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THE NAVVIES ARE BACK
12/08/2004
A group of modern day navvies have returned
to the Lancaster Canal.
Members of the Waterway Recovery Group are
spending the next two weeks (w/c 9/8/04) carrying out restoration work on
the flight of locks on the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal at
Tewitfield near Carnforth.
The navvies, who are drawn from all walks
of life and who give their time voluntarily, will be clearing the bywashes
and the stone constructed channels which allow excess water to by-pass the
locks, of nearly fifty years of decay.
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Many of the channels have become completely
overgrown or filled in over this period and will require digging out and the
joints in the stonework sealing to make the channels waterproof again.
About 20 to 30 volunteers from all over the
country are expected to take part in the event, supported by members of the
Lancaster Canal
Trust. Materials and equipment for the project is being provided from within
the Waterway Recovery Group and from the Lancaster Canal Trust.
The Trust has also hired a local village
hall, which the volunteers will use for accommodation.
British Waterways is supporting the project
through assistance from its engineering staff.
The project continues the work started in
2003 when a similar event was held.
A spokesman for the Lancaster Canal Trust
said he was delighted that the Trust had been able to secure the services of
the Waterway Recovery Group for the second year in succession. |
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Will Warburg, the Canal Trust's
work party Organiser, said: "Demand for the assistance of Waterway Recovery
Group members is always high from waterway restoration projects throughout
the country.
"We are very lucky that they have decided
to include the Lancaster Canal in their programme." He added that the Trust
were very grateful to local farmer, Roger Mason for agreeing access across
his land to the site. "The bywashes are an integral part of the operation of
the lock system. It is essential this work is carried out before the locks
themselves can be restored to working order."
For further information contact: Will
Warburg 07889 366388
Editor's note: Waterway Recovery Group is a
national organization of volunteers, dedicated to the restoration of the
country's waterways network and is part of the Inland Waterways Association.
Members give their free time and pay a contribution towards the cost of
accommodation, food, etc whilst taking part in events. The locks on the
Lancaster Canal became derelict after they were closed to traffic in the mid
1950's, the gates being finally removed in the 1960's. This project is part
of the programme to restore the Lancaster Canal back to
Kendal.
Original source:
Dave Slater
Hon Secretary
Lancaster Canal Trust
Reg. Charity 240957 |
