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Issue 173, March 2020

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Storm damage

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A casualty of Storm Dennis trapped by the road bridge at Barrow-on-Soar in Leicestershire. It is believed the boater was rescued from the bridge by firefighters. More on page 3. PHOTO: LES HEATH

HS2 campaigns to continue after PM’s announcement

By Sarah Spencer

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WORK will continue to mitigate the effects of HS2 on the waterways following a major Government announcement on the issue.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the controversial high-speed rail link will be built, prompting some canal campaigners to call the plans a ‘setback’.

The first phase of the route will travel

between London and Birmingham, with a second phase going to Manchester and Leeds, affecting 17 canals, three river navigations and four waterways set for restoration under the current scheme.

However a new review of the line from Birmingham to Leeds and Crewe to Manchester could lead to the route slightly changing in a bid to bring down the price tag.

The Chesterfield Canal restoration project is one that could be put in

jeopardy, according to the Canal & River Trust. Rod Auton, publicity officer for the Chesterfield Canal Trust, said: “We are pleased that a decision has been made at last.

“However, after two years of discussions with the HS2 engineers, we now need final agreements about the two crossings of the Chesterfield Canal, both the mainline at Norwood and the spur to the Staveley Infrastructure Maintenance Depot.

“Given that the canal’s restoration has been blighted by HS2 for seven years, we also expect some mitigation.”

HS2 also does not recognise the proposed restoration of the Ashby Canal, according to CRT, and “in its current form the proposal would prejudice the completion of this well advanced canal restoration project”.

Ashby Canal Trust described the announcement as a ‘setback’.

• Continued on page 2

Eco-mooring closer

Skipton towpath works

Murder enquiry

PLANS for the Islington Eco-mooring Zone have moved a step closer following recent public meetings.

Canal & River Trust and officers from Islington Council heard feedback about the scheme. CRT’s modified plans following this include allowing for more charging points and investigating additional support that could be offered to boaters. The trust is currently developing the mooring management arrangements, which will include specific terms and conditions for the mooring and an online, free, pre-booking system.

The project, which aims to reduce pollution around Regent’s Canal through the installation of electric charging points, will be a trial for two years.

WORK to improve the canal towpath in Skipton from Gawflat Swing Bridge, near Aireville Park, to Niffany Swing Bridge is taking place. This stretch, which runs parallel to Broughton Road, will be closed until around March 25 as part of the £2 million project to improve the towpath from Gargrave to Kildwick. When complete, this stretch – which will be wider than the rest of the scheme – will provide a traffic-free route to local schools, the railway station and the town centre through the Skipton Canal Waterfront scheme recently delivered by Craven District Council. There will also be new information boards.

WEST Midlands Police have launched a murder enquiry following the discovery of a body in a Birmingham canal. A post-mortem examination confirmed that ‘significant facial injuries’ were ‘consistent with assault’. The victim, named as Darren Round, 48, was found in the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Masshouse Lane, in Kings Norton. He was last seen wearing a blue coat and a rucksack, said Det Ch Insp Scott Griffiths. Anyone who was in the Masshouse Lane and Shannon Road area or was walking the canal towpath between 7.30pm on Friday, February 14 and 8.40am on Saturday 15 is asked to contact officers.

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LAST time I tempted fate by hoping that this month would not turn out to be ‘February filldyke’. I am eating my words now following two weekends of storms and severe flood warnings, as I write, on the Rivers Severn and Wye. In this part of the country we have, so far, escaped the worst of the weather and our thoughts are with the people of South Wales and the border counties who have borne the brunt of Storm Dennis.

On a more cheerful note, there are signs of spring with snowdrops and daffodils in bloom and people will be itching to get out on the water again and to plan their summer cruising.

Some of you will already be planning visits to annual events and we have details of several of these in the IWA Round-up on page 14 and our What’s On guide, starting on page 17.

We also follow travels at home and abroad with Hugh Dougherty’s feature about a boat trip on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Saltaire, see page 23 and Clive Edwards heads back to the Canal du Midi in France; follow his adventures on page 24.

Salt seems to be a recurrent theme this month and Robert Davies traces the life of ‘King of Salt’ John Corbett on page 86.

Alison Alderton visits the mysterious Cong Canal in Ireland, see page 88, the Cool Canals team continue their towpath journey along the Kennet & Avon on page 90 and Jonathan Mosse becomes a virtual mariner on page 93.

We have three competitions this month with weekend tickets to Crick Boat Show, see page 19, copies of We Don’t Go Far But We Do See Life – a tongue-in-cheek account of travels on a Dutch barge – see page 58 and more prizes for our wordsearch competition on page 54.

Good luck,

See page 16 or call 01507 529529

HS2 campaigns to continue after PM’s announcement • Continued from page 1 “If HS2 didn’t cross the canal route, another 1100m of Ashby Canal could have been restored in the ex-mining village of Measham.

“The postponement of the decision pending further cost-saving investigations on route HS2b to Leeds has meant that we still don’t know if or when the scheme will be going ahead, after several years of delay.”

The trust said it had worked closely with Measham Land Co Ltd, which would have been building the canal as part of an associated canalside housing development.

Geoff Pursglove, chair of Ashby Canal Trust, said: “It was unfortunate HS2 had to come straight across the canal line and the housing estate.

“But for now it looks likely we won’t be able to develop another link in the Ashby Canal restoration plans to reconnect Measham and Moira to the national waterways network.”

He added the Ashby Canal supporters and the developers would study the Government’s announcement and other details which might be forthcoming before deciding what to do next, however

he insisted the canal project would still go ahead, but might take longer.

A spokesperson for Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust said: “LHCRT notes the Government’s decision to proceed with HS2.

“HS2 have agreed to and will be replacing the Cappers Lane bridge constructed by the trust in 2006 with a new road bridge over a local canal diversion which HS2 will construct ahead of its construction of the high-speed railway viaduct in this area.

“LHCRT, CRT and IWA are working closely with HS2 on the agreed construction details of the proposal to minimise the impact of HS2 on the Lichfield Canal.”

The IWA said it would be continuing its work campaigning to mitigate the effects of HS2 on the waterways.

A spokesperson for CRT said: “The Canal & River Trust firmly believes that HS2 must be designed and constructed so as to minimise its impact on the waterways for the communities, heritage and wildlife they support.

“We are working closely with HS2 Ltd, the Government, local stakeholders and canal societies to protect the interests

The Cappers Lane bridge, constructed by LHCRT, on the day it opened in 2006. It is to be replaced as part of the HS2 project. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Staveley crossing, currently the focus of a Chesterfield Canal Trust work party. The height of the rail access/egress to the proposed Staveley Infrastructure Maintenance Depot could prejudice the restoration project, according to CRT. PHOTO SUPPLIED

of the waterways.”

The prime minister said he was going to appoint a full-time minister to oversee the project.

Supporters of HS2 say it will improve transport times, increase capacity, create

jobs and rebalance the UK’s economy, but the spiralling cost has sparked a backlash.

The cost set out in the 2015 Budget was set at just under £56 billion, but one independent estimate puts it as high as £106 billion.

A computer image of how Measham Wharf on the Ashby Canal might look after development, if it goes ahead in the wake of the HS2 announcement. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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IWA to keep up pressure over high-speed rail THE Inland Waterways Association has pledged to continue its decade-long campaign against the ‘worst effects’ of HS2’s construction and operation.

IWA has achieved several changes to the project since 2010, however it said it “continues to be concerned about its noise impacts on many waterways and its damaging effects on some canal restoration schemes”.

