CUCT News
Alton Lock
Charlesworth Lock
Uttoxeter Canal self-guided walk
Dear Uttoxeter Canal supporter
I sent an email a few days ago but it is clear that it did not reach everyone on our mailing list and I do want to be sure that everyone has seen this, so apologies if you saw the previous version.
I want to let you know that tomorrow we will be hosting a small event on the Uttoxeter Canal. As part of the national Heritage Open Days event we are encouraging our supporters to take a self-guided walk along the Uttoxeter Canal, starting at either Alton or Denstone, as you wish. Members of the Trust will be waiting in the Crumpwood area to talk about some of the history and features of the canal and to explain work that has recently taken place, from a safe distance.
Image Bridge 70 during volunteer-led restorationAdditionally, in association with Lichfield Waterworks Trust, there will be a rare opportunity to see inside the historic pumping station at Crumpwood Weir. A fish pass was recently installed beneath this building and some of the original pumping gear removed as part of this project will be visible.
There is additional information on the new CUCT website. You might want to print this or have a smartphone available during your visit. For practical and social distancing reasons we cannot have Trust volunteers at all the sites of interest but there will be notices with information, some of which have QR code links to additional information on the website.
AccessAccess to the sites is along the former railway track. Walk along the line from either Alton or Denstone until reaching milepost 23, roughly half way between the two villages. The walk from Alton is slightly shorter, but there is a good walk with things to see whichever direction you come from. Follow the signs and relaid towpath from here to the bridge, lock, weir and pumping station. Signposts will be in place and volunteers will be on hand to talk to visitors from a safe distance.
The weather forecast is good so why not enjoy the opportunity for a walk in the beautiful Churnet Valley and to see some of our projects.
Best regards
Steve
PS Also I suspect that the message may have reached a few people who were no longer on the mailing list so I apologise if you are one of these. I moved the website to new software recently and it seems that the routine that copied users from the old site did not distinguish between present and former subscribers, but it did exclude subscribers who joined the first version of this mailing list. You can use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email to remove yourself from these occasional messages if you want to, though you are of course welcome to stay and receive occasional updates about the Uttoxeter Canal.
CUCT Sat, 12/09/2020 - 07:32Denstone
Alton spill weir
Crumpwood Weir
Carrington’s Lock
Alton Tunnel
Bridge 70
Uttoxeter Canal self-guided walk
Dear all
It has been several months since I was last in touch and our volunteer work parties have not yet resumed, but I am writing to let you know that this coming weekend we will be hosting a small event on the Uttoxeter Canal.
Members from the Trust will be waiting at key points along the canal between Denstone and Alton to talk about some of the history and features of the canal and to explain work that has recently taken place, from a safe distance.
Additionally, in association with Lichfield Waterworks Trust, there will be a rare opportunity to see inside the historic pumping station at Crumpwood Weir. A fish pass was recently installed beneath this building and some of the original pumping gear removed as part of this project will be visible.
We are hoping to have some good news for supporters who attend on Sunday, but it is a little premature to add it to this newsletter, so I do hope that some of you can make it to the site.
This event is being run in association with Heritage Open Days. There is additional information on the new CUCT website. A more detailed guide to the sites will be available via the website on the evening before the event. You might want to print this or have a copy available on a smartphone, to read as you visit.
AccessAccess to the sites is along the former railway track. This is mostly grassed but can be a bit wet, depending on the weather, though at the time of writing the forecast is looking kind. it is approximately half an hour walk from either Alton or Denstone to Crumpwood.
Walk along the line from either Alton or Denstone until reaching milepost 23, roughly half way between the two villages. Follow the signs and relaid towpath from here to the bridge, lock, weir and pumping station. Signposts will be in place and volunteers will be on hand to guide visitors. There is an additional site closer to Alton, also accessed from the railway line and three mileposts along the route, all of which will be signposted with information provided, but will not manned.
