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The Chesterfield Canal - News

'Situations vacant'

Please check our vacancies page to see if you can help us.

Volunteer restoration working party.

The work at Mill Green Staveley has now been completed!


April 17, 2008

Meetings at Wales Jubilee Social Club

A meeting was held on 9th April at Wales Jubilee Social Club for members and friends from Kiveton and surrounding areas.

About 40 people attended and enjoyed a presentation with slides by Geraint Coles re the latest development plans for the restoration of the remaining 9 miles.

A further meeting has been arranged at the same venue on Thursday 8th May at 8pm when John Lower will present a slide show.


April 11, 2008

Restoration at Renishaw

Restoration is actually starting on another mile of canal at Renishaw.

More...


January 30, 2008

PROMOTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS GROUP – EVENTS 2008

  • MONDAY MAY 5TH RETFORD CHARTER DAY ALL DAY
  • SAT/SUN MAY 10TH/11TH TAPTON LOCK EXHIBITION SITE ALL DAY
  • WED/THU JUNE 4TH/5TH IWAC COUNCIL MEETING 2HRS ON 1 DAY
  • SAT JULY 5TH WALES/KIVETON CARNIVAL ALL DAY
  • SUN JULY 6TH KILLAMARSH ANNUAL GALA ALL DAY
  • FRI/SAT JULY 11TH/12TH "BOATS & BOOTS" – KIVETON ALL DAY
  • SUN JULY 13TH HARTHILL CARNIVAL ALL DAY
  • SUN JUL 27TH TAPTON LOCK – CANAL CAPERS ALL DAY
  • TBA SHIREOAKS CARNIVAL ALL DAY
  • TBA MISTERTON CARNIVAL ALL DAY
  • SAT-MON AUG 23RD-25TH IWA NATIONAL, WOLVERHAMPTON ALL DAY
  • 3 DAYS
  • SAT/SUN SEPT 6TH/7TH ROTHERHAM SHOW ALL DAY
  • THU – SAT OCT 30TH CHESTERFIELD MARKET ALL DAY
  • – NOV 1ST FESTIVAL 3 DAYS

ALL DAY USUALLY MEANS FROM ABOUT 10.00AM – 4 OR 5PM PLUS SETUP/TAKE DOWN TIME.

YOUR "VOLUNTEER TIME" CAN BE ALL OR PART OF ANY DAY/DAYS

YOU ARE WELCOME TO DO AS MANY OR AS FEW EVENTS AS YOU WISH – REMEMBER, YOUR "VOLUNTEER TIME" STARTS FROM WHEN YOU LEAVE HOME – IT IS ALL VALUABLE TO US!!

OTHER EVENTS TBA AS THEY OCCUR.


January 29/30, 2008

Events page updates

The Events page has been updated with new walks for 2008.

More...


January 12, 2008

Meeting to bring together Trust members and interested residents

Rum Runner, RetfordA meeting was held on January 10 at the Rum Runner, Wharf Lane, Retford to bring together members of the Trust, and other interested people resident in the area.

It was attended by 29 people, mostly members and chaired by Pete Ramsell. After the initial welcome, Trust Chairman Keith Ayling spoke briefly on behalf of the Trust.

Various topics relating to the Seth Ellis trip boat were discussed and Steve Thompson explained the plans for using the new Trust Trailer for promotions and exhibitions.

The next topic related to the problems of rubbish constantly found floating in the canal and thus spoiling an otherwise excellent amenity enjoyed by so many. A clean-up campaign is being arranged.

The last main subject was the idea of a Retford Boats and Boots event, that is, a guided walk in one direction returning by boat. This was greeted with enthusiasm. The meeting closed at 9.35pm after agreeing to continue holding these meetings in their present format for the time being. Those attending expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to get together.

The next meeting will be held on 31.1.08 at 7.30pm in the same venue. Dr. Geraint Coles will be guest speaker.


January 11, 2008

Web site for the Seth Ellis

Seth ellisDavid Morris has set up a web site for the Seth Ellis which will primarily be used to hold crew- related information (procedures etc) but will feature a little bit of history and information about the boatand hopefully it will be expanded to hold more information about our cruising area around Retford.


December 13, 2007

WE Win!

Sustrans Connect2 £50m bid, which includes extensive footpath improvements and linkages to and around the Chesterfield Canal, has emerged as the winner after the closure of the national phoneline voting on December 10th.

Up against strong competition from three other schemes (two of which also included canal elements) the Sustrans bid will encourage more people to enjoy the freedom of the countryside around the Chesterfield Canal in Sheffield, Derbyshire and Rotherham by foot, cycle and on horseback.

The scheme includes a new safe walking link from the terminus of Sheffield's Supertram at Halfway to the Chesterfield Canal and Trans - Pennine Trail at Killamarsh, which will link into the new Killamarsh Greenway which follows the towpath of the canal through the village.


December 7th 2007

VOLUNTARY RESTORATION UPDATE

Mill Green Restoration project latest

As we are now well into our second year of works on the south side of Mill Green Bridge were a section of canal walling had become unstable and eventually collapsed into the canal works have now almost being completed...

More on the Volunteer Restoration Project page

The completed section at Mill Green Staveley


November 29, 2007

New photos on Volunteer Restoration Project page

We have three new photos from Mick Hodgetts on our Volunteer Restoration Project page

Click to go to the volumteer  restoration project page

November 26, 2007

Chesterfield Canal challenges for dog walkies award!

The Chesterfield Canal is in line for top spot in a nationwide trawl for the favourite dog walk! Already in the top 40 nationwide, you can make us tops by voting on www.21topdogwalks.co.uk

Votes must be in by November 30th.


November 20, 2007

Canal Trust / Partnership’s new Promotions Trailer

Making its debut at the IWA 2007 National Boat Festival was the Canal Trust/Partnership’s Promotions Trailer. It had been hoped to have the X25 available much earlier in the season but production delays meant the promotions team had to wait until August to try out the latest acquisition.

