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Since the last edition of Lichfield Lines we have well and truly experienced the British winter. It seems to be either cold and frosty or wet and windy. As I write another cold spell is being forecast for this week. This rather restricts boating to the hardy (or foolish?) but I hope spring is not too far away and we can get back to enjoying the waterways in better weather.
Just before our Christmas Dinner (see article p6) we received the sad news that Doreen Wood had passed away. Despite this Eric still joined us for the dinner and had an enjoyable meal. There was a full church for Doreen’s funeral and she was given a good send off. I had not realised she had served in the WRENS during the war and was therefore given the honour of a flag over the coffin and a military bugler to play the last post and reveille. A moving moment. There is a brief obituary on p14.
The Branch has been busy since the last edition with walks and meetings and as well as our normal longer walks we have restarted our short strolls (thanks Neil). See Forthcoming Events for details of the next one. We also have an interesting selection of meetings until April. And walks will continue through the year.
We are planning to hold a fund raising Lock Wind in August, details will be announced at a later date. The last one raised a good sum of money for the Branch and an enjoyable day was had by all who took part.
As was mentioned in the previous edition I will be standing down from the committee and hence the Chairman/Secretary roles at the AGM in March. I would like to thank everybody who has supported me, both committee and membership, over the past two and a half years and I am sure the Branch will continue to be successful under “new management”. This is not goodbye as I will be continuing to edit Lichfield Lines and the website and produce posters.
All the Best
Wednesday 15th February 2023—Meeting—"Coal from Cannock"
Our speaker for this meeting will be Andy Tidy with his illustrated talk “Coal from Cannock”. Andy’s talk will follow the old coal route from Hednesford Basin through Brownhills, Longwood and the Saltley Cut to the industries of East Birmingham. Along the way he will use archive photos to look at how the industry of the past continues to shape the region's landscape today.
Many of you will know Andy and Helen from their previous visit to us, when they gave us a glimpse of life aboard The Jam Butty. They will be bringing a selection of their preserves for you to buy.
Meet at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane, Off Walsall Road, Lichfield WS13 8AY
Friday 17th February 2023—Stroll—Alrewas and the Trent & Mersey Canal
A 1.8 mile walk taking in the canal towpath, the riverside, two small fields, and two pleasant village lanes. Level terrain except for the canal hump back bridge. One very easy low stile. May be muddy underfoot.
Meet in The Crown Inn car park, Post office Rd, Alrewas DE13 7BS 10.30am for 10.45 start
Wednesday 15th March 2023—Meeting—Branch AGM followed by Illustrated Talk
The brief formalities of the Branch AGM will be followed by two short talks by Branch member Neil Barnett. The first details his long held ambition to enter Cambridge by narrowboat and the second illustrates a trip on the Caledonian Canal across the Great Glen of Scotland.
Meet at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane, Off Walsall Road, Lichfield WS13 8AY
Thursday 2nd March 2023—Walk— "Penkridge and the Staffs. and Worcs. Canal”
This is an easy 5½ mile walk with 5 stiles, on the towpath, across parkland, and along quiet country roads*. We first head northwards along the towpath, and shortly after crossing under the M6 we leave the canal by Teddesley Park Bridge. We head across parkland negotiating several stiles in quick succession. We traverse the B5012 (see * below) and carry on towards the village of Pillaton, and from there back to Penkridge, where we re-join the canal briefly back to our starting point.
Meet 10:15 for a 10:30 start on Thursday 2nd March 2023 in the car park of The Boat Inn, Cannock Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire ST19 5DT. Contact Clive Walker: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
NB* The B5012 is a fast and busy road connecting Penkridge with Cannock and Rugeley. We need to take care to walk approximately 300 yards along a stretch of road, where there is no pavement and only a minimal verge in parts. I suggest we walk briskly as a group in single file on one side of the road only with a front and back marker, both adorned in high visibility yellow vests!
