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Issue 154, August 2018
APPEAL TO SAVE P14 STEAM TUG
HARBOUR’S FESTIVAL DEBUT
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BOAT REVIEW: SHROPSHIRE MAID
P68 Poirot star David Suchet dramatically declares the Braunston Historic Boat Rally open as Raymond passes under the Thomas Telford cast iron bridge watched by the crowd. Rally report on page 4. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES
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IF THE current dry spell continues, part of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal will be closed between Wigan Flight (from below lock 85) and Gargrave (from below lock 30) from Monday, July 30. In a water resource position statement issued on July 13, the Canal & River Trust announced the extension of restrictions
Green Flag awards
affecting canals in the north west where the prolonged period of dry weather has left low reservoir holdings. Jon Horsfall, head of customer service support at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’ve taken the decision to temporarily close part of the canal to boats very reluctantly and can assure
SIX more stretches of Canal & River Trust waterways have been awarded Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy, taking the total to 248.5 miles. These now include all of the Pocklington and Ripon canals as well as parts of the Lancaster, Chesterfield, Montgomery, Bridgewater & Taunton canals. The award recognises spaces that boast the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained and play an important role in the local community.
everyone on that stretch of the canal that we’ll reopen for navigation as soon as we possibly can.” But he stressed that despite the prolonged dry weather and current heatwave, the vast majority of the CRT network is available for boaters and holiday-makers to enjoy as normal.
Festival campaign
THE Inland Waterways Association will use its Festival of Water in St Neots over the August bank holiday weekend to highlight its view that the Environment Agency, which manages the Anglian navigations, needs more funding. It will also promote the potential offered by proposed waterways between Bedford and Milton Keynes linking the Grand Union Canal to the river Great Ouse and the Fens Waterways Link connecting the River Witham from Boston to the River Nene in Peterborough.
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“In particular, the reservoirs which feed the summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal have seen very little rainfall over the past few months and so we’ve been monitoring the situation closely and working with boaters and boating businesses to make best use of the available water,” Jon explained.
Severn wildlife
WORK has begun on a £19.7 million wildlife project on the River Severn thanks largely to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the European Union LIFE programme. Unlocking the Severn for People and Wildlife is being run by the Canal & River Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, Environment Agency and Natural England. It will reopen 158 miles of the River Severn to fish, by creating routes around physical barriers preventing migration to critical spawning grounds.
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10 COMMUNITY BOATING
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Bringing sunshine on the River Soar By Janet Richardson
A LEICESTER charity has celebrated the launch of its new community boat which will enable more people with disabilities to enjoy trips on the River Soar. Built by MGM Boats at Thurmaston on to a hull from Star Line Boats of Nuneaton, Sunbeam II is a wide beam which can carry 12 passengers, up to four in wheelchairs. Its facilities include a hoist, kitchen, toilet facilities which can accommodate a wheelchair user and carer, as well as a light and spacious saloon and forward deck. Trustee and chairman of mosaic: shaping disability services Warwick Best explained that it replaces the original adapted narrowboat which was given to the charity in 1971. It then had an estimated lifespan of 10 years but finally went out of commission last year, having carried more than 50,000 passengers. Founded in 1898, mosaic is currently celebrating its 120th year. “It is very apt we acknowledge this milestone with the official launch of this craft. Seventeen years ago Sunbeam I had a major refurb and was also relaunched in June. It has served us very well,” he told users and supporters gathered for the launch. “Sunbeam is a vital part of mosaic; not just a day out with friends but a
The wide beam Sunbe a m
II.
Chairman of trustees Warwick Best, centre, with Leicestershire County Council chairman Coun Ozzy O’Shea and the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Diana Johnson. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON
chance to meet new friends and reduce isolation. A chance to stop off and have a bite to eat and to enjoy the beautiful countryside and it is beneficial to both mental and physical wellbeing.” It was decided to buy a wide beam boat in order to cater for today’s larger wheelchairs. The skippers formed a fundraising committee and a concerted effort by a number of groups and people helped to make it possible.
Completely run by volunteers, the boat provides day trips with a lunchtime stop on the river from its base at the Hope & Anchor at Syston.
Guests on the forward deck.
The wheelchair hoist.
Spacious toilet facilities.
