Knobsticks Summer 2018

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

KNOBSTICKS Summer 2018

Roger and Pauline Savage being presented with their 50 year membership plaque at the May branch social meeting.

Photo: Steve Wood

Editorial Regrettably, there is little to report yet on the Middlewich Breach, other than the very necessary preparatory works. A road has been built across a farmer’s field, a ramp now leads into the canal, and a roadway is heading along the canal bed towards the breach.

Once that roadway reaches the stranded boat, CRT hope to remove it (using a HiAb equipped flat-bed lorry). Work has resumed after a hiatus whilst badger cubs were weaned.

Repair work is expected to take around 6 months, once the contractors start. Cost is estimated at 2-3 million pounds.

On a more cheerful note, here are some pictures (by Sarah Honeysett) of the Etruria Rally, which took place at the start of June.

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Deputy Chairman’s Report time. They are Mr G Parker, Mrs J Ridgway [Ed—sadly deceased, See page 10], Mr and Mrs R Savage [See cover photo], and Mr A G Self.

Many thanks to everyone who helped out on the branch stand at the Etruria Canals Festival over the sunny weekend of the 2nd and 3rd June. A slow day on the Saturday was made up for by a much busier day (and increased sales) on the Sunday.

We were pleased to be able to use one of the new centrally stored IWA branded gazebos for the event and the large map taking up one side panel was a focus for many interesting conversations with members of the public. Visitors to the stand included IWA National Chairman, Ivor Caplan, and Canal & River Trust Chief Executive, Richard Parry.

You may have spotted in IWA’s national magazine Waterways recently that members with over 50 years continuous membership of the Association are being rewarded. In our branch we have a number of people who have been members for more than 50 years. They should by now all have received their 50 year membership brass plaque. We congratulate them and thank them for their support over this long period of Summer 2018

Among the 18 members nationally who were awarded honorary life membership for over 60 years of membership at last year’s national AGM is Malcolm Braine (who this year will actually see 70 years’ membership). Although the story from Malcolm about how he was recruited at the age of 15 by Rendell Wyatt and Tom Rolt has also appeared in Waterways, I thought it was worth repeating in Knobsticks (see page 15) as it reminds us of the longevity and history of the Association. Our congratulations and thanks to Malcolm too.

The branch will be taking part in a new IWA campaign looking at the provision of Boaters’ Facilities, and encourages all branch members who are boaters to report gaps in facilities (particularly the basic facilities that all boaters require such as water, rubbish and elsan, which IWA suggests should be no more than 5 hours boating apart) via the online Gaptracker form on the IWA website (www.waterways.org.uk/gaptracker).

The campaign covers all waterways and navigation authorities, so please make a note of any observations while you are out and about this summer.

The next outing for the branch stand will be to the Stone Food & Drinks Festival on Saturday 6th October. Branch members are invited to volunteer for an hour or two, so please let us know if you would like to get involved.

Alison Smedley Deputy Chairman Page 3

WRG Family Camp weekend on the Uttoxeter Canal

Following last year’s successful first ever WRG Family Camp on the Uttoxeter Canal, Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust (supported by this branch) have hosted a second camp, the first of three to take place around the country this year. The event took place over the weekend of 9th & 10th June, with people travelling from as far away as Yorkshire and Hertfordshire to take part.

Seven children, ranging in age from 8 to 13, took part, accompanied by their parents or grandparents. Work, which was based around the Crumpwood area of the canal near Denstone, included building and installing bird boxes, clearing invasive Himalayan balsam (and a competition for the best sculpture made out of it), a nature walk to carry out a survey of wildlife in the area, and installing some bollards alongside Carringtons Lock.

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The young people taking part were very enthusiastic about the weekend and commented:  “Bird boxes, balsam and bollards – it had everything!” (Jonathan).  “We learnt a lot of new skills this weekend which will be useful in the future” (Georgina).  “I enjoyed it all but most exciting was finding a dragonfly nymph on the nature walk” (Peter).

The family camp was funded by a grant of £2,000 from Tesco’s Bags of Help Scheme, following branch members and the residents of Uttoxeter voting for the project earlier in the year. Accommodation for the weekend was at Smallwood Manor, a former boarding school south of Uttoxeter, where the Saturday evening saw families enjoying a sociable barbecue.

