Festival on the South Pennine Ring
A FESTIVAL is planned for the South Pennine Ring during this month and November, with the aim of building stronger links with communities along the canal corridors, Lynn Pegler writes.
The festival includes a number of events planned for October and early November, with activities for all ages including the Todmorden illuminated boat and lantern parade.
Dramatic landscape
The South Pennine Ring is a 70 miles circular route including most of the Rochdale Canal, Ashton Canal, Huddersfield Broad Canal, Huddersfield Narrow Canal and part of the Calder & Hebble Navigation. The ring provides a variety of canal scenery, including probably the most dramatic upland landscape on the canal system as the route passes over [and through] the Pennines.
Lucy Rogers, enterprise manager for the Canal & River Trust, explains:
"We want to encourage everyone to explore, enjoy and learn about our local canals through a range of events from guided walks and bike rides to outdoor theatre and arts, fun days and practical events.
"The annual canal festival is a popular event engaging communities from along the length of the South Pennine Ring with their local waterways and providing opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures to access heritage, arts and outdoor activities.
"The festival is now in its seventh year and has grown into a highly successful celebration of the waterways, building stronger links with communities along the canal corridors of the South Pennine Ring."
Canal & River Trust
The festival is organised by the Canal & River Trust, with the support of local authorities, the Rochdale Canal Society and Huddersfield Canal Society. The Autumn events have received sponsorship from the Rochdale and Pennine Townships and Todmorden Town Council.
Full details of all the activities are on http://www.myrochdalecanal.org.uk
Autumn programme
Autumn canalside seed gathering walk. Sunday 19th October, 1pm
Come and join our family friendly autumn canalside seed gathering walk on Sunday 19th October. Meet at Littleborough Coach House at 1pm for a short walk to the Rochdale Canal to gather seeds and return to the Coach House to plant seeds to take home.
Canalside nature discovery and craft sessions, Littleborough. Wednesday 29th October
Come and join our family friendly canalside nature discovery and craft sessions on Wednesday 29th October. Meet at Littleborough Coach House at 10.30am or 1.30pm for a walk to the canal to gather leaves and other items and return to the Coach House to create pictures with your nature finds. Sessions will last up to two hours.
Canalside nature discovery and craft sessions, Castleton. Thursday 30th October
Come and join our family friendly canalside nature discovery and craft sessions on Thursday 30th October. Meet at St Martin's Church, Vicarage Road North, Castleton, at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Canalside walk to gather leaves and other items and create pictures with your nature finds. Sessions will last up to two hours.
The Todmorden illuminated boat and lantern parade. Thursday 30th October
Meet at the Roomfield Baptist Church at 6.30pm to collect lanterns and walk to parade start point at Bridge 28, Kilnhurst Bridge off Key Sike Lane. We will begin our illuminated walk at 7pm and walk along the towpath to Fielden Wharf.
Lantern making workshops will take place at Roomfield Baptist Church on the following dates
Sunday 26th October, 2pm-5pm
Monday 27th October, 2pm - 5pm
Wednesday 29th October, 1pm - 4pm
Kayaking taster sessions. Thursday 30th and Friday 31st October
Free introduction to kayaking for six to 14 year olds and families with experienced coaches from Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre. Join one of four hour-long kayaking taster sessions each day. All equipment provided
Sessions include:
10am-11am (6-14 years)
11.30am-12.30pm (6-14 years)
1.30pm-2.30pm (family session - all ages)
3pm-4pm (family session - all ages)
Booking required, numbers limited. To book call WAC on 01706 370499 Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre, Lakebank, Littleborough, Rochdale, OL15 0DQ.
Family Fun Fishing day. Sunday 2nd November start 10am - 2pm
Free introduction to coarse angling under the supervision of licensed angling coaches from Heywood & District Angling Society. No booking required. Rochdale Canal, Slattocks, (Hopwood Arms) Rochdale