The Packet Boat - Sept 2014

AUTUMN 2014

ISSUE NO. 61

THE NEWSLETTER OF CHESTER & MERSEYSIDE BRANCH

THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FESTIVAL, CHESTER

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OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE President Richard Drake, BEM North West Region Chairman

Alan Platt, 013527 2064; alan.platt@waterways.org.uk

Branch Chairman

Peter Bolt, 0151 678 9300; peter.bolt@waterways.org.uk

Vice Chairman

Mike Carter, 0151 608 6113; mike.carter@btinternet.co.uk

Secretary

Gillian Bolt, 0151 678 9300; gillianbolt:@waterways.org.uk

Treasurer

Ron Evans, 01928 788673; rajkingsley@outlook.com

Webmaster, Region Committee Representative

Mike Carter, 0151 608 6113; mike.carter@btinternet.com

Editor, Chester Packet

Margaret Pitney, 0151 608 6487; margaret.pitney@talktalk.net

Merseyside Liaison

Dave Smallshaw , 0151 924 2036; flatboat@aol.com

SCARS Liaison

Colin Greenall 01744 73174; colin.greenall@btopenworld.com

Minutes Secretary

Helen Forkin, 01270 650054; jimhelen@jimhelen.fsnet.co.uk

Publicity Officer

Jim Forkin, 01270 650054; jimhelen@jimhelen.fsnet.co.uk

Planning & Navigation

Geoff Gittus, 0151 605 1094; geoff.boatman@tiscali.co.uk

Social Secretary & Jim Mole, 01606 40955; elizabethan.freeserve.co.uk Asst Planning Officer Weaver Navigation area Festival Site Manager

Mike Sumner, 0151 4201 460; mike@kpsumner.com

Sales Officer

Lesley Taylor, 0151 342 6651; lesley.taylor22@btinternet.com

Membership Secretary

Gaven Tilbee, 0161 491 1951; gaven1@btinternet.com

Asst Membership Secretary

Andrea Tilbee, 0161 491 1951; gaven1@btinternet.com

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Chairman’s Notes Autumn 2014 What an amazing summer it’s been. I write these notes with the sun still beating down and at the moment CRT have not declared any low water warnings. The Branch has had a good year with the National Campaign Festival in Chester being the highlight. Great credit must go to the Festival team who ensured every last detail fell into place – even the last minute bits! There is a full report on the weekend in this issue so I won’t dwell on the subject. But where do we go from here?

The Waterways Strategy identified a requirement for a tidal water gauge located at the River Lock and near to the weir so that boaters have accurate information before making the short passage to the upper reaches of the River Dee. The Branch is intending to take this forward as a legacy to the Campaign Festival. We will also be involved with other partners in driving the strategy document forward.

Now for other news. Your branch secretary, Gillian Bolt, received the Kenwin award presented by the IWA North West Region for her services as Youth Development Coordinator, heading up Wild over Waterways (WOW). It’s good to see that all her hard work, over a number of years, has been appreciated.

After the excitements of Chester, we took the boat down to the annual Stratford River Festival with Gill helping out on the Warwickshire Branch stand with WOW. This was a big Festival with 50,000 visitors over the weekend including a brilliant firework display on the Saturday. If you have not been before it is well worth attending. It was the first time that IWA nationally had a presence and they had a big marquee located next to the canal basin.

2014 was a special year as it marked the 50 th anniversary of the reopening of the Southern Stratford canal by the late Queen Mother. Clive Henderson, the IWA’s previous National Chairman, managed to obtain some vintage film from ITV showing the volunteers at the time working on the lock restoration and the cutting of the ribbon and official opening by the Queen Mum. The volunteers working looked like a Health and Safety nightmare (ladies with open toed sandals, working with a pickaxe in the bottom of locks!!).

I picked up a copy of the Stratford upon Avon Canal Society news letter and there was the account by David Hutchings of the restoration and the opening. A truly inspirational piece of writing and is shown in full, later in the news letter. Margaret Pitney had the good fortune to actually meet David Hutchings and she explains how and when.

We have lined up another list of quality speakers for the Branch social meetings which start in October. To kick this off we are pleased to have with us Richard Parry, the CEO of the Canal and River Trust, who will review the last 12 months and outline how the Trust will be moving forward. At his request, there will be plenty of time for your questions.

