The Magazine of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust
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The Magazine of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Issue No. 89 - Autumn 2016 The autumnal colours of a Spindle tree brighten the ubiquitous Hawthorn hedge beside the towpath through Borrowcop Locks Canal Park ay Wha eeth rf L tr Lichfield td S Heart of the Coventry Canal . TEL:01543 414808 MOBILE:0782 4848444 FAX:01543 414770 www.streethaywharf.co.uk 7-DAY CALL OUT SERVICE GEN SETS FITTED DIESEL AND SOLID FUEL STOVES FITTED BOTTOM BLACKING REPAINTING AND SIGNWRITING NEW BOATS FULL & PART FIT-OUT SUPPLIED ALL MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL WORK FULL CHANDLERY STRETCHING AND REBOTTOMING GAS SAFE. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ALL STEEL WORK AND TANKS Support the boat yard on the “Lichfield Ring” Boat Transport, England, Europe Cranage Arranged Site Surveys Complete Service for DIY Repairs Boat Hire Boat Fitting Diesel Pump Out Mooring Boat Sales Laundry Trent & Mersey Canal V.A.T No. 133609427 Chairman’s Column As autumn weather begins to spread its cold tentacles after the long sunny days of September, one can reflect on the lively buzz which has permeated our activities ay Wha over recent months. Work has continued apace at our two main sites, at Tamworth eth rf Road in Lichfield and along the Summerhill section near Muckley Corner. Our own re L volunteers, including newcomers who’ve joined the loyal old hands, have been t td helped by more groups than ever from elsewhere. The “Wergies” of the IWA (Inland S Waterways Association) Waterway Recovery Group have been back after a gap of . several years. They were accommodated in the Lichfield Cruising Club premises at Huddlesford Junction, where we’re told they’ll be welcome again; we’re very grateful to the Club for their hospitality. More and more commercial companies are encouraging staff to spend a day helping out in the community, and some of those who offered us their services have enjoyed themselves so much that, as word has spread, colleagues based far from the Midlands have asked to come as well. And they all work hard, obviously enjoying the break from their laptops. We’ve had several groups of young people too. It is good to see increasing lengths looking like canals, as we tame the heaps of earth and muddy ditches. People are walking past in increasing numbers, often with their dogs; we try to explain what we’re up to, which always creates interest. Talking of dogs, we’ve even had an organised dog walk for charity. Whatever next? Will dogs soon be climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for good causes? As well as the construction teams, we have what we call the “green team” who make our route more attractive by removing vegetation we don’t want and introducing flora we do, even if enthusiasm for planting things sometimes has to be tempered by discouraging it on soil soon to be removed by those engineers! Their efforts have been recognised by awards from Lichfield in Bloom and Heart of England in Bloom. And we arranged a fishing day for young people as part of a national initiative; as with any fishermen it’s discourteous to enquire too closely as to what they actually caught.... With the same purpose of involving more people, we set up stall as we do each year at events across the Midlands. The Crick and Braunston canal shows are always good for spreading the word, as are other happenings away from the water. This year there was an IWA–sponsored festival at Pelsall on the Wyrley & Essington Canal, between the junctions off it for the Hatherton and Lichfield Canals. Several of us took boats there; it was sobering that what takes three days’ cruising with over 30 locks could be done by car in half an hour. But of course, that’s just why we are working to restore the direct route, thus reducing the distance to what it once was! At all these events our excellent marketing team make useful money selling canal and other items, plus the annual raffle tickets; one volunteer has an awesome reputation for not letting anyone past until they buy one, as he strives to beat his personal best of £500 in one day! The other great opportunity at such events is to spread the word of who we are and what we’re up to; we thus attract a steady flow of new members, some of whom become volunteers themselves. Cut Both Ways Autumn 2016 3 Chairman’s Column Amidst all this activity we mustn’t forget the “foot soldiers”, the many members who support us year-in, year-out with their membership fees, often supplemented by top- up donations; they swell our coffers and our political clout. Our membership total, not far short of 2,000, demonstrates the wide support we have in the community. In recent years the Canal & River Trust have participated in canal events in a way their predecessors British Waterways rarely did: both Chief Executive Richard Parry and West Midlands Manager Ian Lane were in attendance at Pelsall. Our friends in the IWA were there too, in force. Over 100 boats turned up on what is usually a quiet bit of canal; many were decorated, and some floodlit for a night-time cavalcade – an awesome sight. (Some sections of these canals north of Birmingham are so little used that struggling through ever-rampant weed can remind boaters of Humphrey Bogart on the African Queen – but less so this year!) All this activity is good for the Trust; and, thanks to those who get reports of it into papers and magazines, websites, Facebook and Twitter, news of it is being spread far and wide. The more people know of us and what we’re doing, the more support we enjoy in the local community. Local people will be the main beneficiaries when our canals reopen, and before then, when our new walking routes along the line of the canals are open. As we keep up the good work, our volunteers and members are in good heart! David Dixon, (Chairman) For the latest pictures, news and on-line ordering of sales items, don’t forget to take a look at the web site. www.lhcrt.org.uk Our Vision To reinstate the historic Lichfield Canal and Hatherton Canal for the benefit of the community. The natural wildlife corridor from Huddlesford to Hatherton will provide a valuable amenity for walkers, cyclists, boaters and visitors to use and will bring prosperity to the area. This project will also provide an opportunity for young people to learn about our history, our heritage and our environment. Cut Both Ways Autumn 2016 4 Presents its Autumn Show: DRAGONHEAD FOLK WITH DAVE FRY Traditional folk and Cajun music delivered to you with humour and verve from husband and wife duo John and Anne known to us all as ‘Dragonhead’ …plus Anecdotes to bring laughter or possibly a tear to the eye coupled with some of that wonderful country and folk sounds of the 50’s and 60’s from our compere and performer Dave Fry Whittington Village Hall, Whittington WS14 9NH Friday 18th November 2016 Doors open 6.30pm Limited free on site Car parking Use only our * free * bar which serves from 6.30pm Supper (from Alrewas Fryer) served at 7.00pm and show starts at 8.00pm Our Prize Draw will take place in the interval. * The bar is free but donations would be welcomed! Tickets £15 inclusive of supper and show. Booking is essential - There will be no ticket sales on the night. For tickets contact: Natasha Egerton - or - John Bryan Meal Choice: ● Fish and chips 1, Meadow View ● Steak & kidney pie and chips Mobile 07921 174378 Burntwood WS7 0HL ● Chicken & mushroom pie and chips Email: [email protected] Mobile 07974 758687 ● Beef & onion pie and chips Email: [email protected] ● Chicken and chips Vegetarian options ● Vegetable spring rolls and chips ...or…or bookbook online at at www.lhcrt.org.uk/nov_show.htmwww.lhcrt.org.uk/nov_show.htm ● Cheese and onion pasty and chips Cut Both Ways Autumn 2016 5 Donations to the Trust We gratefully acknowledge the following donations for amounts over £20 from 1st July to 30th September 2016. Tunnel Vision Name ( in order of receipt ) Trust & Marketing Appeal Mr D A Stanistreet 200.00 Mr D L Moore 20.00 100.00 anonymous 5,000.00 7th Lichfield St Chads Guides 25.00 anonymous 10,000.00 Mr J Alsop (Brick Fund) 100.00 Mr I. Campbell (with sub.) 85.00 Whittington Charity Challenge Marathon 1,000.00 16th July 2016 team support Mr H Eyles, B’ham Walkers Group walk 45.00 Mr A Harding, USA (with sub.) 50.00 Mrs A M Scott (with sub.) 24.00 Mrs E Tunbridge re late husband 350.00 Easyfundraising 63.95 Mr & Mrs R Griffiths-Jones 100.00 Dr J R Massy 250.00 Miss D Skilbeck MBE 100.00 anonymous 500.00 Horse & Jockey, Lichfield; collection 42.16 Mr M Cripps (with sub.) 40.00 Mrs K A Bird (with sub.) 24.00 Mr M J Ferguson (with sub.) 24.00 Mr D A Gittins (with sub.) 50.00 Mr N J Harris (with sub.) 25.00 Mr R W Lloyd-Hart (with sub.) 24.00 Mr J N March (with sub.) 30.00 Mr I D Bateson (with sub.) 85.00 Mr H Eyles, B’ham Ramblers Group walk 50.00 Cut Both Ways Autumn 2016 6 Donations to the Trust We gratefully acknowledge the following donations for amounts over £20 from 1st July to 30th September 2016.