TowPath Talk May 2017

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More than 25,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors are expected at the annual showcase for the inland waterways. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

Fun for all the family at the UK’s top inland waterways festival CRICK Boat Show offers a fantastic day out for all the family with dozens of boats to look round, free boat trips, live music, children’s activities, a real ale marquee and a large variety of food and drink stalls.

The annual event, which is organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina, is the UK’s biggest inland waterways festival with 300 exhibitors from across the canal world, and more than 25,000 visitors expected to attend the show, which spans three days at the end of May. Show director Peter Johns said: “We are looking

Crick facts • 19th Crick Boat Show – first held in 1999 • Over 25,000 visitors expected to attend • 26,884 people visited in 2016 • 300 exhibitors • 32,000m2 exhibition space • 20 food stalls and 1 large bar • 15 bands and entertainers • 50 boats exhibiting, including historic working boats • 4 trip boats • 300 camping pitches

forward to welcoming people to our 2017 Crick Boat Show, which once again will create the nation’s biggest inland boating marketplace alongside the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire.

“All children aged 16 and under will receive free entry to the show, making it a fantastic value family day out over the bank holiday weekend.

“And with live music being such an important part of the atmosphere, we are looking forward to welcoming T-Rextasy to the stage as our headline act this year, as well as dozens of bands performing during the three show days.”

Crick Boat Show 2017 will be open from 10am till 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28 and from 10am to 5pm on Monday, May 29.

Evening entertainment, which is included in the price of the same day ticket to the show, runs from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

Ticket prices start at £12 per adult if booked in advance, £15 on the day. All children aged 16 and under go free. Senior citizens and concessions are £10.80 in advance, £13.50 on the day. Three-day tickets are also available for £23.20 per adult in advance, or £29 on the day. Senior citizens and concessions are £20.80 in advance, £26 on the day.

Crick Boat show is situated at Crick Marina, West Haddon Road, Crick, Northamptonshire NN6 7SQ; from M1 Jct 18, take A428 towards West Haddon, bypassing the centre of Crick village.

For tickets and more information visit www. crickboatshow.com or call 01283 742970.

Advance ticket sales close online at midnight on Sunday, May 21, and by phone at 4pm on Monday, May 22.

Issue 139, May 2017

T-Rextasy to headline on Saturday night

Activities for the younger visitors

FORTY years after the death of glam-rock star Marc Bolan, the T-Rextasy tribute band will headline the entertainment programme in the Wheatsheaf Bar on Saturday, May 27.

The world’s only official live tribute band dedicated to Marc Bolan and T-Rex, T-Rextasy recreates the legendary band’s outrageous glam-rock days.

They will be performing some of Marc Bolan’s biggest hits, including Ride a White Swan, Jeepster, Telegram Sam, Teenage Dream, The Groover, 20th Century Boy, Get it On, and I Love to Boogie.

The Fleetwood Bac Tribute Show and Murphy’s Marbles will perform

THERE is free entry for children on all three days of the Crick Boat Show.

Bring along the whole family on any day of the show, or all weekend, and pay only for the adults, providing excellent value for parents, grandparents and carers.

Free face painting will be provided by the LNBP Community Boating on the Quayside, who will be collecting donations towards their charity.

The Canal & River Trust will be providing many fun activities for all ages in the Heritage and Wildlife marquee including colouring, ‘build

at Crick on the Sunday evening and during the day on Saturday, music will include country blues from The Goat Roper Rodeo Band and gypsy jazz from Swing Gitan.

On Sunday there will be country folk from Serious Sam Barrett and newgrass, bluegrass and Americana music from The Old Grey Dogs, while on Monday, visitors can enjoy French-style accordion music and gypsy jazz from Bon Accord and blues from Jacksboro Highway.

For more information, including the full line-up of acts, visit www. crickboatshow.com, call 01283 742970 or visit www.facebook.com/ crickboatshow.

T-Rextasy will be reliving the glamrock days at Crick. PHOTO SUPPLIED

a canal’ activities and rose painting on your own terracotta flower pot to take home.

There will be an interactive wildlife display in the RSPB marquee in the show village, inspiring you to give nature a home in your garden and join in with hands-on activities for all the family. Give the birds in your garden something tasty to munch on by getting messy and making your own apple feeder and bird kebab to take away.

There will also be bumper boats on water and bumper cars on land as well as inflatable slides, bouncy castles and bungee trampolines.

Browse around the show village

Everything from boat fittings and furnishings to crafts and artisan foods. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

THE show village is home to a large number of exhibitors, both inside and out.

As well as showcasing products and services including boat brokerage, insurance, engines and electrics, boat fittings and furnishings, crafts and artisan foods, there is also a bar with daytime and evening entertainment, a food court and VIP tea room.

Other attractions include boating-related talks, heritage and wildlife features and a free fairground and kids’ activities area.

It is also home to the land-based boat display and a great place to pick up some exclusive show-only offers and bargains.

And while you’re there, don’t forget to call in at the Towpath Talk stand, pick up our June edition and have a chat with the team.

Bumper boats and cars will bring the thrill of the dodgems.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

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Issue 139, May 2017

ANNIVERSARY AQUEDUCT CROSSING P2 TRIO TACKLE OLD BEDFORD RIVER P4

DREDGING: BACK TO THE LAND P14

Restored historic narrowboats Dane and Saturn round the turn at Fradley Junction on their way to the Easter Gathering at Ellesmere Port’s National Waterways Museum. The two trusts that own and operate the boats have agreed to work closely together at appropriate events. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

Engineer’s legacy to waterway restoration

By Janet Richardson

BOAT REVIEW: SLIMLINE WIDEBEAM P64 LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?

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FOUR waterway restoration projects have benefited from a £200,000 legacy bequeathed to the Inland Waterways Association by its former honorary consultant engineer Tony Harrison.

The winning bids were selected from 28 applications and reflect his wide range of interests. The money awarded will help restore three locks and rebuild

an infilled canal bridge, unlocking nearly six miles of canal or navigable river to waterway users.

Sharing in the legacy are: • Pocklington Canal Amenity ty Society t y, which receives £106,400 towards its bicentenary appeal to extend the navigable canal by two miles by 2018.

• Montgomery Canal Partnership celebrates a £70,000 award to help rebuild Schoolhouse Bridge, a major

boost to restoring a two-mile length of the canal between Crickheath and Llanymynech.

• Friends of the Cromford Canal receive £15,000 to install a replacement water gate to permit a more reliable, regulated water supply.

• River Stour Trust’s £8600 grant makes up the balance needed to progress with the restoration of Stratford St Mary Lock, opening an additional

1.75 miles of navigable river.

The awards were announced at the Canal & River Restoration Workshop held in Wolverhampton on April 1.

IWA trustee Jonathan Smith said that Tony Harrison had a lifelong interest in water and was an IWA member for more than 50 years during which time he served on the restoration committee for 20 years, with five years as its chairman.

