AEGRE
March 2014
In this issue - a new draft strategy for Derbyshire Waterways and a plan for Syston Hub
A Journal No 138 from the East Midlands Region of
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Aegre is published Š 2014 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 Branch Chairman
Ian McDonald, 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Mobile: 07950 003383
Lincolnshire Branch Chairman
Dave Carnell (as above)
Notts. & Derbys. Branch Chairman
Vacant. Contact Mike Snaith, below.
Region Planning Officer & Notts. & Derbys. Branch
Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main St, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU
Secretary & WRG
John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208
Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQ Tel: 01507 602713; e-mail: aegre@waterways.org.uk This is the web version, with low definition pictures to speed download. Picture credits: Front & back cover: Derbyshire CC, C&RT, Lynda Payton. Page 3: Isander at Beale. Other picture credits page 31.
The Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Registered as a Charity No: 212342. Tel: 0845 4501146 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.
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No. 138 March 2014
AEGRE Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region............4 The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam...............................5 Lincolnshire Happenings.............................................6 Canoe Trails, Canals and Chain Ferries.....................9 Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2014..........................11 News from Leicestershire.........................................12 Syston Hub Latest.....................................................15 Derwent Valley Aqueduct..........................................18 Drayton Manor Park..................................................20 Journals Received....................................................21 News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire............22 A Witham Mystery?...................................................26 Cliff Clark 1923 – 2013 ........................................27 Notts & Derby Branch Meetings................................29 Around the Societies and Trusts...............................30 Stoke Bruerne Festival .............................................31 Picture Credits..........................................................31
Next issue probably to be published in July 2014. Contributions to the editor (see page 2) by the end of May 2014 please. The space on the right is for local contact information.
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Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Erewash Canal P & D Association
Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk
Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129 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
Matthew Rogers, 2 Main Road, Whatstandwell, Matlock, DE4 5HE Tel: 07968 766620
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
Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330 www.meltonwaterways.co.uk
Waterways Society 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
10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 0BL. Tel: 01606 834471 www.tamcs.org.uk
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The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam Starting this edition of “Aegre”, I had thought of looking back at floods and high tides. However Dave Carnell has covered this difficult aspect of the recent past in his notes, and in a sudden rush of future optimism, I have just read a new document from Derbyshire County Council. It is called “Derbyshire Waterways Strategy”, now published as a draft for consultation. We cannot obviously reproduce the whole thing here - it is about 28 pages of carefully reasoned analysis and proposals. It addresses the full set of canals in Derbyshire, many of which they own and manage. It includes the obvious ones like Chesterfield and Cromford, but also some that I, at least, had never heard of - Nutbrook; Adelphi and Woodeaves for example. The whole thing takes a very positive approach, looking at the value of the waterways from six points of view: economy; culture; environment; access; health; and community, and shows how they could be developed and looked after with benefits in all these areas. Do take a look if you can. They hope to get approval for it by Council Cabinet in April. It is available on Derbyshire CC’s website at: http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/meetings_decisions/meetings/cabinet_m ember_portfolio/jobs_economy_transport/1122014_jobs_economy_and_transp ort.asp and then see item 17. Sorry about the long URL, hope it works for you. Our front cover picture is a scheme for the development of Chesterfield’s Waterside. Last time our logical puzzle about a lock with gates reluctant to stay shut brought several replies - thank you to all who responded. In particular thanks to Eric Wood from Whittington who also sent a cheque to the Region. The answer to the puzzle was of course to use the power of water by opening one upper gate paddle a bit to create a flow through the lock, against the lower gates. One other suggestion made me a bit nervous - it involved standing on one lower gate with a boat-hook and hooking the other gate. Maybe the experts did it like that in the old days, but I don’t think I’ll try. Our article about the firm of Gwynne’s raised interest at Foxton because of their involvement in the machinery of the inclined plane. Those readers who are members of the Trust may hear more about that connection, and Leicester Branch are planning a visit. We also resume our occasional series on interesting places to visit from the canals with an article on Drayton Manor. More notes from the editor are scattered throughout this edition, but here just best wishes for the coming season, and hoping that river and canal levels are neither too high nor too low. Peter Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 5
Lincolnshire Happenings Locally the tidal surge has caused severe damage in Boston and on the South bank of the River Humber to industry and people’s homes. A massive effort by the EA to restore damaged flood protection works averted further flooding on the next Spring tides. Our thoughts are with those less fortunate in the South and West Coast.
profiles by other environmental legislation.
Funding cuts have meant the EA are now working in partnership with communities. One such project is on the River Slea where they used Taylor’s (Bottom) Lock to run off flood waters. This resulted in large amounts of silt blocking the channel to the lock and prevented boats reaching the South Kyme May Day event last year, However exceptional the weather, it much to the dismay of the villagers. has highlighted concerns about the management of our inland waterways Meetings to find a way forward have led to the EA giving approval for the over many years. Their capacity is reduced by a large build-up of silt, as Community (i.e. us) to remove the silt at our expense with an approved conis the case for the Rivers Ancholme, tractor. They will put in place the necWitham and Slea. Due to the many essary approvals required. To responsibilities of the EA, internal conflicts arise. The Operations depart- determine the cost it was necessary to quantify the amount of material to be ment realize the problem of reduced storage capacity but are stopped from moved, and soundings were carried returning the channels to their historic out by a SNT work party (below).
