Restoration Round-up
By Colin Greenall

This summer as seemed to pass by without a lot of action for the work party volunteers mainly due to the fact that I have been busy helping Cynthia with the sales stall at various events. We did however manage to get out in September and finish off the clearance of the by-wash channel at Bewsey Lock.

Sunday 17th September 2006

Weather: warm and overcast

On our last visit we had cleared about thirty metres from the point where the by-wash empties into the canal beyond the lock.

Today we are to continue from where we left off last time, that is we are working east from the overflow. When it had been decided who was doing what we began, one person on each bank and two in the water. The plan was to cut down the overhanging trees etc. and place them on the north bank to be stacked horizontally forming a barrier between the fence and edge of the channel. The one on the south bank was employed cutting back the vegetation and dropping it into the water to be transferred to the other side by those in the water, to be lifted out and stacked by the fourth. As work move eastwards one every large tree that had fallen across the channel had to be left, while further on we cleared a fair number of large submerged logs and stacked them on the bank.

After dinner (Below) two more volunteers arrived . This inspired us to cut into manageable pieces another fallen tree that was across the channel near to the footbridge at the end of the by-wash, these logs were then stacked on the bank.

We had now reached the end of the by-wash channel where you can step out into the dry bed of the canal. Looking back down the channel was quite remarkable seeing the large sand stone blocks of the wall and one very large tree across the water.

It was now time to pick up the tools and pack them away and make our way to the "Maltings" for a well-earned drink and to reflect on our day's work.

What a difference a day makes - Above: the channel soon after work began

Below: at the end of the day

Index for this issue     Index of all Canal Cuttings issues      Home Page

Site design and content © 2002 - 2006 Sankey Canal Restoration Society
Site design by Phil D.Long