Lichfield Branch
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Lichfield Branch
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• A View From The Helm Page 3
• Forthcoming Events Page 3
Walks and Meetings until January 2026
• Recent Activities Page 5 Walks and Meetings
• Off-Side Veg This Winter Page 7
• Legacy in memory of Jerry Sanders Page 10
• Planning Matters Page 10
• AGM Minutes Page 17
• AGM Chairman’s Report Page 18
• AGM Treasurer’s Report Page 19
• Editorial Notice Page 21
Front page photo—Hard at work on the Off-side Veg project
The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or as an official pronouncement, unless specifically identified as such.
The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342
Registered Office: Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 2PX Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
Lichfield Branch
A VIEW FROM THE HELM
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At our AGM on April 18th, Adrian Wedgwood stepped down from his position as our Chairman after having successfully led the branch for the last 2 years. He will remain as an active member of our committee, and Vice-Chairman Neil Barnett was co-opted to take over the role. The committee wish to express their thanks for Adrian’s tremendous work in representing us both locally and nationally, and for overseeing the continuation of our branch as being one of the most active and vibrant IWA branches in the country. Further information about the AGM may found on pages 17-20. See also page 22 for the full committee list.
Neil Barnett
Chairman, IWA Lichfield Branch 19th April 2025
Forthcoming Events
All our Social Meetings will be held at Darwin Hall, off Heathcot Place, Lichfield WS13 6RQ at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start.
Thursday 8th May 2025—Guided Walk
Armitage and the Trent & Mersey Canal
This is a 4-mile circular walk with 4 stiles, on the towpath, footpaths and the pavement. The terrain is largely level. We join the T&M by bridge 60, passing the canal-side factory of Ideal Standard (Armitage Shanks) before leaving the waterway by The Crown Inn at bridge 58. We cross the river Trent via the impressive High Bridge before turning westwards towards the hamlet of Maveysn Ridware. From there we pass over the Trent again and under the railway line to make our way back along the towpath to our starting point.
Armitage Tunnel
Meet 10:30 for a 10:45 start on Thursday 8th May 2025 in the car park of The Plum Pudding, Rugeley Road, Armitage, Rugeley WS15 4AZ. Contact Clive Walker on clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th May 2025—Moira Canal Festival
Following the successful IWA National Trailboat Festival at Moira last year, the Ashby Canal Trust are now organising the annual May Festival (See poster on Page 11)
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Sunday/Monday 25th/26th May 2025—Stafford Riverway Link Open Weekend
SRL will be holding their open weekend at Baswich on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. See Poster on Page 13 for details
Wednesday 11th June 2025—Guided Walk
Swarkestone &The Derby Canal
This is an easy 4 mile walk with no stiles, along quiet country lanes, the towpath of a disused canal, and public footpaths. Shortly after leaving the pub car park, we will pause briefly by a prehistoric monument before heading across farmland to join the towpath trail of the Derby Canal at Baltimore Bridge. We follow this disused canal back to its junction with the Trent and Mersey, from where we return to our starting point.
Sandiacre Lock
Meet 16:00 for a 16:30 start on Wednesday 11th June 2025 at The Crewe & Harpur Inn, Woodshop Lane, Swarkestone DE73 7JA. NB: A booking has already been made at the restaurant. The extended meet up time is to allow participants to pre -order meals before departure.
Contact Clive Walker at: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Sunday 3rd August 2025—Lockwind
The Branch will be holding a Lockwind at Barton Turn Lock to raise awareness of IWA and funds for the Branch. If you can bake some cakes it would be great. Contact Helen Whitehouse on 01543 491161
Thursday 4th September 2025—Guided Walk
Starting from Gnosall Details TBA
Friday 19th September 2025—Social Meeting
Phil Clayton on “A Northerner on Northern Waters Part 2: East of Edenfield
Saturday/Sunday 20th/21st September 2025—Huddlesford Canal Festival
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust will be holding their bi-annual festival at Huddlesford. More information in later editions.
