The Revd. David Long (chairman): Currently Vicar of the Parish of St Mary Ince, where canal links are maintained through his having two locks of the 21-lock Wigan flight, and a section of the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal within the boundaries. Became involved with the Sankey when the Canal was chosen to be the eastern boundary of his former Parish in Warrington New Town. He and his family own a narrow boat. It is currently in France, but will be returned to England in time for the Sankey’s restoration early in the next Millennium!

Richard Chester-Browne (vice chairman): Responsible for publications, rallies and overseeing engineering studies. Richard is a mechanical engineer by profession and has been interested in canals for 25 years. He has cruised extensively in his narrow boat and also on derelict waterways in dinghy and coracle. A council member of Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society, member of I.W.A. Restoration Committee.

Steve Freeman (secretary): Steve has been involved with the Inland Waterways since 1985 His appointment as Landscape Manager with Groundwork provides the Society with a point of contact for Society matters.

Colin Greenall (work party organiser): Colin is a local master baker and confectioner who was born and bred in St. Helens. He is a canal enthusiast who spends his annual holidays on the canals. His other interests are Railways, Rugby League, walking and gardening when he gets the time.

Cynthia Greenall (treasurer): Cynthia is a housewife married to Colin, and has two daughters. She joined SCARS in 1985. Treasurer of various concerns, her hobbies include reading and jig-saws. Her interest in canals stems from a week in Llangollen in 1976 and annual boating holidays since then.

George Bruce (assistant news letter editor): George has recently retired from an Engineering Design Company (NNC Knutsford). He developed an interest in canals and industrial archaeology while working previously in Wolverhampton, living close to Netherton tunnel and the Black Country Museum. Other interests are steam engines and walking.

Mary Presland: Since retiring in 1993, after 37 years at St. Helens College, Mary Presland has been researching and writing local history (e.g. ‘St Helens: A Pictorial history’), in conjunction with members of the St. Helens Historical Society, whose secretary she has been since the 1970’s. Attracted by industrial archaeology, she joined the Merseyside Industrial Heritage Society (then N.W.S.I.A.H.) when John Harris instigated it in 1964, and is a founder member of SCARS. Her other interests include genealogy, north Norfolk, St. Helens Friends Meeting House, and the activities of her offspring and grand-offspring.

Neil Forshaw: Neil has lived in Newton-Le-Willows all his life; he used to open (along with a dozen other kids) the swing bridge at the bottom of the "mucky mountains" for barges going to Sankey sugar works. He is married to Philomena with two sons, three grand children and a cat. A member of Haydock Male Voice Choir, his other interests include local history, lancashire dialect and crown green bowling.

Dave Callan

E Southworth

Bill Highcock

Peter Keen: Peter is a native of Manchester; and married with two children. He is a teacher; his interests are Canal Restoration, Environmental Conservation, Classic Archaeology, Industrial Archaeology, History, Transport, Travel, D.I.Y., Books and Philately.

C Smith.

M Payne

Mrs G Buxbaum

P Lewis

M Grundy

I Hornby

D Hughes

Mrs F Hughes

Councillor Pat Robinson