Knobsticks - Spring 2024

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS

Spring 2024

Abseilers at work inspecting Croxton Aqueduct

Photo: Roger Evans

Editorial As usual our social programme is set out on the centre pages. Sarah is just starting to organise our next season and would be very pleased to take onboard your suggestions. So now is your chance to get your favourite topic or speaker onto our list of talks for 2024-25.

If you have any ideas for a good location for next year’s annual dinner in the north of our branch area, then Alison (page 3) is asking you to let Sarah know.

Finally, I was sent the picture below by John Lawson of “Snowbow over the canal at Rode Heath” as it was the first time he had seen this strange atmosCroxton draining Photo: Roger Evans pheric phenomenon. I must admit that I have never even heard of one before.

Welcome to our Spring edition, though Apparently they can only happen when it feels more like mid-Winter as I write the sun is low in the sky and they are this! If you want to find out more about always a bit indistinct as snowflakes are the recent stoppage at Croxton Aqueduct not uniform like raindrops! (see above & cover) then turn to page 9.

Roger Evans

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Chair’s Report invited to a meeting, called by the chair of Endon with Stanley Parish Council, on 23rd January. Present were parish, district and county councillors and officers, local PCSOs from Staffordshire Police, and a representative from Endon High School, to discuss the future of the bridge. The bridge had been damaged through vandalism with bricks and coping stones thrown into the canal on multiple occasions.

Hopefully, a combination of volunteer input, third party funding and sponsorship might see the bridge restored to its historic appearance before too long.

Dear Branch Members As I mentioned last time, this year will see the 50th anniversary of the reopening of the Caldon Canal after its restoration. Current plans for celebrating this are likely to involve the Etruria Canals Festival at the beginning of June, and supporting an event at Stoke on Trent Boat club in September, but as ever it would be great to have more people involved in these events. If you are interested in getting involved in this (or any other branch activities) do get in contact with me (contact details on penultimate page).

We had a great turnout at our annual branch dinner, this time held at the Rose & Crown in Stanley, walking distance from the Caldon Canal in Endon. Our many thanks to Sarah Honeysett for organising the evening; to Jon Honeysett for acting as auctioneer; Alan Chetwyn for organising the raffle and looking after the money (the evening raised £256 for branch funds); Anne Chetwyn for the entertaining quiz to keep us occupied between courses, and to everyone who came along and donated money through the quiz and auction.

We move the dinner around the branch area each year, so after Stone last year and the Caldon this year, we should be heading to the north of our branch patch (near Middlewich, Wheelock, Congleton area). If you have any suggestions of venues that you would like to see us visit, please let Sarah Honeysett know (details on penultimate page).

Your branch committee has been progressing various planning, navigation I look forward to seeing many of you at and heritage issues on your behalf. the Branch AGM on Friday 8th March.

Unfortunately it hasn’t all been good news, as following damage to Bridge 27 on the Caldon Canal (the “White Bridge” Regards next to the historic base of the former Alison Smedley railway swing bridge in Endon), I was Branch Chair Spring 2024

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Culvert failure at Scholar Green

Water flowing through sink hole in towpath.

Photo: Trevelyan’s Garage

Water damage inside Trevelyan’s Garage Photos: Trevelyan’s Garage

The lower Macclesfield Canal has been closed since 13th December 2023 due to a suspected culvert failure, which caused a sink-hole to appear in the towpath near Scholar Green.

Water poured out of the canal through the resulting breach, flooding some local properties including Trevelyan’s Garage, who posted the photographs on their Facebook page and agreed to them being reproduced in Knobsticks.

Trevelyan’s are pleased to report that their pit is clear of water and they are now open as usual!

At the time of writing, the canal and the towpath remain closed from Bridge 87, Kent Green Bridge to Lock 13, Hall Green Stop Lock and the towpath.

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Culvert failure at Scholar Green

Works were ongoing when we last visited on 10th January, when Sarah took some photos, though it was not possible to get closer to the works than Bridge 87.

Spring 2024

Jon Honeysett Navigation Officer Photos (this page): Sarah Honeysett

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Burslem Port

In the Bleak Midwinter

the nineties! I feel a visit to a charity shop not far away!

