Towpath Talk - December 2020 - Preview

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1 Issue 182, December 20201

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

80 PAGES

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

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Three of a kind

CHARACTER: ARTIST KAY ANDREWS

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PRINCESS MEETS CRUSADER TEAM

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AUTUMNAL BREAK IN BIRMINGHAM

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BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

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Historic narrowboats Nutfield, Brighton and Sculptor line up beside the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne to each receive a £1000 donation from Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina, full story on page 2. Pictured from left are: Nick Lake, Friends of Raymond; Kirk Martin and Alison Cannon, Narrow Boat Trust; Rob Westlake, Sculptor volunteer team; Tim Coghlan; Roger Goulder, Friends of Raymond; Lynda Payton, Friends of the Canal Museum; Louise Stockwin, the Canal Museum and Steve Bagley, Canal & River Trust. PHOTO: KATHRYN DODINGTON

Meeting the challenges of the second lockdown LEISURE boating has again been brought to a virtual standstill by a national lockdown imposed by the Government in a bid to tackle the second wave of coronavirus cases.

Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry told an online press briefing that there was some similarity to the situation back in April and May and the trust was again encouraging boaters to make only essential movements and to stay away from their boats if they are not their main residence.

Some of the commercial boats are unable to operate but the towpaths remain open. “There has not been a lot of drama on this occasion, people are resigned to reverting back to the situation as before but there is not such clement weather as there was then.”

Head of customer support services Jon Horsfall said: “The day trip boats have been particularly impacted. We have done our best to keep right up to speed with Government guidelines. But at this time of year there is not as much

movement and not as many people want to get out and about.”

National boating manager Matthew Symonds added: “The use of unpowered craft for exercise is permitted this time and people are travelling longer distances to do this.”

Richard Parry continued: “The news about vaccines gives us some hope for events in the summer next year. But we will have to see how that turns out.”

On the subject of winter works, he said: “We are carrying on with our

repair works and maintenance all year round. We have developed Covidsecure ways of working and have been able to continue with these measures in place.”

Projects such as the next phase of work at the Crofton Pumping Station on the Kennet & Avon Canal had been postponed but more conventional bridge and lock repairs are going ahead. However the first phase had addressed quite a few of the water supply problems.

President update

Eco moorings

Capital congestion

HISTORIC narrowboat President could be back in steam by Easter 2021, according to David Powell of the Friends of President, writing in the November edition of their newsletter. Thanks to a great response to their recent appeal, the costs of a new boiler have almost been met although funds are still needed for fitting. It is proposed to fit a hybrid part welded/part riveted boiler which should be more durable and will be made to the same layout, which will help as most pipework will be in place. Donations can still be made at www.bclm.co.uk or www.justgiving.com

WORK to install the electricity bollards for the Islington eco mooring zone trial is almost complete, according to the Canal & River Trust’s national boating manager Matthew Symonds. He told a recent press briefing that the moorings should be up and running by the end of the year. They will operate on a pre-booked system which, once open, will enable boaters to book 14 days in advance via the trust’s website. Matthew added that some funding had been received from Defra and it is hoped that there will be other eco mooring schemes across London.

THE Canal & River Trust is currently conducting an online survey and series of 16 virtual engagement sessions for people to express their views on the mooring situation in the capital. These both conclude on January 8. National boating manager Matthew Symonds said: “We are currently undertaking some engagement work and have come to a consensus that we need to do some future-proofing. The number of boats in London has grown enormously and most of them are lived on. We are looking to come up with some proposals in the new year.”

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WELCOME

BY THE time you read this we will, hopefully, be heading out of the latest lockdown and tentatively making plans for the festive season.

It has probably sealed the end of the 2020 boating season – what there was of it – for many boaters and hopefully liveaboards will be settled in at their winter moorings.

Sarah Spencer and her family managed to grab an autumn break on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in mid-October – see her feature, starting on page 18.

The winners of our 2019 Towpath Talk Volunteer of the Year Community Boat award, Crusader Community Boating, celebrated the launch of its new boat Community Spirit by HRH The Princess Royal, report and pictures on page 10.

And on the same page is the news that Buckingham Canal Society stalwart Athina Beckett won a major national award for her contribution to restoration work.

Volunteers from some of the IWA branches have managed to get out on work parties this autumn, see the reports on page 12 and the Canal & River Trust has been celebrating more Green Flag awards, see page 14.

The second of our Christmas Gift Guides starts on page 44 with some presents you can buy online and there are more ideas on page 76 from Helen Gazeley in the Wet Web and for nature lovers from the RSPB. If you are reading this column you will have either got your print copy or are visiting our website. But if you want to make sure of your Towpath Talk newspaper each month, you can take out a subscription which covers the cost of postage – at just £1.16 per issue it’s cheaper than chips! It would also make a great Christmas gift, costing just £14 for the year – visit www.towpath.co.uk Keep warm and stay safe

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Waterway photographer Kev snaps up national accolade

BLACK Country waterway photographer Kev Maslin is celebrating the news that one of his images is to appear in the prestigious 2021 edition of the National Historic Ships Calendar.

Due to lockdown conditions the awards ceremony, usually held at London’s swish Trinity House, was streamed online on November 10 from the bridge of HMS Belfast, permanently berthed on the River Thames near Tower Bridge.

Mr Maslin, 58, from Tipton in the West Midlands, specialises in photographing historic narrowboats and was thrilled by his success in what is an annual photographic competition: “It might sound a little odd but the National Historic Ships Register makes provision for traditional canal boats as well as seagoing vessels.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected,” he said.

“It’s only the second time I’ve actually entered the competition so I was stunned when the results were announced. I’m still buzzing!”

Mr Maslin’s winning image was a telephoto shot of no less than five historic boats in convoy across the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in North Wales – a rare occurrence.

In addition Mr Maslin was also shortlisted with a winter image of narrowboat Birchills moored at the Black Country Living Museum.

The winning photo of the five historic narrowboats crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in convoy on their way up the Llangollen Canal. PHOTO: KEV MASLIN

Surprise for supporters of historic narrowboats THE Friends of the Canal Museum, Friends of Raymond and the Narrow Boat Trust recently arranged a line-up of historic working boats Sculptor, Nutfield and Brighton at Stoke Bruerne so they could each receive a donation of £1000 from Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina.

