As the new boats set sail after the official launch of Aethel, the Programmes Team at Halton Borough Council caught up with Communications Lead Stephen Holloran, as he shares his journey with Unlock Runcorn—a project breathing life into the town’s rich heritage. From boat launches to community engagement, Stephen reflects on the passion driving the initiative, the importance of local history, and the exciting opportunities ahead for residents to get involved.

How did you come to be involved in the Unlock Runcorn project?

“I became involved because I had a friend pass me the advert. It was on Facebook as a community engagement role, saying it was just perfect for me, and I didn’t realise at the time how perfect it would be. So, I looked through everything and it just connected with me at the heritage angle of it, the history of it, the campaigning element of it, which is no longer campaign, but it’s still got that air about it where you’re trying to get this lock uncovered. And I think that the project is such a valuable asset, and it will be a major achievement for Runcorn that it’ll bring in so much. So I just had to apply, even though there’s a couple of things in it that I was like, am I capable of that? A lot of this is still new to me and since then it’s just been flying. I’ve got into it really well and it fits like a glove, so in essence, I got into it because I love Runcorn.”

Had you heard much about the project and the wider Reconnecting Runcorn programme before joining?

“Yeah, obviously with the Unlock Runcorn stuff I’ve known about for a long time because I followed it on social media. But the Reconnecting Runcorn part was always very vague; I wasn’t quite sure how they all fit together. It’s only ever since being in the role that I’ve started to see how this all works and then I’ve made a mission to inform others. This is what’s happening right under our noses, and we need to be championing this because there’s a lot of people doing a lot of hard work here, and we definitely need to get people more engaged with the idea of reconnecting more on what we’re doing.”

Can you tell us how the boat names came to be?

“If I remember right, it was when I first started, I don’t know. So, it was like trial by fire. Like it’s all going on at once. But the names were picked up by various people on the trustees at Unlock Runcorn. I think the only suggestion I had was Aethel and Freada because it’s key to Runcorn and the area’s history so it just made perfect sense to me. Some of the other suggestions linked back to the canal’s history, I think one was called the Duke. Then once we put them to the public and the votes came flooding in it almost went in unison for Aethel and Freada, so it just seemed like it was meant to be. Then with how it links to the new murals in Dukesfield it felt like everything was speaking in unison, especially at the launch event.”

What does honouring Runcorn’s history mean for future generations?

“It’s such a great tool like Norton Priory is doing with their educational tools. You know they’ve got an asset here that they’re using to educate them. Similar to what we’re doing with the boat commentaries and the information on them. But also we’re also showcasing ourselves. We’re saying this is what we’re doing. We’re not only honouring the past, but we’re also building the future. With the new locks, as well as the brand new state-of-the-art attractions coming all in one area. You know so much potential there and it’s going to do wonders for us and for Runcorn.”

What has been your favourite part of the communications role so far?

“Well, that’s a difficult one. There are so many milestones just in the short time I’ve been here. I’ve only been here five months and there’s been so many learning curves and experiences that I’ve loved. I’d say because I managed a project of the boat commentaries audition, processing, writing a script, meeting everyone involved in the auditions and engaging with the public who start to resonate with what we do and then want to be involved. That’s the best part because you see the lights in their eyes. You see the passion in their eyes, and it helps me to go through longer hours and then on the 26th of July, we got to meet everyone and show off the hard work. In this job you can’t help but smile. I mean, right now we’re not far from getting that ready and you’re part of history now and your names are all over there. But it’s a part of that moment in time, we’re developing something, and yes, I’m proud of that.”

What can people look forward to from Unlock Runcorn this year?

“I think the opportunity to get involved in such a unique way is the key here because for the longest period, we have nothing really to do with Unlock Runcorn. There was a lot of uncertainty and a lot of planning that had to be done. We couldn’t involve anyone, but what this is going to do is open doors for more people to get involved in a volunteer sense, maybe in a paid role sense because there’s so much going on within the project, it’s so unique and special, the skippers, boat crew events team anything, even social media. Tonight, I’m doing a team meeting with my new team. They’re going to help me manage it because that’s me and by extension a couple of others. So, I’m trying to reiterate to the public that they can get involved so easily and it’s so unique and quirky, so if you want to transport crew and then lead to a skipper, you can, and you’ll be able to tell your point history too and that’s the key. So, the rest of the year it’s going to be all getting the boats on the water and running these regular cruises and get them part of the consciousness of the town. Also, looking forward to Christmas and little events that are going to really put us on the map as a proper event space. In the lead up to our cafe being built and that first bit of canal opening, it’s that exciting.”

Which other Reconnecting Runcorn projects are you excited about?

“What they’re doing at the Brindley is exciting because of the amount of space created opportunities for people, especially with it being the new home to the library and just the scale from what it was to this bigger community space. Also the Youth Hub, I’m excited because it’s their future we are building in Runcorn so anything where we can get them involved there and make sure that they know that this is for them and come on board. That’s what I want to try and do next. I want to get in there, champion what they’re doing either with that and Hazlehurst too. They’ve always got stuff going on, you know, they’re always planning. I’ve got something coming up with them and it’s just so exciting to see people who are really good at what they do and fly. So yeah, it something that it’s going to be a really good resource for us in Runcorn. By the way, that’s one thing I’m looking forward to. The Buddhist temple with the structure, the building there, it looks exciting, and it adds flavour, adds a lot of colour to the town and its right opposite us where we’re going to be boarding people onto the boat. What a moment to be part of Runcorn and the reconnecting team should be so proud of the people they attract to Reconnecting Runcorn, but also what they do within it, the idea is that the wisdom of choosing what they choose to do.”

What surprised you most after joining the team?

“You don’t really realise or appreciate how much time and teamwork goes into making something happen until you see it up close. That’s why it’s so important for me to share the story—so people understand the passion and effort driving it all. That’s why, again, I wanted to showcase on the 26th of July, everyone who’s been part of Reconnecting Runcorn but also get people out more and say look, this is what’s been years of hard work and document it on socials and say, look, we’re doing this. Involve people in that process of getting to look into your eyes and say I get it. You know, that’s what’s been really good about joining unlock Runcorn and seeing Graham Wallace’s passion for it. Also, Steve Village, who’s unfortunately left now for another project, but what him and the rest of the team have done and gone through just to get it to this point, and yeah, it’s been fantastic and I’m very humble to be a part of it now and just be able to champion it further.”

We can’t wait to see what’s to come for the Unlock Runcorn team and if you would like to volunteer and join them find out more here.