ennine Link PMagazine of the Huddersfield Canal Society

Issue 207 Autumn 2019 Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd Registered in England No. 1498800 Registered Charity No. 510201 Registered Address: Progress House 396 Wilmslow Road Withington Manchester M20 3BN ennine Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, , Lancashire, OL3 5QR Link Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 08.30 -16.00 Friday 08.30 -13.00 P Issue 207 Telephone: 01457 871800 EMail: [email protected] Paul Leeman on the helm of the Shuttle passing Website: www.huddersfieldcanal.com the Visitor Centre on Sunday, 1st September. Patrons: Timothy West & Prunella Scales 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 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

NON-COUNCIL POST Alan Stopher Bob Gough Administrator Editorial 4 Greenfield Volunteers (GGSS) 20 Chairman’s Report 7 Uppermill Volunteers (UCAN) 22 Stalybridge Festival Weekend 9 SVC Summer Fair 24 Not the Pennine Explorer 14 Marsden Goods Shed 26 Tunnel End Music Festival 16 Canal Trail Guide 28 Jidoku Puzzle 45 19 220 Club - Twenty-second Draw 31

The views expressed in Pennine Link are not necessarily those of Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd Cover: nb Otter passing under the footbridge at Tunnel End, during this year’s Summer Fair. Photo: Alan Stopher

2 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 3 that we would wish to promote. It Editorial presumably stems from the fact the We’re continuing knowing whether they have a future that the Manchester locks from Ancoats our practice of in the organisation. It is hoped that by northwards were made into cascades having Guest the time of the next issue we will have and the channel filled in with concrete Editors of your arranged our first meetings with the new to make the water ‘safe’ to prevent quarterly magazine managers and supervisors so we can drownings in a residential area. 17 years and it is my turn. reopen discussions on matters of priority on from reopening with the restored for the Society. canal spurring regeneration in the In my last Northern Quarter perhaps it is time to editorial, for Issue 202 I reflected on The new logo has now bedded in and change the message. waterway reorganisations following the become familiar to those of us who announcement in May 2018 of a new spend much time along our waterways. Whilst our efforts to obtain boaters’ regional structure for Canal & River It will take a few years for the new brand questionnaire responses have faltered of late we do get informal views from boat Trust. As I write 16 months later, the to be at every location. During my own Besides the outdated nature of most new management teams have yet to be canal travels I’ve spotted a number of crews we meet along the Huddersfield of the notices and a prominent British Narrow. Many are very positive about fully established. We have found it more examples of signage still in the black and Waterways heading, the Rochdale than a little frustrating how long it has white colours. Illustrated below are two the scenery, historic environment and noticeboards exhibited a careworn air. friendly people. From time to time taken for our new contacts across the adjacent signs on the Rochdale at West The Cheshire example may be an unfair two regions to be put in place but we Summit and another (right) from we hear of visitors from southern or comparison as it is an adopted stretch midlands waterways commenting on the should spare a thought for the many CRT Cholmondseley Lock on the Middlewich of waterway but it looks like whoever staff who have faced uncertainty about branch of the Shropshire . lack of moorings and difficulties getting manages the board wants it to be their craft near to the washwall. In part informative as well as tidy. this is a sign of differing standards on the recently restored northern waterways from the familiar more ‘manicured’ cruising rings of the midland and southern canals, most of which have been restored 50 years ago or were never closed. Your Society has pushed for improvements over the 18 years since reopening and CRT’s aims to increase traffic are aligned with ours so it is envisaged that the difference in standards should diminish in the future. A factor which is more difficult to take account of is that the Huddersfield Narrow was built on the cheap with a shallow dished profile with dry stone washwalls built precariously on puddle Whilst on the subject of notices, how clay ‘foundations’. Unless a stretch of about this one seen beside the Rochdale the towpath incorporated a wharf, the Canal in New Islington Manchester. depth at the side was shallow. Working As a Society proud of its restoration boats and their crews did not need the work I’m not sure this is the message ability to pull in anywhere and moor.