The trailer is 2.5m long with side-opening doors but the Trust has taken the option to extend the doors to give more than 5 metres exterior full–height display area. A major feature is the incorporation of a multi-media unit offering video/digital presentations and exterior large format body graphics promoting the Canal as a Waterway For All. An awning extends the working area and disabled access is via a portable ramp. The X25 is a most impressive unit with lighting, storage, leaflet distribution and exhibition facilities which are readily set up by one or two people in a matter of minutes.

The X25 ready for the road after hitching . (Photo J. Lower )
The X25 ready for the road after hitching (Photo J. Lower)

Externally the trailer’s graphic work depicts various aspects of the Chesterfield Canal as a Waterway For All whilst the panels display information about the Trust and Partnership, restoration progress to date, work remaining to complete the Staveley to Kiveton section of canal and how visitors can become involved. Inside the X25 is a route map of the Canal’s 46 miles. The map runs along two walls showing features along the navigation.

The unit is towed by a medium-sized vehicle and represents a tremendous advance on any promotional/display facility previously used by the Trust.

The Trust is currently looking at naming suggestions for the Promotions Trailer. Presently there is the John Varley crew, the Seth Ellis crew, the work party etc. The trailer purchase has meant the need to describe similarly the volunteer group working with the X25. It has been decided, therefore, the trailer requires a name to be attached to the exterior. Suitable suggestions are being requested to the Editor of Cuckoo so please join in and send your thoughts in time for the next Cuckoo due early spring 2008.
Norwood Awake October 2007. (Photo A. James)
Norwood Awake October 2007. (Photo A. James)


November 19, 2007

Canal Trust Santa Publicity Trip 2007

Saturday, 17th November and Santa makes a special appearance in Retford on board the Seth Ellis trip boat for the Chesterfield Canal Trust to publicise the forthcoming Santa trips which start in December.

2007 bookings now being taken for Seth Ellis and John Varley.


Santa, Santa, give us a wave
on board the Seth Ellis (David Morris)


Local VIPs, related children and
tripboat skipper Tony Winfrow on
board of the Seth Ellis (David Morris)


November 4, 2007

Volunteers from the Chesterfield sub-aqua club assist CCT restoration working party by installing stop planks at Hollingwood Lock prior to pumping out the lock for work on the bottom gates.

Chesterfield sub-aqua club assist CCT restoration working party


October 23, 2007

Page updates:

Chairman's message 2008

Along The Towpath

And Sales Co-ordinator Situation vacant


October 23, 2007

Light at the end of the Tunnel? October 13th 2007

Since the re-opening of Rotherham’s part of the Chesterfield Canal in 2003, attention has been drawn to the next big obstacle - the collapsed Norwood Tunnel. This 2880yd tunnel (opened in 1775) took the canal east - west from Wales in Rotherham into Derbyshire above the village of Killamarsh. Exactly a hundred years ago, on October 18th 1907, the tunnel finally collapsed and has lain undisturbed since then.

Using £85k granted by Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward, the Chesterfield Canal Partnership has commissioned consultant engineers Arup to answer the question ‘How can we forge the missing link on the canal to join Rotherham with Derbyshire once again?’. The emerging solution was spelt out at a ceremony attended by members of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership at the eastern portal of the closed Norwood Tunnel near Kiveton Park on Saturday October 13th. The chairs of Wales, Harthill, Anston and Killamarsh Parish Councils attended, along with the chair of the Kiveton Park and Wales Community Development Trust.


Partnership members celebrate the Arup report above the eastern portal of Norwood Tunnel.

Although an official draft of the study for local debate will not be available until later this year, consultants Arup’s work so far suggests a radical solution - forget about a tunnel - let’s go up and over the hill on the surface! This is close to the 18th century canal engineer , James Brindley’s original solution, which involved a very much shorter tunnel at 630 yards, than the one finally constructed.

Under the new proposals about 500 yards of the tunnel at the eastern end will remain underground, before being lifted by two canal locks to ground level. The canal will cross the former Kiveton Park Colliery site, then rise by a series of locks to the summit. Although today the M1 motorway crosses the summit level above the former tunnel, a farm access and footpath which can be adapted to include the canal will allow a way under. More new locks will allow the descent through Norwood to join the top of the existing, although derelict, Norwood flight of locks, then on to Killamarsh following a new route through the Rother Valley Country Park.

We must wait for the publication of the report for more details, but the prospect of a completely new canal for south Rotherham is an exciting development, as well as solving the most difficult engineering problem the whole restoration project faces - the long collapsed Norwood Tunnel.


Canal Trust members provided boat trips on the summit pound 12-14 October.

October 1, 2007

Canal reopens at Chesterfield

Following the successful repair to the canal breach at Tinkersick the canal has been refilled and is now completely open between Chesterfield and Staveley.


August 16, 2007

New link added:

Progress at Renishaw Some more photos from Michael Chase showing further work by the Waterways Recovery Group during their work camp 4th to 11th August 2007.


15 July 2007.

Rotherham Walking Festival 2007. Photos by David Morris, one of the Trust tripboat skippers. See more links on our links page....

Seth Ellis
Seth Ellis (David Morris)

Seth Ellis, crew and walkers
Seth Ellis (David Morris)


12 July 2007.

Supporters' Meeting chairman Jim Walker with distinguished long-service award

Supporters' Meeting chairman Jim Walker with distinguished long-serviceCCT chairman Keith Ayling presents Supporters' Meeting chairman Jim Walker with his distinguished long-service award at the July Supporters' meeting.

Jim came to national prominence with his legendary 'Bobbin' Robin' - a marinised Robin Reliant which took to the canals and provided the Society ( as we then were) with a great deal of useful publicity.

Jim's practical professional mechanical skills with the internal combustion engine earned Jim the privilege (?) of spending countless hours of his time over the years dealing with the mechanical unpredictability of our former trip boat, the Norwood Packet, and more recently the John Varley.

