The Newsletter of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch Summer 2017
Shroppie Fly Paper
Cover photo credit: Audlem Locks © Harry Arnold / Waterway Images
The Branch Committee President
Michael Limbrey 01691 654081
michael.limbrey@waterways.org.uk
Chairman
Michael Haig 07801 415573
michael.haig@waterways.org.uk
Secretary & Membership Sec.
Dawn Aylwin 01691 830403
shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk
Newsletter Editor
Andrew Smith
andrew.smith@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer & Welsh Liaison Officer
Alan Platt
alan.platt@waterways.org.uk
Webmaster
Alan Wilding
alan.wilding@waterways.org.uk
Committee Members
David Aylwin Susan Wilding
shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk alan.wilding@waterways.org.uk
NW Region Chairman
Sir Robert Atkins 01995 602225 07770 254444
robert.atkins@waterways.org.uk
Branch Web pages www.waterways.org.uk/shrewsbury www.facebook.com/pages/IWA-Shrewsbury-Branch/388651831206061 If you would prefer to communicate with the branch in the traditional way, please write to the Secretary at Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS
Shroppie Fly Paper
Shroppie Fly Paper is the newsletter of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA). IWA is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and rivers. For further information contact any committee member. Copy for Shroppie Fly Paper is very welcome, preferably by email. Photographs may be in any common computer format or as prints. Please supply a stamped addressed envelope if you require photographs to be returned. ‘Letters to the Editor’ intended for publication are invited, as are comments for the Editor’s private guidance. Copy and letters submitted for publication may be edited. The Inland Waterways Association may not agree with the opinions expressed in this branch newsletter but encourages publicity as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as official policy unless stated otherwise. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. Any reproduction must be acknowledged. 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: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783 453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
The Editor's cut... Well… according to Michael Haig’s article overleaf, I am now the new Page 3 attraction. Not sure how I feel about that! As a “new” face, I had better give a brief introduction of my history with canals… I can’t quite match our Regional Chairman who started in the 1960s but my first canal trip was in 1970 at the tender age of 9 on Maid-Mary Wanda. My next canal trips were regular but infrequent happening at roughly 10 year intervals. During this time, I had married and, happily, infected my wife with the canal bug! We owned a share in NB Sojourn (one of the Ownerships fleet) for three years and covered about 500 miles and 500 locks during 9 great holidays. We joined the IWA during this period. Though we sold our share in 2007, we kept our interest in the waterways and had plans to buy a boat when we eventually got to retirement age. Then in in 2014, we decided “Why wait?” and bought a 33ft narrowboat which is currently moored in Nantwich Basin. We have had many relaxing weekends on board plus some longer trips including the Four Counties Ring in 2015. When responding to the call out in the last issue for a new Shroppie Fly Paper editor, I was a bit worried about whether there would be enough submissions to fill each issue. Based on the pile of emails that I have received in the last few weeks, that worry was unfounded! We are certainly lucky in the Shrewsbury and North Wales IWA branch area to have many active societies and organizations working to preserve and restore our waterways. This issue contains updates from many of them including some notable awards. The next Shroppie Fly Paper will be the August / Winter issue. Please send your contributions to me at andrew.smith@waterways.org.uk. As mentioned on the back cover, we are always looking for suitable cover pictures, so keep your eyes open and camera ready when out and about on our beautiful canals. Andrew Smith
Next copy date: Friday, October 27, 2017 Summer 2017
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IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch - Diary 2017
All branch members are welcome to join us at our regular branch business meetings, which are preceded by an opportunity for supper and socialising. Meetings begin at 7.00pm, with supper from 6.00pm. To give our venues an idea of numbers please let the branch know if you would like to attend. shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk
July 3
Montgomery Canal Forum, 2.30pm at Oswestry Golf Club, Aston Park, Oswestry, SY11 4JJ (on the A5, a quarter of a mile from Queen's Head). All welcome to this public meeting: come and learn more about the restoration and the appeal.
July 9
Summer walk at Llanymynech led by Welshpool Ramblers. 10.00am start. See p13
July 22
Welshpool Canal & Food Festival. The Branch will be raising funds for the Montgomery Canal Appeal. Please could you come and help us? See p20
July 23
Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina Open Day.
July 29-30
Gathering of historic narrowboats at Audlem. Free to visit - look out for signs to field parking close to the event.
July 30
Audlem Festival of Transport. Historic vehicles join the historic boats!
August 5-6
Branch lock wind at Hurleston Bottom Lock. See page 9
August 19
National Angling Championship, Shropshire Union See p14
August 21
Branch business meeting 7pm at the Leopard, Nantwich
September 2
Mikron Theatre in Gnosall. See p13 for details.
September 2-3
Whitchurch Boat Rally.
September 8-9
Heritage Open Days; last year’s opening of Rednal Warehouse, near Queen’s Head, was a great success. We would like to open for two of the four Heritage Open Days this year, but we can only do that if a few members can help.
