Museum Matters November 2014
Newsletter of The Friends of The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
Chairman's Jottings David Blagrove AFTER a period in the relative doldrums, local point of view we can see that the things at the Museum are definitely hotting Museum will, in addition to its present up! Quite apart from our own efforts in function, become the SE Waterways putting on what are becoming nationally- Partnership’s shop window, which is known events, changes are working their certain to raise its profile and prestige. For way through the Museum administration as too long our Museum has been at the we speak. The first, and probably most bottom of the pile when it comes to significant change, is that as from 1st November our Museum will no longer be controlled from Ellesmere Port but will become a part of the South East Waterways Partnership, based at Milton Keynes. This does not mean that we shall lose all contact with the other museums, for we shall still have curatorial and technical support from Ellesmere Port, but the day-to-day running and maintenance will be locally based. We do not have any Alex, Steve and Ryan transferring solid fuel from Bideford to Sculptor (Photo: KD) information as to exactly how funding will be arranged between the two discrete units of CRT, but are assured that developments. Now we stand a much the Museum will not be the loser. From a better chance, and not least because not only do we have two Council members as In this Issue members of the local Partnership, but we Chairman's Jottings 2 have a number of other good friends there Jack James 5 as well. Images from recent events 9 Sculptor update As others see us Village at War report Not so 'Idle Women' FoCM News Living Waterway Awards
AGM Notice
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The matter of Sculptor is proceeding well under the dynamic leadership of Kathryn and the basis of an operating agreement has recently been agreed with CRT, Museums & Attractions. The details have to be worked out, but the general principles were agreed at a meeting in early October
Cover picture: Sculptor on her way to Blisworth tunnel on a training trip with 15 tons of coal and 2 tons of water ballast (Photo: SD)
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Chairman's Jottings David Blagrove and Kathryn is now looking at a schedule of maintenance work for the immediate future and an ambitious programme of visits to celebrate the boat’s 80th birthday next year. More of this will be vouchsafed unto you once a definite programme is in place later this winter. The boat was dry-docked at Braunston in late September. It is currently
The 'Winner's' page from the programme of events for the Living Waterway Awards - see Page 22 for more information
loaded with 15 tons of solid fuel on behalf of Jules Fuels and looks absolutely splendid. A new set of top cloths in Grand Union style is on order and should be fitted by the time you read this. Up to date information on progress and plans may be found at www.nbsculptor.blogspot.co.uk Back at the Museum, this is of course the centre point of the current Stoke Bruerne Interpretation Project. This has been put forward by the Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership, of which we are members. However, although the Friends are officially represented on the Partnership by yours truly, we do in fact have considerable input from other members of the Friends who © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
represent other organisations. Kathryn Dodington represents canalside residents, while the Chair, Helen Westlake, and one of the advisors, Brian Collings are also among our members. Helen Westlake and Lynda Payton sit on the IWA Northampton committee. So I suppose we have more influence than it may appear. Be that as it may, the matter of interpretation of the canalside features has been under discussion for many years but only relatively recently has it come to fruition, thanks to a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, largely master-minded by Lynda and Helen. Things are now moving towards a conclusion and it is to be hoped that the New Year will see this very worthwhile project completed. Closely connected with the above project is the Partnership’s ten-year plan for the Canal Corridor, as the section from Blisworth Tunnel to Bottom Lock is called these days. This is another project that has been steadily gathering momentum for several years, but it is now about to be published. Needless to say the Museum and its environment form a large part of the proposals. All members of the Partnership have signed up to it and the proposals will be going on public display very shortly. Another feather in our cap has been the recent award in the Tourism and Recreation category of the Living Waterways Awards, made to us for our Events. The final winners were announced at a special ceremony at the Royal Armouries, Clarence Dock, Leeds on 24th www.friendsofthecanalmuseum.org.uk Page 3
Chairman's Jottings David Blagrove September and we were represented there by Mick Butler. To his and our delight we emerged as the winner in this category, and this fact is in no small measure due to Mick’s organisation of the Village at War event, but I must also add my thanks to all the members of the Events subCommittees who toil behind the scenes for many months to put these great successes on. You will see in this issue a notice regarding our next Annual General Meeting, which is to take place at the Museum Learning Centre on 27th November next. This will be followed by an informal soiree on the lines of the very successful one held two years ago. I hope that as many members as possible will try and attend - it will be my pleasant duty to welcome you. So, in conclusion I would like to wish all our members a Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to a new era of progress and development for our museum. Death of Sonia RoltIt is with very great sadness that, as we were about to go to press, I received the news of the death on Wednesday 22nd October of our good friend and supporter, Sonia Rolt. Sonia was one of the last survivors of that gallant band of ladies whose contribution to the war effort was to help crew the boats on the Grand Union and other canals in order to keep vital supplies moving. She had been involved in theatrical work and design before the war and in the early part of hostilities found herself working at the Hoover Factory on © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
Western Avenue in Perivale, West London. She answered the call for volunteers to work on the canals and ever after the canals were to play an important role in her life. An early member of IWA, she subsequently married Tom Rolt and was also involved in the early days of railway preservation, running the mobile booking office attached to trains on the Tal-y-Llyn railway in West Wales.
