Aegre 152 November 2018
New landing stages in South Kyme - page 15
From the East Midlands Region of the Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 1
Kingfisher Narrowboats Ltd For DIY or Serviced Blacking at our covered dry dock at Trent Lock on the junction of the River Trent and the Erewash Canal. We are able to take two narrow boats together, or boats up to 75ft x 13ft Specialist narrow boat fitters for alterations and re-fits, including painting, electrical and mechanical work.
Tel: 0115 972 7936 www.kingfishernarrowboats.co.uk E-mail: enquiry@kingfishernarrowboats.co.uk Page 2 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Aegre is published Š 2018 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches.
Chairman
David Pullen, 16 Church Street, Scothern, Lincoln LN2 2UA. Tel: 01673 862278
Vice-Chairman
Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138
Leicestershire Acting Chairman
Andrew Shephard, 41 Roman Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4BB. E: andrew.shephard@waterways.org.uk
Lincolnshire Branch Chairman
Dave Carnell (as above)
Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman
Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main Street, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU
Member & WRG
John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208
Secretary and Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth LN11 0GQ E-mail: aegre@waterways.org.uk
Printing: Colour Image Loudwater. Despatch: Branch Volunteers. Picture credits: page 27
Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Registered as a Charity No: 212342. Tel: 01494 783453. Website:
http://www.waterways.org.uk The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the East Midlands Region. They are published as being of interest to our members and other readers. The inclusion of any advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the IWA East Midlands Region or any of its Branches. Dates and times of events should be checked before travelling.
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 3
Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region
Ancholme Rivers Trust
Gail Copson, 21 Maple Close, Brigg, North Lincs. DN20 9JE. Tel: 07769 950589.
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society
Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk
Erewash Canal P & D Association
Norman Cornwell, 38 Millfield Road, Kimberley, Notts. NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 8544155 Mobile 07854 451183 www.erewashcanalpreservationanddevelopmentassoc.org.uk
Foxton Inclined Plane Trust
Friends of Charnwood Forest Canal
Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk
Mike Handford, 1 Sheepy Close, Hinckley, LE10 1JL Tel: 01455 611508 mahandford@gmail.com
Friends of the Cromford Canal
Judy Berry, 5 Hambling Close, Nottingham NG6 7DX Tel: 0115 854 9852. www.cromfordcanal.org
Grantham Canal Society
Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com
Louth Navigation Trust
Paula Hunt, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 605496 www.louthcanal.org.uk
Melton & Oakham Waterways Society
Michael Clowes, tel: 01509 414140, e-mail: lindandmick@btinternet.com www.meltonwaterways.co.uk
Old Union Canals Society
Jean Bourne, 2 Nithsdale Crescent, Market Harborough, LE16 9HA tel: 01858 461235,
Sleaford Navigation Trust
Steve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N. Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460 www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk
Trent and Mersey Canal Society
Margaret English, 10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 0BL. Tel: 01606 834471 www.tamcs.org.uk
Page 4 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Aegre
The slipway at Crowland - see page 8
No. 152 November 2018 Contents
Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region From the Region Chair Journals Received The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam News from Leicestershire Treasures Awaiting All Lincolnshire Happenings News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Around the Societies and Trusts Notts & Derby Branch Meetings Annual General Meetings Picture Credits
4 6 10 10 11 13 15 19 22 25 26 27
Next issue probably to be published in March 2019. Contributions to the editor (see page 3) by the end of January 2019 please. Files in RTF or JPG preferred if possible. The space on the right is for local Branch contact information.
