Wednesday 9 February 2022

Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal...in parts..

 We had a night walk after arriving at middle son's new home..and it was interesting to see the difference in what we were aware of in the dark, with head torches, to what we saw in daylight!


We walked down across the river Irwell


Looking up to the Meccano Bridge through derelict locks


Then along what looks like a side branch...could just have been where the canal changed level and direction..there were so many around there, a real network


Unfortunately there is only about a mile and a half of this section, with the last mile clogged with reeds 



Retracing our steps over the River Croal, a tributary of the Irwell that is crossed by this canal section, there is also an old footbridge


The next morning we had another walk, starting through the cemetery at the bottom of the road..



A sad sight, by the house at the gates.....five Nissan Figaros.

It was interesting seeing the gravestone inscriptions,  where around the world that people had moved from, thinking of the history that brought them there.


Then around another part of the parkland. I am not sure of the original reason for the lakes, but it could well have been a water supply for the many local factories and mills.





They are certainly a wildlife haven, as well as a benefit to the many people we saw walking.

A quick walk up the road across the Farnsworth Little Lever bridge over the river. Then back along the remnant of the higher canal





You can see the Meccano Bridge on the right.



There is a local society... apparently needing more younger members.

This is the point where the canal has been blocked off as there is a breach further up.


The one mill left


Looking across Nob End reserve, and up to the dual carriageway road on the horizon and the row of houses on the right we returned to.


9 comments:

Elderberry-Rob said...

((o))

smartcat said...

((o))

Debby said...

It is sad that younger people are so busy that there are few interested in preserving the history. It is happening everywhere.

Steve Reed said...

I like the picture of those old Nissans lined up.

busybusybeejay said...

That was a blast from the past for me!I grew up in Bolton but on the north side.Havn’t been back in years

molly said...


You go on such interesting walks. Wish we had as much history here....My brother used to spend hours playing with Meccano anything to do with that bridge?

Jenny Woolf said...

This looks like a really interesting place, somewhat forgotten and the better for it. It is relatively rare for a canal to remain unrestored in this day and age, and although it is nice to think of people chugging up and down on narrow boats, etc. it is also good to think that there must be a lot of wildlife flourishing there.

gz said...

The bridge replaced an old wooden one..and the Meccano is ten times normal size!
Like many places work has been suspended over the past two years..let's hope they can resume

Joanne Noragon said...

(O)