The Inland Waterways Association walk along the Montgomery Canal last week-end raised nearly £400.
Many canal enthusiasts joined the sponsored walk organised by the Shrewsbury, District and North Wales Branch along the towpath of the Montgomery Canal on Saturday 27th August, between Llanymynech and Maesbury Marsh.
The event has so far raised nearly £400 and the organisers hope that more sponsorship donations may still come in.
Reopened length
The walkers started from the Canal Stables Visitor Centre at Llanymynech Heritage Area and walked alongside the reopened canal length used by the George Watson Buck trip-boat, run by the Duchess-Countess Project.
At Crickheath walkers were able to see volunteers of Waterway Recovery Group continuing their work to waterproof the canal bed and were given a detailed explanation of what they were doing by co-ordinator Alan Jervis.
Canal society volunteers
Leaving this site they could see also the length being restored by volunteers of Shropshire Union Canal Society, who are also reconstructing the canal and making it waterproof to extend the navigable length of the canal.
At Redwith Bridge, the towpath led to the restored canal: the first length has been rewatered but cannot be used by boats until restoration reaches Crickheath where the canal is wider so that boats can turn.
Restored
For the final section of the walk, from Gronwen Wharf, the canal is restored and open to navigation, with boats moored outside the destination at Canal Central.
On the return journey, walkers were given the opportunity to see the railway restoration at the Cambrian Heritage Railway, by taking a trip on the train to Llynclys South, where refreshment was available, before returning to Penygarreg Halt for the final hike back to Llanymynech.
Michael Limbrey, President of the IWA Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch, enthused:
"We were very pleased with the support for our event, from walkers and sponsors and from the other organisations which helped us on the day.
"We were raising money for the Inland Waterways Association National Campaign Appeal to restore Inglesham Lock, where the Cotswold Canal leaves the River Thames, and for the 2012 Maesbury Canal Festival, promoting the restoration of the Montgomery Canal."
The event was supported by the Duchess-Countess Project that provided facilities and refreshments at the start and finish of the walk, and by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, who arranged a display of the restoration at Canal Central.