Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch Newsletter Spring 2020
Front cover : CRT COVID-19 notice near the Nantwich Embankment by Sandra Walsh on NB Areandare https://barryandsandra.com/2020/03/27/day-nine-were-all-in-this-together/
THE BRANCH COMMITTEE
President
Michael Limbrey 01691 654081
michael.limbrey@waterways.org.uk
Chairman
Michael Haig 07801 415573
michael.haig@waterways.org.uk
Secretary
VACANT
shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk
Membership Sec.
Dawn Aylwin 01691 830403
dawn.aylwin@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer & Welsh Liaison Officer
Alan Platt
alan.platt@waterways.org.uk
Webmaster
Alan Wilding
alan.wilding@waterways.org.uk
Publicity
VACANT
shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk
Newsletter Editor
Andrew Smith
andrew.smith@waterways.org.uk
Committee Members
Susan Wilding
susan.wilding@waterways.org.uk
NW Region Chairman
Sir Robert Atkins robert.atkins@waterways.org.uk 01995 602225 or 07770 254444
Heritage & Planning
Peter Brown
iwa@peterquita.co.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 chairman c/o IWA Chesham address at foot of page 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... When I started work on this issue of the Shroppie Fly Paper at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, I feared it would just consist of a long list of cancellations. And there are certainly plenty of those… However, there is also plenty of news about pre-lockdown activity; on the ground (e.g. Hurleston Locks and an update from the Small Tasks Team Volunteers) and behind the scenes (IWA Parliamentary Reception and local MPs appointed as deputy chairs of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways). There are also reports from branch social activities which took place earlier this year—Winter Walk and Branch Quiz. Both were well supported and we look forward to many more once the current pandemic is over. As keen leisure boaters, we are heeding the advice from government and CRT and not trying to get from North Wales to our boat moored in Nantwich Marina. We are keeping our fingers crossed (though it makes typing this quite difficult…) that we will still be able to get out in the summer. Current plan is to go onto the Llangollen. The Hurleston flight should be officially open again by then. We also hope to take our first boat trip on the Montgomery Canal taking advantage of the extended opening hours for the Frankton Locks. Obviously all of this depends on the current lockdown being over... One effect of the lockdown is that this issue is digital-only i.e. no printed copies. Our printer can not access his printing facility. This is unprecedented and we look forward to being able to provide printed copies of future issues. However if you do want to stay in touch (and save some trees) please make sure that IWA Head Office have your email address and your permission to use it! The next Shroppie Fly Paper will be the Summer 2020 issue. Please send your contributions to me at andrew.smith@waterways.org.uk. All contributions will be gratefully received especially since we won’t be reporting on as many events as usual. Keep home, keep safe and see you next issue! Andrew Smith PS: Please remember that we are always on the lookout for nice waterways related pictures to include in the magazine. You may not be able to get out to take new ones but perhaps you can check back through your library?
Next copy date: Friday, June 19, 2020 1
IWA SHREWSBURY DISTRICT & NORTH WALES BRANCH DIARY 2020 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many event organisers are having to take the difficult decision to postpone or cancel their events. We are presenting the current situation below but it is changing rapidly so it is well worth checking before travelling to any events. To reduce travelling and cost many of the branch business meetings now take place online. If you would like to join us online, please contact our Chairman at: michael.haig@waterways.org.uk Date(s)
Event
June 8, 2020
Branch Committee Meeting (online)
June 20, 2020
Copy deadline for Summer edition
July 17-19, 2020
Gnosall C-Fest
Aug 8-9, 2020
Branch Lockwind, Cholmondeston
Aug 17, 2020
Branch Committee Meeting (online)
Aug 23-24, 2020
Whitchurch Waterways Festival
Oct 12. 2020
Branch Committee Meeting (online)
See page
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This magazine is available in a range of different forms:
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Distribution of Shroppie Fly Paper in all forms is handled by IWA headquarters staff. So, if you would like to change the way that you receive this magazine, please email membership@waterways.org.uk.
FROM THE STEERER
As I write this column, watching yet more rain falling outside my window, I’m very aware that swathes of land within our branch area have spent much of the last month or two under water. And now, following flood, we have pestilence to deal with. Whatever next? If you have been affected by any of this you have our heartfelt sympathy. Even a few short weeks ago, I had still hoped that this could be a virus-free issue of Shroppie Fly Paper. Sadly, that cannot be. With much regret we have decided to postpone our branch’s members’ meeting and AGM in early April, and we are learning on an almost continuous basis of the postponement or cancellation of waterways events, including the Norbury Canal Festival and the Montgomery Triathlon. The deferment of our branch AGM has at least highlighted one important point, and that is that IWA doesn’t have email addresses or permissions to communicate by email for over 20 percent of the memberships affiliated to this branch. We’ve mentioned previously in these pages about how helpful it is – not to mention how it reduces the Association’s costs – to communicate with members by email, which is often the only way we can notify you about events in a timely manner thanks to the infrequent publishing of this newsletter. So, if you didn’t receive emails from us about postponing the AGM, it almost certainly means you’re among the 20 percent and you may well be missing out! You can update your communications preferences and permissions by emailing membership@waterways.org.uk, and we hope you will. One of our plans for the AGM was to have IWA’s national chairman, Paul Rodgers, present at the event. In the absence of a physical meeting this side of the summer, I am working with Paul to find a different way of introducing him to the branch membership and I hope to have further details on this before too long. In the meantime, Paul has kindly found time in his hectic schedule – he has a full-time job as well as being our national chairman – to provide some timely thoughts for this issue. You can find them on page 16. On a positive note, I’m pleased to report that some of our local campaigns are making progress and at least one has delivered a result; opening times for passage through Frankton Locks to and from the Montgomery Canal have been extended, and we hope that this will enable more boats to explore the tranquil pleasures of this rural canal. You can catch up on this and our other campaigning activities on page 17. With Summer Time starting as this issue receives its final editing, the days will continue to get lighter for longer. I hope you have the chance to get out on or beside some of our fantastic canals, and that their lovely scenery and the warmer weather will help to give us all a much-needed lift. Michael Haig
