IWA Chiltern Branch Grapevine Newsletter October 2012

Chiltern Grapevine Issue 31

IWA National Festival coming to Cassiobury Agreement has been reached between the IWA and Watford District Council for the next IWA National Festival to be held in Cassiobury Park over the weekend of 19-21 July 2013. Discussions have been held over several months with a number of visits to assess how the facilities of the park can be used to stage this major event.

Chiltern Branch members have been involved at all stages to offer local advice and in particular to liaise with the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust and the Wendover Arm Trust to ensure that the plans would not impact adversely on their activities.

Cassiobury Park is situated alongside the Grand Union Canal in Watford and the Festival is expected to attract hundreds of boats along with a full range of land-based activities and displays. Ian West, Festivals Chairman, is planning this to be just one highlight of a Festival of London's Waterways in 2013 that will also include Canalway Cavalacade, the Rickmansworth Festival and events in Ware, Angel and Slough.

There is also interest in staging a smaller annual canal festival in the park from 2014 onwards.

Ron Probert Awarded Richard Bird Medal It was announced at IWA’s National AGM in Chelmsford that Chiltern Branch’s former Treasurer of thirteen years standing had been awarded the Richard Bird Medal for his outstanding services to the Branch and Association. Branch members Dave and Beryl Chapman are also to receive Richard Bird Medals for their major contributions to organising National Festivals over several years.

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

Chairman's Ramblings The Canal & River Trust is now four months old and although it is early days, I am optimistic that this move will be fundamentally beneficial for the future of our waterways. There is a change in approach from that of British Waterways and this is exemplified by the massive increase in volunteering activity. Chiltern Branch has been pleased to participate in two workparties locally and this is just a tiny fraction of what is happening nationally.

note that CRT in the South East is already taking action.

However, I am not so impressed by their use of agency staff to recruit ‘Friends’. At a recent event one of them did not know that canals were man-made, while the other thought that the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was Roman!

After our travels in Central Asia earlier in the year, Hilary and I were pleased to get back on the water for a couple of weeks at the beginning of September. We had a delightful cruise in almost perfect weather, doing the Avon Ring from our base at Alvechurch. Now our boat Adderbury is being moved to a new base at Gayton, so we’ll have some different waterways to explore over the coming years.

The inception of CRT also impacts on how IWA operates, but it does not diminish our role. As Jo Gilbertson stated at the National AGM ‘The Canal & River Trust is the landlord of our canals, but we the users are the tenants and the IWA has a critical responsibility to act on their behalf.’

One aspect where CRT and IWA do hold a common view is on the problems caused by non-compliant continuous cruisers (i.e. continuous moorers). This is an issue needs to tackled and it is encouraging to

You will see from the front page that the IWA National Festival is coming to Cassiobury Park in Watford. John Brice and I have been providing local advice and it promises to be great event. It is also a unique opportunity for Chiltern Branch to showcase its activities. We’ll be in need of some additional volunteers so make a note in your diary to join us for a few hours next July.

Next year will bring some other changes for Hilary and me. After some 17 years in the Chilterns, we’ll be moving down to Sussex. This means that I am planning to step down as your Branch Chairman at our AGM next March. We have a superb committee and my leaving will be the opportunity for someone new to get Peter Winter involved.

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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News Chiltern Branch September Evening Meeting: The first meeting of the year had to cancelled on the evening as the room at the Rugby Club had been booked to another group.

This was a disappointment to those who had come to hear Roger Squires talk about the canals of Northern France and Belgium, and we apologise to everyone for the inconvenience caused. The problem arose due to information about the Chiltern Branch bookings, which had been confirmed, going astray during the transition between club stewards.

Hopefully, Kara has everything in the diary for the rest of our programme.

Committee: We are in urgent need of more committee members and volunteers.

See the back page.

Planning: The Branch submitted comments objecting to redevelopment plans for the car park behind the White Lion in Marsworth. The application was refused.

