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• A View From The Helm Page 3
• Forthcoming Events Page 4 Walks and Meetings until January 2026
• Recent Activities Page 6 Walks and Meetings
• Restoration Conference April 2025 Page 13
• Off-Side Veg This Winter Page 14
• Electric Boating on the Mon & Brec Page 14
• IWA Lichfield Branch AGM Notice & Agenda Page 16
• Planning Matters Page 17
• Editorial Notice Page 21
Front page photo—New Year’s Day Walkers at Alrewas
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: Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 2PX Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
Lichfield Branch
A VIEW FROM THE HELM
I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and that we can now look forward to an exciting New Year.
But what is the future of the Inland Waterways, our canals & navigable rivers?
Firstly let’s just remind ourselves of the Inland Waterways Association's (IWA's) objectives:
• We are the only national charity that campaigns locally and nationally for all the country’s canals and river navigations.
• We provide leadership, resources and practical support for the waterway restoration sector.
• We lobby parliament, champion regeneration, run events, and fight to improve the waterways for all legitimate users.
• We need IWA more than ever.
These are difficult times for many volunteer-based organisations. Please can we rise to the challenge by encouraging people (not just boaters) to join IWA to help preserve the national treasure of our inland waterways for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
Particularly at a time when the Canal & River Trust's (CRT) Boaters survey shows growing dissatisfaction with the state of our canals and a hike in its Licence fees. Coupled with CRT's escalating maintenance costs for its ageing network, major breaches and their declining funds are a concern.
Sudden and long-term stoppages disrupt navigation and discourage boaters. Some hire companies are cutting back as canals in their area become less navigable.
The effect of forthcoming increases in employment costs in the recent Budget are beginning to impact on waterways related businesses as they review recruitment plans. Already closing nationally at an alarming rate pubs, including those on whom boaters depend beside canals & rivers may become unprofitable & shut.
Led by IWA Fund Britain's Waterways is currently deciding its future, but is aware the need for funding is more acute than ever. It may have confused the public about the relationship between CRT & IWA and has not helped IWA's recruitment of members. I suspect that the fate of our Waterways is somewhere in the long grass of the new Government's list of priorities. Another campaign cruise planned for this year's Cavalcade in London might help.
IWA is declining slowly from a membership peak of 25,000 in the glory days of Restoration Mania that's now down to around 8,500 & still falling. Restoration projects abound across Britain making incredible progress working to expand our canal network. In our area we support the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals, Stafford Riverway Link and the Ashby Canal projects.
And as you'll know from my previous articles IWA nationally is making plans for the future that might see the abolition of our Branch structure - that your Branch has
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opposed vehemently.
It could now be mid March before we hear of any progress with this. At that time I will be somewhere in Central America and out of contact. Neil Barnett, our vice-chairman, is attending the Zoom meeting on 21 March of Regional & Branch chairmen.
Many of us know how difficult it can be to recruit new members to our cause. Boaters we talk to at our Lock Wind & on other occasions are often unaware of our organisation or don't see belonging to IWA and paying an annual subscription of £54 as a benefit or good value.
Lichfield Branch is one of only a small number of IWAs 33 Branches that's thriving with our programme of walks, social meetings and working parties helping CRT to keep our canals navigable.
Our social meetings at Lichfield's Darwin Hall supported by our loyal & regular attendees are beginning to attract a few new faces and we await with interest to see if our broadening of the scope of subject matter will attract the public whom we might then enrol to IWA.
As I'm away for our February and March meetings I'm looking forward to seeing many of our members and their friends at our 18th April meeting & AGM at which I will be standing down as your chairman.
That event's speaker on Taylor's Bell foundry in Loughborough, Britain's last bell foundry, has a special significance for Marilyn (Maz) & I as we had our Diamond Wedding Anniversary bell cast there. Its now installed at our Parish Church in Barton under Needwood.
Adrian Wedgwood Chairman IWA Lichfield Branch 14 January 2025
Forthcoming Events
All our Social Meetings will be held at Darwin Hall, off Heathcot Place, Lichfield WS13 6RQ at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start.
