AEGRE
No.129
Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 1
Aegre is published Š 2011 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches. Northampton members receive their own publication.
Chairman
John Pomfret, db Drijfhuis, Braunston Boats Ltd, Bottom Lock, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HJ Tel 01788 891027
Vice-Chairman
Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138
Leicestershire Branch Acting Chairman
John Evans, Highfields Farm, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8AL Tel 01509 416647
Lincolnshire Branch Chairman
Dave Carnell (as above)
Notts. & Derbys Branch Chairman
Vacant. Contact Mike Snaith, below.
Northampton Branch Chairman
Bernard Morton, Yew Tree House, 14 Baker Street Gayton, Northants. NN7 3EZ Tel: 07785 375787
Region Planning Officer & Notts & Derbys Branch
Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main St, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU
Secretary & WRG
John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208
Member
Ian MacDonald, 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Mobile: 07950 003383
Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQ Tel: 01507 602713; email: aegre@humbhony.demon.co.uk This is the web version with lower definition pictures. Picture credits: Page 21. Cover picture: Boats at Boston May 2011 Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Registered as a Charity No: 212342. Tel: 0845 4501146 Website: http://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 published as being of interest to our members and other readers.
Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 2
AEGRE July
2011
No. 129
Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region......................4 Region Chairman’s notes......................................................5 News from Lincolnshire Branch............................................6 1000 Years of Traditional Crafts In Lincolnshire...................9 Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend............................................10 Waterway Recovery Group in the East Midlands...............12 Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2011....................................17 Festival Extravaganza Floats into Staffordshire.................18 Journals Received..............................................................20 The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam.......................................20 Picture Credits....................................................................21 Publications Received.........................................................21 News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire......................22 Regional Diary Dates 2011/12............................................24 Notts & Derby Branch Programme.....................................24 Northampton Branch Programme.......................................25 Derby and Sandiacre..........................................................26 Leicestershire Branch Programme....................................26 Lincolnshire Programme....................................................27
Next issue probably to be published in November 2011. Contributions to the editor by the end of September 2011 please. The space on the right is for local contact information.
Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 3
Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region Buckingham Canal Society
Helen Preston, 16 Mallard Drive, Buckingham MK18 1GJ Tel: 01280 821232 www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society
Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk
Erewash Canal P & D
Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129
Association Foxton Inclined Plane Trust
Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk
Friends of the Canal Museum
C/o The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk
Friends of the Cromford Canal
Patrick Morriss, The Shieling, Dukes Road, Lower Hartshay, Ripley, Derby DE5 3RP Tel: 01773 742895 www.cromfordcanal.org.uk
Friends of Raymond
c/o Braunston Marina, Braunston, Daventry, NN11 7JH www.thefriendsofraymond.org.uk
Grantham Canal Society
Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com
Louth Navigation Trust
John MacDonald, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 610539 www.louthcanal.org.uk
Melton & Oakham Waterways Society
Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330 http://beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/mows/
Old Union Canals Society
36 The Ridings, Desborough, Kettering NN14 2LP Tel: 07010 705103. www.fipt.org.uk/Local.htm
Sleaford Navigation Trust
Steve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460 www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk
Trent and Mersey Canal Society
1 Pinfold Cottages, Back Lane, Little Haywood, Stafford ST 18 0UL. Tel: 01889 882770 www.trentandmersey.btinternet.co.uk
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Region Chairman’s notes We are now well into the boat festival season, with the Branches running or attending successful events at Loughborough, Northampton, Leicester, South Kyme, Stoke Bruerne and Crick Boat Show, despite the weather over both bank holiday weekends in May being less than ideal (to put it mildly). This is on top of attending working parties and arranging guided walks and cruises on lesser known parts of the system. Input of Branch members’ time and effort into organising these events is very much appreciated, as they are an essential part of maintaining IWA’s profile locally. They provide an opportunity to recruit new members, which is essential for our long term future as an organisation. Meanwhile, our national committee members and Head Office staff have been busy, often ‘behind the scenes’, pressing BW and DEFRA for the best deal we can get for the new waterway charity. While the change moves us forward towards the national waterways conservancy that has been an aim of IWA since it was started, we are clearly disappointed that the Environment Agency navigations will not be included until 2015/16, and even on that there is no absolute guarantee. We are also very concerned about the reduction in Government grant and continue to argue the case for adequate funding for what the Government sees as one of its flagship ‘civil society’ projects. On this, IWA gave evidence to MPs at a formal inquiry into the funding of the new charity organised on 8th June by the reconstituted All Party Parliamentary Waterways Group. One of our key arguments here has to be the value that waterways
provide to millions of users, not only boaters, and the fact that most bank-side users are much more attracted to waterways if there are boats on them. IWA has now responded to the first consultation document on the new waterways charity issued by Defra, focussing particularly on the funding issue. As Clive Henderson has pointed out, the extra funding needed is the equivalent of the cost of only a few hundred metres of the proposed new HS2 railway. As a start we want to see the past pension liabilities of BW met in full and indexation of the agreed Government funding. The consultation response is now on the IWA website and I urge all members to take the time to read it (you can download it and print it out) - there’s a lot in there. We now await publication of the draft Order that will set up the charity, on which there will be a further round of consultation. Meanwhile, the transition trustees are in place, including John Dodwell, a former IWA General Secretary, and management arrangements and the ways that users will be represented are being discussed, so there’s still plenty of lobbying for IWA to do. We may have an uphill struggle to ensure a change in culture, so that the new charity is not just a re-branded BW! As we move into the summer and hopefully some more settled weather, I hope you will be able to get out and enjoy the waterways, by boat, on foot or by bike, taking the opportunity to invite other waterway users to join in with Branch activities, with a view to persuading them in the longer-term to become members. John Pomfret, Region Chairman
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News from Lincolnshire Branch Looking back to the Branch AGM in February, business was conducted pretty much as anticipated. There was an appeal for new blood to join us in promoting the waterway activities, but no one came forward to help. Despite this three successful events took place in May and all were well supported. On May Day the boaters’ gathering in South Kyme attracted over 20 boats from a wide area of the system. This annual event continues to grow, with the enthusiastic support of the Parish Council and Sleaford Navigation Trust.
