Towpath Talk - October 2020 - Preview

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1 Issue 180, October 20201

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FESTIVE FINALE TO SUMMER

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SCOOBY DOES IT!

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Feelgood factor

WORK PARTIES GET STUCK IN

Study launched into the benefits of being beside water

P13 RECYCLING TYRES INTO WORKS OF ART

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A WEED CUTTER’S DAY

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BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

Enjoying the benefits of being on or beside the water, boaters travelling towards Liverpool pass moored boats and towpath walkers on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Burscough in West Lancashire. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

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THE Canal & River Trust is appealing for people aged 16 or over to take part in its largest ever study of the well-being benefits of spending time beside water.

It has teamed up with partners, including King’s College London, to launch an academic study which will enable the trust to better understand the health benefits of waterways and will help make

the case to partners and funders of the importance of looking after and investing in Britain’s former industrial canals and rivers.

Those taking part will download an app on to their smartphone. Then, three times a day over the following two weeks, they are prompted to answer ‘in the moment’ questions about how they feel and the environment around them. On each occasion it takes

about one minute to complete the survey. They will be able to access an individualised report summarising their experiences.

This could shed light on how being in different types of places – such as being close to birds, trees and water – affects their mood, as well as contributing to the wider study of the impact of different environments on mental health and well-being.

Jenny Shepherd, research

and impact manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Those of us that know and use the waterways feel instinctively that spending time beside water is good for our well-being. With our academic partners, and with the help of the public, we’re able to collect our own bespoke data to record how people are affected by their environment and how this changes when they are on or beside water.”

She went on to explain that the scale and scope of this research is a first for the trust and, with the help of those taking part, will help to emphatically demonstrate to decision makers and funders the importance of canals and the vital role they play, particularly in our towns and cities where green and blue space is at a premium.

• Continued on page 2

Bath sluice failure

Seal hitches ride

Major dredging work

A SLUICE gate fault caused a sudden drop of water levels on the River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal, leaving several boats submerged and others stranded on the canal bed in Bath. The fault at Twerton sluice gate caused levels to drop by nearly 6ft. Emergency services were called and some people had to be moved to safe accommodation. The Environment Agency is investigating the exact cause of the failure and the canal between Bath Bottom Lock (7) and Weston Lock (6) remained closed as we went to press.

A SEAL achieved celebrity status after hitching a ride on a paddleboard during a class on the River Witham at Anton’s Gowt in Lincolnshire. It was captured on camera and circulated on social media by instructor Phil May of Yellowbelly SUP School, who was taking a lesson. He said the seal appeared and jumped on to one of the boards for a ride, staying for around 10-15 minutes. According to the seal’s tracking tag, the seal is called Dandy Dinmont and was released by the RSPCA into the sea in 2017.

THE Canal & River Trust has begun work to remove almost 6000m3 of silt from a 3.7km stretch of canal between Bridge 27a, M5 Flyover and Firepool Lock in Taunton. The £414,000 project will take around 45 days to complete, during which the team will also be dredging a 500m stretch of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal at Maunsel. The trust will also be carrying out fish rescues and regular monitoring to safeguard the wildlife that depend on the canal. The nutrient-rich sediment taken from the canal will be spread on local farmers’ fields.

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WELCOME THE Louth Navigation Trust referred to its Heritage & Arts Festival as the first and likely to be the last job of the year for many of its participants, see report on page 4.

Coincidentally my last photographic assignment before lockdown in March was at the first of what was then planned to be a summer of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Louth Canal. And I had hoped that the last of these – the festival – would be the first of the new socially distanced events I would be able to cover during the autumn.

But the new raft of measures brought in by the Government on September 14 to try and stave off a second wave of coronavirus has effectively put paid to many organisations’ plans for the rest of the year – and for many the whole 2020-21 winter programme.

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme during August may have been good news for the pubs, restaurants and those who took advantage of it but it makes you wonder if the effect of that – and quarantine dodging holidays abroad – has added to the current rise in case numbers.

But in times like these let’s accentuate the positive according to the words of the well-known song. And we do have a fair share of good news stories. Take for instance Chesterfield Canal Trust volunteer David Smith who completed the equivalent of three-and-a-half marathons to raise money for the trust by running the length of the Cuckoo Way and back – nearly 95 miles – dressed as cartoon character Scooby Doo, see page 5.

The National Heritage Lottery Fund has also given a helping hand to waterways organisations including the Wey & Arun Canal Trust and The Daniel Adamson Steam Ship through its Heritage Emergency Fund. See stories on page 8 and 11.

We have looked forward to half term and Halloween at the end of October and trust that the events mentioned in What’s On on page 17 and holiday opportunities on page 48 will be able to go ahead as planned.

Here’s hoping

Waterways welcome to new Channel 4 daytime show presenter Steph

STAFF from the Canal & River Trust were on hand to give a warm waterways welcome to their new neighbour Steph McGovern when the former breakfast TV presenter launched her new daily lunchtime show Steph’s Packed Lunch.

She arrived at her new studio at Leeds Dock via water taxi on the Aire & Calder Navigation, welcomed by a socially distanced crowd – with music, dancing and cheers.

Becca Dent, strategic programmes delivery manager and Jade Wilkes, community roots engagement co-ordinator, helped to escort the water taxi in the waterway charity’s canoes.

Lizzie Dealey, partnerships and external relationships manager, joined Joy Van Rensburg, community & youth events coordinator, to greet Steph from aboard the trust’s workboat Beale.

Local boater Caleb Price and his wife Fiona were also on hand to cheer from their narrowboat. Caleb was one of the first to bring his boat into the newly regenerated Clarence Dock area almost a quarter of a century ago, with the 1996 opening of the £42.5 million purposebuilt Royal Armouries Museum.

Becca said: “In the absence of Leeds

Waterfront Festival this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we’ve really missed seeing Leeds Dock draw in the crowds coming to enjoy music, performance and activities on the water, so it was especially great to be giving Steph a warm waterways welcome.

“With the new studio overlooking the water at Leeds Dock, it would be great to see Steph and her guests making the most of this fabulous waterside setting and getting afloat themselves by canoe or even paddleboard.”

Pete McCabe, community engagement manager (Yorkshire & North East) for the Canal & River Trust, added: “It was really great news for the city when Channel 4 decided to relocate to Leeds, and we’ve been really keen to work with them to show off our fantastic network of waterways and highlight the amazing work of our staff and volunteers.”

