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1 Issue 186, April 2021

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The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

Slough scheme gets green light

DANCING THE TOWPATH TANGO

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COUNTING DOWN TO LIFT-OFF

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MAY RETURN FOR ROSE TRIPS

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NEW RANGE OF SAILAWAY HULLS

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BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

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Planning permission has been granted for a development of 312 new homes along with public open space, moorings and facilities for canal boats and a cafe at Stoke Wharf alongside the Grand Union Canal in Slough. Full story on page 2. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Red diesel U-turn marks win for waterways campaigners THE decision to keep the use of red diesel for both private and commercial boats has been described as fantastic news for the inland waterways.

Campaigners including the IWA (Inland Waterways Association), the

CBOA (Commercial Boat Operators Association) and the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) have been lobbying the Government about this issue in recent years.

The decision, announced by

Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the Budget, overturns the announcement from HMRC last July, which stated that privately owned pleasure craft would not be able to use red diesel from April 2022.

Boat owners will welcome this change of plan, along with boatyards and boatbased fuel suppliers who would have had to invest in new equipment if the ban had gone ahead.

• Continued on page 2

Bridge work dates

Audlem gathering

Wildcat sighting

DATES have been announced for the replacement of the damaged Gawflat Swing Bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Skipton. As it connects the town to the Aireville Park, the leisure centre, Craven College and Skipton Academy, the Canal & River Trust has kept it working with the help of volunteers who assisted boaters. The footpath will close from Monday, May 10 and the old bridge will be removed on Sunday, May 16. The new bridge will be installed on Sunday, May 23 and work is due to be completed by May 28.

FOLLOWING the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson regarding the easing of the lockdown and the hope that all Covid restrictions will end in late June, the organisers of the annual Gathering of Historic Boats at Audlem in Cheshire are hoping to go ahead with the event on the Shropshire Union Canal on July 24-25, the same weekend as usual. They already have 27 ex-working boats booked in and expect more.

There will be free entry for spectators and plenty of free parking.

A MYSTERIOUS wildcat has been spotted alongside the Manchester Ship Canal in Warrington, following sightings across Cheshire and North Wales. Latchford man William Allsop claimed he spotted the animal walking along an old railway embankment beside the canal. In a report to Puma Watch, North Wales, he said he first thought it was a large dog but as it came closer it was too large and had a long tail more like a cat’s.

The animal walked down the embankment before disappearing behind trees.

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WELCOME NEWS bulletins have been looking back at the year since the first lockdown began – who would have thought then that we would still be in the grip of the pandemic although hopefully there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

This time last year I wrote about the cancellation of canal festivals and events planned for the summer and unfortunately this is still the case for some of these, organisers having again pulled the plug as they won’t have sufficient time to get arrangements in place when restrictions are lifted.

Reading the various newsletters and magazines we receive each month from canal societies, many are continuing to conduct their meetings by Zoom or other online means, even reporting an increase in ‘attendance’. But it’s not the same as the real thing and the chance to socialise with like-minded people.

One of the stories I have really enjoyed receiving is boater Julia Pearson’s account of how she and a group of friends got together virtually as The Loose Connection to produce a YouTube video, Tango Number 4 – see page 5.

There is more positive news on preparations to reopen the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre, see page 16 and the resumption of boat trips on board the Rose of Hungerford, see What’s On page 18.

Boaters who have been unable to visit their craft will be finding out whether winter weather has inflicted any damage – especially if they didn’t get the chance to winterise. Boat surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies has compiled a start-ofseason checklist on page 50.

If you are planning a staycation where you can take your dog, Alison Alderton’s Barge Beagle sniffs out some dog-friendly holidays in waterside locations on page 71 and our other fourlegged contributor Cracker has been kept busy giving riding lessons instead of his usual job as a boat horse, see page 78. Spring greetings,

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GPS Anglia carrying 700 tonnes of aggregates to Wandsworth, west London, removing 35 lorries carrying 20 tonnes each from London’s congested streets. PHOTO: GPS MARINE

Red diesel U-turn marks win for waterways campaigners

• Continued from page 1 The only disappointment, according to the IWA, is that the Budget has not so far recognised the significance of alternative fuels with any form of tax break.

Alison Smedley, IWA campaigns and public affairs manager, said: “This is a successful outcome of our campaigning for many years around red diesel, and what we were asking for in our consultation response.

“We are delighted to see the Government pay attention to boaters’ views and hope it paves the way for more sustainable fuels in the future – without all the unnecessary expense of moving over to white diesel in the meantime.”

The Budget coincided with the publication of the conclusion of last year’s Treasury consultation into the use of red diesel. It confirms that the current arrangement for private boat owners will continue. This means boaters can use red diesel and pay their fuel supplier the difference between the red diesel and white diesel rates on the proportion they intend to use for propulsion.

Barge revival

Freight operators also warmly welcomed the Government’s decision not to impose stringent fuel duty increases on Britain’s water freight industry.

CBOA chairman David Lowe commented: “We are very pleased that the Government has listened to our case that increasing fuel duty would risk materially adversely affecting the industry and risk forcing goods traffic on to congested, polluted roads.

“At a time when we are seeing signs of a revival in barge use – more constructionrelated traffic in London and a new Hull/Leeds service taking sea-dredged aggregates – this was not the time to hit the industry with extra costs.”

The proposed fuel duty increase would have been from 11p a litre to 58p a litre for the duty alone, an increase of over 400%.

The impact on operating costs varies per vessel but would have been between 5-15%. In an industry with low profit margins, these costs would have had to be passed on. This could well have resulted in customers deciding to move to road – which would be a classic example of the ‘law of unintended consequences’.

Mr Lowe continued: “Some of our members are fitting more efficient engines and using hydrogen treated vegetable oil (Green D+) as a replacement for red diesel.

This reduces overall emissions by about 86% and much reduces the carbon output per litre of fuel used. One of our members has just started a special Green D+ tanker barge service on the Thames to enable tugs and barges to use more environmentally friendly fuel.”

The CBOA was particularly concerned about the potential impact on the operators of narrowboats in the Midlands (and elsewhere) who supply

domestic fuel and other products to those living on boats or near a waterway.

They faced an increase in fuel costs of 85% with the threatened extra fuel duty added. “Happily,” said Mr Lowe, “this threat has now gone.”

Irish difficulties

In Northern Ireland however, recreational boaters will no longer be able to use red diesel for propelling their craft. This is to ensure the UK meets its international obligations under the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement.

It will also align with fuel used by private pleasure craft in the Republic of Ireland, which the Government believes will make it simpler for private pleasure craft users to access the fuel they need if they sail between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The RYA, together with British Marine and the Cruising Association, has met with representatives from HM Revenue and Customs and HM

Treasury to discuss these difficulties.

Howard Pridding, RYA director of external affairs, said: “We will continue to work with our colleagues in RYA Northern Ireland to talk to Government about the practical difficulties that these issues present and work constructively with HM Treasury and HMRC officials to develop guidance that will inform boaters about the new fuel situation in Northern Ireland.”

