Horse drawn narrowboat as festival charts history of canal
A HORSE-DRAWN narrowboat will be one of the attractions at this year's Rochdale Canal Festival.
People living in Calderdale, Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester will have the chance to see history come to life at the festival. And as part of this year's celebrations, a horse-drawn boat will travel from Guidebridge, on the Ashton Canal, along the length of the Rochdale Canal.
Towing Maria, Britain's oldest surviving wooden narrowboat built in 1854, the horse will stop off at various points along the route so visitors to the canal and festival can see how boats used to travel along the waterways.
The festival, which will be launched with an open day in Littleborough on Saturday, July 11, will include a bumper week of
free activities for all the family along the canal.
Described by the Waterways Trust as one of the region's greatest heritage assets, the canal was built in 1804 and completely restored in 2003. Running 33 miles from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge, the waterway is also known as the 'Everest of canals' as it is one of the highest in the UK.
Lucy Rogers, of the Waterways Trust, said: "This is the third annual festival and we are delighted to see how much it has grown in popularity. The events programme is packed with an exciting range of activities to really show off the canal.
"Through the festival we want to celebrate the history and heritage of the Rochdale Canal and raise awareness of the canal as a place to visit, use and enjoy.
"The events are open to everyone and free to take part in."
The festival will run until Sunday, July 19.
The horse-drawn boat set off from the Ashton Canal on Tuesday and is due to arrive at Summit on Tuesday, July 14. It will then travel from Summit to Todmorden and on Wednesday, July 15, from Todmorden to Hebden Bridge. It will travel from Hebden Bridge to Sowerby Bridge on Thursday, July 16.
For further information visit www.horseboating.org.uk and for a full festival programme visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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