MUSEUM MATTERS May 2011
The Newsletter of The Friends of The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
See you all at the Gala Weekend 10th—12th June
WORK ON SCULPTOR IS UNDERWAY
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n the last issue of Museum Matters we learnt that despite losing our Prism match funding, that work on Sculptor’s re-bottoming was finally underway, largely helped by the decision by boatyard proprietor Rex Wain at Brinklow to allow volunteers and apprentices to help with the repairs and thus save money, and an offer of a good quantity of opepe wood from the Heritage Boatyard at Ellesmere Port on favourable payment terms. In February and March volunteers worked hard dismantling the back end bulkhead, draining, disconnecting and removing the fuel tanks. stripping out the engine ready for its removal to Ellesmere Port and a myriad of other tasks before re-bottoming could begin.
Lorna York now reports… Just before the Easter Holiday Sculptor’s engine was removed from the engine “ole” and loaded into Narrow boat Lamprey which is owned by Tony and Jan Burnip. Tony and Jan then transported it to Ellesmere Port where it is now in the engine house. When I visited the engine house on Easter Saturday it was strange to see the engine not connected to anything. On Easter Sunday Rex Wain of Brinklow Boat Services inspected and approved the wood for Sculptor’s bottom and it was duly loaded into Lamprey’s hold by lots of enthusiastic volunteers ready for transportation as a back load to Brinklow Boats. The timber has now arrived and we wish to thank Tony and Jan Burnip for the transportation of both the engine and the wood, this saved a lot of money which would have had to come out of the Sculptor fund.
Inside…
Report on the Waterways Day at Brackley Library What’s new in the Museum Gala News and Appeal for Bottles Jim Payler’s Obituary Message from Museum Manager Chairman’s Notes and Update Treasurer’s Report and AGM Notice
Pictured left are volunteers Lorna York, Joe York, Brian Mayland and Peter Oates. Thanks also go to James York, Alex Madisons, Laura Sturrock and Rob Westlake who have been assisting. Depending on the contingency work which might need to be done we anticipate that we are now short of around £5,000£6,000 to be able to complete the re-bottoming of Sculptor. The rest already having been raised or promised. Friends Treasurer, Laura Sturrock is busy applying for grants to make up the difference. In the meantime we are re-launching the Sculptor Appeal. If you can help by making a donation, please send a cheque (payable to The Friends of The Canal Museum) to Laura at 39 Church Street, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, NN7 3LH. Please also keep checking our website at www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk for a link to a donations page which was about to go live as we went to press.
Stoke Bruerne and Shutlanger in the Nineteenth Century Part 7: by David Blagrove
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uring the last years of the 19th century the ca- day longer to arrive. nal compensated to some extent for the loss of Local trade included road stone to the Wharf, where it jobs in agriculture by providing such jobs as was landed during the winter months and barrowed to a maintenance and working boats through the tunnel. pile outside the Rectory cottages on what had been the The Amos family established a shop and ropewalk at village street. From here it was distributed to local roads their canal side premises after about 1850. This busi- during the summer. After 1888 when the County Counness prospered for as long as the majority of canal cils became liable for highway maintenance, roadstone boats were horse-drawn. After an accident involving a for the main road, now the A508, was discharged besteamboat in the tunnel in 1861 in which two people tween locks 19 and 20. Coal for the surrounding area also were killed and two more seriously injured, the Grand arrived by canal from the Warwickshire and LeicesterJunction replaced legging by a steam tug service in 1871 shire collieries and this and either pensioned off was dealt with by Joseph the leggers or took them Woodward at the Boat into other forms of emInn, who owned a couple ployment on the canal. of boats used in this The crews for the tugs trade. Most of the traffic were recruited locally, was horse drawn still, but and some leggers transsince 1860 a certain numferred to this somewhat ber of steamers had been less strenuous, if still used. At the end of the troglodytic way of life. nineteenth century the The tug was based at main operator of these Stoke, with a mooring was the firm known as strategically placed outFellows, Morton & Clayside the Boat Inn, and ton Ltd. The steamers two Stoke men, William Steam Tug Spider pictured at Stoke Bruerne worked the fast traffic Clarke and Frederick between London and the Midlands and ran “fly” i.e. nonWarren were employed between 1888 and the end of stop, with relays of crews. Records show the steamers the tug service in 1936 as captains. and their accompanying “butty boats” passing through
69,936 journeys through the tunnel
Stoke at all hours of the day or night. Being self-propelled they did not require the services of the steam tugs. A relic of those times may be seen beside Lock 15, where a brickbuilt bunker survives. The steamer crews would tip their ashes into this and these would be used for “racking up” leaking lock gates and for spreading on gates and paths in frosty weather, or else making up the surface of the towpath.
