Spring 2011
Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex Oxfordshire and Solent & Arun Branches
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Peter Peter Redway Redway th th It isItwith is with great great sadness sadness thatthat we we report report thethe death death on 7 on February 7 February of Peter of Peter Redway, Redway, MBE, MBE, Chairman Chairman of the of the Surrey Surrey & Hampshire & Hampshire Canal Canal Society Society andand long long time time member member of IWA. of IWA. He He waswas a tower a tower of strength of strength in his in his practical practical support support for for thethe Basingstoke Basingstoke Canal Canal andand willwill be sorely be sorely missed. missed. A fuller A fuller tribute tribute willwill appear appear in the in the next next Edition Edition of Cargoes. of Cargoes. In the In the meantime meantime we we extend extend ourour sympathy sympathy to Marguerite to Marguerite andand family. family.
Editorial Editorial As we As start we start this this NewNew YearYear we can we can anticipate anticipate interesting interesting times times ahead ahead for our for our waterways waterways withwith a number a number of challenges of challenges to be tofaced. be faced. As ever, As ever, the the voice voice of IWA of IWA will will doubtless doubtless be be an important an important factor factor withwith added added weight weight from, from, hopefully, hopefully, an expanding an expanding andand active active membership. membership. Shortly Shortly we shall we shall be starting be starting the the round round of Region of Region andand Branch Branch AGMs AGMs for for which which the the formal formal Notices Notices andand Agenda Agenda were were set out set out in the in the Winter Winter 2010 2010 Edition Edition of of Cargoes. Cargoes. We We would would encourage encourage as many as many members members as possible as possible to attend to attend to air to their air their concerns concerns andand make make theirtheir views views known. known. NewNew Committee Committee Members Members are are always always welcome welcome andand as advance as advance nomination nomination is nois longer no longer necessary necessary it is itpossible is possible to be to be nominated nominated andand elected elected on the on the night. night. We We would would mention mention oneone particular particular postpost for which for which a a candidate candidate is sought is sought andand this this is for is afor new a new secretary secretary for the for the Region Region (full(full details details of the of the duties duties are are given given on page on page 4). When 4). When Philip Philip Riley Riley tooktook on the on the job in job2009, in 2009, he made he made clear clear thatthat he was he was accepting accepting it only it only on aon temporary a temporary basis basis andand he now he now considers considers thatthat th ‘temporary’ ‘temporary’ period period hashas elapsed. elapsed. So, So, at the at the Region Region AGM AGM at Arundel at Arundel on 29 onth29 March, March, it is it is hoped hoped thatthat a volunteer a volunteer for the for the postpost will will be elected be elected to the to the Committee Committee as the as the potential potential prospective newnew Secretary. Secretary. Along Along withwith this this Edition Edition of Cargoes of Cargoes youyou will will findfind some some Raffle Raffle Tickets Tickets for the for the Grand Grand IWAIWA draw draw which which is being is being organised organised in connection in connection withwith Canalway Canalway Cavalcade Cavalcade at Little at Little Venice Venice overover the the MayMay DayDay Bank Bank Holiday Holiday weekend weekend (see(see Back Back Cover Cover for further for further details). details). ThisThis is is oneone of IWA’s of IWA’s major major annual annual events events andand we hope we hope thatthat members members will will givegive it their it their support. support. Editorial Editorial Team Team [Cover [Cover photo: photo: TB Pudge TB PudgeCourtesy Courtesy Thames Thames Sailing Sailing Barge Barge Trust] Trust] David David Gibson, Gibson, of the of the Thames Thames Sailing Sailing Barge Barge Trust, Trust, will will be talking be talking about about the the Thames Thames st Sailing Sailing Barges Barges at the at the Guildford Guildford & Reading & Reading Branch Branch AGM AGM on 21 onst21 March March - see - see page page 7 7
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From the Region Chairman Well now its 2011 and we have just lived through the coldest December on record. This certainly put paid to any Winter trips out on the boat which for me was a frustration as I had a new engine fitted in late Autumn and have only managed to test it out on the cut once. My boat is moored in the Midlands and given the plethora of meetings I attend there I have used it as overnight accommodation on several occasions and I found it took many hours to get it to a habitable state using every conceivable means of heating! As I write this it’s a bright sunny day and we are set for milder weather but I expect the cut will freeze over again before winter is through. Since I last wrote there have been a number of announcements on the New Waterways Charity (NWC - this is a temporary title that BW is adopting pending deciding upon the final name). Whilst I remain convinced that a move for BW into a charity is the “least worst option”, IWA support is conditional on a suitable long term funding settlement and appropriate governance arrangements. Although we were braced for difficult funding times for the waterways the indicative near term results are far from encouraging leading us to question the government’s commitment to the flagship waterways “Big Society” initiative. Clive Henderson will shortly be making this point to the Minister. Early indications came in the autumn when the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) revealed that Defra (the sponsoring department for the waterways) had received the second poorest settlement across the government departments amounting to a 30% cut across the four year period. BW had been assuming, and planning for, a 20% cut across the same period but the scale of the Defra cut meant that pessimism was building. We had to wait until just before Christmas to find out the BW settlement - this is an indicative cut of 24% across 3 years but what was a great surprise to both BW and IWA was that 19% of this is to be cut from the 2011/12 grant in aid. Before we all panic it’s timely to remind you that BW have other sources of income including the property portfolio (now safe following IWA lobbying) and of course boater fees, which will regrettably increase, reducing the overall impact of the cuts. I have just met BW in their London HQ to try and understand the implications given that already planned efficiency measures will not produce the level of saving required in year 1. I suspect that there will be deferral of non-vital work from 2011/12 in the expectation that the efficiency programme will generate the required headroom downstream. There is still all to play for with the longer term funding. Seven shadow trustees will soon be appointed to the NWC and they will have the critical task of negotiating with Defra for a funding contract that is expected to run for 10 -15 years. These trustees will have to get up to speed very quickly but three of them will be drawn from existing BW non-executive directors who should hit the ground running. I know much more on this than I can possibly record here but I can offer one point of reassurance - if these trustees are not happy with the settlement then they are unlikely to sign up to it, putting the flagship project at risk and potentially embarrassing ministers. This is a powerful negotiating position. IWA is of course preparing to exert its influence.
4 Region Chairman (Cont’d) Of course all this is about BW. EA are facing similar cuts across the CSR period albeit not so heavily front loaded. The negotiation on whether to include EA navigations has reached a critical stage and the direction ministers wish to take may be known by the time you read this. Defra, EA and BW all agree it’s both feasible and desirable but the sticking point is over how much money to transfer. I believe the decision is on a knife edge but IWA remains convinced that EA inclusion will be to the ultimate benefit of all the waterways. BW has published the first draft of the NWC charity objectives - these are available on both the BW and IWA websites. I believe they are very good, covering what we would want from the new body, putting navigation at the top of the list but also including the conservation of build heritage, protection of the natural environment, promoting restoration and educating the public. IWA is giving thought to how it should configure itself in the new waterway management environment. At a trustee strategy day we concluded that the role of IWA would be to continue as a separate charity whose primary role would be to continue to lobby for all waterways in England and Wales whilst also acting as a “critical friend” of the NWC. There will no doubt be more discussion of this at the branch officer’s workshop at Stoke on 22nd January. Watch this space! Finally, we are approaching the AGM season and details of the four Branch AGMs in SE Region are included in this issue. A number of Branches are looking for extra committee members, or just for people to help out, so if you are interested please contact them or better still turn up to the AGM and offer support. I will be at all four and will be prepared to answer any questions you might have on IWA, navigation, restoration or just waterways in general. I hope to see some of you there. Paul Roper
Vacancy for Region Secretary The following is an extract from the January 2011 IWA Bulletin advertising the post of Secretary for IWA South East Region and setting out the duties involved:- to prepare agendas and collate reports for meetings, take minutes at the committee meetings, liaise with the chairman and committee members regarding arrangements for meetings, committee papers etc, arrange and take minutes at the AGM, submit minutes, committee details, etc, to IWA Head Office. It is hoped this vacancy will be filled following the Region AGM at Arundel on Tuesday 29th March (AGM details are on page 35). In the meantime further information can be obtained from the Region Chairman (contact details on inside page 39) back cover)
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Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: For our October meeting Peter & Gillian Bolt visited us to describe their experience of Irish boating life. Tom Rolt wrote the book “Green & Silver” describing his voyages in 1946 through some of the inland waterways of Ireland. Having read his book, Peter & Gillian decided to venture onto the Irish Waterways to explore some of the areas visited by Tom Rolt.. The comparison between the two eras was particularly interesting. After Gillian had commented on their own travels Peter read sections of Tom Rolt’s book so fascinating comparisons could be made. Peter was able to mimic the Irish accent when telling amusing stories of Irish boating life and some of the characters they had met. They were made particularly welcome by members of the IWAI (Inland Waterways Association of Ireland) and were overwhelmed by their hospitality and helpfulness, even to the extent of being taken on a midnight cruise using only GPS for navigating in the dark which included accurate passage under bridge arches which could not be seen with the naked eye until the last minute. They also found that a canal is not always the usual narrow stretch of water meandering through the countryside, but in the case of the Shannon Erne Canal it included a passage cutting across broad lakes with many islands where the navigable section involved carefully following channel marker posts without which they could easily have gone aground. This description of the Irish Waterways certainly made our members aware of the beautiful scenery and a different style of boating that is to be found in Ireland. In November Paul Barnett made a return visit to us in Salisbury. To begin his talk Paul updated us with the recent happenings at Purton since his last visit to us in 2008. With modern “Time Team” technology five more hulks have been found. He was pleased to inform us that “Harriet” has now been designated as an ancient monument. Previously there was no known land owner of the site so now BW have accepted responsibility and are working to protect these ancient vessels. Thirty-six craft have now been formally recorded. Paul then told us about the lesser-known ships graveyard on the opposite side of the Severn Estuary. His talk was entitled “Lydney’s Lost Fleet” and he went on to talk about the Lydney Harbour which was once busy with craft shipping Forest of Dean steam coal to other parts of Britain. The harbour is now used as a base for pleasure craft. We were shown slides of the remains of the gridiron once used for the maintenance of commercial vessels. Paul then continued to show us many pictures of trading vessels that were once used for carrying the cargoes out of the Lydney dock and we were shown the remains of some of these craft where they lay on the foreshore submerged and rotting.
6 As winners of the quiz at Southampton Canal Society in December 2009, we were responsible for organizing the 2010 quiz. We were all prepared, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute due to the snowy and icy conditions. The reorganized quiz will now be held on April 7th this year. Fortunately the weather had improved for our annual Christmas meal when 25 of us were able to enjoy good food and the ambience at The Green Dragon. A full programme for 2011 has now been arranged and details are given below.
