Three manpower through the tunnel

GOING flat-out to set a record for legging through Standedge Tunnel, three men legged a boat through together.

The team consisted of Malcolm Hinchcliffe and Geoff Andrew on planks legging the sides and Nigel Dix on the top of the boat legging the cabin roof. With Alan Scofield fending off with a pole, the team set off on the Horse Boating Society's boat Elland—shown entering the tunnel—with Mike Chase on the tiller, being the official timekeeper, who told us:

"I timed it using my mobile. 13:07 in, 15:05 out—a new Horse Boating Society record has been set for the passage of Standedge Tunnel, by legging, of under two hours."

By using leggers on the tunnel walls and roof simultaneously, it ensured maximum contact, keeping up the momentum of the boat, giving it a better drift when the leggers were unable to reach either walls or roof, Mike tells us.

The above picture shows Nigel and Geoff after their attempt—weary but happy!