Towpath Talk - September issue - preview

1 Issue 203, September 2022

www.towpathtalk.co.uk September 2022

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On a warm August evening – Foxwell’s Bridge No 26 on the Ashby Canal in the heart of England. PHOTO: GRAHAM NUTTALL

Boaters urged to save water as restrictions bite

By Phil Pickin

ON STILL WATERS WITH THE NIGHT-TIME NARROWCASTER

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BOATERS are being urged to conserve water after drought conditions left the canal system struggling to cope.

Already difficult situations have been made worse by the lack of water due to weeks without rain, resulting in Canal & River Trust having to impose restrictions on a number of stretches of waterway.

While navigation closures currently mostly affect northern waterways, the nationwide drought means that restricted opening times are now being

introduced in some parts of the South, on the Grand Union Leicester Line, the north and south Oxford and Coventry canals. To help canal users CRT has a page on its website to provide up-to-date information to boaters on the situation, which will hopefully improve after some significant rainfall.

CRT chief operating officer Julie Sharman said: “The heatwave is the last thing we wanted. We’re incredibly disappointed that we are having to introduce further restrictions.

“Unfortunately, the ongoing essential

repair works at our reservoirs to safeguard them for the extreme weather that is likely to become more common due to climate change, coupled with far less rainfall than we needed, have meant that there just isn’t enough water for navigation. We will be carefully watching how the reservoirs refill and will open the locks as soon as possible.

She continued: “While this is currently mainly affecting our northern waterways, we’re asking boaters across the country, with the help of volunteer lock keepers, to be even more careful

Licence fee rise

Business as usual

CANAL & River Trust boat licences will rise by a further 4% from October 1. The second increase this year, following a 4% rise in April, it is in conjunction with cost-saving measures and actions to increase income from other sources. According to the trust this will still be some way below current inflation of 9.4% which is predicted to rise further. Full story and reaction from IWA and NABO, turn to page 77.

THE Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre remains open, despite the lift being closed to boats for the rest of the season. A fall in visitor numbers since the closure was announced for repairs on the caisson gates prompted the Canal & River Trust to stress that it is still business as usual at the centre near Northwich. Boat trips are now available along the River Weaver between the lift and town centre twice a day.

than usual to conserve water. Boaters can help by sharing locks where possible and making sure gates and paddles are fully closed after use.

“We appreciate what an impact this has on boaters in the area and we are sorry that this will affect cruising plans this summer. If anyone is experiencing any problems please get in touch.”

Stoppage information is available at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk and drought information can be found using the search facility.

Continued on page 2

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2 NEWS

September 2022

WELCOME THE three Cs continue to dominate our daily lives: Climate, Cost of living and Covid – a return to normality.

By the time you read this we will hopefully have had some muchneeded rain but the water sources are not going to refill overnight so I expect we will see restrictions for some weeks to come in the drier areas.

As far as costs are concerned, a second rise in Canal & River Trust licence fees prompted immediate responses from boaters’ representative organisations, the Inland Waterways Association and National Association of Boat Owners – see page 77.

We have also had a variety of comments on our Towpath Talk Facebook page including a question about what’s happened to the millions earmarked for the Toddbrook Reservoir repairs – see page 4 for an update on work at the reservoirs feeding the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals.

It is heartening to see our What’s On pages at their busiest since before the pandemic; turn to pages 18 and 19 for news of the Shardlow and Oxford festivals this month as well as the Southampton International Boat Show about which we also have items in our Technical feature, page 50. Marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, who this month gives some timely warnings about battery safety, will be hosting the Foredeck Stage at the show and looks forward to meeting readers.

Nicola Lisle visits the Riverside Museum in Reading – see page 16 – and this month’s anniversary reports include an event to mark 100 years since the closure of the Bradford Canal, page 10; the Chester 250 gathering, page 12 and 20 years since the restoration of the Rochdale Canal, page 15.

I enjoyed a trip across the Humber to Paull Boatyard where I met Rolly Hudson and his team, see page 46 and, returning to our first theme this month, Phil Pickin asks if the waterways can help combat climate change, see page 47.

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Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Group advertising manager Sue Keily Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – 01507 529489 tshaw@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Chris Abrams Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: MondayFriday 8.30am-5pm. help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk 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 – September 22, 2022

Boaters urged to save water as restrictions bite Continued from page 1

IN AN update on August 15, the Canal & River Trust introduced what it called ‘water saving measures’. These affect various locations but CRT pointed out that more than 80% of the network remained open and fully navigable. A map of these areas can be found on the CRT website.

Chief executive Richard Parry said: “The drought declared across many parts of the country, coupled with essential maintenance works, means that we are experiencing shortages of water supplies on a number of canals.

“The restrictions on other canals, which limit the times lock flights are open, will help to save water, meaning that the water available will last longer in the boating season. We will be carefully watching reservoir levels and will open the locks as soon as there’s been enough rain to do so.”

He continued: “While navigation closures are currently predominantly affecting our northern waterways, the low rainfall is hitting hardest in the south of the country and we’re asking all boaters, with the help of volunteer lock keepers, to be even more careful than usual to conserve water.”

Thames plan

The Environment Agency has also been issuing statements to keep users up to date on the latest information relating to its waterways.

A spokesman explained: “We have issued advisory notices to boaters advising them to conserve water where possible, e.g. by sharing locks and we have deployed low level boards at lock sites in East Anglia.

“We have activated our Waterways Drought Plan in the Thames area. This sees voluntary navigation restrictions in place along the length of the Thames and mandatory restrictions in hotspot areas (Oxford) are under consideration. We are also staunching weirs around Oxford to reduce leakage and planning improvements at other sites following a review of current asset performance. We have circulated a dry weather protocol for navigation on the River Wye to canoe company operators and governing bodies such as British Canoeing and Canoe Wales.”

The drought conditions have affected everyone including the Middle Level Navigation Commissioners who

A padlock prevents anyone raising the paddle at Kings Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Middlewich. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING look after the link between the rivers Nene and Great Ouse. They recently said: “A second month with almost no rainfall is putting our system under extreme pressure. We keep levels up at this time of year, and in these conditions, by taking water from the River Nene.

“However, as flows in the Nene fall the Environment Agency is also forced to reduce what we are allowed to take as our share of the residual flow. So far this year we have been able to keep levels above the point where we would expect navigators to be experiencing significant issues, but it is a fine line and a few inches either way can make all the difference to this.”

With our climate changing, and events like this likely to become increasingly common, plans need to be made to mitigate the changes that are happening.

With this in mind the commissioners stated: “Over the next few years it is our intention to explore options for dredging the shallowest lengths of the old river courses as we have done so with much success in the Well Creek – for example we are currently looking at the whole of March and sections in Benwick.”

Hire fleets

Although many boaters have been impacted by the ‘summer of 22’, businesses too have suffered with a

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The only boat on this section of the Caldon Canal. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN

issues such as drought.

Such is the severity of the problems Colin is experiencing he fears for the future of his business.

He told us that unless he sees some evidence that CRT is going to address these water management issues, he will have little option but to close at the end of the year.

One of the largest hire fleet operators is Black Prince, who, as of August 8, ceased selling holidays from its base in Stoke-on-Trent. Its Etruria location is in the midst of the closures on the Trent & Mersey and During the restrictions the Canal & River the Caldon canals.

Trust has taken the opportunity to do some new Operations manager maintenance work including the fitting of Leighton Jones told us bottom gates to the top lock, No 1 on the l. that they’ve had to move Bosley lock flight on the Macclesfield Cana some bookings to other G PHOTO: COLIN WAREIN bases within the group. number of hire fleets having to try and As he put it: “This is one advantage to work around the closures. being part of a large organisation.”

An ABC Leisure Group spokeswoman He also praised the help and told us: “At the moment the only impact support from other hire fleets who’ve it has had on ABC Boat Hire customers is stepped in when Black Prince hasn’t that they have had to do alternative routes been able to offer suitable alternative to the ones they may have wanted to do. dates to those who’ve booked with the We are advising customers to adhere to company. Despite being able to move many bookings to alternative locations lock restrictions, share locks etc.”

However some other fleets are taking and dates, he feels the company has more drastic action to overcome the still lost around £22,000 during this problems such as moving their boats to period – but he doesn’t blame CRT for other bases to avoid restrictions such as the situation. He feels the charity has a difficult job to do but would have on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

But the impact on a small, single- liked more notice of the closures to location business can be worse as there allow the business to prepare. is no alternative location. One such With many businesses trying to business is Twyford Wharf Narrowboats recover from two years of lockdowns which finds itself in this difficult followed by sky-high fuel bills and a situation. Colin Garnham-Edge, who has looming recession, a drought could run the business for 12 years, said that be the last straw for some. With the current situation is the “worst he has academics suggesting that we will have seen” and lays much of the blame at the to get used to hotter and drier weather door of the Canal & River Trust who, he in the future it would seem an effective feels, are “reactive rather than proactive”. strategy to mitigate the effects of these He told us that many of the boaters he changes is urgently needed. has spoken to are very disappointed in the state of the waterways in general.

Mr Garnham-Edge noted that the vegetation in his area, which is usually cut four times per year, hasn’t been cut more than a couple of times.

This, he feels, indicates that CRT is unable to organise even the simplest of contracts let alone deal with major

The empty canal between the two Poolstock locks on the Leigh branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Wigan. On the days when there is no boat passage the pound seems to drain quite rapidly. In the background is the church of St James and St Thomas at Poolstock. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING

NEWS 3

www.towpathtalk.co.uk September 2022

Next Canal & River Trust chairman proposed THE Canal & River Trust is proposing to appoint David Orr CBE as its new chairman subject to formal approval at the meeting of its council in September and subsequent endorsement by fellow board members the following day.

David will join the trust for an initial term of three years in the unpaid role and, alongside the charity’s other volunteer board directors, will lead its decisions on policy and strategy, legal oversight of the trust’s wide range of statutory duties and provide direction to the chief executive and his team.

This move for David follows a 30-year career working in the housing association sector at chief executive level where he lobbied for, and worked to provide, good quality homes and great neighbourhoods for people on low incomes, first at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and then as chief executive of the National Housing Federation.

Since retiring from executive positions in 2018, David has continued in non-executive roles, including chairing the Clarion Housing Association.

An enthusiast for the nation’s canal network, David often takes daily walks along the network and has enjoyed many canal boat holidays.

He will replace Allan Leighton, who steps down having completed his three terms on the Canal & River Trust Board, including serving as chairman since 2015.

Dame Jenny Abramsky, deputy chairman of the trust and chairman of the its Joint Council & Trustees Appointments Committee, said: “We are delighted to welcome David to the trust and thank Allan for his powerful leadership and unwavering commitment over the past eight years which has seen the trust take great strides forward as a new charity.

“His understanding of the trust’s purpose and value to society, together with his passion for campaigning and experience of engagement in political circles, will be vitally important as we work alongside our partners in government to secure the support and funding needed to protect and preserve the canal network and the range of significant benefits it provides to people and communities.”

David Orr: Looking forward to becoming the Canal & River Trust’s new chairman following formal approval. PHOTO: CRT David Orr commented: “The canal system across England and Wales is the finest network of industrial heritage in the world, still navigated by boats 250 years after it was built. The creation of the Canal & River Trust 10 years ago has been transformational in the way the waterways are cared for – with more people and more diverse communities using them and involved in their care and upkeep than ever before.

“I am delighted to be joining the trust at this critical stage in its development and look forward to working with fellow trustees and all the employees and volunteers at the trust to fulfil the waterways’ huge potential to shape society, bringing nature into cities, improving community well-being and tackling health inequalities, as well as supporting jobs and local economies. These special places are vulnerable to the changing climate and we will be working tirelessly to secure their future and maximise the benefit they provide.”

Lottery boost for Black Cock Bridge THE Canal & River Trust has started work to replace Black Cock Bridge on the Daw End Branch Canal in Walsall Wood.

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, this Victorian road bridge, which carries Camden Street over the Daw End Branch Canal and is named after the nearby public house, will undergo a major repair.

The bridge, which was built in around 1880, needs a complete refurbishment having suffered from severe corrosion during its near 150 years of service.

The existing steel structure will be removed and replaced with a new arched shaped bridge. The steel beams will be manufactured off site and delivered and lifted straight into place then a concrete deck and new steel parapets will be built on to them.

The original historic brick abutments and cast-iron rope guides will be saved and reused in the construction of a new bridge deck.

Completed in 1800 the Daw End Branch Canal – pronounced locally as Doe End – is one of the most rural of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

The canal was originally built to carry limestone to Black Country furnaces and links the Rushall Canal to the Wyrley & Essington Canal and is now used by local people and boaters as a place to relax and unwind.

Daniel Bailey, from Canal & River Trust, said: “It’s great to be able to complete the works at Black Cock Bridge.

Thanks to the generous support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery the project will allow us to sensitively replace the bridge and ensure this important canal crossing can be used

for many more years to come.

“Our canals are enjoying a second golden age – used by more people and in more ways than the great canal engineers of the Industrial Revolution could ever have envisaged. Our 250-year-old historic network is home to much-loved wildlife and is a vital green space used by millions of people in our towns and cities. It has an important role to play in the decades ahead, for the well-being of communities, protecting biodiversity and mitigating the effects of a changing climate.

“To protect and preserve these special places and ensure they don’t fall back into the dark days of dereliction and decline that was the story of the early and mid-20th century, we need Government, partners, funders and the community to join us and raise the money and resources required to care for this amazing historic network.

With increasing frequency of flooding

Black Cock Bridge will undergo a major repair. PHOTO: CRT

Grounding warning from River Canal Rescue WITH water shortages and low water levels causing closures in some parts of the inland waterway network, River Canal Rescue is urging boat owners to take care to avoid grounding.

In one week, RCR engineers were called to the same spot on the River Severn on the approach to Bevere Island from the north. This is a direct navigation to the lock, and due to a build-up of silt in the navigation channel, it’s resulted in three boats becoming grounded, requiring assistance.

RCR managing director Stephanie Horton said the situation is equally perilous elsewhere from the north to the south of England: “We are getting calls for grounded boats on sections we have never previously had issues

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and drought, and the rising costs of materials we need support now more than ever.”

Will Humpington, climate change and environment advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “We are delighted that funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery will allow this vital preservation work to take place.

“Our players have now raised more than £16 million for Canal & River Trust and it’s great to see those funds being used to safeguard the future of Britain’s industrial heritage, improve people’s health and well-being, and protect the wildlife living on our waterways.”

The canal and towpath will be closed for the duration of the works which are due to be completed by the end of the year. For more information on the Canal & River Trust, including how you can volunteer or donate money to support its work, visit www. canalrivertrust.org.uk

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with. Groundings are occurring at least twice a week compared to once a month in a typical year.”

To reduce the risk of grounding, RCR recommends keeping to the deeper channels, do not cut corners and only travel where there is adequate water. Stephanie continued: “If you do become grounded, empty your tanks, move ballast or people to the floating section and always reverse out the way you came in. And the same goes for other boats tying to help you, always pull back the way you came and use your own engines at the same time.”

To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www. rivercanalrescue.co.uk

4 NEWS

September 2022

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Reservoir work and drought cause canal closures

In the foreground is the reservoir bypass channel that is flowing with water after a couple of days of recent rain, down on its way to the River Goyt in the valley below. When the reservoir is back in use this water’s first course off the hills will be into the reservoir. If the reservoir is full the excess will again flow this way, down to a new channel that will be constructed across the park and out into the Goyt.

THE Canal & River Trust took the difficult decision to temporarily close locks, restricting navigation on the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals from late June as a combination of essential reservoir repairs and lack of rainfall caused water supplies in the North West to drop to historically low levels.

The two canals are usually supplied with water by four reservoirs. However, essential maintenance works at Bosley Reservoir over the winter requiring the reservoir to be drawn down, coupled with the ongoing repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir, resulted in the main boating season starting with much less stored water than normal.

North West regional director Daniel Greenhalgh said: “The Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals have had more than their fair share of troubles over recent years and we’ve put every effort into keeping them open for boaters.

“Unfortunately the ongoing repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir as well as emergency works at Bosley Reservoir, coupled with far less rainfall than we needed, have meant that there just isn’t enough water for navigation and we’ve taken the incredibly hard decision to close the locks to boat traffic until water levels recover. We will be carefully watching how the reservoirs refill and will open the locks as soon as possible.

“We’ve been carrying out a significant amount of water savings maintenance work over the past few years and in the longer term, once all our reservoirs

CRT has put up this notice to reassure people that the lodge is safe. are back open. This will improve the resilience of the canals, which is more important than ever as climate change shows us long dry spells are becoming the new normal.”

The trust is continuing the ongoing water-saving repair works to increase all available water flows into the canal network. While essential safety works were carried out at Bosley Reservoir it took the opportunity to dredge and remove vegetation on all the feeders, increasing water flows and reducing losses.

At Sutton Reservoir repair and improvement work is under way to improve control of feeds, allowing the trust to maximise water flows, and dredging and vegetation clearance works have been completed.

Repair works are being carried out at Combs Reservoir along the feeder channel, while at Marple Lock Flight recent works have been completed to dredge and reduce water losses. The trust is also pumping water from Combs Reservoir via the River Goyt into the canal until the feeder is fully operational.

Low water levels at the Bosley Reservoir where essential safety works have been carried out. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING

Right: Near the reservoir is the Todd’s Brook Lodge which was used by the reservoir keeper at one time.

