Chiltern Branch Newsletter Grapevine Issue 30 August 2012

Chiltern Grapevine Issue 3029 Issue No.

Issue 28

Welcome to the Canal & River Trust The English and Welsh waterways have entered a new era with the launch of the Canal & River Trust which has taken over responsibility from British Waterways.

The formation of this charitable Trust has been widely welcomed. Indications are that the greater flexibility afforded to the new organisation will enable it to shape its own future, lead to increased effectiveness and that the partnership approach will ensure better response to users’ needs.

In the South East Area about sixty people attended the launch event at the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, where Area Manager Jeff Whyatt hosted the proceedings. There were also brief addresses from John Best, Chairman of the South East Waterways Partnership and from C&RT Trustee, Jane Cotton (pictured below) who resides in the Chiltern Branch area.

The impact of the new C&RT style is already evident in the increasing use of volunteers and emphasis on fund-raising. There is also a more open approach by C&RT staff which hopefully will also be adopted by boaters and other users. The launch was used to unveil several new projects which the Trust hopes will be funded by donations.

Certainly the creation of the Trust is a major step towards the IWA’s original aim of establishing a conservancy for the waterways and should be welcome news for all waterway users.

Jeff Whyatt looks on as Jane Cotton speaks at the C&RT Launch Event

Chiltern Branch Newsletter Summer 2012 www.waterways.org.uk/chiltern

Chairman's Ramblings It’s been all change over the last few months. At the time of the last Grapevine the big concern was whether there would be enough water to go boating and now there’s more than enough!

It was good to be at the Ricky Festival once again. It just seems to get better and better.

Just a couple of days after Ricky, Hilary and I embarked on a few weeks of travelling, so we missed the Pageant, the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the rain!

Instead we travelled by train to Istanbul before flying to Ashgabat in Turkmenistan where we joined an overland truck to journey along the historic Silk Road. Now Central Asia does not feature prominently in cruising itineraries, but there are plenty of canals. These were dug in the nineteenth century for irrigation purposes and judging by the picture it seems that plenty of effort was put into keeping them clean.

Unfortunately the Soviet Union thought these canals were such a good idea that they built many more with so much over-

Canal Cleanup Uzbeki Style extraction from the rivers that the Aral Sea dried up causing a major ecological disaster.

One evening during our travels we were dining ‘Al fresco’ in the city of Bukhara in Page 2

Uzbekistan when we were surprised to hear the sound of bagpipes and later along came two pipers and a drummer playing ‘Scotland the Brave’. Naturally we went over to have a

Gary Anderson, Hilary & I in Bukhara word and it transpired that they were from the London Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums and had been invited to play before guests at the Queen’s Jubilee Reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Tashkent. But the coincidences didn’t stop there; one of the pipers was Gary Anderson, who lives on a narrowboat in Rickmansworth, is an IWA member and a Trustee of the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust. It’s a small world!

Now let’s hope that there will be enough sunshine over the remainder of the summer for us to enjoy some time on or by the water.

Peter Winter C HI L T E R N G R A PE V I NE

News Chiltern Branch Committee: We are in need of more committee members and volunteers. See the back page.

Himalayan Balsam Work Party: Several Branch members participated in a work party on 4th August to clear this invasive non-native species from the side pond at Lock 44 of the Marsworth flight.

New members: Chiltern Branch is pleased to welcome the following new members:

Mr P Breward Mr & Mrs A Howes Mr & Mrs R Waller Mr & Mrs S Miller Mr P Bishop Mr & Mrs M Chadwick Mr J Cooke Mr R England Mr S Tucker Mr & Mrs J Barnes Miss N Bass Miss A Green Mr & Mrs J Stephenson Mr & Mrs S Craig Mr R Flanigan Mr S Gurney Mr & Mrs L Horwood Mr & Mrs R Hunt Mr D Young

Programme Card Sponsor: Enclosed with this issue of Grapevine is the Programme Card which sets out details of our forthcoming evening meetings.

We are pleased that P&S Marine of the Bridgewater Basin have sponsored its production.

London Region Roger Squires has been awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his life-time commitment to the UK’s historic canals and rivers, particularly the waterways of the London area. You can meet Roger on 26th September when he visits Amersham. See page 11.

