Towpath Talk - November 2021 - Preview

FREE

1 Issue 193, November 2021

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH 88 PAGES

TALK

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

To enter our monthly competition go to To enter our monthly competition go to

www.whiltonmarina.co.uk www.whiltonmarina.co.uk

GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON IN OUR WORDSEARCH

P42

42

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

COMPETITION

WORD SEARCH

We have some great prizes which must be won. . . . Our advertisers have underlined 1 word in each of their advertisements. All our readers have to do is circle all 12 words in the grid and return the completed puzzle to be in with a chance of winning, to Chris Heaton, Towpath Talk Wordsearch competition, Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ. Title:...............First Name: ............................................Last

................................................................

Address Line 2: ................................................................ ................................................................

Town/City................................................Postcode: .........................................................................

County:...............................................................Email:.......................................... ...........................

Tel: ................................................................

...................................................................................

1

• Go Windlass courtesy of Go Windlass

2ND

Prize

S Y A

Y

R

H

R

N

A

Q

B

W A

O

M R

A T I O N D

W H I

U

A

P

O

C

N

O K

V

M E

T

O U G J

D E

I T T Y

A

E S P

N E

T U

V

Q

D

L

S

B

S

X

V

N

X

Z

B

H

U

O

E

C

T

S

H

R

W C N R

E O

Z

B

I U E T A

L E P T L

X

A

A

P

I

K

Z

F

N

C

Q N

V

E

Z

G

M X

N S

H

M L D

X

P

S

T

S

W G O

P

W Q

U

M O

E

F

Z

C

N

A

O

T

H

Z

A

A

I

O

H

J

H

V

D

V

N

C

P

L

V

G

U

F

E I

L S

P

B

U O

A

M R

M J

C Z

M B H

O

O

C

A

P Z

H C

I

S

A

J

W S R E T A

J Name:.................................................

Address Line 1: ................................................................

ST

W D B V V Z V A L U

R L

Z S D X

G

Y

Z

C

W V

K

L

W J Y E R

A

S

X

R

G

X

G

C K

W I D S K N

S P T F

I T A

U L U

D N V

M M R C T A

T S P

F A N

A B A S I Q N

N

N

L

A

F

J

J

A

P

U

N

Z

F

G

U A S Y R E L

K L L X B T A

C

Y

L

E

L

I

B

X

J

A

L

K

I

K

S

I

Z

N

H

R

S

F

G

T

T

D

Y

N

T

B

Y

V

U

T

E

K

T

R

R

N

I

I

M E

P

X

R

W W A

O

V

G

R

E

J

F

C I

A

P

E

R

T

G

A

Y

P

J

N

Y

R

N

G

A

Z

V

B

U

O

U

I

D

Q

X

T

U

V

V

C

H

S

A

R

H

A

C

M

There are no cash alternatives available. The winners will be the first three correct answers drawn at random. Terms and conditions apply. To view the privacy policy of MMG Ltd (Publisher of Towpath Talk) please visit https://www.mortons.co.uk/privacy/ Terms and conditions: www.mortons.co.uk/terms CLOSING DATE 30th November

• £100 Holiday Voucher – courtesy of Lancaster Canal Boat Hire

3RD

Prize

• Boating with Buster – courtesy of Alison

Alderton

• The Water Boatman – courtesy of Simply Media • Companion Book – courtesy of Waysgoose

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Prize

• Laser Suction Syringe ge – courtesy of Laser Tools ols

• Muggi – courtesy of Muggi

• Narrowboat Engine Manual – courtesy of River Canal Rescue – • Muggi – courtesy of Muggi

Engineers Merchants Specialising in paints and protective coatings and a wide range of Stainless Steel fasteners, fixings and sealants

www.bestcoltd.co.uk Tel: 0151 630 5111 Fax: 0151 639 7459

GP GOODWIN P L AST I C S

PLASTIC TANK SPECIALISTS Stainless Steel Tanks now available

T: (01270) 582516 Email: sales@goodwinplastics.co.uk Web: www.goodwinplastics.co.uk www.solutec.co.uk

M

E

T

H

L

E

Y

B

R

I

D

G

Barton Marina, Barton under Needwood Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 8DZ TEL: 07977 683 282 | 01253 356 399 | WWW.DAISYBOAT.CO.UK

E

BOATYARD & CHANDLERY

£340

Discover the joy of canal boat holidays on the Lancaster Canal...

Beautiful, cleverly designed narrow boats ideal for both experienced boaters and newcomers alike. Sleeping up to 6 persons plus pets, we offer self-catering cruising with all the comforts of home!

20 Years experience in manufacturing • Water & Effluent Tanks • Shower Trays • Battery Boxes • Window Guards YOU WANT IT WE’LL MAKE IT

WELL STOCKED CHANDLERY AT COMPETITIVE PRICES BOATYARD, STORAGE, MOORINGS ‘JUMBLE’ SHED, FULL OF PREOWNED BARGAINS INBOARD & OUTBOARD ENGINE SALES

Peace of mind for you and your family UK Wills - Single and Mirror Lasting Powers of Attorney Family Asset Trusts Probate Advice

Secure Storage Prepaid Funeral Plans

THREE LANE ENDS, CASTLEFORD, WF10 1PW TELEPHONE:

01977 735400

www.methleybridgechandlery.co.uk Email: info@methleybridgechandlery.co.uk

The Boat Specialists 0151 523 9000

www.aintreeboats.co.uk

01283 566133

www.allwillsandtrusts.co.uk

E ASy W INDING r ATCHET W INDLASS

Tel: 01283 711666 boats@bartonmarina.co.uk www.bartonmarina.co.uk

LEADING UK SUPPLIER OF EBERSPACHER HEATERS & PARTS HYDRONIC HS3 D4E HEATER

P50

Read the UK’s number 1 Inland Waterways paper.

Always online at

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

HAULING HOME TO HAWNE

P16

FERRY ACROSS THE SOAR

P79

BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

Winter fuel

Latest heater now in stock.

4.3kW output and only 1.3kW at low, ideal for narrowboats.

Kits from £1275.

Espar Ltd 01752 491900 web@espar.co.uk www.eberspacherdirect.com www.espar.co.uk

P25

Smiles all round following the cheque presentations of £1000 each from Braunston Marina to the Friends of the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, the Narrow Boat Trust and the Friends of Raymond before the annual winter coal run. Full report and photos on pages 20-21. PHOTO: JOE BAILEY

Canals can help to tackle climate change crisis AS GLOBAL attention focuses on climate change at the UK’s COP26 conference this month, the Canal & River Trust is highlighting how canals offer huge ‘blue’ opportunities to help Britain tackle the climate change crisis.

Modern benefits of historic canals include heat transfer technology, which enables canal water to heat and cool more than a quarter of a million UK homes and businesses, flood mitigation by providing extra urban drainage and more electricity generated through hydro generators.

The widespread network of canals is also able to move water from areas of plenty to areas of drought, provides off-road towpaths perfectly placed for sustainable transport and connects otherwise fragmented wildlife habitat to address biodiversity loss.

And moving freight on larger commercial waterways remains a green alternative, removing hundreds of articulated lorry journeys from the roads.

New research published by the trust and the University of Manchester shows the

presence of canal water in urban areas can also cool Britain’s overheating cities during heatwaves by up to 1.6 degrees Celsius in a 100m-wide corridor along the waterway.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry said: “Our network of canals and river navigations flowing through the hearts of Britain’s towns and cities are perfectly placed to tackle the challenges wrought by climate change, offering opportunities to provide ‘net zero’ solutions and climate change mitigation.

“With the right investment, our

waterways will play an important role in meeting the aspirations of COP26. They can cool cities in summer, heat homes in winter, provide low-carbon energy, transfer water to where it’s needed and take it away from places where it’s not, and provide a network to move goods and materials, connect important wildlife habitat and offer sustainable transport.

The canals are ready to be the arteries of the new Green Industrial Revolution.”

• Continued on page 2

New name

Pathway project

Freight traffic

THE Wendover Canal Trust has relaunched itself with a new name and logo. Members of the organisation, previously known as the Wendover Arm Trust, found that they had to constantly explain what an ‘arm’ is before talking about their restoration work. With its image of a narrowboat underneath the rebuilt Little Tring Bridge, the new logo has been designed to show a clear reference to the canal. The charity has also renamed its newsletter as the Wendover Canal News.

WORK is taking place to improve an uneven section of towpath along the Llangollen Canal. The eightweek project by the Canal & River Trust involves resurfacing – and widening in places – the towpath from the Shropshire gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Lions Quay to the village of St Martins.

This will link with the previous improvement from Bridge 19W Gledrid Bridge to Bridge 17W Mortons Bridge, creating 12 miles of new pathway with improved year-round access.

THE Commercial Boat Operators Association (CBOA) has welcomed the return of barge traffic from Hull.

Barges are now regularly carrying dredged aggregates to Knostrop Wharf, east Leeds and tanker barges with lubricating oil to the Exol Oil works at Rotherham.

CBOA chairman David Lowe said: “With all the news about HGV driver shortages, it is salutary to remember that the crew of a 500 tonnes capacity barge can move that cargo more quickly than if they each drove an HGV.”

INSTANT INSTANT FUNDS FUNDS FOR YOUR

FOR YOUR BOAT BOAT your boat w NO OBLIGATION VALUATION

hrshrs

from o yoituhrobnoe NO OBLIGATION VALUATION count ur mari at with BROKERAGE FROM 4%+VAT ank ac t from b nao one n r u s ur m u o o (Minimum charge applies) c BROKERAGE FROM 4%+VAT to y arinas ank ac b r u o (Minimum charge applies) y to NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHESHIRE

01327 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 842577 www.whiltonmarina.co.uk 01327 842577 Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 2NH

www.whiltonmarina.co.uk

Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 2NH

01270 CHESHIRE 528251 www.venetianmarina.co.uk 01270 528251 Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DD

www.venetianmarina.co.uk Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DD

2 NEWS November 2021

WELCOME WHEN I revisited this column in last November's issue, I had a strange feeling of déjà vu!

But while more lockdowns were then around the corner, things look nearer to ‘normal’ this year notwithstanding calls in recent days for ‘plan b’ coronavirus restrictions.

But it is different C-words which are now dominating the headlines – climate change crisis – as we await the much-feted COP26 conference in Glasgow this month. And, of course, Christmas shopping Last November we reported on new barge traffic on the Aire & Calder Navigation only to see it brought to an abrupt halt by the breach near East Cowick in December. It’s good to hear it has now returned.

And an encore to the team at White Mills Marina which has won the Inland Marina of the Year award for the second year in succession, see page 47.

Supply chain problems and shortages of HGV drivers are likely to impact on Christmas shopping so many of us will be starting early.

If you’re looking for some different ideas, the first of our guides starts on page 50.

Congratulations to the three readers who scooped prizes in the Wordsearch competition in our October edition. The first prize of a Fuel Guard decontaminator goes to Mr Jones of Guildford; runner-up Mr Morley of Fleet wins a Go Windlass and third prize of a selection of DVDs and a book go to Mr Horobin of Loughborough.

There are more great prizes up for grabs in this month’s wordsearch on page 42.

Happy hunting

TOWPATH

TALK

Janet

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 Advertising sales representative Chris Heaton – 01507 529354 cheaton@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 – November 25, 2021

Independent publisher since 1885

Conditions Editorial is accepted subject to availability of space, and editorial policy on content and insertion cannot be guaranteed. The publishers retain the right to edit material submitted. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy through accurate and clear copy, but the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

Independently proven pick up: 34,450 copies

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Breach forces Leeds & Liverpool Canal closure

By Colin Wareing

THE Leeds & Liverpool Canal has been closed in East Lancashire following a breach near Rishton.

It occurred overnight on October 10-11 between bridges 109 New Barn and 110 Aspen where a culvert runs under the canal taking water to Hyndburn Brook.

Initially thought to be through the bed of the canal into this culvert, as it worsened it took some of the canal wash wall and the towpath with it.

Fibre dams were installed at the

two bridges to prevent even more water flowing out of the canal on the long pound between Barrowford and Blackburn locks, a distance of about 22 miles. A fish rescue was also carried out.

To help conserve water, the Barrowford, Blackburn, Johnsons Hillocks and Wigan lock flights were closed. Levels have since stabilised and the Barrowford Lock Flight has reopened to navigation.

At the time of going to press, for boaters using the Burnley section of the canal, the last point of turning before the closure is at Bridge 111D, Simpson’s Bridge.

Stranded boats at Rishton visitor moorings.

The fibre dam at New Barn Bridge No 109.

The breach site in the bed and towpath of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Rishton.

PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS

Are you paying too much for your mooring asks the Barge Association WHY do boat owners decide to live afloat? Are the reasons changing?

Those are some of the questions asked by the Barge Association (DBA) in a national survey.

If affordability was important then how do you know what it’s going to cost? Has the pandemic made it more difficult to pay for where you and your boat live?

Can you help all UK liveaboards achieve the

best deal for each of us?

The bigger you are, the more difficult and expensive it gets. To find out just how difficult, DBA, which represents not only barges and large broad beam boats but has members with craft of all sizes, is running the survey, comparing mortgage figures and bricks and mortar rentals with mooring fees.

There’s no doubt that moving onto the water

has become not just a lifestyle choice but, for some, a lifeline when housing costs become too much to bear. City dwellers faced with impossible rents and mortgage payments have looked to the canals and rivers as a seductive alternative but are they?

For many, this means continuous cruising with no fixed mooring just to avoid the fees. For others who want or need a more

Canals can help to tackle climate change crisis • Continued from page 1 The University of Manchester research creates a new model which shows the extent to which urban waterways cool cities, where the ‘urban heat island’ effect plus a warming climate threatens to make summers intolerable. The research conducted across Birmingham, London and Manchester shows reductions in summer temperatures of up to 1.6 degrees Celsius, without undesirable cooling in winter and demonstrates the importance of choosing the right type, height, scale

and location of waterside buildings to maximise the benefits.