Sonia Rolt outside the Canal Museum (Photo: JR)
Sonia was a delight to know. Although in later years her health was frail, she retained her wit and incisive intelligence to the end. She made a memorable visit to our first Village at War in 2008, along with several other survivors of the wartime boatwomen and, the following year, in her late 80’s made a stirring speech from Butcher's Bridge at Braunston in support of the 'Save our Waterways' campaign, which many see as the catalyst that brought about the present CRT administration. Among her many attributes she was a most gracious President of the Commercial Boat Operators Association to the end. Those of us who were privileged to know Sonia will miss her wise and eloquent counsel greatly. www.friendsofthecanalmuseum.org.uk Page 4
Jack James A serialised biography by David Blagrove - Part 10 THE Grand Union Canal Carrying Company was in the throes of making a gallant attempt to bring canal carrying into the twentieth century. Although still dependent upon family boating to make the books balance in other ways the Company did its best to provide some form of welfare for its employees. A boat children’s school had been established at the fleet headquarters at Bulls Bridge, Southall; a social club was provided at the same place; some form of medical service had been established by means of an annual grant to Sister Mary Ward at Stoke Bruerne, roughly midway between the extremities of the system and a fleet of modern boats built all of which had standardised diesel engines, electric light (including powerful headlamps for night working in place of the traditional paraffin lamps) and rather roomier accommodation than older craft. Crews were issued with 'Trip Cards', on which their journeys and tonnages were recorded. These could also be used at certain canalside shops for obtaining goods on a credit basis, making housekeeping rather
Balham passing under the M1 during construction (Photo: J Payler Collection)
easier than formerly. The mainstay traffics handled by the Company were steel to the Midlands from Limehouse, grain to various destinations from Brentford and coal southwards from the North Warwickshire pits to various industrial plants in the London area. This and other traffics were strictly controlled and the progress of boats employed was closely monitored on a daily basis. It was very different from the less formal ways of the Oxford Canal. So Jack and his family now found themselves part of a busy and thriving operation very different also from the semidereliction of the Badsey at Hillmorton with the butty Angel in the background (Photo: Kennet, the bucolic Upper Thames or the Omlexia.com) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Jack James A serialised biography by David Blagrove - Part 10 sophistication of the Middle Thames. Jack and his family moved aboard a pair of almost new steel boats: the butty boat Balham had been delivered new from Harland and Wolff in December 1936 and the motor boat Badsey from the same yard in January 1937. Some of the families who had worked the long distance general
and had demonstrated that they were just as capable of working general cargoes as the others. From 1938 onwards the family worked their pair of 'Grand Unions' until the time came for Jack and Emma to move ashore nine years later.
