Shropshire Star

Letter: Enlightening talk on work of canals trust

I expect that there are many people out there who have heard of the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust.

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However, just how many realise the wonderful and exciting work being done by countless volunteers in restoring what was a link to the national canal system during the Industrial Revolution?

The chairman of the Canals Trust, Bernie Jones, attended a recent meeting of Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council and delighted us with a presentation on the progress of the work so far.

He explained the exciting million-pound project being undertaken to redevelop Wappenshall Wharf as a heritage site and tourism attraction, thereby protecting the architectural and historical importance of the building and the site.

This will eventually become a centre for community use with a café and conducted tours, including the only centre in the UK to provide a whole history of the life and work of Thomas Telford.

The Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust would like to develop a working partnership with a wide range of local organisations and parish/town councils. Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council has supported the trust for a number of years and I would urge everyone in Telford and Shropshire to engage with the trust and extend an invitation to Bernie Jones to visit them so as to find out more about this amazing project here in Telford.

Countryfile presenter John Craven and Nick Owen of Midlands BBC are both patrons, and a visit to the trust website www.sncanal.org.uk is recommended.

Cllr John Smart, Chairman, Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council

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