Aegre November 2013

In this issue - conserving old and building new in our region

AEGRE 137

November 2013 - A Journal from the East Midlands Region of

Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 1

Aegre is published Š 2013 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches.

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 Chairman

Ian McDonald, 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Mobile: 07950 003383

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Dave Carnell (as above)

Notts. & Derbys Branch Chairman

Vacant. Contact Mike Snaith, below.

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

Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQ Tel: 01507 602713; e-mail: aegre@waterways.org.uk This is the web version, with low definition colour pictures.

Picture credits: Front & back cover: John Baylis; Derbyshire CC, Rod Auton and Mike Snaith.. Page 3 - Steve Hayes. Other picture credits page 4.

The 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.

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No. 137

November 2013

AEGRE Contents Picture Credits..................................................................................4 Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region..................................4 The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam.....................................................5 News from Leicestershire.................................................................6 Publications received......................................................................10 Lincolnshire Happenings................................................................11 A New Lock from Scratch...............................................................14 Pumps, Inclined Planes, and other useful things............................18 Sandiacre Lock Cottage.................................................................20 Leicestershire Branch Meetings ....................................................22 News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire..................................23 Lenton Chain and Trent Bridge Cricket..........................................26 Journals Received..........................................................................27 Obituary – Gerald Carlisle Smith ..................................................27 Obituary - Christine Potter..............................................................28 The Logical Puzzle for this Issue....................................................28 Around the Societies and Trusts.....................................................29 Timberland: Delfan; Delph; Gedolven.............................................30

Next issue probably to be published in March 2014. Contributions to the editor by the end of January 2014 please.

The space on the right is for local contact information.

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Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Erewash Canal P & D Association

Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk

Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129 www.erewashcanalpreservationanddevelopmentassoc.org.uk

Foxton Inclined Plane Trust

Friends of Charnwood Forest Canal

Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk

Mike Handford, 1 Sheepy Close, Hinckley, LE10 1JL Tel: 01455 611508 mahandford@gmail.com

Friends of the Cromford Canal

Matthew Rogers, 2 Main Road, Whatstandwell, Matlock, DE4 5HE Tel: 07968 766620

Grantham Canal Society

Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com

Louth Navigation Trust

Paula Hunt,, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 605496 www.louthcanal.org.uk

Melton & Oakham Waterways Society

Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330 www.meltonwaterways.co.uk

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

10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 0BL. Tel: 01606 834471 www.tamcs.org.uk

Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this edition of Aegre: Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Mike Snaith; John Baylis; Rod Auton; and as noted for specific articles. Some photographs in this issue are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. The authors concerned are: Timberland Gates - Jonathan Thacker.

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The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam I have to start with apologies to several contributors - or potential contributors - to the last issue of Aegre. Several things got lost in “cyberspace” when BT introduced their own spam filter without telling me. However recovery was possible with the help of our Head Office IT experts, and you will find the results in this issue, including some pictures of the unusual cruise to Timberland on page 30, and conservation work at Sandiacre on page 20.

First up this time must be congratulations to Mick and Carole Golds for the award of a Richard Bird medal at the Association AGM in September. This is a much deserved recognition for their long and devoted efforts on the Erewash Canal. We must also mention Harry Arnold, recipient of the Cyril Styring Trophy for his long standing support of the IWA through photography and as Editor of Waterways for several years. He sets an example all photographers and editors try to live up to, but very rarely succeed.

This is the season of Annual General Meetings of our various Branches.

Details are in the reports from the branches, but to summarise the dates: Leicestershire - 13th February at “The Gate Hangs Well”; Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire - 21st February at Rushcliffe Arena; Lincolnshire 3rd February at Lincoln Boat Club. Please support them, as it is a valuable occasion for letting your views be known, Put a hand on the tiller to help steer the boats.

Last time our article about pumping stations in the Lindsey Marshes Drainage Board area drew several queries. One pointed out that there are other such stations in the wider marshes, including Dogdyke and Pinchbeck, which can be visited by interested public. Maybe we can cover these another time. The other main queries concerned the pumps variously described as “Gwynne's” or “Allen-Gwynne's”. This is a company – or rather several companies - with a history spanning a major period in the development of British engineering (1849 to 1968), and deserves to be more widely known. Several names, well known in Lincolnshire and national engineering circles, also started as apprentices or employees at Gwynne's. So here on page 18 is a summary of a fairly complicated tale, with family squabbles and financial difficulties as a background to quality engineering. Many thanks are due to the late Ken Good, who spent much time researching the topic, initially from an interest in Gwynne cars.

More notes from the editor are scattered throughout this edition, but here just best wishes for the winter season, Peter Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 5

News from Leicestershire (Notes from a new chairman) Since the last issue not a lot has happened within the branch, but thanks to email there has been an immense amount of communication. Andrew & Debbie Shephard have hammered out the fine details of our social programme and I hope you have all received my letter setting out the programme and addressing a few issues. We have only posted this to those members who have not provided us with an email address, so if you have done this but can’t find the email and have received no printed letter, please look in your spam box or other wonderful corners. If you still can’t see it, please contact me and I’ll see if we can get a computer wiz to throw light on it.

expanded along the traffic-free Western Boulevard and over the river to include Castle Gardens with events there. All very successful from the earlier beginnings, we became involved in from, I believe, 2004 EXCEPT THAT our branch was not able to mount a presence there in 2013! There was a comment at the “wash up” meeting that people noticed there were not many boats present, though a decorated boat procession was run. It is to be hoped we will be able to mount a presence next year. The date has yet to be fixed but as soon as I have a definite date I will put the date on the Branch Events calendar so you can plan your early summer around it! Once you see it, can boat owners see if you can provide a floating presence, and all of you, if you can let me know if you can lend a hand then perhaps IWA Leicestershire Branch can show its banner again.

