Open Day at canal workshops

THERE is to be an Open Day at the canal workshops at Apperley Bridge on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal this month, where visitors will be able to see  Canal & River Trust's smithy and workshops that are not normally open to the public.

This free event will be on Sunday 13th September from 10.00am to 4.00pm and also offers a fun day out for all the family with activities for children, traditional boaters' games and wildlife walks throughout the day.

See the work done

The heritage buildings at Apperley Bridge are still used by the Trust's craftsmen for maintenance work and visitors will be able to see the work done to keep the 200 year old canal network in working order.

Carol Buchan, of the Trust explains:

"We have also arranged for wildlife walks throughout the day for visitors who would like to learn and understand more about the insects and animals that live along the canal and the work the Canal & River Trust does to look after the waterway."

"The smithy will be in action with the heat and smoke of the fire bringing alive the atmosphere of a bygone era. These workshops are still working today as they were designed to 200 years ago. Repairing and maintaining the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is a painstaking task which requires traditional materials and methods to be used to preserve this vital part of our industrial heritage."