May 30th
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1793
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Canal formally proposed at a meeting in the George Inn, Huddersfield.
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Apr 4th
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1794
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Act of Parliament passed authorising construction of the canal.
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July
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1794
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Work begins on the canal.
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Mar 29th
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1797
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Section of canal between Huddersfield & Slaithwaite opened.
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1798
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Slaithwaite to Marsden & Ashton to Greenfield sections of canal opened.
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1801
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Benjamin Outram resigns as engineer (died 1805) and his place is taken by John Rooth.
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1806
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Thomas Telford is invited to survey the canal workings.
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Nov 29th
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1810
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Swellands reservoir bursts its banks and claims six lives.
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Dec10th
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1810
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First boat passes through Standedge Tunnel.
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April 4th
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1811
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Official Opening of the canal.
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Jun 27th
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1833
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Appointment of official leggers for the Standedge Tunnel.
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Jul 21st
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1845
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Canal amalgamated with the Huddersfield and Manchester Railway Co.
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1847
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H.& M.R.C. taken over by the London & North Western Railway Company
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1849
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First Standedge rail tunnel opened (longest in the world at the time).
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Nov 6th
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1921
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Last commercial boat passes through Standedge Tunnel.
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1944
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Canal abandoned by Act of Parliament.
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1946
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Inland Waterways Association formed.
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1948
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Last through passage from Ashton to Huddersfield by Robert Aickman.
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1951
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Most of the lock gates removed and replaced by concrete weir planks.
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1956
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Section through Slaithwaite filled in and canal culverted.
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1962
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British Waterways Board formed - takes over from British Transport Commission.
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1968
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Canal designated a Remainder Waterway.
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1971
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Most of the lock chambers cascaded or capped to prevent accidents.
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Apr 19th
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1974
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Huddersfield Canal Society formed to promote restoration of the canal.
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May 28th
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1980
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Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd. registered as a Company.
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1981
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H.C.S. volunteers restored the first operational section in Uppermill.
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1983
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Tunnel End Cottages refurbished and reopened as a visitor centre.
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1984
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Full restoration of Marsden to Slaithwaite section begins.
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1985
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£1.2m abolition grant to the Society from Greater Manchester Council.
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Jun 5th
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1985
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H.C.S. subsidiary restoration company formed (Tameside Canals Ltd.)
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Jul 3rd
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1985
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Huddersfield Narrow Canal Joint Committee formed.
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1986
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Stalybridge alternative canal routes study completed.
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1986
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Benefits of Restoration study completed.
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1987
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Marsden to Slaithwaite section restored.
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1988
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Towpath Closure Act rescinded - allowing boats to use the canal.
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1989
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Engineering and Leisure survey of Standedge Tunnel carried out.
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1989
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Tameside Canals Ltd renamed HCS Restoration Ltd, undertaking the restoration of the western side of the Canal.
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1993
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Standedge Tunnel air shaft investigation and ventilation study undertaken.
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Apr 23rd
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1995
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Staley Wharf section excavated and opened.
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Apr 5th
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1996
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First H.C.S. passenger service from Ashton to Stalybridge commenced.
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Dec 11th
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1996
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Major grants from English Partnerships and The Millennium Commission.
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May
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1997
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Huddersfield Canal Company formed.
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December
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1998
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Tunnel End Canal Centre closes while Standedge Tunnel is repaired.
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July
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1999
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HCS Restoration Ltd completes its last restoration project at Uppermill.
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Nov 29th
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2000
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HCS/BW Alliance Charter signed.
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January
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2001
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HCS General Secretary, Frank Smith, appointed as Volunteer Coordinator, jointly funded by HCS & BW.
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Apr 9th
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2001
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Canal from Ashton-u-Lyne to Uppermill opened to navigation in advance of main re-opening.
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May 1st
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2001
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Huddersfield Narrow Canal opens to complete through navigation.
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May 25th
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2001
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Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre officially opened.
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Jul 21st
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2001
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Canal Society VIPs take the first trip through Standedge Tunnel in BW's passenger module.
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Sep 3rd
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2001
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Huddersfield Canal officially re-opened by HRH Prince Charles at Marsden.
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October
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2002
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'Pennine Dreams - The story of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal' by Keith Gibson published by Tempus Publishing.
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June
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2003
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Chairman, David Sumner, and Treasurer, John Sully, resign their positions. Volunteer Coordinator Frank Smith's contract is not
renewed. New Chairman, Neville Kenyon and new Treasurer, Steve Picot, are appointed and full time staff represented by Bob Gough as administrator.
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January
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2004
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Announced that Past Chairman David Sumner awarded the MBE.
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Jan 22nd
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2004
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Articles of Association modified allowing David Sumner to be appointed the Society's first President.
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