Swing Bridge
 

Re: Swing Bridge
 

Nice pictures. Is that somewhere in Church?

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I believe it might have been me Willow, although I did have a walk up the canal earlier this year it’s always a delight to see new photo’s of the area and they are very much appreciated. Lot’s of memories of the Bridge itself, I use to love it down there. It seems to get smaller as one gets older doesn’t it.

Re: Swing Bridge
 

I know what you mean Doug. I seem to remember it was a lot bigger than that when I was smaller.

Yes Gayle, it is Church, Dill Hall to be precise, down behind the Esso garage on the way to the caravan scrapyard.

Re: Swing Bridge
 

I thought so, it's a really nice walk down there and most people don't know about it. It's like being in the country.

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i agree it is a nice area but is that not the same area with the caravan yard which was on fire last sunday???? there is another swing bridge at the bottom of Dill Hall Farm (footpath from dill hall lane, opposite cemerety, then through field and through Dunkenhalgh Farm and out near GEC (as I call it) or you can exit to the roundabout near to the slip roads for the M65

Re: Swing Bridge
 

Yes that is the one behind the Esso garage and near the caravan scrapyard. That's the one I thought Doug was referring to previously when asking for a photo.

In another thread you'll see a couple of photos I took of the remnants of some burnt out caravans on that same "expedition".

Re: Swing Bridge
 

Thanks for the photos Willow, I think it was me, who asked to see them. By gum it brings back memories, a Boy was crushed to death in the 60s, trying to jump on to the bank, while it was still swinging, and sliped in between, the bridge and the bank. We used to open it when we saw a barge coming so that they could go on and not stop and open it themselves. There were also some old air raid shelters on the Dill hall side.

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thats the reason they have given keys to the users of the canals so it is up to them too do the work and not let joe public get involved!

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uses to go swimming there as a kid...

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Anticipating that we are of a similar age Apest1, do you remember the twins that drowned in the cannal sometime around 65/66. They would only have been four or five they lived on Church St, between John St and Steiner’s Lane just before the school. I think they had an older brother.

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The reason the bridge looks smaller is that it is smaller. The metal bridge has replaced the old wooden one which was there for years. It was an absolute magnet to us as kids - we were always warned about children who had slipped and been crushed to death, but we played there anyway. Dangling over the canal by your arms with the bridge open was always a thrill, and riding the bar as it swung across. The canal was a forbidden zone, but the swing bridge was the most forbidden of all - that, of course, is where you would always find us!

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did you ever think ? ohh they must be rich ,sailing on the canal in there big boats,wonder where they will land?