Saturday 8th April 2023—Coffee Morning
Despite the sad passing of Doreen, Eric Wood is continuing the tradition of his all day coffee morning on Easter Saturday on behalf of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. (see poster Page 10)
Wednesday 19th April 2023—Meeting—"Chasing the Boats"
This month’s speaker is renowned waterways photographer Kevin Maslin. Kev is a Black Country lad, currently based in Tipton at the heart of the West Midlands canal network. He has been photographing inland waterways for around 35 years and specialises in historic narrow boats. The relentless pursuit of these fine craft takes him to some wonderful locations, so join him on a fascinating journey as he goes “Chasing the Boats”. Meet at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane, Off Walsall Road, Lichfield WS13 8AY
Saturday/Sunday/Monday 26th-28th August 2023—IWA Festival of Water
The August Bank Holiday weekend again sees the IWA Festival of Water in our area, this time at Pelsall. (see article Page 13)
Thursday 10th November 2022—Walk—"Brownhills and the Wyrley and Essington Canal"
This was a walk full of industrial history and a surprising amount of greenery. Twelve walkers assembled in the car park of Smithy’s Forge in the centre of Brownhills, within sight of “Jigger”, a giant gleaming memorial named for a coal miner who gave his life to the pits. We started out on the McLean Way, a disused railway line that links Lichfield to Walsall, and immediately turned left at what used to be Brownhills station (closed 1965). We left this popular greenway at the site of the Brownhills Surge Stack and
walked down onto the towpath of the Wyrley & Essington Canal, which we followed as far as Beck’s Bridge. Here we climbed some steps onto the bed of the former Norton Branch, an important line that connected several colleries in the area (the bridge under the A5 west of Brownhills Common is still there). Below to our left was the private Slough Arm, and some of our group recalled mooring here before it was abandoned. The branch was fed by a spring (hence its name) and so the bed is still in water but now very overgrown. We left the Norton Branch and the
Slough Arm near the supposed site of a Newcomen Engine. We now entered Brownhills Common near Coppice Lane. Although there are industrial units all around, nature has reclaimed this area, and it has the feel of rampant, unmanaged woodland. We crossed the A5 by the (still) derelict Rising Sun pub and stumbled upon a wooden fingerpost dated 1777 –“Salop 35 ½ miles to the west and Atherftone 17 miles to the east”. Apparently, this distance marker is a replica (the original is in Stafford Museum) and thousands of motorists zoom past daily, unaware of its existence on a grass island that separates the two carriageways.
Our route took us through a housing estate to a steel foobridge erected across the M6 Toll and into Chasewater Park where we stopped at the café for refreshment, before following the Anglesey Branch as far as the aqueduct by the A5, at which point
we stepped back down onto the MacLean Way and returned to our starting point. Unfortunately there was a problem in the kitchen at Smithy’s Forge, and we were told we would have to wait 45 minutes for our food. Since it was now 1:30 pm and there was also a 10-minute queue just to place an order at the bar, some of us were not prepared to wait that long, and so the group said their farewells and split up.
Report Clive Walker Photos Margaret BeardsmoreWednesday 16th November 2022—Meeting—"Crossing the Severn"
Branch member Neil Barnett had been on his travels again and this time he gave us an account of his battle with the River Severn crossing from Sharpness to Bristol via Avonmouth. As well as the voyage itself Neil detailed the things that needed to be done beforehand to make the crossing safe and enjoyable. A good evening.
Sunday 1th December 2022—Christmas Dinner
Our Christmas dinner for 2022 was held at Darnford Moors Golf Club and was deemed a success by all concerned. We had been told that we would be sharing the room with another group but as it turned out they didn’t arrive till
much later so for most of the time we had the room to ourselves. There was also a lift to the upstairs room which was useful. The food and the service were excellent and there is a good chance that we will use the venue again.
Photos Margaret BeardsmoreSunday 1st January 2023—Walk—"Atherstone and the Coventry Canal"
Seventeen walkers assembled in the spacious foyer of The Red Lion Hotel in Atherstone to welcome in 2023 with a walk through Atherstone and along the Coventry canal. The sky was bright and there was a slight chill in the air, so it was
pleasant to meet up indoors for a change. Local resident, Sally Naylor, introduced us to the ‘yards’ of Atherstone. Access to a ‘yard’ was through an ‘entry’ and little did we expect that the hotel foyer itself was one such access point. We stepped out into Long Street and Sally explained that there were once more than 50 ‘yards’ along the main street in Atherstone. However, we soon learnt that
the ‘yards’ were effectively little more than unpoliced, overpriced industrial slums, in parts three and a half times more crowded than the worst parts of Birmingham at that time. The last ‘yards’ were demolished in 1965 but many of the ‘entries’ remain and, once you know where to look, they are quite easy to spot. We turned left in Long Street and walked past a couple of ‘yards’, which have been preserved. Many thanks to Sally for enlightening us on this aspect of local history. After posing for a group photo near The King’s Head we joined the canal below lock 5. The pound above was very low, and we saw several stranded fish. Thankfully the remaining pounds appeared to be at normal levels. We continued past Ruby’s yard (a former hire boat wharf) and along a wide towpath, which was muddy in places. We left the canal by bridge 36 where there is a redundant canal wharf adjacent to an iron bridge, which once carried stone from the local quarries on a mineral line. The Mancetter quarry is still active, extracting road aggregates, but nowadays the material is transported by HGVs. We headed for Rose Hill Farm and crossed the main railway line on a footbridge.
