TOWPATH
The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users
TALK
96 PAGES
Issue 160, February 2019
NEW
FREE APP!
FROM THE MED TO THE CHANNEL P19 WATERSIDE WALKIES
P14
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE See page 93
Caribbean cruising
MEMORIAL TO STTV FOUNDER
P11
BOATS BACK AT MIDDLEWICH P18
Heading for West India Dock on the St Pancras Cruising Club’s inaugural ‘Caribbean Cruise’. The brick tower on the left is a sewage outfall vent c1906 and in the distance are the modern blocks in Canary Wharf. More pictures on page 4. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
Air pollution plan to impact on boaters
By Sarah Spencer
THE MAID TAKES A SLIP
P15
LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?
Find your ideal location using the map in our monthly feature
Turn to
P36
BOATS FOR SALE Turn to
P25
WOOD burners and open fires face restrictions in a new clean air plan which could heavily impact on boaters. The Government has set out what it calls a ‘world leading’ plan to tackle air pollution in its Clean Air Strategy, published on January 14. It promises to reduce particulates across much of the country by 2030.
Caldon Canal projects
The Canal & River Trust has responded by reiterating its response to the draft Clean Air Strategy last year and said its position remains the same. A spokesperson for the CRT said: “The charity is supportive of the Government’s proposed measures to improve air quality and believes the waterways have a role to play in combatting pollution and providing clean air spaces, as well as helping reduce transport pollution by
THE Canal & River Trust will be carrying out £157,000 worth of vital maintenance and repair work to the Caldon Canal over the next three months. Six separate projects will see the replacement of three lock gates and essential repairs to several bridges, lock chambers and a timber walkway. Volunteers will be helping CRT staff on a special project at Waterworks Lock (Lock 5) and Lock 8 Road Lock, near Stockton Brook, to replace a worn-out gate and damaged ground paddles.
moving journeys off road. “However, in recognising that the inland waterways make a very small but sometimes locally significant contribution to air pollution – namely through boat dependence on solid fuel burning stoves and diesel engines – the trust is arguing for a coherent Governmentsupported approach, including investment in alternative technologies, to help address these issues and
Scottish canal budget
THE draft Scottish Government budget included the announcement of Scottish Canals’ Grant in Aid for 2019-20, writes Cicely Oliver. The overall canals budget has increased significantly from £11.6 to £15 million. However, this is largely capital spending (increasing from £3.5 million to £6.5 million), which cannot be spent on canal maintenance and operations, the relevant budget increasing slightly from £8.1 million to £8.6 million. The final vote to approve the budget in Scottish Parliament is likely to take place in February.
incentivise change. The trust wants to work with Government and local authorities on a sector-wide plan to develop solutions for reducing the impact from power and heating on boats while encouraging the uptake of reduced-emissions technology. “This would need to take into account the current difficulties boat owners • Continued on page 2
Unusual river finds
ARCHAEOLOGISTS carrying out research digs on land beside the River Thames close to the Thames Estuary found a leather boot, several centuries old, well-preserved by the surrounding mud, writes Elizabeth Rogers. The supposition is that it was lost by a traveller, unable to find it on a dark night – perhaps even on his return from a local ale-house. Another ‘significant artefact’ – a Roman oil lamp – was found by ‘mudlark’ Alan Suttie as he searched the river bank and is now in the Museum of London.
2 NEWS/COMMENT
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
WELCOME
Don’t miss out! Get 12 copies delivered to your home for less than £1 a copy
WITH the ‘beast from the east’ set to return and Brexit dominating the headlines, spring and the chance to get away from it all can’t come soon enough. But we have at least had some good news on the waterways with the reopening of the Middlewich Branch, see feature on page 18. Things are not looking so rosy though for the liveaboard community facing eviction from Thames-side moorings at Molesey in Surrey, see Helen Gazeley’s report on page 5. The winter months do not stop hardy boaters and I had the pleasure of joining members of the St Pancras Cruising Club on the first leg of their inaugural ‘Caribbean Cruise’, see page 4. Volunteers are always out in force too at this time of year tackling litter, vegetation and all those out-ofseason painting and maintenance jobs. See reports on our networking, community and IWA round-up pages or visit our website at www. towpathtalk.co.uk and click on the volunteering section. North of the border, Cicely Oliver interviews the chief executive officer of Scottish Canals, Catherine Topley as well as bringing us a roundup of what’s going on in Scotland, waterway-wise, see pages 88-89. If you’re looking for a day out in February, check out our what’s on section on pages 20 and 21 for news of upcoming events, including lock open days and the Big Birthday Bash in Sheffield where the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal celebrates its 200th birthday on February 22. Fancy a trip a bit further afield? Waterways Holidays is adding The Netherlands to its overseas programme this year, see holidays on page 58. In the meantime, keep smiling
TOWPATH
TALK
Janet
Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Assistant editor Sarah Spencer sspencer@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 Chris Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Holly Furness, Charlotte Fairman Group 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-6pm. 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 – February 28, 2019
Independent publisher since 1885
Conditions Editorial is accepted subject to availability of space, and editorial policy on content and insertion cannot be guaranteed. The publishers retain the right to edit material submitted. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy through accurate and clear copy, but the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.
Independently proven pick up: 34,450 copies
See page 14 or call 01507 529529
£2m towpath project set to transform ‘gateway to the Dales’ A £2 million project to transform the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath between Skipton and Gargrave, and Bradley to Kildwick, has been given the go-ahead. Following a bid from Canal & River Trust (CRT), with support from Craven District Council, funding of £1.46 million from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) via the Rural Payments Agency has been awarded to improve 11km of towpath. In addition, Craven District Council has allocated up to £365,000 towards the scheme, including £225,000 from its New Homes Bonus receipts and £140,000 from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, while the CRT has allocated £136,000 from its budget. The project has been developed from the long-term Access Development Plan commissioned by Craven District Council and written by Sustrans. The plan identifies a phased approach to improving accessibility along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal; providing a safer walking and cycling access into the Yorkshire Dales and making • Continued from page 1 face in making changes to engines and heating methods, particularly when the boat is someone’s home.” While overall levels of air pollution have been declining in recent decades, there has also been a growing scientific awareness of the scale of problems that it causes. NHS England says that almost 30% of preventable deaths in England are due to non-communicable diseases specifically attributed to air pollution. A pollutant called particulate matter (PM) is a particular concern with the World Health Organisation (WHO) identifying it as the most damaging for people. The most important activity that contributes to particulate pollution is the burning of fuels such as wood and coal in open fires and domestic stoves. To deal with domestic burning, the Government will ban the sale of the most polluting fuels and ensure that only the cleanest stoves are available for sale by 2022. They are also consulting on phasing out the sale of traditional house coal and on limiting the sale of wet wood, the type often used on canal boats. The Government’s plan for these fuels is expected within months. The move on particulate matter has been welcomed by the WHO as an “example for the rest of the world to follow”.
connections into neighbouring towns and villages. This latest scheme will highlight the canal as a year-round gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, making it more accessible for local residents and enhancing the waterway as a visitor destination for walkers, cyclists, boaters and canoeists. Work is due to start this year. The announcement of this scheme builds on the 2016 Department for Transport-funded £450,000 scheme to improve the towpath between Skipton and Bradley. Coun Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “I’m delighted that this funding has been secured – we know residents are keen to see these improvements take place so they can make the most of their local canal towpath. “This project will be a huge benefit to our local communities and will also allow more visitors and businesses to make the most of the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal. It will create a familyfriendly route that balances the needs
Coun Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, with Jane Thomson, enterprise manager, Canal & River Trust, on the canal towpath in Skipton. PHOTO: CRT of modern-day visitors against the 200-year heritage of the canal. “Together with improvements proposed to take place around the canal in the centre of Skipton, and the work already carried out on the stretch of towpath between Skipton and Bradley, this will make the area even more attractive, transforming the canal as a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.” Sean McGinley, regional director Yorkshire and North East at CRT, added: “We are delighted that this comprehensive improvement scheme
has been funded and approved. “Once complete, it will ensure locals and visitors can enjoy their local canal towpath throughout the year, whether that’s on the early morning dog walks, taking the kids for a weekend stroll, or cycling to work.” As part of its contribution, the district council will fund a marketing programme to work with local businesses on how they can benefit from the scheme, and also work with regional tourism agencies to promote the canal and area to new visitors.
Honour for RNLI volunteer who has played a key role in preventing drowning on the Thames RNLI volunteer John Soones has been made an MBE for his invaluable work in preventing drowning along the Thames and for his efforts in trying to reduce the number of suicides on the river. John originally joined the RNLI as a Life Governor
RNLI volunteer John Soones was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours. PHOTO: RNLI
Composting loos: no bog-standard answer AS MORE boaters are looking to reduce their environmental impact, many are installing composting toilets on their boats. The Canal & River Trust recently surveyed boaters to better understand how many boaters have these and how they dispose of the solid and liquid waste from their loos. From the survey responses CRT estimates that there are around 1000 boats with composting loos
nearly 40 years ago after the RNLI was involved in rescuing him following a diving accident. In later life he applied to become crew at Chiswick Lifeboat Station but, finding himself too old to serve on the lifeboat, he agreed to work as a voluntary lifeboat sea safety officer in the capital. Working with the Kingston River Safety Forum, he soon realised if the RNLI was going to achieve its target of halving the number of lives lost through drowning by 2024, the charity had to tackle the issue of suicides and suicide attempts on the river. He said: “I looked at the statistics and realised we couldn’t avoid discussing a third of the fatalities on the river. What we have done is influence others to improve safety along the river.” A key part of this has been working with other local organisations such
as councils, the police and health care trusts to support mental health facilities in the area. “We’ve nudged them in certain directions that we know are successful,” he added. Guy Addington, the RNLI’s community safety partner for London and the South East, said John’s work had been instrumental in invigorating the Kingston River Safety Forum and from initial research, recorded lives lost along the upper reaches on the river had gone down since his work began. There are now plans to extend the programme to other boroughs within London, with the Richmond River Safety Forum already up and running. “Using his knowledge and experience he has driven the RNLI’s drowning prevention interventions as far upstream as Oxford and in turn is contributing
nationwide. Although this number is low, it’s still really important for health and hygiene reasons that the content of composting toilets is disposed of properly. The release of raw untreated sewage/Elsan chemical waste poses a threat to human health and can cause significant environmental damage. Last month, the toilet facilities at Stonebridge Lock were blocked when someone emptied the contents of their compositing loo down the toilet pan, resulting in unnecessary inconvenience for boaters and costs for the trust. Currently only a third of composting toilet users
to the delivery of the Nat i o na l D row n i ng Prevention Strategy,” said Guy. John has also been instrumental in launching ‘lifejacket clinics’ after RNLI research revealed some people’s lifejackets were not working properly. “I’m delighted that the work I’ve done over the past 10 years has been recognised in some way,” he added. “I’m one member of a very big team – there are a lot of people walking around today who wouldn’t be otherwise because of the work we’ve done.” As well as John’s voluntary work with the RNLI, he is also chairman of the British Diving Safety Group, is a senior magistrate and also volunteers for the national blood service, regularly delivering blood supplies on his motorbike at night.
who responded said they disposed of their solid waste as compost, with the remainder using toilet/ Elsan facilities or bagging and binning their waste. Half of respondents said that they poured their liquid waste on to open ground. There are currently no dedicated facilities for composting toilet waste to be disposed of on the canal network. The advice is that solid waste should be double bagged and binned. CRT doesn’t permit disposal of composting toilet waste on its land (even if it’s fully composted) and the advice is clear – please dispose of composting toilet waste responsibly.
