Waterwitch #149 Summer/Autumn 2012 by Lancaster CanalTrust

Number 149

Summer/Autumn 2012

WATERWITCH MAGAZINE OF THE LANCASTER CANAL TRUST

The Restoration of the First Furlong is well underway

The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No.240957) Corporate Member the Inland Waterways Association http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk/

AQUEDUCT, CATON ROAD, LANCASTER Above: Looking towards Lancaster We have been lucky to obtain these old photos courtesy of Sarah Thomas at Lancaster Canal Boats. They illustrate the demolition of Rennie’s old stone aqueduct over Caton Road in Lancaster. They are full of contemporary detail, not the least the much more ‘relaxed’ approach to Health & Safety! No trace of Hi-Vis jackets, hard hats, nor gloves and eye protection. Even the tractor driver below appears hatless! And great fun for the youngsters to get in so close. Also it seems maybe that the Canal was temporarily diverted in the steel channelling high up behind the works. More on the back cover. Below: Looking towards Caton and the M6

Contents Caton Road Aqueduct Inside front cover Chairman's Report 4 AGM Trust Report 5 Boat Operations Manager’s Report 8 Country Fest Report 11 Working Party Report 12 Chairman Richard goes for a Spin! 13 Obituary - Sheila Gavan 14 Membership Secretary’s Report 15 Beryl Bowcott’s Conundrum 16 A few facts…. 16 Canoe Camping on the Lancaster Canal 17 Funding Update 19 Carpets, Tunnels & Mushy Peas 20 Latest developments at Canal Head, Kendal 24 Preston Guild Canal Festival 26 Canal & River Trust is born… 30 Lune Aqueduct Restoration 30 The First Furlong 34 Hello 43 Canal & River Trust Report 43 100 Club Draw Results 44 Caton Road Aqueduct back cover Welcome to all members, both old & new, to this edition of your Trust’s magazine. The six month publication regime has unfortunately extended itself to some eight months, for which we apologise. However, the main reason was that we wanted to let members read all about perhaps the most exciting event since the Trust was formed all those years ago. Yes, we really have commenced the actual restoration of the Canal. It is only a furlong in length but it is proving a big learning curve in many areas. None of this could have happened without the valuable assistance of the Waterways Recovery Group to whom we owe a great debt. We have given extra space on this work in this Magazine. The delay has also resulted in a wealth of other articles including the Lune Aqueduct Restoration. I urge those members that can to take a look. There is a good sized car park and excellent disabled and cyclist access. We look forward to the completion of the First Furlong in 2013 when we hope to receive more assistance form the WRG. Finally, my sincere thanks to those who have contributed, without you it just wouldn’t happen. I merely try to ‘stitch’ it all together. Regards David Currington. Editor 3

Chairman’s Report All our previous work of towpath & access improvements, scrub bashing, bridge restoration etc, has been very valuable and important. But the ‘First Furlong’ at Stainton will be the most visible step so far of our determination to extend the canal back to Kendal. Our task now is to keep up the momentum generated this summer. A lot of work went into our bid for a grant from Heritage Lottery Fund but unfortunately it was not successful; it was therefore decided to dig deep into our restoration reserves to pay for the summer’s work. You can help by making a donation to add to the reserve fund to enable the work to continue, or by taking an active part in the working parties or by any other contribution you can offer. See contact details at the back of the magazine for appropriate committee members. Regards

Summer 2012? – What a wash out! Or was it? Certainly the weather has been appalling but numerous major events have been successful in spite of the rain. In the Diamond Jubilee celebrations the pageant of over 1000 boats, including many canal craft, made a spectacular sight on the River Thames. The weather was somewhat better for the Olympics and Paralympics and both were a huge success. Closer to home, the Preston Guild Canal Festival went ahead in typical August Bank Holiday weekend weather: two days of rain either side of one passable summer’s day. However, for us the high point of this summer’s activities is surely the two weeks of restoration work camps with Waterway Recovery Group. Each week 20 WRG volunteers, augmented by several LCT members, achieved a tremendous amount of work towards the restoration of the first section of the Lancaster Canal’s northern reaches. Despite daily rainfall the team achieved the excavation of some 200 metres of the canal bed.

Richard Trevitt Chairman The Annual Report of the Executive is included on the following pages in response to the wishes of many members Ed. 4

Lancaster Canal Trust AGM - 26 July 2012 Executive Committee report for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 Executive Committee changes Mike Macklin took on the job of Grants Officer in April and was co-opted onto the Executive Committee. The committee is at the smallest size (6) that we’ve had for some years and each member carries a significant workload to ensure that all aspects of the Trust’s work are progressing. We are open to all offers of assistance from Trust members, both for committee work and for a wide variety of other tasks and activities. Membership At the end of this 12 month period our membership stood at 466, an increase of approximately 10% over last year, thanks to various recruitment initiatives. However this figure masks a significant number of overdue subscriptions which create a lot of extra work for the Membership Secretary. We must urge all members to renew their subscriptions promptly on 1st January, preferably by bank standing order, and if you already have a standing order please ensure that your payment matches the current scale of subscription rates. Restoration Activities Our working party volunteers have been busy on several projects which form parts of the eventual restoration. Approx. 1500 hours of volunteer time has been recorded in the course of the year, nearly twice as much as last year. At the end of the water at Stainton, we had several visits over last summer to attend to the backlog of repairs and maintenance on Stainton Crossing bridge. This culminated in a 4 day weekend in September along with WRG NW when we had a road closure to enable us to rebuild the parapets which were being progressively destroyed by self-seeded tree roots. We are grateful to the neighbour Michael Holden for assistance with parking space, and to contractor James Richardson, for his valuable donation of time and machinery. The subcommittee led by Peter Jones has been very busy preparing for the major project with WRG, now in full swing as we speak, to re-water the length from Stainton to Sellet Hall, and the focus of much of last winter’s Sunday working party programme was to carry out preparatory works on this section. The Trust remains actively committed to LCRP which has now has rebranded itself as the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership to reflect the shift in emphasis of activities particularly in regard to the Kendal area. The saga of Kendal and the canal head area continues to produce new twists and turns to alternately excite and frustrate us. Other Working Party Activities Further work was done on the Hincaster Horse Path under our 5-year maintenance agreement with BW and English Heritage with some emergency tree felling and clearance requested by BW following gale damage. (Continued on page 6)

