16th February 2015
The Chesterfield Canal Trust has unveiled the latest attraction at Hollingwood Hub. It is an Audio Post.
All you have to do is wind a handle a few times and the machine plays a short message. There are eight messages from which to choose. They are about the canal, the Trust and local history.
Wherever possible, the recordings were made by people who did the work or have detailed local knowledge. For example, Dave France is a member of the Chesterfield Canal Trust Work Party and he tells the story of installing the massive Date Stone by the lock. Walt Jones used to work in the Metal Spun Plant at Staveley Works, which was just across the road from the Hub. He describes graphically the skill and danger of working with molten metal.
Other recordings include Sandra Struggles talking about the history of Staveley Works and Don Cambridge on the underground canal, which emerges only two hundred yards from the Hub.
The Trust bought the audio post thanks to a grant from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation.
The Charitable Foundation is just one of the ways the Society gives something back to the communities where its members and colleagues live and work.
The Charitable Foundation is funded by the innovative Small Change, Big Difference® scheme. The scheme sees more than 860,000 members of the Society donate the pennies from the interest they receive on their accounts, just once a year, before nominating charities that are close to their hearts to receive support.
Chesterfield Canal Trust Secretary, Bev Hunt, said “We are very grateful to the Charitable Foundation for awarding us the money for this splendid Audio Post. We are sure that it will increase the public’s enjoyment and knowledge of the canal and the amazing history of the immediate locality.”
After a brief ceremony, attended by the people who made the recordings, representatives of the Yorkshire Building Society, the Trust and Derbyshire County Council (which owns the canal), there was a trip aboard Madeline – the Eckington School boat. The Trust runs cruises aboard Madeline from Hollingwood Hub every Saturday from April to October.
“I’m delighted the Charitable Foundation – which is funded by our members through Small Change Big Difference, has been able to support the Chesterfield Canal Trust and its Audio Post project,” added Joanne Rhodes, manager of Yorkshire Building Society’s Dronfield branch.
“The commitment and enthusiasm that the Trust members have for what they do shone through! They do an amazing job and are so passionate about their work, the canal and also the history of the area.”
Bev Hunt (Chesterfield Canal Trust), Joanne Rhodes (Yorkshire Building Society), Lynne Parsons (YBS),
Robin Stonebridge (CCT) and Gemma Gregory (Derbyshire County Council).
Those who made the recordings share a joke. Sandra Struggles, George Bunting, Dave France, Walt Jones, Linda Wait and Kath Auton. Unfortunately Don Cambridge could not be present.
All those who attended, including the crew of Madeline.
Off for the cruise aboard Madeline.
Many of these photos are courtesy of Doug Jackson Photography. Here’s Doug in action.
Even our local friendly Harris Hawk wanted to listen.