Lichfield Lines issue 17 Autumn 2016

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Issue 17 www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield

Autumn 2016

Lichfield Lines

Presentation to Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (see Page 8)

The newsletter of

IWA Lichfield Branch The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or as an official pronouncement, unless specifically identified as such.

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk

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Branch Chairman’s Report July 2016 It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was writing my last report – not really sure where the summer has gone. Hopefully you were able to get out and enjoy the good weather that we had.

At the beginning of August some members and friends enjoyed a visit to the Cromford Canal which involved a trip on the horse drawn boat and a look round the steam pumping engine that lifts water up to the canal, made all the more pleasant by the wonderful weather that we had.

Towards the end of August Mike and I went on our first BCNS Explorer Cruise which was wonderful. We saw parts of the Northern BCN that are not very often visited and agreed that they are well worth investigating.

Luckily we did not have to go down the weed hatch too often, but a few of our fellow cruisers were not quite so lucky. The cruise also gave us a chance to visit the CRT Bradley workshop where they make the lock gates – this was a fascinating place and the men there were very happy to tell us about what they do and to show us around, one of them even demonstrated the machinery used. The cruise is very well organised and I can thoroughly recommend it if you ever get the chance of participating.

We also attended the Festival of Water at Pelsall and volunteered on the IWA stand.

It was good to meet some of the local people who were enthusiastic about the event and were very happy to see boats using “their” stretch of canal. We were lucky that the weather was good most of the time.

This week I joined other volunteers tidying up the towpath and canal in Nuneaton.

This was a two day event organised by CRT. There were people from the local CRT Towpath Task Force, some council staff and also a few local residents involved. We went from Wash Lane Bridge (21) on the Coventry Canal up to Boot Bridge (20) picking up all the litter we found along to towpath. I was one of the people in a work boat which was used to collect the rubbish from the “offside” and was also used to transport the full bags collected by those on the towpath. The following day they were planning to tackle the stretch up to the old Griff Arm (bridge 18). It is amazing how

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much was accumulated in a few hours and it was very satisfying to get comments from the passers by saying what a good job we were doing. I am told that CRT will be planning more of these clean ups and can highly recommend them, so keep an eye on the branch web site where we publicise them.

Further on in the magazine you will see details about the Christmas meal, which will be on Saturday 10th December, again it is a lunch time event as this seemed to be popular last year. I hope that you will be able to join us for this.

I am sorry to have to report that John Stockland has decided to retire from the Committee. He has been a very active and valued member of the committee for a long time and we will miss him a great deal.

It seems a little early but I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Denise Bending October2016 Forthcoming Events

Posters for our upcoming events may be found at www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield If you can download these and help to publicise our events it would be very helpful.

Walk—Tuesday 8th November 2016 Tatenhill and Branston Water Park Walk. This is a 5½ mile figure-of-eight walk with 4 stiles, two ascents (one steady, one gentle) and two descents (one gradual, one easy) on field paths and towpath. From the centre of the picturesque village of Tatenhill we do a circular walk around Tatenhill Common with fine views southwards towards the Trent valley. We then continue downhill towards Tatenhill lock where we pick up the Trent & Mersey Canal before switching back across field boundaries to return slightly uphill to our starting point for refreshment. Meet 10:15 for a 10:30 am start in the car park of The Horseshoe Inn, Main Steet, Tatenhill, Burton on Trent DE13 9SD. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk Clive reconnoitred the walk recently and noticed that the main access road into Tatenhill from Branston/Burton upon Trent is fully closed and will remain so until after 8th November. There is a diversion in place that takes you through Burton upon Trent, but since most people will be coming from the Lichfield direction, it is preferable to leave the A38 at the Barton-under-Needwood exit, and then once in that village, turn right onto Dunstall Road and access Tatenhill that way.

Meeting—Wednesday 16th November 2016 "Not such Idle Women" an illustrated talk by Mike Constable about the wartime women boaters. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 8AY

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Branch Christmas Lunch—Saturday 10th December 12:30 for 1:00 This years Branch Christmas Lunch will be held at Oddfellows in the Boat, Walsall Road, Summerhill, near Muckley Corner, Lichfield, Staffs. WS14 0BU. See Pages 16 and 17 for booking details and menu.

Walk—Sunday 1st January 2017

Huddlesford and the Coventry Canal circular walk.

