The Butty - Spring 2024

SPRING 2024

The

Butty A new Chair for the Trust Welcoming new Trust Chairman, Graham Puddephatt

Greenham Lock The history of the lock on this edition’s front cover

News from the Nivernais An update on the K&A’s twinned canal

Welcome Who's who President: Rob Dean CMG

Dear Members, As I’m writing this, we’re just coming out of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

As someone who lives by the canal, I notice every year that this is the moment where most people remember we have a canal here! The towpath suddenly goes from a sludgy, deserted mess that I drag my grouchy pug along once a day to a social, friendly space where you can’t move without a family in their wellies wanting to say hello! I love it.

There has been a lot of change in the Trust since I last wrote to you and I’ve been musing on how to discuss it here. We have a new Chairman, much has changed with Trust staffing, several new Board members!

Reflecting on this, I’ve realised that I have never known the Trust to be a place to shy away from change. If we think about the beginning of the Trust, the restoration, we were formed to disrupt and create positive change for the K & A that had fallen into disrepair. And more recently, throughout the pandemic, we constantly evolved and changed the ways we worked. Even down to things like Bruce Boat Diana going hybrid or implementing a new booking system! It doesn’t always feel easy or comfortable - but we get there. And on a recent visit to Devizes Wharf, I was pleased to chat to Terry Mundy in his Museum and find that for Terry and (museum horse) Hercules, it’s business as usual!

I hope you enjoy the Spring Butty and I hope you’ll use the brighter days to get out there and see some of the incredible work happening along the Canal, whether it’s on one of our boats, at Crofton, at the museum or on the towpath.

Very best, Jen Jen Smith-Furmage Editor

Get in touch 01380 721279 thebutty@katrust.org.uk /KACTrust @kennetandavoncanaltrust

K&A Canal Trust, Devizes Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1EB

Vice presidents: Rt Hon Lord Benyon Bill Fisher David Lamb Michael Corfield Michael Goodenough Prunella Scales, CBE Terry Kemp Timothy West, CBE David Copley Mike Wyatt Trust council: Graham Puddephatt, Chair chair@katrust.org.uk Jerry Dixon, Hon. Treasurer fd@katrust.org.uk Graham Snook Mike Bailey, H&S Ali Cannon Robert Dunton Terry Mundy Enterprise board: Graham Puddephatt, Chair Jerry Dixon Michael Corish Ceri Hanlon Paul Hanson Paul Kettel Office: Helen Flavin finance@katrust.org.uk

The Trust is a registered charity, No. CC209206, and a company limited by guarantee registered in England, No. 726331

Spring 2024

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In this edition Capturing the canal

3 Chairman’s Letter An update from Trust Chairman, Graham Puddephatt.

13

4-12 Branch Updates Updates from the our Branches (and their boats!) as we go into the 2024 season.

14 Greenham Lock Trust Volunteer Alison Cannon expands on her lock series with an article on Greenham Lock

15

18

Mike Wyatt - Profile A profile on Trust Vice President Mike Wyatt and his history with our Canal.

16 Accessible Waterways Conference Bruce Boats attend the Accessible Waterways Conference - a report.

18

19

Reading Water Fest An update on the ever popular Water Fest and it’s plans for the 2024 season.

19 News From The Nivernais Mary Ranger brings us news and updates from our twinned canal in France, Canal du Nivernais.

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Chairman’s Letter Welcome to the Spring edition of the Butty.

He recently stepped down as Trustee and was previously

I would like to introduce myself as the newly appointed

Reading Branch Chair. He has been an active Trust

chair of the Trust wtih Chris Sims, the previous chair,

member working on restoration of the Kennet and Avon

having stepped down due to ill health. We thank him for

since 1972.

all he did for the Trust. I also want to thank the other members of Trust Council or Enterprise Board who have

Mike Wyatt was also appointed as an honorary Vice

left their roles since the last edition of The Butty.

president in recognition of the work done during the restoration of the navigation, and his work to make the

I have been Chair of Reading branch and a Director of

Reading Waterfest an annual event from 1990 as well as

Enterprise prior to this. My working background was in

being a well-respected chair of the Reading Branch.

IT, and I have experience as chair of a parish council, and trustee of a disabled arts charity. I was first

The need for campaigning to protect and look after the

introduced to canals over 40 years ago. I have to say, I

Kennet and Avon canal did not end with the completion of

feel it is a great honour and privilege to have been

restoration. There is increasing concern about the

asked to take on the role. I am grateful for the support

reduction of government funding, and the challenges and

from The Trustees, Enterprise Directors and many of our

demands of maintenance and flooding. The Trust is a

talented and resourceful volunteers.

proud signatory to support the IWA campaign ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’. The Trust is also part of a forum to

This winter has proved challenging with excess of water

advise and support CRT, and acts as a critical friend. We

and high flow rates. Climate changes predicted include

have been proactively looking at how the waterway has

wetter winters, and drier summers. We are looking to

been affected by flooding in the river sections. Advice

make changes to reduce our carbon foot print. I am

offered from the perspective of experience gained, from

pleased to report that Bruce Boats are trialing a new

work done during restoration, has been well received.

fully accessible hybrid boat, and are hoping to bring it to Reading Waterfest on the 8th June.

