Knobsticks Spring 2017

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS Spring 2017

Steve Wood holds his Victoria Cup (IWA West Midlands award - see p14). Photo: Barbara Wells

Editorial Congratulations to Steve Wood for his very well earned award from the IWA West Midlands region. Over the past year he has worked tirelessly for our branch, covering many other vacant roles as well as his own.

[See the cover picture, and pages 14-15 for a full report.]

Hopefully he will be able to work a little less hard in the future, as three new members have recently joined the committee.

Welcome to Judith Turner (our new Secretary), Ju Davenport (our new Membership Officer) and Jon Honeysett (returning to the role of Navigation Officer).

However there is room for yet more new blood as the roles of Sales Officer, Website Liaison and Planning Officer are still waiting to be filled.

Despite being without a Sales Officer we are already planning to attend the IWA Festival of Water at Ilkeston over August Bank Holiday, and Stone Food and Drink Festival over the first full weekend in October.

There will be more news on these events in the next issue of Knobsticks, but I’m sure that Steve (yes, him standing in again) would be very pleased to hear from volunteers willing to man the stand at either event.

We now show “job-title” email addresses (rather than committee members’ personal email addresses) on the contacts page wherever possible. These will automatically be forwarded to the correct person, so you don’t need to change anything when a committee position changes hands. It will also help to reduce SPAM to personal email addresses.

Skittles Evening The Trent and Mersey Canal Society have invited our IWA branch and Broken Cross Boat Club to join them in a Skittles evening at Stafford Boat Club on Friday 8th September 2017.

The rough timings are : 7:30 p.m. Arrival and kick off.  8:30 p.m. Fish & chip Supper [Vegetarian option available by prior arrangement].

(Note: Bring your own crockery & cutlery. No sneaking into kitchen please, take them home to wash.)  9:15 p.m. Competition resumes.

So far we have about 20 people interested in attending, but can cope with plenty more.

As many of us belong to two (or even all three of the organisations), we can shuffle ourselves around to ensure roughly even numbers for each team.

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If you are interested in attending, please let our new branch secretary, Judith Turner, know. See her contact details on the inside back cover (otherwise known as page 23).

Background: IWA have had inter-branch challenges for some time and they have been good fun. Cost has been around the £7-8 mark (including the food, which is supplied by a local fish and chip shop, so we can’t quote an exact price in advance).

Moorings: Stafford Boat Club are very friendly and accommodating, allowing us to bring our boats along and stay the night (or longer by arrangement). If you are attending the IWA Festival of Water by boat, you could even consider stopping off here on the way to your home mooring!

Gillian Watson KNOBSTICKS

Deputy Chairman’s Report As I write this, in mid-February, we have just held our branch AGM. Thanks to everyone who attended, to Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club for hosting us once more, and to our guest speaker Chris Madge, Chairman of the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society, for a fascinating talk about their restoration project which followed the formal part of the evening. Before the meeting I had reread the previous 12 months of minutes, realising just how much our relatively small branch has achieved over the year.

Notwithstanding a couple of technical problems on the night, it was good to be able to share with those present some of the highlights of the year. There is no doubt that we are continuing to make our presence felt across the area.

In the previous issue of Knobsticks we made an appeal for new committee members so it was also a pleasure to formally welcome Judith Turner (Branch Secretary) and Ju Davenport (Membership Secretary) as well as returning Navigation Officer, Jon Honeysett. There are still, as ever, a number of opportunities for anyone else who fancies getting involved. The updated list on page 23 gives more detail. You can come along to one of our Branch Meetings if you want to find out more, with no obligation.

Our branch work parties continue to prove very popular. All of our January events were very well supported – in the case of Burslem Port it was the best attended work party for more than a year. It seems that we have been beneficiaries of a number of New Year Resolutions to get out and about, so let’s hope that continues!

Of course work parties are not the only reason to visit our local waterways. We are Spring 2017

lucky to have an extensive network of high quality accessible towpaths throughout the branch area, from south of Stone to Harecastle and along the Caldon from Etruria to Leek and to Cheddleton. These are suitable for walkers, cyclists and in many cases mobility scooters. Other sections of towpath, such as the Macclesfield Canal and some rural parts of the Caldon and Trent & Mersey are not hard surfaced but are suitable for anyone with a pair of strong shoes or boots. If you spot anything interesting or unusual, or indeed anything that concerns you along the waterways of our area, please let us know.