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REGION CHAIRMAN WRITES “Spring is here, Spring is here - I think the loveliest time of the year is the Spring”. So sang Tom Lehrer a few years back. Except that, this year, it isn’t. COVID-19 is threatening us all and many people of all ages are understandably fearful. So what can we do on The Cut, just at a time when we will want to be out and about on the boat? In some ways, it could be a pleasant option for self-isolation, even bearing in mind the need to use locks, bridges, shops and toilet facilities. But wouldn’t it be better to defer waterway activity until the virus has at least peaked? Given CRT’s clear edict for leisure boating to cease and liveaboards to restrict themselves to essential movement only, we all need to stay at home until HMG advises otherwise. . Late summer and autumn can be a lovely time on the canal as well! One small benefit from the present “purdah” is that everyone in the IWA has at last recognised the virtues of online communication. Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp etc have all featured large and my regular pleas for such technology, rather than environmentally-unfriendly car trips around the country, have at last been heard - perforce! We had an online North-West region meeting earlier this month, at which we had the pleasure of the presence of Daniel Greenhalgh, NW Regional Director of the CRT, who was able to take questions and comments from Branch Officers. Three items to pick out were the low water levels in the canal reservoirs (that surprised me!), the new CRT structure and the urgent need for a Navigation Liaison meeting as soon as possible. This will happen on April 6th at Wigan, probably now online. Members considered the annual awards and unanimously decided that the Kenwin Trophy for services to the IWA should go to our former dedicated region secretary, Alan Platt. You will know by now that we have a new National Chairman in Paul Rodgers and he is settling in, taking his first IWA Trustees meeting earlier this month. At that, we discussed the selection and appointment procedures for the new CEO, following Neil Edwards’ imminent retirement, and also the governance of the IWA, consequent upon the changes at the top.
We have agreed to set up a new committee for the IWA of all the Regional Chairmen. We will have our inaugural meeting on April Fools’ Day which, I hope, is more auspicious than it sounds! At this very challenging time, stay safe & well and look out for the vulnerable. Sir Robert Atkins—Chairman, North West Region
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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS We are delighted to welcome the following people who have either transferred to the Branch or joined as new members since the Autumn/Winter edition and hope to meet you all at one of the events advertised in this magazine.
Prof Cox from Hope Bowdler, Church Stretton
Ms Morgan from Yardington, Whitchurch
Mr & Mrs Roberts from Ford, Shrewsbury
Mr Fletcher from Marbury
And yes membership really does matter! At the time of writing, your Branch committee comprises of just 8 out of over 480 members. We try to do as much as possible but can't be everywhere or at all the waterways' events. So your help would be much appreciated. For example the Branch attends a range of canal festivals (though this summer might be quieter…) and organises a lockwind in August; can you spare some time? Just a couple of hours would give us all a lunch or coffee break. Also one of our major fund raising events is the Shrewsbury Christmas Card Shop. To date we have been lucky enough to have Roy Stokes who organises the paperwork and sets up the stall and Hugh Appleton who works two days during November selling cards and calendars. Would you be willing to help them? Do you have a boat in a marina? If so would you be willing to organise a stall at their open day? Or do you live in a town/village which holds an event by a canal? Again would you be willing to man a stall? We can provide material and goods to sell. Please get in touch with any member on your Branch committee. Thank you. Dawn Aylwin
SHROPPIE FLY PAPER BACK ISSUES ONLINE!
Did you know that you can access back issues of this magazine at issuu.com? The link to find issues back to 2009 is https://issuu.com/waterwaysassoc/stacks/ ff499dbd5f2941bba5e738cf88c600d6 But if that’s too much to type in, try this shortened version! https://bit.ly/2Pn5arf
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WHITCHURCH CANAL FESTIVAL Sat 22nd / Sunday 23rd August
Apologies to the organisers of the Whitchurch Canal Festival for getting the name of the event wrong in the last issue‌ At the time of writing, the festival website is showing limited availability for commercial and non-commercial boats. So if any boaters are wanting to attend by boat, it would be a good idea to book soon. No doubt the organisers have everything crossed hoping that the festival will be able to take place as planned. The website is available at:
http://whitchurchwaterway.uk/canal-festival
NEW CHAIR FOR THE ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR THE WATERWAYS The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways, which held its inaugural meeting for the new Parliament on Tuesday 25th February, has appointed Michael Fabricant MP as its new Chair. Michael Fabricant with IWA National The Group also agreed key topics to be Chairman Paul Rodgers addressed over coming months, including the importance of protecting waterways heritage, how waterway restoration can act as a catalyst for much wider regeneration, and encouraging access to the waterways for sport and leisure use.
Michael Fabricant is well known for his support of the waterways, particularly the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust of which he is a patron. Of particular interest to our branch, two local MPs, Simon Baynes MP (South Clwyd) and Craig Williams MP (Montgomeryshire) have been appointed deputy chairmen of the group. See page 19 for more on this and other campaigning activity by the IWA.
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NORBURY CANAL FESTIVAL 8/9/10 APRIL CANCELLED Unfortunately, in view of the current coronavirus situation, the organisers of the Norbury Canal Festival have decided that they must cancel this year's festival.
COULD YOU BE A ‘BOATING BUDDY’? IWA is very happy to encourage as many as possible of its members with boats to sign up for Canal & River Trust’s Boating Buddies scheme. This excellent scheme aims to get CRT staff out on boats to experience the waterways from a boater’s perspective. Boating Buddies offers an ideal opportunity to introduce CRT people (new and longer standing, senior and more junior) to the difficulties as well as the delights of boating. Inadequate dredging, overhanging vegetation, compromised sight-lines or long distances between facilities are all things that can be highlighted on a day or few hours afloat. One could mention too the difficulty of finding a mooring at visitor hot-spots (ever been frustrated by boats over-staying on visitor moorings?). It’s also a great opportunity to highlight the work of IWA. We help CRT (and other navigation authorities) in so many ways, including volunteer work parties tackling offside vegetation, water-borne canal clean-ups, towpath litter picks, and practical advice on how to improve satisfaction among waterways users. For example, do you remember our “Gaptracker” report early last year? Our findings from this survey suggested that waterway users are most interested in the three basic facilities of water, rubbish disposal and portable toilet emptying. This would indicate that any new facilities built by navigation authorities can be of a much simpler design than some of the current buildings. This should be music to their ears as a simpler provision would be much cheaper to maintain. In fact, the three basic facilities do not need to be in buildings at all. Some of the best portable toilet emptying points are of a design which is open to the elements; taps are best free standing and adjacent to the water’s edge to avoid hoses trailing across the towpath; and rubbish bins or skips should be inside locked roof-less compounds or accessible only by water. There’s something to talk about! You can sign up to offer a trip on your boat by visiting Canal & River Trust’s website. If you would like further information or suggestions, please contact me. Michael Haig
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LLANGOLLEN & MONTGOMERY CANALS ON TV If you are looking for some lockdown viewing, you could check out Gareth Edwards’ Great Welsh Adventure on BBC iPlayer. As I write this, the first 3 episodes (of 4) are available on BBC iPlayer. The Llangollen Canal is featured in episode 1 and the Montgomery in the second one. The last two episodes feature the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal and the lost canals of Swansea and Neath. If you are interested, don’t delay! Episode 1 is currently available for 12 days (as at 28th March) so you need to watch it before 8th or 9th April...
Andrew Smith PS: Having now watched the first episode, I should perhaps give a health warning to other boaters… You might want to watch this from behind the sofa or be prepared to cover your eyes. Some parts are rather scary and I don’t mean the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct crossing… PPS: Regular contributor Peter Brown has also been watching the programme and on page 9 offers an historical perspective on who should get credit for the the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
CRACKS IN TOWPATH AT NANTWICH
Talking about historical structures, back in November Graham Russell alerted us to an article in the Nantwich News about cracks in the canal embankment at Nantwich. Our boat is moored in Nantwich Marina and there have been cracks in the towpath all the time we have known it. However, recently, monitoring pins have appeared prompting concerns of new movement. In the article, CRT assure us that the embankment is being regularly checked and there is no cause for concern. The full article is available at: https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2019/11/15/residents-reassured-as-towpathcracks-emerge-on-canal-embankment-in-nantwich/ Andrew Smith
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WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT? Last night (10 March) I watched ‘Great Welsh Canal Adventure with Gareth Edwards’, the latest of the many television programmes where a celebrity marvels at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. And like John Sargent, Timothy West and Julia Bradbury before him, he gave the sole credit to Thomas Telford. Yet there is no doubt that William Jessop had the ultimate responsibility for recommending the design of the aqueduct. The minutes of the committee meeting on 10 August 1795 stated that the report of William Jessop ‘Principal Engineer to this Company’ dated 14 July 1795 was read, in which he wrote ‘it will be advisable that the ... Aqueduct should be constructed of iron at the level of one hundred and twenty five feet above the surface of the water of the of the River Dee’. The committee resolved: ‘It is ordered that the recommendation of Mr Jessop ... shall be adopted and that the General Surveyor and Agent of this Company [Telford] is hereby directed to proceed in the said works conformably thereto.’ Telford’s draft design was amended by Jessop. We know this for certain from a letter from Jessop to Telford dated 26 July 1795 which is in the archives of the Institution of Civil Engineers. This is the only letter between them which seems to have survived, and that only because it was misfiled in other of Telford’s correspondence. Amongst other amendments he said that the piers should be 7 feet rather than 6 feet wide at the top and 12 feet instead of 10 feet long. The principal reason he gave for this change was what we would now call ‘health & safety’ — a rare instance of this being explicitly considered at that time. In the World Heritage Site publications, joint credit is given to Jessop and Telford, rightly in my opinion. Peter Brown
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HURLESTON LOCKS : A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE The Canal & River Trust is spending over £1 million on Lock 4 of the Hurleston Flight because over the years the sides have gradually shifted, distorting its shape. In particular, historic boats built to ‘southern England’ standards have been unable to pass through. The locks were built between 1803 and 1805 by the contractors John Fletcher and John Simpson, the former dealing with the earthworks, the latter with the masonry structures. Although Thomas Telford was at that time still General Agent of the canal company, the original survey had been carried out by John Fletcher and the supervising engineer was probably Thomas Denson. The report issued at the time of the canal’s opening stated that the foundations of several of the locks east from Grindley Brook had been ‘very difficult, tedious and expensive’ to make, and that it had been necessary ‘to secure their foundations by platforms and dove-tailed pilings, and by giving vent ... to the water which rises through the quicksands’. The report did not say whether the problem locks included those at Hurleston. The problem of the unusually narrow locks is not new. Bradshaw’s Canals and Navigable Rivers, published in 1904 using information provided by the various canal companies, stated that the maximum size of vessels which could use the branch from Hurleston Junction is 6ft 9in, whereas it gave a figure of 6ft 10in for the Main Line and the Middlewich and Newport Branches. (The narrow canals then between London and Birmingham were recorded in Bradshaw as accommodating boats of up to 7ft width, with the Birmingham Canal taking boats up to 7ft 1½ inches wide.) The Shropshire Union management was well aware of the issue. In 1887-8 seventeen steel boats were built at the Crewe works of the London & North Western Railway at a cost of £218 each. The committee was told that these were two inches narrower than those used in the Staffordshire trade, in order to prevent them jamming in locks, though this reduced their carrying capacity by two tons. Peter Brown
COMMITTEE VACANCY
We are sorry to report that our publicity officer, Phil Pickin, has announced his wish to stand down from the branch committee due to other commitments. We would like to thank Phil very much for all his help and look forward to staying in touch at various branch events. Would any other members like to give us a hand and boost our numbers? Please contact michael.haig@waterways.org.uk or any other committee member.
