Towpath Talk - January 2019 - Preview

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Issue 159, January 2019

NEW FOR 2019 ASK THE TRUST

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SANTAS MAKE A SPLASH P2 AND 5

Ring in the New Year

DOGFRIENDLY MUSEUM

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LAPAL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN

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Wintry sunshine reflects on moorings at Ashwood Marina, Kingswinford, in the West Midlands. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

Towpath Talk’s 2018 top teams – take a bow

By Janet Richardson

BOAT REVIEW: WALKING ON WATER

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Find your ideal location using the map in our monthly feature

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IN THIS season of goodwill, we are delighted to announce the results of our Towpath Talk Top Team award for 2018.

The clear winner following the judges’

Eviction threat

final and readers’ vote is the Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteering Team. In joint runner-up slot are the Cotswold Canals Trust and Welshpool Canal Adoption Group and in joint third are the Daniel Adamson Steam Ship

NARROWBOAT residents on the Thames at West Molesey, Surrey, are challenging a move by the Environment Agency which could see them evicted from an area where some of them have lived for 13 years, writes Helen Gazeley. The residents, who include a policeman and a social worker, claim that Land Registry checks prove that the land is unregistered, making it within the law for them to stay, and that EA’s ownership claims are mistaken.

Around 10 boats are affected, all of whom say they have a valid River Thames licence, insurance and boat safety certificates.

volunteers and the IWA Northampton branch. Presentations to our finalists will take place in the new year.

Our thanks go to the readers who rose to the challenge of finding a group of unsung heroes who have gone that extra

Towpath mugging

POLICE are hunting four youths after a man in his sixties was robbed at knifepoint and pushed into the Trent & Mersey Canal, writes Geoff Wood.

The man was walking along the towpath towards Etruria, Staffordshire, when he passed the group sitting on a bridge near Middleport Pottery. A youth described by police as Asian and in his late teens jumped down and threatened the man before brandishing a knife from his waistband.

A second, said to be white and younger, forced the man to hand over cash and pushed him hard, causing him to fall into the canal.

mile for their local stretch of towpath, canal or river, waterways association or community boat – and gave our judging panel a difficult job of shortlisting the five finalists.

• Continued on page 2

Walsall project

FOUR stretches of towpath along the Darlaston Canal and the Goscote Birchills Canal at Walsall have been earmarked for improvements following a £1.62 million grant from the Department for Transport and Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership. Work will include resurfacing and widening the paths and should be completed by September 2019. The improved towpaths will connect Walsall town centre to redevelopments in Goscote and Darlaston Enterprise Zone, as well as linking people’s homes with places of work, schools and colleges. The improvements are part of the £6.12 million Walsall Economic Growth and Infrastructure Package.

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2 NEWS/COMMENT

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AS I write, another year draws to a close and it’s time to reflect on the last 12 months.

The virtually wall-to-wall sunshine in the spring and early summer was great for the festivals and other events which enjoyed it, although not such good news for the water supplies leading to the closure of part of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and restrictions elsewhere.

Boaters wishing to cruise the Cheshire Ring were thwarted by the Middlewich breach, which I visited in May – on another beautiful day – and the closure of the Marsh Lock on the Weaver Navigation also impacted on travel plans.

My happiest memories of the year include spending the glorious early May bank holiday weekend on board hotel boats Duke and Duchess. Owner Neil Port was among those who had to divert around the stoppage, but this wasn’t all bad news he recalls as he reflects on his first season in business on page 66.

At the height of the heatwave in July, I was invited by Helen Hutt to spend a few days on her narrowboat Pipistrelle on the Kennet & Avon Canal, during which we were joined on the Sunday by Mike Rodd for a visit to Crofton Beam Engines. Thanks again to Helen for a wonderful weekend.

In addition to the usual round of shows and festivals, other highlights have included the Pocklington Canal Bicentenary celebrations, also in July, and a visit to the Chichester Canal in October for the launch of Alison Alderton’s book Boating with Buster.

As reported last month, the season ended on a very sad note with the death of contributor and great friend Harry Arnold MBE, but his memory will live on through his unrivalled collection of photographs charting waterways life over six decades.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

Minister visits Montgomery Canal

MINISTER for Culture, Tourism and Sport Lord Elis-Thomas visited the Montgomery Canal in Welshpool to learn how Wales’ former industrial waterways can play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of people.

Accompanied by local Assembly Member and chairman of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee Russel George, he met with officials from Glandwr ˆ Cymru – the Canal & River Trust in Wales – to find out how the charity is working to help improve the health, happiness and wellbeing of those living in waterside communities.

As part of the visit, the Minister enjoyed a short walk on the towpath at Town Wharf and a boat trip with Heulwen Trust before visiting a photography exhibition at Powysland museum.

The Heulwen Trust offers boat trips for children and adults who are less able and has taken more than 69,000 people out on its boats, enabling them to benefit • Continued from page 1 Sadly judging panel member Harry Arnold died before he was able to make his final selection but his family helped to select the winning team.

Daughter Julie explained: “We voted along the lines of dad’s original deliberations, adding in our own thoughts and experiences having visited a number of the teams’ projects in the last year or so.”

Thanks go to our other judges Haley Hadley, sales and marketing director of award sponsor ABC Leisure Group, and John Dodwell, who started volunteering in 1962 and continues to be actively involved in a number of

from the canal in Welshpool.

The visit was also an opportunity for the minister to get an update from the Montgomery Canal Partnership on the Heritage Lottery-funded £4 million project to reopen a further two miles of the canal, from Maesbury to Crickheath in Shropshire.

The project also involves the creation of a new three-hectare wildlife habitat within Aston Locks Nature Reserve, the upgrade of nearly five miles of towpath and a programme of community events and activities. The project will mean that, once finished, half of the canal’s 35 miles will have been restored.

John Dodwell, chairman of the Montgomery Canal Partnership, said: “We were glad to be able to tell the minister why the restoration of the canal should be completed. The canal can provide a wealth of heritage structures and wildlife and wild plants for people to enjoy. Importantly, the revived canal will be able to enhance the tourism offer in this part of Powys and so bring in more people with their spending money.”

waterways organisations.

The Top Team nominations have proved beyond doubt that there are lots of dedicated teams of committed volunteers out there – who all deserve recognition for the hard work they are doing for the benefit of the inland waterways.

On hearing the news ANT chief executive Clive Matthews said: “We are delighted with this honour, which celebrates the work of our mighty Mobile Team, fuelled by Avon Navigation Trust’s army of volunteers, who carry out 65% of the work done to administer, maintain and improve our navigation.”

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Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Assistant editor Sarah Spencer sspencer@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – tshaw@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Stuart Yule – syule@mortons.co.uk Chris Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Markham Divisional advertising manager Sue Keily Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-6pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004. Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – January 24, 2019

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Lord Elis-Thomas (Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport), Michael Limbrey (chairman of Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust), John Dodwell (chairman of Montgomery Canal Partnership), Ceri Davies ˆ Cymru). PHOTO: CRT (public affairs and policy manager for Glandwr

Sustrans announces major overhaul of its cycle network A NEW report by Sustrans sets out recommendations for an overhaul of the National Cycle Network to open up walking and cycling to more people, including children, and anyone with impaired mobility.

More than half (57%) of the UK population lives within a mile of the National Cycle Network, but major improvements for access and safety are needed to open it up to everyone, including children, wheelchair users, those riding non-standard cycles and the less physically active.

The call has been made by Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, as it launches the first review of the 16,575mile network.

In its Paths for Everyone report, the charity unveiled the current state of the 23-year-old network and a long-term plan to make it traffic-free and tackle

physical problems. These include poor surfaces and barriers that prevent access for users, particularly those with adapted bikes or prams.

Only 54% of the network is currently suitable for a 12-year-old to use safely, a road safety benchmark set by the UK Government. Just over a third of the paths on the network (32%) are separated from motor traffic, providing safe spaces for people to walk and cycle.

An online survey of 5965 people showed overwhelming support for the network, with 81% of the respondents saying they want paths built away from cars where everyone feels safe to travel.

Launching the report at the Houses of Parliament, Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans, said: “We want to build on its success and make the network safer and more accessible for everyone, not just for people who currently use it.”

Members of the Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteer Team who help to maintain and improve the River Avon Navigation for the benefit of all.

Step out along the Pocklington Canal WALK off the festive excesses on a free three-mile guided walk along the disused section of the Pocklington Canal.

During 2019 this walk takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 1-3pm. Meet at the information centre at Canal Head.

There is car parking. Look for the picnic site brown signs off the A1079 opposite the Wellington Oak (disused) pub.

Run by volunteer walk leaders, these walks are part of the Heritage Lottery-supported A Gem in the Landscape project on the canal.

Note that the towpath is a broad grassy track and does get muddy in wet weather. Wear sensible footwear. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Forthcoming walks are on January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5 and June 2.

Part of National Cycle Route 66, the Aire Valley towpath at Granary Wharf in Leeds, where a Santa Splash event was recently organised by the Canal & River Trust through its Desmond Family Canoe Trail project.

Nearly 50 Santas are pictured taking to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for a festive paddle towards Kirkstall. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

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New plans unveiled for a multi-million pound waterside development STROUD District Council revealed its latest plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Brimscombe Port at a public consultation event.

