Sankey Canal Restoration Society

SCARS TALKS: Our 2010/11 Programme

Thursday, February 24th, 7.30 pm

"Not So Solid Ground". A look at the effect of salt mining at Marston and Northwich Profusely illustrated with old and new photographs and old maps, our old friend Colin Edmonson returns to guide us through the salt areas of Cheshire. This talk is based on a guided walk from the Lion Salt Works along the Trent & Mersey canal towards the Anderton Lift. On the way we will be exploring the history of the canal and the salt mining and subsidence in the Marston area and having a root around to see what evidence can still be found today, We then make the return journey through the Northwich Woodlands and across the flashes, looking at how pumping brine from the flooded mines changed the landscape of Northwich and Marston for ever and produced the worst industrial subsidence to happen in this country. We will also see how the area was used for tipping industrial waste and has now been reclaimed as a country park. This talk includes lots of photos of collapsing buildings and salt works and huge holes appearing in previously solid ground, so not for the faint hearted!

Thursday, March 31st, 7.30 pm

Annual General Meeting at the Friends Meeting House, St Helens. Followed by "The TALYLLYN RAILWAY". The 100th anniversary of the birth in Chester of the canal and railway pioneer of preservation and restoration, Tom Rolt, has recently been celebrated. We are, therefore, delighted to be able to welcome Steve Powell of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society who will provide us with the details of a wonderful story of enthusiast power when, through the passion and enthusiasm of Rolt and his colleagues, rail preservation was born and flourished, this year being the 60th anniversary of the first moves to save the line.

Thursday, April 28th, 7.30 pm

"The Trolleybuses of St Helens". Geoff Sandford takes us on a nostalgic trip back in time to see once again those graceful, silent and virtually pollution free servants of old. With a host of old photos Geoff outlines the buses in their heyday, the routes they took and their role in the transport structure of South Lancashire.

Thursday, May 26th, 7.30 pm

"Stanley Bank Evening" at the Heritage Centre, Blackbrook, St Helens A sociable evening is planned to round of the winter's events and to herald the summer walking season. Come and see what's been achieved so far on this exciting project. A short guided walk will be followed by a brief presentation. Tea and coffee will be available and there's always the nearby Ship for something stronger, maybe!