Guided tours around, along and on the Bridgewater Canal in Salford Enquiries welcome. Fully Covid19 secure.
A group of entertaining and knowledgeable, professional, insured and Institute of Tourist Guiding accredited tour guides offering a calendar of tours for the public and bookable tours for private groups around and along the Bridgewater Canal in Salford, Worsley, Boothstown, Astley Green, Eccles and the area surrounding the RHS Garden Bridgewater.
In our latest blog Green Badge Bridgewater Canal Tourist Guide Mark Charnley tells us all about his namesake in St Mark's church Worsley.
https://bridgewatercanalguidedtours.com/blog/st-marks-lions/
British Guild of Tourist Guides
We have weekly and monthly tours currently running around the Bridgewater Canal area. There are multiple dates available.
In our latest blog Royston tells us more about L.S. Lowry and his links in Salford and the Bridgewater Canal.
Find out more on our website.
https://bridgewatercanalguidedtours.com/blog/l-s-lowry-and-the-bridgewater-canal/
We are a group of independent tourist guides all with different skills and interests but we share a passion for anything relating to the Bridgewater Canal.
Great man
Arthur Doodson was born in Boothstown (near Worsley) on 31st March, 1898. He was the son of a cotton mill manager in Salford.
Arthur was bright and superb at maths. But he always had hearing difficulties and on leaving school he found, to his great consternation, that he couldn't get a job. It was a time when there was still a lot of ignorance, stigma and prejudice attached to any kind of disability.
He was eventually taken on by Ferranti's in Manchester as a meter tester. Later, he got accepted by Liverpool University and he took degrees in Maths and Chemistry. He passed with flying colours even though, by then, he was completely deaf.
During the 1st World War, he got a job calculating the trajectory of artillery fire. Then he got a job at the 'Liverpool Observatory and Tidal Institute' which drew up tide tables for sea captains and shipping companies to use.
The behaviour of the sea is one of the most unpredictable things in nature. Throughout the ages, countless accidents and shipwrecks, even in well-known waters are proof of this. Tide tables for coastal areas are worked out by using all sorts of complex data and mathematical formulae. And it turned out that Arthur Doodson was good at it, very good at it.
When the Tidal Institute got hold of a primitive computer from Boston, called a “tide predicting machine”, Arthur used it in his work. Right right from the start, he continually tinkered with it, making adjustments, to improve it. So much so, that he ended up completely re-designing the whole computer.
By 1929, at the age of 31, he was in charge of the Tidal Institute. This was a really remarkable achievement for a deaf person in those days. He went on to draw up tide tables for about two-thirds of the world's seas and ports.
During the 2nd World War, the staff at the Tidal Institute were reduced to a bare minimum - just Arthur and six young women. They had a rota for night-time fire watch duty on the roof, wearing trench coats and tin helmets, and being at the ready with buckets of water in case an incendiary bomb hit their observatory.
Early in 1944, Arthur was quietly approached by the military and given a very important top-secret job. They wanted him to produce detailed information about the sea and tides off Normandy. And from this, they wanted him to suggest the best date and best time of day for forces to make a landing. In short, they asked him to come up with an optimum time for the invasion of France.
It was a big ask, because France was under German control, so obviously Arthur couldn't just pop over to collect all the relevant data. The task was further complicated because the different branches of the armed forces all had their own particular preferences: the air force wanted a full moon (for visibility), the navy wanted a low tide (to avoid underwater obstacles), but the army wanted high tide (so troops didn't have to cross wide beaches whilst under fire).
So Arthur used his “tide predicting machine” and gathered all the old data he could find. But mostly he used his own expert knowledge to solve this conundrum. In the end, he came up with 5-7 June as the best days, and he recommended early morning, 2-3 hours after low tide, as the best time.
This was passed on to the Allied High Command and they took Arthur’s advice. It was a very narrow time slot and the whole of the Normandy invasion plan, the liberation of Europe and outcome of the war depended on Arthur’s calculations being right.
What he couldn’t promise, of course, was good weather. The Normandy invasion was all set for 5th June. But when the time came, the seas were too choppy and visibility poor. So it was put off for 24 hours. The forecast for the 6th was better, and so that became “D-Day”.
The biggest ever air-land-sea invasion in history began. The entire course of world history depended on its success. And it was all launched on a date and at a time set by a deaf man from Salford.
For making this small, but crucial, contribution to winning the war, Arthur Doodson received a CBE in 1956. He is pictured here with his wife and son at the Palace.
He died in 1968 and is buried in the Wirral.
~ Credits goes to respective owners
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Could it have been "Ferry across the Irwell"?
Find out more in our latest blog from David Barnes. Green Badge Bridgewater Canal Tourist Guide
https://bridgewatercanalguidedtours.com/blog/it-could-have-been-ferry-cross-the-irwell-the-irwell-connection/
We are a group of independent tourist guides all with different skills and interests but we share a passion for anything relating to the Bridgewater Canal.
It has come to our knowledge that our logo, in use since we were constituted in 2019, has been used without permission. Bridgewater Canal Guided Tours has seven members, all of whom are Green Badge Guides for the Bridgewater Canal in Salford.
Accept no imitations and if you come across any use of this logo, please do let us know.
Our latest blog tells us the history or the aqueducts on the Bridgewater Canal. Click here to find out more
Did you know that Chat Moss was the inspiration for an orchestral piece by Peter Maxwell Davies? Find out more in our latest blog.
https://bridgewatercanalguidedtours.com/blog/the-great-glaziers-of-st-marks-church/
Check out our latest blog about the East Window in St Mark's Church Worsley.
We are a group of independent tourist guides all with different skills and interests but we share a passion for anything relating to the Bridgewater Canal.
Another gem from John Davies.
New Hall: 1st picture - domestic servants, 2nd picture chauffeurs, footmen and garage staff, 3rd picture the hall itself.
If you’ve ever watched Upstairs, Downstairs or Downton Abbey, you’ll know that there was a strict hierarchy below stairs, which included the butler, cook, housekeeper, lady’s maid, chauffeur, footmen and various maids, such as parlour maid, chamber maid, kitchen maid, house maid, and lesser servants like the laundry maid and scullery maid.
The servants in the picture look lovely in their dresses and aprons, but it was a hard life. A typical day would see a house maid get up at 6am, wash, dress and put her hair into a bun. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, she helped set the table, serve the meals and then clear the table afterwards. A maid might serve tea when required, but like all servants, she had to perfect the art of being invisible – staying out of sight if possible, or, when in the presence of the master/lady of the house, keeping silent or standing still against the wall with head slightly bowed.
The maid would make the beds and then spend much of her day cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, polishing and sweeping all the rooms, hallways, stairs, fireplaces, bathrooms and toilets. The house maid was also expected to help in the kitchen, doing dishes and laundry, and to always be on hand to fetch and carry. She grabbed her own meals in between all these tasks and would fall into bed around 10pm.
The work was often dirty and a maid might have to change her apron several times a day. She sometimes put on a clean dress to serve at table. She would have to buy or make all these dresses and aprons herself, although as a special treat, she might be given some cloth as a Christmas present.
Everyday, it was the exact same routine, except on a Sunday, when there was a rota for the domestic staff to get the afternoon off. This was your life, week in, week out, year on year, without a single day off for a holiday.
It's wrong to call it "slavery" as there was no buying, selling or legal ownership of people. People had a choice to enter "service" or not. It was common for girls to go into service from the age 10-13 and to stay into their 30s and 40s, when most left to get married. It was less common for a woman to spend her whole working life in service, although some did. Today we may regard it as gross exploitation, but at the time domestic service was regarded as secure, well-paid work in comfortable and pleasant surroundings. After deductions for food and board, a Victorian maid might get £6 to £12 a year, which was was plenty enough to attract lots of applicants if a position was advertised. In 1891, there were 1.3 million women and girls working as domestic servants in England. But it does say a lot about the absence of any other, better alternatives for Victorian working women, that so many felt that a life of endless drudgery was not their worst option.