This is an easy 3 mile walk on level ground with 2 stiles, on quiet country roads, farm tracks and a towpath. Leaving the pub car park we initially head north-east before passing through two farms to join the canal at Brookhay cottage. We then return past Streethay Wharf and Kings Orchard Marina to our starting point. Meet 10:30 for a 10:45 start on Sunday 1st January 2017 at The Plough Inn, Huddlesford Lane, Whittington WS13 8PY. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk Meeting—Wednesday 18th January 2017

“The Derby Canal Past and Future" an illustrated talk by Chris Madge. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY Meeting—Wednesday 15th February 2017 "The Claverton Pumping Station". An illustrated talk by George Eycott ('Bungle' of Waterway Recovery Group) about this iconic water powered pumping engine on the Kennet & Avon Canal. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY Obituary—Eileen Morrison Many among Lichfield members who attended the Pelsall Festival in August were taken aback to hear of the death of Eileen Morrison, just one week after her ninety-second birthday.

Born in Liverpool, and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Eileen as head of her department taught French at Bishop Walsh School in Sutton Coldfield. Upon retirement she went to live at Norton Canes on “Artemis” the narrowboat built for her by Malcolm Braine.

She took a great interest in all aspects of the inland waterways, here, and in Ireland where she would meet up for holidays with her like-minded Irish cousins.

Eileen could be found boating, sometimes singlehandedly, once or twice to the Easter gathering at Ellesmere Port and at several IWA rallies to which, in later years, she would travel by car and pitch her small tent for the duration, always celebrating her birthday with style.

For a time Eileen sang as an alto in the Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir (now Lichfield Chorus) and her love of music, literature and the classics was clear to all who knew

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her. She was an enthusiastic and informative companion on long weekends away in Paris, Rouen and the Auvergne. As an etymologist she would , now and again, fire off letters to her beloved Times newspaper and be delighted to receive letters from its journalists in return.

In September2011 she moved to Roslin, Midlothian, upsizing from “Artemis” to a stone-built ex-miners cottage, not far from her elder daughter and a few minutes walk from the renowned Roslyn Chapel. Characteristically she quickly made friends among her new neighbours.

She was a natural born communicator blessed with a great generosity of sprit. Many of us regarded her as indestructible. She will be much missed.

Rest in peace Eileen.

Eileen McGrane Morrison 18.8.24—24.8.16

Recent Activities Work Party—Friday 29th July 2016 Brindley Bank, Rugeley What a difference a day makes! 13 volunteers, 2 children and Sheila’s dog Snowy (though not too sure how much litter picking Snowy did) turned out to give the area around the Brindley Bank area a good tidy up.

Our previously planned work party was called off due to bad weather, and in the meantime the grass, brambles and litter had got totally out of control.

The morning started badly with

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Canal and River Trust having a problem getting our equipment delivered. Thankfully we had our own mower and strimmer, and a few quick phone calls produced enough clippers, loppers etc from our volunteers’ sheds to get us started. By this time CRT had resolved their situation and the rest of the kit turned up to augment our own.

It was good to see Sue Blocksidge, our new Volunteer Co-ordinator from CRT, as we now are part of the West Midlands Waterway area. We hope to be working more closely with CRT under the new arrangements so watch out for developments from the autumn onwards.

Everyone worked really hard to get the job done, and for once the weather was pretty kind to us. A big thanks to all our volunteers and an extra thank you to everyone who brought tools, garden chairs and to Richard Curtis for the donation of a new gazebo. Also thanks to Ed Rule who borrowed his neighbours trailer to collect our heavy equipment, and also Helen Whitehouse for providing the shed.

(Report and photo by Margaret Beardsmore) Cromford Canal Visit - Sunday 7th August 2016

Our visit to Cromford was initially organised by John Stockland, who unfortunately could not be with us due first to heart surgery and then an eye injury. We wish him well in recovering from both conditions. However, some 19 members and friends of Lichfield Branch joined in this all-day visit taking in historic cotton mills, a horse-drawn canal boat and a steam pumping engine.

Some of us met at Arkwright’s Cromford Mills to see the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill, built in 1771, where we learned all about Sir Richard Arkwright and how his inventiveness and entrepreneurial skills transformed the cotton industry and created great wealth. Others visited Arkwright’s later Masson Mills of 1783 to see the working machinery, textile museum and shopping village.

After lunch at various cafes we all met up at Cromford Wharf for a trip on one of the few horse-drawn passenger boats ‘Birdswood’, which took us a mile and a half along the Cromford Canal to Leawood Aqueduct. Here we disembarked to see the Leawood Pumphouse and its beam engine, a stationary steam engine that pumped water from

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the River Derwent into the canal, a magnificent example of Victorian technology dating from 1849 and restored to full working order.

