Lichfield Lines Issue 32 Summer 2020

Page 1

Issue 32 www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield

Summer 2020

Lichfield Lines

New Disabled Access at Leathermill Lane, Rugeley (See Page 7)

The newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch

The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and navigable rivers.

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

Lichfield Branch

Page 1

Branch Chairman’s Report - July 2020 I am pleased that we are now back with a full printed edition of Lichfield Lines for all our members. The last issue was only available online to most of you due to the printers being closed by Covid-19, although our Head Office staff did manage to send out about 50 black and white photocopies to those members for which we have no email address. Given the continuing uncertainties, email is our best way of keeping you all in touch with changes to our activities programme, so do please ensure that Head Office has your current address. For those technophobes who eschew such things, but do know how to use a telephone, Margaret and Lynn (see Committee page) have kindly offered to keep you personally updated about changes to our programme of meetings, walks, work parties or other events that you might be interested in, if you will let them have your phone number. Give us a ring; it’s good to talk!

Back in March when we had to cancel our meetings and other events due to coronavirus I had hoped that by September things would be back to normal and our new season of talks could resume as planned. But at the time of writing indoor public meetings are not yet permitted and it is not clear when that may be relaxed. We seem to be settling into a ‘new normal’ waiting for a vaccine and ‘social distancing’ may be with us for some time yet.

Your committee has therefore looked into following the trend and moving our next few meetings online using Zoom, which has become a widely known facility and can be accessed by laptop, tablet or smart phone. Our Annual General Meeting, which was postponed from March in the hope of holding it in September just before Phil & Dot Clayton’s much anticipated BCN entertainment, will now be a Zoom meeting for members only. The Chairman’s and Treasurer’s reports were published in our last newsletter Lichfield Lines 31, and along with the agenda and the minutes of the last meeting are available on the website. As there are no elections due, the formal proceedings can be dealt with quickly leaving time for any questions you may have, and for a more open general discussion about what we are doing and where we are going.

We hope that you will join in for this unique experience.

However, the real value of Phil & Dot Clayton’s show is as a live performance, and although it is available on a DVD, experience has shown that videos don’t really work on Zoom, so we have agreed to postpone this until we can get together again for a real meeting.

Our October talk on canal heritage is by Kate Langley of CRT who has kindly confirmed that in principle she can transfer her talk to Zoom, and details about how to access this will be emailed to members nearer the time. However, our planned November talk on the Shrewsbury & Newport restoration may have to be postponed if indoor meetings are still banned by then, in which case we will try to arrange an

Lichfield Branch

Page 2

alternative online activity. Please check the website nearer the time for details of both these meetings.

Whilst indoor events remain problematic, the good news is that outdoor events are now resuming and our walk in September can go ahead, although ‘social distancing’ may still need to be observed during the walk and at the pub afterwards. To take advantage of this comparative freedom, and to provide replacement opportunities for our members to meet up, we are arranging a new series of shorter walks for those who just want a stroll and a natter. These may be out-and-back rather than circular walks to keep them short and easy, but will start and finish at a reopened pub as traditional to facilitate parking and socialising afterwards. Margaret is also inviting Branch members and friends to join a do-it-yourself Branch Picnic at Wolseley Bridge, by boat or car, but please let her know if you plan to come so we have some control on numbers to maintain social distancing. With CRT support, we also hope to resume work parties at Rugeley in the Autumn.

See our Forthcoming Events pages for more details of all these activities as currently planned. We hope to see old faces and some new ones, on screen or in person, to sustain our community of waterway supporters pending the return of more normal times. Take care and remain safe.

Phil Sharpe Forthcoming Events For several years Clive Walker has done us some excellent bi-monthly walks and these are planned to continue as normal - thank you Clive!

The Coronavirus Outbreak has made us think about what we can do for members who would like to meet up with their IWA friends and maybe get a bit of gentle exercise at the same time (or not).

For the next three months we are trialing new Pic ’n Mix activities - Stroll and a Natter/Noggin and Nosh. These will be gentle strolls (no stiles) and between 2 and 3 miles in length, starting and ending at a pub. Members are welcome to come for the stroll followed by a drink and/or lunch - or just do the pub bit! So no pressure, just do the bits you want to do and are comfortable with.

We have also planned a lunchtime Branch Picnic in August where members are welcome to come either by car/boat or on foot - full details in this edition of Lichfield Lines.

Work parties and Volunteering We are still waiting for information from CRT as to how they see volunteering going ahead, we therefore don’t see anything going ahead until at least the Autumn.

Lichfield Branch

Page 3

Further notifications and any last minute amendments will as usual be by email, but we are aware that not everyone uses email. If anyone would like to give me (Margaret Beardsmore) their phone number to be contacted in the event of changes to the programme one of the committee will try to get in touch with you. My phone number is 07581 794111.

Stroll and a Natter/Noggin and Nosh Programme - these are planned for the first Tuesday in the month.

Tuesday 4th August 2020 – “A Canalside Stroll in Rugeley” The first of a new series of shorter walks, for those who just want a stroll and a natter, noggin or nosh !