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IWA National National Festival: Discussions have been held between Festivals Committee and Watford Borough Council about the possibility of holding the National Festival at Cassiobury Park in 2013.

Members of Chiltern Branch committee attended to advise and ensure that any proposals did not impact on other established festivals in the area.

Canal & River Trust South East Waterways Partnership: Chairman John Best has been joined by: • Ann Davies, who runs her own hire boat business • Kerry Foster, who is is Chief Operating Officer at London Transport Museum • Lynda Payton, an interior designer who is on the Northampton Branch committee and involved with the Stoke Bruerne Museum • Dick Pilkinton, who is well-known in angling circles including his role as a bailiff for Tring Anglers • Andrew Taylor, a team leader with the Watford Waterways Chaplaincy.

Marsworth Side Ponds: Senior C&RT Waterways Engineer, Daniel Ritsema unveiled plans at the C&RT Launch to improve the wildlife habitat and provide better viewing access to the side ponds of the bottom two locks of the Marsworth flight. It is hoped that the work can be funded by donations. Other longer term plans for Marsworth include the welcome provision of public toilets.

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The Kingswear Castle Cruise Barbara Hodgkinson & Jenny Brice report on a day on the Medway Back in January, Roddy McKee gave us an interesting talk about the Kingswear Castle and Waverley, the last two paddle steamers operating in the UK. He left details of trips for the coming summer, and many members requested a day out.

So Colin Bird swung into action and the 26 May was reserved for an outing on the Kingswear Castle.

This entailed an early start from Amersham at 7.30am, as our cruise was arranged to view the barge race on the Medway estuary. As usual our driver, Ray, was ready with the coach to whisk us over to Chatham.

Shortly following our arrival, we boarded the paddle steamer to join other passengers and were on our way by 10am. This coal-fired steamer was built in 1924 and following withdrawal commercial service was restored to its for-

All Aboard!

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mer glory. She can now take over 100 passengers but for our trip it wasn’t full so we had plenty of room. After the safety announcements a mention of bacon butties came over the tannoy which resulted in a rush for the refreshment counter. Amazingly the two assistants dispensed tea or coffee with the bacon butties at such speed no queue formed.

Also the hot drinks came in large china mugs and were top quality. The downstairs areas were very comfortable and nicely fitted out - especially the toilets!

After we left Thunderbolt Quay at Chatham Historic Dockyard a commentary kept us informed about the features along the banks of the river.

The barge race had started earlier due to the tide times and followed a route from Gillingham Pier along the Medway between the Isle of Grain and the Isle of Sheppey, out into the Thames estuary round the Medway buoy and then back.

Suddenly we came upon the racing barges with their tan and mustard coloured sails.

We now began to turn and chase each barge at close quarters. Our skipper’s skill was apparent as we wove in and out of the pack, so we could all get good photos.

One came into view bearing down upon us at speed; this was the leader on its way to first place.

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The Tiptree Barge under full sail

and a rest. This gave us another photo opportunity to take all the competing barges with sails furled.

The Kingswear Castle with its smoking funnel resumed our cruise downstream until it was time to return to Chatham. We were a bit early for the coach, allowing some of us time to look round the various display boats in the Dockyard, while others felt duty-bound to sample the flavoursome ales from the local micro-brewery.

In all this proved to be a very enjoyable day with the boat trip enhanced by the interest of the barge race. We were also very lucky because the weather was glorious even with an easterly breeze out on the water.

The crews of the barges seemed to be very laid back and certainly enjoying themselves. All around us sailing yachts and motor boats were following the race.

This was quite entertaining as we had a good east wind blowing so the yachts Photographs by Jenny Brice were under full sail. We followed the barges to the finish line at Gillingham where they proceeded to furl up their enormous sails.

Our skipper kept us abreast of one barge, so we could see two of their crew members astride the bowsprit furling up this sail by hand.

The barges then moored alongside each other and their crews had a welcome drink Race over; sails furled at Gillingham S UM ME R 20 1 2 I S S U E

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Ricky Festival Hits the Mark Rickmansworth celebrated its twentieth Canal Festival over the weekend of 19th and 20th May. Fortunately the weather stayed fine and record crowds came in their thousands. New car parking arrangements at Stockers Farm worked well, eliminating the long queues of previous years.

On the water, the moorings were full with pride of place going to President, the 100 year-old Fellows, Morton and Clayton steam-powered narrowboat. President had stopped off en route from its home at the Black Country Museum in Dudley to join the Jubilee Pageant in London.

As usual the Aquadrome site offered a wide range of attractions for all ages, while local bands kept everyone entertained. Overhead there was a fly-past with not only a Lancaster, Hurricanes and Spitfires but also the Red Arrows.

Another notable event was a presentation to our own John Brice for his services to

Lancaster, Hurricanes and Spitfires

the Trust over the past twenty years.

It was particularly important that this event went well as Three Rivers District Council has halved its funding to the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, which provides outstanding educational services for school visits throughout the year. The Trust is now looking to local businesses to sponsor parts of the event so that it can continue its educational and restoration activities.

On the towpath, IWA Chiltern Branch shared its marquee with the Festival’s Waterspace team and held a successful raffle for a ‘boater’s hamper’. Alongside, IWA’s Promotions and Communications team also had a marquee providing more information about the Association’s activities and membership services.

President’s Crew with the Ricky Harbourmasters Page 6

Next year’s event will be on the 18th and 19th May 2013. Put it in your diary.

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Green Light for Maidenhead Maidenhead lies just outside the Chiltern Branch area, but as it’s on our doorstep it is interesting to see that the efforts of the Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group have been rewarded. The organisation is dedicated to restoring and enhancing the old waterways that run through Maidenhead town centre to a navigable standard.

After six years of hard work by volunteers and professional advisers, the planning application for Phase 1 of the waterways scheme was accepted in June at a specially called meeting of the Maidenhead Development Control Panel. The application was one of the most complex and wide ranging proposals ever seen by the Royal Borough and the Panel unanimously supported the project as a key part of and catalyst for the wider rejuvenation of Maidenhead town centre. It is the first such scheme nationally to have to deal with the strictures of the new EU Water Framework Directive, which in principle opposes impoundments (weirs, locks etc) except under strict conditions. The group worked closely with the Environment Agency to address this and the wider environmental issues.

Group's agreed priority is to restore and enhance the Ring and southern half of the route first, the Ring becoming a key feature as part of the council's plans for the rejuvenation of Maidenhead town centre.

Concentrating on this section first would deliver the greatest benefit to the town centre at the lowest cost, bringing boats into the heart of the town. Phase 1 avoids the cost and disruption of raising any road bridges for headroom. As a result, it will initially support only small boats, but the channel dimensions will support use by larger boats in the longer term, as bridges are rebuilt for other reasons under the Area Action Plan. The entire waterway already has main river status and an irrevocable right of navigation - despite this being impractical at present.

Artist’s impression of the central Chapel Arches area

The route for the overall waterway would start at The Thames near Cliveden Reach, running via the White Brook (Widbrook) across Cookham Moor, to the junction with Strand Water. It then runs southwards via Maidenhead Ditch until it splits at Town Moor to become York Stream and Moor Cut, which together will form the town centre Ring. The S UM ME R 20 1 2 I S S U E

The next step in the project is for Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group to move on to the detailed design stage and secure funding for work such as dredging and clearance. You can follow progress at the group’s web site at www.maidenheadwaterways.org .

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Chiltern Branch goes back to school Heatherton House School is a local independent girl’s day school in Copperkins Lane, Chesham Bois in Amersham. We were informed by the schools business manager David Cook that this year would be their Centenary and they were planning celebrations on June 30. David is an avid waterways enthusiast and a Chiltern Branch member.

It was going to be their big day, with a reunion of former pupils (old girls doesn’t sound quite right), a Country Fair during the day and a Gala Concert in the evening.

We were delighted to be invited to take part in the Country Fair and endeavoured to put on a display worthy of the event, showcasing the activities of the branch and the restoration of the Wendover Arm which our branch and members support so strongly.

I was assisted by my wife Jenny who is the IWA representative on the Wendover Arm Trust Council and by Carolyn Leonard our Membership Secretary. We spent a very pleasant Saturday afternoon

chatting to parents and pupils alike; it was very civilised, like a step back in time to old England.

