The Newsletter of theBirmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch,Inland Waterways Association

Edition No: 6Winter 2014-15

Contents

From The Helm 1

Winter Social Meeting Report 2

Visit of The Hereford Bull 3

Notice of BBC&W AGM 4

Annual General Meeting 4

Bournville Clean-up 6

Bournville Bomb 6

Dredging the S&W Canal 7

Work Parties & Other Events 8

Gas Street Follow-up 9

Wolverley Work Party 9

New Members 10

Local Stoppages 10

Maureen Shaw’s Plates 11

Adjoining IWA Branches 11

Winter Programme 2014/2015 12

From The HelmGreetings for the New Year – and here’s wishing you all a good year for cruising, celebrating, restoring, and working towards a better waterway and it’s uses!

It looks to be a busy year too – with lots of opportunities to get to work, and to visit several festivals and other events all around our patch. With the 200th anniversary of the W&B, there’s certainly a focus in our area, so do help at any of the occasions that you might be able to, or just enjoy the visit.

I am encouraged by several examples that CRT are listening or noting well to IWA’s input at all the ‘consultations’ over the past year – on the moorings issue, on winding holes, on dredging, and of course you have all heard about the successful (well, so far) joint efforts at re-routing HS2.

The draft report forming a Feasability Study for the Bradley Project is now being discussed, and we await their revision, and hopefully final version later this year.

Whilst we are promoting this together with the local concerns mentioned last time, our friends in the Staffs and Worcs. Society are promoting use and improvement of the Fens Branch – off the Stourbridge – which surely we must support too.

The Lapal group also have our support, and of course a move to extend, if only a short distance, the length of the Dudley No 2 at Coombeswood.

CRT staffing has undergone some ‘re-structuring’ meaning lines of responsibilities and communication might have changed from last year – but we are encouraged by our first meetings this year in both areas (W.Midlands and S.Wales & Severn).

So, together with our regular work-parties, our Branch area sees restoration, environmental improvement AND maintenance tasks, which will all hopefully see some results or at least plans during this coming year.

Keep safe, explore, and enjoy!

David S.

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Winter Social Meeting Report On Monday, 20 October we welcomed Brian Nelson, Vice Chairman of Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust (SNCT) who spoke about the restoration project.

Brian explained that although both canals, (or The Shrewsbury Canal and the Newport Branch), were abandoned in 1944, very little of the line of the canals have been built on and no insuperable engineering problems lay in the way of restoration. The original canal, built in the late 1700s ran from Shrewsbury to what is now Telford and the branch from Wappenshall Junction to Norbury opened in 1835.

There are some significant structures along this canal; at London-upon-Tern is the world’s oldest surviving iron aqueduct, built by Telford as a precursor to the Pontcysyllte aqueduct at Trevor; near the Shrewsbury terminus stands the Flax Mill, the world’s first iron framed building, on which basic structure, all skyscrapers now stand; and at Forton is a most impressive skewed bridge.

Lock No 1 is now used as a dry dock, as many know having seen it as they pass through Norbury Junction and the boatyard. With two crossings of the A5 trunk road, several buried locks and the need to reposition Lock No 18 to get under the A41, there are plenty of challenges. Added to which is the Newport stretch, still in water and well looked after by the local council. Consequently it is now an SSSI! And a drop-lock may be needed to get under the re-aligned A442.

The Trust leases the two warehouses at Wappenshall from the council and intends to create a Visitor Centre and a community “hub” as a means of funding the restoration and maintenance of these very fine Grade II listed 19th century buildings.

The existing tunnel is in good condition but Longdon on Tern aqueduct will at the very least need to be lined with steel if the supports are sufficient.

So altogether a major effort is required to reach Shrewsbury, where the canal line has been built on, but there is some wriggle room for the restoration.

An informative talk, well illustrated with aerial and ground photographs of the canal line, Brian explained how each challenge might be met and the work already done in support.

Further details are available on the the SNCT website - www.sncanal.org.uk

Monday 17th November we were entertained by a talk on the Leominster Canal by Mike Woodgate & Martin Hudson.

During this well illustrated presentation about the Leominster Canal, we learnt that following the opening of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in 1772,

the engineer Robert Whitworth proposed a canal to link Stourport to Hereford, passing through Pensax and Leominster. Thomas Dadford carried out a survey of the proposed route and presented a plan for a 31 mile canal, costing £83,000, with estimated receipts of £4,300 per year. Three tunnels would be required, at Putnal Field, Southnett and Pensax. There was interest in extending the canal to Kington so the plan was revised to extend the canal to 46 miles. An Act of Parliament was obtained in 1791 which allowed proprietors, an influential group of business owners, to raise £150.000 with another £40,000 if necessary.

