GOBA News Spring 2013

GOBA Great Ouse Boating Association

In this issue New Cambridge University Boathouse at Ely

Boat Watch re-launched A different kind of boating – members abroad

news Spring 2013

In this issue From the helm.................................................. 2 News.................................................................... 3 General Secretary’s Report.......................... 8 Company Secretary's Report....................... 8 New GOBA committee members............10 CRT Financial planning................................10 EBA– on the River Nene..............................11 Boat Watch re-launched.............................11

News from the EA The latest news from the EA

Page 12

New University boathouse at Ely.............14

Cambridge – do they want visiting boats?

Cambridge City Coucil mooring consultation

Page 15

Members Abroad A different kind of boating

Page 16

GOBA up for a warning!

GOBA calls for a low river level warning system

Page 15

Club news.........................................................18 Notice board...................................................24 Advertising directory...................................25 Editor, Beverly Jenisis editor@goba.org.uk Design and artwork, Simon Kotz & Marina Povey admin@seamaster27.co.uk Advertising, Val Goldsack advertising@goba.org.uk Front cover photo, Simon Kotz

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

From the helm Ian Cox: GOBA Chairman Snow, ice, floods, these early months of 2013 are a little different to last year. If I remember rightly, this time last year was very dry. I’m told by those in the know that it can only get better – I would like to believe it.

On the more serious side, we have had several members give up boating altogether due to the increasing cost of boating, and the poor weather in the summer months over the last two years.

With regard to the cost of boating, apart from the annual increase in mooring fees, the Environment Agency is to raise registration fees by 4.6% over last year. Our protest and those of our boating colleagues on the Thames, were brushed aside. Although the Canal and River Trust are raising their registration fees by 4.6% for 2013, they have promised to restrict the rise to the rate of inflation for the following 3 years. Their reasoning being that they want to avoid pricing boats off the waterways. I wonder if the Environment Agency has considered this aspect.

By the time you receive this edition of GOBA News, you will probably have received your renewal form for the registration of your boat.

For the second year, you will be asked to pay an additional 10% if you wish to cruise on Cam Conservancy waters. The Environment Agency recently approached the Cam Conservancy with some proposals for the revision of the current agreement, in order to reduce administration and simplify the situation. The Cam Conservators felt they could not consider any alterations to the current agreement before a year of the agreement had been completed.

On a more positive note, the Cam Conservators have decided to consider the possibility of a visitor license for the first time.

Some of you will recall GOBA had a Special General Meeting, on 14th October 2012, for members to approve a series of rule changes.

Primarily, the changes were to take advantage of a relaxation of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) rules and to update the GOBA

rules to cater for the next few years. The rule changes have now all been approved by the FSA (Not the easiest of Institutions to deal with). Putting this one to bed was achieved as a result of the supreme efforts of several members of the committee. The new rules are now on our website and will form the basis of our Annual General Meeting on 28th April.

Most of you will be aware of the significant number of thefts from boats that have occurred over the last months. It is important that we meet our responsibilities as boatowners. Every owner should have details of all equipment on the boat including make, model, serial number, colour/condition, and where possible a photograph. Should you be unlucky enough to suffer a theft, the information gives the Police a chance of getting a result. No information means they have little or no chance of recovery, or a conviction. This subject is covered in more detail on page 11.

Finally, we have some changes in our committee and on behalf of GOBA, I would like to thank Roy Woods who after many years resigned from the committee just before Christmas. Roy’s knowledge of the river both historical and current was of great value to GOBA. I would also like to welcome two newly co-opted committee members, Brian Sadler and Raymond Jay. Brian is from the Denver area and Raymond is from the Bedford area. You can see both their profiles on page 10 Let’s hope we all have a good boating season ■

Ian Cox

Copy deadline for the Summer 2013 GOBA News is Friday 24th May Please send stories, comments or questions to editor@goba.org.uk

NEWS

Pontoons to become a fixture at the South Quay The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk announced earlier this year that pontoons could be in place during this summer at the South Quay in King’s Lynn, providing moorings for greater access to the town for visiting leisure craft. They said: ‘The pontoons, which were purchased for use during festivals in 2007, will be reinstalled at the South Quay to provide temporary short term and/or overnight moorings for visiting leisure craft.’

The announcement confirmed: ‘Negotiations have taken place between the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and the King’s Lynn Conservancy Board, which is responsible for the safe navigation of the river and are the owners of the quayside. Agreement has now been reached confirming the installation of the pontoons for a period of 5 years. The agreement details how the facility will be managed by the council and the Conservancy Board.’

Cllr Nick Daubney, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said: ‘Lynn’s waterfront is an under-used asset and I think we should be making the most of it to draw new visitors to the attractive quayside and into the town to highlight our historic buildings, rich maritime heritage and retail and dining opportunities. Re-using these pontoons gives us the perfect opportunity to test the water.’ Captain John Lorking, Harbour Master & Chief Executive of King’s Lynn Conservancy Board, added: ‘This facility will provide alongside berthing for visit leisure craft of up to 1.5 metres draft within the heart of the town and will become an attractive additional destination on the east coast.’

At the time of the announcement, the Council said; ‘The signing of this agreement today represents a major step towards creating this new attraction in town. Before installation of the pontoons can take place and the opportunity fully promoted, the council must obtain the necessary consent from the Crown Estate along with planning permission and a Marine Management Organisation Licence.’

They continued: ‘It is hoped that if all consents can be secured and services installed then the pontoons will be in place during the summer ready for next year’s boating season.’

Mr Roger Ward, Chairman of the King’s Lynn Conservancy Board said: ‘The agreement for the installation of the pontoons at South Quay recognises the continued and historic relationship of the King’s Lynn Conservancy Board and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, and the place that the River Great Ouse has within the wider community.’

Cllr Alistair Beales, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: ‘This project could bring a welcome boost to the local economy and complements neighbouring leisure facilities.

Once complete we will be working with our colleagues in Wells-next-the-Sea, Wisbech and Fosdyke to promote sailing in The Wash, which will add an extra dimension to our tourism offer.’

GOBA News welcomes this as good news indeed. However, a reliable source not wishing to be identified said: ‘This comes with a little sting in its tail as the pontoons were never installed and perhaps we should point that out to Cllr Nick Daubney, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. And to be more precise, our source continued: ‘They have never been used by casual boaters, but were purchased apparently, for the Captain Vancouver Festival, at Lynn in 2007.’

Bob Wells, former Chairman of the GOBA committee was contacted by GOBA News and he agreed to an interview, he said: ‘I was encouraged to read the press release about the installation of the pontoons at Kings Lynn. In my time on the committee we attended many meetings, sat on the Waterfront Regeneration

Group and were present at meetings of the Kings Lynn Marina and Waterways Trust. We lobbied for the pontoons on the grounds of safety and economic benefits.’

Mr Wells continued: ‘We also saw the pontoons as a catalyst to kick start the Marina and lock into the relief channel but sadly due to the credit crunch and falling land values, the Marina project was mothballed. However, on the positive side, the lock still remains an aspiration. The former Chairman said: ‘I feel it is a very positive move and will strengthen the case for a lock in the relief channel to give safe passage to the inland waterways, making Kings Lynn and the Fens Waterways an attractive destination’ Have your say on the GOBA forum on www.goba.org.uk ■

Notice of the 2013 Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Great Ouse Boating Association Ltd. will be held at the Ouse Valley River Club, St Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 1AJ on Sunday 28th April at 11am.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the AGM held Sunday 29 April 2012 3. Matters arising from the minutes 4. To receive the Chairman’s report 5. To receive the Hon. Treasurer’s report 6. To receive the Hon. Secretary’s report 7. To elect Officers and Committee 8. To vote on rule 45(a) whether to appoint an Accounts Examiner orAuditor 9. To appoint an Accounts Examiner or Auditor 10. To discuss any topics raised by members 11. Any other business

Travel and lunch information

1. Coffee and biscuits will be available from 10.30am.

2. Some moorings may be available for boats and those members who wish to moor at the club should ring 07811 937172 before 20th April with full details of your boat and ETA. 3. There is ample car parking at the club and the map above shows its location at: 52°13'52"N 0°16'23.39"W. 4. A licensed bar will be available and after the meeting a hot lunch of steak and ale pie with veg cherries jubilee, cheese and biscuits with coffee will be served at a cost of £13.00 per head.

Lunches must be booked and paid for in advance. Please complete the tear off slip at the bottom of the accompanying letter and if you do not have a Direct Debit mandate set up, please enclose a cheque for the correct amount with your membership number written on the reverse, to reach us not later than 20th April.

Unfortunately reservations cannot be taken by telephone.

We look forward to seeing as many members as possible at this convivial social gathering and we would like to thank the OVRC in advance for once again letting us use their facilities.

Notes

1. Nominations for the committee, duly proposed and seconded and with the nominee’s consent must reach the General Secretary, Alistair Reid, at least 48 hours before the meeting at: 15 Willow Green, Needingworth, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE27 3SW. They cannot be accepted at the meeting 2. Any member entitled to attend and vote at the AGM is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in their stead. Forms for appointment for a proxy are available from the General Secretary at the address above.

3. Members are encouraged to read the Association Rules which are available on our website under the tab JOIN.

GOBA News • Spring 2013

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Love Bedford welcomes boat Bedford businesses have welcomed the idea of a boat bringing new customers to the town in 2013.

Recognising the river as being one of the top attractions in the town, the board of the Business Improvement District (BedfordBID) has agreed to give £5,000 towards the craft.

BID Chair Kevin Kavanagh has campaigned for greater use of the riverside for some years.

Together with BID member Dominic Mills General Manager of the Bedford Swan Hotel, which sits alongside The Embankment, Kevin met with Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterways Trust Chair Graham Mabbutt and fellow member Patrick Hall, former MP and part of the team which originally founded the BID in 2005, to discuss the idea. A subsequent meeting of the BedfordBID board

agreed the sponsorship because of the benefits it will bring to the whole town.

BedfordBID will promote town centre businesses to customers coming to Bedford for boat trips - so when people step on dry land they know where to shop and eat for the rest of the day or evening.

Christina Rowe Director of BedfordBID said: ‘We are making a small contribution towards something which will be of a big benefit to Bedford. People are always saying that we do not make enough of the town’s greatest asset and here is something which will bring new customers into the town centre.’

With the boat being launched in the Spring

Love Bedford: The BID Team.

of 2013, Colin Hugill, Marina Supervisor at the Bedford Priory Marina, is delighted with this news and is looking forward to welcoming the B&MK Welcome trip boat which will to be moored up at the Bedford Priory Marina. He said: ‘Not only is this fantastic for the marina, it will also introduce many new people to the pleasures of boating on this part of the river.’

Awash with fines Not only have we had a deluge of rain which has been one long continued downpour from the Summer months through to Winter – we have had a deluge in boating fines.

So off to a flying start was a Cambridge boat owner - fined for failing to register on the River Cam – having failed to register his boat despite reminders and warnings. Andrew Drewett was found guilty at Cambridge Magistrates on 6th December 2012, for keeping his river cruiser ‘Another World’ on the River Cam, at Riverside, without paying annual registration fees. The court fined Mr Drewett £200 and ordered him to pay £420 in costs and £340 by way of compensation. A victim surcharge of £15 was also imposed on him. Mr Drewett failed to attend. Powered vessels using the River Cam between Bottisham Lock and the City of Cambridge must have a valid registration issued by the Cam Conservators or the neighbouring navigation authority, the Environment Agency.

Eight more boaters have been prosecuted for keeping their vessels on waterways without registering them with the Environment Agency.

The charges were heard at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 10th January 2013 and the offenders were ordered to pay fines totalling £3,490, compensation totalling £3,111 and costs totalling £1,344.

On all eight occasions, the Environment Agency’s river inspectors saw the boats moored up without displaying the necessary licence. Registration discs must be displayed on crafts so they are clearly visible to the organisation’s enforcement staff.

All boats kept, let for hire or used on Environment Agency waterways must be registered. In order to register, vessels must have a current boat safety scheme certificate and valid insurance.

Irven Forbes, Environment Agency Waterways Manager, said: ‘Failing to register a boat doesn’t pay, as people do risk being prosecuted and fined up to £1,000, still have to pay their registration fee, and gain a criminal record.’

Andrew Barlow, from Little Thetford, Ely, had avoided a navigation fee of £788.97 for his vessel ‘Suo-Gan’ - found moored on the River Great Ouse,

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

in Little Thetford, on 25 September, 2012. The charge was proved in his absence. Barlow was fined £1,000, ordered to pay compensation of £788.97 and costs of £172.

Malcolm Blackwell, from Gascoigne Way, Billericay, Essex, had avoided a navigation fee of £25.79 for his vessel ‘Sunflower’, which was found moored on the River Cam, without a licence, on 18 August, 2012. The charge was proved in his absence. Blackwell was fined £150, ordered to pay compensation of £25.79 and costs of £172.

Norman Bishop, from Willow Chase, Newport, Saffron Walden, had avoided a navigation fee of £308.84 for his vessel ‘Curlew’, which was moored on the River Great Ouse, Ely, on 17 September, 2012.

He pleaded guilty by post and was fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £140. He provided evidence that he has since registered the boat, and so had to pay no compensation.

Clive Butcher, from Brooke Grove, Ely, had avoided a navigation fee of £399.54 for his vessel ‘Cazbern’, found moored on the River Great Ouse, Ely, on 17 September, 2012. Butcher pleaded guilty by post and was fined £300, ordered to pay compensation of £399.54 and costs of £172.

James Kidner, from Bethnal Road, Stoke Newington, London, had avoided a navigation fee of £788.97 for his vessel ‘Junewood IV’, the boat was found moored on the River Cam, Upware, on 5 September, 2012. The charge was proved in his absence. Kidner was fined £300, ordered to pay compensation of £788.97 and costs of £172.

