FBW was launched at the end of June 2023 in response to the inadequate funding and deteriorating state of Britain’s network of canals and navigable rivers. Despite the widespread appreciation of the value of this unique and well-loved national asset and the benefits it delivers, the Government appears intent on significantly reducing its funding. Through FBW more than 110 organisations are campaigning together for national and local government to act now and protect the public benefit and natural capital of our waterways.
FBW’s activities to date have focused on raising awareness of the challenges facing our canals and rivers and the message that increased and sustainable funding is needed. Three well-reported Campaign Cruises were held in 2023, in Birmingham, Gloucester and past the Palace of Westminster on the Thames. In 2024 there will be a weekend of action over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend (4 to 6 May 2024). This will comprise a series of events across the country on waterways managed by different inland navigation authorities, in addition to IWA’s annual Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice in London. It will culminate in a second Campaign Cruise past the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 8 May, when Parliamentarians will be invited to view the event and express their support for the continued maintenance of the waterways.
At the same time as campaigning for increased funding for navigation authorities, FBW recognises the importance of those navigation authorities being able to explain how they are making the best possible use of funds for the waterways. FBW will therefore be holding sessions with major navigation authorities, starting with the Canal & River Trust on Wednesday 10 April 2024.
The sessions will be chaired by FBW and live streamed to FBW members, with a recording and written notes of the meeting to be made publicly available at a later date. FBW members are invited to submit detailed written questions, which will be collated and submitted to each navigation authority two weeks in advance of its meeting. FBW will then ask the questions in the meeting and the navigation authority will provide detailed answers, both in person in the meeting and also in writing.
Les Etheridge, Chair of FBW said “By arranging these sessions we are enabling FBW members to ask questions on any area including those where reservations are publicly expressed. These will be positive and constructive sessions which we hope will benefit both the navigation authority and FBW”
About Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW): FBW brings together a wide range of organisations with the sole purpose of campaigning collectively for an increase in government funding of Britain’s inland waterways to avert their decline, and to promote awareness of the huge economic, environmental and social well-being value they provide. Established in June 2023, it already has over 110 members representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways.
Contact:
For further information about Fund Britain’s Waterways, or to submit a question for the Canal & River Trust session (by 13 March 2024), contact info@fundbritainswaterways.org.uk
Malcolm has kindly sent some more details over for the funeral of Mr Mac. If you are attending the funeral and wake, can you please let me know so that I can keep Malcolm informed. Please see the details at the bottom of this email.
As you may already have seen, depending on which earlier emails you have received, John Foley has drawn attention to the fact that parking in the streets near St. Matthews is very difficult as staff from North Manchester General Hospital now park there because the hospital has started charging for onsite parking. He therefore suggests that anyone who can should come by Metrolink. St. Matthews is about a 10 minute walk from Crumpsall Metro; the Irish Heritage Centre is even closer to Queens Road. If anyone wants help with travelling please let me know and I will try to help.
Jane has asked for numbers for the wake by 6th February. Please would you let me have them by 5th so that I can save her the job of tallying lots of individual replies. The three who have already booked dossing space at No 89 and the two who have told me they can’t come are excused from replying.
Family flowers only. Details of charity donations to follow.
Regards,
Malcolm
David Arthur McCarthy MBE – 26/2/1924 – 17/1/2024
Funeral arrangements Service of Thanksgiving Tuesday 13th February 2024 1.30pm
Service at St. Matthew with St. Mary, Cleveland Road, Crumpsall, Manchester M8 4QU (Metrolink Bury Line Zone 2)
Committal at Blackley Crem – Family Only – 3pm Blackley Cemetery and Crematorium · Victoria Avenue, Blackley, M9 8JP
Wake and chance to meet with friends and loved ones to share tales and laughter, maybe some tears
Irish World Heritage Centre 1 Irish Town Way Cheetham Hill Manchester M8 0AE (Metrolink Bury Line Zone 2)
The family thank you for coming and invite you to join them after the service for refreshments at the Irish World Heritage Centre
I have just received the information below from Malcolm Bridge about Mr Mac who had a long association of WRGNW with the club including holding partiers to celebrate his 80th and 90th birthdays.
