Sankey Canal Restoration Society

Registered Charity Number 702571
e-mail: david@scars.org.uk

The SCARS Executive Committee for 2010 - 2011

Chairman: Vacant

Secretary: Peter Keen
2 Scarisbrick Road, Rainford, St. Helens WA11 8JL
Tel: 01744 884000 Email: peterkeen21@aol.com
Also holds responsibilities for archiving and historical matters

Treasurer: Mike Harrison
4, Darvel Avenue, Garswood, Ashton in Makerfield, WN4 0UA
Tel: 01744 731746 Email: mike@darvel4.demon.co.uk
Also holds responsibility for general finance

Restoration: Colin Greenall
16 Bleak Hill Road, Eccleston, St. Helens WA10 4RW
Tel: 01744 732031 (Daytime) or 731746 (Evenings) Email: colin.greenall@btinternet.com

Communications: David Smallshaw
22 Harlech Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool L23 6XA
Tel: 0151 924 2036 (H), 07941 461509 (M) Email: flatboat@aol.com

Other Members of the Executive:
Neil Forshaw, Pat Robinson, Bob Meadows, Mary Presland, William Highcock, Andy Screen

Observers from Partner Organisations:
(Councillors from the three Local Authorities
which own most of the Canal's line):
Keith Morley (Halton)
Judith Wheeler and Linda Dirir (Warrington)
Vacancy (St. Helens)

The Inland Waterways Association:
David Smallshaw (Merseyside Branch)
Ray Buss (IWA NW Restoration Committee)

The Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) was formed in 1985, with the help and encouragement of the St. Helens Groundwork Trust. The principal aim of the Society is to achieve the full restoration of the Canal. To bring this about, the Society actively publicises and promotes the cause of the Canal, particularly in the three Boroughs through which it runs - Widnes (Halton), Warrington, and St Helens.

The Society supplements and supports the work the three Boroughs carry out themselves, particularly through their respective Ranger Services, covering the Canal's length.

In their turn, the Boroughs have positive policies towards the Canal and its restoration. A Feasibility Study was completed in the mid-1990's. Our partners in the Local Authorities are now working on a follow-up Economic Benefits Study.

SCARS carries out a Restoration Programme throughout the year, often in conjunction with the Waterway Recovery Group, which is the practical work arm of the national canals' organisation, the Inland Waterways Association.

The IWA supports the Society's aims, and is represented on its Executive Committee. From September to April, monthly Members' Meetings are held. These usually take the form of talks illustrated with slides, covering the Sankey itself, restoration work on other canals in the country, and subjects of related interest to the Canal and the towns it served.

During the warmer months, Guided Walks are organised along the Canal, and visits to other restoration projects are undertaken.

A team of Members staffs the Society's publicity caravan and stall at various Shows and Rallies in the region.

Boats

The Society owns an historic Bridgewater Canal grain barge, the BARMERE. It is moored on the canal at Spike Island, Widnes. See more...

Publications

Canal Cuttings

A quarterly Newsletter, Canal Cuttings, is published, and sent free to Members. Details of forthcoming Society activities, contacts for the various work-parties, venues for the Meetings, articles on a wide variety of waterway topics, are its regular features. The Editor is David Long. Email: david@scars.org.uk.

Items for sale

The Society has a number of items for sale - see them here.