Bury Angling Association and Elton Sailing Club is one of the longest established sailing clubs in the North West. The reservoir is owned by British Waterways,. and serves as a feeder for the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal. The reservoir.was made and opened in 1842 as a top up for the Bury-Bolton canal, because the local mill owners feared that taking water directly from the nearby River Irwell to supply the canal would result in a water shortage. The club itself was founded in 1858 as a club for ‘Gentlemen and their son’s’ to engage in the pursuit of fishing. The club subsequently introduced boating and sailing into it’s activities with the first regatta being held in 1870. It was established under the patronage of the Earl of Derby, from whom along with the Earl of Wilton the club leases it’s sporting rights. Indeed you can see a framed copy of the original letters written to grant us these rights in the Pendle Lounge in the clubhouse.Elton Sailing Club, incorporating Bury Angling Association owns the Sailing and Angling rights to Elton Reservoir. The Club is owned and operated entirely by the Membership of the Club.
Today water is still taken from the Irwell at Burrs Country Park and taken by feeder channel to Elton Reservoir which in turn feeds the canal.. It is also an important area for visiting birds & wildlife, attracting many species.