The section from Woofferton to Southnet Wharf near Marlbrook was opened in October 1794, with a tramway from Southnet Wharf to Mamble Colliery. There were delays, however, in finishing the Putnall Tunnel between Woofferton and Leominster and then the Southnet Tunnel beyond Marlbrook partially collapsed. It was not until the end of 1796 that the canal was open between Leominster and Southnett Wharf. This was only 18½ miles instead of the 31 miles planned. Around £90,000 had been spent to reach this stage but funds were running out. In 1803, after obtaining independent advice, the company decided not to complete the unfinished sections of canal but to construct railways at either end of the existing section to link it to Stourport and Kington. In the event these were not constructed and the canal remained as a link between the collieries at Mamble (using the wharf at Marlbrook) and Leominster.

For the next 60 years, the canal carried coal to Leominster which enabled the Mamble collieries to prosper. However, the income from this was not sufficient to run the canal at a profit. The canal never paid a dividend as what little money was collected was tolls for transport of coal. In 1858, the company sold the canal to the Shrewsbury & Hereford Railway for £12,000 and they drained it to sell off most of the land. Part of the route was retained and used for the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway.

We saw photos of what it looks like today, a few stretches of water, bridges, tunnels etc. The main aims of the Leominster Canal Society is to keep the memory alive & to do more research.

** Please note that IWA B’ham, Black Country & Worcs. Branch hope to arrange a guided walk along part of this canal, probably in April, for our members. Details will be available in due course. Please e-mail Chris Osborn on : jcosborn@btinternet.com if you are interested & we will keep you informed.

Christmas Meeting 15.12.14This was a well attended function when we enjoyed an excellent digital display of interesting photos by Mike Rolfe & a delicious buffet arranged by staff at Coombeswood which was a jolly end to our 2014 year.

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Monday 19th January gave us an interesting talk from Clive Henderson on behalf of The Stratford Canal Society on the history of the Stratford Canals. Covering 25 miles, with 56 locks, the North and South canals are significantly different in character, mainly due to a lack of funds in the later stages of development. These differences are apparent in respect of the bridges, lock cottages (barrel roofs) and aqueducts (brick on the North and iron on the South). The other major constructions on the canal include a 352 yard 16 feet wide tunnel, a large single span brick aqueduct and three cast iron trough aqueducts, three high embankments and a reservoir.

The canal was built by the passing of three Acts of Parliament, in 1793, 1795 & 1799 the first meeting was in 1798 and 1200 £100.00p shares were issued. Running from Kings Norton Junction, where the only guillotine gated stop-lock is situated, although no longer in use, to Kingswood Junction, The money ran out at Hockley Heath and more had to be raised before the North Stratford Canal could be completed, opening in 1802. The Southern Stratford took another 14 years to come to fruition, opening in 1816 and requiring a fourth Act (1815) to permit the junction with the River Avon.

Stratford on Avon became a busy inland port. What is now known as Bancroft Basin was one of two, the other being where the gardens and part of the RSC Theatre now stand. The main trading was undertaken by amongst others, glucose chips to F Kendall & Son, brewers chemists; coal gas; Flowers & Sons, brewers; and a paper mill.

Then came the trains and by 1880 activity had declined and the owners, the Great Western Railway Company had stopped maintenance.

The first meeting of The Stratford Canal Society was held on the 30th July 1956 and in February 1957, having obtained a licence, a navigation of the entire canal was made. In 1958, Warwickshire County Council applied for an Act of Abandonment but eleven months later, the application failed after much well publicised campaigning by the Society and the efforts of numerous volunteers, particularly in having navigated the canal the previous year. In 1960 The National Trust took on responsibility for the Southern Stratford and, under the inspired leadership of David Hutchins using what were then novel means of publicising the neglected canal, restoration took from 1961-64 using volunteers, members of the armed forces and prisoners from local gaols.

Clive also touched upon other restoration work, the Stourbridge being another important campaign with the first IWA rally at Market Harborough in 1960 and the next IWA rally in Stourbridge in 1962.

