Celebrating 200 years....

Of the Leeds/Liverpool canal by recreating the atmosphere of the first full navigation of the canal in October 1816. 
These two lovely ladies were sporting white and red rosettes which signified the red rose of Lancashire and the white rose of Yorkshire and the connecting of the 'Two Shires' that the canal gave.
The crowds bustled in hearty cheerfulness, the barges were meandering, the bands were trumpeting and the singers a singing.  The Lord and Lady mayoress of Bradford stood at the helm of a narrowboat at the bottom of the Five Rise Locks, and the church bells donged merrily away to mimic the sound of cannon fire which happened at the opening event in 1816.

Thank you so very much for all your lovely comments, stars and hearts, for yesterday's blip... I'm behind on comments and replies again I'm afraid, and off out to camera club tonight.  Hope to catch up soon - but in the meantime... MWAH :) x