Other village men served as stokers-cum-engineers. Clarke wrote to the District Engineer of the Grand Junction Company in May 1912 stating that since 1888 he had made 69,936 journeys through the tunnel! The 1901 Census records no less than 42 boaters tied up overnight in the village, most of them family groups, but all of which would have spent some money in the A steady decline in population village economy. The tug service worked to a strict timetable, so it was not unusual for a large number of Local farming tended to turn towards dairying and grazboats to be waiting for the tug’s first “turn” at 6.30 a.m. ing, so transport improvements such as railways were of The canal had maintained its long-distance bulk car- positive benefit to many farms. The supply of meat and rying trade by virtue of its connections with the Coven- hides was important to the growing town of Northamptry coalfields, Birmingham and the Black Country at ton, whilst milk could be sent daily from Roade station to one end and London’s docklands at the other. In par- London and other cities. Only gradually was the effect of ticular it had secured a niche market in the rapid han- cheap grain and frozen meat from overseas felt in the two dling of imported groceries and other urgent commodi- villages, but a steady decline in population set in from the ties destined for the Midlands from the London area. 1881 Census. From 1861 the custom of outwork for the The Railways’ apparent speed was severely limited by boot and shoe trade in Northampton, which had prothe time that goods spent in warehouses or marshalling vided a useful supplement to low wages for many famiyards en route. It was said that Thomas Amos could lies, declined sharply as the boot and shoe trade was order jute for his rope walk from Belfast for delivery by mechanised, largely under the initiative of Moses Mancanal, and it would be on his doorstep within seventy field. This forced outworkers to work in factories rather two hours of arriving at Liverpool. If it was sent by rail than at home. To be continued... to Roade station the consignment would take at least a
WATERWAYS DAY at BRACKLEY LIBRARY Thanks to a generous donation by Wellingborough based display company Marler Haley through Nene Valley Community Action, we are now the proud owners of two pop-up banners with custom artwork which made their first appearance at Brackley Library on Saturday 26th March for a Waterways Day. Visitors to Brackley Library, many of whom were unaware of the presence of the Canal Museum and Stoke Bruerne only a 20 minute drive away, were introduced to the work of the Friends by volunteers John Alderson and Membership Secretary Sandie Morton. Other groups represented at the Waterways Day included
Buckinghamshire Canal Society, Tooley’s Boatyard, canal author Leo McNeir and roses and castles painter Sue Woodward. Pictured above and right are John Alderson and Sandie Morton at Brackley Library.
Our stand also travelled by boat down the Northampton Canal Arm on Mike & Krystyna Wooding’s Draco and Success to the Inland Waterways Association’s Campaign Festival at Becket’s Park, Northampton. The event which attracted over 70 boats, was organised by the local Northampton Branch over the early May Bank Holiday Weekend. The stand, which formed part of a large number of waterway displays and activities put on for the public, attracted quite a bit of interest. This time our stand was manned by Friends Chairman David Blagrove, John Alderson and David Daines.
We need you and your bottles!
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our bottles and your help at our Gala Weekend are important to us to ensure the success of the event and enable us to do some much needed fundraising. This year we are having TWO tombola stalls—one for adults and one for children—can you donate some filled bottles? They don’t have to be filled with alcohol or soft drinks, although these are most welcome. Shampoo, bubble bath, perfume...anything really. All are welcome as long as they are suitable for children or adults. Please take them to the Museum, bring them with you on the day or telephone Laura on 01327 341798 to arrange collection.