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 5
From the Region Chair Summer Cruising Reflections Writing in mid-October, with the great summer weather still lingering, and rainfall still well below the long term average, I can’t resist the opportunity to make the case for the river navigations in our region, which historically are very rarely closed due to lack of water. For my part this more than balances the restrictions of strong stream conditions which often limit navigation during high rainfall periods. Over the fabulous summer we were very fortunate to be able to enjoy a trouble free holiday, with no stoppages and very few navigation restrictions due to low reservoir reserves. Compared to significant navigation restrictions on other navigations nearby, this reminded me why, on balance, if forced to choose, and for a number of reasons, I prefer river navigations to canals. Our summer cruise following the “Leicester Ring” route anti-clockwise from our home mooring at Sileby Marine on the River Soar, River Trent and the Trent and Mersey Canal, (which is fed from the Trent up to Alrewas), for the first week, was very unlikely to be restricted. Although we had factored in the risk of water supply restrictions heading south on the Coventry Canal from Fradley
Junction, we enjoyed unrestricted cruising in the near ideal waterway holiday weather. Turning north at Marston Junction we headed up the Ashby Canal wondering where the water supply originates? (I have since learnt that there are multiple feeders into the Coventry Canal but not a purpose-built canal water storage reservoir). The Coventry Canal feeds the navigable 22 miles of the Ashby Canal on the level from Marston Junction. Channel depth, water supply and the overall visitor experience on The Ashby was a revelation compared to 30 years ago. In the extreme heat, the Ashby being a mostly rural canal with no locks over 22 miles was a huge bonus. On the northern edge of Hinckley, classic British motor bike fans can moor at Bridge 17a and walk less than ½ mile to the Triumph Visitor Experience, which is a free exhibition with a recently opened café. Our next generation “B Crew” completed the Leicester Ring three week cruise, and although Watford and Foxton lock flights passage windows were restricted to conserve water, the times didn’t appear to be significantly less than usual.
Page 6 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Boston to Peterborough (B2P) Wetland Corridor At IWA’s Festival of Water at St Neots on the Great Ouse, the launch of the new project to take forward this part of the original Fens Waterways Link (FWL) certainly caught the imagination of
charitable trust to take ownership of the project. One of the main reasons for re-focusing and re-defining the project with wider opportunities and benefits and with more easily identifiable communities was immediately clear from the response at St Neots. One of the most significant B2P Wetland Corridor funding opportunities is Water Resources East (WRE), the Anglian Water long term public water supply strategy. Details
the public, local waterway users and local media. IWA Lincolnshire and Peterborough Branches, Environment Agency Navigations, and Lincolnshire County Council, as an interim working partnership, announced that stakeholders and communities between Boston and Peterborough will be invited to help form a
are in the Lincolnshire report. On behalf of IWA I have been nominated to join the WRE project group “South Lincs Water Partnership”.
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 7
Crowland trail boat event On 1 September Chris Howes (IWA Peterborough Branch Chair), Derek Smith (IWA trail boat events adviser), and myself (representing IWA Lincolnshire Branch), invited Crowland parish councillors to the EA Crowland slipway to gauge local enthusiasm and consider logistics for a public event to publicise the B2P Wetland Corridor project. See the picture on page 5. Nigel Birch, South Holland District Council (SHDC) Inward Investment and Economic Development Manager helped IWA to organise contact with Crowland PC. Although we had expected to meet two councillors over the two hours at the slipway, the fact that in total seven councillors came to talk to us is a clear demonstration of the increased public profile IWA has been able to bring to the B2P project. IWA promotional banners and posters Our branches in East Midlands IWA are finalising the new branch area banners and posters to identify and publicise the work of their branch. The first of the new format pop-up banners were used by Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire branches at the Grantham Canal Society Discovery Day on 14 October. This exercise has very effectively demonstrated that IWA East Midlands region is
a very wide mix of different types of navigations, navigation authorities and canal restoration groups. The legend on the prominent and eye catching national waterway map which forms one wall of the new IWA gazebos sums this up perfectly “IWA works to support and restore ALL 6,500 miles of the waterways system”! Grantham Canal Society Discovery Day At the Grantham Canal Society (GCS), annual Canal Discovery Day on 14 October, IWA Notts & Derbys and Lincolnshire branches used one of the striking new gazebos to increase IWA’s visual presence at Woolsthorpe Wharf. Although it was an atrociously wet day we were able to talk to several visitors who were not previously aware of our nationwide work on the whole waterways network. To demonstrate that this is not just an aspiration, we need a general IWA poster for events like these to emphasise that restoration, for example via IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group (WRG), is fundamental to the core of IWA activities. Congratulations and thanks to GCS for their huge volunteer effort in organising this event every year (despite the weather!). David Pullen
Page 8 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Examples of the new publicity banners
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 9
The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam David has described a successful trip on the Leicester Ring, in spite of warnings of water shortage. We can confirm, however, that the problems were genuine further north. Plans to join friends were put on hold because the boat was going nowhere, and public transport to some places, easy to reach normally by canal, is pretty well non-existent. However more cheerfully, this time we have a real mixed bag for you in “Aegre”. Very traditional Branch activities in some parts; less usual ones in others. We even have an account of a short kayak journey, made under what sound like ideal conditions, with a bit of sunshine and some friendly anglers to ease the shoulder muscles.
