Celebrating 25 years of the Stourbridge Navigation Trust
21st October 2008
The canal open day on Saturday 18th October was a great success. It was a beautiful day which helped draw record crowds.
It is many years since I was last on a narrow boat. Spending a couple of hours on Council Leader David Caunt’s boat with colleagues and dogs was a real pleasure. We set off for Wordsley Junction at 1pm and travelled back again to the Bonded Warehouse for an address by the Chairman of the Stourbridge Navigation Trust which was celebrating its 25th anniversary.
It is incredible to think that the Trust was formed to protect the historic Bonded Warehouse from demolition. And the Stourbridge canal from being turned in to a road! The 1960s and early 70s were a blight on this country’s planning system. We have a lot to be grateful to the Stourbridge Navigation Trust for – congratulations to everyone involved for what they have protected and allowed to flourish.
And thanks to former mayor Malcolm Knowles for picking me up in his Bean. We chugged down Hagley Road in the seventy year old motor which was in good condition. On the outside at least. I was less certain about the engine as a series of firework like explosions erupted every couple of minutes! Just as long as Malcolm wasn’t expecting any help from me in the case of a breakdown...
Photos: Top: With Chairman of the Stourbridge Navigation Trust Cllr Graham Debney; Centre: Margot and Malcolm Knowles arrive in the Bean; Bottom: Mayor Ray Burston, Mayoress Debbie Burston, Margot, Cllrs Nic Barlow and Malcolm Knowles and Lotus.
