Volunteers are being asked to roll up their sleeves for a much-needed spring clean of the Ashton Canal. 

Tameside Canal Boat Trust, the Inland Waterways Association (Manchester) and The Canal and River Trust are organising 'ASHTAC 50' to mark 50 years since the original 'Ashton Attack' - ASHTAC - in March 1972 when a staggering 2,000 tons of rubbish was removed in two days. 

The massive clean-up was unique at the time and proved a vital step in building support for the restoration of the long neglected canal as a navigable route for narrowboats, linking with the Lower Peak Forest and Huddersfield Narrow canals at Portland Basin. 

According to the Ashton Reporter front page story 50 years ago, some 400 volunteers stayed overnight in the old gas showrooms on Oldham Road, with the huge operation also involving 20 lorries, three mobile cranes, three excavators and a mile and a half of monorail. 

"Men, women, boys and girls worked like Trojans... clearing oil and petrol drums, railway lamps, car seats, armchairs, prams and hundreds of car tyres," stated the report. 

Fast forward to 2022, Mark Field, chair of the trust, outlined the plan of action for Monday (21st) and Tuesday (22nd): "We will spend two days cleaning up the Ashton Canal and towpath between Portland Basin and Whitelands. Teams of volunteers will clean and clear the historic Donkey Stones Wharf, cutting back trees, removing rubbish, removing moss growth from the cobbles and generally making the wharf look presentable for canal and towpath users." 

Teams will be working to ensure the wharf's commemorative blue plaque can once again be seen. A small piece of canalised land belonging to Asda will also be cleared. 

ASHTAC 50 is supported by Portland Basin Museum (Tameside Council), Tameside Sea Cadets, Jigsaw Homes and Asda Ashton. 

Mark added: "We are looking for volunteers to come along and support your local heritage." 

The clean-up will run from 9.30am to 3pm on both days. Meet at Heritage Wharf, Portland Basin, Ashton, OL7 0QA, bottom of Welbeck Street South via Wharf Gate. 

You can get in touch to register your interest on 07914 815 636 or email ashtac50@manchester-iwa.co.uk 

Tameside Radio's Outside Broadcast team will be spotlighting the clean-up and talking to the organisers this Sunday before the clean-up begins on Monday and Tuesday. 

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