Local residents were invited to give their views on the proposals prior to a planning application being submitted in the new year for the necessary infrastructure, including the canal basin and new access road and to establish the outline redevelopment proposals.

The project is particularly challenging as it involves engineering a new canal basin, river crossing, culverts and new roads.

Council leader Coun Doina Cornell said: “It’s important that the views of the local community are taken into consideration before the planning application is submitted.”

Brimscombe Port is a former inland port dating back to the 1780s which became redundant after the era of the canals as a mode of transport came to an end. It was filled in during the 1960s and developed as an industrial site, and was earmarked as in need of significant regeneration by Stroud District Council.

Due to the high infrastructure costs, the scheme requires public funding.

The council was successful in securing £2 million from Homes England in 2015 which kickstarted work to bring the development forward.

This has now been match-funded by Stroud District Council. Together, these contributions will enable the council to select a developer partner to create a unique waterside attraction.

IN BRIEF

Thames skeleton find

AN ancient skeleton of a man in thigh-high leather boots lying face-down in mud has been discovered along the River Thames. He is thought to be around 500 years old. Experts said he could have fallen or drowned and was covered quickly by the ground as it moved with the tide.

Archaeologists said he could have been a fisherman, a mudlark – a person who scavenges in river mud for items of value – or perhaps a sailor. He was found at Tideway’s Chambers Wharf site in Bermondsey, where excavations are taking place to build the 25km-long Thames Tideway Tunnel “super sewer” to stop pollution in the river.

Water resource report An aerial view of the Brimscombe Port area. PHOTO: STROUD DISTRICT COUNCIL

Gates fitted ahead of schedule NEW tail gates fitted at lock 3 on the Rufford Arm should prevent the pound losing its water overnight, writes Colin Wareing.

The Canal & River Trust and its contractors

completed the replacement of the gates just below Runnel Brow Bridge a few days earlier than planned.

On the eastern side of Burscough along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal,

the Rufford Arm leaves the main line and falls through seven locks towards Tarleton.

The pound between locks 2 and 3 had been losing water for a while.

The dive team preparing to enter the water. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Divers brave the cold to inspect Gloucester lock gates

The new tail gates on lock 3 of the Rufford Arm. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

A TEAM of divers took on possibly one of the region’s coldest jobs as they submerged themselves in the wintry waters of Gloucester Docks to inspect the lock gates that connect the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to the River Severn.

Working for the Canal & River Trust, they carried out the work below the surface to assess what repairs might be needed to the lock gates, which weigh more than 12 tonnes each.

Robert Eaton, Canal & River Trust operations manager, said: “The canal

and river here in Gloucester are as busy and popular as ever. They support businesses, contribute to the local economy and offer a haven where people can escape to. The gates themselves are pretty hardy, but we think we can do some work to prevent them leaking – saving time and money by reducing the need to pump water from the river back into the docks.

“Once we have all the information we need from the dive survey, we can plan the best method to make the improvements.”

CANAL & River Trust has in the past year completed a water resource study on the restoration of parts of the Grantham Canal, according to the CRT’s latest update on the progress of its Water Resources Strategy 20152020. In addition, CRT has continued to provide support and advice to the following third-party led restorations and new canals: the Cromford Canal, the Montgomery Canal (Freestone Lock to Newtown), the Stroudwater Canal and the Wilts & Berks Canal (including Melksham Link). CRT produces and contributes to water resource assessments for proposed restorations and new canal developments to ensure there is no net impact on the level of service of its network.

Rorke’s Drift talk

THE Worcester-Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society has something a little different to kick off the new year. Maritime historian Paul Barnett will be talking about ‘A Gloster Boy Abroad’ in the meeting room behind the Weighbridge, Alvechurch, on Tuesday, January 8 at 7.45pm.

Ahead of the 140th anniversary of the battle of Rorke’s Drift, the talk transports the audience from the sun-baked plains of Victorian South Africa to the serene pastures of rural Churcham, setting the scene of the long-forgotten tale of Forest boy Alfred Henry Hook VC, whose epic exploits were told in the famous blockbuster movie Zulu, released in 1964 and starring Michael Caine and Stanley Baker.

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Success of Braunston ‘literary festival’ could lead to annual event THE ‘Cathedral of the Canals’, All Saints’ Church, Braunston, was the setting for the launch of two books.

Although both very different in their content, the two titles helped to raise more than £1000 for Crusader Community Boating, which provides trips for disabled adults and children’s groups from Gayton Junction and Dementia UK through the proceeds of sales of books.

Celebrity boaters Timothy West and Prunella Scales gave readings from both books – A Summer on the Nene and Andrée’s War – during the event at which guests enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies and the chance to pick up early Christmas gifts from CanalBookShop and the Friends of Raymond.

A welcome was given by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire David Laing, before a presentation about A Summer on the Nene was chaired by Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina which sponsored the facsimile reprint by the CanalBookShop of the 1967 waterway classic, written and illustrated by Denys Watkins-Pitchford who was also the illustrator of Tom Rolt’s Narrow Boat.

Some fascinating insights into the life

of the author – who wrote some 40 books under the pseudonym ‘BB’, although using his own name as illustrator – were given by Chris Coles, vice-chairman of the BB Society, in conversation with Tim Coghlan.

Chris said Denys Watkins-Pitchford (1905-1990) was born in Lamport, Northamptonshire, and educated at home due to ill health, later attending Northampton School of Art. He had developed a love of the outdoors and went on to travel extensively and become a prolific writer. As well as books, which included several for children, he penned around 1000 articles for the Shooting Times.

Timothy West read a passage describing the Nene as ‘the slowest moving river in England… a floating stick may take the best part of a morning to pass you by’. Prunella Scales followed with ‘we left Fotheringhay with regret and steered safely through the middle arch’.

Tim Coghlan said the extracts had given a really good flavour of his scarce and important book covering two voyages in a small boat on the River Nene in 1966, in the twilight years of river carrying. A Summer on the Nene

The Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire David Laing with the panel, from left: Chris Coles, Tim Coghlan, Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON

Francelle Bradford White was on hand to sign copies of her book. is available online from CanalBookShop and from the Braunston Marina shop, priced £15.95.

Wartime diaries

Chief executive of the Canal & River Trust Richard Parry chats to Brian Seymour, sales officer of the Friends of Raymond.

Following this was Andrée’s War – How One Young Woman Outwitted the Nazis, which was written by her daughter Francelle Bradford White and based on her mother’s diaries and their conversations.

Tim Coghlan also chaired this session and interviewed Francelle, with selected readings chosen by her, which were read

by Timothy West and Prunella Scales.

Aged 19, Andrée was working in the police headquarters in Paris in 1940 when the city fell. The Nazis kept the Paris police on, but increasingly turned it into an instrument of terror, including rounding up the Jews.

Andrée was asked by the French Resistance to stay on as a vital informant, which she bravely did, leading a dangerous double life. Later she was betrayed, but survived interrogation and the war. Prunella’s reading of Andrée’s diary entry for the day that Paris fell in June 1940, reduced Francelle to tears.

After the war, Andrée was awarded the French highest honours by General de Gaulle – the Medaile de la Resistance, the Croix de Guerre and the Legion

An audience of more than 70 book enthusiasts enjoying the presentation in All Saints’ Church. d’Honneur. The book was her previously unknown story of extraordinary courage and cunning.

Copies of the book can be ordered online at www.andreeswar.com for £16.99 incl p&p, £12 from each book sold through this site going to Alzheimer’s research, or through Braunston Marina on 01788 891373.

In his closing remarks, David Laing congratulated the organisers on the success of the ‘first Braunston Literary Festival!’ and encouraged them to consider holding it again.

Tim Coghlan commented: “On reflection, a one-day event with say four to five new books on the waterways and the local history/countryside, could work well. But at a warmer time of the year!”

He also thanked North Oxfordshire Wine, who generously supplied the fine Chilean red for mulled wine, which he said proved both delicious and a lifesaver in the bleak mid-winter.

The event was held by kind permission of the Vicar of Braunston, the Rev Nat White.

A Summer on the Nene ‘BB’ has forsaken his familiar caravan and Land Rover and embarked on the motor cruiser Jolly Enterprise. Instead of dusty, noisy highway there is the quiet byway of the River Nene, which threads through rural Northamptonshire. Less well known than the Thames, Ouse or Severn, along its winding way, flanked with willow groves and water meadows, ‘BB’ found peace and tranquillity.

His naturalist's perception and his ability to impart scene and atmosphere are combined in this record to enrich our own understanding of the mysterious life of a river. The names of the riverside villages convey the magic of the English countryside - Wadenhoe, Titchmarsh, Water Newton, Tansor, Fotheringhay, Cotterstock, Orton Waterville - and Denys Watkins-Pitchford’s exquisite engravings evoke the flora and fauna, the backwaters and locks, churches and watermills, which formed the setting of this voyage.

Illustrated by D.J. Watkins-Pitchford

‘BB’

‘BB’ found himself very conscious of the past: at Fotheringhay, for instance, where Mary, Queen of Scots, went to her execution; at Lilford, where rich birdlife in wood, field and river inspired its fourth Earl to become one of England's most celebrated ornithologists.

