bottom blacking! who helped. I really enjoyed my day. Jayne Pallatt Andrea keeps cheerful despite the rather crisp conditions

Ballast - Exclamation meaning Elsan - Spanish word meaning “I “Curses”. Normally heard when lock emptied it yesterday.” keys, children, etc. fall into the Canal.

10 - Pennine Link Jayne Pallatt On the down side, the Shuttle suffered with damage to paintwork on both sides as a result of her transit through the Tunnel; a cosmetic day is being arranged to make her look tidy again. There are plans to try and crew her a couple of days during the week, through the school holidays. Anyone who would be interested, please give me a ring: 01484 686136. We haven’t organised any walks since the season began as it has been a bit hectic organising training sessions, but Bob & Claire have had a couple of events in Plink, unfortunately Pretty as a picture there were very few takers, despite Claire having positive feedback last year from members requesting more activities. I don’t know what the answer is, perhaps Propellor - Device for locating plastic someone out there does and would like bags under water. to let them know! Balance Beam - A smile produced when stability is regained after leaving I’d like to finish in wishing crew member Allen Jagger a speedy recovery from his canalside pub. motorbike accident whilst returning from Bollards - Seats thoughtfully a training course, and hope to have him provided at locks for spectators. back on the books for the Summer Hire-Cruiser - Type of vessel noted season. for unusual sideways movement on Andrea Fisher water. Definitions courtesy of the 1978

Tameside Canals Festival brochure A Fisher

Pennine Link - 11 Mikron Theatre Company

Friday 1st August 8pm FT C th 37 Summer & Waterways Tour! Fleet Inn, Fleet Lane, Twyning, Venues nr Tewkesbury, GL20 9FL KEY: Food, accommodation and real ales. Moorings for D = Debtonation FT = Fair Trade patrons. For further details Tel: 01684 274310 C = No tickets required, a collection will be taken www.fleet-inn.co.uk after the show Saturday 2nd August 5.30pm D Monday 21st July 8.00pm FT C Tewkesbury Marina, Bredon Road, Tewkesbury The Wharf Inn, Wharf Road, Fenny Compton, Tickets €5. Limited to 100 only - booking essential. Southam, CV47 2FE Tel: Tim Polley on 01684 292790 or email: Food available Tel: 01295 770332 [email protected] www.thewharfinn.co.uk Cream teas available 3.30 - 5pm (extra charge) Production Sponsor: A Friend of Mikron Millennium Sponsor: Tewkesbury Marina

Tuesday 22nd July 7.30pm D C The following 8 performances are supported by The Boat, Birdingbury Wharf, Wychavon District Council. Southam, CV47 8HQ Food available before the show - turn up early Monday 4th August TBC Tel: 01926 812349 For more details please contact Wychavon Council Tel: 01386 565168 Thursday 24th July FT 7.00pm C The Waterman Canalside Pub & Restaurant, Tuesday 5th August TBC Birmingham Road, Hatton, Warwick, CV35 7JJ For more details please contact Wychavon Council The performance will be held in The Waterman Tel: 01386 565168 gardens, overlooking the famous Stairway to Heaven flight of locks on the Grand . Wednesday 6th August 7.30pm FT Bring your own blankets and chairs. Restaurant and Bishampton Village Hall bar open for food and drinks. Broad Lane, Bishampton, Pershore Tel: 01926 492427 www.thewatermanpub.co.uk Worcestershire, WR10 2NH Show Sponsor: Jill & Andy Botherway Tel: Sue Griffiths - 01386 462306 Tickets €6 adults, €15 family, €5 concessions. Friday 25th July 7.30pm FT C Licensed bar available Tom O’Wood, Finwood Road, Rowington, CV37 7DH Thursday 7th August 7.30pm FT Full menu available 12 – 3pm & 6 – 9.30pm Ashton Under Hill Village Hall, For further details Tel: 01564 782252 Ashton Under Hill, Evesham, Worcesterhire, Show Sponsor: Mike & Jude Palmer WR11 7SW Tel: Izaak Jackson 01386 881557 Monday 28th July 8pm FT C Tickets: €6 (€5 concessions) The Weighbridge, Alvechurch Marina, Scarfield Wharf, Alvechurch, B48 7SQ Friday 8th August 7.30pm D Food available Tel: 0121 445 5111 Bricklehampton & Elmley Castle Village Hall, Pershore, Evesham, WR10 3HW Wednesday 30th July 7.30pm FT Tel: Anna Mackison 01386 710351 The Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester, WR1 2HU Tickets €6 Licensed bar available Tickets €9 (€7 concessions) available on the night or in advance Tel: 01905 361821. Saturday 9th August 7.30pm D Normal opening times for the Commandery: Beckford Village Hall 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 1.30pm-5pm Sun Beckford, Tewkesbury, GL20 7AA Tickets €6 Tel: Sally Stringer 01386 881248

12 - Pennine Link Sunday 10th August 7.30pm D Friday 22nd August 7.30pm D C Birlingham Village Hall Junction Inn, Norbury, nr Stafford, ST20 0PN Pershore, Worcs, WR10 3AB Tel: 01785 284288 Tickets €6 Tel: Karen Crowther 01386 750915 Food available before the show