Alison Smedley KNOBSTICKS

Burslem Port—New Strategy In 1999 members of the then Stoke Branch of the Inland Waterways Association, together with the Trent & Mersey Canal Society, started a campaign to restore the Burslem Branch Canal, a 3/8-mile arm of the Trent and Mersey Canal in Stoke-on-Trent. This followed an initiative by member David Dumbelton to see if there was sufficient support to take this forward.

In 2011 the Burslem Port Trust was formed with the specific remit of reestablishing the Canal and creating waterside facilities; leisure and tourism activities and creating employment.

In 2017, a group comprising officers from the City of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water, the Canal & River Trust met with the Burslem Port Trust to fund a consultancy to determine a new Strategy, carried out by Peter Brett Associates.

They carried out a wide consultation with stakeholders - neighbouring landowners, community groups and waterway volunteers. Their final Strategy and Action Plan has just been published.

Here, slightly adapted, is their summary: Strategy Aims This demonstrates how canal reestablishment can seize on planned investment activity and improved connectivity to become the essential piece of infrastructure that maximises the value of the A500 Link Road and planned commercial investment at Etruria Valley. It is also mindful of the present constrained funding environment and demonstrates how the project Summer 2018

can contribute to wider stakeholder objectives.

The Opportunity Several major factors are helping to reposition the area and enhance the prospect of re-opening the Burslem Branch Canal. These include a major commercial investment programme in the Etruria Valley, with improved accessibility and transport links; the work of the Burslem Regeneration Trust which promotes partnership and collaboration amongst stakeholders, the ongoing success of Middleport Pottery as a nationally known tourism destination and finally the influence of “Middleport Matters” community-led initiative.

The A500 Link Road, scheduled to be completed by December 2019 will improve connectivity from the A500 to the city centre through Festival Way in the west and crucially improve access to the north to Middleport and Burslem through Newport Lane. The link road will also provide the connecting infrastructure to kick start the northern section of the Etruria Valley. The site provides some 30 Hectares of employment land, mainly for logistics and warehouse development which will accommodate between 1,200 – 1,500 jobs.

Contribution to Stakeholder Objectives The Strategy demonstrates how the reestablished Burslem Branch Canal can help achieve stakeholder organisation’s strategic objectives including: economic and social development, environmental enhancement and physical and increased waterway and towpath activity.

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Burslem Port—New Strategy Strategy Themes The Strategy adopts interlinked themes:

the

following

 Connecting Infrastructure: addressing barriers & constraints: infrastructure to integrate economic potential (A500, Etruria Valley, Middleport, Burslem), build economic activity and connect communities;  A Green Infrastructure & Heritage Asset: using the canal environs to promote sustainable connections between communities, places of interests and cycle, pedestrian and transport networks  Developing key markets & sites: using the enhanced profile from A500 improvements, Middleport Pottery and other initiatives to build activity and value in visitor, boating, commercial and residential markets  Developing capacity: developing an effective structure to marshal resources and deliver canal and community regeneration.  Linking City & Regional Assets: Promote the Burslem Branch as vital economic & linking infrastructure.

Action Plan & Delivery A series of practical actions have been established in an Action Plan with indicative timings ranging from early wins to long term aspirations. Stakeholder organisations have been allocated to each action.

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Actions relating to early wins involve investigating the ownership and functionality of the drainage ditch to the east of the canal. This will determine the likely design, cost and area of land available for development.

Other early wins relate to establishing a walkway between the canal area, Burslem town centre and the Trent and Mersey Canal to increase local use and improve the attractiveness of neighbouring sites. Visitor interpretation will also increase awareness of the canal’s historic value and proposed future role.

The recently secured Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) which provides government money to tackle problems associated with developing land in Burslem and Middleport, could also be used to amass developer contributions to develop the ‘mouth’ of the Burslem Branch canal to promote interest and activity at its most visible point.

Developer contributions relating to HIF could also be used to establish more effective connections north and west between proposed housing sites, the proposed canal route and Burslem town centre.

The Way Forward Members of the Trust will be meeting soon with the City Council and the Canal and River Trust to plan how we can work together to put the Action Plan into practice.

Roger Savage Chairman, Burslem Port Trust Ed—See next page for news of new developments since the report was published.