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The steps linking the Westmorland County Show ground with the canal towpath at Old Hall Bridge were cleaned and improved in time for boat operations at last summer’s shows. We had a team of teenage volunteers from Young Cumbria for a week in August / September who constructed a small landing stage for us at Stainton. (reported in last edition Ed) In November we joined forces with IWA and others in Preston to start a cleanup operation between Haslam Park and the southern terminus in preparation for the IWA Campaign Festival to be held in Preston in August, part of the 2012 Preston Guild. Training of volunteers on first aid and on power tool operations continued over the winter. Fundraising & Sponsorship The 100 Club is one of our on-going fundraising activities. No work is required, just a £12 annual sub to give you a chance of winning one of the monthly draw prizes. There are several numbers currently available. So if you are not already in, do join up and have a flutter and help the Trust. A lot of work went into preparing a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to pay for the work that WRG are now carrying out. (see reports in this Edition Ed) This is another way in which you can help the restoration work; by remembering the Trust in your Will. Trip Boat ‘Waterwitch’ There were 38 operating days on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays last year and 6 charter trips. Unfortunately 4 scheduled days were cancelled or abandoned due to bad weather. Some 1375 passengers were carried, a bit down on the previous year. The recruitment and training programme for new skippers and crew continued through the winter months. The new landing stage at Stainton has given us the facility to disembark passengers when we run full length charter trips and give them the opportunity to see our bridge and channel restoration activities. Shows, Events and Talks The Trust has had a presence at shows on the Westmorland Showground (Country Fest and Westmorland County Show), at Skipton, Scorton, Flookborough, Preston Riversway and at IWA National Festival. At the Kendal Torchlight Procession we had a combined LCT/LCRP/WRG float. The Petition in favour of restoration of the Northern Reaches now stands at well over 4000 signatures. It is promoted at all our public events, talks and boat trips. Ken Broadhurst’s annual outing in May was a visit to the Falkirk Wheel. Guide Book Preparations for the 5th edition of the popular guide book continued over the winter. (Continued on page 7)

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At the end of this reporting period it was almost ready to go to print and I can now report that initial sales have been brisk. Thanks to those members who came forward with suggestions for corrections, amendments and improvements. Thanks also to David Currington for managing the advertisements which raised over £2000 towards the production costs; to Adrian and Kathleen Hughes for their thorough proof reading of the text; and to John Laws for taking on the job of sales and distribution. I give notice that a new volunteer will be needed in 3 or 4 years time to manage the preparation of the 6th edition. Magazine ‘Waterwitch’ With the ever rising cost of production and postage the Committee decided to reduce the magazine to two editions per year because a high proportion of members’ subscriptions was previously going straight back out in the form of the magazine. We will endeavour to maintain the current high quality of content and presentation. Website www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk The website is recording almost 1500 visits each month. This substantial increase over last year is accounted for partly by the merger of the LCRP Northern Reaches website into our own and by a surge of interest in John Rennie’s 250 th anniversary and the Lune Aqueduct works. But the main accolade goes to Mike Valiant for keeping it topical and lively and to Ian Hillbeck for hosting and web development support and to both of them for redesigning the look of the site during the year. The email newsletter helps span the gap between the website and the magazine and you can sign up for it through the website. Some Unusual Canal Traffic We were pleased to be able to assist some visitors to the Lancaster Canal undertake some impressive and unusual voyages. In May 2011 Peter Woolsey set out from Stainton by kayak on a 16 day journey to London by canal, replicating a trip he did in 1958. Then in September British Rowing held their 18th annual tour, when 15 crews comprising 70 rowers from 27 rowing clubs travelled from Preston to Tewitfield over a period of 3 days. (Both reported in previous editions). Ed Canal & River Trust Throughout the year British Waterways has been busy building up to the transition to become the Canal & River Trust, which finally took effect in July 2012. We already have an involvement in shaping the new organisation, with 2 Trust members on the NW Waterways Partnership and one on the CRT Council, albeit with a different hat on. Several of our members have been helping with the conversion of the many canalside signs which have to be rebranded as CRT. Perhaps the major BW project on the Lancaster Canal has been the widely publicised major maintenance and enhancement of the Lune Aqueduct. The Trust has been pleased to be part of the steering group for this project. Throughout the autumn and winter work has been going on to repair the structure, combat vandalism and graffiti, and improve accessibility and visibility of the aqueduct. The results are now clear to see and if you haven’t been there lately we would urge you to pay it a visit. RT (This has been and is reported in this and previous Editions Ed) 7

Boat Operation Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report October 20th Waterwitch will be lifted from the water by mobile crane and placed on a stand at Millness Yard. Painting and miscellaneous mechanical maintenance by LCT volunteers at weekends will take place October, November. March and April. NEW SKIPPERS; Former trainees

GLOOM; It has been a poor season so far, our Sunday trips have been running with low passenger numbers, disappointing donations, gloomy wet weather and fading paintwork on the boat. The increasing shallowness of the canal between Millness and Wakefields Wharf has become a serious impediment to navigation with the boat frequently rubbing on the canal bed JOY; Fixed Price boat trips have done well, ticket sales ÂŁ605 and

Raymond Monks, Chris Blackburn, Julian Sims, Phillip Molyneux, David Joyner and Frank Sanderson have been assessed, passed and presented with their certificates. I e x p r e s s gratitude to P e t e r

rising, many full boats of happy trippers from the Countryfest in May. On

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Simmonds who helped me with the training. CLERKS: A warm welcome to this year’s new clerks Audrey Shaw, Paul Baxter, Hazel Lefevre and Jane Sims, their presence at the desk is most helpful and on a busy day, invaluable. HERITAGE TRIPS: This year on August Saturday afternoons we ran “Heritage Trips to Stainton” this trip included a walk along side the workings on the canal restoration north of Stainton and the walk continuing to the eastern portal of the Hincaster Tunnel. The trip was advertised in the local press, the Trust’s Website and in canal magazines. The trips were

enjoyed by canal enthusiasts from near and far. The ticket price was £5 by advance booking by internet or telephone. John Acres was our narrator and tour guide, Trisha Buzzard gave us good publicity and I offer thanks to the boat crews who were on

duty in all weathers to make these events a success. CHARTERS: We have done 8 Charter Trips including a 90th Birthday Party and a double trip for Burton in Kendal Brownies. Brown Owl reported that the girls thoroughly enjoyed the trips. OTHER TRIPS: 3 trips for the WRG volunteers and 2 Promotional Trips for local parish councillors. Following an invitation (Continued on page 10)

Stainton involves the removal of the infill along the course of the canal bed. The Councillors were also shown the area of the canal around Well Heads Lane and the entrance to Hincaster Tunnel where future restoration plans are presently under consideration by the Trust. In the meantime it is hoped to extend the watered section up to Well Heads Lane in the near future. Afternoon tea was provided at Crooklands Hotel where restoration plans were further discussed. The trip was received with much enthusiasm by the Councillors who were all very interested to hear of future restoration plans and the Trust looks forward to continuing their good relationship with the local Councils along the route of their restoration progress. The boat is to be lifted out in October to allow for full maintenance. AM & TB

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to local Parish Councillors to inspect the restoration works, the Trust hosted Parish Councillors from Preston Patrick, Hincaster, Holme, Natland and Beetham on a Heritage Trip on Waterwitch. The trip involved a cruise on the boat and then a walk along the dry section of the canal north from Stainton Crossing Bridge towards the Hincaster Tunnel. The Councillors were shown the area at Sellet Hall Bridge where restoration works were just about to begin. The Councillors were informed that the present restoration now taking place at John Acres speaking to the Councillors

The Councillors arrive at Stainton for their Heritage tour

A blowy Friday was no deterrent to our efforts to put up the stand at Crooklands for the Country Fest on 25t h M a y. Saturday was not very well attended overall but the boat did a roaring trade. Sunday was a better day for weather and that was reflected in the boat takings which were nearly a record. About £400 was taken in fares and donations over the weekend. The stand was fairly busy on both days and two new members were recruited and together with sales over £150 was taken. There was, as usual, great interest in our restoration plans especially the news that the WRG will be digging out the channel north from Stainton in July/August.