Jim has also been a stalwart in crewing our tripboats, and has many times responded promptly to emergency callouts.

Jim's present role as chairman of the Supporters' Meeting has seen a significant growth in attendance and renewed enthusiasm of active members, and is in fact his second term in that role. As a trustee Jim has always has sound advice and a considered view to offer in our deliberations.

A real 'all-rounder', Jim joins the small number of members to receive this award, which all agree has been hard earned and well merited.


8 July 2007.

'Boots and Boats' journey for clients of the Addison Day Centre Maltby

Clients of the Addison Day Centre Maltby enjoy the cruise leg of their 'Boots and Boats' journey on the canal on the Seth Ellis in Rotherham as part of the Rotherham Walking Festival on July 6th. All of the programme was fully booked and the Trust will extend the programme next year.

'Boots and Boats' journey for clients of the Addison Day Centre


4 July 2007.

Proposals for the Killamarsh Greenway project

CCT's Steve Thompson explains proposals for the Killamarsh Greenway project at the Killamarsh Festival on July 1st to (l to r) Councillor Alan Charles (DCC and Killamarsh PC), Councillor Harold Laws (NE Derbyshire DC), and local MP Natascha Engel. Young Malek obviously approves!

Proposals for the Killamarsh Greenway  project


New Dawn, update June 16, 2007

Fresh Lincolnshire oak and boat-skin larc

Chesterfield Canal Trust’s project to construct a unique “Cuckoo” narrowboat took a major step forward on January 25th when members of the Trust took delivery of the bulk of the timber to build the boat.

More...


10 May 2007.

Chairman's message 2007.

By Keith Ayling

A Model Restoration Project - that’s official!

At the AGM on March 26th I was able to announce, at last, the good news from the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council’s (IWAAC) third review of Inland Waterway Restoration and Development Projects in England Wales and Scotland, just published from data collected in 2005.

More...


10 May 2007.

What goes around…

By Geraint Coles

2006 proved to be a significant year for the Chesterfield Canal Partnership – 2007 is shaping up to follow suit. Of particular importance in our search for significant funding is the huge boost which we have received from the IWAAC Report on Waterway Restoration and Development Projects and our success in the BURA Awards.

More...


10 May 2007.

Latest additions to Along The Towpath

More...


10 May 2007.

Mick Wilson retires

After almost a quarter of a century with British Waterways, Mick Wilson, the Chesterfield’s popular Waterway Supervisor, retired on March 31st, a youthful 63. Moving to BW from a previous job with Ruston Bucyrus in 1983, Mick had spells with BW at Newark as section foreman and then Lincoln before taking on the Chesterfield in 1993.

Mick has been at the cutting edge of significant work on the Chesterfield throughout his long spell with us. Starting at West Stockwith with the task of bringing the basin up to standard, one of Mick’s early memories was the locating of milestone 46, placed in the basin as a memorial to our late chairman, Doug Platts. At the other end of the canal in BW ownership, Mick and his team worked under John Nuttall to help achieve the magnificent restoration of the heritage-rich section in Rotherham. We now have there one of the most beautiful sections navigation in the country. What a legacy! Less spectacular, but vitally important for the smooth working of the canal, there are only a handful of locks whose gates have not been renewed by Mick and his team.

Mick pays generous tribute to his dedicated team whose hard work keeps the canal in good working order, and it will be the team spirit and good working relationships that he has enjoyed that he will miss most in retirement. Mick takes with him warm memories of his time with the teams at Lincoln, Newark and Worksop, and also recalls occasions when prompt action by members of his team out on site may literally have saved a life - including a potentially fatal wasp sting suffered by one of his team! Computers however will not be missed - Mick sees them as a necessary evil!

The most noticeable change Mick recalls in his time with BW is the Health and Safety legislation which now dominates all worksites, and the time, training and equipment it takes to satisfy the requirements. Mick has no problems with H&S, seeing it as essential, and his teams have always worked safely both before and after the legislation, and have an excellent health and safety record.

Talking about the future of the canal, Mick sees two main needs. One is to get the canal into the former Kiveton Park Colliery site with facilities for boaters. This will motivate boaters to make the extra journey through the heavily-locked section above Shireoaks. At present some boaters choose to moor at Shireoaks Marina and walk up to the tunnel A second priority Mick identifies is to establish the Rother Valley Link as a non-tidal access to the Chesterfield via Rotherham. Many boaters are put off accessing the Chesterfield because of the tidal Trent. The link will improve the number of boaters who wish to visit the Chesterfield.

Mick now plans to take on a part-time job to ease the transition to full retirement, but expects his eight grandchildren to keep him busy! Not one for canalboat holidays, Mick and his wife are anticipating exploring Europe and looking forward to quieter moments with outdoor bowls. As Mick lives east of Lincoln the chances of seeing him on our volunteer restoration working party are remote!

British Waterways share our high opinion of Mick. BW Waterway Manager Caroline Killeavy writes: "Mick has been an exceptional employee, supervisor, colleague and friend. His professionalism and commitment is second to none, as is his sense of fun and humour! I have known Mick for 10 years and have dreaded this moment - what are we going to do without him?"

We all wish Mick a long and healthy retirement. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we have always found him approachable and willing to listen, and we would always get a straight answer! We can all be grateful for his professional contribution to the Chesterfield Canal which has left us with more canal than when he started! Not many waterway supervisors can claim that!

Keith Ayling


10 May 2007.

Then and Now

Notes on Pride

by Christine Richardson

Pride was a typical working boat of the Chesterfield Canal. The boat registers show that the year of construction was 1903, probably at West Stockwith. The original owner was the Steetley Lime Company, and the picture shows the boat alongside the company’s quarry at Cinderhill.

 

 postcard of the Chesterfield Canal

We have been sent this postcard of the Chesterfield Canal taken sometime in the past! Please help with details.

More...



6 May 2007.

Statement of intent!

Hall Lane Staveley

Work starts to define the new line of the canal at Hall Lane Staveley. Here the original line of the canal will be slightly diverted to the east to allow sufficient height to get under Hall Lane, and will link to the existing head of navigation at Mill Green Staveley.

The canal scheme is part of the Staveley Northern Loop Road, which will take up to two years to complete, and includes an Eckington Road crossing also.


6 May 2007.

Plaque for Andy Oxley

Andy Oxley (centre) from Killamarsh, who has completed ten years of voluntary work helping to restore the Chesterfield Canal, was presented with a plaque to honour his efforts on Sunday April 29th.

More...


23 April 2007.

Towpath closure at Stavely

The towpath from the end of the restored section of canal at Mil Green, Staveley, to the vicinity of Bellhouse Lane ,Staveley will be closed from 23 April 2007.

More...


4th April 2007.

Manton Lock at Worksop

On the night of Tuesday April 3rd vandals opened the paddles on Manton Lock at Worksop, and emptied the canal as far as Bracebridge Lock Worksop (picture). The canal is slowly refilling and should be working again on Thursday afternoon 5th April'.

Manton Lock at Worksop

Manton Lock showing low water level, which should be up to the runoff on the right of the picture.


4th April 2007.

30th Anniversary 2006 photographic competition - the results

The results of the 30th Anniversary Photographic Competition can be found on the competition page.

Many congratulations to the winners and the runners-up!


Winner: "Thorpe Salvin Woods", by Val Unwin


29th March 2007.

The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2007

The following is another account of the Waterways Renaissance Awards 2007

"At a prestigious evening held in March at the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester, the Chesterfield Canal Partnership received what, hopefully, will be the first of many future awards. CCP won the Partnership Category of The Waterways Trust and British Urban Regeneration Association Waterways Renaissance Awards 2007 presented to Councillor Harold Laws, Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership Executive Steering Group, by Morrison Construction, sponsors of the Partnership Category.

The presentation was undoubtedly the highlight of a memorable evening spent in the company of some of the foremost names in the waterway restoration movement. It was extremely gratifying to receive congratulatory messages from several respected individuals who were attending. Their good wishes demonstrated the high regard in which the work of the Partnership and the Trust is widely held."

More... (PDF file)

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24th March 2007.

Chesterfield Canal partnership wins national award

hesterfield Canal partnership wins national award
The happy Partnership recipients of the BURA/TWT award pictured by John Lower at the Imperial War Museum North- left to right: Cllr Michael Storey (Deputy Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Vice-Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership); Geraint Coles (Canal Development Officer); Cllr Harold Laws (North East Derbyshire District Council, Chair of the Canal Partnership); Cathy Cooke (Derbyshire County Council, IWAC board member); Cllr Sheila Place (Notts County Council), John Nuttall (British Waterways) and David Trickett (Vice-Chair of Chesterfield Canal Trust).

"The group behind the restoration of Chesterfield Canal have won the Partnership category of the 2007 Waterways Renaissance Awards.

John Craven OBE, presenter of BBC1’s Countryfile and Vice-President of The Waterways Trust, presented the award to Chesterfield Canal Partnership at a gala dinner on Wednesday 21 March 2007. "

More... (PDF file)

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17th March 2007.

RETFORD’S CANAL GETS SET FOR A SPRING CLEAN

Waterway users of all types and sizes who enjoy the Chesterfield Canal are being asked to spare a couple of hours to help spring clean their local waterway on Thursday 29 March The event will bring important wildlife benefits as well as improving the appearance of the Chesterfield Canal and is part of a week long national Towpath Tidy campaign being led by British Waterways and voluntary groups.

Rubbish and litter left behind by the 300 million visitors each year to British Waterways’ canals and rivers is harmful to a wonderful array of waterway wildlife. During Towpath Tidy, volunteers join forces with British Waterways staff to clear litter and remove shopping trolleys, prams, traffic cones and other unusual objects that are sometimes left in the waterways.

More... (PDF file)

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17th March 2007.

Go Cuckoo over Connect2

Press Release Reference: PR2786 Date: 13 March, 2007

Walkers and cyclists are being asked to add their support to a proposed National Lottery bid geared to improving access to one of the most beautiful canal towpaths in Britain.

Rotherham Borough Council’s award winning Rights of Way team is asking for local support for the Connect2 bid by Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, which if successful, will fund £1.4 million improved access works for walkers and cyclists to the Cuckoo Way that takes in the beautiful Chesterfield Canal.

The Rights of Way team has joined in partnership with Sheffield City Council to submit the proposal to Sustrans, which would provide better access for walkers and cyclists to the Canal from the Halfway Tram Stop in Sheffield via Rother Valley Country Park. The money would also improve all the rights of way around the Chesterfield Canal.

More... (PDF file)

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16th March 2007.

 postcard of the Chesterfield Canal

We have been sent this postcard of the Chesterfield Canal taken sometime in the past! Please help with details.

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1st March 2007.

Canal facility lost

Another canal facility lost - the site of the demolished Riverside Inn in central Worksop.

The inn is being replaced by a two storey car park to serve the Priory Shopping Centre, which will form a barrier between the town and the canal.

Another reason for boaters not to stop in Worksop?

Another Chesterfield canal facility lost


February 20, 2007

Retford Angling Association reborn

The Retford Canal Anglers Society has taken over from the defunct Retford AA's rights on the Chesterfield Canal. They control two lengths, one in Retford by the cemetery, and the other at Ranby, about 100 pegs in all.

More...


February 17, 2007

MAPS GEOprojects

  • 'Chesterfield Canal and the River Trent' GEOprojects. Published 2006. Scale 1:60,000 (approx 1inch to a mile). Available from the Canal Trust at £4.50

More...


