Greenfield Marina
Photo of the progress on construction of new marina at Frenches Wharf, Greenfield.
Click to see larger image.
Standedge Tunnel Transit
Keith Noble writes about possible solutions to the problems of transiting Standedge Tunnel. Read more.
Developing Sellers
Proposals are at an advanced stage to re-develop Sellers' site in Huddersfield, re-building the canal line through the site. See pictures and further details.
Can you solve this Letter Puzzle?
When walking the Narrow, keep a look out for examples of these curious stones. Usually located in a towpath wall, so far we know of ten examples. The 'C' and 'W' are deeply incised and the 'B' is made of metal, mortared into a rectangular recess.
There has been much discussion about their significance; the meaning of the C and W, the later endorsement with the letter B. I am indebted to a Mr Eckersley of Mossley who directed me to an example which lacks the letter B. The stone is marked C and W, widely spaced, with no marking between the letters.
The carved letters come in different styles, but consistently C and W, hence they have a clear purpose.
Here are a few suggestions Society members and colleagues have made:
• Canal Boundary Wall
• Course of Waterway (B problematic)
• Culverted Watercourse (B problematic)
• Company Warehouse (B - Bonded)
• Company Wharf (B - Both sides)
• Capped Well (B problematic)
An on-going puzzle! Of course, if you have some good ideas or know their true meaning, please do get in touch.
Marina Controversy
The photo on the right shows the site of the proposed major development at the Knoll Mill-Frenches Wharf site, Greenfield, with its proposed 'marina'.
After a controversial down-sizing of the original scheme to six berths and a major diversion in the towpath, the scheme has been re-instated to something closer to the original proposal: 14 berths and a bridge over its entrance to maintain the line of the towpath.
This follows responses made to Oldham Council by various interested organisations.
In addition to the 'marina' the site is to include a supermarket, pub, apartments and houses.
Lock gets its balance beams back
Lock 2W of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, by Plantation Steet in Ashton, has once again got balance beams on its tail gates! Boaters will be relieved to know that the hydraulic gate and paddle mechanisms have been consigned to history!
The bridge that crosses the lock tail was widened during the period when the canal was shut. When the canal was restored, there was no room for traditional balance beams, so a hydraulic system was introduced instead.
Operating this lock was time-consuming and required considerable effort. The tail gates also leaked badly where there was a big gap between them near the top when they were closed.
The hydraulic mechanisms have now gone completely, to be replaced with well-designed steel crooked beams and geared gate paddle operation along with brand-new gates.
The tiresome hydraulic tail gates and paddles remain at nearby Lock 1W, however.
During this winter's repair work around Lock 2W, 12 tonnes of waste material were removed from the lock chamber! Further east along the canal, 100 Tesco and Somerfield shopping trolleys have been removed from the canal at Stalybridge.
World Canals Conference Visit
On Thursday 14th June, 2007, delegates to the World Canals Conference, being held in Liverpool, visited Stalybridge to learn how the restoration of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has regenerated the town.
The delegates visited the town in two coaches as part of their tour of North-West canal locations.
Society Chairman, Neville Kenyon, welcomed to visitors to Stalybridge Civic Hall and introduced Alan Stopher, Tameside Council's Assistant Executive Director of Property Services, who was closely involved with the restoration of the canal through Stalybridge.
Mr Stopher delivered a presentation to the guests, explaining how the restoration had been a catalyst for the town's regeneration and how it had drawn around a hundred million pounds of investment into the town.
After the presentation, the visitors were given a short guided walk around Armentieres Square and Lock 6w, then along part of the restored canal.
The slides shown during Alan Stopher's presentation can be viewed here.
New Gates for Diggle
As part of much needed environmental improvements at the Diggle entrance to Standedge Tunnel, a new set of gates have been fitted to the portal. The works are being jointly funded by Oldham Council and the Canal Society who have made a £12,500 contribution to the £37,500 total being spent. The design, by local artist Joy Williams, reflects the Tunnel's history in depicting a boat being legged through the tunnel.
Locally based Securiguard Shutters Ltd were commissioned to manufacture the gates and helped with some of the design; sub-contracting the fabrication to William Rigby (Sheet Metal) Ltd.
Society Chairman, Neville Kenyon, said: "The Huddersfield Narrow Canal Regeneration Group (Oldham) decided to make these improvements because the site is important both historically and from an industrial archaeological viewpoint, yet the entrance and surrounding area was poor. We are delighted with the design of the new gates. They will enhance a rather dilapidated area and the landscaping scheduled for later this year will further enliven this important heritage site."
Laurence Morgan, General Manager, BW Yorkshire said: "We are proud to be part of the improvements being carried out on the Tunnel portal. The canal itself is an important tourism and recreation facility running through Saddleworth and its villages and this kind of investment will encourage more people to take an interest in, and visit, our waterways."
Pulling a Mussel
It's surprising the things that get pulled out of the canal. And even though our volunteer boat crew may be used to shopping trolleys and bicycles, there is a wealth of wildlife lurking beneath the waters.
Local schoolboy Josh Brooke was, as schoolboys do, trailing a piece of string through the water along the Narrow at Mossley, when the 'lure' was snapped up by a large bivalve.
Josh called in at Society director Alwyn Ogborn's yard at Mossley Bottoms, with his monster catch. Now, builders of Dutch Barges know a thing or two about canal life, and the beast was confirmed as a Freshwater Mussel.
Improvising a suitable 'keep pot', the mussel remained healthy for its photo-opportunity before being returned to the depths and hopefully less stringy meals.