Knobsticks Winter 2019

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS

Winter 2019

Burslem Arm Guided Walk after AGM (but also see page 16)

Photo: Steve Wood

Branch Achievement Award [also see pages 3 & 5]

Ivor Caplan and branch members posing with our award

Photo: IWA

Branch AGM Notice The Inland Waterways Association NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE & SOUTH CHESHIRE BRANCH AGM Notice is hereby given that the 46th Annual General Meeting of the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch of The Inland Waterways Association will be held on: Friday 13th March 2020 at 7.45 for 8.00 pm at Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 9DT

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence 2. Approval of the minutes of the last AGM and any matters arising from these minutes 3. Report from the Deputy Branch Chairman 4. Financial Report from the Branch Treasurer 5. Election of members of the Committee 6. Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch notified to the Branch Secretary in writing at least six weeks prior to the AGM NOMINATIONS for the BRANCH COMMITTEE Committee members, including those current committee members reaching the end of their 3 year term and wishing to seek re-election, will be elected from the floor at the AGM for a term of 3 years. We welcome any branch member who is interested in joining the committee.

The AGM will be followed by an evening of archive film footage of canal journeys from Alan Chetwyn.

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Deputy Chairman’s Report The national AGM had been held the previous day where branch representatives were all very chuffed when it was announced that we were the winner of the branch achievement award for this year - I would like to thank everyone involved in all the branch’s activities over the last 12 months which contributed to us being chosen as this year’s recipients.

[See page 5 for an article about the Branch Achievement Award, including a photo of the award being presented to Steve Wood by IWA Chairman Ivor Caplan - Ed] The post-AGM afternoon and evening activities organised by the branch also went down well, and again thanks are due to those involved in organising them.

Many thanks to everyone who supported the various AGM weekend activities, which you can read about in more detail on the next page.

In particular I would like to thank all those who helped at the fundraising fete: those who made the time to bring their boats, those who baked cakes and donated things, and all those who helped on the day with setting up, car parking, and looking after the stands.

Thanks also to the volunteers from the Trent & Mersey Canal Society and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust for bringing their stands along too. All this was done in the pouring rain, but despite that approximately £250 was raised by our branch for waterway projects.

Just think what we would have raised if the sun had been shining and more people had come along!

Winter 2019

Don't forget that our winter programme of illustrated talks held at Stoke on Trent Boat Club has now commenced, and we have our annual dinner coming up in January. This is always a sociable evening with a chance to meet fellow IWA members over a delicious meal, as well as the opportunity to support the branch's fundraising for waterway projects by donating and bidding for items in the auction.

The auction is run in an entertaining and light hearted way, and we welcome donations in the way of home-made produce, antiques, collectables, boating paraphernalia or anything else you think people will bid good money for! I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at these events or elsewhere over the winter.

Alison Smedley Deputy Branch Chairman Page 3

IWA National AGM Weekend Saturday 28th September

Sunday 29th September

The AGM The branch had offered to host the Association’s national AGM this year, and the venue of St Thomas More School in Longton turned out to be very suitable for the event. After some morning presentations the AGM itself included updates on IWA’s events and campaigning over the last year. The branch was well represented by local branch and committee members, including our President Chris Skelhorne. We were all very proud of each other when it was announced that we were being awarded the branch achievement award.

Hazelhurst Garden Fete On a very wet Sunday the day after the AGM, which saw sporting and other events cancelled around the country, IWA NSSC volunteers carried on regardless with our experiment for a new type of fundraising event. This was a garden fete beside the Caldon Canal, with local canal society and IWA sales stands, historic vehicles and boats, and information about local canal projects.

Post-AGM Walk and Tour To support the AGM being held in the branch area, we had organised some local activities for members who were able to make a weekend of it. In the afternoon there were guided walks of the Burslem Arm (see cover photo) and a heritage tour of Middleport Pottery on offer. Several dozen members took up each of these activities and learnt about the Burslem Port regeneration project from Steve Wood who led the walks, or about the history of the pottery industry and its relationship to the Trent & Mersey Canal during the Middleport Pottery visit.

Social Evening On the Saturday evening the branch organised a social evening for members who were staying in the area, where they joined local branch members and visitors for a pie and peas supper followed by an illustrated talk about the Uttoxeter Canal from Steve Wood (wearing his other hat, as Chairman of Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust). With a couple of quizzes to keep people entertained in between eating and listening, a good sociable time was had by all.

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There were a number of fundraising games and activities although, given the weather, it’s not surprising that the most lucrative activity was the indoor refreshments room in a cosy converted stable (once home to the last horse pulling boats laden with coal on the Caldon Canal) where people enjoyed hot drinks, delicious homemade cakes and Staffordshire Oatcakes. Despite the atrocious weather (rain and wind) putting many people off from attending, about £250 was raised for local waterways by the branch (plus, of course, money raised by CUCT and TMCS stalls) It was great to welcome many visiting IWA members who were in the area for the AGM the previous day, as well as local residents and people who had travelled from further afield. A total of 14 volunteers were involved on the day – IWA and also CUCT and T&MCS volunteers. Thank you to everyone who braved the weather – either to help or to spend some money.

As an experiment it was deemed successful, despite the worst weather we could have anticipated, and the committee may well decide to repeat the event.

Watch this space!

Alison Smedley KNOBSTICKS

Branch Achievement Award At the start of the IWA National AGM , our branch got mentioned :Thank you to IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire for hosting our meeting this year. I know this branch is particularly active in almost every aspect of the word – campaigning successfully most recently for the refurbishment of the local Bedford Street Bridge. The committee is made up of avid work party organisers, supporters of the restoration of the Uttoxeter Canal, hosts for both WRG Canal Camps and IWA Family Camps and active promoters of two of our Silver Propeller locations.

Much later we were mentioned again :I would now like to turn to an award which recognises the success of one of our volunteer teams. IWA’s BRANCH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD is given annually to the Branch that has made the greatest progress in promoting the Association's aims and objectives during the past year.

three different sites with occasional work parties on other stretches. The team are also regulars at local waterways events with the branch stand, aiming to recruit new waterways enthusiasts to the fold.

The branch works closely with CRT and local planning authorities as well as with local waterway groups.

This branch has also done an excellent job of supporting us in the organisation of this event today and has added to the entertainment by creating activities for the full weekend. Of course I am referencing the branch with the longest name in our network of branches….IWA North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Branch. Will Steve Wood please step forward to accept the Branch Achievement Award on behalf of the committee.

Our chosen branch has recently successfully lobbied Canal & River Trust to ensure that an at risk heritage bridge, renowned in the town for its unique design and which CRT was due to replace with a non-descript, standard design bridge, was repaired and replaced like for like. It is this kind of attention to detail which has made this branch stand out. The committee focuses on its role within the community. It sees IWA’s role as one of creating connections and relationships between groups interested in the waterways locally, to discuss the issues and to then work together to overcome them.

But it isn’t just all about the strategic.

Regular work parties are held across Winter 2019

Alison Smedley Photo: IWA Page 5

Cheshire Locks work-party

We celebrated the completion of work on Lawton Locks in September by posing around the restored sign (above). The inventor of an extended handle for his paintbrush also posed (right), and another volunteer took a well-earned rest after finishing his last bollard of the day (below right).

October saw us starting on Wheelock Bottom Lock (photos below).

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Beatrice — Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to be serving children (and adults) with disabilities for many years to come.

The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson CBE KStJ, presented the charity with a QAVS domed glass crystal and a certificate signed by HM the Queen. The awards are recognition for charities that “do work that provides a service and meets a need for people living in the local community; is supported recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it; and is run locally.”

Being awarded the QAVS is a great honour for the charity and for all the volunteers, past and present, involved in The Beatrice Charity was presented with running the Beatrice. The charity (under the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service a different name) was founded in 1978, on 4th October at Castro’s Restaurant in the year that the first Beatrice was Cheddleton. Civic dignitaries arrived on launched by Princess Anne at Cammel board Beatrice (above). The charity has Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. been in existence for 41 years. The Photos: Judith Turner current Beatrice (which is 21 years old) [Below: Judith’s father Harry is far left, has been almost completely refurbished watching Princess Anne naming the first over the past five winters as they intend Beatrice—Ed]

Winter 2019

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wrg Reunion Weekend on the Uttoxeter Canal

Over the weekend of 2/3 November the Waterway Recovery Group's Reunion Weekend was held on the Uttoxeter Canal near to Alton Towers. It is the third time that the annual end-of-season event has been held locally, with the previous events being in 2015 and 2017.

