Endeavour 1 to attempt (eg the ful filment of an obligation) by exertion of effort; 2 archaic to strive to achieve or reach ~ vi to make an effort to do something n a serious determined effort
Northampton Branch Newsletter - February 2015 Arm adoption –18 months of achievement BRANCH WINS CRT VOLUNTEER ORGANISATION RECOGNITION AWARD John Highmore, Volunteering Communications Manager of the Canal & River Trust, writes: In October 2014 a letter appeared in Towpath Talk proclaiming the Northampton Arm canal to be a “Jewel in the Crownâ€? of the inland waterways. However, history shows that this has not always been the case‌ As recently as the start of 2013, Bernard and Sandie Morton of the IWA’s Northampton Branch, were Continued on page 20 Mick Butler (right) receives the award from John Highmore with Geoff Wood second from left. Also seen are CRT’s Miriam Tedder, Neil Owen and Lee King
Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Arm at the Branch Get Together at Gayton Junction on Saturday, 2nd May
For full details, please see page 24 The IWA was founded in 1946 to campaign for the retention, restoration and development of Britain’s navigable waterways and for their fullest commercial and recreational use. The IWA is a registered Charity (no. 212342) , whose work is supported by members’ subscriptions.
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EDITORIA L MUSINGS There seems to be quite a few positives around the waterways scene at the moment, particularly at a local level. Foremost of course must be the recognition our Branch has gained from the Canal & River Trust with regard to the Task Party work on the Northampton Arm following the Arm’s adoption by the Branch. As reported elsewhere in Endeavour, our efforts were applauded at a CRT pre-Christmas reception for volunteer groups at the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. Previous winners of the award have been the Whilton and Buckby Locks Association, the Blisworth Canal Partnership and the Braunston Canal Society, so we are in good company. It’s up to us now to continue with the good work. We have set ourselves challenging standards and these must be maintained. The other significant news concerns the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, in which many members of Northampton IWA play an active role through the Friends group. As from the beginning of last November, the day-to-day administration of the museum has been transferred to CRT’s South-East Waterways based at Milton Keynes. This can only be good news as the museum is rapidly becoming the shop window for SE Waterways, with a much more prominent profile. So the Branch area is very much in the spotlight, and will be more so in the months ahead as things build up to the IWA’s Festival of Water at Becket’s Park in Northampton from 28th – 31st August. However, as IWA members we must not become complacent. As I’ve said before, the Association, first and foremost, is a campaigning organisation; this must never be ignored or forgotten. Indeed, what would be the state of Britain’s inland waterways system were it not for the focus and zeal demonstrated by our founders and early campaigning members? That the IWA has achieved its basic initial objectives cannot be disputed, notwithstanding the fact that freight-by-water activities are not what the idealists would accept as being in a satisfactory situation. But the system is still largely with us, virtually brought back from the dead in some instances, and restoration continues to ensure growth. So much of this is due to the IWA and its “pump priming” policy and especially from its members who are actively involved with associated local groups. I am sure the CRT people are well aware that some of their activities and decisions will inevitably draw fire from IWA. At the moment there is no need for the confrontational approach often deemed necessary with BWB and BW in former years. Hopefully these tactics can be consigned to history and all interests (I hesitate to use the word sides) can continue to sit down and discuss rationally and sensibly problems as they occur. The need for adequate funding will always be with us in the foreseeable future (think NHS); we all have to cut our cloth accordingly. Meanwhile, a healthy and vibrant IWA must remain an ever-watchful campaigning body. We ignore that at our peril.
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DIARY DATES March 10th 8pm
IWA Northampton Branch AGM at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, followed by Steve Morley — A Tale of Two Canal Camps 19th 7.30pm Friends of The Canal Museum talk at The Schoolroom behind the Canal Museum. Speaker TBA
April 7th 8pm
IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker TBA 16th 7.30pm Friends of The Canal Museum talk at The Schoolroom behind the Canal Museum. Speaker TBA
May 2nd 1pm 12th 8pm
IWA Northampton Branch Arm Celebration (Northampton Branch members only). See page 24 for details IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker TBA
June 13th &14th Family Festival at Stoke Bruerne. See page 25 for details or visit www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk
NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES March 3rd, 22nd. April 7th, 26th. May 12th, 31st. June 9th, 28th. July 7th, 26th. For details contact geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932 BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIET Y WORK PART Y DAT ES March 8th, 12th, 26th. April 9th, 12th, 23rd. May 7th, 10th, 21st. June 4th, 14th, 18th. For details contact Athina Beckett on 01908 662127 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP ADOP TION GROUP WORK PARTY DATES March 11th, April 8th.
stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk
IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates
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Branch Chairman’s Jottings by Bernard Morton THE GOOD AND THE SAD. It’s been a funny sort of month or so since my last notes for Endeavour. There’s been the good and the sad. First, the good news is that the Branch has con nued to maintain its high profile, with the focus firmly on its ac vi es on the Northampton Arm. This was amply demonstrated in December by the award made to us by the Canal & River Trust. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to be present when the award was actually handed over but thanks to the ingenuity and stage management of CRT’s John Highmore, I was able to get a flavour of the occasion by telephone link when I heard the enthusias c recep on the Branch received at the presenta on get-together of volunteers from a wide area held at the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. Thanks, John, for your mely and most welcome phone call. I gather the presenta on to us was your final act of a performance which demonstrated your undoubted thespian skills. One of my colleagues told me a0erwards that he thought he had suddenly exchanged Stoke Bruerne for Stra2ordupon-Avon! Much of the credit for the Branch’s impressive work on the Arm must - at the risk of repe on and embarrassment of the recipients – go to the Task Party coordinators Geoff Wood and Mick Butler. Their enthusiasm is infec ous and encourages others to join in. Long may they reign. Secondly, the sad note. The recent fes ve period was darkened by the passing of Eric Young, who had been struggling bravely against cancer for a couple of years or so but which finally overcame him on New Year’s Day. Eric was an indefa gable member of the Branch Commi<ee and also of the Boat Gathering organising commi<ee for many years, also serving as Branch Vice-Chairman. I regard both Eric and his wife, Irene, as very close personal friends; he will be sorely missed. I am told the boaters auc ons we jointly conducted at the Boat Gatherings were highlights, largely through Eric’s cheerful disposi on as auc oneer. Courageously, he made the effort to fulfill this role at the Gathering at Braunston last May. It was a fi?ng final “curtain call”. Thank you, Eric. LOOKING FORWARD. Now we must look forward and the 2015 Fes val of Water at Northampton at the end of August is looming larger upon the horizon. One of the aims of the Fes val is to celebrate the opening of the Northampton Arm 200 years ago but the Branch commi<ee feels it cannot wait for this de-
8 layed official recogni on. It opened on 1st May 1815 and therefore it should be acknowledged in May 2015. Thus we are organising an informal gathering and BBQ at Gayton Junc on on Saturday 2nd May and I draw your a<en on to the details given on page 24. Naturally it is well nigh impossible to forecast how big (or small) this occasion on the early Spring Bank Holiday Saturday will be – it’s up to you. The more the merrier, I would say. However, I cannot emphasise too strongly the need to indicate in advance your proposed a<endance by contac ng Tony Clarke as per the details on page 24. It might be an informal affair, but even these need a measure of organisa on. Moreover, everything is free – un l supplies run out. Then eat and drink your own… When this event is over, the summer will almost be upon us and many of you will be out and about on the rivers and canals. Make a firm note of the dates of the Fes val at Becket’s Park on 28 th-31 st August. Please try to come along (by boat or any other means of transport available to you) and help to make it a really spectacular August Bank Holiday weekend for everyone. Facili es for campers and caravanners are being provided in Delapre Abbey grounds. Booking forms and online payment are available via the Branch website. EA are keen to encourage more boaters to explore its rivers and have come up with a generous two for one offer on their licences (ie. two weeks for the price of one week, two months for the price of one Northampton’s First and month and so on). Volunteers before, during and a0er the event (there will be a lot of clearing up to be done) are urgently required and advance indica on of your availability to fill volunteering roles will be greatly appreciated. Please get in touch with me (contact details on page 39). So as our thoughts turn to spring, summer and warm weather (and I do hope that comment doesn’t make it decide to dump six inches of the white stuff on us!), I wish you happy boa ng, towpath walking, cycling, fishing — however you enjoy our canals and inland waterways.
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Winter sparkle at Stoke Bruerne The Friends of The Canal Museum’s Annual Carols, Illuminate d Boats and Christmas Market in Decembe r proved to be a nothe r magical celebra on of Christmas whe n the children of Stoke Bruerne, Whi<le bury and Tiffield Primary Schools led carollers around a decorated Christmas Tree as a procession of illuminated boats ma de its way along the cana l. Carollers were als o ente rtained by the Gra0on Regis Scout Brass Band and members of The Nene Consort, a classical recorde r group who performed over the canal from the open loading doors on the first floor of the Canal Museum. Santa Claus arrived by boat and, instead of giving prese nts, rece ived one from each child containing a special Christmas message which he put underneath the Christmas Tree. These messages were later displayed in the Canal Museum's Wa terside Cafe in the run up to Chris tmas Eve. The all weekend canalside Christmas Market at T he Naviga on pub, with floa ng traders on the wate r, completed the magical scene and although final figures a re not available yet, around £500 was raised for the charity through fundra isers such as ‘Fill the Lock with Light’ (winne r – Tracy Bovingdon) and ‘Guess the Name of the Teddy’ (winner – Linda Cla rke). Winners of this year’s Best Illuminate d Boat we re — you’ve guessed it — Tim and Roberta Casien eri on Inchy whose beau fully lit tableaux entranced the crowds. Judges we re Andrea Leadsom MP and Richa rd Parry, CEO Canal & River Trus t. Tim and Robe rta con nue to se t an incre dibly high standard to beat. Why not ente r your own boa t next year and see if you can topple them off the podium! The Friends would like to thank all IWA members who helped with the event, especially with ere c ng market stalls, staging and tentage. Special tha nks goes to Chris Whitby and family for the sound system, Bill and Liz Mann for hot chestnuts and soup and Andrew Woodward who led the adult ca rol s inging.
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NOTICE OF AGM IWA Northampton Branch NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Tuesday, 10th March, 2015, at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, commencing at 8pm. AGENDA: (please bring this agenda to the meeting) 1: Apologies for absence 2: Minutes of previous AGM held on 11th March, 2014 3: Matters arising 4: Chairman’s Report 5: T reasurer’s Report 6: Statement of Committee size 7: Election of Committee members 8: AOB Under the IWA Branch bylaws effective from 12 November 2007, there is no restriction on the maximum size of the committee. Bernard Morton, Sandie Morton and Michael Butler retire by rotation and seek re-election. Sam Line was co-opted during the year and seeks election. It is no longer necessary for those who wish to stand for election to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Written consents from Branch members wishing to stand for election should be deposited with Branch Secretary Sandie Morton before the commencement of the AGM business. {signed) Bernard Morton, IWA Northampton Branch IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https:// www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.
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DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT DIFFERENT IN 2015
Get your boots on and walk for WRG! IWA, supported by IWA Warwickshire Branch, is organising an eight-mile sponsored walk along the Stratford-upon-Avon and Grand Union canals on Sunday, 22nd February. The walk aims to raise at least £1,000 (hopefully a lot more) towards the £50,000 WRG van appeal. The appeal will raise money for two new minibuses costing around £25,000 each for WRG this summer. The eight-mile circular walk will start at Lapworth Village Hall and take you along peaceful stretches of the Stratford-upon-Avon and Grand Union canals towpaths as well as through fields and along country lanes before arriving back at the village hall for tea, something to eat and a well-deserved rest. It’ll be a great day out and you’ll get the opportunity to have a chat with people of similar interests and explore a beautiful area of the country, all for a good cause! If you’d like to come along and walk for WRG, or for more information, see www.waterways.org.uk/iwalk or phone Toby Gomm at 01494 783453 ext. 611. Places are £5 per person and under 16s go free, after which it is over to you to raise as much sponsorship as possible. Young people under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult.
SAVE THE BR ANC H MON EY! Stop receiving Endeavour by post and instead get it electronically. You will be notified by email when it’s published on-line. This will save in postage and printing costs. The printed version will be available at Branch meetings. Contact Geoff Wood at geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk and he will organise it. Editor
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12 BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS REVIEW December Urgent Business Ways to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Arm on 1st May 1815 were discussed. A budget of £300 for the event was proposed and agreed by all. A raffle could be organised to help cover the costs. Northampton Arm Adoption Locks 9 and 10 have been repainted thanks to a good turn out of volunteers. Trees and undergrowth have now been cut back to allow visibility to the EA Strong Stream Notice by Carlsberg Brewery; litter picking has been carried out. The search for the missing mile-post revealed that No. 1 is in place, No. 3 was found but half buried, numbers 2 and 4 are missing, the latter possibly lost when flood defence work was undertaken, but searches are still in progress. Membership There are currently 298 memberships equalling 472 members. Northampton Festival of Water 2015 The Events Committee meeting on 21st November had gone well and David Blagrove attended as the newly-appointed President of the event. Booking forms for boaters, campers/caravanners and traders are available with on-line payment for the first time. Another meeting was held in the evening for volunteers/interested parties to find out what was planned. Good representation from Branch members and some of the usual volunteers at nationals. David Mackintosh (Leader of Northampton Borough Council) had attended and was presented with the Tiller Pin Trophy (traditionally awarded to the local authority hosting an IWA national event). He was very pleased with the presentation. Reports from Local Societies, Canal Partnerships etc: Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership — CRT is selling three-quarters of the Quarry Field to the tenant who rents it. CRT is retaining the flat area which contains canal archaeology. Any other Business Signage is needed to encourage boaters to close all paddles and gates when leaving the locks on the Arm. On the River Nene they are instructed to leave mitre gates open when exiting.
13 January Matters Arising John Highmore (CRT) has agreed to signs at top and bottom locks on the Arm about closing all paddles and gates when leaving. Treasurer’s Report Current balance is £5660.19. Head Office has sent a list of assets, but other assets are to be added — two strimmers, the amp speakers and mic system Northampton Arm Adoption Geoff Wood and Mick Butler proudly displayed the shield and certificate received from CRT which was presented to the Branch at the SE Waterway 2014 Volunteer Organisation Recognition Award ceremony at Stoke Bruerne in December. Geoff Wood has been interviewed on Radio Northampton about this award, which was good publicity for our volunteering. The last few Task Parties have been around Lock 17, focusing on vegetation and weed clearance from block paving. A full list of dates are now on the diary page (4). The missing mile post No. 4 on the Arm has been located, No. 2 still missing. It was agreed the Branch would like to fund a replacement. Northampton Festival of Water 2015 EA have agreed to include the area around to the entrance to Lock 17 in their forthcoming dredging activities. John Pomfret asked if the Task Parties in July could include the Westbridge Arm and the Arm around to B & Q as well as Northampton town waterfront where vegetation growth limits mooring space near South Bridge. Sandie Morton pointed out that the whole of the waterfront area was strewn with litter and weed growth which gave a neglected air and a bad impression of Northampton This was thought to be the responsibility of NBC. Branch Magazine and Website Sam Line and Tony Clarke have attended a website training session. Once trained, Sam will take over the website; she is also looking after the Branch’s Facebook and Twitter pages. CRT Lynda Payton reported that David Cook had joined the SE Waterway Partnership. The Museum at Stoke Bruerne is becoming a satellite office of its MK office. It will function as a Welcome Station (like the Stop House at Braunston) with information and licences available.
