Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch Newsletter - Summer 2018
SHROPPIE FLY PAPER
Cover photo : Boats moored at Norbury Canal Festival, May 2018 courtesy of Alison Smith If you have a picture of the canals in our area which you would like to see on one of our front covers, email it to andrew.smith@waterways.org.uk
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
Treasurer & Welsh Liaison Officer
Alan Platt
alan.platt@waterways.org.uk
Webmaster
Alan Wilding
alan.wilding@waterways.org.uk
Committee Members
Susan Wilding
alan.wilding@waterways.org.uk
NW Region Chairman
Sir Robert Atkins robert.atkins@waterways.org.uk 01995 602225 or 07770 254444
Newsletter Editor
Andrew Smith
andrew.smith@team.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 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 it hardly seems possible but it is a full year since I was putting the finishing touches to my first ever issue of the Shroppie Fly Paper. This is now my second Summer issue and it is packed with news and information about activities and events on the waterways in our area. The big news in the last issue was the breach in the Middlewich Arm. Work is progressing there with the final boat, which had been stranded close to the breach, being recovered just before we went to press. With the main repair due to last till the end of the year, there will no doubt be further news in the next issue. “Committee Holds Meeting� might not be a very arresting headline but the eagle-eyed among you will see in the diary section overleaf that our December Branch Meeting will be held online. We held our first online committee meeting on 11th June which worked well and saved an estimated 360 miles and nearly 9 hours travelling time. We will still be having our pub-based meetings but the online option is a nice one to have in the dark winter months. Our branch does cover a wide geographic area so it can sometimes be difficult to get members together. Hopefully this issue of the Shroppie Fly Paper will show you that we do have all sorts of events and activities available across the area so we hope that you will be able to get involved with some of these. I have highlighted several key events in the diary (page 2) where help would be particularly welcome. The Autumn Lock Wind at Hurleston is a key part of our branch fundraising activities so lots of volunteers, jam, cake and chutney please! If we have enough of each, we hope to lock wind on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so please do support this. Contact details if you want more information about any of the events are on the inside front cover. I hope you enjoy reading about the various activities and will support those planned during the spring and summer. The next Shroppie Fly Paper will be the Autumn / Winter 2018 issue. Please send your contributions to me at andrew.smith@team.waterways.org.uk. Andrew Smith
Next copy date: Friday, November 2, 2018 1
IWA SHREWSBURY DISTRICT & NORTH WALES BRANCH - DIARY 2018/19 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 and in case of a change of location please let the branch know if you would like to attend. shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk
July 2, 2018
Montgomery Canal Forum, 14:00 Welshpool Town Hall
July 7, 2018
Summer Walk—Granville Country Park
July 14-15, 2018
Northwich River Festival
August 10-11, 2018
Branch Lock Wind—Hurleston. Helpers and produce welcome
August 20, 2018
Branch Business Meeting, Narrowboat In, Whittington
August 31 - September 2, 2018
Whitchurch Boat Rally. Branch Stall. Helpers welcome
September 8-9, 2018
Autumn Boat Share Show & RNLI Festival, Overwater Marina Branch stall. Helpers welcome
October 8, 2018
Branch Business Meeting, Black Bear, Whitchurch
November 2, 2018
Copy deadline for Autumn / Winter edition
November 23, 2018
Autumn Social, Boathouse Ellesmere SY10 0PA (see back cover)
December 10th, 2018
Branch Business Meeting, Online at 7pm
SUMMER WALK — GRANVILLE — 7 JULY 2018 Led by Alistair Price
Depending on how you receive your copy of this magazine, there may still be time to book a place on our Summer Walk.
The Walk.
The walk will follow sections of the Donnington Wood Tub Boat canal, one of the earliest canals built in this country. We will explore some of the industrial history of the North East of Telford and discuss the legacy of Granville Leverson Gower. Paths are well used with some gentle gradients but can be a little muddy after rain. We will walk at a gentle pace with frequent stops and chances to explore the ruins. Telephone Susan Wilding on 01743 359650 to book or for more information
FROM THE STEERER
Although IWA traditionally does not acknowledge that there is such a thing as “the boating season”– after all, people can and do boat year-round – from April onwards waterway affairs seem to march to a faster drum and 2018 is shaping up to be no different. Invigorated, for once, by an extended spell of really lovely weather that I hope you too have had a chance to enjoy, the branch has been out and about across the area with a broad range of activities that will continue until the autumn evenings start drawing in – but let’s not think about that as I write these words on the summer solstice!
Our exploration of the subterranean world below historic Dudley proved to be a worthy addition to a social programme that has taken in the Anderton Boat Lift and a brewery tour in recent years. Thirty-five members and friends joined our tour of the Dudley canal tunnels, ably organised by our hard-working branch secretary, Dawn, with boat handling and a Black Country commentary provided by the volunteers of the Dudley Canal Tunnels Trust, to whom we say thanks for a fascinating outing. If you weren’t able to join us this time, do keep an eye on Shroppie Fly Paper for future events and do make sure that, if you have an email address, it’s known to the membership team at IWA’s Chesham office. As you know, this newsletter appears only three times a year, and in between we rely on email alerts to inform and remind members of forthcoming events. So if IWA doesn’t know your email address, you won’t be up to date with the latest news! Glorious weather smiled on the Norbury Canal Festival, which made a welcome return having solved the car parking problems that proved intractable last year. A new IWA gazebo, complete with a stunning full-wall print of the IWA/Imray’s map of the Inland Waterways of Great Britain, made its inaugural appearance and provided a great talking point for many festival visitors. At the beginning of June we were in Quarry Park for the Shrewsbury River Festival. Our “build a bridge” model was once again a hit with the children and helped us to engage with a different audience that is perhaps less familiar with the delights of our area’s canals. A big “thank you” to Paul and Philippa, who responded to one of our email appeals and were a huge help on the day. I would also like to mention two IWA national initiatives, launched this year, that may be of interest. The Silver Propeller Challenge is a scheme that aims to encourage waterway users – in whatever craft – to visit some of the lessfrequented corners of our national system. Just over 30 destinations across the country have been selected initially and, to become eligible to receive a coveted Challenge plaque, all that needs to be done is to visit 20 of them – by water – and supply photographic evidence of your achievement. Craft could be boats, canoes, kayaks or even paddle boards; the important thing is to visit.
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Gronwen Wharf, the present effective limit of navigation on the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire, is one of the qualifying destinations, but so too is Berriew at the southern end of the isolated section around Welshpool. Now that’s perhaps a more challenging challenge!
Thanks to Vic Smith for this photo of Berriew There is, of course, a more serious side to this. There have been many occasions in IWA’s history when cash-strapped authorities have proposed closing down navigations on the grounds that lack of use makes them not worth keeping. (The fact that inadequate dredging and maintenance contributes to their lack of usability is seldom if ever mentioned.) And while we’re not for a moment suggesting that CRT is about to close down the Montgomery Canal to navigation, we’re firm believers that water-borne activity improves the quality of the cut and can provide a welcome fillip to less-visited canalside communities. Another, totally different, way you can help maintain and improve the quality of the cut is to take part in IWA’s “Gaptracker” campaign to identify omissions and deficiencies in the provision of boaters’ facilities. The Association calls on navigation authorities to provide, as minimum standards, facilities at the following frequencies:
Every 5 hours of cruising - water points, rubbish disposal points and portable chemical toilet disposal points
Every 10 hours of cruising - pump-out facilities (including those provided at boatyards and other third party providers).
Do you know of places – particularly within the branch area but outside it if that’s where your boating takes you – where these standards are not met, or where facilities have been closed? If you do, why not head over to waterways.org.uk/gaptracker and share the knowledge? We’ll be taking a look as well over the summer at the service facilities on the Shroppie south of Barbridge, the Middlewich Branch (that means the new-ish water point at Cholmondeston), the Llangollen and the Montgomery. It’ll be interesting to compare notes! Until the next issue, enjoy the waterways – whether you’re on them, beside them or even just thinking about them. Michael Haig
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REGION CHAIRMAN WRITES
This is perhaps the best time to be your Regional Chairman in that - wisely and sensibly - most of our members fortunate enough to have a boat are on them, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the waterways. That means that not much “politicking” is going on - or so I had expected! We’ve been on “RATTY” and the weather has been perfect - actually a little too much so, in that the water levels are quite low on the Lancaster Canal and more boats than usual seem to be grounding. Some night-time rain, please! There has been some controversy over the recent management reorganisation of the Canal & River Trust from ten waterways to six large regions and what effect this may have on operational standards and customer service. It remains to be seen whether CRT’s shift in focus is productive but members can be assured that the IWA will continue to press all the relevant authorities, including CRT, to maintain and improve the quality of the waterways. In part this means that, from Branch to National level, we must engage with and lobby local and national politicians and organisations.
I persuaded Audrey Smith, a former National Chairman of the IWA and a good friend, to make a presentation recently to the Conference of the Lancashire Association of Local Councils, representing, as it does, Town and Parish Councillors throughout the County Palatine. She spoke very effectively about the history and importance of canals and how they can now contribute to the economic, tourist and environmental potential for Council taxpayers. Town & Parish Councillors do not quite have the power of District and County Councillors but they are very local, command influence and often are at the front line when it comes to community issues relating to a canal. Almost every county has a similar Association of Local Councils and it might be worth considering your relationship with it and its members. Are we all clear about Branch objectives? The National Chairman, Ivor Caplan, is very keen to ensure that every Branch knows what it is meant to be doing and how to do it. From increasing membership, to managing finance, relating to other waterway users or maintaining the local environment, there is plenty to do and, usually, the same small number of people to do it. As the year progresses, I want to visit all the regional branches again, so that might be the opportunity to re-examine the issues. Have a great summer on the cut and thanks for all that you are doing. Sir Robert Atkins Chairman, North West Region
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THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL
You will have read on the previous page the call from our region chairman, Sir Robert Atkins, to IWA branches in the North West to be clear about their branch objectives. I’m pleased to report that your branch has already identified a set of objectives that align – we believe – with IWA’s national aims, and this is an ideal opportunity to share them with our readership. To recap, towards the end of 2017 IWA’s trustees settled on four key objectives to guide the Association through 2018 and 2019. These can be summarised as:
1. Speaking for the waterways
In everyday language, this means promoting a ‘vision for the waterways’, and being recognised as effective ‘guardians of the waterways’.
2. Protecting
- Working to achieve well-managed waterways, and conserving the heritage and environment.
3. Restoring
- Creating a healthy, vibrant restoration sector, resulting in more restored waterways.
4. Inspiring
- Inspiring a wide range and increasing number of people to enjoy the waterways in many different ways and promoting understanding and cooperation between different users, and - Encouraging all users to support the waterways by actively volunteering to support and improve them. The Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch can play its part in these and we have recently adopted the following ambitions to take us through the next eighteen months:
To maintain and improve our engagement with local authorities, politicians and other decision-makers and influencers.
Last year we had constructive input into the local plan consultations of Welshpool and Telford & Wrekin councils, and for some years we have enjoyed good relations with a number of our area’s longer-serving Members of Parliament. However, in his column Sir Robert makes a very valid point about the influence of Town and Parish Councillors on community issues relating to canals and we need to find new ways to address these bodies and their members. If any of our readers have suggestions in this regard, or can help through existing contacts they may have with councillors, I would be delighted to hear from you.
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To build relationships with the new management structure of CRT in our area, aiming to ensure that user interests are properly protected.
In common with other IWA branches, we see our relationship with our local navigation authority as being crucial to the benefit of our local waterways. In the Spring issue of Shroppie Fly Paper we had a preview of how things might look for the canals in our area under CRT’s new regional structure, which came into effect on 4th June. I’m pleased to report that, operationally at least, we seem to have avoided the North and Mid Wales canals being managed as part of a South West & Wales Region; instead the Montgomery and the majority of the Llangollen will be part of the West Midlands Region, while the remainder, east of Poveys Lock near Whitchurch, will be managed by CRT’s North West Region. As a result, there is a lot of work for us to do, effectively starting from scratch to navigate our way around the two new region structures.
To continue to support our local restoration projects, primarily through fundraising, aiming to match or exceed the previous year’s amount raised.
We were able to donate £5,000 in 2017 to the restoration as part of the match funding called for in the Montgomery Canal’s Heritage Lottery Fund award, and we were poised to donate several thousand pounds more had the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust been successful with its Wappenshall Wharf application. As I reported in the Spring issue, we have been effective fundraisers for the local waterways over the years and we are very keen for that to continue.
To attend as many waterways events as possible, educating and communicating effectively with the general public and with members affiliated to our branch through local media, high-quality newsletters and electronic communications, as well as through an active programme of social events.
You will read elsewhere about our programme of waterways and social events past and still to come this year. In addition, thanks to Alan and Susan Wilding, Shrewsbury Library has been hosting our branch banners and leaflets and we would love to expand that programme to other locations. As always, though, our ability to take on more activity to the benefit of our waterways is limited by the number of people prepared to help us. If you have any comments or questions on these aims and objectives I would be delighted to hear from you, and the team and I would be particularly delighted if you felt you could help us with any aspects as we make progress to reach them. Michael Haig
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MEMBERSHIP NEWS
We are delighted to welcome the following members who have either transferred to the branch or joined as a new member since the Spring edition and hope to meet you all at one of the events advertised in this magazine: Mr & Mrs Dilley from Llangollen Mr Dodwell from London Mr Gollins from Shrewsbury Miss Goodyear from Holywell Mrs Hartley from Ludlow Mr Metcalfe from Froncysyllte Mr Rawlings from Stirchley, Telford Mr & Mrs Warrington from Llanfyllin Mr Waters from Broseley At the time of writing this the longest day is nearly upon us and by the time you read this, it will be well and truly past and the evenings will be drawing in. So half way through the year but hopefully with the best of the weather and the summer holidays yet to come. I hope you all enjoy cruising, fishing or walking along the canals and waterways. Halfway through the year and no volunteers have stepped forward yet to take on a role within the branch or just to add weight to the committee. If you are still thinking about it please don’t wait any longer come and join us - it can be very rewarding and enjoyable. Dawn Aylwin
DUDLEY TUNNEL TRIP 21ST APRIL
There was an excellent turnout for this trip with 35 members and friends gathering at the visitor centre.
