Leeds Liverpool Canal Bicentenary Celebrations in Saltaire

Sunday, 9 October 2016 07:00

People are being invited to join in the celebrations marking the bicentenary of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal by recreating the atmosphere of the first full navigation of the canal.

The first complete navigation of the canal set off in October 1816 and took five days to complete with overnight stops.

Press coverage of the original passage shows that the first crossing was met with huge celebrations and fan-fair with bells ringing out from churches, cannon and artillery fire, brass bands and good humoured crowds who cheered heartily along the route.

Hospitality was provided at key locations and barges were decked with flags and streamers and red and white rosettes were worn by gentlemen to mark the joining of the two counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire by the new canal.

To recreate this atmosphere the historic boat and floating museum the Kennet and a flotilla of other boats will be passing through Saltaire on Sunday 16 October at approximately 11am as it makes its way from Leeds to Liverpool.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Geoff Reid will lead the cheering as a special peal of bells rings out from the United Reformed Church as the Kennet comes in to view from Shipley.

Hall Royd Brass Band will provide music and at Hirst Mill Lock pupils from Saltaire Primary School Choir will sing a specially written song to welcome the flotilla.

People will also be able view the Power of Water exhibition which is taking place on the top floor of Salts Mill. The exhibition looks at the Boxing Day floods in and around Saltaire with art work by local school children, striking and amazing photographs taken by local residents, photographers and artists.

Those attending the event will also be able to walk on the towpath along side the boats as they move off towards Hirst Mill Lock. The boat is due at Hirst Mill Lock at 12.15pm. Year Four children from Saltaire Primary School have designed murals depicting the history of the canal and modern canal life which will be at Hirst Mill Locks.

Helen Thornton, World Heritage Site Officer for Saltaire, said: “Sir Titus Salt built Saltaire right beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to provide him with key connections to the port of Liverpool which was hugely important to his success.

“This event marking the bicentenary of the canal is a fantastic opportunity for people to come down and celebrate the role of the canal in the history of Saltaire.”

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