Richard added: “This research proves the important role waterways play in reducing temperatures where and when it’s needed most.

This valuable knowledge should be used to inform urban planning and design and, combined with a full package of waterway benefits, can make a significant ‘blue’ contribution towards mitigating the damaging effects of climate change. We ask central government, local authorities, planners and developers to work with us to help make a real difference.”

settled life, it’s a hunt for an affo But have those calculations changed during the pandemic?

Some who live in cities have enjoyed the enviable position of being moored in managed marinas with national commercial landlords or trusts who claim charitable status.

Good deal or rip-off?

Others have to negotiate their way (and their bank balance) through the fog of privately or corporately owned moorings where you have to pay what you’re asked with no idea if this is a good deal or a rip-off.

The equations, particularly for London & the Home Counties are already quite startling and the survey now urgently needs more information from all areas of the UK in order to complete a comprehensive database to aid owners in their hunt for moorings and in negotiating new or renewal terms.

Already it is clear that for some, monthly mooring fees for vessels are between 50% and 100% more than comparable apartment rental costs and almost exactly the same costs as 20-year mortgages.

And the fundamental difference is that after every payment, every year, the vessel owner is left with nothing and the building buyer is a year nearer to owning the property.

For example, in East London, a modest two-bedroom flat will attract a rent of between £12,000 and £15,500 per year and a mortgage for such a property may be between £1000 and £2700 per month.

Meanwhile, marinas and docks in the borough of Tower Hamlets will be costing liveaboards in the region of £420-£640 per week!

The strong impression is that mooring owners are able to defy the laws of economics to charge more and more per year whilst delivering less and less value. Meanwhile, the renter or purchaser gets less and less for their hard-earned salary.

For many, the challenge of continuous cruising is too much.

Experienced boaters often say it requires similar time and effort to a part-time job on top of what you do to earn money just to service the boat plus, for those who work from home, which is hugely attractive to a boating lifestyle, the need for reliable power and wifi is a significant driver for needing a permanent mooring alongside the option to cruise when you can.

So, for those walking past a barge owner, the universal question is no longer; “Is it cold in winter?” but “Are your economics on thin ice?” You can help now by contributing to the DBA Mooring Survey for wherever your boat is moored, whatever its size and whatever you do with it. The survey is open NOW at www.barges.org/ mooringsurvey DBA asks: “Please help us all find out what is going on, create a national database which will be available to the public and then please use it to help you!”

November 2021 NEWS 3

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Bypass opening boost for Lichfield Canal Trust

The line of the Lichfield Canal at St John’s Reach, between the Southern Bypass on the left and the new housing development on the right. PHOTO: PAUL MARSHALL THE restoration of the Lichfield Canal has taken a huge step forward with the opening of the city’s Southern Bypass extension.

A section of the canal runs parallel to the bypass alongside a housing development and the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is hoping for permission in the next few weeks to begin work.

A great deal of preparation of the site has been completed, courtesy of Persimmon Homes, who are constructing St John’s Grange housing development and Amey, who constructed the bypass, including the installation of two bridges over the line of the canal connecting the estate with the bypass.

LHCRT volunteers will build a new Lock 22 and restore a modified Lock 23 in this section, which has been named St John’s Reach.

The trust’s engineering director Peter Buck, who attended the official opening on October 15, said: “It’s another great day for us, handing over another large section for us to get on with restoration.

A good portion of the restoration has already been done and it actually looks a bit like a canal now.

“We’ve had a long, long challenge over seven, eight, nine years working with Persimmon over the details of this and this is the day when the bypass is open and the canal is just about to be handed over to us to complete the restoration.”

Designers have had to overcome a major problem at a pinch point near London Road, having to get the bypass and the canal through a section only 18.2m wide, between the road and existing cottages.

The solution was to modify the heritage Lock 23, which will be built with a bend in it – probably the only lock of its kind in the country, according to Peter.

The restoration of this section of the canal will take it close to another major obstacle, the Cross-City railway line, which the canal has to go under and

an appeal to raise the huge amount of money needed to build the tunnel has been ongoing for several years.

More information on the canal restoration and ways to contribute to the Tunnel Vision appeal can be found at the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s website: https:// lhcrt.org.uk/

A drone’s-eye view of the St John’s Reach section of the Lichfield Canal, showing one of the bridges between the new Southern Bypass and St John’s Grange housing development and beyond that the pinch point between the bypass and existing cottage gardens. DRONE PHOTO: COLIN ABLITT

BOATS WANTED FOR BROKERAGE OR CASH CASH SALE Instant funds in your bank account

BROKERAGE FROM 4% + VAT (Minimum charge applies)

The staircase of 10 locks at Foxton raises the Grand Union Canal 75ft and sees up to 5000 boats pass through each year.

PHOTO: CRT

Canals and towpaths fly the green flag FORTY new miles of waterway, including the iconic locks at Foxton and urban canals in Coventry, Manchester and Stoke, have been awarded prestigious Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy.

The past year has seen the Canal & River Trust’s plans and volunteering activity impacted by the pandemic.

Despite this, the trust was able to add new stretches across England and Wales to the 400 miles which already hold the quality mark.

Chief operating officer Julie Sharman said: “Our efforts to win Green Flags are founded on the principle of local community action.

Canals offer amazing green and blue spaces on our doorsteps teeming with nature and wildlife, but we do need the community to act now to help look after these 200-year-old special places.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone who works or volunteers with the trust, including those in the community who do their ‘little bit’ to help look after their local canal.

Every action makes a difference, from picking up the odd piece of litter on a towpath walk, getting involved in adopting a stretch of canal or making a donation to help fund the repairs and maintenance that keeps the canals open and available for people to use.”

A stretch of the Rochdale Canal in the heart of Manchester between Dukes Lock on Castle Street and the Aytoun Street Bridge has been added

to the existing award, with twelve and a half miles of the city’s canal now holding Green Flag status. This is an astonishing transformation in an area that has previously suffered from antisocial behaviour. In Saddleworth in Greater Manchester, a stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal also gained a Green Flag.

City of Culture for 2021, Coventry, has another reason to celebrate, with five and half miles of the Coventry Canal receiving a Green Flag, while the Trent & Mersey Canal is bringing quality blue-green space into Stoke, with just over seven and a half miles awarded a Green Flag.

Other waterways achieving Green Flag status include Foxton Locks on the Grand Union Canal, Wigan Lock Flight on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Red Bull to Harding’s Wood on the Trent & Mersey Canal, and a further stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the UK and around the world.

Northamptonshire

01327 842577

www.whiltonmarina.co.uk Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 2NH

Cheshire

01270 528251

www.venetianmarina.co.uk Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6DD

4 NEWS November 2021

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Walking over Blisworth Hill

Waymarking project connects two ends of canal tunnel for walkers

Lancaster Canal operations manager Angela Parkinson Green assessing invasive weeds on the canal’s disused Northern Reaches, near Crooklands, Kendal.