IWA claimed a major victory in 2014 when it persuaded the Government to change the route of the Handsacre Link spur near Lichfield to avoid two crossings of the Trent & Mersey Canal which, it claimed, would have “seriously damaged the environment, tranquillity and heritage of the canal around Woodend Lock above Fradley Junction.”

Working in conjunction with Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, Lichfield Cruising Club and Canal & River Trust, IWA also secured assurances that HS2 would build a canal diversion and fund a replacement moorings basin at Cappers Lane in Lichfield when

the bridge there is demolished for an HS2 viaduct. Other changes IWA has campaigned for include lowering the height of the viaducts around Kings Bromley, additional noise fencing at Fradley and Great Haywood, and improvements to the design of the viaduct over the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Curdworth.

The Government’s decision is to proceed with Phase 1 and Phase 2a of HS2, from London to Birmingham and via Fradley to Crewe, although it is not yet clear if this includes the Handsacre Link.

“The decision was based on the Oakervee Review report that recommends removing this connection to the West Coast Mainline which would be costly to build and of limited use.

“Its route still passes close to the canal and the diversion of Wood End Lane there will be intrusive so IWA supports its deletion from the project,” said a spokesperson for the IWA. On Phase 1 IWA remains particularly concerned about the noise impact on

the tranquil summit section of the Oxford Canal near Wormleighton.

Phase 2a will cross the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood on a viaduct right alongside the marina and IWA is represented on an advisory group that has produced a Design Principles document to help mitigate its construction and operational impacts.

The group has also obtained funding from HS2 for environmental enhancement works that are likely to include towpath improvements.

Phase 2b of HS2 includes Crewe to Manchester and Wigan and the eastern leg from Birmingham to Leeds and affects at least 16 waterways in 22 locations.

IWA has major concerns about its impacts on the Trent & Mersey Canal north of Middlewich, the Ashby Canal restoration at Measham, the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre and the Chesterfield Canal restoration at Staveley.

The Government has said this phase will proceed, but only after a further review to better integrate it with

other rail improvements in the north and Midlands.

Phil Sharpe, IWA Lichfield Branch chairman and a member of IWA’s Planning Advisory Panel, said: “While many of these issues have affected the Lichfield area, IWA has also campaigned nationally by responding to the many consultations, attending exhibitions, meeting HS2 engineers and liaising with construction contractors.

“IWA has petitioned Parliament three times and given evidence to both House of Commons and Lords Select Committees on a range of issues including the need for better noise protection at all the locations where HS2 crosses or runs close to waterways.

“Keeping up with HS2 by reading all the reports and examining all the relevant plans has been a massive undertaking, but we will continue to engage with all the HS2 public consultations and to campaign for better protection for the precious environment of our navigable and restorable waterways.”

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Counting the cost in the aftermath of Storm Dennis

COMMUNITIES around the Rivers Severn, Trent and Wye are counting the cost after record levels of flooding and the tragic death of a woman swept away by the torrent near Tenbury in Worcestershire.

As we went to press, six severe flood warnings, indicating a danger to life, were still in place on the Rivers Severn, Lugg and Wye in the aftermath of Storm Dennis.

More than 100 flood warnings, indicating the need for immediate action, also included the Rivers Avon, Trent and the Yorkshire Ouse and Derwent.

Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dave Throup said: “This is not normal flooding, we are in uncharted territory.”

Among the towns where evacuations have taken place are Upton-upon-Severn and Uckinghall in Worcestershire, Telford in Shropshire and Monmouth.

After a brief respite, flood-hit areas were bracing themselves for more wet and blustery weather as further fronts were set to move in from the Atlantic.

Shrewsbury School boat house on the River Severn.

Shrewsbury & District IWA branch chairman Michael Haig, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes and IWA national chairman Paul Rodgers at the Westminster reception. PHOTO: IWA

MPs briefed on waterways issues

The Boathouse pub in Shrewsbury.

Carrying on with bank repair work at Ellesmere on the Llangollen Canal.

PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN

Neil will work closely with IWA’s new chairman Paul Rodgers on the appointment of a successor, with the plan to have a period of handover.

Paul commented: “Under Neil’s leadership IWA has developed an established reputation as champion and advocate of the restoration movement.

When he retires he will be leaving the association in an excellent position to further support the regeneration of our waterways and meet the challenges of the future.”

IWA is sending its parliamentary briefing to all these MPs and is calling for their support for the issues raised in their work in parliament and in their constituencies.

The document highlights the ongoing need for adequate funding of the publicly owned waterways operated by Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency.

It also advocates research into how the waterways can be more sustainable and could help contribute to the Government’s goal of the UK becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Other issues include solutions to the lack of affordable residential moorings; promoting the importance of protecting our waterways heritage and demonstrating how waterways restoration can act as a catalyst for a much wider regeneration of the surrounding area.

Boaters elect their council reps

IWA chief executive to retire

CHIEF executive of the IWA, Neil Edwards, will step down in the summer.

He has announced his retirement following a career spanning more than 24 years with the association.

Credited with the creation of Canal Camps, Waterway Recovery Group’s week-long working holiday format, Neil has spent many years supporting the charity both as a volunteer and as a member of staff. Since he began working for the charity, more than 210 miles of waterway have been reopened.

THE Inland Waterways Association is calling on MPs to champion causes affecting the inland waterways.

At the first waterways event at Westminster in the new Parliament, more than 60 politicians and waterway representatives discussed the many benefits that canals and navigable rivers bring to the UK’s population and economy.

MPs and peers from both Houses took time to find out more about the concerns affecting our country’s inland waterways today and were urged to join the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways.

Two-thirds of Westminster constituencies in England, Scotland and Wales – more than 400 in total – have either a navigable waterway or a restoration project, and a quarter of those now have new MPs following the December general election.

Neil Edwards will be handing over the IWA reins in the summer. PHOTO: IWA

ELEVEN newly elected members of the Canal & River Trust’s governing council will take up their seats later this month following the ballot which closed on February 14.

The first meeting of the new council will take place on March 26, with successful candidates serving a fouryear term.

There were 34 nominations for the four private boating representatives; 2040 valid votes were cast and the successful candidates were (in alphabetical order) Tim Allen, Helen Hutt, Dave Mendes da Costa and Phil Prettyman.

From five nominations for the two business boating representatives, Heather Duncan and Carl Onens were successful; 117 votes were cast.

Volunteers will be represented by Ian McCarthy and David Williams who were elected from eight nominees with 498 votes cast.

John Ellis will fill the single employees’ post having been elected following four nominations; 490 votes were cast.

David Kent was returned unopposed to the angling/fisheries post and Stella Ridgeway will represent the Friends of the Canal & River Trust.

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Young volunteers a boost to trust’s work LICHFIELD and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is proud to be introducing more youngsters than ever before to the benefits of volunteering.

LHCRT, which received the Queen’s Award For Voluntary Services last year, currently has the support of 16 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award young people, aged from 14 to 19.

This has risen from six a year ago, and 11 in October.

The trust’s chairperson Chris Bull said she was especially pleased with the current crop of DofE volunteers.

“For many years LHCRT has had young people volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and we are delighted that several who long ago completed their necessary hours carry on,” she said.

“Harry Wem is one of them; in his seventh year, now putting all the skills he has learnt in helping to maintain the trust’s machinery and plant to good use studying mechanical engineering at university.

“Liv Baker is another; now in her third year with the grounds team and energetically turning her hand to anything, including making a superb Vote of Thanks at the Queen’s Award ceremony and doing a full day on the barbecue at Huddlesford Heritage Gathering.

“She usually brings her equally energetic dad, too!”

Chris continued: “Many of them, especially the older ones pursuing their silver and gold awards, also have other commitments, such as school work, sports matches and Scouting.

