PLANS are in place for further restoration work to Stover Canal.

Significant progress has been made over the last year preparing the basin at Ventiford for potential re-watering.

Members of the Stover Canal Trust were told at the annual general meeting, by chairman John Pike, that while he acknowledged the site looked ‘like a building site’ at present, future plans include landscaping in mitigation for the loss of vegetation.

Detailed plans are included in plans submitted to Teignbridge Council.

Following the election of officers, and refreshments, members received a fascinating talk by the Rev’d Nicholas Pearkes on the redundant slate quarry at Landscove, near Combe village in South Devon.

The use of the Hems canal to transport material to Totnes was very similar to the clay movement on the Stover Canal and was of great interest to members.

Stover Canal runs for nearly two miles between Newton Abbot and Ley Green, Teigngrace.

Constructed between 1790 and 1792 by direction of James Templer II of Stover House, it carried clay from the surrounding area and granite from Dartmoor to the Docks at Teignmouth for export.

The canal fell into disrepair in the 1930s and was derelict in 1999 when the Stover Canal Society was formed to restore it.

The society was merged with the Stover Canal Trust in 2014.

Trustss Rob Harris explained: ‘A dedicated band of core volunteers form monthly workparties to maintain and improve the canal environment.

‘They are supplemented by outside groups, students, and employers wishing to promote a novel teambuilding experience for their workforce.’

The next social event for members is a skittles evening on April 7 at the Oakford Club in Kingsteignton where members will be joined by members of the Ball Clay Heritage Society.

Contact Rob Harris for details on 01626 362609.