I look forward to meeting you along our wonderful waterway,

The Trust is looking at how we can utilize technology improvements. In view of this we are looking for people

GrahamP

with expertise that can lead on Social Media, Marketing, and Membership. We are continuing to refine our use of

AGM Announcement

the new online booking system for boat trips, and

The 2024 AGM will be held on Saturday 1st June at

develop content for the website, giving more autonomy

11am. If you wish to attend the meeting, you must

to the branches.

contact the Devizes office (bookings@katrust.org.uk) saying whether you

One of my first duties as Chair has been to present

wish to join by Zoom or attend in person, by

David Copley a certificate and a bottle of wine to

Thursday 30th May 2024. Proxy Notices (will be

celebrate his appointment as an honorary Vice

available on the Trust website) should be returned

President of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

Spring 2024

by the same date. katrust.org.uk | 3

Reading Branch Updates We have been holding our meetings in Reading on the Humber barge moored at the Bel and Dragon.

We were surprised and pleased, to find that this has now been renamed the Narrow Boat. To mark this we presented Natalie and her team with an early edition of LTC Rolt’s book ‘Narrow boat’ with a challenge to read it before the spring trips begin.

It seems they are likely to have plenty of time to read

David receiving Vice President award.

it, as this end of the Kennet is still on Red Boards,

Around October, we heard reports of otters in Central

with no opportunity to move Matilda back to Winter

Reading and a little later Keith, our Boat Manager, was

mooring since October. County lock, and the bottom

delighted to see a pair of otters rolling and playing

landing stage of Fobney lock, have been underwater

around Matilda Too. They have been seen feeding, and

for several months. She remains outside the Narrow

playing on a regular basis since then.

Boat where preparations for the coming season are underway. We have discovered we have a friend

In November a lady with a life sized resin horse called

literally overlooking Matilda Too, opposite her

Miles, was walking the towpath in stages, towards

enforced winter moorings.

London. She was doing this in memory of her daughter Brodie, a young rider, raising awareness and money for

I would like to thank Kelly, who messaged us a few

Riders Minds and PAPYRUS suicide prevention. This

times, to let us know about some flapping covers,

was fortunately before the towpath became too

and some rope adjustments we needed to make.

waterlogged. www.doitforbrodie.co.uk

This prevented some unfortunate mishaps, and we are truly grateful to a guardian angel.

We have had a full programme of meetings with speakers over the Autumn and Winter season. Rob Coles from CRT spoke in January. Rob thanked the Trust and specifically the Crofton Volunteers for running the Beam engines, and maintaining the water level, while they were replacing the summit level pumps. This was the largest budget project on CRT’s work for this year, to pump water up to the summit level from Wilton water. He discussed the recent flooding, with unprecedented volume of water. Storm rainfall in the Marlborough area caused a sudden rise in tributaries of the Kennet.

Reading Branch

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This caused flooding there, which then worked its way down to our area. Much of the flow and monitoring levels reached new highs, with Newbury seeing 40 cubic Metres/second, that’s a lot of water!!! The CRT team are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year managing this complex balancing act.

In February Sue Law presented her new book “The Dark side of the Cut”. Including fascinating stories of murder and intrigue at the canal side, and an insight into how the boating community were seen.

There has been a change of subject for March with Anne Husar from the IWA talking about the campaign ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’.

The flood plain, and water meadows to the west of Reading, have been high, and constant. Driving through some of the recent excess of water, I experienced a swan swimming across in front of me, with a heron watching on. The water doesn’t suit all, and I have seen deer looking for dry ground around the water meadows.

The grass areas on the lock sides, are heaped with mole hills, the little velvet beasts desperately looking to keep their noses dry.

Waterfest will be held on 8th June we are looking forward to have one of our Bruce Branch fully accessible boats visiting. The boats offer hire boat holidays and day trips from Great Bedwyn. They will be working with Reading Borough Council and others to offer trips to those who otherwise might not be able to get on the water. We are planning to use the wharfage outside the new Huntley Wharf buildings to host a larger number of boats, now that the development is finally finished. There will be an exhibition in the Turbine house, hosted by a gallery of canal artists, several based on the K&A. Please contact me if you would like to bring your boat or have a stall.

Spring 2024

By Dru Marland

The Aldermaston Tea Rooms have been open continuously from the start of the year and are prepared to welcome the Devizes to Westminster Canoe race at Easter. We are preparing for the Wash house/Toll house information centre to be open and viewable this Spring.

We have had permission to use articles from The Narrowboat magazine to detail the life of a Toll Clerk, and some detail of the workings of John Gould’s working boats. We have recently been donated some artifacts for the working K&A including a mast from John Gould’s boat ‘Colin’. If anyone has any similar items, we would be pleased.

Keep well and look after each other.

GrahamP chair.reading@katrust.org.uk “Reading…on Kennet and oh so near the Thames” - Daniel Defoe 1724 Reading meetings are held at 7.30pm third Tuesday of the month at The Narrow Boat, Reading RG1 3EQ You are welcome to come along, or contact me for the Zoom access.

See katrust.org.uk for more details on these meetings. *Stop Press The Narrowboat pub / Restaurant has been closed by Fullers at short notice. We have moved Branch meetings to our Tea Rooms and Aldermaston

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Newbury Branch Updates Hi from Newbury, where for once I'm sitting writing this looking at, relatively, blue skies!

Normally at this time of year we would be getting Jubilee ready for our yearly training and a chance for some to get out on the water for the first time since the end of last season. We're still getting ready for training, but sadly it's all going to be land based as we can't get out on The K&A. Once again being on a river section is haunting us.

Since the last Butty we ended the season with our Halloween trips, which went down really well, and then it was full steam with preparations for our Christmas trips. Crew and committee got together for a wrapping party and over 200 presents were wrapped, labelled, collated and boxed ready for Santa to deliver.

Thankfully contingencies were in place and we had another party, to turn the John Gould Room at the wharf

Bunting and tinsel were unravelled, costumes dusted

into Santa's Grotto. Even though we couldn't get on the

off, not Santas obviously as he's real, and mince pies

water a great time was had a by all. The big man in red

purchased. All was ready to go.... and the heavens

made several appearances and the kids loved it.

opened. Old timers talk of the great rains of 2014 when the floods came and the flow rate through Newbury was

The rain continued and just after Christmas the flow was

just under 30. Trips get called off once the flow reaches

39.6. I invested in a pump and spent a bit of time moving

10, by the time we were due to sail..... it was 22.6 and

water out of my cellar and we are still, at 29.6. We are all

you couldn't see some of the lock landings.

keeping our fingers crossed the season can start as planned at the end of April. Everyone is going to be working hard to make the season the best we can and we are putting some different evening trips on for the summer. We attended the volunteering fair in Newbury in January, which was very good for us and we're looking forward to trying up our new crew members and letting them loose(ish) on the canal.

Before the season starts we have our AGM in the John Gould Room on the 24th of April. Feel free to turn up if you want to meet any of the volunteers who make Jubilee and Newbury and happy and successful part of the KACT.

Spring 2024

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Hungerford Branch Updates The prospect of the Rose going back into action

On the brighter side, we have successfully passed

in Spring lifts the spirits as we struggle through

our MCA in water inspection. Canal and River

the tail of Winter.

Trust have finally repaired Dun Mill lock (some three years after problems first arose!).

This year, however, we face a number of serious challenges. Several of our key volunteers,

To add to that, a gratifying number of new

including a number of our experienced

volunteers will be going through EST and joining

boatmasters, are hors de combat because of

us as fully fledged crew members for the 2024

health issues. We hope and expect they will be

season. A new cooker has been installed and the

fit enough to contribute later on, but we will

gas cut off is now easily accessible. The new

struggle without them in the first few months of

KARS crew booking website appears to be

the season.

working well.

The Kennet remains closed to navigation; the

We look forward to giving Rose a (much needed)

waterways in and around Hungerford are at their

new coat of paint and our first trip of the season on

highest in living memory. Our out of water MCA

Mothering Sunday and send our best wishes to the

inspection and hull blacking has been postponed

invalids for a smooth and rapid recovery.

by at least a month and unless flows reduce significantly soon, will have to be delayed again.

Spring 2024

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Bruce Branch Updates So much has happened recently I don’t know where to start. With many new committee members, and big changes in the way bookings are taken, some of us have spent the winter months at our computers honing our IT skills. Not so the Winter Warriors, who in record numbers have turned out in all weathers to make sure the boats are in tip top condition ready for the new season. The rain made locating leaky windows easy – fixing the leaks was more of a challenge, but one which was overcome with the usual efficiency and good humour.

Steve Gibbons has been working hard on publicity: as a result we have an encouraging number of bookings for this year and are well on our way to meeting our target numbers. Steve represented Bruce Boats at the Accessible Waterways Conference in December, and at the Wiltshire WheelPower Sports Festival in February, both interesting and extremely worthwhile events.

Our most exciting project this year is converting one of

At the start of the year almost forty of us enjoyed a New

our widebeam boats to hybrid (diesel-electric)

Year Buffet at the Three Tuns pub in Bedwyn, where

propulsion. This has been funded by a very generous

staff members Janet, Ollie and Beth had been

legacy, and we hope will allow us to run entirely on

preparing to take part in the New Forest Trail Run. We

electricity for day trips, while having the full range and

were delighted to be their chosen charity for this

power for holiday hires provided by the existing diesel

sponsored event: the donations total has reached over

engine. The advantage of electric, as well as reducing

£3000. A fantastic achievement.

our carbon footprint and exhaust emissions, is that it is much quieter than diesel so will offer a better experience for all on board. Watch out for Diana in a couple of months’ time as she glides silently down the canal...

Lady Hilda is also gearing up for a good season, ready to welcome Guides, Scouts, Trefoil, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants on board, with record numbers of bookings already in place. Two out of the three DofE trips are already full; we may add another in the summer holidays to cope with demand.

Our Easter Fayre and Open Day was a great success, with visitors travelling from as far afield as Leeds to look round the boats.

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Crofton Branch Updates Preparation for the 2024 season continues apace with a successful result of the boiler inspection whilst stripped down for the winter, it is now back together again and will be ready for a Hydraulic test on 27 February.

A small team of volunteers have continued researching for alternative fuel to coal, last season our trials with a fuel part made with olive stones gave mixed results, it was also extremely hot and hard work for our people managing the further trials will continue this season.

With the type of coal our boilers burn now becoming more difficult to obtain, we confirmed an order of twenty tonnes late last year whilst the coal was still in transit, so 2024 streaming’s are secure.

Winter has not been incident free, work repairing the chimney was completed by contractors during October.

Evaluation of consultants’ proposals and Crofton Branch Committee input for Crofton 2030 project was completed and submitted to NHLF in November. Although some of the proposals if we wish to progress with them will require substantial funding, during the discussions certain ideas were identified that could be managed by volunteers ideas such as making better use of the buildings on site particularly now the stone Smithy building is owned by the K&A Trust. Work has already started on relocating workshops, the next phase is to convert the Smithy into a It was apparent that many of the windows in the

learning area for schools and make use of Pumphouse

pumphouse were in poor condition and needed urgent

cottage ground floor as visitors refreshment facilities.

attention, volunteers devised a method of removing and repairing the eight beam gallery windows which reduced cost of repair considerably.

We have no records of storm damage during the last 200 years but our roof and gutters suffered the year before last, then storm Isha early this year caused damage to the roof in almost the same place.

Spring 2024

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Crofton Beam Engines has secured a grant of £6,120 from the Association of Independent Museums under its 'New Stories New Audiences' programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their 'Crofton for Kids' project.

The grant will fund the development and production of a class set of working models of the pumping station, buildable by children and designed by volunteers. Visiting groups of children will visit the station to learn how it works. They will be helped to build the models and will then work in small groups to create short videos about the station. These videos will be made accessible to visitors to the station through the use of QR codes, taking advantage of the intranet installed around the site.

Whitney Cawley, the Learning and Community Engagement Officer at Crofton Beam Engines said:

Graham Snook, a Trustee and Chairman of the

"This is an exciting opportunity to develop our

Crofton Branch, said: "This grant recognises the value

activities with children. We have already signed up

of the work we are doing at Crofton to develop our

three local schools to work with us, and are talking

learning and engagement programme. We are

to others.We will then be able to use the models

grateful to the Association of Independent Museums

created as part of the project in our existing learning

for their continuing support to small museums such as

sessions and incorporate them into a more regular

Crofton Beam Engines."

family workshop which we hope to offer throughout

The New Stories New Audiences programme is

the year".

designed to support small museums to stay relevant to their audiences and to increase their impact by identifying new stories and by working with a new partner, to work differently and to try something new.

Heritage Open Days 2023

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Devizes Branch Update On the wharf itself, the Devizes branch are continuing to develop and promote our re vamped venue, the Rennie Room, for public to hire for all kinds of events. So far we have yoga classes, the wharf theatre use it as a rehearsal room and we host a weekly and very popular park run. The museum has been complemented by the Galley Another year and the start of another season….time flies

room, which serves tea and coffee to the visitors.

when you are having fun!

For further information contact Ann Snook -

Here In Devizes, looking back to the end of last year we

(snook30@btinternet.com)

were able to put on 14 sold out Santa trips. All very jolly and full of festive frolics.

However, there was a particular hiccup which made these trips more interesting for passengers and more challenging for our crew of elves. You may have seen on the local news that sadly a narrow boat caught fire and was left smouldering and leaking diesel and oil right on the bend at our London Road turning point.

The nature of our trip meant it was partially blocking the space needed to both turn and reverse the KV to pick up Santa. Commendations go out to the various helms on these trips, whose skill and patience saved the day(s).

We kept our crew social events going over the winter break by having our “I survived Christmas” gathering in January. Food, games and music made it a pleasant evening.

Spring 2024

The new season officially commenced on 10th March when we put on two well attended Mother’s Day cream tea cruises. The weather was kind and the passengers all lovely. All of us at Devizes are looking forward to a continued successful and productive time ahead on the Kenavon Venture!

Note from The Editor - While this edition of The Butty was in production I was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Jean Smith.

Jean has been an integral and much-loved part of Devizes Branch for many years. A full article on Jean’s life and huge contributions to Devizes branch will be included in the Autumn Butty. katrust.org.uk | 11

Bradford on Avon Branch Updates Those long, heady summer days, out on the cut, cruising along with the sun on your face, greeting walkers on the tow path….don’t you just long for their return?

Memories of our lovely passengers being looked after by our hard working crew feel somewhat distant in the middle of a grey, damp February day – but the days lengthen and in the blink of an eye, we are back doing what we love!

We are privileged to be a part of many celebrations from

Meanwhile, we had fun at our B Mac Christmas After

birthdays to weddings, retirements to annual gatherings,

Party, emptying the boat ready to go to drydock. Our band of “jolly helpers” who watch their number of steps certainly had a boost, up and down the boat steps, across to the cafe, up and down the stairs. On repeat.

But the reward was a drink in the Canal Tavern and further opportunity to chat and bond a bit more.

A Crew Jolly along the canal to Semington was another great day out, and not at all a “busman’s holiday” as we

active people on holiday to not-so-active-any-more people who can enjoy sitting on board appreciating the scenery as they pass through it.

A lovely Canadian couple have been in touch about an ancestral history visit they will be doing. They have connections with the Peto family of Iford Manor and a trip on ouur boat is a highlight of their planned holiday. Amazing!

And then from our social media we know that some of our

re-grouped and recalled all things boaty. It was good to

lovely “regulars” are as excited about being on the boat

welcome some of our brand new volunteers.

again. It’s like meeting up with old friends.

We look forward to the Nautical Archaeology Society

And now we are ready for the first of our trips: Mother’s

returning in September as part of their Victorian Boating

Day, Easter with a Bank Holiday Cream Tea trip, Spring

weekend. We are fortunate to count Ali Cannon among our

Burst that takes us to the Dundas Aqueduct in early

Skippers and here she is beautifully dressed in her costume

May.On we go to Midsummer Daydream in June,

reading extracts from her book “Victorian Boating”.

Boater’s Apprentice in July, monthly cream tea trips and a lot of charters!

So what’s not to like about volunteering on a KACT boat?

These words came from one of our new crew last season, like gold dust, and I’m sure lots of our wonderful KACT volunteers will echo them: “Volunteering as crew has greatly contributed to both my physical and mental health – the latter particularly – as there’s no substitute for tootling along the canal on a summer’s afternoon and I get a real sense of pleasure and satisfaction from each trip. Helping and interacting with the passengers gives me a palpable sense of worth, especially when they thank us so kindly at the end of a trip. It’s great to be able to help people and see them having a good time.”

And long may it continue as we head into another glorious boating season.

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Floating Safely into the New Season One of the important “Backroom” (Garage) activities during the downtime for the boats, and crews, is to test, check, and certify our life Jackets. Our President Rob Dean undertakes this annual servicing task which he has recently completed for this year. Our policy since December 2021 requires the inspection to be done, and a report of the results sent to the Director of Boats, to include numbers of life jackets inspected, failure rate, and statistics for replacement of components. This is a summary of that report.

139 life jackets were provided for servicing (including 9 from the Falcon Adam team which are owned by the Thames & Kennet Narrowboat Trust). All the Life Jackets were serviced in accordance with the approved procedure, which includes overnight inflation.

136 were passed for use on Trust boats, with 2 used at Crofton. Three were rejected, of which 2 were destroyed and one (personally owned) marked 'unsafe and not to be used on Trust boats'. Certificates were issued to our boat managers.

Some gas cylinders and other minor parts were replaced from stock. The boats have been supplied with additional in-date replacement bobbins and gas cylinders for use during the season if needed. Boat managers will check any new personal Life Jackets being brought to Trust boats to make sure they meet our requirements.

There is collating of any incidents involving lifejackets, to monitor their performance. Each year there are a few false activations. This tends to happen if Life Jackets are stored wet!

We are grateful to Rob Dean for completing this mammoth task. All Life jackets have now returned to

Lifejackets ready for the 2024 season

the boats and are ready for use.

Spring 2024

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Locks on the Canal Greenham Lock (86)

By Alison Cannon

If locks could talk, what tales they could tell of the happenings at their gates over the years! One lock which has seen more than its fair share of strange events is Greenham Lock, located to the east of Newbury next to Greenham Lock Marina.

Surrounded by flood meadows when it was first built in the 1720s, initially this large turf-sided lock would have received barges from the Thames, to be joined later by pairs of narrowboats. In 1878 a writer to The Newbury Weekly News reminisced about the boats

The lock is named after the nearby Greenham Mill, which

of earlier times: “A couple of Mr. John Flint’s, or Mr.

in 1811 was the location for the making of the

Evans senior’s, or the late Daniel New’s ‘wussers’

Throckmorton (or Newbury) Coat, the result of a bet that

[narrowboats], strung together as close as the

the whole process of making a woollen coat – beginning

Siamese Twins, are returning perhaps with loads of

with shearing the sheep – could not be completed within

the much-prized Newcastle coals that had been

24 hours. . (The bet was won in 13 hours 20 minutes).

‘whipped’ from the northern coal-hulks in the port of

Then just slightly further afield is Greenham Common, a

London. . . . also one or two of the Brothers

name for many synonymous with the Women’s Peace

Quarrenton’s big barges, just starting on their journey

Camp against nuclear weapons in the 1980s. Both these

with a miscellaneous cargo bound for London.

events are commemorated in Newbury’s West Berkshire

Probably the chief part of the load is comprised of the

Museum.

famous barley grown in West Berks for the big London brewers...”

Five years later, the lock was in a bad state of repair and a stoppage was necessary. The canal was dammed and the water drained using an Archimedean Screw “driven by an engine placed in a punt in the stream adjoining”.The “extensive repairs” were completed in little more than a week. Perhaps CRT could learn a thing or two from life in the 1880s

Less well known is the excitement caused by two successive dangerous dogs living near the lock, resulting in multiple letters and even a poem to the local press in 1879; and, in a strange reversal of fate, the vicious attack on a walker’s dogs by the inhabitants of the lock-house in 1916.

Later, the lock cottage was inhabited by one Major Stanley Chittenden, who ran a riding school of about 20 ponies next to the canal. He shunned a motor car for a pony and trap, and was still using them to do his shopping

– but finding the “seventy men” required to do the

well into the 1960s. By this time the pony was almost

work might be a challenge. Certainly these repairs

blind, so the Major gave up his seat in the trap to lead the

were more successful than one in the 1950s for

pony along, oblivious to the dangers of traffic on the

which an old telegraph pole was ordered to make a

newly-built dual carriageway. He also used it to collect

replacement balance beam, but when it arrived it was

calves from Newbury Cattle Market for his

found that the courier, to make transport easier, had

farm:“Admittedly it’s quite a squash in the trap with the

sawn it in half!

family and the odd calf or two, but who cares; it’s a very pleasant way to travel,” the Major told the Reading

Spring 2024

Evening Post in 1966.

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Profile - Mike Wyatt Mike Wyatt has recently been appointed as a Vice President in recognition for his long contribution to the Trust. Mike has made a huge contribution to the work of the Trust, his influence extending as far as Buckingham Palace. As a result, he is one of the few Trust members to have been awarded the Trust’s highest honour of the John Gould award.

Mike and his wife Audrey relocated to Reading after Mike’s work as a military engineer in the Far

Working with Trust President and local MP Tony (later

East.Later, their boat would be called Moonflower,

Sir Anthony) Durant, whose parliamentary duties

after an unusual oriental flower, one of which they

included contact with the palace, the declaration was

kept at their house.They joined the Trust and in the

carried along the whole canal by boat in 2003 and

mid1970s. Mike joined the Bulls Lock restoration

signed by people along the way. It was then presented

project where his army experience allowed him to be

personally to the Queen by Mike, Tony, Trust Chairman

one of the qualified engineers supervising the work

Brian Poulton, and Reading Branch Chairman Peter as well as working as an “ordinary” volunteer on days Crawford. November 2005 marked the 50th anniversary when other engineers were rostered to take charge. of the founding of Reading Branch. Mike worked hard Best known for his work as a member and later

to locate original members and organised a special

Chaiman of Reading Branch he has also suggested,

reception in November 2005 for past and present

researched and implemented a series of schemes to

members and local civic leaders.

build on the Trust’s history and promote the canal.

Mikes careful research also included the history of the The Trust AGM usually took place at the western end wharves and moorings on Reading’s waterways. Part of of the canal but Mike thought some should come the banks near the former Huntley and Palmer biscuit eastward so he and Audrey organised and catered

factory were identified as Blakes Wharf and Reading

for an AGM at Reading, another one was later held

Borough Council put up a plaque bearing the name.

at Burghfield.

As age increased Mike handed over the Chairman role

Reading Waterfest was initially seen as a one off

at Reading, but remained as an active member, and as

event, to mark the canal reopening in 1990. Reading

a wise adviser to his successor. Mike also had family

Borough Council seemed impressed with the

connections with a local Scout group, and helped them

success of the event, and so Mike built up a

raise funds to rebuild their HQ, after a suspicious fire.

relationship with them to support and maintain the

Now in his nineties he has recently moved from

event going forward. Waterfest is now in its 35th

Reading to Newbury to be near his family.

year.

Always modest, Mike is always known as Mike. The

Knowing that a petition for restoration of the canal

term Major M. Wyatt only emerges when needed to

had been sent to the Queen in 1956 (but

overcome bureaucratic barriers, or to strengthen a

subsequently lost by the Public Records Office) Mike

claim for support to the Trust.

proposed that a Declaration of Gratitude for restoration be sent.

Spring 2024

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Accessible Waterways Conference In December, Steve Gibbons and Ali Cannon were privileged to represent Bruce Boats at the first conference of the newly-formed Accessible Waterways Association (www.awa-uk.org.uk). The following report is from founder members Tracey Clarke (text) and Tim Clarke (picture).

Report of the Towards Accessible Waterways Day 2023 Saturday 2 December 2023 can be hailed as a great success for the Accessible Waterways Association (AWA). Despite the weather, and some train problems, around 50 people gathered at the wonderful Trefoil House venue in central Birmingham for the Towards Accessible Waterways Day. This was hosted jointly by AWA and the Canal and River Trust, and was linked to the International Day of People with Disabilities.

Although from the outside the choice of venue didn’t

Tracey Clarke and Matthew Symonds introduce the day.

look great (because of the current building work), it

There were talks/presentations from

proved to be a superb one. The brand new Trefoil

· Rob Oliver; Paralympic Medallist Kayaker

House has been built for the Girl Guides and is fully

· Tracey Clarke – AWA

accessible and very well equipped.

· Matthew Symonds and Dick Vincent – CRT

There was a large hall, which housed our meeting as well as the exhibitors, with plenty of room to circulate. A separate room provided a more sociable area for refreshments and lunch. The whole of the venue was

· Liz Humphreys – ‘Having a boat built for full accessibility needs’ · Rekha Vijayshankar – Marie Curie ·Rev Richard Alford – Waterways Chaplain

on the ground floor, and nearby parking added to the

These talks all promoted a great deal of excellent ongoing

benefits.

conversations both in ‘Q&A’ style

The day was for anyone who identifies as having a disability, or who cares about the accessibility of our

Perhaps the topic that provoked the most interest was the

beloved canals and their surrounding environments. It

prototype new mooring bollard that was brought along by

included exhibition stands from:

Dick Vincent, National Towpath Advisor for CRT. This is a

The Accessible Waterways Association The Canal & River Trust Waterlodge UK Ltd Overwater Wheelyboat Services Food Allergy Friends Ltd

full-size model of the proposed design for bollards to be installed at designated accessible mooring places, which are to be gradually set up around the network. This provoked a great deal of very interesting and useful conversation about the whole topic of the accessibility of moorings and routes to and from them.

Bruce Boats (Kennet & Avon Canal Trust) Waterways Chaplaincy Navigating the System Spring 2024

katrust.org.uk | 16

Accessible Waterways Conference Also very interesting was the talk by Rob Oliver about his experience of and gratitude for use of the canals around Birmingham during Covid Lockdown times, when training facilities were closed. Rob used the canals to train for the Tokyo Paralympics 2021, where he won a bronze medal. Through that time, Rob became very fond of our inland waterways system and says that he prefers them to the ‘clinical’ training facilities, because they combine his rigorous training with enjoyment of the wonderful and very varied surroundings.

It was wonderful to share in Liz’s story of having her own bespoke boat built to accommodate her increasing health and mobility difficulties. This shows that it can be done and that a boat can be an excellent home even

This started as a questions-and-answers style presentation

when we face very challenging physical difficulties.

with Tracey of AWA as the interviewer. It led on to some really good further conversation among all delegates and

Rekha was unfortunately unable to join us in person

proved both interesting and helpful.

but, thanks to the wonders of technology, gave us a

Tracey gave a little insight into how the Accessible

great presentation about the services that Marie Curie

Waterways Association came about. She also talked about

can offer for end of life care. This seems like a morose

plans ongoing for the new organization, explaining that, at

subject but it is one that we all have to face at some point. Rekha tackles the topic with wonderful sensitivity and delivers it with a delightful and sometimes gently humorous manner. It most definitely gave us all food for thought and for further conversation.

the moment all the thoughts buzzing around about this are limited by human resources. A couple of people have subsequently offered to join the team. This is superb news and Tim and Tracey will be in further talks with them to explore the future development of the CIC. All in all, it was a very pleasant, productive and wellworthwhile day. It was great to meet so may people who are

Rev Richard Alford told us a little about the ways in

passionate about striving to make our precious canals and

which the beloved Waterways Chaplains are able and

rivers more accessible so that they can be enjoyed by

very willing to befriend, advise and assist any boater in

everybody equally.

need. They are a truly treasured team of wonderful people around our network.

Matthew Symonds, National Boating Manager and Acting Customer Services Manager for CRT, joined Dick Vincent in talking about the mooring bollards and, more in general, about the accessibility of our 2000+ miles of inland waterways.

Spring 2024

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News from Around The Trust I attended Phyllis Court as part of Henley Literary festival on the 5th of October 2023 to listen to Tim West recount tales captured in his new book “Pru & Me”. Tim was “in Conversation” with James Hogg who steered him through memorable stories for a very enjoyable, and entertaining introduction, to what I have since found, a fascinating read.

At the end of the chat there was an opportunity to question our man. I raised my hand and was offered the mic to ask my question. I asked, “Given that you are a Vice President of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, do you have a favourite spot or memory of the K&A?” Tim thought for a moment and said that he and Pru had always enjoyed their time on the K&A. The scenery was stunning, and the variety of the locks and structures always makes it interesting…but the earliest memory was attending an early campaigning meeting in Bath held near a lock, then full of mud.

An objector to the restoration stood on the lock gate, and gave forth his opinion. Someone must have leaned on the lock beam, and the gate shuddered. The chap fell gracefully back into the mud to a rousing cheer from the bystanders.”

Bird Boat Box! You may have seen my article in the 2022 Autumn issue of the Butty about my “bird boat box” I had from my Grandchildren for my 75th birthday. My last comment was “I hope the birds like it as much as I do, let’s see what happens next Spring?” Well they obviously did like it. In 2023, all seemed quiet but when I connected the camera we saw 5 eggs. I didn’t realise they were sneaking in the back door where I installed the camera.

Instead of the usual Blue Tits, we had a pair of Robins. I have now fitted the boat with a deck box to house the camera to get a better picture and see if the use the front door,so let’s see what happens this year? - Graham Seymour

With a grin Tim said, “If this is the type of folk wanting to restore the waterway, I want to be part of it.”

I spoke to James afterwards who thought I asked a very interesting entertaining question.

Graham Puddephatt - Trust Chairman

Spring 2024

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News from Around The Trust Remembering Barrie Barrett The Kennet & Avon Canal has lost a long-time supporter and promoter with the passing of Barrie Barrett.

Barrie Barrett was born in 1931 in Devizes but moved to Rowde when he was about 18 months old. From an early age Barrie loved nothing better than playing in the fields and lanes in Rowde and learning all about the wildlife and nature around the area.

Later in life he built his own bungalow next to his parents’ home in Marsh Lane and married a local girl the daughter of the village baker.

He did many Guided walks along the Canal for various groups and clubs and produced a book on 6 walks around Rowde which included the Canal. He was also interested in photography and spent many hours filming a pair of Swans on their nest and managed to catch a cygnet being hatched.

A Challenge From The Archive Elaine, our Archivist, asks, ‘Does anyone know what the metal loops are for on the top of the wall on the lower left side in the picture below)? I have an idea but if anyone knows I would be grateful.’

When the idea of the Jubilee Wood was proposed Barrie thought this was a lovely idea especially when he was asked to plant a tree in memory of his wife which he was delighted to do. He remained interested in the progress being made and what flora and fauna could be seen there which led him to leave a bequest in his Will.

This bequest is now in the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Archive and is a fascinating collection of papers, photographs and slides an invaluable source of research for those especially interested in the Caen Hill Area.

Note from our Archivist - If anyone is able to assist with digitising slides, this would be greatly appreciated.

Please do let me know through the Butty Editor.

Spring 2024

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Reading Water Fest

by Lucy Daniels - Reading Borough Council For thirty-five years Reading Borough Council has worked in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust to deliver the annual Reading Water Fest event.Water Fest is the towns largest free outdoor festival and alongside the water-based activities, boat parades and beautifully painted boats, the event also features an exciting mix of arts, culture and heritage, through performances, activities and workshops. This accessible one-day event takes place within the Abbey

Waterways Poet Laureate at WaterFest 2023

Ruins and along the River Kennet, celebrating the

The South Transept will also play host to a whole range of

Abbey’s rich 900 year history and its environmental and

historical and heritage stalls include Reading Museum,

heritage connections with Reading’s waterways. This

Friends of Reading Abbey, Civic Society and The

year’s event will also officially launch this year’s

Confraternity of St James.

Reading Climate Festival.

The main stage programme has been curated in

On the day Reading Borough Council’s Events and

partnership with the new Reading Global Festival

Engagement team manage all land-based activities and

(Celebrating of the diverse grassroots SOUND of

programming and work throughout the year to ensure

Reading). There will be a wide range of performances

an exciting programme of activities and entertainment

taking place throughout the day from local bands, soloists

take place across the site.

and choirs.

Chestnut Walk, is home to The Oscar Wilde Memorial

Activities across the site include an annual Street Food

Walk and also to the event’s craft avenue. Browse

festival brought to you by Blue Collar Street Food in the

amongst a range of hand crafted items and admire the

Forbury Gardens - with their ultimate selection of food

beautifully painted narrow-boats, new and old. Why not

stalls there is so much choice you will be sure to find

take a relaxing journey on one of the regular trips on the

something to enjoy! The Forbury Gardens also host a

Kennet and Avon Canal Trusts narrowboat, running

wide variety of local charities and community groups

throughout the day or buy your ticket for the duck race

who set up stalls in the gardens to showcase all the

later in the day.

vital work they do here in Reading. And for the first time

We’ll once again be featuring a floating stage as part of

this year the Forbury Gardens will host a sustainable

the event. Be prepared to be entertained as you meander

fashion show, giant pre-loved and thrift clothes sale and

along Chestnut Walk by a range of local soloists and

repair shop.

groups bringing a whole host of exciting new sounds to the Kennet.

On the day visit the Abbey Ruins for a mix of traditional

We are also really pleased to be able to extend the event

and contemporary music and dance across two stages.

once again along Riverside Walk this year as the

Our acoustic stage will be located in the beautiful

development works in this area are now complete. This

surroundings of the South Transept throughout the

has meant that we’ve been able to programme a range of

afternoon and our main stage can be found in the

sustainable themed workshops, entertainment and

dormitory area of the Abbey.

refreshments (Provided by the Narrowboat restaurant and

Spring 2024

bar) into this area once again!

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News from the Nivernais

By Mary Ranger Winter is nearly over and Spring is around the corner. The winter here has, fortunately, been wetter than usual topping up all the water tables,lakes and reservoirs and consequently our rivers and canals.It was also a winter with several colder spells than we have known since several years, the canal here freezing over in many places.

Perhaps this will help kill or, at least slow down the prolific growth of the aquatic weeds that continues to choke our canals nationally.Navigating, particularly with a bigger, deeper draughted boat, is slow, tedious going and obviously heavy on fuel consumption. As elsewhere, the weed cutting machines are valiantly keeping a navigable channel open. It seems that this aquatic Myriophyllum heterophyllum plant of which there are 69 species some of which are now banned from sale as they are often used in fish tanks the contents then disposed of reaching the waterways eventually.

It proliferates aided and abetted by the quantity of nitrates in the water washed down from the adjacent farmland, and the increasing intensity and duration of sunny periods heating the water as well as increasing the light available for photosynthesis.

The University of Lorraine has beeen callled in to study the problem in St. Jean de Losne at the southern end of the Burgundy canal where the " gare d'eau" housing a large number of boats was all but impasssable.

Endeavours to reduce the light available, the quantity of nutrients and physically chopping the weeds did not have the success anticipated but pullling the weed out in the autumn then chopping regularly do keep it under control.

On the canal here we do still have several hotel boats of large dimensions that help keep the channel open, chopping and dispersing the weeds, apparently not necessarily a positive outcome. katrust.org.uk | 20

The bits and pieces only replanting themselves. The bigger boats do push aside the mud and silt but this accumulating depth must eventually provide more breeding ground for the weed,amongst other inconveniences. Dredging is expensive and administratively complicated as the mud extracted has to be analysed, treated and stocked.Not a job in view!

As an aside, the dredging machine built specifically for the Nivernais was sent to the scrapyard despite pleas from the Amis headed vociferously by Joe Parfitt; There are fewer and fewer larger boats on the canals here, it seems; is this due to Covid, Brexit, increasing costs, rules and regulations?

Besides the regular maintenance work, the big current project is the reconstruction of the Batardeau weir in

Not far from this weir, on the river below in front of the

Auxerre alongside the first lock off the river Yonne.

St.Etienne cathedral is moored a 38 metres ex-

Replacing the 19th century frames and needles for

commercial boat converted into a very successful cafe-

huge rubber water filled balloons started in October

theatre. The "Ysaline" navigates each summer stopping

2022 and should be completed this spring.

en route to present plays and musical events for young

The balloons can be filled or emptied automatically in

and old.

order to raise or lower the water levels. Previously, and

The Amis plan this year to organise a "chantier de

still in practice on the Nivernais as elsewhere, workers

nettoyage" along the banks of the canal around Mailly le

have to walk out onto the barrage and, of course, when

Chateau in cooperation with a local historical society and

the river is in flood, to lift or replace the 2,50metres long

a fishing association. Even though our canal runs through

by 7 centimetres wide wooden poles - a risky business!

bucolic and isolated (as well as beautiful!) areas, rubbish

Other work has included modifications reinforcing the

of all dimensions and origins seems to land and

fish pass on the weir in Vermenton and along the banks

accumulate.

of the embranchment there.

Motivated and organised by Muriel, our treasurer, we have re-published a very successful booklet dedicated to the

The old lock at St. Didier, some seventy kilometres

Nivernais canal with attractive watercolor illustrations

further south partially collapsed last year hindering the

originally painted by Eddie Bonel, boat owner and lock

opening of the canal cruising season but further repairs

keeper based on the canal in the Valley of Sardy.

were made this winter. Even further south, at the

We will be present at the Port Festival in Migennes on the

intriguingly named Picampoix pound where there is a

Burgundy canal in September and we will participate in a

huge gravel quarry engulfing the canal and the lock,

national weekend celebrating water and its uses.

"renards", not foxes in this case but leaks in the banks were searched out and repaired.

A quote from our treasurer, our aims here are "to defend, animate, promote and maintain our canal according to our means, not necessarily to our

Spring 2024

ambitions".

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