Over all three events the aim has been to work with the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust to reveal more of the towpath and canal. Our plans for the weekend were very nearly scuppered by the weather.

The weekend before, there had been serious flooding all down the Churnet Valley, with more than a foot of standing water on part of the site, and nearby Alton Station looking more like a canal than a former railway.

the site were muddy it did not prevent progress with any of the planned tasks.

As the unofficial name “Bonfire Bash� suggests, a key task is to cut back vegetation and burn it, so large bonfires (below) were soon up and running in half a dozen locations across the site .

Fortunately the water had drained away in the following days and whilst parts of Page 8

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wrg Reunion Weekend on the Uttoxeter Canal CUCT had previously identified and see what this was. Our team soon uncovered a spill weir in this area and uncovered the remains of a small one of our other jobs was to fence building (see photo below). around it to make the area safe for walkers (see photo on left). Although we are not yet ready to promote walks in this area it is not surprising that a significant number of walkers are deviating off the old railway line next to the canal to see what we have been doing. Our volunteers took great care to get the fence exactly right. There is still a lot of work to be done in this area, but we can now proceed without being concerned that passers-by will fall into the hole we are excavating.

The 2015 and 2017 weekends between them cleared more than 2/3 of a mile of towpath, but there is a gap between them where the towpath has been almost completely lost. One of our tasks over the weekend was to explore this area, removing an area of rhododendron to see what work would be required to bridge the gap. In our preparations for the weekend we found an unexpected stone wall so the task was extended to

Winter 2019

A passing walker told us that the building was locally thought to have been two canal workers cottages. Whilst on the small side this is certainly a credible explanation and more investigation will be needed. The line of the canal ran right next to these buildings and we know that they stood while the canal was open so it is a plausible theory. Regarding the planned reinstatement of the canal and towpath, it was concluded that

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wrg Reunion Weekend on the Uttoxeter Canal much of this will need to be done with an excavator from a pontoon, as the section is in water, though it is only round a foot deep due to years of silting since the canal closed. This information will be very helpful in putting together a project plan for future developments.

CUCT has recently completed the reinstatement of mileposts along the Uttoxeter Canal as far back as Oakamoor but plinths to surround five of them, (where plaques will later be laid) had still to be built. A group working from a WRG van visited each of these sites over the two days, firstly laying the stone edges into formers made by the Trust (below) then returning the following day to fill in the centre with cement. An unscheduled third visit was required at the end of the day to remove fingerprints left by over-enthusiastic passers-by while the cement was still wet! (right) The plaques will be attached by CUCT volunteers at a later date.

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Overall, despite the sometimes very damp conditions, it was a highly successful weekend. All the main tasks were achieved and some useful PR work was done with local walkers, some of whom still were unaware of the canal on their doorstep. It is clear that the towpath will become a very attractive, and no doubt popular, walk and will help promote the work being done to bring the Uttoxeter Canal back to life. Thanks to everyone who helped with the planning, attended at the weekend or supported us in any way.

Article (& Photos:) Steve Wood

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Social Programme

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Friday 13th December – 7:45 for 8pm The History of Cromford Mills and Sir Richard Arkwright Sir Richard Arkwright, who pioneered the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill at Cromford.

(A speaker from the Arkwright Society) Friday 31st January – 7:30 for 8pm Branch Annual Dinner at the Barchetta Restaurant 464a Crewe Road, Wheelock, Sandbach, CW11 3RL The car park is NOT run by the restaurant, so you must pay Roasted Pepper and Tomato Soup Creamy Garlic Mushrooms Bruschetta ———

Pizza Barchetta Risotto Pollo Lasagne Pollo pepe verde (Vegetarian options of the Pizza, Risotto and Lasagne are available) ———

Tiramisu Panna cotta Fudge cake Complete booking form included with this edition of KNOBSTICKS (or contact Sarah Honeysett on 01782 772295 for more details).

Book by Monday 20th January 2020 with your Menu Selection.

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Social Programme Friday 14th February – 7:45 for 8pm From Mayors' Cruise to National Festival A celebration of over 30 years of Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice.

