These pictures taken on May 18th 2001.

Photo: Gary Metcalfe

The official opening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal through Saddleworth on May 18th: Pennine Moonraker slides out of the restored High Street Bridge, Uppermill, to cut through the ribbon.

Photo: Gary Metcalfe

The official guests gather on the canal towpath for the opening ceremony.

A slight hitch as the historic horse-drawn wooden cargo narrowboat Lilith gets stuck coming out of Wade Lock.

Pennine Moonraker gives Lilith a tow and helpers give her a push. Lilith eventually squeezed out of the lock. The problem seems to have arisen from the lock having a slight twist in it. Lilith is on her way to Huddersfield with a commercial cargo of scrap metal.

Sue Day at Uppermill with three of her boat horses. In the background is the horse-drawn Maria on her way back from Huddersfield.

Grateful thanks to Gary Metcalfe for his photographs at the top of this page.