New members: Chiltern Branch is pleased to welcome the following new members: Mr & Mrs M Stainer Mr & Mrs M Birch Mr J Cooke London Region Roger Squires was awarded the Cyril Styring Trophy at the National AGM held in Chelmsford at the end of September.

This is the IWA’s most prestigious award and is in recognition of Roger’s long service to the IWA as Deputy National Chairman, Chairman of Navigation Committee and Chairman for London Region and as a Trustee.

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Canal & River Trust Bulbourne Workshops: The CRT has initiated discussions regarding the redevelopment of this site.

South East Area User Group: At the very informative meetings in Crick and Tring it was reported that: • The Tring reservoirs are now at 67% of capacity, even though lock usage was reduced by up to 75% in the Spring.

However, it is planned to improve weirs and eliminate leakage at Startops so that the level can be raised.

• The 70 year old pumps at Tringford are to be replaced. A detailed plan will be prepared before the two year installation project starts in 2013/14.

• Lock 4 on the Aylesbury Arm will be rebuilt during the forthcoming winter stoppages.

• Activities planned for the Wendover Arm include weed cutting and a study to raise the water to navigation level.

• Enforcement activity has reduced license evasion to 1.8% in the SE (compared to 4% nationally) so more attention is being focused on noncompliant continuous cruisers with action on 267 cases.

Wendover Arm Trust Early indications are that the ‘Walk an Arm’s Length’ event raised over £13,000 in sponsorship.

Programme Errata The programme card claims to be for the year 20012. In fact even Colin doesn’t work that far ahead. Also our final meeting next April should be entitled ‘The Dorset and Somerset Canal’.

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From the Region Chairman With the nights drawing in it is time to reflect on what we have achieved in the London Region over the past year and to look forward to next year. 2012 has been busy for the branches in the London Region as well as for IWA nationally. In July we saw the launch of the new Canal & River Trust (CRT).

IWA’s campaign ensured that the financial settlement for the new Trust is more generous than it might have been.

As it does every year, London Region held the largest IWA rally of the year with Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice. The Region also led a successful campaign to keep Commercial Road Lock open throughout the Olympic period. This was followed up by our volunteers, who assisted in manning the locks and the control points around London. The efforts by IWA volunteers were well received by CRT and all the boaters they came in contact with.

Finally we have hosted the National AGM at Chelmsford with members coming from all over the country to visit our Region.

In your branch you have continued the campaign, with the Wendover Trust, to restore the arm from Marsworth to Wendover. Fundraising for this work had a nasty knock back, when the Boxmoor Festival was cancelled, but you and the Region have been trying to fill some of the gap left as a result.

Elsewhere London & North East Branch have, with The Friends of Regents Canal, persuaded Starbucks not to remove the visitors centre in the Camden Lock house.

Whilst other branches have been running Page 4

successful boat festivals, working parties and fundraising events including a classical music concert!

So much for the past, what have we got coming up next year? Actually it is already looking as though it is going to be another very busy one.

IWA Festivals have decided to use the boating events in the Region, Cavalcade, Rickmansworth, Ware, Angel and Slough festivals along with the National Festival, to create an IWA Summer campaign throughout the capital's waterways. They will be looking to our branches to help run, linked events, talks and displays, theatre performances, discovery tours, sponsored walks, clean-ups, pub tours and brewery trips, street parades and anything with a theme, or a location, or a story around the London waterways.

Also during the next year we need to engage with CRT to find a solution to the problem of the Non-Compliant Continuous Cruisers who are so common on the canals of the London area. Your Region committee is already working on this and we are in meaningful dialogue with CRT. The trick will be for us to help CRT to do this in such a way that it does not just spread the problem over an even wider area. This is top of our on-going campaigns.

Remember that the IWA depends on its members. If you have some time to help us next year, please give Peter, or any member of your committee a call.