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Friday October 17th 2025—Social Meeting
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Charles Hughes of Canal & River Trust on “Tackling the increasing threat of invasive plants across our waterways”
Thursday 6th November 2025—Guided Walk
Starting from Stoke Golding Details TBA
Friday November 21st 2025—Social Meeting
Peter Simpson, CRT Principal Engineer for Tunnels & Culverts on “Going Underground”
Thursday 1st January 2026—New Year’s Day Guided Walk
Starting from Atherstone Details TBA
Recent Activities
Friday 21st February 2025—Social Meeting
Our published speaker in February was Charles Hughes of CRT. Unfortunately he had to cancel at the last minute due to an urgent hospital appointment. He will be returning in October.
At very short notice IWA member Jonathan Mosse gave us a fascinating talk. Jonathan single handedly has, for many years, done all the research that goes into producing the Nicholson Waterway Guides. He spends his time travelling the country in his trusty van, by bike and on foot to discover the changes required for the guides.
Thursday 6th March 2025—Guided Walk
Tatenhill & the Trent & Mersey Canal
We last visited this village in East Staffordshire three years ago. On that occasion we first headed north towards Callingwood Hall before traversing Battlestead Hill and then descending to the canal at Branston.
Today’s walk was a gentler version of that same route. We began by climbing Battlestead Hill, passing through mature woodland before the
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treescape gave way to a panoramic view of Burton upon Trent and an abundance of new housing.
It had been a largely wet January and February, but the first week in March had been free of rain and so the ground had dried sufficiently to make the walking easier on what can be a muddy and slippery path.
We reached the canal by The Bridge Inn and walked along the resurfaced towpath as far as Tatenhill Lock. After the obligatory group photograph, we headed back, passing some fishing lakes. Fencing has now been erected here, narrowing the path considerably, but the track is well maintained and pleasant to walk on. The footpath is also well screened from the nearby aggregate quarries.
We reached Tatenhill by the impressive outcrop of Mercian mudstone and walked beside a brook back to our starting point, where we enjoyed a hearty meal at The Horseshoe Inn.
Clive Walker
Friday 21st March 2025—Social Meeting
Our speaker this time was Paul Fellows, Chair of Cambridge Astronomical Association. He gave us a brilliant illustrated talk on what can be seen in the night sky and how to see it. He also brought along some glasses so we were able to view the stereoscopic images of the planets in three dimensions. This was a diversion from our usual canal based talks but was a very entertaining and informative evening.
Friday 18th April 2025—Social Meeting
In another diversion from our usual topics our April speaker was Simon Adams, a director of Taylor’s Bell Foundry in Loughborough. The foundry has been going in various locations for several hundred years and is Britain’s world famous historic and only remaining bell foundry. The description of casting, tuning, refurbishing and hanging
Adrian, Simon Adams, Helen, Pete, Richard and Bob having fun with Handbells
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huge bells was fascinating. After the break Simon had brought along some hand bells and members of the audience had the chance to ring them in sequence. In the early years of the foundry bells were brought by canal to Loughborough for recasting and refurbishing. Heavy items like bells would have been very difficult to transport by road. Prior to the talk the Branch AGM was completed in quick order. For further information see pages 17-20.
Offside Veg This Winter
At the end of February our volunteers completed a 7th consecutive winter of their joint IWA/CRT offside vegetation cutting. They amassed a total of 962 hours between October and February. Covering a section of the Trent & Mersey Canal from Burton Upon Trent to Armitage, and the Coventry Canal from Fradley to Polesworth, their remit this year was slightly different to normal.
This time, due to budgetary constraints there was no wood chipper and accompanying hopper boat to carry it, so the ability to cut back the offside vegetation was somewhat limited, but that didn’t stop them at least dealing with any problematic encroachment of vegetation they came across, some of which were fallen or part fallen trees.
