
It is highly likely that, when asked, most people would be unable to offer an explanation for the connection between a tiny hamlet in North Derbyshire and one of England’s major cities but, in fact, the connection is James Brindley, the eighteenth century engineer responsible for many miles of Britain’s canal system. Brindley was born in the hamlet of Tunstead, and his name lives on in Birmingham’s Brindleyplace, the canal-side development of shops, bars, restaurants, offices and residential areas which form the UK’s largest such scheme. At a recent meeting of the Bakewell and District Probus Club, member, Peter Donaldson spoke about the life and achievements of this local man.
James Brindley was born in 1716, and although receiving only a basic education, from an early age, showed an interest in the workings of water and windmills to the extent that, in his late teens he was apprenticed to a millwright, Abraham Bennett, near Macclesfield. Overcoming early difficulties and mistakes, Brindley was soon able to develop his natural aptitude for mechanics and his attention to detail, combined with an excellent memory. On completion of his apprenticeship, he set up his own business as a millwright in Leek but, in time moved to the Potteries where he became acquainted with a number of local industrialists, including Josiah Wedgwood, who were proposing the construction of a canal that would provide access to their markets at home and overseas. Thus was born the idea of the Trent and Mersey Canal, linking Runcorn on the River Mersey with Shardlow on the River Trent.
At this time, Brindley was employed as a consultant for the Duke of Bridgewater who was building a canal to transport coal from his mines at Worsley into the markets of Manchester and, in the other direction to Runcorn and, hence, Liverpool. Agreement was reached for the Trent and Mersey to link into the Bridgewater scheme, thereby providing a northern outlet for the former. Construction of the Trent and Mersey was started in 1765. Not only was it a lengthy undertaking of 100 miles in total, but it also involved a tunnel nearly two miles long at Harecastle, near Kidsgrove. This was a major undertaking on a scale never previously attempted but, in spite of all the difficulties encountered it was completed in 1775.
With his reputation enhanced by his early successes, Brindley was in huge demand by the proponents of dozens of canal schemes. In total he was responsible for the creation of 350 miles of canal, for which he carried out the initial surveys and design, also supervising much of their construction. A man of enormous vision, integrity, relentless energy and enthusiasm, he finally wore himself out and died, at the age of 56 in 1772.
Details of the Bakewell and District Probus Club, including reports of earlier meetings, can be found on its website at www.bakewell probus.org