Communications Update 22nd July 2016 News Round Up Cool off with a nice cold drink and a quick look at this week's waterways news · National environment manager Peter Birch is quoted in an article in the Daily Telegraph (15/07/16) about the impact of the hot weather on waterway wildlife · Graham Wood, Trust duty manager, spoke to Escape to the Country (18/07/16), as the popular programme paid a visit to ‘architectural icon’, the Anderton Boat Lift · BBC 4 broadcast a documentary Crossing England in a Punt (16/07/16) which saw explorer Tom Fort embark on a 170 -mile j ourney down Britain's third longest river, the Trent · BBC Midlands Today (20/07/16 – forward 21mins) ran a lovely report on the 200-year old Edstone Aqueduct, including interviews with Lucky Lowe, Len Cresswell and David Brown · The Trust was referenced in an article in the Daily Mirror (20/07/1 6) which celebrated National Fishing Month · The restoration of Wales’ canals was under discussion in Welsh parliament, a discussion featured on BBC Parliament (17/07/16) · BBC Radio Lancashire (15/07/16 – forward 48mins) promoted a volunteer group working on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal · The Guardian (19/07/16) reported the tragic news of a man who drowned in the canal in Staffordshire, after he went in the water to cool off during the hot weather. Meanwhile, K&A waterway manager Mark Evans was interviewed by BBC Berkshire (19/0716 – forward 1hr 25mins) about staying safe by the water. Our appeal was also covered by BBC Radio Manchester, who spoke to Steve Astles, BBC Radio Gloucestershire and across a variety of local newspapers · Country Walking Magazine (01/08/16) features a range of canals in its latest edition, describing the waterways as “the perfect place to unwind” In social media: · Our safety tweet around the recent PokemonGo craze reached over 4,800 people and had 259 engagements · Jake’s inspirational volunteer story on Facebook reached over 6,700 people and received 79 likes, comments and shares and 216 post clicks · Our competition for the #MagicalSummer campaign has done well with our video seen by over 11,000 people and retweeted 355 times Coming up next week: · BBC Radio Leicester are taking their popular afternoon show out on the county’s waterways next week. They’ll be broadcasting live every day between 3pm and 6pm as they travel the length of the county by boat, speaking to a range of our staff and volunteers along the way · BBC Radio Lancashire will be broadcasting live from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to promote the Blackburn Canal Festival We will also be promoting: · Details of our Annual Report, which is published on Monday · Work by a group of scouts are camping at Lapworth locks · A recent clean-up of Stourport Basin by local army cadets · Green Flag awards for the Peak Forest Canal and the M acclesfield Canal have been given Green Flag awards · Our work to tackle duck weed in London · Our advice to avoid swimming in canals and rivers during the hot weather What’s on this weekend? Blackburn Canal Festival and Canoe Hub Launch – Bicentenary Weekend Celebrations (23 & 24 July) Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (1816 – 2016) Eanam Wharf, on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, in Blackburn, will be the setting for a fabulous celebration event to mark the 200th anniversary of England’s longest canal. Organised by a partnership of the Canal & River Trust, Super Slow Way arts project and Eanam Wharf Ltd, the festival promises activities and delights for all ages. The festivities start on Friday 22 July (3pm – 6pm) with the launch of a new Desmond Family Canoe Trail hub for young people. This is one of 10 hubs being established along the Coast to Coast Canoe Trail which stretches 160 miles from Liverpool to Goole. Free taster sessions in canoeing are on offer for families and young people, as well as heritage trails, a canal history exhibition, street performances and live music from Baxter Rhodes and the Wagon Wheels. Children’s characters Rosie and Jim and Angelina Ballerina have also promised to put in an appearance. On Saturday (10am – 10pm) and Sunday (11am – 5pm), visitors can enjoy creative workshops, art installations, pony rides, boat trips, market stalls, a fun fair, street food, drama and music performances. The Kennet education boat will be on hand to tell people about the canal’s remarkable 200 year old history. And Becky Atherton and David Boultbee, from BREAD art, are leading an amazing project to create origami swans which are then due to be released on to the canal on Saturday at 12.45pm. Anyone can make a swan to join in the mass flock floating