In August six of Dove Holes’ finest night shift workers completed a lend-a-hand at Bugsworth Canal Basin, which is about four miles from the quarry.

Ian Edgar from the Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust had approached the quarry for help with repairing a steel fence which had become dangerous and unsightly. The Trust could get the materials but didn’t have the tools, manpower or experience to complete the task.

“The history between the quarry and the canal basin meant it was something we really wanted to do” said spokesperson, Mike Hancock.

The canal basin at Bugsworth was opened in 1796 and became one of the largest inland ports on the English narrow canal network. Opened as a means of transport to get limestone into Cheshire where the chemical trade was developing at that time, it remains unique as the only complete example of a canal tramway terminus in Britain. The tramway was built between the canal basin and Dove Holes to transport the limestone from the quarry onto the barges.

The CEMEX employees can be seen next to a replica truck (used to carry limestone) at the picturesque Bugsworth Canal Basin.

Patrick Worwood (Night Shift Fitter Chargehand) who led the team, was delighted at the finished results and so were the members of the Trust who were present. Patrick commented: “Everything went like clockwork as we knew heavy rain fall was due about 2pm. It was a strange day as it was the day the dam at Toddbrook (Whaley Bridge) breached and we could see a helicopter about quarter of a mile away surveying the damage. We were getting reports about the dam and road closures and wondering how we would all get home.  Fortunately, we managed to replace all the rusted posts and give them a paint before the heavens opened.

Gary Bresnahan, painter for the day, commented: “It’s really transformed the appearance of such a historic local and tourist attraction and it’s nice to give something back.”