September 10
Audlem RNLI Festival at Overwater Marina. Shrewsbury River Festival at Quarry Park, Shrewsbury
October 13
CRT Partnership Showcase, Northwich Whitchurch Waterways Trust Coffee Morning
October 16
Branch business meeting 7pm at Narrowboat Inn, Whittington
October 27
Deadline for articles for next issue of Shroppie Fly Paper
w/b Nov 13
Autumn Social Evening & Talk
Jan 6 2018
Winter Walk—venue to be advised
Summer 2017
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From The Steerer Well, this is an unusual position I find myself in. I mean – page 5? In previous issues of this newsletter I’ve always been more of a page 3 kind of guy! But here I am, and, light-hearted remarks aside, I was honoured to be asked to take over the reins as your branch chairman from Michael Limbrey after the AGM earlier in the year. Michael has completed his third three-year term as chairman after a long and distinguished period of support for the local waterways. I’m sure he is looking forward to having more time to devote to his other chairmanship of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust and, perhaps, to his long-suffering family. I can’t claim to have had the same decades-long experience of our canals and campaigning for their improvement that Michael and some other former branch chairmen have enjoyed. I am a comparative newcomer to boating, having started by hiring (from Maestermyn Marina near Whittington, in fact) ten years ago, before dipping a tentative toe in the waters of boat ownership with the purchase of a share in a syndicate boat, and then finally taking the plunge with a boat of our own. But when I did start boating, and learning something of the navigations and their history, it quickly became apparent to me that IWA is an essential organisation that deserves support from all lovers of the waterways, be they boaters, walkers, anglers, historians, restoration enthusiasts and even weekend gongoozlers. There are some voices around the network who question the need for IWA continuing to campaign, claiming that our canal and river navigations have won the battle of hearts and minds and are now universally recognised for the benefits and value they bring to the community. While it’s certainly true that our navigations today don’t face the same official policy and management issues as they did 30 or 40 or more years ago, I think we shouldn't underestimate the ability of attitudes, particularly in officialdom, to regress. While not directly impacting on our part of England and Wales, the performance of the Environment Agency in the last ten years, closing locks on health and safety grounds rather than finding the funds to maintain them, is a good indicator that there are plenty of things that can still go wrong to the detriment of our waterways. Whether or not some or all of the EA navigations are eventually transferred to CRT, the responsibilities of both bodies need continued and ongoing funding, some of which is going to have to come from central government, i.e. the taxpayer.
Summer 2017
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A strong volunteer organisation like IWA will be a key ally & supporter in funding negotiations for whoever is managing the navigations. The disappearance – presumably – of European grants such as the European Regional Development Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development will leave a hole in the funding options for canals and rivers and associated communities and businesses that will need persuasion and energy to fill. IWA nationally is working hard to keep canals and rivers in the public eye and viewed sympathetically in the debate about spending priorities. It has identified a number of near-term (12-month) objectives covering, among others, restoration, the EA waterways transfer, HS2 mitigation, boating, and other issues affecting the navigations. The list can be found at https://www.waterways.org.uk/ information/governing_documents/iwa_objectives.
Closer to home, your committee is engaging, either directly or with others, with local councils in support of restoration, regeneration and recreation projects – and those efforts will continue. We maintain a close working relationship with the local and regional CRT waterway managers and, while we don’t always agree on actions or priorities, we certainly listen to and respect each other’s points of view. After the sad death of Mike Carter, we’re welcoming a new North West Region chairman in the distinguished person of Sir Robert Atkins. He makes his own introduction on the opposite page, but I think I’m correct in saying that we are the only region within IWA to have, or have had, a former waterways minister as our region chairman. I hope you will have the chance to meet Sir Robert at some stage during his term of office. He has already attended the launch of the Montgomery Canal fundraising appeal at Maesbury towards the end of April, and we are trying to dangle the lure of our annual lock wind at Hurleston to see if we can again entice him onto our waters from his native Lancashire. So, if you can come along and help the branch over the weekend of 5-6 August, perhaps that could be your opportunity. Besides the lock wind – for which we need not only volunteers to help with the locks but also donations of jams, chutneys and other home-made produce that we can sell to those passing by boat or on foot – we have our usual selection of festivals and gatherings that we hope you will support. You can see when and where they are on the branch diary page elsewhere in this issue. Our diminished volunteer pool is quite stretched this year, especially over the weekend of 9-10 September when we could attend three different events if only we have enough people to help. If you are willing and able to help IWA with some of your time as well as your valued membership subscriptions, please get in touch to have a chat about the options. Thank you. Michael Haig
Summer 2017
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Region Chairman writes
I have now been in post as North West Chairman since the end of April and had cleared the diary for meetings, discussions and visits throughout the region when the wholly unexpected happened - a General Election. You will understand that my former political connections required my involvement. But that has passed (I think!) for the time being and I can concentrate on waterways. A little about me. I have been fascinated by narrowboats and canals since the late 1960’s, using then a 72ft former Ovaltine workboat called “Almighty” with friends. I became an MP in 1979 and eventually became Minister for the Waterways at DOE in 1994. I had also responsibility for the Erne & Shannon waterway in Northern Ireland when a Minister of State in the Province. I lost my seat in 1997 and was an MEP from 1999-2014, acting as Transport & Inland Waterways spokesman for much of that time. In 1999, I was invited to become President of the putative Ribble Link campaign to connect the Lancaster Canal with the national network and, after that success and the completion of the Link, decided that it was about time to acquire my own boat. Brayzel Boats at Nateby Marina - in my wife’s council ward - was approached and, in due course, “RATTY” was built and launched. Named after the character in “Wind in the Willows”, it also happens to be my political nickname, and she has given Dulcie and me much fun and pleasure. So I know a little about the “cut”, narrowboats and the history & management of the waterways. I know less about the volunteers, users and members who make such an important contribution to this much-loved resource. That’s where you come in. I want to hear from you about the achievements and problems so that I can highlight them with the people who make the decisions that affect us all - whether CRT, HMG or the IWA hierarchy. I am happy to visit wherever and whenever the diary permits and there is always email and the telephone. The ball, as they say, is in your court. I attended my first National Trustees meeting in Warwickshire a few days ago and, midst all the administrative discussions, there was an item on the future of the IWA to which I contributed. Should it be just a members’ club with social events and constructive idea-swapping? Or should it be a professional, informed lobby organisation with “supporters” rather than “members”, fighting the corner for all waterways users, not just boaters? Thoughts?