He complements his own narrative with many recollections of an old lady - Mrs Julyans which re-embroider the faded tapestry of rural life in this area at the turn of the [nineteenth] century.

A Summer on the Nene

‘BB’ Sleeve notes from the first edition of this waterways classic, published in 1967:

‘BB’ A Summer on the Nene

‘BB’ conjures up for the reader the fragrance of water mints, and the wild, wet weeds about the weirs, that ‘unforgettable, unforgotten' river smell, through summer's unfolding to the time when the mists of autumn cloak the water meadows and departing swallows hold their parliaments upon the gold-lichened tiles of many an ancient mill. In this noisy age of dense population, such things have an increasing value; perhaps the waterways of England are the last strongholds of quietness and peace. This book will summon up for many a reader on a dark winter's day a vision of an idle, golden summer, where the only sounds were those of the whispering reeds and willows, and the secret music of lapping waters.

Timothy West reading from A Summer on the Nene.

£15.95

Peter Silvester, left, of CanalBookShop had a selection of titles for visitors to browse.

ISBN 978-0-9955180-7-0

CanalBookShop

CanalBookShop Sponsored by Braunston Marina

Reprint of the first edition, published in 1967 Sponsored by Braunston Marina

NEWS 5

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Floating voters boost for canal trust LICHFIELD’S canal trust has received a donation from an association representing traders afloat on Britain’s waterways.

The Roving Canal Traders’ Association (RCTA) is a non-profitmaking organisation run to help support and promote the diverse array of existing and potential Canal & River Trust-registered roving traders.

Any profit made by the RCTA is donated to charity and each year members vote on which charities should benefit.

This year’s beneficiaries were Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) and the CRT, who were invited to attend the

RCTA floating Christmas market held at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, to receive their cheques.

The money donated to LHCRT will go towards the trust’s Tunnel Vision appeal, a campaign to raise £1 million to install a tunnel under the Cross-City railway line.

The trust hopes to build the canal culvert at the same time as a bridge carrying the railway line is put over the planned Lichfield Southern Bypass, probably in late 2019.

More than half of the £1 million target has already been raised.

For more details on the David Suchet Tunnel Vision appeal, visit https:// lhcrt.org.uk/tunnel-vision.html

More than 90 Santas set off on their festive paddle. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Santas make a splash on chilly Bootle canal

THE Christmas season kicked off in style in Bootle with more than 90 Santas taking to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for a festive paddle.

Organised by the Canal & River Trust through its Desmond Family Canoe Trail project, the Santa Splash event gave youngsters and adults the chance to get out on the water and

have a go at canoeing. Dressed up in Santa suits and in boats adorned with tinsel and baubles, they made their way along the canal from Eldonian Village, covering around 3km to finish at the Lock & Quay pub for free refreshments and entertainment.

Beth Cropper, project leader for the Desmond Family Canoe Trail,

said: “We’re delighted that so many people chose to come out on a chilly winter morning to enjoy some gentle exercise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

“Everyone had a really fantastic time in the canoes and it was an amazing sight to see all those Santas paddling along the canal.”

IWA volunteer at royal birthday bash NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Inland Waterways Association (IWA) volunteer Bernard Morton was selected as a guest of honour at an exclusive tea party to celebrate Prince Charles’ 70th birthday at Spencer House in central London.

Nominated for his commitment to improving Northamptonshire’s waterways as chairman of the Northampton Branch of the IWA for the past 10 years, Bernard joined 70 inspirational people all born in 1948, the same year as Prince Charles, for tea, sandwiches and birthday cake.

Bernard, who lives in Gayton and is a keen boater, said: “Wherever there is a need, whether campaigning to preserve or restore a section of endangered waterway, advocating the construction of new canals, helping to maintain existing ones or promoting

their use, IWA gets involved. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of a great team who work tirelessly to bring about positive change to our environment for the benefit of the local and wider community.”

IWA Northampton Branch works with local stakeholders to conserve and protect the waterways that flow through Northamptonshire.

In 2013, the branch adopted the more than four-mile Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

Members regularly hold task parties to carry out maintenance work such as painting locks, litter picking and vegetation clearance. More recently, working with an artist and local school children, they developed a mosaic trail and a 70m mural depicting a timeline of Northampton’s history.

The group has also raised thousands

of pounds to support other waterways based charities and not-for-profit organisations in the area, such as the Sea Cadets.

IWA Northampton Branch chairman Bernard Morton.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Bob Williams (second right), Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s financial director, receives a cheque for £200 from Roving Canal Traders Association PR and communications volunteer Julie Tonkin, while RCTA treasurer Andrew Mills (left) presents a cheque, also for £200, to CRT engagement manager for the West Midlands, Bashir Ahmed. PHOTO: LICHFIELD AND HATHERTON CANALS RESTORATION TRUST

Winter work at Burnley

By Colin Wareing

CONTRACTORS working for the Canal and River Trust have dammed the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and set up a base near to the Manchester Road Bridge no 130B at the southern end of ‘the straight mile’ embankment at Burnley.

The dewatered section extends around to Finsley Gate Bridge no 130E and is needed to reline the canal and carry out work to the towpath pathretaining wall and to do some offside

The dewatered section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Manchester Road Bridge. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

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soft bank protection.

It is assumed that the little boat Minnow, which is part of the collection of other maintenance vessels that are stranded on the bottom here, won’t be needed anywhere else for the next few months, unless they are going to be moved by road.

The stoppage, which was put back by a week to give boaters that had been affected by the summer water shortages time to get back to their moorings, is planned to last through until March 15.

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Major marina project given go-ahead

IN BRIEF Honour for Cliff

A TRIBUTE and presentation was held by Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust to honour founder member Cliff Penny on being made honorary life president of the group. He was presented with a commemorative Buckby Can. Cliff gave a thank you speech recalling his many years in the trust and asked that people worked together to continue its good work. The presentation was held during the H&GCT AGM, when special mention was made of Paul Hatt, a long-standing member, who had sadly passed away. Sixty-three members and two guests were present. (The Wharfinger, winter 2018-2019)

By Sarah Spencer

PLANS for a major 220-berth marina project in Cherry Willingham near Lincoln have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

The development will also include a chandlery, workshop, cafe/bistro, showers and toilets, as well as footpaths and cycleways and public open space with heritage information on display.

West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee gave full planning consent, with outline permission for up to 155 new homes and businesses on the site at Eastfield Rise Farm, Fiskerton Road.

Dubbed the ‘Willingham Fen Marina’, the application was made by Dean Sempers, with Globe Consultants of Lincoln acting as agents.

Controversial craft

THE owner of an unusual floating craft has been given his marching orders by Manchester City Council, writes Geoff Wood. Ben Sharratt, 28, took his barge into the New Islington Marina at Ancoats in August. But while Ben has spent thousands of pounds building his “houseboat” the council says that since it cannot navigate under its own steam it is a house rather than a boat and must leave. Ben claims he is being penalised because of its unusual design and is taking legal advice on fighting the ruling. However the council said the vessel does not comply with the terms of his marina licence and there have been objections from neighbours.

The plans, which had been in the pipeline for some years, had met with widespread local support.

One resident of Cherry Willingham told the council: “I have attended all of the many consultation events. I have noted that the vast majority of others attending have been as enthusiastic as I am about having the marina.

“I have given positive feedback on all of the consultation documents and know that many of my local friends and neighbours have done likewise. There is clearly a lot of support for this amenity.”

She continued: “We have been continually reassured that the site will not just become a housing estate, but will become a community built around the new marina.

“As long as that is the case,

A vision of how a new footbridge/cycleway across the access channel will look. then I have no objections at all.”

The farm covers a significant part of the land between Cherry Willingham village and the River Witham.

Phil Scrafton, managing director of Globe Consultants Limited, said the application included additional community benefits such as business units,

substantial public open space and a new cycle/footbridge connecting Cherry Willingham to the off-road Sustrans cycle route alongside the river, which runs directly into Lincoln city centre.

“It’s been a long time in the planning and we are delighted,” he said. “It’s exciting, but a major

undertaking that needs to be viable. Now that we have agreed housing as part of it, it has made it a realistic proposition and we are keen to get started on delivering it.”

He added: “We are pleased to have played an instrumental role in bringing this major investment forward.”

An artist’s impression of the marina. PHOTOS: GLOBE CONSULTANTS LIMITED

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that the chamber earlier this year after it was found site around Peak Forest Canal. It was closed are pictured fencing off the work 11 on the Marple flight on the through. Construction workers Work starts on rebuilding Lock too narrow for boats to safely pass walls had moved inwards and become reopen in March 2019. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN & CAROLE’S CREATIONS will the lock. It is hoped that the canal

Opposition to EA price hikes for boat

By Sarah Spencer

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in “INFLATION-BUS TING” rises the the cost of boat registrations on the waterways demonstrates why Environment Agency navigations & should be transferred to the Canal River Trust, according to the Inland Waterways Association.

This follows an EA announcement to its that it will go ahead with increases navigation charges for the next two years.

