CUTCUT BOTHBOTH WAYSWAYS & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust

Working Canal Boats at the Huddlesford Heritage Gathering 2017 See Pages 15-18 for more Photos (Photo by Paul Marshall)

Issue No. 93 Autumn 2017 ay Wha eeth rf L tr Lichfield td S Heart of the .

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

It’s been a very busy summer (but without much “summer”!) for both our volunteers and for those working behind the scenes. The business is very much a result of our hay Wha successes: our public profile is high through the visibility of our work, our presence at eet rf L many events, regular press coverage, a superb website and high social media activity. r t Consequently, we now have an average of 9 work parties a week: 4 days a week t d based at Tamworth Road; two new Tuesday work parties, one at Summerhill, the S . other at Fosseway; the Grounds/Green team’s itinerant Saturday work party; the continuation from last academic year of the super Queen’s Croft High School Tuesday mornings and on average a weekly Corporate Volunteering day. And then there are occasional sessions by Foresters Scout Group, College and National Citizenship Service youngsters. We’re regularly working on the three sites mentioned above, from time to time Grounds / Green keep our land at Darnford Moor under control and when we have planning permission there can be a return to Darnford Park. Planning permission has now been granted for creating the walkway over the aqueduct/M6Toll. Planning permission leads me to report on the endless hours of meetings; emails; correspondence; and report reading, writing and responding that Officers and Directors do in the vital “behind the scenes” work. Getting planning permission is just one of many examples. We work with all the relevant Local Authorities and can happily report that we have excellent relationships with particularly and Lichfield City Councils and County Council. They, though, have to operate within a complex government framework, which takes us to other statutory agencies ..... and headaches and tight time schedules! We also have to watch carefully how any proposed developments may impact on our work and currently we’ve some tricky negotiations on the go on both Lichfield and Hatherton Canals. But, I’ll finish on our successes! Huddlesford Heritage Gathering was a great success, and is fully reported on elsewhere in this edition. Similarly, our contribution to Lichfield’s first Gold Award in Heart of England in Bloom has been widely acknowledged and we are already planning for next year. Progress at Tamworth Road, at Summerhill and at Fosseway has been immense and has been achieved through ambitious and very hard work by our growing number of volunteers, and through the purchase of the big trailer which enables plant to be taken between sites. But we wouldn’t be able to use these machines if it weren’t for the careful and regular maintenance by several of our mechanically skilled volunteers. With the seemingly ever expanding work that is being done we really need to maintain our fundraising efforts and increase the number of volunteers to do both the on the ground and also the behind the scenes work – spread the word! Tell people what a great organisation this is to volunteer with!

Chris Bull, (Chairperson)

Autumn 2017 Page 3 Donations to the Trust

Donations to the Trust: 1st July to 30th September 2017 Donations during this period from individuals and groups, plus ancillary items, totalled £205,000 including £89,500 to the Tunnel Vision Appeal. These figures come from over 230 donors, plus tax claims through Gift Aid in respect of donations by UK taxpayers who completed the required formalities, and some exceptional legacy funds. Monies were given by the following groups, listed in alphabetical order: Austin 7 Supporters Club, Jaguar Land Rover, PayPal Giving Fund, UK mass funding, Virgin Money Giving contributors. All such donations, however large or small, are most gratefully received by the Trust to help us with our restoration work. We recognise that all our supporters give what they are able, reflecting the value they put on our work for the community. Because of this, and the wish of some to remain anonymous, we no longer publish names of individual donors and amounts. Our special appreciation to all those who made funeral donations in recognition of the interests of the late Mike Gripton and Colin Riggs. Our sincere thanks to all.

We also thank the following for their generous support:- Amey Group, corporate volunteer team, BT Group, corporate volunteer team J & J Properties, land management, Queens Croft School, Lichfield, volunteer teams. Jaguar Land Rover, several corporate volunteer teams. “The Boat Inn” restaurant, Muckley Corner, Summerhill project support The Foresters Scout Group, Yoxall, volunteer teams. WCL Cranebrook Quarries Ltd, site occupational support. Wolverhampton College, several student volunteer teams.