Steph's Packed Lunch is broadcast live on Channel 4, weekdays from 12.302.10pm, with a mixture of entertainment, lifestyle and celebrity guests, plus a changing panel of audience members reviewing the day’s news and chatting to the celebrity guests.

TV presenter Steph McGovern arrives at her new Leeds studio by water taxi.

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Showing their greetings are boaters Caleb and Fiona Price who were among the first moorers in the regenerated Clarence Dock area.

Lizzie Dealey and Joy Van Rensburg on board Canal & River Trust workboat Beale. PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Study launched into the benefits of being beside water Continued from page 1 • Jenny added: “We’d like as many people to take part as possible – having taken part myself, I know it literally takes a minute or so just three times a day. It’s a fascinating area of study, both to find out about your own individual mood influencers, and for the wider social implications of the environment on well-being.”

The Canal & River Trust survey, which runs until November 15, is

run on the Urban Mind app and partners King’s College London, J&L Gibbons and Nomad Projects.

The app is free to download on App Store and Google Play.

To take part please download and select the ‘custom’ study option and enter the password ‘water’ when prompted. The survey is confidential and participants are not asked to provide their name, phone, email or any other information which could identify them.

Becca Dent and Jade Wilkes helping to provide an escort in a trust canoe.

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk The damaged spillway at Toddbrook reservoir in December 2019. Under proposals from Canal & River Trust there could be a new spillway constructed through the trees on the far side of the spillway. The alternative spillway could be built behind the photographer. The bywash channel here carrying the water around the reservoir would be diverted away from the bottom of the slope. The concrete facing of the damaged spillway would be removed and this would become a grassy slope.

on A, from Under one of the proposals, opti a new be ld cou e ther t Canal & River Trus slope, spillway constructed down this ld have to go possibly meaning the tree wou Toddbrook the t, righ the and the building on relocated. g bein se, hou club ’s Club ing Sail TIONS LE’S CREA

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CARO

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

Toddbrook Reservoir repairs – what happens next?

By Colin Wareing

FOLLOWING the damage to the spillway on the wall of Toddbrook Dam and partial temporary evacuation of Whaley Bridge in August 2019, the Canal & River Trust launched a public consultation on the next stage of the repairs.

Engineers from Arup came up with more than a dozen possible options, including the rebuilding of the dam or even decommissioning the reservoir altogether, which would have had drastic effects on the water supply for the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals.

The possible engineering solutions have taken into consideration many factors including the discovery of old coal mine workings under the dam, the access to the site which may involve temporary roadways, ecological surveys which are ongoing that are indicating the presence of bats, the removal of some trees that are on the route of the new spillway and making the new structures earthquake proof.

Now the public have been asked for their views on two possible options for a new spillway that would be built alongside the present damaged spillway, which will be removed and the dam

bank grassed over. Simon Bamford, asset improvement director who is leading on the repair project for the trust, explained: “Our aim has always been to keep local residents involved and informed.

“We appreciate the works to make safe the damaged auxiliary spillway have had a big impact on many residents, clubs and businesses, but we are delighted to announce these have now been completed.

“We appreciate that the second major phase of works due to start next year is likely to continue to cause some disruption and we do thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

“Keeping people safe is our top priority. As part of that we want to create the best 21st century solution for controlling the reservoir and enabling it to continue in its vital task of supplying water to the Peak Forest Canal.”

The two possibilities are one on the right of the dam looking from the bottom up or one on the left. The left-hand one would involve more trees being removed while the right-hand one (option A) might mean having to relocate the Toddbrook Sailing Club’s clubhouse.

If option A is settled on there is the possibility that the lower part of the new

spillway, which would also be carrying water away from the bywash channel, could become a water feature in the park between the dam and the River Goyt.

As part of the decision-making process, the trust still needs to commission a number of ground investigation and environmental surveys. Discussions with near neighbours, including the sailing club and Whaley Bridge Athletic Football Club, will also play a role in arriving at a decision on the viability of each option.

The work will require planning permission and it is expected to start in spring 2021 with the aim of refilling the reservoir over the winter of 2022-23. In the meantime the pumps and pipework that are keeping the water level down in the reservoir will remain in place. These have now been purchased by CRT, which is a cheaper option than continuing to hire them.

Public drop-in sessions at the Whaley transshipment warehouse were due to take place in September although most of the consultation was expected to be carried out via the internet at www:// canalandrivertrust.org.uk/restoringtoddbrook-reservoir and was due to close on September 30.

The higher crest wall and new barrier will provide added protection until the permanent project is completed. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Bridge takes another bashing

Crooklands Bridge (No 166) over the Lancaster Canal has again suffered a vehicle strike. It carries the road from the M6 and Crooklands to Milnthorpe often used as a cut-through by lorries and has been repeatedly damaged in spite of special road markings, signs and a crash barrier. Designed by canal engineer John Rennie and built in 1818, the listed limestone structure is one of a number crossing the line of the canal.

PHOTO: FRANK SANDERSON

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at the end of his walk Local historian Stuart Sizer, right, on the towpath around 25 people. by ed attend was around the Riverhead Trail which

A festive finale to a very strange summer

Canoeist Joanne Joveini meets one of the remotely controlled craft.

FOR many people taking part in Louth Navigation Trust’s Canal@250 celebration over the weekend of September 12-13, it was their first and likely to be their last job this year – so a very special two-day event!

The Riverhead itself is like an amphitheatre so nicely provides social distancing on the bridge and wharf to listen to the live music.

On Sunday Cleethorpes Model Boat Association set up a wonderful array of boats on the slipway and displayed their motorised sailing skills.

LNT members are trying to encourage the Environment Agency to hold a bit more water and a bit less weed in the basin – to enable more leisure events like this – and Joanne Joveini had very little

room to manoeuvre her canoe.

Stuart Sizer gave two talks in connection with Heritage Open Day Festival and 49 people came to listen altogether. The second included a walk around the Riverhead Trail and featured the many warehouses in the area which hail from 1770 when the canal opened.

With sunny weather and a van selling Bensley’s home-made ice cream, visitors were able to enjoy the experience on what was probably a finale to this year’s unprecedented summer on the eve of new restrictions coming into force.

Fee Griffin has written a poem to celebrate the 250-year anniversary and it is available on the website in both written word and a recording of the spoken word www.louthcanal.org.uk

Cleethorpes Model Boat Association’s array of craft.

Bagpipe specialist Nicholas Konradsen playing one of the instruments he has collected from all over Europe.

