Splashing time at week-long canal festival

A fishing lesson for Neil Richardson from Wendy Perry.

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A WEEK of watery fun at Rochdale Canal Festival ended with more merriment at Failsworth.

Failsworth Basin hosted the festival finale with a fun day to mark the end of the event to celebrate the Rochdale Canal.

The waterway, once used to transport up to 2,000 tons of goods a day, is now used purely for leisure and recreation.

Organisers arranged a multitude of events, from angling taster sessions, family bike rides and boat rides, to wildflower planting, bug-hunting and kayaking lessons along the route of the 33-mile canal to show people how they can enjoy it.

The annual festival is organised by Oldham and Rochdale councils, British Waterways and the Waterways Trust, with all events free of charge.

Saturday’s fun day at Failsworth offered everything from boat rides, a canalside walk and picnic to art and craft stalls, live music and an art competition.