MORE than 40 members from a local club made history as the first paddle boarders to go through Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich.
To mark the 20th anniversary since the lift’s restoration, members of the Mid Cheshire Stand Up Paddle Board took to the water and created a ‘spectacle’ along the River Weaver, paddling together alongside the spectacular ‘Cathedral of the Canals’.
The Canal and River Trust hosted a range of special attractions at the lift visitor centre on March 26, including a Memories Exhibition, the unveiling of a community patchwork quilt of the River Weaver Navigation, Lego building and Walking the Lift tours.
The Memories Exhibition featured a new film, as well as photos and artefacts telling the story of the last 20 years.
The new patchwork quilt depicting the River Weaver was created by sewing experts from local quilting group, the Cosmic Chicks.
Six panels illustrate the navigation in fact and fantasy from Winsford to Frodsham.
Carly Graham, visitor centre manager, said: “Many people have been involved in the restoration and the operation of the lift over the last two decades.
We wanted to capture that in a special memories exhibition which celebrated the incredible £7 million restoration 20 years ago and the role of the boat lift since.”
The anniversary year is due to feature a host of special events including a weekend Steam Festival on May 7 and 8, and a 10k charity run on Sunday, May 15.
For more information, visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/anderton-boat-lift-visitor-centre.
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