North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch
KNOBSTICKS
Spring 2020
Open Weekend at Bedford Street Locks
Photo: Alison Smedley
Editorial
Just for a change I actually have some space for an editorial this issue, as nobody has come up with an “any chance you can fit this in” plea yet. So, welcome to 2020. We started it with a New Year cruise from Middlewich to Macclesfield (and back), without even getting icedin once! Storm Ciara has nearly blown itself out without too much damage to our local canals, and our boat is still safely moored at the bottom of our garden. Okay, that’s my New Year so far, what does this issue of the magazine have to say? Having just finished putting it together I can point you to some opportunities for us all to help our local IWA branch :• • •
• • • •
Page 7: Report the status of local winding holes. Page 7: Report any Waterways Heritage Case Studies. Page 9: Volunteer on Cheshire Locks monthly work-party. Page 10: Sign up for CRT “Boating Buddies” Scheme. Page 10: Play “Potto Lotto” to help Burslem Port Trust. Page 13: Suggest a talk for next season. Pages 16-20: Write an article for the next issue, or Sonning (& friends) may make a take0ver bid for the whole issue.
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Another plea, this time to help my failing memory. What is the PROPER name for this lump of stone in the forebay of Bedford Street staircase (also see Alison’s low-level photo on page 6)? I have seen them before on the Cheshire Flight, and know that they are to stop deep-draughted boats from hitting the wooden cill when the pound above the lock is low. But have you seen such stones on any canals other than the Caldon and the Trent and Mersey? That’s all for now, see you again in the Spring Roger Evans (Editor) KNOBSTICKS
Deputy Chairman’s Report
I had the opportunity to talk about the Trent & Mersey and Macclesfield canals in our branch area to Fiona Bruce MP (Photo : IWA) at a recent IWA Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons. All new and re-elected MPs with waterways in their constituencies had been invited to attend this event. Our branch’s waterways are spread across 8 parliamentary constituencies. If you are interested in who the new or re-elected MPs are, you can sign up to receive a copy of IWA’s new Parliamentary Directory of Waterway Constituencies.
Spring 2020
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Deputy Chairman’s Report
Two thirds of Westminster constituencies in England, Scotland and Wales have either a navigable waterway or a restoration project, and a quarter of those saw new MPs elected in the December general election, including three of the constituencies covered by our own branch area. Search on the website for “parliamentary directory” to sign up for your copy. North Staffordshire Advisory Group
North Staffordshire Advisory Group which has been set up by Canal & River Trust’s Area Operations Manager for North Staffordshire, Simon Martin. The first meeting was attended by a good cross section of canal users – volunteers, anglers, cyclists and boaters, and saw lots of lively discussion. I mentioned IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge, and the branch’s aspirations for improved facilities at the end of the Leek Arm.
The next meeting of the group has I was pleased to be asked to now been scheduled. I have asked represent the branch on a new Froghall to be added to the agen-
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Deputy Chairman’s Report
da (to outline our campaign regarding the limited headroom through Froghall Tunnel). We are also asking for an update about the current closure of the Caldon Canal at the Foxley Turn following the collapse of a wash wall at the former lift bridge narrows at the Foxley Turn in Milton last October. (See photo left). The Branch is lobbying CRT to get the Caldon Canal fully open again. Currently they are only allowing escorted passages twice a week, and even these are for 'essential passages only'. Spring 2020
Bedford Street Staircase On Friday 31st January Roger Savage and I were invited to represent the branch at a preview of the open weekend at Bedford Street Staircase (Photo: Andy Perkins). On a guided tour down through both lock chambers, we heard from Canal & River Trust’s engineers about the work CRT are carrying out to the staircase locks. We also had the opportunity to talk to Adnam Saif, CRT West Midlands Regional Director, and also the new CRT Enterprise Page 5
Deputy Chairman’s Report
Manager for Stoke and Staffordshire, James Dennison. The works that are being carried out to the staircase include the following: • installing a new top gate • relining the middle set of gates as they were leaking • re-laying the brick paving next to the lock as it was sinking and cracking • carrying our repairs to the weir • repairing and repointing the brickwork within the locks. Alison Smedley (Deputy Branch Chairman) Page 6
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Winding Holes
The Historic Narrow Boat Club have asked for IWA’s help in compiling information about winding holes on Canal & River Trust’s waterways. This follows on from the joint winding hole campaign with HNBC a few years ago. CRT have now made available their list of winding holes, and are asking for feedback on it.
and any regularly used winding holes that have been missed off the list. Alison Smedley
As Branch Navigation Officer, I will be pleased to undertake this for our area. We will personally be checking as many winding holes as possible when cruising on our own boat “Uplander II”. However Anyone who would like to get she is currently in a River Weaver involved with this project is asked boatyard being repainted, and to contact Alison Smedley at also ‘Uppy’ is only 45ft. in length. alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk
for a copy of the winding hole list.
