Anglia Cuttings 129 Autumn 2014

ANGLIAN CUTTINGS

40 Ipswich Branch Newsletter Autumn 2014 No. 129 The IWA may not agree with the opinions expressed in this publication. They are, however, published as a matter of interest to our members and readers.

Nothing printed can be construed as policy or an official announcement unless stated.

The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this publication.

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IWA IPSWICH BRANCH YOUR COMMITTEE Chairman -

Chard Wadley chairman.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

Secretary & Anglia Cuttings Editor Charles Stride secretary.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk editor.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Treasurer

Spencer Greystrong treasurer.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

Membership

Clive Saville membership.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

Publicity

Brian Holt pro.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

Social Secretary

Diana Holt socialsec.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

River Gipping Trust

Lewis Tyler RGTRep.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

Pickerel Project/River Stour Trust

Brian Cornell

pickerelrep.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Officer

Gerry Crease officer01.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

*************************** IWA Ipswich - http://www.waterways.org.uk/ipswich

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EDITOR’S PONDERINGS

C H STRIDE

Yes, I know this edition is a little bit later than usual but we wanted to ensure that we covered our Anniversary events and to get the latest news from around the region.

So, no apologies for keeping you waiting and many thanks to all the contributors who have helped to make this a bumper edition.

time and effort that you have put in over the years and these efforts have been rewarded and noted in many different ways, both locally and Nationally.

You will find inside reports, and hopefully, for those that came, memories of our two major events celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our Branch.

The present bunch, however, and I do speak for myself (!) are getting rather long in the tooth!

In particular our Chairman, Chard Wadley has undertaken this position for some 26 years.

Even your Editor took up the post exactly 20 years ago, although he did have a 5 year break when posted away by work, and the other Committee Volunteers have all done many years between them.

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Also inside are reports from other major Waterway organisations in our Region; The River Gipping Trust, The River Waveney Trust, North Walsham & Dilham Trust and The River Stour Trust.

All of them are reporting on the achievements and developments over recent time. We are only sorry that the River Stour Trust did not manage to actually open the new gates at Flatford, defeated by the recent wet weather, but a Grand Occasion is planned for next year.

As we been advising, for a long time, it is time to ask for others to come forward to help keep the Branch going into the future. As reported by the Chairman, we have now had some interest, but we still need three or four more Volunteers to come forward to take over the Committee from February next year.

One thing they all have in common is that all of them are run and mostly managed by volunteers and we would like to congratulate every individual who gives their time to help them keep going.

The Branch was pleased to note our 40th Anniversary by giving Anniversary grants to them for equipment to keep the volunteers busy.

Please consider this and put your name forward for the AGM. I know the AGM is on Friday 13th, but this day is not going to be unlucky for us, is it?

Charles Stride

And now we come to our own Branch Volunteers, those who have helped to manage and run this Branch for the last 40 years. We thank you all for all the 3

CHAIRMAN’S JOTTINGS Stevenson and our after dinner speaker Steve Haywood. You will find further reports and photos within the magazine.

My Editor tells me this may be our last Anglian Cuttings unless we can elect a new committee by the AGM in February 2015.

As you already know the Branch won the IWA Branch Achievement Award on two occasions, one in 2000 and the other in 2008. I have been told by the National Chairman that Ipswich Branch is one of only two Branches to have won the award twice. During my time as Chairman this was a proud moment for me and a great achievement for the branch.

I do not want to see the end of Ipswich Branch as we have achieved so much but having served as your Chairman for 26 years I need to step down. We need new members with new ideas to keep Ipswich Branch going and take our achievements forward.

A member of the branch, Phil Dowrick, has come forward to offer his assistance on the committee but obviously Phil will need support from more volunteers. The committee will require a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary plus other positions, I know this is a big ask but let us keep the Branch going. You may already have seen correspondence that we have sent out in the past saying that myself, Spencer Greystrong and Charles Stride are willing to help whoever takes on these task until they are confident in taking over.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our winter meetings in November and December.

I would like to finish by thanking all previous committee members, who have served during my time as Chairman, for all their help and support.

