Aegre March 2005

AEGRE

March 2005

NO 110

Inland Waterways Association East Midlands Region Committee Chairman WRG

John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Mansfield. NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208

Vice-Chairman & Treasurer

Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End Goxhill. DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138

Leicestershire Branch Chairman

Carol McDonald

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Dave Carnell, as above.

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman

Nancy Johnson, 37 Eastmoor, Cotgrave, Nottingham.

NG12 3NU Tel: 0115 989 9612.

South Yorkshire & Dukeries Branch Chairman

Mavis Paul,116 Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Sheffield. S10 5AZ Tel: 0114 268 3927

Secretary

Graeme Wade, 9 Swan Drive, Sturton-by-Stow, Lincoln.

LN1 2EA Tel: 01427 787727.

Region Planning Officer

Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70, Main Street, Gunthorpe, Nottingham, NG14 7EU. David Johnson,37, Eastmoor, Cotgrave, Nottingham, NG12 3NU. Tel: 0115 989 9612.

Ian MacDonald, 30 Lutterworth Road, Leicester. LE2 8PF Tel: 0116 283 0834

AEGRE Editor:

David Pickup, 19 Rowanwood Drive, Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham, Lincs. NG31 8QT Tel: 01476 567744

Collation: Printing:

N&D Branch Members.

Terence Balchin, Inkers.

Inland Waterways Association, Registered Office, 3, Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth, WD3 1LT. Registered as a Charity No: 212342 Tele: 01923 711114 Fax: 01923 897000 Website: www.waterways.org.uk The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the East Midlands Region. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers.

AEGRE March 2005

NO 110 Contents

Page.

2 From The Editor.

Region Chairman's Notes 4 5 6

7 8 9 11 13 14 15 16 17 19 19 20

23 25 26 28 IFC IBC OBC

IWA Trailboat Festival 2005 Chesterfield Canal Campaigning Grantham Canal Developments

Pillip Osborn BW User Meetings Norwood Packet Progress at Foxton Cromford Canal Ecology Study Spondon Linear Park Waterway Recovery Group Long Horse Bridge Around The Branches Leicestershire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire South Yorkshire & The Dukeries

Crossword Puzzle Region Diary

Officers Of The Region.

Canal Societies in the Region.

Chesterfield Trailboat Festival 2005

Next Issue: To be published July 2005 Material: To the Editor by end of May 2005 Articles are by the Editor unless stated otherwise.

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From the Editor I was wondering what to have as my theme for this edition of AEGRE when two items appeared in the press bulletins produced by IWA Head Office. The first concerned the Conservative Party’s policy on the future of British Waterways. I glanced through it but decided that it was probably too deep, too political and too sensitive for a publication like AEGRE. However, John Fletcher, our National Chairman has organised a meeting with Oliver Letwin the Shadow Chancellor which should point out to him the error of his proposals.

But the second item offers much greater possibilities and allows me a certain degree of latitude. The IWA has produced a short note on the importance of inland waterways in the build up to Britain’s greatest ever naval triumph, that is, of course, the Battle of Trafalgar, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. This is cause for much celebration and at least one boat on the River Trent will be hoisting the famous signal from its mast on the 21st October.

The precise contribution to the battle made by the inland waterways is hard to identify but it must have been quite substantial. In 1805 canals and rivers constituted the sole effective and economical means of transporting goods around the country. Roads were available but were in very poor condition and expensive to use. They were slow and unreliable as they may have been impassable in places and, of course, Dick Turpin was hiding around every country. In areas without waterways though, such as the South West peninsular, roads were often the only means of transport.

But to transport guns, metal fittings, timber and other raw materials to the naval dockyards water would have to be used. In many cases this would simply be coastal shipping but goods would still need to go to a port to be loaded onto the coasters of the day. So much of a warship‘s equipment both in its construction and its maintenance would at some point have used canals and rivers to be shifted from its point of manufacture to the naval dockyards.

And the scope of the requirement was immense. At the height of the Napoleonic Wars, about 1805, the Royal Navy was the largest single organisation in the world. It had over 600 ships ranging from massive 100 gun first rate battleships like 'Victory' to small sloops and cutters far smaller than a modern narrow boat, although a little more seaworthy. To support this fleet required a dockyard infrastructure which again was huge.

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Portsmouth Dockyard in 1810 was believed to be the largest single industrial complex anywhere on the planet. And there were also Devonport, Deptford, Woolwich, Chatham, Sheerness and Harwich Dockyards, as well as shipyards not only in the UK but in places as far away as India where 'HMS Trincomalee' Trincomalee' (presently at Hartlepool) was built. All told it is believed, although the precise figures are difficult to identify, that some 18% of the nation’s workforce was engaged in manning or servicing the Royal Navy at this time.

Before I conclude I’m sure readers will allow me the luxury of a few words about Trafalgar itself. Don’t worry I’m not going to give a blow-by-blow account of it; there are already shelves full of books cashing in on the anniversary; but a little of what the battle was. Until Trafalgar almost all naval battles consisted of lines of battleships sailing along 400 yards apart knocking seven bells out of each other until one side got bored and left. The other side thus claimed the victory. Occasionally one ship would get close enough to board the enemy in which case sailors had the incentive of prize money (and extra rum) to make sure they captured it. Rarely did a ship ever sink. At Trafalgar the tactic was to ignore this and instead mix it with the opposition from the start. And, oh boy, did it work! Of the combined fleets of France and Spain almost 65% were taken.

This made it by far the most conclusive naval battle of the age of sail and was to leave Britain with a legacy of naval and maritime superiority for 100 years. This, combined with Britain’s industrial pre-eminence was to make her the Superpower of the 19th Century. And Britain’s inland waterways were instrumental in providing the basis for that success. Unfortunately we never continued the investment in canals and we associate the period of Pax Britannica more with the railway age than the canal age. But the country has much to thank the waterways for and we shouldn’t let the country forget it.

MOIRA FESTIVAL May 14-15th on the Ashby Canal at Moira Furnace site Trailboats, steamboats, coracles, model boats and canoes Telephone Lois Parker for details on 024 7659 4171 3

Region Chairman’s Notes All the Branch Annual General Meetings have now been held and, by the time you read this, the East Midlands Region AGM should also be over. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who continue to help IWA through branch and region committees and in particular, Mary Crofts and Christine Brown who have served on South Yorkshire and Dukeries committee for many years. In the last Aegre I reported that Colin Paillin had decided to resign as branch chairman for business reasons, I am pleased to welcome Carol McDonald as the new Leicestershire Branch Chairman.

