THE BRIDGEWATER CANAL IN SALFORD Autumn Activities September to december 2015 GREATEST SMARTEST FINEST HAPPIEST PROUDEST BIGGEST BRIGHTEST EST.1761
2 Est.1761 As the turning of the leaves from green to orange and the slightly cooler air marks the arrival of autumn, the Bridgewater Canal events programme continues apace. We ve a great range of activities from the exciting to the unusual: test your night vision on one of our popular bat walks, use a different sense on our brand new sound walks or even knit your way along the canal! There are also some great projects running including Minecrafting, where local men are building their own starvationer boat and Soundwaves and Waterways our oral history project. And as always if you d like to get even more involved you can become a Bridgewater Volunteer. We ll see you soon! contents Page 3 Page 4-5 Page 7 Page 9 Minecrafting Bridgewater volunteers - be part of a great team Family fun Bridgewater Nature Page 10 Page 11 Page 13 Page 14 Soundwaves and Waterways Knit-A-Long-A- Bridgewater Mapping Memories Christmas cruise and health walks Page 15 Exploring the wider Bridgewater Canal Page 16 Visitor information finest.1761
3 Minecrafting Minecrafting is an exciting recycling project which will bring the heritage of the Bridgewater Canal to life. As part of the transformation of Worsley Delph, a number of trees have been removed and we are now looking for men in Salford to transform these trees into a boat. The boat will be inspired by the unique boats once used in the coal mines - often called Starvationers because of the ribs that can be seen on the inside. There has been lots of interest so far and the project is gathering pace. Over the past few months, the trees to make the boat have been felled and the wood is now being prepared in readiness for building. We have been out and about along the canal over the summer talking to people about the project and how they can get involved and offering opportunities to try out some wood carving. There is still plenty of time for you to get on board. Boat building will start this autumn with a range of days and times aimed to suit everyone. Salford s very own Start Creative are leading this ambitious project and we will offer accreditation to anyone interested in developing their skills more formally. So, if you are male, aged over 18 and would like to get involved we d love to hear from you you can contact bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk or phone Kate on 07966 316446. We are grateful to the The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation for providing additional support. Delph photo Salford Local History Library Archive
4 Bridgewater Volunteers be part of a great team Enjoy working in the great outdoors, learning new skills & meeting new people? Our environmental volunteering activities are a great way to do all three! All abilities are welcome and we provide all the tools and materials. All we ask is that you are over 18, and that you come along wearing suitable footwear and outdoor clothing. Please bring a packed lunch tea and coffee are provided. To find out more about becoming a Bridgewater Volunteer contact Jill Tyson on 07872808003 or email bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk Wednesday 9 September, 10.00am-3.00pm, Barton Aqueduct Pocket Park Join us for a clean up of the Pocket Park as well as some vegetation management after the site s growth spurt over summer! Meet at Barton Pocket Park, car parking available off Havenscroft Avenue. Wednesday 30 September, 10.00am- 3.00pm, King s Meadow, Winton Help to put finishing touches to the entrance to King s Meadow by top soiling, planting and creating a stumpery. Meet at alley entrance between Verdun Road and Kingswood Road. Wednesday 14 October, 10.00am-3.00pm, Bridgewater Park, Boothstown Join us in some woodland management to encourage the rare Willow Tit to breed on this site. Meet at entrance to Bridgewater Park, opposite The Moorings. Sunday 1 November, 10.00am-3.00pm, King s Meadow, Winton Help to re-seed the wildflower areas along the canal for an eye-catching spring-time bloom. Meet at alley entrance between Verdun Road and Kingswood Road. Wednesday 11 November, 10.00am- 3.00pm, Duke s Drive, Monton Like blackberry pie? Help us to manage the brambles on site to encourage future blackberry fruiting. Meet at Duke s Drive car park (off Parrin Lane). Sunday 29 November, 10.00am-3.00pm, Bridgewater Park, Boothstown Improve the woodland and create some habitat piles - an ideal shelter for small mammals and insects. Meet at entrance to Bridgewater Park, opposite The Moorings.
5 Revealing Bridgewater Canal s hidden stories Are you interested in uncovering and interpreting the past? We are looking for volunteers to contribute to the transformation of Salford s Bridgewater Canal by researching its stories and sharing them with residents and visitors. You can get more involved with the rejuvenation of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford by becoming a Bridgewater Heritage Volunteer. Our volunteers are local people who are rediscovering the stories of the canal and sharing them with residents and visitors. There are many ways you can take part - researching photographs and documents, exploring heritage features along the canal, devising interpretative walks and lots more. Volunteers have recently been busy tracking down and studying archive material about the canal. Regular visits are made to other heritage sites and archives to gather material and exchange ideas. New volunteers are always welcome, so if you would like more information please contact Katherine Rice on 07890533642 or email bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk Volunteer Open Day Wednesday 2 December,10.00am-12noon in Worsley Court House, Barton Road M28 2PB Whether you re interested in the canal s past, present or future, there ll be something for you to enjoy as a volunteer with our project. Come and meet the team from the Bridgewater Canal project and find out about how to get involved. Join us for a short walk around Worsley Village to hear about the plans for the Delph, then back to the Court House for refreshments, a presentation about what our volunteers have been doing and a festive wreath making workshop using materials collected from the wonderful green spaces that border the canal in Salford. No need to book all welcome. proudest.1761
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Family Fun 7 Tangled Thursday 29 October, 11.00am-3.00pm at Duke s Drive, Monton All spider lovers (and haters) this way! Have fun getting tangled in the wonderful webbed woodland and join in with other spidery delights. Tickle your fingers making a Giant Spider, weave your own web and explore Duke s Drive on the Very Busy Spider trail. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by adults. Stick your oar in - coming soon! Want to try canoeing? After the positive response to the canoeing taster sessions at the Bridgewater Weekender we are working with the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre to offer more opportunities to experience the Bridgewater Canal close up from a canoe. We re really keen to encourage a new generation to enjoy the canal so the sessions will target local young people under 18. Make sure you are one of the first to find out about the sessions by following us on Twitter @SalfordCanal or facebook.com/ Est1761 If you work with a group of local young people who would be interested in trying out canoeing on the Bridgewater Canal, register your interest in this project by email to bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk with details of your group. We are especially interested in groups from the following areas - Barton, Boothstown, Eccles, Monton, Patricroft, Winton and Worsley.
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Bridgewater Nature 9 Bat walks Our popular night-time bat walks along the canal are back. Discover the fascinating world of bats, and use a bat detector to listen to the sounds they make whilst hunting for insects. All welcome but these are canalside walks and children must be accompanied by an adult. Tuesday 15 September, Monton- Worsley- Monton 7.00-9.00pm Join our evening bat walk to see and hear our amazing Bridgewater Canal bats. The length of the walk will be approximately 2.5 miles. Please bring a torch. Booking is essential www.est1761.eventbrite.co.uk Friday 18 September, Worsley Green, Worsley 7.00-8.30pm Join our evening bat walk to see and hear our amazing Bridgewater Canal bats. The length of the walk will be approximately 1.5 miles. Please bring a torch. Booking is essential www.est1761.eventbrite.co.uk Fungi Walk Saturday 17 October 10.00am-12.30pm Duke s Drive, Monton Scarlet Elf Cup, Jack o Lantern, Devil s Fingers & Chicken of the Woods; delve into the fascinating world of fungi and see what you can find on this circular walk around the Bridgewater Canal s green spaces with our fungi expert. The walk involves steps and uneven ground. Free but booking is essential: www.est1761.eventbrite.co.uk
10 Soundwaves & waterways This new project is seeking out memories and stories about the Bridgewater Canal. Volunteers will be provided with the training and equipment to enable them to gather oral histories, conversations and stories from the past and present. The spoken word will then be woven together with sounds of the canal to create soundscapes, bringing the stories to life and immersing listeners in them. Soundwaves and Waterways will be guided by sound artist Karen Lauke. What are the sounds you associate with stories of the canal? Some are long gone; the thunder of hammers in the foundry, horses plodding along the towpath, the shouts of bargees, while others, like the lapping of water under the hulls of boats and voices of people passing by are still here mingling with the sounds of modern life. Sound Walks If you d like to explore the many possibilities of working with sound and speech or if you know someone with a story to tell about life along the canal please contact us on 07890533642 or email bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk Introduction to sound recording workshop Tuesday 29 September 10.30am-12.30pm Boothstown Community Centre, Standfield Drive, Boothstown M28 1NB Come along and have a go at recording - familiarise yourself with the equipment, and learn what you need to consider before you even press the record button! For more information call 07890 533 642 or email bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk Join sound artist Karen Lauke on our guided soundwalks to experience the Bridgewater Canal and the surrounding streets. Urban landscapes present a varied listening environment for those who take the time to stop and listen. Using some simple listening exercises participants will be encouraged to tune into the sounds around them, actively listening to the ever-changing sonic features. Come and listen to the canal, discover the hidden sounds that surround us and enjoy the rhythms of passing traffic. Free but booking is essential: www.est1761.eventbrite.co.uk Patricroft and Barton Monday 28 September 10.00am-12.30pm Meet at Duke s Drive carpark (just off Parrin Lane) Join Karen Lauke on a guided soundwalk through Patricroft, experience the Bridgewater Canal and the surrounding streets down to Barton Bridge through your ears. This a circular walk of approximately 4.5 miles with regular stopping points. Worsley and Monton Wednesday 7 October 10.00am -12.30pm Meet at Worsley Delph Join Karen Lauke on a guided soundwalk from Worsley to Monton, experiencing the Bridgewater Canal and the surrounding streets down to Monton Village and around Duke s Drive through your ears. This is a circular walk of approximately 3.5 miles with regular stopping points.
11 Knit-a-long-a Bridgewater Thursday 17 September 10.00am 12.30pm wooliest.1761 Get your needles ready and come aboard our first ever knitting cruise, as we cast off to cast on Have you ever thought the Bridgewater Canal needs to be more woolly? Expert knitter Rachael Elwell has been creating new patterns inspired by the canal and this will be their maiden voyage. Rachael will guide you through the process and there will be a variety of patterns to suit the novice through to the expert knitter. You will get to create your own piece of knitted history to take away with you. All wool provided. Please bring your own needles if possible (4mm). Register your interest and reserve yourself a place on the cruise at www.est1761.eventbrite.co.uk Nearest landmark (also where you can park) is Bridgewater Mill, Legh St, Eccles M30 0UT Meet at the canal next to Patricroft Bridge - the boat will go from Patricroft across Barton Aqueduct, back through to Worsley and return to Patricroft. Suitable for adults We are grateful to The Booth Charities for providing additional funding for this project.
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13 Mapping Memories The Salford stretch of the Bridgewater Canal has more than its fair share of stories to tell. Artist Bryony Wilson recently worked with several local groups of various ages to capture their personal tales of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford. The result is Mapping Memories, a fold out guide to the various locations along the canal, as well as a selection of thoughts, recollections and tall tales from people who live and work beside it. Mapping Memories shows just a few of the many stories there are to tell; you re sure to have your own! You can pick up a copy of Mapping Memories from local information points or at one of our activities. If you d like several copies for your community group, school or organisation email your details to us at bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk
14 Cruise the Canal at Christmas All cruises must be booked in advance at www.visitsalford.info/walksandwater 2015 Christmas Shopping Cruises Sunday 29 November & 13 December Worsley to Trafford Centre circular. Step onboard the boat in Worsley and de-stress as you make your way to the Trafford Centre for 3 hours of shopping, before returning by boat to the tranquil Worsley Village. 10.30am 12.00 per person Departs at 10.30am, arriving at The Trafford Centre for 11.30am. Leave at 2.30pm, returning to Worsley by 3.30pm. Departure point: the moorings near the hump-backed bridge, opposite the Bridgewater Hotel, Barton Road, Worsley, M28 2PD. Health Walks Put your best foot forward with a friendly local walkers group. Call Jo Bennett on 0161 778 0559 for more information Every Monday 2.00-3.00pm Boothstown Every Tuesday 10.00-11.00am Monton Every Friday 10.00-11.00am Worsley Woods Meet at Worsley Court House, Worsley M28 2PB Every Sunday 10.00-11.00am Monton Meet at Monton Unitarian Church, Monton Green M30 8AP. Meet at Boothstown Community Centre, Stanfield Drive, Boothstown M28 1NB Meet at Monton Unitarian Church, Monton Green M30 8AP Buggy Walks Do you want to get active after having a baby? Join us for a brisk walk and meet new friends. Call Julie Kenyon, Health Improvement Team 07826 879 122 for more information. Every Thursday, 1.00-3.00pm, Monton Meet at Monton Veteran s Shelter, M30 8AP Bike rides Every Wednesday 1.00 3.00pm Every Friday 12.30 2.30pm Meet at Cleavley Athletics Track, Blantyre Street, Winton, Eccles M30 8HY Join us for a cycle ride around the Bridgewater Canal and surrounding areas. Bring your own bike or there are a limited number of bikes available for use on the day. To book contact the Health Improvement Team on 07717 691 624
15 Exploring the wider Bridgewater Canal The Bridgewater Canal developed from its roots in Salford to become a 65km (39 mile) waterway stretching from Runcorn to Leigh in the North West of England. It was originally constructed to transport the Duke of Bridgewater s coal from his mine at Worsley efficiently and cheaply to the rapidly expanding towns and cities nearby. At its peak, over 3 million tonnes of traffic used the Bridgewater Canal. Nowadays it is a leisure waterway popular with many cruising boaters, but also with walkers and cyclists who explore the many miles of towpath. You can find out more about the canal at www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk Boaters Boaters are welcome along the Bridgewater Canal route, all craft using the Bridgewater Canal must have a Bridgewater Canal Licence. You can find out everything you need to know about licensing and mooring locations on the Bridgewater Canal Company s website at www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/boating. You can also find out about hiring a boat (for a day or a short term break) and local boat operators. Fishing Various species of fish can be found along the Bridgewater Canal including rudd, roach, carp, perch, bream, tench and pike. If you would like to fish on the canal, there are a number of fishing clubs which have a licence to fish on various stretches of the Bridgewater. You can find out more about licences and the Fishing Code of Practice at www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/todo/fishing The Bridgewater Canal is owned and operated by The Bridgewater Canal Company Limited, part of The Peel Group, in conjunction with the Bridgewater Canal Trust. You can contact the Bridgewater Canal Company directly by email at Bridgewatercanal@peel.co.uk or by telephone on 0161 629 8200 (between 2.00 and 4.00pm Monday to Friday).
Visitor information Duke s Drive Country Park is a new visitor hub for the Bridgewater Canal in Salford. There are over 50 new parking spaces conveniently located off Parrin Lane. The area is served by regular bus services (the nearest stop is Monton Green) including service numbers 33, 61, 62 and 68. N Folly Brook Worsley Golf Club Broad Oak Park Bridgewater Canal towpath Loopline Duke s Drive Country Park Duke s Drive Entrance Stableford Ave Church B5229 Bridgewater Canal Parrin Ln Canal Side Canal Bank B5229 Monton Green www.est1761.org.uk email bridgewatercanal@salford.gov.uk Follow us on Twitter @SalfordCanal Like us on Facebook - Est1761 Book activities at www.est1761.eventbrite.co.uk Alfred St