For the first time in the waterway’s 260 year history, you can now paddle board on the Bridgewater Canal.
Stretching from Runcorn to Leigh, it’s thought to be Britain’s first canal – but up until now, you’ve only been able to take narrowboats, kayaks and canoes along its water.
However that’s all about to change, as paddle boarders will now be able to get involved following moves by the Bridgewater Canal Company and British Canoeing to make the waterway an official approved location for stand-up paddle boarding going forward.
The decision has followed a public survey conducted by the Bridgewater Canal Company last year, which found there was a strong public desire for paddle boarding to be permitted on the canal.
The survey, which looked at the health and wellbeing benefits the canal provided to local residents during 2020’s successive Covid-19 lockdowns, found that stand-up paddle boarding was a popular request when they asked people what other recreational activities they’d like to see on the waterway.
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Of 335 people surveyed, 284 said that they felt that using the canal had improved their mental wellbeing significantly (an average of 84%).
And over 40% said they felt ‘relaxed’ or ‘happy’ when spending time on the water.
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The Bridgewater Canal at Worsley / Image: David Dixon
Peter Parkinson, director of the Bridgewater Canal, part of Peel L&P, said: “Our recent survey showed us how invaluable the canal is to people’s health and wellbeing and we’ve looked after the waterway for many years now to bring continuous investment and improvements including towpath works for cyclists and walkers.
He said: “We’re pleased to be working with British Canoeing to meet public demand for stand-up paddle boarding on the canal and be able to offer another recreational activity on the waterway that we’re sure will be enjoyed by many people.”
Just note that if you want to use a stand-up paddleboard on the waterway going forward, you need to become a member of British Canoeing – which costs around £3.75 a month.
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Places to Paddle manager, Ben Seal welcomed the inclusion of stand-up paddle boarding on the Bridgewater Canal.
He said: “We have seen a huge spike in stand-up paddle boarding activity in the last 12 months.”
Lulu, from Burnley, was rushed to hospital but sadly passed away from her injuries on Saturday 22 February.
The devastating incident has now seen a 36-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving – he remains in police custody. He had initially fled the scene.
Little Lulu was visiting Manchester with her parents for a family day out when the collision occurred.
Her heartbroken family have now issued a tribute to her.
They said: “Louisa (Lulu) was the sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl. She was full of creativity and joy, and she absolutely loved going to nursery every day.
“Her absence has left a devastating void in our family – she was our only child, our whole world.
“We were simply enjoying a happy family day out in Manchester when this unimaginable tragedy struck. In an instant, our lives were shattered beyond repair.
“The pain of losing her is unbearable, and we miss her more than words can ever express.”
The scene of the crash on SaturdayLouisa ‘Lulu’ PalmisanoThe family of girl, 3, killed in tram and van collision in Manchester pay heartbreaking tribute to her. Credit: GMP
Detective Sergeant Andrew Page, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The family are being supported by specialist officers and have requested that the public and press respect their privacy at this time.
“We have arrested a suspect and have brought him into custody.
“This is still an active investigation, and we are looking for anyone who has any information regarding the case to come forward to get in touch with us. Please contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting the log number 1086 of 22/02/25.
“Alternatively, details can be shared on our LiveChat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Stockport bar Bask issues statement after ejected customer arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
Daisy Jackson
A popular bar in Stockport has issued a statement following an incident at the weekend, which culminated in a man being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault of an emergency worker.
Police were called to Bask on Railway Road at around 1.03am on Sunday 23 February.
The bar has said in a statement that a male customer had been asked to leave after ‘throwing an object’ at a female member of staff.
The man refused to leave ‘and turned violent’, with security staff having to forcibly remove him.
He then returned to the street outside Bask, where he assaulted members of the bar’s security team, who reportedly sustained injuries.
He was restrained until police arrived and arrested him.
Greater Manchester Police have said in a statement that a man was taken to hospital with a serious, but thankfully not life-threatening, injury.
A spokesperson for GMP said: “Officers were called to reports of an assault outside a nightclub on Railway Road in Stockport at 1:03am on Sunday 23 February 2025.
“A man was taken to hospital with a serious injury, which is not life-threatening.
“A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault of an emergency worker. He remains in police custody.”
Bask’s statement said: “Following some inaccurate social media posts, we would like to put out the following statement..
“Last night, a male customer was asked to leave following an incident where an object was thrown at a female member of staff. The security team asked the male to leave the premises, he refused to leave the premises and turned violent, leaving the security staff no option but to forcibly remove the male to protect the public.
“A short time later, the male returned and assaulted multiple members of the security team outside of the venue. The rest of the security team intervened to help protect members of the public, sustaining injuries in the process and restrained the male until the police arrived and was subsequently arrested.”
Georgina Pellant -
3rd August 2021 