There were very strict rules for female servants. You were under constant scrutiny - your appearance, your work, your demeanour. No “followers” (boyfriends) were allowed. If a maid ever wanted to marry, she usually had to give up her job. It was also never advisable to fall sick, to get pregnant, or even to show any signs of old age, as these were all reasons for dismissal. Your attic room could be searched at any time. Sometimes a trap was laid: a penny placed under a rug. If you found it and kept it, you’d be sacked for dishonesty. If you left it, you could be sacked for not cleaning under rug.
Not all households were so bad, but the mistreatment of servants was commonplace. Younger maids were especially vulnerable to being bullied or sexually exploited. There's no doubt that some staff put up with it and suffered in silence, knowing their word would count for nothing compared to that of those in authority over them. Walking out, or being sacked, meant no reference. That meant you had very little chance of ever finding another maid’s job anywhere else.
Salford workhouse always had plenty of male and female inmates who had “domestic servant” as their previous employment.
Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey were a real thing for Worsley. We can't give you the lowdown on real life at the big house but we can show you the site and sights that are part of the legacy of Worsley New Hall and the Egerton family.
Another gem from John Davies.
New Hall: 1st picture - domestic servants, 2nd picture chauffeurs, footmen and garage staff, 3rd picture the hall itself.
If you’ve ever watched Upstairs, Downstairs or Downton Abbey, you’ll know that there was a strict hierarchy below stairs, which included the butler, cook, housekeeper, lady’s maid, chauffeur, footmen and various maids, such as parlour maid, chamber maid, kitchen maid, house maid, and lesser servants like the laundry maid and scullery maid.
The servants in the picture look lovely in their dresses and aprons, but it was a hard life. A typical day would see a house maid get up at 6am, wash, dress and put her hair into a bun. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, she helped set the table, serve the meals and then clear the table afterwards. A maid might serve tea when required, but like all servants, she had to perfect the art of being invisible – staying out of sight if possible, or, when in the presence of the master/lady of the house, keeping silent or standing still against the wall with head slightly bowed.
The maid would make the beds and then spend much of her day cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, polishing and sweeping all the rooms, hallways, stairs, fireplaces, bathrooms and toilets. The house maid was also expected to help in the kitchen, doing dishes and laundry, and to always be on hand to fetch and carry. She grabbed her own meals in between all these tasks and would fall into bed around 10pm.
The work was often dirty and a maid might have to change her apron several times a day. She sometimes put on a clean dress to serve at table. She would have to buy or make all these dresses and aprons herself, although as a special treat, she might be given some cloth as a Christmas present.
Everyday, it was the exact same routine, except on a Sunday, when there was a rota for the domestic staff to get the afternoon off. This was your life, week in, week out, year on year, without a single day off for a holiday.
It's wrong to call it "slavery" as there was no buying, selling or legal ownership of people. People had a choice to enter "service" or not. It was common for girls to go into service from the age 10-13 and to stay into their 30s and 40s, when most left to get married. It was less common for a woman to spend her whole working life in service, although some did. Today we may regard it as gross exploitation, but at the time domestic service was regarded as secure, well-paid work in comfortable and pleasant surroundings. After deductions for food and board, a Victorian maid might get £6 to £12 a year, which was was plenty enough to attract lots of applicants if a position was advertised. In 1891, there were 1.3 million women and girls working as domestic servants in England. But it does say a lot about the absence of any other, better alternatives for Victorian working women, that so many felt that a life of endless drudgery was not their worst option.
There were very strict rules for female servants. You were under constant scrutiny - your appearance, your work, your demeanour. No “followers” (boyfriends) were allowed. If a maid ever wanted to marry, she usually had to give up her job. It was also never advisable to fall sick, to get pregnant, or even to show any signs of old age, as these were all reasons for dismissal. Your attic room could be searched at any time. Sometimes a trap was laid: a penny placed under a rug. If you found it and kept it, you’d be sacked for dishonesty. If you left it, you could be sacked for not cleaning under rug.