This is “to help ensure a sustainable well service for thousands of boat users as as maintenance of waterway structures ” such as locks and customer services, according to the EA. It said the new charges for 2019-21

risk’ at the Canal & River Trust Jobs ‘atrestructuring

REGIONAL include has put 240 jobs ‘at risk’. Those affected roles. professional, supervisory and management across sessions Staff have been briefed at a series of started with the network and consultations have team leaders trade unions. Waterway operatives, The move and volunteer leaders are not affected. has seen from 10 waterways to six larger regions managed some activities, which were previously and a centrally, devolved to regional teams overall. reduction in senior manager numbers

registrations

would be invested in waterways enjoyed to by around 29,000 boat users, helping of meet the shortfall between the cost running the service and the income currently generated from annual

boat registrations.

Across the EA’s waterways, the for majority of boats (98%) are used private pleasure. For these users,

freeze Licence & River Trust has confirmed that

THE Canal licence headline private and business boat change fees will be frozen for 2019 – the only payment will be the reduction of the prompt 2020, part discount to 5% from April 1. From for those who of this discount (2.5%) will apply a manage their payments online. Following be will national consultation, several changes 2019. from taking place over five years starting boat widths Two additional pricing bands for will be introduced from April 2020.

annual boat registrations will increase years by between £6 and £100 over two boat, depending on the size and type of although specific costs vary by location.

However the IWA said the rises were to “despite the majority of respondents the EA’s recent consultation objecting to levels of increase proposed”.

• Continued on page 2

tablesprovided beside the Locksidehave been

PICNIC tables writes Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Barnoldswick, Locks Geoff Wood. The tables at Greenberfield between have been provided under a joint venture and the Bloom the town council, Barnoldswick in a grant from Canal & River Trust with the help of features the People’s Postcode Lottery. Special access. Bloom include wheelchair and pushchair “Greenberfield said: Gilbert Lesley member where many Locks is one of Barnoldswick’s jewels the setting.” boaters, cyclists and walkers enjoy

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A masterplan of how the Cherry Willingham project should take shape.

Bins by Boat trials to continue A TRIAL run for the Bins by Boat pilot project in London proved “encouraging”, according to the Canal & River Trust.

The scheme is one of the proposals to improve boater services in the London Mooring Strategy.

Operated by iRecycle, a new contractor providing waste services by boat for Camden markets and supported by the trust, the one-day trial was run for continuous cruisers on the Paddington Arm between Camden and Old Oak, at no cost to the trust or boaters.

“The results from the first trial are really encouraging, with approximately 70 bags of mixed recycling collected from an estimated 50 boats

between Battle Bridge Basin and Camden on the Regent’s Canal,” said Sorwar Ahmed, senior boater liaison manager for CRT. There are more trials planned for January. iRecyle provided bags for boaters to sort their waste into, which was then collected from their boats as the barge cruised past to the PowerDay waste transfer station, where all non-food waste collected will be sorted and recycled.

Collected food waste will go through a process of anaerobic digestion via a food waste management partner and converted into renewable energy or biofertiliser.

Boating in the capital is

more popular than ever, with numbers growing by 76% since 2012 when the trust was formed.

With many people choosing to live on board, managing the amount of waste created is a challenge and it’s important to find innovative and environmentally friendly ways to help boaters dispose of their rubbish. iRecycle will work with the trust to evaluate the costs and effectiveness of the service.

This will help to establish whether this can be a viable option for improved boater services along the Paddington Arm and potentially in other locations on London’s waterways.

ASK THE TRUST 7

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Your chance to quiz the Canal & River Trust In a new series for 2019, we are giving readers the chance to ‘Ask the trust’ any questions they would like answering by the team at the Canal & River Trust.

Damian Kemp, boating communications manager, introduces himself in this first article.

MUCH of my working life has been spent around, on, or under, water. I started out in the Royal Navy as a medic and went on to become a submariner with responsibility for the nuclear safety of the boat.

I joined the trust’s predecessor in 2009 and for the last six years I’ve been responsible for communicating with boaters, largely through our fortnightly Boaters’ Update. One of the great pleasures I’ve had during my working life is corresponding with a broad range of boaters – you’ve certainly got a lot to say! I’ve heard questions on a whole host of topics and hopefully given some helpful responses.

In this new regular column, a team of experts from the trust will be answering some of the most common questions that we hear from boaters, whether that’s direct to me via the Boaters’ Update, enquiries received by our customer services team, or the contents of the Towpath Talk mailbag (email editorial@towpathtalk. co.uk marking your question ‘ask the

Ready for your questions:

Damian Kemp, boating communications manager. trust’ or see address details on the Talkback page).

We want you to have the chance to quiz us and to find out a bit more about what we do. Here are a few starters for ten…

Should we expect more waterrelated restrictions in 2019?

Adam Comerford, national hydrology manager, says: It’s tricky to predict what will happen in 2019 as the 73 reservoirs and umpteen feeder streams that supply the network are always reliant on how much it rains over the winter as much as how dry it is in the summer. And at the moment the long-term forecasts across the country are painting a very uncertain picture.

We’ll have a clearer view in February or March.

I can say that the answer varies depending on the location. We’re actively managing water supply in the

Jon Horsfall: Boaters are at the heart of what we do. more drought-prone areas, particularly in the north, and have introduced restricted opening times along some sections of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to make the best possible use of the water we have.

We’re hopeful that the reservoirs will refill over the winter so we can start the cruising season in a healthy position and we are making sure any reservoir use over the winter is strictly limited, to maximise refill prospects for next year. We’re keeping a close eye on the situation.

You can read more about it on our website: canalrivertrust.org.uk/ droughtfaqs

How do boaters fit in with this whole well-being agenda?

Jon Horsfall, head of customer service support, says: We are a waterways and well-being charity and boats and boaters will

PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Adam Comerford: Hoping for a clearer view in the spring. always be at the heart of what we do: the waterways must stay open for boating. To be fit for that future we need more people supporting, working and partnering with us, with boaters integral to that goal.

Boaters already know all about the well-being benefits of the waterways – our annual Boat Owners’ Views survey tells us boaters are reporting higher levels of life satisfaction, feelings of worth, and happiness than the wider population. While some of this of course will be attributable to other factors, it supports independent research that shows visiting the waterways makes people happier.

We need you to be our advocates: become a Friend, volunteer, or help spread the word – tell those in power about the value of our wonderful waterways and why they should fight for them to stay open for everyone – because life is better by water!

IN BRIEF Drought challenge

The summer of 2018 was “incredibly challenging”, according to the CRT’s latest update on the progress of its Water Resources Strategy 2015-2020. However, according to the report, the experience of the heatwave will help inform future plans and understanding of: navigational drought, water resource shortfalls and loss rate estimates, and the viability of water resource scheme options identified in the 2011 Water Resource Plans, particularly on parts of the network where closures were applied. The report also stated that since November 2017 the CRT had assessed seven new marina proposals (such as hire boats or trip boats) to ensure additional water demands can be adequately met.

CRT assets increase

TOTAL net value of the investment assets (excluding the pension fund deficit) of the Canal & River Trust in the 12 months to the end of March 2018 rose from £792.4 million to £832.9 million. That is an increase of £40.5 million (up 5.1%), according to the latest annual report by Malcolm Naish, protector, to Defra. During the year, CRT sold 24 investment properties for a total consideration of £27.5 million and bought seven properties for a total £48.6 million. As at March 2018, the investment assets included 411 properties (excluding boating properties), of which the top 100 accounted for 95% of the total property value.

8 NETWORKING

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Ground investigation moves restoration plan forward

SOCIETY NEWS Village record idea

ALMOST the entire population of the West Yorkshire village of Marsden should in turn have a ride on the Marsden Shuttle boat, writes Geoff Wood. This is the viewpoint of Tony Zajac, committee member of the Huddersfield Canal Society, writing in Pennine Link. He said: “I have in mind that for one year, somewhere in the future, nearly everyone in Marsden should have a ride on the Shuttle and to aim for some sort of record for the number of souls carried in a single season.” The Shuttle is operated by the canal society and ferries passengers from Marsden railway station to the Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre.

Bank volunteers

TEN members of the Wells Fargo bank audit team joined Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust for a two-day volunteer experience.

The programme was arranged by Tony Sellwood and saw the team get stuck into clearing weed from the canal cut at Oxenall, splitting and bagging up logs at Malswick House and starting a secondary clearance in the east woodland as part of the Malswick Project. A donation of £1550 from Wells Fargo to the trust was very much appreciated.

H&GCT members hope to see the Wells Fargo group again next year.

(The Wharfinger, winter 2018-2019)

PLANS for the next stages of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal are taking a further step forward.

While the canal is being restored to Crickheath with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Canal & River Trust, the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal has been promoting restoration of the last bridge blockage in Shropshire, Schoolhouse Bridge in Long Lane, between Crickheath and Pant.

Contractors were due to conduct a ground investigation with boreholes to establish the soil conditions for the foundations of the new bridge.

This information will enable the volunteer team working on the restoration and its professional consultants to finalise the design for approval by the highway and canal authorities to ensure the bridge meets the requirements for road and boat traffic.

The appeal to raise funds for the new bridge is hoping for a boost with Local Giving’s online Grow Your wwTenner appeal, which started on December 11.

For a limited time Local Giving will match regular monthly donations and then the anonymous donor who is matching the amount raised by the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal will double that figure again.