This should be an excellent evening and a full house is expected.

Lastly, we are making a push to encourage more volunteers to undertake a variety of jobs in and around our local waterways. Mike Carter has put together some interesting information (see further on in the news letter) and you will find an IWA volunteering leaflet hidden away somewhere. The theme is “let’s get involved”; work parties are a social event and give you a chance to meet a whole new set of people.

That’s all from me – see you at the first social meeting.

Peter Bolt, Branch Chairman

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION Our Branch Secretary, Gillian Bolt, (left) received the Kenwin Award for her services as Youth Development Co-ordinator, heading up Wild over Waterways. Well done Gillian!

Fund Raising Success Despite the atrocious weather on Saturday, the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch had a very successful fundraising weekend at Hurleston Locks on 2nd & 3rd August and would like to thank Chester Branch members, Steve & Jane Beckett for their support. Their help winding locks was much appreciated.

Giant Transportation Millions have watched the pageant which featured the Giants in Liverpool recently. In 2012 they were conveyed out of the city on the former Weaver Packet, Yarwood’s built, James Jackson Grundy but this year they were accommodated on a different craft.

The eagle eyed would have seen that she was a dumb barge called ‘Hen’. Further investigation revealed that she was built by Cochrane’s at Selby in 1925 for use on the Humber and arrived in Liverpool in 1993 since when she has remained in commercial service. Registered on the National Historic Register she has a riveted construction and is double skinned – which was far in advance of the regulations from her build period.

Further information and pictures can be found at: http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/561/hen

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CANAL & RIVER TRUST ANNOUNCES £3M ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN IMPROVING THE NATION’S WATERWAYS FOR BOATERS The Trust will complete the full £7m dredging programme this year as part of its commitment to deliver £80m of dredging over the ten years from 2013.

In addition just over £1m will go into a variety of other customer service improvements such as further vegetation management, repairing waterway walls and towpaths, improving sanitary stations and mooring locations and making lock operation easier. This will include, among other area improvements: Improving sanitary stations on the North West and Midlands canals  Tackling more offside vegetation in the South West, London and on the Shropshire Union Canal, and providing better visitor moorings in Chester, Macclesfield, London, Birmingham and the East Midlands.

Richard Parry, chief executive of the Trust said he has spent a lot of time listening to boaters and when opportunities arise to increase our spending we can be responsive and apply our resources to make a positive difference.

Boaters are invited to send any further suggestions to their local waterway team.

COME AND HEAR RICHARD PARRY AT THE BRANCH OPENING MEETING AT THE BOAT MUSEUM ON TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER AT 7.45 PM

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BRANCH CAMPAIGN FESTIVAL AT TOWER WHARF Photos - Bob Jervi,s, Saturn Project

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CHESTER & MERSEYSIDE CAMPAIGN FESTIVAL We started as the Wirral Section of Merseyside Branch way back in 1980, then became Wirral & Chester Branch, after that Chester & District Branch, now Chester & Merseyside Branch, but one thing that has never changed, is our custom of holding highly successful rallies (now called Festivals) every 2 years. We have moved venue several times but our ’Festivals’ have always been known as ’The Friendly Rallies’. This year was no exception. Attended by 120 boats from all over the country and by hundreds of local residents, we shared two days of fun, entertainment and great bonhomie.

One of the highlights of the entertainment was the flypast of a spitfire plane—no less than 5 times over the rally site finally dipping its wings in farewell. Another more unusual form of entertainment was the pole dancers who amazed everyone with their acrobatic skills— it looked as though the old changeover bridge was going to collapse under the weight of all the onlookers. The series of guided walks proved to be very popular. Many people took advantage of the interesting tour of the historic Taylors Yard and dry dock by kind permission of Mike and Yvette Askey. The WOW activities, as always, were enjoyed by many of the children. All the other events were hugely popular with the boaters and visiting public.

The whole occasion was the result of twelve months of hard work by the rally committee, composed of members of the IWA Branch in partnership with Chester Canal Heritage Trust . A tremendous amount of help was received from many of the boaters attending the rally who simply volunteered on the day—one huge team effort and goodwill from everyone.