Meet at 11.00 am for an 11.15 start at the car park behind the Stag’s Leap pub, Wolseley Road, Rugeley, WS15 2ET for a 2.5 mile stroll down to the canal and back, with the option of a drink or lunch back at the pub around 12.15. We will need to book tables on the day. If you are planning to come just for lunch or drinks please tell Margaret Beardsmore on 07581 794111 or email margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk Wednesday 19th August 2020 – Lichfield Branch Picnic at Wolseley Bridge Members and friends are invited to join in our Lichfield Branch Picnic which will be held alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal at Wolseley Bridge (ST17 0XS). Meet from 12 noon for a 1 pm picnic under the trees by the towpath just east of the A51 road bridge over the canal (Bridge 70). Arrive by boat or car (or on foot or bicycle) and bring your own picnic food, drinks and a folding chair for a pleasant ‘socially distanced’ get-together. The Wolseley Arms is close by and those on boats or staying for the evening will have the option of a takeaway meal from the nearby Shimla Palace Indian Restaurant.

More information from Margaret Beardsmore on 07581 794111 or email margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk

Wolseley Bridge Area Tuesday 1st September 2020 – “A Canalside Stroll at Huddlesford” The second of our series of shorter walks, for those who just want a stroll and a natter, noggin or nosh! Meet at 11.00 am for an 11.15 start in the car park of The Plough at Huddlesford (Huddlesford Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, WS13 8PY) for a 2 to 3 mile stroll along the canal and back, with the option of a drink or lunch back at the pub around 12.15. We will need to book tables on the day. If you are planning to come just for lunch or drinks please tell Lynn Evans on 07933 236785 or email lynn.evans@waterways.org.uk

Lichfield Branch

Page 4

Thursday 10th September 2020 - Curdworth and Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Walk. This is an easy 5½ mile walk across farmland, on footpaths, quiet country lanes and the towing path.

There are no stiles. It is a rerun in its entirety of last November's walk, aborted due to bad weather, but with a new starting point. Meet at 10:15 for a 10:30 am start in the car park of The Cock Inn, Bulls Lane, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 9QL. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 Curdworth Tunnel 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk Wednesday 16th September 2020 – Annual General Meeting. 7.30 to 8.15 pm on Zoom Postponed from 18 March due to Covid-19, this will now be a virtual meeting on Zoom. Members can join in using a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone, and will be informed by email of the joining link in advance. Please ensure that IWA has your current email address. The formal proceedings should be short, leaving time for any questions you may have and a general discussion of matters of interest.

The officers’ reports were published in March and you can see the AGM Agenda and the Chairman’s and Treasurer’s reports on the website. (see also Page 24 for Agenda).

(Please note that “Birmingham Lads and Friends” by Phil & Dot Clayton has been postponed until we can meet in person again.)

Tuesday 6th October 2020 – “A Canalside Stroll at Handsacre” Another of our series of shorter walks, for those who just want a stroll and a natter, noggin or nosh ! Meet at 11.00 am for an 11.15 start in the car park of The Crown Inn at Handsacre (24 The Green, Handsacre, Rugeley WS15 4DT) for a 2 to 3 mile stroll along the canal and back, with the option of a drink back at the pub around 12.15.

The food is planned to be fish and chips. If you are planning to come just for lunch or drinks please tell Lynn Evans on 07933 236785 or email lynn.evans@waterways.org.uk Wednesday 21st October 2020 – “Canals and their Historic Conservation in the West Midlands”. From 7.30 pm An illustrated talk by Kate Langley of the Canal & River Trust. Kate explains that our historic waterways feature a unique collection of structures including lock-keepers’ cottages, aqueducts, bridges, sluices, culverts and reservoirs (to name a few). Many of these structures and bridges are statutorily protected through listing and scheduling and require precious conservation

Lichfield Branch

Page 5

management. Kate, as heritage adviser to the Canal & River Trust, will speak about her work at the Trust and how they use historic maps, plans and images to help guide the conservation work at the Trust. Focusing on Birmingham and the Black Country area, a selection of historic deed plans will feature in the presentation along with many examples of recent conservation work undertaken by the Trust, including the restoration of the Roundhouse in Birmingham.

Note: If restrictions on indoor meetings remain in force, this talk will be a virtual meeting on Zoom, lasting about an hour with opportunity for questions at the end.

Members can join in using a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone, and will be informed by email of the joining link in advance. Please ensure that IWA has your current email address.

Covid-19 Note: Our programme of activities from November onward remains as below, but may be subject to changes depending on Covid-19 regulations and advice.

Wednesday 18th November 2020 – “Restoration of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals”. An illustrated talk by Brian Nelson, a trustee of Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Restoration Trust, who will give us a brief history of these two connected canals and an update on recent progress with their restoration.

7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY. Note: If Covid-19 restrictions on indoor meetings are still in force, this talk will be rescheduled for a later date and replaced by an alternative online activity on Zoom (details to be advised).

Sunday 6th December 2020 – Branch Christmas Lunch at Mabel’s Restaurant, Curborough Countryside Centre, Watery Lane, Lichfield, WS13 8ES. At 12.30 for 1.00 pm. Save the date! Menu, price and booking details nearer the time.

Recent Activities

Due to the Coronavirus there have been no activities since the last edition of Lichfield Lines but your committee have still been beavering away in the background organising future meetings/walks. Fortunately our printer is now back in business so we are able to produce a printed copy of this edition of the magazine. The following article describes some of the extensive work that has been carried out around Brindley Bank in the past.

Lichfield Branch

Page 6

The Transformation of Brindley Bank Brindley Bank is an historic area on the Trent and Mersey Canal at the northern end of Rugeley. The James Brindley aqueduct is next to an area of open ground which was once used to offload coal for the nearby Brindley Bank Pumping Station.

Steps, known as the ‘Bloody Steps’, lead to a footpath which takes you to the Wolseley Road. The steps earned their nickname as in times gone by a young

Before woman, Christina Collins, was murdered on the canal, and her body was taken up the steps. The original steps being sandstone, when it rained they turned red and the story was that was because of Christina’s blood dripping onto them.

