North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch
KNOBSTICKS
Autumn 2021
Boats at Etruria Boat Gathering (See Pages 6-7) Photo: Steve Wood
Editorial Very little room for anything from me this issue. However please note that there will be two events over Heritage Open Days (September 18th-19th) that you might like to support: • Saturday 18th: Uttoxeter Canal Walk (See pages 14-15) • Sunday 19th: The People’s Port of Burslem (See pages 8-9) P.S. Work continues on the Cheshire Locks. Hopefully room for pictures next time.
Himalayan Balsam Bashing The branch resumed its battle against invasive Himalayan balsam this summer, with two work parties in the Churnet Valley during June. This nonnative species crowds out other plants and dies back in winter allowing erosion of river and canal banks, which then increases the need for dredging. The first work party was an evening session on the Leek Arm of the Caldon Canal near Longsdon, where volunteers cleared much of the Himalayan balsam growing on the embankment overlooking Deep Hayes. The second was on the Uttoxeter Canal where volunteers cleared swathes of the plant around Bridge 70 at Crumpwood. We were joined by CRT and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust volunteers for both. Visiting volunteer, Helen Chang, pulling up Himalayan balsam on the Leek Arm. Article & Photo: Alison Smedley
Region Quiz Prize handed over Ian Fletcher, who organised the region quiz which was reported in the last issue of Knobsticks, recently delivered the winning team's prize, a gold (painted) windlass, and I have now handed it over to Alan & Anne for safe keeping, and took a photo of them and Steve with it at Etruria at the weekend. There are plans for a region quiz again next year. Article & Photo: Alison Smedley Page 2
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Deputy Chairman’s Report gives an overview of 75 years of campaigning about the waterways, and the latest “Highlights of 2020” makes an interesting read – a surprising amount happened given that the waterways were in lockdown for much of the year. As well as boating on my boat on the River Great Ouse and the Middle Level recently, we have also managed a family holiday to Scotland, which also included bits of boating and waterway-related activities. This included a delightful full day’s excursion on board the paddle steamer Waverley along the Clyde estuary and down the coast to Arran.
With the Cheshire Locks monthly work party having already resumed in April, it was great when in June the branch had further work party activity starting up again, with a couple of Himalayan Balsam Bashes. The first was an evening session on the Leek Arm, followed by a day time work party on the Uttoxeter Canal. Activity has also resumed on the Burslem Arm (see reports elsewhere in this Knobsticks). In July it was then lovely to see some branch committee members, volunteers and IWA members at the Etruria Boat Festival (see Front Cover + pages 6-7). For most of us it was the first time we had seen each other in person since last year, so much catching up took place, in between talking to the public about our local waterway campaigns and projects. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the enclosures in the last two issues of “Waterways” magazine – the 75th anniversary pullout Autumn 2021
A day out on the paddle-steamer "Waverley" is always a fantastic experience . Page 3
Deputy Chairman’s Report Inspired by the recent re-launch of the IWA Waterway Directory (another national IWA publication, available as an online resource on the website) we visited some of the more obscure Scottish waterways which have been included this time around, including the abandoned Carlingwark Lane Canal in Galloway and the Fleet Canal up to Gatehouse of Fleet. The updated directory outlines all 7,000 miles of inland waterway ever built, and the new version includes many previously unlisted miles of abandoned waterway. Useful for finding out about long lost waterways in other parts of the country that you may find yourself visiting now that life seems to be getting back to normal! We visited the busy boating-centre of Balloch on Loch Lomond (home of the Maid of the Loch, recently pulled out of the water on its steam powered slipway) and had a trip boat cruise on the loch.
in terms of access, so we weren’t able to see it but we found some information about it in a museum. We also found 3 railways on the Isle of Skye – 2 abandoned long ago (for carrying marble and diatomite respectively from the hills to the coast), but the third is Skye’s only working railway – only about a quarter of a mile long and heads downhill over the cliff, for access to the hydro power station at the bottom! The most energetic part of the holiday was hiring bikes to cycle the length of the Caledonian Canal, from Inverness to Fort William (66 miles). We didn’t see much of the canal on the first day, as our route was mostly along B roads along the south side of Loch Ness, but day 2 involved cycling along the canal path alongside the sections of canal that link up the various lochs, with many boats and canoes on the move.
Auchinstarry on the Forth & Clyde Canal.
Lots of boats based on the River Leven at Balloch. The site of the Viking Loch na h-Àirde Canal on Skye proved to be a bit remote Page 4
We finished off our holiday with visits to the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies – both well worth a visit if you feel inspired to go canal-spotting in Scotland armed with the IWA Waterway Directory! (or even if you are not but just happen to be passing by on the M9!). KNOBSTICKS
Deputy Chairman’s Report Coming up in September we will be joining forces with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust again to host another Open Heritage event on the Uttoxeter Canal (see pages 12-13), and I look forward to seeing some of you there.
We are all looking forward to when we can resume our programme of talks and meeting in person, but until then I wish you all the best. Alison Smedley
The Kelpies near Grangemouth at the eastern end of the Forth & Clyde Canal Autumn 2021
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Etruria Boat Gathering Opposite Top: The branch joined forces with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust to share volunteers and stand space at the Etruria Boat Gathering over the weekend of 10th and 11th July. This was a slightly scaled down version of the usual early June annual event, with limited visitor numbers and other Covid-safe precautions in place on the site. On the stand we used face masks or shields when talking to the public inside the gazebo, along with liberal use of hand sanitiser after handling goods and change. Below: We took the opportunity to tell many visitors about our local campaigns and projects, and there was much interest in the large waterways map on the back of the IWA branded gazebo.
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Opposite Bottom: A highlight to finish off the weekend was when the Bollywood workshops which had been taking place all weekend elsewhere culminated in a mass Bollywood dance right in front of the branch stand. One of us (mentioning no names!) attempted to join in (having not actually attended the workshops) using an IWA tea towel instead of a brightly coloured scarf! Photos: Steve Wood Extended Captions: Alison Smedley [Ed—See also the picture on the Front Cover of just some of the boats moored alongside the site]
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Etruria Boat Gathering
Autumn 2021
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Heritage Open Days—The People’s Port of Burslem
Designers from “We are Culla” visit the site The abandoned Burslem Branch Canal Join the Trust and local residents for a (immortalised by Arnold Bennett in The celebratory unveiling of the new Card) has become a lost urban wilder- interpretative artworks created by “We ness since it burst its banks in the 1960s. are Culla” accompanied by musical performances by “Burslem Bakers Choir” The Burslem Port Trust, whose aim is to and “Bread Band”. restore and regenerate this arm of the canal to facilitate sustainable leisure, When? tourism, and employment, has commissioned local artists to create interpreta- Sunday 19th September (as part of tive works heralding their vision. Heritage Open Days) Page 8
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Heritage Open Days—The People’s Port of Burslem What is happening? Expect celebratory eclectic rhythms and canal songs in a tranquil green setting, accompanied by bird song and the lapping waters of the adjoining Trent and Mersey Canal. There will hopefully be a historic narrow boat as a stage, plus the sharing of bread, in celebration of the nearby Co-op bakery which originally flanked the canal in its heyday. “We are Culla” will create a billboard scale illustrated map installation to help promote and signpost the branch canal. There is also a chance to try out the art of screen printing, with free drop-in
workshops from “We are Culla” running throughout the day. Members of the Burslem Port Trust will be on hand to guide visitors around the site and to answer any questions about the potential re-establishment of the canal. Background The Trust also plans to lay a path along the Burslem Branch Canal route from the Trent and Mersey intersection later in the month. Volunteers are needed to help with path laying for the “Footsteps” project, so please visit the Burslem Port Trust website to get involved, or for any further information. Article & Photos: Steve Wood
The Boat Band—First site meeting Autumn 2021
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Burslem Port Work Parties receive very positive comments from passers-by and a couple of residents of Baskeyfield House, which overlooks the site, came out to see what we were doing and to thank us for our efforts. Over the coming sessions we aim to open the site out so that walkers can again easily get from the Trent & Mersey Canal all the way to the footbridge by the wharf.
Regular work parties on the Burslem Branch Canal are now well under way, as Burslem Port Trust have resumed their “Footsteps” project. The first of these began clearance of the entrance to the site, off Luke Street (see before and After photos above), in July and subsequent sessions, both planned and ad hoc with just a couple of volunteers have continued this work in recent weeks. It was very frustrating to see both the huge regrowth of vegetation and also the amount of rubbish that has been dumped on some areas, but our volunteers have already made great progress on both fronts. We are being assisted in vegetation clearance by an external contractor, funded by the “Footsteps” project, so our own volunteers are concentrating on the areas that cannot easily be reached with the mechanical flailer. It was lovely to Page 10
Note that the monthly Burslem Port work party has now changed to a new day. After some discussion between the returning volunteers is going to run on the first Friday of each month. Extra dates are being added in as tasks need to be completed and these are added to the diary on the Burslem Port Trust website https://burslemport.org.uk. Our initial focus is on getting the site ready for a public event on 19th September, details of which appear elsewhere, so there is quite a lot to do in a relatively short time. Article & Photos: Steve Wood
A view along the partially cleared towpath edge, 16th July. The new footpath will be laid adjacent to the original towpath edge, later this year KNOBSTICKS
The Social Scene We continue to live in interesting times and as a result, there are some changes to our proposed social calendar for the coming season. Sadly, with the Covid-19 crisis by no means over, we have decided not to restart face-to-face socials at the Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club this autumn, but to continue meeting online every other month, at least until Christmas. On October 8th we will have Mike Kelley from the Friends of the Cromford Canal. On 10th December, we will have a Zoom presentation on the restoration of the Daniel Adamson steam tender. This gorgeous ship is currently cruising the River Weaver below the Anderton Lift, so look out for her if you are boating on, or visiting, the river. Our speaker for February 2022, assuming we can meet in person, is John Potter from the Stafford Riverway Link, and Helen Gardner from WRG will join
us in April. Both are only provisional bookings dependent on the speakers, the Boat Club and our committee deciding we should be safe to go ahead. I would be interested to receive your views about how we plan our social events, as the online meetings have been very well-attended, including several new faces, although we have missed some friends who attended the Boat Club gatherings regularly. We could possibly adopt a “hybrid” pattern for future seasons, perhaps meeting online for December and February, when the weather is most likely to be poor and travelling less pleasant for us and our guests, and in person in October/ November and March/April. Email me with your ideas. Recommendations for future speakers – real or virtual - are also welcome. Sarah Honeysett
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Social Programme
North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch
All pre-Christmas talks will be held online via ZOOM (NOT at Stoke Boat Club) Friday 8th October – 7:45 for 8pm ONLINE via ZOOM The Cromford Canal Mike Kelley (from the Friends of the Cromford Canal) November – NO MEETING Friday 10th December – 7:45 for 8pm ONLINE via ZOOM The Daniel Adamson Les Green and Bob Cannell The early working life of this steam ship, the restoration work needed to save ‘The Danny’ and the ship’s new role as a tourist attraction
Post-Christmas we hope to resume talks in person at Stoke Boat Club (and also hold our annual dinner) [See Sarah’s article on page 19 for more information—Ed]
Remember: All 2022 dates are provisional Page 12
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Social Programme
All events below are provisional January 2022 provisionally– Date & Time TBA IWA NEW YEAR ANNUAL DINNER at The Rising Sun, Scholar Green Friday 11th February provisionally– 7:45 for 8pm The Stafford Riverway Link John Potter An update on the project to link Stafford to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Friday 11th March provisionally– 7:45 for 8pm Annual General Meeting followed by films presented by Alan Chetwyn. Friday 8th April provisionally– 7:45 for 8pm The Waterway Recovery Group Helen Gardner A look at some of WRG’s recent projects 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 but see note on previous page !!! For further information contact: Sarah Honeysett (01782 772295) socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk or visit the branch webpages at: www.waterways.org.uk Autumn 2021
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Heritage Open Days—Uttoxeter Canal Walk
Crumpwood Flood Lock— Normally inaccessible, but available to visit on this day. In the background is the normally closed Footbridge which will also be open. Learn about the Uttoxeter Canal with this self-guided walk. Members from Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust and Inland Waterways Association North Staffs & South Cheshire Branch will be waiting at key points along the canal between Denstone and Alton to talk about some of the history and features of the canal and to explain work that has recently taken place on the Canal, from a “safe distance” (i.e. in line with the current Covid-19 government guidelines) . Additionally, there will be the opportunity to cross the normally closed footbridge at Crumpwood Weir and visit the flood lock at the South end of the weir. Page 14
Background Between 2012 and 2016, supported by our partners in the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership and the National Lottery, our volunteers have restored the last standing bridge on the canal, as well as relaying the adjacent section of towpath and reinstating the missing mileposts along the full 13 miles of the canal. Since these initial projects, we have expanded our vision, opening out more than half a mile of canal and towpath as well as uncovering a buried lock and other structures. Trust volunteers will be on hand to explain our ideas for the next stage of this ambitious project. KNOBSTICKS
Heritage Open Days—Uttoxeter Canal Walk the two villages. Follow the relaid towpath from here to the bridge, lock weir and pumping station. There is an additional site closer to Alton, also accessed from the railway line. Signposts will be in place and volunteers will be on hand to guide visitors. When? Saturday 18th September: 12-4 No booking required Relaid Towpath Where? Walk along the former railway line from either Alton or Denstone until reaching milepost 23, roughly half way between
Organised by
Article & Photos: Steve Wood
Crumpwood Weir Autumn 2021
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Uttoxeter Work Party
After a very long break due to COVID, we tentatively made a start on work parties, with a Himalayan Balsam bashing session near to Bridge 70 at Crumpwood.
vegetation, not just the Himalayan balsam but our volunteers had a really good go at it and the area around Bridge 70 was looking much better by the end the afternoon.
Ongoing COVID-related restrictions meant a few small changes to the structure of the day, with the most noticeable one perhaps being the lack of shared snacks at lunchtime! It was great to be joined for the day by some of the local Canal & River Trust volunteers, along with their volunteer team leader, Beth. This also meant we had the use of CRTs welfare van, which was much appreciated.
A date for the resumption of regular work parties has not yet been set, this event was one of a set of specific Himalayan Balsam bashing activities across the area, with IWA, CUCT and CRT volunteers working together.
As expected, in the almost 18 months since we did any work in the area there has been very significant regrowth of all Page 16
If you are interested in being kept informed about future Caldon and Uttoxeter Canal work parties, please sign up to the mailing list on the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust website https://cuct.org.uk
Article & Photo: Steve Wood KNOBSTICKS
The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear
When Sonning went to Sonning Hello everyone – it’s Sonning here! I was going to write about a journey we bears made to Manchester and back on Uplander II, which happened a couple of years ago, but I had such an exciting adventure this summer, I’ve decided to tell you all about that instead. It started with a return visit to the village of Sonning, where my human guardians (Polar and Grizzly) found me in the summer of 2017, in an elderberry tree beside the River Thames. I was sad to see that my tree has been cut down, but I was still able to show my fellow bears where I was found and our “Hug” of small bears was founded. By the way, you might have noticed that we have gained two extra bears since my Autumn 2021
last article. Little Waverley came all the way from Scotland, where he used to do fund-raising for a famous steamboat (Ed— see photo on page 3), while Huddlesford was found in a very muddy condition beside the Coventry Canal (at Huddlesford) at the start of Polar and Grizzly’s recent narrowboat journey around the West Midlands. However, our visit to Sonning wasn’t just to allow me to show my friends where I was found. Polar and Grizzly had been invited to join Grizzly’s second cousin Dominic and his in-laws on a very special journey on the Thames, aboard a delightful little boat called Duet. Duet is an historic steam launch, built in 1901 and owned by Mr Dominic’s father-inlaw, Mr Robin Wodehouse, and his friend Mr John Puddy. Page 17
The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear Mr Dominic and Mr John launched Duet onto the river at Wargrave, then steamed upstream to collect us at Sonning, before steaming back to towards Henley to collect the other passengers. I skipped and cheered when I saw her coming along the river towards us.