I am very sad to tell you that Mr. Mac died yesterday morning (17th January), exactly 40 days short of his 100th birthday. He slipped away peacefully, lasting just long enough to learn that his second great grandchild had just been born. His death was inevitable, even expected, but to lose North West’s eminence grise still comes as a dreadful shock.
Obviously it is too early to talk about funeral arrangements but I will circulate details when I get them in case anyone from the Club wants to attend.
Please pass on the news to anyone else you think should know.
Commodore calling…. I hope that you all had a lovely and festive Christmas Day and that today, Boxing Day, hasn’t been too strenuous. Ruth and I, along with Steve and Catherine from NB Aalin, cruised up to Whiteley Green on Christmas Eve. Although it has been awfully wet and Whiteley Green and the towpaths are extremely muddy, it has been wonderful to get out on NB Sunbeam and enjoy her – as they say, use it or lose it.
The plan for the New Year’s Day Cruise is for all boats to set off at 12.00 sharp. We will then proceed to Higher Poynton, along the way wishing a Happy New Year to all we meet. Upon our return there will be soup, sandwiches, hot drinks etc available in the Clubhouse and the bar will also be open.
All members, family and friends are more than welcome to come along to the clubhouse from 1.30pm onwards, whether taking part in the cruise or not. For those members who are no longer boating but would enjoy a couple of hours on the adorable Macclesfield canal, please email commodore@nccc.org.uk as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made for you to join one of the boats.
If the weather is not suitable for cruising, the Clubhouse will still be open at 1.30pm for good company and refreshments.
Please be advised navigation is closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest canal due to a failed bearing.
Our team are currently arranging an onsite meeting with our specialist engineers and contractors and an update on this will be provided by Wednesday 2 August.
William Walker, a long serving and devoted, retired employee of British Waterways (now Canal & River Trust) will be given a most fitting send off when he makes his last waterborne journey aboard the Phoenix narrowboat on Friday 21st July 2023.
Departing from Whaley Bridge at 10am, William’s coffin will be transported on a last trip afloat, in traditional style, to Bugsworth Basin, one of his favourite places on the Peak Forest Canal where he was foreman for many years. The boat will be captained by William’s good friend Ian Braine.
Bugsworth Canal Basin, the head of navigation of the canal, was the largest and busiest inland port on Britain’s narrow canal system and the only one to survive intact. William was fascinated by its restoration and complete transformation with an abundance of wildlife, true escapism and tranquillity.
William resided at Wharf Cottage in High Lane for over 40 years and was a highly valued member of the adjacent North Cheshire Cruising Club, where he would regularly be seen presenting local history talks, quizzes and film nights.
He had recently been made a director and was looking after the archives as well as a special event to commemorate the club’s 80th Anniversary, which will still be going ahead as a tribute to William in September.
An extremely passionate local historian, William cared so much about educating people of all ages, about lost crafts and traditions and the important history and heritage of canals, mills and working life during and after the war.
Friends from William’s extremely diverse life will be represented as passengers on board the Phoenix together with his close family.
A long-serving member of Stockport Harriers, William successfully completed several London marathons and other significant runs in Europe, including Austria, Germany and the Netherlands and he was a pioneer in raising funding for a professional track at Woodbank Park in Stockport.
One key thread ran throughout the entire life of William’s adventures – to always be learning, sharing knowledge, giving people reasons to smile and living life to its full.
He was certainly the sunshine in everyone’s life and he has left behind an amazing and rich legacy of memories to be cherished by many future generations.
The Life of William
William Henry Walker was born in Edgeley neighbourhood in 1939 and grew up with his three sisters and one brother and derived an early passion for motor vehicles which later inspired him to undertake a 7- year apprenticeship.
He became a fully officiated rally driver and a specialised mechanic in performance racing cars.
In his thirties, William engaged in a new hobby that often found him knee deep in mud and debris and up against much political opposition when he joined ASHTAC and was involved in restoring the Ashton Canal.
This experience inspired a complete career change and William was delighted when he was offered a job with British Waterways in 1979.
The new role was William’s absolute niche in life and he became a greatly admired “Friend to the waterways” where he excelled in “Making a difference” which he described as his “Raison d’etre” in life.