Tuesday 12th August 8pm F Saturday 23rd August 3.00pm FT Barndy Cask Inn Gardens, 25 Bridge Street, IWA National Festival 08 - Main Theatre Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 1AJ Autherley Junction FREE admission This performance is part of the attractions to be For more details please contact Wychavon Council found at the Black Country Waterways Festival, IWA Tel: 01386 552602 National Waterways Festival & Boat Show to be held at Penderford Park, Blaydon Road, Wednesday 13th August 7.30pm D C Wolverhampton on 23rd to 25th August 2008. Coal House, Gabb Lane, Apperley, nr Tewkesbury Entrance fee: €7.50 for adults on the day, €6.50 Food available before the show – turn up early concessions. Accompanied children (u16) & carers Tel: 01452 780211 free. Advance ticket bookings save €1.00 Show Millennium Sponsor: The Cartmell Family available only as part of the festival entrance fee.

Thursday 14th August 7.30pm FT C Sunday 24th August 3.00pm D Haw Bridge Inn, Tirley, nr , GL10 4HJ IWA National Festival 08 - Main Theatre Food available before the show – turn up early Autherley Junction Tel: 01452 780316 Show Sponsor: Gloucestershire Details as for Saturday 23rd August members of CAMRA Mikron Theatre Company Friday 15th August 7.30pm FT Marsden Mechanics, Peel Street, Marsden, National Waterways Museum, Llanthony Huddersfield HD7 6BW Warehouse, Gloucester Docks, GL1 2EH Tel/fax: 01484 843701 Tickets €9 (€7 concessions) Phone 01452 318200 www.nwm.org.uk email: [email protected] email [email protected] www.mikron.org.uk Millennium Sponsor: StroudPrint

Saturday 16th August 8pm D C Camp House Inn, Camp Lane, Grimley, nr Worcester, WR2 6LZ Food available before show – turn up early Tel: 01905 640288

Monday 18th August 7.30pm FT C Fieldhouse Inn, Wightwick, Wolverhampton, WV6 8DP Tel: 01902 766 557 Curry will be served from 6pm onwards. Millennium Sponsors: Two Friends of Mikron

Wednesday 20th August 7.30pm D C Coton Mill, Newport Road, Gnosall, ST20 0BN This performance is supported by the Witt Family

Thusday 21st August 7.30pm FT C The Anchor, Peggs Lane, Old Lea, High Offley, nr Woodseaves Mikron

Pennine Link - 13 Volunteer (In)activity & Bridge Plates

It’s been some time since anything Hopefully the recent appointment of a appeared in Pennine Link about HCS national Volunteer Manager may go Volunteer Activities and the main reason some way towards speeding up the is that there haven’t been any. process. For a couple of years now, we have been We have recently managed to obtain working on the West Side, carrying out some oil (and the necessary paperwork) painting of locks and oiling and greasing and a couple of us have been out and paddle gear. Unwisely, around October oiled all of the manual gearing on the time we decided to respond to a number East Side, some of which was partially of complaints from boaters about un- seized. If you were wondering, good old greased paddle gear on the East Side and fashioned, long lasting, grease is a I approached the management about prohibited substance; hence we oil doing the work. rather than grease these days. It transpired that we were not recorded Another issue that has dragged on is the on the BW database as a “Self-Certifying production and fitting of Bridge Number Organisation”. A meeting was needed Plates. with BW’s Health and Safety people. I remember having meetings with BW The meeting was initially proposed for and visiting foundries etc. back in 2000, December, but postponed to January. In the meantime, the West Side took fright and suspended us from working. When the meeting came, we needed a few basic tweaks and additions, which were agreed by HCS Council within a few days and submitted. In late March, we finally heard that we were approved. In all of this, everyone has been most helpful and done their job as they see it, but you can well see why any voluntary organisation can lose momentum, volunteers or funding while the process drags on. If BW truly want volunteers they are going to have to put themselves out to welcome them on board. No broadly- based environmental organisations are going to stick around and go through a process of this length to work for BW for nowt. Martin Clark Paddle gear at Lock 10E in need of some TLC (Thorough Lubricating Concoction ....)

14 - Pennine Link Bob Gough before the canal re-opened, and the first discussing the idea of us fitting the plates discussions of the idea may even go back and, inevitably, there turned out to be far to 1999! too many Health and Safety reasons why this was not possible. A lot of time went into clearing the design with BW, following which we We discovered a producer of railway discovered that Listed Building consent plates (Procast Ltd.), who already had a would be required for many of the suitable pattern, but production was slow bridges. Much time was also wasted and painting took time. Finally, in 2006, we delivered a full set of plates for one side of all the bridges, East & West. Those on the West side were installed by BW over the Winter of 2006-07. Towards the end of last Summer, I was approached by the West Side about the other side of the bridges. We are now delivering the last few plates of another full set and the West side have installed most of theirs as fast as we have delivered them. I am hoping that the East Side will now follow suit. I apologise to anyone who wished to sponsor plates as I have lost track over the years. If you are still interested, please give me a call and I will try to make the arrangements (when the plates are fitted, in the case of East Side!) Bob Gough Trevor Ellis ... or even Trevor, Laurence and Crosland. Anyway, much healthier gearing now!