Paul Strudwick

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Chiltern Volunteers in Action Himalayan Balsam Bash Volunteers from Chiltern Branch helped control the spread of Himalayan Balsam by spending a day clearing the plant from by the Grand Union Canal. A productive morning’s work on Saturday 4th August saw eight IWA volunteers led by John

Deep in the undergrowth by Lock 44 Brice and accompanied by Garry Timberlake, the volunteer co-ordinator from the Canal & River Trust, clear the side pond at Lock 44 on the Marsworth flight of all visible Himalayan Balsam. Some of the plants were over two metres tall and had grown substantially since an initial site visit at the end of June. All the weed was pulled out by the roots, removed from the pond, carried along the towpath and loaded on to a CRT pickup for disposal.

Lock Painting Liz Norris reports on how she and Chiltern Branch members, Nicky & Andy Talbot Watt, John Dickson and co-opted member for that day Chris Hogarth, helped with the lock painting on the Aylesbury Arm on 29th September. There were three locks to be done, with a group for each lock. In the end about 35 people turned up in total; A U TU M N 2 01 2 I S S UE

some from the local area church and various other local groups, including children.

It was great to see them turning out, and hopefully they enjoyed it especially as it was a lovely day.

Everyone was issued with protective overalls, gloves and a life jacket which we had to wear when near the lock. First thing before they saw the paint pots, we were actually asked if we were the police preparing to look for a body! So to work with as much of the flaky paint as possible being removed before the painting. All the local people litter pick on a regular basis including the children, which again was great to see. In the end we were all helping each other and four hours later we had the locks looking really smart, wet paint notices were put on, as we knew at least one of the boats was returning that day.

Thanks have to go to Miriam Teddar, the CRT co-ordinator, and Garry Timberlake for keeping an eye on us and providing everything that we needed. Hopefully everybody enjoyed the day as much as we did.

Kitted up and ready to paint Page 5

Walking the Arm’s Length Liz Norris relives her endeavour on the Wendover Arm It seemed a good idea at the time. Only not think much of, but I am sure the ducks 6¾ miles, surely I could do that! As I’m appreciated it. Mind you she still kept on out with my dog Willow every day which eyeing them. includes taking her to agility classes, I I actually met Jenny before I had even got thought she could do it with me. What I to the second mile marker. I wasn’t going had not realised was that ambling around to stop that soon but it seemed rude not to with the dog was quite different to walking take advantage of the home made cakes the Wendover Arm. and coffee that were being We started well; I bought a served by some of the pedometer just to see how WAT ladies in a lovely far we did actually walk garden. Jen then started each day.

That was a off back the way I had shock. The longest walk come, and I went off towas only 2½ miles so we wards Bulbourne. started increasing it till we Most of the towpath was were doing about five miles even and in the shade, but at least once a week. Wilthe bit just past the restolow seemed to thrive on all ration site was rough unthis extra walking, and I der foot and as there was guess it must have been no shade and the sun was good for me too. very hot, I began to lag a Anyway on the day of the bit. Just around the corner event we turned up at 9am from the basin was a very ready to start when we welcome site, chairs in the could, as I was a bit worshade and a chance to Jenny, Liz and Willow ried about how long it replenish mine and Wilready to stroll would take me. My friend low’s water. We stayed who was originally going to join me with there for about ten minutes but I thought her dog, dropped out at the last minute due that I had better carry on, as I had visions to illness. I knew my sister, Jenny Brice, of my sister coming galloping past me on was going to be walking but she was doing her return trip. These thoughts plus the it faster and both ways!! Thirteen miles, fact that we were again on a fairly flat towso no chance of me keeping up with her. It path and in the shade kept me going, began well in coolish conditions and as I though I was very pleased to pass under had not seen the start of the canal at the bridge at the junction and to be told I Wendover it was interesting to see how had only a few yards to go. much of it was in water at that end, with I have to say a huge thank you to the calots of ducks, and wild life along the way. dets who were so cheerful and kept you Willow had to be on a lead which she did going, also for the (continued opposite) Page 6

