North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch
KNOBSTICKS
Winter 2026
Caldon Canal Work Party in Hazelhurst Locks
Photo: Beth Dawid
Editorial Welcome to the Winter edition. It may not officially be Winter yet, but the storms have certainly started with lots of trees blocking our local canals at the end of October. I’m very pleased to report that the appeal to help save the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust was successful. At least one of the new committee members responded after seeing the article in the Autumn edition of Knobsticks, so we did our part! Good luck to them in the future. Roger Evans
Chair’s Report Writing this on deadline day (again!) and the sun is, unexpectedly, shining brightly outside on what was forecast to be a day of heavy fog. This makes getting on with this article even more of a challenge, as there is much to do in the garden, but at least we have some very good news to share following our appeal last quarter for people to step up to support the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust – though I will let you read about that further in. Meanwhile, something I have hoped to see has come to pass – a fabulous mural has been painted along the southern approach to Lock 36 on the T&M in Stoke-on-Trent by the very talented Tom Edwards. Showcasing some of the wildlife to be found along the canal, it has brightened up the stretch opposite the Goods Yard development very effectively.
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Jon and the Bears definitely approved! This mural doesn’t stretch all the way to Lock 36 but there is, I’m told, more artwork (officially sanctioned) there as well, which I will have to investigate on a future walk.
The site could still do with improvements to the mooring situation, as there are just a few rather haphazard rings there and a somewhat ragged edge to the towpath. It would also be nice to see a really good cleaning and pruning back of shrubs around the marker for the old Newcastle Canal Junction (not sure if this is CRT or Stoke City Council’s remit but we could perhaps offer to assist with a work party one day?), but the mural is a joy to behold.
More good news for boaters in Stoke-on-Trent may be on the way, as there are representations being made by several bodies, including the local police and the Friends of Hanley Park, for improved CCTV coverage along the Caldon Canal towpath through Hanley Park, where there are excellent but under-used moorings. With a functioning café now back in the pavilion building, albeit on quite a modest scale at present, this would really make Hanley Park a splendid gateway to the Caldon Canal and to Stoke-on-Trent for boating visitors. Winter 2026 Page 3
Unfortunately, news on the home front has been more mixed. A couple of weeks after the adventure this July recounted by Sonning in this Knobsticks, my husband Jon suffered a stroke. He is, as you can see from the photo with the mural, back on his feet after excellent physio support from the Community Stroke Team and is generally recovering well but remains more prone to fatigue than before. We did manage a day cruise from our usual base in Kidsgrove up the Macclesfield Canal to the Ramsdell Hall winding hole and back, with Jon successfully steering the boat into Hall Green Lock on our return, but future journeys will have to take account of his need for good accessibility on and off the boat at moorings, as well as along the towpaths. And, if we are to head south from our mooring, I will have to learn to steer through the Harecastle Tunnel, a task I have tended to leave to Jon as his stature is more suited to it!
It’s also not as easy for us to get to evening meetings now, so I am going to finish with a request to our members to consider whether any of you could step up at our next AGM to take on any of the roles Jon and I currently cover on our committee. However, short walks during the day are something we both enjoy and if we get some more fine days this autumn and winter, we’ll often be strolling around Westport Lake, Hanley Park and canal-side locations further afield too, with the Bears of course, so do come and say “hello” if you spot us! Sarah Honeysett Page 4
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Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust Update In the last Knobsticks we included an appeal for new volunteers to keep the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust alive. After an overwhelmingly positive response, a growth in membership and many passionate people joining as trustees, committee members and work party volunteers, CUCT is delighted to report that it can continue the hard work of championing, restoring and preserving the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals. CUCT Chair, Julie Arnold, said “Following on from the critical appeals our (previously) small committee put out over the summer the “towpath telegraph” worked its magic. The turn-out at the Trust’s recent AGM in September was truly heartening and by the end of the evening we had voted to create a reinvigorated committee, with people volunteering to take on specific roles and tasks. Wonderful new friendships began forming, determined to campaign for the future of our canals as we look forward to working together. “Thank you to all those who got in touch when we appealed to keep this historic organisation alive; your understanding and support is appreciated. Our 2026 AGM was held at Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club where our forerunner, the Caldon Canal Committee, was formed – to fight to prevent the canal’s permanent closure in the 1960s. Now the threats to inland waterways have evolved, and with renewed vigour we shall continue that fight. Please consider joining CUCT in any way you can. If not at a work party as described below, perhaps by sharing waterway memories, or telling us how you enjoy and value our canals and YOUR ideas for their future? Visit cuct.org.uk to contact us.” Caldon Canal Work Parties The newly reinvigorated committee of the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust lost no time in having discussions with Beth at CRT about getting monthly work parties on the Caldon Canal up and running. A site visit Winter 2026
