The Waterway Recovery Group's involvement with the Montgomery canal - affectionately known as "the Mont" has been a long lasting love affair. The Mont was the subject of some of the very first restoration projects for WRG.
The canal boasts a number of open sections including a connection to the main canal network (Llangollen canal)
via the volunteer restored Frankton Locks. There are some sections of the canal designated as SSSIs (Sites of special scientific interest)
and working with and around these is a worthwhile challenge.
Click here for further information on the Montgomery Canal
Recent Heritage Lottery funding has enabled a grander plan for re-opening a greater length of the canal. 2005 saw the approval of funding to enable the extension of the open canal up to Llanymynech. Although the Mont has an open section connected to the main canal network, there is an isolated navigable section at Welshpool which would benefit immensely from the canal traffic which would be generated by a viable route.
I am reminded that WRG Forestry had our first outing here just around the time of the fuel strikes in possibly 2006. We returned (and we wish it had been sooner) in March 2006 to begin work on felling trees close to the bankside, either leaning or forming unwieldy clumps.
We had the pleasure of staying in local bed and breakfast accommodation (courtesy of Alison's Uncle) whilst working on the Montgomery. Shameless plug for The Croft