By 2010 the whole area was completely overgrown and neglected. The path was virtually impassible and Brindley Bank was pretty much a ‘no go’ area.

During twisted metal. We had lots of help from CRT/the Police/Rugeley Lions/ Councillors and local residents. Apart from general mowing/strimming/ tidying up/litter picking, in 2011 we painted the railings on the river bridge, in 2012 we installed new mooring rings along the towpath, in 2013 we relaid the path from Wolseley Road to the steps and through to the aqueduct. In 20142015 the path all along Brindley Bank

IWA Lichfield Branch decided to do something about it, and in 2011 we started with the first of numerous work parties taking place to clear the undergrowth, rubbish and

After

Page 7

Lichfield Branch

up to the bypass bridge was relaid with stone chippings and hammered down to provide a hard surface. The area is now much more welcoming for locals and visitors alike. Since the major works have been completed we have regular work parties to keep the area looking good.

These photos show the area before, during and after the work.

Margaret Beardsmore Towpath Improvements in Rugeley The towpath of the Trent & Mersey Canal through Rugeley and Brereton is well used and has been particularly busy with people getting fresh air and exercise during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Work started earlier this year on resurfacing the towpath from the Rugeley Bypass bridge 62A at Brereton to the centre of Rugeley, using funds accumulated by the Council from several building developments over the years. The work had reached beyond Mossley Bridge 65 before the lockdown, and the new 2.5 metres wide surface proved ideal for 2 metre socially distanced walks.

When work resumed and was completed up to Leathermill Lane Bridge 66, a short gap was left under the concrete railway bridge where the bank was collapsing, but this has now (July) been piled and the towpath surface finished off.

At the same time the long awaited access improvements to the ramp alongside Leathermill Lane Bridge have just been completed, with a more gently sloped ramp for

Lichfield Branch

Page 8

disabled access. The awkward steps at the top have been removed, an attractively curved brick retaining wall built and the extended ramp has been tarmac surfaced.

The bridge abutment wall that was partly demolished by vehicle impact some years ago has finally been taken down and rebuilt, and it looks like it will have railings on top which will open up a view of the canal.

IWA has been campaigning for many years for this work to be done, and also for the moorings north of Leathermill Lane to be reinstated. The good news is that contactors are now on site, have recovered all the collapsed sandstone wash wall blocks, and are about to start piling the bank right through to Station Road Bridge 67.

This will then enable the mooring rings to be repaired and the towpath resurfaced.

IWA’s volunteer work parties here in 2010 and 2011 repaired the then worst of the towpath wash holes with concrete filled sandbags, but it soon became clear that piling was needed to stop the rapid deterioration as boats used ever more engine power to try to get into the bank at what was then the main mooring area. It has since taken 8 years of constant badgering of CRT, and before them BW, and of the District and County Councils to get this work started.

Meanwhile, the piled bank south of Leathermill Lane has become the mooring of choice for passing boaters visiting Tesco and Morrisons, but the towpath there is very narrow and when this and other associated work on a cycle path is complete, cyclists will be encouraged to use Love Lane parallel to this part of the canal. Rugeley has some way to go before it will be as canal friendly a town as say Stone, but at least progress is now being made, and IWA will continue campaigning for improvements and for better boater facilities.

Phil Sharpe Some Thoughts on the Lockdown One evening about 10.00 in the early stages of lockdown, I was sitting in my armchair on my boat and I thought to myself...I think I’ll write a short story! Not something I’d ever done before. I reached into the cupboard overhead, found my notebook and wrote the opening paragraph of the story which just flowed out of my head in literally

Lichfield Branch

Page 9

a couple of minutes. I stopped and read the opening paragraph and was surprised. I thought..that’s a poem. I set it out as a poem without changing any of the words or word order and went to bed. Slept like a log!

In the morning I made my first cup of tea, opened my notebook and read the poem. I burst into floods of tears and sobbed. I was in this state until late afternoon when it left me and I have been fine since.

There was a very weird feeling of having been out of control of events.

The Lock Down Once upon a time when there was no past or future When nobody had any memories or thought about outcomes He walked along the lane forgetting each step and tree as he went and experiencing only the moment The moment The one precious thing he had Which was fleeting and finite Soon an unremembered feeling of pleasure But a part of himself That no one could take away.

Lynn From IWA West Midlands Region Chairman and Trustee, Helen Whitehouse Next month, August 11th to be exact, is the 75th Anniversary of the historic meeting of Tom Rolt and Robert Aickman at Tardebigge. A meeting which paved the way for the formation of the Inland Waterways Association early in 1946. IWA has continued to be run by enthusiastic, knowledgeable volunteers and staff throughout its history and together we have achieved a huge amount.

IWA became a charity some years ago because of the many advantages. However, there are responsibilities of being a Charity which are overseen by the Charity Commission. It has become necessary to jump through more and more hoops in order to “get things right”. Until recently, the IWA region chairmen automatically became trustees but it became clear that the attributes needed as a region chairman and those required to be a good trustee were not necessarily present in the same person and in some instances, people who would be ideal as region chairmen were not volunteering as such because they were unwilling to take on the legal responsibilities of being a trustee. IWA’s trustees therefore took the decision to

Lichfield Branch

Page 10

separate the two positions. Any region chairman who wished to stand as a trustee could still do so. In 2018, so few people stood that I was appointed unopposed. We (the trustees) then started looking closely at the skills needed on the board of trustees to provide the necessary governance of our charity. We self-assessed honestly and came to the uncomfortable conclusion, that whilst we were honest, enthusiastic, keen and extremely knowledgeable about the waterways, that we (with a few exceptions), lacked the professional skills necessary to ensure the exemplary governance needed for the good of the Association. This year we had an unprecedented number of excellent candidates respond to the call to become trustees. The names of the six chosen by the selection committee have now been announced.