Andrew Manson, from High Street, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, had avoided a navigation fee of £399.54 for his vessel ‘Alleycat’, found on the River Great Ouse, Ely, on 17 September, 2012. The charge was proved in his absence. Manson was fined £300, ordered to pay compensation of £399.54 and costs of £172.

Priscilla Stemp, from Primrose View, Royston, Hertfordshire, had avoided a navigation fee of

£399.54 for her vessel ‘Eliza Mahlar’, which was found moored on the River Great Ouse, Ely, on 17 September, 2012. The charge was proved in her absence. Stemp was fined £300, ordered to pay compensation of £399.54 and costs of £172.

Helen Thorne, from Sadlers Way, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had avoided a navigation fee of £308.84 for her vessel ‘Sue’, was found moored on the River Cam, Little Thetford, on 5 September, 2012. The charge was proved in her absence. Thorne was fined £300, ordered to pay compensation of £308.84 and costs of £172.

It doesn’t stop there. Another boat owner fined for illegally mooring his boat on Ely Riverside, Monday, February 11, 2013. Alan Rayner moored his boat ‘Irene’ on the River Great Ouse, in Ely, without permission for four months. Mr Rayner had claimed he could not move the boat, as it did not currently have an engine. But the Magistrates found him guilty and he was fined £500, plus costs of £300 and a victim surcharge fee of £50 for a breach of the East Cambridgeshire District Council Byelaws.

The Byelaws allow mooring for a period of 48 hours only, with no return for 48 hours.

Maggie Camp, Senior Legal Assistant, at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: ‘Mr Rayner first moored his boat ‘Irene’ in Ely in October 2012 but he did not request permission to stay for longer than the permitted 48 hours.

Unfortunately, despite numerous requests by officers to get him to move on, Mr Rayner continued to moor illegally and we were forced to take legal action as a last resort. If someone is having problems with their boat, which prevents them from moving on, they should immediately ask the council for limited consent to stay whilst those problems are being resolved. We can then balance this request against the needs of other boat owners and local residents.

The Byelaws are applicable to the moorings owned or controlled by the council between Ely High Bridge and the Railway Bridge at Willow Walk, Ely. Mr Rayner’s boat could have been towed elsewhere where; it would not have contravened any ■ bylaws.

NEWS

Ely Aquafest 2013 This year’s Ely Aquafest will be held on Sunday 7th July, 11am to 5.30pm.

The Planning for this year’s event is underway and for more information please email www.elyrotary@aol.com.

Star Radio will be broadcasting live from Jubilee Gardens on the day, as well as hosting the arena events.

Sue Marchant, from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, will host the land events on ■ Lavender Green

Last year's Ely Aquafest.

New Management at The Ship Inn Brandon Creek

Mark and Keith are the new management of The Ship Inn and they invite you to share in their passion for locally sourced, freshly cooked food, which includes vegetarian and naturally gluten free - they have a bar with a wide range of Ales.

The new management said to GOBA News: ‘there’s also live music on Friday nights and the Inn is open from 12 noon to 11pm every day.’ They continued: ‘We are owners of a 50ft Narrowboat “Cygnus” and as new members of GOBA, we are also looking forward to exploring the Great Ouse and talking to fellow members – hopefully offering us their advice on river cruising.’

Mark & Keith at the bar

On the Little Ouse with over 200m of riverside mooring, the management have agreed to offer GOBA members a10% discount on certain meals. The discount voucher can be cut away from this page and presented at the bar.

You can find more details about The Ship’s food serving hours and a road map on how to find it at: www.theshipbrandoncreek.co.uk or 01353 676228

✁

10% DISCOUNT VOUCHER 10% off Main Meal for Tables of up to 6 People Valid until 31th May 2013 Voucher must be presented at time of booking/ordering Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or voucher Full terms available from the bar

Fish & Duck Marina to reopening early 2013 Following the recent closure of the Fish & Duck Marina (near Ely) for refurbishment works, the marina’s owners James & Davina Harvey are pleased to report that work has started at the site and good progress is being made.

Planning permission for the works was granted by East Cambs District Council at the beginning of the year, following consultation with both Natural England and the Environment Agency – both of whom were happy with the proposals for development. Works started soon after with the removal of areas of the internal marina area and subsequent re-piling which will ultimately increase the mooring space. New

floating pontoons and static jetties will then be fitted around the marina, allowing boats to moor perpendicular to the banks. Shallow areas will be dredged and a slipway will be constructed.

‘It is fantastic to be able to give our marina the refurbishment that it requires,’ says James, who is managing the works. ‘We hope to open a new and improved Fish & Duck without taking away the characteristic charm and appeal that is loved by boaters and local people alike.’

The Fish & Duck Marina hopes to reopen to moorings from late spring / early summer 2013, although the date is yet to be confirmed.

Canal & River Trust’s mooring guidance endorsed by the High Court A serious start to this month’s boaters’ update – the Canal & River Trust welcome the Judgment of Mrs Justice Cox DBE, issued in the High Court, on 16th November 2012, which has fully endorsed the Trust’s ‘2011 Guidance For Boaters Without A Home Mooring’ as a correct interpretation of the law.

In her 26-page Judgment, which followed an earlier oral hearing, she confirmed that the Trust’s Guidance was a correct interpretation of the statutory provisions underlying the Guidance and refused permission for Nick Brown, of the National Bargee Travellers Association, who represents boaters without permanent moorings, to have the Guidance judicially reviewed. Mr Brown sought to challenge the Guidance as unlawful under a number of grounds and arguments, all of which Mrs Justice Cox rejected.

On considering Mr Brown’s assertions that the Guidance misstates the correct legal interpretation of section 17(3), (c)(ii) of the British Waterways Act 1995, the Judge concluded that the interpretation of the statutory provision in the Guidance is correct.

Noting that such argument relied on extensive reference to Minutes of the Select Committee considering the Bill that became the 1995 Act, she states: ‘None of the comments relied on amount to a clear statement that the relevant statutory provision was intended to have the meaning for which the Claimant [Mr Brown] now contends and that Mr Brown’s suggestion: “that these

minutes represent ‘“the crystallisation of the will of Parliament”’ is erroneous”.

Mr Brown’s argument that: ‘A good reason for not adhering to the ‘14-day rule could include personal choice’ was, she stated: ‘Unsustainable’.

Mr Brown’s argument that the Guidance infringes rights under Article 8, of the European Convention on Human Rights were, the Judge stated: ‘Misconceived’ and that there was, in her judgment: ‘No arguable human rights point in the Claimant’s grounds. Furthermore, Mr Brown’s suggestion that: “choosing to live his life on a boat” amount to a genuine philosophical belief within the meaning of the Equality Act is, in my judgment, without merit’.

In confirming the earlier order of Mr Justice Eder that: ‘Mr Brown pay the Trust’s costs of £15,000,’ Mrs Justice Cox observed that ‘The high figure is clearly due to the extensive work carried out by those representing the Defendant [the Trust], in order to respond to the detailed grounds being advanced by the Claimant [Mr Brown] in substantial documentation.’

Nigel Johnson, legal director of the Canal & River Trust, comments: ‘It is very unusual for such a comprehensive written judgment to be given in a permission hearing and it is even more unusual for it to be given an official citation number - meaning it will be an officially reported case. It is a definitive and authoritative statement of the law that will be of great benefit to any future enforcement cases.’ ■

GOBA News • Spring 2013

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Changes to the BSS examination from 1st January 2013 Boat Safety Scheme Examiners who are members of the Nationwide Alliance of Boat Surveyors & Examiners (NABSE) are concerned that the UK boat owning population are largely unaware elements of the Boat Safety Scheme Examination will were changed on 1 January 2013.

While those boat owners who are members of NABO, RBOA, TBA and the IWA will have been informed of the these changes via their representatives on the Boat Safety Scheme Advisory Committee, these changes are likely to come as a surprise to the vast majority of the UK inland boating community.

Despite the fact that a large proportion of the changes to the Examination Checking Procedures are editorial, boat owners should be aware that the following checks will require the boat owner (or his/her representative) to be present at the time of the examination: Shore Power/Alternative Sources of Power: If shore power is connected to the craft, the boat owner (or his / her representative) will be asked to disconnect the shore lead and / or isolate generators and / or inverters to create a safe environment for the Examiner to carry out the newly introduced 230v ac related checks. While the new checks relating to 230v ac systems are ‘Advisory’, any non-compliances noted at the time of the examination may result in the award of a Warning Notice (which may be of interest to the Craft Insurer).

Gas Locker(s): If the craft has a gas locker/ lockers, the Examiner will require access to the whole of the locker bottom to ensure that there is no path for leaked LPG to enter the interior of the craft. If full visibility of the gas lockers bottom is not possible, the boat owner (or his/her representative) will be requested to disconnect and remove gas bottles to enable this check to be carried out (and replace and reconnect them after completing the check).

If the Examiner is unable to complete this check (due to non- availability of the owner/ representative and/or obstructed visibility of the locker floor), the BSS Examination Record will be annotated “Not Verified” and a subsequent visit will have to be booked before a BSS Certificate can be awarded.

In preparation for these changes, all BSS Examiners have attended training seminars to ensure consistent application of the new checks from 1 January 2013. Readers are recommended to visit the BSS website www. boatsafetyscheme.org/about-us/newsfrom-the-bss/ecp-review- 2012 to learn more about these changes and how they may affect their preparation for their next BSS Examination.

Frank Hollman - Secretary for and on behalf of the NABSE MC

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

Eel Day Parade It is being planned to enhance the annual Eel Day celebrations in Ely, on 4th May, by holding an illuminated boat parade, with class prizes, in the evening.

Members who wish to participate in this event are asked to contact Jeff Hide on,

Last season's winner

'Kiribati'

hidejc@hotmail.com or aileen.sharp@eastcambs.gov.uk for details.

Common Sense I was asked by the committee (press ganged) to pen a few lines on what is common sense on the river.

This will mainly involve recent and old incidents that have happened, been reported or seen on river Great Ouse and its tributaries. But please, I’m not issuing a set of rules to abide by. I am still very much a novice, bumping my way up and down the river, in spite of having a great teacher, or captain, in Stuart Turvey – a fellow committee member.

According to a novice The first for me has got to be ‘mooring.’ How many of us have, or nearly, lost a vessel by not mooring properly? I was taught, if going up stream - against the flow of the river - secure the bow line first. This is because the flow of the river will normally keep the stern held against the bank or pontoon. It is visa versa when going down stream - stern first and the flow of the river should keep the bow tucked in.

But how many times do we see other vessels, when waiting to moor up, in precarious circumstances because they were not aware of this simple procedure that amounts to common sense.

The second one has got to be ’locks.’ This could be a whole story on its own, but I will relate to only one incident which taught me very well. This incident happened a few years ago. I was on Stuart’s boat and having approached St Neots’ Lock, we saw that the gates were closed. Frustrating as ever (but on this occasion good luck) we moored up and went to see if we could help speed things up. Things seemed all in hand. Both lock gates were secured

and at the other end a person was operating the guillotine gate electrics, whilst a second person was walking up and down the lock chatting away on a mobile phone. Their small pleasure craft was securely tied up to the bollards with a small dog keeping guard on board. To our amazement, the lock now rapidly emptying after the initial pause, we saw the vessel was beginning to hang to the side of the lock and no matter how much shouts of warnings were given, there wasn’t any notice taken until it was too late. The vessel was left hanging by its ropes on the angle of its hull and, trying its best not to follow the lost contents of the vessel that had gone overboard, the dog failed and was awash instead. The good thing was we could all see the funny side of things, (probably a reaction to shock) as we did managed to get the vessel floating on a level keel again with no damage done.

Putting aside the comic post card scene, the point here again is common sense must tell us – if we are emptying a lock – make sure there is enough slack left for the fall of the water and never rope up tight.

I could go on for many more lines, but this is supposed to be a short article and I must come to an end. But please, if you ever see me in any uncomfortable circumstances on the river, please don’t laugh - just shout out loud: ‘Where’s your common sense?’ Not forgetting that I am still very much a novice, I wish you all a happy and safe ■ boating season.

Raymond Jay

Canal & River Trust Chief Executive to step down Canal & River Trust has announced that chief executive Robin Evans is stepping down.

After ten years as chief executive of British Waterways (BW) and (since July 2012) the Canal & River Trust, Robin Evans has decided to step down at the end of May 2013. Robin said: ‘I want to pursue other interests and opportunities and now the Trust is firmly established I feel it’s the right time for me to move on and a perfect time for the Trust to have a new leader.’

He added: ‘It has been a privilege to lead these two great organisations and I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past ten years. Having agreed the transfer of the waterways into the Third Sector, together with £500m of endowment property and a 15-year funding agreement from government, the Trust is on a more secure financial footing with a more positive outlook than we’ve probably ever had.

I will always be grateful for the encouragement and support of a great many people both inside

and outside of the Trust who have helped lay what I believe are the foundations for a strong and vibrant future for our much loved waterways.’

Tony Hales, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: ‘we will be very sorry to lose Robin. He has served with great dedication and inspirational vision. His determination to see that vision realised in the foundation of the Trust, has transformed the long term prospects for the waterways. The former Board of British Waterways and the current Trustees wish him well and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the canals and rivers we all love.’

The Trustees will now begin the search for a new chief executive and more details will be announced shortly.

Robin Evans became BW’s commercial director in 1999 and his greatest success has been moving BW into the charity sector The Trust has stated that ‘Tony Hales has been asked by Trustees to stay on as chair to help ensure a smooth transition and he has kindly agreed to do so.’

NEWS

Velos offers Discount to GOBA Members With the new boating season almost upon us, now is a good time to check you have the right insurance policy in place for the year ahead.

Velos Insurance Services are marine insurance specialists and welcome the opportunity to provide no obligation quotes to any GOBA News reader who would like to get an alternative quote; they even offer all GOBA respondents a 5% discount if you make yourselves known to them!