Friday 21st February 2025 Social Meeting
Charles Hughes ”Tackling the increasing threat of invasive plants across our waterways”
Charles is an Environmental Scientist with Canal & River Trust. will talk about the proliferation of excessive weed and plant growth in our canals and the results of a recently completed 4 year eradication programme to tackle the problem.
Thursday 6th March 2025—Guided Walk
Tatenhill and the Trent & Mersey Canal.
This is a 3¾ mile circular walk with no stiles, on the towpath, footpaths and the pavement. There is one steady climb up Battlestead Hill at the start, otherwise the route is broadly on level ground. Due to the time of year, it may well be muddy in
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parts, so sensible footwear is essential.
We first turn right through Tatenhill village before following a wooded footpath up and over Battlestead Hill. At the top there is a fine view over Burton upon Trent. We descend to the canal through modern housing along bound paths. Shortly after joining the canal by Branston Bridge, we will take a short diversion through Branston Water Park, before emerging at Tatenhill Lock. From there we will follow a footpath past gravel pits back to the village. If the ground is not too wet and slippery we will return to the pub past an impressive rocky outcrop, otherwise we will take the pavement route back to our starting point.
Meet 10:30 for a 10:45 start on Thursday 6th March 2025 in the car park of The Horseshoe Inn, Main Steet, Tatenhill, Burton on Trent DE13 9SD. Contact Clive Walker on clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Friday 21st March 2025—Social Meeting
Our speaker tonight will be Paul Fellows, Chair of Cambridge Astronomical Association, giving us an illustrated talk on “The Night Sky over Tixall Wide & The Planets in 3D”
Paul leads the public observing events at the University of Cambridge and presents lectures on Cunard Queen Mary 2 and other ships on a frequent basis, his talks are always popular. Tixall Wide is one of the best locations on the canal system in the midlands for observing the night sky, being relatively free of light pollution and unobstructed by buildings or trees.
Tatenhill Lock
Lichfield Branch
Friday 18th April 2025—Branch AGM & Social Meeting
The brief official business of the AGM will soon be completed. This will be followed by Simon Adams of Taylor’s Bell Foundry in Loughborough on “Master of My Art”
The Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough is Britain's world famous historic and only remaining bell foundry.
Thursday 8th May 2025—
Guided Walk
Starting from Rugeley
Details TBA
Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th
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May 2025—Moira Canal Festival
Following the successful IWA National Trailboat Festival at Moira last year, the Ashby Canal Trust are now organising the annual May festival. (See poster on Page 11)
Thursday 11th June 2025—Afternoon Guided Walk
Starting from Swarkstone
Details TBA
Thursday 4th September 2025—Guided Walk
Starting from Gnosall
Details TBA
Thursday 6th November 2025—Guided Walk
Starting from Stoke Golding
Details TBA
Thursday 1st January 2026—New Year’s Day Guided Walk
Starting from Atherstone
Details TBA
Recent Activities
Thursday 7th November 2024 Guided Walk
Curdworth and the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
The Lichfield branch must be jinxed with this location. Assembling in the car park of The White Horse Pub almost exactly five years ago to the day, the heavens opened, and we had to abort the walk.
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This time round it was not the weather that threw an oddball, but human intervention. The organiser had walked the route four days before to check the state of a muddy field just the other side of Curdworth Tunnel, only to find there were ditches, diggers and fencing in the field where the footpath used to be, making access to this side of the canal impassable.
Consequently, we turned left on the towpath and headed instead in the direction of Minworth. We left the canal at Broad Balk Bridge and headed up a slight incline towards Wiggins Hill Farm. It was on these exposed fields that the full force of the gale had hit us five years previously. Today it was just overcast and dull. Here, industry is encroaching on all sides, but this farmer defiantly continues to plough and maintain his land.
