Lichfield Branch

Vice Chairman—Neil Barnett

In addition to his role as Vice Chair, Neil looks after the memberships. volunteering, and publicity. Having narrowboated since 1976, Neil and his wife have lived on their boat since they retired in 2013, and spend each summer cruising extensively around the country. Note: Neil normally wears glasses but this is a passport photo and hence no glasses.

Treasurer—Sue Gurney

For over 50 years Sue has been volunteer Treasurer of several clubs and a small charity and her second career since leaving the IT business is as a professional bookkeeper. Since November 2020 Sue has been managing the Branch finances including liaising with the IWA Central Finance Team. Narrowboating – both hiring and shared ownership – with husband Pete has been a favourite leisure pastime for many years as has helping on the IWA sales & recruitment stand at local and national events.

Secretary & Planning Officer—Phil Sharpe

Phil has been the Branch’s Planning Officer for 30 years, has had two periods as Branch Chairman, the second also as Acting Secretary. As a onetime West Midlands Region Chairman he was briefly an IWA trustee, and at national level is currently IWA’s HS2 Lead Representative and a member of the Planning Advisory Panel. As well as planning, he has a particular interest in restoration, being a former Vice-Chairman of Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, is now IWA’s nominee director on the Ashby Canal Trust, and represents IWA at meetings of Stafford Riverway Link. Phil started boating and helping to restore Marple Locks when still at school in the 1960s. He has been part owner of a Leeds & Liverpool short boat, and then of a Humber Keel on which he toured most of the French, Belgian, and Netherlands waterways. He