Canal Walk

The Calder and Hebble Navigation
Sunday June 8th 1997, Brighouse to Sowerby Bridge

A good turn-out of walkers together with fine weather made our trip to another waterway a great success. This year's walk was along the Calder and Hebble Navigation in West Yorkshire. We were transported by a bus provided by the St. Helens Transport Museum, unfortunately not of the vintage type, but one of Lancashire Travel's latest high-tech models. The bus whisked us along the motorway in fine style to Brighouse and the start of our walk to Sowerby Bridge.

At Brighouse, some went along to the basin and had dinner; some looked round the town, whilst others decided to set off up the canal aided by the useful map provided. This six mile section of the Calder and Hebble Navigation enjoys the delightful scenery of the Calder Valley as it ascends 12 locks at Sowerby Bridge. It leaves the River Calder for the last time at Brighouse.

Our route out of Brighouse was delightfully rural, running parallel to the River Calder. At Elland Basin, some stopped for a break. However, loud heavy metal music from the nearby pub deterred many from enjoying a pint. Others continued on to Salter Hebble Locks with their interesting guillotine bottom gate. This was installed in the 1930's, when the road bridge was widened. It is here that a branch canal goes off to Salter Hebble Basin and to what was once the Halifax Canal. The latter closed in 1942.

Just before the last of the group reached Sowerby Bridge,a heavy shower gave us a good soaking. Those who had made it to the Navigation Inn enjoyed a welcome drink.

The pick-up point for our return to St. Helens was almost alongside Tuel Lane Locks. This is the start of the new £3 million link which joins the restored section of the Rochdale Canal to the rest of the Canal System. Our return to St. Helens was as equally enjoyable as the outward journey; thanks once again to Kevin the driver and Mervin for their co-operation in a grand day out.

Colin Greenall

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