On Friday 6th November the Shropshire Union Canal Society celebrated the 60th anniversary of its formation at the Dolphin Inn in Llanymynech on the English Welsh border, and it was a wonderful, joyous, multi-generational reunion for so many and comes at a time when the restoration is at fever pitch with amazing progress at Crickheath, Shropshire and bridges being built in Powys.
Volunteers from all six decades were in attendance for guided tours in the morning followed by a reception at the Dolphin Inn where Welsh and English politicians, Canal and River Trust officials and other partners made heartfelt speeches about canals in general and the Montgomery in particular.
David Carter, chair of the Shropshire Union Canal Society opened the proceedings by saying, “Our 60th anniversary celebration is a truly special way to end our anniversary year and a unique gathering of members who have been active in the society’s restoration work during each of the six decades. The whole history of the society has come alive! From the early campaigns to save the canal through to the work taking place today at Schoolhouse Bridge, volunteer effort has been the driving force behind every success. While we are proud of how far we have come, we remain committed to closing the Shropshire Gap and ensuring the Montgomery Canal can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomery and Glyndwr shared his early memories of the nearby Llangollen Canal, as he grew up near the Horseshoe Falls, which is the feeder at the start of the canal, saying,
“Those early years really developed my passion for the natural world and these canals only remain a space that we can visit, enjoy, and be part of because of organisations like this, and people like you – the volunteers, the communities – that make it feasible.”
Helen Morgan, MP for Shropshire North is no stranger to the ‘Monty’ as she opened the restored section to Crickheath Basin back in 2023. She said,
“You don’t have to be on a boat to enjoy a canal – they’re for everyone, and although they don’t have their industrial use anymore, they’re so important for everybody who lives on or around them, and for tourism too. Since I became an MP, they’ve given me some of my favourite moments, I was absolutely delighted to see the Montgomery restoration, just down the canal from here, both before and after it was filled with water – an amazing piece of engineering work. And then, on a beautiful day in June ‘23, we sailed to Crickheath Basin on a steam powered boat, the ‘Ictus’, and I cut the ribbon to open that section. I’m so looking forward to the next milestone.”
Ben Cottam, Director for Wales and the Southwest at Canal & River Trust, said,
“This is a story, above all, about passion, commitment, and community engagement. We are proud to be a partner of the Shropshire Union Canal Society, in what is now, one of the most important restoration projects in England and Wales. But it has required intent, partnership, and substantive funding, which is why we’re grateful for the support of all the funding partners and political supporters in the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.”
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- Fred Barrett with his restoration model
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- Volunteers enjoy the reception
Ian Lane, Head of Operational Partnerships & Fundraising at Canal & River Trust, said,
“This is all about you – so well done, and congratulations to you all. If you think back at all those volunteer hours over the years, the many projects you’ve delivered? All those generations that just thought, ‘let’s roll our sleeves up and get stuck in’. Well, now you can look at the fruits of your labour, it’s absolutely phenomenal.”
Founded on 9 November 1966, the Shropshire Union Canal Society has played a leading role in one of Britain’s most significant canal restoration projects. Working alongside Canal & River Trust, Shropshire Council and the Montgomery Canal Partnership, generations of volunteers have helped transform sections of the Montgomery Canal from a derelict waterway into a thriving destination for boating, walking, wildlife and recreation.
As the society celebrates this important milestone, volunteers are continuing the work that has defined the organisation since its formation and are currently focused on restoration activity around Schoolhouse Bridge, in Crickheath – which was the last highway obstruction before the Welsh border – so has unlocked the potential for navigation to be restored, firstly to Waen Wen Basin and on to the Llanymynech section, which is already in water, and one day to the long stretch through Welshpool, which was restored many years ago. The 360-metre section between Crickheath Basin and Schoolhouse Bridge has been shaped and blocked and will undergo water tests this winter. The work forms part of a wider restoration programme being delivered through a partnership involving the Canal & River Trust, the Shropshire Union Canal Society, Shropshire Council and supporters of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! public appeal. Recent funding of more than £250,000 has helped secure the next phase of volunteer-led restoration works.
This project follows the successful reopening of Crickheath Basin in 2023 and represents another significant step towards the long-term ambition of restoring the full length of the canal.
The 35-mile Montgomery Canal stretches from Frankton Junction, near Ellesmere in Shropshire to Newtown in Powys. Following its closure to navigation in the 1930s it was part of the nationalised transport industry in 1948 where it was classed as a ‘remaindered waterway’. Around 1965 the Welshpool council discussed filling in the canal and routing a road over it and this was the moment that people talked of saving the canal and forming a society. The Shropshire Union Canal Society was formed in 1966, and volunteers have worked tirelessly alongside restoration partners to bring the canal back to life. More than 12 miles in Powys were restored in the 70s with the support of the then Prince of Wales – now King Charles III. In the early 1990s the section between Frankton and Maesbury was restored by contractors, alongside volunteers and paid for with government grants. This work was then taken over by Shropshire Union Canal Society, and the canal is now navigable to Crickheath Basin – an 8-mile extension to the national network. The entire towpath is now accessible, delivering benefits for local communities, businesses, visitors and wildlife.
Throughout its anniversary year, the society is hosting a programme of walks, exhibitions, cruises and special events celebrating its achievements and inspiring future generations to become involved in the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.
The Shropshire Gap is quickly being closed, block by block and with the sweat of many, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers, drop by drop. Why not join us and be part of the future! shropshireunion.org.uk
