In October Robin Evans, Chief Executive of BW addressed the IWA annual conference for waterways societies. There were several of us from the Trust in the audience and we were keen to know how BW now sees the restoration movement. What Robin had to say was based on the recently published “Waterways 2005”. Much of the presentation was reassuring in its tone but there was also a sharper edge than we had recently seen and plenty of detail which gave much cause for thought. The opening message was very encouraging: “Restored waterways are vibrant waterways. Restoration is integral to the vision and is integral to meeting the challenge for BW’s waterways.” “BW is committed to restoration”. Then came the criteria against which that commitment is judged. In summary these are: need, sustainability and network. Navigation is not seen by funders as the primary motivation for restoration. The primary focus is on issues such as heritage, regeneration, biodiversity and public access with boating to provide the colour and interest. Other major considerations are employment, the promotion of “social inclusion and community capacity building”, business opportunities and local support from councils, communities and waterways groups. A further key message concerned funding, both of the scheme itself and of the ongoing maintenance commitment. BW is required by government to ensure that by accepting a restored waterway into its network this does not bring any additional long-term financial liability. Robin reviewed the current situation on the 11 Priority One schemes in which BW is currently involved and the further 7 schemes covered in “”Waterways 2025”. The Lichfield Canal is among the latter seven.

Having parachuted many years ago and reaching maximum height of 3,000 feet, He had often expressed a desire to experience a much longer free fall which only a tandem jump can achieve without the many hours of training. He now wishes he'd kept his mouth shut.

It seems a good opportunity to use the event as a money raiser for the LHCRT and he intends to sponsor himself through friends and family etc..

The jump will take place around April, May or June 2005 and any one wishing to sponsor him should send their donations direct to him. If for some unforeseen reason the jump could not be done, monies could be re-funded should anyone so wish.

You may have seen in the January edition of Canal and Riverboat magazine and also in our local Press, the presentation of tools to us, that were purchased with funds generously donated by The West Midlands Co-op. These tools were to enable us to complete our canal-side hedge laying projects around Lichfield.

It is therefore pleasing to be able to report the very substantial progress we have achieved since then that would not otherwise been possible without that kind support.

By the end of the last season (March-April) over 300 metres of hedge had been re-layed, under-planting completed and nest boxes made with recycled wood put in place along the old Canal line at Fosseway. Local walkers reported that the latter were quickly occupied, obviously an area for ‘Des Res’.

In addition, since hedging recommenced this season (October) a further 500 metres of grossly neglected hedge along by Lock 24 down to the A38 has been restored.

The Lichfield District Council Biodiversity Strategy for our region, published in June this year, states in Section 5, “Lichfield District Habitat Targets and Action Plans” in the subsection 5 “Hedgerows”: -

“Hedgerows provide a vital habitat for a range of wildlife by providing food and shelter… Hedgerows provide important distribution links between larger wildlife habitats, especially if there is another feature such as a road verge, CANAL, railway embankment and other linear features which are important nature corridors.”

The Strategy goes on to set specific targets, including the following:

“Target 1. To limit the loss and degradation of hedgerows, and promote their management District-wide.

Target 2. To create 30 km of new hedgerows within the District.

Target 3. To create 1m wide margins and where possible 2 to 6 m margins along 15km of hedgerows within the District.

In addition, there are Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan (SBAP) targets:

• To increase the net amount of diverse hedgerow by 200 km through new planting by 2010.
• To achieve the favourable management for 200km of all ancient/diverse hedgerows by 2010.

Therefore within two years, and with the West Midlands Co-op’s help, we have already achieved a significant contribution towards the targets set, with more still possible this season.

If any members would like to try their hand at this ancient craft we are often to be found at the Tamworth road site over the weekend and your assistance would be welcomed. There is much more still to be done.

Work Party News
As well as our advertised dates twice a month, we have held a number of extra work parties from October to December and have been at Tamworth Road on one day or more every weekend up to Christmas.

In October our local volunteers were busy with the retaining wall at Lock 25; completing the copings, the end section, and patching and pointing; as well as working on the ladder recess, cleaning and moving bricks, clearing part of the roadside verge for safer access and parking, ground levelling, and hedgelaying below Lock 26. Keith also completed clearing out the Darnford Brook with 'Blue', the WRG 803 excavator, to improve the water flow.

Lock 25 retaining wall, before and after, with BITM laying the new copings in September
Photos by Phil Sharpe

In November we continued with hedgelaying and burning the brash at Lock 26, completed the end section of the pound wall, did further re-pointing and repairs to the retaining wall by Lock 25, and resumed building work on the towpath-side quadrant wall at Lock 25.

In early December we had a joint weekend visit from London Waterway Recovery Group (LWRG) and Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group (KESCRG) with up to 50 volunteers. At Tamworth Road they consolidated the remains of the bywash weir at Lock 24, pointed and started rebuilding the Lock 24 wing walls, pointed the lower courses of the offside pound wall and dug out further behind the wall, cleaned some copings, continued construction of the quadrant wall on Lock 25, helped remove and burn the brash from hedgelaying in Mrs Attwood's Garden, cleaned out the bywash channel and installed the ladder in Lock 26.

Lock 24 wing walls, before and after, with rebuilding by LWRG/KESCRG in December
Lock 25 quadrant wall in September, LWRG excavating for footings, and rebuilding by LWRG/KESCRG in December
Lock 24 bywash weir consolidation by LWRG & KESCRG		Lock 26 ladder installed by LWRG/KESCRG
LWRG rebuilding the gap in pound 24/25 offside wall
Photos by Phil Sharpe

Some of the visitors went up to Fosseway Lane site under Bob William's supervision where they cleared brambles and scrub from the gate to Lock 18, down the track alongside the railway and on the roadside, as well as removing saplings and stumps from the bed of the canal lower down.

WRG volunteers clearing brambles and scrub around Lock 18 and making the site tidy
Photos by Bob Williams

Our own work parties later in the month completed the hedgelaying and tidying up in the garden, including some replanting, commenced hedgelaying by Lock 24, and continued rebuilding the quadrant wall.

All together, we have had a very productive 3 months, with thanks to all who helped. As weather conditions, particularly frost, can interfere with bricklaying over the winter, there will be a larger element of non-construction activities including hedgelaying, tree felling, scrub bashing, fencing, excavation, landscaping and the like over the next quarter.