IWA North Staff & South Cheshire Branch - Knobsticks Autumn 2019

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS

Autumn 2019

A Busy Scene at Etruria Canals Festival

Photo: John Lawson

IWA AGM weekend events Between your branch committee and IWA Head Office we are organising a full programme of activities for the AGM weekend of 27th to 29th September. For details + how to book see IWA web-page: www.waterways.org.uk/agm/agm As a way of celebrating the 45th anniversary of the restoration of the Caldon Canal, members are encouraged to visit the Caldon Canal by boat over the weekend, and to visit the two IWA Silver Propeller Challenge locations in the branch area (Leek and Froghall).

As several of the activities are taking place in the vicinity of Denford and the junction of the two branches of the Caldon Canal, a WRG minibus will be providing transport between there and the AGM for any members wishing to attend the AGM by boat.

AGM Weekend Programme Friday 27th Sept – Evening A block booking has been made for people who are in the vicinity by boat, and who would like to eat at the Holly Bush pub at Denford. Places are limited, so please contact Alison Smedley if you would like to be included. Order and pay on the evening. Email Alison at: alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk Saturday 28th Sept – Morning IWA’s 60th Annual General Meeting will be held at St Thomas More Catholic Academy, Longton Hall Road, Longton, Stoke on Trent, ST3 2NJ. Doors open at 9.30am and the meeting starts at 10am with presentations about recent campaigning in Scotland and IWA’s Planning Advisory Panel, followed by the announcement of the winners of IWA’s annual national awards. The formal Page 2

AGM begins at 11.30am and will be followed by an update on current campaigns and the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of IWA trustees, with lunch to follow at 1.00pm. Lunch must be booked in advance at web-page: www.waterways.org.uk/agm/agm Saturday 28th Sept – Afternoon Optional activities: • Guided walk along the Burslem Arm of the Trent & Mersey Canal, led by Steve Wood, Deputy Branch Chairman, who will explain the current plans of Burslem Port Trust for the regeneration of the arm.

• Middleport Pottery – guided heritage trail visit to include Victorian offices, bottle oven, bathhouse, steam engine and ceramic mould store - £5.50 per adult/£4 for over 65s (book on IWA website).

Saturday 28th Sept – Evening 7.30 for 8pm start. Pie and peas supper with illustrated talk about the Uttoxeter Canal from Steve Wood. At Longsdon Memorial Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon, Staffordshire, ST9 9QF. Cost £8.50 per person – booking details on IWA website (www.waterways.org.uk/agm/agm) Sunday 29th Sept - 12 noon to 4pm Hazelhurst Garden Fete – fundraising for Staffordshire canal projects. Refreshments, games and activities, including IWA, CUCT and T&MCS sales stands.

(See poster on the back cover for further details). Bring your boat, historic vehicle or just yourselves and be prepared to buy things, eat cake and have a go on some of our guessing games to win some prizes.

Alison Smedley KNOBSTICKS

Deputy Chairman’s Report I need to give an especial thanks to Alan and Anne for holding the fort and running the branch stand pretty much between the two of them at Bollington, with some assistance from Rupert. I had planned to be there all weekend, but was suddenly incapacitated the day before with a trapped nerve in my neck. In fact I only finally made it to the event for the Sunday afternoon (and only then thanks to Gillian and John Watson coming to the rescue and driving me there!).

We have recently co-opted a new committee member, our youngest yet! Peter (the son of Rupert and I) has decided to get involved so that he can be our social media and website officer for the volunteering stage of his Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Bronze Award. So you should start to see some improvements in our branch web pages and social media presence!

Well, it's been a very different summer, weather-wise, to last year, but I hope all our branch members have been able to enjoy the waterways over the last few months, between the rain showers.

My thanks to all the branch volunteers who helped out at the Etruria Canals Festival and Bollington Boat & Folk Festival, held on consecutive weekends in June. Both were good events for fundraising and also promoting IWA’s campaigns. We recruited some new members at Etruria – so a very warm welcome to them.

We had a particularly busy time on the Saturday at Etruria, as we were joined by Nicola from IWA Head Office and the crew from Huckleberry Films, who were there to film some of our branch volunteers for a new video about IWA volunteering. Many thanks to all those who agreed to be filmed and interviewed.

Autumn 2019

We are looking forward to hosting the national AGM in our branch at the end of September. See details on previous page (and on the IWA website) for how to book your place at the AGM lunch, afternoon visits and the Saturday evening’s event which is being organised by your branch committee.

The Saturday evening event will take place at Longsdon Memorial Hall near Leek, and will feature a pie and peas supper and an illustrated talk about the Uttoxeter Canal from Steve Wood. Do come along and support this event, and take the opportunity to have a sociable evening with members from all over the country.

On the Sunday we have our branch fundraising garden fete (See back cover).

Again it would be great if some of our branch members could come out to support this event and enjoy a cup of tea Page 3

Deputy Chairman’s Report + Region Chairman and a cake beside the Caldon Canal, even if you can’t make it along for the rest of the weekend.

It will be a close run contest and it is important that we have a board of Trustees with the right skills to lead IWA. Please read the candidates adI look forward to seeing many of you dresses in "Waterways" carefully before over that weekend. you vote. It is important that you do Alison Smedley vote. There will be an opportunity for Deputy Chairman anyone who would like to question the candidates before-hand, as there will be For the first time in recent history, there hustings held at the Festival of Water at are contested elections for IWA Trustees. Waltham Abbey at 11.00am on Sunday, There are 3 places and 5 candidates: 25th August.

Rick Barnes, John Butler, Ivor Caplan, Helen Whitehouse Dave Chapman and Peter Scott.

(Region Chairman)

A busy scene on the branch stand at the Etruria Canals Festival this June Photo courtesy of Huckleberry Films (who were there to film some of the branch volunteers for a new video about IWA volunteering) Page 4

KNOBSTICKS

Etruria Canals Festival

More pictures of Etruria Canals Festival

Autumn 2019

Photos: Sarah Honeysett

Page 5

Cheshire Locks work-party

Hedge Whips we planted in April 2016 have grown well 20th June A successful work party in spite of some interruptions due to rain. 7 volunteers were joined by CRT Volunteer Leader Ashleigh Carden on her final work party with our group before departing for pastures new.

Page 6

Photo: John Lawson

All work was completed on Lock 50, metal paddle gear and lock bridge edgings finished. Dave Sproson and John Lawson had visited to paint the numbers on the balance beams (including on Lock 49) since our last work party.

KNOBSTICKS

Cheshire Locks work-party

The team then moved down to the single chamber Lock 51 to scrape, wire brush and sand the steel top gate and rail, then the paddle gear and bridge rails. A coat of white paint was then applied to include the metal strapping posts and balance beam end and top-rail.

The day ended with a "Thank You" and Bon Voyage presentation to Ashleigh from the volunteers.

18th July Excellent progress made to complete all works on Lock 50, and Lock 51 almost completed. Some preparation work on Lock 52, the final lock on the Church Lawton flight.

Autumn 2019

We had 11 volunteers on the day including a group of 5 enthusiastic colleagues from Sapphire Global Systems fulfilling a community help day. We were fortunate to have dry, warm weather.

Article (& Photos): John Lawson

Page 7

wrg Family Camp on the Uttoxeter Canal

IWA’s first Waterway Recovery Group Family Canal Camp of the year took place on the Uttoxeter Canal in the middle of June. 8 young people from around the country, aged between 8 and 14, took part with their families, including two grandparents, and in one case 3 generations of one family.

This is the third year that Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust has hosted a WRG Family Camp in our IWA Branch area, with the Uttoxeter Canal having been the site for the first ever WRG family camp in 2017.

While half of the young people taking part had been on previous WRG family The young people learnt about, and camps, the weekend was the first experienced, a range of different skills introduction to volunteering on the and activities over the weekend – waterways for the others. The families all including heritage recording techniques, had a great time learning from each how to help control the spread of other and making new friends, demoninvasive plants, and woodworking skills strating that WRG family camps are a when they made “bee hotels” as habitats great way to introduce young people to for insect life. The work carried out volunteering whilst getting them out in included vegetation clearance, Himala- the fresh air and meeting new people. yan balsam pulling and some careful excavation of a lock site which revealed Alison Smedley previously undiscovered stonework.