Summer 2017
Rt Hon Sir Robert Atkins Chairman, North West Region
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Membership News
We are delighted to welcome the members who have joined the branch since the Spring edition and hope to meet you all at one of the events this year: Mr Fenn from Chelmsford, Mr & Mrs Freeman from Broseley, Mr Furbur from Camiers in France, Mr & Mrs Johnson from Selkirk, Mr McConnell and Family from the Wirral, Mr & Mrs Roberts from Llanfairfechan. There are plenty of chances to get involved. For example on the 10th September this year there are three events we would ideally like to support. The Branch has already committed to organising the opening of Rednal Warehouse but need your help to set up a stall at the RNLI Festival at Overwater Marina and at the Shrewsbury River Festival. It will be great if you can spare a few hours. It would be even better if you could join the committee; no experience necessary but we would welcome new ideas for fund raising, organising social events or just giving us a new perspective on issues. Meetings are every other month starting with supper and a chat. Don't delay, please contact any committee member and volunteer to help.
Other News
More help needed! I have received a request from an unusual source; no not from an IWA branch member but from a guy who is staying at Her Majesty's pleasure in Hull. He is currently undertaking research on the canals in our area (SU, Llangollen & Montgomery canals and River Severn - Gladder Bank to Pool Quay). This is part of a larger national project to record routes and access to the waterways of Great Britain. Unfortunately he does not have access to the internet but can order books via Amazon Prime. Do you have any unwanted maps or guides I can send him? Can you send me information on the location of local car parks adjacent to the canals (other than the obvious town car parks). If you are a fisherman he has several angling questions: Are there open and closed seasons? Is there a directory giving details of different locations for specific fish? I'm sure he has more questions so would you be willing to communicate with him directly? Are you a trail boater? Can you let me have details of where you can launch your boat and how accessible the site is. Can you recommend relevant serious books or DVDs to help in his research? At the moment he has purchased books from TV programmes, for example Canal Walks with Julia Bradbury and Barging around Britain with John Sergeant, not exactly research material! Any information gratefully received. Contact details on the inside front cover Dawn Aylwin
Summer 2017
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Branch Annual Lock Wind Hurleston Bottom Lock—5th & 6th August 2017 The annual lock wind is one of the Branch's major fund raising events (second only to the calendar) and will once again start at the bottom lock at Hurleston on the first weekend of August when the schools will have broken up and hopefully there will be lots of boats cruising up and down the Llangollen canal. Last year we were able to man all the locks during the busy times so with your help and support the lock keeper hopes we will be able to do so again this year. In fact when I spoke to him recently he suggested we helped throughout the summer. In his dreams! You are very welcome to join us by boat but please let me know beforehand as I have been asked how many boats are likely to attend, by CRT. There is plenty of space on the Shropshire Union Main line and weather permitting we have a 'bring your own' BBQ on Friday evening as a social get-together. You are equally welcome if you come by car on the day. There are plenty of parking spaces on the old road, which is just after Snugbury's Ice Cream shop by the 'Free Range Eggs' sign on the A51 Chester to Taporley road out of Nantwich. Once parked, walk to the towpath and turn right along the canal; the locks are a short distance away. Please do not park in the lane which leads up to the top lock as this is used by large farm vehicles and cars could get damaged. Most boaters are very appreciative of the assistance given and are usually very generous, but apart from the donations we sell a lot of things; home-made cakes, pies, pickles, jams and surplus fresh garden vegetables. If you can spare the time we would welcome your contributions and especially your presence even if it just for an hour or two.
Hard work? Not really, in fact it can be good fun talking to fellow canal enthusiasts and first time boaters. We look forward to meeting you all. Dawn Aylwin NOTE: Hurleston Services are currently out of action so any boaters attending the lockwind who have cassette toilets should ensure that they have sufficient capacity before arriving!
Summer 2017
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Sheriff launches appeal for Montgomery Canal Restoration The public appeal for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal – under the banner of “Restore the Montgomery Canal!” – was successfully launched on 26 April by the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mr Charles Lillis. The Appeal is to raise funds to restore the canal beyond Crickheath, the end of the current Lottery-funded restoration. Volunteers plan to work on the dry section of the canal through the village of Pant to the Welsh border at Llanymynech. This section includes a disused railway embankment, which volunteers of the Inland Waterways Association's Waterway Recovery Group have already prepared for removal, and Schoolhouse bridge on a local road south of Crickheath – the last bridge obstruction in Shropshire – where a volunteer (L-R: engineer has been preparing John Dodwell, Chair - Montgomery Canal Partnership, plans for reconstruction. Mrs Sue Thompson, High Sheriff of Powys Michael Limbrey, Chair - Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, Mr Charles Lillis, High Sheriff of Shropshire Sir Robert Atkins, IWA NW Region Chairman) Picture © Harry Arnold, Waterway Images
Chairman of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust Michael Limbrey said, "We are delighted with the launch of the appeal. Our guests showed a great deal of support for the restoration, recognising that the revived canal will be a valuable and attractive part of the national waterway network and a great asset to the local community. "A generous donor has offered to match what we raise from the public as part of this Appeal, up to £60,000 over five years. With a 25% tax rebate by Gift Aid, a £20 donation is worth no less than £50 to the Appeal. "We are asking the public to put a £2 coin – at least! – into a bucket. There are two miles of dry canal bed to restore and two miles of coins would raise about £250,000 – See page 13 for details of although full restoration to Llanymynech will our Summer Walk at cost more than that. Llanymynech! "Llanymynech is already home to a unique heritage area celebrating the limestone quarrying industry which the canal was built to serve and the restored canal will be a great asset to visitors and the local community.
