Shroppie Fly Paper The Newsletter of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch Winter 2010
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An AGM with a Difference 2.00pm Saturday 26th March 2011
Feedback from members has encouraged us to think that a daytime meeting would be more popular during the winter months. We hope that this one will be an enjoyable social occasion as well as a short business meeting. The GALLEY at Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshull on the Middlewich Branch has agreed to "look after� us in their warm and friendly surroundings and a recent visit makes us think that this can only be good! The programme will be:-
12.30 A pre-booked lunch. 2.00
The AGM followed by a chance to air your views.
2.30 (approx) A talk on the Grand Canal in China by Liam D'Arcy-Brown. Liam D'Arcy-Brown was the first Westerner in over 200 years to travel the length of the Grand Union Canal in China — the world's oldest man-made waterway. His book The Emperor's River has recently been published and will be available. The talk comes highly recommended and information about Liam can be found at www.liamdarcybrown.co.uk. After the talk there will be a chance to explore the Marina. We hope that you will feel that this opportunity to mix pleasure with business is a date worth keeping! To book lunch contact Janet Farmer 01270 811157 or email janden1@btinternet.com. Or, if you wish to turn up at 2.00 for the AGM you can order tea from the attractive menu after the talk.
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The Branch Committee President Chairman Vice-Chairman
Michael Limbrey, Greenfields, Weston Lane, Oswestry SY11 2BD 01691 654081 michael@limbrey.net David Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk Position vacant
Alan Platt, Argoed, Pen y Cefn Road, Caerwys, Flintshire CH7 5BH 01352 720649 alanplatt@hotmail.co.uk Secretary Dawn Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Denis Farmer, 8 Kingbur Place, Audlem, Crewe CW3 0DL 01270 811157 janden1@btinternet.com Heritage and Planning Officer Peter Brown, 34 Waterside Drive, Market Drayton TF9 1HU 01630 652567 iwa@peter-quita.demon.co.uk Social Secretary Janet Farmer, 8 Kingbur Place, Audlem, Crewe CW3 0DL 01270 811157 janden1@btinternet.com Membership Secretary Dawn Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk Web-master Alan Wilding, Priory Lodge, 154 Longden Road, Shrewsbury SY3 9ED 01743 359 650 alan.wilding@btinternet.com Newsletter Editor David Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk Committee Members Gerallt Hughes (General Secretary Committee for Wales) Ty’n y Coed, Arthog, Gwynedd LL39 1YS 01341 250631 gerallt.hughes@waterways.org.uk Carolyn Theobold carolyn_t@mac.com Region Chairman
Shroppie Fly Paper The Shroppie Fly Paper is the newsletter of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of The Inland Waterways Association with a membership of about 390. Nationally the IWA has about 18,000 members and campaigns for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways. For further information contact any committee member. Copy for the Shroppie Fly Paper is welcome in manuscript form, on disc or 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. 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 registered as a charity No 212342.
Next Copy Date: 19th February 2011
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Editorial
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his year the IWA national AGM, held at Market Drayton, was hosted by the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch so it was appropriate that, at the meeting, the contributions made by two of our most hardworking and long-term supporters was acknowledged. Janet and Denis Farmer, our social secretary and treasurer, were both awarded the Richard Bird medal. Also acknowledged was the tremendous work being done by the Shropshire Town Mayor, Councillor Union Canal Society. They were awarded the Christopher Power Prize for Roger Smith welcoming their contribution to the continued delegates to the IWA restoration of the Montgomery Canal. A National AGM number of SUCS members were at the meeting to promote their ‘Barrel of Boulders’ campaign and also helped with the catering and reception. BW has only recently completed one reorganisation but on page 7 is an open letter from Tony Hales CBE, Chairman of British Waterways, outlining their plans for another. What was originally proposed as a plan for 2020 is now official government policy for 2012. BW is to become a charity, a ‘National Trust for the waterways’. How this will be implemented is not yet clear but there is an opportunity to learn more at the joint annual dinner on 15th January when the guest speaker will be the Deputy Chairman of British Waterways, John S Bridgeman CBE. The appeals for help and ideas have resulted in several initiatives. The next Branch AGM will be at Aqueduct Marina on Saturday 26th March 2011 at 2.00pm instead of the usual midweek evening. It is hoped that the change to Saturday will enable more members to attend. To raise funds Sue Russell has offered to help produce a calendar; more details on back cover. Also for fund raising, a ‘100 Club’ has been proposed. Denis Farmer has agreed to investigate this and his first ideas are on page 14. Please support them and any suggestions that you have will be much appreciated. David Aylwin Front Cover: Narrowboats PLOVER and SWAN at the Whitchurch Boat Rally Acknowledgements: Photographs by Liam D'Arcy-Brown, Dawn Aylwin, Denis Farmer, Peter Brown Thank you to all who contributed articles.
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INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given of the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of the Inland Waterways Association to be held at Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshall, Cheshire CW5 6DX on 26th March 2011 at 2.00 pm.
AGENDA 1
Apologies for absence
2
Minutes of the 2010 AGM
3
Matters arising from the minutes
4
Chairman’s report
5
Treasurer’s report
6
Adoption of accounts
7
Election of committee members
8
Discussion on issues sent to the Chairman by 29th January 2011
This will be followed by a talk on the Grand Canal in China by Liam D'Arcy-Brown. (see opposite) ........................................................................................... Nomination of Committee Members Committee members, including those current committee members reaching the end of their 3 year term and wishing to seek re-election, will be elected from the floor at the AGM for a term of 3 years. We welcome any branch member who is interested in joining the committee. If you are unable to attend the AGM but would like to join the committee or would like further information, please call David Aylwin on 01691 830403 or any committee member.