Velos are underwriting agents and brokers so have a wide panel of well-known insurers in place to make sure they offer the best terms to each individual.

‘All too often in the current economic climate, people go for the lowest premium offered, rather than also checking exactly what cover will be provided and what excess will be applied. This may later prove to be an expensive mistake’ said a spokesperson for Velos.

‘Sometimes one insurer will offer more extensive cover than another, but at a higher cost. We make the client aware of their options so that they can make an informed decision.’

‘That is what we are here for, we take the time to explain the ins & outs of the policy we are recommending to the client to ensure they understand what will and will not be covered.

We feel it is essential that boaters are confident that they are adequately insured – then they can get on with the pleasure of boating!’

To find out more about what Velos can do for you, see their advertisement on page 25, call one of their friendly team on 020 7375 3273 or, visit their website www.velosinsurance.co.uk.

Remember to quote: ‘GOBA News’ when you contact them in order to receive your discount.

Obituary We were sorry to learn of the recent death of Joan Soanes, at the age of 93.

Joan was a long-serving member of the Cambridge Motor Boat club, who not only worked hard at the club’s charity functions, but was also a great support to her husband, John, who was the previous Club Secretary for many years.

John and Joan, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last April, were very keen boaters and were made Life Members of the CMBC for their work over many years.

John was also a past chairman of GOBA and for many years was the secretary. At that time GOBA had approximately 400 members and it was under John’s guiding hand that GOBA grew into the association that it is today. John was made a life member of GOBA in 1999. He continues to live in Hemingford Grey, where he has resided for many years.

Ely’s Eel Day on Saturday 4th May 2013 Eels, eels and more eels will once again be the flavour of the day on Saturday 4th May for Ely’s Annual Eel Day. Starting at 10.30 am from Cross Green (adjacent to the Cathedral) Ely’s ‘Neil the Eel’ will be heading the carnival like procession along part of the City’s Eel Trail Heritage Walk. Everybody is welcome to join in.

The procession is led by Ely’s Samba Band who will guide the procession down to the Waterside and into Jubilee Gardens where a whole host of eel related activities will be held. Included once again in the procession will be our visiting Town Criers in all their finery, as part of Ely’s annual Town Crier’s Competition. There will be a full programme of arena events including musical performances, children’s activities and historical re-enactments with plenty of family participation opportunities.

Can you beat the record for Eel Throwing?

Children and adults alike can battle it out to see

who can throw the handmade eel’s the furthest.

Other activities include pottery workshops, children’s storytelling, Folk music tent and plenty of refreshments including hog roast and real ales.

Local eel catcher, ­­Peter Carter will be on hand to tell you the history of eel catching and there will be an opportunity to see how eel baskets are made and have a go at basket weaving yourself.

Following on into the evening from 7.30pm there will be music in Jubilee Gardens with refreshments available and at 9pm there will be a spectacular illuminated flotilla of various water crafts representing the past and present use of the Great Ouse Eel Day is part of Ely’s Eel Festival weekend, which runs from 4th to 6th May. For further information please contact Ely Tourist Information Centre on 01353 662062 or www.visitely.org.uk ■

Do we need to register our boats?

An interesting article came to our attention - it turned up on a forum. GOBA has kept the identity of the writer, the forum and the boatyard anonymous.

The article said: ‘I was discussing the sale of my boat with a boatyard and the subject of boat documents came up. Now, being the law abiding sort I am, I was at pains to boast a full set of papers which included insurance, BSC, service history etc., as I realised that by the time my floater arrives at the yard, the year’s river license will have expired and as such I would require a new license for 2013.’

‘However, I was informed that the Environment Agency (EA) have decided to “adopt a more reasonable position regarding boats for sale and waive the requirement for a river license whilst a vessel is moored on a brokerage”. Apparently, this is because they now acknowledge that many boats sold, are taken away to another water system. (You will be aware that the EA never, ever, ever give refunds). Is this a sudden flash of common sense from the EA? Or have I just not been paying attention? I suspect that to do otherwise would prove to be difficult for the EA to enforce, especially given their meagre budget that they work so very hard to make do each year.’

GOBA’s response We have never heard of it. However, if it is true, then it is possibly a little under advertised.

We have found that the relevant paragraphs from the Inland Waterways Act, 2010 is reproduced below under (3) quite obviously provides the ‘no need to register if selling’ advice.

‘Requirement for registration 4. (1) an owner or master of a vessel must not keep, let for hire or use the vessel on the waterways unless

(a) the vessel is registered with the Agency under article 5; and

(b) any requirement imposed by the Agency under article 8 when registering the vessel is complied with.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to a vessel if the vessel is exempted from its provisions by the Agency in accordance with paragraph (3).

(3) The Agency may exempt any vessel or class of vessel from the provisions of paragraph (1) if, having regard to all the circumstances, it considers that the application of those requirements is not justified in the interests of the regulation of the waterways.’

Also, found on the EA website under ‘Refunds’ and ‘Documents you need to send to us,’ it states under ‘Refund:’ We can partially refund annual registration charges in certain circumstances. We refund whole months only, and calculate the number of unexpired months from the day we receive any documents that we need from you.

If you sell your boat and it does not stay on the Environment Agency waterway it was registered for, or you remove your boat permanently from the registered waterway: Under ‘Documents you need to send to us’ and asterisked: *If you put your boat on brokerage, we will only be able to make a refund once the sale is complete and you have confirmed the boat is leaving the waterway. We will then need your boat brokerage agent to confirm the date your boat went on sale with them.

So we would say, if you are uncertain, always check with the EA either via their website or phone them on: 03708 506 506 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 6pm). From the above you can see there are concessions in the circumstances of placing your boat on brokerage. But whatever you do GOBA would not want any member experience anything like that in our article ‘Awash with fines.‘

GOBA News • Spring 2013

7

General Secretary’s Report Alistair Reid: GOBA General Secretary Over the winter period, a number of changes have taken place on the GOBA committee. Roy Wood has resigned from the committee to spend more time with his grandchildren, who have returned from overseas to attend school in Ely. Roy has served GOBA for a number of years recently as moorings officer. We are all sorry to see Roy go and wish him well. Two new members have joined the committee. We are pleased to welcome Brian Sadler who lives at the Denver end of the river and Raymond Jay who lives at the Bedford end. It is beneficial to have committee members spread over the length of the river as boaters are obviously more aware of issues in their immediate area.

We had a taxing time opposite the FSA, and the changes to our rules which were approved at the special general meeting last year. All issues have now been resolved with the new rules in place.

A huge concern over the winter has been thefts from boats - a large number of them being outboard motors. There is little chance of stolen items being recovered as it is believed that most of the items are taken out of the country very soon after they are stolen. However, if serial numbers are recorded it at least gives the police a chance of reuniting them with their owners.

There are also a number of ways of marking your property with dye or smart water, which increases the chances of them being identified. The Boatwatch Scheme has been re-launched to cover the majority of the navigation. When making a report of stolen goods, boaters should inform the police that it is a Boatwatch call and hopefully this will lead to a crime intelligence base being built up, which will help to identify theft patterns and lead to improvements in the detection of criminals.

A Boatwatch sticker and information leaflet will be distributed by the Environment Agency (EA) to everyone who purchases a river licence.

A database has been set up on the GOBA web site under the heading of The Great Ouse/ Solving

problems on the Great Ouse. Any committee member who is notified of a problem on the navigation will pass this on to the web master (Mike Mackay), who will enter it on the data base.

If it concerns the EA, an e-mail will be sent to an administrator at the EA who in turn will inform the relevant person that a new entry has been added to the data base. It is hoped that this will produce a response and a data base that can be kept up to date. It will also show when problems are first reported and when they are resolved. The data base is visible to anyone accessing the web site, but can only be updated by the web master.

Following concerns that the temporary closure of the Fish & Duck marina would mean that a number of liveaboard boaters would need to find new moorings and that this could lead to GOBA moorings being used for more than 48 hours, led to us taking legal advice on the matter of overstaying on our moorings. The situation is that non members moored on a GOBA mooring are trespassing and that members are in the same situation if they stay for more than the 48 hour period.

On the subject of moorings, the GOBA mooring at Reach has been deemed suitable for modifying. It was planned to carry out this work last autumn but ground conditions prevented this. A further assessment has come to the conclusion that because of the wet conditions, it would not be safe to carry out the work at the present time.

An increase in the licence fee for 2013 will be 4.6%. A question was asked at the NNUF meeting, if the EA had considered taking its lead from the Canal & River Trust to freeze prices for 3 years. It had not been considered. It was expected that over 450 visitors would visit the Cam this season.

In fact, only 155 boaters visited. This resulted in the EA collecting £6,500 of which £3250 went to the Conservators. With the Conservators licence fee being 110% of the EA’s, they gave £4,000 back - this makes no sense. The Conservators are

not prepared to enter into discussions regarding changes to the interchange agreement until they are able to evaluate a full year of the current agreement. One hopeful note in all this is that the subject of ‘visitor day licences’ is now on the agenda.

The subject of river levels has come into focus during the past few months. There have been serious concerns by boaters moored in the Denver area, where the river level was lowered so much by Flood Defence that a number of boats were left ‘high and dry’ still attached to their moorings. This action was taken to prevent possible flooding due to the heavy rains however, unfortunately, no advance warning was given and many boats were put in a dangerous situation.

GOBA has suggested that a warning system similar to SSA warnings could be put in place.

This will be raised at next Regional Navigation meeting and the GOBA/EA liaison meeting. The water levels in the Old West, during the summer, have also been questioned with levels of between 1.65m and 1.75m, should be maintained.

An evaluation is to be carried out by the EA regarding the use of volunteers on the Great Ouse system. In 2012, 370 volunteers worked on the Thames. GOBA supports the use of volunteers and would be happy to co-operate in this evaluation.

GOBA have had a number of requests recently to organize or help organize events at different sites along the river. The committee feels that as an organization it is not appropriate for us to be involved. We will of course publicize water borne events.

A new Lock Etiquette leaflet has been produced by GOBA and will be discussed with the EA at the next liaison meeting.

One other piece of good news is that the water tap at St Neots Priory centre is in operation and cost £200 during 2012, which should be an acceptable level and far below the sum previously indicated by the Town Council.

■ Alistair Reid

Company Secretary’s Report Sid Fisher: GOBA Company Secretary

Report on Regional Navigation Group Meeting This meeting was held at the Environment Agency (EA), Brampton Conference Room, on 23rd January 2013. Geoff Parrish and I attended this meeting, representing GOBA. Representatives from the IWA, ANRC, Canoe England, British Canoe Union, British rowing association, East Anglian waterways Association, Conservators of the Cam and staff members from the EA also attended. Mr Irven Forbes Eastern Region Waterways Manager chaired the meeting.

Following welcome, minutes and matters

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

arising, item four on the agenda - the future of navigation - was discussed in the way of a progress report. As yet, the Agency did not know what assets they have, or which ones are likely to be transferred to the Canal and River Trust should the government decide that this is the way forward. Concerns were expressed that the Environment Agency did not know what they own or what could be transferred.

Item 5 was a report by Irven Forbes on the ‘financial data for the EA. It was noted that the Thames and South East areas had an increase

in income of some £3 million - whilst the Anglia region had a drop of £800,000. Income from Moorings and Licences remain the same as last year, but only because fees went up by 6.4% We were presented with a slide show and talk by Ian Richards, a member of Canoe England and a community worker who had volunteered to look at how the Agency could be using help from volunteers. His conclusions were that the Agency is not looking at this subject in a serious way. He found several

places where the Agency could use help, but they always seemed to find a reason why not.

To date he is the only volunteer used by the agency in this region.

We then moved on to the ‘capital budgets’ for the current year. Work will continue on fitting treadmills to the v doors at Willington, Castlemills, and Roxton Locks. Also, the works of draindowns to locks will continue on both the Rivers Nene and Ouse.

The Electronic notice board proposed for the Brampton Lock channel is still on hold, due to legal reasons. There is a wish to see a new landing stage to serve both Denver and Salters Lode locks, however this is going to be a big

capital expense of around £250,000 and will take most of a year’s budget.

The Anglia Paddle Sports Group gave a verbal report mainly on the need for better landing stages for canoes.

Sharon Brennan gave an update on ‘registration and enforcement.’ During last year, registrations have dropped by 94 powered boats, allowing for the fact that 172 boats are now registered with the Cam Conservators.

To date, on enforcement, 183 offence tickets have been issued to the value of £71,308 of lost income. To date there have been 18 successful prosecutions with £4,555 in fines and £8,506 awarded costs and compensation. Five further

cases are pending. All of those found guilty now have criminal records.

Strong Stream Advise was discussed and it has been suggested that the Ely Ouse should be included in the scheme, as water levels drop dramatically when the river is in flood - due to Denver opening the main sluice. This causes problems for the boats moored on this stretch to ground with levels sometimes dropping by 4-5feet. If the information could be given to those moorers, they could get to their boats to adjust mooring lines.

Information about the re-launch of the Boatwatch scheme was given to the meeting.

Details can be seen on page 11 ■

Report on Triennial Review of Natural England and the Environment Agency Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) Along with Ian Cox, Chairman of the Great Ouse Boating Association, I attended this review forum for stakeholders as a representative of the Environment Agency Regional Navigation Group.

The meeting was held on 24th January 2013, at The Emanuel Centre, Westminster, London.

The forum was structured in the way of workshops and its purpose was to look at and review the functions of both Natural England and the Environment Agency - ultimately to obtain responses for the discussion document that was launched on 12th December 2012. The forum looked at ideas and possible reforms that could be adopted to improve the structures and processes of both organisations and the way in which they deliver their services.

The forum was attended by some 110 stakeholder-delegates from a vast range of organisations, all of whom had an interest in the operations of the two organisations.