It’s that time of the year when everything becomes a little more difficult due to Promotions either the weather, health or energy levels. The time when we tend to retreat On the promotion front Natalie & myself indoors to stay warm and dry. recently gave an illustrated talk on the history of Burslem Port Trust and our But it’s also the festive season where we ambitions for the future to Stafford Boat can gather together to celebrate our Club. This was the first time we had successes over the summer months. The assembled all the relevant information most recent of these was our annual get and photographs, so was a very useful together at the Rose & Crown in Stanley exercise which we felt went okay on the Moor. Here we had a lovely meal night. We hope our next such presentafollowed by a nail biting raffle in which I tion will be for the Shropshire Union won the star prize of a book on “diesel Canal Society as their old warehouse is boat engines”. Yes, me whose last boat very much the focus of our ambitions was a Norman 23 with a two stroke and for them it’s their most easterly outboard motor which I parted with in outpost.

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Burslem Port Nature fights back

canal meets the Trent and Mersey. A very sad situation and one for us to monitor.

Meanwhile on site, we are struggling somewhat due partly to lack of personnel Going Wild and also the ability of nature to replenish so quickly the areas that we cut back in We are hoping to form a wild flower the Autumn. See photo below. planting area in front of the gable end of the old warehouse building with some Trolley Good! assistance from Stoke Council and possibly financial support from CRT. The Saga of the trollies continues! Since Watch this space.

I reported last time the five trollies have been collected by Morrisons. But it Future Work Party Dates doesn’t end there as only a few weeks later we were able to assemble 6 more March 1st + 15th + 29th trollies for Morrisons to collect. Why so April 12th + 26th you ask? Well, we discovered one work May 10th + 31st party that there are people living under a June 14th + 28th makeshift tarpaulin roof hung between July 12th + 26th the trees at the point where our infilled Article & Photos: Dave Broom

Spring 2024

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Adventures on the Mekong

For those who missed Alison & Rupert’s talk at our February social, here are some photos and a write up of their two day journey down the Mekong River in the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos last summer, with their son, Peter.

This was part of a 4 and a half week backpacking trip across Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

It was hot and humid (approx. 34 degrees C and about 70% humidity), but felt cooler once we were on the move.

We chatted to our fellow passengers, shared travel stories and watched the landscape go by.

Another short bus journey took us to the river town of Huay Xai, where we had time to explore and to buy our tickets for the 2 day slow boat journey down the river starting the next day.

The boat on Day 2 was bigger, with tables and bench seats (with cushions) in the main part, an outdoor deck at the front for taking photos from, and a covered deck at the back.

The following morning, after visiting local shops to buy omelettes and veg rice in takeaway containers to take with us for our day’s provisions, we packed our rucksacks and caught a tuk-tuk to the Slow Boat Dock. Boat Number 72 was already crowded with fellow backpackers. We found our numbered seats which were comfortable ex-minibus seats, not fixed down!

The scenery was similar to start with – frequent rocks and islands in the river that the steerer had to avoid, and big meanders. There were hills and mountains in the distance beyond the sloping valley sides. We saw various animals on the banks – goats, cows, water buffalo, and even elephants later on. It was hot again and less of a breeze

The river (it being monsoon season) had a lot of water in it, and was flowing pretty fast, especially round the various To set the scene, after a week travelling rocks and islands. The young steerer of north and east through Thailand, we the boat seemed to know the right course arrived at the Laos border and the to take and we arrived at the half way Mekong River valley. Our first sighting point, Pak Beng, late afternoon. of the river was crossing Friendship Bridge No 4 (one of 7 Thai–Lao After a pleasant evening and comfortable Friendship Bridges) on the shuttle bus, night in a backpackers’ lodge overlookafter a hot and dusty journey on a local ing the river, we went back down to the bus from Chiang Rai in the north of landing place the next morning for the Thailand. second part of the journey.

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Adventures on the Mekong

today. We spent a lot of the time just watching the scenery go by.

Unlike yesterday’s boat, which had been almost entirely full of backpacking, mostly western, travellers, today the boat also operated as a ferry and transport service for local people, with various stops along the way for passengers to get on or off, or to put cargo on board. This was weighed on scales on the front deck, including a live chicken at one point! (which possibly disappeared into the cabin kitchen for the crew’s lunch!).

in Luang Prabang, and we were able to buy a packet of dried river weed to bring home with us!).

Some time in the afternoon, a man in a small boat called a warning to the steerer. Slightly downstream was a police boat and the steerer turned our boat around and started heading back upstream!

We were tied up to a rock at one end and waited, not knowing what was going on.

