Montgomery Canal: Crickheath South work party report – August 16-18, 2024

The restoration of the Tramway Wharf Wall at Crickheath is now complete and it feels like ‘the end of an era’, as we say goodbye to John and Paul the dry-stone wallers.

Work to repair the former tramway wharf wall is now complete. Starting in April last year, we have been privileged to have support from members of the Dry-Stone Walling Association led by stalwarts John and Paul. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, not least from the condition of the wall but most notably from a site that steadfastly remained under water much longer than expected due to the extraordinarily wet winter. But by Saturday teatime, the remaining 15 metres of copings had been placed and off went John and Paul, accompanied by a few cans of Navigation Pale Ale. A big thank you to all the wallers and Society volunteers who have helped, especially Graham the plant operator. The result looks impressive!

On Friday, we were joined by nine corporate volunteers from Practice Plan in Oswestry. With careful direction provided by Fred, they undertook valuable vegetation clearance work around recently planted hedging whips. With the Society’s regular volunteers fully occupied with channel and towpath restoration activities, this was an enormous help. Fred also took the opportunity to provide them with a site tour and explain ‘all things restoration’. Thanks to all of them for their hard work. So far this year, 44corporate volunteers have joined us for a day which must be something of a record.

Channel works were focused on Phase 1A. Despite deep mud in the bed of the channel, the area where the remaining copings had been placed has now been profiled, the banks above the wharf wall have been tidied along the full length and the channel bed has been flattened down to grade. Profiling the channel in 1A is now all but complete. The southern end is ready for lining and blocking; the northern end does not require waterproofing.

Whilst plant operations in the channel were underway, other volunteers worked on the towpath in 1A. Great progress has been made. A further 60 metres was completed during this work party adding to the 40 metres previously constructed. We are now over halfway in this section. The final wear course of quarry dust will be applied once the entire length has been constructed.

And finally, a footnote to the wharf wall repairs. Following tradition, a current year coin (2024 King Charles III 50p) has been hidden somewhere in the repaired wall. The location will remain secret until it may be found by future restorers. It is 227 years since the wharf was originally built. Will the secret remain for a further 227 years?

We are always looking for new volunteers and members, go to shropshireunion.org.uk for more details.