Author Archives: Huddersfield Canal Society

Wednesday 28th June 2017

Wall to wall water didn’t stop the 12 boats descending the locks to Slaithwaite today and judging by the evening gathering at the Swan pub it didn’t dampen their spirits.

‘Too much water’ on the Huddersfield Narrow was the surprise verdict as boaters gathered for an evening of song and dance after a day of non-stop rain. David at the Swan had put out the bunting to welcome us, Thieving Magpies and Slubbing Billy morris sides entertained us outside, and Enoch’s Hammer folk group continued the musical entertainment in the cosy lounge for the rest of the evening. The cruise’s own bard, Ray Butler from Owl recited a number of verses on canal themes, many learnt during his time on the legendary BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations to the uninitiated) and a good time was had by all. Thanks go to all the musicians and dancers, the landlord and his staff and not to forget, Ali, Peter, Graham, Eric,  Jean and Martin who helped on the 21 locks down from the summit.

Slaithwaite moorings full up

Thieving Magpies defy the weather

Some of the Pennine Explorers assemble in the Swan together with Peter and Tricia in the corner from HCS

Enoch’s Hammer go through their repertoire – note the PE notice board!

Ray Butler declaims his lines

Tomorrow we run down to Milnsbridge….

All Photos – Alan Stopher

Tuesday 27th June 2017

All 12 boats safely made their way through on a record breaking day for the restored Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It must be well over a hundred years since so many narrow boats traversed the longest highest and deepest canal tunnel to emerge at Marsden and occupy the basin at the eastern portal.

Well done to all the CRT staff and volunteers who helped ensure a safe and informative passage for our intrepid boaters. ‘It’s been a fantastic day’ was the verdict as the crews tucked into barbecued sausages and burgers and a cask of beer from Empire Brewing at the put-up food stall beside Tunnel End Cottages. Particularly appreciated was the help given by the chaperones who guided the steerers through the darkness during the 3 and a quarter mile tunnel passage and pointed out some of the historic features.

The wonder of Standedge Tunnel (Photo: Nathan Reynolds)

The last boat through emerges a little before 6pm as Steve Wood brings his boat, Bream,  through the tunnel portal.

10 of the 12 boats are crammed into the water space in front of Tunnel End Cottages.

A joke shared between (L to R) Nicky Owen (Nb One for the Vine), Jack and Glenys Kershaw (Nb Camarilla), Trevor Ellis (HCS Deputy Chairman and Volunteer Tunnel Chaperone) and David Baldacchino (CRT Waterways Manager)

Tomorrow it’s down the Colne Valley to Slaithwaite and an evening of Folk Music and Morris Dancing…..

All other photos: Alan Stopher

Monday 26th June 2017

18 locks, 13 boats and the summit reached by all.  The ‘Everest’ of canal pounds  – 645 feet above sea level and the highest in the UK – was reached by the whole Pennine Explorer cruise plus one additional boat after a fascinating if challenging day.

With so many on the move on one day it was inevitable that there would be some adjustments needed to ensure sufficient water in all of the short pounds.  However, an added complication was a failed downstream paddle on Lock 30W coming only a few days after the other paddle of the pair had become detached from its rack.  Not daunted by this, the CRT team put their mind to getting us through and succeeded.  Phil Smith applied all his ingenuity to what he described as ‘Heath Robinson engineering’ and with support from his colleagues managed to sufficiently fix the damaged paddle to get all boats though.  Steve Wood of Bream, a 70ft traditional narrowboat, said ‘he’d not had so much fun for ages and when can we do it again?’

Thanks to friends from Tudor Cruising Club, volunteers from Huddersfield Canal Society and CRT’s own volunteers for all their efforts in helping the Explorer cruise keep on schedule.

Tomorrow Standedge Tunnel beckons…….

The Cruise reaches Wool Road ready for the ascent of the Diggle Flight.  (Bob Gough)

Taking a tea break on the Diggle flight are L-R – Ali from Huddersfield Canal Society, Kim and Nicky from ‘One from the Vine’ and Duncan from Tudor Cruising Club.

Wild flower show on the Diggle flight

For a period it looked like the problem at lock 30W would mean mooring on the flight. This did not seem to trouble Nicky, Kim and four-legged friend.

Phil Smith applies his magic from the Stern of Pomona whilst Ann looks on.

The Pennine Explorer cruise at Diggle Summit with Standedge above.

Julie Arnold and friend rest after the climb.

All other photos:  Alan Stopher

Part of the convoy leaving Stalybridge

Sunday 25th June 2017

The 12 boat cavalcade left the urban areas behind as it started the climb up the Tame Valley. 8 locks took the boats to Roaches Lock above Mossley and included a passage through the short Scout Tunnel. “I’ve really enjoyed the day and it brings back memories of an earlier trip when I was so struck by the  magnificent mill buildings set in the Pennine valleys’” observed Pat Stow of ‘Diligent Too’. In the comfortable surrounds of the Roaches Lock pub, Alan Stopher, Chairman of the Huddersfield Canal Society, showed the Impossible Dream film made in the run up to reopening of the canal in 2001. The well-made film has stood the test of time and, said Ray Butler of ‘Owl’, “it records the tenacity of those who stuck to their convictions when many doubted that the Huddersfield Narrow could be restored.”  Tomorrow (Monday 26th) will see the Explorer cruise reach summit level at Diggle in preparation for the Standedge Tunnel passage the next day.

Alan Stopher
Chairman HCS

A remarkable 17 boats moored below Roaches Lock.

Images by Alan Stopher

Sunday 25th June 2017

The weather was mixed but the Carnival carried on today. Intrepid Mike McHugh doesn’t let a bit of rain concern him as he takes another Shuttle boat full on a free trip. Passengers line up to join Still Waters for the longer cruise.

HCS’s own Eric Woulds gets the rhythm going with his accordion as Enoch’s Hammer provide a musical accompaniment on the Sunday afternoon.  (Photos: Alan Stopher)

Saturday 24th June 2017

Of the 13 boats gathered in Stalybridge, David Fletcher won 1st prize for the Best Presented Boat awarded by the Stalybridge Carnival committee. Here he is pictured showing off the cup and certificate with his crew and Stalybridge Dukinfield Councillor Leanne Feeley (right). (Photo:  Alan Stopher)

In the evening all the crews headed to the legendary Stalybridge Buffet Bar for pie and black peas and the odd drink.  We were joined by friends from the Calder Navigation Society who will be helping out with the locks on the Huddersfield Broad in a week’s time.

Onward and upward!

Alan Stopher
Chairman HCS

The happy group is pictured here by Julie Arnold of Waterway Images at Portland Basin Marina on Friday 23^rd June 2017. 12 boats and their crews had reached this rendezvous via the Lower Peak Forest and Ashton Canals. Help on Marple and Ashton Locks was provided by members of the Tudor Cruising Club and Canal & River Trust Volunteers. Guy and Sandra Holding kindly hosted this first gathering. Some of them are carrying their welcome goody bags stuffed full of useful information about the trip as well as their complementary Huddersfield Canal Society membership packs complete with Summer edition of Pennine Link, the Society’s quarterly magazine.

Graeme & Barbara Sleeman, 10^th and 12^th from the left, had travelled the furthest to join the cruise, from their base on the Kennet and Avon in Berkshire. “The trip has been pretty uneventful so far although we did run over a complete portable toilet on the Macclesfield. It’s funny what you find.”

This image by the undersigned shows Ray Butler with what must be a useful purchase from Portland Basin Marina. Perhaps he will tell me the real use for it as we join him over the Pennines.

Alan Stopher
Huddersfield Canal Society
07500 828123