Curtain brought down on Restoration Showcase

THE second Restoration Showcase planned for the weekend of August 22-23 at the Anderton Boat Lift has been postponed and will not now take place until sometime in 2021, again at the boat lift, with a date to be confirmed.

Event organisers, led by the IWA Chester and Merseyside Branch, had wanted to build on their 2019 success but when facing so many uncertainties and risks, decided that they had no option but to reschedule the event.

At the time of the decision, the date at which the boat lift would reopen to the public had not been decided, star attraction the ss Daniel Adamson (the ‘Danny’) had not been dry-docked for essential maintenance but most important of all was the safety of volunteers at a time of the pandemic.

Jim Forkin, chairman IWA Chester and Merseyside, said: “The vast majority of volunteers manning the event would have been in the age category of those most at risk from the virus and we had to face up to our responsibility to keep them safe.”

The successful 2019 showcase had been limited to space only on board the Danny, moored in the Royal Albert Dock complex in Liverpool; however the free exhibition attracted more than 500 members of the public in at times atrocious weather.

By moving the event to the boat lift, the organisers had increased the number of restoration societies invited from nine to 15 and had more attractions planned, including a boat gathering with entertainment throughout the weekend featuring ukulele and jazz bands.

Jim added: “The restoration societies were keen to exhibit and there had been great commitment supporting the event from the Canal & River Trust and Danny teams who both appreciated the need to promote to the general public the economic and social benefits restored canals can bring.

“It was a great disappointment to postpone especially as virtually every waterway restoration in the North West had accepted invitations. Discussions on how we progress next year are already in hand.”

However, the Campaign Cruise to highlight the restorations of both Frodsham Lock and the Runcorn locks is still going ahead, organised by the River Weaver Navigation Society (RWNS).

It will be stopping at various locations on the river and the adjoining canals between August 23-27. CRT will be making special arrangements for locking along the river and into the Trent & Mersey Canal. Details from jim.mole@ waterways.org.uk