The stakeholders ranged from navigators, bat preservation societies, ramblers, fishermen, to as far as those with coastal interests.

The session commenced with an opening statement by the Defra Secretary of State, Owen Paterson MP, in which he stated that, ‘The purpose of this review was to see if there is any method of making the two agencies more efficient by merging them and having both organisations concentrate on their own core business - particularly in tight fiscal circumstances’. Katrina Williams, Defra Director General for Strategy, Evidence and Customers, gave a short statement to convey why all government departments must have a triennial review of their own operations to ensure that they give value for money to country and government.

A Question and Answer session took place with the Secretary of State, Peter Unwin - Defra Director General-Policy Delivery Group, in this role since 2007, Lord Chris Smith - Chair of the Environment Agency, in this role since 2008 and re-appointed in 2011 until 2014, and Poul Christensen CBE - Chair of Natural England, in this role since 2009 until 2013. There were many

and varied questions emanating from the forum, but all of the officials said they would look at the potential studied and the recommendations that emanated from this review session.

Throughout the day, the delegates were divided into workshop discussion groups with each group having specific points of improvement to consider, such as: better outcomes and forms, better outcomes through functions, the importance of engagement in place for delivery , the technical skills and capability of the two agencies etc.

Following this, the groups were bought together for a final plenary session, chaired

by Andrea Young, Defra Director for Triennial Reviews, to see what conclusion each of the groups came to. Each of the groups’ opinions were taken back and all delegates were asked to make their views known to the Defra team by 4th February. This would enable the Defra team to make their final submission to the Minister by 10th March 2013, when a final document will be issued ■ in early spring 2013.

Report of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways The meeting was held in committee room 19, at the Houses of Parliament, on 29th January 2013. The meeting was an inquiry into the waterway partnerships. It was opened by Sir Toby Baldry MP, with Huw Irranca-Davies MP as joint chairman.

The first session of the meeting was to interview Robin Evans, Chief Executive and Tony Hales, Chairman of the Canal & River Trust. The inquiry was to focus on the aims and progress of the Canal & River Trust to date. Robin Evans replied that he thought the new Trust had made great strides into getting the involvement of the users and general public. To date, they have put £500,000 into better enforcement to ensure that customers use the correct licence and to stop boaters from staying in one particular spot, outside of the rules, to the detriment of other users.

They had also suffered a breach in a canal bank, in the North West, and had been able to locally raise some £20,000 in sponsorship to help pay for the repairs in partnership with local businesses. All of the local partnerships

are chaired by people from the community, who have the knowledge of what is required in their area. Funding has been much better than was anticipated and to date, across the country, there have been 260 volunteer lock keepers who have also been going to schools to give talks to pupils about the rivers and canals. Local enterprise partnerships are engaging with the trust and the community, and this is helping us and everyone involved to understand the future aims of the waterway partnerships.

Tony Hales believed that the trust was going in the right direction - with the involvement of everyone within the locality of a river or canal - communities were now looking at their local facilities in a different light. They are not viewed as just another government department.

The second session interviewed Charlotte Atkins, Waterways partnership chair for the Mid Shires area and county councillor Mike Maryon, from Mid Shires County Council. Both were asked their views on the progress of the trust.

They were pleased to report that, so far, they were both getting good co-operation from the

river and canal managers with them taking up to 15% of their time talking to local partnerships and listening to their suggestions. To date, there are 13 partnerships up and running with wide spread membership.

A strategy is being prepared for each area to show how more resources can be bought to each area, by jointly working between the waterway managers and the partnerships. In general, the partnerships have been supportive of the management when representing the Canal and River Trust locally.

There is to be a further session of the inquiry on 26th February, when the All Parliamentary Group for Waterways will interview Peter Mathews, West Midlands Partnership Chair, John West, South East Partnership Chair and a local Authority representative in the first session. Mark Long, All Wales Partnership Chair, Tamsin Phipps, Kennet and Avon Partnership (Acting) Chair and Walter Menzies, Manchester and Pennine Partnership Chair, will be interviewed in the second session.

■ Sidney J. Fisher

GOBA News • Spring 2013

9

New GOBA committee members GOBA News would like to announce the committee has two newly co-opted members.

Brian Sadler - Denver First, there is Brian who has recently retired from the Royal Air Force, after nearly 38 years of service, where he was an engineer. A sailor for the past 35 years, he qualified as a Yachtmaster Offshore in 1999 and to date has logged about 10,000 miles at sea. He has skippered yachts around the UK coast, the Channel Islands and France.

Whilst in the RAF, he was appointed Rear Commodore (Safety) for the RAF Sailing Association (RAFSA) and was responsible for all aspects of safety including the provision of safety cover for water sports events. It was during this period that he qualified as a safety boat helm.

With water sports a big part of his life, he and his wife Belinda, decided that they should try the inland waterways and as a result, purchased their first boat three years ago. Brian said: ‘He was raring to go and had already decided that the new boat should be diesel powered with shaft drive’. So what did he buy - a Fairline Holiday Mk2 with a 170hp petrol engine, fitted with 280 outdrive! A lovely little boat, but not really

suitable for cruising around the river system at 7mph! Brian, settling to life on the river said: ‘My wife and I eventually found a lovely Seamaster 813 called ‘Summer Solstice’ in which we have so far explored the Great Ouse from Magdelene to St Neots, the Wissey, the Little Ouse and the Cam.’ Brian and Belinda and have three grown up children and are due to become grandparents for the first time, in March this year.

As active members of the Denver Cruising Club, Brian was approached by GOBA and asked if he would like to be co-opted onto the committee.

As ‘new blood’ he said: ‘I hope to be able to apply some of my past experience for the benefit of GOBA members.

Below: Brian's boat, Summer Solstice and inset: Brian with his wife Belinda.

Raymond Jay - Bedford When interviewing Ray, he said: ‘My wife, Pat and I moved up from London some seven years ago to live in Bedford and we were introduced to the pleasures of boating by another fellow committee member of GOBA – Stuart Turvey.’

Raymond Jay. He continued; ‘We have been members of GOBA since my first boat purchase and now I am a new co-opted committee member – therefore, am still learning the ropes.’

Ray and Pat fell in love with the Great Ouse and they purchased their first boat about five years ago – ‘Jaysway’ – a Viking 20ft, which was ample for the both of us.

Ray continued to say: ‘As things usually go, it started with the grandchildren deciding they liked the idea of boating. Then followed our two daughters and their husbands, and then followed our second purchase –

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

‘Augustina’ a Freeman 25ft.’

He said: ‘Augustina’ is a great craft moored up at Crosshalls Marine, but as with all ageing vessels she needs a bit of TLC.’ Ray welcomes the new skills he is learning in boat maintenance – albeit through ever growing deep pockets. But, he says: ‘The way I see it, I am now retired and have the time and on a lovely summers day – when will we get them again – after working on the boat, what could be more rewarding than a nice cool drink watching life on the river going by.

■

Raymond's boat, Augustina

Canal & River Trust Financial Planning In his speech to the AGM of the Waterways Crafts Guild late last year, John Dodwell (pictured), Canal & River Trust Trustee discussed some C&RT financial figures.

As a reminder, the Trust has an annual income of about £150m, all of which is spent each year.

Mr Dodwell said: ‘That waterway area maintenance teams are split into Monthly Inspection; Construction (working to a schedule of works); Customer Operations (who respond to calls and do planned preventative maintenance and water control. Each waterway area has about 80 staff, 75% of which are bank staff. Each has an annual budget of about £5m to deliver day-to-day maintenance and customer service. This includes planned preventative maintenance, defect repairs, the annual lock gate replacement programme, vegetation management and the risk management inspection processes. The more complex projects and major dredging are managed by centralised specialists.’

He also said: ‘That looking forward, £4m has been allocated to improve some areas where water can be scarce – such as the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the canals around Braunston.

A ten year dredging programme is being planned, probably spending £8m a year, which is twice the previous amount.

Last winter British Waterways replaced a little under 200 lock gates as part of a winter maintenance programme costing £50m. This winter 2012/13 the Trust is undertaking a similar programme.

The Trust has taken on 22 new apprentices, 2 in each of the 11 waterways areas. The apprentices are mainly in the joinery and bricklaying trades and it is intended that they will help keep the heritage skills on the waterways alive.

The full speech can be downloaded from C&RT’s website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Electric Boat Association – on the River Nene We shall all remember the ‘summer’ of 2012 as being cancelled events, boat shows and rallies.

Our planned cruise in May on the River Nene near Peterborough was an early casualty, but having been advised of the beauty of this river and surrounding area, the EBA was determined to try to arrange another date later in the year. Luck was with us as the September weekend we chose turned out to be one of the very few where the weather held and offered conditions we should have enjoyed during the preceding months.

Thanks to the generous hospitality of Stibbington Boatyard and the Coulam family, six lucky electric boats with crews of family and friends, enjoyed a wonderful experience of silent electric cruising on a very pretty waterway.

We launched at Stibbington Boatyard on the Saturday, with plenty of practical assistance and were soon underway downstream to Water Newton Lock.

A fine flotilla of electric boats comprising ‘Mr E’ with Jeff and Jac Hide, ‘Maia’ owned by Geoff and Joan Desborough, ‘Silent Adventure’ and ‘Silent Explorer’ (the latter a late starter due to a broken cable, but swiftly mended with so many experts on hand) with Nick, ‘Yvonne,’ with Barry and Val Goldring, ‘Coulam 15.2’ with David and Val Coulam and lastly, ‘Mr Volt’ with Jim and Ross Coulam and their delightfully well behaved children Charles and Grace, who were very capable with ropes and obviously following in the family tradition.

Cruising towards the lock, we passed Alwalton where Sir Henry Royce of motoring fame was born in 1863 and spent his early years. It is a very quiet stretch of beautiful meadows and an

EBA at a guilotine lock.

EBA along the nene.

occasional lovely riverside property and as always, our silent cruising drew admiration from every passing boat and group of walkers.

We also enjoyed a fly past from World War II planes, identified by those who seemed to know as a Sopwith, Spitfire and Hurricane. There must have been an air show in the vicinity but it was nice to think this additional entertainment had been laid on especially for us. The locks caused some amusement – especially for those not used to guillotine locks. First out needs an umbrella!

A welcome stop was made for lunch at the Cuckoo Inn, where everyone had the chance to refuel (not the boats of course) and then turned back so we could visit the Nene Valley Steam Railway. This served to satisfy both the train enthusiasts and those electric boaters who had also had a steam boat so it proved a very pleasant interlude in the afternoon cruise. Returning to the boatyard, the Coulams organised a splendid fish and chip supper.

Sunday dawned fair and we could not believe we would have two consecutive dry days, so we set out, this time to go through both Water

Newton and Alwalton Locks. Our destination was the Ferry Meadows Country Park, where we moored at new staithes in this large, very well maintained park. Lunch was consumed, a craft fair enjoyed and another steam railway – this time a miniature one. Some of us explored the park, finding Segways for hire and the more adventurous (who had already tried these two wheeled machines that you steer and propel by leaning your body weight in various directions), spent some time trying to persuade the less confident that this would be a good focus for a future EBA weekend.

Having returned to the boatyard, some crafts went further on upriver towards Wansford but as time was getting on and some had long journeys ahead, we decided to organise ourselves for the return journey to home. However, Dave and Jim Coulam were so helpful with their recovery – including a tractor – that everyone was out of the water, tied on and secured for the road trip in just a few minutes.

It was a very successful EBA cruise in beautiful countryside and excellent company.

■

Boat Watch Re-Launched The Boatwatch scheme was launched some five years ago and was sponsored by GOBA, the Association of Nene River Clubs together with help from the Environment Agency and Cambridgeshire Police.

It suffered problems from the start due to there being five police forces covering both the rivers Nene and Gt. Ouse - all of which had different phone numbers for non-emergency calls.

The police forces have now changed their nonemergency phone numbers so that wherever you are ‘101’ will get you through to the nearest police force, therefore the problem of different forces not communicating with each other has gone away.

If you have a problem whether it is a theft or trouble with vandalism ring 101 and state that the call is a BOATWATCH MESSAGE this will automatically alert the Boatwatch co-ordinator in Peterborough, who will inform the local crime prevention officer for that area.

This relaunched scheme is sponsored by GOBA, the Association of Nene River Clubs, Cambridge Marine Industries, The Cam Conservators, The Environment Agency and Cambridgeshire Police.

When you re-licence your boat you will receive in the licensing pack, a new window sticker, and a leaflet telling you all about the scheme. Please fill in the information on the back page and keep it safely with your boat documents. The information should include any serial numbers for all your kit whether its outboards, radios, GPS, etc. Also, don’t forget to put the new Boatwatch sticker in the window of your boat. There have been many thefts during the last winter, particularly of outboard motors.

If you don’t have the serial number of a stolen item, your insurance company may not pay out!

The purpose of the sticker is to deter the criminals who would steal items from your boat.

However, there are other ways to deter thieves; you can indelibly mark every item with a traceable dye, or use a DNA traceable marker such as SelectaDNA, which can be purchased direct from the manufacturers. GOBA has negotiated a 10% reduction in the cost of purchasing a SelectaDNA. Full details of this

Forensic property marking kit and (inset) tamper resistant warning sticker.

detectable and permanent marking system and how to claim your 10% discount code, can be found on our website www.goba.org.uk. The link is under the main tab ‘Members’ and then ‘Marine Protection’. ONLY members have access to gain the 10% code once they have logged on - it is not available to the public.

So please remember to mark all your kit and keep a record of all your serial numbers.

Sidney J. Fisher, GOBA Boatwatch co-ordinator.

GOBA News • Spring 2013

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Refurbishment programme continues

Boaters caught without navigation registrations 29 boater owners have been prosecuted for keeping their vessels on our waterways without registering them with the Environment Agency.