Photo Robin Saul
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Preliminary design work by IWA Hon. Engineer John Taplin, has been received for the side weir at Haveholme Park Lock.
back from the water course, and diverting water into Internal Drainage Board systems. These are maintained to a very high standard by local people who understand the area. The one On the River Ancholme severe bank option not considered was returning erosion has meant the loss of boat the channels to their original profiles, moorings and ultimately loss of where removing silt to land would be money to the EA. The Ancholme a much more realistic and cost effecRiver Trust are working with the local tive approach. The majority of farmauthorities to identify funding for ers are pleased to accept the these works and the use of contractors nitrate-rich silt. to carry out weed cutting on the river. Weeds cause major problems for On the Fenland Link the EA continthose navigating the river and could ues drawing up details for a business impact on an International Quadrath- plan and determining which route the lon event. This loss of funding is also connection with the River Glen will preventing the replacement of Harlam take. Over the next five years it is Hill Lock tail gates, which is now hoped that construction to extend the closed until further notice. present navigable eight miles to Black Hole pumping station will take place. Another result of the cuts is a number The installation of a slipway, extra of pilot schemes for waterway main- moorings and boaters` water and toilet tenance by which by owners of land facilities at Hubbert’s Bridge has been through which EA Main Rivers run promised to begin early this year. can, at their own expense, remove low A request to publicise the Link in the risk contaminated silt. The results of waterway media has been made in these pilots will be used to develop a order to encourage greater use of the new system of consents for managing new facilities.. river maintenance intended to reduce the risk of flooding; improve water In Lincoln the Brayford Trust are quality and enhance the environment now managing the moorings of the without getting tied up in red tape. I former Lincoln Marina. Due to conawait the results in 2015 with interest. cerns on a lack of communication with the Trust a mooring association We responded to a consultation by the has been set up to try and get boaters’ EA, “Witham Opportunities”. This voices heard. Proposals for a new examined methods of increasing the pedestrian bridge at Brayford Head flood water storage capacity with east, near the Royal William public options of creating extra wash-lands, house and a further “over-water” leimoving existing flood banks further sure / retail outlet near the present Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 7
Inland Waterways system. With 1,200 miles under his belt, or should that be feet, he intends to walk other LincolnNews of a joint IWA/C&RT Restora- shire waterways in aid of a wounded comrade coming to live in Lincoln. tion Team has been announced. A Details of his walks in aid of this small team of five people are to cocommendable cause can be found on ordinate waterways restoration www.dougwalking.co.uk groups, share best practice information and promote wider publicity. Mentioned in the previous edition was This is a welcome move, having at first had some doubts as to where res- the Lincolnshire Police Boat Passport/Boat Watch information toration would sit with the original pack. This was re-christened WaterC&RT agenda. way Watch after consultation with a At Gainsborough the new flood pro- number of bodies including EA (Nene tection works some years ago saw the and Lincolnshire) and C&RT (East Midlands). A first batch of the packs demise of the Rowing Club. New interest has resulted in a lease of land has now been prepared. Some have being taken further down the river and already been distributed to marinas, and a further batch will be distributed designs for loading steps into the at a C&RT User Group meeting on water are being sought. March 11th at the Pyewipe Inn, Lincoln. Requests for further supplies On the Grantham Canal at Woolshould be made to sthorpe locks 16,17 and 18 are now gill.finn@lincs.pnn.police.uk usable. A heritage skills programme managed by C&RT on locks 14 and 15 is being developed. Volunteers are Dave Carnell also being trained in the use of an ex C&RT dredger to maintain the top pound used by the trip boats. A request for details of the towing path has been received from ex-Royal Engineer, Doug HamiltonCox, who is raising monies for� Help The Heroes�. Having walked from Lands End to John IWA volunteers Penny and Dave Carnell work with PCSO Gill Finn to assemble the 0`Groats he has now Watch Packs embarked on walking the viewing platform are being considered.
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Canoe Trails, Canals and Chain Ferries One disadvantage of a normal narrow boat is that you have to use heavy lifting gear like a crane to get it out of the water for maintenance or to move to another, unconnected, waterway. There are intermediate solutions with boats which will go on a normal road trailer, and we see these for example at the annual IWA trail-boat event, this year on the Great Western Canal at the end of May. But for ease of lifting a boat out of the water there is the light-weight solution of a canoe or kayak. C&RT have been working with the British Canoe Union (BCU) in Nottingham to advise canoe users of suitable canoe trails, or day round trips using both rivers and canals. They are combining this with advice to both paddlers and power boat users on safety and consideration for other waterway users.
