We tend to underestimate the role that the canals played in bringing prosperity to towns like Bury when the industrial revolution transformed the country.

This fabulous photo shows a flotilla of barges on the Bury Canal probably supplying the many mills which had wharves en route.

We think the picture may date to just before the Second World War. We’re not quite sure what happened to the barge at the back of the ‘convoy’. It looks as though it may be having difficulties, it certainly is very low in the water.

Any canal experts out there, can you provide any further information?