 Coming in October
- Montgomery
Canal 'Big Dig' 40th Anniversary Events |
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A major celebration on 17/18
October will commemorate the Big Dig weekend of 18/19 October 1969
when nearly 300 volunteers cleared the section of the Montgomery
Canal through Welshpool – the first mechanised work party and the
most significant event at the start of the restoration scheme. It
will both mark the 40th anniversary and promote the full reopening
of the waterway.
There will be a wide range of events over the weekend including
replacement of the commemorative stone at the Graham Palmer Lock, a
procession of boats through Welshpool, including steam-powered and
horse-drawn craft, carrying VIPs and a display of historic and
promotional items about the Big Dig and the restoration scheme in
Welshpool. SUCS and WRG will have a major work parties in action.
MWRT would like to hear from anyone who was a volunteer at the 1969
event.
More Details» |
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June 2009 |
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Pontcysyllte
Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal to Chirk Bank get World Heritage Status*
(UNESCO press release 29/6/09) |
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Image
Fineangle Photography |
Although a UNESCO press release
states the award has been won by the '18 kilometre long
Pontcysyllte Canal' there is great jubilation that after six
years hard lobbying the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the 18k stretch of
the Llangollen Canal including the Chirk Aqueduct and Tunnel has
become Britain's newest World Heritage site. UNESCO describe the
length of the Llangollen Canal as "a feat of civil engineering of
the Industrial Revolution, completed in the early years of the 19th
century. Covering a difficult geographical setting, the building of
the canal required substantial, bold civil engineering solutions,
especially as it was built without using locks. The aqueduct is a
pioneering masterpiece of engineering and monumental metal
architecture, conceived by the celebrated civil engineer Thomas
Telford. The use of both cast and wrought iron in the aqueduct
enabled the construction of arches that were light and strong,
producing an overall effect that is both monumental and elegant. The
property is inscribed as a masterpiece of creative genius, and as a
remarkable synthesis of expertise already acquired in Europe. It is
also recognized as an innovative ensemble that inspired many
projects all over the world." |
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Etruria
Canal Festival |
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Always one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most popular annual
events, this year’s Etruria Canal Festival again brought out huge crowds
over the weekend of 30/31 May. Both the boats and the land-based
attractions were a big draw but add to that two days of glorious
weather, an emphasis on family entertainment and the fact that entry was
free – a big plus in the area in these days of the credit crunch – and
you had a recipe for success. The site – at the junction of the main
line of the Trent & Mersey and Caldon canals – is encircled by the two
waterways – and has the top two single locks of the Stoke flight on one
side and the Etruria staircase pair on the other; with the statue of
famous engineer James Brindley looking on passing boats. Once completely
industrial, it is now grassed and tree lined and ideal for a public
event. The industry is however commemorated, recorded and on show
through the Etruria Industrial Museum – a new building added to the
historic structures of what was the British Waterways maintenance yard -
which is the main feature of the site. The festival is organised by the
City of Stoke-on-Trent under the auspices of the museum. |
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IWA
National Trailboat Rally |
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The National Trailboat Rally on the Ashby Canal was held
over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. The Trailboat took advantage of
linking with a regular existing event and venue, the Moira Canal
Festival, organised by the Ashby Canal Trust and the Ashby Canal
Association who are campaigning for the full restoration of the 8-mile
upper section of the Ashby Canal from Snarestone through Measham and
Donisthorpe to Moira; the IWA adding weight to their efforts. 1½ miles
of waterway on either side of the historic Moira Furnace – containing
the only lock on the canal, a swing bridge and the large terminal basin
at the National Forest Centre, Conkers – are restored and the area is
already a popular visitor venue. The many attractions of the two-day
event and the sunny weather brought out large crowds who were happy to
pay entrance fees which – when the figures are announced - are sure to
substantially swell the restoration campaign coffers. We understand that
the organisers almost ran out of tickets. |
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BCN
Marathon Challenge |
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Over 40 boats entered the BCN Marathon Challenge –
revived this year by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society – and held
over the weekend of 30/31st May. The object was to cruise as much
mileage of the BCN as possible in 24 out of 30 hours, starting at 9am
