Registered Charity No. 702429

CUT BOTH WAYS WEBSITE ARCHIVES The Magazine of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Issue No. 55 - SPRING 2008

New interpretation board at Tamworth Road.
(Photo by Paul Marshall)

CHAIRMAN’S column

I apologise to those of you who have been anxiously awaiting delivery of this edition of Cut Both Ways. The more observant among you will have noticed that it is almost a month later than usual. This follows a decision by Trust Council to delay publication so that it can include full coverage of both the official opening of Borrowcop Locks Canal Park and the AGM. We were confident that you would prefer a colourful display of current photographs now to an out of date version three months later.

The end of April brought to an end a period of sustained activity for many, especially those involved in the construction work at Tamworth Road. Bob Williams has ensured that we have maximised the value of the Aggregates Levy Grant and that the work has been completed on time as he reports further on in this magazine. If you have not had chance to see what has been done for yourself I urge you to do so. The length between Lock 24 and the A51, taking in Locks 25 and 26, has been improved in such a way that it can be converted to a live canal when funding and opportunity allows. However, it will also be a great leisure asset to the people of Lichfield opening up a safe and attractive footpath from Cricket Lane to the A51 bridge over the A38 and then over the road to Darnford Park. With so much development going on in Lichfield and with more planned the enhancement of “green” areas must be a great asset. In the longer term, when we have rewatered the channel, we will have created a linear water park. We are greatly indebted to our environmental team for their work. We now have ownership of the strip of land alongside the A38 and we are grateful to Jack Moody for selling it to us.

The planned civic twinning visits from Lichfield’s twin cities in France and Germany gave the opportunity to organise an official opening ceremony for the new bridge over the tail of Lock 25. The mayor of Limburg officially inaugurated Millennium Lock (25) on the last twinning visit. It was also an occasion we could share with members and with the people of Lichfield by holding an open day. We chose to hold the AGM on the previous evening as Friday seems to suit many people.

Councillor Mark Warfield, Mayor of Lichfield, assisted by M. Gérard Charrié, Deputy Mayor of Sainte Foy lès Lyon (left) and Bürgermeister Martin Richard, Mayor of Limburg an der Lahn (right) with Michael Fabricant MP (back) and Brian Kingshott (front) formally opening the new footbridge over Lock 25 in the Borrowcop Locks Canal Park

Now we are seeking to answer the recurring question of “where next”? On the Lichfield Canal we have two major opportunities which should be labour-intensive rather than cost-demanding. At Fosseway Lane we have plenty to do starting with the moving of spoil to the land we bought above Lock 19. At Darnford Lane we need to resume work on the section which was briefly rewatered some years ago. There is also a channel to build back to Darnford Lane itself. There is always on-going maintenance and “agricultural” work and we always have to remember that the more we restore the greater the maintenance commitment. We want to find on-going projects for visiting work groups both from the voluntary sector as well as teams from schools and Jaguar Land Rover.

We probably have a reasonable supply of labour, although we will always welcome more, and with careful project planning, we can manage the budget. Our main and urgent need is to find people who will manage the work. We will be very happy to divide the work into small parcels to suit individual tastes. We have a team of engineering advisors who ensure that the work is properly and safely planned. Like all voluntary restoration projects, both canal and railway, we need to renew our team and lower the average age of the active members.

L&H is not alone in needing to draw in new blood with the same appeal featuring in the journals of most societies. Changes in society and in leisure patterns seem to have reduced the volunteer pool. Those still at work have ever-busier life styles and long working hours. People who have retired also have more active and wide-ranging lives than was once the case – they care for families and travel far afield. For many, voluntary work and a perceived high level of commitment is no longer as attractive as previously. We may have difficult times ahead if we do not reverse this trend. Although I firmly believe we are doing well we face at least a further decade of work on our two canals and need every scrap of help we can find.

