The End of the Beginning

Winston Churchill at the Mansion House, speaking about the victory in Eqypt, 10 November 1942: "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, then end of the beginning."

Friday 19th September is the date when fhe first few hundred yards of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society will be opened and the Margaret Fletcher Tunnel will be formally named. We hope that a few boats will be able to enter the canal from the River Irwell, but that is always subject to the vagaries of that river, which can quickly become a raging torrent. The opening ceremony is planned for 1.30pm, and the best view for visitors will probably be from Prince's Bridge, which is off Water Street, behind Granada's studios and at the river end of Liverpool Road.

For those coming by public transport, it is possible to access Prince's Bridge from the Inner Relief Road, opposite Hampson Street, which is about 1/4 of a mile from Salford (not Salford Crescent) Station. I am not sure whether I will be staying on a boat immediately prior to the event, but up to the earlier part of the week I am happy to confirm those arrangements which can be organised in advance - by phone at home. If I'm not available that way you are welcome to try and contact me by mobile phone. Members will be especially welcome to watch the celebrations, but only a limited number of boats will be able to ascent into the canal and insurance considerations will limit the number of passengers they can carry. It is expected that there will be officials from British Waterways and a civic presence from Salford City. I expect to unveil the plaques in memory of Margaret which have been paid for out of th money raised in her memory at the time of the funeral. That aspect of the occasion will, of course, be a bitter-sweet one for me personally, but the passing of more than two years enables me to put things better into context and to look forward positively to the future.

The Fletcher Family

It is many years since Robert Cornish spoke at the canal society on the subject of the Fletcher family. He is a descendent of the Matthew Fletcher who built the MB&BC. Recently Paul Hindle has helped him put that talk down in booklet form and it becomes the first new book the Society has published for some time. It is entitled Coal, Canals and Cotton - the Fletcher family in and around Bolton. It is a wonderful condensed history with much detail, and many photographs that will be appreciated by those who are interested in the history of the canal and its associated industries. On page 25 Robert says 'The Fletchers have all now left the district.' Well this Fletcher is an in-comer to the district, albeit of 30 years standing. However I believe I am remotely related to Matthew. Kate and I will see what we can do to bring about descendants who are relevant and still carry the Fletcher name!