It was with much excitement in October 2003 we discovered that for at least two members of the WRG Forestry Team work was to start on a relatively local canal.
The Hollinwood Canal is on the East side of Manchester and could provide a handy link between the newly restored Rochdale canal and the Ashton canal.
The section being put forward for initial work runs through the delightful Daisy Nook country park and is in the possession of Oldham Council.
The first working party on the canal was held on the weekend of 16 / 17 October 2004 attended by Dave and Alison. A good number of local volunteers were on site for an inaugural "dig", with small trees being removed from the coping stones lining a short stretch of the canal. It is hard to see how far the local society can go with this canal without a proactive cohesive approach from Oldham Council and its associated departments. Having said that, it has potential to be a lovely stretch of canal just outside the city of Manchester. The park is amazingly well used by riding schools, walkers, joggers, cyclists, fishermen etc. and is an amazing resource for Oldham.
A sole representative of WRG Forestry returned to the Hollinwood in February 2006, to supplement WRG North West regional group's supply of chipper operators. The work taking place was chipping of the small trees and shrubs removed from the line of the canal at a previous weekend.
To whet your appetite, go here for a link to the Hollinwood's website.