Canal society toasts Facebook milestone with 1000th member

THE Shropshire Union Canal Society has welcomed the thousandth member of its public group on Facebook.

Brian Mills was invited to visit the current restoration site on the Montgomery Canal near Crickheath Bridge and accept some Navigation Ale as volunteers were working on closing the Shropshire Gap.

He said: “I’m obviously thrilled and feel lucky that I happened to be the one to join the group, just at the right moment. I took my young children to an open day at Ellesmere Canal Yard and was fascinated by the history of the canal and the restoration work that’s going on in the area.

“I decided to learn more about the waterways and restoration, so came upon the Facebook group.”

Brian added: “Although I grew up in Oswestry, I knew little about the canal and it’s been great to visit the site, meet the volunteers and learn about the past and their plans.” legacy element to it and the Canal & River Trust offered members of SUCS a six- week course on developing a communication group that would address all current forms of digital media as well as traditional print outlets.

The result is that the society now has a presence across the internet and all media.

Another outcome is Navigation Ale, a beer brewed by Monty’s Brewery, near Montgomery.

A member of the publicity group approached the brewery, and the firm was keen to support the project by brewing this tasty ale which helps to raise awareness of the canal and provides an income from every pint sold.

Go to www.shropshireunion.org or Shropshire Union Canal Society – Public group on Facebook and get involved.