A DISTRICT branch of a waterways charity has warned about fears over government funding ahead of a special event to be held in Whittington.

The Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch of Inland Waterways Association is returning to the Narrowboat Inn, on the A495 between Whittington and Welsh Frankton, for its popular quiz on Saturday, March 9.

It will again be a lunchtime event with quizzers enjoying a meal before getting down to the serious business.

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However, a branch spokesman admitted that it has fears over future funding and says that a petition will be made available for attendees to sign.

They said: “While this is one of social events for our branch, we like the rest of the national Inland Waterways Association are greatly troubled by Government plans for funding our waterways.

“The IWA plays a leading role in the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign which has been running events across the country to draw attention to the consequences of the dramatic cut in funding for the Canal & River Trust, the national waterway charity which runs much of the waterway network across England and Wales.

“This is the equivalent of a cut of at least 40 per cent compared to recent funding without even taking account of inflation and the effect of more frequent severe weather events.

“So we shall be asking anyone who comes to the quiz and has not done so to take a moment to add their names to nearly 50,000 signatures on the Fund Britain’s Waterways petition.”

The branch covers Shropshire, south Cheshire and North Wales and the annual quiz is one of the most popular events held in the branch area.

The spokesman added the quiz is for people of all abilities.

They said: “Our waterway system has a history of 200 years and more.

“However our quiz is not just for canal experts but is mostly general knowledge – perhaps even things canal experts do not know – making an entertaining afternoon with the chance to talk about the pleasure we get from our canals.”

The meeting will be at the Narrowboat Inn, Whittington SY11 4NU.

Quiz teams will normally be four people but singles and couples will be welcome and can be matched with others to make a team.

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Organisers do not promise lavish prizes but assure guests of an entertaining afternoon in good company.

The pub is open from 12noon and there will be quiz sheets for visitors to puzzle over through their lunch.

It would help the Narrowboat Inn to know how many to cater for so anyone planning to come is asked to notify Dawn.Aylwin@waterways.org.uk or Alan.Platt@waterways.org.uk by Friday, March 1.