In the distance was what looked like, and turned out to be, a dam under construction. We heard a boom in the distance and soon after that we continued our journey past the dam construction site (Luang Prabang Dam, one of 11 dams planned, finished or under construction along the Lower Mekong).

Also brought on board were sacks and sacks of bright green stuff that looked like wool initially, but going by the smell when we walked passed it, we eventually realised it was a type of river weed (and looked very much like blanket weed out of the BCN!). (We later saw it being Soon after that we went past the served in restaurants once we’d arrived confluence with the Nam Ou (River Ou), Spring 2024

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Adventures on the Mekong and the scenery changed. The river was wider, with less rocks but a number of islands, and vertical “karst” mountains rising up out of the water’s edge. [Ed: “Karst” is where rock such as limestone has been worn away by water to make sink-holes, caves, etc.] It had the feeling of a flooded river valley or a linear reservoir. (Which did in fact turn out to be the case, Xayabouri Dam further downstream was completed in 2019).

When Xayabouri Dam was built, the slow boat dock for Luang Prabang was relocated 10km upstream of the town, so we disembarked and took a shared tuktuk to the town.

temples and French colonial architecture. Well worth a visit in its own right.

We departed a few days later, on the new Chinese-built railway, to the Laos capital, Vientiane, further down the Mekong valley. A couple of weeks later, after travelling from Hanoi to Saigon mostly by train and stopping off at various places on the way, we saw the Mekong again, with a visit to the Mekong Delta.

Our 4 and a half week trip involved travelling on 10 different forms of transport and 24 different boat trips (ranging in size from a sea kayak to vehicle ferry), as well as what was One of the oldest cities in the region and possibly the most interesting place we a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang stayed, on board a house boat on the Prabang was established on the banks of Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya in the Mekong in the 14th century, and has Thailand. But that’s another story! some particularly amazing Buddhist Article & Photos: Alison Smedley

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Stoppage at Croxton Aqueduct near Middlewich

A stoppage notice issued by CRT late on 31st January caught our attention as the stoppage was the very next day!

It said: “Please be advised navigation will be closed on Thursday 1 February between Bridge 173 and Bridge 175, Flint Mill on the Trent & Mersey Canal to allow our engineers carry out a detailed inspection of Aqueduct 174, Croxton Tank”.

Intrigued Margaret & I set off late morning the next day to find out what was happening. When we got there the aqueduct was sealed off at both ends with Portadams and 2 pumps were slowly dropping the water level.

We were told that it had been decided to take advantage of the fact that the canal Spring 2024

was closed anyway at lock 74 to check the condition of the aqueduct. In particular they wanted to inspect the joints between the aqueduct and the surrounding land so that they could plan what work would need to be done at its next planned maintenance in a couple of year’s time. They were already aware of the significant leak(s) at the western end.

As you will have seen on the front cover, they were also inspecting the condition of the sides and underneath of the aqueduct from the outside. So, we quickly crossed to the far end (as the towpath wasn’t closed) to take some photographs of the abseilers at work.

Article & Photos: Roger Evans Page 11

Social Scene

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Social Scene – Spring 2024 We’ve had three social gatherings since our last Knobsticks, our Christmas Quiz, our Annual Dinner and our first talk of 2024.

The Christmas quiz seems to have been enjoyed by all, with an exciting tie-break finish (for which I was not prepared!) between teams “Chetwyn-Turner Overdrive” and the “Triple Locks”, the latter snatching victory despite the former having a commanding lead at half-time. Credit also to “The Bar Stewards” for a well-deserved third place. If I fail to track down a speaker for next December, I may inflict further fiendish questions on you all next season. I have requests for a history round and will doubtless include another “Where is the Bear” round - so study Sonning’s adventures closely - but I promise there will be no more Latin binomials!

Our Annual Dinner at the Rose and Crown in Stanley was wellattended, with twenty-six guests present on the night to enjoy generous portions of tasty food in a nicely-decorated function room we were lucky enough to have to ourselves. Many thanks to Jo and all her team for all their hard work to give us an excellent night; to Anne Chetwyn for organizing our quiz for the table and the raffle; to Jon H and Alison for their efforts with the auction; as well as everyone who donated prizes or lots to help with branch funds. Our treasurer certainly looked happy at the end of the evening!

The February talk was a virtual trip along the Mekong with Alison and Rupert Smedley (see pages 8-10).

