Latest News.
Here you will find the most recent news of relevance to the branch as well as details of upcoming events and further down the page is news about our programme of work parties and updates on progress at each lock.
STOP-PRESS.
It was passed at the recent IWAI AGM that branches may apply to set special category memberships from time to time. The Newry branch is therefore establishing a special
FRIENDS OF THE NEWRY CANAL
category to allow the public and members of other branches to show their support for the branch's aims to re-instate the navigation and seek funding for restoration work by joining the branch as an associate member for a reduced fee. If you would like to join us fill in the form and return it with your cheque for £10 to the secretary Paul Hoben, 9 Glenvale Crescent, Newry, Co. Down. We will keep our Friends informed of developments on the canal by email newsletter. Download application form
UPCOMING EVENTS
NEWRY CITY MARATHON 25 MAY 2009
The Newry city marathon is run along the towpath and once again our treasurer Yvonne Murphy will be upholding the honour of the branch and entering the race. She has all our support but not our envy, I think!
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK 20 JUNE 2009
The branch will be involved in a towpath bike ride organised in partnership with Translink where we will cycle from Newry to Portadown and return by train.
To take part in any of these events please contact the branch at newry@iwai.ie
GUEST SPEAKERS AT BRANCH MEETINGS
JUNE: Slide show entitled "ARMCHAIR NAVVIES" gives a review of the winter's work on the locks. This should be of particular interest to members who are unable to attend the work parties. It will also provide an opportunity for volunteers to feel smug about our achievements to date. There will then be a break from meetings until September. Guest speakers will attend the October and December meetings of the branch.
PAST EVENTS.
For reports and photos of all the branch's most recent social activities see the Recent Events page.
WORK PARTIES.
Work parties are held every 3 weeks throughout the season. See below for a review of our work to date on each lock.
Refer to the calendar for dates of meetings and work parties.
WORK PARTIES END UNTIL SEPTEMBER.
Work
parties on the Inland Canal have now stopped for the rest of the season as we have discovered that
there are small birds nesting in the lock chambers and our presence disturbs
them. This photo was taken while we removed the gates at Campbell's lock and
shows a small wagtail with insects to feed its young but it wouldn't venture
near the nest while we were there (click on the thumbnail for a larger version.)
However the next workparty on May 23 will be on the Ship Canal consisting of a litter pick and cleanup in the Albert Basin, Newry.
OVERVIEW AND LINKS TO EACH LOCK.
Introduction: There are 13 locks remaining on the inland canal (lock 1 was at the head of the Albert Basin and was removed in the distant past.) All the locks are in need of rescue with trees, shrubs and ivy having been allowed to take them over through the years. Since the branch's formation in 2005 we have been campaigning to be allowed to do clear-up work but were always refused on the grounds that the canal is a scheduled ancient monument and very stringent regulations govern any work undertaken on such edifices. The tragedy of the legislation, however, is that there is no duty on the owner of the monument to care for it. Sometimes it appears as if the Environment Agency would rather the monument collapsed than allow casual work to be done on it.
After a lot of persuasion we gained consent to clear weeds and trees as long as we didn't interfere with the lock chambers themselves. With great determination and enthusiasm we have continued a programme of rescue and have found that once Joe Public actually takes up his axe and shovel in voluntary action the local authorities are glad to help. We have also gained Department of Environment consent to remove some of the artefacts for conservation against the day when restoration of the navigation begins.
Locks: For a short description and some before and after photos of the locks already done click on the names below.
Campbell's lockScarva (lock12)
Poyntzpass lock (lock 11)
Jonathan's lock Carnbane (lock 5)
Murphy's lock Knockanarny (lock 8)
Waddell's lock Gambles bridge (lock 9)
Jerrettspass lock (lock 7)
To join our volunteers see the calendar for dates or contact the branch newry@iwai.ie