Chain Ferry post at Twyford (by Jerry Evans)
A recently suggested trail uses the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Trent to make an interesting loop. It starts at Twyford on the river, only a short distance south of Stenson Lock. Following the river downstream you pass the
“Anchor Caves” (photo right, from Rob Howl) between Ingleby and Foremark; go under Swarkestone Bridge and then the old railway bridge which now carries a national cycle route south from Derby. Near the King’s Mill hotel on the right bank, a portage leads up left to the canal near Weston. From there, it is directly up the canal back to Stenson and refreshment. It is interesting that both “put in” and “take out” points on the river are at places where there was a chain ferry in earlier days, and therefore paths leading to the river on both sides. In case there is concern about small and vulnerable boats sharing narrow canals with broad beam boats, we quote some of the guidance given to paddlers:
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Old Midland Railway bridge over the river
Photo John M
Ÿ Follow the general rules of navigation and any local bylaws. Obtain any necessary licenses. Ÿ Respect and do not obstruct other water users. Keep a look out and be aware that larger vessels may not see you and are less manoeuvrable. Ÿ In confined waters, keep to the edge of the deep-water navigation channel. Ÿ Keep the numbers in your party consistent with safety, the nature of the stretch of river and the impact on your surroundings. Ÿ When offering assistance to those in need, on or off the water, do not put yourself or fellow canoeists at risk Ÿ Show consideration to organised bank-side activities, and give way as required to on-water events. In addition canoeists are advised not to use the locks on C&RT waterways except specific ones on the Rivers Severn and Trent, so they should be getting out and carrying their boats around the locks. With thanks to Tamsin Phipps of BCU Nottingham. Chain Ferry post at King’s Mill (by Ian Calderwood)
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Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2014 We are again grateful to the Environment Agency for their predictions, shown up to August 13th. These times are for Gainsborough, and are in GMT, but it can be up to thirty minutes earlier depending on possible strong winds, for example, as we have seen on the Severn earlier this year. Stockwith should be about 20 minutes earlier than Gainsborough, and Owston Ferry about 45 minutes earlier. For more details EA have a very useful leaflet. There are no “five star� forecasts this year, because of the way the moon phases and the equinoxes fall (but for interest some moon times are also given below). PH. Date March 2nd March 2nd March 3rd March 3rd March 4th March 30th March 30th March 31st April 1st April 2nd June 13th June 15th June 16th July 12th July 13th July 14th July 14th July 15th July 16th July 17th August 10th August 11th August 11th August 12th August 12th August 13th
Time 6.45 18.51 7.24 19.33 20.15 17.51
18.46 18.31 19.21 19.55 4.13 7.28 7.28 11.26 6.27 7.08 19.41 7.51 8.37 9.28 18.11 6.08 18.41 6.48 19.21 7.31
Forecast Small Large Small Large Medium Small
New moon Medium Medium Small Full moon Small Small Full moon Small Medium Small Medium Medium Small Full moon Medium Small Large Small Extra Large
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News from Leicestershire Since the last issue we have held two social meetings, both organised by Andrew and Debbie Shephard. The first one, held at The Gate Hangs Well, was an illustrated talk about the Birmingham Canal Navigations, given to us by Phil Clayton. We had one of the largest audiences we have enjoyed for some time and Phil kept us interested and amused, aided by a significant number of before and after slides. In many cases it was only the shape of a bend or position of a bridge that remained after perhaps 40 years of progress. Phil used to be a teacher and my observation is that his pupils were very lucky to have a teacher able to hold your attention so well.
questions plus a picture round, covering canal and general topics. Our groups mostly agreed with the answers, but as ever in a quiz, the question master’s decision is final, right or wrong! A mid-quiz break for a drink and we rushed on to completing the rounds and totting up the scores. They were reasonably close, but the winning team received a chalice of gold!! The gold chocolate coins were shared and enjoyed by all at the conclusion of a really superb evening.
C&RT volunteering mornings have been held at fortnightly intervals with one or two of our members joining in. It is a shame not more of us do so as they last just under 3 hours and the For our Christmas Social it had been volunteers do really have something to show for their efforts afterwards. I planned that we would enjoy a quiz with a Fish and Chip supper, holding have been impressed by the number of it at the church hall in Wanlip. Unfor- people who join in just because they have an interest in our waterways. tunately we had too few people who This week a team of eight made a big wished to be quizzed so our joint Social Secretaries very kindly offered improvement to the looks of the navigation from Limekiln to Belgrave to host the event in their home for locks. Other tasks that have been those who had already booked, and said they would put on a buffet. The welcome was warm and after nibbles and mulled wine we had the buffet. They are both accomplished cooks, and completely amazed and satisfied our appetites and taste buds with the dishes they had prepared. We then retired to three groups where we were challenged to six rounds of
Belgrave with graffiti (photo by Quercusia)
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undertaken recently have included the reinforcement of small parts of the canal bank and the planting of saplings to restore a vanished hedge. If more people wish to join in, the schedule of locations and tasks being tackled is on our web site, and on each occasion that I have been volunteering we have had great weather! Last year the Riverside Festival in Leicester was, I am advised, a great success, but the City Council organisers commented that boat numbers were down. I believe there was a problem at Belgrave lock, which might have prevented some arriving, but I do hope many of you will try to join in this year for the weekend of activities. There is no entry charge and there are a large number of things to see, eat, drink and do. So book the weekend of June 6th and 7th to be there. The City Council would like people to book in in advance so they have an idea of the number of boats coming. I will put the link on our web page when the Council have established it. I would dearly like to be able to put up our IWA stand over the weekend, but that needs people to help. I will most likely be in Liverpool that weekend but if some of you feel you could offer to wave our flag, please let me know so planning can get under way.
found going into a lock at Foxton interesting last year. I mentioned last time that the Inclined Plane Trust was in a difficult position and had arranged an EGM to agree the best way forward. It was a well attended meeting and when postal votes were taken into account a very high percentage of the membership voted. It has been agreed that the best way forward is to work with a digital presentation showing how it looked when working and with interactive stations around the site. By doing this it will ensure that the site does not disappear but instead remains a vibrant place for people to visit and at the same time keeping the possibility of reconstruction of the plane a target. I’m pretty sure Mike Beech will touch on this when he talks to us at our April meeting.
