A TEAM of volunteers working to restore the Montgomery Canal has been boosted with a sponsorship deal with a beer brewery.

The link-up between Montys Brewery and the Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) will give a commission on every pint consumed to buy materials and hire plant for this next phase of restoration.

Fundraising to restore the historic tramway wharf at Crickheath, close to Oswestry, and another 200 metres of canal, has taken a step forward, after the partnership arrangement the Montgomery-based brewer announced the new “Monty`s Navigation Ale”.

Fred Barrett, the SUCS press officer said the partnership, which will focus on pubs and outlets along the length of the Montgomery and Llangollen Canals, from Newtown to Nantwich in Cheshire, is a positive for the area.

“The benefit of the UK`s Waterways to the national economy is recognised by the Inland Waterways Association, with most money being spent in the locality of the waterway.

“A fully-restored Montgomery Canal will be a great boost for jobs and businesses in the immediate area, and indeed, restoration has already benefitted local business, with significant trade with plant hire companies, quarries, and also, volunteers regularly staying in B&B`s and hotels.”

He added: “One of the objectives of the fundraising, of which Montys Navigation Ale is a key starting point, is to connect up to Schoolhouse Bridge, the last major obstruction along the line of the canal into Llanymynech and the Welsh border.”

The ale, a 4% pale bitter has been brewed to suit all tastes and to honour the navies and boat people who developed successful waterways, that were to serve the populations of the Border counties and Mid Wales for more than 150 years until 1944.

The brewery management, directed by Pam Honeyman, has a proud record of supporting local charities and good causes.

SUCS volunteers have been progressively restoring the canal from Redwith to Crickheath and have recently completed a 330-metre stretch to connect to the newly-completed turning hole at Crickheath to the National Network.

This project was supported financially by a £2.8million the Heritage Lottery Fund Grant.

Russ Honeyman, commercial director of Montys Brewery, said: “The restoration of this historic section of the canal is a marvellous project bringing further benefits to the community.

Border Counties Advertizer:

“When we were approached by the volunteers we were delighted to get involved.”

Fred added: “A new work compound has been developed in Crickheath and thanks go to Ward’s for the site and Tudor Griffiths Builders Merchants who have generously supplied the hard core for the base.”