Programme of Events Thurs 17th Feb Mike Lee is the Hon Engineer of the Kennet & Avon Trust and he is talking to us about the concept and construction of the K&A Canal and how it came into existence, including the decline and restoration of the Caen Hill flight. For many years Mike has been involved with the twinning of the K&A Canal with the Canal du Nivernais in France and has been able to use his engineering skills to assist Les Amis du Canal du Nivernais in solving their engineering problems. Thurs 17th March Why Archives? Many of us will have visited the K&A trust museum at Devizes but have we ever given any thought to what goes on behind the scenes? Elaine Kirby is an archive administrator at the museum and will be explaining the job of an archivist with particular reference to the K&A history. We will see old photographs and documents relating to this canal. Thurs 7th April Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society. Questions set by last year’s winning team – Salisbury IWA. This is the quiz that was cancelled in December 2010 due to bad weather. Thurs 19th May Narrow boaters, Mike & Lynn Bassett, visited Nova Scotia and investigated the navigations of this area adjoining Canada. They used the opportunity to find out about the Shubenacadie Canal, the St. Peter’s Canal and the Canso Canal. In this illustrated talk they will be telling us about the reasons for developing routes that were used by the local Indians. These navigations were used to carry supplies during the American Civil War and heavy equipment to the then active gold fields. Thurs 21st July Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon. 7.00pm Thurs 20th Oct “Tom Rolt Celebration Cruise”. Ron & Mary Heritage will be returning to us to tell us about their re-enactment of Tom Rolt’s “Cressy Cruise” (October 16th is the 21st Birthday of the Salisbury Group of IWA and so we will be celebrating this event at the October 20th meeting).
7 Thurs 17th Nov Secret Canals of Britain. Stuart Fisher, editor of Canoeist Magazine and author of the book “Canals of Britain” gives a canoeist’s eye view of the canal system with particular emphasis on the canals that cannot be reached by narrow boat. Thurs 1st Dec Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society and set by the winners of the quiz held on 7 th April. Thurs 15th Dec Christmas dinner at The Green Dragon Alderbury. Unless otherwise stated, meetings are at The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3AR starting at 7.30pm when visitors will be warmly welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841
Guildford & Reading Branch News Chairman’s Report After a freezing December which reminded many of the winter of 1963 we should look forward to 2011 with some optimism. Hopefully boater members will not have too much damage to clear. A December casualty was the Southampton Canal Society’s quiz night which has now been rescheduled for 7th April. The first meeting we have to look forward to is our AGM at the Byfleet Boat Club on Monday 21st March at 7.30pm. There will be a full report on Branch activities and we will be letting you know our views on where the Branch is intending to make donations. The three leading candidates are Inglesham Lock, Perseverance lV and a Wey and Arun project preferably one in our area. The good news on Perseverance is that the project is now in the hands of the National Trust. The appeal is being relaunched and donations can be made through www.justgiving.com/perseveranceIV. Plans are for our donation to be handed to John Gibson in a small ceremony, the details of which will be on the Branch page of IWA’s website. Also at the AGM we will have a talk on Thames Barges by David Gibson and an update on the social programme. Verna Smith is trying to organise a skittles evening for April, details to follow at the AGM and on the website. Provisionally a Thames Barge Charter is booked for Thursday 29th September to Sunday 2nd October from Maldon on the Blackwater or Ipswich. There will be an opportunity to inspect IWA’s Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. This is open to the Branch and the Region. Also a further trip on the John Pinkerton and the deferred trip on the Wey and Arun - more to follow with perhaps a debate on details at the AGM.
8 G&R Chairman’s Report (Cont’d) It is encouraging to read reports of strong action being taken against boaters failing to pay licence fees on the Thames (see page 19). The licence fee is a vital part of the revenue of a navigable waterway. In this context the Basingstoke Canal Authority might like to take this lead as their revenues fall so short of the need. It is a delight to see the Wey and the Basingstoke featured in February’s Waterways World. The Branch continues to be very active in matters concerning the Basingstoke and the Thames. The latter is a major issue in the debate on the formation of the Waterways conservancy, will the Environment Agency waterways be in or out? On the Basingstoke, as well as the normal attendance at meetings involving the management, we have input to two major planning applications. There is a separate section on the Basingstoke in this Cargoes (see pages 9 to 14) but it is increasingly clear that re-establishing navigation will require significant volunteer input whether by WRG or the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society. My personal boating plans for 2011 are indeed blossoming. As well as Leeds and Liverpool and the Rochdale, a return to the Mon and Brek, a trip by sailing to Holland and some Dutch and Belgian Canals and finally a musical themed trip to the Danube in the late Autumn. I will have much to report. I attended the Surrey and Hants meeting at Chobham in October when there was a talk by Ron and Mary Heritage truly inspirational. Gareth Jones
Sales & Publicity Stand The Branch Sales and Publicity Stand, together with the ever-popular Lucky Locks Game, will be on the road again at Easter with our usual attendance at the Woking Canal Festival on the Basingstoke Canal at Bridge Barn on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April. Following this we expect to be at Reading Waterfest on Saturday 18th June and at Guildford Festival Boat Gathering on Saturday 2nd July. As in previous years, we will be joining with Middlesex Branch at the Beale Park Boat Show from Friday 10th June to Sunday 12th June (inclusive) where we shall have on sale a wide selection of waterways books, maps etc supplied from IWA Sales at Head Office. At the above events extra pairs of hands would always be welcome, so if you might be able to help or would like to know more, please contact me on 01483 282806 or Email iwacargoes@hotmail.com. Ray Carnell
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Bits on the Basingstoke Latest news The good news is that a lot is happening, the bad news is that the canal is not likely to be navigable through until 2012. The capital investment programme by the two councils is still in place. There were 27 applications to do the work and the BCA are on schedule to make an appointment by April with work starting in May. The revenue budget will be cut by 13% with, it is hoped, volunteer effort making up with shortfall. Please step forward. The S&HCS have done a terrific job as have WRG. We must keep it up. This is the “big society “. Dredging is an issue, as are leaking embankments and water supply. The Crookham Swing Bridge is difficult and will need new bearings. Jointly IWA and the S&HCS have written an access paper proposing the use of volunteers to facilitate passage. It was both interesting and encouraging that at the stakeholder meeting this was supported by Ramblers and Cyclists who it appears want to see the canal used as a navigation just as much as boaters . There is a programme of lock gate replacement and weed extraction. Elsewhere we have noted the work on planning consultation. IWA together with S&HCS are working very hard to make this canal as accessible as it is beautiful. It is set we hope to feature more in the plans of Woking and at Deepcut . Gareth Jones
Two Major Planning Applications along the Canal The Guildford & Reading Branch have supported views expressed by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society (S&HCS), concerning two major developments being proposed adjacent to the Basingstoke Canal. These developments are located at Deepcut and at the Brewery Road car park site in Woking. The Deepcut proposal is a ‘Consultation’ process (commenced 2008) to identify how best to develop and integrate 1200 new homes on former MOD land with the existing village and canal. Details can be viewed on http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk, under Deepcut Consultation. Because the canal is seen as a benefit to this development, we are seeking added value from the project to enhance the Frimley lock area and dry dock and support the Council’s view that this will become the third ‘gateway’ to the development. In addition we are requesting added facilities to provide water storage and/or back pumping for this section of the canal. The Woking – Brewery Road is a planning application from WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund), for the construction of a new headquarters building over the existing car park. Again we are asking for the developer to fund enhancements to the
10 canal in this area, to provide facilities for boat owners; improved access from a new pedestrian foot-bridge and improved public facilities alongside the canal. The planning details are at http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning, via ‘public access’ to PLAN/2010/1161. Future comments for these proposals will be included in Cargoes as appropriate. Any comments email John at iosiss@btinternet.com. John How
Illuminated Boat Procession Some 10 boats took part in the procession from the town wharf in Woking to Bridge Barn on the last Saturday in November. Despite freezing temperatures, Byfleet Boat Club battled their way through ice and weed to provide the ‘best ever’ spectacle. The mayor and mayoress of Woking travelled on the lead boat with Ian Smith, club commodore, and his wife Betty to the Bridge Barn P.H., where they presented the prizes. Verna Smith
S&HCS Social Meetings The Canal Society’s monthly social meetings at Chobham have continued with a variety of entertaining and informative talks. Ron and Myra Glover returned in November to tell us about their journeys along the canals on the borders of France, Holland and Belgium, mentioning in particular the various lifts and the inclined plane at Ronquieres all of which again demonstrated the scale and capacity of the continental waterways. In December we heard about the Somersetshire Coal Canal and plans for the future with their Society’s subtle change of emphasis from ‘preservation’ to ‘restoration’. The New Year started with the eagerly anticipated illustrated talk by Liam D’Arcy-Brown on ‘The Grand Canal of China’ given to a packed house. Many attending already knew of how he had enthralled audiences across the country and indeed in the Spring 2010 Edition of Cargoes (on pages 24 -25) we gave an in depth preview of his talk. An account of the canal’s long history and its place as a modern waterway (plus a reference to the odd word written in Chinese) made for a highly entertaining evening. A further description of his talk can be found on page 22 of this edition of Cargoes. For those who would like to know more about Liam’s travels in China, he has written a book The Emperor’s River published by Eye Books at £7.99. RC
11 Future programme The programme of talks continues on the third Wednesday of each month at the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham. Meetings start at 8pm and coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Non-members and friends are very welcome to come along. Future meetings are as follows: Wed 16th February: Roger Squires - ' The Suez Canal - Past and Present' Roger recently cruised through the Suez Canal on a northbound daylight convoy. He will share this experience with us and will start the evening by telling us about the history of the various earlier links between the Med and the Red Sea. He will highlight the various enlargement works undertaken on the current canal since it was nationalised by Egypt. Wed 16th March: Roger Clay - 'The Hidden Avon' Roger from the Stratford and Warwick Trust will talk about the stretch of the River Avon above Stratford-upon-Avon up to Warwick with a description of the proposed restoration scheme. There will be some slides of the existing navigation as well. Wed 20th April: John Ross - 'Roses and Castles - Canal Boat Decoration' John Ross, one of our Trust Directors, who built and decorated 'Elizabeth Rose', his Mirror dinghy with the Rosie and Jim theme, is a fully accredited journeyman in decorative painting with the Waterways Craft Guild. He will be discussing the history of canal art and will demonstrate the painting of Roses and Castles. He will also bring along an exhibition of canal ware. Wed 18th May: Pablo Haworth ‘The Making of the Forth Bridge at Walton-on-Thames' Pablo Haworth, a longstanding Society volunteer, will be coming along to talk about the history of the bridge at Walton-on-Thames which was designed in 1933 but built in 1953. The designer was Archie Hamilton, a New Zealander and Pablo will describe what led up to its design and how it was put together. For further information on this talks programme, please contact David Millett on 01252 617364.
Woking Canal Festival Once again the Woking Canal Festival will be held at the Bridge Barn over the Easter weekend, namely Saturday 23rd April and Sunday 24th April. This family-friendly event will feature the usual attractions with live entertainment, stalls etc. We always need extra help, so all offers would be warmly welcomed by Verna Smith who is on 01252 517622.
