Lichfield Branch
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Lichfield Branch
Forthcoming Events
All our Social Meetings will be held at Darwin Hall, off Heathcot Place, Lichfield WS13 6RQ at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start.
Sunday 2nd August 2026—Lockwind
helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
We will again be holding a lockwind at Barton Turn Lock to spread the word to passers by and boaters about IWA. We will also be selling cakes to raise funds for the Branch.
If you can help on the day or bake cakes for the stand that would be great. Please contact Helen Whitehouse on 01543 491161 or
We have a fun and social day chatting to people and end the day with food from the Barton Turns pub by the lock.
Saturday/Sunday 15th/16th August 2026—Brownhills Canal Festival
The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (L&H) will again be holding their Festival on the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Brownhills. There will be lots of stalls on the bank and floating traders on the water with many visiting boats lining the opposite bank. A great day out.
Thursday 10th September 2026—Guided Walk
Gnosall and the Shropshire Union Canal
This is an easy 4-mile circular walk with no stiles, on footpaths, across fields, on country roads and along the towpath.
We first follow the Way for the Millenium, a disused railway track connecting the towns of Shrewsbury and Stafford, before traversing a farm growing strawberries in
Photo Margaret Beardsmore
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polytunnels. From there we carry on towards the hamlet of Upper Cowley where we join the Shroppie at bridge 32.
After passing through the short Cowley tunnel, we leave the canal by bridge 34 and walk back through the village to our starting point.
Meet at 10:45 for 11:00 start on Thursday 10th September 2026 at The Acorn (formerly The Royal Oak), Newport Road, Gnosall Heath, Staffordshire ST20 0BL
Contact Clive Walker at clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Friday 18th September 2026—Social Meeting
Branch member and former Branch Chairman Adrian Wedgwood will give us a talk on his favourite subject BEER!.
It will actually be about Burton and it’s Breweries in the 1950s and 1960s of which there were many. Sadly most of them have been amalgamated into the big international conglomerates and the names have long disappeared No samples unfortunately.
Friday 16th October 2026—Social Meeting
An Evening With Richard Parry, retired Canal & River Trust Chief Executive.
A change of format from our usual meetings as there will be no presentation as such. The evening will be a Q&A session with Richard about his time with CRT and anything else anybody wishes to raise. Richard joined CRT in 2013, a year after the creation, and led the organisation through its critical formative years to become an established and well-supported national charity . Should be very interesting.
Thursday 12th November 2026—Guided Walk
Stoke Golding & the Ashby Canal
This is an easy 4-mile walk with no stiles, along quiet country lanes, the towpath and public footpaths.
We first head eastwards through the village before joining the Leicestershire Round LDP This soon brings us to the canal. We follow its contours around Dadlington,
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since the adjacent canal bridge is called Wiggins Hill Road Bridge. The Cuttle Bridge Inn has undergone various uses over time and it was formerly called The Kingsley. Shortly after passing under the bridge, which still retains its rubbings strakes and a hole for storing stop planks, we came across a small recess in the towing path. At first glance this narrow gap looks like a very small winding hole, or the entrance to a former wharf, but the latter description doesn’t make sense because the embankment drops away sharply immediately behind the recess. I am grateful to Phil Sharpe, who has since carried out some detailed research into this anomaly. Accordingly, the Minworth Arm was built sometime between 1901 and 1918. It connected via a tramway and travelling crane to the sewage treatment works. The canal played a major role bringing in the large quantities of ash from local power stations from 1918 onwards that was needed to maintain the filtration system in the bacteria beds. Apparently the concrete bridge that passed over the Minworth Arm was still there in 1996.