At the next Trustees meeting, we will be welcoming our new CEO, Sarah O’Grady and considering a paper about how we can learn from the experiences of other charitable organisations to strengthen the foundations of IWA and improve how we work together as one effective organisation. As Sarah has said, “This will be an evolution not a revolution”. I have already met Sarah (virtually) at her interview for the interim post and was very impressed by her. The future looks exciting!

This period of social isolation has been difficult for many but has had some surprisingly positive IWA’s New CEO Sarah O’Grady effects. Technology has now advanced so much that even the most technophobic of us are finding that it has a place in our lives. Zoom meetings have provided an easy way of seeing and talking to friends and holding meetings. One doesn’t even have to download an operating system or app. Someone sends you an invitation and at the relevant time, you just open the link they have sent. If your computer has a camera and a microphone, you can see and speak to the other people at the meeting. You can even dial in using your mobile phone! The Zoom talks/webinars organised centrally by our staff at Chesham have proved popular, with up to 100 attendees from all over the country and even abroad!

Our region committee meetings are now so much easier when no-one has to spend 3 hours on a round trip to attend a meeting. The only drawback is not being able to share the home-made cake! Trustee meetings are also held remotely with an even greater saving of travelling time.

This year IWA’s national AGM will be held by Zoom. It will be a really good way for anyone who doesn’t usually attend such events to hear the presentations and even

Lichfield Branch

Page 11

question the speakers from the comfort of their own kitchen table!

If anyone wants to talk through how to use Zoom, several of Lichfield branch committee are now pretty proficient in its use and a phone call to one of us would elicit help.

The staff employed by IWA have all been working from home most of the time although someone does go into the office each day to open the mail. Two members of staff have had the virus but fortunately have fully recovered. Unfortunately, the introduction of the new website and computer system has been delayed but we are optimistic that everything including the IWAshop should be up and running fairly soon.

In the meantime, I can still send out IWA clothing which I have stored in my spare bedroom. I even have IWA face masks for those who wish to be “facially badged” when they are out and about. If anyone wants anything, please email me or phone me on 01543 491161.

Keep safe and well!

Helen Whitehouse IWA Trustee IWA West Midlands Region Chairman IWA Lichfield branch Sales stand organiser IWA washable Face Masks (and other clothing) If you are representing IWA at any face to face meetings (or are just out and about on the canals) and are unable to fully socially distance, here is your answer!

Available in royal blue or red embroidered with the IWA logo.

They are £7.75 each or two for £15.00 to include postage.

This face mask is designed to aid defence against the spread of infection. It is made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane and is comfortable to wear. It is not a medical or clinical face mask and so should not be used where infection levels are high.

Wash before use.

It will wash in a machine at up to 60 degrees centigrade. Do not tumble dry.

Lichfield Branch

Page 12

Whilst we are waiting for IWA shop to re-open, please contact Helen Whitehouse at helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk or telephone her on 01543 491161 to order these or any other item of IWA clothing you might want.

A Trip on the Manchester Ship Canal My wife and I love the canals, especially the ones in our locality, but we also enjoy trying something a little different, so last year we travelled the whole 32 mile length of the Manchester Ship Canal from Salford Quays to Ellesmere Port in our narrowboat.

We left Castlefield Basin in the heart of Manchester, and ten minutes later we arrived at Pomona Lock to meet the Peel Ports lock keeper who let us down onto the Manchester Ship Canal (MSC) for our 10 minute journey into Salford Quays where we had chosen to spend the night before continuing on the MSC proper the following day.

Permission to moor in Salford Quays is supposed to be sought from Salford City Council but previous enquiries had drawn a blank, so we just turned up and found a mooring outside the Holiday Inn Hotel in Central Quay. There aren’t many places to moor in Salford Quays but this wasn’t an issue because only about twenty leisure boats per year make the trip, and the locals told us that we were the first boat they had seen moored there for months. It was a nice mooring, ideally located for all the various entertainment and retail outlets and not too noisy.

The following day we made the short journey to Mode Wheel Lock, the first of four on the MSC, to begin our 8 hour journey to Ellesmere Port.

The locks are huge, measuring 600ft by 85ft which by my reckoning could therefore accommodate 90 average sized narrowboats. We were on our own so were somewhat dwarfed by the size of them. We didn’t even have to tie up, but merely let the boat drift about as we descended. Three Locks then came in quick succession, including Barton Lock, preceded by the famous and unique Barton Swing Aqueduct on which some friends waited in their boat so as to take photos of us from above.

A couple of hours later we were through the last of the four locks to begin a relaxing five hour cruise to complete the remaining 20 miles or so, the first part of which was rather unexciting except for the occasional bridges and disused wharfs which were quite interesting.

The excitement didn’t really begin until we were nearing Runcorn and began to make acquaintance with some very

Lichfield Branch

Page 13

large sea going vessels, all of which were moored up either loading or unloading.

It was such a surreal experience passing by with them towering above us, our roof barely reaching the height of the Plimsoll Line on the lower part of the ship's bows.