The dates and places of the British Waterways/IWA Clean-ups were decided too late for the last Aegre and too soon for this one, but the major clean up on the Erewash Canal organized by Mick Golds of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association went off very well on March 5-6th. Our thanks to BW East Midlands Navigations who supplied four boats and a crew of about 8 over the weekend and especially to all volunteers and BW staff who attended. I don’t think we have ever collected so many motor and pedal cycles from the Erewash Canal.

This time we used revised method of separation so that BW might more easily dispose of the rubbish. On Saturday we filled a wide hopper boat with scrap iron and timber and similarly filled a narrow hopper on Sunday. In addition we separated the other rubbish into the “one trip one tonne” bags now used by builders merchants and collected 14 bags of tins, bottles and plastic, 3 bags of vehicle tyres and two bags of heavy plastic, such as road cones. Initially, the Health & Safety requirements for this canal clean-up seemed very onerous but now that we have then in hand and understood they seem to work fairly well.

BW are holding a few small clean-up towards the end of March which will miss this magazine but I hope that I will be in time for Nancy Johnson’s clean-up on Sunday, April 3rd. on the Grantham Canal by SafewayMorrison’s at Gamston. On the Loughborough Arm there may be a clean-up on Saturday, April 23rd. if this can be arranged; telephone Mick Clowes on 01509 414140 nearer to the date.

The days are lengthening and we will soon be setting off on our trips to rallies, other events and unknown waters; I suspect that some of you have been planning the cruise all winter. When we start boating we should see the effect of the canalside grass cutting promised by Robin Evans, the BW Chief Executive, would take place before the end of March. I am aware there 4

may be delays as some stoppages have overrun due to weather or vandalism and BW had to take additional precautions following the double fatality on the Kenner & Avon Canal but I hope that by Easter the great majority of the work has been done and we have good weather for the first bank holiday of the year.

John Baylis

IWA Trailboat Festival 2005 The IWA National Trailboat Festival returns to the Chesterfield Canal over Late Spring Bank Holiday, May 28th – 30th. Admission will be free and lots of activities are planned for visitors and boating entrants alike.

Located at Tapton Lock, Chesterfield on the five-mile isolated section, the event will campaign for restoration of the missing nine-mile link back to Kiveton Park and the national waterway system. There will also be an informal “gathering of boats” at Kiveton Park from where a free bus service will link to the main event. Boats mooring at Kiveton Park book in on the same entry form and will be awarded a plaque for attending.

A full programme of entertainment is planned daytime and evening in the marquee, a bar with beers sourced by CAMRA, illuminated boats on Sunday evening, refreshments, boat trips, sales stalls and all the usual festival activities. These are supported by an “Awards for All” grant of £4,500 from the National Lottery. Derbyshire County Council’s Three Valleys Ranger Service are planning hands-on activities such as fishing, canoeing and a climbing wall. The Chesterfield Canal Trust’s brand-new Bassetlaw trip boat, presently under construction by Soar Valley Boats in Chesterfield will be launched here before being transferred to Retford.

Visiting trail-boaters will be encouraged to cruise on the five-mile, fivelock section and take part in the traditional activities of the Staveley Feast.

New since the event was last held in Chesterfield in 2002, a further short section has been restored by Canal Trust Volunteers at Mill Green, Staveley. Boaters will also be able to cruise the River Rother into Chesterfield to campaign for a proposed new town-centre canal terminal basin.

Much work is currently under way at the Festival site: it is being levelled as a permanent exhibition venue with the provision of permanent on-site services and the existing slipway is being widened to accommodate larger craft. The site is easily found – it is next to the A61 Trunk Road by Tesco and 5

the car park will be signposted from all the major roads into town. All enquiries about the event and entry forms for both the Festival and the gathering of boats at Kiveton from Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield, S41 7JB or telephone 01246 551035. Further details are also on the Chesterfield Canal Trust Website www.chesterfield-canaltrust.org.uk

Campaigning for the Chesterfield Canal All forty-six miles of the Chesterfield Canal were officially closed in 1960, but campaigning by the Retford & Worksop Boat Club resulted in the twenty-six miles from the River Trent to Worksop being declared a “Cruiseway” in 1968. The Chesterfield Canal Society was formed in 1976 and more recently became the Chesterfield Canal Trust. As a result of the Trust’s campaigning eleven miles of derelict waterway have been reopened, six-miles connected to the Cruiseway from Worksop up to Kiveton Park and an isolated five miles at Chesterfield.

The remaining derelict nine-miles include several major challenges: a major earth embankment across a valley suffering mining subsidence; houses built on a short section of the route in the village of Killamarsh and the collapsed 2880 yard Norwood Tunnel. This is clearly more than a volunteer project and so the Chesterfield Canal Partnership has been formed, comprising all the local authorities along the route, the Trust, British Waterways and other statutory bodies who hold regular officer and member meetings. The Partnership has appointed a full-time Canal Development Manager who is advancing all the behind the scene activities, fund raising, promotion and interminable studies at a speed which the volunteers could only dream of.

But nothing will happen without the enthusiasm and drive of the volunteers. So volunteer restoration continues at Staveley, trip boats ply the canal and events such as the IWA National Trailboat Festival demonstrate to the local public and councillors just how beneficial a restored canal is.

Please support the Festival either as a visitor, a boater or a volunteer – we would appreciate offers of help in planning the event or over the bank holiday weekend. Please contact Tapton Lock as above.

John Lower 6

Developments on the Grantham Canal The Grantham Canal benefited from a month’s worth of concentrated attention from the Waterway Recovery Group in the Autumn of last year.

Much of the planning for the work was thanks to negotiations with British Waterways by Colin Bryan and members of the Grantham Canal Restoration Group. At the eastern end of the canal, near Cotgrave, a week long Canal Camp during the last week of October undertook re-building a spill weir near Plungar, which was in dire need of attention. This camp was lead by Joanne (Smudge) Smith who overcame all adversity and succeeded in spite of all the rain and mud.

This was followed by the annual WRG “Bonfire Bash” on November 67th. when some 170 volunteers descended on the canal at bridge 23 and cleared a half-mile section of trees and vegetation. The rest of the statistics are confidential but apparently involved a few barrels of local real ale. The third phase of the work was at half-mile pound near the “Dirty Duck” at Woolsthorpe. This was to clear fallen trees out of the canal and create refuges for wildlife with the logs. This took place over the third weekend in November.