4 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 5 Any lowering of water deliberately or Our last issue devoted much space to accidentally could induce sections of the Chelsea Garden Festival lock and the Chairman’s Report wall to tumble into the cut and there are involvement of HCS’s Marsden Shuttle in Writing this in between Locks 28E and 29E has recurred. many places where underwater stone the run up to the event. Another event the first week of How many times have I reported that! blocks reduce the draught still further. which was not on the horizon at the start September it already There have been at least three trees down of the year was the Tunnel End Music This suggests that in some aspects the feels autumnal. blocking the canal for short periods. An Festival on 21st July 2019 organised by Huddersfield Narrow is unlikely to meet We’ve had our fair issue which I don’t recall happening before members Paul Thompson, Kim Warren the high expectations of boaters who are share of sun wind was a failure of the communication system and Eric Woulds. Pictures of what was used to the Grand Union or Kennet & and rain in Summer in Standedge Tunnel which prevented any a most enjoyable family-oriented event Avon. There has been much discussion 2019. Warm, dry spells have been of the planned passages in the second appear in these pages. followed by torrential rain particularly in week of August. in the Society about the pinch points, the Pennines. The Canal & River Trust has those which preclude boats wider than Your Society also attended the Summer Although the West side has fared better, a been in the news for the wrong reasons 6ft 10in cruising the Narrow. Whilst it Fair at Standedge Visitor Centre over the gate became dislodged from its socket at as they dealt with the potential collapse st st Diggle flight Lock 26W in early August and is certainly desirable that more historic weekend of August 31 and September 1 . of the dam at Whaley Bridge after record the flight had to be closed for half a day, boats can cruise our favourite waterway, Coming so soon after the almost tropical localised rain. The Independent Review two weeks later, for a broken rod to be even a piecemeal approach will take bank holiday weekend it did not feel of the Toddbrook reservoir partial failure replaced on Lock 25W. commitment and funds. like summer at times. There are pictures will surely be read with interest by all to show the Marsden Shuttle busy with In the meantime perhaps ‘vive la organisations managing such structures. Intermittent unplanned stoppages can passengers in all conditions. difference’ should be our slogan. Let us According to the Environment Agency be annoying to boaters and must be an celebrate that the Huddersfield Narrow Martin Clark is actively involved with the there has been no loss of life from reservoir inefficient use of CRT resources but at is no ordinary canal but ‘a cut above the other HCS (Hollinwood Canal Society) failure for over 100 years. The legislative least the Narrow has been open for most rest’. After all it is the ‘Everest of Canals’ and produced a Canal Trail for Daisy Nook and supervisory mechanisms have clearly of the summer in contrast to the other two worked but the accelerating effects of Pennine crossings. and you should not expect all life’s which he describes in this Issue. climate change will concentrate minds as creature comforts when surmounting Planned winter stoppages have already This magazine could not be produced intense storms in the UK appear to getting such peaks. Any thoughts readers have been published for 2019/20. On the without the publishing skills of our more frequent. on this issue would be welcomed. Narrow Canal these include a tailgate Administrator, Dr Bob Gough. In this issue On our own canal there have been some at Lock 31W, several lock repairs Despite the cancellation of the Pennine he reports on some recent research he has minor unplanned stoppages. On the and grouting to reduce leakage in Explorer cruise there is a brief report and done on a little known goods shed which East side, following an incident in early embankments and lock sides. The photos of the one evening event that straddled the canal at Marsden top lock. June when paddles were left open in intention is to complete all these before survived the chop. Whilst devoid of a Enjoy the autumn Issue. Huddersfield, overnight padlocking of the turn of the year. flotilla of visiting boaters the Stalybridge Locks 1E has been instituted. There were Alan Stopher Our Marsden Shuttle boat crews have Festival went well and Peter Rawson’s two instances of the paddles at 5E being been very busy throughout the summer. article tells us what went on. overwound which could have disrupted Besides running on more weekdays in the movement for a day in both June and July. summer holidays than ever before they’ve Paddle failure at Lock 17E meant closure had 22 wedding bookings in connection for two days in July. A mechanical with the Standedge Visitor Centre wedding problem on the guillotine gate at Lock venue. 24E in June caused consternation when The maintenance team continued with it was reported that parts would have to their duties keeping the lock and towpath be ordered but I’m pleased to say that the environment up to scratch in the lengths relevant component was quickly sourced not covered by community adoption and installed. The leak in the pound groups.