Please come along and support the weekend—there will be plenty to do and see. This year we have a big change from our usual musical entertainment on Saturday night. Kate Saffin, the one woman theatre show is performing two plays for us—Isobel’s War and The Mary Rose, all about a brothel on a narrow boat moored on the canal! Kate has been storming canal festivals all over the country and now it’s our turn to sample her extraordinary wit.
A full programme of what is happening over the weekend, and boat booking forms if you are coming by boat, can be downloaded from our website in advance at We have lots planned for the weekend and help is always www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk . needed. If possible we’d like some volunteers to run some Don’t forget—our AGM is being held in the marquee children’s activities this year (under the supervision of CRB checked volunteers), we are always on the look-out for on Saturday night at 18.00. Come along and find out face painters and our burger stall needs willing helpers. If what we’ve been up to, pay your subs, and if you you can spare a few hours please call Lynda on 01604 haven’t joined us yet—why not do so! 861205.
David Blagrove, Chairman of the Friends, writes…
“The last three months have seen some useful developments ” The last three months have seen some useful developments and I am sure all members will be pleased to know that most of these have been positive ones. To begin with there is news about three of our major exhibits, “Sculptor”, the “Sunny Valley” mock-up and the items on display round the old top lock site. Taking these in order, I can report that, following agreements with the boatyard at Stretton (near Rugby), The Waterways Trust and the Heritage Boatyard, the volunteer group beavered away extremely hard during March and removed the front engine room bulkhead and oil tanks, cleared out ballast and shuts (false floors to the non-technical), batteries, and sundry gubbins that was placed in secure storage. Subsequently the engine was disconnected and withdrawn and placed aboard the motor boat “Lamprey” (an ex-Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd „Fish‟ class boat) for delivery to Ellesmere Port in April. Our treasurer Laura Sturrock was at „the Port‟ with her and Peter‟s boat “Stanton” (ex-Grand Union/British Waterways/Blue Line Carriers, large Northwich motor) prior to making the journey „cross the Mersey to Liverpool. Laura had arranged with Rex Wain, our boat builder, to inspect a large pile of opepe timber lying at the Heritage Boatyard and Rex reported that this was fine for the purpose of rebottoming “Sculptor”. Once “Lamprey” arrived and unloaded her cargo, which is now being comprehensively overhauled in the Heritage Boatyard‟s workshops before being returned to “Sculptor”, the timber was loaded aboard for transport back to Stretton. All very efficiently done and well within the scope of heritage operations. It is good to be able to use the canal and its boats for the purposes for which they were originally intended. The position in early May is that the new wood had arrived at Stretton and we are awaiting the next step, which will be docking “Sculptor”, knocking out the old bottoms and fitting the new ones. Meanwhile my co-trustees, Lorna York and Laura have been busy chasing up new sources of funding for the complete refurbishment project. If you wish to join the volunteer gang you will be welcome; there will be much work to do once the bottoms are in and the boat is refloated.
“More-than-perfect restoration” Meanwhile back at the ranch, “Sunny Valley‟s” move from obscurity in the schoolroom to prominence on the top floor is almost complete. Dave Phelps, the Museum‟s tame carpenter and joiner, has done a magnificent job of getting the cabin up several flights of stairs, while the volunteer conservation team led by Mike and Sue Constable have made a more-than-perfect restoration. The last “Museum Matters” carried her picture on the front page in her new location, but now the cabin fitting work is mostly finished she looks even better.