There have been meetings we have attended of the Soar and Grand Union Partnership and they are organising an event at City Football Club in March as a Vision for the Waterway to spread the word. They have also discussed the suggestion for the Syston Hub that I mentioned last time. It seems that the landowner is most keen for this to go ahead, and as he has the money then it could help its viability. We have also been invited to a meeting to discuss ways to progress work on the Soar Catchment Area. I hope it will have some use and that I trust some of you have taken the opportunity of going down into one of having the IWA involved should help to ensure our concerns and wishes are the drained locks that have been properly considered. exhibited in our patch. I certainly Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 13
By the time Aegre is published I expect final details of the sorry saga of Pillings Marina will have been worked out. I write this the day after the Creditors’ meeting. It is to be hoped that boaters who moored there will not have been too badly inconvenienced, both by the potential loss of their moorings and of any moneys they have paid. If you have heard nothing much about this, there is already a lot published about it on the internet, but it is sadly very likely that it will prove a salutary warning for people when starting to deal with a new company.
Ian welcomes David Pullen
brick facing! I regret that in the current climate of central Government requiring local councils to facilitate the building of new homes, we are likely to have to work hard to retain the nature of our waterways. It is up to us all to make ourselves aware of new proposals at a very early stage, Please keep your eyes skinned and keep the IWA notified, and then work ears open to ensure that we get to know of anything that could affect our together to achieve the best result. waterways, in particular if you I had realised some months back that I become aware of large planning hadn’t seen our long-serving Region applications that could affect them. Secretary John Bayliss for some time. On the Harborough Arm there is a In late November as we parked our large series of developments that is car near the Tower in Blackpool I progressing where the development looked at the heavily hirsute figure will run alongside the canal from the last bridge up to the first of the exist- walking past and we were able to ing houses. However, the plans are for exchange happy greetings with John and Christine. I suppose we were near the development to place open space water but not water any of us would alongside the canal meaning that the have wanted to cruise our boats on! houses will be built at a much lower level than the canal. Sadly there will Our AGM went well and it is good to be a new road bridge over the canal report at least one new volunteer for where the Old Union Canal Society the committee. As well as the usual moorings are. I tried to get them to just use an existing road link, or failbusiness we were pleased to welcome David Pullen, our new Region Chairing that to build a new bridge to the man. (Our picture shows Ian and design of one of our old brick, hump David at the meeting). He gave a sumback bridges but the best we got is Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 14
mary of current IWA actions and concerns, as well as an interesting account of the plans for flood defences and new waterways in the Boston area - especially relevant in view of the over-topping there a few weeks ago. (Editor’s note: An early Boston Barrier Plan was described briefly in Aegre for July 2007, and a similar scheme for Rotterdam in November 2008) Future Meetings - Thursday 10 April 2014 - Foxton Locks – The Canal Museum or ‘Bridge 61’ (TBC) 6.30 pm. (Please note earlier start). To mark the bi-centenary of the opening of the Foxton Locks, a meeting at Foxton is clearly essential, Foxton being in Leicestershire. The evening will include a visit to the Canal Museum and a short presentation by the Museum Curator, Mike Beech. There will be a treasure hunt / quiz, and we will regroup at the pub for sustenance. The Historic Boat Club are also holding an Easter Gathering at Foxton in 2014, in recognition of the bi-centenary, so there may well be some interesting historic boats tied up by the time of our meeting. I look forward to meeting many of you out and about in the forthcoming year if you see a 70 ft Lily Pad do give us a shout. Ian
Syston Hub Latest Representatives of the Melton and Oakham Waterways Society (MOWS) have proposed the area around the Wreake junction in Syston as an extra "hub" to join the five already identified by the River Soar/Grand Union Partnership. Their claim is strengthened by the plans of the junction landowner to extract gravel, and his idea to turn the resulting lakes into a marina. He also includes the rebuilding of the old Toll House as a visitor centre/tea room and the Isolation Hospital to the rear as a centre for cycle and canoe hire. MOWS have pledged their full support to these plans, which are due to be put before Charnwood Borough Council shortly. With the gravel plant on the bank-side a mile upstream, it would be fitting to see the loads moved in an eco-friendly way and witness a new dawn with the first working boats on the Melton Mowbray navigation in 137 years. See the plan on the next pages.
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Proposed reconstruction of the Junction Toll accommodate a possible visitor centre and tea rooms / cafĂŠ as the centre of the 'Sys There are sections of the footings of the house which may make it possible to uncover the exa of the toll house.
Photo of the toll house circa 1900
The newly constructed Junction towpath bridge with navigable headroom has created the opportunity to open up the Wreake navigation.
Possible site for a long stay car park for boaters, cyclists and visitors, located on land that is under the same ownership as the isolation hospital; this could be a reinforced grass car park that would blend into the surroundings causing minimal visual impact.
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Isolation Hospital buildings if could be used as offices, work boat workshops or bunk hou accommodation. This could expand on the Syston Hub ide boating activities, boat hire, c boat restoration and affordab accommodation.
