C&RT North West Launch Event

We had been invited to help with the C&RT North West launch event as they wanted a working narrowboat and we happened to be in the area, this was to take place at Duke’s lock No.92 at the beginning of the Rochdale Canal at Castlefield. This was to take place today. Hence we have been moored at Castlefield since arriving here on Monday. We were to have Ellie a member of C&RT staff on-board, clutching the new sign, and at the appointed time to arrive into Duke’s lock, which was manned by volunteers, who closed the gats behind us and filled the lock for us. Once we were safely at lockside level, Ellie passed the new sign to Tracy, another member of C&RT staff, and then she attached the new sign over the old one. The sun shone brightly and Hadar was ready to do her duty.

This was the old sign before.

Tracy attaches the new sign with the assistance of the Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Naeem ul Hassan JP.

And now the new sign in place.

After the speeches and formalities we then moved out of the lock and onto a mooring.

But within half an hour we had to reverse back into the lock for the BBC lunchtime news, who wanted to do a live broadcast.

The reporter for the North West had been doing something on the canal everyday on the evening news and he was there to interview Walter Menzies, with Hadar in the background with her engine thumping away. It all worked really well.

Jo and I were then invited to the rest of the celebrations, which included more speeches, a quiz, food and drinks.

All the Canal and River Trust employees then had to go down to the canal for a group photograph.

The whole day was fantastic, we were given a bottle of sparkling wine for taking part, it was really appreciated by the bosses.

Keith.