In February the Grantham Journal reported that boats could be sailing to the outskirts of the town after a decision by waterway restorers to clear this end of Grantham Canal and make it navigable again. A £40 million project to restore the Grantham Canal, which will take at least 10 years includes linking the 33-mile canal to the River Trent and reopening the canal basin on Old Wharf Road, Grantham. Grantham Canal Partnership was given the all clear after British Waterways announced last summer the canal was one of the top 18 for development schemes over the next 20 years. The first step will be the appointment of a full-time restoration project manager who could be in place by April 1. But the group plans to make its first hit the reopening of the stretch from the Al roundabout off Harlaxton Road, Grantham to Woolsthorpe and then on to Redmile. Over the past decade, about £5 million has been spent on restoration including upgrading the towpath as a footpath and national cycleway

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Phillip Osborn I am sorry to report the recent death of Phillip Osborn at the relatively young age of 61. Phil had a stroke a few years ago, from which he seemed to have largely recovered, but he died just after Christmas following a heart attack. Phil was the working party organiser of the IWA North East Midlands Branch Committee (locally known as Sheffield Branch) in the 1960s. He was involved with the branch in retaining navigation on the Chesterfield Canal to Worksop and was a founder member of the Retford & Worksop Boat Club.

I first met Phil at Johnson’s Hillock in 1969 when he had an old aluminium aircraft lifeboat called Greensleeves; and it was through this meeting that I joined the IWA. Phil then bought one of the early Les Allen steel narrow boats from Oldbury and spent much time on the Chesterfield, other northern canals and in the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Fill trained as a joiner in his father’s building firm but in his later life spent time training the less fortunate in construction work.

Phil’s greatest interest, however, was the Boy Scout movement in Sheffield where he led the Hyde Park Group for many years. Many of them went boating with him and some now have boats of their own. The Sheffield City Crematorium Chapel was full at his funeral with ex-scouts and boaters both from locally and from Birmingham. Phil was “rough diamond” who cruised and remembered the old canal system, but we must not forget that the work of him and people like him 40 years ago retained the canal system we enjoy today.

John Baylis Witham Navigable Drains Cruise Lincolnshire Branch May 27-29th. 2005 Meet at Anton’s Gowt Lock during the morning of Saturday May 27th. Cruise into Boston on the Maud Foster Drain and then return to Cowbridge Lock for a barbeque. On Sunday cruise to the Carrington Steam Rally on West Fen Drain.

Details from Dave Carnell, Tel: 01469 530138 8

British Waterways User Meetings So far there have just been user meetings for the River Trent and Grand Union North areas. BW has suggested that the Grantham Canal becomes a separate user group rather than part of the Grand Union North. The BW working party looking at the cost of charge cards for showers, electricity and pump-out has not yet reported, but in the East Midlands Region showers will be free from April 1st. (I think they were being serious) On the Erewash Canal the bridge abutment at Sheet Stores Basin has been re-built and the tail of Barkers Lock has been grouted, but there have been no gate replacements this year. However, in 2005-6 BW expects to replace gates at, Trent Lock (Top & Bottom), Sandiacre and Pasture (Bottoms) and Barkers and Shipley (Tops). The dam at Moorgreen Reservoir has been cleared of trees and some badgers re-sited, tree cutting is taking place working down the canal.

On the River Soar some new gates have been fitted at all of the bottom four locks and BW would be pleased to hear of any problems with hard to use gates or paddles. In the next winter Cossington and Birstall gates are scheduled for renewal. There are still problems coming downstream into Pillings when the gates are closed and BW will look at dredging on the towing path side and some piles posts upstream of the off-side abutment.

During the stoppage at Kegworth Deep I had the opportunity to look at the ground paddle installation with Neil Harvey, BW Operations Manager at Newark, and he is going to cost improvement works to the paddle culverts.

The Environment Agency is finalizing the River Soar Flood Risk Management Strategy and BW hope that problems with Ratcliffe Weir and the A453 road bridge might be addressed.

On the River Trent 3 gravel boats are operating to the tideway from below Gunthorpe Lock, mainly on weekdays, but possibly the odd Saturday.

2005 Canal & Boat Festival & Illuminated Parade Saturday April 30th Illuminated boats at dusk Sunday May 1st Festival Day 1100 to 1600 Illuminated boat prizes £125, £50 and £50 sponsored by Loughborough Building Society On the canal at Loughborough Junction Free admission no boat booking required 9

They use VHF Channel 74 down to Cromwell and then Ch. 6 on the tideway.

Torksey Lock will operate up to 2100 on Fridays during the summer of 2005 on a trial basis. The normal working hours are 3 hours before and 3 hours after High Water Between 0700 and 2100. Boston Lock operates when the tide makes level between 0600 and 2400, but it is wise to book for early morning and late night lockings.

The EA Fluvial Trent document will be out at the end of March for consultation. The floating moorings at Dunham Bridge and Down Stream of Holme Lock have been treated with “anti-slip” on the treads. The hawser through the orange floats at Cromwell Weir has been replaced during the Winter, and we are advised by the Environment Agency that they have ordered new orange BW type floats for upstream of Colwick Sluices; they hope to fit these during the Spring.

The signs and markers on Trent banks have been cleared of foliage so that they are now visible and the signs in the Trent Lock area will be replaced during the Summer. New height above “Normal Summer Water Level” signs which were on the inside of the gates on all the large Trent Locks have been obtained, these will be fitted after consultation with the hydrological survey. BW has notified its intention to change the Kilometre marker posts between Meadow Lane and Gainsborough, however the users expressed their concerns and we hope to have a separate meeting to discuss the implications of changing these posts.

John Baylis

Nottingham Riverside Festival 6th & 7th August 2005 Nottinhghamshire & Derbyshire Branch will again be organising the illuminated boat parade as part of the Festival.

To comply with health & safety rules, all boats wishing to take part must register.

Contact Nancy Johnson Tel: 0115 989 9612

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Norwood Packet sails into the sunset Norwood Packet: 1988 – 2004,

by David Trickett Since 1988 the “Norwood Packet” has brought the pleasures of the Chesterfield Canal to the residents of Bassetlaw and, more recently, to Rotherham. Originally plying from Drakeholes the Packet’s “beat” has moved over the years to different locations including Worksop, Ranby and latterly the restored section between Shireoaks and Norwood Tunnel extending an invitation to local people to enjoy their canal.

