Waterways World (Waterways World)

Member Name: polydeuces

Product:	Waterways World
Date:	07/08/08 (10 review reads)
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I grew up in a small town which is now irrevocably swallowed up in the huge conurbation that is Manchester and Salford. The area has few attractions these days as urban sprawl and poverty has sent the area downwards. As a child you do not notice such things but it is that sense that things are different now and ergo were different then that leads to an immense nostalgia. Some may call it the ageing process.

Living in the area where I did there were many things we learned of the history of the area and indeed we lived among that history. A V Roe the great pioneer aviator lived here, Clive of India was born there, Nasmyth's first steam hammer and, of course, the canals.
When I was young these canals were not just there they were still used. The Bridgewater Canal still took coal from the coalfields in Worsley to the huge Trafford Park industrial area as they had for 150 years since the engineer James Brindley built the canal for the Duke of Bridgewater. Slightly further away the huge container vessels of Manchester Liners in their bright red livery still squeezed through locks and past turning bridges on the Victorian Manchester Ship Canal. These vessels travelled towards the heart of Manchester.

Recently whilst browsing in the local shop I noticed a copy of 'Waterways World' a magazine devoted to inland waterways such as canals and navigable rivers. It is quite excellent. Rarely have I read a magazine so warmly devoted to its subject. The main articles are written with such affection for its subject they stir emotions within the reader.
There is first of all a huge section (12 pages) which has all the news of whats happening on the waterways. Short news items, many accompanied with photographs, tell of the work being done to restore and reopen canals. Much of this work is being done through funding my Millennium Trust finance and is helping to revitalise many areas.

There are articles on specific canals and waterways and a series telling the history of the pioneers of the canal age. Not just the 18th century builders but those who have spent their working lives on the canals in the 20th century. There are articles on the boats, their construction and use, the different kinds of bridges you see around the country. There is a letters page and reviews of books on the subject of waterways.
There is a huge number of advertisements in the magazine but that does not detract from its value at all. In fact many of these are fascinating as the world of the waterways is obviously huge business. Adverts cover everything form buying or hiring a boat to chandlery.

I really enjoyed reading Waterways World. I will buy it again particularly if it ever covers where I was brought up. Reading it brought back so many happy memories.

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