It is proposed that this change will take effect by June this year. The RYA has stressed the difficulties presented by this short timescale and requested a longer period to address the white diesel supply issues that the decision presents. Once implemented, private pleasure craft users in Northern Ireland will have to use white diesel for propulsion instead of red diesel.

Private pleasure craft users in Northern Ireland with only one fuel tank on board for propulsion and non-propulsion will not have to pay a higher rate of duty on their

non-propulsion use of diesel than they would otherwise have to pay.

The Government is intending to introduce a new relief scheme in Northern Ireland which will become effective from the date that users become obliged to use white diesel.

The RYA is concerned that the volume of sales of diesel to private pleasure craft is not great enough for suppliers to justify the expense of providing a second pump at the waterside, which is going to cause significant supply problems.

HMRC has confirmed that once the change does take effect, it would be illegal to buy red diesel for private pleasure craft propulsion in Northern Ireland, but fuel already present in tanks could be used without penalty.

Private pleasure craft from Northern Ireland that fill up in Great Britain (GB) in future could do so under the Istanbul Convention which will allow red diesel legitimately purchased in GB to be taken back to Northern Ireland in the main fuel tanks of a boat.

Slough scheme gets green light PLANNING permission has been granted for Stoke Wharf – a new development alongside the Grand Union Canal in Slough – following public consultations.

It will be delivered by Wharf Developments LLP, a partnership between Slough Urban Renewal and Waterside Places.

The area is set to be transformed into a vibrant new community, incorporating 312 new homes, while opening up the waterways for the use and benefit of the wider community with public open space, moorings and facilities for canal boats and a cafe.

The homes will include a mixture of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, along with two- and three-bedroom houses.

Katy Walker, senior development manager at Slough Urban Renewal (SUR) said: “Our plans for Stoke Wharf will rejuvenate the canal, a much-neglected part of the town, providing new homes and creating a lively and healthy place. Once complete, the new public realm here can be used and enjoyed by the wider community.”

Waterside Places is a joint venture between national urban regenerator Muse Developments and the Canal & River Trust.

The partnership specialises in the residential-led regeneration

of unused waterside areas in urban locations across the UK to create vibrant new communities, while investing back into Britain’s waterways.

Chris Scott, development director at Waterside Places, said: “These innovative proposals will create high-quality, much-needed housing for local residents, improve the water-space facilities and deliver significant enhancements to the surrounding area, including the Bower Recreation Ground.

“This has been a long, careful process and we look forward to working collaboratively with the council and community over the coming months to breathe life The plans include: • A new, high-quality sustainable development, 10 minutes’ walk from Slough station • 312 new homes, with 20.5% as affordable housing and 329sqm of cafe/ restaurant space • Renewable energy – this will be generated on site through a solar panel system, resulting in a 51% reduction in regulated carbon emissions • New facilities for canal boats, including moorings and a pumpout station

back on to the banks of the Grand Union Canal.”

A vision of what the new Stoke Wharf development will look like. PHOTO SUPPLIED • A revitalised park and new landscaped public spaces around the canal • New routes for walking and cycling across the site to encourage active travel • 144 managed car parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging points and blue badge parking • On-site secure cycle storage for every home • A new bus shelter will be created on Stoke Road as part of the development

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Scanning the tunnels for future generations

DUDLEY Canal and Tunnel Trust has received funding from Historic England towards the cost of producing 3D scans.

A £48,000 commissioning grant will enable it to work with specialist contractors and technicians to undertake an ambitious 3D laser scanning project in the underground caverns and mines and associated areas above ground where the trust operates trips and events.

DCTT chairman Jeff Luesley said: “This is an amazing outcome for us, especially given the current circumstances. Our mission is to preserve the caverns, tunnels, mines and waterways for future generations and this project will have a very positive and long-term return towards this.”

SCCS scanning equipment.

Results of the scans will help inform the ongoing preservation and maintenance plan for the infrastructure as well as allow the trust to model future environmental scenarios, produce 3D models for display and learning purposes and enhance the engagement on site.

The Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust team is working with Johnson Poole and Bloomer, Arup, SCCS – The Survey Equipment Company and the team from Dudley Council and the Canal & River Trust to complete the project by September 2021.

It is an exciting project due to the varied environments within the system, both natural and man-made, dating back 428 million years, all with the added challenge of operating on underground canals and in boats.

Traci Dix-Williams, CEO of DCTT, explained that at the start of 2019, the trust trialled a 3D scanning project and the results were a valuable resource from the outset.

“This support will allow us to expand on this, explore what new technologies can bring to our current approaches and allow us to increase our knowledge and share this information widely.”

Coun Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise at Dudley Council, added: “The underground caverns and mines in Dudley are an important part of our heritage and I’m really pleased that cutting-edge technology is being used to help us understand them better and ensure they are maintained and preserved for today and future generations.”

Test scans showing boats at the entrance to Lord Ward’s Tunnel (upper image) and inside Lord Ward’s Tunnel.

Scanning inside one of the tunnels. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Parliamentary group hears the benefits of getting out on the water

By Helen Gazeley

THE Waterways All Party Parliamentary Group examined the benefits of waterways to non-narrowboat users at its March meeting.

Theme of the online meeting was: Getting out on the water – the health, social and economic benefits of boating and recreational activity on the inland waterways.

Ben Seal, Places to Paddle manager, British Canoeing, detailed the recent surge of interest, with the association signing up 25,000 new members since May 2020 and an increasing number of women getting involved.

He pointed out that, with the case for health and well-being already well made, the most should be made of opportunities to improve access and ability to engage with nature afforded

by Environmental Land Management Schemes, which will replace the current farm subsidies, the Environment Bill and Glover Review, which placed national parks at the centre of a Nature Recovery Network.

Howard Pridding, director of external affairs, Royal Yachting Association, also pointed to the mental and physical health benefits, as well as opportunities for local business economies and for social inclusion, of increasing participation.

The RYA has a number of programmes aimed at making sailing more accessible to the disabled, families and youngsters, as well as a diversity strategy aimed at changing perceptions and encouraging people from across society to take part.

In the third presentation, Simon Griffiths, founder and publisher of Outdoor Swimmer, reported on the Trends in Outdoor Swimming survey, published in his magazine in February.

Most swimming outdoors takes place in the sea or estuaries, but 20% of swimmers use rivers, with outdoor swimming enjoying an upswing during 2020.

A by-product is an increased interest in the environment, with

75% of swimmers performing the useful service of picking up litter from their local swim-spot, and 70% of swimmers becoming more concerned about water pollution and, to a lesser degree, climate change and nature conservation.

In the Q&A session afterwards, safety was underlined as a concern – a number of jet-ski incidents involved novices last year – and the need for swimmers to be protected, with enthusiasm for designated outdoor swimming areas in rivers, which would reduce risk from rowers and powered boats.

There was a call for national bodies to educate members on risks and visibility,

and an acknowledgement of the role of local councils in placing information boards in order to reach casual waterusers. Navigation and local authorities should also think about users’ needs.