similar to some Parish Councillors wearing suits of armour, gave demonstrations of hand-combat, jousting, ancient crafts and period lifestyle. If proof were needed as to the benefits restored waterways bring to communities, this event proved that point, receiving excellent coverage in a national waterways publication..
On the down-side, the Environment Agency’s control of water levels and weed growth are cause of considerable concern to both environmentalThis year, in addition to the scarecrow ists, villagers and boaters alike. A trail, duck race, table-top sale and the number of complaints have been made to the Agency and meetings annual parish meeting, open to all, requested. Such is the extent of the they obtained permission for the hiseffect on navigation that boaters are toric Kyme tower and grounds to be open to the public. A medieval re-en- deterred from leaving the River actment by the “Knights of Skirbeck”, Witham to benefit from the works funded by the Lincolnshire Watersome of whom looked remarkably
Visiting boats at “Packet Boat Steps” Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 6
NB Apfelkorn under a Butterley bridge ways Partnership, and the Sleaford Paddlers, canoeists, have moved their activities from the town and on to the River Witham.
locked up into the Maud Foster Drain and headed for the centre of Boston, passing under two of the Butterley Ironworks bridges, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the factory, to moor at the “Packet Boat� steps. Here To encourage boaters to navigate the time allowed for visits into the town to see some of the historic buildings Black Sluice (Fenland Link) the EA and windmill, before leaving for the offered fee concessions and a buffet th th Stonebridge Drain to find a sheltered over the weekend of May 13 , 14 th and 15 . The tides on these dates were spot for a barbecue. Having spotted a black swan, who objected to our presideal for locking through Boston ence, we winded at the junction of Grand Sluice, down the tidal Haven and into the Black Sluice via the new East Fen Catchwater and West Fen Lock. Many boats enjoyed the event, Catchwater Drains without finding a with praise for the waterway, and hos- suitable place, so we ate on the boats. pitality at Hubberts Bridge and Swineshead public houses. Sunday still proved very blustery as we returned through Cowbridge Lock onto the Witham 4th IDB waters. Here Over the late May Bank holiday, in a number of routes were available. cloudy and blustery weather, eleven Some chose to go north on the boats locked through Anton`s Gowt on the River Witham into the Witham Medlam Drain, winding at New Bolingbroke in sight, sound and smell of Navigable Drains. Travelling along the Steam Rally at Carrington village. the Frith Bank to Cowbridge they Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 7
Others chose a circular route via West Fen Drain and Newnham Drain back to Anton`s Gowt, whilst two boats squeezed through two tunnels towards Sandy Bank. During the trip air draft at several bridges was checked and will be added to the Branch map for placing on the Branch web page. The boats in our picture on page 6 are left to right back row, Billabong, Florie Kendal, Scrimmager, Apfelkorn, Comfortably Numb, Wigford and Petmar; front row Kime, Fairies Wear Boots, Nell and Navi, Ivan Cane’s wilderness trail boat from East Anglian Waterways Association. Our outside cover picture is of the assembled boats from the other direction.
Recent meetings attended included the Marine Coastguard Agency Humber to Wash, Boston meeting. Details of their “Kraken” operations at major ports were given, and this is to be extended to include major rivers. The aims are to counteract smuggling of all manner of things including illegal immigrants. Working with local authorities they will develop information systems to allow boaters and the public to be “eyes and ears” for unlawful activities on and around waterways, similar to Neighbourhood Watch schemes or an extension of Boat Watch. Further details for Lincolnshire will be reported on as the project unfolds.
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At the EA`s River Ancholme User Group Meeting in Brigg, they reported a 43% reduction in their Navigation funding. They are seeking help from local waterway users to establish ways forward on projects and funding. Currently the User Group has no terms of reference or constitution, and draft copies of these were presented for consideration at the next meeting.
Comments were made on the better facilities on the river within the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership area as against that outside their boundary. Representatives were invited to form a working group to study a similar partnership within North Lincolnshire.
Looking beyond the National Waterways Festival at Burton-on-Trent, where a number of East Midlands members are involved, we are considering dates for events in 2012. With the Royal Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games happening in our main festivities season, careful consideration as to dates is required.
For planned events in Lincolnshire, please see the diary pages at the back of Aegre. Dave Carnell
1000 Years of Traditional Crafts In Lincolnshire
Mary Powell of the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership (LWP) is also involved in promoting the Lincoln Cathedral and Castle area of Lincoln. To publicise the project and works in progress, a day of traditional crafts was held in May. Groups of stone-masons from all British cathedrals, and representatives from France and Norway, were given sections of a window frame to complete and by the end of the day had completed it. Works on leaded windows, lead roofing, wood working, felt, leather crafts, thatching, blacksmithing, brick working, and dry stone walling were just a few of the many skills being demonstrated. It was encouraging to see so many young people engaged in these traditional crafts and skills. The traditional craft of canal art, along with a display of LWP and Sleaford Navigation Trust material (below) took place in the Lincoln Castle male cells. Despite the cold and dank atmosphere, an endless stream of visitors kept volunteers busy answering questions and demonstrating barge and narrow boat art all day. In excess of 6,000 people attended and serious consideration is being given to repeating the event.
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Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend Over thirty working or historic trading boats and fifty or so modern craft converged on Stoke Bruerne for the Canal Museum’s Annual Gala on 10th-12th June. The week-end kicked off early with an evening performance on the canal side by the waterborne Mikron Theatre Company with their production of Hell and High Water on the Thursday. On Friday evening there was a gettogether for boaters and lovers of traditional music with entertainment from the Stony Stratford Folk Ensemble and their guests, a visiting group of musicians and dancers from Hungary. The event continued over the weekend with
a full programme of events on the canal-side. Early on Saturday morning a delivery of beer arrived on traditional working narrowboat Cassiopeia from Marston’s Brewery at Burton-on-Trent, and seventeen barrels were duly off-loaded to the village’s two pubs, The Navigation and Boat Inn, in readiness for the festival. Rachel Whillock, Marston’s brand manager, said: “Beer and canals both played a critical role in the industrial revolution, and share the same industrial heritage. We are delighted that we could step back in time to support the
Andrew Woodward, proprietor of the Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, takes a delivery of Marston’s beer carried by traditional narrow boat Cassiopeia crewed by Mick Poyser. Photo supplied by Marston’s Brewery
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Big and little boats at the Gala. Photo courtesy of James Rudd; www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/nn12
Friends of the Canal Museum to experi- handling skills on the water; a chance ence this traditional and forgotten to board a trip boat to the tunnel and method of transport.” back; buskers were performing on the waterside; and the local Pitsford Home The Museum Green hosted a number Guard were on parade. of stalls, including the ever-popular Towcester Ladies’ Market with their Saturday evening saw performances of home-made produce; Back Cabin two one-woman plays by Kate Saffin of Antiques; a tombola; children’s face the Roundham Lock Theatre Company. painting; sweets; cakes; jewellery; These told the story of Isobel, a greetings cards and many more. There "trainee" boat-woman delivering essenwere also traditional craft demonstratial cargoes during wartime, and also tions, including Roses and Castles the real-life antics of two "ladies of the painting with Sue Woodward and Brian night" who set up shop on a canal boat Mayland; signwriting by Colin Dundas moored on the Oxford Canal just after of Spiderworx; traditional clothing and the war. dress of the canals and on Saturday, for Early on Sunday morning the Sunbeam one day only, there was a display of Vintage Motor Cycle Club rallied with artefacts and memorabilia from the pre-1931 motorbikes at the Museum car Stratford-on-Avon and Midland Junction Railway, which once had a station park before setting off on the 17th “Rose of the Shires” run touring the at Stoke Bruerne. Northamptonshire countryside, On both days there were demonstrareturning to Stoke Bruerne in the aftertions of model boats and working boat noon.