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Social Scene Our next event is our AGM in March (Friday 8th), looking back at key events of 2023 and forward to the events and campaigns of 2024/5.

Afterwards we will have a film show from Alan Chetwyn of more of his travels (with Anne) along UK waterways.

Our final social evening of the season is on Friday 12th April when we welcome Phil Clayton to talk on the subject of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Phil is currently a Vice-President and Talks and Presentations Officer for the BCN Society, His book, ‘Birmingham Canal Navigations : A History’ was published in 2022 by The Crowood Press.

I will start planning for our next season shortly, so let me know if there are particular topics or speakers you would like me to include.

Sarah Honeysett

Friday 8th March 2024 – 7:45 for 8pm Branch AGM followed by Alan Chetwyn’s Home Movies Friday 12th April 2024 – 7:45 for 8pm Phil Clayton The Birmingham Canal Navigations Admission to AGM/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 Spring 2024

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Six Places where navigable Waterways cross What do Hazelhurst and Kidsgrove (both in our branch waterway area) have in common with Smethwick, Tividale, Spon Lane and Barton?

Telford Aqueduct (1825)

The Engine Branch was built in 1789 to improve the water supply to the summit The answer is that they are all places level of the Birmingham Canal (now where one navigable waterway crosses known as the Old Main Line) originally over another. In fact, those six locations from a pumping engine which gave the are the only places where this occurs on branch its name. The cast iron aqueduct the main connected inland waterway was built in 1825 by Horseley Ironworks network of Britain (all of them happen to in nearby Tipton, when Thomas be in England), and they all date from Telford’s New Main Line was constructthe 19th Century. All of them have Listed ed through a cutting in this area. At this Building status. time the Engine Branch was extended to carry water from the new Edgbaston The two in our branch area were both Reservoir, also built by Telford as part of built by the Trent & Mersey Canal his scheme.

Company: • Hazelhurst Aqueduct - Leek Arm crossing over the main line of the Caldon Canal.

• Poole Aqueduct - Hall Green Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal crossing over the main line of the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Three of the remaining aqueducts are on the BCN within about 4 miles of each other: • Steward Aqueduct - Old Main Line crossing the New Main Line just before the top of Spon Lane Locks.

• Telford Aqueduct - Engine Arm crossing over the New Main Line (near Smethwick).

• Tividale Aqueduct - Old Main Line crossing the Netherton Tunnel Branch.

The aqueduct is Grade II* Listed and also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The aqueduct consists of a 52 ft cast iron trough supported by a stone arch, and carries the Engine Arm (which is on the Wolverhampton Level, 473 ft above sea level) over the New Main Line (otherwise known as the Birmingham Level, 453 ft above sea level).

And finally, the biggest and most well Steward Aqueduct (1828) known…

• Barton Swing Aqueduct - Bridgewater Also known as Stewart or Stewards Canal crossing the Manchester Ship Aqueduct, this Grade II Listed aqueduct Canal was built in 1828 by Thomas Telford, to carry the old line of James Brindley’s Here are some more details about them, earlier Birmingham Canal over his New in the order in which they were built.

Main Line, at Spon Lane, Smethwick.

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Six Places where navigable Waterways cross summit and the junction of the two canals.

The Trent & Mersey Canal Company’s Act of 1827 authorised them to build the first 1½ miles of the Macclesfield Canal’s line, and to charge tolls on cargo carried on it. The aqueduct was built in 1828 of red brick with a stone parapet, and is Grade II Listed. The Hall Green Branch, including Poole Aqueduct, was opened in 1831, at the same time as the Macclesfield Canal itself.

It later (in 1852) had a railway bridge built adjacent to it, the railway line running parallel to, but much higher up than, the New Main Line, and later on, in about 1970, it had the M5 built over the top, at a higher level still. The aqueduct is made of brick with sandstone dressings.

Poole Aqueduct (1828)

Hazelhurst Aqueduct (1841) This aqueduct was part of the third arrangement of canals in the area around Hazelhurst and Hollinhurst on the Caldon Canal. When the canal was first built in 1778 the summit level was less than 2 miles long, but was extended when the Leek Arm was added (to supply water from Rudyard Reservoir) in 1801, with a new staircase of 3 locks being built at Hazelhurst. The Leek Arm crossed the valley on a huge earth and stone embankment and joined the main line at a junction immediately above the staircase.

