Cargoes - Spring 2014

Spring 2014

Spring 2014

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

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Editorial Our first edition of the year has heralded some challenging weather conditions with storms and flooding making a significant impact on waterways across our Region.

Elsewhere in this edition of Cargoes will be found mention of the effects in various localities and the photos on the front cover and opposite give a flavour of the effects regionally. Although we might now seem to be over the worst, it is clear there will be ongoing consequences, for instance the reported delays to the works on the new Whitchurch Bridge on the Thames (see page 20) and, with the EA action being in the spotlight, it remains to be seen what the effects may be on funding issues.

Talking of which, we see that the EA’s future intentions as regards Thames Lock Keepers have again been in the news – for further details see ‘Top Story’ in the Mid-January IWA Bulletin at www.waterways.org.uk.

We were pleased to learn from Linda Wilkinson, Secretary of the Southern Canals Association, that the Grand Western Canal will be hosting the next meeting of the Association on 27th April. The venue being particularly apposite since this year the Grand Western celebrates its bicentenary and will also welcome IWA’s National Trailboat Festival from 24th to 26th May (for more information see page 38 of this edition and page 23 of the Spring 2014 edition of Waterways).

We make no apologies for again reminding members of the fact that the Branch AGMs are being held during the next couple of months and that they provide an opportunity to meet existing Branch Committee members and to get involved by volunteering to help directly with Branch activities in some way (advance nomination to stand for Branch Committee membership is no longer necessary, so a member can be elected on the night). Formal Notice of the AGMs and the standard Agenda were published in the Winter 2013 Edition of Cargoes and the one change is to the venue for the Oxfordshire Branch AGM (see formal revised Notice below). We urge you all to try to go along to your Branch AGM and make your views known.

Cargoes Editorial Team

Revised Notice of Oxfordshire Branch AGM Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of IWA Oxfordshire Branch will take place at 7.30 for 8pm on Wednesday 12th March 2014 at St. John's Church, The Broadway, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1DN. The Agenda will be based on the standard format in IWA Byelaws set out on page 6 of the Winter 2013 Edition of Cargoes.

Cover Picture: Photo of Thames Lock courtesy of NT River Wey Navigations and Shalford Mill https://www.facebook.com/RiverWey

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From the Region Chairman The Weather Readers will be aware that I often refer to the weather in my editorial. I make no apologies for this because it can have a profound effect on our navigable waterways. Too little rain puts the canal network and sometimes even rivers under stress. It was only two years ago that we faced the prospect of restrictions on the network after two dry winters but in the event we had a very wet Summer remember the jubilee weekend? Conversely too much water in a short time puts very great stress on the rivers and can disrupt the canals. Combine this with high winds and fallen trees can block the navigations at numerous places. Well we are seeing the latter at the moment. The exceptional weather has resulted in the Wey bursting its banks, fallen trees blocking the Basingstoke and as I write this the flood waters on the Thames are still rising.

Flood risk management is often forgotten about until flooding occurs and we haven’t faced serious and widespread problems in our area since 2007. As many of you will know, I sit on the Thames Flood and Coastal Committee as an independent member appointed by the Environment Agency. What I can say is that the government has made more capital funding available for flood risk management schemes and in the current economic climate anyone who is getting more money is very lucky. However if predictions on climate change are correct then we can expect more extremes in the weather. Furthermore Thames has fared very badly in the capital funding allocation as big increases have been given to some major schemes elsewhere in the country. Perhaps the current Thames flooding will result in some reallocation of resources - I will certainly be pressing for it. So much for capital funding - the position for revenue funding (staffing and routine maintenance) is of greater concern with major “efficiency” savings requiring the EA to substantially reduce staffing. The government will no doubt be giving serious consideration as to how adequate flood defences can be funded and who will pay?

EA Navigation Issues As widely predicted license/registration fees on EA navigations will rise two points above inflation for 2014. I have attended an EA finance subcommittee meeting at which the full scale of cuts in overall EA grant in aid funding was revealed. Whilst the amount to be allocated to navigation has yet to be announced a range of options are under consideration ranging from bad to dire. Changes in service standards are likely and/or boaters will pay more. Even more worrying this financial position does not yet take into account the Chancellor’s additional £3bn cuts in public spending over the next three years. As I’ve said many times before reliance on government funding and management of waterways is a very risky strategy! Les Etheridge and myself are finally due to meet the new waterways Minister on 5th February at which we can voice our concerns.

Boating Issues This is not the time of year when most of us go boating. Since the last issue I made a trip up the Ashby for the first time in a decade. I remember my first trip up the Ashby in 1970 just after commercial carrying from the coalfields had ended. It was a desolate waterway then and not a patch on the delightful waterway it is now.

5 To those who believe our waterways are in decline I will suggest that their timeline is very selective because I remember when navigating many of our canals was a challenging expedition.

Sadly this has turned out to be an expensive year on my boat. The battery bank failed at under 3 years (my previous bank had lasted 9 years and still had some life in it). I replaced the canopy, had some modifications made to the bed and then found that the toilet holding tank had rusted through and needed replacing.

The cost of boating makes one realise that you have to use your boat an awful lot to get any form of value for money. Perhaps I can make more trips this year to justify the cost. Of course all this will have to wait until the weather improves!

Paul Roper

Photographs needed to support canal restoration campaign Canal societies, waterways enthusiasts and amateur photographers are being encouraged to help a campaign aiming to broaden support for the restoration of the nation’s currently derelict canals.

The Canal & River Trust and the Inland Waterways Association are on the lookout for striking photographs of canal restoration efforts over the past 40 years that can be used as part of a campaign to bolster support for canal restoration schemes across the country.

The campaign, set to be launched in the spring, will see the two bodies call for more to be done to bring the nation’s lost canals back to life.

Jason Leach, restoration team manager for the Trust, explains; “We really want to promote the benefits of canal restoration schemes to local authorities, funding bodies and, of course, members of the public, but to do that we need to remind people that we were once in real danger of losing many of our precious waterways forever.

“We’re looking for standout images, ones that really demonstrate the perilous position the canal network was once in and the extraordinary efforts of a pioneering few who recognised the benefits restored waterways could bring.

“We’ve all seen pictures of cars in lock chambers and volunteers up to their knees in mud and this is an opportunity to share those images with a wider audience and remind them that there’s work still to be done to restore our nation’s proud canal network back to its former glory.”

The campaign forms part of a partnership between the Trust and the IWA to champion the principle of restoration and help nurture schemes across England and Wales.

The two bodies are looking for good quality electronic files that can be used on websites and shared with newspapers and other media.

Images can be sent to kate.langley@canalrivertrust.org.uk or alternatively sent on CD or memory stick to: Kate Langley, Canal & River Trust, Peel’s Wharf, Lichfield Street, Fazeley, Tamworth B78 3QZ. In order for them to be credited to the correct person, images should be saved with the name of the location and the owner’s name in the file name and, if possible, the approximate date the photo was taken.

For further media requests please contact: Stephen Hardy, communications manager, Canal & River Trust, Tel: 01636 675703 Mob: 07920 077190 Email stephen.hardy@canalrivertrust.org.uk Issued: 14 January 2014

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Diary of Meetings & Events Wed 12th Feb, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: The life of a present day Lock Keeper by Peter Payne (see page 34) Wed 12th Feb, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Bring your Own Photos II (see page 35) Tue 18th Feb, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): To be confirmed

(see page 17)

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Wed 19 Feb, 8.00pm, BCS: The Rivers and Canals of Brittany by Graham Deavin (see page 16) Thu 20th Feb, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Rings around London by Robert Dean (see page 11) Wed 26th Feb: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: IWAKES AGM followed by a quiz (see page 31) Wed 26th Feb, 7.45pm, K&A (Newbury): Waterways of Europe by Ron & Myra Glover (see page 17) Sun 2nd Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue (see page 36) Thu 6th Mar, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Elusive Canals & Navigations

by Stuart Fisher (see page 22) Wed 12th Mar, 7.30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: AGM

(see pages 3 & 34)

Wed 12th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: AGM followed by a short presentation (see page 35) Sat 15th & Sun 16th Mar, 10.00am, K&A (Reading): Reading RESCUE (see page 18) Sun 16th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, start Mile End (see page 37) Mon 17th Mar, 7.30pm, G&R Branch: AGM th

Tue 18 Mar, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): Branch AGM

(see page 13 & 19) (see page 17)

th

Wed 19 Mar, 8.00pm, BCS: Conserving the Waterways Heritage by Nigel Crowe (see page 16) Thu 20th Mar, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: The Severn Bridge Disaster by Paul Barnett (see page 11) Sun 23rd Mar, WACT: Small-boats Rally th

