Inland Waterways Association - IWA North Stafford & South Cheshire Knobsticks Summer 2019

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS

Summer 2019

Newly installed post at The Wharf in Uttoxeter

Photo: Philip Balfour

Editorial

Summer finally seems to have arrived with the start of May. Last week I was wearing a thick jumper. This week I changed down to a thinner one and, after doing a quick spot of “gardening” today, have removed even that one!

Of course, a few weeks ago, it was the other end of the boat causing me problems, as our cherry tree was in full bloom and the falling blossom was landing on the roof and sticking like glue to the paintwork.

When I say “gardening”, it is because I don’t know the correct word to actually use. As you probably remember, our boat is moored on the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union, and for most of 2018 she was away whilst the canal lay empty after the “Middlewich Breach”. The water is back, and the boat is home again, but the canal near her now has sprouted a good growth of foliage (see picture above).

Perhaps I should go cruising instead of moaning!

Ed

The mud bank below the surface meant that even my chest waders weren’t long enough for me to safely wade out and pull up the foliage. Luckily an extending pole (fitted with a cutting blade intended for lopping tree branches) did the job!

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Deputy Chairman’s Report It would be great if any members who visit the event could pop along and say hello, especially if you’ve not met any of the committee before. It’s a good way of finding out in more detail what the branch gets up to, and the event should be another great day out with food, music and activities taking place.

I hope everyone has been enjoying the good weather and exploring our local waterways, whether on foot, by bicycle, canoe or larger boat.

The most important update for our branch members is that since the last issue of KNOBSTICKS we’ve had to change the date for our Silver Propeller Campaign event on the Caldon Canal.

The good news is that there is still a waterways event to attend that weekend (8th & 9th June), and that we’ll be taking the branch stand (and some of us will be taking our boats) to the Bollington Boat and Folk Weekend (which is just outside our branch area) and looks to be a fun weekend of music and other attractions.

The weekend before (1st & 2nd June) we’ll be at the Etruria Canals Festival with the branch stand, alongside the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canal Trust’s stand.

Summer 2019

We are pleased to be hosting the IWA National AGM this year in September and hope that lots of our branch members will take the opportunity to come along while it’s in our home patch.

As well as the formal business of the AGM there will be some interesting presentations and the awarding of the annual IWA trophies (all in the morning). The afternoon will feature optional visits to Middleport Pottery and Burslem Port which give us an opportunity to show IWA members from all over the country what Stoke-on-Trent has to offer to visitors, as well as showcasing one of the canal regeneration projects that our branch supports.

The AGM will be part of the re-arranged Caldon Canal Campaign Challenge event (28th & 29th September). The weekend will include a fundraising garden fete on the Sunday in Denford, and boats being encouraged to visit both ends of the canal. For more details about this event see pages 4-5. Those without boats will have the opportunity to explore around Hazelhurst and Denford on foot, and to learn about the history of the canals in that area with a self-guided walk leaflet which we hope to launch at the event.

The weekend will provide a perfect opportunity for working in partnership with some of the other waterway organisations in our branch area • with Burslem Port Trust for the Saturday afternoon site visit.

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Deputy Chairman’s Report • •

with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust on the Sunday fundraising event. and we hopefully also have the support of Stoke on Trent Boat Club too.

If you are involved with any other local organisations who would like to get involved, do please get in touch. I look forward to seeing many of you at these events and elsewhere on our waterways over the summer.

and taking down the gazebos, sales and display boards (at each end of the day) and during the event with sales (including IWA’s new branded merchandise), or with chatting to people about our local waterways. It doesn’t matter if you think your knowledge about our branch projects is limited, just an enthusiasm about the local waterways is all it needs to get a conversation started!

If you would like to volunteer at one of the following events, please get in touch with Alison Smedley (by email at Alison Smedley alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk ) as Deputy Chairman she will be drawing up the rotas for the stand at each of the events :-

BRANCH STAND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Fancy a day out at one of the waterway events in the branch and surrounding area? Why not volunteer your time for a couple of hours to help on the branch stand. Help is needed with setting up

• Etruria Canals Festival (1st & 2nd June) • Bollington (7th & 8th June) • Caldon Canal Campaign Challenge (Sunday 29th September) Alison Smedley

Caldon Canal Campaign Challenge The date of this event has changed due a clash with the Bollington Boat and Folk Weekend, so we will now be holding our Silver Propeller Campaign Challenge event on the Caldon Canal over the weekend of 28th and 29th September.

