Aegre November 2014

In this issue Clean and Tidy for the Winter

Aegre No. 140 November 2014

from the East Midlands Region of

Aegre 140 - Nov 2014 Page 1

Aegre is published Š 2014 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches.

Chairman

David Pullen, 16 Church Street, Scothern, Lincoln LN2 2UA. Tel 01673 862278

Vice-Chairman

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

Leicestershire Branch Chairman

Ian McDonald, 1 Goodheart Way, Thorpe Astley, Leicester LE3 3RX. tel 0116 3321534

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Dave Carnell (as above)

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman

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 Advertisement Manager for Aegre: Ian Mc Donald, see above.

E-mail: aegre.adverts@waterways.org.uk This is the web edition, with low definition pictures.

Picture credits: Front cover: Louth Navigation Trust (page 14). Page 3: Weed cutting on the Witham (page 15). Back cover: Rod Auton. Other credits, page 23

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.

The inclusion of any advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the IWA East Midlands Region or any of its Branches.

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AEGRE

Picture above - Weed Cutting and Dumping on the Witham

No. 140

November 2014

Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region........................................4 The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam...........................................................5 From David Pullen, Chairman................................................................6 News from Leicestershire.......................................................................8 Lincolnshire Happenings......................................................................13 News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire........................................16 Around the Societies and Trusts..........................................................20 Amy Howson........................................................................................21 Soundings at Boston............................................................................22 Journals Received................................................................................23 Picture Credits......................................................................................23 New publications..................................................................................23 Annual General Meetings.....................................................................24 Calor Gas Lite cylinders recall..............................................................25 Notts & Derby Branch Meetings...........................................................26 Other Coming Events...........................................................................27

Next issue probably to be published in March 2015. Contributions to the editor (see page 2) by the end of January 2015 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

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

Waterways Society 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

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The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam We are definitely in autumn now, and one of the themes of this issue of Aegre is “clean and tidy for the winter”. At home, we tend to think of spring cleaning, when unaccustomed sunshine shows up the dust and dirt accumulated surreptitiously over the dark days. In the garden, and on the waterways, it is often the case that essential tasks need to be done to prepare for winter, and expected storms with high winds and heavy rainfall.

Typically, summer waterway levels are reduced to allow more temporary storage volume. But I wonder whether the problem is always winter storms. Near where we live, there have been several instances of flooded houses over the past few years, not in winter but in June and July due to heavy summer rainfall. No doubt careful studies are being done by the experts, but actual civil engineering solutions seem slow to appear. Your thoughts are welcome.

ing / sculling, and even a few smaller sailing dinghies near Trent Lock.

C&RT have been encouraging greater usage in cooperation with the BCU, and there has been, for example, construction of a canoe pass at the weir below Alrewas.

On a more encouraging note, C&RT are looking at possible off-line moorings on the Trent near Shelford and Attenborough, based on existing gravel workings. Although this is a long term objective, they would like indications of support from boaters to guide the process.

One slight reservation to all this - a wider familiarity with the waterways rule of the road would do no harm, and I would certainly expect it amongst those acting as coaches or instructors.

On “big” waterways there are special provisions for “vessels constrained by their draught”, and sometimes a narrow or broad-beam boat can be just that,

On another positive note, around the waterways this last season we seem to have seen a greater variety of craft.

Not a scientific survey of course, but not quite as many narrow boats, more canoes and kayaks, more people row-

Our first little boat was a home-built kayak, so we feel great sympathy for these smaller (and fragile) craft. This applies particularly when we see them trying to portage round some of the locks with nowhere to land on the downstream side less than five feet above water level. An interesting contrast can be found in some of the German rivers, where you arrive above a lock to find a special channel and a button to press, or a string to pull, and - lo - a gate opens, a flow of water begins, and you are carried without effort down a neat canoe-size channel to the lower pound.

Best wishes for the remaining season and winter meetings, and hoping that river and canal levels are neither too high nor too low. Peter

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From David Pullen, Chairman My item in the last Aegre about CRT supporting boaters new to The Trent has now become a firm aspiration within the “CRT 10 Year Strategic Plan”.

I also notice that John Lower is giving a presentation “Narrow boating on the Trent from Nottingham to Keadby” to the Notts & Derbys branch on 20 March (see page 27). I have read and used various advice from John on navigating the Trent over the years and I can highly recommend going to hear his talk if you are thinking of going on to the Trent for the first time next boating season.

The CRT Strategic Plan was launched publicly on 14 October at the CRT East Midlands Annual Partnership meeting in Nottingham (2 days before penning this contribution) and it needs longer to dig into it. It is worthy of a more thorough analysis and I will write about it more in the next Aegre.