Brian Kingshott

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Following the formal business, Cllr Terry Thomas, Sheriff of Lichfield announced that the Trust will receive a donation of around £1,000 from among the charities he has chosen to support during his present year in office. Also, a cheque for £1,000 was presented by Tim Burgin on behalf of the Inland Waterways Association, Lichfield Branch, from their successful fund-raising activities last year to go towards the cost of a Feasibility Study needed for the Lichfield Canal. The Chairman expressed particular thanks for these generous donations which greatly assist the Trust in its work. The meeting ended with an encouraging talk by Ivor Caplan on the rewards being reaped by the Droitwich Canal Trust after some 35 years of determined efforts in moving soon towards completing the restoration of the two historic canals in the Droitwich area.

Sue Williams, Secretary

MARKETING REPORT

Our major event since the last Cut Both Ways was undoubtedly the Boat, Caravan & Outdoor Show at the National Exhibition Centre. This year’s show was of a shorter duration, only six days instead of ten and included only one weekend. The organisers had also taken an additional hall which was devoted to boating. There has been comment in recent years about the proportion of boating to camping, caravanning and mobile homes and this was a move to redress the balance.

With the shorter period and no caravans in the hall, we were concerned about the attendance but it was unfounded. The exhibition and the boating hall were still busy and the organiser’s reported a slightly higher overall attendance than previous years. We had a smaller stand than usual but we still showed a reasonable profit of nearly £1200 on the event, thanks to our sponsors and a very generous donation from a new life member signed up on the first day.

A cold weekend in February saw us at Braunston for the OwnerShips Show. In spite of the weather there was a good turn out of prospective buyers for Owner- Ships and we made a profit of £183. A collection in the foyer of ADSA Supermarket, Cannock raised £255 and our attendance at the Whittington and Fisherwick Big Green Eco Fair, which was very much promotional rather than fund raising, nevertheless raised £17. All these events fell on the same weekend and to cap it all Bob Williams was on duty at Tamworth Road where we had a visiting wrg group. We managed to man all the events but it was touch and go, so we do need to recruit some new members. The existing team are very willing but we cannot split ourselves in two and we don’t like turning down good opportunities. We really do need your help!

Although Easter was extremely early this year, Eric & Doreen Wood still held their all-day coffee morning at Whittington Wharf. In spite of the cold and the snow showers, we managed to raise £483.

The annual joint Lichfield IWA/LHCRT jumble sale produced another £200 for the Trust and a collection at Waitrose, Lichfield yielded a further £241. My thanks to everyone who helped at all these events.

I also attend Lichfield Tourism Association meetings on behalf of the Trust and one of its most useful events is its literature ‘Swap Shop’. It is an opportunity to get the Trust’s membership leaflet into hotels, guest houses, attractions and many other places where visitors to the City can find them. Publicity is an important part of the function of the Marketing Group.

A considerable proportion of our income comes each year from the Grand Prize Draw; you will find your tickets in this issue of the magazine. Please try your best to sell them and should you need more, Sue Williams will be pleased to send some out to you. At this point I must say a big thank you to Trish Humphries who has once again agreed to promote the Draw and source the prizes.

A date to please put in your diaries now, Whittington Village Hall on Saturday 8th November 2008. That is the date for our autumn entertainment this year and it will be a performance by Day-Star Theatre of An Unpleasant Business. Day-Star is a long-standing group which for many years toured the canals, performing at countless boat rallies and festivals as well as canal-side pubs. They no longer tour by boat but instead they have a repertoire of plays which they take to village halls and small theatres. It promises to be an enjoyable evening. More details will follow in the next edition of Cut Both Ways.

David Moore
Marketing Director

FUNDING NEWS

Staffordshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme Staffordshire County Council have administered this grant, backed by DEFRA funding, with a minimum of formalities. With a tight time-scale requiring financial completion by mid-March, the grant totalling £36,269 covered major capital expended during the winter months on developing the Borrowcop Locks Canal Park on Tamworth Road, Lichfield. By applying a realistic value to skills and labour, the efforts of Trust volunteers contributed the necessary 30% match funding. The grant has made it possible to extend the public footpath forming part of the Darwin Walk to about half a mile with a new access bridge and interpretation board by Lock 25: see photographs elsewhere in this issue.