“Most are working on one of LHCRT’s sites every Saturday, whatever the weather, with the green/ grounds team, and we also have two youngsters now working with our plant maintenance team.

Canal fall teen dies

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy died after being rescued from a canal.

Declan McNally was pulled from the Ashton Canal in Droylsden, Tameside, at about 6pm on January 22. Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to Fairfield Lock where crews used specialist equipment to rescue the teenager, who was taken to hospital but later died. Droylsden Academy issued a tribute to Declan, saying he “was a valued and respected member” of the school. It is understood Declan was hanging around with friends alongside the canal at the time of the tragedy. A woman who lives on the estate facing the lock said she knew something was wrong when she heard children shouting.

Anniversary flotilla THE Well Creek Trust will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday June 13 with a flotilla of boats and a dinner and dance in the evening at the Upwell village hall.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award youngsters at Fosseway Heath.

PHOTO: LHCRT

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Retiring from Great Canal Journeys: Pru and Tim at Braunston Historic Boat Rally in 2019.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

New stars on the canals as Tim and Pru drop anchor

By Sarah Spencer

“Whatever they’re tasked with they do enthusiastically, though planting daffodils was not one of the favourites.

“They love to get stuck into harder graft, especially when they can stand back and see what fantastic progress they have made.”

She said: “Have a look at Falkland Road – they have filled and carefully placed many of the sandbags, raked the new bank and moved and laid turf; they have cleared tonnes of hedging and

tree offcuts and made habitat piles at Gallows Reach; they have stacked bricks, saving the time and skills of our construction parties; they have happily got very mucky clearing the by-wash; repaired fencing and also willingly done other grounds team work such as deseeding the wild flower beds on Tamworth Road ready for reseeding and rescued and replanted celandines at Fosseway.

“Their work is hugely valued

by LHCRT and we all love their commitment and energy.”

Chris added: “With this number of young people we might have been short of tools and gloves, but we have managed thanks to a £1000 grant last year from TSB’s Community Fund specifically for equipping our growing numbers of young people. Other groups are Scouting groups and Queen’s Croft High School.

“Thanks to all of you and to TSB.”

Celebrities cruise past canalside characters THE latest in the Channel 5 Celebrity Barging series hit our screens in February.

Starring Bill Oddie, Jennie Bond, Anne Diamond and Pete Waterman, Celebrity Britain by Barge: Then and Now, the first two episodes (on February 14 and 21) featured the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The schedule beyond this was not available at the time of going to press.

During filming on the Grand Union Canal in the autumn, celebrities Jennie Bond and Anne Diamond were seen walking the towpath towards the manikins created by Jean Hall next to Bridge 21.

When the second boat arrived carrying Bill Oddie and Pete Waterman, they were filmed cruising past the manikins on their way to Braunston.

Jean Hall has been placing a manikin in various guises for the last five years. It started out as a woodsman, then a tramp, then as Father Christmas. ‘He’ was then joined by a partner and became Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally!

They were due to evolve into Mary

Celebrities Jennie Bond and Anne Diamond on the towpath during filming.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Poppins and Bert early this year.

Richard Hall of Whilton-based Bedazzled LED Lighting said: “All year round we get boats stopping or slowing to take photos – some of which have appeared on boaters’ cruising blogs.”

Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally beside the Grand Union Canal.

VIEWERS’ favourite Great Canal Journeys is set to return to our TV screens – with two new explorers at the tiller.

Husband and wife team Timothy West and Prunella Scales will be replaced by good friends Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth.

The Channel 4 series has been loved by critics and viewers alike since first appearing on our screens in 2014, when Tim and Pru celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by travelling 21 miles along the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bath to Devizes.

The series will follow the new skippers as they embark on a journey of Britain through its most famous canal routes.

Tim will join the pair in the first episode to show them the ropes.

Gyles said: “Sheila and I are old friends of Tim and Pru’s and we’re both huge fans of their canals series.

“Tim and Pru are simply magical together. I love their shows, they’re brilliant. And, of course, they’ve been travelling along canals together almost all their lives.

“They know what they’re doing and they do it so well.”

He continued: “This is a new adventure for Sheila and me. We’ll both be doing something we’ve never done before and, at our ages, that’s exciting and a bit nerve-racking too.

“Happily, when we get started Tim has promised to come along and show us the ropes.

“We’re thrilled and honoured to be making our trips with Tim and Pru’s blessing.

“Ship ahoy! Can you say that on a canal boat? Probably not. You see, I really don’t know anything!”

Tim said: “Good luck Gyles and Sheila. Enjoy the countryside and the pubs and don’t make any plans to reach a particular place by a particular time, because you won’t! Love from Tim and Pru.” Sheila, 86, is a critically acclaimed actress who has starred on both West End and Broadway, and played the role of Mimi Vincent in drama series Delicious last year.

Gyles’ career, meanwhile, has seen the 71-year-old involved in TV, radio, writing and politics, and more recently presenting.

The pair worked together recently on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Actors Tim and Pru took narrowboats across Europe, Egypt and India, and were involved in campaigning to revive the Kennet & Avon Canal in the 1980s.

During Great Canal Journeys the couple talked frankly about Pru’s dementia and were praised by Alzheimer’s Research UK. Channel 4 said it did not yet have information on when the series will air or where exactly it will film.

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The open day at the Dowley Gap staircase (locks 20 and 21) where the Canal & River Trust have been fitting new head gates to the top lock. In the foreground are two of the work boats being used on the project.

Sunny Sunday at Dowley Gap locks

By Colin Wareing

CANAL& River Trust invited people to Dowley Gap locks near Bingley to learn more about its work in maintaining the inland waterways structures in its care.

As part of this year’s winter maintenance programme, the top gates of Lock 21 have been replaced. A viewing platform was installed across the lock chamber and engineers who had been working on the project were on hand to explain the process, on a cold but sunny day in West Yorkshire.

Carpenter Vanessa Coakley explained the lock side walls were different heights, the offside being lower than the towpath side. This meant that the two gates they had replaced had to be constructed slightly differently to maintain the balance beam’s level on the top of the gates. The heel post on the far side gate is 120mm higher than on the towpath side one.

Beyond the actual lock there were plenty of other opportunities to learn about the history of the canal, with members of the Leeds & Liverpool

Canal Society on hand with a display.

Young and not-so-young people had the chance to try out a bit of stonework as sculptor Ryan James encouraged people to have a go with mallet and chisels to carve their initials into pieces of stone.

Among around 1500 visitors to the event was the owner of Skipton-based hire boat fleet Pennine Cruisers, Ian Clarke, who took the opportunity to have a good chat about boating business with the Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry.

Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry chats with Ian Clarke of Pennine Cruisers.

Vanessa Coakley of CRT discussing lock gates with Carole Wareing of floating wool and yarn shop the Wool Boat. Vanessa is a carpenter having served her apprenticeship with the trust.

Visitors on the viewing platform.

The new lock gates are in place.

Sculptor Ryan James shows a family how to be a stone mason. They are pictured getting hands-on with mallets and chisels carving their initials into stone blocks.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society members were on site to help people with questions about the history of the canal. Mike Clarke, the society’s president and a renowned historian, is here talking to visitors. PHOTOS:

COLIN WAREING, WWW.COLINANDCAROLESCREATIONS.CO.UK

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Environment Agency patrol officers are reminding boaters that not registering their vessels is illegal and can be costly. PHOTO: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Illegal boaters count the cost NINE boaters were forced to forfeit more than £9100 between them in January for not registering their vessels as required by the law.

