Stories from the Manchester Bury Bolton Canal

In this video we walk along the now disused Manchester Bury Bolton Canal. The canal spans from Salford to Bolton and Bury. We are in the Little lever area looking at areas of Industrial archeological interest along the disused canal. We start by looking at the Mount Sion Steam crane. The only in situ Steam crane in the UK. This piece of Victorian industrial history has survived remarkably intact. We then talk a walk through Ladyshore woods down to the River Irwell. We look at an old now disused footbridge that one spanned the River Irwell. Only the bridge supporting columns remain. We look for evidence of the old Leverbank Bleach works. Using old photographs we piece together the history of this Lancashire industrial canal and whole area. Ladyshore colliery was one of the last mines in the UK to use candles for lighting.

[richardtierney]

Ues to walk all over this patch from 1973 with my dog.. Lived on Ladyshore Estate and the remnants of the bleach works still there.. the crane did not look as good as it does now! Must be the preservation group looking after it. There was a plan to dredge out the section to Radcliffe ( sunk dredger was there amongst the reeds ) The fields opposite my house still had ventilation shafts from Ladyshore Pit ( Fenced off - did not stop a cow wandering over one and going through the capped shaft and falling down to the coal mine galleries ) At the edge of Stopes Road were the remnants of small "Bell Pits" the coal was quite close to the surface and men used to dig down and out ( forming a "Bell Shaped" pit), that would then collapse in on itself leaving a load of small depressions years later all over the fields. BTW the paper mill you referred to as a Sion Paper works was in my time 70s and 80's named "Creams Paper Mill" Fred Dibna did a really good documentary on the area and the canal collapse... Cracking stuff Martin.... Thanks :-)

[Designer]

Hi Martin. Love the old cobble stone road. The mind goes wild imagining horses and carts clattering along it. Thank god for the Ken Howarths of the world. People will probably say the same of Martin Zero and his videos in 50 years time. I wonder if Ken Howarth's mate remembered the spoon.

[jamesmihalcik]

The whole cinematic experience ! Tea, cakes, documentation, photos and the missing spoon :) Always adds a bright spot in the day to catch a Martin Zero production. Thank you!

[dalemaugham]

You remind of Anneka Rice on Treasure hunt in this vid Martin. "Come on James, keep up". 😂😂

[grimsmith]

Martin Zero, weird guy, but how do we put this guy up for a famous historian award? He deserves it!

[screwthecabal]

I don't know if you know how important this is what you're doing but if don't you should. I don't know of anybody else keeping these lost things alive, I love it, thank you.

[m.m.i.]

The comparison between the old photos, and what is there now, is fascinating. With the two sidekicks, Martin is looking like an R & B star, flanked by his backup singers. 😎 Good job, pampering the loyal James with a little extra kindness too. 😆👍

[Pricklyhedgehog]

Thanks again, Martin. These videos are a real treasure covering a slice industrial British history that might lie idle in the weeds and brambles otherwise.

[steverobinson]

Love this channel, it was recommended by a user who watches tyneside life. love people who are engaged in their local history even though I'm a Geordie :)

[wacholder]

One day I'll come over to Manchester to look at it myself. Or: what's left then. Takes me a few years into retirement. Until then I follow your activities. Thanks for sharing !

[davidhowarth]

Great vid Martin. You just get better and better. Good to see that one of us Howarths had the presence of mind to take some snaps. There was a similar footbridge at the end of Wharf St Dukinfield crossing to a mill on the other side of the river. My parents had an off licence on Wharf St in the early 1950s and opposite was a railway viaduct. I can remember as a 5/6 year old waving to engine crews and they always waved back.

[gazsands]

The photograph of the foot bridge is absolutely amazing, one of the best I have ever seen.

[ronm]

I don't think James is particularly charming, but he is definitely a straight-up kind of guy who deserves respect accordingly. Even if he always forgets the fucking spoon.

[paulfranklin]

be nice to James, backbone of the trip, vital to the excellent production values, well done all.

[orbitboi]

Hello Martin. Good to see you back on line. A new look? Very smart.

[JayH]

That steam powered crane is absolutely amazing. Glad that James the cake expert is keeping you boys safe. LOL Love you guys and your interesting and entertaining videos. As always, great work. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

[terryansell]

I so enjoy and the videos and your many adventures such fun well done from New Zealand

[englishmaninmarktredwitz]

You guys are a breath of fresh air and always make me laugh! By the way I hope your videos are also kept by some industrial museum as they are incredibly valuable as an record of local industry. And James try to remember the teaspoon it only gets him cross! Keep up the great work.

[mileshigh]

Location with so much history! That final photo really brought it together! I loved how you lit the old crane up! It almost looked like it had its fire going! Too bad that foot bridge is no longer intact! As usual its not just the content, its also your great videography and music and research material as well as drone shots and editing!

[debonweb]

Wow! This is all so fascinating. I haven't missed a vid since I first 'discovered' you Martin [+ everyone else of course ... 'specially Jamesy boy] and you've introduced me to so much interesting [and often scary] stuff! Thank you for your great work and highly entertaining plus informative videos.
I haven't had chance to read through all the other comments [there are always so many!] so am sure someone has mentioned it before but
Eccles = flaky pastry and a bit fatter than
Chorley = shortcrust pastry and much wider and flatter.
Thanks again guys
Oh, bloody norah, almost forgot to add Ken taking those pics in the 70's
Plus the one of the footbridge too it did look pretty dodgy to be honest so yes, no wonder it's gone :)