So far in 2012/2013 charges have been heard at Cambridge, Huntingdon, Kings Lynn, Peterborough and Corby Magistrates’ Courts where offenders were ordered to pay fines totaling £6,655 and costs totaling £4,855. On top of this they were also ordered to pay their boat registration fees.

On all occasions, the Environment Agency’s river inspectors saw the boats moored up without displaying the necessary registration documents.

Irven Forbes, Waterways Manager, said: “Failing to register a boat just does not pay. Not only do people risk being prosecuted and fined up to £1,000, but they still have to pay their registration fee and in most cases end up with a criminal record.”

■

New decking at Bottisham lock.

Boaters using the River Cam will notice that we are continuing our landing stage refurbishment programme. The upstream landing stage surface at Bottisham lock has been replaced with the now familiar non-slip mesh decking. The timber fenders have also been replaced. During March and April 2013 major works are also planned to install new floating landing stages at Brownshill and Hermitage locks.

Scan me

Bridge maintenance work

Boaters using the Ely Ouse should take care when approaching the Queen Adelaide railway bridge this Spring/Summer. A navigation restriction is in place until August whilst the bridge undergoes some maintenance work. The navigable width under the bridge will be restricted to approximately 40% of the opening. Please take notice of safety signage and look out for boats approaching from the opposite direction. Please visit our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure for the latest ■ information regarding all navigation notices.

You may have seen a QR (Quick Response) code on some packaging or in a magazine and wondered what it is? Well, a QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can be read using a smartphone, iPhone etc and links you directly to a website. You can usually download a scanner application for free.

If you scan the QR code below it will take you directly to our navigation webpage giving you the latest information regarding navigation notices (closures & restrictions) and Strong Stream Advice.

We have also produced QR code stickers in various sizes for displaying in a prominent place, such as a boat club notice board, in a marina or even on a boat. If you like some of these free stickers please call the Waterways Team on 01733 464060.

Take notice of river signage

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

News from the Let us know if you sell your boat

Keeping the tidal locks open

We are reminding our boating customers that if you sell your boat, you must let us know. It is your responsibility to inform us about the change of ownership and until you do so, you remain the legal owner and are responsible for registering it.

Anyone selling their boat needs to complete a change of ownership/address form for the Anglian Region. Please call our boat registration team on 03708 506506 to request a copy.

We would also like to remind you that: You must display your registration disc on your boat in a position that is clearly visible to our enforcement staff.

Your boat’s registration number (and the name on powered boats) must be clearly visible on both sides of the boat.

• •

Access bridge refurbished

Boaters who regularly cruise on the Lodes will be very familiar with Cock Up bridge, an access bridge that the EA lowers to get heavy machinery onto the opposite bank to maintain our waterways and flood defences. During the winter we completely refurbished the bridge and installed new decking, the beams have been strengthened and new hand rail fitted. This work will now hopefully make it relatively maintenance free for the next 25 years.

■

Salter’s Lode lock dredging.

One of the wettest years in history has caused flows in the Hundred Foot/Tidal River to stay high for most of winter months. These extreme conditions have once again caused the entrances to Denver and Salter’s Lode locks to get blocked with silt, making them virtually impassable for river craft.

In March work commenced to dredge the entrances ready for the new boating season. The photograph shows working taking place on the tidal side of Salter’s Lode lock where we removed over 700 tonnes of silt. The heavy machinery then moved to the tidal side of Denver Lock to clear an estimated 5000 tonnes of silt.

■

Follow us on Twitter The Waterways Team now has its very own Twitter account.

GOBA members can follow Paul Separovic, Fens Waterways Link Partnerships Manager, for information about our rivers.

Tweets also include useful information about which rivers affected by navigation restrictions, lock closures and also Strong Stream Advice.

To follow Paul, log onto Twitter and look for @PaulSeparovicEA. Access bridge looking as good as new.

GOBA News • Spring 2013

13

New Cambridge University Boathouse at Ely Cambridge University Boat Club, Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club and Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club issued a press statement announcing that a site has been purchased, on the outskirts of Ely, to develop a new Cambridge University boathouse facility as their Ely training base on the River Great Ouse.

Artist's impression of the new boathouse.

The statement said: ‘The new site is on the eastern edge of Fore Mill Wash and is over 12 acres in size. The new site is on the same side of the river as the current CUBC boathouse but is much closer to the Adelaide Straight, on which the crews do most of their water training. The road access avoids central Ely and is as quick, if not quicker, to get to and from Cambridge and certainly has much easier access for towing vehicles and a boat trailer.’

Local architects were approached, prior to the land purchase but Jeremy Bailey Architects, saw off the competition to build the new boathouse. Mr Bailey said: ‘We are delighted and honoured to have been chosen as architects for this project and we look forward to working with all three Clubs to create an iconic and sustainable new home for the University’s rowing on the banks of the Great Ouse.’

Ewan Pearson, who chairs ‘Project Ely’, the name given to the scheme, said: ‘Now that we own the land we look forward to developing this initial concept, which already includes a number of innovative, sustainable and environmentally sensitive features, into a real facility that can serve the University’s rowing clubs well for the next century and beyond.’

Whilst all of the clubs are looking forward to coming under one permanent roof with up-todate facilities, concerns have been expressed by other river users.

GOBA News can verify that the association has received many enquiries from a number of its members that generally express extreme concerns as to the implications for the river around Ely, if a new boathouse was given the go ahead by the council.

GOBA was advised by someone manning a promotional stand in Ely, that: 'The development is basically a replacement for the existing

14

GOBA News • Spring 2013

facilities and that there would only be six boats kept there.' However, this cannot be confirmed officially because GOBA has not been involved in any stakeholder consultation that may have taken place.

Other concerns arose, with information on a leaflet that mentioned, ‘dormitories for rowers to stay in and attracting visitors to compete in races.’ This alone raises a couple of questions; are we going to end up with a similar situation to that which exists in Cambridge? Does this mean more rower congestion? The original idea was just to replace the existing boathouse in the Ely centre, not to have competition racing!

The safe use of the river by all, with mutual respect for one another was raised as an issue by members. It has been reported that many rowers

on the river don’t seem to - or don’t want to understand the rules. They expect other boaters to slow down for them and yet they will go past the existing moorings at full tilt, causing an over-sized wash that seriously rocks the moored boats..

GOBA would like to say that the new boathouse will not cause any problems.

However, other media reports that the new faciity would provide all three clubs with a base from which to train and would boast a ‘dry boathouse’ with five boat bays, a weights room, changing rooms, crew rest areas and a residential flat. There would also be a second wet boathouse building for storage and a workshop for repairs and maintenance.

The applicants said the development would offer improved facilities not only for the three university clubs, but also for local rowing clubs and other residents. But some people have criticised the size of the scheme by saying: 'It is too large and needs to be reduced by half to ensure a fair share of water activity and lessen the impact on wildlife. Also, leisure boats have a speed limit of 7mph to stop bank erosion, protect nesting birds and to give time for crafts to pass safely and not harm fledglings which swim behind each other - rowing crews race more than twice the speed limit with their attending motor launches.'

Anglers say: 'This stretch of the Great Ouse is popular with fishing clubs and this development would have a detrimental impact on their sport. As far as wildlife is concerned, it would have a devastating impact. The council cannot be allowed to approve these plans. It is far too big for this stretch of water.'Mr Pearson said: ‘The proposals have been submitted following extensive discussions with local and national ecology organisations. He added: ‘It is anticipated that local rowing and the Ely community would also benefit from this exciting project, with a new site for local rowing, improved footpaths and safer parking and access.

■

Jesus Lock.

Cam liveaboards.

Ian Cox wrote an article last Autumn entitled ‘Cambridge – do they want visiting boats?’ Since Ian’s timely piece, Cambridge City Council launched a consultation with six options. We thought our readers would find both the article and consultation worthy of a revisit.

to near floating wrecks. There are no visitor moorings along this stretch of the river, indeed the last moorings were at Waterbeach, about a mile upstream of Bottisham lock.

The limit of navigation during the summer months is Jesus lock. There is some space here for visitor moorings, but they are very limited. There is also a bye-law on the Cam which does not allow boats to raft up. This is another limitation on visitor moorings.

There are water and pump out facilities at the lock, but bear in mind these services are also used by a large number of liveaboard craft. Access to them can be very time-consuming.

During the summer, the grass bank on the weir side is frequented by a number of the locals drinking alcohol all day. Whilst they do not appear to be a problem, it’s not the view you would wish for.

Travelling into Cambridge by bus or car breaks you in gently to this beautiful city of spires and colleges. Arriving by boat is definitely the least attractive way to enter this city, and then you will be lucky to get a mooring.

Cambridge City Council does not appear to be interested in attracting visitors by boat.

Considering tourism is an important factor in the local economy, this would appear to be a very negative attitude.

Cambridge

do they want visiting boats?

Most boats coming onto the Great Ouse system, along with the city of Ely, will have Cambridge on their list of ‘must’ places to visit.

Ely, with its cathedral and extensive waterfront moorings always makes you feel welcome to stay in the city. The moorings are cleaned and rubbish bins emptied on a daily basis. There are several water points available, as well as a pump out facility.

In order to cruise from Ely to Cambridge you travel south for three miles to the start of the River Cam at Popes Corner. Although wide at first it starts to narrow by the time it reaches Bottisham lock. The Environment Agency are responsible for navigation on the Great Ouse system, except for the River Cam upstream of Bottisham lock, which is the responsibility of the Cam Conservators, a board of local people including some city councillors.

Many of you will be aware that the interchange agreement between the Environment Agency and the Cam Conservancy was revised in April last year.

In brief, the result was that moorers on the Cam and visiting boats would have to pay an additional ten per cent. Gold licence holders will be paying extra from next year. To sum up – we are all paying more to navigate the Cam to Cambridge.

From Bottisham lock, the river winds through some very pretty stretches to Baits Bite lock. From this point keep tight to the bank as you will be in constant touch with rowers out training from the college boathouses.

As you approach the outskirts of Cambridge you will come across the start of the liveaboard boats. These boats are of every shape and size and range from well looked after narrow boats

Ian Cox – Autumn 2012

Cambridge City Council Moorings Consultation Cambridge ‘Riverside’ is at present a mooring place for several boats, many but not all residential.

The owners of these boats have no legal right to moor in this area, and the Council has received complaints about nuisance caused to other residents and obstruction to other river users, not least because the river becomes narrow at this point.

However, Cambridge City Council say that over the last few years they have worked hard to try and balance the needs of different groups of people who use or enjoy the river and its surroundings.

These include local residents, visitors, rowers and their clubs, residential moorers and visiting boat owners, commercial users of the river and anglers, among others. A key part of the work they have undertaken in partnership with the Conservators of the River Cam has been their mooring policy, which designates areas of the river where craft can be moored, and other areas where mooring is not permitted.

They said: ‘We have set aside space on the riverbank for up to seventy liveaboard boats,

in areas such as Jesus Green, Midsummer Common and Stourbridge Common, and prohibit mooring on other stretches of the river in Council ownership. Some of the riverbank is in private ownership, though, and until recently we believed that the area known as Riverside was owned by someone else. In an attempt to clarify responsibility for this area, we recently asserted our ownership of the subsoil of Riverside, which has now been confirmed. This in turn allows us to confront the issues that have been associated with this stretch of the river over several years.

The Riverside wall is at present a mooring place for several boats, many but not all residential.

The Council is clear that an analysis of the options at Riverside suggests there are six possible courses open to the Council. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and none of the options is straightforward to implement. Some will require more detailed exploration before we can be sure that they are even feasible; Cambridge City Council launched a consultation with six potential options.

Options

1. Permit mooring at Riverside and integrate the area into their mooring policy.

2. Permit mooring only at points on Riverside where river width is at its greatest, and integrate these areas into their mooring policy while prohibiting mooring elsewhere on Riverside.

3. Ban mooring at Riverside altogether, but provide licences for mooring within their mooring policy for those boats that qualify.

4. Ban mooring at Riverside completely and give moorers notice to vacate their moorings.

5. Designate Riverside as an area for visitor moorings, and provide limited mooring facilities there, but do not permit residential mooring on this section of the river.

6. Do nothing, other than removing derelict and un-river worthy craft.

The consultation closed in mid-March 2013 and if you want to know the results you will need to visit the Cambridge City Council website or phone them on 01223 457543.

■

GOBA News • Spring 2013

15

Members abroad

g in t a o b f o d in k t n e r e f if d a

Pictured from left to right: r.

Bobbles on back of long-awaited traile Sharing a lock with 110m 'Christian'.

Incline plane at Arzviller.

The Backs, Cambridge.

My wife and I have been cruising the river Great Ouse in our current boat ‘Bobbles’ for the past 24 years and we have been members of GOBA since buying our first boat in 1981, but still we know few other boaters on the river really well. This is not because we are anti-social but perhaps as a direct result of our choice of boat.

‘Bobbles’, we confess, is something of a misfit.

Although she is made of GRP, she is not a gleaming white wide beam cruiser and despite being only 6 ft 10” wide, neither is she a narrow boat. It might be tempting to suggest that she is perhaps a ‘jack of all trades master of none’ - but this would be far from the truth.

‘Bobbles’ is a 23 ft long Wilderness Beaver and as such is the ultimate trailboat. With all mod cons fitted into the 15 feet of full standing headroom cabin, plus an extra 5 ft of real estate out the back, she can be slipped on to her purpose built twin axle trailer using the simplest of slipways and then towed to any waterway of our choice in the UK or abroad.

We bought our first boat, a 16 ft Yeoman Cougar, 32 years ago but only kept it for 1 year. This was replaced with a 26 ft narrow beam Creighton Inlander which allowed us to extend our cruising to the Nene and up on to the canals and rivers.

Over the next six years we reached the Trent, Severn and Thames, but it became obvious that we could go no further due to a lack of time. At this time, we also came across the solution to our problems in the form of the brilliant Wilderness Beaver, but finances and the arrival of our daughter meant that our precious copy of the manufactures’ publicity pamphlet remained safely filed away.

