Leg it through canal tunnel

Horseboating enthusiasts and followers are being urged to join a springtime adventure travelling the longest, deepest and highest waterway tunnel in the UK.

Staged by the Horseboating Society, the first journey of the year takes place on Saturday when, as part of a two-day event, people will be able to ‘leg’ through the Stanedge Tunnel.

Sue Day, the society’s chairman, said: “The Huddersfield Narrow canal is good horseboating country.

“There are only a few moored boats, spectacular Pennine countryside, and much to do with 148 lock passages.

“And, of course, there is the added excitement of legging Stanedge tunnel itself, thanks to the kindness of British Waterways.

“ Now we need plenty of crew and other supporters to help preserve and promote horseboating.

“We need a minimum crew of four, preferably up to six, each day. We also provide training on the journeys.”

The boat, Maria, built 1854, will be towed by a horse, Bilbo Baggins,

And a special guest at one of the events will be 90-year-old Ronnie Barnes, a one-time canal employee, who used to leg the tunnel with a maintenance barge that did not have a horse or engine.

Ronnie, in fact, was the last legger in the Stanedge Tunnel before the canal closed in 1948.

Saturday’s journey runs from Diggle to Tunnel End, Marsden. And the boat is expected to be in the three and a quarter mile long tunnel from 1 to 4 pm. The event will link to Marsden’s famous Cuckoo Day.

There is also a guided walk for the public travelling with the horseboat over the tunnel top from 2-4pm.

Other events will be staged in May and details are on the society’s, website: www.horseboating. org.uk

Volunteers for the events should e-mail Sue Day on sueday_horse@yahoo.co.uk, or on 01457-834863, 07711-121056.