Summer 2017
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"The canal towpath is already open throughout the length of the canal, and on 6 May will be busy with the annual Montgomery Canal Triathlon, where visitors from across the country will cycle, walk and canoe the 35-mile canal. It's a great family event, fully booked again this year." The Appeal has already got off to an excellent start : £118,000 has been raised so far, helped enormously by £70,000 from the Tony Harrison legacy fund administered by the Inland Waterways Association. Just before the Launch, £5,000 was received from a private trust – subsequently confirmed to be an annual gift. Another supporter handed over a personal cheque for £1,000 at the event.
The site of School House Bridge. The canal is in a shallow cutting here so the road level will not need to be raised much for the new bridge.
This artist’s impression shows what the site could look like with the bridge restored.
A £10 per month contribution with Gift Aid and match funding can be worth £300 per year to the appeal. Donations can be made to by logging onto www.restorethemontgomerycanal.uk
There is a banker’s order on the donations tab or money can be sent by bank transfer to the Restore the Montgomery Canal special bank account at a/c no 32001128 Code 40-35- 32 (HSBC Oswestry). Cheques and banker’s orders and Gift aid Declarations can be sent to Restore the Montgomery Canal!, Crowther Hall, Pool Quay, Welshpool SY21 9JU John Dodwell / Michael Limbrey
Summer 2017
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Montgomery Canal Triathlon The fifth Triathlon (6 June) attracted over 200 participants, some travelling more than 250 miles to the Montgomery Canal (the list of home addresses is amazing!). This year the event was organised by a new team from the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, who made some changes to the previous arrangements. Participants were again sent off by the Mayor of Newtown and, as last year, they cycled to Pool Quay, hiked to Morton and then finished in canoes to the Weston Arm.
Triathlon start with Cllr Sue Newham (dep Mayor) and Cllr Richard Edwards (Mayor of Newtown)
The Triathlon is always a good-natured event: it is a pleasure to hear how much people say they enjoy it – even after a hard day's exercise. It's a good advertisement for the Montgomery Canal, and encourages many visitors who can see the attractions of the canal and the area. The event would not be possible without the help of seventy marshalls, including branch members – and the fact that so many turn out shows the extent of support for the project. Michael Limbrey
Waterway nature reserves to be improved in new CRT campaign The Montgomery Canal is one of 10 key sites included in a 12-month project launched by Canal & River Trust to improve vulnerable wildlife habitats. Made possible thanks to a £350,000 award from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the ‘Making Special Places for Nature’ project spans reservoirs and canals in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Greater Manchester, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Berkshire and mid Wales. It will benefit water shrews, voles, otters, bats, dragonflies and other rare fauna and flora. On the Montgomery Canal, habitats at two sites will be enhanced by removal of silt, shade reduction, vegetation management, coppicing, removal of invasive plants. The disused Guilsfield Arm will be improved for wildlife.
Summer 2017
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Summer Walk around Llanymynech Sunday, July 9, 2017 10.00am start Following our appeals for help in previous issues, the Ramblers Welshpool Group, led by Vic and Sandra Smith, have kindly offered to lead a summer walk to include IWA members and friends. We hope the weather will be kind and that lots of readers will enjoy this walk through beautiful Borders countryside. Here are all the details you need, courtesy of Vic Smith. From/meet at: Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre, (the canal side – not the main Heritage Centre near the Hoffmann Kiln). OS ref: SJ 266.211 Parking: The Heritage Centre car park, opposite the CRT depot, or public car park behind The Dolphin public house. (First right turn off the B4398 on the opposite side of the A483 to the Wharf.) Please note that the spaces nearer the road are for pub patrons and are clearly marked as such. Total distance of walk: approximately 7 miles. Though not necessarily the intention, the route can be taken as two quite separate sections of approximately equal length. The ‘mid-point’ will be back at the Heritage Centre where the lunch stop will be made using the picnic facilities there. Participants not wishing to undertake the full walk may leave at this stage. Aims: to provide what will hopefully be interesting and relevant information relating to the places visited on the walk. First section: A more demanding route than the second section. Includes a steep ascent using one of the mineral rail inclines; otherwise variable tracks and paths, returning ‘on the level’ on towpath. Points of interest: Canal wharves, lime kilns and associated structures including tramways, close viewing of quarry faces concluding with a visit to the Hoffmann Kiln. The spectacular (weather permitting!) Border View is likely to serve as a coffee stop following the previously mentioned ascent. Walking boots are strongly recommended. Second Section: After the lunch stop, a gentler route will include a towpath walk towards Carreghofa Locks, a diversion to view the Tanat Canal Feeder and weir (this area is also rich in flora ), returning to the Canal to view the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, after which, field footpaths will be followed back to Llanymynech.
Dogs: It is the policy of the Ramblers Welshpool Group not to allow dogs on any walks. It is requested that this be respected. Contact: (Ramblers) the leaders, Vic or Sandra Smith on 07790 423302 or (IWA) Michael Limbrey on 01691 654081.
Summer 2017
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Angling Trust Division 1 National Championships Shropshire Union Canal— August 19 2017
Saturday 19 August sees the Shropshire Union Canal host the 102 nd top flight national angling championships. Up to 50 teams of 10 anglers will be lining up along the towpath over a distance of some 17 miles in 10 sections from Anchor Bridge No 42 (between Norbury Junction and Knighton Wharf) to Mickley Bridge No 84 (near Hack Green).