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We then had a short coach ride to the far end of the tunnel where we were fitted out with hard hats before boarding the trip boat. During the trip the captain delivered an interesting and humorous commentary. The tunnel was apparently very commercially successful for freight transport. There were also scientific visits to view the many fossils discovered in the tunnel walls. Apparently over 700 types of fossil have been found at the site, 86 of which are unique to this location. There is even a trilobite nicknamed the Dudley Bug! The tunnels were also, and still are, used for various concerts and events. You can theoretically still take your boat into the tunnel but, as no internal combustion engines are allowed, you would need to leg it through as they had to do in the tunnel’s heyday. Probably easier to take the trip boat! Though you can have a go at legging during the trip which is very hard work! It was interesting to see that parts of the tunnel are, in fact, open to the sky where there were quarries. If you didn’t manage to attend, it’s definitely one to add to your visit list. Andrew Smith
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MONTGOMERY CANAL PHOTOGRAPHY CALL FOR ENTRIES OPEN NOW UNTIL 15 AUGUST 2018 Following on from the huge success of last year’s exhibition, Canal and River Trust are inviting you to enter your most interesting shots of the Montgomery canal, its wildlife and heritage. This call for entries is open to everyone, and will help Canal & River trust create a touring exhibition, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which will go on display this Autumn/ Winter in the main towns along the canal. At the launch event, which will be advertised as from early September on https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ enjoy-the-waterways/events, visitors will be invited to select their favourite photographs. These will be used to create merchandise which will be sold by The Friends of the Montgomery Canal to help with the wider restoration effort.
Weston Arm on a frosty day by Sylvia Edwards
Please submit your two best/ most interesting photographs of this wonderful canal to Steve@nearlywild.org by 15th August 2018. Only send good resolution photographs. No hard copy accepted. Please note, by entering, you are aware that there are no prizes or payment, and you are agreeing to the photographs you submit being used by Canal and River Trust for both the exhibition and to promote the restoration work of the Montgomery canal. Sylvia Edwards Montgomery Canal Community Development
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THE BIG LIFT
On Monday 21st May 2018, the Narrowboat George Watson Buck was carefully lifted out of the water at Llanymynech Wharf, for much needed maintenance. Repainted and looking smart it was craned back in on Friday 25th May ready for the Bank Holiday weekend. The event was financed by generous donations from the Tirgwynt Wind Farm Community Grant, the IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales branch, the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal Society. Our thanks go to all of them and to the Canal and River Trust for all their help. The trip boat is operated by the Llanymynech Canal Wharf Visitor Centre which is run by volunteers every Sunday and Bank Holidays from Easter to September each year. At the moment only 30 minute boat trips are available on our 600 metre stretch of canal but one day when the canal links up with the main network, longer trips will be available. Restoration efforts are forging ahead to complete this link which will join the English section to us in Wales. Brian Lawson Secretary, Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre
BRANCH CALENDAR AVAILABLE SOON!
Our 2019 Branch Calendar should be available around the end of July. It will be on sale :
At events we attend From our usual outlets • Aqueduct Marina • Overwater Marina • Audlem Mill • Kings Lock Chandlery By mail order (£6.00 inc p&p) from 7 Barnton Edge, Stone, ST15 8ZR Cheques payable to “The Inland Waterways Association”
Many thanks to our sponsors
This picture by Phil Pickin will feature on the calendar cover
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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MUSIC FOR THE MONTY
PART OF THE WELSHPOOL TRANSPORT FESTIVAL What a fantastic weekend of fun, music and glorious weather. A big thank you to all the musicians, stewards, sponsors and everyone who helped to make ‘Music for the Monty’ a great success which raised over £1,500.
As well as buskers in the town’s Church Street car park, on the wharf, at the Steam Railway Station, and outside Tesco there were great (and very noisy) rock bands playing outside Golden Guitars on Saturday and a stream of singers and players outside the Tony Maude busking at the IWA stand Town Hall all weekend supervised by Riffels Music shop. Both attracting huge crowds and collecting money for Music for the Monty. “I’ve never seen Welshpool so crowded” and “What a fantastic atmosphere” and “You will come back next year” were just three of the many accolades received over the weekend. If you missed all the fun this year make sure to pencil in the dates for next year. So what else was happening over the weekend at the Transport Festival - apart from the music? Church Street Car Park was full of vintage cars, busses, commercial lorries (including two spectacular steam lorries) and agricultural vehicles all of which revved up their engines and honked their horns at mid-day on Saturday to participate in a parade around town causing traffic chaos much to the amusement of pedestrians. On Sunday Maigret and his friends were in town with their fabulous Citroens; their parade started from the Steam Railway Station and they were much admired as they drove round town.
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The Steam Railway Station also had traction engines on display, a railway museum and of course hourly steam train trips to a the Llanfair Caerenion Station and back - they were so busy extra carriages had to be used to get everyone back to Welshpool.
