shroppie fly paper november 2011

Shroppie Fly Paper

The Newsletter of theShrewsbury District& North Wales BranchWinter 2011

Lagonda Club

E arly in June this year the Lagonda Club visited thePontcysyllte Aqueduct as part of their annual

outing. About 20 very impressive vintage cars filled theTrevor carpark whilst the club members were taken ona conducted tour of the site. Lagonda Club President,David Hine, presented the branch with a cheque for£100 which was shared with Chester Branch whohelped to organise the visit.

The Rotary Clubof Shrewsbury

T he Rotary Club ofShrewsbury has very

kindly donated a pull-up signthat can be used at variousevents to promote the IWABranch.The sign has already beendisplayed at ShrewsburyLibrary and will appear at theOswestry Town Museumwhen it opens. If you knowof an event where the signcould be used please let usknow.

Rotary Club President,Alan Wilding, presentsthe sign to IWA RegionChairman and branchmember Alan Platt.

The Branch CommitteePresident Michael Limbrey, Greenfields, Weston Lane, Oswestry SY11 2BD 01691 654081 [email protected] Chairman Alan Platt, Argoed, Pen y Cefn Road, Caerwys, Flintshire CH7 5BH 01352 720649 [email protected] Dawn Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 [email protected] Denis Farmer, 8 Kingbur Place, Audlem, Crewe CW3 0DL 01270 811157 [email protected] and Planning Officer Peter Brown, 34 Waterside Drive, Market Drayton TF9 1HU 01630 652567 [email protected] Secretary Janet Farmer, 8 Kingbur Place, Audlem, Crewe CW3 0DL 01270 811157 [email protected] Secretary Dawn Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 [email protected] Alan Wilding, Priory Lodge, 154 Longden Road, Shrewsbury SY3 9ED 01743 359 650 [email protected] Editor David Aylwin, Wyndcliff, Pen y Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry SY10 8JS 01691 830403 [email protected] Members Gerallt Hughes (General Secretary Committee for Wales) Ty’n y Coed, Arthog, Gwynedd LL39 1YS 01341 250631 [email protected]

Carolyn Theobold [email protected]

Branch Web-pages waterways.org.uk/shrewsbury

Shroppie Fly PaperThe Shroppie Fly Paper is the newsletter of the Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch of The InlandWaterways Association with a membership of about 390. Nationally the IWA has about 18,000 membersand campaigns for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inlandwaterways. For further information contact any committee member.

Copy for the Shroppie Fly Paper is welcome in manuscript form, on disc or by email. Photographs may bein any common computer format or as prints. Please supply a stamped addressed envelope if you requirephotographs to be returned. ‘Letters to the Editor’ intended for publication are invited, as are comments forthe Editor’s private guidance.

The Inland Waterways Association may not agree with the opinions expressed in this Branch newsletter butencourages publicity as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as official policy unlessstated otherwise. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. Any reproductionmust be acknowledged.

The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity No 212342.

Next Copy Date: 1st February 2012

Front Cover: The Branch trip aboard HAFREN at Ironbridge by Peter BrownAcknowledgements: photographs by Dawn Aylwin, Susan Wilding, Alan Wilding, Denis Farmer.Thank you to all who contributed articles.

Editorial

D espite the ever deepening financial crisis volunteers continue to work onour local canals with increasing enthusiasm. For four weeks this summer

members of the Waterway Recovery Group worked on a section of theMontgomery Canal south of Prices Bridge. They will be back again for a weekin December and plan an extended visit next summer (page 28). TheShropshire Union Canal Society continues with its programme of work-partieson the first week-end of each month restoring the section between RedwithBridge and Prices Bridge. The Whitchurch Waterway Trust is busy with newplans to extend the Whitchurch Arm. They are asking for comments on therevised scheme from all canal users before entering the planning applicationstage (page 22). Canal enthusiasts at Norbury Junction on the ShropshireUnion have formed a Community Interest Company to work with theShrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust to promote the restoration of the canalbetween Norbury Junction and Newport (page 26). And, as if all this was notenough, the possibility of restoring the Plas Kynaston Canal from TrevorBasin is being considered; but if you wanted to know more about that youshould have attended the talk given by Peter Brown at the Narrowboat Innearlier this month.We are once again indebted to Miss Jean Evans who has made anothergenerous donation to the Branch. It was planned to take Miss Evans for acruise at Audlem last month to show our appreciation but unfortunately thiswas cancelled due to ill health. We hope that she will be well enough to joinus again in the spring.For over 15 years the sand game has been a principle source of funds for theBranch but Janet and Denis have finally decided to retire it (page 27). Ourthanks go to them for all their hard work but now we need a replacement. Ifyou have any ideas for fund raising at the various canal festivals please let usknow.Branch member and regular volunteer at our events including the NationalFestival, Sue Blake, leaves soon for a year long tour of duty in Afghanistan.We all wish her good luck and hope that she will record her experiences forthe Shroppie Fly Paper.Finally, if you overindulge at Christmas or at the annual dinner then I have theperfect solution. A Triathlon! This is not a joke, start thinking about yourtraining routine now for in June next year we shall call upon you to perform, Ihope we will not be disappointed.

David Aylwin

Region Chairman

T hings continue to move apace on the politicalfront, as they must if the target date of April

2012 for the new charity is to be achieved. Firstlythe title and, even more important in these publicitydriven times, the logo has been announced and Ihave covered this separately in the magazine.One of the most important elements is theestablishment of the Area Committees which will beconsultative bodies advising the local waterwaysmanagers and engaging with them, in modernparlance, in the management of the area. We in thisbranch are doubly blessed as there is also going tobe an All Wales committee which will considerstrategic matters of a specifically Welsh nature. For those who consider this tobe superfluous, the truth is that Wales has a devolved Assembly which isparticularly relevant in terms of restoration funding, and specifically in our case,of the Montgomery Canal Welsh section. This demands, as the IWA made clearin its response to the DEFRA proposals and which has happily been accepted,an assertive specifically Welsh committee. The balance in this committeebetween the traditionally different concerns of North and South Wales isexacerbated by the very different character and needs of the North and SouthWales canals.There will also be a separate national committee for Museums, reflecting thefact that the Waterways Trust is to be integrated with British Waterways into thenew charity, which seems to me to make sense. If you think you can contributeby applying for these committees, the details will be available soon.The new Trustees have been named and Michael Limbrey and I had a chanceof a brief chat with John Dodwell, the ‘boaters’ friend’ trustee in Cardiff at theAssembly All Party group recently. He is well aware of the funding challengethat faces the new charity and on which the IWA is campaigning hard. That saidthe even more savage cuts imposed on EA and other agencies shows that werethe future to lie within DEFRA as at present, the future would be far bleaker. Thefunding shortfall is the most serious issue facing the new charity and IWA bothnationally and locally is campaigning hard.And finally — your editor has, as is his wont, poked gentle fun at my attemptsto be all embracing by referring to cyclists and pram pushers as valuedwaterway users in the last edition. In reply I would point out that, as mygrandchildren are approaching GCSE age, I fear the next pram in our family willprobably have me in it, but at the excellent National Festival at Burton in July, Idid purchase a fold up bike for ease of lock winding and would have attachedpictorial evidence had not my camera been stolen from the car, left in the careof Bob the dog while I had a hair cut!