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HURLESTON LOCKS UPDATE It looks like the Hurleston Lock flight re-opening may not have taken place on schedule on Friday 27th March. Apparently the Chamberlain Carrying Co boats Mountbatten and Jellicoe were worked through the flight on Friday so that they can service boats on the Llangollen which should limit the amount they need to travel looking for supplies. However there has not (so far) been an official notification from Canal & River Trust that the flight is re-opened. Obviously we will continue to monitor the situation and post an update on our Branch Facebook page when it does happen. In the meantime, a video posted by Canal & River Trust on 10th March gives a very good idea of the scale of the works. Clearly this was no minor repair! You can find the video at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/? v=252289192434911 Andrew Smith
nb Plover and Saturn prepare to tackle Hurleston bottom lock in easier times (photo courtesy of Michael Haig)
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SMALL TASKS TEAM VOLUNTEERS In November last year our work parties called for some work on the tow path near Nantwich requiring the use of a boat, and offside cutting back at Calveley again using a boat. The boat was at Calveley so a round trip was called for. It was a lengthy business involving two days!
The December event was a delightful Christmas lunch! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Cheshire Cat. The picture shows only half of the assembled 26 volunteers and wives and partners. It seems a long time ago now!
January blessed us with a week without rain. This was fortunate as we were building a new access point near the bridge on Coole Lane (Bridge 82) and it took all week. It was foggy and the ground was sodden and muddy but the dry weather meant that we could get on with the work uninterrupted except by the passing of some fast drivers, in spite of our signs. At least we had the satisfaction of knowing that our new steps would be a great deal safer than the old ones which were right by the hump-back bridge. They were also dangerous with big uneven steps and a gate that knocked one off the top step!
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We broke through the hedge, and work was soon underway. During the week we received many compliments. Evidently the old steps had been a trial to a good many people! The job was finished, bar the painting but that will have to wait for more clement weather!
All that remained was to dispose of the old steps which we did with a load of soil which we had dug out to make the new ones. We also constructed a fence at the top of the slope and planted a row of whips of hawthorn. It should deter even the most habitual users and persuade them to use the new facility!
The group was thanked by Angela Barnett on behalf of C&RT for job thoroughly well done. The hours logged by the volunteers amounted to 340. John Banister
STTV are always prepared to welcome new members. Contact: John Riley 01352 741322 / 07707 781832 | johnriley1701@gmail.com
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SLOW SPEED CANAL
HS2 has got the go-ahead. Over budget and late, whether you welcome this or don’t you will be aware that the IWA has been campaigning for years to protect waterways from the worst effects of its construction and operation. Several changes have been won but the Association continue to be concerned about noise impact and damage to some restorations. On the Montgomery Canal we find ourselves matching the HS2 experience when it comes to our budget for Schoolhouse Bridge. My last report outlined many issues that have to be addressed to satisfy the highway engineers. Though the cost of the bridge is still within our original expectation, all those ‘extras’ mean the bridge will cost more! More, that is, than the contingencies we had included in the original budget. So the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal has to raise more than we expected. Fortunately, we have recently received help from two legacies, no less than £50,000 in total, from generous supporters in Cheshire and the Wirral. Legacy funds can be so important: the original Aston Nature Reserve was largely funded with a substantial IWA legacy from a former branch member and today the IWA grant from the Tony Harrison legacy is a very significant contribution to Schoolhouse Bridge.
If you think that people you see at canal meetings have grey hair then perhaps it becomes more important to talk about legacy funding (and the Inheritance Tax saving that goes with a charitable legacy). A further legacy contribution to the Appeal is coming through a family arrangement re-writing the distribution of the estate of a family member: a gift to charity made this way has the same benefits. So do think about helping the IWA with a legacy or through a family arrangement where a family member has passed away ( – and why not specify that it has to be used for one of the projects in the branch area?). The second similarity to HS2 is that things are taking longer than expected! By the time that planning permission was granted last November it was too late to get all the preparations in place for work to start in the spring. Reluctantly we had no choice but to conclude that the project would have to be delayed until 2021. The year’s delay will at least help us raise more for the bridge ( – if necessary we can borrow from a generous supporter, but that would have to be repaid). The final HS2 connection is that HS2 came to our aid with technical and design issues. The bridge site is on a narrow country lane and our consultants established that there is very little traffic, that vehicles travel at low speed and that there have not been any accidents. Despite this, our volunteer engineer Roger Bravey was faced with the Council’s highway engineers’ expectation that the new bridge would meet design standards more suited to a trunk road. HS2 had met the same situation many times and came up with a design standard more suited to country lanes with very little traffic etc. Adopting the HS2 standard meant that the design needed only one variation from the standard and that was agreed. Thanks, HS2!
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While we have to wait for the main project to get under way, we hope this year can see the diversion of the water main (and we have found a cheaper way of managing this) and the telephone wire across the site and that some preparatory work can be carried out on the site too. Next year should then see the start of the main project. This will involve closing the road with diversions for general traffic, excavating the existing embankment, creating a concrete base and sides for the bridge, contractors installing the precast arch and spandrel walls, filling over the arch and installing kerbs and safety parapet, constructing reinforced earthwork embankments to support the road, backfilling behind the abutment walls, surfacing the road by contractors, and final landscaping before re-opening the road. I have said before that this is the most exciting volunteer-led project on the Montgomery Canal for many years. As we don’t think CRT would look at this section for many years it’s the only way to reopen the canal to the border at Llanymynech. Most importantly, as this is a public highway, it is absolutely essential that the project is completed on time: by contrast other restorations have had time to build or rebuild a bridge at the pace that suits the volunteers with no deadline.
So it’s exciting, and challenging. But members have been rising to the challenge. We have a team of volunteers who have come forward to help, bringing many skills and much enthusiasm – and building up the volunteer team has been one of the most gratifying features of the project. Our most recent recruit is Phil Parker who was BW Waterway Manager twenty years ago and then worked in private practice. We are looking to build up a team of local volunteers on site between visiting work parties to create this vital link in reopening the canal, creating a lasting legacy over twelve to eighteen months. Through this year we are planning to take the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal to canal events and again are hoping that supporters of the project will come to help. If you can, we will make sure you are briefed about the appeal and our ambitions and also to make sure you have time to enjoy the event: we can offer historic narrowboats at Braunston, traction engines in Shrewsbury, coracles in Welshpool, the steamer ‘Daniel Adamson’ at Anderton – we would like to get to the IWA Festival of Water at Worcester too. Schoolhouse Bridge will be open before HS2. Can you resist any of our exciting opportunities? Michael Limbrey
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AN ASSOCIATION FOR TOUGH TIMES! We’re facing challenging times globally as governments, scientists and medical experts try to come up with the best – or least worst – option to safeguard the public, businesses, the wider economy, and life as we know it. In my business life, I’ve had to make some very bold decisions to safeguard our employees, clients and suppliers. In a similar way IWA’s staff team has demonstrated remarkable resilience over the past few weeks, moving to remote working whilst continuing to support the wider management structures in branches and committees. Initially, the physical meetings of some branch AGMs and committees were cancelled with no contingency being offered. I’m pleased to say that most have now been reinstated as online meetings – some on the original dates and some for a few weeks hence to allow for a change to their programme. It’s great to see that the formal business, talks, presentations and even the social interaction has been able to be replicated online. I realise that this has been a bold step for those for whom online channels aren’t part of their normal daily lives but we’re already seeing that, by adopting these simple new approaches, we can reach out to the entire IWA membership, locally, regionally and nationally in a way that we have never done before. Since becoming National Chairman, I’ve made a point of drawing people’s attention to the vision of our founding fathers 75 years ago in forming an association to campaign for the regeneration of the waterways. At this challenging time, I think it is worth reflecting on what being an ‘association’ means. I think it calls for us to be welcoming, engaging, collaborative, relational, participative and part of a community that is working together for a common cause. Now, that’s quite tough in the current climate when we’re all supposed to be self-isolating and socially distancing. The waterways are, however, one of the best environments to resolve this dilemma; we can be out and about enjoying the great resource that we’ve worked so hard to revitalise over IWA’s history. It’s time for our members and volunteers to enjoy some of what we’ve preserved and are maintaining – and to share our passion for it with our family, friends and neighbours who have, perhaps, not realised what a wonderful resource is on their doorsteps. When I met with DEFRA (in an online meeting) this week, I made the point that as the government makes plans to respond to COVID-19, the waterways should remain open for all.
I’m very conscious that by the time this will go to print the situation will have moved on and that we are likely to be even more in the grip of the virus with greater numbers contracting COVID-19. I urge you to keep safe and stay healthy and spend some time thinking about how, even in the midst of the current situation, our Association can go from strength to strength. Paul Rodgers
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CAMPAIGN UPDATES
Campaigning often feels like moving two steps forward and one step back, or even one step forward then two steps back, but it’s been a fundamental part of IWA’s role for almost 75 years. Here is a look at what your branch has been doing recently.
Frankton Locks
After a 10-month campaign by the branch, Canal & River Trust has agreed to extend the opening times of Frankton Locks for the summer 2020 season starting on 30th March 2020. The extension, from the current 12am-2pm daily opening to 9am-1pm daily, should improve boater access to the Montgomery Canal.
Frankton Locks. Photo by Michael Limbrey
Additional advantages of the revised opening times are that boaters will not have to moor above or below the locks waiting for a noon opening, and the additional hours should spread water demand over a longer period, reducing the problems of low water at the top lock. The current Montgomery Canal Conservation Strategy allows for 2,500 boat visitors a year onto the canal; however, based on CRT’s lockage statistics for the past few years, the actual number of boats visiting is only around 1,100-1,200 per annum. We are keen to help more boats explore the delights of this tranquil, rural waterway, particularly in view of the extensive restoration work to extend the limit of navigation for powered craft beyond Gronwen Wharf, which is currently one of IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge destinations.
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For the foreseeable future, the requirement for both advance bookings and for a minimum stay of one night with a maximum of 14 nights will remain in force. If you wish to book passage through Frankton Locks, you should contact CRT no later than 10am on the day of passage. Bookings can be made via CRT’s website at https://licensing.canalrivertrust.org.uk or by calling 03030 404040. (Editor’s Note: As with many things, this information has been overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest from Canal & River Trust is as follows: “Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the locks will only be operating at certain times via a booking system. Bookings will only be available between 12noon to 2pm, Monday to Friday. Please note online bookings has been suspended; to make a booking, please call 03030 404040. Please be mindful that our staff have been instructed to remain 2 metres away from others when instigating communications and interacting with our customers. Please respect this personal safety zone. An update will be provided after the official Government review date of 14th April.)
Canoe Safety
We are continuing to promote improvements to tunnel safety for unpowered craft on the upper Llangollen Canal and specifically at Chirk Tunnel. We had hoped to have a water-borne site visit jointly with CRT this spring, but there must be some doubt over the timing of that in the light of current advice on restricting travel and socialising.