We soon left the farm tracks and walked up Wiggins Hill Lane towards Wishaw. We passed the Cock Inn and strolled through the village. We turned left into Wishaw Lane and headed downhill. Until recently this was a public road, it has now been blocked off from road traffic as part of the Amazon development at Minworth. On the plus side it is now a safe bridleway. The Amazon fulfilment centre loomed large in front of us. As part of the warehousing development sandy paths have been laid that wind their way around the Amazon site. The sand tracks are extremely broad, and we mused that this must be to allow a horse, a bicycle and a pedestrian to pass side by side on each carriageway. We rejoined the canal by Wiggins Road Bridge. For some reason the adjacent pub is called The Cuttle Bridge Inn, perhaps someone knows why this is? From here it was a straightforward walk back to the pub where we enjoyed refreshment.
Clive Walker,
Friday 15th November 2024 Social Meeting
For our last Social of 2024, branch member John Parry gave us an incredibly well researched and humorous account of the history of the Suez Canal. Very well presented and fascinating.
Sunday 8th December 2024—Branch Christmas Meal
A great meal was enjoyed by 31 members at Darnford Moors Golf Club. This has been a successful venue for several years now and we will probably be returning in December this year. See pictures on page 9.
Lichfield Branch
Wednesday 1st January 2025—New Year’s Day Walk
The Met Office had given an amber warning for strong winds and heavy rain between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Many public events around the country had been cancelled as a precaution, and in addition the annual bout of flu and respiratory diseases was sweeping through the country. Consequently, the turnout was far less than in previous years and nine hardy souls assembled in the car park of The George and Dragon pub in Alrewas. On the plus side many other members had said they would be attending the lunch afterwards instead.
We encountered a boat on the move by Bagnall Lock and a couple of our group helped Temujin into the lock. Afterwards the helmsman sprinted off to take a photo of the pub which he recalled from the last time he had passed through Alrewas. We explained that The Navigation Inn was long gone, but he was nevertheless keen to add a photo of the building for his ‘before and after’ album.
Mindful of the gloomy forecast and the sodden ground the organiser had decided to shorten the walk considerably to just over 2½ miles. Having woken up to strong winds and heavy rain, it had fortunately all subsided as we set off along the T&M westwards by bridge 46, close to Alrewas Lock.
After a group photo on picturesque (and battered) bridge 48 we left the towpath and walked across fields in the direction of Fradley Village. We turned round by Long Lane
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and headed back to Alrewas along Daisy Lane. Since we were well ahead of time, we made a short detour across The Cricketers playing fields to return to our starting point via bridge 48. We (and the other diners) had all ordered our food in advance, and we enjoyed a hearty meal and good company in The George & Dragon at the end of the walk.
Clive Walker
Friday 17th January 2025—Social Meeting
Our speaker this month was the well travelled IWA Northampton Branch member John Pomfret. He gave us a talk entitled “Waterways of the Low Countries”. These date back to medieval times and have slowly developed into the comprehensive network we have today. The major waterways are busy with huge barges as well as leisure traffic and it is possible to get close to the centre of some of the major cities in narrowboats and small barges.
During the interval of the meeting, our Chairman, Adrian Wedgwood had the pleasure of presenting donation cheques to both Bob Williams of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (L&H) and Yvonne Plant of Stafford Riverway Link (SRL).
L&H have had some metal fencing panels stolen recently and the donation will help to purchase replacements and go towards their busy restoration schedule.
SRL have just about finished the relining of the canal basin and their next project will be to rebuild the towpath bridge to allow water access to the basin. This donation will go directly towards that project.
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Lichfield Branch
Offside Veg This Winter
Our winter vegetation management team has had an active winter so far, albeit interrupted by Christmas and the recent freeze up. Unlike previous years where their remit has been solely cutting back the offside vegetation along designated canal sections, this winter they’ve had a rather more varied remit.
Due to Canal and River Trusts budgetary constraints, the absence of a wood chipper and subsequent loss of an accompanying hopper boat to house it, has restricted the scope and the amount of offside vegetation our team have been able to deal with.
Instead they have been ‘troubleshooting’ in places where remedial work is particularly needed. Offside vegetation where it’s particularly bad, towpath vegetation at the canal edges (mainly saplings), clearing ivy from bridges and other structures, cutting back encroaching vegetation in bridge holes, fishing storm debris from the canal, re-securing mooring rings, and re-painting and re-securing bridge numbers.
