Autumn Whispers on the Knottingley and Goole Canal

Inspired by the serene, almost cinematic view captured near Whitley, Eggborough, North Yorkshire, this photograph of the Knottingley and Goole Canal on a crisp November day speaks volumes. The glassy, dark water reflecting the overcast sky, the scatter of fallen leaves, and the line of moored narrowboats create a scene that is both tranquil and a reminder of the region's industrial past.

---

The Working Waterway: A History of Innovation

The Knottingley and Goole Canal is a vital section of the Aire and Calder Navigation, a waterway system with a rich history dating back to the late 17th century. This specific cut, opened in 1826, bypassed a slower, more circuitous route to the River Ouse, cementing its importance for trade.

Unlike many canals that faded completely after the railway boom, the Aire and Calder Navigation adapted and continued to thrive as a key commercial artery. Its enduring legacy is tied to the movement of coal from the Yorkshire collieries. This section of canal was engineered for efficiency, most famously through the use of 'Tom Puddings'—compartment boats linked together in long trains and towed by steam tugs. These innovative trains, which could carry up to 740 tons of coal per trip, were a remarkable feat of Victorian engineering and helped establish the inland port of Goole.

• 1704: Initial improvements to the Rivers Aire and Calder are completed.

• 1826: The Knottingley to Goole cut opens, shortening the route to the Humber.

• 1860s: The famous Tom Pudding compartment boat system is introduced, enabling the bulk transport of coal.

• Today: The navigation remains a working waterway, carrying freight like oil, sand, and gravel, alongside its use for leisure.

---

Life on the Water at Whitley

The image captures the modern reality of this historical canal: a peaceful mooring spot for residents. The row of narrowboats, nestled against the grassy bank, suggests a life of tranquillity and connection to nature, even with the backdrop of distant industry (note the high-voltage power lines and commercial buildings in the distance).

The boats themselves are miniature homes, often equipped with solar panels (visible on the roof of the narrowboat closest to the camera), highlighting a blend of traditional canal living and contemporary, sustainable technology. The contrast between the brilliant blue narrowboat and the subtle, autumnal colours of the foliage and the grey sky is striking. The reflective water amplifies the calmness of the scene, broken only by the gentle ripples spreading from the stern of the boat.

For those interested in exploring this area, the village of Eggborough is known for its proximity to the River Aire and its own rich local history, including the decommissioned power station which was a major landmark.

---

Your Next Yorkshire Canal Adventure

Whether you're a seasoned boater, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful walk, the towpaths along the Knottingley and Goole Canal offer a unique blend of heritage and nature. It's a place where you can trace the paths of the Tom Puddings while watching modern-day narrowboats cruise by. It's a reminder that sometimes, the oldest routes are still the best.

I took this image on the 10th November 2025 with a Canon r100, I was in the area to picture the nearby railway station and closed All Saints Church at Nearby Whitley, the church will feature in my next post.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

The pictures remains the copyright of Colin Green.

A Waterscape Transformed: Boxing Day Floods at Sowerby Bridge

The spirit of Boxing Day 2015 across the Calder Valley was shattered by a deluge that turned the familiar, picturesque waterways into a formidable, muddy torrent. The photographs you've shared capture this profound moment of transformation, specifically along the Calder and Hebble Navigation between Chain Bridge and the Canal Wharf in Sowerby Bridge.

This wasn't the gentle, reflective water canal users know. It was a raw display of the River Calder asserting its dominance, overwhelming the engineered boundaries of the navigation and reshaping the landscape entirely.

---

The Calm Before the Storm’s Surge

Sowerby Bridge is defined by its water. It’s where the Rochdale Canal, the Calder and Hebble Navigation, and the River Calder all converge. Historically, the Wharf was the bustling heart of industry, surrounded by magnificent stone mills and warehouses—many now converted into modern apartments, as seen clearly in the background of these images.

On an ordinary day, the navigation holds a clear, deep line, its water level neatly contained by the towpath walls and grassy banks. Narrowboats sit calmly in their moorings, perfectly mirrored in the still water.