Pennine Link - 15 Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, Really - so few? Oh dear, I’m afraid we can’t 1. I have been a member of the Society for justify huge expenditure for so little return - over 20 years. Until a couple of weeks ago, I we have no choice but to close down the had only walked along the canal, but then I HNC “. took a short cruise along part of the East Side 5. So, what do I think needs doing ? (to Lock 31E) with my three long-term First (as I say) let’s be realistic about the state boating colleagues. We were all shocked by of the canal; second, if BW won’t grease the what we experienced. paddles, do we have enough volunteers to 2. First, the good. It is, of course, wonderful “adopt” a few locks, and grease them that the HNC has been restored. It is a regularly? (I know that I would be happy to magnificent waterway, and all waterway- do this if I lived closer); third, can anyone lovers deserve to be able to navigate it, rather think of a way to attract either a hire than walk along a stagnant ditch. company or a new marina, or both? Fourth, what about a rally? I can see the 3. However, the state of the canal is prodigious practical difficulties that a rally deplorable. Almost none of the paddles are would entail, but I believe that desperate greased; all the paddles need great strength to circumstances require original thinking. If use; many of the paddles are simply not Aickman and Rolt had let themselves be put working; many of the pounds are shallow; the off by administrative difficulties, we would lock gates are creaking - we had to leave one not have any of our waterways left. lock leaking seriously at both ends. Naturally , we told BWB - but I have no doubt that the To sum up, it is time for action. pound above that Lock (27E) would have Roger Nuttall been empty within an hour of our passage. Birmingham In two days on the HNC, we passed only one Thanks for bringing this to our attention Roger, moving boat. of course we are aware of many of the 4. This poor state has played its part in the shortcomings relating to navigation and vicious circle of: poor maintenance, few striving to put them right. We work closely boats, little expenditure, no hireboat firms, with BW on these issues but it always comes poor maintenance; and so it goes round. down to one stumbling block. MONEY! I fear that I must put some of the “blame” on There is a substantial army of would-be the Society: although I am a regular reader of volunteers throughout the waterway the fine “Pennine Link”, I would not have had movement, but severely restricted due to our the faintest idea - from reading the journal - old friend, Health & Safety. BW are well aware that the canal was in such a poor state. It of this and actively taking steps to allow more serves no purpose to allow ourselves to think volunteer work to be carried out. Our own that things are fine, when they clearly are not. work team have been oiling the paddle gear Rather than leaving members in blissful down the East side recently, so I think that if ignorance, I firmly believe that the Society you visit again this point should be resolved. should be giving great publicity to the poor state of the canal, and asking members to do Letters like yours are used to reinforce the something about it. My friends and I are societies case for track improvements. It could fearful that unless something changes, BW become a vicious circle of poor experiences, will one day come to say ” Wow, the HNC less boats using it, the mindset of ‘It’s not costs us a bomb, and loads of the locks need worth doing ‘cause it’s not used’ and so back replacing. How many boats actually use it ? into decline. Not if we have anything to do with it won’t. Ed.

16 - Pennine Link LNWRC Minute Book - Available for all

Judy said: “The minute book is an immaculate social history document which can now be enjoyed by everyone thanks to the work put in by the Huddersfield Canal Society. “We were thrilled when we received the book as it contains invaluable minute records about the Huddersfield Narrow Canal when it was under ownership of the railways from 1855-1869. “We can learn so much about life on the canals from documents like this so we’re really pleased to be able to add this to our own archive collection and now make it widely available to the general public.” Society Administrator, Dr Bob Gough and Marketing Officer, Claire Bebbington have spent over 120 hours producing this digital version and have made it available to download via the Society’s website www.huddersfieldcanal.com/minutebook London & North Western Railway Bob said: “Thanks to Claire’s touch-typing skills and a fair bit of deciphering of the Company Minute Book hand-written script, we steadily worked Now available for all through the document. Thrown out with the rubbish in the 1940s, “I was delighted to be involved in the a 150 year old minute book from the project as I have always believed in making London & North Western Railway archive material freely available, especially if Company was rescued and finally donated the original can be left untouched and to British Waterways archives. Concerning preserved for future scientific study. the company’s ownership of the Whether you are researching family history Huddersfield canals, it gives a fascinating or simply curious about life on the canal in insight into life on the canal during the mid the mid-19th century, it is easy to search 19th Century. the document and find references of British Waterways Yorkshire’s heritage interest; all without damaging the original! advisor, Judy Jones, was torn between The Huddersfield Canal Society was happy preserving this fragile and unique to support this project as part of its aim to document and yet making it freely available promote all aspects of the Canal both for reference. The answer: the services of ancient and modern! the Huddersfield Canal Society to make digital photographs of all 250 pages and then compile the text on computer.

Pennine Link - 17 Hollinwood Canal Society

The entrance channel into the new Droylsden Marina. The runs across the picture beyond the dam.

A small breach is made in the clay dam allowing water to trickle from the Ashton Canal into the new Marina.