A weed-filled winding hole on the Northern Reaches near Crooklands.

Tackling invasive weeds on the Lancaster Canal

THE Canal & River Trust is waging a major battle to control invasive weeds on the Lancaster Canal.

Throughout the summer and early autumn, a combination of warm weather, sunshine and extra nitrates from agricultural run-off created perfect growing conditions for duckweed, water fern, common reeds and Canadian waterweed.

These fast-growing plants are spread by passing boats, canoeists, paddle boarders, anglers’ nets and walkers’ muddy boots and, left undisturbed, can form a thick green carpet on the water. This can then cause problems for boat engines, and its solid appearance makes it a potential danger for children and animals.

Hotspots for the weeds are low flow areas around Lancaster, Garstang, Cabus Nook, north Preston, Radcliffe Wharf and Woodplumpton.

CRT stepped up its response on the canal with a massive vegetation clearance programme, including the use of a Truxor amphibious tractor, which this year has scooped up hundreds of tonnes of problematic and invasive weeds from the waterway.

The water supply for the Lancaster Canal feeds through via the unnavigable Northern Reaches link

from Killington Reservoir, near Kendal, and keeping that channel flowing freely is also a constant challenge.

Unique challenges

Angela Parkinson Green, CRT local area operations manager, explained: “Since 1968, the canal has only been navigable from Tewitfield southwards after it was severed in three places by the construction of the M6 motorway.

This gives us unique challenges on the Lancaster – including the loss of nearly two-thirds of the water supply between Killington and Tewitfield. As well as weed and silt removal, every day our staff have to clear out the three M6 culverts which carry the canal water supply under the motorway.

“Weed carpets form easily in low flow areas further south, so it is a constant battle to keep the water flowing and the vegetation away from the canal. It would be great if we could just turn a tap on – but it is a lot more complicated than that.”

She continued: “The beautiful Lancaster Canal is home to more than 2500 boats and about 60% are cruisers or have on-board engines which can be damaged by weeds. Traditional narrowboats cope much better with these conditions.

James Ormrod at the controls of a Truxor amphibious tractor, which each year clears away hundreds of tonnes of unwanted weeds and reeds from the waterway.

“We have a plan to dramatically reduce the amount of weed in the canal and we are very grateful to the volunteers who have joined with our staff to keep the canal looking its best.

Just over 30 miles of the Lancaster Canal, three-quarters of the waterway, has been awarded a coveted Green Flag, the environmental gold standard awarded by Keep Britain Tidy group.”

Angela added: “At Tewitfield, Blossom hire boat company has recently adopted a one-and-a-halfmile stretch of the canal and is making a big difference for all canal users in that area. And from May next year, canal enthusiasts Kim Parry, Ross Fender and Vicki Hepple will be organising a new volunteer programme inviting everyone who enjoys the waterway to get involved in helping to remove unwanted weeds and reeds.”

If you would like to volunteer for a towpath taskforce or are interested in adoption, please email the trust’s Lancaster Canal volunteer team leader Anna Barlow on anna.barlow@ canalrivertrust.org.uk For more general information about the trust, including volunteering and donating, visit canalrivertrust.org.uk

A close-up of reeds and duckweed on the Lancaster Canal.

PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

THE two ends of a 200-year-old canal tunnel under a hill between Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth have finally been connected by waymarked footpaths.

This is thanks to Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership, with the help of funding from West Northamptonshire Council’s Community Fund and volunteers from the Inland Waterways Association’s Northampton Branch.

The nearly two-mile-long Blisworth Tunnel was built without a towpath, so boats were legged, or walked through, while boat horses, which towed the boats, were led over the top. To start with the route was along a toll road built by the Canal Company in 1797, but these days it’s a busy main road unsuitable for those on foot.

In recent years, the Grand Union Canal Towpath Walk, which runs between London and Birmingham, has become very popular with walkers, many of whom reported that they had gone astray trying to follow the different footpaths and bridleways which cross the tunnel top.

Helen Westlake, chairman of Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership explained: “We have been listening to stories for some time from hikers and walkers passing through Stoke Bruerne, some of whom told us they had got totally confused and ended up in

The waymark and QR code points the way round Blisworth Tunnel.

PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

Towcester, so we are very grateful to West Northamptonshire Council for awarding funding to enable us to mark the correct route and to the IWA volunteers for carrying out the installation.”

Sue Day, chairman of the Horseboating Society, said: “I’m very glad the footpath route has been marked as I get muddled every time I do it.”

As well as marking the route, the canal partnership has installed a series of QR codes linking to web-based heritage information and photographs of historical features of interest along the way, so ramblers can learn more about the area.

Paul Simpson and Nigel Lowdell, two of the IWA volunteers assisting with the project, said: “There is definitely a need for waymarker signs as we got lost doing the installation. We took a wrong turn and ended up in a field of horses who, fortunately, seemed more interested in the contents of our rucksacks than us.

Hopefully now, future walkers will fare much better and will enjoy the views and absorb some of the history surrounding this interesting walk.”

The dip in the towpath and lock wall can be seen.

Large dip causes lock closure

By Colin Wareing

A LARGE depression was discovered beside Eshton Road Lock on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Gargrave in late September.

Canal & River Trust engineers believe water got in behind the lock wall and caused it to bulge inwards, creating a dip in the towpath side quadrant.

Initially the lock was closed from September 28 and then reopened for three days until October 2 to allow boats to get through before it was closed for repairs.

CRT staff were on hand during the day to help boats through the lock and monitor it for further deterioration.

There was a

further opportunity for assisted passage on October 11 after which dams were installed to allow the team to drain the lock and assess the full extent of the damage.

It is expected that the lock will be closed for several months for repairs, with the estimate for the reopening at Easter 2022 subject to updates.

Seasonal lock keepers Erin and Rob, who had only started work for the trust the previous week, on hand to help boaters through the lock. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE'S CREATIONS

November 2021 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Back in the Black Country – Boating Festival returns Words and photos: Colin Wareing

THE Black Country Boating Festival was held on the Dudley No 2 canal at Bumble Hole local nature reserve in Netherton over the weekend of September 10-12.

This was the 34th year the event has happened and was organised at very short notice once Covid restrictions had eased.

Despite this there was a good turnout of boats, with the Boaters Christian Fellowship having a number of members there along with private boats and a few roving traders.

Among the exhibitors were members

Canal artist Julie Tonkin and heritage crafter Kerri Williams selling their painted canalware.

Kerri loves canal and fairground artworks which she practises after being apprenticed to Julie to learn and develop her craft and style while keeping the traditions of colour and form.

5

of the Bradley Canal Restoration Society, a voluntary organisation working to restore a stretch of the Birmingham canals between the Bradley Workshops and the Walsall Canal. Although closed in 1954, the route of the Bradley Canal is largely intact, though some is filled in and there is a road bridge that would have to be rebuilt.

In the same tent was portrait artist Steve Lilley. Based in Birmingham, he works mainly in pencil and has a created artwork for the Dad’s Army museum in Thetford, Norfolk.