Country Fest Crooklands Showground, 25th May 2012 Congratulations to all who helped out. The results of their hard work were quite rewarding. Alan Mather and his boat crew did exceptionally well and Beryl led the lively group on the stand. Thanks also to Sheila for the continuous stream of tea, coffee and wonderful bacon butties - not to mention the cakes and ‘biccies’. Volunteers are always welcome to help out at these events so please let us know if you would like to come along. TB

another look at the aqueduct over Stainton Beck (Br 171) where both LCT and CRT are very concerned about scour damage to the structure by the rapid flow in the beck. Our work over the next months will be concentrated at Stainton to continue the good work achieved by WRG this summer. Please join in as and when you can. If you are already on the email contact list for working party information, you will get a message with details of each forthcoming working party. If you would like to get these details and join in please send your name and email addre ss to trevittr@hotmail.com with the subject line â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;w/p pleaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Richard Trevitt Acting working party organiser.

Working Party Report

Working party activities over the past few months have been focussed on several target areas. Prior to the start of the trip boat season we did some channel clearance of winter storm damage of fallen trees and overhanging branches* in order to enable the boat to reach Stainton, where passengers are then invited to get off the boat and walk on to see the current restoration activities. In June and August LCT volunteers were involved with IWA, Friends of Haslam Park and others in continuing the canal area clean-up in Preston in readiness for the IWA / Preston Guild Canal Festival. * It was ever thus. They were much bigger then it seems! At Stainton var ious tasks were carried out in preparation for the two week W a t e r w a y Recovery Group camps in July/ August, including surveys, scrub bashing, pointing trials and so on. We also had 12

Chairman Richard goes for a spin! But I won’t be back for tea luv! Hi Canal Friends & Colleagues My cycle ride from Land’s End to John O'Groats is done. It was a great trip and we were so lucky

with the weather which, a lthoug h quite va r ie d , consistently turned out to be better than the forecast. It was pretty tough going at times but the sense of achievement is huge. Here are photos of us setting off from Land’s End in poor weather,and arriving at John O’Groats on a sunny but cold day after several days of heatwave. I have a good few photos of the many canals we crossed en route, which I intend to weave into some sort of narrative for the next Waterwitch magazine. (Maybe Spring Ed)

19 days cycling, 3 countries, 20+ counties, 1040 miles, 3/4 million wheel rotations, and £850 raised for RedR so far. Many thanks to all those who have sponsored me. All your donations go straight to RedR, the disaster relief charity. The cost of my trip is entirely separate. Special thanks to those who paid up front, your confidence

in my ability to complete the journey is now justified. To anyone who would like to support RedR, you can find out what it’s all about and donate through this link, www.justg iving .com/ Richard Trevitt; their website is at www.redr.org.uk Thank you all. Richard Trevitt

Sheila Gavan 1938 – 2012 It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Sheila, wife of our VicePresident, John Gavan. Although Sheila only became a member of the Trust recently, it can be said she had been unofficially a member for many years. After defeat at the hands of the Ministry of Transport over its plans to culvert the Northern Reaches for the motorway, the Trust was in a parlous state financially and in manpower; it was a case of having to rebuild and much of the work of this fell on John’s shoulders, juggling this with a demanding job in the police force. John had persuaded me to join the Committee (I have since forgiven him!) when he was acting as not only Secretary and Chairman but also undertaking production of the magazine, a laborious task before computers and word processing, when Gordon Biddle stood down as Editor and John assumed this mantle as well. If Sheila objected to their home in Rydal Mount, Belthorn becoming ‘LCT HQ’ she never said anything. John’s typewriter clicked away furiously producing ‘Waterwitch’, he was also writing letters as Secretary as well as organising the Trust’s only fund raising activity at the time, the public cruises aboard Dan Ashcroft’s ex- L & L Canal ‘short boat’, producing posters, dealing with bookings etc. Sheila bore all this, bringing up two children and having a career in nursing. This was when I got to know Sheila; I had agreed to take on the Secretary’s task, requiring frequent visits to Rydal Mount – Sheila always made me feel most welcome any time, but most memorable were the ‘Waterwitch’ production evenings when the duplicator came out onto the dining room table, the carpet

John and Sheila Gavan in happier times, with Sheila Slater (centre)

become a sea of paper as each page was ‘run off’ before the piles of pages could be collated into the finished magazines. That left only the envelopes to be addressed – handwritten of course! Like many in the Trust, John was content to let others use them, but as he approached retirement a small narrow boat was purchased, moored on the Leeds & Liverpool rather than the Lancaster as John & Sheila wished to explore the main system; no ‘Ribble Link’ then. My wife (also Sheila) and I occasionally joined them for days out. The two Sheilas had a common bond; the nursing profession – and got on like a house on fire! Their cruises ‘down south’ always took them to the Grand Union Canal at Berkhampstead where both their children had made their homes so it was not surprising when John announced they had decided to buy a larger boat to live on and hoped to get permanent moorings in that area. Trips then became trips ‘up north’ and Sheila and I enjoyed their company on the Bridgewater and on the BCN in Birmingham. What turned out to be the last occasion when we would see Sheila was as Sheila and I were returning from the IWA National at Beale Park. We met the Gavans at Buckby on the Grand Union, enjoyed a convivial lunch and then helped them down the Buckby flight. It was after this that Sheila’s health took a turn for the worse. Sheila was very much a caring person. On retirement from nursing she continued to care as a volunteer for the Samaritans so it is particularly saddening that having given so much to others in poor health her own health suffered. Sheila enriched the lives of all who knew her and I consider it a privilege to have been part of her life. The Trust owes her a great deal and I am sure you will all join with me in sending John and his children, Amanda and Barry, our most sincere condolences. David Slater

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT It was pleasing to meet some of you at the AGM, personal contact is rewarding after a year of letters emails and telephone calls. I thank those of you who have updated me with email addresses and telephone numbers. The membership fluctuates around 450 members of whom 80 are life members and 14 affiliated members. mainly Parish Councils from areas adjoining the canal. I thank those of you who have paid your subscriptions on time and request payment from those of you in arrears. Some members have not updated their standing order payments. Subscription rates from Jan 2011: Individual £14, Family £20, Concession £10, Life £150 Alan Mather, LCT Membership Secretary, August 2012.

