canals-digest V1 #1412

[SArk...@aol.com]

In a message dated 22/03/97 23:27:09, Tim Boddington wrote:

>There seem to be so many new subscribers on the list these days - many new
>and interesting contributors. Perhaps it would be a good idea to
>re-advertise the Hopwas GIG in the hope that some of these new folk will
>come and join us on the weekend of 16/17 August 1997 at Hopwas. Syd, maybe
>you could re-post the details sometime and see if there are any takers.

Here is the recap information once again:

DATES: Friday - Sunday August 15th - 17th 1997 Main Day - Saturday.

VENUE: Coton & Hopwas Social Club 'School Bridge' on the Coventry Canal.

FACILITIES AT THE CLUB - Limited amount of overnight camping / caravans,
large lawned area, reasonable amountof visitor parking. Water point
available and electricity and sanitary disposable in emergency. Mooring is
suggested north of Hopwas School Bridge, nearest turning for seventy foot
boats (1) south of Hopwas Bone hill Bridge approx. 45 minutes cruising (2)
north of Hopwas Tamhorn Farm Bridge approx. 35 minutes cruising. Hopwas Club
only has very limited moorings with two boats permanently moored there but
the suggested moorings begin immediately after Hopwas School Bridge and are
currently being re-surfaced. To the rear of Hopwas Club are Hopwas Woods
which are regularly frequented by the locals. Facilities in the village are
scarce with only a well stocked farm shop but little else. Tamworth is
approximately 3 miles away on a bus route and Lichfield about 5 miles away
also on a bus route. There are two public houses, both canalside, within 2
minutes walk of the club along the towpath - the 'Tame Otter' (ex- Chequers)
now a Bass House and serving restaurant and bar snacks and the 'Red Lion'
which also serves food.

SUGGESTED PROGRAM.

FRIDAY evening - social get-together in the social club.

SATURDAY afternoon around 2-3 p.m. Illustrated talk on the Restoration of the
Lichfield section of the Wyrley & Essington Canal (This has still to be
arranged). Contribution and self-cook barbecue around 3.30 - 5.00 p.m. on the
lawn at the social club (weather permitting or else make use of the club room
and kitchen). The format for the barbecue will be much as at Ansty i.e.
bring and prepare your own cooked food to your liking and a contribution
towards a communal table of bread, salad etc etc. During the barbecue it is
hoped to have background entertainment on the lawn provided by the John
Fisher Trio (section of his Big Band). Saturday evening Jeff's Show 'They're
Coming Back to the Water' a collection of songs and photographic images
outlining the growth, decline and rebirth of the British canal system. A
contribution (to be decided) is required for this event. Following the show
it is hoped to hold a small bonfire in the grounds of the club with a sing
song lead by anyone who would like to contribute with instruments or
renditions. It is hoped that this will continue to the small hours although
we shall have to be mindful of a couple of close neighbours whose permission
will be sought. Hopefully some free Grog will be available after the club
bar closes but bring your favourite tipple just in case.

SUNDAY MORNING - Not too early! - a cruise to Huddlesford Junction and an
opportunity to have a look at the work underway on the restoration project.
Lunch could be taken at the 'Pough Inn' at Huddlesford Junction although
this is quite an expensive pub, likely to be crowded and not very welcoming
to boaters. Alternatives could be the Lichfield Cruising Club for a drink
and self prepared lunch or a short cruise back to the 'Swan' at Whittington.

SUNDAY EVENING - for those staying over, a drink at the club followed by a
delivered Indian take-away.

AMATEUR RADIO

There was some discussion on the possibility of operating HF, VHF, 70cms
radio equipment from the site with a special event call-sign - Roger Taylor
has reserved GB?CUT for the event and has kindly agreed to coordinate this
activity but has
requested some assistance from other interested amateurs.

PLAQUES
will be available of the Group's adopted logo and 'GIG HOPWAS 1997' cast as
a circular brass plaque. Price will depend upon the numbers order but likely
to be around 5ukp (OOPS nearly pressed the 'pound' sign) and will only be
available at the GIG if ordered in advance.

OTHER INFORMATION

Available from http://members.aol.com/sarkless

Cormoor2.jpg - photo of mooring site at Hopwas
Hopbridge.jpg - photo of Hopwa sSchool Bridge
Hopclub1.jpg - photo of Hopwas Club from the school bridge
Hopmoor2.jpg - photo of moorings
MapC.jpg - Lichfield City accommodation area map
MapD.jpg - Lichfield District (incl Hopwas) accommodation map
lichacc.txt - List of B&B type accommodation in the Lichfield area
(plain text)
Tamebb.txt - List of B&B type accommodation in Tamworth area (plain text)

Tamebb.doc - as above formatted WORD document.

LIST OF PERSONS INTENDING TO JOIN THE GIG

This list is based upon the information gleaned to date, if it is inaccurate
please let me
know at sark...@aol.com. Interestingly there are some name missing from the
list who did vote in the 'entertainment' ballot.

name(s), boat- tent- caravan- other, plaque requested, no. of other persons
attending.

Syd & Mary Arkless, Corixa II, Yes, 1
Simon & Jan Atkinson, other, Yes, 1
Tim & Thea Boddington, car, Yes, 0
Peter Bowyer, tent, Unsure, 1 (son)
Sue Butler,tent, unsure, 1
Jerry & Mary Coleman,B&B,Yes, ?
Jack & Sandra Dorward, boat,Yes,0
Andy & Wendy Dyke,One Moore, Yes,2
Andy Gleeson,caravan,Yes,?
Dave & Jane Green,B&B,Yes,0
Gill & Peter Harper,Midnight Diamond,Yes,0
Paul & Jill Hetherington,unsure,Yes,0
Nick & Angie Howard,Little Mo,Yes,0
Joe Jones,boat,unsure,0
Robert Laws/Jean Gawlinski, car'camping, Yes, 0
David & Liz Mann, Caldon,Yes,0
Tony Mealing,caravan,Yes, 1
Alan & Maggie Moss,But'n'Ben,Yes,?
Jan & Brian Moult,B&B,unsure,?
Guy Morgan,Thorn,Yes,1
Sean Neill,Laplander,Yes, 0
Martin & Sarah Purbrook,B&B,Yes,1 (still awaited !!)
Roger Taylor,camping, ?,?
Val Robbins,Thumper,Yes,1
Mike Skyner,unsure,Yes,2
Stan & Judy Voats, Blue Heron,Yes,4
Mark & Cath Wick,B&B,unsure,unsure
John & Gill Watson,Tam Lin,Yes,0
Michael & Krystyna Wooding, Wa'na'Nee'Che,Yes,2
Jack & Sandy [surname], ?, Yes,0
Orph & Jan [surname], Weyfly,Yes (2),0
David & Jan Vickers, Tiger Lily,Yes, ?
Alan Beddows, boat,Yes,1
Mark & Gwen Osborne, caravan,Yes,0
Robert Laws Jean Gawlinski, camping, Yes, 0 (10.03.97)

Syd Arkless G4HCJ nb Corixa II - Hopwas