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Northampton Festival of Water 2015 28th-31st August John Pomfret, Festival Committee Chairman, writes In 1805, after several years of pressure from Northampton entrepreneurs, Far Cotton in Northampton was tentatively linked to the Grand Junction Canal by a horse-drawn tramway construct ed from the materials recovered when Blisworth Tunnel finally opened and the tramway over Blisworth Hill was no longer needed. This was only a stop-gap measure, as Northampton was insisting on its canal connection promised in the GJC Act. Finally in 1815 the Northampton Arm was completed, providing a link through 17 locks between the GJC and the River Nene, which had already been made navigable to Peterborough and The Wash over 50 years earlier. This gave Northampton ready access to Warwickshire coal and imports through London and the Arm became a major contributor to Northampton’s industrial development. Now 200 years later the Northampton Arm continues as a vital link for recreational boaters between the canals of the Midlands and the Fenland waterways and IWA Northampton Branch has a formal agreement with CRT whereby it has adopted the Arm and carri es out regular work parties to make sure it is a waterway of which we can all be proud. Unfortunately the waterway heritage of the centre of Northampton has suffered over the years. The section of river containing most of the historic wharves was filled in when the Carlsberg Brewery was built and, while it is very accessible, the waterside has become rather sterile with little to attract visitors. The 200th anniversary seemed a good time to celebrate the opening of the Arm and, following on from a success ful campaign festival in 2011, August Bank Holiday weekend 2015 will see Northampton hosting one of the IWA’s ‘new look’ annual festivals based on the River Nene and centred around Becket’s Park. The Northampton Festival of Water is being organised jointly by IWA Events Team and IWA Northampton Branch, with the full support of Northampton Borough Council, the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust. As well as celebrating the 200 years of the Northampton Arm, the festival All photos from the IWA 2011 campaign festival will highlight the need for
15 development plans for Northampton’s riverside to recognise the value of the waterway to the town and its people and not to sterilize any more river bank, raise the profile of IWA among river boaters, encourage more use of the River Nene and the Fenland waterways and support new Fenland links. The Festival of Water will have attractions on and off the water providing a great day out for all the family. We hope to attract over 200 boats, including leisure and trade, canal boats and cruisers, as well as participation from organisations with rowing and sailing boats and canoes. The Environment Agency is offering a special discounted registration deal to encourage canal boaters to explore the River Nene and Fenland waterways and CRT is offering a similar deal for river boats wishing to visit the canals. Boats registering for the event, campers and caravanners wishing to make use of the camping facility at Delapre Park and trade stand entrants can download entry forms from the IWA website. The Events Team would also like to hear from wat erway charities and local groups interested in having a stall. There will be no admission charge for public entry to the Becket’s Park site. For all enquiries and booking forms, please go to the festival web pages at: www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/ festival_water/ northampton_festival_water_2015
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NORTHAMPTON MARINA GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Old Stager, in this interview with John Line, manager of the Environment Agency’s Northampton Marina at Becket’s Park, recalls an afternoon during the war when he fell into the lake which now forms the marina and needed to be hauled out of the water by his grandmother, roaring his eyes out! Yes, that’s true – it happened in the 1940s. Memories are a little foggy but I do remember it was sunny and warm and grandma and I were on an afternoon walk in the park. I had probably been on the swings earlier. We crossed the river by the hump-backed bridge (basically the same bridge as today’s) and began to stroll around the lake with its treed islands and, I suppose, verdant surrounds. I expect I was racing around when I suddenly slithered into the water. I think my head went right under – but was rescued smartly by grandma and dried off. In those days the Northampton to Bedford railway line from St John’s Street station spanned the river over the Lock Island (the bridge supports are still there). Marina manager John Line Smith’s Timber Yard was the principal landmark on the south bank. A greyhound track, reached by a somewhat rickety wooden footbridge from the Lock Island, was situated next to the timber yard. The boathouse, later burnt down and rebuilt, provided for a leisurely row on the river, a popular wartime relaxation. The busy cattlemarket , a short distance away, is now Morrison’s supermarket. Today it is all still very recognisable from the scene 70-odd years ago, apart from one notable development - the marina. Initially many hands were held up in horror when it was first mooted – spoiling the pastoral surroundings of the area, ruining a haven of peace and tranquility so near the town centre (a classic watery NIMBYism approach) and I admit I was among the early sceptics. But the scheme passed all the planning processes, wide financial support was achieved and duly it all came to pass. The official opening by the Rt Hon Lord Smith, the then Chairman of the Environment Agency, was on 20th March 2012. Early days: Northampton Marina, May 2010
17 Now, three years on, the marina has to be acknowledged as a huge success story. Approaching maximum occupancy, there are just over 80 berths available, all equipped with mains power and a water point. Eighteen of the moorings are fully residential (with a waiting list). The remainder are split between part -residential and non-residential. Many moorers live reasonably locally but there are a number from the London area and as far away as Newcastle upon Tyne and Wales. A popular reason for choosing Northampton as a base is thought to be its direct link to the Fenland waterways as well as offering the benefits of a major town yet close to open countryside. And, of course, the canals are not far away. Marina manager John Line, who is 48, says: “Everything points to the marina being well accept ed locally, too. It certainly attracts people to the park and they are able to see what’s here and what goes on by walking the path around one side the site as far as the river entrance.” In its early days, the marina surroundings understandably appeared a little bare (the treed islands had to be removed) but now with bankside foliage well established, it all blends easily into the overall scene. In fact when the lake was dredged, it was found there was minimal depth – most of it was mud. In other words, the lake was little more than stagnant water! The marina was an ambitious project envisaged by the Environment Agency in the early 2000s. Having identified a market for such a development in close proximity to the town centre, the Agency spent a considerable time planning and then raising partnership funding to get the work underway by 2010. Financial support came from Northamptonshire County Council,
Northampton Marina as it is now, with boats moored to floating pontoons
18 Northampton Borough Council, the now defunct West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd and the River Nene Regional Park Inspired Places – a clear indication that many influential bodies believed the venture was well founded. It is a fully gated site, with moorings, some accommodating 70 footers, on rising pontoons with non-slip decking. All moorings are the length of the boat, ie no boats “stick out”. A feature of the marina is the contemporary-style facilities building with its high level sustainability and environmental rating. Heating and hot water is provided by an air source heat pump whilst solar panels help to reduce elect ricity consumption from the national grid. This eye-catching building houses toilets, showers and a laundry together with the marina office with its commanding view over the marina to ensure everything is shipshape. Needless to say it’s all top quality. Wifi connection is available. Elsewhere there is a pumpout point and chemical toilet disposal. In one corner of the site, a wild flower meadow and picnic barbecue area has been created. If anyone wants to nit-pick, they will mention the absence of permanent on-site parking. This is not available at the moment (various irons are in various fires). Meantime permanent, secure, covered parking is provided in the nearby St John’s Street multi-storey car park in specially reserved spaces at advantageous long-term rates. To unload, there are several temporary parking spaces in the park by the lock and moorers use trolleys to wheel their gear into the marina and alongside their boats. John Line has been managing the marina in his relaxed, affable style for 18 months. He and his wife, Sam, live on a boat in the marina and already count many of the moorers as real friends. A member of the EA team for six years, John was previously based at Boston on the River Witham where, among other duties, he was the seasonal lock-keeper at Black Sluice Lock which lowers the river into the South Forty Foot drain which eventually, it is hoped, will form part of the Fens Waterway Link with the Nene at Peterborough. John has been a “ waterways nut” since childhood, enjoying numerous hire boat canal holidays all over the system with his parents. He is particularly interested in the Industrial Revolution period and how canals played a key role in its development. Whilst in
19 Lincolnshire, he was director of the Sleaford Navigation Trust for several years. He is also fascinated by shipwrecks – I’m not sure whether this is good or bad news. He’s from Sleaford; Sam from Gainsborough. In earlier years, John was a lorry driver and then, when living full time on their 60ft boat Fairies Wear Boots at Boston, helped Sam run a T-shirt printing and embroidery business. By the way, I now know that Fairies Wear Boots is a Black Sabbath song – John is a fan. “When this position at the marina became available, I leapt at the opportunity,” John recalls. “ No doubt it’s a challenge - it’s very much a people job but it’s the sort of job I enjoy.” Indeed, chatting with him you are quickly aware he is very much a round peg in a round hole and I would say much of the growing success of the marina is down to his genial approach. Sue Cant, EA’s Team Leader for the Nene, says: “ At the Agency we are all proud of what we have achi eved at Northampton Marina. The fact that it is almost full is justifi cation in itself of our forward thinking and planning and now, with John firmly in place, we feel we can focus on consolidation to reach 100 per cent occupancy.” Without going into details, I can tell you that mooring rates at the marina are most competitive and also there is usually space for visiting moorers, but it’s wise to check first. I wonder what grandma would have thought of it all? Knowing her, the thumbs up!
