MEMBERS gathered for the August meeting of Northwich U3A. Notices were read out from the various groups and a reminder given that the balance is due for the Cotswolds trip in September.

The AGM will take place in October, and members were asked to consider joining the committee.

The chairman introduced speaker Dave Thomas. Dave, who works as a lift operator, gave a very comprehensive talk about the Anderton Boat Lift and began by explaining why it was built in 1875, and its change in working method from water hydraulics to electrical operation.

The lift connected the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal 50 feet above, allowing boats carrying salt, coal, pottery material and other goods to pass directly from one to the other.

The lift worked until 1983 when serious structural faults were discovered. This coincided with a decline in business, due to other forms of faster transport taking over, and in 1984 it was closed.

Restoration funding was sought and the money came in from many sources. It wasn’t until 2002 that the work was finally finished, and a year later the operations centre opened.

This stunning National Heritage Monument, known as the “Cathedral of Canals”, has such an interesting history.

The visitor centre can be visited for free most days, and from April to October trips down the lift to the River Weaver can be enjoyed.

Next month’s meeting will take place on September 17, at Barnton Memorial Hall, and the talk is entitled ‘The Good Old Days’.

Dorothy Wilson