Event Bulletin
FEATURED AND EXTENDED PERIOD EVENTS
|
Glasgow City Break
Mon 12 Apr 2021 to Fri 16 Apr 2021 |
|
Bishop’s Castle In May
Mon 10 May 2021 to Fri 14 May 2021 |
|
** Cancelled ** 2021 - Weekend In Telford
Fri 11 Jun 2021 to Sun 13 Jun 2021 Book By: TF3 4NA |
|
Summer Solstice And First Day Of Summer
Mon 21 Jun 2021 to Fri 25 Jun 2021 Book By: SH 556 266 |
|
Llangollen Canal For Seven Nights
Sat 31 Jul 2021 to Sat 7 Aug 2021 Book By: 30/Apr/2021 |
|
A Week At The Edinburgh Festival
Sat 7 Aug 2021 to Sat 14 Aug 2021 |
|
Mk Ivc - Iceland Trip - In Late 2021 Or Early 2022
Mon 1 Nov 2021 to Thu 31 Mar 2022 |
Location visible to members
Barre Pilates is a combination of ballet related dance movements and Pilates exercises. Our goal is to tone, sculpt and strengthen your body with small isometric exercises and dance inspired moves. You will need a chair and a mat. The class costs £5 for IVC members and £7 for others.
To join us click on https://tinyurl.com/y8u43jdj Follow the online instructions. You will enter the waiting room and Joy will invite you into the Virtual Pilates gym. Turn on sound and video.
No need to book in advance - just join us.
Location visible to members
The London IVC Zoom Gardening Club returns by popular demand but needs a new host.
Every other Thursday we will meet to chat about gardening. Topics might include: recent work in our allotment or ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
This is Pilates to dance music - so its like being at a healthy disco. Joy will play some danceable music videos and demonstrate the moves for you to follow. But you can be creative.....
To join us click on https://tinyurl.com/y8u43jdj and follow the online instructions. You will enter the waiting room and Joy will invite you into the Virtual Pilates gym. Turn on sound and video.
No need to book in advance - just join us. Cost is £5 for IVC members and £7 ...
Click title for more details
Thu 4 Mar 2021 - 19:00 to 20:30
Location visible to members
Nina, of London IVC, leads an informal Zoom chat on the topic of What's in the News. Bring along a drink and be ready to join a friendly debate. Zoom is an easy to use videoconferencing package with new security features incorporated that we make full use of.
Join us by clicking here: https://zoom.us/j/4689584830 Follwo the online instructions. You will be invited into the waiting room for the coffee lounge. When Nina the host lets you in ensure you have ...
Click title for more details
Fri 5 Mar 2021 - 17:00 to 18:00
Location visible to members
If you would like to practise using Zoom before taking the plunge into joining one of our growing programme of online events this is your chance.
You will need a PC with a video camera and a microphone (this may mean buying a Webcam which costs from £20 on Amazon – you plug it into your PC) or a Laptop or an iPad or a Tablet PC or a Smartphone. Laptops, iPads, Tablets and Smartphones will normally have a camera/microphone incorporated.
To try out Zoom click here Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Expect a pub quiz, some live entertainment, music videos and friendly chat. See you there for a great evening's sociable fun with your IVC friends around the country - plus a few guests from Meetup.
Click here https://zoom.us/j/4689584830 First time you download a small app and indicate your name. You will be invited into the waiting room for the pub. When Dave lets you in ensure you have turned on video and sound.
Location visible to members
TALKS EVENT 8pm on Friday 5 March 2021 by TARIQ RIEBL
TODAY’S INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ...
Click title for more details
Sat 6 Mar 2021 - 19:30 to 23:00
Location visible to members
Trapped!
An escape room
Before you set off on your adventure, please donate to your host’s ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Zoom wine tastings have proved popular - we normally attract around 15-20 people. They are informal but we hope you will learn something from them as well as enjoying some good company.
1. ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and colleagues.
Click on https://zoom.us/j/4689584830 using your PC (with video/microphone) or laptop or iPad or Tablet or Smart phone. Download the app and indicate your name (first Zoom visit only). You will enter the waiting room and Dave will invite you into the Coffee Bar. Turn on sound and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Pilates is a great form of exercise that strengthens the core and tones you up. Mixed Ability means that Joy gives choices for each exercise to suit your ability. Joy's pilates emphasises breathing ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
A new event - every second Thursday we will share our love of cooking. Topics might include dishes we have cooked recently, favourite recipes and recipe books, cooking tips, favourite ...
Click title for more details
Thu 11 Mar 2021 - 17:00 to 18:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKZ7KEHhAk&list=PLG2EHzEbhy0-QirMKgSxhjkUyTSSTvHjL
Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe invite you to find out more about the amazing ColdFusion technology used to create and develop the Agoria software. This is a "sneak peak" under the hood of ColdFusion given by long term developer and ColdFusion advocate David Byers for the "Online ColdFusion Meetup Group".
We're happy to announce the Online ColdFusion Meetup to be held Thursday Mar 11th at 12pm US Eastern Time, UTC-5. In the UK this is 5pm to 6pm.
As in recent sessions, this one will be held via a Youtube livestream (and streamed to it via Streamyard):
Meeting URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKZ7KEHhAk&list=PLG2EHzEbhy0-QirMKgSxhjkUyTSSTvHjL
TOPIC DESCRIPTION: (provided by the speaker)
Every developer's journey has to start somewhere. This session is designed to give new developers and business owners an overview of ColdFusion, and why it's one of the most amazing development languages available. You will learn, from a very broad perspective, the basics of how ColdFusion works, some simple ColdFusion syntax, an overview of the major ColdFusion frameworks, an overview of the developer community and various ColdFusion resources, and some facts and misconceptions.
This presentation is specifically targeted towards new developers or business owners who have little to no knowledge of ColdFusion.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: (provided by the speaker)
David Byers has been a developer for over 20 years and is a strong advocate of ColdFusion. He is a storyteller, and active on the ColdFusion Community Portal. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife, three cats and four house bunnies.
RECORDINGS:
All meetings are recorded. The URL will be posted after meeting at https://recordings.coldfusionmeetup.com. In addition to those Adobe Connect streaming recording posted immediately after the meeting, we also post recordings at Youtube usually within a day of the meeting.
WEBSITE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKZ7KEHhAk&list=PLG2EHzEbhy0-QirMKgSxhjkUy ...
Thu 11 Mar 2021 - 19:00 to 20:30
Location visible to members
Nina, of London IVC, leads an informal Zoom chat on the topic of What's in the News. Bring along a drink and be ready to join a friendly debate. Zoom is an easy to use videoconferencing ...
Click title for more details
Thu 11 Mar 2021 - 19:00 to 21:00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyber-cafe-scientifique-the-science-of-the-undead-registration-142334896507
Dr. Charlotte Booth talks about the scientific theories underlying the folklore of the undead.
ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyber-cafe-scientifique-the-science-of-the-undead-registration-142334896507
Cafe Scientifique is a national movement for science and technology in casual settings: each has its own character but all are fun, engaging, informal and explore fascinating ideas in science and technology.
Charlotte Booth, author of A History of the Undead, is a PhD in Egyptology and was a professional Egyptologist for a number of years writing numerous books and articles on the subject. Since leaving the industry she found a new found writing freedom and her latest book, The History of the Undead, uncovers the truth behind the undead (mummies, zombies and vampires) by exploring folklore, archaeology and science to unravel the truth.
Are Zombie Real?
A brief introduction to some of the scientific studies that have gone into unravelling the truth behind zombies. Are they brain eating creatures risen from the dead? Or is it something more pedestrian?