When the following year the Second World War broke, out the railway companies found themselves instantly overburdened with war time traffic, while petrol rationing and the call-up removed many lorries from the roads. The government set up a Ministry of War Transport and the Grand Union Company was involved with this from the start. After the German invasion of France and the Low Countries in 1940, the coastal shipping along the south and east coasts became subject to continual enemy harassment, resulting in Balham with Edgware - looking a little worse for wear, much shipping traffic being moored between Gayton and Buckby (Photo: RW) transferred to rail, especially coal from the North East to London power cargo trade were rather dismissive of Jack stations and gasworks. The knock-on at the start. One then young boatman told effect of this meant that much Midlandme that his wife’s family had to show Jack based coal traffic was transferred from rail how to cloth up properly the first time he to canal as well as the natural increase in took his boats to Brentford to load. This is traffic due to military requirements. The not really surprising, since none of the work Irish-based brewers Arthur Guinness and that Jack had previously done had involved Son Ltd brewed much of their products at the carriage of perishable loads. When Park Royal Brewery in West London, from working deep loaded with stone, coal or whence the stout was distributed in casks scrap it was only necessary to pull up the by road, much of it going to the Birmingham side cloths to prevent ingress of water - area where it was a popular tipple of factory weather protection hardly mattered. workers. With the onset of war and fuel Needless to say it was not long before Jack rationing they were obliged to find an and his family had mastered this new skill alternative form of transport and turned to Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Jack James A serialised biography by David Blagrove - Part 10 the canals. The carriage of alcoholic liquor in casks had long been a speciality of canal transport, but so had a practice known as 'sucking the monkey'. This involved the boatmen obtaining a private supply of bungs and some rubber tubing. Once away from prying eyes the bung of a cask would be knocked out, the rubber tube inserted and a quantity of liquor siphoned out. It was then replaced with canal water and a new bung knocked in. The Grand Union Canal Carrying Company was well aware of this and consequently only captains of the highest probity were employed on this tempting traffic. The slightest suspicion of 'monkey sucking' would result in the boatman concerned being removed from this highly lucrative traffic. The Guinness
A German V1 doodlebug
was treated as a wartime priority and went through when all other traffic was stopped. Sometimes, if there was an engine problem, fitters would be sent overland from Bulls Bridge to Park Royal to begin the task of undoing the bolts round the engine room casing. By the time the boats had arrived at Bulls Bridge the roof would be off. Once the engine stopped the bed bolts, stern gear and pipework would be © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
disconnected, the engine craned out, a replacement engine craned in, lined up and refitted and the boats would be away within a couple of hours at most. 'Beer boating', as the traffic was called, entailed a tight schedule for delivery at Camp Hill depot in Birmingham, with boats returning with empty barrels. Sometimes, if there were no empty barrels available, the boats would be loaded back with other things, or else they would be sent to the North Warwickshire pits to load coal, but more commonly the boats and families concerned stayed on the regular Park Royal to Camp Hill run, leaving the coal or other commodities to the rest of the fleet. Jack’s daughter Doris recalled in 2009 that they were ordered to Limehouse in the aftermath of one of the air raids, probably to load steel, but this was not an everyday matter. In order to keep to the schedule it was sometimes necessary to work through the night and the blackout regulations of wartime made this a difficult and dangerous business. When the 'Blitz' of 1940-41 was at its height the work was further complicated by the Company’s practice of placing stop planks in key locations on long pounds as a precaution against flooding should the canal be breached by bombs. The worst of the bombing was over by June 1941 as the German’s attention turned to the Russian Front, but there were occasional raids which tended to disrupt traffic for a short time. Then in the summer of 1944 the London area was subjected to a massive assault by V1rocket bombs, www.friendsofthecanalmuseum.org.uk Page 7
Jack James A serialised biography by David Blagrove - Part 10 commonly known as 'doodle bugs'. No sooner had the worst of this threat been overcome by the capture of the launching sites in northern France and Belgium, than an even worse attack ensued from V2 rockets launched from Holland. Jack’s boats escaped damage but had a narrow escape from a V1 near Alperton. It droned overhead but cut out just after it had cleared
boats. One evening in April 1945 Doris managed to fall off the fore end of Badsey as they were approaching Cowroast Lock, near Tring, heading downhill. There was panic as she did not reappear and both Jack and Emma feared the worst. However she had managed to swim ahead of the boats and was extricated from the water in the lock. A journalist who was present later composed a ditty on the subject, the first verse of which went (to the tune of 'Villikins and His Dinah'): Come all of you lads and you lasses so fine And listen to this little ditty of mine It’s about a young maiden who had such a shock When she fell in the cut at the old Cowroast Lock.