The change of date led us to reflect upon that being the weekend five years ago when we held the Caldon 40 celebrations, so that weekend would be the 45th anniversary of the reopening of the Caldon Canal.

So we offered to host the IWA National AGM in our branch again, like we did on that occasion.

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The plan for the weekend is as follows :Saturday 28th September Morning - IWA AGM at St Thomas More Catholic Academy, Longton, Stoke-onTrent.

Afternoon – Optional visits to Burslem Port and Middleport Pottery.

Evening – Some sort of gathering, yet to be decided.

sociable

Look out for further details of all these aspects of the weekend in Waterways magazine and the next KNOBSTICKS. KNOBSTICKS

Caldon Canal Campaign Challenge Sunday 29th September 12 noon to 4pm A garden fete/fundraising event at Denford.

• People are encouraged to visit by boat, on foot or by car.

• Games, sales and activities.

• Refreshments will be available.

Again, directions and further details will be available in the next issue of KNOBSTICKS. If anyone would like to bring a stall to the event please contact me at : alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk (or see page 23 for phone number) Boating to the Silver Propeller locations Over the weekend (and on the days either side) boaters are encouraged to visit the two IWA Silver Propeller Challenge locations in our branch area – Froghall and Leek. To avoid congestion there is no specific timetable for this, but the boating can be done to peoples’ own timing around the events on the Saturday and Sunday.

Denford is at the junction of the Leek Arm and the main line and so moorings are available on both canals for those wishing to visit the Sunday garden fete.

More details, including boating times and local information, can be found on the IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch pages of the IWA website at: www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire/ caldon_canal_campaign_challenge Summer 2019

IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge Each terminus of the Caldon Canal (Leek and Froghall) has been included in the Silver Propeller Challenge (and this event) as both have campaigning issues: At Froghall the campaign is about the headroom through the tunnel, and whether something can be done about this in order to enable more boats to reach the top lock and basin of the Uttoxeter Canal the other side of the tunnel. Both the branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust are keen to explore potential solutions with CRT and there is some funding ringfenced for a survey of the tunnel.

Meanwhile at the end of the Leek Arm …. following on from the dredging carried out by CRT over the winter, the plan is to find out how effective this dredging has been in terms of allowing boats to now turn at the very end of the Leek Arm by the aqueduct over the Churnet, as well as campaigning for improved moorings and facilities to encourage people to stop and visit the market town of Leek.

More details about IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge (to visit at least 20 locations out of a list of over 40) can be found on the IWA website at www.waterways.org.uk/silverpropeller To register your interest in taking part in the event in the Caldon Canal September 2019 event, or to get involved in the planning of the weekend, please contact Alison Smedley by email at : alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk Alison Smedley Deputy Chairman Page 5

Burslem Port actually be taking a step towards reinstatement of the waterway.

But this is only a beginning. Before we can achieve funding to complete the restoration, we need it to show that we are “shovel ready”. There are a number of issues to be resolved and steps to be taken.

I am pleased to note that the City Council Officers have agreed to help us with Land acquisition, advice to help with Planning permission and the resolution of the drainage issues.

“Footsteps” Project Map Getting shovel ready The recent award of a grant of £45,000 from the City of Stoke-on-Trent Council Community Investment Fund, plus £5,000 from the Canal and River Trust is very welcome as, after 20+ years of campaigning, we can actually start on some meaningful work towards reopening the Burslem Branch Canal.

The creation of a footpath along the line of the former towpath will be done in such a way that the new path will be on a level equating to the current level of the Trent & Mersey Canal. So, as well as putting up information boards to bring the Branch history to life, we will Page 6

But there are other matters which we need to progress to fully achieve our goal. Firstly, up-dating the engineering study. When AECOM did their engineering study in 2003, they were unaware of the existence of the wash-wall, which was buried beneath the undergrowth.

You can find full details of their work on our website at the following address :www.burslemport.org.uk/engineeringstudy-2011 Since then, we now have a more accurate idea of the line of the canal and we need to take account of the substantial concrete remains of the wash-wall which was being built up to compensate for mining subsidence under the arm.

We will also need to take account of the earthworks resulting from the current “Footsteps” project. In order to be ready to engage contractors to undertake the work, the study itself needs to form the basis of substantial design work. At current costs, this is estimated to be in the region of £35,000.

