16 minute read
Waterways for today
CRT seeks IWA opinion before sales of heritage buildings
Our position on the sale of heritage property belonging to navigation authorities is that we believe navigation authorities – and other organisations that are owners of heritage waterways buildings – should continue as their custodians and to do this in a responsible way. Sale of such buildings into private hands should only take place after careful consideration and provided that every effort has been made to retain them. In this case, the sale must include adequate conditions to ensure that features of heritage interest are retained. If buildings are sold, every effort should be made to do this to another organisation with waterways or heritage affiliation which can assure a viable and appropriate future, wherever possible retaining it within the public realm.
Following the campaign to save Salterhebble Lock cottage and a constructive meeting with the Canal & River Trust, IWA’s Heritage Advisory Panel (HAP) and relevant local branches are now routinely consulted by the trust prior to any sales of its property. So far, HAP has flagged one property that needs to be further investigated, in terms of its heritage value and how local community organisations could use it. The auction of this property has subsequently been postponed while discussions take place.
Civic Trust recognises the work of the Inland Waterways Association
At the annual “Good, Bad and Ugly” awards hosted by Chester Civic Trust in March – an event with a little humour held to commemorate a year in tourism and promotion of the city – the Chester & Merseyside Branch of the Inland Waterways Association was honoured with a special award for the role it played in the awarding of the status of Inland Heritage Port to the city. The IWA team, led by John Herson, played a major role in the achievement of the first such award in the UK. The Civic Trust was especially pleased that the work helped raise the profile of its old port area, describing it as “an unappreciated part of Chester”.
The Chester & Merseyside Branch saw this new award, which was sponsored by (among others) the Governmentbacked National Historic Ships organisation, as an ideal way of contributing to good maintenance and protecting this historic environment.
Jim Forkin (Chair of IWA Chester & Merseyside) said, “Britain in the early part of the 20th century abandoned and lost too many of its historic waterway assets, and even with the growth of public interest in waterways we still have to restore and protect what we have left. This Historic Port scheme is an excellent way of showing to the public and the powers that be, the need for both protection of remaining artefacts and vigilance in the face of any new developments in these environments.”
Volunteer restorers, Jim and Marion Weir, have been awarded the Tetlow Jim and Marion Weir with the Tetlow Cup 2022. Memorial Cup by IWA North West Region for their outstanding contributions on the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals.
Over the past nearly eight years, and despite repeated recent lockdowns, the dedicated husband-and-wife team (pictured holding the Tetlow Cup on the skew bridge at Wappenshall Wharf, near Telford) has worked tirelessly at Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust work parties in Wappenshall Wharf, and in Shrewsbury, Newport and also Norbury in Staffordshire as well as at several WRG Canal Camps.
Not content with regularly getting their hands dirty at work parties, Jim and Marion have also been busy helping to update the SNCT website as well as improving the trust’s social-media presence.
In addition, the couple has developed the health-andsafety system used by SNCT and, written and published a Work Party Leader’s Manual for the trust that has been key to enabling volunteers to continue working at Wappenshall throughout much of the pandemic.
In nominating Jim and Marion, who live in Telford, Shropshire, for the award, Bernie Jones, chair of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust, said, “They have given their all to the restoration of our canals as regular attendees at all our work sites and also they have worked proactively behind the scenes sourcing materials and tools – often at their own expense before later reclaiming.” Bernie added: “Jim and Marion have worked hard to build up our social-media presence and continue to do so. There is really nothing more they could possibly fit into their lives to help progress our restoration.”
Mike Haig, chair of IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch, presented the cup to Jim and Marion and congratulated them at a Wappenshall work party in April 2022. The couple were totally surprised and were left somewhat speechless. Later Jim said, “It was a real surprise for Marion and me to receive this award from IWA.” Many fellow SNCT volunteers and others have added their congratulations on Facebook saying the award was “very well deserved”.
