Lichfield Lines Issue 25 Autumn 2018

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Issue 25 www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield

Autumn 2018

Lichfield Lines

Barton and Dunstall Estate Walk Group

The newsletter of

IWA Lichfield Branch The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or as an official pronouncement, unless specifically identified as such.

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk

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Branch Chairman’s Report - October 2018 It has been a strange year for weather and I hope it hasn’t upset your boating plans or other waterway activities too much. A wet winter meant the season started with full reservoirs, but the dry summer soon depleted supplies and the strong sunshine greatly increased evaporation; which can apparently be up to an inch a day off the surface of canals and reservoirs. Lockage restrictions in July became major closures of canals in August, initially across the Pennines but then extending down to the Macclesfield and Caldon, and later also affecting the Leicester line and Oxford.

We were lucky in the West Midlands to avoid major closures, despite the continuing uncertainty about the water supply from Chasewater and the breach at Bloxwich, and some of our canals such as the Trent & Mersey have seemed exceptionally busy this summer with boaters displaced from the closed or restricted routes. Many of the restrictions are now being lifted, so let’s hope for more normal weather next year, nice as all the sunshine was for many activities.

Our Branch activities which did benefit from good weather included the Lock Wind in August and the walk in September, but ironically the Community Boat Trips this time suffered from one of the few rainy days, although all those involved seemed to appreciate the opportunity to get Excavated remains of Carrington’s Lock, Uttoxeter Canal afloat. But our indoor meetings are not weather dependant and the new season started well with an excellent talk about the Uttoxeter canal restoration by Steve Wood, at which we were pleased to make a £150 donation to their continuing work parties. Separately, we have also donated £100 to Stafford Riverway Link for their work restoring the basin at Baswich, along with £50 to the closely associated Baswich Canal Group for their ongoing towpath improvements. We have recently received a legacy from the late Peter Chandler and we will no doubt be also supporting other local waterway restorations shortly.

As we go to press we received news that our member Harry Arnold, well-known

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waterways journalist and photographer and an IWA national vice-president, has been taken ill and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. Harry was due to give a talk at our October meeting which is obviously postponed to a future date, but at very short notice Phil Clayton kindly agreed to present his talk on the Fens waterways, timely with the recent Festival of Water being on the Great Ouse. Coincidentally, I am having a week’s boating on the Great Ouse with friends in late October, one of the few waterways I’ve never done before, so am hoping for a return of some sun and a short delay to the rain needed to fill all the reservoirs.

Phil Sharpe Forthcoming Events Thursday 8th November 2018 – Weston, Amerton & Gayton Walk.

This is an easy 6 mile walk along tracks, a disused railway, and quiet country lanes. We walk through the quiet village of Weston before crossing the busy A51 and the main railway line. We then pick up a disused railway line, which skirts Hixon airfield. We will stop at Amerton Farm & Craft Centre to admire "Stafford's Little Rural Railway" before proceeding slightly uphill to the village Amerton Farm Railway of Gayton. From there we follow footpaths back down to Weston, and walk a short way along the Trent & Mersey Canal back to our starting point for refreshment. Meet 10:00 for a 10:15 start in the car park of The Saracen's Head, Stafford Road, Weston, Staffordshire, ST18 0HT. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk Wednesday 21st November 2018 – “The Natural History of the Midlands Canals (Part 2)”.

An illustrated talk by Paul Wilkinson, CRT Environmental Officer. Paul gave us his previous talk in January 2014 and this update will include invasive species and mammals. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY.

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Sunday 9th December 2018 – “Branch Christmas Lunch” After receiving plenty of positive comments about last years delayed Christmas Lunch we are returning to the same venue this year and hoping that the weather does not intervene. So save the date and we will see you at the Bull & Spectacles, Uttoxeter Road, Blithbury, WS15 3HY on Sunday 9th December. Blithbury is about 3 miles north of Handsacre or 3 miles northeast of Rugeley. At 12.30 for 1.00 pm. For menu and prices see page 12. Bookings to Pat Barton or Pete Gurney at Branch events, or email pat.barton@waterways.org.uk or phone 07947 337491 - by 1st December, please.

October onwards—Offside Vegetation Clearance Volunteers Wanted Our volunteers did a brilliant job last winter clearing overhanging vegetation along the offside bank of the Trent & Mersey Canal. This has been praised by many people during the summer months.

We will be doing similar work this winter and are looking to add to our current volunteer list as a couple of people have had to drop out.

