News - Page 14 of 17 - The Montgomery Canal

18 May 202118 May 2021

Montgomery Canal Triathlon returns

As England and Wales emerge from lockdown, plans are being made for this year’s Montgomery Canal Triathlon with arrangements to mitigate coronavirus risks for all involved, on a later date, Saturday 4th September.

Until Covid-19 struck the event had taken place for eight years with entrants from across England and Wales – and further afield – travelling the 35-mile canal by bike, on foot and in canoes. The popular Triathlon raises funds for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

24 March 202124 March 2021

Shaping the cut

Restoration work on the Mntgomery Canal 2021

Shropshire Union Canal Society volunteers resumed work in March, continuing the restoration of the 330 metre dry section of the Montgomery Canal, at Crickheath.

When finished, this section of the Montgomery Canal will link the national network of canals, to the winding hole at Crickheath, which is already in water.

2 March 20212 March 2021

Goosanders return to the Montgomery Canal

A pair of Goosanders has been spotted on the Wern Nature Reserve close to Burgedin, in Powys.

Subsequently, the male was seen on the canal close by. Their scientific name is Mergus merganser and they are a member of the sawbill family.

26 February 20216 March 2021

Guilsfield Arm Rejuvenated

National waterways charity Canal & River Trust has recently commissioned some work to be carried out on the Guilsfield Arm which is a designated Nature Reserve. It is a tranquil area to walk in and to observe nature but over the years has become more overgrown and water has struggled to make its’ way down the channel.

Dredging took place a few years ago which helped and cleared the drainage outlets from the neighbouring fields but it soon naturalised again with water plants. However, workers have recently been clearing the banks of vegetation and doing some coppicing work on both sides of the channel in the area from Burgedin to Bridge no. 2 at Deep cutting in advance of the bird nesting season.

11 February 20212 March 2021

Pick up plastic on the Montgomery Canal

Bill Bailey gets active to fight plastic

The Canal & River Trust and Strictly Come Dancing winner Bill Bailey are calling on visitors to canals to boost their health and happiness and make a difference in their local communities by joining the fight against plastic pollution.

According to the Canal & River Trust, canals and rivers have been havens for mental and physical health during the pandemic, with more weekly visits to local towpaths since last March in many areas. However, this has been accompanied by a rise in littering, up 68% in 2020, putting the nation’s precious waterway wildlife habitats at risk and causing an unsightly problem.