Boaters will be particularly interested in the sections that will be excluded from the match length. There may be some minor tweaking in due course but as things stand, it is anticipated that the following areas will not be pegged out: South of bridge 42 Shebdon aqueduct moorings area Bridge 45 and approx. midway between bridge 46 / bridge 47. Winding hole at bridge 48 Bridge 55 north for around 200 metres Bridge 56 to Tyrley Locks Tyrley locks to Bridge 64 at Market Drayton South side of Betton Wood bridge for approx. 150 metres Midway between Bridge 68 and 69 north to Adderley Locks Adderley Lock Flight Adderley bottom lock to approx. 150 metres south of Hawksmoor bridge 72 Bridge 74 to Audlem Top Lock Audlem Lock Flight North of Audlem Lock flight to midway between bridge 79 and 80
Summer 2017
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These unpegged sections will be ideal locations for overnight moorings on the Friday evening as you will not be impacting in any way on the pegging out for the national. On the day of the match, the event organisers, Angling Trust will have four stewards in each section. For anyone requiring further local information, why not drop local organiser Dave Watkins an email dgwatkins@sky.com Boaters cruising the stretch on match day are asked to proceed at a steady speed down the central channel and avoid the offside bank and creating wash when possible. Navigating through a long line of match anglers, all armed with long carbon poles, can be a daunting task. Those who really wish to avoid it should note that although competitors will arrive at their pegs by 9.00am, fishing kicks off at 11.00am. The end of the match will be at 4.00pm so one option is an extended lunch break. It might be worth considering mooring up between Tyrley and Market Drayton or at the Wharf Tavern at bridge 55 where an area immediately north of Bridge 55 will be reserved for mooring.
The above information is extracted from the Canal and River Trust website. The full blog entry can be found at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/blogs/the-fisheries-and-anglingteam/customer-information-for-division-1-national If that’s too much to type in, here’s a shortened version: https://goo.gl/T9rRmW There are a number of other Open matches scheduled during July and August in the lead-up to the Championships and details of these together with details of the 10 sections can be found at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/blogs/the-fisheries-and-anglingteam/division-1-national-newsletter-update or https://goo.gl/gtg4wG
Summer 2017
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Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch Adopters (SUMBA) Reaseheath students save canal side building
In June, eight 3rd year joinery students from Reaseheath College have refurbished a canal side structure which was likely to be scheduled for demolition by Canal & River Trust. The students undertook the project as part of their NVQ Level 3 final exams after their tutor was approached by SUMBA who were keen to see it restored. The brick-built hut, a half mile from Venetian Marina on the Middlewich Branch, was used as a manager's office for the Cholmondeston clay pit which operated from the late 1960s to 2002 - the clay being used for canal repairs. In 2009 the area became a popular mooring and picnic site with tables & barbecues - but the hut was badly dilapidated and needed complete refurbishment, including new roof timbers, tiling, guttering, door and window. SUMBA obtained a community grant from Cheshire East Council for the building materials and the students fitted the design work into their syllabus the on site refurbishment requiring 266 hours of their time over five days between June 12th and 16th. In true canal boat carrying tradition the students were transported to the worksite each day with the materials and tools in Canal & River Trust's 72' historic workboat 'Malvern'. In the coming months the site will be further enhanced with a disabled-friendly picnic table and boat access. The table will be made by 'Men in Sheds' in Crewe using wood recycled by SUMBA's volunteers when they repaired the nearby Brickyard bridge. An interpretation board will be installed detailing facts relating to the Middlewich Branch canal including the clay pit.
Summer 2017
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SUMBA Work Party No 126 Saturday May 20th To complete our Spring/Summer schedule, fourteen SUMBA volunteers tackled work at two locations: Wardle Lock - technically outside SUMBA's adoption area but, at CRT's request, in need of a spruce up prior to Middlewich's Folk & Boat Festival - and at the 48hr moorings overlooking Church Minshull. A four strong team headed out by boat from Aqueduct Marina to Church Minshull, noticing darkening skies en-route. Undaunted, they managed to repaint all three BBQ stands and both 48 hour mooring totem posts before the rain started at about 11:00am. With another blackcurrant bush planted in the towpath garden and a litter pick undertaken between bridges 11 and 13, this popular mooring site continues to provide a very smart location for a stopover. Plus the added attraction of the nearby Badger Inn!! Meanwhile at Wardle Lock another team started its work in brilliant sunshine. By 10:30am the dark clouds were closing in, but with ever increasing wary glances skywards they continued to paint the lock, footbridge, mooring posts, totem posts and fences - and an inevitable litter pick. Plus of course taking the time to assist grateful boaters through this tricky lock - and avoid paint and boats mixing together!! One crew was so pleased that, while cruising past Aqueduct Marina the next day, they noticed a SUMBA volunteer and stopped to say "thank you"! Graham Russell
Summer 2017
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Top Award for Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust The Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust is delighted to announce that it has been awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Service. The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award that can be given to a local volunteer group in the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. It is the MBE for voluntary groups. In making the announcement a spokesperson from The Queens Award for Voluntary Groups team said “The work your group does for the community was very much admired by the independent Assessment Committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE and I am delighted to inform you that your group has been selected as a recipient for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) 2017”
They went on to say “The award of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation. We hope that everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, feel immensely proud of the recognition that this Award represents. Bernie Jones, chairman of SNCT, said “This award was a fantastic surprise and we are delighted to have been nominated. It is testimony to the hard work and dedication of all our volunteers who give so much to help the Trust in its restoration work on these wonderful canals, whether contributing to our social media, helping out at our stalls at local events, baking cakes and other fundraising, helping with administration and, of course, actually digging at our work parties. The group will now look forward to an official presentation of the award by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire at a ceremony in the Autumn.
Summer 2017
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Whitchurch Waterway Trust The Whitchurch Waterway Trust's dream of extending the existing canal into a mooring basin is a step closer. Work on the picnic area, stage 1 of the proposed development, is almost complete. The area has been landscaped and the footpaths resurfaced. Water vole/newt fencing has been put in place along the edge of the site. Picnic tables have been installed and volunteers are now needed to help prepare the ground ready for grass seed. This work was financed by a £64,471 grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
David Aylwin
Whitchurch Boat Rally
The annual boat gathering in the restored Whitchurch Arm is taking place on 2nd and 3rd September 2017. This is to promote the use of the Arm and to generate interest, and hopefully members, to attract funding for the installation of a new mooring basin. Boat entries to the rally are £12.50 per boat (with an extra fee for selling from the boat) and £7.00 per person for a two course evening meal on the Saturday evening. We have a quiz after the meal with questions loosely based on the theme for the best decorated boat competition. Dogs are very welcome to join in with the fun dog show on Sunday afternoon, ably judged by Leonard Brothers Veterinary Practice. We had an agility class for the first time last year which was great entertainment so will be doing that again this year. We have stalls along the towpath and have room for even more this year so all you creative types have a great outlet for your work. The fee for a stall is £20.00 for a commercial stall or £10.00 for charities. We have the ice cream already booked and the music so do join us for a great weekend. Lindsay Green NOTE: Boaters need to complete a booking form. Places can only be reserved upon receipt of a completed and signed Application Form together with the appropriate entry fee. The form is available at: http://whitchurchwaterway.uk/rally
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Navigator’s Notes Put off the Monty?
We are getting second-hand reports that CRT’s new(ish) online booking system may be deterring boaters from booking passage through Frankton Locks. Some say that the procedure requires boaters to answer questions that are unnecessary for cruising the Montgomery Canal and that some, especially hirers, would be hard pressed to answer, such as the boat’s air draught. You can still book passage by phone on 0303 040 4040, Option 3 (Mon-Fri) or 01606 786777, Option 8 (Anderton Boat Lift) on weekends and Bank Holidays. If you have recently booked a passage, we would be very interested to hear about the experience – good or bad. We can then follow this up with CRT. Please email the branch chairman michael.haig@waterways.org.uk
Paddling in the dark
Skippers should be even more alert than usual if cruising the upper reaches of the Llangollen Canal from this summer on. CRT is encouraging canoeists in greater numbers with two new canoe slipways close to Horseshoe Falls at Llantysilio. A third access point has been created for organised groups only, by advance agreement, opposite the Llangollen Pavilion near the town centre. A CRT spokesman said: “The 11-mile World Heritage Site takes you across two countries, along two aqueducts and through two tunnels – it would be hard to find a more interesting and spectacular journey. We believe these new canoe slipways will help to stop bank erosion at the busiest locations and make it easier for less experienced canoeists to enter the water.” “We have also produced a new canal canoe guide and map which offer top tips on paddling along the waterway safely. With so many boaters, walkers, anglers and canoeists all using the same space it can get a little congested at times, so we appeal to everyone to treat the environment and other people with respect.” While we love seeing canoes on the canals, we have some serious concerns about apparently encouraging “less experienced canoeists” onto one of the most congested sections of the national canal network, and one that is extremely popular with less experienced boaters. We fear that less experienced canoeists may not appreciate the restricted forward view available to a narrowboat steerer and the difficulty of seeing any lights on a low-lying canoe coming through a 450-yard tunnel, assuming they have lights in the first place!
Come on in, the water’s lovely
You will have seen the note on page 9 that Hurleston Services “are currently out of action”. This refers to the boaters’ toilet and the elsan disposal facility – the water points are fully operational. Sadly the same cannot be said of Barbridge, where the water point has been removed and looks likely to remain so for some considerable time. Michael Haig
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Double Celebration for Canal Volunteers in Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales “Amazing volunteers” who help to improve the canals in Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales celebrated a double achievement at a party hosted by the Canal & River Trust this month. Members of the Small Task Team Volunteers (STTV), formed in March 2012, have just completed their 100th work party. And this coincides with their founder and coordinator Paul Mills being presented with the coveted “National Volunteer of the Year” award by leading waterway newspaper, Towpath Talk. To mark these achievements, the Canal & River Trust, the charity that looks after the nation’s waterways, organised a ‘thank you’ party at its National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, attended by chief executive Richard Parry. For the past five years STTV has been working alongside the Canal & River Trust to improve the Shropshire Union Canal, Llangollen Canal and River Weaver Navigation for the enjoyment of walkers, boaters, anglers and cyclists. In addition to the usual canal maintenance tasks, they have built up expertise in small construction tasks and can now regularly be seen installing picnic benches, carrying out improvements to locks and towpaths, and enhancing moorings and water points for boaters. The Canal & River Trust works closely with the group to provide materials and tools and to agree the works which help to make the waterways such great places to visit. Richard Parry said: “We are very grateful to these amazing volunteers, particularly Paul Mills, who have worked so hard alongside us to improve the region’s waterways. “This group is an excellent example of the difference we can all make by working together. STTV has set a high bar for others to aspire to and demonstrates the complex tasks that can be achieved by volunteers.”
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Towpath Talk 2016 Volunteer Awards Paul Mills spent 20 years as a fundraising and project officer for the Shropshire Union Canal and five years ago continued to make a difference when he formed the Small Task Team Volunteers.
(sitting) Winner - Paul Mills (standing l to r) Hayley Hadley (judge – ABC Leisure) Harry Arnold (judge) Janet Richardson (Editor, Towpath Talk and judge) Mike Slade (finalist) Peter Baxter (finalist) Picture courtesy of Towpath Telegraph
Sadly ill health meant he was unable to attend the Ellesmere Port celebration but he was represented at the event by his wife Irene and son David. And a couple of weeks earlier, he was delighted to pick up his Towpath Talk award in person from editor Janet Richardson at Alvechurch Marina. The prize included a £100 cheque for his voluntary group, plus a £1500 boating holiday courtesy of sponsor ABC Leisure. Paul, who lives on the Wirral, said: “It’s fantastic to have been named winner. But while I might be the one collecting the prize, the recognition is for the whole team and not just myself. I’m so pleased for everyone, they fully deserve it.”
Paul also received a Certifcate of Recognition from Canal & River Trust received on his behalf by his son, David, at STTV’s 100th Project (see overleaf)
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Small Task Team Volunteers (STTV) 100th Project!
Roundthorn Bridge on the Llangollen Canal, April 26th – 28th The STTV’s 100th Project was a three-day project to transform an area near Roundthorn Bridge on the Llangollen canal. The group constructed a new section of towpath and a new parking area and installed picnic tables and fences Before work began
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John Riley installing plaque commemorating STTV’s 100th project and Paul Mill’s role in founding the group
Quite a transformation!
Time for a well earned rest!
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Out and about Welsh Assembly Cross Party Waterways Group
Do you realise how difficult life is for the canals of Wales – psychologically I mean? In the south they are linked to Birmingham, as part of the CRT area managed from Gloucester; in the north, they are managed from Northwich and are actually connected to the town. In the south the canals – not all CRT waterways – run down valleys to the sea; in the north the Llangollen and Montgomery are actually connected to a 3,000 mile network. And of course, in the north they cross the border so often that from Ellesmere a boater has to pass through Wales to get anywhere. But Wales is possessive of its canals: they have their own organisation – Glandŵr Cymru – and in Cardiff is the Cross Party Waterways Group, the Welsh Assembly equivalent of the IWA-supported All Party Parliamentary Group at Westminster. For some years the group, currently chaired by the Monmouthshire AM, has met three or four times a year, but unfortunately it does not seem to be well supported by Assembly Members: I hope they get to hear of it anyway. Alan Platt and I attended the May meeting: there was a presentation by Jason Leach of the significant economic, social and environmental benefits of restoration, highlighting the success of the Droitwich and adding the fact that the Heritage Lottery Fund is experiencing a serious reduction in the amount it has available for grants. There followed a presentation by John Dodwell about the Montgomery Canal restoration, money, engineering and volunteers: all in all, a valuable reminder to the Welsh Assembly of the canals of mid-Wales.
Oriel Davies, Newtown
Still with a Welsh theme, you might like to visit Newtown's Oriel Davies Gallery for the exhibition Navigations - Art as Research running to 19 July. "Seven international artists reflect on the nature of progress, decline, globalization and time. Using Wales’ Canal network as a starting point, where they have all been resident artists, they consider the process of making and thinking as an artist while responding to a particular site or situation." The artists include Mair Hughes, Artist-in-Residence locally a year or so ago: you may have seen her bridge-building with miniature hand-made bricks, now on display at the gallery. Visitors are invited to comment on postcards pinned to a board: the reviews were mixed.
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Restoration Conference
The annual IWA/CRT Restoration Conference brings together many of the restoration groups across the country, and the IWA website lists over forty! This year's event covered many topics so important to restoration, from volunteering to communication, funding, insurance, water supply, heritage structures and, of course, health and safety. It was the last that produced the most memorable thought for the day, when Mike Palmer of WRG drew the contrast between commercial contractors, who go home at the end of the day, and canal volunteers who at the end of the day go to the pub – and there they can review what went well, and what went wrong, the very essence of ensuring health and safety on any worksite. One of the most important moments of the meeting was the announcement of the Tony Harrison legacy awards. Tony had helped significantly with the development of the Montgomery Canal restoration strategy and I was delighted when a significant part of his legacy fund was awarded to the Schoolhouse Bridge project, one of the first objectives of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! Appeal. Michael Limbrey
Shrewsbury & North Wales Branch 2018 Calendar
Our 2018 calendar is now available • At the events we attend (see page 4) • From our usual outlets • Aqueduct Marina • Overwater Marina • Audlem Mill • Kings Lock Chandlery • By mail order (£6.50 including p&p) from 7 Barnton Edge, Stone, ST15 8ZR Cheques payable to “The Inland Waterways Association”
Many thanks to our sponsors
Aqueduct Marina 01270 525041 — Cheshire Cat Narrowboat Holidays 07867 790195 Kings Lock Chandlery 01606 737564 — M&L Canal Services and Mobile Engineer 07970 384047 — Mercia Marine Insurance 01684 564457 Midway Boats 01270 528482 — Moors Farm Bed & Breakfast 01938 553395 Morris Lubricants 07182 410391 — Overwater Marina 01270 812677 Swanley Bridge Marina 01270 524571 — Talbot Wharf 01630 652641 Venetian Marina 01270 528251
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Cruising the Shropshire Union, 1908
In 1908 George Westall, described as ‘Late Reading Rowing Club’ and ‘Author of Rateable Machinery’, self-published Inland Cruising, a 264 page book extolling the pleasures of ‘aquatic excursions to many half-forgotten places’. He forecast that with the advent of the motor boat, the canals could be revived for ‘quiet, healthy and agreeable out-door recreation, mainly in rural surroundings’.