We continued westwards past Minworth Greaves, with industry to our left and fields to our right. Leaving the canal by Minworth Green Bridge (all the bridges on the B&F are named rather than numbered), we walked through a housing estate in the direction of a massive grey Amazon fulfilment centre. Wishaw Lane once connected Minworth with Over Green but it has now been blocked off as part of this warehousing development. Consequently, walkers are diverted onto the wide footway that leads past the warehouse. We paused by a bus stop for a drink. The whole area has a dystopian feel about it. Watched over by CCTV there is a second bus shelter with no timetable, roundabouts leading nowhere, no traffic on the tarmacked road, and freshly painted double yellow lines discouraging you from parking or stopping. Nonetheless birds and wildlife have settled in the bare fields behind the steel fencing. After a good mile we left the site and rejoined the truncated Wishaw Lane. Soon we were walking past The Cock Inn at Wishaw (which featured in a previous walk) and turned right onto Wiggins Hill Road. At a bend in the road, you have a distant view of the high-rise buildings of Birmingham city centre. Skylarks can be heard singing in the farmland. We proceeded downhill past some old cottages and a Dutch-style barn on our way back to our starting point. Next to Wiggins Hill Road Bridge there is a gated
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area with some unusual-looking bollards. In the 1850s this was a boatbuilding yard, and it now serves as a temporary wharf for CRT. We retired to the pub where we enjoyed good refreshment.
Clive Walker
16th/17th May 2026—Moira Canal Festival
The Branch had a stand at the Festival ably manned by Helen Whitehouse and other Branch members. I understand that the “Narrowboat Game” that was made for the Branch many years ago proved very popular. An enjoyable weekend which provided a good boost to Branch funds.
16th/17 May 2026—Stafford Riverway Link Open Weekend
Sadly, as this fell on the same weekend as the Moira Festival the Branch was not represented here. From what I understand the Festival raised a significant amount of money for the SRL funds.
Spring Bank Holiday Weekend 2026—Crick Boat Show
The major boat show of the year at Crick Marina was well supported by Lichfield members working on the IWA stand. We spent the weekend selling books, maps and other boating paraphernalia to visitors. We were also chatting to people and encouraging them to join the Association. For a change it was a very hot and sunny weekend which can be a challenge for an outdoor event. People were seeking shade and eating ice creams and drinking cold beer. A great weekend!
Friday 12th June 2026—Trip on The Danny
2026 is the 80th anniversary of IWA and to celebrate this a trip on the iconic steamship S.S. Daniel Adamson (“The Danny”) was arranged on the River Weaver on 12th June.
About a hundred past and present branch and national committee members and friends assembled at the Anderton Lift for a welcome from Mike Wills, IWA National Chair and a talk on The Danny and the Weaver by Dan Cross. After boarding, we cruised about 8 miles down river via Saltersford Lock and through two swing bridges, enjoying great views on a warm, sunny day, if a little windy, and some onboard catering. The Danny was built in 1903 as a
The Danny Phil Sharpe
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passenger carrying tug and upgraded in 1936 for the Manchester Ship Canal Company directors with an elegant Art Deco saloon. Now carefully restored, with its rare original triple-expansion steam engines, it is run by volunteers providing passenger trips and an events venue.
Lichfield Branch had arranged a trip on The Danny back in 2020 when Covid struck, so it was good to finally experience this historic vessel. With the Anderton Lift still closed pending gate and other repairs, this is the only way for many people to enjoy the River Weaver, and the experience of boating it high up on a small ship was very different from that on a narrowboat.
Helen Whitehouse, Phil Sharpe, Adrian and Maz Wedgwood were pleased to represent Lichfield Branch and to meet old colleagues and friends to reflect on the past achievements of IWA and look forward to the future.
News From River Canal Rescue
WaterNav extends online
River Canal Rescue has launched a web version of its free mapping tool – WaterNav –enabling its 15,000+ users to route plan and search data on more devices, instead of relying solely on the smartphone app.
Previously, inland waterway navigations were only available to view and route plan on the WaterNav app, which due to smartphone screen sizes, could be problematic. The new online version makes journey planning easier as people can access bigger screens, such as PCs, laptops and tablets etc.
Offering the same features as the app, the web version is quick for route planning, taking seconds, with results seamlessly transferring to mobiles, where required. However, because this version isn’t app dependent, users only have to open WaterNav in their web browser to plan, share and download routes, and then access offline on their devices.
