Travelling the waterways living and working in our 21st century ways links us to the past.
We use routes designed by famous engineers like Brindley and Telford whose waterfilled channels and tunnels for commercial haulage were created by armies of labourers.
In some places like the Ashby where we are now, we are not only remembering and celebrating the people of the past, but also very much acknowledging present day work.
Volunteers, communities, councils, organisations are working together, enabling waterways to stay alive and viable. United, they are working hard to restore waterways for boaters, walkers, fishermen (and women), canoeists, paddleboarders, runners, and crucially for wildlife.
Some waterways have been hidden from view for years, others remain unused but evident. Currently 97 restoration projects are underway across the UK.
We’ve been fortunate to cruise the Monty (Montgomery), currently under restoration, and are heading this year up the Lancaster where they are aiming to extend the navigation ultimately to Kendal.
See if there’s a restoration project near you
All offer numerous opportunities to get involved and fascinating insights into the construction process. The aim for some is to be restored for navigation. Others like Charnwood Forest Canal are hoping to preserve the former route for amenity use.
The Ashby Canal is a great example of a canal brought back to life by the dedication of individuals acting as catalysts, labourers and bringing together organisations to work together to restore a truly beautiful route. Built originally to serve the coalfields that abounded near Moira and Measham, it opened in 1804. Those coalfields directly resulted in the Ashby’s demise as a working canal – mining subsidence closed sections north of Snarestone in the 1940s.
The section from Moira to Donisthorpe was abandoned in the early 1940s and another 5 miles closed in 1957 with the Measham to Snarestone section closing in 1966.
That final closure led to the formation of the Ashby Canal Association, a group determined to ensure no more lengths were closed. Leicestershire County Council were behind the restoration and the Ashby Canal Trust was formed as a limited company in 2000 with directors representing the Ashby Canal Association, the County Council, local relevant councils, Canal and River Trust and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA).
Thanks to all the efforts of committed individuals involved, we know about the canal’s history and are able to cruise the Ashby’s from its junction with the Coventry Canal. This year we have a further few hundred new yards to travel to a winding point taking us 22 lock-free beautiful miles.
This year too there is a new canal walk which goes from Snarestone to Measham, one we’d recommend to any boaters, walkers, or trail runners.
The large village of Measham also gave its name to a rustic brown lead-glazed style of decorative china known as Measham ware or Barge ware. The famed teapots particularly were given as gifts, often as prized wedding presents. Bargees would place their orders as they passed through Measham and collect the item on their next trip. Ironically, most Measham ware was actually produced 5 miles away in Church Gresley in Derbyshire. When I finally find one at a price I can afford, I’ll show you what they look like!
The Ashby Canal Path is a fascinating insight into where future generations may cruise…. Wonder how much further we will be able to get in our cruising lifetimes?
We’re aiming to get involved in restoration projects as we cruise through the IWA. The Association offers the opportunity with holiday, weekend and family camps. It will be not only a chance to contribute to the amazing network which gives us such joy daily but also an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, discover new horizons and get involved in protecting the waterways for generations to enjoy.
Pickingupducks 
Fascinating! Thankyou Deena.
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