The Tetlow Cup is named in memory of a former Commodore of the Lymm Cruising Club, and is awarded annually by IWA North West Region to recognise efforts of those who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to ensure work continues to restore and enhance inland waterways in the UK. A previous local awardee was Peter Jones, shortly after his retirement from ‘Jones the Boats’ at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal.
Wappenshall Wharf is a three-way junction of the old 1797 Shrewsbury tub boat canal with the 1835 Newport Canal, which linked to the national network at Norbury Junction on the (now-named) Shropshire Union Canal. The extensive recent voluntary work by trust volunteers there has included pouring a concrete ‘floor’ and retaining walls to the huge East Basin prior to rewatering. The two-storey warehouse is also being renovated for use as function rooms and café.
IWA vacancy
IWA is looking for a dynamic professional to be the Operations Manager for the Association.
This full-time role will be responsible for the day-today running of the Association and managing the small team of paid staff who are supported by volunteers. It is all about delivering on the strategy and direction agreed by trustees, and reports to the CEO. It includes responsibility for marketing, IT, HR and general administration. Experience of managing a small diverse team is a pre-requisite, while knowledge of the waterways and IWA would be a benefit, but is not necessarily essential. For further information please contact the CEO: jonathan.smith@waterways.org.uk.
IN MEMORIAM
Dave Moore
David Moore, who died in July aged 83, was chair of IWA’s South East Region for nearly 12 years.
Dave first went on a canal hire-boat holiday in 1963 and returned for more in 1965. He later visited the London Boat Show, joined the Association and, within a couple of years, was helping on IWA’s stand at the boat show and continued to do so for many years.
In 1975, Dave joined IWA Chelmsford Branch’s committee as sales officer, becoming chair in 1980. Two years later, he became chair of the South East Region. In 1986, he was chair of IWA’s successful National Rally at Brentford. He remained region chair until 1991 and then took up office again from January 1993 to April 1995.
Having taken early retirement, Dave stood in as (paid) temporary office supervisor at IWA’s then-Regent’s Park Road office in summer 1995. He was a keen supporter of WRG, and also set up and chaired the Friends of the London Canal Museum.
Throughout this period, Dave was ably supported by his wife Mavis, and daughters Judith and Alison, with the whole family providing wide-ranging support for the Association. Judith became a regular WRG navvy, eventually marrying Mike Palmer (WRG chair), and becoming an IWA trustee and national treasurer.
Following Dave’s retirement, Dave and Mavis moved to Staffordshire and Dave became a keen supporter, trustee and marketing manager for Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. Mavis predeceased Dave in 2018.
R e DIT h P A l M Ju
STOP PReSS
With great sadness we also report the loss of two other stalwart members and supporters of IWA – John Baylis and Tony Hirst. John was active for more than 50 years for the Association and WRG, being a founder director of the WRG Board and its longest serving director. Tony was an IWA Vice President and long-time curator of the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. Our thoughts go out to their families and full appreciations will follow in the next edition.
IN MEMORIAM
Steve Warwicker
Colleagues throughout IWA, and particularly members of the Navigation Committee, were saddened to hear about the death of Steve Warwicker from cancer. Steve’s involvement started with the Avon & Wiltshire Branch and he became South-West & South Wales Region representative on the Navigation Committee. This led to him taking on the chairmanship of that committee in 2018. He brought great knowledge and enthusiasm to the role benefitting from a canoeing and sailing rather than narrowboat-owning background.
Steve’s work experience was in high-level business and project management and, following retirement and a move to Portishead, he continued his passion for sailing and canoeing, particularly encouraging and supporting use by disability groups. He was an RYA senior dinghy instructor and power-boat instructor as well as a Regional Waterways Advisor for British Canoeing.
Steve believed strongly in the concept of ‘Waterways for All’ and he led the Navigation Committee in making contact with other user organisations such as British Canoeing.