“Well-looked after” Ever since we founded the Friends at the end of 2005 we have been represented on the Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership. Although I represent you on this ex officio as your Chairman, we also have Brian Collings, Lynda Payton and Roy Sears, our Council members, representing other interests and David Henderson, Museum Manager, representing TWT. Our member Helen Westlake is the Chair of this body, thus you may be assured that the interests of the Museum are well-looked after. For a long time now the Partnership has been concerned about the condition of the exhibits round the original (1805) top lock. These are the Weighing Machine from South Wales, the lock gates from the Montgomeryshire Canal and the BCN Station boat “May” that rests in the weighing machine. It will be noted that none of these artefacts has any connection with Stoke Bruerne, the Grand Junction or Grand Union Canals, nor anywhere south east of Birmingham, but that had the weighing machine and lock gates not been given a home here in 1963 they would probably have ended up in a skip. The weighing machine in particular was originally intended to be kept and operated under cover and nearly fifty years of standing in the open and unprotected have taken their toll. A repair bill will be consider-
able, but to add to the complications surrounding the curacy of this item the old lock was made a “listed structure” in 1988. This means that no alterations can be made without consent from the local Planning Authority, and the Partnership have ascertained that there is no way that the local authority would consider a roof for the structure, since this would seriously interfere with the visual aspect of what is one of the iconic views of the entire canal system. If the machine is to be removed, then plans must be in place for a viable alternative use of its site. All these negotiations and accompanying suggestions and papers have been passing back and forth behind the scenes for nearly five years, but at last there are signs of progress. Two alternative sites have been suggested for the Weighing Machine, another for the lock gates and paddle gear, while the boat will have to be removed anyway before any sort of work can be done on the Machine. It is believed that an appropriate home for “May” will not be too difficult to find. At the same time the Partnership is considering a plan for the continued usage of the lock area as an adjunct to the Museum. All these are currently a matter of confidentiality; after all we own none of the items! I can however reveal that in early May a most useful meeting was held at the Museum involving members of the Partnership, Friends, TWT, British Waterways and South Northants Council and it is hoped that positive action will soon result. The most cheering thing was that there were no serious disagreements in principle between all the parties. Provide funding can be found I would predict that we shall see some movement in this area in the foreseeable future.
“Something that he loved” Some personal news now. I am sad to report the death of Jim Payler of Blisworth, one of our earliest and most constant well-wishers. Jim was a native of Blisworth, being born in a canalised house in 1940, and during his teens became a photographer and recorder of the canal, thus following in the footsteps of two other Blisworth men, Thomas Millner and Walter Alexander, in making a unique record of the canalside scene from 1895, when Millner was appointed engineer at Gayton Junction, to the day before Jim‟s death last month. His family most generously have offered to make the retiring collection at his funeral a donation to the “Sculptor” fund. His widow, Beryl, said to me soon after his death, “we felt the money should go towards something that he loved”. Since then the Blisworth Canal Partnership have decided to place a memorial bench in his name on the canal side, and hope to make this out of the salvaged timber from “Sculptor”. Ironically the news of his death came on the very day that an exhibition of the work of Walter Alexander opened in Blisworth.
“Altogether quite an eventful quarter” Also in April I attended the funeral at Newbury of Mrs Wyn Gould, the widow of John Gould. John was an old friend of mine, as was Wyn, and it was largely due to his efforts that the Kennet & Avon Canal was saved and restored. It is a long story that I shall not go into here, suffice it to say that John‟s carrying activities in the late 1940s and early 50s prevented the British Transport Commission from closing the canal outright by means of a Warrant of Abandonment. Instead they were forced to promote a Parliamentary Bill which aroused such opposition that eventually Parliament ordered a sort of stay of execution pending an enquiry. The connection with us is that some years ago, after John‟s death in 1999, Wyn presented the restored RN engine out of John‟s motor boat “Colin” to the Museum and it presently resides in the café. I call it “the engine that saved the K&A”. So, altogether quite an eventful quarter. Additionally we had a presence at Brackley Library in March and a small stand at the IWA National Campaign Rally in Beckets Park, Northampton at the beginning of May; we will also have a presence at the Crick Boat Show at the end of the month. As well as all this we now have the Gala to look forward to, with its usual
Jim Payler 1940-2011
mixture of heritage, fun and games in June, followed by the Braunston Working Boat Gathering. Hopefully I will be back in August with more positive things to report.