Historically Tim has supported all three charities from the proceeds of the annual Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival held in Braunston at the end of June.

However, as with most events, Covid-19 had intervened causing it to be cancelled this year, so it was quite a surprise to all three recipients when Tim called them to say he still intended to go ahead with the donations.

Standing on the canalside outside the canal museum, where all three boats were tied up together, Tim said: “In making these three donations, Braunston Marina is proud to give its support to preserving these ‘precious cargoes’ of former working narrowboats.

And also to supporting the good people who volunteer their services to do so, especially in these difficult times.”

Friends of the Canal Museum chairman, Lynda Payton, standing on the stern of museum boat Sculptor, said: “We have been totally in awe of Tim’s continued generosity to the Friends and Sculptor over the entire life of our charity, but we are especially thankful this year when our own fundraising has been halted by the virus.”

Kirk Martin and Alison Cannon on the Narrow Boat Trust’s butty Brighton were on their way back to Braunston after a coal run down the Oxford Canal to Reading and Newbury on the Kennet & Avon Canal, returning via the Thames to the River Wey and Brentford.

Friends of Raymond’s Nutfield was on loan to the Narrow Boat Trust while their own motor, Nuneaton, was undergoing extensive repairs.

Nick Lake from the Friends of Raymond joined Kirk and Alison at Stoke Bruerne.

Kirk Martin, NBT’s crewing co-ordinator on board Brighton, said: “This donation comes at a time when we are completing major hull work on our motor boat Nuneaton and may have work to do on our butty Brighton in the near future.

“As far as we know we are the only charity which allows anyone joining us to learn the skill of working loaded narrowboats along the waterways of Britain.”

Nick Lake added on behalf of the Friends of Raymond: “Tim was a founder member of the Friends of Raymond in 1996 and a prime mover in the effort to save Raymond, the last wooden working boat, and have her rebuilt in 2000.

“In a year in which our income has been severely reduced, this donation will go a long way towards helping us continue the never-ending work of keeping both Nutfield and Raymond afloat and we are indebted to him for his generosity.”

Boatyard pays tribute to engineer

LYONS Boatyard on the North Stratford Canal recently lost its engineer Dave Pardoe, who died tragically in a fire at his caravan home.

Dave, 59, worked on many narrowboats from all around the canal network during the 20 years’ service he gave to the boatyard.

Owners Gary Harte and Sarah

Brittle said: “We are all shocked and devastated. He was such a big cog in the running of our boatyard and we don’t think he can ever be replaced.

RIP David, you will always be in our hearts and on our boatyard!”

A funeral took place recently at the Westall Park Natural Burial Ground, Redditch.

Engineer Dave Pardoe at Lyons Boatyard. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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Aston Villa Foundation now a canal supporter

THE Aston Villa Foundation has joined forces with the Canal & River Trust to help care for a stretch of the Tame Valley Canal in Perry Barr.

As part of their adoption, colleagues from the foundation have already been out planting a variety of spring bulbs alongside the canal. The bulbs, which will flower in the club colours of claret and blue, will brighten up the towpath and attract a variety of animals and insects to the canal.

Colleagues from the foundation will also carry out general maintenance along the canal to make it a welcoming place for the community to visit, from cutting back overgrown trees and bushes to painting lock gates and planting up flower beds.

Canal adoptions give local businesses the chance to work alongside the Canal & River Trust to make a real difference to the local community. Most groups meet regularly each month to ensure their stretch continues to thrive.

Terry Hodgetts, business and corporate engagement manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “It’s fantastic that the Aston Villa Foundation will be working with us. The foundation already does so much positive work within the community so it’s great that our canals are recognised by the foundation as being important to local people.

“Many fans use their local canal to get to a home game and soon they’ll be able to see their favourite team colours blooming along the towpath.

Celebrating the Green Flag award at Anderton Boat Lift, from left: Canal & River Trust staff Jason Watts, Jane Hargreaves, Alan Wrench and Elliot Wyatt, with Mid Cheshire Stand Up Paddle Boarders Richard Jordan and Brian Cadwallader. PHOTO: CRT

Flying the Green Flag at Anderton An ideal match at Villa Park. From left are Guy Rippon from the Aston Villa Foundation, Aston Villa mascot Hercules Lion, the Canal & River Trust’s Well-B and Richard Parry, CRT chief executive.

“Hats off to Aston Villa, as they are the first football club to support their local community in this way.

“Being out on the canal is great fun as you get the chance to be outside and spend some time in the fresh air. All our activities are carried out in a coronavirus safe environment and, as we’ve got so much space along the canal, they are perfect for socially distanced corporate team days and outings.”

Pete Ezard, partnerships manager for

the Aston Villa Foundation, said: “We will be able to deliver a number of our projects in partnership with the trust, including social action projects with young people in the community and health and well-being schemes with older participants.

“This will also be an opportunity for us to use the canals for staff development and training days and help restore a small area of the local canals for the community to enjoy.”

ANDERTON Boat Lift and the River Weaver Navigation have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag, recognising them as ‘well-managed green spaces’.

Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, it covers all the grounds around the famous 1875 boat lift and popular visitor attraction, as well as 20 miles of the River Weaver from Runcorn to Winsford.

Jane Hargreaves, local volunteer team leader with the Canal & River Trust, applied

for the award. She said: “Every year the Anderton Boat Lift attracts thousands of visitors to the area and the Weaver Navigation is a much-loved waterway, offering huge potential for walking, cycling, angling and boating.

“We have a brilliant team of staff and volunteers who all work hard to maintain and improve the boat lift grounds and the riverside. And we would love to recruit more volunteers, groups or

individuals, who would like to come and join our wonderful towpath task forces or adopt a stretch of waterway, like the fantastic Mid Cheshire Stand Up Paddle Boarders.”

If you would like to volunteer at Anderton or on the Weaver, please email: j a n e . h a r g r e av e s @ canalrivertrust.org.uk or for more general information about the Canal & River Trust, including volunteering and donating, visit canalrivertrust.org.uk

Major housing plans unveiled for Wolverhampton canal quarter Planting bulbs to bloom in Aston Villa colours are, from left: Pete Ezard, Jack Johnson and Amber Wassell from the Aston Villa Foundation with Elizabeth Houghton, Canal & River Trust. PHOTOS: CRT

HUNDREDS of new homes could be built in the heart of Wolverhampton’s historic Canalside Quarter in a multimillion pound regeneration scheme.

The £65 million proposal from developer Placefirst would see 370 new homes constructed on land off Lower Horseley Fields – close to Wolverhampton’s new £150 million transport interchange.

Plans have been submitted for the scheme to deliver the first phase of a canalside community, providing a mix of town houses and new-build

apartments across five acres of brownfield land.

The proposed development will also include the creation of a new promenade, public open spaces, landscaping and the restoration of listed buildings as well as new pedestrian access to the canal towpath.

Salford-based Placefirst worked with the City of Wolverhampton Council and undertook an online public consultation.

Discussions have also taken place with the Canal & River Trust and West Midlands Combined Authority.

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Lottery bid success will make Stroud and Stonehouse canal towns again

STROUD and Stonehouse are set to become canal towns once again, following the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s decision to grant £8.9 million to the Cotswold Canals Connected Project.

The exciting decision means that the five miles of canal already restored will be connected to the national inland waterway network at Saul Junction.

As well as opening up another 4.5 miles of canal, the funding will see huge benefits in terms of the economy, leisure, community, health, heritage and the environment.

These will include the creation of 21 hectares of biodiversity land, planting 30,000 trees and shrubs, generating additional spending of £5.5 million per year in the local economy, bringing health benefits estimated at £8 million a year, preserving the canal archives from the 1730s and involving up to 500 extra volunteers.

A partnership led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust has already restored five miles of canal between Stonehouse and Thrupp, but connecting to Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at Saul means boats can reach Stonehouse and Stroud from the whole of the national inland waterway network.

“This is fantastic news,” said Coun Doina Cornell, leader of Stroud District

The Cotswold Canal Trust’s boat Endeavour at Ebley.

PHOTO: MIKE GALLAGHER

SDC leader Doina Cornell and CCT chairman Jim White at a restored stretch of the Stroudwater Navigation next to the council offices at Ebley.

Council. “The canal very much shaped the district in the past and thanks to this National Lottery funding will now do so in the future. I can’t think of any other project which benefits so many people in so many ways – and when outdoor pursuits are so important as we look forward to recovering from the Covid pandemic.”

“I would like to pay tribute to Stroud District Council councillors from all sides who committed to take the project on in 2008 and have kept the support going for all these years, as well as to the

St Cyr’s Church beside the canal.

great team of dedicated council staff.”

The canal, known as the Stroudwater Navigation, was formally abandoned by an Act of Parliament in 1954.

Jim White, chairman of trustees for the Cotswold Canals Trust, said: “Volunteers have been working for this moment since the trust was founded in 1972. This important section of canal restoration greatly helps us to pursue our vision of eventually completing the canal route from the River Severn to the River Thames.

“We can now start planning the restoration of the canal from South Cerney to Lechlade.”

Work on the stretch between Stonehouse and Saul is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Work is already under way on Whitminster roundabout and the new railway bridge at Stonehouse Ocean near St Cyr’s Church.

The trust and the council are working with experts to create an exceptional wildlife corridor for people and nature and creating new jobs and training opportunities for local people. The restored stretch is already providing lots of exciting, free events for all ages, and supports access for all to the towpath and the water.

Major funders for the project are The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Stroud District Council (£2.3m),

Cotswold Canals Trust’s members and donors’ contributions (£2.2m), Gloucestershire County Council (£700,000) and the Canal & River Trust (£625,000). Cotswold Canals Trust will continue to fundraise for the remaining £1.2 million needed.

The funding follows an initial grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund two years ago to develop this project.

The Cotswold Canals Connected Project is led by Stroud District Council and Cotswold Canals Trust.

There are many other partners, including the Stroud Valleys Canal Company and the Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity, town and parish councils, Stroud-based Creative Sustainability, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Stroud Valleys Project and Cotswold Boatmobility.

The towpath alongside the Stroudwater Navigation.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED UNLESS INDICATED

Lancaster Canal virtual tour launch marks end of project THE completion of a £2.2 million project to restore storm-damaged Stainton Aqueduct in South Cumbria has been marked with the launch of a virtual tour along the disused Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

An online trip takes viewers on a four-mile interactive journey from Hincaster to Crooklands, providing fascinating insights into the canal’s history, wildlife, old working boats and impressive structures like Hincaster Tunnel and Stainton Aqueduct.

This online interactive canal archive, along with the restoration of Stainton Aqueduct, has been made possible thanks to a grant of £1.5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, delivered in partnership with the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership, and supported by grants from the Rural Payments Agency, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council and Kendal Town Council.

Stainton Aqueduct was originally

Restoration work included building new cast concrete wing walls and apron. constructed in 1816 to carry the Lancaster Canal over Stainton Beck, but suffered catastrophic damage in December 2015 when two destructive storms, Desmond and Eva, resulted in flood water washing away the upper towpath and apron, and causing part of the southern portal and wing walls to collapse.

Canal & River Trust project manager Graham Ramsden said: “This has been a challenging repair project, including two unexpected delays caused by high river levels in both the winters of 2018 and 2019. We saved as much of the original stone as possible and stored it on site so we could reuse it, supplemented by a small amount of new stone sourced from a nearby quarry to ensure a close match in colour and texture.

“Restoration work has included constructing new cast concrete wing walls and apron, plus highly skilled stonemason repairs to the arch barrel ceiling, decorative archway spandrel and voussoirs stones.

“It has been a real labour of love to ensure we preserved the aqueduct’s unique character while ensuring the structure was repaired to top 21st century civil engineering standards.”

Supporting the restoration of this important heritage structure has been a major community engagement project led by Carrie House, Lancaster

The historic Stainton Aqueduct following the three-year project.

PHOTOS: CRT

Canal Towpath Trail project officer, and Canal & River Trust heritage adviser Bill Froggatt.

Carrie explained: “This restoration project has been about far more than just mending a historic stone structure.

“With people currently restricted by the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the online virtual tour will make it easy for everyone to explore the newly restored aqueduct and the wider legacy of this wonderful waterway, so rich in heritage and fantastic scenery.”

For more information about the Canal & River Trust and the Lancaster Canal please go to https://canalrivertrust.org. uk/enjoy-the-waterways/ c a n a l - a n d - r i v e r- n e t w o r k / lancaster-canal or follow this link for the new virtual tour: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/ stories/481ae744cf75473b9f401 23eb628c802

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Outdoor art exhibition and Tapton Lock(Down) Zine FOR the last eight years Junction Arts and Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Service have delivered the Tapton Lock Festival, a free, fun-filled family event along the banks of the Chesterfield Canal.