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Recollections of Waterway Recovery Group in the East Midlands
From John Baylis: Mike Briggs and I joined the IWA in 1969, and that winter with our wives attended the Annual Dinner of the then Sheffield Branch. From memory the speaker could well have been Robert Aickman. John Booth, the Chairman, spied our new faces and asked if we would join his struggling committee. This we did, Mike becoming Working Party Organiser while I took over Sales. Mike really got the working party off the ground with away trips to the Peak Forest, Ashton and Caldon canals and to the river Avon and Yorkshire Derwent. In addition he managed to get large groups for the “Big Digs� on the Ashton and Droitwich canals. Following IWA re-organisation in 1974, Mike became Chairman of the new East Midlands Region and a member of Council. Also on Council Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 12
at that time was Graham Palmer, the founder of Navvies. Interest in canal restoration was growing and Navvies became the Waterway Recovery Group, looking at all canal restorations and providing user-operable plant. Following the completion of the Ashton and Peak Forest canals the Manchester volunteers changed to a mobile operation as WRG North West and Mike talked to Graham about forming WRG East Midlands. In those days the Erewash, Grantham and Cromford canals had restoration societies, but Mike saw the need to get a winding hole on the Chesterfield Canal above Worksop; the most obvious way being the re-building of Morse Lock and winding in the Lady Lea Arm. As a member of IWA and the Retford & Worksop Boat Club I formed the Morse Lock Action Group and started negotiations with British Waterways. Mike Oxley donated a Benford belt drive dumper and we received support from the local landowner. And from that time WRG East Midlands was formed as a somewhat loose organisation of interested workers from other groups. However, BW was not looking at restoring Morse Lock and was not prepared to talk. I took the dumper to Ironville to work with Mick Golds and the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association on the Cromford Canal locks, which were threatened by the proposed BW work on Codnor Park Reservoir, under the 1975 Reservoir Act. I worked at
Boots in Nottingham at that time, and one of my colleagues, the late Dr. John Marshall, received an occasional legacy which had to be spent on charitable aims. John purchased an old JCB 3C for work on the Cromford and then hopefully on the Grantham Canal. Soon after, John also bought us a Ruston Bucyrus 3RB tracked excavator which was based for convenience at Langley Mill and worked on the building of Jubilee Dry Dock.
Mike Harrison and any work was at Langley Mill, where I helped the Langley Mill Boat Company on building the Jubilee Dry Dock. The 3RB was moved to Trowell for a few months to work for John Marshall’s colleague Clive Gerrard and the Nottingham Canal Society on culverting a collapsed embankment section of the canal by the M1 motorway.
I continued to go with Mark Tiddy and the Sheffield IWA working parties, some of which were on the Montgomery Canal. After a poorly organised weekend, where Mick Golds and the ECP&DA were short of brick-laying materials and the correct preparation, Graham Palmer asked me to look after the Frankton Locks restoration until he could find a suitable local person. I organised preparation work by The 3RB in action WRG North West and Sheffield IWA and re-building by the ECP&DA on some IWA planned the 1977 Campaign locks, and with Pat Osborne and the Rally at Worksop to celebrate the bi- Trent & Mersey Canal Society on centenary of the Chesterfield Canal. I patching and other re-building works. called a meeting in Worksop in 1976, What originally started as a short term the outcome of which was the forma- project lasted for seven years until the tion of the Chesterfield Canal Society. completion of Frankton Locks in BW built the new piled winding hole 1987. below Morse Lock. The work at IronThere had never been many volunville petered out due to the lack of teers directly in WRG East Midlands. active support from Derbyshire It was largely co-ordination and some County Council. The JCB suffered visiting work by Mick Golds and from engine trouble and spent some Mark Tiddy’s groups. We had a time having the engine re-built by weekend at Deep Cut Dig on the BasAegre 129 - July 2011 Page 13
ingstoke. I worked at the Stratford tired engine and rebuild the dumper in Blitzes, and after Frankton we went to 2006. work on Aston Locks at Queen’s Head on the MontStop plank grooves gomery, and Mick Golds organised works on the Slea waiting galvanising Navigation. The Ruston 3RB continued to find work at Langley Mill and for a few months went to the Fellows, Morton & Clayton Arm in Nottingham to do some dredging for the Grantham Canal Restoration Society. This was the closest the 3RB got to the Grantham Canal, despite John After the initial re-opening of Langley Marshall’s hopes, and the JCB 3C Bridge Lock in 1973 and the Dry was retired to the scrap heap. Dock in 1977, Mick Golds was After the work at Ironville in 1976 the looking at consolidating the area Benford dumper was left in Jack around the Great Northern Basin. The Brown’s transport yard for nearly ECP&DA purchased from Vic Hallam three years when Mick Golds decided the derelict building which had reputwe should have it at the Erewash edly been a mortuary and/or a pig sty. Canal Bicentenary Rally in 1979. We The walls were rebuilt, the roof managed to move the dumper on a replaced with vintage tiles and electrailer to the rally at Ilkeston but tricity installed. This became the joint found that the engine was seized up. ECP&DA/WRG EM Workshop. I still However a boater who was early to worked at Boots, and during times of the rally offered to try and get it change in its engineering departments going. After removing the cylinder acquired some machine tools such as head he managed to move the piston a large electric hacksaw, a pillar drill by the judicious use of a sledge and a hydraulic bending press. These, hammer and a block of wood, and fol- along with other tools and welding lowing polishing of the bore with equipment, became the mainstay of emery paper the engine ran again. It the workshop tools. was moved back to Langley Mill and was used regularly for 26 years until Mick decided to do up the somewhat In these early years Waterway Recovery Group had to become WRG Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 14
Ltd., a subsidiary part of IWA, to satisfy the accountants and the Charity Commission. I ran the WRG EM accounts along with the late Fred Webster from Nottingham Branch. Much of the early WRG work was for Frankton or Aston, and included making a cement grouting pump which is currently on the Grantham Canal, and the oak buffers for the head of the locks below the top gates. We also had a Transit van for a short time and I purchased two air compressors, both of which are still in use on the Derby Canal and at Langley Mill. I also bought several compressed air drills and equipment for Frankton, most of which is still in occasional use.
