David Suchet (centre) with volunteers from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals work party

Poirot star David Suchet has visited Lichfield to lend his support to work to restore a canal through the city.

David Suchet (centre) with volunteers from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals work party
David Suchet (centre) with volunteers from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals work party

The actor, who is Vice President of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) unveiled a newly-refurbished Boundary Post near the Walsall Road at the Boat Inn.

The post was one of many which once lined the edges of the Birmingham Canal Navigation marking the company boundary.

David Dixon and Peter Buck from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust with David Suchet, Wall Parish Council chairman Cllr John Crowe and Brenda Ward from the BCN Society
David Dixon and Peter Buck from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust with David Suchet, Wall Parish Council chairman Cllr John Crowe and Brenda Ward from the BCN Society

David and his wife Sheila were also shown the progress since their last visit ten years ago at Borrowcop Locks Canal Park and Darnford Park in Lichfield, and at Crane Brook near Brownhills, close to the aqueduct which his appeal helped to fund back in 2003.

He said: “I’m astonished by the progress the trust have made since my last visit.

“The work and dedication of the volunteers is wonderful to see. I will continue to do all I can to help the canals be put back to their former glory.”

David met volunteers from LHCRT as well as Cllr Robert Yardley, Sheriff of Lichfield, Cllr Sheelagh James, Mayor of Lichfield, and Cllr David Salter, chairman of Lichfield District Council.

LHCRT chairman David Dixon added: “We were delighted to welcome David and Sheila Suchet back to Lichfield.

“Their support has contributed much to our success so far, and we look forward to continuing our close relationship in the future.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Craig Watson
7 years ago

Am I the only one that finds the work carried out by LHCRT an eye sore? To me they seem to blight the area with half completed projects then leave them for years like a carbuncle. If a developer behaved like this the city would be up in arms, what makes LHCRT any different?

Rob
7 years ago

The M6 Toll hard shoulder looks narrower underneath the canal aqueduct near the A5 than all the other bridges on the motorway.

Christine Howles
7 years ago

Hi Craig. LHCRT is a charity and therefore has limited funding. The majority of our work is carried out by volunteers who give up their time for free, this means we can’t work at the speed of private developers. Where we have started work but not yet completed it, we have tried to make the area into a environment to encourage wildlife and nature, including planting new hedges or trees and creating bug habitats. Was there a particular area which you consider to be an “eyesore”?