Alan Platt

Alan Platt(sans bicycle)

Canal & River Trust

W e now have a propername for the new

Waterways Charity and canstop calling it NWC for short.The perceptive will note thatthe word ‘and’ has beensidestepped in favour of anampersand to avoid theacronym becoming CART,which would keep Sue Dayof the Horseboating Societyhappy but could lead tounfortunate comments. For those of us who have the privilege of living in thePrincipality, the Welsh language version is ‘Glyndwr Cymru’, which is not adirect translation but this would have been rather long.

There have been concerns, and doubtless whatever I say will not effect them,that this rebranding will divert precious funds from a cash strapped organisationbut we are informed that the agency that designed the logo, and I understandthey did not pinch it from a well known brand of matches, did it for free. It is alsostated that the matter of relabelling vehicles, signs and other equipment etc willbe undertaken as they fall due for refurbishment or replacement. For exampleall new vans recently purchased have been left plain white so that they caneasily be badged up with the new artwork. I can state from experience that thisis now a matter of sticking transfers on rather than expensive signwriting.

It will not escape your notice that the above is full of ‘I understand’ and otherescape clauses; personally I am not particularly guided by presentation, or hopeI’m not, and consider that the substance of the entity is more important than thecoat it’s wearing. Whether one likes the logo or not is a matter of taste; theofficial line is that the word ‘Waterways’ was ambiguous, and that there is a needto identify the new body as distinct from the old British Waterways. The inclusionof Environment Agency waters into the new body is still on track for 2015 andthe initial dislike of the prospect by the Thames boaters may well have beentempered by the swingeing cuts in EA’s navigation budget which are biting verydeeply.

What does remain a regrettable fact is that the funding for C&RT still looksinadequate and the IWA is continuing to press this truth on the interim trustees,and all interested parties. At the recent party conferences, the IWA took theopportunity of some private time with the Waterways Minister to press the point.

Alan Platt

CANAL SOCIETIESANNUAL DINNER

Saturday 21st January 2012Arrive from 7pm£23 per person

MENU

Cream of Mushroom Soup, tarragon croutonsSeasonal Melon, ginger syrup and berry compote

********Roasted Breast of Chicken with sage stuffing or Roast Beef

both served with vegetables, roast potatoes & traditional gravyGrilled Salmon, crushed new potatoes, lemon butter & almonds

Roast Pepper & Asparagus Tart, carrot cream sauce

********Vanilla Créme Brûleé, baked shortbread

Dark Chocolate Tart, fresh cream & rich chocolate sauceCoffee & Mints

The guest speaker will be

Julie SharmanHead of Enterprise at British Waterways

Members of all canal societies are welcome to join us at the Lion Quays,Moreton, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 3EN. The venue is adjacent to theLlangollen Canal and moorings are free if anyone is hardy enough to boatthere in January. Places must be booked and paid for before Christmas.Please contact Judy or Peter Richards on 01691 831455 [email protected].

Accommodation is available, please call Lion Quays Reservations team on01691 684300 to make a booking.

Meetings and Greetings

T his has been the season of meetings — I suspect most seasons are! I canimpress you by telling you that the meetings I have been to were spread

between St Helen's and Cardiff, but you must not be too impressed by this,because Alan Platt was at most of them too.The National AGM was this year at Cookley on the Staffs & Worcs. We heardabout the IWA contribution to the arrangements to set up the New WaterwaysCharity, which after all was founder Robert Aickman's great vision all thoseyears ago. (Those of you who pay attention will remember that you read aboutthis in the Spring 2010 SFP.) IWA has also been making importantrepresentations on funding too, and this remains a live issue.The arrangements for transition, set-up and funding are hugely important issuesfor the future of our waterways. Don't let them turn you off. After more than sixtyyears complaining about the Government's treatment of them, writing to MPs,even debates in Parliament, waterways will no longer be a Government affair:the annual Government grant to Canal & River Trust (C&RT) will be thebeginning and end of its involvement.These new arrangements will affect everyone who uses our waterways, boatersabove all. Yet only a minority of boaters are members of IWA. You ... we, thosemembers, have made an important contribution to the management of ourwaterways for years to come. Don't you think it is a pity that many of those whowill benefit are not members with us?Tourism has been considered at several meetings, including the LlanymynechHeritage and Montgomery Canal Partnerships. A tourism strategy is beingprepared for North Shropshire: canals are one of the leading assets of the area— you of course knew that already. We have for years been telling the worldabout the canals of this area, at events, rallies and in national magazines. Ourcanals — with of course the World Heritage Site — connect with castles, rivers,railways, industrial heritage, long-distance footpaths and so much more.Tourism can enable local facilities and services to prosper which in turn sustainsthem for communities: this is the justification for the restoration of theMontgomery Canal.Funding bids for the Montgomery Canal were reviewed at a joint meeting ofthe volunteer groups attended by IWA, WRG, and the Friends of theMontgomery Canal, and at the Welsh Assembly All-Party Waterway Group,Montgomery Canal Partnership and IWA's Restoration Committee. So AlexBall, Montgomery Development Officer, has told us no less than four timesabout her work. If the bids are successful they will fund restoration of a furtherlength in Shropshire and the creation of nature reserves (vital to easerestrictions on boating numbers). The first bid will be submitted in the next fewmonths: please cross your fingers (though it might take a year before we havean answer!).

