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We see views of the Montgomery Canal which runs from the west of England into Wales. The canal was abandoned in 1944 and requires extensive restoration to make it navigable again. Much of the restoration work is being carried out by the Waterway Recovery Group who organise working conservation holidays for keen amateurs. We see a map of the route of the canal and b/w archive stills of it in use. The first section of the film concentrates on the work to repair the Queen’s Head locks which are situated near West Felton in Shropshire. As well as repair work taking out the old gates and clearing silt, we see the workers in their temporary accommodation in a local church hall. There are interviews throughout about why they spend their spare time working on canals (some work scenes are accompanied by songs from the Mikron Theatre Company).
Interview with David North of the Montgomery Trust for Nature Conservation about the importance of local wildlife and the fact that restoration may actually harm the habitat. We see drawings of some of the rare special found and shots of various wildlife that lives alongside canals. At Wern in Powys we see how water from the canal goes into an unspoilt channel to help the wildlife. Interview with Alan Jervis, the chairman of the Waterways Recovery Group about restoration versus conservation. We then follow Jonathan Briggs of British Waterways as he inspects some of the work following concerns that contaminated silt is being dumped. Jonathan Briggs talks about the rare plants seen along the canal.
Finally we see restored locks on the canal at Frankton in Shropshire where the Montgomery Canal meets the Llangollen Canal. Stills before restoration and of the opening ceremony are also used and interviews with members of the group proud of their achievement.
Thanks to: the British Waterways Board; Harry Arnold Photography; the Waterways Recovery Group
The working party: Dave Lee; Mike Beatty; Sue Beatty; Neil Mackin; Joanne Turton; Karen Wood; Ashley Hyde; Jeremy Rogers; Amy Brown; David Gammons; Grahame Alcock; Michael Johnson; Matthew Wiffin; Duncan Goodwin; Barbara Coombe; Dean Meutz; Julia Norris; Adrian Nicholson; Rob Daniels; Rachael Newbury; Neil Edwards; Mike Palmer; Alan Jervis
Commentary: Mike Lucas
Songs: Mikron Theatre Company
Cameraman: Ian Hollands
Sound: Frank Minton; Robin Ward
Graphics: Stuart Kettle
Production Secretary: Annie Clarke
Production Assistant: Jenny Homer
Research: Kathleen Derby
Film Editor: David Blackmore
Series Producer: Vivica Parsons
Director: John Thornicroft
Production number 1179/88.