This involves an ongoing Friday commitment throughout the winter months, though of course there isn’t a problem having time off where needed.

Full training is given and you would just work within your own capabilities from a purpose built workboat with CRT supervision. We need volunteers prepared to train to use a wood-chipper and possibly a pole saw and the work will be carried out in our local area. CRT will provide all equipment, safety gear and supervision.

Neil Barnett will be the ongoing IWA lead person (as last year) so please contact him for further information on neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk or his mobile 07808 846434.

Tuesday 1st January 2019 - New Year’s Day Walk: Whittington and the Coventry Canal.

This is a 4 mile walk with 2 stiles, on quiet country roads, farm tracks and a towpath. Leaving the pub car park we walk along the Coventry Canal as far as Whittington Bridge. We then head westwards through the pretty village of Whittington and, if time and weather are in our favour, we will look for the grave of a famous retailer in St. Giles' churchyard. Continuing along Darnford Lane we

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soon head northwards and cross fields to return to our starting point. Meet 10:30 for a 10:45 start at The Plough Inn, Huddlesford Lane, Whittington, WS13 8PY. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk Wednesday 16th January 2019 – “The Chesterfield Canal; Past, Present and Future”.

An illustrated talk by John Lower of the Chesterfield Canal Trust. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY. Wednesday 20th February 2019 – “Focus on the Lichfield Canal”.

An illustrated talk by Bob Williams of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust about the progress and challenges in restoring the Lichfield Canal. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY. Recent Activities Friday 5th October 2018—Offside Veg Work party A very mild Friday saw the start of the CRT/IWA Lichfield joint offside veg clearance project. After a bit of an organisation problem when we all met at Fradley and found the boat had been taken up to above Wood End lock we started the winter’s work.

The offside trees are badly overgrown between Fradley and Armitage so between the Friday IWA group and the Tuesday CRT volunteers we have plenty to keep us busy until March. The CRT work boat “Fazeley” is not available this year so we have a hired boat from Rothen with an attached hopper to hold the chipper.

The hopper is a bit bigger than the one we used last year which makes life a bit easier but the work boat seems to be under powered and there were some essential bits of equipment missing for our first outing. We hope these will be available on the next The group hard at work near Kings Bromley Wharf outing.

The following week was cancelled due to CRT staff training but it was very wet and windy so it was a good day to miss. Hopefully the winter weather will be kind to us

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and will let us continue working.

(Report Pete Gurney, photo Derek Beardsmore) Thursday 13th September 2018—Barton and the Dunstall Estate Walk Light cloud cover greeted the 15 walkers who assembled outside the modern facilities at Barton Turns Marina. We set off past the landscaped lakes and entered the high

street of Barton-underNeedwood. Normally full of cars and HGVs, the main street was eerily quiet apart from the sound of workmen busily installing trafficcalming measures. We turned right opposite the Middle Bell pub and entered the wide expanse of the Dunstall Estate, before following a path through the woodland of Smith Hills. Heading

A good lunch after a great walk

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northwards and climbing ever so slightly, there are extensive views here eastwards towards the Trent valley.

We entered a quiet country lane and passed Dunstall Cricket Club. Some major names have played on this picturesque pitch over the years including Phil Simmons (West Indies), Derek Randall (England), Devon Malcolm (England), and Jimmy Adams (West Indies). We stopped for a break at a crossroads between Dunstall Hall and its neighbouring Church. Finding the church unlocked, we ventured inside to admire its Victorian interior including unusual alabaster walls to the choir, resembling marble. We then assembled for a group photo at the gates to the 18th century mansion house of Dunstall Hall. Initially built by the Earl of Derby, it has had some notable owners including Richard Arkwright (famous for his Derbyshire Mill), a racecourse owner (Sir Stanley Clarke), a bookmaker (Barry Morgan) and its current owner, Fawaz Al Hasawi, who once owned Nottingham Forest FC. A gate in the hedge led us through the deer park enclosure and we proceeded northeasterly in the direction of Branston Water Park. We accessed the Trent and Mersey Canal at Tatenhill lock where we paused for a while before following the towpath back to our starting point.

Refreshments were enjoyed at The Waterfront Pub where we were given an extended table in the conservatory, in full view of the boats in the marina.

(Report and Photo by Clive Walker) Saturday 8th September 2018—Community Boat Trips at Rugeley Following the success of our trips last year, the Inland Waterways Association together with the Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust once again ran a series of Community Boat Trips in Rugeley.