Boating Buddy update I would like to thank all the boaters who took time to email me regarding my request for a boating buddy to help us navigate the River Nene or give us some inform ation. We now have another boater who is going to accompany us on our trip and several people have given us inform ation and links to helpful websites. We have also joined the Friends of the River Nene, who have now sent us a membership card and a copy of the first newsletter. Hopefully, we will have met other members, and introduced ourselves, at their get-together at the end of January. Our mini-flotilla (of two boats) will be heading downstream to Peterborough a couple of days after the end of the IWA Festival of Water in August, water levels permitting. If anyone else would like to join us, you will be most welcome. Karin Cotter
Local Crafts & Gifts THE CANAL SHOP at Stoke Bruerne Under the management of Sue Austin, who warmly welcomes all visitors Crocheted lacework a speci ality Special offer –10% off for boaters Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays f rom 11am - 3pm until the end of March From 1st April, open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays f rom 11am - 3.30pm
Contact 07760 778638 You will ind The Canal Shop opposite the Museum at Stoke Bruerne
20 VOLUNTEER ORGANISATION RECOGNITION AWARD — from front page involved in extensive negotiations with the Canal & River Trust’s Regional Waterway Manager Jeff Whyatt over what could be done to improve the general state of disrepair and neglect along this valuable stretch of waterway. The consensus of opinion was for the Branch to become involved in one of the Trust’s Community Adoption schemes; and this was to be the most ambitious Adoption of its type as it would cover the entire length of the Northampton Arm. With the agreement in place, the next step was for the Branch to encourage volunteers to participate in a series of task days, during which they could become involved in a variety of benefi cial maintenance activities. Bernard and Sandie were subsequently delighted to welcome a local boater, David Higgins, into the role of group leader for this scheme, and discussions and site visits then took place in conjunction with CRT staff, with a view to putting in place a regular programme of task days. Their first Volunteer Task Party took place, auspiciously, on the 2nd July – which also happened to be the fi rst birthday of the Canal & River Trust. Under the able leadership of David Higgins, the group cleared scrub and painted the lock beams of Lock 17, right in the heart of Northampton, where the River Nene joins the canal. BBC Radio Northampton and ITV Anglia News gave the event some valuable media coverage, which even resulted in additional volunteers turning up to join the group. The Branch’s next two task parties also focused on Lock 17 and surrounding area. CRT arranged training in the safe use of strimming equipment for several volunteers. They soon got “ stuck in” strimming and clearing vegetation along a thirty-foot stretch of landing area below Lock 17 resulting in the uncovering of a long-hidden mooring bollard. This clearance work greatly improved safety for boaters by allowing easy access to the lock landing as well as enhancing the general appearance of the lock. The Canal & River Trust’s Regional Volunteer Leader, Miriam Tedder, was able to set up a dedicated kit store for the volunteers at Gayton Yard, containing a secure supply of life jackets, hand-tools and other useful equipment. Litter picking and lowlevel vegetation clearance was then undertaken in the area of Lock 1. Spurred on by their early successes, the Branch members then announced their intention to take part in regular task parties every fortnight during 2014 – a proposal which drew widespread interest and admiration from other volunteering groups around the region. Geoff Wood and fellow Branch member Mick Butler agreed to take over the organisation and supervision of subsequent task parties, with other regular participants forming the core of an enthusiastic team. Another important aspect to the Branch’s task parties has been litter picking. There is an inexhaustible supply of litter on the Northampton Arm, particularly between
21 Locks 16 and 17 which is the most heavily populated area of the Arm. Most task parties have included litter picking and they have never come back empty-handed! Many, many bags of litter (wish we had kept count!) have been collected in addition to several supermarket trolleys, tyres, bicycles and a boat toilet – yuck! Proof – if any were needed – that the volunteers have always been prepared to go the extra mile to achieve their aims. In April the volunteers enlisted the help of CRT operative Brian Eales, who is qualifi ed in the safe use of s caffolding. Brian was available to supervise the group as they painted the roof and walls of the sanitary station at Gayton Yard – a structure which was badly in need of a lick of paint. The group returned to complete the task, and they also applied a new coat of paint to the nearby railings and bollards. Redoubtable volunteer Graham Newman also travelled from Braunston to help out with this task. Despite some changeable weather the volunteers were able to complete a large amount of painting during the month of May 2014. Mick Butler also success fully completed a CAATS [Competency Assessment & Training Scheme] assessment for the safe use of a mower in the canalside environment. By the summer, the Branch’s regular task parties were beginning to grow in size, with more and more willing volunteers able to attend on a regular basis. July 2014 began in a blaze of sunshine with a very hot day for the volunteers, who were ably assisted by a contingent from Santander, with whom the group had made arrangements to collaborate on some lock-painting. Despite high temperatures and swarms of troublesome insects, a fresh coat of paint was applied to Locks 2, 3, 4 and 5 along the Northampton Arm. Cold drinks all round! July saw the volunteers tackling the ambitious task of refurbishing an old hut near Lock 1, with the ultimate aim of putting it back into operational use. John Dodwell – a Trustee for the Canal & River Trust and a well-known boater, volunteer, and long-standing IWA member – had taken a particular interest in the Branch’s various success es since the inception of the Adoption Agreement. Therefore, on 28th October 2014, CRT’s Regional Maintenance Manager, Lee King, and Volunteer Coordinator, John Highmore, were very pleased to be able to introduce him to Geoff Wood and other Branch members. John was impressed to meet all the volunteers, whilst they enjoyed some autumnal sunshine and applied paint to the balance beams and bollards at Lock 6 during another success ful task party. Geoff Wood then put together a short summary of the Branch’s volunteering efforts during November 2014.