The Past Originally part-financed by Bassetlaw District Council, for a decade or so the boat failed to justify its existence financially, but the canal society as we were then, retained its commitment to Bassetlaw by subsidising the boat’s operating costs from its own meagre funds. In the past few years, largely under the enthusiastic skippering of the indefatigable Ken Clark, the boat witnessed a new lease of life and the introduction of the Santa Specials in Worksop became a much-loved feature of the local calendar.

The Present The boat was beginning to look a little shabby and today’s visitors demand a better standard of comfort than the boat was able to provide.

When we subjected the boat to the new (albeit so far voluntary) standards set for small passenger craft we realised with reluctance it was time to lay the boat up. We had already determined to replace the boat as soon as funds allowed and had accumulated over £9,000 towards a replacement.

At a time when the Trust and the Chesterfield Canal’s restoration are experiencing new levels of achievement and expectation, losing the “Norwood Packet” for whatever period is a set-back. We are of course disappointed but also proud of the service we have provided to the people of Bassetlaw over the last sixteen years. How many thousand volunteer hours have gone into this service we can only speculate but it has been an excellent advertisement for the Canal Society and Trust. A big “Thank you” to all who have been involved in the running of the boat over the years. You have done us proud.

We must also acknowledge in particular British Waterways’ commitment to our enterprise in assisting financially through subsidising 11

our moorings and licence and also the various canalside residents who, over the years, have allowed us to moor at the bottom of their gardens.

The Future An order has been placed with Soar Valley Steel Boats, Chesterfield, for a 34 foot hull to include some internal fitments at a cost of approximately £11,000 together with the engine priced at a further £2,800. Fitting-out the boat will be completed by members of the Action Group at an estimated cost of £6,000. This will be done on Soar Valley’s premises. At a cost of around £20,000 replacing the Packet is a huge commitment by the Trust but was a decision which was never in doubt given the huge popularity of the boat in Bassetlaw. Equally it is crucial for the continuing success of the Trust’s aims for the Canal’s restoration that the Trust maintains its presence in both Rotherham and Bassetlaw. The Norwood Packet has been a wonderful ambassador for the Trust over the years; to lose this was never really an option.

Currently a funding shortfall exists if the Trust is to complete the purchase of the replacement boat. Efforts will be made over the next few months to secure additional funding to ensure a service in 2005. At the same time the Trust is appealing to its members for help in this venture.

Can you help in any way by offering Money towards the cost of the purchase, Materials for the boat or the Skills and Time needed when the boat is fitted out in the New Year?

The aim is to have the new boat cruising the canal at next year’s Spring Bank Holiday IWA Trail Boat Festival in Chesterfield, before being transported “over the hill”. In the meantime Ken Froggatt with Pete Ramsell and the Action Group are planning several fund-raising events towards the cost of the new boat. Their efforts combined with your generous support must surely prevail?

Please contact Dave Trickett on 01246 568880 or via e-mail at dhtrickett@aol.com if you can help or for further information.

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Progress at Foxton:In the last couple of years, progress at Foxton has been faster than ever before. Despite considerable negative publicity in the local press, mainly centred around the proposed refurbishment of the pub, visitors to the museum nearly all comment on how good the rest of the site looks and how much progress has been made. The best way to summarise this progress is to list the main items: • The new access road from the Foxton Gumley road has been finished along with new car parking near to the bottom lock.

• New services (water and sewerage) for the refurbished pub are in place.

• The locks have been dredged, for the first time in many years.

• The exterior of the top lock cottage and stables has been completely refurbished by British Waterways with the help of an East Midlands Development Agency grant.

• 2,500 trees and hedging plants have been planted mainly along the new road, which is far more than the sixty to be removed from the Incline.

• The waterway wall in front of the pub has been strengthened with deep piling.

• A seasonal lock keeper has been employed (taken on) for the winter to help the maintenance team, and when not required elsewhere has been painting the locks.

• At the end of last year around half of the trees were removed from the Inclined Plane by volunteers from the WRG Forestry Group and Foxton Inclined Plane Trust.

The pub’s refurbishment has caused a lot of controversy. However, the delays have been for good reasons. We have been promised a working pub by the end of May, construction started on Monday 21st February. The latest plans, as now passed by the local council, are considered by most to be a big improvement to those previously put forward, and I agree. (With just one reservation, but that as they say is another story.)

The boat yard received planning permission in 2002 for a new workshop which, when constructed, will be one of the best facilities in the area. We don’t know when construction will start but the yard continues to operate 13

from temporary (structures). Foxton Boat Services has also applied for planning permission to extend its shop in the former stable block, adjacent to the bottom lock cottage, for use as a second public house.

In February this year, WRG Forestry returned to remove the rest of the trees. However, near gale force winds limited tree felling, which means that, with the nesting season upon us, the remaining few trees will have to stay until at least October. A big shame, because we are getting close to seeing the Incline as it was 77 years ago, when the metal structures were removed for scrap.

Meanwhile, in the background, the Partnership has been beavering away negotiating with the Heritage Lottery Fund to update its bid for the (all sorts of plans for the future, including a) 2.8 million pound project to rewater the upper arm, consolidate lift remains including the bottom basin walls, and put in a swing bridge over the Harborough arm. A final decision by the Heritage Lottery Fund is expected shortly.

The Foxton Inclined Plane Trust has been very active with a variety of events to raise funds, for our contribution to the matched fundingfor the HLF bid, and to keep the restoration scheme in the publiceye. I am at the Museum on most days, except Thursdays and Fridays, and will be pleased to welcome you there and tell you moreabout the Foxton history and our plans for the future.

Mike Beech

Cromford Canal Ecology Study The Friends of the Cromford Canal have announced the start of an Ecology Study on the Cromford Canal between Ironville and Langley Mill, thanks to a grant from the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership to the Amber Valley Partnership. DDEP has promised a grant of £7,500 which will fund half the projected cost of £15,000. The Inland Waterways Association had already granted £5,000 towards the project and the Friends of the Cromford Canal will contribute the remaining £2,500. In addition the Friends are pleased to announce that the contract for the ecology study has been awarded to Black & Veatch of Leeds.

Mike Kelley, Friends of Cromford Canal Chairman said “ We are delighted with this award from the Derby & Derbyshire Economic Partnership. This will enable us to accumulate the professional reports needed for starting the full-scale restoration of the Cromford Canal. The 14

funds come from a small residue in Amber Valley’s allocation of DDEP’s 2004-5 budget. This money might not have been available in 2005-6 and we had to take advantage of the very fortuitous timing”.

