Waterways Museums and Historic BCN Boats

It now looks that the chance of Birchills musuem re-opening is very unlikely. It is somewhat disappointing that two large organisations, British Waterways and Walsall MBC, have been unable between them to facilitate keeping the museum going using volunteers who came forward to offer their services.

That said it does seem that the Waterways Trust musuems have now turned a corner. The Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port has been fortunate to obtain nearly a £1m of lottery funding for much needed infrastructure improvements. However the condition of a number of boats continues to deteriorate including one of the ex Stewarts & Lloyds wooden joey boats. At the Black Country Museum the "Birchills" another wooden joey boat, indeed one of the last built, has been sunk for some time now. Certainly I am sure that this is of concern to each of these museums but we should ourselves be keeping an eye on the situation. It may well be that BCNS members may be able to provide some help with these boats especially at the Black Country Museum.

Changes in the Management Council

As you will all have read in prevoius issues of BP our editor of many years Phil Clayton has indicated that he will be standing down at the end of the year. He (as have a number of other council members) has served BCNS for a number of years and it is most important that volunteers come forward to fill posts on the council in the future. I am sure that Phil will be happy tio discuss further the production of "BP" with any aspiring editor.

Bradley Lock Flight

About 20 members and friends came along for the walk along the route of the Bradley Lock flight looking at the potential for restoration. Whilst it certainly appeared that the restoration would be possible we need to discuss this in greater depth with BW and other pertners. A meeting has been arranged for early May so hopefully we shall have a better understanding of the way ahead then.

Pumphouse Lease

It looks that the various legal problems that have prevented us till now signing the proper lease with BW have been resolved. Thus it is anticipated that we can now soon be able to sign the lease. This had turned into a bit of a legal marathon.

Canal History Workshop

Thisc years workshop will be held at the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester on Saturday 20th November 2004. The event is organised jointly between ourselves and the Railway Canal Historical Society. If anyone is interested in attending please send me an SAE for further details.