Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Great Canal Journeys - S13, Ep2
Wed 1st Sep, 9pm on More4 (Ch.18 on Freeview)
‘Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth travel along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from Wigan to Liverpool. They explore the two things that Wigan is most famous for - its pier and its pies - with Gyles going head to head with the world pie-eating champion. They also visit Scarisbrick Hall to tell the story of Houses of Parliament designer Augustus Pugin.’
www.channel4.com
Started: 26th Aug 2021 at 22:28
I’ve walked that complete section…really nice until you except for the last 12 miles…becomes obviously industrial….actually started my walk at gathurst so missed Wigan’s industrial part
Replied: 26th Aug 2021 at 22:34
--Canal walks Here-- You'll never get anything better than Brian and his son's walks along the canal, try it out jump in the car do one of the walks on a nice day or just sit at home dreaming your doing the walk.
We walked this this week To Pennington Flash
Replied: 27th Aug 2021 at 08:17
Last edited by dougie: 27th Aug 2021 at 08:27:30
Wonder if the Oxley family who once owned Scarisbrick Hall school will be mentioned.The same family of Oxleys store in the old Station road.
Replied: 27th Aug 2021 at 19:35
We’ll find out soon, Anne, Great Canal Journeys is just starting on More4 (Ch18)
Replied: 1st Sep 2021 at 21:01
then the paths off the canal are many and you can spend a life time exploring them too
Toms bike rides round the flashes at Wigan
Replied: 1st Sep 2021 at 22:45
Last edited by tomplum: 1st Sep 2021 at 22:46:17
These free events sound brilliant!
• Light Night in Wigan
Fri 19th Nov - Sat 20th Nov
Explore the canal, towpath and locks along a trail of light installations between Wigan Pier and Chapel Lane bridge.
Book: Eventbrite
• Light Night in Leigh
Fri 19th Nov - Sun 28 Nov
Visit Pennington Flash to see a temporary art installation by Luke Jerram, whose previous works include ‘Museum of the Moon’ - a 7m wide replica of the moon suspended in the air.
Book (4-10pm): Eventbrite
More info:
www.thefirewithin.org.uk
www.wigan.gov.uk
Replied: 21st Oct 2021 at 13:22
Wear sturdy shoes or boots for the towpath near Wigan Pier as it is mostly cobbled.
Replied: 21st Oct 2021 at 13:36
Yes, definitely, Mortarmillbill!
Replied: 21st Oct 2021 at 13:54
Wigan Flight has been given a prestigious Green Flag Award!
This Friday, it’s 205 years since the Flight, and the entire length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, was officially opened.
The date 22 October 1816 is commemorated on Britannia Bridge.
Bridges and the 23 locks of the Flight are Grade II listed: historicengland.org.uk
Replied: 21st Oct 2021 at 14:08
Two recent videos by NarrowBoatWill which give a good insight into narrowboating:
Wigan Flight: Link
Leigh Branch: Link
More videos: NarrowBoat Will
Replied: 26th Oct 2021 at 20:32
A brill article in November’s edition of Local Life Wigan - Link (p.43):
Replied: 31st Oct 2021 at 00:04
Fri 19th Nov, 6pm - 7pm Link
Exhibition Launch:
Existences by / on / in / around the Canal
By Ula Fung
Wigan STEAM
Hope St, Wigan
Fri 11am - 3pm
Sat 10am - 4pm
A series of paintings relating to time spent at the canal between Leigh and Wigan. With the natural environments in mind, Ula opted to paint using natural / mineral pigments mixed with Japanese Nikawa glue, and will be at the launch if you’d like to ask her any questions.
Facebook
Replied: 9th Nov 2021 at 20:11
Last edited by jo anne: 12th Nov 2021 at 16:02:05
A piece of plasterers corner bead against a background of 1970's wallpaper?
Replied: 9th Nov 2021 at 21:07
Replied: 10th Nov 2021 at 22:18
Granada News (18th Nov)
Replied: 18th Nov 2021 at 20:44
Light Night will also see three canal boats, incl. historic short boat Ribble, process from Wigan to Leigh & back again, Fri 19th & Sat 20th Nov, 3pm - 7pm: Link
Pic credit: Joanna Embley
Replied: 18th Nov 2021 at 20:56
"The waterways of Wigan and Leigh " says the article.
However, Pennington Flash is neither a waterway, or of Wigan and Leigh.
Replied: 19th Nov 2021 at 00:04
The glitterballs and light projectors are being put up along the towpath and 24 hour security are patrolling the area.
Replied: 19th Nov 2021 at 11:20
Looks like it’ll be brilliant, MortarMillBill!
Free tickets going fast!
*Fri 19th & Sat 20th Nov: Link*
Replied: 19th Nov 2021 at 11:39
I hope it stays dry Jo anne as the cobbles are lethal when wet.
Replied: 19th Nov 2021 at 12:40
There was a bit of drizzle yesterday when I went, but it was still busy and really enjoyable.
It seems to have been well-attended again tonight, despite the heavier rain at times.
I didn’t get any great pics, but there’ve been some fantastic shots cropping up on social media.
Replied: 20th Nov 2021 at 22:53
A short video filmed around November’s Light Night event.
From Wigan to Leigh and Back Again - Vimeo Link
Poem by Carla Mellor
Film by Northern Heart Films
Concept by Things That Go On Things
Replied: 17th Feb 2022 at 15:18
Really looking forward to the new series, the first episode, on Mon 14th March, will feature
Wigan Flight as Robbie travels from Wigan to Burnley.
BBC Website
Replied: 2nd Mar 2022 at 18:51
It’s Canal Boat Diaries tonight - Mon - 7.30pm on BBC4 (Link)
Replied: 14th Mar 2022 at 10:05
If you missed last night’s Canal Boat Diaries, it’s available now on - BBC iPlayer
Robbie: “With 23 heavy locks over a few miles this is hard work!”
Wonderful footage!
Replied: 15th Mar 2022 at 12:04
It was a great watch, Jo Anne. Glad he got his water pump sorted as there was a few pots needed doing. I think I would have given his curry a miss though, the Indian guy in the store was a pleasant chap. Really enjoyed the show.
Replied: 15th Mar 2022 at 16:43
I didn’t fancy that curry either, TerryW.
Robbie first ascended Wigan Flight five years ago (Oct 2016) & made a vlog of the experience: Link
Robbie’s YouTube Channel
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 12:06
Oh Jo Anne I thought he was doing so well to begin with, then I saw him put a full tin of tomatoes in, far to many for that amount of ingredients he had in the pan. Still he seemed to enjoy his curry bolognase.
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 12:51
From Top Lock Aspull isn't the canal the Lancaster Canal.
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 14:41
Originally
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 17:10
The Leeds and Liverpool canal company leased the southern section of the Lancaster Canal, from Wheelton to Aspull, from the Lancaster Canal company, in order to join their two sections together and complete their canal.
Guess where the first steam-powered canal boat was invented, by John Smith, in 1793 !
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 17:43
Last edited by tonker: 16th Mar 2022 at 17:53:43
The lancaster canal starts in preston and terminates the other side of lancaster.There is also the glasson arm going up and entering glasson dock.
ps. there is also the salwick arm which finishes at the river ribble.Narrow boats can cross here from the rufford arm of the leeds liverpool.
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 17:54
Last edited by sonlyme: 16th Mar 2022 at 18:01:17
There's also the Lancaster Canal 'southern section', built but not connected, which went from Walton Summit to Aspull.
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 18:09
so its not the lancaster canal then.
They could just as easily called it the grand union canal northern section
(not connected)
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 19:07
Last edited by sonlyme: 16th Mar 2022 at 19:15:31
The Lancaster Canal Tramroad, also known as the Walton Summit Tramway or the Old Tram Road, was a plateway, completed in 1803, to link the north and south ends of the Lancaster Canal across the Ribble valley. Intention was to reach the Bridgewater canal. That did not happen, and once incorporated into L&L, their Leigh branch provided access to Bridgewater. Also link to replace the tramway never got built.
Replied: 16th Mar 2022 at 19:15
New oak lock gates on their way up Wigan Flight today to replace Lock 73’s metal tail gates, near to Rabbit Rocks.
Each wooden gate weighs in at 4.3 tons!
One of the two metal bottom gates before they were recently removed.
Lock No. 73 (IX)
Replied: 21st Mar 2022 at 17:10
Last edited by jo anne: 21st Mar 2022 at 17:25:36
Have the metal gates deteriorated, or where they just doing a Hyacinth Bucket?
Don't rub against my hardwood doors!
Replied: 21st Mar 2022 at 18:40
The metal gates were definitely in need of refurbishment, Ena M, and I think CRT decided to replace them with oak as part of their heritage programme.
After unforeseen delays, the Flight should reopen for navigation later today.
As well as boats, there’s a new mural to look out for on the canalside wall of the former Commercial Inn
- nr Cale Lane Bridge No 57 (www.leedsliverpoolcanal.co.uk)
Replied: 20th Apr 2022 at 10:57
I think the mural will become a tourist attraction when the scaffolding is removed.
Top marks to the artist.
Replied: 20th Apr 2022 at 12:41
Replied: 20th Apr 2022 at 18:12
Last edited by tonker: 22nd Apr 2022 at 18:02:17
I knew that’d be Hilda Ogden’s ‘Muriel’, Tonker. I can’t say if ducks feature on the Flight’s mural, but there’s usually plenty on the canal.
MortarMillBill, I think you’re right, people will flock to see it.
A fab article - Wigan Today (21st Apr)
Artist Robert Tedaldi
Replied: 22nd Apr 2022 at 09:52
Personally, I think it'll just look tacky.
Replied: 22nd Apr 2022 at 18:07
I hope it is an improvement on that awful Neanderthal-looking head that Wigan saddled itself with in the name of art!