Photo: John Snow These days most people think of this aqueduct as being the place where the Macclesfield Canal passes over the Trent & Mersey Canal, but in fact it is the Hall Green Branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal crossing the main line of that canal. The branch canal crosses the main line by means of the brick built aqueduct 40 years later in 1841, when the staircase immediately downstream of Poole Lock, (which had caused a bottleneck for just the second lock down from the traffic) was replaced by Hazelhurst New Spring 2024

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Six Places where navigable Waterways cross Locks (3 separate locks actually at Hollinhurst, half a mile away), the original line of the canal was reinstated, and the embankment pierced with a new aqueduct, taking the Leek Arm over the main line of the canal. The aqueduct is Grade II Listed and consists of a single arch in painted brickwork with stone dressings.

Tividale Aqueduct (1890s)

Barton Swing Aqueduct (1893) Carrying the Leigh Branch of the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal, this is often referred to as one of the wonders of the waterways. It was designed by Sir Edward Leader Williams and completed in 1893, and was officially opened for commercial traffic on New Year’s Day 1894.

The Netherton Tunnel Branch (and Netherton Tunnel itself) were built in 1858 to improve communications between the Dudley and the Birmingham canals. The original aqueduct on this site carried the original Birmingham Canal over the new branch canal, just a few hundred yards before the newer canal heads underground through Netherton Hill. The aqueduct was rebuilt in the 1890s and the current structure is made of brick with sandstone keystones.

It consists of a 235ft long trough weighing 1,450 tons that swings through 90 degrees on a central island to allow unrestricted navigable headroom along the Manchester Ship Canal. The water in the higher canal is sealed off with gates at either end, and the aqueduct is swung using hydraulic power. It dates from the building of the Manchester Ship Canal, and replaced an earlier aqueduct by James Brindley, built in 1761, which had been the first canal aqueduct in Britain.

This original Barton Aqueduct carried the Bridgewater Canal over the Mersey & It has two arches either side of a toll Irwell Navigation, and so in itself was island, used for gauging boat traffic, and another, and indeed the first, crossing is Grade II Listed. An interesting feature point of one navigable waterway over of this aqueduct is that water was run another. The swing aqueduct is Grade through pipes in the aqueduct from the II* Listed. higher canal through a turbine which Article & un-credited photos: drove a dynamo for the electric lighting Alison Smedley in Netherton Tunnel. The pipes can still NOTE: This article first appeared as a be seen on the south side of the blog on the IWA website. aqueduct.

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear I have more of our 2023 spring cruise to tell you about in this article. It is quite a few months since then, and my little furry brain was struggling to remember everything, but human guardian Polar helped me by treating us bears to a new book for our “Li-Bear-y”.

Staffordshire, we all had a great day out at the Tower of London and saw the Yeomen (and women) of the Guard wearing their new uniforms for King Charles III. Having adventures in London was almost like being Paddington!

It's called “Paddington at the Carnival” and is about Paddington Bear’s adventures when Mr Gruber takes him to the Cavalcade Festival at Little Venice.

The pictures in the book include many details that Hanley Bear and I recognised from our visit last spring, such as the little blue bridges and the island with willow trees in the middle of The Pool and, as I was reading it, our own adventures came flooding back.

Then it was time for the Canalway Cavalcade. This was the 40th anniversary of the first Cavalcade, so a very special event for everyone there.

Cavalcade takes place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend and there are stalls selling food and drink, hats and We were there in April and May 2023, clothes, all sorts of crafts and souvenirs, arriving several days before the plus prize draws, tombolas, raffles and Cavalcade Festival began. Polar and I information stands for many good took the train home for a couple of days, causes. There are events and games for to collect post, check on the garden and grown-ups and human cubs in the park allotment, and so she could do things for and, best of all, The Pool at Little Venice work, while Grizzly and the other bears fills with dozens of narrow boats, decked stayed on Uplander II, our narrowboat. out in flags and bunting, which is an When Polar and I got back from absolutely marvellous sight.

Spring 2024

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear We had lots of visitors to our boat over the weekend from Polar and Grizzly's friends and families, including several of human cubs who really enjoyed their days looking at all the boats and picnicking beside the canal. We bears made sure there was always plenty of cake on board for our visitors, from the stalls near the boats, and for snacks between hugs from human cubs for us.

One day I even spotted a certain very I was a very busy small bear all weekend, famous bear visiting another boat, but as I was reporting on the event for our unfortunately I didn't manage to catch Inland Waterways Branch Facebook up with him for an interview. page and for my Bear friends on Twitter.