18 - Pennine Link Hollinwood Canal between Waterhouses locks and Pinch Farm footbridge before trees were removed from towpath edge

The same view as above later in the year after the trees had been removed and copings re-laid. All photos: Martin Clark

Pennine Link - 19 The Canal’s Cilly Season

wooden block. Recently, a boat left the lock while the pound above was low and with limited freeboard, accidentally caught the cill, breaking the thinner piece of wood (below), thus compromising the seal. Consequently the lock chamber would not empty easily (with water gushing under the Martin Clark gate) and more Lock gates maintain a water-tight seal by seriously, a boat on its descent would be fitting very closely to the shaped stone in danger of being swamped. work along their hinge line or ‘heel’ and their bottom edges against wooden A similar problem happened with the blocks bolted to the lock structure upper cill of Lock 20E near Slaithwaite, forming a ‘cill’. The position of the cill is also in June. All of these problems led to often marked in paint to warn boaters to stoppages until the repairs were carried keep clear when descending a chamber; out by British Waterways staff. avoiding the risk of the stern being Martin Clark caught on the cill. Recently, at the tailgate of Lock 13W, (above) the bolts securing one of the cill timbers came loose and as the lock filled, pressure of water under gate forced the cill block up and washed it several metres downstream. The photo shows the position of the missing wooden block from the lower cill. The block was retrieved and can be seen propped against the stop planks which form a temporary dam, allowing the chamber to be drained and repairs to take place. At Lock 17W, the top gate seal is made

by thin piece of wood fixed to larger Martin Clark

20 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 21

The Huddersfield Narrow & Broad Canals

The Story of DB1 (or Itchy Feet) Part 11

Not a lot to write about or show you at this Progress has been made on several other stage. The running of electrical power and fronts. The engine cover box that will be in control cables is hardly riveting stuff, the galley is now on sliders and rollers to although time consuming since every wire pull out for engine service. More detailed is ferule numbered and recorded on a plans have been made regarding the galley drawing. Joan has been able to apply more layout and fittings, with some parts coats of paint during the periods of dry obtained. The wiring mentioned above is weather, but once again, not much has heading for a battery of terminal blocks, at changed visually. The colours are the same, the bottom of the instrument panel/control the quality of the finish improved. box, next to the helm. The major work has been in the We continue to generate extreme interest construction of the wheelhouse. ( I’ve from people passing by. All, I am pleased to christened it Amy, after the singer, Amy say, complimentary. The common Wheelhouse). It is now all assembled, apart comments being, ”I’ve watched it from the from bits of trim and the inside roof lining. start”, “where is it going to”, “how will you The hydraulic rams are piped up and the get it there/over the fence, (too big for the system filled with oil. As yet, the rams are HN but they don’t know that)” and not connected to the frame structure. Until ‘WHEN’. The answer being “This year”.. I have them all working in exact unison, The picture shows a port side view with our they will remain in isolation to prevent the present residence, Auntie ‘B’, in the wood structure from being ripped apart by foreground. I have now had Auntie ’B’ for unbalanced operation. There is a delay in 24 years and she is obviously, at the getting this bit going due to yours truly moment, in great need of some ‘t-l-c’. connecting the pipes that should be feeding A lick of paint there would work wonders. the bottom of the rams feeding the top. And visa versa. (A total lack of information Alwyn Ogborn and guidance from the suppliers, even though pertinent questions were asked. That’s my excuse). Alwyn Ogborn Canals in Ironbridge

I feel sure that most of you will know of establishment of the Ironbridge in Shropshire, the home of Museums Trust in the early 1970s, the iron smelting pioneered by such people plane was cleared and the rails replaced. as William Reynolds, John Wilkinson and Volunteer working parties from the Peak Abraham Darby, who is the man who Forest Canal Society assisted with this invented using coke in iron making. (And work. It can now be viewed as part of a few other illustrious names), but did the Blists Hill museum (below). you know that the area was well served An 1809 map of the canals mentioned is by canals? reproduced opposite and a great deal In the area now known as Telford, a more information can be found at complex network of 5 tub-boat canals www..com/history. A visit is existed from about 1788 onward. These highly recommended. were the Donnington Wood Canal, Ironbridge Gorge Canal, Shrewsbury Canal, A blast from the past. and the Wombridge Canal. Because of the terrain, undulating If heading down to beautiful Shropshire land with steep gradients, tub-boat this summer, why not explore the canals were chosen using inclined planes Ironbridge Gorge? Ironbridge is five with either cradles or caissons running on miles south of Telford Town Centre. The rails, to take the place of locks, the lack area really does have something for of adequate water supply for lock use everyone. Ironbridge is an area of influencing this choice. The best outstanding beauty and historical interest preserved of these is the Hay inclined with excellent food and drink. plane at Blists Hill, . Here there is a height difference of 207 feet between the Shropshire canal at the top and the Severn Gorge at the bottom, where goods were transhipped between tub boats and the barges on the river. Sadly, at the turn of the 20th century it became disused, the rails ripped up and associated buildings partially destroyed. wwww.pittdixon.go-plus.net/tub-boat-canals Following the Members of a PFCS Working Party helping to replace the rails on the - April 1975 28 - Pennine Link for the furnaces, and mines now regenerated. There are a number of beautiful walks around the Ironbridge Gorge and free maps can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre at the Toll House on the Bridge itself. The focal point of the Ironbridge Gorge is perhaps itself, which was the first bridge in the world to be constructed of iron. It was built in 1779 to a design by Shrewsbury architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard and cast at the ironworks of Abraham Darby III. The bridge soon became a tourist attraction with people visiting from many countries, including artists, engineers and entrepreneurs. The Iron Bridge remains a powerful icon of the Industrial Revolution recognised across www.oakengates.com/history the world. The Gorge is a World Heritage Site and is There are ten museums within Ironbridge often referred to as “the most important Gorge, many with hands on activities for industrial area in the world” and is all ages. known as the birthplace of industry. It was in Ironbridge in 1709 when the The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron tells famous industrialist Abraham Darby the story of the area and its industrial perfected a technique for manufacturing heritage. This is a good place to start as iron using coke, this enabled the mass it gives a good overall knowledge of the production of high quality iron. area and the historical heritage. Although most of the heavy industry has One of the most popular museums is long since gone, many of the historic Blists Hill, where a canal and inclined buildings still stand. plane once connected to the river Over the years, since closure and Severn. Set out like a Victorian town, dereliction struck, nature has had the complete with Victorian townsfolk chance to re-establish itself with walking around, the museum has many woodlands, once felled to provide wood small shops and includes a public house

Pennine Link - 29 and even a bank where you can swap Entry is pay on the door of each your modern money for old fashioned museum, or purchase a museum currency to use in the shops. passport that works out at better value if visiting more than one of the more For those with children or just the young popular venues such as Blists Hill or at heart, is a great hands on Enginuity. The passport is valid for one museum. There are many experiments year and you can visit each museum as to try in the four zones – Materials, many times as you like, so you have an Energy, Design and Systems & Controls. excuse for popping back later in the year, You can pull a 5 ton locomotive, look Christmas is always a lovely time at Blists inside everyday objects with the ‘x ray Hill. machine’ and control the flow of a river to generate electricity or flood a village. The Gorge complex is full of places to eat and drink with plenty of good watering There are a number of creative museums holes serving real ales and good food such as the and within walking distance of the Iron the where as Bridge. There are a number of well as looking at exhibits and refreshment areas and restaurants within demonstrations of tile and china the museums and plenty of coffee shops decorating there are plenty of and tearooms near to the centre of opportunities to try the crafts yourself at Ironbridge. Whilst in there it would be a the frequent ‘hands on’ workshop events.

30 - Pennine Link shame to miss out on Ely’s, a bakery that The Gorge Connect Bus Service is free for is famous for its pasties and pork pies. museum passport holders. Details and timetables are available from the Whilst in the area the town of museums but you can get a copy before Wellington is well worth a visit where you travel by calling Telford Travelink on you can see the world’s first cast-iron 01952 200005. For the more energetic aqueduct. Built by in of you, bicycles and tandems can be 1794, it once carried the Shropshire hired from The Bicycle Hub at Fusion Union Canal over the . near the Jackfield Tile museum in Travelling around the area couldn’t be Coalbrookdale. easier with the Gorge Connect bus More information about the area is service running between most of the available by visiting museums every weekend and on bank www.visitironbridge.co.uk and about the holidays between Easter and October. museums by visiting The bus service also runs into Telford www.ironbridge.org.uk or by calling the Town Centre and to the train station. Tourist Information Centre in Ironbridge on 01952 884391. For more information about World Heritage visit the UNESCO website www.whc.unesco.org Left: The ‘iconic’ bridge at Ironbridge Alwyn Ogborn Below: The view from the air

Pennine Link - 31 Society Events for 2008 - Summer/Autumn

Dates for your diary: powers of observation and solve the clues to win some ‘treasure’. There are still places available for the Time: 10.30am boat trip! Venue: Outside Uppermill Library to Sunday 20th July collect a Treasure Map from Society Boat Trip - Still Waters Administrator Bob Gough. Boat trip on-board Tameside Canal Boat Thursday 18th September Trust’s Still Waters along the Peak Forest Canal There will be no refreshments on An update on restoration progress board, so don’t forget your packed lunch! including the exciting new developments Please note: Due to the unpredictable at Droylsden Marina by Society member conditions on the canal, the planned 3hr Martin Clark. trip may have to be extended. Time: 7.00pm Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm Venue: Masonic Hall, Uppermill Cost: €2.50 per person A bar will be available. Parking is Venue: Portland Basin Museum available at the rear of the building. Turn up on the Wharf and pay on the boat. For further information, please call the Society on 01457 871800 Sunday 24th August Treasure Hunt, Uppermill Many crosses mark the spot in August’s In Uppermill village and along the canal Treasure Hunt around Uppermill. Come along from High Street to Wool Road. Test your and pit your wits against the Administrator! Bob Gough

32 - Pennine Link Bird Box News

Members will recall the Satisfied with the accomodation, But soon gathers pace with a prospective tenant in our bird tentative nest building begins ... great deal of rearranging and box outside the office ... removal of unsuitable pieces ...

Two weeks later, the first egg ... Then three ...

More structural activity and, it seems, with late leaf break from the surrounding trees (hence little food supply) the female is biding her time before egg laying ....

Despite an occasional visit by the same, or another bird, it seems the box has definitely been abandoned. The same thing happened last year when seven eggs were laid. It may not be that the parents were disturbed, rather they had Then there were four ... a better offer elsewhere!