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Region Chairman
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lsewhere in this newsletter you will find an open letter from Tony Hales reporting on the current state of play in British Waterways’ transformation into a third sector charity. I would like to give you my thoughts on this document and on the ‘official’ IWA reaction. This is a misnomer as the IWA is a member based charity and therefore its view is that of its members, but you are aware that Trustees have given this matter great thought and in some cases have insights into the developments of the ideas and therefore I ask you to read what I have to say before you decide to disagree with it. Our influence is obvious from the fourth line where he refers to Robert Aikman’s vision for a National Waterways Conservancy. Our initiative with DEFRA has been for a new body to replace BW and include EA navigations and potentially others as well so that there are not only economies of scale to help offset the impending cuts, but also a coherency of policy and management over the different navigations. In this context I am well aware in our region of the significant private enterprise player of Peel Holdings, owners of the Bridgewater, and if I say that management of this is currently effective enough not to arouse major worries, I am sure many will disagree. We also have members in Scotland where the fate of BW Scotland will be decided by the Scottish Government. There are Scottish elections next May and I am tempted to be simplistic and say that a SNP government will be less inclined to retain BWS as part of the England and Wales restructuring than a Labour one. In his fourth paragraph Tony Hales states there is a lot of work to do. This is perhaps an understatement. There are plans for governance which indicate a participation by stakeholders, including ourselves, at both National and local levels. The elephant in the room remains the funding, and the IWA have stated clearly and loudly that our support is dependant on a satisfactory funding model. There is a matter that is not referred to but which arouses the interest and, in some cases, anger among many with which I have great sympathy. The current Directors of BW in some cases enjoy benefits packages which are totally out of step with those applying to national charities. I would ask you to consider whether DEFRA and others with influence are aware of this problem and of the Page 6
need to address it, just as they must address the significant pension fund deficit revealed by BW’s accounts. So there is much to welcome in Tony Hales’s letter, just as there are many questions still to be answered and much still to do. Perhaps the most important in the long term in my opinion is the change of culture and cooperation necessary. BW must consult and listen more than they have done in the past. I think they have started this process, and note a more listening tone to user group and other meetings. If this is so, and I accept it is early days, then if we are going to weather the difficult times ahead, we the users must reciprocate and come to the table prepared to work together with them to achieve what we want, a well maintained system, our heritage and environment respected and maintained, and a future for our waterways. Alan Platt
British Waterways
Tony Hales, C.B.E. Chairman 14 October 2010.
Dear waterway supporter GOVERNMENT GIVES THE GO AHEAD FOR A 'NATIONAL TRUST' FOR THE WATERWAYS The Government has today made an important announcement about the future of the inland waterways in England and Wales, in probably the biggest shake up of our canals and rivers since nationalisation in 1948. The plan, to move the waterways out of state control and into a new independent national charity, builds on the proposals I launched at the House of Commons in May last year and on Robert Aikman's vision for a 'National Waterways Conservancy' half a century ago. When we called this proposal '2020', we thought it would take a while to achieve. The fact that the Government now wishes to adopt it as policy, replacing British Waterways with the new charity by April 2012, is a tremendous achievement and I have congratulated the waterways minister, Richard Benyon MP, on his imaginative and positive response. The waterways have been utterly transformed for the better in the time since British Waterways was established in 1962 and they are used and enjoyed by more people, in a wider variety of ways, than ever before. This transformation Page 7
owes its success to the contribution of countless staff, volunteers and enthusiasts. Moving the waterways into a charitable body recognises the need to build on that enthusiasm and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their history. The Board and directors of British Waterways believe that this is absolutely the right next step for the nation's magnificent waterways. The move will attract new funding for waterways maintenance, safeguard investment and give everyone who uses and enjoys the waterways a greater role in how they are cared for. I don't underestimate the challenges ahead in making it happen, but history has shown that the waterway movement. when it pulls together, can achieve great things. There is still a lot of work to do to: develop the new governance model; agree a long-term funding contract with government and; put in place transitional arrangements. Defra will examine the inclusion of the Environment Agency's navigations, as part of a coherent plan for the waterways it funds in England and Wales, and the Scottish Government will decide whether Scotland's waterways will be in the new body. British Waterways will continue to work with government officials and waterway stakeholders to ensure good continuity, a smooth transition and a successful launch for the new body. The question for us all now is not whether we should form a new waterways charity, but how we can do it. Open dialogue and involvement will be vital to making this happen and I know that Defra intend to consult with waterway stakeholders as they develop the content of the Public Bodies Bill, through which the new charity will be set up. I cannot overstate what an enormous opportunity this is for the waterways, and for all those who feel passionately about their future. We must all make sure our views are heard and I look forward to many interesting and constructive debates during the next six months. With this in mind, please pass this letter on to any colleagues, friends or members who you think will be interested and feel free to reproduce it in your own publications or websites. Yours faithfully
TONY HALES, C.B.E. Chairman British Waterways 64 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 1 DA T 01923 201346 F 01923 201455 E enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk
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The Annual Dinner Saturday 15th January 2011
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his time the annual dinner will be held jointly with the Shropshire Union Canal Society and the Friends of the Montgomery Canal at the Sweeney Hall Hotel near Morda, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 9EU.
Sweeney Hall Hotel
The guest speaker will be John S Bridgeman CBE TD DL Deputy Chairman of British Waterways and Chairman of British Waterways Wales Advisory Board. The menu
STARTERS Chilled melon with a medley of fruit and sorbet or chicken Caesar salad with Parmesan croutons or tomato and roasted pepper soup MAIN COURSES
Roast sirloin of British beef with Yorkshire pudding or fillet of smoked haddock with steamed spinach and a cheese sauce or crusted pork loin steak with a Madeira cream or taggine of vegetables wrapped in aubergine with preserved lemon and couscous salad PUDDINGS Caramelised meringues with ice cream, toasted nuts and a caramelised sauce or fresh fruit salad with a lemon and white wine syllabub or chocolate and rum tiramisu TO FINISH Coffee with cream and mints The price of the meal is ÂŁ20.50, which does not include any drinks. The room where the Dinner will be held takes a maximum of seventy-two people, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. For more information and to book your places, please contact Peter Richards at Canal House, Morton, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8BQ. Phone 01691 831455 or email - peter_richards42@btinternet.com Those wishing to stay overnight should contact the hotel , phone 01691 652 450. Page 9
A Marina at Queen’s Head?