Thanks to a grant from Rugeley Parish Council the trips for the elderly, young people and disadvantaged groups were all free of charge.

Although the first group scheduled let us down by not

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turning up without letting us know, the other groups had a really good time, helped no doubt by the excellent cake our members and friends provided.

The showers meant that most of our guests had to stay inside the boat but the big windows meant they could still Bringing the boat up from Gailey enjoy the views of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

We also put up our Gazebo, display boards and a small sales stand. This meant we could talk to passers-by throughout the day and sell some of our stock.

Some of our members also enjoyed helping to bring the boat from Gailey to Rugeley on the previous day.

A big thanks to everyone concerned who helped either on the day or by making cake.

(Report Margaret Beardsmore, photos Margaret Beardsmore and Clive Walker) IWA Christmas cards and Calendars IWA Christmas cards and 2019 calendars will be available from the branch sales stand at the branch meetings. If you buy your cards and calendars from the branch, the profit made goes towards supporting our local restoration societies and other local IWA work.

Of course, you also save on postage!

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We have a full selection of Christmas cards in stock, both this and previous years’ designs. We also have packs of mixed IWA Christmas cards and special individual winter scene cards available which are blank inside for your own message.

Pictures of the cards and calendars can be seen in the last edition of Waterways and on the iwashop website ( www.iwashop.com ).

If you cannot get to the next meeting and would like to buy your cards through the branch, contact Helen Whitehouse at helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk or telephone 01543 491161.

New IWA Clothing.

You may be aware that I am also responsible for looking after the buying, storage and distribution of the full range of IWA clothing for IWA centrally.

So, if you are thinking of buying something but would like to “feel the quality” or try it on before you buy, contact me and I will bring whatever you need along to a branch meeting for you to see. If you require it, I can also buy in non-standard special items in the IWA colours with the IWA logo, provided you are prepared to wait until my next routine order to our supplier. (For example: children’s t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, fleece jackets or smaller (or larger) than standard items.) ..

Helen Whitehouse

Some comments from an unhappy boater to Richard Parry—Chief Executive Canal & River Trust In the last week of April this year my wife and I entered the Wyrley and Essington Canal at Horseley Fields Junction for the very first time to deliver our narrow boat for a refit at Norton Canes. Our preconceived thoughts were of a Canal blighted from industrial dereliction and what a surprise we had in store. Over much of its length the

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waterway was crystal clear, lined with aquatic vegetation and full of shoal after shoal of fish all of which could be clearly seen swimming below as we cruised past. Then why wasn’t it being used by more boaters? Well what nature has made its best efforts to turn into an aquatic paradise loved by fishes, wildfowl and dragonflies alike in large numbers, the local population have done their level best to turn it into an urban rubbish dump, primarily between Wednesfield Junction and Little Bloxwich, and its by far the worst we have seen in eight years of cruising .

Returning to Norton Canes in

Wyrley & Essington Canal October to collect our boat we at first turned left at Pelsall Junction and left again at Catshill Junction, through Brownhills and onwards to Anglesey Basin. You will be pleased to note that Brownhills had far less of a litter problem than anything we had experienced earlier in the year. Perhaps the canal had been cleaned?

The so called moorings in the Anglesey Basin cannot be located, no signage indicates where they should have been and repeated attempts at wild mooring resulted in grounding with the results Continued on Page 13

It’s a hard life cleaning up canals!

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that we eventually moored down close to the coal chutes and not in the picturesque basin. Returning by foot to the basin we found the only visible mooring point close to the cottages was cordoned off with a floating barrier.

We thought, wrongly it turned out, that boaters were to be welcomed here.

Returning to Aldersley Junction from Anglesey Basin we were living in hope that some attempt would have been made to clear the canal environs of litter. No such luck, the three fire extinguishers floating in the canal in April are still there in October. Four fridge freezers float in the canal, one completely blocking the canal at New Cross bridge. The floating water plant covering large expanses of the canal only served to trap much if the detritus but for the unhappy boater hid what the boat prop easily found. You would think that was the end of it as far as we were concerned but no the beauty of this little used and relatively unknown gem promoted us to turn around and make our way back to explore what is new for us the Rushall and the Tame Valley canal.

As I write this on a wet and windy day warm in front of our Morso stove, I cannot help wondering how many more trips there are waiting down the weed hatch. It’s only six in the last 24 hours.

