The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

Huddlesford’s Mission

You might remember reading about our friend Huddlesford Bear, who we found in 2021 at Huddlesford Junction, where the Lichfield Canal used to join the Coventry Canal. Huddles was intrigued to discover that a group of dedicated humans from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust are busy restoring the Lichfield Canal, and even more excited when he found out that bears and pets could join their society.

Huddlesford promised that he would be a very careful and sensible bear, so it was arranged that he would start his mission at the Brownhills Canal Festival in August. Hanley Bear and I insisted on going with him, to approve his temporary human guardian, Christine Howles from the LHCRT.

He saved up some of his pocket money and asked Polar and Grizzly if they would join too, and soon he had a smart certificate with his name on. Better than that, he also had an invitation to become a mascot for the Trust and to spend the summer and autumn with them, so he could see the work taking place and meet some of the volunteers. “I’m going to recruit lots of other Small Bears to help them,” said Huddlesford. “That’ s my mission!” “That’s bear-illiant,” I said. “I’m sure Polar will make you some overalls and a hi-vis coat to wear when you ’re out on site, so you can help out without getting lost or accidently stepped on or run over.”

We all got quite worried about the accidents that might befall him, but

We were delighted to find a whole boatful of other bears at the festival and, when we met Mrs Christine, we all agreed she was nice and could be trusted to take care of our pal. We all had a fantastic day at the festival before giving Huddles lots of hugs and wishing him luck.

After we left Huddlesford, Mrs Christine took him to have snacks at the cake boat and the marmalade boat, which is the best way to make a small bear feel welcome, then took him home him to read about all the work the Trust were doing in their Cuts Both Ways magazine.

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear walks and wildlife parks to explore.

Huddlesford was soon having great adventures with the Trust.

And he says there are plenty of nice benches for them to sit on, to rest and eat their sandwiches.

Sometimes he was supervising the volunteers and contractors building and excavating,

There are even milestones to help people know how far they have travelled, with his name on them! [See Front Cover] and sometimes he was helping to plant trees and hedging plants. At the end of the day, everyone got a hug from him for working so hard.

Huddlesford always remembered to wear his bright orange jacket on site, especially when there were big machines about. One day, when they were checking out the work at Darnford Moors, Huddlesford wandered quite a long way from Mrs Christine, as he wanted to see what a big tractor was doing. Then he realised it was coming straight towards him!

Although there are no boats on the canal at the moment, because most of it isn’t in water, Huddles says there are plenty of things for people to see and do if they visit, because the Trust have made canal

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

Huddles jumped about and waved so that the tractor driver could see him, as he had promised us all he would not to get run over. The tractor driver stopped and picked him up, put him safely up in the cab and even let Huddles have a go at driving the tractor. Huddles learned that one very important job with canals that need restoring is to keep vegetation clear of the parts you need to work on.

He was still busy thinking about a career in civil engineering when he heard Mrs Christine calling him and realised it was time for afternoon tea so he ran as fast as he could back to her, as he could smell scones and jam.

Huddlesford thought driving the tractor was really cool, but not as cool as the big concrete culvert sections, ready to go under Darnford Lane. “I wonder if they’ll let me work the crane to hoist the rest of these into position?” he wondered.

Mrs Christine said to Huddlesford that, if he was going to be a civil engineer, he ought to have a proper hard hat, so she found a Small Bear sized one for him (possibly for a smaller bear!).

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

Huddlesford helped with office-based jobs too, like sending the annual reminders for subscription renewals, selling tickets and drawing the raffle.

Huddlesford’s proudest moment came when he found he was on the Trust’ s Christmas cards for 2022. [See photo on next page] Of course, we had to buy several packs so we could send them to all our Small Bear friends!

Finally, at the beginning of December, it was time for Huddles to pack his things and come home. Mrs Christine and Mr Bob from LHCRT were coming to talk to our IWA branch and were bringing Huddles back to us at the same time.

And he kept posting about his adventures on social media, to encourage more of his bear friends to join.

But his favourite thing was going out with Mrs Christine to visit places along the route of the canal, meeting the volunteers and giving them hugs.

We were all thrilled to see him again and to hear about his adventures and we hope to visit some of the places he saw when we are on our canal journeys this year, and maybe go to the Brownhills Festival again this summer, or even the Huddlesford Gathering in September.

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

Huddlesford says to remember that fellow Small Bears and pets can still join the LHCRT for just £5, which is very good value. We think the IWA should do something similar, as there are lots of boating bears and pets.

Meanwhile, there is a new apprentice civil engineering bear helping out at the LHCRT – we think his name might be Ogley Bear!

Article: Sonning Bear

Photos: Christine Howles, LHCRT

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts

President: Chris Skelhorne

Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com

Chair Alison Smedley MBE 01538 385388 alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

Treasurer

Alan Chetwyn 01782 279277

(No Email)

Secretary

VACANT

Contact Alison Smedley

Sales Officer

VACANT Contact Alison Smedley

Social Secretary

Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Publicity Officer

Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Web and Social Media Officer:

VACANT

Contact Alison Smedley

Newsletter Editor

Roger Evans 01606 834471 newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0BL

Planning VACANT Contact Alison Smedley

Membership Officer Mary Smith membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Navigation Officer

Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Burslem Port Work Party

Dave Broome 07974 966253 dave.broome45@gmail.com

Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties

Alison Smedley 01538 385388 alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

Cheshire Locks Work Party

John Lawson 07940 878923 john.lawson@waterways.org.uk

Other committee members: Julie Arnold

West Midlands Region Chairman

Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 westmidlands@waterways.org.uk

The Branch committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of March, June, September & December 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. © The Inland Waterways Association - Registered as acharity no. 212342 www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire

Spring 2023 Page 23