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orris Leisure, a Shrewsbury-based firm specialising in touring caravan and holiday home parks, has proposed constructing a marina at Queen’s Head, close to the Aston Nature Reserve. In general, the IWA supports developments which give economic benefits, providing the application is reasonable in other respects, of course. The economic argument for restoring canals is the principal one which will convince the decision-makers. We cannot credibly advocate restoration, then not support appropriate development proposals. So, is this one appropriate? The main issues to consider are: restrictions because of water supplies; restrictions for ecological reasons; and the balance between boaters based on the Montgomery Canal and visiting boaters. The Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) agreed in September 2005, to which the IWA is a signatory, states that ‘there is sufficient water for up to 5,000 boat movements a year’. There is no reason to believe that BW will reconsider this, so this must be taken as an absolute constraint. The CMS also states that the agreed target level of annual boat movements is 5,000 in England, and goes on: ‘Within England, navigation levels agreed with the Partnership (currently 2,500 boat movements per year) will only be lifted after the full area of new nature reserve is fully established.’ Navigation levels are to be ‘reviewed annually and increased only in small increments’ in order to maintain the conservation value of the canal. It must be remembered that the result of monitoring could be a reduction in permitted boat movements. The restriction on the opening hours of Frankton Locks enables the number to be kept under 2,500 without requiring further rationing. The actual numbers in 2009 were 2,110 boat movements at Frankton Locks and 2,367 at Aston Locks. The CMS does not state what the increments would be if it were decided that the boating limits can be increased, but I guess that it would be likely to be 500 extra movements a year. At this rate, it would take five years to increase to the agreed 5,000 maximum, assuming no adverse result is detected. The CMS considers three options: maximising private permanent moorings on the Montgomery Canal; maximising commercial moorings (that is, hire and day boats); and maximising visiting craft. Whilst not being dogmatic, the CMS expresses a preference for locally moored boats because: the number of boat movements can be predicted accurately; resident boats can have additional eco-friendly design requirements, for example, oil filters on bilge pumps; and there are bigger gains to the local economy compared with visiting boats. The detailed assumptions (based on the maximum of 5,000 boat movements a year) are that there would be 130 permanent moorings in England, perhaps with 90 of them at Queen’s Head. Visiting boats would be restricted to 1,500 boats through Frankton Locks, that is, 3,000 boat movements. The CMS stresses Page 10
‘These numbers are based on optimum long term conditions ... they do not represent current opportunity.’ There were about 16,000 annual boat movements on the Llangollen Canal past Frankton Locks in 1994. Without restrictions, the demand for movements onto the Montgomery Canal was thought to be about 8,000 to 9,000, which is well in excess of the 5,000 limit. With the restrictions, people wishing to visit the Montgomery Canal know they have to spend at least a day on it, that both the passages down and up Frankton Locks must be between 12 noon and 2pm, and that passages must be pre-booked. This must surely deter most ‘spur of the moment’ boaters; generally only those who specifically want to visit the Montgomery Canal do so. Unfortunately, it also probably discourages a disproportionate number of hire-boaters, who are usually more timeconstrained than private boaters. My personal view is that the number of visiting boats should not be further constrained than it already is. I would not like to see the number of moorings on the canal increased to such an extent that it becomes more like a private canal for those mooring there. The implication is that private moorings should be allowed to grow only at a pace which is commensurate with increases in permitted boating numbers. Now that the Aston Reserve has been extended, the permitted boating numbers should be reviewed in accordance with the CMS. However, we must be aware that we won’t necessarily like the result. Before an application for planning permission is made, Morris Leisure will hold discussions with British Waterways, and the latter has assured us that they will not endorse anything which does not comply with the CMS. Then, once the details of any application are known, the Branch Committee will be able to formulate its response. One thing is certain: approval for a marina of 90 boats would be premature. Peter Brown
Dear Editor I have read Peter’s comments and think it is fair to say that there is a yet no formal application for the development at Queens Head. Morris Leisure have an illustration based on the strategy and are in discussions with BW and Shropshire Council. BW is well aware of the need to balance boating use of the canal within the constraints. The area between Frankton, Oswestry and Welshpool can benefit from further commercial activity and the canal is the ideal catalyst for this. Latest figures show that it could be difficult to justify restoration without further development, and only development like this, which would not happen without restoration will help. Michael Limbrey Page 11
Tugboat Ted
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can't claim as long an involvement with canals as the humans. My canal life started on LEO in 1996 as it was being fitted out. Even so, I feel very proud to have been associated with so many events since then and even prouder to hear that the humans have been awarded The Richard Bird Medal for their contribution to the IWA over a long period. They were obviously very honoured to receive such a prestigious award and somewhat humbled to remember previous people to whom it had been awarded and who they had held in such esteem. They always say that the fun and friendship they have had from working on the committee has been a fair reward for their efforts and hope to enjoy boating and the IWA for a long time. Ethelted and myself could hardly believe the rumours we heard about young girls dressed minimally in pink and black making free with some very respectable IWA members (check the IWA website Fish and Chip Cruise!). When the human organising the event was told that another group would be enjoying the trip with our 28 members she hadn't envisaged it would be a Hen Party! In the event, it all added to the fun and interest of an already good evening. Seeing the river by night was a new experience for most of us and for the chaps it was helped by having the obvious admiration of the "hens". It was voted "great fun"! Maesbury Festival must be one of the highlights of this summer and will be reported elsewhere. It was WOW in more ways than one and the good weather compensated for its performance at Maesbury 2008. The humans reported that their efforts, this time from the campervan, to inform about Tom Rolt and the CRESSY Cruise with pictures and books had been well received. They had to admit some surprise at how many people had not heard of Tom Rolt or CRESSY and were pleased to be able to rectify this! Later, LEO and crew were at Whitchurch for their September Rally. The humans seem to think that they have attended every year either in their first boat ETHEL ROSINA or LEO. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't kind and after a reasonable day on Saturday, the rain set in fairly seriously! As always everyone made the best of it and Saturday’s meal under canvas at the farm, together with a quiz on the theme of Cheese was a great success. Decorated boats were in short supply because of the rain but our knitted friends, sheltering under polythene were awarded the prize and LEO now sports another ribbon Page 12
