Simon and son, Bob, Michael, Keith and Barry seriously contemplating
the job of filling our new container at Lock 25, Tamworth Road, Lichfield
(Photo by Phil Sharpe)

CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN

We start 2004 with excellent news. Trust Council is delighted that three of our most prominent supporters have accepted our invitation to become Patrons. This is a way in which we can record our gratitude to them for their invaluable help in recent years. Chris Coburn did sterling work in raising the profile of the Trust when the motorway threat first emerged. Dr. David Fletcher, as the then Chief Executive of British Waterways, gave us help and advice of immeasurable value. Sir John Smith, through the Manifold Trust, has made generous grants to the Trust, especially the £250,000 which placed the whole aqueduct scheme in the realms of possibility. We are honoured that their contributions will now be firmly embedded in the history of the Trust.

With the Christmas and New Year celebrations now behind me I turn over the first page of the 2004 desk diary to check on my appointments for the month ahead. I see the regular internal meetings of the Trust. These are always the meeting of the full Council on the second Wednesday and the meeting of the sub-groups which concentrate on the details of land, planning, finance and engineering on the fourth Wednesday. Then come the bi-monthly meetings with officers at Lichfield District Council and similar ones with British Waterways. Around these fixed points are arranged the other meetings which the increasingly complex work of the Trust require. The number of these has declined a little since the peak of negotiations with the M6 Toll builders but that vacuum has been quickly filled. The rebuilding of Cappers Bridge, the setting up of the studies on the Hatherton and discussions with land owners place heavy burdens on the officers of the Trust which do not seem likely to decrease in the months ahead.

We are all volunteers and are very happy to shoulder the burdens which fall on us. We enjoy our work, especially when it leads to such rewarding outcomes as the building of the aqueduct and the installing of the culverts. To help share the load I am delighted to welcome three new directors to Council. At our December meeting we co-opted Mike Battisson, Mike Brown and Peter Magee who have all worked hard for the Trust in recent years. I welcome them all as they bring much-needed expertise to our team of directors.

We have much to look forward to in 2004. We certainly must not feel that we cannot equal the achievements of the last couple of years. In many ways the challenges and opportunities are greater than ever. We have undertaken the demanding project of rebuilding Cappers Bridge. (We are now calling it by its historically correct name) The funding comes from our ERDF grant, using the aqueduct as match funding. However, we still have to find a substantial sum of money from our own resources and this will place further heavy burdens on us. Fund-raising is still a priority to meet this need as well as to take advantage of land purchase opportunities as they present themselves.

However, it does no harm, occasionally, to look back at our own history to get a proper perspective on what we are trying to achieve. We are sometimes in danger of seeing ourselves as a "two canals" project. We have always striven to get local people to "take ownership" of the project and it was with this in mind that we chose to give the canals names with which people could identify, even if they are not, strictly speaking, technically correct. This has worked well but has had the side-effect of obscuring much of our original purpose, namely the rebuilding of two vital links to the northern BCN. We intended the restoration to be a stimulus to the regeneration of the underused canals of the Birmingham network with all the spin-off benefits to the local economy and society. While we have been successful in building vital local support we still have a long way to go before the wider implications of the restoration are perceived and understood.

The magazine you are reading is, of course, "Cut Both Ways". It is easy to take such names for granted and not to examine the reasons they were chosen. As a one-time teacher of English I understand that too much analysis of text can bestow a significance on words which would amaze the people who wrote them but our magazine title is worth a detailed thought or two. We will all understand that the cut is the canal but why "Both Ways". The canal is cut both ways from the BCN to provide a renewed link to the Coventry Canal in the east and to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal in the west. If we study the map we can see how important this "cut" will be and that it will bring advantages in at least both ways. In fact there are many more than two but geographically it makes much sense. The Lichfield and Hatherton canals are two segments of a single project.