Boat owners are legally required to register any vessel they keep, use, or let for hire on Environment Agency waterways and clearly display a valid registration plate.

And the Environment Agency is warning that boaters who fail to do so could face thousands of pounds in penalties, walk away with a criminal record and even have their boats permanently confiscated.

January’s nine cases were heard at magistrates’ courts in Cambridge, Luton and Northampton.

So far this financial year, enforcement action against those avoiding registration charges has led to the recovery of £97,650.

These funds – as well as the properly paid registration charges – will be reinvested

back into Anglian Waterways.

Nathan Arnold, waterways team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “Our waterways are part of our nation’s rich heritage and beauty.

“But boaters who break the law by not registering their boats are putting the future of these historic and precious waterways at risk – so we won’t hesitate to take action against them.”

As well as not contributing their fair share towards the upkeep of waterways, unregistered boats can be unsafe, hazardous to other river users and a pollution risk to the local environment.

The Environment Agency looks after 353 miles of navigable waterways in the Anglian network, which includes the Ancholme, Black Sluice, Glen, Welland, Nene, Great Ouse and Stour, as well as associated locks, moorings and other navigation facilities.

Politicians back plans for ‘Monty’

MP CRAIG Williams and Assembly Member Russell George have pledged their full support for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

The Conservative politicians are backing a bid by the Montgomery Canal Partnership for the canal restoration to be included in the projects supported by the Mid Wales Growth Deal. The Conservative government has pledged an initial £55 million for the Growth Deal and it’s hoped the Welsh government will match that amount.

Mr Williams, MP for Montgomeryshire, and Mr George discussed the canal restoration at a positive meeting in Welshpool with Montgomer y Canal Partnership chair John Dodwell and Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust chair Michael Limbrey.

Mr Williams pledged to arrange a meeting with Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Wales David Davies in London and to sponsor a Westminster debate about the canal restoration. He and Mr George will also liaise with Powys and Ceredigion County Councils about progress with the Growth Deal.

“I was delighted to mention the Montgomery Canal in my maiden speech in the House as a top priority for me as MP,” he said. “I am coming

Montgomeryshire’s MP Craig Williams, left, and Assembly Member Russell George, right, discuss the 10-year Montgomery Canal restoration plan with Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust chair Michael Limbrey, standing left, and Montgomery Canal Partnership chair John Dodwell, standing right. PHOTO SUPPLIED late to the battle, as so much hard work has been done, but I am determined to ensure that the canal reaches Newtown.”

Mr George also pledged to arrange an event and debate at the Senedd to make fellow AMs aware of the importance of the canal restoration to tourism and the economy of Montgomeryshire.

“Tourism is such an important part of the Mid Wales economy and it’s crucial to realise the ambition of restoring the Montgomery Canal,” he said. “I shall continue to champion the restoration.”

Mr Dodwell estimated that restoring the canal to Newtown would generate an annual visitor spend of £5 million, create 128 full-time jobs and be a catalyst for the regeneration of the Upper Severn Valley corridor.

The estimated cost of the remaining restoration work in Shropshire is £15 million using contractors or £5 million using volunteers. In Wales, the restoration to Welshpool would cost £24 million with contractors or £8 million to £10 million with volunteers.

More than half of the canal’s 35 miles have been restored

and this year marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Prince of Wales section outside Welshpool.

Mr Dodwell said it was hoped to complete the restoration to the town within 10 years before moving on to the fourth phase from Garthmyl to Newtown. He thanked both politicians for their enthusiastic support and advice.

“The series of positive meetings we have held with elected representatives and partner organisations this week has given fresh impetus to the campaign to restore the Montgomery Canal,” he said.

Entries open for the waterways ‘Oscars’ ENTRIES are invited for the Canal & River Trust’s prestigious Living Waterways Awards 2020.

Now in their 17th year – and dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the waterways – the awards celebrate the best schemes, projects and initiatives.

The awards are open for entries until Thursday, March 26.

Full details and how to enter can be found at https://canalrivertrust. o r g . u k / n e w s - a n d -v i e w s / living-waterways-awards-2020 Sue Wilkinson, chair of the awards and trustee of Canal & River Trust, said: “We know there are hundreds of brilliant projects taking place along our waterways and we want to shine a light on the incredible contribution that those involved are making to the lives of many thousands of people living near these canals,

The CRT wants to ‘shine a light’ on those involved with projects such as workboat Python, commended last year. rivers, lakes and lochs.

“We urge those involved in these initiatives to enter the awards and get the recognition they rightly deserve.”

The Living Waterways Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts from the heritage, arts, environment, community and engineering sectors and are sponsored

by Amco Geffen, CPC Civils, Fountains and Land & Water.

From inspirational education

programmes and innovative construction projects, to exciting community-binding environmental initiatives, these awards have celebrated hundreds of organisations and individuals over the years.

There are six award categories available: Art, Culture and Events; Built Environment; Engaging the Community; Heritage and Conservation; Learning and Skills; and Natural Environment.

The Saxilby Waterfront Project was commended in the Engaging Communities category last year. PHOTOS: CRT

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Appeal for volunteers on Anglian Waterways THE Environment Agency has a growing team of volunteers assisting boaters on the Anglian Waterways – and is looking for more.

Twenty-one volunteers have been active since 2017 at Northampton Marina, Denver Sluice (Norfolk) and St Ives/Houghton locks (Cambridgeshire).

They assist boaters with locking at weekends, perform basic site maintenance and mooring checks, and support the EA at events.

Boaters seem to appreciate the help and the volunteers enjoy it too – during the 2019 boating season they gave more than 600 hours of volunteering time.

“We meet so many interesting people, 99.99% of whom are really appreciative of our help. Then again, who wouldn’t enjoy being outdoors and near water?” said a St Ives lock volunteer.

Volunteers Tina Everett and Terry Livesey are part of a team of volunteers who assist boaters on the Anglian Waterways.

The Environment Agency is also pleased with the way the scheme is developing. Ian Bliss, waterways partnership manager, said: “Our precious waterways are an important part of our nation’s rich heritage and beauty, giving enjoyment to more than a million people every year.

“They are a national treasure, valued for their contribution to our environment, our health and well-being, and our economy. The volunteers play a vital role in helping us look after these cherished waterways – and making the experience of visiting them a great one.”

There are hidden benefits to working with volunteers too – Tina at Denver has painted Castle and Roses planters for Denver and Earith locks, Frank (a professional chef ) provided a fantastic meal for the volunteer thank you event, and Roger (an ex-teacher) created a huge demonstration model for learning how to tie knots for community events.

Volunteers have also assisted at boating festivals, run work parties to clear and litter pick sites and even helped to refurbish a lock office at Denver. Their work is varied and contributes towards making the Anglian Waterways a better place for all.

This year the Environment Agency is looking to expand its support for boaters by supplying volunteer assistance at two new locks – Godmanchester and Eaton Socon – as well as increasing the numbers of volunteers at Northampton Marina and St Ives/Houghton locks.

Anyone local, over the age of 18 and interested in these opportunities, should contact the scheme co-ordinator, Rachael Brown: Rachael. brown@cambsacre.org.uk or 01353 865037. Volunteering at Denver will continue as it is.

The end is in sight...

MILTON Keynes adoption group Old Woughton Parish Council is hoping to finish its stretch of the Grand Union Canal this year and pass the baton to the neighbouring parish in Simpson.

The group was joined at one work party

by Coun Sam Crooks, Mayor of Milton Keynes. The mayor was impressed by the group’s progress and at how many volunteers gave up their morning to go and help. The group has worked hard resurfacing its parish’s stretch of towpath, and after hundreds of barrowfuls of material over the last couple of years, the end is finally in sight.