Best regards
Steve
Uttoxeter Canal self-guided walk
Learn about the Uttoxeter Canal on this self-guided walk. Members from Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust and Inland Waterways Association North Staffs & South Cheshire Branch will be waiting at key points along the canal between Denstone and Alton to talk about some of the history and features of the canal and to explain work that has recently taken place on the Canal, from a safe distance.
Between 2012 and 2016, supported by our partners in the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership and the National Lottery, our volunteers have restored the last standing bridge on the canal, as well as relaying the adjacent section of towpath and reinstating the missing mileposts along the full 13 miles of the canal. Since these initial projects we have expanded our vision, opening out more than half a mile of canal and towpath as well as uncovering a buried lock and other structures. Trust volunteers will be on hand to explain our ideas for the next stage of this ambitious project.
Additionally, in association with Lichfield Waterworks Trust, there will be a rare opportunity to see inside the historic pumping station at Crumpwood Weir. A fish pass was recently installed beneath this building and some of the original pumping gear removed as part of this project will be visible.
AccessAccess to the sites is along the former railway track. This is mostly grassed but can be a bit wet, depending on the weather. it is approximately half an hour walk from either Alton or Denstone to Crumpwood.
COVID-19 ConsiderationsThis event will run in line with local & national government guidelines at the time of the festival. Our volunteers will be on hand in carefully selected locations where social distancing can easily be maintained
DirectionsWalk along the former railway line from either Alton or Denstone until reaching milepost 23, roughly half way between the two villages. Follow the relaid towpath from here to the bridge, lock weir and pumping station. There is an additional site closer to Alton, also accessed from the railway line. Signposts will be in place and volunteers will be on hand to guide visitors.
Organised byCaldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust / Inland Waterways Association / Lichfield Waterworks Trust
Event type Social event Event date Sun, 13/09/2020 - 13:00 - Sun, 13/09/2020 - 16:00
Cargo Boats On The Caldon Canal
Your committee
Trust hosts online AGM
Members of the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust last night joined in with the Trust's first online AGM. Having been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the committee decided that using Zoom technology would allow the meeting to take place and meet the requirements of our constitution. Around 15 members took part in the meeting from their homes using computers and phones.
A key purpose of the meeting was for the committee to deliver, and for members to receive, the "Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2019", a copy of which can be read here. Chairman Steve Wood and Treasurer Chris Gurney summarised the report for members present.
The Chairman thanked all committee members for their contributions in various roles through the year, but in particular Philip Balfour who retired from committee on completion of the milepost project in 2019, as well as Maria & Robert Frost and Liz Quick who were stepping back from the committee at this meeting due to new family commitments.
Rob also stood back as a Trustee and Steve Wood was elected to replace him. Sue Dutton was reappointed as a Trustee for a further three year term. All other committee members agreed to stand again and committee roles will be agreed and confirmed at the next meeting.
The minutes of the AGM will be available at a later date. The Trust is to consider hosting a social meeting at a later date in particular to allow those members who were not able to participate in the online AGM to receive the annual report and ask any questions of the committee.
The meeting was followed by a presentation on progress with the Uttoxeter Canal restoration in 2019.
1970 Caldon Canal film now available
In 1970, a film "The Caldon Canal - a cut above the rest" was made about the Caldon Canal, for the then Caldon Canal Society. This follows a boat from Etruria along the the navigable section of the canal to Leek, then takes a look at the still unrestored canal from Hazelhurst Junction to Froghall.
You can view the 18 minute film on this website
Uttoxeter canal mileposts
The Caldon Canal - a cut above the rest
This film was made for the Caldon Canal Society in 1970 and follows the canal from Etruria to Leek, as well as parts of the closed route from Hazelhurst Junction to Froghall.
CUCT Thu, 28/05/2020 - 09:21The Caldon Canal - a cut above the rest
Uttoxeter Canal
IWA talk - bringing the Uttoxeter Canal back to life
Steve Wood recently gave an online talk about the Uttoxeter Canal at the invitation of Inland Waterways Association Shrewsbury & North Wales Branch. The Webinar can now be viewed via the IWA YouTube channel.