22 During the task party in November, our two ‘Jolly Rogers’ (Roger Hasdell and Roger O’Dea) set off to locate and survey some historic mile-posts, some of which haven't been seen for several years. Following their report, Geoff Wood was accompanied by SE Volunteer Leader Miriam Tedder in an exploratory site visit to search for a set of historic mile-posts, some of which have apparently become buried. Armed with a cable avoidance tool, they conducted a sweep of the area to try and pick up any readings of hidden metal objects. Four mile-posts were identified, and the Branch hopes to renovate and reinstate all of them during 2015, with the guidance of the Canal & River Trust’s Heritage Department. To mark the culmination of an incredibly success ful period, Neil Owen (Jeff Whyatt’s successor as SE Waterway Manager) presented the Northampton Branch of the IWA with the regional Volunteer Organisation Recognition Award (VORA) for 2014. A shield and certifi cate were conferred at a Christmas Get-Together for CRT volunteers held at Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum. This award was in recognition of the Branch members’ many and varied successes during 2013 and 2014 - as well as their ambitious plans for 2015. Not only was this a timely celebration of the group’s exemplary achievements in volunteering in the SE Waterway region, but the award also stands as a true measure of just how much positive progress the Branch’s volunteers have m ade in a relatively short space of time. Thanks to their collective efforts, they have assured that the Northampton Arm canal has regained its right ful place as a ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of the United Kingdom’s inland waterways. On behal f of everyone at the Canal & River Trust, it only remains for me to sincerely thank everyone who has played their part in the resounding success of this inspirational Community Adoption scheme. The sanitary station at Gayton Junction before and after volunteers on several task parties had repainted it
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CELEBRATION INVITATION TO ALL NORTHAMPTON BRANCH MEMBERS Northampton Branch is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Arm and would like all members to join in at a barbeque on Saturday, 2nd May at Gayton Junction. We shall be gathering from around 1pm onwards in the area near the sanitary station (please, don’t be put off!) for an informal get-together, probably winding up at about 5pm. Come by boat, by car, on foot or even bicycle. Food and drink will be provided free but we do need an indication of how many of you will be attending, so please rsvp Tony Clarke by email; tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk or phone 01327 857573 asap or by 24th April. We will be having a raffle — please bring a prize as this will help with costs. The Branch feels that the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Arm on 1st May 1815 should be marked in some way rather than wait for the Northampton Festival of Water at Becket’s Park at the end of August. The Branch committee looks forward to welcoming you at this event — but please tell us that you are coming. We do need to know numbers to guide the catering arrangements.
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ERIC YOUNG, a stalwart of our Branch, died on New Year’s Day aged 68 Here, Branch Chairman Bernard Morton offers a very personal tribute I have had the privilege of knowing Eric for over 15 years. During that time he quickly became a loyal and trusted friend who was always willing to offer advice and a helping hand – indeed, he found it very difficult to resist the temptation to be “hands on” as the following words will, I hope, show. I came to know Eric via his younger brother, Peter. Sandie and I had just bought our first narrowboat and Peter mentioned that his brother Eric was heavily into narrowboats and canals and that I should give him a call! I did just that and found out that our newly acquired boat was moored only a couple of hundred yards away from Eric’s beloved boat Sefton. One weekend Eric came along to look over our new acquisition and pronounced it a “ sound buy” but that it needed some work on the electrics … then he explained just what I needed to do and he would pop along from time to time to supervise my work! Over the years as we changed boats, Eric went on to encourage and assist me with all sorts of DIY projects. To him, no job was too complicated or necessitated the hiring of a professional! As a result, our boats soon benefited with a solid fuel fire, an “old” Lister engine which Eric sourced for me and eagerly helped with the marinisation, and even a side hatch in the galley area. I well remember, after much careful measuring and marking out, standing holding the angle grinder reluctant to make that all important first cut. Eric, sensing this, seized hold of the angle grinder and got stuck in, reassuring Sandie not to worry about the mess as it was “clean dirt”! During one conversation early in my boat ownership, I confessed that I was a bit nervous about taking the boat through the Blisworth Tunnel for the first time … to which Eric replied “There’s no time like the present” and that he would accompany us. He advised me on the etiquette of tunnels and was supervising me for the first 150 yards or so when he suddenly disappeared inside the boat. This was the point that I learned the hard way all about the ventilation shafts in the tunnel and just how much water pours down them. Eric, of course, soon emerged from inside the boat as dry as a bone and with a huge grin on his face!! What a great sense of humour he had and I will miss the lively banter and jokes that we shared on many a Wednesday evening pub session.