John Baylis, Vice Chairman of the Friends of the Cromford Canal said “The ecology study leads on from the engineering feasibility study carried out by Binnie & Partners some years ago and seeks to look for the most appropriate and most environmentally advantageous restoration route from the various options selected. Black & Veatch were selected from five companies following competitive tendering. The study will cover all four seasons of the year and is not intended to report until early 2006, it will look at opportunities for improving the wetland habitat of this part of the Erewash Valley as well as sensitive areas to be avoided and environmental mitigation proposals.”

The Derby & Derbyshire Economic Partnership is the Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership for the area, and supports projects that will encourage business, create jobs, promote equality and help build strong and sustainable communities. The Amber Valley Partnership helps to shape the social, economic and physical development of the borough, and particularly supports new initiatives that involve the public, private, voluntary and community sector, uniting them to work towards a common vision. This is to enhance the quality of life and the economy of Amber Valley to create an attractive place to live, work and visit.

Black and Veatch Consulting is a national company specializing in all types of study required for large scale building and environmental projects and for obtaining funds from grant giving bodies. Black and Veatch have an extensive record of similar studies with British Waterways, the Environment Agency and the water companies. Binnie & Partners who carried out the engineering feasibility study in 1994 for the Groundwork Trust and the Inland Waterways Association became part of the Black & Veatch Group some years ago.

Spondon Linear Park gets first funding Spondon Linear Park – the project to re-open the stretch of Derby & Sandiacre Canal in Spondon as a standalone public amenity – has obtained funding to conduct an engineering study, which will establish the costs for the project. The Small Change awards panel granted the Community Association £10,000 to conduct the study between January and March 2005. The Park is expected to open in 2006/7 if funding can be obtained.

The work will be carried out by GCA(UK) Ltd. 15

Spondon Linear Park Partnership (SLIPP) was formed by Spondon Community Association (SCA) and Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society (D&SCS) earlier this year, and also includes Derby City Council Parks Department, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Derby Cycling Group and West Park Community School. The Canal Society aim to re-open the entire canal by 2012; the objective of the Partnership is to open the one-mile stretch through Spondon as one of the earliest sections in the next 2-3 years. As well as the canal, the Park will feature a wetland reserve, a multi-user path and other amenities that will be determined by public consultation with local residents. It will stretch from Megaloughton Lane in the west to the City Council boundary in the east.

The Partnership was formed after a public meeting in Spondon in November 2003; a second public meeting in May this year confirmed that local residents were very supportive of the concept. This funding comes only a month after the Canal Society received a £28,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to plan the development of a section of the canal at Swarkestone. The park project is one of the activities being undertaken by the Village Improvement Committee of Spondon Community Association under its “Spondon in Bloom” banner. This year, Spondon won its category (“Urban Community”) in East Midlands in Bloom and in 2005 has been entered as the region’s contender for Britain in Bloom.

The Small Change awards panel administers grants as part of Derby City Partnership. This grant was funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, for which the Asterdale area of Spondon is eligible

Waterway Recovery Group London Branch of the Waterways Recovery Group visited the Cromford Canal over the weekend of November 20th-21st to work on the section of canal in the section between Ironville and Butterley Tunnel. The main part of the work was clearing trees between Newlands Bridge and the eastern end of Butterley Tunnel. At the same time WRG Forsestry cut down a number of dead or damaged trees from this section. On Sunday WRG Forestry removed several sycamore trees growing in the concrete work of the culvert under Newlands Bridge. Friends of the Cromford Canal cleared out the rubbish from Ironville Locks and then removed broken trees and branches that where obstructing the path which runs along the dam at Codnor Park Lake.

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During the working party Dave (Moose) Hearnden asked if we could accommodate the WRG Christmas Camp on the Cromford Canal as the planned site was not looking promising. After walking the silted up line of the canal alongside the Coach Road it was agreed that I should approach British Waterways for permission. Some very speedy work over the next week resulted in permission from BW, accommodation in Waingroves Community Centre, hire of plant and Funding from the Friends of the Cromford Canal.

From Boxing Day afternoon about 20 WRGies descended on Waingroves to be assisted over the week by members of the Friends of Cromford. The bulk of the work was removing dead or damaged willow trees from the silted up canal bed, burning the rubbish or making into habitat piles. WRG Forestry attended on one day and removed the trees growing round the Listed stone bridge at the start of the Pinxton Branch and then tidying up some of the larger willow trees. Most of this brash was either chipped or taken away for logs.

British Waterways originally were reluctant to allow the work to go ahead whilst they were nearly all on holiday and supervision would be difficult, however they agreed and did manage to call in several times to check on progress. After the Work Camp Caroline Killeavey the BW Waterway Manager wrote to thank us for the work we had done at a difficult time of the year and for the attention to health and safety procedures. A final WRG London event was planned for the last weekend in February but in view of the forecast of snow we had to cancel early in order that the volunteers would not prepare to come from London. In the event the snow miraculously disappeared and we could have gone ahead. We hope that WRG London will be back again the Autumn.

Long Horse Bridge It is now two years since IWA tried to get English Heritage to place Long Horse Bridge on the historic buildings list, the bridge carried the towing path over the River Trent between Sawley Flood Lock and Shardlow.

Unfortunately we failed and British Waterways rapidly demolished the old concrete bridge without a trace, since then it has been long walk round between Sawley and Shardlow. However, after regularly pursuing the question at BW User Group meetings a new bridge should be built this year.

BW demolished the old bridge on the grounds of public safety and were only willing to pay for a replacement footbridge. Derbyshire County Council 17

who have an interest and wanted to improve the crossing as part of a multiuser trail required a larger and obviously more expensive bridge; and there the matter rested whilst funding could be arranged.

BW have now agreed to contribute the £515,000 a new footbridge would cost to replace Long Horse Bridge and Derbyshire CC have arranged a package of £400,000, including £50,000 from a Biffa Award.

Unfortunately this total package is insufficient to build the new 12 foot wide bridge on the old site at the junction and so in order to save costs the new bridge will be built about 150 yards upstream where the river is narrower. In order to spend the matched funding this financial year, work is due to start before the end of March and finish by late summer. The last towing path closure notice expires in November 2005 and it is hoped to have the new bridge open by then.

As the right of way is currently designated as a footpath, it will initially only be open for walkers. There are plans to upgrade this to a bridleway in time, to meet up with Nottinghamshire County Councils multi-user trail from Beeston to Trent Lock and the existing cycle trails in Leicestershire.

Eventually, the towing path along the Trent & Mersey canal will be upgraded to Shardlow and beyond as the Midshires Way. I hope that in order to meet some civic planners views on the height of bridge parapets on bridleways that the new bridge will not be an eyesore and will blend in to surroundings.

John Baylis

A Guided Walk Along The Grantham Canal Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Led By Colin Bryan On Friday, June 17Th. Start at 7.00 pm at The Limekiln Inn Just outside Cropwell Bishop. About 3.5 miles on canal and field footpaths, should take about 2 hours followed by sandwiches. Please inform Mavis White 016636 671726 18

Around The Branches Leicestershire Branch Chairman: Carol McDonald Secretary: David Hastie, 26 The Ringway, Queniborough Leicester. LE 7 3DL Tel: 0116 260 8027

Vice Chairman's Notes.

Am I being over optimistic or are the signs of Spring that are sprouting all around us, in for a nasty shock? Writing in mid-February, it may well get worse before it gets better! Whatever the weather throws at us, April will soon be here and that month ends with the annual gathering of boats at Loughborough. The Festival was started as a way of drawing attention to the amenity value of the Wharf, which, at the time, was scheduled to be demolished and part of the arm filled in, to make way for a relief road.

For the first year or two of the event, the arm and basin were filled with boats creating a most attractive and colourful spectacle, but in recent years more silting has occurred making it difficult to moor close to the bank and so the arm has been almost deserted. Since the majority of visitors approach the Festival along the adjacent roadway it seems a lost opportunity so I have made a plea to the organisers that boats once again, be encouraged to moor in the arm. I now extend that plea to any boatowners, particularly IWA members (especially those with long gang planks!) to attend the Festival and to moor along the arm. Once again we will have the Branch stand at Loughborough (probably up the arm with the boats!) with campaigning displays and fund raising games etc.

It’s a great shame that the number of events at which we can fly the IWA flag in this way, is limited by a shortage of volunteers. In my (acting) Chairman’s Report to the annual general meeting. I likened our Association to life itself, in that ‘the more one puts into it, the more one tends to get out of it!’ Don’t misunderstand me; we value those members who, for whatever reason, can give no more than their annual subscription and an armchair interest, but I would urge you to consider further involvement. You do Not need to be a fount of all knowledge and you Will be given full support and back-up; all we need are a few more faces and pairs of hands to help spread the word and raise a pound or two for a very worthy cause. Go on . . . . . . . . I bet you enjoy it!

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John Evans

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman: Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX. Tel: 01469 530138

Branch Chairman’s Chairman’s Notes With the Christmas and New Year festivities a fading memory it is the time for year ending reports and accounts. Financially the Branch is well positioned to support some of the restoration projects taking place within our area. IWA funding has been made available to Louth Navigation Trust, Horncastle and Tattershall- Coningsby Canal Heritage for consultants who are carrying out benefits and options studies.

On the River Ancholme, an Environment Agency Navigation, extensive work to the tune of £135,000 are being carried out to the South Ferriby Sluice and Lock. With the aid of the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership funding has been found for the installation of a boat slipway at Brandy Wharf on the upper reaches of the river. There have been reports from boaters who used the upper pound to the head of navigation at Bishop Bridge that despite dredging there are still problems with depth of water.

This and the outstanding issue of dredging the final 150 yards will be on the agenda for the March User Group Meeting.

Louth Navigation.

Bullen’s Consultants are progressing with their consultations for the study. A second interim briefing is to take place in February. Informal discussions with the EA indicate they may combine navigation responsibilities with their other drainage, water supply and flood protection duties. Regular Clean Up gatherings are held throughout the year. Anyone interested in helping should contact Paul White on 01507 354857. A Bridge Drive will take place on Thursday 17th March in the Conoco Rooms.

Initial contact for bookings is Paula Hunt on 01507 605496.

Horncastle and Tattershall - Coningsby Canal Heritage. HATCH. At the IWA’ s National Restoration Committee meeting last October we gave a presentation on the history, the present state of the waterway and its possible benefits to the area once restored. Its restoration appears to offer no insuperable obstacles and compared with other projects taking place is relatively straightforward. We gladly accepted the offer of further support from the committee as and when it is required. Also following this meeting an article appeared in Canalboat and Inland Waterways magazine.

This and other regular articles in the local press are continuing to attract support and enquiries about the project.

20

Consultations are well advanced with questionnaires being hand delivered to properties adjacent to the waterway, posters displayed in local parish/town council offices inviting enquiries and comments on the proposals. The completed environmental report has been sent to all professional organisations concerned and a summary of this to all adjacent land owners. Responses to date are encouraging with no issues that cannot be accommodated.

SleafordNavigation.

Sleaford Navigation.

Despite cut backs to the budgets of BW and the EA an evaluation of the cost of dredging required from the River Witham to the village of South Kyme is being carried out. This and the possible creation of a winding hole are in preparation for a large waterways rally in 2006. Also quotes for replacing the gates on Bottom Lock , which are in automatic empty mode, have been obtained. A WRG Camp is on the agenda. This will provide an improved multi-user footpath surface, two sites for which are currently being considered. Recent work parties have seen the removal of old trees overhanging the by-wash channel at Haverholme and vegetation strimming on lock islands. The work parties are held on the second Sunday of each month. Further details from Mel Sowerby on 01522 856810.

Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership.

A Planning application from Sustrans to extend the Witham Way multiuser path from Lincoln to Boston involved the former rail bridge at Bardney, has been submitted. The bridge crosses the navigation and the proposals raise a number of concerns. 1. the water draining off the concrete deck discharged into the river and down on those boaters passing under. This water could be contaminated with droppings from dogs and horses. 2. The access restriction is wide enough for quad bikes, 4x4 and motor cycles to use. 3. The new side barriers were of a design that could be used as a climbing frame and allow objects to be dropped onto passing craft. 4. The security of the 30 boats on the permanent BW moorings would be compromised unless security fencing is erected between the moorings and the Witham Way . We understand that the application has been withdrawn and is being kept on file.

A Waterways Workshop is to take place at the Petwood Hotel, Woodall Spa on the 25th April. This will inform all the interested parties of the works achieved and give an update of future developments.

21

Fenland Link.

Following consultations the EA have indicated that a tidal barrier is being considered down stream of Boston Grand Sluice and upstream of the Docks entrance. This barrier will maintain an increased depth of water in the Haven, allowing a semi tidal passage into the South Forty Foot Drain.

The preferred design of the barrier is two large doors that can be raised from the Haven bed to maintain the increased depth of water and in times of flood could be adjusted to give vital flood protection to Boston Town. A decision on this design will not be made for some months and then will be subject to available funding. Because of its contribution to flood protection it is anticipated that some money could be available from this.

In the mean time it is believed that money from Objective 2 European funding will be used to re-open the South Forty Foot Lock. This will give an "early win" and allow boats entry to the former Black Sluice navigation at suitable tides,

WaterwaysClean-up.

British Waterways are organising a national cleanup, March 18th to 24th 2005. They are keen to involve volunteers to help. To this end their staff are starting work at Stamp End Lock in Lincoln on Friday morning 18th. Other volunteer groups can continue the works during the week but BW wish to know, for Health and Safety reasons, who, when, where and how many. Interested groups should contact Stephanie Peacock, at British Waterways, The Kiln, Mather Road, Newark NG 24 1FB or telephone 01636 704481.

Open Access Forum.

Many of you will be aware of the government’s countryside open access initiative. Local authorities were required to set up local advisory panels consisting of interested user groups. With the restoration of a number of waterways in the county I have been nominated to sit on the Mid Lincs panel. This is to try and flag up the interests of walkers, cyclists and disabled people who would use the former bridal/towing paths along canal and river navigations. Some of the Waterways Partnership schemes, i.e. the Louth, Sleaford and Grantham already have good maintained access along their length. Others like the Horncastle have missing sections, leaving a number of unconnected paths. These are to be examined and possible reinstated.

Dave Carnell.

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Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman: Nancy Johnson 37 East Moor, Cotgrave & Secretary: Nottingham NG12 3BU Tel: - 0115 989 9612

Branch Chairman’s Chairman’s Notes I’m sure I can’t be the only person thinking that Spring can’t come soon enough. It can be a hard slog this time of year when the warmer weather and longer days still seem so far away.

But don’t despair. Apparently, things can’t get any worse than Monday, January 24th, which was recently declared “the worst day of the year” as it’s when bad weather, post Christmas blues (and debts) and failed New Year’s resolutions all combine to leave us all feeling particularly miserable.

In spite of the apparent gloom we have not been idle. During the Winter months we attended or arranged several events starting with the traditional Goose Fair Gander, which was organised by Terence for the last time after a long run. We hope to carry on with this event and would be grateful for any new ideas and suggestions.

In November we were glad to accept an invitation to Carole Golds’ 60th birthday party held at the Sandiacre Lock cottage. I told her that she didn’t look a day over 29 and so the free drink flowed in a satisfactory manner until the small hours of the morning.

The Long Eaton Boat Club again played host for our “Musical Evening” on the 27th November and we raised £149 which has been ear marked for the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society. Many thanks to Viv and Barbara for their help.

The new Grantham Canal Partnership is slowly gathering momentum.

Most of the work on the canal has been carried out by the Waterways Recovery Group and organised by Colin Bryan of the Grantham Canal Restoration Group. (See page 7 for full report) I would like to thank all those volunteers who do so much work on our canals, mostly in such appalling weather, two of the younger ones even had a mud fight in almost freezing temperatures. We must also thank the team of workers for the before and after organisation. We all know how frustrating this can be in today’s climate of Health and Safety overkill. We have already done some work towards next year’s restoration projects.

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Mike Snaith, our planning officer has again been successful and has been awarded a further award of £1,000 for his work in the ExxonMobil volunteer involvement programme. This will go towards a further project on the Grantham Canal.

The Christmas Social and Buffet held on 17th December at the Rushcliffe Arena was received with the usual enthusiasm and we all had a most enjoyable evening. Many thanks to all who helped and supplied food and nibbles and raffle prizes.

Things are going “full steam ahead” with the Derby and Sandiacre Canal.

An application for outline planning permission is being prepared for the whole canal and Judy Flack has successfully secured a £28,000 grant for a project at Swarkestone. Plans are also afoot for the Waterways Recovery Group to spend some time working on the canal next year.

The upgraded towing path on the Nottingham Beeston Canal was opened on 18th October 2004. The total cost was £750,000. We attended the opening along with British Waterways and Nottingham City Council; this event attracted an article and pictures in the Nottingham Evening Post. We have also been asked to advise the City Council regarding future development of the area between the Meadows and the Victoria Embankment on the river Trent.

A party of us again went on a trip to Holland in early January. We visited Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and The Hague, but for most of us the most rememberable part was the actual crossing. It was amazing how a 67,000ton ship could be tossed about in a force 10 gale and how few passengers were down for breakfast next morning.

This coming summer should see us being able to moor our boats in previously inaccessible places, provided that the grass cutting and shrub clearance has been carried out by British Waterways by 31st March as promised.

Finally my thanks to all who supported our events and socials, and don’t forget that the more support we get the more that we can do for our members.

Nancy Johnson

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South Yorkshire & Dukeries Branch Chairman

Mavis Paul, 116 Sandygate Rd, Crosspool, Sheffield S10 5AZ Tel: 0114 268 3927

Branch Chairman's Notes It seems quite a while ago now but I hope you all had a good Christmas and I hope the New Year has started, as you would wish. Brian and I managed a few days boating over New Year. The sun did shine although it was cold and very windy causing a few moments of panic when mooring up, It was worth it just to re-charge the batteries after a hectic Christmas..

The branch had another successful canal cleanup on the 7th November.

Record amounts of rubbish were collected. Thanks go to all who helped in what was a very enjoyable few hours. The next cleanup is scheduled for April 10th. Final arrangements haven't yet been made but I would think that we will be meeting once again at Tinsley Marine (by the lock cottages) at 10:00 am. Please ring me to check time and meeting place.

We had a very enjoyable social evening in December. Excellent pie and peas provided by the Strawberry Island boat club, it was good to see some new faces. February will have seen the AGM come and go and a talk on the Manchester ship canal. I will let you know the outcome of this meeting in the next Aegre if I am re-elected. For the April meeting we have Derek Housely coming to give a talk on the Barnsley Dove and Dearne canal hopefully giving us an update on how they are progressing. Please come and give your support. We are always looking for new speakers if any of you can give a talk on an interesting subject or if you know anyone else who does please get in touch. It doesn't necessarily have to be on a waterways subject but needs to be of a subject that would appeal to a wide audience.

As I mentioned last time we are still looking for a social secretary as Christine Brown has had to stand down due to health reasons. As yet no one has volunteered. We are also looking for some one to take over the sales stand as Mary Crofts is having problems with her legs and is unable to stand for very long. If you can help in any way however small please give me a ring.