plate! A bonus for our crew was a visit from past National Chairman, Richard Drake who had just popped in to see what was happening. There was a gathering on LEO for a cup of tea — it was really good to see him. It is two or three years since LEO has been on a longish Autumn Cruise, mostly due to house moves and boat fitting out by cruising friends. Ethelted and myself were quite excited particularly as soon after the start we were at Market Drayton for the National AGM and the presentation of the awards. However, when that was over three boats GRAPEVINE, CORIOLAN and LEO set off towards Wolverhampton for the start of the Four Counties Ring. The ring was all CORIOLAN could spare the time for but the rest wanted to do the Ashby, Caldon and Leek branches as well. It took about 3 weeks with some days more relaxed than others! The male human totted up that we had done around 160 locks and 280 miles in that time. It required quite a lot of coffee/tea breaks and the odd glass of wine to sustain the crew and there were occasions when these were enjoyed on deck in warm sunshine. Before reaching our respective moorings, the Crews of LEO and GRAPEVINE had a very successful final cruise meal in the Galley at Aqueduct Marina. For those of you who haven't been there, as well as those that have of course, we all hope that you will join us next March for the AGM and a social afternoon with a talk by Liam D'Arcy Brown on the Grand Canal of China. There are more details about this elsewhere in the magazine — we hope to see you there. Tugboat Ted
Weil’s Disease
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es we should all be aware it’s a risk but it is impossible to go boating or fishing without contact with canal water. Ropes sometimes dangle in it and many of us wash our boats down with it, not to mention dragging Fido out of the canal and getting sprayed with it; in fact boaters are surrounded by it and not always on fast moving canals like the Llangollen. Fishermen have even more contact. Weil’s disease? What’s the problem? It will never happen to me! Or will it? Occasionally a story hits the headlines which makes us stop and think. Olympic rowing champion and gold medallist, Andy Holmes, has just died of organ failure a week after being admitted to hospital. The cause? Unfortunately it was Weil’s disease, a severe form of leptospirosis, an infectious condition which has a range of symptoms from mild flu to multiple organ failure, internal bleeding and death. The incubation period for the bacteria is normally one to two weeks and early use of antibiotics is imperative but how many of us resort to the doctors every time we get a mild fever, dry cough, diarrhoea, vomiting or a headache? I for one would blame the take-away and curl up in bed! Dawn Aylwin Page 13
Branch 100 Club
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n recent years the Branch has tended to spend more in support of the canals and the production of the "Shroppie Fly Paper" than it has received from the various fund raising activities. Care is needed how we spend money but demands on our resources are likely to increase. We are also particularly anxious to maintain the quality of the magazine. The committee has, therefore, been looking for additional sources of income. One suggestion is a ‘100 Club’. This would involve members contributing say the equivalent of £2 per month in an annual donation of £24 in exchange for an opportunity to participate in a monthly or quarterly prize draw depending on the number of members who join. At least half the money collected would be redistributed as prizes. A cheque would be sent to the winners and the results reported in the next "Shroppie Fly Paper". If you would be prepared to help in this way please complete and return the enclosed slip to me at the address shown or e-mail me at janden1@btinternet.com. Denis Farmer
Audlem Festival of Transport Bring your historic boat!
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f you aren’t going to the IWA National Festival at Burton-upon-Trent in 2011, you and your historic boat will be made very welcome at the Audlem Festival of Transport on the Shropshire Union main line on Sunday 31st July 2011. It may be a smaller event, but it’s a really enjoyable day — and it’s free! During the afternoon, there will be about 300 old cars, lorries and motorcycles on the village playing field near the canal, and a collection of historic boats by the wharf. The event attracts hundreds of people and there’s no charge to attend. Crews of the historic boats are invited to a barbeque on the Saturday evening courtesy of Peter and Chris Silvester at Audlem Mill, right by the wharf. Boats already known to be attending, subject to final confirmation, are SATURN (the last of the Shroppie flyboats), VICEROY (1909 FMC ex-steamer, and sister to PRESIDENT), THEA and PLOVER. Although there is no charge to participate, you do need to confirm your intention to be at the event, for catering and mooring (and of course BW risk assessment!) purposes. Please ring Peter or Chris at Audlem Mill on 01270 811059 or email info@audlemmill.co.uk Page 14
Gilwern, Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal
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he Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal — now usually called the ‘Mon & Brec’ — is well known for having the most consistently beautiful scenery of any British canal. But it is superb for another reason too: the tramroads leading from the canal into and over the Brecon Beacons. From Gilwern, Llanfoist and Llangattock you can walk the lines of the former tramroads, up inclined planes, keeping your eyes open for stone sleepers, each pierced Tramroad Wagon with a single hole, which used to hold the cast iron rails. These were plate rails, ‘L’ shaped, because the wheels of the wagons did not have flanges. Of the three tramroad wharfs, the most complex is Gilwern, which is at the entrance to the Clydach Gorge, a steep-sided valley, the woods in springtime being carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic. Now peaceful except for the traffic on the ‘Heads of the Valleys’ (A465) road climbing from the valley of the Usk. Once the gorge was a significant industrial area, with ironworks fed from the coal and ironstone mines and limestone quarries further up the hillside. Having received its act in 1793, the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Company did not start constructing its canal until 1796; it opened from Gilwern to Brecon in 1800 but was not completed through to the Monmouthshire Canal at Pontypool until 1812. Apart from the Brynich Aqueduct over the river Usk (very similar in appearance to the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, both being engineered by the Dadford family) the largest engineering work was the 80ft high embankment at Gilwern. A warehouse (now a house) and three limekilns were constructed at the wharf; the wharfinger’s house is now the base for Castle Narrowboats, which operates the only electric hire-boats on the British canals. Curiously, before the company started on its canal, it built a tramroad from the ironworks of the Ebbw Vale at Beaufort, through Brynmawr and down the gorge to Gilwern, then crossing the river Usk to Glangrwyne Forge. When the canal opened several years later, a tramroad branch was made to the wharf. A few years later still a separate tramroad was built from the Clydach Ironworks, a mile up the gorge, to another wharf. Gilwern was then the busiest place on the B&A canal, with coal and lime being carried up to Brecon and the agricultural areas of Breconshire and Radnorshire, iron products going down to Newport, and wood for pit props arriving at the wharfs from upstream. Peter Brown Page 15
Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch
Diary 8th November
Cruising European Waterways An illustrated talk by Derek R Brown 7.30pm at the Narrow Boat Inn, Ellesmere Road, Whittington. See page 18
27th November Christmas Craft Fair Craft Fair at Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshall, Cheshire CW5 6DX 11.00am till 4.00pm
Janet Farmer 01270 811157
Aqueduct Marina 01270 525041
28th November British Waterways Open Day Open day at Anderton Boat Lift www.waterscape.com for details 11th - 12th 18th - 19th December
Santa Cruise
9th January
Winter Walk at Llangollen
Meet Santa aboard nb GEORGE BUCK at the Llanymynech Visitor Centre. Tickets cost ÂŁ6 per person and include presents for the children and seasonal refreshments for the adults. Booking is essential. www.duchess-countess.org.uk
Trains and Boats and Planes Walk from Horseshoe Falls to Llangollen, walk or train back . . . Planes? See page 26 15th January
Annual Dinner Dinner at the Sweeney Hall Hotel, Morda, Oswestry together with the Shropshire Union Canal Society and Friends of the Montgomery Canal. Guest speaker John S Bridgeman CBE Deputy Chairman of British Waterways See page 9
29th January
British Waterways Open Day Open day at Northgate Lock See www.waterscape.com for details Page 16
Paddy Martin 01691 830506
Peter Brown 01630 652567
Peter Richards 01691 831455
18th February
Quiz Quiz night at the Narrow Boat Inn, Ellesmere Road, Whittington. See page 29
1st April
Skittles Challenge The annual inter-branch challenge at the Bickerton Poacher. See page 29
5th March
Region Annual General Meeting Region AGM at the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre. See page 21
26th March
29th April to 8th May
Branch Annual General Meeting The Branch AGM and a talk entitled Grand Canal in China by Liam D'Arcy-Brown at Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshall, Cheshire CW5 6DX See inside front cover Liverpool Boat Show
Janet Farmer 01270 811157
Janet Farmer 01270 811157
Sue Thurstan 01254 200363
Janet Farmer 01270 811157
Albert Dock, Liverpool See page 18
29th - 31st July IWA National Festival & Boat Show IWAs main event of the year will be at Shobnall Fields, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. www.waterways.org.uk 31st July
Audlem Festival of Transport Historic boats and vehicles at Audlem See page 14 Tradition Craft Courses Audlem Mill will be hosting a variety of tradition craft courses throughout the year including Rag Rugging, Fender Making etc.
Audlem Mill 01270 811059 Audlem Mill 01270 811059
Committee meetings are usually held at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month at the Narrow Boat Inn (Maestermyn Marina), Whittington. Members are very welcome to join us and will not be pressured into any of our vacant jobs unwillingly. Please confirm with a committee member before attending. Page 17
Cruising European Waterways 7.30pm at the Narrow Boat Inn 8th November 2010
D
erek R Brown, who has recently published a book "Up the Rhine and Down the Danube", will give an illustrated talk entitled Cruising European Waterways. In a Dutch cruiser bigger than many English canal boats, yet tiny compared with other boats around them, Derek Brown and his companion travelled over 2,200 miles roughly the same as the whole British Waterways' system across Europe to Istanbul. Derek's experiences have been so different from those of us who enjoy our waterways. Where our waterways are used for pleasure, the Rhine and Danube are mainly commercial waterways, though both in their own way make important contributions to the local economy. His talk will be a real opportunity for people who like our canals to see what its like to travel across Europe by water. Derek will have copies of his book Up the Rhine and Down the Danube for sale after the talk. The talk is at the Narrow Boat Inn, Ellesmere Road, Whittington at 7.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome. If you would like to join us for an informal meal at 6.30pm contact Janet Farmer 01270 811157. Please note that this is a change to the advertised programme. Peter Brown’s talk on the Kynaston Canal will be rescheduled.
Liverpool Boat Show 29th April - 8th May 2011
T
he historic Albert Dock is the perfect venue for a boat show — a glorious dockside setting with superb facilities and hotels, less than five minutes walk from the heart of Liverpool's rejuvenated city centre This collection of beautifully restored nineteenth century warehouses is now a leisure destination with some 10,000 visitors a day, making it Liverpool's and, indeed, one of the UK's most visited attractions. The distinctive five-storey terracotta-red brick buildings, which once housed trade goods from across the globe, surround a quadrangle of water the size of Trafalgar Square. Visit www.liverpoolboatshow.com for more details. Page 18
Richard Bird Medal
R
ichard Bird Medals were presented at the National AGM to Denis and Janet Farmer who have been stalwarts of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch since they moved to their previous house beside the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in 1991. This year will be their twentieth as very active branch members. They jointly ran branch sales and the records show that in 1993 they took a branch sales stand to no less than 9 events. When most people are thinking of taking it a bit easier, Denis still acts as Branch Treasurer and Janet as Social Secretary and it is no coincidence that the branch has both a healthy balance sheet and an active and well supported social calendar, no mean feat in a branch covering a large area.