ANNOUNCEMENT

We regret to announce the loss of the following members:- Mrs V Green, Sutton Coldfield, died December 2016. Mr M R Gripton, Lichfield, died July 2017. Mr Colin Riggs, Market Harborough, died 6th August 2017. Mr R H Davies, Whittington, Lichfield, died 6th September 2017. (See page 19)

Autumn 2017 Page 4 Membership Matters

Thanks Once again we would like to thank all those members who add an extra donation to their membership fee when they renew. We regard this as a better solution than increasing membership fees, which would take no account of individual members’ ability to pay and furthermore would involve around 600 members being asked to change their bank standing orders. Thank you again for your generosity. In short–we need you. Please stay with the Trust and please pay when you receive your reminder. My details are: Godfrey Eland, 18 Furnival Crescent, Lichfield, WS13 6DD Email:- [email protected]

Welcome to New Members – 1st July to 30th September 2017 Mr J Townsend, Lichfield Mr Richard Hopkins, Mr A Boyle, Lichfield Mr D C Stewart, Aldermaston Mr A Brewer, Oxford Mr A Jenkins, Tamworth Mr & Mrs D P, Haselhurst St Andrews Ms D Riley, Wolverhampton Ms S Lloyd, Lichfield Mr D Necklen, Mr N Johnson, Lichfield Mrs S Necklen, Brewood Mrs K M Stanier, Dodsleigh Mr P Skelton, Whittington Mr M Wheeler, Lichfield Mr M Taylor, Lichfield Mrs E Wheeler, Lichfield Mr & Mrs R Elsoon, Australia Mr & Mrs A P Brown, Burntwood Mr R Williams, Bristol Mr S Homer, Wood Mr A Dawson, Sutton Coldfield Mr P Cheeesewright, Lichfield Mr & Mrs J Hiley, Mr P Norrie, Lichfield Mr D B Fox, Chesterfield Mrs J Norrie, Lichfield Mrs H L Fox, Chesterfield Mr R Prowse, Oxford Mr S Mackay, Lichfield Mr D Copestake, Pelsall Ms M Snelson, Lichfield

Membership Total at 30th September :- 1934 (Comprising 335 Adult, 972 Family, 203 Life, 406 Retired, 18 Other)

Membership rates are: Adult £10; Family £15; Junior (under 18), Student, Retired or Unemployed £6; Group (Clubs & Societies) £25; Small Business £100, Large Corporate £200; Life Membership £200, Family Life Membership £300 (includes children up to age 18). To join, please contact the Membership Secretary (see above). To join please see our website www.lhcrt.org.uk or email [email protected]

Autumn 2017 Page 5 Our 500 Club gives members a chance to win prizes of up to £400 every three months! 50% of the 500 Club income will be retained for capital expenditure essential for restoration of our two canals… and 50% paid in prizes to its members. 243 subscriptions were eligible for the September draw. However, a rise in the number of ‘500 Club’ members means an increase in the contribution to the Capital Fund and also the amount of prize money available. Please spread the word; anyone can join the Club, you don’t have to be an LHCRT member. A rise in the number of ‘500 Club’ members means an increase in the contribution to the Capital Fund and also the amount of prize money available. During 2016 the ‘500 Club’ has paid out a total of £1,468-50 in prize money. This means that £1,468-50 has also been added to our Capital Fund. The Trust would like to thank all the subscribers for their continuing support. So please spread the word.

The winners of the September 2017 draw are: First prize £ 189.54 No 212 Mrs PJ Heath, Bamford, Derbyshire Second prize £ 123.93 No 310 John Dodwell, London Third prize £ 51.03 No 163 Peter Butler, Sheffield

The “500 Club” Capital Fund has been established to raise funds for capital expenditure on land purchase and rebuilding structures on the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals. For an annual subscription of £12 Club Members are allocated 1 chance in each of 4 successive quarterly draws. Based on a membership of 500, the maximum prizes will be: 1st Prize £400 approximately 26% income 2nd Prize £250 approximately 17% income 3rd Prize £100 approximately 7% income

If there are more or less than 500 members, the prizes will be proportionally increased or decreased. So the more 500 Club members we have, the higher the prizes. Remember, membership of the 500 Club is open to everyone, not just members of Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. So please spread the word. If you want to subscribe, you can download an application form from our website www.lhcrt.org.uk, or write to Mavis Moore, 88 Spring Lane, Whittington, Lichfield WS14 9NA.