CONTACT: Cyber Cafe Scientifique (Promoted by Bob Clifford, Basingstoke IVC Sience Cafe, info@cafesci-basingstoke.org.uk)WEBSITE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyber-cafe-scientifique-the-science-of-the-u ...
Fri 12 Mar 2021 - 17:00 to 18:00
Location visible to members
If you would like to practise using Zoom before taking the plunge into joining one of our growing programme of online events this is your chance.
You will need a PC with a video camera ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
The IVC hostelry "The Pub" presents a Psychedelic/ hippy Music Night. We will share Psychedelic ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Pilates is a great form of exercise that strengthens the core and tones you up. Mixed Ability means that Joy gives choices for each exercise to suit your ability. Joy's pilates emphasises breathing ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Mon 15 Mar 2021 - 19:30 to 21:00
https://www.sciencediscoverygroup.co.uk/future-talks
Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe would like to invite you to the following talk organised by the Science Discovery Group based in Emsworth near Havant.
"Development of a Deep Geological Disposal Facility for Nuclear Waste in the UK"Please go to the Science Discovery Group web site to join the Science Discovery Group mailing list to receive the Zoom link for their talks:https://www.sciencediscoverygroup.co.uk/news
The list of future talks from the Science Discovery Group can be found at the link below:
https://www.sciencediscoverygroup.co.uk/future-talks
CONTACT: Science Discovery Group (Promoted by Bob Clifford, Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe - info@cafesci-basingstoke.org.uk)
Location visible to members
The London IVC Zoom Gardening Club returns by popular demand but needs a new host.
Every other Thursday we will meet to chat about gardening. Topics might include: recent work in our allotment or ...
Click title for more details
Thu 18 Mar 2021 - 18:30 to 19:30
Register at: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO0097qban5000jq0acx7qdw
An online talk from the University Of East Anglia London Lecture Series. These talks are open to anyone and promoted to you by Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe.
Prof Charlie Wilson (School of Environmental Sciences and the Tyndall Centre)
Digital technologies are woven into the fabric of everyday life. In this talk, Prof Charlie Wilson will explore the ways in which digitalisation is changing how we move, shop, interact, and manage life at home – and the impact this is having on carbon emissions... for better and for worse.
He will argue that digitalisation can help us make progress towards net-zero emission targets, but only if it is steered in that direction by public policy.
CONTACT: University Of East Anglia London Lecture SeriesWEBSITE: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO0097qban5000jq0acx7qdw
Thu 18 Mar 2021 - 19:00 to 20:30
Location visible to members
Nina, of London IVC, leads an informal Zoom chat on the topic of What's in the News. Bring along a drink and be ready to join a friendly debate. Zoom is an easy to use videoconferencing ...
Click title for more details
Fri 19 Mar 2021 - 17:00 to 18:00
Location visible to members
If you would like to practise using Zoom before taking the plunge into joining one of our growing programme of online events this is your chance.
You will need a PC with a video camera ...
Click title for more details
Fri 19 Mar 2021 - 20:00 to 23:00
Location visible to members
We could all do with a laugh right now. So it's time to fire up your funny, and make this the most ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
A group for folks who love poetry. Come along and present your favourite poetry. Or maybe read us one of your own poems. Or just come along to listen and enjoy.
We are on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/4689584830 Click on the link and you will enter the waiting room where Dave Lawrence will let you into the poetry parlour. The first time you use Zoom you will be asked to sign up - its free and easy to use.
Location visible to members
Pilates is a great form of exercise that strengthens the core and tones you up. Mixed Ability means that Joy gives choices for each exercise to suit your ability. Joy's pilates emphasises breathing ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
A new event - every second Thursday we will share our love of cooking. Topics might include dishes we have cooked recently, favourite recipes and recipe books, cooking tips, favourite ...
Click title for more details
Thu 25 Mar 2021 - 19:00 to 20:30
Location visible to members
Nina, of London IVC, leads an informal Zoom chat on the topic of What's in the News. Bring along a drink and be ready to join a friendly debate. Zoom is an easy to use videoconferencing ...