Polar had already explained to us bears that we couldn’t all come on the journey, because there would be about a dozen other people, including some human cubs, and picnic things to fit onto quite a small boat, and a risk that if too many small bears were running about, one of us might be lost overboard without it being noticed for some time. I suggested Hanley should go, because he likes science and engines, but he said it should be me because I’m the Knobsticks reporter bear, and the other bears agreed.
Soon after we were aboard, Mr John told Polar she could take the tiller to steer the boat. Being smaller and lighter than Page 18
Uppie, Polar found it very easy to manoeuvre and quick to change course. Duet has a wheel as well, which Mr John had been using from his engineer’s seat next to the boiler. I was going to ask if I could try steering with that, as it was just about small enough for a little bear, but I found I couldn’t see around the engine, so left the steering to the humans.
It was a very warm, sunny Sunday afternoon, so there were plenty of other boats on the river and, when we got to the locks, we found queues of big fibreglass boats waiting to use them, as well as narrowboats and Dutch-style barges.
“Oh no,” I thought, “We will be late collecting the other humans and they might eat the picnic before we get to them!” but Mr John sounded the whistle to let the lockkeepers know there was a steamboat on the river, and the lockkeepers waved us forward, past all KNOBSTICKS
The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear the other boats. Mr John was able to slow the engine right down so we could creep into the locks very carefully, and we gave the lockkeepers a loud “toot, toot!” from the whistle to thank them for letting us in.
Puddy, who is a very clever engineer, has made some repairs and improvements too, including some condensing equipment to re-use the steam. I liked being able to watch the engine, although I wished I could show it to Hanley Bear.
When we got to Henley, Mr John and Mr Dominic took off several bags of coal, for more journeys later in the week, and then the other passengers got on. I was very pleased to see that they hadn’t eaten the picnic! There were bags and coolboxes full of scrummy food and drink, which had to be packed in around ten grown-up humans and three human cubs, including Mr Dominic’s little baby daughter, Florence. Polar advised me to get into the Bear Bag (which she was also using for her camera things). Luckily, we weren’t going very far and there were no locks between us and our picnic spot.
Duet has a twin cylinder compound steam engine, built around 1900 by Guy of Cowes, and a vertical cross tube coal fired boiler by Philip Harrison of Wraysbury, built in 1969. Mr John Autumn 2021
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear It is quite different mooring on the river to mooring on a canal. When we had decided where we wanted to stop, Mr John pulled in alongside the riverbank and found some trees he could tie Duet’s ropes around, and everyone had to climb up over the tree roots to get to the field. Then a man in a boat arrived and charged us money for mooring there, so I gave him a Hard Stare!
boat and I found a comfortable spot resting against a straw hat. It was extra warm there, as I was right next to the boiler and the “Windermere Kettle”!
It’s hungry work out on the river being a reporter for Knobsticks, so I was very pleased when Polar brought me some bread and tasty, herby salad, then some fresh fruit. While we were having our picnic, the steamer Alaska passed by. She is much bigger than Duet and even older, being built in 1883.
After a lovely afternoon by the river, it was time to go back to Henley. On the way back, Polar sat in the bow of the Page 20
I really enjoyed my return visit to Sonning and think I am a very lucky bear indeed to have been out on the Thames in an historic steam launch with so many kind and friendly humans. Article: Sonning Bear 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
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North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts President: Chris Skelhorne Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com Deputy Chairmen Alison Smedley 01538 385388 allie.smedley@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Alan Chetwyn (No Email)
01782 279277
Secretary VACANT (Use secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk) Sales Officer VACANT Use steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Social Secretary Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk Publicity Officer Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk
Web and Social Media Officer: Peter Smedley 01538 385388 webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk
Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0BL Planning VACANT (Use planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk) Membership Officer Julie Arnold membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk Navigation Officer Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Burslem Port Work Party Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Cheshire Locks Work Party John Lawson 07940 878923 john.lawson@waterways.org.uk Other committee member: None 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 March, June, September & December 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. © The Inland Waterways Association - Registered as a charity no. 212342 www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire Autumn 2021 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) This work party has not yet resumed on a regular basis, however events are being arranged as required. If you would like to be involved, get in touch with Steve Wood
• Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent
(working in partnership with Burslem Port Project) 1st Friday 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
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