My sister and I used to play on trees near the old canal in 1966 when our parents first moved to Lichfield. She was 6 and I knew better at 9 years of age. My mother would have had a fit. Please can we go to the shop for you, across a main road, under a bridge, across another road, list filled, sweets purchased from shop in Shortbutts Lane and return journey along the old canal. Summers of sunny days and no stranger danger existed. I remember climbing on a tree whose branches bent over the water and solemnly telling my sister she was too young to follow me and must stand and wait for me, she did. Even in those days there was no canal traffic, long closed off and full of stagnant water with interesting creatures and us with a sense of dare. It was fortuitous maybe to buy a house much later near the same canal. Nothing much happened for many years, we walked along it with various dogs and children and then the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust was formed and started the restoration work in 1990
www.lhcrt.org.uk
The history of the Wyrley and Essington is outlined here:
www.lhcrt.org.uk/history.htm
The restoration route is at the back of our house and lock 24 a
mere 1/2 mile away.
We try to take a regular walk to see the latest work
and read the news boards.
It makes for a pleasant walk. The volunteers are doing a great job
of restoring each part and the workings have now spread into Darnford Park
Spot a Chocolate Labrador?
Then all of a sudden a completed part is in view, towpath,
beautiful blue brickwork completed and water
reflecting the evening light in the trees.
It will be many years until the canal reappears in its former glory
at the back of the house, we probably will not
be around to appreciate it.
Do go down and have a look at the work,
it's a masterpiece in progress.
