Towing Path Topics, September 2016

Towing Path Topics The newsletter of the Lancashire and Cumbria Branch of the Inland Waterways Association

January 2016

September 2016

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DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Towing Path Topics are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of its North West Region or of the Lancs and Cumbria Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter.

No reproduction is permitted without acknowledgment.

Cover Illustration: 'Our Bridge' The bridge to which North Lancs & Cumbria Branch (as it was then) contributed spans the Ribble Link at its junction with the Lancaster Canal.

Line drawing by Celia Lockley from a photograph taken by David M Smith.

Photograph acknowledgements: Page 9 Tony Dunning Page10, 12, 14 Wendy Humphreys Page 21 John Hewerdine All others the editor

The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication.

Editor: David Faulkner 22 Moorland Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8EX Tel. 01254 249265 Email david.faulkner@waterways.org.uk

Copy date for next edition 29th December 2016 2

Editorial Welcome to the Autumn edition, I hope that you had a good summer and that we get some more fine weather before I switch over to my long sleeved shirts.

We will be meeting in our new venue at Wheelton for our social meetings starting with our Region Chairman, Mike Carter talking about the Mersey Link on Thursday 29th September. No doubt he will be happy to answer any questions about the region and IWA in general although he is scheduled to expand on that after the AGM in February.

Wendy has added a Christmas Meal to the calendar on Wednesday 15th December, something we have not done for some time; I hope that you can support it.

During the summer we have been busy at various canal events, most of them linked to the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The highlight will be the voyage of ‘Kennet’ recreating the first transit in October. It’s hoped that plenty of people will turn out to cheer her on her way.

Remember to bring a flag to wave! If you have a boat and would like to join the flotilla see the item about the voyage in this newsletter. Kennet’s schedule is printed in this edition but it will be worth checking the L&LCS website for any late changes. (www.llcs.org.uk) What do you think of a badge for anyone walking or cycling the 127 mile length of the L&L canal? See page 18 and let me know.

Whilst you are at it why not send me something for the newsletter? Your recent waterways adventures, clever boat names you’ve spotted, complaints, complements (someone somewhere must have done something nice), suggestions we can pass onto CRT – anything! Just so this is not just written by the committee. Drop me an email; do it now before you forget.

David Faulkner

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New members Welcome to the following new members of our branch: Brian & Louise Crawley, Bolton le Sands, CARNFORTH, Lancs Joe Ramsbottom, ULVERSTON, Cumbria If you have joined recently you will be included in our next edition. If you joined months ago and you haven’t seen your name in print please contact the editor - something has gone wrong.

Report of the Branch Chairman Your committee has had a busy time since the last edition of Towing Path Topics. We have attended several events, including the Heritage Festival at Burscough; the Holme Sports Festival; the Wheelton Boat Clubs celebration with Kennet at the Top Lock; Blackburn Canal Festival and a Balsam Bash. We were also at the Burnley Canal Festival.

We have commented on planning applications and I have attended my first liaison meeting with Canal and Rivers Trust and other IWA Chairmen from the North West. We have also helped with the production of a flyer to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Many thanks to all of the members who came along to help us at the events; we couldn’t do it without you!

As I write we are coming up to the end of the (very wet) summer and approaching our social meeting season. I hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend and try out our new venue. This year we are going to arrange a Christmas Social on the 15th of December, I do hope as many as possible will attend, even if you don’t or can’t attend our regular meetings please make an effort to come to the Christmas social evening.

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The events for the Leeds Liverpool 200th anniversary have kept us all busy and we hope to attend more events during the Autumn in this very special year.

In my Chairman’s letter in April and in the June edition of Towing Path Topics I made an appeal for members to let Head Office have email addresses wherever possible. Can I please repeat this appeal; it is so easy to keep in touch quickly and in a timely fashion with members by email if there is any news or changes which cannot wait for the next edition of Towing Path Topics. If you haven’t let Head Office know your email address and you are happy to do so please email membership@waterways.org.uk with “Add to database and your membership number” as the subject heading.

Well I will close by saying I hope you all had a good summer and I look forward seeing you at social meetings and hearing from you by email.

Wendy Humphreys

Report from the Region Chairman 2016 has been a very challenging and busy time for me with much success and a few disappointments.

In summary: exhausted and highly satisfied after the successful National Campaign Festival at Eldonian Village, Liverpool and gravely disappointed over the attitude of Bridgewater Canal Company.

Bridgewater Canal Co. has been a big challenge as they seem to be ignoring the outcome of our consultation carried out in December 2015 and continue to harass boaters as they seek to increase revenue and ignore the CRT Reciprocal Agreement. The recent imposition of a 7 day no-return policy for CRT licensed boats, which has not been agreed with CRT nor publicised in advance, will have a significant impact on the local economy surrounding the Bridgewater Canal. We have recently started to make some progress although the amicable solution still seems far away. Keep in touch with progress with this campaign via the News Bulletins on the IWA website.

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Good to see much progress with the Winding Hole survey. This project originally started with IWA Navigation committee, was very timely for CRT as they had just started a national review of such assets. Thus IWA providing valuable information on the state of the system to CRT who are eager to get at our data.

It was great to see the branch represented at Blackburn Canal Festival and by the time you get this newsletter I'm sure the branch will be celebrating a successful Burnley Canal Festival. All branch members are urged to consider giving a few hours at a canal festival as this can be so fulfilling, just getting involved with the communities and chatting to festival goers about the value of our waterways and handing out a few leaflets makes a great difference.

I was recently passing through Audlem during the Transport Festival and decided to walk along the towpath to view the boats attending. “Hi are you enjoying the festival? All the historic boats look great” was all I said to one group obviously enjoying themselves and was immediately inundated with praise and thanks for organising a great day out for the family. (I don't think I look like an organiser so presume that the few words of welcome made the erroneous connection here.).. “No, no I'm not an organiser, this is organised by the Parish Council and the Historic Narrow Boat Club. It’s a great day out though, have you seen Steam boat President yet? That's the boat tooting and hissing over there...”

Well, I was there for at least 20 minutes answering eager questions, explaining about horse boats and where the canal goes to and which way was Liverpool; how long does it take to get to Birmingham, do people live on these working boats, etc etc.

We even started to draw a small crowd as a few boaters also joined in and we had a great time extolling the virtues of the canals to each other and anyone within hearing range. This was a great positive exchange and my only regret was that I had only one IWA leaflet in my pocket, I gave this to a boater who seemed interested. I have now made a mental note to always carry a small supply of membership leaflets in my pocked when I visit a festival.

I would urge all members to join me in thanking all the volunteers who are involved in organising these waterway festivals which give us such a

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great platform for publicising our IWA campaigns and also for the opportunity to just stand and chat to festival goers about boats and stuff.

The success of the Liverpool festival was particularly pleasing for me as this 'IWA working with the community' themed event has now enthused the people of North Liverpool who are taking much more interest and ownership of their waterways heritage and environment. Thus next year perhaps our role will be to just bring the boat, enjoy ourselves and pass out a few leaflets.

Enjoy the rest of the summer boating or whatever you have planned and please keep in mind that our canals & waterways are special places and a positive force for good.

Mike Carter

Burscough Canal Festival 18th & 19th June 2016 The Canal Festival was part of the Burscough Heritage Week and the branch was invited to attend with a stand in the Heritage Centre which was within a community centre opposite the Burscough Bridge Railway Station. Audrey Smith, David Faulkner and I attended on the first day, Saturday 18th June. Audrey and Gillian Smith attended on the Sunday.

The Heritage Centre had numerous stands all of which were full of interest varying from a vast collection of World War One articles about the local people involved in it to local church organisations, the local parish council and an excellent model of the canal and associated properties. In addition there was music from local musicians and refreshments were available from the kitchen.

However much as the centre was excellent it was some way from the canal and there was very little in the way of signage to encourage people from the canal wharf to visit the centre and therefore the throughput of visitors was much less than it could have been – a lesson for next year.

Pride of place on the canalside was Kennet, the restored Leeds & Liverpool Canal Short Boat, which attracted plenty of interest given the excellent artefacts on show in both the cargo and sleeping areas. Other ex-working boats could be seen on both sides of the canal while there

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were several narrowboats moored along the towpath from beyond the main road bridge to the next bridge east of the wharf.

In the courtyard of the wharf were various stands, including one from the Canal & River Trust, plus some vintage cars and wagons with several people dressed in period costume. Again there were regular bursts of varied music. Around midday on Saturday there was a parade of vehicles along the main road commencing with the first horse drawn Booth’s delivery van followed by farm vehicles, road transport vehicles from the local firms and cars of various ages up to the present day.

Thankfully the weather remained dry and warm and there was a buzz of activity around the wharf with the cafe and ice cream sellers doing a roaring trade, it’s a pity that wasn’t repeated in the Heritage Centre.

Les Fragle

IWA and Friends at the Holme Howler The Lancashire and Cumbria branch of the IWA made an appearance at the Holme Sports Festival in July, to join in the festival, make useful contacts in the community and make some new friends.

The Holme Sports Festival is held each year, Holme is a lovely village on the northern extremities of Lancashire, any further north and it would be in south Cumbria. The Lancaster Canal runs next to the village and is a popular walking place for local people.

The Festival is a fun event for the people of the village and others and involves sports activities for all ages. The prime attraction on the Saturday is the Holme Howler which is a 10 kilometre race (with obstacles), starting and ending on the sports field but also running around the village. There are junior variations of shorter lengths running around the sports field, again with obstacles.

The Festival was held on July 9th and 10th this year and members of the Lancashire and Cumbria branch of the IWA attended the event with our stand to hold some fun activities for the children, to promote the canal and the idea of a dinghy rally next year and to promote the IWA. The IWA stand was on the sports field on the Saturday and the cricket club on the Sunday.

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Our stand next to the Friends of the Lancaster Canal barrow.

Our purpose there was to provide an additional attraction to complement the main sporting events with our stand and draw local attention to the canal, although as we were mistaken for the marshal's booking-in tent by a few runners perhaps our identity was not sufficiently well indicated by our display. We should have had an external banner displaying our logo for all to see. A lesson for next time!

On Saturday the IWA stand had brass rubbing, picture colouring and a card game with sweets as prizes. The weather wasn’t good on Saturday nevertheless everyone had a good time.

On the Sunday the IWA stand was on the cricket field, on the other side of the village, and right by the Lancaster Canal. Here again the stand was an additional attraction and this time with more success. With the weather favouring outside activity we were able to run a “rope throwing” event, a “hunt the ducks” competition and dragonfly making. The much improved weather meant that the event was very busy compared with the previous day.

A small charge was made for activities and raised some money for IWA.

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On the Sunday children and helpers from the Bendrigg Trust were on the canal in their canoes and had a wonderful time, they all said what a stunning part of the canal it was Also on Sunday, Friends of Lancaster Canal joined the event with their barrow and canal related art works.

The branch committee would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.

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It is evident that many local people would support the restoration of the canal through their village. Many people asked why it was allowed to be closed in the first place.

Wendy Humphreys & Tony Dunning

Blackburn Canal Festival 23-24 July The Branch had a stand at the festival in Blackburn that was celebrating 200 years since the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, some 39 years after cutting the first sod.

We were placed by the general entrance to the site so had a fairly active passing footfall – with the natural pros and cons – “We'll see you on the way back...” or on their return “You're more interesting than some...” and the like.

Saturday was a warm day, we only put up the back walls of the gazebos to hide the fence behind us, but Sunday was cooler, damper and more draughty; so the side walls were used as well. Being situated on tarmac, we could not use pegs and had to dismantle and re-erect the gazebos each day.

We had set ourselves up to attract the children, by Making a Dragonfly, cutting a pack of cards to win a sweet, or doing a Brass Rubbing (all charged at 10 pence a go), so that the parents had a little time to browse the rest of our stall. We found out that there was very little else to attract the younger children, and that seemed to enhance our reputation and we made £15 over the weekend from this source.

For the adults we had some surplus stock, a variety of leaflets about IWA activities, the map of the L&L route showing the connection from coast to coast – many not realising the potential the canal has for trade, and now travel. On the Sunday we also had a plant stall as a variation.

We gave away lots of membership leaflets; let’s hope we get some new members.

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Tony Dunning helping children with brass rubbing.

The grumpy old git in the background eating his lunch is your editor.

Also on the Sunday I spoke with a group of young people who were studying the various activities that were available, and they were taken by the thought of joining WRG for a work camp as part of a Duke of Edinburgh accreditation, especially liking the idea of being trained to drive a dumper truck or JCB. Over the two days we had nine “staff” on the stall, which enabled the “all-dayers” to get a break. Many thanks to all who helped’ Tony Dunning

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Help us Tackle Invasives on the Cut (Taken from a recent IWA press release) We have been running a campaign to help increase awareness, reporting and removal of invasive species that choke up our waterways.

In a survey carried out with our members earlier this year, only 16% of respondents felt well informed about the effect of invasive species on our waterways. 61% underestimated the cost of invasive species to the British economy, and over 60% never Check-Clean-Dry their equipment.

There are lots of easy ways you can support this campaign and help raise awareness: • 5 minute pull - spend just five minutes pulling up Himalayan Balsam. No equipment is required, just pull it up and put it in a pile, stamp on it and send us a photo. Check our Himalayan Balsam identification guide or see our infographic of Himalayan Balsam anatomy.

• Look out for invasives - make sure you report them via the PlantTracker app and share a photo where you find them to help raise awareness. We will also add them to our interactive map.

• Share our posts - we have been sharing posts through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #CutInvasives. Please keep an eye out and share what you see to help spread the word • Share what you see - Take a selfie with your Himalayan Balsam or send us your photos of giant hogweed by tagging your posts with #CutInvasives. Make sure you geotag posts or let us know where the photo was taken so that we can add them to our interactive invasives map.

• Check-Clean-Dry your equipment (NB If you look at this on the website you can use the blue links for more information Ed)

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Himalayan Balsam Bash August 2016 On Saturday 20th August a group of IWA members, Park Rangers and Friends of Haslam Park met at Haslam Park Preston to hold a Balsam Bash. There were 14 of us in total and we worked on a patch of the invasive species on the banks of the Savick Brook which is in Haslam Park and feeds into the Lancaster Canal.

We had an unexpected dry start to the day as the forecast had been for rain and wind, later on it did rain which dampened spirits a bit but we carried on. We managed to remove a large patch of Balsam although there always seems to be more! We worked hard but had a good time despite the damp and had a sense of achievement when we saw the difference we had made; it was also good to see members who we don’t get to see very often.

Next year we hope to hold another Balsam Bash a bit earlier in the year so keep an eye out for details next year and maybe come and join us.

Wendy Humphreys

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Leeds & Liverpool Canal 200th anniversary events (in our patch or close) September 18 Bingley Open Day organised by CRT 25-26 Heritage event at Greenberfield Locks, Barnoldswick organised by the local council.

October 2 Open Day at Apperley Bridge organised by CRT 15-23 Kennet recreates inaugural 1816 voyage along full length of the canal 16 Super Slow Way rhapsody, King George’s Hall, Blackburn Sunday at 4.00pm.

Tickets £15 (£7.50 concessions) Box office 0844 847 1664 19 CRT Gala Dinner & Awards Evening, Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Accrington

Celebrating the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Bicentenary RE-CREATION OF 1816 INAUGURAL BOAT PASSAGE (15-23 October, 2016) Come and join the greatest long distance waterway party ever staged in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Bicentenary celebrations reach a high point this October as the historic short boat Kennet re-creates the inaugural ceremonial journey 127 miles across the Pennines from Leeds to Liverpool.

Organised by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, which runs Kennet as an education boat, and supported by Canal & River Trust, which cares for the canal, the voyage will be a culmination of a year of festivities and celebrations in honour of the 200th anniversary of England’s longest canal.

Flotillas “decorated with flags and streamers”, accompanied by “hearty cheering of immense assemblage of spectators” greeted the original ceremonial boat journey in October 1816. That trip lasted only five days but this year the Canal Society crew will take a more leisurely pace so

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more people can celebrate in daylight hours, leaving Leeds on Saturday 15th October and arriving in Liverpool nine days later on Sunday 23rd.

And they want everyone to give them a hearty welcome as the boat progresses through Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, past mills and moorland, through Bingley, Skipton, Burnley, Blackburn, Chorley, Wigan, Burscough and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.

Kennet organiser Harold Bond said: “We are calling on heritage boats, boat clubs and boaters to create a flotilla of decorated boats to join Kennet along the way. We would love to see crowds lining the canal as we pass by. Several mayors have already agreed to receive us and at least one brass band will be serenading us as we sail past.

It would be fantastic if we could be joined by local school children and community groups, cheering and waving flags. Kennet will be decked out in bunting to symbolise the two great shire county roses. It would be wonderful to be greeted by a sea of red and white as our procession sails along.

Back in 1816, press reports state that the ceremonial first boat was greeted by peeling church bells, brass bands and cheering crowds, and canal barges were be-decked in flags and streamers. We would love to create that spirit of celebration and achievement again.”

Sarah Knight, bicentenary coordinator for the Canal & River Trust, added: “I would appeal to any boat club, community group, brass band or organisation near the canal to start planning now. Get in touch with us to be part of the greatest long distance, waterside party Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside have ever staged.”

For boaters wanting more information about timings and the route, please email: friendsofkennet@gmail.com.

All boats who spend at least a day with the ceremonial flotilla will be eligible for a free 200th anniversary plaque.

To link into the community celebrations along the ceremonial canal route, please contact Sarah Knight at the Canal & River Trust on sarah.knight@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

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For more details about the bicentenary celebrations go to the Canal & River Trust website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions/north-westwaterways/leeds-and-liverpool-bicentenary

This is the provisional timetable: Saturday 15th Oct 11:00am Leeds Basin Sunday 16th 10:30am Saltaire; 1:30pm Bingley Monday 17th 10:30am, Skipton Tuesday 18th 6:30pm, Burnley Wednesday 19th 2.30pm, Blackburn Thursday 20th 7.00am Blackburn; 4.00pm Bottom of Johnsons Hillock Locks Friday 21st 9.00am, Haigh; 4.00pm Wigan nd Saturday 22 7.00am, Wigan; 2:00pm Burscough, Sunday 23rd 2.00pm, Eldonian Basin, Liverpool,

Coast to coast walk planned As part of the Bicentenary celebrations Leeds &Liverpool Canal Society membership secretary David Morley, 62, will be walking 200 miles from Hull to Liverpool during October 2016. As near as possible, the journey will follow the waterways from Hull in the east to Liverpool in the west, including walking the full length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

David is hoping to raise funds to help the Society by making this a sponsored walk and would welcome any donations you wish to make.

David’s phone number is 01772 462555 or donate directly at www.justgiving.com/David-Morley200 The 200 mile walk will be particularly challenging for David. Just over 5 years ago, he had a quadruple heart bypass following a heart attack.

He has made a good recovery so far and is currently preparing for the challenge.

(Taken from ‘Clogs & Gansey’, L&LCS summer newsletter)

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Badges for Cyclists?

The following is an extract from a letter addressed to the L&L Canal Society that Mike Clarke forwarded to us.

‘I am a keen cyclist and, due to their unique character, canals are some of my favourite cycling routes. I am planning a ride along the LLC this summer and so I have been looking at the society website for information. While doing this I notice that there is a plaque that boaters can earn by travelling the whole route.

When I saw this I wondered if the society has ever considered designing and selling badges or patches for those who have walked or cycled the route? I am sure that with good promotion canal walks and rides can become as popular as some of the long distance paths in this country.’

We did discuss this at a recent branch committee meeting and there was some interest in the principle of involving a wider user group.

Equally there is a degree of sensitivity about the perception that all cyclists speed and are a hazard to other users.

What do you think? Any thoughts to the editor please.

News from Ellesmere Port Boat Museum (Taken from their newsletter. Although it is not in our branch area a lot of our members are within easy travelling distance Ed) On the 2nd and 3rd July we publicly celebrated our 40th anniversary of the Museum, with many of the volunteers and families back at the museum exactly 40 years to the day.

It also saw the unveiling of a new exhibition – ‘Window on the World’.

Visitors can now experience life through the eyes of 19th century workers on the historic slipway using augmented reality, and meet carpenter Henry Leadbetter, boatwoman Harriet Price and superintendent Levi William Lindop.

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The ‘father of English canals’ James Brindley was born 300 years ago and the museum marks his pioneering career with an exhibition of his life and times in Brindley 300.

The exhibition runs until 2 October 2016.

Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership

Canal & River Trust, Cumbria County Council, IWA, Kendal Town Council, Lancs County Council, Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancaster City Council and S Lakeland District Council

The new project officer has been in post since April and already has accomplished a lot although there is of course more to do.

LCRP have commissioned an Access Strategy to enable LCRP to bring the greatest amount of access to the greatest amount of people along the Lancaster Canal corridor. There will be a roadshow to allow comments on the strategy from local people.

The new project officer is looking for funding opportunities.

The partnership has been looking at updating the constitution to make it more relevant and up to date.

The advert for a new chairman has been prepared and hopefully there will be a new chairman soon to take the partnership forward.

The LCRP website is being developed to help with informing people about the work of the partnership.

Wendy Humphreys

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Do not Walk on the Water (4) This year my wife is busy....

John Hewerdine

That means I am short of crew most of the time and that our narrowboat, Scallywag, is being left by the side of the canal more than I would like whilst we attend to charity events and family commitments.

The charity I refer to is the Unitarian Church. Dot has finally said “yes” to being their National President.

This means that for us, what better and more appropriate way to enjoy this year on the system than to cut our cloth accordingly and, in its 200th Anniversary year, cruise the total length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Much of it would be single-handed and with a variety of friends.

Have you noticed how many of those who say “I am really looking forward to cruising with you sometime” can rarely find the time when invited?

Our home is on the L & L Canal in Chorley, so the season started with a trip to Liverpool to be part of the 200 years Eldonian Village celebration.

My lasting memories of this (our first experience of a big, organised, canal cavalcade) were of the warm welcome we received by the Eldonian Village community. The folk around that area of Liverpool were uninhibited in displaying their pleasure at our presence. During the visit, two boats (my own included) had stones thrown at us by school boys. Shock, horror, you might think but the damage was minor and concern from the elders of the perpetrators, and population in general, helped us to forgive and forget these unfortunate incidents.

Stronger are memories such as the local couple who we had been chatting to through the side-hatch. A few minutes later the woman returned and, before I could stop her, she climbed into our boat through the side hatch, and asked where the toilet was. After using the facility, she exited the way she came in. The young lady did not give me time to escort her out by the official route.

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Audrey and Gillian Smith, good friends of many of you, enjoying the Liverpool Festival. Audrey, former IWA National Chairman, and daughter Gillian (also known well to many of you) are accompanied by Gillian’s fiancé Richard, not forgetting “Smudge” the dog as well!

Since the Liverpool event, Scallywag has climbed the Pennines and negotiated all the locks and swing bridges as Leeds gets closer. We have mastered strong Pennine winds and helped hirers in wide-beam boats cope too. We also admired splendid stone walls around Gargrave, and visited the parish church of St Peter which never closes its doors. Last Sunday our boat finally passed through Office Lock in the centre of Leeds and moored up in Granary Wharf, alongside other craft with a fond affection for the remarkable history of this splendid trading route of the past.

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By navigating the full length of the Leeds and Liverpool canal in a year John is eligible for the branch’s Trans-Pennine plaque, price £7 available from Audrey Smith; email Audrey@waterways.org.uk or phone: 01257 274440.

Burnley Canal Festival 27-28 August Branch stalwarts Janet and Tony Dunning were in action again with the branch stand at the Burnley Canal Festival over the Bank Holiday weekend. The festival had 3 main sites - the Weavers Triangle, Finsley Gate Wharf and the new Sandygate Square which has been built for just this type of event. A free waterbus ferried people between the sites although it wasn't far to walk along the towpath.

We were at Sandygate next to the ice cream van. This was fine for attracting people but the engine noise became tiresome. There were plenty of stalls, many offering free activities for children. However nobody seemed to mind shelling out 10p for our brass rubbing, dragonfly making or card game to win sweets. We had 160 takers of the Kids Activities, all ages (one bearded chap did a spectacular 3colour brass rubbing).

Whilst the children were doing all that, the parents were interested to look at our new L&L display panels. That gave us the opportunity to speak to them about the L&L canal and canals in general plus the IWA of course and WRG. People often know very little about their local canal and its possibilities.

They also have interesting stories to tell. My favourite on Saturday was a chap who was well into his 90's telling me about wasp nests in the canal bank when he was a youngster. When they found one they would go to the chemist for a penny's worth of cyanide (!) which they would dissolve in a jar of water. In the evening when the wasps had all returned to the nest they would pour in the cyanide and seal the entrance. In the morning they broke open the nest, all the wasps would be dead but the larvae were unharmed. They then sold the larvae to local fishermen who prized them greatly. He also told me that he had been watching some fishermen recently and had been amazed at the

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size of the fish they were catching (and putting back); far bigger than anything in his youth, so perhaps we are making progress.

David Faulkner The heron and bulrushes that welcomed you to the Sandygate site.

Below is the Canada Goose at the other entrance.

The square was opened in 2014; note the beautiful paving and the small amphitheatre.

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The double gazebo. Dad looking at the display panel whilst the children were brass rubbing.

Janet Dunning is behind the tea towels which make an attractive and enticing display.

The ground had a slight slope so we had a river when it rained heavily on Saturday. Tip (learned from muddy fields): – keep your stuff in plastic boxes, not cardboard.

IWA News Thérèse Coffey had been appointed as the new Waterways Minister in the Government’s ministerial reshuffle and she will be invited to the forthcoming Waterways Parliamentary dinner in November.

(She is MP for Suffolk Coastal constituency, elected in 2010. Hmm Ed) Les Ethridge, IWA Chairman has reported on feedback from parliamentary contacts indicating that so far, Brexit has not impacted on work to transfer the Environment Agency’s navigations to Canal & River Trust.

There will be no increase in the membership subscription rates for 2017 as agreed at the June meetings of Finance Committee and Trustees.

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Ilkeston on the Erewash Canal will be the venue for the 2017 Festival of Water. The annual event will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend next year, from 26th to 28th August 2017. The festival is being supported by Erewash Borough Council, which is very enthusiastic about the event coming to its area.

The Festival will be free to attend and will have an array of attractions on and off the water providing a fun day out for all the family. Many boats, including leisure, trade, heritage and working narrowboats, are expected and there will be a wide range of craft stalls and activities on site.

The Ulverston Canal I have recently learned of the Ulverston Canal Regeneration Group, unfortunately too late to publish details of their July Gala in the previous TPT. More information hopefully in the next edition. Ed

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L&C Branch Committee 2016 Wendy Humphreys Darwen

07763 561572 01254 703553

Vice Chairman

Tony Dunning Egremont

07730 113894 01946 820875

Secretary

Les Fragle Thistleton, Preston

07946 702274 01995 672230

Treasurer

David Faulkner Blackburn

07912 249265 01254 249265

Membership Secretary

Les Fragle Thistleton, Preston

07946 702274 01995 672230

Environment and Planning

Shared by Secretary and Chairman

Publicity

Audrey Smith

Sales

Vacant

Social Secretary

See Chairman

Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership

Audrey Smith & Wendy Humphreys

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Audrey Smith Wheelton

Lancaster Canal Trust

Peter Jones

Region Chairman (ex officio)

Mike Carter

Wild over Water & Web Master

Janet Dunning Egremont

Editor – Towing Path Topics

See Treasurer

Without portfolio

Alan Davies

Chairman

01257 274440

01257 274440

01946 820875

NB

Email addresses are firstname.surname@waterways.org.uk

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We no longer publish addresses.

If you want to write to us please use the editor’s address (p 2).

Christmas Social Evening Thursday 15th December 2016 St Chad's Parish Centre, Wheelton.

7pm for 7.30pm Starter Pate or Melon, Raspberries, Strawberries Main Course Turkey or Nut Roast Dessert Christmas Pudding or Trifle This will be served in a festive atmosphere with Christmas Crackers on the table and the centre will be beautifully decorated.

Cost is ÂŁ10 per person Numbers, meal choices and a cheque made payable to Inland Waterways Association should be sent to Wendy Humphreys, Nether Greenlowe Farm, Duckshaw Road, Darwen, BB3 2UA. Numbers etc are needed by 25th November.

Any questions/queries please contact me on wendy.humphreys@waterways.org.uk or 07763561572 This is the first time we have had a Christmas Social for many years so I hope as many people as possible will come along and celebrate the season with us.

See back page for an order form

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New Venue for branch meetings We have a new venue for our branch meetings. Our branch covers a large area so it is not easy to find somewhere that is convenient for most members. Splitting meetings between Colne and Preston didn’t really work so we have chosen to meet at: St Chads Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley PR6 8AJ. It is behind the former Red Cat pub, easily accessible from Junction 8 of the M61 (take the first left turn for Wheelton off the A674); junction 3 of the M65 (take 2nd right turn for Wheelton off the A674) or take Town Lane from Whittle le Woods (From A6 turn onto Shaw Brow or School Brow, a few yards along Chorley Old Road turn right onto Town Lane, St Chads is about a mile).

(My satnav found it without problem, Ed) There is ample parking in the car park.

It is a lot more convivial than our recent venues. There is a bar so we will no longer be providing our own tea, coffee and biscuits.

We will continue to hold a raffle to help to cover our expenses, donations of prizes are always very welcome.

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Branch social programme 2016/17 Meetings start at 7.30pm, refreshments and chat from 7.00.

Date Thurs 29 Sept 2016

Speaker

Subject

Mike Carter NW Region Chair

Time & Tide – The River Mersey Link

Thurs 27 Oct

Richard Trevitt Lancaster canal – an Lancaster Canal Trust update

Thurs 24 Nov

Ian Edgar Chairman Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust

The restoration of Bugsworth Basin and where do we go now?

Thurs 15 Dec

Christmas meal See page 27

Delicious nosh and good conversation

Thurs 26 Jan 2017

Bob Pointing The work of the Chair of the Northwest Northwest Partnership Partnership

Thurs 23 Feb

Branch AGM

Followed by Mike Carter talking about what’s happening in the IWA

Thurs 30 March

Paul Hindle Chair of Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal

History & Restoration of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal

Thursday 27 April

Mike Clarke President of Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society

A review of 2016, the L&L bi-centenary year

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Mr & Mrs Flora’ at Burnley Canal Festival

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Christmas Social Evening Thursday 15th December 2016 St Chad's Parish Centre, Wheelton. 7pm for 7.30pm You can use this form to order your meal Your name:

Numbers

How many people are attending?

Starter

Pate Melon, Raspberries, Strawberries

Mains

Turkey Nut Roast

Dessert

Christmas Pudding Trifle

Cost is ÂŁ10 per person Please make cheques payable to Inland Waterways Association

Return this form to: Wendy Humphreys, Nether Greenlowe Farm, Duckshaw Road, Darwen, BB3 2UA. Numbers etc are needed by 25th November.

Any questions/queries please contact Wendy on wendy.humphreys@waterways.org.uk or 07763561572

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