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took place towards the end of September with about 15 potential volunteers turning out to discuss with Beth what work could be done. Beth then identified a fairly immediate opportunity for some work to be carried out to clear vegetation from inside the lock chambers at Hazelhurst Locks, as a work boat was due to be moved up the site fairly soon. That resulted in the first of what will hopefully be a monthly work party on the Caldon Canal taking place on Saturday 3rd October, with a small team of enthusiastic work party volunteers turning out to work from the boat and, on the bank, carrying out mowing and other vegetation clearance. Dates of future work parties, including one on the Uttoxeter Canal, are as follows (all 10am-2pm):
Saturday 5th December - Uttoxeter Canal (Bridge 70 and Carringtons Lock)
Friday 11th December - Caldon Canal (location TBC)
IWA members are encouraged to get involved - all you need to do is register your attendance by emailing workparties@cuct.org.uk, and turn up on the day wearing sensible shoes with waterproofs in case of rain! Alison Smedley (Photo: Emma Spencer) Page 6
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Anderton Boat Lift - Repair and reopening update Ed: The following article is the latest news issued by CRT about Anderton Boat Lift, and was current on the CRT website on 29th October: We understand how much the Anderton Boat Lift means to boaters, visitors and the community. We're focussed on finding a solution to get the lift operational again while we look to secure the larger investment for its long-term future. We are still aiming to reopen one caisson in May 2027, as planned. Since the closure of the lift, we have carried out extensive work to identify the best way to repair and modify the caisson gate lifting mechanisms to prevent similar failures happening again. Several options were considered and in Autumn 2025, after the investigation into the cause of failure had been completed, the detailed engineering design began. The design considered a solution that would remove the need for cables and provide a robust and reliable lifting mechanism. However, as the designs have progressed, the complexity of doing this on such a historic structure has led to the scope, and the forecast cost, increasing significantly – to the point where that option is currently neither practical nor affordable. Consequently, we have needed to consider an alternative solution, based more closely on the existing cable system, to get the lift open and operational for boaters and all those who visit. The solution needs to be safe, legally compliant and in keeping with the historic status of the structure. We believe we have now found a proposal which requires testing. The next step is for specialist engineers who are familiar with these lifting systems to design and replace the components required before undertaking a series of tests to prove that the solution is safe and viable. The process will also confirm what other works are necessary prior to the lift re-opening for boat use. Ed: To see the latest version of this article visit CRT’s website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-andattractions/anderton-boat-lift-and-visitor-centre-cheshire/andertonboat-lift-repair-and-reopening-update Winter 2026
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Cheshire Locks Ed: We didn’t have space for a report in the Autumn edition (although we did feature a photograph of work at Lock 42 on the front cover). So we have 6 months to report on in this issue. Thursday 21st May Our numbers were well down on the day due to holidays and other commitments. However, the 4 of us who were able to attend made good progress on the metal fence at the bottom of Lock 42 and on the bottom gates themselves. Thursday 18th June Only 4 people could attend, but we did manage to paint lots of woodwork, 2 ladders and some railings.
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Thursday 16th July Six of us this time, and we managed to complete Locks 42 (apart from some bits of the bottom gates of the closed (awaiting repair) lock that we couldn’t reach as they were padlocked shut).
Thursday 20th August Despite getting soaked at one point, we were able to prep the metalwork at Lock 47. Due to the threat of a further soaking, we finished earlier than normal but 5 of us returned the following day to carry on from where we left off and managed to paint the metalwork. All in all, a successful couple of days. Thursday 17th September Due to overnight rain we couldn’t work on the wood as it was far too wet to be painted. However we were able to finish the metalwork at Lock 47 Winter 2026
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and make a start on Lock 48 before more rain arrived. A follow-up session the following Tuesday allowed us to complete the woodwork on Lock 47 and make a good start on Lock 48. Thursday 15th October Only 4 of us could make this date. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t as kind as originally forecast and so some of our good work was undone by the onset of rain earlier than expected. However, 2 of us were able to return on Saturday to carry out remedial work which was successfully achieved. We were also able to apply numbers to both Lock 48 and 47.