There was a good line-up of music on the stage with the bar, which is the main fundraiser for the event, doing a good trade.

The event is free for the public to attend and lots of folks turned out to enjoy the event, which is run entirely by volunteers. As is the case with lots of these events, more volunteers are always welcome to help out.

Hire boat Wood Sandpiper is pictured passing through the festival site – wonder whether the holiday boaters were taken by surprise as they rounded the corner to find all the moored boats!

Displays by the Bradley Canal Restoration Society and portrait artist Steve Lilley on show in this tent.

Visitors taking a free trip along the canal in the open hold of the Coombeswood Canal Trust’s workboat Hawne.

Crafts ranging from cushions to artwork, doggy treats and loo roll holders made from copper pipe viewed by visitors from the towpath alongside The Star Crafts who work from a pair of narrowboats.

It wasn’t all boats, music and beer at the Black Country Boating Festival. This Foden steam tractor, registration PC 9928, works no. 10694, had made its way from its home in Stourbridge. Named Tiler, it is a six-ton compound cylinder model built by Foden’s of Sandbach in Cheshire.

PROTECTS FOR LO NGER SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY For your nearest dealer visit

www.elsan.co.uk

Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

GREAT BRITISH PRODUCTS

6 NEWS November 2021 6

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Pewsham Locks project boosted by £15,000 grant

THE restoration of an important stretch of the former Wilts & Berks Canal has received a major financial boost.

Pewsham Locks once lifted narrowboats on their journey from Melksham to Chippenham.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has already restored the towpath, waiting wharf and spillweir, together with a mile of waterway.

Now the charity hopes to restore the adjacent dry dock as well, thanks to a £15,000 grant from Wiltshire Community Foundation.

Chairman of the trust’s Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch Dave Maloney said this generous grant would help breathe new life into an important part of Britain’s industrial heritage.

“The extra funding means we can complete the rebuilding of the dry dock by adding a roof of authentic Welsh slate supported by wooden posts,” he explained.

The aim is to create a sheltered outdoor classroom where schoolchildren and other visitors can discover how the canal was built and learn some of the traditional construction techniques.

Dave added: “Together with the wider restoration of the Pewsham Locks site, visitors will soon have a much clearer understanding of how it once looked and will hopefully be inspired to learn more about the fascinating history of this wonderful waterway.”

Busy site

Pewsham Locks was a busy site during the 19th century, with a lock keeper’s cottage, carpenter’s workshop, saw pit, forge, brickworks and limekilns.

Volunteers Basil Raddy and Roger Noyce inspect the brickwork. PHOTOS: JUSTIN GUY

The dry dock – in the pound which stored water between the middle and bottom locks – was used for boat repairs and the cleaning and painting of their hulls. Boats were pulled in and then the water was drained through an underground channel so the vessel rested on a brick floor.

Excavations revealed pieces of pitch which had dropped off hulls during repairs, together with nails and other items, as well as slate tiles indicating the dock had a tiled roof.

The foundations are still visible today and have been stabilised by volunteers, who are now rebuilding the low walls.

Fiona Oliver, Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust with this important restoration work through a grant from our specific fund for heritage and conservation projects.

“Once complete, the new dry dock will provide a brilliant new educational resource for visitors to learn more about the rich history of the area.

“We look forward to hearing how it progresses.”

GUARANTEE DELIVERY

TPT delivered to your door for only £1.16 an issue Issue 171, January 2020

TALK

waterways users The UK’s Number ONE read for all

TOWPATH

FREE

96 PAGES

FREE INSIDE

2020 YEAR PLANNER YOUNG VOLUNTEER EARNS AWARD

Winter waters

P3

NEW APPEAL FOR PRESIDENT

P4

NARROWBOAT’S UNUSUAL CARGO

p24

Narrowboats moored on the Leeds

West & Liverpool Canal at Parbold, W

eams for 2019 are revealed k’s TTop TTeams T k’s Towpath Talk

By Janet Richardson

BOAT TREKKER AT FINAL FRONTIER

P25

FOR BREAKING NEWS & BOATS FOR SALE visit our website

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

ATS FOR SALE A BOATS Starts on

P63

COLIN WAREING Lancashire in January 2019. PHOTO:

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 Chaplaincy’s Martin and Fiona Buck.

Award presentations to our finalists

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 donation finalists will receive a £100 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 the panel a difficult job of shortlisting 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 Chesterton the from told reporters thatt shots, coming moored at Browns side of the river, were fired at boats five about for on 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 meeting point is 10am at the canal bridge Killan on 01457 Street but this can change. Contact Peter 878361 or peterkillan@hotmail.com

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 were being treated as ‘unexplained’ a post-mortem not appear to be suspicious and The men had not examination was due to take place. alk went to press.

Tal tth T been identified when Towpath

11/12/2019 10:17:16

Call 01507

QUOTE OFFER CODE: TPT01

To save you having to track down a copy every month, take advantage of our special offer

Delivery from just £14 This great deal means you will pay just £1.16 for your copy to be delivered to your home.

That’s cheaper than chips!

529529

www.classicmagazines.co.uk/TPT01

The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.

Visit www.wbct.org.uk

Left: Branch chairman Dave Maloney (centre right) inside the dry dock with fellow canal trust volunteers Basil Raddy, Ray Canter and Roger Noyce.

Montgomery Canal restoration could benefit from Growing Mid Wales bid THE Restore the Montgomery Canal! group – which brings together volunteer charities which have worked for years for the revival of the Montgomery Canal – has welcomed the announcement that the canal is one of the projects the Growing Mid Wales Board is submitting to the UK and Welsh Governments.

This is the response to the Government’s offer of £110 million for developments across the counties of Powys and Ceredigion; projects that are approved will then be worked up in detail for delivery.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! group, said: “Our volunteers have been working for many years to bring the Montgomery Canal back to life. Today over half the canal is open for boating and there are extensive protected areas for the conservation of the canal’s flora and fauna.

“Only a few weeks ago more than 200 people were involved in the annual fundraising marathon – there were nearly as many helping as marshals as actually took part – illustrating the canal’s value for residents and visitors alongside its special built and natural heritage.”

He referred to the ‘pressing need’ to connect the isolated 12-mile section through Welshpool with the restored canal in Shropshire which links to the extensive network of canals across England and Wales.

Volunteers from Restore the Montgomery

Canal! member Shropshire Union Canal Society, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, have been working to extend the Shropshire section and, after years of volunteer preparation and fundraising, next year should see the removal of the last highway blockage in Shropshire.

Michael continued: “The next stages will involve the final two miles of dry canal in Shropshire and the obstructions in Powys, mainly more blocked bridges. We are delighted that councils on both sides of the border are taking a keen interest in restoring the link into mid-Wales, which would mean that 27 of the 35 miles of the canal would be open once more.”

In an effort to keep costs down the Schoolhouse Bridge project will be using volunteers as much as possible. There are other opportunities too, to keep the funds flowing for future works or to help with promotion of the canal.

He concluded: “The Growing Mid Wales proposals can benefit up to 17 miles of canal in Powys, from the border right through to Berriew. With the momentum for restoration in Shropshire we could see boats from across the whole canal network travelling to Welshpool in just a few years; it will be very exciting to have been part of that success story.”

To join the revival email: contact@montgomerywrtrust.uk

Brownhills festival makes successful return THE return of Brownhills Canal Festival has been hailed a major success.

Thousands of visitors enjoyed browsing a range of stalls and floating traders’ wares at the event, held over the weekend of September 18-19 at Silver Street, Brownhills.

Last held in 2019, the organisation of this year’s West Midlands festival was taken over by Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, whose communications director Christine Howles said: “The festival was very well attended.

“Entry was free so it’s difficult to be accurate about numbers but we estimate

about 2000 people turned up.

“The festival was very popular; the people who came said they were so pleased to see it back and loved the range of stalls and floating traders.

“Space was limited but filled

with six floating traders and six historic boats who had booked places and they were joined by several other historic and private boats and 20 land traders.

“We are now looking to see if we can repeat it next year.”

Brownhills Canal Festival, which returned after Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust stepped in to organise it. PHOTO: L&HCRT

November 2021 NEWS 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Gloucestershire’s canal roundabout does the double

Many of the volunteers and supporters who attended the presentation in front of the Stonehouse Court Hotel.

PHOTOS: COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST

Cotswold Canals Trust celebrates Queen’s Award

VOLUNTEERS and supporters of the Cotswold Canals Trust turned out in force for the recent presentation of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Making the presentation beside the canal courtesy of the Stonehouse Court Hotel, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Edward Gillespie described it as ‘a massive accolade’ for the contribution made to an organisation which has transformed the landscape.

He added: “It also represents the benefit that volunteering brings to the quality of life of so many people.”

The Cotswold Canals Trust provides volunteer-led restoration along a 36-mile canal corridor. More than 7000 members with more than 300 volunteers are actively engaged in the restoration, fundraising and trading activities, which in turn provide services that benefit people and nature by providing them with a blue-green corridor.

Volunteers keep the towpaths and waterways clear which are enjoyed by more than 250,000 people each year. Maintenance is provided in an

Cotswold Canals Trust chairman of trustees Jim White receives the crystal plaque representing the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie.

environmentally friendly way while meeting obligations of restoring heritage structures.

Adding his congratulations, chairman of trustees Jim White said: “Having the trust and support of so many volunteers helps us to create beautiful spaces for communities, improve the environment and celebrate the industrial heritage of Gloucestershire.

“This award is a testament to the decades of volunteer-led activity that has gone before us and will continue long into the future.”

Two volunteers from the Cotswold Canals Trust will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022, depending on restrictions at the time, along with other recipients of this year’s Queen’s Award.

Next year will be auspicious for the trust, as it marks the 50th anniversary of its voluntary activity.

WHITMINSTER Roundabout canal bridges scooped two prizes at the South West’s most prestigious civil engineering event.

Winners of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2021 were announced by Rob Bell, TV presenter and engineer, on September 30 at a gala ceremony in the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.

The county’s newest roundabout on the A38/A419 impressed both the judges and the public to attract two of the evening’s top awards.

The Cotswold Canals Trust project to restore a missing section of the Stroudwater Navigation first won the Project Under £8 million New Build Award sponsored by Cormac and went on to clinch the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by AECOM, after getting the most support from the public in an online vote.

Judges praised the technical aspects of the scheme to restore a section of canal within a major roundabout. The project was funded

by National Highways and supported and constructed by Gloucestershire County Council, Atkins and Alun Griffiths (Contractors).

Thanks to £4 million funding from National Highways, the restored Stroudwater Navigation Canal will eventually run under the M5 near junction 13.

Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers conceived this project back in 2004 and have been dreaming of this day.

Chairman of trustees Jim White said: “Unlike most road infrastructure projects, this is the cornerstone of a local charity’s mission to restore the historic canals between the River Severn and the Thames.

“The public have been amazingly supportive throughout the works.

We are especially grateful to the neighbouring residents, who have been enormously kind, even bringing the team home-baked cakes every week. The Cotswold Canals project can now continue and by 2025 the reinstated canal will be navigable once again.”

The award-winning roundabout over the canal at Whitminster.

PHOTO: COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST

High quality rigid frame, semi-flexible and portable

SOLAR PANELS

for narrowboats, yachts, leisure vehicles and off-grid power systems

Our products:

• Flexible and rigid frame solar panels • Solar charging kits • Solar charge controllers • Inverters and inverter chargers • Deep cycle gel and AGM leisure batteries

Your benefits:

Special products and prices for boat builders, marinas, chandleries and other trade

✓ No need to pay for electric hook up ✓ Save money on fuel ✓ No more smelly and noisy generators ✓ Freedom to travel independently from shore power ✓ Keep your batteries topped up while in storage

Why buy from us:

Inverter charger Fibreglass Aluminium Aluminium 250W flexible reinforced 160W reinforced 50W solar panel flexible solar narrow flexible panel solar panel

Rigid 310W solar panel

Gel batt ttery t

Towpath Talk readers - quote TPT2021 for FREE next day delivery

✓ More than 50,000 boat and motorhome customers ✓ Over 400 different products in stock, of all shapes and size - leading brands ✓ Bespoke narrow-fit and multiple solar panel kits ✓ No quibble 30 days return and refund policy ✓ FREE lifetime technical product support

For more information visit www.photonicuniverse.com email info@photonicuniverse.com or call 020 3150 1111

88 NEWS November 2021

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Ribbon cut at new information point

Andrew and Fran Hodgkinson with Coun Matt Furniss who opened the new centre. PHOTO: JULIAN MORGAN Block laying in progress.

Volunteers from Arcadis boost progress

TOWPATH

which were fed down a chute from the towpath on to a platform on the canal bed, then collected and systematically put in place. A total of 62 metres has now been completed using 6762 blocks.

The next lining sessions will take place in March 2022, when more of the channel will have been prepared to the correct dimensions over the winter.

At the eastern end, the massive

task of reducing the width of the channel there continued with countless dumper loads of material being transported. This earth is then compacted using a vibratory attachment to a digger.

New volunteers are always welcome. Contact the Shropshire Union Canal website for details at www.shropshireunion.org.uk

TALK

SHROPSHIRE Union Canal Volunteers have been continuing with the restoration of the 330m dry section of the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath.

When finished, this will link the national network to the winding hole which is in water.

Due to the efforts of a group of six volunteers from the construction section of Arcadis, plus the regular volunteers, significant progress was made to continue lining the prepared section of the channel.

Four layers of blankets of waterproofing materials were spread across the area, which were then block paved with grey building blocks to weigh them down.

During this time 20 metres was covered with 2180 of these blocks

THE opening of a new Wey & Arun Canal Trust information point at Shalford has been described as ‘a tremendous result’.

