Jones the Boats founder receives IWA trophy
SHROPSHIRE resident Peter Jones has been recognised with an award from the Inland Waterways Association for his work in promoting the Llangollen Canal and boosting tourism in North Wales.
Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch chairman Michael Haig presented the Tetlow Cup for outstanding services to the waterways at Ellesmere Wharf on July 1.
He commented: “Peter Jones has recently retired after more than 15 years running his eponymous trip boat business Jones the Boats, offering excursions across the iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
“During this time, he became one of the best-known figures on our local waterways and has done more than most to introduce countless visitors to the wonders and delights of this stretch of the upper Llangollen Canal.”
Peter Jones said: “I was amazed and honoured to receive this award. It is a humbling experience for something like this to come out of the blue. I am truly flattered for what I have done to be appreciated by people from far and wide.”
Following the aqueduct’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peter also found himself promoting the canal on TV programmes as diverse as Countryfile and Flog It! and has played a leading role in establishing the World Heritage Site as a well-known tourist destination.
The Llangollen Canal runs from the Shropshire Union Canal at Hurleston Junction to Llantysilio Bridge just beyond Llangollen, where it terminates into a feeder from the River Dee. The Llangollen Canal also links to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction, and is 46 miles (74km) long with 21 locks.
The canal’s unusual strong current is due to its use to move Welsh water from the River Dee to Hurleston Reservoir, which supplies the residents of Crewe and surrounding areas in Cheshire.
It is one of the most popular canals in the country for boating and is served by numerous well-appointed bases for holiday hire boats. In a normal year these businesses attract thousands of visitors to the region, many from overseas.
IWA is campaigning hard for targeted government financial support for these and other waterways businesses which are suffering severe disruption during the spring and summer of 2020.