Saturday and finishing – at Walsall Town Wharf – at 3pm Sunday, with
crews judged on a points system; bonus points being awarded for sections
classed as ‘lesser used’ and activities like answering questions. Among
the motor and butty pairs that entered – which including the BW Heritage
Boats recently taken over by BCNS – were ex. Grand Union motor boat
Sickle appropriately towing BCN Joey boat No.15. The three person crew
had bow hauled the butty through 70 locks during the 24 hours. Walsall
Town Wharf – with its town centre location, art gallery and pub - was a
good finishing point, giving the event a public profile and promoting
local waterways and the activities of BCNS. |
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Proposed
Lomond Canal |
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The proposed Lomond Canal which will connect the Clyde
Estuary and Loch Lomond via the River Leven and is intended to resolve
the flooding problems along the Strathleven Corridor and bring tourism
and jobs into the area is set to get under way in 2011 and to be
completed by 2020. A new canal running parallel to the river Leven will
be constructed and it is claimed that any excess water flood will be
turned into something positive which it is hoped will attract and retain
residents, businesses, investors and visitors to the area. West
Dunbartonshire Council approved the strategic outline for the
multi-million pound project at a full meeting on 29 April 2009. The
council hopes to have stakeholders, including the Scottish Government on
board by autumn this year. At that stage they will begin to draw up a
delivery strategy that will include design and engineering plans for the
Lomond Canal which should be ready by autumn next year. The Council and
British Waterways plan to fund the project, with match funding coming
from the Scottish Government. |
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May 2009 |
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West
Midlands tops BW Enforcement League |
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Figures for the last year announced at recent local user
group meeting by John Oakes, BW business development manager, West
Midlands, show that the West Midlands is top of the BW league in licence
enforcement. 52,537 boat sightings have been recorded and 93.9% of craft
on the area’s waterway network are now licence compliant with licence
evasion reduced by 4.5% to a strict 6.1%. Income received from the
enforcement team’s direct action totals £444,900. 27 boats have been
seized and removed under Section 8 legislation, one of these being a
70ft commercial passenger trip boat that was operating without a licence
in the centre of Birmingham. Illustrating the problems that can arise
from Section 8 legislation is the case of an old wooden boat abandoned
and now sunk in a dangerous position in Whittington on the Coventry
Canal. Because of access problems it is estimated that it will cost BW
£5,000 to remove it and as the owner cannot be traced none of this cost
is likely to be recovered. |
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Marple
development plans raise protests. |
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Development plans for Marple Wharf – on the Macclesfield
Canal in Cheshire – by British Waterways’ joint venture company H20
Urban are being heavily opposed by local residents, conservationists and
waterway users. The site has a Grade II listed warehouse, which is
currently used as a BW office, which they plan to convert to housing and
add a further nine new dwellings on the adjacent fairly narrow wharf.
The wharf – adjacent to the Macclesfield Canal’s junction with the Peak
Forest Canal – currently contains a heavily used range of services for
visiting boats and is also the mooring for the local boat providing
cruises for the disabled and others in need the New Horizons. In a
previous statement BW has already described Marple Wharf as “a sensitive
area in environmental and heritage terms”. Opposition is being led by
the Marple Civic Society which has formed an action group, also
encompassing waterway users, and apparently H20 Urban is already
considering changes to the proposals. |
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Restored
BCN spoon dredger |
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A BCN Spoon Dredger is the latest floating exhibit on
show at the Black Country Living Museum.
Restored as a labour of love at his own expense by boatbuilder Malcolm
Braine, the hull dates from 1873 and was actually built as a maintenance
boat for the company. It remained on the BCN’s No.1 District throughout
its life until 1984 when Malcolm bought it from BW. Believed to be the
only working traditional Spoon Dredger, Malcolm has placed it on loan to
the museum where it can also be used for demonstrations.
Left, Spoon Dredger at the BCLM, with Joe Hollinshead. |
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President's
100th birthday |
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Over 200 invited guests and many visitors were at the
Black Country Living Museum on 2nd May to celebrate the 100th birthday
of the unique restored ex. Fellows Morton & Clayton steam narrowboat
President. Owned by the museum since 1983 – when the original local
authority bought her from restorers Malcolm Braine and Nicholas Bostock
– the boat has since been run by volunteer group Friends of President,
which was formed in the following year.