Jackie Osborn & Bob Fox

Visit of The Hereford BullOver the w/e 25/26 April, this Severn/Wye trow, the only working barge of it’s kind at present, will sail up the River Severn to Worcester – where it will berth in Diglis Basin. The following Saturday (2nd May), the plan is to make a voyage from Diglis to Droitwich, via the two barge locks, the River Severn, and the Droitwich Barge Canal. There it will be welcomed by the two canal societies, IWA, CRT and all, after the Service on the Sunday morning – as this is the St Richard’s Festival in Droitwich. I do hope as many of you as possible might be able to attend – I’ll be putting out a request for help during that time, but meanwhile – book the date!

DS

Do something different in 2015. Get your boots on and walk for WRG!

IWA, supported by IWA Warwickshire Branch, is organising an 8 mile sponsored walk along the Stratford-upon-Avon and Grand Union canals on Sunday 22nd February 2015. The walk aims to raise at least £1,000 (hopefully a lot more) towards the £50,000 WRG van appeal which will be launched later in the new year. The appeal will raise money for two new minibuses for WRG in summer 2015, which will cost around £25,000 each.

The eight-mile circular walk will start at Lapworth Village Hall and take you along peaceful stretches of the Stratford-upon-Avon and Grand Union canals towpaths as well as through fields and along country lanes before arriving back at the village hall for tea, something to eat and a well-deserved rest. It’ll be a great day out and you’ll get the opportunity to have a chat with people of similar interests and explore a beautiful area of the country, all for a good cause!

If you’d like to come along and walk for WRG, or for more information see www.waterways.org.uk/iwalk or phone Toby Gomm at 01494 783453 ext. 611. Places are £5 per person and under 16s go free, after which it is over to you to raise as much sponsorship as possible. Young people under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.

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Notice of Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch

Annual General MeetingThe 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Birmingham, Black Country and Worcestershire Branch will take place at 7.30pm on March 16th in the ‘Cabin’ at Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8AW.

A G E N D A1. Apologies for absence2. Approval of minutes of the last AGMand any matters arising from these minutes3. Report from the Branch Chairman4. Financial Report5. Election of members of the Committee6. Any items requested by members of the Branch provided the Branch Chairman was notified in writing of the item at least six weeks prior to the AGM.

This agenda is based upon the Association’s by-laws.

Any member, regardless of the length of their membership, who feels that they can contribute to the work of the committee is welcome to volunteer for election, this is normally for a term of three years. This can either be done in advance of the meeting by contacting the Chairman or Secretary, or at the start of the item dealing with the election of the committee when the Chairman of the meeting may seek interest from the floor. No formal nominations are required in either case.

Each member of the branch present will be entitled to one vote at an AGM or EGM and decisions shall be made by majority decision. In the event that the number of votes is equal the chairman of the meeting shall have an additional casting vote.

Once constituted the new Committee will elect it Officers, other than the Chairman who is elected by means of a separate poll once every three years, at its first meeting following the AGM, normally this will place within the following few days.

1 1 2 2 3 1 4 5

5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12

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17 18 23 19 20

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22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29

30 31 32 33

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35 36 37 38

39 40

Crossword Compiled by John Butler

Across2 This could be alimentary or navigable.5 Prejudicial binding?8 A Russian car for storing food?10 Branch Chairman.13 Descriptive of underwear?14 Captain of the Pequod.15 Mr Baggins.17 Warmer than warm.19 Do this aloud for best effect.21 Ex-chairman22 Capture a carrier?24 Could this be what floats your boat?26 Somewhere to land when taken with 24.30 A law, or four sevenths of a Beatles hit.32 Cleaning product loses its head for a pensioner (1,1,1)33 An engine, or a chocolate bar?34 Les could be the big cheese in the chair?35 Usually found between Stratford and its river.37 River, famous for calling.39 Stupid, and very nearly mad.40 This warning could lure you onto the rocks.

Down1 Bringer of good fortune?3 IT provider exhibits near Birmingham (1,1,1)4 The quiet musketeer evokes pity.5 Expelled by Sir Toby?7 A home for Peppa. Or Babe. Or Napoleon.8 Governing body of the courts? (1,1,1)9 There are both Westminster and National varieties of this.11 A route to independence?12 Manure drag fork, as used by boaters.15 Confer spiritual redemption without a B16 A layer, but not of eggs.18 Eggs.20 One of these makes a positive, two make a primate.22 Once small and elegant, now often just small.23 A source of reading matter in hotel rooms?24 Found between the cuff and the epaulette.25 A cereal can produce mighty oaks.27 Found in the garden. Or Plymouth.28 Boat propulsion units.29 A measure of inflation, but not for tyres (1,1,1)31 Reverse the bet for a warm climb in Sicily.