Janet and Denis Farmer
National and local festivals and rallies with their Richard Bird Medals regularly feature them manning the branch stand either on LEO, their narrowboat whose tug foredeck becomes a hospitable social centre, or in their camper van. The ‘sand game’ was their creation and as a source of revenue and a generator of interest it has featured at numerous events, attracting customers of all ages. They have also assisted with the production and distribution of the branch newsletter, ‘The Shroppie Fly Paper’, and have cleverly trained one of their considerable collection of teddy bears to write a regular column. Denis served as Branch Chairman between 1997 and 2000, and his words of wisdom and advice are greatly valued by those who have followed him in that role, so that he has now graduated naturally to elder statesman status. They have been at the forefront of the Montgomery Restoration movement and Denis has been a trustee of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust for more than 10 years. Their efforts and hard work and commitment over a long period have been of immeasurable value to the IWA and the award of a Richard Bird medal is a just recognition of this. Alan Platt Page 19
The Christopher Power Prize
T
his year the Christopher Power Prize was awarded jointly to the Shropshire Union Canal Society and Colin Turner (IWA Ipswich / River Gipping Trust). Terry O’Brien, Chairman of SUCS, was presented with this prize at the IWA National AGM in September for their significant contribution to the continued restoration of the Montgomery Canal. The Society has well over a thousand members who have contributed thousands of hours of volunteer work. Workparties currently meet one weekend a Terry O’Brien receives the award from month to restore the section IWA Vice President Audrey Smith OBE between Redwith and Prices Bridges. The ability to undertake a wide variety of building and logistical tasks has enabled the Society to gain the confidence of BW and SUCS has been given the task of shaping and lining the channel in this section. A trial using a bentonite liner with an overburden of sand and blocks has been successfully carried out. The overburden (including stone around the waterline on graded banks to improve both the look and provision of a habitat for marginal plants) requires significant funding. Funding which is difficult to get from the usual sources. To keep the restoration going the Society has launched a ‘Buy a Barrow of Boulders Appeal’ which is proving very successful. During the winter months, when mortar cannot be used due to the possible damage from frost, Society members are not idle. For the past four winters workparties have been hedge laying and clearing the canal bed. This work not only improves the state of the canal and towpath, but also provides an enhanced habitat for breeding birds and other wildlife while providing a more attractive place to walk. The Society’s current target is to extend the canal so that boats can reach the next winding hole at Crickheath. The second goal (which is shared by all) is to restore and extend the canal to Llanymynech to reach the border with Wales. Dawn Aylwin Page 20
THE INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION NORTH WEST REGION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 2011 The Annual General Meeting of the North West Region of The Inland Waterways Association will take place on Saturday March 5th 2011 at 2.00pm at the Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6FW AGENDA 1)
Apologies for absence.
2)
Approval of the minutes of the 2010 AGM and any matters arising from those minutes.
3)
Reports from the Region Chairman and Branch Chairmen.
4)
Presentation of statements of income and expenditure, assets, liabilities and commitments.
5)
Notice of Committee size.
6)
Election to fill any vacancies on Region Committee.
There will be a buffet lunch before and an opportunity to look at the restored lift, visitor centre & surrounding canal river & country park area after the meeting. Mrs S Thurstan, 30 Queensway, BLACKBURN BB2 4QT Tel: 01254 200363 E-mail: sue.thurstan@ntlworld.com
The 'Lost' Canal at Market Drayton
A
s a result of publishing the article about the 'lost' Peatswood Canal in the last issue of the Shroppie Fly Paper, IWA member John Parry contacted me to say that the old canal is even more clearly visible to the south of the lane about 50 yards before it crosses the stream. And so it is — if you climb up the bank by the roadside (beware of some barbed wire), you can see the old canal curving on a level, with its characteristic dish-shaped cross section. When you try to imagine how this connected up with the line of the canal in the field, you must remember that the road has been built up in order to bridge Telford's 'new' canal. Peter Brown Page 21
Cressy Cruise at Audlem
W
hen Ron & Mary Heritage with their boat HERON passed through Audlem on the Tom Rolt centenary cruise they were met by Crick Grundy, one of the original IWA members, East Cheshire deputy Mayor Cllr Roger West, Chairman of Audlem Parish Council Mrs Kate Down and BW Manager Wendy Capelle. During a short ceremony Mr Grundy presented Ron and Mary with a medallion and gave a welcoming speech which is reproduced below. Afterwards members of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch helped HERON up through the locks.