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Mikron on the Basingstoke On Sunday 3rd July at 7.30pm at the usual venue Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road, Church Crookham, Fleet, the Mikron show will be “Hell And High Water" In the turbulent times of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s demand for coal was insatiable and there was an urgent need to get it there quickly and cheaply. Mikron’s new show for 2011 takes us back to 1761, when three men had a vision and hundreds of others toiled to make it a reality. Over rivers, under rock, through “Hell and High Water”, they proved that determination can literally move mountains. Further details in the Summer Edition of Cargoes.
Petition supporting increased funding for the Canal The following is an extract of an Email from Kevin Daley drawn to our notice by a member in the Surrey Heath area: ‘Many of you will be aware of the Basingstoke Canal, perhaps you will also have enjoyed some of amenities it provides “Walking, Cycling, Boating (Canoeing, Pleasure Trips such as dining on board one of the specially fitted out narrow boats, Taking your own boat and cruising at your leisure), Sightseeing, etc” Some of you will also have noticed a decline in the condition of the canal and its environment. This decline is the result of insufficient funding being received by the Basingstoke Canal Authority. The Canal is the responsibility of both Surrey County Council and Hampshire County Council with the Riparian Councils (Local Councils through whose area the canal runs) being required to contribute funds according to a formula worked out by the Joint Management Committee (JMC) which agrees policy for the canal. This funding contributes to the maintenance of the canal and its environment. It is estimated that the Canal benefits the local economies by up to £5,000,000 p.a. Currently and in the past Surrey Heath have failed to meet their share of this funding thus contributing to difficulty the BCA has in maintaining the canal as it would wish. I have raised an electronic petition on the Surrey Heath Website urging the council to meet the level of funding requested of them by the Basingstoke Canal Authority’
The petition is as follows :‘We the undersigned urge Surrey Heath Borough Council to fully meet the funding requirements requested by the Basingstoke Canal Authority ………… For many years
13 SHBC have failed to meet their funding requirements, this has contributed to a degradation of the canal environment………...’ To read the petition in full and to sign it please go to the SHBC petition web page at http://petitions.surreyheath.gov.uk/BasingstokeCanal/ [You must live, work or study within the Surrey Heath area in order to sign – Ed] Philip Riley, vice-chairman of the Canal Society and also on the JMC says “This is an admirable initiative, and I urge members and others to sign the petition.”
Gatepost The following is a letter to Cargoes from Tim Dodwell who, as many will recall, is a veteran campaigner for the Basingstoke Canal Brockenhurst 12 January 2011 Dear Ray, Basingstoke Canal How negative can you get? Gareth Jones remarks in the last issue of Cargoes are enough to put anyone off even trying to navigate that part of the canal that is open. Fortunately not everyone is so easily deterred, and it’s a shame that the cruise of 15 boats from the Byfleet Boat Club to the St John’s Rally last July, postponed for the ‘almost moribund’ BCA to replace the top gates at Lock 8, did not get a mention. The Surrey and Hants Canal Society Newsletter reported that they ‘battled’ their way through for a successful event– ‘helping to show that significant amounts of the Basingstoke Canal are still navigable’. Later in the year, and following clearance work by the Canal Society, the 10 boats that took part in the Woking Illuminated Boats Procession at the end of November had no problems apart from some leaves and a bicycle dumped in Sheerwater Lock. It may be a little inconvenient to have to give 48 hours notice of your wish to use the working locks in Surrey, but there is a need to maintain water levels for the houseboats and to ensure that the locks are not left leaking, not to mention that boats are properly licensed. This would seem ample justification for keeping padlocks on Lock 1 at the present time to ensure proper supervision.
14 Gatepost (Cont'd) Although the delay in reopening the Deepcut Flight is very disappointing, the BCA website states that the bottom part of the canal is open for navigation. It needs more and regular use to prove the demand for full navigability. I would challenge every boat-owning member of the IWA, and particularly of the Guildford and Reading Branch, who passes Woodham Junction or keeps a boat nearby, to make at least one trip up the canal next summer – and not just when a rally is being held. Let’s see the canal in use, and not just moan about the problems. That is what campaigning for a partly navigable waterway should be all about – ‘Use it, or lose it!’ – and let’s get rid of that bad national reputation by not being put off, by demonstrating what can be done and by reporting it to encourage more visitors. Yours sincerely, Tim Dodwell [Thanks, Tim, for your views on the Basingstoke Canal and how it is perceived. Comments, especially from those such as yourself with a long association with the Canal, are always welcome particularly when they provide a contrasting view of the situation. Your letter came as a timely reminder about the need for positive action to help allay the negative perceptions about the Canal which undoubtedly exist. Some comfort can perhaps now be taken from the fact that representatives of the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society, Basingstoke Canal Boating Club, Byfleet Boat Club and IWA have joined together to produce a paper on the subject of Canal Access and Boater’s Perceptions. This paper was presented at a recent Basingstoke Canal ‘Stakeholders’ meeting and received a positive response from all concerned. Further details are awaited on how the proposals in the paper are to be implemented but in the meantime the slogan ‘Use it, or lose it’ seems wholly apposite. Ed.]
Basingstoke Canal Bulletin Last Autumn the S&HCS launched their new monthly E Bulletin as a supplement to their quarterly Newsletter Basingstoke Canal News. This is intended to provide a more immediate link to members. Its purpose is to attract as wide an audience as possible and it is therefore available to anyone who asks for it, including non-members of the Society. To subscribe, you should go to the Society’s website (http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/) and fill in the subscription form on the right hand side of the screen. The bulletin will usually be published around mid-month.
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Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Moving forward on all fronts Our MWRG correspondent, Richard Davenport, writes: Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group (MWRG) had a busy 2010 and has moved forward on various fronts – with some immediate improvements as well as real progress on its long term restoration plans for the waterways that run through Maidenhead town centre. In May MWRG placed a call off contract with environmental consultants Golder Associates, to undertake a full Environmental Impact Assessment for the project, following a Scoping Opinion issued by the council. All of the Tasks required under the contract have since been fully funded and authorised and the work programme is nearly complete. Ecological surveys were undertaken during the seasonal windows for Birds, Bats, Water Voles, Reptiles and Invertebrates, supplementing the Tree, Bat and River Corridor surveys previously undertaken. The overall Ecological Impact Assessment (including mitigation proposals) is currently being pulled together by Golder to support the planning application we hope to be in a position to submit in the Spring. Another crucial area of work has been Flood Risk, where the EA’s basic models have been refined and updated by Golder and the necessary scenarios (1:25, 1: 100 etc) modelled to demonstrate the impacts of the scheme at each stage. The EA still has to accept the results, but we are confident they show the necessary ‘no increase’ in flood risk. On the contrary we anticipate the channel enlargement and clearance work planned should improve flood risk to some degree. Other studies currently being undertaken to support the planning application include Water Resources, Geology and Minerals, Archaeology, Noise, Air Quality and Landscaping. The late summer saw MWRG organize three clearance weekends along the Bray Cut, which connects the town centre waterway with the main River Thames by Bray Marina. 15-20 volunteers and professionals worked each day to cut back overgrown trees and remove underwater obstructions, ensuring a minimum 5 metre wide safe passage for use today by canoes and other small boats. Funded by a small grant from the Waterways Trust, a professional chain saw team worked from the water, whilst volunteers on the bank and in support boats gathered up and disposed of the cuttings by chipping (for mulch) and/or burning, as agreed with the EA and council officers. A huge amount of accumulated debris was removed from the channels and both the council and streamside property owners were very complimentary about the work done.
16 Our annual canoe cavalcade in September benefited from the earlier clearance work when 30 canoeists and rowers enjoyed the paddle down the lower waterway to the Thames. The canoeists of all ages launched at Green Lane and paddled the 3.5Km down to the Thames through this very attractive but largely hidden waterway. Unlike the town centre sections of the waterway that we aim to restore and enlarge, the lower Bray Cut is typically over 0.5 metres deep and with a few exceptions nearly 15 metres wide. Annual canoe cavalcade [Photo: MWRG] The first (Baseline Stage) of the planned restoration works will deepen the town centre York Stream and Moor Cut channels to create The Ring, with a weir at Green Lane raising the water levels to fill both channels. Boat rollers at the weir will allow small craft to reach and circulate around the town centre from Bray Cut, but no road bridge changes will be made at this stage, so headroom will initially be limited to 1.4m. A lock will be added at a later stage when the size and number of boats able to access the area merits this. On the policy front, the final consultation on the 20 Year Area Action Plan (AAP) for Maidenhead Town Centre closed in November, with the Waterways included as one of five key projects. A total of 98 organisation and individuals responded to the consultation and the overwhelming view of consultees was supportive of the AAP and the Waterway. A dedicated Waterway Framework policy has already been adopted to protect the route against incompatible development. This sets standards for waterside development on matters such as buffer zones, active frontages and accessibility. The Framework also requires that any new or rebuilt crossings over the waterway must provide for a minimum 2.1m of headroom, opening up the possibility of larger craft being able to use the waterway in the long term. The AAP has been approved by the council and now goes to a government inspector before coming fully into force. Having been through successive consultations and iterations along the way, the AAP already carries considerable weight in planning decisions so the waterways planning application will be considered in this context once submitted.
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River Thames News Tony Davis retirement The EA Thames Waterway Working Group meeting in November marked the end of an era with the retirement of Tony Davis as IWA representative after service of some 33 years on the TWWG and its predecessor organisations. At the meeting, Simon Hughes, EA Regional Environment and Performance Manager, thanked Tony for his contribution over the years and presented him with a book ‘Searching the Thames’. After thanking the meeting, Tony introduced John How as his successor and new IWA representative. The following is from IWA’s Press Release issued on Tony’s retirement: “Tony Davis, a member of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) for 42 years and IWA’s representative on the Environment Agency’s (EA) Thames Waterways Working Group (TWWG) and its predecessor committees for the last 33 years has announced that he is to stand down from formally representing the IWA at the end of the year. Tony said: ‘It has been a privilege to serve IWA for so long and in my time IWA’s contribution to campaigning, working together with other Thames representative organisations, has seen many improvements to the Thames. I especially value the contribution to the TWWG, collaborating with others who value the Thames as much as IWA. Over a period of years, some of the developments that I prize are the EA re-engineering of lock consoles to allow out-of-hours use (final one completed this year); trials to determine the speed limit on the river; reciprocal licences with British Waterways resulting in the Gold Licence; better licence purchase arrangements and conditions for visiting boats; and input to the Customer Charter and the Thames Waterway Plan. More recently I was proud of IWA’s role – again alongside others – in successfully campaigning for the EA to reverse its decision to sell Lock Keepers’ cottages. Furthermore, this year, after 4 years of campaigning, given my personal involvement, I was delighted to see the new and improved moorings open at Weybridge; and colleagues in IWA made a significant contribution in lobbying for the new moorings at Wallingford, which also opened this year.’
18 Tony Davis retirement (Cont’d) Clive Henderson commented: ‘We are lucky to have people like Tony in IWA. It is their determination and continued resolve to protect and improve their local waterways – in Tony’s case the Thames – that ensures good waterways for all to enjoy. I value his contribution over many years and wish him well in enjoying the fruits of his labours.’ He concluded by saying: ‘The Thames is a major component of the waterways network and a vital corridor between so many other navigations. The lower reaches of the Thames are well patronised, and the future for even better network links is looking very promising. Changes in navigation authority management currently being put forward by Government provide a 'once in a generation' opportunity to simplify the multitude of different navigation management arrangements in this area. IWA is also pleased that the upper reaches of the Thames have become more popular, especially with visiting boaters. The new moorings at Wallingford are important as they give boaters a place to easily moor and spend their money to support the local economy. IWA is supporting further extension of the boating network with its fundraising appeal to restore and re-commission Inglesham Lock on the Thames and Severn Canal at its junction with the Thames near Lechlade. This will reopen the gateway to the Cotswold Canals restoration. In time, a restored Wilts and Berks Canal will also add to the cruising routes available from and to the Thames, and good progress is being made with the restoration of the Wey and Arun Canal. When completed, this will re-open a non-tidal route from the Thames to the English Channel. IWA has recently provided the Trust with two grants to help fund development work. IWA is and always has been a keen supporter of the Thames. Over 10% of our membership is in the Thames corridor. We reflect that support in our annual National Festival. It has been on the Thames 4 times in the last 13 years. We will be back again soon.” From a Guildford & Reading Branch perspective we would add that Tony’s Thames activities have been but a part of a much wider role for IWA over the many years of his membership in which he was ably supported by his wife, Doreen. When he retired from the Branch Committee in 2001 we were reminded that he had been responsible for setting up the then Guildford Branch in 1974 and subsequently served as a Committee member, Secretary and Chairman. During his time on the Committee the vast majority of Branch events had their origins in an idea from Tony. One of his many waterways interests was in preserving the right of
19 navigation, particularly on the backwaters of the Thames and the Wey, which were the subject of well documented and illustrated articles in Waterways World. His achievements for IWA were marked by his being awarded the Cyril Styring Trophy in 2001. Subsequently he was appointed as IWA’s first Honorary Consultant Planner. Hopefully Tony, with his wealth of knowledge on a variety of waterways matters, will still be available to give his opinions and advice, as he has done recently on planning issues involving the Basingstoke Canal. RC
Licence Evaders Prosecuted Our Branch Thames Representative, John How, reports: Recently the EA issued a Press Release highlighting the convictions by magistrates of five boaters caught using their vessels on the River Thames without valid licences. Two of the cases were heard at Staines Magistrates’ Court and three at Kingston Magistrates’ Court. All the offences were contrary to the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010 and the Transport and Works Act 1992. In total the boaters concerned suffered financial penalties amounting to £4,344. Andrew Graham, an Environment Agency Waterways Operations Manager, said: “The income we raise from boat registration is very important for the community and the environment. It contributes directly to improving and maintaining waterway structures such as locks and lay-bys, as well as providing facilities like visitor moorings, water points, rubbish and sewage disposal and electric boat charging hook-ups. It is vital that we continue to invest in our waterways to create and maintain a good quality environment that people can enjoy for years to come.” The full text of the Press Release is available at ‘www.environment-agency.gov.uk, under Media Centre; News issued 13th Jan 2011'.
[Hopefully other waterway authorities will take note and the clampdown on licence dodgers will not be confined to the Thames. Ed]
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Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Both the Newbury and Reading Sections of the Trust hold a series of autumn/winter monthly meetings to which non-members are always welcome (see also K&A website: www.katrust.org.uk). The programmes of meetings continue as below. The Newbury meetings are on the last Wednesday of the month at The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf, RG14 5AS, at 7.45pm prompt (doors open 30 mins before). Admission is free. There is adequate public parking alongside the venue. Newbury meetings are as follows: Wed 23rd Feb: Crossing Germany West to East by Ron & Myra Glover of IWA Salisbury Group Wed 30th March: The Bow Back Rivers Project plus K&A Update by Mark Stephens BW K&A Manager Wed 27th April: Branch AGM followed by a discussion - The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust: The Way Ahead
Further information from the Newbury Branch Secretary 01635 580356 or Email: kact.newbury@virgin.net. The Reading meetings are held at All Saints Church Hall, Downshire Square, Reading RG1 6NP (off the A4 Bath Road, Reading end) at 7.30 for 8pm start. A donation is requested towards the hire of hall and provision of refreshments. Reading meetings are as follows: Fri 25th Feb: ‘Malta’ – Ian Clay & Peter Drew-Clifton Fri 25th March: AGM and speaker - new Chairman of the Trust, Dr. Mike Rodd Fri 29th April: 'Ontario Canals' - David Copley, Reading Branch Chairman. Fri 27th May: ‘Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group’ – John Morgan For further information on the Reading meetings contact John or Pam Swift on 0118 941 5540 or Email: swift.john21@gmail.com. Other Reading Branch events: 12th and 13th March - RESCUE – Rivers & Environmental Spaces Clean Up Event at County Lock 10am - Volunteers needed - Contact David Copley - 0118 959 8247 for details Sat 18th June - Reading Water Fest. Boat entry details also from David Copley.
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IWAKES Branch News Past Events Angela Acott reports on three meetings last Autumn: London Docklands by Jeremy Bratch Between 50 and 60 people gathered at Strood Sailing Club in late October for a talk by Jeremy Bratch about London Docklands.What this gentleman did not know about the docks that grew off the Thames you could write on the back of a postage stamp. All his knowledge was accompanied by excellent and interesting graphics. After Boudica's rebellion London became the capital of England. Stratford and the Olympic site we owe to King Alfred for damming the Upper Lee (and burning the cakes). In 1490 the first dry dock was built in Portsmouth. After the Mary Rose was built there in 1509 she had to come to Woolwich to have her guns installed. In 1547 Chatham Docks came into being. In 1590 the first guillotine lock was built on the River Exe, and a Pound lock was constructed near Hertford. A breach of the Thames in 1659 caused the Isle of Dogs to come into being. In 1661 Sheerness Docks were started, Rowland Great Wet Dock came into being and many many more followed. You would be reading this till tea time if I listed them all. Thomas Telford built St Katherines Dock and 11,000 persons were made homeless to construct it. Millwall docks came about in 1868. 1880 saw Royal Albert Dock and in 1913 the South East King George V Dock appeared. At one time there were so many docks London could have fallen into them. Wartime Spud Pontoons Mulberry Harbours and Phoenix Breakwaters were constructed in many of the docks before being floated out to sea. After 1968 many of the docks began to be filled in. 1989 saw a new Limehouse Lock being opened (where our speaker is lock keeper). At Heron Quay a new canal has opened and some old docks have been used for marinas or boating activities. I could have given you many more dates and facts but I would have filled the Newsletter up. Those of you who missed THIS treat can catch up with another when Jeremy visits the Gravesend Sailing Club on March 16th at 8pm with ‘Invaders, Explorers and Shipbuilders' which includes our own canal the Thames & Medway.
22 The Grand Canal of China by Liam D’Arcy-Brown On 20th November approximately 40 members and friends gathered at the Gravesend Sailing Club to hear Liam D'Arcy Brown tell us about his time in China. In 1989 he studied Mandarin and Chinese History. In 2006 he left his wife at home with her proper job and travelled to China to become the first westerner in over 200 years to travel the entire length of the Grand Canal of China. The Grand canal is the longest in the world and the oldest, being 2050 years old. Emperor Sway was its builder, also building the Great Wall in his country. Built to carry rice to the capital quicker (rice being the staple diet of its citizens) the Director General of grain transport was responsible for maintaining the waterway in the 15th century. The Grand Canal passes many of the largest cities which have been booming since the 1970s.It now carries fuel, petrol, coal and many construction materials. The journey could be from Hangzhon to Beijing. Liam showed us some of the branches off the main canal with many pretty arch bridges just like you see on your Willow patterned plates. Now very much tourist spots, for newly rich travellers. Some sections of the Canal are VERY wide, could be 500 metres. Most was manmade by hand. Some goes through interconnecting lakes. Junks on the River have been used since before Christ. Now traffic is mostly wide barges upon which live whole families, as on our narrow boats in times gone by. The Chinese fish for winkles by dredging the bottom of the canal but Liam recommended NOT to eat them unless you wanted an upset tummy. In 1940/70 the whole Canal was reconfigured including all the locks, some of which are 200m long by 25m wide. The Chinese are now paying more attention to their Heritage and many features are being restored, including a 53 arched bridge from 800AD now an important national treasure. Also other beautiful Rainbow bridges and Pagodas. The canal when built was 1115 miles long. Now 600 remain. All the current navigable section was built by hand. If you wish to find out more track down Liam’s book- ‘The Emperors River: Travels to the heart of a resurgent China’. Suffice to say everybody present enjoyed the talk immensely and it was finished off by nibbles of a Chinese flavour, supplied by kindness of the Sailing Club. As Liam travels round the country giving his talk try to catch it if you can. The Rideau Canal by Bernard Snell A joint Christmas Meeting was held between IWA and TMCA at Gravesend Sailing Club on 9th December. Bernard Snell gave us a talk about his trip on the Rideau Canal with Joyce and another Wilderness Boat owning couple who hired a pair of
by nibbles of a Chinese flavour, supplied by kindness of the Sailing Club. As Liam travels round the country giving his talk try to catch it if you can.
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The Rideau Canal by Bernard Snell A joint Christmas Meeting was held between IWA and TMCA at Gravesend Sailing Club on 9th December. Bernard Snell gave us a talk about his trip on the Rideau Canal with Joyce and another Wilderness Boat owning couple who hired a pair of boats for a. fortnight on the canal. Though the boats the pair hired had all mod cons Bernard referred to them as floating sheds. John By, a south London man, built the canal under instructions from Wellington in 1826. John By's father had been a lighterman and John joined him on the boats at 14. At 17 he joined the Royal Household through his mother who worked at the Palace. How he got to be building canals in Canada we do not know. But during that time there were no means of travel other than walking or canoe. The waterway is 125 miles long with 42 massive locks and major engineering works and took 5 years to complete. By had some trouble with landowners unwilling to sell their land like restorers of canals today. The Rideau canal, very much like the Caledonian in Scotland, is a series of lakes joined by man made canals. There are many interesting features like block houses and some of the scenery is outstanding. But they got caught in the tail end of hurricane Gustave. Bernard gave us the whole works, bangs and crashes and moving pictures. Also of another storm on the outskirts of Ottawa, which is an impressive city with a massive lock flight. Everything about the canal is HUGE. John By died in obscurity and is buried in the village of Frant near Tunbridge Wells but has recently been recognised as a hero in Canada and honoured. After Christmas nibbles, very much enjoyed by all, Bernard continued with a walk along the Thames and Medway Canal, in 'all types of weather'. We saw the Vista looking wonderful in the snow and the sight of the new pump yet to be connected. Plus US enjoying our elevenses beside the canal. We admired Trevor's seat and saw where deer had been chewing some bushes and many wild flowers that most of us had overlooked.
Thames & Medway Canal Association Report As we start the year 2011 in Dickens country we are filled with 'great expectations'. The pump mechanism and power is to be installed during January and all the water backed up behind the weir will find its way into the canal. At present it is running into the Thames through the tide valve. The towpath/footpath/SCR No1 is being returned to its original width by clearing the surface of soil deposits and vegetation. It will then be resurfaced and make less hazards for walking and cycling.