May I finish this introduction by drawing your attention to a new acronym on the block - or perhaps I should say “in the marsh”. The Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor is a bit of a mouthful, well abbreviated to B2P, but it is designed to capture a lot of hearts and minds, including many of those customarily suspicious of boats on the water. We hope that many of the River Trusts, Wildlife Trusts and other similar organisations will see an opportunity to enhance and extend their areas of interest, while also providing for other shared usage of our waterways in all their forms. Enjoy all your autumn and winter programmes - see you in the Spring. Peter
Journals Received We are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals from various canal and river societies and trusts. They include “The Portal” from Friends of the Cromford Canal; “The Packet” from the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society; “The Cuckoo”, from the Chesterfield Canal Trust; “Sleaford Navigation Trust” journal; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; “The Wharfinger” from Louth Navigation Trust; “The Bridge” from Grantham Canal Society; “Grand Trunk” from the Trent and Mersey Canal Society, and the “Easterling” from our Eastern neighbours the EAWA. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of one of these journals should contact the relevant address given on page 4. For “The Cuckoo” contact the editor at 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, Chesterfield S43 2PF. Page 10 Aegre 152 - November 2018
News from Leicestershire
As many of you will now know, our Chairman Ian McDonald and his wife Carol have moved from Leicestershire to be closer to their daughter in Chichester. This has come as a real blow to us, as both Ian and Carol had been stalwart members of the branch committee since the setting up of the Branch, or Section as it was then called, in 1995.
Ian and Carol attended the inaugural meeting in Leicester, and from that time they have both played a major part in the Branch activities. They both joined the committee from the outset, Ian becoming Chairman for the first time in March 1998, and for a second time in 2008. Carol has given unstinting support to the Branch, succeeding Ian as Branch Chairman from 2005 to
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 11
2008. Under her Chairmanship, Branch activities were at their peak, and she has continued her involvement until quite recently despite serious health issues. We are all very sad to see them go. They will be a hard act to follow. I am, however, pleased to say that we are a strong and active Branch, and the Committee and I are committed to ensuring that we stay that way. Now on to our programme of meetings. The venue for our social meetings, unless stated otherwise, is The Gate Hangs Well, Fosse Way, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1NH, and we start at 7.30. (Don’t use the postcode in your SatNav though, as you will get lost). Our first meeting was on Thursday 11 October, and our guest speaker was IWA National Chairman Ivor Caplan. I am just hoping that the turn-out will be good and that the event will be a success with plenty of interesting questions. Our second meeting is on Thursday 08 November, when our guest speaker will be Chris Madge, Director of the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust. The talk will be a bit of history and a bit about the restoration. Our annual Christmas party is on Thursday 06 December, and will be hosted by the committee at 41 Roman Road, Birstall. The Branch AGM will be on Thursday 14th of February 2019. The new CRT Region Manager will, by the time you read this, have been in post for a number of weeks, and I hope we will soon have the opportunity to meet him and his team in Newark. We have been approached by CRT, via our Region Chairman David Pullen, with regards to the possibility of supporting this year’s Diwali Festival in Leicester. More information in the next issue. I have agreed to take over from Ian as Acting Chairman until the next AGM in 2019. Do try and make it to the socials, and maybe think on the idea of joining the Branch Committee. Andrew Shephard, Acting Chairman
Page 12 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Treasures Awaiting All A Journey along the Louth Canal My boat is 10.5ft long and is a Dagger Katana Action which is a crossover between recreational, touring and white-water styles and, strictly speaking, should be referred to as a Kayak and not a canoe. I bought this new from a place called Wet & Wild in Hull. I chose the canal as it is the closest fresh water to where I live in Cleethorpes and because it holds fond memories of many childhood hours spent fishing there. I parked my car in Tetney Lock by the side of the weir in Newton Marsh Lane and after unloading it and
changing into my rather fetching clothing (shortie wetsuit, personal floatation device (PFD – that’ll be a lifejacket) ) and spray deck (looks like a ladies skirt designed by Vivienne Westward but is fitted around my waist and the boat cockpit to stop the lower half of the body getting wet) I put the boat on my shoulder, passed the paddle from my foot to my hand and made my way to the bank above the weir.