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Burslem Port—Latest News Latest news from Burslem Port Since the PBA report was presented, there have been significant changes in personnel at Stoke City Council, so we are faced once again with having to brief new officers on the background to this new strategy. On Tuesday 12th June, representatives of the Burslem Port Trust met with Philip Cresswell, Director, and James Dunn, who oversees regeneration.

After sketching the background, I asked for the City’s backing as we take matters forward. I mentioned our plan to deliver a walkway along the towpath where we have applied for substantial funds from the Community Interest Fund – we were told that the result of this bid will be announced within a week.

We referred to the completion of the flood risk study, and the need to establish the ownership and function of the ditch. It was agreed that the City would help take this forward in discussion with Severn Trent and their own flood control officer. They would also keep us informed of the developing housing market strategy in the light of Housing Infrastructure Fund grant recently awarded to sites in Burslem and Middleport. Over time, they would also be involved with developing a land ownership strategy.

They responded to my request for us to have a designated officer to deal with.

They agreed to help us with planning matters and immediately sought to clarify for us the position in terms of planning policy of the line of the Burslem Arm. They further agreed that, once they have had time to absorb the PBA report, they would prepare a brief and take the scheme to the city Cabinet.

Because of the current pressure of work due to making arrangements for the Poppy Display, this would not realistically happen until September. We left the meeting much reassured that the new officers would continue the support already shown by their predecessors.

Roger Savage Chairman, Burslem Port Trust Some numbers — The infographic below (taken from the strategy report) indicates the high level economic impacts, benefits and value for money indicators associated with delivery.

During the meeting, the Officers were pleased to reaffirm the city’s support for the project. They offered to liaise with the Local Enterprise Partnership to determine how they might work together with the city in the most constructive way to support the project.

Summer 2018

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Hixon Rail Crash 50th Anniversary

On Saturday 6th January 2018 I attended the Dedication of a Commemorative Stone (seen between Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Chief Officer, Rebecca Bryant, and my pal John Gibson from Kidsgrove) to mark the 50th Anniversary of the terrible rail accident on the nearby level crossing. The stone, in the churchyard of Hixon Parish Church, was unveiled by the sister of one of the passengers who died – now 75.

She had been driven all the way from Marlow by her daughter and family to attend the Service – it was most moving.

John, along with his 3 colleagues also shown, were crew-members of Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service appliances that arrived ‘on scene’ at midday that day. You may recall that a 150-ton electricity transformer, was en-route from GEC’s Stafford factory, to a temporary storage depot on the disused Hixon airfield (RAF Hixon had been a WW2 Training Base for Wellington aircraft). The low-loader lorry conveying the transformer, became ‘grounded’ on the level crossing, a few minutes before a southbound Manchester-Stoke-Euston Page 8

express hit the rear section of the lorry and its load.

12 passengers were killed and 79 injured – the resulting Judicial Inquiry found that ultimately, the HMRI (Her Majesty’s Rail Inspectorate) bore responsibility for failing to ensure adequate warning procedures and equipment had been installed for the AHB (Automatic Half Barriers) level crossing on the recently electrified main line. Following the Service, those present in the photo attended a 90-minute presentation in Hixon Community Hall

by Malcolm Harper, a retired teacher who has made an in-depth study of the accident.

Because it is local history, I thought that it might be of interest to Branch members – the Trent & Mersey Canal is just west of the A51 main road at this point, and narrow-boat crews would have certainly heard the crash, and witnessed the aftermath as dazed passengers stumbled down the lane to seek help.

Jon Honeysett KNOBSTICKS

Work Party News—Cheshire Locks

After several months of poor weather, we finally had weather suitable for painting for our April and May work parties.

In April we prepared the locks and started painting them. In May those unlucky drivers stuck in the M6

Summer 2018

roadworks (the north-bound queue was nearly 20 miles long because of an accident that day) were treated to views of us painting the by-wash railings, as well as finishing the locks.

Roger Evans (Photos: John Lawson)

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Jean Ridgway We are very sad to say that Jean Ridgway died in May aged 93. We were able to attend her memorial service on Monday 11th June at Stoke Baptist Church where a large congregation of friends gathered to pay tribute to her, with significant contributions from her family, the church and the Sea Scouts.

and the great grandfather on Jean’s side was James Bloor, a boatman - so her connection with the Caldon goes way back.

