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
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