Working Party

A very productive Working Party took place in January on the Fairbottom Branch, where trees are encroaching halfway across the canal from the far bank.

The team sets about cutting back the overhanging branches and cutting back the trees growing from the canal bed.


There were many thin branches that needed to be cut back before the trees in the canal bed could be tackled.


A woven fence was made from some of the branches cut down. Some of the branches used as stakes will take root so this will eventually become a living hedge.



See more photos from this weekend in our Photo Gallery.

Working Party

In November 2008, our Working Party undertook a number of tasks, including removing tree stumps from the towpath edge on the Fairbottom Branch, re-laying edging stones and clearing vegetation from around the locks.


There were a couple of places on the Fairbottom Branch where edging stones had slipped into the water.


That's all the stones fished out - now we've got to see about getting them into place!


With ropes and levers and lots of helpers, the heavy stones are carefully positioned.


With the stones in place the gaps have to be filled with small stones and packed firmly.


The edging stones firmly re-laid and the towpath edge is as good as new!

See more photos from this weekend in our Photo Gallery.

Boathorse Returns to Canal at Daisy Nook

A second successful "Canal Day" was held this summer at Daisy Nook Country Park.

The day of canal-related activities was organised by the Hollinwood Canal Society for Oldham Countryside Service as one of the events on offer for the public at Daisy Nook this year.

The event was designed to help raise awareness of the canal and its heritage in the park, including how the canal operated and how it fitted into the wider canal network. The range of activities on offer made sure that there was something for all ages.


Sue Day and Bonny attracting the crowds with a demonstration of boathorse harnessing.

Guided walks set off at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm, giving people the opportunity to learn about the history of the canal and look in more detail at some of the canal features in the Country Park, such as the locks and aqueducts.

There was an opportunity to meet Bonny the Boat Horse at 1.00 pm. Visitors watched a boathorse harnessing demonstration and heard about the lives of the boatmen and their horses from canal society member Sue Day.



There were also demonstrations by a lace maker as a reminder of another of the traditional skills that were found on the waterways.

Throughout the day a range of canal-related activities for children was available. Also attracting attention under the gazebo was the model lock complete with boats!

A slide show of old photographs of the canal was shown throughout the day inside the Countryside Centre, which jogged many memories for those who knew the canal years ago, but were also of interest for those who only remember the canal as it is now.

All the activities were free of charge.


Activities for all ages were provided.