Let us go forward into 2004 in a mood of confidence based firmly on achievement. We have a single great project to manage to completion. It may consist, at present, of many smaller parts but it is our purpose to weld all these into a single and great whole. We are a Trust of some 1400 members all with the combined will to succeed. We are now truly on our way.

Brian Kingshott

DIRECTORS At the Trust Council meeting on 10th December we co-opted 3 new directors; Michael Brown, Peter Magee and Mike Battisson. Michael Brown has been Chairman of our Marketing Group since 2001 and has been involved with both marketing and work parties over many years. Peter Magee has become increasingly involved with our work as Plant & Equipment Manager and through the Engineering Group. Mike Battisson has taken a number of initiatives as Leader of our Environmental Support Team which have greatly improved our relations with the wildlife interests. All three will be directors of the limited company and trustees of the charity until the next AGM when they will eligible for election for a 3 year term. These welcome additions considerably strengthen our board, and increase the number of directors to 11. The Trust is always looking for further volunteers to undertake specific duties, either as directors or as other officers, and would particularly welcome assistance with engineering and project planning, with restoration management and with fund-raising.

CUT BOTH WAYS
We hope you liked the colour photographs in the centre spread of the last Cut Both Ways (No. 37). Installation of the aqueduct, and with it the completion of the most essential work to protect the restoration routes of both the Lichfield and the Hatherton canals from the BNRR (M6 Toll), is perhaps the most significant achievement in the Trust's history, and justified the extra cost of a colour insert for once. In fact the unit cost was partly contained by increasing the print run by 800 copies for sending to all the generous subscribers to the David Suchet Appeal who are not actually members of the Trust, to show them what they had helped us achieve. We also have plenty of spare copies for promotional purposes. However, we will not be able to justify colour every time, but we would like to do this again when appropriate, perhaps once a year. The autumn edition next year should have pictures of the Canal Camp and hopefully of work under way on Cappers Lane Bridge. Perhaps a commercial benefactor might offer to sponsor the extra cost of the colour pages (about £200), for which we would be happy to include an appropriate advertisement.

We also hope that you were not too confused by the gremlins that got into the last edition and removed most of the quotation marks and garbled some other punctuation. We should have overcome them this time, but perhaps that is "tempting fate"!?

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
The improvements we have made of late to the magazine have put up the cost of this service to our members. Increased postage rates over the years have also impacted on magazine distribution and the administration of membership, although those who pay by bankers order, sign for Gift Aid, or add a donation to their subscriptions all help us to maximise the remaining income for running the Trust and financing our restoration work. Our membership subscription rates have not been altered since they were first set by "The Friends of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals" in 1993, being continued when the Trust took over the membership in 1996. Whilst the Adult (£10) and Family (£15) rates remain appropriate, the effect of increased costs and of inflation over 11 years has had a bigger percentage impact on the balance of income remaining from the Concessionary (£5) subscription than the other membership categories. A recent review agreed that whilst there is no need at present for a general increase in subs, a small increase in the lowest rate to £6 would not be unreasonable and would help our income. It will also help us continue to meet the Inland Revenue's Gift Aid requirement that the value of any benefits to members (i.e. the magazine) should not exceed 25% of the subscription income. To be democratic, we have decided to put this to the AGM for agreement so, if approved, it will come into effect for new members from May and for existing members at first renewal thereafter. Please see the notice of the AGM for the wording of the resolution. We hope this change will not cause any difficulties for our existing members, but in case of problems please speak to Bob Williams.

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE LOCAL PLAN
The Hatherton Canal lies within both South Staffordshire and Cannock Chase Districts and the revised South Staffordshire Local Plan was recently published for public consultation. The Deposit Plan, November 2003 retains a policy supporting the restoration of the canal, but with revised wording that helpfully now can require a contribution from developers. Discussions have commenced about a proposed mixed use development at Churchbridge with a frontage to the new alignment where integration of the canal with housing could be of benefit to both.

GRAND PRIZE DRAW 2003 Congratulations to all the lucky winners in our Grand Prize Draw 2003. Martin O'Keefe, chairman of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society, pulled out the winning tickets at their Bonfire Rally, which was held at Galton Valley, Smethwick on 1st November 2003. This year's draw raised £2146.00 for the Trust funds.

Our thanks go to those who kindly donated prizes, and to everyone who participated.
The Prize Draw for 2004 will be launched at the Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the N.E.C. next year. Do come and visit us on our stand near the "Waterways Village" in the centre of Hall 5 between 14th - 22nd February 2004.

BOAT BOTTOM BLACKING DRAW 2003
Kindly donated by Ray Bowern of Streethay Wharf, Lichfield and drawn by the Mayor of Sandwell at the BCNS Bonfire Rally. The lucky winner from 83 entries was Mr Hacker of Peterborough. Total raised £415.00.

BARN DANCE
Held at the Spencer Hall, Whittington on Sat 22nd November 2003. We had a most enjoyable and profitable evening, dancing to the Band Mother's Ruin. Bob Mullarkey our resident site carpenter, known to all as Bob the Builder, sold 22 tickets: great effort Bob ! Thank you to Pat Barton and Terry Robertson for working so hard to provide a superb hot supper. Thanks to Bob & Sue Williams and other members who helped to run the bar and serve the supper. We made an amazing net profit of £810.41. Sadly for us, Pat Barton is leaving the Marketing Group due to family commitments. I am sure her dedication to the group will be missed. Once again, thank you Pat.

BROWNHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FAIR
At Brownhills Activity Centre on Sunday 30th November. Thank you to May Brown, Trish Humphries & Barry Kenn for manning the stall. Total raised £121.33.

LICHFIELD & HATHERTON CANALS BOOK
Our booklet "LICHFIELD CANAL - A BRIEF OVER-VIEW" is now out of stock after three editions. It replaced an earlier book, "Restoring the Lichfield Canal" written for the Trust by Duncan Moore in 1992, itself replacing an original production entitled "Restoring the Northern Link" in 1990. We seem to have gone full circle in realising the need for a new book which provides an up-to date description of the two canals as a joint restoration scheme.

And up-to-date it will be, as we are harnessing modern technology to produce a dynamic, loose-bound volume that will be updated from time to time and produced to meet ongoing demands. Pictures are in colour. Maps show the latest situation. These and the text will in future be edited as major changes occur to stay up-to-date.

The new, 30-page book will make its debut on our stand at the "Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show" at the N.E.C. in February, priced £4.95. Order your copy now by phoning Sue Williams on 01543 671427, or e-mail to info@lhcrt.org.uk
(Also available to buy online from our Sales page)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2004
OwnerShips Show, Braunston Marina, Sat 7th - Sun 8th Feb.
National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show, NEC, Sat 14th - Sun 22nd Feb.

MARCH
Quiz Night with hot supper at THE BOAT INN, Muckley Corner, Thurs 18th March.

APRIL
Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy, Easter week-end, at the home of Eric & Doreen Wood, Whittington Wharf. Fri. 9th - Sun 11th April. BBQ Saturday Evening. Easter Bonnet Parade on Sunday. Come by Boat !

A.G.M. Saturday 17th April at Whittington Village Hall, 2pm.

I would be very pleased to hear from any members who would like to join the Marketing Group, if only to give us some new ideas. We meet at the Lichfield University Campus usually on the second Monday of the month, 7.15 to 9.00 p.m.

We are also in desperate need of people to help at the summer shows. This important work can be very rewarding, also we do need to maintain a high profile for the Trust.