• Continued on page 3

Name change

Support for bid

London Boat Show

THE Canal & River Trust has dropped the term ‘enforcement’ from its team which is now known as Boat Licence Customer Support (BLCS). Roles within the team have also changed: enforcement supervisors (ES) become licence support supervisors (LSS); enforcement officers (EO) become licence support officers (LSO); boating co-ordinators (BC) become licence support advisors (LSA) and data collectors (DC) become licensing rangers (LR).

COTSWOLD Canals Trust and Stroud District Council have welcomed news that the Canal & River Trust is backing the bid to reconnect Stroud to the national canal network. CRT trustees have pledged £625,000 which will be spread over five years from 2018 if a Heritage Lottery Fund bid is successful. This is in addition to the support ‘in kind’ that the CRT can also provide.

BRITISH Marine Boat Shows, organiser of the London Boat Show, has announced plans for a shorter event for next year. From Wednesday to Sunday, January 10-14, 2018, the five-day event will open further away from the festive season, offering business and networking opportunities.

New attractions and shows within the event will include the Boating & Watersports Holiday Show and another exciting event to be announced soon.

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WELCOME AS WE look forward to Crick Boat Show with its crop of new craft making their debut later this month, we are increasingly seeing more than the traditional narrowboat emerging from the builders’ yards.

This is reflected in the annual Favourite Boat of Show competition which, for the first time, will have a second category for the most admired widebeam voted for by visitors.

And for those who wish to combine comfort and cruisability, Phil Pickin takes a look at a ‘slimline widebeam’ in this month’s boat review on page 64.

Whether licences should reflect the overall size of the boat continues to exercise the minds of boating organisations in response to the first stage of the Canal & River Trust review of boat licensing.

RBOA (Residential Boat Owners’ Association) recommends that all craft be charged on a footprint scale, to be defined by overall maximum craft length multiplied by overall maximum craft width, excluding removable fenders, while NBTA (National Bargee Travellers Association) is opposed to any rise in the cost of boat licences except for annual increases in line with inflation.

IWA (Inland Waterways Association) acknowledges that the present method of charging by length could be seen as unfair to boaters with smaller, narrower vessels and believes a further pricing differential could encourage people who would like to start out on a life of boating.

A canoe or kayak could be a low-cost entry and, according to the Canal & River Trust, nearly two million people are already participating with more people trying it every day.

Chief executive Richard Parry was among the people who took to canoes for an anniversary crossing of the Edstone Aqueduct, marking a pivotal point in the restoration of the South Stratford Canal – see Harry Arnold’s report on this page.

Thanks to all the readers who voted for our 2016 Volunteer of the Year award; the winner will be announced at a presentation event at Alvechurch on May 3 and reported in our June edition.

If you’re visiting Crick, do call in at our stand in the show village and meet the team.

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Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales team leader Matthew Hansom – mhansom@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Stuart Yule – syule@mortons.co.uk Christopher Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional advertising manager Billy Manning Direct sales executive John Sharratt Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004. Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – May 25, 2017

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Canoe crossing commemorates turning point in canal history

By Harry Arnold

MORE than 60 canoes made a spectacular sight when they recently crossed the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal’s Edstone Aqueduct – the longest in England.

It needed to be an outstanding event as it commemorated the 60th anniversary of an original canoe trip which not only saved this canal from closure but could also be described as a major turning point in the campaign to save Britain’s waterways.

In March 1957 the southern section of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was approaching dereliction and, encouraged by other enthusiasts from the Inland Waterways Association, the late Michael J Fox undertook a canoe trip along the waterway. He was accompanied by his younger daughter Geraldine and a then teenage John Pinder, who subsequently became a well-known boat builder.

As the craft were hired they demanded and obtained an official toll ticket from the navigation authority. This was to prove critical in law when Warwickshire County Council wanted to demolish Featherbed Lane Bridge and applied for a formal Act of Abandonment on the basis that the canal hadn’t been used in recent years. The toll ticket got the case thrown out and it led to the pioneer restoration scheme for the canal and its subsequent official reopening in 1964

by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, setting an example that many other restoration projects would follow.

Members of British Canoeing (BC), the IWA – particularly its Warwickshire Branch – the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal Society (SONACS) and representatives of the Canal & River Trust (CRT), completed the trip. Geraldine Dahlke, daughter of the late Michael Fox, also took part. John Pinder gave his support by meeting the participants at Edstone.

John said: “It was nice to see everyone out on the canal and commemorating the event. I had no idea that our original trip would have such a positive impact on the area and that it would escalate

The two canoes cross Edstone Aqueduct in 1957. PHOTO: SONACS to this scale. It is a marvel.” Ben Seal, places to paddle manager at British Canoeing, said: “The canals are a really precious resource for canoeists and this event celebrates an extremely important journey in history. The actions of John and Michael 60 years ago have since ensured that tens of thousands of paddlers can enjoy everything these waterways have to offer”.

Chairman of SONACS Clive Henderson said: “The foresight of two of our Stratford Canal Society founder members to plan their canoe trip from Stratford to Lapworth 60 years ago soon proved that the canal was used, thus providing evidence preventing its closure and abandonment.”

In one of the lead canoes, with Geraldine and Clive, was CRT chief executive Richard Parry. He said: “It was a pleasure to take part in the paddle, and also a very poignant reminder that 60 years ago we nearly lost this canal. Thankfully a handful of people recognised the value of retaining this waterway and fought for it to remain open, laying the foundations for its subsequent restoration by dedicated

More than 60 canoeists re-enact the picture in 2017.

PHOTOS: WATERWAY IMAGES UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

volunteers.” An interesting ‘tail-ender’ was a pedalo owned by Beryl Windsor and Steve Burt (Steve was safety officer for the event) which – unlike the canoes covered by the BC/CRT agreement – needed a licence. It didn’t even have a name, so they registered it with CRT

as Boaty McBoatface. The whole event was particularly well organised by volunteers of IWA Warwickshire Branch, SONACS and officers of BC and was a more than fitting tribute to the pioneer canoeists whose actions saved the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.

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Original participant and later canal boat builder John Pinder greets them at the aqueduct.

The leading canoeists at the rebuilt Featherbed Lane Bridge, which was the subject of the original closure proposals.

Beryl Windsor and pedalo Boaty McBoatface.

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Fears for future of lowland canal boating as Scottish hire fleet operator faces closure THE Inland Waterways Association has described the news that Capercaillie Cruisers will cease trading after the 2017 season as very bad news for the future of the Scottish lowland canals.

According to a company statement, factors behind its decision included an increase in Scottish Canals’ charges and restrictions on boat numbers at the Falkirk Wheel.

The holiday boat fleet consists

of Capercaillie-owned boats and a franchise operation with ABC, Black Prince and Marine Cruises companies.

The last eight seasons saw business grow from 16 to 21 boats.

IWA believes this will significantly reduce the number of boat movements and mean that very few people will now be able to experience boating on these restored waterways which need more boating activity, not less.

