The results of our 44th Quarterly Draw are:
£70.40 1st Prize to Timothy Johnson
£35.20 2nd Prize to John Haines
The results of our 45th Quarterly Draw are:
£68.80 1st Prize to Roger Vaughan
£34.40 2nd Prize to Andrew Shepherd
Congratulations to the prize winners!
(If you want to join in – details are in the Members’ Area.)
Our boat is still in the Portland Basin Marina having work done to spruce her up for this season. We will announce when regular will resume shortly.
Please check, using the link below, to ensure our boat is running on the day you are coming for a trip and for details of how to find us.
We are now operating every weekend, public holidays and additional weekdays in school holidays dependant on the weather & availability of volunteers. Please check, using the link below, to ensure our boat is running on the day you are coming for a trip and for details of how to find us.
Robbie Cumming is returning! Look at crowds that came to our boat launch when he last came.
Two days of exciting entertainment for all the family. On both days – boat trips, food and craft stalls, lots of interesting side shows, a brass band and a major re-enactment of the re-opening of the canal featuring Robbie Cumming of TV fame. Robbie will also be performing his show ‘Canal Boat Stories Live’ on the Saturday evening in the on-site North of England Centre for Music & Arts.
Tickets will be available soon on the venue’s website https://standedge.org/whats-on-event-guide/
Marsden e-Shuttle, The Launch, Robbie Cumming
1 & 2 August 2026 – our major event
Two days of exciting entertainment for all the family. On both days – boat trips, food and craft stalls, lots of interesting side shows, a brass band and a major re-enactment of the re-opening of the canal featuring Robbie Cumming of TV fame. Robbie will also be performing his show ‘Canal Boat Stories Live’ on the Saturday evening in the on-site North of England Centre for Music & Arts (NECMA).
30 & 31 May 2026 – Community Spirit 2 narrowboat visit
A visit by the all electric Community Spirit 2 and members of the East Manchester Community Boat Project to Marsden. Both societies will have a celebratory barbecue in thev NECMA garden.
25 to 28 June 2026 – historical boats in Stalybridge
A Russell & Newbury boat gathering.
11 to 14 September – Wilderness Boat Club visit to Dobcross
A gathering of trail boats to join in our celebrations.
WATCH THIS SPACE! MORE TO FOLLOW.
Events are being organised jointly by ourselves, the Canal & River Trust, the North of England Centre for Music & Arts and the Friends of Standedge.
Our Halloween themed boat will take you from the lock by Marsden railway station on a very spooky trip to Standedge Tunnel. The boat /crew will be in Halloween garb (no set fare but donate what you are able to our charity). The boat runs the short trip all day long, backwards and forwards. A very?? Scary (slightly) Trips Starts 11am until approx 4pm
On reaching Tunnel End visit Huddersfield Canal Societies HELLS kitchen.. With showman Mike.
Whilst here we have Watersedge cafe a friendly place to be, serving very reasonable priced food, try the bacon butties!
Ongoing activities
Face painting, a very spooky trail, clues in the head stones! Can you solve?
Dont forget the Canal River Trust boat trip into the Spooky, ghostly Standedge tunnel, watch out for the ghost of Mad Millie. Is she real or not……… Performed by volunteers.
Our friends at the North of England Centre for Music & Arts will be serving delicious pizzas by Cuckoo pizzas, 12pm until 7pm both days.
Drop in music session 9.30 am to 10.20am
10.30 am until 4 pm autumn crafts and drop in music sessions all ages.
In the evening 7pm concert by Triptic jazz.
Friday
Live interactive animal show, snakes and spiders, wow!
1pm – 2.30pm Halloween party drop in, songs, games, crafts for under 10s. Prize for best costume.
7pm onwards live concert by Medusa.
Spooky boat trips on the Little Blue Boat. Join our scary crew at Uppermill 31 Oct and 1 Nov 11am- 4pm st st No set fares but donations welcome (Boat located rear of Saddleworth Museum)
Taken from the piece by in the Saddlewort Independent byGemma Carter October 23, 2025
A SPOOKY Saddleworth favourite is back on the water this Halloween – and it promises fun for the whole family.
The Little Blue Boat, run by volunteers from the Huddersfield Canal Society, will be transformed into a ghostly galleon for two days of eerie adventures along the canal.
Trips will run on Friday, October 31 (Halloween itself) and Saturday, November 1, setting off from behind Saddleworth Museum between 11am and 4pm.
Halloween is coming to Uppermill courtesy of the Little Blue Boat
Each journey lasts around 15 minutes and offers a light-hearted spooky experience as the boat and crew – suitably dressed for the occasion – take passengers on a short round trip.
There’s no set fare, but donations are encouraged, with all proceeds supporting the work of the Huddersfield Canal Society, a registered charity that helps maintain and promote the historic waterway.
Families, children and even friendly dogs are welcome aboard, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Pushchairs can also be brought along.
Organisers say the Halloween sailings offer “something a little different” from the usual seasonal events – a chance to enjoy a frightfully fun trip in a truly unique Saddleworth setting.