By the side of the canal I was able to slide the boat down the grassy bank to an area that looked like a fishing spot and rest the boat in the shallow water. Now came the tricky bit, entering the boat. I found putting the rear on the bank stabilized things and I was able to climb aboard, get comfy, fit my spray-deck and shuffle onto the water with a small degree of competence.
After a little time spent wobbling around near the weir I set off upstream passing the Crown and Anchor pub and a little further on the statuesque figure of a heron. The weather was breezy but the sun managed to force its way out from behind the passing clouds and in parts the canal fell silent and calm with only the gentle plop of paddle entering water propelling me onward. Mind you at other times it was a tad more challenging
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 13
as I turned head to wind and the path of true kayaking did not run smooth. Eventually I spied the Thoresby Bridge target I had set myself for this first trip and passed underneath before returning and parking myself to one side to sit back and admire the old Navigation Warehouse. For my return journey the breeze that had taunted my outward voyage encouraged my return such that I was able to glide along almost effortlessly. This silent running meant I must have surprised a few fish as I saw several jump or, where the surface was calm, dart away beneath me. About half way back I caught sight of the distinctive bright blue almost metallic flash of a Kingfisher and stopped to try to get a better view. It maintained a discrete distance from me until I lost sight of it after ten minutes or so. Back at Tetney Lock I approached two anglers and had to excuse myself as I passed by. They both waved and offered a friendly “good-morning” which is in great contrast to my experience of driving a car on Britain’s congested highways. On my return to the bankside I tried various ways to make exiting my boat safe and elegant. In the end I managed “safe” but my bum out scrabble back onto dry land was certainly not elegant. After pushing the boat back up the bank and returning to my car I got dried and changed and drove the short distance to the Crown and Anchor. I sat on a bench outside, and over a pie and chips with a lager shandy sat reflecting on a most enjoyable first canal experience during which I think I paddled about four miles (two miles each way?). James Rendall 2018 Page 14 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Lincolnshire Happenings It is encouraging to note that some of the ongoing works mentioned in the July Branch report have now been completed. The new pontoon moorings in Brayford Pool are now occupied, providing water and electricity to the boats. The new works, alas, have failed to provide extra moorings for visiting narrow boaters. To gain easy access to the city visitors can moor downstream of the Glory Hole. However anti-social behaviour in this area is deterring visiting boaters from mooring overnight. On the Sleaford Navigation the visitor moorings and canoe launching facilities in South Kyme village are complete. See our front cover picture. There have been protracted negotiations to provide a winding hole near the village. Several sites were being considered but some movement is taking place on the original preferred site. Talks with the owner’s solicitors are taking place and an environmental survey is in place. Funding for the project is available. The North Kesteven DC is keen to promote the river, and future works along the navigation are being considered.
Louth Navigation Trust has raised its profile by taking part in the town`s ”Zero Degrees” arts festival. Sunny weather provided an excellent photo opportunity of the exhibition on the wharf decking. A further exciting arts project is an “Outfalls” exhibition by a visual artist and a poet, drawing on their respective years of working with landscapes. Volunteers have also been removing vegetation from lock wall structures. Picture below from LNT.