GEORGE LAUNCHED AT EASTER GATHERING

Watched by Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry, local Ellesmere Port MP Justin Madders officially launches the reconstructed horse-drawn Leeds & Liverpool short-boat George. The reconstruction is part of the Window on the World project in which the public can discover what life was like aboard the boat during her working days on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The launch was a highlight of this year’s Easter Gathering at Ellesmere Port’s National Waterways Museum. See full report next month. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES • Continued from page 1

Engineer’s legacy to waterway restoration IWA chairman Les Etheridge said that many restoration projects benefited from Tony’s advice and expertise throughout his long association with IWA. “This legacy will help generate positive momentum on four important restoration projects across the country.”

In his welcome to the workshop, Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry told delegates: “We are seeing ever more understanding of the value of having an inland waterway system.” As well as inspiring well being and economic viability, the outcomes of having a living waterway in a community delivered real benefits, he said.

“The work we do to increase, expand and restore the network is really bringing results and we are seeing the public mood swing behind projects which we wish to happen.”

Speakers during the day included Nick Ralls, general manager of the Severn Valley Railway, on the building of a sustainable volunteer workforce; Mike Palmer of the Waterway Recovery Group on the importance of a good health and safety culture and IWA marketing manager Alicen Stenner on the value of communication.

Break-out seminars were also held on a variety of topics.

It has asked Scottish Canals to reconsider its position and adopt a longterm strategy which aims to increase all forms of boating on its waterways.

IWA also disagrees with the Rotate project in which a static pontoon would be fitted to one of the caissons of the Falkirk Wheel, leaving just one caisson for use by the trip boat and any other boats wishing to travel between the two canals.

It is seeking assurance that the project will not affect the use of the wheel by either hire boats or private boats, as that would be contrary to the original purpose of the Falkirk Wheel as a millennium project to link the two restored canals.

Local tourism interests and Falkirk District Council say that they hope a solution can be found as loss of canal cruising would have a severe economic impact on the area.

TV Licensing reminder for boat owners WITH increasing numbers deciding to choose a life on water, TV Licensing is urging boat dwellers to ensure they are correctly licensed to watch TV. More than a quarter of today’s 33,000 boats moored on UK waterways are used as primary residences as opposed to 10 years ago when it was just 10% of 31,000 boats.

By law, residential boat owners need a TV licence to watch live TV, or to view catch-up TV on the BBC iPlayer. This is true no matter what device is used, how the programmes are received, or whether the boat is cruising or moored.

Caroline McCourt, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said: “A life afloat has become an appealing option for many, so it is important boat owners understand the same rules apply when it comes to watching TV.

“We don’t want anyone to be caught out of their depth if they are found watching live TV, or BBC programmes on iPlayer, on board without a valid licence. If caught, boat owners face prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.”

It’s easy to pay for a TV licence or update details online, using a forwarding address if necessary. There are many ways to spread the cost, including weekly, fortnightly or monthly cash payment plans and direct debit options, which can be set up quickly. You do not need a fixed address to receive your TV licence, as a licence can be arranged for your boat and sent to you by email.

Canal boat owners should visit tvlicensing. co.uk/info for more information about when a licence is needed.

Cruiser gutted in ‘accidental’ blaze FIREFIGHTERS from Loughborough and Birstall were called to Sileby Mill Marina on the River Soar when 15ft cruiser Salsiera burst into flames, writes Les Heath.

Classed as accidental, the blaze also destroyed the wooden pontoon where the boat was moored. No one was injured in the fire, which occurred at a point where the marina meets the river. Navigation was not affected.

The boat was completely gutted above the waterline and subsequently sank on its moorings.

The remains of the boat after it was removed from the water at Sileby.

PHOTO: LES HEATH

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Driffield Canal A WATERWAYS festival will mark the 250th anniversary of Driffield Canal in East Yorkshire.

One of the oldest navigations dating from the first Act of Parliament in 1767, it opened to boat traffic in 1770.

Driffield Navigation Trust, which runs the canal, and Driffield Navigation Amenities Association, which raises funds and carries out voluntary work, are planning the two-day celebration at Riverhead, in

Driffield on July 1 and 2. Canal enthusiasts are invited to the event, which will include a gala dinner dance for 250 in a marquee on the Saturday evening.

As well as boat trips and other activities, a fine old mill building, Mortimers, will be open to visitors for the first time during the celebration.

For more information, including visiting by boat, contact trust chairman David Hamilton on 01262 420271 or 07721 913401.

IN BRIEF Canalway cavalcade

WATERWAY Tales is the theme of this year’s pageant at the IWA Canalway Cavalcade over the early May bank holiday weekend. A parade of decorated boats will wend its way through The Pool at Little Venice on Saturday afternoon (April 29) following the official opening and on Sunday evening, a procession of illuminated boats. There will also be boat-handling competitions and, on Monday, a parade of historic and working craft. The event, which is run entirely by volunteers, opens from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday and 10am to 5pm on Monday. (See Treasure P110)

Boaters fined

FIVE boaters who did not register their vessels were recently landed with penalties totalling more than £5000. River inspectors found the boats moored on the Great Ouse, Little Ouse, Old West and Nene – all part of the Anglian Waterways network managed by the Environment Agency.

Peterborough Magistrates’ Court imposed the following fines and costs, totalling £5,166.10, on March 8: Glen Wheatley, Farcet, £827.99; Geoffrey Turner, Holbeach, £856.98; Stuart Baker, Hockwold, £898.71; Phillip Sunman, Eynesbury, £1208.71 and Anthony Hague, Soham, £1371.71.

Diverse area

THE Canal & River Trust is renaming its Manchester and Pennine waterway to Manchester, Pennine & Potteries. Waterway manager David Baldacchino explained: “The old name didn’t really reflect the diverse waterways that we look after through Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Staffordshire, and it’s important that it does. The addition of the Caldon Canal and part of the Trent & Mersey Canal to our waterways adds greatly to our already diverse area.”

Towpath toll STROLLERS could face fines if they walk down a stretch of canal in city centre Manchester at night in a bid to stop them falling in, writes Geoff Wood. The underground stretch of the Rochdale Canal has already been closed between 10pm and 7am. But from April 24, people who ignore the ban could be fined up to £100 and face a court summons. It is hoped that the public protection order from Manchester City Council will prevent future incidents. At least five people have died in the area over the last few years.

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Three go mad on the Old Bedford River!

NON-TIDAL access to the historic Old Bedford River was lost in 2006 when the Environment Agency closed Welches Dam Lock, thus stopping access to a waterway that had been navigated for more than 350 years.

Jeff Walters heads for the sluice gates at Salter’s Lode with Ever After, finally making it in the deeper-drafted boat after several attempts. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Since the closure various attempts have been made to access the Old Bedford from its outfall into the tidal Great Ouse. In 2009 Lois and Roy Parker succeeded in getting on to the river and through to Welches Dam in their shallow drafted cruiser, but no narrowboat is known to have managed it.