Finally, in 1988, we saw an advert for ‘Bobbles’ in a national magazine and within 48 hours we had

16 GOBA News • Spring 2013

driven the 400-mile round trip to Bradford on Avon and purchased our dream boat. With the addition of a second hand purpose built trailer, we were finally free to visit all those waterways that we had previously only been able to dream of. However, in all honesty, the quest for a competent and comfortable tow vehicle took considerably longer.

Over the next six years we cruised most of the navigable canals and rivers in England and Wales and visited many of the un-navigable canals, in support of restoration projects. We first took ‘Bobbles’ abroad to France in 1994, completing a 400-mile waterways ring based on the Canal du Nivernais and finding the time to cruise down the Seine and back to spend 3 days in Paris. Whilst there we twice cruised past Notre Dame and down to the Eiffel Tower, from our mooring in the Bassin de l’Arsenal. However, sadly we learnt something the hard way that early afternoon. With all the bateaux mouches dashing around, it was not the ideal time to cruise the Seine through central Paris in a small boat. Early morning, before the trip boats start is far more sensible.

The following summer we took ‘Bobbles’ to Brittany and we have been back to France almost every year since with the exception of 1996, when we cruised to the IWA 50th anniversary National Festival, at Windmill End, 1999 when we spent five weeks cruising in Ireland, both north and south and finally 2004 when we took the boat to Scotland via the Rivers Weaver, Trent, Mersey, Bridgewater and the Rochdale canals. We also called in on the River Tees, on the way back.

We have now cruised the majority of the French system with the exception of the canals of the North-West - we prefer a sunnier climate and, in our opinion, the River Rhone is just too big to be fun. In any case, we can reach the Canal du Midi

in the south within 36 hours of leaving home without getting the boat wet! On its trailer the boat is simply used like a caravan allowing us to stop overnight in one of the many ‘aire de repos’ on the French motorway system. Whilst in France, we have occasionally strayed over the border to cruise down the Moselle or Mosel into Germany and Luxembourg, the Sarre or Saar also into Germany and the Meuse into Belgium twice. With the exception of the Meuse, these rivers, along with parts of the Seine and the Saone are European Class Vb waterways, with locks 185 metres long and 12 metres wide. We have often shared these with very large commercial craft - the largest we have seen so far being the Caron, at 135 metres long with a capacity of 4200 tonnes.

We also get around a bit closer to home.

We spent a few days moored at Little Venice, in London, in March of last year, cruised the Four Counties ring at Easter and attended the National Trailboat Festival on a newly restored section of the Cotswolds Canal, in Stroud. This was before doing the Droitwich ring in early June.

We were in France again over the summer and October saw us cruising down the lower Thames and into London, along the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union canal.

All this said we still found time to cruise the rivers Great Ouse and Cam from our mooring on the Old West.

We appreciate that our type of boating would not suite everyone, but we have gained a great deal of pleasure over the last 24 years visiting a wide variety of waterways both at home and abroad. Sadly this has meant that whilst we have seen many of you out on the river, we know few of you by name.

■ John Parker – ‘Bobbles’

Bobble in a 185m x 12m lock.

GOBA News • Spring 2013

17

The mysteries of river levels have come into focus during the past few months. Boaters moored up in the Denver area and the Denver Cruising Club (DCC), raised serious concerns when the river level was lowered to such a level by Flood Defence, that a number of boats were literally left ‘high and dry,’ still attached to their moorings and it could be said the clubhouse was left resembling a ‘lean-to.’

GOBA investigated this very urgent situation and were informed, by a reliable source at the Denver Complex that, ‘The levels being so low at Denver was no accident. Levels were dropped as low as possible to draw water down from the upper reaches (Ely and Cambridge)’. It was explained that, ‘After having a very wet summer the water ground levels are very high, which means that any rainfall that we receive goes straight into the river. Levels in Cambridge and Ely have been the highest in the seven years with the top end of the river possibly being the highest in the last twelve years. With both homes and businesses at risk of flooding, the discharge at Denver was increased to clear flood water as quick as possible.’ The source continued, ‘It always has been and always will be the priority at Denver to discharge flood waters and if this means dropping the level very low at this end, it is a decision that will always be made.’

With the water levels in the Old West, during the summer coming into question, GOBA raised these issues at its last Regional Navigation meeting and the GOBA/EA liaison meeting, which can been seen in both the General Secretary’s and Company Secretary’s reports in this issue of GOBA News.

GOBA has started the ball rolling with the suggestion that a warning system similar to that of SSA warnings could be put in place.

■

GOBA up for a warning!

Moorers received no notice

Denver's priority is to discharge flood ater

Left high and dry

All photos by Brian Sadler

River levels by the sluice.

18

GOBA News • Spring 2013

CLUB NEWS

Inland Waterways Association This is the first time that the IWA has featured in the ‘Clubs’ section of GOBA News so it’s a slight variation on a theme with notes on past and future meetings and events and a resume of branch activities.

The branch meets four times a year (including the AGM) and the three ‘normal’ meetings are open to non-members. The meetings are held in the Community Centre at Milton near Cambridge – see the map below – on the fourth Thursdays of February, March (AGM,) October and November. They all have a theme associated with the waterways, some looser than others but there is little or no formal business conducted A14 West

How to find us

A10 Cambridge A10 Ely Tesco

Milton

A14 East

Coles Rd

Tennis Courts

Meeting room is on the first floor

Car Park

Entrance

Milton Community Centre

Great Ouse Branch

at these. Indeed there is usually an update from the Environment Agency, following the AGM at the March meeting. This AGM is probably the shortest of any organisation on the river – nobody can remember the last time it lasted as long as10 minutes!

The last meeting, on 25th October 2012, included a fascinating illustrated talk by Ivan Cane on the history and re-generation of the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Ivan is a stalwart of that Restoration Society, also of the East Anglian Waterways Association and a fount of knowledge on many aspects of the region’s waterways.

Building work on this canal began in April 1825 and, after a number of years of successful commercial operation, finally succumbed to economic and environmental pressures (the coming of the railways in 1874 and a major flood in 1936.) Work has been going on for over 10 years to restore this waterway to its former splendour and with people like Ivan behind it I predict that this will be achieved sooner rather than later.

By the time you read this the February meeting will have passed but is due to be a talk by the noted local historian, Mike Petty on the great flood of 1948. I am aware that some people are making special efforts to attend this meeting.

The 2013 AGM is on March 28 (as a reminder for those of you who are also members of IWA!) A guided tour of the Denver Sluice complex has been arranged for Saturday, 13 April. If anyone would like to go, please book a place with Peter Webb, preferably by e-mail on peter.c.webb@

tesco.net or phone 01353 658 581. Final numbers are required by the end of March.

The annual gathering of boats will be, as usual, at Reach on the May Bank Holiday weekend 4th, 5th and 6th, to allow a visit on the Monday, to the historic Reach Fare where the branch will also be present with the stall. A dinner will be booked in the Dyke’s End pub on the Saturday evening and anyone who would like to book a place should do so via Stephen Foote on g4foh@tambourine.org. uk or phone 01763 838 936.

There will be the traditional barbecue and quiz on the Sunday and in all likelihood a team will be entered into the village pub quiz in the evening.

The following branch meeting is to be held on 24th October (so plenty of notice there) the topic of which it is hoped to be the history and current operation of the Essex Waterways, by Roy Chandler, the Chairman.

As with all organisations theses days, there is the usual website. The main IWA site address is www.waterways.org.uk and you can follow the link on the left hand side to the Great Ouse branch section.

As I said at the start, this is the first piece from the IWA Great Ouse branch as a contributor to the GOBA News clubs section and I hope it will be of some interest.

John Hodgson jhodgson@rivouse.fsnet.co.uk 01234 344884

Upware Boat Club This is my first report as Commodore, having been elected at the 2012 AGM, held on 9th December at The Five Miles Pub, in Upware.

The meeting also appointed Terry Read, as our Rear Commodore and Lorraine Hartwig, as Vice Commodore.

Terry and Jane Read were thanked by the Club and presented with a ship’s porthole wine cooler, marking their two years as Commodore and Commodore’s Lady. Additionally, Jane was presented with a large floral arrangement as a token of our gratitude for clerking our Committee meetings over several years. Terry was also presented with a past Commodore Medal.

I also thanked the Committee for the sheer amount of work they put in throughout the year and paid special tribute to Terry, Sid Fisher and Gary Hartwig for their splendid efforts in transporting marquees and huge amounts of equipment, for last year’s Regatta at Denver Sailing Club. Being a nomadic club without premises, we could not survive without such stalwarts.

The AGM concluded our boating year and

was well attended with some 20 boat crews present and was followed by a lovely Christmas meal.

Our Winter Cruise was held on 1st – 4th February 2013, at Warner’s Lakeside Hayling Island and was attended by 35 Members and friends. It made a nice change to go to a different coast and for once the weather was kind to us - even if a bit cold - but that doesn’t stop hardy boaters. The food and ambiance were excellent as was the Tina Turner tribute act, on the Saturday night.

This was followed by the inevitable karaoke session and for once other members managed to get to the microphone, as Terry 'the singing (ex) Commodore' was poorly. The Archery and Shooting contests were very closely fought as usual, not that we are competitive! But we hope to regain the Pike & Eel “It’s a knockout trophy” in the Summer!

I am looking forward to serving as UBC Commodore for the next two years (even if my wife Barbara isn’t looking forward to taking over the minutes of meetings from Jane!)

Tina Turner tribute.

Our next event, on 30th March, is the Commodore’s welcome, which starts our boating season.

Hopefully the year ahead will bring us all good boating weather. Just keep an eye out for the UBC flags – we have club houses everywhere!

Details of our Programme of Events for 2013 and my contact details can be found on our website: www.upwareboatclub.info Ken Pryor- Black Orchid Commodore - Upware Boat Club

GOBA News • Spring 2013

19

The Seamaster Club – Fens & Great Ouse remember where the moorings were at this popular watering hole. Thirty-one members attended this meal and a good time was had by all. It was a very pleasant end to the boating season.

Our next event will be a pre-season luncheon, at The Wheatsheaf, at Tempsford, on Sunday 24th March 2013. Menu choices have already been circulated to our members and the replies are already flooding in.

Later in the year, we will be holding many functions - both ashore and afloat.

We are hoping for much kinder weather than we all experienced last year.

End of season at Holywell.

As you will see, the Seamaster Club is a very sociable organisation and any Seamaster Here we are again, beginning another year owners, who have not yet joined us, would let’s hope it is an improvement on 2012. My be made very welcome at any of our events. article is longer than normal as the November Our membership numbers are growing with one was omitted, in error, from the last new members attending our social events publication of the GOBA News. throughout the year. Please come and join us.

Since we last appeared in GOBA News The Seamaster Club was formed in we have had our annual garden party in the 1992 for owners of Seamaster boats. The grounds of members Sylvie and Mike Chase’s principal aim of the Club is to help owners home on the banks of the Great Ouse, at Little enjoy their Seamaster boats and to this end, Paxton, in July. This was well attended with they can provide advice and assistance to members arriving both by boat and by car. owners with problems. The Club can answer The weather was reasonably kind to us and we technical queries, advise DIY owners all enjoyed meeting up. Special thanks go to on maintenance and repair of their Sylvie and Mike for their hospitality and use of boats, through the technical support their lovely home and gardens. they have available. This also includes A slightly more sparsely attended afloat rally was held on the GOBA moorings at Brampton, in August, and those who attended had a good time. Once again, I would like to thank GOBA for the upkeep of this site, which is always a very popular spot.

Our final event of 2012, was our End of Season/Pre Xmas lunch which took place on Sunday 25th November, at The Old Ferryboat Inn, Holywell. The riverbank here was totally submerged, as was the Ouse Valley walkway.

You would be hard pushed to

boat reports for all Seamaster models dating from 1953 to 1981 and information on engines, gearbox and wiring diagrams, etc.

Members also receive regular copies of the Seamaster magazine, which includes useful information and data for Seamaster owners.

It also encourages members to meet each other and exchange experiences. Throughout the UK, the Seamaster Club is split into regions. Among the many benefits of joining the Seamaster Club, members will also be able to get 10% discount on boat insurance with Haven Knox-Johnston. More details are available to members after joining the Club. If you would like further information, or would like to consider becoming a member of the Seamaster Club, then please contact Brian Rowland, Membership Secretary tel: 01689 824531 email: brian@seamasterclub.org.

Further information is also available from the Seamaster website: www.seamasterclub.org All our thoughts are now turning to the jobs we need to do before our boats once again venture out on to The Great River Ouse. I hope you all have an enjoyable boating season in 2013.

Sandra Woodham Area Co-ordinator

Silvia and Mike's annual barbeque.

Whitehouse Boating Club When sat at home, I can’t believe another season is about to start, after such a long winter and wet 2012. I would like to wish everyone a good year.

We had a great New Year’s Eve party with Dobbo’s Disco and I would personally like to thank every single member for a fantastic turnout.

We do have a touch of sad news. Our Vice

20

GOBA News • Spring 2013

Commodore, Tony Digby, stepped down at the end of last season. So a big thanks to Tony especially for his event nights. I’d also like to wish the best of luck to our new Vice Commodore, Vic Freeland.

We have a great calendar set up for 2013, which includes our ‘cast iron wok night’, with entertainment. There’s also a barn dance. Our

calendar can be found on our website, www. whitehouseboatingclub.org.uk.

Finally, I would like to wish all boaters a great season and I look forward to meeting you, both up and down the river.

Sally Taylor, WHBC Commodore

CLUB NEWS

Bedford Boat Club There was a short Indian Summer at the end of the season, but this was scant compensation for the poor weather and river closures endured in the earlier part of the season! A few boats made something of this welcome, ‘better late than never,’ respite but most were confined to the moorings.