Proposed short stay car park visitor centre and surrounding
View of the Isolation hospital fr Meadow Lane
KEY
House to
ston Hub'. e still visible act footprint
Grand Union Canal River Wreake/ Melton Navigation
f restored kshops, uses / help ea with cycle hire, ble
Site of Junction Toll House Isolation Hospital Buildings Proposed Marina Site
for the g facilities
Proposed Short Stay Car Par
Proposed marina next to the Toll House and Isolation Hospital, this would create a great place to moor up for the night, or live long term, creating a much needed destination for tourist boats to stop and enjoy the cafe and surrounding area of Syston. There is a pocket of gravel under the field that if dug out would leave the space for the marina, this would help to fund the building of the marina and eliminate the need to dispose of the dug material, reducing long distance haulage and making the project more sustainable.
Proposed Long Stay Car Park Proposed Tree Screening
The Syston Hub & Marina Proposed Layout revision:
A 02/01/14
rom
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Derwent Valley Aqueduct Joseph Bazalgette is justly famous for his works in London towards the end of the Victorian era. His infrastructure works such as London’s main sewer outfall along Victoria Embankment and Tower Bridge have well stood the test of time. Bazalgette’s colleagues in most major towns and cities did similar landbreaking work, and locally Marriott Ogle Tarbotton, as Nottingham’s Borough Engineer, was responsible for Trent Bridge and the main water supply and sewers in Nottingham to cope with the increased population from the growing industries. Nottingham itself is lucky in having a good supply of groundwater from the Bunter sandstone in North Nottinghamshire, from pumping stations such as Papplewick and Bestwood, but to the west and south the main water supply was from the local rivers which were often polluted and a source of cholera and typhoid. There was a source of clean water in the Peak District but this was a long way from Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. The solution came in 1898 when the local engineers started to construct two dams on the River Derwent near Castleton and build a large pipe to carry the clean water to the East Midlands; this is known as the Derwent Valley Aqueduct (DVA). Most canal enthusiasts think of an aqueduct like the stone one across the River Dove or made of cast iron such as Pontcysyllte, but the DVA is largely made up of twin cast iron pipes up to four feet in diameter or underground tunnels up to about six feet in diameter. In addition there are 14 bridges or culverts, 1,000 valves and 307 other structures. As the dams are in the hills and the cities are generally in the river valleys there is a fall along the length of the pipe which obviates the need for pumping. The iron pipes are largely buried but on rare occasions they can be seen as at the iron bridge just across the River Trent upstream of the M1 motorway at Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 18
Bridge at Sawley
Sawley. This is part of the branch to Leicester which follows the A6 main road for much of the way. Part of an aqueduct surfaces at Langley Mill where it crosses the River Erewash, and there are several small stone buildings which house the valves to the branches such as Eastwood and north west Nottingham.
The main aqueduct is now well over 110 years old, although there have been additions such as Lady Bower Dam in 1939-43, built downstream of the original dams; and Carsington near Ambergate which is pumped from the Derwent. The original Howden and Derwent dams were used for practice by the Dambuster Squadron prior to the massive raid on the German dams in 1943. In the west of what is now the Severn-Trent area, water was brought to Birmingham and the Black Country from the Welsh mountains via the Elan and similar lakes. The underground aqueduct to Birmingham can be seen crossing the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal near Wolverley at a high level to maintain the steady fall. Over the years the various combinations of water companies have made major connections between the various feeders to ensure a more reliable supply at all times of the year across the Severn-Trent area. Severn-Trent Water has recently commissioned Atkins Consultant Engineers to carry out a study on the DVA to ensure there are no unforeseen maintenance problems in the next thirty years. The works suggested are improvements to the supply from near to the dams; duplication of the main pipe runs through Leicestershire; rebuilding the supply reservoir at Ambergate; and improving the connections to Birmingham. One point of interest to canals is the crossing of the Derby Canal near Breaston, presently crossing the canal above ground through four near right angle joints. This could be replaced by a straight pipe well below canal bed level, but the engineers have currently ruled this out on grounds of expense. John Baylis (Pictures courtesy of Atkins and Severn-Trent Water)
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Drayton Manor Park From the East Midlands the easiest way to the Birmingham Canal Navigations is the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley, the Coventry Canal to Fazeley and then the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. However, before the hard locking starts, there is a very novel and much photographed swing bridge, with a brick tower on each side of the canal. Each tower contains a helical staircase up to a footbridge across the canal. Despite the nearby road this is quite a pleasant mooring where many of you have stopped, and I am sure a proportion have stopped to take the children or grandchildren to Drayton Manor Park, close by.