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Aylesbury Canal Society to move The Aylesbury Canal Society will be relocating in 2013 to a new home, ‘Circus Field’, on the outskirts of the town alongside the canal at Broughton. After many years of discussion and uncertainty, the way is now clear for the SociArtist’s Impression of the new ACS Clubhouse ety to proceed and move about a mile to the new site. Work is bury Vale District Council Waterside expected to start soon on the construc- development to be implemented. tion of a basin with up to 40 moorings ACS Chairman Bryan Barnes said “We and a new clubhouse complete with dry have waited a very long time for this and wet docks for boat maintenance. with many challenging problems reThe Society was formed in 1971 to en- solved and no doubt many more to courage use of the Aylesbury Arm and come! The new Circus Field Basin will to prevent its closure. It has occupied the provide the Aylesbury Canal Society present canal basin off Walton Street for with some of the best inland waterway the past 40 years and has been largely moorings in the country and we expect responsible for the continued and grow- to attract more members and boats. The ing use of the Arm which connects to the Society here in Aylesbury has long been Grand Union Canal at Marsworth. recognised as one of the most welcomCountless boats have visited the town ing places for visiting boaters and we over the years and should continue to do intend to continue this tradition by offerso. The Society’s move to Circus field ing up to two weeks free secure moorwill enable the final stages of the Ayles- ings for visiting boats at Circus Field.”

Liz’s last mile mile markers which were a great idea.

Eventually we made it and signed in then I grabbed a seat and just collapsed in it with Willow stretched out on the grass. We managed to do it in three hours with the two stops, but it was much harder than I thought it would be; my inhaler was working overtime that day!! Jenny came back AUTUMN 2012 ISSUE

and said she had been looking for bodies in the hedge as she was not sure that I would make it. The payoff was that we raised over a thousand pounds between us. So it was well worth doing, even though I do not think I will be doing it again. Thanks to all those that sponsored me.

Liz Norris & Willow Page 7

Stroud on the Water A Celebration of 40 years of the Cotswold Canal Trust With our Wilderness boat Beehive we joined the IWA National Trailboat Festival held in Stroud over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend. Although the festival had been planned well ahead, the restoration of this section of the navigation by Land & Water had been delayed for regulatory approval. This meant that the bund was still in place across the water.

No problem, they just had to build two slipways, one permanent and a temporary one which we used.

Arriving on Thursday we slipped into the water down the steep slope covered in a metal trackway, boated to the current end of navigation at Stonehouse and moored overnight.

Next morning other Wilderness boats arrived in quick succession, so we teamed up and cruised towards Stroud. Ryeford double lock was manned by the Cotswold Trust volunteers so we crammed in three boats for our ascent, before travelling to our marked moorings alongside the Cope Chat Playing fields.

All along the way we were met with applause, as no boat had been on this stretch for 90 years. The locals, who included the occupants of the many new homes along the navigation, were very supportive of a working waterway.

We sat on our boat greeting other members of the club as they arrived and in the early evening we all had a get together Page 8

with cheese and wine. It was amazing how many fitted into our small trail boat.

The Cotswold Canal Trust, originally called “The Stroudwater, Thames and Severn Canal Trust” has over 6,700 members and is involved in restoring both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal. This would give a navigable waterway between the Severn and the Thames as in 1789.

Expert Reversing at Ebley Wharf

The first section Phase 1A from Stonehouse (Stroudwater Navigation) to Brimscombe (Thames and Severn Canal West) – a distance of 6 miles, is well on the way towards completion. This has necessitated the clearing of towpaths and canal bed, rebuilding of retaining walls, spill weirs, sluices, bridges and locks. A C HI L T E R N G R A PE V I NE

visitors were enjoying themselves with great music, trip boats, steamboats, a fairground and good catering stalls. The Wilderness Club had its AGM that evening so we all met up at 6pm in the school library.

