Youngsters lock onto a waterway learning fest

The 60 youngsters, aged between four and eleven, will spend a supervised day at Saltersford Lock studying first hand the workings of this picturesque waterway upon which the prosperity of Northwich was founded.

Wild Over Waterways (WOW) is the educational arm of British Waterways. Co-ordinator Katie Donlon says the visit aims to foster an active interest in the waterway environment as the long summer holidays approach and families look for affordable days out on their doorstep.

“We want to show our communities that a hidden world exists in their own back garden, which is accessible, fun and free for everyone to enjoy – particularly at a time when cost conscious families are looking for alternatives to expensive foreign holidays,” said Ms Donlon.

The action packed visit has been arranged and overseen by British Waterways' supervisor Steve O’Sullivan and will offer education in an engaging framework:

• A real time wildlife survey feeding into the British Waterways national database;
• Exploration of Saltersford Tunnel, which of course is said to be haunted;
• A supervised up close study of the river lock operation system;
• A study of the river’s dynamics and how the man-made sluices control its flow;
• An interactive session using model boats to demonstrate how different shapes of vessel carry their cargoes;
• Drawing and sketching of Saltersford Locks and the River Weaver.

There will also be an opportunity for the children to meet British Waterways’ lock keeper and get a personal view of life on the river.

Katie Donlon says supervised visits to waterway locations like the Weaver are proving increasingly popular with both primary and secondary schools.

“We are actively encouraging schools to participate in more waterway visits like this one, by providing a combination of high quality resources and an exciting range of hands-on activity,” said Ms Donlon.

“Children learn readily outside the classroom, particularly in an interactive environment like this, which fits well with the Government’s ‘Learning Outside the Classroom’ initiative,” she added.