It would therefore be especially helpful if any readers who are Our Navigation Officer, Jon narrow-boat crew or owners of Honeysett, will then compile the vessels over 20m in length, travinformation for the branch and ersing the canals in the North you can email him at Staffordshire and South Cheshire navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk area, could let me know how they find using winding holes en route. We are aiming to collect information about what condition Thanking you in anticipation. winding holes are in (e.g. overhanging vegetation/needs dredgJon Honeysett ing etc), any length restrictions, (Navigation Officer) IWA’s Heritage Campaign To gather evidence for a new report on waterways heritage, IWA needs your help. In order to discover the true value of our waterways, both as a record of our past and a resource for the future, we are looking for case studies about any heritage that has been lost, saved or is potentially at risk. Spring 2020
The branch committee will be responding to this appeal with some obvious examples in our branch area, and individual branch members are also encouraged to respond to, by logging any concerns on the Heritage Tracker www.waterways.org.uk/ heritagetracker . Page 7
Cheshire Locks Work Parties
20th November 2019
16th January 2020
A dry day enabled 8 volunteers to progress the painting of paddle gear, balance beams and posts at lock 66 in spite of low temperatures. We also started work on lock 65. The canal was closed to traffic, so an uninterrupted day. Photographs are of our new sign, bottom gates and “end-of-day�.
Our first work party of the New Year and nine volunteers attended on a dry, overcast morning to complete work on Lock 66 (Wheelock Lower) by finishing the painting of the top gates. The majority of the team moved up to concentrate on preparing Lock 65, scraping paddle gear, balance
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Cheshire Locks Work Parties
beams and fittings, strapping Our next dates are Thursday 20th posts and bridge rails. February and Thursday 18th March to continue work on Lock We did manage to apply some 65 (Wheelock Top). paint to the metalwork before Article : John Lawson rain halted proceedings (as fore(Working Party Organiser) cast) at lunchtime. An early finish but a worthwhile day, neverthePhotos (Nov): John Lawson less. Photos (Jan): Jane Hargreaves
Spring 2020
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Canal & River Trust “Boating Buddies” Scheme
At a recent national level meeting with Canal & River Trust, IWA was asked to encourage IWA members with boats to sign up for CRT's Boating Buddies scheme. This aims to get Canal & River Trust staff out on boats to experience the waterways from a boater’s perspective. It offers an ideal opportunity to introduce CRT staff (new and longer standing) to the difficulties as well as the delights of boating. Lack of depth, overhanging vegetation or the long distance
between facilities are all things that can be highlighted on a day or few hours afloat. You can sign up to offer a trip on your boat by visiting Canal & River Trust’s website. The direct link for those who like typing is :https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ enjoy-the-waterways/boating/ boating-blogs-and-features/ boating-team/boating-buddies
Burslem Port Trust — “Potto Lotto” Here's a winning way to support It costs £1 per game to play and Burslem Port Trust. winners could win up to £25,000 as part of the weekly draw. 50p of “Potto Lotto” is a new weekly every £1 goes directly to the good online lottery, based in Stoke-on- causes signed up and players can Trent, set up to help raise money choose which cause (Burslem for local charities and other good Port, of course!) receives their causes. donation. 40p goes to prizes and running costs and 10p goes into a The Burslem Port Trust is a community fund. beneficiary of the scheme and has already received over £800 in If you are interested in finding prize money in the short time it out more and possibly participathas been involved, at no cost to ing in “Potto Lotto” whilst helping itself. We would very much like to Burslem Port please visit :see the number of supporters www.pottolotto.co.uk . nominating Burslem Port as their good cause increased, so that we Good Luck! can gain a handy increase in our David Dumbelton "earned" income. (Burslem Port Trust) Page 10
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Special offers In-store bakery Food-to-go Hot and cold drinks Groceries Newspapers
Lotto Paypoint Payzone Free ATM Fresh fruit and veg Household and pet food A great range of beers, wines and spirits Open Mon-Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 7.30am-8pm
Less than 10 minutes from bridges 14 and 15 of the Caldon Canal
8-10 Diana Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6RS. Tel 01782 263936 Visit our website www.londis.co.uk. Find us on Facebook - Londis Birches Head Spring 2020
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Social Programme
North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Friday 13th March – 7:45 for 8pm Branch AGM followed by a film presentation by Alan Chetwyn Friday 17th April – 7:45 for 8pm The Daniel Adamson The early working life of this steam ship, the restoration work needed to save “The Danny”, and the ship’s new role as a tourist attraction. Les Green and Bob Cannell Admission to talks is FREE Donations to waterway causes welcome! Refreshments available. Non-IWA members are very welcome
Venue (unless otherwise stated): Stoke on Trent Boat Club Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST9 9DU For further information contact: Sarah Honeysett (01782 772295) socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk or visit the branch webpages at: www.waterways.org.uk Page 12
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Social Scene
Since my last Knobsticks item, we’ve had our December social at the Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club and our annual dinner, while our February social will have happened by the time you get to read this.