On Sunday June 3rd we left the festival to spend an enjoyable but very wet day in London to see the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant on the Thames, as many of All snug in Ryeford Double Lock our friends in Narrowboats canal diversion at Capel’s Mill is in pro- and Dutch Barges were in the parade. gress by Alun Griffiths (Contractors) We returned in darkness to our boat and Ltd . Phase 1B from Saul to Stonehouse were surprised to find the water level includes building a new stretch of the over the towpath. It was at this point that canal under the A38 & M5 motorway. we received a phone call from our fellow This is awaiting funding and unfortu- Wilderness boaters to say they had nately missed out this year in a £13.5M towed Beehive down beyond the Ebley bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Weir floodgates. It transpired that the Along the Cotswold Canals innovative pipe in the bund had become blocked projects will be used to ensure continued with debris and the organisers were fearfunding for maintenance. At Dudbridge ful of this giving way causing a tsunami Locks a turbine is to be fitted as part of down the navigation where all the boats the future hydro project. A water transfer were moored. scheme from the Severn to the Thames is Monday dawned and we were all albeing carefully considered for inclusion lowed back to our original moorings in the 2014 water management resource where the water was now flowing plan. through the bund as normal. We bade On the Saturday, the festival was opened goodbye to some of our club members

by Mark Horton, Professor of Archae- who were heading off to spend the rest ology at Bristol University, who is better of the week on the Gloucester & Sharpknown as a presenter on the BBC’s ness Canal. Early evening proved to be Coast series. We all spent time around warm and sunny, so we cruised back to the show. Although it was showery, the the slipway ready for the next morning’s AUTUMN 2012 ISSUE

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Stroud on the Water (continued) retrieval. That evening we watched the rockets from the firework display in the festival sparkle overhead.

Next morning we positioned ourselves ready to slip out. Luckily we were assisted by the ATC cadets with a pressure hose to clean the 4 x 4 wheels, as the mud was causing the cars to slip on the steep trackway. We also had the kind help of John Last who spent the whole day in the water in his waders assisting the Wilderness boats. We heard later that his and another Sea Otter could not be retrieved on the slipway and had to be craned out.

All in all this proved to be an interesting weekend. The Cotswold Canals Trust is very active and succeeds in accessing

funds through a variety of ways. Along the stretch we had cruised were several new housing projects and apparently for any new house benefiting from a water view, the council were able to charge the developers ÂŁ2000 extra for each plot to go towards funding the restoration. They also maintain a high profile as exemplified by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal coming to the new visitor centre in February to board the CCT trip boat Perseverance to descend the lock and cut the ribbon that signified the first water borne transit through Stroud Brewery Bridge.

Jenny Brice Wilderness Beaver Beehive

Ron Pittaway (1927-2012) We were all saddened by the death of Ron in August. Although terminally ill he was hoping for a year or two still with us. Ron was one of the staunchest supporters of the Wendover Arm restoration, an Honorary Member of the Trust, WAT Restoration Committee member and my most valued right hand man for purchasing materials and developing ideas like the bending frame as well as being the donor of our trusty VW Transporter that lasted us twelve years.

His purchasing achievements were legendary. He always went direct to the manufacturer to get the best price and even to a firm in India to get coir rolls around 50% cheaper than buying in the UK. Page 10

Photo: Margaret Leishman

Many members of the Trust and Branch attended his funeral and wake.

Roger Leishman C HI L T E R N G R A PE V I NE

Weekend Away to York Barbara Hodgkinson looks back on a great trip It’s Friday 21st September and I had to be up early for the Weekend Away. A bit of a dull start weather-wise, but we are soon on our way after the pick-ups are done.

Sadly not so many people this year – only a select band of seventeen of us but we were still going to enjoy our trip even though we did rattle around in the coach a bit!

Our first stop was Grantham, where Ray our usual coach driver took us to our meeting place at a hotel at the eastern head of navigation of the Grantham Canal. Over a cup of coffee, we met Rosemary Gibson from the Grantham Canal Society who took us to see the turning point and landing stage at the end of the canal. It was a little wet (we’ve been lucky to get a dry day this year!), and there was plenty of water on the ground as well as in the canal! Then back on the coach to take us to Harlaxton, our next stop on this canal, to view a restored wharf, and then on for a 15 minute walk to see locks restored in 1990, 2009 and Woolsthorpe Lock now fully restored after suffering a partial collapse a few years ago. At the canal depot was a carpenter’s shop, which will become a talks venue and refreshment centre.