February 17, 2007

Bassetlaw planning decision fails to promote canal - a lost opportunity

In a dramatic reversal of Bassetlaw Council’s policy to promote and develop the Chesterfield Canal, Bassetlaw’s Planning Committee has agreed to marginalise the canal by hiding it behind the proposed car park in a revamped Priory Centre in the heart of Worksop. The canal, which is on the north side of this key town centre site, was previously promoted by the council as forming a major strand in Worksop Renaissance, (the Town Centre Masterplan). From potentially being the focus of this new development, it is now sadly consigned to become little more than a hidden ditch overlooked by a car park. The proposals agreed make the canal no more than a largely hidden site boundary, rather than utilising the waterspace boldly to fully realise the economic, social and recreational gains that the canal could offer.

More...


February 13, 2007

Restoration 2006

Chesterfield. Plans for a £100m mixed development on the site of the former Lavers timberyard and other land between the A61 and the River Rother... more...


January 27, 2007

Chesterfield Canal Reinstatement and Surface Mine Site

UK Coal held a public exhibition as part of their draft proposals for Chesterfield Canal Reinstatement and Surface Mine Site near Mastin Moor, Staveley at Mastin Moor Community Centre on Wednesday 24th January. This relates to a proposed planning application to reinstate the canal formation between Staveley and The Hague at Renishaw.

The Trustees and Supporters have decided to support this application. When the planning application is actually made to the local authority, we shall publish details of how you can write in to support this proposal. It will solve a very expensive restoration problem by doing about one million pounds worth of work which otherwise we would have to pay contractors to do. Watch this space!

Please, click on thumbnails below for scans of the leaflet.

Chesterfield Canal Reinstatement and Surface Mine Site near Mastin Moor
Chesterfield Canal Reinstatement and Surface Mine Site near Mastin Moor

January 15, 2007

New walks added on Events page:

A Canal For All Seasons- Walks By The Chesterfield Canal In 2007

Explore different parts of the canal, at contrasting times of the year, on these walks led by members and friends of the Chesterfield Canal Trust.


January 10, 2007

New link added:

Restoration starts at Renishaw

Volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group kicked off the restoration project at Renishaw with a work camp running from Christmas 2006 to the New Year. The project was to clear the heavy growth of trees and bushes from the infilled canal between Renishaw and Spinkhill. They were assisted by locals and CCT volunteers. It is hoped that full-scale restoration and re-watering of a mile of canl here will commence shortly. To see progress photos taken by Michael Chase "click here"


January 10, 2007

New link added on links page:

Chesterfield Canal related activities:

Retford & Worksop Boat Club - The largest and longest established boat club on the Chesterfield Canal.


January 8, 2007

Canal & towpath stoppages, updated January 8, 2007.


October 23, 2006

New page: Health and Safety


October 16, 2006

We have a complete update of the tripboats page


July 26, 2006

Added to links page: Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital


July 17, 2006

Update article Norwood tunnel


June 23, 2006

Chesterfield Canal Supporters' Meetings

Supporters' Meetings are intended as the vehicle for passing ideas and information in both directions between the Chesterfield Canal Trust Officers and Members/public to the furtherance of restoration objectives.

More...


May 16, 2006

The New Dawn Project

New Dawn

Working to create a full-sized working boat of the type unique to the Chesterfield Canal. Supported by the Chesterfield Canal Trust and the Chesterfield Canal Partnership.

NEW DAWN - HELP HER SET SAIL (Yes, she will have a mast and sail for use on the Trent).


Chairman's message. 2006. Our Project's 30th Anniversary. Help us to make it a memorable year.

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Eighth Annual Report of The Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd.

Year to 30 September 2005.

More...


30TH ANNIVERSARY 2006 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

As part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations the Trust is pleased to announce its first photo competition for members and their families to enter and it’s free.

More...


November 14, 2005

Rotherham Council continues support for the Partnership.

Rotherham's proposal to cut their annual contribution towards our Canal Partnership Development Manager's salary was confirmed at the meeting of their Economic and Development Services meeting on October 8th, despite representations at the meeting by CCT chair Keith Ayling, and a mass of objections from local residents in South Yorkshire and other Canal Trust supporters throughout the region.

In a compromise move, instead of making a agreed annual financial contribution, Rotherham will reimburse the partnership for the direct activities of the Development Manager where these activities are associated with grant - funded projects, subject to prior agreement of the Borough Council. Hopefully this will just be a long-winded and unnecessarily bureaucratic means of achieving the same end product. A meeting is planned to flesh this out.

Other issues, relating to the revised partnership constitution and our 20/20 vision document, were amicably resolved between senior partnership reps and Rotherham. Karl Battersby, Head of Planning and Transportation for RMBC, stated "The Council wishes to stress that it remains supportive of the aims of the partnership towards full restoration. It will also work with its partners to continue to seek and harness funding sources for further canal restoration, as and when they arise".

The Canal Trust wishes to thank all those who made representations to Rotherham on this issue. Councillor Gerald Smith, chair of the meeting and a former chair of the partnership, acknowledged receiving a 'sackful' of letters, and numerous phone calls. The planning department received 21 letters of complaint. Clearly there is continuing strong support for the restoration scheme in the borough, and pressure needs to be maintained to ensure that Rotherham's revised offer contains substance.

The issue was raised again at the Rother Valley South Area Assembly meeting at Harthill on November 7th, where the Trust had requested that the canal be an agenda item. Wholehearted local support for the canal restoration was evident from the floor of the meeting, and local councillors present committed to making sure that the request for funding the Development Manager's salary would be actively considered for the next financial year.



Tapton Lock
Visitor Centre

Photo competition '06

September 25, 2005

Rotherham propose to withdraw funding for Chesterfield Canal Partnership Development Officer

Dr Geraint Coles has been employed by the Chesterfield Canal Partnership (including Rotherham) since December 2003. His work has enabled many schemes for restoration and development on the canal to be identified and progressed, including recently the important Rother Valley Link. Much ‘behind the scenes’ progress has also been made which will bear fruition in the coming years.

