Shropshire Union Canal Society fundraising partnership with Monty’s Brewery
Fundraising to restore the historic tramway wharf at Crickheath, near Oswestry, and another 200 metres of canal just south has taken a step forward after a partnership arrangement with Monty’s Brewery was agreed which will result in the launching of a new beer named Monty’s Navigation Ale.
Commission on every pint consumed will be used to purchase materials and hire plant for the next phase of restoration by the Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) whose volunteers undertake the physical work.
For logistical reasons, the brewery and the society will initially focus on pubs and outlets along the length of the Montgomery and Llangollen Canals – from the Newtown area in mid Wales through Welshpool and Oswestry to Nantwich in Cheshire. Talks are taking place with pub owners ready for a significant sponsorship launch in spring 2023.
One of the objectives of the fundraising, of which Monty’s Navigation Ale is a key starting point, is to connect the national canal network to Schoolhouse Bridge, the last major obstruction on the Montgomery Canal between Frankton in Shropshire and Llanymynech on the English/Welsh border.
The ale, a 4.0% pale bitter, has been brewed to suit all tastes and to honour the navvies and boat people who developed and used a canal that was to serve the populations of the border counties and mid Wales for over 150 years until a decline in trade brought about closure and legal abandonment in 1944.
Monty’s Brewery is a successful company based in the town of Montgomery in Powys producing distinctive ales and supporting and employing local people. The brewery management, directed by Pam Honeyman, has a proud record of supporting local charities and good causes.
Volunteers from SUCS have been progressively restoring the canal from Redwith to Crickheath and have recently completed a 330 metre stretch to connect the newly-completed winding (turning) hole at Crickheath to the national canal network. This project was supported financially by a £2.8million contribution from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Fred Barrett, SUCS Publicity Officer, said,
“The benefit of the UK`s waterways to the national economy is recognised by the Inland Waterways Association with most money being spent in the locality of the waterway. A fully-restored Montgomery Canal will be a great boost for jobs and businesses in the immediate area and indeed restoration has already benefitted local business with significant trade with plant hire companies and quarries and volunteers regularly staying in B&Bs and hotels”.
Russ Honeyman, Commercial Director of Monty’s Brewery, said,
“The restoration of this historic section of the canal is a marvellous project bringing further benefits to the community. When we were approached by the volunteers we were delighted to get involved”.
For more information about Monty’s Navigation Ale, contact Russ Honeyman via sales@montysbrewery.co.uk or 01686 668933.