The audience enjoying the atmosphere on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON

Musical entertainment on the deck of the Navigation Warehouse.

The Riverhead provides a natural amphitheatre; this photo was taken from the bridge.

Patrick Purves on the accordion.

Everything from model jet skis to a fire-fighting vessel.

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David’s canal run shows he can Scooby Doo it!

In brief

Historic boat register

NEW vessels which joined the National Historic Ships UK register in August include Weaver packet Davenham and narrowboat Tansor. Davenham was built by W J Yarwood of Northwich in 1944 and commissioned in 1946 for ICI, carrying soda ash from the Winnington Works at Northwich to Birkenhead or Liverpool before being decommissioned in the 1960s. Her steam engine, which was replaced with a Gardner diesel, is now in the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. The ship has been transformed into a floating cinema. Currently undergoing restoration at Oundle, Tansor was built in 1895 by Thomas Bantock & Company in Wolverhampton for the Great Western Railway as a station day boat or Joey boat.

She was renamed Harmonic in the 1960s.

Colne valley petition

David Smith crosses Tapton Mill Bridge, No 1 over the canal.

Scooby Doo, alias David Smith, with wife Ann at the finish. PHOTOS: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST

DRESSED as cartoon character Scooby Doo, David Smith has run the full length of the Chesterfield Canal and back in a day.

He completed the equivalent of

David Smith sets off along the Cuckoo Way.

3½ marathons to raise money for the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s 2027 Appeal.

A life member of the trust, pharmacist David completed a morning’s work before setting off from Chesterfield at 2.40pm on Saturday, August 29.

He ran all 46 miles to West Stockwith on the River Trent, arriving just after 1am. He then turned round and ran

straight back to Chesterfield, arriving at 1.46pm.

To be exact, he covered 94.7 miles in 23 hours and six minutes. He burnt 8657 calories and took 185,367 steps along the way.

David said: “Huge thank you to everyone who has donated. It really helped when I was tired, in pain and struggling to keep going that the run was making a difference.

“I had a great time despite bramble hacking through Renishaw, crawling

With collecting bucket at Hollingwood Hub.

under fallen trees at Kiveton Park, tripping in the dark at Retford, getting lost at Drakeholes and having constant wet feet thanks to the rain.

“But it was so worth it. We have a great canal and it needs restoring and maintaining so everyone can enjoy its delights for many years to come.”

David is no stranger to raising money for good causes, but this year all the usual public marathons and half marathons have been cancelled. He often does training runs along the canal, so he decided upon this new challenge.

The trust’s stated aim is to complete the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal by 2027, which is the 250th anniversary of its opening.

Originally 20 miles of the canal from Worksop to Chesterfield lay derelict, but 12 miles have already been restored along with 11 bridges, 37 locks and two marinas. Some of the work has been done by the trust’s volunteers including restoring four locks and building two new ones.

There remains just over eight miles of restoration still to be completed.

Just over 1½ miles of this is covered by the planning application that the trust has recently submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council.

A PETITION has been launched in support of the London Borough of Hillingdon’s refusal to consent to the HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct without sufficient information on protection of fresh water sources, closure of Blackford pumping station and plans for additional treatment plants. The viaduct will require hundreds of piles to be driven 70m deep into the water-bearing chalk under the Colne Valley. Areas of existing pollution like the New Years Green landfill site risk being spread further into the aquifer and contaminating the entire supply.

At the time of going to press there were more than 1200 signatures, see http://chng.it/tCkxzFK6Jf

CO research appeal

THE Gas Safety Trust has launched its 2020 call for grants. Applications are invited from researchers and academics related to prevention and better understanding of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Since 2013 GST has awarded almost £3 million to a range of gas safety programmes and projects. The trust, set up in 2005, is the UK’s principal CO research charity. Applications are requested by Friday, October 16, CO in the leisure environment being one of the areas of focus.

Parties interested in applying for a GST grant are asked to contact Adrian McConnell, head of charitable operations, via adrian@ gassafetytrust.org

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk Jenny Roberts with Buddy, towing Iona on the Wey Navigation.

PHOTO: JENNY ROBERTS

Iona, the last passenger-carrying original working boat.

PHOTO: JENNY ROBERTS

Last horse-drawn narrowboat business hangs up the harness

By Helen Gazeley

THE last horse-drawn narrowboat on the Wey Navigation has closed. The Godalming Pa cke t b o at Company, based at Godalming, Surrey, had been owned and run

by Jenny Roberts since 1984.

“It was just no longer possible to run Iona on the River Wey,” she said. “There are so many rubber

inflatables and paddleboarders who don’t understand a narrowboat approaching. I would end up killing someone.”

Increased crowding on land was also a concern. “The towpath is full of speeding cyclists and runners. And I get a lot of abuse from people who don’t understand working horses and think I’m being cruel.”

Overgrowth on the towpath

presented an additional challenge. “The vegetation is really high,” said Jenny. “I was in a battle with the National Trust, trying to get them to do something. The towpath was so overgrown, people try and pass and can’t. And the vegetation’s between the towpath and the canal so the horse has to pull through it. I think they’ve got a really couldn’t-care-less attitude.”

Robert Miles, general manager for the River Wey Navigations, which is owned by the National Trust, said: “We try to maintain a balance between the vegetation being low enough for Iona, while still allowing biodiversity to flourish and maintaining sufficient habitat for wildlife along the towpath.”

The Wey Navigation runs for just over 15 miles. “We used a mile and a half of towpath.

You would think they’d cut it down,” Jenny added.

Jenny’s three horses will be staying with her. Buddy, a 23-year-old 15.2hh Clydesdale cross, was due for retirement this year. “He was telling me, ‘I’ll look pretty and you do the work.’

When they start doing that you know they’re ready to retire,” she said.

The other two, Alizee and Espoir, are French Comtois. “I needed a small heavy horse.

Shires and Clydesdales are too big now at 17 hands and more. The Comtois is a very even-tempered, nice horse.

They’ve done other things and I’ll turn them back into driving horses.”

Iona, a Woolwich Star Class butty built in 1935 by Harland and Wolff and now on the National Historic Ships Register, carried coal from pits in Warwickshire and Leicestershire, returning home with chocolate crumb for Bournville, wheat, steel, lime juice and timber.

She was called Bellepheron until 1963 when she was bought for the Shropshire Union Cruises to replace a wooden butty named Iona. A bit of a star, she not only appeared in Coronation Street in the late ’60s, but had also been used in The Bargee, the film starring Harry H Corbett.

