It is a fair way from Norbury to Tyrley for a lock demonstration, so you might just get away without one. I had an Anglo-Welsh boat out of Norbury back in May, and they didnt show me how to operate a lock, although with the nights closing in, you will do well to get anywhere near Market Drayton, although I personally doubt you will get that far.
When I was last up the Llangollen in August 2005, there were no real holdups at all to speak of. The only wait of any description was to go through Grindley Brook staircase, in both directions, and going up this was only caused because someone thought they should ignore the instructions of the Lock Keeper who had the cheek to insist they waited their turn!
Personally, I found the Lock Keepers along the route at Hursleton, Grindley Brook and Frankton (Montgomery Canal) were very efficient, which helped to keep delays to a minimum for everyone. The one at Hursleton should be congratulated for setting the flight for us to go back up, even though it was hammering down with rain. It must have cut nearly 30 minutes off our journey because a boat had gone up in front and there was nothing coming down so I would have had to set each lock as we got to it.
Have a nice week.