Events: January Working Party Postponed

7th/8th January 2012: Working Party, Daisy Nook
Unfortunately, it has been necessary to postpone the working party weekend planned for 7th/8th January.

It had been hoped to work for the fist time on a section of the canal route in the borough of Tameside. The Countryside Service member who deals with this section of canal broke his foot and the meeting to decide what work could be done had to be called off. Since this was to be our first co-operation with Tameside Council and we were yet to establish what could and could not be done, we felt that we should wait until we were able to meet with him rather than a colleague who may be less familiar with the area and what we might tackle.

We would have continued with the weekend, but in our usual location of Daisy Nook, except there had been a request for the WRG team to help with some work on the Grantham Canal that had a deadline. We were asked if we wouldn't mind letting WRG go to Grantham instead and we agreed that this was a good idea.

Sadly, this meant losing our own January working party, as we are not able to muster enough volunteers without WRG. An alternative date has not yet been decided. Please check the web site again in the future.

If you have any question, please phone our Working Party Organiser, Mike, on 0161 355 5557.

Events: November Working Party

19th/20th November 2011: Working Party, Daisy Nook [info: 0161 355 5557]
If you have not been on a working party before, why not come along and join in? You will be made welcome! Big muscles are not essential as you can be given work to suit your capabilities! You can come along on just one day or on both days.

Meet at Daisy Nook Car Park, Stannybrook Road, at 9.30 am on either day. Strong footwear and waterproof clothing recommended. Light refreshments provided. Lunch available at minimal cost.

Please phone our Working Party Organiser, Mike, on 0161 355 5557 for more information.

Pinch Farm Footbridge Update

We have previously reported on the poor condition of Pinch Farm footbridge. We are sorry to report that over the summer months the bridge was further vandalised, with the entire wooden decking of the bridge being removed and dropped into the canal, as seen in the photo above.

A bridge inspection carried out by Oldham Council in August concluded that the ironwork was in serious disrepair and recommended that that the bridge is removed or replaced. Oldham Council has confirmed that the bridge is in their ownership. Although it does not carry a public right of way, there is a legal obligation to provide access between the two parts of the property.

There are a number of options that can be considered at the moment, including removing the bridge entirely, replacing it with a simple modern bridge, replacing it with a new bridge similar to the existing bridge or restoring the existing bridge.
This last option would be the most expensive, involving dismantling the bridge and sending it away to specialists, and it may be that the iron work is so corroded that not much can be saved.

We have been exploring with Council officers ways in which volunteers from the Canal Society and the Waterway Recovery Group might help with the work and reduce costs. It was quickly realised that restoration of the ironwork was beyond even the skills of WRG. However they would be capable of repairing the brickwork of the abutments.
The recent inspection found that the wrought iron beams, cross braces and riveted lattice sides have extensive corrosion and are in critical condition. The report suggests that the work could cost between £25,000 and £40,000. The council will weigh up the options and decide which one to follow, within their current budgetary constraints.

The Society realises that it may not be possible to save the existing bridge but we are hopeful that there will be an outcome that considers the visual impact to the many visitors who walk along this section of towpath.

The bridge was a replacement built by the Manchester Sheffield and Lincoln-shire Railway Company around 1850.

Tameside Local History Fair

In October, the Hollinwood Canal Society participated in the Tameside Local History Fair, held in Albion Church, Ashton under Lyne.

This was organised by Tameside Local History Forum and involved a wide range of local groups with an interest in history and heritage.

Thanks to all those members who helped out.

Canal Society Goes On Tour

The Hollinwood Canal Society took to the road over the summer to promote itself, with its display stand appearing at Marple Locks Festival (above) and at Diggle Canal Festival (below) where we had a Mayoral visit! Although the field was muddy at Diggle, the rain held off until we left!

Thanks to all those members who helped out.

Annual Meeting 2011

The Annual Meeting for Hollinwood Canal Society members will take place on Wednesday 27th July 2011.

The venue once again will be the Dog and Partidge pub, Oldham Road, Waterloo in Ashton under Lyne.

The event follows the same format as in previous years, with the short meeting beginning at 7.15 pm followed by the opportunity to socialise with fellow-members.

The pub serves good food and anyone wishing to eat should place their order at the start of the meeting and the food will arrive after the meeting ends.

Please let us know if you intend to be there. (01457 836273)

Concern for Footbridge

Part of the decking has recently disappeared from the iron footbridge at Pinch Farm, between Crime Lake and Daisy Nook.

It is not known whether this was the work of vandals or a step to prevent people from crossing the bridge. Oldham Countryside Service, who manage the canal and towpath at Daisy Nook, do not know what happened to the bridge.

This attractive bridge is an unusual design for a canal bridge and it would be unfortunate if it were to deteriorate. It is thought that the bridge may be in private ownership and it is worrying that the land owner appears to have allowed the adjacent Pinch Farm to collapse completely.

Is this bridge a suitable candidate for listing by English Heritage? Would there be any advantage in doing so? We would welcome advice from anyone who has experience of listing and would be keen to learn of anything the Society might do to help safeguard the bridge.

Pinch Farm (or Pinch Hall Farm) was built more than 200 years ago on the edge of a hill overlooking the Medlock valley. The canal was constructed through a shallow cutting, separating the farm from its land, so an accommodation bridge was built to provide access. Because of the steep hillside, the only other access to the farm was from the towpath.

It is thought that the original was a wooden bridge which was replaced by the present iron footbridge around 1860 by the railway company that owned the canal at that time. Its style is unusual for a canal bridge, resembling more the style of footbridges constructed over railways.

Northern Canals Conference

On 17th April the Society hosted a conference of the Northern Canals Association. Delegates came from canal societies from all over England north of Birmingham.

The conference was followed by site visits to Droylsden Wharf and to Daisy Nook County Park.

Thank you to our volunteers who helped the day to go smoothly!

Events: January Working Party

15th/16th January 2011: Working Party, Daisy Nook [info: 0161 355 5557]

Why not come along and join in, even if you have not been on a working party before? You will be made welcome! Big muscles are not essential as you can be given work to suit your capabilities! You can come along on just one day or on both days.

Meet at Daisy Nook Car Park, Stannybrook Road, at 9.30 am on either day. Strong footwear and waterproof clothing recommended. Light refreshments provided. Lunch available at minimal cost.

Please phone our Working Party Organiser, Mike, on 0161 355 5557 for more information.