Rotherham’s Economic and Development Services Committee is meeting on Monday October 3rd to consider a recommendation that Rotherham’s contribution to the Development Manager’s salary be terminated. This will save the Borough between seven and twelve thousand pounds a year, but will bring the canal’s development within Rotherham to a halt. Progress in future will only be made by, effectively, paying someone else to do the work that the Canal Development Manager would do anyway as part of his agreed work schedule, should Rotherham continue to part-fund his post.

This comes against a background of solid support in the borough, and particularly in the south, where surveys carried out in Kiveton Park and Wales show overwhelming support for the restoration of the canal. This is best achieved through retaining the services of our full-time Canal Development Manager.

Failure of Rotherham to continue their financial contribution will merely pass the financial contribution to other partners, who will then benefit from their increased contribution. More importantly, failure of one partner to contribute damages the unity and balance of the partnership, leaving it with five contributing ‘full’ partners, and one, non-contributing ‘lame-duck’ partner. This will neither serve the best interests of the partnership as a whole or of Rotherham council.

Rotherham’s central geographical position makes progress through Rotherham crucial to the completion of the restoration of the canal in Derbyshire, and of the important Rother Valley Link. It is vital that Rotherham continue their financial commitment to the partnership not only to complete the Rotherham section, but to allow the completion of the remainder of the presently disconnected canal in Derbyshire. We feel that to prejudice the whole scheme for such a small annual saving is short-sighted.

While the Canal Trust and the Partnership will do everything in our power to encourage Rotherham to continue their financial input, local members are probably best positioned to exert pressure by making your feelings known.

Please write now to Councillor Gerald Smith, (chair of the Economic and Development Services Committee), at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham S60 2TH, expressing your support for the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal, and asking him to continue the borough’s financial support for the Chesterfield Canal Development Officer’s salary. You can also ring him at home on 0114 2879599 to make your contribution.

If you have time, it would be helpful to copy your letter to Karl Battersby, Head of Planning and Transportation, Bailey House, Rawmarsh Road, Rotherham S60 1TD or email karl.battersbyNO@SPAMrotherham.gov.uk (remove NO and SPAM around @), or phone him (office hours) on 01709 823815.

It is vital that your letter or call is sent to arrive before the meeting on Monday October 3rd. Please take the time to respond. Every letter counts, as the decision on Monday could have a profound long - term effect on the canal’s restoration and development, not only in Rotherham but for the whole canal.

If there is any further information you need, please contact me. Please pass this letter to friend or neighbour. Anyone can make their views known. You do not have to be a Canal Trust member, or Rotherham resident to have your say.

The full report to committee can be viewed on www.rotherham.gov.uk then choose Your Council, Local Democracy, Committee agendas etc, Calendar, October 3rd 9am agenda item 12

Also the members of the committee are Gerald Smith (you have his contact), Councillor David Hall, whose ward is Wales (Colliery site/Norwood Tunnel etc) phone 01909 771607 RING HIM - he must be concerned at the effect this vote will have in his ward.

Councillor Patrick Burke 01709 851190 and Councillor Sheila Walker 01709 552543.

Only FOUR on the committee. Ring them all or write to them at the Town Hall.

 


 

March 14, 2005

Construction new trip boat well under way

Construction of the new trip boat for use in Bassetlaw is now well under way. Steelwork has been made by Soar Valley Steel Boats of Chesterfield (see links). Work commenced in January 2005 and the completed shell was handed over to the Chesterfield Canal Trust on February 12th.

Trust volunteers are now busy fitting out - they aim to complete the boat in time to be launched at the IWA National Trailboat Festival to be held in Chesterfield over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend, May 28th - 30th. The boat will then be transferred to Bassetlaw and will initially operate in Retford.

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The base plate, floor bearers,
knees and stringers
Hull sides positioned on the frames,
ready to pull the bow to shape

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The swim is pulled into place Welding the keel cooling tank -
this is thin with a large area
to give superior cooling.

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Lowering the roof into position Lifting the cabin side into position

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Plasma cutting the window opening
- plasma cutting is quicker and
cleaner than gas cutting and causes
less distortion to the steel plate.
The finished hull

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The painted hull is moved outside for
completion by the CCT volunteers.
Handing over, February 12th 2005

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By March 9th 2005, Trust volunteers have fitted roof vents,
windows, ballast and flooring and a multitude of other tasks.
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A picture of the new trip boat, named "Seth Ellis", seen at Retford.
(image edited in Photoshop by John Lower, March 2005)

February 28, 2005

British Waterways are back on board! Still supporting our restoration!

Following representations to the Minister for Waterways through our representative at the Parliamentary Waterways Group in Westminster, BW has confirmed that it will, after all, continue to support the full restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.

Customer Relations Manager Eugene Baston, in a letter to CCT chairman keith Ayling, asserted

"I want to assure you that the full restoration of the Chesterfield Canal is still supported by British Waterways, and while it is not contained in Waterways 2025 this does not mean we have withdrawn our support."

We are pleased to report that once again British Waterways, in the form of evergreen stalwart John Nuttall, have once again resumed regular attendance at the Chesterfield Canal Partnership Technical Officers' meetings, and may write the brief for the proposed Killamarsh to Norwood Tunnel (east portal) engineering study. BW remain in consultation with Rotherham MBC and Yorkshire Forward about the Kiveton Colliery site, and in the search for funding for the Norwood to Killamarsh study.

We welcome BW's clarification of their position, and look forward to benefitting from their extensive expertise as the canal restoration proceeds.



 

NORWOOD PACKET

1988 – 2004

Norwood Packet sails into the sunset

Since 1988 the "Norwood Packet" has brought the pleasures of the Chesterfield Canal to the residents of Bassetlaw and, more recently, to Rotherham. Originally plying from Drakeholes the Packet’s "beat" has moved over the years to different locations including Worksop, Ranby and latterly the restored section between Shireoaks and Norwood Tunnel extending an invitation to local people to enjoy their canal.