NEWS 3
www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Homes plan sparks fears for future of Lichfield restoration By Sarah Spencer
THE continued restoration of the Lichfield Canal could be in jeopardy after a council recommendation to approve a major homes development, it has been claimed. Lichfield District Council’s planning committee decided at a recent meeting to defer a decision on plans for almost 500 new homes and a 40-acre country park. However, Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) says it will be a “betrayal” if the scheme is given the go-ahead without securing “necessary canal work”. Deanslade Park Consortium is behind the project for Deanslade Park on land near Falkland Road. LHCRT claims the planning authority has not sought to apply its own policies relating to provision for the canal and for contributions to essential infrastructure and design. Therefore, says the LHCRT, the plan’s approval would leave the charity, which is completely self-financing, facing at least £500,000 in additional costs to provide
a canal bridge at the Claypit/Fosseway Lanes junction and associated channel works alongside Falkland Road at a later stage. Pointing out that to do so at a later stage would cause huge disruption and inconvenience to those who would then be living on the new development and to traffic on Birmingham Road, Christine Bull, LHCRT chairperson, described the potential approval of the plan as a “betrayal”. “It is with very grave concern that LHCRT, which has done so much to improve the environment for residents and for wildlife, is now faced with a planning application which could well be a show-stopper to its continued and immensely valuable work in restoring the Lichfield Canal for public benefit,” she said. Christine said the trust had sought advice from a barrister and claimed that should the council proceed to approve the Deanslade Park application, as is recommended, the approval would be legally flawed and could be
Flood scheme on track for 2019 start By Elizabeth Rogers
OXFORD Flood Alleviation Scheme, a project to create a channel to reduce the risk of flooding from the River Thames, is still on track for work to begin this year – despite two obstacles. The first of these has now been overcome, with the increased cost from £120 million to £150 million of the project – the largest of its kind currently in England – being covered by £10 million additional funding from Highways England through its Designated Environment Fund and additional Government flood-risk funding. The second obstacle is objections so far from 55 sources. Compulsory Purchase Order notices have been put up around the area through which the channel will run and CPO letters sent out to landowners and others with an interest in land affected, permanently or temporarily, by the scheme.
This is a major issue with nearly 800 land plots attached. A resolution by negotiation is the preferred option. The Environment Agency is leading the project, which is for a relief channel to run from the western outskirts of Oxford to Sandford Lock. It will take three to four years to build. The application for planning permission was submitted in 2018 and the Environment Agency is expecting a final planning decision early in 2019. A third issue to be resolved is the public concerns at the loss of some 2000 trees that will result. The Environment Agency is planning to mitigate this by planting replacement trees along the route as each stage of progress is completed. In doing so it hopes to double the present tree coverage by planting more than 4000 standard trees and adding a further 15,000 smaller trees together with shrubs; the EA will select native species.
subject to judicial review – with “major financial implications”. “LHCRT fully understands the pressures on local authorities to meet housing targets and all it wants is that the developer is required to work closely with the trust to finance and work co-operatively on the canal restoration requirements which are included in LDC’s own legally binding Infrastructure Delivery Plan,” said Christine. “It cannot be stressed enough that if the canal is not taken into account as part of the Deanslade Park development, continued restoration of this already hugely beneficial, charitably funded project and with even more potential economic and tourism benefits in the future, could well be stopped.” A spokesman for Lichfield District Council confirmed the matter had been deferred “to allow for the council to consider a legal opinion that was submitted by LHCRT” the previous day. She said the next planning committee meeting was scheduled for February 11 and it was provisionally down to be
IN BRIEF Cotswold guide
LHCRT chairperson Christine Bull. PHOTO SUPPLIED
considered at that one. However she added that because it was a live application the authority could not comment on the particulars. Christine said: “Another deferral is welcome if that enables our legal opinion to be taken seriously and if it also means that all parties can now sit round a table and agree a way forward. “LHCRT does not want to cause further delays, but equally it cannot be left with huge additional costs due to what it firmly believes are a series of errors.” The aim of LHCRT, formed in 1988, is to reopen the Lichfield and Hatherton canals and re-establish the links between the underused northern sections of the Birmingham Canal Navigations and the Coventry Canal in the east and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in the west.
Boaters hope bin problem will be disposed of BOATERS are hopeful a solution has been found after an ‘essential’ bin site on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Devizes was closed. More than 400 people signed a petition to Wadworth Brewery and Canal & River Trust (CRT) to reinstate boaters’ rubbish disposal at the Bridge Inn at Horton, Wiltshire. The petition was handed in during January. Landowner Wadworth has offered an alternative site for smaller bins, which the Kennet
Nick Brown and Yetta Bennett with the petition. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
& Avon Boaters’ Action Group appears willing to accept, but says the ball is now in CRT’s court. The petition stated: “Boaters have already lost rubbish disposal at the Barge Inn, Honey Street; the bins at the very busy Devizes Wharf were removed for some years and only replaced with bins of much reduced capacity after lobbying on the part of boaters and others. Around the same time the bins at Hungerford were removed due to access problems. “The petition signatories have been extremely concerned about the effect on boaters, especially those who live aboard, of removing yet another essential facility on the Kennet & Avon Canal.” The petition also states there are permanent moorings at the Bridge Inn and refuse disposal was specified in the agreements, and the fee reflects the facilities available and the prices people were willing to bid when they took part in the auctions for the moorings. Concerns had been raised
by the pub about the facility being used for fly-tipping, but action group member Pamela Smith said she understood the proposed location would not be visible from the road or the car park. “It relies on CRT to make that happen and put it into their bin schedule and persuade their contractors to collect that size bin from that particular location,” she said, adding that it would be supported by boaters. “I suspect the bins won’t necessarily have the same capacity, but it’s a reasonable solution and we will have to see how it works in practice.” A CRT spokesperson said: “As the charity that cares for the canal we want to make sure boaters have access to bins. However, our challenge is that we don’t always own the land on which bins can be situated, as is the case with the Bridge Inn. “We are pleased solutions are now proposed and are hopeful there will be bins up and running as soon as possible.”
STROUD Valleys Canal Company (SVCC) has published a new Facilities Guide for canal users. It has been produced by Cotswold Canals Trust Trow magazine editor David Jowett and SVCC chairman Peter Best. It will be published four times a year in December, March, June and September to enable constant updates as facilities open or perhaps close as maintenance or development occurs. The document covers the navigable sections of the Stroudwater Navigation from Eastington to the west of Stroud and the Thames & Severn Canal to Thrupp in the east. The two waterways are known collectively as The Cotswold Canals.
Record rescues
YORK’s independent search and rescue charity recorded its busiest ever period last year, writes Geoff Wood. York Rescue Boat, founded in 2014 after a series of deaths on the city’s rivers, helped tackle 122 incidents throughout 2018. Senior operations manager Dave Horn said an increase in incidents had been partly due to emergency services being more familiar with the services the boat could provide. The charity now operates three boats and three vehicles and has appealed for help in finding a light industrial unit or warehouse near the rivers with 24-hour access so crews can turn out rapidly to emergencies.
Marina plan
A 20-BERTH marina, together with more than 100 new homes and a new station, are in the pipeline as part of a canalside regeneration plan in Middlewich, Cheshire, writes Geoff Wood. A planning statement by the developer said: “The site’s canalside location makes it a clear opportunity for housing-led mixed development and a marina.”
Swan treated
A SWAN found injured in the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Shipley, West Yorkshire, had been shot with an air rifle, writes Geoff Wood. Volunteers from the Yorkshire Swan and Wildlife Hospital retrieved the bird from the water and it is now recovering in the hospital. An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is really concerning and we urge anyone with information to contact the local police or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”
4 NEWS
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
A ‘Caribbean Cruise’ to the Thames
By Janet Richardson
THIS year’s demise of the London Boat Show did not prevent the St Pancras Cruising Club from taking to the Thames Tideway for a January cruise. For several years the club organised a trip to the show at ExCeL but access has become more difficult over recent years and this year’s cancellation of the event prompted SPCC to come up with its first ‘Caribbean Cruise’ to West India Dock. I was invited to join the club on the outward leg of its journey on Saturday, January 12 by cruise co-ordinator Andrew Phasey and was hosted by Colin and Diane Parlett on board their narrowboat Dragonfly. After an ‘interesting’ train diversion via Ely and Cambridge I arrived at the St Pancras Cruising Club – luckily only a short walk from King’s Cross – in time for the 9am start. Also joining the crew of Dragonfly was club member and seasonal volunteer lock keeper David Leppard who is currently having his own boat built. He manned the tiller for the journey to Bow, sharing locks with nb Oracle. Some of the crews headed along the Hertford Union but we stayed on
the Regent’s Canal to Limehouse and Bow where all the crews gathered for lunch and a briefing before heading down Bow Creek. This was where I left the boats as sluice problems meant later lockings and I had a train to catch! So a short walk along the towpath past Three Mills took me to Bromley-by-Bow tube station. As it happens this was the right decision as it was getting dark by the time the flotilla made the tideway trip under navigation lights before locking into West India Dock at high tide, necessitating a bridge lift; the crews celebrating their arrival with the customary ‘tot’ of rum. The boats then spent the week there with their return trip due to take place on Saturday, January 19. Thanks to Andrew Phasey for inviting me on the trip and to Colin and Diane Parlett for their hospitality. Also to Sally How of nb Mobius, Simon Judge and Andy Clarke for information and photographs.