It was completed in 1881, a year after the Peak Forest Canal which the reservoir feeds water into. As the Canal & River Trust was working on a plan for the repair of the reservoir local concerns were raised as to the future of the lodge. Now CRT has acquired the lodge and it will be used as the improvement project headquarters. It is interesting that nowadays it is called Toddbrook compared with the original name of Todd’s Brook.

New contracts awarded for civil engineering projects FROM flights of locks, to reservoirs, tunnels and aqueducts, the Canal & River Trust has awarded contracts to JN Bentley and Kier to carry out large-scale construction and engineering projects across its waterways over the next decade.

The new contracts, replacing the current national contract with Kier, have a potential total value of around £500 million and are the trust’s largest award of waterway engineering works.

Playing a pivotal role in helping to protect and preserve the nation’s canals, reservoirs and river navigations, the contracts are awarded for a period of up to 10 years from August 2022, with an initial term of four years, followed by extension options of a further six years. A rigorous six-stage tender process was carried out over a 20-month period.

The canal network has been rediscovered and is today used by more people than at any point in its history. As well as being navigated by boats in the same way as during the Industrial Revolution, the network is also gearing

up to play a pivotal role in the resilience of towns and cities, helping them to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Covering the north and south of the network respectively, JN Bentley and Kier will carry out the largest restoration and repair projects and will work on the trust’s most complex assets such as reservoirs, embankments, culverts, tunnels and aqueducts – including responding to dynamic situations, such as flooding or canal breaches. Later this month, a range of contractors will also be appointed for delivering less complex works.

Ma l c o l m Ho r n e, chief infrastructure and programmes officer at Canal & River Trust, said: “The ongoing task of caring for the thousands of historic assets that make up this extraordinary infrastructure network requires a substantial programme of work. I am delighted to welcome the appointment of JN Bentley and Kier, who will be working with us to protect and preserve our waterways.

“We are also striving

to ensure that the network is as resilient as possible to more extreme weather in the face of a changing climate, investing in reservoirs and other key assets to strengthen infrastructure for the benefit of canal users and neighbouring c o m mu n i t i e s.

Ou r contractors will play a vital role in ensuring the safety of the waterways and safeguarding their future, while enabling us to improve value for money and continuing to deliver an effective emergency response when required.”

Historic assets

The trust is the third largest owner of listed structures in the UK, including 46 Scheduled Monuments.

The new contracts will cover its 1582 locks, 55 tunnels, 2970 bridges, 281 aqueducts and 71 reservoirs. The maintenance of these historic assets requires a huge amount of knowledge, technical expertise and sensitivity.

Ian Bester, operations director at JN Bentley, said: “JN Bentley is delighted to be appointed to the Civil Engineering

Contract Framework with the Canal & River Trust – an important new client for us and providing a fantastic opportunity to be involved with preserving and enhancing the industrial and natural heritage of the country.

“Securing the framework will allow us to bring our transferable skills developed from 50 years of experience in the water and environment sectors. We’ll focus on collaborating with the trust and its partners to deliver safe, sustainable, high quality and innovative solutions for users of waterways across the UK.” Eddie Quinn, director at Kier Infrastructure Regional Civil Engineering, said: “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with the Canal & River Trust, carrying out maintenance works and emergency response services at times when the trust, and local communities, have needed it most. We are delighted to have been appointed to the new Civil Engineering Contract Framework, where we will continue to work collaboratively with the trust to deliver vital infrastructure projects.”

NEWS 55

www.towpathtalk.co.uk September2022 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk September

Battle is on to free marina from pennywort invasion Words & photos: Les Heath

BOATERS on the River Soar have joined the fight against invasive floating pennywort which is choking the navigation and threatening Sileby Marina.

The problem has recently been highlighted on local TV and radio after a brook from the village running into the marina became completely blocked with no sign of the water beneath.

The pennywort, which grows at a rate of 20cm a day, is now encroaching on the marina where boaters are fighting an ongoing battle to clear the weed from around their boats.

The non-native plant was first identified in Leicestershire in 2004, thought to be an escapee from a garden.

Since then the pennywort has spread rapidly despite spraying. The Environment Agency said they were aware of the problem at Sileby and were

putting forward a plan to solve it.

Earlier this year the agency introduced a South American weevil at certain sites which it hopes will eventually get rid of the pennywort.

Extensive trials have already taken place to study how the weevils eat the leaves and the larvae eat the stems, reducing its ability to grow.

Pennywort completely blocking Sileb y brook below the bridge where it ente rs the marina.

Pennywort on the Soar.

Workshop format for October NCA meeting

Boater and Canal & River Trust volunteer John Rush clearing pennywort in the marina.

SHOVEL readiness will be the focus of the Northern Canals Association meeting on Sunday, October 9 at the Hollingwood Hub. Hosted by the Chesterfield Canal Trust, it will be different in format from most previous meetings in that the main presentations will be workshop based. The trust’s development manager George

Rogers will be leading the day.

He explained: “In particular, we will be discussing Levelling Up Funds and other similar government programmes.

“All of these programmes have to meet the criteria set out in the HM Treasury ‘Green Book’, so we will be investigating how schemes comply and what this means for planning

and delivery of your projects – learning from the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s successful application to the Towns Fund.

“Whichever colour of government and whoever the PM, government programmes are assessed through the Green Book, so be assured the content will remain relevant longer than

the current turmoil of British politics.”

Green Book uses a ‘Five Case Model’, with the project examined from a Strategic, Economic, F i n a n c i a l , Commercial and Management perspective. The Strategic and Economic cases broadly set out why the project should be delivered.

Patrick Moss, from Moss

Naylor Young, will be leading a presentation and workshop on these elements. The other cases broadly cover how the project will be delivered and George Rogers will be leading a presentation and workshop on these elements.

Alongside the workshops, there will be the usual update on the progress of the

Chesterfield Canal Trust, progress updates from other societies and a chance to visit the recent works complete d at Staveley Town Basin and the route of the Towns Fund scheme beyond.

As 55 groups are represented by the NCA, demand is expected to be keen for the 45 available places so early booking

is advised; contact the NCA at www. northerncanals.org Dates h av e already been fixed for meetings in 2023: Sunday, February 12 will be hosted, it is hoped, by one of the Black Country restoration groups and Sunday, October 8 by the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society. Any group wishing to host future meetings can let NCA know.

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6 NEWS

September September2022 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Raising the rock by the dock: the remaining bit of the 18th century quayside wall is finally removed from the Old Oxford Arm. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

As it was: the quayside in June 1958 at the time of the launch of the Raymond. One of the rollers for the boat launches – at the bottom right of the picture – was recovered in the rebuilding of the wall in 1995 and is now incorporated into the new adjoining concrete walkway, with its pair. PHOTO: AUBREY BERRIMAN COLLECTION

The quayside in the mid-60s: in the new world of leisure boating under the ownership of Blue Line Cruisers. The quayside wall was already deteriorating and a quick fix was made by building a scaffold-supported wooden pontoon. PHOTO: NICK PRITCHARD COLLECTION

Stop rocking the boat!

By Tim Coghlan

A SAYING of the 18th century lit-wit Dr Samuel Johnson and much quoted by Churchill was: ‘“Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”

While our predicament at Braunston Marina was not that bad, in June this year – and despite our best endeavours – we still had little more than that fortnight to go to our historic narrowboat rally in terms of resolving the problem we had been trying

to deal with for some years.

It was the large lump of rock that lay only a couple of feet beneath the surface of what we call the Old Oxford Arm and which during Covid had got much worse. That lump would be in the very heart of where the visiting historic narrowboats would be mooring when not parading, unless we somehow sorted it.

At the last rally we held in 2019, the rock had caught a number of these canal leviathans, requiring much muscle and sweat to get them off. One of the boats that got stuck on that rock – in a

dramatic style reminiscent of an unsuccessful attempt at the water jump at Badminton Horse Trials – was the Princess Anne.

The boat had only recently enjoyed a magnificent restoration completed by its new owner Sarah Malcolm – and was now the winner of the Best Historic Narrowboat in Show as voted by the boat owners.

In true Princess Anne style, Sarah was not amused. The boat was built by Harland & Wolff in Woolwich in 1935 and first named the Plato. With the birth of Princess Anne in 1950, it was renamed in her honour and has

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COLIN WAREING Lancashire in January 2019. PHOTO:

eams for 2019 k’s TTop TTeams T k’s Towpath Talk a s, we bid farewell awn AS A new decade dawn t th to 2019 with the results of our Towpath Top Team award which has been k Top Talk r r. running throughout the year.

With four teams shortlisted for the final with vote it was a veryy close-run contest t volunteers ty the Grantham Canal Society taking the title by a short head.

Such was the support also for from Crusader Community Boating first Blisworth that we are awarding our a rd – something Community Boat awa f the we had alreadyy been planning for r r. coming year. of Commended are the Friends the River Nene and the Waterways Buck.

Fiona and Chaplaincy’s Martin Award presentations to our finalists

are revealed

r The r. will take place in the new year. off a winning team receives the hire day boat carrying up to 10 people, generously sponsored by ABC Leisure Group Ltd. The runner-up will receive a £100 voucher to spend at Midland four Chandlers at Braunston and all finalists will receive a £100 donation towards their volunteering organisation the from Mortons Media Group Ltd,

Talk. tth Tal publisher of Towpath Our thanks go to the readers who rose of to the challenge of finding a group a gone that extra ave unsung heroes who have f their local stretch off towpath, mile for a association or ays canal or river, waterways a our judging ave community boat – and gave shortlisting the of job panel a difficult four finalists.

• Continued on page 2

found on a boat moored Ouse bodies t achievemen f nd 100-dayCommunity of two men were fou probe Action Network (UCAN) THE bodies Boats gunshot were called UPPERMILL Y k city centre. Emergency services after starting in Yor investigating damage to narrowboats POLICE are Officers were after gunshots were fired in Cambridge. a December 5, at around 10.15pm, ay, called on Thursday, f m shots fro after nearbyy residents reported hearing near boats on the what was believed to be an air rifle the window of one River Cam. Photographs off holes in a since been published. One resident ave of the boats have the Chesterton told reporters thatt shots, coming from moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats on for about five Field, Fen Ditton, and this went no injuries were minutes. Cambridgeshire Police said reported and enquiries were continuing.

achieved its 100-day volunteering milestone 2300 hours of out in 2015. This included more than who, according voluntary work achieved by local people to, crafting to UCAN, “care about, and are committed environment”. and maintaining our beautiful local and for the positive Thanks were given to all supporters, work parties will feedback from the community. The next 8 and 20. The usual be on January 4 and 23, and February on Moorgate bridge canal the at 10am is point meeting Killan on 01457 Street but this can change. Contact Peter l.com peterkillan@hotmai or 878361

at around 8pm to Lendal Bridge on the River Ouse said officers on December 4. North Yorkshire Police f two men for attended “after concerns were raised with their touch in their 60s who had been out of bodies. Fire .” Upon arrival officers found the family.”

The deaths and ambulance services both attended. although did ‘unexplained’ were being treated as a post-mortem not appear to be suspicious and men had not The place. take examination was due to Talk went to press. tth Tal been identified when Towpath

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kept the name ever since.

The offending rock seemed to be the last remaining part of the old wharf wall that had collapsed through neglect in the 1980s. In the mid-1990s, after I had acquired the marina, we rebuilt that wall through the use of a coffer dam. In so doing we removed all of that old collapsed wall, bar one section that defied all efforts on our part.

It just wouldn’t move and as it was located immediately above the culvert that drained our dry docks and ran under the arm, we took the view that it was best left alone, as we could live with it.

However in recent times we noticed that the rock seemed to have got closer to the surface, making the draft even less. Maybe it was rotating and with that presumably it was moving, therefore not fixed to the culvert brickwork. The clearance now was a problem even for modern shallowdrafted narrowboats and impossible for the deep-drafted historic ones. It was time to throw everything at it, including the wonders of modern technology.

Underwater survey

We commissioned an underwater camera survey of the rock, which revealed to our astonishment that it was some 2.5m long – we thought it was just a metre or so. Then we employed the services of Midlands waterways specialist Ambion Contractors, with its team headed by David Saunders.

A lot of work had to go into the waterside site preparations before the team had its first go at a lift out, using a conventional JCB, with the intention of breaking up the rock underwater first, before lifting it out.

But this ‘rock of ages’ would not break beyond a few token pieces round the edges.

It was time for Ambion Contractors

to call in its canal cavalry – a 16-tonne tracked excavator, delivered by low loader. The skilled operator soon proved that the rock could move, which he gingerly showed by dragging it to a position where its sausage shape could be more centrally located in the scoop bucket.

Then, to the astonishment of the onlookers, this Jawsmonster of Braunston Marina was at last gingerly lifted clear of the water, the excavator straining itself to hold it in position in the bucket. Much careful manoeuvring was then needed to reverse the excavator and its estimated five-tonne load well clear of the waterside, where the stone could be unloaded in the car park.

Even now, the rock would not break up and Ambion Contractors had to rush in a special JCB with a breaker to reduce the rock to small lumps, after which it could be taken away for disposal.

But before that, there was something of a mortar postmortem as to why that rock had proved so hard. On close inspection, it proved not to have been a solid rock or large lump of concrete, but in fact nothing more than the remains of a wall built of rough hewn limestone bonded in burnt lime cement – both probably from the ancient quarry on nearby Barby Hill – as the canal builders sourced materials locally wherever possible.

By the time the wharf wall was constructed in the mid to late 1780s, the canal was probably already built, so the wall would have set underwater – the best

way for the cement to set extra-hard.

Today, information from more and more ancient newspapers is being put on to the internet, unearthing many fascinating facts.

Diana Monaghan – a retired school teacher and co-owner of the historic narrowboat Madeley, a converted Fellow, Morton & Clayton butty which regularly attends our rallies – had found an astonishing advertisement in a 1788 copy of the Northampton Mercury.

It offered coal for sale at the wharf at Braunston, where the new canal crossed underneath the turnpike road from London to Birmingham. The coal came via the newly opened canal from the Warwickshire coalfields. So the coal wharf was in place then, with the connection opened further south to the Thames at Oxford still two years away on January 1, 1790. That rock must have been made around 1788.

With a lot of running around, the quayside where that rock had been lifted out was made shipshape in the remaining two weeks before the rally. But old habits die hard and I noticed the historic boaters, who had attended our rallies in the past, seemed to give a wide berth to where the rock had been.

As for the Princess Anne, she attended the rally, but was moored safely out on the Grand Union Canal. It would seem that the good lady would now not touch that Old Oxford Arm with a barge pole!

Between a rock and a hard place: Sarah Malcolm on the Princess Anne, unintentionally well stuck on the notorious rock at the 2019 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally.

Sarah is pictured receiving the Nurser Best In Show award from Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina.

PHOTO: GRAHAM NEWMAN

PETS 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk September 2022

Pets on the Cut Lorraine and Jackie Chan Words & photos: Kevin Thomas

A FEW months back, dog-loving Lorraine Howe, the Caen Hill Marina manager, invested in a new canine companion. It’s a male, predominantly grey in colour with blue eyes and he goes by the name of Jackie Chan.

Already, and as young as he is, wherever one sees Lorraine they can be sure Jackie Chan will be close by. He’s not a big dog and due to his lineage, I doubt he’ll ever grow into a big dog; however, and even now at his young age, he’s displaying a ‘big dog’ attitude.

His devotion to Lorraine is already noticeable, which is noble. I guess at this point too, it’s worth noting Jackie Chan’s lineage because it’s interesting.

Lorraine informed me his mother was a Jack Russell x Staffie which is fine, but then the mental image became a bit confusing as to how Jackie Chan and his siblings were conceived when Lorraine informed me his father was a Chihuahua!

The ever-alert Jackie Chan listens in when hearing about his parentage.

Given that Jackie Chan was sitting alongside me on the couch and watching me intently while I was chatting to Lorraine, I didn’t embarrass him by bursting into laughter after hearing about his parentage. What’s more important is he’s adapted well to narrowboat life and like all pups he’s growing up quickly. He’s also proving friendly towards other marina dogs when they stop by at the marina office and he’s also cat friendly. Both these attributes are definite pluses in the relative confines of a marina.

Dyed-in-the-wool Bristolian Lorraine has been a dog lover since Lorraine Howe, Caen Hill Marina manager, girlhood and a few years lovingly holds her new canine acquisition, back, before she became Jackie Chan.

Caen Hill Marina manager, she had a lovely fluffy little dog called Lucky. He too was a Lorraine understandably felt she wasn’t dedicated narrowboat dweller and when quite ready for another canine companion.

I first met Lorraine, she informed me However, and over the ensuing Lucky was a Jack Russell terrier-cross. months those of us who know Lorraine Seemingly, the JR genetics weren’t the well always felt something was missing, dominant gene in Lucky’s DNA because more particularly so whenever we saw to me he appeared to be a ‘cuddly’ sort her out and about while busying herself of fluffy dog rather than wiry-haired as with marina management issues. It just wasn’t the same seeing her without a in JR. To that end and hazarding a guess dog of her own close by, although we I’m sure Lucky’s father was a soft curly- often saw her walking dogs belonging coated travelling salesman of the canine to various friends of hers. sort, who had stopped by to woo Lucky’s And then, suddenly, one morning a mother. Folk who knew the narrowboat few months back the persistent yapping loving Lucky said he reminded them a of a six-week-old puppy could be heard lot of puppeteer Bob Carolgees’ canine emanating from the office. When entering, one could see Lorraine had a puppet Spit the Dog. Sadly, around two years ago and after mischievous smile on her face, and it 12-years of being a devoted canine friend wasn’t long before we all knew Jackie to Lorraine, Lucky passed away due to Chan had arrived. And was definitely cancer. In the wake of Lucky’s passing here to stay.

Just chilling!

Words & photos: Alison Alderton

THIS summer Barge Beagle has been keeping cool with the aid of a cooling mat.

There are many different types and designs of these available on the market, some of which require placing in the freezer or refrigerator before use. However, the PawPride cooling mat is activated by your dog’s weight so there is no need to plan ahead, your pooch can simply flop out on the mat whenever he likes and be instantly provided with up to four hours of blissful coolness.

The cooling gel inside the mat is non-toxic but not all cooling mats are the same. When considering a purchase, bear this in mind – especially if your dog is a chewer! The bluecoloured outer nylon covering can be easily wiped clean with a warm cloth and the mat folds up neatly into quite a small size.

This makes it ideal for boating dogs (and their humans – great for cooling down hot feet!) when stowing space is at a premium.

The cooling mat can be used both inside and out and your dog will quickly come to realise that lying on it provides relief in hot weather. If your dog has been crate trained the cooling mat will slide directly inside and, on the hottest of days, consider covering the crate with a cloth or blanket to stop any penetrating sunlight to create a personal chillout zone for your dog.

The PawPride cooling mat comes in sizes small (£18.99) to extralarge (£29.99). Barge Beagle, considered a medium-sized dog, has a large version but this is rather short

The PawPride cooling mat. to accommodate his complete body length – so becoming handy with a tape measure before ordering is recommended!

The PawPride range of cooling mats is available from Amazon and pet stores.

Barge Beagle chills out on his cooling mat.

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8 NEWS

September2022 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk September

Dragon boats return to the Chichester Canal

Celebrating Green Flag status at Blue Bank Lock on the River Soar in Leicestershire are, from left: Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire; Alan Leather, enterprise manager and Richard Bennett, heritage and environment manager for Canal & River Trust.

The Birmingham city centre stretch from the Sea Life Centre to Selly Oak.

More Green Flags for CRT waterways MORE than a quarter of the Canal & River Trust’s navigations have been awarded Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy.

These include urban canals in Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham as well as semi-rural stretches of river in Leicestershire and a navigation in Yorkshire.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry said: “We’re delighted that more than a quarter of our network now holds Green Flag Awards. It’s a testament to everyone who works or volunteers with the trust, including those in the community who play such a vital part in helping to look after their local canal.

“The five million hours of time our volunteers have given has helped us achieve incredible feats like the Green Flags that now grace 50 stretches of our waterways, making life better for the communities they run through.”

As the trust celebrated its 10th anniversary it secured a further 125 miles of Green Flag waterways across England and Wales, with 565 miles

now holding the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

The Midlands saw seven new sites being awarded Green Flags, including sites in central Birmingham and Walsall. In Manchester and Sheffield, once unloved stretches of urban canal have been transformed into pleasant, wildlife-rich places for the surrounding communities to spend time.

More rural stretches along the River Soar and Calder & Hebble Navigation were also recognised.

The Kennet & Avon Canal, Ma c c l e s f i e l d Ca n a l and Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, together with Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, the first marina in England to hold a Blue Flag, retained their status, along with 35 other sites.

Two youth teams from the Scouts neck and neck. PHOTOS: DAVE STANDLEY

Leicester’s Deputy City Mayor Coun Adam Clarke, second from left, celebrates with members of the Canal & River Trust, Leicester City Council, local volunteers and young people from National Citizens Service. PHOTOS: CRT

Massive step forward on the Monty ANOTHER massive step forward to the Montgomery Canal near Crickheath has been achieved with more than 3000 building blocks put on top of blankets of waterproof lining material to weight them down.

The narrowing blocking gap.

TOWPATH

This has resulted in a further 50m of completed channel. Some detailed work was done to bring the top edge into line, with a hefty session of angle grinding.

Heritage Lottery Fund money that has financed the project will end in October, so all work needs to be completed by the end of that month.

The final few metres of untreated channel were shaped to the precise angle, so the next work party will see a change of emphasis. Lining and blocking will continue to cover this last 60m section.

Stone riprap and soil will also be added to a hundred metres of lining material between the top of the blocking and the towpath edge, using power barrows to transport the material. Riprap is put down at water level to break up the wash from passing boats and prevent erosion.

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CHICHESTER Priory Rotary’s popular Dragon Boat Challenge recently returned to the Chichester Ship Canal to bring the community together and raise money for local charities.

This well-established annual event, combined with fine weather, led to large crowds flocking to the canal. The atmosphere was vibrant with competitors and visitors cheering along the water’s edge from the Canal Basin to Poyntz Bridge.

Racing proved to be highly competitive with teams from, among others, Chichester College, the Scouts and the Chichester Ship Canal Trust taking part. The Army team completed the course in an unprecedented 56 seconds – surely a new record!

Chichester Mayor Coun Julian Joy presented the prizes at the end and town crier, Coun Richard Plowman, was also in attendance. With so many people enjoying what the canal has to offer, canal trust volunteers did a sterling job, especially those in the cafe, which was very popular.

The Rotary Club of Chichester Priory, in partnership with the local charity CancerWise, has been organising the challenge since 2012 to raise funds.

Dragon boats are long, elaborately decorated canoes with a dragon’s head and tail attached. There are wooden benches for the crew of up to 16 paddlers as well as room at the bow for the drummer and a space at the stern for the steers person, known as a helmsman, to stand.

It caters for a wide range of ages and abilities in one crew. The sport dates back more than 2000 years and today, with more than one million teams competing worldwide, it is the second most popular watersport on the planet.

Angle grinding the top edge.

The Army team celebrate their victory.

More volunteers will be very welcome for the work parties to be held in September and October when work will take place in earnest to put down 300m of wooden edging, to frame the resurfacing of the towpath. Interested people should visit shropshireunion. org.uk for details of dates and contacts.

Advanced planning is taking place for the next project beyond Crickheath Bridge which will begin in 2023.

On the water – the team in front is from Chichester College.

Litter picking and balsam bashing THE Uppermill Community Action Network (UCAN) volunteers have been working in partnership with a range of agencies and people committed to helping keep the canalside village clean and tidy and protecting the local wildlife.

UCAN and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (OMBC) worked alongside one another as part of the Don't Trash Oldham campaign which sees Oldham Council staff out and about across the borough, including Saddleworth, conducting additional cleaning up of litter and fly-tipping.

Other activities saw UCAN working in partnership

with the volunteers from Greenfield Street Scene on a combined ‘balsam bash’.

Covid restrictions prevented clearance for nearly three years with the result that the balsam has spread extensively over the period and now presents a much bigger problem.

The combined efforts achieved excellent results and the volunteers managed to clear two large areas and hopefully restrict future growth.

The most enjoyable activity of the day was a collective gathering at the end of the various sessions to just sit together, enjoy the glorious village views and the sunshine and reflect on

the day’s work over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits.

Thanks go to local Tesco Community Champion

Greg Barratt, who regularly supports and joins in UCAN’s activities, for providing refreshments.

A pleasant end to a day’s activities: volunteers from UCAN and other community groups. PHOTO: UCAN Work parties will take place in September on Saturday 10 and Thursday 29. UCAN is always pleased to welcome new volunteers and anyone who would like further information should contact Peter Killan on 01457 878361 or email peterkillan@ hotmail.com

CHARACTER/NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk September 2022

Characters of the Cut

Hannah Bodsworth and son George in their inspiring space.

Narrowboat Mama, Hannah Bodsworth

By Alice Griffin

WHEN freelance photographer Hannah Bodsworth found herself exploring home options following a break-up in 2017, all roads led to the water.

“Living on a boat was something I’d been looking at for around three years, inspired by my eldest brother who lives on a sail boat in Bristol.” However, it was desperation that gave her the final push. “I needed somewhere to live and also needed to slow my life down significantly as I was struggling with symptoms of burnout.”

Moving on to the water reduced Hannah’s monthly outgoings considerably, which meant she could give up her job in marketing and invest herself into her side hustle as a photographer. “I now had time for stillness, to take stock of a difficult few years of my life, and to reconnect with nature.

But perhaps most of all, to really enjoy being a parent.”

Hannah’s floating home, a 1989 42ft cruiser stern narrowboat with a V-bottom hull, is shared with nine-year-old George, their dog Frida and new puppy, Leto.