“It comes down to good access to be able to put a boat on the water,” said Ben, “and a wheelchair to the water’s edge.”

He feels strongly that efforts should not be limited to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Howard Pridding summed up a general feeling: “Policy needs to be joined up across the Government.

“When it comes to boating interests, departments talking to each other is vital.”

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A stickler for accuracy: Val Roberts (1938-2021) Tim Coghlan pays tribute to the long-time editor of the Historic Narrow Boat Club’s newsletter, boat owner and restoration volunteer Val Roberts.

I RECENTLY heard the very sad news of the death of ‘our gal Val’; that’s what I used to call her in the many conversations we had, over at least 25 years and almost entirely on the subject of canal history and old working boats.

Her knowledge was encyclopaedic and she was always generous in sharing it with others and giving her time to ensure that what was published was as accurate as possible, given that so much of the accounts of boatmen’s lives were based in the first instance on oral family history.

At something of a distance, I think

I had known Val and her long-term partner, then more recently husband, Mike Harrison since the 1990s when they brought their restored Saltaire to the Braunston Boat Shows.

From 1993 onwards, the event included a gathering of former working narrowboats on the Grand Union Canal outside the marina. This add-on to the event was conceived and organised by the late David Blagrove. Saltaire was a large GUCCC Northwich motor that Val and Mike had bought from British Waterways and restored as a working narrowboat.

I really got to know them in 2003, when I wrote a two-part obituary on the former working boatman Les Lapworth, who I knew rather well, having been with him on four Jam ’Ole Re-Runs.

Mike rang me to ask if Val could re-run it in the Historic Narrow Boat Club’s newsletter, which had been edited by her since the previous year. In her typical way, the article was subject to a few factual corrections – with my permission – which set the tone for what was to be in the years to come.

I had enormous help from her in 2006 when I wrote my Whitlock series for Canal & Riverboat magazine, which she also ran in the HNBC newsletter.

She supplied photos from the Weaver Collection and pointed me in the right direction to find others, especially with

Val Roberts, centre, on the Historic Narrow Boat Club stand at the 2013 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, being presented with a cheque for £200 by Timothy West and Prunella Scales on behalf of Braunston Marina.

PHOTO: WATERWAYS IMAGES/HARRY ARNOLD

Raising awareness of boaters’ rights to doctors’ surgeries and Covid jabs

THE Waterways Chaplaincy team in the North West has been working very closely with the Healthwatch team in Cheshire to raise awareness of issues with access not only to GP surgeries but also Covid-19 vaccinations.

Senior chaplain Martin Buck told Towpath Talk that one area of consistency that the chaplaincy is reporting is the discrimination that some boaters receive when trying to register with an alternative surgery.

“During the initial towpath walks that have been taken with the representatives of Healthwatch Cheshire, the diversity of stories relating to the ability to register with a practice is the most alarming feature we encounter.

“On the whole many of these stories have had positive outcomes, however, other stories have tangibly different outcomes, sometimes even where one surgery has accepted a boater and then the very same surgery flatly rejects the next boater.”

There has been dialogue with the

NHS Central body to get a nationally approved document to enable boaters to claim their rightful access to any GP surgery. Initially 1000 of these cards are being printed for distribution in the North West and the team awaits news of further print runs. It is hoped these can then be rolled out nationally across the boating network.

Martin explained: “We are in the process of doing similar requests to other key outlets such as the Boaters Christian Fellowship, the Canal & River Trust, NABO and RBOA. “With the assistance of CRT we have been given access to their new Blue Boards and have been circulating around the various marinas to enable comprehensive coverage of the network that will give boaters the confidence to register at ANY surgery, despite being miles from home or indeed without the luxury of having a home surgery.”

He added: “More importantly, with the Covid vaccination programme

being rolled out nationally, there is an urgent need to capture those who may not have the facility to receive communications regarding appointment times and where to go.

“We are aware that some boaters may be overlooked in the campaign to get vaccinated and WWC has also been in communication with other support agencies for other social groups who may have been overlooked or have concerns about the vaccination programme.”

For further information regarding the vaccine programme, visit the coronavirus-vaccination section at www.nhs.uk – or, if you’re unable to book online, call 119 free of charge.

Anyone in an eligible cohort to receive their vaccine will be sorted out with a date and venue.

Right: one of the posters being circulated around the Cheshire waterways by the teams of volunteers from WWC and Healthwatch.

my later Evelyn’s War series.

In subsequent years, Val was also very helpful in checking what I had written before it went to press, in particular since 2014, my looking-back articles for Towpath Talk, as her knowledge of the waterways was far greater than my own.

Val was a regular attendee at our Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rallies, manning the HNBC stand with Mike.

Together they also carried out the official boat count Val Roberts and Mike Harrison on Saltaire at of just how many boats the 1999 Braunston Boat Show. They wore came – with increasing traditional boatmen costume as they were competition from other going to attend the boatman wedding of Ivor rallies, it was important we Batchelor and Mel in Braunston Church – an remained the event to beat. event recorded by BBC TV in their Songs of And they dealt with such Praise programme which was filmed in and thorny issues as to whether around that boat show. PHOTO: MIKE HARRISON a boat that simply joined half of one parade should actually count in the official number of boats Weaver collection. She was her old attending? Tasmania did just that in 2010. self and very self-effacing about the In 2008, they had the difficult decision remarkable work that she and Mike as to whether the cut-in-half former had put into cataloguing that huge butty Mecca, now each half converted to collection of now historically precious motors, should count as one or two boats, photographs and with Peter Oates in as both halves were in attendance. putting the book together.

In a sense it’s good that Val went With 18 years of editing the HNBC quickly – she had not been well. But it newsletter and four copies a year of 50 was still a great sadness for us all. I had pages or more, it represents some 3500 been talking to her on the phone only pages that together go a long way to before Christmas, when I was working recording something of our canal past. on my review for Towpath Talk of the What she and Mike did will remain recently published HNBC book on the their legacy.

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Towpath Tango You would be forgiven for thinking it takes two to tango.

But this Lockdown Towpath Tango, in video form, was put together by a team of friends from across the country. The whole thing was masterminded by narrowboat owner Julia Pearson, and this is her story.

I HAVE been a continuous cruiser with my partner Ralph for coming on two years. We live together on board a compact 36ft semi-trad boat named Omega.

We both retired and set out from West Yorkshire in the summer of 2019, crossed the Pennines on the Rochdale Canal, through to Liverpool, down the Shropshire Union and over eastwards to Nottingham and the Trent – all before the pandemic struck.

Lockdown, of course, meant suspension of cruising, but also finding creative ways to fill my time. I had taken up saxophone five years ago, but soon I found a way of playing with other musicians over the internet.

Three of us on saxophone, trumpet and vocals formed a Zoom band called The Loose Connections. The core of the band are me on sax, Roxanne also on sax, and Bridget on trumpet and vocals.

Musical theme

We began collaborating on covers, and in August 2020, on board Omega, I sketched out the melody and words to an original song about the woes of

internet dating. Being a fan of Astor Piazzolla’s music, I naturally thought of the Argentinian tango as the musical theme, and hit on the name ‘Tango Number Four’.

