2005 - 2007 : Windows of Opportunity

This year we celebrate both the 250th Anniversary of the passing of the Sankey Brook Navigation Act in September 1755, and thus the start on the construction of the country's first modern canal, and also the 20th Anniversary of the foundation of our Society.

In two years' time, we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the opening of the Canal between its two termini in the St. Helens' coalfield, at Blackbrook and Gerards Bridge, and its outlet at Sankey Bridges onto the Mersey for access to the market-places of Liverpool and beyond.

By chance, two major waterways Events coincide with those two Anniversaries: this year, the National Waterways Festival is to be in one of our Boroughs, along the Bridgewater Canal in Halton; in 2007 the International Waterways Conference takes place in Liverpool, which will in that year be celebrating the 800th Anniversary of the granting of its Charter by King John, in the run-up to its year as European Capital of Culture in 2008. The Sankey was built by Liverpool-based interests, by Liverpool's Dock Engineer, for the benefit of the new industries growing in the town, and was therefore a major source of finance for later maritime expansion.

We will be trying to make the best possible use of these happy coincidences to ensure that the Sankey and our restoration plans receive maximum publicity.

SCARS' Members will be receiving their invitation to renew their subscription for 2005 - included in that is a form asking for people to volunteer to give us an extra boost during these two years. I hope we get a ready, enthusiastic response!

David Long, Chairman, SCARS

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