My cruising this summer was drastically curtailed by stupid health problems, which meant I have spent far too much time in our marina alongside the Kibworth pound. I was very pleased to see how many boats

Mile Straight in 2011 The Leicester Riverside Festival in June was a very successful event, with the City Council reporting a record attendance and the site greatly

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were going past to and from Leicester.

Ever since the branch was formed we have done everything we could to improve appreciation of the line down and through Leicester. In 1996 it was definitely perceived to be a brave boater who cruised through the bandit country from Glen Parva to the football ground, and woe betide anyone who dared to moor on the Mile Straight! Admittedly at the start persistent water shortages along the line made it difficult to cruise, but thanks to the then BW manager, Derek Newton, and his strenuous demanding of funding to replace lock gates and to reduce water wastage, water is generally available. Now with the off-side moorings at Castle Gardens and the annual boat festival, people are getting used to coming into the city and stopping, rather than doing the mad dash from Kilby Bridge to Birstall in a day.

Mile Straight and there are some wheely bins on the pontoon mooring but still if you want to fill with water or get rid of messy stuff its Kilby Bridge or Barrow. Far too far to make the city welcoming. Years ago a city council officer responded to my enquiry as to why a water point could not be run onto the Castle Garden moorings by saying they couldn’t excavate in the park because it might disturb archaeological remains, Richard 3rd etc. Rather a silly thing to say as building the existing brick retaining wall would have destroyed these, but still no water point.

Now Beryl McDowall and CRT are seriously looking at possible locations and our Treasurer, Herbert, is working hard to try to get a suitable mooring above Aylestone Mill Lock on land left open by a recently built housing development and Aldi store. It would be great to see it happen. Be aware you may be asked to voice or write in support of whatever idea is made as the final option.

I was invited to attend the first annual meeting of CRT Central Shires held at Barton Turn Castle Gardens Moorings from the towpath Marina. It was well The one thing we have failed to do is attended and we were addressed by get some urgently needed facilities in Chair Charlotte Atkins first and then by the city. There is at least now a conven- Staffordshire Branch who gave an iently placed supermarket alongside the inspiring talk on how they have man-

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aged to get a great amount of volunteering work undertaken including working with local authorities. Central Shires have published a document on how they plan to go forward and the following link will let people see how splitting their patch into three areas will help.

Please look at the document and give them feedback, but as soon as possible please!! http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/librar y/4250.pdf

ple along the way. Have a look at the Melton and Oakham Waterways Society web site (see page 4).

The meeting I attended was an inaugural one to discuss the possibilities of establishing a Syston Hub at the side of the new bridge. They have the adjoining landowner on board and he is interested in getting things going as he has land that could usefully form a marina. The Hub idea is for a recreated toll house at the junction, where MOWS believe they could establish a very useful centre and Herbert and John have been to the café. Since the new bridge has been meetings of the Soar Grand Union built and the towpath has been upgraded Partnership, and it forms a useful there has been a great increase in people meeting point. Formed with a big part- walking, cycling, pram pushing etc nership of local authorities, now chaired along the navigation. If it can get creby Leicestershire CC, with CRT and ated I think it will be a great asset. other bodies with an interest in the waterway from the River Trent through At Foxton, after a very successful Foxto Kilby Bridge, it is generating a strat- ton Locks Festival, overturning the disegy for this length based around themes aster of having to cancel the 2012 for a “Green Waterway” and is useful Festival at the last minute due to floodfor airing problems and resolving ing, things are not so good. The issues.

Inclined Plane Trust needs a Chairman and a vice Chairman, and on top of that I attended a meeting that was arranged the Trust was advised that they are very

by MOWS to further progress on the unlikely to be considered for future restoration of the Melton & Oakham funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund Waterway. Work they have achieved or from English Heritage to enable the so far has centred on Melton Mowbray, full restoration of the Plane. Because of to establish a circular cruise around the this they are holding a very important waterway and river. They have EGM in October where they will disachieved other significant objectives, cuss ways that they can keep the dream most notably through efforts to estabalive in the short term whilst providing lish a clear navigation from the river a worthwhile visitor attraction meanSoar. They have ensured that the new while. bridge across the junction of the two rivers carrying the Soar towpath has a 2014 is the bicentenary of the opening navigable height and design. They have of the canal through to Foxton and they also defined walks along the navigation, have several events going on to celeproducing useful leaflets to guide peobrate this, including a gathering of His-

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toric Boats at Easter. Our April meeting has been arranged there, and Mike Beech will talk to us about things that are happening at the site. They are also hoping to run another successful Festival next summer. Those of you on our electronic circulation list will have received a copy of the request from Ann Bushby for help through from planning to establishment, delivery and breakdown. Without firm promises of help, and soon, they do not think they can run the event.

Please let me know if you think you can help.

etc. The pre-Christmas special is on December 12th, from 10 to 3 and this is working on (?in?) a de-watered section of canal. They are providing additional protective clothing as well providing means of cleaning up. I think these efforts sound very interesting. If you want more details, please contact me or look at our branch pages on the IWA web site for the details.

On the matter of volunteers, I have been very impressed by how friendly and enthusiastic are the volunteers we have met on our cruises. When I was Michael Hanford has established a group incapacitated a very pleasant Joanne aiming to preserve and improve awarehelped work Lily Pad down Foxton. ness of the Charnwood Forest Canal.

