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