Hannah has certainly had to roll up her sleeves and get stuck in with this project. “I was lucky to get the boat for a very good price at £18.5k but it did need a lot of work to make it comfortable for my little family and I was on a very tight budget.”

Her enthusiasm and excitement to tackle this project shone through – and with umpteen episodes of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces under her belt, along with very willing friends and family, Hannah has turned her rather tired-looking boat into a beautifully inspiring space that radiates a sense of calm. There is even space for yoga and as a fellow yogi on a narrowboat, I know what an achievement that is!

“With the help of my brother and a carpenter I gutted the

One of Hannah’s dogs takes a seat at her desk. lounge area and made it into a master bedroom/diner/office all in one. The original bedroom was also gutted and made into George’s bedroom, with a cabin bed so he had space for his Lego and train tracks underneath.”

Hannah’s kitchen and bathroom were given an aesthetic makeover, and in time she had the engine refurbished and the pram cover replaced.

Big trip

Having travelled a lot it’s no surprise that Hannah enjoys getting out on her boat. “I generally like slumming it with a backpack, getting off the beaten track, but when I had to give up my studio because of Covid it made sense to me to explore the world at my feet instead.” This led to a big trip from Leicestershire to London in 2021 where Hannah and George enjoyed much of the canal.

“Most stretches have lovely

Hannah’s 42ft narrowboat.

scenery or nuances, but I got really excited reaching Cosgrove on my trip down the Grand Union. The boat community felt very welcoming and there were lots more young boaters and children than there had been further north. I guess as much as I love the outstanding natural environment on the rural waterways, it’s the people that are the most important thing for me day to day.”

As Cosgrove is my own home ground, I was pleased that Hannah received such a warm welcome. Hannah also can’t believe how many solo female boaters she met on the River Lea in London. “I felt like I’d found my tribe and weirdly, I have met seven other solo female boaters named Hannah on the water there!”

However, while continuously cruising offers a cheaper option for Hannah, as well as more variety, the downside is that it’s physically demanding.

“You can’t always find a mooring in popular spots, especially in London. I’ve sailed until it’s dark before now and had to give up and moor somewhere prohibited for a night.” This means that for now Hannah is sub-letting a mooring in London while another boat is out of the water.

“I’ve spent some of the last five years continuous cruising but I’ve managed to get the luxury of a mooring with hook up for a lot of it, which is especially welcome in mid-winter!”

One thing that remains the same whether continuously cruising or moored up, though, is the ability to immerse herself in nature.

“I love the light reflecting off the water – double the sunrise and sunset! It makes winters so much more enjoyable.”

But perhaps most of all, it’s knowing that if she needs to move again, she can untie her ropes and take her home along for the ride.

Instagram: @narrowboatmama Website: hannahbodsworth.com

Hannah Bodsworth beside her floating home. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Alice Griffin is a writer and yoga teacher who leads wellness e-courses to bring us back to nature and ourselves. She wanders the waterways aboard her narrowboat, Melody. www.alicegriffin. co.uk

Boaters urged to fill in new census survey THE Canal & River Trust has launched its first Boater Census and is asking every licence holder to take part and help paint a picture of who boats on its waterways.

Designed with input from boater representatives on the CRT council, the census aims to help understand the different needs of those who live on or who use their boats for leisure on the network in England and Wales.

The anonymous data will be available to share with other organisations, such as local authorities and health service providers, to help them understand boaters’ needs and ensure they are met.

Matthew Symonds, CRT head of customer service, said: “While we know quite a lot about the boats that are on our network, for example the size, type and even their age, we know much less about the people on board and their circumstances.

“The Boater Census will give us a comprehensive overview of the people who boat on our waterways, what they are using their boats for, and the challenges that they might face.”

Specific challenges

Matthew explained: “From the conversations we have on the towpath, we know that some boaters face specific challenges, for example raising a family on the water, boating with a disability, or difficulty accessing services such as doctors’ surgeries.

“We will use the information to find common themes and identify areas where we can help. It will also add weight to the work we do with other organisations who may not be familiar with the practicalities of life afloat.”

Diverse community

Tracey Clarke, co-opted boater representative to represent the views of disabled boaters on the council, said: “Those of us who live on the water know that there’s a huge diversity of people in the boating community.

“However, very little information about them is formally recorded and that makes it much harder to provide evidence to those who make decisions about the services that boaters need.”

Another boater representative, Dave Mendes da Costa, added: “Spending time on the water is a great experience, but life on a boat is not without its challenges.

“I know how hard it can be to access basic services like a GP and have seen the obstacles which many face when bringing up children aboard or acting as carers.

“This census provides the first opportunity for boaters to give the Canal & River Trust a full picture of these challenges, whether that’s finding places to maintain our boats, access to health services or barriers to claiming benefits.

“The more boaters who complete the census, the better the trust can understand our needs so I’d encourage everyone to take part.”

The census is short, easy to complete and completely anonymous, with no data attached to any boater.

In phases during August the trust has been sending a unique e-link to the census to every boat licence holder who has provided an email or mobile phone number.

Boaters are encouraged to complete the census survey by Friday, September 30, 2022, and the trust will send out reminders ahead of that date.

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On a prime holiday route for both private and hire boaters.

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10 NEWS

September2022 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk September

Centenary of Bradford Canal closure marked at Shipley

ONE hundred years to the day since the last commercial boat descended the Bradford Canal to Shipley, the anniversary of its closure was marked on July 15, 2022.

The canal had a chequered early history, from being central to the development of the town in the late 18th century, to being blamed for a cholera epidemic in the 1850s. This resulted in the canal’s first closure in 1866.

However, this was not the end of the story, with the canal reopening on April 16, 1873 and continuing to provide transport facilities for the town until 1922.

Originally proposed by Bradford merchants as an integral part of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, it was actually built by a separate company, though the two canals had a joint office on Moor Row until around 1850. The canal was to prove even more important than those merchants could have wished for in supporting the development of Bradford.

During the next century and a half, the woollen and worsted industries came to rely upon raw materials delivered by boat from Liverpool and Hull. The canal also carried limestone from Craven for purifying the products of the world-famous

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society ‘chairmum’ Freda Childs addresses guests from Kennet at Gallows Bridge.

Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Martin Love with members of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society and guests. PHOTOS: L&LCS iron works at Bowling and Low Moor, as well as building stone; Bradford’s industries and offices relied upon the canal.

The very last boat to make its way down the canal in July 1922 was the steamer Beta, recently purchased by Benjamin C Walls after he set up his carrying company in 1921. Despite the closure, the Walls family continued to be involved with canal carrying until canals were nationalised in 1948.

The company then turned to

roads as the Keighley-based Walls Shipping Company, an international carrier until 1972.

To commemorate the final closure of the canal, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society opened its heritage boat Kennet to the public at Gallows Bridge, Shipley, close to the old junction with the Bradford Canal. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Martin Love and local councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, members of the Walls family and other guests were given a short trip up to the

junction. Sean McGinley and Bill Froggatt represented CRT and there were members of several local-interest groups including

Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Friends of Saltaire and the Friends of Bradford Beck.

The event went off very well, L&LCS president Mike Clarke reported. “Gallows Bridge Marina was a big help with tidying up the visitor moorings and allowing us

Trust hosts first Standedge Pride event

Luke Clark helped to host Standedge Pride for the Canal & River Trust.

SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT WITH SPACE TO RELAX Full length pontoon and prestigious bankside moorings EV charging points, diesel, gas, coal, pumpout

to moor overnight. Despite the hot weather, about 15 people took part in a guided walk up the remains of the canal and we will probably repeat this next year, which will be the 150th anniversary of the canal reopening in 1873.”

MORE than 1200 visitors recently supported the inaugural Standedge Pride event hosted by the Canal & River Trust.

The event featured a drag DJ set by Gypsy Darling and a reading of Rab and his Lucky Shell by Andrea Bowker. Stallholders included local LGBTQ+ organisation The Brunswick Centre. UNISON and West Yorkshire Police also joined in the celebrations.

Luke Clark from CRT helped to organise and host the event. He said: “I’m hugely proud to

A thumbs up from visitors to the Standedge Pride event.

PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

have helped bring the first ever Pride event to Standedge. It’s been amazing to see so many people coming along to support and show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

“People never thought they would see a Pride event in Marsden and have been full of thanks for putting this on and creating a safe, friendly space to celebrate and relax.”

This year the trust is celebrating 21 years since the rebirth of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the grand reopening of Standedge Tunnel.

Hundreds attend NBTA Hackney Protest Picnic

Barby Lane, Barby, Rugby. CV23 8UJ Tel: 01788 890486 Mob: 07899 651306 Email: info@barbymoorings.co.uk Web: www.barbymoorings.co.uk

BOATERS, local residents and land-based supporters turned out in force to attend the National Bargee Travellers Association’s (NBTA) Hackney Protest Picnic.

It was held on Walthamstow Marshes opposite the Anchor and Hope pub. On a day lit by glorious summer sun, the capital’s boating community came together in a joyous show of solidarity and celebrated their life on the water with conversation, live music, mural painting, refreshments and a vegan barbecue.

With hundreds in attendance, the event was a chance for local, land-based residents to learn more about boaters and to hear about the lively and ongoing campaigns to preserve their way of life.

Marcus Trower, NBTA London branch secretary and one of the event’s organisers, said: “London’s boater community have endured years of attacks on their way of life. This protest picnic was an opportunity to not only draw attention to the issues that boaters are facing from the Canal & River Trust, but to also celebrate our unique

Painting a Boats are Homes mural. PHOTO: JADE WRIGHT

community, way of life and contribution to Hackney’s own rich public life.

“Those of us that have moored in Hackney consider spending time here to be an essential part of London’s boating culture and one of the joys of making our lives on water.”

The protest picnic came at a time of uncertainty for many and was the latest in a series of campaigning events. NBTA London branch chairman Ian McDowell explained: “This continued disregard for the people who live and work in these new ‘no mooring’ and proposed paid-for mooring areas drives boaters away from their livelihoods and out of their homes.”

NEWS 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk September 2022

PART OF MIDDLEWICH CANAL CENTRE

Above: Richard preparing his next episode.

Left: ‘Narrowcaster’ Richard Goode.

Possibly the most relaxing podcast you’ll ever hear Words & photos: Phil Pickin

FOR those of you who’ve never heard of Nighttime on Still Waters (NoSW), it can best be described as a podcast like no other and probably best described by its creator Richard Goode.

On his website, he explains: “NoSW is a narrowboatbased audio journal on canal life, living aboard, the elements and the night.

Perfect late-night listening for dreamers, insomniacs, night owls, nocturnalists, drifters and nomads.”

For many, the weekly episodes are something of a well-kept secret, but one that is quickly spreading. At the time of writing, there are around 90 freely available episodes providing about 40 hours of listening.

Each lasting around half an hour, the episodes have a cosy and embracing feel to them, a feeling Richard was looking to convey. With so many podcasts, blogs and vlogs available covering the waterways, NoSW is different.

Yes, it is produced on a narrowboat, but, as Richard explains, the boat is almost a backdrop.

Richard and his wife Donna live aboard a 58ft narrowboat called Erica, named after Richard’s mother. They have only lived aboard since 2019, but life afloat is not unusual for the university lecturer who was born on the canal. His family lived on a converted ship’s lifeboat in the south of England for many years before moving on land, something his mother found hard to acclimatise to.

Despite this, the move to live on the system wasn’t one that Richard initially found appealing. With memories of a canal system that had fallen into disrepair, he needed a couple of holiday hires to convince him. Eventually, the couple bought Erica, had a few alterations made and moved

aboard. Home for them is in the Warwickshire area, falling, as it does, conveniently between Richard’s and Donna’s work locations.

Richard has always written journals and although he wanted to make his work available to a wider audience, he didn’t want to create just another blog. He also feels that producing just words is “restrictive as you can convey so much more with audio”. As a result, he ‘narrowcasts’ episodes every Sunday, including observations of the environment surrounding them.

The weather too features prominently, as it does to anyone who lives or spends time afloat. He deliberately leaves any background sounds to give a more authentic feel, enriching his descriptions of life on the canal system.

For Richard, late-night radio listening has always had a special place in his affections. He long remembers the nights searching across the wavelengths to listen to broadcasts from far-flung places. He remembers this often happening when, as a youngster, he should have been in bed asleep.

As a result, these radio scans were done using a small radio tucked under the blankets, often with the rain beating on the window or the wind blowing through adjacent trees. It is this feel he set out to convey and one he has been very successful in producing. He even includes a weather report at the end of each one as a homage to the shipping forecasts many of us grew up with.

Despite NoSW primarily being a journal using the spoken word, there is a little music. Music that, as you might expect given my description, is soothing and gentle.

But if you are looking for poetry, excerpts of descriptive writing and soundscapes of the past week’s activities, you

have come to the right place and won’t be alone. Despite no definitive podcast listener figures being available, this naturally modest man mentioned that a podcast aggregator put NoSW in the top 5% of downloads at one point! Quite an achievement for something that is not commercial, has no advertising and never will, according to Richard.

The narrowcast now has listeners in every country, many of whom contact Richard to thank him for what he does and describe how his relaxing and soothing voice helps them. As a result of these interactions, he has noted that many come from men, many of whom may never have been exposed to poetry in the past.

He also notes that many of the locations from which he receives correspondence have no waterways in the way we do. No doubt a significant amount of online searching goes on by those who’ve never heard of a canal lock!

Despite this, Richard told me he visualises talking to just two listeners; these listeners are based on real people but are an amalgam of a far more significant number of people.

Describing NoSW is not easy; something you can’t say of Richard Goode, who is wonderfully descriptive when talking about the environment he finds himself in. But despite what I’ve mentioned earlier, this is not a poetry podcast.

The best thing to do is to listen for yourself but to do so when you are in a position to relax and appreciate it, and I don't think Richard would be at all insulted if you drifted off during an episode!

Nighttime on Still Waters can be downloaded from all of the major streaming services or accessed directly via https://www. noswpod.com

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12 IWA ROUND-UP

September 2022

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S AMY TILLSON

Visitors flock to Chester Canal’s 250th-year celebration FACED with a plethora of events in the area as the nation tries to catch up after Covid, organisers of the weekend celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the opening of the Chester Canal were concerned that the public may go elsewhere.

However, after an intense publicity campaign by IWA volunteers, all fears were dispelled when more than 1000 visitors rolled up to enjoy the free event on July 30-31.

There were nine trading boats at the event which pleased the organisers – the Chester & Merseyside branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) – and they were all well patronised by the public.

So much so that the pizza and cake stand trade boats sold out by Saturday evening and had to completely restock for the Sunday visitors. The Saturday evening commercial barbecue stall holder was also delighted, having only one burger and three sausages left at the close of the evening!

Blessed with improving weather and based around Tower Wharf close to the city centre, the opening ceremony featured Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The event had a waterways education programme for children, trade boats , live music and most popular of all was the local Aspara dance troupe and their pole-dancing routine.

Experts were on hand both to take visitors on guided tours of the historic inland port and to explain the role of the Chester Canal in the waterway network, especially the Shropshire Union canal system from its opening in 1772 to present day.

Decision makers impressed

The event, possibly coming so soon after Chester was named as the first Historic Inland Port in the UK, attracted a number of senior people from Canal & River Trust while councillors and the local MP, Chris Matheson, were also in attendance.

Jim Forkin, chairman of the IWA Chester & Merseyside branch, said: “As so many towns across the nation seek ways of finding a new purpose for their town centres and envy those with a canal or want their derelict canal restoring, Chester is incredibly fortunate having both a canal and a navigable river within the city centre.

“The problem is that they are not joined up, but with a relatively small amount of capital providing a

Smiles as a job worth doing is done in good time. PHOTO: IWA

Clearing Himalayan balsam at Haslam Park

The boats at Tower Wharf.

lock within the weir and maintenance of the Dee branch, boats could once again navigate out on to the Dee and up the river almost to the Welsh border with the economic benefits that would bring.”

Volunteers worked tirelessly at the event, safely mooring more than 30 narrowboats on the Friday afternoon and erecting gazebos, banners and marquees on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, several narrowboats failed to arrive as the route they were taking via the Anderton Boat lift, River Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal to Ellesmere Port became impassable due to the closure of the boat lift on the day they were expecting to be lowered on to the River Weaver.

Although primarily a celebration for Chester, three waterway restoration societies had stalls, with members of the Montgomery, Sankey and Manchester & Stockport canal societies meeting many members of the public.

Jim added: “There were many other events in the area that weekend to compete with Chester’s celebration and we were delighted with the visitor numbers to help make the event such a success. Once again, the public have demonstrated the popularity of the nation’s Coun Louise Gittins and Jim waterway system.”

Forkin open the event.

Get involved – work party dates PLEASE contact the branch to register an interest if you would like to attend one of these work parties. It is advisable to wear stout shoes, old clothing and take a waterproof. You may also want to take a packed lunch and any refreshments.

North West Fridays September 2 and 16 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Burslem Port Trust: Work party on the Burslem Arm,

Stoke-on-Trent. 10.30am-2.30pm.

Painting and vegetation clearance.

Contact: Dave Broome 07974 966253, dave.broome45@gmail.com Thursday September 15 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Monthly work party on

the Cheshire Locks (Trent & Mersey Canal, Kidsgrove to Wheelock).

