Jim Wood - Dobcross, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 33.366 W 002° 00.480
30U E 565713 N 5934592
This plaque on the wall of a Huddersfield Canal Society building commemorates one of their workers.
Waymark Code: WMQZ3W
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/17/2016
Views: 2
Jim Wood worked for British Waterways and The Huddersfield Canal Society. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal was built in 1881 and connected Huddersfeld with Ashton-Under-Lyne. By 1944 the canal had ceased to be used as a working canal and parts of it became unnavigable. In the 1960s and 1970s leisure boating became popular and most of the canal network in the UK was re-opened for leisure use. This canal finally re-opened in 2001.
The following information is taken from issue 154 of the magazine of the Huddersfield Canal Society.
"Jim Wood
Waterway Operative
4/1/47 - 23/1/06
It is with great sadness that I
have to report the death of
one of my staff, Jim Wood,
who was a valued member of
the team and he will be greatly missed by all
those who knew him. Jim started work with
British Waterways in August 1999, prior to
that he had been employed by HCS
Restoration and also worked as a volunteer
for the Canal Society for several years on the
HNC. In the six years that Jim worked for BW
he had been involved in the restoration of
both the Huddersfield Narrow and Rochdale
Canals as a result of which Jim was well
known all around the South Pennine Ring.
Jim was one of the first employees to work in
the tunnel at Standedge and was often to be
seen escorting boats up and down Diggle &
Marsden Flights where we often received
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glowing reports from customers regarding
Jim’s conduct and professionalism. In recent
years he has worked on the Lower Peak
Forest Canal where his care and attention to
detail and dedication culminated in many
comments from users about the visible
improvements on the waterway. Jim (Jimmy
two combs) had a dry sense of humour and
never a bad word for anybody with the
exception of anybody who left a paddle up.
Jim could work longer and harder than most
men twenty years his junior and his skill and
attention to detail will be dearly missed.
When not in work Jim and his dog Judy were
often to be seen walking along the canal in
the evening and weekends like many other
canal enthusiasts.
Jim suffered a short illness and leaves no
partner or dependents, however he will be
very greatly missed and the waterway is a
lesser place without him."
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The plaque is on a restored building that was part of a wool transshipment warehouse and forms part of the Huddersfield Canal Society Premises. It provides toilet facilities and water point for boat owners.
The text on the plaque is as follows.
In Memory Of
JIM WOOD
4 - 1 - 47 - 23 - 1 - 06
CANALMAN
AND BEST FRIEND
JUDY