His enthusiasm went a long way to encourage committee members to address many issues not previously seen as traditional IWA ground. As Steve’s illness progressed, we were inspired by the way in which he battled to continue his IWA involvement and addressed the eventual result with great stoicism. Steve will be sadly missed by all his IWA colleagues. Ivor Caplan
IWA responds to CRT government grant review update
The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the outcome of its review into Canal & River Trust’s grant, which had been due on 1st July, has been postponed until the autumn. The review will determine future grant funding for Canal & River Trust beyond 2027.
The Inland Waterways Association believes that the ongoing funding of Canal & River Trust’s waterways is absolutely essential, and hopes that the postponement will give Defra more time to consider the many ways in which our inland waterways benefit the economy, the environment and the UK population.
IWA is shortly to launch the ‘Waterways for Today’ report (page 16) outlining the many benefits that waterways provide in terms of jobs and financial benefits to local communities, as well as environmental benefits through flood mitigation, transfer of drinking water and providing habitat corridors for wildlife and biodiversity. Waterways also provide important opportunities for improved health and well-being for the whole population.
These benefits can only be realised if waterways are well maintained and looked after, and it is vitally important that the waterways receive adequate funding from Government. IWA will be lobbying Defra to consider all these many benefits during their ongoing funding review of waterways.
Boating Parade showcases the region's canals ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
IWA collaborated with Canal & River Trust and the BCN Society in organising a spectacular parade through the centre of Birmingham on Saturday 25th June. Over 60 boats cruised from the recently opened Roundhouse, through Gas Street Basin to the Mailbox. The parade was led by Atlas, one of a pair now run jointly by BCNS and Coombeswood Canal Trust, followed by the entire CRT heritage fleet Nansen, Swift and the pair Scorpio & Leo with, among others, Caggy, a BCN icebreaker named after the legendary boatman.
Other boats of interest on the parade included Doris Katia, which led the narrowboats in the 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant, and APT Wanderer whose extensive cruising includes the Mersey, Ribble, Wash and Trent Falls.
The parade gave the large crowd an entertaining afternoon with local musicians and emergency services adding to the fun as well as showing the value of Birmingham’s canals.
Boats waiting to begin the parade.
MAIN IMAGE:
Camden. NIGEL ESSERY
INSET:
Gas Street Basin, Birmingham Old Line. NIGEL ESSERY
Waterways for Today
Waterways for Today is a new report om the Inland Waterways Association, to be published this summer
As IWA members and other readers of Waterways already know, our canals and rivers are really important for wildlife, heritage and recreation, but they also make very signifi cant contributions to local economies and the lives of people who live near them.
This new report establishes the concept of the inland waterway network as a vital part of Britain’s in astructure and demonstrates why the ongoing maintenance and regeneration of Britain’s navigable waterways are essential. It also makes the case for bringing up to 500 more miles of currently derelict waterways back into use, and indicates how waterway projects can contribute to the Government’s Build Back Be er agenda.
The report identifi es 12 distinct benefi ts that demonstrate that transforming canals and rivers can revitalise local economies and improve people’s lives, as well as providing signifi cant opportunities for environmental benefi ts and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Improvements to navigable waterways and the restoration of abandoned canals and rivers can act as the catalyst for wider investment and regeneration.
These benefi ts can only be realised if waterways are well maintained and looked a er. The report emphasises how essential it is that the waterways in public ownership funded by national or devolved government (such as those managed by the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency and Sco ish Canals) receive adequate fi nancial support. Smaller independent or local authori -owned waterways also need access to additional funds so they can remain viable as an important resource for local people.
Among the high-profi le waterway supporters who have provided quotes for the report are IWA Vice Presidents Sir David and Lady Sheila Suchet, actors Gri Rhys Jones and Timothy Spall, and Tim Smit, the founder of the Eden Project.
The report features case studies om around England, Scotland and Wales covering restoration projects, regeneration on navigable waterways, communi projects, environmental projects and much more, that all demonstrate the vast range of benefi ts that well-funded and maintained waterways can bring to local communities and the wider economy.
The report is a resource that can be used to persuade Government and local authorities that post-Brexit and Covid-19 recovery funding, such as the Levelling Up and the Shared Prosperi funds, would be well spent on waterway regeneration and restoration projects. Printed copies of the report will be sent to national and devolved government, politicians, local authorities and other organisations such as funding bodies.
The report will be used by IWA for its national and parliamentary campaigning, both as a stand-alone document and alongside other reports and initiatives being progressed at the current time or in the future. The fi rst such use will be in supporting the call to Government for su cient funding for CRT in its grant om De a om 2027 onwards.
The report can also be used by waterway-restoration organisations and IWA branches as a resource for persuading local authorities and grant-giving bodies that investing in individual waterwayregeneration projects will bring signifi cant benefi ts for local population and economy.
Over the next few issues of Waterways we will delve into more detail of each of these benefi ts.
Overview of the 12 benefits
The report pulls together evidence from a wide range of sources that demonstrates the value of the waterways, by identifying 12 key benefits with some compelling quotes, case studies, stats and data about each one.
Economic
•BEnEfIt 1: ContrIButIng to thECountry's
EConomIC rECovEry – waterway-regeneration projects can level up rural and urban areas and improve the lives of • millions of people. BEnEfIt 2: InCrEAsEd spEnd In loCAl
CommunItIEs – boat-based tourism and leisure activities contribute £2.5bn to the economy each year, with people on day trips, boat holidays and taking part in water-based • activities spending even more in local pubs, cafés and shops. BEnEfIt 3: sAvIngs to thEnhsAnd soCIAl-CArE
BudgEts – waterways are well placed to improve the health, well-being and longevity of the many people living near them, through increased physical activities and social prescribing.
natural and Built Environment
•BEnEfIt 4: protECtIng And ImprovIng thE nAturAl EnvIronmEnt – waterways are blue-green corridors that allow opportunities for reconnecting disparate • habitats, biodiversity net gain and improvements for wildlife. BEnEfIt 5: WAtErWAys hErItAgE for futurE gEnErAtIons – with their historic buildings and structures, waterways form a vast, open-air heritage network, accessible to everyone and bringing history to life • for current and future generations. BEnEfIt 6: sustAInABIlIty – planning for resilience and climate change – our waterways face unprecedented challenges from climate change, but they can be part of the solution through adaptation, mitigation and enhancing the natural environment.
E y E dl s m son Al I
Bristol harbour ferry by old gas works.
local Communities
•BEnEfIt 7: ConnECtIng CommunItIEs – access to the paths that run alongside our waterways is free. These inclusive, flat, linear routes can be used as active travel corridors to connect communities and provide passage • between urban and rural areas. BEnEfIt 8: EduCAtIon And young pEoplE – waterways offer opportunities for hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, as well as the humanities and arts, through outdoor classrooms, • visits to local waterways and inter-generational learning. BEnEfIt 9: JoBs, trAInIng And ApprEntICEshIps – waterways offer many opportunities for employment, training and apprenticeships including in the tourism, leisure, hospitality, engineering and construction sectors.
Improving people's lives
•BEnEfIt 10: ImprovEd physICAl hEAlth – waterways open up multiple opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, running, cycling, fishing, sailing, canoeing, • paddleboarding and volunteering. BEnEfIt 11: ImprovEd mEntAl hEAlth And WEll-
BEIng – waterways can boost well-being and improve mental health through physical recreation, shared social • experiences and connecting with nature. BEnEfIt 12: CrEAtIng BEttEr plACEs to lIvE – waterside locations create a sense of place that can enhance people’s enjoyment of the area they live in. This can encourage greater diversity and inclusivity across local communities.
LEft: Historic boats bring history to life at the National Waterways
Museum at Ellesmere Port.
BELow, LEft to right: Rowing and trip-boats, Avon.
Stroudwater Canal at Ebley Mill. Family towpath cycling.
E s E r W A y Im A g W A t llyn l l EWE rA ymond E r t pE
