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Issue 149, March 2018
Stopping the coal fires burning?
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FROM SEA CROSSINGS TO SANITATION P9
BOAT REVIEW: HELLO DOLLY
P64 GOING DUTCH WITH A BOTJE
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Proposed government legislation could affect smoke emissions from solid fuel stoves on boats. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES
Government targets solid fuels in pollution purge By Harry Arnold
RECENTLY announced government proposals to reduce air pollution from open fires by introducing legislation to ban the sale of coal as a household
Bridge shortlisted
fuel could affect boaters with stoves burning solid fuel. Environment secretary Michael Gove is targeting home fires because they are the largest single source of particulates that contribute to lung
THE reconstruction of Elland Bridge, which was catastrophically damaged in the 2015 Boxing Day floods, has been shortlisted by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in its Yorkshire and Humber regional awards. The awards showcase outstanding work by civil engineers across the region and will take place in Harrogate on March 2. The Elland Bridge Reconstruction has been shortlisted for the Smeaton Award for projects costing less than £5 million.
and heart disease, apparently causing 29,000 early deaths a year. About 40% of particulates in 2015 came from this source – more than double the proportion from diesel cars. Restrictions could also be placed
More rescues
RIVER Canal Rescue reports that the number of rescues it has carried out have again reached a new high. In 2017, teams attended 162 incidents (137 major and 25 minor), 8% up from 150 (119 major and 31 minor) in 2016. Outside the rescue requests, RCR call-outs – from electrical, fuel and engine issues to flat batteries, overheating and gear box failures – totalled 4691, up 115 from 4576 the previous year.
on the burning of wet wood, a practice often seen on canal boats. A wood-burning stove can produce more particulates than a heavy goods vehicle. • Continued on page 2
Peak project
WORK has started on a major £2.5 million project to repair part of the historic Peak Forest Canal in Marple, Cheshire. The Canal & River Trust is undertaking major repairs to three locks on the Marple Lock Flight and installing a bespoke parapet railing on the Grade I listed Marple Aqueduct. The four-month project, which started in January, is being funded by the trust and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
2 NEWS/COMMENT
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BY THE time you read this, the sun will be rising at around 7am and setting at 5.30pm; the days will be noticeably lengthening. Some of the birds have already started to sing in the morning and I have seen daffodils in bloom already in sunnier spots and catkins hanging from the branches – sure signs that spring is on its way. Last time Easter Sunday fell on April 1 was in 1956 – a quick search on Google revealed a photo on the Yorkshire Waterways Museum website showing a pair of Samuel Barlow narrowboats locking up the Grand Union Canal (it doesn’t state which lock) in April of that year. The motor boat is Malta with the butty Cylgate which is now on static display in the National Waterways Museum Gloucester; I have only been able to find reference to a narrowboat Malta built in 1981. There will be plenty of historic boats to see at the annual Easter Gathering at the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port. I am planning to visit the gathering on Easter Monday, the day before the launch of our new Towpath Talk Top Team award aboard the Daniel Adamson on April 3 – see the report alongside this column and watch out for details about how you can nominate your ‘top team’ next month. Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers had just 10 days to prepare for a Royal visit and, together with Stroud District Council, put on a great welcome for the Prince of Wales, see the report and pictures on page 4. Stoppage open days have also been in full swing. In this edition Colin Wareing reports from Johnson’s Hillock on page 5 and we also have pictures from the Leeds open day on page 16. We have some features with a difference this month: Tim Coghlan reports on a visit to a canalside vineyard on page 19 and we have our colleagues at sister title Heritage Railway to thank for the story of a little railway which serves a Manchester boatyard on page 20. In the holiday section, David and Marilyn Hartwell recall their experiences with a ‘botje’ – small boat – on the Dutch waterways, see page 72. While on primetime TV, five celebrities have gone ‘barging’ in France on the River Lot and the Canal du Midi – this year’s budding boaters are Tom Conti, Tony Christie, Diarmuid Gavin, Penny Smith and Tessa Sanderson. If you’ve missed their exploits on Friday evenings, catch up on Channel 5’s streaming service, 5 On Demand. Happy reading – and viewing
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Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – tshaw@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Stuart Yule – syule@mortons.co.uk Christopher Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional advertising manager Sue Keily Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004. Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – March 22, 2018
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Help us find the Towpath Talk Top Team TEAMS of volunteers help to maintain the network of more than 4000 miles of inland waterways across the British Isles. From the Waterway Recovery Group to the local taskforce adopting their ‘own patch’ of towpath, thousands of unpaid hours are contributed each year. And it’s not just maintaining the canal and river infrastructure but providing voluntary crews for the community
boats which provide such a valuable service in enabling disabled and vulnerable people to enjoy a day out in the countryside or preserving 200 years of heritage for future generations. For the last two years, we have recognised individuals’ contributions with our Volunteer of the Year award, the accolade for 2016 going to the late Paul Mills who sadly lost his battle with cancer in September.
When he received his award last May Paul said: “The recognition is for the whole team and not just myself.” We have taken this on board and our new award in 2018 will be for the Towpath Talk Top Team. We hope this will be a fitting tribute to Paul and his legacy to the Small Tasks Team Volunteers which he founded. We will be officially launching this award on April 3 at Ellesmere Port on
board the Daniel Adamson which is another example of how a team of volunteers can achieve great things. The award has again been generously sponsored by ABC Leisure which will be giving the hire of a day boat carrying up to 10 people. For details of the award, the judging panel and how you can nominate your top team, see the April edition of Towpath Talk, out on March 22.
Pumphouse sale on hold pending further discussions By Janet Richardson
BOATERS’ concerns about the future of the sanitary station at the Blowers Green Pumphouse on the Dudley No 2 Canal have been addressed by the Canal & River Trust. The Birmingham Canal Navigations Society and the
Blowers Green Pumphouse: The Canal & River Trust is considering its options. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire branch drew attention to the issue following the appearance of a public notice stating that CRT proposed to dispose of its freehold interest in the pumphouse, which was built in the late 19th century to take water back up to the Birmingham Level and Dudley Tunnel from Dudley No 1 and No 2 Canal. CRT has since stated that while it considers its options, the property is not on the market. A CRT spokesman told Towpath Talk: “We have had a number of responses to the proposed sale of Blowers Green Pumphouse – many of which have regarded the future of the customer service facilities located there. “In fact, it has always been our intention to retain the existing customer service facilities at the property after sale by leasing them back at no rent so that we could continue to provide these important facilities to boaters.” Dated December 20, the notice stated that the Canal & River Trust proposed to dispose of its freehold interest in Blowers Green Pumphouse and asked for any representations or comments to be sent within a month. CRT replied: “Following the notice period and the comments received we intend to give further consideration to the site. In particular we would like
to assess whether offering a long lease of the property, rather than disposing of our freehold interest, might be a better solution and give greater control over the future use and maintenance of the property. “While we consider this option the property is not on the market. The outcome of our deliberations may result in further public notices being posted in the future which will give people the opportunity to comment again.” Blowers Green Pumphouse has also been used by the Dudley Canal Trust and other local organisations. The chief executive of the Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, Traci Dix-Williams, told us: “We have been working with Canal & River Trust regards the sale of the pumphouse at Blowers Green. Though it is a building which has served us well here at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust most of our operations now run from our new facilities at The Portal, Todd’s End. “We have looked at alternative ways we could use the building but as they do not fully support our future development plans we have taken the decision to vacate the premises. We are pleased that Canal & River Trust intends to keep the customer service facilities in situ, as we know this is a very popular area for boaters to visit.” • Continued from page 1
A man of many interests
Government targets solid fuels in pollution purge
Andrew Boucher and Nick Hill pay tribute to a long-time supporter of the historic working boats WITH the death of Trevor Maggs at the age of 84 the canals have lost a great character. He had just achieved 50 years of ownership of his boat Corona – itself only two years his junior – and as recently as September last had brought it back from Foxton to Rugby by himself. Born in Rugby in 1933 he attended Lawrence Sheriff School there and followed his father into the GEC, and apart from a spell at Stourbridge worked for them in Rugby as a draughtsman through to retirement. He was meticulous in his habits and had a photographic memory, easily recalling events, dates and times from long ago. Apart from canals his interests were many, including older Jaguar cars, fairground organs and especially the Great Western Railway – a badge of whose coat-of-arms he wore – supporting several locomotive rebuild projects. Surprisingly, perhaps, his visit to the footplate of one of his beloved ‘Castle’ class at the age of 83 was only the second time in his life he had been on an engine in steam! His interest in canals and working boats grew from visits to Hillmorton locks in the 1950s, and he got to know Nick Hill, with whom he travelled on occasion on Nick’s narrowboat Jaguar. Nick had noted the Corona at Hillmorton in 1965, and when some time later, then in the ownership of Coventry City Council's Town Thorns School, he saw it looking neglected and forlorn at Easenhall, he told Trevor about it, who then promptly bought it. Trevor took ownership on New Year’s Day 1968, and over the years set about dealing with the backlog of repairs. These include replacing the ‘National’ with one of the first production Lister HR2 engines, and replacing the bottom and cabin in steel. He was keen to see it used for its intended purpose, and accordingly the first load on October
A regular sight at canal events, Trevor Maggs steering his historic working boat Corona. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES
30, 1970, was coal from Atherstone for Braunston and Berkhamstead, under the auspices of Ashby Canal Transport. It was often used as an extra boat to help out with deliveries on the southern Oxford Canal and the Thames with Jaguar. Things moved up a gear in 1973 when a work colleague, Colin Shervington, bought the butty Actis from Alan Picken and regular carrying trips ensued with the pair, often with the assistance of other work colleagues such as Phil Parr and Giles Smith. Pair boating ended in 1984 with the sale of the Actis and Trevor was once again boating by himself, still loading his boat from time to time, such as coal taken to Oxford in connection with that canal’s bicentenary. His last load was in 2011 when he brought pre-packed coal from Rickmansworth to Stoke Bruerne. In the meantime, he became a regular at canal events, attending the Rickmansworth Festival from its inception. Other regular appearances included Linslade, Stoke Bruerne, Blisworth, Braunston, Shackerstone and the Black Country Museum, although he felt that having a Grand Union boat he shouldn’t stray too far from that system! He was proud of the fact that his boat had never been used as a camping boat, or converted, and hoped that the next custodian would keep it as a trading boat.
During a smog episode in London during January 2017 half the toxic emissions in some areas came from domestic wood burning, due to the increasing popularity of stoves and open fires in houses and hotels. Mr Gove has called for increasing evidence on the use of house coal, smokeless coal, manufactured solid fuels and wood. Stricter sulphur limits are being considered for all smokeless solid fuels. He is anxious not to ban stoves using properly seasoned and dried wood which is apparently partly a response to a plea from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who wants powers to prohibit all wood burning in areas of poor air quality. Smoke from boats moored in London had been mentioned in Mr Khan’s proposals. In a press statement issued in the autumn the Mayor referred to the ‘creation of zones where the burning of solid fuel is not allowed’, which, along with the desire for more controls over boat emissions, could see areas where solid fuel stoves are banned on boats. National Bargee Travellers Association chairman Marcus Trower responded: “For most people who live on a boat, a solid fuel stove is their only source of heat to beat back the cold in winter.”
Will historic steamer President have to use smokeless fuel under proposed government legislation? PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES
NEWS 3
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Bridge closures cut Forth & Clyde Canal in two By Cicely Oliver
THE Inland Waterways Association has called on Scottish Canals to reopen the Forth & Clyde Canal as a matter of urgency. Navigation has been effectively closed between two lift bridges at Twechar and Bonnybridge after their operation was suspended by SC, which announced on February 1 that it does not have the funds necessary to carry out repairs. This has left boaters at Auchinstarry, where there are more than 30 residential and leisure moorings, marooned between the two bridges which are situated around the middle of the lowlands canal. Their closure could impact on the hire boat trade and any seagoing craft wishing to traverse the canal from one coast to the other. Scottish Canals stated: “The mechanisms of both bridges have been a cause for concern for some time but
recent inspections show that they have now reached a point where we believe their operation could pose a risk to public safety. “While we work up the technical solutions and source the funding required to implement the necessary repairs, we have no option but to temporarily suspend their operation.” IWA has written to Andrew Thin, chairman of Scottish Canals, to ask him to identify budget and bring forward the repairs. National chairman Ivor Caplan said: “IWA wishes to see through navigation on the Forth & Clyde Canal reinstated as soon as possible. “We are concerned about the viability of the hire boat trade with only half the canal available, the impact on those boaters based at Auchinstarry Basin and increased future maintenance costs as nearby locks and other structures will suffer through lack of use if these bridges are closed for any significant length of time.”
The boats at Auchinstarry Basin are marooned between the two bridges. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE
Vital role
Canal enthusiast and campaigner Ronnie Rusack, who is currently chairman of the Lowland Canals Volunteer Group, said: “After 47 years of campaigning for the lowland canals I’m not prepared to allow them to deteriorate any further and slip back to becoming remainder waterways.
Bonnybridge Lift Bridge in the lowered position. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE
The Twechar Bascule Bridge in operation. PHOTO: PHIL SHARPE
“The Scottish Lowland Canals are not only part of our heritage but play a vital role in tourism, health and the well-being of the Scottish people and have something for everyone as proved by their usage.” The Forth & Clyde Canal was restored to navigation in 2001 following National Lottery funding as a Millennium project. IWA considers that in order for Scottish Canals to fulfil its statutory requirement as navigation authority to keep the restored lowland canals in full working order, repairs to these two bridges should be carried out as a matter of urgency. Over the past year there have
been around 370 bridge openings at Bonnybridge and 125 at Twechar. With prescribed opening hours, and bridge opening times agreed in advance with transiting boaters, SC put as many vessels through a bridge, or lock, as possible, and the actual number of boats passing through will be greater than the number of bridge openings. Some 4000 people a year come for a boating holiday on the lowland canals. The hire boats are based at Falkirk on the Forth & Clyde, and were recently the subject of a new partnership between Scottish Canals and three national hire boat fleets.
