Hereward Spring 2010

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH

HEREWARD SPRING 2010

Dramatic Sunset over the Water

www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The IWA charity registered number 212342 The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Peterborough Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers

Cover photo: John Revell

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

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know it’s a cliché but it really does seem like only 5 minutes since I wrote my last piece, time is flying. Since then the Committee organised the annual Christmas social, which was an outstanding success, enjoyed by around 40 people, who all seemed to enjoy our mix of fun and jollity as well as the now traditional pass the parcel.

The Branch is always up too something and this year we will be running our May Day Bill Fen Do, courtesy of John & Lyn. Head Office have been busy, the S.O.S. campaign is gathering pace and as you read this it is not too late to contact your MP and protest about the cuts to EA’s navigation budget. This will have an impact on ‘frontline’ services. We have only a short window of opportunity to get MP’s to listen, as once the election has been held no doubt it will be business as usual again.

I make absolutely no apology for returning to the subject of numbers and bodies. It is a sad fact that your committee is not superhuman, and we need more people to help share the load of running the Branch, organising events, a social programme and attending meetings with a range of interested parties. You do not necessarily need to sit as a full committee member, any time you could give, or any skills you have could all help lighten the load. Please do not be backward at coming forward, we need helpers for Bill Fen, we need anyone who wants to contribute.

Being Region Chairman as well does mean I get a wider view and I can say that our situation is not unique, we are all busy people and it is always easy to think that someone else will do it, sadly we don’t have enough other people. We have lost Norwich Branch, I don’t want to lose any others!

On a brighter note the Committee have decided to focus our efforts on improving facilities around the Middle Level and fundraising will be dedicated to that end.

See you all soon.

Alastair Chambers

BILL FEN ‘DO’

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nce again the Branch will be holding it’s by now legendary May Holiday Boules & Barby at Bill Fen Marina (courtesy of John & Lyn Shotbolt). Although details are scarce those of you who have survived previous years have a good idea of the basics.

Entertainment starts on the Friday evening (April 30th) when the bar will be open, times to be advised.

Saturday will see the usual jollity, fun and games, with again evening entertainment.

Sunday Barby, Beer and more jollity. As ever we will need help and assistance, be it behind the bar, helping with games or even restocking the loo’s. Any offers please contact Mickey Slaughter.

This is our main fundraiser of the year and we are trying to get moorings around the system as well as our ongoing titanic struggles with the byzantine complexity that is the EA. All things that will benefit as local amenities for local boaters. We need your support and trust we will see you there.

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ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ROUND-UP Charges Increase In the last issue I reported that the national increase in navigation charges had been set at 3.3%. I also pointed out that such an increase imposed across all three Regions would see yet a further increase in the imbalance between the charges paid by boaters in Anglia region and those in other regions. Towards the end of last year a proposal was put to reduce the rate of increase on Anglia region to start to address that imbalance. In the event the EA Directors totally rejected the proposal. They were more impressed by the fact that if the increase in Anglia were frozen [so that the 3.3% increase was not imposed at all] it would cost the Agency about £50,000 in lost fees at a time when every penny counted. Quite apart from the fact that we had not asked to have the full increase remitted the Directors clearly believed that to grab every last penny from boaters in an already over- charged region was more important than any issues of justice or fairness.

Waterways Finances 2010/11 There has been a substantial cut in the Grant in Aid payable to the Anglia Region in the next financial year. This year the total budget for the region is about £5.1m. It is expected that the year on year reduction in income in the next financial year will be of the order of £476k. i.e. approaching one tenth of the overall budget. We have been assured that the capital budget will be the same as in the current year. It is the revenue budget which will bear all the cuts. What is planned is that a number of appointments either to planned additional posts or to fill currently vacant posts will not be made. This will be coupled with a reduction in maintenance works. What all this means is that as you navigate about the system you are likely to notice a reduction in service levels. That the country generally is in a financial mess is no secret; that the Agency is forced to make such cuts is not therefore a surprise.

This news does, however, underline the necessity to support the IWA SOS 2010 Campaign.

