Northern Canals Association’s Spring Meeting 2025
Friends of the Cromford Canal
Saturday, 22 March 2025
On Saturday 22 March, with definite hints of spring in the air and hedgerows, 57 members and friends of the Northern Canals Association (NCA) met in Langley Mill, in the Amber Valley, Derbyshire, for their Spring Meeting 2025.
Hosted by the Friends of the Cromford Canal (FCC), who have welcomed us on four occasions before now, the day promised well and, indeed, fully lived up to expectations, not least in terms of the excellent venue chosen at the New Horizon Church.
Easy to access from the rest of the country and with enviable facilities, especially its lighting and sound system – well monitored by the ladies on the balcony – enabled us all to hear and see what was happening.
Following the usual welcomes and ‘housekeeping’ by Ivan Cane, Chair of the NCA and David Martin, Chair of the FCC, Richard Handley, Trustee, Executive Secretary and Chair of the Boat Committee commenced proceedings with an overview of how the FCC use and organise volunteers.
Deriving from the previous Cromford Canal Society in 2001, issues were identified in operations, systems, (including IT), management and poor relations with stakeholders that needed to be dealt with.
Creating two ‘separate’ areas of activity, Restoration and Trading, since then approx. 100 volunteers, supplemented by experts, paid trainers and bought in services, now make the group the undoubted success it is, with the Trading section (trip boat, shop and online sales) now totally run by volunteers.
Reports of a constant supply of ‘new blood’ to the ‘happy ship’ making ‘great strides since Covid,’ were welcome to the ears of the audience, although not without pangs of jealousy in places perhaps?
Although the takeaway reference, something few in the audience ever expected to hear in relation to canal restoration but one we will always remember was – “5th columnists”.
Dave Ratner, Trustee and stalwart of the trip boat Birdswood operations, followed on with a history of 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. Built primarily to serve the Butterley Iron Works, its main cargoes were coal, limestone and iron ore. Via two aqueducts, three more tunnels and an embankment across the Amber Valley, the canal flourished until the inevitable railway competition of the mid-19th century.
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 1939-45 the canal was eventually abandoned in 1969. Early restoration, during the 1970’s and 1980’s was focused on the northern, scenic section from Cromford to Ambergate.
Current restoration dates from 2002 and the foundation of the FCC. 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 3,903 working party volunteer hours in 2024.
Bringing the story of the canal very much into the present was Chris Broome, FCC Water Engineer. By 1973 the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association had restored the first lock on the Cromford Canal; Langley Bridge Lock, at its junction with the Erewash Canal.
This gave access to the Great Northern Basin at the head of the lock, also restored at the same time. By 2008 restoration had continued through Langley Mill Basin and beyond, currently the site of a private boatyard and moorings.
Beyond here, however, the original route of the canal was blocked in 1984 with the construction of the A610 by-pass. To overcome this ‘blockage’ a new route, the Beggarlee Extension, is proposed. Via two new staircase locks, sharp right and left turns and utilising an existing ‘old’ colliery railway bridge a new canal channel is proposed, rejoining with the original canal line at the next bridge north, Stoney Lane, Brinsley.
A detailed account of the trials and tribulations facing the FCC in getting these plans approved by all authorities over the previous six years and enabling works to begin occupied the remainder of the morning session and laid the foundation for the afternoon’s site inspection.
Following the all-important lunch break and networking session everyone reassembled, this time clad in suitable footwear and clothing.
First 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 C&RT 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 us all, the promised rain held off and conditions underfoot remained largely bearable.
Neatly back at the hall in time for the rain to start, the afternoon completed in the now normal fashion; NCA Diggings and Restoration Group Updates.
For the NCA Ivan Cane announced that applications to host the Wilderness Boat Club AGMs (ie a trail boat rally on a remote canal) up to 2028 had been received, however, the WBOC were more than happy to provide craft for smaller events where boats would help to enhance an event. The Weeping Cross Grants were now closed, with Keith Gibson aiming to announce the successful applicants, for 2025, in April. Ivan asked for volunteers for a new chair for the NCA from 2027. Retirement comes to us all, eventually.
For the Restoration Updaters a quick resume would be:
- Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal – no canal but plenty of residences on the latest C&RT joint development. The breach is being repaired – but with bunds either end – but positive hopes continue. Boats are
encouraged to visit via the Irwell entrance. - Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust – yoga on paddle boards and fire service pump testing alongside scouts in self-made boats in the basin and 500 yards of canal.
- Lapal Tunnel, Dudley No 2 Canal – it would take 20 locks to replace the tunnel which collapsed in 1917.
- Sleaford Navigation Trust – the trials and tribulations of obtaining, launching and running a trip boat.
- Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Trust – how a local council brought work to a stop but it’s almost good to go again.
- Chesterfield – installing a 40 ton bridge in two pieces to carry the Trans Pennine Trail over the canal in Renishaw.
- WRG – 11 confirmed camps and 6 potential, together with training and working weekends in 2025.
- Coming Up – Newport & Shrewsbury October 5th 2025, Chesterfield March 22nd 2026, Avon Navigation Trust October 4th 2026, tba March 2027 and Herefordshire and Gloucestershire in October 2027
To the sound of now driving rain outside the day came to a close and delegates began what was in several cases, the long haul home. Another really interesting day was had by all and one the FCC can be proud of organising.
The talks gave a good insight into their organisation, past, present and future whilst being applicable to the restoration world as a whole. The problems, trials and tribulations – yes, we recognise them all. Probably the 5th columnists as well…
Sue Ball. March 2025.
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