6 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 7 The AGM and Volunteer Social in early to our supporters. Following on from June passed off well. The number our involvement in the Yorkshire Garden Stalybridge Festival Weekend attending the social increases each year at Chelsea, I became aware of a music Blessed with great weather on both days Experience over the last five years or so and it was good to see so many friends event organised by HCS members Paul and there were huge crowds as usual has shown that, despite advertising the enjoying each other’s company as well Thompson and Kim Warren for the end to greet the Carnival Parade. Events ‘Boat Gathering’, it is difficult to attract as turning their minds to Tony’s quiz. It of July at Standedge Visitor Centre. This was an opportunity to thank all those turned out to be a great success. Credit in and around the Square have been many boats although we usually get 3 volunteers who have contributed their time goes to Paul, Kim, Eric and the bands taken over by the Festival Committee or 4 mooring up. Unfortunately, the and effort in various ways to our canal. who all played for free together with the who had organised a Talent Contest and planned cruise was cancelled in the run support of CRT’s visitor centre staff for some children’s fairground rides on the up to the Festival weekend. The AGM gives an opportunity for putting together such a varied programme Saturday and the usual Craft Market on members to raise issues publicly. Topics All was not lost however as our friends and making it happen. HCS was the the Sunday. Their emphasis, other than this year included the pinch points which from East Manchester Canal Boat Project beneficiary and the money collected will the parade, is in the nearby Cheetham prevent some heritage from (EMCBP) brought their boat Community certainly help our efforts to replace our 30 Park where there was live music, a large cruising the narrow, funding arrangements Spirit 2 up to Stalybridge and provided year old Shuttle trip boat, which needless fairground and a selection of trade and for canal maintenance and plans for free trips for the public for the whole to say was running on the day. I feel sure marketing stalls. The parade seemed celebrating 20 years of the reopened canal weekend. They shared our stall and that this won’t be the last such event. larger than usual and was well received in 2021. this was a great opportunity for them Your Society’s Council of Management by the crowds lining the route. After a considerable amount of planning to publicise what great work they do continues to oversee the work of the the 2019 Pennine Explorer Cruise was HCS involvement has been reduced this for disabled and disadvantaged people charity. A key member over recent years, cancelled because of insufficient bookings. year as we were expecting a visit of the and to seek new volunteers for the Graham Birch, tendered his resignation this Various things conspired against us this Pennine Explorer Cruise on the Sunday organisation. HCS Chair, Alan Stopher, summer. I’d like to record the Society’s year, not least stoppages around the other to bolster the activity on the water. and I have thanked EMCBP for the great thanks for his major contribution over the Pennine canals. We only had 5 boats last few years. His knowledge of Oldham confirmed with 10 days to go and, after MBC and planning expertise has been consultation with those involved in staging invaluable. He edited 25 consecutive the various evening functions, we decided editions of Pennine Link and through his there were too few participants to stage the membership of the Manchester & Pennine whole event. We were sorry to disappoint Watwerways Partnership he continued to those who had supported our efforts but work for the well-being of the restored it makes us all the more determined to HNC and Rochdale canals. Beside these run a 2021 Pennine Explorer as part of a duties he has often been a wise counsel on programme of events to celebrate 20 years a range of matters. since the reopening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Finally on a sombre note, I was saddened to learn of Walter Menzies’ death. Walter With the Canal Society’s involvement in was a good friend to our Society and the the Stalybridge Festival this year reduced Huddersfield Narrow Canal and I always to helping with the organisation, I was enjoyed lively discussions when we’ve pleased that East Manchester Community met at various times over the last 20 Boat Trust brought their fine boat years. He’ll be sorely missed in waterway, Community Spirit 2 to run free trips for environmental and sustainability circles. local people. Alan Stopher Although the cancellation of the Pennine Alan Stopher Explorer cruise was a blow, unexpected Community Spirit 2 events this year have given much pleasure to the rescue ...

