CanalCuttings - Your FREE Online-world British Inland Waterways, Narrowboat, River Cruiser, Canal Boat Magazine, Info Source and Britain's & Narrowboat Holiday Guide.

---

Around 850 Pages of Information and Features About Canals, Navigable Rivers and Their Usage - We're not just a Narrowboat World Magazine. The website includes River and Inland Waterways information - UK Inland Waterways Press Releases and Articles Invited.

IWAlk - Inland Waterways Association Sponsored Walk

Montgomery Canal - 27 August 2011 - Waterway Recovery Group volunteers at work

Once again walkers will be taking to the towpath of the Montgomery Canal with a sponsored walk organised by the Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) in support of the waterways.

The event, known as IWAlk, will take place on Saturday 27 August 2011, with entrants walking the towpath between Llanymynech and Maesbury Marsh.

Michael Limbrey, President of the IWA Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch, said, “The Montgomery Canal is a special part of the national waterway network. Through the locks at Welsh Frankton it connects to London, Lincoln and Liverpool yet its unique wildlife and structures – aqueducts, locks, and bridges – make it different from the rest of the system and its restoration is supported by enthusiasts all over the country, and beyond.

“It is just over thirty years since the first IWAlk which was the first event organised jointly by the local IWA and Shropshire Union Canal Society. Since then we have worked together in many events, especially on the Montgomery Canal.

“This year’s IWAlk is between the Llanymynech Heritage Area, which will be a real focus for visitors coming on the restored canal, and Canal Central at Maesbury Marsh, the unique canalside village shop and tearoom. The return journey is eight miles, and those who find this too much can book a minibus journey from Canal Central to Llanymynech and just walk one way.

“The special interest on this route is that there are two volunteer work sites on the way: walkers from Llanymynech come first to the Waterway Recovery Group and one of their volunteers will be on site to answer questions. Next, between Prices Bridges and the B4396 at Redwith Bridge, walkers will see where the Shropshire Union Canal Society work on the first weekend of every month. From here, walkers will follow the newly restored section to Maesbury Marsh.

“Walkers will be able to refresh themselves at Canal Central before returning to Llanymynech where further light refreshments will be available at the Llanymynech Wharf Information Centre.

“Money raised by this sponsored walk will be divided between the IWA National Campaign Appeal which is raising money for Inglesham Lock, the gateway to the Cotswold Canals, and next year’s Maesbury Canal Festival, raising money for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.”

The walk is open to all. Anyone who wants a sponsorship form, or to book a the minibus or to order a soup-and-roll lunch at Canal Central, should contact Dawn Aylwin on 01691 830403 or email shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk.

Anyone who would like to support the event can send a donation or sponsor the walkers in general through the Virgin Money Giving site uk.virginmoneygiving.com, searching for the event as IWAlk.

UPDATE - Montgomery Canal - 27 August 2011

Cambrian Heritage Railway - Canal Central display - Volunteers'' progress with restoration

Walkers on the Montgomery Canal sponsored walk organised by the Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) will be able to ride on a train too.

The event, known as IWAlk, is on Saturday 27 August 2011, along the towpath between Llanymynech and Maesbury Marsh.

On that day Cambrian Heritage Railways will be running their train between Penygarreg Lane and Llynclys South and are inviting walkers to take a trip.

Walkers will start at 10.30 and walk the four miles from the Llanymynech Heritage Area and Canal Central to Canal Central at Maesbury Marsh, where a light lunch will be available. They will then return to Llanymynech where further light refreshments will be available at the Llanymynech Wharf Information Centre. Anyone who does not wish to do the return journey can park at Canal Central and book a minibus journey from Maesbury Marsh to Llanymynech, but this will have to be arranged beforehand.

Halfway, walkers will be able to leave the towpath at Penygarreg Lane, Pant, and board a train being run from the railway halt, 150 yards from the canal, to Llynclys South Station and return. This section is part of the Cambrian Heritage Railways' project to return trains to the line from Gobowen through Oswestry.

Michael Limbrey, President of the IWA Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch, said, “Our sponsored walk is supporting the IWA National Campaign Appeal, which is raising money for Inglesham Lock, the gateway to the Cotswold Canals, and next year’s Maesbury Canal Festival, raising money for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

“Walkers will be walking a length of the canal that has been derelict for over sixty years, the length from Crickheath Wharf to Redwith, where volunteers of Waterway Recovery Group and the Shropshire Union Canal Society are working to extend the navigable canal, and the restored canal from Redwith bridge to Maesbury.

“Volunteers of the Shropshire Union Canal Society and Friends of the Montgomery Canal will have information for walkers, and anyone else who cares to visit, at Canal Central. We are grateful too to the Waterway Recovery Group for transport and to the Duchess-Countess Trust for use of the Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre, emphasising again the working together of the voluntary groups interested in the Montgomery Canal.

“The partnership with Cambrian Heritage Railways highlights our transport and industrial heritage, where both once linked to the Llanymynech Heritage Area. We believe that reopening will add to the many attractions of the district, creating new opportunities for businesses and employment.”

The walk is open to all. Anyone who wants a sponsorship form, or to book a the minibus or to order a soup-and-roll lunch at Canal Central, should contact Dawn Aylwin on 01691 830403 or email shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk.

Anyone who would like to support the event can send a donation or sponsor the walkers in general through the Virgin Money Giving site uk.virginmoneygiving.com, searching for the event as IWAlk.