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M.W.R.T. “Friends”.- |
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Extract from Newsletter No.37. Summer 2011. Page 7 Friends of the Montgomery Canal 2011 Dinghy Dawdle In recent weeks we've been having some quite pleasant weather here in Shropshire and over the border in Powys. A few showers and a bit of blustery wind, but just the thing for a pleasant Dinghy Dawdle really. It was not to be! Whilst the drought ridden east of the country would have loved it, we really didn't. Rain, all day, torrential some of it. But were we downhearted? Well yes, some of us were. Of the forty- The twenty nine stalwart Dawdlers who did canoe, dinghy and coracle their wet and weary way from the windswept Weston Arm, all the way to the equally wet but slightly less windswept Canal Central, certainly didn't dawdle. Full speed ahead was the order of the day, some entrants returning quite spectacular times for the six miles and four locks. The most consistent part of the whole event was the degree to which the entrants absorbed water! They dripped all over the floor at Paddlesport's pleasant premises at Queen's Head, where hot soup and warm accommodation for the lunch break were generously provided then, having absorbed some more water whilst traversing the Aston Locks and the pounds between, arrived a couple of hours later at Canal Central to drip some more. That only two crews dropped out during the journey is a testament to the tenacity of the Dawdlers. Indeed, the crews who dropped out showed considerable tenacity to get as far down the cold, wet and gruelling course as they did. Only the threat of drowning and hypothermia weakened their resolve. At the finish the cold and dripping Dawdlers wore smiling faces and displayed Dunkirk spirit in abundance. The medal award ceremony was moved from the tent to the cosy inside of Canal Central itself, thanks to the generosity and tolerance of Fiona and Ian, who once again allowed us to disrupt and monopolise their tearoom. British Waterway's regional Waterway Manager, Wendy Capelle started the Dawdlers off from the Weston Arm, walked the six miles, accompanied by husband and dog, and wet through, presented the plaques. Stirling work and many thanks Wendy. Thanks also to all the organisers, to Paddlesport, to the Dawdlers and to Howard Griffiths from British Waterways who gave up his quiet weekend to supervise the operation of the locks and the proceedings in general. AGT |
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Extract from Newsletter No.36. Spring 2011. Page 22 Friends of the Montgomery Canal Threat to Montgomery Canal from National Grid Proposals FMC members may be aware that National Grid is proposing to build a high voltage
connection from mid- An electrical substation , covering up to 19 acres will be built near Abermule or at Cefn Coch, near Welshpool, from which a series of new 50 metre high 400kV pylons will take the supply northwards to connect with the existing line of pylons which run between Wrexham and Shrewsbury, and which presently cross the Llangollen Canal at Welsh Frankton. Ten possible routes for the new pylons have been identified, virtually all of which will impact on the Montgomery Canal to some extent. Indeed some of the proposed routes would have a devastating effect on the canal with its valuable heritage, unique wildlife and visual appeal all potentially blighted. The proposals include pylons crossing the canal close to the Vyrnwy aqueduct and Carreghofa Locks (two possible routes), with other proposed routes running along the Severn valley from Welshpool broadly following the line of the canal. Furthermore, four of the ten routes run close to the stretch of canal between Queens Head and Lower Frankton, where potentially the connection may be made to the existing line of pylons. Further details can be found at the National Grid website: www.nationalgrid.com/midwalesconnection Meanwhile a number of consultation meetings are being held in the locality, following which you will have an opportunity to make your views known. JP |
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Extract from Newsletter No.39. Winter 2011. Page 5 Friends of the Montgomery Canal Welshpool Town Wharf Slipway. Recent visitors to the town canal in Welshpool will have noticed changes near the Town Wharf. The site of Welshpool’s old Livestock Market has now been developed as a large Tesco Store and petrol station together with an extensive car park. The mature trees lining the towpath opposite the wharf have disappeared and been replaced by new hedging. Even though building works for a new Marstons ‘superpub’ have started on the old sheep pen site there are, as yet, no signs of building for the canalside restaurant and other shops opposite the wharf on the original plan.
Despite this, plans have recently been submitted by the developers (J Ross Developments)
for further retail units on the wharf side of the canal. This site - Following an initiative by Peter Brown of IWA Shrewsbury District and North Wales Branch, a meeting was held at the slipway with a representative of the developers at which Derek Smith, IWA Festivals Committee Trailboat Director, demonstrated with his Wilderness trailboat the space needed to get onto and off the slipway. Peter and Quita Brown (themselves former trailboaters), Derek and Jeanne Smith, Friends members Jonathan and Doreen Phillips (owners of a trailable steamboat) and Maggie Ellis of the Friends all added their comments. The outcome was a compromise which allowed sufficient space for one boat trailer to use the slipway and then park to prepare for the road whilst another boat was waiting to use the slipway. Sadly, there will no longer be parking space next to the wharf for use during events
such as litter picks, Dinghy Dawdles or other boat gatherings if the new plans (not
yet submitted) are approved by Powys CC. However, at least boats will be able to
continue using the slipway and help keep the Welsh section of the canal alive - The Friends will continue to monitor the revised plans when they are submitted. ME. |
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Extract from Newsletter No.38. Autumn 2011. Page 19 Friends of the Montgomery Canal THE VYRNWY AQUEDUCT AT NEWBRIDGE. After hearing expressions of concern from several individuals regarding the rapidly deteriorating state of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, I recently visited the structure to ascertain for myself the true state of its decay. Built over 200 years ago, this listed structure has over the years been prone to damage caused by leaks from its clay puddle trough and in the 1970's, major repairs had to be undertaken. The article in the "Friends" Summer 2011 Newsletter aptly sums up one of the problems that needs urgent attention before major damage is done by the trees and shrubs that are being allowed to grow unchecked. Although maybe seen by some as attractive, this is slowly destroying the aqueduct (some damage is already evident) and needs urgent attention before a much costlier programme of repairs is forced onto the maintenance and restoration costs of the canal. Growing in the trough of the Aqueduct are several species of water plants including
Floating Water Plantain. These need to be transplanted out of the trough and into
other sections of the canal whilst much needed repairs to the puddle or, better still,
re-
Is the increasing covering of ivy, brambles, trees and shrubs threatening the structure of the Canals biggest and oldest aqueduct? For further information and photos CLICK HERE. |