Lunch was taken at the Dirty Duck pub in Woolsthorpe (what a great name!), where they welcomed us to a reserved room. Our meals were tasty and since we could all claim to be Senior Citizens, it was extremely good value We even made Ray an Honorary Senior Citizen so that he could qualify for the cheap deal. After lunch we walked out to the cut by the pub to see the restored lock and the former location of the A U TU M N 2 01 2 I S S UE

Photo: John Ellis

Bridge 61 on the Grantham Canal

mineral tramway that took iron ore from Harlaxton quarries to the main Nottingham-Grantham line. It was then back onto the coach to see one of the locks awaiting restoration. We saw a little more of the rural 33 mile canal and Rosemary referred to the ongoing restoration and the challenges posed by major road crossings and a recent disappointment regarding providing for through navigation to the River Trent.

It was late afternoon by now and time to say goodbye thank Rosemary for the tour.

It was quite a journey to the Holiday Inn in York, but after arrival, we had enough time for a break and a wash and brush up before our evening meal at 8 o’clock. As usual, we had much to chat about, and afterwards we sat talking away from our tables, until one-by-one we turned in for bed.

Our second day, Saturday, was sunny and saw us off to meet our guides for the day, Alistair Anderson and Graham Ball from the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society.

We stopped at the canal-head Visitor Centre, a pleasant spot with lovely houses and gardens, where we took a short walk plenty of ducks on the canal, and some Page 11

Weekend Away to York (continued)

Photo: Alistar Anderson

The tour party by the Pocklington Canal boats. Here Alistair and Graham outlined lunch and so to the small village pub, the the hopes of the Society for restoring the Melbourne Arms, where we had prewhole length and the problems faced by ordered lunches. We all enjoyed our meal them in having to deal with English Nature and had a good time, but soon we had to be and SSSIs. Returning to the coach we off for our afternoon boat trip to Gradham moved on to Melbourne where a pre-lunch Lock. New Horizons, the Society’s boat walk took us along the canal to see some could only take twelve, so five of us bridges, though we saw no boats at this walked along the towpath and helped with part, and a view of the large houses and the swing-bridges and locks. Not a great gardens in the village. It was a bit wet and problem as the trip was only a mile-and-amuddy after the overnight rain. Time for half in length and those who cruised had on the outward leg were offered the ‘opportunity’ to walk back and allow the walkers to ride. Afterwards when all of us were gathered together, we said goodbye to our friends. They said how they loved doing these trips, and it had been their second one that day. What a lovely canal, so tranquil and with such clear water.

Even when fully restored it will always be quiet since it is so difficult to reach from the rest of the network.

On the way back to York in the Photo: John Ellis coach, we spotted some hot air balIn Gardham Lock on the Pocklington

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loons. What a trip those people must have had over that part of York! The sky was a wonderful colour. Another enjoyable meal back at the hotel and conversation afterwards before turning-in for bed.

We woke on Sunday to see more hot air balloons again - like magic! After breakfast we made the short ride to the National Railway Museum. We arrived early, but had not long to wait until it opened at 10am. It was lovely to see these old railway engines again all painted in lovely bright colours. There was plenty to see and

Photo: John Ellis

‘Mallard’ the fastest steam engine a shop and café for a refreshment break.

Back on the coach again Ray took us to the King’s Staithe landing in York, where we boarded the River Duchess for a three-hour cruise on the Ouse. We went upstream through York and then down to the tidal lock at Ancaster Malbis before returning to base. First we had a buffet lunch, all laid out looking good, and soon we had eaten it all. We had the boat to ourselves so there was plenty of room to walk about and A U TU M N 2 01 2 I S S UE

stand to watch the clubhouses, large houses and sailing boats pass us by. Then we were all amused to see a boxer dog playing with a life ring on a stand; it managed to get it off to its surprise. Later we were glad to see it was back up again in case it would be needed. The skipper gave an excellent commentary about the sights of York and the river referring to it's ability to rise very quickly in times of flood.