I have just learnt from Jean’s family that her grandmother Hannah grew up by the Caldon Canal and was married in Cheddleton church. The address on the marriage certificate is Horse Bridge – known in the family as “Aunt on the bridges” house. This was in March 1888

P.S. Jean was also a very active member of Stoke Baptist Church. In the words of her children, “She was a proud 93 years of age and although, latterly, she had a lot of care in her home, she was a free spirit and independent of thought throughout her life.”

Jean contributed much to local life. I knew her as a French teacher in local middle schools, then as a Justice of the Peace at the Fenton magistrate’s court.

Jean was our oldest branch member, She was a lifelong supporter of the IWA widow of Jim Ridgway, formerly Vice- and regularly attended branch annual President of the Stoke-on-Trent Branch dinners after her husband’s death until of the Inland Waterways Association. failing health prevented her. We often Jim and Jean were both stalwarts of the accompanied her to these, and it was Caldon Canal restoration in the 1970s, always a pleasure talking to her. She had with Jim taking a particular interest in a very independent mind and had clear the water levels of Rudyard Lake, where opinions about the Association’s his Sea Scout troop had a sailing base, activities. She was recently very pleased since named “The Ridgway”. I have to receive Honorary Life Membership of many fond memories of them both from the IWA in recognition of that lifelong this time, Jim in a wet suit pulling debris support. She lived life to the full, made out of the canal, with Jean often nearby the most of her talents. It was a pleasure in a supportive role. I don’t recall ever to know her.

Roger Savage seeing Jean in a wet suit though!.

Help wanted in researching Family History Thomas Skerratt (1800-39) and his 3 sons William, Levi and Henry were all boatmen working on the Trent & Mersey canal during the 19th century. Most of the locations for their births, marriages and deaths follow the route of the Trent & Mersey Canal from Hanley to Elton Moss, near Sandbach.

There is also a reference in the Chester Chronicle dated 25 November 1836 to a Page 10

flat belonging to Messrs Skerratt and Davies of Winsford on the River Weaver.

If anybody can help with more information on these boatmen (e.g. christian names of the trading partners, or the name of any boats they operated) then Geraldine Jellyman, who is researching her grandmother’s family, would love to hear from you. Her email address is geraldinejellyman@gmail.com .

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Social Programme

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch Friday 14th September 2018 – 7.45 for 8pm (Subject to volunteers stepping forward!)

Branch members memories A compilation of pictures and films made and presented by NSSC branch members Friday 12th October 2018 – 7.45 for 8pm Curious Cuts Looking at some of the has-beens, never-weres, oddities and eccentricities of the waterways.

Phil Clayton Friday 9th November 2018 – 7.45 for 8pm Three Things you do not know about the RNLI A talk on the wide range of activities carried out by this much valued charity.

Mark Thomas Friday 14th December 2018 – 7.45 for 8pm Canal and River Trust - the Chief Executive's presentation This presentation will update on CRT's progress with current projects and look at future plans.

Richard Parry Page 12

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Social Programme January 2019 (Date and time in next issue) Annual Dinner More details to follow.

Friday 8th February 2019 – 7.45 for 8pm Growing the Wooden Canal Boat Society The beginnings of the Wooden Canal Boat Society, the progress made, success and disappointments along the way and the present situation.

Chris Leah Friday 8th March – 7.45 for 8pm Annual General Meeting Hopefully to be followed by an interesting presentation as usual.

Friday 14th April – 7.45 for 8pm The Four Ages of The Canals.

This presentation deals with the four periods our waterways have passed through to get from the start to where they are today.

Bill Walker 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 Summer 2018

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The Social Scene Having, somewhat hesitantly, taken on the role of Social Secretary alongside that of Publicity Officer, I’m aiming to do a regular Knobsticks item both to update members on what is coming up in future, and to tell you what you’ve missed if you haven’t managed to make our recent talks and social events.

Our April speaker was Peter Scott, Chairman North East & Yorkshire Region, talking about his namesake Sir Peter Scott. Although probably best known for his endeavours as a naturalist, Sir Peter’s life encompassed an astonishing number of other enterprises, from distinguished service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War to investigating the existence (or otherwise) of the Loch Ness Monster. In addition, he played a very active role in the Inland Waterways Association, becoming Vice-President in 1947 and taking part in many campaigns alongside Robert Aickman.

We heard of a perilous transit of the Harecastle Tunnel aboard his restored narrowboat Beatrice, when the boat was stuck and disaster seemed at hand, and a young crewman was saved from panic by a rousing patriotic speech from Sir Peter! Sadly, shortly before his death, Sir Peter discontinued his involvement with the IWA, disagreeing with proposals to restore the Yorkshire Derwent to navigable standards, which he believed were at odds with protecting important wild habitat along the route.

May’s presentation on the Fenland Waterways by John Pomfret, Chairman of the Eastern Region, mixed the inspiring history of how valuable agricultural land was won from sea and Page 14

marsh with useful navigational notes for anyone tempted to explore his patch.

Our way in was along the River Nene, confusingly pronounced ‘Nenn’ at Northampton but ‘Neen’ further into the Fenland. Of note was the fact that the Peat Fen areas are continuing to sink as they dry out and contract, meaning many crucial drains and sluices have had to be re-engineered to protect them from flooding.

We were warned of short locks, low bridges and troublesome tides at Spalding, but encouraged by accounts of particularly good pubs and photographs of an intriguing landscape studded with remarkable flood control engineering, picturesque towns and villages and impressive historic buildings such as Ely Cathedral and the Boston Stump.

Anyone planning to make their way to this summer’s national rally at St Neots will have picked up some invaluable hints and tips for their journey.

We are all very much indebted to Barbara Wells for inviting these, and other, excellent speakers for our 2017/18 season and I have been exceptionally fortunate to have Gillian Watson from the Trent and Mersey Canal Society contact some more on our branch’s behalf for the forthcoming season.

We start officially on October 12th with Phil Clayton’s look at some of the quirkier waterways built or proposed in Curious Cuts, while Canal and River Trust CEO Richard Parry is due to address us on 14th December. See the centre pages for full details.

After some disappointing turn-outs in March, and just as much trouble from KNOBSTICKS

The Social Scene inclement weather as when we met soon after Christmas, we’re going back to holding our 2019 annual dinner in January; we will let everyone have details of the proposed venue, menu and price as soon as we can.

Before that, we are looking to hold our summer barbecue and also considering holding a social in September without an outside speaker. The idea is to give branch members the chance to say a few words about a waterways subject of interest to them or to share stories and pictures of their travels, home or abroad, long past or recent, with a view to

perhaps doing a longer talk during a subsequent season.

While we’ve had many first-rate speakers from other regions and societies, and I will endeavour to keep up the standard, I suspect there may be undiscovered home-grown talent within IWA North Staffs and South Cheshire we should nurture. If you would like to take part as a speaker, please contact me as soon as possible so we can see if there is enough interest to go ahead.

Sarah Honeysett (Social Secretary)

Malcolm Braine—How he joined IWA Malcolm Braine was just 15 when he joined the Association nearly 70 years ago, and he wrote the following letter in response to the notification from Head Office that he was to be made an honorary life member: “Your letter made me think back to the time I joined IWA. It was in 1948 and I was starting a canal holiday with my parents and brother aboard a boat from Canal Cruising Company’s wharf at Stone. While I had started to get the ‘bug’ at the age of 11, in 1944, this was to be my first pleasure-boat trip.

My parents thought it might advance my knowledge of the waterways beyond all the murky canals of the BCN, the area where I was brought up.

With petrol rationing still in force, Market Drayton was as far as we were allowed to travel. While waiting about, two men walked down the wharf, one holding a sheaf of papers, and the other Summer 2018

came over to me and said something like: ‘You’d better have one of these, we need young people. Ask your father if he will join too.’ I had been given an IWA application form, and I joined on that same day. I later learned the two people were Rendell Wyatt, founder of Canal Cruising Co., and IWA co-founder Tom Rolt, of whom I had heard but never seen.

Things have moved on a lot since then. I had a career in, on and around our inland waterways, including 25 years with my own dockyard and 25-plus years as a marine surveyor.

I’ve always remained a keen advocate of, and supported, IWA, even in times when internal politics threatened to close it down. My days of working parties had to finish a while ago, but I have some great memories to look back on. It was good fun and I wouldn’t have missed it all for anything.”

Alison Smedley Page 15

Heritage transport plaque awarded to Froghall

The Transport Trust aims to shine a modern spotlight on Britain’s rich and globally-important legacy in the development of transport and engineering. A ceremony on 20th March, conducted by Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust; and Stuart Wilkinson, Chairman of the Transport Trust, assisted by Gerald Leach of the Railway and Canal Historical Society, marked the significance of this site with the unveiling of a 'Red Wheel' plaque.

The citation for this award describes Froghall as 'A major complex of canalside wharves and lime kilns fed, since 1778 by a series of railways from the Cauldon Low limestone quarries.'

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Two centuries ago, Froghall Wharf was a thriving industrial transport hub, equipped with lime kilns, warehousing and a meeting point for both the canal and railway networks. Fast forward 200 years, the area is now a growing leisure destination. The beautiful canal supports a trip boat, is popular with boaters, walkers and families, and the Churnet Valley Line operates a passenger steam train for tourists.

Stuart Wilkinson, chairman of the Transport Trust, said: “The role of the Transport Trust is to raise awareness and appreciation of Britain's unique transport heritage - throughout the country and across all modes of transport. One way we do this is by unveiling bespoke commemorative KNOBSTICKS

Heritage transport plaque awarded to Froghall plaques - which we call 'Red Wheels' - at the sites of greatest importance and supporting these with a comprehensive and informative Transport Trust website.

The development of our canal network played a key role in the Industrial Revolution and British Empire, and heritage sites don't come much better than Froghall and the Churnet Valley so the Transport Trust is delighted to be working with Canal & River Trust and Hetty's Tea Shop, to draw the public's attention to Froghall.”

Local entrepreneur Emma Atkinson recently restored the Grade II-listed former warehouse building as a new café, gift shop and holiday accommodation, which opened last Easter.

Richard Parry, chief executive of Canal & River Trust, added: “Emma has done a great job developing Froghall Wharf as an attractive visitor destination. The

transformation of the wharf has been amazing. We work hard to make the most of all our unusual canalside buildings. Our aim is to celebrate our rich waterway heritage by supporting sensitive restorations and finding new 21st century uses for these wonderful structures.

We are grateful to the Transport Trust for highlighting the significance of Froghall Wharf and its historical importance in the development of the Churnet Valley and Staffordshire’s industrial prosperity. The Red Wheel will be a great permanent reminder to visitors of the area’s entrepreneurial past.”

Hetty’s Tea Shop at Froghall Wharf is open six days a week, Tuesday – Sunday.

The trip boat operates on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in season.

Steve Wood

Work Party News—Uttoxeter Canal Viewed from the other direction, you could even believe that there used to be a canal here.

Roger Evans (Photos: Steve Wood)

Work continues on the Uttoxeter Canal.

Above is a photo of volunteers starting to open out a section beside the railway in March.

Summer 2018

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The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

A Small Bear at Brentford Continuing the journey of Sonning Bear from the Thames to Stoke-on-Trent.

As you might remember, Polar, Grizzly and little Sonning Bear had a very exciting and rather frightening journey down the Thames to Brentford and Sonning was very relieved when Uppie got into the big Thames Lock on the Grand Union Canal. A woman called Annie was in charge, who closed the gates behind them and then let the water in to lift Uppie up to the level they keep the Brent River at above the lock.

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Uppie’s crew found themselves in a basin surrounded by a old dock buildings and new apartments. It was all very interesting, but Sonning was so tired after his alarming journey along the KNOBSTICKS

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear Thames that he fell asleep in the lifebelt, so Polar carried him downstairs into the back cabin, took off his little hat and life jacket and tucked him up in the bed.

“Poor little Sonning!” she said. “You've had rather too much excitement for a small bear!”

lock gates on the River Wey. It was hard work for Polar, even though she is a big human, and even harder for Lesley, who is much bigger than a small bear but still quite a little person.

When they stopped for elevenses - or ‘nineses’, as it was still early - Sonning saw they were surrounded by trees and green space again, even though they were still in London. The canal was much narrower than the River Thames had been and he was very relieved indeed to see there was not much of a current in it. The little bear was feeling much better by now and enjoyed munching some toast and marmalade.

