THE NORTHERN Canals Association looked to the future and the past at its recent meeting.
The association heard about various restoration projects ongoing and planned in the region, including a new bridge and trip boat.
The meeting was held at Langley Mill, in the Amber Valley, Derbyshire, where 57 members heard about the history of the Cromford Canal from Dave Ratner, a trustee of the trip boat Birdswood, and then saw various improvements on the River Erewash.
Mr Ratner spoke about the restoration of the Cromford Canal. Opened in 1794 and joining with the Erewash and Nottingham Canals at Great Northern Basin, Langley Mill, the 14.5-mile-long canal rose by 14 locks to the summit at Ironville with a further 2.25-mile branch to Pinxton, Notts. Beyond this and the 1.75-mile Butterley Tunnel, a further 13.5 level miles takes the canal through the lovely Derwent Valley into the southern Peak District of Derbyshire.
A huge collapse of the Butterley Tunnel in 1900 effectively split the canal in two, leaving only the southern section open to through traffic. Despite a minor revival in trading from 1939-45 the canal was eventually abandoned in 1969. Early restoration during the 1970s and 1980s was focused on the northern, scenic section from Cromford to Ambergate.
With the 1938-built ex-butty Birdswood now converted to electric, running between Cromford Wharf, site of the Weighbridge Shop, and Leawood Pumphouse/High Peak Junction, 70,000 passengers have been carried since 2013. Restoration and maintenance continues on both ‘halves’ of the canal amounting to 3903 working party volunteer hours in 2024.
Later the visitors enjoyed a Walk Through Time with David Martin, pausing at the various landmark restorations over the decades, from the first lock to the latest extension, awaiting permission from CRT for a bridge to the boatyard.
Next, Chris Broome led a visit to the land drainage and flood storage compensation scheme currently nearing completion beyond the site of the proposed new staircase locks. Necessitated by the proximity of the River Erewash to the canal and the undesirability of yet more flood water making its way, unimpeded, down to the Erewash/Trent/Soar River confluence, so often in the news for flooding already, 2000 cubic metres of water need to be accommodated here. Impressive mounds of earth and drainage outfalls currently mark the spot but will, in time, blend in with new surroundings. Fortunately for everyone, the promised rain held off and conditions under foot remained largely bearable.
For the NCA Ivan Cane announced that applications to host the Wilderness Boat Club AGMs up to 2028 had been received, however, the WBOC was more than happy to provide craft for smaller events where boats would help to enhance an event.