Drayton Manor was the ancestral home of the Peel family, the most famous being Sir Robert Peel the Victorian Prime Minister, but perhaps best remembered as the public gave his name to the London Police force as “Peelers”. By the start of the 20th Century the family was suffering hard times and following bankruptcy the house was demolished in 1911. During the Second World War the site was used as an army storage depot and by 1949 it was a mass of brambles and piles of rubbish among the remains of derelict Nissen huts. It was these 80 acres of land which George and Vera Bryan bought for £12,000. George was born in Kegworth in 1921 where his father ran a slot machine business, following action as a pilot in the First World War. After school George studied engineering at Loughborough College (now University). Vera also came from a show business family and they decided to make Drayton Manor Park an “Inland Leisure Park” which opened in 1950. Following the Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 20
war all materials were in short supply and some Nissen huts were traded for timber; nails and bolts were recycled; and in the days before JCBs a small boating pool was dug by hand. The park started with a tea room in a Nissen hut, several small hand-operated rides and six small rowing boats, some pedal cars and a set of second-hand dodgems. However, despite the minimum attractions, Drayton Manor Park was pulling in 1000 visitors/week in the first year of opening. It soon became clear that more was needed to improve the Park’s appeal and the Nissen hut café became a function suite and ballroom at which Victor Sylvester, Edmundo Ros, Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk were attractions. A small zoo was opened by Molly Badham who later opened Tycross Zoo near the Ashby Canal. Other bigger new rides were added between 1982 and 92, and up to £1 million was spent each year on new attractions. George Bryan supported many local causes and was awarded the OBE in 2004. He died in September 2013, and the Park is now being run by son Colin and Vera. John Baylis (Pictures from Dave Gibson and David P Howard)
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; “The Bridge”, from Grantham Canal Society; “Sleaford Navigation Trust” journal; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; and “The Wharfinger”, from Louth Navigation Trust, as well as “Navigation” from our neighbours at West Midlands, the “Easterling” from our Eastern neighbours, and “Endeavour” from Northampton Branch. 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 John Lower at 92a Tapton View Road, Chesterfield S41 7JY.
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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Winter has arrived and those wet and grey dreary days are here. Fortunately local waterways have not been as adversely impacted by floods as other parts of the country so we have a lot to be thankful for. It has therefore been a time of indoor activities and planning. Looking back to the Social events we have had some good turn outs, on November 15th Rod Pearson gave an illustrated talk on the Manchester Ship Canal and discussed some of the engineering challenges that have arisen along the way, including the challenging feat of how to build a canal under water. On December 20th we had our Christmas refreshments evening followed by a presentation from John Wilkinson on the Panama Canal with its new $3 billion redevelopment to double its capacity. The scale of the operation is enormous, with costs to match. Then in January we had David Brown (C&RT’s Principal Reservoir Engineer) giving an illustrated talk concerning the history and engineering behind reservoirs. Thankfully the engineering and management behind the reservoirs is well organised, but David also showed the devastating impact of some historical failures. Some of C&RT’s oldest reservoirs date back to the 1770’s and their upkeep is a fascinating blend of heritage preservation and modern day engineering techniques. It is a continuing endeavour to keep everything Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 22
operational and people safe. Reassuringly, safety comes first. On the Planning Applications front our Planning Officer has been working hard over the last few years commenting, amongst other things, on the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Core Strategy. The two Councils have been developing the strategy over the last 2-3 years, and it was finally adopted by them on 10th December 2013. The River Trent Navigation is vastly under-utilised and has the potential for significant freight movement (without conflicting with leisure activities). These possibilities originally seemed to be overlooked by the Planning Authorities but after consistent input, waterborne freight is now specifically mentioned within the Transport section of the strategy. Why on earth should large quantities of domestic or industrial waste be moved on overcrowded roads when underused, sustainable waterborne freight is on the doorstep? Let’s do some trumpet blowing: thanks to our efforts (and others as well) the official Waste Core Strategy contains this policy statement regarding sustainable transport. “All waste management proposals should seek to maximise the use of alternatives to road transport such as rail, water, pipeline or conveyor in order to minimise the impacts of the use of
less sustainable forms of transport. …….”. There are other explanatory statements as well but that succinct policy statement is the real key success.
The dates for the clean up are Friday and Saturday 28th and 29th March. ECP&DA are concentrating their efforts on Friday and therefore IWA are concentrating effort on Saturday 29th March but everyone is most welAfter the success of the canal clean up come to participate on either day. in Nottingham last September we are Once plans are finalised it is expected planning another one. This will be on that we should meet up at Gallows Inn the Erewash canal as it has been sev- on Nottingham Road (A609) in Ilkeseral years now since the locks and ton at 10.00 a.m. on Saturday bridge holes were cleared and the lit- 29th March where towing path litter ter removed. Final planning has still picking and grappling the canal bed to be completed as I write but C&RT will commence and then head south have agreed to provide work boats towards Long Eaton. For further and crew to transport and finally dis- information please contact Alison pose of the rubbish. Erewash Canal Smedley, IWA Branch Campaign Preservation and Development Asso- Officer 07779 090915, ciation (ECP&DA) will also be heav- alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk. ily involved so we hope to get a large If the Friday date suits better, the section cleaned over a two day period. clean up should start at 10.00 a.m. at At Gallows Inn (by David Hallam-Jones)