33 Boil seaweed for an alternative to gelatine.36 3.14159, approximately.38 Not off, and not in standby mode.

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Branch Committee Members Needed

Our proactive and friendly committee has lost a number of members in the past few months and with the intention of the current Branch Secretary, Becky Smith-Keary and Membership Secretary, Mike Smith-Keary to stand down, after several years sterling service, at the forthcoming AGM further vacancies arise.

Consequently the we are seeking volunteers for both the committee and the vacant positions. The roles are not overly onerous. Anyone with a few hours to spare each month and interested in putting themselves forward for one of these roles should, in the first instance approach either David Struckett or Bob Fox.

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Successful Clean-up at Bournville In spite of wet weather forecasts and unexpected non-arrival of equipment and boats because of a closure, a couple of lorry-loads of mainly industrial rubbish was removed from the Worcester and Birmingham Canal over the forth week-end of November. Members of Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canal Society joined BBC&W Branch members, together with some new to volunteering on the canals - for example Jerry Kent who managed both days, and father and son team Tom and Matt, who enjoyed the Sunday. Local Councillor Tim Huxtable also joined us for an hour on the Saturday - making a good job of clearing the drive.

Over twenty people assembled on the Saturday, and cleared the canal to the north of rubbish and various objects, and to the south past Bournville Station. On the Sunday, another ten people worked further south, removing mainly industrial rubbish - but also some clothes and plastic guttering. Rubber tyres of a wide range of sizes were removed, and the grappling hooks also found a couple of machines, bikes and shopping trolleys, and various pieces of ‘road furniture’ - barriers, concrete blocks and drain covers.

We had only found out on the Saturday morning that the canal had been blocked off near Birmingham, so

the boat organised by the CRT staff was not able to reach the site. So no boat transport - and no toilets!

However, the staff quickly arranged for a lorry to be in attendance, and the nearby Co-Op was visited perhaps more than usual to use the facilities!

The Bournville stretch of this canal is almost pristine in appearance, with recently laid cycleable towpath, nice hedges and cut grass.

However, CRT might be in for some more work when they realise that ‘rolling’ the new surface sometimes damages brick copings which edge the canal - a whole line of which now slope down towards the water, suggesting that only small rollers should be used. (down-stream from the station).

An interesting feature of the aqueduct over Bournville Lane was noticed when walking under - the concrete repair made after a war-time bomb struck - draining the canal and flooding neighbouring properties.

The weather was not too bad after all - only a couple of showers on the Saturday morning, clearing pm, and none on the Sunday. All in all, we felt it was a useful exercise, and a chance to welcome several newcomers to canal work parties, who all enjoyed their day.

David Struckett

Bournville BombYou may have seen these pics before but in case you haven’t, my grandmother-in-law who is 98 and lived in Stirchley and Bournville all her life and worked at Cadbury’s can remember the German bomb that went through the canal at Bournville where we were working today.

Jerry Kent

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Dredging the S&W CanalYou know that land drain which comes into the Canal between the two locks at Wightwick had caused a large scour to the extent that boats were getting stuck on it. John Jackson arranged to have CRT people with him when he and his wife Jenny took their loaded ex- FMC boat ROACH up from Awbridge. CRT people were Ian Lane (acting West Midlands waterways manager); Victoria Taylor from the Leeds’ based dredging team; and John Dodwell, CRT Trustee. As feared, ROACH got stuck and had to be winched over the scour with a Tirfor. During the day, all three CRT people steered ROACH and so experienced the problems when shallow spots or sunken logs were encountered.

As a result and in a departure from planned dredging, in October CRT got Land & Water to dredge out the scour, clear out the silt trap

on the offside and the tail of the upper Wightwick Lock. Whilst in the area, they dredged the winding hole (nice - bearing in mind the IWA winding hole campaign). Rather than take the spoil away to a tip (with consequent considerable costs), they put in bank protection on the offside and then used the dredging as backfill.

CRT are planning a £1m dredging programme along the whole length of the Staffs & Worcs Canal for 2015/6 and are seeking comments from users about where they think dredging is needed. Comments should go to Paul Fox, the dredging project manager, at paul.fox@

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Work Parties & Other EventsAs always, there are plenty of activities to get involved in, whether for an hour or two or longer. Any and all help will be very welcome. In respect of our Branch Work Parties, each one will be notified by email, to include meeting place and likely activities.

