The double locks at Dowley Gap, a couple of miles up the canal from Saltaire, are in my opinion among the prettier ones, largely due to the planting that has at some time been established around them. There is a fairly modern house right next door that I think might belong to the Canal and River Trust (a lock-keeper's house?), so maybe that explains it. Right now there are two shrubs covered in white blossom that cascade either side of the lock gates. In the sunshine, it reminded me of the flower arrangements that you sometimes see at weddings, on either side of the church door or chancel arch. (Remember the wonderful floral displays at Harry and Meghan's wedding in St Georges' Chapel, Windsor?)
I can say there always was a lock-keepers cottage at Dowley, indeed I remember the young man (1960) very well. It stood back from the towpath left. I believe it was sold into private hands by British Waterways. Much canal furniture was demolished by B.W. eg. Newlay and Forge Locks cottages. The lengthman's responsibility was extended all the way from Horsforth to Leeds. Ice breaking ceased. Were it not for Barbara Castle, Minister of Transport and Labour MP for Blackburn, we would have lost our lovely canal completely. Remember how Beeching pruned British Rail in the sixties? It nearly happened to us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful setting! (sorry if this is duplicate, couldn't push the "publish" button.)
ReplyDeleteThat is really lovely!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm having trouble shaking off the image of Meghan, in full wedding gown, steaming through the lock-gates.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteAfter doing some cruising through locks on rivers on the continent, these locks seem almost impossibly small.
ReplyDelete