Bard of Barnsley joins event unlocking mysteries of canal

The Bard of Barnsley and Yorkshire Post columnist will be at the Canal & River Trust’s Stanley Ferry open day in Wakefield on Sunday, April 14.

The open day will give members of the public an insight into the craftsmanship which goes into lock gate making. Mr McMillan, along with poets Jo Bell and 
Roy Fisher, have written poetry which has been carved on 
to lock gates by artist Peter Coates.

Mr Coates will be showcasing his skills during the open day, while Mr McMillan will hold poetry workshops.

Those wanting to see Ian McMillan’s words can visit lock 30 at Gargrave, North Yorkshire. His poem on the lock beams reads: “Super High Way, Super Wet Way, Super Slow Way, Super Low Way.”

Arts development manager Tim Eastop said: “There is a long-standing link between arts and the waterways – indeed, the canal locks we use today are based on Leonardo da Vinci’s design for a lock at San Marco in Milan in 1497.

“We hope that this project makes people smile and take a moment to stop and think about the wonderful canals that are on their doorsteps.”