IT is without doubt a stunning feat of engineering.
And the bravery and expertise of the men who took on the challenge of the Pennines above Huddersfield is about to be recognised.
The 200th anniversary of the opening of Standedge Tunnel is to be celebrated from next weekend.
One of Yorkshire’s finest examples of industrial archaeology and one of the ‘Seven Wonders’ of Britain’s Waterways will be celebrating its 200th birthday next Monday.
The tunnel, of course, carries the Huddersfield Narrow Canal through the Pennines from Marsden to Diggle.
Now, 200 years after opening on April 4, 1811, Standedge Tunnel and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be marking the occasion with a special Bicentenary event over three days.
Planned activities for the celebrations include a series of events by the Horseboating Society who will be ‘legging’ boats through the tunnel from both sides over the weekend of April 2-4.
Legging was the traditional way of getting the horse-drawn boats through the tunnel.
The horse would be walked over the top of the moors while the boat ‘leggers’ would lay on their backs on the top of the boats and walk their way through along the roof of the tunnel.
It was a slow and laborious process but one which continued for many decades.
Now the narrowboats which use the tunnel are guided through by electrically-powered tug boats from each end.
Other celebratory events include guided walks on the three days over the tunnel top following the route of the canal boat horses.
A wildlife and sensory garden made from recycled lock gates is being officially opened along with an all new children’s playground area.
A bicentenary mosaic art project continues throughout the weekend following on from project work in local schools in conjunction with Artswork Creative Communities.
And an arts and craft fair from local artists will be held in the visitor centre at Tunnel End.
Construction of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was sanctioned by an Act of Parliament in 1794 and was finally finished after 17 years of hard labour.
It was completed under the supervision of some of the finest engineers of the Industrial Revolution including Benjamin Outram, John Rooth and latterly, Thomas Telford who was the consultant overseeing the final section.
The first boat went through the tunnel on December 10, 1810, before the tunnel was officially opened on April 4th 1811. When it finally opened to navigation, it became the third transPennine waterway after the Leeds & Liverpool and Rochdale canals.
James Dean, visitor services manager for Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre, said: “It’s amazing to think that the tunnel and canal are today celebrating their 200th anniversary.
“Standedge is a unique place and this is a very proud moment for everyone who’s played a part in the tunnel’s life, because after 200 years it’s still one of the major landmarks of the waterways.
“This event is a good opportunity for people to come and relive some of our industrial past and have some fun at the same time.
“The waterways mean lots of things to many people so it’s great that visitors will gain a better understanding of the tunnel and canal’s importance.
“Our specialist guides will be on hand to thrill visitors with tales of the people who built the tunnel, how they built it and how they lived.
“Standedge is a massive part of our national heritage so it’s vital we continue to protect it for future generations to enjoy.”