Others we met at Watford, Braunston This used to run from Thringston to the and Napton were very willing and west of Loughborough to Nanpantan helpful and the chaps we met around where it became a tramway into the Kings Lock seemed to be enjoying the town and down to meet the Soar Naviga- work they were doing. Certainly when tion. It was served by the Blackbrook I have joined in with these volunteer reservoir and was notorious for a breach mornings around Leicester I have in that reservoir that caused significant enjoyed it and came away knowing I’d flooding in the area. Despite having achieved something, why not give it a been long, long abandoned there is still a try? short length in water alongside Longcliffe Golf Club. Michael’s team are bid- By the time you read this we will have ding for funds to generate signposting enjoyed our first social meeting about and increased access to the line of the the canals of the BCN and our next canal. They intend to hold meetings to meeting is our Christmas meal on 12th further their aims, and details of future December with a general knowledge meetings will be in our web site diary. quiz. You need to book, so please send your menu requests and money to Whilst the branch has not managed to Andrew and Debbie - details on page run any volunteering events, CRT has 22. We do hope you will be able to run events within Leicester and sursupport us this year and join us at our rounding area fortnightly. Plans are for meetings.

November 12th and 26th where all these Ian run from 10.15 to 1 pm. These sessions are work on saplings and towpath edges 22

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The Invader! Himalayan Balsam, Photo Chris Wood and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Publications received Weekend Walks, by Phillippa Greenwood and Martine O’Callaghan. Published by Coolcanals Guides Ltd., Worcester. ISBN: 978-0-9560699-1-7, 148 by 187 mm; about 256 pages. £10.99 from www.coolcanals.com It is a pleasure to see a well produced book, even though soft covered. First impressions are always important, and the paper quality is pleasant to see and handle. The theme is walking on towpaths along many of our canals. Twenty walks, of two to twelve miles in length, span the country from Bude to Fort William. Each walk is carefully described, along with details of nearby places to eat, drink and stay, and evidently a great deal of research has gone into the content. The walks are one way, and hints are not always given as to how to get back to your start. There are many excellent photographs, all full colour.

Without actually counting them, there seem to be more pictures than pages of text. It is not always clear what the subject is, or what relationship it has to the accompanying text. A caption or two would be useful.

This book seems to have been very well received by reviewers in the London newspapers. But I am not sure what to do with it. As a footpath guide, it is rather heavy to put in a rucksack or map case. It weighs 507 grams, compared with a normal OS map of 100 grams (I think this is the first time I have ever weighed a book for review). The good quality paper will suffer and stick together if it gets wet, and I am not going to do several of the walks in one week-end, as seems to be implied - they are too far apart. I do not want to break it up to use the sections separately, so I think it will stay as a charming, small scale, coffee-table book. PH. Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 10

Lincolnshire Happenings First, notice of our Branch AGM. This will be at Lincoln Boat Club, Brayford Wharf North, (next to the Sea Cadet HQ) on the 3rd February at 7.30 pm. The speaker will be Sean McGinley of CRT East Midlands.

Parking may be difficult as the nearest park, called Lucy Tower, is under long-term repairs. Try Orchard Street, car park of the City Hall, north of Newland, the main road.

Mention of the Timberland Delph in our last issue led to an enquiry about the various waterways that are connected to the River Witham and the origins of their names. These convey land drainage waters from the Roman Car Dyke, south of the Witham, and are accessible from the river through self-acting flood doors, open except in times of flood waters on the Witham.

We have a bit more about them on page 30.

Eau as in Kyme or Barlings. The local definition is given as a “water of life”.

In this context it refers to draining of land and providing power for water mills and navigation from Sleaford.

Skirth as in Billinghay. This seems to be a local pronunciation of Skirt - to lie or run along the edge or border of a place as in a road or river.

Also mentioned in the previous edition was the Lincolnshire Police Boat Passport/Boat Watch. This has now been re-christened Waterway Watch and is with the graphics department

prior to printing and should be available later this year.

Taking advantage of the summer weather we got away from it all, with five weeks on the boat. Travelling down the Leicester Grand Union we began to appreciate the high standard of maintenance in CRT East Midlands.

From Junction Lock to Market Harborough the waterways were overgrown with vegetation, both in the water and on the bank. Vision was severely restricted on bends and at bridges where normally there is a good line of sight. What impression must boat hirers from Market Harborough get if they could compare it with the Welford Arm - well maintained and a pleasure to cruise?

With several locks requiring works to defective paddle gear, gate collars needing urgent attention and all the facilities at Kilby being unserviceable, notices are being posted from a boaters’ action group urging the repair of all this front-line equipment.

The top lock (18) on the Grantham Canal at Woolsthorpe required new tailgates to be fitted, only months after new head gates were installed. A very generous quotation from Hargreaves lock gate builders led to an appeal for £30,000 towards the cost of the gates.

Our Branch agreed to make a £2,000 donation towards this effort which will enable their trip boat “Three Shires” to

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pass through the three Woolsthorpe Locks and moor against the “Rutland Arms” pub, giving a more secure mooring and restoring the four and a half miles of usable waterway.

When the new gates were being lifted

scheme to a list of possible improvements should a suitable funding source become available. The other two schemes are; Cobblers Lock to Haverholme Lock, raising the bank heights to allow extra navigable depth when the gates are fitted to the already restored Cobblers Lock chamber and installation of a side weir to cope with excess flows. Secondly, installation of an "access to water" point for launching canoes, and visitor boat moorings in South Kyme village.

The CRT drive to engage with volunteers has been followed up by the EA who have appointed a Partnerships Manager to liaise with volunteer groups and outside funders. For many years the Slea Navigation Trust and IWA members have carried out voluntary works on the Slea, repairing and maintaining structures and controlling vegetation, particularly at Taylors (Bottom) Lock island. Following meetings with the EA, it was suggested that a greater degree of co-operation would be beneficial to the waterway users.