Not all households were so bad, but the mistreatment of servants was commonplace. Younger maids were especially vulnerable to being bullied or sexually exploited. There's no doubt that some staff put up with it and suffered in silence, knowing their word would count for nothing compared to that of those in authority over them. Walking out, or being sacked, meant no reference. That meant you had very little chance of ever finding another maid’s job anywhere else.
Salford workhouse always had plenty of male and female inmates who had “domestic servant” as their previous employment.
Only 2 more Coal, Canal and Cake tours for 2023! Where has the time gone?
Still time to book. Next tours are 11th Nov and 9th Dec.
Or are you looking for a Christmas gift? We have gift vouchers available.
Check out the tours section of our website for more details.
We have weekly and monthly tours currently running around the Bridgewater Canal area. There are multiple dates available.
It's but in we aren't worried by triskaidekaphobia... Join us on our Coal, Canal & Cake tour tomorrow (Saturday 14th) to find out the story of why the clock at St Mark's Worsley strikes 13 every day at 1pm and 1am. Book now!
British Guild of Tourist Guides Institute of Tourist Guiding
A tour exploring the history of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford and the hidden clues of its link to the coal deep in seams underground.
Great coverage on the BBC of RHS Bridgewater.
So good to see the garden going from strength to strength and attracting more visitors each year.
https://www.facebook.com/100068834365820/posts/626289356342204/
Only 96 days until Christmas!
Time to buy the perfect gift of a tour around the Bridgewater Canal.
Dates are now available to book for tours in 2024 for Coal Canal and Cake. £16 per person every 2nd Saturday of the month.
More details are available in the tours section of our website.
https://giftup.app/place-order/4ef0d80d-1598-4867-0870-08dacca1a898?platform=Hosted
We are a group of independent tourist guides all with different skills and interests but we share a passion for anything relating to the Bridgewater Canal.
Join our qualified guides for more tours and talks on a Salford Church & the Bridgewater Canal in Stretford amongst other things and supporting
1
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/guided-tours-of-eccles-parish-church
And
2
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/stretford-public-hall
◄ Back to previous page Guided tours of Eccles Parish Church Eccles Parish Church, Church Street, Eccles, Greater Manchester, M30 0DF 45 minute guided tours of historic Eccles Parish Church. Join us at Eccles Parish Church on Saturday 16th September and discover this site in a different light w...
Interested in architecture but don't understand the history of old buildings? Want to know more?
Starting this week in Wilmslow
See
For more details and to book please visit
https://www.guildlifelonglearning.org/courses/architecture-for-all-a-romp-through-architectural-history-of-the-uk
Exciting new developments at RHS Garden Bridgewater
How about a tour of the fabulous village
With your local guides Bridgewater Canal Guided Tours
Our Coal, Canal and Cake tour ends inside the beautiful church of St Mark's with tea and cake.
The Earl of Ellesmere (Francis Egerton) employed the famous architect Sir George Gilbert Scott to build this fine gothic church.
When Francis Edgerton inherited the estate he found a "God-forgotten place; its inhabitants were
much addicted to drink and rude sports, their morals being deplorably low. The whole district was in a state of religious and educational destitution; there was no one to see to the spiritual wants of the people, and teaching was all but nullity itself.' A church was therefore necessary!
Looking to book a tour on Eventbrite? Here is the link to all upcoming events.
Knowledgeable, professional, insured and Institute of Tourist Guiding accredited tour guides, offering a calendar of tours for the public and bookable tours for private groups or individuals around and along the Bridgewater Canal in Salford, Worsley, Boothstown, Astley Green, Eccles and the area sur...
Why not book a tour for summer?
Check out our website for details of our monthly Coal Canal and Cake Tour or maybe you'd be interested in the Right Royal Ramble.