8 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 9 It was a lovely sunny weekend so the groups, care and nursing homes and crowds were out and the parade brought drug and alcohol abuse groups. It is a many people into the square so Sunday rewarding role and we are always looking was very busy. Our thanks to Peter for new crew members. Rawson for inviting us and sharing a Call 07503 145146 gazebo from which we were able to or e-mail: [email protected]” distribute information about our project “ Clearly EMCBP is a fantastic organisation “EMCBP offer free trips to disabled and with dedicated volunteers who provide disadvantaged groups all year round. such a special service within the Our new boat from 2016, Community community. They are locally based at Spirit 2, was specially designed for Portland Basin, Ashton-under-Lyne and disabled access and has many features they would be delighted to hear from such as wheelchair ramp, large viewing anyone who would like to get involved. windows, disabled toilet and fully flexible A second trip boat would have been open plan or seating area useful to cope with demand particularly Our volunteers give their time freely on the Sunday. EMCBP’s boat is too and nobody takes any pay or expenses long to turn around in the pound and such as travel etc. We hold the Queens their crews valiantly managed to reverse Award for Voluntary service awarded in her on each trip but not without some 2018. Our service user base is diverse difficulty. HCS is hoping to have its own ‘All aboard ...’ and ranges from special schools, autistic boat, Marsden Shuttle, at the Festival Alan Stopher awarded first prize in the Best Dressed Boat Competition (pictured left). I hope that they will consider joining us again next year. On behalf of East Manchester Canal Boat Project, Stewart Gainey commented as follows: “East Manchester Community Boat Project were delighted Alan Stopher to attend this year’s effort they put in over the two days. Stalybridge Festival. Over the two days They were great to work with and the we made over 40 trips and carried over whole weekend went well in a ‘calm 250 passengers who enjoyed a short 20 and friendly’ atmosphere. I know that minute trip along the canal. We met their teams also enjoyed the experience quite a few people who were interested and that they found it very worthwhile. in our project and have made enquiries Another successful trip ... Needless to say Community Spirit 2 was about volunteering with us. Alan Stopher

10 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 11 again next year. The time and effort Stalybridge Volunteer Group to do more of this and other tasks in Finally, I mentioned previously that we the crew(s) need to put in to bring her due course. Our sessions take place were getting a replacement cabin to store Organised through Stalybridge Town down to Stalybridge is substantial but her on the fourth Saturday of each month tools and supplies for the volunteers. Team this group continues to meet on presence is very much appreciated. The except December. More specifically the The new container has been delivered a monthly basis and carries out clear Shuttle is an ideal craft for providing short remaining dates for 2019 are: and positioned on the Tesco Stalybridge up sessions in the town and along the trips with the ability to turn around in the car park. At the time of writing it awaits canal. Litter and an overabundance 26th October and 23rd November. pound. Stalybridge Festival provides a its external embellishments with artwork of weeds are our main enemies here unique opportunity for HCS to promote We meet at Holy Trinity Church next to and a pitched roof which will see it but our volunteers are managing, with itself on the west side of the canal so we Armentieres Square at 9.30am on each transformed from a steel container to a direction from volunteer leader James are very much looking forward to having occasion for a brew and the briefing. much more attractive buildings which Wynne of the Canal and River Trust to her here with us again next June. The group is very grateful to Holy Trinity befits its location in the centre of town. keep things mainly under control. We Church and Tesco Stalybridge for their Thanks are due to the Canal and River Stalybridge Secure Moorings have previously managed to do some hospitality and kind assistance. Trust and Tesco Bags of Help scheme for painting work at Lock 6W and hope We are working with Stalybridge Town funding this much Team (STT) and colleagues at the Canal needed replacement and River Trust (the Trust) on a proposal and to Stalybridge to introduce some secure moorings Town Team and Ray in Stalybridge. A section of off-side Harrison in particular towpath (pictured left) immediately for his hard work in downstream of Mottram Road Bridge delivering this project. and Lock 7W has been chosen as an If you are interested initial site for this. The Society has in joining us you agreed to provide a share of the funding can contact Dr Bob along with contributions from STT and Gough at the HCS the nine Councillors who represent the offices or me direct three wards in Stalybridge. This section on the number on the of offside towpath is little used apart from inside cover of this the prolific Canada Geese who use it as magazine. their personal toilet facility. We have agreement in principle from colleagues at Peter Rawson the Trust and have provided draft details for consideration. We will be supplying more detail shortly and are meeting with Miller’s Wharf, a local specialist fabricator to finalise proposed secure our proposals. These moorings will give moorings, Stalybridge boaters more confidence to moor up overnight and spend more time in and around Stalybridge where the canal is an important feature through the very centre of the town. The greater presence of boats will help build a positive reputation for the town and attract more visitors and footfall for the town’s businesses. Look Peter Rawson out for further information on this in the Winter edition of Pennine Link.