(see pages 22/23)

Wed 26 Mar, 7.45pm, K&A (Newbury): Branch AGM followed by a talk on the History of the West Mills Area by David Peacock (see page 17)

7 Thu 27th Mar: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: The passage to Astrakhan by Roger Squires (see page 31) Sun 30th Mar, WACT: Mothering Sunday Relaxers from Loxwood

(see page 23)

rd

Thu 3 Apr, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society/Guildford & Reading Branch: The restoration of wooden narrow boats by Pete Boyce (see page 13 & 22) Sun 6th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross (taxi rank) (see page 37) Wed 9th Apr: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: TMCA AGM followed by Smugglers, Secret Tunnels by Bernard Snell (see page 31) 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 35) Tue 15th Apr, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): To be confirmed

(see page 17)

th

Wed 16 Apr, 8.00pm, BCS: Inland Shipping in West Africa by Dr. David Hilling (see page 16) Fri 18th to Mon 21st Apr: 11.00am, 12 noon and 2.00pm, WACT: Easter Bunny Specials (see page 23) Sun 20th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Kings Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney, start Kings Cross (taxi rank) (see page 37) Sat 26th Apr: 2.30pm, WACT: AGM

(see page 23)

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Sun 27 Apr: Southern Canals Association: Meeting hosted by Grand Western Canal (see page 3) Sat 3rd to Mon 5th May, Byfleet Boat Club: Cruise to Bridge Barn, Woking (see page 16) Sat 3rd to Mon 5th May, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, London Region: Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice, London W2 (see page 35) Sun 4th May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Kensal Green Cemetery, Grand Union to Little Venice, start Kensal Green (see page 37) 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 35) Thu 15th May, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: The Wilts & Berks Canal – The most ambitious restoration? by Chris Coyle (see page 11) Fri 16th May: 7.30pm-10.00pm, WACT: Punch & Picnic Sunset Cruise (see page 23) Sun 18th May: 12.00 noon to 1.00pm, IWAKES: Meal or drink followed by 4 mile walk to Smallhythe (see page 31)

8 Sun 18th May: 3.00pm for 3.30pm, IWAKES: NT digital presentation in the Theatre (see page 31) Sun 18th May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, start Bromley–by-Bow (see page 37) Sun 18th May, WACT: The Annual Arun Cruise to Pallingham

(see page 23)

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Tue 20 May, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading)/Guildford & Reading Branch: National Trust & Wey Navigations by John Gibson (see pages 13 & 18) Sat 24th to Mon 26th May, IWA: Trailboat Festival, Grand Western Canal Country Park, Tiverton, Devon (see pages 3 & 38) Sun 25th May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park & R. Tyburn to Camden, start Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit) (see page 37) Tue 27th May: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm, WACT: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages (see page 23) Sun 1st Jun, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Islington, start Mile End (see page 37) Thu 5th Jun, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Ups & Downs of the South Pennine Ring by Gordon Osborn (see page 22) Fri 6th to Sun 8th Jun: Beale Park Boat Show: th

(see page 14)

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Fri 6 to Sun 8 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 35) Sat 14th Jun, K&A (Reading): Reading Water Fest

(see pages 14 & 18)

Sun 15th Jun, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue (see page 37) Sun 15th Jun, WACT: Dad's Bacon Butty Brunch

(see page 24)

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Thu 19 Jun, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: The Wilderness Trailboat - a 45 year Obsession by Ian Graham (see page 11) Fri 20th Jun: 7.30pm-10.00pm, WACT: Midsummer Sensation st

Sat 21 Jun: 12 noon, WACT: Official Opening of Southland Lock rd

Thu 3 Jul: 2.30pm-4.00pm, WACT: Cream Tea Voyage th

(see page 24) (see page 23) (see page 24)

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Sat 5 to Sun 6 Jul: Stratford River Festival, River Avon opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Sun 6th Jul, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross (taxi rank) (see page 37) Thu 17th Jul, 7.00pm, Salisbury Group: Boules & BBQ

(see page 11)

9 Fri 18th Jul: 7.30-10.00pm, WACT: Pimm's & Posh Ploughman's

(see page 24)

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Sun 20 Jul, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue (see page 37) Sun 27th Jul, 7.30pm, BCS: Mikron Theatre Company, The Troupers (see page 17) Sun 27th Jul, K&A (Newbury): Newbury Waterways Festival (see pages 14 & 18) Fri 1st Aug: 7.30pm-10.00pm, WACT: Pimm's & Posh Ploughman’s (see page 24) Sun 3rd Aug, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, World War I, Three Mills, Bow Back Rivers, The Olympics, start Bromley–by-Bow (see page 37) Wed 13th Aug: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm, WACT: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages (see page 24) Sun 17th Aug, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, World War I, Enfield Lock, R. Lee, Ponder’s End, start Enfield Lock Railway Station (see page 37) Thu 28th Aug: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm, WACT: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages (see page 24) Wed 3rd Sep: 2.30pm: WACT: Cream tea on a relaxing cruise

(see page 24)

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Sun 7 Sep, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross (taxi rank) (see page 37) Sat 13th & Sun 14th Sep, Oxfordshire Branch: Oxford Open Doors (see pages 33/34) Sun 21st Sep, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, start Bromley–by-Bow (see page 37) Sat 27th Sep, National Trust: Boat Gathering at Dapdune Wharf th

Sun 5 Oct, Oxfordshire Branch: Banbury Canal Day

(see page 14) (see pages 33/34)

th

Sun 5 Oct, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Kings Cross to Granary Building (Camden) - Hitchcock’s Hackney, start Kings Cross (taxi rank) (see page 37) Thu 16th Oct, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Boating around Vancouver by Ron & Myra Glover (see page 12) Sun 19th Oct, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue (see page 37) Sun 2nd Nov, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, start Mile End (see page 37) Sun 16th Nov, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Hoxton, start Angel (see page 37) Thu 20th Nov, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Barging on North East Waterways by Nick Grundy (see page 12)

10 Thu 4th Dec, 7.30pm, Southampton Canal Society: Waterways Quiz (see page 12) Thu 11th Dec, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Christmas Dinner

(see page 12)

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: November Meeting At the November meeting we had a return visit from Elaine Kirby, an archivist for the Kennet & Avon Canal. On this occasion Elaine had produced this talk especially for us entitled “Changes on the Kennet & Avon Canal”. Elaine searched through the archives to discover photographs that compared a large variety of places on the K&A at various stages of their existence. Elaine emphasized how important it is to “Record the Past for the Future” The earliest photos dated from the 1800s, most of them were taken in the 20th century while other places had been photographed in 2013.

Elaine showed us a large variety of scenes along the K&A from Bath to Reading. For example we saw pictures of Bath locks in the 1890s, 1950s and 1970s. One particular picture we saw was the removal of lock eight in the 1970s and the building of the new ring road at Bath.

Another interesting series was of the Barge Inn at Honey Street which was built in 1810 and burnt down in about 1870, photos were shown taken in 1966 and 1970s the latter with the paddle boat “The Charlotte Dundas”, and finally a photo of the pub as it is today.

We were shown many interesting scenes including: - Ufton lock in 1966 which had a one foot fall and is now de-gated, the Devizes town swimming pool in the 1970s, a stone roller for pulling out a canal plug to drain the canal, Avoncliff in the 1950s 1966 and as it is today, and so many more pictures, far too many to mention.

Most of the audience know the K&A Canal well so were fascinated to see how it had evolved over the years.

With the innovation of digital photography these precious photos can now be recorded for prosperity.

January Meeting At the January meeting, we had a change from waterways when George Fleming, a local historian, came to tell us about the great train crash that occurred at Salisbury railway station on 1st July 1906.

After docking at Plymouth, the American passengers, from an Atlantic liner, boarded the train at 11pm and headed nonstop towards Waterloo. There is a dangerous curve on the approach to Salisbury and for an unknown reason the train continued at 70 mph instead of the recommended safe speed of 30 mph. The

11 steam engine rolled over hitting a milk train and a stationary goods engine. 24 passengers and 4 crew were killed.

George was able to build up a detailed picture of the journey from the time that the train left Plymouth at 11.01 pm up to the time of the accident. He was able to tell us the names of the crew, the officials on duty at the station and many of the bystanders and even the parts that these people played in the rescue. We were shown photos of the devastation and pictures of the named people.

A hand out given to us showed us a detailed time line from 11.01 pm, when the train left Plymouth, through the whole journey up to the reopening of the first line through Salisbury just 16 hours later.