WaterNav shares vital information, including CRT stoppages/notices etc, offering alternative routes; all the waterway information on locks, bridges, turning points etc, preventing boaters from going down non-navigable routes and potentially causing damage to marine environments, plus details of pubs, shops, vets, diesel, moorings etc. App and browser users who set up an account (also free), can update journey information, such as waterway facilities, points of interest and obstructions/issues as they arise, save routes once cruised, keep logs of where they’ve been, add photos and share with friends and on social media.
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Marinas and local waterway businesses are equally encouraged to input their feedback. WaterNav also has a SOS function, using the data signal as opposed to network coverage, plotting the phone’s GPS co-ordinates and What 3 Words location, to summon RCR help. Identifying the user’s position within a 5mtr radius is invaluable in emergency situations or when cruising on rivers with no access.
RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton, comments: “We’re keen for WaterNav to be the ‘go-to’ navigation and information tool for boaters, and these changes give people more choice on how they view and plan routes.
“We now offer the best of both worlds; a browser version for people to explore and plan their routes before they go and the app version while on the water. Next step is a function that updates customers on our engineers’ arrival time, so watch this space.” To access WaterNav via a web browser, go to https://web.waternav.co.uk/ and download as an app, go to Google Play or the App store. Find out more about River Canal Rescue at https://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/waternav-app/ or follow the team on Facebook.
Planning Matters
This report summarises the more notable of about 25 planning matters dealt with between mid-April and mid-July 2026.
Affecting the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and part of the Shropshire Union Canal, a Main Modification to South Staffordshire Council’s Local Plan Review includes extension of a policy on Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople to
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include Boat Dwellers. This supports the development of new residential moorings, subject to there being no operational, navigational, safety, visual or amenity impacts, and having emergency services access, adequate car parking, and on-site services (water, electricity, sewage, and waste disposal) where practicable. We were pleased to support this provision. Also, an Additional Modification refers to “undertaking an appraisal of the canal conservation area appraisals” as we had advocated at the plan examination, but we requested that the wording be clarified to “review and update the canal conservation area appraisals and management plans.”
Coven Heath remains a favoured area for gypsy/traveller site developments, whether pre-authorised or not. At Brinsford Bridge Caravan Site the replacement of a dayroom with a larger house was refused, and, separately, we asked for enforcement of original conditions to require additional landscape planting screening. Nearby, across the canal, a proposed new residential gypsy/traveller site at Shaw Lane will be partly screened but would add to the cumulative impact on the canal’s Conservation Area.
Affecting both the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and the Trent & Mersey Canal is a New Local Plan for Stafford Borough. We have said it should include a policy on the provision of residential boat moorings, similar to that recently added to the South Staffordshire Local Plan Review, as above.
By the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood junction, the temporary recreational campsite proposal has been refused.
FRADLEY JUNCTION LOCK 17
(from CRT Heritage, Design & Access Statement)
The ladder on the left is the current ladder and hoops. The ladder on the right is a recent intervention with new hoops and recess (2025) made to Wood End Lock just south of the same location
Lichfield Branch
At Fradley Junction, the retrospective planning and Listed Building Consent applications for Junction House, still misleadingly called Junction Manor, have been resubmitted with some corrections and changes. We have again objected to the new steel fencing and suggested that if the gate is retained, a replanted hedge should replace or supplement the rest of the fencing.
A CRT Listed Building Consent application for the adjacent Junction Lock 17 was to widen the lock ladder on the towpath side with a new ladder hoop, but to remove the offside ladder near the bottom gate and brick up the recess. It has since been approved.
By the Coventry Canal at Peel Farm just south of Whittington, the proposed conversion of modern steel barns for residential use could be improved if the canalside elevation had a brick wall to match the adjacent farm building.