Flagship call

Volunteers assist in everything from helping at festivals to gardening.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

NATIONAL Historic Ships UK has invited applications for its annual Flagship of the Year award, which this year will be open to static as well as operational vessels for the first time. It is seeking craft which raise their profile through their cruising programme, by attending public events and festivals (at a local level or across the UK), or by hosting promotional events with strong visitor outreach initiatives.

For more information visit www. nationalhistoricships.org.uk

Plea for chairman

SOUTHAMPTON Canal Society is appealing to its membership to rally round and keep it afloat. It needs to elect a new chairman at its AGM in July but so far no one has come forward. In the latest newsletter members are asked to submit any suggestions for the future direction of the society by the first meeting of its new year on April 2.

Tony O’Brien lends a welcome hand at Houghton locks.

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Changes at the helm of the ‘Danny’

CHANGES at the helm of the Daniel Adamson 1903 steam ship have been announced.

Since 2004 the steam tug-tender Daniel Adamson has gone from being under threat of being scrapped, to undergoing a full restoration and then successful launch as a leisure passenger vessel, under the direction of chairman of the preservation society Dan Cross.

However Dan, who is also one of the founder members, has now stepped down following a busy 15 years as vice-chairman until 2009, when he took over as chair.

He has been succeeded by Keith Levin, a retired solicitor and immigration judge.

Keith was born in Liverpool and following his retirement in 2015 began volunteering on the Daniel Adamson and joined the board of trustees a year later.

Keith is a volunteer engineer and is often found in the engine room on steaming days and maintenance days alike. He can also be found above water in the clouds as he holds a private pilot’s licence, another passion of his.

Keith said: “It is often said that the ‘Danny’ is dual powered – by coal and volunteers. I can honestly say that I have never come across a more dedicated band of volunteers who individually give many hundreds of hours of their time to preserving and keeping operational a unique piece of maritime history.

“Dan Cross will be a very difficult act to follow, but I will certainly give the role of chair of the trust my very best to ensure that the ‘Danny’ is preserved not as a museum piece but as a living and working steam ship so that future generations can marvel at live steam at work.

“It is truly an honour and a privilege to be associated with such an important and challenging project.”

In May the ship will embark on its fourth season of operation since its multi-million-pound restoration spanning more than 12 years, having been bought for £1 by Dan Cross back in 2004, just days before her impending demolition.

Dan saw a new board of trustees formed and has overseen both applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the second application finally being approved in late 2014, enabling the work of restoring the ‘Danny’ to start at Cammell Lairds Shipyard in early 2015.

Dan, a tug captain now in Liverpool, was awarded the prestigious Preservationist of the Year award by Prince Michael of Kent on behalf of the Transport Trust back in 2017 and the Flagship of the Year award by the Princess Royal on behalf of National Historic Ships UK. Dan said: “This has been the most challenging project I am ever likely to be involved with and circumstance meant I was committed to this old lady at day one.

Baldwin Trust launches appeal for new narrowboat THE Leicestershire-based Baldwin Trust has launched a new narrowboat fundraising scheme: ‘Put a foot in the water for The Baldwin Trust’ Part 2!

Last year saw a severe downturn in the charity’s revenue, due to the unprecedented amount of rainfall, causing the rivers and canals to be closed by the authorities. This resulted in the trust having to cancel many of the pre-booked cruises in the summer and autumn, its busiest time of the year.

The weather and river conditions also severely affected planning to provide Santa cruises throughout December, despite Santa being booked and all the presents ready to give out!

Founding narrowboat St Clare has, due to her age – she has cruised for the trust for 31 years – incurred repeated mechanical failures, leading to high repair costs and cancelled cruises. The difficult decision was made to retire

her from service for the 2020 season.

The trust is speeding up its fundraising to acquire a second new narrowboat. This will be built at the end of 2020 ready for the 2021 season, to bring the fleet up to three boats.

“It will allow us to continue to provide a valuable recreational activity for the community and remove uncertainty from our operation as we strive for self-sufficiency in the future,” a spokesman said.

“Plans for our new boat include additional and improved equipment for the physically and mentally disadvantaged users. We are also considering the use of more environmentally friendly forms of power and doing our bit to protect our environment while, at the same time, providing sensory facilities and improved handling techniques to cater for the more severely disadvantaged clients and users.

“We are working hard to build up

our links with local organisations and would like to increase our reach with new contacts with dementia and stroke associations during the coming year.”

The trust has some donated funds already allocated but needs a further £75,000 to be able to make this a reality. The remaining cost per foot required is £1100.

If you are able to donate for ‘a foot’ or towards a smaller part of the new boat this can either be done securely online: https://www.baldwintrust. co.uk/index.php/the-trust/donate or by emailing Secretary@baldwintrust. co.uk and further details can be provided.

For anyone wishing to donate towards a specific item the current ‘shopping list’ includes: Disability toilet, wheelchair lift, internal furniture, wheelchair ramp, fitted kitchen, engine, gearbox and stern gland, internal electrics and plumbing.

Salford cycling route

Volunteer engineer Keith is ready to lead the steam ship project forward. PHOTO SUPPLIED “It’s been a massive privilege to work with some fantastic people over the years. Their support and assistance and indeed friendship has been priceless and I thank everyone for making this one of the best examples of a team effort that never gave up.

“After 10 years as chair it’s time to hand over and allow the ‘Danny’ project to be developed further, ensuring and safeguarding it’s still here for future generations.

“It’s time for a new five-year plan for the trust and while I will continue as a volunteer, I will also step down from the board to give Keith and some of the new members of the board a blank canvas to work with and I wish Keith and the board well.”

Keith assumed his role as chairman over the festive period and along with several long-standing trustees – such as former river pilot Stuart Wood, former Director of National Museums Liverpool and now professor of public history at Liverpool Hope University, David Fleming – has been joined by new trustees including Bob Gwynne, who is an associate curator at the National Rail Museum, and James Seddon, who works as the programme manager at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool.

The ‘Danny’ has become a familiar sight on the picturesque River Weaver in Cheshire where she is now most commonly found, offering a mix of public cruises, educational trips and static events, both public and private.

During this year the ship will again be offering an extensive mix of trips on the Weaver between Runcorn and the Famous Anderton Boat Lift, with varying trip lengths and prices to suit all. Her first public trip will be on May 8 running through to October (see www.thedanny. co.uk for cruise timetable).

The Baldwin Trust is seeking donations to help put ‘a foot in the water’ for a new narrowboat. PHOTO SUPPLIED

About the Baldwin Trust The Baldwin Trust was set up in the 1980s to provide a recreational activity for patients of the Baldwin Ward at a former Leicestershire hospital, with the object of enhancing their lives and allowing them enjoyable times outside of the hospital.

Its main mission is to reach all members of the community that may experience loneliness or isolation at any time due to physical, mental or economic reasons.

The legacy continues, as the trust provides private, crewed narrowboat cruises for the community on Leicestershire’s

waterways, all operated by a friendly team of 75 trained local volunteers working hard to provide this service.

The narrowboats incorporate many features including ramps and lifts for wheelchair and walking frame users or those with limited mobility, spacious cabins and an adapted toilet with space for carer access, plus fully equipped galley kitchens.

For information and bookings visit www.baldwintrust.co.uk, email secretary@baldwintrust. co.uk or call the bookings line on 07923 817718.

Winter work on the Avon

AVON Navigation Trust tug Eric and a hopper barge leave the lock at Evesham. There are 17 locks along the river where fallen trees and rubbish tend to collect over winter. The tug and barge were making their way upriver on a dull winter’s Sunday afternoon.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

SALFORD has unveiled £3 million plans for new pedestrian and cycling routes including one along the north of the Bridgewater Canal.