Chard Wadley

IWA Volunteer of the Month October 2014

The Branch has now reached its 40th Anniversary, which is a great achievement, and this was celebrated in style. In September we had a 3 day coach trip in Kent and Sussex which was a great success and big thank you to Spencer Greystrong for organising the event.

Chard Wadley

Following this, on the 4th October, we had a total of 47 guests at our Anniversary Lunch at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket. This included the IWA National Chairman, Les Etheridge, a past Chairman of the Branch, David

https://www.waterways.org.uk/blog/ chard_wadley__volunteer_the_month_october _2014

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LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN Dear Member, On Saturday at your 40th Anniversary Lunch, I was delighted to be able to reflect on the many successes of your branch. These successes are evident in many places but especially in the great accomplishment of winning the Branch Achievement Award twice, something few branches can say they have done. It is clear that it is the support of members and volunteers that are the key to these accomplishments, so thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Branch and its work over the past forty years.

It was not just the 40th anniversary of Ipswich Branch that IWA celebrated recently as the last week has been a good one for the Association with the exciting news that Government has agreed to realign the route of HS2 and considerably reduce the impact on the beautiful area around Fradley on the Trent & Mersey Canal. Whilst this became a joint effort with CRT and others, it started from work done by IWA Lichfield Branch. This demonstrates the value of having active IWA branches, such as Lichfield and Ipswich, across the country to deal with local issues. The role these branches play in IWA’s achievements and in contributing to the maintenance and protection of waterways across the country for the benefit of everyone is invaluable.

We need volunteers to help continue IWA Ipswich Branch’s excellent work and to make the next forty years as successful as the last. Could you spare some time to support us in keeping our waterways alive?

If so, please contact IWA Branch Campaign Officer, Stefanie Preston (stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk/01494 783 453), IWA Ipswich Branch Chairman, Chard Wadley (chard.wadley@waterways.org.uk), or myself, Les Etheridge (les.etheridge@waterways.org.uk). We are all more than happy to discuss the opportunities available to get involved with your branch and welcome the offer of help, however big or small.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks, Les Etheridge National Chairman 5

IWA Ipswich Branch What do early starts, Light and Historic Railways, Nuclear Power Stations, Village Life, Vineyards and Wine tasting, The Battle of Hastings and 2 World Wars, plus Fish & Chips, Ploughman’s Lunch, Cream Teas and more, all have in common?

They were all components of a very successful three day coach trip organised brilliantly by Spencer Greystrong, ably assisted by Chard Wadley, enjoyed by a full coach load of Ipswich Branch Members .

THANK YOU Spencer, and YES we would like another.

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For a full range of Photographs Please go to our website 6

Anniversary Coach Trip The trip started with a trip on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, followed by fish & chips to fortify us for a visit around Dungeness Power Station (and one of us climbed to the top of the Lighthouse !) .

Day two included a fascinating visit to the Woodford Village Life Museum, a Vineyard tour with wine tasting and a ploughman’s lunch. The lunch was to fortify us for the cream tea trip on the Kent & East Sussex Railway Day three took us to Battle Abbey, the site of the Battle of Hastings, and the slightly more modern Battles of WW1 & 2 and Life of that period as depicted in Yesterdays World.

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e - https://www.waterways.org.uk/ipswich/quick_getaway 7

IWA Ipswich Branch

On Saturday 4th October Ipswich Branch celebrated their 40th Anniversary

hoped the Branch would continue long into the future. (See letter Page 5)

Our Guests for the occasion included our Speaker the well known Author, Waterway Journalist and Commentator, Steve Haywood; IWA National Chairman, Les Etheridge; and Branch founder and second Branch Chairman, Past National Chairman and IWA International Chairman, David Stevenson.

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He told us that his Waterway links started in this area, with a holiday on the Broads. He then went on to give us a review of developments since the establishment of the C&RT.

He touched on the recent success the IWA had achieved with the changes made to the HS2 route around Fradley, and commented on the problems of ‘Continuous Moorers’.