Colin and Diane Parlett making last-minute preparations. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
Heading into Islington Tunnel.
Passing Haggerston Wharf.
Oracle follows us into City Road Lock.
Volunteer lock keepers were on duty at Old Ford Lock.
The skippers’ briefing at Bow. PHOTO: SIMON JUDGE
Diane on the centre line at Salmon Lane Lock.
Heading down Bow Creek. PHOTO: SIMON JUDGE
The entrance to the Hertford Union Canal – some of the crews took that route.
Approaching Canary Wharf. PHOTO: SIMON JUDGE
Gongoozlers on Commercial Road Bridge as we enter Limehouse Basin.
All safely moored – the morning after. PHOTO: ANDY CLARKE
NEWS 5
www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Surrey resident fights for ‘unconsented moorers’ to remain
By Helen Gazeley
LIVEABOARD boaters are challenging a move by the Environment Agency to evict them from unregistered land on the Thames at West Molesey, Surrey. After complaints from local residents about the state of the river, the EA has applied for adverse possession of the land. An EA spokesman confirmed: “The Environment Agency has applied to the Land Registry to register part of the towpath and bank of the River Thames in Surrey – from its lock at Sunbury, to just upstream of Hurst Park in West Molesey. “The Environment Agency is the registered owner of the adjacent bed of the river along this entire stretch and also of much of the bank where it is not registered to third parties such as the local council.” The 10 boaters fighting eviction have found a champion, however, in local resident Lara Seal. “I’ve been living here over a year,” she said. “When we moved in all the local people said they were all drug dealers on the boats.” When Lara went to find out for herself she discovered, instead, a community which includes a policeman and social worker, who all have the required licences and certificates for their craft.
Local concern
The river upstream of Molesey Lock has been a matter of local concern for some time, with The Canbury and Riverside Association describing it as “blighted
by an accumulation of some 70 derelict and sunken boats,” adding that the boats were “unsightly and associated with antisocial behaviour which makes the towpath a no-go area for many people.” In September campaigning was rejuvenated when local resident David Garrett established the pressure group Reclaim our Riverbank 2. The Environment Agency then launched an operation to pick up the sunken wrecks and remove unlicensed craft. David Garrett said: “The Environment Agency picked off the low-hanging fruit and we’re left with people who live aboard and aren’t going to move. They’ve put up fences and notices saying ‘private moorings’, cut down an enormous amount of shrubbery, put out rubbish garden furniture and trashed the whole bank. It’s disgusting.” The EA spokesman added: “Since the Thames Conservators, the navigation authority for the non-tidal River Thames has managed activities above, connected to and below the towpath as part of its navigation and regulatory duties. The Environment Agency became the navigation authority when it was formed in 1996, taking on the role carried out by predecessor organisations including the National Rivers Authority, Thames Water Authority and the Thames Conservancy.” Sergiu Sidei, a social worker for Hounslow Council, has been living on his boat for six years. “People say we don’t pay council tax, so we are not legal. But here is our thing: we pay water
One of the derelict boats to which local residents objected. PHOTO SUPPLIED
tax, not council tax. It’s not necessarily cheaper to live here.
Lifestyle choice
“No one comes to collect rubbish from us; we have to send our children to private schools; the road down here is not paved. But we love nature, the lifestyle. This is what we love. We are the only ones who pay for the river. We’re all employed; no one is on benefits. We understand ownership of the river. We pay our licence and it’s right to pay.” He dismissed the idea that the EA has been maintaining the bank, saying that he hadn’t seen any work carried out in the six years he’d been there, until very recently. “The EA sent two people to cut down a tree. The tree surgeons were shocked because all the trees need cutting,” he said. At the beginning of November, with the rest of his riverside community, Sergiu was served a notice to move the boat, demanding departure by November 15. “We try to show that what the EA are claiming is groundless. The law is clear that only the landowner can tell us to go if we are squatting. We’ve been visited by the EA four times since I started living here. “Every time, they say ‘you need to leave’. We say, ‘on what basis’? They say, ‘we believe we own the land’. We say ‘we don’t believe you do’. “I know it’s hard for them to do their duty – they have to act when they have pressure from this group.”
Members of the liveaboard community at West Molesey, with Lara Seal and her family. From left to right, back row: Malcolm, Sebastian Seal, Sergiu Sidei, Charlie Seal, Lara Seal, Paul, Mack, Ronnie Gjika. Front row: Rosie Seal, Pauline. PHOTO: HELEN GAZELEY
River access
David Garrett said: “I do understand they are not all bad people. Because of Lara and her angle on the whole thing, we don’t call them water gypsies, but unconsented moorers. But you can’t have a home on a riverbank on a public river and put up fences and gardens.” He agreed the towpath hadn’t been blocked but added: “If you wanted to feed bread to the ducks or your dog wanted to go for a swim, they’re blocking people’s access to the river.” Lara can see the benefits of the long-term moorings. “It’s safer to have them there than an empty stretch of riverbank. Twenty-four-hour moorings could potentially be very detrimental to the area. Last summer transient boaters typically moored up on this stretch for short periods to offload rubbish directly on to the towpath, sell drugs, drink and party all night with associated noise and upset for local residents. Some shouted threats to dog walkers. “The fact that a police officer lives there has meant that crime along this stretch of towpath is more or less non-existent.
Once he makes himself known to the more troublesome boaters they don’t stay long. If they all go, it will be lawless down there.” David rejected the argument, saying: “I don’t personally think saying that people have no legal right to be there but are better than a worse lot of people is a reason to let them stay.” Meanwhile, Sergiu said he disliked visitors in unregistered boats as much as the local house-owners do. “These people, when they come, always bring trouble. I had an engine stolen, and they leave rubbish on the side of the river.” The problem is clear to him: “Everyone believes we are the same people,” he added. Lara is doing her best to disabuse her neighbours of that impression. “All this boating community would like is to be able to stay here, peacefully, as they have for many years (13, in one case). They keep the riverbank clear of rubbish; they are quiet and law-abiding. I had Paul in
for a drink with a neighbour, who was very surprised. Then they realised he wasn’t savage and they were fine.”
Boats along the disputed stretch of unregistered riverbank at West Molesey. PHOTO SUPPLIED
6 NEWS
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Urgent plea to track down pennywort
IN BRIEF Middle Level Act
THE Middle Level Bill received Royal Assent and was enacted in November. The Act, which was brought to Parliament as a Private Members’ Bill in November 2016, went through its final stage in October with the House of Commons agreeing the amendments made by the House of Lords earlier in the year. It will bring the Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) into line with other navigation authorities by enabling better waterway management powers and allowing increased provision of facilities and moorings in connection with their navigation function.
THE Environment Agency is urging people to report floating pennywort this winter, after 1000 tonnes were removed from the Anglian region’s rivers. More than 500 tonnes of the highly invasive species were removed from the Bedford Ouse, 400 tonnes from the River Cam, and 200 tonnes from the Ely Ouse. The teams also tackled 50 new patches that appeared on the River Witham between Lincoln and Chapel Hill. It’s part of a sustained attack on the non-native species this winter that sees the EA working with partners, contractors, local communities and volunteer groups to clear the plant – even by hand, when necessary. Floating pennywort forms dense mats that can affect oxygen levels in the water, crowd and kill off native wildlife, and damage habitat. It can become so prolific
Foss barrier A NEW £9.25 million flood barrier is to be installed on the River Foss at York, writes Geoff Wood. The aim is to prevent the river flooding hundreds of homes and businesses again. The present Foss Barrier – designed to prevent water from the River Ouse surging up the Foss – is to be replaced by a new taller gate capable of dealing with flood risks caused by a changing climate.
that boaters, anglers and others can’t use the waterway, and it even clogs sluices, weirs and drains, potentially increasing flood risk. The plant is notoriously difficult to control – it can grow up to 25cm per day in the right conditions and even a small fragment can regrow into a new plant. But the Environment Agency is continuing to battle the weed this winter. On the Great Ouse, teams with weedboats are harvesting and removing the pennywort on to the banks, where it can compost down safely and naturally. Volunteers from local fishing, canoeing and boating groups are also chipping in by removing rafts of the weed with their hands, nets and bin bags. Removal efforts will continue into the spring, and the
Canalside homes PLANS have been revealed to build 88 new homes beside the Macclesfield Canal, writes Geoff Wood. The site in the Cheshire town currently houses a derelict haulage depot. A spokesman for the developers said a high quality residential neighbourhood would improve the area considerably.
The Environment Agency is continuing to battle the weed this winter. PHOTOS: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
GUARANTEE DELIVERY
TPT delivered to your door for only £1 an issue
TOWPATH
Issue 159, January 2019
waterways users
TALK
The UK’s Number ONE read for all
104 PAGES
FREE APP!
NEW FOR 2019 ASK THE TRUST
P7
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE See page 101
SANTAS MAKE A SPLASH P2 AND 5
Ring in the New Year
DOGFRIENDLY MUSEUM
P14
LAPAL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN
P16 Wintry sunshine reflects on moorings
at Ashwood Marina, Kingswinford,
in the West Midlands. PHOTO: PHIL
PICKIN
Towpath Talk’s 2018 top teams – take By Janet Richardson
BOAT REVIEW: WALKING ON WATER
P62
LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?