However, the relentless rain leading up to and on Boxing Day stripped away this sense of calm. The river level rose dramatically, and its connection to the adjacent canal system meant the navigation quickly became a repository for the swollen river's volume.

---

Overspill and Overwhelm

The images show a waterway that has completely burst its banks, though the boundary between river and canal is blurred by the sheer volume of water.

• Elevated Water Level: In several shots, the water is seen almost to the top of the retaining walls, turning the low banks and grassy verges into extensions of the water itself. Where normally there would be dry land and walking paths, there is only the swirling, brown current.

• Submerged Features: The water has risen to consume parts of the infrastructure. The cobbled and paved areas surrounding the canal basin at the Wharf are underwater, turning the quay into a shallow, muddy lake. The scene by the dramatic old railway bridge (often called the Chain Bridge or a nearby canal bridge) shows the water aggressively lapping at the grass verge, reaching a level far above the towpath.

• The Narrowboats: The boats moored along the canal and at Kirkham Turn—the very heart of the Sowerby Bridge boating community—are suddenly sitting much higher. Instead of having a clear line between the boat and the bank, the water is right up to the grassy edge. While they are designed to float, the sight of them surrounded by the flood and the sheer volume of the murky water highlights the danger to these floating homes and leisure craft.

• Kirkham Turn's Transformation: The section at Kirkham Turn (where the canal bends past the large, contemporary apartment buildings) is particularly striking. The water stretches far wider than the canal's original width, flooding the low-lying ground by the trees and transforming the view from a controlled waterway into a vast, temporary lake reflecting the grey winter sky.

These photographs aren't just a record of a flood; they are a stark visual reminder of the vulnerability of our built environment when faced with the raw power of nature, and the dramatic reality faced by this resilient, historic Calder Valley town on that unforgettable Boxing Day.

The pictured below were taken with a Polaroid is2132, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Time Travel to 1974: A Peaceful Scene at Barrowford Locks

There's a gentle magic to slides that precisely transport you back to a specific moment. This 35mm slide from my collection, dated to 1974, offers a serene glimpse of the Barrowford Locks – a truly iconic section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lancashire.

The image immediately brings to mind sunny, unhurried days along England's historic waterways, a lifestyle that has continued to charm for centuries.

The Beauty of Barrowford Locks

Barrowford Locks are a well-known feature of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, forming part of a flight of seven locks that raise the canal's level. This particular vantage point seems to be looking along one of the sections of the canal, with boats moored on both sides.

• The Canal Itself: The water is a deep, tranquil blue, reflecting the sky and the surrounding greenery. The towpath, a broad concrete path, runs alongside, inviting a leisurely stroll.

• The Boats: A variety of canal boats, likely narrowboats and pleasure cruisers of the era, are gently resting in the water. Their designs, with the simple cabins and classic lines, are very typical of the 1970s. Many appear to be private boats, enjoying a quiet mooring.

• The White Railings: The prominent white railings in the foreground add a clean, classic feel to the scene, guiding the eye along the canal and offering a barrier from the water.

• Rural Backdrop: The gentle, rolling hills in the background, covered in trees and fields, confirm the rural setting. This is classic Lancashire countryside, relatively untouched by dense urban development in this particular view.

A Snapshot of 1974

The date of 1974 adds a wonderful layer of context:

• Leisure in the 70s: The 1970s saw a growing interest in inland waterways holidays in Britain. While commercial traffic on canals had declined significantly by this point, leisure boating was on the rise, and people were rediscovering the charm of slow travel through the countryside.

• Fashion & Figures: The lone figure walking along the towpath, with a simple shirt and trousers, offers a subtle nod to 70s casual wear. Another person or perhaps gear is visible closer to the railing on the left, blending into the scene.

• Quiet Respite: The overall impression is one of peace and quiet. There are no crowds, just the gentle hum of nature and the lapping of water. It's a stark contrast to the busy world outside, highlighting the canal as a sanctuary.

This photograph isn't just a record of a place; it's a feeling. It evokes the simplicity and charm of a summer's day decades ago, a time when life might have moved at a slightly slower pace, particularly along these beautiful, historic waterways.

Clicking the image below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!