Autumn 2017 Page 6 (advertisement)

Michael Fabricant MP Member of Parliament for the Constituency of Lichfield. If you live in the Lichfield Parliamentary constituency, and you require assistance and think your MP can help, you can either write to Michael Fabricant at the House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA; or you can email him by using the webform at www.michael.fabricant.mp.co.uk/cont act.html or telephone his office at 01543 419650 where you can also make an appointment to see him at one of his regular surgeries. (advertisement)

Autumn 2017 Page 7 Tamworth Road Work Party Report, July to October 2017

For those of you who are sharp eyed enough you will have noticed that the Tamworth Road work party report in the Spring edition and that in the Summer edition had the same title. Both editions supposedly covered the period from January to April. The Summer edition should have been titled as from April to July. My apologies! The work we had undertaken down beyond the narrows towards the A51 had now become our priority, and to complete this work as soon as possible before the weather changes, come the autumn. Rain will make this work area impossible in which to operate. In this area there is no drainage and mud would soon take over given any substantial rain.

You will recall that all our efforts were now concentrated down there due to our road licenced dumper truck being out of action and we were therefore unable to trundle up and down the Tamworth Road legally to work in Pound 25. Looking back over the summer it seems to me that the Gods must have been on our side. I don’t think, except for the odd hour or so, we were rained off. During this period great progress was made in the area between the A51 and the narrows. All the concreting of the base was completed, all the bricks, to the last brick, were laid, (just), and the clay infill between the concrete side slabs was put down and compacted in. In previous reports I have gone on a bit about the difficulties of working with clay. When in Pound 27, we laid clay as a seal between the concrete laid down the centre of the canal bed and the towpath wall. It proved very difficult to puddle the clay up by the wall even with the excavator or Wacker vibrating roller. This time between the narrows and the A51 we laid the concrete hard up to the walls on both sides of the canal bed and put the clay down the centre. This proved to be a much easier and better way to work and the clay proved to be no great problem.

Autumn 2017 Page 8 Tamworth Road Work Party Report, July to October 2017

This leaves us with just a few tasks to complete. The concrete backfill behind the brick wall needs completion as also does the soil bank on top of the gabions needs reinstating. The earth access ramp from the narrows down into the work area has to be dug out right back to the narrows stop planks. And then the job is completed, assuming we don’t find any leaks. During this period our tasks in Pound 25 and Lock 24 had not been totally abandoned. With the dumper truck back in commission and with volunteer time permitting, work progressed in these areas. We continued with the concreting of the base of Pound 25. We also broke up some redundant concrete in the mouth of Lock 25. This will enable a new oak cill to be installed and concreted in later in the year. We were also tasked with the removal of the earth infill in Lock 24, to find the “big pipe” all the way to the entrance to this lock. A huge amount of soil was dug out and deposited by Cricket Lane where a lorry has taken it to Summerhill. Towards the end of this report period the Gallows Wharf project became urgent. Tony Gardner and his trusty excavator worked tirelessly one day to find the original brick walls of this wharf. Further work in this wharf to establish some flower beds is envisaged. We were also in attendance at the Heritage Canal Gathering at Huddlesford for the weekend. I am pleased to say that our volunteers were greatly appreciated for the time they spent helping the public to understand the complexities of driving an excavator and also the thrill of steering a radio controlled Wacker vibrating roller around an obstacle course, courtesy of Wacker-Neuson Ltd. Others were either selling “prize draw” tickets or even cooking at the barbeque and other tasks. Many thanks to all who have contributed this season, the impossible takes time, miracles a little longer but we’ll get there.

You, our volunteers are the life blood of this restoration.

Hugh Millington, Work Parties (Lichfield)

Autumn 2017 Page 9 Good News

A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT! GOVERNMENT GIVES “GO AHEAD” FOR LICHFIELD SOUTHERN BYPASS UNDER THE RAILWAY David Suchet Tunnel Vision Appeal Report “Don’t you love it when a plan comes together?” £1,000,000 With nearly half of our target already in the bank, we are very grateful to donors from all over the UK, especially those in distant parts, who show their concern and appreciation for revitalising the waterways in the Midlands. £800,000 With plans becoming clear for commitment to new housing and roadways which influence the canal, engineering details for the tunnel are now “on the table” for refinement thus removing any doubt that the project can go ahead, given full funding. £600,000 The target of £1,000,000 to be raised by early 2019 still stands, putting heavy pressure on the Trust to reach out to supporters everywhere through further campaigning during 2018. “Failure is not an option!” £400,000 Another Appeal leaflet is issued with this magazine in case you did not use an earlier one to help us now. either by sending a cheque to the address on the F form, (visit www.lhcrt.org.uk/suchet.htm) or pledging to pay a regular sum over the next few F months by Bankers Order (which we provide). Another way is to use your bank card to submit a F payment by PayPal through the website link given above. You do not have to have your own PayPal account to do this. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THIS APPEAL www.lhcrt.org.uk/suchet.htm Bob Williams, Director (Finance) Autumn 2017 Page 10 Good News