When he officially retired from his last role as Project Officer in 2004, William could not resist but to return to a part-time job as License and Moorings Officer, where once again his delightful smile and chivalrous, influential manner ensured that lots of boaters’ unpaid fees soon got paid.
A True Waterways Stalwart with Unique Persona
Stuart Mills, Canal & River Trust chief investment officer, said: ““I have very fond memories of working with Bill in his role as a trades union representative and of his deep passion for the waterways. I know that he has been a dedicated waterways supporter for over 40 years and his commitment has been remarkable.
“His passion for local history and the canal network has meant that he has served tirelessly as a volunteer, both before and after his retirement, including managing the heritage boat Ibex and later being involved with the Saturn Project.
“In 2000, I can recall that William successfully put the canal network in the spotlight when he delivered barrels of Royal Ale, “mashed” in person by Queen Elizabeth II, from Bass Brewery in Burton-upon-Trent to Camden Wharf aboard our heritage boat.
“I personally greeted the small volunteer crew upon arrival of the boat at Camden and, destined for delivery to Buckingham Palace, the barrels were transferred to the Royal Family horse and dray. It took three weeks to complete the journey from Burton-upon-Trent and William volunteered for this opportunity in his own time.
“William could often be seen in a traditional boatman’s costume, making a lasting impact with the younger generation and keeping historic boating traditions alive. He will be greatly missed.”
The Funeral
Following William’s “Last Journey Afloat”, a historic tradition, the funeral procession will depart from Wharf Cottage at 1pm for a service in Rowan Chapel at Stockport Crematorium at 1:45pm.
Friends and family are warmly invited for refreshments and reminiscences afterwards at High Lane Conservative Club from 2:30pm.
Jeremy Unsworth’s Funeral Directors, New Mills are taking care of funeral arrangements and have organised previous bespoke funerals for canal enthusiasts who want to follow the boating traditions as their last wishes.
The Phoenix. The Phoenix started her life as a live aboard narrowboat. In the mid 2000’s, most unfortunately, she was vandalised and set on fire. The subsequent sinking would have meant the end for most boats, but not for Phoenix. The previous owners re-floated the vessel, repaired the damage and undertook modifications to turn her into a day hire boat. Phoenix didn’t exactly rise from the ashes, she rose from the mud.
Ian Gilman the owner of Phoenix is proud to be enabling the family and friends to take William on his “Last Journey Afloat”
William Henry Walker will make his last journey afloat ‘Pheonix’ Captained by his good friend Ian Braine on the morning of Friday 21st July at 10am.
Departing from Whaley Bridge Basin, William’s family will celebrate his life and love of the canals with a round trip to Bugsworth Basin.
This was a very special place that was dear to him from his working life with British Waterways.
The Celebration of Life procession will then depart from Wharf Cottage, High Lane at around 1pm.
We would be honoured if all friends and former colleagues would join us in celebrating William’s life at our service at Stockport Crematorium at 1.45pm
Following this, we would love you to join us at High Lane Conservative Club, Buxton Road, High Lane SK6 8DR for refreshments and reminiscences.
Please wear bright and cheerful clothing to reflect William’s extremely colourful outlook on life.
Location: Lock Flight Operating Times, Macclesfield & Peak Forest Canals,Intersection of: Lock 1 to Lock 12 on Macclesfield Canal and Lock 1 to Lock 16 on Peak Forest Canal – Monday 3 April 2023 08:30 until further notice – Type: Navigation Restriction, Reason: Water resources
Update on 26/06/2023:
As a result of continuing dry weather, we will need to temporarily close the Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals for navigation from 10th July until water supplies have recovered.
The Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals began the main boating season with much less water than normal following the on-going repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir. The water in Bosley and Sutton Reservoirs has been used carefully and the restricted opening times have been successful in prolonging the supply to maintain navigation.
Continued hot, dry weather means that holdings are now getting very low, even taking the recent rainfall into account, and so a navigation closure will be put in place along the Marple and Bosley Lock Flights. The remaining reservoir holdings are required to protect the canal infrastructure and meet the Trust’s legal responsibilities to protect the ecology and biodiversity throughout the summer.
We are currently reinstating a feed from Combs Reservoir, which has been rested this year as a result of the repair works to the feed channel. Trials are due to commence Monday 26 June to convey water along the feeder channel. If these are unsuccessful, we are planning to reinstate pumping to abstract water from Combs into the canal via the River Goyt at Whaley Bridge. If a feed from Combs can be reinstated, then a planned closure will come into effect on Monday 10 July, however if Combs cannot be brought back into use, the closure could take effect sooner. We will of course be confirming details with boaters and local businesses as soon as we possibly can.
We anticipate that these canals will remain closed for several weeks, but this is entirely weather dependent. Whilst the closures will prevent use of the lock flights, cruising between the lock flights will remain available.
Water holdings will be monitored carefully throughout the summer and if there is continued, significant rainfall then it may be possible to reopen to navigation. During the planned closure the Trust is looking into bringing forward essential maintenance along the Marple Flight, which had originally been scheduled for this winter.
To conserve as much water as possible whilst these closures are in place, both lock flights will be padlocked closed and secured against operation and the gates will be ‘”ashed” to reduce leakage.
Customers should note that access on and off the peak forest canal is currently further restricted by recent third-party damage to Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge which restricts any movement on or off the Peak Forest canal beyond this point. Updates on this closure can be found here
The Trust understands what an impact this has on boaters and boating businesses and apologises for the inconvenience and uncertainty that the closure brings.
For the most up to date information on waterways across the North West and surrounding areas that are unaffected along with active water saving restrictions and their locations please follow the link here.
Update on 06/06/2023:
As a result of the current and forecasted dry weather and the continuing repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir, we are implementing some further restrictions to support continued navigation across the Macclesfield & Peak Forest canals this summer.
To help manage and ensure a sustained water supply for as long as possible, we need to further restrict the use of the lock flights from Monday 19 June 2023. Our teams of volunteers will be onsite to oversee passage and to help conserve as much water as possible.
From Monday 19 June 2023, the following operating times will apply:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Sundays and Thursdays
Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 1pm, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays and Saturdays
Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock. You can see how working together can help us all save water here, and learn how the Trust manages our water here.
We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing these operating times, we hope it will allow boaters to plan your journeys knowing what to expect over the summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.
Our teams will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings throughout the season and where possible, amend the operating times should the situation improve. Please note, these operating times will remain under review and could be subject to change.
For the most up to date information on waterways across the North West and surrounding areas that are unaffected along with active water saving restrictions and their locations please follow the link here.
Learn more about our current Northern Reservoir situation here.
Up until, and inclusive of, Sunday the 18 June, the times previously advised will be in operation.
Following the on-going repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir, we are starting the upcoming main boating season with much less water than normal. Unfortunately, this means that there will be limited supply of water to support navigation in the North West this spring and summer.
To make sure that the limited water that is available lasts for as long as possible, we need to restrict the use of the lock flights from Monday 3 April 2023.
The Trust is providing additional resources to this area to support our water management activities and will have teams of volunteer lock keepers helping to conserve as much water as possible.
From Monday 3 April, the following operating times will apply:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 1pm, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Both Lock Flights will be closed on Fridays to help the summit water levels to recover ahead of the weekend demand.
We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing these operating times, we hope it will allow boaters to plan your journeys knowing what to expect over the summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.
You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock.
Our teams will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings throughout the season and where possible, amend the operating times should the situation improve. Please note, these operating times will remain under review and could be subject to change.
Navigation remains closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal.
Whilst our contractors have attended site today, further investigation works are required.
We will be meeting with our specialist contractors this week to devise a safe working plan to be able to remove the failed lifting frame that will allow us to inspect further and determine a method of repair.
Is it anticipated that the lifting will take place early next week, and once the structure has been removed, we will have better understanding of the works required and an estimated timeframe.
A further update will be provided by Wednesday 28 June.
Original message:
Please be advised navigation is currently closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal due a fault making the bridge inoperable.
Our teams have been informed and will attend as soon as they are able to investigate further.
An update will be provided tomorrow, Wednesday 21 June.