The Past

Originally part-financed by Bassetlaw District Council, for a decade or so the boat failed to justify its existence financially, but the canal society as we were then retained its commitment to Bassetlaw by subsidising the boat’s operating costs from its own meagre funds. In the past few years, largely under the enthusiastic skippering of the indefatigable Ken Clark, the boat witnessed a new lease of life and the introduction of the Santa Specials in Worksop became a much-loved feature of the local calendar.

The Present

The boat was beginning to look a little shabby, however, and today’s visitors demand a better standard of comfort than the boat was able to provide. When we subjected the boat to the new (albeit so far voluntary) standards set for such passenger craft as the Packet we realised with reluctance it was time to lay the boat up. We had already determined to replace the boat as soon as funds allowed and had accumulated over £9,000 towards a replacement.

At a time when the Trust and the Chesterfield Canal’s restoration are experiencing new levels of achievement and expectation losing the "Norwood Packet" for whatever period is a set-back. We are of course disappointed but also proud of the service we have provided to the people of Bassetlaw over the last sixteen years. How many thousand volunteer hours have gone into this service we can only speculate but it has been an excellent advertisement for the Canal Society and Trust. A big "Thank you" to all who have been involved in the running of the boat over the years. You have done us proud.

We must also acknowledge in particular British Waterways’ commitment to our enterprise in assisting financially through subsidising our moorings and licence and also the various canalside residents who, over the years, have allowed us to moor at the bottom of their gardens.

The Future

An order has therefore been placed with Soar Valley Steel Boats, Chesterfield, for a 34 foot hull to include some internal fitments at a cost of approximately £11,000 with the engine priced at a further £2,800. Fitting-out the boat will be completed by members of the Action Group at an estimated cost of £6,000. This will be done on Soar Valley’s premises. At a cost of around £20,000 replacing the Packet is a huge commitment by the Trust but was a decision which was never in doubt given the huge popularity of the boat in Bassetlaw. Equally it is crucial for the continuing success of the Trust’s aims for the Canal’s restoration that the Trust maintains its presence in both Rotherham and Bassetlaw. The Norwood Packet has been a wonderful ambassador for the Trust over the years; to lose this was never really an option.

Currently a funding shortfall exists if the Trust is to complete the purchase of the replacement boat. Efforts will be made over the next few months to secure additional funding to ensure a service in 2005. At the same time the Trust is appealing to its members for help in this venture. Can you help in any way by offering MONEY towards the cost of the purchase, MATERIALS for the boat or the SKILLS and TIME needed when the boat is fitted out in the New Year?

The aim is to have Norwood Packet 2 cruising the canal at next year’s Spring Bank Holiday IWA Trail Boat Festival. In the meantime Ken Froggatt with Pete Ramsell and the Action Group are planning several fund-raising events towards the cost of the new boat. Their efforts combined with your generous support can surely prevail?

Please contact Dave Trickett on 01246 568880 or via e-mail at dhtrickettNO@SPAMaol.com if you can help or for further information.

NORWOOD PACKET

The Trust is currently considering a number of options concerning the future of the boat. The "Norwood Packet" is a 26-foot Springer and would make an interesting project to convert to a two- or three-berth boat. Possibly members may be interested in purchasing the boat themselves or know of someone else who would be. To date one offer has been received for the boat. Anyone interested in finding out more please contact Pete Ramsell on 01246 280660.

IWA NATIONAL TRAIL BOAT FESTIVAL 2005

Along with our 3 Valleys colleagues the Trust is heavily involved in hosting next year’s event at Tapton Lock. Preparations are already under way for this prestigious event and have been boosted by the welcome news that Awards For All has granted the Trust £4,450 towards the costs involved in setting up the Festival. The money will be spent on marquee hire, entertainment fees, publicity, toilet hire, site security and waste removal. The grant is an indication of the importance which Awards For All considers the event to be for the local area and it puts the three-day Festival on a secure financial footing.


“He’s got a little list,
He’s got a little list,
And they never will be missed,
They never will be missed”

(Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado)

It’s ‘list’ time again in the waterways world!

This time it’s British Waterways who are making lists of the canals worth, in their opinion, restoring. And the Chesterfield isn’t on the list, at least not this side of 2025. This comes as something of a surprise to us all, as only last summer, Robin Evans, BW’s chief executive, at the opening ceremony of the Rotherham section gave assurances of BW’s continued support as the restoration progressed through Kiveton Park to Chesterfield. Even the Rother Valley Link got a nod. So what happened?

Two things. Firstly, the Chesterfield Canal restoration is complete already! According to BW’s recently-published Vision for the Future ‘Waterways 2025’

“During 2001 and 2002 we completed the physical build of eight restoration and new build projects, listed below......

Chesterfield Canal - opened December 2002”.

Well - that’s alright then. We can all go home and think of some other way of spending our time.

Secondly, circumstances in BW have changed since last summer. Unexpected budgetry cuts have resulted in redundancies throughout British Waterways and the national reorganisation has produced a period of uncertainty. Resources are a serious problem - certainly we’ve only seen BW at our partnership meetings once since January 2003. But our own waterway manager’s return from maternity leave presages, we hope, stronger leadership and determined support for the partnership. Maybe now things can stabilise. We look forward to a more sympathetic local interpretation of BW’s national decision-making.

Whatever the reasons, the Canal Trust was disappointed to read the news of the ‘completion’ of our restoration in the national waterways press rather than having it directly from BW. After all, partners have obligations to their fellow partners. No-one in our partnership knew of the existence of this listing until it was published. But this seems to have been nothing personal, more a genuinely national example of BW’s maladroitness. Both the Inland Waterways Association at national level and the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council (IWAAC) shared our surprise at the lack of consultation. And BW was warned by Defra and IWAAC about the sensitive nature of their task before their listing was published.

