‘The Duke of Bridgewater’s Underground Coal Mining Canals from1760’ (Alan Davies)

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‘The Duke of Bridgewater’s Underground Coal Mining Canals from 1760’ by Alan Davies

The Third Duke of Bridgewater (The Canal Duke) embarked on a system of underground canals on four levels accessing a vast coalfield to the north and west, at the time regarded as one of the wonders of the engineering world. The canals branched out to draw coal from the workings of over 35 collieries, doing so until 1887. From the Worsley Delf entrance eventually over 52 miles of canals were driven. The system was last maintained and regularly inspected in 1968 as it continued to drain modern collieries to the west. Speaker Alan Davies was involved in the 1999 feasibility study along with the Mines Rescue Service.  He produced the only colour film ever produced of the canals during the survey.

Alan Davies was born in Atherton, which had 3 pits.  He worked in 5 collieries, finally managing Lancashire’s last pit, Hilltop Colliery drift in Bacup.  He is a qualified archivist, and was the curator of Lancashire Mining Museum in Salford: 1985-2000, and then in charge of Wigan Record Office until 2007.

The Friends’ Meeting House is located at 6 Mount Street, M2 5NS. Mount Street connects Peter Street with Albert Square and is immediately to the rear of the Central Library. The Metrolink St. Paters Square tram stop in front of the Central Library with trams serving both Piccadilly and Victoria stations. Both Oxford Road and Deansgate stations are ten minutes walk away. The nearest car parks are in Watson Street and Manchester Central (formerly GMEX).

Both RCHS members and non-members are invited to attend this meeting. A voluntary contribution of £4.00 is suggested to help to defray expenses.