Autumn 2017 Page 11 Summerhill work party blog for August

The four weeks of August were a challenge as the main holiday period and school holidays restricted the number of volunteers. The grandparents amongst the group were on standby for kids throughout the six weeks. However the site at Summerhill is now getting a huge amount of visitors from various groups and clubs not to mention the general public who now use it regularly for walks. The Boat Inn has proved to be a very useful place and has hosted some of the groups either before or after the towpath walks. It was very good to see all the classic cars on the car park from the one group. Along side the Boat Inn brick filled gabions (wire baskets) have been installed to retain the pub at the top of the embankment. This work is proceeding well and “THE BOAT INN” is spelt out as people walk along the side of the pub. Filling these gabions has used up a lot of recycled builders rubbish from along the canal as has the backfilling of the lock. This goes to show that nothing gets wasted in canal restoration. The Lock is progressing steadily and there have been no issues so far regarding the sand face. The retaining wall is now over two metres high and back filled with concrete. We will soon be finishing the back wall so work on the Lock proper can be planned. More work on the canal side verge has also been ongoing down towards the aqueduct.

Autumn 2017 Page 12 Summerhill work party blog for August

Recently corporate work parties have helped to bring the footpath up to a better standard and the whole 1000 metres are looking good with the picnic area to benefit from another group’s work shortly. It’s worth mentioning the volunteers at this point who have done huge amounts of work sometimes in difficult conditions. I would like to thank all of them who attend the Tuesday and Saturdays. Unfortunately Brandon has returned to university and the team will greatly miss his valued efforts. Roger and Jean have planted numerous new oak trees along the embankment and have completed the hedge cutting. More new oaks are planned for the coming year and Roger will be planting acorns from the oak near the Lock so that future generations will be able to appreciate our work. Autumn has now arrived and the site is starting to receive its leaf carpet for the winter, a fantastic place for dog walkers, ramblers and photographers to come and enjoy. Paul Reeves

Autumn 2017 Page 13 Huddlesford Heritage Gathering

More than 6,000 people flocked to at the weekend for the 7th biennial Huddlesford Heritage Gathering. The canal festival is jointly arranged by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust and Lichfield Cruising Club, and they put on their biggest show yet, with around 50 historic narrowboats, floating traders and private boats moored alongside the towpath, plus a huge range of other attractions including local musicians playing on the main stage, classic cars, buskers, an arena with everything from search and rescue dogs and belly dancing to welly wanging and wheelbarrow obstacle races. There were also plenty of opportunities to snag a bargain or just enjoy the excellent food and drink available. Children were well catered for with free art and craft activities, plant an oak tree and a duck hunt. The Gathering is a popular event within the waterways community as well as in Lichfield. The Gathering provided a whole weekend of activities with a full programme of music and entertainment in the arena on both days and a hog roast with musical entertainment on the Saturday night too. The event was opened by local MP and LHCRT patron Michael Fabricant, accompanied by Richard Parry, Chair of Canal and River Trust and Phil Sharpe, Chair of the Lichfield IWA branch. Lichfield Mayor, Janice Greaves, a keen supporter of the work of the LHCRT, also visited the festival and tried her hand at operating the Trust’s excavator. Michael Fabricant MP said: “This event is fast becoming a Lichfield tradition! It is now the 7th occasion for this water based weekend family fun day. I was honoured to officially open the event and see the scores of narrow boats from all over the region and beyond.” Christine Bull, chairperson of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust said: “It’s been a huge success with this year’s Gathering being bigger and better than ever before. We’ve had more attractions and more people attending, coming from far and wide to enjoy the festivities. Some travelled from Wales and even from as far as Ohio, USA. “We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s support, not only by coming along but by supporting the Trust’s urgent need to raise £1m for the Tunnel Vision appeal, which will allow the restored to go under the mainline railway on the southern edge of Lichfield.” It is pleasing to report that the Trust raised nearly £10,000 from this event which is a great boost towards the cost of restoration work.