Other tasks undertaken included the cutting down of saplings along the towpath edges, particularly on bends where they affected boater’s sightlines; removing ivy and other growth on bridge facings; re-painting bridge numbers; and small remedial measures on the towpaths such as the filling of holes and towpath abrasions.
They plan to resume the winter works in October and this time they have been promised the return of the wood chipper and accompanying hopper boat.
However, in order to facilitate this, we are in need of some more volunteers.
After 7 years a few of our volunteers have either retired or have decided to pursue other activities, so if we cannot replace them there is a real possibility that we won’t be able to continue.
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Please consider joining us, its great fun honestly! If you’re interested in joining in but aren’t sure whether you will like it, but you fancy finding out more, please send me an email and I’d be happy to have a chat to tell you more about what is involved.
As a summary, here is a list of what it’s all about;
1. No formal commitment needed.
2. Over the winter period you do as many or few days as you like.
3. On the day, you do as much or as little as you wish or are physically able to do. No pressure on anybody.
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It would be such a shame if it had to come to an end. We’ve put so much into this activity for the past 7 years, and our efforts and achievements as a branch have been recognised nationally by both the IWA and CRT. Naturally we want to continue with this but without more volunteers we will not be able to do so.
4. Our work-parties consist of both male and female volunteers.
5. We work on Thursdays and Fridays between October and the end of February.
6. Most volunteers do one just one of those days a week.
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7. The day begins at 9am and finishes around 3pm, with breaks throughout.
8. No formal training is needed for some of the tasks. Workwear is provided (except shoes/boots), and includes life vests.
The tasks – predominantly dealing with overgrown offside vegetation.
1. Holding the workboat at the edge of the canal by use of the rope or bargepole, or holding on to a tree branch. This is the least physical job but such an Important one, otherwise the boat tends to drift away from the bank, something which isn’t good when people are leaning over the edge of the boat cutting away with saws, loppers, and chainsaws!
2. Using a variety of non-mechanical implements such as loppers, shears, handsaws, rakes.
3. The option of using power tools such as a hedge trimmer, a pole chainsaw, and the wood chipper. Training is given for these.
4. Feeding branches and other cuttings to the person operating the wood chipper.
5. Helming the boat.
6. Helping with separating the boats at locks including helping to bow haul the hopper boat through, and working the lock.
7. Re-painting and re-securing bridge numbers where required.
8. Removal of ivy and other growth from bridge facings.
9. Cutting back low hanging towpath side vegetation, and saplings at the waters edge.
Pro’s of the activity
1. Fresh air, exercise, and increasing your Vitamin D absorption.
2. A sense of achievement and satisfaction that you’re making a difference.
3. Camaraderie, banter, and having fun (the best!)
4. The regular verbal appreciation from passing boaters and towpath users.
5. A few hours peace away from your partner (mutually beneficial to both parties!).
6. No pressure to over exert yourself.
Cons (just one)
The weather! We do occasionally work in the rain if it’s just showers, but on the rare occasions when it’s heavy rain all day, and especially if it’s windy, we don’t work because it becomes dangerous as well as extremely uncomfortable.
The cold is never a problem because once we get moving we soon warm up. This winter we ‘lost’ a few days when the canal was iced over, and if there is significant
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snow on the ground it may be too dangerous to operate in.
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We encourage anyone who is interested in joining us just to pop along and have either a ‘taster’ session, a chat, or just watch them in action for an hour and see what you think. If this is something you may be interested in please get in touch with me. Neil
Legacy in Memory of Jerry Sanders
As you may remember, in 2021 Branch Member Jerry Sanders sadly passed away. Part of the collection at his funeral was left to the Branch and it was decided to donate it to the Ashby Canal Association to part fund the new stop gate/bridge at Snarestone. This was opened in 2023 but unfortunately the opening clashed with the Crick Festival so we were unable to attend.
Recently Jerry’s partner Helen Whitehouse visited the site and has shared this picture with us showing the plaque in memory of Jerry.
Planning Matters
This report summarises the most notable of about 40 planning matters dealt with between mid-January and mid-April 2025.