Ainge bequest
Connected with the item above, the magnificent donation of £5,000 made some time ago by Mrs Pat Ainge in memory of her late mother now manifests itself as the new steel footbridge over the tail of Lock 25 on the Lichfield Canal. A cast iron plaque acknowledges the memorial to Marjorie Kitchener, 21.2.1909 – 22.4.2004 who was a Lichfield resident. Additionally, Mervyn and Pat Ainge dedicated donations of £160 from well-wishers at their 40th wedding anniversary for a bench near the bridge. As recent converts to boating, they hope some day to be able to savour their contribution by cruising through “their bridge” in the Borrowcop Locks Canal Park.

Sue Williams presents a token of appreciation to Pat Ainge (left) for funding the new footbridge
in memory of her late mother, Marjorie Kitchener (photo by Paul Marshall)

IWA grants
We are very grateful for the two grants made by the Inland Waterways Association. As previously reported, the one for £6,000 assisted with the cost of constructing a new off-side boundary wall to Pound 26 on Tamworth Road, albeit dry for the present. A further grant of £2,000 derived from the National Waterways Festival held in Burton-on-Trent in 2004 has been used to purchase some items of much needed plant for site work.

Lichfield City Council
A grant of £550 has been awarded for the next phase of restoration work by building an innovative new bywash around Lock 25 at Tamworth Road.

Great Barr Science College
A new exciting development in our partnership with the College is the potential benefit deriving from a deal with PCF Ltd to install their computer planning software for educational purposes. In consideration of the Trust’s involvement, advantageous terms have been offered with an opportunity to share the new technology for project planning, work scheduling and financial management. There could also be spin-off benefits for other similar Trusts needing to cope with the ever-increasing complexity of advanced canal restoration.

Bob Williams, Director (Finance)

Marjorie Davis

My Mother Marjorie, was born to Leonard (Samuel) and Janette Davis at their Streatham home South London on the 21st February 1909. After leaving school she worked as a shorthand typist up to the time that she married my Father Harold Kitchener on the 6th June 1931 in Eltham. I was born 11 years later in North Harrow.

Dad, concentrated on his career in Banking, finally heading up the Foreign Dept in the Regent Street Branch of Barclays Bank. It was a very taxing position which took its toll on his health. He died aged 55 when I was 14 and my Mum’s life from that moment completely changed. I think a lot of tightening of belts had to take place, and we moved into a flat, then into a small terraced house in New Southgate.

After my marriage my Mother moved to Folkestone in Kent , (they had originally planned to run a pub in Folkestone once Dad had retired.) She had represented Middx County playing flat green bowls on numerous occasions, and did the same for Kent County. She also played once internationally for England. Mum very much enjoyed her life in Folkestone, with her bowls taking her all over the Country, working for MIND Charity Shop and one of her favourite occupations, sitting on the promenade looking out at the Sea.

In 1992 at the age of 83 she moved to Lichfield to be near to me her only daughter. Although she remained in good health for about 7 years her last 5 years were difficult times and she died on the 22nd April 2004 at Hoar Cross Nursing Home.

The Bridge at Lock 25 is in memory of my Mother, who in her younger days I know would have loved to have been able to sit looking at all the activities along the canal and I sincerely hope that I will one day be able to do just that at Borrowcop Locks Canal Park.

Pat Ainge
April 26th 2008

THEN & NOW

View across The Cottage garden between Locks 25 and 26, 1997.	The same place with part of the garden acquired for Pound 26 where restoration is nearing completion pending reintroduction of water, April 2008
Starting to clear the ground to find the remains of Lock 25, 1997	View over temporary gates on Lock 24 towards Lock 25, partially seeded as an amenity area pending further restoration as a canal channel, April 2008
The ground over Lock 26 looking towards the A38, 1997	Similar view below partially restored Lock 26 where construction of a new towpath is nearing completion, April 2008

FROM HERE AND THERE

Engineering Issues
There is a need to define the format of our quarterly meeting which looks at engineering issues especially whether these should look at strategic engineering planning or detailed work-site matters. There is now a need to have a more detailed planning framework for Tamworth Road in particular covering the whole area from Lock 24 to the A51. This will be easier when the future of the large drain can be decided. We have had further discussions with Severn Trent as a result of our investigations into the legal status of the pipe. It may now be that the Trust can work on the pipe much sooner than we had anticipated.

