Phil Pickin reports…
HOT on the heels of the recent official opening of the Schoolhouse Bridge on the Montgomery Canal, the Restore the Montgomery Canal! group has announced a charity donation from the Weeping Cross Fund, which was set up in the will of David Tomlinson, a pioneer of the movement to restore neglected waterways.
Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! group of canal charities, said: “Today we know that a reopened canal brings benefits for recreation and well-being, conservation and the visitor economy. Sixty years ago, pioneers of waterway restoration campaigned to restore neglected canals, many now a valued amenity for their local community. David Tomlinson was one of those pioneers, organising volunteers clearing and restoring the Stourbridge Sixteen Locks in the West Midlands and supporting many other canal revivals across the country.”
The donation will be used with match funding via grants, which will result in the tripling of the amount donated. Michael went on to say: “Our recent celebration of the rebuilding of Schoolhouse Bridge in Crickheath, the newest bridge on the canal, highlighted the extent of support from other charitable trusts following an earlier gift of £25,000 from a family company which was so impressed by what our volunteers are doing for the local community. We would be delighted to speak to anyone who sees the value of what our volunteers are doing and would like to support this community project in the same way.”
The wider benefits of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal were outlined in the group’s plans for the canal, which will include safeguarding its ecology as well as its built heritage and opening up the towpath as an amenity for residents and visitors. The group feels that a walk along the towpath can show how a canal can be used for recreation and well-being while giving opportunities for businesses and employment which, in turn, contribute to the local economy.
Michael said supporters come from across the country and have helped the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal by spending a busy weekend with the Shropshire Union Canal Society (part of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! group) reconstructing a canal that has been dry and derelict for more than half a century. But restoration is far from complete with work needed to bridge the so-called ‘Shropshire Gap’.
He added: “We are very happy to receive more donations to our appeal through www.localgiving.org/appeal/montgomerycanal and offers to help our volunteers at their work parties.”