We decided to do this song as a video, because we reckoned it should be possible to do it all remotely as individuals, even on board Omega.

Roxanne volunteered to act the lead role, from rural Staffordshire, juggling being mum to a very active one-year-old!

Bridget stepped in as producer and video editor from her house near Sheffield city centre, fitting it around her busy job as a teaching assistant. All the filming and audio was recorded on smart phones, some on various towpaths, and uploaded to the ‘cloud’ for sharing.

Five new team members, all amateur musicians, live all around the country.

They chipped in on cello, cornet, bass, guitar and percussion. The star guest was friend of the family, Howard Wilkes, aged 96, playing ukulele, and lovingly filmed by his daughter Jenny in Stourbridge.

The video features an instrumental with all the band together, although most of them have never met in real

Arriving in Liverpool.

Ralph enjoying the sunshine at Trent Lock jetty during the first lockdown.

life. At the last minute I pitched in with artwork using the basic art suppIies I had available on board.

through. She gets it into her head that she can attract a partner who shares her dream of dancing a perfect tango.

She researches the tango and rehearses some moves. Finally she finds a match who doesn’t turn up for the date. She is crushed.

The project has been great fun to do in lockdown, even though it was a lot of hard work. Bridget spent many long hours by herself using new-found editing skills, and the piece was ready for launch on YouTube for Valentine’s Day.

Search for love

Digital connection

Omega at Rochdale summit on the way over the Pennines.

The story is acted out by a character we called Demelza. On screen we see the unfolding of aspects of Demelza’s gruelling search for true love. She decides that since all else has failed, she needs to turn, rather cluelessly, to internet dating.

She finds it frustrating and limited, but is convinced she can find a way

opportunities for structure, purpose and loads of fun for everyone involved as well as the audience; an uplifting and inspiring achievement.

When Ralph and I set out on our waterways quest all those months ago, we didn’t expect this would be such a significant element of our boating lifestyle!

We can’t wait to get back to cruising, but now we’ve got the creative bug and the team is keen to keep going. Maybe the next piece will be a sea shanty, who knows?

Huge efforts have been made on water and dry land, and all the team have appreciated the feeling of working together. One massive plus point for the necessary restrictions placed on us all during the pandemic has been our digital connection with each other.

This project is a shining example of a digital collaboration that has provided

Julia creating artwork for the video on board Omega.

All the band together – virtually. PHOTOS COURTESY JULIA PEARSON

Julia with her saxophone in snowy Stourport.

You can find the video on Youtube at http://youtu.be/0T1NDmxctcQ, entitled “Tango Number 4 The Loose Connections”. The Loose Connections would love you to watch, share, comment, and generally enjoy it!

If you like, you can follow Julia and Ralph’s boating adventures on Instagram through the account @boaty7.

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Giving young people the chance to reconnect with each other – and the environment The National Community Boats Association is always happy to share stories of what its member projects have been up to recently. This article, from Alison Cannon on the Kennet & Avon Canal, tells us more.

LIKE many old ladies, Lady Hilda has found the past year tough. She misses the company of old friends; she misses being taken out on day trips and most of all, she misses people coming to stay.

“Lady Hilda requests the pleasure of your company,” but not to afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches – Lady Hilda is no 90-year-old aristocrat.

She is, in fact, one of two youth boats on the Kennet & Avon

A young scout learning lock safety.

Canal, and one of the Bruce Boats based at Great Bedwyn, owned by the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (the other Bruce Boats are fully accessible widebeam holiday boats). Lady Hilda is a 62ft narrowboat, beautifully appointed and sleeping nine.

The other youth boat is Falcon Adam, owned by the Thames & Kennet Narrowboat Trust. Now based at Frouds Bridge Marina near Aldermaston, Falcon Adam, at 70ft, sleeps 12 and has been successfully keeping young people afloat for over 35 years.

Both boats have fixed bunks for all but two of their number (two adults sleep in the seating area), a full galley and space for all participants to sit round a table together for meals. Craft equipment and games are in plentiful supply on board and the walls are covered with photographs of previous trips, pirate days and attendance at local waterways festivals.

In 2018, at Newbury Waterways festival, Falcon Adam won ‘best decorated boat’ with more than 1200 butterflies made by local community groups from recycled milk bottles!

In 2010, Falcon Adam took part

in Girlguiding’s 100th birthday celebrations, travelling the length of the canal – 100 miles and 100 participants – with a new group arriving every evening. It was the brainchild of Julie Myers, who not only skippers many of the trips but is also an experienced trainer for both Girlguiding’s Narrowboat Qualification and the Certificate in Community Boat Management (CCBM).

The courses she runs have given many youth leaders the experience (and qualifications) they need to take young people out on the water safely.

Although the boats are available for groups to selfskipper if the leaders have the appropriate qualifications, the Kennet & Avon Youth Skippers – a group of six leaders in Girlguiding and Scouting with a range of waterways qualifications between them – are available to skipper at no charge other than being provided with a constant supply of tea and cake (along with other meals, of course).

The young people on board – from age seven upwards – take a full part in boating life, from working the locks and steering the boat (under close

Falcon Adam decorated with over 1000 butterflies.

A group on board Lady Hilda. PHOTOS: BRUCE TRUST

supervision), to preparing meals and washing up. It is a chance to get away from their phones, computers and other screens and to reconnect with each other and with their environment.

Wildlife-watching is always popular – some children have never seen a swan close up before, let alone a heron, while coots and moorhen are all ‘ducks’ at the start of the trip. Although they are not conscious of it, participants are being trained in safe boating practices which may stand them in good stead in the future.

Who knows what group of young adults, hiring a narrowboat

together in 10 years’ time, may include a Guide or Scout who suddenly remembers the number one safety rule at the lock – never let go of your windlass while winding a paddle – and thus saves the rest of the group from a potentially serious accident.

In 2018, an event run by Girlguiding Somerset North saw Falcon Adam set off for the other end of the canal again, this time accompanied by Lady Hilda.

With both boats travelling in convoy there was twice the fun, and almost twice the capacity.

Groups of excited Brownies and Guides arrived with their leaders for a couple of nights

each, and Rainbows (five and six-year-olds) came along for a few hours – 200 people, 174 miles, 206 locks and, at the end of it, six very relieved skippers!

The whole trip had gone without a hitch, without anyone falling in, or anyone getting injured – and, remarkably, had even run to time the whole of the way.

For Girlguiding enquiries and to book Falcon Adam: myersj@hotmail.co.uk For Lady Hilda enquiries and booking: bookings@ katrust.org.uk

TENT seeks trustees for new season LIKE many other community boat trusts, the Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust did not run any boat trips in 2020 due to Covid.

This was the first year in its 52-year history there has been no boating activity after its busiest year ever in 2019. Volunteers have tried to spend the time constructively, painting their 70ft narrowboat Enterprise, working hard to improve governance and making plans for a new website.

They have also made progress with exciting plans for a new electric boat in the future by undertaking a big consultation exercise.