Donations can be made through the Local Giving website or through the link on www.restorethemontgomerycanal.uk Michael Limbrey, chairman of the

Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust which is leading the appeal, said: “Our ambition for the Montgomery Canal is to create an asset for the local community and for visitors to the area.

“The experience of other restorations shows that a revived canal enhances canalside properties, brings visitors and creates business opportunities, as well as giving local residents an amenity for recreation and exercise.

“Schoolhouse Bridge at Crickheath is the last bridge blockage in Shropshire.

We have been raising funds to rebuild the bridge for over two years and our appeal is well on target with the support of a generous donor who is matching what we raise.

“Last summer our ‘Bridge The Gap’ appeal to help towards our target for the bridge was supported by TV canalboat celebrities Timothy West and Prunella Scales and met a generous response from near and far.”

He continued: “Our next effort to reach the full amount we need for the bridge is through the Local Giving website, www.LocalGiving.org.uk/ RestoreTheMontgomeryCanal which will provide matching funds for regular monthly donations. This opportunity started on Tuesday, December 11 and runs until the match funding runs out – which I think will be very soon, so we are encouraging supporters to sign up quickly!

Triathlon date

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A DATE in the diary of canal-lovers who like to keep in shape should be a triathlon organised by Friends of the Montgomery Canal on Saturday, May 18. An entry form is now on the website www.montgomerycanal.me.uk The event, which is also a great family day out, involves covering 35 miles of the canal in one day: cycle 17 miles, walk 11 miles and canoe seven miles.

Complete one or two sections or attempt all three! The triathlon is in support of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

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“As we have a generous donor supporting this fund-raising, we calculate that with Gift Aid, a monthly £10 donation through Local Giving will be worth more than £400 for our appeal. That’s an opportunity that can’t be missed!”

Michael continued: “Our plans for the bridge have been developed with the assistance of volunteers experienced in bridge engineering. We think it could cost up to a million pounds for contractors to rebuild the bridge and that with volunteers we can carry out the work at a third of the cost.

“So we plan to bring in teams

of volunteers who work on canal restorations across the country: they have the training and experience to use major items of equipment for a task like this. Then we shall use professionals for the bridge deck and road surface.

“Rebuilding Schoolhouse Bridge is an essential part of the project to reopen the Montgomery Canal to Llanymynech and Welshpool and must be one of the most exciting projects on any canal restoration in the country. It is all being made possible through the support of the local community and of enthusiasts across the country who want to see this lovely canal brought back to life.”

CRT boss Ceri given Welsh tour

Thanks to Margaret

THE new tug of Cotswold Canals Trust was named Margaret. CCT donor Dame Margaret Weston, engineer and former director of the Science Museum, carried out the naming and met Dave Irving, who co-ordinated the restoration, and other members of the work boats team, Jim White, Leonie Asquith and Val Kirby. The tug was purchased earlier in the year, is about 20 years old and in good condition. CCT volunteers have spent 339 hours emptying, scraping, cleaning, painting and servicing her.

CCT was grateful to Dame Margaret, whose generous gift allowed it to buy and restore this valuable addition to its fleet of workboats. (The Trow, autumn 2018)

The canal blocked at Schoolhouse Bridge. PHOTO: MONTGOMERY WATERWAY

Volunteers clearing vegetation from the next section. PHOTO: SHROPSHIRE

UNION CANAL SOCIETY

MONTGOMERY Waterway Restoration Trust (MWRT) enjoyed a useful visit by a Canal & River Trust manager.

Ceri Davies, public affairs and policy manager, Wales, started his tour at Canal Central, then from Redwith visited the Shropshire Union Canal Society work party at Crickheath (the party included Clive Robertson from the fundraising group and Graham Deakin, Schoolhouse project manager).

The visit also included Schoolhouse, Llanymynech Wharf, Carreghofa, Vyrnwy Aqueduct, a trip through Welshpool Town Lock, a meeting with Chris Bushnell representing the

Thursday Restoration and Maintenance Project Supporters (TRAMPS) and Pat Ward for Heulwen, finishing with a look at the CRT/HLF photo exhibition at Welshpool Warehouse.

Michael Limbrey, chairman Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, said: “Ceri used to work in Welsh government and has useful contacts.

Obviously given a lot of information about the canal, he was very positive and clearly got the message about it crossing the border.”

He added that, interestingly, Ceri would like to fit a turbine to generate electricity at the old mill-wheel slot at Welshpool Lock.

‘Monty’ project ready for water testing SHROPSHIRE Union Canal Society volunteers celebrated hitting their December target – with phase one of the Montgomery Canal restoration project now ready for water testing.

The volunteers, who had just a few metres to go after a November work party (as reported in last month’s Towpath Talk) concluded channel shaping and virtually completed lining and block laying on the project between Pryces Bridge and Crickheath near Pant.

The final 30 metres of lining were completed over the weekend of November 30-December 2.

This session took channel preparation to the end of section 1B, the second and final section of phase one (225m).

The lining and then block laying is now completed and has been sealed by a temporary dam.

The section will be filled with water early in 2019 to test it.

There was also massive vegetation and tree clearance done in section two, which will be the focus of work for next year.

Thirty volunteers attended this work party and a sustained effort during the year has ensured that the December deadline was reached on time.

Film celebrates ‘special’ waterway MONTGOMERY Canal’s special people and places are celebrated in a new 20-minute film Life on the Monty, which has been released on the Canal & River Trust (CRT) website.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a wider £4 million Montgomery Canal restoration project, it was commissioned by the CRT. Filmed during the glorious heatwave summer of 2018, the film follows the Montgomery Canal from its junction with the Llangollen Canal at Frankton

Locks in Shropshire to Berriew in Powys, recording the waterway’s fascinating characters and stories along the route.

A young Prince of Wales, opening a canal section after the 1969 Welshpool Big Dig, is just one of the archive gems captured in a unique portrait, which also includes a final interview with long-term waterway activist and photographer Harry Arnold, who sadly died in November.

Other highlights include CRT

Michael Limbrey, Ceri Davies and John Dodwell view the progress of piling works at Crickheath Basin – to be a new “temporary” end of the navigable canal in Shropshire; this work by contractors is largely being funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES ecologist Sara Hill explaining the inspirational project to protect the waterway’s wildlife during restoration, action shots of historic horsedrawn flyboat Saturn, and stunning aerial photography.

Sylvia Edwards, the trust’s Montgomery Canal community development officer, said: “The film is introduced by young supporter Alisha Patel-Smith and features several generations of canal enthusiasts who want to share their passion for this waterway with the wider world.

“At the heart is a celebration of the canal’s unique environment and

the amazing work done by past and current volunteers.

“We know from research that people feel happier and healthier by water, so this film gives people ideas about how they can get active outdoors and enjoy the beautiful countryside along this rural waterway. And we would love for viewers to spread the message by sharing it on social media.”

To watch a short trailer or the full film, go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/ montgomery. For more information about supporting the wider Montgomery Canal restoration effort, check out www. restorethemontgomerycanal.uk/

NETWORKING 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Characters of the cut Julie Webb meets former power station engineer Peter, a father and fosterer who answered the call to become a waterways chaplain.

MANY Towpath Talk readers will probably know about the 19th century Missions offering boatmen help in overcoming some of the difficulties of their way of life.

I was surprised to learn from Peter Braybrook, secretary of Boaters’ Christian Fellowship, that a similar need has been found on today’s canals – he is one of a growing band of waterways chaplains working hard to satisfy it.

Born in Twickenham, London, to a father from the East End and a mother from Vienna, Peter had nothing to do with boats growing up, despite the proximity of the River Thames.

“I was a power station engineer for 29 years,” he said. “When I was 47 I decided to train parttime for the ministry and became a charity children’s worker.”

Experience for this job came from his own family life. Peter and his wife Fran have seven children – and fostered 40 in Kent, where they lived before moving to Banbury, on the southern Oxford, in 2003, to join its Jubilee Church.

“We came to boats in 1999, inspired by a dream Fran had about a narrowboat owner allowing her to use his loo when she was desperate! She asked him what he did, and he said ‘We’re on a boat talking to people about Jesus’.”

He and Fran had many hireboat holidays before buying their own. “First we hired a boat from Alvechurch with five of our children. Then we did another short holiday to make sure our son who has special needs could cope with the boat. There were several more trips – including one on the Canal du Midi, which was good fun.”

Cheerful blooms

Sonflower came into their lives when they arrived in Banbury, as the solution to a housing problem; their Kent home was slow to sell. A 57ft boat built in 1984 by Agar Fabrications, she was originally called Timperly – in three different spellings, which created confusion.

Her new owners chose a name referring both to the two sons who would be living on

board, and to the son of God. The pun gave rise to a cabin full of cheerful yellow blooms in the form of paintings, fabric, photos, mugs and cross-stitch, donated by friends and family.

“We bought the boat in Tring on a Thursday and the children started school in Banbury on the Monday, so we moved it bit by bit during school hours. As soon as term ended we were always off somewhere – the Leicester Ring, the East Anglian Waterways or into London on the Thames. We couldn’t get further north than Middlewich though, because of the six-week holiday.”

They lived on the boat for three years. “But there were things we couldn’t get on to it that the boys missed – like a drum kit and a Hornby 00 railway set – so in the end we bought a little flat.”

Boating missions

Peter’s association with Boaters’ Christian Fellowship began at Banbury Canal Day 2004, when he got talking to someone on the BCF stand. (You may have seen their stickers, using the fish symbol, on members’ boats.) He’s been secretary for six years now.

“The Fellowship’s been going for 23 years,” said Peter. “It’s interdenominational and was founded by Alan and Hazel Dilnot. They were at the helm for two decades before they passed it on to the current chair, Jan Halford. We help Christians along the waterways get together, and arrange religious services at events like boat festivals.

There are 600 members – not necessarily with their own boats.

“We also organise missions to boating communities. In 2017 we went to Newbury and this year we’ll be in Northampton.

Between 10 and 15 boats attend, depending on moorings and we have a trip boat for school children. We join local churches for barbecues and fun days and we provide speakers.”

Listening ear

The Waterways Chaplaincy, sister organisation to BCF, is

KINGS LOCK

Chandlery A proper boatyard, more than just a chandlery

Peter’s polo shirt shows the distinctive fish symbol used by BCF. A painting of sunflowers above is part of the theme throughout the narrowboat. also completely ecumenical.

Chaplains – all volunteers – can be recognised by their black gilets. Some self-fund; others have help from their churches.

“It started in the Watford area about 10 years ago, supporting needy boaters, people living by the canals, other towpath users – anyone connected to the waterways. Chaplains provide a listening ear, financial support such as grant applications or contact with local charities; they assist with boating matters – anything that’s needed. There are 80 nationwide. The aim is for 200 by the end of 2020.

“Some referrals come from the Canal & River Trust, some from social workers, some by towpath word of mouth and some from boatyards.”

It can be a time-consuming business, which sometimes involves travelling long distances, but, said Peter, it’s a rewarding one.

“It may seem amazing that in 2019 you come across folk with only a few pence to their name.

We try and take the anxiety out of people’s lives when they’re going through difficult times.”

Peter and Fran now have nine grandchildren to call on as crew.

Last summer they revisited the Birmingham canals, where they first got the boating bug.

“We’ve had lots of help ourselves from the boating community,” Peter said.

“They were wonderful when we were starting out – we love the canals because of the connection with the people.”

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BOOTH LANE, MIDDLEWICH, CHESHIRE CW10 0JJ Waterway chaplain Peter Braybrook with his narrowboat Sonflower. PHOTOS: JULIE WEBB

10 COMMUNITY

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Canal comes in handy for lifeboat crew

Marion Seagull at Falkirk Boathouse recently. PHOTO: SEAGULL TRUST CRUISES

‘Seagull’ gives visitors wings

Aqueduct and the historic town of Linlithgow along the way; or, with the Forth & Clyde Canal due to fully reopen in spring 2019, drop down on to the canal and go east to visit the Kelpies and Helix Park, or west towards Glasgow.

Skippering does require some experience but, in exceptional circumstances, the Seagull Trust can provide a skipper.

The boat was launched in 2003 by Seagull Trust Cruises, a charitable organisation that provides cruises for disabled people of all ages from bases on the Union, Forth & Clyde and Caledonian canals in Scotland.

Marion Seagull is named in honour of Mrs Marion H Salvesen, whose charitable trust provided the funding for this special boat.

There’s a wealth of information about Marion Seagull online, including booking information, what’s on board and details of the refundable deposit and voluntary contributions. For information, call the booking co-ordinator on 07513 291771; email marionbookings@seagulltrustcruises. org.uk or visit www.seagulltrust.org.uk/ holidays-afloat-people-special-needs

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A SPECIALLY equipped canal boat is allowing disabled visitors to set sail and explore the Lowland canals.

Marion Seagull has been built for families with a disabled member, to allow them to enjoy a holiday afloat and cruise the Lowland canals at their own speed.

The vessel is three metres wide and this width, together with large picture windows, makes the interior light and airy.

A hydraulic wheelchair ramp in the bow allows easy on and off, while a second hydraulic lift at the rear of the vessel lifts a wheelchair-user up to the steering position.

Onboard accommodation sleeps six and includes all the usual facilities needed for a comfortable boating holiday, with a fully fitted galley, two toilets (one with wheelchair access) and a wheelchair-accessible shower room.

Visitors choose the length of their boating break, from one to 14 days, with the cruise starting from the Falkirk Wheel.

Visitors can enjoy a trip on the wheel itself and head along the Union Canal towards central Edinburgh, enjoying the Falkirk Tunnel, Avon

LIFEBOAT crews have been practising their rescue techniques – on the canals.

Think ‘lifeboat’ and most might imagine vessels launching into choppy seas, but along Norfolk’s vulnerable coastline crews must also hone their floodrescue skills, especially with the approach of winter.

Volunteers with Mundesley Independent Lifeboat have been practising their swiftwater rescue and water-entry techniques on the North Walsham and Dilham Canal, five miles inland from their northeast Norfolk seaside home.

Coxswain Colin Plummer had 12 of his 20-plus crew of volunteers at Ebridge, including juniors, and they kept busy refining techniques a little upstream from the walkers, fishermen and model-boat enthusiasts enjoying Ebridge Mill Pond.

The lifeboat men and women were practising saving lives in situations like the storm surge of December 2013 when the crew rescued 42 people from their

flooded homes in the coastal village of Walcott.

“It’s very useful for us to have the canal nearby. It’s close and very convenient,” said Colin.

Ivan Cane, chairman of the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust, said he was very pleased that the restored stretch of the 19th century waterway was in regular use by so many sections of the community.

He added: “The canal at Ebridge can offer the local community a water-based facility, which we hope that other organisations will use.

“We look forward to hearing from groups who want to organise raft races, duck races and paddle-boarding experiences – maybe even a group performing Handel’s Water Music from a pontoon in the middle of the pool!”

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal was originally nearly nine miles long. The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust, formed in 2008, is hoping to restore about 7.5 miles and four of the original six locks.

The waterway is Norfolk’s only sailing canal with locks.

Mundesley Independent Lifeboat crew members training on the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. PHOTOS: NORTH WALSHAM AND DILHAM CANAL TRUST

BUSINESS FOR SALE DUE TO RETIREMENT On the edge of the River Witham, approximately 5 miles North West of Boston, Lincolnshire.

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• Service area for boats, small petrol/diesel garage • Convenience shop/small chandlery • Pontoon with pump-out machine for boaters’ toilets • Mooring spaces available for more than 10 narrowboats • 3-bed house with garden • 1 bed flat above shop (currently being let) • Plenty of scope for development in the future.

The property is set in a very pretty riverside location with plenty of passing traffic and a lovely local neighbourhood. The school buses stop outside the shop during term time.

For more details contact the owners on 01205 280311

COMMUNITY 11

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PART OF MIDDLEWICH CANAL CENTRE

LD

B

O TS A O

Birdswood on one of her regular electrically powered trips.

Birthday bash held for Birdswood FRIENDS of the Cromford Canal (FCC) celebrated the birthday of historic narrowboat Birdswood – 80 years to the day after she was launched.

The event, on November 22, was combined with a ‘thank you’ evening for the many volunteers who help to crew the boat or work on the canal.

FCC runs Birdswood as an electric or horse-powered trip boat on the currently isolated northern one-and-a-quarter miles of the Cromford Canal.

Purchased in 2013, she has now had five full years in service between Cromford Wharf and Leawood Pumphouse and has carried more than 35,000 passengers.

Electric-powered trips are operated every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from Easter to the end of October, with a horse-drawn

Boats Wanted!

Birdswood’s operations manager Vix Wilding cuts the specially modelled 80th birthday cake. service offered one weekend each month. Charters are also available.

Visit www.birdswood. org for further details and booking information.

We’re having a busy year for boat sales and as a result we now need more boats to sell Call for details

Tel: 01270 760 799 Boatfinder Brokerage Services

@BoatfinderBS

Middlewich Canal Centre is home to the following family of companies Chelsea pulling Birdswood through Lawn Bridge. PHOTOS: FRIENDS OF THE CROMFORD CANAL

Keeping down the weeds at Halesworth

THE strimmer has seen plenty of action recently at Halesworth New Reach Restoration Group.

It has been used to clear weed growth from the concrete base and brickwork of Patrick Stead lock in the town park.

If left, the weed and tree growth would eventually damage the structure of this historic lock.

Full restoration is a long way off, but meanwhile volunteers are maintaining what they have left. They removed some selfseeded trees a couple of years ago, but have had to keep on top of it.

The clearance work is done in the winter, outside the nesting season and when much of the wildlife is dormant.

There are restrictions in

strimming other areas of the canal and at other times of the year. Nevertheless, there are long-term plans to open up the whole of the waterway for amenity and recreational use.

It is hoped that more information on this will be provided before too long.

Meanwhile, the water level in the canal was maintained throughout the hot dry summer when other rivers, locally and nationally, suffered from drought. This was good news and means that there can be a functioning waterway all year round in the future.

If you would like to support the work of the New Reach Restoration Group, contact info. newreach@gmail.com

Volunteers from Halesworth New Reach Restoration Group have been working hard on clearance work.

PHOTO: HALESWORTH NEW REACH RESTORATION GROUP

You can find individual adverts for us throughout Towpath Talk

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12 IWA ROUND-UP

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AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON

Refurbishing Cheshire locks

IWA North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Branch has made much progress to refurbish Lock 56 and 55 on the Trent & Mersey Canal within two months.

At the final work party of the year, volunteers painted the metal rails at Lock 56, the paddle gear and lock bridge rails, as well as completing the

wooden posts and rail fence around the by-wash/sluice.

A second group worked on Lock 55, preparing the metal rails, paddle gear, wooden posts and rail-fence around the by-wash for painting. The next work party in January should complete the small amount of painting that remains left to do.

The newly painted rails at Lock 56. PHOTO: IWA

IWA BRANCH DIARY FOR JANUARY 2019

Edging the Ashton

IN NOVEMBER, 10 volunteers from IWA Manchester Branch undertook edging work between locks 12 and 13 on their adopted section on the Ashton Canal in Manchester.

Coping stones, edging stones and sets around the balance beams were

cleared of vegetation on both sides of the chamber, as was the towpath where it descended beside the lock.

This work party ended a little earlier than usual for the screening of documentaries ‘Operation Ashton’ and ‘The New Navvies’ by

Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangements are indicated.

Clearing vegetation from edging stones along the Ashton Canal.

PHOTO: IWA

Mike Heap in the Strawberry Duck pub. The showing of the films was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Operation Ashton, a large scale work party which took place in 1968 and contributed to the reopening of the Cheshire Ring.

Offside vegetation clearance FOLLOWING the success of the offside vegetation clearance work parties last winter, IWA Lichfield Branch volunteers have been working with Canal & River Trust to clear more of the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Using workboats with an onboard chipper at the weekly work parties, up to six volunteers at a time have removed tree branches that were overhanging the canal and restricting navigation.

The group began work at Fradley Junction in early October and the group has now reached beyond King Bromley Wharf, approaching the outskirts of Handsacre. By starting earlier than last year, the volunteers have had more time at each place to be more thorough with the clearance.

The group will continue to saw and lop areas that had to be missed previously and is hoping to reach Great Haywood by March.

Using the onboard chipper to remove overhanging tree branches. PHOTO: DEREK BEARDSMORE

Northampton arm transformed IWA Northampton Branch ran a large task party on November 3 with 19 volunteers, including 10 volunteers from Cummins Power Systems.

The volunteers collected around 60 bags of rubbish, two shopping trolleys, two bicycles and an assortment of other rubbish. Four planters were built and installed at locks 15 and 16 and then planted with around 500 bulbs.

Graffiti was overpainted and overhanging towpath vegetation was cleared from the locks.

Volunteers contributed 122 volunteer hours over the day and transformed the area, as can be seen by the photo.

Northampton Arm following the rubbish clearance. PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

EAST

Sunday January 13

IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Work party to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. Contact Mel Sowerby: 01522 856810, workparty@ sleafordnavigation.co.uk

Wednesdays January 9 and 23

IWA Peterborough Branch: Work parties to clear vegetation on Horseways Channel and carry out maintenance of Horseways Lock.

10am to 3pm. Contact Roger Mungham: 01945 773002, roger. mungham@waterways.org.uk

MIDLANDS Every Friday

IWA Lichfield Branch and CRT: Work parties on the Trent & Mersey Canal to help clear offside vegetation. Prior training on use of a wood chipper and/or a pole saw may be needed. 9.30am-3.30pm.

Contact Neil Barnett: neil.barnett@ waterways.org.uk

Sunday January 6 and Tuesday January 15:

IWA Northampton Branch: Work parties on the Northampton Arm. 10am-2pm. Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact Geoff Wood: geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk.

NORTH

Thursday January 10

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Work party on the Uttoxeter Canal. 10am to 3pm.

Contact Steve Wood: 07976 805858, steve.wood@waterways.org.uk

Thursday January 17

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am-3pm. Contact John Lawson: 07940 878923, John. lawson@waterways.org.uk

Saturday January 19

IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Work party in the Chester area working alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. 10am4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Jason Watts: jason.watts@ canalrivertrust.org.uk IWA Manchester Branch: Work party in Greater Manchester.

10am-4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact: 07710 554602 or secretary@manchesteriwa.co.uk

Tuesday January 22

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting Burslem Port Trust: Work party on the Burslem Arm, Stoke-onTrent. 10am-3pm. Contact Steve Wood: 07976 805858, steve.wood@ waterways.org.uk

SOUTH

Tuesdays January 22 and 29

IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Work parties on the Oxford Canal near Banbury.

9am-1pm. Contact Colin GarnhamEdge: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com.

WEST

Every Saturday

IWA West Country Branch (Taunton): Work parties in the Taunton area. 10am-1.30pm. Please let us know if you are intending to join us by 6pm the day before.

Contact Steve Bulgin: 07855 794256, stevebulgin@icloud.com

Every Tuesday and Saturday

IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater): Work parties in the Bridgwater area. 10am 1.30pm. Please let us know if you are intending to join us by 6pm the day before. Contact Mike Slade: 07977 263840, mdslade8@ gmail.com

For further information on any of these events please contact Gemma Bolton on 01494 783453 or email gemma.bolton@waterways.org.uk Details can also be found on IWA’s website at www.waterways.org.uk

13

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T: 01785 785680 • www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk Formerly

14 PETS

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Pets on the Cut Charlie’s Angels Alison Wilkerson meets the talking cockatiel with two canine shipmates.

I HAD the pleasure of noticing a beautiful cockatiel while walking past a boat’s bow on the towpath and was introduced to him. His name is Charlie and he is 25 years old and owned by Norma and Derek who are now retired and live on their 1988 54ft narrowboat complete with a Beta 35hp engine.

The boat is actually an ex-hire boat built by Harborough Boats, Leicestershire, and is a six-berth and can accommodate visitors, namely the owners’ two daughters and grandchildren and of course Charlie’s two canine friends, who also live aboard.

The boat was purchased two years ago and was only the second boat viewed before

six-and-a-half-year-old ‘Heinz 57’. She came from Pound Puppy Animal Rescue (www. poundpuppy.info) in Dorset when only three months and can smell food a mile away. She eats anything though is very polite and patient, but does drool with ‘puppy dog’ eyes. She is good with other dogs but not cats and loves watching squirrels, but has to be with Derek at all times. She also loves being at the stern with him when cruising and continually checks port and starboard, but is tethered in the bow when in a tunnel. Safety first!

Little Dixie, also a mongrel, was again adopted, from the same rescue centre as Pip. She is four-and-a-half years old and more Norma’s dog. When cruising, she pops in and out the cabin except when it’s raining.

Both do not like water, but unfortunately Dixie has fallen in an empty lock as she bumped into the back of Pip when walking over the gates. Luckily she got herself on the cill, where she was rescued by Derek who was in the lock on the boat. Norma tethers them now if no bridge is available. A wise move as it is so easy to slip.

So far they have travelled 1200 miles together and explored the Coventry, Kennet & Avon, Llangollen, Oxford, Grand Union (where I met them), to name a few canals, plus the Thames which presented issues with sunken boats. Thank goodness all tolerate each other, such angels.

making the decision to fully explore the inland waterways of the UK and finally sell up their house in Dorset and move onboard full time. Following the survey it was re-plated and now being a little heavier than most, does sit lower in the water, which has been interesting on a few occasions. Poles have no doubt proved invaluable.

Since living on their floating home, Charlie, whom they have owned since he was six months old, has adapted very well and perches on the curtain rails talking to sparrows and spying passers-by. He used to wolf whistle but tends to mainly say ‘Hello Charlie’ nowadays. He loves cuttlefish and seeds but not fruit or veg, but, like the dogs, does rather enjoy buttered toast in the morning.

The larger of the dogs is Pip, who is a very laid back

12/10/1512 November 2018 9:14 AM Charlie the cockatiel. towpath subs PHOTOS: ALISON WILKERSON

Charlie’s angels: Dixie and Pip.

Museum named ‘top dog’ in marketing awards THE National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port was recently crowned Dog Friendly Business of the Year by Marketing Cheshire.

Staff and volunteers at the Canal & River Trust attraction were delighted, said Gill Harrison of the museum’s communication team.

“We always welcome our four-legged visitors.

They can join their human companions in the whole museum, both outside and in the exhibitions.”

The awards celebrated excellence and outstanding achievement in Cheshire tourism, which, according to latest figures, is worth over £3.5 billion and employs more than 36,000 people.

One of the museum’s canine visitors with its owner.

Sporting his Canal & River Trust jacket is Josh, who belongs to long-standing NWM volunteer Di Skilbeck. PHOTOS: CRT

Four-legged visitor Buzz.

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Waterside Cafe customers with their dogs.

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NEWS FOCUS 15

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School pupils given lessons in tree planting

Coun Kim Groves, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, cutting the ribbon at the Huddersfield Narrow Canal with Coun Peter McBride, Caroline Schwaller and Coun Eric Firth. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

LICHFIELD school pupils braved the cold to join volunteers and plant sapling trees alongside the Heritage Towpath Trail.

An inter-generational group – Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) volunteers, Rotary Club of Lichfield members and Queen’s Croft High School students and staff – assembled in the mist and dampness on the Tamworth Road section of the Lichfield Canal, with 105 saplings secured by Rotary from the Woodland Trust.