The proposals are for major new traffic-free paths, connecting Walkden, Worsley and Boothstown as well as providing access to the new Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Bridgewater along the Bridgewater canal. The RHS is due to open its fifth national garden in Salford in July. Over time the garden is expected to become one of the largest visitor attractions in Greater Manchester and the aim is to ensure that as many visitors as possible can arrive by sustainable modes of transport.

Iconic swing bridge under repair IMPORTANT repairs were due to be carried out on Frodsham’s iconic Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge.

Delivered by the Canal & River Trust and funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the work includes repairs to cracks that have developed between the old and new bridge decks, followed by resurfacing of the carriageway. The metal swing bridge, constructed in 1926, carries the busy A56 road over the River Weaver Navigation, close to junction 12 of the M56 motorway in North Cheshire.

CRT aimed to keep the bridge open throughout the work, but with some lane closures controlled by temporary traffic lights.

London mooring now booking A POPULAR Paddington Basin pre-bookable mooring will continue to be offered to boaters following a successful trial last year.

Improvements to the mooring will also be made. Six berths were fully occupied over the summer and saw strong demand into the autumn.

Feedback from boaters using the moorings was mostly positive, with some room for improvement, according to Canal & River Trust.

Bookings can now be made for the period up to the end of June, with bookings for July-September being released at the end of March. The London Mooring Strategy proposes a suite of pre-bookable visitor moorings throughout central London.

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Characters of the Cut Alice Griffin traces Ginny Barlow’s journey from busker to full-time signwriter.

GINNY Barlow was 17 when, while busking her way around the UK with her tin whistle, she met and was inspired by the liveaboard boating community on the River Cam. With no other solid plans about what she should be doing, she bought a 32ft concrete hull, Raggedy Rawney, and embarked on what was to become the direction of her life.

“My boat had been built by a school teacher in his back garden and it had a leaky wooden cabin on top,” Ginny tells me. Despite this, she went on to spend her first seven years afloat aboard this boat and it was during this time she met a neighbour who introduced her to folk art.

“He had lived in horse-drawn wagons and done a bit of paintwork on them and we both fancied having a go at traditional narrowboat decoration so bought some paints and brushes between us.”

In 1998 Ginny started her professional training when she attended one of Phil Speight’s weeklong decorative painting courses. “I discovered I’d been doing it all wrong, but that was all right, Phil set me on the right path and I have looked to his work as ‘the benchmark’ ever since.”

Another year on, Ginny enrolled on a City and Guilds sign-work course in Shepherd’s Bush under the expert tutelage of Bruce Barber, which she passed with distinction. The last element of her formal training was the completion of a sign-making NVQ and then she was ready to start looking for work.

“I dithered about for a couple of years not really sure how to find a way in, before deciding to move back up north. My partner was studying at Bradford University so the Leeds & Liverpool seemed like the obvious canal to moor on.”

Ginny got a job as a trip boat driver working for the Clark family at Pennine Cruisers in Skipton and when she told them she was a signwriter they entrusted her with her first big job.

“I was very nervous about painting on to the expensive new paintwork because my brief was clear, ‘we’ll pay you minimum wage, take as long as you like, but do not mess it up!’ ” She didn’t mess it up and went on to do all the lettering and decorative work on their future paint jobs.

Creative path

By 2004 Ginny had decided to go full-time selfemployed and has had some really interesting commissions. “I was lucky to be introduced to Sam Yates, one of the last boat-building apprentices to be taken on during the working years of the Leeds & Liverpool and also the main painter at the Whitebirk yard, painting all the ‘brightwork’. ” Brightwork is the decorative paintwork found on the boats of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and despite by then being retired, Sam was happy to share his time and knowledge with Ginny about this very beautiful, but almost lost tradition.

Ever since, Ginny has been fascinated and while brightwork jobs are few and far between, she really enjoys them when they come her way.

In 2005 she painted a 150ft brightwork-inspired mural on a factory wall next to the canal at Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, and a year later she did some more brightwork designs for the Tackler’s Trails walking routes in the Nelson and Colne area of Lancashire.

Ginny Barlow completes lettering on a narrowboat.

Still living on the water, in 2005 Ginny’s partner’s work took them to Yeovil where they thought they would stay just a year. “We started the boat engines and headed via an exciting journey on the tidal Trent, south to the Kennet & Avon Canal.”

The year turned into longer with the arrival of two babies and a desire to remain in Wiltshire saw them make an eventual move on to land. “After 17 years afloat it was a big change but my signwriting keeps me well-connected with the canal, working regularly in a lot of the local boatyards and marinas as well as out and about on the towpath,” Ginny tells me.

Traditional boat lettering and decoration will always be a big passion of Ginny’s, but it’s definitely not all that she does. Through her training she is able to turn her hand to many other styles of work, including signs for shops, pubs, vehicles and businesses, also gold leaf work including updating names on honours boards and some reverse glass work.

It’s encouraging to see this kind of art-form still thriving in the face of modern technology and it’s equally inspiring to meet people who, through seemingly aimless wandering, have been led on to their true, creative path.

Alice Griffin is a writer, nature-lover, slow-living advocate and intermittent boat-dweller, currently on a long-distance walk to Portugal. www.alicegriffin.co.uk Website: www.ginnybarlow.co.uk Instagram: @barlow.ginny

An example of Ginny’s artwork.

Traditional signwriting by Ginny Barlow. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

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£1m work to repair historic Hurleston Flight MAJOR repairs to Lock 4 on the historic Hurleston Flight on the Llangollen Canal in Cheshire are being carried out.

The walls of the 223-year-old Grade II Listed lock have gradually shifted over time, making it increasingly difficult for narrowboats to pass through.

Instead of being long and straight to accommodate traditional canal boats, the lock has slowly bowed due to movement in the ground around it.

The work by the Canal & River Trust to repair and straighten the lock is costing more than £1 million and involved an archaeological survey before the lock wall on the towpath side was carefully dismantled.

A new hidden concrete retaining wall will help stabilise the ground and prevent any further movement, before a mixture of original stonework and new brickwork is put back in place. The work was expected to be completed this month (March).

Rob Jowitt, project manager from the CRT, said: “The Llangollen Canal is one of Britain’s most iconic waterways. It’s hugely popular, used by thousands of boaters, walkers, cyclists and runners each year, and a great place to get away from it all.

“Hurleston Locks is a really busy point on the canal system as it connects the Llangollen Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal, so the work we’re doing to repair the lock wall is really important as it will allow historic boats back using this beautiful waterway once again.”

Hurleston Lock Flight was opened in 1805 and built by famous canal engineers John Fletcher and Thomas Telford.

The locks form a link between the former Chester Canal, known today as the Shropshire Union Canal, and the Ellesmere Canal, known today as the Llangollen Canal.

The four locks raise the water level 10.4m above the Cheshire Plain.

Hurleston Lock piling. PHOTOS: CRT

Cash secured for Staffordshire towpath An archaeologist at work at historic Hurleston Flight.

Hurleston Lock.

FUNDING has been secured to improve the towpath along the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire.

The project, costing £437,240, will be delivered in two parts and will result in the towpath being improved from Leathermill Lane to the A51 bridge on the Rugeley Bypass adjacent to the Ash Tree public house – a distance of 1.25 miles.

The towpath will be widened in places to create a level, pot hole-free and traffic-free route that local people can use to commute to work and school, enjoy a leisurely stroll, go for a run or simply to enjoy the canal.

The first phase of the project will improve the towpath from Leathermill Lane to the A51 Rugeley Bypass.