2nd Wed. of each month southern end of S&W plus possibly Stourbridge Canal later. (IWA BBC&W Branch, DWS, 01299 878461)

2nd Thursday of each month near Netherton, from Dunns Bridge at Windmill End, using a boat, nets & rakes, and litter picking. (CRT, Terry Hodgetts, 07810 630376)

2nd w/e of each month (usually), Tardebigge Limekilns (WB&DCS, Bill Lambert 02476 726924)

28th Feb/1st May - special w/p in Worcester (WBDCS, Bill Lambert, 02476 726924)

18 & 19 April, BCN Clean-Up (see poster for details)

The Festivals are as follows:

1,2,3,4 May St Richard’s Festival, Droitwich

16/17 May: Beer ‘n Boats Festival, Alvechurch

12/14th June Worcester Festival

10/12th July Kings Norton Festival

BCN Clean-Up - Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April 2015 The big annual BCN Canal Clean up will this year take place at Smethwick on the Old Main Line and New Main Line, including the Engine Arm and aqueduct. 10am to 4pm each day The meeting/signing on point on both days will be the bottom car park of the Future Skills Centre in Rolfe St, Smethwick, B66 2AR (drive through blue gates, bear left and drive down hill to canalside). This is very close to Smethwick Rolfe St Railway Station. All tools and equipment will be provided. Tools must be signed out each day and returned. Gloves will be provided but volunteers are asked to wear footwear and old clothes and to bring waterproofs. Basic accommodation and catering is available for those wishing to make a weekend of it (book at www.wrg.org.uk). Coffee and Tea and cold drinks will be provided and a packed lunch can be booked for a small fee.

For further information contact Event Leader Chris Morgan By phone 07974 111354 or by email cbmorgan@sky.com

Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch

Join Us on a Canal Clean Up

Page �Gas Street Follow-upThe piece in the previous edition of “Worcester Bar” about Number 46 Gas Street prompted me to look a little closer at the history of occupants of some of the various buildings there.

For those unfamiliar with Birmingham canals, Gas Street Basin is located just off Broad Street, where the Worcester Birmingham Canal meets the Birmingham Canal Navigation (BCN) Main Line. It sits between The Mailbox & Cube and Brindley Place.

The BCN Company insisted on a physical barrier to prevent the Worcester and Birmingham Canal from benefiting from their water. The Worcester Bar, a 7 ft. 3 in. wide straight barrier 84 yards long was built perpendicular to the run of the two canals. Company toll offices were situated either side of the bar lock to collect tolls from boats using the canals. The wall and ramp down from Gas Street, the Tap & Spile pub, and the neighbouring building are all grade II listed, as is the Martin & Chamberlain building built on top of the Broad Street Tunnel.

A cast iron plaque on the brick garden wall confirms that No. 46 Gas Street was built for the Birmingham Canal Company as its Head Office. In those days, it was No.6 and did not become No. 46 until sometime in 1921.

There were two basins leading from the southern side of the canal, one either side of the stop-lock at Worcester Bar. Originally one joined the Worcester Birmingham Canal whilst the other joined the Birmingham Canal. These fell into disuse as the canal system evolved and became arms, being used by the

adjacent industries for transportation of coal, materials, goods and waste.

The Gas Retort House at No. 39, is Grade ll* listed and was built next to the canal in 1822 to replace the original plant and a new gas holder and coal store. It was rediscovered in 1992 during a proposed redevelopment of land on Gas Street when the city planning department noticed the unusual roof design of cast iron trusses and wrought iron rods. The site ceased operating as a gas works in 1879.

Other occupants of Gas Street over the years include was Tucker Chemist at No 10-12; WH Fraley & Sons Ltd, marble workers, at No 35; Parker Winder & Achurch Motor Engineers; SF Collin, a grocers; Delaware Press Tools at No 51 and at No 46, D M Davis Ltd, Antique Furniture store.

In the 1960s & ‘70s the Opposite Lock Club stood on the towpath in Gas Street basin. Access to the club was from Gas Street, through a short alleyway, where you tuned left, onto the canal towpath. Exiting was a bit precarious as after a few pints, it was easy to fall into the canal. The club was well known for the musicians it attracted, the likes of Tubby Hayes, Marion Montgomery and Blossom Dearie amongst many other well-known artists.