Our press and publicity report this quarter covers October, November and December 2003. As anticipated, further interest in the completion of work on the Lichfield Canal aqueduct was prompted by the inauguration ceremony and its opportunity to travel on part of the unopened Motorway to photograph the structure close up. Central TV News on October 10th included a very good report on the event by Jonathan Ray with pictures of the aqueduct and of Dr David Fletcher unveiling the road sign, library pictures of David Suchet on the canal in Walsall, and interviews on site with our Chairman and Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant. Newsagents hoardings on the streets announcing "Lichfield Aqueduct Unveiled" heralded widespread press coverage on 16th October with "Aqueduct drops into place - canal fans' celebration" in the Express & Star, "Canal campaign joy as toll hurdle bridged" in the Lichfield Mercury, and "Celebration for new aqueduct" in the Lichfield Post, variously illustrated with David Fletcher, Brian Kingshott and John Horton standing in front of the aqueduct or the unveiled road sign.

IWA's Waterways for November reprised the installation of the trough sections with a dramatic picture by Harry Arnold, and WRG's Navies for Oct-Nov included a photo on the inside cover. IWA's West Midlands Region magazine Navigation also pictured the installation on its cover with the riddle "What weighs 80 tonnes, dangles in mid-air and is green ?", with further pictures inside including one of the towpath and handrail sections being bolted on and an article by our publicity officer Janette Horton. The December Canal & Riverboat also had a picture of the installation of the towpath sections and reported "L&H aqueduct is a great achievement". Also in December Canal Boat & Inland Waterways reported "Lichfield Aqueduct inaugurated" illustrated by the structure and the sign, and Waterways World under the same headline showed the dramatic moment as Dave Fletcher unveiled the "Lichfield Canal Aqueduct" road sign. The revamped news pages in the January edition of Canal & Riverboat carried an illustrated article on "Inauguration of aqueduct" which emphasised the historic nature of our achievement although it credited us with building 3 aqueducts instead of one and two culverts !

Dave Fletcher reveals the road sign for the aqueduct
Photo by Bob Williams

Well, enough of the aqueduct for now. What else was reported this quarter ? Publicity for our conservation awards (see CBW37) came in October with "Co-op funds canal gear" in the Lichfield Post, and the npower/Wildlife Trusts award prompted "Top conservation award for canal restoration project" in The Post, "Group's prize for helping wildlife" in the Express & Star, and "Canal conservation care rewarded" in The Mercury. The award and the quotes from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust that "Right from the start this project took on board the opportunities for wildlife as well as people" mark a significant step forward in establishing our green credentials.

Canal Boat & Inland Waterways for January also pictured the award presentation under "Conservation award for Lichfield" whilst Waterways World similarly had "Conservation award for Trust". The January Canal & Riverboat said "Lichfield group win conservation award" and also pictured 'on the side' the presentation of the West Midlands Co-op award.

Lichfield District Council's decision to grant permission for building on part of the original canal line at Shortbutts Lane (see CBW37) prompted a critical letter in the Lichfield Mercury pointing out that a restored canal would be far more valuable than a few more houses here. (Fortunately, there is a way round for the canal). The Trust's social programme prompted "Barn dance for canal" and "Stepping out for another fundraiser" in The Mercury and The Post respectively in October, and the news that "David and Sheila Suchet appointed IWA vice presidents" was illustrated in Canal Boat & Inland Waterways for November by their earlier visit to the Lichfield Canal Aqueduct (we can't get away from it !). In its "What's On" section The Rugeley & Cannock Mercury gave details of our Hatherton Canal work party in December, also accompanied by a picture of the aqueduct ceremony.

Following our return to Lock 25 at Tamworth Road, yet more materials were recovered from the Lock 26 site and transported round to the container area. Good progress has been made on the offside wall by re-excavating the bottom gate thrust-block area with our JCB and by hand, as well as further sections behind the top gate recess and rubbing stones and ladder. A start has been made installing the reinforcing, blockwork and shuttering.

At Fosseway Lane site some clearance work has been done at the head of Lock18 and the hedge-laying is progressing well. Various trees and shrubs have been transplanted to reinforce the gaps.