Remembered with gratitude

I TOO well remember Dr Fletcher being in charge of the waterways and I am sure like many others remember him with gratitude, writes T. Lang.

Those indeed were the days before the advent of the stoppage notice, when such things were not necessary, any repair having the British Waterways men out usually the same day, and repaired, before such as a stoppage notice could be conjured-up, everything was done by the people who knew what they were doing.

What a difference

What a difference today with it mainly down to contractors, whom I am certain haven't a clue what they are doing, hence having to go back to the same job to have another go!

But back to his waterways, I remember tackling the Huddersfield Narrow and being pulled through the [Standedge]  tunnel and negotiating the 74 locks through the beautiful Pennines, which was not a bind at all, but a sheer pleasure, with everything working. 

A great pity it has been allowed to deteriorate so much that it seems closed more than it is open, £30 millions spent on its restoration to be allowed to so deteriorate, it really is criminal.

Only allowed on certain days

Even when open the trip boat takes precedence using the tunnel with only a certain number of private boats allowed through on certain days.

I wonder what Dr Fletcher would think of his Huddersfield Narrow restoration now?

[The picture shows the standard of work required to reopen the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.]