All campaign rallies have a serious purpose—this one was to draw attention to the derelict state of the lock from the canal system to the River Dee and to point out the potential of turning the millrace at the side of the weir into a lock, a suggestion which was made as far back as 1984. If both of these targets could be achieved it would open the River Dee to boaters as far as Farndon and enhance the already beautiful riverside walks in and around Chester. The campaign will continue, as will our rallies, so for news of future success (we hope) watch this space!

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Two views of the river lock as it is now in its derelict state.

Photo: Bob Jervis, Saturn Project

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STRATFORD MEMORIES - THE GLORIOUS 11th Memories of the Stratford Canal re-opening A personal account by David Hutchings, 11 June 1985 Editor’s note:Way back in the 1970’s my children and I were cruising along the River Avon in our little fibreglass boat.

We were pleased to meet a volunteer working at one of the locks and amazed to discover on approaching nearer that it was none other than David Hutchings. Thrilled to be meeting this great man we bravely went up to him and struck up a conversation. It was fascinating to hear at first hand about the tremendous result which this man and a team of volunteers had achieved. Peter Bolt has sent in David Hutchings’ personal account of the reopening of the Statford Canal which is a testament to dedication and to the work of volunteers.

Where to start and where to finish? Some things I have forgotten, much I only half remember, even so there is space for only the briefest of summaries.

Planning started months ahead, long before we knew we could get to Stratford in time, but, in the event, the first boat, Jack Tompkins' 'Laughing Water' reached the town on 21st February, and, the following day, the Avon - well ahead of the most optimistic forecasts. So that was all right.

Then there was the local official attitude, dating from even before the Society and the I.W.A. had defeated the attempt at Abandonment. The threat of a chain across the canal to prevent access to the basin that was dealt with. When the basin was reached the town clerk announced that the council would not stand by the terms of its lease of the basin and the Bancroft Gardens (a thousand years at 10/- a year providing the works were kept in navigable order) and no gratitude was shown when the restorers did, and paid for, the work - on the contrary. Later they were warned that if any boat moored to the recreation ground bank (or to stakes driven into the river bed) the council would sue! No one was prepared to repair the road surface in Tyler Street or to improve the appearance of the council sheds alongside the official party's embarkation point or to put out flags. And so we did.

Characteristically, Sir Fordham Flower instantly summed up the situation and ordered that the whole of the theatre's bank from the basin to the church was to be put at our disposal. Royal Engineers from Long Marston craned scores of pontoons over the road bridge, and with tugs formed a continuous wharf against which the boats would moor.

Then there was the last minute panic when it was discovered that Post Office bridge below lock 30 would not pass high-sided boats and, in a matter of days, the lock had to be widened and volunteers worked long into the night. Eventually, came the appalling problems of water starvation. The canal had little water, no reserves and no control over the supply and it was to be used with all the traffic moving in one direction as it never had before and never would again. Urgent calls to London were ineffective and permission to site a pump at Lapworth was refused. The canal was lined with grounded Hesperusses - (thank God we British are a nautical people immoveable in adversity!).. All but the fattest got there - some, sadly, too late.

The event was not simply the re-opening of the canal by the Queen Mother, enough in itself - it was also part of a week-long National Festival of Boats and Arts, the most notable event of its kind up to that time and, in some ways, since. Offers of cooperation poured in and marquees and stands and other structures were erected

11 around the theatre gardens and from all over the Kingdom people and pictures, sculptures and trade stands, dining halls and kitchen equipment, stores and a huge stage on a raft, and 30ft high gas candles and a gleaming, flaming, stainless steel sword and flags and bunting and musicians and ballet dancers, including the whole of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, with Sylvestri himself, and the Modern Jazz Quartet, and a gondola, converged upon Stratford. Every waterway led to Kingswood junction and ultimately to the Avon, and working boats brought cargoes, the first for forty years (and, sadly, the last). The organising was infinitely stimulating and utterly exhausting but the rewards could not have been greater.

Somehow almost all of the boats were dragged through and berthed. Everything was tuned to a high pitch and last minute details were settled. Sentries were posted and bottle tops nailed over leaks in the royal loos.

Frogmen searched, policemen patrolled and boat windows glowed. We polished and cleaned, scraped and painted, burnished and became very excited.

The royal train drew in on time and Her Majesty arrived in Tyler Street to meet many of those who had seen through the restoration - the first. She stepped on to the red carpet (provided by the theatre) then on to the gorgeously decorated nb 'Linda', to be greeted by John Crossley and his first mate.

Through Oliver's lock with Oliver proudly standing, hat in hand, as Her Majesty exchanged a few words with him (Oliver, who had been through Ypres, Gallipoli and then the Somme, only to be blown up on Hill 60 by, he swore; that bugger Harry Bannister - his fellow canal worker - who, whilst admitting that, as a sapper, he had mined under the hill and placed the charges, declined all responsibility for Oliver's being there at the time!).

On to lock 35 {sic but surely 53 Ed) where, as nb 'Linda' was lowered to the basin level, one unsuspected rogue leak arched fine spray on to the Royal handbag. A gallant Jack Tar leaped on to the foredeck and stuck his finger in the hole and .Lord Crawford fussed with his snowy handkerchief,. The Q.M. beamed, she had brought the sunshine and nothing could dampen it.

The basin was densely packed and lined with soldiers, policemen and firemen.

Frogmen again swam the course, tugs stood by and there was near-mutiny amongst the second-line VIPs aboard 'Lady Hatherton' moored, according to instructions, in the tunnel under the main road. The steerer had his orders and was immoveable, the boat would not move until the signal was given - and it didn’t.

As 'Linda', carrying the royal party, entered the basin a tremendous cheer arose and hundreds of flags waved, sirens and whistles sounded and Jack Tompkins lay face down watching the water level, too high and the boats would hit the tunnel roof, too low and they would ground, Signals flashed, all was well and those on the lock paddles and the 8" Sykes's pump relaxed. With due deference, I offered the Queen Mother a pair of elegant scissors. But before cutting the blue tape held by Sappers who had worked so hard, she handed me a penny which, she assured

12 me, would be more use than the scissors and which, unfortunately, I almost immediately lost.

Church bells rang, trumpets blared and guns boomed. Nb ‘Linda' sank slowly to river level and burst out on to the crowded sparkling Avon. Stately, she glided through lines of decorated boats crowded with eager, cheering crews, to the weir where, upon hearing about the still derelict Upper Avon, Her Majesty promised "Open it and I will come back." We did, and she did, ten long years later. (When then referring to the proposed opening of the Higher Avon she said "I will come again but don’t be ten years this time'. Then the landing at the festival site and the walk amongst the marquees, tents and stands, chatting to smiling, waving spectators and to the painters and sculptors and those on the various trade stands and to the volunteers and prisoners and soldiers and airmen who had strived so hard for so long . She admired the great flaming sword, the symbol of the I.W.A. and asked ''What would we do without Calor gas?" A commendation eagerly seized upon by the Calor gas rep.

And so to tea in a marquee in a quiet corner where, sitting on a satin-covered settee, sipping best China, she asked after my children. They were found, scoured, hosed down and brought in. They stood before her and bowed or curtsied according to sex, 'I', M'am 'said my daughter, 'am Ellen, I am six. This, M'am, is my brother Job he is five and this, M'am is my brother Gabriel, he is four." "No, I'm not, M'am, -- I'm four and a quarter:" Collapse of Queen Mother.

They sat with her no doubt discussing the eternal verities, the joys of a canal side upbringing and the excellence of the cream cakes brought in large quantities by an anxious, dinner-jacketed, gently-swaying, waiter who; apparently, slightly the worse for something, (later discovered to be a case of champagne given by the brewery) constantly muttered and stuttered "H.E , H.E. H.E" To a former gunner, H. E. meant one thing and I looked anxiously around, However - he meant HM., but had been watching too much television.

The Queen Mother again perambulated through the crowds in the garden and then departed to her train waiting in the now long demolished station. Later, in the evening, she appeared at the theatre, sparkling and majestic in silk and furs and flashing tiara. A worthy last Queen-Empress. In the seats, those who had boated to Stratford, had worked or who had organised. A wonderful house and a splendid, happy, royal occasion. Henry V1 an appropriate choice, acted by those who, a few hours earlier, fully costumed and waving their swords and banners, had greeted Her Majesty as she passed down river beneath the balcony of the theatre.

Nor shall I forget standing with her and Robert Aickman on the balcony overlooking the river. Across the recreation ground the fireworks rocketed, spun and flared whilst below, balanced on a narrow ledge, a detachment of sappers, under a heartily-cursing Australian captain, struggled to hold back a raft carrying

13 the impeccably accoutred Orchestre de Camera who, whilst playing Malcolm Arnold's "Ode to a Restoration" were in imminent danger of being blown to Warwick by the howling wind. And so to a delightful supper until long after midnight. A time of flickering candles, gleaming silver and glass and sparkling conversation.

My final memory of the day's royal events was that of Her Majesty, standing on the steps of the theatre, surrounded by great men. Still brilliant, deeply happy and acknowledging the cheers and good wishes of the still dense, joyous crowds which, for hours, had waited in the rain to wish her God’s speed. As her Rolls Royce glided silently from the car park, a quiet voice murmured in my ear, "Within forty seconds of the E.T.D.! Best ever in my thirty years of such affairs". It was the man from the C.o.I. I wandered back to my boat, having a cursory look around the tents and stands on the way. From the V.I.P. reception lounge came the sound of gentle snoring and I looked inside: From beneath the still-sparkling damask tablecloth, protruded a pair of shining, black, elastic-sided boots.

"Rest well, thou good and faithful servant, thy duty now is done."

(I have dealt only with The Day. The rest of the week is a story in itself. Will any forget the 1812 Overture, ninety dazzling musicians on a raft on the Avon, Sylvestri conducting and issuing fire orders simultaneously, field guns booming, church bells clanging, great gas flames soaring from the water and, through it all, flying low beneath the ruddy smoke, a great flock of swans skimming the water? At the end of it all perhaps the greatest cheer of the week.

Nor should we forget the gracious, generous and conciliatory speech made by the Mayor at the rally dinner. After it we could all look forward to better things.

David Hutchings

11.6.1985

The New Stratford Plaque commemorating fifty years since the official re-opening

Peter Bolt It should be noted that the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the IWA. They are published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA is a registered charity No.212342

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What do you do with your spare time?

Why not try volunteering on our Chester & Merseyside Branch work parties?

Since we started our Chester work parties in September last year our volunteers have put in over 305 hours of volunteer time.

We have a team of 19 IWA members on our volunteer list and have seen an average of 6 volunteers at each of our work parties.

The list of jobs completed includes:

              

Painting railings at River lock Painting lock balance beams on Dee branch River lock Clearing weeds from Old Port Square (Dee Branch) Clearing weeds from the Old Stable block area (Dee Branch) Bulb planting, Bridge lock (Dee Branch) Planting Bedding plants at Bridge and Northgate locks Repairing plaster work at old service block and paint exterior Painting lock balance beams (Graving Lock) Painting railings (Graving lock overbridge and Bridge lock) Clearing the Slipway (with CCHT) Planting Berberis, on Williams moorings (with Chester University) Painting lock balance beams (Northgate Lock) Clearing the overgrown towpath hard edge from Tower Wharf to Cambrian Rd. bridge.

Painting Greenfield lock balance beams.

Numerous litter picks, collecting more than 60 bags of rubbish.

In addition at the Chester Campaign Festival we had a force of 37 volunteers in four teams (Site, Locks, Waterspace, and Events ), who helped to make this event such a success.

The work parties will continue in the Autumn so why not come along and join us? We have a very social time and I might even bring along the cream cakes (one day....) that I keep promising!

You will find our IWA volunteering leaflet in this magazine so read through it and make a note in your diary to come along on the first Saturday in the month.

For further details please email or phone: mike.carter@waterways.org.uk or 07795 617803 Mike Carter, Vice Chairman, Chester & Merseyside Branch

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Securing the edge stones

Chester Clean-up, September 2013

Photo Gillian Bolt

Photo Gillian Bolt

January 2013

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CHESTER & MERSEYSIDE BRANCH WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS and hopes to meet them soon at our monthly meetings and walks NEW TO BRANCH Mrs J Jukes Mr V & Mrs E P Moses

Saughall, Chester Lowton, Warrington

NEW MEMBERS

Mr A Benson & Family Mr G & Mrs J Farlam Mr G & Mrs S Gregory Mr P Howarth Mr A J Paterson & Mrs J Jackson Mr J & Mrs H Squires

Hale Village, Liverpool Upton, Wirral Padgate, Warrington West Kirby, Wirral Clapham, Bedford Eastham, Wirral

BOAT MUSEUM SOCIETY MEETINGS 2014-2015 Meetings are held in the Rolt Centre at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port at 7.30 pm SEPTEMBER 19

Simon Salem, the Marketing and Fundraising Director of CRT will speak on CRT, 2 years old. A question and answer session will follow Simon's presentation.

OCTOBER 17

Andy Wood. The Romans built canals, but most were not in Italy. Archaeology has given us examples of the boats they used.

NOVEMBER 21

Tony Conder Canals from the Air in the 1920s and 1930s.

This look at canals after WW1 and links the overall history of the period with what was happening on the national canal scene.

DECEMBER 19

Chris Kay The True story of the Mutiny on the Bounty.

Christmas social evening. Christmas card swap, Tombola etc.

JANUARY 16

Cath Turpin Ellesmere Port docks – How they changed between 1795 and 2015. Development, decline and regeneration

CHESTER CANAL HERITAGE TRUST Talks start at 8.00 pm in the Clubhouse at Boughton Hall Cricket Club, Boughton Hall Avenue, Boughton, Chester CH35EL

WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2014 ‘Historic Industry around the local waterways’

Ray Buss looks at various industries that grew up close to the waterways of the area

WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2014 ‘The Shrewsbury & Newport Canals and their restoration’

A talk by members of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust on these historic and unique canals

WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2015 ‘A look at the River Weaver through the ages’

The well-known local historian and author Colin EdmondsonT Talks are free to members of CCHT, IWA & SUCS. Non-members £2.50

Our thanks are extended to all those who supported our Branch raffle, drawn at the Chester Campaign Festival.

Here are the lucky winners:1st ABC Boat Hire 2nd Day Boat Hire 3rd Argos Voucher 4th M&S Voucher 5th Boots Voucher 6th Anderton Lift prize 7th Bottle of Wine 8th Bottle of Wine 9th Old Port Spar 10th Snowy Book

Rowand Francis, Deeside Bob Osborne, Winsford Jim Forkin, Nantwich Barbara Finch, Wallasey Ian Short, Neston Barry Houston, Connahs Quay Joan Munroe Kevin Rudd Dave Jones, Mollington M Rigby, Parkgate

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NEWS FROM MERSEYSIDE Manchester Ship Canal Developments Advance warning for motorists on swing bridge movements on the Manchester Ship Canal have been launched by Warrington Council and Peel Holdings hot on the heels of a forecast of over 700 vessel movements expected this year with over a hundred sailings scheduled for peak traffic periods. Twitter and Facebook facilities are in place to provide warnings 25 to 30 minutes before the swing bridges are due to open which will, hopefully, minimise disruption and delays.

The council maintain that informing road users in advance of bridge swings means that they will be able to make an informed decision as to either changing departure time to avoid the swing or use an alternative route. By reducing the number of vehicles using the three roads that cross the Manchester Ship Canal when a bridge swing is imminent will not only reduce congestion, but helps the environment by the reduction of harmful gases being emitted from standing vehicles.

The Daniel Adamson on view The 111-year-old SS Daniel Adamson, the UK's last steam tug tender, has been berthed at the Albert Dock for the first time in 90 years and was open to the public until September.

While it was moored by the Maritime Museum this summer, the public were able to visit the coal-fired tug’s engine room and also view the double-deck art deco saloon, fitted in 1936 and still awaiting restoration. The 350 gross ton tug, which was built in 1903 at Tranmere, is undergoing a 10-year restoration by Daniel Adamson Preservation Society volunteers in Sandon Dock, Bootle.

Daniel Adamson will be returned to full working order for public services on the Mersey, the Weaver and the Manchester Ship Canal next year if the Society is successful in landing a ÂŁ2.8m Heritage Lottery Fund grant later this year.