10am-3pm. Painting and vegetation clearance. Contact: John Lawson 07940 878923, john.lawson@ waterways.org.uk Monday September 19 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Monthly

work party on the Uttoxeter Canal

working between Alton and Crumpwood. 10am-3pm. This month we will be carrying out vegetation management along the former towpath near Alton. The meeting point is across the road from Alton Station on Farley Lane ST10 4BY. Contact: Alison Smedley 01538 385388, allie.smedley@ waterways.org.uk East Sunday September 4 and Tuesday September 20 IWA Northampton Branch: Work

parties are usually held one weekday and one Sunday a month, along the Arm, 10am-2pm. The tasks usually include vegetation clearance, weeding, litter picking and painting at locks. Contact Geoff Wood geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk Tuesdays IWA Milton

Keynes

Branch:

Regular work party at Fenny

Lock on the Grand Union Canal.

9.30am-1.30pm. Work can include vegetation clearance, gardening, litter picking and painting. Work parties are dependent on weather. Contact Pat Durham on 07510 195918 or email pat.durham@waterways.org.uk West Tuesdays & Saturdays IWA West Country Branch (Taunton & Bridgwater): Work parties in the

Somerset area. 10am-1pm. Contact Mike Slade: mike.slade@waterways. org.uk on 07977 263840.

Branch talks and socials: IWA branches also host local waterway talks, walks and socials to share the wonder of the waterways. Many of these are open to anyone who wants to go along. Find something that’s on near you at waterways.org.uk/events

NINETEEN volunteers recently turned up at Haslam Park, Preston, for what has become an annual event – the Balsam Bash.

It was a record turnout with members of IWA Lancashire & Cumbria Branch, Lancaster Canal Trust and Friends of Haslam Park taking part.

The Lancaster Canal borders the park and so far, not a lot of balsam has reached the edges of the canal from the park.

The plan was to prevent seeds moving down Savick Brook which passes through the park into the Millennium Link between the canal and the River Ribble.

Himalayan balsam outcompetes the native plants, creating a monoculture which is bad for insects and other wildlife. It likes watercourses and when it dies back in winter its shallow roots do not bind the soil, leading to erosion.

The technique is to pull up the alien invader, roots and all, snap the hollow stems, put them on a pile and stamp on them. The piles are then left to quickly rot down. It’s very easy to pull up as the roots are so shallow.

By this date many of the plants were well grown and easy to spot but had not yet flowered and produced seeds.

Campaigners win battle to protect boaters’ facilities THANKS to campaigning from IWA, Fox Boats and the Middle Level Commissioners, Fenland District Council has reversed its decision to remove the important boaters’ facilities block on March Riverside.

When local IWA members first learned about the March Future High Street Fund, they were delighted that it recognised the potential of the waterway passing through the town and sought to improve visitor moorings and facilities. However, they then discovered that the proposed moorings had been cut and the vital boaters’ services had been ditched.

IWA wrote to Fenland District Council in April 2022 to make the case

The boaters’ facilities block on the Middle Level at March. PHOTO: EMILY SYRED for the retention of these services, emphasising that if the town of March is to attract visiting boaters to stop and contribute to the local economy, they need these facilities, which also benefit local river users. An IWA spokesman said: “We argued that there was a proven need for water, refuse disposal and pump-out services, as the only other facilities in the area, at Fox’s

Marina, may not be able to provide these services to the anticipated rises in boater numbers. We encouraged the district council to commit to waterside regeneration for all the benefits it brings to the area.

“Recently we had confirmation that Fenland District Council will be retaining the boaters’ facilities and investing in a new pump-out in the coming months.”

Volunteers collect two awards THE volunteers of IWA’s West Country Branch have recently been presented with two awards, which together amount to a significant endorsement of the work they have been undertaking on the local waterways over many years.

As reported in last month’s edition, the first award was presented by the chairman of Sedgemoor District Council at a Keep Sedgemoor Tidy event. The second award was from Canal & River Trust and was presented by Steve Manzi, CRT volunteer development co-ordinator for Wales and the South West, at a ceremony on July 20 at the Victoria Park Community Centre in Bridgwater.

This recognised the completion of 25,000 hours of volunteer activity on the Bridgwater & Taunton canal under

the two five-mile adoption agreements between IWA and CRT and was attended by several volunteers and CRT staff as well. Congratulations go to all the volunteers, past and present, on these great achievements.

Volunteers from IWA West Country branch with their Canal & River Trust award. PHOTO: CRT

13

www.towpathtalk.co.uk September 2022

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14 FREIGHT

September2022 2022 www.towpathtalk.co.uk September

Throw a pebble into a pond and watch the ripples radiate out…

Jonathan Mosse continues his monthly look at freight developments on the inland waterways.

incorporated into urban logistics and also aims to collect general waste which will be carried, on the return journey down river, for disposal at Belvedere.

The ‘last mile’ journey for these goods will be undertaken by zero-emission cargo bikes, from the city’s piers on to the roads of Central London. Currently running on 90% carbon-neutral hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), the river freight industry continues to explore alternative fuels for vessels to further reduce its carbon footprint.

GPS Marine is also in the news having just taken over Bennett’s Barges. The three tugs and 10 barges of Alan C Bennett and Sons Ltd will join the GPS fleet with a view to ‘offering a more flexible UK and EU operation for the benefit of customers on both sides of the Channel’.

As the driving force in the campaign to get more freight off roads and on to waterways, GPS Marine wants the Government to take a closer look at how waterways can contribute to the freight sector, with shorter journeys for lorry drivers thanks to barge traffic also able to take the load off long haul road journeys, while helping decarbonise the sector.

Earlier this month the Department for Transport published its Future of Freight

JULY’S Towpath Talk freight piece featured DHL and Livett’s pioneering ‘last mile’, light freight movements on the tidal Thames and already, not two months later GPS Marine, in conjunction with the Cross River Partnership (CRP) is trialling a mix of washroom supplies and stationery deliveries into the heart of the capital.

Launched on July 26 and backed by the Port of London Authority (PLA) this weekly flow represents a new era of opportunity for the river: one that it is hoped will be emulated across other UK urban navigations.

With deliveries into the capital set to hit one billion per year by 2030 – spurred on by changing shopping habits, largely triggered by the pandemic – river freight has the potential to reduce both congestion and pollution in London.

The pilot aims to assess how goods delivered by river and handled outside normal trading hours at Woods Quay (located at Embankment) can be

Unloading skips of stationery and cleaning products from KM Otter at Woods Quay. PHOTO: PLA

KM Otter arrives at Woods Quay, next to Waterloo Bridge. PHOTO: PLA

A skip loaded with stationery arrives at Woods Quay. PHOTO: PLA KM Otter loading stationery at the Dartford International Ferry Terminal – a facility now in Port of London Authority ownership. PHOTO: PLA plan. Campaigners say the inclusion of water freight, for what is believed to be the first time, is an important step but it doesn’t go far enough.

They support the vision of Transport Minister Judy Harrison for a ‘world-class, seamless flow of freight across our roads, railways, seas, skies and waterways’ and say the strategy is a welcome attempt to deliver a long-term strategy for freight.

But they add that ‘if the Government does not commit to waterways, including funding for navigation authorities, the benefits for people across skills, jobs,

Zero-emission cargo bikes distribute the stationery and cleaning products that have arrived at Woods Quay aboard KM Otter. PHOTO: CRP

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health and the environment will not be delivered.’

Cutting emissions

Obstacles to achieving fuller integration for barge and coastal maritime operators across the different freight channels include the closure of wharves, delays in planning permission to allow new riverside loading and unloading facilities and a lack of understanding, at ministerial level, of how waterway traffic can increase safety and reduce harmful emissions when compared with lorry transport.

The Government’s Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme aims to remove short-term financial barriers preventing companies moving away from road transportation and helping cut CO2 emissions. As such, it provides a potential mechanism in realising GPS Marine’s ambitions.

Due for review in 2024, one of the shortcomings of the current funding criteria is to inadvertently disadvantage light freight, resulting in extremely low numbers of successful applications.

The MSRS – Light Freight Analysis

Report, commissioned by the Thames Estuary Growth Board, sets out the current barriers and offers solutions which could help unlock better use of the Thames to move freight, alongside other waterways across the country.

The analysis considers both light and heavy freight and highlights a number of impediments as well as enablers.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence and guidance produced by waterway operators supporting movement of freight from roads on to inland waterways, and recommends: Changing the assessment criteria for river freight funding applications to take account of the additional barriers faced by waterborne operators; Encouraging innovation, particularly for light freight, through either adapting criteria or providing alternative funding avenues; Development of a pilot study to support light freight operations for specific movements to test alternative mode shift support mechanisms or initiatives; and Allowing grant funding for the purposes of capital expenditure, rather than purely for operating costs, particularly to unlock innovative light freight solutions.

Hopefully, Robert Courts – the relevant Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport – is listening!

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