4 NEWS
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Royal occasion for the Cotswold Canals THE first phase of the restoration of the Cotswold Canals received a royal seal of approval when the Prince of Wales visited Stroud on February 2. He was met by Stroud District Council chiefs and the volunteers of the Cotswold Canals Trust for whom it was the culmination of 10 days of preparation and planning. SDC chief executive David Hagg said: “His visit was perfectly timed to mark the completion of the first major phase of the canal restoration project and the rejoining of two canals – the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames & Severn.”
Cutting the ribbon across the canal.
The Prince arrived at Wallbridge Upper Lock where a fleet of maintenance vessels had been moored above the lock alongside Cheapside Wharf courtesy of Newland Homes. Cotswold Boatmobility’s wheelyboat Zephyrus and a flotilla of KataKanus were also above the lock where Boatmobility chairman Jan Thomas explained the aims and activities of the group to the Prince, who then boarded CCT trip boat Perseverance to cruise to Wallbridge Lower Lock.
The Prince of Wales is introduced to volunteers Bob Ambury and Jill Field by SDC volunteers manager Jon Pontefract, right.
The plaque which will be permanently mounted near Wallbridge Lower Lock. The first part of the ceremony involved the cutting of a ribbon across the approach to Wallbridge Lower Lock, recognising the navigable reconnection of the Stroudwater Navigation (opened in 1779) to the Thames and Severn Canal (opened in 1789). Prince Charles then disembarked and spoke to volunteers before unveiling a commemorative plaque which will be permanently mounted near Wallbridge Lower Lock once landscaping and minor engineering works have been completed.
The Prince on narrowboat Perseverance with Stroud District Council canal project manager David Marshall and CEO David Hagg. PHOTOS: MIKE GALLAGHER, COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST
The restoration project, led by Stroud District Council in partnership with the Cotswold Canals Trust and Gloucestershire County Council, has transformed a scene of dereliction and abandoned towpath into a waterway and wildlife corridor now enjoyed by the local community and a growing number of visitors to the area. The Prince shares a joke with David Jowett, editor of the Cotswold Canals Trust magazine, The Trow.
Crowds surround Wallbridge Upper Lock for the Prince’s arrival.
The flotilla of KataKanus.
Cotswold Boatmobility chairman Jan Thomas explains the group’s activities with wheelyboat Zephyrus in the foreground.
Largely funded by a grant of £12.7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project has involved civil engineering contractors working in conjunction with a growing number of volunteers. Those volunteers have contributed over 138,000 hours to the project since 2013. The ceremony was attended by HLF chairman Sir Peter Luff who said: “We are impressed with the tremendous achievement in restoring the canal channel and its structures. It’s wonderful to see the impact of that investment and the benefits it is having for communities, wildlife and heritage. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
NEWS 5
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Young visitors explore the inside of the lock chamber from the safety of the scaffolding platforms.
No treasures but plenty of visitors at Johnson’s Hillock By Colin Wareing
In the pink: visitors peer over the side of the scaffolding platforms.
AS PART of the winter 2017-18 maintenance programme, the Canal & River Trust is replacing two sets of gates on two of the locks on the Johnson’s Hillock flight of locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Chorley in Lancashire. An open day was held on Sunday, January 28 to allow members of the public to experience being in an empty lock chamber without the need for a boat. Tony Entwistle from CRT was the team leader for the day, bringing together all aspects of the planning and preparation over recent weeks, organising the fitting of scaffolding and steps into the lock to allow safe and easy access into the chamber. He explained that the aim of the day was to give the public a chance to experience the history and heritage of the lock system and give the community a sense of how their local waterways work.
Because this is a fairly rural location, when the engineers drained the lock flight all they found was silt, no treasures of discarded safes, bicycles or gold rings. He explained the sums of money involved in the work being undertaken on the site, with each set of gates costing about £20,000 and the whole job on each lock costing between £100,000 and £150,000. The day was dry and mild, with the rain staying off so a good turnout of folks went down into the locks. Plenty of the North West CRT staff and volunteers were on hand to explain to people what they were looking into and encourage them to become friends of the charity. As 3pm approached, the 1000th person was making his way into the lock, with just over 1200 people taking the steps down by the end of the day. Plenty of them also took the opportunity to have a go in a canoe on the canal, on offer from the team at the Desmond Family Canoe Trail below the lock flight.
The 1000th person to go down into the lock, Chris Miller, right, with Steve Taylor who is a volunteer lock keeper on this flight of locks during the summer months but on the day was the man on the clicker counting the people into the lock.
Visitors descend to view the newly fitted oak gates from inside the lock. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING OF COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS
6 NEWS
IN BRIEF BSS fee rise
A NEW four-year business plan agreed by the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) management committee includes the first price rise in certification charges for eight years. BSS examiners will pay a new price of £36 (excluding VAT) for each certification they issue to a boat, which is a £7 (ex VAT) rise that they will likely choose to pass on to customers. The new price will apply from April 1, 2018 and the scheme intends holding it for at least the whole of the fouryear business plan period, which is designed to coincide with the fouryear lifespan of BSS certification.
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Double celebration at Sandiacre lock cottages A MEETING was held exactly 50 years to the day after the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association was formed on Thursday, January 18, 1968. This had taken place during a meeting at Long Eaton Methodist Church Hall of the Midlands branch of the Inland Waterway Association to address the proposed closure of the Erewash canal. A few of the members who attended the anniversary meeting.
Tunnel paddling
FOLLOWING a trial, unpowered craft will be able to use the Maida Hill Tunnel on the Regent’s Canal from April. A review will be carried out 12 months after the opening date which has yet to be confirmed. The tunnel runs under the Edgware Road, a short distance away from Paddington Station. Signs will be updated which will also instruct paddlers to wear a personal flotation device and have a forward facing white light. Unpowered craft will continue to be prohibited from the Islington Tunnel.
Barrier start
A CEREMONY has been held to officially mark the beginning of construction of the Boston Barrier. Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey, Boston MP Matt Warman and Toby Willison, from the Environment Agency, counted to three and drove three spades into The Haven bank. Initial work involves dredging more than 5000cu m of silt from the Boston Haven to make it ready for construction and over the coming months steel sheet pile walling will be installed to strengthen the riverbanks. The £100 million project is on target to be in operation by the end of 2019.