Find your ideal location using the map in our monthly feature
Turn to
P36
BOATS FOR SALE P25 Turn to
are IN THIS season of goodwill, we our delighted to announce the results of Towpath Talk Top Team award for 2018. The clear winner following the judges’
final and readers’ vote is the Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteering the Team. In joint runner-up slot are Cotswold Canals Trust and Welshpool third Canal Adoption Group and in joint Ship are the Daniel Adamson Steam
volunteers and the IWA Northampton branch. Presentations to our finalists will take place in the new year. Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group extra unsung heroes who have gone that
a bow
mile for their local stretch of towpath, or canal or river, waterways association community boat – and gave our judging the panel a difficult job of shortlisting five finalists. • Continued on page 2
Walsall project Darlaston Canal Towpath mugging FOUR stretches of towpath along the after a man in Eviction threat Walsall have been POLICE are hunting four youths and the Goscote Birchills Canal at and pushed residents on the Thames at West NARROWBOAT a move by the Molesey, Surrey, are challenging see them evicted Environment Agency which could have lived for from an area where some of them residents, who 13 years, writes Helen Gazeley. The worker, claim include a policeman and a social that the land is that Land Registry checks prove law for them to unregistered, making it within the are mistaken. stay, and that EA’s ownership claims whom say they Around 10 boats are affected, all of insurance and have a valid River Thames licence, boat safety certificates.
his sixties was robbed at knifepoint Geoff Wood. into the Trent & Mersey Canal, writes towards The man was walking along the towpath group the Etruria, Staffordshire, when he passed Pottery. A sitting on a bridge near Middleport and in his youth described by police as Asian the man late teens jumped down and threatened his waistband. before brandishing a knife from forced A second, said to be white and younger, hard, him the man to hand over cash and pushed causing him to fall into the canal.
a £1.62 million earmarked for improvements following and Black grant from the Department for Transport include Work will Country Local Enterprise Partnership. and should be resurfacing and widening the paths towpaths completed by September 2019. The improved redevelopments will connect Walsall town centre to Zone, as well as in Goscote and Darlaston Enterprise work, schools and of places with homes people’s linking of the £6.12 million colleges. The improvements are part Package. Walsall Economic Growth and Infrastructure
BWML Mooring offers Pages 29 & 33 bwml.co.uk 0115 9077 433
12/12/2018 16:36:58
001 cover_JAN.indd 1
Call 01507
QUOTE OFFER CODE: TPT01
To save you having to track down a copy every month, take advantage of our special offer
Delivery from just £11.99 This great deal means you will pay just £1 for your copy to be delivered to your home. That’s cheaper than chips!
529529
www.classicmagazines.co.uk/TPTO1 www.classicmagazines.co.uk/tptO1
Waterways users are urged to report pennywort and help to prevent its relentless spread. Environment Agency is appealing to anglers, boaters and others who spend time on or near the water to report any patches they see – and to take precautions to avoid spreading it. Paul Separovic, team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “Floating pennywort can cause damage to our natural habitat, threaten our native ecology, and prevent people from enjoying pastimes that bring them closer to nature, like fishing, boating and canoeing. “That’s why we’re reminding people to help us stop the spread of this aquatic invader – make sure to check, clean and dry your clothes and equipment thoroughly after being in the water, and report sightings to us on 0800 80 70 60. “We’d like to thank our partner organisations, local communities, and especially the dedicated volunteers who go out of their way
to help with removing the weed. “If we all do our parts, we can help protect our natural environment for people and wildlife into the future.” Environment Agency officers’ long-term plan of attack involves working methodically down the rivers to clear the weed, and revisiting and double-checking
previously cleared stretches. The teams also tidy up riverbanks so there’s less for the floating pennywort to cling to, which will help reduce its spread. Learn more about invasive species – and how you can help stop the spread – on the Non-native Species Secretariat website.
Top tips for preventing the spread of floating pennywort: ● Learn what to look out for ● Check yourself, your clothing, and any equipment that has been on or in the water ● Thoroughly clean and remove any suspected specimens, leaving them at the site where they came
from – preferably out of the water and on the banks ● Report them to the Environment Agency’s 24/7 hotline: 0800 80 70 60 ● Dry your equipment thoroughly before relaunching it or using it again
Warning to unregistered boaters FIVE boaters have been ordered to pay a total of more than £7000 for failing to register their vessels and the Environment Agency is warning other boaters not to do the same or they could face fines, fees and even a criminal conviction. Boat owners are legally required to register any vessel they keep, use or let for hire on Environment Agency waterways, and to clearly display a valid registration plate. Cases against William Headen of High Street, Offord Cluny (St Neots); Peter Clare of Brunel Road, Stevenage; Ian McDonald of Riverside Island Marina, Isleham and Kevin Simington of Muir Street, Silvertown (London) were proved at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on December 13. A similar case against Christopher Smart of Priory Marina, Barkers Lane (Bedford) was proved at Luton Magistrates’ Court on December 11. Mr Headen was ordered to pay £1290, Mr Clare
£1212, Mr McDonald £1778, Mr Simington £1098 and Mr Smart £1694. These outcomes brought the total of avoided registration charges recouped by the Environment Agency in 2018 to £73,000 – money which will be reinvested into maintaining, improving and protecting waterways. The Environment Agency looks after 353 miles of navigable waterways in the Anglian network, which includes the Ancholme, Black Sluice, Glen, Welland, Nene, Great Ouse and Stour, as well as associated locks and navigation facilities like slipways, moorings, showers and toilets. More information about boating and waterways, including registering vessels, is available from the Environment Agency. If you suspect a boat is illegal, you can contact the EA on 03708 506 506 or email waterways.enforcementanglian@environmentagency.gov.uk
IWA support for canoe charter IWA contributed to British Canoeing’s recently launched Access and Environment Charter – Clear Access, Clear Waters – a campaign which sets out a vision to confirm access to the rivers and inland waters of England and protect the environment. In its feedback the IWA said: “The Inland Waterways
Association believes that canoes and other small unpowered craft are a great and affordable way to get afloat, and offer excellent opportunities to introduce more people, including children and young people, to inland waterways and the great outdoors. “We welcome the charter published by British
Canoeing and believe that if government would introduce modern, comprehensive legislation for England, as has been done in Scotland and is currently being considered in Wales, then that would bring welcome clarity to the law.” Find out more about the campaign on the British Canoeing website.
ASK THE TRUST 7
www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk
ASK THE TRUST In this new regular column, a team of experts from the Canal & River Trust will be answering some of the most common questions from boaters, whether that’s via the Boaters’ Update, enquiries received by the Customer Services team, or the contents of the Towpath Talk mailbag. Now that it’s reopened, can you tell us what really caused the Middlewich breach and is it likely to happen again?
Andy Johnson, senior project manager, says: The breach on the Shropshire Union Canal at Middlewich reminds us that the canals are artificial systems – a triumph of engineering but ultimately susceptible to incidents such as this. When our engineers first arrived at the breach site they discovered that the paddles at Stanthorne Lock were open. Who opened the paddles and why they did so, isn’t known. The result, though, was that excess water flowed down the canal, causing the pound between Stanthorne and Wardle to overfill. The breach was caused by the water level rising above the level of the towpath, allowing water to spill down the embankment, washing away the sandy soil and causing a section of the 200-year-old embankment to collapse. Level sensors on the canal recorded this increase in water level and then a sharp fall at the time the breach occurred. We’ve spent nearly £3 million and used nearly 4000 tonnes of stone to repair the damage. This has involved rebuilding the 12m-high embankment, lining the canal bed with a PVC membrane and concrete, constructing new canal walls and creating a new towpath. We’re tremendously
Narrowboat Enigma crosses the Middlewich breach site on the day the branch reopened . PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST
grateful to the volunteers who helped us with the work, to the local community who raised more than £30,000, and to players of People’s Postcode Lottery who contributed £1.42 million towards the repair. The canals have survived for more than two centuries; however, they were never designed for an event such as this. We’re confident that we’ve done a good job and boaters will be able to cruise the Shropshire Union for many more years. We can’t rest on our laurels, though, and will continue to carry out regular inspections of the site, as we do for all our 2000 miles of waterways. During the rebuilding of the embankment, engineers have included measures to improve the resilience of the canal to deal with increased flows at this location. The network as a whole has never been, and can never be, 100% secure from such incidents but we continue to carry out routine monitoring to keep them to a minimum. We encourage anyone who sees something that looks like it may not be right to report it. Boaters are often the first to spot potential problems and their help is invaluable.
What are the benefits of using volunteers instead of employing more paid staff?
Edd Moss, national volunteering development manager, says: The waterways are improving faster than ever before because of the joint efforts of our volunteers, employees, and many groups with whom we work in partnership. They bring their own perspective, new ideas and experiences
National volunteering development manager Edd Moss.
and buckets of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm. This is reflected in the wide range of activities and projects that volunteers are involved in – or run themselves. Fundamentally, we can achieve a whole lot more that we couldn’t achieve without them. For example, in the past we had two employees inspecting one reservoir at once, we’ve now got two teams (one employee and one volunteer in each) carrying out inspections at the same time. We believe this is far more efficient and a lot better. With more than 220 adoption agreements by local communities we’re working with an increasingly diverse range of groups. In Greater Manchester, for example, our Community Roots conservation programme saw 1000 new volunteers get involved, while in Birmingham alone there have been six adoption agreements. Volunteers help engage the next generation of canal enthusiasts (80,000 children participated in one of the trust ‘Explorers’ face-to-face education sessions during 2017-18). We estimate that our volunteer lock keepers are
talking to more than 17,000 members of the public in an average week. Our volunteers fight overgrowing plants, take to the water to clear up litter, work alongside us on major construction projects, carry out research, care for our nationally important collection in our museums, help boaters through tricky lock flights and, in the trustees’ role, lead and guide the trust strategically. And that’s just for starters! Of course volunteers aren’t free – there’s a cost in managing them, supplying materials, training and expenses. This was around £2.6 million in 2017/18. This enables us to tackle the tasks our paid people don’t have the time to carry out, making things better for boaters, and for everyone else who visits our canals and rivers. In 2017-18 volunteers gave 616,300 hours of their time and expertise. We want to see this grow. And it’s good fun too, with 96% volunteer satisfaction last year, and all the well-being benefits that being by water brings. We’re currently recruiting for volunteer lock keepers so if you’d like to get involved, get in touch!
8 NETWORKING
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
SOCIETY NEWS History walk
WALKERS along the Wilts and Berks Canal learned about its history and just how much has been achieved to date in its restoration, writes Elizabeth Rogers. This annual chairman’s walk started from Chippenham and as they followed the new stretch of the canal to Pewsham Lock, the walkers were given a historical talk. Along the route they were able to see some of the remaining original features, which included a lock keeper’s cottage, a dry dock, a sawpit and a lime kiln. There was very good attendance, despite disappointing weather, but the walkers were cheered by refreshments served at a pop-up cafe at Pewsham Lock.