Future events have been discussed too. Plans are well in hand for another rallyat Maesbury next year — 1st - 2nd September should be in your diaries;Waterway Recovery Group will be back at the New Year and next August. Andthe discussion at the meeting of volunteer groups led to other exciting ideas too:these have to be considered further, in terms of practicality, manpower andcost: how can an event be used to best advantage? What can it achieve? I hopewe can develop one or more significant events which will enhance the profile ofthe Montgomery Canal and keep it in the public eye — but that depends onpeople: could you help us?It was a pleasure to attend the Paddlesports opening recently. They haverebuilt the old canalside warehouse at Queen's Head very sympathetically:those hardy souls who joined us on the Dinghy Dawdle in June will haveappreciated its warmth. The club provides a very welcome activity on theMontgomery Canal for a hundred members, from youngsters to oldsters. Aftera morning's activities on the water, the clubhouse was opened by HowardBlackman from the British Canoe Union and Shropshire Vice-Chairman CllrDavid Lloyd.And finally... on the day before the Restoration Committee meeting I met oldfriends we had not seen for many years. They had come from Australia, so aswe walked past the works at Redwith they could be forgiven for notunderstanding the finer points of canal operation. I told them something of theevolution of the canal network: how boats were long and narrow becausenarrow meant you did not have to dig a wide channel, and long to make up forthe narrow. Long though had created its own problems, with the difficulty ofturning, and when the boats had all reached the end of the canal, at Llangollen,say, or Newtown, they were stuck! My friend nodded, understanding. Iexplained how the problem had been solved a little while later by Dr Wind, aGerman scientist, who had invented the wide turning points which bear hisname. My friend nodded again ... though I noted that he walked with a bit of alimp, as one leg had been pulled longer than the other.

Michael Limbrey

Tugboat Ted

B ears and humans when boating are used to variations in the weather butour Autumn Cruise on the Cheshire Ring proved that these can be

extraordinary. In a two and a half week spell, starting the last week inSeptember, we were able to enjoy the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals inbeautiful sunshine — regular BBQ's and drinks on deck. By 6th October, we hadexperienced what felt like a whirlwind— moving items from the top of the boatand then hailstones! Quite a come down which, although not so violent,continued until the end of the cruise! With high winds, we had almost decidednot to do the diversion on to the Weaver but, although still overcast, the weatherimproved somewhat and we all enjoyed the adventure of the Anderton Lift,

shopping in Northwich and the different scenery on the river. We counted ourblessings, 10 days of good weather isn't a bad record for our climate but by thetime we had experienced several days of drizzle both crews were ready to headfor home comforts.The crews of both LEO and GRAPEVINE hadmisgiving about going through the Manchester areabut enquiries from other boaters mostly quelled these.The locks were said to be heavy going but by then wehad the advantage of an extra (energetic) memberof crew on LEO, another family member with alove of boating flew over from Northern Irelandto ‘wind down’ for a few days — a strangeexpression for someone who wasvolunteering to ‘wind up’ the locks. Bothseemed to work and it was obviouslya bonus for our humans to have hercompany and muscle power. I washonoured to be the subject of acouple of her sketches!It's fun to vary boating activities andin August a trip was arranged to theIronbridge Gorge where 28 members and friends experienced close up viewsof the Iron Bridge from a different angle. The water was quite shallow in the riverbut our skilled driver from Ironbridge Scenic Cruises avoided any sandbanksand returned us all safely. Do have a look on the website. The cruise wasfollowed by an excellent lunch at the Bucks Head which was then ‘walked off‘by exploring Wappenshall Wharf and Longdon Aqueduct with our branchhistorian Peter Brown as well as members of Shrewsbury and Newport CanalsTrust who were keen to show us progress at the wharf. Good weather andcompany made it an enjoyable day.Locally, we can report a wonderful show of 24 old boats at the AudlemTransport Festival in July and even more promised for next year!The trip boat AUDLEM LASS has just completed a successful first year. Thehumans, as IWA representatives, were invited to a celebration party where thecontribution of life jackets for the children was said to be very muchappreciated. With so much enthusiasm from the volunteer crew and the publicit looks set for another busy season next year.Our humans have been notified by BW that the long awaited dredging betweenAdderley and the bottom of Audlem locks is due to take place during Decemberto February and we are hoping that the problems with boats going agroundbetween the locks and at the permanent moorings will, at last, be overcome.The crew of LEO are delighted!

Tyrley Tattle

T he boating season is coming to an end as I write this, with very few boatsbraving the cold wind and rain which has been crossing here today. The

canal seems to have become busier as the summer progressed and visitormooring space has been at a premium on some days.The most momentous happening here has been, at long last, the installation ofthe new water point next to the sanitary station at the top of the locks. This wasfinally unveiled on 10th July although due to a misunderstanding at BW the waterdidn’t get turned on until the following day.Quite soon it became obvious that boats coming up the locks were havingdifficulty in mooring near enough for them to reach the water with their hosesand so SUCS offered to alter the siting of the bollards. This was duly done by awork party on 27th September and consisted of removing the bollards in front ofthe old water point and replacing them with mooring rings and installing two newbollards nearer to the locks. This has allowed the visitor mooring to be extendedby some 60 feet and has also provided the means to tie up boats right in frontof the water point.Unfortunately the new water point at Goldstone Wharf is still not connected tothe water supply due to the tardiness of Severn Trent Water. It is now 12 monthssince this was installed and the delay reflects badly on the water companybecause of their prevarication.Whilst on the subject of water, the lack of rain has caused BW quite a headachein attempting to maintain the level in the canal. It is currently some 10 to15 cmbelow its normal level despite the feed from the sewerage works at Autherley.Belvide reservoir has been low all season and my neighbouring farmer told metoday that the rainfall here is 10 inches below normal for the year so far.The vegetation contractor has been very busy along this stretch of the canal thisyear, here again today, and this is reflected in the excellent appearance of thelocks and the various visitor moorings along the Shroppie. Quite a contrast tothe Staffs and Worcs canal which seemed very overgrown when we cruisedalong it in September.On the wildlife front we were duly visited by the young greater spottedwoodpeckers mentioned in my last Tyrley Tattle. Quite a few turned up this year

If we don't see you in Audlem, we hope to meet up for the Quiz evening at theNarrowboat on 17th February and at an interesting AGM in Norbury in March.Bears can never quite understand how human's cope when the weather turnssuddenly colder. With no proper fur and just a few garments draped around itmust be difficult. Make sure the garments are warm ones; we want you to stayfit for the spring and more enjoyment of canals and their surroundings.

Tugboat Ted

with their little red crowns and all seem to have survived to adulthood. The fruitcrop in the orchard has been exceptional this year with some trees so heavilyladen that branches have been breaking off. The dessert greengage had tohave its low hanging branches tied up to get the fruit out of reach of the localfox population. The foxes appear to have a sweet tooth as they don’t take themore acid Denniston’s gages but they certainly enjoyed the sweet ones. Yetagain the grey squirrels have stripped the walnut tree for what is now the 13th

year in succession!Finally, on a rather sombre note; those of you who have boated through Tyrleyfor over 25 years will no doubt remember the two ex-WRENS who used to sellpies and produce from the garage at the top lock. One of them, Jean, diedseveral years ago but this week we had the news that Margaret, the second ofthe two, had died quite suddenly at her home in Somerset, her funeral takingplace as I write.