This has led to EA operatives mowing the Lock island on their visits to tend the sluices. This is greatly appreciated and frees up volunteer time for other works to be carried out.

in, Andy Martin, the Branch Treasurer and I were present to hand over the cheque to the Canal Society. The party above was, from L to R: Ralph Poore (GCS), Dave Carnell (IWA), Mike Stone (GCS) and Andy Martin (IWA).

Just half a mile further down the canal, Locks 14 and 15 have been cleared of vegetation and silt in order to carry out structural surveys with a view to restoring them using a heritage training CRT`s East Midlands Waterway scheme.

Partnership are consulting on their Waterways Strategic Plan for the next At Haverholme Lock on the River Slea, IWA`s Hon. Engineer John Tap- ten years. The Branch has responded on some items to be considered for the lin has drawn up a design for a new finalisation of the Plan in December weir that will meet the Environment Agency’s requirements. Costs for this 2013. can now be ascertained, adding a third

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Following a break of seven years the West Stockwith Boat Club initiated the rebirth of a waterways day of activities. With help from CRT, local businesses and charities offered boat trips, visits on board “Spider T” the Humber super-sloop, and water ski-ing on the Trent. Many visitors enjoyed the event in the late September sunny weather.

In a local competition the pupils of Misterton School were invited to provide a name for the new CRT work tug on the Chesterfield Canal. The winner, “Molly” proposed the name “Blue Cuckoo”, reflecting the name the narrow boats were known by in the canal’s working days. She had the opportunity to fix the new name to the boat (picture above).

In the tidal Haven at Boston, the Environment Agency are carrying out refurbishment of the steel piling to improve the town’s flood protection. This involves two “jack-up” barges to accommodate the rise and fall of the tide and provide work platforms. See their plan on the left. Some dredging will be required and much needed removal of some of the derelict sunken craft that have lain there for over 50 years. A notice from the Port of Boston warns boaters of restriction to the channel between St Annes Quay and Pulvertoft Lane up to May 2014.

Dave Carnell

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A New Lock from Scratch

Over the past few years in Aegre we have reported on urgent reconstruction work on existing locks, such as Woolsthorpe, and investigations on locks in bad condition, such as Alvingham. These have shown the typical

construction techniques of the 18th century, brick and mortar for walls and invert, and even wooden plates for the base in the case of Alvingham.

It is therefore fascinating to be able to compare the civil engineering techniques of the present day, when tackling essentially the same job to roughly the same final dimensional requirements. We are very grateful to Rod Auton of the Chesterfield Canal Trust for help and many photographs (too many to include here) and partic-

ularly to the Engineering Directorate of Derbyshire County Council, who have kindly given permission to reproduce excerpts from some of their engineering drawings, allowing us to compare the “as drawn” item with the current work at Staveley. Some of their staff have been working on the project for twenty years or more.

Because we have had to reproduce the drawings at much less than drawn size, some of the notable dimensions may not be easily legible. (and ignore any note that says “Scale 1:100). To give some examples, the poured base plate is 600mm thick, with reinforcement, over 100mm of blinding concrete. The foundations for the side

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wall structures are 2.3m wide with 25mm steel bars to anchor the side wall concrete. Much of this will of course not be visible when the job is finished.

As the final visual effect is to match the earlier canal construction, facing brickwork is used in many places, but the heart of the structure uses modern materials such as reinforcing steel bars, and poured concrete in great quantity. Much of the actual work has been done by volunteers from the Canal Trust and the WRG, and our pictures show them busy laying blocks and bricks.

One problem in the design of the general layout came at Staveley Lowgates from subsidence where a rail line, formerly a bridge, crossed the canal track, coupled with the need for strengthening any new bridge to cope with modern train weights. This meant that the canal needed to be lowered by about 2.5m in that pound to give adequate headroom. Two options were studied. One was a “drop lock” with a pair of locks immediately either side of the railway crossing and

a culvert underneath. The second was similar, but called a “dropped pound” where the two locks are separated by a length of pound. This second solution was chosen because the “drop lock” option would have required some form of (electric) traffic control, and had safety implication should there be a boat in the culvert and a water flow into it. Either solution needed a siphon pipe to carry the water level across the dropped stretch to equalise the levels either side beyond the locks.. The present design allows for such a 900mm siphon pipe, and it can be seen in the drawing of the plan view on page 16/17.

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Hundreds of blocks and bricks have been laid, a secure compound has been built, footings for a new wash wall have been excavated and concrete poured for foundations. In addition several Trust members have learnt how to drive excavators and dumper trucks.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has raised over £30,000 so far with its Donate a Brick for Staveley Town Lock appeal, at £5 a brick. This appeal will continue. However the money is now being spent at an alarming rate, so the Trust is making a fresh appeal. In the next few weeks, they will be pouring hundreds of cubic metres of concrete. This is delivered by lorry and is very expensive.

You can donate a cubic metre of concrete for £80. If you Gift Aid your donation, it becomes worth £100. All donations will be acknowledged on the Trust’s web site and in its magazine, Cuckoo (unless requested otherwise).

You can donate on the Chesterfield Canal Trust website (just Google Chesterfield Canal) or send a cheque (made out to the Chesterfield Canal Trust) to the Treasurer at 47, Whitecotes Park, Walton, Chesterfield, S40 3RT.

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Pumps, Inclined Planes, and other useful things Back in 1844 George Gwynne was working in the USA as a chemist. He became interested in a type of pump first proposed by a Frenchman, de Demour, because it worked on the principle of a centrifuge to force the liquid away from a central input, and was therefore capable of continuous flow. He acquired a patent from W.D.Andrews in the US, improved the design, and brought it back to his family in the UK. With his brother John Gwynne they set up Gwynne and Co. in 1849 and began making pumps in London, mainly for agricultural drainage purposes. John Gwynne died early in 1855 and his controlling interest passed to his eldest son James. A major step in reputation came when a contest organised by The Engineer magazine in 1862 showed Gwynne pumps to be 16% more efficient than their nearest rivals. International repute led to contracts such as the one at Ferrara on the River Po in Italy in 1870, where eight Gwynne pumps could move 2000 tons of water per minute to drain the marshes.

However James was apparently difficult to work with, and with their mother's support two younger brothers, John II and Henry, set up a rival firm of J & H Gwynne in Hammersmith, with a factory on the river. This was also successful, and included steam engines of John's design as well as general engineering. Their bid of ÂŁ14,360 for the machinery and steelwork of the Foxton Inclined Plane was successful on a technical evaluation in spite of not being the cheapest.

More family disputes arose over the will of Henry's widow, and Henry Marshall of Gainsborough was a mediator. As a result the two firms were amalgamated as Gwynnes Ltd in Hammersmith in 1903. John II died in 1912 and Nevile, James' second son, took control.

Things were difficult until 1914, but then there were Admiralty orders for pumps, and the firm was also asked to make Clerget 100hp rotary aircraft engines. They subcontracted some of this work to Ruston Proctor of Lincoln.

After the war, hopes for a continuation of aircraft work were not realised, and the firm turned to motor car engines. This turned out to be a precarious enterprise, but that's another long story. The financial fall-out led to Gwynne Pumps Ltd becoming a subsidiary of Wm Foster & Co Ltd of Lincoln in 1927, where Sir William Tritton was MD. Tritton had been apprenticed to J & H Gwynne in 1891. After various jobs he was offered the General Manager's post at Foster & Co. in 1905. Tritton was knighted after the war for his work on the Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 18

27 inch Gwynne pump at Gayton

“tank”, but post-war tank work was concentrated at Vickers, and Tritton as MD was keen to diversify. This led to the acquisition of Gwynne Pumps.

Again the business did well for a time, including very large pumps of 102 inches for St Germans, Kings Lynn. Problems arose from increasing needs for testing facilities and support services, and the then Chief Pump Engineer of the CEGB (Central Electricity Generating Board), also once a Gwynne employee, encouraged the MDs from Fosters and Allens to talk. W H Allen had worked at Gwynnes from 1869 to 1880, when he set up on his own in Lambeth, later moving to Bedford. The firm prospered through the wars and subsequently, and in 1962 took over Fosters. In another re-organisation they set up Allen Gwynne Pumps Ltd in Lincoln. This later transferred to Bedford as part of APE Ltd. After several more transfers, the pump business was sold to the Weir Group of Glasgow, who have a world-wide presence in the oil and gas industry. So although the Gwynne name disappeared eventually, the technical legacy is still there.

If readers would like to know more about the other parts of the Gwynne story, Ken Good wrote an excellent book “The House of Gwynne”. It is not easy to find, but your library may have it, or second-hand book sellers. ISBN 1870519-67-1.

Note: The editor makes no apology for maintaining the use of Imperial units in this account. PH. Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 19

Sandiacre Lock Cottage Association has leased the cottage The Erewash Canal Preservation & since then.

Development Association were successful again this year in getting a Highly Commended award in the Heritage section of the Waterways Renaissance 2013. The certificate was presented to Howard Smith (ECP&DA Chairman) and John Baylis at the Waterway Trust Annual Dinner in Birmingham on May 23rd. The award represents forty years of work on the cottage by Mick Golds and ECP&DA working parties to keep it waterproof, secure and as a useful and attractive building on the Erewash After about ten years of doing minor Canal. maintenance and security work, BW Part of the cottage and stable probably suggested that more serious repair was dates back to the building of the Ere- required and Mick and the late Bob wash Canal in 1779, with the addition Peck organized more detailed repairs.

The whole of the roof was removed, of a second cottage and toll office cleaned, felted and tiles replaced, sometime after the Derby Canal doing a section at a time including opened in 1795. The cottage became part of the British Waterways portfo- erecting scaffolding and taking it down over a weekend. The two bedlio in 1948 and was due for demolirooms in one cottage were made into tion on 1968 after BW had built a replacement bungalow to the rear. As the Association meeting room and a the other two Erewash Canal lock cot- new floor fitted, and the two bedtages at White House and Stenson’s locks had recently been demolished, the infant ECP&DA was concerned that the last original cottage on the Erewash Canal should not suffer the same fate. The Association’s representations to the local authority opposing the Demolition Order were heard and the Order was not granted.

The BW response was “if you want it keeping, you look after it”, and the Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 20

rooms in the other cottage cleaned up and painted. Downstairs all the rooms were cleaned and painted, fireplaces repaired and all the walls dry-lined to prevent damp damage to the internal walls, and all the electricity wiring and fittings were replaced.

through in many places. The old doors etc were re-fitted to a new steel oven and frame, built in the ECP&DA workshop at Langley Mill. The oven in the other kitchen is showing similar distress and has been taken to the ECP&DA workshop for serious repairs.

Over the past few years Mick Golds has been talking to Tom Woodcock, the BW (now Canal & River Trust) Heritage Officer, regarding work needed to keep the cottage in good order. So over the last two years all the cast iron rainwater goods have been repaired, the cottage has been painted in its original dark green, a chimney top has been rebuilt, which involved scaffolding over the toll office, and the stable converted into a more useful and secure store.

For the last forty years the ECP&DA has leased the cottages from BW (now C&RT). It has paid for all the work of repair, and all the repairs have been carried out by its volunteer working parties. However, the local authority Later work involved the fitting of a wood burning stove and central heat- has appreciated the work of the Assoing to keep the cottage warm at meet- ciation and made several grants to ings and events. The shutters fitted in help repairs. Donations have also been received from the Inland Waterways 1969 were suffering from vandalism Association and other individuals. and after several minor break-ins all the downstairs shutters were replaced The Waterway Renaissance award is a and bars fitted inside the upstairs win- well deserved result of forty years of effort to maintain and preserve a vital dows. In the downstairs room the piece of our canal environment and stone lintel over the fireplace and the ECP&DA is to be congratulated oven was cracked and on trying to effect a repair the cast iron at he back on its achievement. John Baylis of the oven was found to be rusted Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 21

Leicestershire Branch Meetings Thursday 12 December 2013 - Christmas Gathering with a fish and chip supper and quiz. Wanlip Church Hall, adjacent to The Church of Our Lady & St. Nicholas, Church Road, Wanlip. Time: 7.30 PM. We thought we’d ring the changes slightly this year and have a bit of a ‘twist’ on our regular Christmas celebration. So we have hired the Church rooms at Wanlip, which we hope will be handy for most (there’s plenty of parking). Try LE7 4PJ to locate Church Road, or this: As you will see from the menu we are not following tradition with the food but there will be crackers, hats, Christmas trimmings and plenty of Christmas fun.

Menu: Choice of fish, chicken, steak & kidney pie or veggie burger, with chips, mushy peas and pickled onions. Followed by either fruit crumble and custard or chocolate sponge and cream, and after-meal tea or coffee. Bring your own drinks for consumption during the evening. Cost per person £12.50, cheques payable to IWA Leicestershire with your order. Please send your choice of meal with your cheque and a contact phone number to Andrew Shephard at 41 Roman Road, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4BB by Dec 1st, please......but I could say don’t delay do it today!!!

Thursday 13 February 2014 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at The Gate Hangs Well, Lewin Bridge, Fosse Way, Leicester, LE7 1NH. 7.30 PM. As well as the usual AGM business, and a chance to vote on/off/join the committee, to round things off there will be a presentation by Brian Williams, the historian, about the Charnwood Forest Canal.

Thursday 10 April 2014 - Foxton Locks – The Canal Museum or ‘Bridge 61’ (TBC) 7.00 pm. (Please note earlier start). To mark the bi-centenary of the opening of the Foxton Locks, a meeting at Foxton is clearly essential, Foxton being in Leicestershire. The evening will include a visit to the Canal Museum and a short presentation by the Museum Curator, Mike Beech.

There will be a treasure hunt / quiz, and we will regroup at the pub for sustenance. The Historic Boat Club are also holding an Easter Gathering at Foxton in 2014, in recognition of the bi-centenary, so there may well be some interesting historic boats tied up by the time of our meeting.

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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Autumn has arrived and the trees alongside the canal and river banks are turning to those shades of reds and golden browns. A lovely time of year to be out and about on the waterways and I hope you get time to enjoy the season.

Looking back to the summer, in August we had our first work party of the year helping the Environment Agency (EA) and Canal and River Trust (CRT) clearing Himalayan Balsam from the Beeston area around the lock and surrounding land. Having previously had site meetings with EA, CRT and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust concerning the prevalence of this very invasive plant along the Beeston Cut, it was agreed that EA would spray the canal bank and then a work party would be organised to pull out the remainder from nearby areas. This turned out to be an ambitious plan, but the key areas where the Balsam was likely to re-infect the sprayed area were tackled with verve and enthusiasm by a stalwart band of volunteers. It took all day and those volunteers with experience of similar activities in other parts of the country noted that the 12 ft high plants being pulled here were the tallest they had ever experienced. Our branch now therefore has the dubious honour of being the IWA branch with the tallest Balsam plants bashed across the country. Top that! See the offending flowers on page 10.

Having bashed some Balsam we were then on a roll. The next work party was in September when a further band

of nearly 20 volunteers made their way to Beeston Lock on a sunny Saturday morning to help clean up the Nottingham Canal. This was the culmination of several planning meetings in partnership with CRT, who were providing work boats and crew to transport and finally dispose of the rubbish. This was the first clean up for the new CRT team, and after some initial teething troubles we got underway.

We had about a dozen in the litter picking team and eight with grappling hooks, dragging the canal and helping to load the work-boat. The towing path litter pickers covered a substantial area from Beeston Lock down to Castle Marina in the city, with ten bags of litter being cleared along the way. It was also fair to say that the grapplers where overwhelmed by the waste in the canal.

There are about 25 bridges and 3 locks on the Nottingham and Beeston Canal, and after only two bridge holes received attention and the section around the entrance to Castle Marina the boat was full. By the time the boat could be emptied and returned to site it was time to call it a day.

What a day though, either picked or grappled out were: 10 bags of litter, numerous bikes and shopping trolleys, car tyres, chairs, traffic signs, wire cables, bed springs, skateboards, a TV set, a statue of the Hindu god Ganesh and, the catch of the day, a full size cigarette vending machine, 2 ft square at the base and over 5 ft high! We caused

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funds could be raised urgently, new gates could be made at lower cost. The fund raising activity proved successful and IWA were kindly invited to view the installation of the gates. See more details in the Lincolnshire Happenings article on page 11, but it was quite a sight to see, crane, gates, engiquite a stir, particularly dragging the neers and volunteers synchronised to latter item out and had help from pasefficiently position and fasten the gates sers by and those lunching at the canal- in place. Lock 18 is therefore back in side diner. At one point there must have operation. been 20 other people either helping or cheering us on. All the volunteers left On the planning front readers may weary and tired but with a great sense recall my article last year concerning of achievement at a job well done. I the demolition of the warehouses at send a big thank you to all those volun- Trent Lane Depot on the R. Trent in teers that helped on the day, such things Nottingham. The site has since been could not be done unless people volun- cleared and bought by the Housing and teer.

Communities Agency for redevelopment. Consultation is underway by the As the clean up really only scratched developer Blueprint to create sustainathe surface we intend to hold another ble housing and regenerate the basin to one next year so watch this space and provide open public space with views do consider joining in, there is much to the river. Plans are not finalised at more to do and a lot more people would this stage but the current plan is to build get a lot more done.

150 homes, mostly three bedroomed but some of two or four bedrooms.

Also in August there was another step Being mainly family homes the buildforward on the Grantham Canal with ings will be two to four stories high. the installation of new bottom gates at This is a good outlook from the waterLock 18. As there was an unusual win- way users’ perspective, as they should dow of opportunity in the production not dominate nor block much needed schedule of the gate manufacturer, if light from the channel or basin.

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Strangely the developers are currently neglecting the possibilities for visitor moorings and are using the waterspace as a feature with a floating garden in the basin. However, now that IWA have suggested some options for visitor moorings and highlighted the overall lack of such facilities on the Trent, they are rethinking their plans with a view to submitting a planning application in late 2013.

would take about 25 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453, Clifton traffic and 40mph speed limits permitting.

Don’t be alarmed by a barrier at the entrance - they will let you out again.

Note that Rushcliffe Leisure Centre is a different place. Further information about meetings can be obtained by email :nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk

Friday, November 15th 2013 Illustrated talk on the Manchester Ship CRT’s East Midlands and Central Canal and some of the engineering isShires Waterways Partnerships are both sues that have arisen along the way, by consulting on their Waterways Strate- Rod Pearson. gic Plan for the next ten years. If time permits the Branch hope to take part in Friday, December 20th 2013 the consultations before they are finalMini Presentation by John Wilkinson, ised later in the year. However, with so “The Panama Canal”, followed by few people helping with the tasks and Christmas Refreshments. activities of the Branch such matters are not being covered.

Friday, January 17th 2014 “Canal Reservoirs” an illustrated talk The Branch organises a series of open

by David Brown (Principal Reservoir meetings. We are hoping to attract lots Engineer, Canal and River Trust) conof new faces to the meetings and have cerning the history and engineering bearranged a very interesting and varied hind some of the reservoirs supplying group of speakers. Non IWA members local canals. are very welcome to attend.

Friday, February 21st 2014 We meet on the third Annual General Meeting, followed by Friday of the month an illustrated talk – to be confirmed throughout most of the year. Meetings Friday, March 21st 2014 are held at 7.45 pm at Talk with slides covering the latest deRushcliffe Arena, velopments of the Ashby Canal, by GeRugby Road, West off Pursglove from the Ashby Canal Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7HY. This Society. is not far from the A60 (Loughborough Road) and the Arena entrance road is Mike Snaith roughly opposite Greythorn Drive. It

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Lenton Chain and Trent Bridge Cricket Some miles apart, but by courtesy of the Lenton Times and Dave and Nancy Johnson, we believe there is a connection dating to the late 19th Century.

George Howitt was born in Old Lenton in 1843 and died in Nottingham in 1881. He had a considerable career as a cricketer with Nottinghamshire CCC. His parents, Charles Howitt and Sarah nĂŠe Upton were from Cotgrave. Charles was a noted local cricketer who enjoyed some success playing in single wicket competitions during the 1820s. By 1841 Charles and Sarah had moved to Old Lenton, in the vicinity of Abbey Street near the canal bridge. Charles' occupation was given in censuses as 'collector' [1841]; 'collector of tonnage' [1851]; 'collector of canal tonnage' [1861]; and 'canal clerk' [1871]. The property that the Howitts occupied must have been situated alongside the Nottingham Canal at its junction with the Beeston Cut. All the canal boats heading northwards or those coming from the north and making their way towards Nottingham and the river Trent would have had to stop at this point and have their cargoes checked. This was Charles Howitt's job, and he either took the requisite toll for using the canal or else logged the details so that the Nottingham Canal Company (later bought out by the Great Northern Railway Company) could invoice the businesses in question. To make sure that boats could not slip past unnoticed, a chain was strung across the canal at this point and only lowered once Charles Howitt had checked the cargo - hence one of the names used for their home - Chain House.

The photograph was taken in 1921. Somewhat obscured by the large tree on the left is the property that earlier was home to the Howitt family. The scene shown here is the junction of the Nottingham Canal and the Beeston Cut. In the middle distance are some of the houses that make up Cloister Street. Later on a small foundry would occupy the site of the Howitt s residence.

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Obituary – Gerald Carlisle Smith I am sorry to report the death of Gerald Smith who was cremated on 1st October in Sheffield. Gerald was born in Cambridge in 1929, living there in his early years. Towards the end of the Second World War he joined the Air Training Corps, followed by National Service in the Royal Air Force where he gained his pilot’s “wings”. In civilian life Gerald trained as an engineer with the London North Eastern Railway, finally in London. It was in London that he met Dorothy, and soon after they decided to move to a post in Sheffield. Gerald worked for the North East Midlands Hospital Board until his early retirement in 1983. In June they celebrated their Diamond Wedding In 1965 the family purchased the first of three boats. Gerald initially joined the old IWA North East Midlands Committee in 1968 and for a short period in 1970 was Branch Chairman. Gerald then joined the Sheffield Branch, later South Yorks & Dukeries Branch following the reorganisation in 1974, until the 1990s. Gerald and Dorothy kept their narrow boat “Mayfield“at the Derby Motor Boat Club on Sawley Cut and regularly supported events organised by the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association and IWA Nottingham Branch.

We send our condolences to Dorothy, Michael and Jill, and his grand and great-grand children. John Baylis

Journals Received We are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals from various canal and river societies and trusts. They include “The Portal” from Friends of the Cromford Canal; “The Packet” from the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society; “The Cuckoo”, from the Chesterfield Canal Trust; “The Bridge”, from Grantham Canal Society; “Sleaford Navigation Trust” journal; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; and “The Wharfinger”, from Louth Navigation Trust, as well as “Navigation” from our neighbours at West Midlands, the “Easterling” from our Eastern neighbours, and “Endeavour” from Northampton Branch. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of one of these journals should contact the relevant address given on page 4.

For “The Cuckoo” contact the editor John Lower at 92a Tapton View Road, Chesterfield S41 7JY.

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Obituary - Christine Potter We are sorry to report the death of Christine Potter who often was seen in the Nottingham area on various boats called “Polly Otter” In later years Christine was a harbour-master at several IWA National Festivals, and was often accompanied and assisted by Peter Hart who passed away last year. Christine lived in Birmingham overlooking Farmers Bridge Junction and her well attended memorial service at Harbourne showed the breadth of her interests.

John Baylis

The Logical Puzzle for this Issue Every newspaper seems to have puzzles these days, beyond the traditional crossword, and mostly with strange Japanese sounding names. So to join the crowd, here is one for “Aegre” readers..

You are working a narrow boat single-handed down a canal with broad locks in the traditional style (no hydraulic gadgets). It is a quiet day , nobody else about, and fair weather with a slight breeze. You moor above the next lock down, look back to see if anyone is coming, as it would be convenient to share, but no sign, and still nobody else about. You walk to the lock and find it empty and with both tail gates open and their paddles too. After muttering about “newbies”, you go to shut the paddles and one gate. With great effort you get it shut and walk round to the other side While struggling to shut the second gate, the first one gently but surely drifts open. The process then repeats itself, so that the only way to keep either gate shut is to hold, or rather lean against it. There are no handy bollards or other fixtures to tie it shut with a length of rope (of course you have plenty on board).

What to do? Answers welcome, preferably on the back of a cheque made payable to CRT or WRG. Aegre 137 - November 2013 Page 28

Around the Societies and Trusts Last time we had a picture of nb Birdswood on her way to Langley for a major refit to become a trip boat on the Cromford Canal. The changes included a complete internal rebuild and fitting an electric drive system because of the special status of the area. They now report completion of the boat and the difficult transport to Cromford, with only an inch or two to spare getting into the Wharf. We wish them well when trips start.

They also report good progress on the site at Sawmills, supported by the London group of the WRG. By the time you read this there will be no more steam days this year at Leawood, Social meetings at Ironville Church Hall (SK435518) will be on November 18th with a Christmas Social on December 2nd.

The Derby and Sandiacre Trust report an enjoyable attendance at the Erewash Rally earlier this year, and good progress with tree clearance at Spondon and maintenance at Borrowash. There is a plan to make a Heritage Lottery approach next year for work at Sandiacre, supported by co-operation with Derbyshire CC to check land ownerships. Their meetings are planned to continue on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Wilmot Arms, Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA. The next will be on the 26th November on “Problems in Canal Building”.

Sleaford Navigation Trust continue with their work parties (usually second Sunday of the month, call 01522 856810), and have good co-operation with the Environment Agency and the South Kyme parish council. See Dave Carnell’s report on Lincolnshire Happenings. Again some of the work has been held up by problems of unclear land ownership, and this is now being addressed.

At the Chesterfield Canal Trust there is, as ever, a very full programme lined up for the winter including highlights of: - Tripboat Seth Ellis doing trips from the Hop Pole on Welham Road, Retford, on November 30 and December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. For all trips, ring 07925 851569.

- New tripboat Hugh Henshall doing trips on December 21 and 22 from the Lock Keeper pub in Worksop. For all trips, ring 01246 477569.

- Tripboat John Varley doing regular Sunday trips from Tapton Lock in Chesterfield, on November 23, 24, and 30 and December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Ring 01246 551035 for bookings.

Non-members are welcome to come to Supporters’ Group Meetings. These are usually held at Hollingwood Hub, but check before travelling. They are planned for 13th November (at Brampton Brewery, Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield) and 8th January (this one at the Station Hotel, Kiveton Park) and 12th March. Call 01246 477569 for information.

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Timberland: Delfan; Delph; Gedolven

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch

OK, my Old English conjugation may be questionable, but we can now bring you the pictures which should have gone with David Tomlinson’s account of an exploration by narrow boat of the Timberland Delph off the River Witham, and something about the several delphs which act as drainage channels. The word has been associated with digging ditches or quarrying for at least 2000 years, so it is good to see it still used in Lincolnshire.

The expedition team David said: “Having eased through the entrance doors, Nb “Kyme” led the way, Nb`s “Wigford” and “Nell” followed. The Delph is wide and straight, the high banks however prevent any view of the surrounding countryside. We found a good depth of water. We cruised within 200 yards of the end, where it joins the Roman Canal - Car Dyke, the last 200 yards being shallow and somewhat overgrown.”

There are seven of these channels south west of the main river, which is itself now very artificial. Working downstream they are Sandhill Beck, Branston, Nocton, Metheringham and Timberland Delphs, Billinghay Skirth and Kyme Eau. The channels of Nocton and below are separated from the main river, not by locks but by pointing gates. These are normally open, or partly open depending on the wind, and the water levels are the same on both sides. If there should be a rise in the Witham level, however, they will shut automatically to prevent flooding of the drained land. Not a good time to be in a boat on the Delph.

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The pointing gates. (Š Jonathan Thacker) At the south western edge of the drained area is the Car Dyke, due to the Romans. This catches the water draining from higher land further south and west, and passes it to the Billinghay Skirth.

Thanks to Steve Hayes and Jonathan Thacker for the pictures and Witham First District Internal Drainage Board for the information.

Head of the Delph

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Final fix of guttering At Sandiacre Lock Cottage

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch Canal Clearance Team And CRT boat Bollin

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