180 The Butty Autumn 2007

The Kennet & Avon Canal’s own award winning magazine the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007 £2.50

Burbage crane restoration — the work begins Water Festivals at Reading & Newbury

Crofton celebrates 200 years Artist — Margaret Roberts

Bath Riverside development plans Working to protect, to enhance and to promote The Kennet & Avon Canal

Newbury Boat Company Moorings Permanent non-residential and temporary cruising moorings with good security at three sites in Newbury all within walking distance of the town.

Resident staff at all sites.

Tel: 01635 42884 email: newburyboatco@dial.pipex.com The river at Lock Cottage moorings

All-Aboard Marine Services Dry Dock/Repairs and Maintenance for hull blacking, welding, anode replacement, surveys and hull maintenance.

Also available for DIY

All types of boat repairs and maintenance including Boat Safety Examinations

Tel: Paul Hutley — 01635 37606 email: paul@aamarine.co.uk Ham Manor Basin from the river

Greenham Canal Services At Greenham Island Between Greenham Lock and Newbury Lock

Boat Services/Chandlery, Diesel, Pumpout, Calor Gas, Coal etc.

Souvenirs and ice cream

Tel: Val or Peter Taylor — 01635 31672 email: enquiries@canal-services.com Greenham Island

Newbury Boat Company Greenham Lock Cottage, Ampere Road, Newbury, RG14 5SN 2

the

Butty The magazine for the Kennet & Avon Canal No.180 Autumn 2007

Cover photograph: Trevor Burgess at the tiller of Sonoma in the cavalcade of boats at Reading Water Fest

contents

Picture by Bob Naylor The Trust and its aims The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust has three separate but complementary objectives: • To protect the newly restored Canal from neglect, abuse and inappropriate developments.

• To enhance the Canal, either by the direct application of Trust funds or, more likely, to unlock larger amounts through matched funding.

• To promote the Canal as a magnificent national amenity that is freely available for the enjoyment of all.

It was The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (through its predecessor organisations) that fought successfully to save the Canal from formal abandonment in the mid-1950s.

Through physical effort, innovative fund-raising and persistent political pressure, the Trust led the campaign that resulted in the Canal’s re-opening for through navigation in 1990 and the subsequent £30 million restoration project from 1996 to 2003. The Canal’s infrastructure is now in a condition that will support sustained operations for many decades ahead.

The Trust’s membership reflects the wide range of leisure activities – boating, walking, cycling, fishing, pursuit of wildlife and heritage interests – that the public can enjoy along the length of the 87 miles of Canal. Together, we are “The Friends of the Kennet and Avon”.

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Devizes Wharf Couch Lane Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1EB. 01380 721279 01380 727870 (fax) www.katrust.org.uk President Sir Anthony Durant Vice Presidents Sir William Benyon Peter Collins Donald Collinson Michael Corfield Michael Goodenough David Lamb Admiral Sir William O'Brien Philip Ogden Brian Oram Sir Frank Price Prunella Scales Timothy West Chairman Brian Poulton Company Secretary Fleur de Rhé-Philipe Administrator Mo Crossley administrator@katrust.org.uk

Finance finance@katrust.org.uk

Retail Manager retail.manager@katrust.org.uk

Trust Council David Copley Michael Davis Fleur de Rhé-Philipe Graeme Dewhirst Peter Dunn Bill Fisher John Forbes Terry Kemp John Kirby Michael Lee David Lindop John Maciver Brian Poulton Adrian Softley The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (Enterprise) Ltd Directors Michael Davis Brian Poulton John Shaw Company Secretary Fleur de Rhé-Philipe Butty Editor Di Harris Pear Tree Studio High Street, Urchfont Devizes SN10 4QH 01380 840584 07711 367124 di@thebutty.co.uk Butty Editorial, Design & Layout Bob Naylor 07788 134901 bob@thebutty.co.uk

Devizes Shop devizes.shop@katrust.org.uk

Hon Treasurer David Lindop Hon Civil Engineer Michael Lee Museum Curator Warren Berry

For Advertising Contact Di Harris or Bob Naylor Disclaimer Views expressed in The Butty are not necessarily those of the Editor nor of the Trust.

Printers BAS Printers Premier Way Abbey Park Industrial Estate Romsey Hampshire SO51 9AQ 01794 834605 Contributions Articles and photographs are welcome. Please contact the Editor to discuss your ideas before submitting them. Whilst every care is taken with all material submitted, neither the Editor nor the publisher can take responsibility for loss or damage.

Registered Charity The Trust is a registered charity (No CC209206) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England (No 726331) at the above address. The Butty is published by The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust of the same address.

Data Protection Act The Trust is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984, reference SO46307X. Subject access requests should be directed to the Trust office in Devizes.

Copy deadline for The Butty No 181, Winter 2007 18th October 2007

5

11 pages of K&A news

18

Crofton celebrates 200 years

19

K&A stone

20

Our friends in France

22

The art of Margaret Roberts

24

Riverside plans for Bath

Plus regular features and branch news 4 Chairman’s report, 15 Wilts & Berks news, 16 Cotswold Canals, 17 BW Briefing, 26 Page for younger readers, 27 Reviews, 28 Twinning, 29 Branch reports, 35 Letters to the Editor, 36 Obituaries, 38 What’s on and Unclassified ads, 39 Crossword

3

NEWS No.180 Autumn 2007

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Chairman’s Report

by Brian Poulton

Holiday hire-boat sinks in Bath Lock Pictures by Bob Naylor

he early summer may well be in the record books as being the wettest ever but, thankfully, the sun shone on three of our major outdoor events.

T

Reading Waterfest On a sunny 23rd June, Reading’s Abbey Gardens, Chestnut Walk and Riverside Walk were once again the venue for a well-supported and thoroughly successful Waterfest.

This is an annual event organised principally by Reading Borough Council with the Trust as a major partner.

Branch Chairman Mike Wyatt was again in his element as harbourmaster and the Trust stalls and membership gazebo, all manned by Trust volunteers, were busy throughout.

Our Heritage Director, Terry Kemp, did a super job on the PA, reinforcing the message to the visitors that the River Kennet, together with the Kennet & Avon Canal, is a major asset in the area, there to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Well done, Reading Branch!

Another excellent Waterfest.

Newbury Waterfest And the sun shone, too, on the Newbury Water Festival on 26th July.

Once again, Victoria Park was full of stalls, displays, musical entertainment, icecream vans and (considering the weather in the weeks before) good crowds of visitors.

Some 25 boats adorned the river bank adjoining the park and, on the Stone Building side of the river, Devizes Branch Chairman Adrian Softley and his team were doing a roaring trade at the BBQ stand.

Thanks and congratulations must go the Festival Organiser Rob Dean and his team, particularly John Arthurs (Harbourmaster), Val Arthurs

4

(volunteer coordinator), Graham Smith (Site Manager), Tracy Perryman (Shop Manager) and Julie Dean (Communications Officer).

The Trust benefits not only from the much-needed income from these events but also from the splendid media coverage that reminds the local people of the benefits of having the Kennet & Avon Canal running through their town.

A magnificent achievement, Newbury Branch; well done!

Crofton 200 Congratulations Crofton Branch!

As the report on page 18 testifies, Crofton’s weekend of celebrations in early July, marking the Station’s 200th anniversary, was an outstanding success.

The focus on the Saturday was the building’s completion in 1807, whereas on the Sunday we were honoured by the presence of Lady Smith who unveiled a plaque in memory of her late husband Sir John Smith, undoubtedly the Canal’s greatest individual benefactor.

Much of the organisation of the event fell to Branch Chairman Harry Willis, Café Manager Maxine BartonHawkins and her husband, Nigel, the Warden; they and the whole Crofton Team deserve our congratulations and many thanks for holding an event that was not only enjoyed by everyone but also successful in terms of profits achieved and new memberships secured.

Well done, Crofton Branch; a magnificent weekend.

Brian Poulton, Chairman

couple and their three young children had a narrow escape when their holiday hire-boat sank in a Bath Lock on the evening of Saturday August 11th.

The couple hired the boat from Alvechurch Boats at Hilperton, Trowbridge, and were travelling down through Bath top lock on the K&A Canal when the stern of their boat caught on the cill of the lock.

As the lock emptied, the back of the boat was stuck fast and the bow of the boat went under water and the boat quickly sank.

The family managed to get off the boat safely but all of their possessions went down with the boat.

A British Waterways rapid response team were soon on the scene and they pumped the water out of the boat and made it safe — the family were put up over night by a local resident.

On Sunday morning a crane was brought in to support the boat while the BW team slowly refilled the lock and refloated the boat.

A

The historic iron bridge over the tail of the lock made a perfect viewing gallery for the crowd who gave the BW team a round of applause as the boat was refloated.

Bath Riverside plans

Name change for Alvechurch

by Bob Naylor

lvechurch Boat Centres operarators of Hilperton Marina near Trowbridge have changed their name to ABC Leisure.

The company now operates a fleet of 200 boats from 11 bases throughout the country, which will be branded UK Boat Hire.

A

Riverside attack

A computer generated impression of the proposed development

lans for the first phase of the controversial Bath Western River development between Victoria Bridge and Windsor Bridge were unveiled at Green Park Station in July.

The development will provide 2,200 homes with a mix of flats and apartments and the initial phases will include 2-storey through to 9-storey buildings.

Objectors claim that the size and style of the proposed buildings are not appropriate and could threaten Bath’s World Heritage status.

Debbie Aplin, Head of Urban Renewal, said, “Being on the outskirts of the town, it was a conscious decision to design the Western Riverside development so that it complemented rather than competed with existing Georgian architecture.”

Provisional Outline Planning Approval was granted in January of this year by Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) and the proposal in now awaiting a final

wo walkers were pushed into the River Kennet by a gang of youths as they walked near Elgar Road South in Reading in June.

The couple, a 35-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man were helped out of the river by a passer by and the police are searching for the culprits.

T

Picture by Bob Naylor

P

Summit water problem resolved

Part of the site as it is now

decision by the Secretary of State.

Developers, Crest Nicholson, have bought the former Wessex Water facilities and have already begun clearing the site.

If permission is granted, construction could begin as early as next year — with the first buildings scheduled for completion in 2009.

Mike Davis, Chairman of the Bath & Bristol Branch of the K&A Canal Trust, is concerned about the navigation through Bath.

He said, “There should be stepped bank as exists outside the west stand of the rugby

club — that would connect the built environment with the water environment much better than a steep-sided trench.

“It would be much safer and it would help with flood defence because it would increase the cross-section of the river.”

An advantage of living on the Western Riverside could be a water transport link to the new Southgate Transport Interchange with ferries and water taxis.

The K&A Trust view of the proposals is given by Michael Davis, the Bath & Bristol Branch Chairman, on pages 24 and 25.

Waterfront catch for BW Patrol Officer W Patrol Officer Jane Newton was greeted by a Guard of Honour of her colleagues with windlasses when she left Devizes Register Office after marrying Graham Lee in August.

The couple are well known to users of the K&A Canal as they run the popular Waterside Inn and Bistro on Pewsey Wharf.

Picture by Bob Naylor

B

onflict between environmental and maintenance considerations on the leat (channel) that takes water from Crofton to the summit of the canal has prevented the plant growth in the channel being cut.

The plant growth has led to a reduction of 2ft (600mm) in the head of water, restricting the flow to the summit and the pumps have not been able to supply enough water which has led to navigation restrictions.

BW’s contractors were able to get to the job in early August and the water supply is back to full capacity.

C

Caught short at Devizes Wharf ennet District Council’s decision to close the toilets at Devize Wharf has left many visitors caught short.

Trust shop volunteers have been monitoring how many visitors ask where to find toilets. It is not uncommon for 14 people a day to ask for information — though at weekends there are just too many to record.

K

5

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

The K&A Canal’s crumbling lock gates ootton Rivers bottom Lock — a leading contender for the The Butty’s leakiest K&A lock award — see letter in The Butty 173 was closed in June when timber in the lock finally gave way.

The BW stoppage notice said that it was thought that it had been hit by a boat — but boater, Peter Lawrence, looked at the soggy crumbling wood extracted from the lock and said, “Whether a boat made contact with it or not really isn’t the issue — the wood is totally rotten and it is wrong to blame boaters for the failure of

W

Picture by Di Harris

Wootton Rivers bottom lock

Picture by Bob Naylor

Back in action after the repair

6

Hill Flight would need to be replaced before their expected renewal dates.

There have been numerous unscheduled stoppages on the Caen Hill Flight and elsewhere on the canal to repair locks and boaters must take extra care with locks so that the navigation can be kept open.

Picture by Di Harris

unsound structures”.

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Engineer, Mike Lee, has highlighted problems with lock gates installed to get the canal ready for re-opening by the Queen — some of which were built with inferior materials.

He said that lock gates on the Crofton Flight and the Caen

Rotton wood removed from the lock

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Bristol’s cleaner harbour plans n ambitious project to improve the water quality and general cleanliness in and around Bristol Floating Harbour has been launched.

A

environmental pressures.

“This campaign will help everyone who uses the harbour to improve the quality of the environment”.

As part of the campaign there will be improvements in the facilities for rubbish disposal and toilet pump out.

Picture by Bob Naylor

The ‘Get on Board’ campaign is part of the Bristol Living Rivers Campaign and is a partnership between Bristol City Council, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water & the Green Blue.

They will be working with Bristol’s boating community and visitors to the harbour to encourage them dispose of their waste responsibly.

Councillor Rosalie Walker who launched the scheme said, “In recent years, Bristol’s harbour has witnessed major redevelopment, helping to attract the eight million tourists who now visit Bristol annually The harbour provides shelter to more than 500 boats and sustains a habitat supporting a variety of wildlife.

“However, as development increases and more people use the harbour, so too do

Rolls-Royce eco-machine An experimental project has been installed in the harbour near the Mud Dock by RollsRoyce trainees, in association with the Bristol Living Rivers Project.

The aim is to demonstrate the benefits of an ecological engineering approach to improving water quality.

The green machine aims to: • Aerate the water, which in

The Rolls-Royce trainees’ experimental eco-machine in place

• • •

•

turn will reduce levels of pollutants.

Filter out suspended and dissolved solids.

Achieve adsorption and absorption of heavy metals.

Breakdown, transform, and take-up pollutants and nutrients.

Reduce pathogens by passing

Fallen tree closes canal Canal blocked by a tree near Dundas

no way for bikes

Mike Kelham to the rescue

water through active ‘rootzones’.

• Destroy e-coli by exposing water from depth to solar Ultra-Violet (UV) rays.

If this green/eco-machine is successful it could be replicated on a much larger scale.

wedding party trip by the two K&A Canal Trust boats, Barbera Maclelan and Jubilee was disrupted by a fallen tree at the winding hole near Dundas in June.

Both boats were booked to carry the party from Bradford on Avon to Avoncliff but the fallen tree meant that Jubilee couldn’t get there from her base on the Somerset Coal Canal.

The Barbera Mac took the whole party and then had to reverse a mile back to the winding hole past moored boats and round a bend.

Grant Milner, said, “Most canal boats don’t reverse well and after using poles to guide the boat back to the winding hole to turn round the crew were exhausted.”

Meanwhile Jubilee skipper, Mike Kelham, busied himself helping cyclists and walkers through the branches of the fallen tree.

Pictures by John Shaw 77

A

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Burbage Wharf crane dismantled he crane at Burbage Wharf has for many years only been visible through its protective scaffolding and it will be restored to it’s original condition by a reconstruction partnership project of the IWA, The K&A Canal Trust and Crown Estates.

T

Burbage Wharf crane was built in 1831 and it is a timber fixed-jib slewing crane.

It was built to handle cargoes in and out of the boats on the Wharf.

When the canal closed in 1950 the crane was abandoned and over time it decayed.

In 1973 restoration of the canal was under way and a small team of industrial archaeologists, led by Don Cross, recognised that the crane was the last surviving one of its kind.

They recorded details of its construction and its condition and then, after salvaging existing metal components or replicating them where

necessary, they reconstructed the crane using locally-sourced pine.

Sadly, apart from the large central post, the timber has failed to withstand the test of time so the Claverton team will rebuild the crane to as near its original specification as possible using English oak supplied by Crown Estates.

The timber for the crane is being stored at FW Hawker’s Joinery in Bath until it is needed.

The existing crane was dismantled by a team led by Pete Dunn on Saturday 2nd June.

They cut up the old crane timber and loaded it on to a

Top row left to right, John Webb, John Chutter, Chris Wheeler, Richard Green, Andy Baker, George Charlton, Pete Dunn and Roy Chaplin. Bottom row, Roy Smedley, Richard Hignett, Maurice Pullin and Geof Harman.

workboat provided by British Waterways that took the parts of the crane to the BW yard at Devizes where it was off-loaded and later taken by road to Claverton for the restoration work to begin.

Claverton Pumping Station Chairman, Pete Dunn, said, “It will take us about 2 years to rebuild the crane to the original specification — the team we have here at Claverton have amassed a great deal of knowledge and experience of

working with wooden structures through the work we have done with our pumping station recently.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of remaking the crane — and it will be interesting and educational for the public to watch our progress as we rebuild this green oak structure.”

Progress of the project will be on view when the Pumping Station is open to the public.

Pictures by Bob Naylor

Don Cross shows John Webb the working file for the 1970s restoration

John Clutter makes accurate notes of the structure

Roy Smedley dismantling part of the crane

8

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Reading Water Fest

Stalls in Abbey Gardens

Visitors walk along the riverside stalls

Cavalcade of boats around the island

housands of people turned up on the banks of the River Kennet to enjoy this year’s Reading Water Fest on 23rd June, including visitors from Reading’s twinned town in Germany — Dusseldorf.

On the water the programme of events included a boat tug of war, boat parades, duck races and a competition for the bestdressed boat — and regular boat trips took visitors for a cruise around the island.

The Water Fest, organised by Reading Borough Council and the K&A Canal Trust took in the Abbey Ruins, Chocolate Island, Bel and The Dragon, Riverside Walk and Chestnut Walk There was entertainment for all, from face-painting and juggling to Morris dancing and jazz.

T

ALL-ABOARD MARINE SERVICES & NEWBURY DRY DOCK

Although there were fewer boats than in previous years, the 20+ narrowboats attending the event were joined by a 60-ft wide-beam cruiser and a Dutch Barge that made up for number by their size.

Queing for trips around the island

HAMS TRANSPORT HOPTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, DEVIZES, WILTS

All boat maintenance services Boat Safety Examinations

Anywhere on the K&A and Thames

Tel: 01635 37606 Mobile: 07940 583361 & 07703 235779

Corgi Reg: 189616

GREENHAM LOCK COTTAGE, AMPERE ROAD, NEWBURY RG14 5SN

www.aamarine.co.uk

Foxhangers Marine

With flatbeds up to 60’ we can safely transport your narrowboats and wide beams throughout the UK 01380 726837 www.hams-transport.co.uk

Modern Narrowbeat fleet all built

by Foxhangers. 12 boats, 2 new semi - trads introduced in 2007 Full engineering/maintenance base BETA and ISUZU engine sales/fitting WEBASTO central heating dealers Covered narrowboat painting dock Based at the bottom of Caen Hill Locks

email: marineservices@foxhangers.co.uk

Tel: 01380 827801 www.foxhangers.co.uk 9

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

The Barge Inn overflow parking

German tourist drove off in the wrong direction when he left the Barge Inn at Honestreet at about 11.30pm on Friday July 6th.

Pub customers watched in amazement as he drove up the path towards the canal, indicated right — and promptly drove into the canal.

Pub regular Patrick Povey

A Picture by George Walters

The Wharf Bradford on Avon The Bradford Wharf Co Ltd — now open Dry Dock • Blacking • Steamcleaning Sterngear and Anode Inspection Mechanical and Welding Work Hardstanding for DIY/Storage Steel, Wood or GRP repairs undertaken Slip for small boats

Call Ben on 07794 601735

jumped into the canal — quickly followed by pub staff member Popsey Genever and they helped Berlin policeman, Joseph Cenne, out of the hired Fiat Punto car.

He was embarrased but unharmed by the escapade.

The car was pulled in and tied up to the visitor moorings until it was craned out the next day.

DAY BOATING

Kennet & Avon Canal on the beautiful

self-drive and skippered boats canadian canoes & cycle hire The Bath & Dundas Canal Co. Brass Knocker Basin Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7JD Telephone: 01225 722292 Web: www.bathcanal.com

Bespoke narrowboats. . .Your inspiration + Our Craftsmen = Complete satisfaction Hope to see you soon, pop in for a cuppa!

10

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Bone Mill sluice and bridge re-visited

Pictures by Bob Naylor one Mill sluice and the bridge across it are an eyesore and local people are becoming concerned about the safety of the structures.

West Berks Highways Projects Manager Derek Crouch is not happy about the visual impact on this beautiful stretch of the River Kennet and he said, “The bridge is a mess and we would like to see it replaced. It is on our ‘substandard’ list so it is being checked every six months instead of the normal two-yearly cycle.

“One of our senior engineers checked it very recently and our position is that whilst it is not in good condition it does not need instant action. It is safe for use by walkers and the like.”

He went on to say, “If the

B

bridge becomes unsafe, we will close the towpath and look to the owners to repair it.”

The sluice controls the level of a river section of the Kennet & Avon Canal near Ham Mill Lock, Newbury.

Members of the Newbury Flood Group (see Butty 179) are still trying to establish ownership of the sluice and they are looking for funding to repair it and the bridge that carries the towpath over it which is part of SUSTRANS National Cycle Route 4 here.

In the meantime a dozen or more 1-tonne builders’ dumpy bags of ballast have been dropped in to the river by BW to protect the sluice and control the flow.

Sheets of plywood have also been wedged in the back of the

Long bench for K&A

Bags of ballast and sheets of plywood hold back the water to maintain enough depth of water for navigation

aged wooden structure.

Jeff Kingswood of the Environment Agency said, “We want the structure to be operable in times of flood and we are trying to find out who owns it.

“If the owners can’t come up with the funds to repair it then we would look to interested parties such as BW, West Berks Council, ourselves and the Canal Trust to contribute to the repair.”

seven-metre long bench has been built beside the towpath at Balls Bridge near the Airsprung Beds factory at Trowbridge.

This area of the canal has had a serious litter problem for some time and local Sustrans rangers, led by Richard Craft, worked with Alex Heath and John Ward of British Waterways to landscape the area.

They planted trees and repaired fencing — before installing the bench made by Bradford on Avon craftsman, Keith Wright, from a single piece of oak donated by British Waterways.

The ‘commissioning’ ceremony was attended by a couple of dozen cyclists, including K&A Canal Trust Chairman Brian Poulton.

They cycled to the site from the Trust’s Wharf Cottage tearoom at Bradford on Avon.

It is the final project of the recently-dissolved K&A Canal Rural Transport Partnership set up in 2003 to to promote public access to the Kennet & Avon Canal using sustainable or public transport.

The K&A Canal Trust’s popular “Sit Down and be Quiet!” leaflet received 75% funding from the Partnership.

A

11

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Crofton appeal update

Recycling facilities at Bath

B

French dance group, Li Canesteleto

Picture by Di Harris

here are now recycling bins at Lock 11 Bath, Bathampton (near the road bridge) and Dundas Aqueduct.

The facilities are proving so popular that an extra bin has been ordered to cope with the amount of bottles being left for recycling at one of the sites.

T

radford on Avon Wharf has regular visits from traditional dance sides and an invitation from Paul Skelton, the K&A Canal Trust’s cafe manager at Bradford on Avon, brought an afternoon of international dance to the wharf in early August.

Mr Wilkins’ Shilling, a North Country Clog Morris side from Bath, brought Li Canesteleto, a group of traditional dancers from a village near Bath’s twin City, Aix en Provence in Southern France.

The Bath dancers are no strangers to Bradford on Avon Wharf but it was the first visit for the French dancers who thrilled the audience with their wide range of dance styles that included a hobby horse jousting dance.

After perfoming at Bradford on Avon both sides travelled on to perform at the International Folk Festival at Sidmouth in Devon.

Picture by Di Harris

onations are still coming in for the Crofton 200 appeal.

Our current total is over £11,000 plus the £5,000 donated by Sir John Smith shortly before his death.

We now have just £4,000 to raise to reach our target of £20,000 for the re-wiring and other urgent work at Crofton.

D

Trust hosts international dancers at Bradford Wharf

Mr Wilkins’ Shilling, North West Clog Morris dancers from Bath

Bristol Harbour Festival

Wharf lease uture plans for Devizes Wharf are still uncertain and progress is slow on negotiating a new lease on the Trust’s building on the wharf.

The Wharf Theatre, however, has just confirmed a 5-year extension to their lease with KDC from May 2008.

F

B

Winter stoppages Devizes Locks 44 to 22 7th Jan – 7th Mar New gates and gate strengthening Hungerford New Marina 5th Nov – 7th Dec Provisional closure for construction of new Marina Dreweatts Lock 79 5th Novr – 7th Dec New gates & lock chamber repairs Monkey Bridge 63 5th Nov – 23rd Nov Provisional closure for demolition and erection Colthrop Lock 91 5th Nov – 30th Nov New gates Heales Lock 93 14th Jan – 8th Feb New gates Padworth Swing Bridge 26th Nov – 7th Dec Safety improvements Woolhampton Swing Bridge 26th Nov – 7th Dec Safety improvements

12

ristol Harbour Festival attracted between 150,000 and 200,00 people and 250 boats to the city harbour on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July.

There were boats of all shapes and sizes, including more than a dozen narrowboats adorned with bunting and flags to add to the party feel of the event.

This was the best Festival in the 36 years it’s been running and Saturday was the busiest day the event had ever seen.

Apart from viewing the boats, visitors enjoyed music, street theatre, stalls, fireworks and the city’s urban beach — and could even try their hand at traditional maritime skills, such as rigging.

Organisers expect that the festival will have brought £5 milion to the local economy.

Narrowboats moored at the festival

Picture by John Richardson

David Owen & Co Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 17 Market Place Devizes Wiltshire 01380 722211

126 High Street Marlborough Wiltshire 01672 512163

Auditors to The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Newbury Water Fest Pictures by Elaine Kirby lthough the previous week’s floods threatened this year’s Newbury Water Festival, by Wednesday the ground was dry enough to go ahead, despite high water levels.

Crossed fingers that the weather wouldn’t worsen again did their job and Sunday arrived with bright sunshine, which attracted a record 24 brightly decorated narrowboats, thousands of people and 700 plastic ducks – to enjoy the fun.

Visitors were entertained by the newly reformed 60s group The Trends, the Hook Eagle Morris Men who danced in the afternoon, and many local charities had stalls across the park.

Children joined in Wild over Waterways (WOW) activities aimed at teaching them about the canal.

Fundraisers for the restoration of Medway Queen, a 1924 paddlesteamer that rescued 7,000 men from Dunkirk in 1940 were present.

Visitors were invited on narrowboats to see why 'Pride' won the best dressed boat.

A

Newbury Fire Station’s Blue Watch did sterling work fitting many of the boats with fire alarms. They were presented with a plaque and a drawing of an old fire engine.

As in previous years, hundreds lined the canal to watch the nail-biting duck race from Parkway Bridge, raising extra funds for the Trust.

Newbury Fire Station’s Blue Watch were presented with a festival plaque and a drawing of a fire engine by Harbourmaster John Arthers and his wife, Val.

Julie and Rob Dean dancing in the rain on Saturday night

ROWAN

Hook Eagle Morris Men entertain the crowds Right, The Mayor of Newbury judges the boats with Rob Dean Left, winner of the BestDressed Boat trophy, Gareth Nightingale on 'Pride', delighted to win on his first visit to Newbury Water Fest

Primers corrosion Resistent, High Build Quality

Boat Fitting

Undercoats All Colours Coach Enamels All Colours

Tel: 01380 828863 Mob: 07779 156 659

No.180 Autumn 2007

Next Day delivery on most colours Supplied in 1lt, 2.5 lt or 5 lt

www.rowannarrowboats.co.uk

HMG Paints Ltd, Faraday Park, West Portway Industrial Estate Andover, Hants, SP10 3SA

Tel: 01264 356296 Fax: 01264 338123 Email: mail@hmgcoatings.co.uk

13

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Five week canal stoppage for marina link

The entrance to the site off of the A4 west of Hungerford

Picture by Bob Naylor

ork has started on the entrance to the new 120 berth marina to be built on the site of a former pig farm beside the A4.

St Modwen, the developers, are currently in negotiations with an established marina operator who will build the marina and operate it.

Peter Davies of St Modwen said, “It is an environmentally sensitive site and we are making ground investigations — and at the moment we are moving slow worms.

“We have established access to the site and we expect the

W

The developer’s plans for the site

marina to be ready to receive boats by late spring or early summer 2008.”