Ex-BW working boat Pentland ready for the move to Langley Mill. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
PHOTO: ECP&DA
The Sandiacre lock cottages which ECP&DA has bought from the Canal & River Trust. PHOTO: ECP&DA
During ECP&DA’s early years, one great success of the association was saving Sandiacre lock cottages from destruction and it was here that the anniversary meeting took place. This was a double celebration as ECP&DA recently completed the purchase of the cottages from the Canal
& River Trust. As expected the meeting was very well attended with many of the founder members present. The ECP&DA has achieved much over the last 50 years on the Erewash Canal and many other waterways. It recently bought the redundant ex-British Waterways working boat Pentland,
New pontoon is perfectly placed for boaters to see the sights of Wigan BOATERS and canoeists can hit the hotspots in Wigan from a new pontoon on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. It has been installed as the result of an £80,000 joint project between Canal & River Trust and the charity’s Desmond Family Canoe Trail. The 30-metre-long pontoon is next to the trust’s new office at Trencherfield Mill and is in a perfect spot for getting to the restaurants, bars and shops in Wigan town centre and to nearby transport links. Desmond Trail programme manager Greg Brookes said: “We wanted to create a new hub on the
162-mile trail in Wigan on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. “Wigan is perfectly positioned for canoeists to stop, stock up and relax in. “This pontoon is also an important resource for boaters who want to get to Wigan Pier and a place to moor during their visit to our office in Trencherfield Mill.” Twenty metres of the pontoon have been designed for boaters to use, with 10 metres built at a lower level suitable for kayaks and canoes. The entire pontoon is DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) friendly.
Boaters will be able to moor on the pontoon for up to 24 hours. There is a water point available in the vicinity and in the coming months the trust is aiming to install a waste facility and CCTV. The pontoon will offer canoeists paddling the trail a convenient point to disembark and take a break at Wigan – about a quarter of the way along the route from Liverpool. It is next to the project’s canalside Wigan hub on Pottery Road, where the team runs canoeing sessions and activities for young people between the ages of 16 and 25.
Part of the new pontoon alongside Trencherfield Mill. PHOTO: CRT
Canal restoration and the appliance of science
Festival grant
A COLNE Valley festival set up more than 25 years ago has been awarded a national arts grant to help raise its profile and secure new income from private donors, writes Geoff Wood. Marsden Jazz Festival is set to receive £30,000 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Funded Catalyst Small Grants scheme to develop new fundraising opportunities for the event, which costs up to £150,000 to stage each year. Marsden stands on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and last year’s concert included jazz in the Standedge Tunnel.
which is currently being restored at Langley Mill and will be an extremely useful asset during work on the canal. The 50th anniversary rally will take place at Langley Mill over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 26-28, 2018. www.erewashcanalpreservationand developmentassoc.org.uk
Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust chief engineer Peter Buck addresses members of Lichfield Science and Engineering Society at Borrowcop Locks Canal Park. PHOTO SUPPLIED
A GROUP of science and engineering enthusiasts recently gathered on the towpath of Lichfield Canal to learn about the challenges faced by volunteers restoring the canal. Guiding 60 members of the Lichfield Science and Engineering Society, Peter Buck, chief engineer of Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, and Bob Williams, the trust’s finance director, explained the progress of the ambitious project to bring the seven-mile waterway back to life. The group joined the Heritage Towpath Trail at Tamworth Road where they saw the recently completed section between the narrows and the road which has now started to fill with water. Having learned about the different materials the trust had tested to waterproof the canal, including concrete, clay and a fabric lining, the science and engineering enthusiasts moved on to Gallows
Wharf, the site of the last hangings to take place in Lichfield. Finishing the tour at Birmingham Road, the society members were told of one of the trust’s greatest challenges, to build a tunnel under the Cross-City railway line at the same time as a tunnel is constructed to take the extension to the Lichfield Southern Bypass. The visitors boosted the £1 million David Suchet Tunnel Vision appeal with a contribution of £383. Alan Hooper, visits secretary of Lichfield Science and Engineering Society, said: “When I initially advised the society of the proposed visit, I was immediately overwhelmed with interest. “The response from the membership demonstrates the great respect and interest that the local population holds for the restoration project.”
RYA SPOTLIGHT 7
www.towpathtalk.co.uk The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.
Coming to waterways soon: Invasive Species Week 2018 Everyone can play a part in preventing the spread of alien species... will you? INVASIVE Species Week will be back from March 23-29, 2018. Throughout the week, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) will be joining forces with The Green Blue to focus on a different theme each day – and you can join in by following @CheckCleanDryGB or searching #InvasivesWeek. Invasive non-native species (INNS) are those that have been transported outside of their natural range and can
damage our environment, the economy, our health and the way we live. They can ‘hitch-hike’ on the outside of vessels and in spaces within them, as well as on equipment and clothing. It is estimated that the threat to biodiversity from these invaders is second only to that of habitat loss. There are currently about 140 aquatic non-native species in Britain. Many species thrive in both salt and fresh water. Their main means of spreading is via boat hulls or propellers, or within bilge or engine cooling water systems.
Non-native floating pennywort being removed from the water.
Launching for the first time on a Friday, this year’s Invasive Species Week will kick off with an introduction to invasive non-native species (INNS) and their impacts, and information about the variety of events taking place throughout the week. On Tuesday, March 27 the spotlight will be on hitch-hikers! We’ll be sharing information on the ways that recreational water users, field workers and anyone out in the countryside can help to prevent the spread of INNS, in particular promoting Check-Clean-Dry. This simple yet crucial campaign encourages all water users to follow the three simple steps of Check-Clean-Dry before they move from one water body to another: • Check your boat, equipment and clothing for living plants and animals; pay particular attention to areas that are damp or hard to inspect; • Clean and wash all equipment, footwear and clothes thoroughly. If you do come across any plants and animals, leave them at the waterbody where you found them; • Dry all equipment and clothing – some species can live for many days in moist conditions, make sure you don’t transfer them elsewhere. Campaign manager for The Green Blue, Kate Fortnam, explains: “It’s important
Clearing duck weed from the Lancashire waterways. PHOTOS SUPPLIED that boaters demonstrate that they’re doing all that they can to reduce the spread of invasive non-native species in order to help protect the environment and reduce potential damage to boat engines and props. As part of Invasive Species Week 2018, we’ll be encouraging boaters to pledge their commitment to helping prevent the spread of alien species.” If you take part in outdoor activities on or around our inland waterways, following the three simple steps of Check-Clean-Dry can massively reduce the risk of spreading invasive aquatic species. And don’t forget you can also request further Check-Clean-Dry advice
from info@thegreenblue.org.uk to help protect our waterways. The last day of Invasive Species Week is set to focus on the work of Local Action Groups and other organisations across the British Isles helping to tackle INNS, and hopefully inspiring others to take part – so look out for the hashtag #getINNSvolved on Thursday, March 29. “It’s in everyone’s interest to protect the natural environment that supports our recreational boating activity. In other words, making sure that meeting the needs of the present does not compromise the needs of future generations,” added Kate.
● The Green Blue supports sustainable development by demonstrating best practice and encouraging the design and production of innovative, environmentally benign products, facilities and processes within the recreational boating sector. For more information or to download your free copy of The Green Guide to Boating visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk. The site is packed with practical advice, case studies and information on green products to help you save money, protect water quality and habitats and ultimately, safeguard the future of our inland waterways.
