IT WAS 60 YEARS AGO that the Shropshire Union Canal Society came into being.
And on the 9th November of this year celebrated the 60 years of working to restore the Shropshire Union Canal and its branches, Janet Friend reports.
Stop the closures
During these 60 years the members of the society have worked hard to at first stop the closures then restore the abandoned branches of the various navigations.
During these years, working with the Montgomery Canal Partnership, Shropshire Council and Canal & River Trust, generations of volunteers have helped transform sections of such as the Montgomery Canal from a derelict waterway into one that boaters can now enjoy.
The celebrations of those 60 years took place at the Dolphin Inn in Llanymynech on the English Welsh border, where volunteers from all the years were given guided tours of the restorations then followed by a reception at the Dolphin Inn where Welsh and English politicians, Canal & River Trust officials gave speeches praising the work undertaken.
A truly special way
David Carter, chair of the Shropshire Union Canal Society opened the proceedings by explaining:
"Our 60th anniversary celebration is a truly special way to end our anniversary year and a unique gathering of members who have been active in the society’s restoration work during each of the six decades.
“The whole history of the society has come alive! From the early campaigns to save the canal through to the work taking place today at Schoolhouse Bridge, volunteer effort has been the driving force behind every success. While we are proud of how far we have come, we remain committed to closing the Shropshire Gap and ensuring the Montgomery Canal can be enjoyed for generations to come."
Schoolhouse Bridge pictured at its reopening.
Volunteers are continuing the work and are currently focused on restoration activity around Schoolhouse Bridge, in Crickheath, the last highway obstruction before the Welsh border.
Eventually allowing navigation to be restored, firstly to Waen Wen Basin and on to the Llanymynech section, which is already in water, and one day to the long stretch through Welshpool, which was restored many years ago.