I am most grateful to Mr Farmer for having invited me to present this medallion to Mr and Mrs Heritage. He did so because I am now one of the fairly small number of people who knew the Rolts and boated with them in 1947 and 1948 when we attempted to navigate to Llangollen. I had first met them on CRESSY at Banbury in late 1946 soon after the founding of the IWA. There is no doubt that it was his reading of Narrow Boat that inspired Robert Aickman to found the Inland Waterways Association, with Tom Rolt as one of its founding members. Sadly Tom decided to leave the IWA in 1950 and took no further part in its campaign. However it is appropriate that CRESSY's voyage in the autumn of 1939 should be remembered in the 100th anniversary year of Tom's birth, by HERON's retracing of her voyage. Before you get too bored with me. There are three other reasons why I am glad to be here. First, because I did my earliest canal boating on the Shropshire Union in 1938. Secondly because my father’s boat in which we accompanied CRESSY in 1947 in our assault on the Welsh Branch, and which later took part in numerous "canal bashes", was also called HERON and, finally, and most important, I first met my wife in the lock which lies immediately uphill from the road bridge here in Audlem whilst she was a crew member of Peter Froud's hotel boats, MABEL and FORGET-ME-NOT. Mr and Mrs Heritage I am delighted to present you with this medallion and to wish you well for the remainder of your voyage. Crick Grundy Page 22
The Boat Level
W
hat is a canal? It's not just any man-made watercourse — it must also have been intended for use by boats. Does it matter if transport was only its secondary purpose or if it was all underground? If not, then the Boat Level, in the Stiperstones lead-mining area some twelve miles south-west of Shrewsbury, is Shropshire’s unknown canal. The earliest part may have been dug in the 1720s as a drainage adit from the Pennerley mine (SO353989) to its mouth near Stiperstones village (SO358001), 892 feet above sea level. By 1812 the Boat Level had been extended to reach the Bog mine (SO356978), one of the largest and most successful of the mines. At this point the Boat Level was over 300ft below ground level, the mine itself going down some 900ft further. The Boat Level followed a twisting course, just over two miles in length. The mouth is still visible, situated on private land. Later, drainage offsets were made to serve the Burgam, Tankerville, Potters Pit and Nipstones mines. Possibly it was not originally intended to be used by boats — if it had been, the curves would have been made less sharp. However, as well as its name, there is definite evidence that it was so used, at least for a short period. When the Bog mine was auctioned in 1830, the inventory included three wooden and one iron boat. A visitor in 1834 described the Boat Level, calling it a natural canal used instead of a railroad, which implied it was then still in use. He added that the new proprietors had spent much money on improving the road from the mine, so it is possible that this is about the time that it ceased to be used to transport ore. The Boat Level was narrow, so the boats could not have been much more than 3ft 6in wide. The length of the boats is now impossible to ascertain, but it would have been limited by the sharpness of the curves. By the 1960s it was possible to get less than half a mile up the Level, so a full survey could not be made. Perhaps deep under ground there are signs of grooves where boats rubbed against the side walls of the Level or indentations in the low roof to show where boats were poled upstream against the current. Peter Brown
[The information for this article has been derived from The Lead, Copper & Barytes Mines of Shropshire by Michael Shaw, published in 2009 by Logaston Press. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the industrial archaeology of Shropshire.]
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Picture Gallery
Carolyn Theobold and David Aylwin with the Branch stall at Aqueduct Marina open day.
Miss Jean Evans and friends at Aston Locks to see the bench and trees that she donated.
Members aboard the trip boat SABRINA preparing to cruise the River Severn
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Branch members raise funds by operating the lock at Quoisley
Chef de cuisine at the Whitchurch Boat Rally
Steam boats at the Ellesmere Festival
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Trains and Boats and Planes Theme for a Winter Walk
T
his year's walk will be on 9th January — unlike previous years' walks it will be on the Sunday. We're going to meet at the car park near Horseshoe Falls at 11am, walk down to the weir, then into Llangollen for lunch. The return journey may either be done on foot using the towpath or by the Llangollen Railway train to Berwyn (via Carrog & back, if you like) and across the Kings Bridge Viaduct.
Horseshoe Falls
And the plane? If you take the back road between the A542 a mile north of Valle Crusis Abbey and Llantisilio, you get a very good view of the inclined plane on the tramroad which used to bring the slates from the Oernant quarries to the canal. Directions to the car park: From Llangollen take the A542 (signed to Ruthin), and after about a mile and a quarter turn left on to the B5103. About a quarter of a mile further on, the B road goes downhill left — ignore that and go straight on (an unclassified road). The parking is about 100 yards later, on the left. [SJ197433] Peter Brown
Membership Matters
O
nce again we welcome the following members who have joined the Branch since the last edition of the Shroppie Fly Paper: Dr & Mrs Bannister from Lincoln, Ms Brockman & Mr Meteyard from Whitchurch, Revd Bowers from Kinnerley, Mr Cooke from Bishops Castle, Mr & Mrs Davies from Audlem, Mrs Johnson from Crewe, Mr & Mrs Jones from Audlem, Mr & Mrs Myers from Derrington, Mr & Mrs Pickin from Shrewsbury, Mr Roberts from Baschurch, Mr Slater from Whitchurch and Mr & Mrs Whittaker from Market Drayton. It is good to see new people joining the association and we look forward to meeting you all so please come along to one of our events. Unfortunately as well as gaining members we have also lost a few. Recently several members have been reported as ‘gone away’ and so membership renewal notices have not reached them. I know moving home can be a stressful time but please remember to get in touch and let us know your new address. Finally the Branch sends condolences to the families of Mr Caswell from Prestatyn and Mr Simon from Crewe who are no longer with us. Dawn Aylwin Page 26
Maesbury Canal Festival 3rd to 5th September
A
year and a half to plan and in just three days it was over! But what a fantastic and glorious three days. The sun shone, over 40 boats arrived, stalls holders set up their wares, artists and demonstrators got ready, entertainers tuned their instruments or practised their craft, Wendy Capelle, the local British Waterways Manager, opened the Festival and then the visitors arrived. In fact they arrived in hordes.