At the CRT meeting I was able to buttonhole Irven Forbes, Environment Agency Navigation Officer for the Anglian area, about the dismal progress in restoring navigation through Black Sluice Lock, which is still closed following the tidal surge back in early December 2013. He assured me that it is not a money issue because the cost is covered by the Government’s emergency cash provision for the floods. The problem is more that the control system for this lock is highly complicated because it is controlling a number of automatic functions including a fish pass and automatic water level control in the Black Sluice Navigation (Drain). I certainly didn’t know that the controls at the lock were doing all these things as well as controlling navigation functions. I have asked for more details from Irven. Hopefully the lock will be back in action for the 2015 boating season with a simpler control system. In 2014 there were a significant number of disappointed boaters who had hoped to navigate the Black Sluice including some who crossed the Wash and had intended to include this cruise in their itinerary.

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One of the responsibilities as region Chair is being an IWA Trustee, and so I get to attend the bi-monthly Trustee Board meetings. One of the main issues facing IWA is how to maintain membership numbers. All charities have this problem especially in our current economic climate where money is never enough to do all we want to do. However all is not doom and gloom! Recently Lincs Branch managed to facilitate signing up 23 new members at Burton Waters Marina by apparently hitting exactly the right spot with one of their needs. All credit to Dave Carnell for his excellent work with Lincolnshire Police on a “Lincolnshire Waterway Watch” boat security pack which included an IWA membership form. The challenge in my opinion is to retain a higher number of new and existing members together with new recruits.

Excellent work such as the HS2 route outcome at Fradley will help, but I feel we need to do more at region and branch level. Your views on what you as members want from IWA are particularly welcome so please let me know and we will try to develop things that you want.

Another action that Trustees have taken is to establish a marketing committee.

I can hear the groans already - “another talking shop” - etc. However I agree that IWA, more than ever before, needs to differentiate what we are, particularly from CRT, and to ensure the IWA “brand” values are maximised. It is no good just carrying on as before when all around us is changing so rapidly, not only technology, but also social and demographic changes. So I’m all in favour. In my mind doing nothing is not an option. Again any views on what you think IWA stands for or, more importantly, should stand for are welcome.

And finally! I think we can all agree that 2014 has been a great boating season with great weather and normal water levels. We boat-hopped our way down to Saul, on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, for the IWA Saul Waterways Pageant over the August bank holiday. This was a very pleasant low impact event organised by the newly re-named “Events Committee” – formerly “Festivals Committee”. The new committee is developing a number of models for future events of this type so that IWA regions and branches and other organisations can identify sites and locations that could host future events without the huge infrastructure that the now defunct “National” format required. The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal proved to be an excellent venue which, being essentially a ship canal, provided a wider variety of craft than on most of the rest of the system. Tall ships, lifeboats and ex-fishing vessels mixing with cruisers and narrowboats certainly provided a fine spectacle. Next years event is the “Northampton Festival of Water”, 29-31 August. David Aegre 140 - Nov 2014 Page 7

News from Leicestershire

The clean-up party at Lime Kiln. From Alison Smedley As the evenings draw in I write this just after our first Social meeting on October 9th, sniffing slightly as a potential cold could be arriving, probably after the weather was most unreasonable last Saturday. Our meeting was memorable in several ways but significantly because we welcomed seven new members to their first meeting, two have been boating for many years, another three were in the processes of buying their first boats and the final couple thoroughly enjoyed their first day of boating and are now eagerly looking forward to a forthcoming week’s cruise in November. It rather restored my dented faith in the attractions of our branch.

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After a wonderful September I hoped the fine weather would hold for last Saturday 4th when, with the great help of Alison Smedley from Head Office, we held our big clean up in Leicester.

Alison generated a poster and also press releases to the four local papers and I talked about it on local radio, and we kept hoping the weather would hold - but it didn’t!!

Adrian Lane’s Leicester Riverside team brought along their three work boats for us to work from, Alison had bags of gear for us to wear or use, and the two CRT chaps brought along their mobile Elsan van and various items of

as I pulled. It came out bright and shiny, apart from the aluminium brake parts that had dissolved! No wonder any arisings from dredging in this stretch have to be disposed of as highly contaminated!

We had quite a useful event as the CRT comfort facilities were full and their chaps asked where the nearest facilities were. We have been trying to get these facilities in Leicester ever since the Branch was established.

North Lock in 1981.

There still are none, so they went to From Dr Neil Clifton.

Loughborough to tip! I will be advisequipment for us to use. After Alison ing CRT of the need for these facilities gave us our Health and Safety briefing again, though there is some sign of we set off, some on boats heading up progress towards this goal. Leicester backwaters, some along the towpath City has secured some EU funding to picking litter and tidying up whilst I improve the area, and the council now had a go with a grappling hook for the own Friars Mill near West Bridge. first time - and we all got a bit wet!

They have outlined this as a place for seven day moorings plus facilities and Never mind we were happy and at probably one or two residential moorleast it was not cold and there was ings. I will be getting our IWA funding work to do and new people to talk to. finder wizard to talk to them and CRT It started to rain harder, but we carried about other possible funding sources on and Julie Mayer from Radio Leices- for this important future feature. ter came along to interview us about what we were doing, holding her mike Oh, I forgot to tell you how many up to her brolly so listeners could hear branch members joined in. Well I was the raindrops. Then, just as forecast, it there plus John who lives near the railbrightened up and by about 1.30 the way station and had just got his memsun poked through and it ended up as a bership courtesy of taking out a lovely afternoon and we all agreed we Towpath Talk subscription, and that had had a good day and had collected a was it. A WRG member from near the good load of rubbish. I was delighted city centre came along, plus a lady that I caught a bike, fortunately a who came from West Bridgford after cyclist came past and helped to unstick she had greatly enjoyed being part of it from the mud. Try as I might I the work party in Nottingham a short couldn’t free it, the water just bubbled time before.

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Lime Kiln Lock. From Matt Fascione

Leicestershire members, where were you? I believe we should undertake works like this. After all it was what the IWA was formed to do and our forebears slogged away all over the country and thanks to them our canal network is much more complete. We should join in to ensure it stays that way but I do not feel we can hold future efforts involving outside organisations without us knowing before the event that we have a reasonable number of people turning out. When we try to organise these things in future there must be changes, the main one being a larger turnout.

Loughborough Canal and Boat Festival was I understand another successful event, though Carol and I were out cruising and the branch were not able to undertake to man a stand, again.

This event started in 1997 when there were plans published for a road realignment that would have demolished

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the basin at the end of the arm in the town. Branch members, headed by Mick Clowes, organised protest events including the first Festival and, apart from the year when flooding caused its cancellation, it has been a tremendously popular event in the Loughborough calendar ever since.

Sadly I gather that this event may well have been the last one as Jo Swift, whom Mick got involved from day one along with the support of her employer, the Loughborough Echo, has decided she really is not able to carry on organising it. This is something she has done almost alone since her husband Maurice died a few years ago. It will be a great shame if it does cease to exist. It did raise awareness of the canal to people in and around Loughborough who come in their thousands each year. The canal basin is still there with thriving new developments alongside. Our branch should be able to not only support the event but, given the number of members we have, should be able to run the event.

If any members feel so moved as to offer to help take on this task, please talk to me, I would love to have a busy phone line but I fear I will not. I am willing to be part of something but I am not going to take it on alone.

Foxton Festival was another very successful event this year and made useful profits towards the new plans for explaining and illustrating how the plane worked. All plans for a full restoration are now shelved, with one major reason being that our current laws would have required all the ropes used to move the caissons to be replaced each year at an indicated cost, I believe, of some ÂŁ30,000 each year.

There would have been some useful scrap value as the old ropes would have been sold overseas to be used for many more years!!

This Festival too is faced just now with a doubtful future. I was passed an email the other day from the organisers saying that the person who joined their team last year and successfully worked as site manager had reluctantly had to stand down through work commitments, and the committee felt that unless someone stood up to take on the job, then they would not feel able to run the event this year. They need to find someone by early November as without someone in this key post they consider they cannot go forward with any plans. If anyone in the south of our region feels they could take this on, please contact me or Foxton Canal Museum.

So not a report full of joy, and let me finish it off in a like vein. Carol and I are now ex-boaters, as we sold Lily Pad to the first people to look at her, viewing her when we were in Marple and then again at Trafford Park. It was a terrible wrench after 11 years with her, seven of them living aboard. It brought to an end nearly 30 years of boating in our three Lily Pads. We don’t intend to just stay put & fester, instead we will clog the roads with Bessie, our new (to us!) motor home.

In our experience it is amazing how much stuff you have put into your floating home. Lily rose about 2 inches when we had emptied her, and it took many car journeys to bring the stuff to our house, in which the kitchen has only about half the storage space we had carefully designed into Lily. Boaters beware of what you will find when you transfer your treasured boat to new owners. Certainly in our experience it is only possible to do it when you have returned to your home base.

By the time you read this I expect we will have enjoyed our November meeting hearing about the Charnwood Forest Canal (noted below just in case) and will be looking forward to our Christmas Party. We will have no meeting in January so post Christmas I gather the Leicester Riverside Festi- our first meeting will be our AGM on val was another success, but here again February 12th. At our AGM we will our branch was not able to provide review our year, consider and approve enough active members to establish a our annual financial results, and elect presence. members to stand on our committee.

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We have several vacant places into which I would be delighted to welcome newcomers. We hold minimal actual committee meetings but do virtually all of our work by email, so can I urge you all to consider whether you could help the branch by putting yourself up for election. If you would like to know a bit more about what our committee members do, please contact me, Ian, on 07950 003383 or 0116 3321534. At the AGM Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicestershire Branch member, ex MP, ex BW board member and elected Mayor of Leicester will be talking to us about his vision for the waterway through Leicester. And yes, he is fully aware of the urgent need for facilities! At the moment we are not sure where we will be holding this meeting as the brewery is updating The Gate and it might not be completed in time. Please look at our web site to see where we are meeting. Those of you who receive our emails will get notified electronically too. Have a good Christmas, I look forward to seeing you soon.

Ian Future Meetings Please note that Social Secretary Andrew Shephard needs booking and payment for the Xmas party at or before the meeting on the 13th November.

Thursday 13th November. Brian Williams will give a talk on the Charnwood Forest Canal that was deferred from last February.

7.30 pm. at 'The Gate Hangs Well', Syston.

Thursday 11th December. Christmas Social. An informal buffet supper and quiz. ÂŁ12.50 per person. Cash, or cheque payable to IWA Leicester Branch, to Andrew Shephard, 41 Roman Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4BB. See note above on booking. 7.30 pm at Wanlip Church Hall.

Thursday 12th February 2015: Annual General Meeting. Speaker: Sir Peter Soulsby, waterways enthusiast and Mayor of Leicester.

7.30 pm. Venue to be confirmed due to planned refurbishment work at 'The Gate Hangs Well'.

Thursday April 9th: Guest Speaker: Steve Haywood, award-winning current affairs TV producer, journalist, author and long-time boat owner. A provocative talk can be anticipated. 7.30 pm. Venue to be confirmed..

All meetings are on the second Thursday of the month. For more information, please contact Andrew Shephard andrewshephard@madasafish.com M: 07710 362 952

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Lincolnshire Happenings Public House (or EA Peterborough) for a deposit of £10. Navigation Fees are under review. An EA representative confirmed that canoes and kayaks with a BCU licence are also able to use the carpark, slipway and navigation, and obtain a key.

The Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue team from Boston demonstrated the use of the slipway and their impressive expertise in various methods of waterway resFenland Link.

At the official opening of the Lincoln- cue. See next page for picture. shire Waterways Partnership funded trail-boat slipway at Hubberts Bridge, At the time of writing the damage caused to Black Sluice Lock by the Councillor Colin Davies said the December 2013 tidal surge has still project was part of the ”Routes not Barriers” project, that had attracted £1 not been rectified, hence the absence million of European Regional Devel- of larger craft at the opening. Also of concern is the lack of progress in opment Funding. (Picture above and extending the navigation channel to next from Shirley Rogers).

The next step was the construction of Black Hole Pumping Station and a multi-user trail from here to Wyber- determining the route through to the River Glen connection. ton High Bridge, along the South Conversations with the EA Project Bank of the Navigation.

Engineer and their Region Navigation The new slipway, situated near the Manager have identified problems due junction of the A52 and B1192, also to the reduction in staff levels and also provides parking space, pontoon the land owners on the preferred route moorings for larger craft and a water point and pump-out facility. These are withdrawing their support. Serious consideration is being given to involvaccessed by use of an Environment ing qualified expertise from the volAgency navigation key, available from the Black Sluice Tidal Lock unteer sector. I await details of what areas this will involve. keeper or the adjacent Wheatsheaf Aegre 140 - Nov 2014 Page 13

the hard work of members.

To help maintain the boats they can be hired, with crew, by parties of up to 12 who wish to enjoy a days` sailing on the Humber. See the details and pictures on page 21.

Louth Navigation Trust are working with the re-formed Lincolnshire Groundwork Trust to improve waterside facilities and River Ancholme. investigate possible creation of a This year has seen an increase in use waterside community park. In an of the river, with an international quadrathalon and national events tak- attempt to ascertain the ownership of ing place. The creation of a waterway the unique lock structures and prevent further damage by flood waters they trust for the river has seen monies being obtained towards the creation of are trying to trace the Abandonment Act of the Navigation. a multi-user path to the north, from Brigg. Brandy Wharf Leisure Park A recent positive step has been the operate a trip boat which is being affected by the lack of a suitable land- renovation of the towpath near the Head of Navigation. For some years ing stage in Brigg and silt downstream of the now-closed Harlam Hill this has been adversely affected by intermittent building works for a new Lock. housing area - even sometimes Recently the Humber Keel and Sloop blocked completely. The housing is Preservation Society held an open day nearly complete, and the promised at South Ferriby, the tidal connection re-surfacing has now been done (see our picture right and on the front with the River Humber, to celebrate the centenary of their sloop the “Amy cover, from Louth Navigation Trust.)

The trees along the path have surHowson� which has just benefitted from a new suit of sails, hatch and sail vived. It is interesting to note that the covers, thanks to generous funding path surface is now above the DPC from North Lincs Council. Also a new level in an adjacent apartment building. set of lee boards have been made by Aegre 140 - Nov 2014 Page 14

Sleaford Navigation.

Meetings with South Kyme Parish Council and the Environment Agency have provided sufficient details to apply for consents to install moorings, canoe launch facilities and fishing platforms in the village. The creation of a winding hole south of South Kyme is also progressing following the EA`s approval of the method of disposal of the clay soils.

In Sleaford the Town and District Councils are seeking the ambitions of the Trust on the further development of the top pound.

working rebuilding the chamber wall.

See also pages 18 and 20.

Much time is spent by Committee members attending meetings with Local Authorities, the EA, CRT, River Trusts and Environmental groups to ensure our aims and ambitions are included in their plans.

After considerable concerns about weed on the Witham, it was good to see cutting in progress above Bardney recently (picture at the head of page 3). A rowing event with all types of boat - single sculls, pairs, coxless fours - took place in early October, and at least at Kirkstead rowers seemed to be having a clear channel.

Grantham Canal Society has benefitted from the Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camp in preparing a base, near lock 15, for next years` “Heritage Skills” workshops to restore this and lock 14. Further along Lincs Branch AGM is on Monday 23rd February 2015, at the Lincoln the canal, near the A46 crossing, Boat Club, Brayford Wharf North, Canal and River Trust have been commencing at 7.45pm. Following the AGM a speaker from the Brayford Trust will give a presentation on the Trust’s works and aspirations for the future. Car parking is available at the Lucy Tower multistory car park, about 100 yards away.

Dave Carnell.

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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire As I write it is a gloomy October morning, the nights are drawing in but the crisp frosty mornings of winter so favoured by photographers are just around the corner. Looking back to the warmer weather of summer still feels appealing though.

ery Group excavator. The day started off well with just enough time to set up our small display illustrating what IWA and the WRG excavator appeal is all about before the first boats started coming through. A steady flow of boats followed and we belatedly worked out from all the requests One of the main activities over the that there is a latent demand for cakes summer was the Lock Wind at Derand scones from boaters in Shardlow went Mouth Lock on the Trent and – something that did not go unnoticed Mersey canal at Shardlow on Saturday for a next time with one of our crew.

August 2nd. About ten volunteers turned out on the day to operate the Not surprisingly for a waterway event lock on behalf of boaters passing the rains came during the middle of through, in return for a small donathe day and the flow of boats dried up. tion. It was a successful day and we So everyone had the opportunity for a had nothing but positive comments of long casual lunch under canvas with support for the worthy cause of raising lots of story swapping before later in money for the new Waterway Recov- the afternoon a final flurry of boats

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Nottingham team and some results. From Alison Smedley

and donations ended an interesting and successful day. Overall we served about 30 boats, enlightened many crews about waterways restoration and conservation and raised about £110 towards the WRG excavator.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped on the day, who were professional in their activities but never missed an opportunity to rattle a bucket. A big thank you also goes to Canal and River Trust who supported the event and provided safety equipment and advice.

The other main activity took place on a sunny Sunday in mid-September.

Almost 20 volunteers turned out in Nottingham for a clean up of the Nottingham Canal from Meadow Lane towards the city centre. The day was organised by the Branch in partnership with CRT. Volunteers included IWA members, boaters and local people who wanted to get involved in

cleaning up the surrounding area. It was good to see so many new faces so actively involved in cleaning up the environment.

One team of volunteers set off on CRT’s workboat “Bollin”, to tackle offside and any waterborne litter.

Meanwhile two teams of volunteers with grappling irons got to work and soon pulled out their first haul from the lock chamber at Meadow Lane Lock. Then making their way along the first mile of the canal, they pulled out numerous bicycles, shopping trolleys, push chairs, fence panels and other assorted items. Later in the day an enormous amount of scrap metal was pulled out from the canal in the vicinity of Trent Lane.

As the grapplers moved along, more volunteers were active litter picking on the towing path side by Meadow Lane Lock and for over a mile

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towards the city centre, supplemented by others weeding and clearing vegetation around Meadow Lane Lock, the sanitary station service block and along towards the first bridge.

There was a hiccup along the way when the work boat broke down. This sadly stopped most of the activity early but with some resourcefulness a pick-up truck appeared at various bridges to allow rubbish bags and vegetation to be transported. By the end of the day all the rubbish and scrap had been unloaded at CRT’s Trent Lane depot, the former filling a skip on its own. The separated scrap metal was also heaved into one enormous pile, for recycling. Overall a huge amount of scrap and rubbish was cleared and the whole canal appearance was significantly improved. A big thank you goes to all involved who stuck to their guns and made such a difference on the day.

former canal-side tavern, currently lost in the undergrowth, plus the funding of an extensive series of educational and community involvement activities that are needed to meet the Heritage Lottery Fund award criteria.

Sadly the bid was rejected by HLF. The reasons for the failure were summarised in an informative letter which indicated the weak points of the bid. A follow-up meeting between the parties to aid understanding has also taken place. A very broad summary is that the bid did not meet the HLF award criteria regarding educational and community involvement. The Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust are therefore reviewing their options and considering next steps.

On a more positive note the Grantham Canal Partnership has submitted their phase 2 (Delivery phase) bid to HLF for the setting up of a heritage skills training centre at Woolsthorpe, couI previously mentioned that the Derby pled with an extensive series of educaand Sandiacre Canal Trust had subtional and community involvement mitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery activities. The bid was submitted in Fund. The bid covered the work August and if successful the various needed to be undertaken to open training courses should result, over approximately 750 metres of the time, in four locks being fully Derby Canal from its junction with the restored. This would complete the full Erewash Canal through Cockayne’s restoration of the whole Woolsthorpe Bridge to a new winding hole alongflight of 7 locks and mean that 6 miles side Sandringham Road. It included of canal would be ripe for navigation the restoration of Lock Lane Bridge from the 20 mile pound to the A1. and the two locks that lie between Albeit there will still be barriers to full there and Cockayne’s Bridge. Also navigation to be overcome, such as included in the bid was the preservavegetation clearance and dredging, but tion of the remains of the Boat Inn, a hopefully that will be grist to the mill

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of the Society’s work parties. HLF are expected to consider the bid at their meeting in November with the Partnership being notified of the result soon after.

struts for the fender would be piled into the channel bed (at a 45 degree angle).

As a further check on the potential effect on the navigation CRT also carOn the Planning Applications front, I ried out new trials using the large pashave previously mentioned the appli- senger vessel “Nottingham Princess”. cations for Hydro Electric Power The sluices on the new lock were used schemes on the River Trent. The latest to mimic the water flow of the turbine information we have is that the and the effect on the vessel was monischeme at Cromwell weir is still far in tored by CRT‘s experienced staff. the distance and not currently on the This proved to CRT’s satisfaction that cards. A feasibility study has not yet all was in order to proceed. It is fair even been commissioned. The to say that the Captain at the helm of scheme at Gunthorpe weir has been the Princess on the day was much less abandoned. The Government’s enthusiastic, and the commercial vesrecently revised feed-in tariff for any sel operators still remain deeply conelectricity produced is insufficient to cerned about being pulled off line cover the costs and has meant this when the actual scheme becomes a scheme is not viable. The scheme at reality. Construction is scheduled to Sawley weir has also been abandoned begin shortly and will last until 2016. due to overwhelming opposition.

Looking ahead to the Social calendar, The scheme at Holme Lock however on Friday November 21st there will be is going ahead. It is the scheme as an enlightening illustrated talk by mentioned in my Summer 2013 Aegre Robert Neff (general manager of Merarticle and is for a turbine in the old cia Marina) “The Berth of a Marina” Holme Lock of 18 cubic meters per (don’t you just love the play on second size, which is relatively small. words!) describing the planning and (For reference: the existing scheme at construction of a large marina and the Beeston is 65 m3/sec) The design continuing growth and conservation ensures that the Canoe slalom and raft over the last six years. Then on Fricourse always have priority for water day December 19th it will be our over the HEP scheme. At the same Christmas Social with a sharing buftime navigation concerns have been fet. Do come and join us, everyone is addressed by installing a wooden nav- most welcome, I look forward to seeigational fender/boom across the ing you there. mouth of the old lock channel from the bull nose at about a 45 degree Mike Snaith angle back upstream. Supporting

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Around the Societies and Trusts The trips with nb Birdswood on the Cromford Canal with their faithful horse have now stopped for the season, but there will be Santa Specials on Saturdays 7, 14 and 21 December, with three trips each way each day. Call for bookings and information 07752 055455.

They report a major effort by WRG and other volunteers at Lock 4 at Ironville. A full account is in their Autumn 2014 edition of Portal. Autumn meetings will be on November 17th and the Christmas Social on December 6th, all at Ironville Church Hall. For the social, it would be good to book on 01773 713174.

The Derby and Sandiacre Trust have unfortunately had their bid for HLF funds rejected. Fuller details in Mike Snaith’s report on page 18.

Work parties continue at Draycott and Borrowash. Indoor meetings are planned to continue on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA. Sleaford Navigation Trust continue with their work parties (usually second Sunday of the month, call 01522 856810). A major effort at surveying the nature of the silt problem at Taylor’s Lock, coupled with friendly negotiations with Environment Agency, South Kyme Council and landowners, resulted in the necessary major dredging operation. See Dave Carnell’s report in Lincolnshire Happenings.

They now have a full set of pictures in the current SNT Journal. This includes description of a successful South Kyme Boat Gathering including Sleaford Paddlers. The Autumn Social is to be held at the Sleaford Barge and Bottle on 22nd November. This must be booked please by 14th November to Debbie Scott, 9 Forum Way, Sleaford NG34 7FF. Louth Navigation Trust is included in Dave Carnell’s report on page 14.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust have a very full programme lined up for this coming Christmas season. See their announcement on the back cover.

The Grantham Canal Society are all awaiting the HLF bid outcome with bated breath … this would give a real ‘shot in the arm’ at a time when, to some, things seem to be drifting along. One of the current tasks is tracing a leak in the short pound between locks 18 and 17. It’s proving to be somewhat elusive and a drained pound is not the best picture to paint for visitors. CRT are also working on a leak at Denton reservoir, a key water supply for the canal. On a more positive note CRT have renovated lock 11 alongside the Fosse Way and made a splendid job of it as well. Only needed there now are lock gates and water!

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GCS and CRT have agreed terms of a lease for the Carpenter’s shop at Woolsthorpe. This will enable the Society to develop its training and maintenance programme well into the future, especially now that the Society is also responsible for improving the look of the canal by removing all the bushes and saplings growing on the bank between the towpath and the water from the A1 to Woolsthorpe.

And there is the usual plea, echoed by many other preservation societies the length and breadth of the country; “We desperately need more volunteers”. There are so many jobs to be done at this time of year. Whether young or old there is plenty of work for all … for more information please visit the website, www.granthamcanal.org.

Melton and Oakham Waterways Society announce their AGM for November 8th. This magazine may not get to you in time, but if it does, the meeting will be held on Saturday 8th November, commencing at 10.30am, at The Sysonby Knoll Hotel, Melton Mowbray, LE12 0HP.

Amy Howson

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Humber Sloop "Amy Howson" the Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society held public Open Days at South Ferriby, the tidal connection of the River Ancholme and the River Humber, over the weekend of August 9th and 10th .

Other restored Keels and Sloops attending this event were the Society’s other vessel "Comrade" , privately owned "Phyliss" and "Vulcan" plus "Syntan" from the Beverley Barge Association and "Sobriety" from the Goole Heritage museum.

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Amy Howson was built in 1914 at Scarr`s Beverley yard for Scaiff`s and named "Sophia". A change of ownership in 1916 saw her named "I Know" and in 1924 she was bought by W H Barraclough, and named after one of his daughters "Amy Howson". In 1976 she was acquired by the HKSPS, then undergoing restoration and re-rigging over a period of five years. She was the first ship to sail under the new Humber Bridge in 1981 and provides on-board displays of the trade on the Humber.

"Amy" and "Comrade" are available for crewed sailing parties of up to 12 people. Dates for 2015 will shortly be available by contacting Keith Sivertsen on 01482 782917 or www.keelsandsloops.org.uk.

Soundings at Boston An unusual vessel was recently seen at Boston, and gives encouragement that the much-discussed flood prevention scheme and tidal barrier are moving forward. The MV Fosser is equipped for taking samples below water level and determining the nature of the base layers - clay, chalk, whatever. This is essential if major works such as the barrier are to be designed taking these substrata into account. She was to be seen drilling on the Haven, and otherwise moored at the starch berth quay in early October. (Information and photo courtesy of Boston Harbour Master).

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New publications Saving the Derby Canal A new book documenting the campaign to restore Derby Canal has been published. Saving the Derby Canal (The one that got away) by John Wain, has recently been published and tells the story of the campaign led by enthusiasts to save the Derby Canal. It starts in the 1940s, when the Swarkestone Boat Club was formed, and recounts canal surveys, a protest cruise, public meetings, the financial implications and the ultimate failure of the campaign. The story is told through a series of letters sent to and from Government departments, Derby Canal Company and other interested parties.

John Wain writes from personal involvement with the campaign as he was involved in the early years from around 1953 and from 1956 was honorary secretary of Swarkestone Boat Club.

Mr Wain's book, priced at £5 or £7 including postage, is available direct from his address at 23 Woodminton Drive, Chellaston DE73 6RZ, telephone 01332

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 the IAWA, 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.

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; Rod Auton; Shirley Rogers, 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 acknowledged on pages 9 and 10.

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Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the East Midlands Region of the Inland Waterways Association constituent Branches will be held as follows: Leicestershire Branch: at 7.30 pm on Thursday 12th February 2015 at The Gate Hangs Well, Syston, Leics. LE7 1NH. Venue subject to confirmation, see page 12.

Lincolnshire Branch: at 7.45 pm on Monday 23rd February 2015 at Lincoln Boat Club, Brayford North, Lincoln LN1 1YW. The Club is located adjacent to the Barge Restaurant and the Sea Cadets’ H/Q. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch: at 7.30 pm on Friday 20th February 2015 at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford NG2 7HY.

AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting 3. Matters arising.

4. Report of the Chairman.

5. Report of the Treasurer and presentation of accounts.

6. Statement of committee size 7. Election of Committee members.

8. Address by Member of Council or Trustee 9. Any other business.

Nominations for election to the committees must be in writing, signed by the proposer and the seconder and containing the consent of the nominee.

They should reach the relevant Branch or Region Secretary not less than 14 days before that meeting.

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Calor Gas Lite cylinders recall Although the “Calor Lite” cylinders are mostly used in caravans, the Boat Safety Scheme has asked us to pass on the following warning: A small number of 6kg Calor Lite® cylinders have been found to be showing signs of premature internal deterioration which, over time, could potentially lead to a gas escape.

BSS Manager, Graham Watts said: ‘We have been advised that the risk of this occurring is perceived to be minimal. However, we understand that Calor, which sees its responsibility for customer safety as paramount, is determined to have a thorough internal inspection of all potentially affected cylinders.’

Any 6kg Calor Lite® cylinders manufactured in 2008, 2009, 2010 or 2011 must be returned to any 6kg Calor Lite® retail outlet immediately. Cylinders manufactured outside this date range are unaffected and safe to use.

However cylinders from 2008-11 that have already been checked do not need returning. These are marked with a hole punched into the flat metal tare disc that sits on top of the cylinder just below the valve. The date of manufacture of the cylinder can be found in two places on the cylinder base ring: - Firstly adjacent to the words ‘Property of Calor Gas Ltd’ there is a box in which there are two letters, then two numbers which denote the year of manufacture i.e. 08, 09, 10, or 11, followed by one letter.

- In addition, at the very bottom of the base ring, the third row of text shows the date of manufacture i.e. 2008, 2009, 2010 or 2011.

Boaters can find the nearest 6kg Calor Lite® retail outlet by using the ‘Find-a-Stockist’ facilities to be found at www.calor.co.uk/recall. Boaters returning a cylinder from the critical period will be given, for free, a full replacement 6kg Calor Lite ®cylinder.

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Notts & Derby Branch Meetings The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire 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.

Meetings are held on the third Friday of the month throughout most of the year.

Indoor meetings are held at 7.45 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. Don’t be alarmed by a barrier at the entrance - they will let you out again.

It would take about 25 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453, Clifton traffic and road-works speed limit permitting. 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 by email :- nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk Friday, November 21st 2014 “The Berth of a Marina” - an illustrated talk by Robert Neff (General Manager, Mercia Marina). Planning and construction of a large marina plus the continuing growth and conservation over the last six years.

Friday, December 19th 2014 Christmas Social and sharing buffet.

Friday, January 16th 2015 “Mikron Theatre” - an illustrated talk by Peter Toon (Mikron Theatre company) covering the background to a travelling theatre company and the plans for the coming season.

Friday, February 20th 2015 Annual General Meeting. Followed by an illustrated talk. Details to be confirmed.

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Friday, March 20th 2015 “Narrow boating on the Trent from Nottingham to Keadby ” - an illustrated talk

by John Lower (Chesterfield Canal Society).

Other Coming Events IWA Promotions and Communications Committee plans to arrange a Recruitment Workshop on Saturday March 7th 2015 in the East Midlands.

Venue and details yet to be arranged, but possibly at Barton in Fabis Village Hall, if available.

The intention is to discuss with Region representatives what their role is, and ideally to enthuse them as Recruiting Trainers. Anyone interested in understanding IWA’s needs in growing membership and strengthening our image will be welcome.

Probable timings: 10 for 10 30 and finish by 17 00. Lunch will be provided.

For more information please contact Jerry Sanders after Christmas. jerry.sanders@waterways.org.uk

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The Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd.

Registered Charity no. 1071376

Chesterfield Canal Santa Special Cruises A present for every child, a mince pie and a drink for every adult. ÂŁ6 per person.

Chesterfield Every Saturday and Sunday from 22nd November to 21st December from Tapton Lock on the A61 at the Tesco roundabout, S41 7JB. To book, ring 01629 533020.

Retford Every Saturday and Sunday from 29th November to 21st December and on Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th December from the Hop Pole on the A620, Welham Road, DN22 6UG. To book, ring 07925 851569.

Worksop Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December from the Lock Keeper pub off the Sainsbury's roundabout on the Worksop ring road, S80 1TJ .To book, ring 01246 477569.

Shireoaks Saturdays 13th and 20th and Sundays 14th and 21st December from Laura's Coffee Shop at Shireoaks, S81 8LP. To book, ring 01246 477569.

Hollingwood Hub Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th December from Hollingwood Hub on Works Road, S43 2JP. book, Aegre 140 - Nov 2014 To Page 28ring 01629 533020.