The restoration progresses along the original route of the canal, December 2011.
Restoration at Snarestone January 2012 Work on the next short length of canal at Snarestone is nearing completion by contractors. Water was temporarily admitted to the section in mid December 2011 to test for any leakage. The offside bank adjacent to the Pumping Station will be tidied up once the canal work is finished. Bollards will also be installed on the towpath side of the bank beyond the swingbridge. We thank all those who donated money to our "buy a pile" appeal - your efforts have enabled us to fund the piling of the bank for approx. 40 metres on each side. Future work planned for early 2012 includes excavations at the site of the former Bridge 62 - further along in the Measham direction - to see if we can unearth the original foundations. We should like, if possible, to see this bridge rebuilt in traditional style -in brick. So our restoration appeal may soon become a "Buy a Brick" appeal! Much will depend upon the outcome of the excavation. Our winter work-parties will continue the task of clearing the hedge and scrub along the line of the canal towards the site of bridge 62. Another planned job is to fit galvanised mesh panels along the bottom half of the swing-bridge, which, apart from painting, should complete the work on the bridge. This job will be paid for by the Association, using a generous donation from a member. The County Council are, meanwhile, looking for sources of funding for the Gilwiskaw Aqueduct. An open day/ opening event will be organised once the current work is completed.		Fees for using the new slipway at Snarestone are as follows: Cabin cruisers and similar sized powered craft £15 Canoes and unpowered light dinghies £5 Prior arrangements for slipping - and access through the driveway gate - should be made by phoning 01827 880677. Piling the banks, November 2011, made possible by the response to the 'Buy A Pile' Appeal.

Restoration Background
In 1944 the stretch of the canal between Donisthorpe and Moira was officially closed, following unsucessful attempts by the canal company to overcome the effects of mining subsidence. Later, in 1957, a further length was closed, down as far as Illott Wharf, south of Measham. In 1966 local residents and anglers and waterway enthusiasts unsuccessfully protested against the closure of a further stretch, north of Snarestone. It was out of these protests that the Ashby Canal Association was born.

In recent years much progress has been made in getting the canal restored north of its present terminus by the Quarry Lane Pumping station, near Snarestone.

The length between Donisthorpe and what is now known as Conkers Waterside basin, at Moira was restored (complete with a new lock at Moira) and opened for use in 2001. This stretch is already very popular with canoeists, and a trip boat operates from Moira Furnace. Each year, in early summer, a trail-boat festival is held, when visiting craft make a colourful sight and attract lots of visitors. The Association has a work-boat “Firefly” which is based on this part of the canal. Volunteers use the work-boat, in conjunction with the Ashby Canal Trust, to maintain this restored length. The restored stretch has won many awards. The whole area has been transformed, and is now a tourist destination popular with walkers, picnickers, and historians exploring the adjacent Moira Furnace