There are 12 trustees on the board of the Friends of the Cromford Canal. Click on a name below to see their biographies and interests.
Richard Handley
My family had boats on the Chesterfield canal (which also ran at the bottom of our farm field), and also on the Trent and Beeston cut. My professional background was in public service, ranging from senior management in the NHS, to owning the business relationship with HMG’s Cabinet Office for a leading Commercial supplier.
How did you get involved with FCC?
Basically I went for a walk one day, and saw “Volunteers wanted”!
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
I have been a Trustee since March 2020 and Boat Committee Chairman since June 2020.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
Through 2019 I have been one of the volunteer crew on Birdswood, and have latterly produced the Birdswood Business Plan, and created and published the new FCC eNewsletter and other material. I’ve made various cost savings in the shop and have secure three grants for FCC.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
I want to see more of the canal opened up for boats and the rest continually protected for future generations of restorers.
Ian Hooker
I was born and grew up in New Zealand but have spent most of my life in the UK. I worked until retirement as a lecturer in law at the University of Nottingham. I live at Lea Wood, close to the canal.
How did you get involved with FCC?
I have been a member of the Friends of Cromford Canal since its foundation.
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
I have been a Trustee for more than six years and also advise FCC on Health and Safety matters.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
I have also served as a Boat Master and boat crew since the introduction of “Birdswood” in 2013.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
I have a keen interest in the natural environment and the industrial archaeology of the area.
David Ratner
Brought up in Salford near the Bury- Bolton Canal. Engineering Apprenticeship and various office jobs after. Then 20 years with Severn Trent. Ending with a part time post dealing with easements for Transco at Ambergate.
How did you get involved with FCC?
I have been involved with the Friends of Cromford Canal since 2003. After visiting a boat rally at Langley Mill basin and becoming a member at that point.
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
Previous roles include Social Secretary for the FCC, FCC Committee Member, Crew Member, Chairman of the Boat Committee. A trustee for 6 years.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
Through the 2016 – 2017 seasons I did a complete refit of the Birdswood seating, and over the last couple of years initiated the work of replacing the worn out bearing under the High Peak Junction swing bridge.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
I would be happy to see the canal restored as far as Pinxton in my lifetime.
Hugh Potter
A Boat holiday with parents in 1960 began a lifetime interest in canals. Boated on most UK waterways and many abroad. Edited ‘Waterways World’ and ‘Narrowboat’ magazines for most of working life.
How did you get involved with FCC?
Interest in Cromford Canal and its history was focussed through buying a house alongside it at Ambergate in 1998
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
I am a founder member but can’t remember when I became Trustee! Archivist since the outset. Other roles see below.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
Portal Editor; Archivist; Birdswood Master; Updater of Website; Admin for Birdswood Crew Facebook page; Editor of 3rd Edition of Cromford Canal Walker’s Guide. Author of History of Cromford Wharf booklet.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
To index, co-ordinate and combine the Cromford Canal Archives with the aim of being able to pass these on to a successor and if time permits publish a ‘complete’ history of the canal
Steve Parish
I am a retired vicar, with a previous existence working for British Rail. We regularly hired boats with the family, and I have been crew for several friends with their own boats. I’m a local councillor in Warrington, where I’m deputy chair of the planning committee.
How did you get involved with FCC?
I was at a conference at Swanwick, went for a walk near Codnor, spotted an old canal bridge and discovered the Cromford. At the next IWA festival, I joined FCC, and then learned that Amber Valley BC had consented to a new house on the line of the canal. I took up the issue and the trustees asked me to liaise with local authorities (but “liaise” has often meant “battle”).
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
I’m newly-elected – meetings 60 miles away was a problem, but being a Zoom-in trustee is possible.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
Time will tell. It may be many years before we find out whether our efforts today have made full restoration possible.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
We must make sure restoration is not impossible. The obstacles are many, but the benefits of reopening the whole canal would be brilliant for the area.
David Martin
As a child my dad had a narrow boat moored at Ilkeston on the Erewash Canal; later he bought a speed boat which he launched from various jetties along the river Trent.
How did you get involved with FCC?
In 1995 my wife and I went on a boating holiday on the River Cam from Ely and purchased our own boat soon after. Having lived in Brinsley and now the current County Councillor for Selston, the Cromford Canal, running along the western border of Ashfield, has always been in my life. We joined FCC in summer 2002 when we paid a visit to the Cromford Steam Rally and have always been passionate about the derelict canal.
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
I have also been a member of the Friends of the Cromford Canal for many years becoming a Trustee five years ago.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
I have encouraged many changes to modernise the fabric of the charity and its operations, even through the pandemic. We have a ten year plan and we are currently busy working on the Beggarlee project, but have aspirations to make improvements from Cromford Wharf heading south too.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
I would love dearly love to see all of the canal open to navigation, but I’m a realist. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we can make a start to ensure that foundations are laid and that we have a viable plan.
Mike Kelley
Ten years as a teacher of history and technical education. 28 years as training manager in Middle Eastern and African oilfields. Author and artist. Leader of a rambling group.
How did you get involved with FCC?
In the year 2000 I formed a sub-committee of the Erewash Canal Society which became the FCC on 13th March 2002. As The Founder Member I was Chairman for around 5 years and Vice Chair for several years after.
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
19 years. Currently I am boat Master for Birdswood.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
I was Project manager for the Birdswood operation and Operations Manager for 2 years whilst getting Birdswood operational. Obtained a grant from Defra for BW. Contacted our current President and Patron to take up their roles with the FCC. Have been Boat Master for more than 6 years now.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
To see the Beggerley extension completed and the northern section extended.
Jack Brown
My full time occupation is an Haulage Contractor for 55 years and A Councillor A.V.B.C. for 22 years.
How did you get involved with FCC?
I have lived at the side of the Cromford Canal at Ironville for 50 years and have always been interested in the restoration of the Cromford Canal.
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
I have served for 5 years.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
In 1975 I helped to clear a large section of the canal with a mobile crane loading the rubbish into lorries.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
To see the more of the canal protected for future generations to enjoy.
John Barker
30 years ago began boating with hire boats and travelled much of the system. Realised that some canals were in a dreadful state and, when he retired, wanted a hobby to focus on.
How did you get involved with FCC?
Began going to the Cromford working parties but for 3-4 years didn’t see any water because of the reeds!
How long have you been Trustee / have you a specific role?
Jacksdale is close to home and he became a committee member of the FCC.
What do you / have you brought to the party?
Set tswo and developed a 5-10 year plan with Matt Rogers.
What are your aspirations for FCC?
would wish to see at least a bit of the canal restored in his lifetime.