We did however encounter two vessels on the move coming from the opposite direction. One was an ex Mersey Ferry trip boat, and the other was a fairly large petrochemical tanker. Throughout our journey we had been in regular contact with Eastham Control (via our mobile phone) and had been instructed to phone them each time we reached pre-designated numbered marker posts so as to inform them of our progress.

Both of the oncoming ships had been made aware of our whereabouts, as we had been about their imminent arrival too, and when we met them there was plenty of room to pass each other. I must confess that I was a trifle disappointed that they slowed down so much, because I had fancied some fun with a bit of ‘wake riding’.

We arrived at Ellesmere Port just short of 8 hours after leaving Manchester and spent an enjoyable and interesting few days moored at the National Boat Museum. The trip was a truly memorable and enjoyable experience and not the stressful encounter that is a common perception amongst many boaters.

I hope to do a full presentation about the trip at one of the future monthly meetings, so watch this space if you are interested in coming along.

Neil Barnett The IWA Silver Sword Scheme The Silver Sword Award scheme was initiated by the IWA in the 1960s to encourage members to cruise the waterways system extensively throughout the year, i.e. not just the summer months, and not just the frequently used parts of the system. The scheme was devised by Douglas Redstone and set out in booklet form by the redoubtable Robert Aickman and Major Crick Grundy. There were several revisions over the years, latterly by a Silver Sword Committee. At its heart, it was a simple and wellintentioned idea, but in practice it was complicated, with 10 general requirements and 21 specific rules to adhere to. Detailed day-by-day logs (authenticated by “reliable and

Lichfield Branch

Page 14

independent third parties”) and monthly summaries had to be completed by those claiming the award. Reading the booklet, it was only when you got to paragraph 25 that you were really told what you had to achieve to get a Silver Sword.

The Silver Sword was a metal replica of the symbolic sword - which was the IWA’s logo at the time- to mount on your boat. It was a sort of large plaque, and they became highly prized.

To qualify for an award, you had to accumulate 200 ‘points’ within one year. The points were accumulated according to miles travelled on different grades of waterways, plus various bonus points for certain things, plus 1 point for every ten locks. Waterways were divided into Adventure, Enterprise and Standard categories. Ten miles travelled on a Standard waterway ( e.g. Oxford Canal, or BCN Main Line) earned you 1 point. Ten miles on an Enterprise waterway (e.g. the Ashby) earned 3 points. Ten miles on an Adventure waterway (e.g. Chesterfield Canal) got you 5 points. Some feats of navigation earned a bonus – for example a bonus of 2 points was awarded for passing through West Stockwith Lock (anyone who has braved the entrance to West Stockwith from the fast flowing Trent would probably think they should earn 20 bonus points, not a measly 2). You had to earn 15 other points before you could claim a bonus for the same thing. If you travelled between 1st November and 31st March the mileage points (but not bonuses) were doubled.

I hope by now you fully understand! But if you find it all a bit complicated, let us take an example: A cruise up and down the Ashby Canal in Feb or March 1973 (assuming it was open, as this would be classed as “winter” season) would earn – mileage 43 (21½ each way) at 3 points per 10 miles = basic 12 points, doubled for winter months = 24 points, plus a bonus of 10 points for reaching the limit of navigation at Snarestone. = 34 points. Whether or not passage of Marston lock chamber constituted a lock counting towards the points was not made clear. (Probably not, but you could try – was the lock gate still there then?). You would also need the log signed by a reliable witness proving that you had passed through Marston Junction lock and that you had reached the end of navigation, or a photograph including the boat.

Reliable third party witnesses could include ‘toll clerks’ ‘lock-keepers’ or other IWA members. (Not ne’er do-wells who happened to be leaning on a bridge having a fag).

(Glad to see that an IWA member would be deemed to be “reliable”). To stop

Lichfield Branch

Page 15

boaters cheating by just cruising the same bit of waterway, you could only claim for the same stretch of water four times, except for the winter months. While in theory it would have been possible to keep cruising up and down the Ashby regularly throughout the winter period and rack up enough points for an award though this would not have been within the spirit of the scheme and probably wouldn’t have satisfied the Judging Committee.

To complete your application for a Silver Sword, you had to complete a three page summary form and an entry form, and send it to IWA with a £1 entry fee, plus the completed detailed and authenticated boat log, plus extra postage for the return of your heavy log book.

Lots of boaters took the challenge to their hearts, though not everyone achieved their goal. If you saw a boat with a Silver Sword proudly mounted on the cabin side, you were suitably and justifiably impressed. Jean and I tried to get one in 1974, and again in 1975. We didn’t manage it, despite extensive cruising – the problem being that that though the boat visited lots of unusual places, we weren’t always on board, as we relied on friends to keep the boat moving round the system while we were working. So well done to anyone who achieved a Silver Sword! The scheme did succeed in promoting what were under-used waterways, and that is exactly what lies behind IWA’s modern-day “Silver Propeller” challenge, but this time it is a much simpler scheme. The new challenge deserves to succeed.

With thanks to the author John Roddis and the Ashby Canal Association for permission to reprint this article Planning Matters

This report covers the more significant of nearly 40 planning matters dealt with between mid-April and mid-July 2020. This is fewer than usual due no doubt to the Covid-19 lockdown, but included some major issues. All the matters dealt with are summarised in Notes on the Planning page of the website.

For the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal the bad news is that the longopposed West Midlands Rail Freight Interchange development has been approved by

Lichfield Branch

Page 16

the Secretary of State for Transport, following a recommendation to do so in the Planning Inspectorate’s report. This is very disappointing as it will change forever the tranquil and largely open countryside setting of the canal between Gailey and Calf Heath to views of massive warehouses only partly screened by earth bunds and planting and with constant noise from round-the-clock road traffic. This decision further devalues Green Belt protection, which is already under extensive threat from housing developments across the country, and is leading to urbanisation of many countryside sections of our waterways.

