I left my car in
the ‘dark arches’ – “didn’t this use to be an eclectic mix of craft shops ? –a
unique collection of individualistic retail outlets?”
I looked at the
photographs displayed on the time worn walls evoking memories of Leeds as a foggy
bustling port borne out of the vision and finance of local entrepreneurs and
providing hard but honest employment through the true Yorkshire grit of Leeds
inhabitants.
Eerie noises –“the rumble
of trains at the mainline station above us? Or the roar of the mighty River
Aire nearing the end of its journey of providing a wildlife corridor from the
heart of the Dales to the industrial heartland of Yorkshire.”
I blinked as I left
the dark satanic caverns created by the Victorian infrastructure “the brilliant
sunshine? Or the splendour of restored Granary Wharf by which no-one can be
failed to be impressed ”
Merlot still sat
lonely at the new moorings overlooked by the Hilton Hotel -reinforcing Leeds as
a quality visitor destination and the iconic Candle House - demonstrating contemporary
City Centre living.
I looked across
the newly restored dry dock and saw two boats moored on the offside of the
canal. The Kirkstall Flyboat offering a unique opportunity in its floating
restaurant – “but surely difficult to get access?” alongside a converted ‘live
aboard’ which by its name and silhouette identified it as a former British
Waterways workboat – “ still bringing life to the canal”.
I looked at the
dry dock and saw the sculpture of a life size electricity pylon set at a
precarious angle in its centre. I was joined by Frank, now ‘retired’ but he had
spent his entire working life on the canals. His cynicism shone through “half
empty dry dock represents how the waterways trades are dying. The canals are
being used as a dumping ground for rubbish.”
We were joined by
Tom, a young City Centre finance worker – “I can’t agree -the half full dock
represents how the waterways are bringing life into the City and being used as
an alternative energy source.”
In unison they
turned and asked “what does it mean to you?” – “It means I have a 4 day cruise
to Goole docks to take the Merlot out of water for routine maintenance and
bottom blacking!”
As Merlot slipped
through River Lock leaving the security of the Leeds-Liverpool canal and
entering the River Aire I was again reminded of how our city Forefathers had
harnessed and created a waterways corridor for energy and transport positioning Leeds at
the centre of the UK but connecting ports on the East and West coasts of the
country.