The work will also include improving the access at Leathermill Lane from the canal to Rugeley town centre, as well as minor cycle and pedestrian improvements on footways

along Power Station Road between the A51 and Love Lane.

The next section will improve the towpath from the bridge at the A51 Rugeley bypass to Love Lane.

The works were due to be completed by this month (March).

Canal & River Trust, working in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Lichfield District Council and Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Council, has secured the funding.

Adnan Saif, regional director at the CRT, said: “It’s fantastic news we’ve managed to secure funding to improve the towpath along this part of the Trent & Mersey Canal.

“Improving this stretch will mean visitors and local people can more easily explore Staffordshire’s waterways without ever having to venture on to busy local roads.”

Stickers support disabled boaters CANAL & River Trust is to offer ‘Trust Aware’ stickers to boaters who need extra support.

This follows feedback at a series of meetings held with disabled boaters over the past year.

The trust supports disabled people and those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 by making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their cruising requirements to ensure they can use the waterways. Tailored on a case-by-case basis, this could involve allowing overstays on visitor or towpath moorings, or adjusting their cruising range.

The stickers, which were suggested by the boaters themselves, are intended to let other people know the trust is aware of the situation and that there is permission to overstay or move in a limited range.

They will be provided automatically to every boater who has an adjustment and

people can choose whether they want to display them – it is not a requirement of the trust.

There are currently around 240 boaters with approved adjustments, and around a further 140 in the process of being arranged.

Before the Equality Act 2010 the trust informally supported boaters with additional needs.

Having formalised the process, there was an initial spike in agreed adjustments, however since then application numbers have levelled off and are reviewed every couple of

weeks. Matthew Symonds, national boating manager at CRT, said: “We are committed to supporting all boaters and it is important to understand the needs of all, including disabled boaters who may find some elements of boating a bit more challenging.

“In our recent meetings with disabled boaters we’ve heard that a sign to let other boaters know that we are aware of a boat’s situation would be helpful.

“We recognise this is a personal choice and some boaters would prefer not to display anything.

“Following discussions, we are pleased to offer optional ‘Trust Aware’ permits for those boaters who wish to put them in their windows.”

The permits will be the size of a licence disc but will be printed on yellow paper to clearly distinguish between the two.

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A donation of building materials will help the LHCRT project move forward. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Bricks and blocks boost work LICHFIELD’S canal restoration volunteers can make progress on an important part of the project after a local company donated two lorry-loads of building material.

Chasetown Civil Engineering delivered bricks and concrete blocks for the work being carried out

by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust at its Fosseway Heath site.

The valuable donation will allow the trust’s volunteers and South Staffs College students, who are receiving on-site work experience supervised by their tutors, to extend the curved wall taking the canal from the Fosseway Heath basin via a sharp turn into the Falkland Road section, and to add to the towpath wall below Lock 18.

The trust’s engineering director Peter Buck said: “Our thanks to our generous friends and volunteers who help the trust in so many ways to create the Heritage Towpath Trail on the Lichfield Canal for the community.”

The Falkland Road length leads to a roundabout on Birmingham Road under which a culvert was constructed by the trust in 2006/7 and temporarily buried, and then to a proposed tunnel under the Cross-City railway line.

A railway bridge was installed over Christmas to allow for the extension of the Lichfield Southern Bypass.

But it was not possible to install the canal tunnel at the same time, as had been hoped, because the railway bridge work took up all the land available.

However, the trust received some good news when Network Rail confirmed the work on the tunnel would not need a closure of the railway services, but just a go-slow while working.

Enabling work for the tunnel is planned to start after the land used for the bypass work becomes available, but despite the temporary reprieve, the urgency is still there.

The tunnel will have to be finished before the new St John’s housing development is completed so the trust’s fundraising campaign, Tunnel Vision, must continue.

More than £500,000 of the £1 million target has been raised, but the full costs have not been finalised.

Anyone who wishes to donate should visit the trust’s Tunnel Vision webpage Tunnel Vision Appeal.

Clean up with the latest laundrette list THE Aylesbury Canal Society Laundrette List 2020 Edition is now available.

Listed alphabetically are canalside towns and villages with laundrettes, including directions from the canal and

other information which may be useful. Also listed are canals and rivers showing the towns and villages on those navigations where laundrettes exist.

The list can be obtained from IWA Sales at https://

www.waterways.org.uk/shop/ Code CC02 or from IWA Sales, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA (tel 01494 783453) for £5 (payable to ‘IWA Sales’) including post paid to UK addressees.

Results of CRT’s first waterway experience survey revealed THE Canal & River Trust has shared the headline results of its new waterway experience survey.

It reported that boaters’ experiences generally improved over the summer months.

Boaters who are out cruising appear to be more satisfied, more likely to recommend the trust’s waterways and have a more positive opinion of the overall upkeep of the waterways when their answers are compared to the annual perception survey.

Distributed between April and September to a sample of boaters sighted in each waterway region, the survey is designed to complement the annual perception survey (formerly boat owners’ views) by getting up-to-date feedback about the waterways they cruise.

Boaters reported greater satisfaction with their experience of cruising the

trust’s waterways, with 67% saying they were very or slightly satisfied over the whole period compared to 61% in the annual perception survey; 69% of respondents would definitely or probably recommend the trust’s waterways to other boaters (perception survey: 58%).

CRT national boating manager Matthew Symonds said: “It is interesting to see boaters that we know are out and about on the waterways are reporting a more satisfying experience than those who were asked to think back over the whole year.”

The waterway experience survey also gave boaters the chance to comment on a variety of upkeep tasks and services.

Boaters felt the trust did well at managing congestion at locks, visitor moorings and other facilities, ensuring there were places to moor that were deep enough, providing short stay

visitor moorings, keeping the grass verges cut, and the overall condition of locks.

However the availability of facilities and keeping the towpath and waterways free from overhanging branches were the biggest problem areas, alongside dealing with non-compliant boaters and unlicensed boats.

Keeping the water deep enough for cruising was both one of the highest praised and most criticised categories.

A separate survey of 300 hireboat users had given ‘overwhelmingly positive results’, Matthew reported, with 88% ‘highly satisfied’ and 85% likely to recommend a boating holiday to their friends.

Boaters can get in touch with the trust by filling out a webform, calling 0303 040 4040, tweeting @CRTcontactus or getting involved in a local user forum.

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Volunteering opportunities

Volunteer lock keepers and towpath rangers offer a friendly welcome to visitors and boaters.

Second ‘golden age’ attracts rising numbers to the canals COMMUNITY spirit is alive and well on the nation’s canals with record numbers of people volunteering, according to the Canal & River Trust.

To meet the growing demand from people to spend time helping to care for its waterways across England and Wales, it is expanding the number and range of volunteering roles; everything from lock keeping to teaching children about water safety, and from inspiring youngsters to take up fishing to supporting its wide range of professional teams.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry said: “As we start a new year and a new decade, we are delighted that so many people want to support the Canal & River Trust and make a difference to their local community.

“And, with so many ways to get

involved, 2020 can be a year when more people take positive action for their local canal, for their community, and – because we know that volunteering and spending time outdoors, by water, is good for wellbeing – for themselves.”

In 2019 Canal & River Trust saw record numbers of people volunteer 671,000 hours of their time to the waterways. There was a 27% increase in the number of volunteer lock keepers across the network, to 1130, and the first volunteer to record a staggering 10,000 hours of volunteering time since the charity’s formation in 2012.

Richard continued: “With more boats on the nation’s canals than at the height of the Industrial Revolution, and research showing that spending time by water helps people feel happier and

healthier, it’s a great time to discover Britain’s waterways.