8 NETWORKING
SOCIETY NEWS Country lovers
THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) isn’t just for boaters and waterway fans with members ranging from walkers to wildlife photographers. But most have one thing in common – a love of the countryside and they all support the project of restoring the 19th century canal from Pallingham in West Sussex to Shalford in Surrey. For membership and volunteering enquiries contact 01483 505566, email support@weyandarun.co.uk. Speakers can also be arranged to give talks about WACT and its activities to organisations and community groups and bookings are now being taken for 2019. Visit the WACT website at www.weyandarun.co.uk or email talks@weyandarun.co.uk
Volunteers wanted
THE Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is looking for more volunteers after making huge progress in the last year across its sites. It is especially keen to hear from civil engineers to help with project engineering and developments. Other areas where people with particular skills would be welcome are in plant operation and maintenance, grounds maintenance, land acquisition and planning, events planning and management, public relations and marketing, fundraising and administration. To see opportunities, visit www.lhcrt.org.uk and click on membership/volunteering.
New towpath
SWANSEA Canal Society members were joined by Glandur Cymru staff, local councillors, residents and schoolchildren to formally open a new 120m towpath along the Swansea Canal in Clydach. The work, which was carried out by the society, took more than a year to complete and required the demolition of a large highways depot building that had been erected over the buried canal, with the rubble being used to help landscape the new towpath.
Anniversary issue
CONGRATULATIONS to the Huddersfield Canal Society on the publication of the 200th edition of its magazine Pennine Link. Winter 2017 was also the 25th edition produced by outgoing editor Graham Birch. The role will now be shared between guest editors, starting with Keith Noble for the spring 2018 edition.
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Canal watch scheme launched in the West Midlands THE Canal & River Trust and West Midlands Police have joined forces to launch a new waterway neighbourhood watch scheme. Under the scheme, people living by the water, boaters and waterside businesses can sign up for police updates and free crime prevention advice. Chairman of the West Midlands Waterway Partnership Peter Mathews explained: “One of the attractions of our wonderful waterways is that they’re quiet, tranquil places where you can escape the bustle of everyday life. However while we want people to enjoy the peace we don’t want them to feel isolated or vulnerable and that’s where this scheme comes in.” Local community groups, businesses and organisations will also be encouraged to build closer links with each other and work together to make sure the waterways remain welcoming places. As well as receiving information people will be encouraged to report and
share any suspicious activity so that action can be taken. Leaflets and stickers will be distributed to local people, boaters and businesses, with signage also being displayed across the region’s waterways. Forensic marking kits will also be handed out to boaters, enabling their valuables to be traced if needed. A Canal Watch option has been added to WMNow, the new West Midlands Police messaging tool that allows communities to be kept up to date with what is happening in their areas. Insp Imran Mirza said: “The Canal Watch scheme is a free initiative where West Midlands Police will work with various partner agencies across the region to promote safety and send key messages through the WMNow community messaging system. This will help boaters to keep their marine equipment secure and ensure that their journey across the waterways is as safe as possible.
Representatives of the Canal & River Trust, West Midlands Police and local business and community groups launch Canal Watch in Birmingham. In the foreground are Peter Mathews, chairman of the West Midlands Waterway Partnership and Insp Imran Mirza of West Midlands Police. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST “The scheme isn’t just focused on boaters however, WMNow will ensure that anyone living or working beside the water is kept up to date and informed.”
● To receive messages and crime prevention information, create an account at www.wmnow.co.uk
Lapal Canal Trust wins Heritage Lottery Fund support THE Lapal Canal Trust has been awarded a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant enabling it to proceed with a detailed feasibility study. This will be focused on restoring the Dudley No 2 Canal from Selly Oak to California where it is planned to build a marina with new homes. A significant regeneration project with environmental and health benefits, it will also create employment and become a tourist attraction. Trust chairman Terry Stanton said: “The feasibility study will focus on our current objective to restore the first one and three-quarter miles of canal.” The canal was opened in 1798, providing a quicker route for delivering coal from Dudley’s coal mines to London and the
River Severn. It was closed to through traffic when the tunnel collapsed in 1917 and abandoned in the 1950s. It is one of the very few remaining heritage features of Selly Oak’s industrial past and includes a beautiful canal bridge built in 1797, one of the oldest in Birmingham. The study, which is expected to be complete by April 2018, will build on the Atkins Feasibility Study for the whole route to Halesowen in 2007 and the detailed design study of the route in Selly Oak Park in 2012. It will be carried out by Moss Naylor Young Ltd and will include an archaeological section by AJ Archaeology and ground survey by Acivico Ltd’s Birmingham City Laboratories.
In addition to the £10,000 HLF grant, the total estimated cost of £25,000 will be met by a grant of £5000 from the G J W Turner Trust, with grants also from the Henry James Sayer Charity, the Headley Trust and Lapal Canal Trust members’ contribution. In parallel the Lapal Canal Trust has also commissioned Gifted Philanthropy fundraising consultants to produce an action plan to raise the estimated £2 million cost of the first two stages of just over half a mile from the Birmingham to Worcester Canal across the Battery Site to the end of Selly Oak Park. ● Follow progress at www.lapal. org and www.facebook.com/ lapalcanaltrust
Boards gift GRANTHAM Canal Society received an unusual donation in the form of 200 scaffolding boards for its restoration projects. They were diverted from Nottingham recycling company Wastecycle’s scrap pile by manager Daniel Shearstone who saw an opportunity for further use.
The scheme is initially being rolled out in the West Midlands Police region but it is hoped that it could also be introduced in other parts of the country.
The proposed route from Selly Oak to California. PHOTO: LAPAL CANAL TRUST
Keeping abreast of developments on the Slough Canal THE Friends of Slough Canal look forward this year to continuing their work of popularising the canal in Slough with local residents and visitors alike. Speaker at this year’s AGM will be Hannah Gibbs, London enterprise manager of the Canal & River Trust, who will talk on plans and funding for the Slough Canal. The meeting will take place on Saturday, May 12 in the Gilliatt Lounge, St Paul's Church, Stoke Road, Slough starting at 10.30am. The Friends continue their close working relationship with the trust, in particular by monitoring maintenance work carried out by CRT contractors and raising points where necessary. In the broader scene the group is following up developments outside the canal boundaries but likely to affect the waterway environment, current
examples being construction of the high-speed rail link HS2 and proposals associated with an old landfill site at Trenches Lane, Langley. It is also looking at work currently in hand by CRT and Slough Urban Renewal towards redevelopment of the basin area at Stoke Road and will continue to press for a community facility to be included in this, for the benefit both of local residents and visiting canal users. On a much larger and more expensive scale, the group continues to support the long-standing scheme to construct a waterway link between the canal and the River Thames and has recently approached Slough Business Community Partnership with a view to seeing what help can be provided by local business interests likely to benefit from the building of such a link.
The Friends deplore recent reported attacks on wildlife along the canal, notably swans and ask that anyone observing such an attack should report it to the police, who have an officer assigned to dealing with wildlife crime and will take appropriate action. It is hoped to continue routine clean-up parties on the canal on a monthly basis. The date of the annual major clean-up has yet to be finalised but is likely to be mid to late spring. ● For further information on the Friends’ activities, contact 07542 168444; email sloughcanalgroup@hotmail. com or visit Facebook group: Friends of Slough Canal.