On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at the northern end of Penkridge a new housing estate between the canal and the M6, off Cherrybrook Drive, will be set back from the canal behind a landscaped public open space.
Disappointingly, but not unexpected, the West Midlands Interchange plans for changes to the earthworks between the canal and the new A5/A449 Link Road have been approved, which will result in some sections of retaining wall to the earth bunds near the canal where tree-planted slopes were originally promised.
Near the Trent & Mersey Canal between Wolseley Bridge and Rugeley, applications for two adjacent gas fired power stations on farmland at Bellamour Lane, which we strongly opposed when they were submitted in 2018, have finally “been disposed of”.
Near the Ash Tree Inn at Armitage, on what were previously part of the Ash Tree
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Boat Club moorings either side of and under the bypass bridge, a change of use is proposed from recreational to residential moorings. Whilst supporting the provision of more residential berths, we have expressed concerns about the safety of the road access which is to be shared with an adjacent skip hire operation that seems to have
been established without planning consent.
At Bromley Hayes the amended plans to replace the disused garden centre by offices and plant storage as a national base for the canal contractors Land & Water, which we supported but were refused, have now been appealed.
On the north side of Barton Marina, there are plans for 24 holiday-let lodges in woodland between the canal and the sewage works. The large ‘immobile’ home style timber-clad lodges would be within 10 metres of the canal in a woodland setting, but requiring removal of many of the existing trees. A 2017 consent for tourist ‘pods’ on part of the same area was not implemented, and should not be a precedent as the lodges now proposed are much larger and closer to the canal Conservation Area. The site is partly screened by canalside trees, but removal of a lot of the trees within the site may expose canal and marina users to more odours from the sewage works. There would be no benefit to canal recreation and the loss of woodland tracks and wildlife within the site will be a disbenefit to the canal and marina users.
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Near Horninglow Basin in Burton-on-Trent there are four plots between the A38 and the canal with previous planning consent for detached houses, but being used as gypsy and traveller caravan sites. On amended plans the number of caravans are reduced from 6 to 3 on three of the plots, and from 6 to 4 on the other plot. As the sites are all quite well screened from the canal by existing offside vegetation we have responded with no objection.
On the Ashby Canal adjacent to Trinity Marina in Hinckley, the apartment blocks approved in 2019 have again been redesigned. The two blocks fronting onto the canal and the marina are 3 storey terraces of reasonably attractive modern appearance with unfenced gardens merging into canalside landscaping, and a pathway along the offside of the canal. This is more appropriate adjacent to the Ashby Canal Conservation Area than any of the several previous designs and we were able to support it this time.
Near Barn Lane Bridge 19 at Hinckley, the proposed warehouse development at Chase Fields Farm is now called Harrow & Wapping Farm, and subject to a preapplication request and proposal for a hybrid planning application. This site was a proposed employment allocation in the Hinckley & Bosworth Local Plan (Regulation 18) consultation in July 2024, but the developer’s Masterplan submitted then showed 3 smaller units nearest the canal rather than the one very large unit now proposed. Smaller units would likely be of lesser height and would appear less monolithic so are greatly preferred, and IWA has objected unless the layout reverts to smaller, less intrusive units.
Another proposal in the last Local Plan consultation in this vicinity, was to allocate the land between the currently developing Hinckley West housing estate and the Ashby
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Canal for a further 530 houses. This would extend from the Triumph Motorcycles factory north past Barn Lane Bridge 19 and Frieston’s Bridge 20 to Wykin Bridge 21. Although a “substantial natural buffer of 20m to the canal” is promised, the semiurbanisation of such a long section of the canal would not be welcome.