In my previous editorial I mentioned the Stoke-on-Trent City of Culture 2021 proposal. Since then the bid has been formally launched and I encourage everyone to “Get behind the bid” as their slogan says.

Culture in this case has a very broad definition so creative industries, of which the pottery industry is the most obvious local example, will have an important part to play. The arrival of the Trent & Mersey Canal was a key moment in the growth of this industry so it is no surprise that we have been involved in discussion of two potential projects which place the canals at the centre of cultural heritage of the city.

Even if the bid does not make it to the final stage some very positive work is being done to raise the profile of Stoke-on-Trent which can only be good for projects such as Burslem Port, which need to encourage visitors to spend time in the area.

Finally, and on a personal note, I’d like to thank both Branch and Region Committees for their very kind award of the Victoria Cup, more of which elsewhere in this issue.

I wonder if it is the first time it will spend a year displayed on a boat!

Steve Wood Page 3

Uttoxeter Canal Work Party

Above: Philip completes tidying up at Bridge 70.

Right: Steven working at Carrington's Lock.

At the final work party of 2016 at Crumpwood, volunteers started to look closely at Carrington’s Lock, which had been revealed by WRG Forestry at their week-long camp in October. Having removed the remaining ivy from the area around the top gate it was possible to see that much of the stonework within the lock has not moved in the 168 years since it closed to navigation.

At Bridge 70, we completed the task of tidying over the top of the deck, which had been started in November. A section of towpath near the bridge was also tidied up, with weeds cut back where they had encroached from the sides.

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In January, our very well attended work party concentrated on the area around and below Carrington’s Lock. Rob’s chainsaw was again put to good use, cutting up the last of the trunks left over from the WRG Forestry camp, as well as a number of additional trees. The branches were then KNOBSTICKS

Uttoxeter Canal Work Party cut up and burned with the trunks cut into We are limited in what we can do at the manageable lengths and left where they lock at present – there is a trickle of water could be taken away by local people. flowing through it all the time and occasionally it is much more than that – but We have been asked a number of times why we are talking about undertaking a more we don’t sell the logs. The answer is that comprehensive excavation in the summer, almost all of the logs we produce are alder, where the lock would be pumped out so we which is not the best wood for burning so could look at the rest of it. does not have a significant commercial value. We decided that it was better to give At the request of a number of regular it away for free to passers-by than go volunteers the branch is currently looking at through the complexity of selling it for adding a Saturday work party each month. minimal profit. Our volunteers are better This will make it easier for those who occupied on other tasks. It also makes us usually work on weekdays to become very popular with the people of Denstone! involved. If you are interested in joining this group please let us know as it requires a Steven made great progress in revealing the number of people to attend to be both safe top end of Carrington’s Lock. We have still and worthwhile. not worked out how some of the structure Article (& Photos): Steve Wood was constructed, particularly the top ground paddle, but it has been a great surprise to Below: Volunteers Rob and Darren taking see so much still there. measurements at Carrington’s Lock.

Spring 2017

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Burslem Port Work Party

In recent months, work parties in Middleport have concentrated on cutting back bushes and trees which were restricting access to parts of the site and also blocking sightlines along the former canal. This work was planned with three objectives in mind:  Improve visibility of the original concrete towpath edge, which has been uncovered over the past few years.  Re-establish the original line of the towpath as the preferred pedestrian route through the site.  Improve access so that we can get a tractor or similar-sized vehicle onto site to assist with future management of vegetation.

Over a series of very well attended work parties between late November and early February, huge progress was made towards these Page 6

KNOBSTICKS

Burslem Port Work Party

Above (Both Pages): Before and After—Cutting back vegetation and litter picking at Burslem Port.

Bottom Left: Volunteer Nigel cuts back brambles next to the Shropshire Union warehouse on the Burslem Branch Canal. objectives. It was nice to see a number of new volunteers as well as the regular faces, and especially good to see them come back more than once!

Unfortunately the weather meant that burning the cut-back materials has proved impossible so there are currently piles of stacked branches along much of the length of the canal. We may decide to get these chipped rather than burning them as this will be quicker and also inhibits regrowth.

A litter pick along the whole branch has been carried out at each work party. Whilst the overall amount of littering around the Spring 2017

site is decreasing we have found bags of rubbish dumped at or near to the entrances to the site on more than one occasion. The path either side of the footbridge was tidied up in January to make it easier for pedestrians and particularly mobility scooter users from the adjacent extra care home to use as a route into Burslem town centre.

We cannot currently work near to the former Co-Op bakery as demolition works are still going on, but there is still much that can be worked on elsewhere so please do come along if you have time, even if it is just for a couple of hours.

Article (& Photos): Steve Wood Page 7

Ice on the Summit

One of our regular short trips out in “Uplander II”, our 45ft narrowboat, is to nip through the Harecastle Tunnel from our base at Kidsgrove and cruise out to Stoke City’s stadium on a match day, saving Jon a long trek to join his pals for an afternoon cheering on the Potters. Often the ‘lads’ fortify themselves with soup, or treat themselves to Kay and Steve’s oatcakes from the nearby Oatcake Boat, before setting off. Several times they have consoled themselves after a bad result with tea and cake back at “Uppie”. Notable expeditions have found me listening to a famous 6:1 victory over Liverpool while putting an extra coat of paint on the roof, and mingling with the home fans for a keenly-contested match against Southampton when (by rights) I belonged at the away-end for that game!

With the Potters at home to Watford for their first game of 2017, we decided to get the year off to a boaty start with a run out to see them. The Harecastle Tunnel’s winter opening hours were relaxed over the Festive Season so we didn’t have to book.

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Settling onto our boat on New Year’s Day, ready for an early start Monday morning, we woke to a chilly start with frozen ropes but no ice on the water. It almost never freezes so close to the tunnel. We were lucky that it was a sparklingly clear, still, KNOBSTICKS

Ice on the Summit sunny day – although we didn’t get to enjoy those benefits until we were through the Harecastle Tunnel.

Jon (on his 19th transit skippering “Uppie” through the tunnel) soon had us back in the sunlight. Que Sera Sera (the Oatcake Boat) was turning at the winding hole, having moved up from Westport Lake, which meant the thin sheen of ice we encountered just south of the tunnel had been broken up before we reached it.

It was a different story south of Westport Lake, where no boats had moved since the water froze. At first, there was just a thin skin of it. That didn’t trouble me at all. A couple of years ago, our Christmas cruise had involved a small amount of ice-breaking on Boxing Day – possibly the only occasion on which I’ve seen the participants in a fishing competition looking happy at the sight of an approaching boat!

By Middleport Pottery, cutting through the ice made a distinct tinkling noise. Heading for the curve past the former Burslem Branch, the ice was thicker still and although it seemed fun crunching through it, the noise heard inside the boat as chunks of it rattled and bounced off the hull was quite alarming. It was actually quite a relief to get to our mooring outside the carvery at Festival Park but a shock to spot the bare patches on the bows where the ice had scraped the blacking away!

There were still patches of ice about the next day (Tuesday) when we made our way out to the match (which Stoke won, 2:0), although there was no sign on Wednesday morning when we came back through to Etruria to moor back by the pub. Although it was still holiday time, we were surprised Spring 2017

to see very few other boats on the move in such glorious winter weather.

I was working in Hanley for a couple of days and we were booked back through the tunnel on Saturday morning. It looked to be a fairly routine end to a regular journey.

Wednesday night saw a very sharp frost but rain was forecast for Friday morning, so our plan to mooch on up to the tunnel on Friday afternoon seemed fair enough.

In the event, we had quite a struggle even to shuffle back to Black Prince for a pump-out before setting off! Getting through to Harecastle was quite a different proposition to coming down. Our southbound trip had been through fresh, clean ice under bright sunshine. Going north the ice was tougher to crack, having been smashed by other boats during the course of the week, only to refreeze in awkward chunks glued together by the cold rain now chilling us. It was hard going, although “Uppie” did manage to push through without us having to break the ice ahead of the boat with the pole.

At one point, again close to the site of the old Burslem Port branch, I feared we would find ourselves stranded, Endurance-style, unable to make further progress. It took some ice-breaking with the boat hook to enable the stern to swing far enough for us to take the turn. There were patches of ice all the way to the south portal of the tunnel although it was much less of an obstacle after Westport Lake.

As a Southampton native, I tend to work on the principle that boats and ice shouldn't mix and I think future winter trips will be planned to avoid having to move if there’s more than a thin sheet of ice to splinter.

Article (& Photos): Sarah Honeysett Page 9

Stone Crown Wharf — News of Potential New Development On 15th February Stone Town Council issued this Press Release :An exciting development is being proposed for Crown Wharf, Stone. The Council has been approached by Joules Brewery and Stone Revellers members Leo Capernaros and Harri Bailey for their support with a project which would see the Brewery:  Restore Wharfingers Cottage for use as a restaurant/coffee shop.  Create a Joules Brewery Tap with the potential of housing a Joules shop.  Facilitate space for a potential new build community theatre/cinema.  Facilitate space with potential for the Town Council to create a new build heritage and tourist information centre.

It is early days yet, and dependent on a bid to the Canal and River Trust, who currently own the land.

Councillor Rob Kenney, Chairman of the Council’s General Purposes Committee, added: “This is a great opportunity for a new leisure and tourism development in Stone which could provide both an attractive gateway to the town for canal visitors and exciting new facilities for residents. The Town Council are happy to support this development in principle and work with Joules Brewery, as we would with any organisation bringing forward such a proposal, to help it come to fruition in a way that maximises benefit to the town.”

Steve Nuttall, Joules Brewery Director said: “Joule’s Brewery have for several years sought a suitable location in Stone for a flagship pub. The Joules story has its heart in Stone so it has been a long held dream of ours to have a special pub in the town.

Last year we sponsored the Stone Food and Drink Festival and we were overwhelmed by the warmth of local people and the interest in seeing Joules, once again, open for business in Page 10

Stone. Around the same time the planning application for retirement housing was rejected on Crown Wharf so that site was potentially back in play. The local opposition from the Town against housing for the Crown Wharf site has been impressive. We approached the Crown Wharf Steering group and expressed our interest in stepping in with the idea to build a Joules brewery flagship pub.

Our proposal is to make the canal-side accessible and visible and create a leisure facility at the site which will maximise the connection to the town centre. This plan is in tune with the town plan and the local development policy. As such the Town council have this week welcomed our idea. We have also during our discussions made a commitment that, if we are successful in a bid, then we make space available at Crown Wharf should the town council wish to locate some facilities alongside our development. We have also made the same offer to Stone Revellers who have expressed an interest in locating a small theatre project at the location. Our view is that the site is large enough to accommodate these complimentary leisure facilities and such collaborative local involvement will make the project stronger and better. Our proposals also include plans to restore Wharfingers Cottage, also for a complimentary leisure use.

If McCarthy & Stone, who still have first option to buy the site, withdraw their interest then we hope to have talks with Canal and River Trust with a view of making a bid. The significance of the meeting this week where the town council have shown some encouragement for our proposed use means we can have these talks with greater certainty and potentially make an unconditional bid now we know that the town council have a willingness and enthusiasm to take a collaborative approach to what has the potential to be a very exciting development.”

Press Release + www.alittlebitofstone.com 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 Spring 2017

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Social Programme

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

PROGRAMME OF TALKS 2016 – 2017 Friday 21st April 2017, 7.45 for 8pm [Note the date, as14th April is Good Friday] The Droitwich Canal Margaret Rowley, Vice Chair of “Droitwich Waterway (Pamela May) Trust”, talks on “The History & Restoration of the Droitwich Canal” from its 1771 opening to now, with photographs and Illustrations of original structures.

Friday 12th May 2017, 7.45 for 8pm The Caledonian Canal Phil Clayton presents his illustrated talk about the “History and Tales of the Caledonian Canal”.

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: Barbara Wells (01782 911004 or 07710 418908) Email socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk or visit the branch webpages at:

www.waterways.org.uk

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Cheshire Locks Work Party

Thursday 17th November Six willing volunteers set off from home in bright sunshine intending to spend the day painting at lock 42. However, just as we set up the rain started, and it became progressively heavier until by noon it was torrential. Not to be outdone we devoted the morning to litter picking on the Macclesfield Canal loop around lock 42 and filled 6 large bags full of rubbish. The section of canal looks much better for the effort but by lunchtime, soaked through, we had to call it a day.

As everyone left the rain stopped and the sun reappeared. So 6 very wet volunteers returned home in bright sunshine. As they say, timing is everything!

Spring 2017

Thursday 19th January The weather was unsuitable for painting so the team worked on litter picking in the section of Trent & Mersey + Macclesfield branch around Hardings Wood Junction from lock 42 up to Harecastle Tunnel Thursday 16th February We started by cutting back some tree branches overhanging the Macclesfield spur.

The woodwork on the lock was damp all day so work concentrated on painting black metal work on lock 42. Good progress was made but with some disruption due to very isolated showers which unfortunately seemed to occur just very local to Kidsgrove. We also cleared a load of plastic bottles from the canal around the lock area.

Article (& Photos): John Brighouse

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IWA Victoria Cup awarded to Steve Wood

We took advantage of the rare absence of Steve Wood for part of a recent branch committee meeting to agree to put his name forward to the West Midlands Region Committee as a nomination for their 2017 Victoria Cup award. Our nomination read: Steve Wood is active in so many waterway matters, often arranging his working hours to prioritise volunteering on the waterways. As a live-aboard boater, he spends much time liaising with CRT local staff, alerting them to problems on the navigation and particularly in ensuring that the opening hours of the Harecastle Tunnel take account of boater’s needs.

Steve first joined IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch committee just over 10 years ago, in September 2006, initially as Page 14

Planning Officer. Two years later he joined the committee of the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, as Communications Officer, and also became involved with the Burslem Port Trust around the same time.

At national level, he uses his professional knowledge of IT to help Head Office with computer and website expertise, and Gemma Bolton will often turn to him for advice on IT matters.

He is very active on the Restoration Scene. For the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canal Trust, he has been the Chair of the Uttoxeter Canal Restoration group, and has been the main organiser for several WRG canal camps and weekend visits, including a recent return visit from WRG Forestry– a considerable task. He KNOBSTICKS

IWA Victoria Cup awarded to Steve Wood played an active part in the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project overall, which included the Bridge 70 project on the Uttoxeter Canal, and often represented IWA at Board level on the partnership. His involvement became wider than just the canal elements of the project and he was involved in interpretation and setting up and running the Churnet Valley website.

Similarly, for the Burslem Port Trust, he has instituted and led the working parties over the last few years, writing a newsletter to all the scheme’s supporters. Under his leadership, the vegetation has been cleared along the line of the canal arm and the footpath over the bridge has been vastly improved with drainage so that the public can now use that route up to Burslem. He is also an active adviser to the Trust board, and takes the minutes of the monthly meetings.

He is the prime mover on the Stoke Canals Partnership and has been instrumental in helping CRT arrange a £1 million investment in the City Canals, using his detailed knowledge of the area to assist the consultants in elaborating the scheme.

Steve has been particularly active in the running of the Staffordshire Waterways Group, often taking the minutes. With other key members, he designed and set up the SWG Web site, which is now a well-used public resource.

Another waterway organisation that benefits from Steve’s involvement is the Historic Narrow Boat Club, where he has spent many hours working on the website (well over and beyond the initial setting up which the Club paid him to do), assisting the committee with its membership database, and helping members with archive material, such as assisting Malcolm Braine to digitise and present his photographs to club members.

Spring 2017

The branch has benefitted from Steve’s presentational abilities on numerous occasions, such as round ups of the branch’s activities at the AGM and creating and updating publicity material for the branch display stands. He regularly gives public presentations and talks on behalf of CUCT and IWA. Recently he has stepped into the breach as Deputy Chairman of the NSSC Branch, covering many of the Chairman’s functions since Bob Luscombe had to step down due to poor health.

As well as chairing the Branch meetings, he covers the planning officer’s role, often a complicated and time-consuming task. He has taken a leading part as one of the branch’s work party organisers, leading work parties on the Uttoxeter Canal and at Burslem Port, and occasionally on the Cheshire Locks on the Trent & Mersey Canal. Most recently, he has led a couple of sessions to install mooring rings as part of an inter branch project involving two neighbouring IWA branches to install mooring rings around the Cheshire Ring.

He regularly attends Northern Canals Association and IWA/CRT Restoration Conferences representing the restoration projects in the branch’s area. Steve is passionate about inland waterways (and industrial archaeology amongst many other engineering and arts interests) and regards networking events such as these as a great way to share expertise, seek the advice of others and in turn, make introductions and connections about waterways matters to help further the conservation and development of the inland waterways network.

IWA West Midland Region chairman Helen Whitehouse presented the cup (for making a significant contribution to the waterways) to a surprised Steve Wood at our AGM. Article: Roger Savage (Photo: Barbara Wells) Page 15

Our Liverpool Adventure Last year, Alan and I planned and had what turned out to be a very enjoyable, exciting and momentous trip - to Liverpool. Yes, right to the heart of the city.

About sixteen years ago (really! where has it gone?) we cruised the Leeds and Liverpool Canal for the second time but only went just through Burscough in the Liverpool direction, before turning and doing the Rufford Branch. At that time, although, as you may imagine, Liverpool "beckoned enticingly", we " chickened out", but always said we would do it one day. That day finally came in 2016.

dinner was already fully booked up- more later).

Action stations! There followed a hectic two weeks planning, booking all sorts of things - a space at the event, passage through Stanley Locks and the Link, mooring in Salthouse Dock, leaving the boat for a week, and not least getting out again!

Everything clicked into place for us - the trip was on.

Starting from Market Drayton, we had a leisurely, but not uneventful cruise to Liverpool. The first thing was arriving in Audlem when the Music Festival was on In the IWA Waterways magazine (late Jan/ over the Bank Holiday (yes, you've guessed early Feb) I read about the IWA Campaign it -we didn't know). There we were, locking Festival to be held at the Eldonian Village, down the Audlem flight late on the Sunday Liverpool and I thought "Could this be it?" A afternoon, and we could hear all this noise proper destination, lots of other boats and a (sorry music). Perhaps it’s a fair we thought. cause - promoting more use of the canal Will we get a mooring for the night we down into Liverpool. thought!! PHEW! one space left in the big pound. On Bank Holiday Monday we 'did' Also, a few years ago, my brother-in-law the event. The best thing was talking to the David, who some of you will know through ladies on one of the charity stalls and having his Planning and Heritage roles, moved to a go on their fund-raising SAND GAME. Liverpool and installed himself in an Some of you may know this was a fundapartment on Mann Island - yes the black raising activity we used to do on the IWA building! What an amazing view from his branch stall. We even won a prize. (Theme window. The lock leading into Canning developing here).

Dock from the link is right below his window - albeit six floors down. No We then spent a lovely evening with Gill surprise then that he asked us when we and John in Middlewich having a fish and were going to visit him by boat instead of chip supper before setting off in earnest the car. next day towards "unexplored waters", at least after Burscough.

Fate was conspiring! Alan and I had a chat and were in accord. We would give it a go, In order to reach Liverpool via the Link, if we could get booked into the Festival. A boats have to be in certain places at certain phone call to Geoff Gittus of the Chester times because two of the many swing Branch revealed the Festival was getting bridges near the end are strictly timed and heavily booked up, however, we were in controlled by CRT (More about swing luck, being , I think, the 8lst boat. (But the bridges later). In order to reach the timed Page 16

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Our Liverpool Adventure ones there are lots more to pass through and a distance to travel.

So, all is well on schedule until swing bridge no. 36 near Hoscar - electrically operated.

On approaching you wonder why there are half a dozen boats seemingly moored up in the middle of nowhere, only to find the bridge closed, power out and the goose is literally cooked. (High voltage style). Now remember, time is important in the schedule to reach bridge no. 9 so it was a huge relief to hear the message being passed back from boat to boat "the Leccy’s back on" and to be moving again only 5 hours later! The goose jokes were rife. A goose had flown into the power lines and the whole area was down. The queue reached at least 12 boats our way and 4 the other.

CRT were present and very helpful and we even had the chance to look out over the fields and watch the power men in action.

The first timed and controlled swing bridge on the way in is bridge 9, a very busy road with a hospital nearby. The 'safe' mooring is by bridge 10 at the village of Melling (Grand National territory). Passage time beckons, so we all set off (10 of us I think including private, heritage craft and a trip boat!). I mention the Grand National horse race because it was just like that - all of us Spring 2017

"jostling" for position to form the convoy through the bridge. O.K. big ones first!

Then, there we were – going round the Canal Turn. It was all a bit unreal.

Next is bridge 6 timed and controlled by CRT A straightforward cruise for a couple of hours between nos. 9 and 6. Although many more boats have been going down into Liverpool since the link opened some years ago, the daily convoys are still a source of entertainment to the locals. After bridge 6 there are no restrictions, so Liverpool here we come.

Arrival at Eldonian Village was at lunch time on the Thursday with things still very much sorting themselves out re moorings etc. On the Thursday evening we attended a very interesting talk on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. By mid-morning Friday we were established in our eventual spot for the weekend "in the stack" (not easy with our stern but manageable and definitely preferable to our pre-allocated space.

Sadly, there was a little trouble with some youngsters until the Community Police showed up for the event, but apart from this, I must say that the local people in the village were very friendly, helpful and supportive. A strong sense of community was apparent.

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Our Liverpool Adventure The weekend went well - lots to see and do. I spent a couple of hours on the raffle stall on Saturday with a lady from Broken Cross Boat Club and then joined Margaret on the WRG stand on the Sunday, while Roger was elsewhere (doing something important of course).

The Saturday night turned out to be interesting. As I said before we weren’t booked in for the dinner. 120 people was the maximum which had passed when we booked a place at the Festival. However, we were very kindly offered two tickets for the dinner, (free of charge) by Andy and Kerry who had decided to stay on their friends' boat for a Chinese take-away. The meal (in the village hall) was all arranged and catered by the locals and was very enjoyable.

Now remember I said there was a theme developing? Well, despite the fact we did not originally have tickets, guess what? --We actually won 1st prize in the raffle. A bottle of champagne plus a box of luxury chocolates. Well, as soon as possible next day, we gave the champagne to Andy and Kerry as a thank you for their generosity.

Mind you, they never saw the chocolates! It was also good to hear the their Chinese take-away had been an excellent one so winners all round. So, a good weekend, a good event but still more to come.

Passage through Stanley Locks and the link was booked for us at 1.00 pm on the Page 18

Monday. We were joined for this by Alan's brother David and partner Steve. The next couple of hours were amazing, cruising through the old docks, through 'Sid's Ditch' (never did find out why it is called that), and along to the waterfront passing the Three Graces. WOW! The locks are operated by CRT but you are on your own in between, with instructions don't stop and follow the boys - I mean BUOYS. Then into the lock below David's window (I live up there you know. That's my window, he's telling anybody who will listen).

Into Canning Dock, round into Albert Dock and under the bridge into Salthouse Dock, in our little boat passing big ships and huge boats. It was all a bit overwhelming and hard to take in that we were actually there doing it. One of our CRT team, Rob, came to see us all settled in, in our pre-booked berth (ours for the next 10 days). Just as well he did! On entering the huge expanse of the Salthouse Dock, you see the mooring jetties in the distance and think, which one is ours?

The numbers are small and difficult to spot, but yes, there it is, our allocated berth with another boat in it! Oh great! So, we just moored up next door but one and off I went to find Rob, which was not difficult as he was true to his word and on his way to see us settled in. In the end, after several phone calls to the ”office” we accepted a KNOBSTICKS

Our Liverpool Adventure mooring much further along the line, with which we were more than happy - the view was better into the next dock which was WAPPING by the way. No really, it wasn't just the size - that is its name WAPPING DOCK. So we made it. Our passengers departed, leaving us to settle in before an evening meal with bro’ -in-law. The next day was to see us travelling home to Stoke on the train for a few days. Appointments, lawns to mow, washing to do. HO HUM!

Wednesday 8.00am and time to leave already. The return trip through the link was much more enjoyable for me, as I was not so overwhelmed by the size of it all and knew what to expect. Having negotiated Stanley Locks we then had a long day ahead of us in order to get back through the timed bridges to Melling for the night. Our boat was in the last pairing to go through. We had not actually decided on what to do after Stanley Locks but soon made the decision to carry on as this was what the others were doing. Nice to have company.

The following Sunday saw our return by car, courtesy of Alan's sister and her husband.

We all spent the day with David doing the rounds: the Beatles Story, the Maritime Museum - handy as it was pouring with rain!

Ah yes, before I forget (How could I?) those swing bridges. All different, locked with CRT key, handcuff key, automated barriers, non-automated barriers, lights, no lights, automatic open and close and then there's THAT ONE!! If you have been this way you will know it. The one where you do everything you've got used to doing and The return booking through the link was then nothing happens - UNTIL YOU THINK booked for Wednesday at 8.00 am, so TO PUSH IT! (Ha fooled you). Mind you, Monday and Tuesday were spent "doing we were not alone. Everyone we have Liverpool", including the open-topped tour spoken to who did the trip had the same bus, the Beatles Story re-visited (re-entry story to tell. Still a source of conversation free the next day), walking along the and yet another anecdote for the future- Do waterfront and the highlight which was the you remember when.....? guided tour of the underground dock under Liverpool One shopping centre. An absolute I might add that as the steerer of the boat, must do. Also on Monday morning we this was not my problem. Swing bridge cruised down to Coburg Dock (the location opens (often after what seems an age), I of Liverpool Marina) to fill up with fuel by steer through, stop to pick up crew and off pre- arrangement. we go. SIMPLE. The different combinations Spring 2017

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Our Liverpool Adventure of all of the above were many and it paid to take everything you might possibly need to operate them. Alan still goes on about them given half a chance!