Six inch pipes for Langley Mill used in the shuttering and piling on the extension of the Cromford Canal at Langley Mill. Then later when Ernie Boddy retired from BW and came to do the welding, he resheathed the five foot dredging bucket for the Ruston Bucyrus 3RB excavator with a 10mm thick steel scroll.
Some early WRG work was making With the demise of the Sheffield (later mooring rings and fitting them, but I South Yorks & Dukeries) Branch soon found that it was cheaper and working parties, and a growing permore profitable to buy them ready sonal aversion to sleeping on hall made and galvanised and only charge floors over the weekend, I started for fitting. WRG EM has fixed nearly looking at engineering work which we a hundred mooring rings on the could do cheaper than buying profes- Embankment in front of County Hall sionally. The ECP&DA had already for Nottingham City Council; sold made a good start by the use of ex some to British Waterways and canal National Coal Board welders to resocieties; and also fitted rings in build the swing bridge and other work Boston on the Witham Navigable on moving north along the Cromford Drains. Whilst at Boston we also Canal. With Ken George I was offered the Witham Fourth District involved in designing and making Internal Drainage Board a better security gear for the ECP&DA Lock fender solution for the guillotine gate Cottage at Sandiacre, and we rebuilt at Cowbridge Lock. However they the old cast-iron range in the cottage preferred to do the actual work themkitchen. We also built the steel work selves, but to our design. A regular Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 15
item of production is grappling hooks, Over the last year the ECP&DA has which we have made for both BW and fitted three phase electricity in the WRG nationally amongst others. workshop so that we can now use a larger, and more reliable, welder; and Since I took over as Quartermaster for built a new, separate wood working IWA Festivals, looking after the Tar- workshop. Last year Alan Woodhouse dis, the forty foot trailer in which the made the stand for the Tom Rolt Cenequipment is stored, we have made tenary Cruise, and this year has made steel stillages for timber posts; modi- a stand for the ECP&DA dinghy at fied the back ramp and fitted handthe Burton-on-Trent Waterways Festirails; and made under-floor panniers val. Recently we have started to for railway sleepers and scaffolding make some piling tie-back fittings for tubes. the IWA Inglesham Lock restoration. About four years ago, when BW said Without the help and support of Mick they were going to re-gate Langley Golds and the ECP&DA working parBridge Lock, I designed and, with the ties the work we have done would not help of ECP&DA members, made the have been possible. I helped Mick new 3:1 reduction Grand Union type write the Method Statements and Risk ground paddles and spring paddle Assessments for BW, so that the locks. Since then BW have used my ECP&DA is now a “self-supervising� design for Custom Engineering to group, which works every Friday on make spring loaded locks for the Ere- maintenance at Langley Mill or manuwash Canal. These are currently being facture of items for other canal sociefitted on the Erewash, and Leicester ties. section of the Grand Union.
Paddle gear with new lock Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 16
Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2011 Our fascinating phenomenon on the Trent again, and we are grateful to the Environment Agency for their predictions, shown up to September 30th. These times are for Gainsborough, and are adjusted for the change from GMT to BST, but it can be up to thirty minutes earlier depending on possible strong winds, for example. Stockwith should be about 20 minutes earlier than Gainsborough, and Owston Ferry about 45 minutes earlier. This seems a quiet year, because of the way the moon phases and the equinoxes fall. The biggest forecast is for September 29th at 07.58. For more details EA have a very useful leaflet giving some of the folklore and recommended viewing places, like Derrythorpe, Gainsborough itself, Morton, Stockwith, and Susworth. PH.
Date August 1st August 2nd August 3rd August 4th August 29th August 30th August 30th August 31st August 31st September 1st September 2nd September 27th September 27th September 28th September 28th September 29th September 29th September 30th September 30th
Time 08.04 08.43 09.25 10.07 07.02 07.41 20.51 08.21 20.55 09.02 09.46 06.35 19.11 07.16 19.49 07.58 20.29 08.42 21.10
Forecast Small Medium Medium Small Small Medium Small Large Small Large Medium Medium Small Large Small Extra Large Small Large Small Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 17
Festival Extravaganza Floats into Staffordshire The three day festival is an exciting and colourful extravaganza packed with an array of attractions all aimed at providing an educational and fun day out for all the family. Around 350 boats, many decorated, will line up along the water’s edge. At least 28 historic boats, the largest number ever to have attended the festival, will offer waterThere will be much to see and do on ways enthusiasts and history lovers a the banks of the Trent and Mersey chance to see how people lived and Canal at Shobnall Fields when Burton worked on the waterways in years upon Trent hosts The Waterways Fesgone by. The boats and their crews tival, previously known as the will travel from all over the canal sysNational Festival and Boat Show, tem, just as they did in their previous th st from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July lives as working boats, carrying goods 2011. all over the United Kingdom - from This new date is a change from the London to Birmingham, from Bristol normal practice in recent years of to Manchester and from Liverpool to holding it over the August Bank Holi- Leeds and the East Coast. day, and has come after significant Making a special guest appearance consultation with exhibitors, the attending public, and IWA volunteers, will be the only restored ex-Fellows Morton and Clayton steam-powered who are all vital to the staging of the narrow boat, The President. Owned event. by The Black Country Living Nestled to the East of Staffordshire, Museum, the boat was built over a the historic brewing town has been century ago as a steamer, converted to chosen for the second time to host the diesel power in 1925, and, following annual celebration, with up to 30,000 restoration in 1974, returned to steam people expected to attend. power. Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 18
The event is renowned for its high quality entertainment, and history lovers will be drawn to the major Viking battle re-enactment and living camp being staged by the world famous Regia Anglorum. With a reputation for vivid and dramatic entertainment, the Mikron Theatre Company will debut a new waterways show called Hell and High Water. There is much more to see, including live music, water activities and fairground rides. The festival will also host up to 250 exhibitors, so whether you’re interested in boats and chandlery or just wish to browse the many speciality stalls, including clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery and speciality food and drink, the choice is extensive.
The event itself is organised entirely by a small army of volunteers gathered from canal enthusiasts and many from the local community of the host area. If you’d like to get involved and become a volunteer please contact Ann Myall on 01488 682504. Make sure you put the date of this national IWA event in your diary!
Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.thewaterwaysfestival.co.uk. Ticket prices: Single Day Adults £8 (On Gate £10), Single Day Concessions £7 (On Gate £8) and Three Day (day time only) Ticket £15 (On Gate £19). Children under 16 GO FREE when accompanied by an adult.
President and Kildare seen at Stoke Bruerne. These pictures from Waterways Images Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 19
The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam Just recently I was struggling with a lock gate single-handed, and not being 20 stone, I was having some difficulty (you may guess where it was, choose from many). To solve the problem I fetched out of the back of a boat locker an ancient device, and managed to start the reluctant beam. At this point someone arrived from the other direction and offered to help, as boaters do. However he was surprised to see my gadget, the like of which he had never heard nor seen. In the hope that it might be of help to other weaklings like me who may not have come across it, here it is; it’s called a Handy Billy. You need one double and one single block, with thimbles; about 12 metres of decent 6mm rope, not the nasty polypropylene stuff they sell as clothes line, and two separate bits of rope, preferably a bit thicker and about 2m. long. These are to go around the end of the lock gate beam and some other sturdy fixed point, if you can find one. The arrangement goes like this, with the double block end towards the part required to move. A gentle pull, and you get a 3:1 mechanical advantage, which will shift most things.
Journals Received We are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals from various canal and river societies and trusts. They include “Endeavour” from Northampton Branch; “The Portal” from Friends of the Cromford Canal; “The Cuckoo”, from the Chesterfield Canal Trust; “The Bridge”, from Grantham Canal Society; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; and “The Wharfinger”, from Louth Navigation Trust, as well as “Navigation” from our regional neighbours at West Midlands. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of one of these journals should contact the relevant address given in our page 4 directory. For “The Cuckoo” contact the editor John Lower at 92a Tapton View Road, Chesterfield S41 7JY. Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 20
Publications Received North Yorkshire Waterways, by Fiona Slee. Published 2011 by Richlow, PO Box 3994, Sheffield S25 9AZ.. £7.50. ISBN 978-0-95666750-2 http://www.richlow.co.uk. Earlier this year we had the pleasure of reading a fresh guide book from Richlow Publications, on the South Pennine Ring. This completed an excellent coverage of the Ring. Now a new guide has been published, for the Rivers and Canals of North Yorkshire. These are perhaps a bit outside many boaters’ experience, so it is good to have the new guide to introduce the area to those who may not have been before, and to give up-to-date information for those already familiar but perhaps not recently. It covers the Ouse, Ure, Derwent and Foss, and the Ripon and Pocklington Canals. It fully lives up to expectation. The spiral bound A5 format is handy for use, whether in a boat or in a map case (to keep the Yorkshire weather out). The print is of Richlow’s usual high quality, with imaginative use of colour in the maps, and in the text. Pleasant photographs illuminate the text as well, and there are notes on history; access by road, and angling, cycling and walking. It is good to see an inside front cover devoted to horn signals, partly because there is real commercial traffic on some of these stretches. Would that more boaters knew and used them. A worthy addition to the Richlow library. PH
Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this or earlier editions of Aegre: Paul King; Paul Birtles; Tony Pitman; John Lower; Peter Stone; Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Brian Dominic; Beryl McDowall; Nancy Johnson; Norman Osborne; David Pullen; Dave Scott; Mike Snaith; John Baylis; Bill Joyce, Lynda Payton; Colin Crofts; Rod Auton, Linda Hulme, Harry Arnold. Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 21
News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
Redhill Marina It seems to have been relatively quiet over recent months in the local area, but one very interesting development is in Nottinghamshire, but only just inside the County. Many will remember the IWA National Festival held in 2009 at Redhill, just by the new East Midlands Parkway rail station. There is now a planning application for a marina with over 600 spaces on this site. If you can remember the set-up then, the new plan is to dig out lagoons roughly where the car park and camping area were, leaving access spits. The main office and service area would be where the WRG camp was, and a further lagoon would be on the river side of the actual festival exhibition area, the landward side towards the railway and grazing field not being involved. The boat entry from the river would be where the camping admin. tents were, with a flood gate, and all the existing mooring pontoons along the river would be moved inside. Anyone who would like more information could look at the Nottinghamshire web site: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/environment/planningmatters/developme ntcontrol/planning-applications/applications-detail.htm?id=5142 Cotgrave Country Park - Grantham Canal Improvements From Kevin Mann. Following a successful bid by Nottinghamshire County Council to Nottingham Growth Point for funding, a substantial amount of work is due to commence within Cotgrave Country Park and in particular on the length of the Grantham Canal within the park. The funding bid was especially supported by the River Trent to Cotgrave Green Infrastructure study and the 6C’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, and was also enhanced by potential benefits to the adjacent development site on the former colliery. The main benefit for the canal will be the removal of the large concrete colliery culvert bridge (bridge 14a) between Cotgrave Main Road Bridge and Hollygate Lane. This will potentially create the opportunity in the future to develop this length of canal for navigation providing a distance of approximately 1.7km (1.1 miles) In addition the following works will be undertaken: Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 22
- A new bridge will be constructed immediately below Lock 7 on the abutments of the original access bridge. This new bridge will be designed to complement the lock, provide multi-use recreational access and allow access for country park maintenance vehicles - Redundant colliery services which were laid on the bed of the canal to the east of the colliery bridge (14a) will be removed. - A towpath upgrade to accommodate increased recreational use within the country park. - Habitat and balancing pond improvements within the country park. - Improvements to footpaths and horse rides within the country park. - Landscape / habitat enhancement, new hedgerows, existing pond improvements, grassland enhancement and woodland management. The total estimated cost of the work is ÂŁ381,000, with Nottinghamshire County Council providing ÂŁ90,000 and the remainder being secured as Growth Point Green Infrastructure Grant. Currently Nottinghamshire County Council are undertaking engineering surveys and detailed design work. It is hoped that work will commence in late summer or early autumn 2011 and the work will be completed by January 2012.
Social Programme For the Notts and Derby social programme for the coming autumn and winter, please see the programme pages at the back of the magazine.
WRG member Ernie Boddy in action on the County Hall Steps Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 23
Regional Diary Dates 2011/12 All members of any branch, visitors, and non-members are all welcome to attend.
Notts & Derby Branch Programme The Notts and Derby branch of the IWA organises a series of public meetings. We are hoping to attract lots of new faces to the meetings and have arranged a very interesting and varied group of speakers. Non IWA members will be very welcome to attend. You will find us a friendly bunch! We meet on the third Friday of the month throughout most of the year. Meetings are held at 7.30 pm at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7HY. This is not far from the A60 (Loughborough Road) and the Arena entrance road is roughly opposite Greythorn Drive. It would take about 25 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453. Don’t be alarmed by a barrier at the entrance - they will let you out again. For SatNav equipped vehicles try 52° 55.328’ N, 01° 08.673’ W, or SK 57610 36424. Note that Rushcliffe Leisure Centre is a different place. Further information about meetings can be obtained from Mavis White on 01636 671726.