Their task was to fill in the gaps in the hedgerow

with a variety of hawthorn, blackthorn, silver birch and oak, and Lichfield Rotary Club President Mike Godfrey and fellow Rotarians Godfrey Eland, Geoff Knights and David Mayes, were present to see how the group of 16 to 19-year-old students who help LHCRT every Friday morning have gained the reputation of being such useful volunteers.

Of the 105 varied saplings, a few were left and these were to be planted by Queen’s Croft students along the perimeter of LHCRT’s Fosseway Heath site.

The trust is recreating

Huddersfield towpath opens as part of £3m project

By Geoff Wood

CANAL towpaths may become prime commuter routes of the future as cars clog up main roads.

This was the view of two leading councillors at the official opening of an upgraded towpath on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Coun Kim Groves, who cut a ribbon to mark the reopening of a 2.1km stretch in Huddersfield, said: “This is part of a push by West Yorkshire authority. We want to see more people using bikes. Towpaths are flat and very safe. Cycling along them should be a means of getting to work as well as a pleasurable occupation.”

Coun Peter McBride, cabinet member for economy on Kirklees Council, said: “We want to see more people using canal towpaths, since arterial roads are now so busy with cars. We want to see more people using bikes as they do in Holland.”

Nearly £3 million has been spent filling in pot-marked paths and making the route easy for

walkers and cyclists alike in a county-wide scheme.

The stretch of canal just finished is between Huddersfield and nearby Milnsbridge and has been resurfaced using a flexible material from recycled car tyres as part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £60 million City Connect programme.

This works in partnership with a range of public, private and community organisations including the Canal &River Trust.

Earlier this year both the Calder & Hebble Navigation footpath between Sowerby Bridge and Hollas Bridge and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath between Riddlesden and Silsden re-opened following improvement works.

The Rochdale Canal is to benefit from improvements to create a 10km route linking Sowerby Bridge to Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge.

Sean McGinley, CRT Yorkshire regional director, said: “Our research shows that spending

PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

New kit for London lifesavers

AN RNLI crew in London is benefitting from a new, more comfortable kit, thanks to a donation from the organisation building London’s new super sewer.

Volunteers at Tower Lifeboat Station have become some of the first lifesavers in the country to receive the RNLI’s new crew kit, which is lighter, more comfortable and designed to allow greater freedom of movement.

Kevin Maynard, RNLI station manager at Tower Lifeboat Station, said: “The new kit is much lighter than the old one and has breathable fabric, so it’s ideal for the work we undertake on the Thames.

Our crews launch in just 90 seconds, so it’s essential the kit is comfortable and easy to put on, while also knowing it will be able to cope with the harsh conditions we often face on the River Thames.”

Specially designed with the RNLI, the new kit uses the latest waterproof and breathable technical fabric, which provides increased comfort compared to the previous non-breathable fabric of the old kit.

The light but strong kit is reinforced for exposed areas and its technical layering system ensures crew members will keep warm and dry while out in the lifeboat.

The kit comes in a wide range of sizes and has bespoke designs to fit both male and female crew members, unlike the kit it is replacing. The new bib, mid-layer and base-layer garments have a specific

Lichfield Rotary Club president Mike Godfrey and Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust chairperson Christine Bull with Queen’s Croft students planting saplings on the Heritage Towpath Trail. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The new towpath surface made from recycled tyres. time by water can make people feel happier and healthier.

“So whether you are exercising the dog, cycling to work or simply enjoying a weekend stroll with the family, doing it along the towpath can be a great boost.”

Alan Stopher, chairman of Huddersfield Canal Society, also welcomed the improvements.

He said: “This is a towpath that is now suitable for both walkers and cyclists “The surface is fashioned from old tyres and it is very good environmentally.

“I do hope it will be used well and used carefully.”

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Volunteers at Tower Lifeboat Station wearing the new kit donated by Tideway.

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fit for male and female crew members, enabling better comfort and freedom of movement.

Tideway’s partnership with the RNLI includes collaboration on community events, including RNLI demonstrations at Tideway’s recent Foreshore Festival at Putney and Shadwell, and project staff volunteering to support the RNLI’s Youth Engagement programme and its Community Responder scheme which is being piloted in London.

environmentally scarce lowland heathland as part of its nature reserve and wetlands, and the remaining saplings will only be on the perimeter of the land, as heathland needs to remain as poor, acid soil without nutrients going in from the leaves of deciduous trees.

Christine Bull, the trust’s chairperson, said: “Rotary, LHCRT and Queen’s Croft High School are grateful to the Woodland Trust for yet another grant of saplings, which are so important to LHCRT’s commitment to improving biodiversity and environmental improvement.

“This year’s Woodland Trust saplings are sponsored

by Sainsbury’s, Yorkshire Tea and People’s Postcode Lottery.

“The contribution of the latter is especially gratifying, as it has financed so much of LHCRT’s Fosseway development of wetlands, boardwalks and nature trails for the community’s enjoyment.”

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16 NEWS FOCUS

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Lapal trust launches £2m appeal to restore historic canal

LAPAL Canal Trust has launched a campaign to raise £2 million for canal restoration in Birmingham’s Selly Oak. With the opening of the new Sainsbury’s store in Selly Oak, the way is now open to start work on converting the greenway which safeguards the canal route into a canal; and to start on the restoration of the Dudley No.2 Canal from Selly Oak to Barnes Hill (California).

The greenway passes underneath Sainsbury’s goods delivery yard and provides a clear route to Harborne Lane Bridge.

An agreement with the developer includes the provision of sheet metal piling of both the canal route and the winding hole needed for boats to turn and enter the canal. The Landsec/ Sainsbury’s partnership will also provide £500,000 as a contribution to completing the canal.

The trust will be responsible for removing the soil from the canal and winding hole, arranging for the services under the towpath to be moved, building a swing bridge to replace the towpath at the junction and making the canal route waterproof.

An illustration of how a busy new waterside amenity in the heart of Selly Oak might look.

The £2 million the trust plans to raise will enable the canal to be completed across the Sainsbury’s site and extend to the end of Selly Oak Park.

Dr Andrew Hardie, chairman of the Lapal Canal Trust, said: “We are grateful for the help received from Sainsbury’s, Landsec and Birmingham City Council, and in partnership with the local community we look forward to the canal link being restored.

A plan showing the canal restored across the Battery site.

Protect wildlife

“The restored waterway will greatly benefit the environment and help to protect the wildlife thriving by the canal.”

He continued: “In the early 1800s Selly Oak industry was developed around the canal junction and we feel it is important to protect and restore this important heritage link with the past; the canal is also an important boost to leisure activities to benefit the wellbeing of the community. The new water feature will greatly enhance the centre of Selly Oak. “We plan a vigorous publicity campaign with individuals and companies to make everyone aware, and we have started approaching the 65 charities identified as potential donors.

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The plan for the restored canal in Selly Oak Park.

“We are all proud of our Birmingham canals and we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute.”

The restoration of the canal has broad support, including local community groups, councillors, MPs and MEPs. Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “I am hugely welcoming of the restoration project, it would be a brilliant addition to Birmingham.”

Saqib Bhatti, the newly elected president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Since the chamber was established in 1813, it has always been supportive of the development of canals in Birmingham: first for commerce, and now as a major tourist attraction. Walkers and cyclists will gain a new city centre access route away from busy roads.”

The Lapal Canal Trust was established in 1990, when its founding members had the ambitious vision of restoring a historic, but derelict, section of the Dudley No.2 Canal.

This group of inland water, heritage and environmental enthusiasts grasped the potential for using modern engineering methods and materials to reclaim the 5.5-mile lost Lapal Link.

Historic endeavour

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Lord Dudley’s building of the Dudley No.1 Canal in 1775 was a historic endeavour that created an important waterway between Stourbridge and Birmingham. It led to the creation of the Dudley No.2 Canal in 1798, so that a new southern route to supply goods and coal to London could be opened up – the first Birmingham bypass!

The objective is to restore the 1.5-mile route from the Worcester Birmingham Canal to California, split into five stages. A feasibility study partly funded by the Heritage Lottery

Hard-working supporters of the Lapal Canal Trust are set to continue their restoration work. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Fund has been completed by specialist canal consultants Moss Naylor Young.

The trust is seeking funding for the first two stages, which will result in half a mile of restored canal. This requires the completion of the 0.2-mile section through the Battery site and the 0.3-mile stage along the north side of Selly Oak Park.

Completion should make it easier to raise the funding needed for the next three stages.

The restoration scheme promises to transform and celebrate the historic landscape in Selly Oak, as well as introducing additional boating opportunities for canal tourism. It will provide a new recreational route for walkers,

joggers, cyclists and anglers, as part of a wider network of canals and leisure paths; preserve the area’s heritage for future generations to understand and enjoy; provide an opportunity for the community to be engaged; develop educational initiatives with local schools; enhance employment opportunities in the immediate area; promote the learning of construction skills; create a haven for wildlife in an urban setting and encourage the establishment of new cafes and canalside restaurants. ● Follow the progress of the project on www.lapal. org and www.facebook. com/lapalcanaltrust