CURATORIAL WORKING GROUP REPORT
“We will all have a much better record” When the last MM went to press, Sunny Valley had been reassembled in her new resting place on the top floor and the Curatorial team, (minus Denis – hope you will soon be fit enough to visit us again) completed as much of the repaint on the First Floor as they could and devoted all of their energy to completing the redisplay of the replica Butty Cabin and the rest of the top floor. The interior of the cabin had never been visible from the ‘back end’ and so there was some new graining and painting needed. A new viewing door was fitted to the new ‘back end’ and any of the exterior painting which had been marked by the move was also touched in. New strengthening pieces were fitted to the rudder because there was a risk of damage to the rudder now it was not supported by a plinth. All of the fittings were cleaned, polished where appropriate and refitted. Additional interior lighting was fitted as it proved impossible to externally illuminate the cabin sufficiently. The Curatorial Team was also involved in the redisplay of the exhibits in the Education Room, which has been transformed since Sunny Valley was removed from there. New interpretation panels for there and for Sunny Valley are in course of preparation. Making enough space for Sunny Valley on the Top Floor meant moving the model of the Claverton Water pump. Although the team were unable to get the water back in the model this time, the model has had major surgery to the electrical drive system, and should now be running properly on demand. While this has all been going on, Sue has been continuing her work on the Inventory of the exhibits, relabeling where necessary and, occasionally assisted by the rest of the team, has been completing Condition Reports and matching records with the extremely poor computerised database so that in future we will all have a much better record of what is held at Stoke Bruerne and, more importantly perhaps, where it is. The moving of Sunny Valley meant that the redisplay of the back wall display cases on the First Floor was not completed, but new display panels for the Canals at War and the Trainee Women Boaters were fitted and quite a lot of the cases were painted internally. Plans for next winter’s Work Parties are now being considered. There is unfinished business, but the Team will be looking to see what else can be done by them to keep the Museum moving forward. The Hon. Curators are extremely grateful to the Work Party for giving up so much of their time to carry out the work, sometimes under very unpleasant conditions, and also to the Friends for their financial contributions. Mike Constable
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first came across Jim Payler way back in the days when the then British Transport Commission’s creature known as British Transport Waterways used to produce a monthly staff magazine called “Waterways”. It must have been an issue of at least fifty years ago that caught my eye with a photograph of a loaded boat emerging from the then-newly rebuilt bridge at Blisworth. The water was so still that the picture could have been printed upside-down and still been quite recognisable. Indeed, had it been printed vertically it could almost have been a surreal image of a poplar tree. My first thought was that here was someone who knew how to compose a good picture, and I noted that it was ascribed to a “Mr Payler of Blisworth”. Jim, who died on 15th April following a lengthy illness, aged 71, was indeed a great photographer. A native of Blisworth, he followed in the great tradition set by Thomas Millner and Walter Alexander of recording the life of the canal through that village and the surrounding countryside. As a result we have a unique record of the Grand Junction and Grand Union Canals from 1895 until a few days before Jim’s passing. Jim’s father worked for British Waterways based at Gayton Junction and from his boyhood Jim was fascinated by the canal and its boats. Beginning as a schoolboy he recorded the last years during which the canal was a major transport artery and the images that he obtained during the late 1950s are often the only surviving record of boats, boaters and the canal environment of those days. When I was commissioned by Northamptonshire Libraries in 1988 to produce an illustrated book on the waterways of that County, Jim’s images were of the greatest assistance, for not only were there never-to-be-repeated scenes of the once regular procession of boats, loaded and empty, through Blisworth, Stoke Bruerne and the surrounding countryside, but there were shots of the people that made it all happen. Not merely boaters appeared but lengthsmen, lockkeepers, dredger drivers and icebreaking gangs all had their places in his vast collection of images. Like many other enthusiasts, Jim appeared to lose interest once the working boats ceased regular operations in 1970, but he still managed occasionally to capture an image of the changing canal. However in the last years of his life interest revived and he was often to be seen on the local towpaths looking out for unusual or historic craft. He found a ready niche for publication in “Waterways World” magazine and it was my privilege to be able supply the captions and background comment, which he would always acknowledge with both courtesy and modesty, although there was most certainly no need for the latter attribute. The local paper too regularly published images from him showing the everyday life of the canal. Jim was a quiet, likeable man who never sought to make great capital out of his unique recordings of the passing scene and his memorial will surely be the superb collection of photographic images that he amassed in his lifetime. David Blagrove, May 2011
7.30pm
Message from the Museum Manager David Henderson brings us up to date Financial The Museum has struggled throughout the year to meet the challenging budgets set. The better weather in March enabled the Museum to be 21% better than in 2010 but 10% down on the set budget. APRIL INCOME Good Friday Easter Sat Easter sun Easter Mon TOTAL
2010 (in £ net ) 885 1058 1397 1497 £4837
2011 ( in £ net ) 1623 1147 2102 2019 £6891
% age increase 83% 8% 50% 35% 42%
It has been reported that the weather was the best for an April since records were kept. This is reflected in the best income ever for April income totalling £27,889 and total visitors 1685. Last year income was £21.2k ( 32% )
Visitors Visitor numbers have been increasing every month this year. This is partly due to a special offer for a child free visit with one full adult paying and our school offer. Each school visitor receives a voucher to return for free if they bring a paying parent or guardian.
Cafe The Waterfront Café was inspected by the local Council in March and was awarded 5 stars for as a Food Hygiene Service. Café sales have increased every month in 2011 compared to 2010 but are down on the set budgets in all 3 months. In April café sales exceeded shop sales by £3k. This is very good in that café sales have a better profit margin than the shop.
Shop We have sought to clear stock that has not been selling and trading it for new stands. We are also seeking more bespoke products with The Canal museum logo after listening to a presentation from the Manager of Ironbridge. The Museum received a £1k grant from Renaissance East Midlands towards of the costs of an e-commerce add-on to the website as part of the ‘survive and thrive’ scheme. The Museum is investigating the best way to sell shop products by phone or paypal.
ties on 2nd August. The project is being organised in partnership with Roade School. BBC Escape to the Countryside filmed on site on Fri 8th April. The Manager was one of three persons interviewed by Nicki Chapman. There was an article in Chronicle on Mon 11th April. BBC Look East was at Stoke Bruerne all day on Wed 20th April and interviewed Louise Stockwin twice live at 12.30 lunchtime and 6.30pm. The topic was related to the extremely good weather and the effect on tourism throughout the County. The Museum gained £2,250 from Mighty Creatives (MLA) to undertake a young persons’ project. Lodge Park School had contacted the Manager for information on waterways and this discussion led to the school undertaking a project to paint a mural depicting 1911 to 2011. The room houses the horse and a barn feature has been created and interpretation of Joey (the horse) is to be completed. With the remaining funding it is intended to purchase a large screen TV, monitors and computer for children to play WOW games. There is a new hands on area for young persons to touch artefacts and more dressing up clothes for both children and adults is being sought. The Museum is also linked to an ancestral Tourism project and the Manager is a committee member representing the Museum Forum group. BBC Radio Northampton is organising a gathering for all Museums listed in the People’s Choice award for the County Renaissance Awards. There will be a live interview between 2pm and 4pm on Tues 3rd May for the 14 Museums. Stoke Bruerne was chosen as the destination as we won the award in 2010 and are the defending champions. Please help us by voting on the website www.northamptonshireletyourselfgrow.com/ northamptonshire-heritage-awards-2011 The Northamptonshire Museum Forum will be holding their AGM and meeting in the new education room on Tues 7th June at 7.00pm. The Manager has organised a boat trip to Blisworth tunnel prior to the meeting.
Training Louise attended a training session on WOW at Foxton locks on Thurs 14th April with education volunteer John Brough.
Curatorial
Health and Safety
Sunny Valley is now fully nearly restored and on the top floor of the Museum . We are awaiting interpretation panels to be fitted to the back end of the boat.
The Emergency Plan is now completed and training is being provided for all the staff team members.
SUMMARY
Events / Promotions MK Playboat is coming to Stoke B for a family day of canal activi-
We are very pleased to welcome the following new members. Alastair and Myra Inglis Helen and Robert Westlake Shea Richardson We look forward to meeting you at some of our meetings and events
Since April the Museum has enjoyed a very good period of income and marketing opportunities . Both the staff team and volunteers are very positive that the Museum will enjoy an excellent year’s trading.
2011 SUBS ARE NOW DUE! This is a gentle reminder that 2011 subscriptions to Friends of the Canal Museum fell due on 1st April 2011 (you may have already received an email reminder). A big thank you to all of you who pay by Standing Order or have already renewed your subscription. There are several examples in Museum Matters of how your money is being used to great effect to improve the Museum so we do hope you will continue to support the Friends and the exciting events we have coming up in Stoke Bruerne this year.
www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk
COUNCIL 2011/12 Chairman David Blagrove 01604-862174 Vice-Chairman Lorna York Treasurer Laura Sturrock
DIARY DATES Talks take place through the winter held jointly with IWA Northampton Branch at the Walnut Tree public house, Blisworth on the second Tuesday of the month. More details are published on our website and in future newsletters. A donation is appreciated to help cover expenses.
