Lichfield Branch

Friday 17th February 2023—Stroll—Alrewas and the Trent & Mersey Canal

In February the latest of our short walks programme took place in the village of Alrewas. Starting and finishing at the Crown Pub, the 2 mile ‘figure of eight’ walk encompassed the canal towpath, a short riverside walk, a stroll through the back lanes of this pretty village, a stop off at the magnificent All Saints Church for a mooch inside, and a pub lunch afterwards. The predicted gale force winds thankfully didn’t happen and we were even blessed with some sunshine. There was originally a small church in Alrewas in the 800s but the current building was started in the 1200s and has been continually modified since. A beautiful building!

Thursday 2nd March 2023—Walk—Penkridge and the Staffs & Worcs Canal

The Lichfield branch last had a walk in Penkridge on 9th May 2019, when we started from The Four Crosses pub, and headed southwards passing through Rodbaston College. This time we began at the Boat Inn and headed northwards along the canal. The towpath here forms part of The Cross Britain Way, a 279 mile trail created to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan Way - Cross Britain WayLDWA Long Distance Paths. Shortly after Woodbank Lock we walked under the busy M6. Whilst this underpass is not pretty, it is nevertheless a substantial piece of concrete engineering, and amazingly free of graffiti! We left the canal by the ornate Teddesley Park Bridge No. 89, posing first for a group photo. We were now in Teddesley Hay, an area of 2,625 acres and part of Teddesley Hall, the ancestral home of the Littleton family. The main building was demolished in 1954, and only the gardens and the fine Georgian stables remain. We were distracted from our distant view of the stables by the sight of a couple of stags in an adjoining field. Clearly, the deer were aware of our presence, and had seen us first.

We continued through parkland, the noise from the M6 a distant memory. Taking care when walking a short distance along the busy B5012 we then crossed over to Quarry Heath Lane, which led us into the hamlet of Pillaton. The farm buildings on the Pillaton Estate have been converted into light industrial units and a caravan park. Hidden from the road is Old Pillaton Hall, a gem of a building. Its front is somewhat reminiscent of the gatehouse at Tixall. This grade II listed building has links to the neighbouring Teddesley estate. It is said that the fourth and last of the Littleton baronets moved the family seat north to Teddesley Hall, allegedly building it with hoards of cash discovered hidden at Pillaton. Walking by, we were unaware of this hidden cache, nor did we see any eccentric metal detectors – detectorists – in the vicinity.

Pilllaton used to be the base of RAF Penkridge, an elementary WW2 flying school equipped with Tiger Moths. Some of the outbuildings still exist, indeed the airfield is still used by a fleet of microlights. We walked back into Penkridge past Moor Hall Cottages and along the ring road. Our table had been set at the pub and we enjoyed refreshment.

Clive Walker

Wednesday 15th March 2020—Branch AGM followed by Neil Barnett

The formalities of the AGM were soon over (see Chairman’s and Treasurer’s reports on pages 11-14). Then it was on to Neil Barnett’s first short presentation which featured an video “borrowed” from youtube (with permission) of a trip, just like the one Neil had done last year, into the centre of Cambridge by narrowboat. The second presentation showed another of Neil’s long held ambitions to boat the Caledonian Canal. Spectacular scenery and very different from the narrow canals of the Midlands!

IWA Festival of Water 2023 – Call for help!

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