After the war the Guinness trade carried on, but the winter of 1946/47 brought canal traffic to a standstill. From late January until mid-March movement was The weather map from Saturday 4th January 1947 impossible because of ice and the brewers were obliged to the canal and exploded some distance transfer the traffic to road. It never returned away. to the canals in spite of the Grand Union’s best endeavours. At the end of December Over the war years the children grew up 1947 the Grand Union Canal Carrying and in some cases moved away. John, the Company, along with its parent company eldest, had found a job in Oxford after and other canals, was nationalised and a leaving school. He had considerable new chapter in the history of the canals artistic ability and eventually managed to began. This coincided with another chapter obtain a scholarship to art college; George in Jack James’ career. joined the Royal Navy and Tom went to work with another family on the boats. This left Noel, Doris and Christine with the family © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Village at War 2014
The Dakota - FZ692 ‘Kwicherbichen’ - from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displaying on the Saturday of the Village at War weekend in September (Photo: DS - http://www.darrenskidmorephotography.com)
Happy dancing to the vocal accompaniment of Lola Lamour and George Formby (Photo: DS - http://www.darrenskidmorephotography.com) © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Village at War 2014
Re-creating a 1948 event (so slightly post war) - Sculptor being towed by Sickle with Norman Mitchell commentating (Photo: RW)
The last Hurricane ever built (PZ865, a MK IIc), of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, flies
over the Village at War on the Sunday (Photo: DS - http://www.darrenskidmorephotography.com) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Village at War 2014
Royal British Legion and Army cadets marching along the canalside on their way to the Drum Head service at St Mary's Church, Stoke Bruerne (Photo: KD)
The US Army on station opposite The Navigation pub (Photo: KD) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Village at War 2014
Grace, Charlotte and Becca looking wonderful 1940s style in the Museum (Photo: LP)
'Monty' inspecting the Royal British Legion standard bearers (Photo: JR)
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Village at War 2014
Ray 'The Spiv' allowing Valerie and Anita to sample his wares in the Museum tearooms (Photo: KD)
Visitors to the Village at War, all appropriately attired, enjoying the sunshine outside the Museum tearooms (Photo: KD) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Village at War 2014
Lola Lamour entertaining the crowds at the 2014 the Village at War weekend (Photo: LP)
Stoke Bruerne Primary School children singing war time songs to open the Village at War (Photo: KD) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Sculptor blacking and loading
Sculptor, in the Braunston Flight, after three days in dry dock (Photo: SD)
Sculptor lying at her Stoke Bruerne moorings with 15 tons of coal and 2 tons of water ballast (Photo: KD) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Candid Camera
Geraint Jones (Hyder Consulting), Mick Butler (Chair of the Village at War) and Jim Hancock (awards host) with the award to The Friends covering Toursim and Recreation in the Living Waterways Awards 2014 - see page 22 (Photo: Supplied)
The dry dock being flooded to refloat Sculptor after blacking (photo: KD) Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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Sculptor Update Kathryn Dodington IN RECENT months, Sculptor has been out and about - been in dry dock, on TV and reverting to her original work by carrying a heavy load of coal. On the Friday of the Village at War weekend, Sculptor carried an ITV crew through the tunnel to Blisworth, ITV Anglia broadcasting a news item about the tunnel on 22nd September. The footage may be accessed by going to Sculptor’s blog page. At the Village at War event Sculptor was towed from the top lock to the winding hole by Alan and Cath Fincher’s tug Sickle which
Sculptor leaving Braunston tunnel on her return from blacking (Photo: RW)
recreated a little bit of history as Sculptor was towed by Sickle to the northwest in 1948 (see picture on page 10). On the Sunday of the Village at War, she also followed Nutfield and Raymond down to the A508 and back. Less than two weeks later, Sculptor was off to Braunston to go into dry dock for inspection, blacking and repainting of the tunnel bands and fore-end. Steve Dean, Rob Westlake and Mike Gardner took her to Braunston; the same three plus Richard © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
Cox, Phil Kidd and Kathryn Dodington worked on her over the three days she was in dry dock and Steve, Rob, Mike and Kathryn brought her home. She’s now looking a bit shiny but we are sure the water will do its best to make that fade over the coming weeks. A week later and she was partially loaded with coal in Stoke Bruerne to lighten the load on Julia Cook’s butty Bideford to enable it be taken out of the water at Dodford. Then Sculptor was off down to lock 19 to top up the load of coal to 15 tons - the first time, we believe, she has been loaded to this extent since at least 1988. Rob, Kathryn and Steve brought her back to Stoke Bruerne on a very wet Monday morning. Not to be outdone by ITV, Sculptor was used by BBC Look East to enhance their report of the South East Waterways Partnership AGM in an item broadcast on 16th October – again available on Sculptor’s blog. Sculptor is expecting new cloths in the very near future and whilst she remains loaded she will be used to give the volunteer team experience of handling a loaded boat. The Sculptor crews will shortly be undergoing a CAATS (Competency, Assessment and Training) assessment by CRT to gain formal competency to operate Sculptor. If you would like to join the Sculptor team please contact David Blagrove or Kathryn. www.friendsofthecanalmuseum.org.uk Page 17