Sankey Canal visitors A swarm of Amazonian jellyfish have arrived at the Sankey Canal probably as a result of the seasonal hot weather.

The creatures, which originate form the South American rainforests, were discovered by an angler as he walked his dog in St. Helens recently and there are believed to be hundreds of the invertebrates floating in the waterway.

The Environment Agency said that these differ from the usual saltwater species as these live in fresh waters and they couldn’t explain how they ended up in the Sankey, suggesting that they probably were in tropical plants dumped in the canal or possibly contained in fishing bait .

Dave Smallshaw

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BRANCH WALKS

A Branch walk is held on the 4th Thursday of each month (except December) from October to May. Details of these can be obtained by ringing Ron Evans on 01928 788673 and will be published in the Packet Boat. All are welcome.

23 October—Higher Walton The walk starts at the Walton Arms Hotel (WA4 6TG) on the A56 2.5 miles south south west of Warrington town centre. It is approx. 3.7 miles following the towing path of the Bridgewater Canal, Delamere Way and Appleton Reservoir. OS Explorer 276, map reference 597 851

27 November—Northwich The Bowling Green pub, London Rd, Northwich, CW9 9AA, is the starting point then across Riversdale Bridge and Hunt’s Lock, passing through Marshall’s Arm nature reserve . Then we cross the river at Vale Royal Locks.

Distance 3.7 miles. OS Explorer 267, map ref. 657 732.

22 January—Little Neston Starting at the Lady Hamilton pub, Henley Rd. Little Neston CH64 0SG, the walk follows the marshy shoreline of the River Dee, turns inland past Ness Gardens and through Little Neston village. Approx. 3 miles. OS Explorer 266, map ref. 295.

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NEWS FROM THE SANKEY CANAL RESTORATION SOCIETY

By Colin Greenall News Round-Up, From the Sankey Canal Restoration Society Everything seems to be going well on the Sankey at the moment as you will gather from my report this time, let’s hope it continues.

Warrington “GOOD NEWS” Coastal Communities Grant for Fiddlers Ferry;Background to the project;-the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) aims to encourage the economic development of coastal communities in the UK by awarding funding to create sustainable economic growth and employment. Part of Warrington and Halton are classed under this programme as coastal communities due to their position in the Mersey Estuary, within the tidal zone. The area of Fiddlers Ferry and the Sankey Canal are part of this coastal area in Warrington.

The Project;-The successful partnership funding bid was made by the two local authorities (Warrington and Halton) in conjunction with the Sankey Canal Restoration Society. The Grant awarded is for £654,000 and is in two parts, the Capital Element of £375,000 is for the new wider electrically operated lift bridge which will replace the temporary bridge now in place at the site of the former Marsh House Swing Bridge, the rest of the funding will help support the existing businesses operating from the Riverside Trading Estate, Fiddlers Ferry Caravan Park and Sailing Club and The Marina and will create 2 direct jobs, up to 23 indirect jobs, offer 12 apprenticeships and 40 volunteering opportunities, and improve the canal environment.

Work on the new bridge is scheduled to start in October More work on Sustainable Transport Routes to Employment;- Fiddlers Ferry to Johnson’s lane crossing, and Newton Brook to Watery Lane;-Work on New footpath and fence set alongside the these two sections is now complete. coping stones of the in illed canal near Newton Brook The section of footpath /cycleway in St.Helens from Boardmans Lane to top of Old Double Locks is almost complete,

Halton New Mersey Gateway Bridge; - update, A small section of the canal was filled in at the end of May this was for the construction of the haul road to allow access to the marshes.

21 Another road is being constructed on the Runcorn side of the river for the same purpose, when these are completed work on the bridge can commence Some more good news we have recently received is that ”Merseylink” who are building the bridge have agreed to build a new swing bridge at Spike Island replacing the old railway swing bridge.

The infilled section of the Sankey Canal

Sankey Interlocks Project” Linking the Locks Ineos Chlor Grant £11,424 for interpretation panels (Mersey Forest) SCARS, with the assistance of Halton BC has been successful in obtaining funding to erect four interpretation panels around Spike Island, a second phase of this bid has been deferred until the next round of bids, this is for four benches and paving to accompany the panels Wren Bid; - for lock gates; - Halton BC with the assistance of SCARS is to submit an application to Wren Environmental for funding to repair the Lock gates at Spike Island.

The work will involve minor repairs to the outer stop plank grooves, minor gate repairs, dredging the lock chamber and outer cill area, clearance of the sluice culverts and the fitting of all new operating mechanisms.

Launch of DVD and website in May:- On Thursday 15th May the “Sankey Canal Interlocks” DVD was launched at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, and proved to be success with many influential members of the local councils and other organisations attending; the presentation was given to three groups, the first was for the pupils of Penketh High School who had helped with the making of the DVD, the second and third were for the other groups of attendees with a buffet lunch in between the sessions. In the afternoon those who didn’t have to go back to work had the opportunity to go on a guided work around Spike Island.

The project was made possible through the “Shared Heritage” scheme of HLF who gave a grant if £7,500 to Penketh High School’s media department. The project involved pupils from Penketh High and West Bank Primary Schools along with members of SCARS and the two local authorities to produce a DVD about the history and the potential benefits a restored waterway would bring to the area.

HLF Bid The Interlocks team is now putting together a £5 million bid for the restoration of the canal between Spike Island and Fiddlers Ferry; this will be submitted in August.

Work Parties at Old Double Lock; - Work has centred around the area at the top of the Old Double Locks at Blackbrook with a lot of vegetation clearance taking place and

22 the uncovering of more of the coping stone which had been a long time buried including a date stone 1885 on the end block of the lock by-wash the and the uncovering of a structure of great interest, the coal wharf used by Blackbrook Colliery.

Blackbrook Colliery Wharf EVENTS SCARS sales and exhibition marquee at Chester

The events team have been very busy taking the sales and exhibition marquee to various shows in the area—the biggest being the IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch Waterways Festival at Chester. This show had everything, lots of boats, good weather and crowds of people showed a great deal of interest in the work of the society and the canals in general.

Colin Greenall

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THE LATEST FROM MERSEY GATEWAY PROJECT The team working on the Mersey Gateway Project swapped shovels and JCBs for dinghies and fishing nets to rehome some 700 fish from one part of the St Helen’s Canal to another.

The work, carried out by aquatic survey specialist APEM, marked a change in pace for the construction project that is building a landmark £600 million bridge across the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes.

Carp, perch, roach, mullet and eels have all been moved to another part of the canal.

Victoria Pollard, Environmental Manager at Merseylink said: “To rescue the fish we used a specially designed tool that generates a mild electrical current to lure fish towards the nets. They were then transferred into a bucket of canal water on the dinghy before being rehomed back in another section of the canal.

If you would like to find out more about the Mersey GatewayProject please contact

By phone — call the Merseylink Info Phone Line 0333 200 1164 By email — info@merseylink.com Online — log on to www.merseygateway.co.uk OR BETTER STILL COME ALONG TO OUR MEETING AT THE BOAT MUSEUM ON TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER AT 7.45 AND SPEAK TO THE TEAM IN PERSON!

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CHESTER & MERSEYSIDE BRANCH PROGRAMME Branch meetings are held at 7.45 pm on the second Tuesday of the month in the Tom Rolt Conference Centre at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum A Branch walk is held on the 4th Thursday of each month (except December) from October to May. Details of these can be obtained by ringing Ron Evans on 01928 788673 and will be published in The Packet Boat.

All are welcome.

More details on Page 19.

2014 14 October

An Evening with Richard Parry, Chief Executive of Canal & River Trust Richard is happy to answer questions at the end of his presentation.

11 November ‘Taylors Boatyard, the story continues’ Geoff Taylor presents a new talk on the story of this famous boatyard 9 December 2015 13 January

10 February

A presentation by the Mersey Gateway Team followed by mince pies and a bumper raffle Journeys ‘Over the Water’ - the Mersey Ferries and their Destinations Ken Pye FRSA, Managing Director, Discover Liverpool ‘The Cotswold Canals, Past, Present and Future’ Martin Turner, Chairman, IWA Hereford & Gloucester Branch