On April 4, 2017, veteran of several previous tries, John Revell, led another attempt in his 41ft narrowboat Olive Emily. He was joined by Chris Howes in his 45ft narrowboat Lily May and Jeff Walters in his 50ft narrowboat Ever After at Salter’s Lode lock on the Well Creek.

Currently access to the Old Bedford River can only be gained at low water on a ‘neap tide’ (which is the highest low tide, occurring only fortnightly). However because of silt build-up at the mouth of the river to the Great Ouse, there is only a few inches of water and the passage can be described as between ‘very difficult’ and ‘damn near impossible’! However

The three boats set off up the Old Bedford River.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

after much writhing about in the mud, and over an hour of trying, all three boats scraped through.

EA had kindly raised the water level in the river sufficient for comfortable passage to be made, and previous problems of cott weed and ‘bottoming out’ were avoided. Generally an obstacle to navigation, the guillotine gate at Welney had also been lifted.

All three boats enjoyed glorious Fenland views all the way to Welches Dam lock, and being unable to progress through the lock, turned and returned to Welney, where they sampled the hospitality of the excellent local pub, the Lamb and Flag, before overnighting.

In the morning the three returned to Salter’s Lode for low tide. Again it was very difficult to get through the sluice gates on to the Great Ouse, but after two hours of trying the happy trio and their mud-splattered boats finally made it!

They made it! The closed Welches Dam Lock just two miles from the navigable network. PHOTO: CHRIS HOWES

Crews of two of the three boats ready to take on the Old Bedford River.

From left on board Olive Emily are: Eddie Edwards, John Revell and, far right, David Venn and on Lily May are: Christine Colbert, Chris Howes and Ivan Cane. Both these are Fox narrowboats. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON An emotional John Revell observed: “I was one of the last boaters to use Welches Dam lock from Horseway Channel before EA suddenly piled across the lock entrance in 2006. I never thought it would take another 11 years to reach it from Salters Lode.

“I would like to give a big thank you to EA for their support this time, without which the trip would have failed. I’d also like to pay tribute to the late, great, inspirational Charlie Fox, it can be no coincidence that two out of three of the boats that made the difficult passage were Fox boats!”

Chris Howes commented: “After the great difficulties getting on to the Old Bedford through the silted-up estuary entrance, the journey itself was lovely.

“The huge frustration was that when we eventually made it to Welches Dam Lock we were only one closed lock and approximately two miles of

Through the guillotine gate at Welney. PHOTO: CHRIS HOWES de-watered channel away from the navigable network.”

Project Hereward restoration team member Jeff Walters added: “Can I make a heartfelt plea that EA continue this invigorating, fresh spirit of working together by now facilitating the entry of the IWA’s highly qualified engineers into Welches Dam Lock to assess the true extent of necessary restoration?”

NEWS 5

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Keeping a close watch on the Anglian waterways

By Janet Richardson

THE Inland Waterways Association will keep a sharp eye on the state of the Anglian waterways in the coming months, despite Government assurance that there is no immediate risk of further closures.

In a written reply to South Holland and The Deepings MP John Hayes, Defra minister Andrea Leadsom stressed that the Environment Agency has a statutory obligation to maintain navigation and takes its stewardship of the waterways very seriously. “The EA is doing all it can to make sure these navigations are sustainable in the future,” she stated.

Mr Hayes had written to waterways minister Dr Therese Coffey raising concerns on behalf of Lincolnshire IWA branch chairman Dave Carnell. As reported in Towpath Talk last month, questions have also been asked in the House of Commons by Northampton South MP David Mackintosh.

But according to IWA East Midlands regional chairman David Pullen, this is missing the point. “It is like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted; there are waterways closed.

“We are getting the same standard reply that nothing is wrong when we know of specific local examples such as Harlem Hill Lock – on the River Ancholme – so we are continuing to keep the pressure on.”

He told Towpath Talk that one of EA’s justifications for recent closures

– some dating back to 2006 – was the prioritisation of its resources where there is the greatest use. “But these things have been closed for years,” he pointed out. “If something is not usable people can’t use it, justifying their lack of maintenance because people are not using it is a circular argument.”

He continued: “Our next step over the coming season is to be extra vigilant where we notice that EA is not keeping facilities open. Some of these are a bit nebulous, for instance if a lock is temporarily closed because it is deemed dangerous, but on some of the navigable rivers, at least on the Nene and the upper reaches of the Thames, there are places which have not been dredged for years.”

The River Ancholme in Lincolnshire is currently unnavigable on to the Humber because the tidal channel into the estuary at South Ferriby has not been flushed by EA which is currently unable to make a definite commitment to reopen this statutory navigation. For boats moored on the River Ancholme this restricts their boating range to 17 miles between South Ferriby Lock and Harlem Hill Lock (another closed-off EA navigation structure).

The Old Bedford River in Cambridgeshire is another waterway which has suffered from lack of desilting in recent years – see report opposite.

“While narrowboats can possibly blast their way through shallows where the silt is soft, cruiser owners often won’t take the risk where a river is shallow due to

lack of dredging particularly on the inside of bends where it narrows the channel and makes it very dangerous. Valuable cruisers are much more vulnerable to serious damage,” he pointed out. All of the boats on the Ancholme are cruisers, many belonging to members of Glanford Boat Club in Brigg.

EA tends to concentrate on flood risk and assets such as weirs and sluices but incidents in recent years – such as the Somerset Levels – had seen it pilloried in public for choosing not to dredge.

And while he viewed Andrea Leadsom’s reply as a positive fact which shows the EA is taking it seriously, David stressed: “We will be keeping on the case.”

Pilot project

While talks continue on the transfer of 620 miles of EA-managed river navigations to the Canal & River Trust, other moves affecting the management of the waterways have been taking place.

The Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA) has announced that Defra has given the green light to a number of pilot projects to ‘de-main’ certain sections of main river across the country.

This process involves investigating the passing of river maintenance and operational activities from EA to Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) where there is mutual agreement, a locally generated appetite and benefit to do so.

If successful, these pilots will lead to the

David Pullen steers nb Rhoda Ellen out of Fulney Lock during last year’s campaign cruise on the River Welland. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Machines on the South Forty Foot drain for Black Sluice IDB working on behalf of the Environment Agency to improve water flow, storage and flood protection. PHOTO: BSIDB permanent passing of these activities to the IDBs concerned.

One of the five drains involved is the South Forty Foot (Black Sluice Navigation) – part of the proposed Fens Waterway Link – which will transfer to the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board (BSIDB). Others include the River Ancholme and the Norfolk and Suffolk rivers.

David said he understands one of BSIDB’s first actions will be to dredge the drain all the way to the Black Hole Drove Pumping Station at Pinchbeck, something that EA was seemingly not prepared to do. This will enable boats to navigate a further eight miles of the Fens Waterways Link route. “We are very encouraged by the fact that BSIDB is taking over the drain and will continue to press for navigation authority duties to be clarified.”