Christine Smith 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 Note the date carefully.

This meeting is on the 3rd Friday of April, instead of our usual 2nd Friday.

This is because the 2nd Friday is Easter Weekend.

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 Winter 2019

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An English North-West Region by Narrow -Boat (2) On Sunday 23rd June, after breakfast, we started ‘Uppy’, moving out onto the Bridgewater Canal, bound for Sale, where Sarah had arranged to meet friends for afternoon tea aboard our boat; later, the rain started, so we planned our voyage to Kidsgrove, aiming to traverse the Runcorn Arm en-route.

Branch members know that I have been a keen 00-scale railway modeller for five decades, so Monday we travelled by tram to Waltons of Altrincham, to purchase three ex-LSWR Hornby non-corridor carriages – I recalled travelling with my family from Botley to Stockbridge up the long closed double-track line from Romsey to Andover, in 1951 – lovely memories. On our return, ‘Uppy’ was started, to cruise west and moor overnight, near Dunham Massey House.

National Trust membership was used on Tuesday to explore the property and gardens. The last owner of Dunham Massey, was Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford, and following the invasion of Ethiopia by the fascist Italian Army in 1935, Roger Grey befriended Ethiopia’s Emperor refugee, Haile Selassie, who stayed at Dunham Massey until his country was liberated in 1941 by British Empire forces. Every year, the house and its grounds host a delegation of Ethiopian guests and visitors, remembering the Earl’s kindness during those terrible years.

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Later that day we continued cruising westward along the wide Bridgwater Canal to moor up overnight at Lymm.

On Wednesday morning Sarah restocked our galley supplies with delicious fresh bread, and we maintained our westerly course to turn ‘Uppy’ starboard into the Runcorn Arm, last visited with friends aboard a hired narrow-boat in 1993!!

The canal was pleasant, but Sarah was anxious to rendezvous with a boatyard manager near the canal terminus – mobile telephone calls were successful, and vital functions were completed. A breeze complicated my turning our boat, but with assistance from owners of other moored boats, we did moor up by the modern Joseph Brindley Theatre.

Thursday’s weather was glorious, warm and sunny, with blue skies – the views of Runcorn, with the bridge carrying the railway across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, were KNOBSTICKS

An English North-West Region by Narrow -Boat (2) excellent. We caught an electric train at the nearby station, and visited Liverpool for the day – a good decision. We enjoyed the ‘ferry across the Mersey’ aboard dazzle-painted DAFFODIL and the superb waterfront, before returning to ‘Uppy’ by 17.00, then cruising down the Arm in the evening sunshine to moor near the Bridgwater Canal junction.

On Friday 28th June, we moved ‘Uppy’ down towards Preston Brook pausing to buy some new lifejackets and an extendable boathook at Midland Chandlery, then past Claymore Boats’ derelict yard, before entering Preston Brook Tunnel.

We were back on the ‘narrow canals’. By early afternoon we had reached the site of the ‘Dutton breach’, and once moored, took advantage of the fine weather and lovely views to go for a nice three-mile walk, down through fields to the peaceful River Weaver for lunch at the Acton Bridge pub, then back up to the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath, and ‘Uppy’.

Winter 2019

Saturday morning saw us aboard our boat heading south-east to Saltersford and Barnton Tunnels, past Anderton Lift for lunch at the pub opposite the Lion Salt Works, then on to Billinge Flash to moor up overnight. That evening a Class 66 diesel rumbled past heading a train of 100-ton ballast hopper wagons along the ‘freight only’ line from Northwich to Middlewich, hidden by trees.

On Sunday, we ‘cast-off’ accompanied by a smart cruiser-style narrow-boat “Wombat” (whose crew are based at the Stafford Boat Club) as far as Middlewich, where they turned west to link up with the ‘Shroppie’, while we continued on to moor up at Wheelock before setting off again on Monday up ‘heartbreak hill’.

Sarah photographing lorries ‘slipstreaming’ along the M6 by Lock 58 – and we wonder why there are so many accidents – to our last overnight mooring at quiet Church Lawton.

Tuesday morning, the last six locks took us back to the orange-coloured water of our home berth at Kidsgrove, although we immediately took up the offer of a newly vacated mooring 200 ft. west, away from the lime tree beneath which ‘Uppy’ had endured several years of leaffall and sticky excretions, and we were home indoors by 14.00, another adventure to look back on with pleasure.

Jon Honeysett (Photos: Sarah & Jon Honeysett) Page 15

Burslem Port

Site of post-AGM Guided Walk a week later, after a “trim” Photo: Steve Wood In the last few months there has been would facilitate an economical way of significant progress with our main aim making a good entrance to the port. which is of course to restore the canal.

The most important development has Eden Valley Property have engaged been the acquisition of the former Co-op experienced canal consultants Moss bakery site by developers Eden Valley Naylor Young. They are suggesting a Property. At our Trustees meeting in phased approach and some modification October we met with the new landown- to our plans which would concentrate ers and are starting to take things works between the Trent & Mersey Canal forward together. and Luke Street. They are proposing to submit a planning application which In addition to the former Coop bakery includes this section of our waterway by site, we understand that they have the end of the year. We have agreed to acquired two properties adjacent to that use some of our funds to engage the site, namely the garage premises at the same consultant to help us with planning top of the track in Newport Lane permission and fund raising. (formerly owned by Seddons) and the former engineering works in Luke Street. It has been suggested that Eden Valley This makes good sense as the whole Property may be able to donate the land property can now be developed coher- we need to move the canal away from the ently. I also understand that they have steep sided drainage ditch, significantly been in discussion with City officers with reducing the cost of our project. They are a view to acquiring the former St Mod- hoping that we can utilise their earth wens’ land next to the Trent & Mersey moving machinery when it is on site Canal that the City does not require for early next year. We have also recently the bridge widening in Newport Lane. been informed that Severn Trent have no This also makes good sense to us and need for the land which forms part of the Page 16

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Burslem Port former canal bed and would be amenable to a land transfer.

At our meeting with Moss Naylor Young we will begin discussions on funding (they are experts in this field with experience from a number of waterway restorations).

It is clear from our initial meetings with Eden Valley Property that they are very

enthusiastic about Burslem Port but it is also clear that they intend to move quickly on this development and that if our project is not ready to proceed they will go ahead without us. They would like their development to be complete, with or without the canal, in 24 months.

We see no reason why this timescale is unrealistic if we can achieve the necessary support and, of course, funding.

Roger Savage

The Social Scene Our 2019/2020 social programme started on 11th October - but not quite as planned! Due to a clash of commitments, Steve Wood asked to postpone his talk on Burslem Port and we were fortunate that Brian Nelson from the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust could swap dates with him.

Brian treated us to a history of these canals, from the Shrewsbury Canal’s construction in the 1770’s, to the building of the Newport Canal in the 1830’s and their abandonment in 1944. While some of the route has been infilled, striking features remain, such as Thomas Telford’s aqueduct at Longdon-uponTern and the historic canal buildings at Wappenshall Wharf. These buildings, were rescued from development by a partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council and are now a key part of the Trust’s ambitious restoration plans.

More ambitious restoration plans were on offer at our November social, where we enjoyed Steve Wood’s presentation on the history of the Burslem Branch canal and the work of the Burslem Port Trust. Once again, while the canal might have been infilled, there are still important heritage buildings at the site of Burslem Wharf. Steve showed us the important clearance and restoration Winter 2019

work carried out by volunteers, including our branch work parties, and community involvement with the ‘Feral Spaces’ young people’s project. The latest development involving the Trust is the ‘Footsteps’ project, which aims to improve pedestrian access along the route of the former towpath to connect with existing routes into Festival Park and there are promising signs of more progress in future.

Our next social is on Friday 13th December when we are expecting a speaker from the Arkwright Society to talk about Richard Arkwright, founder of the mills that bear his name at Cromford in Derbyshire and a larger-than-life character.

Our annual dinner at the canalside Barchetta Restaurant in Wheelock is coming up at the end of January. A booking form is included in this edition of ‘Knobsticks’. If you are coming by car, please be aware that the car park immediately outside it has a 24-hour charging policy. However, when I ate there, my parking charge was refunded. [I am waiting for clarification from the management as to whether this is always the case and will let attendees know].

Sarah Honeysett Page 17

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear Sonning Bear Afloat in Stoke During his first Autumn and Winter in Stoke-on-Trent, Sonning got to know his new home, with help from his friend Hanley Bear. They had days out in all the parks from Trentham Gardens to Westport Lake, where Sonning ate oatcakes for the first time (made on her Oatcake Boat by a lady Hanley called ‘Mrs Kay’).

So that they could learn more about canals, the bears went to Inland Waterways Association branch socials. At the first one they attended, Polar bought them a raffle ticket each and they won her a shoulder bag, which she converted into a special bear-carrying bag, with seatbelts to stop them falling out.

The little bears got new sock jumpers for Christmas so they could play in the snow during the Winter but, apart from a few day-long cruises on the Macclesfield Canal, they didn’t get out on the boat again until May, when Grizzly went to see Stoke City play their last match of the season.

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Sonning and Hanley watched out of the window as Polar and Grizzly steered Uppie back through the Harecastle Tunnel, past the Middleport Pottery and through the five locks that take the Trent and Mersey Canal through Etruria and Stoke. They moored near the stadium, close to the Oatcake Boat, then Hanley Bear put his red and white hat and scarf on and crossed his paws and claws for luck. There was just a chance, if Stoke won this game, that they wouldn't be relegated - but they lost.

Poor Hanley Bear was very sad and stayed sad, even after several bites from a big Belgian bun (photo next page).

Grizzly was sad too but decided to cheer himself and Hanley Bear up by taking everyone on a cruise up the Caldon Canal. This starts at Etruria Junction, then there is a two-lock staircase at Bedford Street and another lock near Stoke College, before it goes right KNOBSTICKS

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear lift bridge. The bears jumped off to help here, pressing the bridge operating buttons while Polar was still checking for traffic. They discovered this was a good way to make impatient drivers very cross indeed. Polar told them afterwards that they shouldn't raise the bridge when there were vehicles coming. Soon they were through the suburbs of Birches Head and Milton and out into the countryside. When they moored for lunch near Engine Lock, the little bears spotted a snake swimming in the canal.

They were very scared but Polar assured them it was just a grass snake, which wasn't poisonous and certainly didn't eat small bears.

That afternoon, the bears enjoyed cruising through fresh green fields and woods full of bluebells. The sun was shining and it was very warm. Hanley through the heart of Hanley Park. There Bear started to feel cheerful again. He was lots of renovation work going and Sonning sat on the roof in the which Hanley Bear was very pleased to sunshine once the boat was through the see. ‘Look! They are repairing my park!’ locks at Stockton Brook. They looked out he cheered. for the boat club at Endon, where the IWA socials had been, and the lovely iron bridge at the Hazelhurst Locks.

Sonning and Hanley saw the famous Emma Bridgwater Pottery, rows of new houses, two preserved bottle kilns then a Winter 2019

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear Next morning, they cruised on towards Froghall, looking out for the flint mill at Cheddleton and the station for the Churnet Valley Railway. Hanley Bear was very proud when Sonning said he thought Staffordshire was a very lovely county. ‘It’s the best, duck!’ he replied.

Polar decided that, as it was forecast to be a very hot day, good for drying wet fur, the bears ought to have baths. They ran away and tried to hide but Polar saw the end of Hanley’s scarf poking out and brought them both back to the kitchen sink, wriggling furiously. However, when they got into the water, they found they liked it and soon both bears were splashing and playing. When they got out, Polar wrapped them up in clean towels and showed them how grubby their bathwater was.

The next day, they explored more of the Caldon Canal, making their way back to the Hazelhurst Locks before cruising along the Leek Arm, through some beautiful bluebell woods to a big lake and a little tunnel.

The following morning, they had to turn for home. As Polar had to go to work, Sonning and Hanley Bear helped Grizzly with the last stage of the journey, packing up everything they had to bring back to the house while he steered the boat back through the Harecastle Tunnel. They were sad to be leaving Uppie but would be going on more adventures very soon.

Photos: Sarah Honeysett

While they dried off by sunbathing in the cratch at the front of the boat, Polar and Grizzly worked Uppie down through some more locks and onto the Churnet River. Sonning and Hanley saw a little green engine pulling some carriages. The bears waved and the people on board waved back.

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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 Winter 2019 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

KNOBSTICKS