Pennine Waterways News

Friday 15 July 2011

Bridgewater Canal celebrates 250 years!

The Bridgewater Canal is 250 years old!

The Duke of Bridgewater's pioneering canal was opened on 17th July 1761. While it was not Britain's first canal, it was the first modern canal to be built in Britain along a route that was independent of a river. To celebrate this landmark anniversary a number of events are taking place along the canal's route.

On Saturday 16th July a "Right Royal Regatta" will take place, recreating the visit of Queen Victoria to Worsley in 1851. Come along and cheer and wave flags as the 'Queen' boards the 'Royal Barge' at Patricroft before travelling to Worsley with a flotilla of boats!

There will be a boat trip and entertainment for residents from Winton as part of the Right Royal Regatta event. The trip ends at Oldfold Park where the group can watch the regatta go by before the return trip.

On Saturday 16th July New Manchester Walks is organising a walk from Castlefield to Worsley, starting at 10.30 am from Deansgate Station. packed lunch and walking boots needed!http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8708194174142075974#allposts

On Sunday 17th July there will be "a leisurely guided stroll around Worsley Village to mark the 250th anniversary of the opening of the Bridgewater Canal, taking in the major sites connected with this wonder of the industrial age". This starts at 2.00 pm from outside Worsley Courthouse. The circular walk will be around 1.5 miles long.

On Sunday 17th July a walk will take place to launch a self-guided walk and heritage trails linking the canal and railway heritage in the Eccles and Patricroft area. The walk will start from Eccles railway station forecourt at 1.00 pm and will last approximately 3 to 4 hours. Appropriate footwear and clothing should be worn. For more information email info@freccles.org.uk or telephone 0161 789 5016.
Eccles Community Arts Gallery will run a Capture the Canal painting competition during September. This is open to all ages and will end with an exhibition in a public art gallery in Eccles.

Later in the year, the Friends of Salford Museum and Art Gallery are linking together a series of community-based activities and events. You can help them to investigate the Bridgewater archive and select pieces to exhibit. There will be opportunities to record people’s memories and stories of the Bridgewater Canal. A film will be created for people to tell their tales and experiences with the Bridgewater Canal. A mobile app for iPhone and Android users will help people explore the canal through a Heritage Treasure Hunt. A tapestry will also be created to commemorate the 250th anniversary.

The Friends of the Bridgewater Canal, in conjunction with Trafford Walkers and Ramblers Trafford, are organising guided walks. These will be: on 13th August, from Lymm to Stretford and on 8th October 2011, from Stretford to Worsley


Worsley at the heart of the Bridgewater Canal

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