And then, sadly, abandonment ... Bob Gough

Pennine Link - 33 Scales Tipped Again at Mossley Docks Alwyn Ogborn John Gibson with his prize Bream

Following my story about the massive The weight of the bream was estimated bream caught near Waggon Road bridge at 2 – 3 lb., and it bears out the 91, known by some as Mossley Docks, I reputation of this section of our canal as witnessed the landing of another, rather being a favourite spot for large fish. large, such fish on Sunday 25th May. John John’s dad, Stephen, likes to fish for pike Gibson, who lives in Mossley, was casting near here and the two other pictures are his line just in front of our temporary of pike caught within feet of where our mooring outside our workshop and boat is now, one from the towpath and managed to hook the aquatic creature he one from the offside bank. Fearsome is shown holding. He asked me if I would predators by all accounts, I am told they take a photograph on his mobile even take ducklings given the chance. telephone of him holding the bream and John says he fishes at this spot most since John had helped me with a little weekends, alternating with the Diggle job earlier in the day, it was a fitting area, although I have no feedback of the thank you to oblige. No keep net being success at that venue. available, it was released back into the canal immediately after. Alwyn Ogborn

34 - Pennine Link Gibson Archive John’s father, Stephen, showing his success in landing impressive Pike Gibson Archive

Pennine Link - 35 Wordsearchish 5

This Issue’s Theme: Towns and Districts alonside the

Solutions on page 46

All aboard Invicta! For those of you who enjoyed Brian aboard their Invicta. They Badminton’s reminiscences of the early are keeping a diary of their adventures days of the Society, you’ll be pleased to and you can follow them online at: hear he and Sue are touring England http://brianandsuesukcanaltour.blogspot.com

36 - Pennine Link Jidoku 9

The grid represents nine adjoining ‘canals’ and the letters are features on those canals: Lock, Junction, Tap, Rubbish point, Bridge, Marina, Waterways office, Sanitary station and Crossover bridge. Fill in the missing blanks using these initial letters, bearing in mind that each ‘canal’ (3x3 block) can only have one of each feature and there must be no duplication in horizontal rows or vertical columns. Jidoku Apology - Last Issue we gave you the wrong answer to puzzle 8. Here is the correct solution; sorry for the error.

Pennine Link - 37 “CBW” Stones - A Theory

This is an attempt to explain the “CBW” warehouse. Any “pair” to it will have stones by linking together some pieces of disappeared under Sellers. circumstantial evidence and a bit of The two at Milnsbridge are either side of history. the old wharf area and the Factory Lane I was intrigued having read the article in access. We need to be careful about the “Pennine Link”, and having a copy of the one at Lock 9E as it is in a wall that was Act, I decided to look at the reference of rebuilt by one of the Community 11th. May 1837 to stones being set up. Programme schemes, as witness the pvc drains in it. This probably explains the This proved to be a red herring as the Act stone’s position at the bottom of the wall clearly refers to the setting-up of milestones and this would appear to be one of a number of cases of the Canal Company, in its early days, neglecting to carry out its obligations, presumably to save money. What caught my attention was a couple of sections in the Act giving the Company toll-free access to the warehouses on Sir John Ramsden’s navigation and even the right to maintain that section of canal should he fail to do so. Perhaps this might go some way towards explaining why the (now disappeared) stones on the Broad Canal existed. Then it occurred to me that, with those at Lock 1E, the stones seemed to define the limits of the warehouse area – the missing one I recall near the old coal hoppers was at the side of a gate. Thinking about the other stones, it would appear that most of them bear a relationship to former wharf or – being “a nice big bit”, they probably warehouse sites and this might go some used it as a foundation! However, I way to explain why they seem to be in doubt that it has moved far along the groups with long stretches of the Canal canal as they tended to use as much having none at all:- material from the site as possible. The next one west from Aspley is just Those near Lock 15W may well be an below the old Lock 3E, where there was old wharf site, adjacent to the main road formerly a large Canal Company between Mossley and Greenfield, though

38 - Pennine Link again the central one of these can’t be infilled), Marsden (probably either side of guaranteed as it is located in a later, Warehouse Hill, given what we now brick, wall. know about the history of Tunnel End warehouse?), Woolroad (one near the old Alwyn Ogborn’s yard is part of the old drydock below Lock 25W and another “Mossley Docks” area. Sadly there is not disappeared in the former infilled a lot of original walling still standing section?), at least one more at Mossley, around here, so this could be the only and a couple around Lock 1W and the stone surviving at this site. former warehouse there would be my Grove Road is a known wharf and the suggestions. stone clearly marks the eastern end of This “wharf” theory does require a few the wharf – again any “pair” to this stone stones to have disappeared, but nothing will have vanished when the canal like the number that would be implied by them being boundary posts, and it is possible to explain why several of them might have gone. So what were they for? One of the more colourful bits of local history concerns the “Slawit Moonrakers”, who were supposed to have used their moonraking to cover up the recovery of smuggled goods from the canal. This supposedly happened soon after the opening of the Canal, 1802 being the only suggested date I have found. If this kind of thing was as regular as suggested by John Sugden in his “Slaithwaite Notes”, then the Company would have needed to limit where such cargo could lawfully be unloaded – could the “CW” be “Company Wharf” or even “Customs Wharf”? I prefer this to the “Canal Wall” theory, which always seemed to be an exercise around Lock 8W was infilled or when in stating the obvious – surely they would BW rebuilt the old coal yard as their have used “HC”, “HCCo” or something depot. similar? If the Company later gained “Bonded Warehouse” status for some of If my theory is correct, it is possible to its wharves, could this explain the added speculate on where there may have been “B”? others. Ignoring probable private or minor wharves; Slaithwaite (again Trevor Ellis probably lost when the canal was