Click title for more details
Fri 26 Mar 2021 - 17:00 to 18:00
Location visible to members
If you would like to practise using Zoom before taking the plunge into joining one of our growing programme of online events this is your chance.
You will need a PC with a video camera ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
London IVC has a strong Open Mic presence so we have established our own Virtual Open Mic club. During the course of the evening we will enjoy entertainment - mostly musical - from IVC and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Pilates is a great form of exercise that strengthens the core and tones you up. Mixed Ability means that Joy gives choices for each exercise to suit your ability. Joy's pilates emphasises breathing ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
The London IVC Zoom Gardening Club returns by popular demand but needs a new host.
Every other Thursday we will meet to chat about gardening. Topics might include: recent work in our allotment or ...
Click title for more details
Thu 1 Apr 2021 - 19:00 to 20:30
Location visible to members
Nina, of London IVC, leads an informal Zoom chat on the topic of What's in the News. Bring along a drink and be ready to join a friendly debate. Zoom is an easy to use videoconferencing ...
Click title for more details
Fri 2 Apr 2021 - 17:00 to 18:00
Location visible to members
If you would like to practise using Zoom before taking the plunge into joining one of our growing programme of online events this is your chance.
You will need a PC with a video camera ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Zoom wine tastings have proved popular - we normally attract around 15-20 people. They are informal but we hope you will learn something from them as well as enjoying some good company.
1. ...
Click title for more details
Location visible to members
Join us online for a coffee evening and good chat using Zoom. This is a friendly video conferencing package which is easy to use and lets you share video and chat with your friends and ...
Click title for more details
Mon 12 Apr 2021 to Fri 16 Apr
Location visible to members
Glasgow City Break
Join the Merseyside Intervarsity Club in a Monday to Friday city break.
In the late afternoon on Monday, 12th April 2021, we meet in the centre of Glasgow. Each day we breakfast in one of the many cafés near Cambridge Street, then set out for the day. The itinerary is flexible and will adapt to the needs of members. For those in the know, the week follows the same very successful template as the 2018 Edinburgh visit. On Friday, we have a light lunch then strike for home.
Merseyside members are booked into the Hill Street Travelodge. Next door is a more modestly priced establishment, the Easy Hotel in Cambridge Street. Opposite Easy Hotel is the Double Tree by Hilton for those with deeper pockets.
On 28th October 2020, a single room at the Travelodge for the four nights is quoted at:
- Saver rate non-refundable ...
Click title for more details
Mon 19 Apr 2021 - 19:30 to 21:00
https://www.sciencediscoverygroup.co.uk/future-talks
Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe would like to invite you to the following talk organised by the Science Discovery Group based in Emsworth near Havant.
Please go to the Science Discovery Group web site for details of how to book onto this talk:
https://www.sciencediscoverygroup.co.uk/future-talks
Monitoring the environment from space
Dr Robin Wilson
Mon. 19th April 2021 7:30pm by Zoom
Hundreds of satellites orbit the Earth every day, collecting data that is used for monitoring almost all aspects of the environment. This talk will introduce to you the world of satellite imaging, take you beyond the 'pretty pictures' to the scientific data behind them, and show you how the data can be applied to monitor plant growth, air pollution and more.
CONTACT: Science Discovery Group (Promoted by Bob Clifford, Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe - info@cafesci-basingstoke.org.uk)Thu 29 Apr 2021 - 18:30 to 19:30
Register at: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO0097qban5000jq0acx7qdw
An online talk from the University Of East Anglia London Lecture Series. These talks are open to anyone and promoted to you by Basingstoke IVC Science Cafe.
HOW CHILDREN LEARN WORDS: DIFFERENCES & COMMON PROCESSES
Prof Larissa Samuelson (School of Psychology)
Infants and toddlers vary widely in their rate of early word learning – variation that is predictive of later language development and school success.
