Inland Waterways Association South, North East London Branches Meridian Newsletter Summer 2019

Issue 21

The newsletter of South and North & East London Branches

Summer 2019

Record Number of Boats at Festival Bank Holiday weekend saw the 37th annual IWA Canalway Cavalcade taking place in Little Venice, London. Unsettled weather across the weekend didn’t dampen spirits with a record number of 150 boats lined up along the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals, many moored by their sterns in Browning’s Pool.

Alongside the gleaming boats, with their bunting flying and brass work shining, there was a great selection of events and activities across the weekend.

Photo Tim Lewis 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 in the festival, there was a wide variety of stalls selling their wares, including jewellery, plants and traditional painted boating paraphernalia. The Stone Wharf offered many In this issue: different food and beverage options, keeping the hungry visitors sustained whilst they listened to Canalway Cavalcade colourful live music in the festival’s real ale bar.

Chairman's Reports Future Events Libby Bradshaw, Ceremonial and Children’s Activities Manager, introduced the Lord Mayor London Socials of Westminster, Councillor Lindsey Hall, who Planning applications welcomed everyone to the City of Westminster London W alks and thanked the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) for putting on the event. Mark Saxon, London Vision Chairman of the IWA Canalway Cavalcade Heritage Officer Committee, followed and welcomed everyone to Committee Members the event, paying special attention to this year’s and contact Details theme ‘celebrating our volunteers’. Libby thanked British Land for their sponsorship and support before the Lord Mayor of Westminster Cover photo (Tim Lewis) rang the bell to formally open the event. This Cavalcade. was echoed by cheers around the pool, the See article this page. ringing of bells and horns, and the start of the Pageant.

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In Rembrandt Gardens, children were entertained by a number of different acts and Sunday saw the wonderful Teddy Bears picnic, which even brought the sun out. 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.

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, widow of Arthur Farrand Radley who started Canalway Cavalcade in 1983 and John Edmonds, Vice-President of IWA London Region.

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, 3rd & 4th of May.

Photo Tim Lewis

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Marcus Boudier Trophy for the best decorated privately entered boat in Saturday’s themed Pageant Winner: 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: Winner: Opportunity, owned by Laburnam Boat Club and decorated by IWA's Waterway Recovery Group The Cruise Electric Trophy For the best illuminated boat in Sunday evening’s Procession: Winner: Rachel, owned by Mark and 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 Saturday Pageant or Illuminated Boats Winner: 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 Winner: Middlesex, steered by Robin Hendley 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 CompetitionWinner: Alba, steered by Myles Jackson The Vic Trott Memorial Trophy Is open to boaters and non-boaters, awarded to the couple in the best “Boaters’ Sunday Best” costume: Winner: Margaret Oliver The Mike Stevens Memorial Trophy Goes to the “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 Winner: 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 Winner: Teazel, steered by Olivia Corcoran

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Opportunity crewed by WRG shovellers

Rachel crewed by Rachel?

Middlesex

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In our Spring Issue our London Regional Chairman, Paul Strudwick, announced the establishment of the new “Heritage Group”. In his own words Paul sums up: “Heritage is not just concerning specific buildings or structures; it applies to the entire character of our rivers and canals. The diversity from highly industrial to remote landscapes, which has always been a major attraction of our waterways, is gradually being lost to mediocre housing estates.”

Progress has already been started by our Middlesex Branch in recording important Heritage within their own patch with the idea of rolling out to other branches within the London Region. In the meantime I have the privilege of being appointed as “London Regional Heritage Officer” to oversee the work undertaken by our branches across London to help ensure we have a consistent approach. So far Paul and I have been working together in designing a suitable database to record all of our findings, whilst members have already been coming forward in offering invaluable information for our database to get the whole thing started.

The plan for this summer is to launch fieldwork, and/or personal research, within the Branches to identify our existing Heritage with an emphasis on sites which may already be at risk. To help your branch members to get started with this exciting project I plan to be in contact with Branch representatives in the near future to provide guidance, and/or agree, the best way forward.

I would welcome all members to come forward, or make contact with me anytime on an individual basis, with any information, photos or documents relating to anywhere on our London Region Waterways which you consider is important to our future Heritage.

Derek Humphries London Regional Heritage Officer

derek.humphries@waterways.org.uk

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Date

Route

19 May Sunday

Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square - Camden Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden Secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

26 May Sunday 2 June Sunday 6 July Saturday 10:45 7 July Sunday 21 July Sunday

Limehouse – Thames – Docklands

4 August Sunday

Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green 18 August Sunday Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square - Camden 31 August Saturday Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to 10:45 Camden 1 September Sunday Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden 15 September Limehouse – Thames – Docklands Sunday 5 October Saturday Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross 1045 Granary Square - Camden 6 October Sunday Grand Surrey Canal: Royal navy Victualling Yard, Greenland Dock 20 October Sunday Secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 3 November Sunday

Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse

Start (Tube Station) King’s Cross (taxi rank) Warwick Avenue Mile End Warwick Avenue Stratford, by “Newham London” sign Westferry DLR (by Cycle Hire Point) Paddington Bakerloo Praed Street exit King’s Cross (taxi rank) Warwick Avenue Warwick Avenue Westferry DLR (by Cycle Hire Point) King’s Cross (taxi rank) Surrey Quays Stratford, by “Newham London” sign Mile End

● To go on a Towpath Walk, simply turn up. No advance booking is needed.

Unless otherwise indicated the Walks start at 2.30 pm. ● Regular charge is £10; concessionary rate is £8. ● For further details, look on the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk, or contact Roger Wilkinson at 020 3612 9624.

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Summer is coming and the waterways are once again alive with the sounds of birds and of boats moving along them. I hope you are able to get out and join us at some of the waterway events around London this year. Of course the success of these will depend on the weather so let’s hope for some good, not too hot, and with just enough rain to keep the canals and rivers navigable.

Over recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of boats on London’s waterways and greater demands on the waterways corridor for leisure and commuting purposes. This is putting increasing stress on the infrastructure of London’s historic waterway system and leading to conflicts of interest between stakeholders. We believe there is a need for action to protect everyone’s enjoyment of this important asset and maintain it for future generations.

London Region has, to help its campaign for a vibrant inland waterway system in London, produced its Vision for London. It sets out our ambition for waterways that meet the highest ecological standards for both habitat and pollution, and that are free of rubbish. It highlights various areas of concern, from the threat of non-native plants and animals, to the need to reduce the amount of plastic entering the London Canals and River Navigations. It suggests ways, we think, the waterways could be managed so that every boater who wishes to have a permanent mooring can find and afford one, and where all boaters can find suitable overnight moorings, while travelling around the waterways. Please have a look at it on our website at https://www.waterways.org.uk/branches_regions/london/pdfs/vision_for_london Last time I asked if there was anyone interested in becoming our Heritage Officer to support branches in protecting the remaining London heritage. I am pleased to say we have appointed Derek Humphries, who is working to produce and maintain a list of remaining heritage objects. Thank you Derek. But he can’t do this on his own! He will need your help going out and about to identify where things are and reporting back.

We will be writing to you soon to tell you more about how you can help.

A heritage structure we know about on The Thames!