A short walk across the aqueduct then took us via a swivel footbridge over the canal to join the boat for its return trip, the crew having ‘winded’ the boat meanwhile with the help of its electric motor. A few of our party chose to walk back along the towpath which enabled them to see more of the Wharf Shed at High Peak Junction, the terminus of the Cromford & High Peak Railway which formerly linked the Cromford Canal across the Peak District to the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge via a series of inclined planes with stationary steam engines.

Cromford is in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site which includes many other historic monuments and visitor attractions within a most scenically attractive landscape; well worth a return visit. The canal at Cromford is maintained as a country park and other sections are gradually being restored by the Friends of the Cromford Canal, whose volunteers operate the trip boat; see http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk .

(Report by Phil Sharpe, photos by WATERWAY IMAGES)

Rushall and Daw End Canals Walk - Tuesday 6th September 2016 Twelve walkers set off from the car park of the Hay Head Nature Reserve under clear skies. The theme of the day was limestone and the car park adjoins an old limestone quarry and the truncated Hay Head arm of the Daw End Branch Canal. Indeed, this quarry had been the reason for constructing the 5½ mile branch back in 1800. Today the remains of the terminal basin are part of the wooded nature reserve, with the short mooring arm on the opposite side of the road used by Longwood Boat Club.

We joined the canal at Longwood Junction where CRT were removing the top lock gate. Ten men in hi-vis jackets and white helmets looked on whilst one employee used a chain saw. An old joke came to mind of how many men it takes to change a light bulb. But new top and bottom gates in a work boat and the equipment round both locks 1 and 2 indicated that major works were underway.

Longwood Junction marks the start of the Rushall Canal which runs almost straight for 2½ miles to join up with the Tame Valley Canal. There were plenty of fish basking amongst the water-lilies as we left the canal at Moat House Bridge to turn westwards

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into Walsall Country Park. Until recently this was a municipal golf course, and it has now been allowed to return to nature. We skirted the park alongside a zig-zagging brook which was reminiscent of the nearby “Curly Wyrley”, and we remarked on the abundance of Himalayan Balsam along its banks.

We soon left the park, and headed northwards towards the Park Lime Pits Local Nature Reserve. From the 15th to the mid-19th century limestone was burnt here to make lime, and this was dispatched via the Wyrley & Essington Canal. The pits were closed in 1865 and planted with trees. Today they have become flooded to make an attractive leisure place for local people.

We joined the Daw End Canal close to the Walsall - Water Orton railway line, and headed south. Pronounced in the local patois as the "Doe End Cut" it was also affectionately known as the "Gansey" - a reference to the fact that the early boaters had to wear thick sweaters to combat the cold wind that swept across the open fields: However, it was anything but cold on that Tuesday.

Our walk took us along a contour section that bordered a conservation project on the towpath side, and fields for grazing horses on the offside. One of our group spotted a tawny owl near Riddian Bridge and we stopped to have a look.

We left the canal at Longwood Bridge and returned to our starting point, from where we drove a short distance to The Dilke pub/restaurant for refreshments.

(Report and photos by Clive Walker) Meeting—Wednesday 21st September Our September meeting was an excellent illustrated talk by Phil Clayton of the BCNS about the history of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. He even entertained us with some of his own songs about the subject. A really enjoyable evening!

Meeting—Wednesday 19th October Our latest meeting was very well attended with a fascinating illustrated talk on “The Fens and Fenland Waterways” by John Pomfret from the IWA Northampton Branch.

This gave us an insight into the history of the Fens and the various attempts to drain

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the area as well as showing some of the more obscure waterways in the area that are still navigable.

During the interval a cheque for ÂŁ1000 was presented by the Chairman, Denise Bending, on behalf of the Branch to Bob Williams, Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Finance Director.

The money will no doubt be put to good use on the current project in Darnford Park.

Photo Sue Gurney Planning Matters Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer This report covers some of the 60 or so planning matters dealt with from the middle of July to mid October 2016. All are summarised in the monthly notes on our website Planning page, but if anyone wants further information please contact me.

On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Four Ashes, the large warehouse development opposite the chemical works has been approved but with additional hedge planting along the canal frontage to strengthen the landscaping as we requested. An even larger warehouse development, the West Midlands Interchange as detailed in my last report, is proposed between Four Ashes and the A5 along both sides of the canal. Following receipt of our detailed objections the developers suggested a meeting to discuss the project and opportunities for improved visual and noise protection for the canal through the site, and I met them along with Freddie Cooke representing Staffs & Worcs Canal Society.

On the Coventry Canal the plans for 69 houses at Hay End Lane, Fradley have been amended as we requested to remove a pumping station from the canalside, retain the hedgerow trees, change the layout so that all the houses are set back and face the canal, and to include a footpath connection to the towpath. At Dunstall Farm on the edge of Tamworth an outline application has been submitted for 800 houses on the site approved in the Local Plan. The historic part of the farm buildings would be retained, with new houses along the canal frontage. We have said these houses should be limited to 2 stories, of traditional design, set further back, and the towpath hedge maintained at least 2 metres high to provide some screening. There should also be footpath links to the towpath and the developers should fund its improvement.

The Lichfield Canal restoration through Lichfield depends on the District Council ensuring that developers make proper provision for it, and IWA has supported the

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust by commenting on the infrastructure requirements for the allocated Deanslade Farm housing area. We have also commented on the Local Plan Allocations document, stressing the importance of including a replacement policy supporting the restoration and safeguarding its route, and suggested suitable wording.

Along the Trent & Mersey Canal at Wharf Farm, across the road from Kings Bromley Marina, the boathouse building which was only built about ten years ago is now proposed for conversion to a house. Although the small mooring basin would be retained we are concerned at the loss of the dry dock facility, and are not convinced that it would be uneconomic to continue boat painting and maintenance work inside the building now that enforcement action has been taken to prevent noise from outside work, in line with the original planning consent.

The Cannock Extension Canal could be affected by noise from a proposed go-kart track between Wyrley Common and the A5. This is a revival of plans given outline consent in 2004 but never constructed. The noise assessment considered only nearby houses and not the 19 or so residential boats between Grove Basin and the A5.

Although a baffle mound and planting would partly screen the site the noise could still be intrusive. Denis Cooper and I met the applicants on site to discuss noise protection and drainage issues and some improvements were promised.

Cannock Extension Canal by the A5 On the Ashby Canal we have secured changes to the North West Leicestershire Local Plan policy, text and plan supporting its continuing restoration. On the isolated restored section at Moira we commented on minor changes required to a housing site to maintain access to the slipway at the Furnace.

Finally, in order to promote better understanding and co-operation between IWA’s Branch Planning Officers, the Canal & River Trust’s Area Planners and local canal societies, a series of joint Planning Workshops were held in October. I gave the Practical Advice talks on development plans and planning applications at the Manchester and Birmingham workshops and my notes were also used at the London venue. In total some 64 people took part in the 3 events, which included explanations

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of the planning system and how to engage with it, and workshop sessions on examining and responding to applications and on working together better.

HS2 High Speed Rail Update – October 2016 Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer Phase 1 London to Birmingham & Handsacre.

Our preparations have continued for IWA’s appearance before the House of Lords Select Committee, now expected in November. We continue to seek commitments on better noise protection for all affected sections of canal and an alternative route away from the canal for the Wood End Lane diversion at Fradley, both matters that were not satisfactorily resolved by the House of Commons Select Committee.

Phase 2a Fradley to Crewe.

A Working Draft Environmental Impact Assessment and Design Refinements plans and reports for the extension from Fradley to Crewe were published on 13th September for consultation. I attended a local exhibition at Kings Bromley in early October to ask questions on the following issues before drafting our consultation response, the closing date for which is 7th November.

North of Fradley The height of the embankments and viaducts north of Fradley across the Bourne Brook and River Trent have been raised yet again, making the line even more visible and audible from the Trent & Mersey Canal. The vertical alignment originally dipped down across the Trent Valley at a height just sufficient to bridge over the various roads but in November 2015 the viaducts over the Bourne Brook and River Trent were raised by 4 and 7 metres respectively. The height of the embankments between the viaducts has now been raised even further and the alignment between Wood End and the A513, the section most visible from the canal, is now up to 15 metres high.

The explanation given was that a maintenance loop at Pipe Ridware and associated crossovers need to be on level track, although that alone does not justify the continuously higher level now chosen. However, it is now proposed to move the maintenance loop to Stone which should enable this to be reconsidered.

The Operational Sound Contour maps overlap with Phase 1 and show landscaping or noise fencing up to 4m high on parts of the trackside and roadside around Wood End, and also noise fencing of unspecified height on the Phase 1 canal bridge. In each case these clearly need to be extended further to reduce noise impacts along the canal to acceptable levels.

Great Haywood Marina At Great Haywood Marina the detailed plans now appear to show just enough space between the viaduct and the north side of the marina to maintain road access,

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although the present parking area would be taken during construction.

But the height of the viaduct has been raised from 12.3m on the 2015 plans where it crosses the Trent & Mersey Canal to about 16.5m, making it even more visually intrusive. This was claimed to be to give additional clearance over the existing railway and to avoid any vertical curvature on the viaduct. There is noise fencing up to 2m height on the south side of the viaduct and adjacent embankment, but only west from the canal on the north side with unacceptably high noise impacts on this section of the canal. The manager’s flat at the marina is incorrectly shown as a non-residential noise receptor.

We have had discussions with the marina management to co-ordinate our responses and IWA will be asking for assurances about continued access and parking for the marina; for the noise fencing to be extended east of the canal on the north side of the viaduct and embankment; and for the height of the fencing to be increased to minimise noise impacts on the users of the canal and the marina.

Phase 2b to Manchester and Leeds.

Some form of announcement about the preferred routes for the rest of Phase 2, from Crewe to Manchester and from Kingsbury to Leeds, is now expected in November.

Navigation Report – October 2016 Mile Bending—Navigation Officer CRT West Midlands As you have probably heard, in August CRT Central Shires Waterways which managed the greater part of the canals in our branch’s area was disbanded and its responsibilities divided between the West Midlands, Manchester and Pennines, and East Midlands Waterways. The effect as far as the branch is concerned is that all our area now comes under West Midlands except for the 5 mile section of the Trent &

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Mersey from Great Haywood to Sandon Lock which is the responsibility of Manchester & Pennines.

West Midlands Waterways is managed by Ian Lane who gave a well-received presentation to the branch in February. Although it is early days for West Midlands who have still to fully understand what they have inherited, members of the branch committee have been working constructively with them and I believe that the reorganisation will lead to welcome improvements to our local canals.

CRT Meetings West Midlands User Forum Committee members along with representatives from other IWA branches, BCNS, Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust, angling clubs and cyclists attended the West Midlands User Forum held at Chasewater on the 13th October. At the meeting West Midlands managers gave short but enthusiastic presentations on their areas of responsibility. This was followed by a discussion session during which a range of issues were raised including discouraging fishing at winding holes and the safety of canoes in tunnels. As regards the latter, CRT will close the Netherton Tunnel for a few hours in November to permit a properly organised and safe transit by what is hoped to be a large group of canoeists.

Our particular concern was the towpath and waterway maintenance and improvement work that has been desperately needed at Rugeley for many years. You may remember that we had previously discussed this at what turned out to be the final Central Shires User Forum in April but it had no effect. West Midlands seem more interested as Ian Lane proposed that he and members of his management team pay a visit to Rugeley when we will be able to explain the particular work that is required and the opportunities for making the town a more welcoming place with better facilities for passing boaters.

Canal Maintenance Trent & Mersey: Woodend Lock The top ground paddle at Woodend Lock near Fradley has been covered with black plastic sheeting and out of action for many months which has resulted in queues during the busy summer period. After investigation CRT reported that the sheeting was put up by the lockside cottage resident after receiving many complaints by boaters that the paddle gear was not working. However it is actually working, albeit slowly because of a blockage which remains to be resolved. We are hoping that West Midlands will provide a much faster response to such problems than was previously the case.

Certainly in their area prior to the reorganisation, when appropriate, canals have been temporarily closed during the boating season to allow resolution of important problems rather than waiting until the winter.

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Staffs & Worcs: Sow Aqueduct at Milford On our way back from the Pelsall Festival we noticed that the brickwork facing on the concrete sides of the waterway has continued to deteriorate, probably because it is continually being hit by passing boats. CRT replied to my query saying that repairs and installation of a wooden fender is planned for next financial year.

Visiting the Northern BCN In her Chairman’s report Denise mentioned our visit to the northern BCN for the Pelsall festival. I would like to take the opportunity to recommend that more people visit the Wyrley & Essington Canal and adjacent waterways. They are all very quiet and significant stretches are surprisingly and attractively rural.

There is much of interest to see and the waterway is clean outside the built-up areas. The main problems are relatively slow passage as the canals are shallow and in places there is the likelihood of prop fouling by vegetation. Of course the latter would be greatly reduced if more boaters explored the area.

Editorial Notice Lichfield Lines is the newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch, it is produced 4 times a year to keep members informed about our forthcoming public meetings, walks, work parties and other activities, to provide reports on recent meetings and events, and to include articles of general interest to our members.