In this lecture, Prof Larissa Samuelson will discuss the difficulties children face when learning even a single concrete noun, and the work being done in UEA’s Developmental Dynamics Laboratory to understand individual children’s unique word learning pathways – work with the goal of informing interventions for children struggling to learn words.
CONTACT: University Of East Anglia London Lecture SeriesWEBSITE: https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO0097qban5000jq0acx7qdw
Location visible to members
Time passes by Bishop’s Castle and so did the Luftwaffe. It is a small market town in southwest Shropshire, with a handful of pubs, restaurants, hotel, boarding houses and most importantly a campsite. It is the customary Merseyside IVC arrangement where each member is responsible for his or her accommodation and in the evenings, we meet to eat and plan activities.
The area is good for walking with historic attractions like Stokesay Castle; the country’s finest fortified manor house with Ludlow nearby. The Three Tuns has been brewing its own beer since 1642. In the town are a local museum and a railway museum.
The main party will camp at Foxholes and we will nominate a breakfast café. In previous years, several people have stayed in the town and it worked well.
We arrive on Monday 10th May and leave on Friday 14th May 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop's_Castle
http://www.bishopscastle.co.uk/
Click title for more details
Fri 11 Jun 2021 to Sun 13 Jun
Mercure Telford Centre Hotel Forge Gate Telford Centre TF3 4NA (Click for Map)
DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, THE AIVC COMMITTEE HAS RELUCTANTLY DECIDED TO CANCEL THE AIVC CONFERENCE IN TELFORD SCHEDULED FOR 11 - 13 JUNE 2021.
THE AIVC COMMITTEE WILL INSTEAD BE ORGANISING A VIRTUAL ONLINE CONFERENCE USING ZOOM LIKE 2020 OVER THE SAME WEEKEND.
**** CANCELLED **** This is the Intervarsity Club event of the year. It is an opportunity to meet members from all over the country. In June, the Association of IVCs is visiting the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
Accommodation is reserved at the Mercure Telford Centre Hotel from Friday, 12th June to Sunday, 14th June 2020. The hotel is well equipped with restaurant, swimming pool and health club. On Saturday evening is the exclusive IVC Gala Dinner. The weekend coincides with the annual AIVC conference.
The hotel is 0.3 miles from the railway station and a similar distance from the bus station. It has a large free car park. The Telford Shopping Centre is nearby.
There are a tremendous number of attractions in Telford and nearby.
Attractions include
The World Heritage Site, Ironbridge Gorge Museums
Video
Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Furnace Kitchen, Iron Bridge Tollhouse, Jackfield Tile Museum, Darby Houses, Broseley pipeworks, Tar Tunnel, Coalport China Museum & Museum of The Gorge. Also, there is Ironbridge Town with the eponymous bridge with tollhouse, cafés, shops and restaurants.
The National Trust is at Benthall Hall, Morville Hall, Attingham Park, Wrightwick Manor, Dudmaston and Wilderhope Manor. English Heritage has Lilleshall Abbey, Buildwas Abby, Wenlock Priory, White Ladies Priory, Wroxeter Roman City and Boscobel House.
Walking areas include the Wrekin, Apley Woods, Granville Country Park, Dothill and Town Park. To the north is Long Mynd.
Other attractions include the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford, The Exotic Zoo, Shropshire Raft Tours and the Telford Steam Railway. Telford Ice Rink, Telford Snowboard and Ski Centre.
Greatdays Holidays is administering bookings.
Option A - 2 Nights including 2 Breakfasts and 1 x Gala Dinner + Entertainment
Twin/Double rooms £129 Per person
Single rooms £179 Per person
Option B -Saturday 13th June 2020 - 1 night including 1 Breakfast and 1 x Gala Dinner Dance + Entertainment
Twin room £86 per person
Single room £114 per person
Option C - Saturday 13th June 2020 - Gala Night only – Includes Gala dinner + Entertainment + Welcome drink
£35 Per person - Single rooms (limited) – Early booking is highly recommended
Bookings are now live via the greatdays website –Just £25.00 Deposit to secure and guarantee your place.