Friday, 16th September 2011 Illustrated talk by Chris Madge concerning the latest restoration developments of the Derby and Sandiacre canal. October 21st 2011 Talk on the Butterley Engineering Company, covering the 209 year history of the company from its establishment in 1790 by four partners. Speaker Brian Key. November 18th 2011 Update on the Sleaford Navigation, speaker Steve Hayes. December 16th 2011 Mini presentation by John Wilkinson entitled “The Liverpool Link”, followed by Christmas Refreshments.
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January 20th 2012 Boating on the Lincolnshire Waterways and the River Idle, by John Lower. February 17th 2012 Annual General Meeting, followed by “North East Rivers” (Humber, Idle, Wharfe, Tees and Tyne). Freight boats, big ships to little tiddlers. Speaker John Pomfret, Chairman of the East Midlands Region. March 16th 2012 Mick Golds presents “The Erewash Canal and Restoration at Langley Mill”. April 20th 2012 Alexa Stott from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust will present “From Dream to Steam - The Tornado Story”. Tornado was the first new main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain for almost 50 years. OUTDOOR SEASON May 18th 2012 Guided walk along the Chesterfield Canal. Starting at 7pm from Staveley and finishing at the Hollingwood Hub, the new visitor centre. Leader John Lower. June 15th 2012 Guided walk along the Cromford Canal. Meeting at 7pm at Cromford Wharf to walk to Leawood pump and back. Approximately 3 miles, leader Mike Kelly.
Northampton Branch Programme Meetings are at the Walnut Tree, Blisworth, at 8 pm. For more information on Northampton events contact Graham Treagus on 01604 870515. 13th September 2011 Talk by David Bond on "Development of Towns and Villages along the Nene". 11th October 2011 Talk by David Blagrove on "Saving the Kennet and Avon". 8th November 2011 Talk by David Bond on "Bridges across the Nene" 13th December 2011 Talk by Richard Thomas on "Thames Tugs". Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 25
Leicestershire Branch Programme Meetings will normally be held at 7.30 pm at The Wheatsheaf Pub, Leicester Road, Thurcaston, LE7 7JN, (at the junction with Mill Road) in the Function Room/Skittle Alley, unless otherwise stated. The Wheatsheaf is on the Anstey to Birstall road. There is plenty of parking at the pub. For SatNav equipped vehicles try 52° 41.679’ N, 01° 09.715’ W, or SK 56738 11106. The following is the skeleton programme for the 2011-2012 period. Sat. 17 & Sun. 18 September Branch Stand at Foxton Locks Festival Thurs. 13 Oct. Social Open Meeting Thurs. 10 Nov. Social Open Meeting Thurs. 8 Dec. Branch Christmas Meal Thurs. 12 Jan. 2012 Social Open Meeting Thurs. 9 Feb. Branch AGM followed by Social Thurs. 8 March Social Open Meeting Thurs. 12 April - Social Open Meeting Thurs. 10 May - Social Event - Visit Further details of meetings will be given in “Winding Ways” and will be on the Branch web site. Alternatively, contact the Social Secretary, Beryl McDowall (phone 07710-029247) or email beryl@nbwasp.co.uk. If you are coming to hear a specific speaker, you are advised to ring Beryl nearer the time to confirm the details, as occasionally changes have to be made. Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 26
Lincolnshire Programme Grantham Events: The Trip-boat: Some 15 or so bookings so far, from mid April to early July, mean that The Three Shires is off to a flying start. The crews have reported that she is much more responsive and easier to handle after the winter remedial work. The narrow and shallow section of canal between The Bridle Bridge (63) and Casthorpe Bridge (64) continues to cause some concern, especially with a fully loaded boat. However we hope to improve matters shortly. The popularity of the cruises means we could do with a few more volunteers to crew the boat. It’s not difficult, and if you fancy having a go, contact Mike Oliver: michaeloliver31@aol.com or tel 0163 681 4348 If you would like to book a trip, please telephone Fiona on 01949 850 999. (Please note there are new boat timings and prices). Wednesday. September 14th An evening of Archive Waterway Films given by Rob Foxon. This is a rare opportunity to see some original footage of historic films on waterways. The programme will include: A Cruise down the River Trent in 1930’s. There go the Boats. A 1951 film on narrow canals from BTC Film Unit. Broad Waterways, a 1959 film from the same unit. Commencing at 7.30pm. Tickets will cost £5.00 and include light refreshments. You are advised to book early as seating capacity will be limited. Venue and booking details to be announced later; contact Grantham Canal Society, see our page 4 directory..
Derby and Sandiacre We have a full programme of meetings, held on Tuesdays (normally 4th in the month) at Gregory’s Bar, Aspen Drive, Spondon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE21 7SG. Please join us if you can – details are posted on our website.
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Aegre 129 - July 2011 Page 28