Thanks were expressed to the trustees for going ahead with the new boat build and everyone who held events to raise money or made donations. The chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Coun Ozzy O’Shea, presented a plaque commemorating a £5000 Shire Community Grant towards the project, before the High Sheriff of
Leicestershire Diana Johnson cut the ribbon. She commented that the name Sunbeam II was incredibly apt on such a beautiful morning and praised the inspiring work of the volunteers to enable users to enjoy days away from the usual routine and isolation that a disability can cause. www.mosaic1898.co.uk
Tower of London welcomes Waterways Chaplains THE profile of chaplaincy to Britain’s waterways took a step up when chaplains from around the country met at the Tower of London for a service with a focus on this growing movement. The Tower’s own Chapel Royal was built by Henry VIII in 1520 and is steeped in history. It has its own regular congregation into which the visiting Waterways Chaplains, most of them identified by their distinctive gilets, were welcomed by Tower Chaplain Canon Roger Hall. A dignified Church of England service with choir and vestments was possibly not the usual Sunday fare for most of the chaplains present, but everyone felt welcomed with open arms in this colourful setting, the Tower grounds outside packed with tourists and visitors. BBC Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes delivered an engaging address, highlighting how “Waterways Chaplains walk the towpaths because Christ walked the Earth”. Her awareness of ministry to the waterways is informed by her experience of close family members being liveaboard boaters and she noted the necessity of practical neighbourliness and how assumptions can never be made about people’s personal circumstances. Pam stressed how some people gladly “run to the waterways” because of the attractive life they appear to offer, while others might be running to them because of what they need to leave behind. She commented on the high number of single older men living aboard boats,
T he M a ry A rc ha rd on the River Avon. PHOTO: CLARE CAPE
Wheelyboat trips on the Wilts & Berks Waterways Chaplains with actor David Suchet, centre, at the Tower of London. PHOTO: ANDREW TAYLOR many of whom risk isolation as health breaks down and age encroaches. The day at the Tower concluded for chaplains with a cream tea and time to be together. “New recruits for London and the Thames were there,” said Senior Chaplain, the Revd Mark Chester, “and this service was in part a celebration of 10 years since the first moves were made towards setting up what is now established very strongly. “It was also an opportunity to highlight that our growing band of over 70 Waterways Chaplains has something unique to offer in terms of practical pastoral care for the two million or so
people who live and work on and around our rivers and canals.” A notable celebrity narrowboat owner who just happened to be sharing in worship agreed to join the chaplains’ photograph afterwards. Actor David Suchet has owned four narrowboats and is about to embark on a search for number five. “We wish him well with his quest,” added Mark, “and, like so many others who cruise our 2000 miles of waterways, we know he will be glad that willing chaplains are there to share both the joy of the waterways and the trials of those who may be struggling behind the colourful exteriors of their boats.”
THE Wilts & Berks Canal Trust’s wheelyboat The Mary Archard will provide boat trips on the newly opened Pewsham stretch of the canal on the Saturdays of August 11, September 8 and October 13. It will also be available for trips along the River Avon during the Melksham Food & River Festival, September 1-2. Local branch chairman Dave
Maloney said a suitable slipway had been constructed at Pewsham for The Mary Archard, which has a wind-down ramp at the bow enabling wheelchairs and buggies to be easily wheeled on board. The trust can also offer trips on another open stretch of canal at Swindon on board its narrowboat Dragonfly, which is fitted with a hydraulic ramp.
● The local branch is always keen to welcome volunteers in various roles including work parties, fundraising, project management and research. Visit www.wbct.org.uk For trips on D ra g onfl y , visit www.wbct.org.uk/experience/ take-a-boat-trip
COMMUNITY BOATING 11
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The regatta included competitive bell boat racing. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Minister joins the fun at Rivertime regatta THE Rivertime Boat Trust and Give Them a Sporting Chance staged the second Rivertime Accessible Regatta in the Thames Valley for children and young people with disabilities. Held at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Berkshire, the regatta included competitive bell boating, accessible sailing, wheelchair powerboating and canoeing, as well as a variety of land-based sports and training activities. Nine organisations provided 18 different participatory sports and activities, including eight water sports, and this allowed more than 300 children and young people from 23 special educational needs (SEN) schools based across six counties, a unique chance to get out on the water in a safe and controlled environment and try a new sport or activity they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do. They were ably supported by more than 40 volunteers from the Rivertime Boat Trust and Rotarians. The Minister of State for Disability, Health & Work, Sarah
Children were given the chance to get out on the water. Newton MP, officially opened this year’s regatta and its patron, Paralympic gold medallist Naomi Riches, who addressed the guests, was supported by fellow Paralympians Rachel Morris, Katie-George Dunlevy, Jeanette Chippington, James Fox and Giedre Rakauskaite. Esme O’Connell, the T20 World Para Athletics Long Jump World Champion, who is a student at Alfriston School, also addressed the guests. Simon Davis co-founder and
chairman of Rivertime Boat Trust, which staged the event with Give Them a Sporting Chance, said: “The Trust aspires to stimulate children and young people with disabilities to develop a long-term involvement with accessible sports and seeing the children having such a fantastic time was a crowning achievement for everyone involved; from our incredible volunteers to the wonderful organisations that helped to run the activities.”
