Litherland and Ford Pictorial

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Canal Traffic

Posted by PeteH2 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=PeteH2' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 3/7/2025, 22:31:51

In the 1930s my dad and his three brothers would lie awake at night in their beds in their house in Field Lane. They were listening to the sounds of the canal barges passing in the night. The clip clop of the horses. The activity was probably made more interesting by the proximity of the winding hole where barges could turn around.

Little would they have known that in the previous century their ancestors who were farmers from Scarisbrick would have led their own barges laden with farm produce through a very rural Litherland on their way to Liverpool. Passing the site that was to be home to those Field Lane houses at a later date. They returned the same way, now carrying manure from the many horses in Liverpool, and also of the human variety from the middens of Liverpool. The horse version was more expensive and known as ‘good muck’.

The fields of Scarisbrick regularly yield clay pipes and the like when plowed to this day, because these were discarded in the middens along with the manure…

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Norma <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Norma' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 5/7/2025, 16:47:51, in reply to "Canal Traffic"

I never saw a horse when we lived in Hong Kong,When we came home on the train from London to Liverpool,I was pointing and tell my 22 months old Son thats a horse,People must have thought how strange,

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Jean <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Jean' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 19:37:29, in reply to "Canal Traffic"

Mmmm,imagine the pong!

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Ronnie <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Ronnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 10:03:59, in reply to "Canal Traffic"

From my old website and a newer version.

Some of the night-soil barges from Liverpool unloaded it on Cooksons side of the canal at Netherton.

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Eileen <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Eileen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 11/7/2025, 14:47:39, in reply to "Re: Canal Traffic"

Great photos Ronnie, when we moved here from Bowden Street, both of my son's had started fishing with their Dad and they fished in the canal a lot. They even brough a couple of small Tench to put in the pond we had constructed. They were well fed by the boys with maggots every day. When the pond was filled in the Tench were removed and put back into the same part of the canal But they were a few pounds heavier than when they were returned home.

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by PeteH2 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=PeteH2' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 5/7/2025, 9:30:59, in reply to "Re: Canal Traffic"

Great photos Ronnie. When we get back from Cornwall I think I have a similar map of where the barges terminated in
Liverpool. There was a branch near Leeds street’ now filled in.

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Ronnie <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Ronnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 6/7/2025, 16:52:54, in reply to "Re: Canal Traffic"
Board Owner

Thanks, Peter.

Yes, near Leeds Street - Old maps show Old Hall Street Basin.

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Norma <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Norma' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 10:57:21, in reply to "Re: Canal Traffic"

When we live in Hong Kong people said the veg we bought were fed with Night soil,not sure but all veg was well washed ,never had a bad stomach in the 2 year we lived there,

BobBall canal

Posted by Bob Ball <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Bob+Ball' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 10:50:40, in reply to "Re: Canal Traffic"

It has quite a history, carrying Muck, coal and Suger from Tates, also at the broken bridge was our swimming place, a younger brother used the scaldy for his warm swim, and of course on the Grand national a barge across was a bridge .i think for a tanner, we also had a couple of drownings (relatives) to contend with. and now of course, it’s a good place for a peaceful holiday a good subject thanks Cheers

Re: BobBall canal

Cheers Bob. My dad would recall a family (name forgotten) who were all great swimmers. Every time they had a new baby they would throw it in the canal so it would spontaneously start swimming! Seems a bit extreme.

Re: BobBall canal

I remember my older brother and mates swimming at the scaldy

Re: Canal Traffic

I had forgotten just how bad the tannery smelt,as kid we would ride though there,Here in Cardiff at St Fagan castle grounds,they brought cottage from all wales,and a small tannery,will give that a miss if ever up there again,

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Norma <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Norma' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 8:05:27, in reply to "Canal Traffic"

We had a barge holiday years ago, great till our son fell in the water, Sat on a high stool and it tipped over, His Dad had to jump in and save him, Steven had bee told Do not sit on that stool, It had been a very try summer, so the canal water wasn't very deep, Only bad thing was the Locks too many ,

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Norma <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Norma' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 7:05:25, in reply to "Canal Traffic"

When I was pototo picking,in a field near the pub we found clay pipes,years latter my son lives between Cardiff and Newport ,found lots of clay pipe when we helped him on his alloment,What the name of the pub further up than Cooksons,The Cabbage INN

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by John R <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=John+R' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/7/2025, 5:39:37, in reply to "Canal Traffic"

Have the ideal response to this Pete, but better not.
Good bit of history though. Bet the barges stank.

Re: Canal Traffic

I bet the farmers stank too!

Much of the rich peaty fields of Scarisbrick had for centuries been the floor of Martin Mere lake which had been the largest lake in England until drained. As a consequence the soil had been leached of most of its nutrients, hence the pressing need for manure - either human or animal.

Re: Canal Traffic

Posted by Norma <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/litherland-ford/info/user=Norma' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 5/7/2025, 10:31:26, in reply to "Re: Canal Traffic"

When the farmer spread slurry on the farm land we would breath it in,someone must have told us it was good for you,same when the council spread Tar on the road,

(no subject)

Re: Canal Traffic

When the farmer spread slurry on the farm land we would breath it in,someone must have told us it was good for you,same when the council spread Tar on the road,

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