Photograph Gallery - Narrow Boat Maria at Marple 2009

The Horseboating Society

Photograph Gallery 28 - Narrow Boat Maria at Marple 2009 In July 2009 members of The Horseboating Society took the historic wooden horsedrawn boat Maria from Guide Bridge to Marple for the Marple Locks Festival.
The brewers' dray arrives at Marple Top Lock to load barrels of beer onto Maria. Photo: Philip Day Maria approaches Marple Top Lock. Photo: Philip Day Maria enters Marple Top Lock. Photo: Philip Day Crowds gather around the Top Lock. Photo: Philip Day Boat horse Bilbo arrives ready to move the boat. Photo: Philip Day The barrels of beer have been delivered to the lock side. Photo: Philip Day The barrels are stowed aboard under the supervision of the Mayor. Photo: Philip Day The cargo is safely aboard Maria. Photo: Philip Day Maria exits Marple Top Lock. Photo: Philip Day The brewers' dray moves off down Lock Side. Photo: Philip Day Maria below Possett Bridge, Marple. Photo: Philip Day The custodian of the barrels. Photo: Philip Day Our youngest HBS member attends the Marple Locks Festival in her pram. Maria leaves the festival site, still loaded with the wooden beer barrels. Photo: John Fletcher A rope is used as a cordon to keep crowds at a safe distance. Photo: John Fletcher The rope "sweeps" the towpath to make way for Bilbo as he pulls Maria. Photo: John Fletcher The crowds follow the horsedrawn boat for several locks until the barrels are unloaded at Samuel Oldknow's warehouse. Photo: John Fletcher Back to Photo Gallery Menu