Page 8

KNOBSTICKS

wrg Family Camp on the Uttoxeter Canal

Annual Himalayan Balsam Bash The Branch hosted the Light Seekers, a Cheddleton church-based youth group, for their regular Himalayan balsam bash on the Caldon Canal, on a warm Monday evening in June. Some of the young people have been taking part in this annual event, tackling different sections of the Caldon Canal each year, since

Autumn 2019

2012. This year they returned to the stretch of towpath between the bottom of Cheddleton Locks and Basford Bridge and commented on how free of Himalayan balsam it was compared to previous years, with the whole length being cleared in one session.

Alison Smedley

Page 9

Uttoxeter Canal Work-Party

Our July work party made great progress around Bridge 70, using an assortment of tools including a heavy duty lawnmower which we had hired in for the day to test its effectiveness. Here are a pair of photos from the day which show what was achieved. What can't be

Page 10

seen in the photos is that our volunteers also did a super job clearing Himalayan Balsam, both in the (dry) canal bed and on the far bank. Thanks to everyone who showed up and gave a hand.

Steve Wood

KNOBSTICKS

Special offers In-store bakery Food-to-go Hot and cold drinks Groceries Newspapers Lotto Paypoint Payzone Free ATM Fresh fruit and veg Household and pet food A great range of beers, wines and spirits Open Mon-Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 7.30am-8pm

Less than 10 minutes from bridges 14 and 15 of the Caldon Canal

8-10 Diana Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6RS. Tel 01782 263936 Visit our website www.londis.co.uk.

Find us on Facebook - Londis Birches Head Autumn 2019

Page 11

Social Programme

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Friday 11th October – 7:45 for 8pm Burslem Port update Burslem Port Trust is working towards full restoration of the Burslem Branch canal, which closed following a major breach in 1961.

This talk describes recent progress towards this goal, including the current “Footsteps” project.

Steve Wood Friday 8th November – 7:45 for 8pm An Introduction to the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals A pictorial tour of the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals, their history, and current plans for their restoration.

Brian Nelson Friday 13th December – 7:45 for 8pm The History of Cromford Mills and Sir Richard Arkwright Sir Richard Arkwright, who pioneered the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill at Cromford.

(A speaker from the Arkwright Society) Friday 31st January – 7:30 for 8pm Branch Annual Dinner at the Barchetta Restaurant Crewe Road, Wheelock, near Sandbach Menu and a booking form will be included in the next (Winter) edition of KNOBSTICKS (or contact Sarah Honeysett on 01782 772295 for more details).

Page 12

KNOBSTICKS

Social Programme Friday 14th February – 7:45 for 8pm From Mayors' Cruise to National Festival A celebration of over 30 years of Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice.

Christine Smith Friday 13th March – 7:45 for 8pm Branch AGM followed by A film presentation by Alan Chetwyn Friday 17th April – 7:45 for 8pm The Daniel Adamson 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.

Les Green and Bob Cannell Note the date carefully.

This meeting is on the 3rd Friday of April, instead of our usual 2nd Friday.

This is because the 2nd Friday is Easter Weekend.

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 Autumn 2019

Page 13

An English North-West Region by Narrow-Boat On Sunday 9th June, Sarah, myself and our bears set off aboard Uplander II on a voyage from Kidsgrove, familiar not only to seasoned boater members of our Branch, but to thousands of hire-boat crews traversing the fascinating canals in our region of North-West England – the Cheshire Ring.

Inclement weather followed boaters everywhere this summer and along the ‘Macc’ our crew shared the awkward duty of holding the tiller and gripping an umbrella to deflect the worst downpours.

Ascending the Bosley flight on Monday morning was dry but thereafter the week was mostly ’soggy’ – Bollington, Marple, the Peak Forest Canal and Bugsworth Basin (later threatened by Toddbrook Reservoir’s storm-damaged dam-wall), followed by a damp Marple flight descent and the Goyt Valley aqueduct on Thursday. Only on awaking at our Ashton-under-Lyme mooring on Friday, was the sun shining.

The previous canal locations were of interest whatever the weather but reacquainting ourselves with Portland Basin Museum in the warm sunshine was most pleasant, especially chatting to Chris Leah alongside the wooden heritage narrow-boat Lilith.

Page 14

We cast-off after lunch for a short voyage along the ‘Huddersfield Narrow’ to Stalybridge, arriving at 16:00, to find that the annual brass band festival was underway in the town centre. We watched and listened to ten brass-bands from towns and villages around the Lancashire-Yorkshire border (plus one from Rong in Norway) march to the town’s Labour Club and play for judges and onlookers.

At Stalybridge Station’s famous real-ale bar we planned our Saturday, first by train to Marsden to see Standedge Tunnel, then down to Ashton-underLyme aboard ‘Uppy’, and on to Manchester on the Sunday.

I helmed our boat down the Ashton Canal into Manchester while Sarah worked every one of the eighteen locks and we moored in Piccadilly Village very nice, and very quiet.

KNOBSTICKS

An English North-West Region by Narrow-Boat whole day travelling aboard Manchester’s excellent trams, on the routes to Ashton-under-Lyme, Eccles, Media City, and even Manchester Airport – and thoroughly recommended to all visitors.

Marsden (above) and Piccadilly Village

On Monday 17th June, we strolled around the vibrant city, visiting The People’s History Museum, with its display about the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre – we learned that an onlooker, Peter John Walker, founded the Manchester Guardian, today’s world-famous Guardian!

On Tuesday, we bought All Day Metro tickets - £4-80 each – spending the Autumn 2019

On Wednesday, Sarah returned home to work for three days, while I took the train (and the bears!) to Blackpool over the newly-electrified lines – Manchester, Bolton, Preston, Blackpool North, then down to Wigan, St. Helens, Huyton, Liverpool Lime Street, and finally back to Manchester Oxford Road – faster and cleaner, with new trains being tested.

Thursday’s rain kept me aboard ‘Uppy’, but on Friday I again took the bears on the tram up to Bury, for a ride on the East Lancs. Railway to Rawtenstall – the BR Mk 1. maroon-liveried carriages were Page 15

An English North-West Region by Narrow-Boat hauled by a 2-6-4 Standard Class 4 tankengine, one locomotive type driven by Sarah’s father in the 1960’s. We arrived back in Manchester in time to meet Sarah at Piccadilly Station, and advise her that I still hoped C&RT’s Wigan office would be able to provide a volunteer to help us through the dreaded ‘Rochdale 9’ on Saturday morning.

They did, and as we headed to the top lock, with the usual water pouring over the top, in the company of Nb. Willoughby, crewed by Steve and Jackie, we met volunteer Ian, whose expertise on some sections with no actual towpath, saw us arriving in Castlefield Basin by midday.

Sarah photographed the original “Rocket” locomotive. We then settled down for the evening and an impromptu display of fine juggling, unicycling, and fire-eating by young people.

Our voyage had reached its halfway point, to be continued in the next issue of Knobsticks.

Jon Honeysett (Photos: Sarah & Jon Honeysett)

After drinks, Nb. Willoughby and its crew made their way west onto the Bridgwater Canal, while we visited the Museum of Science & Industry, and Page 16

KNOBSTICKS

The Social Scene I’m pleased and relieved to have put together my first solo effort at booking speakers and a venue for our annual dinner. You’ll find the summary in the centre pages of Knobsticks and on the handy pull-out-and-keep card. I really hope you’ll join us for at least some of this year’s socials.

Our first spring 2020 speaker in February is Christine Smith, publicity manager for Canalway Cavalcade, with a presentation on the colourful festival held at Little Venice over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

In the New Year we have our annual dinner to look forward to at the Barchetta Restaurant, beside the Trent and Mersey Canal at Wheelock. We still have to finalise the menu for our meal on 31st January 2020 so it’s not in this edition of Knobsticks, but the price will be around £25 per head for a starter, main course, dessert and tea or coffee. There will be both Italian and more traditional English options available. Menus and booking forms will be available at our autumn socials and by email (and, of course, in the next Knobsticks). Jon and I dined there recently to test the food and customer service and can vouch for the quality of both.

It’s never too early to start suggesting speakers for the 2020/2021 programme and, although I have a few people in mind, I am always grateful for ideas for others, so do let me know if you’ve been somewhere interesting or heard someone talk who might liven up one of our meetings.

Our AGM takes place in March and, as ever, we will try to keep the formal While there are plenty of waterways- business to a minimum to allow plenty focussed presentations, with Steve’s talk of time to enjoy another cruise from on Burslem Port followed by Brian Alan Chetwyn’s video archives.

Nelson’s on the Shrewsbury and Newport Canal, our pre-Christmas talk takes Last, but by no means least, we have Les us back to the early years of the Industri- Green to talk to us about ‘The Danny’ al Revolution and the role played by steamship, a truly beautiful vessel, saved larger-than-life character, Richard from scrap and currently operating on Arkwright. the River Weaver.

Autumn 2019

Sarah Honeysett On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank Sarah for all her hard work—Ed Below: Just room to squeeze in 2 more of Sarah’s photos taken at Etruria Canal Festivals.

Page 17

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear concrete lock, next to a house where a fierce dog kept barking at him.

‘Oh dear!’ said Sonning. ‘I don’t think I want to live here!’

After another scruffy lock, however, things started to look greener and cleaner, although what he thought was a park turned out to be a cemetery.

A little further on, Sonning saw a pair of handsome old historic boats and some interesting-looking buildings. Just as he was thinking it might be nice to stop for a closer look, he saw the words ‘Bone Mill’ on the old building.

‘Goodness me!’ he gasped. ‘I hope we don’t stop here - I don’t want my bones milled!’

Sonning comes Home A small bear, called Sonning after the village on the Thames where he was found in an elderberry bush, had spent almost two months aboard narrowboat Uplander II with his human guardians, who he called Polar and Grizzly.

Sonning was still shivering at the thought of a bone mill, when everything went very dark in the deepest narrow lock he thought he had ever been in. As it became light again, Polar came through and told him they had reached Etruria Junction, very close to where they would stop for the night.

‘Poor little Sonning – you look rather worried,’ she said. ‘You’ll be pleased to know it’s almost time for tea.’ She carried him up to the lifebelt on the roof for some fresh air.

One morning, Grizzly told him they had finally reached Stoke-on-Trent, so Sonning rushed to the window to see his new home.

His little ears drooped in disappointment. Stoke-on-Trent didn't look very nice from the canal. There was a huge incinerator burning smelly rubbish, a busy, noisy road, then high walls with lots of ugly graffiti and, after that, a big Page 18

KNOBSTICKS

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear Polar and Grizzly moored Uppie outside a big restaurant and that evening, one of Polar's friends came to meet them. She brought two bears along too, to welcome Sonning. The bears' names (in Bear) were GrGrrGrrGrowl and GrowlGRGrowl.

Little GrGrrGrrGrowl kept calling Sonning ‘Duck’. 'Just because I live on the canal, that doesn't make me a duck!'

Sonning told him. The other bears laughed.

Hanley is the name of one of the Six Towns that make up the city of Stoke-onTrent and Hanley Bear explained that, if Sonning was going to live here, it was important to know the names of them all. Some people say Hanley is the most important of the towns and the City Centre, which is why Hanley the bear picked it, but folk who live in the other 5 - Tunstall, Burslem, Fenton, Stoke-upon -Trent and Longton - often disagree.

Sonning told his new friends about his life as a boat bear and GrGrrGrrGrowl and GrowlGRGrowl told Sonning all sorts of interesting things about their home city. ‘It’s got the friendliest small bears in the whole world, duck!’

GrGrrGrrGrowl insisted. ‘And the humans aren’t bad either.’

Soon, Sonning was starting to look forward to spending more time in StokeWhen Sonning met Hanley, he was on-Trent after all. dressed like Paddington Bear. Sonning asked him if he had a marmalade sandwich under his hat, for emergencies.

'No duck,' he said. 'I prefer oatcakes!'

The smaller bear, GrGrrGrrGrowl, wanted to be a boat bear too and asked his human guardian if he could join Uppie’s crew. He needed a name for Polar and Grizzly to call him, so the bears decided he would be ‘Hanley’, as they thought ‘Etruria’ sounded like a name for an old lady bear.

Autumn 2019

Sonning was glad Hanley was with him for the journey on to Uppie’s mooring at Kidsgrove. Hanley showed him where there used to be a massive steelworks Page 19

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear and a canal arm to Burslem. He pointed out the working pottery at Middleport, and explained how the famous bottle kilns used to be used for firing the pottery.

Polar and Grizzly sat both bears in Sonning’s bunk while they finished packing everything that had to go back to the house and switching off the gas and electricity on the boat. Then the bears were taken to where Grizzly had parked a little red car, and that took them up a steep hill to Polar and Griz-

Then they got to Harecastle Tunnel.

Although bears are used to caves, small bears find very, very long tunnels rather scary and this is an extremely long tunnel. As Grizzly steered them through, Hanley Bear and Sonning sat in the cratch, watching the tiny speck of light in the distance slowly getting bigger.

'Isn't the water a funny colour!' Sonning said to Hanley, noticing that it had turned orange. Hanley explained this was because there was iron ore in the hill the tunnel went through, which stained the water. Having Hanley talking about rocks and mining and Stoke-on-Trent and oatcakes stopped Sonning getting frightened in the tunnel and soon, they were through!

Page 20

zly's house.

After their adventure going through the tunnel, Hanley and Sonning were too tired to explore the house and garden that day, but they soon settled down to a very comfortable life, with a cosy bear basket to sleep in and a nice big garden to play in. However, Sonning is a boat bear at heart and he was soon off on more voyages.

Photos: Sarah Honeysett KNOBSTICKS

C.J. Skelhorne

Jewellery The Treasured Gift Let Us Help You Choose The Gift That Will Always Be Treasured *Diamond Rings *Gold & Silver *Watches & Watchstraps *Clocks *Pens *Gifts *Engraving Specialist Jewellery Repairs On the Premises • Watch and Clock Repairs • Pearl & Bead Stringing Silver Repairs & Plating • Valuations

01782 14 Piccadilly Arcade, 279547 Hanley, Stoke on Trent STI 1DL Autumn 2019

Page 21

For an extensive range of traditional narrowboat and sailing fittings

ADVICE AND FRIENDLY, HELPFUL SERVICE.

Brass fittings, portholes, windows, mushroom vents, tiller bars and pins, pigeon boxes, rope, fenders. Solid fuel stoves and chimneys, cookers, fridges and freezers, showerbaths and basins, water and shower pumps, Hep 2O plumbing.

FREE

DOMESTIC HOT WATER FROM WATER COOLED ENGINES BY HEAT TRANSFERENCE CALORIFIER

Send large SAE for our Disc or catalogue Main Honda agents, outboards and generators. Parts and service. Calor gas and fittings, diesel, DIY and yard storage, slipway, pump out.

Gifts • canal souvenirs • maps and books • clothing

Newcastle Road, Stone, Staffs.

Tel: Stone (01785) 812688 Fax: (01785) 811317 www.stoneboatbuilding.co.uk email: sale@stoneboatbuilding.co.uk

The Swan Inn Stafford Street, Stone

Two minutes from bridge 93 at Star Lock

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

Beer Garden

KNOBSTICKS

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts President: Chris Skelhorne Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com

Web and Social Media Officer: Peter Smedley 01538 385388 webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk Planning VACANT (Use planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk)

Deputy Chairmen Membership Officer Alison Smedley 01538 385388 Ju Davenport alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 Navigation Officer steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Jon Honeysett 01782 772295 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Burslem Port Work Party Alan Chetwyn (No Email) 01782 279277 Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Secretary Judith Turner 07789 518816 Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Sales Officer VACANT Use steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Cheshire Locks Work Party John Lawson 07940 878923 Social Secretary john.lawson@waterways.org.uk Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk Other committee members: Publicity Officer Julie Arnold Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 Maria Frost publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk Rob Frost Roger Savage 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 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 Autumn 2019 Page 23

Page 24

KNOBSTICKS