A telling way to appreciate canals

Richard O'Neill and Julianne Joyce from the Canal and River Trust Year 5 Children and teachers from Castleton Primary, St Edwards and St Gabriels

Over 100 children from three different schools in Castleton are working on the 'Tales from the Towpath', initiative led by award winning author and storyteller Richard O'Neill.

The children are researching the history and collecting stories about the section of the Rochdale canal which runs through their town.

mr O'Neill said: “I have historic family connections to the canals in Lancashire and I wanted children to see and appreciate what was on their doorstep. Canals are not only amazing pieces of social and industrial history, they are also full of science and technology too. 

"They are not just about the past they are about the present and future too, especially when it comes to regeneration.

“The children are also using the canal and the buildings around it to inspire their literacy, creativity and design. With the aim of creating a picture book story about Big Bob, Big Betty and the Big Butterfly boat. They are also creating poems, pieces of creative writing and even something that is believed to be a first, a rap about the canal.

“The project will conclude in April with a celebration at the canal, and the work has already inspired the idea of creating a canal festival at Castleton.”