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things up again, ultimately recruiting four other committee members (some now retired) and keeping the show on the road. Since 2009 Brian has been the acting Chairman, Treasurer and exhibition stand supremo, not only maintaining it but building additional sections as well. Due to personal reasons Brian is stepping back from most IWA activities at Plenty of scope for rubbish collection on the the February AGM Erewash and I would like to Shipley and then move south towards thank him for all the effort and support he has put into Branch activities Gallows Inn. not just from 2009 but way back to Later in the year there will likely be a 1999 when he first joined the commitfurther clean up on another section of tee. Without Brian’s everlasting the Nottingham canal to continue the efforts and support this Branch would good work started last September, so have closed in 2007 but his quiet determination, organising skills and watch for announcements in future carpentry are an example to all. editions of this magazine. Thank you Brian, your efforts have been greatly appreciated and I know For those with long memories you you will know what I mean when I may recall that back in 2007 many long serving members of the organis- say, in 2014, we are still here. ing committee retired, which left the branch in a state of dormancy. Then Brian has informed me that he will be in 2009 two stalwarts, Brian White able to continue as Treasurer but everything else must cease so that leaves and myself, decided to try and start Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 24
the organising committee with another pair of shoes to fill. We really do need help, please consider what you can do. Without going into too much detail; we desperately need someone to spend a brief amount of time finding and booking speakers for social meetings and liaising with them to ensure they remember to turn up as well as notifying the waterways magazines of the dates; we need someone to help organising local campaigns whether they be clean-ups, lock winds or lobbying councillors and politicians; we also need someone to fulfil the role of Planning Officer, keeping an eye on planning policies and individual applications that may affect waterways within the branch area. All these matters require a small amount of effort but are just too much for those currently on the committee to carry out. Please step forward to help and send an email to nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk expressing your interest. NB: you do not necessarily need to attend any committee meetings, it is simply a matter of communicating about the tasks, whether that be at meetings, by phone or by email – whichever method suits you best is the way we will do it. Whilst on the subject of communication there can sometimes be last minute changes to activities/events due to adverse weather conditions and we currently lack the ability to rapidly
contact people regarding such changes. If you have an email address and would allow us to keep you informed would you please email your details to nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk. Many thanks. Looking ahead to the Social calendar, on March 21st Geoff Pursglove from the Ashby Canal Society will be giving an illustrated talk on the latest developments along the Ashby Canal. Come along and see how things are progressing on the Measham section. On April 11th we have Mike Stone looking back to a barge trip he made in 1960 through the UK and into parts of Europe; see if you can spot any changes between then and now. May is still in the planning stage at the moment but on the evening of Friday May 16th we hope to take a trip on the passenger trip boat Birdswood on the Cromford canal. Meet at Cromford wharf, Mill Road, Cromford at 7.00 p.m. More information when confirmed but numbers will be limited so please make contact before travelling. 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, page 29. Do come and join us, everyone is most welcome, I look forward to seeing you there. Mike Snaith
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A Witham Mystery? Our colleagues from the East Anglian Waterways Association also keep an eye on things around Witham, Welland and Glen, and were interested in our Witham valley delphs, becks, dykes and skirths. They also ask for our help in trying to identify a picture showing what seems to be a dredging or bank repair team, possibly on the Witham. Can anybody help? It is an old photograph but as items from the background may help to pin down the place and people, I have picked out a couple of details, sharpened as much as possible. PH.
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Cliff Clark
1923 – 2013
I am sorry to report the death of Clifford Clark. Cliff was born in Leicester and then with his parents moved to Leeds because of his father’s work. As a schoolboy Cliff did exceptionally well and gained a scholarship at the age of ten to Leeds Grammar School. In the early 1940s, Cliff’s working life first gave him experience in optical work, then moving into manufacturing optical ware in Leeds and eventually in Thorne, near Doncaster. His life then took him into sales, firstly cycles, motor cycles and then into radio. He then, in the late 1940s and early 1950s successfully launched television sales in the south of Yorkshire. At this time television was very new but when a transmission station was built in Birmingham, Cliff was able to take the opportunity of launching reception in the south of Yorkshire on a grand scale. By 1954 Cliff had met and married his wife Margaret. Cliff’s business success grew in strength and size and by this time he had cycle shops, television shops and eventually car showrooms in Thorne. Cliff’s interest in boats and waterways found the Chesterfield Canal, but in 1961 the waterways authority put an application to Parliament to close the entire waterway. Cliff put his full efforts into publicising the waterway he had only just discovered and, along with the Inland Waterways Association, organised cruises along the canal. These led to a special meeting being arranged by the IWA. Supporting Cliff on the cruises were Les Baines, Richard Allsop, Ken Pinches and Phil Osborne to name but a few. The result of the cruises as far as British Waterways were concerned was that it would keep the canal open to the tail of Morse Lock in Worksop; which remained the limit of navigation for over thirty years. For these efforts Cliff was awarded the Cyril Styring Trophy, the IWA’s premier award, which had been donated a few years earlier by what was then called the Sheffield Branch in memory of its deceased first chairman. It was proposed that a Canal Society be formed, but they were not popular at this time and Cliff suggested a boat club as being more acceptable to the “powers that be”, as people could actually be seen using the canal. A wellpublicised cruise was then arranged up to Worksop. Following its success a public meeting arranged by Cliff was held in the Worksop Public Library on February 23, 1962. The room was packed and following this the Retford & Worksop Boat Club was successfully launched. At this meeting a provisional committee was appointed and a constitution drawn up. Full membership was 10s 6d per year. Cliff was R&WBC Chairman until 1965, and Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 27
in those early years, he was the main inspiration and energy needed to save the canal from closure. Cliff was made one of its early Life Members and more recently Honorary Life President. Cliff was also awarded the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Cliff’s funeral was held on November 28th 2013 at Rose Hill Crematorium in Doncaster and afterwards at the Punch Bowl, Thorne. It was well supported by many from the Waterways movement. John Baylis with thanks to Harry Richardson
Photo of (left) David Stevenson winner of Cyril Styring Trophy 2003 with Cliff Clark - winner in 1964, in Sheffield Basin at the 50th. anniversary of the original Sheffield Branch in June 2004. Photo by the late Margaret Fletcher.