27 Eric had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the canal and river systems built up from his many years of boating. I only needed to mention that we were planning a holiday somewhere and Eric could immediately describe the best route, where to moor and, even more importantly, where the good pubs could be found! We had many enjoyable cruises with Eric and Irene (and others) and have such fond memories of happy times cruising the River Thames, to Stratford-upon-Avon, the River Severn and the Rivers Nene and Ouse during one particularly scorching summer holiday – several around today will recall sultry summer evenings, winefuelled BBQs with loud music and questionable dancing on the river bank! As a passionate supporter of the waterways, Eric joined the Inland Waterways Association around 30 years ago. He was a staunch member of the Northampton Branch where he served as Rally Chairman, Branch Chairman and Deputy Branch Chairman. When I got my first boat, Eric suggested that I should join the IWA. This I gladly did and before I knew it Eric had talked me into joining the Branch Committee. Within a few years I found myself as Branch Chairman, having been persuaded by Eric that I was the right man for the job. I’ve always suspected that this was because he felt he’d done his stint as Chairman and noone else was up for it. Thanks mate! So … how to sum up Eric Young? To me (and I suspect to many members) Eric was an intelligent man of great humour, a man who always saw the positives in life (his glass was definitely half full!) and someone who was generous to a fault and always ready to help his friends and acquaintances whenever he could. We shall miss the chug, chug of Sefton on the cut, not to mention the clouds of smoke, but most of all, Eric, we will miss your happy smiling face.
NEW BRANCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour
NEW MEMBER Mr A Chmiele wski Great Billing, Northampton
MEMBERS WHO HAVE MOVED TO THE BRANCH Mr A & Mrs M White Bedford Mr & Mrs D Welle r Braunston Mr J A & Mrs V C Kenne dy Swadlincote, Derbyshire
We look forward to meeting you all at Branch events
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SUPPLIES We are a fa mily run, customer friendly business based adjacent to Bridge 32 at Nether Heyford. Our service point is clear of moored boats making your stop quick and easy. We offer the following services:
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Northamptonshire RESTAURANT º BARS º BOAT TRIP DINE IN STYLE IN WOODWARD’S CANALSIDE RESTAURANT SP E CIA L E V E N T S Sunday, 15th March Mothering Sunday Thursday, 23rd April St. George’s Day Cele brations
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RECYCLING REMINDER The Branch recycles ink jet cartridges and mobile phones to raise cash to help local projects. Please bring them along to Branch meetings or ring 01604 248582 to arrange collection. Please no Epson ink tanks.
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Buckingham Canal Society The Old and The New 2014 has been a year of transformation for the BCS. The original society was created in 1992 and event ually became an unincorporated charity. At our last annual meeting we discussed in some detail the conversion to becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The new CIO was registered with the C harity Commission in April 2014 and the trustees subseque ntly agreed to transfer the assets and liabilities of the old BCS to the new CIO with effect from 1st August 2014. This just left the trustees to clarify the position regarding Bourton Meadow and t he Hyde Lane Nature Reserve and having successfully concluded that, application was made to the Charity Commission to dissolve the old BCS charity in December. Clearly without the work so successfully undertaken by the trustees of the old BCS over a period spanning some 21 years, we would not be where we are today. 2015 is also going to be a year of further positive changes and continued growth as many projects fall into place. We expect to see more of the Old Stratford Arm from Cosgrove Lock to the A5 fully re-watered. Hyde Lane Nature Reserve is intended to have water in the channel along its entire length and will then be, together with Bourton Meadow, a further permanent section in water. The Canal & River Trust are assisting us in securing permanent vehicular access to the Old Stratford Arm since this will be crucial in the short and long term. Much of the othe r land at the Cosgrove (eastern) end is owned by the Radcliffe Trust who have decided to sell their land and it is currently on the market. We hope to work closely with the new owner to ensure that the ne w Buckingham Canal can find a way through so that it can get under the A5 at the existing Ouse Bridge. A constructive relationship with whoever buys the land is essential to our success and we are in discussions with a few possible purchasers to see how we might co-operate. Change also comes by the recruitment of new trustees and some old members leaving us. This year Stuart Cummins is stepping down but will remain a supporter and valuable technical advisor; we are grateful to Stuart for his service and wish him and his consultancy every success. However, just like buses, as one ends its journey another seems to arrive. Mike Annan had been recruited
31 initially as a trustee but subsequently was appointed as Chairman. Mike is also Chair of the Canal & River Trust’s Navigation Advisory Group’s Licensing and Mooring sub group. If you or anyone you know would like to join our trustees please speak up, we can promise an interesting and rewarding experience. Our financial strength and health In total the last year showed income of £33,590 and expenditure of £22,266 meaning a surplus for the year of £11,324 compared to a small deficit of £1,185 in the previous year. As a result our yearend bank balance was £45,596; an increase of over £11,320. This was due in no small way to donations of £24,713 (2013: £6,659) and grants of £2,450 (2013; £800). As good as these re sults are we still face the uphill challenge of raising substantial capital to secure the restoration of the former canal.
Work Parties A big thank you must go to all our vol unteers who have worke d on site in 2014 and without whose efforts the restoration work on the canal could not have been carried out. In 2014 we have been very fortunate in attracting more outside companies to come and join us for Community days. In fact we had twelve companies taking part in Community Days and we have already received a booking from a new company called “Drive Hire” for 2015. We have had our re gulars like Santander who join us in June, September and October. PricewaterhouseCoopers came back for a return visit in May and then we had several companies joining us for a first visit. These have included Delico from Bletchley who joined us twice. Home Retail Group made four visits to site in May, July and September. Vinci Technology from Leighton Buzzard joined us in August, and finally a visit from the staff of Mace in October. Most of the work in 2014 has been centred at Cosgrove and Hyde Lane Nature Reserve sites. If you or any one you know, would like to join us on any of our regular Sunday or Thursday work parties please contact Athina Beckett (01908 662127)and she will send you all the details. We will finish where we started and that is to thank all those who have contributed to our work in 2014 and to report that over 4,000 voluntee r hours have been worked on site plus many more in the back office jobs that are crucial to the success of our work. If you haven’t done so already, please like our Facebook page or become a member; full details can be found at http://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk/get-involved/membership/ Mike Annan, Society Chairman
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RICHARD GILL BSc, MABSE BOAT SAFE TY TESTIN G
BW A ND E A A PPR OVE D
EXP ERIEN C ED E XA MIN ER W ITH 25 YEARS WORKING ON THE WATERWAYS
Grand Union, Oxford & Leics Canals Rivers Nene and Thames RING: 07889 10 99 39 rgbarcos70@btinternet.com
HIGH HOUSE MARINA LTD High House Wharf, Heyford Lane, Weedon, Northants NN7 4S F OUR SMALL MARINA (ONLY 24 BOATS) IS A VERY FRIENDLY PLACE TO BE MOORED, HENCE OUR CLIENTS TEND TO STAY PUT Our car park is quite secure and well hidden from the road WE D O N O W AN D A G AI N H A VE A V A CA N C Y, SO W H Y NOT GI VE US A CA LL ? Contact Phil Gardner on 01327 349519, E-mail:phil.h.gardner@btconnect.com
R.NIGHT INGA LE
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For further details, either visit or ring O1604 859726 / 07761 833049 The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated, otherwise the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space.
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Stea ming up for the thirtee nth Brauns ton His toric Narro wboat Rally & Ca nal Fes tival at Brauns ton Marina, 27 th – 28 th June, 2015 Plans and preparations are well under way for the 13th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival, co-sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk, writes Tim Coghlan. From its small beginnings in 2003, the event has become the premier rally and festival on the English canals. Its success formula is now much copied, with similar events springing up all over the canal network. This is good for the canals – but Braunston Rally remains the best, with by far and away the most historic narrowboats and visitors in attendance. The rally’s location is at the heart of the canal network, in the beautiful setting of the historic Braunston Marina and the canal and village at Braunston. But probably most importantly for the boaters and visitors is the ability for the boats to parade in a sort of figure of 8 – a challenge for the steerers and a spectacular sight for the visitors to see and photograph from so many vantage points, including the famous beer tent – the Wet Dock! . The rally also inspires the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the surviving fleet of historic narrowboats, 150 of which have already attended various rallies over the years, with some not seen before already booked in for this year. Three of the regular attendees are having makeovers this winter, with Raymond and Sculptor both having the work done in our large dry dock at Braunston Dock – both sponsored by Braunston Marina. Another historic narrowboat that has received a major makeover this winter is the Fellows Morton & Clayton butty Kildare, which is paired with President – the last surviving steam working narrowboat. The pair will be the star of the rally which will have the theme of the surviving Fellows Morton & Clayton fleet, several of which predate WWI, including President and Kildare. We are delighted to announce that Richard Parry, CEO of the Canal & River Trust, has accepted our invitation to open the rally. He has sportingly agreed to don working boatman’s clothes to perform the traditional opening by steering President, with Kildare in tow, into the marina from the Grand Union Canal and declaring the rally open – to the fine sounds of church bells of Braunston and Daventry Brass Band. Kildare will be steered by CRT Chairman Tony Hales, who is a regular attendee and joiner-in at our rallies, and has already opened the one in 2011. The traditional theatrical-spectacular opening should make for a splendid start to what will undoubtedly be THE canal rally of 2015!
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BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from September to May inclusive at THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome. Food and drink available
NEXT MEETINGS Tuesday, 10th March AGM followed by Steve Morley — A Tale of Two Canal Camps Tuesday 14th April Speaker TBA — Tuesday 12th May Speaker TBA —
The next edition of Endeavour will be published May 2015
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WHO’S WHO IN NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 2014/2015 Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787 E-mail: bernard.morton @waterway s.org.uk
Branch Meetings Graham Treagus E-mail: graham.treagus @waterway s.org.uk
Branch Secre tary Sandie Morton E-mail: sandie.morton @waterway s.org.uk
Treasurer
Boat Gathering Chairman Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler @waterway s.org.uk
Alex Madisons E-mail: alex.madisons @waterway s.org.uk
Newsletter & Joint Website Editor
Planning Officer Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake @waterway s.org.uk
Tony Clarke 07939 977859 E-mail: tony .clarke @waterway s.org.uk
Publicity Officer & Joint Website Editor
Committee Member John Pomfret E-mail: john.pomfret @waterway s.org.uk
Lynda Payton
Committee Member
E-mail:ly nda.pay ton @waterway s.org.uk
Sam Line E-mail: sam.line @waterway s.org.uk
Membership Secretary Geoff Wood E-mail: geoff.wood @waterway s.org.uk
Boat Gathering Sub-Committee members
Non-Committee posts Sales: Catriona Butler 01604 473756 Endeavour Assistant Editor/ Advertising & Distribution, Archivist Roger Hasdell 01604 248582
Michael Butler (Chairman), Catriona Butler, Linda Clarke, Tony Clarke, Alex Madisons, Steve Miles, Bernard Morton, Sandie Morton and John Pomfret