Restoration of the Ashby Canal in Measham was to be provided as part of the large Measham Waterside housing development, but this has been delayed since 2014 by the threat of HS2 cutting through the middle of the site. After several changes of plan, this part of HS2 was finally cancelled in 2023, although the planning safeguarding is still not yet formally lifted. Renewed interest in the development is shown by a request for pre-application advice on varying the internal layout of the site, which also includes a change to the position of the access road bridge over the canal line. Information on the bridge design and on outstanding issues of pedestrian access to the towpath and an offside canalside path are needed before such a change could be agreed, so we have registered a holding objection.
A site off Abney Drive in Measham, adjacent to the canal restoration route between Horses Lane Bridge and the brickworks, was proposed for housing in 2018. Although the application was never determined, it is now an additional housing allocation in the Draft North West Leicestershire Local Plan. As future residents will benefit from access to the amenity and recreational corridor of the restored canal, and from towpath access to the High Street and the countryside, we have again said that the development should assist the canal restoration earthworks and towpath surfacing through S106 or CIL funding.
Near the Anglesey Branch of the Wyrley & Essington Canal, a track from Burntwood Road Bridge to some ‘informal’ allotments within a woodland area has been developed in the last few years without any planning consent. A ‘Permission in Principle’ application now proposes adding 6 houses to the site. Although they may have limited visibility from the canal, this could set a precedent leading to further built development of the whole area between the canal and the A5195. Such extensive loss of its woodland character would be to the detriment of the environment of the canal corridor, its recreational users, heritage and wildlife. This area is all Green Belt and it is the Council’s responsibility to designate ‘grey belt’ land, not individual applicants, so the application should be refused.
On HS2, with the renewed interest in the Measham Waterside development as above, I wrote to the Rail Minister asking why the HS2 Eastern Leg planning Safeguarding has not yet been lifted, affecting the restoration of the Ashby Canal at Measham and the Chesterfield Canal at Staveley. Phase 2b East (East Midlands to Leeds) was abandoned in 2021 and HS2 East (Kingsbury to East Midlands Parkway) cancelled in 2023, with the Safeguarding due to be removed by Summer 2024, and there can be no justification for the continuing delay with this. The response, after nearly 2 months, was that all Phase 2b safeguarding remains in place whilst the
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Government reviews the position, and they “expect to know more during the summer of 2025”. So much for speeding up the planning system !
Meanwhile, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee published an Update report very critical of the Government’s oversight and financial control of the HS2 project, the continuing uncertainty about its cost and completion date, the plans for Euston, delays in the disposal of land bought for Phase 2, and much else. Whilst in evidence to the Treasury spending review, the High Speed Rail Group, which includes many rail infrastructure companies, urges the Government to proceed with HS2 Phase 2a towards Crewe to avoid the West Coast Main Line’s “biggest pinch-point”, rescoping it for a lower line speed, with ballasted track, and UK gauge structures, all of which would reduce costs.
Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer & HS2 Lead
IWA LICHFIELD BRANCH
At Darwin Hall, Lichfield
Present: 17 members were present.
1. Apologies for absence: Eric Wood.
2. Approval of the minutes of the 2024 AGM and any matters arising from the minutes:
The 2024 Minutes were displayed on screen and were approved unopposed. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
3. Report from the Branch Chairman:
Adrian Wedgwood reported on another successful year for the Branch and thanked all those that had contributed in various ways. (His report is attached) A summary of Branch Activities was displayed on screen, detailing 7 public meetings, 6 canal based walks, winter work parties totalling 962 volunteer hours on vegetation control and bridge sign painting, a Lockwind, and a Christmas Dinner. The Branch also attended the national AGM, publicised Fund Britain’s Waterways, published four issues of our newsletter Lichfield Lines, commented on about 150 planning matters, and donated £990 to waterway projects. Thanks were displayed to twelve named members and others for their help with a wide range of activities. The report was received with acclamation.