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Notts & Derby Branch Meetings The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch of the IWA organises 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. Indoor meetings are held at 7.45 pm at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7HY. This is not far from the A60 (Loughborough Road) and the Arena entrance road is roughly opposite Greythorn Drive. Don’t be alarmed by a barrier at the entrance - they will let you out again. It would take about 25 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453, Clifton traffic and road works speed limit permitting. For SatNav equipped vehicles try 52° 55.328’ N, 01° 08.673’ W, or SK 57610 36424. Note that Rushcliffe Leisure Centre is a different place.
Friday, March 21st 2014 Talk with slides covering the latest developments of the Ashby canal, by Geoff Pursglove. (Ashby Canal Society) Friday, April 11th 2014……….note the change of date owing to Easter holiday Illustrated talk looking back to 1960 and a barge trip encompassing parts of the UK and Europe by Mike Stone. Offsite Activities: Friday, May 16th 2014……….to be confirmed Provisional…………… we hope to take a trip on the passenger trip boat Birdswood on the Cromford canal. Meet at Cromford Wharf, Mill Road, Cromford at 7.00 p.m. More information when confirmed but numbers will be limited so please make contact before travelling. Further information about meetings can be obtained by email :nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk Aegre 138W - March 2014 Page 29
Around the Societies and Trusts The trips with nb Birdswood on the Cromford Canal began last year, and we wish them well with getting the full length of trip going this year, helped by the necessary dredging. They had some “Santa Specials” at the end of 2013, which were very successful. If you would like to book a trip, please call Mike Kelley on 07552 055455 or e-mail boat@cromfordcanal.org.uk. Planned steaming dates at Leawood for the first half of 2014 are April 20/21, May 4/5, June 7/8 and July 6th. Social meetings at Ironville Church Hall (SK435518) will be on March 17th and the AGM on April 28th. The Derby and Sandiacre Trust report good progress with tree clearance at Spondon and maintenance at Borrowash. Work parties continue on alternate Sundays, meeting at the canal at Hopwell Road, Draycott at 9.30am. Next dates are March 23rd and 6th April. Indoor meetings are planned to continue on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA. The next will be on the 25th March and April 22nd. Sleaford Navigation Trust continue with their work parties (usually second Sunday of the month, call 01522 856810), and have good co-operation with the Environment Agency and the South Kyme parish council. See Dave Carnell’s report in Lincolnshire Happenings. A major decision was to pass a dumper truck, owned by the Trust for some years, over to the Chesterfield Canal Trust, where it is likely to receive more intensive use. An excellent example of co-operation between similar bodies. The Chesterfield Canal Trust report a very successful concrete pour at Staveley Lock at the end of last year. This year the Town Basin Festival will be on June 28/29. They also have a very full programme lined up for the new season including highlights of: - Trip boat Seth Ellis doing trips from the Hop Pole on Welham Road, Retford, For all trips, ring 07925 851569. - Trip boat Hugh Henshall doing trips from the Lock Keeper pub in Worksop. For all trips, ring 01246 477569. - Trip boat John Varley doing regular trips from Tapton Lock in Chesterfield. Ring 01246 551035 for bookings. For those of us involved in producing magazines or newsletters for Canal Societies and Trusts, the Chesterfield “Cuckoo” has long presented a standard of excellence to strive for. The team of John Lower and Alan James has now been operating for some 15 years, but John is now talking of standing down. A very hard act to follow. PH.
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Stoke Bruerne Festival
On 14th-15th June 2014, a fun packed programme of boats, canal crafts, food, drink, live music, theatre and children’s activities are expected to keep the whole family entertained at Stoke Bruerne’s Annual Festival. Centred on the Canal Museum and organised by the Friends of the Museum, the event will host a large number of craft demonstrators including ‘Roses and Castle’ painters, rag rug makers, quilters, lace and crochet makers, potters and wood carvers, rope splicers, knot and fender makers, and featuring Stoke Bruerne’s very own blacksmith who will be giving demonstrations at his canal-side forge. From Lynda Payton.
Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this edition of Aegre: Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Mike Snaith; John Baylis; Rod Auton; and as noted for specific articles. Some photographs in this issue are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. The authors concerned are shown on pages 9, 10, 12, 20, 21 and 23.
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Open Day at Holme Lock Come along and venture into this massive 30ft deep drained lock chamber and talk to Canal & River Trust experts about how we carry out lock maintenance. This is a fascinating chance to see what it takes to keep YOUR waterways working.
Sunday 16 March, 2014 Holme Lock, River Trent (next to the National Watersports Centre) 10-4pm; last entry 3:30pm Please wear sensible, sturdy footwear. No prebooking required. Show your support Like us on facebook.com/canalrivertrust
Become a Friend Find out more at canalrivertrust.org.uk/restorationandrepairs E customer.services@canalrivertrust.org.uk
T 0303 040 4040 Charity number 1146792.
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