Although the cause has never been established, George has researched deeply into this topic. He gave us his opinion of what he considers to be the most likely cause of the accident.

He also showed us a picture of a letter sent from Theodore Roosevelt, President of the USA, written to the officials of Salisbury Infirmary, thanking them for all their efforts.

Programme of Events Thu 20th Feb: “Rings around London” by Robert Dean. London’s waterways are some of the most varied cruising possibilities in the UK. Rarely beautiful but always fascinating and often challenging in a variety of ways. Robert will give us an eclectic exploration of some of the interesting points along the way. It is worth walking towpaths for a glimpse into our industrial history and the worst of modern regeneration.

Thu 20th Mar: “The Severn Bridge Disaster” by Paul Barnett. “Disaster waiting” gives us a comprehensive overview of the construction of the River Severn Bridge, its day to day operation and destruction at the hands of two runaway tankers. Paul will attempt to unravel several myths which have sprung up around the event with the use of recently unearthed documentary evidence. The doomed vessels still remain within the icy waters of the R. Severn.

Thu 15th May: “The Wilts & Berks Canal – The most ambitious restoration?”

by Chris Coyle. Chris will describe what is probably the most exciting and ambitious canal restoration project in the country. It will include a brief history of the canal, as well as an overview of the Wilts & Berks Canal restoration project covering the reasons for the restoration, what has been done so far, the challenges that are faced and the plans for some major projects in the near future.

Thu 19th Jun: “The Wilderness Trailboat - a 45 year Obsession”, an Illustrated talk by Ian Graham. Ian, founder of Wilderness boats, will be telling us about these glass fibre trailable canal & river craft, from “back of envelope sketches” in the 1960s to the design and development of the craft as we know them today. With a generous sprinkling of “Wind in the Willows” we will hear about the current capers and activities of the Wilderness boat owners club who trail and cruise around the UK as well as in various parts of Europe.

Thu 17th Jul: Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon. 7.00pm

12 Thu 16th Oct: Boating around Vancouver by Ron & Myra Glover.

Thu 20th Nov: Barging on North East Waterways by Nick Grundy.

Thu 4th Dec: Waterways Quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society.

Thu 11th 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 email glover.3@btinternet.com or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Guildford & Reading Branch Chairman’s Report After a quiet Xmas and New Year I set off for Chatham on the evening of the 2nd for dinner aboard the 46 foot Bavaria sailing sloop Tonic. After a jolly evening the skipper, 6 males and one female got some sleep in before an early start. The morning was clear and bright with a strongish southerly breeze. We locked out of Chatham Heritage Basin at 5.45 in darkness and off down the Medway. I was on the helm with the lady on the chart table for the first 2 hours or so. Running under half a Genoa we bowled down the Medway with the last of the ebb. The light gradually improved and picking up buoys became easier. The skipper turned to making bacon sandwiches and strong coffee, most stimulating. When we reached the Thames we turned West into the wind but again with the turning tide. For a while it was very exciting with rain squalls and gusts of 50mph and more. As we left Sea Reach and made for Gravesend and Tilbury it grew calmer. The tidal Thames is quite fascinating but our chief concern became the Thames barrier. When would it close and when would it open. Eventually it closed at 12 just too early for us to get through. If we had known we could have set out an hour earlier. High water was at 3.30pm at Tower Bridge, the idea being to stop the exceptional high tide from pushing against the natural flow of the Thames making it too high. Essentially the area west of the barrier would rise with the down flow and at 4pm, as the ebb set in, that would be released seawards. Anyway we moored at Gravesend and had some lunch before proceeding upstream to get to the barrier as it opened. The next problem was persuading the men at Limehouse to stay on to let us in at around 5. Both were successfully accomplished but it was interesting to note the flow through the barrier when we passed was around 4 and a half knots. Not a day for narrowboats to make a passage. It was a good example of successful water management and navigation. It also showed the value of VHF radio communication - mandatory on this stretch of water. We also saw a fair amount of commercial traffic on the move.

13 There are clearly some parts of the country where navigation, water abstraction and flood control are reasonably joined up. It is noticeable that in Lincolnshire and on the Broads few problems have been reported. It was clear that in Holland, a very low lying country, the thinking is completely joined up and waterways operate successfully carrying vast amounts of freight in seeming harmony with pleasure and residential boating. Not for the Dutch alternating between hose pipe bans and flooding. After the 1952 floods the Dutch and the British took action. While nothing is perfect there is a sharp contrast with waterways in Surrey, North Sussex, the Upper Thames and especially the Somerset levels and the competent joined up management that exists elsewhere.

In my part of Surrey bridges on country roads have been closed for weeks as the River Mole simply cannot cope with the water flows. It is in part because its course through bridges is being blocked by fallen timber and silt. The river rises, floods ensue, more damage is done to bridges and roads. The key issue is the management of this water, controlling its flow first to rivers then to the sea and storing sufficient either in reservoirs or aquifers to ensure enough in the summer for there not to be hosepipe bans or navigation restrictions.

We do have a full programme of events and are pleased to report our runaway victory at the Quiz in December (full details on pages 21 & 22). Our Branch AGM is on March 17th where we have an exceptional programme including John How on Basingstoke Canal Water Management, the Woking Canal Basin update and a presentation on the new Maidenhead Waterways. This is being held at the same venue as last year (Heathervale Baptist Church, Heathervale Road, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NW – see Map on Page 14 of the Spring 2013 Edition of Cargoes). We then have two joint meetings. The first will be with the Southampton Canal Society on 3rd April which is an illustrated talk by Peter Boyce (who will be well known to our former Solent & Arun members) – full details on page 22. The second is with the K & A (Reading) on 20th May when we will be marking the 50th Anniversary of the National Trust on the Wey with a talk by John Gibson – more details on page 17 & 18. In the summer we plan cruises on the new Pinkerton and again on the Wey and Arun. I have a pretty full programme of Canal trips planned. The Scottish lowland canals, the Midi again and hopefully, later this year or early next, the Panama Canal where as you know new locks are being built to accommodate the biggest of the new generation of container ships.

Sadly we learn that Guildford Boat House has gone into liquidation. They had been corporate IWA members for many years and the Chase family actively supported our activities such as the Guildford Water Festivals run by the Branch in the late 1980s. For perennial hirers like myself it is noticeable the shrinkage of hire fleets and the rise of ‘liveaboards’ both cruising and static. However for the Wey it is pleasing to know that the availability to hire boats will remain with the active endeavours of Russell Chase at Farncombe Boat House. The hire fleets that remain make ever more attractive offers to retain business but long term the news is probably not good. Hiring is the obvious way for boaters to start and has its attractions in the easy ability to visit different canals albeit with less leisurely cruising. While salt water chartering is growing obvious inland hire cruising both in the UK and elsewhere seems in long term decline. Undoubtedly the RYA helps seagoing chartering particularly with education programmes maybe IWA needs to see what its role may be.

14 Do have a very good 2014. It looks as though at long last there is an improvement in the economy and life is getting better. We should not be short of water this summer.

Happy boating!

Gareth Jones

Sales and Publicity Stand Preparations are now getting underway for our Sales and Publicity Stand to take part in a variety of events around the Branch area this summer. Although formal bookings have yet to be completed, we expect to be at the Beale Park Boat Show (Friday 6th to Sunday 8th June), Reading Water Fest on Saturday 14th June, Newbury Waterways Festival on Sunday 27th July and the National Trust’s Boat Gathering at Dapdune on Saturday 27th September (replacing the traditional early July event linked to the Guildford Festival). At these events we have the Sales Stand with a selection of donated books and maps together with some remaining items of the late Dick Harper-White’s painted-ware. We also try to feature local waterways in our displays and supplies of informative leaflets and we usually run the ever popular Lucky Locks Game. As ever this all takes some organising both in advance and on the day and as I am unlikely to be able to commit as much time as in the past to this task, any advance offers of help will be more than welcome.

Further details will be in the next Cargoes or come along to our G&R Branch AGM on 17th March and sign up to help by completing a form on the night.

Ray Carnell

Branch Work Parties Branch Work Party at Fobney Lock, Wed 20th Nov. Despite a lousy weather forecast a number of intrepid people, including Stefanie Preston and Toby Gomm from Head Office, turned up at Fobney Lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal on November 20th to clear up litter and tidy the towpath vegetation. The car park tidy produced three sets of number plates and a lump of coral amongst the usual detritus. We then walked downstream clearing a number of intruding branches and filling more black litter sacks. Luckily, the heaviest rain began as we approached a convenient bridge so we were able to avoid a complete soaking. The rest of the day was better than forecast and fifteen bags of litter were removed from that section of the canal.