Down to Devon

Lockdown proved pivotal. “It gave me a chance to sit down and think about it and what it was like last year. Then the opportunity came for the boat to go down to Devon.”

Iona is now settled with the Tiverton Canal Company and was accompanied by Jenny on her journey down, ending with Jenny guiding her into the canal basin. “My last steer on the boat,” she added.

Philip Brind, who owns the Tiverton Canal Company, described the rapturous welcome Jenny and Iona received. “It was absolutely amazing. We had councillors here, people over the bridges, people with placards in their back gardens welcoming her.”

Coun Colin Slade, Mayor of Tiverton, also attended.

Town mayor Coun Colin Slade was among the welcoming committee for Iona at Tiverton basin. Also pictured is new owner Philip Brind, right. PHOTO SUPPLIED “Devon County Council are delighted,” added Jenny. “It’s such a different attitude.”

For Philip, whose parents also had a Woolwich Star Class as part of their fleet, Iona is a very special addition, as she’s an original working boat.

“It means the world. The reason is because she is the last of a kind. The challenge in

Britain is that living history has almost died. “There’s a lot of dead history in museums, but this is living history. What scares me is that it’s dying before our eyes.

I’m doing my level best to carry this on as long as I can.” He’s optimistic that her arrival might attract funding for the area.

“People don’t realise how big a win this is, to land such a lady.”

Wey & Arun Canal Trust offers apprenticeship opportunity IN WHAT is thought to be a first for an independent canal restoration group, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is looking to take on a Water Environment Worker apprentice.

The apprentice will be part of the team delivering the restoration of the 23-mile Wey & Arun Canal which runs from Shalford in Surrey to Pallingham in West

Sussex. They will work alongside two fulltime staff overseeing the restoration and maintenance of the historic waterway, as well as contractors and the many volunteers who make up working parties held almost every day of the week.

The trust is offering this new Level 3 (A Level) apprenticeship to someone keen to forge a career in waterway restoration

and the applicant will need to enjoy working out of doors with people of all ages, be willing to learn new skills and have a clean driving licence.

Wey & Arun Canal Trust training director Margaret Darvill said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to learn skills in the maintenance, repair and management of the canal and its habitats.

“The trust is embarking on some ambitious new projects and now is an exciting time for an apprentice to join us as we step up our efforts in restoring London’s lost route to the sea.” The 18-month apprenticeship includes online and on-thejob training, as well as two weeks of training delivered by Bridgwater and Taunton College.

For full details, email support@weyandarun.co.uk

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Canal at heart of the Industrial Revolution at risk of drying out Water supply ends as coal-fired power station closes down

THE Sankey Canal’s last part-navigable stretch between Bewsey Lock in Warrington and Spike Island in Widnes is now at risk of drying out as its main water supplier Fiddlers Ferry Power Station stops generating electricity and awaits demolition.

Originally the canal, which opened in 1757 – a full three years before the Bridgewater Canal – took feed water from Carr Mill Dam in St Helens and the Sankey Brook. But with in-filled sections on the line these sources have not been available and the canal’s lower sections relied on the power station.

Jim Forkin, chairman of IWA’s Chester and Merseyside Branch, said: “This canal has associations with the beginning of the civil engineering profession in Britain. It was to help start the canal building manias which facilitated the Industrial Revolution and it needs to be saved and restored.

“Global warming resulting in the closing of coal-fired power stations is something we have to accept and we can only encourage the engineers working on the project to resolve the issues promptly.”

This section of the canal with its towpath, both a central feature of the Sankey Valley Park and an integral part of the Trans-Pennine Trail, has seen increasing public use since restoration work began in the 1980s.

Now very popular with families,

walkers and cyclists, it benefits from views across the Mersey Estuary while small sea-going craft berth in marinas at Spike Island and Fiddlers Ferry. The locks are functional along this stretch and give access to the tidal Mersey.

The canal has never really been recognised fully for its role in the Industrial Revolution and the economic development of the region.

The main reason for building the canal was to develop the Lancashire Coal Field around St Helens to supply the expanding population of Liverpool with cheaper fuel but the coal it carried was also to fuel the salt extraction industries of North Cheshire and the industrial growth of the Mersey valley.

Commercial traffic lasted into the late 1950s when imported raw sugar was shipped to Newton-le-Willows for refining.

Recognising it as an important wildlife corridor and tourist attraction, Warrington and Halton Boroughs are rushing to reconnect the canal to the Sankey Brook, but as civil engineering is involved this will take time to develop and implement.

The current fear is that while some temporary water feeds may be possible, a dry summer could result in the bed drying out. Should this happen there would be enormous loss in wildlife habitat, including fish kills in the heavily stocked waters.

An aerial picture of Fiddlers Ferry Power Station alongside the line of the Sankey Canal.

The Sankey Canal Partnership, which is made up of the three local authorities, Canal & River Trust and Sankey Canal Restoration Society, has committed to the long-term goal of full restoration while focusing on short-term issues facing this section of canal from Spike Island to Bewsey Lock.

Over the past 10 years a vast amount of money, effort and time has been spent on installing a new swing bridge at Tan Hose Lane, an electrically operated lift bridge at Fiddlers Ferry and a further swing bridge is planned for later this year at Spike Island. Other improvements have been the upgrading of the towpaths and the installation of the canal milestones donated by the canal society and various sponsors.

Spike Island Marina, Widnes, a haven for boats and wildlife alike.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk The work around the ‘hell hole’.

Devilish job on the ‘hell hole’ The proposed route of the new canal from Langley Mill Basin to Brinsley.

IMAGE: FCC

Breakthrough for Cromford Canal

THE Friends of the Cromford Canal have finally overcome one of the main obstacles in extending the canal further north and reconnecting with the rest of the now derelict and isolated canal in Derbyshire.

A Strategic Restoration Committee was set up in January 2016 and formulated a plan to start work on connecting the Cromford Canal with the national network after it was originally officially abandoned in 1969.

In 1973 the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association restored the first lock on the Cromford and opened it back up, along with the restored Great Northern Basin.

Then in 2008 they continued to restore the canal further along the original route of the existing Cromford Canal; most of this section at the terminus is now currently a private boatyard.

The A610 bypass caused a major obstacle, blocking the original route of the canal and severing the existing towpath route along with it, around 1984 after the NCB opencast the area.