Christine Howles, (Communications)

Autumn 2017 Page 14 Huddlesford Photo Gallery

Lots of people had their photo taken with our social frame at Huddlesford to pledge their support for the Trust. Autumn 2017 Page 15 Huddlesford Heritage Gathering Photo Gallery

Photos by Paul Marshall

Autumn 2017 Page 16 Huddlesford Heritage Gathering Photo Gallery

Photos by Paul Marshall

Autumn 2017 Page 17 Huddlesford Photo Gallery

Photos by Paul Marshall Autumn 2017 Page 18 Rob Davies 1940 - 2017

We regret to inform you that Rob Davies, secretary of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Retail Trading Ltd, passed away in September, on his 77th. birthday. Rob had been an active supporter of L&H from the early days, especially as Secretary to our Retail Trading subsidiary company. Involvement with the waterways went much wider through his active support for the Trent & Mersey Canal Society, restoration of nb “Saturn” and close friendship with other waterway promoters. He will be missed by us all. A very well attended service was held on September 21st. at Alrewas Methodist Church led by Reverend Joanne Thornton. Special family memories were related by Jacqui Owen (Rob’s sister) and daughter, Rachael Davies. Memories of Rob’s life in the canal world were told by Harry Arnold MBE, a good friend of Rob’s, and journalist, author, photographer and campaigner for the Inland Waterways. A tribute was paid by Doctor Ian Thompson President of the Russell Newbery Register (an owners club for this classic boat engine) of which Rob had been the administrator for many years. Read more on the Russell Newbery Register at www.rnregister.org.uk.

The service closed, not with the usual walk-out music, but with the sound of the engine in Rob’s narrowboat ‘Galliard’. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Autumn 2017 Page 19 Environment and Grounds / Green Report

As usual, it’s been a busy and varied few months. We had the assistance of National Citizenship Service young people for three days in the summer holiday. The first group were with us on perhaps the hottest day of the year, when they trimmed the hedges and generally tidied the Yellow Brick Road through Borrowcop Locks Canal Park prior to the judging day for Lichfield in Bloom. The two subsequent groups did great work by making a start on creating what will be a Garden of Reflection at Gallows Wharf. They valiantly hacked away brambles and nettles on both sides of the London Road bridge and then cleared all the bricks, big stones, buried metal, etc from where the wharf was and loosened the soil in so doing.

The Grounds/Green team have been on all of our regular sites through this period, and we also responded to a farmer’s urgent request for us to be a good neighbour. He’d just harvested his 52 acre wheat field on the Brownhills side of the aqueduct and then been able to see that the ragwort in our adjacent piece of land was spreading into his field. The job itself was pretty straightforward though actually getting onto our land was quite an obstacle course! The gate on Barracks Lane has had another padlock fitted, such that we couldn’t open it (good thing that we don’t jib at climbing 5 barred gates!); the gorse on the Travellers’ land was impenetrable (even to us bramble and gorse hardened folk!); we finally got in through the least difficult route (which involved barbed wire and a very deep ditch!). Given those problems there was no way we could remove the ragwort so there are still 24 big black bin liners containing all the seed heads left on our land to be rotting down. Getting rid of ragwort takes at least two years as each plant re-emerges only every other year– we’ll go there in March/April, identify and poison the new young shoots, then repeat both treatments the following year.