At the inaugural meeting of the Louth Navigation Restoration Partnership the elections of a Secretary ( Paula Hunt) and Chairman ( Graham Cox) were ratified. Following discussions the Terms of Reference of the group were approved. Victoria Atkins` MP
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 15
office will now write to Merton College inviting them to a meeting in the House to discuss and resolve the outstanding issues of land ownership at Tetney, the tidal entrance to the Navigation. The EA’s sea gates at Tetney were believed to be time expired and could see their removal, giving access to the navigation. However the EA have now refurbished them and they will remain. Following the collapse of bank protection at Keddington Lock water levels have dropped and the feed to the Old River Lud and Alvingham Mill Stream have been lost. The EA dispute they have responsibility to maintain these feeds and evidence produced to the contrary has been referred to their legal department. Their representative at the meeting declined to comment until the Mill owner’s solicitor has been contacted. The EA remained unhelpful on land ownership issues for the building of a slipway and installation of bank-side launching facilities for kayaks and small dinghies
on the 7 mile pound near Outfen Lock. However Graham Cox made it clear that LNT targets of small craft being able to use the lower reaches of the canal were still firm. Sleaford will be sharing information with LNT on general design of the Sleaford slipway as a basis for planning for a new slipway on the Louth navigation. The Sleaford slipway is based on the IWA design guidelines for trail boat launch and recovery. See also our article on a short kayak trip on the canal. Boston Barrier.
The coffer dam pilings for the works are now in place. This has reduced the navigation channel by 50%, and the Port of Boston have issued warning notices regarding the increase in flows that affect navigation. Another notice warns of vegetation in the tideway due to CRT flushing large quantities of
Page 16 Aegre 152 - November 2018
duckweed through the Grand Sluice gates in their efforts to clear the River Witham navigation. This procedure is also carried out on the River Ancholme into the Humber and is the most effective way of disposing of it. Fens Waterways Link. Meetings have continued with the EA and Lincolnshire CC to promote the northern section of the navigation as the Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor (B2P Wetland Corridor). See report on page 7.
Our Branch AGM will take place on Monday February 25th 2019 at 7.30pm. at the Lincoln Boat Club , Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln. LN 1 1YW. The Club is situated adjacent to the Barge Restaurant and the Sea Cadets building. The nearest car park is the multi-storey park in Lucy Tower Street some 250 yards away. Following the AGM business there will be a presentation by Anglian Water on their Water Resources East Project which includes extracting water from the River Trent along the Fossdyke and Witham to Boston.
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 17
Water Resources East (WRE) is a water resource planning and management programme set up to help policy makers, regulators, abstractors and others users of water meet the challenge of providing enough water to drive economic growth while, at the same time, protecting the environment. Collaboration is at the heart of the WRE, and partners include water companies, the Environment Agency and Natural England, drainage authorities, local authorities and the energy, agriculture, food and drink and environment sectors. Over the last 2-3 years the WRE has been working to produce a long-term, multi-sector, regional water resource strategy. This will protect water supplies in the East of England from effects linked to climate change, drought, growth in demand and new development. In the face of these challenges, the aim is to make sure that water remains a reliable, affordable and sustainable commodity for both businesses and people. The strategy that the WRE has developed combines demand management, including reducing leakage from water company pipes, with winter storage reservoirs, strategic transfers, desalination and water reuse.
More work is planned in the next 2-3 years to refine the strategy, and to integrate it with a national strategy for water resources. As well as long-term strategic planning, the WRE also supports a number of catchment scale initiatives. In Lincolnshire, this includes working with the South Lincolnshire Water Partnership (SLWP). The SLWP has been set up to develop an integrated water resource management plan for an area of South Lincolnshire based on the Black Sluice catchment and the South Forty Foot Drain. The plan will combine fenland conservation and restoration with reservoir storage for public and private water supply, flood risk management and water-based activities to support the leisure, tourism and visitor economy; this includes looking at opportunities for increasing leisure use of the Black Sluice Navigation (South Forty Foot Drain) as part of the B2P Wetland Corridor project. For more details about the work of the WRE, see the WRE website (http://www.waterresourceseast. com). Steve Moncaster, from the WRE, will also be at the Branch AGM on February 25th 2019 to give a talk.