We were reminded of the lateness of the season by the coming of the ‘Laying up Supper,’ on 20th October. This event was as well attended, as ever, by the 51 members who dined well and saw the annual presentation of prizes.

The ‘Rose Bowl’ award is presented to a member who has given special service to the club during the previous year. As it is within the gift of the Commodore, it was his opinion that the award should be presented to Jackie Browning, which was met with the wholehearted approval of all present!

The competition first place prizes were won

by Bryan Adams, who walked away with both of the fishing prizes - largest fish and largest total catch. They were probably one and the same thing if past performances are to be a guide! The ‘Treasure Hunt’ was won by Eve and Paul How and the ‘Boat Handling’ competition by Emma and Phil Bradley. Following this, there was the inevitable disco.

On 10th November, there was a fund raising event on behalf of the RNLI. Although this was not a club event, or indeed initiated by the club,

it was held in the clubhouse. This was arranged and organised by Mo and Geoff Sillson and attended by around 20 members plus a few friends. A duet played and there was a very acceptable buffet. Because the food was hosted

by Mo and Geoff plus a raffle, auction and some donations - a handsome cheque was sent to the RNLI. The annual ‘Dinner and Dance’ was, as usual, held at the Addison Centre in Kempston, on 24th November. The number was slightly down this year at 87 (probably a sign of the times), but this did make a little more room for dancing! It was, however, encouraging to note that there were more members present than has been the case over the last few years. The meal was its usual high standard, enjoyed by all - as was the entertainment - heralding the raffle ticket sales provided by the ladies and gentlemen of the Bedford Boat Club dance troupe. This year the theme was ‘Cleopatra’ to the music of ‘The Old Bazaar in Cairo,’ which was admirably choreographed again by Dave Bouttell.

In the first part of December we were again visited by flooding severe enough to enter the clubhouse. This has not happened for a number of years, but there was so much rain it was impossible for the EA to manage the levels sufficiently. Indeed the flow rates were at a level not seen for over 20 years and so it was fortunate the levels in the clubhouse did not

reach those of the last time it was overwhelmed under lower flow rate. Unfortunately the carol singing evening, planned for 12th December, had to be cancelled. Mo Sillson had arranged the entertainment which, hopefully, can be rearranged for next Christmas.

On the up side, only a few days later on, 15th December, the ‘Christmas Party’ was able to go ahead. This was well attended and an excellent buffet provided. A ‘Secret Santa’ Christmas present event was arranged with a variety of gifts included. The disco again featured afterwards.

The AGM was held on 27th January, this year the Trustees were elected but the committee members still have another year to run their term.

As I write, (at the beginning of February) the river level has risen again after subsiding in midDecember. Fortunately, thus far, the levels are not raised high enough to enter the clubhouse again. Let us hope that this is the last time we will suffer high water this year, which always limits our boating activities, as has been too often a feature of the last few years.

I wish everyone a long, dry and, above all, happy boating season for 2013.

Our website is: www.bedfordboatclub.co.uk John Hodgson jhodgson@rivouse.fsnet.co.uk 01234 344884

Cambridge Motor Boat Club The nights are getting shorter, as we move slowly toward the spring. At Cambridge we have had contractors in to refurbish much of the river frontage, as erosion was causing a number of problems. That is now complete, as is the automation of our gates - so a bit of a new look Cambridge!

Our laying up supper was very well supported and an excellent evening was had by all who attended. We then had our Christmas lunch, a New Year’s Eve party and just recently our traditional 'Burns night' celebration. All these events were well attended, especially the 'Burns night.' Could this be due to a wee dram being included?

Next is our AGM, when I shall hand over the Commodorship and take a bit of a step back.

We have a full program for 2013, with our traditional events and a couple of new ones.

Above: Refurbishment of the CMBC river frntage.

Left: Festive season at CMBC.

So I look forward to an interesting year and hope to get out on the boat a bit more. Details of these are on our website along with many photos of what we get up too at Cambridge.

My thanks to all the committee members who have worked so hard and to all the members who have supported me over the last two years.

I hope all of you who have read my contributions have enjoyed them and if you want to know anything about CMBC, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Happy boating!

Steve Fell Commodore

GOBA News • Spring 2013

21

Pike and Eel Boat Club Can you believe we are now in 2013 – I certainly cannot – but we are and it’s true what they say, ‘time waits for no man.’

Unfortunately, the Pike and Eel marina (like many others) has suffered due to the floods with pontoons being damaged and poor ‘River Moon’ breaking loose and being swept up river. She is a sturdy girl though, so let’s hope she will be shipshape in time for the start of the new season.

Here’s to a season packed full of sunshine and lazy days cruising – bring it on! We know that you will all be keen to kick start the season and as always we have a calendar full of events for everyone; members old and new and even for visitors who just want to come along and meet us before making any commitment.

During the course of the year we will be holding some Friday night socials in the clubhouse - everyone is most welcome. The social events will be based on a general get-together, interesting and scintillating conversations over a few drinks, or possibly more, and perhaps a season games challenge.

The Pike and Eel Boat Club is in its 47th year and we are very proud that our club still upholds its original objectives and has been part of the River Great Ouse for so many years. Many of the original functions are still included in our calendar, like the ‘Laying Up Supper’, ‘Commodores Cocktail Party’ and our ‘Regatta weekend’. Over the years the inevitable changes have taken place, but the original spirit of the club lives on and we continue to thrive and encourage boaters along the river to come and see how they too can be part of and enjoy our boat club.

We start the 2013 boating year with Dave Lindley ‘Narnia’, handing over the role of Commodore to Mike Webber ‘Kingfisher.’ Mike will be supported by Barry Hobart in the role of Vice Commodore, together with his wife Linda.

Barry and Linda are certainly not new to boating.

They have experienced the hard stuff owning a yacht for many years and therefore were hard core boaters before deciding to settle for a more sedate life of river cruising. Dave Lindley continues on the Committee in the role of Rear Commodore.

Our calendar of events started off on the weekend of 8th-10th of March, with a number of PEBC members and friends traditionally visiting Warners,Gunton Hall, Norfolk.This will be followed by a 'Pre-Season lunch’ and ‘Commodores Welcome,’ on 17th March, at Olivers Lodge, in St Ives - always a favourite venue for our club members.

The Committee have decided that it would be nice to have a PEBC Open Day this year and we invite everyone to come along and meet us; find out who we are; what we do; how much we enjoy ourselves and more importantly, it will help us get feedback as to what works for you.

We are continually striving to improve what we do and we cannot do that without vital feedback from members and indeed potential members.

Our Open Day will be on Saturday 6th April, so

22

GOBA News • Spring 2013

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2013 April 5th Friday Social – Chalet Bar April 6th Open Day May 3/4/5/6th Cruise to Upware incl. Dinghy Trip to Wicken Fen May 17th Friday Social – Chalet Bar June 14th Commodores Cocktail Party* June 15/16th Regatta – theme ‘Grease’ the musical and Entertainment June 28th Friday Social – Chalet Bar June 29th St Ives weekend including Dinghy Trip July 13th Fishing Competition/Tea/Barn Dance July 20/21st Upware Boat Club – Regatta July 26th Friday Social – Chalet Bar Aug 9/11th Hemingford Weekend including Dinghy Trip Aug 23rd Friday Social – Chalet Bar Sept 13/14th Cruise to Ely and Bowling Sept 20th Friday Social – Chalet Bar Nov 2nd Halloween – Chalet Bar Nov16th Laying up Supper – Olivers Lodge* Dec 1st AGM and Lunch - Olivers Lodge Dec 15th Christmas Drinks – Pike and Eel Hotel * Denotes Blazer and Club Tie functions

come along and join us, light refreshments will be included.

The early May bank holiday again brings our usual trip to the edge of the River Cam, where we all moor up, Five Miles from Anywhere! This continues to be a well-supported event with everyone enjoying the weekend - sunshine or not.

The trip will include a Sunday morning dinghy trip, this year, to the Wicken Fen and beyond!

June brings us to our fabled/renowned Headline event, the ‘Regatta weekend,’ with the theme for this year being ‘Grease’. Our dearest friends from the Upware Boat Club will be joining us again this year, we really appreciate the support they give us and the fun they help us have. Plus of course, it wouldn’t be ‘Regatta weekend’ without the games and friendly competition.

Another June event is a club trip to St Ives.

Let’s hope the lock gate has been sorted out by then. Although, when thinking about it, the lock gate is nothing compared to being stuck on the other side of it due to the level and strength of the water, which happened on a couple of occasions

last year. Talk about setting an example, when the then Commodore and Vice Commodore made the decision to go through the lock, but having to take their canopy and windows down in order to do so. Yes windows – were we mad? I think we could have invented a new game – boat limbo!

The full list of 2013 calendar events is above and as you can see it is a packed one:I would like to round up by again saying thanks to all the hard work and continued efforts put in by our Committee Members. The changes in our Flag Officers and Committee Members for 2013 are listed for your information, please feel free to contact any of us, if you are interested in the club or any of the events.

I wish you all a season of sunshine, good friendships, happy and safe boating and look forward to catching up with you all during the course of the year.

Please visit our new look website for detailed information and to enjoy our Photo Gallery www.pebc.co.uk Julia Lindley – Assistant Secretary

Committee Members Name David Fensome Mike Webber Barrie Hobart Dave Lindley John Coulson Janette Coulson Julia Lindley Julie Webber Sally Chandler George Chandler Brent Kiddie Debbie Kiddie Di Mole Bruce Simpkin Dave Mole **Moored at Jones’ boat yard.

Title President Commodore Vice Commodore Rear Commodore Hon. Treasurer Hon. Secretary Hon. Asst. Secretary Committee Member/Hon Auditor Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member

Boat Name Lady Lynda Kingfisher Pandora Narnia Fenland Lady Fenland Lady Narnia Kingfisher Leanesha** Leanesha** Moon River Moon River Latest Flame** Lady Grey Latest Flame**

CLUB NEWS

Denver Cruising Club We have had a problem like all other Clubs on our river system with water levels. At this end of the system we have had the problem of water shortage, due to flood relief - our boats were sitting on the mud with no water around them. I have had to phone up Denver Complex to find out the expected level to see if we could hold some of our Socials last year. Looking on the bright side we have not had to cancel any of them.

Our Laying-up-Supper last year was a great success, with another excellent meal from Sue and Roger. In 2012, we managed to hold a lot more events, which meant that most of our presentation ‘cups’ which have been laying around on the shelf collecting dust, could be handed out to members. It was rewarding to see all the smiling faces as they came up to collect there ‘cups’ and trophies.

Just as at all our social events, the standard of food at our Christmas dinner was excellent - another pat on the back for Sue and Roger. The evening was rounded of with some music and a good chat around the tables. I don’t think anyone wanted to go home. The Christmas atmosphere was great.

The New Year’s Eve party was on hold due to the weather and lack of water. This caused the Clubhouse to lay over at a dangerous angle and all the boats where on the mud for over a week. After phone calls to Denver Complex, we finally got the green light that the Clubhouse should be floating till the next down pour. This week, it started to snow, followed by rain washing it away and we had another flood alert. That meant that most of the water went out the river again. Anyway back to the New Year’s Eve party - the number of members, who had booked to attend this event kept falling. This time, due to the flu bug we had going round. We still held our annual party with a smaller group and a good time was had by all.

This year’s first Social start’s in February, with our Winter Warmer. Brian will be head chef on this occasion, with Belinda assisting. Sue has started taking bookings, the menu is set and all we have to do is hope we have some water under the Clubhouse.

Finally I hope we all have a good boating season ahead of us, with sunny days and the Bar-b-q out. If you are passing our Club, please call in - you will be made most welcome.

Carol Warburton. warburtcar@aol.com

Ouse Valley River Club Clubs don’t suit everyone. There, I said it. In fact, I say it to most people who come along to the OVRC to meet us, before becoming members.

Membership of a private Club is necessarily a different ball game to proprietary marinas. Clubs only exist because of the effort put into them by their members and they can only continue to thrive through membership participation. But that shouldn’t be a hardship. The other side of the coin is the sense of ownership you get as part of a Club wholly owned by its members. It means people care about what happens and the direction it takes and where people take an interest, they tend to take part too. And then there’s the social life, to be enjoyed out on the river and back at the Clubhouse and the network of like-minded friends that goes with that. Time and time again, I’ve seen how those friendships, some forged over decades, become a valuable support network, beyond boating matters.

At our Club I’m always banging on about the need for a continual, healthy intake of new boating members and whilst we do get a regular flow, it has puzzled me why we don’t get more. Talking to new members and to boaters out on the river, I have come to realise that some people do have misconceptions about us. I guess we have to bear some responsibility for failing to get our message across. You’re wondering where all this is going.

Well, in an attempt to get an honest appraisal, I invited a few new members to give me their first impressions of the OVRC. I promised myself I would publish the unvarnished truth, according to our newbies so here it is:

From Chas: I didn’t think I was much for clubs and what I perceived to be their pomp and ceremony - I have been proved wrong. Since joining, we have been welcomed with open arms, offered the option of joining in with many club events and gatherings.

I say offered the option because nobody judges if you cannot or do not want to join in with an event.

The events are varied and often involve the use of the clubhouse, which is modern spacious and well looked after - a credit to those who helped in its construction.

There are many benefits to membership, whether you just want to sit and enjoy the view on a sunny Sunday afternoon whilst taking advantage of the extremely well stocked bar, or to using the winch and slipway to do maintenance or just antifouling.

I have to say membership came by chance and has proved very enjoyable, why not join us?

And then there was this from David: As new members to OVRC we am pleased to say that we have never been made so welcome into such a club that has unity, friendship, charity and willingness for all members to enjoy the efforts of others.

My wife Evie and I pondered for some time about joining, but I had heard some unusual

reports about membership and so called elitism.

