Locks and Quays 2008

Episode 1 - 3 January 2008

A new series of the popular programme that takes presenter Matthew Corbett on a coast to coast journey from the North Sea to the Irish Sea, starting in his home county, Yorkshire.

After a visit to a Cheshire boat painter, Matthew journeys along the River Humber and in to the integral port town of Goole culminates with Matthew heading back out on to the start of the Aire & Calder Navigation as he completes the first leg of his epic 197 ½ mile long voyage.

Episode 2 - 10 January 2008

Matthew Corbett continues his coast to coast voyage by discovering how the Aire & Calder Navigation survived the railway revolution and how water power continues to drive an ancient mill.

And having heard why Wakefield was once the regions ‘pantry’, we see how Leeds city centre has continually embraced its waterside existence, and how one part of Ellesmere Port offers boaters a chance to relive the past.

Episode 3 - 17 January 2008

Matthew Corbett spends his first day on the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal as he continues to explore the waterways across the North of England.
Having seen how a Cheshire based charity is benefiting from a stroll along the Bridgewater Canal, Matthew stops off at two of West Yorkshire’s most historic sites, Kirkstall Abbey and Saltaire, and even has time to retrace the steps of his famous fish frying uncle.

Episode 4 - 24 January 2008

Matthew Corbett leaves industry behind him and heads out in to the country on the latest leg of his journey to prove that England is split in two by water.

His second day on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal offers him a journey through Bingley famous staircase locks, before seeing a few canal crafts by a Cheshire based society, as well as pausing for a poignant recollection near Skipton.

Episode 5 - 31 January 2008)

Matthew Corbett reaches the half way point in his epic coast to coast voyage by visiting Skipton’s imposing castle and a peculiar construction near the county border.

He prepares to swap the white rose for the red by hearing why Worsley’s water is orange and how a piece of old carpet can help protect a boat against the wear and tear of canal life.

Episode 6 - 7 February 2008

Lancashire greets Matthew Corbett with the curious tale of a cow swimming a mile through a tunnel to reach a pub and an elevated view of Burnley from its wonder of the waterways on route to a stop off at the Weavers Triangle.
There are more daring pursuits too, as we delve in to the murky world of the police underwater search team and share a day at sea with the Humber Life Boat crew.

Episode 7 - 14 February 2008

The latest leg of his coast to coast voyage sees Matthew Corbett hear about Blackburn’s pivotal role in the packet boat routes that proved so popular along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, before he travels towards Hoghton Tower through the town’s lock flight.
We also meet the competitors who try to conquer Cheshire’s 97 mile ring race in less than 24 hours and see why barn owls are being enticed back to one part of Yorkshire’s Aire & Calder Navigation Canal.

Episode 8 - 21 February 2008

Hard graft and team work are the order of Matthew Corbett’s day on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal as he completes the locks at Johnson Hill before discovering how Chorley’s two prominent landmarks relied on this waterway a century ago.

He then heads to the top of Wigan’s infamous flight of locks while hearing why Bradford may soon have it’s own canal back and also reminisces with two women who made their mark on the waterways during war time conflict.

Episode 9 - 28 February 2008

Matthew Corbett samples the sedate charms of West Lancashire’s canal side communities at Appley Bridge, Parbold, Rufford and Burscough, where he also hears about life in a 'boating family'.

There’s also an informative visit to the Stanley Ferry Workshop near Wakefield where every large lock gate in the country is carefully crafted using age old skills.

Episode 10 - 7 March

Matthew Corbett completes his epic 197 ¼ miles long voyage from the North Sea to the Irish Sea by landing in Liverpool and heading out on his very own ferry across the River Mersey. We also hear about the city of culture’s new canal link, the Sobriety Project that has revolutionised people in Goole before sharing the many memories gathered during his momentous journey from coast to coast. Last in the series.