in the main restaurant, putting us in easier reach of the kitchen (for hotter food and swifter service), although this made organising the raffle and auction a little tricky. However, all came good in the end.
On Friday 13th December, Steve Boothroyd from the Arkwright Society came to talk about Richard Arkwright, founder of the mills at Cromford in Derbyshire. Steve’s excellent presentation included a detailed look at the history and developing technology of cotton spinning, as well as giving us a vivid picture of the crafty and irascible Sir Richard, including his ruthless treatment of both business rivals and erstwhile partners.
One of the restaurant staff bought tickets for the raffle, winning himself a waterways tea towel, while the top-priced auction item (a nice roses and castles wooden stool) was eventually snapped up by a local chap out for an evening meal and a few drinks with his prospective Best Man, who then threw in a £5 donation on top! Many thanks to Brian Williams for acting as auctioneer; to Alan and Anne Chetwyn for managing the finances for the evening; to Alison Smedley for selling the raffle tickets; to everyone who contributed prizes and auction items, as well as to the staff and management of the Barchetta Restaurant.
Steve also said a few words about the Cromford Canal but recommended that we contact the Cromford Canal society for a more thorough history of the waterway and accompanying transport system. Hopefufully we will manage to book them in for Finally, I shall be organising next next season. season’s social diary soon, so if you have any requests or suggesOur annual dinner took place at tions, please feel free to ring or the Barchetta Restaurant in email me with speakers or topics. Wheelock on Friday January 31st. The management had (rather Sarah Honeysett unexpectedly) decided that our (Social Secretary) eighteen guests were a small enough number to accommodate Spring 2020
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Bedford Street Staircase Locks Open Day
CRT held an Open Weekend at Bedford Street Staircase (Etruria) on 1st and 2nd February. These turned out to be an unseasonably warm and sunny couple of days so there were plenty of people about when we visited on the Saturday.
we had an oatcake each (from the boat) for lunch, followed by a hot chocolate in the Etruria Museum café. There we met Sarah and were shown their latest costumes by Sonning and his 2 friends.
Finally we took the opportunity to join a free guided walk “Bedford Street Locks, Levels and Legacy” led by Andy Perkins. Article (& Photos): Roger Evans Photos (clockwise from above): Lock from Bridge / Visitors in Top Lock / Vegetation by Middle Gate / Pumping out over Bottom First we walked through the Stop Planks / Crack waiting to be empty locks (see photos). Then mended with Lime Mortar.
As well as a chance to walk through the locks, they had also arranged several other attractions, with stalls on the towpath, trading boats selling gifts, the oatcake boat, and free entry to the Etruria Industrial Museum.
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Bedford Street Staircase Locks Open Day
Spring 2020
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear
An Autumn Journey Part One
The water is orange where Uppie lives, because there is iron in it. Sonning asked Polar if this meant it was good for you if you drank it, as you need iron to make your blood work properly, but she said it had other nasty things in it too and would probably make them quite sick small bears.
Sonning has been missing his boat, as Uppie (Uplander II) is away on the River Weaver being repainted. Sonning and his friends had a cruise on the Weaver in the autumn of 2017, a little while after he and his friend Hanley were joined by a third 'You will get all the goodness you small bear, called Endon. need from your normal bear food,' she said. 'We have clean Endon was won by Polar – with water on the boat too. Don't ever help from a tiny bit of cheating by drink canal water!' the other bears – from a fairground stall at Endon Well Dressing that summer.
Soon, they were heading northwest along the Trent and Mersey Canal towards a town called Middlewich. It was not long One morning in September, Polar before they reached the first lock. packed everything the bears would need, and the bears themselves, into their nice bear basket, then they drove with Grizzly down to the wharf where Uppie the narrowboat usually lives. She put them in the cratch where they could see everything, including Grizzly casting off at the start of their journey. Page 16
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear
Grizzly and Polar took it in turns to work the locks, usually doing two or three each before swapping over.
