to be held on Thursday, 26th March 2026 at 8.00 pm This will be followed by an update from a River Manager of the Environment Agency
Please forward any questions to be directed to the Environment Agency to our Secretary john.hodgson@waterways.org.uk
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Great Ouse Branch of the Inland WaterwaysAssociation will be held on Thursday, 26th March 2026 at the North Lodge Pavilion, North Lodge Park, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6UD at 8.00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Chairman’s welcome and apologies for absence.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the previous AGM held on 27th March 2025 - printed in Appendix 2.
3. MattersArising from those Minutes, not included on this agenda.
4. Chairman’s Report - printed in Appendix 3.
5. Secretary’s Report - printed in Appendix 4.
6. Treasurer’s Report and presentation of accounts - printed inAppendix 5
7. Election of Branch Committee - see note 3 below.
8. Any other business.
9. Close of Meeting.
Notes: (following the amendment of Byelaws dated 14/3/09)
1. Accounts are audited by IWA Head Office. There is no need to adopt the accounts or appoint an auditor.
2. There is no longer any limit to Committee numbers. Members serve for 3 years after which they retire and may seek re-election.
3. There are four committee members due to retire by rotation this year They are: Keith Alderton, Carole Alderton, Enid Hodgson and John Hodgson.
4. New Committee Members are most welcome. Those who would like to stand must sign the consent form below and send to the Branch Secretary: John Hodgson (email: jandehodgson@gmail.com) or by hand before the start of AGM.
INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION CONSENT FORM
I agree to stand for election at the 2026Annual General Meeting of the Great Ouse Branch. I am a member of the Great Ouse Branch.
(Sign) .................................................. Print Name ............................
Date ...............................
Minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Great Ouse Branch of the Inland WaterwaysAssociation on Thursday 27th March 2025.
Held at the North Lodge Community Centre, Milton, Cambridge at 8.00 p.m.
Present: Keith Alderton (Chairman) plus 13 Great Ouse Branch members.
1. Apologies for absence.
The meeting was opened at 8.06 pm and the Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from Meg and Stephen Foote and John Hodgson.
2. Minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting held on 28th March 2024.
The minutes of the previous AGM, having been circulated as Appendix 2 of the AGM booklet were accepted as a true record of the meeting.
3. Matters arising from the AGM on 28th March 2024.
There were none.
4. Chairman’s Report
The Chairman’s report was similarly included in the AGM booklet as Appendix 3. He had nothing to add to the report as presented. There were no questions for the Chairman.
5. Secretary’s Report
The Secretary’s report was also printed in the AGM booklet as Appendix 4. There was nothing to add to these notes. There were no questions for the Secrtary.
Cont’d:
6. Treasurer’s Report.
The Treasurer’s report and accounts were available in Appendix 5 of the AGM booklet. There were no questions for the Treasurer. The Chairman reported that the signs at Reach have been replaced and paid for by the branch. Also, that a donation of £1000.00 is to be made to the WRG “bit in the middle” branch towards their new van appeal.
7. Election of Committee Members.
Stephen Foote was due for re-election as his three year term of office has ended. He is eligible and available for re-election. Robin Adams, having been co-opted during the year was elected to the committee. The Chairman appealed for someone to help with the refreshments at meetings following the retirement of Peter Webb.
8. Any Other Business.
It was announced that it has become necessary to increase the charge for the branch and AGM meetings from £2 to £3. This was accepted.
9. The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.15 pm.
Ouse News - Appendix 3: Chairman’s Report 2025-2026
I am pleased to note that the branch has survived for another year despite being handicapped by a reduced branch committee and dwindling attendance at meetings. I would suggest that it is time for members to decide what they want from their branch in future, if indeed the branch has a future. It is up to you!
On a more positive note, we were able to produce a full programme of interesting talks and activities throughout the year.
Cont’d:
Ouse News - Appendix 3 contd.
In February, Liz Davies presented a talk entitled ‘AJourney Through Time’ outlining the way the River Great Ouse has affected the development of St Neots over the years.
OurAGM in March included a report from the EnvironmentAgency.
In May we joined members of Northampton Branch for a visit to the Royal Ordnance Depot at Weedon.
InAugust, members joined representatives from GOBAand Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign at Baits Bite Lock on the River Cam to protest about the prolonged closure of the lock.
In October, Imogen Radford gave a presentation entitled ‘Tales from the River – Recreation and Industry along the Brecks Rivers and Fen Edge’.
We concluded the year with a talk by wildlife photographer Paul Fuller, who gave a stunning presentation of photographs of ‘Birds of the Wetlands and Waterways’.
As Branch Chairman, I have participated in regular Chairs’ Zoom meetings, primarily to discuss the future branch and regional structure. This exercise has culminated in the decision to appoint Regional Co-ordinators in those regions (such as ours) that do not have a Regional Chairman.
Once again, I would like to express my thanks to our advertisers for their continued financial support.
Keith Alderton
Ouse News - Appendix 4
Ouse News - Appendix 4: Secretary’s Report 2025-2026
Alas, I begin as (it seems like) always with noting that there is little boating possible –again because of heavy rainfall and strong stream advice being in force.Again because we have suffered with the poor maintenance performance of the EA who still do not seem to be learning lessons that the falling movements of boats is, in no small part, caused by the boaters’ lack of confidence in, having left their mooring, being able to get back a few days later because of lock breakdown, trees blocking, silting etc.
The March meeting, as usual, was preceded by theAGM. Having been coopted during the year, Robin Adams was elected to the committee along with Stephen Foote being re-elected. The full minutes can be seen elsewhere.
The on-going appeal for members to join the committee because of dwindling numbers needs no repeating but is going to be! The number on the committee – six – is becoming serious and new members are urgently required. If members want the branch to continue they know what to do!
The short formal element of the meeting was followed by the traditional address from the EnvironmentAgency.
This year there are four committee members due for re-election: Keith Alderton, CaroleAlderton, Enid Hodgson and John Hodgson. Nomination forms can be sent to the Secretary or completed prior to the start of the meeting.Anomination form is appended to the agenda, please consider this seriously.
The Chairman, in his report, has reported on the other events during the year so I will not repeat them here.
Cont’d:
The branch membership continues to slowly decline although to some extent this has been arrested. Between January 2025 and January 2026 there was a relatively low fall of 0.93% decline in branch. A lower rate of decrease than during the previous year but a decrease nonetheless and based on a lower starting number than the previous year.
On a more positive note the branch accounts remain in a healthy state.
Our newsletter editor, CaroleAlderton, is always pleased to receive contributions from as wide a source as possible offering a range of style and content.