Page 18 Aegre 152 - November 2018
News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire I hope everyone is out and about enjoying the good weather as it has been especially summery this year. So much so that Canal and River Trust are having to curtail boating activities to preserve water in certain parts of the country. Although this has so far not affected waterways within the branch area, it has certainly been apparent in nearby Leicestershire on the Grand Union and also the Leeds and Liverpool between Wigan and Gargrave. Let’s hope reservoirs are topped up over the autumn and winter periods.
On one of those sunny days last July we held a Lock Wind at Derwent Mouth Lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Shardlow. This year we were raising funds to aid the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust in their project to restore the first section of the Derby canal along the Draycott Mile. Their plans are well advanced for the restoration of their very first section but funds are still tight so every penny would count. Twelve people vol-
unteered on the day, including a keen cohort from the Canal Society.
With four gates to man, an exhibition stand, cakes to sell and explaining to boaters what the day was all about, it was good to see such a fine turn out of volunteers. With team work to the fore, 31 boats passed through the lock throughout the day and all seemed happy with the service. ÂŁ210 was raised and a big thank you is due to all the boaters and their crews who gave so generously. It turned out to be a really fun day for the volunteers too, and you could say they were a wee bit more tanned at the end of proceedings than at the beginning. So a big thank you also goes to the volunteers taking part and to Mavis White for making such tasty cakes. It was fairly quiet in our area in August but Sept 13th saw our now annual clean-up of the Nottingham Canal. This is the sixth year of the event and as usual it was organised by the branch in partnership with CRT. However, this year we experimented
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 19
with holding the clean-up mid week on a Thursday rather than the weekend. It seemed to be equally as suc-
cessful at attracting participants as previously. 21 volunteers turned out for the activities. This included IWA members, boaters, local people and an enthusiastic cohort from local company Xylem, who all wanted to get involved in cleaning up the surrounding area. Teams of volunteers with grappling irons got to work. Making their way from the city centre out towards Beeston Lock they pulled out 26 bicycles, 15 shopping trolleys, 8 tyres, traffic cones and other assorted items. As the grapplers moved along, more volunteers were active litter picking on the towing path side, whilst another team set off on CRT’s work-boat “Blaby”, to tackle offside and any waterborne litter as well as transporting the grappled scrap to CRT’s recycling system. The urban nature of the canal was not only manifest by the shopping trolleys. This year 12 hypodermic nee-
dles were found and carefully collected using appropriate techniques, as well as a full-sized aluminium garage door (a huge challenge, involving lots of people to drag it out!) and a gun. The latter being reported to police, who requested the work-boat containing it be quarantined until they arrived to inspect and retrieve. It transpired the “gun” was a ball bearing pistol, but they were glad to remove it from circulation as it looked and felt very real so would be a major threat in wrong hands. Although not so unusual the grappling also resulted in hauls of a mattress, an outboard motor, a safe and some 6 ft by 7 ft “Heras” chain link fence panels.
The whole area was left much cleaner than before, and with the large pile of mangled scrap, both the fruits of our labour and the success of the day could clearly be seen. Everyone involved seemed to have a smile on their face and commented on the
Page 20 Aegre 152 - November 2018
sense of achievement and satisfaction they felt at the end of the hard day’s endeavours. Thanks go to all 21 volunteers who took time out to make the day such a success. In terms of organising activities and events you may recall in my last article for Aegre and at the AGM last February I mentioned the retirement of the current committee at the AGM next year and that, if you have any spark of interest, however small or large, in keeping the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch afloat to please contact me. I can report we have potentially recruited a new Treasurer. Noting you will not be thrown in at the deep end, as the retiring position holders will remain in post until next February and will still be around after that to provide knowledge and help if required. Which means that only the key roles of Chairperson and Secretary remain vacant to support the potential new Treasurer. When there is even a small core group of people, none of the committee roles are onerous, so this is a good opportunity for you to try your organising skills. Please help and feel free to contact me. On the Social front our season of evenings got underway on Friday 19th October with “Cruising on Remote Waterways”, an illustrated talk by