To book your place, please use one of the following links:
To book your place at the conference including accommodation for Friday 12th June x 2 nights, click here: https://www.greatdaysholidays.co.uk/tour/AIVC-Conference-Shropshire2
To book your place at the conference including accommodation for Saturday 13th June x 1 night, click here: https://www.greatdaysholidays.co.uk/tour/AIVC-Conference-Shropshire1
CONTACT: Nick Wilkinson AIVC National Development Officer
MEETING: Hotel Notice Board
BOOK BY: (TF3 4NA)
SUMMER SOLSTICE AND FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
Location visible to members
Monday, 21st June 2021, is the longest day and the first day of summer.
Join Merseyside IVC for ...
Click title for more details
PRICE DETAILS: £8.10/person/night (over 60 £7.10) 2020 prices
SHARED WITH: Basingstoke Friends, London IVC, Guildford and Surrey IVC (Formerly WSIVC)
Middlewich to Llangollen, Return CW10 9BQ (Click for Map)
Llangollen Canal - Saturday, 31st July 2021 for Seven Nights
Join MIVC members for a week’s canal cruise starting and ending in Middlewich, Cheshire. On Saturday, 31st July 2021, the Fjord Viscount and Stavanger Fjord will depart and head towards Llangollen. They will travel out then return by the same route. In all, there will be seven nights afloat.
The cost is £550 (including a £100 deposit). The price is overstated, so that the trip is viable with less than full occupation. Merseyside IVC will take no profit. To book, first contact the organiser, Nick Wilkinson, and he will provide the club’s bank details. The last time that Merseyside rented a canal boat, the crew all received a cash refund on the first day.
(Note 06OCT20 - Nick’s email is locked until 06NOV20, so please contact him via Facebook or telephone.)
In the wake of 2020’s cancelled cruise, a virtual cruise was made on the Intervarsity Club Outdoors page on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/177780525916602
Don’t forget to read from the bottom going up. It is the template for 2021.
————————-
Corona Virus
The holiday market continues to change. In earlier years the MIVC was able to book late in the year before and secure boats for May. It was intended to book for May 2021, but in August 2020 the first availability was for the end of July 2021, almost 12 months in the future. It appears that many other people have decided on canal holidays.
The price has increased considerably compared with previous years. The main reason is that we now renting in peak season.
It is impossible to know what the corona virus regulations will be in August 2021. Each crewmember will be prioritised based on the date of his or her deposit. Thus, if groups are limited in number, those who booked first will travel.
The future is uncertain and all that we are able to say is that Merseyside IVC will not profiteer. If Merseyside IVC says that you may not travel, you will receive a full refund. If required, crewmembers are to arrange their own cancellation insurance.
————————-
http://www.canaljunction.com/canal/llangollen.htm
https://www.canalguide.co.uk/canals/llangollencanal.html
https://llangollen.org.uk/
————————-
Copied from http://www.andersenboats.com
The Llangollen Canal is justifiably one of the more popular boating holiday canals in Britain. Most of its route is through unspoilt agricultural countryside, but with just enough locks and waterside villages to add interest. As the canal winds its way into Wales, it also features outstanding scenery and some world famous aqueducts. There are also has several short tunnels on this canal, to add to the excitement.
Through rural Cheshire towards Wales
Leaving Middlewich by way of an arm of the Shropshire Union Canal, the route has fine views over the valley of the River Weaver before making its way directly through an area full of Shropshire's 'black and white cows' to the main line of the canal. Here a short deviation would take you to the 'black and white buildings' of Nantwich.