Many thanks to all who helped and to the CRT team, led by Steve Manzi, who co-ordinated the event.

The next branch work party will be on the Basingstoke Canal in March, date to be confirmed. Branch members will be contacted by email but If you would like to help and are not on email, please contact Verna Smith 01252 517622.

The IWA is organising a National Himalayan Balsam pulling week July 19th26th which we are hoping to support on a branch waterway which needs some help.

Verna Smith

15

Bits on the Basingstoke The Basingstoke is making good progress.

The rangers have been out and about ensuring that the many trees that have fallen are not an obstacle to using the canal by towpath or water. There is now a real can do attitude. Investigation work is being done on the landslip at Dogmersfield. New opening hours for locks have been announced for consultation with Woodham and St. Johns open on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Brookwood and Deepcut will be open on Monday, Friday and Thursday by prior arrangement. At the moment these are proposals but the line of March of increased opening has to be positive. This opens up the canal for Galleon marine hires to make a weeklong trip to the Wey from Odiham. It also enables an overnight stop to be made in Woking. The one drawback is the lack of potential for a hirer to a one week trip to Odiham from say Farncombe boat house. Arguably on a Monday to Monday basis you could go up Deepcut on Thursday and back down on Friday. Without being very early on Thursday and very late on Friday it is doubtful if the Hampshire pound can be completed on that basis. Of course the 10 day option as Graham Smith and I did last year is still very much on. Also 4 day cruises to Woking or the top of St. Johns. About 100 visiting boats used the canal in 2013. It would be nice to see that rise substantially in 2014. There are exciting developments at Woking and I will quote Tony Davis who has led the consultation effort. “Woking Borough Council has ambitious plans in place to revitalise the canal through the centre of Woking. They have realised at last what an asset a vibrant, well-used canal could be for the town.

To this end they have commissioned architects to draw up plans for 4 canal related schemes, one of which is for a small boat basin near the town centre. This will incorporate good facilities for visiting boats; and there might also be improved shoppers moorings at Woking Quay, itself a modest 1980's scheme designed by one of the Byfleet Boat Club members, Vic Trott, and promoted through our IWA Branch, of which he was a Committee member.�

All these proposals should be of special interest to local boaters, and particularly IWA members. There is to be a one-day presentation of the plans at The Lightbox sometime in March (date currently unknown, but do look out for information in local papers, etc., and make known to other members by e-mail. I will get Chesham to do a general notice). A 3 month planning process will follow, within which there will probably be a 6 week public consultation period. Please do make an effort to inspect the plans, and make your views known to Woking BC during this process.

Tony Davis has seen early versions of these plans, and whilst there may still be details that need refinement, he hopes that they will meet with boaters approval in principle; and if so, then to send letters of support (both from Committee and individual IWA members as we did successfully with Bedser Bridge) to the Council during the planning consultation period.

This will considerably help should there be local objections.

For too long Woking has not realised the potential of one of the real assets that it has, and in conjunction with the new World Wildlife Headquarters, there is a

16 once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something positive about bringing the Basingstoke Canal to the fore in the centre of the town.

We will do an update on this and the water plan for the Basingstoke at the AGM. Gareth Jones

Byfleet Boat Club Cruise to Woking Byfleet Boat club are making plans to cruise to Bridge Barn on Saturday, 3rd May followed by a decorated boat parade around midday on Sunday, 4th before returning to the River Wey on Monday 5th. .

Please contact Verna Smith verna.smith63@gmail.com or 01252 517622 for more details after March 10th....

BCS Chobham Social Meetings Programme for the remainder of the Winter and Spring season is shown below: 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. Nigel, the Canal and Rivers Trust's Head of Heritage, will describe the work of the Trust in managing and conserving the many and varied historic waterways that the Trust cares for. He will explain what waterways heritage consists of, how heritage assets are maintained and restored and how the Trust deals with archaeology, listed buildings, scheduled monuments, historic boats and its museum collections.

Wed 16th Apr: 'Inland Shipping in West Africa' by Dr. David Hilling. David is a Vice President of the Inland Waterways Association and a members of its Freight Group and is UK representative on the Berlin-based European River Sea Transport Union and an academic geographer and his main interest is in port development and inland links of ports. He has studied ports and waterways in North America, Europe, Asia and West Africa where he lived for five years at the start of his career.

Both then and on later visits he made waterway journeys and examined the character and significance of the waterways in different environments. His talk will be concerned with some specific examples. .

17 Meetings are held at The Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AZ. Further information from David Millett on 01252 617364 or d.millett7@ntlworld.com

Mikron on the Basingstoke The annual visit of the Mikron Theatre Company will be on Sunday 27th July at the Fleet Football Club, Calthorpe Park, Crookham Road, Fleet, GU51 5FA at 7.30pm.

This year's show will be 'The Troupers' - In a little-told story of the Great War, TROUPERS brings to life the amazingly audacious “Concerts At The Front” – a hitherto unsung war effort that’s full of guts, gusto and greasepaint.

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

For the meetings scheduled to take place on Tuesday 18th February, Tuesday 18th March (Branch AGM), and Tuesday 15th April details of speakers have yet to be confirmed.

18 Tue 20th May: National Trust and the Wey Navigations - a talk by John Gibson (Navigations Manager) marking half a century of the NT’s ownership of the Navigation from Guildford to Weybridge. This is the annual joint meeting of the K&A Canal Trust (Reading) and IWA Guildford & Reading Branch.

Reading RESCUE The K&A Trust will once again be supporting the Rivers & Environmental Spaces Clean Up Event in Reading over the weekend of 15th/16th March.

RESCUE is a valued partnership event, bringing the public, community and the business sectors together to plan and deliver this popular outdoor clean up event.

Volunteers needed – contact David Copley – 0118 959 8247.

K&A Canal Summer Events Summer 2014 sees the usual major Festival events organised by the K&A Canal Trust.

Reading Water Fest is organised jointly by Reading Borough Council and the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. Water Fest is one of the town's best-loved events, paving the way for the internationally renowned Reading Festival and WOMAD, on the borough's waterways. It takes place on Saturday 14th June.

The Newbury Waterways Festival, proudly organized by the Newbury Branch of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, will be on Sunday 27th July. The theme is 'Viking Invasion' and boats will start gathering from Friday 25th July for the event which takes place in Victoria Park and at The Wharf.

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: Detailed design continues and Tree Works underway to enable Stage 1 Build Following the success of a £1.6m bid for an interest free loan from the government funded Growing Places Fund, detailed design work on the consented waterway plans for Maidenhead town centre continues apace. Early developer contributions by the Shanly Group from its Chapel Arches development, which adjoins the waterway route, will contribute a further £0.5m to enable the first stage of the waterway build to commence in 2014.

The technical design is being led for us by Golder Associates, supported by Peter Brett Associates and landscape specialist Richard Glen. Updated ecological surveys have been undertaken and in the last few months the local drainage

19 systems were internally surveyed and modelled and 15 boreholes drilled around the route for ground investigations, to confirm the geological make up and inform the detailed design of banks and structures. Tree removals have now been tendered and get underway in February, to clear the section of channel needed for the start of the Stage 1 earthworks.

The recent floods along the Thames have caused some serious issues elsewhere, but the Jubilee River flood channel thankfully did its job and protected Maidenhead from any real harm. For us, the raised water levels nicely illustrated (….for a few days at least!!) the visual impact the permanent waterway plans will have on the town centre channels.

To find out more – come to the G&R Branch AGM on 17th March – see page 13.

Ed

River Thames News Environment Agency Overall Over the next 12 months the Environment Agency (EA) will undergo significant changes resulting from less Government grant being available. In addition to all departments having their revenue budgets reduced (as reported last July) the EA will migrate from a three tier business, National, Regional and Area, to a two tier business, National and Area.

It is anticipated that overall staff numbers will reduce by approximately 1,500 (up to 15% of total current workforce). All parts of the EA business will be affected including Waterways and the new business models are to be operational by April 2014.

It is possible that priorities will change as a result of the winter floods.

However the policy of the EA is presently dictated by cost benefit and in some areas farmland has been abandoned to the sea to create new or pre-existing wetlands and bird sanctuaries.

Funding Further to the July Report that revenue budget has been reduced by 8% from £6.6m in 2012/13 to £6.07m for 2013/14, the above changes to overall organisation is likely to result in further budget reductions for 2014/15 of anything from £0.4m to £1.6m. Investigations are underway as to how to cope with such significant reductions in ‘Grant in Aid’ (GiA) funding.

