Volunteer, 84, returns to restored canal he helped bring back to life
Raffle winners enjoy anniversary cruise along restored Montgomery Canal
An 84-year-old volunteer has described steering a narrowboat along the restored stretch of canal he helped bring back to life as a moment he will "never forget".
Fred Barrett was among the winners of a special raffle organised to celebrate the Shropshire Union Canal Society's 60th anniversary. Prize winners enjoyed a cruise from Ellesmere through the restored section of the Montgomery Canal to Crickheath Basin, with a second trip the following day for more lucky members.
Mr Barrett said the journey held particular significance after spending nearly two decades volunteering on the canal's restoration.
"In 1980, my wife and I started to walk the Montgomery Canal and over the years saw some parts restored by contractors," he said.
"In 2008, I started to volunteer myself at Redwith Bridge on the Llynclys-Knockin Road. Since then, I have hardly missed any work parties and now, in 2026, I've done 18 years' service and I'm the oldest regular volunteer at 84 years old."
He thanked the Shropshire Union Canal Society for organising the celebration, including a buffet prepared by Sue Ball, and volunteers from the Lyneal Trust for providing their time and narrowboat.
The Lyneal Trust, which offers accessible canal boat holidays, day trips and cottage stays for people with disabilities, illness and other vulnerabilities, supplied its specially designed narrowboat Shropshire Lady and volunteer crew for the anniversary cruise.
During the trip, Mr Barrett was invited to take the helm between Redwith Bridge and Crickheath Basin.
"I was invited to steer the boat from Redwith Bridge to Crickheath Basin – it was such a privilege to be at the helm on the section of the canal that I helped to restore," he said. "It meant a great deal to me – something I'll never forget."
The Shropshire Union Canal Society was formed in 1966 after Welshpool Council announced plans to build a road along the route of the Montgomery Canal.
Three years later, the society organised what became known as the "Big Dig", when hundreds of volunteers cleared and excavated sections of the canal at Welshpool.
Since then, restoration has continued over several decades, with major stretches of the historic waterway reopened. Volunteers are now focused on restoring the remaining "Shropshire Gap" between Crickheath and Llanymynech.