But particularly shocking was the way in which the Inspector’s Report not only accepted the applicant’s opinion of the canal’s Gailey Listed buildings and Roundhouse & Conservation Area as Lock having ‘low value’, but added to this unbalanced heritage assessment. False reasoning in the Inspector’s report includes claiming that: - because he personally considers the boatyard at Gailey Wharf to be “unkempt” with “poor quality” buildings, this somehow “offsets” the heritage value of the unique Listed Round House and Cottage; yet the visible warehouses and traffic noise “would not alter the heritage value”; - that because the site affects “only a small part of the 74km long, linear Canal Conservation Area” the impact on its significance as a whole is “negligible”; - that because this section of the Conservation Area has already been partly damaged by industrial development that implicitly justifies further development; - and that effects on the Conservation Area would be outweighed by “public benefits” (although he doesn’t say what these are) Following a joint meeting of IWA’s Planning Advisory Panel, Heritage Advisory Panel and Navigation Committee, I prepared the evidence for a formal Letter of Complaint about this to the Planning Inspectorate which the national Chairman has submitted.

We don’t expect this to change the decision, but we are concerned to ensure that such misrepresentation of the heritage value of the canal and the impacts on it does not set an unfortunate precedent for future Examinations.

A much more welcome application on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is for the Stafford Riverway Link site at Baswich. After extensive pre-application discussions,

Lichfield Branch

Page 17

the detailed documents and plans for reconstructing the former canal basin, towpath bridge and junction with the main canal are well supported by historic photos and research. The enlarged basin will provide non-residential moorings and include the entrance to a future lock down into the river. Work on site stopped just before the Covid-19 lockdown, pending planning consent, and it is hoped it will not be too long before it can resume.

On the Trent & Mersey Canal the 2017 planning consent for a marina at Pasturefields, between Great Haywood and Weston, has been kept alive by a minimal amount of work on the entrance from the main road. At Rugeley, the promised towpath improvements financed from developer contributions have at Armitage Road last been completed from Bridge Leathermill Lane south to the Bypass bridge (see Page 7). The Rugeley Power Station redevelopment incudes extending this towards Armitage but we have objected to the proposed guard rail fencing under Armitage Road Bridge by The Ash Tree, as this would be a hazard to boats and boaters.

At Fradley Junction the application to extend the Laughing Duck café which had heritage objections has been withdrawn. Between Fradley Junction and Alrewas a sand & gravel quarry and ready mix concrete plant to supply HS2 is proposed in fields about 200 metres north of the canal near Common Lock. The Environmental Statement visual impact and noise assessments recognise future moorings in the marina there which is currently under construction, but largely ignore impacts on the tens of thousands of people who already use this section of the towpath and canal every year. Although the western part of the site is quite well screened by existing trees there are open views into the eastern part from the canal, and the proposed 5m earth bund will not adequately screen the noisy plant and silos which are 16m high.

The Birmingham & Fazeley section of the Coventry Canal at Dunstall Farm, Tamworth is being urbanised by a large housing site, but the original farm buildings were supposed to be retained and restored for a new use. However, they have been left to deteriorate and be vandalised so they can be knocked down for housing, incuding a large apartment block far too close to the canal. We objected to this and the application has since been withdrawn.

On the Ashby Canal at Sutton Cheney, a large proposed “solar farm” would be partly visible from the canal south of the Wharf and we have asked for reinforced

Lichfield Branch

Page 18

hedgerow planting. At Market Bosworth the proposed higher density residential development that we objected to has been refused, due to being too close to the canal, the lack of a landscape buffer and consequential harm to the Canal Conservation Area. At Measham, further alterations to the Reserved Matters plans for the Measham Waterside housing site have reinstated the towpath along the future canal arm, and there is a condition on the approval requiring a pedestrian connection between the towpaths on the wharf arm and the main line at the new road bridge.

The use of sheet piling bank protection and coir rolls is also conditioned, but the previously proposed slipway was omitted from the approved plans at the last minute and without re-consultation.

Alongside the restored Lichfield Canal at Tamworth Road, the field between Lock 26 and the A38 was originally given consent for a canal basin, and then later for housing. New plans are now for fewer houses but with a large 3 storey care home.

However, there were issues with the ownership boundary, access to the slipway, drainage into the canal, housing not facing the canal, and dead space visible beneath the raised decking which we objected to.

Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer HS2 High Speed Rail Update – July 2020 Response to High Speed North Consultation As the recently confirmed HS2 Lead Representative for IWA, I have responded to a consultation on the future of the Phase 2b proposals in the North and Midlands.

Phases 1 & 2a (London to West Midlands and Crewe) Construction of Phase 1 of HS2 from London to Birmingham and Fradley has been authorised, and its continuation to Crewe in Phase 2a is proceeding through Parliament (although delayed by Covid-19). But the future of the remainder of HS2 is subject to a further review to better integrate it with other proposed rail improvements. This will inform an Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands which the Government expect to publish by the end of the year.

Phase 2b (Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds) In responding to the National Infrastructure Commission’s Call for Evidence, we have suggested that due to major design flaws and the adverse impact it would have on a significant number of navigable waterways and restoration schemes, the eastern leg of Phase 2b should be scrapped altogether and the western leg should be rerouted.

