I am sure that nobody who is closely concerned in the day to day running of the LHCRT is, or ever could be, complacent. I cannot remember a time in the nearly 6 years of my chairmanship when there has not been at least one big issue which has dominated our business. I will not list them all but I need only say BNRR to set the tone. Happily, most of the outcomes have been good and the Trust’s reputation has stood high. Such success comes at a price. Principally, there has come an expectation that everything will always go well and, more dangerously, a perception that “we are almost there”.

Our current difficulties with the Lichfield Southern Bypass route has demonstrated all too clearly that success is not, and can never be, guaranteed. The details of this problem have been set out clearly elsewhere .The big lesson is that no matter how vigilant the Trust is and no matter how hard it works with councils, land owners and businesses its voice can fail to be heard. In the local press I used the word “dismayed” at the decision of Lichfield District Council to grant planning permission for the building of houses and the associated road system in such a form that the viability of our diversionary route is severely compromised. We are mounting a sustained attack on this decision at all levels and right to the highest reaches of government. I will not set out those details here but I can promise members that this fight will continue to the very end. We have some very strong and influential support and we are very grateful to all those who have rallied, yet again, to the cause. We are certainly aware that success cannot be guaranteed.

In some ways the perception that “we are almost there” is more dangerous. A recent reader’s enquiry to the new size Guardian asked about the strange structure that a passing motorist had observed over the M6 Toll. It is a question which I have been asked often elsewhere. The Guardian reader noted that she could find no canal on the latest OS map. My reply was not published but someone else was able to put the reader straight. There was the problem neatly encapsulated. We think we are famous but we are not. The 14th Army which saved India and liberated Burma in the 1940s referred to itself as the “Forgotten Army”. Equally, there is a perception that the building of the aqueduct marked the end of the project whereas the opposite is the case. We safeguarded one section of the Lichfield Canal but all the rest was left to be done. We must not become the forgotten Trust.

It is vital that we remain positive. The achievements are still coming in and they are important parts of the project. The Arup Reports on the Hatherton are approaching completion and these will be vital tools in pushing forward at the western end. The purchase of the cottage at Ogley gives us an exciting toehold at the top of the Lichfield. By the time you read this work will finally have started at Cappers Bridge. Meanwhile, impressive work continues at Tamworth Road. These examples of progress show that we must be patient and determined and not expect instant success or ever believe that it will be easy. All this places heavy demands on our directors and our other small teams of activists.

It is a frequent complaint from the chairmen of voluntary organisations that there is a shortage of volunteers. It would be wrong to say that the LHCRT is short of active members. The Marketing Group and the teams of workers on both canals put in long hours and deliver the goods. The diaries of the Directors would compare well with those of many working full time in business. Yet, the numbers involved are small and the average age is high and rising. It is vital that we find even more active volunteers. Our directors in charge of finance, land and engineering need teams to support their work. When we meet to discuss the details of the work of each of these portfolios we are all the same faces. It is vital that we address this especially at a time when we are engaged in the major campaign to safeguard the route around Lichfield.

I was saddened to receive the resignation of Janette Horton who has handled publicity at the Lichfield end for many years. She has also worked hard to raise the profile of the Trust in the local organisations dealing with tourism. She has been a great supporter of the Marketing Group and was a key player in the two wonderful events held at Huddlesford. The two big walks along the Lichfield Canal owed much to Jan’s drive and enthusiasm. She will be greatly missed and we are highly appreciative of all that she has done. Meanwhile, the Chairman is handling publicity and is keenly aware that a volunteer living in Lichfield is urgently needed. Please feel that you can offer to help even if you have little experience in this area.

One of our most prominent volunteers received recognition at the Inland Waterways AGM held in Lichfield at the beginning of October. Our Founder/President, Eric Wood, received a Richard Bird Medal which is a kind of lifetime achievement award. Eric’s input to the Waterways, not least to LHCRT, is highly deserving of recognition. Helen Whitehouse, who is one of our long term supporters and who also has an impressive waterways record also received a Medal.

CAPPERS BRIDGE At last the numerous and trifling legal delays have been overcome and on 20th September we were allowed to sign the deed transferring to Staffordshire County Council the land we had purchased from Mr Burton some 8 months before for the widened road embankments and new access tracks for the replacement of Cappers Bridge. The other access agreements and the BW land transfer have also been completed and the construction contract was then formally awarded to McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd. with the start of work on site agreed for 10th October. Phew! Inevitably, some materials costs have risen due to the delay but are still within our budget. Economies have been achieved on the original design by replacing the pre-cast bridge units by in-situ concrete work, which is now necessary in any case for the parapets that were added by the planning consent, and by avoiding the need to use large cranes. However, the additional pre-cast bridge units to the same dimensions for future use for two Hatherton Canal bridges will still be supplied as part of the contract and arrangements have been made to store these near to their intended sites at Little Wyrley.

Dale Arthur who has done all the engineering and contract work on the project at Staffordshire Highways has now been promoted and we will miss his friendly efficiency, but look forward to the contractors converting his economical design into reality by the end of March 2006.

OGLEY TOP LOCK COTTAGE
More good news is progress with the purchase of the Top Lock Cottage at Ogley Junction. The funding has been confirmed and our offer has been accepted, subject to contract. The solicitors are now working to complete various minor matters and we are hopeful of being the proud owners of half a buried lock, with cottage attached, in the near future. It is our intention to appoint an agent to let the property until such time as we can proceed with restoration in this area, which will meanwhile bring in a useful income for the Trust.

Walsall Charity Stall 25th July: This was another opportunity for Mike Brown and his team to sell more of the bric-a-brac (sorry, valuable antiques). The market showed a return of £237. Whilst events like this are financially rewarding for the Trust, the transporting of all the material is a problem. The ideal solution is a van, trailer, or a large estate car. Is there is anyone out there who can help with this? I would be pleased to hear from you (see Contacts page for phone number, etc).

IWA National Festival 27th - 29th August: This year’s event was held at Preston Brook, Cheshire. The display and sales stand occupied two gazebos which gave us some transport problems. However, using a combination of cars and Trish’s boat meant that everything got there on time. Special thanks to Mike & May Brown, Bob & Sue Williams, Eric & Doreen Wood, Trish Humphreys, Phil Sharpe, Archie Roberts & Jackie Morrice for their help with transport and manning the stand.

On the whole the weather was kind but Monday opened with rain which continued until lunchtime and effectively wrote off the day. Over the weekend we took £737 and recruited four members, including a life member. We also signed up two members for the Teddy Bears Club and one dog for the Pets Club.

The main news this quarter though must be the reports of our battle over the Lichfield Southern Bypass. Starting in August, the initial deferral of the planning application was reported as “Concerns over canal hits plans for homes” in the Express & Star, “Homes scheme on hold” in The Post, “Canal group delighted at homes plan deferral” in The Cannock & Lichfield Chronicle, and “Canal fears dead end over new road link” with “Homes on hold for waterways probe” in The Mercury. In September the referral back to the planning committee was front page news in the Express & Star as “Plans for 230 homes in return to council” and “Canals trust fury over homes plan” in The Post. The subsequent approval of the plans again made the front page of the Express & Star as “Council homes decision upsets group – Threat from canal trust”, the threat being to refer it to the Local Government Ombudsman, and “Home scheme might sink canal reopening” in The Mercury. The October edition of Canal Boat also had “New road threatens Lichfield restoration”, although the report was prematurely truncated – like the canal ?!

Phil Sharpe

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