THE canal historian, founder and president of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, is to be honoured during the canal's bicentenary year with a lock being named after him at Gargrave.
Bank Newton Lock no 38 is to be re-named the Mike Clarke Lock in tribute to his contribution to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal—a close association which spans nearly five decades, this Saturday, 9th April, at 11.30am.
Launch enlarged edition
At the event, Mike, 67, from Barnoldswick, will also launch a new enlarged edition of his popular book The Leeds & Liverpool Canal, a History.
Born in Liverpool, his love affair with England's longest man-made waterway began in 1972 when he acquired a traditional Leeds & Liverpool boat and spent the next five years living aboard, restoring it to its original condition.
He was also fascinated by the industries associated with the waterway. For many years, he was employed as a restoration engineer, eventually working at the Lancashire Textile Museums in Helmshore which provided a useful technical background for his extensive historical research. His first book on the canal's history was published in 1990.
Range of books and articles
After that, he launched himself as a freelance industrial historian and has never looked back. Over the years he has published a range of books and articles, made several television appearances, including a programme for Bavarian Television, spoken on canals at conferences across Europe and in China, travelled extensively in Eastern Europe. He serves on the committee of Inland Waterways International and from May this year will be president of the Railway & Canal Historical Society.
It was in 1997 Mike became the driving force behind the founding of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, with the aim of encouraging better public knowledge and understanding of our waterway heritage. He now serves as its president, having seen the society grow into a flourishing group with more than 170 members.
Lasting tribute
The Canal & River Trust, decided the canal's 200th anniversary year would be a fitting moment to create a lasting tribute to his achievements by re-naming a lock in his honour.
Chantelle Seaborn, North West Waterway Manager for the Trust explained:
"Mike Clarke is ‘Mr Leeds & Liverpool'. More than anyone else, he has promoted this wonderful waterway to the public. His energy and enthusiasm have inspired hundreds of adults and children over the decades. He has generously shared his time, expertise, knowledge and resources with countless individuals and organisations, including the Trust.
"I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to this remarkable man than to leave a permanent reminder of his wonderful contribution on a lock of the canal that has become part of his DNA."
Invited to choose
When invited to choose a lock, Mike decided on Bank Newton overlooking the Yorkshire Dales National Park because of its beautiful countryside, remarking:
"I have visited canals over much of the world and have rarely found anywhere that compares with the awe-inspiring view over the Dales offered by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Bank Newton in Yorkshire. To have a lock named after you is a great honour and I very much appreciate the gesture from the Canal & River Trust."
He and other VIP guests will arrive at the lock naming ceremony aboard the Kennet, a specially converted education boat which Mike and other canal society volunteers use to tour along the Leeds & Liverpool promoting its heritage to visitors.
Mike's new book can be purchased directly from him, and details are on his website www.mikeclarke.myzen.co.uk, or at £40 through bookshops, ISBN 0-9519236-8-4.