In 2020 however, things have been a little different and we were unable to deliver the festival, writes project co-ordinator Jane Wells.

We thought long and hard about how we could still mark the festival and offer something of interest to the walkers and cyclists who traverse the canal.

We decided to create an outdoor art exhibition of people’s responses to the canal, nature and the great outdoors.

The exhibition ran from September to November and was enjoyed by hundreds of people – some, regular walkers and cyclists, others new to the towpath. It was a popular attraction and added something really special at a time when things of joy were hard to come by.

In addition, we have published a newsletter, the Tapton Lock(Down) Zine to showcase the Writing Commission project to match five Derbyshire Festivals with a writer. We were partnered with poet Kaozara Okikiola Oyalowo who was commissioned to work with the BAME community in Chesterfield to engage them with the festival.

This initiative was also affected by

the Covid pandemic, meaning that Kaozara wasn’t able to engage as much as she’d hoped.

The work produced by those who did participate in the project was published in the zine.

You can see the full exhibition and read the zine by following the link to the Junction Arts website https://junctionarts. org/community-projects/ tapton-celebration-event/ The Writing Commission project was funded and supported by Derbyshire County Council, Arts Derbyshire and by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Cracker invites you to join his club. PHOTO: TIM BARKER

A Cracker is not just for Christmas

By Helen Gazeley

The outdoor art exhibition at Tapton Lock. PHOTO SUPPLIED

A HORSE needs to eat and Bywater Cruises, which offers one of only three horse-drawn narrowboat experiences in the country, is gently suggesting that supporters might like to join their Cracker Club.

Cracker, well known to regular readers of this newspaper through his column, Cracker’s Chat, has been having a quiet summer. Normally doing three trips a day Friday to Sunday throughout the season, along with private events, Cracker’s used to making hundreds of trips a year, pulling Countess, the 35ft Victorian packetboat replica, along the Montgomery Canal.

Tim Barker, who runs Bywater Cruises, said: “He really enjoys it. By the end of the summer he’s always in prime condition. At the moment he’s furloughed with Riding for the Disabled, who are working him as and when, so he’s just being exercised at the moment with lockdown.”

Cracker is a 13.2hh Strawberry Roan Shropshire Half-leg and is a bit of character. “At Riding for the Disabled he’s been testing all the fences, making sure that everything’s all right,” said Tim. “He's fat and happy but prefers to be out and about.”

He’s also costing money. “At the moment,” says Tim, “feed, livery and

tending his feet are our biggest costs.

The insurance company has reduced their cost down to a bare minimum, but normally he costs £1500-£2000 a year, with no vet’s bills or transportation costs.”

Bywater Cruises is a social enterprise, which is a company that aims to make a positive social change, and means that any profits are invested in the business.

However, with the trips unable to operate all summer, profits this year will be non-existent, which makes finding the funds for next year’s fees all the more concerning.

At the moment, money donations are the simplest way to support Cracker. “If people would like to support in any way, from my point of view it would be nice for them to get in touch,” says Tim. Details are on the website www.bywatercruises. com/cracker-club, or you can email hello@ bywatercruises.co.uk, phone 07941 429980 or write to Tim Barker at Bywater Cruises, Perry Cottage, Yeaton, Nr Baschurch, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 2HY. In normal times, members of the Cracker Club are rewarded with cruises and experiences on Countess and with Cracker. Although these are on hold at the moment, they will be returning. “If people want to see us the other side of this, though,” added Tim, “they need to help.”

Read Cracker’s monthly chat on page 78.

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Making a start on winter safety works

WORK to upgrade safety equipment has started at Spencer’s swing bridge (No 36) on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Parbold and Burscough, writes Colin Wareing.

As there are a number of local public footpaths and the road is a relatively minor one, pedestrian access across the canal is being maintained with a floating pontoon walkway.

The road over the bridge here is Hollowford Lane, which is scheduled to be closed until December 24; the canal is set to reopen on December 18.

As there has been quite a lot of weed growth in the canal this summer, perhaps due to fewer boat movements due to the Covid restrictions, rafts of the weed are starting to build up against the pontoon.

Spencer’s swing bridge with the floating walkway in the foreground.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING

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High-level support for Sankey Canal

PROBLEMS facing the Sankey Canal, the first canal of the Industrial Revolution, were recognised when, on September 28, Lady Kirsty Pilkington, accompanied by the High Sheriff of Merseyside John Roberts and his wife Mary, visited Spike Island.

The purpose of their visit was to tour the site and see for themselves the popular local facility which is under threat when water supplies could dry up on the closure of Fidlers Ferry Power Station.

The power station has for many years pumped water into the canals and its current management is being as helpful as possible in these difficult circumstances.

Accompanied by Colin Greenall, chairman of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) they were first given a presentation on the history of the canal, its importance in transport history and the current work being undertaken by SCARS and local authorities.

Emphasis was placed on the civil engineering work being planned by Warrington and Halton councils to reconnect one of the original water supplies, the actual Sankey Brook, to the canal. The scheme will

Distinguished visitors visit Spike Island: the High Sheriff of Merseyside John Roberts with his wife Mary on the left and Lady Kirsty Pilkington on the right. eventually feed around seven miles of canal currently in water and the central feature of Sankey Valley Park, a highly important ‘green’ space for the population and wildlife.

Progress on protecting existing structures was also on the agenda, with Warrington Borough Council currently having a bridge at

Bewsey Lock and the former swing bridge at Bewsey Lodge painted. Unfortunately some of the infrastructure on the lock bridge may need more attention.

Mile posts will soon be installed and thus another important feature of the canal restored. Towpath improvements are to take place in St Helens when de-silting

work on the Rainford Brook by the Environment Agency has been completed .

Mr Greenall said: “It is very reassuring that local authorities and statutory bodies both recognise the threat to this important local facility and have committed scarce resources to protecting and further improving the canal and its ‘green’ corridor for local people and wildlife.”

Jim Forkin, chairman of the IWA Chester and Merseyside Branch, said: “It is encouraging to see the effort going in to save and develop this important canal. Enjoyed by thousands of local people for exercise and leisure, the Sankey Canal project clearly demonstrates that our waterways are very much a part of the well-being of the country even before the navigation is fully restored.”

Three empty Mersey Flats heading for the River Mersey, having just descended Winwick Lock in the 1950s. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Weir repairs complete after two setbacks VOLUNTEERS from the Friends of Cromford Canal have completed repairs to the weir at Pinxton Wharf following delays caused by heavy rain and the first coronavirus lockdown.

They undertook the work in response to concerns by Derbyshire County Council at the downstream state of the weir on the arm of the Cromford Canal known as the Pinxton Arm. As well as trouble maintaining the water level in the wharf area, which is now a fishery, the council was also concerned at the possible collapse of the weir due to scour in times of heavy water flow and vandalism over the years.

The Friends’ engineers convinced the council that their volunteers could do a more than adequate repair at much less cost by increasing the weight of the downstream side by casting a concrete apron that the canal water would flow down.

Work couldn’t be carried out as planned in 2019 due to heavy rain during the autumn and then in March of this year the planned start was put off by the Covid-19 lockdown.

The weir was originally constructed of wire gabions filled with stone along the side of the track by the canal and possibly forming the core of the weir. The upstream side was some form of plastic sheet and clay to prevent passage of water through the stone-filled gabions; the downstream slope was stone riff-raff with a crest of concrete kerbs set in concrete.

In 2019 FCC had been planning a Waterway Recovery Group work camp led by WRG North West but with the restrictions on volunteers staying overnight a work camp was out of the question. The engineers arranged a new work programme and method statement for FCC work parties which was approved by DCC which agreed to pay the cost of materials and plant hire.

In August preliminary work started to remove vegetation and clean off the old stones. It was decided that the weather looked promising and work started in the second week in September. Plant and some materials were supplied by the Erewash Canal Preservation

& Development Association and Waterway Recovery Group from Langley Mill; concrete blocks and aggregate were brought in ready.

The FCC work party led by John Barker pressure washed the existing stone and cut the offside tail of the weir back into the bank.

About 30m towards the wharf above the weir, there was a construction of a temporary dam with polythene sheet and 150 sandbags; subsequently pumping out of this dam and around the weir reduced the level at the weir crest by about 250mm, just what was needed.

Below the tail of the weir there was a layer of small stones and on these were laid a row of concrete blocks, about 2.5m from the crest of the weir to form the bottom edge of the new concrete tail. Along the offside edge were laid a row of concrete kerbs set in concrete to finish about 100mm above the finished concrete.

On the towpath side the original row of stonefilled wire gabions was deteriorating, this was shuttered and concreted to about 100mm above the weir crest. This also filled in some holes in the gabions near to the weir crest where water was escaping through the stone gabions.

A shutter board was set up to give about 100mm of concrete over the row of concrete blocks and with a board between the crest of the weir and the bottom shutter, the stones were levelled off by the addition of more stones to give a finished concrete cover of about 150mm. When the concrete was laid, a sheet of steel reinforcing fabric was incorporated in the concrete.

Over the next week the shuttering steel supports were removed, the concrete kerbs forming the crest were pointed up and the wooden fence was repaired and the temporary dam removed. The total direct volunteer effort on site was over 360 hours plus 71 hours’ travel to and from site.

During the work Mick Bacon, whose land is adjacent to the weir, was a great help in storing materials and tools in his yard and he frequently came round to give advice and encouragement.

All work was done under the FCC Covid-19 risk assessment with social distancing.

NEWS 7

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Raising the roof on a new floating church BOAT designer and surveyor Tony Tucker was called in to help turn an innovative design for a floating church into reality.

Denizen Works, two young but successful architects, had produced a proposal for the London Diocese featuring the unique idea of having a lifting roof.

This was originally planned to go over both the fore and aft sections of the vessel with a main public entrance between, the idea being based on organ bellows and a Dormobile!

Tony of Tucker Designs was approached to properly design and engineer the vessel to be built at Turks Shipyard at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent.

The hull design and construction was relatively simple; being a widebeam barge, the only major differences were to insert a double chine to reduce her overall displacement and a Schilling rudder for steering to give better overall manoeuvrability.

The design of Genesis’ lifting roof is based on organ bellows and a Dormobile!

But the superstructure was a different matter. Having two sections of roof opening was quickly kicked into touch as the aft section opened over kitchen and toilet areas.

An 8.4m length of aluminium alloy roof forward, weighing some 1700kg, opens on a hinge using simple hydraulic cylinders. The gap left is filled with a fabric bellows arrangement.

Tony explained: “This sounds simple until one realises that it has to be fireproof, must maintain its shape even in a strong wind and more especially when the roof is being closed so it is not guillotined. The interstitial spaces created must be vermin proof and keep out insects who decide it’s a nice place to set up home.

“It must be capable of being fitted (it weighs over 1000kg) and is U-shaped.

Individual sections need to be ‘removable’ in case of serious damage.

Last, but not least, space is necessary for it to be stowed in readiness but be invisible both internally and externally.”

Tony worked with Chris Jeckells of Jeckells sailmakers in creating and engineering the bellows.

When this started the local churches were using an interim vessel, Elsdale II, or ‘the floating classroom’.

An innovative boat in her own right, Elsdale II was a 70ft x 14ft (22m x 4.26m) all-electric inland boat built in 2004 to take school parties during the day and operate as a function boat by night (up Local churches were using Elsdale II – the floating classroom. PHOTOS SUPPLIED to 14 hours of use) capable of recharging

overnight. “Unbeknown to them I designed the boat they were already using,” added Tony.

Towpath mooring

The church is now located on a towpath mooring in Hackney Wick, North East London. It is moored on the River Lee Navigation alongside Here East Technology Campus at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where it will stay for the next 3-5 years as a base for St Columba East, before it sails off to support other canalside communities.

Hackney is known for its creative regenerations dotted around the borough and now has a new addition where passers-by are offered a place of learning and well-being.

Genesis will help serve growing communities who live around the east London canal and welcomes people of all faiths and none.

As much as it will provide a venue for Christian worship, the boat will provide a place of learning and wellbeing and it will also be available for a host of community-led development

programmes, children’s theatre, art exhibitions, business functions and inter-faith celebrations.

St Columba East London, a new worshipping community led by the Rev Dave Pilkington, has a permanent home following the delivery of Genesis.

