By Phil Pickin
SHROPSHIRE’S Lord-Lieutenant, Anna Turner JP, has officially opened bridge 86, Schoolhouse Bridge, on the Montgomery Canal. The ceremony took place in front of a large crowd of supporters and representatives of the many individuals and organisations that helped with the project.
John Dodwell, chairman of the Montgomery Canal Partnership, thanked many local councillors including Coun Lezley Picton, the leader of Shropshire Council. In his speech, he highlighted the support from Shropshire Council for the restoration over the years, including a £177,000 grant from the Rural Prosperity Fund for rewatering works. But he didn’t overlook the efforts of the army of volunteers who have made the project possible.
Thanks also went to the public for donating around £1.1m and the Inland Waterways Association for providing £70,000 from the Tony Harrison Memorial legacy. Smaller but nonetheless important donations were also received from the local IWA Branch, the Walker Trust, the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund and the Millichope Foundation. Thanks also went to the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, who contributed more than £30k, largely from their annual triathlons.
Shropshire Union Canal Society was also mentioned, having started the fundraising off with £12,000, and thanks also went to the many individuals who donated funds, both large and small.
Although a large number of volunteers have been involved in the rebuilding of the bridge, John Dodwell wanted to highlight the efforts of a number who have provided a significant amount of support and help, including Michael Limbrey, a retired solicitor who dealt with all the legal paperwork; Phil Parker, a retired civil engineer who was the project manager who kept an eye on Beaver Bridges who built the new bridge; and Roger Bravey, a retired civil engineer and expert in bridge building.
Having opened the new bridge, work continues on the two miles left to restore in Shropshire – 80% of the canal has so far been completed. This remaining section is known as the Shropshire Gap, and a public appeal to raise £250,000 is underway to complete this part of the project. According to John, excluding the £177,000 Rural Prosperity Fund grant, they are more than halfway towards the target, with the total amount raised so far being about £130,000.