He was particularly enthusiastic about what we now call the Llangollen and Montgomery Canals which ‘bring some of the choicest natural scenery in the world within reach of the tourist who, penetrating this beautiful district by these unique and perfectly-conserved waterways will have viewed an extraordinarily picturesque tract of country from the very best means of approach’. He warned that the draught of water on these canals is restricted to the low maximum of 2ft 6in; this restricts the speed but ‘the abounding charm of the route is one which bids the traveller to linger rather than rest and hurry through’. The expectation was that the traveller would stay overnight at a hotel or inn, though Westall warned that this was not always possible so the boat should have ‘a snug covering of Willesden canvas’ and be well-stocked with reserves of foodstuffs.
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In our area he recommended hotels at Nantwich (Crown, Lamb), Ellesmere (Bridgewater, Red Lion), Llanymynech (Cross Keys, Dolphin), Welshpool (Bull, Royal Oak), Newtown (Bear, Elephant & Castle), Chirk (Hand) and Llangollen (Hand, Royal). His boating hints were much as you would expect, bearing in mind that most other boats would be commercial and horse-drawn, one difference being his advice that you should moor on the off-side in order to be clear of tow-lines. The tolls for a motor launch undertaking a single trip from Autherley Junction were: to Ellesmere Port £2; Middlewich 17s.6d; Newtown £2.5s; and Llantisilio £2.5s. A return trip cost half as much again. The tolls for rowing boats were half these amounts. As a comparison, in 1908 the average annual male earnings were £1.7s a week.
The book contains many drawings by Sidney Beaumont, including the curious one reproduced here showing a steam-locomotive hauling a train across a bridge in front of ‘Pontcysslltau’ aqueduct. Peter Brown
IWA Restoration Raffle 2017 now open! Top prizes
1st Prize - £1,000 Cash 2nd Prize - A one week boating holiday in a six berth narrow boat with the Wyvern Shipping Co. Ltd 3rd Prize - A weekend boating holiday for four with Canal Cruising Company Full list of prizes at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/raffle/prizes
Closing date – 15th December Cause - All the money from this years raffle will go towards IWA’s Restoration Hub, therefore there is no nomination process. IWA has established the Restoration Hub to ensure everything we do to support restoration is focused and effective and to create a single point of contact for restoration groups. We want it to be a productive resource that can be utilised by all groups, providing tailored resources and advice. Funds raised through the purchase of raffle tickets will go directly into the activities we have planned for the Hub in 2018. For more information about IWA’s Restoration Hub, please visit www.waterways.org.uk/restorationhub. Terms and Conditions https://www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/raffle/terms_conditions
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Book Review: ‘Roses & Castles’ A Practical Introduction to Narrow Boat Decoration by Jane Marshall. I am a little cautious about reviewing the work of others; my only qualification in this case is two days spent studying at the feet of the master, Phil Speight. I have also painted my own boat with varying degrees of success and failure so am very aware of the problems.
This is a well presented very colourful introduction to traditional narrow boat decoration. It is in two parts, the first being a potted history of canal art including early painters and some of those working today to keep the tradition alive. The second part is a beginner’s DIY guide to ‘Roses and Castles’ style decoration. The origins of the ‘Roses and Castles’ style is discussed and compared to the many forms of early folk art especially those coming from Eastern Europe. There are many full colour pictures suggesting similarities with Mongolian, Gypsy and Russian traditional painting. Influences there may be but no obvious direct link. Examples of work by some of the early painters are reviewed. Again full colour pictures are used to highlight the difference in style and subject matter used by various companies and regions. Seven modern painters were interviewed and they discuss their work and influences. The author Jane Marshall is probably better known for her work with Day Star theatre. For 23 years she and her family toured the canal network aboard their narrow boat ANGRY BULL presenting shows at pubs and festivals. Jane describes how she got interested in boats and the canals and how Day Star was established. They still perform at some canal events and are now based at The Old Stables in Audlem where she paints and teaches. Part two is a step by step guide to painting roses and castles. It is particularly aimed at beginners, with lots of advice about tools and materials. There are detailed illustrations showing the various stages of each design and techniques for transferring designs and lettering from paper to the surface. There is also a very useful list of suppliers. The book is well presented with excellent pictures and clear text. My only negative comment is that it is a little repetitive particularly the illustrations. Many of the pictures are used in several places and one splendid can painted by Frank Nurser appears at least four times albeit to illustrate different features. This is a minor detail and I will recommend this book to anyone wishing to try their hand at painting ‘Roses and Castles’. David Aylwin Available from Canal Book Shop, Audlem Mill
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Mikron Theatre Company 2nd Sept 2017—19:30
In At The Deep End
No tickets required, a cash collection will be taken after the show.
Coton Mill, Newport Road, Gnosall,ST20 0BN
Craig, Claire-Marie, Rose and James by Peter Boyd Photography
More details at: https://mikron.org.uk/tour-dates-detail?show=2017-09-02-coton-mill
The Shrewsbury & North Wales IWA Branch will be at Welshpool Canal & Food Festival raising funds for the Montgomery Canal Appeal. If you would be available to help on the day, please contact one of the Committee members. Contact details are on Page 2
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Your canal pictures needed! We have had some great pictures on the cover of Shroppie Fly Paper and need more! Pictures need to be taken in our area (Shropshire Union from Bridge 3A to Barbridge Junction, Middlewich Branch, Llangollen and Montgomery canals. If you have suitable high-resolution images, please send them to the Editor. (andrew.smith@waterways.org.uk)