’50 years after the heroic efforts of volunteers to bring the Ashton Canal back to life at ASHTAC, join with us to celebrate and get stuck in.’
Join IWA Manchester Branch and Waterway Recovery Group North West for ASHTAC50 – a community spring clean on the Ashton Canal on 21 and 22 March. This event is organised to commemorate ‘Ashton Attack’ or ASHTAC, a volunteer event that took place along the canal in March 1972.
Many volunteers worked together from all parts of the country over a two- day period at ASHTAC. Their efforts rescued the beautiful urban canal from dereliction, allowing it to become the leisure resource it is today.
There are several activities planned for both days, including canal-side tidying, litter picking, vegetation removing and tree cutting.
Efforts will focus on a half mile stretch of the Ashton Canal, between Portland Basin and the historic Donkey Stones Wharf, including a small piece of land behind ASDA Ashton.
You will travel to these locations aboard passenger narrowboat StillWaters and by the Canal and River Trust’s workboat, which will drop teams off at each worksite.
Please wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes, that you don’t mind getting dirty and waterproofs if rain is likely.
A sandwich lunch will be provided. You are welcome to sign up for both days or only one. We will meet at Heritage Wharf Portland Basin (postcode: OL7 0QA) on both days, 21 and 22 March.
Come along and spend a nice day or two out in the fresh air!
Find out more at waterways.org.uk/ashtac50
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