Celebrations To Mark Standedge Bicentenary

The entrance to the Standedge canal tunnel at Diggle.

It’s almost 200 years since the Standedge canal tunnel officially opened, and three days of events are planned for this weekend to help mark the occasion.

The Horseboating Society will be ‘legging’ boats through the tunnel between Diggle and Marsden on Saturday, Sunday and also on Monday, which is 4 April, and the exact anniversary of the tunnel’s opening.

Guided walks will also be taking place on all three days following the route of the canal boat horses, which had to go over the top of Standedge pass rather than through the tunnel, because it was built without a towpath to save money.

The tunnel itself was completed by legendary engineer Thomas Telford, who was brought in to finish the job after work had been suspended because of rising costs.

It remains the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal, which closed in 1944, has been open again along its full distance since 2001.

The events will be happening between 11am and 4pm on all three days. To get more information, and to inquire about the walks, call 01484 844298 or visit www.standedge.co.uk and www.horseboating.org.uk

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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