And now Wigan. I forgot to mention that on the outward journey we had trouble at Wigan, as there was no water in the pound between the two locks before the junction.

We struggled through with two other boats, all helping each other. I’m sure our boat was on top of a sunken car at one point. You've probably all had that feeling of ‘up and over’.

So, corning into Wigan on the return journey, you can't help but think about the previous experience. Surely, it won't happen again - Oh yes it will and worse! It appeared a spot of 'vandalism' had trapped two boats in same said lock, except this time the huge pound was virtually dry and the said two boats were stuck in that lock for 10 hours!!

The chap on one of the boats, which was actually heading up the big flight to Leeds, said jokingly "I was expecting to spend hours in locks today, just not the same one"!

The next stop of interest was Castlefield Basin, a detour from Waters Meeting, just so that Alan could don his England shirt and go to Bar Eight which is at the end of the basin and watch the England football team lose and go out of the European Championships. Still, we do enjoy being moored up in Castlefield Basin as it is a brilliant base with so much to see and do in the vicinity.

At least this trip into Manchester did not involve seeing a naked man on the stern of a holiday narrowboat! I kid you not. Actually, I looked away (yes really) but Alan still has nightmares I believe! Needless to say, they were thrown off the boat before the end of their holiday.

Has the discerning reader spotted the fact that I go to all sorts of exotic locations for my holidays? Well I like it anyway! Being moored up on our much cherished narrowboat within sight of the Hilton Hotel, i.e. Salthouse Dock and Castlefield Basin gives me a perverse sense of pleasure or should I say a sense of achievement?

Homeward bound now, once again enjoying the delights of the northern Trent and Mersey. And, unlike on the approach to Middlewich a couple of years ago, we were not held up for a day (on the way to the Folk and Boat Festival) by a sunken boat in one of the three locks.

Fortunately, the level of water in the pound had risen just enough to release them and let them get to a safe mooring before nightfall but only just I might add. The next morning the big pound was sufficiently in water to let six of us out.

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Another evening in the company of the ever -welcoming Gill and John saw us well on the way back to our mooring and a return to life on land and this time there was a hedge to cut as well!

Journey's end.

Anne (Photos: Alan) Chetwyn KNOBSTICKS

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

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

KNOBSTICKS

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

Web-site Liaison Alison Smedley (temporarily) 01538 385388 webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk Planning Chairman VACANT VACANT (Contact planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk) (Contact steve.wood@waterways.org.uk) Membership Officer Deputy Chairman Ju Davenport Steve Wood 07976 805858 membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Navigation Officer Jon Honeysett Treasurer Alan Chetwyn (No Email) 01782 279277 navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club Rep. Secretary Rupert Smedley Judith Turner 07789 518816 Burslem Port Work Party secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 Sales Officer steve.wood@waterways.org.uk VACANT Caldon Work Party + Uttoxeter W.P. (Contact steve.wood@waterways.org.uk) Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Social Secretary Cheshire Locks Work Party Barbara Wells 01782 911004 John Brighouse 07808 878317 socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk john.brighouse@waterways.org.uk Congleton Work Party Publicity Officer Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 VACANT (Contact steve.wood@waterways.org.uk) publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0BL

Other committee members: Julie Arnold, Maria Frost, Rob Frost West Midlands Region Chairman Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 westmidlands@waterways.org.uk

The Branch committee meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2 nd 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 North Staffordshire & South Cheshire 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 Spring 2017

www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire

Page 23

Join Us on a Canal Work Party

 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 Brighouse Phone: 07808-878317 Email: john.brighouse@waterways.org.uk  Uttoxeter Canal (Bridge 70, near Denstone) 2nd Thursday of each month, 10am to 3pm.

Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk  Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent 1st Saturday of each month, 10am to 3pm. and 4th Tuesday of each month, 10am to 3pm.

Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk  Congleton, Macclesfield Canal 4th Thursday of each month, 10am to 12:30pm.

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

See the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk under “Events” for dates.

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

KNOBSTICKS