They began in October on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Burton on Trent, working their way to Canal & River Trust Fradley’s boundary at Armitage Tunnel, before returning to Fradley and working their way down the Coventry Canal to Fazeley.
Neil Barnett
Electric Boating on the Mon & Brec
My wife and I have been boating our inland waterways since 1976 and have lived aboard our narrowboat for the last 12 years, cruising extensively throughout the country. Those of you who have been to my talks at our monthly social evenings know that these have included some quite diverse waterways as well as some beautiful canals and rivers.
One of our favourites is the stunning Mon & Brec Canal in South Wales which follows the gorgeous River Usk Valley for 35 miles from the outskirts of Cwmbran to Brecon. Unfortunately being a canal that is isolated from the rest of the navigable system we cannot take our own boat there unless it’s transported by road.
Having previously enjoyed two hireboat holidays on it (1993 and 2009) we were itching to return, with it having been 15 years since the last time. So last October we booked a week with Castle Narrowboats in Gilwern, and in order to try something a little different we chose to hire one of their electric boats, a 45 foot narrowboat
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named Monmouth Castle. Castle Narrowboats have 6 dedicated charging points located strategically along the canal, all of which are in pleasant locations and close to local services. How often you need to re-charge is entirely dependent upon how much battery power you have used, and not just the time you’ve cruised for. The higher the throttle is deployed the more the batteries state of charge will reduce. It is also of course, dependant upon what electrical devices you have been running whilst unplugged from the mains.
The recommendation is to charge for at least 4 hours per night or 8 hours every other night. This of course means that on some days you can choose your own overnight mooring rather than the pre-designated charging points. However, if you have covered a larger distance that day (approximately 12 miles according to the instructions) it would require a minimum of 8 hours charging that evening or overnight.
Cruising along at 1.5mph in virtual silence was a wonderful and novel (for us) experience, however above that speed the motor begins to whine quite loudly. We don’t rush when in our own boat, but with a maximum speed of less than 2.5mph progress was at times a bit too slow. However, having previously completed the full length of the canal we were happy to just saunter along without any predetermined destination in mind.
In order to complete the whole length of the canal in a week then perhaps a diesel boat would be better. Not only would it be a little faster, but the canal is very shallow in places and the huge weight of the batteries didn’t help. There was the same issue with the hybrid boats offered by another hire company according to other hirers I spoke to. Maybe it’s because both companies use old electric boat technology and that with modern lithium type batteries and technology it would be different.
However, the scenery was so enchanting this canal should not be hurried, and there are plenty of places of interest and nice walks along the way to stop and explore, so there’s no real need to do the whole length unless you’re determined to ‘tick off’ having travelled it all.
We’d definitely use Castle Narrowboats again as they were excellent, but I doubt we would hire one of their electric narrowboats (or a hybrid), but I’m so glad that we tried and experienced it. Perhaps with a more modern electrical set up it might have been better. It’s such a lovely canal I hope we can do it again sometime, but next time it will be a diesel powered boat.
Neil Barnett
Lichfield Branch
IWA LICHFIELD BRANCH
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FRIDAY 18th APRIL 2025, at 7.30 PM
To be held at Darwin Hall, Heathcot Place, Lichfield, WS13 6RQ
AGENDA
1) Apologies for absence
2) Approval of the minutes of the 2024 AGM and any matters arising from these minutes
3) Report from the Branch Chairman
4) Financial Report from the Branch Treasurer
5) Elections to the Committee
a) Members completing 3 years in post and eligible for re-election. Phil Sharpe
b) Members co-opted since last AGM and willing to stand for election. (none)
a) Any other candidates
6) 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*)
7) 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: Adrian Wedgwood (Chairman), Neil Barnett (Vice-Chairman), Sue Gurney (Treasurer), Phil Sharpe (Secretary), Derek Beardsmore (Navigation Officer).
*Item 6: Please put any resolutions in writing and address them to the Secretary at 34 Old Eaton Road, Rugeley, Staffs. WS15 2EZ or by email to lichfield@waterways.org.uk by 7th March 2025.
Lichfield Branch
Planning Matters
This report summarises the most notable of about 40 planning matters dealt with between mid-October 2024 and mid-January 2025.