Richard Hall

Quiz NightFriday 17th February

W as it really a year ago when we all racked our brains to remember whichbear was which! Still I can confidently promise you that there will be no

bear questions next February when Alan Platt, the Region Chairman, will havethe honour of setting the questions. For those of you who don’t know Alan, heis a big fan of Mahler and Dylan (not the rabbit), so some research might notcome amiss.Once again local canal societies will be challenged to pit their wits against theBranch, so come along and enjoy this social evening at the Narrowboat Inn,Whittington at 7.30pm. You are all welcome, whether you come and join one ofour teams or bring friends and family to create your own team of 4. If you wouldlike to join us for supper from 6.30pm please contact Janet Farmer.

Olympic Torch

Y es it’s coming through our branch area on Wednesday30th May travelling from Chester to Wrexham,

Rhostyllen, Acrefair, Trevor, Oswestry, Pant, Llanymynech,Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Cressage, Much Wenlock,Ironbridge Telford, Newport and Gnosall before moving ontoStoke-on-Trent. All in one day!A team of 30 Metropolitan policemen along with a 12 vehicle convoy willaccompany the torch; apparently the flame can withstand gusts of 30 mph(tests have proved it won’t go out) but I wonder whether they have consideredthe strength of the wind which sometimes blows across the aqueduct.Fortunately May is a mild month!

™

John Fletcher

J ohn Fletcher was a Chester-based contractor, timber merchant andentrepreneur, described by Telford as ‘an able mathematician and mechanic’.

The mention of Fletcher in the minutes of the Ellesmere Canal was when in 1794at Telford’s request he carried out a survey recommending variousimprovements to the Parliamentary line of the canal from Pontcysyllte to Chester.He constructed much of the Ellesmere Canal from 1795 onwards: the WirralLine (with Samuel Weston), Maesbury to Llanymynech, Lower Hordley toWeston Lullingfields, the Ffrwd Branch (with Whittle), and Grindley Brook toHurleston (with John Simpson). The total value of these contracts was well over£80,000. He also supplied work boats, deals for scaffolding, quicksets forhedges and other items.The Ellesmere’s minutes also referred to him on one occasion as ‘the Engineerof the Chester Canal Company’, and this has been repeated in various histories.However, it misunderstands his role. After Josiah Clowes was dismissed in1778 the Chester Canal had no engineer. Instead, engineering matters weredealt with by a suitably experienced Committee member, initially Joseph Turner,a Chester architect. John Fletcher was elected to the Committee of the ChesterCanal Company in 1795, and remained an active member until the merger withthe Ellesmere Canal in 1813. He took over the engineering role from Turner,including making surveys and negotiating with the Ellesmere Canal’s engineer,John Duncombe. He also undertook major maintenance work as approved bythe Committee and on other occasions supervised workmen employed by theCompany. In 1797 the passage boat was registered in his name, presumablyto overcome the legal prohibition on canal companies operating commercialvessels.In August 1797 he proposed renting the canal from Chester to Nantwich for twoyears, paying £300 in the first year and £400 in the second. There is no recordof this being discussed, but in December 1798 it was resolved:

That the tolls, yards, wharfs, boats, cranes, weighing machines and allother advantages arising from this concern, be advertised to be let bypublic auction at the Canal Office on Monday 21st January next, for fiveyears certain, commencing 2nd February 1799, subject to conditions.

John Fletcher was one of six shareholders present at the General Meeting whenit was agreed to let the canal tolls to him at an annual rent of £220. TheCompany continued to be responsible for the maintenance, and it was Fletcherwho was usually employed to carry out approved works. He was not given anentirely free hand — on surveys he was usually accompanied by Joseph Turneror Thomas Atherton, another Committee member.At the end of the first year he claimed that he had been unable to navigate thecanal for 49 days because of defects in the lock gates, so the contract periodwas extended for a further 49 days rent-free. Similar arguments were made in

later years, and by the time the contract expired in December 1804, a total of250 rent-free days had been added. Although it was not explicitly minuted, thecontract appears to have been extended for another year to give the Companytime to organise the resumption of full management of the canal’s operations.John Fletcher continued to undertake much of the repair work.In 1805 Fletcher made a dramatic proposal: to replace the staircase of threelocks at Chester with one 32ft deep lock with guillotine gates, whilst savingwater consumption through the use of eight side ponds stacked above eachother. He considered that no more than three feet lockage would be used fordescending boats, or six feet for ascending boats. Thomas Morris, a respecteddocks engineer, was asked to advise, and he said that the concept was soundbut would be impracticable to execute because the slightest settlement in thestructure or blockage to culverts or paddles would make it inoperable.The minutes of the meeting in September 1808 contain two items which may beconnected: a report stated that losses had been incurred by persons orderingwork without proper authority, and Fletcher was given notice to quit the wharf,timber yard and warehouse at Cow Lane, Chester. Had he been actinghigh-handedly as if he had control of the undertaking? However, just twomonths later his lease of the wharf was confirmed. In 1809 he becameChairman of the Committee but he was replaced the following year. Then in1811 there was dispute about Fletcher’s accounts which took over a year to sortout, and he was again given notice to quit Cow Lane Wharf. Despite thesedifferences, Fletcher took a leading role in negotiating the merger with theEllesmere Canal Company.After the merger, John Fletcher ceased acting as contractor or adviser, thoughhe continued as a member of the General Committee until 1819, the year beforehis death.

Peter Brown

Audlem Lass

I n previous issues of the Shroppie Fly Paper we have mentioned that theBranch has used money donated by Miss Jean Evans to provide children's

life jackets for the AUDLEM LASS, a volunteer trip boat on the canal at Audlem.The project has been a success.Throughout the summer 1337 trips have beenrun mainly between Audlem bottom lock and the Overwater Marina. The totalnumber of passengers carried was 3990 of which 1134 have been children. Inaddition there have been seven School trips (in conjunction with a visit to theneighbouring Monks Hall Farm) and a number of special trips including cubsand brownies. A total of £3,923.28 has been received in donations which havebeen donated, less expenses, to the RNLI New Brighton life boat.From the Branch’s point of view we are pleased to record the introduction of somany people particularly children to the canal. For quite a few it was their firstexperience and will, we hope, help to ensure future support for the waterways.

