Cargoes - Winter 2013

Winter 2013

Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches

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Editorial As another year comes to a close, we can look back at some significant events on our waterways. The editorial in our last edition mentioned the major events of IWA in and adjacent to our Region. It is, of course, unfortunate that, as explained elsewhere, there is often a price to be paid and the future of our National Festival in its traditional form is being questioned. Maybe the thrust of explaining the role of IWA and recruiting members will in future have to rely even more on the support and involvement of Branches in local waterways events. Another facet of IWA publicity has been our involvement both nationally and locally in joint Work Parties with CRT. It is to be hoped that this will produce some positive publicity for IWA and reports of the first three in the Region can be found on page 13 (Guildford & Reading) and page 33 (Oxfordshire) with pictures opposite. Although strictly outside our Region area, members may also wish to be aware that CRT has announced that the Kennet & Avon Waterways Partnership is holding a consultation which seeks ideas to improve access to fair mooring on the K&A between Devizes and Bath – for more details see the mid-September Bulletin at www.waterways.org.uk/news_campaigns/bulletins/iwa_bulletin_mid_september_20 13 Another perennial topic is the funding of the Magazines/Newsletters produced by Regions/Branches. Financial viability are the watchwords but how can one measure the value of such publications to the membership and as a tool for recruitment? We should perhaps reflect on the fact that such publications are produced by members themselves at minimal cost to the Association. Despite savings from the moves to ‘electronic’ access which we fully endorse, pressure on our Cargoes budget has led us to review our advertising strategy and the first example of a ‘commercial’ advert is on the back cover of this edition - one consequence of this is a need to remind everyone that ‘All advertisements must

comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement’.

Members will wish to note the formal notice of Branch AGMs on page 5 – as ever we urge your support.

As the Festive Season approaches we would also point out that one practical way of supporting the Association is to purchase items from IWA – the Christmas 2013 Catalogue, distributed recently with the Winter 2013 Edition of Waterways, lists a range of goods. More details can be found inside the back cover of this edition of Cargoes.

Finally, we wish all our readers the compliments of the season.

Cargoes Editorial Team Cover Picture: A busy scene on and by the Oxford Canal at Banbury Canal Day on 6th October with theme of ‘Balloons Galore’ [Photo: Robin Williams]

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From the Region Chairman

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Boating What a glorious Summer it turned out to be! I hope you all made the most of it as I expect next year will be very different. Since I last wrote I have spent a few days on the S GU over the August Bank Holiday and as I write this I am about to go out again for a week taking in the Ashby for the first time in 10 years. Hopefully the weather for this will improve (it’s raining hard at the moment) but this trip will involve few locks so the crew can stay warm inside the boat.

Like many I have noticed the cut being quieter than usual this year despite the favourable weather. It could well be that the cost of boating is putting people off.

Similarly I have noticed that many hire boat operators seem to have boats idle even in the peak of the season and for this reason IWA has challenged CRT to look favourably on business licenses in its recent consultation. Pleasure licenses on CRT waters are now being pegged at inflation rises only.

IWA National Festival Those of you who ventured to the IWA National Festival at Cassiobury Park, Watford, will be aware that attendance was well down despite glorious weather.

IWA made a significant financial loss of in excess of ÂŁ40k for this event which cannot be sustained. The future for this festival has been the subject of much debate by Trustees and everyone agrees that significant changes have to be made.

For years we have been trying to balance a boaters gathering with a trade show and a popular entertainment event for the public. Boaters still seem to like the festival and many plan a Summer cruise around it, however it’s clear that the Crick event is difficult to usurp as the principal trade show with its surety of date and venue. Furthermore the public seem to be losing interest possibly reflecting changing tastes and more competition for leisure venues. Something has to change and it will. Early plans to expand the Stratford River Festival in July 2014 turning it into a full blown National have been abandoned as the budget could not be balanced - this event will continue as it usually does but hopefully with a significant IWA presence to mark the anniversaries of the opening of the southern Stratford and completing the Avon restoration. There will not be an IWA National in 2014.

Early consideration is being given to 2015 so watch this space!

EA Navigations Following the decision by government to defer the transfer of EA navigations to CRT, IWA has been busy maintaining the profile of this long term aspiration.

Branches have been encouraged to write to local MPs regretting the decision to defer and asking them to write to the Minister. Many have been doing this and hopefully these MPs will be forwarding the letters onto the Minister. One oral parliamentary question has been asked and hopefully there will be more.

Meanwhile Les Etheridge and I were due to see the Minister but this has been deferred following the resignation of Richard Benyon and an internal reorganisation of ministerial responsibilities within Defra. The new Minister is Dan Rogerson who is the Libdem MP for North Cornwall so waterways do not figure much in his constituency. As I write this it has just been confirmed that, as expected, the EA licenses/registrations for 2014 will go up by 4.8% i.e. two points above inflation.

5 Furthermore I have just attended an EA meeting in which the scale of the cuts in grant in aid to the EA was revealed. There are expected to be significant job losses and whilst the precise impact on navigation is yet to be revealed there are likely to be changes in both service standards and the costs to boaters. As I predicted EA navigations staying within EA will result in boaters paying more for less!

IWA AGM I attended the IWA AGM at Ettington at the end of September. The AGM itself was uneventful although many will welcome a decision not to increase IWA membership fees for 2014. The AGM was preceded by a workshop in which we formed syndicates to brainstorm solutions to the challenges faced by IWA. Not least of these is a steadily falling membership. Although IWA is not just a boater’s organisation a majority of our members do go boating even if they don’t own a boat.

However only about 25% of inland boaters are IWA members and 50% of boaters do not belong to any representative body. Discussions centred on how to demonstrate that IWA remains a relevant and worthwhile organisation that campaigns for the future of the waterways for the benefit of all. We need to get this message across to both current and potential new members.

Finally the AGM marks the beginning of my final year as a Trustee as my second tour as a Region Chairman will end in one year’s time. I have announced that I will not seek re-election for a third tour which hopefully will free up more of my time to go boating!

Paul Roper

Branch Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the Kent & East Sussex, Oxfordshire, and Guildford & Reading Branches of The Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows: The Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM will take place at 8.00 for 8.15pm on Wednesday 26th February 2014 at St. Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0DE. The Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take place at 7.30 for 8pm on Wednesday 12th March 2014 at the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 1AT. The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 17th March 2014 at Heathervale Baptist Church, Heathervale Road, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NW. The Agenda for the Branch meetings will be based on the standard format set out in IWA Byelaws as follows:

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Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Approval (following amendment if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGM held the previous year 3. Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items) 4. Branch Chairman's Report 5. Branch Treasurer's Report and Accounts 6. Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary. Simply contact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM) 7. Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified in writing at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM

Diary of Meetings & Events Sun 17th Nov, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers (see page 37) Tue 19th Nov, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): ‘The Ribble Link’ by David Saady (see page 19) Wed 20th Nov, 8.00pm, BCS: ‘Canal and River Cruising US Style' by Alan Smith (see page 17) Wed 20th Nov, 10.00am, G&R Branch: Fobney Lock (K&A) Working Party (see page 13) Thu 21st Nov, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: ‘Changes on the Kennet and Avon’ by Elaine Kirby (see page 10) Wed 27th Nov, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): ‘Rivers, Canals and SSSIs’ by Paul St Pierre (see page 18) Sat 30th Nov to Tue 24th Dec, Chichester Canal Trust: Canal trips to meet Father Christmas in his grotto (see page 18) Sun 1st Dec, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse (see page 37) Thu 5th Dec, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: ‘My journey to Liverpool and first year as IWA Chairman’ by Les Etheridge - Christmas get-together (see page 31)

7 Thu 5th Dec, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Inter Society Waterways Quiz (see page 10 & 23) Sun 8th Dec, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 37) Sun 8th Dec, from 11.00am, Wey & Arun Canal Society: Santa Cruises (see page 24) Wed 11th Dec, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Skittles Night (see page 35) Wed 11th Dec, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Christmas Social (see page 36) Thu 12th Dec, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Christmas dinner th

(see page 11)

th

Sat 14 & Sun 15 Dec, Wey & Arun Canal Society: Santa Cruises

(see page 24)

th

Wed 18 Dec, 8.00pm, BCS: ‘The London Water Ring Main’ by John How (see page 17) Sat 21st, Sun 22nd & Mon 23rd Dec, Wey & Arun Canal Society: Santa Cruises (see page 24) Thu 26th Dec, Wey & Arun Canal Society: Boxing Day Cruises

(see page 24)

Sat 28th Dec, 10.30am, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust: Walk off the Christmas Turkey (see page 35) Wed 1st Jan, 2.00pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building, Camden (see page 37) Wed 1st Jan, Wey & Arun Canal Society: New Years Day Cruises

(see page 24)

nd

Thu 2 Jan, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Members’ Annual Waterways Photographic Evening and Competition (see page 23) Sun 5th Jan, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 37) Wed 15th Jan, 8.00pm, BCS: ‘The Canals and Navigable Rivers of Southern France’ by Dr. Roger Squires (see page 17) Thu 16th Jan, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: ‘The Salisbury Train Crash’ by George Fleming (see page 11) Fri 17th Jan, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Annual Dinner (see page 36) Sun 19th Jan, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Hoxton (see page 37)

8 Tue 21st Jan, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): To be confirmed

(see page 19)

th

Wed 29 Jan, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): ‘More on the Restoration of the Cotswold Canals’ by Liz Payne (see page 19) Thu 30th Jan, 7:30pm for 8pm, IWAKES: ‘The Baltic and Dutch Canals’ by Mike Marsh (see page 31) Sun 2nd Feb, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers (see page 37) Thu 6th Feb, 7:30pm for 8pm: IWAKES: ‘Northfleet Harbour’ by Conrad Broadley (see page 31) Thu 6th Feb, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: ‘Titanic Society’ by Geoffrey Watts (see page 23) Wed 12th Feb, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: ‘The life of a present day Lock Keeper’ by Peter Payne (see page 35) Wed 12th Feb, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: ‘The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway’ by Paul Leech (see page 36) Sun 16th Feb, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden) (see page 37) Tue 18th Feb, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): To be confirmed

(see page 19)

th

Wed 19 Feb, 8.00pm, BCS: ‘The Rivers and Canals of Brittany’ by Graham Deavin (see page 17) Thu 20th Feb, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: ‘Rings around London’ by Robert Dean (see page 11) Wed 26th Feb, 7:30pm for 8pm, IWAKES: AGM followed by a quiz (see page 5 & 31) Wed 26th Feb, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): ‘Waterways of Europe’ by Ron & Myra Glover (see page 19) Sun 2nd Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 37) Thu 6th Mar, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: a canoeist’s view of the canal system by Stuart Fisher (see page 23) Wed 12th Mar, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: AGM (see page 5 & 35) Wed 12th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: AGM followed by a short presentation (see page 36) Sun 16th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse (see page 37) Mon 17th Mar, 7:30pm for 8pm, G&R Branch: AGM

(see page 5)

9 Tue 18th Mar, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): AGM

(see page 19)

th

Wed 19 Mar, 8.00pm, BCS: ‘Conserving the Waterways Heritage’ by Nigel Crowe (see page 17) Thu 20th Mar, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: ‘Disaster waiting’ by Paul Barnett (see page 11) Wed 26th Mar, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): Branch AGM followed by ‘West Mills Area’ by David Peacock (see page 19) Thu 27th Mar, 7:30pm for 8pm, IWAKES: ‘The passage to Astrakhan’ by Roger Squires (see page 31) Sun 6th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden) (see page 37) Wed 9th Apr, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: ‘A Day in the Life of a Thames Tug’ by Richard Thomas (see page 36) Tue 15th Apr, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): To be confirmed

(see page 19)

th

Wed 16 Apr, 8.00pm, BCS: ‘Inland Shipping in West Africa’ by Dr. David Hilling (see page 17) Sun 20th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regents Canal: Kings Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney (see page 37) Sun 4th May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Kensal Green Cemetery, Grand Union to Little Venice (see page 37) Sat 3rd to Mon 5th May, IWA: Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice, London Wed 14th May, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: ‘The Port of London Authority: Overview and the Work of the Harbourmaster’ by Steve Rushbrook (see page 36) Tue 20th May, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): To be confirmed

(see page 19)

Sat 24th to Mon 26th May, IWA: Trailboat Festival, Grand Western Canal Country Park, Tiverton, Devon Fri 6th to Sun 8th Jun, IWA: National Campaign Festival, Tower Wharf, Chester Wed 11th Jun, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: ‘Waterways & Navigable Rivers of Southern France’ by Roger Squires (see page 36) Sat 14th Jun, K&A (Reading): Reading Water Fest th

(see page 19)

th

Sat 5 to Sun 6 Jul: Stratford River Festival, River Avon opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Sun 27th Jul, K&A (Newbury): Newbury Waterways Festival

(see page 19)

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Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: In July, 16 members enjoyed our now traditional game of boules following an excellent BBQ cooked by Jeff, landlord of the Green Dragon in Alderbury. The weather was kind to us and the matches were very competitive.

At our October meeting, Paul Leech came to talk to us about the new canal that has been planned to link the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes with the River Great Ouse at Bedford. This will provide a new cruising ring and will be a link to the Fenlands and more cruising opportunities. The first plans for this venture were made back in 1812 but the inspiration for this modern link was proposed in 1994 in a pub over a pint of beer!

Paul covered some of the historical facts and development of the idea leading up to the present scheme. This new navigation will be a wide beam canal allowing larger craft to cruise from the Midlands and London. It will be 26 km in length, the rise between the two towns will be 60 metres and it will have approximately 30 locks. There is a major challenge at Brogborough Hill which will require an innovative boat lift.

The new navigation is seen for leisure use rather than a commercial waterway, creating a green corridor linking high tec. business communities in the two towns and providing places for walking, cycling, boating and fishing which will contribute to healthier lifestyles.

The waterway will be built in 26 sections over the next 10-15 years. Building has already started! In 2010 the underpass to take the canal, footpath and cycle path under the A421 was completed.

At the end of the meeting Paul gave us a challenge to design a new style of lift to raise the canal at Brogborough Hill! He showed us a variety of lift designs already used in Britain and Europe but he said an iconic new idea is preferable.

Paul’s talk was lively, inspiring and his enthusiasm for this project was immediately obvious.

Programme of Events Thu 21st Nov: “Changes on the Kennet and Avon” by Elaine Kirby. Elaine is an archivist for the K&A Trust. She will visit us again, this time to show how the K&A looked in the past compared with how the canal looks today. We will see how changes have been made since photography began.

Thu 5th Dec: Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society.

11 Thu 12th Dec: Christmas dinner at The Green Dragon Alderbury. If anyone wishes to come please let us know by 5th December.

Thu 16th Jan: “The Salisbury Train Crash” by George Fleming. About a local Salisbury disaster. On the 1st July 1906 an Atlantic Liner Special train overturned on the approach to Salisbury station and 30 people were killed.

Thu 20th Feb: “Rings around London” by Robert Dean. A look at the varied and interesting waterways that make up the 43 miles or so of the London Ring.

Thu 20th Mar: “Disaster waiting” by Paul Barnett. This is the story of the River Severn Railway bridge. Its construction, day to day operation and its eventual destruction when it was hit by two runaway tanker barges.

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 email glover.3@btinternet.com or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Guildford & Reading Branch Chairman’s Report Twelve months ago I was about to set off for seven weeks on the other side of the world. My five weeks in Australia taught me the benefits of thinking positively and my two weeks in New Zealand taught me that a nation of less than 3 million people can be world class; rugby and the America’s Cup spring to mind. Listening to a programme on Angela Merkel taught me the value of analysis, training and planning.

The UK economy is recovering but I see little that is actively positive or planned. We are told leave it to the market. We have been world class in many areas not least in water both inland and marine. We don’t train people for roles and we lack analysis. Consequently we have little sense of direction but frequent changes of course. Sound a bit like a contour canal. We are not very efficient. For a country that discovered nuclear power to turn to France and China to build their next generation of nuclear power stations is instructional. Similarly high speed trains which have been running in Japan since 1962. Now Hitachi will be supplying new trains to the UK. Progress has been made on the waterways in your branch but little seems very joined up or long term. The EA to CRT situation is one example and the lack of long term planning on the Basingstoke is another. It is hard to see how we can do more than to preach the values of analysis and hope the occasional light comes on.

12 I have reported previously on my trips to Holland, London’s waterways and the Basingstoke. I sailed to and from the Scillies by pilot cutter, very enjoyable but not very inland waterway. The Thames Barge trip was less so as while we sailed in and around the Blackwater, we failed to get any nearer the Thames than Bradwell power station soon no doubt to be rebuilt by the Chinese.

As the autumn rolls in thoughts turn indoors to winter pleasures and planning next year’s excursions. No doubt there will be much to do in local waters but I have a week booked for the Scottish lowland canals and a week on the Midi.

We have had a very successful work party on the Kennet and Avon at Southcote Lock where 28 people attended. This was prompted from Head Office by Alison Smedley and Stefanie Preston who with our own Verna Smith organised it.

CRT attended and were most helpful as was the householder who owns the adjacent Southcote Mill. Given this success we plan a second at Fobney Lock, again on the K & A in Reading, on November 20th.

We are doing preliminary work on a winding hole near Walsham Flood gates on the Wey. This is being led by Tony Davis with guidance from Roy Sutton. The idea is to extend the navigable section of the Wey when it is in flood and the Flood gates are closed.

The next branch event is the quiz on December 5th at Southampton (see page 23). Supporters will be most welcome as it is a fun evening. For more details contact me or the editor. In the spring we have the AGM where we will have an update on the Maidenhead Waterways project where £1,6mn of funding has been secured. This is an excellent example of property developers, government and waterway enthusiasts working together. We also hope to arrange another joint meeting with the K&A in Reading.

So enjoy the winter and its festivities and make your plans for next summer on and around the waterways.

Gareth Jones

Sales and Publicity Stand The Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet on 21st September (see report on page 15) marked the culmination of our outside events for the year. Once again we must thank all who came along to provide essential help at the various waterways gatherings and festivals across the Branch The Stand has a range of functions – it provides a source of information about our local waterways and the role of IWA, whilst the funds raised by the sale of donated items and from the Lucky Locks Game provide the means by which the Branch can lend financial support to local waterways projects.

Next year’s schedule of events will no doubt be similar to those of 2013 but volunteers will be even more vital since other commitments may mean my personal contribution will be restricted. More information in the next Cargoes and at our Branch AGM in March 2014.

Ray Carnell

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Branch Work Parties Stefanie Preston of HO reports on a Great Volunteer Turnout at Southcote Lock: The Branch held its first work party on the 25th of September, hoping to complete the task of painting Southcote Lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal. The branch hoped for a good turnout to allow overgrown vegetation to be cut in addition to the painting but never expected twenty-eight volunteers to offer their time. This is one of the largest number of volunteers at an IWA branch work party this year so a big thank you to all branch members, EE employees, members of the public and CRT employees who turned out to help - some of whom came from as far afield as Bristol.

With so many volunteers, Southcote Lock was rubbed down and repainted within the day – a great improvement. Additionally, a team tackled overgrown vegetation on the towpath with a second group litter picking. These volunteers worked quite some distance in both directions of the lock and successfully made the towpath far more pleasant for all users. The day was a great success and a prime example of what IWA volunteers can achieve and how they can help in maintaining our waterways for all users.

Everyone had a productive and enjoyable day thanks to the Puddephatt family who helped with parking and provision of tea and coffee, CRT who provided a huge amount of equipment and IWA Guildford & Reading Branch who hosted the event.

The next work party will be at Fobney lock on the K&A on November 20th from 10am until 3pm. The tasks will be vegetation clearance and loads of litter picking.

The site is easily accessible from the A33. For more information please contact Verna Smith verna.smith63@gmail.com or 01252 517622.

Bits on the Basingstoke The Basingstoke was open I understand throughout the summer. Towards the end of August the water situation was tending to the critical but this year some 100 boats visited the canal from the Wey including the Easter cruise organised by Kathryn Dodington. The canal was enjoyed by many other user groups but the

14 restoration of navigation throughout was a landmark. This now includes albeit very slowly the slip area at Dogmersfield although the tow path remains closed. Fettling remains an issue including much needed dredging. In this context next year’s revenue budget presented at the JMC in October does not look good. Surrey County Council having promised but as in previous years not credited houseboat revenue which we believe is some £70,000, are now removing revenue from the fibre optics c£28,000 and cafe rental c£10,000. The County Councils have been very generous in capital budget commitments with £1.6million already spent and a further £4million firmly promised. However dredging is an increasing issue and there is now nothing in revenue for this apart from limited spot dredging. It is disappointing that revenue is now being removed. It is also disappointing that the councils are not more active in new revenue generation. Car parking seems top of the list but there are real opportunities with the Lottery, planning development and sponsorship which do not seem firmly on the agenda. The councils and particularly the day to day and strategic managers are to be congratulated on the reopening of navigation. They have shown both energy and commitment particularly in the last year to eighteen months when key personnel have changed for the better. That energy should now be engaged on the on-going maintenance and marketing this jewel of a waterway. We are no great way forward on development of the canal centre where there are promises but not a great deal of progress a particular disappointment for our canoeing friends who do so well in national and international competition.

It is pleasing to report that IWA has been reappointed to the JMC for a further 4 years. This is one of 8 non-voting places. Two are taken permanent by the Basingstoke Canal Society and one by Natural England. The other appointees are the canoe club, resident boaters, John Cale who runs a trip boat at the canal centre and a Parish Council representative. The voting places are taken by County and District councils. The chair now passes to Hampshire in the shape of Keith Chapman. Linda Kemeny the past chair is now deputy chair and has our heartfelt thanks for all that was achieved in her two year term.

So a successful year for the Basingstoke and a new trip boat for the Canal Society but much remains to be done notably the Dogmersfield slip, asset development, dredging, fund-raising, marketing, water and general fettling.

Remaining on the JMC will give us the opportunity to encourage positive developments. In particular we continue to emphasise the general economic benefit of the waterway and have now put this firmly on the JMC agenda. It seems key that the larger picture which will show major economic benefits from navigation will help councils to play the important role they do in spending taxpayers’ money on the canal.

Gareth Jones

Further Comments on the Basingstoke We are pleased that there has been a steady stream of visiting boats since the Deepcut flight was opened, with more than 100 or so boaters having come to enjoy the Canal, including writers from a couple of national magazines. Almost without exception, their reaction (as gauged from their written comments) has been

15 generally positive, allowing for the fact that the Canal is still recovering from years of lack of investment and use by boats. A collection of these articles and comments can be found on the Society website (http://www.basingstokecanal.org.uk/headline/visiting-boaters-tell-of-their-positive-experiences/) Martin Leech Just to remind readers that the Canal Society is now named the ‘Basingstoke Canal Society’ (BCS) and with the new name has come an excellent website with all relevant details to be found at;- http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/ Their publication ‘Basingstoke Canal News’, is available on line at;http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/bcn/bcn239.pdf#zoom=75 John How

Accessible Boating Following our coverage of the naming of the JPII in the last edition of Cargoes, our attention has been drawn to the fact that boating activities at the Odiham end of the Canal also include the trip boat Dawn operated by the ‘Accessible Boating’ organisation. John Ranson, chairman of Accessible Boating, points out that they provide facilities for people with mobility issues by way of two boats, a day boat and a holiday boat, and their website is www.accessibleboating.org.uk.

We are now pleased also to report that after the JP II naming ceremony last June, Sally Taylor spent some time After the JP II naming ceremony, Sally Taylor inspecting the facilities on board joins Ann Paine aboard Accessible Boating’s Dawn under the guidance of Dawn [Photo: Ray Carnell] Ann Paine from Accessible Boating.

Cargoes Editorial Team

Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet The annual Basingstoke Canal Boating Club’s Fox & Hounds Boat Rally took place on Saturday 21st September at Church Crookham.

16 Despite the day being overcast, resident boaters and visiting steam-boaters attended the event which also drew a goodly number of local people.

Basingstoke Canal Society & Inland Waterways Association stands plus BCBC’s Cake Stall, public boat trips organised by volunteers from the Accessible Boating Charity, together with all day entertainment, and a BBQ arranged by the Fox & Hounds management proved very popular.

Winners of the Best Presented Boat trophy were Dick & Alison Snell, with their Sea Otter boat Dovetail.

Dick and Alison Snell with trophies for ‘Best presented boat’ [Photo: Ray Carnell] Steam Launch Lizzzeee, owned by Trevor & Gina Jenkins again won the Best Presented Steam Boat trophy, whilst the Furthest Travelled Award went to steam launch Sarah Jane owned by Graham Towle who came from Salisbury to attend the event.

Jan Byrnes

BCS Chobham Social Meetings Programme for the remainder of the Autumn and Winter season is shown below: The meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at the usual venue, the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, near

17 Woking, GU24 8AZ commencing at 8pm. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Raffle and retiring collection. Non-members and friends are very welcome.

Wed 20th Nov: 'Canal and River Cruising US Style' by Alan Smith.

Alan, from the Inland Waterways Association South London Branch, will illustrate an account of a small ship cruise in 2012 down the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec and the Saguenay River and back, the St. Lawrence Seaway from Montreal to Lake Ontario, through the Erie Canal to the Hudson River and down the Hudson River to New York [Note this is a change to the originally published Programme – Graham Deavin’s talk has been rescheduled for February – see below] Wed 18th Dec: 'The London Water Ring Main' by John How. John, who is now a volunteer with the Inland Waterways Association, currently working for the Basingstoke Canal leading the ' Water Strategy Group', will describe the history of the London Water Ring Main known as 'the best kept secret for London in the last 100 years'. The Ring Main now supplies drinking water to the 8m people in London from a tunnel 40m to 60m below ground and has avoided Thames Water bringing the capital to a grinding halt through digging up the roads to repair existing waterpipes.

Wed 15th Jan 2014: 'The Canals and Navigable Rivers of Southern France' by Dr Roger Squires.

Roger will be returning to illustrate the inland waterways of the South of France that offer a unique blend of historic waterways and amazingly scenic river navigations. The Canal du Midi was opened in 1680,and linked the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean. It used an innovative water collection system that has ensured, even in hot summers, that it never runs dry. The Rivers Lot, Tarn and Baise were early river navigations that were slowly improved, but now are sadly partly truncated due to Hydro dams. However, moves are afoot by local groups to reopen them for pleasure boating. The presentation will highlight the key features of these attractive cruising grounds.

Wed 19th Feb: 'The Rivers and Canals of Brittany' by Graham Deavin.

Graham and his wife Lyn will describe and illustrate the geography of the waterways and their links, their history and engineering features, and how the system is currently operated plus the various craft using them. In the second half Graham and Lyn will talk about their experience of having a boat based in this area and describe some of the major sights, towns and cities one can see whilst cruising this beautiful part of France.

Wed 19th Mar: 'Conserving the Waterways Heritage' by Nigel Crowe.

Wed 16th Apr: 'Inland Shipping in West Africa' by Dr. David Hilling.

Further information from David Millett on 01252 617364 or d.millett7@ntlworld.com

18

Chichester Canal News Linda Wilkinson, Secretary, Chichester Ship Canal Trust, reports: The conversion of the stables into the visitor centre is progressing. The builders are due to finish their part by the end of the October, and then the work begins on the internal fit out.

On 15th November our art work around the basin is being unveiled at 3pm.

More details in the next issue.

Forthcoming Events Sat 30th Nov to Tue 24th Dec, Chichester Canal Basin: Enjoy a magical 1 hour 15 min trip down the canal to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. Children receive a present from Santa and there are festive refreshments for everyone.

Fare: ÂŁ11.00, adult or child.

Week-ends from November 30th and daily December 20th to 24th:-10.15, 11.00, 12.30, 13.15, 14.45, 15.30, 17.45 Weekdays: December 6th, 9th to 13th, 16th to 19th:-11.00, 16.30 All enquiries about the events please contact Linda Wilkinson on 01243 576701 or e-mail canal.linda@uwclub.net

Kennet & Avon Canal News Canal Trust Meetings Both the Newbury and Reading Sections of the Trust hold a series of autumn/winter/spring monthly meetings to which non-members are always welcome. For the latest details see their Website at www.katrust.org The Newbury meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month (no December meeting) at The Stone Building, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS at 7.45pm prompt (doors open 30mins before). Admission is free. Light Refreshments are available. There is adequate public parking alongside the venue.

Wed 27th Nov: Rivers, Canals and SSSIs by Paul St Pierre of the Environment Agency. The River Kennet and its tributary the River Lambourn were designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest in 1995 because of their unique nature as chalk watercourses. Paul will talk about the issues that this raised and some of the

19 remedial work that has been done since then. He will also talk about the interactions between the Kennet & Avon Canal and the SSSI, and the work that has been done and some of the options that have been considered to try and reduce the Canal's impacts.

Wed 29th Jan: More on the Restoration of the Cotswold Canals by Liz Payne, Vice-Chairman of the Cotswold Canals Trust. This restoration is a key one in the South of England and much progress has been made since Liz last updated us four years ago.

Wed 26th Feb: Waterways of Europe by Ron & Myra Glover of IWA Salisbury Group. Ron & Myra are regular explorers of the canals and navigable rivers of Continental Europe. This talk will cover their 2001 excursion which started in Arnhem in Holland and returned via Reims into France.

Wed 26th Mar: Branch AGM followed by a talk on the History of the West Mills Area by Local Historian David Peacock.

Further information from the Trust Administrator 01380 721279 or Branch Secretary 01635 580356, Email: kact.newbury@btinternet.com The Reading meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month (no December meeting) at 7.45pm at The Grange Church Hall, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road).

Tue 19th Nov: ‘The Ribble Link’ by David Saady.

Christmas drinks (no alcohol) and eats (please bring something to share) Meetings are also scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21st January 2014, Tuesday 18th February, Tuesday 18th March, Tuesday 15th April and Tuesday 20th May but details of speakers have yet to be confirmed.

Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses).

K&A Canal Summer Events Summer 2014 sees the usual major Festival events organised by the K&A Canal Trust. Reading Water Fest takes place on Saturday 14th June and Newbury Waterways Festival at Victoria Park on Sunday 27th July.

20

Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Funding and Planning Decisions falling into place Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group, reports on the latest developments: Our joint bid with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) to the government funded Growing Places Fund was successful and a £1.6m loan has now been agreed to part fund the first stage of the waterway build. The loan is interest free and will be repayable by RBWM (…not MW!) from developer contributions received from the on-going Area Action Plan developments planned for Maidenhead town centre. The award reflects the acknowledged key role of the waterway as a catalyst for the major investments involved in the Area Action Plan.

RBWM has now approved a major planning application from the Shanly Group for the historic Chapel Arches area, which is designed to embrace and complement the consented waterway plans. The detailed design and landscaping for the two sets of approved plans will now be converged to ensure they avoid conflict and abortive costs, joining seamlessly where the sites touch. The residential led development at Chapel Arches is due to commence in 2014 and will provide significant further funding for the waterway. In conjunction with the Growing Places loan, the additional funding is expected to enable the first section of the York Stream arm of the waterway – from at least the A4/St Cloud Way, down to the railway - to be built during 2014/15.

With key funding decisions falling into to place, technical work on the detailed design of the waterway is continuing apace, with all planning conditions and further necessary consents targeted to be cleared by the spring to allow construction to commence. The tree work necessary to allow the channels to be widened deepened is planned to take place during the winter months, before the start of next year’s nesting season.

River Thames News Report of Thames Navigation Users Forum (TNUF) on 30/9/13 Boat Registration Charges Consultation took place in August on the planned increase next year to CPI + 2%. There was apparently a mixed feedback, but TNUF members expressed very strong disapproval as in the previous 2 years. It was felt that private motorboat owners have been singled out because licences for passenger boat operators have been frozen.

21 Enforcement A pilot scheme for moorings enforcement at East Street above Osney Lock has proved to be effective and the onus is now on boaters to report time of arrival to the lock keeper to prove the start of the 24 hour mooring period.

A 'speed and wash' campaign was run in August with 5000 leaflets handed out. Speed enforcement operations using laser equipment were carried out on some stretches of the river. The visual deterrent was so good that there were no reportable offences.

TNUF believes that much more enforcement needs to be done, especially bearing in mind the 15% registration evasion rate on the main river.

Accommodations Review These relate to any structure in the river such as mooring piles and landing stages. A study has been carried out on two short stretches to establish how many unregistered accommodations exist. Initial findings suggest that less than 25% of structures are currently licensed. The next step is decide how best to identify unlicensed accommodations and then recover the appropriate licences.

Customer Survey This was conducted in March 2013 by a market research agency. 200 customers were randomly selected for 15 minute telephone interviews. Some results were very encouraging with over 90% satisfied with lock staff presentation, behaviour and service, yet only 43% agree that the registration fee offers good value for money. While 90% are able to use self service at locks, 87% say it is very/quite important that staff are able to help them at break times.

Alan Dawe for John How Additional References 1) Information is readily available on the excellent Environment Agency website;http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/130919.aspx The above includes links to: The Investment Programme 2013-14 Lock Closures and a map Customer Charter – Summer 2013 Performance 2) River Thames Events can be found on;http://www.thames21.org.uk/events/

John How

The future of the River Thames Alliance Until now the RTA has been funded and provided with staff support by the

22 Environment Agency. With cuts in its funding the Environment Agency has now said that, although it wants the RTA to thrive and will continue to be a very active member, it can no longer provide the same level of staff support.

The Management Committee has decided that this is the moment to reform the RTA to make it into a better and more valuable organisation for RTA members who will have to fund it. The new organisation would hope to develop a new Thames Waterways Plan to continue the progress made since the first Waterways Plan was produced in 2005.

Further updates will be provided once the councils along the Thames and other members of the Alliance have decided what they wish to do.

Sue Cooper, Rug 3

River Wey Navigation Whilst on their autumn coal delivery run on the Kennet & Avon, River Thames & River Wey the Narrow Boat Trust had an interesting task to perform for the Godalming Packet Boat Co. by loading 140 25kg bags of coal to act as ballast for a Marine Coastguard Agency heeling test on the horse drawn butty boat Iona. Here you see the boats lying at rest after the successful test.

John Fevyer

Brighton & Nuneaton joined Iona at Godalming Wharf Photo: Godalming Packet Boat Co. (Lynne Roberts)

23

Southampton Canal Society September Meeting 20 people supported a very interesting evening hearing about “Water Management” from Dr Adam Comerford, who studied Geography at Southampton University, is now Group Hydrology Manager at the Canal & River Trust and in charge of the Trust’s Water Management team. Adam gave a presentation to the society on the background to the complex water resources system of the Trusts canal network across England and Wales After the break, Gordon Osborn, society member and consultant with ABPmer presented a number of case studies undertaken for the Canal and River Trust and its predecessors covering a period of 1950 to the present day. These examples outlined the various modelling options employed to simulate and understand the complexity and operation of the canal and river network, including full scales trials, physical modelling and more recent numerical modelling studies.

A full report of Adam’s presentation can be found on page 3 of the October 2013 edition of the Southampton Canal Society’s Newsletter at: www.whitenap.plus.com/archive/pdf/OCT_13.pdf

Forthcoming Meetings Thu 5th Dec: Inter Society Waterways Quiz: Hosted by SCS and run by last year’s winning team, IWA Guildford and Reading. An American Supper will finish off the evening.

Thu 2nd Jan: Members Annual “Waterways Photographic Evening and Competition”.

Thu 6th Feb: Talk. Geoffrey Watts, a member of the “Titanic Society” will speak about the Tragedy and the effect on the people of Southampton, showing the various Memorial’s around the town.

Thu 6th Mar: Talk: Stuart Fisher, editor of the Canoeist Magazine, gives a canoeist’s view of the canal system with particular emphasis on the canals that cannot be reached by narrowboat.

Meetings held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ. Start 7.45pm. For Monthly Newsletters visit www.sotoncs.org.uk 02380 675312 Angela Rose

24

Wey and Arun Canal Trust W&ACT working parties continue to toil away to both maintain and extend the navigation. Contractors are working on the removal of silt and re-profiling of the Summit Pound between Tickners Heath and Compasses Bridge. A detailed planning application for the re-development of the Compasses Bridge is to be submitted to Waverley Borough Council at the end of November which will open up the existing causway by replacing it with a bridge which will enable navigation to be extended....eventually. The fund-raising for Gennets Lock is moving forward with a special appeal to ‘use your tenner’, a local giving initiative - to find out more about donating to W&ACT and Grow Your Tenner, please visit https://localgiving.com/charity/wact For more details and current information see also W&ACT website at www.weyandarun.co.uk Autumn Meeting The Autumn meeting (EGM) of the Trust was held at Billingshurst on the 26th October. Approximately 100 members attended where they were updated on the activities of the trust over the past six months. Main works updates were:- the ongoing de-silting of the canal alongside Dunsfold Park, the completion of the haul road to Gennet’s Bridge Lock site prior to starting the excavation and concrete shell construction of the new lock in the new year, the completion of the new footpath in the Hunt Park Nature reserve, alongside Cranleigh Water at Shalford and the successful mini dig archaeological excavation of the Gosden Aqueduct. A lively question and answer session followed these activity updates.

The boat trips from Loxwood, this summer, had been outstanding with more passengers and more charter hires than ever, but more skipper and crew volunteers were needed. The Canal Centre was proving a very popular focus point.

The Annual Poddle awards were made. The sponsored walk this year raising over £10,000. Poddle Plate was presented to Vanessa Lamey on behalf of the Lunch Ladies, who turn out such a brilliant buffet lunch every year for all the walkers and helpers. Poddle Bowl was presented to Bridget Glynne-Jones, as First Walker she walks the Poddle very early every year on Poddle Day, making sure that the route is unobstructed, fully way-marked and safe.

Tony Tyrrell Festive Season Cruises Join in the fun of a 40 minute festive Santa Cruise on our electric boat, Wiggonholt, travelling along a section of the Wey and Arun Canal and through a restored lock. Children will receive a gift from Santa who will board the boat at the lock whilst adults enjoy mulled wine and mince pies.

There will also be 50 minute trips at 11am, 12noon and 2pm on Boxing Day & New Years Day. The boat departs from behind the Onslow Arms on the B2133 in Loxwood (free car parking). Further details at http://www.weyandarun.co.uk/santa/

25

IWAKES Branch News River Rother News

What an outstanding summer it has been! I hope you have been able to take advantage of the weather and get out and about. As we’ve reported in earlier editions of this Newsletter we held a very successful National Trailboat Rally on the River Rother. The river is one of those that is not much visited since it does not connect up with any others, but it does have some resident boats and there is an excellent slipway at Scots Float just outside Rye. As those who attended the Rally will, I’m sure, agree the river flows through some lovely peaceful countryside even if the banks, at times, are a bit too high for viewing. The Rally weekend saw a lot of activity on the river and it would be good to know if any members visit the river again. There are several public footpaths, some alongside the river, and there is also the trip boat which operates from Newenden where there is an attractive old bridge.

We hope to build on the good relations we have with the Environment Agency and establish regular contact with the team responsible for the river. We plan to give you an occasional update on activities as they affect the river.

Mike Hannan

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust The volunteer workforce of S.O.R.T. have been able to concentrate all their efforts, through the wonderful summer of 2013, on pushing on with restoration of Isfield Lock, the adjacent wharf and the upstream cut due. Further progress with the proposed restoration of Irongate Lock at Sheffield Park is on temporary hold.

We earlier reported that the original 2013 S.O.R.T. targets were changed by the proposals put forward by the Environment Agency under their Middle Ouse Restoration of Physical Habitats (MORPH) plans for this stretch of the river and its environs. Those plans have now been deferred until 2014 at the earliest, but S.O.R.T. has continued with their revised restoration proposals and their work has produced very important and noticeable results.

26 The top cill has been extended with reinforced concrete to add strength and to allow for the insertion of stop-plank grooves.

The photograph shows the completed work.

The stop plank groove steels await manufacture. The east side top ground paddle and framework has been completely rebuilt as shown in the photograph and is now in working condition following the clearance of decades of silt from the paddle/chamber culvert.

The upstream east bank dividing the navigation course and the River Ouse that runs parallel with the cut had partially disintegrated over the years and had been breached in places during high levels of water in the river. This has now been completely rebuilt and levelled nearly as far as the Sutton Hall (or Isfield) weir. The photograph shows a section of the rebuilt bank. Work has begun on a similar rebuild of the west tow-path/cut bank.

On the west side upstream of the lock was the wharf wall that once served Isfield paper mill throughout the first half of the nineteenth century. When restoration of the lock began the wall was almost completely hidden or under threat from large trees and scrub. Once uncovered and with trees cleared the wall was further demolished back to where a rebuild could satisfactorily take place. As can be seen from the photograph taken recently the wall has indeed been reconstructed and looks as good as new. A little educated imagination had to be used during the rebuild as no contemporary pictures or plans of the wharf were available to S.O.R.T. In between scheduled tasks, areas around the lock have been landscaped and planted with grass seed and the production of copingstones in readiness for the continued restoration of the lock chamber in 2014.

2014 should see the restoration of the west chamber wall continue from where it was left a year ago. Give project manager Ted Lintott a call on 01444 414413 if you want to get involved in this exciting restoration. Whatever your skills you will be made very welcome down on the River Ouse. The restoration of Isfield Lock has seen great progress over recent years and perhaps the light at the end of what has been a long tunnel is beginning to glimmer just a little?

Terry Owen

27

River Medway News Teston Lock After several months of hard work and overcoming some significant engineering challenges the Environment Agency has completed the £2.4m restoration work on Teston Lock. The lock was officially opened on Friday 20th September by Maidstone & Weald MP Helen Grant, Patron of the Maidstone River Users Association.

Teston Lock is the eighth of ten locks along the 31km stretch of non-tidal River Medway, and was originally built in 1913. Unfortunately, little investment was made into the lock after that which meant that it was in poor condition and needed Photo: Bernard Snell

urgent work. Phil Munslow, Environment Agency Waterways Manager, said: “The new lock at Teston will now be functional for at least the next seventy years, and should be a great asset to visitors to the area throughout that time".

The new construction has been built within the existing lock and not only secures the future of the structure but Photo: Bernard Snell dramatically improves the safety and convenience for boaters using it. New features include improved mooring systems, new access steps, and new rubbing timbers and fendering to reduce the risk of damage to visiting vessels. But it’s not just boaters, wildlife on the River Medway will also benefit from the works at Teston. A new fish pass has been installed in place of an old disused bypass channel, which provides climbable slopes for fish wanting to travel upstream, meaning freshwater fish such as Barbell, Roach, Perch, Dace, Chub, and Pike, will be able to pass the site freely.

Teston is the eighth lock on the River Medway to have a fish pass installed, following a push from the Environment Agency to remove barriers to fish passage along the Kent river. The fish pass also doubles as a canoe pass, allowing canoes to traverse down it rather than disembark and portage around the lock. The pass is a unique structure that forms another convenient feature for paddlers using the popular Medway Canoe Trail.

The combined canoe and fish pass is the first in the country to be built to accurately measure the flow of water cascading down it. The Teston site is an important gauging station for the Medway catchment area, and the design of the pass will allow the Environment Agency to better manage water resources in the region.

28 East Farleigh Lock Due to financial restrictions the planned refurbishment work on East Farleigh lock has been postponed to at least 2015. Repair work on East Farleigh sluice is also needed.

Maidstone River Festival After an ‘Olympic Break’ in 2012, The festival returned on Saturday 27th July 2013. Good weather prevailed and the event was deemed a success though boat numbers were down on previous years. The festival theme this year was ‘Invaders’ in homage to the 1970's video game. The popular raft race was sponsored by Construction group Strata.

Medway Boat Registrations Following amendments to The Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010, boat registrations will be required on all sections of the non-tidal River Medway including those vessels moored in marinas from 23rd August 2013.

Due to the short notice to comply with the order, the EA is offering boats in marinas a grace period until 10th November 2013 to register their boat, or remove it from river before any enforcement action is taken.

EA facts and figures for the Medway Total number of boat movements through Allington Lock ( tidal limit) up until September 2013 is 955. This is down from a peak in 2003 of 1934.

Powered boat registrations up until Sept 2013 were 620, These should rise slightly following the new registration order. Capital Expenditure 2012 /13 was £2.38m and projection for 2013/14 is £1.98m.

Areas of cost savings have been explored for next year and ideas for income generation are being sought from the river users and connected organisations.

Tom McManus: River Medway E A Team Leader Tom worked as team leader for the Medway Navigation for 13 years. On the 3rd June 2013 he suffered a stroke at work. There were further complications and sadly on the 18th September he passed away. Tom knew everything about the river and brought his vast wealth of engineering experience and knowledge from his 22 years in the Royal Engineers. He will be sadly missed by his team of navigation officers and lock keepers.

Mike Marsh

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Thames & Medway Canal Association Work on the canal, between Mark Lane and Higham, continues every Tuesday morning with some members putting in extra hours during the week.

Interest from visitors is increasing and with new volunteers we regularly have 8/9 working. The water level keeps rising, when the weir level is high enough, and the canal is very impressive at present. We have had a dingy with an electric motor or

Top left: Brian Macknish and David Rouse on the canal Top right: Brian & Maureen Amos with TMCA display boards at St Helen’s Church, Cliffe Centre: installing a new seat at Mark Lane Bottom left: Sure Start mums and toddlers on the towpath Bottom right: TMCA at Meopham Library Sure Start event [Photos: Angela Acott]

30 oars for the last three weeks picking up floating debris. Spotting wild life seems to have increased, including a kingfisher around the swing-bridge and weir. Watts Landing, next to the slipway at Mark Lane, has been completely refurbished with new cross-timbers and decking and is looking very smart and used for accessing the dingy. Every week users of the canal cycle route and towpath talk to the team, we learn a lot and hear some interesting stories, and they go away with a leaflet and information. Without exception all appreciate what we are doing.

The display team have been doing their bit with two events at Cliffe Church, ‘The Village Fayre’, in the gazebo, and ‘Spirit on the Forties’, in the church. Both days were very successful with continual visits to our display. Meopham Library Family Day. The Model Railway Exhibition at Chatham, a very big event and tiring for the team. RSPB at Northward Hill Reserve, a splendid day out covering a large area with crafts and produce, eating, drinking, walking and children’s activities. The Gravesend and Rochester Agricultural Association Annual Ploughing match. This event always brings lots of interest. Our stand was sited between the two main show rings in the middle of about 60 acres of farming land. Horse, steam, vintage and modern tractors doing their stuff, pony gymkhana, hunting hounds, hog roast, beer tent, cider, flower and vegetable show, trade and agricultural stands, and all manner of activities. We accompanied a walk to Shornemead Fort with a ‘Surestart’ group. We were very well received when giving two illustrated talks, one to The Garden of England Vintage Machinery Club and the other to The Offham Society.

All these outings and activities help to keep our profile in front of as many people as possible.

Brian Macknish

River Adur Adur County Local Committee funded a study into the possible effects of slipways at three locations in Shoreham-by-Sea. The EA granted permission for data gathered during a recent flood defences study to be used as the basis for the study.

That data divided the river estuary into 5m squares and allocated a surface type e.g. smooth mud, rocky, etc. The flow experts, JBA Consulting, combined this information with river and tidal flows and then ran the resulting computer based model. It took a whole weekend! The Shoreham Slipways Group (an IWA Corporate Member) provided the precise locations and contours for slipways at three possible sites. JBA added that data, re-ran the model and compared water flows, siltation and erosion, with and without the slipways. The conclusion was that there was little difference. So the slipways can be constructed without damaging the riverbed or the flood defences. The EA has accepted the results and offered help in moving the plans forward. Even better news is that the Adur CLC voted unanimously to add a slipway to their infrastructure list for Shoreham. This should make discussions easier with other interested groups e.g. Adur District Council, the Port Authority, etc. The next target is to confirm one of the three possible sites. If the plans continue to move forward then a public slipway should be available by around 2017.

Brendan Whelan

31

The Kentish Stour Trees are growing across the navigation, covering two-thirds of the width, making navigation at night very difficult. Environment Agency have refused to clear them as they used to (using environmental issues as a cover for lack of money). Roy Newing is arranging for a voluntary tree clearance, taking several days, to be done by river users at Grove Ferry and Sandwich.

Northfleet Harbour Archaeological digging continues on Saturdays, exposing more of slipway and learning more of its structure. Damian Goodburn, the world's authority on ancient marine timbers has visited. The Port of London Authority Chief Harbourmaster and Head of Planning have visited the site to see for themselves the scale and potential for a restored harbour.

Graeme Rooney

Future IWAKES and Other Events Thu 5th Dec: 7:30pm for 8pm: Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend: TMCA/IWAKES joint event.

“My journey to Liverpool and first year as IWA Chairman”: Les Etheridge: Christmas get-together plus raffle and nibbles.

Thu 30th Jan: 7:30 for 8pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knights Road, Strood: “The Baltic and Dutch Canals”: Mike Marsh.

Thu 6th Feb: 7:30 for 8pm: Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend: TMCA event to which all are welcome: “Northfleet Harbour”: Conrad Broadley describes archaelogical explorations to date and the Trust’s plans to re-open the harbour and restore the Ebsfleet stream.

Wed 26th Feb: 7:30 for 8pm: St Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone: IWAKES AGM followed by a quiz.

Thu 27th Mar: 7:30 for 8pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knights Road, Strood: “The passage to Astrakhan”: Roger Squires.

Maps for these venues can be found at: www.waterways.org.uk/kent/kent_east_sussex

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Oxfordshire Branch News Chairman’s Report As this will be my final report before Christmas, firstly I will wish you all Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New year for 2014.

For Mary and me it has been a busy time. Our original plans for our summer trip did not materialise due to me being suddenly taken ill with a minor stroke (TIA to those in the know) however we did eventually get away on Heron for a few weeks. Our trip on the BCN had to be cancelled but we made it to Dudley and did the 6 hour trip through the tunnels and locks which was good. Our journey to Dudley was changed at the last minute with the closure of the Wolverhampton 21 flight and we had to go via Birmingham. Having come off the Ashby we journeyed in the heat to Fazeley and entered Birmingham via the Birmingham Fazeley Canal.

Arriving just one day before the closures on that canal too. Lots of mooring available in Birmingham! We then returned home to prepare for the working parties in Oxford and Banbury and of course the two main events of our year, Oxford Open Doors and Banbury Canal Day. More about those in Mary’s report on events.

National AGM Together with our Secretary I attended the IWA AGM. Much discussion took place about the financial position. We were told that membership is down and recruitment too is disappointing. After much discussion it was agreed to keep membership fees at their current level this year.

Discussion about the 2013 Festival also took place. This was generally felt to be very disappointing. It had not brought in the usual crowds and income was down, indeed big losses had occurred. Plans for next year’s festival, which should be in Stratford-on-Avon where major celebrations are taking place, there will be further discussion before a final decision is made.

Moorings Earlier this year I was involved in discussions with CRT re: a review of moorings. In particular where there were difficulties with boaters overstaying. New rules were introduced in some areas Thrupp on the Oxford being one of those. A further meeting is to take place shortly to review the changes which were implemented and to take further decisions if required. Watch this space on the outcome of that.

Banbury Canal Partnership.

Our Secretary, Brian Saunders and myself attended a meeting arranged by MP Sir Tony Baldry. The idea is to set up a group to focus on the Oxford Canal in and around Banbury, similar to the Oxford City Canal Partnership. Particular concern was expressed about the proposed development in Banbury around the canal. At the meeting it was agreed to form a group of people willing to consider the idea of such a group. To identify the boundaries it would cover, and move it forward. Brain Saunders will be the IWA Representative on this group. Brain was

33 involved with the Castle Quay shopping Centre development some 10 years or so ago and is familiar with the area.

Future of the Branch.

In my first report to you I explained that we had concerns about the branch which appeared to be failing and sought your opinion on what could be done to prevent this. Several suggestions were made and we have included these in our programme for the coming months.

We will not be holding meetings quite as often. They will be more varied. At times we will still have speakers, on other occasions our main purpose will be to bring members together and be more of a social gathering. The first of these, in October is a “thank you” to all those people who have helped at the events.

Coming together to help can be enjoyable and we will have lots of pictures to refresh our memories and remind us of the fun. (See list for dates of other meetings and further information) In this edition of Cargoes you will note that the AGMs will be listed, as the Spring Edition does not allow the necessary time for notification. Please give some thought to the Branch’s future.

We have survived this year and many have given me and others on the committee a lot of support. I stood in as Chairman because no-one else was willing to do so. My term of office finishes at the AGM and in view of my age and health I will not be standing again.

Ron Heritage

Past Events Working Parties Together with IWA Volunteer co-ordinator’s Alison Smedley and Stefanie Preston who covers the S/E, and CRT Volunteer co-ordinator John Highmore and his assistant Marian, we arranged two working parties on the Oxford Canal. One at the lower end of the canal in Oxford and the other in Banbury. I am very pleased to say both went well.

20 people arrived in Oxford on the 1st September and we achieved all we had set out to do. Lots of painting, foliage clearance, litter picking etc. Also as a top priority we dragged the canal at the very bottom end to remove the litter which invariably collects there. We did this in order to avoid picking up rubbish on the props of the trip boats we would be running a week or so later. Along with the many plastic bags and general debris was a bike, still in usable condition as proved by Alison as she demonstrated her skill at riding.

Banbury too was a great success,14 people attended. The Bridge and lock gleamed as did all the bollards by the time we left. Well done all who came, many people commented on the work we achieved and are keen to try our hands elsewhere, so watch this space.

34 Oxford Open Doors, 14th/15th September This is part of the National Heritage Weekend when historic building are open to the public right across the country. We “Open” the Oxford Canal as part of Oxford’s Heritage.

[Photos: Robin Williams] On, for the first time in the 5 years we have run this event, a rather cold and windy weekend we prepared ourselves for the usual crowds. Although in comparison with previous years the thousand we usually have did not arrive we certainly did not lack people who queued for up to an hour for the boat rides. We were delighted to have the Sea Scout group from Kidlington with us this year. They manned the lock all day both days and dealt with the ropes etc. as the boats left/returned to the waterside. They told me they had set the lock 67 times on Saturday and 66 on Sunday. With 10 passengers on each boat we had lots of happy boaters. Their smiling faces as the boats went by said it all. The stall sadly did not do so well. Having prepared lots of activities for the children the volunteers were disappointed that few participated in this. In the biting wind they obviously sought the indoor places to visit instead...

Banbury Canal Day, 6th October.

The sun shone, the crowds came and it was almost impossible to walk along the canal side in the centre here. This year we ran four boats instead of our usual three. We ran taxi rides between the basin and Sovereign Wharf and trips from Sovereign to the old arm of the canal and back.

Over 900 people had a ride of one sort or another.

At 10 a time that kept all the volunteers skippers, crew, waterside helpers [Photo: Robin Williams] and those who work the lift bridge all day very busy. My thanks to all of them for their input.

What an atmosphere there was in sunny Banbury that day.

Mary Heritage, Events Organiser

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Forthcoming Events Wed 11th Dec: Skittles Night Please note – booking with Ann Yeatman is required (contact details below) Wed 8th Jan: No meeting this month.

Wed 12th Feb: The life of a present day Lock Keeper by Peter Payne Wed 12th Mar: A.G.M. Unless otherwise stated the above events are held on Wednesday evenings in the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT. 7-30pm for 8pm. New members and visitors most welcome.

For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman – tel: 01865372552.

Wilts & Berks Canal Sat 28th Dec: 10.30am Walk off the Christmas Turkey. Starting at Childrey Village Green (nearest postcode: OX12 9UA) (SU361875) and finishing at the same location give or take a few yards. Bring boots, and a mince-pie! Allow a couple of hours. Further information at www.wbct.org.uk/boat-trips/boat-trips-news

South London Branch Great Ouse Cruise The current distance by navigable waterway from Bedford to Milton Keynes is approximately 175 miles via Ely, Middle Level, Peterborough and Northampton. A modern waterway reducing this to some 16 miles by linking the River Great Ouse at Bedford with the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes is being promoted by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust.

The Trust's passenger boat John Bunyan operates public trips on the Great Ouse at Bedford to raise funds for this project and Alan Smith co-ordinated a visit by a group from South London Branch IWA augmented by a smattering of other IWA members. Sunday 29th September brought sunny weather and the trip departed from the centre of Bedford once the mooring point had been confirmed.

John Bunyan is 72 ft. long and 10 ft. beam, weighing 39 metric tonnes.

Volunteer boatmaster Darryl Clarke acknowledged technical assistance from Mike Lang in preparing the boat for public use. The journey was initially upstream under

36 the two low railway bridges which the boat's design allowed it to negotiate with only inches of headroom to spare. The skillful winding in the narrow river (aided by bowthrusters) was just below Kempston Mill, and the downstream journey was under the ornate town-centre bridge to the first lock of the route to Kings Lynn and The Wash. Unusually, this lock is constructed at right angles to the navigation.

A flourishing consortium of local authorities and waterways bodies is responsible for driving the waterway forward. The afternoon was a fascinating introduction to this imaginative project which is being built in self-contained sections over a period of 10-15 years.

Ben Scott

Forthcoming Events South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in 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 meetings is as follows: Wed 11th Dec: Christmas Social: Christmas Cheer, mince pies and members’ photos. If you’d like to share your boating adventures please bring a selection of about 20 on a memory stick, CD or DVD Fri 17th Jan: Annual Dinner: at RSJ Restaurant (corner of Coin Street and Stamford Street, near Waterloo mainline station). If you’d like to come please register your interest with Alan (via phone or email) and he will send you a booking form. Menus will be available in the New Year.

Wed 12th Feb: The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway by Paul Leech Wed 12th Mar: AGM followed by a short presentation Wed 9th Apr: A Day in the Life of a Thames Tug by Richard Thomas Wed 14th May: The Port of London Authority: Overview and the Work of the Harbourmaster by Steve Rushbrook Wed 11th Jun: Waterways & Navigable Rivers of Southern France by Roger Squires There are no social meetings at Croydon during July and August For more information about South London’s Social Calendar, please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581, mobile 07774 890 750 or email alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

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Towpath Walks Group - London Walks This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways - which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to the IWA. Sun 17th Nov, 2.30pm: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, start Bromley–by-Bow Sun 1st Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, start Mile End Sun 8th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue Wed 1st Jan, 2.00pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building, Camden, start King’s Cross(taxi rank) Sun 5th Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue Sun 19th Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Hoxton, start Angel Sun 2nd Feb, 2.30pm: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, start Bromley–by-Bow Sun 16th Feb, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross(taxi rank) Sun 2nd Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue Sun 16th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, start Mile End Sun 6th Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross(taxi rank) Sun 20th Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regents Canal: Kings Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney, start Kings Cross(taxi rank) Sun 4th May, 2.30pm: Walk, Kensal Green Cemetery, Grand Union to Little Venice, start Kensal Green For more information about Walks (Normal charge: £9.00, Concessions & Student rate: £7.00) please contact Roger Wilkinson, telephone: 020 8458 9476 or email: rogerw9796@yahoo.co.uk

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Dick Elder In September, the Basingstoke Canal lost another friend and stalwart. My association with Dick goes back to the birth of the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club in 1989. Dick was but one of many who helped with the birth pangs of the Club, but he made an immediate impact. The BCBC held a hugely successful rally at Frimley Lodge Park in 1990, ‘Boats Afloat’, for which event Dick’s enthusiasm for boating and organisational skills made him the natural choice as harbourmaster.

This was a dry run (if indeed that’s the right description) for his reprise of the role at the Royal ReOpening, also at the Park, in 1991.

Within the BCBC he never lost his enthusiasm for anything and everything to do with boating on our Canal. He served on the committee of the BCBC for many years, and represented the Canal’s boating interests nationally at the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs.

And of course he and his wife Bobbie owned boats – little and large, a Wilderness boat to trail and which was moored at the bottom of the garden in Ash Vale, and a narrow boat moored off the Basingstoke for longer distance cruising.

And when the BCBC was in danger of folding a few years back, Dick was of course there to help rekindle enthusiasm for the Club.

Dick, who is survived by his wife Bobbie, will be missed by all who boat on the Basingstoke. The loss of his continuing contribution to a cause he held so dear is particularly untimely now that the Canal is able to be used more fully for navigation.

Chris de Wet

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 819071 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 Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. Editorial Team: Ray Carnell and Tim Fry iwacargoes@hotmail.com Next issue Spring 2014 Copy date 15th January 2014 Printed by www.imprintcolour.co.uk - Tel: 01252 547023

This year’s selection of IWA Christmas Cards again includes pictures by well-known waterways artists including Alan Bamford’s ‘Gas Street Basin’ (Code X023 – shown above) – still only £3.60 for a pack of 10. If you haven’t yet got your Christmas Cards there is still time – you can see the complete range in the Christmas 2013 Catalogue and place your order by post, over the phone or online at https://www.waterways.org.uk/shop/list_products?category=22 Don’t forget there is also an attractive 2014 Calendar available priced £3.60.

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