While appreciating that no prioritisation is going to suit everyone, there are ways of managing such difficult exercises that can to some extent mitigate against the expected reaction. Consultation with partners is one. Maybe BW’s sensitivity has been one of the casualties of their redundancy programme.

But even accepting BW’s understandable strategic listing of a limited number of schemes which are calculated to contribute the most to their own waterways, there are still uncertainties that need resolving. The Norwood Tunnel is one. This is the only remaining part of the unrestored canal in British Waterway’s ownership. It is ‘theirs’, our rather ‘ours’, as BW are the custodians of this part of our national heritage. In the short term there is a need to develop a temporary terminus for the restored canal within the former Kiveton Park Colliery site through bringing the canal to the surface. BW’s excellent Kiveton Park Colliery site masterplan explains how this can happen. The preliminary phase of work is now going ahead on the former Kiveton Park colliery site, including identifying the line of the canal. We trust that this will still be pursued as funds allow to its logical conclusion of access by boat into the former colliery site.

In the longer term also there is the Rother Valley Link. The Chesterfield restoration scheme was upgraded from regional to national importance in the last IWAAC survey in 2001. The proposed Rother Valley Link was a major constituent of this reappraisal. It achieves a strategic link between two navigations, the Chesterfield and the Sheffield and South Yorkshire, that has never previously existed. The latter is an under-used BW navigation. Are BW not wanting this link to stimulate the SSYN and bring forward business and development opportunities on their navigations in South Yorkshire? Not even by 2025?

To make matters still more complicated, another list is in the offing as we anticipate with relish the IWAAC update of their 2001 Review of Waterway Restoration and Development Priorities. By the time that happens we should be better placed for promotion through the rankings, based on the completion of the preliminary work upon which bids for restoration funding can be based. Just about the only area lacking an engineering study and costings is the Norwood Tunnel. Assistance from BW and Yorkshire Forward here is crucial.

We hope that, for funders and promoters alike, any confusion brought about from two listings from different sources can be minimised. Both seek to achieve the same outcome, but we hope that the IWAAC listing will not be so narrowly focussed as BW’s. After all, not all of the canals worth restoring are entirely owned by British Waterways.

The last IWAAC study carried out in 2001 makes interesting reading and, taken together with BW’s listings, raises some important issues about the usefulness of such prioritisations. In 2001 the Chesterfield project was in the third (next to bottom) category and we were suitably disappointed.

However, close examination of the IWAAC 2001 listing reveals that the Chesterfield Canal has made far more significant on-the-ground restoration progress than the combined efforts of every scheme in the top category.

Many of these have made no noticeable progress despite their elevated status.

But for some there has been a ‘rags-to-riches’ elevation. For instance the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal, who were in the bottom IWAAC category in 2001 are now in BW’s first division list of eleven national high fliers whose restoration they are prioritising.

Read what you like into that. I guess at the end of the day it’s down to the viability of the scheme and the vigour and professionalism of the team driving it. We have an excellent partnership, with or without BW. But we’d very much like BW’s invaluable staff and expertise to remain part of the team. And I suspect they need us as much as we need them. After all a winning team getting results and working to a proven formula is a hard one to turn your back on.

Whatever the outcome the partnership is well placed to progress the rest of the project to Chesterfield, and the Rother Valley Link. The next year promises major advances on several fronts. Whatever our rankings the job will get done.

And a good deal sooner than 2025.

BW’s ‘Waterways 2025’ may be had from BW’s Customer Service Centre (tel 01923 201120) or can be down-loaded from www.britishwaterways.co.uk/waterways2025

 


Chesterfield scheme sweeps the board at IWA National Festival
September 2004

Click to enlargeThe Chesterfield Canal gained three major national awards at the Inland Waterways Association national Festival at Burton-on-Trent over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The restoration of the Rotherham section of the canal was awarded the prestigious Volvo-Penta award for the quality of the restoration work. The picture shows (left to right) the recipients Chris Drage (formerly from Rotherham MBC), John Nuttall, British Waterways, and Christine Richardson, waterways historian and CCT activist, with the award outside the Canal Trust tent.

Click to enlargeThe excellent Canal Trust magazine Cuckoo won the Tom Rolt award for the best mag nationwide (for the second year running). We have been forbidden to enter next year in order to share the award around! Keith Ayling accepted the award in the absence of editor John Lower. The award was presented by Hugh Potter editor of Waterways World, who sponsor the award.

Click to enlargeFinally, although not officially part of the Canal Partnership, Sea Otter Boats from Staveley, won the Beardsmore award for outstanding quality in construction of broad beam canal craft. Cindy Shepherd partner in Sea Otter Boats is seen with the award on one of their company's boats at the festival.


IWA announces Site for the National Trailboat Festival 2005

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) announced that next year’s National Trailboat Festival will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend 27th to 29th May in Chesterfield.

The site will be Tapton Lock, the same as in 2002. The festival will be organised under the Chesterfield Canal Partnership banner by IWA Festivals, the Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd and the Three Valleys Project, which is based at Tapton Lock House.

Ian West, chairman of IWA Festivals committee, said, "We are pleased to announce that the site for the 2005 Trailboat Rally will be at Chesterfield.  This was a very popular site in 2002 and well attended by local people.  During this year improvements are planned by the Three Valleys Project to the site and to the slipway, these will add greatly to the facilities and opportunities for trailboats and make the site more viable for other public uses."

John Fletcher, IWA's national chairman, added, "The campaigning opportunity offered at this site was also taken into consideration.  The eastern half of the canal is now fully navigable up to Norwood Tunnel and the first five miles and five locks are navigable from Chesterfield. This festival should raise local awareness of the possibilities to fully restore the canal through Killamarsh and to create a navigable link along the River Rother to join up with the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation in Rotherham.  The latter would mean that the Chesterfield Canal would be reached from Yorkshire without going on tidal waters."

The aims of the IWA Trailboat Festival 2005 are:-

  • To promote the Chest