Bridgewater Canal project

Bridgewater Canal 250 years 1761 to 2011

Bridgewater Canal 250th anniversary

2011 saw the 250th anniversary of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford. Opened in 1761, the canal is arguably the birthplace of the industrial revolution, with its engineering and social innovations shaping modern society.

To mark this momentous occasion there were a number of exciting events that took place throughout the year.

In February 2011, we started the celebrations at Worsley Court House. Dedicated members of the local community were invited to be fed and entertained at the court house in order to say 'thank you' for all their hard work, passion and enthusiasm in making the canal what it is today. Acts included the Barton Theatre Company who performed a specially written A to Z of the Bridgewater Canal in their inimitable style, Pete Martin who saved the day with a series of well known cover versions and little known period songs about the city and canal, Jo Bell, who gave a passionate performance of her specially written poem 'The Duke's Cut' and last but not least the Walkden and Farnworth brass band who performed a series of traditional songs from the minstrels gallery.

On 28 April, Mikron Theatre Company premiered their new play, Hell and Highwater, in two open air performances on Worsley Green. The weather was on our side as the actors sang, danced and played their way through a specially written play that commemorated the vision, toil and genius behind the building of the Bridgewater Canal. 170 people brought along their chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the play.

Bridgewater Canal iPhone app

A free Bridgewater Canal iPhone app written by Salford residents can be downloaded by anybody interested in the historic waterway.

Canal visitors making their way from Boothstown to Barton can use the app to look out for landmarks, buildings and animals. Features also include historic images of the canal, interesting facts and memories from local people.

Titled ‘The Bridgewater Canal - a waterside trail', the app was designed to bring the heritage and nature of the Bridgewater Canal to life on people's mobile phones and can be downloaded for free from the Apple iTunes App Store. As part of the Bridgewater Canal 250th anniversary, The Friends of Salford Museum and Art Gallery have written the app with help from Salford City Council and Salford Community Leisure. It's been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Councillor Paula Boshell, Salford City Council's Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Culture and Leisure said: "The free app is a brilliant way to find out more about the Bridgewater Canal and it's fascinating past over the last 250 years. If you have an iPhone and love the great outdoors, I'd really recommend it."

Download the Bridgewater app from the iTunes App Store.