James Brindley

Though this recognised the primitive methods of earth-moving available at the time, it meant that his canals were often much longer than a more adventurous approach would have produced.

But his greatest contribution was the technique of puddling clay to produce a watertight clay-based material, and its use in lining canals.

Starting about 1840 puddle clay was used more widely as the water-retaining element (or core) within earthfill dams, particularly in the Pennines.

Brindley believed it would be possible to use canals to link the four great rivers of England: the Mersey, Trent, Severn and Thames (the "Grand Cross" scheme).

Since the potteries around Stoke-on-Trent were in desperate need of something better than the pack-horse to carry their fragile wares, they wholeheartedly supported the connection of Staffordshire to the Trent and to the Mersey.

There was mounting ridicule about his scheme and in the event, although the canal opened from Shardlow to near Stafford in 1770, it took eleven years to drive the tunnel.

As he had not the ideas of other men to assist him, whenever a point of difficulty in contrivance occurred, it was his custom to retire to his bed, where in perfect solitude he would lie for one, two, or three days, pondering the matter in his mind, till the requisite expedient had presented itself.Brindley married Anne Henshall on 8 December 1765 when he was 49 and she was 19.

In 1771, work had begun on the Chesterfield Canal, but while surveying a new branch of the Trent and Mersey between Froghall and Leek, Brindley was drenched in a severe rainstorm.

He became seriously ill and returned to his home at Turnhurst, Staffordshire, where Erasmus Darwin attended him and discovered that he was suffering from diabetes.

[7] Brindley's death was noted in the Chester Courant of 1 December 1772 in the form of an epitaph: JAMES BRINDLEY lies amongst these Rocks, He made Canals, Bridges, and Locks, To convey Water; he made Tunnels For Barges, Boats, and Air-Vessels; He erected several Banks, Mills, Pumps, Machines, with Wheels and Cranks; He was famous t'invent Engines, Calculated for working Mines; He knew Water, its Weight and Strength, Turn'd Brooks, made Soughs to a great Length; While he used the Miners' Blast, He stopp'd Currents from running too fast; There ne'er was paid such Attention As he did to Navigation.

But while busy with Pit or Well, His Spirits sunk below Level; And, when too late, his Doctor found, Water sent him to the Ground.

Within the grounds of James Brindley Primary School at Parr Fold Avenue, Walkden, is a wooden barge once used for the transportation of coal from local mines.