The Magazine of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Issue No. 77 - Autumn 2013 Lichfield Mercury Bower Queen and Consort cut the cake to open the Huddlesford Heritage Gathering accompanied by (l to r) Mrs Penny Thomas, Eric Wood, Cllr. Terry Thomas and Peter Buck. (21st. Sept 2013). HAY WHAR EET F 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 THAY WHARF There can be only one topic to start this quarterly column and that is the Huddlesford EE L Heritage Gathering. We embarked on this biennial project with far more trepidation R T than usual. Sue Williams has always been the main coordinator on the Trust’s side T D of the organisation and her illness removed the lynchpin. We were committed to a S . two day event for the first time thus compounding the worries. We have an excellent and willing team of helpers but there were concerns that the stress might prove too great. In the end, we took up the challenge and the road led to triumph. I will mention only two people by name thus risking the wrath of so many others who did so much. We shall for ever be indebted to Jan Horton for the Trust and to Frank Weetman of Lichfield Cruising Club for their monumental input. We are grateful to the Cruising Club for the hospitality and forbearance and we hope their members enjoyed the occasion as much as we did. You will see what they achieved elsewhere in this magazine. The sun shone, the public and the boaters flocked to Huddlesford and we achieved an income of £13,500. On top of that the sense of well-being, goodwill and happiness shone through making the Gathering one of the best waterways events which many of us have known. It was wonderful to see that both the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust visited us. Meanwhile, the regular work of the Trust has continued apace. Anyone who walks the line form Lock 24 to the A51 at Tamworth Road will see how much major construction work has progressed through the summer. It is now tantalising to see how close we are to watering another major section with the prospect of floating a small boat in the near future now a real possibility. It also throws into focus the need to get under the A51 not to mention moving on through Darnford Park to the A38. As ever, we only need a major cash injection for us to make major progress but, we must show continuing patience and do what we can with limited funds and the enthusiasm of our volunteers. We would especially like to rebuild our Land Fund which was heavily depleted by the purchase of a section of canal at Huddlesford. There are several potential purchases we could implement but we cannot make the approaches until we have sufficient funds. We have recently topped up the Fund as our reserves have been rebuilt after paying for major works at Tamworth Road and in Darnford Park. We receive very welcome donations from supporters and well-wishers but more is always welcome. If say 50, people gave us £500 our position would be greatly strengthened. Cut Both Ways Autumn 2013 3 CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN We continue to monitor several major concerns. We are in discussion with Persimmon about their proposed development on Berry Hill, between London and Birmingham Roads in Lichfield. Here, we have to ensure that the route of the canal is not impaired but we also want to work with the developer to deal with some major drainage concerns and the ways in which restoring the canal in the relevant section would be helpful. At the same time we are in continuing discussion with Staffordshire Highways about their plans to take the Lichfield bypass under the Birmingham railway line and through this same section to connect with London Road. Both these projects are of vital significance for re-establishing the through route of the Lichfield Canal. Of course, a major continuing concern is HS2 – the proposed high speed railway line which will cross the Lichfield Canal at Cappers Bridge. The period of consultation has now been ended by HS2 Ltd and they are expected to submit the original design option for constructing a viaduct 30 metres above water level thus constituting an inconvenience rather than a threat. However, between now and construction there are various opportunities for those who want to see a much lower crossing to petition and complain. If these alternative proposals were to be implemented then the implications for the canal could be very detrimental. We will watch this situation very closely and spare no effort to protect our project. The Hybrid Bill is expected to go to Parliament early in 2014. It is essential to public perception and to ensuring adequate planning protection that we show that the whole of the Lichfield Canal from Ogley to Huddlesford is part of a single project and which will be of benefit to the whole community. This is demonstrable where we have major building projects under way but much more difficult in those areas where we have no visible presence. It was with this in mind, and encouraged by Lichfield planners, that we launched the Towpath Heritage Trail at the recent Huddlesford Heritage Gathering. Although we do not have access to some of the route requiring deviations onto roads and footpaths, we are in the process of signing the whole seven mile Trail. At the eastern end it will be along sections which are clearly defined as waterway but further west it will be a mown and signed footpath. This is a first stage in demonstrating that we have a viable through route. Sadly, our attempt to obtain major funding was thwarted by the technicalities of the process and an inability to find essential “bridging” money. We would have to pay for the work before we could claim the award – a somewhat “Alice in Wonderland” situation. We will try again! Thus, the Lichfield project continues to progress albeit at a majestic pace as we have been at work for 25 years. We have not forgotten the Hatherton but are allowing it to slumber under close observation. We have various land purchase projects under way and continue to hope that proposed works on the M6 will allow us to make that essential crossing. The western end of this canal is in Canal and River Trust ownership and is part of their water supply network and this will always give us reassurance. Cut Both Ways Autumn 2013 4 CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN Let me end where I began with a tribute to our dedicated teams and members. Huddlesford showed what we can do. The work at Tamworth Road shows our engineering skills and the recent strengthening of our Board of Directors shows that we have the will and determination to succeed. Brian Kingshott(chairman) All Correspondence should be addressed to :- Trust Secretary, C/o, Norfolk House, 29 Hall Lane, Hammerwich, WS7 0JP Our Vision Statement To restore the Lichfield Canal and the Hatherton Canal to re-open waterway links between Staffordshire and the West Midlands, for the benefit of the environment, amenity and prosperity of the people of the region and to enhance the nation’s inland waterway system. Cut Both Ways Autumn 2013 5 Donations to the Trust We gratefully acknowledge the following donations for amounts over £20 from 1st July to 30th September 2013. Trust & Sponsor Restoration Name ( in order of receipt ) Marketing Appeal Appeals Mr H J Y Pringle (with sub.) 105.00 Mr P R Newman (with sub.) 35.00 Mr R T Willis (private talk) 55.00 Donations in memory of the late 642.17 Anthony Greenhalgh, Chepstow Mr R W Lloyd-Hart (with sub.) 24.00 Mr J Lamming (with sub.) 35.00 Mr D A Gittins (with sub.) 30.00 Mr I Campbell (with sub.) 85.00 Mr D Redwood 30.00 Mr & Mrs P Niblett 38.00 Easyfundraising Ltd (donated jewellery) 28.69 Mrs B A Silvester (with sub.) 50.00 The late K A Twyman legacy 3,554.19 Mr & Mrs M P Shimell 50.00 anonymous 1,000.00 Mr J W Farren 150.00 Mr C G Buckley 50.00 anonymous 1,000.00 Mr N Blears (with sub.) 25.00 Mr & Mrs B C J Hughes (golden wedding) 500.00 Mrs B A Silvester (with sub.) 50.00 Mr D R F Willey 1,000.00 Narrowcraft Services Ltd, historic boats 290.00 at Alvecote Gathering August 2013 Mr H Eyles, Bilston Ramblers walk 56.27 Lichfield Running Club Ltd, 300.00 Darnford Lane water station Mr D E Cooper (with sub.) 28.00 Mr R H Jennings (with sub.) 100.00 Mr David Stanistreet 90.00 Mr J Moody (returned property rent) 150.00 Returned expenses by Trust officers:- - Mr R O Williams 30.60 Regular donors to appeals (+ GA tax) 637.00 587.50 Aggregated donations below £20 each 556.00 Cut Both Ways Autumn 2013 6 New Members 1st July to 30th September 2013.