Cutting the ribbon at a ceremony on September 18, local Surrey county councillor Matt Furniss, who is cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, paid tribute to the trust volunteers who had not only helped construct the information point but were working along the length of the 23-mile canal to bring it back to life for the benefit of the public.

He said: “Last year has been difficult for everyone, but the hard work done by members, volunteers and chairman Sally Schupke has been fantastic because it allows all of us, members of the public, to enjoy their hard work. The towpaths in particular were a lifesaver when we were allowed out for our daily exercise last year.”

The wheelchair-accessible information centre, boardwalk and viewing platform have been constructed by volunteers and contractors over the course of the past

year within Hunt Nature Park.

The centre will play a key role in informing the public about the canal’s history and the trust’s restoration achievements, as well as plans for Bramley and the northern end of the canal. It is hoped to offer guided walks from the information point as well as educational visits for schools.

The cedar centre sits on concrete pillars and has been specially designed to cope with flooding that can occur in the nature reserve, with the path and viewing platform made from sustainable and toxin-free industrial recycled plastic.

This project was helped by a legacy from long-time supporter David Hodgkinson, who sadly died in July 2020. He was a civil engineer by training and was chairman of Inland Waterways Association’s Kent & East Sussex branch until he emigrated to Florida in 2005.

A plaque has been installed at the site in David’s memory and his widow Fran and son Andrew were present to witness the centre’s opening.

GUARANTEE DELIVERY From just £14

Coun Furniss cuts the ribbon at the start of the boardwalk.

TEL: 01507 529529 QUOTING: TPT02

The completed 62m section. PHOTOS: FRED BARRETT

PHOTO: STEPHEN BATEY

Guests on the wheelchairfriendly boardwalk. PHOTO: WACT

Friends Bring Benefits!

13 months boat insurance cover for the price of 12 when you hop aboard HK-J with a shipmate!* For a quote cruise down to havenkj.com or give our friendly crew a call:

+44 (0)1732 223 650 * T&C’s apply - visit havenkj.com/news/friends-bring-benefits Haven Knox-Johnston is a trading name of Aston Lark Limited. Registered in England and Wales No: 02831010.

Registered office: Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London, EC3N 1DY. Aston Lark Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

November 2021 NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Members and friends of LNBP Community Boating celebrate the charity’s 40th birthday at The Ferry Inn, Alveston.

Community boating charity finally celebrates 40th anniversary

A CANAL boating charity near Daventry has finally managed to celebrate its 40th anniversary after an uncertain time of planning and disruption due to the pandemic.

LNBP Community Boating, which is based with two boats moored at Braunston in Northamptonshire, has endured a challenging two years of operation on and off the water.

Its anniversary has been a long time in the planning and typically not been without several changes of plans and then delays due to Covid restrictions.

However officials and members from the non-profit charity, along with friends and guests, were finally able to get together last month to look back on four decades of operation.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of LNBP Community Boating, although this is not strictly accurate as a preliminary meeting was held at the end

of 1980. But nothing actually happened until 1981.

During the past 40 years the project has moved from London to Braunston in Northamptonshire and even the name of the project has changed. It started as The Lewisham Narrowboat Project, which evolved into the London Narrowboat Project as it expanded but now it is called LNBP Community Boating at Braunston to avoid confusion about its location.

Today the non-profit charity continues to offer groups of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to experience canal boating for weekends and midweek short breaks aboard two purpose-built canal boats, Lancelot and Guinevere. The groups they welcome include youth groups, clubs, uniformed organisations and associations, as well as groups working with special needs and organisations working with people who are disadvantaged or unemployed.

LNBP co-vice-chairman Alan Cobbold, right, receives a cheque from Geoff Walker, charity steward of the Warwickshire Freemasons. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

To celebrate the occasion a small party was held on September 16 at The Ferry Inn at Alveston near Stratfordupon-Avon. The venue is owned

by Martin Tolley, an LNBP project skipper, and was a great central location to which guests from across the country could travel. About 60 members and friends enjoyed an afternoon and evening reminiscing about old times stretching back to those very early days and renewing friendships.

Speaking about the celebration, LNBP co-vicechairman Chris Woodward said: “It was a lovely occasion in a great setting and thanks must be given to all those involved.

“After events of the last two years we were thankful to get together again to see faces currently involved, as well as many old friends whom we haven’t seen for so long.”

There was additional cause for celebration as a cheque for £1000 was presented to LNBP co-vice-chairman Alan Cobbold from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Freemasons of Warwickshire by Geoff Walker, charity steward.

Mr Cobbold added: “We are sincerely grateful to Mr Walker and all at the Freemasons of Warwickshire for this wonderful donation. Their support will provide opportunities for those less fortunate than ourselves to experience the delights and benefits that being on our canals can provide.”

For more information about LNBP Community Boating, visit their website at www. lnbp.co.uk, or find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Store’s community fund boost for Lichfield Canal Trust LICHFIELD & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has received a donation of £333 from Waitrose & Partners Lichfield’s Community Matters Fund.

Waitrose & Partners Lichfield store manager Sophy Troman presents a donation of £333 to Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust finance director Bob Williams. PHOTO: LHCRT

LHCRT was nominated by the store's shoppers to receive a third of the £1000 allocated to three local organisations.

Announcing the award, Sarah Fry, Waitrose & Partners Lichfield's community lead, said: “We hope this financial support of £333 will help you to continue the fantastic work that you and your volunteers are doing in the local community.”

The Lichfield Canal, gradually being brought back to life from its closure 60 years ago, provides a natural corridor for public recreation and wildlife habitats.

The Fosseway Heath section off Falkland Road, close to the Waitrose store, is open to the public at all times to show what is being achieved in transforming natural landscapes while preserving the heritage of this local canal in the national inland waterway system.

10 10 NEWS November 2021

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

NCBA training helps crews return to the water This month our regular feature on the work of the National Community Boats Association looks back over the last 18 months of lockdowns and restrictions.

Lock training for waterways chaplains at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

the safe use of the inland waterways. Its qualifications are recognised by the Canal & River Trust, which allows community boating organisations to operate boats carrying up to 12 passengers.

Since March 2020 and the rise of Covid-19, the terms ‘locking up’ and ‘locking down’ took on a totally different meaning for the members of the NCBA. Lockdown proved to be a very bitter pill to swallow for our projects, leading to most, if not all trips and training coming to an abrupt stop.

The board of trustees at the NCBA had to act quickly and made the decision to remove all membership c ha rg e s f o r t hw i t h, something which we have now done for the second year in succession, fully understanding that these fees could be difficult for our members to meet when some – if not all – of their operations had effectively ceased overnight.

Any advice and training the NCBA had to provide now had to be done online; surprisingly, this method worked reasonably well.

As lockdown eased, our

SYSTEMS

SOLUTIONS

A thumbs up from crew members at Hillingdon Narrowboats Association.

Learning the ropes as part of NCBA training courses.

senior trainers took to the canals once again, this time heading to Stoke Bruerne to complete a trainers’ course for one of our new projects: the Milton Keynes Community Boat.

This was followed by two further training courses which were run at SCAD (Skipton & Craven Action for Disability) using their widebeam boat Endeavour and a third course in the south of England at the Hillingdon Narrowboats Project in West London.

While all this was taking place, we received a request from one of our projects in the West Midlands for guidance and advice on single-handed boating due to HS2 utilising the canal system in Birmingham for cable laying. Once again members of our training team got to work and have now produced a training package which will be rolled out shortly.

The NCBA was approached by

their boats Over the Rainbow a trial course was run at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

Due to its success further training courses have now been requested and will be taking place soon.

• Quality engineering • Innovative design • Competitive pricing • Guaranteed compatibility • Unrivalled warranties

*Warranty terms and conditions can be found at www.vetus.com

5-year

warranty on engines*

COMPLETE PACKAGES AVAILABLE FOR NEW BUILD, REFIT AND REPOWERING

Narrowboats t:

023 8045 4507

·

Widebeams

·

Dutch barges

| e : SALES@VETUS.CO.UK | W W W.V E T U S . C O M

3-year

warranty on equipment*

ENGINES | STERN GEAR | FUEL | INSTRUMENTS | FRESH WATER | WASTE WATER | MANOEUVRING | ELECTRICAL | STEERING | HATCHES | VENTILATION

THE National Community Boats Association is a charity that provides support to community boating organisations.

It does this primarily through training support but also by representing the interests of the member projects with the Canal & River Trust as well as other organisations. The NCBA administers systems and delivers that training to promote

the Waterways Chaplaincy with a view to providing its members with lock training, so if required they could safely assist boaters with lock wheeling activities.

At the end of August and with the help of the Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust with one of

PHOTOS: NCBA

If you are a volunteer with a boating organisation and you require advice and assistance to futureproof your project, please contact the NCBA at national-cba.co.uk

Community boat crew help make couple’s perfect day THE Peter Le Marchant Trust recently had the pleasure of being involved in a most wonderful day when, for the first time in the charity’s history, one of its boats transported a wedding party to their ceremony.

Departing from their Loughborough base, the crew picked up the bride Gillian en route and took the wedding party to the church at Normanton-on-Soar.

With added consideration to current Covidsafe measures, the team decked the boat out, helped arrange the catering and cakes and the crew dressed up in a traditional fashion. With excellent weather to boot, it really was the most memorable occasion!

Everyone was delighted to receive the following message after the wedding from the bride: “Thank you for making it so special. Perfect for travelling to church – the guests loved it, everyone was so excited, apparently people were running to see us. It was just amazing! Thank you!”

Everyone at the trust thanks the bride and bridegroom, Gillian and Joe, for letting us be part of their special day.

A kiss for the bride: Joe and Gillian on board Peter Le Marchant Trust boat Serenade.

The wedding party and decorated boat moored alongside St James’ Church, Normanton-on-Soar. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Volunteers sought to help save Mersey Flat

AN APPEAL has gone out for volunteers to help carry out urgent repairs to the last intact Mersey Flat Oakdale.

Supporters of the historic barge, which is currently moored on the mudflats of the Duddon Estuary west of Barrowin-Furness, fear she could be lost if action isn’t taken.

Oakdale sank during storms in March 2020 but although repair work was carried out, further storm and weather damage have taken their toll.

A marine surveyor is due to carry out an evaluation survey which will help determine where best to carry out longerterm repairs, but the most urgent priority is to patch up the vessel for winter and refloat her further up the beach.

Built in 1951, Oakdale is one of only two Flats surviving, the other being Mossdale, now preserved on land at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. She spent her working life on the Rivers Mersey and Weaver and was used as a grain barge.

The Oakdale Mersey Flat Trust has been set up by supporters,

with the aim of fully restoring the vessel, and then returning her to the Mersey, hopefully to Runcorn. They ultimately hope to establish a heritage boatyard at the site of Oakdale’s launch, or the site of the former Town Slip, where Old Quay Yard once maintained the vessels of the Manchester Ship Canal. Contact martin.dewhurst@me.com

Oakdale: the last intact example of a Mersey Flat. PHOTO SUPPLIED

November 2021 NEWS 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk www.towpathtalk.co.uk

PART OF MIDDLEWICH CANAL CENTRE

LD

O TS A BO

A contemporary recreation of the unusual crane on the Delph island which is illuminated at night. PHOTO: SALFORD CITY COUNCIL

Worsley Delph project wins award A RESTORATION scheme to revitalise one of Salford’s most historic sites has won a top national award.

Worsley Delph was the birthplace of the Bridgewater Canal in 1761 which was a catalyst for the Industrial Revolution.

Work to make the site more visitor friendly was carried out as part of a £5.5 million physical regeneration of the Salford stretch of the Bridgewater Canal funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Salford City Council, Bridgewater Canal Company and other partners.

Now Rochdale-based contractor Casey, which carried out the 14-month transformation on behalf of

Salford City Council, has been awarded a British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Landscape Award for regeneration.

The awards celebrate the top landscaping schemes in the country and the Worsley Delph scheme has now been put forward for a Principal Award in regeneration which will be announced at a grand ceremony in December.

Congratulating the company, Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable neighbourhoods, said: “The Delph was a gateway to a network of coal mines and the challenges of draining the mines and getting coal to fast growing markets prompted the

Duke of Bridgewater to create England’s first true canal.

“Our project has cleared damaging vegetation, desilted the canal basin and improved access to and views of the site. We have also installed new information boards and artworks which tell the history of this unique location including a replica mine cart full of coal and a copy of the original Act of Parliament from 1759 that set the canal system in motion.”

The project also uncovered new, historic finds including mining boats, previously unrecorded tunnels and quays and a metal winch which would have unloaded goods delivered to the village.

Birstall Lock landing has the edge THE Canal & River Trust has completed reconstruction of the lock landing below Birstall Lock, on the River Soar/Grand Union Leicester Line.

A new hard edge has been designed to match the adjacent hard-edged visitor moorings and comprises a stonework vertical face and in-situ concrete walkway.

“Heritage aficionados may have issues with the stonework perched on top of steel piling, but CRT has gone some way to fitting in with the existing wharf design,” said Andrew Shephard, chairman of IWA Leicestershire Branch.

“It could have been just Armco piling and a new stone wall down to the riverbed would have been considerably more complicated and expensive.”

He pointed out: “Boaters and in particular single handers, however, need to be aware that there are, as yet, no mooring bollards or rings and no Armco piling top horizontal band for mooring hooks.

“It is not, therefore, possible to secure a boat while setting the lock, so until the planned installation of bollards is carried out, lock users will need to tie up at the visitor moorings instead.”

Boats Wanted!

We’re having an extremely busy time for boat sales and as a result we now need more boats to sell Call for details

Tel: 01270 760 799 Boatfinder Brokerage Services

@BoatfinderBS

Middlewich Canal Centre is home to the following family of companies

You can find individual adverts for us throughout Towpath Talk The new hard-edged landing stage at Birstall Lock. PHOTO: ANDREW SHEPHARD

WWW.CANALCENTRE.COM