Press release: 'Life on the Monty'

[Ray T]

PRESS RELEASE

‘LIFE ON THE MONTY’ – NEW FILM RELEASED BY CANAL & RIVER TRUST

 

Montgomery Canal’s special people and places are celebrated in a new 20 minute film ‘Life on the Monty’, which has just been released on the Canal & River Trust website.

 

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a wider £4 million Montgomery Canal restoration project, it was commissioned by the Canal & River Trust waterways and well-being charity, which cares for the Montgomery and 2,000 miles of the nation’s canals.

 

Filmed during the glorious heatwave summer of 2018, the film follows the Montgomery Canal from its junction with the Llangollen Canal at Frankton Locks in Shropshire to Berriew in Powys, recording the waterway’s fascinating characters and stories along the route.

 

A young Prince of Wales, opening a canal section after the 1969 Welshpool Big Dig, is just one of the archive gems captured in a unique portrait, which also includes a final interview with long-term waterway activist and photographer Harry Arnold, who sadly died this month (November).

 

Other highlights include Canal & River Trust ecologist Sara Hill explaining the inspirational project to protect the waterway’s wildlife during restoration, action shots of historic horse drawn fly boat Saturn, and stunning aerial photography.

 

Sylvia Edwards, the Trust’s Montgomery Canal community development officer, said: “The film is introduced by young supporter Alisha Patel-Smith and features several generations of canal enthusiasts who want to share their passion for this waterway with the wider world. At the heart is a celebration of the canal’s unique environment and the amazing work done by past and current volunteers.

 

“We know from research that people feel happier and healthier by water, so this film gives people ideas about how they can get active outdoors and enjoy the beautiful countryside along this rural waterway. And we would love for viewers to spread the message by sharing it on social media.”

 

To watch a short trailer or the full 20-minute film ‘Life on the Monty’, go to  https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/montgomery

 

For more information about supporting the wider Montgomery Canal restoration effort, check out http://restorethemontgomerycanal.uk/.

 

• Don’t miss a special photographic exhibition about the Montgomery Canal on display at Powysland Museum, Canal Wharf, Welshpool, until mid-December.

 

- ends-

 

For further media requests please contact:

Lynn Pegler, Canal & River Trust press office

m 07783 686246  e lynn.pegler@canalrivertrust.org.uk

[Dav and Pen]

Funny how they like to take the glory when their predecessors did everything possible to stop the restoration.

like the bit about being a “well-being charity” don’t think many on here will think they are.

[Sir Nibble]

On 23/11/2018 at 14:49, Dav and Pen said:

Funny how they like to take the glory when their predecessors did everything possible to stop the restoration.

like the bit about being a “well-being charity” don’t think many on here will think they are.

This well being by water stuff. Is it supported by statistical evidence showing greater well being in coastal areas?

[Alan de Enfield]

21 minutes ago, Sir Nibble said:

This well being by water stuff. Is it supported by statistical evidence showing greater well being in coastal areas?

If they is any evidence it cannot be coming from the Lincolnshire coast - week after week, month after month there are reports & TV programmes about the 'miserable life' of 'youngsters who cannot get jobs, no 'life' and cannot afford to move to more affluent areas.

 

Mind you - it does seem to be attractive (although well-being maybe pushing it) for the dozens of homeless who have set up tents in the sand dunes all around Mablethorpe, Skegness etc.

[Jo_]

I watched it and really enjoyed it. It was anything other than CRT taking the credit - it focused on volunteers, IWA and WRG and the graft over decades. AND it was all about boats and boating. Not a cycle in sight!!

And it was lovely to see Harry Arnold chatting away about the history.

[ditchcrawler]

7 hours ago, Jo_ said:

I watched it and really enjoyed it. It was anything other than CRT taking the credit - it focused on volunteers, IWA and WRG and the graft over decades. AND it was all about boats and boating. Not a cycle in sight!!

And it was lovely to see Harry Arnold chatting away about the history.

Agree 100%

[jeanb]

We enjoyed this, and it reminded us of our visit last summer.

[Heartland]

It is always of use to find the Montgomery Canal featured in one promotion or another. It is a reminder of the on going restoration on that waterway. That so much has been restored to navigation is a credit to all those people involved. Most credit must go to those who actively were engaged in digging and building replacement brickwork, but also a thought must be given to the late Harry Arnold who did much to tell people about it.