Income Development Additional income is being progressed and some delivered from three main topics: Enforcement for Licences to be on the River. This is producing some additional income but more can be done. One major area is the status of boats in marinas, where the legal situation for enforcement is with Counsel to advise.  Accommodation Structures. Any construction in or over the River Thames is described as an ‘Accommodation’, for which an annual fee should be paid to the EA from the owner/user for this facility.

20 Investigations are underway to identify all non-paying ‘Accommodations’, but progress to identify the owners/users is slow.  New Facilities, such as lock-side tea houses etc.

The major issue for all ‘Income Development’ is that with year on year pressure on Government to reduce expenditure, that GiA will also reduce year-onyear and any benefits of increasing income, will be lost to further reductions in GiA, until eventually the River might become financially independent, an unlikely outcome. Licences cost will rise as previously advised.

Operational Statues – available from the excellent Environment Agency websites;http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/130919.aspx http://www.thames21.org.uk/events/ http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/RT_Investment_Programme_map It should be noted that there are a number of major closures including Whitchurch Lock which will be closed for 5 months in the winter. It is noted that the Thames barrier has closed on a number of occasions to help control the Thames flow through London above the barrier as opposed to controlling the tidal flow below the barrier.

John How/Gareth Jones

Whitchurch Toll Bridge Refurbishment The river at Whitchurch Toll Bridge, between Whitchurch and Mapledurham Locks will be closed to navigation from 4 November 2013 to 31 March 2014 due to refurbishment works being carried out by Oxfordshire County Council.

The works will entail the removal of the bridge decking and the diversion of services before the spans are removed to the shore for a full refurbishment. Whilst the spans are out new supporting piers will be driven in line with the existing piers which will be refurbished. Much of the work will be carried out by floating plant on the river.

Preparatory and clear up works will run from July 2013 to May 2014 to provide a temporary footbridge which will also carry the diverted services whilst the Toll Bridge is having the works carried out. The temporary bridge will be 10 metres closer to Whitchurch Lock. The piers will be in line with the existing bridge and it will have a headway 0.5 metres higher than the existing bridge. Any restrictions to navigation during the preparatory and clear up work periods will be publicised with a Harbourmaster’s Notice.

We apologise for the inconvenience this closure might cause and thank you for your patience during this time.

Matt Carter, Harbourmaster

21 The Thames floods have delayed work on the £4 million reconstruction of the 112-year old Whitchurch Toll Bridge which links Whitchurch-on-Thames in Oxfordshire with Pangbourne in Berkshire and usually carries around 6,000 vehicles a day. It has been dismantled and is being completely rebuilt. It will not now open to road traffic until July instead of April as originally planned. The aim is still to reopen the river to boats at the end of March.

Ed.

Southampton Canal Society The Annual Inter-Society Waterways Quiz As always, our 2013 programme rounded off with the very popular InterSociety Waterways Quiz. Thirty seven members and guests supported the three teams:  IWA Salisbury Group with Myra & Ron Glover, Tony Fry and Frank Wilson.  Southampton Canal Society with Brian Evans, Alan Rose, Gordon Osborn and David Wilkinson.  IWA Guildford & Reading Branch with Ben Scott, Gareth Jones, David Daines and Robin Higgs.

As last year’s winners IWA Guildford & Reading arranged with Martin Ludgate to be their Quiz Master with Sue Lewis, SCS member, who took on the task of keeping us up to date with the scores for each round.

Martin started us off with general knowledge questions followed by the dates of Canal Openings. Not many points separated the teams at The Winning Team David Daines, Ben Scott, Gareth Jones & Robin Higgs this point.

Naming Canal Junctions and sorting current names for the old canal waterways separated the teams and Southampton tailed away. Salisbury’s team soon followed leaving Guildford & Reading to gallop ahead and were deservedly presented with the magnificent Inter-Society Waterways Quiz Trophy.

Many thanks to Martin for organising the Quiz, to Sue the scorer and to all the team members for their participation.

Thanks to all who Quizmaster Martin Ludgate and with SCS Chairman Alan Rose

Scorer Sue Lewis [Pictures: Paul Herbert]

22 generously donated raffle prizes and especially to Pam McKeown for her now traditional prize of a great home-baked Christmas Cake.

The evening finished with the traditional American Supper- many thanks to our members for providing such a wide selection of delicious food and to those who assisted in the galley and the setting up and clearing of the furniture. Angela Rose If more teams would like to participate in this popular & social event in 2014 they would certainly add even more excitement to the evening. If you are interested and would like more information or to enter please contact the SCS Chairman, Alan Rose, by email alanjrose@btinternet.com.

Ed

Forthcoming Meetings Thu 6th Mar: Talk. “Elusive Canals & Navigations” the waterways you cannot reach easily from the main system by narrowboat by Stuart Fisher, editor of the Canoeist Magazine.

Please note that the venue for this meeting has changed to: ST DENYS’ CHURCH HALL, OLD CHILWORTH VILLAGE, SO16 7NN. From our usual venue, follow the A27 towards North Baddesley and Romsey.

Ignore the left turn into Chilworth Manor and the Southampton Science Park. About 350 yards further on, turn left into a road with signs saying Chilworth Old Village.

Very shortly you should see St Denys’ Church on your left. Parking should be possible in Fowler’s Walk on your left or in the immediate vicinity. Please do not block the narrow lane.

Thu 3rd Apr: Talk. This is another joint meeting with IWA Guildford & Reading Branch. Peter Boyce, a former Chairman & Treasurer of the now defunct Solent & Arun Branch, will be talking about “The Restoration of Wooden Narrow Boats” to include the work currently being carried out on James Loader, Clent and an update on “Lucy”. Friends and visitors are most welcome, as they are at all of our meetings Thu 5th Jun: Talk. “Ups & Downs of the South Pennine Ring” by Gordon Osborn Meetings, unless specifically stated otherwise, are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ. Start 7.45pm. For Monthly Newsletters visit www.sotoncs.org.uk 02380 675312.

Angela Rose

Wey and Arun Canal Trust WACT report a very successful Santa Cruise Season which was very nearly sold out. A small Boats Rally will be held on March 23rd on the summit section of the canal and they are taking bookings for the Mothering Sunday Cruises now March 30th. A programme of guided walks along the canal will commence on April 23rd. The annual Arun Cruise to Pallingham is booked for 18th May.

23 The appeal to rebuild Gennets Bridge Lock is about £4k short of the target but WACT are hopeful that the contractor will begin work later this year. WRG Forestry Group has cleared overhanging branches on the Loxwood section of the canal, which is heavily used by the trip boats, and the WRG Tree Climbers have been active at Southland Lock. The WACT work parties continue to work on restoration projects, repairing donated pumps and compressors and clearing an alternative route through Sidney Wood for topographical surveys. After many years Jim Phillips has retired as WACT Treasurer.

For further details please see WACT website www.weyandarun.co.uk Verna Smith Re-Opening of Southland Lock Southland Lock will be re-opened at noon on 21st June. The lock was dismantled, for its bricks, in the 1930s and has been the object of much hard work over the past three years to rebuild it. Landowners nearby have been most cooperative and without their aid it is hard to see how the task could have been carried out. The concrete shell was constructed by contractors (Burras of Hayling Island) but much of the rest of the work has been done by volunteers from Eric Walker's Thursday and Sunday Group. Simon Carter, on whose land we have had our working area for three years, has agreed to declare the lock open. A 10-piece ensemble from Friary Guildford Band will play for us. There will be a BBQ lunch for all afterwards on another landowner's land where there will be parking. More details in the next edition of 'Cargoes' Jim Phillips, Vice-Chairman

Future Events Sun 23rd Mar: Small-boats Rally On the summit level (Alfold/Dunsfold area). Details & application form www.weyandarun.co.uk/AlfoldRally2014.pdf Sun 30th Mar: Mothering Sunday Relaxers from Loxwood. Coffee and Danish Pastry Cruise at 11am. Cream Tea Cruises at 2.30pm & 4.30pm Tickets £13 (child £8). Booking essential.

Fri 18th to Mon 21st Apr: 11.00am, 12 noon and 2.00pm Easter Bunny Specials.

All your favourite Easter characters will be here to entertain you. Come along and join in the fun. £9 per person.

Sat 26th Apr: 2.30pm: Annual Meeting. Weald School, Billingshurst with events for members in the morning.

Fri 16th May: 7.30pm-10.00pm: Punch & Picnic Sunset Cruise. Following last year's sell out success, the first evening cruise of the season offers passengers the opportunity to experience a leisurely summer evening trip on the Wey & Arun Canal sipping a glass of punch and tucking into a delicious picnic. £18 per person.

Sun 18th May: Annual Cruise from Pulborough to Pallingham Tue 27th May: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages. Come suitably dressed and help defeat the pirates and rescue the princess. £10 per person.