They welcomed us with tea and sandwiches when we arrived, and then a cream tea in the afternoon. This gave Carolyn an opportunity to circulate and distribute our new season’s programme and for Jenny to do a bit of arm twisting to sponsor her “Walk an Arms Length” in aid of fundraising for the Wendover canal restoration.

Many of the people we met owned boats and knew of the IWA, but were unaware of our local meetings on their doorstep, so we thought the afternoon spreading the word was a job well done. Several people told us they would come to our autumn meetings, so if you are one of our regular attendees at the Rugby Club and see some new faces, please go up and say ‘Hello’ and give them as warm a welcome as we received at Heatherton House School.

John Brice

Lock Ransom 2012 This year’s Ransom takes place at Marsworth bottom lock over the weekend of 18th & 19th August, next to bridge 132 that carries the B489 over the canal.

As usual we are assembling a team of volunteers for this event that is always great fun and a nice little earner for our Branch. We man the lock from 10am to 6pm on both days and run a roster system, although some prefer to do all day, which is fine by us. Tasks include lock Page 8

operating and bucket collections. We also have an information stand where we spread the word about the activities of the Branch and the work we do. Previous experience is not needed, but being a team player with a sense of humour is an advantage! On Saturday evening we hold a group dinner at the Anglers Retreat in Marsworth.

More information from John Brice 07740 733241, john.brice@waterways.org.uk.

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Weekend Away to York This year’s outing is extended to four days from 21st to the 24th September so that we can visit the attractions of York and the surrounding area. The itinerary is: Friday 21st September

Sunday 23rd September

08.00 Depart Chesham

09.30

Depart for our visit to the National Railway Museum.

12.45

Depart for the King’s Staith to board the ‘River Duchess’ for a 3 hour cruise on the Yorkshire Ouse, during which a cold fork buffet will be served.

16.30

Arrive back to rejoin our coach and return to our hotel.

20.00

Dinner in the Hotel.

08.15 Depart Amersham 08.45 Depart High Wycombe 11.30 Meet the Chairman of the Grantham Canal Society, who will be our escort for the visit. We will view the turning point and landing stage at our arrival point before continuing to Harlaxton and the restored wharf. From here a short journey will take us to Woolsthorpe and a towpath stroll to view restored locks 13.00 Pub Lunch at Woolsthorpe 14.30 We continue to one further site where locks are under restoration.

16.00 Rejoin the coach and continue our journey to York.

18.30 Arrive at the Holiday Inn York 20.00 Dinner in the Hotel Saturday 22nd September 09.00

Leave for the Pocklington Canal, where a member of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society will act as our guide.

13.00

Pub Lunch

14.00

Resume our Pocklington tour .

16.00

Return to the Hotel

20.00

Dinner in the Hotel

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Monday 24th September 09.00 Check out of the Hotel and then visit York Minster.

11.30

An early snack lunch.

13.00

Rejoin coach for the journey home.

19.00

Approximate arrival time in High Wycombe

Costs and Booking The cost for members is £300 per person based on two sharing. This includes all coach travel, three nights half board accommodation, River Ouse Cruise with buffet, Entry to York Minster and coach driver’s gratuity. The single room supplement is £45. A deposit of £50 per person is required to reserve your place.

For full details and reservations, contact Colin Bird, Tel: 01932 248178, email: colin.bird@waterways.org.uk.

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Walk an Arm’s Length There’s no festival this year, so this is the Wendover Arm Trust’s major fundraiser. Support the Trust by joining this sponsored walk for a £10 fee plus as much sponsorship as you can raise.

It is 6¾ miles from Wendover to Bulbourne and you can notify whether you will need a return coach to your car.

The route is full of interest and a working party will be operational, so you can stop and rest while seeing and hearing about the restoration.

This is a great way to have a day out, see restoration in action and support the work.

If you can’t make it, then please sponsor Chiltern Branch entrant, Jenny Brice. You can do it online using the link shown opposite or send a cheque made out to the Wendover Arm Trust to Jenny Brice, Woodstock, Cedars Close, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 0LL.

Chiltern Branch Meeting Venue

Evening meetings of the Chiltern Branch are held on Wednesdays commencing at 8.00pm at the Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club, Ash Grove, Weedon Lane, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 5QU. Tel 01494 725161. When arriving at the club, it is best to use the entrance on the right after you have passed the club house. Directions are: From the north: • Follow A416 through Chesham, past 2 garages opposite each other, over a small roundabout and up the hill towards Amersham.

