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4 August 2011

Latest Updates

* Don't forget the L&LCS AGM is at Barnoldswick Library on the 4th February
* The Clogs & Gansey Newsletter for Spring 2012 (Issue 29) is available here
* Video of Bingley 5 Rise Locks at the Yorkshire Post ... also Open Days at Bingley Locks on 28-29 January possibly with recording of interviews with people connected with the canal on Sunday 29 January, between 10 am and 2.30pm
* December 2011 Friends of Kennet Newsletter is now available here
* New web page available - Genealogy and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal - any feedback appreciated
* New email address for Friends of Kennet - friendsofkennet@gmail.com - please update your records
* Planned Canal & River Trust website - e-mail requesting feedback received ... details
* June update on moving into the 1st stage of the Kennet Project is now available here
* Movie clip of Kennet at Saltaire available here (Quicktime 2.7Mb)
* Updates to Kennet Project, Friends of Kennet, Committee Members, Membership and Links pages
* Newsletter of National Historic Ships with news of the grant received for Kennet and annual photographic competition here
* Updates to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Trans Pennine Award Plaques are detailed here
* The Kennet Project aims to achieve the Society's goal of ensuring Kennet is retained as an historic craft and continues to promote the heritage and traditions of the canal more...

Origins

For 178 years the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was a private company, leading an independent existence. But in 1948, together with the majority of the country's canals and railways, it was nationalised, and today is maintained by the British Waterways Board. With a total length of 141 miles, including branches, it is the country's longest canal. More in a Brief History of the Canal and a Canal Chronology

Operations

It costs British Waterways about £2.5 million per annum to keep the canal open. Almost £1 million of this is generated along the canal, comprising the income from boat licences, property leases, angling and water supply, while the rest is provided by the Government. This works out at £18,000 per mile, about double the cost of building the canal almost two hundred years ago. More in Waterways Now

Access & Use

Such expenditure can only be justified if the canal is used by many people. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society has been formed to help promote the canal and to encourage greater understanding and appreciation of the canal's history and environment. More in Leisure Access and Activities

Heritage

Historically, the canal had a great effect on the areas it passed through. It also had its own unique traditions. The Society will encourage the recording of these traditions, and the conservation and preservation of the canal's environment. Many canal side warehouses and lock-keepers cottages are listed buildings, and there are well over 100 other listed structures, such as bridges and wharfs, along the canal. The Society will work with those developing land and buildings along the canal, to ensure that the distinct traditions and heritage of the canal are continued.

Traditional Boatman's Gansey - A pattern for knitting a traditional boatman's gansey, taken from the 1930s gansey held by the National Waterways Museum, has now been worked out. The Society has a leaflet about L&L clothing which includes the pattern. There are also some boatwomen's clothes in the collection at Liverpool Museum, and we will be investigating the possibility of photographing and documenting them as well.

Education

To strengthen these aims the Society has now taken ownership of the heritage Short Boat Kennet which travels along the Canal visiting local communities where it is open to the public, schools and organisations.

Presentations – the Society has a wealth of information which can be utilised by members to give presentations about the history of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the activities of the Society.

The L&LCS can only develop its objectives through an active and enthusiastic membership.
To help promote awareness and ensure the survival of the unique traditions of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal,
please support these efforts by joining the Society