As others see us From The Transport Trust Magazine
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Village at War 2014 Kathryn Dodington THIS YEAR'S Village at War event in September was blessed with lovely warm ‘Indian Summer’ weather, which ensured large numbers of people enjoyed a wonderful weekend. Many dressed appropriately for the occasion, with the ladies from the Museum looking especially fetching. Not to be outdone, the view from the cabin top of Sculptor was one of historic boats as far as the eye could see. On the Saturday, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight graced us with a display from their Dakota, FZ692 ‘Kwicherbichen’, painted in D-Day markings and on the Sunday the last Hawker Hurricane ever built, PZ865, delivered a wonderful fly-past despite being delayed earlier on the ground at the Goodwood Revival Festival with a radio problem. Lola Lamour started the weekend with a cracking evening in The Navigation pub and was supported over the weekend by Paul Casper as George Formby and Marjorie Cartwright-Jones with a startling resemblance to Joyce Grenfell. We also had King George VI, Winston Churchill (who gave a number of rousing speeches) and Lord Montgomery of Alamein in attendance. There has been plenty of feedback, some of which is reproduced below: Just wanted to say we had a fab Sunday afternoon at Village at War. Really loved the whole atmosphere and all the great (and interesting) things to do and see. Thank you! © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
Many thanks for a superb weekend at the Village at War. My friend and I really enjoyed everything about the celebrations. The dinner/dance was very enjoyable and the food and entertainment was so good. We hope it will be beneficial to the Canal Museum. Just a quick email to say how much I enjoyed your Village at War weekend and to thank you plus all the other people who made it possible.
A policeman, 'George Formby', 'Winston Churchill' and 'King George VI' enjoying Village at War 2014 (Photo: KD)
It is, of course, difficult to judge accurately the numbers of people attending as we are an 'open' site. Suffice to say, there were several thousands and we seem to have achieved a financial surplus of around £10,000 to help the Museum, particularly in terms of future projects. Warm thanks to VaW chairman Mick Butler and his team of volunteer helpers - a great effort. And, needless to say, we are already planning the 2015 event.
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Not so 'Idle Women' Mike Constable NO need at all for theories into the origin of the myth of the ‘Idle Women’. There is no mystery there. The blame falls squarely on the feet of Susan Woolfit’s daughter Harriet. Susan Woolfit was a part time trainee in the Canal Boatwomen’s Training Scheme and at the end of the war not only did she join the fledgling IWA and the WI but she also wrote a couple of books. As one of the very late trainees she did receive one of the infamous badges with the IW lettering. The letters did indeed stand for ‘Inland Waterways’ but were only issued at the very end of the Training Scheme, earlier Trainees being given first a button hole version (male) of the metal Grand Union Canal Carrying Company badge and later one of the broach pin type. GUCCC, GUCC and GU(S&W)C first had these produced early in 1941 and Eily (Kit) Gayford was given her blue GUCCC badge in January 1942. It is not clear still whether the shortage of metal led to all boaters being The IW badge (Photo: MC) issued with them once the Ministry of War Transport took over running the canals, but of course there were very few newcomers needing them by 1944. Susan Woolfit's first book mentions her being given the plastic ‘IW’ badge and she makes it quite clear that daughter Harriet came up with the title for this book from those letters. The title was of course ‘Idle Women’ and because this was the first © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
book to be written by one of the trainees, this rather catchy title started the myth that the trainees were always called Idle Women. The fact that the badge did not appear until very late in the scheme seems to have escaped everyone and this myth has been perpetuated. Having read ‘Idle Women’ at least 40 years ago I knew of this fact and when I was involved with the October 2008 plaque unveiling at the Museum I was able to influence the wording of the plaque and also in my exhibition to avoid any reference to it. Sonia Rolt was an old friend but I had not previously met any of the other trainees who attended that day. Walking round with them looking at the exhibition, it was made very clear to me that they had never heard the term during their time on the cut and they considered it a serious insult. 'Could I do anything to set the record straight?' was the question posed. Further research has put me in contact with many more of the members of this very exclusive club. I have a number of magazines and newspaper articles written during the war and none of them use this derogatory term but of course it is much harder to stop something like that than it is to start it. One only has to look at the April Fool's joke sent to one of the canal magazines some years ago that Monarch went to Dunkirk to know that once something has appeared in print it will be passed on as gospel, however ridiculous the idea is known to be. The myth of the Idle Women is just such a tale.
