Sankey Canal Restoration Society



Volume 5, Number 9 - Summer 2004

Society Matters

We welcome our new Members :-

Mrs Mary McCooey - Preston
Chris Coffey - St Helens (life membership)

Sales Stall

A Note from our Chairman: Our Exhibition and Sales Stall is a high-profile means of gathering support for our project. The Society is very grateful for the time and energy our Sales Team, Colin and Cynthia Greenall, put into presenting and staffing the Stall throughout the season. They are, however, always grateful for any assistance others can give. If you are able to go along with them to any of the Shows etc. they're attending, please get in touch (on 01744 731746) to offer your time.

As the season started this year we looked to be having a slow start, and a quiet time ahead, with only the local history fair at Helmshore Textile Mill booked for the end of March and the IWA Campaign Rally at Runcorn in June, but with not much else in the pipeline until August. A local car boot sale in April helped us clear some of the larger items of stock, but both the Halton Show and the Widnes Boat Jumble were cancelled because of extensive road works on the Runcorn Bridge, so the rest of the summer appeared empty. Happily, as they say, "Something Turned Up", more events we could attend were announced, and the Treasurer is visibly relaxing.

The first of the extra Events, on June 26th/27th, was at Runcorn, alongside the Bridgewater Canal, a short distance from its present Waterloo Bridge terminus, in supporting of the campaign for the restoration of the Runcorn Locks (left: Photo from "The Tuesday Night Club" website). The Saturday was wet, very wet, apart from the last hour, but the Sunday was warm and sunny, which raised everyone's spirits and brought out the visitors. It was a busy weekend with over 100 boats moored along the canal, plenty of stalls and lots of children's activities. We were very pleased with the interest shown in the Sankey and its possible link to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Thank you to everyone who offered to lend a hand and to David Long, our Chairman, who came along after his Sunday morning Service to help us.

In July we will be at the Leigh Carnival and also the Eco Parklife Fun Days, which Halton Council is putting on at Widnes and Runcorn in place of the Halton Show. (No hassle with the bridge - a show on each side!) No doubt by the 25th August when we set off for the IWA Festival at Burton-on-Trent, the stall will be looking a little bare, so once again this is an appeal for any unwanted toys (not soft ones), bric-a-brac, books etc that you may have, please. In September we have two events in St Helens, and the Fairground Organ/Vintage Rally in Widnes. Come along and join us if you can.

Cynthia Greenall

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