You may be pleased to note that there were numerous Canal walkers taking advantage of these autumnal days and many we spoke to expressed utter dismay and embarrassment at the state of their litter strewn canal. It was no surprise to be told by more than one person that we were the only the first or second boater they had seen this year. If boaters return with similar stories about the filth to ours it’s no wonder boaters are put off visiting this canal.

Come on CRT get your act together. Stop writing policies about what you hope to do and get some action on the ground. What’s more put some well needed resources into getting the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals re opened at the earliest opportunity

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and open up this little used gem, no longer calling it a BCN backwater but a new cruising ring relieving the congestion on the main network and providing much needed investment in this part of the world.

Chris and Wendy Robinson NB Ben Cruachan Response from Richard Parry of CRT Dear Chris and Wendy, Thank you for your email. I have forwarded it on to the local enquiries team to look at the specific issues you raise regarding moorings on the Canal and will ask that they respond direct.

I understand your frustration with aspects of your recent experience, and your desire to see improvement and greater use of the Canal. I can give you my assurance that the Trust has done (and continues to do) much work – with BCNS and others locally – to improve the Canal over recent years and promote greater use. I have received some reports that it is in better condition now than it has been in the past, but I accept there is room for much further improvement in future.

Our programme of engaging with local communities - to reduce littering, fly-tipping (on the towpath and into the Canal) etc. - is essential to achieve this improvement so that they value it as much as we do, as a local amenity to be cared for. This is a long term endeavour, however and it is likely to be some years before we achieve the full impact we aspire to achieve; we are not complacent about the need to work hard to make it a cleaner and more attractive place to walk or to boat if we are to encourage greater use.

The work to restore the Lichfield Canal (and the Hatherton) is led by the very active local restoration society who we work closely with. Even with their great efforts, it will be many years before the connection to the Wyrley & Essington is likely to be achieved.

In the meantime we will continue, with partners and volunteers, to make the Canal as good for everyone to enjoy as we can.

Regards Richard Richard Parry Chief Executive Canal & River Trust

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Planning Matters Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer This report covers the more significant of about 60 planning matters dealt with from August to mid-October 2018. All of them are summarised in the monthly notes on the website Planning page.

On the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Dunton Wharf, after numerous reconsultations, the plans for a digger driving school have now been amended to include a landscaped buffer along the canal frontage, and the planning officer has agreed to include conditions on a reinstated towpath hedge and setting back the security fencing.

Plan of Proposed Digger School

Near the Coventry Canal at Huddlesford the controversial ‘holiday lodges’ housing estate has been refused. However, we had no objection to retention of pitches for 12 touring caravans behind Kings Orchard Marina. At Tamworth the long standing plans for an industrial estate south of the A5 have at last been amended as we requested to move the largest unit further away from the canal. At Polesworth the proposed housing site off Pooley Lane which was previously refused, refused again on appeal, and refused again on resubmission, has now been allowed at a second appeal by a different inspector! In Nuneaton we have maintained our objection to a caravan site extension which would destroy a large number of trees which the Council’s own report recommends retaining.

The Lichfield Canal is affected by 3 strategic housing sites, each of which will need an access road bridge over the canal route, and a planning application has now been submitted for the third of these at Cricket Lane. The main concern is that the developers are ignoring the need for the canal bridge, as has happened with the Deanslade Park site, and that the Lichfield planners are failing to uphold their own Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Local Plan requirement to safeguard the canal route.

Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has had to make a formal complaint against the planning department about this, supported by IWA. We also attended the Allocations Plan Examination together to explain to the Inspector about the Council’s

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earlier failure to include agreed text on this and the consequences of their current refusal to do so in the Lichfield Canal policy.

More positively, the application for a small new marina and dry dock for Lichfield Cruising Club at Cappers Lane has now been submitted. This is to replace the moorings and slipway which will be lost to HS2 when its construction starts, probably early in 2019.

The plans have been well Current moorings at Lichfield Cruising Club designed and are supported by IWA, although CRT initially had some concerns about the capacity of the towpath lift bridge across the marina entrance.

On the Ashby Canal at Bosworth Marina the upstairs function room was converted to a cafĂŠ in 2016 but is now proposed to be changed to offices, which would mean loss of a valuable facility for the marina and other canal users. On the closed section of the canal near Donisthorpe, which is protected from adverse development in the Local Plan, a small wooden shed for use in exercising dogs is proposed. Although we have objected in principle, as the impact is limited we suggested a temporary permission for 3 years would be acceptable.