The Friends of the Cromford Canal’s chief engineer John Boucher of Westwood designed a scheme to use an existing colliery railway bridge that

still exists in the A610 embankment structure, thus overcoming the obstacle.

A newly proposed route will go onwards and upwards following the original route and incorporating two new staircase locks to elevate the canal so that it can turn right, passing under the A610 without affecting the bridge foundations.

It will then turn immediately left, heading around the western edge of the Brinsley’s former Moorgreen Colliery spoil heap and terminating on Stoney Lane in Brinsley.

John Boucher said: “It’s been a long process because it involved two planning authorities, Broxtowe and Amber Valley, along with many statutory consultees but with the help of my friends and colleagues in the FCC we have finally managed, after 17 months, to achieve our goal.”

David Martin, current chairman of the Friends of the Cromford Canal, said: “I have to say when George Rogers and I planned this back in 2016 I never really believed it would take this long! However, we are where we are and now the real work will begin. This is only the first stage and there is still a long way to go.”

He thanked everyone involved in the ‘arduous and complex’ process from John Boucher and the FCC’s engineers, to the consultees and also both of the planning officers at Broxtowe and Amber Valley, Peter Langford and Helen Frith, who had to collate all the information and convert it into a workable solution.

David added: “Obviously, our next focus will be on funding because now we have a plan. We will of course never turn away any willing volunteers who would like to play a role in history by reinstating a key part of our rich industrial heritage here in the Erewash Valley, the Cromford Canal.”

If you would like to get involved in any way, please email chairman@ cromfordcanal.org or call chairman David Martin on 07976 764439.

HEAVY rain followed by very strong winds added to the difficulty of recent weekend work on Montgomery Canal restoration at Crickheath.

But despite the elements Shropshire Union Canal Society volunteers continued with the fortnightly programme and a considerable amount of progress was achieved at both ends of the 330 metres of channel with strict social distancing and sanitisation practice being the norm.

The activity at the Crickheath end involved

continued installation of 100 metres of land drain, which is essential, to enable unwanted water to be rapidly pumped away when the detailed work in the channel begins.

At the other end, 330 metres east, activity entailed reducing the boggy area there, which has been christened the ‘hell hole’, by levelling it and then laying blankets of geotextile grid, which are then stabilised with grout and covered with stone.

Two areas of the towpath

have suffered considerable subsidence since the canal was first constructed.

These will have to be built up a metre higher than the finished level and then be weighted down by a considerable number of water-filled IBCs – Intermediate Bulk Containers – for six months, to allow this compaction to take place.

A third task was to install seven short sections of upright pipe on both sides

The compaction tubes.

PHOTOS: FRED BARRETT

of the channel which will serve as exact reference points to house a laser level measuring staff so that regular, precise monitoring can take place to determine the progress of compaction.

Lottery support buoys canal charity

The first boat trip of the summer in Brewhurst Pound.

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust has been awarded £13,100 of National Lottery support in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on heritage charities’ income.

These funds will be used to repair the leaks in sections of canal bed at Long Meadow, Drungewick, West Sussex, along with paying for the necessary equipment needed to make both the Canal Centre and boat trips at the Loxwood wharf Covid-safe.

The funding, made possible

by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. About £50 million has been made available to provide emergency funding across the heritage sector.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal well-being.

“All of these things are going to

be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as the Wey & Arun Canal Trust during this uncertain time.”

Trust chairman Sally Schupke added: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now push on with completing the repairs at Long Meadow.

We’re grateful that The National Lottery

Electrofishing helped safely move thousands of fish at Drungewick. PHOTOS: WACT

Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all. The investment in PPE and safety screens has also meant passengers and crew can be confident they are safe when enjoying one of our boat trips this autumn.”

The canal at Long Meadow was drained late last year and a local specialist environmental consultancy was employed to move the thousands of fish living there to other parts of the canal. Since then investigations have been under way to locate the leaks – found to be in four separate sections – and quotes are being sought for relining. The project has also involved desilting the canal and resurfacing 600 metres of towpath, along with erecting 650 metres of fencing.

At Loxwood, investment has been made in a Perspex protective screen installed at the cash desk, along with PPE and cleaning materials needed to protect visitors, passengers and volunteers.

It is hoped to continue boat trips on Wednesdays and Sundays until the end of October.

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Characters of the Cut

Alice Griffin discovers how maps have helped shape an artist’s business.

Sophia Shaw surrounded by her illustrations.

Illustrated maps have inspired a range of tea towels.

AS I imagine artist, Sophia Shaw, staring out of the picture window in her studio overlooking the Shropshire Union Canal, her home – a 1989 42ft springer called Roanoke – bobbing happily in front, I can appreciate why she feels endlessly inspired for her work and life.

Along with her partner, Andrew, and their rescue dog, John, Sophia had long dreamed about a freer life on the canal. “We knew one day we would make the move and then we found Roanoke in Richmondon-Thames. The first few weeks aboard were a bit of a shock as we had no proper experience. January on the river was very interesting and we learnt a lot pretty quickly!”

Having continuously cruised for several years, they now find themselves on a home mooring, which allows them to live a little more of the ‘good life.’ “For two summers we travelled selling my artwork from the towpath before returning to London for Andrew to work the winter.

“We enjoyed cruising to Lechlade at the top of the Thames – it’s so beautiful and great for swimming as well, but then two years ago we were lucky to find a canalside mooring on farmland with space for a studio and a little garden to grow veggies.”

Despite sometimes missing travelling freely, being landbased has helped with Sophia’s work. “Now that we have a base I have been able to get out and about more to trade at markets, which has helped me to make a name for myself locally.

“I love selling face-to-face, chatting and getting feedback.

Dealing directly with people who

or campervan, I can imagine how good it feels! “It's great having space to relax in the evenings again,” Sophia tells me.

With her new studio Sophia Sophia’s studio has been created is busy expanding her range, using recycled materials. designing and making more products: “I have a lot of actually want to own my work has ideas bubbling away!” As a been a real driver and helped me registered canal trader who to gain confidence in my ability.” sets up shop both on the Sophia considers herself to have towpath and at canal festivals always been a creative person who as The Illustrators Boat, as has had a passion for art from an well as selling at land-based early age. “I went to study art at local markets and via her college in Wrexham and then to Etsy shop, there are plenty Swansea where I studied for a of opportunities to buy degree in illustration.” her creations.