Denis Farmer

Maesbury Canal Festival1st & 2nd September 2012

W e promised a festival every two years andbelieve it or not there are only 10 months left

before the next one; so come rain or shine (andfrom experience we can cope with both!) the firstweekend in September will herald the third CanalFestival at Maesbury.The St Oswalds and Llanymynech Local JointCommittee have given the Festival a generous granttowards the hiring of a marquee but other costs are beingfunded by various fund raising activities, for example the Friends of theMontgomery Canal have already organised a lock wind and the ShrewsburyDistrict & North Wales Branch of the Inland Waterways Association have run asponsored walk. Look out for, and please support, future events. Rumoursalong the towpath indicate that there is going to be a triathlon (cycling, canoeingand walking) along the Monty so start training! More sedate activities include aconcert early next year — so something for everyone. More details will be outsoon.There have been several enquiries for the 2011 Brain of Monty quiz — in fact arequest has been received for the answer sheet but unfortunately the quiz, likethe festival, is biennial. However, fortunately for all the quiz addicts, the 2012edition is now available. So to get your copy please send £1 and SAE (or £5and sell the extra copies to friends and family) to the address below. How canyou resist the temptation of being the 2012 Brain of Monty?So will the 2012 festival be a good as the last one? A hard act to follow but weare working on the case, and yes early indications are that it will be even better.The very popular fishing competition which had to be cancelled at the last eventwill be back thanks to Richard Hankey who has volunteered to organise it. Onceagain the Saturday evening meal will be prepared by Iain and Fiona at CanalCentral and the entertainment provided by Naomi Page and her band — so toavoid disappointment early booking is advisable.The festival committee is pleased to announce that Percussion Unlimited, alively and exciting group have now been booked — it will be well worth comingfor the weekend just to watch and listen to them but there is the added bonus ofall the various craft stalls, children’s WOW (Wild Over Water) activities, dogshow and boat trips. So, see you there. If you want to come by boat numbersare restricted so don’t leave it too late to get your application form.For information regarding any of the above please [email protected] or send SAE to Wyndcliff, Pen-y-Garreg Lane, Pant,Oswestry SY10 8JS. Up to date information can also be found onwww.canalfestival.co.uk

Shrewsbury District & North Wales BranchDiary

7th January Winter Walk at Shrewsbury Meet at 10.30am by the footbridge in Frankwell car park. An interesting 3½ mile walk round Shrewsbury followed by lunch at the Anchor Inn. Please contact Alan 01743 359650. Details on page 18

14th January Branch Business Meeting 11.30am – 1.30pm at the Narrowboat Inn (Maestermyn) Whittington followed by lunch. Yes this is a Saturday as requested at the AGM last March. Members are very welcome to join us but please confirm time and date with a committee member before attending.21st January Canal Societies Annual Dinner at the Lion Quays at 7pm Places must be booked before Christmas. Contact Peter Richards 01691 831455 Details on Page 7

13th February Branch Business Meeting at the Narrowboat Inn at 7.30pm Please confirm time and date with a committee member before attending.

17th February Branch Quiz at the Narrowboat Inn at 7.30pm Details on page 12

18th February ‘Joyful Noise’ A concert in support of the Maesbury Canal Festival Oswestry Community Gospel Choir 7.30pm at Llanymynech Village Hall

24th March Branch AGM and lunch followed by a talk on the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Details on page 21

27th April Inter Branch Skittles Challenge This is being organised by the Stoke-on-Trent branch and will be held at the Stoke Boat Club. More details will be in the next edition.

5th & 6th May May Day Canal Festival, Norbury Junction

30th May Olympic Torch passes through the branch area Details on page 122nd June Triathlon to support the Maesbury Festival

Newtown - bicycle - Welshpool Welshpool - canoe - Llanymynech Llanymynech - walk - Welsh Frankton Details in the next edition

15th - 17th June Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival More details to follow but keep the date free as the Branch will be taking an active part. www.midfest.org.uk

1st - 2nd Sept Maesbury Canal Festival Booking forms now available call 01691 830403 Details on page 15

8th - 9th Sept Ellesmere Festival

15th - 16th Sept Whitchurch Boat Rally

Once again Janet will be organising a Summer Boat Trip – look out for detailsin the next edition.

Caption Competition‘Bears at the Ellesmere Festival’

Send your speech bubbles to [email protected] before1st January 2012. The best will win a copy of the ‘Llangollen Canal’ DVD byVideo Active worth £12.99

A Winter Walk in Shrewsbury

Saturday 7th January 2012

I ’m looking forward to showing you a little of the river and canal history ofShrewsbury. The Severn is the longest river in Britain and, by the end of the

17th Century, had become the second busiest river in Europe. Merchandise wasferried down river in trows or barges and pulled up the river by teams of menharnessed to a tow rope. The river artery led to the development of trades suchas malting, tanning, weaving, drapers and iron founders. The county town ofShrewsbury thrived because of the river. It’s built on a hill and protected by anatural moat — the loop of the river — with its only land approach defended byits castle.

The Shrewsbury Canal was built in the late 1790s to bring coal from eastShropshire to the county town in trains of 20 feet long tub boats. At its terminus,opened in 1797, an extensive coal wharf was created. The Flax Mill was builtnext to the canal at the same time. After the canal was linked to the nationalsystem in 1835 the Butter Market was constructed at the end of the basin. Latera railway company became owner and a tunnel was constructed under HowardStreet for a sidings transhipment link. The River Severn is at a lower level thanthe canal and there was never any connection. The last working boats reachedShrewsbury in 1936 and in 1944 the canal was officially abandoned.

For our 3½ mile Winter Walk, you may need the options for arrival in the townand finding our rendezvous. There is the Frankwell long-stay (3 hours+) carpark (SY3 8HR) adjacent to both our footbridge starting point and the AnchorInn lunch venue. Pay & Display tickets are £4 for up to 10 hours. Alternatively,there are three Park & Ride operations. Harlescott, near Tesco for A49 fromnorth; Meole, near Sainsbury for A49 from south; and Oxon for A5 from northand A458 from Welshpool. Return fare is £1.60 (accompanied under-16s free).None of the centre stops are close to our start venue, nearest two being therailway station and Chester Street. These are close to the bus station and that’swhere we shall walk to from the footbridge. It could be our second rendezvouspoint at 10.35 am. Also applies to rail arrivals obviously.

Our main assembly point at 10.30 am is by the footbridge from the Frankwellcar park, near the Guildhall. We’ll cross the River Severn and the SmithfieldRoad to walk to the bus station and take a short ride on the 24 or 511 to theformer Flax Mill in Spring Gardens, next to the Arriva bus garage. Bring yourEnglish bus-pass; otherwise I think minimum fare is £1.80.