Jeanne and Derek Smith from the National Trailboat Association – that intrepid group that tows their wilderness boats to the far flung and unconnected stretches of the network. It should be a fascinating opener to the season. November 16th will be an illustrated talk about the trials and tribulations of supplying water to the whole canal network by Canal and River Trust’s National Hydrology Manager, Adam Comerford. If you want to know why the canals are sometimes short of water, this is your chance to find out and query, why? December 21st will be our Christmas Social with buffet, including an illustrated talk by Richard Whitby about his narrow-boat adventure across the Wash from Boston. The events will take place at our now usual venue at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7HY. So put the evening of the third Friday in the month in your diaries and see the calendar of events at the back of this magazine. Do come and join us, everyone is most welcome, I look forward to seeing you there. Don’t forget if you want to be Chair or Secretary, or fulfil other roles for the Branch, we need you. Please get in touch. Mike Snaith
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 21
Around the Societies and Trusts Cromford Canal. Their social meetings at Ironville Church Hall, Casson Street, NG16 5NN normally continue on the third Monday of the month at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2 and there is a bar, tea, coffee, and raffle. The plans include “New historic photographs” by Hugh Potter, on 19 November. Regular public trips between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction aboard the electrically powered historic narrow-boat Birdswood will operate at weekends throughout December leaving at 12 and 2, with an additional trip on the 20th. Call 07552 055455 to book. Leawood Pump House is closed for repairs. The Derby and Sandiacre Trust. Roofing is in progress at Draycott, thanks to many hours of volunteer work. Their work parties continue at Borrowash; contact Eddy Case on 07523 896645. The next one will be on 14th November at 9:30 am - 1:00 pm at Borrowash Lock (52.9019483,-1.3761676 for those with an accurate GPS device). The work will include clearing vegetation and/or aiding in restoration of the lock. This area was cleared a few years ago and the work is continuing along the towpath and clearing the canal channel from Station Road to Borrowash Bottom Lock. HS&E requirements: Sturdy Boots. Indoor meetings are planned to continue at 7.30 pm at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA. On the 27th November John Lower will talk about “Dawn Rose”. Erewash CP&DA report with great pleasure that they have now completed the work on Pentland, and just some paperwork remains. On November 18th there will be a demonstration of decorative rope work by Tim, starting at 1:30 pm. The cottage is open on Sundays December 2,9, and 16 for Christmas. Admission is free. Due to the historic nature of the cottages, access for disabled people is limited. For more details and information contact: Glyn Stenson: 07809 251441 or 0115 8543306. Email: glynstenson@hotmail.com. Grantham Canal Society Although attention has been concentrated on the Discovery Day on October 14th, work continues on Lock 14 where volunteers have set up site and begun rebuilding the lock chamber. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn heritage restoration skills. To find out more about the full programme call Alex Melson 01494 783 453. Page 22 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Chesterfield
HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited the Chesterfield Canal Trust at its Hollingwood Hub base on 9th October. Robin Stonebridge gave him a briefing about the canal and the current state of its restoration. Following a presentation of before and after photographs demonstrating the public benefits of a restored canal, the Duke spent some time meeting about twenty volunteers He then went for a short cruise on Madeline, which was built by students from Eckington School and which the Trust uses as a trip boat, sharing the proceeds with the school. Upon his return, the Duke unveiled a plaque on Madeline to record his visit. Picture above from John Lower: The visiting party on Madeline. On November 13th, at Shireoaks Sports & Social Club, 88 Shireoaks Road, S81 8NA, John Lower will talk about “Dawn Rose” starting at 8pm. Santa boat trips There is a present for every child and a mince pie and a drink for every adult. There is a flat rate of £7 per person. In Chesterfield, every Saturday and Sunday from 24th November to 23rd December and on Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th and Friday 21st December. All leave from Tapton Lock, on the Tesco roundabout in Chesterfield, S41 7JB. For bookings, ring 01629 533020. In Retford, every Saturday and Sunday from 24th November to 23rd December and on Monday 24th December. All leave from the Hop Pole Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 23