Turning off at Hurleston Junction, the Llangollen Canal itself then ascends a short flight of locks and sets off across open country, winding its way through Wrenbury under quaint old wooden lift bridges. It is worth pausing at Marbury for a short walk up to its remarkable church. As a bonus, several of the locks on this section have good pubs adjacent. At Willeymoor you don't have to walk at all, because there's a delightful pub slap bang alongside the lock.
Gradually you have become used to locks, but at Grindley Brook half a dozen come all at once, the top three being telescoped together as a 'staircase' which can be something of a bottleneck in the summer season, especially on Thursdays when all the boats that have travelled towards Llangollen from the English end of the canal are busily heading back to base. Boaters have been in the habit of taking a taxi or catching the bus from Grindley Brook into nearby Whitchurch, but part of the old arm which once led right into the town has been restored to provide visitor moorings, and it is difficult to resist mooring up here and walking into this interesting old country town, famous as a centre of cheese-making. In the heyday of the canal a special cheese boat left here daily for Manchester, its hold covered with white canvas to keep the cheese as cool as possible. Beyond Whitchurch there are no more locks for many miles, though there are a number of lift bridges to be raised and lowered with the same windlass you use for operating locks.
Ellesmere on the Llangollen Canal
Passing briefly in and out of Wales, and crossing the mysteriously remote 'mosses' the canal reaches Shropshire's 'Lake District', skirting several of the charming meres which were formed hereabouts the end of the Ice Age.
One of them, Blake Mere, is separated from the canal by the slenderest of margins, and makes a beautiful spot for a picnic.
A short tunnel preceeds Ellesmere, a timeless old town with some particularly good shops specialising in local produce.
The town arm provides pleasant moorings near to the canal company's original workshops, still used by British Waterways as a maintenance base, and the staff here welcome enquiries from passing boaters.
Amazing Sights
At New Marton you pass through the last pair of locks on your way to Wales. Soon the canal is running parallel to the London-Holyhead road. Then it turns a wooded corner and you are confronted with two huge stone bridges, an aqueduct and a viaduct, carrying the canal and a railway respectively, across the valley of the River Ceiriog, from UK into Wales.
Border crossings don't come much more dramatic than this, especially as, on reaching the far side of the aqueduct, the canal plunges almost immediately into a long tunnel. From moorings at either end of this tunnel it's a short walk into the little town of Chirk, useful for shopping and with a 14th century castle to visit as well. The mountains, which have been simply pale outlines on the horizon, become more tangible as the canal slips into Offa's Dyke country.
World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Winding through woodlands you come to the River Dee and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the most astonishing feat of waterway engineering anywhere in the world. The 18 kilometres of canal from Chirk to Llangollen was awarded World Heritage site status by Unesco in 2009. A hundred and twenty feet above the river, in an iron trough no wider than the width of you boat, crossing the aqueduct is tantamount to flying through mid air!
You could be forgiven for thinking that the last lap into Llangollen would be an anti-climax. It is nothing of the sort, as on a high shelf above the Vale of Llangollen and surrounded by high limestone ridges, the canal makes for its terminal wharf.
Exploring Llangollen
Twenty six hours cruising away from Middlewich, should leave you with plenty of time to explore some of Llangollen's well known attractions. Take a ride further on along the Dee Valley by steam train; visit Plas Newydd, where the Ladies of Llangollen were the centre of gossip in the 18th century; climb up to the ruins of Castell Dinas Bran, over a thousand feet above sea level; visit the Canal Exhibition Centre; stroll along the last two unnavigable miles of the canal to the famous Horseshoe Falls; or just wander about the charming streets of the town, grateful that you haven't got to find a parking space!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llangollen_Canal
PRICE DETAILS: £550
MEETING: Andersen Boats, The Boatyard, Wych House Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9BQ
Location visible to members
Login to see more details
Location visible to members
Login to see more details
The content of this bulletin is copyright to Association of IVCs (AIVC) and may not be reproduced without the express permission of the copyright owner.