Now the trust is hopeful of being able to start its day trips again, possibly after June 21 if all goes well. The Enterprise is an accessible narrowboat, now 42 years old and with an interesting history.

An enthusiastic team of volunteers operate day trips on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, starting from their base in Hatherton Marina.

Community groups and families with elderly, disabled or unwell members will once again be able to enjoy relaxing days out in the fresh air, in beautiful surroundings and in good company.

a valuable trustee. Of course, any other skills and experience (leadership, management, fundraising, etc.) you can bring with you to benefit the trust will be gratefully received.

To find out more about the role, email chairman@truman-enterprise.org.uk or call 07763 214524 and speak to Chris Rogers.

Trustees wanted

How can you help? If you would like to join in this venture and make a valuable contribution to the work of the Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust, it is looking for two new trustees – people with enthusiasm, drive, ideas and passion for what they do. Team players are needed who will work to make decisions to sustain the trust well into the future.

Trustees usually meet three-four times a year and take an ongoing interest in the overall work of the trust. You do not need to have boating experience to be

TENT’s narrowboat Enterprise on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

PHOTO: TENT

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Rediscovering Winsford Flash’s potential

Navigation society launches ambitious proposal to boost well-being and tourism in the heart of Cheshire.

THE River Weaver Navigation Society has been working with Winsford Town Council (WTC) to advise on plans to develop the town’s waterside assets.

Now WTC, along with Cheshire West and Chester, has put out a tender to external consultants to evaluate these proposals. Foremost is the development of the 90-acre Winsford Flash, which was a popular beauty spot and boating lake for the Victorian working classes.

Submitted in November 2020, the proposals in the Winsford Waterside Regeneration Feasibility Study aim to create jobs with new tourist attractions, provide leisure activities for local people and bring increasing numbers of canal boats to the river by developing a new and exciting cruising ring.

River Weaver Navigation Society chairman Jim Mole said: “The flash is a stunning area of countryside which with careful planning and investment can help rejuvenate the town and bring jobs as well as open space for the well-being of the townsfolk.”

IWA Chester & Merseyside branch chairman Jim Forkin agreed: “If a town has a waterway, the economic value of that waterway is an important factor in the thinking of town planners and Winsford is ideally placed to develop great assets with the flash, the river and nearby canal.”

Still a yachting venue for Winsford Sailing Club and increasingly used as waters for the local carp anglers, this shallow lake was only formed between 1845 and 1872, as brine extraction below what was arable land caused this section

of the River Weaver to subside. Visitors may have caught trains to have days out elsewhere but the lake remains a major asset for Winsford and with the River Weaver flowing through, it is stunning countryside set in the heart of rural Cheshire and within sight of the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Worried about the general decline of the town and fearing that Winsford will continue as the ‘Cinderella of Cheshire’ the proposals, now being evaluated by a specialist consultant employed by Cheshire Council, have short, medium and long-term objectives to maximise all future potential uses of the open green space.

In the short term, the existing lagoon moorings and slipway which are well used need to be dredged and updated with some minor remedial civil engineering work aimed at reducing debris carried downriver.

The existing service block needs updating and walkways to be better maintained. This will cost about £7500 and local volunteer groups could be involved. A seasonal catering facility would bring in revenue.

Winsford Country Park

In the medium term, estimated at three to five years, the proposals call for the creation of the Winsford Country Park, a four-mile cycleway and walkway linking existing assets, including the fishing areas and Rilshaw Meadows right back to the Weaver Valley Parkway developed some years ago by Sustrans.

An estimated 75% of this already exists.

This aspect of the proposal is aimed both at the visiting walkers and the leisure needs of a housing estate recently built close by.

The performing arts are also provided for in the plan, with the possibility of an occasional use 200-seat open air stage situated on an island set against the backdrop of the stunning lake.

A rang of water sports could be readily expanded, taking advantage of the large but shallow lake with canoe hire and paddle boarding possibly based at a community centre on the lakeside.

The Weaver has seen a steady increase in boats and the plan recognises that there is space also for an expanded commercial marina at this, the river’s head of navigation.

Noting the popularity of trip boats on other waterways, the plan recognises that a trip boat operating from a wharf at the Red Lion pub could move safely on to the flash and down river to the salt mine. Inspired by the Falkirk Wheel , the society sees the possibility of developing a link to the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union bringing more canal

traffic down on to the Weaver and developing a major tourist attraction, particularly if a wheel or inclined plane is included in the engineering structures.

The link would also complement the Anderton Boat Lift and create another cruising ring for boaters to enjoy.

Allowing imaginations to flow, other ideas include opening Winsford Rock Salt Mine for the public to enjoy some of the 140 miles of tunnels under the Cheshire Plain and a massive waterspout working like a geyser in the flash, complete with futuristic lighting.

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Following the Braunston tradition

Where there’s a Will...Tim Coghlan recalls the repainting

by Will Hewitt of Braunston Marina’s staff narrowboat Victoria over the festive period. This he did in the marina’s historic small dry dock over 17 days, putting his paintbrushes down only on Christmas Day. BRAUNSTON Marina is fortunate in having two historic dry docks – both fully restored and modernised. But they come with a price. There are potentially 730 combined usage days a year, and with the average boat only in dock for three days, that’s potentially about 250 boats we need to bring in for servicing each year – a whole marina armful!

We have been fortunate now for many years in having canal painter Dave Bishop using our small dock. He carries out some 12 narrowboat full repaints a year, with an average docking of 15 days. During that time he works flat out – back and forth as each layer of paint dries, to the point where more paint can be applied. Some 180 days are taken up in this way. Dave then takes about an equal number of days off to recover, using this time to do his admin, give quotes, or just get a life.

We were therefore anxious to attract another proven narrowboat painter to use our dry docks – to increase the availability of full repaints, with Dave Bishop fully booked for the next 18 months. Another painter would also help fill our docks.

Things rather fell into our arms with Will Hewitt joining the Friends of Raymond’s team as lead painter. The Friends carry out an annual service on their two historic narrowboats, the Nutfield and Raymond in our large dry dock – as I am their patron, we allow them free usage, and this is how I met Will.

Will now wanted to get back into narrowboat painting, having previously been in it. As I had seen the quality of his work at first hand, I thought he would be just the person to give our beloved 30-year-old Victoria its second full repaint since new – the first when new

by Ron Hough and then about 10 years ago by Dave Bishop. With good use, the boat now really needed it.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, our dock bookings were way down, and in particular there was a 20-day continuous period available in our small dry dock, straddling Christmas. Being small in size and with a low roof – so easy to heat – it is our best dock for winter painting. Will was happy to accept the challenge, with hopefully a few days off with his family over Christmas.

He was assisted by his son in the initial preparations, getting the boat back to bare metal, with windows, portholes, mushroom vents and any other attachments removed. When I looked in to see how things were going, I could hardly recognise the good lady – she looked so small – like a dog after

being bathed. Then coat by coat, she came back to life. Because there was no pressure on Will’s time, he was able to step back and allow proper drying time before applying more paint, nipping in for an hour or so to do more – something he did on every day bar Christmas. The result was something quite elegant and regal, truly befitting our Victoria.

