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Wet 'n' wild protest at canal reopening

3/ 4/2003

THE official reopening of Rochdale Canal was more eventful than expected, thanks to the wet'n'wild intervention of a disgruntled farmer.

Friday afternoon's events were billed as a celebration of the successful partnership between British Waterways, the Millenium Commission and local authorities to restore 15.5 miles of canal network.

The new canal stretch, which reopened last July, was being officially recognised through the unveiling of commemorative plaques for Rochdale and Oldham, by Environment Minister Michael Meacher.

Mr Meacher was supposed to travel beneath the A627M crossroads with Edinburgh Way, before disembarking at a marquee beside Sandbrook Park. But his carefully choreographed arrival was overshadowed when Castleton farmer Chris Jones, pictured above right in his life jacket, dived into the canal.

He did so in protest at British Waterways, who, he claims, denied him an adequate access road for his farm.

Mr Jones, who lives at Maden Fold Farm, Castleton, said: "I have been ignored for so long and tried so many different things that I decided to make a point. And that was my point.

"What is this, the third opening for the canal? They are very good at opening ceremonies, but not very good at getting things done."

Police attended the scene, but Mr Jones was not arrested. He left in his truck, which he had earlier parked next to the marquee for maximum disruption.

His actions also overshadowed a second protest being made by a group of fox-hunting enthusiasts, backed by the Countryside Alliance.

After a delay of about 20 minutes, the opening ceremony finally took place.

Jim Dobbin, MP for Heywood and Middleton said that the importance of the day had not been lost for Michael Meacher or anyone else, despite Mr Jones's protest.