President’s ceremonial entry into the museum arm – steered by Friends
chairman David Powell - was greeted enthusiastically by the waiting
crowd and following short speeches two birthday cakes were cut. Later,
in the hall of the newly re-erected Womans’ Workers Institute Building,
there were presentations on the restoration and operation of the boat by
museum director Ian Walden, Malcolm Braine, David Powell and Councillor
David Sparks, who was instrumental in the local authority’s purchase of
President. |
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April 2009 |
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Saturn
– Horse-drawn to the 2009 Ellesmere Port Easter Event*
- Shropshire Union Fly Boat Restoration Society news
release |
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The unique 103-year old restored Shropshire Union
Fly-boat Saturn – the only remaining narrowboat of its type in
the world – is on her way to the annual Easter Boat Gathering at the
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port; organized by The Boat Museum
Society and The Waterways Trust.
On Thursday 9 April the boat will be horse-drawn in traditional historic
style for the last leg of her journey along the Shropshire Union Canal
from Chester to Ellesmere Port. She will be pulled by horse Buddy,
loaned by project supporter Steve Rees-Jones of Bywater Cruises, who
operates horse-drawn holiday cruises on the Montgomery Canal.
Buddy earlier had pulled Saturn from her winter mooring on the
Montgomery Canal at Aston to Ellesmere at the end of March (photo
left).
Tony Lewery explains the pleasures and pains of 21st century horse
boating in his April 'Off the Mainline'
article. |
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Monmouthshire
& Brecon Canal reopens after 18 months* -
British Waterways press release |
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The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is once again fully open
to visitors – just 18 months after a major breach severed the waterway
in two, closing nearly half of its length. Now, after an investment of
£8.5m, this tourism magnet is open again for the new visitor season and
ready to continue playing a major role in the regional and local
economy. Waterways Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and First Minister Rhodri
Morgan shared centre stage to give it the official seal of approval
(left). This picturesque waterway already contributes £17 million
annually in visitor spend to the regional economy – and there are
pointers to the canal’s continued growth in this field. The visitor
economy in Wales is growing and cost conscious families are this year
looking to UK based holidays, while the waterway links areas of social
need with sources of work opportunity and joins rural communities with
urban centres. |
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MARCH 2009 |
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New
book on Leeds and Liverpool paintwork |
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Brightwork is the subject of a new book
by Mike Clarke and Sam Yates. It was was the term used at boatyards
in East Lancashire for the decorative paintwork used on Leeds &
Liverpool canal craft. The
painted decoration of working boats on the Leeds & Liverpool
Canal was one of the most colourful of Britain’s folk
traditions. It was last used in the early 1960s, but despite
being less than fifty years ago, no record of its origins and
styles had been written until now. The two authors could not be
more suitable — Mike Clarke has already written extensively
about the canal’s history, while Sam Yates served his time as a
boat builder at Hodson’s Boatyard at Whitebirk, near Blackburn,
and undertook the decorative painting for several years before
boat repair at the yard ceased in 1964. Brightwork will
be published in April/May 2009 but you can
order a prepublication copy
here online. |
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Liverpool
Canal Link Opens |
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The new 1½-mile Liverpool Link canal was officially
opened on Wednesday 25 March when the first private boats passed
through. It re-establishes an historic connection between the Leeds &
Liverpool Canal – and the national waterway network – and the city’s
currently underused South Docks; including the tourist and museum area
around Albert Dock. £22 million has been spent on the Link’s
construction and the canal’s course passes through the Pier Head World
Heritage Site in front of the famous Three Graces – the Liver, Cunard
and Port of Liverpool buildings. It is expected to generate 200,000
extra visitors annually to Liverpool’s docks and an additional yearly
tourism spend of £1.9 million. The previous connection from the Leeds &
Liverpool Canal to the South Docks was abandoned in the early 20th
century when the Three Graces were built over a dock. Boaters will have
to book passages through the Link when public use starts on 20 April. |
