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Barry, Phil, Jeff Anderson and I took Phoenix to Bradley for the BCNS/IWA/WRGS weekend clean up.
Barry, Phil, Jeff, Mick Rolfe and I set off from Bradley and collected rubbish from the non towpath side and a lot of wooden floorboards from the building still straddling the canal between two building sites. We carried on collecting until full and then winded and returned to the yard. We had to wait to be unloaded and set off again mid afternoon. We eventually turned back due to the vast amount of floating weed and the lack of water, which made progress impossible
We arrived at Bradley to find snow covering the ground and the boats and ice on the canal. We set off for the junction and turned right along the Main. We collected 14 large commercial tyres as well as other rubbish and returned to Bradley with both boats full. We were unloaded and left the boats moored there until the following Wednesday when we returned them to the Pumphouse.
Barry and I took two lads fronm St Albans Community Centre down the first three locks from the Pumphouse in Phoenix. We then winded and returned to the top. This allowed both lads to steer into and out of the locks while the other assisted with the lock working.
Graham, Barry and I met at Delph Locks. We were joined by Dennis Rydes, a canal enthusiast who had read about our Work Party and came along to join us. We set about clearing the sides of the No 2 lock on the old flight, cutting back the overhanging bushes and lockside grass. The difference in the Before and After photograph was quite amazing. The following day we were joined by Mike Rolfe, Andy Meek and Dominic. We attacked the lock itself this time, removing shopping trolleys, lock gate parts and other rubbish. This was when Dominic pulled out a plastic bag containing nearly forty rounds of live .303 ammunition as described in B.P.181. When the excitement had died down, we opened uo the view of the pound below the lock by removing several bushes and some undergrowth. We also removed a washing machine and a settee and chair from the water. We where unable to remove a motor cycle which we were told had been there for some years due to its weight.
Barrie and I took the two lads from St Albans along with their mentors down Oldbury Locks and along the Main Line. After a break for refreshments they returned the boat to the Pumphouse in the rain.
The same two lads joined us for a rubbish collecting trip up the Titford Canal as far as the Pools and finished up working well tugether pulling out bikes and shopping trolleys and also a full lenght railway sleeper complete with irons. This required a combined effort of everyone on the boat. We returned to the Pumphouse and moored up. We have since been told that both lads have gained places at college and are studying for their future. We hope that in some small way we have helped with their progress.
Graham, Dominic, Mikes Ross and Rolfe and I, all met up at Delph Locks for a final clean-up before the Open Weekend. We again strimmed round the locksides and then the surrounding pathways. This time we came prepared and with the assistance of our block and tackle we removed the motorcycle and another trolley from the pound. We loaded all the rubbish and our tools onto the truck and after a short Bathams Break returned to the Pumphouse and unloaded.
The Open weekend was blessed with decent waether and a fair crowd attended. There were several conducted walks round the site of the old locks and a horse drawn boat made a trip down and back up the locks on both days. Sunday finished with a Duck Race with about 300 ducks taking part, some of which escaped and eluded all attempts to recapture them!
Mike Rolfe, Jeff Anderson and I met Simon and Ian at the Galton Valley Centre but unfortunately the volunteers from the Friends of Galton Valley failed to materialise though we were joined by Stuart Lane who runs the centre. We still managed to fill Phoenix before returning to the Pump House.
Graham, Dominic, Simon Jeff and I met at the Pump House to clean up the area for the BCNS Rally. We cleaned and tidied the yard, wharf and meeting room. We then had a trip up to the Pools, checking the bridgeholes and collecting rubbish before returning and emptying and cleaning Phoenix.
Phoenix was taken to Hawne Basin, washed and left to dry. The next day she was blacked inside and out, left to dry overnight and then given another coat. The cabin roof was rubbed down and a coat of red oxide applied. While she was at Hawne Basin we replaced a leaking diesel pipe and cleaned under the engine before Jeff Barley replaced the engine ducting. Our thanks go to Andrew Pazey who not only tested Pheonix for her BSS but also donated two fire extinguishers to replace the two old ones on board. Mant thanks!
Pheonix has since been to Windmill End for the DTI 150 where,with Barry steerng, she was the last boat through, collecting lights and Marshalls from the tunnel. She has also visited the Tipton Community Boating Project under Simons control and the Park Head Rally. Her next trip will be to Stourbridge Bonded Warehouse before returning to the Engine Arm for the Pre-Bonfire work party on October 25th-10am.
Ten volunteers, Seven BCNS and three friends of Galton Valley made up the work party to clear the Aqueduct, towpath and wharf area for the Bonfire Rally. With so many it was finished by linchtime and saw a great improvement.
Thanks to all who turned up.