Weekend of fun at the Ashby Canal
WATERWAYS enthusiasts are celebrating half a century of working to bring the Ashby Canal back to life.
Members of the Ashby Canal Association are hosting a ‘golden gathering’ this weekend with fun and activities promised for all the family.
Snarestone Wharf, at the old Ashby Canal terminus, off Quarry Lane, Snarestone, will be home to a variety of stalls, boats and refreshment stands this Saturday and Sunday.
The aim is to mark 50 years of the association and its work to restore the length of canal which began to be closed piecemeal due to the effects of mining subsidence.
People will be able to find out about the restoration, check out the new bridge 62 and look at future plans to open up the waterway even further.
The weekend will also see the launch of a full colour book about the canal - Ashby Canal, Past, Present and Future - written by recently retired Ashby Canal project officer, Geoff Pursglove.
Geoff will be on hand to answer questions about the canal and give chapter and verse on its history.
Clive Walker, who is helping to organise the event, said: “This is an important milestone for us, and in reflection of the original freight carrying role of the Ashby Canal, and of the Ashby Canal Association‘s previous role in this, we are pleased to have two historic narrow boats, which will be avail- able for boat trips. All are welcome to help us celebrate.”
The Ashby Canal was completed in 1804 to serve the local collieries in the Moira and Measham area. However, it was only modestly successful and by the middle of the 20th Century it was suffering from the effects of subsidence.
Clive added: “There are now far developed plans to reconnect the canal to Measham and Moira but it is ironic that coal, which brought the canal into existence, was responsible for its ultimate demise.”
The site is open 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday and is next to the big pumphouse chimney off Quarry Lane.
Visitors should look out for the car park signs.