We motored into Bugsworth near the end of the Peak Forest canal with no real expectation, other than a place to moor, maybe a pub and a tap for filling the boat's water tank. What we discovered was a labour of love. This had been at one time, back in the 19th century, the largest inland port on the canal system, a hive of industry: limestone was brought by boat and embryonic tram lines from nearby quarries, and here, amid acrid smoke, it was pulverised and poured into huge lime kilns to be transformed into a building material used for mortar, and also for agricultural use to fertilise the land. By 1927 production moved elsewhere facilitated by the railways, many of the buildings were cannibalised for stone and the place was left to go back to nature. By the early 1960s there was a move by the British Waterways board to close down this canal altogether. They didn't reckon with the enthusiasts of the Inland Waterways preservation society, who over 40 years, have lovingly restored it to something approaching its former glory and campaigned for the maintenance and restoration of the beautiful canal which takes you there. Bugsworth reopened in 2005 and is now a World heritage site. Hooray for the hard work and perseverance of the IWPS, some of whom did not live to see the fruition of their work. They have created something for future generations to enjoy. Not many of us achieve so lasting a mark on the landscape.
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| Part of the old tramway |
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| Bugsworth basin in its working days around 1900 (picture courtesy of the IWPS) |
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