Moonrakers? What's it all about?

Well, in 2005 the people of Slaithwaite, got together to celebrate for the 21st year in succession, an event that first took place in 1802. This was just after the canal between Huddersfield (in Yorkshire) and Upper Mill (also in Yorkshire) had become a major trade route.

A couple of entrepreneurs from Slaithwaite had established a successful smuggling business, dealing in rum and whisky. The bargees used to bring the spirits up the canal by barge, and hand them over to their customers at the end of the day in exchange for payment.

One day, the meeting was disturbed by soldiers on patrol, so our smugglers quickly slipped the barrels into the reeds at the side of the canal, and went on their way.

Later that night, they were retrieving the goods from the canal, using large garden rakes. It was a bright moonlit night, and again their work was interrupted by the soldiers. "Wats ta doin? "("What are you doing?) asked they. Quick as a flash, came a slurred reply "Cans tha noon seah? T'mooins fell int watter an we'ar rekking er aht? ("Can't you see - the Moon has fallen into the water and we are raking her out" )

"Silly mooinrekkers!" (Silly moonrakers) said one soldier to the others, and they walked off laughing at the apparent stupidity of the Slaithwaiters.

Our pair waited until the coast was clear, and hoisted their ill gotten gains out of the water.

A simple tale, to be often repeated on many a frosty February evening.

So our web site is to record the event and all that lead up to the modern Moonraking Festival. In other words, we are 'arking back!

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