After a few years travelling and And for those looking to working abroad, she decided to snap up a gift for yourself start her business. “My illustrated or someone you know who map of Wales was the beginning. lives afloat, she tells me “I I really enjoyed working in that will be adding more canalstyle and people liked it, so I themed greeting cards to my went from there.” range, along with my popular Now Sophia’s creations canal-map tea towel and include a wide range of illustrated towpath-scene coasters.” maps – which she sells prints of – Life afloat very much as well as quirky map tea towels influences Sophia’s work, and other products, many with with her appreciation of a canal theme. “I also have a the waterways and nature growing range of greeting cards, obvious throughout her all printed on recycled card and paintings. “I think that living sold free of plastic wrap. I create a as a continuous cruiser first variety of custom commissioned really helped us to bond with pieces including maps and also the lifestyle. As you travel so boat portraits.” When possible slowly there is plenty of time Sophia also exhibits and is busy to take in the scenery. getting her work stocked in indie “The country cottages and shops and galleries. gardens that can sometimes Recently, together with only be seen from the canal Andrew, she built a little studio feel like a hidden world. I feel shed using lots of recycled a lot closer to nature living on materials. “Sustainability is very the canal and love seeing the important to me in both life and seasons change and watching business and I reuse and recycle the wildlife from my window.” when possible. I really love having a separate studio space so that I Instagram: feel more like I am actually ‘going to work’. Moving into it felt like the @sophiasillustration best thing that ever happened!”

Website: Having often worked myself www.sophiasillustration.co.uk from a tiny nook in a narrowboat

Waterways-inspired coasters.

Sophia will be adding more canal-themed greeting cards to her range. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Illustrator’s inspiration

10 NEWS

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Call for volunteers to rebuild canal bridge

PLANS are being made for the project to rebuild Schoolhouse Bridge, the last blocked bridge on the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire.

For the last three years the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal has been raising charity donations to rebuild the bridge and at the same time a team of retired civil engineers, all volunteers, has been preparing the designs for the project.

The team believes that the only way the bridge can be rebuilt with the available funds is by using specialist contractors only when necessary, with skilled and other volunteers where possible.

Though planning is well under way, the loss of fundraising opportunities this year means the team is still looking for donations to cover the final expenses. Donations can be made through www.

RestoreTheMontgomeryCanal. uk/donate.html .

After a series of online ‘virtual’ meetings the volunteer team held a suitably distanced meeting at a

nearby hotel to prepare for the start of work. The plan is to carry out some preparatory work this autumn, with Covid precautions, with the main reconstruction starting next spring.

Great record

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal group, said: “Canal volunteers have a great record of building or rebuilding locks and bridges and the results can be seen on canal restorations across the country.

“These volunteers have the skills and qualifications to use serious pieces of equipment, as they do on the Shropshire Union Canal Society working parties restoring the dry Montgomery Canal channel to the north of Schoolhouse Bridge.”

The group is calling for volunteers to join the project, which is due to start next spring.

It is hoped to build a bridge in the space of a few months so the road can be reopened as soon as possible.

The Schoolhouse Bridge project team. PHOTO SUPPLIED Michael continued: “We are looking for one or more volunteers to help as site managers and site foremen and for other volunteers to work on the site with those who have already offered help.

“We aren’t assuming volunteers can be available every day but we are hoping to build a pool of people who can come when available.

“Unlike many restoration projects, this is for one season: seven months and the job is done. It will probably take just one day to crane the bridge arch into position – that will be very exciting!”

He added: “This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in joining a vital part of the project to bring the Montgomery Canal back to Mid Wales. The completed bridge will be a permanent reminder of your achievement.”

It is hoped to fence off the site and lay a temporary trackway so heavy vehicles can get past the site during the autumn. Next spring the main project will start by removing the existing road embankment so a concrete base and walls can be created for the new bridge.

Contractors will then install the bridge arch, with volunteers backfilling to road level so contractors can surface the road.

Volunteers will finish brickwork facing to the bridge, install bridge parapets and other fitments and complete landscaping so the road can be reopened to traffic.

Labour force

Ken Jackson from the project team said: “Now we have to build the volunteer labour force. This will be a mix of skilled specialist

volunteers such as carpenters, steel fixers and bricklayers and general volunteers to support them and carry out general ground works and landscaping.

“We are looking for specialised volunteers to join the project to drive excavators and dumpers to excavate the site in March/April 2021, from May to prepare for concreting in June, and in July and September to brick the faces of the bridge.”

He continued: “At the same time we need a team on hand for general site duties, ideally drawn from a larger group so that the work can be shared from week to week. The site team would receive deliveries, prepare work areas for the specialised volunteers and help those teams when on site, and carry out any necessary non-skilled work to keep the project going.

“Of course there could be an overlap with general site team members being part of the specialised teams, and we are keen to offer training to help with any of these tasks.

“We understand that planning outdoor activities is difficult at the moment but don’t let that stop you registering an interest in working with the Schoolhouse Bridge team; and don’t worry if you haven’t done this kind of thing before, we will provide induction training, personal protective equipment and all the tools.”

To register an interest email contact@montgomerywrtrust. uk or go to www.

RestoreTheMontgomeryCanal. uk/getinvolved.html

Women’s history accolade for I Dig Canals project THEATRE company Alarum Productions has been awarded Highly Commended for its project I Dig Canals – How Women Helped Save the Waterways, by the Women’s History Network.

An annual prize is awarded by the network to the team behind a community history project by, about, or for women in a particular locale or community.

I Dig Canals celebrates w o m e n ’s ro l e s in campaigning to save the canals postwar to the 1970s.

The news came through in the middle of July but co-directors Kate Saffin and Heather Wastie had to keep it to themselves.

Community history prize chair, Elspeth King, wrote: “The panel were particularly taken with training you offered to your volunteers and the knowledge gap your project has filled with this important piece of industrial heritage from a female perspective. You came very close to winning.”

Thanks to generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and with the help of project manager Nadia Stone, Heather and Kate were able to work with a team of 14 volunteers to record 16 individual and three mother/daughter oral history interviews with women, mostly in the Black Country, aged mid-60s to early 90s.

They also researched

Alarum Theatre co-directors Heather Wastie and Kate Saffin. PHOTO SUPPLIED women’s wider contribution from 1945 to the 1970s via existing (and rather sparse) written accounts and archives, both nationally and locally. Interviewees also contributed archive material and photographs.

Alarum Productions organised stalls at local waterway festivals and reminiscence events across the Black Country, capturing local memories and short interviews with 10 other women. They engaged with around 800 members of the public and put on a creative writing workshop on the Vic Smallshire, a trip boat owned by Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust who generously provided a base for the project.