He has already organised five-a-side matches with his congregation and he is even hoping to conduct baptisms in the water, in a stretch known locally as the Hackney Riviera.

“After all,” he said, “Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, which probably wasn’t too sanitised either.”

The Diocese of London’s vision for this creation was in partnership with the two other churches, St Paul Old Ford and St Mary of Eton, supported with the help of £10,000 in funding from Allchurches Trust as well as from others – The Mercers’ Charitable Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The John and Diana Kemp-Welch Charitable Trust, The Wates Family Enterprise Trust and The Jerusalem Trust – in addition to those who gave anonymously to support the project.

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Trust’s new challenge

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust has begun work on a major restoration project in Surrey as the charity’s bid to resurrect the abandoned canal moves up a gear.

In what will be a two- to three-year project largely carried out by volunteers, a new canal cut and two bridges will be built at Tickner’s Heath in Alfold, near Cranleigh.

The route of the canal is blocked by the causeway which carries Dunsfold Road. Originally, a brick arch bridge built in the 1810s carried the road over the canal but by 1913 the original bridge had been demolished and the road realigned on to an earth causeway.

Several options were considered before the trust decided that the best solution was to avoid the obstruction altogether.

In an ambitious project volunteers will construct a new length of canal, about 180 metres long, to divert around the causeway and create a new road bridge at a point where Dunsfold Road is straight.

The road bridge will be similar to that constructed by volunteers at nearby Compasses, at the entrance to Dunsfold Park. This bridge was recognised with a highly commended award in the Waverley Design Awards 2019.

A short length of temporary road will be built to take traffic around the bridge site during construction and a separate, parallel bridge will be built for the use of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, along with a new footpath.

With both bridges in place and the road reopened to traffic,

Erecting a fence around a compound area.

Young People’s Project wins lottery funding

WACT volunteers on site. the new canal cut will be excavated. The last 100 yards of the existing canal will be partially filled and landscaped with areas of wetland and replacement tree planting. Hedgerow planting will add 75m of native species to the site and a reptile pond and hibernaculum are to be added.

Volunteer working parties operating several times a week have so far built a compound area on an adjacent agricultural field, created culverts and ditching, erected fencing and constructed a base for power connections.

Contractors will be employed for piling, but volunteers will carry out a significant proportion of the construction and landscaping work.

Project manager Tony Ford said: “Tickner’s Heath posed a particularly difficult restoration challenge. The road has sharp bends, there is residential property very close by, the canal water level is only a foot or so below the road and the whole area is within designated Common Land which has very strict rules for any works taking place within it.

“Our solution allows us to recreate the canal length, improve the footpaths for walkers and add to the existing biodiversity.

Our volunteers are excited to begin such a project, which closely follows the success of the bridge building at Harsfold in Wisborough Green in Sussex, which was completed recently.”

‘Canalcoholic’ welcomed aboard CHICHESTER Ship Canal Trust was recently delighted to welcome BBC Radio 2 news presenter Adam Porter on board.

As the first patron of its fundraising campaign, he will help to raise awareness and support one of the city’s much valued community assets.

Adam moved to the Chichester area in the mid-1990s, when he was the first news editor at Spirit FM and helped to launch the station. He lives in Fishbourne and serves on the parish council.

Canals and boating are his passion.

Adam and his partner have a narrowboat, which is moored in Northamptonshire and has taken them to places as far apart as Manchester, Godalming and Lincolnshire.

He said: “It’s often said that canals spread their green fingers into cities. If you follow the towpath of the Chichester Canal from the basin you almost don’t notice you are passing under the A27

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BBC Radio 2 news presenter Adam Porter is the first patron of Chichester Canal Trust’s fundraising campaign. PHOTO SUPPLIED and by the time you’re halfway to Hunston you already feel as if you are in the countryside.

“The history and heritage of the canals fascinate me. Their routes tell the stories of industrialisation.

By the time you’re halfway to Hunston you already feel you’re in the countryside.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

“Being on the water or close to the water is good for well-being. It gets you close to nature; there are few better things than seeing the blue flash of a kingfisher darting low across the water, or a heron deep in concentration before it catches a fish.”

He added: “The Chichester Canal is a fantastic resource for the area. The towpath provides a safe walking route, while the canal itself is busy with canoes and kayaks, and the latest fitness craze, stand-up paddle boarding. It’s vital the canal is preserved and maintained, and I’m delighted to help the trust promote its work.”

Jill Dennison, volunteer fundraising campaign manager said: ‘We’re thrilled that Adam is giving his time to highlight the work of the trust, the charity behind the canal. Having spent time with Adam, his enthusiasm and passion for canals is clear, and we’re so fortunate to have Chichester Canal right on our doorstep.

“Adam’s support means we can continue to raise our profile among the local community and further afield.”

Peter Le Marchant Trust’s CEO Tim Marren with volunteer Ali Crowes show the lottery cheque.

By Helen Gazeley

THE Peter Le Marchant Trust is celebrating the success of its very first bid for National Lottery funding.

A £223,261 award will advance its new Young People’s Project, creating a Young People’s Hub, increasing the range of opportunities for local youngsters and bringing a new generation to water-based educational, environmental and heritage projects.

This will be an expansion of the trust’s work, giving day trips and holidays on water to children and adults who experience health and social issues in their day-to-day lives, and represents something of a return to work the charity did in its earlier days.

“Our founder, Clare Le Marchant, did a lot more with young people in the past,” said CEO Tim Marren, “but it’s only the last couple of years we’ve built the portfolio back up.”

Clare Le Marchant described the award as wonderful news. “This will enable us to really develop this exciting work, encourage intergenerational working and ensure young people gain the positive benefits that come from our canal boats and our local waterways.”

The trust already has enthusiastic support. “We’ve got a team of a hundred volunteers, semi-retired and retired, doing a great job,” said Tim. “We’ve got people who were airline pilots, or in the services. They have so much to share with young people on projects.

“With this we can keep a close eye on the next generation coming through in 10-15 years’ time.”

Successful pilot studies, run in conjunction with The Prince’s Trust and Young Citizens, helped their application.

Michael Hunter, a young volunteer, said: “Volunteering at the trust has enabled me to gain greater confidence and so many new skills and experiences in a really fun and friendly place.”

Now, with the award, a youth co-ordinator is being appointed and there is potential for an apprenticeship in the future.

The trust usually welcomes more than 5000 passengers a year and the award comes at the end of what should have been a boom year with many corporate and seasonal trips in the diary. Although activities have been tentatively resuming, with ‘family bubble’ trips and the possibility of running Winter Warmer trips, the award is particularly welcome. “It’s nice to have some good news,” said Tim.

Younger volunteers will have the opportunity to develop new skills and confidence with the Young People’s Project.

PHOTOS: WAYNE COOK

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Characters of the Cut Kay’s Canal Crafty Arts Alice Griffin chats to the former university lecturer for whom canal art started a new chapter in her historical research.

A CHILDHOOD copy of the Ladybird book, The Story of our Canals, was canal artist Kay Andrews’ trusted companion when taking herself from zero knowledge to proficient singlehanded narrowboater in the space of four weeks.

“A strange twist of events, mixed with a possible midlife crisis, brought me to the water in 2016. I’m not sure my handbook was the best choice for such a steep learning curve, but I’m still here now!” Kay told me.

For six to seven months of the year Kay lives with Monte the ginger cat on her boat Pea Green, a 1973 Braunston Boat built by Chris Barney, and referred to as a Barney Boat.

Originally named The Go Between, Kay tells me that there are quite a few Barney Boat fans out there, as well as others who simply love the sound of her 8hp Sabb HG engine. “It's a bit like driving a Morris Minor down the street with these classic early leisure narrowboats!”

Pea Green is Kay’s first boat, as well as her first experience of narrowboats in general. “I found her on Preloved and she was the only one I viewed. I knew absolutely nothing about narrowboats, but was taken by her shape and the roses painted inside.”

It was appreciation for these paintings that sparked an interest in traditional art and set Kay on a whole new course. “I only started painting three years ago, prior to that my only experience was emulsion on walls!”

To begin with, Kay was selftaught, but in order to grow her style she spent a day with Julie Tonkin, an accredited senior journeyman in decorative art with the Waterways Craft Guild.

“She really helped me develop my work and since then my style has become my own, but I hope it has echoes of the past.”

Kay paints both traditional and non-traditional canal-related items. “I realise that some might find this problematic, however my view is that if people engage with the art and want to find out more, plus recognise how today’s art is different, then such untraditional items may have a place in contemporary canal culture and memory.”

With her narrowboat being built in Braunston, and having lived in Northamptonshire for a long time, it seemed logical that Kay’s roses had a Braunston link.

Alice Griffin is a writer, intermittent boat-dweller and long-time wanderer currently exploring the coastline of Portugal.

I n s t a g r a m : alice_is_in_wanderland www.alicegriffin.co.uk

Kay’s art materials beside two finished panels.

Artistic labels on these bottles.

“My roses are loosely based on the long tradition that came from Braunston, but my yellow roses give a nod to Tooley’s boatyard on the Oxford.”

This nod is due to Tooley’s being where Tom and Angela Rolt bought the boat – Cressy – that would take them around the canal system, leading to the 1944 book Narrow Boat and the consequent formation of the Inland Waterways Association.

Kay’s interest in the background of our canals undoubtedly comes from her previous life as a university lecturer in history. “As a historian I am very interested in the social history of canal life, so of course when I began to paint I researched styles of canal art and its influences.”

Generally, canal art was developed in boatyards and spots on the cut where boats were repaired and worked on. Masters taught apprentices how to paint, and as a result specific styles emerge from different areas.

Like Kay, I too am particularly intrigued by the history of women folk artists. “Many of the named painters we know of are men. This stands to reason as it was the men working in the boatyards yet, I wonder how many unsigned pieces were

painted by women who lived and worked alongside their families on the boats?”

Kay’s favourite painters today are all women: “Julie Tonkin, Ruth Chamberlain and Christine Wood are artists I admire. All too often women don't shout loud enough about the work they do and I think these women and their skilled work needs mentioning.” Folk art, by its very nature, is always shifting and developing and Kay hopes her work adds in some small way.

Trading as a pop-up in the summer, beginning at Welford and Foxton locks and continuing wherever the watery road takes her, Kay has also participated in waterway festivals and is a member of the Roving Canal Traders Association, as well as selling online.

Additionally, Kay is happy to give talks and teach small groups at her house in Northamptonshire. “Buying my boat, learning to paint and becoming a trader, has revealed a whole world that embarrassingly, I had little knowledge of. It has also been fabulous to make new friends across the country via a love of the waterways.”

Jewellery boxes featuring roses based on the Braunston tradition.

Kay Andrews’ narrowboat Pea Green on which she trades during the summer. PHOTOS: KAY ANDREWS UNLESS INDICATED Website: www.kayscanalcraftyarts.co.uk Instagram: @kayscanalcraftyarts Facebook: Kayscanalcraftyarts Email: kayandrews2102@gmail.com

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Princess Royal launches new community boat

The Princess Royal meets members of the crew inside the cabin.

HRH The Princess Royal boards Community Spirit for the launch.

D URIN G a visit to Northamptonshire in October, HRH The Princess Royal visited Blisworth Marina to launch a new passenger trip boat run by volunteer-led local charity Crusader Community Boating.

She was welcomed by the county’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant, James Lowther and introduced to Colin Neal, chairman of the trustees and one of the charity’s boatmasters.

During the visit, the Princess Royal spoke to the charity’s

patrons David Laing and James Mackaness and some of the crew volunteers. She was then shown around the boat, named Community Spirit, and heard about its design.

After a short speech by Colin Neal in which he thanked the boat’s sponsors and acknowledged the lead role in fundraising by James Mackaness, the Princess unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit.

“It was an honour and a privilege to have HRH The

Princess Royal visit us to launch our new trip boat, especially in these difficult times,” said Mr Neal.

“Under normal circumstances, we would have been running boat trips seven days a week.

However, as most of our service users, and many of the crew, are in the vulnerable category, all trips are on hold this year. Our focus is on ensuring we’re in good shape to resume operations in a safe environment whenever we’re able to do so,” he added.

Trustees chairman Colin Neal makes his speech watched by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Lowther and HRH The Princess Royal. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Crusader Community Boating, which won the Towpath Talk Volunteer of the Year Community Boat Award for 2019, believes it is the only organisation on the canal network providing free day trips for people with physical or mental disabilities as well as elderly people in care homes, relying instead on voluntary donations.

