APRIL 4th/6th 2003
REOPENING OF THE QUEENS HEAD TO GRONWEN SECTION and
THE 2003 DINGHY DAWDLE.
Friday 4th
The morning of the 4th April 2003 produced what was probably the best weather that anyone could have hoped for, for the reopening of this restored section, with clear blue skies and sunshine.
( CLICK ON THE NUMBERS IN THE BELOW INFORMATION TO VIEW THE ASSOCIATED PHOTO.)
( 1 ) Boats lined the towpath at Queens Head from the winding point, past the old warehouse as far as the new road bridge that had been built to replace the dropped bridge of the old A5 Trunk Road.
( 2 ) Continuing towards Aston Locks after passing under the new A5, the bank was still lined with boats.
( 3 ) Immediately before Aston top lock, by the entrance to the nature reserve, the old B.W. Working boat "LYNX" was moored.
( 4 ) Around 11.00am, the narrow boat " MILLIE" approached the top lock with her ‘cargo’ of dignitaries ready for the opening ceremony.
( 5 ) The reception and speakers.
( 6 ) It’s an ill wind that blows no one any good. A sudden gust of wind took the small marquee that was housing the band and attempted to dump it in the lock but prompt (panic) action prevented it.
( 7 ) The Formal Opening was performed by John Craven without any further problems.
( 8 ) John Craven was on the front deck as "Millie" left Aston Top Lock.
( 9 ) Leaving Aston Top Lock, "Millie" proceeded in the direction of Maesbury.
( 10 ) Aston Middle Lock. The group exit the lock.
( 11 ) Aston Bottom Lock. "Millie" leaves the lock past the bye-weir and prominent display of new lock bollards.
( 12 ) The old winding point by Park Mill Bridge. Now converted to an on-line nature reserve.
( 13 ) The first arrivals by the Navigation Inn, Maesbury.
( 14 ) Leaving Maesbury, past the old wharf and crane on the offside. Recent dredgings can be seen behind the pilings on the towpath side.
( 15 ) New 48hr moorings are available on the approach to the new " shallows" nature reserve by Mill Arm Bridge.
( 16 ) Passing the shallows nature reserve on the approach to Mill Arm Bridge.
( 17 ) Mill Arm Lift Bridge in the opening position. Note the prominent warning under the deck.
( 18 ) After passing through the Mill Arm Lift Bridge, by the entrance to the Mill Arm.
( 19 ) Gronwen Wharf. The first boat to ‘wind’ after the opening.
( 20 ) Working boat "LYNX" winding at Gronwen Wharf.
( 21 ) "LYNX" leaving Gronwen Wharf as other boats from the 1st flotilla approach.
( 22 ) ‘The end of the line’. For the present. A view under Gronwen Bridge showing the restored bridge deck with stop planks at the start of the dry section.
Saturday 5th
The weather was fine but overcast with occasional periods of sunshine.
( 23 ) At 10 am, the first of the second flotilla of boats left Queens Head. Here it is seen entering Aston Top Lock.
( 24 ) A group of interested parties gathered together by the entrance to the Off-line Nature Reserve on the offside of the canal adjacent to the top lock at Aston.
( 25 ) At Queens Head Wharf. The NB "BETELGEUSE" was taking on a load of timber. This was the first Monty Cargo to be loaded since restoration.
( 26 ) Between Maesbury and Park Mill Bridge, John Lower milepost No.6 was installed.
( 27 ) Back at Queens Head Wharf, the cargo of timber had been safely loaded.
Sunday 6th (Dinghy Dawdle.)
A dull overcast day with very little sign of the sun greeted the Dinghy Dawdlers. 45 craft and over 150 people had checked in for the event but considerably more attended on foot.
( 28 ) Small craft gathered in the entrance to the Mill Arm near to Gronwen and adjacent to the new Mill Arm Lift Bridge.
( 29 ) 10.30 am. The Mill Arm Lift Bridge was raised to its ‘open’ position and the " Dawdle " started with the craft passing the new online shallows nature reserve . At this point, two coracles led the field.
( 30 ) Canoes passing Park Mill Bridge near Maesbury. The winding point that is adjacent to the bridge has now been converted to an online nature reserve.
( 31 ) At Aston Bottom Lock, craft of all sorts packed the lock chamber ready to rise to the pound above.
( 32 ) Owen Paterson, the local Member of Parliament, met the ‘Dawdlers’ at their lunch time break. Here, he is seen consulting members of the MWRT and conservation officer between the old and new A5 road bridges at Queens Head.
( 33 ) Dawdlers gathered between the old and new A5 road bridges at Queens Head.
( 34 ) After lunch, the dawdle restarted and passed thro’ the restored Queens Head Bridge heading for Frankton, a distance of some 4 miles.
( 35 ) Owing to the great variation in craft types, the craft began to spread out. Here we see some of them approaching the new Perry Aqueduct.
( 36 ) Craft entering the new, shallow Graham Palmer Lock, named after a well known and missed member of the WRG. A memorial stone is adjacent to the lock.
( 37 ) Looking south from Lock Gate Bridge. The first of many ‘Dawdlers’ approaching the finish at the Weston Arm.
( 38 ) Back towards the Perry, the first shall be last. Two coracles that started in the first group from Gronwen were nearing the Graham Palmer Lock. They had performed what must be regarded as quite a feat for this type of craft. An ideal example of the enthusiasm that makes this annual event such a hit.
( 39 ) Further back towards the Perry, the Narrow Boat " BEN" passed the site of the breach that occurred on the 5th of February 1936. A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN.