Communications Update – 12th September 2014
New Round Up
There has been widespread coverage in the national press and on TV news bulletins
following the disappearance and search for a vulnerable girl who was last seen on
the Grand Union Canal in London
Mike Marshall and Jon Horsfall were interviewed on BBC Radio Tees (30/8/14)
during the recent Tees Barrage open day. It was a great interview with the studio
presenter referencing the event as “more popular than a Kate Bush concert!”
Sam Thomas featured on BBC’s Street Patrol UK TV series (8/9/14) about how the
Trust worked with the police this year to prevent the anti-social Canalival taking
place on the Regent’s Canal
And on the episode of Street Patrol UK (11/9/14), Dick Vincent spoke about the
Trust’s volunteer led graffiti clean-up at Hanover School, which has adopted a
stretch of the Regent’s Canal
The Angling Times reported on ‘a bright future for canal angling’ after the Trust
surveyed over 200 angling clubs to help shape plans to attract more anglers to the
cut.
BBC Radio Nottingham (6/9/14) spoke to volunteer lock keeper, Pete Smith at
Newark Town Lock – as the location was the answer to the show’s Saturday quiz
The Daily Mail (9/9/14) reported on a music student who’s avoiding expensive
student digs in London by living on a refurbished narrowboat while she studies.
In social media:
A time-lapse video made of our overnight stoppage in Camden has been very
popular with our Facebook fans, with nearly 1,200 people watching the video and the
post getting 320 likes, comments and shares.
Richard Parry is hosting an open meeting on Facebook next Tuesday
Water resource consultation launched
We're launching our first consultation about how we plan to manage essential water
resources over the next 35 years.
Our hydrology experts are working on a strategy to ensure that the nation’s twocentury-old network can meet the challenges of the future and have water where it’s
needed up to 2050 and beyond. As part of their work they are keen to hear from
people and businesses that enjoy the waterways to help provide guidance and
practical advice on the strategy.
To find out more about this consultation and to view a short video visit our website
Great British Bike Off
As we write, the 35 cyclists who left Little Venice on a bright and sunny Wednesday
morning should be nearing their destination in Leeds. They’ve cycled 245 miles over
three days on a route which includes a section of the demanding Yorkshire Grand
Depart of the Tour de France. Colleagues Dominic Papineau, Ian Runeckles, Keith
Lester, Philip Ridal, Andrew Sarson, Jeremy Harrison, Stuart Mills and James
Lazarus have joined fellow cyclists from Bloc, Fountains, ABC Leisure, Grant
Thornton, Irwin Mitchel, MK2, Muse, DTZ, Partners Capital and Moneypenny. It is
anticipated that the event will have raised nearly £55,000 for the Trust.
September Events
Heritage Open Days 2014
Canals across the country are steeped in history with each having their own story to
tell. From 11-14 September Heritage Open Days are giving everyone the chance to
discover something new (and old) about our charming canals.
Heritage Open Days - Explore the West Midlands
13-14 Sept
10am -5pm
This September budding heritage buffs and canal enthusiasts will be able to get up
close to the nation’s waterway heritage and find out more about the history of the
canals in the West Midlands and Black Country.
As part of the events for Heritage Open Days 2014 the charity, Canal & River Trust,
working in partnership with Sandwell Council and the Dudley Canal Trust, is offering
free entry to two of the region’s best loved canal side destinations.
Starting at 10am on Saturday 13 September visitors to Galton Valley in Smethwick
will be able to see the old Smethwick Pumping Station and the old steam engines
which were used to pump water around the Birmingham Mail Line Canal. Meeting
near Brasshouse Lane (B66 1DU) eager explorers will have the chance to take part
in a nature walk and see how working boat people used to live and work at the
height of the Industrial Revolution.
On Sunday 14 September from 10:30am visitors can explore the famous Dudley
Tunnel & Limestone Mines, travel by boat through the tunnels and discover the
wonder of the limestone caverns. They’ll also get the opportunity to enjoy a music
and light show in the famous Singing Cavern and see the fossilised remains of
creatures and plants which were once in the sea bed.
Price - Free entry
Booking for the Dudley Tunnel boat trip is essential. For more information please
email
www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk or call 0121 557 6265.
Blackburn Heritage Festival
13-14 Sept
11am-5pm
History comes alive in Blackburn as part of the Heritage Open Days - Join the
biggest festival ever.
Come and join in and celebrate Blackburn’s Canal Heritage at Eanam wharf as part
of the festival.
Children’s Quiz
Entertainment
Clog Dancing
Historical Display (Supported by the National Waterways Museum)
Viewing of the historical wharf with original Crane for transhipment of wool and
wheat from the canal barges into the town.
Find
more
information
and
timetable
of
all
the
events
at
the
festival
For any information on the events at Eanam Wharf contact info@dapacentre.co.uk
or call 01254 699221.
Ellesmere historic canal yard - Heritage open weekend
13-14 Sept
10am-3pm
Ellesmere's historic canal yard is the operating base for the Canal & River Trust's
team that look after the Llangollen and Montgomery Canals. Visitors coming on the
open weekend will be able to see inside some of the buildings.
Ellesmere yard on the Llangollen Canal is just outside the town of Ellesmere,
Shropshire. The site is a very well preserved example of a canal maintenance yard
dating from the early 1800s.
There are a range of buildings here including a blacksmith's and joiner's shop, a dry
dock, a yard manager's house and Beech House - the former head offices of the
Ellesmere Canal Company.
There will be Canal & River Trust 'Canal and River Explorers' activities for children
including crafts, making dragonflies and butterflies and wildlife activities. There will
also be a chance to watch a blacksmith at work!
Warwick Canal Fun Weekend
13-14 Sept
10am-5pm
A series of fun events organised by the Saltisford Canal Trust as part of the Heritage
Open Weekend 2014.
A series of fun packed canal heritage events for the Heritage Open Weekend, at the
canal-side gardens of the Saltisford Canal Trust in the centre of Warwick.
Attractions include music, refreshments, boat trips, tombola, craft stalls, model boats
and a sensory garden. There will also be the chance to meet some alpacas and
dwarf goats!
Admission is free
More events coming up….
Experience the Anderton Boat Lift
13-14 Sept
10am-5pm
Come along this weekend to experience The Anderton Boat Lift
Ride on the Anderton Boat Lift, a unique piece of Victorian Engineering
Take a trip along the River Weaver on the Edwin Clark
Take one of the Top Of The World Tours to get up close to The Cathedral of the
Canals
Walk through our landscaped grounds
Take time to look at displays from The National Waterway Museum Ellesmere Port,
Standedge Tunnel, CRT Explorers, Friends of The Canal and River Trust and learn
about our volunteer opportunities.
For times and prices see here.
Batty about Bats?
Bat Night
13 September
7pm
Join West Yorkshire Bat Group for an illustrated talk about our nocturnal friends,
followed by a walk around the Standedge Tunnel site looking and listening for bats!
Booking essential 01484 844298
Bat walks
22-25 September
7pm-9pm
Do you know how many bat species we have in the UK? Come along and find out
how to find these amazing mammals.
Everybody is welcome to join us on a night walk to discover bats in your local area.
You'll get the chance to find out all about bats and which bats live in your area, you'll
also be provided with detectors to assist your bat-spotting!
British bats are entirely harmless so don't be shy. Wrap up warm and wear suitable
shoes for walking.
So we can manage numbers, please contact us to let us know you're coming. Please
email Paul Wilkinson.
Locations
Monday 22 September - starting at 19:10 - Earlswoods Lakes, Solihull, B94 5JH
Thursday 25 September - starting at 19:10 - Gailey Reservoir, ST19 5PU
Small donations welcomed.
Alternatively go bat spotting in your local area, here are a few tips -
How to spot bats
Summer is one of the best times of year to spot bats and if you’d like to spot some of
these captivating creatures then make your way down to your nearest canal or river.
Some of our 200-year-old tunnels, bridges, and aqueducts are home to countless
bats and if you plan your visit properly you’re almost guaranteed to see something
flitting across the water.
Bats are easier to spot during the summer months as they’re out and about hunting
for insects. They’re fascinating to watch as they dart about catching their prey and
showing off their agility. If you want to enjoy a night out with a difference then take a
look at our guide to spotting bats and head out to the water.
Read the full article here
Learn the traditional craft of Roses & Castles painting at The Canal
Museum Stoke Bruerne
20-21 Sept
11am-4pm
Take part in this 2-day painting course to learn the traditional craft of Roses &
Castles - the decorative art used to decorate working narrowboats.
For more information, prices and availability please contact
Louise.Stockwin@canalrivertrust.org.uk
To find more events over the coming months visit the Events calendar on our
website