Ep 2. Rochdale

OBSERVATION:

Great Canal Journeys is a British television series that offers an insight into the waterway travels of Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales. The couple's journeys take them through different canals across the United Kingdom and sometimes Europe. In each episode, the pair arrive in a new location, which they explore while navigating the water system. Along the way, they revea stories about the country's culture, history, and landscape.

DESCRIPTION:

In this episode of Great Canal Journeys, Timothy West and his wife, Prunella Scales, visit Rochdale, a famous canal town in England. The couple sets off on a journey down the Rochdale Canal, which was once one of the busiest trade routes and a crucial artery that linked the city of Manchester with the region's mill towns. The canal stretches over 33 miles, winds through the valley of the River Roch, and is full of cultural and industrial heritage.

Timothy and Prunella begin their journey at lock 60 on the Rochdale Canal in the heart of Manchester, where the canal was first constructed in the 18th century. They quickly realize that the canal is not like any other canal they have navigated before. The locks are much more challenging to operate, and the bridges are lower than usual, which means they need to operate them manually. The couple soon discovers that operating these locks and bridges can be tricky, especially when navigating around narrowboat boats and the heavy commercial traffic.

As they reach Littleborough, about nine miles from Manchester, Timothy and Prunella take a break to explore the ancient village and its surroundings. The village dates back to the 11th century and has a rich history of agriculture and industry, whose remains are still visible today. The couple also learn about the village's connections to the famous Bronte family and their ties to Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights.

Further along their journey, Timothy and Prunella make a stop near the summit of the Rochdale Canal, which is the highest point on the canal and where it passes through the Pennine range, the backbone of England. It's a place of stunning beauty, and they learn about the engineering and manual labor it took to build the canal in such a daunting landscape.

They finally arrive at Todmorden, a town famous for its gin, which was once produced in large quantities for the British Empire. The couple meets with local gin maker Andrew and his wife Ninette, who take them through the fascinating history of gin production in the area. They also head to the local pub where they meet some of the locals and learn about the traditional way of life in the town.

Before the end of their journey, Timothy and Prunella take a final cruise along the last 10 miles of the Rochdale Canal, a section known as the 'Summit'. This stretch offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and is home to one of the highest canal tunnels in England. It's a fitting end to their journey down this challenging, magical, and historically significant waterway.

CONCLUSION:

Great Canal Journeys' Rochdale episode offers a glimpse into the cultural and industrial history of England's waterway. With Timothy West and Prunella Scales as tour guides, viewers witness the beauty of the Rochdale Canal, its engineering achievements, and cultural ties to the surrounding region. It's a journey full of surprises, historical significance, and stunning scenery that celebrates a part of England that played such an essential role in its industrial and cultural development.