In addition, AECOM did not have access to the area at the end of the arm which is owned by the Canal and River Trust and KNOBSTICKS

Burslem Port let out by them to a business in Manchester.

Consequently, the engineering study only gave a notional idea of the shape of this area, and did not take into account the need for turning boats and creating a mooring area at the end. Developing plans for the basin at the end of the branch could further add to the cost of design work.

Another item which needs more consideration is deciding on the best treatment of the extant wharf and warehouse, currently in use as a waste transfer station. Various ideas have been put forward ranging from restoring the warehouse and buildings for community use, through developing the wharf area with boutique shops, to digging out the wharf to become an additional basin for mooring boats.

Our 2011 Pamphlet indicated many leisure developments as possibilities for this site, including cycle and canoe hire, a café and a children’s play area.

Need for outside help All the above require skills and time beyond the resources of the current Trustees. The Peter Brett Study mentioned the need to develop the Trust’s capacity. We are already beginning to attract more volunteers with the Footsteps project. It is generally agreed that, to progress the matters mentioned above, we will need the services of an experienced Project Manager. We would need to raise funds to pay for his/her salary. This post could perhaps be combined with the design work.

Once we have carried out the majority of tasks mentioned above, only then would we be “shovel ready” to take advantage Summer 2019

of any end-of-financial-year funding windfalls or to seek funding from lotteries and charities.

Taking things forward The Trustees are working hard to make progress on most of these matters.

Meanwhile, anyone who feels they can help is encouraged to contact me.

Roger Savage (Chairman, Burslem Port Trust) Background to “Footsteps” The Burslem Port "Footsteps" project aims to provide a walkway from the Trent and Mersey Canal along the line of the Burslem Branch Canal. The walkway will provide interpretation linked to the areas heritage along with information on the future for the potential reestablishment of the canal arm, work on developing the heritage sites and the development of the surrounding green space.

The work will be undertaken by an active group of volunteers co-ordinated by Burslem Port Trust and will build on that previously undertaken by the volunteers to remove some of the vegetation and expose the line of the old canal. The activity to date has already created interest within the community some of whose members have become volunteers on work parties helping to control the vegetation. The improved access has also increased footfall in the area plus, Feral Spaces an artist led, child centred, place making project have increased their use of the area to undertake activities with children from Stoke on Trent.

Ed (from Burslem Port Trust website) Page 7

Uttoxeter Canal news

A view across the collapsed towpath near Alton, photographed during the WRG NW weekend 8-9 December 2018. The concrete pipe in the centre foreground previously carried water overflowing from the canal but the land around this has washed away due to lack of maintenance.

In November we explored a little more of the spill weir and, over the weekend, our WRG friends winched out tree roots around the structure, meaning that we can start to plan a more comprehensive excavation of the structure. Before this can be done, however, we will be consulting archaeologists to take advice on how best to proceed.

In December we hosted another hugely successful weekend in the company of our friends from the Waterway Recovery Group. A team from WRG North West completed the clearance of fallen trees and larger vegetation along the Page 8

remaining section of towpath adjacent to Alton Towers.

Now that the heavy clearance has been done it is possible to properly look at this section of towpath and canal to see what work needs to be done. One very obvious challenge is that the towpath is divided into two where a section has collapsed and washed away into the adjacent mill stream, meaning that we presently have two dead-end paths. We are already looking at how this obstruction can be overcome so that walkers can use this lovely section of towpath once more.

KNOBSTICKS

Uttoxeter Canal news

Our December work party made great progress, as this before and after photo (above) shows.

Summer 2019

In February we started cutting back vegetation regrowth on the offside of the canal at Bridge 70 site (below) .

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Uttoxeter Canal news In addition to this, a small dig was done on the opposite side of the bridge where it was suspected that another spill weir may be located, based on a study of old maps. Rob soon found the location and within a short time had confirmed that this was indeed the case. A small amount of stonework was found, partially buried under tree roots. It is amazing that such features persist, given that the canal closed in 1849, but is a tribute to the navvies who worked on this section that so much of their handywork has survived despite no maintenance in 170 years.

One of our aims for this year is to improve management of the area around the lock and bridge, as this became slightly neglected when we moved onto the Alton section last year. There has been some discussion about starting a sub-group specifically to maintain the Crumpwood section, so that more regular work parties can easily be held (and without me needing to be there to lead!)

