KING Charles paid a visit to Northwich 20 years ago to the week of today’s grand coronation ceremony.
At the time, the heir to the throne was patron of the Waterways Trust, the charity then charged with preserving Britain’s canals and rivers, which included the famous Anderton Boat Lift.
The lift, which links the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal 50 feet above, closed at the end of the boating season in 1983 and failed to reopen due to structural faults.
However, in March 2002, after a challenging restoration scheme, it rose again and continues to claims its rightful place as one of the seven wonders of the waterway.
The then Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester arrived by helicopter late on Monday, April 28, 2003, to open the newly refurbished Anderton Boat Lift after being closed almost two decades.
Charles waved to crowds gathered on the banks of the Trent and Mersey Canal, giving the thumbs-up to youngsters waving flags.
He then took the lift’s resident pleasure boat, the Edwin Clark, for a spin on the canal.
Alan Wrench, who was boat master of the Edwin Clark at the time, remembers the Prince’s visit well.
He said: “I recall him being a very nice man, and very down to earth.
"The trip boat was moored in the basin at the top of the lift and after lots of security checks, we welcomed him on board.
"We then took the boat down through the lift and there were several dignitaries on board too.
"All the way through the lift, he was chatting to everyone about it, the legacy of ICI and the history of the lift itself.
"He was really interested in hearing about the restoration.
"At the bottom, Charles took the wheel, steered the boat out of the lift, around the corner into the river and spun it round to come alongside the bank - with only a little help! He actually managed really well.
"There was no crashing and he took a great interest in what we did. I was very proud to meet our future king - he was a very nice chap, and I’m looking forward to seeing his coronation.”
Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lynn Pegler, was then the British Waterways communications manager responsible for ensuring the royal visit went smoothly.
She said: “Prince Charles has always been a big supporter of the waterways and we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to perform the formal opening of the full site.
“It was my job to make all the royal visit arrangements with the Cheshire Lord Lieutenant and organise the media coverage.
“The Anderton Boat Lift is a spectacular, unique structure and Prince Charles could not have been more genuinely interested in what we were doing.
“The site was full of members of the local community, British Waterways staff and representatives from all the organisations involved in its restoration.
“It was a major achievement getting to this point and I think everyone was walking around with a huge grin.
“He was only at Anderton for an hour, but he was so enthusiastic and managed to chat to lots of people in that short time.
“It was a brilliant day, and 20 years on, as we watch him being crowned king, the reminder of his visit to Northwich will, I’m sure, bring back a massive smile to my face.”
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