The Bugsworth Tipplers by Ian H Bruce (2009) Recorded by Ian H Bruce Riding the wagons as they rattle down the way Dove Holes to Bugsworth, day after day Lurching from side to side, sparks flying far and wide Dangers ignored for a waggoner’s pay Nipper and me we stand on the lily-pins* Brake hooks in hands for spragging* the wheels Thrown at the right time, to stop forty tons of lime Make one mistake and we’re head over heels Men climbing spokes turn the tipplers of Bugsworth Wagons raised high drop their loads to the ground Ironwork red with rust, covered in white lime dust Horse drawn barges leaving – Manchester bound Steering a pleasure boat, enjoying the sunshine Marple to Bugsworth, on a Bank Holiday ‘Nice day’ it is the cry as we greet passers-by Some pints in 'The Sportsman' and then on our way All’s quiet and serene as we cruise into Bugsworth Unlike times past with the toil, sweat and din No more the inland port built for limestone transport The only tipplers now are in the old ‘Navvy’ Inn Fair weather boaters meet in the public bar Beneath faded photos of an industry past Iron rails and tipplers gone, a basin long overgrown Now a heritage site neatly laid out to grass So relax and enjoy the beauty of Bugsworth But raise up a glass to those tipplers of yore To the gangers, the nippers, the lime wagon tippers The boaters and all those who’ve drunk here before Bugsworth Basin stands at the end of the Peak Forest Canal and was at one time reputedly the country's largest inland port. It was the place where limestone, brought down on waggons on the Peak Forest Tramway from the quarries around Dove Holes, was loaded into barges. These then carried the limestone to destinations further afield. One of the features of Bugsworth Basin at that time was a large wheel or 'tippler' used to overturn the limestone waggons to unload their contents. When I first saw Bugsworth Basin it was in the early stages of the re- vitalisation process being brought about by members of the IWPS. At that time I was a boatless rambler. Little did I think that thirty years later I would be a regular visitor by boat. Over the years many may have thought that boats would never return, particularly when tremendous leakage problems were encountered. Nevertheless it is now open and well worth a visit, thanks chiefly to the voluntary efforts of many enthusiasts. * The 'lily' pins were the ends of the waggon axles upon which the ganger and his nipper would stand in order to use the brake chain. This was a short chain with hooks at each end. One hook went over the side of the waggon and the other was used to 'hook' a wheel spoke and bring the wheel to a stop. This primitive and very dangerous method of stopping the waggon train was known as 'spragging'. Recorded on :