In message, Paul Howell writes:
>David, I have discovered your email address from the SCARS webpage.
Thanks for getting in touch Paul.
>I fondly remember walking 16/17 miles from Widnes to St. Helens along the canal with a friend in 1973. This trip represented the beginning of a real interest in industrial archeology, with canal & railways being of particular interest.
Did you take any photographs on your walk? It would have been just before BW filled in large sections in Warrington and Earlestown.
>Unfortunately we did not take any photographs during our walk in 1973.
>Although I live in the south of England, I am currently working during the week in Clock Face, St. Helens. I would very much appreciate if you could advise me of the 2001 programme of SCARS
We meet in the "Raven Lodge" in Church St., St Helens on the last Thursday of each month (so you've just missed us). Our next meeting is a Canal Societies' Quiz Night - and then it's the AGM.
>and details of any local history groups involved with similar interests.
There are some around both Warrington & St Helens - some of our members are involved. If you come to a meeting you can ask around.
> If I am in the region at the end of February I will attempt to attend the meeting, but in the meantime will keep in contact.
>ps. even in 1973 it proved difficult to trace the precise route of the canal due to housing developments.
The canal hasn't actually been built over to any great extent, though its course in 1973 may not have been as clear as it is now - there's a linear park (Sankey Valley Park) throughout its length, and a cycleway was built on its towpath from the late 80's. It's a bit confusing around Bewsey - the Sankey Brook has been diverted into the canal from just north of Cromwell Avenue.
> I am very supportive of your efforts to restore as much of the canal as possible.
Thanks - can I quote you in our next Newsletter? I like to show that the website is creating interest.
>I would be happy for you to quote any of my comments within the group, and have already saved your web page under my 'favorites' section.
[This is one of a number of emails which come through from time to time. The website is updated each time a Canal Cuttings is published, and whenever time can be found to scan in and load up further archive photographs for the “Gallery” feature.
Recently the second half of Peter Norton’s Archive has gone on the site, and some of Bill Highcock’s views are on their way. In the meantime a section has been added making a link to the Amazon.com book sales site, with books particularly relevant to the Sankey and adjacent canals being featured. Surprisingly, Peter Norton’s 1984 “Railways & Waterways to Warrington” is on sale there at £4.50p.]