12 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 13 Not the Pennine Explorer All photos: Alan Stopher Although the Pennine Explorer 2019 cruise entertained customers in the car park on was cancelled owing to too few bookings, a lovely summer’s evening, the weather one event survived. The Friday night’s being a great improvement on the entertainment at The Swan public house torrential rain of 2 years before. Musical in Slaithwaite had been organised along accompaniment was provided by Slubbing the lines of the successful event in 2017. Billy’s own musicians supplemented by Although no Explorer boaters could be some from Enoch’s Hammer. As the there, the event had been well promoted sun went down the latter assembled in elsewhere by the folk music fraternity and the lounge bar to serenade the indoor not surprisingly there was sufficient interest customers. locally for the evening to be well attended. It was a shame that there were no visiting Two Morris dancing sides took boaters to enjoy the entertainment but I part: Slubbing Billy’s North understand that the landlord of The Swan West Morris side which is is already asking for a repeat performance. based in Slaithwaite and the Thanks go to Huddersfield Canal Society’s Yorkshire Rose Morris Men Eric Woulds for getting the event organised based in Huddersfield. and to all the musicians and dancers for Their contrasting styles entertaining us. Alan Stopher

Above: Slubbing Billy’s Morris side process down the car park at The Swan. Left: Yorkshire Rose Morris Men in mid-dance. Below: Enoch’s Hammer take over the lounge bay window.

14 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 15 Enoch’s Hammer entertain this young visitor The Ticket Collectors entertain

The Blackbirdwith children family andcraft adults stall was alike popular

We even had a boat cruising through

Blues band Green T get in the groove

An unexpected visitor

French dancing Tunnel End Festival 21st July 2019

All photos: Alan Stopher

Enoch’s Hammer take centre stage The Marsden Shuttle was busy all day The Uketeers warm up 16 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 17 JIDOKU 45

The initial letters featured being: Panama, Kiel, Suez, Grand canal of China, St Lawrence Seaway, The Intracoastal Waterway of the USA, , Rhine waterway, . Fill in the missing blanks using these initial letters, bearing in mind that each 3x3 block can only have one of each canal and there must be no duplication in horizontal rows or vertical columns. Solution on Page 31

