Notice to our members: HUDDERSFIELD CANAL SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025 6.30pm on 22nd NOVEMBER 2025 at NECMA, Standedge, Marsden
The formal Notice of the meeting including agenda is here:
http://huddersfieldcanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-AGM-Notice.pdf
And the Form of Proxy here:
http://huddersfieldcanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-AGM-proxy-form.pdf
BOATS TRIPS IN MARSDEN AND UPPERMILL
We run both boats between Easter and the end of October on most weekends & public holidays. We also run mid week as often as we can during local school holidays. Each boat carries up to 12 passengers and is operated by trained unpaid volunteers. No fares, we just ask for a donation with cash into our red bucket or one tap of your contactless card, Apple Pay or Google Pay on our card reader. You can also donate online. We are a registered charity relying 100% on donations to keep the boats running, so please be as generous as you can.
MARSDEN SHUTTLE BOAT TRIPS
We run a regular shuttle service between the lock by Marsden Station and the Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre. The trip lasts 12 to 15 minutes each way. No timetable, but we leave Marsden Station (Lock 42) or the Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre around every 30 minutes.
Please click here to make sure the boat is running and see where the trip starts in Marsden.
On this route we use our new all electric craft built in 2022. It is quiet & spacious and incorporates a wheelchair lift to aid accessibility.
To check the boats current location click here.
UPPERMILL TRIPS IN OUR LITTLE BLUE BOAT
We run round trips from outside the Saddleworth Museum & Gallery going up the canal past the park & turning just before the first lock. The trip lasts around 15 minutes so there is never long to wait for the next one.
Please click here to make sure the boat is running and see where the trip starts in Uppermill.
This is a new venture which relies on volunteers so, if anyone local to Uppermill would like to volunteer to help us run the boat, please contact us by email to boating@huddersfieldcanal.org.uk. No previous boating experience is required as we will provide all necessary training.
October 2025 update on Huddersfield Canals
Repair at Lock 11W as reported on 9th October 2025 by Canal & River Trust
‘Our contractors have completed the grouting works at Lock 11 West ahead of schedule and plan for navigation to resume Friday 10 October from 5pm. This has been a long complicated and expensive repair whiah has been happily concluded.
Water shortage closes the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
The west side from lock1W to lock 22W in Uppermill was reopened to navigation on 17th September 2025. Despite the recent rainfall there is insufficient water in reservoirs to reopen the remainder of the canal to Lock 1E. We are pleased to say that our two boat operations, at Marsden and Uppermill are not affected by the closure as they do not pass through locks.
• The Maintenance team is continuing to work on east side vegetation clearance every Friday fortnight. Various tasks have been undertaken including installation of missing milestones in 5 locations, vegetation cutting back, wall and fencing repairs and painting of lock gates and spindles.
• The office is now unattended so the best way to contact us is by email.
** Best wishes to all our members, supporters and friends **
The results of our 43rd Quarterly Draw are:
£72.00 1st Prize to Tony Zajac
£36.00 2nd Prize to Andrew Shepherd
The results of our 44th Quarterly Draw are:
£72.00 1st Prize to Roger Vaughan
£36.00 2nd Prize to John Donnelly
Congratulations to the prize winners!
(If you want to join in – details are in the Members’ Area.)
The Huddersfield Canal Society was formed in 1974 by a group of enthusiasts with the ambitious aim of restoring the then derelict Huddersfield Narrow Canal to through navigation and improving the Broad Canal.
After 27 years of campaigning and restoration, led by Canal Society volunteers, the Narrow Canal was re-opened in May 2001 and gained Royal approval with an official ceremony by HRH Prince of Wales in the September that year.
Funding for removal of the final set of major blockages, amounting to £30 million, was received from the Millennium Lottery Fund and English Partnerships, with contributions from the Society, Tameside, Oldham and Kirklees Councils and the former British Waterways. Click here to download Keith Gibson’s historical summary of the restoration and follow this link to see how the major blockages were removed.
Transhipment Warehouse, Wool Road, Dobcross, Oldham, OL3 5QR
The Society’s members and volunteers help protect and promote the canals so the years of hard work and investment can continued to be enjoyed by all.