Beryl Bowcott’s Conundrum It was something that came out of the store at Priest Hutton when the Trust was emptying it many years ago. It was being thrown out so I took it home intending to do it up as a garden ornament. Having not done this I did not want to throw it away so have returned it to the store at Millness. Can anyone recognise this mystery item? What might the Trust do with it? Respectable responses only please. Beryl would love to know but no prizes for the winner! Ed. University of the Third Age (U3A ) groups, 2 Housing groups, Parish Councils, PROBUS, 2 rotary clubs, IWA National, Lancaster Maritime Museum friends, a UCLAN study day, 3 schools, 2 institute of civil engineers and historical societies. The talks this year were located in a fairly tight knit area, viz. Kendal, Stainton, Endmoor, Warton, Bare, Morecambe, Heysham, Lancaster, Garstang, Preston, Leyland. Strangely no WI’s, though we have kicked off with one this year at Barbon. About 650 contacts, (attendees), were made and about £650 received in donation/sales – considering a lot of the ‘bodies’ were school children who didn’t pay anything this result is not at all bad. And a useful contribution to Trust funds. HT/DC

A few Facts… Just what do some of the Trust’s active members get up to when they aren’t restoring the canal, operating trip boats, attending fundraising coffee mornings or shows? Well, several members give mainly ‘PowerPoint’ illustrated talks to members of many local organisations, trying to spread the word and of course most impotently raise funds by donations and sale of booklets. They are always very cordially received and we get a good response at question time. Helen Thomas is the Trust’s focal point for requests to give such a talk and an analysis of her meticulous records makes interesting reading. There were 22 talks in the year 2011/12 to:

CANOE-CAMPING ON THE LANCASTER CANAL By Janet Hales Every Easter up to a hundred paddlers from all over the UK gather for a four-day tour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as they have done over the past 80 years, as this is the national event for the CanoeCamping Club (which is a special interest Section of the Camping and Caravanning Club). This year about 50 members assembled at Halton Army Camp near Lancaster - this was to be our campsite Bernard on the Lune below for the first two nights. the aqueduct On Friday morning we drove up to Borwick to launch our wheelchairs canoes and kayaks and it was a short limit?). paddle up to the end at Tewitfield Saturday saw where some of us checked Camp at Halton out the prospects for the canalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restoration northwards. Paddling back to Halton, we landed just before

the Lune aqueduct, and then had to portage our boats either along the road, or down to the Lune below, paddling up the river to the slipways at the campsite. We were very impressed to see the access paths by the aqueduct - the ramped route would have been ideal for canoes on trolleys, but touring kayaks and open canoes are too long to get round the staggered barriers (are these to prevent breaking the speed the best weather of the

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weekend when we again portaged, in order to get our boats back to the aqueduct, and set off again southwards – but this time we had to carry our camping kit too. Once on the water, we had 12 miles to travel, past Lancaster, and the stretch above Morecambe Bay with wonderful views across to the Lake District. Overnight camping was at Greaves Farm, Cabus Nook, and on the Sunday we continued south for the next 15 miles, this time with more wind and showers and less sun. We were delighted to find that our final night’s campsite was the field behind the Hand and Dagger pub at Salwick where we were made very welcome. The Easter Meet Social was an evening meal at the pub, so this year there was no trek in the darkness to some distant village hall, just as well as the wind and rain set in for the night.

Sheltering from the rain

Monday morning was cheered by the landlord’s offer of bacon butties for breakfast, after which the drivers were collected by coach and taken back to Halton to collect their cars, driving back down to Salwick to collect the canoes, camping kit and of course the non -drivers and passengers who had a damp wait in torrential rain, luckily not too cold. Normally we would all have launched to continue the final five miles to the end of the canal in Preston but the rain was such that only two intrepid paddlers set forth to complete the trip. The rest of us were glad to pack up and hit the road for the long drive home, but sad to leave the beautiful scenery, shapely stone bridges and early spring flowers, on a wonderful lock-free canal which is just the right length for four day’s paddling. Bernard and I ran into the usual M6 Bank Holiday traffic jam but at least we

Ready to launch nr Lune aqueduct

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were only heading for the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley, where we broke the journey spending the night o n b o a r d Enterprise No.1, our Black Country narrow boat tug, originally a josher (hence the label I have for my kayak

– “My other boat’s a Josher”!). But that’s another story.

Funding Update In March 2012, the Trust submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, for a grant of £60,000 towards the cost of our first restoration project at Stainton. The application process was long and laborious and involved many hours of preparation. We presented a very thorough justification for an award. Unfortunately, in May, we heard that the application had been rejected by the HLF. The case was considered weak in terms of community benefit from the restored section of canal. The bid process is very competitive. There were a large number of applications from other organisations during this period. We are in the process of re-drafting the application and will re-submit it, in the near future. We are also in the process of presenting similar bids to the Clarks Foundation and other funding organisations. Mike Macklin. LCT Grants Officer 19

Carpets, Tunnels and Mushy Peas – the Saga Begins Fran & Mike Valiant We set off early in the season, ‘Whych the boat in front, so had partners to Way’ leaving Skipton in the first week of accompany us through the Calder and April. Eastwards along the Leeds- Hebble, with its dreaded handspikeLiverpool we encountered very little operated locks. We were also lucky to traffic, and were glad of our heating find ourselves on the same stretch as a system as the temperature remained widebeam fitted out for trips for the resolutely low. Stiff swing bridges disabled, sporting a large all-male crew presented their usual challenges but the happy to boast their macho muscles in approach to Leeds went smoothly, working the paddle gear. Julie and Fran assisted at Office Lock by army cadets were happy to let them! Keen to avoid there to help the Horseboat Society on any more flood hold-ups, we put in a their end-to-end traverse of the long day to leave rivers behind and both waterway, the first time in 60 years that boats finally moored up around 6.30 on this had been done by a horse-drawn the Huddersfield Broad Canal. boat. Next morning we approached the town Flood hazards loomed ahead on some of through the iconic Turnbridge Loco the river sections awaiting us. As we liftbridge and moored in Apsley Basin to dropped onto the River Aire at catch up with shopping, watering and pump out. On the Huddersfield Narrow Lemonroyd lock the water level was nearly The aptly names Titanic Mill by the Huddersfield Narrow up to the red band where you are advised not to proceed. After stopping in Wakefield to explore the city we aimed for a good start next day but got no further than a mile or so before finding Thornes Flood Lock set firmly against us and there we remained for the next day and a half. Here we made the (Continued on page 21) acquaintance of Graham and Julie from 20