There is only metalwork and some touching up left to be done, so if we have good fortune we should be able to complete at our next visit. Tony Walker
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Social Scene The clocks have gone back, the evenings are darker and it really feels like autumn, and our 2026/7 calendar of social gatherings and talks is underway. If you didn’t make it to our October meeting, you missed a treat, as Carole Mills, Chair of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust had a great deal to tell us about the restoration of sections of the Lichfield Canal. LHCRT are rightly proud of the progress made both by their own very dedicated volunteers, teams from the Waterway Recovery Group and various companies’ corporate volunteering projects. They have tackled both complex civil engineering and respectful replanting and ecological work at several sites, with great success. Their endeavours have brought the prospect of reaching Lichfield Carole Mills with by canal from Huddlesford Junction Huddlesford Bear tantalisingly close! For more information, I recommend a look at their very professional website (https://lhcrt.org.uk/) and I hope to organise a date for anyone interested to visit some of their projects with their team in the near future. You may get your Knobsticks ahead of our November 13th meeting, when we’ll be catching up with developments at the Cheddleton Flint Mill [Ed: Sorry Sarah, I’m not that fast]. December brings us narrow boats on the wide screen as Rupert and Alison Smedley share the story of how their boat Sandbach became a movie star in the Peaky Blinders film released earlier this year. Our great friend Steve Wood is due to talk to us about his life afloat in January. I still have a speaker to find for our February meeting but have a couple of ideas for who might do this, so watch this space! Sarah Honeysett Winter 2026
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Social Programme
North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Friday 13th November 2026, 7:45 for 8pm Cheddleton Flint Mill George Edwards and Nick Smith from this absolute treasure of a small industrial museum beside the Caldon Canal will give us a presentation about its history and restoration, plus future plans for the straddle warehouse over the canal. Friday 11th December 2026, 7:45 for 8pm “Peaky Boaters!” No longer sworn to secrecy, Rupert and Alison Smedley will tell us what happened when the makers of this year’s Peaky Blinders film needed to borrow some narrow boats for the big screen… Friday 8th January 2027, 7:45 for 8pm A Life Afloat Steve Wood shares some adventures and observations as a continuous cruiser since 1999, firstly on Bream, his converted Fellows, Morton and Clayton narrow motor boat and, more recently, on the River Weaver aboard National Historic Ship Iris Abbott. Friday 12th February 2027, 7:45 for 8pm To be confirmed (T&M-focussed topic likely). Page 12
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Friday 12th March 2027, 7:45 for 8pm AGM (See Page 21 for more details) We say this every year, but we really would love to see more members and supporters attending and we really do need more people to share the tasks undertaken by our committee, even if they don’t formally take on committee roles. After the official business, we will have a film show or a quiz. Friday 9th April 2027, 7:45 for 8pm Restoring the Trent and Mersey Mileposts Roger Evans, our own Knobsticks editor, and Chairman of the Trent and Mersey Canal Society, on how 93 missing mileposts were tracked down and reinstated, or replaced, along the Trent and Mersey Canal between 1977 and 1985.
Admission to AGM/talks is FREE Donations to waterway causes welcome! Refreshments available. Non-IWA members 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) sarah.honeysett@waterways.org.uk
or visit the branch webpages www.waterways.org.uk
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Fun, Games and Fund-raising at Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club Well, the weather was kind to us on Saturday 19th September, enabling the outdoor “pursuits” to happen, and the whole event was a success. A very BIG thank you to Stoke Boat Club for inviting us to take part and also thanks to all those who worked so hard on the day, and indeed the days before. Our own “Treasure Hunt” was popular and the prize (Sarah’s beautifully painted tin) was won by Billy “from the afternoon band”. Perhaps not a surprise since he had 10 stickers! My “Name the Rabbit” was won and then given by the winners to a young lady who seemed to spend the afternoon dog-walking up and down the arm. The cake (“Guess the Weight”) was won but, unfortunately, the “chicken” went un-named on the day but will, no doubt, re-appear in the future”. [Perhaps I should add that the chicken was a knitted one!] Thank you to Graham Myatt for the quiz he put together – nicely testing. The raffle prepared by the Boat Club went very well with some lovely prizes. (Dare I say, Alan & I won the HAMPER!!) The barbecue and cakes were brilliant and we went on into the evening with another live act (guitar, keyboard and singing). It was good to see so many family members and friends attending to support the club’s members. Anne Chetwyn (Photo: Jason Burnham) Page 14
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Burslem Port We are going through a rather quiet and inactive time this Autumn. As the leaves begin to fall it would seem our energy levels are also falling. What we really need is an injection of younger enthusiastic trustees with skills beyond the extent of those possessed by those we have at present! We have reached the point where we believe our vision is clear for all to see. The big issue we face is how to turn this vision into reality. It has always been our ambition to concentrate on the renovation and repurposing of the old Shropshire Union warehouse into a vibrant community hub for Middleport and Burslem. First we need to purchase the building and land, and then take on the task of propping up the subsidence affected building. There is such potential here. But then this is typical of so many fine buildings here in our lost city. How can we allow so many listed buildings to simply deteriorate and disintegrate? The listing of a building should be to preserve it not be a death sentence. Work Party News So what happened to the offer of support from Newcastle College? Despite the lack of outside help we have made steady progress as, more recently, we have cleared the steps down from Luke Street to our footpath and, over the last two weeks, the area in front of the Shropshire Union warehouse, such that you can now see where the canal ran up alongside the wharf to the old building. I’m always on the lookout for working photos of our old wharf and warehouse. We do owe a debt of gratitude to the mystery group who came and cleared back bramble from a stretch of footpath. No one has so far stepped forward. Now that we have more power tools we are managing to cut back further than I’ve seen in the past. So, on we go, into the bleak midwinter! Dave Broome Winter 2026
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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear Bears in the Air Although we took our boat to the Etruria Canals Festival, Caldon Canal and Middleport Canals Festival this summer, because that’s a lot like what we did last year, I thought you might like to read about a nonboating adventure we had at the beginning of July. It was really thanks to me that it happened at all, because human guardian Polar set me up my own Facebook and Twitter (X) accounts, where I made friends with lots of other Small Bears and their humans became friends with my humans. My friend Tour Guide Ted’s humans always enjoyed talking to Grizzly, because he knows so much about history and, one day, they decided that they wanted to give him a very special present – the chance to fly in a two-seater spitfire!
They booked his flight from the former WW2 airfield at Biggin Hill, which is now quite a busy small airport and arranged for us all, humans and bears, to stay nearby. They also arranged a “chaser plane” to fly with the Spitfire, so we could get film and photos of Grizzly’s flight. When they told him, Grizzly was very, very excited and very, very grateful. Polar said that as we were going to have a little holiday in Hampshire after the flight, several of us Bears could travel with her and Grizzly and see him flying. Hanley Bear really hoped he would be allowed to go up in the Spitfire with Grizzly, so he pestered Polar to make him a flying Page 16
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helmet with goggles. Tour Guide Ted had a present for him too – a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight jumpsuit! And he loaned him a flying jacket.
On Sunday 5th July we all arrived at Biggin Hill airfield for the flight. We were checked in and shown to the lounge where we waited with our human friends and watched the Spitfire take off on another flight. Then the humans who were going up in the planes had to go to a safety briefing. Hanley Bear went too, so he knew what to do in an emergency. Grizzly had to listen to what to do if there was a crash landing or if he had to bail out and use his parachute, and Hanley suddenly realised that he hadn’t asked Polar to make him a parachute! Grizzly was allowed to change his mind and Tour Guide Ted’s humans would get a full refund, but he was very brave and decided to fly. He was helped into a flying suit and a modern helmet, then it was time to go out to the Spitfire.
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But poor Hanley Bear wasn’t allowed in the Spitfire, because it doesn’t have a solid floor under the passenger seat and there was a risk he would fall through and get tangled up in the cables that work the rudder, which might mean Grizzly’s plane wouldn’t be able to manoeuvre properly! “Never mind, Hanley,” said Tour Guide Ted. “You can come up in the Saratoga with me, some of our humans and lots of other Bears.” Hanley went with TGT, his pal Theo Bear and their human, called “Assistant D” to sit in the front seat, while the rest of us Bears bundled into the plane near the tail - there was even room for me!
Hanley and I had never been flying before and, at first, it was very noisy and quite frightening. But, once we were up in the air and got used to the motion of the plane, the views across the countryside and of London and the Thames Estuary were amazing.
And, suddenly, there was the Spitfire, flying right beside us! Because of its camouflage, we hadn’t seen it when it was flying over the trees and fields. We all waved at Grizzly, who was in the rear cockpit, and he gave Page 18 KNOBSTICKS
us a thumbs-up and a big grin. First, the spitfire was on the left side of our plane, then it flew underneath and came up on the right-hand (starboard) side for a few minutes, then it flew on the left for a little longer.