Take care when choosing a CO alarm RECENT reports about non-working imported carbon monoxide (CO) alarms sold on internet shopping sites have prompted the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) to issue a timely warning. It has teamed up with the Council of Gas Detection & Environment Monitoring (CoGDEM) to urge boaters to choose one from the list of CO alarms suitable for boats as recommended by the makers of independently certified products – the list can be found on the home page of the BSS website. BSS manager Graham Watts said: “Reports of new alarms not working out of the box are very concerning, so our advice to anyone worried that they have bought a non-functioning alarm for their boat, is to reassure themselves by looking for the Kitemark or LPCB Certification Mark. “Incident reports collected by the BSS
show that properly certified CO alarms have repeatedly protected skippers and crews from the hidden dangers of CO and ought to be regarded as part of the boat’s essential safety equipment.” CO alarms certified to BS EN 50291-2 are the best choice for boats, but if you have a CO alarm BSI or LPCB certified to BS EN 50291, or 50291-1, CoGDEM’s advice is to keep it, test it routinely and when it needs replacing, choose a unit certified to BS EN 50291-2. Alarms not only warn people about immediately dangerous amounts of CO, they can alert people to the presence of the lower, but still health affecting, levels. More information about staying safe from CO on boats is available at www. boatsafetyscheme.org/co
20 EVENTS ROUND-UP
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Canal festival crowds bask in glorious sunshine
Visiting dignitaries ready for a boat trip. PHOTOS: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
Paddle sports activities on the basin.
A RECORD crowd witnessed a Lancaster bomber flying over Staveley Town Basin, followed by a Dakota the next day. These were just two of many highlights at the Chesterfield Canal Festival held over the weekend of June 30-July 1. At the festival staged by the Chesterfield Canal Trust, all four of its tripboats were in action carrying more than 800 passengers into Hartington Harbour, the newly built section of canal that was being used for the first time. The trust’s volunteers have spent several years building this section and their superb work drew admiring comments from everyone. Festival director David Kiddy said afterwards: “We could not be more pleased with the festival. It brought pleasure to thousands of people, showed off the fabulous construction work done by our volunteers and demonstrated yet again what an asset the canal is to the area. “This strengthens the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s resolve to get the remaining nine miles of canal restored.” Dozens of would-be navvies, young and old, had a go at driving a digger, while others chose to cool off in canoes provided by Pleasley Canoe Club, which
also organised canoe polo matches. The Newfoundland Training and Demonstration Team proved a real hit with several shows involving these huge dogs who clearly love being in the water and rescuing people. Other attractions included birds of prey, archery, lots of children’s rides, a bouncy castle, radio-controlled boats, a glitter painter and vintage vehicles. Encounter Exotics brought all manner of exciting animals, while the steamroller, Old Faithful, was a magnet for photographers. There was entertainment all day including music, dance and street theatre, both in the big marquee and outside by the lock. As you would expect there were dozens of stalls of every type including holistic massage, home-made cakes, bonsai trees, old tools, canal art, the RSPB – the list was long. All the catering and coffee stalls did a roaring trade, with the longest queues for Frederick’s ice cream. Brampton Brewery had to send for extra supplies of real ale several times and its cooling equipment was running at full power. There were two evening concerts.
Tripboats John Varley II and Seth Ellis at Tapton Lock during the Monday cruise.
Steamroller Old Faithful was a magnet for photographers. The Swing Commanders went down a storm on the Friday, while Some Antics plus Judy Dunlop and Jon Scaife, proved very popular on the Saturday. The view through the marquee’s wall of windows across the basin to the setting sun could not have been more spectacular. Finally, on the Monday, there was a flotilla of all four tripboats from Staveley Basin right up the canal to the floodgate at St Helena’s and back, with stops both ways at Hollingwood Hub and Tapton Lock. This proved very popular and delighted regular towpath users, who were not used to seeing lots of boats sailing by.
Tripboat Seth Ellis entering the newly built Hartington Harbour. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
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O wd Lanky Boaters G roup stands at the Country Fest event. PHOTO: FRANK SANDERSON
Boaters add interest at country show LOCAL boating groups were among the exhibitors at the recent Country Fest held on the Westmorland county showground at Crooklands near Kendal, writes Frank Sanderson. There was something for all the family at this interesting and friendly show with a wide variety of exhibits. These included vintage cars and motorcycles, dog shows and performances, kite flying, craft stalls and all manner of trade stands. The Lancaster Canal Trust, which ran trips in its boat Waterwitch from the adjacent towpath, was well represented by volunteers taking time to chat to visitors.