To put the finishing touches, Braunston Marina-based AJ Canopies gave a makeover to the front and back canopies which they had fitted the previous year and Tradline Fenders supplied and fitted new bow and stern fenders.

Having come out of the dock 11 days into January, the boat was secured on a mooring on the quayside only a dozen yards from the dock entrance. She was left there for two weeks for the paint to harden up before being returned to her mooring, where Victoria’s Christmas full repaint is now the marina’s Star of Wonder!

To discuss using Will Hewitt’s services for repainting your narrowboat, please contact servicing@braunstonmarina.co.uk Victoria – the Christmas Star of Wonder following her full repaint by Will Hewitt.

Change of direction

Will Hewitt, 47, is surprisingly is a professional gardener by trade. But he began his working life aged 16 painting boats for his parents’ Braunston-based Union Canal Carriers (UCC) hire fleet, and also skippering their fleet of camping and canal maintenance boats. (Founded in 1968, UCC has been a one-family canal business for more than 50 years.)

As a young man, Will was anxious to improve his skills as a signwriter and decorator. He made a point of observing and working closely with the legendary Ron Hough (1934-2015), who would come to UCC’s dry dock, above Braunston’s Bottom Lock, as an outside contractor to carry out those tasks.

Will recalls: “At first Ron was reticent about giving his secrets away. I think he thought that narrowboat painting was not as difficult as it looked and he didn’t want others to discover this! His own mentor Frank Nurser was much the same and Ron could never paint in his way either.

“But Ron warmed to me, allowing me to fill in signwriting, and painting roses and castles and the like – he having set them up for me in outline. Ron used to say, ‘Remember there is always someone better than you’. Then he would tell me that my letters needed more shading.”

Will later went on to take a year’s course at the Walsall College of Commercial Arts. But his career as a narrowboat painter ended after he became asthmatic, probably because of both working in the damp conditions in the Bottom Lock dry dock in the middle of winter, and the high level of lead in the paints that were then still used.

He has now been away from fulltime painting for 15 years, but is enjoying getting back into it on a part-time basis. With lead banned from paints for some years now, his asthma has not come back. He now does the signwriting for the Oxford-based College Cruisers, as well as working elsewhere, including helping the canal painter Dave Bishop in our small dock, built in about 1792 – and still used for the same purposes. “I really love working in that dock. You can feel the history. That’s where Frank Nurser and the other greats worked.

It’s where it all happened.”

Not amused: Victoria seen in her undercoat.

Will Hewitt adds the crowning touches to Victoria.

PHOTOS: TIM COGHLAN

Praise for more responsible attitude by local public

OVER THE warm late winter weekend at the end of February, the New Cut Heritage and Ecology group in conjunction with Warrington Borough Council organised a socially distanced Big Clean Up to tackle almost 12 months of heavy public use in lockdowns and the associated litter menace.

In total there were 26 volunteer days given over the weekend and each volunteer was allocated their own section of canal and Mersey footpath to clear. As a result there were 75 well-filled bags of rubbish piled high on the side of the A57 Manchester Road for collection by Warrington Borough Council.

The clean-up covered the entire towpath of the New Cut Canal from Paddington Lock to Woolston Lock and the footpaths around Paddington Meadows on the Mersey, some of which were towpaths on the Mersey and Irwell navigation in the late 18th century. There was well in excess of five miles of public access to be cleaned.

In general, there was not as much litter as the organisers expected. The worst area was where the high spring tides topped Howley Weir, pushing large amounts of rubbish and driftwood on to a slightly lower bank of the River Mersey.

The biggest items removed were a gas bottle, two car tyres and a large-screen TV, all in the proximity of the recycling centre.

During the various lockdowns, these footpaths and towpaths have seen an incredible increase in use by the public and they have appreciated the work of the local council and New Cut volunteers in maintaining them.

The group did expect a great deal more litter, but it was obvious that many people took their litter home with them and some dog walkers have been undertaking unofficial litter picks while exercising their pets.

It was a great effort by all concerned and the co-operation with the local council worked really well.

Email: info@newcuttrail.com Email: birding@newcuttrail.com Website: www.newcuttrail.com Facebook: New Cut Heritage and Ecology Group

A New Cut group volunteer takes debris for collection by council staff. PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEWS 9

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Characters of the Cut Rich MacKenzie –

by Bike and Boat

By Alice Griffin

IT WAS a chance conversation while waiting at a water point on the Saltisford Arm in July 2020 – along with the passing of his father that same month – that led to a radical change of lifestyle for Rich MacKenzie and his family, one that sees them now freely wandering the waterways with their bikes and jewellery-making equipment on board.

“I was waiting for the tank to fill when this young chap cycled past and said: ‘Excuse me mate, is this the way to Wales?’ It turned out he had decided life wasn’t giving him all he wanted so he packed a bag, bought a little camping stove and tent and did what his heart told him to do.”

After living aboard permanently in his hometown of Oxford on Bluebell, a 60ft RW Davies trad, with only two-week holidays out on the cut, this hour-long conversation left Rich inspired. He wanted to find a way for his family – wife Jackie, son Bobby, daughter Fleur and cat Whisper – to be able to disappear whenever their hearts dictated.

That same night a YouTube video popped up on how to make a piece of copper jewellery. Rich watched it and within seconds began to connect the dots. “I'm not particularly a spiritual chap, but it certainly seemed answers were falling into place.” Within days Rich had cycled to a craft shop in Coventry for supplies, got together some tools and by the time they reached Banbury, had made his first bracelet.

What happened next would make this series of events even more poignant.

“I got a call from my mum that would massively change my life and turn this idea into reality.” Rich’s dad was ill and he needed to get home.

“Dad slipped away in the early hours of the morning with us all around him and as I was standing on the platform, tears streaming down my face waiting for my train back to Bluebell and crew, it dawned on me just how short and precious life was. I vowed there and then to not waste another minute.”

beautiful out of something ordinary. It has not only developed into a full-time job, but has also been a great therapy in helping me to come to terms with losing my dad.”

Working with copper pipe because he happened to have spare on the boat has since developed into ‘Rich’s thing’ and with more than 900 sales of his upcycled and handmade earrings, rings, pendants, and bracelets via his Etsy store – along with a very active Facebook page where Rich regularly engages fans through live makes – I think it’s fair to say this has been the right choice!

When I ask Rich how boat-living evolved as an option for his family, he tells me that despite wife Jackie first bringing it up, he had always been a fan of living somewhat alternatively. “I guess we had all been yearning for something different than what the norm of living in sticks and bricks was offering,” he said.

Four years on and there are many things the family enjoy about life afloat, in particular the community. “Boating is a great leveller which means we’ve spent evenings around the firepit with people from all walks of life.”

They also love the wildlife and back in the summer, 10-year-old son Bobby was excited to spot his first otter just yards from the boat.

The family also enjoy the flash of blue kingfishers as they cruise or mooring beneath twittering owls, and going car-free adds to the experience. “I gave up driving in 2019 and took to the bicycle in a big way. I love the freedom that bikes offer, and they allow us to discover the

Rich MacKenzie with children Fleur and Bobby.

Etsy: www.bybikeandboat.etsy.com Facebook: BikeAndBoatUK Instagram: @bikeandboatuk Twitter: @BikeAndBoatUK

REGENERATION work has been completed at Keddington Lock on the Louth Canal in Lincolnshire.

Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, under the umbrella of Louth Navigation Regeneration Partnership, provided resources and time to reinstate the canal path and to raise the water level sufficiently to feed the River Lud and onwards to Alvingham Mill.

The crumbling and dangerous lock remains had to be removed but the quoins and hinge stones were retained and reinstated on top of the rock weir.

The banks have been strengthened and implanted with plastic grid to allow natural growth and prevent erosion.

Louth Navigation Trust is delighted with the outcome after a two-year struggle since the breach.

Even after LMDB volunteered to come to the rescue the project was blighted by floods elsewhere, narrow windows of availability due to birds

nesting and fish spawning not to mention Covid-19. In the end the work had to be done in high flow conditions with snow and ice.

LMDB definitely deserves a round of applause from the people of Louth who can now enjoy the tranquillity of a walk by the canal once again.

Louth Navigation Trust thanks members of the community who donated to its Charities Trust page: https ://www.sponsorme.co.uk/ paulahunt/keddingtonlock East Lindsey District Council, Inland Waterways Association, Anglian Water, Lincolnshire County Council, Environment Agency and Alvingham Mill all contributed, along with LNT donating some of its own money.

Coun Pauline Watson worked very hard in the initial stages of this project and Coun Julia Simmons has worked hard with the community to help the project run smoothly.

One of Rich’s handmade copper bracelets. local areas of wherever we’re moored in more detail.”

Four-year-old Fleur gets from A to B in her bike trailer, either pulled

by Jackie or Rich on Poppy, a single speed bike, and son Bobby rides a hybrid modern contraption.

Despite not thinking of himself as spiritual, Rich agrees that the chap at the waterpoint was a sign. “To look back just eight months and now have a successful roving trader business amazes me.” And to imagine that Rich dreamed and drummed this idea up during a pandemic and lockdown, amazes me! His story is an inspirational testament to the fact that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible.

The strengthened banks at the lock site. PHOTOS: LNT

Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board removing the lock remains at Keddington.

The breach site at Keddington Lock before work started.

PHOTO: ADRIAN ROYLE

Popular towpath improved with parish council funding

Great therapy

Over the following weeks Rich threw himself into making jewellery, practising in every spare moment. “I was lucky that I loved the process of making something

Canal path and banks repaired after two-year struggle

Rich MacKenzie loves the process of making something special.

Alice Griffin is a freelance writer, intermittent boat dweller and longtime wanderer, currently living a low-impact life in the Highlands. www.alicegriffin.co.uk Instagram: alice_is_in_wanderland

RECENT footpath improvements along a length of the Chichester Canal towpath, funded

by Donnington Parish Council and carried out by contractors working on behalf of West Sussex County Council, have been welcomed by the local community.

With the canal towpath more popular than ever during lockdown, walkers have been delighted to be able to use a wider, safer towpath to exercise safely and locally.

Donnington Parish

Council approached the county council to ask if it could contribute towards upgrading the surface of the canal towpath. The parish council was able to use money passed to it as a result of approved development planning applications which was to be used for community benefit.

The county council is responsible for maintaining the surface of the footpaths as they are public rights of way. The Chichester Ship Canal Trust’s responsibility for the towpath is to keep it free from obstructions

The wider towpath alongside the Chichester Canal.

PHOTO: PETER WALLBANK

and to cut adjacent grass margins and vegetation.

Work funded by the parish council is now complete and is a section of Footpath 196/1 running from the Selsey tramway crossing up the Crosbie bridge on the Donnington road. The footpath has been considerably widened and the surface is now more user friendly for use by mobility scooters and child buggies.

Cycling is not permitted as it is a classified as a footpath.

Trustee Catherine Cannon said: “In the next few months, the side vegetation will grow back to give it a bit more of a countryside feel but there will hopefully be less maintenance required by our hard-working canal volunteers.”

A similar upgrade of the Footpath 184 running from the A27 bridge south to Hunston has also been undertaken. This has been paid for by the county council from a similar funding source. Cycling is allowed on this section as it is a permissive cycle route.

Catherine continued:

“We know from residents how popular the towpath is and particularly at present, and as beneficiaries, the Chichester Ship Canal Trust is very grateful to both councils for enabling this work to be carried out.”

Donnington Parish Council chairman Mark Hitchin said: “The canal towpath is used by Donnington residents for access to the city and the countryside and has been especially popular during the pandemic for exercise.

“We were delighted to have an opportunity to work with the canal trust and West Sussex County Council to improve the footpaths for our residents and those from further afield.”

Supporters may like to contribute to the ongoing fundraising campaign to deliver much-needed repairs to the banks of the canal: JustGiving. com/campaign/ chichestercanal

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North West waterways get £15m makeover

THE Canal & River Trust invested £15 million this winter on carrying out essential repairs, upgrades and maintenance work to the North West’s waterways.

As part of a four-month programme due to finish in mid-March, trust engineering teams have been replacing worn-out lock gates, dredging waterways, and carrying out a host of other tasks to keep the 200-year-old network in good working order.

Work has included major projects on the Ashton, Huddersfield Narrow, Lancaster, Leeds & Liverpool, Rochdale and Shropshire Union canals, plus the Ribble Link, near Preston.

North West regional director Daniel Greenhalgh said: “Our specialist engineering teams have continued to work in Covid-safe bubbles throughout the lockdowns. They have had to deal with some incredibly challenging weather, including Storm Christoph, bringing damage and flooding. They’ve made great progress over the last few months.”

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the trust is unable to offer its usual on-site open days and instead has produced a Virtual Open Day in Manchester, focusing on the lock gate repair works at Brownsfield Lock 83 on the Rochdale Canal in Ancoats, the regenerated heart of the old cotton industry.

A series of ten short films give a fascinating insight into the regeneration of the canal and

how old lock gates are repaired, including footage of the gates being lifted out by crane. The refurbished pair of oak lock gates measure 5m high and together weigh nearly seven tonnes.

Other films explore the heritage and history of the area and include a new poem ‘Love the Rochdale Canal’.

They can be viewed at https ://canalrivertrust.org. uk/enjoy-the-water ways/ events/open-days-2020-21/ brownsfield-lock-83-virtualopen-day

CRT construction manager Mark Wigley at the bottom of Lock 83 on the Rochdale Canal in Manchester – the focus of the NW Virtual Open Day. PHOTO: CRT

A new oak lock gate is craned in. PHOTO: CRT

New gates waiting to be transported by water to the lock.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

THE North West winter works programme: •Ashton Canal: Repairs to the Kershaw Lane Road Bridge in Audenshaw, and grouting work to Beswick Aqueduct, near the Etihad Stadium, to reduce leakage.