Wendy Capelle So what were the highlights? For some it was the boat trips up and down the canal (sponsored by Owens Oil from Pant) for others it was the many craft demonstrations (possible because of grants from Shropshire Council) with the chance to have a go at some of them. For the children the WOW (Wild Over Water) activities were the main attraction while others just
Chris Stokes demonstrates blacksmith skills enjoyed the atmosphere and listened to the music provided by Porthywaen Youth Silver Band, the Border Beat and Wind Band, the Pepper Pots and Whalebone who entertained on Saturday evening. Other attractions included Shrewsbury Morris Dancers, a magician, a very popular dog show, swing boats, guided tours down the canal to
Border Beat & Wind Band Page 27
see the progress of the restoration work being carried out by SUCS volunteers and on Sunday morning Saturn was horse-drawn up to Redwith Bridge along the recently restored section of the Montgomery Canal. And a final mention must go to Martin Wood the Town Crier who kept everyone informed of the programme and lead the parade of the magnificent ‘Maesbury Festival Fog Horn Band’
The following comments, received from visitors, probably give a good overview of the festival: “It was very enjoyable, and its friendly informality did not mask the fact that it had been organised very well indeed. There was lots to do, the stalls and activities were very informative and the sausages (Treflach) were to die for. It showed that there is a wealth of interesting 'heritage' in the area and that there was enormous amounts of community spirit too. Just right, wish all events were like this.” “Just thought I'd let you know how much I enjoyed my day at Maesbury yesterday. Of course the weather helped, but I was very impressed by the number and variety of craft stalls, and by the obvious enthusiasm of the craftworkers. I came home the richer by 30 seeds of woad, a beautiful little carved elephant from Kenya, and a handful of glass beads (not to mention two horse brasses: one of the Festival and one of the Montgomery Canal).” “Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend - so that's how it's done, is it?” “The whole family (3 generations) enjoyed the day, especially all the crafts. The grandchildren took their work into school for ‘show and tell’ and nobody would believe they had actually had a go at blacksmithing!” “A big THANK YOU for all the work you put into the rally. It was a splendid weekend. The field was full of interesting stalls and the group Whalebone were superb. However my lasting memory has to be the mushroom stroganov served by Fiona and Iain. Can’t wait for 2012 !!” In fact a lot of people can’t wait for the next festival at Maesbury and have started booking in already. For more details of this and the next event please see www.canalfestival.co.uk Dawn Aylwin Page 28
Quiz Night
U
sually the winners of the previous year’s quiz set the questions for the next but as two teams tied in January 2010, it was decided to have a complete change. Janet and Denis Farmer have stepped into the breach and volunteered to take on the task of keeping the evening fun rather than challenging. So beware there could be a few teddy-bear related questions. Once again the other canal societies in the branch area will be invited to pit their wits against us; so come along and join in this social evening at the Narrow Boat Inn, Whittington on Friday 18th February 2011 at 7.30pm. If you would like to join us for supper from 6.30pm please contact Janet Farmer.
Skittles Challenge
L
ast year’s skittles evening was postponed at the last minute but the new early summer date seemed to be very popular. Some members were able to camp in the grounds of the pub and did not have a long dark foggy trek home. So it has been decided to set the date when the weather is likely to be warmer and the evenings lighter - that is if we ever get warmer weather! Support the branch and join us at the Bickerton Poacher on Friday 1st April 2011 for a great evening. Skittling skills are not required — just a sense of fun and of course the desire to keep up our winning streak against Chester and Stoke-onTrent branches. More details will be posted in the Spring edition.
Caption Competition
The winning caption was sent in by Denis Farmer.
"Sage and Onion Stuffing!" ......."Lets go"
As there were only two entries I have decided not to do another competition but please continue to send your amusing pictures.
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Tyrley Tattle
T
he boating season is coming to an end as I write this on a beautifully sunny day. There seem to have been fewer boats passing Tyrley this summer, even into the school holidays but since the beginning of September we have seen the locks very busy at times. I was talking to the keepers at the Bratch about this recently but they assured me that the boat numbers through the locks there had been quite normal. Perhaps the problems at Shebdon last year made people investigate other routes and migrate from the Shroppie? The locks never cease to provide incidents. The oddest one this year was when a hire boat was caught on the cill when going down the top lock. They eventually managed to get out into the pound below but the rudder was disabled and they had to send for assistance. When the boatyard mechanic came out he found that they had bent the skeg upwards and he proceeded to bend it back down again using a crowbar through the weed hatch. Trouble was he was over enthusiastic and bent it too far and had to put the boat back in the lock and lower it gently on to the cill again to get the skeg straight! It worked though and the hirers went happily on their way. The locks continue to get damaged by careless boat handling. Several times hire boats have appeared at the top lock without realising that they had to stop to set the lock and open the gate. On at least two occasions they have stopped the boat by hitting the top gate, no wonder the gates get damaged. All too frequently we hear paddles being dropped without control which has been a major cause of paddle failure again this year. It all costs money which BW can ill afford. The good news is that BW have spent time improving the access to the locks over the last two or three months. The lock landing at the bottom of the lock flight has finally been cleaned up so that you don’t have to jump into a leafy bog when stopping to work the locks and they have done a wonderful vegetation clearance job between the bottom lock and Bridge 61 where it was getting so overgrown that there was barely room for a single boat to pass. On the wildlife front we have been sorry to see a mink around the locks and in our garden. The otters had cleared them off but this one appeared in late summer and our neighbouring farmer is trying to trap it. The good news here is that kingfishers have finally returned, having been absent since the severe winter. The local foxes have also started to visit again and we found that one of them was actually stealing mirabelle plums off the low tree which we have. The grey squirrels continue to be a menace and although there are fewer around they still managed to clear our walnut tree for the 12th year in succession. One new avian visitor this year was a chiffchaff which I found caught in the greenhouse in September. The first time we’ve seen one at Tyrley. Richard Hall Page 30
Waterway Recovery Group at Crickheath
Week one Clearing the site
This summer the Waterway Recovery Group spent two weeks on the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath. A further work party is planned for this November.
Week two Rebuilding the wharf wall
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2012 Calendar
T
he Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch is hoping to produce a 2012 calendar next year and this is just a warning in advance to GET SNAPPING!! We'll be looking for all sorts of interesting photos of boats and canal life, especially pertaining to the seasons and local area. Images should be submitted as printed photos but to be included in the calendar they must eventually be supplied in digital format at 300 dpi minimum. Anyone can enter and photos will not be judged necessarily on technical merit, we are just trying to capture the fun and enjoyment of the waterways. Pictures must be in a landscape format. An entry form and details will be included in the Spring 2011 edition of Shroppie Fly Paper. The illustrations are only suggestions; I’m sure that you can do better. Susan Russell
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