They stopped for their first night on board Uppie about halfway down the long flight of locks. Even though the bears hadn't had to do any work, they felt very tired They were going to be very busy from watching Polar and Grizzly, over the next couple of days as so they soon settled down to Uppie’s mooring is at the very top sleep. of the Cheshire Locks.
Because this used to be a very busy canal, some of the locks are in pairs, side-by-side. Hanley Bear wondered if there were ever races between boat crews and fights at the single locks over whose turn it was to go up or down first, but on this journey, there were not many other boats about and everyone was very Polar and Grizzly had another friendly. busy day of working locks to Spring 2020
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear
come. They had to work through thirty-one locks to get to Middlewich and there were four more, including a double one (which they could share with another boat) to get through the town. The bears waved and cheered from the cratch to encourage them, especially when it was rainy. When they reached Middlewich, the humans went to do some shopping. Sonning showed his fellow bears around the boat. Some of it was exactly how he remembered it from his journey north from the Thames, but there was something new - a whole shelf of bear-sized books!
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear
Polar had bought some of them in looked out to see the sun rise second-hand bookshops, but most across the water. of them used to belong to an aunty of hers. The bears decided to call this ‘The Libeary’. Soon, they were all settled down with something interesting to read (see photo previous page).
When Grizzly and Polar got back, they set off again across the Cheshire Plain. The land was flat and there were no more locks. That night, they moored at Billinge Flash, a big open pool of water created when the land sinks and the canal floods into it.
This happens in Cheshire because there are old salt mines under the ground which sometimes collapse.
He saw a kingfisher too, and a big flock of geese. 'It's grand being a boat bear!' he cheered. Soon Polar and Grizzly were up and about too and, after breakfast with toast and some marmalade Hanley Bear woke up very early (made by the bears, of course) and, standing on Grizzly's flat cap, they set off again. Spring 2020
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear
'Where are we going, Sonning?' 'Maybe Polar and Grizzly will asked Endon, who was a long way have to work us through more from home and starting to feel a locks?' said Hanley. little bit homesick. 'It says “boat lift” on the map,' Sonning fetched one of the map said Sonning. books and showed him and Hanley the route of the canal. 'I wonder what one of those is?' said Endon. 'We might be going to Manchester,' Sonning said. Article: Sonning Bear Photos: Sarah Honeysett 'Although I think I heard Grizzly talking about the River Weaver. It runs along the valley a few miles Next Issue: The little bears find further on from here, but I don't out about the “boat lift” ! - Ed know how we get onto it.'
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Beer Garden Page 22
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North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts President: Chris Skelhorne Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com
Web and Social Media Officer: Peter Smedley 01538 385388 webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk Planning VACANT (Use planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk)
Deputy Chairmen Membership Officer Alison Smedley 01538 385388 Ju Davenport alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 Navigation Officer steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Burslem Port Work Party Alan Chetwyn (No Email) 01782 279277 Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Secretary Judith Turner 07789 518816 Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Sales Officer VACANT Use steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Cheshire Locks Work Party John Lawson 07940 878923 Social Secretary john.lawson@waterways.org.uk Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk Other committee members: Publicity Officer Julie Arnold Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 Maria Frost publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk Rob Frost Roger Savage Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 West Midlands Region Chairman newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, westmidlands@waterways.org.uk CW10 0BL The Branch committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Stoke Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 9DU. All Branch members are invited to attend. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association, the West Midlands Region, or our Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. Š The Inland Waterways Association - Registered as a charity no. 212342 www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire Spring 2020 Page 23
Join Us on a Canal Work Party
Our Branch runs 3 work parties each month, helping to maintain and restore our local canals :-
• Cheshire Locks (Trent & Mersey Canal, Kidsgrove to Wheelock)
(jointly organised with the Trent and Mersey Canal Society) 3rd Thursday of each month (except December), 10am to 3pm. Contact: John Lawson Phone: 07940 878923 Email: john.lawson@waterways.org.uk
• Uttoxeter Canal (Bridge 70, near Denstone — or near Alton)
(working in partnership with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust) 2nd Thursday of each month, 10am to 3pm. Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk
• Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent
(working in partnership with Burslem Port Project) 4th Tuesday of each month (except December), 10am to 3pm. Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk ——————————–————-—————————-————— See the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk under “Events” for dates. Volunteers are advised to wear stout shoes and old clothes, and to bring waterproofs (and a packed lunch and drink if staying all day) Page 24
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