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FoCM News
Financial Update THE profit from Village at War was £10,065. This quarter we have had outgoings of £1,007.36; the majority, £764.11 being associated with Sculptor's docking The finances of The Friends are in reasonable shape and the position, as at the 1st November 2014, is as follows: Charity Account:
£22,907.37
Company Account:
£27,812.17
Business Reserve:
£ 1,051.71
Cash in hand:
£
Total Liquid Assets:
£51,771.45
Additional Assets equipment etc:
£ 4,300.00
0.00
David Blagrove, Chairman
A view from Sculptor's cabin top during Village at War (Photo: KD) © The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
From the Royal Society of St George magazine - July issue www.friendsofthecanalmuseum.org.uk Page 21
Living Waterway Awards WE are delighted to be able to report that The Friends won the Tourism & Recreation category of the Living Waterways Awards 2014. The citation below is as follows: These events clearly have a strong social impact, with a reach well beyond the canal community. The diverse events programme is helping to strengthen the reputation of Stoke Bruerne as a unique canalside destination, where the canal is seen as the high street. Project Overview: Working with the whole community The Friends of the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum have significantly developed their events programme since 2006, bringing thousands of visitors to the museum, canal and village and raising more that £62,000 for museum and local community programmes. (£62K at the time of entry for the competition - now £76K.) Events include model boat displays, illuminated boats and carols, Christmas markets, guided walks, open gardens, auctions, Blisworth Tunnel 25th anniversary celebrations, a 50th birthday party for the museum, the Stoke Bruerne Family Festival and 'Village at War Weekend'. All are well promoted via their website, social media, leaflets, local businesses and other partners.
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FoCM Diary 2014/15 November-2014 20th
FoCM
Winter Talks 19:30 An Evening with Bob Nightingale
27th
FoCM
AGM at the Museum
19:30
Illuminated Boats and Carols
16:00
Winter Talks
19:30
December-2014 6th
FoCM
January-2015 February-2015 19th
FoCM
Steam Locomotives - Mike Gardner
March-2015 19th
FoCM
Winter Talks Speaker to be confirmed
19:30
THE FRIENDS OF THE CANAL MUSEUM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING to be held on Thursday 27th November 2014 in the Learning Centre, Canal Museum commencing at 8pm AGENDA • • • • • • • • •
Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting of The Friends of the Canal Museum held on Thursday, 5th December, 2013 at the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne Matters Arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Subscriptions Election of Members of Council Presentation of Friends Achievement Award Any other business
At the time of publication of this notice, there are three vacancies on the Committee, which also includes one ex-officio seat held by the Manager of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. Under the terms of the Constitution Lorna York and Mick Butler retire by rotation and seek re-election. Rick Thake and Jenny Copeland retired during the year and Denis Atkinson retires at the AGM. Roger Hasdell, Brian Everest and Linda Clark who have been co-opted during the year seek election for the first time. Other nominations for Council must be received by the Chairman, David Blagrove, Wharf Cottage, The Green, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SE by 20th November 2014. All those voting must be fully paid up members of The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. David Blagrove, Chairman, The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. After the Annual General Meeting, there will be a social evening with refreshments served.
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FoCM Council Chairman David Blagrove, MBE (01604) 862174 also member of the Curatorial Group and Trustee Vice-Chairman Lorna York (Trustee) Treasurer Brian Everest (treasurer@friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk) Minutes Secretary Roger Hasdell Membership Secretary Linda Clarke (membership@friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk) Publicity & Website, Grant Funding & Awards Lynda Payton (01604) 861205 (publicity@friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk) Newsletter Kathryn Dodington (editor@friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk) Museums & Attractions Partnership John Alderson
LS KD DS Volunteer Co-ordinator MC Trevor Allum SD LP Other Museum Manager (ex-officio seat) JR RW Jenny Copeland (Trustee) Bill Mann (Catering) Michael Butler (Village at War)
Photographic Credits Louise Stockwin Kathryn Dodington Darren Skidmore Mike Constable Steve Dean Lynda Payton James Rudd Rob Westlake
CRT FoCM
FoCM FoCM About My Area NN12 FoCM
Events Sub-Committees Trevor Allum, Dennis Atkinson, Michael Butler, Jenny Copeland, David Daines, Roger Hasdell, Bill Mann, Sandie Morton, Mike Partridge, Lynda Payton, Victoria Powell, Terry Richardson, Graeme Scothern, Louise Stockwin, Laura Sturrock (also Trsutee), Helen Westlake and Liam Whitby. Non-Council Posts Roger Hasdell Asst Newsletter Editor Terry Richardson Asst Publicity Officer Brian Collings Curatorial Group Rose Granaghan Winter Talks Organiser Š The Friends of The Canal Museum Registered Charity No 1121146
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