New Foss sign aims to benefit area AN eye-catching sign featuring fascinating facts about the River Foss has been installed on its banks at Monk Bridge, at the south end of Huntingdon Road in York. The River Foss Society made the arrangements after an opportunity for funding the sign came to light at a Guildhall Ward residents’ meeting attended by the society’s treasurer in April. One of the agenda items was the chance of a grant of up to £2000 from the City of York Council for not-for-profit community groups and the River Foss Society backed the idea of a sign at Monk Bridge.
Appeal boost IWA Lichfield Branch presented a cheque for £1000 to Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. The cheque was presented to LHCRT chairman Christine Bull by Peter Gurney and Derek Beardsmore at the trust’s autumn show. This represented another good year of fundraising for Lichfield Branch and brought to more than £45,000 the total it has donated to waterway restoration projects over the past 30 years, including £24,000 to Lichfield & Hatherton. Christine said the donation would be put towards the Tunnel Vision Appeal to raise £1 million by Easter this year to fund a tunnel for the canal under the railway in Lichfield.
The educational sign is made of anti-vandal plastic and advises people not to feed bread to the ducks and geese. PHOTOS: RIVER FOSS SOCIETY
It proposed a colour panel that explained the history, wildlife and plants of the River Foss and advised not to feed bread to the ducks and geese. The society said it would benefit local residents and visitors who used the park and improve it through educating adults and children using the play area, and, by attracting more local residents to the area, it might help reduce instances of antisocial behaviour. Further, by improving the area for local people to meet and talk, it might also help reduce loneliness and increase diversity. The society also noted the sign could become a meeting point for walks and other activities along this part of the River Foss. Three quotes were included with the grant application, with the total cost including installation estimated at £2214. However, the group was informed that a reduced amount of £1000 had been awarded due to intense competition. Considerable creativity was needed to still be able to achieve the sign and minimise the extra funding needed from the River Foss Society, and this included using a volunteer to do graphics work and working closely with Signs Express to achieve an equivalent sign at lower cost. The project was achieved with the grant of £1000 plus £186.60 funding from the River Foss Society and the sign was installed in December. The sign should enhance the area for passing pedestrians and the occasional river traffic; depending on the size of
Supporters of the River Foss Society project to install a new interpretive sign gather at the inauguration ceremony. boat, Monk Bridge is about the limit of navigation on the River Foss, has a landing ladder, and is accessed via lock from the River Ouse at Blue Bridge in York. Thanks were expressed to the following: Serena King, who came up with the idea of the sign; Jack Woodhams on the Guildhall Ward Committee, who managed the grant applications; Dave Meigh at the City of York Council, who helped with the administrative parts of the contract; John Millett, chairman of the River Society,
‘Rowing’ benefits trust WHITCHURCH Waterway Trust was delighted to receive a cheque for £750 from TSB bank. This was money raised by various fundraising events – £139 from an Easter draw, £341 from a book table and £270 from a ‘rowing’ event. The TSB staff were thanked for their time and effort in supporting WWT. The ‘rowing’ event was held last summer when staff ‘rowed’ from Llangollen to Grindley Brook, taking it in turns on a rowing machine in the bank, with their progress shown on a map of the canal. WWT chairman Chris Chambers and WWT secretary Helen Brockman received the cheque from TSB branch manager Kelly Lines.
Hebden gathering
TOWPATH
Dedicated volunteer clocks up 10k hours
Colin Wareing of Colin and Carole’s Creations and The Wool Boat is unloading yarn and needles to deliver to Kenyons marketing agency in Liverpool. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING
Floating knitters’ pearl of a plan to cut car use FLOATING traders helped launch a ‘Car Free Friday’ initiative in South Yorkshire. Drivers are being encouraged to switch their car for public transport, walking or cycling, just one day per week, with free knitting kits offered as encouragement. It was hoped that people on buses, trams and trains would have a go at creating a simple hat while on their commute or trip into town.
TALK
THE Historic Narrow Boat Club is planning a biennial gathering over the spring bank holiday weekend (May 25-27) at Hebden Bridge on the Rochdale Canal, provided sufficient members are interested. They will also be encouraged to carry on down to Sowerby Bridge and along the first part of the Calder & Hebble to Salterhebble and Halifax. (HNBC Newsletter, 2018/3)
GUARANTEE DELIVERY
From just £11.99 TEL: 01507 529529 QUOTING: TPT02
who had provided invaluable advice and records for the two previous signs installed by the society on the River Foss; the River Foss Committee for their financial support; Coun Denise Craghill; Ann, chairman of the Groves Association; all of those on the ward committee who voted in favour of the proposal; Ian at Signs Express and his team. For further information about the River Foss Society see www. riverfosssociety.co.uk
A knitting kit as given out by Travel South Yorkshire as encouragement to travellers to have a ‘car free Friday’ and use public transport instead. PHOTO: TRAVEL SOUTH YORKSHIRE
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the organisation behind Travel South Yorkshire, was behind the ‘Knit while you sit’ bid to persuade the public to make #LittleBigChanges by choosing more sustainable ways to travel which could benefit their health and the environment. “The idea is that people can use their commuting time to be creative, or to relax, instead of driving,” said SYPTE’s marketing manager Kate Handley. “Travelling in a more active way is also a great way to introduce exercise into your life and helps to cut air pollution, as one double decker bus can potentially take up to 75 cars off the road.” The pattern for the hat was designed by Carole Wareing of The Wool Boat, while Colin, her husband and stock controller for The Wool Boat, worked on supplying the 200 balls of yarn and sets of knitting needles for the kits. Colin said: “The yarn wasn’t a problem, with it coming from our regular suppliers James C
A VOLUNTEER lock keeper has given an incredible 10,000 hours in the last four years to help care for his local canal. Brian Scott (71), a welcome sight at Sykehouse Lock on the New Junction Canal in South Yorkshire, began volunteering for the Canal & River Trust in 2014 as a way of continuing his interest in the outdoors, following his time as a volunteer ranger on the Trans Pennine Trail. He spends most of his volunteer hours operating the mechanised gates and bridges to help boaters on their journeys through the area, and is very much appreciated among the local and visiting boating community. He also assists cyclists and walkers on their travels along the towpath and is never without his close companions and assistant lock keepers – black Labradors Belle and Molly. Lucy Dockray, CRT volunteer leader, said: “Brian’s passion for supporting the waterways and the people who visit them knows no limits and it’s a pleasure to have him in the team. “We’re so grateful for all his hard work over the years and glad that he gets so much out of volunteering that he wants to spend every hour he can by the canal.” She added: “Volunteering is a great way to help your local community, meet people and learn new skills, and you can get involved in ways that suit you – whether it’s for a few hours to clear some vegetation or as part of a regular taskforce on a long-term project.” To find out about volunteering opportunities on your local canal, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.
Knitting packs being given out at South Yorkshire interchanges. PHOTO: TRAVEL SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Brett’s in Bingley. The needles were a bit more of an extra order as we normally only sell about a dozen pairs of that size of needle a year.” The Wool Boat is a floating knitting shop based on a canal narrowboat on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Burscough, West Lancashire.
From left: Brian Scott, Brian’s dogs Molly and Belle, and CRT staff Graham Barras, Lucy Dockray, Martin Walton, Jim Wood, Mark Best, Brian Bould and Dave Barker. PHOTO: CRT
NETWORKING 99
www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Characters of the cut Elizabeth Rogers talks to Patricia Clements, who relishes the challenge of her role with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. “I HAVE another lovely exciting challenge in my life,” said Patricia Clements, on taking over the role of head of communications, PR and IT last year for the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. But Patricia is not a newcomer to the work of the trust, having first joined the staff more than three years ago when she became PA to the CEO Jonathan Till. Following a reorganisation of the executive roles she moved to her current position in which she succeeded Sheila Wade, who is now a trustee, but helps with communications in an advisory role. Patricia had come from a background in administration, a long period of which was in a very different part of the world to the South West. That was in Egypt where she spent 14 years, nine of them working as admissions registrar at the Cairo English School where there was a multicultural environment. “We had at least 20 nationalities of students at the school,” said Patricia, “and teaching staff from different countries but mostly from the UK. “The school catered for children whose parents wanted them to have an internationally focused education. There were also children of British families and other ex-pats who had come to work in Egypt.” So what took Patricia over there? “It all started when I went there for a holiday; I decided to stay,” she explained. Her overseas sojourn ended in 2013 when she returned to the UK, settling initially in Kingstonupon-Thames, where she began work with a property management company. Then it was back to Wiltshire where she had lived before her move to Egypt and it was in the autumn of 2015 that she joined the administrative staff of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust head of communications Patricia Clements. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Community programme
Although she has not been a regular boater herself, she loves the atmosphere of the waterways. “Where we lived before, we were very close to the Kennet & Avon Canal and I have many memories of taking my sons down to the canal to enjoy the waterside,” she recalled. “It is so peaceful; you can be quite close to major roads but once you are by the canal, all that noise disappears. All you hear are the sounds of nature. “Other than our continuing work on restoring the canal, we also run a Transitions community programme which
helped earn a £10,000 grant from Aviva last year. These included, among others, painting courses from which pictures of boats and the canal made up the trust’s 2018 calendar. “I love this aspect of our work; it is very rewarding for everybody involved. We also like to encourage opportunities for linking communities with the countryside, giving them places where they can work and be close to nature.” Patricia works at the trust’s offices at Dauntsey Lock near Chippenham for part of the time and also partly from home.
Promoting the trust’s activities are, from left: Jonathan Till, chief executive of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, Ollie Phipps, community engagement manager from Wiltshire Council’s Malmesbury Area Board, which helped to fund the trust’s Transitions project and Heather Ponting-Bather, owner of InTouch Design & Print, who designed and arranged the printing of the trust’s calendar.
Trust volunteers bulb planting at Pewsham.
10 COMMUNITY
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
10
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Trust steps up restoration plans
You will learn new skills guided by an experienced team if you volunteer with Wey & Arun Canal Trust. PHOTO: WEY & ARUN CANAL TRUST
WEY & Arun Canal Trust is set to embark on a major volunteer-led restoration project, thanks to the acquisition of a 900m stretch of abandoned canal near Bramley in Surrey. The Birtley Reach area of the canal is particularly picturesque thanks to its position on a slope between the Downs Link path above (which follows the route of the former HorshamGuildford railway) and the Cranleigh Waters in the valley below. The trust is planning to create a new circular canalside walk linking to the Downs Link, providing an attractive amenity for locals and visitors. The purchase has been made possible by the generosity of an overseas trust member. Bramley Link manager Philip Oliver said: “There is a lot of work to do, but when restored this area will undoubtedly be an asset for Bramley and for Surrey.
“We are grateful to the owners of Westland Farm for their support and foresight, and the trust member who made the purchase possible. “We look forward to giving the public access to this beautiful waterside path and to the restored canal itself, while also improving the environmental value of the land.” The Wey & Arun Canal Trust was formed in 1973 with the aim of restoring the 23-mile navigable link between the rivers Wey and Arun, and so recreating the direct water link between London and the south coast. The trust’s success stories so far have included the reconstruction of 22 bridges and two aqueducts, the restoration of 11 locks and the dredging of many miles of canal bed. Fully restored, the Wey & Arun Canal would rate among the most scenic in the country.
Wey & Arun on hunt for helpers EVERYONE can make a difference – that’s the message from the Wey & Arun Canal Trust as it launches an appeal for volunteers in 2019. The trust is holding taster days for those interested in joining its working parties, offering the chance to try out some of the jobs volunteers tackle and see some of the restoration teams in action. “The Wey & Arun Canal Trust volunteers are achieving amazing things every week, working towards our aim of restoring the waterway that runs from Shalford in Surrey to Pallingham in West Sussex,” said trust chairman Sally Schupke. “The trust is run almost entirely by volunteers; they aren’t all experienced builders
or forestry workers, just ordinary members of the public who are proving the extraordinary can be achieved with the right training, tools and motivation.” Sally highlighted the many benefits of volunteering with the trust and continued: “You’ll get a warm welcome from the friendly men and women who volunteer with us, people who come from all walks of life. “You’ll also learn new skills, guided by our experienced team, and we’ll ensure you get all the equipment and training you need. “On top of this is the knowledge you are leaving a legacy for years to come as more of the canal is restored for the enjoyment of all. So far
22 bridges and two aqueducts have been reconstructed, 11 locks restored and a new one built, several culverts rebuilt and many miles of canal bed cleared and dredged. “None of this could have been achieved without volunteers. “We encourage everyone to come and join us for a cuppa at our taster days and find out how you can be part of the success story.” The taster days are being held from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday, March 14 at the recently restored section at Dunsold/Alfold. For full details and to sign up see the website www. weyandarun.co.uk or email events@weyandarun.co.uk.
The trust plans to create a beautiful waterside path. PHOTO: WEY & ARUN CANAL TRUST
Join the Cotswold crew!
A GROWING number of vessels and increasing amounts of work mean the Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) is appealing for new people to get on board and become skippers and crew. CCT now has two tugs (Goliath and Margaret) supporting the dredging team in the Ryeford, Ebley pound; a weed cutter (Weedie); two new workpunts (Jasper and Stuart); and other support vessels. New team members would be able to drive the boats and help maintain them. Training is provided, while for those who would like to help on the boat but not necessarily be in charge, additional crew members are always needed. One of the tugs’ key tasks is to move hoppers loaded with silt dredged from the canal as part of the dredging programme that is rapidly gaining pace. Actual dredging is done by a different team and the involvement here would be pushing loaded and unloaded 70ft-long mud hoppers from the dredging location to approved settling grounds.
With the colder weather, weed growth has slowed, so activities on Weedie would focus on getting her ready for the new season. Work punts are finding a variety of roles supporting other teams’ activities, and offer a chance to visit parts of the navigable canal that larger vessels cannot reach. CCT is also looking into opportunities for helping bank maintenance from the water. No previous experience is needed, although those with previous boating experience are especially welcome. Anyone who has previously qualified and would like to revisit their skills is also welcome. Both dedicated and on-the-job training will be offered, potentially leading to a WRG 21c ‘tug’ certificate, which covers skippering boats including pushing or towing barges and other vessels. If you want to take a closer look with a view to joining the team, contact Dave Irving at dave. irving@cotswoldcanals.com or Myron Burak at myron@hamshill.co.uk
COMMUNITY 11
www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Small Tasks Team Volunteers ended last year on a busy note, installing planking at Swanley No. 2 Lock.
Tribute to Small Tasks Team founder A ROTTING landing stage above Swanley No. 2 Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal proved a challenge for the Small Tasks Team Volunteers. It was not immediately clear just how bad it was – but demolition soon revealed all! It became apparent that the planking would not be adequate, so a further day was planned to finish the job. The Canal & River Trust had been unable to muster enough planking to match, so five volunteers, along with Dave and Will (CRT), boarded the work boat at Nantwich and cruised down to Marsh Lane, cutting back overhanging vegetation on the offside, as well as clearing the bridge hole and exposing and clearing the surrounding stonework. A further work party is being planned to continue this task. In December many volunteers attended the North West ‘Volunteer Thank You Days’ and several received rewards for their number of hours. A memorial to STTV founder Paul Mills was installed at
Barbridge and planted with winter plants. It was erected by Geoff Lane and John Riley, and planted up by Janice Riley and Moira Cain, who will replace the plants at appropriate times. The annual Christmas lunch was the last event of the year. Steve Maguire represented CRT at this well-attended event, which was held at the Cheshire Cat, Christleton.
A new memorial to Paul Mills pays tribute to his ‘passion and enthusiasm’ for the canals. PHOTOS: STTV
Workshops focus on volunteers TWO workshops run jointly by the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and the Canal & River Trust (CRT) will offer opportunities for those passionate about restoration to share and discuss ideas. The first takes place on Friday, February 15, and focuses on working with young people and successfully implementing safeguarding policies. The aim of the day is to highlight the significant role that younger volunteers will play in years to come.
This workshop will give attendees the opportunity to explore case studies, assess the need for younger volunteers and discuss their own experiences of working with younger volunteers. Case studies will include the Desmond Family Canoe Trail and Waterway Recovery Group’s Family Volunteering Weekends. It runs 10am to 3pm at the CRT offices, The Heritage Skills Centre, Canal Lane, Hatton, CV35 7JL.
A second workshop, on the theme of fundraising, takes place on Saturday, March 30, at Ormiston SWB Academy in Bilston. This training workshop is aimed at waterway restoration groups, with the intention of giving volunteers support and information to assist in the development of their schemes. You can register your interest in either of the workshops by emailing alex.melson@ waterways.org.uk
Moonraking festival under threat THE Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival, where a ‘moon’ is scooped out of the canal, is now under threat because of funding cuts, writes Geoff Wood. Traditionally held in February, the cost of the event has previously been met with a mixture of grants from Kirklees
Council, the National Arts Lottery Council and others. But this time, as sponsors cut back, organisers need to raise £15,000 for the festival, which features a colourful parade, so it can go ahead. The week-long festival celebrates the legend where
smugglers were trying to scoop up barrels of rum which were hidden underneath a bridge on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. When challenged by soldiers who arrived on the scene, the smugglers insisted they were trying to capture the moon, which was reflected in the water.
12 IWA ROUND-UP
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON
IWA: HS2 ‘distorted noise mitigation recommendations’ RECOMMENDATIONS by the HS2 Select Committee on Phase 2A (West Midlands-Crewe) regarding noise mitigation measures at Great Haywood and Fradley Wood on the Trent & Mersey Canal have been distorted, IWA claims. It has also accused HS2 of misrepresenting a discussion with IWA and that the proposals have threatened numerous peaceful locations on the inland waterways with noise and visual impacts on the canal environment. Active restoration schemes have also been jeopardised, IWA says.
IWA states that it has “followed developments, responded to consultations and petitioned government over proposed plans to minimise the effect on the waterways”. Phase 2B (Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds) affects at least 16 waterways in 22 locations, with major impacts on the Middlewich Branch, the Trent & Mersey Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Coventry Canal, Ashby Canal restoration, Erewash Canal and Chesterfield Canal restoration. See waterways.org.uk/hs2 for more information.
IWA BRANCH DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 2019 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 February 10
IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Volunteers carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. Contact Mel Sowerby: 01522 856810 or workparty@sleafordnavigation. co.uk
Wednesdays February 13 and 27
IWA Peterborough Branch: Clearing vegetation on Horseways Channel and carrying out maintenance of Horseways Lock. 10am to 3pm. Contact Roger Mungham: 01945 773002, roger.mungham@ waterways.org.uk
MIDLANDS Every Friday
IWA Lichfield Branch & CRT: Work party on the Trent & Mersey Canal to help clear offside vegetation. Prior training on use of a wood chipper and/or a pole saw may be needed. 9.30am-3.30pm. Contact Neil Barnett: neil.barnett@waterways. org.uk
Sunday February 3 and Tuesday February 19
IWA Northampton Branch: Work party on the Northampton Arm. 10am-2pm. Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact Geoff Wood: geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk
NORTH
Thursday February 14
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Work party on the Uttoxeter Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact Steve Wood: 07976 805858, steve.wood@waterways. org.uk
Saturday February 16
IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Work party in the Chester area working alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. 10am to 4pm. Work
will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Jason Watts: jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk IWA Manchester Branch: Work party in Greater Manchester. 10am to 4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact: 07710 554602 or secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk
Festive tree felling in the Cotswolds This year’s Christmas Canal Camp saw 38 volunteers clearing a section of the Stroudwater Canal in the Cotswolds during the festive holidays. Each year IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group holds a Christmas Camp and volunteers enjoy spending five days outside clearing vegetation and building bonfires. This year the camp was based near Whitminster, between Stroud and Gloucester, supporting the Cotswold Canals Trust restoration project. Volunteers from as far afield as Poland and Australia took part in the activities. In all, the volunteers clocked up 1260 hours supporting the project, the equivalent of 180 working days. WRG volunteers helping to clear a section of the Stroudwater Canal. PHOTOS: IWA
Working together on the Uttoxeter Canal IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group North West spent a December weekend completing the clearance of fallen trees and larger vegetation along the Uttoxeter Canal towpath near Alton Towers. This clearance work revealed a section of towpath that had collapsed and washed away. IWA North Staffs & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals
Trust volunteers continued vegetation clearance work in December and January as far as the collapsed section of towpath. At another work party, WRG volunteers removed tree roots around a spill weir, enabling Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust to start planning a more comprehensive excavation of the structure.
Thursday February 21
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact John Lawson: 07940 878923, John. lawson@waterways.org.uk
Mooring rings at Avon Aqueduct
IWA Warwickshire Branch has provided new mooring rings at the Avon Aqueduct to give boaters access to walks by the River Avon between Leamington Spa and Warwick. Eleven mooring rings were installed by volunteers in October. Holes were dug out against the concrete coping, bricks were installed around the edge of each hole and then filled with concrete to hold the mooring rings.
Tuesday February 26
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting Burslem Port Trust: Work party on the Burslem Arm, Stoke-onTrent. 10am to 3pm. Contact Steve Wood: 07976 805858, steve.wood@ waterways.org.uk
SOUTH
Tuesdays February 19 and 26
IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Work party on the Oxford Canal near Banbury. 9am-1pm. Contact Colin GarnhamEdge: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com
WEST
Every Saturday
IWA West Country Branch (Taunton): Work parties in the Taunton area. 10am-1.30pm. Please let us know if you are intending to join us by 6pm the previous day. Contact Steve Bulgin: 07855 794256, stevebulgin@icloud.com
Every Tuesday and Saturday
IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater): Work parties in the Bridgwater area. 10am – 1.30pm. Please let us know if you intend to join us by 6pm the previous day. Contact Mike Slade: 07977 263840, mdslade8@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
Volunteers helping to clear fallen trees and vegetation.
New Year’s Day walks
JANUARY saw IWA volunteers and members burn off the seasonal excesses with a number of waterside walks taking place on New Year’s Day. Twenty-nine people met for a walk organised by IWA West Country Branch along the Grand Western Canal and
through the Devonshire countryside. The walk promoted Friends of the Grand Western Canal’s vision to restore just over two miles of the Somerset section. Ramblers in IWA’s Lichfield Branch area met for a four-mile walk along quiet country roads, farm tracks, the Coventry Canal and through the
Mooring rings being installed on the Avon aqueduct. pretty village of Whittington, while Londoners gathered for a guided walk along the Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden with IWA’s Towpath Walks Society. Group walks take place across the country throughout the year. See waterways.org.uk/calendar to find a walk near you.
Reunion weekend sees over 1100 hours of restoration work IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group held its Annual Reunion Weekend – Bonfire Bash – on the Lichfield Canal in November. More than 70 WRG volunteers from across the country, joined by volunteers from the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust, carried out several large-scale restoration jobs, including vegetation clearance along the line of the canal, hedge-laying and building a retaining wall. Altogether, volunteers spent a staggering 1120 hours restoring the canal over the weekend! Using chainsaws, brush cutters, bow saws and loppers – along with some brute force and determination – volunteers removed trees, stumps and brambles from the canal bed. Along the existing towpath, a number of volunteers took to hedge-laying an overmature hedgerow to improve Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve for wildlife.
The Fosseway Lane section covers a distance of just over a half-mile through locks 18 and 19 from Fosseway Lane to the new Lichfield southern bypass, Falkland Road. A new route is needed from this point because of building on the original line through the city. Engineering director Peter Buck said: “The weekend was a great success and much was achieved to give a significant boost to the canal restoration work carried out by our own regular trust volunteers. “The goal of fully opening the South Heritage Towpath Trail through the Wetlands Boardwalk for the community moves ever closer. We thank all the volunteers who put in so much effort and we look forward to the next visit of the WRG volunteers and friends.” Assistant leader for the weekend Alex Melson added: “The reunion was a great success thanks to all the
WRG volunteers tend the bonfire during the Annual Reunion Weekend on the Lichfield Canal. PHOTO: IWA
hard work by the WRG volunteers and the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust. It was great to catch up with so many volunteers from the summer, as well as meeting new faces. “It was a really rewarding weekend and it is really worthwhile project to support.”
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
13
14 PETS
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Pets on the cut
The Water Rail Way
Barge Beagle – sniffing out good finds for crews with canines
Hire boat trendsetter
OUR navigable waterways not only provide many miles of cruising opportunities – they also offer those with dogs many wonderful waterside walks. Canals and their adjacent towpaths provide some of the best.
Alison Wilkerson meets the dog chilling out with his owners.
Their party consisted of mum, Ellie, who owns a small cafe/ takeaway deli/catering company in Cemaes Bay (eleanor-jane-scatering.co.uk), dad, Duncan, I HAVE spotted many hire boats their daughter Sam and their over the years and can usually four-and-a-half-year-old Irish recognise them from a distance red setter called Archie. Also by their colour. I have also helped on this one-week holiday treat out a few new hirers with the were three of Sam’s friends – logistics and muscles needed Gwenllian, Mared and Megan at locks. – who, like Sam, had just finished On the odd occasion there have their GCSEs and deserved a wellalso been interesting (leave that earned break from their studies. to your imagination) situations at They had hired Splendid, a 62ft, older bridges. However, I’m very six-eight berth narrowboat, and glad to see families and friends, this was their first ever hiring. plus the odd stag and hen party, Thus far, they had frequented a enjoying themselves (responsibly) few pubs with differing reviews and experiencing some of what and were taking a leisurely cruise our inland waterways offer; for to ‘chill’ but on this luncheon example the wildlife, pace, peace occasion, Archie had been left and tranquillity and of course the to cool down on the boat which pleasure of eating and drinking at had been left with curtains local establishments, which really shut and a fan on to keep him do need our custom to stay afloat comfortable, while they ate in the (excuse the pun). glorious sunshine. Later I got to meet their very One afternoon, I met a lovely family in the garden of The handsome dog who came from a Cross Keys village pub in Great breeder in Harlech, North Wales Woolstone, Milton Keynes, just and I gathered that when he first a few minutes’ walk from the went on the boat, he was rather Grand Union Canal, where they excited (we all are) but had now had moored up. They advised settled down and tended to sleep me they were on a canal holiday inside during the day, as he was and had hired a boat from The finding it just a little too hot for Wyvern Shipping Co Ltd (www. his luxuriously silky long coat to canalholidays.co.uk) in Linslade contend with. 12/10/1511 December 3:38 near Leighton Buzzard but were2018He wasPM extremely friendly actually from Anglesey, just off and does like other dogs (not towpath subs North Wales. necessarily cats) but can be
Longwool sheep near Kirkstead Bridge.
Archie enjoying the family’s first canal holiday.
One of Barge Beagle’s favourites is Lincolnshire’s Water Rail Way, accessible from moorings along the Witham Navigation. Stretching from the cathedral city of Lincoln to the port of Boston, the 33-mile route was formerly a branch of the Great Northern Railway, which closed in 1971. The name, Water Rail Way, reflects both the connection to the railways and to the shy, slender marsh bird, the water rail, which inhabits the area. The flat, mostly tarmacked route makes an ideal venue for autumn and winter walks as it is dry underfoot. However, the wide, open landscape is often subject to breezy conditions. The Water Rail Way forms part of National Cycle Route
PHOTO: ALISON WILKERSON
rather shy and nervous with them but still likes to play. Luckily he likes his own cat, which was safe at home on this occasion. He eats anything apart from bread and potatoes and listens to his master’s voice i.e. Duncan, who is boss or Alpha Male, whereas his mistress Ellie walks him and Sam looks after him, which makes for a perfectsounding family union. It’s so lovely that Archie was able to enjoy this canal holiday with his human family and their friends, and could be ‘red’ setting a trend!
Red cow sculptures at Washingborough.
A viewing platform designed by Belgian architects. 1 and a Sustrans Art Trail. There are many varied structures and works of art, ranging from simple benches to viewing towers. Steel animal sculptures are also featured: red cows and longwool sheep, both local breeds from Lincolnshire, as well as a huge wooden pike. If that’s not enough, there are remnants of the old railway to discover. For navigators with dogs this is an ideal environment and by adding other walks it is possible to create your own circular routes. Discover more here: https://www.sustrans. org.uk/ncn/map/route/ water-rail-way
Barge Beagle surveys the open landscape. PHOTOS: ALISON ALDERTON
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Get 12 issues of Towpath Talk delivered to your door from just £11.99 a year.
THAT’S JUST £1 A COPY
CALL 01507 529529 LINES OPEN WEEKDAYS 8.30am TO 6pm & 8.30am TO 12.30pm ON SATURDAYS (GMT) OR VISIT WWW.CLASSICMAGAZINES.CO.UK
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
To subscribe to TPT simply complete the form below and return to: Freepost RTKU-YJBY-HJCR, TPT Subscriptions, Mortons Media Group Ltd, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR One Year (UK)
⎕ 11.99 (Direct Debit)
✃
EU (One Year) Rest of World (One Year)
⎕ £14.99 (Credit/Debit Card/Cheque) ⎕ £17.50 (Credit/Debit Card/Cheque) ⎕ £22.50 (Credit/Debit Card/Cheque)
Payer’s details (must be completed)
1. ⎕ DIRECT DEBIT
Account in the name of
FROM ONLY
£11.99
Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms (please circle) First name
Payment method Instruction to Bank/Building Society to pay by Direct Debit: I would like to change/take out a subscription for £11.99 per annum (UK only)
Other payment options: UK (One Year)
Surname
A YEAR
Email Telephone Mobile
Year of Birth
Account number
Sort code
Name of Bank/Building Society Address Postcode Please pay Mortons Media Group Ltd direct debits from the account detailed in the instructions, subject to the safeguards of the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Mortons Media Group and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society. Originator’s ID number: 830390
Address
Signature Postcode
Delivery details (if different to above)
Date
Reference number (office use only) 2. ⎕ DEBIT/CREDIT CARD Please debit my:
Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms (please circle) First name
FEBRUARY 2019
⎕ Visa
⎕ Mastercard
⎕ Switch/Maestro
Card number:
Surname
Address
Start date Postcode
I want to receive news and offers relating to magazine subscriptions via Email ❏ Post ❏ Phone ❏ SMS ❏ Third Parties ❏ Social Marketing ❏
/
3 digit verification code Signature 3.