Lichfield Bypass
We remain in contact with Staffordshire Highways and Lichfield District Council over the design of the road and its impact on the canal beside former Lock 19. It is also vital that we secure sufficient land to ensure that the very sharp bend will be navigable by the largest boats. We are also remaining alert on the possible Persimmon development near London Road. It is now clear that Fosseway Lane will be connected to the bypass and reopened, probably in May.

Churchbridge
South Staffordshire District Council has now agreed to receive into its ownership the land which had been offered to the Trust by Countrywide Homes on the understanding that it will be made available when the Trust is ready to work in the area. The access to this land will make it easier to design a channel on the western exit from the David Suchet Tunnel which will be navigable by full length boats. The Trust is still interested in the former Corner Garage site in this same location.

Marketing Group
Marketing continues to be the mainstay of our fundraising. The income it generates and our membership fees enable us to function efficiently. The recent display at the Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the NEC in its shortened format of six days was an excellent one and generated a healthy income. Our thanks are due to all who covered the administrative side and those who provided staffing. This is an area where we could use even more volunteers.

Feasibility Study
It has now become clear that the Trust must commission a full study of the Lichfield Canal to match the Arup Study of the Hatherton. Our three local councils are moving ahead with their Local Development Frameworks and it is clear that we will need a biodiversity impact study if we are to satisfy one of their important criteria. Such a study will also be vital if we are to work more closely with British Waterways, the Environment Agency and possible funding bodies. Preliminary approaches will soon be made to draw up a short list of possible consultants. The Trust already has much of the basic information on file.

Volunteers
We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to join us. We have so many ways in which new people can get involved and these need not involve muddy boots and hard hats. At present we would greatly benefit from the services of a lawyer able to help with conveyancing work. We are delighted that Ivor Caplan is sitting in on some of our meetings after approaching us to see how he can help. Ivor has a very strong waterways and restoration pedigree. He is currently Secretary of Droitwich Canals Trust and has been Chairman of what was then Birmingham Branch of IWA. He is aiming to help Bob Williams with fundraising. Of course, we have plenty of other openings for volunteers in every aspect of our work.

Work Parties
Further on in the magazine you will see a report from Bob Williams on Working Parties. You will see just how much has been done in recent months on the Lichfield. Our traditional monthly work parties on the first Sunday are supplemented by a regular team on most week-ends and Wednesdays, all from 10 am. In addition there have been several weekend visits by WRG regional and associated groups. For more information contact Bob Williams on 01543 671427 (Fax 01543 677687, Mobile 07973 293834) or email: Bob Williams. Regular monthly work parties operate on the Hatherton under the direction of Denis Cooper. The regular dates are the third Sunday of each month, from 10 am, with some occasional extra days as required. Contact Denis Cooper on 01543-374370 (work). Both teams are always happy to welcome newcomers.

Membership Administration
Trevor Morris has been our membership secretary for many years. Our current membership is now just short of 1700 making it among the most successful of restoration trusts. There would be a pleasing symmetry if we were able to reach 2000 in the 20th year of our foundation. The IWA National Festival in Wolverhampton will give us an excellent showcase this August and we certainly hope to see many of our existing members there. However, Trevor has lost his principal assistant with the death of a friend and neighbour. Each month renewal notices have to be printed and sent out followed, in many cases, by reminders. This burden now fall solely on Trevor who needs a new assistant. Ideally, a volunteer would live near Sutton Coldfield. This is not essential but basic computer literacy and e-mail contact are required. Further information is available from Trevor 0121 354 7952 or the Chairman 01547 530457.

Donations
We finance our work entirely from grants and donations. We always follow up possible funding streams and sometimes we are lucky, as with the recent Aggregates Levy Grant. The Inland Waterways Association always helps where it can for which we are most grateful. We sometimes benefit from bequests, as in the case of the Ainge donation referred to further on. Our main income comes from membership subscriptions and from our marketing and retail activities. Even so, we have to prepare for sudden calls on our reserves especially when an important parcel of land becomes available for purchase. As we go to press several such possible opportunities are coming over the horizon. We have a Land Fund for use on these occasions but it is never sufficient for the possible demands which could be made on it. We know that these are financially challenging times for many but if anyone is hoping to make a donation on the near future please contact Bob Williams, our Finance Director.