Grizzly gave him a guide to London's waterways to look at. “We have a flight of six locks to go up soon” Grizzly said, pointing them out on the map. “But Bob and Lesley will be coming with us. We can share the big locks, and you can stay here in the cratch and watch”.

A little way up the flight of locks, Sonning noticed something very odd indeed about the canal. It looked as if instead of being full of water, it was covered in grass! This was because there was a very thick growth of bright green duckweed all over the surface - so thick, it actually slowed the boats down. By the time we reached the top of the locks, Uppie’s hull was smothered in it!

These were the Hanwell Locks and although they were much smaller than the huge Thames locks, they were still big and the gates were heavier than the Summer 2018

Here, Sonning and his friends saw something very unusual. The Grand Union Canal passed over the top of a railway line, on a special type of water bridge called an aqueduct, and a road Page 19

The Boating Adventures of Sonning Bear

passed over the top of the canal. The small bear had never seen anything like this before. It was quite confusing for him to be on water and on a bridge at the same time. Grizzly explained there would be lots of other aqueducts to see on our journey, although this was one of the most unusual. Sonning decided to make a special effort to look out for them, because they are a very clever invention.

was to the north, up the Grand Union Main Line. They stopped both boats near the junction, so they could say goodbye to their friends, then set off again up the Main Line of the canal. Sonning noticed that it was very different to being on the Thames, as there were factories and railways and sometimes litter and bad smells, but it was all very interesting.

Article & Photos: Sarah Honeysett

At a canal junction after the Three Bridges, Sonning spotted a sign to Paddington. “If we go that way, can we visit the famous Paddington Bear?” he asked Grizzly. Grizzly explained that the sign wasn't pointing to the famous bear but to a district in London with the same name, and he showed Sonning where it was on the map. Bob and Lesley were going to go that way but Uppie’s route Page 20

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Beer Garden KNOBSTICKS

North Staffordshire & South Cheshire contacts President: Chris Skelhorne Vice President Roger Savage roger.st21@gmail.com Deputy Chairmen Alison Smedley 01538 385388 alison.smedley@team.waterways.org.uk Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@team.waterways.org.uk

Web-site Liaison Alison Smedley 01538 385388 webmaster.nssc@waterways.org.uk Planning VACANT (Use planning.nssc@waterways.org.uk) Membership Officer Ju Davenport membership.nssc@waterways.org.uk

Navigation Officer Treasurer 01782 772295 Alan Chetwyn (No Email) 01782 279277 Jon Honeysett navigation.nssc@waterways.org.uk Secretary Judith Turner 07789 518816 Burslem Port Work Party Steve Wood 07976 805858 secretary.nssc@waterways.org.uk steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Sales Officer VACANT (Contact steve.wood@waterways.org.uk) Caldon + Uttoxeter Work Parties Steve Wood 07976 805858 steve.wood@waterways.org.uk Social Secretary Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 Cheshire Locks Work Party socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk John Brighouse 07808 878317 john.brighouse@waterways.org.uk Publicity Officer Sarah Honeysett 01782 772295 Other committee members: publicity.nssc@waterways.org.uk Julie Arnold Maria Frost Newsletter Editor Roger Evans 01606 834471 Rob Frost Roger Savage newsletter.nssc@waterways.org.uk 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, West Midlands Region Chairman CW10 0BL Helen Whitehouse 01543 491161 westmidlands@waterways.org.uk 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 Summer 2018 Page 23

Join Us on a Canal Work Party

Our Branch runs 3 work parties each month, helping to maintain and restore our local canals : Cheshire Locks (Trent & Mersey Canal, Kidsgrove to Wheelock) (jointly organised with the Trent and Mersey Canal Society) 3rd Thursday of each month (except December), 10am to 3pm.

Contact: John Brighouse Phone: 07808-878317 Email: john.brighouse@waterways.org.uk

 Uttoxeter Canal (Bridge 70, near Denstone — or near Alton)

(working in partnership with Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust) 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

(working in partnership with Burslem Port Project) 4th Tuesday of each month, 10am to 3pm.

Contact: Steve Wood Phone: 07976-805858 Email: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk ——————————–————-—————————-————— See the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk under “Events” for dates.

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

KNOBSTICKS