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Finally, your region receives a donation, each year from the efforts of our members who take the London Walks around the canals. Each year we like to donate this to a deserving waterways charity. This year we selected the Susan Trust who are restoring Susan the only surviving timber-built Chelmer barge. She was built by Prior's of Burnham-on-Crouch for Brown's Timber of Chelmsford, and closely resembles the traditional horsedrawn Chelmer Lighters which worked the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from its opening in 1797. Brown's, founded by canal engineer Richard Coates, was both the first and the last firm to use the Navigation, running barges up from Heybridge laden with timber until 1972. The restoration work on Susan is being carried out at St Osyth Boatyard in Essex. This boatyard has an excellent reputation for its work on the restoration of Thames Sailing Barges. On completion of the restoration, The Susan Trust intend to apply for a public passenger license to enable Susan to give trips on the Navigation and thus provide funds for her future maintenance.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person Deputy National Chairman

Chelmer Canal Trust site says: Susan is the only surviving timber-built Chelmer barge. She was built in 1953 by Prior's of Burnham-on-Crouch for Brown's Timber of Chelmsford, and closely resembles the traditional horsedrawn Chelmer Lighters which worked the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from its opening in 1797.

Brown's, founded by canal engineer Richard Coates, was both the first and the last firm to use the Navigation,

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The Branch continues to represent our members through various means, for example by attendance at meetings with other organisations, contributing to reports and studies and by commenting on planning applications.

On the Planning side we are pleased that the proposed expansion of moorings in Limehouse basin has been refused and is unlikely to be appealed. There were over 150 objections to the BWML Plans. We are still seeing many new Planning applications with the largest schemes generally being in the East and on the Isle of Dogs. The largest being the massive development to the East Side Of Waterworks River on the Olympic Park which, along with residential and commercial space, will include facilities for the V&A, London College of Fashion, the BBC and Sadlers Wells. We note that the controversial Limehouse Triangle site has been cleared for construction. On commenting on Planning Applications a balance has to be struck between schemes that only marginally affect the nearby waterways ambience but create a major improvement to the local housing stock.

We are continuing to monitor the Crossrail/Thames Water project in Stratford, where the towpath blockage still has not been resolved on the Bow Back Loop despite considerable pressure from the Branch.

We continue to attend meetings wit the Port of London and Greater London Authority regarding navigation issues on the Tidal Thames. Recent meetings have highlighted a marked rise in the number of breakdowns on the river, proposed new bridges and the increase in Thames tideway construction barge traffic. We have been informed that some 50 cruise liners plus 16 warships are due to visit London this year also the the Illuminated Bridges project will commence in 2020.

We have been giving advice to a new group the 'Friends of the River Roding'.

They are a group of young people who have settled on this disused river navigation in Barking, East London, with the aim of bringing it back to life.

This spring they are launching the 'ReOpen the Roding' campaign to make navigation possible again up to the historic limit of navigation at Ilford (about 1.5 miles above where it is currently possibly to navigate), as well as opening up a riverside path on publicly owned land to the side of the river. The river is owned by the Crown Estate and the group are meeting with them.

In the short-term, it seems like they will sign a month-to-month licence agreement with the “Friends� to be on the river. In the longer term, though, they seem open to granting us a lease of the river to improve it and bring it back to life if we can legitimise the group.

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I was pleased to see that many of our Branch members volunteered their time at Canalway Cavalcade, the next main event in the Branch Area will be the Angel Canal Festival, the Festival of Water at Waltham Abbey over the August Bank Holiday being just outside of the Branch Area.

We are pleased to see a new commercial waste activity which is removing waste by canal from Camden Market to the Powerday waste facility in Acton.

At the Branch AGM in March the existing committee members due for re-election were voted back on but we would love to see more people come forward to assist the Branch in its important activities. Also at the AGM, as can be seen on the right, we were delighted to receive a cheque from Roger Wilkinson, wearing his IWA London Walks hat, which was our share of the profits from their guided walks programme.

Tim Lewis

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of the London Region or its branches. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter within this publication.

Editor: Chris Bushill, 52, Brycedale Crescent, Southgate, London, N14 7EU. E-mail chris.bushill@waterways.org.uk Published by the IWA, North & East and South London Branches at: Island House, Moor Road, 13

As I write this we are all recovering from running Canalway Cavalcade which was said to be the coldest May weekend for 50 years – and it felt like it!! A full report on the event can be found elsewhere in this magazine but thank you to all South London members who helped in so many ways. Special thanks to Andrew Strawson who has been co-ordinating the information stands, the volunteer applications and health & safety plan for the past few years but is now standing down.

In March we held our AGM and I am pleased to say all our committee have agreed to continue and we also welcome Derek Humphries as a new member. In addition to joining South London Branch committee Derek has been appointed IWA London Region Heritage officer. This is in relation to IWA’s Vision for London and he has written an article on this role elsewhere in the magazine. Any contributions to his research will be much appreciated.

For those who were not at the AGM I have included my report at the end of this article.

Although some of the events and meetings have now gone some of these are referred to elsewhere. As it says we are looking for helpers for our branch stand at future events including the Festival of Water at Waltham Abbey on 24th – 26th August, Angel Canal Festival on Sunday 1st September and Slough Canal Festival on 7th – 8th September.

All offers of help to Eric Garland please on 07940 830252.

The summer months are just about here and I hope you will all enjoy holidays on or off the waterways whether walking, boating, fishing or otherwise visiting places of interest. A group of 11 narrowboats are going on an exciting trip up to Boston, crossing the Wash on June 15th/16th weekend into the Fenland waterways. Panacea will be setting off mid-May and we will have tales to tell in the next edition of Meridian Cuttings. In the Region Social talk on Tuesday 15th October Simon Judge and I will share some of our exploits.

Have a good summer!

Libby

Pearly King and Queen at Angel Canal Festival

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I reported last year that the previous year had been quite challenging for the branch partly due to several health problems amongst the committee. Unfortunately, the past year has been no better as almost all of us have had health issues of varying severity.

Our secretary, Allan Scott, has had further serious problems and sadly had to be in hospital over Christmas. He is unable to be here tonight but sends his good wishes.

South London branch covers a large area South of the River Thames but also has members from all over the country and overseas. Our main waterway is the Tidal River Thames and the various rivers which flow into it such as the River Wandle. We also have some disused waterways such as the Grand Surrey Canal and the Croydon canal.

We are reviewing our publicity display materials and looking at two themes, one of waterways in our area and another of events and activities. Any photographs or offers of help would be greatly appreciated.

SALES AND PUBLICITY During the year we took the branch stand to various events including IWA Canalway Cavalcade, Angel Canal Festival and Slough Canal festival. We plan to return to these events this year and go to the Festival of Water over the August bank holiday weekend at Waltham Abbey. We are looking for other opportunities to ‘fly the flag’ at local events, not necessarily waterway related. Our next event will be IWA Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice over the weekend of 4th – 6th May. The theme for this year’s event is Celebrating Our Volunteers. (Note – report on this event can be found elsewhere in Meridian Cuttings) Throughout the year we have been selling Waterway books that have been donated to the branch both at events and branch meetings. In the autumn we again ordered Christmas cards and calendars for people which made some additional money for the branch.

SOCIAL MEETINGS Branch socials have continued to be organised by Shea Richardson for which much thanks. We hope you enjoy the programme she has put together and please let her know of any topics that would interest you – and any contacts you have for good talks. In house speakers always welcome. Talks since the last AGM have included 35 years of Canalway Cavalcade, a magic lantern show, the Basingstoke canal and, in the autumn, Waterway books, Brewing along the river Wandle and a presentation from Paul about the proposed IWA vision for London.

In late September we had a small group outing on the Basingstoke Canal and at the same time celebrated our secretary Allan Scott’s 70th birthday which was the following day. In January the region social, which is open to all, was a daytime visit to the Museum of Docklands followed by a meal at the Ledger Building next door.

We had another very successful annual dinner on Friday 18th January at the Caprini Waterloo, ably organised once again by Judith Hunter for the branch. This was greatly enjoyed by all and our thanks to Judith for organising it.

We started the 2019 talks last month with a talk on Narrowboat Raymond which 15 celebrated 60 years last year.

LIAISON WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS In May last year I was invited to a meeting in London to find out more about the work of Waterway Chaplains and their plans to increase the number of chaplains in London. These are people willing to support and listen to people in need around our canals. An article about their work was in Meridian Cuttings which came out in May 2018. Their next training session for Waterway chaplains is in early April where they will be looking at ‘PTSD on the Waterways – not just a military problem’. I have been invited to attend again.

I was invited to the launch of the River Thames Boat Project’s new boat at Teddington, also last May. South London Branch has supported this community project at various times over the 30 years it has been in existence. The project makes the River Thames accessible to all by use of their specially adapted Dutch barge, ‘Thames Venturer’. The second, smaller, boat ‘Thames Discoverer’ will also be able to cruise the River Wey and canals. We were sad to find Miranda Jaggers’ post at the project was coming to an end and she was facing redundancy after 29 years being the backbone to its success.

However, on a happier note I am pleased to say she was awarded the BEM in this year’s New Year honours. Congratulations to Miranda!

With my RNLI ‘hat’ on I continue to liaise with the local Lifeboat Management Group at Chiswick and fundraise for the service. Work continues to be done to improve safety along the Thames and to educate those with riverside pubs and clubs to know how to use throw lines effectively. Last year I was asked to join a forum including PLA, C&RT, London Fire Brigade and RNLI re safety on boats and prevention of drowning, especially on the River Thames. This is as an IWA representative. I have been to a couple of these meetings so far On Saturday 13th April we have been invited to join Thames 21 for a foreshore clean-up of the River Thames at Battersea, by the slipway in Battersea Church Road, along with the local community. Please sign up at the back if you are interested in helping. (Note – report on this elsewhere in Meridian Cuttings) The Thames Tideway Navigators Club annual forum takes place next Wednesday which I will be attending as a boater – more on that at a later date.

THANK YOU TO COMMITTEE AND OTHERS We continue to keep an eye on developments along the Thames and River Wandle. Thank you to Shea for keeping an eye on the Wandle Valley, Simon and Eric for Deptford Creek developments and Simon for taking on the role of Planning Officer for the branch Thanks to our treasurer, Dorothy, who not only keeps the books balanced but has also kindly agreed to take the minutes this evening; our secretary, Allan Scott, who couldn’t be here tonight and our Publicity Officer, Lesley. As well as publicity Lesley organises the refreshments at these meetings and supplies delicious cakes. Thank you to all of you who help prepare and tidy up this room.

Thanks to George and Sandy who have kindly stored the branch stand and its kit, to Gerard and Eric who are key to ensuring the branch stand is manned at events along with all committee members, Chris Bushill from North and East London branch who edits our joint newsletter, Meridian Cuttings and to all this year’s committee for their hard work - Dorothy, Allan, Lesley, Shea and Simon. We would be grateful for any additional help that can be offered.

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Unless otherwise indicated, the following South London Branch Social meetings take place at 7.45 for 8.00 p.m. In The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. (See inside back cover, p23, for map) Wednesday 12th June A presentation by Philip Emery from The Canal & River Trust on relationships between waterways societies 24th – 26th August IWA FESTIVAL OF WATEROn the Lee Navigation at Waltham Abbey We will be taking our branch stand and `Waterways Game’ to this event, so help is needed and essential to run our stand, so please let us know if you can help.

Wednesday 11th September: `Thames 21’ Speaker TBC Wednesday 9th October:

Social meeting at Croydon; Speaker TBC

Wednesday 13th November:

Social meeting at Croydon; Speaker TBC

Wednesday 11th December:

Christmas Social meeting at Croydon Members & Friends are invited to bring slides & stories of this year’s boating.

All are welcome at our meetings, IWA members or non-members.

There is no admission charge for talks, film shows or presentations but we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you.

There is good parking adjacent to the hall and excellent transport links via East Croydon train and tram stations.

For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson Tel: 07803 904803 or e-mail: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk For updates and information on our social meetings Please check https://www.waterways.org.uk/southlondon/south_london 17

North and East London Branch recently agreed a grant of £1000 to Cody Dock. The Dock is run by the Gasworks Dock Partnership whose aims for Cody Dock include: Helping people access the Lower Lea’s environment and celebrate the area’s industrial heritage Developing a community based arts and creative industries quarter on the banks of the River Lea Forging links with the wider community and enabling them to access and enjoy the River Lea Developing the site as an incubator for creative enterprise Nurturing sustainable income that will enable the development to support a wide range of arts, cultural and educational programs Providing new pathways into work for local people Creating a regeneration vehicle for conservation, environmental and cultural benefit The Gasworks Dock Partnership was formed as a social enterprise in November 2009 and registered as a charity in April, 2011.

From 2015 – 2018, GDP opened Cody Dock’s gates to over 50,000 visitors and worked with over 6,000 volunteers on the clean up and restoration of its riverside footpaths.

With Phase One complete and the Leaway River Lea Park now started, Cody Dock is home to a number of creative industries, social enterprises and visitor attractions, that include: Docklands Community Boat, Cody Dock Cafe, gallery and exhibition space, outdoor classroom and studio spaces.

In April 2018, GDP successfully gained planning permission for the seven year development plan of its 2.5 acre site. This will include: New visitor centre & café, exhibition space, social and industrial heritage archive and pavilion, ten new studios and workshop spaces, ten new live/work moorings, visitor moorings and dry dock facilities.

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Basingstoke Canal Public Trips in Hampshire aboard the John Pinkerton II restarted at Easter 2019, see: www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/jp/public-trips Trips from Woking aboard the Society’s trip boat Kitty also restarted at Easter 2019 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. Public Trips run 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. Private charters are also available.

Wey and Arun Canal.

The Trust's trading company, W&A Enterprises Ltd, on behalf of The Wey & Arun Canal Trust, runs three trip boats. The electrically powered boat, Wiggonholt, is wider than a conventional narrowboat and can accommodate up to 50 passengers. It has an access lift for passengers with mobility difficulties. (Please note that mobility impaired passengers should make themselves known to the boat crew or ticket office at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time). The boats cruise along the idyllic Loxwood Link section of the canal on the Surrey/West Sussex border.

Public trips in 2019 began on Sunday 31st March and run every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until October. Seasonal special cruises run on various days through the year. Private charters are also available.

Unless otherwise indicated, all boat trips depart from the Canal Centre behind the Onslow Arms in Loxwood RH14 0RD (GPS Coordinates: 51.069881N, 0.514819W).

A large car and coach park for canal visitors is available beyond the Onslow Arms car park.

Bookings: Phone: 01403 752403 (Monday - Friday 9.30am - 1.30pm) Email: office@weyandarun.co.uk

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Members of IWA South London Branch and local residents joined Thames21 who were organising a clean-up of the foreshore by Battersea Church on Saturday 13th April.

This was the launch of their Thames River Watch programme in this area which has also been launched in Hammersmith, the City of London, Greenwich and Isle of Dogs to act as focal points of activity for Thames research.

Thames21 is a charity which has committed itself to cleaning up the river and identifying some of the rubbish that is washed up. They are counting the number of single-use plastic bottles washed up over time and will use this important data to campaign against/challenge mainstream production of plastic products. The following link gives details of the main items washed up https://www.thames21.org.uk/thames-riverwatch/pollution-monitoring-results/ Thames21 hopes to gather an active group of volunteers to lead in monthly clean ups of the foreshore at Old Swan Wharf, Battersea. With their support, they hope this group of volunteers will collect data on the main plastic offenders being washed up with the returning tide. They will also be counting the number of single-use plastic drinking bottles washed up every fortnight. Please consider helping with this or in one of the other clean-ups closer to you. The next date is Wednesday May 29th, 2-4pm during London Rivers Week.

Contact Libby Bradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk or on 07956 655037 or Thames21 direct.

Welcome to members who have joined us recently. The new GDPR now stops us from naming you individually. However we would like to extend you a warm welcome to the branches and their activities. We hope to see you at some of our social meetings and to meet you at IWA events later in the year, where new volunteers are also always welcome. Whatever your interest in the waterways we hope that you will find something here for you and new friends to meet. If I, or any of the branch officers, can assist with any questions you may have please do not fail to get in contact with us.

Our details can be found at the back of this newsletter.

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Role

North & East London

Chairman

Tim Lewis Tel: 02085300425 / 07802518094 tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk

Secretary

Roger Squires Tel: 02072320987 roger.squires@waterways.org.uk

Minutes Secretary Treasurer Social Secretary

Newsletter Editor Membership Secretary

Vacancy Ian Israel Tel: 020 84461823 ian.israel@waterways.org.uk Vacancy

South London Libby Bradshaw Tel: 02088742787 / 07956 655037 libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk AllanScott TeTel: 02086428104 / 07985728844 allan.scott@waterways.org.uk Vacancy Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk Shea Richardson, Tel: 02086770196 / 07803904803 shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk

Chris Bushill Tel: 02082457063; chris.bushill@waterways.org.uk Liz Rayner liz.rayner@waterways.org.uk

Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk Lesley Pryde-Coales Tel: 07787 372408 lesley.pryde@waterways.org.uk

Publicity Officer

Vacancy

Sales Officer

Vacancy

Vacancy

Events Officer

Vacancy

Vacancy

Planning Officer

Rod Gray rodgray125@aol.com

Vacancy

Work Party Officer

Vacancy

Vacancy

Roger Wilkinson – London Walks Rep. Tel: 02036129624 roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk

Simon Dyer Tel: 020 8769 2981/ 07857 978111 simondyer@outlook.com

Committee Members

Ex-Officio as Region Chairman South London Representatives

Paul Strudwick Tel: 01245358342 / 07885240291 paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

Planning & Navigation Committee: Eric Garland Wandle Valley developments: Shea Richardson Deptford Creek developments: Eric Garland

If you feel you could help with any of the vacancies above we would love to hear from you

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London’s new super sewer has become the longest tunnel beneath the River Thames after miners working deep underground passed the 2km mark. The tunnel is comprised of ‘rings’, each of which is formed of seven concrete segments. The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) to launch has now completed more than 1,000 rings.

Millicent, the TBM responsible the central delivery team’s westbound drive, was working deep underground somewhere beneath Albert Bridge and Battersea Bridge (at the time of writing), with around 3km to go until Carnwath Road in Fulham. The previous record for ‘longest tunnel beneath the Thames’ was held by the 1.3km HS1 tunnel, which crosses between Kent and Essex at Ebbsfleet.

All spoil from the tunnelling operation at Kirtling Street, where Millicent launched, is being removed from site by barge. Tideway’s commitment to use the river to transport as much material as possible is keeping thousands of lorries off London’s roads. More than one million tonnes have now been transported by river across the project.

Chambers Wharf Progress The Tideway Tunnel site, Chambers Wharf, is located in Bermondsey within walking distance of Tower Bridge. Chambers Wharf is one of Tideway’s main drive sites, meaning that it will be used to launch the tunnel boring machine (TBM) Selina, which will travel 5km eastwards to Abbey Mills Pumping Station. It will also receive Ursula the TBM from Tideway’s central site and Annie the TBM used to form the Greenwich Connection Tunnel.

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IWA South London Branch, United Reformed Church, Croydon

IWA Meet here

IWA Former Venue

Paddington Hammersmith & City Line exit

IWA Region and North & East London Branch, 2 Kingdom St, Paddington

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The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245.

Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783 453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country' s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.