“Far from being industrial relics or unloved backwaters, the dedicated efforts of thousands of volunteers have made canals the heart of the communities they run through. And with a remarkable 50% of the population living within five miles of a canal or river navigation, they are perfectly placed to provide free, accessible, natural environments where everyone can come to unwind and to embrace a happier and healthier lifestyle.”

Richard added: “Our passionate volunteers have helped our charity to achieve so much and, with the waterways busier than ever before, we are enjoying a second ‘golden canal age’, where their benefit to people everywhere is now firmly established.”

• Volunteer lock keepers and towpath rangers Volunteer lock keepers and towpath rangers offer a friendly welcome to visitors and boaters and help people get to know their local canal.

The trust is offering more flexibility in terms of time commitment and scope for these ever-popular and iconic roles, with some positions still available in a few spots across the country.

• Education volunteers Volunteers work with schools to teach pupils about water safety and anything and everything canal-related, inspiring the next generation of waterwaylovers. They can also take part in running activities on the towpath, at canal festivals and local fairs.

• ‘Let’s’ activity volunteers Volunteers for the trust’s Let’s Fish programme help host hundreds of free learn-to-fish events for all the

family. The trust is building its ‘Let’s’ activity programme and there will be further opportunities for walk leaders, for example, through the year.

• National waterway museums and attractions The trust’s three museums as well as iconic attractions such as the World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct or Standedge Tunnel – the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel – all offer volunteer opportunities.

• Towpath Taskforce Towpath Taskforces are flexible opportunities for volunteers to go along whenever they’re free, whether that’s once a month or more regularly. Tasks can include lockpainting, hedge-planting, weeding gardens, litter-clearance from land and water, repairing towpaths and more – depending on what’s most needed in that area.

For further details visit the website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ volunteer

Helping to create a green corridor alongside Birmingham’s Canal Navigations. PHOTOS: CRT

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14 IWA ROUND-UP

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AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON

Festival fun round the corner PLANNING is already well under way for festival season and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is reminding people that now might be the time to book spaces for boats.

If you are considering a visit to Worcester to attend IWA’s Festival of Water, then you can also book a pitch for your tent, motorhome or caravan.

Anderton Boat Gathering August 22-23

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY INCLUDE:

Following the success of IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch’s restoration showcase in September, the branch has decided to grow the event into a showcase and boat rally next to the iconic Anderton Lift. There are 50 moorings available at the event over the weekend. Bookings will be available soon.

IWA Canalway Cavalcade May 2-3

IWA Festival of Water, Worcester August 29-31

London’s biggest waterside festival comes to Little Venice every year and attracts a large audience of Londoners and tourists who enjoy the beautiful sight of more than 100 boats lining Brownings Pool.

There are craft stalls, delicious food counters and lots of entertainment and music.

IWA Trailboat Festival May 23-25

Waterway Recovery Group teams have been very involved in the restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal and specifically Compasses Bridge, which was opened last year and is very close to the site of the 2020 festival.

Ware Boat Festival July 3-5

Each year IWA Lee & Stort Branch organises the water-based festivities alongside Ware’s annual festival. It’s a great opportunity for boaters in the area to meet up.

Canalway Cavalcade 2019 was a huge success.

PHOTO: TOM CLAYDON

Each year the festival visits a new location and where better to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Rolt & Aickman’s first meeting than in Worcester?

Worcester City Council is keen to bring more focus to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal as locally people associate the town with the River Severn.

Perdiswell Park is close to the centre of Worcester and is a huge open space with the canal running alongside.

The festival offers the usual array of music, crafts, real ale, children’s entertainment and delicious food as well as boat trips, angling opportunities and canoeing.

Village at War, Stoke Bruerne September 12-13

Join IWA Northampton Branch for a mini boat gathering for 2020 at Stoke Bruerne to coincide with the Village at War weekend.

Further details about these events and links to booking forms can be obtained on the IWA’s waterways. org.uk website.

The Royal Gunpowder Mills.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Weekend volunteering as a family THIS year, IWA is running two Family Camps through its Waterway Recovery Group. These weekends introduce a new generation to the world of waterway restoration and maintenance.

The first camp takes place in August at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in the Lea Valley. Delve into the fascinating history of the mills in Waltham Abbey between August 7-9.

Families will camp on site and support work highlighting the area’s amazing heritage and nature.

The second camp will get volunteers of all ages involved in woodwork, planting and installing new site furniture on the Wendover Arm Canal in Buckinghamshire from October 23-25 this year.

Find out more and book your place at waterways.org.uk/family_volunteering

Northampton volunteers out in force

IWA BRANCH DIARY FOR MARCH 2020 Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangements are indicated.

EAST

SUNDAY March 8 IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Volunteers

will carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. Contact: Mel Sowerby 01522 856810, workparty@ sleafordnavigation.co.uk

MIDLANDS

EVERY Friday IWA Lichfield Branch and Canal & River Trust: Work party on the

Coventry Canal between Fradley and Fazeley to help clear offside vegetation. Prior training on use of a wood chipper and/or a pole saw may be needed. 9.15am-3.30pm.

Contact: Neil Barnett 07808 846434, neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk SUNDAY March 1 and Tuesday 17 IWA Northampton Branch: Work

parties on the Northampton Arm. 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.

NORTH

THURSDAY March 12 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Work

party on the Uttoxeter Canal at Crumpwood. 10am- 3pm. Contact: Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve. wood@waterways.org.uk SATURDAY March 14 IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch:

Work party alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. 10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact: Jason Watts, jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk IWA Manchester Branch: Work

party in Greater Manchester. 10am4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal.

Contact: 07875 999825, barry_m@ manchester-iwa.co.uk THURSDAY March 19 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the

Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey

Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact: John Lawson 07940 878923, John.lawson@ waterways.org.uk

SOUTH

TUESDAY March 10 and 17 IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Work

parties on the Oxford Canal near Banbury. 9am to 1pm.

Contact: Colin Garnham-Edge, bcpontheoxford@gmail.com

WEST

EVERY Saturday IWA West Country Branch (Taunton):

Work parties in the Taunton area.

10am-1.30pm. Let us know if you intend to join us, by 6pm the day before. Contact: Steve Bulgin 07855 794256, stevebulgin@icloud.com

EVERY Tuesday & Saturday IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater):

Work parties in the Bridgwater area.

10am-1.30pm. Please let us know if you are intending to join us, by 6pm the day before. Contact: Mike Slade 07977 263840, mike.slade@ waterways.org.uk

For further information on any of these events, please contact Gemma Bolton on 01494 783453 or email gemma.bolton@waterways.org.uk Details can also be found on IWA’s website at www.waterways.org.uk

Clearing the way along the Northampton Arm. PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEARLY 30 volunteers clocked up 138 hours improving the Northampton Arm on a sunny Tuesday in January.

Lots of work was carried out between Lock 14 and 16 including clearing a by-pass channel and weir, vegetation clearance and sprucing up the planters at locks 15 and 16. About 20 bags of rubbish were cleared from the area, including a shopping trolley.

Safe recovered from Trent & Mersey IWA Lichfield Branch has spent much of the winter clearing offside vegetation from the Coventry Canal, but the branch’s focus has now shifted to Brindley Bank Aqueduct area of the Trent & Mersey Canal in Rugeley.

Volunteers spent a February morning clearing the area of litter, overhanging vegetation and leaves while strimming the site. They also dismantled a section of failed wooden fencing.

Rubbish removed included a small, intact safe which was delivered to the police.

Volunteers clear overhanging vegetation.

PHOTO: MARGARET BEARDSMORE

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