Bosworth Marina on the Ashby Canal On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge the application for 100 houses between the canal and the M6 on the north side of the village was reduced to 80, but later refused. The much reported West Midlands Interchange warehouse

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development between Gailey and Calf Heath has now reached the stage of registering objections with the Planning Inspectorate, which we are doing because of its major adverse impacts on the canal.

By the Trent & Mersey Canal below Bagnall Lock at Alrewas an extension to a cottage with a fully glazed upper storey was considered out of keeping with its historic canal setting, but the glazing has since been reduced in extent as we requested. Near Barton Turn plans for a closed restaurant to be reopened as a drive-thru coffee house were withdrawn, but then resubmitted with replanting of the towpath hedge to improve screening from the constant traffic, although there are still concerns about road safety. At Horninglow in Burton on Trent the practicality of the conversion of a garage to a two-storey house has been questioned.

HS2 High Speed Rail Update – October 2018 Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer

Phase 1 (London – West Midlands) has reached the detailed design stage and my involvement with the contractors BBV and CRT liaison group meetings continues. Plans are being developed for the canal crossing and Wood End Lane diversion at Fradley; the viaduct, canal diversion and replacement Cappers Lane

Visualisation of Curdworth Viaduct

Crossing Point at Curdworth Lock 6

Bridge at Lichfield; the viaduct crossing at Curdworth; and other bridges in Birmingham and Warwickshire. I have to say that so far I have been distinctly unimpressed with some of the concrete slab structures being proposed which seem to be engineering to a budget rather than the iconic architecture we were promised. However, the latest design of the Birmingham & Fazeley Viaduct at Curdworth does

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have a shallow arch profile.

For Phase 2a (Fradley to Crewe) a Landscape Group was initiated last year by the National Trust to advise HS2 on design and mitigating the impacts of the Great Haywood Viaduct and embankments on the historic parkland landscape of Shugborough, Tixall and Ingestre, the Cannock Chase AONB and several Conservation Areas including the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

The group is now being formalised with funding from HS2 as the TrentSow Parklands & Cannock The Jacobean Façade of Ingestre Hall Chase AONB HS2 Group with a wider membership of landscape, heritage, wildlife and local authority representatives, and I have joined the group for IWA. On Phase 2b (Crewe to Manchester and Kingsbury to Leeds) there has been pressure for a rethink of the route at Measham by the local MP Andrew Bridgen, which secured a promise by the Transport Secretary to consider ‘Alternative Route 4’ promoted by the housing developer. This would secure restoration of over a kilometre of the Ashby Canal, as well as reducing costs and other impacts. As this newsletter goes to press the Working Draft Environmental Statement for Phase 2b has just been released, so more on that next time.

Some Memories from Malcolm Braine of Early Canal Holidays The first photo (see next page) is of the hire boat “Venturer” at Fradley junction which was hired from the Canal Cruising Company at Stone. Venturer was made from the stern-end half of one of two wooden butties which S.E. Barlow at Glascote converted and fitted with Morris Navigator engines (certainly ours was and I think the other was too).

This was in 1950, during a third family holiday, with my Father, Mother, Brother and me – and the dog. In 1949 I had also taken one of the fleet out, “James Brindley” with three school pals, all of us 15! Most hire firms would, I imagine go hairless at the thought today, but we had a great time and the boat was left just as good as when we’d taken it out from Stone.

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Hire Boat “Venturer” at Fradley The photo is not of very good quality (film was rationed, as was foodstuffs etc) and the negatives have preserved well over nearly 70 years. It still contains good interest.

Firstly, the “Swan” had been closed down due to lack of trade. Then, the drydock was open for use, but in poor condition (though never got much better in my experience of visits over ensuing years). Nationalisation was just starting to take real effect upon management and working conditions, the Yard was very busy, both ashore and around the waters alongside. We had friendly contact with a Mr Smith who lived in the corner house above Fradley Lock. A mine of information and a keen shot in Fradley Woods.

We also purchased various quantities of vegetables and fruit from his amazingly prolific garden.

Commercial traffic on the T&M at that time was fairly light, mainly flour, coal and some manufactured goods I think. A struggle in places, I remember standing at Stenson Lock once whilst a BW crew member stood whilst the lock filled, was emptied and refilled a few times in order to provide a bit of a shove towards Swarkstone Lock.