Pennine Link - 19 Street Scene Greenfield Group

Autumn update on Volunteer Activities Several further tons of gravel have been Their maintenance of the planters laid on the tow path during the Summer over the Summer has been greatly on the section between Division Bridge appreciated. and Manchester Road, and a good Project dates for the rest of 2019 are as amount of intrusive vegetation has been follows: cut back. Following Street Scene’s Saturday 26th Oct. adoption of this stretch, Project Leader th rd Gill McCulley has been presented with Thursday 7 and Saturday 23 Nov. the formal Adoption Certificate by CRT’s Saturday 14th Dec. Terry Evans (pictured below). There’s always a variety of tasks, some In addition, the two planters installed demanding and others lighter and easier. near the Royal George Mill complex have Come along and enjoy the fun, fresh really flourished and produced a good air and light exercise. If you haven’t crop of herbs, peas, beans, strawberries, volunteered beforehand and would like radishes etc. The Team were joined by to be included, please contact Gill: Tel: 07963 521195 Above: (l to r) Harry Marsden, youngsters again to survey the produce Ruby Marsden, Maya Bozin-Alterno and complete some thinning out. Email: [email protected]. and Molly Morton at one of the flourishing planters. Below: Peter Lowe helping the young volunteers. Photos: GGRA

20 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 21 a habitat for wildlife but we will need to with water native plants will be introduced Uppermill Community Action Network control them in future years and any advice at the appropriate time of year. will be appreciated. June September The pond will be our main project in the We are pleased to report that UCAN has winter but we will, of course, continue with Himalayan Balsam Post-Balsam & Ponds been awarded a Green Dividend Grant our regular tasks such as vegetation and leaf from Oldham Council towards the creation clearance, litter-picking and hopefully some We are now seeing results from the last Our efforts to paint the locks have of a pond in the Viaduct Woodland to painting. three years work as the Himalayan Balsam generally been frustrated by the rainy increase the biodiversity of the site. Peter Killan appears well under control in some areas. summer weather on project days and We plan to complete the pond over the The nettles are flourishing in the Viaduct balsam-bashing has been our main activity winter months and when it has been filled Below Left: Lock painting while it doesn’t rain ... Woodland with hardly any balsam near the throughout the season. Below: You can’t see the wood for the nettles! canal and there is nowhere near as much in the land near the stepping stones. As reported earlier, we have made great We were also pleased to see that at least progress with balsam-bashing after four one of our bird boxes is now in use as years of effort but we have become the blue tits have been seen nesting in the victims of our own success in the Viaduct woodland. We are also hoping that we Woodland as clearing the Himalayan will be able to construct a pond to further Balsam has allowed the nettles to enhance wildlife diversity in the area. completely take over. Lock gate painting The site is now swamped by nettles although we are pleased that most of On one of the few sunny days last month trees which were planted last winter are UCAN volunteers set about painting flourishing beneath the nettles. Dungebooth lock gates and, weather The nettles are certainly an improvement permitting, we are hoping to complete this on the balsam for our environment and as task over the next few weeks. UCAN

There is still more to do and we are always The usual meeting point is 10am at the pleased to welcome new members. Our canal bridge on Moorgate Street. forthcoming programme is as follows:- October - Saturday 19th & Thursday 31st If you would like to get involved in our Getting involved in volunteering in the project days for this year, please contact local environment is a great way of meeting UCAN’s Group Leader Peter Killan on: other locals, enjoying some healthy 01457 878361, or e-mail at: exercise & fresh air, with a well earned hot [email protected] drink and biscuit at the end! Of course, you can keep updated on our All equipment is provided by CRT and you Group’s activities by visiting our Facebook are recommended to wear stout footwear page, listed under: UCAN and suitable clothing for the weather groups/1899154207069001 conditions on the day.

22 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 23 SVC Summer Fair Photos: Alan Stopher

Huddersfield Canal Society supported the Standedge Visitor Centre Summer Fair on 31st August and 1st September 2019. We joined craft stalls and others selling refreshments. Those based outside found the weather conditions challenging particularly on the Saturday but there were plenty of visitors sheltering inside reading the displays on the canal and tunnel.

Above: HCS’s intrepid Vice-Chairman Trevor Ellis braves the summer weather on the Marsden Shuttle. Below: ‘We also carry bikes’. Eric Woulds helps passengers off the Shuttle at Tunnel End whilst Paul Leeman and Alan Jagger steady the boat. Left: The HCS stall well placed opposite the CRT tombola on the ground floor of the Visitor Centre building. Back issues of ‘Plink’ and current publications fill the table along with maps and Mike McHugh’s slide show of the Shuttle on Wedding Duty.