The former Shrewsbury Canal ran alongside this, Grade I listed, cast ironframed mill. We’ll walk the route of the southern end of the canal, passing CanalTavern, to the site of its terminus basin, next to the railway station. Then wepass the prison and (providing the Severn’s not in flood) descend 60 steps to

the river footpath where we’ll walkbeneath the station platforms, theCastle, the English Bridge, the tollbridge (under which a daring pilotonce flew a small plane) and circlethe town park to Victoria Quay,then cross the Welsh Bridge toreach the adjacent Anchor Inn forour, by then, well-earned publunch.

And, talking of the Anchor, itwould be helpful to know if you arecoming so that we can pre-advisethem of numbers. Please email:[email protected] call: 01743 359 650.

Alan WildingCanal Tavern

Branch Calendar

T he fantastic calendar you have all been waiting foris now available for sale at the Shrewsbury

Christmas Card Shop (see back page for details),Aqueduct and Nantwich Marinas, Audlem Mill andthe Junction Inn at Norbury Junction for just £4.50.To see the winning picture, Canada Geese inFlight, chosen by Canal Artist Sheila Websterhave a look on the Branch web page(waterways.org.uk/shrewsbury) where all thepictures are displayed and photographers named.

Copies are also available by post so please send £6 chequepayable to IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales and your name and addressto: Wyndcliff, Pen-y-Garreg Lane, Pant, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8JS. Buthurry as the calendars have been flying off the shelf and stocks are low.

Because of the success of this venture we will be inviting entries for the 2013calendar in the Spring so start snapping but remember landscape images mustbe submitted in digital format at 300dpi minimum. They must also be sceneswithin the Branch area. Unfortunately some of the photos sent last year did notconform to this and were eliminated. So be warned!

Letters

Dear Mrs Aylwin

We are members of the IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales branch and sovery much enjoy the Shroppie Fly Paper. We also love our canal holidays –hired from all over the country as we don’t own a boat – alas. We also don’thave e-mail access or internet (or a computer).

I have a huge collection (10 years I think) of ‘Waterways World’ magazines –mostly bound in the big blue folders. We were wondering if you would like themfor selling at your various fund raising activities – or are you flooded with them!

We were most chuffed to find ourselves on the front cover of March 2009 – whata surprise, great mirth from the rude family.

What a fantastic job so many of you do to keep our wonderful waterways aliveand buzzing and in full use.

Yours sincerely

Alida England

Thank you Alida for your letter and kind words; it’s good to know all the workachieved by volunteers is appreciated. If you were teased by your family forbeing on the front cover what will they say when they find out you are in printinside?

FOR SALEWaterways World Magazines

For a donation to the Branch funds

2001 and 2002 complete with index

2003 complete but no index

2004 to 2010 complete in blue folders with index

Please contact any committee member if you are interested.

IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales BranchAnnual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given of the 2012 Annual General Meeting of the ShrewsburyDistrict & North Wales Branch of the Inland Waterways Association to be heldat Junction Inn, Norbury Junction ST20 0PN on 24th March 2012 at 11.45am.

Agenda1 Apologies for absence2 Minutes of the 2011 AGM3 Matters arising from the minutes4 Chairman’s report5 Treasurer’s report6 Adoption of accounts7 Election of committee members

The meeting will be followed by an update on the new Canal & River Trust andan informal discussion. We welcome any branch member, particularly anyonewho is interested in joining the committee. If you are unable to attend the AGMbut would like to join the committee or would like further information, please callDawn Aylwin on 01691 830403 or any committee member.

The Inland Waterways AssociationShrewsbury District & North Wales Branch

Invite you to a talk onThe History of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals

By Peter Brown

Saturday 24th March 2012 at the Junction Inn, Norbury Junction ST20 0NP

Programme

11.30 Coffee 11.45 Branch AGM 12.45 A pre-booked lunch 2.15 Talk on the History of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals 3.00 An update on the latest developments from the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust and the Norbury to Newport Canals Restoration Community Interest Company

The famous Junction Inn carvery available at £7.95 if enough people book in.For more information and to book the carvery lunch (veggie option available ifpre booked) contact: Carolyn at [email protected] or Janet 01270 811157

Whitchurch Arm Development

T he Whitchurch Waterway Restoration Trust has recently published its newplans for development of the Whitchurch Canal Arm beyond the current

limit at Chemistry Bridge. The costs of the original schemes involving lakes inthe valley and locks or inclined planes were estimated at several million poundsand presented many design and environmental problems. It is now proposed tobuild a Basin but to retain the option of one day connecting the basin, via a lockor inclined plane, to a canal in the valley.A detailed survey of the site has been made and bore holes sunk to investigatesoil conditions. These indicated no contamination or problems with loadbearing. Design plans have been developed by the consultant engineers. Anecology survey has been completed and the design is compatible with theconsultant’s recommendations.Details of the cost estimates, currently standing at approximately £475,000,together with soil test results and drawings of the proposed basin, prepared byGreenspace Architects Limited, can be seen on the trust web-sitewww.whitchurchwaterway.org.uk. Also included is an animation of a boatentering the basin.The Whitchurch Waterway Trust is seeking comments on their plans andsuggestions received so far have included;

to consider measures of controlling litteradjusting the shape slightly to make boat manoeuvring easierto also provide facilities for moored boats such as Elsan disposal, waterand electricityideas on how the basin should be builtnot to have a slipway but use the space for a mooring insteadthat the picnic area should just be a seating area.

They are keen to hear comments from potential canal users and visitors to theCountry park.Also suggestions from any other canal trusts on construction methods andmanaging the project would be most welcome.Comments can be sent by email to [email protected] by post to Hon-Secretary, Whitchurch Waterway Trust, Chemistry Farm,Whitchurch SY13 1BZOnce this period of public consultation is completed they will start working onthe detailed design with the aim of making a planning permission applicationbefore the end of the year. WWT hope to ensure that the design of the basinand the surrounding area is an improvement to the Countryside.

