Although as kids in the early 60's we were always told not to go down the canal, we couldn't resist it even though we were threatened with a belting if we did.
We managed a few times to hitch a ride on a barge that took trips up the Kings Norton Canal and though Waste Hills Tunnel. I think the barge used to be moored near the canal bridge at the bottom of Parsons Hill. The barge was red with windows all along the side for sight seeing (when not in the tunnel). The owner also served beer on the barge.
As we hung around the mouth of the tunnel we often chatted to people on the boats as they waited for boats to pass that were coming in the other direction from Hopwood. As this barge owner was a regular, he got to know us and eventually, on occasions allowed us on for a trip through the tunnel.
Above the entrance to the tunnel were two old Cottages built in the 1700's. Numbers 1 & 2 Tunnel Cottages, with the old stables for the horses still intact. Two children lived at Number 1 Tunnel Cottage, Tony and younger sister Janet. I cant remember their surnames though.