The editor, Peter Gurney, welcomes articles, letters or photographs of waterway activities in our Branch area which can be emailed to pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk (Please note there is a 10MB limit for emails with photos as attachments sent via this

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address).

Due to holidays the copy date for the next newsletter has had to be brought forward to 3rd January 2017, for publication in January.

Advertising Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 300 addresses covering around 440 Branch members. It can also be read and downloaded by anyone from the Branch website pages.

If you would like to publicise your waterway related business to our members, and others that read the newsletter online, we can offer advertising space at the following rates: Full Page - £20 per issue Half Page - £10 per issue Please contact the editor to discuss artwork and layout.

By advertising you will help to sponsor IWA's charitable activities and reach potential customers who are all committed to the waterways.

The IWA has a range of corporate members some of whom offer discounts to members. The discount details can be found on the IWA website at www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/corporates.

Corporate members in our area are— Lichfield Cruising Club Stafford Boat Club Ltd Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Ashby Canal Trust Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Canal Transport Services Ltd Waterways World Ltd Fingerpost pub Pelsall Clifford Arms Great Haywood

Russel Newbury Register Ashby Canal Association Tamworth Cruising Club Ash Tree Boat Club Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd Elite Furnishings Birmingham and Midland Marine Services River Canal Rescue Ltd Midland Chandlers

Our most recent addition to the list is Birmingham and Midland Marine Services. They are offering discounted Royal Life Saving Society National Water Safety Management Programme courses, the HSE approved water safety training course.

Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.

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YOUR BRANCH NEEDS YOU

We have several vacancies on the Branch Committee which need filling. If you think you can help please contact any of the committee for more information.

See Page 18 for committee list.

We are a friendly bunch and hold meetings once a month to sort out what needs doing to keep the Branch operating smoothly.The cake is usually pretty good as well! Please come and join us.

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CHRISTMAS MEAL Saturday 10th December 2016, 12.30pm for 1.00pm Menu & Booking Form for Christmas Meal at: ODDFELLOWS in the BOAT Walsall Road, near Muckley Corner, Lichfield, Staffs. WS14 0BU Choose one from each of the following courses: STARTERS Home-made Leek and Potato soup Deep fried brie with cranberry dip Gravadlax of salmon with mustard & dill Black & white pudding fritters with Puy lentils Spiced beef empanadas, bravas sauce MAINS Roast turkey, chipolata, stuffing and roast potato Pan fried sea bass fillets, confit lemon garlic vine tomatoes Crispy belly pork on chorizo, butter beans and peppers Blue cheese, chestnut and spinach tart Rump steak, griddled mushroom and tomato DESSERTS Christmas pudding with brandy butter Pannetone bread and butter pudding Sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce Damson frangipane tart Ice cream or sorbet Cheese and biscuits Price: ÂŁ21.00 for 3 courses Tea or coffee included in the price Please complete the booking form overleaf and send to Pat Barton email: pat.barton@waterways.org.uk or phone 07947 337491 Payment by cheque (payable to IWA LICHFIELDBRANCH) can be made by post to: 38 Waterside Court, Gnosall, Stafford, ST20 0AR Orders and payment by midday on 5th December 2016, please.

Page 17 CHRISTMAS MEAL BOOKING FORM Please enter Name(s) and an X against choices.

Contact Details: Name Phone

Email Address

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Your Committee Chairman and Secretary Tel: 01283 761971 Email: denise.bending@waterways.org.uk

Denise Bending

Deputy Chairman and Recruitment Tel: 07947 337491 Email: pat.barton@waterways.org.uk

Pat Barton

Treasurer Tel: 01785 716806 Email: barbara.hodgson@waterways.org.uk

Barbara Hodgson

Planning & Website Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk

Philip Sharpe

Speakers Secretary

Position Vacant

Newsletter Editor and Membership Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk

Pete Gurney

Volunteer Coordinator Tel: 07581 794111 Email: margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk

Margaret Beardsmore

Minutes Secretary

Position Vacant

Navigation Officer Tel: 01283 761971 Email: mike.bending@waterways.org.uk

Mike Bending

Ex Officio: Region Chairman Branch Sales and External Talks (non-committee posts) Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk

Helen Whitehouse

Walks Coordinator (non-committee post) Tel: 07866 201873 Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk

Clive Walker

Branch Contact Address Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk

IWA Lichfield Branch 35a Main Street Linton Swadlincote DE12 6PZ

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