Pennine Link - 39 Looking Back - Tameside Canals Festival ‘78

I have recently been given (lent) a copy of the it seems fitting to include some re-prints from very first HCS Tameside Canals Festival the pages of that programme. (Price 20p). th th programme from 29 – 30 July 1978. Peter Included with the programme was a Freeman, one of the very earliest members of photograph, taken outside the Tollemache, of HCS and a member of that committee as 9 members on the 1980 fund raising pub- Festival Co-ordinator, (Chairman I suppose), crawl, all in traditional dress; Des Phillips contacted me with the offer of using it for being instantly recognisable! P’Link. With the sad demise of the Festival this year after a long and illustrious existence, Alwyn Ogborn

40 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 41 42 - Pennine Link Peter Freeman Jean Buckley, Chris Kelly, Jean Wrigley, Alex Davison, Peter Freeman, Rob Buckley, Des Phillips. Rob Buckley, Freeman, Peter Alex Davison, Jean Wrigley, Chris Kelly, Jean Buckley, HCS - Tameside Festival Pub Crawl, c1980. Outside the Tollemache, Mossley. Left to right: Laurence Sullivan, Colin Chadwick, Left to right: Laurence Sullivan, Mossley. Crawl, c1980. Outside the Tollemache, Festival Pub - Tameside HCS

Pennine Link - 43 What the Papers Said

Huddersfield Daily Examiner A revised planning application has been It was heartening to see the results of BW’s submitted to Kirklees Council by the annual wildlife survey with dramatic numbers developers of the Waterfront Quarter. of Kingfishers recorded. The Huddersfield Occupying the Sellers Engineers site, the Narrow at Standedge and Tunnel End scheme is notable for including the reservoir were particularly good localities. Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Proposals show Apparently, “In the UK the Kingfisher was the the canal at street level with pedestrian access fourth most common bird sighting, behind to/from Chapel Hill, linking in to the existing the Mallard, Swan and Heron.” (11/07) towpath to/from Manchester Road. Full The Coot and Moorhen were keeping their approval has yet to be granted, but the feathered heads down! scheme has a projected completion date of 2013. (23/02/08) Winning three awards in 2007 (shortlisted for a White Rose Award, BW’s Award for The Examiner was the first off the mark to Excellence and Commended by Visit Britain feature the Towpath Guide with a full page in its Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance article and picture. Being early March, our Scheme) the Standedge Visitor Centre was in Administrator and author, Bob Gough, was bouyant mood for the 2008 season and Steve well wrapped up and lucky to be Hemmings, Leisure Business Manager, was photographed during a brief sunny spell confident Standedge was on the right track. between snow showers – not unusual for With major events planned for each month of Tunnel End at that time of year. (06/03/08) the season, there were intending “to go all Oldham Advertiser out for this year’s White Rose Awards” The nationally rare Floating water Plantain (14/02/08) (Luronium natans) has been reinstated at Wheelchair access, or rather the lack of it, to Brunclough Reservoir after extensive repairs the towpath of the Narrow at Slaithwaite was involving complete de-watering of the highlighted when Terry Chadwick was unable reservoir. The plant has also been recorded to pass the ‘A’-gates on his mobility scooter. on the Narrow Canal at Slaithwaite. The gates are designed to prevent (07/02/08) motorcyclists travelling the towpath and Terry Our annual photographic competition was lacked a special ‘handcuff’ key which would featured with full entry details and it is hoped have opened the side gate and allowed him this will encourage entrants to send in their access. He also tried the towpath at pictures, improving on the numbers from last Linthwaite, but poor surface conditions year. (10/04/08) forced him to abandon the trip. As a gesture of goodwill, BW sent Terry a key so he could Protracted coverage of the Towpath Guide is enjoy the canal at Slaithwaite. (16/02/08) a great advantage in marketing terms and the Advertiser waited until April to feature the As part of the planning application to book in their Saddleworth news section. redevelop Cellars Clough Mills, a purpose- (10/04/08) Later in the month, the built ‘bat barn’ will be constructed to re-roost Manchester Evening News gave a resume a major colony currently in the roof of the (26/04/08) and Waterways World’s review mill buildings. Enjoying legal protection, was held over to the June edition which every effort must be made by developers to included a pointed comment on the paucity minimise disturbance of bat colonies when of boats on the canal and the disconcerting undertaking such work. (23/02/08) nature of the lack of text to guide the walker.