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Ready to enter the 3 mile long Standedge Tunnel. we went through the new lock at 3E, which looked very smart with its pristine stonework and planting, if still rather raw. The lock gates, however, had already developed the obligatory leak! We discovered that this eastern side of the canal had benefited since our last visit three years ago from several sets of new lock gates and easier paddle gear. There was a good deal more water, too, courtesy of directions. The top section of the the heavy rainfall. western side of the Narrow wasn’t too We moored up, appropriately enough on difficult but we began to encounter the centenary of the famous maritime problems from Roaches Lock (15W) disaster, at Titanic Mill at Linthwaite, onwards. The first of these was selfpassing through picturesque Slaithwaite inflicted. Having succumbed to the next day where the canal runs along the temptation of the ‘Two Courses for High Street. Here Fran bought some £9.95’ offer at the pub, we were new boots in a quaint hardware/ determined to get our money’s worth outdoor/general store with an overall- and ate far too much so were both clad proprietor reminiscent of Ronnie feeling bloated and unfit next morning. Barker in Open All Hours! After another It was to be one of those days. Low long day we completed the final slog up water in several pounds found us going to Marsden. The boat ahead informed us very slowly until we finally came to a that BW didn’t want us at the tunnel complete standstill above 7W at entrance until 5pm next day ready for Stalybridge, due to a carpet wrapped our booked Standedge passage, so we around the prop. Judging by the time it sat out another rainstorm. Fortified by took to cut away the offending textile, it fish and chips (they ran out of mushy must have been a room-size remnant! peas just as we got to the front of the Our next trial was a stone bridge where queue, necessitating a dash to the Co-op much of the parapet had fallen into the to supply a tin of this essential water. Nifty ropework hauled us across accompaniment), we moved up to the the obstruction and we made it into tunnel entrance on Sunday evening. Stalybridge to find BW finishing up Having done Standedge before, we repairs to broken paddle gear. They escaped the usual measuring and informed us with grim cheerfulness that tweaking. Loaded up with safety gear and we might have problems at 1W where our BW escort, we got through in 1hr the pound had been drained that 45min thus achieving Mike’s long-held morning. We ploughed on and did, ambition to have done the tunnel in both

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behind us went on ahead to let down water where possible. Beyond Marple, increasingly beautiful countryside accompanied us to Whaley Bridge. After watering here we went the half mile back to the junction leading to Bugsworth Basin. This amazing place, with its maze of spurs between old limekilns and wharves is well worth a visit, from land or afloat. We also walked up the track of the old Peak Forest Tramway which used to bring limestone down to the Basin. Signboards along the route told us about the hazardous daily lives of the wagon masters who leapt on and off their vehicles to apply braking when needed. Bugsworth Basin, at the end of the Peak Forest Canal.

(Continued from page 21)

indeed, have to haul the boat through the approach to the final lock. 1W needs a lot of winding so it was with great relief that we got down to Portland Basin and turned into the Peak Forest Canal.

New territory for us, the Peak Forest is deceptive along this first section. It appears pleasantly wooded but is only feet away from the urban hinterland of Greater Manchester. Birdsong was heavily punctuated with the sound of factory machinery, forklift trucks and tinny warnings that vehicles were reversing to make deliveries to the industrial units just beyond the trees. Mooring below Marple, we were into more rural surroundings and enjoyed a walk to view the aqueduct, the Goyt valley and the pretty villages in the area. The Marple flight gave us a few headaches, with low water in several pounds, but fortunately a member of the heavily-crewed boat

Crossing Marple Aqueduct We retraced our route to Marple and turned at the junction with the Macclesfield, meeting up again with Graham and Julie, last glimpsed at Marsden. The Macc was pleasant and easy after the rigours of the Huddersfield and Marple. One flight at Bosley and a 1ft stop lock at Hall Green (Continued on page 23)

resuming our sojourn through the justly brought us down to the Trent & Mersey famous Welsh waterway, then up to at Kidsgrove. A right turn at Red Bull Chester and Ellesmere Port before took us on to ‘Heartbreak Hill’ which making our way southward to Autherley Fran always enjoys. The locks are well Junction and up the T&M, hopefully enough spaced to have a breather in taking in the Caldon if time permitted, between without losing one’s rhythm onto the Weaver and then heading north and we moved up to Wheelock, for our Ribble Link crossing onto the beginning to see more traffic now the Lancaster in August. More tales of our season was getting into its stride. On the continuing adventure next time! Middlewich Branch we met up with FM & MV family for a pub lunch and proceeded along this pretty Descending the Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield. link route, mooring at Church Minshull to walk and appreciate the scenery. Due home for a few days to see our son, visiting from Canada, we passed the entrance to the Llangollen (our next target) and continued on to Nantwich for access to the train station. Having collected the car from home we moved the boat onto the Llangollen and moored up safely at Swanley Bridge Marina. We were looking forward to (Continued from page 22)

Have you thought of making a Will to include a legacy to The Lancaster Canal Trust ???? Such a legacy would provide a long lasting memory of your association with this beautiful part of Cumbria and Lancashire linking their history through the present and into the future. For further details please contact: Richard Trevitt Chairman LCT 2 Fern Bank, Lancaster LA1 4TT (01524)846303 23

under the Gilkes factory in Kendal. As a result of those meetings, it became clear that it would not be possible for the canal to have its terminus at the original site, as that is within Gilkes Factory - and we were advised that Gilkes Factory is now to be redeveloped on the same footprint. Discussions, then centred around the possibility of a revised canal terminus some 90 metres south of the former basin, in an area which is currently unkempt woodland. The precise boundary to this revised terminus site has still to be fixed, although the approximate area is agreed. In the meantime however Gilkes were watching with great interest the outcome of the appeal by Morbaine Limited on behalf of a supermarket in respect of the site on the Shap Road in Kendal known as the Rugby Club site, as it currently houses the rugby club who would like to cash in their current site and move to a site near Oxenholme. The reason they were watching so closely is because their own site, when combined with other adjacent owners, would form the site for an alternative supermarket near Canal Head, and importantly nearer the centre of Kendal. That appeal has recently been

Report to the Lancaster Canal Trust AGM by President Hal Bagot.

Latest Developments at Canal Head, Kendal. At the last AGM in July 2012, Hal Bagot our President & Chairman of the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership (LCRP) gave a report on the latest situation regarding he redevelopment of Canal Head, Kendal. This will hopefully include the opening of a new Canal Head basin. For those members who could not travel to the meeting his report is reproduced in slightly edited form: This report covers the year since your last AGM. Since that time the LCRP have been particularly concerned with putting a planning application for rewatering the Canal from Canal Head to Natland, and also with the fast moving events which are taking place in Kendal. Dealing first with the planning application, it became necessary to speak to Charles Crewdson of Gilkes as the application would have included the area currently

(Continued on page 25)

(Continued from page 24)

determined, with the result that a supermarket on the Rugby Club site has been turned down and the Canal Head site becomes a possibility once more. However, no planning application has yet been received by SLDC in respect of the Canal Head site, which would include the Gilkes factory area. At a meeting soon after with Jayne Kendall, the Economic Development Officer of SLDC, we were told that she was to meet later that day with Generate, who are the consultants retained by Gilkes. SLDC members, Lilian Hopkins (Planning Officer), and Alison Hatcher from Cumbria County Council were to be present, they are keen that the following matters are addressed, namely 1. the amendments to the present Highways in the area to accommodate the new development, 2. And in particular the new bridge which is proposed over the river immediately north of Miller Bridge. 3. Further, they will be required to remove SLDC's depot to a new site at no cost to SLDC. The Cumbria County Council Waste Disposal Site has also to be considered. Furthermore, so 25

far as SLDC land is concerned, the public realm issue will need to be discussed, along with road and footway links to the town. At our meeting with Jayne it was explained that whilst Morbaine have abandoned their supermarket proposals, there are still issues with the Regional Growth Fund which has been awarded to Gilkes. There are also negotiations to be had between the consortium including Gilkes so far as Section 106 Agreements are concerned and also the Canal itself. It is very important to get the red line plans sorted out; being the precise boundaries between what Gilkes will develop and what the Canal is left with. In these discussions, LCRP will be consultees. However, the biggest challenge for the Gilkes consortium is the Highways and B r id g e a d option; it wa s underlined to us that this is a major consideration for SLDC, as the end nearest the town is on common land. There are still many obstacles for Gilkes, and it remains to be seen whether â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Generateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will deliver. SLDC have particular concerns about the public realm which would be to the rear of the supermarket and facing the canal, (Continued on page 29)

Preston Guild Canal Festival Haslam Park, Preston August Bank Holiday Week-end 2012

A soggy sight outside the LCT Stand

Lancaster Canal Trust contacted Preston City Council back in Autumn 2010 to see if they intended to have or would wish to have a canal related event on Haslam Park for the 2012 Preston Guild similar to the one at the 1992 Guild. The Council were not intending to have a Canal Festival but were willing to assist us to do so. Accordingly other interested bodies The Lancaster Canal Boat Club, The Inland Waterways Assoc., the Millennium Ribble Link Trust, The Friends of Haslam Park, The Parks Development Officer, and the then British Waterways etc, were contacted and commenced regular

meetings hosted by the City Council to make necessary arrangements for a Festival to be held at Haslam Park during August Bank Holiday - 25th to 27th August 2012. The Event would also celebrate ten years since the opening of the Millennium Ribble Link in 2002. The Inland Waterways Association representatives made application for us to have a Campaign Festival and permission for this was eventually granted (after a lot of form filling) which gave the occasion much additional publicity. Since then a lot of work went on - particularly from IWA members - to make (Continued on page 27)

(Continued from page 26)

the Event h a p p e n . Traders, Entertainers and Food Suppliers, etc were booked, marquees ordered and Friends of Haslam Park m a d e arrangements for a Teddy Bears' Picnic What difference a day makes! and children's party for the Sunday. Sadly no one could know what the weather had in store for us. Despite this all the marquees, stands and entertainments were in place by the Saturday morning for the Official Opening and the canal was alive with many colourful The updated LCT display stand, thanks to the boats well decorated for hardworking Trust voluteers. the occasion stretching as far as the eye could see. Unfortunately the day was later This aroused the curiosity of the marred by torrential rain The people ducks from the lovely lake just below of Preston and visitors from far afield us and encouraged them to pay us a were not deterred however and visit. seemed to be enjoying themselves After a rainy start to Sunday we had despite the weather. By the end of a glorious afternoon of sunshine and the day the Lancaster Canal Trust the park filled with visitors enjoying tent had a small river running down (Continued on page 28) beside it where the path had been. 27

peas, etc. The parched peas were a source of interest to people from further afield who were not familiar with this delicacy! Monday the weather (as had been forecast) deteriorated again and sadly some of the Traders left early. We kept our stall open to mid afternoon and benefited by continuing to receive visitors with canal related queries who spent generously on our stall. Altogether the Lancaster Canal Trust had a very successful three days and received a lot of visitors showing interest in the canal in Preston, the plans for the northern reaches and many queries ab ou t fishing, cycling, boat hire, etc. Beryl

(Continued from page 27)

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;moorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the merrier.

what was on offer including agility dogs, birds of prey, best dressed Teddy the usual ice creams, beef burgers and (being Preston) parched

(Continued on page 29)

(Continued from page 28)

A postscript to the Festival Many thanks to Fran, Mike, Richard, David S., Doreen, Dorothy, Pam, Helen, John, Neil and Ian and Leslie and other LCT members who assisted with the massive job of stewarding the Show. Total takings over three days exceeded all expectations

(Continued from page 25)

they view this as extremely important and are definitely on the side of LCRP. The meeting finished on a positive note, with Miss Kendall saying that the SLDC members are still very supportive but realised that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done. In particular the existing feasibility study and other documents need

at ÂŁ323 52. Our larger takings are partly the result of staying on when some of the Traders had gone home and therefore increasing the number of customers - some of whom had come with money to spend! See you all in 2032! BB

to be reviewed and distilled into a simple business plan, including updated costs of construction and maintenance of the restored length of canal in Kendal. This is now a matter which the Executive Committee of LCRP needs to address. Hal Bagot

Coffee Morning 27th October 2012 Sedgwick Village hall

10 to 12 noon Usual Stalls, cakes, bric-a-brac, raffle etc Do come along and support us

Canal & River Trust Is Born ... On 2 July 2012, British Waterways ceased to exist in England and Wales and in its place the Canal & River Trust was born. Staff from British Waterways and The Waterways Trust now work for the Canal & River Trust, Work wear, letterheads, signage and so on are being rebranded, some on a more gradual and creative basis than others to keep costs down. However, the most important thing

remains that in an increasingly fastpaced and crowded world we will ensure our historic canals and rivers are a local haven for people and nature. Being a charity will enable more people to support our work, join us and get involved donate, fundraise and volunteer. Please visit our website to find out more and download our ‘Shaping our Future’ document Debbie Lumb years to conserve and enhance the 200 - year old Lune Aqueduct in Lancaster. Following a £1million pound grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), matched by British Waterways and partners, a £2.4m programme of works to restore the 200-year old aqueduct to its former glory has been undertaken. The restoration of the Lune Aqueduct included repairing the canal channel, removing vegetation and graffiti, undertaking

LUNE AQUEDUCT RESTORATION From David Hennessey we have the following report on the successful restoration of the Lune Aqueduct. The Canal & River Trust, their partners and many other local organisations have put in much hard work over the last three

(Continued on page 31)

(Continued from page 30)

As it was in the beginning… ... An early drawing.

aqueduct consists of five stone arches supporting a 600ft stone trough. It is regarded by many as the singular best piece of John Rennie’s work. C o m m u n i t y engagement officer David Hennessey has

re-pointing and masonry repairs and improving public access to this historically significant site. The Lune Aqueduct was the most impressive feature of the The Mayor of Lancaster performs the official opening. Lancaster Canal which was the main conduit for been working with local schools the economic development of in the ar ea to d e ve lop Cumbria and Lancashire for over interpretation panels which have 100 years. Carrying the canal been installed on the aqueduct to high above the River Lune, the explain the canals heritage and environment to visitors to the aqueduct. During the next few years’ extensive environmental Invited guests enjoy a celebration voyage! 31

(Continued on page 32)

calling on volunteers to help with the conservation and environmental works. Anyone who would like to find out how to volunteer on the Lune Aqueduct please contact David Hennessey at: david.hennessey@canalrivertrust. org.uk or contact 07500 606030 The official Opening by the Mayor of Lancaster was part of a Lancaster Canal return boat trip from Lancaster City centre for invited guests. The extent of the work undertaken can be seen in the

(Continued from page 31)

enhancements will go ahead including planting new trees and hedgerows and the creation of two large amphibian habitats. 20 new bird and bat boxes will compensate for tree loss while the site is maturing and a new two acre (.75 ha) wild flower meadow will be incorporated on the south east embankment. The Canal & River Trust are

New edging stone as required

Newly surfaced towpath

New signage

following images and members can also make comparisons with earlier photographs in preceding issues of this Magazine,

Left: A new access ramp for all purposes

Right: The cleaned stonework; to have totally removed the staining would have damaged the stones

Left: The newly constructed and widened steps

The finished job! Open for business.

The First Furlong! By Peter Jones

Bridge 172 Bridge 173

Present end of Canal

equipment in the form of three diggers and two large tracked dumpers was hired in to be operated by WRG volunteers who were either already fully trained or got training during the camp. An estimated 1800 cubic metres of fill had to be removed and put somewhere. Fortunately the length had a widened central section (which could have been a winding hole) so the plan was to narrow the canal to its normal width and make a bank with the excavated material. This meant that nothing had to be taken off site. Care had to be taken to look out for 'nasty' stuff that had been dumped but fortunately none was found, only a few car parts and the usual bottles etc. Having excavated the material the banks had to be profiled to the right slope (1:2) to give it the 'natural'

Saturday 21st July marked a significant day in the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal. Work started on restoring the first section of disused canal, from Stainton Crossing Bridge (B172) to Sellet Hall Bridge (B173), a length of about 225m, which, in respect for the generation that built it, has been called The First Furlong. There is a navigable length from Millness to Stainton and this work will extend it further towards Kendal. The work was carried out by volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group, under the general direction of the Trust, who treat the event as a holiday but nevertheless put in a huge effort on our behalf. The main objective was excavation and earthmoving. The length had been filled in over the years for about half its length and partially filled for the rest. Earthmoving

(Continued on page 35)

(Continued from page 34)

finish that it originally had. The weather was not kind to us, the working area became very wet and muddy and the dumped material was not very stable. The diggers could sink into the ground and get stuck but fortunately the skill of the operators managed to get them out! The main bed of the canal remained firm throughout indicating that the original clay layer was sound. Other jobs had to be done as well. At B172 enough excavation had to be done to reveal the stop plank installation without compromising the dam between the restored length and the water on the other side. This dam cannot be removed until we are finally sure that the new length holds water. The stop planks are a set of wooden planks that fit into slots in the bridge side walls and are used for 'temporary' isolation of a length of canal. The old planks were found to be in place but in a very poor condition after 60 years or so and were damaged by the excavation. Enough details of there dimensions were obtained to design replacements. A subsequent working party will excavate the area by hand to reveal installation details so that we can restore the stop planks before opening up. At B173 a lot of vegetation had to be cleared and the side walls re-pointed (with lime mortar) after which an earth dam was constructed across the end of the bridge to retain water in the new length. As a further 35

precaution a secondary dam was built further down near Well Head's Lane. Prior to earthmoving a few trees had to be removed. It is always a shame to remove trees but it is the Trust's intention to replant the newly profiled area with trees which should more than replace those which were lost. Some of the tree stumps, if pulled out by brute force would have probably destroyed part of the bank and the fence. Theses stumps were ground down by rather vicious and noisy machines to get them down to the required level. The original 'plug hole' for draining the canal had been located on previous surveys. This had to be filled in as it was a liability. Alternative methods for emptying are available now. Unfortunately, owing to the weather and mechanical problems, the work was not finished, some profiling and tidying up needs to be done when the ground is drier, hopefully. It had been hoped to install a synthetic lining but this was not possible owing to technical issues with the supplier and time constraints. One of the questions in our minds was 'would the canal hold water?'. The historical evidence for leaks along this length is sketchy. Part of the answer was found after the camp when the level was seen to rise in the bed to form a continuous surface (Continued on page 36)

(Continued from page 35)

along virtually all the length, up to 400mm deep in parts. The only water coming in is a small ingress at B172 and a couple of small springs along the length â&#x20AC;&#x201C; only a trickle really. Things are quite hopeful that the new length is sound as it is. The Trust is very appreciative of the work done by WRG and we are starting to plan work for them next year. Our next objective is the 600 metres to Well Head's Lane after which the canal will have to cross the A590, a much more significant task. But we have made a start! PJ Footnote from the Chair to the WRG leaders. Paul, Cameron and Pete. I want to put on record how much

Photo Gallery

we appreciate the work you have done in the past two weeks. I think you have done brilliantly with the two teams of WRG volunteers plus several LCT volunteers. Despite the obvious setbacks of lousy weather, dumper breakdown and lack of lining material you have completed the bulk excavation and various related tasks. The undergrowth clearance at Sedgwick is a major boost to our relationships with the people of Sedgwick. Lots more to do and we will get round the table very soon to review what has been achieved and where we go from here. Thanks and best wishes Richard. First Furlong Restoration WRG Summer Camp 2012

Restoration of the Lancaster Canal Stainton to Sellet Hall July/August 2012

Take a bow the hardworking volunteers from Waterways Recovery Group and the LCT volunteers 36

Left & Below: The heavy â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;toysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arrive for the WRG people to play with.

Left & Below: Repointing the wing walls and the usual mixer for the mortar

Left: Excavation work begins at Stainton Crossing, the first since the Canal was remaindered in the 60,s

Upper Left and Above: The first stages in the fill removal from the Canal bed gets underway. Left: Some time was spent investigating the culvert that flows under the Canal. We needed to be sure that it is in good condition and will not collapse in years to come.

Left: The wet weather allowed the excavation to fill; promising signs for integrity of the old clay lining.

Right: The old stop planks were found in situ and uncovered. Below: What a surprise when we found that a boat had already been launched!

Below: Peter Jones investigates the stop plank channels.

Left: Several days of wet weather later the Canal begins to take shape.

Right: How we left it; the Canal dug so far is profiled but a ramp remains to allow extraction of the broken Dumper, seen in the distance. Below: Just some of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hardwareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needed during the two weeks.

The Sellet Hall Bridge end. Left: How it looked soon after work commenced Below: Work well underway. Diggers hard at it and the grinding down of stumps underway.

Left: How we finished after two weeks. Banks mostly profiled and Canal filling itself up!.

Left: The new dam at Sellet Hall and nicely pointed walls. Below: Under Sellet Hall Bridge near to the end of work.

Above (both): The before and after images of the Tree stump removal, a mix of chainsaw work at first then the grinding level of the remains. Left: Cleaning up, a very necessary job.

Hello! The Lancaster Canal Trust extends a very warm welcome to the following new members who have joined since the last issue of Waterwitch, and we hope to see you at some of our events: Roger Brice Jan and Chris Dixon Raymond Monks Miss K. A. Olley John H. Singleton Anne Martin Mrs S.M Jackson Christopher Blackburn Norman Hall Gardener Mr & Mrs D. E. Maritin Pastor David & Carole Brennard Kevin Chapman Paul & Helen Jackson Mick Bachus David & Vivienne Walton Mrs Lynda Beresford Christopher & Anita Taylor Mrs E Millward Richard & Lynne White Glynne Sanderson Kevin Hughes Alan L Dawson

Wilmslow Dumfries Lancaster Lytham St Annes Penwortham Harrogate Kendal Penrith Over Kellet Blackpool Milnthorpe Manchester Windermere Ambleside Garstang Holmfirth Grange-over-Sands Garstang Kendal Accrington Wigan Brampton

Canal & River Trust Report On 12th July the Canal and River Trust was formally launched in Burnley. The Lancaster Canal Trust was well represented. Richard Trevitt, Mike Macklin and Trisha Buzzard were in attendance as members of the NW Membership Board as was our LCT member David Gibson, who has been elected to the CRT Council. The work of the local Partnership Board continues with an AGM on 27th September next. TB 43

100 Club Prizes: 1st £25; 2nd £15; 3rd £10. Winning Numbers since last Issue 1st 2nd 3rd Dec 2011

Blank

Jan 2012

Blank

Feb

March

Blank

April

May

June

Blank

July

Aug

Blank

Sept

THE LANCASTER CANAL

The July draw was the annual enhanced rate for the AGM of £100;£50; £25. Congratulations to all.

IMPORTANT NOTICE We still have some 16 blank numbers in our 100 Club Draw. If you are not in the Draw and would like to join please contact Cath Davenport for full details of how and when to join. Contact details are; Cath Davenport (100 Club Organiser) Tel (015395) 67250

LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Officers and Committee 2010/11 President

C.H.Bagot J.P. F.R.I.C.S.,D.L Vice - Presidents

John Gavan; David Slater Chairman Richard Trevitt

2 Fern Bank, Lancaster. LAI 4TT (01524) 846303 trevittr@hotmail.com Vice - Chairman Helen Thomas

7 Bay View, Over Kellet, Carnforth, LA6 1DR, (01524) 735504 helen@thepikes.co.uk Secretary

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599 dadcurrington@hotmail.com Treasurer

Peter Jones 14 Blencathra Gardens Kendal LA9 7HL (01539) 739105 peter@cpsj.me.uk Membership Secretary

Alan Mather 15, Claughton Ave Bolton BL2 6US (01204) 521031 Public Relations Officer

Trisha Buzzard 07802438412 Waterwitch Editor

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599 Working Party Organiser

vacant Grants Officer

Mike Macklin

mikemacklin@btinternet.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS & OTHER TRUST OFFICERS

Sandra Henstock (L.C.B.C. Representative) (01253)764171

Alan Mather Boat Operations Manager (01204) 521031 alan.mather7@ntlworld.com

Affiliated Members Preston Patrick Parish Council Ramblers Association (Preston Area) South Lakeland District Council Water Farm Boat Hire Yealand Conyers Parish Council Westmorland & North Lancashire Long Distance Walkers Assoc.

Beetham Parish Council Burton-in-Kendal Parish Council Bury & District Anglers Association Catterall Parish Council Kendal Civic Society Lancaster Canal Boat Club Natland Parish Council Newton with Clifton Parish Council

Corporate Members Arlen Hire Boats

CARP Ltd

Waterwitch is copyright 2012, published by The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No. 240957) c/o David Currington, 12 Sedbergh Road, Kendal, LA9 6AD The Lancaster Canal Trust may not agree with the opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or an official announcement, unless so stated - otherwise the Trust accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication .

Visit LCT website at:

http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk

The deadline for contributions to the next edition of Waterwitch in early April 2013 will be 7th March 2013 Contributions may be e-mailed to dadcurrington@hotmail.com Or by post to David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6AD Printed by Kent Valley Colour Printers, Kendal. (01539)741344

Membership Application Form If you wish to become involved and/or be kept informed on the restoration progress of the Lancaster Canal then why not join the LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Fill in the membership application form below and post, together with the appropriate membership fee to: Mr Alan Mather , LCT Membership Secretary

15, Claughton Ave, Bolton, Lancs, BL2 6US

The Lancaster Canal Trust Membership Application Form Reg Charity No 240957

Individual

£14.00

Family - 2 adults plus up to 3 children at one Address. Please provide Partner’s name

£20.00

Concession - over 60 & students

£10.00

Affiliates—Public bodies and Non-profit making organisations

£14.00 £150.00

Life Additional Donation

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I/We enclose cheque/cash for Title:

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I/we wish that the subscriptions & donations I/we have made to the Lancaster Canal Trust be treated as Gift Aid donations. You must be paying income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax the LCT reclaims on your donations in the current tax year please tick here ……... For further information on the Trust please visit our website at http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org/uk

Colour this time, the top picture seems to be taken from the steel channel seen in the black & white pictures. Still a wealth of contemporary detail, old compressors for the drill, total lack of scaffolding & safety protection, and one chap is having a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the site. A couple of old lorries. Below is the nearly finished article. Where is all the traffic we see today?