CANALS used to be dirty, smelly stretches of water, meandering around industrial areas , often inaccessible. But then, nobody wanted to go there anyway except mischievous youngsters.

These days, although the above description still applies to some stretches, many are now turned into attractive waterways. Holidays along our often well-tended and picturesque canals are popular, and they are pleasant places along which to walk. Canals are in fashion.

In our area, much of that can be attributed to the work of the enthusiasts of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society. So, there could well be a few ripples on the way with the news of a breakaway society.

The Fletchers Canal Society will work primarily on the Fletchers Canal at Clifton, but it is also turning its attentions to other local canals.

It is worrying for the MBB because it comes at a time when they urgently need funding to turn semi-derelict canal stretches back to navigable life.

Ironically, the leading light of the new Society, Steven Parker, also helped set up the MBB. But the MBB's concern is bound to be that another society could battle for the same funding.

Improving the environment is a major must today and, fortunately, there are amounts of public money available to enhance the excellent work of volunteers.

Sometimes, though, even in established projects, a fresh look can prove valuable and new ideas are always welcome. We hope that both canal societies can exist side by side, even if this means some compromise on both banks.

It would be a pity indeed if the important work on local canals suffered, and fans could not capitalise on the major improvements already made.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.