24 Sun 15th Jun: Dad's Bacon Butty Brunch. On Father's Day, treat the one you love to a trip on the canal whilst enjoying a tasty bacon butty washed down with tea or coffee. Our 90 minute trips depart at 9.45am and 12 noon. £12 for adults; £8 for children.

Fri 20th Jun: 7.30pm-10.00pm: Midsummer Sensation. Celebrate the eve of the Summer Solstice by gently cruising through beautiful countryside on one of the longest evenings of the year. Enjoy a sparkling summer drink and a sensational salad supper. £18 per person.

Sat 21st Jun: 12 noon: Official Opening of Southland Lock.

Thu 3rd Jul: 2.30pm-4.00pm: Cream Tea Voyage. Always popular with our passengers, enjoy a delicious cream tea while watching the countryside drift by. £11 for adults; £8 for children.

Fri 18th Jul: 7.30-10.00pm: Pimm's & Posh Ploughman's. Savour an evening trip on the canal whilst enjoying a glass of Pimm's, a very special Ploughman's Supper and easy listening music all the way. £18 per person.

Fri 1st Aug: 7.30pm-10.00pm: Pimm's & Posh Ploughman's For those unable to join us on the July trip, the Special Events Committee offers guests another opportunity to enjoy this highly successful cruise. £18 per person.

Wed 13th Aug: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages. The pirates are back again! Help defeat them and rescue the princess. £10 per person.

Thu 28th Aug: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages. One last chance to drive those naughty pirates back to the high seas where they belong. £10 per person.

Wed 3rd Sep: 2.30pm: Cream Tea Special: Your last chance this year to enjoy a cream tea on a relaxing cruise. £11 for adults; £8 for children.

For further details please see WACT website. [www.weyandarun.co.uk]

IWAKES Branch News Past Events Under billowing sail On the evening of 12th October thirty-three members welcomed Wilf Lower to the Sailing Club. He is a man of many parts and many talents. First working in general management, then a chartered engineer. His wide knowledge of the entertainment industry resulted in his joining BBC television for many years. Here he was responsible for the scenery, props and "working" the shows. But being taught to scull at the age of 6, locally on the Medway instilled in him his love of

25 ships and the sea. In the nineties he started a new career organising maritime festivals and events in the UK and wider a-field in Europe. In his talk he went back beyond the Viking ships that were the beginning of the ships we know.

Will Adams of Gillingham opened up trade between here and Japan, after he wrecked all his ships on the coast of Japan, but survived. In 1857 steam arrived and the Suez Canal was opened. Sailing ships were fitted with engines; so things became more economic. The 1860s and 70s were the main era for sailing ships.

But it was still a hazardous time for the crews. In 1871 Samuel Plimsole came up with the Plimsole Line so ships were loaded more safely. Eventually came passenger carrying, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Before that Wilf showed us some spectacular slides of huge sailing ships from different countries. He has written several books about his great love. Of local interest, the "Arethusa" (originally "Peking"), moored at Upnor for many years and now moored near the Twin Towers in America is up for sale as her popularity as a tourist attraction has waned.

Angela Acott The Wey Navigation - a talk by Alan Williams On a beautiful November day twenty-seven IWAKES, SORT and TMCA members met at Perrymount Methodist Church Hall for a talk by Alan Williams, a volunteer with the National Trust at Dapdune Wharf, who spoke about the Wey Navigation, that runs from Weybridge to Godalming. This 15.5 miles of delightful river was 30 miles before the navigation straightened it. The navigation cost £16,000 to build, with 12 locks and 20 bridges. The locks were originally turf-sided with the last being rebuilt in 1966. The navigation used to transport oak to the Thames for shipbuilding. Godalming Wharf is the southernmost point of the linked inland waterway system. The Navigation was run and maintained by the Stevens family until handed to the National Trust in 1964, which has since kept it with no call on Public Funds. Alan showed us some lovely atmospheric pictures of early morning on the Navigation, the spectacular Coxes Mill (operational until 1971) and some of the many activities at Dapdune Wharf.

Angela Acott Our National Chairman and his trip to Liverpool - a talk by Les Etheridge About thirty members of IWA and TMCA gathered at the Sailing Club for our Christmas gathering. We asked National Chairman and local member Les Etheridge to do the honour of entertaining us for about 45 minutes. He could have done triple that and more. He told us (like so many boaters) that he started out on the Norfolk Broads (in 1971). He and the family boated on the Broads for about three years, then decided they wanted to spread their wings; so tried the Oxford Canal. They never looked back. They were helped by other hire boaters, as so many of us were when starting out. But most of us don’t end up as National Chairman!

Les came across a copy of Rolt’s "Narrow Boat" in 1982 and joined the IWA. He became a member of Finance and General Purposes Committee in 2004. In 2006 he became Head Office trustee: then, in 2008, IWA Treasurer. In 2012 he become National Chairman. The day after this momentous event Les fell into a canal for the first time and couldn’t get out. We could have lost our chairman but luckily a lad from the Marina hauled him out.

Our Chairman is much in awe of the Waterways Recovery-Group and knows the inland waterways would be a poorer place without them. They just get on and

26 DO things. He could not praise them enough. This years National Festival was not a great success and IWA has decided to come out of that market. Many smaller rallies will continue, like our wonderful rally on the River Rother at Bodiam in May. Hopefully next year’s on the Grand Western Canal, and the very successful Canalway Cavalcade, would continue.

Les then showed us some slides of his trip to Liverpool, which he said was most rewarding and well worth doing; the best trip they had ever done on their boat.

We have a cool and calm Chairman, and are in safe hands (with no more falling-in).

Angela Acott

IWAKES Branch Restoration Project Donations IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch has donated ÂŁ700 to support local restoration projects. On Thursday 14th November, cheques were presented by Les Etheridge, IWA National Chairman to Brian Macknish, Chairman of the Thames and Medway Canal Association and Bob Draper, Chairman of the Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust.

The donations were made from the profits generated at the 2013 National Trailboat Festival at Bodiam Castle over the May Bank Holiday. The event, organised by IWA Kent and East Sussex Branch, attracted over 20 boats that cruised up the river from Scots Float near Rye, to Bodiam.

Angela Acott

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Would you like to show off to all your friends what are probably the oldest surviving lock gates in Britain? Isfield (Sutton Hall) lock on the Sussex Ouse opened in 1792. It shortly closed for repair when turbulence from the two bottom gate paddles blew out the downstream forebay and both paddle holes were reduced in size to try to prevent

this from happening again. The bottom six feet of the lower gates, including the modified paddle holes, were perfectly preserved in airless mud when the lock silted up

27 after the navigation closed in 1868. They had to be removed five years ago to allow the lock to be restored and are presently stored in a nearby farmyard, where they are starting to deteriorate. Please offer them a dry, covered home by calling Ted Lintott on 01444 414413. (Accompanying pictures and sketch by Chris Derham)

River Medway News Environment Agency. EA Work is to take place in January 2014 to improve the East Farleigh sluice gate using emergency funding as the gate requires new bearing bushes. East Farleigh Lock refurbishment is being put back until funding becomes available.

The EA carried out a recent boat count on the Medway of boats moored between Allington and Tonbridge.

Result was a total of 801 boats, just 14 down on the 2007/8 count. This is not considered a significantly negative result.

Notices to Mariners Lowering Levels and Lock Closures 2014 The Environment Agency will be undertaking its annual inspection and maintenance programme in the early months of 2014.The following lengths of the river will be closed to Navigation for the period shown:Oak Weir Lock to Porters Lock - between Monday 3 February and Monday 17 February 2014 Porters Lock to Town Lock - between Monday 17 February and Monday 3 March 2014 Town Lock to Leigh Barrier - between Monday 3 March and Friday 14 March 2014 Bewleys weir at Tonbridge is to be demolished and rebuilt - Navigation on the river is not effected though speed restrictions around the works will be in force.

Flooding The big event in December and early January is the extent of the River Medway flooding .We have all seen the devastating effects of swollen rivers bursting their banks into peoples homes especially in Yalding where the Rivers Beult and Tiese join the Medway. Maidstone was affected on Christmas Day with water creeping up into commercial properties in the lower High Street. Marinas on the River were not spared either and several moored boats were lost, damaged or left high and dry on the bank when levels receded. One boat was swept over Allington sluice.

Water levels were 2.5 metres above normal and at one point just 50 cm below the old Maidstone bridge arch. The Bridge was built 1879 and survived the extreme conditions.