David Torrens

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Major Crick Grundy

W e have just heard of thedeath of Major

Christopher ‘Crick’ Grundy MC,one of that early group ofpeople who did so much for thecampaign for our waterways,who lived in Shropshire.Crick's parents had been canalboaters before the war andCrick and his brother Martinhad canoed over PontcysyllteAqueduct in 1944.Crick told1 how he heard of theexistence of the IWA some two months after it was formed andimmediately joined. The next year Tom Rolt attempted to get CRESSYup the Llangollen Canal and was joined by Crick and his parents andbrother Martin on HERON. They failed, and only reached Hampton Bankwith great difficulty. These years were the start of a lifetime ofcommitment to our waterways, including campaigns for the Basingstoke,Dudley Tunnel, the Upper Avon, culminating in managing the SouthernStratford Canal for the National Trust.Crick was the last surviving signatory to the constitution when the IWAwas incorporated in 1958 and in an earlier life had won the MC in Korea.In recent years he and his wife have joined us at the unveiling of theCRESSY plaque at Frankton, and at the CRESSY cruise commemorationat Audlem.Mike Day, a WRG stalwart who was much involved in their work atFrankton Locks, wrote of Crick2 that, “he was a great guy and his canalknowledge was encyclopaedic... (he) managed to keep the half restored(Stratford) Canal in working order until BWB came along. He had to steerbetween not losing too much money for the National Trust, but stillkeeping the waterway open. I know that he went out on a limb for usmany times, putting resources into providing for our working parties andthus trusting us to deliver.”Robert Aickman said of the Grundy family, “there is no family which hasgiven more to the waterways.” Crick was awarded Honorary LifeMembership of IWA in Diamond Jubilee year, 2006.We send our sympathies to his family. Michael Limbrey1 Waterways World, May 1981: tribute to Robert Aickman2 Navvies 238

Membership Matters

A very warm welcome to the following members who have joined the Branchsince the last edition of this magazine: Mr Alderson from Oldcastle, Mr

Boyle from Gnosall, Prof & Mrs Bristow from Shelton, Mr & Mrs Byrne from NewBroughton, Mr & Mrs Farquhar & family from Alkington, Mr & Mrs Grey-Smartfrom Market Drayton, Mr Gurd & Miss Ashby from Market Drayton, Mr & MrsHardy & family from Rhyl, Mr Hargreaves from Pentre Halkyn, Mr Healey & MsRowlands from Chirk Bank, Mr Hudson from Ballymena, Mr & Mrs Johnsonfrom Chelmarsh, Mr & Mrs Jones from Withington, Mrs King from Leyland, Mr& Mrs Parkhouse from Norbury Junction, Mr & Mrs Smith from Alberbury, MsWhitham & Ms Carter from Llandegla, and the Norbury to Newport CanalRestoration CIC.

For those of you who have been members for several years you mightremember Mr Hudson who lives in County Antrim and who used to be the editorof this magazine — welcome back Andrew.

This summer the variousevents along the waterwayshave kept us busy and we arevery appreciative of all thehelp members have given us.There was an especially goodturn out for the lock windwhich made it into a verypleasurable social event; soour thanks go to everyonewho helped to wind locks orjust came along with goodsfor the stall. A pity we did nothave more boats! ApparentlyHurleston was ‘manic’according to the lock keeper but not many ventured up as far as Quoisley lock!Perhaps we should change location next year. However those boaters who didpass through the lock were very generous so Branch funds did not suffer.

Finally our condolences go to Roy Mansell whose wife Bobby died on26th October after suffering from a stroke two days earlier. I first met Bobbyduring the Monty 08 festivals when she volunteered to help. Since then she hasbeen very active helping at the Friends’ lock winds, the Maesbury Festival2010, participating on the IWAlk and making cakes for the Waterway RecoveryGroup volunteers working on the Montgomery Canal. Bobby will be sadlymissed, and judging by the number of people who attended her funeral, not justby waterway enthusiasts.

Dawn Aylwin

News from Norbury

E arlier this year a group oflocal people committed to

the restoration of the NorburyJunction to Newport branch ofthe Shropshire Union Canal setup a CIC, a Community InterestCompany. From the word ‘go’an enthusiastic team haveworked together, combining awhole range of individual talents,but with the sole aim of carefulrestoration of the original canal.In addition to boating we aim tocreate a linear park with walking,cycling, fishing and other leisure opportunities. Run as a non-profit makingentity the CIC in Norbury has gathered unprecedented support from thecommunity and at the time of writing we already have near enough 100members.

Working with the the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust, under thechairmanship of Bernie Jones, who regularly attends our board meetings asa guest, the aim is to eventually meet up to get our canal across the mainA41, into Newport. Both parties have pledged their support to the overall planand we see the individual roles as complementary.

Norbury to Newport Canal Restoration CIC has taken out corporatemembership of the IWA, and we look forward to meeting up at the branchAGM in the village in March 2012, when we can explain our vision and reporton progress to date, alongside the Trust.

Naturally we are applying for grants in order to move forward to Phase Oneof the project — an exciting prospect locally — and just now we are waitingto hear if we have been successful in an application to the IWA’s RestorationCommittee. Publicity is always a useful tool towards a positive response andhere I must mention the excellent article in the November issue of Canal Boatmagazine. In a four-page colour feature, it covers the restoration of theShrewsbury and Newport Canals, with special emphasis on the co-operationbetween the CIC and the S&NCT.

For more information please visit our website www.ntncr.org

Dianne MaxfieldChairman Norbury to Newport Canal Restoration CIC

Norbury Junction

Anyone for the Sand Game?

M any IWA members who have attended the various waterway rallies orevents in our area will have seen ‘the sand game’. We started it in 1995

and there is an entry in my records showing that one of its first outings was tothe National Festival of Boats in Chester that year.Since then we have seen the players grow older like the young man at the MayDay Festival at Norbury who was once a little boy and is now six foot tall andstill comes to help and have the odd go. At first we ran it as well as the Branchsales stand which dealt in the usual painted ware and waterways items but thesand game soon became our main fund raising project.It was Janet's idea. A friend mentioned something similar which she adapted sothat nobody left our game empty handed. It is called ‘Dredging for Gold on theMontgomery Canal’. It is quite simple — we have a table painted with an areato represent the canal which has pots of sand on it. One or two of them containpound coins and about a third of the rest contain coppers. Customers pay us apound to sieve six pots to see what they can find and if they don't find a poundor more, as is most likely, they choose an item of ‘treasure’ off the stand.Originally this included items which we would normally have sold on the salesstand for about a pound or less and items which our wholesaler wanted to selloff cheaply. Since that source dried up we have obtained ‘treasure’ fromwherever possible.It has proved very profitable and a farbetter prospect than the sales standwhich was largely phased out. Overthe years a reasonable estimatesuggests it realised at least £8,000.In 1996 alone we attended manyevents and banked over £1,200 —more recently the takings havedwindled to around £300 per year.Apart from the money it’s quiterewarding. The enjoyment onchildren's faces as they find a pennyin a pot of sand is great and the factwe talk about canals with the parentsmay stick in their memories as aninvestment for the future. And therehas been many hardened boaterslaughing over their failure to strikegold but happily leaving with treasuresuch as a bundle of old waterwaymagazines or an IWA pen. Rachel & Rebecca Roberts

search for treasure

Despite the enjoyment it has given us over the years we have decided that ittime for us to give it up. The tables, banners and other equipment are showingsigns of wear and tear. We are getting older and maybe not quite asenthusiastic about taking it all to events as we were. I also have a feeling thatbefore long some mother is going to say to her child "I used to play this when Iwas young" and that would make me feel really old!I remain convinced that the original idea was sound and the potential to raisemoney continues to exist even in these days of financial restraint. But it needsa rethink and refurbishing and, maybe more importantly, someone with the timeand ability to take it to the various events.Finally Janet and I would like to thank all our friends who have during the lastsixteen years helped filling pots, dealing with the players and putting upgazebos and the like.