Expiry date
/
Switch issue number Date
⎕ CHEQUE I enclose a cheque made payable to Mortons Media Group Ltd
NEWS FOCUS 15
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Mayor launches BCN anniversary year
A scene on the Birmingham canals. WEST Midlands Mayor Andy Street has launched a year of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Birmingham’s famous canals. Speaking at the Annual Public Meeting of the Canal & River Trust’s West Midlands Regional Advisory Board, the Mayor welcomed the anniversary and emphasised the important role that the region’s waterways continue to play through improving health and well-being, increasing tourism and providing routes for sustainable transport. The meeting, held at Birmingham Council House, was attended by local authorities, healthcare bodies, boating organisations and community groups from across the Midlands. The event kicked off a year of festivities celebrating 250 years since the first branch of the Birmingham Canal, between Birmingham and the collieries of West Bromwich, was completed in November 1769. A programme of events will be taking place throughout the year, giving local people the opportunity to celebrate the milestone.
Attendees heard about how the trust is working with local partners, community groups and volunteers to improve waterways for everybody. They also learned more about how the region’s formerly industrial waterways, which are free to use, can today help to improve the health and happiness of the millions of people living and working alongside them. Andy Street said: “It was a great pleasure to attend the meeting and to launch the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Birmingham Canals. It promises to be a really exciting year on the waterways, not just in Birmingham but across the West Midlands. “Projects are taking place across the region that are fuelling a real renaissance in our waterways and starting to unlock their full potential. These waterways have a significant role to play in improving our quality of life – helping to take cars off our roads, providing opportunities to volunteer and gain new skills and giving us all green, tranquil places to escape to.
VIPs launching the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Birmingham Canal Network at the Canal & River Trust’s annual West Midlands showcase. From left are Coun Philip Bateman (Wolverhampton City Council), Canal & River Trust regional director Adnan Saif, Coun Waseem Zaffar (Birmingham City Council), West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Canal & River Trust Regional Advisory Board chairman John Hudson, Coun Abi Brown and Coun Daniel Jellyman (both Stoke-on-Trent City Council) and Canal & River Trust CEO Richard Parry. PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST “I look forward to working with the Canal & River Trust, and other local partners, to further improve our wonderful canalside environments.” John Hudson, chairman of the Canal & River Trust’s West Midlands Advisory Board, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Mayor of the West Midlands, and representatives of organisations from across the region, to celebrate the importance of our local waterways and kick off the 250th anniversary celebrations in style. “Two hundred and fifty years on, these canals remain full of life and
continue to play a vital role in modern society. On the doorsteps of so many people here in the West Midlands they offer endless opportunities for tackling some of the health, well-being and social challenges we face in the region. “We look forward to working with even more people from across the West Midlands to realise the full potential of our amazing waterways.” Coun Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, which kindly hosted the meeting, said: “Birmingham’s canals are a reminder
of the city’s unique industrial heritage and they are just as important today for very different reasons, as a location for boaters, cyclists, walkers and runners. “Our canal network will also play a key role in Birmingham’s future too, as we work towards becoming a clean air city and move the focus away from car use and towards more sustainable forms of transport. We have already been working with the Canal & River Trust to make improvements to towpaths to make them more attractive to walkers and cyclists alike.”
Slip-up puts Maid back in the loch By Hugh Dougherty
Steve Bristow and some of the walkers on Morris Lift Bridge at the beginning of the walk. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN
Walkers brave cold to explore Whixhall Moss By Phil Pickin
DESPITE the weather being cold and overcast, increased numbers of walkers took part in the Shrewsbury District and North Wales Branch of the IWA’s Winter Walk, which took part in early January. The route, which took walkers along the Llangollen Canal in north Shropshire and into the Whixhall Moss, was organised by Steve and Kath Bristow, who provided participants with a fascinating insight into the area. Starting at Morris Lift Bridge (No.
45) the route took walkers along the Llangollen canal before heading through Marl Allotment into Whixall Moss. Steve Bristow highlighted the history of the area and the role that the canal played in it, from peat cutting to the use of the open bog area in the Second World War during which decoy fires were used to distract enemy bombers from the port of Liverpool to the north. Today the area is an important wildlife haven with a wide range of species as peat bogs like this are vanishing at a time when their ability to retain carbon is vital.
A MUCH-publicised exercise to take PS Maid of the Loch out of the water using Balloch’s steam-powered slipway cradle on Thursday, January 10, came to an abrupt halt at 1.35pm, when a cable snapped and the 555-ton ship ran back into Loch Lomond out of control. Workers, who were fitting blocks under the hull to steady the ship to allow a cable to be changed, had to jump out of the way as the ship crushed the cradle timbers at the front of the rail-borne trolley. There were no reported injuries. Crew on board, helped by small boats, managed to halt the ship’s stern-first travel, and she was eased back to her berth at Balloch Pier where she will stay while an investigation takes place into the cause of the incident.
Loch Lomond Steam Ship Company chairman John Beveridge said: “We will fully investigate the incident to see what went wrong. My first concern was for the men on the slipway, but, thankfully, there were no injuries. The cradle can and will be repaired, and we will now look to a future date for taking Maid of the Loch out of the water for her sonic hull tests and repairs.” The day had started with a successful positioning of the paddler on the cradle, which sits underwater, to receive the hull, before the vessel was winched, carefully and inch-by-inch, up the slipway, with the winch house showing a good head of steam. The cable snapped while the ship, totally out of the water, was being prepared for the final 100ft
The crew brings the runaway ship under control immediately.
Workmen under the hull, immediately before the incident took place. journey to the top of the steam slipway, which dates from the days of the earliest railway steamers on the loch.
Steam up! The winch house vents steam as cable pulls the ship up the slipway.
Sightseers turned out in force to watch the ship being removed from the water for the first time since 2006, and there was a significant local and national media presence which witnessed and reported on a very public slip-up. “It is a setback,” admitted John Beveridge, “but, in the true MOTL tradition, we will overcome this temporary difficulty. The overwhelming response from the crowds who had come along to watch the ship being taken out of the water was one of sympathy.”
16 NEWS FOCUS
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Birmingham to Lincoln and back – in a week!
Surprisingly wide River Trent.
Hugh Humphreys is a boat owner moored at Gas Street and an enthusiastic supporter of the Lapal Canal Trust. Here he shares his experience of a challenging 247-mile trip (and a search for a green kettle!) MY FRIENDS are arriving for a boat trip; the question is, where to go from Birmingham that’s new? Last year we went to Chester, the previous year to Gloucester, so the suggestion was Lincoln. As always, the first step is to check Nick’s canal route planner – every journey starts with a visit to www. canalplan.org.uk – everyone should be using this most excellent planner.
This tells us it’s a return journey of 247 miles, with 140 locks, and should take 87 hours – so a bit of a challenge. It’s broken down to 74 miles of narrow canals, 67 miles of broad canals, 58 miles of large rivers and 35 miles of tidal rivers, with 98 narrow locks, 28 broad locks and 14 large locks. A doddle. We are not a sensible crew; canal holidays are usually a leisurely affair calling on the occasional pub for a
Crew at work – Farmer’s Gate Locks, Fradley.
meal and a drink, with relaxed visits to interesting villages along the way. My crew is focused first on destination and then on getting back to Birmingham with time for a day’s shopping. Day 1: We started from Gas Street at just past 8am and headed for Farmer’s Bridge Locks – top lock at 8.15am, exit lock 13 at 9.10am, so not a bad start. ‘Spaghetti Junction’ by 10.40am. Stopped for lunch above Cudworth locks; we had fish soup (‘ucha’) followed by tinned lychees, and arrived at Fazeley at 3.40pm. So, time from CRT office in Cambrian Wharf to Peel’s Wharf office (recently vacated) was seven hours 30 minutes – not as good as last year when we did the same journey in just under seven hours (note: must work the crew harder). Moored at 7pm in a nice spot just before Fradley junction at bridge 51. Dinner of pork chops. Day 2: Started early, hoping to get to Nottingham, stopped at Willington for shopping. Not many supermarkets along the route, but there is a nice Co-op in Willington, so we stocked up – lots of Crabbie’s ginger beer, a crew favourite. It was getting darker and the weather not so good, so we stopped at Cranfleet Lock wharf at 7.10pm. Checked the critical items: water tank 45%, toilet 40% full and the diesel 75% full.
NEW FREE APP! Towpath Talk is Britain’s biggest and most popular inland waterways publication. It serves the waterways community with all the latest news and there’s everything you need to know about boats, marinas, wildlife, conservation, heritage and fantastic days out too. The Towpath Talk app is the perfect way to access the newspaper you love on your smartphone or tablet. You’ll find the same range of news and features, absolutely free every month on your mobile device.
DOWNLOAD NOW FOR FREE:
Lincoln’s Brayford Pool
The wonderful Lincoln Cathedral.
Day 3: Started at 6.35am and joined the River Trent, arriving at Beeston Lock at 7.45am and reaching Nottingham Sainsbury’s at 8.45am; a bit early as on a bank holiday the supermarket does not open till 9am. The crew went shopping with a request to return in 30 minutes. I decided not to accompany them as the experience of shopping at the Co-op in Willington had reminded me what a painful experience shopping with the crew was... every vegetable being reviewed before careful selection! Big mistake, as it was one hour 45 minutes before the crew returned, with the lame explanation that they wanted to buy a green kettle which they fancied, but the item could not be found. Left Nottingham Meadows Lane Lock to rejoin the River Trent at 11.25am, arriving at Holme Lock at 12.30pm. All the river locks are manned during the day by very helpful CRT volunteers; they are beautifully maintained and a credit to all the volunteers. Holme Lock fills painfully slowly; it’s located by the canoe slalom of the National
Water Sports Centre, so time to view the famous canoe course. Arrived at the Cromwell tidal lock at 6.15pm. Not sure we would be allowed to continue as there were concerns about the tide, but not to worry, were sold a booklet for £10 on the sand banks to be avoided and we headed down the river arriving at our objective, the Dunham Bridge, mooring at 8.10pm. All thoughts of the green kettle delay were forgiven as we settled for an excellent meal with Crabbie’s ginger beer. Checked the tanks: water nil, toilet 75% to 80% and diesel 60%. Day 4: Left Dunham Bridge moorings at 7.35am, hoping to find water at Torksey Lock where the Fossdyke Navigation meets the River Trent. Unfortunately, the water point is the other side of the lock, so we explored the area, waiting for the lock keeper who starts at 10am. We were rather early as it’s only 40 minutes from the mooring to the lock, so time for breakfast (nice eggs from Vanessa – Vanessa being the name given by my grandson to one of four chickens kept in Birmingham).