Strategic Priorities for Water Related Recreation in Eastern England This is the title of a Plan which is shortly to be launched formally. It was produced by Brighton University and was managed by a steering committee including British Waterways, the Agency, Natural England and Sport England. It is potentially of some importance. If a planning department is faced with an application for permission it is likely to be to this document that it will turn to establish what waterway recreational assets are deemed important by those responsible for such matters and what plans those bodies might have. Planning departments are likely to proceed on the basis that if assets/ plans are not recorded in this document they are not important. Against that background I pointed out at the last meeting that the Plan contained a list of Strategic Waters. The Plan says that “a number of current waters in the region have such strategic significance that their recreational and conservation value needs to be recognised”. It then goes on to list them. In the list are the Broads, the Ouse and the Nene – but there is no mention of the Middle Levels.

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We are talking about a system that provides over 100 miles of navigation, the navigable link route between the Ouse and the Nene and miles of channel where angling can be pursued, to say nothing of the numerous opportunities for casual walking and other informal recreation. It has either within its area or nearby a number of sites of social deprivation. All this has been ignored by the steering committee and those who drew up the Plan. At the recent meeting there was a report from the Agency’s Regional Strategy Unit. In relation to the Plan it was stated in terms that “whilst any identified factual inaccuracies could be addressed, further amendments would be inappropriate”. As the omission of the Middle Levels was not a matter of fact but a policy decision we were being told in effect that even if the Plan was wrong it was not going to be changed. This was totally unacceptable to the Group which as a result rejected both the Agency report and the original Plan. We will now have to see what, if anything, develops.

Great Ouse Tidal Strategy All of you will be only too aware of the long-term problem of the silted state of the Tidal Ouse between Denver Sluice and Salters Lode lock. A review of the strategy for the management of this area has been under way for several years. Tony Harrison, one of the IWA’s consultation engineers has been sitting on the Technical Advisory Group involved in this process. The draft of the proposed Strategy for the future was published for consultation in the autumn of 2009 and to this the IWA responded.

At that stage the Agency had intended to address the silting of the tidal Ouse by altering the draw mark at Earith to allow more water down the New Bedford to help achieve a flushing effect and by repairing the 3 little eyes and increasing the water retention level in the Ely Ouse by 0.2m. to achieve a flushing effect through those eyes.

It had been admitted that these steps in themselves would do no more than hold the present level. In addition the Agency proposed to wait for a major event (defined as two wet winters) to kick start the removal of siltation. It was thought that such an event would reduce the bed by about a metre and once this had been achieved the above two steps should maintain that reduced level. The Agency’s solution to the siltation problem therefore amounted to little more than to await an “Act of God”: if He would not help us nobody else (least of all the Agency) would!

From the address to the Navigation Group it became apparent that it was no longer planned even to alter the draw mark and that this element of the Strategy would not be pursued. As to the Ely Ouse the intention was still to maintain an increased head of 0.2m. but the Agency also intended to explore whether it might be possible to have a higher head. In that connection it was reported that the third eye which had not been repaired in the autumn was still not working. While the Agency had tried to bring it back into operation it had broken down twice and the Agency was still trying to make it operational.

In its consultation response the IWA had pressed hard that the bed ploughing which had been tried and found successful in the run up to the “National” at St. Ives in 2007 should be reinstated. Others proposed this solution or simple dredging. Despite the fact that the number of steps proposed by the Agency to tackle the problem of siltation had actually been reduced from that set out at the time of the consultation it was indicated that there was still no intention of dredging or ploughing the river or taking other such 3

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action. The reasons given were either that the steps did not work or cost too much. In short the proposals of the IWA and others made in the consultation process have been ignored.

There was at the Group meeting very strong criticism of the Agency stance but no movement was forthcoming. Meanwhile the bed of the Ouse at this point is about 1.3m. higher than was the case in 1975.

The Old Bedford/ Old Bedford Sluice/ Welches Dam Lock One of the main reasons that passage through the Old Bedford and the Sluice is so difficult is that the approach channel to the Sluice is silted and has to be dredged before a passage can be made. Options to improve the passage along the Old Bedford via the Sluice are being made and developments are awaited.

As to Welches Dam the bad news is that expenditure approval for the repair to the lock referred to in the last edition of Hereward was refused by the EA and the engineers are required to go away and do further research. Revised plans will not be put before the appropriate committee until April so that permission to proceed will be delayed until then at least. From this it can be seen that at present there is no guarantee that the lock will be repaired, as had been expected, in the coming financial year.

There is due to be a report back meeting on all the above issues at the beginning of March.

