| The Big Dig – September 2016 |
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| Above: 4th lock down |
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| Above: 4th lock down |
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| Above: The whole flight |
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| Above: The whole flight |
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| Above: The top |
Working Parties
Upcoming Working Parties
See Work Party Photos page for photos of Working Parties
Work Party Notice!
We are running a work party on Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st April. We will be working at the locks at Nob End and focusing our efforts around the workshop, locks and Old Sluice. Our main current focus is doing some maintenance repairs on the remains of the workshop walls and clearing the old sluice.
We will likely also be battling back some of the excess plant growth that has grown up over the last few years.
Work will also include: cleaning the overflow from the bottom basin, removing undergrowth from the bed of the canal, litter picking, some gardening and some fencing. If the weather is good enough and all the stars align then we will do some brickwork at various spots around Nob End.
We will be aiming to start for 10am and finishing at roughly 4pm each day. Make sure to bring warm clothes and good boots as well as your own food and drink as we cannot provide those.
The address of the site is Prestolee Road, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1AD. The best place to park is nearby Boscow Road as there is no parking at the locks.
Please let us know if you intend to come.
We will also have copies of the Towpath Guide for sale at the normal price of £4 but you will save on postage. Please bring cash if you want one.
The following work party is planned to be on the weekend of 18th & 19th May, 2024 but there is a special event on around Middlewood Locks in Salford. Please check our website and Facebook pages for that event and what the work party plans will be for May.
After that the next work party will be the weekend of 15th & 16th June, 2024.
Please check before travelling so watch this space and check our Facebook pages.
What is a Working Party (WP)?
Well, ‘work’ they aren’t, 'fun' they are. They’re a great way for everyone to pitch in and make a difference to our local canal. Unless it’s snowing or raining hard, they are really enjoyable and we always get a lot done. It’s surprising how many walkers, runners and cyclists stop to chat and congratulate us on whatever we are doing.
Flyer & Joining instructions: these can be downloaded here.
What sort of things get done on WPs?
Is there something I can do?
Have you seen the Meccano Bridge? Well, most of that was built by volunteers.
- Re-building and re-mortaring walls
- Vegetation control
- Putting up signs
- Re-laying cobbles
- Repairing fences
You name it, we do it…
When and where are they?
Usually once a month, over a weekend.
We work anywhere work is needed, whether it is on the Bury,
Bolton or Salford arms of the canal. We have a work plan which we
update regularly.
Have you got an idea for a WP where you think work needs doing? Please let us know.
Dates and locations are posted at the top of this page, on our Facebook page, or by contacting us:
Join us on Facebook.
Can I just turn up? Do I have to be a member of the Canal Society?
Yes, you can just turn up but it will help the Working Party Officer if
you notify him beforehand, for job organisation (and providing brews!) and you don’t need to be a member of MBBCS (although we would love you to join of course). Young, old, male, female, new to the area or lived nearby for years, everyone is welcome.
What do I need to bring with me?
Enthusiasm, food, suitable clothing, gloves and sturdy boots – and
that’s about it. You don’t need any specialist skills, but if you have
some, then that’s great.
Brews, food, loos and tools….
Please bring something to eat and drink with you, especially if you are staying all day or if the weather is hot.
Most of our work locations don’t have loos available on site, but pubs and cafes may allow you to use theirs, if a public loo isn’t nearby.
We supply most tools, but if you want to bring your own, please do so.
Do any other groups work on the canal that I can get involved with?
Yes, lots of different groups work with us along different stretches of
the canal, such as the Canal & River Trust, Bolton Wildlife Trust,
Conservation Volunteers, and the IWA’s Towpath Taskforce. These
groups are often out during weekdays so if this suits you better than
weekends, contact us and we can put you in touch with them. |