Steve Hayood then gave us a fascinating and amusing talk -

Branch Chairman, Chard Wadley, welcomed our Guests and the good number of members who attended and sat down to an excellent Carvery Meal.

After the meal Les Etheridge congratulated the Branch on its achievements during those years and he 8

Anniversary Lunch

with a lunch which was attended by nearly 50 Branch Members and Guests

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Our final speaker, David Stevenson, thanked all the speakers and then reminisced on his early days and involvement with the setting up of the Branch. He finished by stressing the need for all of us to encourage the attraction of the Young Generation to our canals.

’Gentle Waters, Angry Words’.

He gave us his views of the waterways today, including comments on ‘Shiny Boat Owners’, ‘Bow Thruster Drivers’, ‘Speeding’, and spoke on behalf of ‘Continuous Cruisers’, especially as he now lives on his boat!

***************************** And later:—

He also gave us a brief description of his crossing of the Ribble Link. He finished by again talking about waterway relations today and stressed the need for all of us to have -

Caught on Camera!

‘ Respect for Fellow Boaters’.

‘Now as I was saying- - - - - - - -!!’

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RESTORATION REPORT carting a it away and stacking it safely.

This gave plenty of scope for some excellent bonfires. This work has continued with the clearing of a substantial root ball that had slipped into the river course itself.

I can’t believe that the last time I wrote a report for the Newsletter we were clearing away the damage from the St Judes Day storm and we still had more stormy weather before us.

Although the Spring was pretty mild, we did have some flooding later on and more strong winds that badly affected the cricket bat willow trees at Pipps Ford.

NEW BRIDGE We have now completed fixing the deck in position and are preparing the

approaches for concreting and grading.

Although there is still work to do around the abutments of the bridge, its full impact in the landscape can now be clearly seen.

The team were then fully employed for several work parties clearing away the debris from the area around the hut, cutting up some sizeable timber and 10

in place behind the coping stones.

Over the Summer we continued the work around the bridge approaches and pressing ahead with the details of the application for the bywash opening, so we can start with the earthmoving as soon as possible.

We continue to keep an overview of maintenance issues at Baylham, with grass cutting and debris clearance occurring from time to time. During the Summer we have carried out some footpath clearance downstream of Pipps Ford, where the footpath had again become over grown with nettles, bramble and overhanging trees.

Martin Bird.

We are now casting the coping stones which will be placed on the abutment walls. 20 are required in total and to date we have cast 17 .When all are cast and in position there will be some brickwork to complete and earth backfill to be put

WORKING PARTY DATES

Working Parties are held by the River Gipping Trust from 0900 to 1700 every Wednesday and on the first Saturday of each month, unless that Saturday is a Bank Holiday in which case it will then be held on the second Saturday of that month.

For further information and to confirm dates contact Martin Bird Tel: 01394 380765 Email: restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk

ONE AFTERNOON ON THE ORWELL

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River Waveney Trust Continues Conservation Work

The Waveney continues to benefit from activities run by the two year old River Waveney Trust. Based at the old Otter Trust at Earsham, the Trust has delivered a number of projects and used their facility for schools and farming education.

Removal of Homersfield sluice This EA project to remove a redundant sluice that was acting as a barrier to fish migration is now complete. The construction of a sequence of gravel riffles maintains the upstream water level with no impact on flood risk, provides important habitat for invertebrates and spawning fish and also incorporates provision for canoe access whilst eliminating costs associated with maintain an operational structure.

Environment Agency and Stephen Johnson, Chairman, Broads Authority.

The efforts of the steering group in producing the plan were acknowledged

by Andrea Kelly, Senior Ecologist, Broads Authority and Chair of the partnership. The launch also involved a site visit to a river restoration scheme at and a visit to a farm exhibiting best practice water management that attracted the attention of Radio Suffolk. Copies of the plan are now available.

Pinpoint training Earlier this month the Rivers Trusts and Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative delivered well received training courses in Diffuse Water Pollution Prevention and Fluvial Geomorphology and River Restoration at the River Waveney Study Centre. Over 80 people attended.

River Art and Sculpture Trail The River Waveney Trust hosted a river trail on weekends between 16 August and 7 September. More than a dozen site -specific sculptures and installations by East Anglian artists formed a trail around the site at the former Otter Trust with a themed exhibition by photographer Lynn Gedney in the Study Centre visitor centre. Curator Sarah Cannell sought out and encouraged work that responds to this stunning site, which borders the Waveney as it snakes through water meadows. The exhibition included three pieces by Ptolemy

The Broadland Catchment Plan The launch event of this critical plan was attended by 40 representatives from local organisations, businesses and community groups. It included a welcome by Geoff Doggett, Chair of the River Waveney Trust, and an endorsement from Alison Parnell, Environment Manager, 12

of a new wheeled strimmer from the Ipswich branch of the IWA made the work much easier and more pleasant!

We were joined by a group of Diss High School students during their holidays to work at Scole .

Eel passage on the Waveney The Trust are currently putting new eel passes on Wainford, Bungay, Earsham and Mendham structures owned by the EA. These control structures form impassable barriers for the migration of eel. Since the eel population crash in the 80’s, work is planned on around 40 structures in the catchment to improve their migration back upstream. A major obstacle is Mutford Lock at the head of Oulton Broad and a feasibility study will start in 2015 as to how passage can be engineered to help young eel migrating in via Lake Lothing and Lowestoft Harbour.

Elrington created from old shopping trolleys fished out of the river on loan from Anglian Water! Over 550 people visited the site Public Access to the Waveney The river suffers from a lack of easily accessible places to visit and enjoy the river. The two pocket parks at Scole and Homersfield have come in for much attention from volunteer working parties during the Summer. A superb donation

Geoff Doggett

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NORTH WALSHAM & DILHAM CANAL TRUST by various groups to restore the canal but in each case the schemes became too difficult, either because the owner of the canal or the adjacent landowners objected – or of course the dreaded official-dome.

Forty years ago when the Ipswich Branch was formed, it would have been very difficult to imagine that a canal really existed here in North Norfolk.

It is the only canal in Norfolk but it had not been attended to in decades and nature had taken over…as is its wont!

The EAWA took up the cudgels in the 90’s and had two surveys carried out of the entire length of the canal looking at a) the ecological status and b) physical composition of the structures. Work parties started in 2000 and progress has been made steadily since then with one or two hick-ups along the way of course.

The good members if Ipswich Branch, IWA, came up to visit us on one memorable occasion when several very large tree roots were dragged out of the earth around Honing Lock. The first work parties were in fact dedicated to

The trouble is that nature will continue to grow without hindrance until it becomes the survival of the fitness, i.e. back to basics!

clearing the destructive growth of trees and other vegetation from along the structures in order to prevent any further damage being caused.

I had spent a lot of years flying low over this area from RAF Coltishall in the 70’s and I do not recall ever seeing anything that could remotely be classed as a canal! Several attempts have been made

This worked quite well for over ten years until the Environmental Agency discovered that we were working on the canal and decided to start with the 14

restrictions – and threats. However, for over two years now we have been talking with them and getting along in a reasonable fashion – mutually disagreeing on several points and making progress on others.

This canal which received its Enabling Act of Parliament in 1812 is beginning to shake its bed a little with the prospect that in time it will look as good as new once more – well nearly. It took only 18 months for the 9 ¼ mile length complete with six (6) locks to be built, the workers ably assisted by large quantities of local real ale in 1825!

There are now several places along the canal where a boat can be launched – that is a canoe, punt, rowing, sailing dinghy type vessel – not a largish boat!

Our petition to continue to restore the canal has now attracted well over 2,200 people – and work is set to continue.

It is well worth a visit.

David E Revill Work Party Organiser EAWA and NW&DCT

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year’s event – bookings open in July.

The restored lighter, John Constable, has been busy too, with trips along the river, culminating in a cream tea, or cake and a cuppa, here at our Visitor Education Centre. She has also been used for charter trips, along the navigable length of the river from Sudbury up towards Ballingdon, and down, through Cornard Lock, to Henny. Plans are afoot for more adventurous themed trips next season, so watch our website! (www.riverstourtrust.org if you don’t know where to find us!)

Restoring and conserving the River Stour Navigation From my office window, I look out onto the Stour Valley, with the river literally feet away. There’s never a dull day, with something to look at all the time, even if it is just another cormorant diving for fish!

A family of swans live here, and have recently been seen feeding on some particularly tasty weed on the opposite bank. Most days I see a boat or two, either one of our fleet, or a canoe or two out enjoying one of the most beautiful valleys in the country.

The big project this year is the replacement of the gates at Flatford Lock. Delays have been caused by the

Another busy year, with lots of activities on the river, ranging from our normal trips to Henny, for a roast lunch at the weekend, to short trips to introduce folk to the river, a pirates’ day and a teddy bear day, to encourage children to bring their families for a trip. The waterbus service between Dedham and Flatford on a Saturday has also proved popular, with queues forming!

Every year we run an event called Sudbury to the Sea (S2C to the participants!) in which some 300 canoes, paddleboards, the odd row boat and a couple of coracles, paddle their way from Sudbury down to Cattawade, stopping at a campsite over night at about mid-way. Our paddlers range in age from toddlers to senior citizens and from experienced, speedy paddlers, to families taking part simply for pleasure.

Much fun is had by all, and this year’s event, held in September, took place in good weather, and helped maintain our aim of using the navigation, as well as raising funds towards future projects.

Watch our website for news of next

torrential rain recently, but work begins again next week, and the gates are all made, ready to go in as soon as conditions permit.

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Restoring the lock means that we will be able to use the river from Cattawade, where the Stour meets the sea, right up to Dedham Lock, so bird watching trips

will feature again next season, as well as charter trips, just to explore the Dedham Vale.

Jane Rogers

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Flatford Lock,

By Griff Rhys Jones, Vice-President of the River Stour Trust Flatford Lock is one of the oldest locks on the inland waterways system, and arguably one of its most famous. It featured in several of John Constable’s paintings of the Suffolk Stour and its working people, one of which, The Lock, was recently sold for £22m, a record for any English masterpiece.

Flatford Lock The first lock at Flatford was installed in the early eighteenth century. It was turf-sided and located about 20 yards to the north of the present lock.

The River Stour was made a navigable river by Act of Parliament in 1705, making it one of the country’s earliest statutory rights of navigation.

Between 1705 and 1713 thirteen locks were installed along its 25-mile length. The number was increased to fifteen with the opening of Wormingford Cut in 1838. These locks enabled horse-drawn barges (called lighters) to travel between Sudbury and Mistley Wharf. On reaching Mistley Wharf, their loads were transferred onto Thames Barges, which sailed round the coast to London.

Stour lighters were approximately 46ft long, 10ft beam, and had a draft of 2ft 9in. They were usually linked together in pairs and pulled by a single horse, with the second lighter acting as a ‘rudder’ for the pair - and so the locks were designed so they could accommodate two lighters at a time. Each lighter could carry up 13 tons and by pairing up, the tonnage became 26 tons per journey, far exceeding the weight that could be 17

transported by horse and cart. On their outwardbound journeys the lighters carried a variety of goods including Suffolk flour and bricks bound for London and on their return journeys, they carried Newcastle coal to power the Sudbury brick factories and London sewage to spread on the Stour Valley fields.

The original Act overlooked the need for a continuous towing path, and this omission plagued the waterway throughout its life. Horses had to change sides regularly to use land owned by favourable farmers, and as a result the Stour lighters had a deck or a well forward to carry the horse from one side to the other.

The installation of Flatford Lock, along with other locks along the River Stour, increased local prosperity, especially that of John Constable's father Golding Constable, a Suffolk entrepreneur who owned two corn mills, a windmill, a fleet of lighters and two Thames barges.

Milestones in Flatford Lock's History 1705 River Stour made a navigable river by Act of Parliament - rights to the towpath were overlooked 1708 Flatford Lock was built - it was turf-sided 1776 (The year Constable was born) the original turf sided lock was replaced by a wooden lock – this is the lock painted by Constable and all his paintings show the lock in this position 1838 The first wooden lock was replaced with another wooden lock but in a new position, the old lock stayed in operation while the new one was being built – the position of the new lock remains the same to this day 1926 The wooden lock was replaced by a concrete construction, paid for by Essex and Suffolk Water as a condition of the planning permission to abstract water from the River Stour 1974-5 The concrete lock was restored by River Stour Trust volunteers. The restoration of the lock involved removing tons of mud and silt from the chamber and making the gates watertight 1990 An automatic gate called a tilting weir (which lies on the lock bed) was installed by the National Rivers Authority to control river levels during the winter floods 1991 The wooden gates and lintels above the concrete lock were replaced by the River Stour Trust 2014 The gates were replaced again by the Trust, with modern safer paddle gear, and more durable timber.

The Lock, John Constable is Copyright Christies Images Ltd Flatford Mill Lock, John Constable, is Copyright Tate Images Ltd

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Up North (Part 2) By Ivan Cane

Next morning, we awoke to a beautiful frosty scene, -2o outside, and the start of what turned into a lovely, sunny day.

Perhaps we were lucky, as we had had no difficulties, other than some of the locks having no bollards above the top gates. Generally, the flight was pleasant and well kept.

We joined up with an American couple for the Leigh Branch, eventually mooring near Astley Bridge 58 at a nature reserve. We visited the pub, and were the only ones in it, but a good beer and the provided newspapers kept us going.

Three more visitors joined us the next day for the trip from Worsley, and over the Bridgewater aqueduct into Manchester. In the afternoon, we walked across to look at the restored Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal.

We stopped at the top of Johnson’s Hillock, and used our Towpath Telegraph Crossword winnings to treat ourselves to a meal at the busy pub.

Gongoozlers aplenty as we passed down the flight, and mooring for the night at the entrance to the Walton Summit. The next day, whilst passing a rebuilt overflow weir, we gathered up the polythene lining from the bottom in the prop – great! As there tended to be dire warnings about mooring at the top of the Wigan Flight, we stopped at a great mooring in Haigh Country Park, Br 61/60 – offering super views over the valley. We reached the top of the Wigan flight at 7.30am, finding that other boats had moored there overnight without problems. After using the facilities, we joined up with the n/b Sprite, which meant there were two for the locks and two on the boats. So, Darren lockwheeled, and Barbara, from Sprite, worked the locks. Peter and I just chatted as we gently cruised from lock to lock!! Three and half hours later and we were at the bottom lock.

The canal is built – but nothing else, it’s just in a wilderness. We wished that we had arranged to boat it. Meanwhile, back at the Grocers’ Arm, we were being smoked out by the next boat charging its batteries. I asked how long they were likely to be running their engine, only to be met with the reply “We were here first!”. So, we moved to the opposite bank.

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We had more visitors the next day, which was lucky as we needed four on the beam to open the top gates of Lock 92.

Jar Jar Binks and the C&RT arrived and unlocked the gates. Then, to my surprise they said “see you later, any problems ring this number”, and off they went.

The trip upstream went fairly smoothly, JJB always entering first and we worked well as a pair. Polythene occasionally caused prop problems to us both, and the locks were deep. At 11.00 we met the first boat coming downstream, followed by two more a couple of locks later.

At Lock 70 the “shallows” start – that is to say the concrete infill has only been removed from one half of the canal, making you wary of the sharp edges. By 2 o’clock, we were through the “controlled section”, and the C&RT men were there to wave us on. A little further on, the Cask & Carvery looked tempting, but there were no rings and the towpath was fairly pin proof. We eventually managed to secure the pins in cracks and JJB rafted up alongside and we celebrated on board with a fry-up instead of the inaccessible pub. Later we moored at the Rose of Lancaster pub, not realising there were even better moorings just around the corner at the Irk Aqueduct, and the start of great Pennine views.

The Rochdale Nine is one of my favourite flights, with its towering blocks on either side, houses built over the canal, and the little lock cottage that also straddles the canal. The new glass H&S wall along Canal Street makes access to the locks difficult, and quite pointless. However, if “they” did feel the need to fit it, why didn’t they put a glass door in to allow access to the locks?

Right on time, Kevin appeared, windlass in hand, preparing Lock 88, having travelled up from Littleport. At first we moored in Piccadilly Basin, and then walked further up the Rochdale to judge the water level, there we discovered the Islington Marina, above Lock 82. There was a choice of 7 day visitor mooring either inside or outside overnight locked gates. There is also a shower block, which contained a community sitting area around a wood stove. This section had been “converted” by the residentials to dry their washing – so we hung ours up as well. The residential boaters were very welcoming. I would certainly recommend Islington Marina for Manchester mooring.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART THREE

C&RT rules dictate you are at Lock 81 by 8.30, so that they would accompany you. Late – no go. We teamed up with 20

NR14-007 Calorlite LPG Cylinder Recall Alert The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is supporting Calor Gas Ltd to alert any boaters to the immediate product recall on all 6kg Calor Lite® cylinders manufactured between 2008-2011 inclusive following concerns regarding the potential deterioration of the cylinder.

10 October 2014

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 of this date range are unaffected and safe to use.

For Further Information see; http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/about-us/news-and-press-releases/press -releases/bss-alerts-boaters-to-calor-lite%C2%AE-gas-cylinder-recall/ 21

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE We gladly welcome all our new members From Norfolk: M.A. Witt & Family; Mr. R & Mrs. W. Forster; Mrs M. Wilkins & Family; Mr. P.J. & Mrs. E.A. Dennis; M.J. Foster.

From Essex: Mr. M. Anderson.

From Suffolk: Mr. G.W. & Mrs. H.M. Layfield; Mr N. Scarff & Family Clive Saville

Ronnie Watson Sadly I am writing to say that Ronnie Watson passed away back in March 2014 aged 91. Ronnie was the former owner of R Watson Pharmacy in Debenham. He was a passionate railway enthusiast and supported the IWA. Ronnie was a member of Ipswich Branch for many years where he attended numerous branch meetings and other events, he also enjoyed the many boating cruises organised through the years.

I was unable to attend Ronnie’s funeral but I am pleased to say that David and Mary Middleton went along and represented the branch.

Chard Wadley

Nigel Holmes It is with huge sadness that we inform you that Nigel passed away on Thursday 9th October. He was by a river, accompanied by his beloved family dog Bruno and with his camera in hand.

Nigel was Consultant to the River Gipping Trust, assisting with the E.A application for the Pipp’s Ford bye-wash. He was very enthusiastic concerning the project and is a sad loss. Our sincere condolences to his family.

Martin Bird 22

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DATES for your DIARY

2nd

BRANCH MEETINGS & EVENTS 2014/2015 Branch Meetings held at the Community Centre, School St., Needham Market At 7.30, unless otherwise stated.

FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER Presentation by Geoff Doggett—Chairman River Waveney Trust FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER Members Evening—Fish & Chips

FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2015 AGM NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS REQUIRED

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41ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the AGM of the Ipswich Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held at the Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market at 8pm on Friday 13th February, 2015 AGENDA 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

Apologies for absence Approval of the 2013 AGM Minutes Matters arising from those minutes Chairman’s report Treasurer’s report and presentation of accounts Adoption of the accounts Election of Committee members

USEFUL WEBSITES IWA Head Office - http://www.waterways.org.uk Waterway Recovery Group - http://www.wrg.org.uk River Gipping Trust - http://rivergippingtrust.org.uk River Stour Trust - http://www.riverstourtrust.org East Anglian Waterways Association –http://www.eawa.co.uk Aylsham Navigation - http://aylsham-navigation.norfolkparishes.gov.uk River Waveney Association -http://groupspaces.com/RiverWaveneyTrust/pages/our-aims IWA Peterborough Branch - http://www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The Broads Society - http://www.broads-society.org.uk The Australian Canal Society - http://www.auscanal.org.au/ The Canal & River Trust - http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ DEFRA Dept. for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - http://www.defra.gov.uk

The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee.

Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire. HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk Registered in England No. 612245. Registered as a Charity No. 212342

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