•Huddersfield Narrow Canal: Washwall and leakage repairs to Lock 30 at Diggle and Manns Wharf Embankment at Greenfield.

•Lancaster Canal: A short section of the canal through Bolton-le-Sands from Bridge 122 to Bridge 126, improved by repairs to the embankment, canal bed and washwalls.

•Leeds & Liverpool Canal: New gates, grouting, repair and maintenance work to reduce leakage on six locks at Wigan. At Johnsons Hillock Lock 58, near Chorley, new bottom gates and fenders, lock ladders repaired and masonry repointed. In

Blackburn, Highfield Road Lock 53, leakage reduced by repairing the bottom gates and cills. And at Locks 49 and 51 in Barrowford, new gates, ladders and other lock chamber equipment mended.

•Ribble Link: Leakage reduced by repairs to gates at Lock 6 and Lock 8, Ashton-on-Ribble.

•Rochdale Canal: Lock gate replacements, repairs and masonry works at Lock 83 in Ancoats, Lock 81 (Butler Street), Lock 72 (Newton Heath, Lock 62 (Middleton) and rebuilding the upstream lock landing at Lock 54 (Slattocks).

•Shropshire Union Canal: Leakage at Lock 9 (Christleton) and Lock 4 (Audlem) by lock gate replacements, repairs and masonry repointing. Boater safety improved by the upgrade of lock ladders.

A Canal & River Trust team installing stop planks above the top gates of Lock 58 at Wheelton, top lock of the Johnsons Hillock Flight. The crane they are using to lift the beams is working from a boat in the lock. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

Volunteers get lockdown exercise on pond project THE Uppermill Community Action Network (UCAN) has completed the creation of a pond on land alongside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Excavating the selected area in Uppermill began in late January 2020 but the full team effort had to stop soon after because of the lockdown.

However, with socially distanced daily exercise still permitted for two people, what better way to get some fresh air and improve the environment than by working in pairs to finish off the pond!

To that end, a UCAN volunteer cleared away vegetation that had grown during the intervening months.

The site was then lined with old carpet to protect the waterproof liner from puncturing.

As a final check, for any sharp points, a volunteer walked over the carpet in socks! The liner was installed and a protective layer was laid over it to prevent ultra violet degradation. Finally, the pond was ready for water.

In an ideal world, UCAN volunteers would have formed a human chain to seamlessly pass bucketfuls of water along the line from the canal to the new pond but, obviously, this was not possible.

the water surface.

“It is obviously our intention to regularly maintain the pond to keep a watchful eye for any build-up of leaf debris or encroaching vegetation and ensure that the pond is kept in a relatively balanced ecological state.”

Several UCAN volunteers have also been out and about on a fairly regular basis – again, just in socially distanced pairs – clearing litter from along the canal side.

This is helping to keep the village litter-free and also protecting the wildlife habitats.

Filling the buckets

Instead, one volunteer filled the buckets and the other carried them to the pond. After 30 or so trips, there was enough water in the pond to prevent the lining from blowing away. It is hoped that rainwater will finish the job.

Volunteer team leader Peter Killan said: “With only the two UCAN team members being able to work on the pond, it has obviously taken quite some time to reach this stage but we managed it.

“It was hard work but also fun and hugely rewarding, and it really is quite wonderful to see.

“We are now looking forward to putting in some well-chosen water-loving plants at various levels and margins of the pond, along with stones and logs around the edges to create a host and habitat for a huge variety of wildlife including, for example, frogs, toads and newts, various flies and birds which will pick off insects from above

Waiting for rainwater to finish the job at the new pond. PHOTO: UCAN New members are always welcome; for anyone interested when UCAN is able to resume regular team type voluntary work and would like further information please contact Peter Killan on 01457 878361 or email peterkillan@hotmail.com

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The Thames Lens 2020 overall winner. Misty Morning, by Andy Sillett.

Taking a lens to the Thames

By Helen Gazeley

THE winners of Thames Lens, the Thames Festival annual photography competition, all share one thing, apart from an ability to take great pictures – they impart a sense of hope.

Alistair Gale, director of corporate affairs, Port of London Authority, said: “In what continues to be a difficult time, we chose two winners that together capture a sense of optimism, which will be essential as we start towards recovery.”

The theme of the competition was Thames Unlocked, and was announced after the first lockdown. Sophie Groak, project manager, explained: “We wanted to symbolise the river, which is central to London and had been so quiet, and alluded to what was going on in the city

and the rest of the world.”

Of course, life didn’t progress as hoped and the river remained quiet.

“But it was a nice mix of the active – people going out on a walk – and the river not as busy,” added Sophie.

A total of 350 people took part, fewer than last year, but more than the previous two years combined, covering a wide spread of the river, from Gravesend to Middlesex and beyond.

“We did very well,” said Sophie, “considering the pandemic.”

Normally, an exhibition of the photographs would be held this month, and this is the second year without one.

Check out the winners and shortlisted entries at thamesfestivaltrust. org/read-watch-listen/

Thames Lens 2020 PLA Winner, Happy Hound on London’s Secret Beach, by Luigia Minichiello.

thames-lens-2020, and look out for the announcement of this year’s Thames Lens competition in a few months’ time, which is earlier than in previous years in order to bring the deadline for entries into December.

Thames Lens 2020 Port of London Authority winner, New Hope by Alison McDonald.

Thames Lens 2020 runner-up, LV21 and Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend, by Fraser Gray.

Storms and lockdown cause record call-out figures

RIVER Canal Rescue reports the number of rescues it undertook in 2020 yet again reached a new high.

From January 1 to December 31, engineers attended 231 incidents – 186 major and 45 minor. This is 55% more than the 149 (105 major and 44 minor) in 2019.

Major is defined as submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work, and minor as situations which, on attendance, can be resolved without the need for a full rescue team.

Storms Brendan, Ciara, Dennis and Jorge, plus lockdown restrictions, were the main reasons for the unprecedented rise. Vessels were either battered by bad weather at the start of 2020 or suffered water ingress due to a lack of maintenance, as people struggled to get to their boats.

Another contributing factor was the river Avon sluice gate failure in September, when RCR recovered and stabilised 50 boats in under three days.

In contrast, the number of general call-outs, such as electrical, fuel and engine issues, flat batteries, over-heating and gear box failures, fell by 17% from 3450 in 2019 to 2850. The decrease was due to fewer people cruising the waterways.

Managing director Stephanie Horton commented: “Given the current situation, I’m not surprised by these figures. The storms were relentless. In two months we carried out 52 major rescues, and many people were unable to check their boats last year. Once water starts seeping into a boat, it can quickly turn into a perilous situation.”

The Government and other bodies now recognise the risk posed by restricting access to vessels and state that checking on a boat’s safety is an acceptable reason to travel.

Owners who fail to visit or maintain their boats during lockdowns may have future insurance claims rejected if they cannot evidence they attempted to ensure the boat’s safety, even if it means paying a third-party or arranging for a marina to do so.