As some of you will already know, we have had discussions about a possible tool store using an unused building on site which will make this a lot easier.

There is no update on this yet, but watch this space. If you are interested in joining our Crumpwood group, and especially if you do not already come to our work parties, I'd really like to hear from you and we will let you know as our plans come together.

This is a beautiful area and a small dedicated group really could make it look lovely if they were able to visit more regularly, without the need for any overly physical work.

Uttoxeter milepost installed (See Cover Photo) Our project to reinstate all the mileposts on the Uttoxeter Canal reached a significant point in April with the installation of Milepost 30 at The Wharf in Uttoxeter. This means that four of the six newest mileposts have now been installed and that only three remain to be installed along the full 13-mile length of the canal.

The Trust installed five of the six missing mileposts between Froghall and Denstone as part of a project within the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership in 2016. The sixth post has been cast, but not installed, as it is to go into a position not presently accessible to the public between Froghall and Oakamoor. It will be installed at a later date when this section of towpath is reinstated. The present project, fully funded by CUCT members and supporters, will reinstate all six missing mileposts between Denstone and Uttoxeter.

In a couple of places, where the original milepost location has become inaccessible through later developments, we are installing the new posts nearby on publicly accessible routes so that walkers can follow them. When this project is complete the Trust will be promoting a pedestrian route from Uttoxeter into the Churnet Valley along the line of mileposts which will initially reach to Oakamoor, and eventually to Froghall.

Thank you to our supporters who contributed funds and our volunteers, led by Philip Balfour, who have delivered from CUCT Newsletters the project.

Photos: Steve Wood Steve Wood

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Social Programme

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Friday 11th October – 7.45 for 8pm Steve Wood Burslem Port update Friday 8th November – 7.45 for 8pm Brian Nelson Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Society See Sarah’s “Social Scene” report (on the next page) for a very brief overview of the rest of the season. Full details on this page next issue.

Admission to talks is FREE Donations to waterway causes welcome!

Refreshments available.

Non-IWA members are very welcome Venue (unless otherwise stated): Stoke on Trent Boat Club Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST9 9DU For further information contact: Sarah Honeysett (01782 772295) socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk or visit the branch webpages at: www.waterways.org.uk Page 12

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Social Programme

The Social Scene Spring 2019 Our social season ended last month (April) after a varied, informative and entertaining programme of presentations. Once again, I would like to thank Gillian Watson for choosing, contacting and booking such excellent speakers.

Recent Talks In February, we enjoyed hearing of Chris Leah’s adventures establishing the Wooden Canal Boat Society, from the early days salvaging near-wrecks of boats and living in Spartan conditions while restoring them, to the thriving project with a busy yard near Stalybridge, base at Portland Basin, six boats and a charity shop.

They even run a monthly recycling cruise, collecting clothes, household goods and bric-a-brac from residents along the Ashton Canal. The society’s commitment to their local community, through work experience opportunities and wellbeing initiatives, is impressive.

Our AGM happened in March, with Steve Wood taking us through a review of our branch’s activities over the year before we shared some more of Alan Chetwyn’s movie memories, this time of a cruise from Endon to Bingley in the mid-1990s.

The last of our speakers for this season was Bill Walker with his Four Ages of the Canals. Dressed in a fine traditional Victorian boatman’s costume, he treated us to a lively account of waterways Summer 2019

history, full of wit and amusing anecdotes, including the suggestion that the Duke of Bridgwater might never have become interested in building canals had he not been dumped by his lady-love!

Next Season I have nearly finished organising our next season, so here is a quick overview.

Look out for full details and your social diary card in the next edition of KNOBSTICKS .

Our social meetings will begin again in October, on our usual second Friday of the month.

The first talk will be by Steve Wood updating us on what promises to be a busy summer at Burslem Port.

We’ll be welcoming Brian Nelson from the Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Society in November.

In December, we have a speaker from the Arkwright Society with a presentation on the history of Cromford’s mills.

In the New Year we can look forward to our annual dinner in January.

In February there will be a talk on Little Venice and the Cavalcade Festival.

We will hold our AGM in March, and will try to arrange another interesting talk for afterwards.

Our season will finish with a talk on the restoration of the Daniel Adamson steam tender in April.

Sarah Honeysett (Social Secretary and Publicity Officer) Page 13

Cheshire Locks work party

Just a few “action” pictures this issue of us working on the Lawton Flight.