Brian Kingshott

WORKING PARTIES NEWS & DATES

LICHFIELD CANAL
Our regular date is the first Sunday of each month, from 10 am, although it is quite normal to find some of our own volunteers there every weekend. To find our usual work site at Lock 25 on Tamworth Road (Grid ref. SK 130 083) take the A51 out of Lichfield and the site is on the right about 300 metres after Cricket Lane. Look out for the yellow sign.
Our own work parties are supplemented by WRG and ‘Dig Deep’ weekend visits. We generally work from about 9 am to 4 pm and more help is always welcome, even if you can spare only a few hours. Check for additional dates or the latest plans with Bob Williams on 01543 671427 (Email: Bob Williams) or keep checking this web site where any changes will be shown.

Work Party Dates 2008:
July:	Sunday 6
August:	Sunday 3
September	Sunday 7, Essex WRG 6th/7th
October:	Sunday 5
November:	Sunday 2
December:	Sunday 7

ALL SITES: Bring old clothes, stout footwear, work gloves, and refreshment. Hard hats and basic working tools can be provided as necessary, although you are welcome to bring your own.

For details of Waterway Recovery Group Subscribe to Navvies (minimum (£1.50) from Sue Watts 15 Eleanor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9FZ

Work Party News
There’s nothing like the prospect of gaining, or possibly losing a large grant to drive the work force to greater dedication than ever to beat a looming deadline. Through the winter, routine work at Tamworth Road, Lichfield has been subordinated to the Staffordshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme project for the Borrowcop Locks Canal Park. Approved as late as October 2007 it had to be completed financially by mid-March. And it was! In just a few weeks, capital expenditure of £36,000 spread over four months provided all the required materials which include a new steel footbridge and 125metres of new towpath.

Readers may have been intrigued by the comment in the last issue about a “trick up our sleeve”. In Pound 27, the original crumbling towpath wall had been cleared away some years ago. After considerable deliberation, it was decided to apply a new building technique using pre-cast concrete blocks with interlocking raised nodes produced with recycled aggregates by Jack Moody Limited at Essington. Laid on a strong concrete foundation, the raised nodes on top match cavities underneath so that they fit tightly together with little effort.

Thanks mainly to a special arrangement with Chasetown Civil Engineering Ltd, 233 blocks were delivered in some 20 loads from time to time. Measuring 1.6m x 0.8m x 0.4m and weighing a tonne each, the long straight wall was assembled by a few volunteers with basic lifting machinery in a relatively short time. With practice, four workers could lay over 60metres of wall in half a day – and no need for curing time! Back-filling and surfacing can be done almost at once. For aesthetic appearance and canal waterproofing, the wall has a blue brick facing which conceals the unusual, modern core material.

Other work has involved setting out a footpath across the newly-acquired land adjacent to the A38 highway making a connection through a wooded area back onto Tamworth Road. Planting, coppicing, rooting out certain trees and forming rustic steps have occupied our heavy and light brigades, assisted by visiting volunteers from Essex wrg and Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group.

John Horton, former Project Director applied his career skills in steel erection to designing a suitable footbridge providing access across Lock 25 to the towpath. D & C Engineers of Tamworth fabricated and indeed helped to erect the galvanized steel bridge to exact specification, supplemented by matching fencing around the adjacent canal wall. Site signage, a detailed interpretation board and seating complete the scene to welcome visitors enjoying this major advance in bringing part of the Lichfield Canal back to life. The Trust is very grateful to all those who redoubled their efforts to achieve such a vital change in such a short time.

Bob Williams

HATHERTON CANAL
Our regular date is the third Sunday of each month, from 10 am, with some occasional extra days as required.
Contact Denis Cooper on 01543-374370 (work) for details of meeting places.

Monthly work parties 2008: Sundays; 20 July, 17 August, 21 September, 19 October, 16 November, 21 December.

ALL SITES: Bring old clothes, stout footwear, work gloves, and refreshment. Hard hats and basic working tools can be provided as necessary, although you are welcome to bring your own.

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