Volunteers on the Inland Waterways Association stand were promoting next year’s IWA Trailboat Festival, which will coincide with the bicentenary of the building of the Lancaster Canal. The Owd Lanky Boaters Group and Lancaster Canal Boat Club had a large joint stand, complete with vintage boat Whimbrel and models of lock and tunnel systems. Also on display was the thriving canal art Roses and Castles, painted by their members. The entire ‘boating people’, as they are affectionately known, made an attractive and informative display.
Thames stalwarts recognised at awards ceremony By Elizabeth Rogers
The route to restoration THE festival was launched on the Friday afternoon with boat trips into the newly built Hartington Harbour for visiting guests and supporters. On a blisteringly hot afternoon, speakers in the marquee included Chesterfield Canal Trust publicity officer Rod Auton who spoke passionately about the restoration and future plans. He said the festival had first been held in Worksop in 1988 and most recently took place at Staveley two years ago. Rod outlined the history of the canal which opened in 1777 and was the last and most advanced canal to be designed by James Brindley. After the collapse of the Norwood Tunnel in 1907, it was thought that it wasn’t worth repairing so the Derbyshire end of the canal was left to rot. By the 1960s the canal was in a sorry state and amid fears that it would close completely, local people
Chesterfield Canal Trust publicity officer R od Auton speaking at the festival launch. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
started campaigning to save it. Only 16 locks worked and more than 20 miles needed to be repaired. The first lock to be reopened was that at Tapton, Chesterfield, in 1990 and the fastest part of the restoration saw 22 locks restored in just 54 weeks. Since 1989, 12 miles, 37 locks and 117 road bridges have been restored and there are nine miles to go to link the two ends of the 46-mile canal. This includes an eight-mile pound which will be replaced by 17 locks so there is still a lot of work to be done. The aim has been to complete the restoration in time for the canal’s 250th anniversary in 2027 and would have been much further on had it not been for the announcement of the HS2 route which blighted the trust’s bid for funding. Following negotiations, things have now improved dramatically with the revised route now only crossing the canal twice. “A fully restored Chesterfield Canal would be worth over 1000 full-time equivalent jobs. The canal matters to Chesterfield, to the region and to the country,” Rod added. Trust chairman Robin Stonebridge said that over the last 40 years, people had slogged their guts out to make the restoration happen. “If it had been located 150 miles to the south, it would have been restored years ago,” he commented. If the Chesterfield Canal could eventually be linked to the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation via the Rother Valley Link it would form part of a 110-mile ring which would be a magnet for tourism.
THE annual Thames Heritage Trust awards recognise individuals and groups who have made the most significant contribution to the life and well-being of the river. At the ceremony hosted by the River Thames Society, the John Coleman Trophy for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution went to George Mellett. A former seaman who is now a member of the Marine Volunteer Service, his association with the water began as a boy when he joined the Twickenham Sea Cadets. He has served on and skippered vessels for Thames-based activities, including the Thames Venturer for the River Thames Boat Project. The Bil family of Steve, Dilly and Charlie received the RTS Shield for the most significant contribution to river life and the Durant Cup for an individual was presented to Paul Coleman for, as well as much more, keeping the awards, which had been initiated by his father, in operation. Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts received the award for volunteer youth activities. At 109 years old, it claims to be the oldest sea scout group
R iver Thames S ociety president Lord O wen, second right, presents the R TS S hield to the Bil family: Charlie, Dilly and S teve. in the world and already has plans to use the monetary part of the award towards the purchase of a skerry for rowing purposes. The two branch awards were presented to Shepperton Slalom Canoe Club to help with the cost of equipment and to Skerries for Schools, a Richmond and Kingston-based charity. Awards were presented by RTS
G eorge M ellett, in M arine V olunteer S ervice uniform, receives the John Coleman Trophy from Jeanette Bird. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
president Lord Owen and by its administrator Jeanette Bird at the recent AGM which included a report from chairman Peter Finch and the election of council members. At the subsequent council meeting Peter was re-elected chairman with two vice-chairmen – Les Jones for the non-tidal section and Jack Betteridge for the tidal section of the river.
K arin Noble, leader of Petersham & Ham S ea S couts, receives the Thames Heritage Trust Award from Jeanette Bird, Thames Heritage Trust administrator.
42 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
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78 BUILDERS
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