Pocklington Canal Bicentenary 2018 is an important year for PCAS. It marks the The bicentenary of the completion of building of the canal. PCAS has been working very hard to restore a fur- ther two miles of canal, Pocklington Canal between Melbourne and Bielby. This included Registered Charity 500637 repairs and re-gating of www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org Thornton Lock (in pho- tos) and Walbut Lock. The aims of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society are Where possible work l to promote restoration of the canal to a navigable standard has been done by PCAS for the benefit of the local community and the general public, as an amenity that can be enjoyed by all. volunteers. l to stimulate public interest and appreciation of the beauty, Coates Lock will need history, flora & fauna, and structures of the Pocklington minor works and the next major project will be to Canal and its environs, with respect for the legal protection restore Sandhill Lock, which is in derelict condition. of its heritage and wildlife. l to support the use of the canal for educational purposes. The Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (PCAS) was formed in 1969. Since then, volunteers have done a great deal to improve and maintain the canal and our volunteers do work on the canal throughout the year. We have around 300 members and you are welcome to become a volunteer. Fundraising is essential and donations from members and the public, and grants make a very important contribution to our work. Our trip boat New Horizons, the Information Centre at Canal Head and the PCAS Stall are run by our vol- unteers and these generate a steady income. NEW HORIZONS TRIP BOAT We organise social events, to which visitors are The Canal & River Trust received Lottery funding, welcome, and publish a magazine called Double Nine 30 minute public trips on the Pocklington Canal which has been used to improve wildlife habitats, three times a year. are available from noon to about 4.15 pm. provide new interpretation signs and leaflets, restore the attractive Church Bridge and arrange a variety of PCAS works with various organisations including the on Sundays and Bank Holidays (April–October). public events on the canal and an exhibition of his- Canal & River Trust, Natural England and East Riding No booking required. Donations welcome. toric photos and documents. It has funded dredging of Yorkshire Council to help more people enjoy the Longer trips from 2 to 7 hours can be booked of sections of the canal for wildlife and to support the canal. Care is taken to avoid damage to the wildlife at other times, for up to 12 passengers. PCAS Restoration Project, which required dredging and heritage, which are important features of the to be done for navigation. Pocklington Canal. & 07514978645 [email protected] Baldwin's Bridge, Hagg Bridge, ELVINGTON POCKLINGTON Canal Lane and Church Lane Canal Head Pocklington Canal Top Lock in East Cottingwith also pro- River SUTTON Derwent ON Restoration Silburn Lock vide access. Circular walks of DERWENT Giles Lock varying lengths are available, Swing-bridge 3 starting at these access points. (across lock) Sandhill Lock Hagg THORNTON Bridge Swing-bridge 4 Coates Lock Angling permits can be ob- Gardham Thornton Coates Lock Swing Lock Walbut tained from the York and Baldwin’s bridge 7 Bridge Bridge (5) Bridge Swing-bridge 2 Swing Swing bridge 8 District Amalgamation of bridge 6 Church Bridge A n g l e r s a n d f r o m Swing-bridge 1 Walbut BIELBY N Lock tackle shops in York. A rod MELBOURNE THIS PROJECT licence is also required. There Navigable 0 Miles 1 are platforms for disabled Cottingwith Lock Future restoration EAST COTTINGWITH anglers at Canal Head. To Barmby To & tidal Ouse The PCAS Bicentenary Project will extend navigation by two miles, from Melbourne to Bielby New interpretation signs are being installed at The Pocklington Canal was completed in 1818 and various sites along is a haven for wildlife. It is used for walking, angling the canal. The and boating. PCAS Information Canal Head on the A1079 York to Hull road Centre at Canal has a picnic site and is an ideal place to start Head is open dur- discovering the canal. The towpath from ing the afternoon Canal Head to Coates Bridge is a bridleway. The on Sundays and remainder of the towpath, which runs alongside the Bank Holidays. entire length Copies of the new of the canal, Canal Guide and a variety, mugs, fridge magnets is a footpath. and other PCAS merchandise can be bought at the Please keep to Information Centre. Volunteering the towpath, as Please see our website for information about the If you are interested in the Pocklington Canal, the much surround- canal, useful links and information about forthcoming first step is to join PCAS. Please get in touch as ing land is pri- events. soon as possible and find out about volunteering vately owned. and the ways that you can help PCAS achieve its Keep dogs un- If you would like to aims. der control to help us to restore Contacting PCAS avoid disturbing birds and other wildlife. Most of and maintain the the canal is in Sites of Special Scientific Interest. canal there are Contact details are on the website or you can send donation boxes email to: [email protected] Access to the canal towpath is also at Canal Head For enquiries including volunteering, please ring: possible at Coates Bridge, Bielby Arm, Walbut and at Melbourne 01494 784571. Bridge, Church Bridge and Melbourne Arm. Arm. March 2018 The public footpaths leading to No. 6 swing-bridge, .