Replied: 22nd Apr 2022 at 18:21
Tacky, Tonker!
I suppose it could have been, but from what I’ve seen everyone has seemed genuinely appreciative of the mural - it’s been beautifully done.
An anti-vandal coating is now being applied then the scaffolding comes off next week.
Ena M, I like Rick Kirby’s The Face of Wigan as well!
Replied: 23rd Apr 2022 at 15:58
Last edited by jo anne: 23rd Apr 2022 at 16:10:22
Replied: 23rd Apr 2022 at 17:08
The scaffolding is now down. The mural would be a good subject for photo-a-day.
Replied: 27th Apr 2022 at 10:59
David’s photo of the finished mural made for a great Photo-a-Day: 16th May, 2022
Narrowboat Life Unlocked - Vlogs
108. Wigan flight takes us by surprise! Nowt better than this day on a Narrowboat!
Link: YouTube
Replied: 28th May 2022 at 16:42
@CRTNeil:
Join us clearing Himalayan Balsam in Crooke on Tuesday 21st June. Please wear long sleeves, long trousers and stout boots. Help us make life better by water in your area.
Replied: 20th Jun 2022 at 14:29
Last edited by jo anne: 20th Jun 2022 at 14:30:57
Replied: 20th Jun 2022 at 16:49
Light Night 2022
*@Idaraya_Life:
*Idaraya Life CIC is a women’s organisation: Link
Replied: 12th Sep 2022 at 23:28
Last edited by jo anne: 12th Sep 2022 at 23:42:30
This year’s Wigan Light Night canal events will be on Fri 18th and Sat 19th Nov (Tickets available soon)
From the Cultural Guide (Oct – Dec 2022): www.visitwigan.com
Replied: 7th Oct 2022 at 09:41
Free tickets available now!
Eventbrite
Replied: 14th Oct 2022 at 17:12
And the Wigan Flight reopens on Monday for 2 weeks only, having been closed for months due to water shortages.
This is to allow boaters to return to winter moorings.
Replied: 14th Oct 2022 at 18:56
It’s great to see boats back again, MortarMillBill, even if it is just for a limited time.
Wigan Flight’s Green Flag Award 2021/22 is now flying at Top Lock.
Replied: 26th Oct 2022 at 15:05
The grass cutting on the flight has never been as bad as this year.
How did they get a green flag?
Replied: 26th Oct 2022 at 19:39
More grass = more green. Hence the green flag award!
Replied: 26th Oct 2022 at 21:04
they deserve the Green weed award this year, Its thicker than porridge in the canal from the top lock to red rock and beyond,
Replied: 26th Oct 2022 at 21:09
Replied: 26th Oct 2022 at 23:44
MortarMillBill: “How did they get a green flag?”
The award judges must’ve been happy with the Flight when they visited. Contractors were out in force when I was there yesterday, and have cut all the grass ready for winter.
TomPlum: “They deserve the Green Weed Award this year”
The weed that’s causing the problem is floating pennywort - an invasive species, which, I think, is an issue nationally. (CRT Link)
I know local CRT staff & volunteers have been working to clear it, but it’s an arduous task. I did see piles of it alongside the towpath yesterday.
Replied: 27th Oct 2022 at 17:46
Anyone interested in the Wigan Pier redevelopment can drop into The Old Courts soon - *date to be rearranged due to the rail strike*
Thread
Replied: 27th Oct 2022 at 17:55
Last edited by jo anne: 27th Oct 2022 at 18:13:50
I'm not interested, so I won't be coming. Thanks for the invite anyway!
By the way, did you know that the Leeds and Liverpool Canal never went to Liverpool?
Replied: 27th Oct 2022 at 19:36
La humbug!
I’m sure you’ll enlighten us as to why it didn’t though, Tonker.
Replied: 28th Oct 2022 at 06:57
Last edited by jo anne: 28th Oct 2022 at 07:26:07
Wigan Water Safety Partnership
@WiganCouncil (27th Oct):
Link: canalrivertrust.org.uk
“Following a number of incidents, The Partnership recently commissioned RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to undertake a full and independent safety review of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in central Wigan.”
Replied: 28th Oct 2022 at 07:29
No doubt RoSPA will want the canal fenced off.
Replied: 28th Oct 2022 at 09:56
Upcoming repeats of Robbie Cumming’s Canal Boat Diaries:
Fri 4th Nov, 10.45am, BBC 1
Series 1: 5. Barton Swing Aqueduct to Liverpool Docks
(Leigh Branch to Wigan)
then on iPlayer
Mon 7th Nov, 8.30pm, BBC 1
Series 3: 1. Wigan to Burnley
(ascending Wigan Flight)
BBC iPlayer
Robbie: “With 23 heavy locks over a few miles this is hard work!”
Replied: 28th Oct 2022 at 20:01
*Time slots are filling up - be quick to get a free ticket if you’d like to go!*
Fri 18th & Sat 19th Nov: Eventbrite
Replied: 14th Nov 2022 at 13:02