Our experience in the short time we have been members is totally the contrary. Had it not have been for the generosity of the GOBA chairman (Ian Cox) and his wife Lin during our visit to St Ives over the bank holiday weekend, we might have waited another few years before making an enquiry for membership. It is our only regret that we didn’t join before.

The two social events we have attended were filled with entertainment, friendly banter and the desire to introduce us to other members.

The prize giving for members’ achievements during the past year were taken seriously but also with humorous expression. Apparently this type of event and its entertainment value is commonplace making it a pleasure to attend.

In October, we attended our first maintenance working party where over the last weekend of October the majority of members worked tirelessly to maintain the grounds, clean the buildings from top to bottom and make repairs to the infrastructure. We were amazed by the enthusiasm and commitment by those members who gave up their weekend to ensure that the forthcoming months would provide the comfort and stability of the marina and its club facilities.

As we get closer to Christmas, we see a continuing effort in raising money for worthwhile causes as well as providing the Children’s Christmas party and other social events. Regardless of the weather conditions and at the time of ydear when the weather limits the use of our boats, we can still enjoy the harmony of the OVRC membership. A comforting thought for those members seeking companionship, friendship and wishing to be part of a community of likeminded thinking people.

We look forward to many happy years in the OVRC and continuing their 62 years of commitment.

Thank you to my contributors. Both have had the courage to put aside preconceptions and we are very pleased to have them on board.

Of course, in any Club that has evolved over more than 60 years, a culture develops and change happens by osmosis (not that kind!). So new blood is essential. It ensures our future and reminds us not to become too insular.

It’s early February. We are being battered by northerly winds but members are starting to move about and the social calendar kicks off properly with our ‘St Valentines’ evening next week. Good luck to our new Social Chair, Claire and her team and thank you for taking the job on. We also look forward to hosting the Annual General Meeting of GOBA in late April. Why not take the opportunity to stick your nose in? ‑ Have a safe and sunny boating season.

Martin Wilcox Hon. Secretary OVRC For membership enquiries: Email: ovrc.riverclose@btinternet.com Visit: www.ovrc.co.uk Phone: 01480 210131.

GOBA News • Spring 2013

23

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GOBA News • Spring 2013

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Unit 8 Cauldwell Court, Bedford Inboard and Outboard Servicing - Boat repairs in GRP, Wood - Antifouling and Blacking - Accessories supplied and fitted - On Site 20t Mobile Crane - Heated Workshop for Craft up to !������ � "������ �� ����� ��� � �#�$���� � Towout ������!������� � � � ���� 30 feet - Slipway with Facility - Professional Marine Engineers with over 60 years combined experience at your

������� � ���� � ����� ���� ��������� ��������� ��� �� �� ����� ��� � ���� � � ���� ���

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Inboard and Outboard Servicing - Boat repairs in GRP, Wood - Antifouling and Blacking - Accessories supplied and fitted - On Site 20t Mobile Crane - Heated Workshop for Craft up to 30 feet - Slipway with Towout Facility - Professional Marine Engineers with over 60 years combined experience at your

%���� %������� %���� ���� ��� ��&'���� ���� �%( )*+ , � ���� -./0/ 11/(21 � '��� ����'���� '��������$�& �&����$������ ��3'�$��� $��$�&

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Boat Safety Examinations & Marine Surveys

●Fast, efficient and reliable service. ●Privately owned, residential & hire-boats. ●Gas Safe Registered. IIMS & NABSE member.

Contact Tony Pope on 07833 393928 or email: tony@boatsafetyexaminer.co.uk

28

GOBA News • Spring 2013

������������������������������������������������������������

������� ������������������ ������ �������������

A. Chapman Tel: 01234 268455 Mobile: 07885 658462 Unit8 8Cauldwell CauldwellCourt, Court,Bedford Bedford Unit

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HARTFORD MARINA Leisure marine services in the heart of Cambridgeshire www.hartfordmarina.co.uk Tel: 01480 454677

 Over 200 moorings  40 acre marina  Electricity & water  Showers & WC

 Laundrette

    

Petrol & diesel Calor Gas Pump out Cranage Slipway

PRIORY MARINA BEDFORD AN OASIS OF PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY Facilities include:

VISITOR BERTHS LAUNDRETTE SHOWERS CYCLE HIRE RESTAURANT HOTEL

PUMP OUT SLIPWAY CRANE CCTV DIESEL & GAS

    

New boat showroom Outboard sales Dinghies & canoes Inflatables Used boat sales

All you could want 92 acres of unspoilt, tranquil countryside Extensive cruising options 240 berths with new narrowboat moorings Secure site Full boatyard services First class facilities – wifi access, gym, pool, café & bar Just 20 minutes from Cambridge

River Great Ouse

For more information T: 01480 812660 www.buckdenmarina.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.BWML.CO.UK AND SELECT PRIORY MARINA OR CALL 01234 351 931

GOBA News • Spring 2013

29

������������ � ���������� ���������������� ����������������������� ���������� ������� ������������ ������������ ������������� ������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ������������������������� ������������ ������������ ������������������������������������������� � ������������������������������������������ ���������������� � ����������������������� ���������� ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ���������� ���������������� ������� ������������ ������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ������������� ������������ ������������������������� ������������ ������������������������������������������� ������������ ������������������������������������������ � ���������� ����������������������� ���������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ��� ����������������������� ������� ������������ ���������������������������� ��������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ������������� ������������ ������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������� ������������������������������������������� ������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������� � ������������������������������������������ ���������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ ��� ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ����������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ���

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INSTRUCTION TO YOUR BANK ������������� � Ouse Boating Association Great Ltd ���������������������������� ��������� �������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� OR BUILDING SOCIETY TO PAY PO BOX 244 ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������� �������������������������

BY DIRECT DEBIT Huntingdon ������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������� Cambs ������������������������������������������ Instruction to your Bank or Building Society PE29 6FE ����������������������� Please pay Great Ouse Boating Association ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ��� Ltd Direct Debits from the

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account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the �������������� Direct Debit Guarantee.

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���������������������������� ��������� ��������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� �������� I understand that this instructionTO may remain with Great Ouse Boating INSTRUCTION YOUR ������������������������� Association Ltd and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my ����������������������������������������������������� Great Ouse Boating Association Ltd ����������������������������������������������������� BANKSociety.

OR BUILDING SOCIETY Bank/Building account number Bank/Building ������������������������������������������� Meadowview,Society Flegg Green ���������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ TO PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT Wereham Originators Identification Number � ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������� ��� King’s Sort LynnCode Branch Instruction to your4Bank2or Building 4 1 5 7Society �������������� Norfolk PE33 9BA

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The Boathaven, Low Road, St. Ives, Cambs, PE27 5ET. Tel: 01480 494040 Please pay Great Ouse Boating Association Ltd �������������� ������������� � � Ouse Boating Association Ltd Reference Number.

Your number Direct Debits from the account detail in thismembership INSTRUCTION TO YOUR BANK ������������� Great ���������������������������� ��������� Name and full postal address of your Bank/Building Society instruction subject to the safeguards assured by �������� �������� OR BUILDING SOCIETY TO PAY PO BOX 244 G O B A the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Nam e(s) of Account Holder(s) ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������� To The Manager Bank/

BY DIRECT DEBIT Huntingdon Building Society ���������������������������������������������������������������������� Signature(s) Cambs I understand that this instruction m ay rem ain with AdInstruction to your Bank or Building Society � Great Ouse Boating Association Ltd and, if so, �� ���� ���� � ����������� PE29 6FE dress Please pay Great Ouse Boating Association Ltd Direct Debits from the

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�������� I understand that Originator’s this instruction may remain with Great Ouse Boating Identification Num ber The Great Ouse Boating Association subscribes to Ltd the and, Direct Debit Guarantee scheme Association if so, details will be passed electronically to my ����������������������������������������������������� Bank/Building Society account number Branch Sort Code 4 1 4 2 5 7 Bank/Building Society.

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Reference Num ber Number Originators Identification

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G O B A – Branch Sort Code 4 1 4 2 5 7 �������������� 30 GOBA NEWS (WINTER 2011) The Boathaven, Low Road, St. Ives, Cambs, 494040 Boathaven, Low Society Road, St. Ives, Cambs,PE27 PE275ET. 5ET. Tel: Tel: 01480 01480 494040 Nam e and fullThe postal address of your Bank/Building � To the Manager

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Name and Society full postal Bank/Building Address

address of your Bank/Building Society

To The Manager Bank/ Building Society

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Reference Number.

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The Boathaven, St. Ives,subscribes Cambs, 5ET. 01480 494040 The GreatLow Ouse Road, Boating Association toPE27 the Direct DebitTel: Guarantee schem e Date 30

Postcode

www. jo n e s boatyard.co.uk

GOBA News • Spring 2013

The Great Ouse Boating Association subscribes to the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme

VIKING MOTOR CRUISERS

NEW AND USED SALES CENTRE Thinking of selling your boat? We buy used Viking Cruisers. Call us for more information on 01480 468666 or email sales-riverside@fsmail.net

NEW prices from £18,800 Riverside Marine & Leisure

Pike and Eel Marina, Overcote Lane, Needingworth, St Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 4TW

01480 468666 07951 745843 email: sales-riverside@fsmail.net

www.vikingmotorcruisers.co.uk GOBA News • Spring 2013

31

Kings Lynn Buoys

Moorings – conditions of use

• • •

The use of GOBA moorings is free to members and hirers of craft owned by members of GOBA There is a maximum stay of 48 hour. Boats take priority over fishing, for which you need a licence.

Moor as close as possible to other boats and close up gaps if necessary. Help fellow members to find space or raft onto your boat at busy times.

Keep children and animals under proper control. There are often farm animals where moorings are on fields Do not light ground fires.

Pick up litter and dog mess.

Do not tie ropes to GOBA mooring signs.

Members are reminded that the use of GOBA moorings is at ‘own risk’ and you are advised to have third-party liability insurance.

• • • • •

Huntingdon

Non-EA public moorings are available at Bedford, Huntingdon, St Ives, Ely, Clayhithe and Cambridge.

7

11

6

7

1

2

1 5

1 3 3

1

3 2

4

5

15

St Ives

13

10 12

9

13

8

14

11

4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Hundred Foot Drain

24

23 23

Little Ouse (Brandon Creek) 22

22 21 18

17

Ely 9 14

19

15

10

15

13

16

Old West River

20

26

22

24 27

Brandon

16

16

17

17

River Lark 20

14

21

18

Judes Ferry

Wicken Lode 35

11 19

River Cam 19

Cambridge

GOBA Moorings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

River Wissey

25

Littleport

Stoke Ferry

31

28 21

4

Bedford Cardington Castle Mills Willington Barford Roxton Eaton Socon St Neots Offord Brampton Godmanchester Houghton Hemingford St Ives Brownshill Hermitage Upware Bottisham Baits Bite Jesus Green Isleham Brandon Denver Relief Channel Salters Lode

25

30

Bedford

Locks

Downham Market

24

29

18

6

32

Denver Sluice23

20

7

33 Relief Channel

25

Middle Level

9

St Neots

8

1 2

6

10

8

5

1

12

34

Tidal Ouse

Fenlake Meadow Priory Marina (One night’s free mooring) Goldington Great Barford Little Paxton Pits Offord Mailers Meadow Brampton Hemingford Noble’s Field Ferryboat One Pound Pike & Eel Brownshill Aldreth Drain Lazy Otter Stretham Wicken Fen Reach Lode Waterbeach Ten Mile Bank Stop Lock Santon Downham Railway Bridge Whittington

12

Burwell Lode

Reach Lode

EA Moorings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Sovereign Quay Old Mills Great Barford Eaton Socon Offord Godmanchester Houghton The Dolphin – St Ives Earith Hermitage Reach Lode (Upware) Burwell Lode Hundred Acre Goldsmere Little Thetford Queen Adelaide Diamond 44 Toms Hole Farm Prickwillow Mile End Farm Sandhills – Littleport Black Horse – Littleport Brandon Creek Station Road – Littleport The Ship Little Ouse – Brandon Brandon Town Windmill Denver Complex Silt Fen Farm Hilgay Downham Market Stowbridge Wiggenhall St Mary Fidwell Fen

Useful Contacts General Secretary and general enquiries Alistair Reid – 01480 493582; alistair.reid@goba.org.uk 15 Willow Green, Needingworth, Huntingdon, Cambs PE27 4SW Membership and Treasury Mike Mackay – 01366 501365; mike.mackay@goba.org.uk Mooring – upstream from St Ives Stuart Turvey – 01234 303589; stuart.turvey@goba.org.uk Mooring – downstream from St Ives Roy Wood – 01353 663585; roy.wood@goba.org.uk GOBA News Editor Beverley Jenisis – 01234 296698; beverley.jenisis@goba.org.uk

Publicity Beverley Jenisis – 01234 296698; beverley.jenisis@goba.org.uk Bulletins John Hodgson – 01234 344884; john.hodgson@goba.org.uk Navigation problems and EA Liaison Alistair Reid – 01480 493582; alistair.reid@goba.org.uk River situation EA at Brampton – 08708 506506 Floodline – 0845 9881188 Cambridgeshire Boat Watch Telephone 101 quoting BW

GOBA News is published by the Great Ouse Boating Association Ltd, which is registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act in the United Kingdom. Number 22120R. GOBA is run entirely by a committee of seasoned boaters, who volunteer their free-time for the benefit of the Great Ouse boating community.

Opinions and statements of contributors and endorsement of advertisers published in GOBA News are not necessarily supported by GOBA. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. GOBA is a registered data user.

Application forms for membership can be obtained at most marinas on the Great Ouse; from our website – www.goba.org.uk; by post – GOBA, Meadowview, Flegg Green, Wereham , King’s Lynn , Norfolk PE33 9BA or by email – membership@goba.org.uk.