There were so many people on the towpaths that I had to ask Polar to carry me around in the Bear Bag, as I was worried about being stepped on or accidentally kicked into the water, and I had a much better view from there too.

On Sunday, all of us bears put our best boating clothes and our boaters' belts on.

Some of the humans on the boats dressed in their Sunday Best too, although Polar and Grizzly hadn't brought bonnets, or waistcoats and bowler hats - we hope they will if we go again!

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

Sunday was a busy day, with more visitors for us, the Blessing of the Boats and our human guardian Polar taking part in the Boat Handling Competition.

Unfortunately, she had to do her manoeuvres at the same time as the Teddy Bears' Picnic was happening in the park. We were very sad that we couldn't go, until she told us we were going to be helping her with the competition!

We sat in the lifebelt on the roof and waved to the crowd as Polar steered our boat around the island in the middle of The Pool, avoiding the trip boats and the other competitors. She did very well bringing the boat alongside the judges' landing stage to shake hands and started reversing back across The Pool very neatly, but made the mistake of waiting for another boat coming out to start the competition when she was half way across and the wind caught our bow and spoilt our reverse between the marker buoys.

We felt sorry for Polar, as she was trying to be polite and kind, like Paddington, but she was still runner up in the Women's Boat Handling class (out of more than two!) and won a bottle of a fizzy drink for humans called “prosecco”, so she was quite pleased.

Spring 2024

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear pleased that there was still plenty to see, including musicians on some of the boats.

On Sunday evening there was a lovely parade of illuminated boats around The Pool, and all the boats moored in The Pool had lights and bunting out for the occasion. Our boat didn't take part so we could wander around with our human guardians enjoying the spectacle. I thought it was the prettiest thing I had ever seen on the canals, and all of the other bears agreed.

But during the afternoon, boats started drifting away and the stalls started packing up. Human guardians Polar and Grizzly helped to take down the IWA gazebos and did sweeping up and litter picking.

We bears felt sad that the festival was over but it certainly wasn't the end of our adventures, as Polar and Grizzly had decided we weren't going to go straight home, but would explore some waterways they hadn't travelled before.

But I will tell you more about that in the Monday was the last day, and it was next edition of Knobsticks.

Article: Sonning Bear bright and sunny again. We had more Photos: Sarah Honeysett visitors to show around and were Page 20

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VisitEngland graded 2-8 berth quality narrowboats.

Weekly hire and short breaks available.

Wide choice of excellent routes; E.g. Four Counties Ring, Caldon, Cheshire Ring.

Beginners and experienced crews welcome; Full tuition given.

Please ring for a brochure or visit: WWW.CANALCRUISING.CO.UK

Spring 2024

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

Serving Real Ales & Scrumpy Cider Beer Garden

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North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts If any of the roles shown as vacant interest you, please contact Alison Smedley for further information.

Planning VACANT Contact Alison Smedley

President: Chris Skelhorne

Membership Officer Mary Smith membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com Chair Alison Smedley MBE 01538 385388 alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Alan Chetwyn (No Email)

01782 279277

Navigation Officer Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Heritage Officer Sarah Jones sarah.jones@waterways.org.uk

Secretary VACANT Contact Alison Smedley

Burslem Port Work Party Dave Broome 07974 966253 dave.broome45@gmail.com

Sales Officer VACANT Contact Alison Smedley

Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties Alison Smedley 01538 385388 alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

Social Secretary Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Cheshire Locks Work Party John Lawson 07940 878923 john.lawson@waterways.org.uk

Publicity Officer Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Other committee members:

Julie Arnold Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 West Midlands Region Chairman newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, westmidlands@waterways.org.uk CW10 0BL 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 Spring 2024 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 work parties (held in partnership with Caldon &

Uttoxeter Canals Trust) are unfortunately no longer running due to lack of a work party organiser. If you are interested in getting involved (full training and support are provided) please contact: Alison Smedley Phone: 01538 385388 Email: alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

• Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent

(working in partnership with Burslem Port Project) Fridays: March 1st + 15th + 29th, April 12th + 26th May 10th + 31st, June 14th + 28th, July 12th + 26th Contact: Dave Broome before attending Phone: 07974 966253 Email: dave.broome45@gmail.com ——————————–————-—————————-————— 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).

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