BCN Cleanup

There was an excellent turnout for this year's cleanup on 22nd/23rd March 2003 around Salford Junction with around 90 volunteers together with BW staff removing 90 tons of rubbish from the canal over the weekend. It was also an opportunity to see BCN tugs Bittal and Governor in action. Our own work boat Phoenix was put to good use moving rubbish to the unloading site at the bottom lock of the Perry Barr lock flight.

Amongst the rubbish removed from the canal was large a amount of scaffolding; given the proximity to the elevated M6 it would be a fair guess that the motorway works is the source of this. Let's hope that BW gets the Highways Agency to contribute to its disposal!

Smethwick Gauging Station Island.

Our own work party was in action recently clearing the gauging station island, to tidy up its appearance and to allow Dr Paul Collins, who was working for " Canals for Communities", to see what historical remains were still visible.

We were able to clear most of the vegetation from the island and cleaned a large portion of the brick paving, which revealed the outline of the building which had been demolished when the station was closed in the 1920's. Also the bases of four cranes used to load the weights into the boats can now be seen thus giving a better understanding of how the station was operated. The opportunity was taken to clear the undergrowth on the disused towpath alongside the island to make it easier for boats to pass through both channels.

It is intended to go back later in the year and do some more work at the site, if you are interested in helping give John Edmonds a ring so that he can add you to his list of volunteers!

Birchills Museum

As mentioned in last time's BP the future for the museum is becoming clearer and hopefully by the time you are reading this a final agreement will have been reached between Walsall Museum Service and the new trust to operate the museum. Initially this will be at weekends starting in May and if you would like to help ring Dave Taylor on 01922 746445.

Council/Committee Vacancies

Our long serving treasure Colin Riggs will be standing down at this year's AGM, however as the Societies financial year end is July Colin has suggested that it may be helpful to the new treasurer if they take over at the beginning of August.

So if there is anyone interested in taking over the financial reins from Colin and would like some further information about what is involved, or just wants to volunteer perhaps they could contact myself or Colin.

Titford Project

Some years ago there was considerable concern amongst waterway users that British Waterways were attempting to close the Titford Canal by stealth. There were reports in the waterways press of boaters turning up at Oldbury Junction and finding the lock flight padlocked up or that the lock pounds were dry thus putting off the less adventurous. Whilst BW always denied that they wished to close the canal there was suspicion from boaters especially when asking about access they were confronted with comments such as "why do you want to go up there?"

With these feelings in mind a group from Coombeswood Canal Trust called an open meeting to discuss the Titford Canal and look for support to develop uses for the canal to prevent its closure. A 'Titford Project' was formed to take the idea forward and at the same time raise money so that these plans could be put into being. The group carried out work parties around the pools.

A project document was prepared looking at the whole length of the canal and focusing on locations that could be improved or looking at opportunities for further development. Amongst these were the suggestion of restoring the Pumphouse for community use, establishing moorings on the Tat Bank branch, at the coal wharf adjacent to Uncle Bens Bridge and also identifying uses for the Pools. All in all a very comprehensive document.

A cruising plaque was produced as well as further items for fund raising, and indeed a considerable sum of money was raised through these activities. Unfortunately despite all these good works and the imagination that was put into planning for the long term future, various legal problems came in the way of the Project taking them forward itself.

However despite these difficulties BW then came forward and adopted for themselves ideas that had been put forward by the Project. Plans were drawn up firstly for the restoration of the Pumphouse and the creation of the moorings along the Tat Bank branch. Work should start soon on the towpath and there should be some improvements too the pool in the near future.

So, what the Titford Project had promoted BW are now putting into being. In the end the project had money which it had raised but had not been able to spend, around £3500 and this has been passed to the BCN Society and the Titford Project has been wound up. We are looking at boating related improvements on the Titford Canal on which to spend this money.

Thus the Titford Project did contribute a great deal to bring forward the idea that more could be achieved with an underused section of the BCN, something that those involved should be proud of.

Titford Pumphouse 26th to 28th June 2003

We will again be holing a boat gathering around the Titford Pumphouse, over the weekend 26th to 28th June 2003. The event should follow the same format as the successful opening event last year.

There will be evening entertainment in the BCNS marquee which on Friday will feature 'Three Northerners & Geoff'' whilst on Saturday local group 'A Penny Short' will perform. A licensed bar will enable us to slake our thirsts!

There will be stalls and displays during the day to interest the visitor and hopefully we will be able to arrange a trip boat along the Titford Canal.

As ever we will need volunteers to provide assistance over the weekend. Last year Christine Potter organised a very popular Cake Stall. Unfortunately Christine is away cruising this year and it would be very much appreciated if someone could come forward to run this again. Any willing volunteers should contact a council member.

Allen Rally 4th to 6th July 2003.

The weekend following our own event we will be hosting another boat gathering for those built or repaired by Les Allen and Sons. Obviously with the Allen boat dock being in Oldbury the Pumphouse is a very appropriate location to hold an event to celebrate the work of this famous BCN based firm.

The Allen Register who are organising the event would welcome anyone to the event, not only those with Allen boats. On the evening of Saturday 5th July 'Ayli and Anych' the Black Country comedy duo will be performing and for those who would like to attend tickets are available price £4.00 per person, also BBQ packs at £5.00 each. For boat entries and tickets contact Gus Tysoe, 7, Church Road, Droitwich, WR9 8LN or telephone 01905 772410.