The Rochdale canal is one of the most challenging climbs on the inland waterways, and although one of the most beautiful, is also one of the most underused of the northern canals.
We want to celebrate the diversity and drama of this fantastic canal by providing a fun, memorable climb with lots of opportunities to explore and learn more about it’s history and nature.
The Rally will set off from Manchester Piccadilly, with boats rising in pairs through the 48 locks to the Summit, ably assisted by CRT volunteer lock-keepers. The journey will take four days, with evening entertainment organised at each stopping point. Once there we invite you to explore local arts and crafts at the fair being organised at the end, and to join us in feasting, dancing and drinking as we prepare the rush cart for the Littleborough Rush-Bearing festival that weekend.
Those who wish to are also welcome to join us the following day as we head back down the canal, accompanied by more music and dancing, to join in with the revelry at the Littleborough Festival.
Participation costs £25 per boat., which includes entrance to the Warland festivities and the Ceilidh and food at both events. If you would like to book in for food at the pubs (except for the Red Lion) this needs to be booked in advance and costs an extra £25 per person.
Schedule
We’ve carefully planned the rally to make sure fun is provided all along the way. The programme so far:
- Sun 15: Piccadilly Basin (Lock 85)
- Sun 15 Boat and Horses (Lock63); join us for a well earned dinner and pit your wits against the other crews in our Rochdale Canal pub quiz
- Mon 16: Hopwood Arms (Lock 54): Get to know all about the history, nature and heritage of this unique waterway
- Tue 17: Red Lion Pub (Lock 47): Almost there! We reckon that’s worth celebrating with some folk music and great beer at this local institution (food not available here)
- Wed 18: Summit Inn (Lock37):Made it to the Summit! Lyn and her crew will be there to welcome us to the top and serve us up some well deserved food and drink
- Thursday 19: Warland (Lock 35) Just two more locks along and we will meet up with the Warland Fair; where you are invited to help dress the Rush Cart, and join in as the merriments at the start of the Rush-Bearing festival (Food provided),
- Fri 20: Littleborough (Lock 47) Those that wish to can head back down to Littleborough, accompanied by dancers and music as we take our place at the Festival itself. Join us that evening for a last night Ceilidh (food provided);
There we part company, but for those that still have more energy, the Rushbearing Festivities are on all weekend, stick around and join in the fun!
Summit's Up! 