4. Financial report from the Treasurer:
Sue Gurney presented the Treasurers report which was displayed on screen. The start of year balance was £2078. Donations in 2023 included £100 to
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Truman Narrowboat Trust, £50 to narrowboat President Boiler Appeal, £40 to National Brewery Heritage Trust, and ‘ring fenced’ donations of £400 to Stafford Riverway Link and £400 to Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, totalling £990. Income included donations, raffle & refreshments at meetings, advertising in Lichfield Lines, Branch Sales (net profit £790), and the Lockwind. Net Expenditure included hire of meeting rooms, equipment and workboat signs, a replacement projector, and the above donations. The end of year balance was £2680.
(The full report is attached and further details are available on request). The report was received with acclamation and there were no questions arising.
5. Elections to the committee:
a) Members completing 3 years in post and eligible for re-election: Phil Sharpe was willing to stand again and was duly re-elected.
b) Members co-opted since the previous AGM: There were none.
c)Any other candidates: There were none.
The Secretary explained that members may be co-opted onto the Branch committee at any time and are welcome to attend meetings informally initially if considering joining. More help from members would be most welcome in sustaining and expanding our Branch activities, either as committee members or in a supporting role.
6. Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch (provided the Branch Chairman was notified in writing of the item at least six weeks prior to the AGM): No resolutions had been received.
7. Any Other Business:
Richard Curtis asked if any changes to the committee were expected in the next year. The Chairman confirmed he was now standing down but would remain on the committee. A brief committee meeting would be held later in the evening to elect a new Chairman and confirm the other officers and roles.
Inland Waterways Association – Lichfield Branch
Annual General Meeting – 18th April 2025
Chairman’s Report From AGM
It's been my privilege as a direct descendent of Josiah Wedgwood, promoter of the Trent & Mersey Canal, to be Chairman for a second & final year of one of the most successful Branches of the Inland Waterways Association.
That success is due to the dedication and determination of your Committee who have supported me. I'm most grateful to Neil, Sue, Phil & Derek for their hard work that
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has kept this Branch in the forefront of our national organisation. In particular I thank Phil, our Secretary, for keeping us 'on the straight & narrow' and for his outstanding detailed work as our Planning Officer.
Our Committee is tirelessly supported by Helen, our Regional Chairman, and 'retail specialist', Pete, our poster producer and editor of what must be one of the best & certainly most attractive Newsletters now putting together his 50th. edition, Clive whose constant programme of excellent walks keeps some of us exercised and Richard, our Social Media editor, master of that dark art.
And the unsung heroes of our 'refreshment' team.
Without them all the Branch would not exist as have many others now either moribund or defunct within the IWA.
Everywhere there's a struggle to attract & retain members and to keep IWA relevant. You've seen the impressive list of our activities & Social events. That and a summary of my verbal report will be in the next edition of Lichfield Lines.
I want now to draw attention sadly to a threat to our existence & one major achievement of which we can be proud.
Last year, as part of its plan to get on a firm financial footing IWA suggested that its structure should be reformed. In essence that proposed the move to a Regional structure and the abolition of Branches.
Your Branch has strongly opposed that move including raising the issue at IWA's AGM in Leicester. Since then things have gone quiet and we have yet to hear alternative proposals. We must remain vigilant as this 'sleeping dog' may yet revive.
On a brighter note our move to the more accessible & better facilities of this Darwin Hall has been a success but, despite an on-going programme of fascinating topics, excellent speakers AND broadening the range of topics to include some with tenuous links to waterways (of which today's topic is an example), attendance has yet to grow to fill the place. Like many other organisations IWA is not alone in this issue. We will keep trying.
Adrian Wedgwood IWA Lichfield Branch Chairman
Inland Waterways Association – Lichfield Branch Annual General Meeting – 18th April 2025 Treasurer’s Report for 2024
The IWA Lichfield Branch available balance at the start of 2024 was £2,078. During the year the Branch income from activities and donations meant the Branch was able to make donations totalling £190 to waterways projects as follows:
£100 to Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust
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£50 to nb President Boiler Appeal c/o Black Country Living Museum in lieu of speaker expenses
£40 to National Brewery Heritage Trust in lieu of speaker expenses
In addition, funds were “ring fenced” at the end of 2024 for the following donations to be made at the monthly social meeting in January 2025:
£400 to Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust
£400 to Stafford Riverway Link
Income in 2024 was £3,150 made up of:
£222 donations:
£213 from various Lichfield Branch walks organised by Clive Walker
£9 general donations
£415 raffle and refreshment donations from our public meetings. Thanks to everyone present for their support.
£160 advertising in Lichfield Lines. This comes from adverts in each of the four quarterly magazines.
£1,248 Branch Sales (the net profit is £790).
£179 August Lockwind at Barton Turn
£926 Christmas meal
Expenditure in 2024 was £2,548 which included:
£190 donations (as detailed above)
£256 hire of hall for public meetings
£90 hire of committee room and expenses for offsite meeting
£134 equipment purchase and storage
£54 offside veg workparty – workwear for volunteers and magnetic “IWA Volunteers at work” signs for the workboat
£458 purchase of merchandise for Branch Sales (Cost value of stock in hand is £423).
£926 Christmas meal. This was covered in total by the income for the event.
£3 Sum-up card machine transaction charge
£437 capital purchase – replacement projector
Hence, there was an increase in our general funds of £602 resulting in an end of year balance of £2,680. As this includes the “ring fenced” funds of £800 being carried forward to January 2025 for donations as detailed above, the available balance is £1,880.
All in all, a successful year and we look forward to your continued support in 2025. Thank-you.
Sue Gurney IWA Lichfield Branch Treasurer
Lichfield Branch
Editorial Notice
Lichfield Lines is the newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch, it is produced 4 times a year to keep members informed about our forthcoming public meetings, walks, work parties and other activities, to provide reports on recent meetings and events, and to include articles of general interest to our members.
The editor, Peter Gurney, welcomes articles, letters or photographs of waterway activities in our Branch area which can be emailed to pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk (Please note there is a 35MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address). The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th July 2025, for publication in August.
Advertising
Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 320 Branch members. It can also be read and downloaded by anyone from the Branch website pages.
If you would like to publicise your waterway related business to our members, and others that read the newsletter online, we can offer advertising space at the following rates:
Full Page - £20 inc VAT per issue
Half Page - £10 inc VAT per issue
Please contact the editor to discuss artwork and layout. By advertising you will help to sponsor IWA's charitable activities and reach potential customers who are all committed to the waterways.
The IWA has a range of corporate members some of whom offer discounts to members. The discount details can be found on the IWA website at https://waterways.org.uk/benefits
Corporate members in our area are
Lichfield Cruising Club 2000 Ltd
Stafford Boat Club Ltd
Longwood Boat Club
Ashby Canal Association
Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Tamworth Cruising Club
Ashby Canal Trust
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals
Restoration Trust
Canal Transport Services Ltd
River Canal Rescue Ltd
Ash Tree Boat Club
Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd
Elite Furnishings
Waterways World Ltd
Birmingham & Midland Marine Services
Midland Chandlers Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust
Norton Canes Boat Services Ltd
Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd
Stafford Riverway Link
Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.
Your Committee
Chairman
Tel: 07808 846434
Lichfield Branch
Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: sue.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Secretary & Planning Officer
Tel: 01889 583330
Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk
Volunteer Coordinator & Navigation
Tel: 07808 846434
Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Membership Officer
Tel: 01283 713125
Email: adrianwedgwood1941@gmail.com
Member
Tel: 07847 470112
Email: derek.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk
Social Secretary
Ex Officio: Region Chairman
also Branch Sales (non-committee post)
Tel : 01543 491161
Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
Non-committee posts
Newsletter and Website Editor
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Walks Coordinator
Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Social Media Editor
Email: Richard.curtis@waterways.org.uk
Branch Contact Address
Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk
Neil Barnett
Sue Gurney
Phil Sharpe
Neil Barnett
Adrian Wedgwood
Derek Beardsmore
Position vacant
Helen Whitehouse
Pete Gurney
Clive Walker
Richard Curtis
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