Ellesmere Heritage
The sad state of the historic canal warehouse at Ellesmere Wharf continues to concern us. Readers may recall that we had written to Shropshire Council urging them to take enforcement action on the then owners to prevent the loss of this historic asset. In a further complication, last summer accountants Grant Thornton UK were appointed administrators to eight companies within the Pochin group, who were the building’s owners, and we have so far been unable to find out what has happened to its property portfolio, of which the Ellesmere warehouse was a part.
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Picture by Peter Brown
Political Lobbying
Another mainstay of IWA campaigning, political lobbying is essential in order to keep our waterways and their value in the public eye and on the political agenda. This becomes especially important as we move towards a renegotiation of the 15-year funding deal originally agreed between the government and CRT in 2012.
Branch Chairman Michael Haig (centre) with MPs Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) and Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire) at IWA Parliamentary Reception Jan 2020
Immediately after the general election last December, we wrote to all four newly-elected MP’s in the branch area with canals in their constituencies, to introduce IWA and urge them to support their local waterways. We are pleased to report that this approach bore fruit, with three of them attending IWA’s parliamentary reception at Westminster at the end of January. Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) and Craig Williams (Montgomeryshire) were both keen to get involved with the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways, and it is excellent news for the Welsh canals that both have been chosen to be deputy chairmen by the other parliamentarians on the group. We hope that readers find some of these important developments interesting and, indeed, you may have observations or suggestions on these or other waterway-related matters that could help our campaigning effort. If you do, please contact branch chairman Michael Haig
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ODDS & ENDS FROM THE MONTGOMERY CANAL Montgomery Canal Forum
The Montgomery Canal Forum will be held at the Corn Exchange, Welshpool Town Hall at 2.30pm on Monday 27th April. This is a public meeting so all are welcome: there is no charge for admission – but don’t be surprised if you are asked for a donation! The meeting will include presentations relating to the Montgomery Canal and its restoration. The Forum will be opened by Glyn Davies (who has been a councillor on Powys County Council, a member of the Welsh Assembly and most recently MP for Montgomeryshire). Speakers at the Forum will be Val Hawkins, Chief Executive of Mid-Wales Tourism and Tony Lewery, one of the editors of the Jack Roberts story, Shropshire Union FlyBoats, which is an account of working boats on the SU including the Montgomery. Michael Limbrey will give an update on the Restore the Montgomery Canal! project.
DVD
The new Montgomery Canal DVD is proving very popular and we have had to order more so it will be on sale at events through the year. There are 90 minutes of archive film, interviews and aerial footage, including the last interview with Harry Arnold who did so much for the canal for over half a century. £12 if you buy it at one of our events or £14 inc p&p from MCRL, 26 Bentley Drive, Oswestry SY11 1TQ. Email Michael Limbrey at michael.limbrey@waterways.org.uk . (Would a member like to take over sales to give him more time for other things?)
Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal
We are delighted that the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal has received a grant of £2,000 toward the Schoolhouse Bridge project from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the publishers of the Oswestry Advertizer and County Times. Newsquest Media Group publish local papers across the country but this was the only grant made in our area and one of only 40 across the whole country. Thank you Gannett and the Oswestry Advertizer.
From the Papers:
County Times, 20 January 2020: Cllr James Evans, the council’s portfolio holder for economic development, housing and regulatory services and Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, say they would like to see the canal restoration included in projects submitted for Mid Wales Growth Deal support. Cheque presentation: L to R – Roger Bravey (Lead engineer Schoolhouse Bridge project), Michael Limbrey (Restore the Montgomery Canal (RTMC)), Emily Lloyd (Editor, Oswestry Advertizer), Christine Palin (RTMC), Ken Jackson (Schoolhouse Bridge project) and Chris Bushnell (RTMC)
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Shropshire Star, 31 January 2020 The local AM and MP for Montgomeryshire have once again supported a bid by the Montgomery Canal Partnership for the canal restoration to be included in the projects supported by the Mid Wales Growth Deal.
L to R; Craig Williams MP, Michael Limbrey, John Dodwell (Chairman of the Montgomery Canal Partnership) and Russell George AM
Towpath Talk, 3 March 2020 Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams, a passionate supporter of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal, has agreed to become a vice-president of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust. “I am truly delighted to become a vice president of Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust,” said Mr Williams. “I pay tribute to all the work that has been done by this organisation to restore the Montgomery Canal, which is something that I am passionate about. I shall do everything I can in Parliament to help reopen the canal to Newtown.”
Montgomery Canal Triathlon
The Friends of the Montgomery Canal opened bookings for this year’s Triathlon (2 May) early and after three months – and with two months to go before the event – nearly 200 entries had been received with all available canoes booked. This is a popular canal event for families and the energetic needing over 80 volunteers to help at road crossings and locks (on the final canoe section). The organisers are always looking for help: contact friendsmontcanal@aol.com .
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Restore the Montgomery Canal!
The Restore the Montgomery Canal! team – which includes the branch – is planning to take the appeal to a number of events over he coming months. Could you help? Contact michael.limbrey@waterways.org.uk. The main events are: Welshpool Transport Festival – 20 June Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally – 27/28 June Restoration Showcase aboard SS Daniel Adamson, Anderton – 22/23 August Shrewsbury Steam Rally – 30/31 August National Festival of Water, Worcester – 29/31 August Michael Limbrey
Editor’s note:
The above list of events has been edited to reflect cancellations after the article was submitted. The events were not removed from the list as it is important that we can see how active the Restore the Montgomery Canal! Team are. Once the COVID-19 crisis is over, they will need even more help with the remaining events!
The plan for Schoolhouse Bridge!