At the moment EA acts as the navigation authority but it is not clear whether: a) EA will remain as navigation authority even if it has given up drainage function; b) BSIDB will become the navigation authority, which IWA would be reasonably comfortable with because it has experience of working with the Witham Fourth IDB and Middle Level Commissions, both of which maintain navigations.

But a third option would be the best as far as IWA is concerned: “We think the Canal & River Trust could easily operate that navigation so we would like it to be part of the transfer.”

David pointed out that these drains were mostly financed by local landowners also wishing to transport produce and were designed to cope with boats, such as at Cowbridge Lock

Campaign cruise IWA plans to repeat its successful campaign cruise on the River Welland between May 23-29, allowing boats to visit the Sleaford Navigation Trust’s 30th reopening anniversary boat gathering at South Kyme over the early May bank holiday weekend and remain in the South Lincolnshire area with possibilities for cruising the Witham Navigable Drains and the Black Sluice Navigation. It may also be possible for boats with a low air draft to cruise the River Glen through Surfleet and inland as far as Tongue End. on the Witham Navigable Drains near Boston. But they did not establish a navigation authority and the ability to raise revenue.

“We have discovered that although EA spent all that money on the Black Sluice Lock (opened in 2009), it appears there is not any legislation which gives it the right to raise income from it. But this is an anomaly because it charges a fee for boats entering the Black Sluice Navigation.”

Prior to EA and its predecessor, the National Rivers Authority, there were a lot of local river boards borne out of local drainage commissioners and bodies which fought to have their rivers improved.

“Some of these anomalies and bylaws have never been sorted out since the waterways were nationalised. This is one of several background reasons why maintenance can slip; we are going to keep a close eye on these and places where boats are currently unable to go.”

6 NEWS

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Promising start to Tunnel Vision Appeal THE Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has reached an important milestone on the way to its Tunnel Vision Appeal’s £1 million target by early 2019.

At the time of going to press, the appeal had raised £200,000 since being launched by vice-president and renowned actor David Suchet on the IWA stand at the London Boat Show in January.

Treading in the path of historic canal visionaries such Brindley, Wedgwood and Telford who overcame major obstacles, the trust’s vision for restoring the Lichfield Canal faces a difficult obstacle.

It is hoped that by working closely with Staffordshire County Highways, which plans to extend the adjacent Lichfield Southern Bypass under the Cross-City railway line in 2019, the canal tunnel can be constructed at the same time, subject to its own funding.

David Dixon, L&H Trust chairman, said: “The tunnel is a vital part of the restoration as there is no alternative route. Leaving it to some future time would be a missed opportunity, and would undoubtedly be far more expensive.

Grant for Burscough towpath work

By Colin Wareing

THE towpath from Burscough Wharf to Wheat Lane swing bridge is to be resurfaced and upgraded thanks partly to a grant awarded to the Canal & River Trust by West Lancashire District Council.

This route is popular with people walking from the regenerated Burscough Wharf to the old dry dock, the locks and the Ship Inn at the junction with the Rufford branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and is part of the Pier to Pier, Southport to Wigan cycleway.

The £150,000 grant will be added to the £30,000 that the

Canal & River Trust has available for the work, and has come from the Community Infrastructure levy, which is applied to new building within the local council area and then used to improve the local infrastructure.

West Lancashire District Council held a public consultation, after the suggestion from Burscough Parish Council, to ask for comments which were considered when the councillors voted on which proposal to fund.

The grant was awarded following the consultation to which 33 people responded. It is planned to complete the work by 2018.

Actor David Suchet launching the Tunnel Vision Appeal at the London Boat Show. PHOTO: L&HCT “While the canal may not be fully connected at this stage, the tunnel will serve as a safe off-road community link between two proposed new housing

estates bordering the canal.”

For more details and to make donations, visit the website at www.lhcrt. org.uk/suchet.htm

Mooring signs described as ‘visual pollution’

By Elizabeth Rogers

THE Oxford Preservation Trust has responded to complaints in letters to the local press about the erection of notices on its land at Swinford Meadow, which runs alongside the River Thames at Eynsham.

The signs, which have been placed at intervals along the meadow – of a length that provides a walk of around 15 minutes – give details of charges for moorings and the penalty for overstaying.

Complaints describe the signs as ‘serial intrusion of the environment and a form of visual pollution’, ‘despoiling the countryside’ and ‘punishing all for the sins of a few’.

Thetrust’s landofficerRachel Sanderson responded by explaining the reasons for the new signage, which was installed in January. She said that the trust had bought the land 17 years ago to preserve it as an open space to be enjoyed by all and described it as beautiful Thames-side meadow with its traditional native wild flowers. The remnants of the medieval ridge and furrow farming system can still be seen and the meadow is managed in the correct manner by grazing.

It also provides pleasure for boaters as they travel up and down the river, she added, as well as for the local community.

Miss Sanderson said that in common with other landowners, the trust had

been experiencing problems with boaters overstaying moorings, which if they are permanent require planning permission.

The signs indicate the charges for the temporary mooring at the site, which are free for 24 hours and £5 a day for an extension of not more than two additional days. Fines of £100 are imposed if boaters stay longer.

While the trust would prefer not to install the signs, it has done so to prevent inconvenience to other people including anglers with fishing rights and to regulate the towpath so as to make the area enjoyable for everybody, she added.

The charges and fines are administered by another company on behalf of the trust.

What’s in a name? Float your ideas and maybe win a prize!

BOAT owners are being asked to help in the hunt to find the best boat names by MS Amlin, formerly Haven Knox-Johnston, boat insurance specialists.

The idea was prompted by the company’s own name change to become MS Amlin, now part of a top 10 global insurance group able to offer cover for all types of craft, all around the world.

Keith Lovett, MS Amlin’s senior underwriter, said: “Names are really important – people only give a name to things they really care about – children, their home, pets – and, of course, boats! We’re proud to call ourselves MS Amlin, which got us thinking about also celebrating boat names.

“So we are asking boat owners for stories or photos about boat names, not

necessarily their own, and we’ll be giving away Southampton Boat Show tickets each month for the best or funniest name, photo or story.”

To submit your story or photo and a chance to win Southampton Boat Show tickets visit http://www.boat-zone.com/ names/ The final monthly prize will be awarded on Friday, September 1, 2017.

Ripe for improvement – the towpath at Burscough.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

RYA SPOTLIGHT 7

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The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.

Bored of Brexit and heading abroad this summer?

RYA encourages cruisers to do their homework!

WITH endless miles of beautiful rivers and canals to cruise, inland cruising abroad is a truly fantastic way to experience another country.

Boating abroad for the first time may be a little daunting and understanding and knowing all the local laws and legislation can sometimes be baffling; when do I need an ICC? Do I need any special equipment? But if you do your homework before you go, it should prove a thoroughly pleasurable experience.