• At next roundabout (1½ miles) turn right at into Copperkins Lane.

• Take 2nd left (½ mile) into Weedon Lane.

Take first right (¼ mile) into Ash Grove.

The club is at the end of this road (100yds).

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From the south:

• Take A416 from Amersham to Chesham

and over roundabout (Boot and Slipper pub on corner).

• Turn left at the next small roundabout (¼ mile) into Copperkins Lane.

• Take 2nd left (½ mile) into Weedon Lane.

Take first right (¼ mile) into Ash Grove.

The club is at the end of this road (100yds).

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Diary 18th & 19th August Lock Ransom, Marsworth See page 8.

2nd September

Walk an Arm’s Length See opposite.

8th & 9th September

Slough Canal Festival

Join our colleagues from Middlesex Branch at Bloom Park, Langley.

21st to 24th September

Weekend Away to York See page 9.

26th September, Amersham

The Waterways of France & Northern Belgium Roger Squires

While most cruise scenic favourites such as the Midi, Nivernais or Bourgogne, Roger takes a different path to look at the less visited canals from Dunkirk to Ostend. So this will be a travelogue of new territory and may tempt you to go north. Roger has been a lifelong supporter of the canals and waterways in the UK and internationally. He has been an IWA Trustee and Chairman of its London Region. His achievements were recognised by the award of the British Empire Medal in 2012.

29th September

IWA National AGM Chelmsford

The 53rd AGM of IWA will be held at 2.00 pm. at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford.

24th October

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal 1825-2025 Ivan Cane

This talk concerns an intriguing and infrequently publicised waterway that prides itself in being the only locked canal in Norfolk.

Ivan’s presentation covers its early history, the working days and subsequent decline.

Restoration began some 50 years ago and has been boosted in recent times. Ivan is a retired Deputy Headmaster and is now the proud owner of a Wilderness boat.

28th November

Haunted Canals and Waterways Allan Scott-Davies

Allan was working for BW, when he came across ghost stories and had a couple of spooky experiences of his own. His interest in ghosts and haunting has led to many books and resulted in the History Press asking him to write two new books, 'Shadows on the Waterways' and 'Death on the Waterways'.

Allan has also helped restore the Ashby and Droitwich canals.

PLEASE Sign up for IWA Chiltern e-News

Postage costs went through the roof in May, so why not get your news by email and receive an enhanced version of Grapevine as well as regular bulletins about what’s going on. This means that you get a better service while reducing costs. That has to be good, so sign up at: www.waterways.org.uk/chiltern.

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The Backdoor The IWA is a registered charity (No. 212342) whose work is supported by member's subscriptions. The IWA campaigns for development of Britain's waterways for use by all.

The IWA may not agree with the opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless stated, otherwise the IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this Newsletter.

Advertising Donation Rates Single Three Issue Issues • Full Page A5 £40 £100 • Half Page A5 £25 £65 • 1/4 Page A5 £15 £40 Members small ads £1 for12 words. Extra words 10p. Send payment with the advertisement to the Editor.

Your Branch Needs Help Can you spare just a few hours a month? If so, please join our committee so that we can continue to provide a wide range of activities for our members. We are looking for a Publicity Officer, a Newsletter Editor and a Website Manager. We also need more volunteers to assist at fund-raising and other events.

Interested? Please contact any committee member.

Your Committee Chairman & Newsletter Editor Peter Winter

01494 819065 07722 184117

peter.winter@waterways.org.uk

Secretary Liz Norris

01438 238187

liz.norris@waterways.org.uk

Treasurer Ken Aylmer

01923 232515

ken.aylmer@waterways.org.uk

Programme Secretary Colin Bird

01932 248178

colin.bird@waterways.org.uk

Fundraising & Waterway Events John Brice

01494 873298 07740 733241

john.brice@waterways.org.uk

Planning Officer & Membership Secretary Carolyn Leonard

01628 526512

carolyn.leonard@waterways.org.uk

IWA representative to WAT Jenny Brice (non-committee post)

01494 873298

jenny@johnbrice.co.uk

www.waterways.org.uk/chiltern