Denis Farmer

Meet some of the Volunteer Restorers at Crickheath

T he quiet lunchtime bustle in the White Lion pub at Llynclys was suddenlyinterrupted by a loud crash! No, not another accident on the kamikaze A483

crossroads outside, it was a glass candle holder sadly pushed off the roomdivider by a newspaper returned from the other side. Susan and I were lunchingthere after our first visit to nearby Crickheath to see the Waterway RecoveryGroup (WRG) work camp on the Montgomery Canal. We reflected that thepeace and quiet of the derelict canal there must have been similarly disruptedby the August arrival of WRG’s huge fleet of earth moving machinery.

It was a major voluntary initiative. There were four teams, of 18 or so volunteers,over four weeks with £50,000 of legacy money available to hire machines andpurchase materials — a vivid demonstration of the strength of the voluntarysector — all with the objective of establishing economical methods of re-profiling, re-lining and protecting the dry channel. Unfortunately, WRG’s initialtarget of 100 metres, from south of Bridge 84, took an immediate knock whenthe first team discovered a collapsed culvert. Undaunted, they re-located theirwork site a bit further south and started again.

The fenced off towpath provided an elevated viewpoint for gongoozlers like usand our first glimpse of all that large machinery and the hard-hatted, red-shirted,personnel in action suggested a contractor at work rather than a voluntarygroup. I asked an authoritative looking man if he was in charge to which hereplied: “Oh, no! I am a civil engineer by profession but I’m just a foot soldierhere.” A bit further along Helen was yelling instructions into her walkie talkie andshe referred us to Alan Jervis, veteran of many Montgomery work camps over

the years. Alan was happy to recorda video chat during which he toldme: “It’s experimental; we’reworking it out as we go along andtrying to devise a system which iseconomical, watertight and whichvolunteers can install. We’re usinga very clever modern liner systemfor any waterway. It’s a sandwich ofgeotextile fabrics and clay.Wherever there’s a joint you gentlypeel back the cover and push theclay layers together. It’s absolutelywatertight and long lasting and,importantly for this Crickheath site,it withstands ground movement.”

Volunteers had paid £56 each to beat the work camp to cover boardand lodging which meant sleepingon the floor of a local village hall —

the Porthywaen Silver Band Hall. This came with the added benefit of some freemusical entertainment on band practice nights! Dom Smythe had come fromLondon and he was also happy to talk on camera: “We get back after work andshower and then have a meal. There’s a dedicated camp cook and it’s lovelygrub! After ‘Beer O’clock’ has been declared we can have a drink. We haveactivities like canoeing but last night we went on a farm visit to see some pigs.I don’t see any pigs in London except on the plate!”

Helen Gardner of Northwich was camp leader during the second week. Shesaid: “I’ve been doing this for 19 years. I started doing this first and then I got aboat. Normally when people buy a boat you lose them from restoration but I’vemanaged to stay involved.” She suddenly interrupted her chat, saying: “Blockyour ears!” She blew a piercing whistle which brought the reversing excavatorto a sudden halt and then, using her radio, she discussed its approachingproximity to a trench excavation with driver Adrian and another supervisor onthe other bank before giving the OK to continue. “My role here is managing thework and making sure everyone is safe and that everyone is busy.”

Jessica Fleming had come from York to complete the residential section of herDuke of Edinburgh award programme. She told me she was very pleased thatshe’d been taught to drive one of the monster tracked dumpers. She said: “It’sa lot trickier than I thought because it turns from the middle.”

We met WRG chairman Mike Palmer during the final week and he said theywere glad to be continuing their long association with restoring the Montgomery

Alan Jervis who was on sitealmost every day in August

co-ordinating operations

Canal. He added: “Thevolunteers are free and so wetend not to include them in thefinancing but everyone here isputting in a degree of matchfunding with their efforts. Weare going to need some majorfunding and will be able to tellpotential funders next yearthat we can definitely offer avery high value-for-moneysolution. Individual donationsand legacies as well asmonies from groups such asIWA regions and branchesand local canal societies willall make a difference.” Hesaid the huge significance ofthe Crickheath length is that itincludes the next winding hole south of the present restored section to Redwith.Currently, the southern end of this cannot be navigated because there isnowhere to turn a boat.

By the end of the fourth consecutive week about 70 metres had been re-profiledand 18 metres relined and fully protected with compacted soil, surfaced withconcrete blocks. Alan Jervis said: “We’ve established a system that we and ourdesign engineers are happy with and we’ve demonstrated that we can install it.We shall leave the trial site for a year and the second stage will be when wecome back to check that nothing has slipped or subsided.”

You can keep an eye on the trial too by taking a stroll along the towpath but ifyou also go for lunch in The White Lion, Llynclys, don’t get caught out by thatroom divider and its fragile contents as I did!

Earlier in the summer there was more welcome restoration news at theMontgomery Canal Forum in July. A presentation by Alex Ball, BritishWaterways development manager, detailed £2.7million of bids currently underpreparation by BW for submission in 2012 to the Heritage Lottery Fund, aEuropean fund and other sources. The work envisaged includes more naturereserves and more work on extending the navigable channel.

There’s more online, including three videos of the WRG work camps, at:www.waterways.org.uk/shrewsbury and the magazine Waterways World forDecember 2011 promises an article about WRG Digging for Victory.

Alan WildingPictures by Susan Wilding

Jessica Fleming talks to Alan oncamera about learning to

drive a dumper

Another load of carefully siftedlocal soil for protection of the

clay liner

Mike Palmer takes a well-earnedbreak while a colleague lays

more concrete blocks

Shrewsbury Charity Christmas Card Shop

28th Octoberto

3rd December

Open 10amtill 4.15pm

Trinity Chapel in St Mary’s ChurchSt Mary’s Street

Shrewsbury SY1 1ED

shroppie fly paper november 2011

Documents

pen y garreg lane

oswestry sy10

club members

lagonda club president

rotary club president

pen y cefn road

rotary club ofshrewsbury

chester branch