The boat was good. We pumped daily, by hand of course, with boats like these everyone took an active part. Gas hob with grill with 32lb gas bottle alongside. Foot pump for freshwater onto the sink. The toilet was fairly private, the large can soothed with something akin to creosote. Facilities for disposal were provided, namely an ex W.D. folding shovel. The men undertook ritual burial in a suitable screened area, of which in those days there seemed to be plenty.

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I think this boat had all 12 volt lights others had a share of gas and electric lighting. The boat handled well and our petrol coupons allowed us to get extra fuel, sufficient to allow passage to Fazeley and back to Stone. We had a cabin leak, over a bed of course, but it was all part of the fun and to be perfectly truthful we did all have fun, especially the dog! Is there a message there? To me it was so much another world, away from the Black Country, black ash towpaths mixed with horse muck, greasy locks and just lots of black boats, mostly with black coal loadings! There were no dirty smelly tugs (but don’t we love them now, albeit a LOT cleaner).

Canal Cruising has gone through family lines, from strength to strength, long may that be so and I think that, these days perhaps I’d rather have one of their boats, with a shower instead of a bowl (you just stood upright and poured steadily).

The second photograph was taken from the back of Canal Cruising’s “James Brindley” in 1949. The bridge at Great Haywood junction has undergone extensive repairs since then and, thank goodness, the dreadful white paint has now all but disappeared. The photograph is too dark to show much detail, sadly, but I can add that the cottages which just about show on the far side of the Brindley crossover bridge were partly tenanted by boatman Joe Hollingshead’s grandfather, with whom I had a great discussion and learned quite a lot, as then just a 15 year old schoolboy.

The house still remains, although much diminished, belonging these days to AngloWelsh Hire Boats. The smaller accommodation road bridge was Great Haywood Junction demolished and rebuilt with a flat bed in 1972. In 1949 the wharf was let to tenancy for a few small boat moorings and boat hire by Peter Keay. There was a water tap, not easily accessible, but no rubbish or loo disposals, so things have moved on somewhat since then.

Words and Pictures by Malcolm Braine

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Editorial Notice Lichfield Lines is the newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch, it is produced 4 times a year to keep members informed about our forthcoming public meetings, walks, work parties and other activities, to provide reports on recent meetings and events, and to include articles of general interest to our members.

The editor, Peter Gurney, welcomes articles, letters or photographs of waterway activities in our Branch area which can be emailed to pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk (Please note there is a 10MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address).

The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th January 2019, for publication in February.

Advertising Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 300 addresses covering around 400 Branch members. It can also be read and downloaded by anyone from the Branch website pages.

If you would like to publicise your waterway related business to our members, and others that read the newsletter online, we can offer advertising space at the following rates: Full Page - £20 per issue

Half Page - £10 per issue

Please contact the editor to discuss artwork and layout.

By advertising you will help to sponsor IWA's charitable activities and reach potential customers who are all committed to the waterways.

The IWA has a range of corporate members some of whom offer discounts to members. The discount details can be found on the IWA website at www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/corporates.

Corporate members in our area are— Lichfield Cruising Club Stafford Boat Club Ltd Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Ashby Canal Trust Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Canal Transport Services Ltd Waterways World Ltd Fingerpost pub Pelsall Clifford Arms Great Haywood Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust

Longwood Boat Club Ashby Canal Association Tamworth Cruising Club Ash Tree Boat Club Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd Elite Furnishings Birmingham and Midland Marine Services River Canal Rescue Ltd Midland Chandlers Glascote Basin Boatyard (Norton Canes Boatbuilders)

Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.

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Your Committee Chairman and Acting Secretary Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk

Philip Sharpe

Treasurer Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk

Pete Gurney

Planning & Website Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk

Philip Sharpe

Newsletter Editor Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk

Pete Gurney

Volunteer Coordinator Tel: 07581 794111 Email: margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk

Margaret Beardsmore

Speakers Secretary Tel: 07947 337491 Email: pat.barton@waterways.org.uk

Pat Barton

Navigation Officer Tel: 07847 470112 Email: derek.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk

Derek Beardsmore

Membership Secretary Tel: 0121 308 0293 Email: John.stockland@waterways.org.uk

John Stockland

Publicity—Press & Magazines Tel: 07808 846434 Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk

Neil Barnett

Minutes Secretary

Position Vacant

Ex Officio: Region Chairman Branch Sales and External Talks (non-committee posts) Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk

Helen Whitehouse

Walks Coordinator (non-committee post) Tel: 07866 201873 Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk

Clive Walker

Branch Contact Address Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk

IWA Lichfield Branch 34 Old Eaton Road Rugeley, Staffs WS15 2EZ

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