On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Otherton our concerns that a proposed machinery storage building would have only been partly screened by the towpath hedge were acknowledged in refusing the application as being detrimental to nearby heritage assets.
Between Gailey and Four Ashes development of the massive West Midlands Interchange warehousing site continues, and changes have been proposed to the plans for the new canal bridge and the screening bunds between the new A5/A449 Link Road and the canal. The previous design of the offside bridge abutment is preferable, but if an offside shelf is included then we have suggested a brick faced abutment with anti-graffiti coating and a sloping bank with deterrent paving and adjacent planting would be better than fencing. However, if fencing is proposed then it should resemble traditional wrought iron railings and not the inappropriate modern weathering steel proposed. On the Link Road, the canalside pond has been removed as we had requested to provide more width for the landscaped bund and reduce the extent of
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retaining wall needed. We have again asked for the roundabout to be offset to the east to provide the full 6m height for the earth bund there to protect the canal corridor, and reiterated our objection to any of the retaining walls being moved from the road facing side of the bund to the canalside.
At Latherford Farm, south of Deepmore Bridge, the battery storage site we objected to has been amended to include additional canalside tree planting and a 4 metre high acoustic fence to protect canal users from noise, and was then approved.
By the Coventry Canal at Fradley an application for 43 houses south of Hay End Lane, sandwiched between completed, approved and allocated developments, has surprisingly been refused as contrary to the current Local Plan.
The replacement Lichfield Local Plan has started again with an Issues & Options consultation, following withdrawal of the previous Local Plan after its Submission in 2023. Our comments include the need to permit a proportion of residential boat moorings in marinas, a request for Conservation Area designation of the Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals, and better support for the Lichfield Canal restoration.
At Atherstone, plans for a block of assisted living apartments on the offside derelict factory site just south of the Britannia Works, which have previously been changed, have had further amendments to the canal-facing elevation, but remain acceptable.
Not yet a planning matter, but intended to become a Development Consent Order in three years’ time, the Grand Union Canal Transfer is a proposed water supply scheme to transfer waste water from Minworth by pipeline to Atherstone then via the Coventry, north Oxford, and Grand Union canals to near Leighton Buzzard. In responding for Lichfield Branch to a joint consultation by CRT, Severn Trent, and Affinity Water we acknowledged the potential for improved maintenance and a more reliable water supply for these canals. Dredging is also likely to be needed on the narrow canals to increase cross sectional area and reduce currents. But we have expressed concerns about the construction works and heritage impacts. These include possible bypass pipes under bridges to limit currents there, which could affect their foundations. The gradient needed to induce a flow against its normal direction means raising water levels, weirs, and bank levels at the upstream end but no information is given on where or by how much. However, a 2023 Engagement Workshop report said the water level at Atherstone would need to be up to 0.3m higher, which is the normal minimum freeboard on narrow canals. Preventing leakage and ensuring stability when raising the banks, reinstating towpaths, and installing offside bank protection to prevent flooding along many miles of canal will all be very expensive. Also, a reduction of the limiting headroom at bridges is not acceptable, but rebuilding historic bridges is problematic and expensive. Overall, the economics of the scheme seem doubtful. We have said that the choice of pipeline outfall at Atherstone should be that away from the top lock to avoid heritage structures and
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provide more space for the discharge weir. The Ashby Canal from Marston Junction could also be affected by level changes. Much more detail is required at the next stage of consultation on water gradients, level changes, height and extent of bank raising and bank protection, bridge rebuilding, cost estimates, and heritage impacts.
By the Trent & Mersey Canal at Mill Lane in Great Haywood the application for a ‘seasonal’ campsite on the field opposite the canal junction, which we objected to, was likely to be refused and has now been withdrawn.
At Bromley Hayes, the resubmitted and revised application to replace the disused garden centre as a national headquarters for Land & Water which we supported has again been refused, mainly due to the size and scale of the development.
On the opposite side of the canal, at Kings Bromley Wharf an application for a Lawful Development Certificate, claiming that the land between the canalside buildings and the marina had been in continuous canal related uses since 1777 (!), was refused due to insufficient evidence and ambiguous usage.