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QUIZ NIGHT -MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020 7.30PM On a cold March evening about thirty-five hardy souls braved the rain and threat of Coronavirus infection to gather at the Narrowboat at Whittington Wharf, for the 22nd annual quiz. In the spirit of waterways matters in these parts the event, while organized by the branch, was non-denominational with quizzers attending from the Friends of the Montgomery, Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust and Shropshire Union Canal Society, as well as a few non -affiliated individuals.
As is the custom, the previous year’s winners set the questions, which is a very good reason for coming second, so the questions were put by Chris Bryan-Smith of SUCS, and Michael Limbrey (who has more hats than the Queen), ably assisted by Eileen Limbrey sporting a very fetching pair of crutches. In contrast to some previous years, the questions were by and large answerable and the final total scores ranged from a respectable 39½ to an impressive 62. The winning team, the Famous Five consisted of David and Dawn Aylwin with David and Val Fletcher plus Sue Blake (handicapping was not applied) who were duly awarded the prizes of an IWA mug each, which is not to be taken as admitting that the branch couldn’t sell IWA branded goodies at last year’s events. Most of the participants ate at the Narrowboat beforehand, and Martin and his team looked after us all very well; the traditional raffle raised a useful amount for party funds and thanks to those who donated prizes. The proverbial good time was had by all. Alan Platt
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BRAIN OF MONTY QUIZ 2020 Yes it's back! So once again you can have hours of fun deciphering the MONTY clues - however there is a change this year as numbers 18 and 32 have MONT in the question rather than the answer; but remember if not in the question then MONT must appear in the answer - confusing? Well don't blame me as I have only used the tie-breaker questions from 2018. Not sure why a couple of people got it the wrong way round. Apart from the prestige of winning the coveted title of 'Brain of Monty 2020' for which you will need perfect vision, you could also win the £25 prize, all for just £1. Why not give it a go and join the elite group of 'Brain of Monty' enthusiasts? The proceeds will go towards the restoration of the two miles of the Montgomery Canal from Crickheath to Llanymynech as part of the Restore The Montgomery Canal! appeal. The winner will be announced in December on www.restorethemontgomerycanal.uk PLEASE PLEASE HELP US Are you willing to sell copies of the quiz? It would be fantastic if every member of the Branch could buy/sell just 5 copies. If you are willing please send: SAE (A5 16 x 23cm) plus £1 for a single copy or
SAE (as above) plus £5 and sell the other copies to family and friends or SAE plus £1 and a donation to help the canal restoration From past experience £1 coins travel easily through the post, suitably wrapped. However notes and cheques are far safer. Cheques should be made payable to: Restore the Montgomery Canal and sent to: Brain of Monty Quiz, Wyndcliff, Pen-y-Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry, SY10 8JS Yes we really do need your help to reach the target of selling 1000 copies - just think of what your contribution will do for the restoration project. Dawn Aylwin PS:
With so many events being cancelled we are now relying on all of you to buy or sell this quiz . So please help us.
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A REGIONAL WATERBORNE SOCIAL Just an advance notice that the annual North West Region Social is in the final planning stages. This year it is being hosted by Manchester Branch and the outline programme is that we foregather at the trip boat Emmeline Pankhurst in Castlefield Basin about 11:00.
A short talk and prizegiving (in which the branch may well feature) will be followed by lunch and then a cruise along out of Castlefield and down onto the Irwell and a cruise towards Manchester and or Salford Quays, before a finish at 15.30. With the cruise the cost will be ÂŁ25 a head and the date has yet to be fixed, but will be a Saturday in late June, early July or later subject to the current coronavirus emergency. Full details will be circulated to all by email when available. Alan Platt
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BRANCH WINTER WALK SATURDAY 4TH JANUARY 2020 MONTGOMERY CANAL TOWPATH The meeting up and car sharing went well and 18 of us were soon in Canal Central drinking coffee, tea or chocolate, as well as munching Fiona's lovely scones. Ian gave us a brief history of the cafĂŠ after we had all perused the info sheets provided by Alan Wilding and chosen our lunch menus. It was cloudy and cool when we set off but once on the way the sun came out and the rest of the day was glorious. We stopped at Maesbury Marsh village to look at the Navigation Inn, Sycamore House and the wharf crane and heard some of the canal's history. Although not everyone had met before the group soon got to chat to each other as we walked along. We had walkers from Llangollen, Oswestry, St. Martins, Anglesey, Wolverhampton, Cheswardine, Nantwich, Telford and Shrewsbury. Not all were IWA members. We stopped to look at the chimney at the former Bone Works , spotted an early primrose and enjoyed the open views. We were joined at Aston Locks by another four enthusiasts who had walked down from Queen's Head. We rested here for a short time while Alan W and Michael Limbrey told us about the restoration of the locks, the original and recent nature reserves and the unique ground paddle gear on the Welshpool stretch. On reaching Queen's Head we were all ready for lunch so having changed our footwear we were welcomed into the pub's conservatory, overlooking the canal, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch and chatted more. Two spouses joined us here which made a very large party.
The feeling was that we had all had a great walk helped by the sunshine and all are looking forward to the next one! Susan Wilding
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WHY DO I DO IT?