along the water. Super Slow Way programme manager Katy May said: “2016 is such a special year for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. In Blackburn we want to mark the bicentenary with an amazing explosion of creativity on the waterside at Eanam Wharf. “Everybody is welcome. Come down and discover the beautiful waterway that links our East Lancashire towns and played such an important role in the region’s development and prosperity. Most of the activities are free and this weekend is a fantastic opportunity to try something new.” Kate Sharples, the Canal & River Trust project leader for the Desmond Family Canoe Trail, added: “The canoe hub at Eanam Wharf will be a permanent feature. Regular canoeing activities will be on offer there for young people aged 16-25. “Canoeing is a fantastic sport. If you have ever fancied trying it out and getting involved, Friday is the day to come down and sign up for one of our free taster sessions.” For more information check out the website www.blackburncanalfest.btck.co.uk. Newbury Waterways Festival , 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday (main public event on Sunday), Victoria Park, Newbury Kennet and Avon Canal RG14 1EH. This year’s theme is Pirates of the K&A, stall and family entertainment and the highlight is the flotilla of boats transforming the wharf. Re-enactment event at Stoke on Trent to commemorate 250 th anniversary of cutting the first sod for the Trent and Mersey Canal and Brindley’s 300 th . Saturday Middleport Pottery Stoke on Trent ST6 3PE. ‘Over and Under the Hill’, Blisworth Tunnel Stoke Bruerne Museum NN12 7SE. Saturday 5pm – 7pm. Adults £6, children £4. Pre-book on 01604 862229. Family fun and open day at Middlewich Aqueduct Marina . Sunday 10 – 4. Shropshire Union Canal Nantwich CW5 6DX. Stalls, dog show, floating market and entertainment. Celebrate national fishing month by having a go at fishing : Slattocks M24 2RE (behind the Hopwood Arms Pub) Sunday 10am – 3pm or Blacon , Bridge 129 Shropshire Union Canal Monday 1pm – 8pm Register for your starter kit here Other Events coming up • Brindley 300 Heritage Walks on Trent & Mersey To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain’s greatest engineers, come along to this fascinating stroll through the history of James Brindley’s association with Kidsgrove and surrounding areas. 26th July 2016 8:00am - 5:00pm Harecastle Tunnel Trent & Mersey Canal The walks will take you from two of his finest achievements, the Harecastle tunnel on the Trent & Mersey canal, to his final resting place at St James, Newchapel in the company of an entertaining local historian—and the great man himself! Walks are approximately four miles round trip. Refreshments will be available at St James, kindly laid on by the church. Please wear sensible footwear and clothing as the terrain may be muddy. The walk is mostly flat with a slight incline at the end, but there are a few stiles to be negotiated so unfortunately the walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or people with mobility problems. Children must be accompanied. An exhibition of local history books will be available at the library for the July and September walks For further details or to book a place (as numbers will be limited to approximately 12 per walk) contact 07946 339110 or e-mail [email protected] • Top of the World Tours at Anderton Boat Lift 26th July 2016 10:30am - 4:00pm Anderton Boat Lift Weaver Navigation, Trent & Mersey Canal On special dates we will be giving you the chance to get up close and personal with the Anderton Boat Lift. This unique behind the scenes tour is not for the faint hearted, the tour starts in the Visitor Centre with one of our experienced guides and then you are escorted out on to the Lift along the aqueduct, taken into the previously unseen control room and machine deck. Booking is advisable as the space on each tour is limited. Tours last approximately one hour and run at: 11:00am 12:15pm 1:45pm 3:00pm The tour is priced at £10 per person. Please call the booking line on 01606 786 777 Please note, the tour is on the top of the lift so is not suitable for people with a fear of heights. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing; the walkway on the Lift is steel grating and it may be windy at the top. This is a walking tour and there is a need to climb steps. A minimum age policy applies. • Dewsbury Canal Festival Come along to a fun-packed weekend for the whole family. 30th July 2016 to 31st July 2016 Dewsbury Calder & Hebble Navigation Treat yourselves to a day out by the canal at this year's Dewbury Festival. Saturday is a Try-athlon with a mix of fun family waterway activities.