Other visitor attractions included horse drawn carriage rides from Powis Castle gates, a fairground at Berriew Street car park and several displays in the Town Hall including the National Cycle Museum all weekend and various activities including go-karts, husky races, skateboard competitions at Maes y Dre on Sunday. Last but certainly not least as they were one of the biggest crowd pullers (apart from the music of course) were the activities on the canal and Town Wharf. Cracker was particularly popular and very obligingly pulled hourly boat-trips along the waterway. Unfortunately the fish and chip boat hit a problem or rather the problem hit the propeller and a large rubber tyre got stuck! It took several hours and a hack-saw to remedy the situation; however the fish and chips were still enjoyed and the extra entertainment kept everyone amused and happy. As always the canoes and coracles kept everyone, young and old, watchers and participants amused all weekend. A great weekend - Welshpool was abuzz with activity and towards the close of day on Saturday a Spitfire roared overhead. I blinked and missed it but fortunately it returned to take a bow. Dawn Aylwin
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NORBURY CANAL FESTIVAL May Bank Holiday Weekend 5-7 May 2018
After a break last year the popular Norbury Canal Festival returned at the early May Bank Holiday weekend. . Our branch had a stall to promote the Inland Waterways Association. The new logo looked very good in the sunshine.
Dawn and David Aylwin staffed the stand with Mike Haig. We were pleased to receive donations and several new memberships. During the event Mike Haig attended the ceremonial opening of a community herb garden at Gnosall, where the honours were performed by Canal and River Trust Chief Executive Richard Parry. David and Mike also helmed the SNCT trip boat so had a pretty busy weekend! Andrew Smith
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BRANCH ANNUAL LOCK WIND HURLESTON BOTTOM LOCK
Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th August 2018 Calling all jam, cake and biscuit makers not to mention lock winders - yes it's that time of year again when the branch asks for your help. 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 so that space can be reserved on the Shropshire Union main line on the Nantwich side of the bridge. Weather permitting we will have a 'bring your own' BBQ for an informal gettogether on Thursday evening. You are equally welcome to join us by car on the day (Friday and Saturday are definite lock winding days but Sunday will depend on how many volunteers we get and the energy levels of those staying on site.) There are plenty of parking spaces on the old road, which is just after Snugbury's Ice Cream shop on the A51 Chester to Taporley road out of Nantwich. There will be a sign on the grass verge to direct you. 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 leading up to the top lock as this is used by large farm machinery and your car could get damaged. Most boaters are very appreciative of the help given and are usually very generous; apart from the donations we sell a lot of home-made cakes, pies, pickles, jams and surplus garden vegetables. But we can't do this without your help so if you can spare the time we would welcome your contribution and especially your presence even if it is just for an hour or two. Several of our regular lock-winders come back to help year after year - they like talking to the boaters and even enjoy the lock winding. So why not come and join us? NOTE: Hurleston Services are still out of action so if you are coming by boat please make sure you have sufficient capacity in your cassette toilets. Dawn Aylwin
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MIDDLEWICH ARM BREACH UPDATE
In the last edition we reported on the breach which occurred in the Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch near Middlewich at the aqueduct between bridges 27 and 28 on 15th March. Work has been progressing on planning the repair and putting the necessary infrastructure in place to repair this major breach. On 22nd June, Waterways World reported on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ waterwaysworld/status/1010172607239421952) that the boat which had been stranded near the breach has been recovered. The main repair project is expected to start in early to mid-July and last until the end of the year. It is excpected to cost between ÂŁ2m and ÂŁ3m.
Updates about the breach (including a short video of the boat recovery) from Canal and River Trust are available at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/aboutus/where-we-work/north-west/ middlewich-branch-breach With the boat safely recovered, the access road will be continued up to, across and into the breach so that the main repair can begin.
This is currently the view on the towpath near Stanthorne Lock heading towards Middlewich but it is hoped to have boats moving again around Christmas time. Andrew Smith
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MIDDLEWICH BREACH EMERGENCY APPEAL
The Canal and River Trust has a dedicated web page with updates and information on how to donate to the emergency appeal https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions/north-wales-and-borders -waterways/middlewich-branch-breach If you do not have internet access, there are other ways to donate: Text: LEAK515 to 70070 to give £5 (you'll be charged £5 + one message at your standard network rate) Donate by post: FREEPOST RSXX-XSGE-KKUE, FAO: Shropshire Union Appeal, Canal & River Trust, Station House, 500 Elder Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 1BB
OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
While the Middlewich end of the branch is blocked and is likely to remain so for some time, access from the Shropshire Union at Barbridge Junction is unaffected. The canal is open for about 6 miles from Barbridge Junction to the winding hole just north-east of Bridge 16 (Hollingshead Bridge).
This gives access to a very attractive stretch of canal and a range of businesses located there such as Midway Boats; Venetian Marina, Aqueduct Marina and the Badger Inn at Church Minshull. Aqueduct Marina recently announced on Twitter that they have officially joined the Inland Waterways Association so welcome! Of course, they, along with many other waterways based businesses already support us through their sponsorship of Branch Calendar (see page 8).
WHITCHURCH NEWS
The Whitchurch Waterway Trust held a grand bric-a-brac sale over the weekend of 16th and 17th June. The attendance was a little disappointing but the merry band of volunteers raised £325.00. There is plenty left for the boat rally on 1st - 2nd September (see page 29).