Please put the following dates in your diaries: Thursday 9th June at 7.30pm Mikron Theatre on the Museum Green, “Hell and High Water”
Secretary Denis Atkinson Membership Secretary Sandie Morton membership@friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk Publicity, Newsletter & Website Lynda Payton 01604-861205 publicity@friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk Museums Management Board Representative Roy Sears Volunteer Co-ordinator: Vacant Other David Henderson (ex-officio seat), Jenny Copeland, Bill Mann, John Alderson, Mick Butler and Brian Collings Events Sub-Committees Dennis Atkinson, David Blagrove, Bill Mann, David Henderson, Barbara Everest, Jennifer Chybalski, Lynda Payton (occasional), John Alderson, Rick Thake, Roy Sears, Tim Carter (occasional), Laura Sturrock, Jenny Copeland and Michael Butler
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10th-12th June Gala Weekend at Stoke Bruerne - another award winning weekend celebrating our waterways heritage. Saturday 11th June at 6pm Friends of The Canal Museum AGM in marquee on Museum Green Saturday 13th-Sunday 14th August Pirate Weekend Telephone: 01604 862229 for more information Saturday 20th August - 21st August Wild Over Waterways Weekend Telephone: 01604 862229 for more information Tuesday 13th September at 8pm Talk with IWA Northampton Branch at The Walnut Tree PH, Blisworth—speaker TBC Saturday 17th September - Saturday 18th September Introduction to Traditional Canal Painting Course at The Canal Museum with Terence Edgar, £85 per person. 10am to 4pm each day. Max 10 people. To book, telephone: 01604 862229 Saturday & Sunday 1st-2nd October Village at War - a repeat of our award winning 1940s weekend.
Non-Committee Posts Roger Hasdell - Joint Newsletter Editor Terry Richardson - Assistant Publicity Officer
THE FRIENDS OF THE CANAL MUSEUM
Treasurer’s Report
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING to be held on Saturday 11th June in the marquee on the Museum Green, Stoke Bruerne, commencing at 6pm
May 2011
Current finances Currently the combined funds of the Friends charity and the Friends trading company amount to about £19,500, of which £8,818 is earmarked for the working boat Sculptor. The Waterways Trust also holds £2,990 that it has promised to us for the Sculptor fund.
Donations A change in the rules for gift aid on donations was announced in the budget. The record keeping rules are relaxed for small donations. In future we will be able to claim gift aid back from the government on small donations such as the “bucket collections” that we hold at our events.
Gala Weekend The Tombola stall at the Gala Weekend is a good fund raiser for the Friends. This year we are running two Tombolas side by side. There will be the usual bottle stall and in addition we will have a children’s Tombola with sweets and bottles suitable for children ( soft drinks, toiletries, etc) as prizes. Please visit the stall and spend your money! The success of the stall depends on having lots of prizes. Please search your cupboards and find bottles you don’t need and donate them to us. Donations can be dropped off at the museum or call Laura on 01327 341798.
AGENDA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Apologies for absence Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting of The Friends of the Canal Museum held on Thursday, 15th April, 2010 at the Village Hall, Stoke Bruerne Matters Arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Subscriptions Election of Members of Council Any other business
At the time of publication of this notice, there are four vacancies on the Council 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, Roy Sears and Jenny Copeland retire by rotation. Lorna York and Jenny Copeland seek re-election. Mick Butler who was co-opted to Council during the year, seeks election. Other nominations for Council must be received by the Chairman, David Blagrove, Wharf Cottage, The Green, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SE by 1st April 2010. All those voting must be fully paid up members of The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. {signed} David Blagrove, Chairman, The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne.
The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne may not agree with opinions expressed in this newsletter, but encourages pub lication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official statement unless so stated. The Friends of The Canal Museum accept no liability for any matter, errors or omissions contained within this newsletter. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editors reserve the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space.