Wood End Lock 20 and Shadehouse Lock 19 at Fradley Junction are both Grade II Listed and need Listed Building Consent for alterations. CRT’s proposals to widen the lock ladder recesses and lengthen the ladders with new hoops to improve safety, and to refurbish the lock gates at Wood End, respect their heritage. We were pleased to support this application, which has since been approved.
At Pyford Brook, a large extension is proposed to the existing small Orgreave Quarry, opened to supply aggregate to the HS2 works. This would stretch between the A513, Hay End Lane, and the Trent & Mersey Canal above and below Common
Proposed modifications to Wood End and Shadehouse Locks
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Lock and Fradley Marina. But two advertised pre-application exhibitions at Kings Bromley and Alrewas were postponed at the last minute, perhaps because Staffordshire County Council had ruled through an EIA Scoping Opinion that an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.
Overlooking Bagnall Lock in Alrewas, a proposed house on an infill site at ‘Navigation Wharf’ had an excessive area of glazing on the canal elevation and was refused due to its design harming the setting of the Trent & Mersey Canal and Alrewas conservation areas.
Within Barton Turns Marina, changes to the plans for the previously approved block of motel units on the north side of the basin, and for a replacement conservatory on the front of The Waterfront public house, have both been approved.
Off Mill Stream Lane at Clay Mills in Burton, an application for retention of a barn and 8 containers we objected to some two years ago has finally been refused. The barn is unnecessarily large for the smallholding and the containers are visually intrusive, and were being used for storage of car parts not agriculture.
The Ashby Canal around Barn Lane Bridge 19 at Hinckley may in future be affected by a proposed industrial estate at Chase Fields Farm with large warehouses, including one near the canal in a second phase of the development. The Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report includes a requirement for assessment of impacts on the landscape setting of the Ashby Canal Conservation Area and on users of the canal, and we have requested consultation on the submitted report and any subsequent planning application.
Affecting the Lichfield Canal restoration route at Falkland Road, an updated drainage strategy for the Deanslade Park development recognises the inadequacy of the present infiltration basin, but still fails to provide an acceptable solution that ensures the stability of the future adjacent canal cutting. We have supported the detailed objection of Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust and their suggested solution which would be an attenuation basin with a controlled outfall to the canal.
On HS2, the Government has decided not to sell off the land purchased for the cancelled Phase 2a from Fradley to Crewe, whilst it considers the proposal for a slower, smaller and less expensive new rail line along the same route. However, no decisions will be taken on the Birmingham to Manchester proposals until the cost and timescale for completing Phase 1 is brought under control. They will then look at rolling stock and incremental capacity improvements first.
Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer & HS2 Lead
Lichfield Branch
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 35MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address). The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th April 2025, for publication in May.
Advertising
Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 320 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/benefits
Corporate members in our area are
Lichfield Cruising Club 2000 Ltd
Stafford Boat Club Ltd
Longwood Boat Club
Ashby Canal Association
Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Tamworth Cruising Club
Ashby Canal Trust
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals
Restoration Trust
Canal Transport Services Ltd
River Canal Rescue Ltd
Ash Tree Boat Club
Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd
Elite Furnishings
Waterways World Ltd
Birmingham & Midland Marine Services
Midland Chandlers Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust
Norton Canes Boat Services Ltd
Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd
Stafford Riverway Link
Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.
Your Committee
Chairman
Tel: 01283 713125
Lichfield Branch
Email: adrian.wedgwood@waterways.org.uk
Vice-Chairman
Tel: 07808 846434
Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: sue.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Secretary & Planning Officer
Tel: 01889 583330
Email: phil.sharpe@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
Adrian Wedgwood
Neil Barnett
Sue Gurney
Phil Sharpe
Neil Barnett
Derek Beardsmore
Social Secretary Position vacant
Ex Officio: Region Chairman
also Branch Sales (non-committee post)
Tel : 01543 491161
Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
Non-committee posts
Newsletter and Website Editor
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
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
Helen Whitehouse
Pete Gurney
Clive Walker
Richard Curtis
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