24 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 25 Marsden Goods Shed

From time to time, the Society receives an and a bad approach road (for heavy Goods) enquiry about some aspect of the canals’ to the station. His remarks were influenced history and recently, we were contacted about by his association with Thomas Nicholson a building shown on old Ordnance Survey® (contractor for the first Standedge railway (OS) maps straddling the canal near Lock 42E. tunnel) who proposed bringing substantial The building was very unlikely to have had a quantities of stone on to the ‘line’. A new direct canal association as the Huddersfield site and access road was suggested nearer Canal Company had originally built the Tunnel entrance, but after protracted warehousing above Lock 39E and a wharf negotiations and correspondence, nothing on the offside, at Warehouse Hill, Marsden. happened and instead, the Goods Shed was Indeed, the OS 25” 1890 survey, published built over the canal below Lock 42E. in 1892 (Map I), labels the building a Goods One of the earlier photographs which Above: Map 1 - Adapted detail of Shed and the area brace (stretched ‘S’ includes an aspect of the Goods Shed is OS 25” survey, 1890, from National symbol) ties it to railway property. reproduced in Photo 1. Picturing the first Library of Scotland database. Left: Photo 1 - Marsden Station Marsden Station and its staff, the building The map pre-dates the construction of the c.1890, A.Lomax Collection, twin track railway (1890-94), but shows the to the left, the Goods Shed, shows a gable Marsden History Group. two single lines with various crossings and end and part of the railway frontage with a Below & inset: Photo 2 sidings; a siding with a weighing machine Signal Box adjacent (S.B on Map 1). Part of General view of Marsden, post 1894, (W.M) and a circular symbol that may indicate a loading bay is seen on the frontage and A.Lomax Collection, Marsden History Group. an unloading device, servicing the Shed. the gable has central glazed windows. The The Canal Company had sold out to the building may look rather squat in the photo, Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and but it was built below Lock 42E, whereas the Canal Company in 1843, who themselves Station building was at Lock level. merged with the London and North Western The Shed also appears in a general view of Railway Company (LNWR) four years later Marsden (Photo 2), taken some years after and it was the LNWR who constructed the Photo 1 as indicated by the new platform building in 1853/4 after completing the first buildings and booking office for the twin track Standedge railway tunnel in 1849. railway. Although the railway frontage of the Contemporary newspaper reports were Shed is in deep shade, there appears to be an pleased to report the prospect of a Luggage assortment of material on the platform and a Station (rather than Goods Shed) being made charming detail (inset) of what seems to be a and accommodation was not before time as horse-drawn cart loaded high with sacks. “There is a siding near the present station, The LNWR became a constituent of the upon which goods are shunted or thrown off London, Midland & Scottish Railways (LMSR) at random, at all periods of the day and night” in 1923 and in March 1926 the LMSR drew and considered Marsden badly treated by the up plans for the taking down of the ‘old delay in having a Luggage Station1. warehouse’3. Subsequent LMSR drawings4 It is interesting to note that LNWR’s indicate the old warehouse (Goods Shed) was Mr Carter wrote to committee member finally demolished in 1930/1 and today there Canal & towpath Goods Shed Mr Brook on the 15th November 1850 is little sign a building was ever there. Booking Office submitting some “… remarks relative to Bob Gough the Station for Goods Traffic at Marsden.”2 Although he saw an economy of having the 1 Huddersfield Chronicle, 13 November 1852 Goods Station contiguous with the Passenger 2 Geoff Brown archive, letter copied from Boat Museum 3 Station, both being worked by railway staff, LNWR Society, Plan DPLAN0263, Kenilworth Centre 4 he felt there was a lack of available space Geoff Brown archive, HCS offices

