A GROUP of members took part in a guided evening walk at Castlefield in Manchester led by Mr J. B. Taylor.

We began at the Liverpool Road Station, built in 1830 as the world's first passenger station to link two cities.

Walking through the area we saw some examples of the Victorian warehouse buildings some having six floors and a basement. They were built between 1830 and 1866.

Many of the rail bridges in the area when built were made from cast iron and latterly replaced by several designs of steel and stone.

These bridges still carry the rail traffic through Castlefield.

The canal basin was build in 1759 when the Bridgewater Canal came to Manchester to carry coal from the mines of the Bridgewater Estates.

The cheap coal gave birth to the industrial revolution in Manchester.

The many warehouses in the canal basin have been converted into modern offices and apartments.

Leaving the canal basin we walked to the origins of Castlefield, the site of the Roman fortress whose remains have been restored by the city council.

The next Heritage meeting is on August 15 with a walk around Jumbles Reservoir.

J. KENNEFORD