Whilst the area has changed almost beyond recognition in the past two hundred years, the main canal remains and a variety of similar businesses can still be found locally!

Malcolm Bates

Wolverley Work PartyThe September work party enjoyed some fine weather and got to grips with preparation and partial painting of Wolverley lock. Canal traffic was intermittent and boaters were locked through by party members to ensure that paint stayed where is had been put. As can be seen from the accompanying pictures, a good turnout enabled us to paint the ground paddle gear and the top gate gear and balance beam,

leaving the

bottom gate beam & gear ready for painting when the weather permits.

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New MembersMr M R Brandon WorcesterMr G & Mrs T Stacey BirminghamMr P H & Mrs K I Newton SmethwickMr D Shaw Brierley HillMr J Rhead BromsgroveMrs J Williams WorcesterMr J P & Mrs A S Charlton BirminghamMr M Edwards WednesburyMrs E Harris TiptonMr D J Clark KidderminsterMr P Parkes Rowley regisMiss M Harper BirminghamMr G Davies KingswinfordMr R Lock SolihullMr D Smith SolihullMr C Greenwell StourbridgeMr G & Mrs D Guest DudleyMr K Gittos Brierley HillMs B Davidson DudleyMr T I Allen & Ms H Baker WalsallMr G D Gwynne DudleyMr K & Mrs S Seabridge DudleyMs J Blackley Cradley HeathMr R M Gudgeon KingswinfordMr S J Lakin BilstonMr M Robins DudleyMr M & Mrs K Flute WednesburyMr S Haynes & A Johnson TiptonMr D & Mrs D Doughty BilstonMr M Perry BirminghamMr C Hill StourbridgeMr N Hardwick Sutton ColdfieldMrs R Waite DudleyMr A & Mrs R Rowe Rowley RegisMr R Blakeway &Ms C Haycock StourbridgeMr A A Smith &Miss P E Hewitt TiptonMr M & Mrs P Williams StourbridgeMr J & Mrs K Cresswell WolverhamptonMr P Stone & Ms J Tonkin Cradley HeathMr E & Mrs C Hanlon BirminghamMr K & Mrs A Williams BirminghamMr M Jeavons WolverhamptonMr M Hargreaves & Family BirminghamMr & Mrs S Cooper StourportMr P R Long WolverhamptonMr J Nichols StourportMr J Bissell & Family KingswinfordMr S Morgan BirminghamMiss J Fitz-hugh Worcester

Local StoppagesFor those who enjoy cruising in the solitude of the winter months. This list is not exhaustive, so please check the CaRT website for updates before you leave.

Lock 34, Hatton, Grand Union Canal, 19th January 2015 at 07:30, to 13th March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Lock 3, Curdworth, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, 5th January 2015 at 07:30 to 1st March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Lock 5, Ashtead, Digbeth Branch (Birmingham & Fazeley Canal), 5th January 2015 at 07:30 to 1st March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Stoke Wharf Locks Waterway: Worcester & Birmingham Canal, 5th January 2015 at 08:00 to 30th January 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Tardebigge Flight Waterway: Worcester & Birmingham Canal, 5th January 2015 at 08:00 to 30th January 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Lock 8, Perry Barr, Tame Valley Canal, 5th January 2015 at 07:30 to 8th February 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Tardebigge Flight, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, 4th February 2015 at 08:00 to 13th March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Bridge 101, St Thomas Bridge, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, 5th January 2015 at 07:30 to 15th February 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Lock 14 Gothersley Lock, 16 March 2015 to 20 March 2015

Perry Barr Locks 2 - 11, Perry Barr Flight, Tame Valley Canal

9th February 2015 at 07:30 to 13th March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Lock 4, Ashtead, Digbeth Branch Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, 23rd February 2015 at 07:30 to 13th March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

Coseley Cutting, Old Main Line Canal, 10th November 2014 at 07:30 to 13th March 2015 at 17:00 inclusive

River Severn from Upper Lode Lock to Stourport Lock (including Lincomb Lock)

Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, 12th January 2015 at 08:00 tfn.

Mr R Barker KidderminsterMr B F & Mrs S M Woodward MalvernMr G Green BirminghamMr K Dimmock Stourbridge

Welcome to the IWA Birmingham Black Country & Worcestershire Branch. We look forward to meeting you at our social evenings or on our working parties. If you would like to help please contact any committee member to discuss.Bob FoxEditor.

Crossword Answers

MCANALPBIASELADAESTRUCKETTBLACYDEAHABCOBILBOOEHOTLZSAYVPEARSONY

BAGSNSEAIISHORELCJUDEOAPAEROOETHERIDGERUPONSAVON

INANESIREN

Page 11

Unwanted Canal Books & Maps?

If you have any publications relating to our canals which are in reasonable or better condition and you no longer want, would you kindly donate them to us so that they may be used for branch fund-raising activities. All offerings welcome.

Auction of Maureen Shaw’s Plates Many people will still fondly remember Maureen as they pass through Wardle Lock in Middlewich, whether they knew her or not. There is a memorial interpretation board by the towpath. Most of Maureen’s possessions have been redistributed or kept in the family. The last items are mainly her plates plus a few other decorative items and it was thought that some of her friends and acquaintances from the waterways might like to have something of their own to remember her by.

To this end an auction has been arranged and it will take place on Maureen’s birthday in 2015:

Date: Saturday, 28th March 2015Time: 1pm to 3pmLocation: Middleport Pottery, Port Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3PETel: 01782 499766http://www.princes-regeneration.org/middleport-pottery

Middleport pottery has recently benefited from restoration through the Prince’s Trust and was reopened on 1st July 2014. It offers guided tours, pottery sales and a canal-side café serving beverages, snacks and meals, Maureen liked her food and would have been in her element here, in more ways than one. It was felt to be a fitting location for the auction as it in the heart of the Staffordshire Potteries by the Trent and Mersey Canal, which was one of the many waterways that Maureen travelled as a child and after she married.

There are 70 lots in the auction, the sale will be cash only to avoid additional administration and you can view the items and see the descriptions by visiting www.tamcs.org.uk/auction

It is hoped that this will be an occasion when many likeminded people come together and renew old friendships and remember the old boaters who have shared their experiences with us.

Gillian Watson

Adjoining IWA BranchesDetails of activities in adjoining Branches and organisations are available below.

Warwickshire - Info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

Lichfield - lichfield@waterways.org.uk

Gloucestershire & Herefordshire - martin.turner@waterways.org.uk

Other Organisations

Avon Navigation Trust - office@avonnavigationtrust.org

Canal & River Trust, West Midlands - enquiries.westmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Droitwich Waterways (Pamela May) Trust - alan.davey@r-pad.org

Lapal Canal Trust - membership@lapal.org

BBC&W Branch Officers & Committee: Chair: David Struckett dstruckett@aol.com 0���� ������ Michael Payne Vice Chairman PlanningOfficer(Birmingham) michael@payne.name. 07791297896 John Taplin Vice Chairman, PlanningOfficer(Worcs) johnwtaplin@btinternet.com 07860496460 Secretary:BeckySmith-Keary rsk63@yahoo.co.uk 07833556060 Treasurer:ChrisNeal cptjneal@yahoo.co.uk 07758845211Members: Freddie Cooke PlanningOfficer(Walsall,Wolverhampton&SouthStaffs) freddiecooke@googlemail.com 0��11 ������ Dave Pearson dave@daveapearson.com 0���� 1����� BobFox PlanningOfficer(Sandwell&Dudley), NewsletterEditor bob@bobfox.demon.co.uk 07855817318 MichaelSmith-Keary MembershipSecretary: sk63@btinternet.com 07785551299 ChrisOsborn Meetingsorganiser jcosborn@btinternet.com 07715349745

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Copy deadline for next edition of Worcester Bar - 22nd April 2015

IWA Meetings at Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise,Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8AW

Starting at 7.15 for 7.30pm.Winter Programme 2014/2015

Date Subject Speaker20.10.14 Shrewsbury & Newport. Brian Nelson, Vice Chairman Canal Restoration. Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust.

17.11.14 Leominster Canal. Mike Woodgate & Martin Hudson.

15.12.14 Christmas Supper & Slides.

19.1.15 Stratford Canal 50th Anniversary of Restoration. Clive Henderson.

16.2.15 Derby & Sandiacre Canal Restoration. Chris Madge, Chairman

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society.

16.3.15 AGM

20.4.15 Idle Women - Wartime Canal Workers. Vince Williams.

18.5.15 Worcestershire Carriers before the Railways. Richard Churchley. Contact: Chris Osborn 01299 832 593 e-mail jcosborn@btinternet.com

Visitors are very welcome to come to any of these meetings.