Mavis Paul 25

Across 1

---- Barrier, new addition to BWs portfoliio (4)

3

You will float away without these (5)

6

Lock 1 Leeds and Liverpool Canal (5)

7

The home village of the Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club (5)

10

This BCN Branch was two furlongs in length (7)

14

Ikneild ---- loop, BCN (4)

15

Stamp --- lock (3)

16

---- District or Forest Canal (4)

19

------- Bagot on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal (7)

22

The Canal Cruising Company's home town (5)

23

220 yards long and on the Huddersfield Narrow (5)

24

I join the River Sow near Weeping Cross (4)

25

Vicar of ---- and a lock on the River Thames (4)

26

Down 1

A short cruise (4)

2

My Act was passed in 1539 (6)

4

A marina and bridge an the River Nene (6)

5

These being too big can be your downfall (4)

8

Horses rarely use them nowadays (7)

9

You will have to Stump up 43 miles to reach me (7)

11

Search for this lock near Northwich (5)

12

You must use me to reach Ripon (3)

13

One of London's rivers (3)

17

Avoid Paul McCartney's song by using me (6)

18

Find me between Milnsbridge and Linthwaite on the Huddersfield Narrow (6)

20

---- planks seal off the water (4)

21

Manchester, Bolton and ---- Canal, (4)

Answers to just for fun 3 Across

Down

3

Burton on Trent

1 Puma

6

AM

2 Keb

7

Ra

3 Barlows

8

Watford

4 Tewitfield

11

Ruin

5 Trip

12

Springs

9 Fords

13

Time

10 Dunstans

15

Keel

14 Aynho

16

Dam

17 Are

18

soar

19

Branch

Malcolm Fielding 27

Region Diary All members of any Branch (and also non-members) are most welcome to attend any of the events shown below.

South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Branch Venue: Apr 13 May 27-29 Jun 8

Strawberry Island Boat Club, Milethorn Lane, Off Wheatley Hall Road. Doncaster. Time: 8.00 Derek Houseley, Slide talk on the Barnsley canal.

IWA National Trailboat Rally at Tapton Lock Barbeque. Sausage and burgers free or bring your own meat. Please book food with Mavis Paul.

LeicestershireBranch Venue: Social Secretary

Oadby Tennis Club, Oadby, close to Leicester Racecourse (except where otherwise stated).

Beryl McDowall, Tel:- 07710 029247

Apr 14 Apr 23

Members slides Clean-up on the Loughborough Arm if this can be arranged. Telephone Mick Clowes 01509 414140 .

Apr 30-May1 Loughborough Canal & Boat Festival. Phone Jo Swift 01509 635827 for details May 12 Guided walk round Aylestone Meadows, with a Leicester Riverside Ranger. The Meadows are a haven for wildlife alongside the canal. Further details from Beryl.

Jun 26 Melton Country Fair - Egerton Park, Melton Mowbray.

Free admission usual country activities. Melton & Oakham Waterway Society will be staging a mini-regatta on the river alongside, bring along your trailboat, canoe, coracle or raft. Contact Richard Booth 01664 563563.

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Venue Time Apr 3 Apr 15 May 20 Jun 17

Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford.

7.45 pm Clean-up on the Grantham Canal by Safeway--Morrison’s at Gamston. Telephone Nancy Johnson Derby beneath your feet by Derek Palmer Foxton, a slide talk by David Stevenson and Mike Beech.

Guided walk by Colin Bryan along the Grantham Canal.

Start 7.00pm. See advert for details.

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Canal Societies In The EM Region Barnsley Dearne & Dove Canal Trust

Milton View, 39 Hill St, Elsecar, Barnsley. S74 8EN Tel: 01226 287571

Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd.

16, Pinchfield Lane, Wickersley, Rotherham, S66 1FD Tel: 01709 700223

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust.

Sawley Bridge Marina, Sawley, Long Eaton, Nottingham. NG10 3AE Tel: 01332 873459

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society

9 Shirley Court, Toton, Beeston, Nottingham.

NG9 6GT Tel: 0115 972 1533

Erewash Canal P & D Association

1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham.

NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 938 4129

Foxton Inclined Plane Trust

20 Oswald Rd, Rushden, Northants.

Tel: 01933 311249

Friends of the Cromford Canal

50 Beech Ave., Alfreton, Derbys.

DE55 7EW Tel: 01773 833425

Grantham Canal Restoration Society

3 Barratt Crescent, Attenborough, Nottingham. NG9 6AH Tel: 0115 922 7311

Grantham Navigation Association

213 Melton Rd, Edwalton, Nottingham.

NG12 4AF Tel: 0115 923 1417

Louth Navigation Trust Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth, Lincs. LN11 ODA Tel: 01507 606044 Melton & Oakham Waterways

Sysonby Knoll, Ashfordby Road, Melton Mowbray.

LE13 0AH Tel: 01664 563563

Old Union Canals Society

1 Powys Avenue, Oadby, Leicester.

Tel: 0116 270 4444

Sleaford Navigation Trust

10 Chelmer Close, North Hykeham, Lincoln.

LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460

Trent and Mersey Canal Society

Brownsfield Cottage, Brownsfield Lane Lichfield. WS13 3EH Tel: 01543 255410

National Trailboat Festival

Chesterfield

The IWA National Trailboat Festival returns to the Chesterfield Canal at Tapton Lock over Late Spring Bank Holiday, May 28th – 30th.

Admission will be free and lots of activities are planned for visitors and boating entrants alike.

There will be entertainment daytime and evening in the marquee, a bar with beers sourced by CAMRA, illuminated boats on the Sunday evening, refreshments, boat trips, sales stalls and all the usual festival activities. Derbyshire County Council’s Three Valleys Ranger Service are planning a host of hands-on activities including fishing, canoeing and rock climbing. Boat trips will operated by the Canal Trust’s two trip boats: the brand-new Bassetlaw trip boat will be launched and named as part of the festival.

In support of the main event, an informal gathering of boats is also planned at Kiveton Park with a free linking vintage-bus service.

The Festival site is easily found – it is next to the A61 Trunk Road

by Tesco and the car park will be signposted from all the major roads into Chesterfield. All enquiries about the event and entry forms for both the Festival and the gathering of boats at Kiveton Park from Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield, S41 7JB or telephone 01246 551035. Further details are also on the Chesterfield Canal Trust Website;

www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk