Report: Colin Wareing

Was it romantic, or was it graft?

Did they come home at night or live on the boat?

Did they get rich carrying coal from Wigan to Liverpool?

The Lawson’s were one of many of the Burscough canal boatmens' families who earned a living from carrying goods boating the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Janet’s husband George was one of the last working boat men, joining his father after leaving school at 15 so they are a direct link to a way of life that came to end in the 1960’s and 70’s, so have got first-hand experience, photographs and stories to tell of how it was.

And this Monday, February 18th, Janet Lawson will lead with presentation about how it was before era of commercial canal carrying came to an end.The talk will be held at The Blue Mallard Restaurant at Burscough Wharf, Burscough in West Lancashire commencing at 7.30 pm with entrance being by a £2 donation.For more information please ring Colin on 07931 356204.

Pictured: The Lawson family having their dinner on a boat moored at Tate and Lyle in Liverpool.