The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society invited the Waterway Recovery Group to hold its annual Xmas bash at the Nob End site at the junction of the three arms of the canal in Little Lever, Bolton. The main aim was to clear out the start of the Bury arm, a length of about 300 yards, averaging 20 yards wide, including the breach which severed the canal in 1936.Over two dozen volunteers came from all over the country; Society members boosted the total number of workers to almost 40.

The week’s work started on Monday 27th December, with snow still lying on the ground, and damp misty conditions making it feel very cold; however the thaw melted the snow by Wednesday. With up to four chainsaws on-site removing the trees progressed rapidly, and on Friday the trees at the start of the Bolton arm were cleared too. We intend to use the larger timber to make canalside furniture. A very successful week’s work met all its objectives; all we have to do now is to get the breach repaired, and get the canal re-watered!

You can read more about it and see photos from the Christmas Canal Camp here

The Waterway Recovery Group (WRG), founded in 1970, is the national co-ordinating body for voluntary labour on the inland waterways. The group’s website is: www.wrg.org.uk.

For more information on the working parties, or to be added to the working party mailing list, please email Steve Dent at dents1@btinternet.com or phone 07802 973228.
Working Parties are from 9.30am - 4pm.