The proposals for the Phase 2b eastern leg from Birmingham to Leeds have blighted the restorations of the Ashby Canal and the Chesterfield Canal for many years, as well as threatening noise and environmental damage to the Coventry Canal, Erewash Canal, the Aire & Calder Navigation and other waterways. The western leg from

Lichfield Branch

Page 19

Crewe to Manchester would have major landscape, noise and heritage impacts on the Trent & Mersey Canal and Middlewich Branch. Our submission includes the responses we made to the Phase 2b Working Draft Environmental Statement in December 2018 and the Design Refinement consultation in September 2019, as the threats to the waterways we detailed there remain largely unanswered.

Our concerns include the following major impacts: • • • • • •

Landscape, noise and heritage impacts on the Trent & Mersey Canal in the Dane valley north of Middlewich.

Noise and visual impacts on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Threats, uncertainty and delay to the restoration of the Ashby Canal at Measham.

Visual and noise impacts on the Erewash Canal between Sandiacre and Stanton Gate.

Threats, uncertainty and blight to the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal at Staveley and Norwood.

Visual, noise and engineering impacts on the Aire & Calder Navigation near Woodlesford.

HS2 Route Map

Although there has been some progress in improving the proposals at a few locations, other changes have increased the visual or noise impacts on the waterways environment and on the recreational and residential users of the waterways. Crucially, the issues threatening severance or severe damage to the restoration routes of the Chesterfield Canal and the Ashby Canal have not been adequately addressed.

Overall, it is very disappointing how slow and insensitive HS2 Ltd has been in recognising

Lichfield Branch

Page 20

and responding to the problems that IWA and others have highlighted.

Fundamental Review The aim of this fundamental review is to redesign Phase 2b to better integrate it with wider rail improvement plans for the North and Midlands, proposed by Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Rail Hub. Chief among these is a new or improved trans-Pennine railway between Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as the central section of a high speed network from Liverpool to Hull and Newcastle, dubbed HS3 or High Speed North.

The consultation offered an opportunity for IWA to review the chequered history of HS2 and its many well documented design flaws and management failings. For Phase 2b these include: • poor integration with the existing rail system; • no provision for integration with the trans-Pennine improvements or connections to Scotland, with south facing terminal stations in Leeds and Manchester; • an eastern leg station at Toton inconvenient for both Derby and Nottingham, and a route that bypasses Sheffield and requires extensive motorway diversions; • a western leg that goes through the Cheshire salt field with severe subsidence dangers still not yet investigated.

We conclude that the way forward is to start with determining the trans-Pennine route which will connect Leeds to HS2 via Manchester, with the continuation to Crewe being rerouted. Reasons are also advanced for scrapping the eastern leg in favour of upgrading existing railway lines to the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

This would reduce impacts on the Trent & Mersey Canal and remove them altogether from the Coventry, Ashby, Soar, Trent, Erewash, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Sheffield & South Yorkshire and Aire & Calder waterways.

With these fundamental changes a better designed, more useful and cost effective integrated rail plan for the North and Midlands can be delivered in conjunction with Phases 1 and 2a of HS2. But there needs to be greater attention to avoiding and mitigating environmental and community damage, including minimising impacts on the users, heritage and restoration of the inland waterways.

The full text of IWA’s response about High Speed North can be downloaded from the website at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield/pdf/hs2_phase2b_nic_response_2020 (pdf 549 KB).

Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer

Lichfield Branch

Page 21

Dr DARWIN OF LICHFIELD and his Canal into the City.

Erasmus Darwin came to Lichfield in 1756 aged 25. Within the year he had married (into money) and had established a reputation as a fine doctor, especially as he had successfully treated an apparently hopeless case not long after his arrival. His circumstances were right, as was his fortuitous timing to be in Lichfield just as the canal age was about to really get going.

In 1758 Lord Gower of Trentham and Thomas Anson of Shugborough asked James Brindley to survey routes from the Trent to the Severn and Mersey. Although the scheme at this stage was abandoned, it was not forgotten, and in 1760 Brindley and John Smeaton published a revised plan of the section from Burslem to Wilden Ferry near Derby (Wilden Ferry is a few hundred yards upstream from Shardlow Marina on the Trent.

James Brindley (1716-1772) was the engineer of the Grand Trunk (Trent and Mersey) canal, who had the vision of the Grand X of waterways to join the main river systems of England. He and Darwin became friends, and indeed when Brindley lay dying after being soaked in a storm at Froghall, Dr Darwin attended, and was the first to diagnose that he was suffering from advanced diabetes. This was when diabetes could only be confirmed by the doctor physically tasting the patient’s urine.

John Smeaton (1724-1792) was a great and talented engineer. He built the successful Eddystone Lighthouse in 1759, which can now be seen on Plymouth Hoe, to where it was carefully removed after the underlying rock eroded. He effectively invented modern cement, which would set underwater, called ‘hydraulic lime’ and was the forerunner of Portland cement.

He doubled the efficiency of the atmospheric Newcomen engine, scientifically worked on the efficiency of water wheels, and his work on ‘lift’ was used by the Wright brothers to take to the air. His canal work included building the Forth and Clyde canal, advising on the Louth Navigation and being the engineer on the Birmingham and Fazeley.

Brindley and Smeaton’s plan showed a branch to Lichfield, as did the later proposal in 1766, which won parliamentary approval, enabling construction of the Trent and Mersey to begin when Josiah Wedgwood cut the first sod in Burslem in July 1766.

In October 1771 the scheme for the canal branch to Lichfield is set aside. The cost was estimated at £6-7,000, and profits only about £100 a year.