Above: Metal top gate of Lock 49 being prepared for repainting. A relatively quick job, simply requiring a wire brush and the occasional use of a scraping tool on the worst patches.

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Below: Wooden bottom gates being scraped down. This took us several hours as the wrong paint had been used the previous time they were painted. We think that they had probably used Hammerite which meant that water couldn’t escape and the wood was starting to rot.

KNOBSTICKS

Cheshire Locks work party

Above: Lock Ladder of Lock 50 being prepared. This is another job that can take a lot of preparation to make sure that the finished paintwork will last for a few years.

Summer 2019

Below: A finished bollard.

Why not come along and help us. See back cover for dates and contact details.

Photos: John Lawson

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New IWA Branded Merchandise

We are very excited to be one of a handful of IWA branches trialling some new IWA branded merchandise. There are mugs, tea towels, notebooks, pens, bags, bookmarks, badges and coasters!

See facing page for prices.

The designs all feature elements of the new IWA brand and would make great presents while at the same time promoting IWA. Those who came along to the last social meeting of the year were among the first IWA members in the country to have the opportunity to buy these items, and the rest of you can buy yours at any of the events we’ll be taking the branch stand to over the summer (Etruria Canals Festival – 1st & 2nd June, Bollington – 7th & 8th June, IWA National AGM and Caldon Canal Campaign Challenge – 28th & 29th September).

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Contacts within the West Midlands Region of CRT Now we’ve got our regional management team in place, we’d like to introduce them to you, and briefly explain their roles.

For any enquiry, please start with our general enquiries address : enquiries.westmidlands @canalrivertrust.org.uk or phone us on 0303 040 4040. That way your enquiry will be properly logged, and we can make sure you are going through to the right person.

Rebecca Whitehouse is Regional Operations Manager, with responsibility for the operations teams across the region, managing the Area Operations Managers, Reactive Response and Contracts Manager. Rebecca’s team also includes most volunteers, including Volunteer Lock Keepers and Towpath Taskforce.

Tom Freeland is Boating & Customer Service Manager, with responsibility for boat licensing, front of house and customer service support. This now includes the Boat Licensing Customer Support team for the region. Tom’s team are the first point of contact for enquiries and updates.

Ian Lane is Head of Operational Projects, with responsibility for Community Roots projects (in Coventry and the Black Country), destination development & management, as well as our involvement in Coventry City of Culture and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. If you’re involved with any of our big projects, you’ll be working with Ian’s team.

Ani Sutton is Community Engagement Manager, leading volunteering and education, and our expanding youth and events programme. This now includes towpath fundraising for the region.

Summer 2019

You’ll see Ani’s team at canal & community events, as well as leading school and youth activities.

Richard Preston is Partnerships & External Relationships Manager, with responsibility for engagement with funders, authorities and businesses, campaigns and communications. Richard’s team will be familiar to those of you working with us on fundraising or formal projects.

Audrey O’Connor is Heritage & Environment Manager, leading our team of expert ecologist, environmental scientists and heritage advisors. Audrey’s team provide the advice and support to ensure that whatever happens in the region delivers for wildlife and history.

We all look forward to getting to know you at events, networks and out on the waterways this summer.

Press Release (Canal & River Trust West Midlands)

According to the maps on the Canal and River Trust website, their West Midlands region covers those canals in our branch area which are south of the junction of the Macclesfield Canal and the Trent & Mersey Canal (and hence includes Harecastle Tunnel).

The other waterways in our branch area are covered by the North West region.

We haven’t had a list of their contacts yet, but their email address will be : enquiries.northwest @canalrivertrust.org.uk or use the same phone number (which is common to all regions).

Ed Page 17

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear the point where the River Soar joined the Trent, it was hard to make progress.

They just about struggled into the big lock at Cranfleet but, when they stopped for water at Sawley Marina, Sonning’s human guardian Grizzly discovered they had an oil leak.

‘Oh no!’ cried the small bear. ‘What will we do now?’.

Sonning gets to Staffordshire

Luckily, Sonning’s human guardians have breakdown insurance for Uppie. An engineer came out later that day and fixed the problem. Sonning was very impressed at how quickly Uppie's engine had been repaired and decided he would like to be a boat mechanic.

After his adventure in Nottingham, Sonning the bear and his human crew had to bring Uplander II back up the River Trent. Uppie doesn't have a very big engine and, when they got back to Page 18

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear A couple of days later Sonning got some work experience, as the alternator broke down! Another engineer came out to replace that.

Sonning put on his overalls in case the engineer needed any help, but it needed a lot more than the strength of a small bear to take out the old alternator and fix a new one in place, so Sonning decided he needed a different career.

Polar and Grizzly explained to Sonning that they were now in Staffordshire, the county where he was going to live. The little bear didn't know whether to be excited at being close to his new home or sad that his boat journey was coming to an end.

‘Maybe I could be a writer?’ he thought.

While they had been waiting for Uppie to be repaired, Sonning’s human guardian, Polar, finished painting a big watering can. This made a good look-out for Sonning, stood on the table in the cratch, although he had to be careful not to fall inside it!

As soon as Uppie was better, they continued their journey along the canal.

At first, the locks were wide ones with heavy gates. These were hard work, even for Polar, who is a big human. After Burton-upon-Trent, however, the locks were just wide enough for one boat and much easier to work. Some of them had little brick bridges right below them.

At Alrewas, they went back onto the River Trent for a little way. The water was very clear and, looking over the side, Sonning could see lots of fish. They had to stay away from a big weir here, so the little bear was very glad Uppie's engine had been repaired.

When they got to Fradley Junction, Polar and Grizzly had completed the big loop Summer 2019

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear of their journey down to London and were back on familiar waters. It was still all new and exciting to little Sonning.

They spent several days journeying north and west through Staffordshire.

Sometimes there were dark clouds and rain, but Sonning didn’t mind. There were lots of animals and birds to see, including a very bold kingfisher perched on the back of a boat who didn't fly away when they went past!

Polar used some felt to make Sonning a duffle coat, which he loved because it reminded him of Paddington's coat and kept him snug in the cold autumn winds, especially if he put the hood up to cover his ears.

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Sonning knew he was close to Stoke-onTrent when he saw the big Wedgwood factory. He had almost reached The Potteries, but his boating adventure still wasn’t over…

Photos: Sarah Honeysett

KNOBSTICKS

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The Swan Inn Stafford Street, Stone Two minutes from bridge 93 at Star Lock

Serving 10 Real Ales & Scrumpy Cider Bar Snacks available Beer Garden Page 22

KNOBSTICKS

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts President: Chris Skelhorne Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com Deputy Chairmen Alison Smedley 01538 385388 alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Alan Chetwyn (No Email) 01782 279277

Web-site Liaison Alison Smedley 01538 385388 webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk Planning VACANT (Use planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk) Membership Officer Ju Davenport membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Navigation Officer Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Burslem Port Work Party Secretary Steve Wood 07976 805858 Judith Turner 07789 518816 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties Sales Officer VACANT Steve Wood 07976 805858 Use steve.wood@waterways.org.uk steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Cheshire Locks Work Party Social Secretary 07940 878923 Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 John Lawson john.lawson@waterways.org.uk socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk Other committee members: Publicity Officer Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 Julie Arnold publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk Maria Frost Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0BL

Rob Frost Roger Savage

West Midlands Region Chairman Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 westmidlands@waterways.org.uk

The Branch committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Stoke Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 9DU. All Branch members are invited to attend.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association, the West Midlands Region, or our Branch.

They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. Š The Inland Waterways Association - Registered as a charity no. 212342 www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire Summer 2019 Page 23

Join Us on a Canal Work Party

Our Branch runs 3 work parties each month, helping to maintain and restore our local canals :-

• Cheshire Locks (Trent & Mersey Canal, Kidsgrove to Wheelock)

(jointly organised with the Trent and Mersey Canal Society) 3rd Thursday of each month (except December), 10am to 3pm.

Contact: John Lawson Phone: 07940 878923 Email: john.lawson@waterways.org.uk

• Uttoxeter Canal (Bridge 70, near Denstone — or near Alton)

(working in partnership with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust) 2nd Thursday of each month, 10am to 3pm.

Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk

• Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent

(working in partnership with Burslem Port Project) 4th Tuesday of each month, 10am to 3pm.

Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk ——————————–————-—————————-————— See the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk under “Events” for dates.

Volunteers are advised to wear stout shoes and old clothes, and to bring waterproofs (and a packed lunch and drink if staying all day) Page 24

KNOBSTICKS