Nigel Long 4

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STUART HOLMES BOAT SAFETY EXAMINATIONS PETERBOROUGH BOATING CENTRE Chandlery

Diesel - Calor

73 NORTH STREET STANGROUND, PETERBOROUGH Tel: 01733 566688

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BRANCH MEETINGS PROGRAMME - 2009/10 17 Mar 2010

AGM - with address by Region Chairman, Alastair Chambers followed by ‘Up the Cut’ - songs & tales

by Derek Harris.

21 Apr 2010

Peter Carter—Eel Catcher— This season’s Meetings Programme concludes with an insight into the life cycle of these fascinating creatures.

If any member has any ideas for topics or knows of any interesting speakers for next season’s programme please let any member of the committee know

All meetings held at the Peterborough & District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough PE1 5HA commencing at 7.30pm

Members & Non-members Welcome

Mill Drove, Ramsey Cambs. PE26 2RD Tel: 01487 813621 billfenmarina@tiscali.co.uk www.billfenmarina.com

Moorings occasionally available, £11.25 per foot per year + VAT, if paid annually.

Slipway for bottom blacking from £100.00 Chandlery, Fuel, Gas, Toilets, Shower We stock Rylard & Craftmaster Paints, Anodes, Coflex, Rust Konverta, Incralac etc.

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PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS

Contact Ray Whitby Unit 3C Cromwell Business Centre New Road, St Ives PE27 5BG Tel: (01480) 462150 Fax: (01480) 493309 E-mail: ray.whitby@onetel.net Web:www.srobb.co.uk

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BRANCH WINTER MEETINGS

NovemberMeeting

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ur speaker for the November Meeting was Mary Powell of the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership which is made up of Lincolnshire CC, British Waterways and the Environment Agency.

The Partnership was established in 2002 to implement the Lincolnshire Waterways Regeneration Strategy and has been very successful in securing funding for a range of waterway related projects. The projects have included the development of Fiskerton Fen as a nature reserve, the provision of canoe facilities at Surfleet Seas End and development of the Water Rail Way which is a 33 mile long off-road trail for walkers and cyclists along the route of a former railway line between Lincoln and Boston. Funds have also been secured for restoration work on the bottom lock of the Slea Navigation, a slipway at Sleaford and provision of a mooring on the Grantham Canal to allow the operation of a public trip boat.

Perhaps of greatest interest to Branch members was Mary’s report on the progress of the Fens Waterways Link and the successful completion of the new lock and access facilities to the Black Sluice at Boston. This is the first phase of the project to link the major rivers of the East of England by a navigable route and work has now commenced on the design of the next phase to link Boston with Spalding. Mary acknowledged that she had received tremendous support from the Partners in achieving the successes so far, particularly Lincolnshire CC and hoped that the neighbouring Councils on the route for the remaining sections of the link would take up the initiative generated to ensure the project is completed. Whilst being modest about her own input into the achievements so far, the meeting was left with the view that her drive and enthusiasm had been a key role in those successes.

TALES OF A SALT WATER SAILOR

A

January Meeting

ndy Stacy gave us an insight into the tribulations of boating in the wide open sea with a tale of a voyage he and three colleagues made some years ago across the North Sea to the Kiel Canal and Hamburg. They set sail in two boats which by today’s standards were fairly basic and left Surfleet intending to take two weeks for the trip.

Bad weather meant it was four weeks before they returned to their berths. Strong winds of force 7 and 8 meant they had to repeatedly seek safe havens along the coast of north Germany and Holland and on making the return crossing to The Wash, they were blown off course and made landfall near the Suffolk coast. This meant a final coastal sail northwards back to home on the Glen.

For members with nerves about the Nene in strong stream, the views of the heaving seas and the massive ships they had to share locks with were awe inspiring. The limited facilities and equipment on board the boats were also an eye-opener for inland boaters used to the ‘floating cottage’ narrowboat.

After the formal presentation Andy gave members an insight into working the charts and the basics of plotting a course which was very interesting for those more familiar with Pearsons and Imray guides.

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WELCOME! The Branch wishes a warm welcome to the following new members:Mr G Brown Mr L Clayton Ms S Crampin Mr P Stebbing

St Neots Stamford Huntingdon Thrandeston

Mr P Fleming Ms M Futter Mr M Rowe Ms J Ward

Deeping St James Holbeach St Ives Holbeach

We look forward to seeing you at some of the Branch events which are announced in this and future editions of Hereward.