The new boat will enable the charity to significantly increase its core activity as well as introducing a new service for primary schools.

The ‘floating classroom’ will provide an exciting and meaningful environment in which children might gain an appreciation of the importance

of water safety. They might also learn a little about the rich local canal history and the fauna and flora along the waterway.

Community Spirit was funded by contributions from a number of trust funds as well as individuals; the lead sponsor was the Bernard Sunley Foundation.

Other sponsors include: the Constance Travis Charitable Foundation, the Wilson Foundation, the David Laing Foundation, the James Mackaness Family Trust, the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association, Northamptonshire Community Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Northampton Municipal Church Charity, Chicheley Lodge of Freemasons and Walk for a Cause, a local charity raising money for good causes.

The Princess chats with crew members.

Buckingham Canal Society stalwart wins national award A L O N G -s t a n d i n g volunteer and trustee of the Buckingham Canal Society has won a major national award.

Athina Beckett received the Christopher Power prize in honour of her contribution to the restoration of an inland waterway. She was nominated by Chris Durham of the Milton Keynes branch of the Inland Waterways Association.

The award was announced by Audrey Smith, chairman of the volunteer awards panel, who said: “I am delighted we have been able to recognise the work and success of such an extraordinary woman.” Buckingham Canal Society also received a £1000 cheque.

Athina, from Milton Keynes, joined the society

in 1993 as a volunteer, and further roles soon followed.

In 1997 she took on the job of work party leader, a role she continues to hold today and has been particularly successful

Athina Beckett and her boat Brown Trout. PHOTO SUPPLIED

at encouraging corporate volunteering involvement with the restoration project.

She is also a trustee of the society and an ex-chairman of trustees and through the years has also been a volunteer with the Waterway Recovery Group, getting hands-on involved at a large number of restoration sites.

Buckingham Canal Society is currently working at a number of locations from the junction of the Grand Union Canal at Cosgrove, where the Old Stratford and Buckingham Arm leaves the main canal, through to the town of Buckingham, some 10 miles away, with the objective to restore the canal to its former glory and become navigable again to all forms of water-related commercial, local amenity, tourist and recreational traffic for public benefit.

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Region hosts first virtual forum

By Phil Pickin

THE Canal & River Trust recently held its first virtual West Midlands User Forum which allowed attendees to find out more about the work being done locally and to hear from a number of senior members of staff.

Regional director Adnan Saif ’s overview highlighted an exceptional year with £19 million being spent on improving the waterways.

During the year the region celebrated 250 years of the Birmingham Canal Navigations and despite the difficulties, 163,000 volunteer hours have looked after 900km of waterways and on average 7500 boats.

The pandemic and its resulting lockdown has had an impact, with only a skeleton team being available to carry out safety work over the lockdown period. However, Adnan said: “Nearly all our staff are back off furlough and over 500 volunteers back in 67 locations around the region.”

Regional engineer Sally Boddy also highlighted the problems that Covid-19 had caused with the budget for planned works cut from £6 million to £4.2 million.

She went on to say: “We have secured external funding totalling £3 million spend this year, including towpath resurfacing between Sixways Stadium and Tibberton on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal – approximately 1.8km.

“It is funded by Highways England from their Designated Funds Programme 2020/21 with a £500k project cost. It is due to start in October 2020.”

The Roundhouse project in Birmingham is a project being undertaken in partnership with the National Trust; £2.4 million has been spent over the last 18 months resulting in the near completion of the practical works.

Nick Leech and Rebecca Whitehouse spoke about some operational issues including ‘a huge increase in towpath users’. The downside to this would seem to have been a rise in fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour. A new customer service facility check was also brought in, whereby staff use their phones to scan a barcode when they enter a facility: “It allows the team to show they have gone in to check the area and highlights what cleaning has been logged at these locations.”

They went on to say that some 10,542km of grass is cut every year on 35 canals, 10% of which is carried out by volunteer groups. There is also a fiveyear rolling programme which aims to cut 20% of the offside vegetation per year, the idea being this helps to manage the impact on wildlife and the use of trust resources. Last year 200km of offside vegetation was cut and this winter there are plans to tackle the Birmingham & Fazeley, Coventry, North Oxford and Shropshire Union canals.

A question was asked about the poor facilities at Hawkesbury junction, and it would seem that this area is due

West Midlands regional director Adnan Saif, highlights of his report included the Birmingham Canals’ 250-year celebrations.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

to be tackled as part of the City of Culture 2021. Sadly it would seem that this only amounts to “community engagement, more signage for better branding and information”. Rebecca Whitehouse pointed out that the rise in fly-tipping can cost £30-40k to clear in some areas.

Dredging and environment matters were covered by environmental scientist Charlie Hughes. He discussed the new prioritisation model. “It focuses on a risk-based approach and can rank the worst blocked canals in the region. This then guides decision-making and where is best to prioritise spending on dredging works.

“The model can use existing and historical data and includes information from the public, which feeds into the dredging programme. So please email enquiries.westmidlands@

canalrivertrust.org.uk if you believe an area is in need of dredging.” Apparently, some dredging works in 2021/22 will include: Dudley Canal and Netherton Tunnel, Grand Union spot dredging, Staffordshire & Worcester Canal and Cannock extension dredging along its full length.

Helen Underhill talked about boating in the region and said that four officers in the team were looking after more than 7500 boats on the canal network.

The current evasion rate of 2.6% in the region is up from 2.3% at March’s National Boat Count.

A question was asked about removing the opportunity to renew licences face-to-face, and it would seem that this facility is to remain; however, users are encouraged to use the portal website. A question was also asked about urban moorings and the possibility of more residential moorings in the Birmingham area.

Adnan Saif pointed out that there have been a number of sites considered; however, no progress has been made due to a number of factors.

Some perennial issues were raised and suggested solutions were offered, including one to require cyclists, using towpaths, to have working bells on their bikes. This, it would seem, isn’t possible under current by-laws.

Adnan added that the aim was to encourage civility on towpaths – the use of which has, according to him, increased by 60%.

As for the post-pandemic future, the trust has not yet decided on the format of future regional forums and a consultation is currently taking place to gauge users’ opinions.

One option being considered is to hold informal surgeries on the towpath as well as local and regional meetings, possibly online.

An aerial view of The Roundhouse – a joint project with the National Trust. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST