Cargoes Summer 2019

Summer 2019

Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches

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Editorial Welcome to the Summer edition of Cargoes. Throughout Cargoes you will read that we need your help. From helping on the Sales stand at various events, sitting on a committee helping to keep the branches going and keeping EA and CRT on their toes, or learning new trades with the Waterways Recovery Group, we need you! Please, if you have any spare time consider contacting Verna Smith or one of the Branch Chairs and offering your help. Thank you.

On a lighter note, Spring is nearly over and Summer (hopefully) just beginning. I wish you all a great time whether you are on, in or near one of our lovely rivers and canals.

Chris Jones – Editor

From the Region Chair Thank you for supporting the various Branch Annual General Meetings which were all efficiently run by dedicated committees. I enjoyed chatting to some new faces at all three meetings and hope that more members will make themselves known to me at the various events this year. Following the resignation of two key players from the branch committee, the Guildford and Reading Branch really does need to some new blood.

We look forward to a busy boating season with enough rain to keep the waterways navigable but not so much that the waterproofs never dry out.

Finally, congratulations to Kathryn Dodington who has been made a Vice President of the Basingstoke Canal Society for her tireless work. for the Society and canals in general.

Verna Smith

Canalway Cavalcade Cover Photo: Stoke Lock Upper Gates, River Wey

Courtesy: Tom Claydon Courtesy John Gibson NT

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Index Basingstoke Canal Society Chobham Social Meetings John Pinkerton Focus on Accessible Boating Association Future Events

Page: 10

Page: 12

Canalway Cavalcade

Page: 44

Guilford & Reading Branch Future Events

Page: 7 Page: 9

Kent & Sussex Branch – IWAKES Past Events Kentish Stour River Medway Thames & Medway Canal Association River Adur Chelmer & Blackwater Future Events

Page: 28

Kennet & Avon Canal Newbury Reading Crofton Beam Engines

Page: 33 Page: 15

Maidenhead Waterways

Page: 17

Mikron Theatre Group

Page: 41

Oxfordshire Branch Banbury Canal Partnership

Page: 34 Page: 37

Region Chair Report

Page: 2

River Thames News

Page: 18

River Wey & Godalming Navigations National Trust Future Events

Page: 18 Page: 20

Salisbury Group Future Events

Page: 4 Page: 6

Southampton Canal Society

Page: 21

South London

Page: 43

Towpath Walks

Page: 44

Wey & Arun Canal Trust Future Events

Page: 23 Page: 26

Wilts & Berks Canal Future Events

Page: 39 Page: 39

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Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes At the February meeting we welcomed Dave Maloney, chair of the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne Branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, to update us with the progress being made on the restoration of this canal.

The Wilts & Berks Canal links the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington to the River Thames at Abingdon. In 1795 the act of parliament was agreed for the building of this canal which opened in 1810 with the aim of carrying coal from the Somerset Coal Canal to London. It was successful for some years but by 1901 the canal was virtually derelict and was abandoned in 1914. This was partly due to the collapse of the Stanley Aqueduct. The land then reverted back to the land owners.

After this, much of the canal was filled in and some structures were deliberately damaged by the army using them as demolition exercises. By the time the Wilts & Berks Amenity Group was formed in 1977 much of the canal had been built over. In 1987 the group, now called the Trust, had the impossible dream to restore the canal but, as always, the stumbling blocks were the money and the land owners.

The WBCT is committed to restoring the full length of this canal creating a blue and green corridor for locals and visitors and eventually boats to enjoy as well as preserving and enhancing wild life. There are already some sections in water. The trip boat Dragonfly takes visitors on trips along the restored section near Swindon. Work is underway in the Pewsham area which includes a spill weir, a rare dry dock, three locks, a lock keeper’s cottage, a lime kiln, saw pit and workshop. The main problem will be to create a new section of canal around Swindon as the original canal is now completely built over in this area. Also the Melksham link will need to be created from Semington.

The Trust has acquired an old British Waterways work boat. It was far too long to turn on the canal so it was sawn in half and a

5 bow and stern formed on each half. The resulting tug and butty can now be used for carrying materials and weed control. The Trust has also bought the canal side pub “The Peterborough Arms�, now open and serving customers.

There is much work to do on the Wilts & Berks Canal before it will be open throughout but with all the enthusiasm and hard work of the present volunteers and those of the future, hopefully boats will once again be able to cruise from The Kennet & Avon to the Thames on this canal.

At our March meeting we welcomed back John Pomfret, on this occasion he was telling us about the middle River Danube and its connecting waterways. The River Danube runs from the Black Forest to the Black Sea passing through ten countries.

It is 2,845 km in length of which 2,500 km is navigable.

To start, we learnt about the history of this river from the Roman Empire through two world wars including the era of the Iron Curtain. The name of the River Danube varies as it passes through the ten countries. There are many castle and fortresses but very few bridges. The Danube is frequently the border between countries.

John displayed a series of maps which highlighted the geography of the river.

These slides were of interest as we could clearly see the route of the river along the whole length. We were surprised how winding it is and we could see where canals had been built to bypass the sections that were too difficult to navigate.

We were then taken on a picture tour of the middle Danube starting in Vienna and finishing in Belgrade passing through four countries. Firstly in Austria we were taken to Vienna where the Danube does not pass through the city centre, instead the Donaukanal is found in the city.

Unusually a waterfront and beach has been created beside the canal with a sandy beach, deck chairs and trip boats.

6 On to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, here we saw canoes bravely being paddled alongside large trip boats and very large commercial barges.

The third country we visited was Hungary. The city of Esztergom in the north part of the country is found on the right bank of the Danube which forms the border with Slovakia. Here there is a problem with depth of water due to shifting sands.

Still in Hungary we saw Budapest with the famous parliament building on the banks of the Danube. Surprisingly George Stevenson and James Watt have statues on the façade of the eastern railway station.

Leaving Budapest we travelled through some of the back waters with smaller canals, a nature reserve and even examined a turf sided lock. Continuing, we passed through the Iron Gate which is an amazing deep gorge on the Danube which forms part of the border between Serbia and Romania.

This talk gave us an insight into how the River Danube has for centuries been the link between so many countries and diverse populations bringing them together to trade and showing the need for cooperation.

Future Events Thurs 20th Jun: Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon. 7.00pm There will be no meetings in July, August or September.

Thurs 17th Oct: London’s Lost Route To the Sea. The aim of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is to achieve the restoration of the navigable link between the rivers Wey and Arun and so recreate the direct link between London and the South Coast.

A speaker from the Trust will inform us about the history, original function and restoration of this navigation.

Thurs 21st Nov: Exploring the South of France by Boat. Jon Van de Geer takes us on a journey from Sete along the Canal du Rhone a Sete and along the Petit Rhone to Arles on board the hotel boat “Anne-Marie”. He will also take us on an excursion to Carcassonne and a trip along the Canal du Midi.

Thurs 5th Dec: Waterways quiz organised by Southampton Canal Society at Chilworth village hall.

Thurs 12th Dec: Christmas Dinner at The Green Dragon Alderbury, 7.00pm Unless otherwise stated, meetings are at The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3AR starting at 7.30pm when visitors will be warmly welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 or 07768 622966, email glover.3@btinternet.com, myra.glover@waterways.org.uk or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

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Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman Our AGM was attended by a handful of stalwart supporters plus some new faces. The official business was followed by an excellent talk given by Mark Rudall on the dangers of steam. As I have mentioned in the regional report we really need at least two volunteers to join the committee to share the load. As a member pointed out at the AGM, it is a poor show when the largest branch in the country is struggling to find enough members to form the committee. Inevitably the current committee are really stretched and there are areas which, while not essential, would be good to cover, such as heritage. Please contact me if you could spare a few hours a year. We meet in a pub only six times a year with the meetings rarely exceeding ninety minutes.

I am pleased that Jenny Bartholomew and Gareth Jones, although unable to remain on the committee, are intending to continue their series of walks, which have proved popular with members. Watch this space for details of future walks.

The sales stand will be attending the Reading Water Fest, the Henley Traditional Boat Show and the Wey River Festival, Guildford and help is needed to man the stand and to transport the equipment and stock to and from the sites.

Also, thank you, Gareth and Jenny, for all your hard work during your terms of office as Chair and Secretary.

Please do contact me if you would like to talk about IWA business or you can help the branch.

Verna Smith (acting Chairman) STEAM DANGER a talk by Mark Rudall at the AGM on the 1st April Following the AGM on 1st April we were entertained by a fascinating illustrated talk by Revd Mark Rudall. Mark owns a steam launch and is a member of the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain and his illustrated talk explored the hazards and dangers of steam powered machinery, especially boats. He apologised for the technical jargon and details, but I felt they were really useful and I enjoyed his presentation immensely. Mark has agreed for us to reproduce a few of his photos with this article.

Mark introduced us to steam machinery showing pictures of water tube and fire tube boilers. Fig 1 shows a typical marine "Scotch" boiler. He also showed us triple expansion and tandem compound engines. He explained that boiler explosions are a serious hazard and that, in the early days of steam, lessons were learnt from them Fig 1

8 Fig 2

Fig 3

about boiler construction, for example that riveted lap joints produce an uneven stress leading to failure in a circular boiler barrel and that butt joints were used in later designs as in fig 1. Mark showed a photo of a traction engine boiler torn into two pieces, fig 2. This shows a lap joint, and also the stays around the firebox necessary to prevent it being crushed by the surrounding steam pressure.

For safe operation the operator of a steam engine must remain attentive and understand the workings of the engine. In the early days of steam it was the practice of enginemen to screw down the adjustment on the safety valve to increase the pressure to produce more power and this led to boiler explosions. Attention to feedwater is vital so that the firebox crown is always under water and is not allowed to overheat which would soften the metal and allow it to collapse. If the crown collapses the steam and scalding water are ejected from the boiler in seconds with fatal results. Mark showed a photo of a railway locomotive which had been derailed by a boiler explosion and added that the bodies of the crew were found yards away.

The force of a boiler Fig 4 explosion is hard to comprehend. Mark showed a photo of a ship's auxiliary boiler embedded in the bow of a ship, fig 3.

I immediately felt this was strange as the boilers are normally positioned amidships. Mark then showed a diagram of the path of the boiler from its position amidships to the bow, fig 4. Such was the force of the explosion that the boiler broke through several bulkheads before coming to rest in the bow.

9 Mark told us of a forgotten tragedy, the explosion of the boiler on the Mississippi riverboat Sultana in 1865. The boat was overloaded with passengers and temporary repairs had been made to the boiler. Over one thousand people died in the explosion and fire which followed, more than died in the sinking of the Titanic, yet this incident, which happened on an inland vessel, is almost unknown.

Regrettably a couple of steam accidents have occurred in recent years. A restored historic steam launch boiler had been inspected and passed as OK, but a new type of gasket seal had been used on an inspection hole in the boiler and this failed, tragically killing two people in the boiler area, Mark remarked that the impact of this tragedy was felt throughout the steam launch community. An incident which underlines the importance of careful operation occurred with the preserved steam locomotive Blue Peter. An inexperienced crew were driving and they overfilled the boiler which caused 'priming', allowing water to be carried out of the boiler with the steam. With the fall in pressure this superheated water expanded into an excessive volume of steam and caused the wheels to slip and the engine to run overspeed. This caused catastrophic damage to the cylinders, slide bars and connecting rods.

We are grateful to Mark for giving us this enjoyable talk.

Photos courtesy of Mark Rudall Mike Lewis p.s. “Puffing A Wey” The Steam Boat Association event is on Sat 29th Jume

Walk from Godalming to The Parrot at Shalford The G & R Branch held its third social walk on 26th March. Eleven people and two dogs met by the towpath at Godalming and walked to Shalford. The weather was lovely – not too hot - and we finished at The Parrot where we had lunch before making our separate ways home. The first walk finished with lunch at The Anchor, Pyrford and the second at The New Inn, Send, I think there’s a theme here! John and I walked both ways on this and the last walk - we felt we needed the exercise!

Thank you, Jenny and Gareth, – we’re looking forward to the next event.

Chris Jones

Sales & Publicity Stand The Sales Team are looking forward to the new season of events - Reading Water Fest is on June 15th, followed by Henley Traditional Boat Show from July 19th-21st and finishing with the Wey River Festival on September 21st. Further details are available elsewhere in Cargoes. We are looking for volunteers to help on the stand even if only for a couple of hours or for setting up and breaking down. If you can help please contact Ben Scott, on 07484 223691, or the Cargoes editor. We will welcome you with open arms! Our email address is iwacargoes@outlook.com The Sales Team

Future Events Sat 29th Jun, “Puffing-a-Wey”, Dapdune Wharf: Come and soak up the atmosphere as members the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain come and

10 show off their magnificent steam powered craft. Themed activities for children and some free steam boat rides on the river.

The G&R IWA Sales Stand will be at the following Events subject to sufficient help being available: Sat 15th Jun: Reading Water Fest Fri 19th Sat 20th, & Sun 21st July: Henley Traditional Boat Show Sat 21st Sep, from 11am: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf, Guildford

Basingstoke Canal Society Chairman’s Report Following the successful completion of the work at Chequers wharf, the BCS work party has now resumed the construction of the new moorings at Farnborough Road. This project is entirely financed by the Canal Society and all the work is being undertaken by volunteers. An event is being arranged for 31st May to celebrate the completion of Woking Wharf which has been extended over recent months by Rob Locatelli. We were disappointed to hear that funding difficulties will delay the start of the construction of the new turnover bridge which will be built between Chobham Road and Bedser Bridges in Woking. The Basingstoke Canal Authority is now engaged on a boaters’ survey to determine the level of use of the 70 powered boats which are resident on the canal.

We have recently heard the sad news of the passing of two well-known supporters of the canal.

Dieter Jebens was a founder member of the Society and was a co-author of ‘The Case for Restoration’ which launched the campaign to save the canal from dereliction. This resulted in the decision by the County Councils to take ownership of the canal and work with the BCS to restore it to navigation. Recently we also heard that Paul Vine had passed away. Paul wrote ‘London’s Lost Route to Basingstoke’ which inspired many people (including myself) to take an interest in the canal and to work on its restoration.

We are greatly indebted to both Paul and Dieter for their vision in conveying to local communities the Dieter Jebens value of the canal and the merit in seeing it fully restored.

We start the new season with the canal in good condition thanks to the excellent work, over the winter, by Fiona and her team and by the teams of volunteers.

Philip Riley wincombecottage2@gmail.com

11 Bringing An Old Wharf Back To Life: Farnborough Road If you were standing opposite Farnborough Road Wharf in 1855 when the army barracks at Aldershot were being built, you would witness a very busy scene.

Much of the construction materials – wood, bricks, sand and stone – were delivered to the building site by canal boat. In three years, 21,000 tons of cargo were delivered. Indeed, this was the most profitable time for the canal in its whole existence.

After the building works diminished, two boat houses were built close to the wharf. Rowing boats and skiffs made the area a hive of activity once more, a trade that continued for the next 50 years, much like Odiham on a sunny summer’s day now.

Today however, the wharf is a quiet place. There is some hustle and bustle when the Runway’s End Activity Centre launches its boats and there is the occasional visitor launching their boat at the slipway. In fact, the car park is difficult to find as the access is off a slip road leading from the A323 to the A325.

It has been an aim of the Basingstoke Canal Authority to increase income from the canal, so they have been looking at revenue-raising schemes such as mooring sites where boat owners can keep their boats. There are currently very few moorings on the Basingstoke Canal, but Farnborough Road offers a potential site for improvement. The Basingstoke Canal Society was asked if it would like to finance and build a 200 metre mooring platform there to a design based on the existing one at Mytchett, which consists of a fibreglass slip-resistant surface on wooden posts. However, for the surface at the new mooring we chose a green colour to make it look more natural. In other respects, the arrangement of the Farnborough Road Mooring could be considered quite unusual – whilst mainly straight, the platform was designed to curve around the bank towards the slipway.

The design was signed off, but complex approvals were needed from Hampshire County Council and Natural England (NE). Additionally, NE stipulated that the driving of the wooden piles should only be done between September and March to protect organisms in the silt of the canal. This meant that work on site could only begin in March 2018 and then take a summer break until September.

Work is now proceeding apace and currently there are 107 posts in place out of about 350 (see below).

Although the post driving will have to stop in April, there will be work to do fitting the superstructure including the Fibregrid to the posts.

The current budget, funded by BCS, is £60,000. Touchingly, the society received a generous bequest from Peter and Margaret Holland which has covered a substantial part of the project. We are

12 extremely grateful for this legacy and as a memorial, the mooring will be named Holland Wharf.

At 200 metres, there is room for around 10 boats. The space nearest the winding hole is to be designated a temporary mooring, i.e. free to visiting boats for a limited time. The remainder will be permanent moorings and it is hoped that one could be a warden boat with an owner who could keep an eye on things.

So take a walk along that section of the canal. There is a small car park opposite, near Wharf Bridge, and another larger one by Claycart Bridge about half a mile west of there. A number of attractive waymarked paths have been prepared through the woods and along the towpath, going in both directions: towards Ash Lock in the east, and towards Eelmore Bridge at the end of Farnborough Airport runway in the west.

We hope that next year a bustling and colourful community of boats will enhance the canal scene for all to appreciate.

Jeff Hill, Society Workparty Subcommittee

Future Events Sat 22nd Jun 2019, 7.30pm: Mikron Theatre Visit, Waterwitch Garden, London Road, Colt Hill, Odiham, RG29 1AL Tel:01256 702778. 'All Hands On Deck' A Tale of Two Wrens. A love story between the Royal Navy and their loyal 'Jenny Wrens'. New WRNS recruits, Ginger and Lily, are looking for wartime adventure. Lily wants to serve on dry land but Ginger is desperate to serve at sea and the sailors can't believe their luck! Our Wrens show pays tribute to all those wartime women who pushed the door to opportunity firmly open. Full of dots, dashes, semaphore and song, Ginger and Lily find themselves in uncharted waters on a journey they'll never forget. Come along by car or boat and enjoy another Mikron masterpiece. Bar and food available. Bring garden chairs. No tickets required. A cash collection will be taken after the show. Make a diary note now so you do not miss the show. For further information contact David Millet on 01252 617364 email: d.millett7@ntlworld.com or visit www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk

Chobham Social Meetings This is the last season of talks to be organised by Malcolm Brickwood, who announced a while back that he is stepping down from this role. We thank him for his enthusiasm and support, and for engaging many interesting speakers during his tenure. We are pleased to announce that Graham Deavin and Alan Norris have stepped into the breach and will be replacing Malcolm ready for the 2019/20 season.

The Chobham Social Meetings take place during the winter season at The Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AJ, at 8pm on the third Wednesday of the month from October to April. Not only are these meetings an opportunity to meet fellow canal enthusiasts, but also to hear interesting talks on a variety of subjects, which are usually canal related. Non members and friends will be made very welcome.

13 These meetings are free of charge to attend although there is an optional retiring collection. Refreshments will be available at the interval. There is sufficient, and safe, parking alongside the hall. Please come along and support these social evenings as we always like to see new faces.

Please email Mark Coxhead for more information, or if you have an idea for interesting future talks. He provides an email reminder service, and sends these out about a week before the meeting. Please email Mark if you would like to be on the list.

Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II Public Trips in Hampshire aboard the John Pinkerton II restarted at Easter 2019, see: www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/jp/public-trips Theme Cruises - The following Theme Cruises will take place during 2019. These were very popular last season, so please book early. Some new cruises have been introduced this year for the first time, as indicated. All trips depart from Colt Hill, Odiham and are of 3½ hours duration, unless stated otherwise.

Fri 7th Jun 7.00pm: Classic Songs Cruise. Popular songs you love from four decades, with Karen Francis. Tickets: Adults £25 including fish & chip supper.

Fri 21st Jun 7.00pm: Tapas and Spanish Wine Cruise Tickets: Adults £25 includes selection of tapas dishes and two glasses wine/beer.

Wed 10th Jul 3pm: Cream Tea Cruise, with piano accompaniment. An approx.

2½ hour trip. Tickets: Adults £18.

Fri 12th Jul 7.00pm: Acoustic Duo & Ale Cruise with Still Crazy Duo Tickets: Adults £25 including fish & chip supper.

Fri 9th Aug 7.00pm: Trad. Jazz & Ale Cruise The Excel Jazzmen Tickets: Adults £28 including fish & chip supper.

Fri 6th Sep 7.00pm: Sea Shanties & Ale Cruise with Haslefolk Sea Shanty Crew Tickets: Adults £25, including fish & chip supper.

Wed 11th Sep 3.00pm: Cream Tea Cruise with piano accompaniment. An approx 2½ hour trip. Tickets: Adults £18.

PLEASE NOTE: Trip durations may be longer than stated when the Canal water level is low, for example after periods of little rain.

Bookings and Enquiries These public and theme trips are popular, and to avoid disappointment, we suggest you make an advanced booking using our secure on-line booking system.

We are limited to 50 passengers for each trip (except where a lower limit is stated), so cannot guarantee to have space at the last moment. For more information, or to

14 make a booking for any of our trips, contact the Booking Team, on 01256 765889 (10am – 8pm), or via email at jpbookings@basingstoke-canal.org.uk.

Trips from Woking aboard the Society’s trip boat Kitty restarted on the 6th April 2019 for a cruise in the beautiful surroundings of the Basingstoke Canal.

Enjoy a cruise past Horsell Common, a short distance from the setting for HG Wells’ “War of the Worlds”, and see the town from a completely different, and peaceful, perspective.

We run Public Trips on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays at various times throughout the summer, each trip lasting approximately 1¼ hours if no stops are made. For details of the trip schedule, http://www.basingstokecanal.org.uk/jp/kitty/. You can book as individuals or family groups on public trips, up to a maximum of 12 people, and you will be sharing the boat with others.

Trips from Mytchett aboard Rosebud the 12-seater trip boat, started the season on the 30th March. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available. Trips are usually 90 min. More information on Rosebud is available from the Canal Centre on 01252 370073 or info@basingstokecanal.co.uk Private charters are also available

Focus on Accessible Boating Association The Accessible Boating Association, (Accessible Boating or ABA), is a registered charity initiated in 1985 by Mildred Stocks, then Chairman of Hart District Council, who wanted to enable people who couldn’t use existing canal boats to enjoy cruises on the Basingstoke Canal.

Madam Butterfly is a comfortable 7-berth cruising boat, equipped with wheelchair lifts, fore and aft, and a hospital bed, ideal for families or groups with little or no experience of canal boating Dawn is a 12-person day boat with a wheelchair lift, toilet and a gas hob and is available for trips manned by ABA volunteers or self-drive hire. Dawn is used for scheduled trips and for publicity and fundraising activities such as Father Christmas trips and running trips from Old Thatch when open for the National Gardens Scheme.

Both boats are based in Odiham at Galleon Marine’s boatyard with trips operating from Colt Hill Wharf from April to October. Over the winter months maintenance of both boats is undertaken by volunteers calling on professional help when necessary.

15 For more details see the website www.accessibleboating.org.uk. New volunteers are always welcome; speak to one of our volunteers or contact our Chairman, John Ranson at chairman@accessibleboating.org.uk

Kennet & Avon Canal News Newbury Branch With Easter rather late this year, Newbury saw a new season of boat trips on MV Jubilee start earlier than normal, on 6th April. Trips are already proving very popular and will continue through the year until the end of October. They are at 12 noon and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays and at 2.30pm on Thursdays. Extra trips and our popular themed trips will also feature during school holidays. Join us in August as we set off on our fun Pirate themed trips for children. An excellent activity if you have the grandchildren for the holidays. See our website jubilee.katrust.org.uk for details of these and our standard public trips.

MV Jubilee is also available for charter. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and club outings. The boat comes complete with a fully trained crew. Trip times typically are from around 90 mins to around 4 hours. The boat is ideal for up to 25 passengers. For more information check our website, or call our Devizes office on 01380 721279 (Monday to Friday during office hours), or e mail bookings@katrust.org.uk There will not be a Newbury Waterways Festival this year. We are taking a break due to Newbury Carnival taking place this year. It seemed a good idea to stagger the events and we plan to be back in 2020. MV Jubilee will however be at Reading WaterFest again in June.

Sarah Foley

Future Events Sat 6th Apr. Start of new boating season. Our public trips are on Saturdays and Sundays at 12 noon and 2pm from April to October and on Thursdays at 2.30 from May to September. To see trip details please follow this link Stop Press: The Newbury Waterways Festival will not take place during 2019 For further details contact Julie Dean juliedean@btinternet.com

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Reading Branch

The Eastern End K & A Volunteers (an independent Community Waterway Adoption group) is authorised by CRT to carry out maintenance work on certain parts of the K&A. on the 2nd Wednesday and last Saturday of each month. If you would like to join a Working Party, email Mick Savill for dates and details and to check the next one will be taking place. (micksavill@icloud.com)

Future Events Sat 15th Jun: Reading Water Fest July: Branch Outing: Date and venue to be decided The Reading Branch hold its monthly meetings (no December meeting) at 7.45pm at The Grange Free Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road).

Branch contact is: John Swift who can be reached on 0118 941 5540 or 07533 886 917 and by email: swift.john21@gmail.com. Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses). Further details can be found on the Website at www.katrust.org.uk

Crofton Beam Engines Future Events The Engine House, Engineman’s rest Café and gift shop are open until the end of September (except Wednesdays) from 10.30 to 4.30. Admission to the grounds and Engineman’s Rest Café is FREE - except for the Steam Gala at the end of September when there will be a small charge to enter the grounds to see the many outdoor attractions. When the pumps are in steam a charge will be made to view the pumps - Adults: £8.00, Concessions: £7.00, Children under 16 accompanied by paying adult: Free. On non-steaming days, the charges to view the static pumps are Adults: £4.50, Concessions: £4.00, Children under 16 accompanied by paying adult: Free.

Sat 25th May to Mon 27th May: Late May Bank Holiday Steaming Sat 29th Jun & Sun 30th Jun: Crofton steaming weekend Sat 27th Jul & Sun 28th Jul: Crofton steaming weekend Sat 24th Aug to Mon 26th Aug: August Bank Holiday steaming weekend Sat 28th Sep & Sun 29th Sep: Crofton Steam Gala More information from http://www.croftonbeamengines.org

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Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group, reports on the latest developments: ‘Bringing the Thames into Town’ The Maidenhead Waterways project is moving ahead on two parallel fronts - construction of the new weir and fish/eel pass which has just commenced at Green Lane (and which will fill the already enlarged town centre channels) and, separately, the construction by Shanly Group of a second water basin to the north of Chapel Arches in the town centre which will link the completed up and downstream sections of the restored York Stream arm of the waterway. The latter involves excavating two storey deep underground car parks on either side of the water basin, the walls of which will double as new channel walls. Pictured is the Shanly site at Chapel Arches, with the active flow temporarily diverted through the partly buried large diameter black pipe on the right in the foreground.

The new channel bed is starting to take shape on the left of the picture. Hundreds of approximately 20 m deep steel reinforced piles across the site provide the foundations for the new cafés, retail and two apartment blocks that will surround the water basin and provide a new focal point for Maidenhead.

Although the Maidenhead waterways project remains a work in progress, MW’s Trustees decided to enter the 2019 CRT Living Waterways Awards, in the Built Environment category, to showcase the central role the waterway is already playing in the regeneration of Maidenhead town centre. We were pleased to secure letters of support from our local MP Theresa May, the Shanly Group and the Royal Borough and were delighted to hear recently that we have been selected to go through to the next stage (site visits) of the awards scheme.

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River Thames News The superb weather over Easter provided a busy start to the boating season for many businesses and the Thames was no exception. An accurate weather forecast enabled the Environment Agency to plan to single man all the locks, which was much appreciated by the powered boat users. Barry Russell, EA Thames Manager, reported that the river was busy with all types of craft taking to the water.

The ongoing problem of illegal mooring and/or use of boats was highlighted at the recent All Party Parliamentary Group for the Thames [A.P.P.G.Thames].

Local councillors, MPs and local residents expressed their frustration at the slow progress, or lack of action, by EA to remove craft from ‘illegal moorings’. Steve Collins, Chair of the Thames User Group closest to Shepperton, presented an excellent paper on the powers available to the EA and local authorities to remove craft, based on the available documentation. Barry Russell was asked what further powers would be helpful but he did not feel that EA needed any further powers. It seems that the EA is hamstrung by a turgid legal department which prepare necessary paperwork but there is little it can do if a boater ignores its enforcement notices. It was interesting to note that some local councils are very aware of not just shifting the problem over their boundary and the need for a whole river approach was needed. Barry Russell also pointed out that any ‘rules’ drawn up for the Thames would also have to be applicable to the other EA waterways.

Verna Smith

River Wey & Godalming Navigations As winter finally heads towards spring and summer the team here at River Wey and Godalming Navigations start work on our summer programme and undertake the usual annual tasks for this time of year.

Winter seemed to last a long time but was fairly dry which while good for our weir keepers is not so Unstead Waste water sluice replacement good for the waterway. We do not however believe there will be any impact on navigation this summer, although our close neighbours at the Basingstoke may struggle a little. Winter is the period when we try to undertake our

19 larger projects that may impact upon navigation and hopefully therefore keep the impact to boating to a minimum.

This winter we replaced lock gates at Stoke and Coxes Locks. Next winter we are planning to change gates at Pyrford and Newhaw Locks. We also re steel-sheeted the lock landing bays at Newark and Coxes Locks and took the opportunity to make some improvements to access for non-power boats.

IWA Guildford Branch has helped with funding for this work which has been most gratefully received. While Stoke and Coxes Locks were dewatered we also took the opportunity to undertake principal engineering inspections that will help inform our future maintenance programme.

As spring begins to take hold phase one Newark Lock lower landing bay with dropped area of delivering our channel Dimension Management Programme – dredging – commences at end of April. Land and Water will be dredging the pound between Worsfold Gates and Papercourt Lock with the work expected to last around 6 weeks.

Spring and summer is the time to undertake works that have less impact on navigation and boat movements. The Maintenance Team is currently busy undertaking drainage and improvements works to the towpath between Broadford Bridge and St. Catherine’s Railway Bridge before moving onto bank works between Unstead Lock and Tilthams Bridge later in summer. As the weather improves so vegetation growth gets moving. The Lengthsman Team starts on the never-ending cycle of grass cutting and in between painting locks and other structures to get them in good order after the rigours of winter.

Out with our works the EA along with their contractors are busy replacing more River Wey Improvement Weirs and adding fish passes. Works schedule for this year (keeping in mind they have only just completed 50% of what they planned to do last year) include replacement of weirs at Newark, Broadmeads, Bowers and Millmead. A fish pass is planned to be created at Millmead with the work running in parallel to Bowers upper lock temporary landing bay to be set up the weir work, both due to commence mid-summer.

The works at Bowers and Millmead will necessitate towpath closures and diversions at both locations. Bowers (work started week commencing 22nd April for over 16 weeks) will also include the installation of a temporary lock landing bay above the lock on the non-towpath side (opposite the usual permanent lock landing

20 bay) that will join into the towpath diversion which basically runs down the bank opposite to the towpath side – just follow the signs. The Millmead towpath diversion will go up to Flower Walk then follow the path down the side of the council offices. Again just follow the signs. The works are planned to take over 16 weeks. We have little control over these closures as they are the responsibility of the Environment Agency to manage and control.

Date for your diary – please do not forget the Wey River Festival takes place at Dapdune Wharf on Saturday 21st September. A change for this year is that there will only be parking for the less able and Blue Badge holders. There will be provision for dropping off/picking up but please do plan to park in one of the local car parks close by and walk in if visiting this great event.

John Gibson, Navigations Manager

Future Events Boat trips from Dapdune Wharf We have three electric launches, Dapdune Belle, Sir Richard Weston and Seewey and being electric, they are very quiet. The volunteer skippers have an interesting tale to tell - all about the history of the area you will be passing through on your trip. In summer, the damselflies dart in and out of the boat, shining emerald and blue.

Most trips head towards Guildford, passing what used to be the manufacturing quarter, with the Electric Theatre - the former electricity works for Guildford until 1927, and the site of Moon's timber yard - now Debenhams.

Sometimes our volunteer skippers decide they need a change and head downstream towards Stoke lock, passing lovely bankside vegetation and offering you a completely different view of Guildford.

Trips can only be booked at the ticket hut on the day and are not available for advanced booking. When the river is in flood, we're unable to operate the boat. As the boats take a maximum of 12 passengers, on busy days they get booked up very quickly, so there are times when there may only be seats for the last boat left.

Tues 4th & 18th Jun, 11.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm, Tollhouse Turbine Tour, Dapdune Wharf. Take our electric boat to Millmead Lock and visit the Guildford Borough Council Hydro Project. We’ll go on a tour of the Toll House, where a reinstated turbine is once again generating hydro-electricity.

Return trip to Dapdune. Places are limited and booking is essential on 01483 561389. £12.50 per person.

Sat 29th Jun, “Puffing-a-Wey”, Dapdune Wharf: Come and soak up the atmosphere as members the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain come and show off their magnificent steam powered craft. Themed activities for children and some free steam boat rides on the river.

Sat 21st Sep, from 11am: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf: We welcome boaters and visitors alike to celebrate everything that is great about the river. There will be plenty to do such as willow weaving, children’s crafts, Surrey Wood Turners and many other foodie and activity stands. The illuminated pageant at dusk is the highlight of the day, lighting up the river from the centre of Guildford.

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Southampton Canal Society January Meeting: Waterways Photographic Evening and Competition Twenty-five members including five visitors attended our Photographic Evening. A selection of photos were shown by Alan Rose (Railways and working barges on the Rhine and Summer cruise to the IWA Festival at St Neots); Colin Brooks (The Grand Tour - Kennet & Avon – the Thames -River Wey - Grand Union); Eric and Sue Lewis (Dudley and the Black Country Museum - Lord Dudley͛s huge Limekiln - the Tunnel Gauge - The best Fish and Chip - There is always a Chaplin on site); Gordon Osborn (Foxton Locks - an empty Culvert - Bakers Lock.

Coventry and a concrete sofa on a raft of concrete) and Malcolm and Janet Gunningham (A varied selection).

Then we had competition pictures. A compilation picture of items around the Black Country museum by Eric Lewis was voted the winner. The other entries featured pictures of: a spiders web; a Heron; St Ives Bridge taken at 0230 in the morning; a duck on board Purton; Swan uppers; a view at Abingdon and Chirk. A very interesting evening was had by all. Thanks to David Doulton for the use of his projector and computer.

Angela Rose February Meeting: Bats - the super heroes of the night͟ with Nik Knight Nik Knight, the bat recorder for Hampshire, travelled from his home in Havant to be with us. Nik gave us a brief introduction to bats - nearly 1,400 species recorded around the world. Bats are mammals with teeth and a good immune system - some are known to live up to 34 years in Burma. They are happy in groups roosting in old trees, buildings and tunnels. Greywell Tunnel on the Basingstoke Canal is well known as a very important bat roost. Natterer’s bat is by far the most abundant species - indeed the tunnel hosts the largest congregation of hibernating Natterer’s bats in the UK. The rare Horseshoe bat is among those that have been found, with hundreds of individuals from various species roosting and breeding in nurseries over the winter. Pictures of the nursery were shown. The Pipistrelles and others feed if the weather is suitable, eating up to 3,000 insects a night. Bats like humid old chalk strata ideal for woodlice, etc. The Wildlife Trust in 1982 recorded bats traveling up to 30 miles for food. Natural vegetation and a wide range of insects is needed all year round. Nik uses an echo meter touch 2 to pick up the sounds of the bat location – social signals and wave frequency, these we could pick up from his digital computer. The 18th Century Naturalist Gilbert White named one species “Torpor”, it had big ears and a thumb. Nik surveyed this second most important top site in 1992. Loss of old habitat and disturbance such as redevelopment, the cutting down of old trees and hedges, loss of flight lines in farming practices, insecticides, artificial lighting, cats and dogs, squirrels, wind turbines, etc, are all part of a great problem. Any change in their habitats causes them trauma. New industrial builds have been encouraged to fit sloping tiles in the walls to form bat roosts. To see bats locally, visit Sadlers Mill and the stretch of the River Test running to Mainstone Bridge in Romsey. Another good spot is Eyeworth Pond at Fritham in the New Forest to see plenty of Pipistrelles and Daubentons

22 bats. Or just sit in your garden, relax and enjoy them. Nik expressed his appreciation of the work being done by members of the Natural Environment committee in surveying bats along the Tadburn, Abbotswood and Silverwood Lakes, Romsey, the results of which are held on his county records. So, let’s all plant night scented plants, trees and shrubs, plus the good old compost bin to keep the bats happy.

Angela Rose March Meeting ͞”Steam Narrowboating” with Reverent Mark Rudall In the mid 1700s James Watt developed the steam engines for working in tin and coal mines and to pump out the water. Similar developments happened in the USA. The Somerset Coal Canal used steam powered pumps to maintain water levels. Mark has been a steam man for many years, building and operating trailable steam launches for use on the Inland Waterways and estuaries in Britain. Using relatively lightweight engines and boilers, his present kerosene-fired water tube and boiler weighs about 200lbs, and his single cylinder engine went in his boat without an engine hoist. There are quite a few steaming weekends with the Steamboat Association look out for the FMC President and Laplander (which is the oldest iron, steampowered ice breaker). Other steam powered boats include Hasty, Adamant, the 42ft Trevor on the Basingstoke and Emily Anne on the Coventry. Robert Stevenson built a triple expansion engine and other engineers followed.

Steam became the power of the day. We were shown pictures of boats being fitted out with steam power on the Thames. The Naval Packet Boats and electric boats needed steam.

The SS Peace was built and used by the Baptist Mission 1882-1906 in the Congo. We saw wonderful pictures of the villagers carrying parts of the boat and engine over to the other side of their island. This boat was built by Thornycrofts on the Thames, then taken apart and transported to Africa. The stern of the Peace came back to the UK and Mark was able to keep the nameplate. Other well known steam boats are the African Queen and the Clyde Puffers. For further information about this interesting talk see the IWA Cargoes Winter 2016 and Spring 2017. Mark is also a Waterways Chaplain and wearing his yellow waistcoat he keeps an eye on the needy and lonely people on the waterways, plus other boaters that enjoy a chat. He is also editor of the Steamboat quarterly journal “Funnel”.

Angela Rose

Future Events Thu 6th Jun 2019 7.45pm: “Goslings’ Galivants Part Two”. Paul Gosling will be showing us “Around Scotland – boats, trains & docks”.

Meetings, unless specifically stated otherwise, are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth Southampton SO16 7JZ. Start 7.45pm, Visitors welcome. For monthly Newsletter visit www.sotoncs.org.uk or ring 02380 675312.

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Wey and Arun Canal Trust Obituary WACT Vice President Paul Vine. The Canal Trust has learned with sadness that its Vice-President Paul Vine died over the weekend of 6th/7th April. Paul Vine was the author of the book "London's Lost Route to the Sea", first published in 1965 and subsequently revised in four more editions, as well as a number of other books featuring the Wey & Arun Canal. He took a close interest in the Trust's work and attended many of its events. His deep research into the canal's history will be his permanent memorial. The Trust expresses its sympathy to Paul Vine's widow, Kay, and to other members of his family.

Sally Schupke. Monday, April 15, 2019

WACT News The Wey & Arun Canal Trust awarded design accolade The Wey & Arun Canal Trust has scooped a highly commended place in the prestigious Waverley Design Awards for its Compasses Bridge project.

Project engineer Tony Ford was presented with the award in the Environment and Landscape category by Councillor David Else at a ceremony in Farnham, Surrey, on March 14th. The awards, which celebrate good design in planning, architecture, sustainable development and landscaping, are organised by Waverley Borough Council and sponsored by The Haslemere Society.

Judges said: “The Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s work at Compasses Bridge has opened the whole area up to the light and created a canalside haven.

We have been impressed with the passion of the volunteers and that the whole community has been involved, and hope this commitment is mirrored in future projects.”

24 Compasses Bridge has been the Trust’s most ambitious project in Surrey and the first highway bridge rebuilt on the canal in the county.

Construction at the entrance to the Dunsfold Aerodrome site at Dunsfold/Alfold began in June 2015 and the bridge was officially opened in October 2016 by Dame Penelope Keith. The project involved removing a concrete causeway created in the 1930s, along with constructing a new road and pedestrian bridge alongside. The project cost £770,000, all funded by Wey & Arun Canal Trust members.

Construction work was carried out by specialist contractors and the Trust’s own volunteers and visiting working groups.

The bridge’s completion created a new one-and-a-quarter mile canal section for boats to travel along freely, joining the three miles of fully operational canal at Loxwood in West Sussex, where the trust has a visitor centre and thousands of people a year enjoy excursions on its boats.

Trust to begin major project near Bramley The Wey & Arun Canal Trust is set to embark on another major volunteer-led restoration project thanks to the acquisition of a 900 metre stretch of abandoned canal near Bramley in Surrey.

The Birtley Reach area of the canal is particularly picturesque thanks to its position on a slope between the Downs Link path above (which follows the route of the former Horsham-Guildford railway) and the Cranleigh Waters in the valley below. The Trust is planning to create a new circular canalside walk linking to the Downs Link, providing an attractive amenity for locals and visitors.

The purchase has been made possible by the generosity of an overseas Trust member.

Bramley Link manager Philip Oliver said: “There is a lot of work to do, but when restored this area will undoubtedly be an asset for Bramley and for Surrey.

We are grateful to the owners of Westland Farm for their support and foresight, and the Trust member who made the purchase possible.

“We look forward to giving the public access to this beautiful waterside path and to the restored canal itself, while also improving the environmental value of the land.”

Gill Davies

25 A Canal visit could be just what the doctor ordered It’s official – visiting the Wey & Arun Canal can reduce your stress levels.

Scientists have discovered that spending between 20 and 30 minutes among nature could cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol by about 10%.

An American study led by Dr Mary Carol Hunter released last week found that taking at least 20 minutes out of your day to stroll or sit in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels.

"We know that spending time in nature reduces stress, but until now it was unclear how much is enough, how often to do it, or even what kind of nature experience will benefit us," Dr Hunter said. "Our study shows that for the greatest payoff, in terms of efficiently lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, you should spend 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking in a place that provides you with a sense of nature."

The Wey & Arun Canal provides miles of tranquil towpath for visitors to explore, with picnic benches and seating placed to enjoy the West Sussex and Surrey scenery to its full. The Trust also offers a series of free downloadable short walks from its website.

Getting close to the nature couldn’t be easier at the recently created Hunt Nature Park in Shalford, either, where a viewing platform provides the perfect opportunity to sit and watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

For the ultimate in relaxation, boat trips run from the Trust’s visitor centre in Loxwood, West Sussex, every weekend, with special trips operating during the school holidays. For more on booking cruises and how to make the most of the Wey & Arun Canal, go to www.weyandarun.co.uk Gill Davis

26 47th year for Trust’s sponsored walk The Poddle The Wey & Arun Canal Trust is inviting the public to pull on their walking shoes and join them for its annual sponsored walk, dubbed The Poddle. This is the 47th year and one of the Trust’s biggest fundraising events, which last year raised £10,000 for the charity and is aiming to restore the 23 miles of waterway running from Shalford in Surrey to Pallingham in West Sussex.

This year’s walk on Sunday 2nd June will begin in Bramley Village Hall and take in some of the most scenic and varied parts of the canal, including the Trust’s newly-acquired length in Birtley where it is creating a 2 km circular walk. The route then follows footpaths to Shamley Green, then onwards to Farley Green, where lunch is provided. The afternoon walk takes walkers to Albury Heath, across Blackheath and rejoins the Downs Link to return to Bramley village hall for tea and cake.

Both morning and afternoon sections are about six miles of mainly flat terrain and walkers can do either or both sessions. For more information and to register go to https://weyarun.org.uk/events39, or email poddle@weyandarun.co.uk.

For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our Northern Office on 01483 505566, or visit www.weyandarun.co.uk

Future Events Thu 23rd May 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyage. An opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on electric canal boat, Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential.

Sun 2nd Jun: The Poddle Sponsored Walk. For more information and to register go to https://weyarun.org.uk/events39, or email poddle@weyandarun.co.uk.

Fri 7th Jun 7.30pm: Picnic & Pimm’s Sunset Cruise. The first evening cruise of the season offers passengers the opportunity to experience a leisurely summer evening trip on the canal sipping a glass of Pimm's and tucking into a delicious picnic. £21.00. Booking essential.

Wed 12th Jun 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyage. An opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on electric canal boat, Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential.

Sun 16th Jun 9.45am & 12,00noon: Dad’s Bacon Butty Brunch. On Father's Day, treat your Super Dad to a canal trip whilst enjoying a tasty bacon butty washed down with tea or coffee. Our 90 minute trips depart at 9.45am and 12noon. £14.00. Booking essential.

Fri 21st Jun 7.30pm: Ploughman’s & Pimm’s Solstice Celebration. Enjoy the longest day of the year, savour a glass of Pimm's and a very special ploughman's supper. £21.00. Booking essential.

Thu 27th Jun 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyage. An opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on electric canal boat, Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential.

27 Fri 5th Jul 7.30pm: Picnic & Pimm’s Supper. For those unable to join us on this trip earlier in the year, the Special Events Committee offers guests another opportunity to enjoy this highly successful cruise. £21.00. Booking essential.

Tue 16th Jul 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyage. An opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on electric canal boat, Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential.

Fri 19th Jul 7.30pm: Ploughman’s & Pimm’s Relaxer, A relaxing evening is what this trip is all about - plus good food and drink. £21.00. Booking essential.

Fri 2nd Aug 7.30pm: Picnic & Pimm's Special. Join us and other guests on our last picnic cruise of the season when we will provide everyone with a glass of Pimm's and a delicious picnic supper. £21.00. Booking essential.

Tue 6th Aug 2.15 & 4.40pm: Cream Tea Voyage. An opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on our electric canal boat, Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential Thu 8th Aug 11.00am & 2.00pm: Pirates & Princesses Adventures. Come suitably dressed to help defeat the pirates, capture the treasure chest and rescue the princess. £12.00. Booking essential.

Fri 16th Aug 7.30pm: Ploughman's & Pimm's Finale. The final evening supper cruise of the season offers the chance to savour our famous Ploughman's bill of fare. £21.00. Booking essential.

Wed 21st Aug 11.00am & 2.00pm: Pirates & Princesses Adventures.

Come suitably dressed to help defeat the pirates, capture the treasure chest and rescue the princess. £12.00. Booking essential.

Wed 4th Sep 2.15pm & 4.30pm Cream Tea Voyage: An opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on electric canal boat, Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential.

Wed 18th Sep 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyage. Last opportunity of the season to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on electric canal boat, Wiggonholt. Watch the beautiful countryside pass by. £14.00. Booking essential.

Fri 1st Nov 6.30pm: Halloween Quiz & Nibbles: Come along suitably dressed and enjoy a spooky trip on the canal. Mulled wine and nibbles provided whilst passengers pit their wits against a Halloween themed quiz. £40 for a table of four.

Further details and booking from the Trust Office on 01403 752403. office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk Northern Office Phone: 01483 505566 (Mondays-Thursdays, 8.30am-12.30pm)

THE ARUN VALLEY POSTCARD TRAIL The Arun Valley Postcard Trail is intended to be a showcase for the River Arun and its community, featuring still and moving images from the past and present.

Postcards provide the starting point to many fascinating stories, often unknown even to local people. www.avpct.co.uk Tony Pratt

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Kent & East Sussex Branch IWAKES Chairman’s Piece Over the last few months IWAKES have been working closely with the Thames & Medway Canal Association (TMCA) to try and establish a Thames & Medway Canal Partnership.

Partnerships have played a key role in making canal restorations successful.

A good example is the Cotswold Canals Partnership whose work will hopefully see the canal reconnected to the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in a few years’ time.

Another good example is the Droitwich Canals Restoration Partnership which succeeded in reopening the Droitwich Barge and Droitwich Junction Canals in 2011.

Partnerships work by bringing together all the parties involved and aligning their interests. The parties are different each time but typically involve local and national government, developers, businesses along the route, environmental bodies and anybody else with an interest in the canal and the locality. The benefits produced can be clearly seen in two IWA videos which can be found on our website and they are well worth watching…

Water adds Value Video :

www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/restoration/campaigns/benefits_waterway_restoration

Waterways in Progress Video :

www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/restoration/waterways_progress/waterways_progress

The draft purpose and vision for the proposed Partnership are as follows…

Purpose: The Partnership aims to…

• bring together principal stakeholders with an interest in the route of the Thames & Medway Canal between the River Thames and Higham • promote a vision for the canal • develop a Strategic Plan for the Canal that links with relevant local policies and specifically addresses: o management of the natural environment and heritage o access and community well-being o opportunities for education and learning o awareness of the canal o provision of suitable recreational activities o promotion of appropriate developments along the route of the canal • seek funds to implement the Strategic Plan with staged restoration of the Canal in the context of the Plan Vision: To restore the canal route from the River Thames to Higham to provide environmental, recreational and economic benefits to Gravesham and the general public through the opportunity to develop brown field sites to provide homes and businesses whilst nurturing the canal’s natural and built environment for all to enjoy as a recreational, ecological and educational amenity.

29 TMCA have worked hard over 40 years to restore parts of the canal to water and have demonstrated the leisure and environmental benefits a restored canal brings. With the possibility of developments along the canal the restoration is at a point where a big step forward may be possible. The time is right to set up a Partnership and this has been agreed by the TMCA Board and IWAKES Committee.

We need a willing volunteer, ideally relatively local to the canal, to take a lead for TMCA in the Partnership. So far TMCA haven’t found the right person. Could you take the restoration forward to secure and further develop all that has been achieved since 1976? If so, please contact me at les.etheridge@waterways.org.uk.

Past Events ‘Antarctica – An amazing continent’: Mike Marsh After the IWAKES AGM, which sixteen members attended, Mike Marsh stepped forward to show us pictures of Antarctica. He said it was a pristine environment untouched by people: the last great continent. Mike always loved travel and this was the last of seven continents he has visited. His transport was a fifteen-day trip on the Fram (an Expedition ship owned by Norwegian company Hurtigruten) with his wife Lesley. Fram supplied all passengers with bright blue waterproof insulated jackets so they could be spotted easily when ashore.

The Antarctic Peninsula is a huge area, doubling in size in winter months, with extra snow and ice. Antarctica is the World’s driest place and also the World’s windiest place. Mike showed us pictures of Paradise Harbour, with mountains and snow and other lovely scenes of snow, blue sky and attractive icebergs of differing shapes and sizes. The first explorer arrived in 1773 and the first lady in 1935. There are seventeen varieties of penguin, of which they saw five. They also saw wandering albatross with a wing span of 3½ metres and lots of seals of differing types, including some huge monsters lying up on the rocks.

We certainly know much more about Antarctica then we did when we arrived in Tonbridge. (And we thank Sue & Lesley for the tea and biscuits). Angela Acott ‘RNLI – It’s not all at sea’: Colin Brown Colin Brown came to Strood Yacht Club to give us a talk about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI); saving lives since 1824. A very nearly full house heard that 95% of lifeboat men and women are unpaid volunteers, ready to act at a moment’s notice, all pulling together to save lives. They receive no government funding, “thank goodness” says Colin. As well as humans they also rescue animals. One person every day, on average, deliberately walks into water.

The service uses the most reliable equipment currently available. It uses “E” class lifeboats that work well in shallow water and hovercraft are used in: Hoylake, Hunstanton, Morecombe and Southend. Lifeboats are built and serviced in-house.

The technology used is outstanding. The time of launching and recovery is most difficult. Each boat carries a volunteer doctor and 15% of crew members are ladies, including coxswains. Colin also explained the work they do on the River Thames.

The RNLI also turn out in times of flood. Safety advice, we were told, is just to float if you fall into the water; not to struggle. It was a most interesting talk about RNLI’s work.

Angela Acott

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Kentish Stour news from Roy Newing Sandwich swing bridge was closed for a week to allow Kent County Council to repair the rams following several weeks of repair requiring notice of passage. KCC has dropped a suggestion to legally challenge the public right of navigation. The Environment Agency has resumed removing fallen trees as a flood defence measure.

However, they are unable to clear the backlog and many trees are being left uncleared. European beavers are felling trees up to one-foot diameter. A small volunteer group is removing the worst problems.

River Medway news from Mike Marsh With boating season now in full swing there are several ways you can enjoy some excellent trips and food on the non-tidal section of the River Medway which runs for 20 miles from Tonbridge to Allington.

Kentish Lady is based in Maidstone and moored by the Archbishops Palace in the town centre. During the summer she offers 1 hr and 3 hr trips up to Allington Lock. She is also available for private hire.

Following a successful venture last year, she now runs trips to Allington Castle, the 13th century medieval castle nestled in 42 acres of beautiful gardens next to the river.

Well worth a visit and yes, Henry VIII did stay there too. Details, prices etc for the Kentish Lady are on http://www.kentishlady.co.uk/ or call 01622 753740.

Kingfisher, based at Medway Wharf Marina, Bow Bridge, Wateringbury, runs trips for people of all ages with disabilities.

Kingfisher Medway Trust is a registered charity and the boat is run by qualified volunteers and carries up to 12 passengers. http://www.kingfishermedwaytrust.org.uk Enid May (run by Tonbridge River Trips) is an electric boat seating 12 passengers that runs a variety of trips from the Town Bridge in Tonbridge. There are also several trips to view the local wildlife and you can hire rowing boats here to enjoy a relaxing tome on this picturesque part of the Medway. Glyn on 07808 739020 or https://www.tonbridgerivertrips.co.uk/.

31 The Old Boat Café is moored between the two bridges in Maidstone town centre and offers a variety of tasty healthy food and drinks. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea are all on offer in this original working narrow boat Verbena. Open from 10 am to 6 pm. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theoldboatcafe/ Finally, don’t forget to join in the fun and visit the boats at the Maidstone River Festival on Saturday July 27th. This year it is sponsored by Weston Homes with the support of the Mayor of Maidstone.

There will be some shorebased events, a raft race is planned and a firework finale in the evening.

Thames & Medway Canal Association The first couple of months this year saw the clearing of undergrowth to provide a clear area looking North to the Thames.

The bench near this was known as the ‘Vista’, a slight misnomer as for many years it looked out over the canal to a rubbish tip. A short section of undergrowth was cleared as it is intended to position a bench at the highest point on the banking, this will provide a superb view over the marshes to the river for birdwatchers and ship watchers alike. The photos show the before and after views from similar viewpoints of the cleared section with one of our new litter bins.

Dave Parnell

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River Adur news from Brendan Whelan My report detailing the “Lack of support from the Environment Agency for improved public boating facilities in Shoreham by Sea” (dated 24th November 2018) was passed, via IWA Head Office, to James Humphreys the EA's Area Director covering the South East corner of England. He in turn passed it to one of their liaison staff. The report catalogued how the EA had failed to communicate, ignored information and created a replacement slipway that was clearly going to be impractical. The response, via the EA representative, was "he didn’t feel that there were any direct actions required by EA". However, he did offer to talk on the phone. This offer will be taken up when the plans for a slipway at Silver Sands (see below) are more advanced with the hope that a more positive relationship can be developed.

The newly constructed public access slipway at Emerald Quay remains closed.

There is still an impasse between the Management of the Emerald Quay complex, who have closed the slipway on safety grounds, and the EA. Tim Loughton MP has managed to arrange an independent consultation. The outcome will be interesting.

The Shoreham Port Authority has given clear formal support to a possible public slipway at Silver Sands, on Shoreham Beach. During the next year or two, commercial traffic will cease in the western arm of the port which has resulted in the Harbour Master lifting his objection to a new slipway. As would be expected, clear rules will need to be agreed on the use and maintenance of any slipway. At a recent meeting with senior officers of Adur District Council there was a consensus to proactively try to take the slipway plans forward. Two local Councillors queried whether there was sufficient road capacity and this will be checked by the West Sussex County Council Highways Department. Whilst there are still hurdles to overcome, the possibility of a public slipway at this location looks promising.

The newly-raised sea-defences have been breached at the sailing club, near the end of Shoreham Beach (see picture). It is understood that the EA has agreed to fund remedial work.

Chelmer & Blackwater Trip?

IWAKES is considering a three-hour late afternoon/evening return trip on the twelve-passenger boat Albert departing from Paper Mill Lock, Little Baddow (near Chelmsford) towards Heybridge in June or early July 2020. Anticipated cost around £16.00 per person. Light refreshments available. Car park at lock. If you would be interested please advise Roy Sutton ( RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk ).

33

Future IWAKES and Other Events Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th July 2019: Dartford & Crayford Creek Restoration Trust will have a display at Dartford Festival: https://www.dartford.gov.uk/by-category/leisure-and-culture2/festival Wednesday 24th July 2019: Meet 10.30am: St. George's Church car park, Rectory Lane, West Grinstead, Horsham. RH13 8LR: Walk along the Baybridge Canal to Partridge Green (2.9 miles): Includes terminal basin and infilled lock: Meals at "The Partridge", with free lifts provided back to St George's: Afternoon exploration of the other lock and sites on the River Adur Eastern Branch.

Saturday 27th July 2019: Maidstone Fiver Festival (with raft race and fireworks) Wednesday 21st August 2019: Hythe Venetian Fete: http://hythevenetianfete.co.uk/ Thursday 17th October 2019: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood, Kent. ME2 2AH: ‘Thames Tidal Defences’: Nathan Ellis of the Environment Agency manages all the Thames tidal defences and will give an in-depth description of the operation of Woolwich and other barriers.

Thursday 21st November 2019: 7.00 for 7.30pm: Upper Room, Perrymount Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath.

RH16 3DM (near the railway station and 200 yards from Clair Hall): ‘Fish-Passes’: Tony Woolnough, Director of Fishways Ltd, is an internationally renowned specialist designer of fish-passes. He has been a SORT member from the start and lives near Lewes. Many fish-passes on the Ouse are ineffective and we hope Tony can tell us what should be done: Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust and IWAKES joint event.

Wednesday 11th December 2019: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend. DA12 2BS: ‘Waterways Books’: By Eric Garland: Get together with Thames & Medway Canal Association.

Thursday 23rd January 2020: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood, Kent. ME2 2AH: ‘RNLI – Innovations’: Colin Brown of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute will extend on the great talk he gave at Strood in 2019.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Venue maps can be found at www.waterways.org.uk/kent/kent_east_sussex

34

Oxfordshire Branch Branch Chairman The Chairman’s PLEA

Before I start my article today, I am keen to request the help of any Members, or potential members, or volunteers with an interest, to step up to the plate and be our representative correspondent for the Upper Reaches of the River Thames.

Ideally, we could do with two, or three, but certainly we need at least one.

The locations the IWA need to cover is the River Thames from Streatley to Lechlade, so places like Wallingford, Abingdon, Oxford, Eynsham, Radcot and Lechlade will in future all get their fair share of support and protection from the strength of the IWA National Body at Parliament. This is very important for the future of the River Thames especially when we look to the post Brexit future, whatever that may look like?

If you would be willing to be our local correspondent for any of the areas mentioned, then please email steve@stevegood.info. Thank You.

The Chairman’s STORY Once upon a time . . . . Summer 2019 seemed a very long time away into the future and, in truth, from time to time I wondered if I would ever live to see the year 2,000 let alone live to witness 2020 or thereabouts! Yet now, suddenly it is upon us all. Summer 2019 is a reality, it’s here - So ENJOY. The reason for my sudden spasm of nostalgia is that my family and I have recently celebrated my son’s 40th Birthday - by the way . . . as it was a very special BIG birthday, my wife and I had already decided to spoil him even more than usual by buying him a not inexpensive and entirely environmentally inappropriate used car! A model of Gas Guzzling swanky used car that we knew he hankered after with a passionate desire. Then whilst still considering the wisdom of this action, I found myself casually looking around our living room with a broad smile on my face. I had noticed a very particular photo that has lived with us for nearly 40 years, to be honest it is so much ‘part of the furniture’ so to speak that mostly I do not give it a second glance. This is what these days people might refer to as a photo ‘hidden in plain sight’ usually being overlooked and ignored, but on this occasion, for once I looked more closely and became nostalgic as I remembered the fun the photo

35 portrayed. You see, the photo was of my son’s third birthday celebrations at the local fair and fete which happened to feature his biggest and best birthday present!!

However, as most parents will understand, as a special Birthday present for the Darling Boy, it was not inexpensive, and he remains spoilt to this day.

Indeed 37 years ago for our son John’s 3rd birthday present, and being owners of a local canal boatyard, my wife Ellie and I had commissioned the manufacture of the world’s smallest narrow boat, it being 10 ft in length, 4 ft in the beam and powered by a single cylinder Stewart Turner two stoke engine, running a conventional drive shaft complete with a mini weed hatch. Please see the nostalgic photo of Ellie my Wife, myself (with a mop of curly hair), and the proud skipper himself, namely our son John, sporting his red wellie boots whilst posing for the local Press Photographer.

Photo taken Cassiobury Park, Watford, Annual Town Fete - circa 1981 John’s new boat was named “Buzz” which in itself was the name of our adopted family cat of the same name “Buzz the Cat”, being short for Leighton Buzzard which is the town on the Grand Union canal where Ellie and I had adopted him, or was it that he adopted us perhaps?

Anyway, his adoption came about by accident really, in as much as Buzz was the sole resident aboard an abandoned 40 ft craft which I had bought very cheaply from the British Waterways Board in 1976, it being a half sunk abandoned houseboat (nothing much changes there then!!) when my wife and I went to collect it and tow it back to my embryonic Canalside boatyard in Watford. Having pondered what to do about Buzz on his initial discovery, should we put him ashore and chase him away before stealing off with his home, or just set off and let him decide to abandon ship at the first lock? Decision made, we breasted up the two boats and set off on our return to our home moorings in Watford. The upshot was that Buzz seemed perfectly happy with an enforced change of scene and willingly came along with us for the ride, indeed he seemed very happy to do so!!

It turned out that Buzz had excellent sea legs and was remarkably sure footed around the narrow decks, often romping around on the cabin top, or leaping for the shore before we were safely moored up. Often from an open window too.

36 Of course, occasionally it all went wrong and that is when we discovered that Buzz was an extremely good swimmer. He hated it of course, but he loved the warm towel, the cuddles and the special cat treats that always followed.

Later in his life, Buzz taught several generations of boatyard kittens (mostly English Blacks) the art and crafty tricks of the trade when living the life of a Boatyard cat. This included the art of leaving cat claw scratch marks down the full length of Perspex cabin windows when falling off a cabin top whenever trying to prevent the inevitable splash that almost always follows.

To this day, my wife and I well remember being aboard our houseboat home, which featured large panoramic Perspex windows, and from where we could hear somebody galloping about on the cabin roof above our heads, when quite unexpectedly we witnessed two black 5 month old kittens, both with terrified looks on their faces, go sliding past, in an ever downward direction, once again heading for the coldest and wettest ‘cut’ of all, whilst desperately trying to save themselves from the inevitable SPLASH by digging in with all of their might and all of their very sharp claws. Alas to no avail, as ever gravity won!! More Hot Baths, More Cuddles and best of all . . . . . More Treats!!

Claws for hanging on with, but in those days we could not offer cat treats. . . . they did not exist Whatever you and your extended family, including the ever-expensive Children, Grandchildren (and Cats) get up to this summer on the Waterways, I do so hope that it will leave you all with a lifetime of vivid happy memories.

Happy memories that you can at least bore those same Children and Grandchildren with over many years of life yet to come and, with luck, just like me . . . . . many other folks, just like you!!

Happy Floating and Boating to all our readers and supporters this 2019 summer season.

Roll on next year Summer 2020 with many more to follow.

All the very best, Steve Good - Branch Chairman P.s. I cannot believe that I am so old. We must all urgently do our best to recruit young people to the IWA

37

Banbury Canal Partnership We do not work during the worst of the winter months as paint does not take too kindly to wet or frozen surfaces. As most of us are of a certain age we do not take too kindly either to freezing or being soaked.

However, in March we were invited to learn how to ‘lay’ hedges by the Canal and River Trust. Accordingly, several of us met and under the watchful eye of Laura Summerbell, we attempted a length of ‘hedge’ between Grants and Kings Sutton locks. I have put attempted as unlike when the work is shown on the television with a nice row of spaced trees, it was an area some 3m deep with intertwined thorn trees that had not been touched for many years. It really was a cross between jungle bashing and hedge laying. Latest News; hedge has started to reshoot from laid branches.

Day 1

Day 2

All complete: Robert, Robin, Colin Laura (CRT) and Brian with Georgie And Rosy are regular stalwarts of BCA work parties (and Jenny behind the camera)

38 We started work in earnest again in April. Our first work party was to remove some overgrown branches on the off side above our old friend Elkingtons Lock. A narrow boat leaving the lock hit these overhanging branches damaging the swan neck tiller which required repairs before the boat could continue. This side of the canal had a dense thicket of thorn and willow trees/scrub. Having checked for nesting birds, the area was successfully cleared using Gregg’s workboat Arbour.

However, all the felling work was done from the farm side by the kind permission of the land owner.

Area cleared = length of Arbour (70’)

The following week (after copy date) we have been asked by CRT to litter pick and make repairs to a section of towpath in Banbury.

Our working parties take place on the third and fourth Tuesdays each month - venue to be announced, but we have agreed to repaint all the locks. As they were last painted up to three years ago, we feel it is time they experienced our tender loving care again.

If you want a day out in the beautiful Oxfordshire country side come and join us. You might just enjoy it so much you become a regular Please contact me or Chairman Colin Garnham-Edge if you would like to be put on our emailing list Remember we have an email contact address: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com.

We also have a Facebook page Brian Saunders BCP/IWA Committee representative

39

Wilts & Berks Canal I was much enthused by attendance at the Annual CRT/IWA Restoration Conference held up in Bilston. It was great to see and meet so many people from other restoration societies. “Restoration in Progress”, ie the benefits that even a canal under restoration can provide the community as against a fully navigable canal is a great idea. I returned down to Oxfordshire much cheered.

I have just returned (sun and wind burnt) from my annual week long canal cruise. How I envy those able to spend much of the year afloat. I spend a week trying not to reinforce the usual impressions of hirers. The cruise this year started with a very long tunnel three miles north of our starting point followed by a long down hill flight of locks (that narrows down the location for you). The contrast between the older Trent & Mersey, Chester Canals as against the later Telford built Shropshire Union (yes I know that’s not what it was called originally …Birmingham & Liverpool Junction if you prefer) was most interesting and just goes to show that variety is the spice of life. I came back much refreshed.

Work on the canal at Wichelstowe, Swindon has continued apace. The Hall & Woodside pub opened earlier in the year, including inside a mock narrow boat cabin with beer on draft. The canal is refilling and hopefully very shortly our tripboat will once again cruise to and from the landing stage by Waitrose.

Over in Oxfordshire the East Vale team is working on the canal to the west of Wantage. A project is brewing regarding the pocket park at Shrivenham. More on that next time.

The Trust is going through various changes in management at the moment with our CEO having recently stepped down. Andrew Matters our existing Head of Engineering and Compliance has agreed to take on the CEO role temporarily.

We are currently seeking volunteers to cover various roles on our Executive including Head of Fundraising, Head of Communications and Head of Engineering.

Details can be obtained from the Trust Office.

Oxfordshire County Council recently undertook consultations regarding their vision for the county in 2050. Thames Water is also consulting again regarding the possible Upper Thames Reservoir. We have of course responded to both.

I mentioned the trip boat earlier. Do please pay a visit on Dragonfly sometime during the season. Details for booking are available on the Trust website.

Brian Stovold, Chairman, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

Future Events Dragonfly is a great way to see the restored section of the canal in Swindon.

She can carry up to 12 passengers and 2 crew and has: plenty of room inside and out; indoor heating; a table; a galley with hob, fridge and sinks and a wheelchair lift.

The engine has sound reduction for a smooth, quiet experience.

Public trips resumed at Easter and she is also available for charters (subject o crew availability). Please contact us well in advance to avoid disappointment.

40 She is popular for birthday and anniversary parties, including pirate parties, club meetings and get togethers, during the day or summer evenings. Hire costs are £50 for one hour, £80 for two hours. We are looking to offer 'special', themed, charters. These will be advertised on our Facebook page - Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Friends and Volunteers, or call the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably e-mail boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk or visit our Information Centre in Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN, open Mon, Fri & Sat 10.00 - 15.00. Our webpage is: www.wbct.org.uk Tue 25th Jun 7.00pm: Circular Guided Walk. A circular walk starting and ending at The Sack House, Wantage Wharf, Mill Street. This walk takes in the route of the Wantage branch of the canal and the main line of the canal between Grove and East Challow, returning via Naldertown and Betjeman Park. Distance is around 3 miles – allow 2 hrs. Please wear suitable clothing/shoes/walking boots. , Thurs 20th Jun 7.30pm: Lost Pubs Of Wantage. A tour of Wantage taking in an exploration of the lost pubs of the town. Please bring your reminiscences to share. We will finish at a CAMRA award winning (and open) establishment in town. . Start: The Sack House, Wantage Wharf, Mill Street, Wantage. Free, but a donation of £2.50/person for WBCT funds gratefully accepted.

Tue 9th Jul 7.00pm till 9pm: A special Open Evening at The Sack house, Wantage Wharf, Mill Street. A rolling programme of information during the evening about the work of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust locally and along the line.

Display of canal related photographs. Find out how you can help.

Thur 11th Jul 7.30pm: Lost Pubs Of Wantage. A tour of Wantage taking in an exploration of the lost pubs of the town. Please bring your own reminiscences to share. We will finish at a CAMRA award winning (and open) establishment in town. Start: The Sack House, Wantage Wharf, Mill Street, Wantage Further information on the above events from Brian Stovold on 07946 524928.

Free, but a donation of £2.50/person for WBCT funds gratefully accepted.

Sat 31st Aug & Sun 1st Sep: Melksham Food and River Festival.

The King George V Park, Lowbourne, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 7ED. Working to build on the success of last year’s Festival we are looking to welcome a good cross section of boats on the water and expand the range of experiences and activities offered. We are also looking for new and innovative river activities to form part of the display. In the park we expect to have in the region of 80 stalls, plus live music, cooking demonstrations and much more. Further details from Paul Lenaerts on paul.lenaerts@wbct.org.uk mob 07855 887547. www.melkshamfoodandriverfestival.co.uk

Towpath Walks Group Sun 26th May, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 2nd Jun, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, meet Mile End

41 Tue 11th Jun, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 16th Jun, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Islington to Mile End, meet The Angel Sat 6th Jul, 1045am: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 7th Jul, 2.30pm: Secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, meet Stratford, by “Newham London” sign Sun 21st Jul, 2.30pm: Limehouse, Thames to Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR

by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 4th Aug, 2.30pm: Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green to Paddington, meet Bakerloo, Praed Street exit Sun 18th Aug, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross, Granary Square to Camden, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank) Sat 31st Aug, 10.45am: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue tube station Sun 1st Sep, 2.30pm: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 15th Sep, 2.30pm: Limehouse, Thames to Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR)(by Cycle Hire Point) Sat 5th Oct, 10.45am: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross, Granary Square to Camden, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank) Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere).

This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways – which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you. For more information about Walks (Normal charge: £10.00, Concessions & Student rate: £8.00) please contact Roger Wilkinson, telephone: 020 3612 9624 or email: rogerw9796@yahoo.co.uk

South London Branch Future Events Wed 12th Jun: A presentation on `The Canal & River Trust’ by Philip Emery South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon, CR0 5LP. Admission to talks and presentations is free to members and non-members, but we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you.

For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson.

Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk

42

Mikron Theatre Group Redcoats (R) It all began with Billy – A break by the beach – what more could you dream of?

With our usual mix of fun, pathos and songs, join us as we delve into holiday huts, bonny babies, knobbly knees and of course those radiant Redcoats.

All Hands on Deck (AHD) A Tale of Two Wrens - A love story between the Royal Navy and their loyal ‘Jenny Wrens’ New WRNS recruits, Ginger and Lily, are looking for wartime adventure. Lily wants to serve on dry land but Ginger is desperate to serve at sea – and the sailors can’t believe their luck! Our Wrens show pays tribute to all those wartime women who pushed the door to opportunity firmly open. Full of dots, dashes, semaphore and song, Ginger and Lily find themselves in uncharted waters on a journey they’ll never forget. www.mikron.org.uk Sun 2nd Jun, 2.30pm: R, Great Houghton Village Hall, Northampton, NN4 0AN Wed 5th Jun, 7.30pm: AHD, Wharf Inn, Welford, NN6 6JQ Fri 7th Jun, 7.30pm: R, St Peter's Parish Hall, Market Bosworth, CV13 0LL Sun 9th Jun, 3.00pm AHD, Swan in the Rushes, Loughborough, LE11 5BE Tue 11th Jun, 7.30pm: R, The Moorings, Northampton, NN6 7SQ Wed 12th Jun, 7.30pm: AHD, The Admiral Nelson, Daventry, NN11 7HJ Fri 14th Jun, 7.30pm: R, The Canal Museum, Nr Towcester, NN12 7SE Sat 15th Jun, 1.00pm: AHD, The Old Rectory, Northampton, NN7 3BJ Sun 16th Jun, 3.00pm: AHD, Lionhearts Cruising Club, Milton Keynes, MK14 5EL Tue 18th Jun, 7.00pm: R, Lindengate Mental Health Charity, Wendover, HP22 6BD Wed 19th Jun, 7.30pm: R, The Trout Inn, Lechlade On Thames, GL7 3HA Thu 20th Jun, 7.30pm: AHD, The Globe Inn, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2TA Fri 21st Jun, 7.30pm: R, The Grand Junction Arms, Tring, HP23 5QE Sat 22nd Jun, 1.00pm: R, Framfield Allotments, Hanwell, W7 1ES Sat 22nd Jun, 7.30pm: AHD, The Waterwitch, Odiham, RG29 1AL Sun 23rd Jun, 3.00pm: R, Wootton Wawen Village Hall, Henley-in-Arden, B95 6AY Tue 25th Jun, 7.30pm: ADH, The Rising Sun, Berkhamsted, HP4 2EG Wed 26th Jun, 7.30pm: R, The Rising Sun, Berkhamsted, HP4 2EG Thu 27th Jun, 7.30pm: AHD, The Three Horseshoes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RZ

43 Fri 28th Jun, 7.30pm: R, Fishery Wharf Cafe, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NA Sat 29th Jun, 1.00pm: AHD, Horsenden Farm, Greenford, UB6 7PB Sat 29th Jun, 7.30pm: R, North Aston Village Green, Bicester, OX25 6HS Tue 9th Jul, 7.30pm: R, Bourne End WI, Spade Oak Farm, Bourne End, SL8 5PS Thu 11th Jul, 7.30pm: R, The Teapot Tearooms, Faringdon, SN7 7QJ Sat 13th Jul, 7.30pm: R, Cricklade Bloomers, Cricklade, SN6 6DD Sun 14th Jul, 2.00pm: AHD, Caversham Court, Reading, RG4 7AD Wed 17th Jul, 7.30pm: AHD, The Rowbarge, Reading, RG7 5SH Thu 18th Jul, 7.30pm: R, Eyot Centre, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3JD Fri 19th Jul, 7.30pm: R, Bishampton Village Hall, Pershore, WR10 2LY Sat 20th Jul, 1.00pm: R, Rodborough Community Hall, Stroud, GL5 3TZ Sat 20th Jul, 7.30pm: AHD, Randwick Village Hall, Stroud, GL6 6HS Tue 23rd Jul, 7.30pm: R, The Rowbarge, Reading, RG7 5SH Thu 25th Jul, 3.30pm: AHD & 8.00pm: R, Waterfront Cafe Benson, OX10 6SJ Fri 26th Jul, 7.30pm: AHD, Goring Lock, Goring, RG8 9AE Sat 27th Jul, 2.00pm: AHD & 7.00pm: R, Alcester War Memorial Town Hall, B49 5QX Sun 28th Jul, 3.00pm: R, The Plough Inn, Long Wittenham, OX14 4QH Wed 31st Jul, 6.30pm: AHD, Foundry Wood, Leamington Spa, CV31 3PH Thu 1st Aug, 6.30pm: R, St Mary's Allotments, Leamington Spa, CV31 1DP Fri 2nd Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, Eynsham Cricket Club, Witney, OX29 4LF Sat 3rd Aug, 1.00pm: AHD, Bloomfield Road Allotments, Bath, BA2 2AB Sun 4th Aug, 2.00pm: AHD, St Mary's Church Hall, Fordingbridge, SP6 1BB Tue 6th Aug, 7.30pm: R, Plough Inn, Oxford, OX2 8BD Wed 7th Aug, 7.30pm: R, The Goat & Trousers, Alvechurch, B48 7QP Thu 8th Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, Boat Inn, Kidlington, OX5 1JY Fri 9th Aug, 7.30pm: R, Toad Gin Distillery, British Naturism Event, Oxford, OX3 7QJ Sat 10th Aug, 7.00pm: R, The Pig Place, Banbury, OX17 3NU Sun 11th Aug, 3.00pm: AHD, The Folly, Napton on the Hill, CV47 8NZ Tue 13th Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, Wharf House, Cropredy, OX17 1PG Wed 14th Aug, 7.30pm: R, Wharf House, Cropredy, OX17 1PG Thu 15th Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, The Wharf Inn, Southam, CV47 2FE Fri 16th Aug, 7.30pm: R, Calcutt Boats, Southam, CV47 8HX Sat 17th Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, The Two Boats Inn, Southam, CV47 9QZ Sun 18th Aug, 2.00pm: AHD, Rowington Village Hall, Rowington, CV35 7DB Tue 20th Aug, 7.30pm: R, The Bridge House, Lock 2, Lapworth Top Lock, Solihull, B94 5NU Wed 21st Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, The Weighbridge, Alvechurch, B48 7SQ Fri 23rd Aug, 7.30pm: R, The Anchor Inn, Worcester, WR5 3BW Sat 24th Aug, 7.00pm: AHD, Tontine Gardens, Stourport on Severn, DY13 9EN

44 Sun 25th Aug, 2.00pm: R, Springfield Park, Kidderminster, DY10 2PS Tue 27th Aug, 7.30pm: AHD, Camp House Inn, Nr Worcester, WR2 6LX Wed 28th Aug, 7.00pm: R, Raphael's Restaurant, Evesham, WR11 4BP Thu 29th Aug, 7.30pm: R, Bantock House Museum and Park - The Old Tennis Court, Merridale, WV3 9LQ Fri 30th Aug, 7.00pm: AHD, Coton Mill, Gnosall, ST20 0BN Sun 1st Sep, 5.00pm: R, The Anchor Inn, High Offley, ST20 0NG Wed 11th Sep, 6.45pm: R, Wetherby Whaler, Guiseley, LS20 8LZ Fri 13th Sep, 1.00pm: R, Ewanrigg Community Centre, Maryport, CA15 8HN

IWA CANALWAY CAVALCADE The May Day Bank Holiday weekend saw the 37th annual Canalway Cavalcade take place in Little Venice, London. Unsettled weather across the weekend didn’t dampen spirits, and a record number of 150 boats lined up along the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals, many moored by their sterns in Brownings Pool. Alongside the gleaming boats, with their bunting and brass work shining, were a selection of events and activities. The Noyze Boyz Jazz Band burst into life as the festivities kicked off on Saturday, and soon the pool was buzzing with beautifully decorated boats parading in front of an eager audience. Elsewhere a variety of stalls were selling their wares, including jewellery, plants and traditional painted boating paraphernalia. The Stone Warf offered food and beverages, keeping hungry visitors sustained while listening to colourful live music in the festival real ale bar.

Libby Bradshaw, Ceremonial and Children’s Activities Manager, introduced the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Lindsey Hall, who welcomed everyone to the City of Westminster and thanked the IWA for putting on the event. Mark Saxon, Chairman of the IWA Canalway Cavalcade Committee, followed welcoming everyone to the event and paying special attention to this year’s theme ‘celebrating our volunteers’. Libby thanked British Land for their sponsorship and support before the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Lindsay Hall rang the bell to formally open the event. This was echoed by cheers around the pool, the ringing of bells and horns, and the start of the Pageant.

In Rembrandt Gardens children were silently entertained by Mr Mylo the mime artist, faces were being painted and there was plenty of learning in the marquee over the weekend. Sunday saw the wonderful Teddy Bears picnic in the beautiful surrounds of the garden, and even the sun came out to warm the crowds.

Other children’s activities were led by the Floating Classroom on the Electric Barge, the Church Army and the Pirate Castle from Camden. Live music was performed each day from midday in the Amphitheatre, highlights included the sensational Rock Choir on Saturday and Mandolin Monday who always get the audience on their feet!

45 On Sunday evening Craig Haslam, dressed in full evening dress complete with bow tie, was master of ceremonies for the Procession of Illuminated Boats, where once again the boaters covered their boats with as many lights as would fit along the roofs and sides. Mark Saxon, Chairman produced a spectacular display with disco lights, and even a smoke machine!

On Monday afternoon, the awards were presented by Libby Bradshaw, Mrs Laura Radley and John Edmonds.

Marcus Boudier Trophy, For the best decorated privately entered boat in Saturday’s themed Pageant: “Stumpy”, owned by Samantha Quy Runner up: “Follow your bliss”, owned by Ayesha Walker The Ray Dunford Buckby Can Trophy, For the best decorated boat entered by a waterway or community group: The Waterway Recovery Group, decorating “Opportunity” loaned by Laburnum Boat Club The Cruise Electric Trophy, For the best illuminated boat in Sunday evening’s Procession: “Rachel”, owned by Mark & Jayne Saxon Runner up: “My Lovely”, owned by Chris Mayo The Graham Capelin Award, For the best entry by a boater who has not previously taken part in either the Pageant or Illuminated Boats “Annie & Walt”, owned

by Mike and Lorraine Newman The Westminster Trophy, Donated by the City of Westminster for the winner of the Boat Handling Competition: Robin Hendley, on “Middlesex” The Roger Squires Trophy, Presented by St Pancras Cruising Club in recognition of Roger’s 10 years as their Commodore, it is awarded to the best novice competitor in the Boat Handling Competition: Myles Jackson, on “Alba” Middlesex The Vic Trott Memorial Trophy, For boaters and non-boaters, awarded to the couple in the best “Boaters’ Sunday Best” costume: Margaret Oliver The Mike Stevens Memorial Trophy, “Best Boat” at Canalway Cavalcade, selected from all the boat entries at the event, it is awarded in recognition of Mike’s outstanding contribution to IWA and Canalway Cavalcade during his lifetime: “Duchess”, owned by Peter Stanley Runner up; “Nimrod”, owned by Craig Haslam The Idle Women Shield, Sponsored by Jan Knox, proprietor of Canal Experience Training School, the shield was awarded to the best lady entrant in the Boat Handling Competition: Olivia Cochoran, steering “Teazel” Mark Saxon, Chairman of the IWA Canalway Cavalcade Organising Committee said: “The outstanding success of this year’s event is due entirely to the dedication of the volunteers who organise, set up and run the event. This weekend has been an enormous success, and we’re already eagerly considering 2020. Thank you to you all.”

Next year’s event is planned for the 2nd - 4th May. For more information please contact: General Enquiries, Press & Publicity: Tel: 07774 890750 or email: Tom Claydon canalway.cavalcade@waterways.org.uk

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The Inland Waterways Association IWA South East Region Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee Acting Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com Secretary: Chris Jones Tel: 07711 784374 Acting Treasurer & R. Wey: Mike Lewis Basingstoke & R. Thames: Vacant

Email: chrismjones10@btinternet.com K & A, WACT & Planning:-Verna Smith

IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee Tel: 07768 132703

Chair: Les Etheridge

Email: les.etheridge@waterways.org.uk

Secretary, Sussex Ouse & Cargoes Contact: Roy Sutton 79, St Leonards Park, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1EG Tel: 01342 317569 Email: RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk Treasurer & Royal Military Canal: Peter Wilkinson Membership Secretary: Anne Etheridge Social Secretary: Sue Schwieso Waterways Representatives R. Medway: Michael Marsh R. Stour: Roy Newing Thames & Medway: Bernard Snell Dartford & Crayford: Brian Franklin

R. Adur: Brendan Whelan Northfleet Harbour: Vacant R. Rother: Malcolm Jones Faversham & Swale: Vacant

IWA Oxfordshire Branch Committee Chair: Steve Good 1 The Bungalows, Ham Lane, Aston, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2DE Tel: 07825 296357 E-mail steve@stevegood.info Secretary: Brian Saunders Tintern Cottage, County View, Clifton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 0QA Tel: 01869 337227 Email: brisaunders33@gmail.com Treasurer: Ann Yeatman Webmaster: Robin Williams

Cargoes co-ordinator & Jericho: Terry Yeatman Non Committee Responsibilities

Thames RUG 3: Sue & David Cooper Next issue: Autumn 2019 Copy date: 22nd July 2019 Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. IWA, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783453 www.waterways.org.uk Cargoes Editor: Chris Jones Printed by www.imprintcolour.co.uk I Tel: 01252 330683

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