Lichfield Branch

Canal and the heritage of our once world-famous brewing industry has been threatened by the closure by Molson Coors of the National Brewery Heritage Centre (formerly Bass Museum of Brewing). We’ll be hearing about the Archives, Artefacts and plans for the future.

Concerns about congested unlit parking, particularly in the dark days of Winter, and the seating format that permits only limited social interaction at our present location in Lichfield have encouraged us to explore changing to a slightly larger venue at Fradley village. Meanwhile we’ve changed meeting start times to see if that helps. Please study the proposal on Page 12 & let our Committee know your views.

Adrian Wedgwood Branch Chairman.

Forthcoming Events

Sunday 6th August 2023—Lockwind

This may well have already happened by the time you get the magazine, but if not. We will be holding a fund raising lockwind at Barton Turn lock starting at 10am and finishing about 4pm followed by food for the volunteers. We make money from donations but mostly from the sale of cakes, so if you can bake a couple of cakes (not too big) please contact Helen on helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk or 01543 491161.

Saturday/Sunday 19th/20th August—Brownhills Festival

Our good friends the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust or L&H for short, are again organising the Brownhills Canal Festival. This will be held on the Wyrley & Essington at Silver Street near Brownhills town centre. There will be historic boats, trading boats and stalls selling all sorts of things. Should be a good weekend.

Saturday/Sunday/Monday 26th-28th August 2023—IWA Festival of Water

After a great event at Burton-upon-Trent last year the August Bank Holiday weekend again sees the IWA Festival of Water in our area, this time at Pelsall Junction on the Wyrley & Essington Canal (see article Page 14). There will be lots of boats, lots of stalls and musical entertainment, and hopefully the weather will be good to us!