Historic barges open days

MEMBERS of the restoration project to restore two barges are holding open days to allow the public to view one, and possibly both of two unique barges that plied the waterways in the past.

The barges are part of Burscough's history with the restoration project working to restore them, and at the open days on May Day Bank holiday weekend, the 3rd and Monday the 4th of May everyone is invited to visit the Old Stables in Mill Lane on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Burscough to view progress of the H and R Ainscough's Barge Restoration project.

Established a base

The society has recently established a base in the old stables and over the two days will be offering people the chance to find out and become involved with the ongoing work to restore Ambush and Victoria to their former glory, with displays in the base in the Burscough Canal Services chandlery in the stables.

The two barges are the last locally owned boats from a fleet that are the largest craft that can be seen today on the inland non-tidal waterways of the country being 72ft long and 14ft wide.

The free entry event runs from 11am to 4pm each day.