Harry and Wilma Belshaw in "Clogs & Gansey"

Post date: 15-Apr-2018 17:49:02

In the latest issue of Cloggs & Gansey, the Newsletter of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, there is a lovely tribute to Harry and Wilma Belshaw.

Long term ELWY members - their boat, Althea, is moored at the end of the grass, next to NB JUNE.

I have attached the relevant pages of Cloggs & Gansey for ELWY members to see.

Harry Belshaw is our living connection with the working boats of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, a treasure house of knowledge and skill, about the canal and how to work the canal.  A few years ago, during a year of water shortages, my boat was marooned down on the Bridgewater Canal, because the Wigan Flight was closed.  Then, suddenly the Wigan Flight was opened - but I was singlehanded. 

Harry was one of the club members who came out to help me.  I was steering the boat.  About a quarter of the way up the Wigan Flight Harry paused his lock tending, came back to speak to me.  He said, You're a bit slow, aren't you?

Sorry, Harry, I said.

Patrick O'Sullivan

Click on the link below for the article