Writing from the workshop is included with archive

material, photographs, poems

by Heather and an article by Kate, in a celebratory book.

There is also a series of 15 podcasts, created using a range of extracts from the interviews – fascinating, touching, funny and occasionally heart stopping – shedding light on some of the volunteer roles women took on to further the cause of canal restoration in the Black Country and beyond.

Finally, there is a short film about the project, and further audio and video material is still being uploaded. Further information and links can be found on the Alarum website www.alarumtheatre.co.uk The top prize went to Doing It Ourselves: The First Neighbourhood Co-operative Nursery, Walthamstow.

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Emergency cash for the ‘Danny’

THE Daniel Adamson 1903 steamship is another waterways recipient of National Lottery support to help alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on heritage.

It has received an £85,000 lifeline to support overheads and salaries which will enable the continuation of the essential maintenance of the historic steamship and allow an important community project to keep going.

Since the lockdown began, all 2020 cruises on the ‘Danny’ have been cancelled and its enthusiastic volunteers have been unable to work together on the community project which means so much to many, offering leisure cruises on the North West waterways.

Director Andrea Ward said: “We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.

“One of the projects under development, which will be a huge benefit to our visitors, will be a VR

tour of the incredible engine room, enabling visitors to experience the sight and sounds of an otherwise ‘out of bounds’ environment.”

Inside the Danny’s engine room.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

An aerial view of the Foxton Lock flight. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Join the volunteers at Foxton Locks THE Canal & River Trust is searching for a team of volunteers to help keep things running smoothly at the famous Foxton Locks.

It is on the lookout for people interested in helping boats through the flight of locks as well as those that can lend a helping hand in looking after the site.

Foxton Locks is the longest, steepest staircase of locks in the UK and each year sees 4000 boats travel through the flight as well as 320,000 visitors on the towpath.

The trust is looking for a small group of volunteer lock keepers to help keep the historic tradition of lockkeeping alive at Foxton, where lock keepers have been part of waterway life for hundreds of years.

The volunteers would join an existing team in welcoming passing boaters and helping them through the locks.

Full training is provided

and people of all ages and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Volunteer lock keepers work on a shift basis between April and October, with some even staying on to help care for the site over winter. The trust is ideally looking for people able to give at least one day each week and is particularly keen to hear from people able to cover the role over weekends.

Alongside the lock keepers, the trust is also hoping to recruit a team of maintenance volunteers who will help to keep things looking spick and span for passing boaters and visitors on the towpath. Tasks would include tackling litter, repairing fences, mowing grass verges and painting site furniture.

Alex Goode, CRT site manager at Foxton, said: “Foxton is a busy site and being the longest, steepest staircase of locks in the UK it’s one of the real gems of the

waterways. It’s popular with boaters and day visitors so there’s lots for volunteers to get stuck into.

“This is a great opportunity to play your part, whether that be welcoming boaters and keeping the lock-keeping tradition alive or using your skills to keep everything looking shipshape.”

Alex added: “We’re looking for people who are reasonably fit and able to walk up and down the lock flight as well as those who enjoy interacting with others, have a willingness to learn and want to help keep the site looking its best for the thousands of visitors that enjoy the site each week.

“If that sounds like you then we’d love to hear from you.”

For more details about volunteering roles available near you, visit the CRT website at www. canalrivertrust.org.uk

NEWS 11

12 IWA ROUND-UP

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AROUND THE BRANCHES COMPILED BY IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON

Campaign cruise to unlock restoration projects

The Runcorn Lock chambers.

Campaign supporters adjacent to Victoria navigation.

TEN boats took part in a campaign cruise on the River Weaver in August to raise awareness of restoration projects in the area.

Initiatives included the restoration of Frodsham Old Lock, the reopening of Weston Lock and the ambitious Unlock Runcorn project. The cruise was organised jointly by IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch and the River Weaver Navigation Society and took place between August 22-26.

IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch launched a new campaign as part of the cruise to restore the Frodsham Old Lock.

Bringing this lock back into use would relink the town of Frodsham to the river and create a new cruising route.

Branch chairman Jim Forkin said: “In the history of the salt trade on the Weaver, Frodsham played a vital role from the very early days when pack horse trails ran from the town carrying Lancashire coal up the river and both rock and refined salt down. This role as an inland port further developed and eventually the Weaver was described in the 19th century as ‘the most perfect river navigation’.

“To reconnect the town to the main boating network will give boaters a destination to cruise to and bring great benefit to the local economy.”

Runcorn link

The convoy arrived at their destination in Runcorn on August 26. Visitors

Bridge at the current end of

were treated to guided tours with a full explanation of the plans to rejuvenate this area of Runcorn and create a significant national waterway attraction.

Jim added: “We were pleased that councillors from a neighbouring council came along to see for themselves what a great project it is and the team from the Danny (Daniel Adamson Preservation Society) sent along a representative through the IWA to begin discussions with the Runcorn team on how the two charities can work together.”

Two sets of locks at Runcorn historically linked the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal. An ambitious project would see the restoration of a link between the Bridgewater and the Manchester Ship Canals, completing the Runcorn cruising ring.

The major engineering scheme involving a boat lift, inclined plane and restored locks on one of the old flights of locks between the two canals. The link will bring health and economic benefits to the town and reinstate an important part of Runcorn’s industrial heritage.

River Weaver Navigation Society chairman Jim Mole added: “Despite challenging weather everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit and the welcome we received. The prospect of a new cruising ring is something to look forward to and hopefully Runcorn will soon be sharing in the economic boost that we know restored inland waterways and boaters can bring.”

An old image of Frodsham (Bodens) lock. PHOTOS: IWA

Campaigners beside Frodsham Lock.

Frodsham lock entrance showing current brickwork condition.

Unlock Runcorn open day Visitors at the Unlock Runcorn open day. PHOTO: ADRIAN JAPP

FOLLOWING the IWA campaign cruise, Runcorn Locks Restoration Society hosted an Unlock Runcorn open day on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31 to give local people and boaters some information about how the project was moving forward.

The event was well received and more than 200 people attended during the course of the day. The guided walks gave them an insight into what is about to happen at the Bridgewater Canal in Runcorn and gave people a chance to find out for themselves about the planned link to the Manchester Ship Canal.

Unlock Runcorn’s aim is to restore and manage a fully operational link, along the route of the ‘old line’ of the Bridgewater Canal to the Manchester Ship Canal.

