Allan(nb Albert)

... or did lack of freeboard cause the overtopping? ... or low washwall? ... or the sandy soil? ... or was a blocked weir to blame? ... or the opposite bank collapsing due to badger activity? I am certain that several factors would have been involved. C&RT have twice refused to provide a post breach report that might shed some light claiming they are exempt from disclosure because they are incomplete. Edited to add - The reason C&RT are blaming vandalism is because of a Key Performance Indicator which records "lost days due to unplanned navigation closure". Recording "lost days" due to the Middlewich breach would mean that C&RT would fail this years target. Blaming the breach on vandalism means that it is outside C&RT's control and therefore does not count towards the target of less than 450 "lost days" in 2018/19. Last financial year C&RT considered more than 80% of "lost days" to be outside its control (490 vs 2482).

Simon Bamford, Asset Improvement Director told C&RT's board of trustees in September that the breech was due to overtopping. Thus Jim is correct. However, Richard Parry told the board it was due to vandalism at the same meeting ...

The last principal inspection of was carried out 2010. It recommended raising the existing concrete wash wall at a cost of £13,000 and raising the crest infilling with puddle clay at a cost of £28,000. It was recommended that the work was carried out in the medium term - 1-5 years. The reason for the for these recommendations was low freeboard (8") due to historic settlement rather than any recent event.

I should perhaps have added Sarah's facebook post that many will be unable to read. It gives the Folly another thumbs up -

From facebook just a few moments ago -

Sorry!

From the air ... https://www.facebook.com/search/str/sarah+richards+folly/keywords_blended_posts?esd=eyJlc2lkIjoiUzpfSTczNzk0MDgyNjI2MTAzODoxNzM3ODI3NTc5NjA1Njg2IiwicHNpZCI6eyIxNjMxNjI5MTUyOjE3Mzc4Mjc1Nzk2MDU2ODYiOiJVenBmU1Rjek56azBNRGd5TmpJMk1UQXpPRG94TnpNM09ESTNOVGM1TmpBMU5qZzIifSwiY3JjdCI6InRleHQiLCJjc2lkIjoiYTM2ZTRiOThmMGNiYjcxMGZmYjliN2JmYzI2Mjk2MDEifQ%3D%3D Edited to add - Sarah's photo is taken as we came into land. The Folly is to the left of the bridge (see the white on the side of the building). You can also see Napton bottom lock with a lock cottage to the left and the 'facilities' to the right. We landed in the field bounded by the lock cottage and the pub.

One of my 70th birthday treats last year was to arrive at the Folly by helicopter. The family had a great time with Mark doing impromptu magic tricks for my son who has Downs Syndrome. Food was good as it has always been recently - one of my daughters lives in Napton so have visited several times in 2018.

.-"``"-. /______; \ {_______}\| (/ a a \)(_) (.-.).-.) _ooo__( ^ )_____ / '-.___.-' \ | Wadworth's XXXXXX | \__________________ooo_/ |_ | _| \___|___/ {___|___} |_ | _| /-'Y'-\ (__/ \__)

XXXXX

I'm not sure that praise is due for completing a project on time. Early might warrant praise. Late might warrant criticism. On time is just doing your job.

I suspect C&RT would have more credibility regarding the cause of the breach if they had not twice refused to provide post breach reports.

A couple of years back at the behest of Richard Parry, AWCC clubs were contacted to encourage the 2000(?) membership to volunteer for Boating Buddies. I can't speak for 100 or so other clubs but in my own three members signed up. Not one of them has been asked to undertake a trip ... Here is a link to a blog of my first trip - https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/blogs/sarina-young/my-trip-out Three of the C&RT people on that early trip are no longer with the Trust. Ian Lane, who went on to become West Midlands Regional manager is still with C&RT but has been sent to Coventry (in joke for those that know Ian).

Not telling.

yes