The majority of canals in Europe are fine for seagoing pleasure boats, although masts and radio arches may have to be lowered for some bridges and tunnels. With inland moorings tending to be cheaper than coastal harbours, there’s every reason to visit these picturesque foreign waters. But different rules and regulations apply for each country, so it’s worth being prepared before you leave the UK. Some inland cruising abroad can be somewhat rigid, as in Belgium for example, where it is necessary to carry a radar licence, a copy of the Belgium Inland Waterways Regulations and it is recommended that skippers carry documentation to prove the red diesel in the tanks was purchased in the UK. Using the inland waterways can allow you to explore some of the most beautiful capitals in Europe – and the real joy of cruising inland waterways is stopping off and enjoying the sights.

There are central moorings in cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest and Paris plus the surrounding towns and villages are usually welcoming to visitors – especially if you’re willing to attempt the local language!

With easy-to-navigate canals, traditional town quays, island moorings and modern marinas, the beauty of seeing these places from the water more than makes up for the long lead time to arrival.

“You should be prepared to comply with the regulations of the country you are visiting,” explains RYA cruising manager, Stuart Carruthers.

“Standard boat documentation and paperwork such as a registration document, insurance paperwork and a ship radio licence are required and you’ll need to make sure your personal papers documentation including passport, evidence of competence and VHF operator licence, are in order.”

What you’ll need

When travelling on inland waterways you may be required to have an International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft/International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For this to be valid for inland waterways, in addition to proving your practical competence you must pass the CEVNI test.

If you’re travelling on Dutch/Belgian inland waters you are required to have

an ICC if your boat is over 15m in length or capable of more than 11 knots. For French inland waters evidence of competence is required for all but the smallest boat. You may also be required to have a permit, i.e. the vignette for the VNF-controlled French Waterways.

You’ll find that it is often a requirement to also carry: • A copy of the CEVNI rules/local rules /local almanac • ATIS enabled VHF • A copy of the RAINWAT agreement Additional regulations such as Technical Requirements for Inland Waterways Vessels (TRIWV) may apply to vessels based on the Inland Waterways of Europe.

The paperwork

There are a number of items which may be required when travelling abroad including: registration document (SSR /Part 1), ship radio licence, evidence of the VAT status of the vessel, and insurance documentation.

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) applies to all recreational craft between 2.5 and 24m in hull length, whether constructed within, or imported from outside, the European Economic Area. The builder’s plate with its CE mark shows that a recreational craft is RCD compliant. Older vessels may meet the criteria to be exempt from the RCD if you can prove the vessel was put into service in EEA waters prior to June 16, 1998. Proof, by way of docking bills,

Amsterdam is famous for its canals. PHOTOS SUPPLIED lifting, or bill of sale, may be required by independent local market surveillance officials when visiting individual countries within the EEA. Don’t forget…

• Your passport • Evidence of competence • Authority to operate the VHF e.g. the Short Range Certificate (SRC) • EHIC

Courtesy flag

In addition to wearing the correct ensign, it is generally expected that a courtesy flag (a small version of the coastal state’s ensign) is hoisted by foreign-flagged vessels, acknowledging that they are in foreign waters. You may come unstuck in some countries if your courtesy flag is tatty, too small or not there at all. In some cases – such as the UK – the maritime ensign is not identical to the national flag.

If you are travelling to your destination by sea, be aware that you may be subject to further regulations. Visit the RYA website rya.org.uk for more details

and further information about boating abroad. The RYA also offers more detailed information to RYA members who can contact the RYA Cruising Department by emailing cruising@rya.org.uk, stating your membership number, who will be happy to help with your enquiry.

“While we make every effort to ensure that the RYA’s information is complete and up to date we would also advise boaters to check the latest position with the authorities of the country in question,” concluded Stuart.

How can I try it?

There are plenty of travel companies on hand that can provide all the instruction to take a boat out safely for the first time. With so many different places to explore and a variety of different canal or riverboats available to hire, you can tailor your trip to be exactly how you’d like it.

The RYA Inland Waterways Courses will give you all the tips and tricks to make your time on the water safer and more enjoyable. More information is available at www.rya.org.uk/go/training

8 NETWORKING

SOCIETY NEWS Laundrette List

THE Aylesbury Canal Society 2017 Edition of the Laundrette List is now available for £4.50 inc. postage and package from IWA Sales or from Aylesbury Canal Society in person if you are cruising by or visiting the area by car. As always, towns and villages with laundrettes are listed alphabetically with directions from the canal and some information, which may be useful, and then canals and rivers are listed alphabetically showing the towns and villages on those navigations, where laundrettes exist.

Stoke Bruerne gathering IWA Northampton branch is hosting its boat gathering on the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne over the weekend of May 19-21. There will be quizzes and entertainment in the evening as well as a treasure hunt, walks and talks during the daytime and the popular Cat’s Vintage Tearoom.

Boats, caravans and non-members are welcome. Boat entry forms are available to download at waterways.org.uk/Northampton or email tony.clarke@waterways.org. uk (Endeavour, February 2017)

Brayford swan song A DECLINE in the swan colony at Brayford Pool in Lincoln has prompted a suggestion that a ‘swan keeper’ is found to look after the birds. The Pool has been famous for its swans that have graced its water for nearly 1000 years, but in recent years the 200-strong colony has diminished to less than 40, this decline being blamed on waterfront regeneration. Since 1996, the university, a string of bars, hotels and student blocks have sprung up around nesting sites, leading to a major increase in the amount of discarded rubbish. (Easterling, March 2017)

Sensory garden

WORK has started on a new dementia sensory garden at Naburn Lock on the River Ouse with the aid of soldiers from the 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron.

They have been helping the Canal & River Trust to clear and dig the site. Funded through the Tesco Bags of Help community scheme, the garden and nature trail will be completed in time for the lock open day in September.

(Soundings, March/April 2017)

Discovery day A DATE for your diary: Grantham Canal Society’s 2017 Discovery Day will take place on Sunday, October 8 from 10am to 4pm.

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RNR goes underground to salute long-serving member

By Janet Richardson

MEMBERS of the Russell Newbery Register travelled into the Dudley Tunnels to make a special presentation of a decorated hand bowl to RNR stalwarts Robert and Helen Davies.

More than 30 people boarded Dudley Canal Trust tripboat William for a guided tour of the tunnels and caverns before stopping alongside the memorial sculpture for the ceremony in recognition of their long service.

This was followed by a dinner in the Gongoozler Restaurant

at Dudley’s Portal building at which RNR president Ian McKim Thompson and chairman Norman Mitchell spoke of Robert’s contribution and also presented a bouquet to Helen. Norman said: “We are here to acknowledge Robert’s long service to the register.

He has helped to make it the organisation which it now is.”

Robert joined the register in August 1995 at its stand at the IWA Chester Rally and is the 14th longest-serving member.

With previous experience of IWA festivals, he organised the first RNR rally at Ellesmere Port

in 1998 and went on to run many successful events until his retirement as administration manager late last year.

Thanking everyone for coming to the celebration, Robert replied: “It has been an absolutely tremendous period of my life; we are a family – the Russell Newbery family. One of my proudest achievements was at the first rally when the concept of having the rally full of workshops was born – it must have caught on as we are still doing it.

“By the second event at Gloucester these friendships were forged from that first rally.”

Robert Davies with the decorated hand bowl presented in appreciation of his service to the Russell Newbery Register. Pictured from left are: RNR president Ian McKim Thompson, Robert and Helen Davies and chairman Norman Mitchell. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES

Voices on the Towpath wins award for Cotswold filmmaker

Award-winning filmmaker Robert Paget. PHOTO: MIKE GALLAGHER, CCT

A FILM by Cotswold Canals Trust’s Robert Paget was one of the winners at the recent Stroud Community TV Awards (SCTVA).

His Voices on the Towpath was judged to be the winner in the Best Community Project category. The event was part of the Third Stroud Film Festival and encouraged local filmmakers to share their thoughts and skills.

Robert was presented with his SCTVA coffee mug and certificate by Victoria

Temple, news editor at Stroud Life.

He said: “I grew up in Cainscross with Dudbridge Lock at the bottom of the garden – and so I am a ‘Stroudie’. Amateur film making for me is a second hobby – second to boating and canals.

“For me, the real stars on the night were each of those who spoke with emotion and enthusiasm in our film, some recalling their childhood memories of the canal.”

Slough friends welcome canal regeneration THE Friends of Slough Canal’s AGM will be held in the lounge at St Paul’s Church, Slough (just south of the canal basin), at 10.30am on Saturday, May 6.

After the official business, members and visitors will be given a talk by plant and travel photographer Chris Chadwell

on wild flowers of the Slough Canal.

The group continues to co-operate with the Canal & River Trust, owners of the canal and Slough Urban Regeneration regarding redevelopment of the basin area, plans for which appear to be progressing well.

Its aim is to ensure that the canal is

developed as an environmental asset for Slough and an attractive destination for boaters, ramblers, nature students and other visitors.

For further information contact 07542 168444, sloughcanalgroup@hotmail. com or visit Facebook page Friends of Slough Canal.

Carrying on the Blagrove legacy A NEW charitable trust has been established in memory of the late David Blagrove, who was made an MBE in June 2014 for services to restoration of the UK waterways.

Its vision is to enrich local communities and to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth through experiences on the UK canal and waterways network.

David moved to Stoke Bruerne some 50 years ago having been ‘iced in’ on the canal there during the winter of 1962/63 and had fallen in love with the place. He died there last year following a battle with cancer.

The David Blagrove Charity Trust seeks to enhance local landscapes and heritage, while encouraging and supporting local community collaboration within Stoke Bruerne and surrounding areas. Its second aim is to provide an educational and developmental experience.

As a teacher and mentor to young people, David was a keen advocate of youth empowerment. The trust’s more long-term plans are to seek to engage young people in canal-based activities, in order to develop them personally and socially.

The trustees are seeking support from the local community and beyond. For a fee of £2 a month direct debit or £24 per annum (concession rates available) support could involve helping with fundraising projects or using expertise or skills in the development and work of the charity.

Contact joint chairmen Bill Mann 07860 619143, billdbct@gmail.com or Roy Sears 01604 863563, roydbct@gmail.com

The Wey & Arun trip boat, the Zachariah Keppel.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Skippers and crew sought for Wey & Arun trips THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust is seeking more skippers and crew members for its boat trips which operate from Loxwood in West Sussex.

All the proceeds raised from the trips go towards the restoration of the canal.

James Field, chairman of Wey & Arun Enterprises (WACT’s trading arm), said: “The trips are becoming increasingly popular; last year we raised £60,000 for the charity. We would like to do even better but we need more volunteer skippers and crew.

“Everyone operating the boats is a volunteer; all are given the training they need to fulfil their roles and all our skippers have a Maritime and Coastguard Agency skipper’s licence.”

He added: “Our volunteers range in age from their 40s to their 80s and come from all walks of life.”

If anyone is interested, for more information please contact 01403 752403 or email office@weyandarun.co.uk and one of the boat group will be in touch.

Film evening showcases Norfolk’s only canal THE North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust recently held its latest film evening in the Atrium, North Walsham where maps, finds and other items of interest were also on show.

Trust officers were also on hand to answer the many enquiries during the evening which started with an introduction by vice-chairman, Chris Black.

There were not many seats vacant in the auditorium when the first film rolled. Restoring the North Walsham and Dilham was made and edited by John Parker of Big Sky Productions.

With a delightful commentary by Thordis Fridriksson, it depicted very many of the sites along the canal which have been greatly improved, both visually and for the benefit of wildlife, through the work of the trust and two of the four canal owners.

Some of the shots were taken from an aerial camera, adding an interesting new dimension to the canal corridor.

During the interval, refreshments were served by Mary Black and helpers and a raffle raised £166.90 thanks to the generosity of Tesco of Stalham, Sainsbury’s and Lidl of North Walsham and Morrisons of Cromer, who had all shown their continued support by providing the prizes. This was arranged, as was the whole evening, by main event organiser Jane Gotts.

The second film, Who wants to be a Volunteer?, again by John Parker, showed some of the activities of volunteers and others, working in all sorts of varying locations and situations along the canal.

A particular incident, showing a JCB attempting to cross the canal in Swafield, caused a few laughs and gasps when it inevitably got stuck and was sinking in the mud! Needless to say, the expert driver extracted himself and the JCB back on to dry land!

Work party organiser David Revill explained some of the plans of work coming up in the near future and explained that not all the work was carried out alongside the canal, but behind the scenes, for example secretarial work.

He asked if there were any volunteers present who would like to take on the post of secretary or a minutes secretary, as both were needed. Thankfully people came forward.

The trust’s thanks go to the organisation team of the Atrium who all helped the evening to be such a success in bringing the attention of many to the only canal in Norfolk. www.nwdct.org

NETWORKING 9

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Characters of the cut Julie Webb catches up with a far from idle woman.

WHEN writer, performer and long-term liveaboard Kate Saffin had her self-confessed ‘utterly brilliant idea’, in autumn 2016, it was really just the latest of many.

I first came across Kate 13 years ago, on her 60ft narrowboat Morning Mist (built by Dave Thomas at Braunston in 1988), moored on the Southern Oxford.

She came from a boaty family – holidays often involved mackerel fishing and canoeing from her father’s motor launch – so when her domestic circumstances changed a home on a narrowboat had been an attractive option.

As well as working in public health research at that time, and doing a stint as Commodore of Oxford Sailing Club, she had developed a popular one-woman show based on Sheila Stewart’s book Ramlin (sic) Rose, a fictionalised account of the lives of working boatwomen with whom the author had talked.

“Then I was made redundant from the NHS in 2011,” she said. “I wanted to do more writing and performing and canal things. I applied to do a Master’s at the Central School of Speech and Drama – I chose that course because it was not only about writing but about the whole jigsaw of theatre-making and performance.

“It turned out to be one of the most useful things I’ve done in my entire life, and I signed up for a second year, which meant writing two full-length scripts and undertaking professional development. I volunteered with a women’s company, Clean Break, and with Arcola 60+ theatre group in Dalston.

“At first I was going to commute from Oxford but then I thought ‘I’ve got a boat, there’s water in London, so I’ll just take it with me’.”

Helping each other

She and Morning Mist came up to live on the Regent’s Canal in 2013, berthing first in Wenlock Basin and then Kingsland Basin, where I met her for the second time.

She joined the internet-based community group London Boaters: “Something I found when I finished at Central is that it can be a bit isolating being on a boat, and I kept meeting

Kate Saffin at home on Morning Mist. PHOTO: JULIE WEBB young boaters on their own who had very little knowledge. So I started London Boatwomen, because women owners seemed interested in knowing more about how to handle and manage their boats, and about eco stuff.

“It’s all about helping each other out. People post things like ‘My water pump’s making a funny noise – help!’ or recommendations for tradesmen. We have maps showing useful places such as launderettes, and meet-ups from time to time.”

Wearing yet another hat, she’s a highly persuasive ambassador for composting toilets on boats, bringing out for my inspection a surprisingly sparkly finish prototype.

Still trying to stave off cabin fever by looking for somewhere on land to write and do admin, she found a congenial space, rented by subscription for 30 hours a month, at Impact Hub Islington. It’s here that she put the finishing touches to her current enterprise – a double-bill performed with ex-Worcestershire poet laureate, and daughter of the late canal campaigner Alan Smith, Heather Wastie. Entitled Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways, the two pieces bring to life, through drama, poetry and song, the experiences of the canal equivalents of the Land Girls, who operated cargocarrying pairs in the Second World War when boatmen had been called up.

Going on tour

Kate’s ‘utterly brilliant idea’ was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the training of Eily (aka Kit) Gayford – the IW’s teacher, who learnt from working boat couple

Kate, right, with fellow tourer Heather Wastie. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Kate Saffin performing.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Ciss and Albert Sidley – by touring the performance along the Idle Women’s customary route, using Tench, built by Yarwoods in 1936 (owned by Alex Bennett), and Morning Mist.

The aim would be to have women crewing the boats.

“It’s an opportunity both for experienced boaters with no chance to handle a working boat, and those with little or no experience who’d like to come out on their own and try something new.”

Kate and Heather had given their show a successful airing on West Midlands canals in 2016, and decided to be more ambitious with the 2017 run.

Supported by Tim Eastop, CRT’s arts executive producer, they got an Arts Council grant covering a third of the budget (they’re fundraising the rest) to enable them to reach audiences further afield than the usual pub garden.

“Such as,” said Kate, “the Ragged School in Tower Hamlets, Horsenden Farm in Perivale, and a social centre on an estate in Nuneaton with links to boating families.”

Performances will be free, with donations welcome, and places bookable in advance. Between now and July, the show will visit 50 venues, starting at the old GUCCC depot at Bull’s Bridge, travelling to Birmingham, and returning to London via the Birmingham & Fazeley and Coventry Canals.

Some readers may think they know, incidentally, how the ‘Idle Women’ nickname came about – but if they’re able to catch one of Kate and Heather’s performances they may well have a surprise in store! www.alarumtheatre.co.uk

10 COMMUNITY BOATING

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Skipper training at the Ethel Trust Continuing his series of articles on the NCBA, director of training Derek Stansfield has asked Pete Riggall, a NCBA trainer based with the Ethel Trust, to describe his experience of running a CCBM course in the aftermath of storm Doris.

THE Ethel Trust, based in South Yorkshire, recently welcomed back its community barge, Ethel, after a major refurbishment and repaint project.

One of the first priorities for the barge this year has been new skipper training, which has been on hold pending the boat’s return. Even at the last moment the start had to be delayed by a day because of storm Doris.

The course is designed and accredited by the National Community Boat Association and delivered by the trust’s own qualified trainers. The starting point was Tinsley Marina, Sheffield, and the trainees spent the first morning on some of the

theory sections of the course.

While the trainers and trainees were in the cabin, the boat was taken down the 13 locks on the Tinsley flight by another of the trust’s skippers, ably assisted by crew and a volunteer with the Canal & River Trust (CRT).

During the barge’s return from its repaint, it ran aground near Jordan’s Lock on the River Don, causing considerable delay and anxiety. However, since then the CRT has acted promptly to improve the situation and as the boat rounded the bend in the river the training group found a workboat and crew spotdredging the channel for them – brilliant service!

Exciting experience

The afternoon was spent with practical boat handling skills, as well as simulating emergency situations such as deploying the anchor and ‘man overboard’.

Chasing and retrieving a floating lifebelt in a flowing river proved challenging, but the ‘victim’ was rescued successfully – three times!

Mooring up for the night near Aldwarke Lock in Rotherham, the day finished with a further theory session before trainees and trainers headed out to a local restaurant.

The next morning one trainee was designated skipper for the first half of the day, undertook the routine checks and delivered the safety briefing. It soon became clear that storm Doris had taken a shine to the Rotherham area and returned for a second visit.

While attempting to moor along Kilnhurst Cut for lunch, the boat was blown and pinned against the piling on the opposite side, providing valuable and exciting experience for the trainees! Further theory sessions based on the NCBA syllabus took place before returning to Aldwarke for the second night.

Driving test

The Canal & River Trust spot-dredging near Jordan’s Weir.

On the Sunday morning the CRT volunteers rejoined the barge in Rotherham, heading for Victoria Quays in Sheffield. Passing the

Ethel moored at Aldwarke Lock. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Jordan’s Lock area this time was not so straightforward.

Although Ethel cleared the stretch, silt and debris blocked the raw water filter and pipework, stopping the water flow completely. The previous practice with the anchor came in very handy as the engine had to be cut while the ‘chief engineer’ went into the engine room to clear the blockage.

Soon the party was back on course ascending the Tinsley Flight, assisted by volunteers from the trust and the CRT. The wind decided to have one last blast as the boat swung round to moor at Victoria Quays, bringing to a

Ethel going through Rotherham town centre. conclusion three very successful, rewarding and valuable days.

Thanks to the great efforts of the trainers, the Ethel Trust now has two extra skippers, although

both trainees felt that it was similar to their driving test – you have passed the test, but now the learning and experience begins!

● The NCBA has a progressive structure for its training and qualification awards. These start with the Community Crew Course (CCC), then the Boat Handling Course (BHC).

Both of these can be ideal training for the flagship award of Certificate in Community Boat Management (CCBM). All of these awards are delivered by NCBA Accredited Training Centres (ATC). For details go to www.national-cba.co.uk or tel: 0845 0510649