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MORE BOATS SET TO VISIT THE MONTGOMERY CANAL
The Montgomery Canal through Welshpool could see a welcome increase in the number of visitors by water as a national charity challenges waterways users to explore underused parts of the country’s canal network. The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has just nominated Berriew as a qualifying destination in its Silver Propeller Challenge scheme, which encourages boaters, canoeists and paddle boarders to make more use of the lessfrequented lengths of the nation’s waterways. Berriew by Vic Smith Berriew and Gronwen Wharf, the present limit of navigation on the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire, are included in the thirty destinations that enthusiasts can visit to gain an IWA Silver Propeller Challenge plaque. The challenge aims to increase visitors to the very extremities of the 3,500 mile network of waterways across England and Wales, with destinations as far apart as Boston (Lincs), Odiham on the Basingstoke Canal, Leek (Staffs), Ripon (Yorks) and Gronwen Wharf on the Montgomery Canal. On the list as well are many locations on Bridge No 127—Cefnrallt by Vic Smith isolated waterways, including Chelmsford, Chesterfield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Norwich, Pontypool, Tonbridge and now the Montgomery Canal at Berriew. Details of the Silver Propellor Challenge can be found at: www.waterways.org.uk/silverpropeller
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SHREWSBURY RIVER FESTIVAL 3RD JUNE Our branch shared a stand at the Shrewsbury River Festival with the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust (SNCT). Committee stalwarts Sue and Alan Wilding were joined by members Paul Snelling and Philippa Bursey. They had responded to an email aimed at local members to help at this event. Their presence was most appreciated and we hope to see them at other events. There was a lot of interest from the public in the Montgomery and Shrewsbury & Newport restoration projects. Youngsters enjoyed our “Build a Bridge” activity. Alan is in charge of our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ iwa.shrewsbury) and there are other photos from this event and others on our page. Do “Like” and “Follow” the page so that you get the latest news from the branch!
The pull-up displays that are in front of the stand in the picture above were then moved to Shrewsbury Library where they helped inform locals of the work of the IWA for a couple of weeks before being moved again to Welshpool for the Transport festival. Photos on this page by Sue and Alan Wilding
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SUMBA
Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch Adopters SUMBA have been taking a break from their normal work parties. So of course that means they have been lounging around relaxing doesn’t it? Well...not exactly! Instead they had a little trip outside of their adopted area to help at the Middlewich FAB (Folk and Boat) Festival where they clocked up over 100 hours assisting boaters through the locks and helping visitors.
Photo courtesy of Geoff Harris
They also received an official Thank You from Canal and River Trust North Wales & Borders Region for all their hard work since Jan 2014 helping to transform their adopted 5 1/2 miles from Barbridge Junc to Bridge 15 at Church Minshull. (The CRT North Wales & Borders Region ceased to exist on 4th June and the Middlewich Branch has been transferred to the new North West Region.)
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WINTER STOPPAGES
Canal and River Trust has completed the first part of their consultation on winter closures. The 2nd draft will be issed on 9th July and the 2nd round of consultation will extend to 3rd August. The final draft of the winter programme will be published soon after that.
HURLESTON LOCKS
One of the stoppages in our branch area is at Hurleston Locks where there has been an increasing problem with the towpath side wall leaning inwards and reducing the width of the lock causing it to be impassable for an increasing number of boats. The extent of the work required means that this stoppage is scheduled from 2nd January—29th March 2019. Boaters wishing to visit the Llangollen (or escape before the stoppage!) need to take note. There will be many other closures on the Llangollen, Montgomery and Shropshire Union (Middlewich Branch and Main Line) canals. Full details of the proposed stoppages can be found on the Canal and River Trust site at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/winter/
CANAL AND RIVER TRUST ANNUAL LOCKAGE REPORT 2017
We did not have room to include this in the last edition due to the late-breaking news about the Middlewich breach but it makes interesting reading.
The lockage figures show that the canals in our branch area remain the 2nd busiest in the whole country. New Marton Lock on the Llangollen Canal was the 2nd busiest lock with 8,831 lockages recorded (just behind Hilmorton Locks 2&3 on the Oxford Canal). The full report is available at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/original/35365-annual-lockage-report2017.pdf
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FESTIVAL SEASON
It’s many years since I was at Foxton Locks: like many places around our canal system, it’s a place where people go to on a sunny afternoon to watch boats from the towpath and from the pub garden looking out on the junction. That makes it an asset for the local economy. We were there on Friday 15th June (the date is important). Preparations were under way for the weekend’s Foxton Locks Festival: a field beside the car park was developing into a large and busy show site which would offer boats, music, entertainment, crafts and a show for fun dogs (– is that the right way to read it?). After the weekend, the Festival website told us there had been ferret races, a Lancaster bomber flypast and a life-like dinosaur roaming the site (– interesting order for those three items). We arrived home the next day (– not travelling by boat, you see), Saturday 16th June, and of course there was a lot of mail on the doormat and in the inbox. With it was one of those lightweight canal magazines with their unique timetable which results in a July edition coming out in the first half of June. It must have been because of that timetable that the magazine included a report of the festival that started that morning: as we left before the event started, I just hope it lived up to the report they had already written! Summer is of course, the season for Festivals and as I write, all are busy preparing for the Welshpool Transport Festival, a new event developed by Welshpool Town Council, supported by CRT, the Heulwen Trust, and Friends of the Montgomery Canal. The branch will be there too. I won’t offer you a report of this Festival written before it happens, but it is due to feature lots of activity on the canal, ‘Music for the Monty’ as an additional fund-raiser, and more. The same weekend sees the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal at Braunston Historic Boats Rally. These two events can be a real boost to the appeal, and those of us involved with the joint group promoting the appeal –
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IWA with Shropshire Union Canal Society, Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust and Friends – are delighted with the continuing level of support. Our latest Bridge the Gap appeal leaflet which has celebrity support from Timothy West and Prunella Scales is getting a very generous response. I don’t have the full figures, but I believe we are well on the way to having raised £195,000: will we top £200,000 over this busy weekend? That splendid figure won’t get us the bridge of course. If you haven’t contributed yet, can I ask you to think about doing so?
John Dodwell tells veteran of 1970 Welshpool working parties of plans for future resoration at Braunston Historic Boat Festival, 24 June
Our preparation for the next stages of restoration involves many discussions and negotiations, about Schoolhouse Bridge – hoping we will indeed raise enough for that project – and the other bridges between Llanymynech and Welshpool, further nature reserves in Wales and the canal in Newtown. I am looking forward to being able to tell you about the results of this planning and how restoration will move beyond Crickheath. One recent meeting was with a team from Shropshire Council. They had heard much about the canal, but had not visited it before. We showed them the canal in Llanymynech and Pant, then the reopened canal at Canal Central, finishing with a trip behind Cracker who took us to see the efforts of SUCS volunteers at Pryce’s Bridge. It was clearly an eye-opener for our visitors and at the end they understood more of what the canal can mean for residents and the visitor economy, and in the context of well-being – ‘making life better by water’ as someone has been saying recently. Getting beyond Crickheath is of course what it is all about. Can the Montgomery Canal be busy with visitors watching boats at Llanymynech or Welshpool as an asset for the local economy? The appeal is of course focussed on Schoolhouse Bridge, because it’s the first big obstruction, but the other discussions – helped by new volunteers who have come forward to play a part in the project – are very important for what must follow. If you haven’t contributed yet, to the appeal or to our planning for the future, can I ask you to think about doing so? Michael Limbrey
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TUGS ON THE SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL The opening of the new docks at Ellesmere Port in September 1843 was an occasion of great rejoicing, only slightly marred by the embarrassment of the company’s steam-powered boat, the Earl of Powis, being found to be slightly too wide to get into the entrance lock.
When the Illustrated London News reported the event it enthused about the proposals for the improved service to the Midlands:
Now that the success of steam tugs for canal navigation is placed beyond doubt, it is intended to remodel the whole system of canal carriage on an entirely different arrangement. Luggage trains will be sent along the canal night and day, with the same regularity as postoffice and railway conveyance, and under the care of conductors of respectability and character. It is also in contemplation to establish an equally regular system of passenger traffic. The Birmingham & Liverpool Canal Company had trialled an experimental service between Ellesmere Port and Autherley Junction earlier in the year. As the results appeared satisfactory it had ordered eight more tugs and authorised various new works including ‘a spacious basin and wharf wall, a graving dock with a good workshop over it’ at Norbury Junction. The other works included extensive stables at Autherley Junction, Market Drayton, Adderley, Audlem and Hack Green because the boats needed to be hauled through the flights of locks by horses. This showed the practical difficulties: the boats needed to be brought together to make a train worth pulling, then they had to be split up to work through the locks. Also the promised speeds could never be attained because in a confined channel the water piles up ahead of the boat, the maximum speed depending on the cross-section of the canal. Bridge holes on a narrow canal do not have a great deal of room to spare; if they are on bends or if there is a side-wind (especially with unladen boats), there was a major problem keeping boats from hitting the sides. In January 1846 the decision was made to gradually withdraw from towing on the Main Line. At least one of the tugs continued to tow lighters on the lockfree broad Wirral Line for a few more years but all the boats had been scrapped or sold by 1854. There never was a passenger service, of course. Towing by steam tug resumed between Ellesmere Port and Chester in 1863. Between about 1889 and 1908 some trains of boats were hauled between Tyrley and Autherley Junction — 25 miles with only one lock — but it was never really an economic success.
Peter Brown
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MONTGOMERY CANAL STOPPAGE
There will be a stoppage on the Montgomery Canal at Belan Locks just south of Welshpool between 2nd and 28th July 2018. The stoppage is required to fit a new top gate at Lock 2 and carry out repairs to masonry in order to reduce leakage. The full notice and map can be found on the Canal and River Trust site at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/13308/lock-2-belan-locks-montgomerycanal
CANAL & RIVER TRUST BOOSTS MONTGOMERY CANAL PLANTS AND ANIMALS WITH TWO DREDGING PROJECTS The Canal & River Trust has given a major boost to rare aquatic flora and fauna on the Montgomery Canal, one of Britain’s most picturesque canals, with a £320,000 dredging and vegetation management programme.
During March and April, over 1¼ miles of un-navigable waterway has benefited from a major excavation of the overgrown channel, removal of dead and fallen trees, trimming of overgrown trees and vegetation, and extensive bank repairs. This will create clearer, more oxygenated water, which in turn promotes the growth of healthy plants and animals. Amongst the species to benefit will be the endangered water vole, as well as dragonflies and the rare aquatic plant Floating Water Plantain Luronium natans. Funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the work is being carried out in two sections between Refail Bridge 129 and Bridge 132, just south of Berriew, and Maerdy Bridge 102 to Bridge 103 in Arddleen. Both are designated as a Site of Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). Mark Weatherall, project manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “It is vitally important to keep the Montgomery Canal in good health. If the water channel becomes choked with weeds, the water quality quickly deteriorates and becomes stagnant. “By creating deeper, clearer fresh water channels, plants can flourish and create healthy habitats for fish, insects and small mammals. Biodiversity is greatly improved and the deeper channels actually inhibit the growth of weeds in the main channel resulting in better water flows throughout the canal.”
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MONTGOMERY CANAL TRIATHLON
The Montgomery Canal Triathlon took over from the long-running Dinghy Dawdle in 2012, so this year’s Triathlon on 19th May was the seventh. And it was probably the best ever with nearly 250 entrants taking part in one or more of the three sections – with an army of marshalls to help the event run smoothly, including a number wearing IWA shirts, to whom many thanks. As usual, entrants come from far and wide: this year from Kent, Cumbria, Devon and Scotland. The oldest entrant, 72, was seventy years older than the youngest! Many had taken part before, and others came on the recommendations of family or friends. Richard Parry, Chief Executive of CRT joined at Pool Quay to run and canoe the second and third sections. The event was started by the Deputy Mayor of Newtown, Cllr Susan Hill, who sent off cyclists a few at a time, from 8.30am with the last leaving shortly after 9 o’clock. The first to arrive at the Weston Arm finish did so in just over 4 hours! To help the final section, canoes were generously provided by Redridge Outdoor Centre at Cefn Coch, Paradigms Management Development at Welshpool, Arthog Outreach and Newtown and Welshpool Scouts, so there were enough for nearly everyone who joined in. Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s generously donated water and bananas to help participants on their way. Last year the Friends of the Montgomery Canal were able to make a substantial donation to the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal from the proceeds of the Triathlon and they hope to do so again. Michael Limbrey
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SMALL TASKS TEAM VOLUNTEERS STTV were busy in April with work at:
Swanley Bridge
Nantwich
Thanks for all your efforts!
For further information about STTV, contact: John Riley 01352 741322 / 07518 040632 john.riley295@btinternet.com Photos provided by John Bannister
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The Mikron Theatre company will be bringing two new shows to venues in our branch area this summer. No tickets required, a cash collection will be taken after the show. Full details at: http://mikron.org.uk/shows
Get Well Soon 70 years of the NHS! All is not well at St Monica’s Hospital. They’re on life support; facing bugs, bed -blockers and a battle to save A & E. With tunes, transfusions and titters, join Mikron as we make a surgical strike on the state of our NHS. Saturday 1st Sept Coton Mill Newport Road Gnosall ST20 0BN
Revolting Women tells the Suffrage story through the eyes of a less well-known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who fought for the vote alongside working women in the East End. Full of political satire, song and more suffrage societies than you can shake a stick at, Revolting Women unravels a contentious and momentous movement in history! Sunday 2nd Sept The Anchor Inn High Offley ST20 0NG
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WHITCHURCH BOAT RALLY - 1-2 SEPT 2018 The Whitchurch Waterway Trust is holding its annual boat rally on the first weekend in September (1st & 2nd). The usual, and some unusual, stalls will be supporting the trust and the Arm is already full of boats; so they can only accept boats prepared to moor outside the canal arm. There is still room for stalls . Further information about the rally is available on their website whitchurchwaterway.uk. We hope to see some of you at the rally and do come along and support your hardworking team on the IWA stall.
SALT TOWNS’ RALLY
Any members looking for some boating action further afield this summer might be interested in this rally taking place between Middlewich and Winsford in August. Of course, the Middlewich Arm breach makes getting to Middlewich a bit more challenging at the moment. But that is kind of the point! The contact for an entry form and Terms & Conditions is Bob Osborne 01606 553433 / 07837 976680 bob.osborne@hotmail.co.uk
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