This is the second of a series of short articles where branch volunteers talk about what they enjoy about taking part in IWA activities. Thanks to Alan and Susan Wilding for their contribution! It all started for us in 1976 when we borrowed a friend's cruiser for a week on the Llangollen Canal. At Frankton we came across a notice, "The Montgomery Canal starts here" and just below the top lock were some young men digging in the mud - looking for the plug! From then-on we were 'hooked' on canals and soon bought our friend's boat, spending many happy times cruising the waterways, some of which were only accessible after a lengthy tow behind the car. Not content with the wonderful views above water we both explored below – Susan at Pilgrims Lock on the Avon and Alan (wearing his brand new captain’s cap) in the depths of Whixall on the Llangollen. We attended rallies and events promoting the canals and often Alan was Master of Ceremonies at many of these, including re-openings at Frankton, Burgedin, Carreghofa and Gallowstree Bank. Susan had the unenviable role of getting a helicopter safely into the Monty 08 sports field at Welshpool while Alan was away doing his BBC programme. We were part of the small group, along with Michael Limbrey, who set up the Shrewsbury branch of IWA. We will never forget the warm IWA welcome we received when we first launched our boat on the newly restored sections in the Welshpool area, many years ago. We didn't want to dig or lay bricks (too much to do at home!) but we were happy (and still are) to man stands, write articles and chat about the waterways as well as giving illustrated talks to groups, while collecting donations along the way. Alan has been Branch web editor for about 12 years and enjoys using this and Facebook to publicise events with pictures and videos. We wish we’d ‘found’ the inland waterways earlier in life and, these days, we like to try and make more of the general public aware of how they might enjoy the UK’s huge heritage of canal and river navigations. As members of the branch we recognise and support the importance of restoration as well as the proper upkeep of existing navigable waterways.
We don't own a boat nowadays but have hired on several occasions in this country and in France and towpath walk whenever we can. When we’re driving around, the sight of a hump-back bridge always gives us a thrill and invariably means a stop to explore. Alan and Susan Wilding
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SCHOOLHOUSE BRIDGE: ARE WE READY? Volunteer for a start on site in August
It’s hard to imagine what it’s like to be outside on a warm summer’s day and getting satisfaction from creating something new, but the management team of Montgomery Canal Restoration Ltd has been beavering away during the long winter nights to prepare for putting a spade in the ground in August this year. I joined the team last November with a remit to help set up the management systems for the construction phase of the project. The design is complete, planning is done, Health and Safety documentation is being finalised, now we need a workforce. Would you like to be part of our volunteer team to work on site from time to time? This year’s tasks involve setting up the site in preparation for major excavation and building the bridge in 2021. So we will clear the site of vegetation, erect fences and modify public access around the site, create temporary road diversion, modify land drainage etc. In summary this year’s work is about ground works.
Contractors remove tree at Schoolhouse Bridge
So if you can handle a shovel, enjoy working outside, have a talent for DIY, register an interest now before you firm up 2020’s holiday plans. Don’t worry if you haven’t done this kind of thing before, we will provide induction training, personnel protective equipment and all the tools. Please register an interest by contacting me at kgjackson@btinternet.com or Michael Limbrey at michael.limbrey@waterways.org.uk. Ken Jackson
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MONTGOMERY CANAL TRIATHLON POSTPONED The Committee of the Friends of the Montgomery Canal have issued the following statement about the postponement of the Montgomery Canal Triathlon: “In the light of the most recent Government advice about the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 and in consideration of the health and safety of everyone involved in organising and attending the Montgomery Canal Triathlon, we are very sorry to announce that we have decided to postpone the event scheduled for 2nd May 2020.” “We know this will be disappointing news for those who have been looking forward to taking part, forming teams, training and putting effort into fundraising for their chosen causes – including the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. We apologise to everyone and the good causes concerned.” “We have decided to postpone the event to2021 in view of uncertainty about the progress of the coronavirus this year. We are looking forward to organising the next Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday 8th May 2021.” “All entrants in the 2020 event may receive a refund of their entry fees or, if they wish, they may donate their entry fees to the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. Alternatively, they will be able to defer their entry until the 2021 event. Entrants will be contacted over the next few days to make arrangements for this.” For further information, please contact: christinepalin@btinternet.com
WELSHPOOL TRANSPORT FESTIVAL CANCELLED We have been advised that the the Welshpool Transport Festival has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The festival was planned for 20th June 2020 and was due to feature a range of water-based activities. The events coordinator for Welshpool Town Council has expressed the hope that the festival can be re-organised for June 2021.
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GNOSALL C-FEST 2020 (17/19 JULY)
For those who don't know, the part of Gnosall near the canal is really "Gnosall Heath". The bigger/original part of the village lies 1 mile east around the church. Gnosall has much going on throughout the year including serially winning Best Kept Village awards. However, those by the canal felt that more could be done at this end. With CRT advocating canal adoptions and volunteering GTR (Gnosall towpath restoration) was born. Our mantra is that we do; what we can, how we can, when we can, to improve the canal corridor through the village. Unlike some volunteer groups we are not CRT led but we do liaise with a CRT facilitator. We hope visitors are starting to see the benefits. Last year, we decided to put on our first canal festival. It has been quite a journey but it has generally been judged a success. Of course, there were hiccups and some less good bits, which we hope to have addressed for 2020. For example, we are improving the layout and access to the festival garden and more mundane issue like litter and toilets. Signage will be improved and assisted by maps and an on-line presence. From the start, we wanted our festival to be community based with many local groups sharing the work and sharing the benefits. We do not want commercialism or "in-your-face" fundraising. We want to make sure that all have a good time whether visiting by boat, walking/cycling from our large village or visiting from further afield. Elsewhere, many events have a single site focus. We are in the fortunate position of hosting events/attractions in multiple proximate places over multiple days. www.gnosallcanalfestival.co.uk
Historic talks in the Methodist hall: Sat
Trading Boats along the Towpath: Fri - Sun
At least 5 Bands over 3 days at two great pubs: Fri - Sun
Historic Boats along the towpath: Sat - Sun
Festival Garden - Canal societies, Teas and more: Sat - Sun
The Boat Inn open for fine food, drink and more: Fri - Sun
The Navigation Inn - for fine food, drink and more: Fri - Sun
Free Public boat trips. Sat - Sun Barry Witts
Editor’s note
As we go to press, the Gnosall C-Fest website states that a decision will be made at the end of May as to whether the festival will proceed this year. As the next issue of Shroppie Fly Paper is due at the end of June, we will be able to give you an update then.