Hanley Bear was excitedly jumping about all over the humans in the Saratoga to get the best views he could and got in the way of several of their photographs and video clips, so it was probably a good thing that he didn’t get to go in the Spitfire with Grizzly, as he might very well have caused serious mischief! Finally, the Spitfire did a fast pass on the starboard side and, in no time at all, was out of sight, and it was time for our plane to come into land. Polar, who doesn’t like flying very much because it gives her a queasy tummy, was starting to look quite green, despite having eaten several ginger biscuits before we took off (she says they help) but she landed without being poorly.
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Grizzly stayed airborne for another twenty minutes or so, flying out over the Kent countryside, following the line of the Ashford to Tonbridge railway line (which used to be used for navigation by pilots during the blackouts in WW2, as they could see the rails shining in the moonlight) and he even did two loops! When Grizzly came into land, Polar brought Hanley across to see him and Hanley finally got the chance to go in the cockpit of a Spitfire. He was very proud of Grizzly for doing the flight. Grizzly thanked the pilot, Barry Hughes, and then was given a certificate, a handbook for pilots to fly a Spitfire and some video of his flight from cameras on the chase plane and inside the cockpit. After that, we had time to look around the workshops and the museum, where we saw other vintage planes including a Hurricane and more Spitfires.
Then we all went to the pub! It was lucky that Grizzly’s flight happened when it did, as he has been very poorly after having a stroke at the end of July. We are doing our best to be good bears and help to look after him, and he seems to be getting better – he even managed a day out on the boat with us a few weeks ago. So, hopefully, we will still be having boating adventures in future. Sonning Bear Photos: Sarah Honeysett and “Assistant D” Di Gorton 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 The Inland Waterways Association NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE & SOUTH CHESHIRE BRANCH AGM Notice is hereby given that the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch of The Inland Waterways Association will be held on: Friday 12th March 2027 at 7.45 for 8.00 pm at Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 9DT AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence. 2. Approval of the minutes of the last AGM and any matters arising from these minutes. 3. Report from the Branch Chair. 4. Financial Report from the Branch Treasurer. 5. Election of members of the Committee. 6. Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch notified to the Branch Secretary in writing at least six weeks prior to the AGM. NOMINATIONS for the BRANCH COMMITTEE Committee members, including those current committee members reaching the end of their 3 year term and wishing to seek re-election, will be elected from the floor at the AGM for a term of 3 years. We welcome any branch member who is interested in joining the committee.
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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. President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com Chair Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 sarah.honeysett@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Alan Chetwyn (No Email)
07742 116959
Secretary Alison Smedley MBE 07779 090915 alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk Sales Officer VACANT Contact Alison Smedley Social Secretary Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 sarah.honeysett@waterways.org.uk Publicity Officer + Website Editor Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 + Julie Arnold publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk
Planning Officers Dave Broome (Stoke on Trent City Council only) 07974 966253 dave.broome@burslemport.org.uk David Clegg (Cheshire) 07429 151313 david@thecleggs.co.uk VACANT (all other areas) Membership Officer Mary Smith membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk Navigation Officer Jon Honeysett MBE 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Heritage Champion VACANT Contact Alison Smedley Burslem Port Work Party Dave Broome 07974 966253 dave.broome@burslemport.org.uk Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties VACANT Contact Alison Smedley
Cheshire Locks Work Party Newsletter Editor Tony Walker 07708 320470 Roger Evans 01606 834471 walker.tony31@gmail.com nssc-newsletter@outlook.com Stoke on Trent Boat Club Rep 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Jason Burnham Cheshire, CW10 0BL The Branch committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of March, June, September & December. All Branch members are invited to attend. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association, or our Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to members and readers. © The Inland Waterways Association - Registered as a charity no. 212342 www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire
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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: Tony Walker Phone: 07708 320470 Email: walker.tony31@gmail.com
Uttoxeter Canal (held in partnership with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust). 1st Saturday of each month, 10am to 2pm. Contact: workparties@cuct.org.uk
Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent (working in partnership with Burslem Port Trust) Meet every Friday on Luke Street at 10:15 subject to the weather! Contact: Dave Broome before attending Phone: 07974 966253 Email: dave.broome@burslemport.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).
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