on the A620, Welham Road, DN22 6UG. For bookings, ring 07925 851569. In Worksop for just one weekend - Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December - from the Lock Keeper pub, S81 1TJ. For bookings, ring 0114 360 0460 and leave a message. From Hollingwood Hub on Works Road, Staveley, S43 2PF, every Saturday and Sunday from 1st to 23rd December. For bookings, ring 01629 533020. Finally, every Saturday and Sunday from 8th to 23rd December from Shireoaks, S81 8LP. For bookings ring 0114 360 0460 and leave a message. Melton and Oakham Waterways Society is happy with progress on their new dock at Grove Park, but are worried about getting competent contractors to do the work. They plan their AGM on Saturday 17th November at Sysonby Knoll Hotel beginning at 10:30. Old Union Canals Society hold their monthly meetings in Great Bowden village hall (LE16 7EU) on the last Friday of the month at 7.30pm. Next up is 29th November and will be a film evening. No meeting in December, but on the 25th January there will be an AGM and Social, and on 22nd February “Mud, Sweat and Tears” - a talk by Bob Martin on Canal Restoration in the 60s and 70s. Sleaford Navigation Trust is reported in the Lincolnshire section. The work parties continue, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Call Mel Sowerby on 01522 856810 for details. Trent and Mersey. Although most of the TMCS activities are in the “far North West” around Middlewich, they would like to hear more about things taking place further south and east on the canal. They are also looking for help in their milepost refurbishment programme in Derbyshire as well as any photographs of the posts to add to their collection. Contact is Margaret English, details on page 4. Their social programme, if you are near enough, is at The Big Lock pub., Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9DN Telephone: (01606) 833489 http://www.thebiglockpub.com
Page 24 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Notts & Derby Branch Meetings The Notts and Derby branch of the IWA is organising a series of public meetings. We are hoping to attract lots of new faces to the meetings and have arranged a very interesting and varied group of speakers. Non IWA members will be very welcome to attend. �� We meet on the third Friday of the month throughout most of the year. �� Meetings are held at 7.45 pm at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2-7HY, about 20 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453. Friday, November 16th 2018 Illustrated talk by Adam Comerford – National Hydrology Manager, Canal and River Trust, concerning the trials and tribulations of keeping the 2000 mile national canal network topped up with water. Followed by questions and answers…..should be a few of those! Friday, December 21st 2018 Christmas Social with buffet including an illustrated talk by Richard Whitby “Adventures on a narrowboat” including a trip across the Wash from Boston to Kings Lynn. Friday, January 18th 2019 “Canalway Cavalcade” – an illustrated talk by Jerry Sanders, one of IWA’s main events organisers Friday, February 15th 2019 Annual General Meeting. Followed by “The Boston to Peterborough B2P) Wetland Corridor, part of the Fens waterway link” an illustrated talk by IWA Region Chairman, David Pullen. Friday, March 15th 2019 An illustrated talk by Philip Mulligan, the new East Midlands Region Manager for Canal and River Trust. Further information about meetings can be obtained by email, address :- nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 25
Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the constituent Branches of the East Midlands Region of the Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows: AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting 3. Matters arising. 4. Report of the Chairman. 5. Report of the Treasurer and presentation of accounts. 6. Statement of committee size 7. Election of Committee members. 8. Address by Member of Council or Trustee 9. Any other business. Leicestershire Branch: at 7.30 pm on Thursday 14th February 2019 at “The Gate Hangs Well”, Syston, Leics. LE7 1NH. Lincolnshire Branch: at 7.30 pm on Monday 25th February 2019 at Lincoln Boat Club, Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln LN1 1YW. The Club is located adjacent to the Barge Restaurant and the Sea Cadets’ HQ. Nearest car parking is in Lucy Tower Street, about 250 yards E. Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch: at 7.45 pm on Friday 15th February 2019 at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7HY Nominations for election to the committees must be in writing, signed by the proposer and the seconder and containing the consent of the nominee. They should reach the relevant Branch Secretary not less than 14 days before that meeting.
Page 26 Aegre 152 - November 2018
Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this edition of Aegre: Michelle Hill, Eddie Case, Archie Roberts, Mike Snaith, Dave Carnell; David Collin; Mike Snaith; Rod Auton; Mel and Sue Sowerby; David Pullen; and as noted for specific articles.
Aegre 152 - November 2018 Page 27
Christmas is coming on the waterways. Book a trip on your local boat now!
Page 28 Aegre 152 - November 2018