Cotswold Canals Trust members receive the cheque at the recent event. Pictured from left are: SVTEC chairman Martyn Slater, CCT chairman and operations director Jim White, western trip boat volunteer Jane Morgans and SVTEC treasurer Mike Smith, who is also a western trip boat volunteer. PHOTO: SVTEC
Engine event proceeds to go towards new trip boat THE Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) was one of over 30 charities to benefit from the proceeds of the 43rd Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Extravaganza, organised by the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club (SVTEC). At an event held recently at the Stonehouse Court Hotel, SVTEC presented a cheque for £1000 to Jim White and Jane Morgans from the CCT towards the purchase of a new trip boat. The new vessel will be based at Wallbridge on the Thames & Severn Canal. CCT already operates two trip boats on the western section of the Cotswold Canals, so the new vessel will join existing trip boats Endeavour, based at Saul Junction on the Gloucester to Sharpness canal and Perseverance, based at Ebley Wharf. SVTEC has organised an annual steam and vintage rally for 43 years, the first event being held in 1975 and it is now the largest show of its kind still run entirely by volunteers. The 2018 show will be held at South Cerney Airfield, near Cirencester, from Friday to Sunday, August 3-5. Visit the show’s website, www. glosvintageextravaganza.co.uk, for further information.
NETWORKING 9
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Progress crossing the English Channel in 1990. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Characters of the cut Although known to many boaters as the man behind Lee San, Chris Coburn crossed the Channel on board his narrowboat to publicise canal restoration. Julie Webb meets the marine adventurer. THERE have been several accounts in the last few years of intrepid mariners taking to the high seas in boats that look more at home on inland waterways (e.g. Narrow Dog Jim and family) but the real pioneer of this sort of adventuring was Chris Coburn, with his narrowboat Progress. Readers may have enjoyed the memorable film of his East Anglian coastal exploits of 1997, entitled Wash and Go; or A Canal Too Far, in which cameraman Laurence Hogg documented their venture into the Atlantic. Mad as these voyages sound, Chris – whose name many boat owners will recognise as that of the visionary behind civilised toilets – had, of course, experience of navigating tidal waters. “Our family business was a marine one,” he said. “I was brought up on the south coast where my parents ran passenger boats. If I wanted pocket money I worked on them. When I was 21 I got a skipper’s ticket. “I enjoyed that but I also had an interest in motorsport. I did a toolmaking apprenticeship, set up a business and got into rallying, running a team for Vauxhall.” His introduction to canals came through one of the rally drivers, whose parents had a boat on the Shropshire Union. “They invited us to spend a night on her. I really took to it – it was so different from being at sea, and an antidote to rallying.” At this point (the 1970s) Chris was living by the southern Oxford and another acquaintance, Peter Else, was digging a marina at Fenny Compton. “My father’s business had become more marine engineering. Peter said why not bring some of his stuff – Morse controls and engine mountings – up here?
“People asked us to manufacture a few things: for hire boats there was only a choice of fully fledged marine or caravan fittings. We began with windows, and I became interested in sanitation – inland boats had some horrible toilets! “My father introduced me to Blakes, and I set about developing systems with holding tanks using Lavac toilets.” Chris then set up Midland Chandlers with Peter Jones, taking the wholesaling arm down to Newhaven, to allow him also to work with his father in the family business. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement establishing contacts countrywide: Chris’s father’s business rapidly became too big. “We sold it to Blakes on condition I stayed on for two years, which turned into six, during which I had ideas for other forms of sanitation.”
Coastal forays
A contact in Lee-on-Solent offered premises – hence the now world-famous brand Lee Sanitation, which Chris retained when he moved the firm to Banbury. (He’s now sold it to the fortuitously named Jeremy Brownlee, of Pump Technology.) I thought I’d ask the man who’s spent half a lifetime in boat toilets for his reflections on composting loos, which promise (or threaten, depending on your point of view) to be the next big thing. “They can be the answer in some circumstances,” Chris said. “But when someone’s not very well they’re difficult to clean. You don’t need to use lots of water but if you’re living in an enclosed space, a flushing toilet is less smelly and easier to maintain.”
Progress on her Thames-side mooring. PHOTO: JULIE WEBB
Chris Coburn on board his tug Bridget. PHOTO: JULIE WEBB Chris’s own boat, 71ft Progress, began to materialise in the late 70s. She was not specifically designed for exploring neglected waterways and making maritime passages but a deeper than usual draft smoothed her passage under low bridges, and small aft and forward decks helped keep her dry in the chop of the Channel. With a hull built by Albert Watson on the Macclesfield Canal, she was fitted out mainly by Stowe Hill Marine. “From 1985, for about 10 years, we did pretty well the whole system, weekending,” said Chris. “Our first adventure was on the Thames tideway. My father was an agent for Perkins engines and the river police were customers. They let us leave Progress on a buoy between Limehouse and St Katharine’s Dock for a week – and gave us a lift to the pier!” Subsequent trips aimed to attract publicity for canal projects, such as the joining-up of the Kennet and Avon, to which he drew attention by surprising people at the western end via the Severn Estuary. “It’s the hairiest bit of water of any, with a 50ft tide, and flowing at a hell of a rate!” His special equipment for coastal forays included a deck screwed down over the welldeck; shutters over the door and scuppers with one-way flaps; echo-sounder; compass; two anchors; navigation lights and VHF radio. Chris’s support for restoration campaigns run by trusts like the Lichfield and Hatherton – publicity for which was the object of his televised trip across the Channel to Brussels – earned him an MBE for services to inland waterways in 2006. He’s a vicepresident of the IWA. Though Progress has a new owner she’s still moored at the bottom of his Thames-side garden (next to his little tug Bridget). I wondered how she got her name. “The boat took shape very slowly,” he said, “and friends kept asking ‘How’s progress?’ So it had to be that!” lhcrt.org.uk www.leesan.com
10 COMMUNITY BOATING
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An artist’s impression of the new boat. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Baldwin Trust bids for funds to buy new boat By Les Heath
A MAMMOTH fundraising venture is under way in Leicestershire to buy a £130,000 narrowboat specially designed to benefit the local community. The Baldwin Trust, a community boat charity which operates two craft on the Soar Navigation, has embarked on the ambitious venture after its ageing vessels began letting it down. Around three-quarters of the money has already been raised and it is hoped that with extra fundraising efforts the 65ft boat will be ready by March 2019. Alasdair Macintyre, of the trust, said it was hoped their existing boats, Dandelion and St Clare, both full-length narrowboats, would be fully overhauled and continue to operate alongside the new vessel. “We have 45 volunteers at the moment but we are aiming for 100 and eventually even another boat,” he said.
On three occasions last year Alasdair was skippering Dandelion when it broke down. Both boats were built in the 1980s. “In six months mechanical failures resulted in the cancellation of 35 trips,” he said. “This meant that 400 individuals, mostly those less fortunate than ourselves, had to remain in their care homes or normal accommodation and miss out on a boat trip in the fresh air on a beautiful waterway.”
Queen’s award
The trust was set up in 1983 to help patients of Baldwin Ward at the former Leicester Frith Hospital. Since then their volunteers have provided enjoyment for around 1250 people each year, many of whom are disabled or otherwise infirm. In 2010 the organisation was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The boats are user friendly and
are fitted with ramps and lifts for those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues. “We are also happy to arrange trips for family groups, community groups, church groups and organisations wishing to have a great day out or to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or special event,” said Alasdair, who added that school runs in summer and Santa Specials in winter are extremely popular. Pub stops along the way are also a hit with adults. One of the boats, Dandelion, is based at Pillings Lock Marina, near Loughborough, and the other, St Clare, at Leicester Marina at Thurmaston. Both are available seven days a week for cruises from four to eight hours during the season. At the moment both boats are undergoing extensive refurbishment for the coming year. Alasdair explained: “If we fail to take action now we believe
Dandelion and St Clare share a lock. that 2018 will see a continuing heavy drain on our financial resources trying to keep our boats operational, thus pushing the possibility of attaining a new boat further away from reality.”
The fundraising venture has been labelled ‘Put a foot in the water for the Baldwin Trust’. The trust’s vision is to eventually operate four boats, providing services for up to 5000 people
throughout Leicestershire and surrounding counties. Full details and information on fundraising or volunteering can be found on their website www.baldwintrust.org.uk
The National Community Boats Association is a national body for community orientated boating organisations.
NCBA Courses – Notes for Trainers In this issue Derek Stansfield, former director of training for the NCBA, reports on the new training manual due to be published in February. A WHILE back in these pages I mentioned two initiatives from the NCBA. One was that a training manual was to be produced. Well, this has now morphed into NCBA Courses – Notes for Trainers due to be published in February. Initially this process began as a look at the syllabus for the Certificate in Community Boat Management (CCBM) and to revise this into a more user-friendly document. As this neared completion, it was decided to ensure there was a standardisation of format for all NCBA courses by including both the Community Crew Certificate (CCC) and the Boat Handling Course (BHC) into this process.
While there has been very little change in the content from the actual syllabi there has been considerable thought put into its compilation. Putting the three awards into the same format appeared the best way forward. As there is some overlap between the awards, some discussion took place as to whether this should be duplicated and the decision was made to have each award as a stand-alone section. Considerable thought was put into the design of the handbook and the outcome was to have it in the form of a ring binder with each page waterproof and tear
resistant so that a page could be extracted and used during a practical session on the boat and then returned to the handbook. At first this was to be entitled Training Manual but as this handbook is about ‘what’ should be taught and assessed – the ‘how’ is up to the trainers and their situation – the title was adapted to its current one. It would be presumptuous having trainers who had gone through the award system, and then an intensive trainers course and assessment, to tell them how to teach. There are many different ways that a subject may be taught, and this would be
dependent upon the situation, but from the NCBA point of view the essential factor is that the end product must reflect the competence level that is required. These notes are primarily aimed at trainers and are designed to inform them of the standard and competence levels that should be achieved in order to obtain the awards. It is recognised that not everything may be able to be covered practically as certain features such as tunnels and locks may not be reasonably reached during the course. However, these should be covered in theory at least and this is catered for in the CCBM Assessment Sheet in Appendix 1. While this assessment
sheet specifically relates to the CCBM, others will be available for the CCC and BHC as further appendices. Although these notes are primarily aimed at trainers there is no reason why the manual should not be available for projects and candidates in order that they are made aware of the standard required to obtain the award(s). Each NCBA project will be provided with a free copy, otherwise copies are available from the NCBA at a cost of £20 plus p&p. The manual has been produced with help and sponsorship from Towpath Talk’s publisher Mortons Media Group. The document is available for immediate use and while the role of
the sub-committee that reviewed and then compiled it may be finished there will be a continuous monitoring of the content to ensure that everything is up to date. NCBA: email info@nationalcba.co.uk; www.national-cba.co.uk
The NCBA has a progressive training and qualification structure for inland waterways at all levels.
COMMUNITY BOATING 11
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A group from the Sense charity prepare to board narrowboat Ivy for one of the monthly trips. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Lapal Canal Trust works with Sense charity A MONTHLY narrowboat trip hosted by the Lapal Canal Trust is providing a new experience for members of the local Sense group. The national disability charity supports people with complex communication needs to be understood, connected and valued. Lapal Canal Trust is focused on restoring the Dudley No 2 Canal from Selly Oak to California in Bartley Green where it is planned to build a marina with new homes. The project will be a significant regeneration opportunity, creating employment and becoming a tourist attraction. The new Sense Touch Base Pears building sits next to the junction where the restored Dudley No 2 Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and a new winding hole is planned in the centre of Selly Oak for boats to turn. Supported by the local community and organisations, the Lapal Trust is working with Sense to give disabled people and their carers a new experience of a boat trip to Birmingham’s Brindley Place, a chance to visit the Symphony Hall, the library and other attractions in central Birmingham. Arrangements have been made by Sense activities instructor and development co-ordinator Jon Fearn, who said: “For the deafblind adults we support, the boat is proving itself to be a warm, safe and cosy environment which travels at a gentle pace while retaining an excitement about it that everyone is responding to. “It is a unique experience and a wonderful activity for those we work with at Sense.” So once a month narrowboat Ivy from Gas Street basin does the two-hour trip from Selly Oak to Birmingham and back. It is a beautiful stretch of canal even in winter, with a Squirrel wood-burning stove keeping the boat warm inside. A cup of tea and biscuits is provided on the way there and a packed lunch for the return journey to Selly Oak. Both organisations are keen to work with the local community who help to support their objectives.
At Brindley Place in Birmingham.
Time for tea and biscuits. Recently the Lapal Canal Trust held its AGM in the magnificent new Sense building. It is also grateful for funding advice from Mankit Yau, head of capital appeal at Sense with years of successful experience. The Sense car park entrance at Selly Wharf is only some 15m from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, which should help disabled people to have access to a narrowboat. Lapal Canal Trust chairman Terry Stanton said: “It is good to see the marvellous work done by Sense carers. The care and patience shown is exceptional.” Sense CEO Gill Morbey added: “It’s a great experience and we were very pleased to support the Lapal Canal Trust.” When the new narrowboat turning area is opened as part of the Battery Site development it’s expected that there will be regular trip boats linking Selly Oak to Birmingham city centre. It is three miles by canal and is a very pleasant and relaxed journey taking only 55 minutes. It will be a popular tourist attraction and an interesting journey for commuters. Follow progress at www.lapal.org and www. facebook.com/lapalcanaltrust
12 IWA ROUND-UP
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Further talks likely on EA transfer – IWA DISAPPOINTMENT over the announcement that Defra has been unable to agree Canal & River Trust’s recent proposal for taking over the navigations run by the Environment Agency has been tempered following a meeting with Waterways Minister Dr Thérèse Coffey.
IWA chairman Ivor Caplan meets Dr Thérèse Coffey, Defra Minister with responsibility for the waterways with Neil Edwards, IWA CEO. PHOTO: IWA
She informed IWA representatives that the transfer was still being considered subject to further talks to refine CRT’s proposals. IWA has since received confirmation from Defra that Government remains receptive to a revised proposal from CRT and understands that the Minister has offered a further meeting with CRT. IWA recognises the efforts of the Environment Agency to maintain its navigations within the limited Government grant available and the lack of opportunity to attract the further funding that CRT can. It is particularly concerned that during this entire debate there has been no indication from Government as to how sufficient and sustainable levels of funding will be provided for EA navigations if the transfer does not progress. With increased pressure on general EA budgets through Defra and the need to prioritise other services such as flood control, the funding for navigation seems likely to decrease and navigation assets deteriorate further. There is evidence that if navigation structures such as locks, bridges and embankments are not maintained to a proper standard this could result in a major failure leading to lengthy closures of the
navigation, damage to local economies, increased local flood risk and the need to spend large sums on remedial work. Urging Defra and CRT to continue negotiations, IWA believes that these matters should be capable of resolution and that a transfer of EA navigations remains the best way to ensure the future of these waterways with the minimum impact on the public purse. In the meantime IWA will focus on the matter which has always been its primary concern – that EA’s navigations have sufficient funding to ensure their proper maintenance, and reopening of those sections of navigation that have been closed until further notice.
Frustrating
CRT chief executive Richard Parry described Defra’s announcement that it ‘was not minded to proceed with the transfer’ as ‘frustrating’ given the detailed work on the proposal and he indicated that they would be seeking clarification from the Government. In a press statement, the Canal & River Trust stressed: “Having worked positively and
collaboratively with the EA over the past 18 months or so to put forward a proposal, we remain convinced that the transfer would be in the wider public interest. “It would deliver the real essence of value for taxpayers, and benefits for the users of these waterways while securing the long-term future of the navigations themselves. We will of course continue to cooperate actively with the EA in the running of our respective navigations to ensure the best possible experience for all river and canal users.” EA waterway manager Irven Forbes stated that the Government wishes to keep the option open and return to it when it feels the time is right. “We in the Environment Agency will continue to concentrate on ensuring we run our navigations as efficiently as possible, including looking at new ways to raise revenue and engaging with our boating customers over our charges review.” The decision was welcomed by the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) which had opposed the proposal. It hopes both the CRT and EA management teams will now be exclusively focused on improving the navigations under their control to benefit all users, as it recommended.
AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON
Up the garden path on the Ashton Canal IWA Manchester Branch volunteers recently deployed a ton bag of gravel to create a new path to a raised garden at Lock 7 on the Ashton Canal and planted bluebell bulbs at the offside of Lock 6 for a burst of colour in the spring. Volunteers also continued their work to transform the area by clearing vegetation and litter picking.
IWA WORK PARTIES IN MARCH Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangements are indicated.
East Sunday March 11
IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Regular work parties on the second Sunday of the month. Volunteers carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. Dates and locations are subject to change so contact Chris or Steve Hayes 01522 689460, workparties@ sleafordnavigation.co.uk
RIGHT: A group of volunteers from IWA Manchester branch at their recent work party on the Ashton Canal.
Following the mosaic trail on the Northampton Arm
Wednesdays March 15, 28 and Saturday March 24
IWA Peterborough Branch: Work party clearing vegetation on Horseways Channel and carrying out maintenance of Horseways Lock, 10am-3pm. Contact David Venn 01366 324102, david.venn@ waterways.org.uk
NORTHAMPTON Arm Mosaic Trail is due to be completed by spring this year. The slabs have been installed by IWA Northampton Branch to encourage people of all ages to walk and cycle the four-and-three-quarter-mile Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The trail will see mosaics at each of the 17 locks, linking a mural at Gayton Junction and a mosaic bench at the bottom lock at Far Cotton.
North Saturday March 3 and Tuesday March 27
Putting the finishing touches to one of the mosaics panels. PHOTOS: IWA
Each mosaic shows a letter which is part of a phrase.
Designed by local children, two panels at each lock form a nature trail and show an aspect of canal life, the first of which was installed by Andrew Lewer, the new MP for Northampton South in August 2017. A mosaic at each lock will show a letter, which spells out a phrase and can be submitted online in return for a certificate. Due to be launched in April, the trail has been funded by a legacy left to the branch by John Faulkner. In the four years since IWA Northampton Branch adopted the Arm, volunteers and other supporters have clocked up over 5000 volunteer hours.
Easter campaign cruise
Blowers Green success
IWA Peterborough Branch is organising a campaign cruise over Easter weekend to review facilities and mooring availability in the local area. Boats will gather on Friday, March 30 at March for departure to Whittlesey – those feeling adventurous can choose the Twenty Foot and Infields
AS A result of campaigning by IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch and organisations and individuals, the Canal & River Trust backed down on its plans to sell off the building known as Blowers Green Pumphouse on the Dudley Canal (see story on page 2). The branch was among many who responded to the public notice which appeared on the building and advertised the proposed sale of the building.
Bridge, alternatively cruise up to the Junction with Whittlesey Dyke. Saturday will see a cruise down to Ramsey then round to the Forty Foot. On Easter Sunday the convoy will cruise round to Stonea, and disperse for home on Easter Monday. Find out more at www. waterways.org.uk/peterborough
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting the Burslem Port Trust: Twicemonthly work party on the Burslem Arm, Stoke-on-Trent, 10am to 3pm. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve.wood@waterways.org.uk
Thursday March 8
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Monthly work party on the Uttoxeter Canal at Bridge 70, Crumpwood. 10am-3pm. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve.wood@ waterways.org.uk
Thursday March 15
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Monthly work party 10am-3pm. Contact John Brighouse 07808 878317, john.brighouse@waterways.org.uk
Saturday March 17
IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Working alongside the Shropshire Union Canal in the Chester area. 10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Jason Watts: jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk. IWA Manchester Branch: Monthly work party at a venue to be confirmed in Greater Manchester, 10am-4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact 07710 554602, secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk
Midlands Sunday March 4 and Tuesday March 20
IWA Northampton Branch: Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact Geoff Wood: geoff.wood@ waterways.org.uk.
Sunday March 18
IWA Warwickshire and Lichfield Branches: Clean-up of the Coventry Canal in Nuneaton, joint work party starting near Wash Lane Bridge 21. Meet at 9.30am for 10am start until 1pm. Park in Recreation Ground car park by the park entrance in Tomkinson Road, Nuneaton CV10 8BH. The event will involve using grappling hooks to drag rubbish from the canal bed, plus a litter pick along the towpath. Contact Brian Bayston 07917 157492, Brian@ bayston.f9.co.uk.
South Tuesdays March 20 and 27
IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Work party on the Oxford Canal near Banbury. 9am to 1pm. For more details please contact Colin GarnhamEdge: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com.
For further information on any of these events please contact Gemma Bolton on 01494 783453 or email gemma.bolton@waterways.org.uk Details can also be found on IWA’s website at www.waterways.org.uk