Using a unique combination of modern and traditional technology, a modern boat lift, a traditional staircase lock and an inclined plane, the link will create a 600m unique visitors’ attraction in the heart of Runcorn town.

An artist’s impression of the new link.

For further information visit http://unlockruncorn.org/ or Unlock Runcorn Supporters on Facebook.

IWA ROUND-UP 13

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Getting stuck in along the Northampton Arm WORK continued on the Northampton Arm in September with 11 volunteers from IWA Northampton Branch getting stuck in along the stretch.

In just one work party, locks 5 and 6 were painted. Cill making was completed on locks 7 to 12, and the planters were weeded from locks 1 to 8. Work parties along the

Northampton Arm take place twice a month.

Painting lock gates on the Northampton Arm. PHOTO: IWA

Return to Cheshire Locks IWA North Staffs & South Cheshire Branch returned to Lock 65 on the Trent & Mersey Canal in August to refurbish the railings around the bywash. Volunteers clocked up 60 hours during the socially distanced work party.

Three lock ladders were prepared and painted. Volunteers also carried out vegetation clearance around the bywash and along the towpath.

The work parties are run in partnership with Trent & Mersey Canal Society.

Get involved – join us on a work party IWA branches are getting back to work to improve waterways across the country. Work parties have been risk assessed and mitigating measures are in place. Due to social distancing guidelines, places are strictly limited and subject to change. Please contact the branch to register an interest if you would like to attend one of these work parties. It is advisable to wear stout shoes, old clothing and bring a waterproof.

You may also want to bring a packed lunch and any refreshments.

North Thursday October 15 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the

Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am-3pm. Contact John Lawson John.lawson@waterways. org.uk or 07940 878923.

East Sunday October 4 and Tuesday October 20 IWA Northampton: Work party on

the Northampton Arm as part of the Branch’s adoption of the navigation.

10am-2pm. Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact Geoff Wood: geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932.

Tuesdays IWA Milton Keynes Branch:

Cocklemoor, where much of the new infrastructure has been located.

Langport opens its riverside frontage WORK on a new riverside path, car park and amenity area, along with repairs to the slipway, has started in Langport in Somerset.

A contractor has been appointed for all these outstanding works along the River Parrett between Langport and Huish Bridge and everything should be completed in early October.

IWA West Country Branch has been working alongside Langport Town Council on the project. The aim is to increase the use of the non-tidal ‘Upper’ Parrett for leisure and recreation purposes and thereby bring more visitors into the town.

The new half-mile riverside path is designed to be accessible by all throughout the year and should also stand up to occasional flooding.

The project is made possible by funds from the original grant to Langport Town Council from the RDPE Growth Programme of £179,000.

Visitors to the river will be encouraged to spend time by the river at Huish Bridge with the installation of picnic tables and much improved car parking facilities. The slipway will give access to 71⁄2 miles of the River Parrett and its tributaries, the Yeo and Isle, to trailboats from across the country as well as canoeists and paddleboarders.

All of these developments

are funded by a further RDPE grant, a grant of £5000 from the Canoe Foundation and from a contribution received from South Somerset District Council.

IWA West Country Branch is delighted to see that the news of the riverside improvements has already resulted in increased visitors to the area and some small businesses opening up in the town.

Branch chairman Ray Alexander said: “I believe we can be incredibly proud of the role that the branch, Roy Sutton, IWA honorary consultant engineer, WRG BITM and WRG Forestry have played in supporting what has been a massive team effort by the town council and the residents of Langport in achieving such a great outcome for their river and town.”

The slipway will be upgraded as part of the refurbishment of the Langport river frontage. PHOTOS: MIKE SLADE/IWA

Regular work party at Fenny Lock on the Grand Union Canal.

9.30am-1.30pm. Work can include vegetation clearance, gardening, litter picking and painting. Work parties are dependent on weather.

Contact Pat Durham on 07510 195918 or email pat.durham@ waterways.org.uk

South Thursday October 8 IWA West London Branch: Work

party to improve the Hanwell Flight on the Grand Union Canal.

Work could include a range of activities such as vegetation control; gardening; litter picking; surveying; restoration work; heritage preservation and habitat creation. Contact roger.still@ waterways.org.uk West Sunday October 18 IWA Warwickshire Branch: Work

party on the Grand Union Canal at Leamington Spa. 10am-1pm.

Contact info.warwickshire@ waterways.org.uk Tuesdays and Saturdays IWA West Country Branch (Taunton): Work parties in the

Taunton area. 10am-1:30pm.

Contact Mike Slade: mike.slade@ waterways.org.uk on 07977 263840.

IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater): Work parties in the

Bridgwater area. 10am-1:30pm.

Contact Mike Slade: mike.slade@ waterways.org.uk on 07977 263840.

Waterway restoration on the agenda

By Helen Gazeley

THE value of our waterways has been firmly in the spotlight this summer, and remains so with the upcoming annual Waterway Restoration Conference, jointly organised by the IWA and the Canal & River Trust.

Taking place on the morning of October 10, this year’s online format means that numbers are unlimited, so this is a good opportunity to take part for those who would in normal times be unable to attend. The breakout sessions are now scheduled as webinars on Thursdays across October and November and sign-up is via the IWA website.

Canal restoration has also been occupying MPs’ minds. An adjournment debate secured in June by Craig Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire, saw Rebecca Pow, Under-Secretary for State for Defra, declaring: “I am a convert to canal restoration,” and speaking fondly of growing up near the Kennet & Avon and the restoration that has taken place during her lifetime.

She said: “The Government recognises the very considerable benefits our canal network brings, the myriad ways they provide greater access to the outdoors,

enhancing well-being, bringing us closer to water and engaging with nature, increasing leisure and recreation, and regeneration and bringing value to the economy.”

Since then, in July, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways has met by video to discuss restoration as a catalyst for regeneration and economic recovery, hearing about work currently being carried out on the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal, Montgomery Canal and Buckingham Canal, as well as the waterways’ potential role as part of a water-transfer system around the country.

Mike Palmer, chairman of the Waterway Recovery Group, which in August celebrated its 50th anniversary, underscored the huge contribution that a national infrastructure project of restored waterways would make to many issues that concern the Government.

With Craig Williams’ point during the adjournment debate that “if we look at the GVA (gross value added) effect of restoring canals, we see that there is a huge positive return to the Exchequer and the public purse”, it looks hopeful that Government might place the waterways in a more central position in future plans for the economy and environment.