A trio of rare photographs, which were recently posted on the Facebook page, have been presented to the ACA. They show views of Measham and its close relationship to the canal, whilst it was still in water.

The ACA is looking for volunteers who are willing to act as ‘lengthsmen’ along the whole 22 miles of the canal, in order to keep the towpath free of litter and generally care for its managed appearance. You can choose which section you wish to adopt and  maintain, and the ACA can help you out with any tools you may require.  Above all, please let us know if you find any tasks that may require a larger team effort. There are no set times for this volunteer work; how and when and where you maintain your ‘patch’ is entirely up to you.

If you are interested in becoming a lengthsman, please contact any member of the committee.

Thursday 21st March 2019 7:30 pm at Donisthorpe Woodlands Centre (DMs), Church Road, Donisthorpe DE12 7PY

Our final social meeting of the “winter” season will feature an update by Chairman Peter Oakden, and Vice-President Orest Mulka on the work undertaken at Ilott Wharf, and a presentation on the results of the 2018 Heritage Lottery Funded Archaeological Survey which was done by Leicester University at the site of the wharf.  This will be an illustrated talk and all members and friends are welcome to attend.

It is hoped that the talk will be followed by some previously unseen film footage taken by the late Tom Henshaw; this is, however, dependent on whether the films can be digitised in time.

Please note this event is being held on a Thursday and not on a Monday as has been customary.

Ilott Wharf before its closure in 1966

A short story by the late Tom Henshaw is now available to buy  at the shop in Snarestone Wharf, or by post.

The book is a 28 page paperback and all profits made will go towards the restoration of the Ashby Canal.

The paperback costs £3.50 + £1.00 p&p. It can be bought in person at the shop, or by card over the phone by contacting Michael Wooding on 07805 602618.

Front Cover

The Ashby Canal Association held its AGM at Donisthorpe Miners’ Welfare Centre. It was attended by around 40 people.  Chairman Peter Oakden announced the progress made in negotiations with Leicestershire County Council to have ownership of the Transport and Works Act Order (2005) transferred across to the ACA. This will enable work to begin on the restoration almost immediately. The treasurer, Bob Taylor. announced an increase in funds since 2017 to bring the total in 30th September 2018 to a very healthy £236,173.45.

Long-serving committee member and life member, Audrey Boston, stood down from her role as a committee member and director, as did Ian Palmer. We are indebted to both for their services. The directors retiring by rotation – Cyril Blackford, Cindy Aston and Clive Walker – were all re-elected into their posts.

The short meeting was followed by a talk by a speaker from The National Forest on “Coalpits to Treetops”, which illustrated how the “Back to Green” Lottery Funded Initiative transformed the area around the top end of the Ashby Canal from an area once dominated by coal and clay workings into green countryside.

In light of the General Data Protection Regulations, which came into effect in May 2018, the Ashby Canal Association have issued a new Privacy Statement. It can be downloaded here:

ACA Privacy Statement November 2018

Brian Langtry and his five-piece Zouch Band entertained around 80 people at Stoke Golding Hall on 17th December 2018. Various catchy songs, many of which had been written collaboratively by the band,  were interspersed with a slide show of mainly black and white photographs, which documented the rich history of coal mining in the East Midlands. The audience was invited to sing along to the chorus, and had been issued with the words beforehand. At the end of the show there was an opportunity to chat with the band ‘backstage’ or to buy CDs of their music.

The Zouch band will be continuing to tour with their Coal and Canals show in Spring 2019. See the waterways press for further dates.

To cover costs tickets were priced at £3.00 each and many visitors paid on the door. A raffle was held during the interval and raised further funds.

The Zouch Band with Brian Langtry in the middle.

There will be on additional work party on Sunday 24th March 2019. Meet 10 am Snarestone Wharf from where we will drive to the Eurovia site off Bosworth Road. There is some damaged fencing that needs replacing/repairing, and also clearance of some hedging that another volunteer has been working on during the week. Please bring your own packed lunch and ensure that you wear suitable clothing and footwear.

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 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 Peter Oakden on  01827 880677, 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 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.

Just under 80 people attended this year’s quiz night on Saturday 17th November 2018 at Stoke Golding Club.

After the customary start with “stand-up, sit-down” bingo, the main part of the proceedings got under way with a round of ten questions on “This England”. There were seven further rounds on “Science, Music, London Our Capital, General Knowledge, Sport, Geography and Pot Luck”. There was also a picture round of 20 celebrities. As in the past each team was allowed to play a joker to double their score; most people waited some time to do this, with several leaving it to the very last round.

The standard of questions was generally perceived to be harder this year. Here are some examples:

• (This England): What body of water did the aviator Amy Johnson crash into?
• (Science): What sort of natural formations are speleologists interested in?
• (General Knowledge): Who was the first female presenter of Blue Peter?
• (Sport): Which footballer, now retired, was known as “The Kaiser”?
• (Pot Luck): How many limbs does a woodlouse have?

The lead changed hands several times throughout the tournament, but the eventual winners were “3 Bananas” with 77 points. The wooden spoon was won by “Gone Cruising” with 43 points, much to the dismay of the “Not So Dimmoes” team, who habitually try their best to finish in last place. However, they were a whole 8 points off the bottom place, and so they may have to change their name again before next year’s quiz.

Many thanks also to ACA member, Mary Sibley, who organised the raffle.

A member of the winning team of “3 Bananas”

Andrew Bridgen is the MP for North West Leicestershire, and the route of the Ashby Canal from bridge 62 through to Measham and beyond falls within his parliamentary constituency. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the restoration, and continues to assist with the negotiations with HS2 concerning its proposed route through Measham.

Andrew is frequently interviewed by both the national and the local media for his views on a wide variety of matters, and we hope that he will help to boost the profile of the Ashby Canal in the public eye.