October 17th 2006

Visitors to Standedge Visitor Centre are in for a fun-filled, spooky week of half-term activities during the run-up to Halloween at the end of October.

Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th and Friday 26th October:
Standedge Visitor Centre will be holding three Wild Over Waterways (WOW) days from 12.00 noon - 4.00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of half term week when children (accompanied by an adult) can take part in a number of activities including trick or treat bag making and create their own face masks for Hallowe'en, brass rubbing and numerous other craft exercises, all for £1. Children can also have their face painted for an extra 50p.

As an added treat on Thursday, blacksmith David Crane will be doing some demonstrations which children can take part in, if appropriately dressed, and learn all there is to know about the ingenious and skilful art of 'blacksmithing'.

Saturday 28th October:
For those who have a fascination in the paranormal, there will be the special afternoon trips at 1.00 pm, 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm, when White Rose Paranormal, who have recently been featured in the top selling, Paranormal magazine, will be investigating if there really is a 'dark side' to the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain. White Rose Paranormal have discovered ghostly happenings at various attractions in Yorkshire and will delve deeper into the unsolved mystery of the tunnel's murdered woman... not one for the fainthearted! Trips will cost £6.50 per person and include a free cuppa! Parental guidance is recommended for under 12s.

Founder of White Rose Paranormal, Sara Woodward, said: "Standedge Tunnel is such a historical place with lots of mystery and intrigue surrounding it this should be a really interesting investigation. If anyone has an interest in the paranormal world then they should come take a trip with us and see what we can discover."

Sunday 29th October:
There will be the chance to hop on board one of Standedge Tunnel's spooky cruises with the 'gruesome guide' as visitors get the chance to explore the dark depths of this atmospheric and mysterious canal tunnel.... if they dare!

More information about events at Standedge Visitor Centre can be found on their website www.standedge.co.uk.

20th August 2006

Visitors to Standedge Visitor Centre, at Tunnel End, near Marsden can take part in Family History Week between August 22nd and 27th 2006.

British Waterways, Yorkshire is inviting people to come and explore their family history and heritage by welcoming visitors to bring along old photographs and memorabilia and to get expert help on tracing their family roots through various workshops.

Throughout the week the Marsden Local History Group will be exhibiting their interpretation boards on topics ranging from agriculture to population to transport, providing a great insight into the many dynamics of local history. Visitors will also have the opportunity to ask questions to representatives of the group who will be on hand and to learn fascinating insights into their family history.

On Tuesday 22nd August, the week begins with a Wild Over Waterways (WOW) activity day for children, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.

On Wednesday 23rd and Saturday 26th August, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm, workshops will be provided by the West Yorkshire Archive Service and Kirklees Local Studies Library, which will give visitors the opportunity to learn the skills needed to trace their family trees and explore avenues into learning about their ancestry.

On Thursday 24th August, the Waterways Trust will demonstrate its online resource of British Waterways' records and archives, which will trace the history of Britain's inland waterways back to its roots, with a wealth of information including drawings, plans, accounts, photographs and audio-visual recordings and other important historic documents.

Laurence Morgan, General Manager of British Waterways Yorkshire said: "Marsden is a closely knit community and the ancestors of many families who still live in the local villages are linked to the history of Standedge and the canal."

Archivist Teresa Wilmshurt of The Waterways Trust said: "This event will enable us to demonstrate just how useful waterways archives can be in helping to trace family history. With the Virtual Waterways website now freely available, people will be able to go away and see it for themselves."

There will be no events taking place on Monday or Friday as the Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre are closed

Guided boat trips into Standedge Tunnel are also available each day except Monday and Friday. The trips last around 30 minutes and run at 10.15 am, 11.00 am, 11.45 am, 1.00 pm, 1.45 pm, 2.30 pm, 3.15 pm and 4.00 pm.

Previous events:
On 1st August, the centre held a successful event to mark "Yorkshire Day". This was part of a county-wide celebration of the region's history and heritage and included writer Craig Bradley teaching visitors about the essence of "Yorkshireness".

On 5th and 6th August, the centre hosted a "Roses and Castles" weekend, where visitors were able to try their hands at the bright and colourful designs traditionally used on narrowboats under the guidance of experienced canalware painter, Ellen Levin.

More information about events at Standedge Visitor Centre can be found on their website www.standedge.co.uk.