Maidstone and Weald MP Helen Grant who is Patron of the Maidstone River Users Association is calling a round table meeting of all interested parties to look at what can be done to improve the flood defence systems in the area as well as discussing the recommendations in EA’s 2009 flood management report.

28 Future Events Looking ahead to better weather, both East Farleigh Cruising Club and Allington Motor Cruisers Club have a good programme of social events, walks and cruises. Do visit their websites for details.

Mike Marsh

Thames & Medway Canal Association A lot has been happening on the Thames and Medway Canal during 2013. At long last the pumping system is operational. It may be remembered that when built the only source of water for the canal was the rivers it once connected but from which it is now isolated. Since the creation of an industrial estate in 1976 only rainwater filled the canal. Now that has all changed and after some teething problems regarding accurate level sensing we now pump marsh drain water, which otherwise would have been ‘lost’ to the river. The canal has a depth of approximately 1.5m, which is sufficient for both our present requirements of boating and fishing. If in the long term a greater depth is required this can be adjusted either by a small amount of dredging or increasing the surface AOD. It seems strange, now in January with widespread flooding, that only a few months ago we had concerns about the marsh drains becoming dry.

On a rather misty morning, when the work party arrived they found someone had put soil on top of the slip way wall, to soften the edges. Hopefully grass and maybe a few wildflowers will grow there.

Three or four brave souls decided to clear out and tidy up the container which we keep in the Ship and Lobster car park. They also fitted some shelves to raise items off the floor, and a ramp to make it easier to extract the boat therein.

In the meanwhile, some of the work party members enjoyed once again a Christmas Lunch in the middle of December.

29 Canal clearing continues apace; presently at Higham, where large trees growing in the centre of the canal are succumbing to the chainsaw of Bruce Currie and Les Schwieso as they move inexorably on towards Frindsbury with their tree clearance. Usually helped in the same area by [Pictures by Angela Acott] Ron, Peter and new Les A recently recruited new member has taken on the task of re swinging the Swing Bridge which last swung in 1995 following a rebuild by British Rail Heritage.

Unfortunately since then it has only received cosmetic care and is in need of a full service. So there is plenty to do.

Much of the eastern, Higham, end of the canal is effectively a plantation of maturing trees. Unfortunately the surface infill soil is very thin, one or two of these trees have already fallen within the canal boundary and others are in danger of falling across the adjacent road during high winds. It was therefore decided to fell the taller trees. This was both advantageous to the safety of the roadway and the quality of the canal itself.

Towards the end of 2013 we were given notice by Network Rail, the canal’s owners, that they were about to carry out a project alongside the canal that involved culverting the adjacent waterway (the canal) to construct a road to the site.

Fortunately we were able to persuade Network Rail to delay their project so that we could negotiate with them to find an alternative solution that would satisfy both interests. Watch this space.

David Rouse Thames & Medway Canal Swing Bridge Some members of the Thames and Medway Canal Association are restoring a unique swing bridge that carries a public footpath. The Sustrans Cycle Route No.1 runs along the towpath parallel and is used by many. The swing bridge restored to its original function would give easy access to a long stretch of canal up to Shornemead Crossing; approximately doubling the length of accessible waterway and providing greater variation in surroundings for boat users. It would also provide maintenance access.

The bridge structure is primarily wooden with iron reinforcement and counterweight all of which appear reasonably sound. The timber surface is generally good except one deck timber that requires replacement. It is necessary to provide a non-slip material to the decking surface as the existing algae covered surface becomes slippery when wet. It is intended to Picture by Angela Acott

30 upgrade bollards, fencing and handrails each end of the bridge to improve the visual appearance as a whole and allow the bridge to swing freely.

The bridge is supported by rollers on circular bearing tracks that, although very corroded, appear to be present and restorable. It was originally operated by rotation of a windlass (lock key) swinging the bridge via a series of gears. The key would rotate a pinion via bevel gears housed in a pillar at the northwest corner of the stone abutment. Below the abutment is mounted an intermediate axle with a large and small ring gear. The larger ring gear was driven by the pinion at the lower end of the shaft. In turn the smaller ring gear would have driven a large gear segment (slewing gear) attached to the bridge.

From a visual inspection it would appear that the intermediate gear is useable as a previous restoration to this area was carried out in the 1990’s.

With the bearings restored direct manual operation of the bridge by installing a push beam would be possible but strenuous so we intend both to allow the bridge to swing and also to replace the pillar, drive pinion and segment gear. This would allow manual operation by means of a (BW) windlass lock key similar to the original construction. Unfortunately the original windlass drive pillar and gears are long gone. If there is anyone who knows of the existence of any 1-1/2” pitch pinions, segments or windlass pillars please get in touch with the TMCA. Dave Parnell

The Medway Queen The Paddle Steamer “Medway Queen” has been in Bristol for extensive repairs to her hull and superstructure. She is now back in Gillingham for fitting out. There is still much to do internally; painting, carpentry, not to mention restoring the engines, plus many other skilled jobs, for which they are calling for volunteers. Visitors are welcomed at open-days. But more money is needed before the little ship can put to sea again.

For more information on the Medway Queen see www.medwayqueen.co.uk Angela Acott

River Adur Slipways on the River Adur The local County Local Committee (CLC) has requested that a slipway in Shoreham is included in the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) infrastructure plans. This is a huge leap forward to getting a practical slipway on the river Adur, in Shoreham-by-Sea. The Shoreham Slipways Group has prepared comprehensive background information and copies of relevant reports, contacts, etc. to help ease the newly appointed Project Manager into his new role. There are many more issues to overcome and, with the tight financial constraints, it will take several years

31 before a slipway is actually constructed. Morrisons, the supermarket group, was awarded planning permission for a new building on the western arm of Shoreham Harbour and has agreed to pay £15,000, as an S106 contribution, towards the cost of a slipway. (S106 contributions are made by developers to help cover council building expenditure and are used as a bargaining tool.)

The Shoreham Harbour Regeneration team is keen to get the views on their latest ideas from boating people. The plans include the development of about a kilometre of quay into mixed residential, commercial and leisure use. The closing date is 25th April. For those in the Shoreham area there will be expositions at various locations. Full information is available at: www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/shoreham-harbour-regeneration/consultation or by email from consultation@shorehamharbour.com Brendan Whelan

Northfleet Harbour Archaeologists and the Northfleet Harbour team have been taking measurements of the unearthed slipway and dock. This will assist in estimating construction dates as water levels have changed over the centuries. These can be compared with other sites on the Thames.

Graeme Rooney

Future IWAKES and Other Events Wed 26th Feb: 7:30pm for 8.00pm: St Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone, ME16 0DE: IWAKES AGM followed by a quiz.

Thu 27th Mar: 7:30pm for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knights Road, Strood: “The passage to Astrakhan”: Roger Squires.

Wed 9th Apr: 7:30pm for 8.00pm: Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend: TMCA event to which all are welcome. TMCA AGM followed by “Smugglers, Secret Tunnels and the TMCA”: A talk by Bernard Snell: Sun 18th May: 12:00 noon to 1.00pm: Ferry Inn: Appledore Road: Stone-inOxney. TN30 7JY: Meal or drink followed by 4 mile walk (dep. 13:00) to Smallhythe Place (see below) along the Reading Sewer (formerly the main course of the River Rother).

Sun 18th May: 3:00pm for 3:30pm: Smallhythe Place, Small Hythe, Tenterden, TN30 7NG: National Trust digital presentation in the Theatre: This main ship-yard of the 13th century built the ‘Grand Mistress’, sister ship of the ‘Mary Rose’. It was also actress Ellen Terry’s home.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

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 you read this I will still be branch Chairman. However, I will not remain in this position after the AGM which is on March 12th. I agreed to undertake the role for a year to keep the branch “alive” and I believe, together, we have succeeded in doing that the Branch has had a lot of favourable publicity for the events, including working parties held during the past year. Members of the committee, together with those who support us by carrying out specific duties, have all “pulled their weight” I have been very grateful for their support.

During the year we have worked closely with Thrupp CCC. I feel proud that they chose Mary and me as their “Members of the Year” in recognition of the work we have achieved together.

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 that. Very few suggestions were made. Attendance at our monthly meetings was so low that they were not affordable and we were forced to review the situation. We chose to go ahead with some. In October we held a special meeting in order to thank all those people who had participated in the events we held during the summer. Everyone enjoys being part of the Open Doors and Banbury events and Robin produced lots of pictures to refresh our memories and remind us of the fun we had. Members of the Kidlington Sea Scouts group who helped at Oxford joined us at this gathering. I am pleased to say they have committed to help again this year.

I am sure you will be aware that there is a move to seek volunteers to help keep our waterways in good order. At a committee meeting in April we were joined

by IWA Volunteer co-ordinator’s Alison Smedley and Stefanie Preston, as well as CRT Volunteer co-ordinator John Highmore. Together we arranged two working parties on the Oxford Canal. One in Banbury and the other at the Hythe Bridge arm at the lower end of the canal in Oxford. Both were highly successful with over 30 people participating.

Brian Saunders our Secretary and I have attended several meetings with CRT senior personnel in order to discuss their plans for the coming years and it will be interesting to see how this progresses.

Currently our Planning Officer, Chris Wardley, is very busy dealing with issues re the planned development in Banbury, which we have grave concerns about. Several meetings have been, or are being, held which he is attending, though as I go to press no final agreement has been reached. Watch this space!

Last but by no means least I wish to thank David Dare of Oxfordshire Narrowboats for his continued support to the Branch. I can assure you David the Banbury canal day and Oxford Open Doors events would be nothing without the boat trip. (Over 700 in Oxford and 900+ in Banbury last year alone) Over the past 14 years of boating on the Inland Waterways I have met many people who have played a large part in my life. NB Heron, who many will recognise, has been sold so sadly my boating days are over. I will of course remain a member

33 of IWA and continue to support their efforts to promote, maintain, and restore the Inland Waterways.

My Best Wishes to you all and hope we shall meet at some of the planned events.

Ron Heritage

Oxford Branch Events When you read this we will already be well into the New Year (2014).and starting to prepare for the various events which are already being planned.

First though a look back on 2013 which was a very busy year for the branch and, thanks to those who helped at the various events, a very successful one. We have become "known" by many more organizations and some quite influential people, through these events. While events need organizing more importantly, they need people who are willing to give time and commitment to “make them happen”.

In addition to the two main events which have become firm dates in our calendar we also had the first two IWA/CRT working parties on the Oxford Canal.

Both very successful 20 people in Oxford and 15 in Banbury. We achieved a lot on both days.

So to 2014. Oxford Open Doors is on the 13th and 14th of September and Banbury Canal Day the 5th October.

Two suggestions have been put forward.

To clean up/re-paint the metal bridge at Isis Lock in Oxford. If we have enough interest we can move this suggestion forward. CRT will be involved and will head up the party having carried out the necessary surveys to decide the action required.

It is quite a challenge but will really smarten up the area. We painted the lock and fencing in 2013 and this will be the “icing on the cake” And secondly: A message from Stefanie Preston. IWA Working Party Co-ordinator.

Next year Alison and myself are planning to run a week long Himalayan Pulling Event. The idea is that as many of the branches as possible hold one or more Himalayan Balsam work party/ies on a day/s between the 19th and 27th July. With a coordinated effort across the country we’ll be able to really publicise the events and hopefully get a lot of new people involved. It will also make a difference to the environmental problem that can lead to navigation issues.

We are fortunate on the Oxford Canal in that this is not such a problem as it is elsewhere. None the less it must be around as we removed some small plants at the lower end of the canal during our working party there. If you know of plants within our area please let me know. And if you would be willing to take part in either of these working groups let me know that too.

Reference my role as event’s organiser, as you will have read in Ron’s report we no longer have our boat. This is going to seriously affect my ability to organise and/or participate in the above events. The role is not difficult, particularly now as we have so many willing helpers. It is a hugely satisfying and provides opportunities to meet lots of new people and introduce your own ideas. If you are up to the challenge and want more information I will be very happy to chat to you about it.

My Very Best Wishes and a huge THANK-YOU to those who have worked with me over the past years Mary Heritage (01869 277400)

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Forthcoming Events Please note Change of venue Wed 12th Feb: The life of a present day Lock Keeper by Peter Payne Wed 12th Mar: AGM Sat 13th & Sun 14th Sep: Oxford Open Doors Many of you will know this as the time when local preservation Trusts, and others, open the doors of buildings and other places of historic interest to the public. Our waterways fall into this category and 4 years ago we were invited to "open" the Oxford Canal.

Sun 5th Oct: Banbury Canal Day Banbury Town Council or to be more precise Tricia Campbell, the Mayor's PA and organizer of this event, has already started the preparations for this year, a very special one as it is their 11th year.

Unless otherwise stated the above events are held on Wednesday evenings in the St. John's Church, The Broadway, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1DN. 7:30 for 8:00pm. New members and visitors most welcome.

For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman – Tel: 01865 372552.

Wilts & Berks Canal Life is as hectic as usual over in the Vale of White Horse. At the western end around Shrivenham there have been various visiting work parties from Swindon businesses doing their community days out working on opening up the towpath. In my patch around Wantage and Grove we have a plethora of various building developments going through planning. At Stockham where the Phase 1 agreed £20k S106 monies building has commenced south of the canal. To the north of the canal line Phase 2 has just received planning consent. This includes a defined route for a new section of canal to avoid the Mably Way roundabout. Part of the planning permission includes a gifting of the land for the canal to the Trust although I have yet to see exact terms.

After many years and previous planning permissions the gigantic 2500 house development on the airfield at Grove ( which will remove my view of the fields, eventually) got outline planning but despite the Vale's own Policy and a total of £49m S106 funding together with many years of requests to US as to what we wanted here ( a bridge for cyclists/ boats under the main road was the answer) we got precisely NOTHING except provision that the amendments to the roads at this point would not be allowed to prejudice the building of our bridge. Contrast this with the bridge built over the North Wilts Canal in northern Swindon a few years ago. As you may guess we are not very happy about this...watch this space.

35 Arups were commissioned last year to do an engineering study on our three "pinch points" at East Challow and Grove. We are just chewing over the final report and working out a strategy to move forward.

In Wantage SSE have just linked the Sack House to the mains and with a bit of work inside on the electrics and the display panels we are nearly ready to open up to the general public....although they do quite often take a look when passing as curious to see what we are up to.

After Christmas I held yet another guided walk and miraculously it came in one of the gaps between the awful weather. A cheerful throng enjoyed a circular walk starting and finishing at Childrey. Now I have to start planning the Summer Festival walks for June/July.

The Towpath Challenge walk which has been held over the Easter weekend this last couple of years will not take place this year, but should be back on agenda in 2015 with hopefully more towpath available to walk.

Brian Stovold, East Vale Chairman

South London Branch 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 12th Feb: Bring your Own Photos II: If you’d like to share your boating adventures please bring a selection of about 20 on a memory stick, CD or DVD. Wed 12th Mar: AGM followed by a short presentation Wed 9th Apr: A Day in the Life of a Thames Tug by Richard Thomas Sat 3rd to Mon 5th May: Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice, London W2 (see inside back cover for more details) 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 Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere).

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. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you so, if you’d like to give this a try, please contact Roger Wilkinson 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

37 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, Regent’s 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 Sun 18th May, 2.30pm: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, start Bromley–by-Bow Sun 25th May, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park & R. Tyburn to Camden, start Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit) Sun 1st Jun, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Islington, start Mile End Sun 15th Jun, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue Sun 6th Jul, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross (taxi rank) Sun 20th Jul, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue Sun 3rd Aug, 2.30pm: Walk, World War I, Three Mills, Bow Back Rivers, The Olympics Bromley–by-Bow Sun 17th Aug, 2.30pm: Walk, World War I, Enfield Lock, R. Lee, Ponder’s End, start Enfield Lock Railway Station Sun 7th Sep, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Granary Building (Camden), start King’s Cross (taxi rank) Sun 21st Sep, 2.30pm: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, start Bromley–by-Bow Sun 5th Oct, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Kings Cross to Granary Building (Camden) - Hitchcock’s Hackney, start Kings Cross (taxi rank) Sun 19th Oct, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, start Warwick Avenue Sun 2nd Nov, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, start Mile End Sun 16th Nov, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Hoxton, start Angel 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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IWA National Trailboat Festival 2014

Devon County Council is delighted to announce that this year’s IWA National Trailboat Festival is to be held at the Grand Western Canal Country Park. Applications can now be made for trailboat entries – see below.

The event will form the main celebration of the Canal’s bicentenary year.

Construction work began in 1810 and was completed in 1814.

The festival will take place over the late May bank holiday weekend (24 – 26 May) in 2014. There will be a big public festival day held at the Mid Devon Showground on Saturday 24th May, with a range of live music, performers and entertainments, all with a birthday party theme.

Download trailboat entry form or for more information see: www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/national_trailboat_festival_2014/iwa_trailbo at_festival_2014 http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/natural_environment/country_ parks/grand_western_canal/iwa-national-trailboat-festival.htm

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 Summer 2014 Copy date 15th April 2014 Printed by www.imprintcolour.co.uk - Tel: 01252 314765

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