44 - Pennine Link Oldham Evening Chronicle damaging tree stumps from the washwalls. As part of the gas testing experiments in (21/02/08) Standedge Tunnel, John Lund, of Pennine The Knoll Mill/Frenches Wharf development Moonraker fame, piloted the diesel powered featuring a new mooring area for the Canal narrowboat Dizzy from Marsden to Diggle in has been controversial from the start and a record time of 1hr 20mins; (10 minutes guaranteed coverage in the Press. Most vocal faster than Woodwards’ motorboat on 25th in his objections has been Councillor August 1932 and 5 minutes faster than David Knowles, with the backing of several other Whitehead’s legging record!). John was councillors. Their main issue has been the enthusiastic about the significance of his proposed new Tesco supermarket which had voyage: “My pioneering trip has got been designed with little regard to the local tremendous implications for the canal and its vernacular and apparent disregard of the users”. The results have led to BW trialing a Public Enquiry Inspector’s recommendations. scheme of piloting boats under their own However, members of the Planning power through the Tunnel – an economic Committee have approved the design and system to be introduced next season. layout plans. (Jan 08) The mooring area was (24/9/07) officially launched at the end of May with Phil Enthusiasm for Tesco’s plan to transport wine Woolas MP unveiling a commemorative stone across the NW using barges on the near the entrance. He and the invited guests got a little out of hand had cruised aboard John Lund’s Pennine with a correspondent suggesting (probably Moonraker from Uppermill and certainly tongue-in-cheek) deliveries could be made to arrived in style. Unfortunately, the mooring the proposed Tesco at the Knoll Mill/Frenches area was promptly closed to canal traffic as Wharf site. It took a letter from our Editor, work was due to start on the adjacent Alwyn, to point out certain width restrictions Marston’s pub, making the area an on the Narrow! (Oct 07) operational building site and hence subject to strict Health & Safety regulations. The launch Anticipating our 2009 Calendar, the was publicly snubbed by the Greenfield and Chronicle reproduced Mark Curry’s winning Grasscroft Residents Association who felt the entry to last year’s photographic competition launch was premature and purely serving the showing a view of the canal in Slaithwaite. develpoer’s house-building plans. (30/05/08) (31/12/07) Hopes were high for the Horse Boating Last year’s Rochdale Canal Festival ran for Society’s inaugural Standedge Tunnel Festival two weeks and the event at Failsworth in May which coincidentally took place on Precinct was attended by the Society. the same day as the Society’s Open Day at Though the turn-out for that day was the Transhipment Warehouse. Wooden minimal, the whole event was deemed narrowboat Maria made a horsedrawn ascent successful enough to reach the final of The of the Diggle Flight, prior to being legged Waterways Renaissance Awards 2008. through the Tunnel, and despite the (07/02/08) inclement weather, drew quite a crowd of on- Somewhat reminiscent of the Society’s early lookers. Guest of Honour Phil Woolas, MP volunteer efforts in Uppermill, the was full of praise for the organisers and saw Hollinwood Canal Society working parties in the festival as highlighting the potential for Daisy Nook have been getting their fair share developing and regenerating the area. of column inches and pictures. Utilising (May 08) labour from the Waterways Recovery Group and its own membership, the other HCS has Cuttings collected by: Patricia Bayley, been busy clearing vegetation and removing Alwyn Ogborn, Keith Sykes and Ken Wright. Compiled by: Bob Gough.

Pennine Link - 45 The 74 Club

The Society has commissioned a hard at times but no worse than plaque to acknowledge boaters some others 20 yrs ago. We who have ‘done’ the Narrow. look forward to coming again. The plaque is available at What a beautiful time and a €5.00 for members, €8.00 challenge. All the way from for non-members and €4.00 Canada to enjoy this for non-members who join wonderful, amazing canal. ... the Canal Society at the most of all we are impressed time of applying. Postage & with the friendly people and packing is €1.00 per plaque. their pride in their canal. Could Transit of the Standedge Tunnel is use a little dredging in places. BW accepted as proof of navigation. Simply workers a great help. contact the Society on 01457 871800 or We greatly appreciate the efforts of the EMail [email protected] to Huddersfield Canal Society members for request an application form or download helping to get this canal route up and the form from the website: running. We hope the Government www.huddersfieldcanal.com financially supports the canal’s future. The form includes space for boaters to It’s unique and very much worth it. comment on their experiences and all We are pleased to welcome the following observations are forwarded to British boaters to the ‘74 Club’. Waterways. Here are some more of their recent comments: A & J Littleford DOCRERA K & L Brockway SUSSEX BWB staff on East side very helpful and L & J Hall CORNWALL enthusiastic; ditto the two we met doing B & J Price CORNWALL quick repair on West side. Canal may be

Solution to Wordsearch 5 Solution to Jidoku puzzle 9

46 - Pennine Link The Back Page

HUDDERSFIELD CANAL SOCIETY welcomes the following new members 2765 Mr Duncan Mackie, 2766 Mr Stuart Taylor, 2767 Miss Helen Chorley, 2768 Mr Mike Isherwood, 2769 Mr Frank Ockerby,

MEMBERSHIP RATES COPY DATE ADVERTISING RATES Individual €9.00 Articles, letters and comments Page Per Issue Per Year Family €11.00 for Issue 163 of Pennine Link Qtr €12.50 €50.00 should reach the Editor at Life €90.00 Half €25.00 €100.00 Associate €15.00 Transhipment Warehoue, Wool Road, Dobcross, OL3 5QR Full €50.00 €200.00 Corporate €150.00 by 12th September 2008

Full colour, A5-sized, pictorial guide to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. 90 pages, over 500 colour photographs and 36 detailed maps. €4.99 plus €1.50 p+p (ISBN 978-0-9514270-1-9)

Available from the Society Office. Please make cheques payable to ‘Loxvend’

Pennine Link - 47