.....News added on 7th December 2001.....

·Re-creating the past

In November, we were approached by TV station The History Channel, who wanted to film a feature about Williamson's Tunnels for broadcast. We were able to
open the house and Paddington tunnels for filming over a couple of days so that footage inside the tunnels could be shot as well as interviews with some of the FoWT people. The director also wanted to film scenes that would have been typical in Williamson's time, so a group of FoWT workers carefully dressed up in 1800s labourers clothes and set to work as a gang of Williamson's men. Under the film crew's atmospheric lighting, the re-enactments were a joy to watch. The feature will be shown as part of a documentary series in the spring. We will make the exact date and time known once we have it.

·Williamson stage play

Back in March 2000, many Radio 4 listeners enjoyed a play about Williamson called 'The King of Edge Hill'. Penned by local playwright Karen Brown, the play is now to enjoy a full run at Liverpool's Unity Theatre in February 2002. FoWT have been asked to put on a display of tunnels photographs for theatregoers to enjoy in the interval and we plan to have representatives there for most performances. We will post details of the dates, times and prices once they're available, but the Unity Theatre can be contacted in the meantime on (0151) 709 4988.

·Latest at Stable Yards

Digging work has been progressing at the tunnels in the Smithdown Lane stable yards. The rear section of the 'corner' tunnel is getting deeper and deeper, revealing part of its true depth as more rubble comes out. The portal of the double tunnel has temporarily had scaffolding in front of it while the facing brickwork is renewed. The site can still be seen easily through wire fencing if you pass the end of Smithdown Lane, near its junction with Grinfield Street.