The Rt. Hon. Owen Paterson MP, well known for taking a keen interest in canals, has been given an influential new government post. In the recent Government Cabinet reshuffle he has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for the Environment; his department, Defra, being responsible for the waterways.
Parts of the popular Llangollen and Montgomery canals run through his North Shropshire constituency and he has taken a particular interest in the restoration of the latter waterway, being one of the patrons of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust.
He is also the Patron of the Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society which, as The Saturn Project in partnership with the Canal & River Trust North Wales & Border Counties area, operates the unique historic horse-drawn narrowboat Saturn. Mr. Paterson also recently launched a new horse-drawn passenger boat business the Countess of Maesbury on the Montgomery Canal.
Owen Paterson (left) with ‘Saturn’ and members of the Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society.
Information and image Courtesy of Harry Arnold, Waterways Images.