However, by now Darwin is really enthused by canals and comes up with a scheme of his own, about which he writes to Josiah Wedgwood……….prefacing his comments that he would of course consult on everything with Brindley. He proposed not a large, i.e. Trent and Mersey size, canal, but a narrow one, with the water channel being 7’ wide. It would be 3½ miles long, which puts it more or less from the present day

Lichfield Branch

Page 22

Kings Bromley wharf into Minster pool, just round the corner from where he lived.

The distance shown on the plans appears to be about a mile less than this, which would put the junction near Wood End. The T & M as actually built was very different in the Wood End to Streethay vicinity to the 1760 plan. Darwin’s canal was to take boats of only 4 to 5 tons burthen (burthen, in the days before steam, was a volumetric measurement, with a formula that converted volume to tons weight). The boats therefore would be only 4’ wide and 30’ long……and draw only 1’ of water and be drawn by one man (no horses). This suggests very few boats indeed, as they could not pass…..but that might have been perfectly acceptable on such a short canal, where a passage could well have been under 2 hours, or passing places built….but it was really just a project in Darwin’s mind without any detail.

Construction of this very narrow, shallow canal would be only about £250-£350 per mile, the small locks would not be expensive, only footbridges would be required (he said) and no fencing would be necessary. So convinced of the cost effectiveness of the project was Darwin, that he proposed to do it on his own account. He asks Wedgwood to get permission to join such a canal to the Grand Trunk at Fradley Heath (which would be shorter than the 3½ miles he talked of earlier).

Darwin justifies his economic enthusiasm by talking about how Lichfield could receive coal, lime for fertiliser and small beer from Burton. …..and he starts to get carried

Lichfield Branch

Page 23

away. This canal would encourage many others to make such canals to the Grand Trunk, whose promoters he is trying to convince. It would be a first with its 1 foot draught, and if the Grand Trunk was short of water, why, he would throw in the whole supply of the Lichfield Brook, which leaves Stowe pool at the church end, and would cross the line of the Grand Trunk, wherever it was built, as it flows North towards the Trent.

As a doctor, Darwin expressed his enthusiasm for his little canals as small blood vessels to the Grand Trunk’s artery, and gives glowing estimates of the nature and locations of the profits to be had……he says:1. It is only 3 or 4 miles to get the coal from Newhall in Derbyshire to Burton, the intervening river Trent being no problem, as Brindley has shown how to lock down and pass a river (eg, Alrewas)….2. The lime processed at Ticknall is just 3 miles from the Trent, cross it, then to the Grand Trunk at Swarkestone, and also coal is just 3 miles from Ticknall…….3. slate from Charnwood and granite at Mount Sorrel is only 12 miles from the Trent…..4. only 3 or 4 miles from Burton to Tutbury for gypsum for alabaster…….in fact, water carriage could become universal , with rollers being used instead of locks, with counterbalancing achieved by use of water……..Darwin’s enthusiasm seems to peak here.

The doctor writes to his friend and canal promoter Josiah Wedgwood on 21st October 1771 that he acknowledges that there are water shortages on the ‘Lichfield River’. There are three mills on it. Castle Mill, (Dam St.), Stowe Mill and Pones Mill.

They are all short of water in the Summer. However, he has not given up yet, and proposes an improvement to the boat designs, which he suggests should be the same length as the Grand Trunk ones, but half the width, so that they could be joined together to pass the Grand Trunk locks. There would be no helmsman, just one man with a fore and aft rope. (which as any boater might appreciate, would be great fun with a 72’ long vessel in a high wind on an icy day). No wonder Wedgwood poured cold water on the idea, especially telling the Doctor that so much time would be needed to be spent in London to get the Act of Parliament.

Darwin writes again to Wedgwood on the 4th November 1771. This time the Doctor himself comes up with a list of doubts about his own idea, especially the lack of water, and the costly purchase of the three mills that would be required. He almost seems to be inviting Wedgwood to advise against it. He then visits Wedgwood and drops the idea.

Lichfield was never connected directly to the Trent and Mersey canal. Minster pool never became a grimy coal wharf, and Lichfield never industrialised.

Darwin maintained his interest in canals and in fact had already built a full size one of his own, and that’s another tale to tell.

John Parry

Lichfield Branch

Page 24

IWA LICHFIELD BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 2020, at 7.30 PM (Postponed from 18th March) A virtual meeting to be held on Zoom AGENDA Apologies for absence Approval of the minutes of the 2019 AGM and any matters arising from these minutes Report from the Branch Chairman Financial Report from the Treasurer Elections to the Committee Members completing 3 years in post and eligible for re-election. (none) Members co-opted since last AGM and willing to stand for election. (none) Any other candidates Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch (provided the Branch Chairman was notified in writing of the item at least 6 weeks prior to the AGM) (none) Any Other Business Notes: Candidates for election to the committee must be current members of the Lichfield Branch and should indicate their willingness to stand.

The Branch committee officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) are elected by the committee from its members at their first meeting after the AGM. Current members of the Committee are: Phil Sharpe (Chairman and Acting Secretary), Pete Gurney (Treasurer), Margaret Beardsmore, Derek Beardsmore, Neil Barnett, Lynn Evans.

Lichfield Branch

Page 25

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 October 2020, for publication in November.

Advertising Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 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.

Lichfield Branch

Page 26

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

Social Secretary Tel: 07933 236785 Email: lynn.evans@waterways.org.uk

Lynn Evans

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

Derek Beardsmore

Membership Secretary Tel: 07808 846434 Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk

Neil Barnett

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

Neil Barnett

Minutes Secretary

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

Page 27