Even he did not envisage that within two days, the Ouse would rise and bring about some of the worst flooding for many years.

It turned a bit chilly at the end of our third day, so the warmth of our hotel was much appreciated. We wined and dined, and then, Brian, one of our companions on the trip enlightened us on the subject of bees and honey, and how they were faring this year.

After breakfast on our last day we loaded our luggage on to the coach, and then Ray whisked us off to a coach park just a short walk from York Minster. Inside was quite busy, and after a short wait, a guide took us round, talking about the “Eight wonders” and eight centuries of this historic of Minster. At quarter to one, we started back on our journey home. The weather turned grim but Ray got us back in good time.

And so our Yorkshire trip came to an end – and we got out of York just before the floods came!

Special thanks go to Colin Bird who arranged the entire four-day tour including negotiations with the suppliers and briefings to our members.

Thanks also to David Page and Brian Kirton for additional input to this article.

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Who’s this at the Olympics?

Spotted near to the waterside (well, where else?) on 4th August when we attended one of the Olympic events at the EXCEL was the cheery person in the picture. Doesn’t she look fetching in her outfit? Everything you can see on her, including the watch, was coordinated and supplied by LOCOG. Handing out plastic bags for spectators to use for their loose belongings before going through security, Jenny Brice, on her 7th of ten shifts, said she hoped to see someone she knew.

We mused about whether a quicklyorganised ‘visitor ransom’ might get some much-needed funds for the Branch – there were plenty of crowd barriers around that could have been used for ‘lock gates’ but we decided that the organisers and security staff might have looked a bit sniffy at any

extempore attempt to extract money from the punters.

Now had we managed to have got Coca-Cola or McDonalds on board it might have been different!

Before going to our event we ambled down to Victoria Dock and although there were several boats, they weren’t moving and we couldn’t actually see where the lock gate was and the whole thing was rather more than 14ft wide!

If you didn’t go to any of the Olympic events, we can say you missed a great experience and everything the doomsayers predicted about transport and security foulups were totally wrong. It was busy, but slick and very friendly. The UK can be proud of the super show we put on.

David and Maggie Page

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 28th November

27th February 2013

Haunted Canals and Waterways

Twenty Eight Years of ‘Waterways World’ Cruises

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.

12th December 2012 at 7.00pm

Brian Kirton Long standing members of Chiltern Branch, Brian and Velma Kirton have been associated with the waterways for more than a quarter of a century. Operating his own business, Brian developed with ‘Waterways World’ magazine a series of very successful tours based on waterway themes that ran for 28 years until his retirement in 2010. Brian and Velma will tell us all about their experiences.

Chiltern Branch Christmas Party

27th March 2013

Come and enjoy our usual Christmas extravaganza. Mulled wine, a quiz or two, some good grub and convivial company. See leaflet for menu and booking details.

Annual General Meeting

23rd January 2013

Invaders, Explorers and Shipbuilders Jeremy Batch This is a story of the Thames in London.

Jeremy will reveal fascinating information about one of Nelson’s Flagships, Brunel’s Great Eastern and Great Western, the Mary Rose’s bigger sister, murder in Greenwich and much more. Jeremy keeps lock at Limehouse He is a narrow boater, a motor boater and a sailor. He returns for his third visit.

The Branch AGM will be followed by a ploughman’s supper and a social evening.

24th April 2013

The Dorset and Somerset Canal Derrick Hunt Some canal schemes and promotions did not quite hit the big time. This is one of them and Derrick will unveil the history of the efforts that were made to complete the task. Derrick is a retired Contracts Manager in aerospace engineering. He has been associated with ‘Wilderness’ boating for 15 years, is ViceChairman of the Somerset Coal Canal Society and a Visiting Research Fellow of the University of the West of England.

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.

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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 Chairman, Publicity Officer, Newsletter Editor and a Website Manager. We also need more volunteers to assist with fund-raising and at 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