A cross-country canal trip undertaken by Crosby pupils

A GROUP of youngsters from Crosby are believed to have been the first to cross England by canal.
Alex Lowe was one of the pupils of Coronation Road school who embarked on the adventure in 1956, after a teacher came up with the idea for a summer canal trip.
Letters were sent to parents and 75 youngsters were enlisted to ride three cargo barges, which Alex describes as being "nothing more than flat open-topped boxes" with massive tarpaulin sheets to sleep under.

The Crucis, The Plover and The Darlington barges all had powerful diesel engines to the rear, a small cabin space but no toilet or washing facilities.
Alex said: "If, however, you wanted to 'use the loo', you had to ask the helmsman to steer near the bank, jump off dash into the nearest bush, and then run as fast as you could to catch the boat up."
The three boats, each with 25 passengers, including children and staff, set off from the lift bridge in Litherland and the mayor arrived for the ceremony.
Members of Litherland council as well as the police chief superintendent were there and the dignitaries sailed off with the barges as far as the Taylor's Arms pub.

A BBC film crew was recording a documentary programme, which was eventually cancelled, and hundreds of people waved the off the boats, which set off to a slow start.
Alex said: "I remember thinking if it took us this long to reach only the outskirts of Maghull, how long was it going to take to cross England itself."
Food provisions were basic, mainly powdered milk, eggs, potatoes and beans, but Alex cleverly volunteered to be the chief cook.
He said: "Firstly I would never go hungry, being in charge of the stores, and secondly I would not have to walk the vast distances to carry back gallons of fresh water.
"My mum had taught me the basics of cooking and now all I had to do was calculate the larger quantities required."

Teachers passed on to pupils their limited knowledge of driving barges, however not all youngsters could tell their left from their right which led to the odd mishap.
Swimming became a substitute for having a bath and they would jump in the water armed with their soap.

They travelled 80 to 100 miles a day, along the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, right through to Boston, where they were given the freedom of the city on arrival.
Alex said: "Our adventures had been well-publicised across the country, a tumulus welcome awaited us as we reached our destination and moored the boat.
"Brass bands, flags, hundreds of onlookers and the Lord Mayor of Boston himself were waiting on the dockside.
"I have a total blank of the voyage home."
Anyone with memories of this trip or other photographs can send them to Crosby Herald, 43-47 Liverpool Road, Crosby, L23 5SD or by email to newsdesk@crosbyherald.co.uk