Canal trust backed by Telford manufacturer

Madeley-based Fabweld Steel Products (FSP), which specialises in the manufacture of innovative manhole covers using state-of-the-art laser cutting technology, has become a corporate member of the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust and its sales manager is now a Trustee.

The Trust is focused on the eventual restoration of the 25-mile stretch of historic waterway which runs between Norbury Junction, in Staffordshire, and Shrewsbury, via newport.

FSP has become a corporate member of the Trust for a number of reasons, as sales manager and new Trustee, John Tudor, explained: “The canal network is a critical part of not just this county’s but this country’s industrial heritage and we can trace our work as metal fabricators directly back through that heritage, especially based where we are on the doorstep of the home of the Industrial Revolution.

“As a company we are heavily committed to restoring strength in British manufacturing through innovation and staff skills development, so the work of the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust chimes very strongly with us. Not only would a restored canal be a celebration of this country’s industrial past, it would be an income-generating tourism bonus for Shropshire and a great educational resource.”

John, an inland waterways enthusiastic himself who has restored his own narrowboat, will also be serving as the chairman of the Telford support group of the Trust, which focuses on the Rodington to Newport section of the canal, including the project to restore the former canal company buildings at Wappenshall, which will require £1.3m of funding to carry out the work. He is also keen on developing relationships between the Trust and the area’s schools and colleges as well as Wolverhampton University.

Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust Chairman, Bernie Jones, said: “We are delighted to have Fabweld Steel Products as a corporate member of the Trust and we very much welcome John Tudor becoming a Trustee and his willingness to be so heavily involved in the Trust’s work. The success of our efforts to restore the canal and its surrounds will greatly depend on such committed local support for a project which has huge potential to benefit the entire county.”

The Trust has the support of almost 1,000 members and counts television presenters John Craven and Nick Owen as its patrons.