TMCA Report (Cont’d)
At a 'Full of Life' event in the Civic Centre Gravesend we had poll position in the foyer and had the opportunity to lobby councillors etc as they went about their business or passed us for coffee in the cafe. We also attended a Community Forum at Dartford headed up by Martin Hall Director, Greening the Gateway Kent and Medway. We gave a twenty-minute talk about how the canal fits in with the RSPB, marshes and countryside for the benefit of residents. Our static display appeared in Meopham
the Thames through the tide valve. The towpath/footpath/SCR No1 is being returned 24 width by clearing the surface of soil deposits and vegetation. It will then to its original be resurfaced and make less hazards for walking and cycling.
TMCA Report (Cont’d) the Thames through the tide valve. The towpath/footpath/SCR No1 is being returned
to its original width by clearing the surface of soil deposits and vegetation. It will then At aresurfaced 'Full of Life' event in the Centre had poll position in the foyer be and make lessCivic hazards for Gravesend walking andwe cycling. and hadReport the opportunity to lobby councillors etc as they went about their business or TMCA (Cont’d) passed us for coffee in the cafe. We also attended a Community Forum at Dartford headed up by Martin Hall Director, Greening the Gateway Kent and Medway. We gave At a 'Full of Life' event in the Civic Gravesend weRSPB, had poll positionand in the foyer a twenty-minute talk about how theCentre canal fits in with the marshes and had the opportunity to lobby councillors etc as they went about their business countryside for the benefit of residents. Our static display appeared in Meopham or passed us three for coffee in the also attended a Community Forum atFayre Dartford Library for weeks. Wecafe. wereWe also present at the Victorian Christmas in The headed up by Martin Hall Director, Greening the Gateway Kent and Medway. Old Town Hall, High Street, Gravesend a very enjoyable and successful event.We Wegave a twenty-minute talk about how the canalClub fits inwith withthings the RSPB, andto do. visited Marling Cross Library Homework for themarshes youngsters countryside for the benefit of residents. Our static display appeared in Meopham Library for three weeks. We were also present at the Victorian Christmas Fayre in The Old Town Hall, High Street, Gravesend a very enjoyable and successful event. We visited Marling Cross Library Homework Club with things for the youngsters to do.
Display team with youngsters at Marling Cross Library
[Photo: Angela Acott]
Also the stall has been to two Model Railway Shows. One at Chatham, where we had a good position by the entrance, and one at St Josephs school, Gravesend where we team with youngsters had Display a visit from the current Mayor.at Marling Cross Library [Photo: Angela Acott] Also the stall has been clean to twoups Model Railway Shows. at Chatham, we had Two Tuesday morning were cancelled due One to snow but are upwhere and running a good position by the entrance, and one at St Josephs school, Gravesend where we again; mostly scrub bashing as we cannot work much at Mark Lane until the had a visit from the current Mayor. Two Tuesday morning clean ups were cancelled due to snow but are up and running again; mostly scrub bashing as we cannot work much at Mark Lane until the contractors have finished working there. We still get plenty of comments about our good work from walkers and cyclists. We are only awaiting the electric to be connected to the pump before continuing further. Brian Macknish and Angela Acott
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tractors have contractors finishedhave working finished there. working We stillthere. get plenty We still of get comments plenty ofabout comments our about our d work from good walkers work from and walkers cyclists. and We are cyclists. only We awaiting are only the awaiting electric tothe beelectric connected to be connected he pump before to the pump continuing beforefurther. continuing further. Brian Macknish Brianand Macknish Angela and Acott Angela Acott
Intake[Photo: overflow Brian Macknish] Intake overflow Brian[Photo: Macknish]
English Heritage English recognises Heritage recognises the Thamesthe and Thames Medway and Canal Medway at Gravesend Canal at Gravesend
eaders may As readers have seen mayreported have seen in the reported SpringinEdition the Spring of IWA Edition ‘Waterways’, of IWA ‘Waterways’, English English itage hasHeritage recognised hasthe recognised Thames and the Thames Medwayand Canal Medway with a Canal ‘Gradewith II’ listing a ‘Grade of the II’ listing of the vesend Canal Gravesend Basin,Canal by theBasin, Secretary by the of Secretary State Jeremy of State Hunt.Jeremy The listing Hunt. The listing th ognises the recognises Canal Basin, the Canal the Swing Basin, Bridge, the Swing the existing Bridge, parts the existing of the original parts of19 the original 19th tury wallscentury as wellwalls as theastwo welllocks, as the one two oflocks, whichone wasofrecently which was rediscovered recently rediscovered under a under a used car park. disused Allcar of which park. have All ofawhich historic have anda rarity historic value andinrarity the South value in East. the South East.
ast November’s In last November’s Press Release Press fromRelease from ThamesThe andThames Medwayand Canal Medway Canal ociation, Association, their Chairman their , Brian Chairman , Brian cknish, said Macknish, “I am delighted said “I am anddelighted and laud any applaud action that anyhelps action protect that helps protect waterwayour heritage waterway fromheritage from ppropriateinappropriate developments. developments. The listing The listing his fantastic of this piece fantastic of heritage, piecebrings of heritage, brings a step closer us atostep realising closeratolong realising term a long term bition of reopening ambition of the reopening stretch ofthebasin stretch of Mark canal between the canal and canal between the canal basin and3 Mark Lane (700yds) making more than Lane making more than 3 the miles (700yds) of navigation accessible from miles navigation accessible from the River of Thames.” River Thames.” Canal Basin moorings [Photo: Courtesy TMCA] Canal Basin moorings [Photo: Courtesy TMCA]
Lane Lane (700yds) (700yds) making making moremore than 3than 3 milesmiles of navigation of navigation accessible accessible from the from the RiverRiver Thames.” Thames.”
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CanalCanal BasinBasin moorings moorings [Photo: [Photo: Courtesy Courtesy TMCA] TMCA]
Back-numbers Back-numbers of Canal of Canal Boat Boat Magazine Magazine Back-copies Back-copies of ‘Canal of ‘Canal Boat’Boat’ magazine magazine from Sept from Sept 1996 1996 to Dec to2010 Dec 2010 are available are available from from Mike Mike Hannan Hannan (01622 (01622 890 586). 890 586). BuyerBuyer collects. collects. Donation Donation to IWA to appreciated. IWA appreciated.
Future Future IWAKES IWAKES andand Other Other Events Events 7:30 for 7:308pm: for 8pm: ThursThurs 24th February: 24th February: IWAKES IWAKES AGMAGM followed followed by Canal by Canal locations locations quiz from quiz Les from&Les Sue& Schwieso: Sue Schwieso: St Nicholas St Nicholas Church Church Hall, Poplar Hall, Poplar Road,Road, Maidstone: Maidstone: (See (See Map opposite): Map opposite): Sunday Sunday 6th March: 6th March: 9:30am: 9:30am: Joint Joint IWAKES IWAKES and Thames and Thames & Medway & Medway CanalCanal Association Association Working Working Party:Party: Meet Meet at Mark at Mark Lane Lane (See (See Map on Map page on page 28): 28): Please Please bring bring boots,boots, gloves gloves and packed and packed lunch.lunch. Tea, coffee Tea, coffee and safety and safety equipment equipment will bewill provided. be provided. Wed Wed 16th March: 16th March: 7:30 for 7:308pm: for 8pm: ‘Invaders, ‘Invaders, Explorers Explorers and Shipbuilders’: and Shipbuilders’: Jeremy Jeremy Bratch Bratch will tell will(amongst tell (amongst otherother things) things) why the whyArchbishop the Archbishop of Canterbury of Canterbury was murdered was murdered at Greenwich at Greenwich YachtYacht Club:Club: Gravesend Gravesend Sailing Sailing Club,Club, The Promenade, The Promenade, Gravesend: Gravesend: (See (See Map on Map page on page 28): 28): (This (This is a TMCA is a TMCA eventevent to which to which all areallwelcome): are welcome): 7:30 for 7:308pm: for 8pm: Wed Wed 6th April: 6th April: The Tom The Rolt Tom ‘Cressy’ Rolt ‘Cressy’ Cruise: Cruise: Ron &Ron Mary & Mary Heritage: Heritage: GroveGrove FerryFerry Boat Boat Club,Club, GroveGrove FerryFerry Road,Road, Upstreet, Upstreet, near Canterbury: near Canterbury: CT3 4BP: CT3 4BP: (See (See Map on Map page on page 28): 28): 7:30 for 7:308pm: for 8pm: Wed Wed 13th April: 13th April: TMCA TMCA AGM:AGM: Followed Followed by Angela by Angela Acott’s Acott’s illustrated illustrated talk ‘Gravesend talk ‘Gravesend to Scotland to Scotland and and return’: return’: Gravesend Gravesend Sailing Sailing Club,Club, The Promenade, The Promenade, Gravesend: Gravesend: (See (See Map on Map page on page 28): 28): Mondays 9th & 23rd May: 7:00pm to approx 8:30pm: TMCA Guided walk starting from and returning to the Ship & Lobster (end of Mark Lane): Following the riverbank and towpath: Sunday 15th May: Thames & Medway Canal Association Open Day. The Canal Tavern, Canal Basin, Canal Road, Gravesend.: (See Map on page 28): Wed 22nd June: Evening meal and boat trip on the Rother: Meet at riverside pub. Order meal. Take a one hour boat trip with glass of wine. Return to eat: All in price £25: Cheques made payable to ‘IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch’ should be sent to Graham Ingram, 5 Pilgrims Close, Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Kent. ME17 1NZ. (01622 858076). .
Thurs 17th November: 7 for 7:30pm:
Mondays 9 & 23 May: 7:00pm to approx 8:30pm: TMCA Guided walk starting from and returning to the Ship & Lobster (end of Mark Lane): Following the riverbank and towpath: Sunday 15th May: Thames & Medway Canal Association Open Day. 27 The Canal Tavern, Canal Basin, Canal Road, Gravesend.: (See Map on page 28): Wed 22nd June: Evening meal and boat trip on the Rother: Meet at riverside pub. Order meal. Take a one hour boat trip with glass of wine. Return to eat: All in price £25: Cheques made payable to ‘IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch’ should be sent to Graham Ingram, 5 Pilgrims Close, Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Kent. ME17 1NZ. (01622 858076). .
Thurs 17th November: 7 for 7:30pm: Linda Wilkinson is our speaker from the Chichester Ship Canal Trust: in the Upper Room, Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3DN (near the railway station, about 200yds up from the Clair Hall). This is a joint meeting with Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust. Details of meetings with links to Maps of locations can also be found on the website at www.waterways.org.uk/regions_branches/south_east/kent_east_sussex Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.
MAP
OF
St Nicholas Church Hall, MAIDSTONE Maidstone
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GRAVESEND
Grove Ferry Boat Club, Upstreet
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Oxfordshire Branch News Chairman’s Report January 2011. A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all. This will be my last report to you as Chairman of Oxfordshire Branch, as I am not seeking re-election to the committee at the AGM in March. I have served as a member, and indeed as chairman, for 6 years and feel it is time for others to take over. While I have not lost my interest in IWA or our waterways, I feel it is time for someone with new ideas, enthusiasm and drive to take up the role. I have enjoyed my time in this post and hope that you think I have successfully fulfilled the duties expected of me. I guess at this time one inevitably looks back over achievements. We now have a much higher profile with local and County Councils, British Waterways, the Environment Agency, local groups and various government departments. This is largely due to the work of other members of the committee, our representatives and volunteers. Members who represent the branch on various committees e.g. R.Thames groups or help with the community events which we are involved with. When I took over from John Tucker, 6 years ago, Jericho Boatyard was about to be sold off by BW for re-development. The site was quickly snapped up, but after two failed planning attempts the site remains empty and is now in the hands of receivers. Jericho Boatyard Trust along with Jericho Community Association has high hopes for it. They have engaged architects who have come up with some very inspiring designs. These were displayed recently for comment by all interested parties. It remains now for this group to negotiate with the liquidators in order to purchase the site. We hope to have further information in the very near future. There were a lot of concerns about the lower end of the Oxford Canal. Boaters and walkers were avoiding it partly because of concerns over the “undesirable element” who mustered in the area. This issue has largely been resolved by a group of people including councillors, BW, the police and others. Hythe Bridge Pocket Park is now an open space, with security cameras, which makes a welcoming access to this area. Work to remove foliage and to restore the towing path has also been undertaken. The area opposite Jericho (College Cruisers and the Boatyard) has been cleared and new 48 hour mooring formed. A sani station was also erected for use by the local residential boaters and others. This is the area we now use for the Waterside part of the Oxford “Open Doors” event held annually in the City.
Oxfordshire Chairman’s Report (Cont’d) The formation of the Oxford City Canal Partnership (OCCP) has been largely responsible for the aforementioned improvements. The group has a wide ranging membership who together have been able to “push things along”. They have involved the Universities and Colleges in much of the research and subsequent reports and they have come up with some great ideas and initiatives for future developments.
open space, with security cameras, which makes a welcoming access to this area. Work to remove foliage and to restore the towing path has also been undertaken. The area opposite Jericho (College Cruisers and the Boatyard) has been cleared and new 48 hour mooring formed. A sani station was also erected for use by the local residential boaters and others. This is the area we now use for the Waterside part of 30 the Oxford “Open Doors” event held annually in the City.
Oxfordshire Chairman’s Report (Cont’d) The formation of the Oxford City Canal Partnership (OCCP) has been largely responsible for the aforementioned improvements. The group has a wide ranging membership who together have been able to “push things along”. They have involved the Universities and Colleges in much of the research and subsequent reports and they have come up with some great ideas and initiatives for future developments. The restoration of Oxford Terminal Basin remains one of their top aims and, although this is unlikely to happen soon, it most definitely remains “on the agenda”. Oxford City, when planning for the redevelopment of Oxford’s West End, have the restoration of the terminal basin as the preferred option for that site. Moving upstream to the southern area of Banbury, the Connect 2 project which includes a new bridge and upgrade of the towing path is moving on, albeit very slowly due mainly to the slowdown in the nearby development where some of the funding was coming from. BW undertook work on the bank and towing path below the lock which has provided new and better mooring. There have been disappointments. Foliage and grass cutting, while still a problem in some areas, has improved. However large sections of the towing path, particularly in the upper section of the canal, leave much to be desired. Sadly the scheme for improvements has been abandoned. The plan for the small Marina near Kidlington was turned down by Cherwell DC. While BW and EA have made progress in licence evasion there are still problems with boats overstaying in many areas. Local residents tell us that many of these simply swop places with each other when they know Patrol officers are visiting. The new Licence regulation for boats on the R. Thames has caused consternation with some.
I note that BW has had further cuts in their grant from DEFRA which is not good news. And so the battle goes on. However I will not leave on a negative note - that is not m way. I firmly believe the Inland Waterways have a future. aremy too many peop And And so the so battle the battle goes goes on. However on. However I will I not will leave not leave on aon negative a negative note note - that- that isThere notis my not who from our canals rivers and the infrastructure around them, to way.way. I firmly I firmly believe believe thegain Inland thepleasure Inland Waterways Waterways have have a future. aand future. There There are too are many too many people people allow anything toand put and theirrivers future at risk. Shortly now we will have who who gaingain pleasure pleasure fromfrom our canals our canals rivers and and the infrastructure the infrastructure around around them, them, to more to information about new forShortly thenow management the waterways. We can only hope th allowallow anything anything to put to their putthe their future future atstructure risk. at risk. Shortly now we will we have willofhave more more information information this proves be management the answer an ongoing problem for a positive future for about about the new the new structure structure for the fortomanagement the of to the of waterways. the waterways. We can Weand only canwish only hope hope that that this, our National Heritage. this proves this proves to betothe be answer the answer to antoongoing an ongoing problem problem and and wishwish for afor positive a positive future future for for this, this, our National our National Heritage. Heritage. It would be good to meet you at the AGM and to know that the new Chairman, that may be,AGM will tothat have in the future It would It would be good be good towhoever meet to meet you at you the at AGM the andcontinue and to know to know that theyour new the support new Chairman, Chairman, whoever whoever that that maymay be, will be, continue will continue to have to have youryour support support in the in future the future Ron Heritage RonRon Heritage Heritage
Social Events Report Social Social Events Events Report Report
Launton Handbell Ringers: An evening of Entertainment and Music AtRingers: theRingers: meeting on Wednesday 10th November, we were entertained to an evening of Launton Launton Handbell Handbell An evening An evening of Entertainment of Entertainment and and Music Music th th melodies from partswe of the many familiar butevening some At the At meeting the meeting on Wednesday on Wednesday 10 different 10 November, November, were we world, were entertained entertained to antoevening an of new of to our ears, played byparts aofteam of nine members of but the some Launton Handbell Ringers. melodies melodies fromfrom different different parts the of world, the world, many many familiar familiar but some new new to our to ears, our ears, The tunes were
this, our National Heritage. It would be good to meet you at the AGM and to know that the new Chairman, whoever that may be, will continue to have your support in the future
Social Events Report
Heritage
31 Ron
Launton Handbell Ringers: An evening of Entertainment and Music At the meeting on Wednesday 10th November, we were entertained to an evening of melodies from different parts of the world, many familiar but some new to our ears, played by a team of nine members of the Launton Handbell Ringers. The tunes were interspersed with lively and amusing anecdotes, information and history of the craft by members of the group. Launton Handbell Ringers own a historic set of handbells. They own 80 of the 250 strong collection of Frederick Sharp who lived in Launton, hence the name of the group. The remainder of the collection is in The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. The oldest bell was cast at a foundry in Oldbourne, Wiltshire in 1696 during the reign of William the third. The smallest bell weighs 2oz and the heaviest 10lb. Apart from the heaviest bell, the ringers all hold 2 bells in each hand and stand in a semicircle about 10 feet away from the individually notated one large sheet of music - quite a feat for them even to see the music let alone interpret and then play it! The resonance produced by the bells was amazing and the harmonies and rhythms lyrical; a spellbinding experience. Melodies varied from the traditional such as Oranges and Lemons, The Sky Boat Song, Cockles and Mussels and Marie’s Wedding to The Mango Orchard from Jamaica with its Caribbean rhythms and on to the Elizabethan love song The Frog’s Galliard. The last tune, Highland Cathedral during which the heavier bells were played to represent the movement and rhythm of oars through water, brought us back to our waterways roots. This was an evening which nobody wanted to end and was a wonderful start to the Christmas season for us all. The calming sound of the Launton Handbells will ring in our ears for some time – especially those who bought their CD’s- and we will long remember the enthusiasm, humour and skill of this dedicated team of ringers. Sue Wardley Ron and Mary Heritage - Re-enactment of Tom Rolt’s “Cressy” cruise At the meeting on 12th January Branch Chairman Ron Heritage and his wife Mary described their Re-enactment of Tom Rolt’s “Cressy” cruise. They undertook this cruise on their narrow boat “Heron” as Oxfordshire Branch’s contribution to the IWA Tom Rolt Centenary celebrations 2010 and to help promote the “Save our System” campaign by the IWA. This campaign was necessary as, at this time, the inland waterways were under threat due to the recession, with government funding being reduced to the Environment Agency and British Waterways including the proposed sale of their estates, including lock keepers cottages. Mary explained that, while they followed the route of the cruise from Banbury to Chester (Tom Rolt’s birthplace) it was not their intention to stop everywhere and do everything that Tom and his first wife Angela did. Many of these places are long gone. Ron and Mary put in a huge amount of effort in the planning and re-enacting of the “Cressy” Cruise, thereby raising public
Social Events Report (Cont’d) awareness of the importance to us all of the facilities for walkers, joggers, fishermen, cyclists and those on the water. Tom Rolt was a professional engineer with a passion for Victorian transport of all kinds, particularly the neglected canal network. His other passions were vintage cars and steam railways. One of Tom Rolt’s first books, “Narrow Boat” chronicled his tour
Tom Rolt Centenary celebrations 2010was andnecessary to help promote the time, “Savethe ourinland System” campaign by the IWA. This campaign as, at this campaign by the under IWA. This campaign was necessary as,government at this time,funding the inland waterways were threat due to the recession, with being waterways under threatAgency due to the with government being reduced to were the Environment andrecession, British Waterways includingfunding the proposed reduced to the Environment Agency and British Waterways including the sale of their estates, including lock keepers cottages. Mary explained that,proposed while they sale of their estates, cottages. Mary explained that, while itthey followed route of including the cruiselock fromkeepers Banbury to Chester (Tom Rolt’s birthplace) was 32the followed the route to of stop the cruise from Banbury to Chester that (Tom Rolt’s it was not their intention everywhere and do everything Tom andbirthplace) his first wife not theirdid. intention everything that Tom first amount wife Angela Many to of stop theseeverywhere places are and longdo gone. Ron and Mary putand in ahis huge Angela Many of these are long gone. Ron and Marythereby put in a raising huge amount of effortdid. in the planning andplaces re-enacting of the “Cressy” Cruise, public of effort Events in the planning re-enacting of the “Cressy” Cruise, thereby raising public Social Reportand (Cont’d)
Social Events (Cont’d) awareness of theReport importance to us all of the facilities for walkers, joggers, fishermen,
awareness the importance to us all of the facilities for walkers, joggers, fishermen, cyclists andof those on the water. cyclists and those on the water. Tom Rolt was a professional engineer with a passion for Victorian transport of all Tom Rolt was a professional engineer with a passion for Victorian of allcars kinds, particularly the neglected canal network. His other passions transport were vintage kinds, particularly theOne neglected His “Narrow other passions were vintage and steam railways. of Tomcanal Rolt’snetwork. first books, Boat” chronicled his cars tour and steam Onewith of Tom Rolt’s first books, Boat”Shropshire chronicled Union his tour of the inlandrailways. waterways his first wife Angela on“Narrow the restored of the inland waterways firstofwife on theinterest restoredinShropshire Union narrow boat “Cressy”. Aswith the his result the Angela strong public the waterways narrow “Cressy”. the result of thereprinted strong public in the waterways createdboat by Tom’s book,Aswhich has been manyinterest times and continues to sell createdthe byInland Tom’sWaterways book, whichAssociation, has been reprinted timeswith and Tom continues to sell today, was set many up in 1946 as a founder today, thetoInland Waterways waspreservation set up in 1946 with Tom as a founder member, campaign for the Association, restoration and of Britain’s declining canal member, 2010 to campaign the restoration and preservation Britain’s network. was thefor centenary anniversary of the birth ofofTom Rolt.declining canal network. 2010 was the on centenary of theamount birth of of Tom Rolt. for the “Save Ron and Mary’s cruise “Heron”anniversary provided a huge publicity RonSystem” and Mary’s cruise on “Heron” provided a huge of publicity the “Save our campaign at their frequent stops to joinamount in the many eventsfor organised by our System” campaign at their frequent stops On to join in the many events organised branch members and others along the route. display were medallions presentedby branch members and others alongand thecivil route. On display were the medallions by the various branches, mayors dignitaries showing state of presented the by the various branches, mayors civil dignitaries showing the“Heron” state ofatthe waterway locally before and after and restoration. Other boats joined different waterway before and after restoration. Other boats joinedCrawford “Heron” at different points, andlocally “Jupiter”, owned and crewed by Tony and Christine points, and “Jupiter”, owned crewed Tony and Christine accompanied Ron and Mary and for the wholebyexpedition, which wasCrawford an enormous accompanied Ron and Marywife, for the whole which was enormous support. Tom Rolt’s second Sonia ageexpedition, 92 joined the party atan several events on support. second wife,was Sonia age 92 joined the party on at several events on the routeTom and Rolt’s the whole journey monitored and chronicled a dedicated website the route and the whole journey was monitored and chronicled on a dedicated website by pupils at North Oxfordshire Academy. by at North Oxfordshire Academy. well presented and humorous talk which Ronpupils and Mary gave us a very interesting, Ron and Mary us aasvery well presented humorous talk which described theirgave findings theyinteresting, followed Tom’s journey 70and years on, starting on April th described their findings as theyinfollowed 70 ayears starting on Aprilof 24th from Banbury and arriving ChesterTom’s on 19journey June for civic on, banquet in honour th 24th from in Banbury Chester on June for a civic banquet in honour of Tom Rolt Banbury and thenand theirarriving return to on 19 7th August. Tom Rolt and then their return to Banbury on 7th August. Sue Wardley Sue Wardley
Forthcoming Forthcoming Events Events
ou are invited Youtoare join invited us ontothe join following us on the dates: following dates:
General Annual Meeting General . Meeting . ed 9th March: WedAnnual 9th March:
Ray April: – “The RayWendover Orth – “The Arm Wendover Trust” Arm Trust” ed 13th April: Wed 13thOrth
The story of the The restoration story of the of this restoration arm of the of this Grand armUnion of theCanal, Grand closed Union Canal, in 1904closed in 1904
th /11th Sept: Waterside Oxford ‘Open Waterside Doors’‘Open EventDoors’ (see separate Event (see article separate for details) article for details) 0th/11th Sept: 10Oxford
ed 14th Sept: WedStephen 14th Sept: & Verna Stephen Wass& Verna Wass A talk about Morris A talkDancers, about Morris in particular Dancers,the in story particular of a local the story of a local girl who worked girlon who theworked canal on the canal
Banbury Canal Banbury Day (see Canal separate Day (see article separate for details) article for details) unday 2nd Oct: Sunday 2nd Oct:
th ed 12th Oct: Wed 12Barnett, Paul Oct: Chairman Paul Barnett, Friends Chairman of Purton Friends of Purton
10th/11th Sept: Oxford Waterside ‘Open Doors’ Event (see separate article for details) Wed 14th Sept: Stephen & Verna Wass
A talk about Morris Dancers, in particular the story of a local 33 girl who worked on the canal
Sunday 2nd Oct: Banbury Canal Day (see separate article for details) Wed 12th Oct: Paul Barnett, Chairman Friends of Purton
The Purton Hulks, River Severn, Gloucestershire.
Wed 9th Nov: Liz Payne Chairman The Cotswold Canals Trust Working to restore the Cotswold Waterways
Wed 14th Dec: Skittles night Unless otherwise stated the above events are held in the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT 7.30pm for 8.00pm. New members and visitors most welcome. For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman - tel: 01865 372552.
Branch Community events in 2011 The following two events are scheduled for 2011: National Heritage Weekend. Oxford “open doors”on 10 th/11th September and Banbury Canal Day on 2nd October. Heritage Weekend. The Oxford City Canal Partnership, a group mentioned in the Chairman’s Report, have once again asked us to head up the Waterside part of this event. This will be our third year and we are hoping to make it an even more attractive event than before. Oxford Preservation Trust organise the overall event which, based on their information, attracted almost 50,000 visitors in 2010. Around 3000 of these were attracted to the waterway. For those who may not have heard about the National Heritage weekend it is a time when, throughout the country, buildings of historic interest not normally accessible to the public “open their doors” to visitors. All of these attractions throughout the City are free. Waterways in Oxford have a long history and many know little of this. So we “open” them. We run boat trips, provide waterways type children’s crafts, have exhibitions explain the history and look to future developments. I am sure you can imagine this does take quite of bit or arranging! If you are able to assist us by offering an hour or two of your time over that weekend in particular, I would be very pleased to hear from you. We take over all the 48 hour mooring on the lower end of the canal that weekend so if you want to bring your boat let me know.
Community events (Cont’d)
We also need people who can help bring the trip boats from Thrupp to Oxford (and return them) prior to and following the event. If you want to know more or can help please ring 01869 277400. Banbury Canal Day This has now become a well-established annual event. The event encompasses the
Waterways in Oxford have a long history and many know little of this. So we “open” them. We run boat trips, provide waterways type children’s crafts, have exhibitions explain the history and look to future developments. I am sure you can imagine this does take quite of bit or arranging! If you are able to assist us by offering an hour or two of your time over that weekend in particular, I would 34 be very pleased to hear from you. We take over all the 48 hour mooring on the lower end of the canal that weekend so if you want to bring your boat let me know.
Community events (Cont’d)
We also need people who can help bring the trip boats from Thrupp to Oxford (and return them) prior to and following the event. If you want to know more or can help please ring 01869 277400. Banbury Canal Day This has now become a well-established annual event. The event encompasses the whole town but focuses around the canal side. With lots of visiting boats, stalls, folk music, canoe races and other activities it is a colourful and lively event which attracts many people. Because we have been involved with this now for 6/7 years and it is only a one day event, preparation and organising is much easier than for Oxford. I am however always looking for help “on the day” so book it in your diary. If you think you may be able to spare an hour or two give me a ring so that I can keep in touch as I progress with the arrangements. If you wish to bring your boat you will need to book it in through Banbury Town Council, the overall organisers. Booking usually starts about March/April. Forms can be found on their website or ring the council offices. I too will not be seeking re-election at the AGM. However I look forward to working with the committee, and you, throughout the coming months. Mary Heritage Events and Volunteers coordinator
Solent & Arun Branch News Chairman’s Report Welcome to the first Cargoes of 2011, elsewhere you will find details of our AGM and the dates of our planned cruises for the year. This year should see further progress on the two restoration schemes in the east of our branch on the Chichester and the Wey & Arun Canals, I personally belong to both societies and would urge anyone in their areas to join up. If you can’t commit any time to the scheme and can only be an armchair supporter, membership numbers count for a great deal in the corridors of power. In the west of the area the Itchen project continues to progress with the work to conserve the remains of the Itchen Navigation, and works to improve the towpath which is one of the most popular walks in Southern England. In recent months the work has been concentrated around the Hockley area, and there should also be further clearance work in Mansbridge area, where we held some working parties a couple of years ago. In the recent snows we had to postpone a committee meeting twice and also the Annual Canal Quiz at the Southampton Canal Society was postponed, this will now be th
This year should see further progress on the two restoration schemes in the east of our branch on the Chichester and the Wey & Arun Canals, I personally belong to both societies and would urge anyone in their areas to join up. If you can’t commit any time to the scheme and can only be an armchair supporter, membership numbers count for a great deal in the corridors of power. 35 In the west of the area the Itchen project continues to progress with the work to conserve the remains of the Itchen Navigation, and works to improve the towpath which is one of the most popular walks in Southern England. In recent months the work has been concentrated around the Hockley area, and there should also be further clearance work in Mansbridge area, where we held some working parties a couple of years ago. In the recent snows we had to postpone a committee meeting twice and also the Annual Canal Quiz at the Southampton Canal Society was postponed, this will now be held on the 7th April so if you want to join our team please get in touch. Tuesday 29th March is the date of the Solent & Arun AGM together with the South East Region AGM. The AGMs will be followed by a talk by Jon Guest of BW on waterways in London. The venue is the Norfolk Centre, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PA starting at 7.30pm. As always we will try to keep the formal part as brief as possible to give our guest speaker as much time as possible. Tea and coffee will be available Mike Laishley
Alan White On January 8th, one of the Solent & Arun Branch’s founding members Alan White passed away. He was at the forefront of the foundation of the Branch at the initial meetings in Winchester and Chichester. In 1977 he became the chairman, a post he held for many years. Always keen to promote the River Arun he helped instigate the River Arun cruise, in those days a sponsored event to raise funds as boats on the upper reaches were rare. Following his retirement as Chairman he took on the role of branch campaigner. In that capacity he wrote many a well thought out and carefully worded letter to those in authority, whilst keeping an eye on those of us who followed as Chairman! Despite his enthusiasm for seeing the rivers cruised, he was not keen on small boats and would normally take on the role of shore support to ensure that he remained on the bank. In the early years he and his brother Anton would film the branch activities, which would result in a professional record of the day to be enjoyed at future meetings. He could also be found manning the branch sales stand, whilst also selling his own plants which generally sold better. In 2003 he retired from the branch completely, to concentrate on his love of gardening. A great character well liked and respected by all involved in the local waterways.
Small Boat Cruises
ML
In 2003 he retired from the branch completely, to concentrate on his love of gardening. A great character well liked and respected by all involved in the local waterways.
ML
36
Small Boat Cruises Our own version of “Carry on Cruising” Each year, the Solent and Arun branch arranges a number of cruises on smaller tidal waterways. This year we have our annual trip to demonstrate the right of navigation on the river Arun, a campaigning cruise on the river Adur and our popular cruise on the Hamble. The aim of the trips is to provide an insight into some interesting places and to enjoy being on the water. They are suitable for small boats up to around 14 feet long and canoes. Launching and recovery is easier because boat crews cooperate with each other and advice is available from those participants familiar with the particular waterway. So why not put the following dates in your diary NOW !!! Sunday 15th May. For our River Arun cruise, launching will be at Pulborough late morning. The aim is to reach the point where the Wey and Arun reached the river Arun and then on to Pallingham Quay, the highest navigable point for boats on the Arun. If time permits, we will stop for a drink at the White Hart, Stopham Bridge. The trip will be run in conjunction with the Wey and Arun Canal Trust. Sunday 17th July. The river Adur has a long history of navigation and even today small boats can, on a suitable tide, travel over 12 miles inland. In 2000, a major development at Ropetackle, in Shoreham by Sea, made the most important slipway on the Adur impractical. Even before that time the IWA Branch, lead by the late Alan White, had sought to improve open access to the river. The aim of this cruise is to publicise the lack of basic boating facilities. Following launching and exploring the river/harbour in Shoreham, the boats and canoes will travel five miles inland to The Kings Head, in Upper Beeding, before returning to Shoreham. Sunday 18th September. We will launch at one of the slipways on the Hamble and travel upstream through the picturesque and almost deserted upper parts of the river. We will enter a narrow creek and travel to the highest navigable point which, very conveniently, is adjacent the Horse and Jockey at Curbridge. As there will be a double tide we will re-trace our steps and follow the river to Botley Quay. We will then return to the slipways. Full details of the last two cruises will be provided in future issues of Cargoes but if you have any question then please contact Brendan Whelan by email at b_whelan@mistral.co.uk or 'phone on 01903 816012.
Southampton Canal Society For the first time ever, the December “Inter-Society” Waterways Quiz had to be postponed due to snow and icy conditions. Signs of climate change! We have re-arranged the Quiz to Thursday 7th April (see below). Thurs 3rd March “Horsham to Littlehampton in 100 years” with Tony Pratt, Includes
Full details of the last two cruises will be provided in future issues of Cargoes but if you have any question then please contact Brendan Whelan by email at b_whelan@mistral.co.uk or 'phone on 01903 816012.
37
Southampton Canal Society For the first time ever, the December “Inter-Society” Waterways Quiz had to be postponed due to snow and icy conditions. Signs of climate change! We have re-arranged the Quiz to Thursday 7th April (see below). Thurs 3rd March “Horsham to Littlehampton in 100 years” with Tony Pratt, Includes a short update on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s progress. Inter-Society Waterways Quiz, followed by an American Supper. Thurs 7th April Always an enjoyable evening, all welcome. Thurs 28th April Roger Squires presents “The Suez Canal” Meetings are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ at 7.45pm. For Monthly newsletters see www.sotoncs.org.uk. Angela Rose
South London Branch Meetings South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30 for 8.00 pm at The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. Admission to the talks and presentations is free to all, members or non-members, although we do request a contribution towards room hire and refreshments. The programme for future meetings is as follows: Wed 9th March: AGM followed by Alan Snowdon’s film about Venice Wed 13th April: ‘Not Such Idle Women’ by Mike Constable Wed 11th May: ‘Barging Through East Germany’ by Robin Higgs Wed 8th June: ‘The Somersetshire Coal Canal’ by Patrick Moss There are no meetings at Croydon during July and August For more information about South London’s Social Calendar, please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581 or email smith.alanj@blueyonder.co.uk
Nancy Larcombe We were saddened to learn of the death last October of the well-known and much travelled waterways artist Nancy Larcombe. Nancy’s drawings and paintings captured
There are no meetings at Croydon during July and August For more information about South London’s Social Calendar, please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581 or email smith.alanj@blueyonder.co.uk
38
Nancy Larcombe We were saddened to learn of the death last October of the well-known and much travelled waterways artist Nancy Larcombe. Nancy’s drawings and paintings captured many waterways scenes both locally and farther afield. It is due to her efforts that we have such a vivid record of the life and times of Captain Steve White, one of the last River Wey Bargemasters, in the book ‘Captain White’s River Life’ that was published jointly by Nancy and Steve in 1985. This contained many of Nancy’s sketches of scenes on the River Wey and we were privileged that Ulick Palmer (IWA’s River Wey Representative at the time) was asked to write the Foreword to that publication.
Nancy’s support for the Guildford Water Festivals (organised by the Guildford & Reading Branch from 1985 to 1989) was much valued and appreciated. In the year in which the Festival was celebrating the life of Lewis Carroll she painted her own appreciated. In the year in appreciated. In the appreciated. the year in year in impression ofIn Alice. ppreciated.which In the the year inthe Festival which the Festival was which was Festival was Towed Haul with Nancy’s appreciated. In the year in which the Festival was celebrating the life of Lew celebrating the life of Lewis celebrating the life of Lewis painting of Alice which Festival was elebrating the life the of Lewis Carroll she painted her ow Carroll she painted her own Carroll she painted own [Photo: Ray Carnell] celebrating the life ofher Lewis Carroll she painted her own impression of Alice. impression of Alice. impression of Alice. Carroll mpression of Alice.she painted her own Towed Haul with Towed Haul with Nancy’s Her tales of the waterways extended far Nancy’s impression of Alice. Towed with painting of Alice paintingpainting of Aliceof Alice beyond ourHaul localTowed areaNancy’s as she travelled around Haul with Nancy’s ainting of Alice [Photo: Ray Carnell] [Photo: Raycanals Carnell] the country’s aboard her Narrowboat painting of Alice [Photo: Ray Carnell] towing her floating art gallery Nancy [Photo:BellRay Carnell] Her of thethe waterways extended far Her tales oftales the waterways extended far Towed Haul. Indeed tales of her travels Her tales of the waterways extended far beyond our local area as she travelled around beyond our local area as she travelled around weretales serialised in Canal & Riverboat Her of the waterways extended along far beyond our local area as she travelled around the country’s canals aboard her She Narrowboat the country’s canals aboard her Narrowboat with her sketches to illustrate the text. our localher area as she travelled around the country’sbeyond canals aboard Narrowboat Nancy Bellstory towing floating art gallery Nancy Bell towing her floating gallery told Nancy Bell’s in her a book entitled A the country’s canals aboard herart Narrowboat Nancy Bell towing her floating art gallery Towed Haul. Indeed theoftales of her travels Towed Haul. Indeed the tales her travels Boat’s Life. Her painting of Walsham Gates Nancy Bell towing her floating art gallery Towed Haul.featured Indeed theone tales of her were serialised in travels Canal & Riverboat were serialised in & Riverboat along along on ofCanal IWA’s Christmas Towed Haul. the along tales of herCards. travels were serialised inher Canal &Indeed Riverboat with her sketches to illustrate the text. She with sketches to illustrate the text. She When, in 2004, the proposals (at that time) were serialised inthe Canal & She Riverboat along with her sketches totold illustrate text. Nancy Bell’s story in aentitled book entitled A told Nancy Bell’s story in a book A were to develop the Brewery Road Woking with her sketches to illustrate She told Nancy Bell’s story inHer aLife. book entitled Atheoftext. Boat’s Her painting Walsham Gates Boat’s Life. painting of Walsham Gates site as the new SCC County Hall, Nancy was told Nancy Bell’s story in Gates a book entitled A Boat’s Life. on Her painting of Walsham featured on of Christmas IWA’s Christmas featured onprovide one of one IWA’s Cards. hand to us with her impression ofCards. Boat’s Life. Her painting of Walsham Gates featured on one of IWA’s Christmas Cards. When, in 2004, the proposals (at that time) When, in 2004, the proposals (at that time) how the Surrey Hampshire Canal Society’s featured on one&of(at IWA’s Christmas Cards. When, in 2004, thetowere proposals that time) tomoorings develop the Brewery Road Woking were develop the Brewery Road Woking proposals for might be incorporated When, inBrewery 2004, the proposals (at that time) were to develop Road Woking sitethe as planned the newCounty SCC County Hall, Nancy site the as new SCC Hall, was was alongside development. were tothe develop the Brewery RoadNancy Woking site as the new SCC County Hall, Nancy was ontohand to provide us with her impression of on hand provide us with her impression of site as the newher SCC County Hall, was handSnell] to provide with impression of Nancy how the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society’s how theus Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society’s Nancy with paintings [Photo:on Alison on hand to provide us with her impression of how the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society’s proposals for moorings might be incorporated proposals for moorings might Canal be incorporated how the Surrey & be Hampshire Society’s proposals for moorings might incorporated alongside the planned development. alongside the planned development. When Nancy sold her boat she generously donated to the Branch Sales Stand many proposals for moorings might be incorporated alongside the planned development. of the books she kept on board – a number of thesethe willplanned be found on the Branch Stand alongside development. Nancy of with paintings [Pho Nancy with paintings [Photo: Alison Snell] A3 size) of Nancy’s sketch Nancy with paintings [Photo: Alison Snell] in the coming season together with prints (approx Nancy with paintings [Photo: Alison Snell] Harmsworth’s barge ‘Josephine’ at Moons Guildford in Nancy with paintings [Photo: Alison Snell] Timber Wharf in the centre of When Nancy sold her boa When Nancy sold her sheWhite’s generously donated to the Branch Sales Stand many When Nancy sold from her boat she generously donated to the Branch Sales Stand many the 1930s (copied one ofboat Steve collection of river Wey pictures). RC When Nancy sold her boatbooks she generously Branch Sales will Stand many of the books she kept of the she kept ondonated board –toa the number of these be found on the Branch Standon b
When Nancy sold her boat she generously donated to the Branch Sales Stand many of the books she kept on board – a number of these will be found on the Branch Stand in the coming season together with copies (prints approx A3 in size) of Nancy’s sketch of Harmsworth’s barge ‘Josephine’ at Millmead (illustrated above). RC *************************************************
The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Paul Roper ‘Cranborne’ Baughurst Road, Baughurst, Tadley, Hants RG26 5LL Phone: 01189 813381 Email:paul.roper@waterways.org.uk Guildford & Reading Branch: Chairman Gareth Jones, Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking, RH5 4QQ Phone: 07850 819 071 Email: hhel@btconnect.com Kent & East Sussex Branch: Chairman Mike Hannan ‘Trumpeter’, Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9JN Phone: 01622 890586 Email: mcfhannan@btinternet.com Oxfordshire Branch: Chairman Ron Heritage “Arbre”, Main Street, Fringford, Oxon OX27 8DP Phone: 01869 277400 Email: oxfordshire@waterways.org.uk Solent & Arun Branch: Chairman Mike Laishley 16 Park Avenue, Widley, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 5DW Phone: 023 92325000 (evenings) Email: mike.iwa@ntlworld.com Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. Editorial Team: Ray Carnell and Cecil Ives iwacargoes@hotmail.com Next issue Summer 2011 Copy date 15th April 2011.
canalway cavalcade 2011
Little Venice, London W2
Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May 2011 Come and join in the fun at Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice, near Paddington - a unique community and waterways festival in the heart of London. There’ll be the colourful spectacle of over a hundred boats gathered in The Pool, working and traditional boats in procession, trade shows, bands, a variety of kids’ activities, a real ale bar, all kinds of tasty snacks and food and plenty more to enjoy.
Admission is Free Saturday Sunday Monday
10:00 till 18:00 10:00 till 18:00 then music at 20:30 followed by a procession of illuminated boats 10:00 till 17:00 For more information:
Trade Show: 0844 800 6552 or email exhibition@waterways.org.uk Waterspace & boat entries: 020 8642 8104 Press & Publicity: 020 8255 1581 or email canalwaycavalcade@gmail.com