From there we passed through a public park and continued our way along Church Walk, a broad pedestrianised street with an eclectic array of houses. Soon we were back near the ‘yards’ of Long Street and our starting point. Refreshment followed in the hotel. Due to our numbers, we were put in the Lady Godiva Room with its extended table, Tudor-style decor and pictures of the wives of Henry VII. Our pre-ordered food arrived promptly, and we were able to toast the new year in style.
Clive WalkerSome while ago the Branch had been left a legacy in the will of Malcolm Braine the renowned local boat builder and restorer (see obituary p9). The committee had long discussions about how to best spend this donation and in the end it was decided to donate the entire amount to the steam narrowboat President. On a bright and cold November day Sue and I went to the Black Country Living Museum (who own President) and presented a cheque to the Friends of President (who look after and run the boat). They were most grateful for the donation as they are in the process of replacing the boiler which is an expensive job. We were unable to get a picture in front of President as it was away being worked on, but it’s butty Kildare was a suitable substitute. Nick explained that as he was in “period costume” he wasn’t wearing a poppy as this was well before the tradition started. We also enjoyed a tour around the museum whilst we were there.
Every winter since 2017 our hardy team of volunteers have been beavering away (excuse the pun) cutting back the encroaching offside trees and other vegetation along various stretches of our local canals. It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since we started this venture, and we were reminded of this when our volunteer’s original training certification for using the pole-chainsaws and wood chipper had expired and they recently had to attend a refresher course in order to continue.
Working in conjunction with CRT, our Lichfield Branch volunteers carry out the work every week and in all weathers. This winter starting in October, they began at Willington and are steadily working their way along the Trent and Mersey Canal towards Alrewas.
CRT provide the equipment which consists of a workboat and ‘butty’ open hopper boat, one of which houses the wood chipper and the other to work from. Depending upon the circumstances, sometimes they are fastened together ‘end to end’, and other times are breasted up, the latter method is usually the favoured way of working but obviously they need separating to get through bridge holes, and either method requires separation for going through a lock.
CRT provide the other equipment such as the pole chainsaws, hedge trimmers, wood chipper, handsaws, loppers, rakes etc, as well as some of the PPE. Training for each task is also provided. Basically our IWA volunteers provide the free labour and expertise.
They work Thursdays and Friday’s, CRT’s volunteers do Tuesday’s and Wednesdays, and Mondays are when the machinery and equipment gets maintained and serviced. The operation begins in October and ends in early March before the birds and other wildlife begin nesting and the canals become busy with boat traffic. Working during the winter has its challenges however, one of the team, Neil Barnett, (our volunteer coordinator) says, “inclement weather rarely stops us working, in fact it’s only when the canal ices over and we are unable to move the workboats that we have to stop”.
“Other adverse weather conditions are dealt with by wearing the appropriate clothing”.
During those last 5 winters they have cut back the vegetation on the Trent & Mersey
Canal between Great Haywood and Alrewas, and from Fradley Junction all the way down the Coventry Canal to Atherstone. “We have to do the stretches where CRT want the work doing”, Neil continues. “This winter we were supposed to be re-doing from Great Haywood to Fradley”. “It’s been 5 years since we last did it and whilst some places have held up quite well, there are a few particularly bad places where the re-growth has been prolific and is once again encroaching a long way over the canal, particularly so at a bendy section just north of Colwich”.
Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible this year because HS2 are upgrading the towpath from Fradley to Rugeley and for some reason do not want us working the same stretch even though we would be working on the opposite side of the canal. Another issue is that CRT Fradley’s boundary of responsibility has recently changed whereby it now ends at Armitage Tunnel instead of Great Haywood, meaning that the aforementioned overgrown stretch near Colwich will now fall under CRT Stoke’s remit.