Autumn 2017 Page 20 Environment and Grounds / Green Report

The purchase of the flail mower back in August was greeted with great delight. It’s probably not put a complete stop to our having energetic workouts with slashers and saws, but It’s certainly saving us time as well as energy as it makes light work of brambles and brash. It’s mown the footpath all the way through both Fosseway and Darnford Moor. From both the environmental and restoration perspectives the start of creating Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve and Wetlands is hugely exciting. The grant from Postcode Local Trust is financing the fuel costs of moving and using our digger and dumper there, it’s purchased the newly installed notice board at the Falkland Road entrance and it will purchase board walks for the wetlands as well as some other materials. The work at Fosseway is reported elsewhere in this edition but the Grounds/Green team and the welcome return to Tuesday mornings of our wonderful Queen’s Croft High School work party have been very busy cutting out the bigger trees and gorse from the canal bed so that the digger and dumper could get all the way along to The Steps. As the photo shows, for much of the length it was rather like cutting through a jungle! Queen’s Croft students have also cut off what was splendid summer growth of the wild flower beds leaving the off-cuts in situ to allow the seeds to drop. After two weeks we returned for them to shake and trample over them to make sure as much seed remains for next year and then removing the off-cuts as wild flowers don’t thrive where too much nutrient goes back into the soil. Grounds/ Green have made one return to Darnford Moor to cut the grass and nettles. The flail mower did so in 4 hours, with the help of Peter B, Roger and Paul H and the 2 big brush cutters. We also cut back one of last year’s coppiced willows, and planted the shoots along the stream edge where last year’s shoots didn’t take. We’re still hopeful that we can create a living fence there by weaving the willows. Once we have water in the wetlands at Fosseway we may well plant some willow shoots there to make a hide on one of the islands between the boardwalks...... but that’s a bit in the future! Christine Bull (Chairperson) Autumn 2017 Page 21 Lichfield & District Tourism Association Members Visit

On 15th August, LDTA members met at the Boat Inn car park located off the busy A461 road. It was a wonderful surprise when we were led through trees and brambles and down steps known as ‘Dora’s Descent’. It was as if we had been transported back to a bygone era away from the modern world. Accompanied by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) Engineering Director, Peter Buck, and Dora Hancock the Health and Safety Officer for the Trust, partners were given a tour of the Heritage Towpath Trail between the Boat Inn and the Canal aqueduct over the . After the tour LDTA members returned to the Boat Inn where a buffet was eaten and enjoyed, whilst sitting in the sunshine. Many thanks to all the volunteers at LHCRT particularly Peter, Dora and Bob Williams for arranging our visit, organising refreshments and controlling the sunshine!

LDTA Networking Group at the Aqueduct Photo by Rob Ings Lichfield Photography

Our Vision To reinstate the historic Lichfield Canal and 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.

Autumn 2017 Page 22 Volunteering

Another very successful Corporate Day with Volunteers from BT many old faces returning for a second visit to the Trust.

The BT volunteers set about installing path edging, moving and placing stone into the Heritage Towpath Trail over the Crane Brook Culvert.

Good to see old friends return to the Lichfield Canal, and we look forward to seeing them all again!

During October we had a visit from the Waterways Recovery Group (BITM) at Fosseway. They had a busy weekend and among the jobs they helped with was the realignment of the towpath, where it has been lost into a farmer’s field.

Photo by Photo by Christine Howles David Hodgkinson

Photo by Christine Howles Peter Buck, (Engineering)

Autumn 2017 Page 23 The Autumn Show

to confirm booking.

Autumn 2017 Page 24 EVENTS

We’ve joined forces with Virgin Money Giving to help us raise more money We’ve teamed up with virginmoneygiving.com – a fund-raising website that makes it easy for anyone to donate or set up their own fund-raising page. We’ve chosen Virgin Money Giving because it is 100% not-for-profit, which means no ongoing fees so it helps us receive more of the money donated. It’s really easy to use to make a one-off or a regular donation. You can find our main page at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/charities/lhcrt And we’ve also got a special appeal page for our Tunnel Vision appeal: http:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ fund/tunnel-vision How can you help? 1. Spread the word – tell people that we’re on Virgin Money Giving, even if they don’t have the link, they can search for us by name. 2. Fundraise for us – if you, or someone you know, is planning a sponsored event like a run, walk, knit or silence, or a personal challenge to stop smoking or get fit, it could even be for an event like a birthday. Whatever you fancy, you can set up a fund-raising page and link it to our appeal page. There are also lots of really helpful tools and tips on the website too. If you need any help, get in touch with Christine on 07852 190855.

1998 DATA PROTECTION ACT The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Ltd will hold your details for marketing purposes in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act. If you do not wish to receive updates from the Trust or any third party with whom we co-operate then please advise the Trust through Director Bob Williams on 01543 671427.

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

Autumn 2017 Page 25 EVENTS

The summer was a busy time for the events team. The team have been to the Railway Charity Day, Lupin Farm Classic Car Day, Alvecote Boat Gathering, Lichfield Folk Festival to name a few, and not forgetting Huddlesford Heritage Gathering.

All of these events are vital to the Trust to spread the word about the Trust, raise money through sales, attract new members and new volunteers, all of which, the team do brilliantly. So many many thanks to them!