26 - Pennine Link Pennine Link - 27 Daisy Nook Canal Trail Guide Our friends at the other HCS write: their way around the canal history trail within Daisy Nook Country Park. Earlier this year the Hollinwood Canal Society published a printed guide leaflet To see larger versions of the photographs for the Daisy Nook Canal Trail. and read or listen to longer descriptions, This complements the online version of visit the online version of the canal trail the trail which was created last year. on your computer by going to bit.ly/ daisynooktrail As those of you who have visited the Daisy Nook area will know, it is On your phone, type in: a honeypot of canal history, with an bit.ly/daisynooktrail or simply scan the amazing number of heritage features QR code to see the photos and read within just a small area. about them or listen as you walk around Daisy Nook. The leaflet can be picked up in the café in the Daisy Nook Country Park car The trail is based on the guided walks park. This is off Stannybrook Road at around the canal features offered every the top of the hill near the junction with year as part of Heritage Open Days. Newmarket Road. For SatNav purposes, The Hollinwood Canal Society welcomes the nearest post code is M35 9WJ. feedback on the trail and is exploring The trail begins outside the café and the further ways to offer interpretation of the leaflet is designed to help visitors find canal’s heritage. Martin Clark

Waterhouses Aqueduct carrying the Hollinwood Branch Canal over the , Daisy Nook Country Park. 28 - Pennine Link Photo: MartinPennine Clark Link - 29 DO YOU LIKE BOATING? 220 Club - 22nd Draw Huddersfield Canal Society Needs You! This quarter, the Club benefits from 59 subscriptions, so we can We need crew to help run the Marsden Shuttle. No previous experience offer a Prize Fund of required, just an interest in boats, canals and people! Full training if you’d £141.60 which means the like to join us. Hop aboard and have a chat with our friendly crew, or first prize is £94.40 and contact the HCS office for more information. the second prize, £47.20 The more who subscribe, the higher the prize fund offered for your £2 a month stake. To join, you need to complete the form which can be downloaded from AS SEEN ON TV our website by following the Members’ Area link, or if you prefer, call the office and we’ll send you a paper copy by post. Do consider completing a Standing Order and then you’ll never miss a draw. Solution to Jidoku 45 For legal reasons, only Huddersfield Canal Society members are eligible to subscribe to HCS 220 Club, so if you are reading this and not a Society member, join us and THE MARSDEN SHUTTLE AT TUNNEL END then sign up to the 220 Club. Huddersfield Canal Society volunteers crew the Society’s own boat, the Marsden AND here are the results of our Shuttle, operating a ‘water taxi’ service between Marsden Station and Tunnel twenty-second quarterly draw: End for visitors to Standedge Visitor Centre. We try to do this every weekend Total Subscribers: 59 between Easter and the end of October but we need the crew. Commitment is as Total Prize Fund: £141.60 much or as little as you like - every day we have a Skipper and Crew is a day the Shuttle can operate. Crew just need one day training, but there’s the opportunity 1st Prize: to train for the ‘Skippers’ Certificate’ too. It’s not too difficult, and learning to steer Mr S Wilson £94.40 and control a boat is great fun. We also meet lots of people who come to admire 2nd Prize: the scenery, and want to know more about our part of the world. It’s a chance to Mr P Killan £47.20 spend days out on the most scenic stretches of canal in the country, and we have Congratulations to the prize winners! occasional trips further afield when we visit canal-side festivals, often travelling through the longest, highest and deepest tunnel on the canal network. MEMBERSHIP RATES COPY DATE ADVERTISING RATES Individual £9.00 Articles, letters and comments Page Per Issue Per Year for Issue 208 of Pennine Link Family £11.00 Qtr £12.50 £50.00 Looking forward to having you on board! should reach the Editor at Life £90.00 Transhipment Warehouse, Half £25.00 £100.00 Associate £15.00 HUDDERSFIELD CANAL SOCIETY Wool Rd, Dobcross, OL3 5QR Full £50.00 £200.00 Tel: 01457 871800 [email protected] www.huddersfieldcanal.com Corporate £150.00 by 11th November 2019

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