Restoration Round-up

Restoration Round-up by Colin Greenall

Our volunteers have only been out on two occasions over the last few months; even so we have managed to work on three different sites.

Sunday April 18th: Newton Common Lock

Last November a quantity of used bricks were delivered to this site, and the best of them were clean and stored ready for future use, with those unsuitable for use being left.

The task of the Work Party was to clear away all those unwanted broken bricks.

Six hardy souls turned out to face the early morning rain. It didn't take long to establish a system of wheelbarrow fillers and pushers. By mid-morning the pile of bricks began to get smaller and the site was again looking a lot tidier.

Some clearance work was done on the cottage site and a general clean up carried out. (Left: Our Chairman's pic of the tidy lock in early July.)

As usual when working at this site we attract a lot of interest from people passing by.

There was no work party during May due to the fact that a number of regular volunteers were away on holiday.

Sunday June 6th: Sankey Bridges and Bewsey Lock

In 1994 we helped to restore the old swing bridge adjacent to Liverpool Road. At that time Warrington Council had made funds available to re-deck and fit new rails. Contractors did the main works, and our SCARS volunteers painted it and cleaned up the surrounding area. (Picture right)

Over the last few years nature had began to take over and so on a very hot Sunday morning we turn out to clear away the vegetation and litter which once more was doing its best to hide this historic feature of the canal.

Work at this site was completed by mid-day so we made our way over to Sankey Valley Park Rangers Office and had dinner before moving on to Bewsey Lock. Our task again was clearing vegetation, this time from the walls of the lock; this was achieved with the aid of some long handled loppers and grappling hooks.

Bewsey Lock contains some water but has no gates, and marks the end of the longest in-water stretch of the Canal, from Spike Island at Widnes. An interesting feature of this lock, and others on the Sankey, is that it has a swing bridge across its chamber. However, this has now deteriorated to a state where it needs replacing.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank both St.Helens and Warrington Ranger Service for their assistance in these projects and also the volunteers who turn out to help make things happen.

If anyone is interested in joining our work parties please contact Colin Greenall: Tel 01744 731746 (evenings) 01744 732031 (daytime) e-mail colin.greenall@btopenworld.com.

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