Weaverham History Society promotes the study of and interest in history and archaeology with particular reference to Weaverham and the surrounding area.
Visit to Anderton Boat Lift – 13May
This year the Weaverham History Society is arranging a visit to the historic Anderton Boat Lift and to have a cruise on the River Weaver. The trip is open to all as you don’t have to be a member of the Society to join us. The cruise will start at the bottom of the lift and progress along the River Weaver to Northwich and return. The cruise lasts approximately an hour and takes in the environment and industrial heritage of the area including the 2 historic swing bridges in Northwich and returns back at the lift. The cruise will be guided by the knowledgeable and engaging boat crew. Places are currently limited to 20 people and to reduce the costs and improve convenience you will need to make your own way to the lift. Car share can be arranged.
We are booked on the cruise leaving at 11.15 am on Wednesday, 13 May and as it will start from the bottom of the lift, please leave yourself enough time to walk from the car park and down from the visitors centre to the River Weaver where the boat will be waiting. You need to be aboard by at least 11 am.
There is an exhibition in the visitors centre and you may wish to look at this before the cruise, or leave it until your return.
The cost for the cruise is £10 per person.
Unfortunately tea and coffee is not served on the boat but the coffee shop in the visitor centre will be open and offers a range of food and drinks to purchase from 09.30 until 16.30.
Additionally, while the lift is not working, there is the unique opportunity to undertake a tour of the lift itself. You will be guided out along the aqueduct, taken into the previously unseen control room and machine deck and finally out up on top of the lift! Normally this area is restricted. Each tour can take up to 6 people at a time with a guide who will give an informative talk on the working of the lift and answer any questions and it lasts approximately an hour. The special reduced price for this tour will be £5.00 per person. The tour necessitates climbing some 11 engineering steps (ie you can look down through metal grating) and at the top you are 70 ft above water, so the tour is not suitable for people with a fear of heights. You will be required to wear suitable footwear and clothing.
I have reserved 6 places on the 1.45 pm tour, after our boat trip, so if you are interested in this adventure please book a slot and we can make a booking for you to take in this additional experience. Payment by card for this can be made on the day. The minimum age for this tour is 16 years of age.
As this additional tour will be taken after our boat cruise those who like to keep their feet on the ground can stay and visit the exhibition (if they have not already done so), or have refreshments in the visitors centre or go home.
You can book and pay for the trip on 13 May at one of the History Society meetings or by contacting Mick Walton at treasurer@history.weaverham.org.uk
Payment can be made by BACS sort code 09-01-29 account no 26685458.
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The Society, Meetings, Membership, Visits
The Society meets at Weaverham Primary Academy, Northwich Road, Weaverham, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 3BD.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and we invite a guest speaker to talk to us on a topic of historical or archaeological interest, though sometimes the subjects range further afield. You can see what’s planned on our Programme page.
Membership is £15.00 per year with renewals in September. Payments can be made by BACS sort code 09-01-29 a/c 26685458. Meetings are free to members of the Weaverham History Society, children and students. Visitors are requested to pay £3 at each meeting.
We also organise highly enjoyable visits to local places of interest in spring and summer usually by coach from the village and we seem to have started a tradition of having a yearly canal boat trip as well. The Society normally invests in the services of Blue Badge guides on our visits. We also have a very enjoyable Christmas event every year, the talk commonly having a seasonal flavour.
We have articles on a range of topics, mainly about Weaverham, but also covering the surrounding areas. Although not a dedicated family history group, we do have some information on local families, and are always interested to hear from you.
We are continually developing our Archives and we have an array of items (objects, maps, and photos). We are always grateful to receive any contributions.
As we expand our new website you will be able to see some of what we have by visiting our Weaverham Archives page.
The Weaverham History Society also has a Facebook page.
We launched this website in January 2016, but while we move things across you can still find the old website at http://history.weaverham.org.uk/index2015.htm
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Next Meeting
The Treasures of Chester Cathedral
The next meeting of the Society will be held on Tuesday, 10 April at 7.30 pm at the Weaverham Primary Academy, Northwich Road, CW8 3BD.
Our speaker will be Nick Fry, a former bedesman at the cathedral and he will be highlighting the history and architecture of this wonderful building. He will also be looking into how Chester Cathedral managed to survive Henry VIII and his dissolution measures and what unexpected ‘treasures’ can be seen by visitors to the building today?