“It’s anybody’s guess where we will be asked to work next year”, Neil says. “As well as the need to re-do those parts of the Trent & Mersey, there are places on the Staffs & Worcester Canal and a few along the Birmingham and Fazeley which could do with a trim”.
With such limited resources it’s difficult to keep on top of it all but Neil says that CRT tend to concentrate on the places where they have received the most complaints about, and encourages you to contact their customer service department either online or by phone and report anywhere you think is badly in need of addressing whether it be offside overgrowth, issues with water depth,
or towpath vegetation in need of trimming. Finally, in his branch role as volunteer co-ordinator, Neil would like to acknowledge the immense job that our member Jeff Steele has done for the offside vegetation team during the last two years. Having initially joined us in 2019, Jeff then undertook the training to become a registered lead volunteer and took on the responsibilities that went with the role. Organising the weekly workparties, liaising with CRT, sorting the logistics of the operation, the Health & Safety aspects, and the dreaded paperwork. All of this presented numerous challenges which had to be overcome, and must have been quite stressful for Jeff at times. His hard work in achieving this has been invaluable in ensuring the ongoing success of the offside vegetation operation, and we are extremely grateful for all that he does.
Each winter the team clock up around 1,600 hours of volunteering, and this helped significantly towards our Lichfield Branch being awarded the coveted Branch of the Year award at the last National AGM, something we can rightly be very proud of.
The IWA Festival of Water will this year be held at Pelsall over the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 26th – 28th).
You may be aware that this festival is run entirely by volunteers. The team preparing for the event is looking for extra volunteers to ensure that it is a success. In particular, they would like to hear from anyone who could assist with selling space to stall holders and exhibitors. The aim of the festival is to highlight the waterways and the restoration projects in the area. It is essential that any event run by our charity should at the very least “break even” financially. This is only possible if we have a wide and varied selection of traders booked into the event in advance. Achieving this is essential and preparatory work is the key. The more exhibitors and traders at the festival, the more attractive it becomes to visitors so this aspect of preparation for the event is absolutely crucial. Whilst we have some regular stall holders who join us every year, finding new and interesting stall-holders keeps the event alive so if you are interested in helping to “sell space” or to help in co-ordinating this effort please contact John Butler john.butler@waterways.org.uk
Nearer the event, people will be needed to distribute leaflets and place banners and posters around the area. Volunteers will also be needed on site to help set up. If you would like to register an interest in any aspect of this, without committing yourself in any way, please contact me: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk or phone for a chat on 01543 491161.
Looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Helen Whitehouse IWA West Midlands Region ChairmanBranch member Kaye Harrison has a dog life jacket for sale. This is an UP jacket from Pawthings for a dog up to 30-35kg in weight. It has only been worn once and is currently too small for her current dog. It’s yours for a £10 donation to IWA and postage if required. Contact Kaye on kaye.harrison@btinternet.com
Doreen Wood 8th April 1929 - 25th November 2022
Derek and I first met Doreen and her husband Eric at an IWA Christmas meal at the Blockhouse Restaurant about 30 years ago, where we shared the same table. Since then we have had the pleasure of her company at countless IWA events over the years. Whilst never a committee member, she was always there supporting Eric and Lichfield IWA Branch.
She and Eric attended every IWA festival, until these last few years when boating became difficult.
Often their boat Credalwood was on the Harbourmaster moorings for the disabled, and Doreen would put out the
chairs and offer a welcome to anyone who stopped by. Of course, that hospitality would always include the offer of a cuppa and a ‘would you like a biscuit with that?’ Plus home-made cake or a glass of wine if you timed it right. Their cottage and beautiful garden in Whittington has always been open house for their many friends and the venue for numerous fundraising events. Sometimes we would boat to Festivals together, with Doreen and myself
steering the boats into the wide locks while the ‘boys’ worked the locks. We had great fun going side by side into the locks.
She lived a long and good life and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Words and pictures
This report summarises the more notable of about 35 planning matters dealt with between mid-October 2022 and mid-January 2023; a bit quieter than usual. Further details are always available on request.
On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Boscomoor Lane, Penkridge the South Staffordshire Local Plan (Publication version) includes a canalside housing site in the Green Belt that was not part of the previous consultation and that would affect the setting of the canal’s Conservation Area. We have also said that the Conservation Areas for the Staffs & Worcs, as well as the Shropshire Union and Stourbridge canals, the documents for which are all around 40 years old, should have updated Management Plans.
The detailed plans for the first of the giant warehouses on the WMI site at Four Ashes excludes the 3m high earth bund along Vicarage Road shown on the Green Infrastructure Plan. This can provide some visual screening and protect the Canal Conservation Area and recreational users from operational noise of the HGV loading bays, and should be provided at an early stage.
Parts of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Trent & Mersey and Shropshire Union canals are affected by clauses in a Canals policy in the Stafford Local Plan (Preferred Options) which would in effect ban residential moorings and restrict facilities at marinas in the Borough, to which we have objected. The policy supports canal restorations but fails to
Stafford Riverway Link have made great strides restoring the basin at Baswich. The picture shows the basin floor being concreted January 2023
mention either the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals or the Stafford Riverway Link projects both of which have made significant progress since the previous Plan. The SRL in particular is rebuilding the canal basin at Baswich and their plans for improving the River Sow and its towpath will benefit countryside access, tourism and flood relief.
Adjacent to the Trent & Mersey Canal at Kings Bromley Marina we have supported the change of use of 75 of the current 273 moorings to full-time residential use, to regularise the status of those already living on board for more than the original planning restriction of 120 days annually.
At Barton Marina the application for 9 houseboats on the pontoon overlooking the Waterfront was approved, with the Officer’s Report saying that the loss of 9 narrowboat moorings was not significant, despite quoting our objection that the width of the houseboats would result in the loss of at least 34 and possibly 44 moorings.
On the Coventry Canal at Springwood Haven Marina near Nuneaton an application for 11 holiday lodges would be very visible up the hillside behind the marina.
On the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Brownhills we responded to a further consultation on a proposed waste incinerator, providing photographs of litter on the canal bank behind the existing waste recycling site despite their claim of taking pride in checking the area daily, and asked for it to be cleaned up. The application has since been granted conditional on measures to prevent waste and litter from entering the canal.
WEDNESDAY 15th March 2023, at 7.30 PM
Apologies for absence
Approval of the minutes of the 2022 AGM and any matters arising from these minutes
Report from the Branch Chairman
Financial Report from the Treasurer
Elections to the Committee
Members standing down from the committee.
Pete Gurney
Members co-opted since last AGM and willing to stand for election.
None
Any other candidates
Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch (provided the Branch Chairman was notified in writing of the item at least 6 weeks prior to the AGM) *
Any Other Business Notes:
Candidates for election to the committee must be current members of the Lichfield Branch and should indicate their willingness to stand.
The Branch committee officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) are elected by the committee from its members at their first meeting after the AGM.
Current members of the Committee are: Pete Gurney (Chairman and Acting Secretary), Sue Gurney (Treasurer), Phil Sharpe, Derek Beardsmore, Neil Barnett, Adrian Wedgwood.
*Please put any resolutions in writing and address them to the Chairman at 5 Bracken Close, Stafford, ST16 1SG or by email to Lichfield@waterways.org.uk by 1st February 2023.
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 35MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address). The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th April 2023, for publication in May.
Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 350 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 inc VAT per issue
Half Page - £10 inc VAT 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 https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-give/corporate-membership
Corporate members in our area are
Lichfield Cruising Club 2000 Ltd
Stafford Boat Club Ltd
Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust
Ashby Canal Trust
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals
Restoration Trust
Canal Transport Services Ltd
Waterways World Ltd
Midland Chandlers
Norton Canes Boat Services Ltd
Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd
Longwood Boat Club
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
Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust
Stafford Riverway Link
All Leisure Boating Ltd
Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.
Your Committee
Chairman and Acting Secretary
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: sue.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Planning
Tel: 01889 583330
Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk
Newsletter and Website Editor
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Volunteer Coordinator & Membership
Tel: 07808 846434 or 07481259955
Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Navigation Officer
Tel: 07847 470112
Email: derek.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk
Publicity—Press & Magazines
Social Secretary
Minutes Secretary
Tel: 01283 713125
Email: adrian.wedgwood@waterways.org.uk
Ex Officio: Region Chairman also Branch Sales and External Talks (non- committee posts)
Tel : 01543 491161
Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
Non-committee posts
Walks Coordinator
Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Social Media Editor
Email: Richard.curtis@waterways.org.uk
Branch Contact Address
Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk
Pete Gurney
Sue Gurney
Phil Sharpe
Pete Gurney
Neil Barnett
Derek Beardsmore
Position Vacant
Position vacant
Adrian Wedgwood
Helen Whitehouse
Clive Walker
Richard Curtis