June 13, 2022 Branch Committee Meeting (online) July 15-17, 2022 Gnosall Canal Festival

GNOSAL L TOWPATH RESTORATION GROUP –C A NA L F ESTI VAL J UL Y 20 2 2

We’ve been invited to share with the readers of The Shroppie Fly a little bit about the work we have been doing. ‘We’ are Gnosall Towpath Restoration group [GTR]. About 25+ volunteers doing what we can when we can. Numbers fluctuate according to volunteers’ personal circumstances and availability and currently include three young men doing their Duke of Edinburgh award. As readers will know, in many areas local communities have adopted relevant sections of canal agreeing to do minor maintenance, tidying up and reporting problems to CRT. Gnosall Parish Council, adopted “ our” length of canal on behalf of the village in spring 2016. This runs from Cowley Tunnel south of the village [“bridge” 33] to bridge 36 which is beyond the old railway bridge [35a]. During 2021 we input about 500 hours of labour. We now have ten planter beds, including a much admired herb garden, five fruit trees coming on nicely, cycle parking, a cycle ramp and a much improved towpath between The Boat and The Navigation. The three bridges within the village boundary are now largely free from ivy and the banks around them have been planted with bulbs and primrose producing a beautiful display this month. We have two welcome signs planted with flowers at the north and south approaches to the village and the mile-markers, water points and other signs have been painted and refurbished.

In July 2019, before any of us had heard about Covid-19, GTR organized a very successful Canal Festival. Having learned ‘on the job’ and flushed with our success we immediately scheduled another one for 2020 but it was not to be. We tried again in July 2021 but were again thwarted by covid uncertainty! However, third time lucky we are now organizing the Gnosall Canal Festival [C’Fest] for July 15th-17th inclusive. There will be a range of trade and historic boats and the event will be well supported by the two canalside pubs, The Navigation and the Boat. More information is available at

www.gnosallcanalfestival.co.uk

Barry Witts

PL A NNING A C R UISE?

The information below from CRT may be useful if you are planning a cruise in or near our branch area. Grindley Brook Locks 1—3 Staircase

CRT aim to have Volunteer Lock Keepers present between March and October to support passage through the staircase locks at peak times. There will be signage present to highlight when a lock keeper in present on duty. If you require their assistance, they will be happy to help. Please note, at busy times, delays are to be expected.

Frankton Locks

Summer 2022 (4 April 2022 — 31 October 2022) Opening Times: 09:00—12:00 daily (including Bank Holidays) Booking is required for passage through the locks. Bookings can be made up to the end of the day before passage. Bookings are not accepted on the day of passage. Online booking is available on the CRT website. If you have difficulty booking online, please contact 0303 0404040 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm Saturday & Sunday. Customers are advised that there is a maximum of 12 boats allowed down the locks and 12 boats allowed up the locks per day. Booking well in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment. There is a minimum of 1 night and a maximum of 14 nights stay.

Summer 2022 (1 March 2022— 31 October 2022) Un-booked (Open) passages are available from 08:00— 12:00 Monday to Sunday. Open passages must arrive at the tunnel portal between 08:00— 12:00. There is no guarantee of passage for arrivals after 12:00 unless pre booked online. Bookable passages are available Southbound (Kidsgrove to Tunstall) at 14:00 and 16:00 and Northbound (Tunstall to Kidsgrove) at 15:00. For direct tunnel enquiries please email eventsnorthstaffs@canalrivertrust.org.uk Passage is only permitted with a working horn and tunnel light; at present CRT are unable to lend such items. Anderton Boat Lift

Summer 2022 (1 April 2022—31 October 2022) During the summer period the lift will be operating 7 days a week.  Friday to Wednesday: 09:30 — 16:30  Thursday: 10:45 — 16:30 to allow for weekly inspections Monthly routine inspections on the Lift every first Thursday of the month. The Queen’s Jubilee, Thursday 2 June will be open as normal, and inspections will be carried out on Thursday 9 June 2022 instead. Passages on Tuesday 12 July 2022 have been suspended, subject to change. Confirmed notice will be provided nearer the time. All passages must be booked in advance, bookings can not be taken onsite. Bookings can be made online or by calling 0303 0404040 between Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00 and Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 — 14:00. Next available slot on the day is free of charge, however this passage is subject to availability, otherwise, charges of passage do apply. Please ensure that you arrive at the holding area 30 minutes before the scheduled passage which gives CRT staff an opportunity to visually check the boat for any potential issues, and more importantly, allows time for the safety briefing to be delivered and to answer any questions that might arise. You will be charged the full amount should you fail to turn up for your booked passage. Failing to turn up has an adverse impact on the efficiency of the lift and limited operational staff. Before travel, please check CRT’ s “Water level and strong stream warnings” page at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/planningyour-boat-trip/water-level-and-strong-stream-warnings.

Vale Royal, Hunts, Saltersford and Dutton Locks, Weaver Navigation

From Friday 8 April 2022 until Sunday 30 October 2022 inclusive, these locks on the Weaver Navigation will be open to navigation 7 days a week. Lock keepers will be onsite to operate the 4 locks as per the following times. No booking required. From Friday 8 April until, and inclusive of Friday 29 April, the following times will apply: Monday to Sunday: 8:30am to 5pm, last passage at 16:30. Over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, from Saturday 16 April until Monday 18 April inclusive, the following times will apply: 09:30 — 18:00 – 6pm, last passage 17:30

From Saturday 30 April, until Sunday 11 September inclusive, the following times will apply: Monday to Friday: 08:30 — 17:00, last passage at 16:30. Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 09:30 — 18:00, last passage at 17:30. Please note the following Bank Holidays will operate as per normal Monday to Friday hours, 08:30 — 17:00, last passage at 16:30: Good Friday, Friday 15 April 2022 Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Friday 3 June 2022 Passage through the 4 locks on Tuesday 12 July 2022 is suspended, subject to change. Confirmed notice will be provided nearer the time. Due to reduced daylight hours, from Monday 12 September until, and inclusive of Sunday 30 October 2022, the following times will apply: Monday to Sunday: 8:30am to 5pm, last passage at 4:30pm.

More information available at www.gnosallcanalfestival.co.uk