At Atherstone the previously consented assisted living apartments, replacing a derelict factory, will be reduced from two storeys to one but with the same design features
On HS2, the King’s Speech on 13 May included the Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill, a renamed version of the old HS2 Phase 2b bill, for a railway from Manchester via Manchester Airport to Millington, a village in north Cheshire so small as to not be named on most maps. This disconnected section of the former HS2 route will not actually be usable unless and until the remainder of the proposed NPR route to Liverpool is designed and authorised, so it seems to be a complete farce to go ahead with it as this stage.
Despite earlier reports that the results of the ‘reset’ would be further delayed, on 19 May the Transport Secretary announced significant changes to the programme for HS2 Phase 1. The final cost has increased to between £87.7bn and £102.7bn, the top speed will be reduced from 250 to 200 mph, and the start date for services from Birmingham to Old Oak Common is further delayed to between 2036 and 2039. Completion to Euston and the Handsacre connection to the West Coast Mainline will not be until 2040 to 2043.
However, in evidence to the Transport Select Committee the following day the CE Mark Wild said the full reset will take until April 2027. He also said his objective is to complete the civil engineering by 2029 before starting track laying etc. Contract renegotiation has only just started. The Delta Junction to Handsacre Junction 30km section is deferred and current works will be ‘stabilised’ in the next 18 months. The design specification will then be revisited before construction work restarts in 203132. The original rolling stock contract for 54 trains of 200m length continues but is under review. Land purchased for Phase 2A will be retained but the temporary land taken will be returned by 2027. A select committee will be appointed for the repurposed NPR Manchester to Millington bill shortly.
Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer & HS2 Lead
Lichfield Branch
Editorial Notice
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Lichfield Lines is the newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch, it is produced 4 times a year to keep members informed about our forthcoming public meetings, walks, work parties and other activities, to provide reports on recent meetings and events, and to include articles of general interest to our members.
The editor, Peter Gurney, welcomes articles, letters or photographs of waterway activities in our Branch area which can be emailed to pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk (Please note there is a 35MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address). The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th October 2026, for publication in November.
Advertising
Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 280 Branch members. It can also be read and downloaded by anyone from the Branch website pages. If you would like to publicise your waterway related business to our members, and others that read the newsletter online, we can offer advertising space at the following rates:
Full Page - £20 inc VAT per issue
Half Page - £10 inc VAT per issue
Please contact the editor to discuss artwork and layout. By advertising you will help to sponsor IWA's charitable activities and reach potential customers who are all committed to the waterways.
The IWA has a range of corporate members some of whom offer discounts to members. The discount details can be found on the IWA website at https://waterways.org.uk/benefits
Corporate members in our area are
Lichfield Cruising Club 2000 Ltd
Stafford Boat Club Ltd
Longwood Boat Club
Ashby Canal Association
Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Tamworth Cruising Club
Ashby Canal Trust
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals
Restoration Trust
Canal Transport Services Ltd
River Canal Rescue Ltd
Ash Tree Boat Club
Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd
Elite Furnishings
Waterways World Ltd
Birmingham & Midland Marine Services
Midland Chandlers Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust
Norton Canes Boat Services Ltd
Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd
Stafford Riverway Link
Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.
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Your Committee
Chairman
Tel: 07808 846434
Lichfield Branch
Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: sue.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Secretary & Planning Officer
Tel: 01889 583330
Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk
Volunteer Coordinator & Navigation
Tel: 07808 846434
Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Membership Officer
Tel: 01283 713125
Email: adrianwedgwood1941@gmail.com
Member
Tel: 07847 470112
Email: derek.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk
Branch Sales
Tel: 01543 491161
Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
Neil Barnett
Sue Gurney
Phil Sharpe
Neil Barnett
Adrian Wedgwood
Derek Beardsmore
Helen Whitehouse
Social Secretary Position vacant
Non-Committee Posts
Newsletter and Website Editor
Tel: 01785 255101
Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Walks Coordinator
Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Social Media Editor
Email: Richard.curtis@waterways.org.uk
Branch Contact Address
Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk
Pete Gurney
Clive Walker
Richard Curtis
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