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SIGN UP TO A SERVICE WHICH COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

by Sue Cant

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n Sunday 17 January 2010 a novice boater, who was attempting to navigate in Strong Stream conditions became trapped long-ways on against the bridge at Irthlingborough on the River Nene, sparking a major rescue operation. It took Environment Agency staff and several fire crews, including a specialist water rescue team, more than three hours to turn the 65ft narrowboat to enable it to pass safely under the bridge. At one stage, the force of the water against the craft and its position against the bridge forced an attempt to winch it free to be abandoned because the boat was in danger of tipping over. [See the photo inside the back cover].

Recent rain and snow melt had lead to a rise in water levels and flows and we had issued Strong Stream Advice the day before the incident warning against navigating on the River Nene. For one reason or another, in this case, this advice was not heeded.

It is vital that people know the state of the river before taking to it in their boats – it could make the difference between life and death. In this particular case, the boat had travelled only a few hundred yards downstream from where it had been moored before the strong current swung the boat round and forced it against the bridge.

I am urging Nene Boaters to sign up for a free service to receive Strong Steam Advice (SSA) from us and then listen to the advice we give. You can choose to have messages sent to mobile phones, landlines, or receive texts or email alerts. Messages are sent at any time of the day or night.

I would also like to ask for your help in trying to ensure that as many boaters who are new to the Nene as possible are also aware of this free service. Until we have a lock keeper in place at Northampton as part of the marina development it is possible that people can come onto the Nene from the canal network without fully understanding the characteristics of a river navigation and the dangers associated with strong stream.

If you happen to talk to anybody new to navigating the River Nene I would be grateful if you could take the opportunity to explain to them how they can receive Strong Stream Advice.

To receive an SSA registration form, please email mandy.doolan@environmentagency.gov.uk. Alternatively, call the SSA line for pre-recorded updates at any time.

Call 0845 and choose option 1, followed by 032112 for the River Nene. To get information on the River Great Ouse, follow option 1 with 033211, or for the Ancholme, dial 031212.

We hope you will please support our advertisers in return for the valuable support they give to the Branch in making this publication possible.

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EASTERN REGION AGM Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Region of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Thursday 18th March 2010 at 8.00p.m. at the Milton Community Centre, Milton, Cambridge.

AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 13th February 2009 3. Matters Arising from those Minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Election of Committee Members (see notes below) Notes: [following the amendment of Region Byelaws which have come into force on 14/3/09] a) The Chairman of the Region is elected by separate ballot and the Chairmen of each of the Branches within the Region are members of the Region Committee ex officio. This is an election for the remaining members of the committee. b) There is no limit to the number of members of that committee. c) The period of office of the following elected members of the Region committee comes to an end at the 2010 AGM namely, John Hodgson, Nigel Long, Paul Strudwick and Peter Webb. All are eligible to stand for re-election. David King and Stuart Thurston were co-opted during the year and their period of co-option expires at the 2010 AGM. Both are eligible to stand for re-election. d) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to the committee to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Consent from members of the Region who wish to stand for election at the AGM 2010 must be deposited with the Region Secretary [Nigel Long, 7 Georgian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF or by e-mail at nhlong@supanet.com] before the start of the Annual General Meeting.

CONSENT FORM I agree to stand for election to the Eastern Region committee at the 2010 Annual General Meeting. I am a member of Eastern Region.

(Sign) ___________________

Print Name ___________________ 12

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH AGM Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Peterborough Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Wednesday 17th March 2010 at the Peterborough and District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough at 7.30 p.m.

AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2009 3. Matters Arising from those Minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Presentation and Adoption of the Branch Accounts for the year to 31/12/09 6. Election of Committee Members (see notes below) Notes: [following the amendment of Branch Byelaws dated 12/5/09] a) There is no longer any limit to the number of members of the committee b) Under the 3-year rule Graham Baughn, Alastair Chambers, Carole Chambers, John Dudley, Nigel Long, Michael Slaughter and David Venn will retire at the forthcoming AGM. All are eligible for re-election. c ) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to the committee to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so.

Consents from members of the Branch who wish to stand for election at the AGM 2010 must be deposited with the Branch Secretary [Nigel Long 7 Georgian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF or by email at nhlong@supanet.com] before the start of the Annual General Meeting.

CONSENT FORM I agree to stand for election to the Peterborough Branch committee at the 2010 Annual General Meeting. I am a member of Peterborough Branch.

(Sign) ___________________

Print Name ___________________ 13

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Contact Brian on: Tel: 01354 680341 Mobile: 07887 781649 E-mail: smith.marine@btinternet.com

Gas System Surveys Member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners - Gas Safe Reg. YDSA

EASTER CRUISE - arranged by Alastair Chambers The Branch has decided to focus its efforts for this year on two main objectives. The first is the Welches Dam/Old Bedford saga, the second is to improve the facilities on the Middle Level, with particular regard to moorings. So this year we start on Good Friday by meeting at Three Holes. Ideally by the gauging station where we think a mooring would be good or back by the road bridge where the bank is lower. Wander up to the Red Hart lunchtime-ish. The pub has recently reopened under new and keen owners who want to encourage boaters and experience the benefits that we can bring (A thirst!).

After that we run down to Stonea, with possibly a stop by the staunch where the drain runs toward Chatteris, another possible mooring site. After cocoa and an early night we head for Horseways on Saturday morning, aiming to be at the Lock for a photo call at midday. The 40 foot awaits as we cruise down to The George for Saturday night.

Sunday is a trip to Floods Ferry for Lunchtime, Remi is cooking Sunday roasts. If you want to eat then you must ring Remi or Tamsin on 01354 677302 to book lunch.

Remember its cash only. If the weather forecast is kind we leave to go back to the junction and up toward Angle Corner, aiming for the Turves road bridge, yet another potential mooring site. If the weather is bad then we can stay at Floods.Ferry and go our separate ways Monday.

This is an ‘Official’ IWA cruise, covered by event insurance, so you will need an entry form, these are available for me, either phone, write or email and I’ll send you one.

Returned forms by 28th March please, hopefully this will be well supported and we can beat our record of 14 boats.

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Email: gregbassam@gbwatersports.co.uk 15

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION Peterborough Branch

COMMITTEE MEMBERS CHAIRMAN: Alastair Chambers 52 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8QB Tel: 01778 344438 e-mail: alastair.boater@virgin.net DEPUTY CHAIRMAN & SALES OFFICER: Graham Baughn PO Box 15, 10 Marina Drive, March, Cambs PE15 0AU Tel: 07793 469602 e-mail: w.baughn@tesco.net SECRETARY: Nigel Long 7 Georgian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF Tel: 01733 553782 e-mail: nhlong@supanet.com TREASURER: Michael Slaughter 45 Elstone, Orton Waterville, Peterborough PE2 5JZ Tel: 01733 390598 e-mail: m.slaughter45@ntlworld.com MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Carole Chambers 52 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8QB Tel: 01778 344438 e-mail: alastair.boater@virgin.net EDITOR: Philip Halstead, 20 Cane Avenue, Peterborough PE2 9QT Tel: 01733 348500 e-mail: pp@halstead5.orangehome.co.uk John Dudley, 1 Bellmans Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1TY Tel: 01733 202581 Roger Mungham Boatmans Cottage, Workhouse Lane, Upwell, Wisbech PE14 9ET Tel: 01945 773002 e-mail: rogerboatmans@talktalk.net David Biggs, Evelines, 85 High Street, Chatteris PE16 6MP Tel: 01354 696956 e mail: evelines85@hotmail.co.uk Roger Sexton, 2 Shaw Drive, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 9TB Tel: 01354 652329 David Venn, Bruffs Lodge, High Street, Nordelph, Downham Market PE38 0BL Tel: 01366 324102 e-mail:davidgvenn@tiscali.co.uk Richard Fairman, The Old Railway House, Cowbit, Spalding, Lincs PE12 0XD Tel: 01406 380575

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The dangers of river navigation in flood conditions were demonstrated in January when a narrowboat was forced against this bridge and an emergency rescue operation was required as described by Sue Cant on page 11. The Environment Agency are requesting all Nene and Ouse boaters to register for the automatic issue of Strong Stream advice by contacting mandy.doolan@environment-agency.gov.uk or by phoning the EA as outlined in Sue’s article. Do it now—it could save your life!

At other times a lack of water is a problem for boaters and here we look back on some of the tribulations from last years attempt by members of the Branch to gain access to the Old Bedford River via the tidal doors.

A landscape of mud and some vigorous use of the pole are seen in these views. It was all to no avail as the attempt proved fruitless.

Alastair gives details of the Easter Cruise in this issue when we will take campaigning to more frequently used waters around the Middle Levels in the hope these experiences will not be repeated.