Our work parties usually take place on the third Sunday of the month, and the usual starting location is Snarestone Wharf, (sat nav postcode DE12 7DD), or Ilott Wharf, Bosworth Road (Google map ref. 52.696407-1.484737) from around 10:00 a.m.
There will be a work party on Sunday 27th October 2019. Meet at 10 am at Snarestone Wharf DE12 7DD. Please bring your own lunch and wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. The nature reserve at Snarestone Wharf needs tidying up, likewise the area around Gilwiskaw Brook
There are some ongoing projects, which also require volunteers:
Benches –We have a number of benches, seats or picnic tables spaced along the canal between Snarestone and The Lime Kilns pub. A small number of volunteers have been assigned to various locations along the canal corridor and good progress is being made in repainting these.
If you can help, or would like to know more, please get in touch with Clive Walker on 01827 282298 or David Watts on 01455 846007, or e mail: info@ashbycanal.org.uk
Working Wednesdays
We hold informal work parties most Wednesdays at Snarestone Wharf, from approx 10.15 am to early afternoon. There are usually plenty of jobs to be done – including grass cutting, weeding, keeping the site tidy, sorting bric-a-brac, putting up notices, maintaining our sheds, etc. Very informal but rewarding. If you would like to join us – you would be most welcome.
Please call Rod Smith on 01530 833307 or David Watts 01455 846007 for details
Report from the work party on Saturday 21st September 2019
The hedge was trimmed and the middle of the offside nature reserve was strimmed. A large amount of orange balsam was also removed. Work also continued on the canopy over the shop front.
Report from the work party on Sunday 28th April 2019
Essential maintenance was carried out on a birch tree at Snarestone Wharf that is in danger of becoming uprooted following recent stormy weather.
Report from the work party on Sunday 24th March 2019
At Ilott Wharf a number of volunteers repaired a fence that had been damaged by a fallen willow, whilst others made the most of the good weather and burnt scrub. The day finished with some reed cutting in the nature reserve at Snarestone Wharf.
Report from the work party on Sunday 18th February 2019
Eight volunteers continued to trim the towpath hedge, whilst two other volunteers removed the planks from two damaged benches opposite Hinckley Marina. The benches will eventually be re-fitted with fresh, treated planks..
Report from the work party on Sunday 20th January 2019
Six volunteers helped trim the towpath hedge between Snarestone Wharf and bridge 62.
Report from the work party on Sunday 16th December 2018
Twelve volunteers helped trim the towpath hedge between Snarestone Wharf and bridge 62.
Report from the work party on Sunday 21st October 2018
Fourteen volunteers cleared scrub at the entrance to the car park at Ilott Wharf, thus improving the visibility of the noticeboard from the Bosworth Road. In addition, grass and brambles were cut around the bases of the saplings that line the wooden fencing. This will improve their chances of further growth.
Report from the work party on Sunday 3rd June 2018
Six volunteers cleared rubbish, cut down saplings and burned scrub in preparation for the visit of the University of Leicester between 5th and 7th June 2018. In order to improve accessibility, and to make the terrain more visible, it has been decided to contract a local farmer to mow the grass before the start of the archaeological dig. This may also help to reduce the prevalence of ruts which make the ground very uneven and difficult to walk or work on.
Report from the work party on Sunday 15th April 2018
Twelve volunteers cleared scrub at Ilott Wharf, and repaired the wire fence that borders the site of the car boot sale. Afterwards the volunteers enjoyed a BBQ at the new purpose-built site at Snarestone Wharf.
Report from the work party on Sunday 18th February 2018
Twenty two volunteers, including several new faces, cleared scrub, broke up large hay bales, painted gates and tidied the hard standing area at Ilott Wharf.
Report from the work party on Sunday 28th January 2018
Sixteen volunteers worked either side of the Gilwiskaw Brook clearing and burning further scrub and brambles.
Report from the work party on Sunday 12th November 2017
Fifteen volunteers, five of whom turned up for the first time, helped clear scrub and brambles from both sides of the Gilwiskaw Brook, The yellow and red engineering posts, that mark the location of the pending aqueduct are now clearly visible and more easily accessible.
This is a map of the site a few years before the closure of Ilott wharf. You can see that the left arm of the canal had already been dewatered in the 1950s when Measham town lost its stretch of canal.
The lads putting up the sign at the car park at Ilott wharf. They had previously scrapped the car park so it could be used again.
The chute at Ilott wharf in about 1965, just before demolition and dewatering of the canal back to Snarestone Wharf. The trains from Measham Mine were backed up on the siding, and men shovelled the coal into narrowboats moored on the canal.
The engine used to pull the coal wagons crossing Bosworth Road just west of the old coaching inn.
Referring to the previous steam engine photo, Peter Oakden is seen here having excavated the base of the street lamp, with even the electricity cable sticking out of it.
Trains crossing the fields coming from Measham Mine (on the horizon), heading towards Ilott Wharf.
This house, one of two at Ilott Wharf, had been a coaching inn on the Measham to Bosworth route. It was demolished in 1965. It belonged to the Coal Board and the last occupant was a manager from the mine.
The house in the background was the Ilott House which belonged to the Midland Railway Company, which also owned the canal. The little black shed in front of it was the tally shed where canal records were kept. Also shown are the loaded wagons on the raised siding and boats waiting to be filled.
Another view taken at around the same time. Ilott House has been demolished. The dilapidated tally hut is still there, as is the greenhouse seen in front of the tree.
Although life was hard, there was fun to be had for children. In the background, there is a train on the siding, and the coal shute can be seen on the far left.
The Goodwins at Ilott wharf. The gauging station is in the background. They borrowed the canoe from Bill Bradford, the local carpenter and undertaker, who lived at Bosworth Grange just east of the aqueduct.