We also sell gift vouchers perfect for birthday or Christmas experience presents!
We have weekly and monthly tours currently running around the Bridgewater Canal area. There are multiple dates available.
Bridgewater Canal Green Badge Guide Alexandra is an architectural historian. She is leading a course covering all things architecture with the Guild for Lifelong Learning.
If you would like to book please see our website for more details.
on 26 Jul 2023 By Michele Thompson Event, Tour Architecture for All – A Romp through the Architectural History of the UK Bridgewater Canal Green Badge Guide Alexandra Fairclough is a leading course all about architecture. The course covers the buildings, big and small, and the social context withi...
This Saturday, enjoy tea (or coffee or hot chocolate ☕) and cake in the grade 1 listed St Mark's Worsley after a guided walking tour of with Elizabeth.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coal-canal-and-cake-tickets-154147185381
British Guild of Tourist Guides Visit Salford Visit Manchester The Bridgewater Canal CharnleysOutdoors
A tour exploring the history of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford and the hidden clues of its link to the coal deep in seams underground.
As seen on TV - broadcast featured Bridgewater Canal & Worsley. Want to 'see some more?' Join us on our regular tours or book a private tour for your group. Thank you to Mike Shaw for spotting it.
The Bridgewater Canal Visit Salford Visit Manchester
Love the way that our Duke has grown into his landscape alongside The Bridgewater Canal British Guild of Tourist Guides
1872 Maharajah the elephant reached Manchester. He had walked with keeper, Lorenzo, from Edinburgh to Belle Vue Zoo.
Why did he walk all that way?
Apparently he wasn't very happy going inside the train carriage with the other animals and/or smashed it to pieces.
The zookeeper, Lorenzo the Lion Tamer, offered to walk the 220 miles to Manchester with Maharajah which took 10 days.
As a result there was a big fanfare when he arrived at Belle Vue.
Another part of the legend suggests that, somewhere en route, Maharajah was stopped by an aggressive tollgate master who argued with Lorenzo over how much to charge this oversized load.
Losing patience, the elephant lifted the tollgate off its hinges with his trunk and contined on his long walk.
He could have walked along the canal...who knows!
Happy World Heritage Day 2023. We were exploring the youngest part of the today - spring was bursting out all over as we visited the Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green via
British Guild of Tourist Guides
There are still some tickets left for this coming Saturday, 11th March. We would love to see you on our Coal, Canal & Cake tour.
Can't do this Saturday? The tour runs on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Check out the link to book your place.
A tour exploring the history of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford and the hidden clues of its link to the coal deep in seams underground.
What is the most interesting thing you've seen pulled from a canal?
https://fb.watch/j1G2pYUR7a/
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Elizabeth and Mark were very happy to be invited to the launch party for the brand new day boat on the canal at Worsley - we would be very happy arrange a guide for you and your group (up to seven in the party plus your Bridgewater Canal guide) on your day out on "Marilyn." Get in touch with us directly to arrange your guide & register your interest in hiring the boat via their website which will be live soon https://www.worsleydayboats.co.uk/
It's Friday 13th today but we aren't triskaidekaphobic, the chimes of St Mark's Worsley ring 13 at 1pm and 1am every day. Find out why on one of our tours of #worsley British Guild of Tourist Guides Institute of Tourist Guiding Visit Manchester Visit Salford https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/tours-and-sightseeing/tours-and-tour-guides/canal-coal-and-cake-guided-tour-of-worsley-p465761
A brighter day a couple of weeks ago on the Bridgewater Canal with our resident #swans enjoying delicious Brambles Pet and Wildlife swan & duck food British Guild of Tourist Guides RHS Garden Bridgewater The Bridgewater Canal
Tours starting from the Delph every Saturday. Check us out on Eventbrite or TXGB to book. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bridgewater-canal-guided-tours-33289582225 https://book.txgb.co.uk/v4/Pages/Availability.aspx?exl_psn=BwCnlTours&exl_dn=aaa_mywebsite
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