HAVING just read an article advertising the forthcoming darts event at the Anderton Boat Lift, I would like to offer some clarification regarding the refurbishment of the lift in 2002.

The article stated that the restoration was made possible due to a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Whilst acknowledging that it could not have been done without the grant, this only covered around 47 per cent of the £7 million required.

Several canal societies, boat clubs, etc, made donations, and the restoration of the lift would never have happened without the efforts of a great number of individuals, boat owners and canal enthusiasts, who spent a total of no less than 16 years campaigning, canvassing parliament, arranging fundraising boat festivals etc. Though not personally involved, I can assure your readers that a great deal of passion and fortitude was displayed by a great number of unsung heroes and it would do them a disservice not to give credit where due.

Dave Thomas Northwich