British Waterways have announced a 5-week stoppage in their winter programme from November 5th this year to allow the developers to connect the

A

arine Ser MThe n vic Old Wharf o t s Frome Road, Bradford on Avon es Nigel Aston, 30 years Marine Engineering experience covering all aspects of boat repairs, maintenance and improvements Engine services • welding • winterisation • Corgi Gas trained

Call Nigel Aston on 07906 480608 Vintage Engine Specialist

Pump out — £10 • gas & coal on sale • Boat Surveys and Safety Certificates arranged • • Canal Artist on site for traditional decoration and canal ware • • Hull blacking • Batteries and spares to order •

14

marina to the canal.

The project has met with fierce local opposition from the outset and the work was finally started before the planning permission ran out of time.

The planning permission on the site includes a

Boat Painting Fenders and Ropes Hull Blacking 07970 729116 or 01225 710017

pub/restaurant, a 36 bed hotel, a craft centre and a heritage museum.

Property Consultants James A Baker are currently advertising two freehold sites for the pub/restaurant and the hotel.

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Wilts & Berks Canal

Call for wide-beam link to Melksham he proposed link to join Melksham to the Kennet & Avon Canal should be built to the same dimensions as the K&A, says a recent report.

T

ork is now complete on a study to determine the technical and financial viability of extending the restored canal from Kingshill to the town centre as part of the regeneration of Swindon.

A decision on the proposals will be made by Swindon Borough Council during the autumn.

Picture by Bob Naylor

W

Technical reports This weir on the River Avon in Melksham Town Centre would be replaced as part of the plan.

existing weir in the town would be replaced with a new weir that will maintain a minimum depth on the River Avon through the town of 1.5m at all times.

Four more locks would then be built to join the river up to the original line of the canal at

Picture by Bob Naylor

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust submitted the Melksham Rivers Route study as part of its response to the West Wiltshire DC Local Development Framework Leisure and Tourism strategy.

The proposal would cost £18.5 million and the scheme would establish a wide-beam waterway from the K&A Canal west of Semington road bridge to the River Avon in Melksham.

The plan by consultants Black & Veatch would have four locks built to bring the new navigation down to the River Avon.

If the plan is adopted, the

The River Avon as it passes through the centre of Melksham

Project progress WBCT Chief Executive Ken Oliver reports good progress at: Steppingstones Lane Bridge, Shrivenham

Melksham Forest to the north of the town.

In all, half a mile of river through the centre of the town would be used to re-connect the canal and the report claims that the improvements to the river, new water-related businesses, the presence of visiting boats and the regeneration of waterside property would bring economic benefit to the town.

The aim is to make the river navigable during the boating season with ‘refuge’ moorings established off the river on the new cut between the town and the K&A that would be used at times when the river is not navigable.

The Trust is keen to start work on the project and discussions are already taking place with with potential partners.

‘Big Lottery’ decision awaited

• •

Chaddington Lane Spillweir, Wootton Bassett

4 at Seven Locks • Lock near Lyneham And negotiations are expected to be concluded soon on other sites that will allow further restoration work to be begin.

Town centre canal for Swindon?

he Cricklade Country Way business plan has been submitted to the Big Lottery and the scheme was assessed in early July.

The proposal will restore the North Wilts Canal from Purton Road in North Swindon to Cricklade, together with the Steam Railway, cycleway and footpaths, Community Forest,

T

and Mouldon Hill Country Park, in an integrated scheme for leisure and recreation for the local community.

The decision on which of the 23 schemes in the Living Landmarks programme will be successful for a capital grant will be made in early November. crickladecountryway.org.uk

number of other technical reports and studies are now being completed including the Thames Crossing study at Cricklade, Studley Grange Wootton Bassett, and probably most significantly the Water Resources study for the whole canal.

A

Wootton Bassett Branch to host WBCT AGM he WBCT 2007 Annual General Meeting will be on Saturday 20th October at 2pm in the Memorial Hall, Station Road, Wootton Bassett.

There will be an opportunity to view local restoration projects from 10am.

T

Matched funding appeal he Cricklade Country Way will need £5m of matched funding and the WBCT has launched an appeal to its members that is hoped will raise £100,000 over 5 years for the project.

T

For further information Contact: Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, 117 High Street Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU Tel 0845 226 8567 Mobile 07850 113269 Fax 0845 094 3653 wbct.org.uk

15

the

Butty NEWS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Cotswold Canals news by Jack Telling

Saul Festival washed out he 11th Saul Canal Festival and Folk on the Water was cancelled five days before the event was due to open. Torrential rain during the night of Sunday and Monday 24th & 25th June resulted in the flooding of the fields, adjacent to Saul Junction, which were due to be used for camping and car parking.

T

The River Frome burst its banks and even the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal flooded the towpath and spilt into the fields.

The rising water level was first noticed by members of the Inland Waterway Association’s Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) who had arrived to help set up the Festival and were camping overnight in one of the fields.

WRG evacuate their campsite As the water level continued to rise in the early morning they evacuated to higher ground and George (Bungle) Eycott telephoned the Festival Director, Clive Field.

Clive arrived on site at 8.30am and was confronted by a daunting sight.

The River Frome was in full spate. British Waterways had opened a sluice to relieve pressure on the Canal and vast quantities of water were spilling onto the fields.

Emergency meeting Clive immediately realised that the Festival was in jeopardy and called an emergency meeting of the Festival Committee.

The Committee convened in the Saul Heritage Centre at 10.30 am and, after a discussion, and another inspection of the fields (where flooding had reached 4 feet in some places, it was reluctantly decided to cancel the Festival.

Cancellation refunds There was no realistic prospect of the fields drying out sufficiently to allow car parking and camping even if the weather improved considerably.

In fact it continued to rain heavily for the remainder of the week and although the flood water gradually subsided the ground remained sodden.

Once the decision to cancel

The Festival campsite

the Festival had been made, suppliers were immediately contacted and where possible orders cancelled.

A decision was also made to refund monies received from boaters, campers, traders and Folk on the Water wristband holders, but with an option of donating part, or all, of the refund back to the Cotswold Canals Trust to mitigate the inevitable financial loss.

Accompanying the refund letters will be the 96-page Festival Programme which contains a wealth of information about the artists who were scheduled to perform and the project to restore the Cotswold Canals.

The Committee also felt that it must honour its obligation to advertisers to circulate the programme as widely as possible.

Fundraising loss

The music pavilion and visitor car park

16

Picture by Paddy Underwood

The cancellation has dealt a blow to the Trust’s fund raising.

Despite immediate action to reduce costs, payments to suppliers had already been made for goods and services received. Other payments are unavoidable because of contractual commitments.

On the plus side sponsors, advertisers and suppliers have been very understanding and there has been a huge amount

Picture by Paddy Underwood

of goodwill.

Nevertheless it is expected that the Festival will make a loss in the region of £30,000.

This will be underwritten by the Cotswold Canals Trust which fortunately has sufficient funds to ensure that all creditors are paid.

In common with most events of this nature, the Festival was not insured. The premiums are high and conditions onerous.

We have been advised that insurance is only appropriate for event organisers who could not cope with the financial implications of cancellation in any one year.

For 10 out of 11 years, Saul Festival has been profitable. We cannot win them all!

Plans for 2008 We have received an enormous amount of encouragement to organise a Festival in 2008 and the 4th, 5th and 6th July has already been pencilled in. We will be seeking to make it better than ever.

Finally, a wry comment from Clive… ‘Oysterband were our Saturday night headline act… they had already sold out the 1000 capacity pavilion... perhaps I should have taken some heed of the fact that track two on their latest album ‘Meet You There’ has the title ‘Here Comes The Flood’!

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

British Waterways briefing

by Ian Jarvis, BW South West Region Manager s I sit here writing these words in a deserted office in Gloucester, all my staff are busy working from other locations due to the lack of a supply of clean water in this office and indeed the entire city of Gloucester.

A

Paddle gearing I guess it is probably the greatest of understatements to say that lock gearing on the K&A has been an issue for the past two years or so.

The level of correspondence in both directions proves this beyond any doubt.

The files from the years before the changes also make

interesting reading with a large number of complaints and records of injuries sustained whilst using the difficult to operate gearing.

The reduction gearing was fitted with a sole purpose — to make the K&A accessible to a greater number and cross section of boating users.

This has definitely been achieved. It is no longer necessary to have huge shoulders in order to operate the lock gearing.

Other subsidiary reasons for the new gearing included safety aspects for users.

User feedback prompts evaluation We have though taken on board the views expressed and have been working with members of the K&A Canal Trust to look at how the original purpose can be achieved whilst alleviating some of the causes for complaint — principally the number of turns required to operate the gate paddles.

Our work has included tests where we fitted brand new gearing, realignment of existing gearing and the testing of various combinations of reduction boxes and in some cases none at all.

We have all learnt a lot through this process.

The latest stage of this work has seen two of my staff from Gloucester testing every lock on the K&A — we deliberately asked G&S staff to do this work so that they came to it entirely independently with no preconceived ideas or opinions that had to be protected.

We established a benchmark load rating which turned out to be a break out force of 40Nm. Whatever this means

Picture by Bob Naylor

Outside, order — despite a lack of drinking water — is slowly emerging from the chaos and destruction that has been the past week, though we cannot be sure that the floods will not return.

I am sure that you all saw the graphic pictures on your TV news demonstrating the destructive and uncontrollable force of the water.

These events have been added to by the breach on the K&A at Midgham and the failure of the gate at Lock 23. All in all a pretty tough week!

I am though immensely proud of the way that BW South West staff have tackled the issues that we have faced and continue to face.

Amongst the many activities that have been underway this week staff have been working day and night controlling water levels, planning and executing a very rapid gate replacement job at Caen Hill, repairing the breach and conducting daily length inspections to check for further damage in the very wet conditions. Others have been busy answering telephone calls and updating web pages with the latest — rapidly changing — information.

A tough week! Several times I have said, “I have had better weeks, but nobody has died…”, so we should put the present difficulties into perspective and be thankful.

Manifold Lock, next to Prison Bridge, Devizes — back to original — but with the gearing re-aligned

scientifically is a dim and distant memory from my ‘O’ level physics lessons. What it means in practice is that at this level of force the BW standard of a “reasonably fit middle-aged female” being able to operate the locks on the K&A is achieved. I have to thank Jenny Maxwell for taking on this testing role to establish the benchmark.

Test results and solutions All the locks were tested over a 2-week period with the results as follows: 30 passed, 49 failed and 25 are hydraulic (no reduction boxes in place).

So, next steps? The 30 locks that passed the test are to have the reduction boxes removed.

New spindles will need to be fitted and other small changes made, which requires time and a little money.

The 49 locks that failed the test will retain the reduction boxes until another solution is implemented.

This is likely to be either a complete replacement of the gearing — as we did at Bulls Lock — or a realignment of the gearing — as we did at Prison Bridge. One or other of these solutions will be appropriate to different locks.

Both require greater time, effort and money to implement so this work will be planned over a number of years.

Role for Trust volunteers I am very grateful to the small, but nonetheless enthusiastic, group of Trust members who have volunteered to take on the task of removing the reduction boxes on the 30 locks that passed the test.

We now need to go through the appropriate safety and training processes to be able to allow this work to begin and it is hoped that this can happen once the peak boating season has ended.

John Gould Award For many years the John Gould Award has been presented to somebody who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the K&A. Regrettably, last year, the award became a casualty of BW’s reorganisation.

However, the award has now been traced and recovered from the last winner and the previous normal service is about to resume, with a slight twist. Terry Kemp has agreed to judge and make this award on an annual basis in his capacity as Chairman of the K&A Partnership.

I hope that you will agree that it is entirely appropriate for the K&A Partnership to grant the John Gould Award and in keeping with the purpose that the award was introduced for.

17

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Crofton celebrates 200 years xcellent weather helped to ensure the success of the Crofton bicentennial celebration weekend on the 6th and 7th July. Visitors found Crofton in vibrant, festive spirit, with Morris Dancers, folk musicians, canal craft demonstrations and more.

Trust member Phil Harding of Channel 4’s Time Team entertained the crowd on Saturday with a tale of his first visit to Crofton — as a babe in

E

arms. But he brought many a lump to the throat when he asked for a minute’s silence to allow the Pumping Station itself — with its rhythmic evocative sounds — to move us forward from the past 200 years and onto the next.

The Archdeacon of Wilts blessed the station and everyone ever connected with it on Sunday before Lady Smith unveiled a plaque to the memory of Sir John Smith.

Phil Harding unveiled the Crofton 200 commemorative plate

Moonraker Morris dancers perform a stick dance

Musicians entertained the visitors during the weekend

Visitors from the K&A’s twinned canal, the Canal du Nivernais in Burgundy came to join the celebrations. Pictured from left are Ray Knowles and Harry Willis from the Crofton team with Philipe Benard of Les Amis and Jean Louis Lebeau, the Marie of the French village of Chevroches beside the Nivernais.

Eddie Ellison of Crofton with his 1952 Ferguson tractor

A plaque in memory of one of Crofton’s benefactors, Sir John Smith was unveiled by his widow, Lady Smith

The Archdeacon of Wilts blessing the station

Nick Baker of Shalbourne with his 1918 Garrett Steam Tractor

Brian Poulton introduces Phil Harding to the crowd on a beautiful sunny Saturday in July

Pictures by Bob Naylor

18

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Stone types and the Kennet & Avon Canal

by Andrew Mathieson

P

Mention the word pennant and most boat people think of a flag — unless you are in the stone trade and even then you might — because Pennant stone was used for flagstones. into flat slabs.

In fact, Pennant was not only used as a flagstone but was also popular for gravestones, and you can often use the dates on them to work out when canal transport developed.

Pennant gravestones can be seen all along the K&A and along part of the River Thames, and most post-date the opening of the canal in 1810.

Sadly their inscriptions are often lost since the rock has split by water freezing and expanding along its natural layering.

The most commonly used building stone on the canal is Bath Stone, and many people think that, because it is a golden yellow colour, it must be a sandstone.

However, it is very pure limestone, made of tiny round grains called ooliths.

It also sometimes contains fossil shells and corals to show it must have formed beneath the sea.

Bath Stone was used for most of the bridges and other structures along the canal, perhaps partly to encourage

the quarry owners to use the canal to transport their stone away from the Bath area.

You can see Pennant in nearly every lock along the K&A, including those between Newbury and Reading, which were originally built long before 1810.

Then you might spot the stone in churchyards and on pavements all along the canal route, and up and down the Thames too, and appreciate the important part it played in the K&A. You might also notice it

Picture by Bob Naylor

ennant is a type of sandstone found in the old coalfield areas around Bristol, where it was quarried for building stone.

Its name goes back locally at least to 1717, but is thought to have originated in South Wales where the rock is also found in the coalfield area (Welsh: Pen - head, Nant stream).

The K&A Canal’s engineer John Rennie is reported as specifying Pennant for the quoin stones on the Caen Hill locks, since it is the strongest locally-available stone, and the quoin has to take the weight of a lock gate.

He also refers to Hanham as the source of the stone, and the sides of the River Avon valley around Hanham are covered with the remains of quarries where the stone was once extracted.

Since water transport was once the easiest way to transport heavy goods, no doubt Pennant was taken down the Avon to Bristol where it was used in thousands of buildings.

Then when the river was canalised to Bath in 1727, Pennant was used for most of its Georgian pavements and kerbs.

Pennant is usually green-grey coloured and can be seen (and felt) to be made of sand grains.

You can also often see shiny flat pieces of the mineral mica, and it is probably the mica which allows the stone to split

Exposed Pennant stone can be seen along the Bristol ring road north of Keynsham where the road crosses the River Avon.

sometimes contains fossil plants which show its origin under the tropical rain forests of 300 million years ago - but that’s another story!

Mike Price MABSE Approved Independent Boat Safety Examiner Tel: 01225 703747 Mobile: 07736 837968 Email: mpboatsafety@aol.com

19

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Our friends in France Twinning — The Canal du Nivernais and the Kennet & Avon Canal Mike Lee, the K&A Canal Trust’s Engineer and Vice Chairman, looks at the relationship between two canals that have fought similar battles to stay open as navigations — and both have won through against what, at times, had seemed like overwhelming odds.

Pictures by Bob Naylor he Nivernais is one the most beautiful canals in France and like the Kennet & Avon Canal it has had a chequered history — and it has survived several attempts to close parts of it.

T

The canal owes its continued existence to one man — Pierre Paul Zivy — who set up a hire boat base on the summit of the Canal du Nivernais at Baye in 1964.

He had friends and connections with boat hire companies in England and he saw how the arrival of pleasure boats had stimulated both the local economies and interest in the canals.

There was a long struggle with the French authorities but eventually the Nièvre Department was persuaded to take over the central section (the summit, the tunnels and the Sardy flight of locks) in 1972.

This stretch was being effectively abandoned by the

Government body that was then responsible for the canals. They considered it to be ineffective for commercial use and only suitable as a means of providing water for water supply, farming and the more viable commercial sections.

Despite Nièvre Department’s intervention and a 10-year programme of work from 1973, there was inadequate funding and the canal was gradually falling apart.

There were, for a considerable period of time, some very ingenious uses of wire and pipes to operate some of the locks.

The canal was being well used by hire craft, but there was virtually no commercial traffic apart from a few hotel

The Canal du Nivernais takes you through beautiful Burgundy countryside

barges and the Nièvre Department who operated the last of the timber Nivernais barges “Aster” as a trip and school boat.

My wife Maggie and I took a hire cruiser from Gannay sur Loire to Migennes (on the Yonne) in the summer of 1991.

We had very few problems, but saw some serious water losses on some sections and bank erosion was extensive.

Les Amis formed

The lock at Baye at the summit of the canal

20

In 1990, Christian Dechamp (the first president of Les Amis) and Philippe Bénard (who was then a lock-keeper) started Les Amis du Canal du Nivernais to bring the problems to public attention.

They were considered to be a nuisance by the authorities and Philippe was disciplined for his involvement — but it started to catch on and Jo Parfitt, who had a base at Mailly la Ville at the time,

became very involved. He was followed by other businesses along the canal.

This was, of course, the time of the re-opening of the K&A and Jo, who had worked on the K&A in the 1970s, suggested approaching the K&A Canal Trust to see if we could help their cause — and from this idea the twinning was born.

First Twinning trips Jo and the Trust’s General Secretary at the time, Nick Wright, set up the first visit by members of Les Amis in the summer of 1991 when 25 members, including official representatives from the Nièvre Department, visited sites including Crofton, Claverton and Caen Hill.

Gifts were exchanged and the Twinning document was signed.

There has been considerable time and money spent on bank revetment, lock gates and gearing and the Nivernais is now one of the best maintained of the French ‘leisure’ canals — and it has certainly become very popular raised the profile of Les Amis considerably.

Boat trips

Maggie and I organised a trip by Trust Members in April, 1992 — and 25 members visited all the main points of interest in a very concentrated visit.

This created a great deal of interest along the Nivernais and

Eight members of Les Amis hired a boat on the K&A in September 1993 followed by a group of 14 in 1998, who hired two narrowboats from Bradford on Avon and went up Caen Hill and as far as the bottom of Crofton Flight.

They also visited the HLFfunded project at Bathampton where the canal has been relined with concrete and they made an inspection from Trust trip boat “Jubilee”.

K&A solution exported From discussions with Jo and Phillipe it was clear that the

methods we were using to seal the K&A’s leaks might work on a section of the Nivernais where there was very high water loss.

I was subsequently invited to meet le Chef de Sub-division, and as a result of that visit their leaking section was sealed using similar methods to the ones we had used in the Bath valley.

The Canal du Nivernais starts at the end of the Yonne navigation at Auxerre in the north — and ends at Decize in the south — where it joins the Canal Lateral à la Loire.

It is 174 km (109 miles) long with 110 locks plus some flood locks.

It has 3 tunnels and a spectacular flight of 16 locks at Sardy.

Twinning visits In total Les Amis have visited the K&A five times and there has been one independent visit.

Trust members have made three twinning visits to the Nivernais.

The effect of the twinning has been to enhance the standing of Les Amis in much the same way as the K&A Canal Trust gradually raised its standing with BW in the early years of our restoration.

Rallies Their biennial rallies are now welcomed by the host villages and attract a considerable number of boats, visitors and publicity in the local media.

Future benefits Looking forward, our twinning relationship will continue to bring benefits to both canals.

Local villages and towns are currently discussing possible twinning arrangements to forge greater links for cultural exchange, particularly involving children and local businesses.

And European money may be available to help. Les Amis are leading the way with EU funding applications for joint projects to support economic development and tourism along both canals as well as improving marketing materials.

The lift bridge at Pousseaux near Clamecy

Right, Trust members, John & Katherine Best head south from Clamecy in their boat “Biggles”

The canal took a long time to build, with interruptions for revolution, wars and lack of money.

Work started in 1784 but it was 1840 before through navigation was achieved.

It was originally built with 30m x 5.1m locks but all except the centre section which includes the Sardy flight, were enlarged to 38.5m x 5.3m.

It was never possible to get a standard sized peniche through whole canal.

21

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Drawn to the Vale Picture by Mike Roberts

The Vale of Pewsey is a favourite subject for the work of artist Margaret M Roberts who is noted for her atmospheric interpretation of the Wiltshire Landscape. She talks about where she finds inspiration and how she creates her artwork.

What is it about the Vale of Pewsey that inspires so much of your work?

I love the land formations of the Vale: the way it folds and steps down to the undulating fields, the distinctive clumps of trees, the patterns and texture of the crops as the seasons change, the way sunlight and shadows chase across the land and the beautiful colours at dawn and sunset.

One of my favourite places to sit, draw and be inspired is the top of Knap Hill looking south over the Vale of Pewsey.

The distinctive shapes of Woodborough Hill and Pecked Hill are fascinating landmarks and are regular subjects in my work. Beyond them the expanse of Salisbury Plain rises to the distant horizon.

Sitting on the hill, I am surrounded by a carpet of chalk downland flowers and, in summer, clouds of butterflies. It is also a great place for viewing the crop circles that appear in the wheat fields below.

A very special place to sit and contemplate.

How do you start a piece of artwork?

First of all – being out there in the landscape.

Experiencing the atmosphere of a place. Soaking in the colours and feel of the land.

I take photographs as a record of colour and a reminder of shapes but never use them to copy from.

My sketchbooks are my main tool for recording everything I see, feel, hear and think.

22

I spend a lot of time drawing. It makes you really look at everything, to really get to know a place.

I make notes and write over my drawings.

The notes are as important as the image — about the birds I hear, the flowers and insects I see and my own feelings.

Back in my studio the digital photographs, sketches and notes help to recreate the experience and are the starting point for new work.

What materials do you work with?

I am always experimenting and developing the way I create an image.

In the past I have used textiles. They are wonderful for adding an extra dimension of texture to the landscapes.

However, the methods of hand-dyeing fabrics and stitching are very time consuming and I have sketchbooks busting with ideas waiting to be hatched.

So now I am experimenting with more immediate methods of mixed media to create a more spontaneous approach but still keeping the textural quality of my earlier work.

In the end it is the final image that is important and whether I have captured the atmosphere of the place rather than the technique I have used to create it.

Do you have a favourite artist that inspires you?

Yes, I have lots but the person who opened my eyes to the beauty of Wiltshire was the photographer Steve Day. When I came to live here, nearly twenty years ago, it was seeing his photographs that inspired me to find wonderful places to walk.

His photographs always captured that special moment when the light was perfect and

the atmosphere breathtaking.

Through his photographs I came to know and love Wiltshire.

Where do you exhibit your work?

I have a website where you can see new work and find information about forthcoming exhibitions. www.margaretmroberts.com Bluestone Gallery, Old Swan Yard, Devizes sell a selection of giclée prints and originals. www.bluestonegallery.co.uk The Gallery, 16 High Street, Pewsey, is a new gallery where I will be exhibiting in the future. www.madeinwiltshire.org.uk

Top: Hawthorns from Walkers Hill Below: Sketchbook page — The Vale of Pewsey from Knap Hill

Join The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust now to help Protect, Enhance and Promote the waterway and you will get:

ree FThe K&A Canal Trust magazine

the

Butty posted to you

Membership Fees – please tick one box Annual fees are for one year from the month of joining Pay by standing order and claim your FREE leather card wallet

q q q q q

q q Adult Family/£250 q Senior Citizen Family/£125 q

Annual Membership Fees

Life Membership Fees

Adult Single/£15

Adult Single/£200

Senior Citizen Single/£10 Adult Family/£17 Senior Citizen Family/£12 Junior (14–18)/£7

Senior Citizen Single/£100

Corporate membership – please phone 01380 721279 for information Branch Membership – please tick one box

q Reading Crofton Claverton q Newbury Devizes Bath & Bristol q I/we would be interested in helping with branch activities q Central

q q q

Hungerford

q q q

West Wilts

Your details – please complete all sections I/we wish to join the Trust and enclose: A completed Standing Order form A completed Gift Aid Declaration form A cheque (payable to The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust) I would like a FREE leather card wallet

q q q q

(standing order applicants only after receipt of first payment)

Name(s) of applicant(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................................

FREE entry to: Claverton Pumping Station Devizes Canal Museum Crofton Beam Engines

A GEOprojects canal map of the Kennet & Avon Canal (and including the River Avon and Bristol Docks)

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

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................. .............................................

Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Standing Order Name of Member’s Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address of Member’s Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................................

Please pay to Lloyds Bank plc, Devizes Wilts SN10 1JD (sort code 30-92-63) credit A/C No. 0441822 The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust the sum of £. . . . . . . On (date). . . . . . . . . .and the same sum on the same date each YEAR until further notice.

Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Account No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Join at any of the Trust shops or the attractions listed — or phone: 01380 721279

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

To Bank: When making payments please quote: . . . . . . . . . . .

Gift Aid Declaration Name of Charity: The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Details of Donor Title: . . . . . . . . .Full Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Postcode: . . . . . . . . . . .

I want the charity to treat all subscriptions/donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise as Gift Aid Donations.

If you pay by standing order you will also get a leather K&A wallet to keep your membership card in

Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You must pay an amount of Tax at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on Please post or fax this form to: The Membership Secretary, The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, FREEPOST, Canal Centre, Couch Lane, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1BR. Fax: 01380 727870

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Bath’s Western Riverside Development Michael Davis, Chairman of the Bath & Bristol Branch of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, gives the Branch’s view of proposals to re-develop former industrial land beside the River Avon in Bath he proposed 72-acre Brownfield Development on the western side of Bath is the largest in the city’s history.

Bath stands on the cusp of a major surge in its architectural development and this is one of the major parts.

The Southgate Development is under way and the Bath Western River development between Victoria Bridge and Windsor Bridge is at an advanced planning stage.

In the context of the City’s traditional difficulties with dealing with any planning applications, especially major ones, the Council have produced an outline Vision for Bath, the purpose of which is to generate a consensus on what the City should be like in 50 years’ time.

This is an inspiring piece of work and it defines Bath as a City of Health and Leisure.

T

24

The central theme is water, with the River Avon running through the city in an east-west arc as the central amenity; Bath’s potential “String of Pearls”.

Canal and river: a striking contrast The beautifully restored Kennet & Avon Canal runs into the City through the Widcombe Flight and the historical connection between the Canal and the City is very important.

But since the Trust moved the trip boat to Brassknocker and closed the shop at Top Lock, we have no current presence in Bath, although we aim to restore this as part of the proposed development of the Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens.

In contrast to the Canal, the River Avon in Bath is in a very sad state.

A computer-generated impression of the view of the first stage of the development at Victoria Bridge

Apart from the great Cityscape around Pulteney Weir, the River is in a state of dereliction in both its upper and lower reaches.

It is not worthy of a World Heritage City and compares badly with beautiful waterfronts in other towns and cities.

This is due to a mindset over the past 200 years of industrial history that regarded the River as a sewer.

But it is, nevertheless, part of the K&A Navigation.

The City has always been vulnerable to flooding and a control system was constructed in the 1970s; this has been

successful but it is a brutally efficient engineering solution creating a deep steel sheet piled trough that pays no attention to aesthetics or the environment.

Public consultation The Trust and the IWA held a joint Public Meeting in Bath on this subject in 2002 and as a result the Council set up the River Avon Partnership with the brief of informing the City Plan.

We made good progress with this over the next two years; it was launched in a

blaze of publicity, with a doublepage spread in the local paper.

A public consultation brought in 162 responses from individuals and organisations; we produced a Report on the recommended way ahead, in broad vision and in some considerable detail in practice.

The Vision included clean water, trip and hire boats, marinas and visitor moorings, boat supply and service points and chandleries, maybe a Bath Harbour, cafés, inns and restaurants, housing, industrial and commercial units, gardens and greens, maybe a concert hall, maybe a lock at Pulteney Bridge and a continuous towpath.

In other words, the same sort of features as those found on many other city waterfronts.

There has been hot debate about the desirability of some of these, but the broad thrust is clear.

new Bath Transport Interchange but the river has not been considered as part of the plan.

We managed to have a condition put on the planning approval, which was that a prototype boat station should be installed, paid for by the Developer, but he has since been able to wriggle out of this.

We are very keen that this boat station should happen, funded in some other way.

Another village of Bath The Western Riverside will be another Village of Bath, on the Waterfront.

We are not an architectural organisation, and have no view on the building proposal. But it is all about the water, which will largely define it.

The River Avon Partnership recently entertained the Developer, Crest Nicholson, to lunch and cruised to the site of the proposed development, discussing how intelligent use of the water would increase the attraction of the Development, and greatly increase its value, besides being an important element of the regeneration of the River Avon in Bath.

Flood defence There is concern that the main task remains flood control.

Global warming has increased the threat of both floods and droughts.

We attended a brilliant seminar in Bath last year, led

by Professor Christopher Baines, a member of the City’s Urban Regeneration Panel.

The most effective way to prevent flooding is to stop the water running down into the City so fast in the first place.

One of the most promising methods to achieve this is to create farm-size lakes on the tributaries and streams in the upper reaches of the catchment area, where water can be held up and stored, at the same time forming wildlife habitats.

River transport The opportunities include fast River transport to the Southgate Interchange, with Ferries and Water Taxis. A Boat

Station is needed at the Western Riverside.

There should also be a Village Green on the Waterfront.

If the Steel Sheet Piled Trough remains in its current form, the opportunity to integrate the built environment with the River will be lost.

It should be replaced by a Stepped Bank, a brilliant example of which can be seen in the central Cityscape by the Pulteney Weir, adjacent to the West Stand of the Rugby Club that was lobbied for successfully by the IWA a few years ago.

The stepped bank also improves flood defence because of the wider crosssection.

The planning proposal is currently on public display in Bath.

There is a landing stage proposed and two applications have already been received by operators to run the ferries and water taxis.

There is not a village green as such, but there are four areas of open green space, the largest of which is adjacent to the River.

Riverside access There is a continuous Towpath planned between the Victoria and Windsor Bridges.

The big missed opportunity is still the stepped bank; the deep steel sheet piled trough is

planned to remain.

We were told when we visited the display that this was at the insistence of the Environment Agency who were worried about creating problems further downstream and they also needed to get their plant and machinery right up to the water's edge to maintain the piling.

We are sceptical about this and believe the developer is trying to save on cost.

But this is the crunch for the River Strategy and for the WR Development; whether it is integrated with the River or not.

If the piled trough is retained the River environment will be disconnected from the built development with an alien and ugly intrusion cutting it into two parts.

The stepped bank is safer and it will merge the human activity within the two environments into a harmonious whole.

It is said that being adjacent to water adds 20% to house values so it will greatly add to the value of the development but a stepped bank will not have an adverse affect on flood defence as long as the overall height is retained.

Floating reed beds As a damage limitation measure in the interim floating reed beds are planned.

Fortunately, the built structures will not be too close to the river itself, so there will be space to step the bank at a later stage if new policies are adopted, but this will be much more expensive than doing it in the first place.

Opportunity for Bath’s waterfront

The Public Meeting in 2002 had been provoked by the Planning Application for the Southgate Development which treated the River in time-honoured fashion as a sewer, specifically presenting its ugly backside to it in the form of the corrugated back of a bus station; this, on one of the primary sites on the River Waterfront.

The Southgate will be the

What are the results of all this effort so far?

The mindset in Bath has definitely changed, which is the big step forward.

But, in terms of practical results on the waterfront over the past five years, the answer is “Absolutely Nothing”.

The Western Riverside is now the big opportunity to achieve something.

Picture by Bob Naylor

Southgate development

High sheet piling along the banks of the River Avon through the City

25

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Canals for kids with Terry Kemp

Kenny

Annie

Taking a boat through a lock

Give me a sentence using the word ‘information’.

Geese fly information!

Boats going down enter the lock through the top gates which are then closed. The top paddles are then closed.

The Mousehole Boat Company

Waterway Wildlife

The Swan

The paddles at the bottom gates are then opened allowing water to flow from the lock and drop the water level.

When the water in the lock is at the same level as the lower canal section, the gates can be opened and the boat can continue on its way.

To go up through the canal the process is reversed.

PRIZE WORDSEARCH The names of 8 water structures are hidden in the grid — find them to win a special prize. Send your entry to Prize Wordsearch, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, Canal Centre, Couch Lane, Devizes SN10 1EB before 1st November 2007. Photocopies will be accepted.

The Butty Wordsearch No 180 Name (age) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................ ............................................ ............................................

Signature of parent or guardian: ............................................

26

A graceful beautiful white-feathered waterbird who, when young, is a scruffy grey colour.

The young are called cygnets and are fiercely protected by their parents.

When flying, their wings make a whistling sound.

Water Water splashing up and down round and round in and out up and over left and right Water makes you think Water never goes bad Water is for the world to use Water is not to be abused Water is good So stop and think

by Kennedy Nelson aged ten of Curtis Street, Swindon

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Reviews Watching The English

By Kate Fox First published in 2005 by Hodder ISBN 0 340 81886 7 424 pages. £8.99 soft cover his could be useful for overseas visitors on our Canal,’ said The Editor, ‘help them to understand the locals.’ Having read it, I would add useful for the Scots, Irish and Welsh, and for those ‘English’ who would rather not be classed as such, e.g. some Cornish and Yorkshire folk.

It’s subtitled ‘The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour’, ‘Rules’ in the sense of ‘As a rule the English…’. It takes in, for example, what we do and say about sex, dress, the weather, humour, and (most useful canalside) pubs. There’s a great section on mobile phones, and on food – including what we (my mother was Scottish) call meals and what that says about us, and the use of napkin rings (or should we say serviette?). Our love for the Shipping Forecast is analysed, and for her research the author deliberately bumps into people and queue-jumps to see how we react. Fascinating. It even covers Eeyorishness…

‘T

Tim Wheeldon Technical book reviews Nicholson Boating Handbook

By Emryhs Barrell Published by Collins in 2007 ISBN 10: 0007219571 224 pages £12.99 soft cover h dear, it’s happened again! I just opened this book at random and what do I find? This – about the K & A’s restoration - “ ……the re-opening in 1990 by the Queen Mother.”!!!. On the same page we are told that we can moor beneath the cathedral in Bath and see the world crossing Poultney (sic) bridge, (which is not “Regency”). Gritting my teeth I’ll press on with the review.

This book is certainly comprehensive: it covers a great range — from which end of a boat is which, to hiring in Venice — with pretty well everything in between. In fact you’d be hard pressed to find anything about inland boating which is not in it.

The coverage is geographically equally catholic, (with good maps), covering the UK, Ireland and Europe. There are loads of photos and the K & A gets more than its fair share but, sadly, almost all of them suffer from a sort of “dullness” – even the sunny ones.

If you’re a complete tyro this book will tell you all you need to know. For a young person beginning to show the faintest interest in inland boating it might just grab him. If there’s a family birthday coming up – get it.

O

Leonard Pearcey Non-technical book reviews A Thames Bestiary

By Peter Hay and Geoff Sawers First published in 2007 by Two Rivers Press ISBN 978-1-901677-50-8 72 pages. £7.00 soft cover his, the back cover tells us, is the book that Two Rivers Press’s founder Peter Hay was working on, with long-time collaborator Geoff Sawers, at the time of his death in 2003.

The Press and his collaborator have completed it. Poems and myths, facts and fiction combine to celebrate the wildlife on the banks and in the waters of the Thames, from Adder to Wood Warbler via Gudgeon and Tench. There’s a page for every Fowl of the Air, Beast of the Field and Fish of the River they encountered (or didn’t) as they walked the length of the river and back, a black and white sketch for each. This is from ‘Blackcap’: ‘Everything flows. When the bed of the River Kennet at Reading Gas Works was dug up during the summer of 1880 they found bones of beaver, boar and wolf. In February 1993 I was amazed to see a Blackcap in the trees by Blake’s Lock.’

T

‘Bizarre’ though it is (their word) it makes a great little gift.

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework

by Geoffrey Budworth Published by Anness Publishing Ltd. Reprinted 2006 ISBN 1 84309 146 1 256 pages £8.99 soft cover ow! What a book. I was forced to learn knots in the Navy but I still don’t know a “Brummycham” from a “Bimini twist”.

However, this book has actually activated my interest in the subject – and that’s a recommendation for a start.

It is so well produced – big, glossy (and £4.00 less than the previous one, even though they are both printed in China) with brilliant presentation – photos bright and crystal clear and the prose – even on such a prosaic subject – attractively written and easily read. I found myself fascinated by the seemingly endless variety of shapes and patterns that a simple length of rope can be formed into.

Looking through this book makes one realise that a decent knowledge of knots and ropework would make our canalling so much easier and more efficient (and probably safer).

This is not a book I can encourage absolutely everyone to go out and buy (although, value for money, it’s a bargain) but if you come across it do have a look. If you’re not a knot novice you may well want it – and if you are not yet a knotter you might find a new hobby beckons.

W

Books reviewed in The Butty are normally available from the Trust shop on Devizes Wharf or through other Trust shops.

If it is not convenient to visit in person you can use our mail order service by telephoning 01380 729489.

27

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

French twinning visit to Kintbury

Pictured during their tour of Kintbury are from left to right Jean Louis Lebeau, the Marie de Chevroches, Jo Parfitt of Les Amis, Erica Bevan and Philip Wilson of Kintbury Parish Plan Group, Phillipe Benard, Door Winkle and Jean-Marc Voyot of Les Amis and Peter Watson of Kintbury Parish Plan Group.

lans to forge a closer link with the towns and villages along the Canal du Nivernas took a step forward in July when five visitors from our twinned canal visited Kintbury.

P

Jean-Louis Lebeau, Marie de Chevroches in the Nievre Department of Burgundy, is very keen to twin with a village on the K&A. He and four other representatives from the Canal du Nivernais were invited to Kintbury after the Parish Plan Support Group identified that they too wanted to twin and it seemed sensible to look first at villages on the Nivernais.

They started their 4-day visit with a welcome over a few drinks at the Dundas Arms where they were introduced to English beer.

The highlight of their guided walk around the village was the discovery that both Chevroches and Kintbury are proud to have

evidence of Roman settlements. Chevroches even has a disc used by the Romans for astronomy.

Members of Kintbury Parish Council and the Parish Plan group joined the visitors for a working lunch at the Blue Ball on Sunday when the essential differences in local government structure was explained and the expectations each village had for twinning were explored.

The Marie of Chevroches, Jean Louis Lebeau, said, “This was a fact-finding visit but the lasting memory we will take back to France will undoubtedly be the trip on the horseboat which was a very special way to enjoy the K&A.�

Steve Butler of the Kennet Horse Boat Company took the French vistors on a horse-drawn boat trip from Kintbury

Moonraker Narrowboat Company Once in a while we all deserve the 5 star treatment. Whether a romantic escape, family holiday or just some time out from the stresses and demands of life, your relaxation and enjoyment is paramount. Our aim at Moonraker Narrowboat Company is to help you unwind by providing high quality, luxurious boats and a personal service second to none.

Please visit our website at

www.moonboats.co.uk for up to date information, prices & availability

Alternatively please telephone 07973 876891 or email enquiries@moonboats.co.uk with your requirements

28

the

Butty BRANCH REPORTS

No.180 Autumn 2007

new bed on the other side of the path at no extra cost for the plants as these will all be home grown.

Reading Mike Wyatt 0118 9427708 he changing face of Reading over the last 30 years was the subject of Larry Crozier’s slide show at our May meeting.

Many of his slides were taken from the top of the Tower block at the station and the audience was amazed at the lack of traffic and at the parts of Reading that disappeared to make way for the IDR.

T

Padworth garden wonders Mary Hubbard has worked even more wonders in the garden of the Padworth Visitor Centre and we now have a ‘picture postcard cottage garden’, and spare plants are being sold in the shop.

Next year should be even better as we will be making a

Mikron Theatre at Waterfest June of course brings Water Fest which starts the weekend before with a cleanup of the EA waters of the Forbury backwater on which the event is held.

Mikron again presented a show on the Friday evening of Water Fest and with help from their PR team we managed to get 3 pages of pictures and story in the ‘Reading Alive’ supplement to the Evening Post that came out a week before.

The Friday morning brought rain, but the weather god smiled and gave us clear interval for the show before heavy overnight rain.

However, it cleared away at dawn and we had a successful event with more local press pictures.

Narrow boat entries were

Boat Trips

From the Cunning Man, Burghfield Bridge Public trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .May to September Private party hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A range of cruises Day boat hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Self-drive for up to 12 people Holiday hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 & 6 Berth Narrowboats Flexible weekly or short break periods Moorings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Permanent or temporary Enquiries: 14 Beech Lane, Earley, Reading, RG6 5PT Tel: 0118 987 1115 Fax: 0118 921 0604

www.kennetcruises.co.uk

Reading Waterfest Harbour Master, Mike Wyatt, presenting the cup to the winner of the boat tug-of-war — Bob Tillotson with his boat ‘Phantom.

down this year, but we made up for it in size with a wide beam cruiser 60 foot long and a 66 foot Dutch Barge whose owner had to be dissuaded from entering the boat Tug-of-war.

Trevor Burgess who won the event in ‘Sonoma’ last year, kindly presented a cup for the event, and a needle battle broke out as he tried to win it again, but the honours went to Bob Tillotson on nb ‘Phantom’.

Best turned-out Much to the chagrin of local boaters, the ‘Best Turned out Boat’ trophy went to Nigel & Jeanette Skeet from Newbury.

The local Coots added to the festivities by hatching 4 chicks on the Saturday morning to compete with the 100 yellow ducklings in the Duck Race.

Traditional Boats

Events team ensure success

To complete the boating picture we had two beautiful boats from the Thames Traditional Boat Society who showed us just how fast 4 oarsmen (or women) can propel a wooden boat, plus the Steam Launch Surabaya and the ex working boat Lancing provided trips round the circuit.

My thanks go to everyone who helped to create a very successful day on the water, and to the Reading Borough Council Events Team running the land events, particularly as they positioned my favourite band, the Graham Hewitt Jazz Band, nearly opposite my own boat.

South West’s premier We have moved boat builders on the to new and bigger premises near Sells Green Kennet & Avon If its not on the shelf we can probably get it Offering a wide and comprehensive range of boats Unit 10, Broad Lane Farm, Seend, Nr Melksham, SN12 6RJ All workmanship guaranteed

M&P Steelcraft

From 30ft narrowboats through to our range of larger wide beam vessels

Visit our chandlery trade counter For all your boat safety, repair, upgrade and fit-out needs Tel: 01380 828448 Fax: 01380 828855

www.mp-steelcraft.co.uk 29

the

Butty BRANCH REPORTS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Meeting plans The new season of regular meetings at the Stone Building start again in September.

They are held on the last Wednesday of every month at 7.45; our illustrated talks are aimed to interest everyone.

You can find a full listing on the Newbury Branch pages of the website or in the ‘What’s On Diary’ at the back of the Butty.

Do come along and join us; you will be made very welcome.

Hungerford Richard Snook 01635 253446 lthough Sue Barker, John McInroe and co have had no difficulty at all in finding something to talk about when there is no play at Wimbledon, I have been left scratching my head trying to find something interesting to put in this report.

A Members of Newbury Branch aboard the Rose of Hungerford

Newbury Julie Dean 01962 883939 t is very difficult to write in advance about an event that you will be looking back on, but as I write we are still looking forward to the Newbury Waterways Festival.

Everything is in place for a successful and fun day and we have high hopes for this year.

Of course, for Newbury Branch, organising the Festival is a huge amount of work that dominates our schedule for months beforehand, and we are

I

grateful to everyone who has helped us along the way.

We couldn’t do it without all our volunteers, especially on the day. Thank you!

Rose trip The branch had a trip on the ‘Rose of Hungerford’ in June.

The weather was perfect; we all enjoyed a trip on our canal and a relaxed social evening together.

Members were very generous when the ‘hat’ came out and we were pleased to send a donation to Hungerford branch.

We hope we can go again next year!

Boat trip news Both public trips and charters are coming along nicely at the moment, although the inclement weather has tended to reduce our passenger numbers on a few of the public trips somewhat and, unfortunately, a small mechanical fault meant that we have had to cancel three public trips.

Boat crews smile through the rain

left us with many sodden crew members who time and time again turn up smiling and willing to help us on our way to yet another great season on this end of the canal.

Insanitary Station — improved Conditions at the Hungerford insanitary station have marginally improved; maybe it is the heavy rain that has sluiced things down, but we are now suffering with low pressure at the water point.

It takes over an hour with the tap on full trickle to fill the water tank on the ‘Rose’, which would try the patience of a saint.

The rate of flow cannot be much less than the extended leak of last year; I must call BW yet again.

Success brings its own problems Our success of late brings with it it’s own problems; we are short of midweek daytime captains and crew. I appeal to anyone out there considering helping out on the ‘Rose’ and maybe training to become a helmsperson or captain - please contact one of the committee and I can assure you of a warm welcome.

Santa trips — booking now We have taken this year’s first Santa trip charter booking so let’s hope that’s a good omen for a busy December. Ho! Ho!

The Tutti Pole

The excessive rain of late has

by the South side of Hungerford Bridge

Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our Tea Room/Restaurant and Patio Area seating up to 50

Morning Coffee • Luncheon • Afternoon Tea Roast Sunday Lunch • Home made fare a speciality Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm • Saturday & Sunday 9am – 6pm The Tutti Pole, 3 High Street, Hungerford RG17 0DN Telephone: 01488 682515 30

the

Butty BRANCH REPORTS

Crofton Ray Knowles 01672 851639 nce again I have to start with sad news — the deaths of two long-time members, Robert Lake and Peter Lindley-Jones Their obituaries appear on pages of 36 & 37.

O

Café soup sales The refurbished café/kitchen is doing very good business and the wet weather has increased the sales of soup no end especially on steaming days.

The end of June steaming attendance did not suffer from the rain and it did not deter two very young lads who each filled 3 barrows with coal and then ordered their parents, one father and one mother, to wheel them in to the bunker.

Father was a real gentleman so he wheeled all the

No.180 Autumn 2007

barrowloads in.

At times it appeared that they could hardly lift the shovels without coal let alone with it, but sheer determination got them through.

No doubt they slept well that night — and they came back on Sunday for a repeat performance.

Dimbleby On Sunday 24th June, we appeared in the David Dimbleby TV programme ‘How we built Britain’ and several people mentioned this as being their reason for coming out in the rain to see us.

The high quality of the photography had a lot to do with it as the pictorial content was quite stunning.

Skylight repair completed The skylight repair has been successful, having now had the heavy rain test on several occasions.

The work on the new steel railings continues when possible and we have been able to lay 5 cu metres of concrete to form the base for the warden’s hobbies room for which he is paying and will leave behind when he retires.

Feeder channel plant growth problem As a result of this year’s exceptional plant growth, the feeder channel is overgrown with weed and the water flow from the BW electric pumps and our steam pumps is significantly reduced and backs up at the launders and presumably does not reach the summit pound either.

The extra growth is also blocking the entrance to the culvert from the engine pound but at least we can clear this ourselves from the grille that we installed 2 years ago because the BW weir was in a bad state.

200th anniversary The bicentennial weekend was an outstanding success aided by excellent weather.

It was opened on Saturday by the well known archaeologist Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology and Channel 4’s Time Team who made a thought-provoking speech.

On Sunday the Archdeacon of Wilts pronounced a blessing on the `station and everyone ever connected with it, followed by the unveiling of a plaque to the memory of Sir John Smith

by Lady Smith who arrived in style by helicopter piloted by her son Barty.

The speakers were introduced on both days by the Trust Chairman Brian Poulton accompanied by his wife Juanita.(report page 18) We are about to start work on the winter maintenance and repair programme and we have decided on next year’s steaming days (see back page ad).

31

the

Butty BRANCH REPORTS

No.180 Autumn 2007

Awareness day

Trust Branch Committees — 2007 Reading Chairman: Mike Wyatt Secretary: John and Pam Swift Treasurer: Jennifer Cann David Copley, Eileen Bowsher, Andy James, Mike Bennett, Gerry Thorne Newbury Chairman: Tracy Perryman Vice-Chairman: John Arthurs Secretary: Graham Smith Treasurer: Rob Dean Bob Alderman, Val Arthurs, John Cahill, Julie Dean, Mike Jennings, Chris Martin, Geoff Paterson Hungerford Chairman: Andrew Sawyer: Secretary: Tony Bond Treasurer: Sarah Fradgley Graeme Dewhirst, Richard Snook, Maureen Burlow, Colin Goodson, Diana Wheatley Crofton Chairman: Harry Willis Secretary: Pam Weeks Treasurer: Sheila Willis Manning: Alison Hoskins Risk Assessment: Jon Willis Ray Knowles, Dennis Munson, Roger Jackson Warden: Nigel Hawkins Devizes Chairman: Adrian Softly Secretary: Helen and Rob Wright Treasurer: Ann Nicholls Alan West, Jean Smith, Vicki Messam, John Kirby

32

West Wilts Chairman: John Maciver Secretary and Web Co-ordinator: Chris Poulter Treasurer: Sally Ferrers assisted by Keith Scott-Green Booking Manager: Gill & Grant Milner Boat Manager: Colin Daws Social Member: Dave Jupp Member: Tony Neal Crew Manager: Vacant Marketing & Promotion: Vacant Bath & Bristol Chairman: Michael Davis John Shaw, Michael Lee, Peter Dunn, Robert and Pat Coles, David Mitchell, Rod Bracey, Blair Murray, Ron Clark, Mike Rogers Claverton Chairman: Pete Dunn Secretary: George Charlton Treasurer: Neville Levitte Group visit co-ordinator: Jim Caldwell Running team leader: Roy Smedley Publicity: Joy Strange John Adams, Brian Perrington, Mike Rogers ‘Jubilee’ Chairman & Boat Manager: Ron Clark Vice Chairman: Tim Samler Skipper Trainer: Alan Boorer Crew Trainer: Roger Luker Maintenance Manager: Tony Atkinson Safety Training: Dennis Pearson Marketing & Publicity: John Scott Booking Manager: Mike Kelham

Devizes Adrian Softley 07899 844929 evizes Branch members have been active in the last few months — staffing the Trust display gazebo at Crofton’s 200th anniversary celebrations where they signed up 19 new Trust members — one of them a life member.

D

Burger team As usual the Devizes team were at Newbury Water Fest and did the catering for the Saturday evening barbeque and for the burger stall at on the Sunday and we made over £1,000 for Trust Funds — a big thanks goes to the team of volunteers who travelled from Devizes, they are the crews of ‘Alcora’, ‘Barney’, ‘Joseph’, ‘Sunseeker No2’ and ‘Unity’ and also the crew of ‘Mr Pip’ from Newbury.

The annual Branch membership awareness day was again held at at Prison Bridge Lock, Devizes, in June. The event is held to introduce the work of the Trust to the public and in the process the event raises funds for the Trust and recruits new members.

Thanks go to John and Elaine, Bob and Di, and Roger for their help and to Nikki for our lunch.

Campaigns The Branch developed a close working relationship with Devizes Mayor, Don Jones, during the Save Our Waterways campaign events and he invited John Kirby and myself to the buffet at the end of his term of office.

John was also invited to represent the Branch on the judging panel of Devizes Beer Festival in July.

Future events are listed in the ‘What’s On’ on page 38 — and don’t forget we want your

the

Butty BRANCH REPORTS

No.180 Autumn 2007

West Wilts John Maciver 01225 812225 irst of all I would like to welcome all the new volunteers who have joined us recently. Most have joined as crew on ‘Barbara McLellan’ and have already gained considerable experience ‘shadowing’ other crew members.

F

Devizes Branch members looked after the Trust stand at the Crofton 200th anniversary celebrations. Over the weekend they signed up 19 new Trust memebers — including one life member.

email addresses so that we can keep you informed.

Future plans include a working party to paint the Trust Building on Devizes Wharf, the lengthman’s inspection and a visit to the Boat Graveyard at Purton on the banks of The River Severn.

Brian Poulton has stood

down from the Branch Committee after many active years — thank you Brian.

And finally…. I apologise to Derrick Hunt for my incorrect referral to our visit to The Somerset & Dorset Canal in the Summer Butty. That should have read The Dorset & Somersetshire Canal.

In-house crew training At the same time, in-house training sessions by John Box and John Shirley should provide the grounding for the normal operating and emergency procedures on the boat and, following some more ‘on-the-jobtraining’, the new volunteers will be upgraded to full crew.

The additional volunteer crew should ensure that we have sufficient numbers to

Tel: Tel: 01380 01380 725300 Quality narrowboat maintenance Repair & refurbishment Engine servicing — Hull blacking Shot blasting — Painting — Sign writing Hull extensions & welding DIY covered wet dock Pump-out — Diesel —Gas — Coal Day & weekend boat hire Chandlery — Boat Sales

www.devizesmarina.co.uk

meet our busy programme during high season.

Incidentally, ‘B Mac’ has a crew of 4: an MCA-qualified Skipper, a Mate and one person in the bar and one in the galley.

It is always such a pleasure to meet so many different and interesting people on the boat and in the tea room. They come from all corners of the globe and they are smitten once they have experienced a trip on the boat.

Variety of charter trips The charter trips range from anniversaries, wedding receptions, corporate workshop events, hen and stag parties, club outings or simply any excuse to get a crowd together and enjoy the convivial atmosphere and a sedate cruise along some spectacular scenery.

We as crew get great satisfaction in making the trip enjoyable and memorable for all passengers.

Boat Sales 57ft semi trad stern Sailaway Liverpool 2006 £26,000 50ft trad stern Sagar B/builders 1985 £32,000 46ft cruiser stern Liverpool 2005 £45,000 60ft semi trad stern Rowan Boats 2006 £69,000 Please contact our brokerage dept for details of other boats for sale

33

the

Butty BRANCH REPORTS Wedding party drama Recently, Barbara McLellan was booked to take a wedding party from Bradford on Avon to a reception at a canal-side house between Avoncliff and Dundas.

Unfortunately, on the wedding day a huge tree fell across the canal, blocking it beyond where the reception was being held, resulting in cancelling the Jubilee trip from the Bath direction and preventing ‘Barbara McLellan’ from reaching the turning point to return back to Bradford on Avon.

Undeterred, Gill (skipper) and Grant Milner, Tony Neal and Fran Markotic decided that they would take as many passengers as possible to the reception, and then reverse ‘Barbara McLellan’ back to Avoncliff, where they could turn.

Reversing a wide-beam boat (without any bow thrusters) all that distance round a long bend and past a large number of moored boats (trapped) was no mean feat.

They are to be congratulated on their initiative and skill.

So, you too could star one day! Just come along and volunteer as a crew member, or help in the tea room, and get engaged in a new and enjoyable pursuit.

Open day success The RNLI and K&A Open Day was very successful. Thank you to those who donated items for the jumble stall and to Joan Maciver for running it. Over the past few weeks, Paul Skelton, Shop Manager, has organised a number of fund-raising events in the Cottage garden and raised a considerable amount of money for the Trust; well done Paul.

Bradford in Bloom We have entered the Bradford in Bloom competition once again and Harry Fox, Chris Poulter, Eric Doel and Colin Dimbylow have been busy keeping the garden in superb

34

No.180 Autumn 2007

order, ready for judging.

Busy boat Our Cream Tea and Bath trips are sell-outs this year; so much so that we have to run additional trips.

Our charter trips are also up on last year; thank you Grant & Gill for all your efforts.

Running all those trips does not just happen; an awful lot of effort and planning has to go on behind the scenes and it’s thanks to all our volunteers that it all comes together. Paul Skelton is also grateful to all the volunteers who help in the Tea Room, which gets particularly busy at the weekends.

Don’t forget that our season continues through to the end of October, when we will have 2-3 weeks’ break for maintenance, before gearing up for our highly acclaimed Santa Trips in December.

The Tea Room will be open all the way through. So, there are plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer and contribute to the K&A Canal Trust’s efforts. I look forward to welcoming you.

Claverton Pete Dunn 01761 432811 e have been kept busy at the Pump House with some teething troubles connected with the sluice repair, which we should have been expected I suppose as the original restoration team had their problems as well.

The sluice, in my opinion, is not the best part of the pump — I wonder if John Rennie was entirely happy with it back in 1813?

W

Wheel sluices One day I would like to do some research into other wheel sluices.

I don’t know of any other of similar design, but if anyone reading this can shed some light on the subject please get in touch.

The packing on one of the

pistons also failed after the May Day run and we had to remove the piston and its rod — luckily we have a good team and the job was completed in one day.

I would like to thank the entire team who have pulled out all the stops throughout the last year.

I may not have the biggest group on the canal but I am very proud of them, they are an excellent team and are a privilege to work with.

Burbage Crane project The Burbage Crane was successfully dismantled and that is reported elsewhere (see page xx).

The new timbers are stored at the yard of Hawker Joinery in Batheaston.

By the time you read this I hope that a start has been made on the reconstruction which we expect to take two years.

Bath & Bristol Mike Davis 01225 448576

Ticket Office We will now be acquiring ownership from British Waterways of the old Ticket Office at Dundas Basin, which we renovated with voluntary labour last year; there is still a bit to do on this.

The aim is to fit it out as a mini-Museum explaining its original function.

This will be an unmanned walk-in Museum, an extra attraction close to the Somerset Coal Canal Visitors’ Centre.

Holburne Mueum setback The Holburne Museum’s controversial Application for their extension was turned down at the Planning Meeting in Bath on 25th July.

This is a serious set-back for them and they are back to the drawing-board. It is also a setback for us, as the new Holburne was to be the face of the Kennet & Avon Canal in Bath.

Mooring

ur Trip Boat “Jubilee” is having a very good Season. Charter Bookings are, at this point, 60% up on last year.

Well done to John Scott for some excellent marketing effort. The income from Public Trips is much lower, but they are well up on last year too.

The Branch Committee had an enjoyable trip on the boat in

O

May, with a picnic at the Claverton Pumping Station.

The situation regarding Moorings Abuse has deteriorated again.

It is a very big problem for us at this end of the Canal and it is spreading further out.

We will continue to work closely with British Waterways on this, as we have been doing for a number of years; the trend must be reversed for the sake of all Canal Users.

Stop at the one-stop service

HONEYSTREET Visit our Wharf on the Long Pound by Honeystreet Bridge for diesel, Calor Gas & coal water & 240 volt electrics overnight moorings pump-out & ‘Porta Potti’ disposal

Gibson’s Boat Services Telephone 01672 851232

the

Butty Letters to the Editor

No.180 Autumn 2007

Letters on any subject related to the canal are welcome. We want to encourage debate about canal issues. This is your forum to voice your views. Requests for anonymity will be honoured, but no letter will be published unless it arrives with contact Editor, Di Harris

details. Letters should be not more than

300 words and may be edited for reasons of space or clarity.

Send letters to the Editor: contact details on page 3.

COULD CLAVERTON BEAT GLOBAL WARMING? y first experience of the K&A Canal was with the Kennet Morris Men in May this year when we were celebrating 50 years of the group’s existence by travelling in two narrowboats from Bath to Reading in 8 days and visiting 50 pubs to dance in en route.

I understand the Claverton water-driven pump is now only operational a few days per year. Its function now being achieved by electric pumps.

With the realisation of global warming and the need to switch to renewable energy sources, is it feasible to restore Claverton pump back to full time use?

I hope that in our technological progress we have not lost the knowledge and skills to restore this pumping system for another 140 years’

M

use.

Whilst its 100,000 gallons per hour output is impressive, I am sure it is inadequate to meet the growing leisure requirements.

This raises the question; is it practical to build another waterdriven pump to feed the canal?

Apart from other considerations, I suspect the capital cost of a ‘one off’ system compared with mass produced electric pumps is a financial no.

Finally, there seems to be some discrepancies in publications about the height of the canal above the river. One diagram I saw sid it was a lift of 70 ft another said approximately 47ft. which is correct?

John Walford, Reading

HANDS OFF OUR CANALS! ritish Waterways Chief Executive Robin Evans opines that it is not BW or government policy to flog off the canal system to privateers (Butty 179, Summer 2007).

Yet his rationale, ‘Government has asked BW to consider and investigate whether BW’s current institutional form and financial structure are optimal for the long-term security and success of BW‘s inland waterways, or whether alternative options might better achieve this’, would appear to hint at the complete opposite.

The involvement of so-called ‘business consultants’ looks to me like the first nail in the coffin of long-standing, free, unfettered, communal access to and enjoyment of the inland waterway system.

As we all know, these ‘consultant’ johnnies don't come cheap; so who's coughing up for their fat fees?

B

Why, you are, of course, muggins boat-owner and pleasure-seeker, through your mooring and other charges.

How else?

And don’t forget that ‘consultants’ are employed to produce the results desired, so don’t be surprised when the consensus turns out to be that, yes, in Mr Evans’s jargonspeak, BW's ‘...current institutional form and financial structure...’ turns out not to be ‘optimal’ for ‘...long-term security and success...’

What have ‘security’ and ‘success’ got to do with it, anyway?

The canals are a resource, an amenity, enjoyed by thousands, emphatically NOT a business or cash cow, nor should they be.

Hands off our waterways!

Keep them public and free!

Keith Davis, Bath

Boat builders and repairers Bespoke built narrow and wide beam boats

Claverton Chairman Pete Dunn replies his question comes up many times during tours.

Claverton was restored and is maintained in full working order, this means that it is still capable of pumping its design volume of water to the canal.

However the canal can require six times the volume now that it needed in 1813 due to the back pumping scheme of the 1990s.

My team is an excellent bunch of dedicated people and we certainly have not lost the skills to maintain the pump to its working standard, which I think can be judged by the condition of the machinery and last years repairs to the curved sluice were of a top class standard.

To run the pump on a 24/7

T

basis to day would be very expensive in terms of man power and at a huge increase in maintenance costs.

I would relish the challenge to build another water-power pump along side the existing pump. There is some evidence that John Rennie may have planned for this, but the one pump must have been adequate for the canal’s use at the time.

It is also interesting to note that Claverton replaced two steam pumps installed on the Bath Flight when it came into operation.

And yes, some of our early literature contained errors the actual height of lift. It is now confirmed to be 48 feet above the pond level.

Holiday hire 2-12 berth Full weeks and short breaks 2 fully equipped and built for disabled use

Full mechanical and electrical services Break down service Agents for Shire and Beta engines Mastervolt energy shop 3M thinsulate insulation Webasto heaters

Quality work by quality craftsman Reading Marine Company Ltd Aldermaston Wharf, Padworth, Reading RG7 4JS 0118 9713666

35

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Obituaries

Picture by Bob Naylor

Peter Lindley-Jones

eter was among a small number of Trust volunteers whose commitment continued after the canal was re-opened in1990.

His involvement began back in the 1960’s as a committee member and then vice-chairman of Newbury Branch, right up to recent times when, among other achievements, he published the much-acclaimed history book of the K&A Canal Trust.

At heart, Peter was an ideas man, and one who put his ideas into practice using his organisational ability to raise money, and his practical skills (he was an engineer) to assist in restoration projects.

In Newbury, he used both skills, first to assist in the plans to acquire the Stone Building (legend has it that he told the Mayor, in no uncertain terms, not to allow the Council to pull it down) and then applied his practical skills in helping to convert the interior for Trust use.

He was also involved in constructing the launching ramp on the wharf for trailable boats.

But it was the two Boat Fairs at Newbury in the 1960’s that helped to raise the profile and profits of the Trust as never before.

Peter masterminded both, using his passion for boats, which began as a youngster in his father’s Whitstable boat yard.

It was my good fortune, as the Trust’s publicity officer, to play second fiddle to Peter in organising the two Fairs from

P

36

which developed a lasting friendship.

In planning the second Boat Fair, held at Northcroft in 1965, he memorably designed and built a dozen fairground stalls using scaffolding, successfully won local advertising and sponsorship support, and staged a gymkhana, a traction engine rally and a procession of boats led by an amphibious car!

The Fair attracted over 12,000 people and made a profit of £1,300, a staggering sum in those days.

Unknown to many of the public at the Fair, the car destroyed the temporary slipway Peter constructed on site – very possibly Peter’s intention — so the only way out was to proceed down through Newbury Lock and onto dry land via Peter’s slipway on the wharf, all of which was captured by a BBC TV crew who filmed the short journey and claimed that the vehicle was the first car, and probably the last, to pass through Newbury Lock — what a publicity coup for the Trust!

Pursuing his passion for boats, this time for sea-going boats, he was one of the founders and first secretary of the Newbury Yacht Club, and like others, kept an offshore cruising yacht at Poole.

On moving to Hungerford soon after the canal was reopened, Peter qualified as one of the Captains of the Trust’s trip boat, the “Rose of Hungerford”, where he also helped with the annual refurbishment of the interior.

But perhaps Peter’s greatest legacy is the “Adoption Scheme”, a brilliant moneyraising idea whereby members of the public could “adopt” a length of canal, a lock, or a bridge for a sum of money.

He ran the scheme for five years raising nearly £40,000 and issuing Certificates to each of the many “adopters.”

For this, he and his wife Dorothy were awarded the annual John Gould Trophy for their outstanding contribution to the development of the canal.

Peter’s book, Restoring The Kennet & Avon Canal, is the definitive work on the battle to save the canal Peter was particularly proud of this award.

As soon as the Scheme ran its course, Peter got together with Terry Kemp of British Waterways, with whom he developed a strong relationship, to discuss another money raising idea involving the launch of a Buy-a-Bench Scheme.

This offered the public the opportunity to purchase an oak bench beside the canal for £350.

Peter not only handled sales but physically fixed a brass plaque to the seats involving trips to remote locations.

To date thirty benches have been bought.

Soon after the canal was reopened, the late John Gould, the Trust’s veteran campaigner, was keen to find someone to finish the text of a half completed book about the Trust’s campaign, begun by the late Jack Dalby.

Without hesitation, Peter accepted John’s invitation, and so began several years of research and interviewing, a job he tackled without any previous experience.

Published in 2002, the 160page book soon sold out, with a second edition published in 2005. Typically, Peter donated the royalties to the Trust.

Peter’s involvement at the Crofton Pumping Station in the early 90’s was again practical.

He designed and built cabinets and a cooker unit and hob for the crew room so that volunteers could have hot meals on winter week-ends. He also built and decorated the shop which included the traditional “Roses and Castles” painted panels. And for several years, he and Dorothy ran the shop and café.

Since its formation more than fifty years ago, the Trust has been very fortunate in attracting the support of many dedicated volunteers who have given their time and energy so freely to the restoration and,

later, to the wellbeing of the re-opened canal.

Peter’s contribution was selfless, providing a momentum to the Trust’s money-raising efforts before and after the reopening of the waterway.

His tenacity, hands-on approach, sense of fun, attention to detail and fighting spirit, will long be remembered.

So too, will his ability to turn himself into a highly plausible Santa Claus, which he became so successfully on many Santa Cruises at Hungerford and Devizes.

Of all Peter’s attributes, it is his fighting spirit that shines through and which is captured perfectly in the opening verse of a Battle Song, sung to the tune of “God Bless the Prince of Wales,” composed by a member of the Kennet &Avon Canal Association when the canal was threatened with closure in 1955.

Good Citizens, the fight is on!

Our Battle Cry shall be Maintain our Rivers and Canals From Inland to the Sea On board a Cruiser, Barge or Boat, As in the days of yore We’ll sail on Inland Waterways From Bristol to The Nore

Supporting Peter in all his Trust activities has been his wife Dorothy, who turned her hand to many a task in typically spirited fashion, including, for example, committee work on Hungerford branch.

Their daughters, Jane and Susan, were persuaded to help on many occasions too.

In conclusion, I think Peter would have approved of the fact that I prepared this tribute aboard my narrow boat, moored not far from his Devizes home, on his beloved Kennet & Avon Canal, to which he gave so much.

David Harris

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

Picture by Bob Naylor

Robert Lake

obert was born in Southsea, moved to Wallington with his parents and qualified as an electrical engineer at London University. He joined the RAF and was stationed at Andover testing new aircraft during the second world war.

He married Clare (Clarice) and after a brief spell in Australia he came back to the Isle of Wight to work for Saunders-Roe. In 1961 Westland Helicopters took over Saunders-Roe and the family moved to Sherborne, and then to Pewsey on Robert’s retirement in 1983.

Robert and Clare were very much a double act and there is no way that any more can be written without saying ‘they’

R

and not ‘he’.

In 1979 they bought a very second hand Dawncraft Dandy named ‘Jubilate’ and moved it by road from Tewkesbury to Pewsey.

In the same year they joined the Pewsey Wharf Boat Club and The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.

They cruised from Pewsey to Crofton top lock and then the other way to Devizes, bow hauling in places because of the choking, clogging weed.

At Crofton they were soon helping out with the bookstall, shop and catering.

In due course Robert and Clare took over the admissions desk on steaming days and Crofton members have fond memories of them sitting by the draughty front door in all weathers – it was always cold at the front door even in a heat wave!

Clare used to use her housekeeping money for the float until the Trust got its act together and provided one.

At closing time Robert and Clare would go into a huddle to cash up, recover the housekeeping and then present the treasurer with a neat, detailed, balanced set of accounts.

Robert was an engineer so he had a natural affinity with the steam engines at Crofton but he was also a boater at heart and by the early 80s the Lakes had become deeply involved with the Trust’s trip boat ‘Jubilee’ which at that time was operating from Wootton Rivers.

Clare was inside looking after the bar and the passengers whilst Robert was

happy in isolation at the tiller.

It was also in the early 80s that their devotion to Crofton had to be shared with the new love in their life as ‘Jubilate’ had been replaced with a 23ft Wilderness boat ‘Green Dragon’.

They were very active members of Pewsey Wharf Boat Club and joined the flotilla on its trips to Devizes twice a year and supported the Trust’s CanalFests at Bishops Cannings in 1991 and 1992, taking the prize for the oldest crew present each year.

In 2003 Robert and Clare had retired from their money-taking activities at Crofton but still gave a hand in the shop and café.

Recently their main involvement was in the ritual of ‘Butty Stuffing’ in which about two dozen volunteers assemble in the meeting room at Devizes to put the Trust’s magazine ‘The Butty’ into plastic wrappers for posting out to members.

Robert continued to attend after Clare died and there was a minute’s silence in his memory at the last stuffing session (for Butty no.179).

Robert was a kind, modest, considerate, warm hearted real gentleman who gave so much of his time to the Trust across a broad range of activities.

Typically, in May, he said that he had to go into hospital and that he would not be available for about two months.

Sadly, he is not available any more and we will miss him.

David Watson avid Watson who was Treasurer of Pewsey Branch in the late 1980s died in late July. Branch Chairman Mary Powell said he was quite an asset and he was stickler for things being done correctly; he was very down to earth and full of common sense.

D

David was a tireless supporter of the K&A Canal Trust and in the days leading up to the re-opening of the canal branches did a great deal of fundraising which put a great responsibility on Branch Treasurers — and David was certainly up to the task.

Pewsey Branch did their bit with many fundraising events including BBQs on the Wharf.

The last fundraising event they held was “Music on a Summer’s Day” which was held on Mike Way’s lawn at Buckleaze Farm when Terry Kemp organised a youth band to play and the Branch raised £800.

David was a chemical engineer and his work as Chief Engineer for Blue Circle Cement took him to many parts of the

country.

He and his family settled in Manton near Marlborough when he took up a post at Aldermaston.

He sat on Kennet District Council for 12 years and he was also a Marlborough Town Councillor. He was Mayor of Marlborough in 2001.

He was a keen supporter of Action for the River Kennet and the Marlborough Riverside Walk project.

His other great passion was angling and he was regularly seen fishing between Great Bedwyn and Crofton — his favourite stretch of the canal.

David was never happier than when fishing on the K&A.

David Watson was Mayor of Marlborough in 2001

37

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

What’s On September Sunday 16th Devizes branch. Guided tour around the Purton Hulks on the banks of the River Severn.

Depending on numbers we will arrange car share or hire a coach. Contact Adrian Softley for details, 07899 844929 Wednesday 25th Newbury Branch, ‘Trade & Navigation on the Middle Thames in the 18th and 19th Centuries”’ illustrated talk by Tony Ellis.

7.45pm, The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th Crofton End Of Season Steam Gala. Traction engines, vintage tractors, old farm machinery, stationary engines of various sorts, vintage motorcycle, beer tent, and other side shows.

October Throughout the month Devizes Branch Lengthsman’s Report along ‘our’ stretch of the K&A (Brage Inn Seend to Wooton Rivers) details on our website.

Saturday 13th

Devizes Branch Skittles Challenge. Help the KK&A win teh trophy for the forth yera in a row.

Details on our website.

Wednesday 31st Newbury Branch, “New Orleans to Chicago by Inland Waterways”, illustrated talk by Dr Roger Squires. 7.45pm, The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf

November Saturday 17th Devizes Branch, ‘Pictures of the K&A, slides and talk by Robert Coles. 7.30pm at the Wharf.

BYOB. Raffles prizes welcome.

Wednesday 28th Newbury Branch, “The Wendover Arm, its History & Restoration update”, illustrated talk by Ray Orth. 7.45pm The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf

December Saturday 6th Devizes Branch. Carols at the Wharf and Tree of Lights.

Come and sing Carols around the tree and sponsor a light on the tree. Mince pies & Mulled Wine for sale. Father Christmas to arrive by boat. From 6.00pm.

CATLEYS CALOR GAS CENTRE Appliance sales & installations

Bring your boat up to Boat Safety Scheme standards Repairs, servicing and installation

Now at Beechfield Road Hopton Trading Estate, Devizes Telephone 01380 727266

The Barge Inn Honeystreet Historic Canalside Inn

serving home cooked food from noon — 2.30pm and 7 — 9pm

Real Ales Campsite Marquee for parties

Tel: 01672 851705 www.the-barge-inn.com

Crop circle venue with notice boards 38

UNCLASSIFIED ADS Fancy a weekend’s hard graft?

The NWPG arranges monthly restoration trips to southern canals.

Learn new skills – for free! Contact Graham Hawkes on 0118 941 0586 or grahamhawkes@btinternet.com Sundial Marine Services For gas, oil, solid fuel heating servicing and installation, plumbing and electrical work. Eddie Belston 01225 873243 or mobile: 07795 550839 Mike Price Boat Safety Examiner Tel: 01225 703747 Mobile: 07736 837968 Bob Naylor Boat Safety Examiner Tel: 01380 840584, Mobile 07788134901 Email: bob@boatsafe.co.uk Boat surveys Professional surveys of any type of boat undertaken for sale, insurance or damage. Over 40 years of boating experience. Prompt, efficient and sympathetic surveys with realistic recommendations.

Now incorporating Richard Birchell.

Gibson’s Boat Surveys Ltd. 01672 851232 Wilderness Boats For repairs, refits and new and used craft ring 01666 577773 Boat haulage Move your boat? Land locked? Wish to cruise elsewhere? Let me tow it for you. Up to 30ft 1.5 tons.

Howard Smith Tel: 01963 34863 www.anchorhaulage.co.uk Holiday Cottage to let Port Isaac North Cornwall. Creel Cottage is a beautiful, warm cottage in this ancient fishing village. Available throughout the year. For information contact Derek Bullen 01380 828413 Peaceful Canal Breaks — Devon.

Traditional 55ft, 4 berth, luxury narrowboat, 11 miles of lock free, Grand Western Canal Country Park & Local Nature Reserve. Cruising or static use with own mooring, lawn, car park. Near golf course, tennis, cycling, fishing, walks, attractions.

01884 252178 or www.middevonhireboats.co.uk Narrowboat windows 2 top-hopper windows approx 22.5 ins x 23.5ins — £100 contact Jacky Underwood on 07830 122734 (Hungerford) A collector’s model of your boat or cottage — or both — in a bottle.

John Burden, 01672 563193. Guild Waterways Artists. Waterways Craft Guild – Master Holiday home in Bath Sleeps 4. Mews house near Sydney Gardens and canal. Available all

I

year. Washer/dryer, dishwasher, music centres etc. Car parking.

Owner continuously cruising. £515/week. 07905 905333 Caravan for sale. Bailey Pageant Imperial 1998 2-berth lux caravan.

End bathroom, shower, blown air heating, fridge, oven, Isabella awning, porch awning, spare wheel, complete with all extras. Ready to use. £4995 ono. 01380 840528 Done-to-a-Turn. Hog and lamb roast for all occasions. For the finer things in life call Simon on 07890 647515 ‘Thomas’ — 44’ trad narrowboat. 1996, fitout 2001, BSC to 2009. Available August. £33,000. Can deliver to K&A. See advert on narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk Phone 07753 963719 White week timeshare 45ft narrowboat. £1995. Sawley Marina, Nottingham. Oct/March.

Originally £4495. Ownership terminates 2076. 01761 419224 Bukh 6 hp engine Hurth 2/1 reduction gearbox working order/excellent condition Tel: 07815439824 New Zodiac CLR 260 with 4hp Evinrude 2-stroke outboard motor (recent overhaul). Extras superb condition £1150.

Clark Pioneer air compressor Condor MDR2/11bar 16 (16)a 250 volts spray gun good condition offers Electric generator 5HP Honda engine 2-to-2.8KVA Used for 3and a half hours, In new condition. £210.

Desmo 3-cycle carrier. Never used. £12.00 Daewoo Matiz SE registered June 2001 796cc engine 5-door hatch 13200 miles Psycadelic metallic green 1 lady owner from new. Very economical. Really excellent condition. £3150. Peter Robinson 01380 720910 Narrowboat, luxury 70 ft cruiser stern by Orion. 4 poster bed and 2 singles. Rear galley,lovely oak fit out,recently blacked. BSC to 2010.

Great live aboard £66.000.

Possible mooring tel: 07734 669738 Canalside Cottage for sale, 200-year-old canalside cottage on Hungerford Wharf, 2 beds. Currently run as assuccessful holiday let guide price £215.000 tel:07734 669738 Boat for sale Coming Soon. 19ft Dawncraft Dandy 2-berth cruiser. Water heater and loo. Moored Devizes. Ideal starter boat. Brian Poulton: 0777 619 6055

Unclassified ads are free for members of The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust for up to 30 words — subject to available space

the

Butty

No.180 Autumn 2007

PRIZE CROSSWORD The prize for the winner of this crossword will be a video from the Trust’s Shop. Two runners-up will get £10 voucher to be used in the shop. Send your entries with your name and address to: Prize Crossword, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, Canal Centre, Couch Lane, Devizes SN10 1EB before 1st November 2007. Photocopies will be accepted.

The Butty Prize Crossword No 180 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................................... ..................................... .....................................

Across 1. Tea, tea dance? (3-3) 5. Express disapproval and anger about nothing? It’s the charge for private instruction. (8) 9. Mere actor, lacking energy, struggled to become cartographer. (8) 10. Light breeze contained by sombre athlete . (6) 11. Someone who rejects a measure of yarn. (6) 12. Consumes to excess when votes are cast? (8) 14. Does orfe live here, lacking any privacy? (8,4) 17. Cowardly beater displays bunting. (12) 20. Joins search with broken spine but no power. (8) 22. Chief German songs by the sound of it. (6) 23. Fluster and startle alarmingly when sun disappears. (6) 25. Bore witness to destruction of state by unruly adolescent. (9) 26. Was Robespierre so colourfully incorruptible? (3-5) 27. Nakedness was untidy after a fashion. (6)

Butty Crossword 179 Solution

Down 2. Herding dog, maybe, sounds as if it has therapeutic skills. (6) 3. Sporting association which may go round and round? (6,4) 4. Warmth of feeling follows later – when the sun has set perhaps? (9) 5. Act away – it’s a bore! (4,3) 6. Item of furniture hidden by reversing steel battle-cruiser. (5) 7. Grass twisted by the sound of it. (3) 8. Visit Devizes, possibly – with enthusiasm! (2,2,4) 13. Brass made her confused and disconcerted after Henry initially left. (11) 15. Simon sheltered rough pelt – what a foolish boy! (9) 16. Renew ornate vase after smash but small area initially missing. (8) 18. Sailor with spot may refrain from voting. (7) 19. Centre destroyed not long ago. (6) 21. Relation was pleasant when drug consumed. (5) 24. Graffiti-writer’s symbol found in short agreement. (3)

Wordsearch 179 Solution

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Vacancies Volunteers are needed to take on the following roles

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Enterprise Director of Retail Operations

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Director of Marketing and Membership

Crofton Pumping Station Chief Engineer Winner: Mrs Ann Walker, Little Cheverell Runners-up: Maureen Wood, Bradford on Avon, and JE Dunn, Hereford

Winner: Lauren Freeborn aged 6 of Harefield, Southampton

For further information contact Trust Administrator Mo Crosseley on 01380 721279

39

Trip Boats

‘Rose of Hungerford’ A wide-beam boat seating 50 operating from just off Hungerford High Street.

Public trips: • Every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter until October – 2.30pm: 2.5 hours • Every Wednesday from June until September – 2.30pm: 2.5 hours • Every Wednesday during July and August – 11.30am: 1.5 hours • Every Sunday during August – 11.30am: 1.5 hours • Special Santa Trips at Christmas Charter trips available for all your special occasions Wheelchair/disabled access Booking Manager: 01488 683389

Visit the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s attractions Claverton

Cafes & shops

Bradford on Avon Wharf shop & café

Pumping Station Claverton Pumping Station is a waterwheel powered beam engine built in 1813 to raise water from the river Avon to the Kennet and Avon Canal. It has been restored by volunteers and is now open to the public.

Claverton is five miles south of Bath off the A36 Warminster Road, 400 yards down Ferry Lane across the uncontrolled level crossing. The pump is approximately 25 minutes walk from Dundas Aqueduct. Free admission for children under 16 (must be accompanied by an adult)

Devizes Wharf museum, shop & café

Open days 2007 Every Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday until the 21st October.

Running days

‘Barbara McLellan’ 65ft wide-beam boat seating 51 operating from Bradford on Avon Wharf Cottage Public trips: • Every Wed, Sat, Sun and Public Holidays from Apr to Oct - 2.30 pm, 1¾ hr to Avoncliff and return.

• Easter and every Sat and Sun from May to Sep - 11.30 am, 1¼ hr to Meadows Bridge and return.

• Every Sun from end-May to mid-Sep 4.30 pm, 1 hr to Widbrook and return.

• Special Trips including Cream Teas, Bath, Autumn Tints.

Christmas Santa Trips Charter trips: for 1 to 5 hours or a whole day.

Wheelchair/disabled access

Booking Manager: 01225 775326

June 10th & 24th July 8th & 22nd August 12th, 26th & 27th

September 9th & 23rd October 21st

Phone: 01225 483001 Email: enquiries@claverton.org

Crofton

Crofton Pumping Station shop & café

Beam Engines 1812 Boulton & Watt and 1846 Harvey beam engines regularly steamed from hand stoked, coal fired Lancashire Boiler. Amazing industrial archaeology in a rural setting From Marlborough, either take the A346 to Burbage and then follow the brown 'Beam Engines' sign, or take the A4 towards Hungerford, turn right, 'Beam Engines' sign before Froxfield, and continue to follow the brown signs, through Great Bedwyn, to the pumping station.

From Hungerford, take the A338 towards Salisbury, turn right at Shalbourne following the signs to Great Bedwyn, then follow the brown signs.

From Salisbury, follow the signs to Hungerford on the A338, then turn left at East Grafton and follow the brown signs.

Newbury Wharf shop & café

Open days ‘Jubilee’ A 30 seat converted traditional narrowboat operating from Brassknocker Basin, opposite Viaduct Inn, Limpley Stoke on the A36 East of Bath Public trips: • From Easter until October Sundays and Bank Holidays 12.00 – 2.00pm Cruise to Claverton and return 2.30pm – 5.45pm Cruise to Avoncliff stopping for 30 minutes and return • From June to September Tuesdays: 2.30pm – 5.45pm Avoncliff and return Thursdays: 2.30pm – 5.45pm Bathampton and return Charter trips Booking Manager: 01749 812199

All boats have a licensed bar and refreshments are available.

There is a public address system or you can use your own sound system.

Open daily 10.30am to 5pm until 30th September, 2007

Steaming days September 29th & 30th, 2007 2008: March 22, 23, 24 (Easter), May 3, 4, 5, 24, 25, 26 June 28, 29 July 26, 27 August 23, 24, 25 September 27, 28

Phone: 01672 870300

Museum

Devizes Wharf The museum is housed in the historic bonded wharehouse on Devizes Wharf.

Its exhibits chronicle the rise and fall of the canal as a commercial waterway and its subsequent restoration by volunteers.

Opening times: 10am — 5pm, 7days a week

General enquiries: 01380 721279

Website: katrust.org.uk

Aldermaston visitor centre, shop & café

real a y o j n E t! a e r t y l i fam