We hope you have not missed the great news about funding for the Montgomery Canal in Powys. Grants have been offered from the UK Levelling-Up Fund and the Community Resilience Fund.
The money will cover the rebuilding of Walls and Williams Bridges, dredging and bank restoration from Maerdy to Llanymynech, three natures reserves in Powys, plus planning for the restoration of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct and through the A483 crossings at Arddleen and Maerdy.
With all this progress in Wales we have to complete restoration through Pant to Llanymynech. Volunteers of the Shropshire Union Canal Society are working to reach the new basin at Crickheath and the next challenge is Schoolhouse Bridge, the last highway blockage in Shropshire and a vital step in restoring the canal to Llanymynech.
After five years of planning by the Restore the Montgomery Canal! Group the reconstruction of Schoolhouse Bridge is due to start in the spring and we are now looking for help with road signs, site assistance and administration.
The first step in rebuilding the bridge is to close the road. Road Closed and Diversion notices can be managed by contractors but to keep costs down we would like to recruit a team to take turns going round the two mile ‘Crickheath loop’ in car or on foot to ensure the signs are in place, so arrangements can be made to deal with any that are misplaced, damaged or stolen.
Could you be part of a team making these checks until the signs are removed in the autumn when the bridge is finished and the road can be reopened?
Site assistance
We want to add to the volunteers who have already come forward so the work can be shared out without becoming too much of a commitment for anyone. We are looking for digger/dumper drivers, bricklayers, and a regular team of local navvies. We will offer training if that will help.
Administration
Finally we are looking for one or two volunteers, maybe working at home rather than on site, to help with backup to our Site Manager and the project team.
Newly-retired, approaching retirement, self-employed but between jobs, inactive or unemployed? Could you help us? Do you know someone who could?
Contact:
Michael Limbrey
01691 654081 (preferred) or 07974 692759
michael.limbrey@themontgomerycanal.org.uk