If you can spare some time to join our events team, please contact Christine Howles 07852 190855 or [email protected] Grand Prize Draw – 2017 Tickets are on sale for a new Prize Draw this year which we hope will raise more funds – and please some lucky winners! We invite sponsors to support this valuable annual fund-raising activity with cash or prizes during the year. Please email offers to [email protected] or phone 01543 671427.

Would you like to receive a colour copy of Cut Both Ways in an electronic PDF format instead of a paper copy? Please email the editor ([email protected]) and request a copy.

Autumn 2017 Page 26 Coppers End Guest House Walsall Road, Muckley Corner, Lichfield, Staffs. WS14 0BG. Phone: 01543 372910 Website: www.coppersendguesthouse.co.uk Email: [email protected] from £50 single, £70 double or twin ensuite per night, includes full English Breakfast or vegetarian equivalent. Three miles from Lichfield, six miles from Walsall.

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

Back Copies of Cut Both Ways available at £1.00 Each Copies of issues 1 to 92 are available from Bob Williams Norfolk House, 29 Hall Lane, Hammerwich, WS7 0JP Cheques made payable to LHCRT Ltd.

All Correspondence should be addressed to :- Trust Secretary, Godfrey Eland,18 Furnival Crescent, Lichfield, Staffordshire. WS13 6DD

The views expressed in Cut Both Ways do not necessarily represent those of the Trust or the Editor. They are however published as being of interest to our readership.

Autumn 2017 Page 27 Business Connect

If you would like to become a Business Member and display your card here contact Bob Williams Tel 01543 671427 or [email protected]

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Call Matthew Cooper on 01543 374370

TUKTAWA B&B Uplands Close, Cannock Wood, Staffordshire. WS15 4RH Tel–01543 684805–07790 984013 Web – www.Tuktawa.co.uk Email [email protected] £27.50 (single), £49 (double) – Includes breakfast – available 6.30 – 9.00am 10 minutes from /Cannock/Lichfield Town/Bus Station/Train Station See us on Tripadvisor

Autumn 2017 Page 29 LICHFIELD & HATHERTON CANALS RESTORATION TRUST LimiTeD. The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Limited was established in 1988 as a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee (No. 2456172) and is registered as a Charity (No. 702429). Principal Aims : To promote the restoration of the Wyrley and Canal from to Huddlesford Junction (the “Lichfield Canal”), and the Hatherton Branch of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, and also the construction of a navigable link between the Hatherton Branch and the Canal Navigations. President Eric Wood vice-president David Suchet CBE. PATRONS Chris Coburn MBE, Dr David Fletcher CBE, Michael Fabricant MP. DIRECTORS Chairperson Christine Bull 01283 790322 [email protected] Company Secretary Godfrey Eland 01543 251754 [email protected] Finance, Funding Bob Williams 01543 671427 [email protected] Environment Director Christine Bull 01283 790322 [email protected] Engineering Peter Buck 01543 268041 [email protected] Marketing Christine Howles 07852 190855 [email protected] Health & Safety Dora Hancock 01543 264158 [email protected] Communications Christine Howles 07852 190855 [email protected] Magazine Editor Stefan Szulc 01543 677156 [email protected] IWA Nominee Luke Walker 07979 862195 [email protected] OFFICERS Press Officer Tom Reid 07840 300178 [email protected] Webmaster Paul Marshall 01543 410646 [email protected] Land Officer Gill Bellenie 07815 285856 [email protected] Land Officer Jeff March 01543 255949 [email protected] Volunteering and Events Christine Howles 07852 190855 [email protected] Work Parties(Lichfield) Hugh Millington 01543 251747 [email protected] Work Parties(Hatherton) Denis Cooper 01543 374370 Membership Godfrey Eland 01543 251754 [email protected] Grounds Maint. Roger Barnett

Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks. HP5 1WA Web Site: www.lhcrt.org.uk LICHFIELD & HATHERTON CANALS RETAIL TRADING Limited. Company No 3686837 – Chairman: John Bryan; Secretary: Christine Howles; Finance: Bob Williams

Autumn 2017 Page 30 Autumn 2017 Page 31 Braunston Marina are proud to BACK the campaign to save the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals. keep digging the ground from under their feet! Braunston Marina The Wharf, Braunston, Nr Daventry, Northamptonshire. NN11 7JH Telephone: 01788 891373 Fax: 01788 891436 web site: www.braunstonmarina.co.uk email: [email protected]