Hereward Spring 2012

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH

HEREWARD SPRING 2012

Oundle Bridge, River Nene

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

Images of the Nene

Milton Ferry Bridge Fotheringhay

Thorpe Meadows Water Newton Sutton Bridge

Warmington Mill

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER A number of things have happened since the last issue of Hereward, some good, others less so. First off the regarding the CRT (Canal & River Trust for those not paying attention).

The funding package was announced recently and it's better than we feared. The annual grant is not wonderful but has been substantially increased from the sum originally proposed and it is to be index linked.

There is a pot of money for emergencies and the period that the Government is committed to paying the grant has also been increased from 10 to 15 years. The former BW property portfolio is ring fenced and it looks as though the EA navigation interests will be included in the Trust in a couple of years.

Speaking of which Irven Forbes was our guest speaker recently, he brought us up to date on the Agency’s plans and achievements over the last year and explained the potential problems looming as a result of the continuing lack of rain.

We have now got planning permission for our proposed moorings at Three Holes and we are seeking quotes for the work. We will view the site during the Easter Cruise, details in the magazine.

The IWA National Festival was suspended this year, the Trustees are discussing the options for 2013 and as and when any decision is reached I'll let you know.

The Branch AGM is looming, as always any volunteers welcome, applicants for the chairman's job form an orderly queue!!

Alastair Wednesday 14th March 2012

Branch and Region AGM After the AGM business we have David Thomas of the Middle Level Commissioners to give an illustrated talk on the new St Germans Pumping Station which has a capacity to pump 100 tonnes of water per second!

Peterborough Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough PE1 5HA commencing at 7.30pm.

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EASTER CRUISE

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his year we have decided to take the cruise to somewhere we have not yet ventured, not for our hardy stalwarts the usual Holme Fen or Horseways. No, this year is for the truly adventurous and heroic, we are going along (drum roll, dramatic pause), Well Creek!

The plan, such as it is, Good Friday assemble during the day at Stonea, home of the fabled Golden Lion, ready for a start on Saturday which will take in a site visit to the proposed moorings at Three Holes. (Planning permission now having been granted - see below). From there cruise round to Marmont Priory Lock, and form an orderly queue, a gentle perambulation up to Salter’s Lode, where Richard has promised to bring some of his mad salt water friends the long way round for a boaters bring your own booze and barby for Saturday night. In the event of the tide being unfavourable we will be able to sit on the wall at Salters Lode watching the thirst crazed and starving sea dogs bobbing about mid channel whilst we eat all the food and drink all the booze. Those of you hankering after a night of wild debauchery can walk/taxi into the fleshpots of Downham Market for an evening of wild excess.

Sunday will involve turning and wandering back, lunchtime at the basin then on to Marmont Priory for the run to the Junction. At which point a decision will have to be made, depending on water level, air-draft of boats, frost on the points etc some may wish to try the trip to Turves (Infields Bridge). If that’s a non-starter then we will go to March for the evening. If we go then for Sunday night at The Three Horseshoes, and go our separate ways on Monday. What is life without some risk.

That’s it folks, usual IWA Cruise rules apply, application forms etc to me as per usual.

See you there.

Alastair

MOORINGS at THREE HOLES

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n the last edition I explained that the branch had decided to seek to improve facilities in the Middle Level by promoting the construction of temporary public moorings at Three Holes.

I am pleased to be able to report that since the last edition planning permission for those moorings has been granted. We have therefore surmounted an important hurdle. The next stage is to obtain reliable data on the full cost of construction and then to put in place the necessary funding. This is currently in hand: expect a further progress update soon.

Nigel Long 2

ÂŁ7.95

REGIONAL NAVIGATION GROUP ROUND-UP

by Nigel Long

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he latest meeting of the Group took place on 29th February. A number of issues which will be of importance to local boaters in the short or long term arose during the course of the meeting.

The Future of Navigation Project As you will be well aware the Canal and River Trust when it becomes active in the summer will not at that point take on the responsibility for EA waterways. They are supposed to be transferred provided certain conditions are met in the financial year 2014/15.

In case such a transfer materialises the Agency has to put itself into the situation whereby if the decision is taken an orderly transfer can be achieved. The work towards that end is being carried out by the Future of Navigation project board and manager and additional funds are being allotted within the EA for this purpose. Four priorities have been identified: to identify those navigation assets which require more immediate investment and to seek ways to prioritise them for additional funding.

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to forward the Government’s agenda of increased society involvement by creating partnerships. This is to mirror the CRT’s development of Waterway Partnerships. to reduce the dependence on Government funding by seeking to obtain additional funding with which to defray the cost of the provision of the full range of benefits that waterways can provide to society. to produce data and plans to understand the full cost of any proposed transfer of assets

Local Partnership Groups As set out above the intention of the Agency is to increase partnership working and in a separate paper more information was given as to how this would be achieved. You will know that for many years there have been user groups relating to each of the individual waterways in the Anglian Region. The intention is to extend the remit of those groups and to increase their membership with a view to the individual groups setting the vision for their waterway, generating and supporting funding bids, gaining volunteer support and championing their waterway. There will be individual partnership bodies for each of the Ouse, Nene, Ancholme, Stour and the Welland/ Glen/ Black Sluice. It is not intended that there should be a one size fits all approach to membership so that the constitution of the individual partnerships will vary according to local circumstances.

The above is fully in accordance with Government policy. I suspect many of you will have your own ideas as to how successful all this effort and expense is likely to be.

The River Cam You will all be aware that the old interchange agreement is being brought to an end and that the EA and the Cam Conservators have been in negotiation to produce a replacement scheme. A new scheme has now been agreed and is designed to last for three years and to come into effect from 1st April next.

We were at the meeting provided with the first detailed explanation I have seen of the full extent of the new arrangements which apply to powered craft only. That explanation extended to the position of those with Gold Licences. I will set out a summary I have prepared which reflects the position of those who normally licence their craft to use EA waterways for this will be the position of most, if not all, of those who read this note.

[The arrangements for those with craft based on the section of the Cam controlled by the Conservators are different] Under the new regime: The standard EA Anglian licence will from 1st April entitle those holding it to use their craft on the whole of the EA Anglian system BUT NOT on the Conservacont’d on page 7…….

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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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Regional Navigation Group—cont’d from page 4……. tors’ section of the Cam. When buying their EA licence from the Agency it will be possible to pay an additional premium charged at 10% of the Agency charge and such a premium licence will entitle holders to use the whole of the EA Anglian system TOGETHER WITH the Conservators’ section of the Cam. If you do not buy a premium licence when renewing but later decide that you wish to access that part of the Cam it will be possible to purchase from the Conservators an annual Cam visitor licence but it will cost 15% of the EA licence fee.

Gold Licence holders will be entitled under their Gold licence to navigate both the BW/ CRT waters and EA waters but NOT the waters of the Cam Conservators.

However such holders will be able to purchase a Cam visitor licence from the Conservators. As many Gold licence holders have already purchased their licences for the 2012 calendar year, during the period 1st April to 31st December 2012 this annual visitor licence will be free of charge. From 1st January 2013 the Conservators are likely to charge Gold Licence holders to register with them at a fee to be determined by the Conservators. cont’d on page 8…….

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

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

Moorings occasionally available, £11.60 per foot per year + VAT, if paid annually.

Slipway for bottom blacking from £120.00 Chandlery, Fuel, Gas, Toilets, Shower We stock Rylard & Craftmaster Paints, Anodes, Coflex, Rust Konverta, Incralac etc.

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Regional Navigation Group—cont’d from page 7…….

These new provisions are complex and of necessity I can in this note only set out the main outlines. If I have not covered your own position I would suggest that you take a look at the EA navigation website and the Cam Conservators’ website from which you should find the answer you require.

There is only one other point I should make. At the meeting it was indicated that one of the groups represented had obtained a legal advice the basis of which was that while what the EA/Cam Conservators have decided to do is legal, the way they have chosen to implement it is not. The point is too complicated to summarise but has to do with the dates on which those two River Cam bodies gave notice of their intentions to boaters. As a result of this advice it was suggested that both bodies should delay implementation of their new arrangements until 1st January 2013. Irven Forbes undertook to seek legal advice from the EA’s legal department. There is as I write this no way of knowing whether the implementation of the changes will be delayed or not. I can only suggest again that you consult the two websites.

Nigel Long

Nigel Long

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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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FACILITIES at MARCH

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hose of you who boat in the Middle Level will know that the operation of the public pump-out and Elsan disposal facilities at March has been under threat for some time. Essentially the pump which served those two facilities has over a number of months been coming towards the end of its life. It finally failed at the end of January.

March Town Moorings

The branch has over a period been making representations to Fenland District Council with a view to saving those facilities and even suggested that the Council should consider charging. The problem is that a replacement pump would cost in the region of ÂŁ25,000 which would have to be found from already very hard pressed Council budgets; the likely income to be derived from charging would not provide a reasonable level of return on such an investment. The Council has decided that it cannot justify the purchase of a replacement pump and as a result the pump-out and Elsan disposal facilities have been permanently closed.

That is the bad news; the good news is that the Council has agreed, despite the closure of the pump-out and Elsan facilities, to continue the provision of potable water and the collection of boat refuse at the site. This is in line with representations made by the branch and will ensure that these two basic items which are essential to boaters are still available in March. There will continue to be no access to the site from March town centre and the water point has been moved so that it is behind a door accessed by a user key. All other moorings remain unchanged, so access to the town for visiting boaters is therefore unaffected.

I need to add one note of caution. In our discussions with representatives of the Council we were made aware of concerns over the issue of rubbish disposal. More particularly, there has recently been at least one incident when what was left at the site was not boat refuse but old fridges, cookers etc. no doubt no longer required following a boat refit. It is imperative that the facility for boat refuse is not abused for otherwise there is the danger that it will be withdrawn. In an amendment to the old slogan – use it properly or lose it!

Although it is sad that the pump-out and Elsan facility have been withdrawn we do have to recognise the hard financial imperatives under which local authorities are currently labouring. In the circumstances we hope that you will agree that the provision for the future of water and refuse disposal at the site is a satisfactory outcome to a difficult situation. We are grateful to the Council for the positive attitude it has taken in relation to our representations.

Nigel Long 11

Shiny new boats on show at Crick

Email: gregbassam@gbwatersports.co.uk 12

NORTHAMPTON BOAT GATHERING Friday 4th to Monday 7th May 2012 Organised by IWA Northampton Branch on the River Nene at Becket’s Park, Northampton BOAT HANDLING REAL ALE BAR ENTERTAINMENT Bbq FISH & CHIPS Entry details from Eric Young - eric.young@waterways.org.uk 07973-739833 01604-862988

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orthampton Branch’s annual Boat Gathering will be held on the River Nene at Becket’s Park, not far from the centre of Northampton. The 2012 event over the May Day Bank will be a return to ‘normal service’ from last year when the Gathering was upgraded to National Campaign Festival status. Northampton Branch look forward to welcoming IWA members, with or without boats, over the weekend where we have lots planned to keep you entertained and amused! A REAL ALE BAR will be on tap throughout the weekend offering, of course, other beverages as well as local real ales.

Friday afternoon sees the erection of the main marquee and other tentage on the Lock Island, and any help with this would be greatly appreciated. From early Friday evening, a BBQ will be operating at “full steam ahead” followed by an informal meet-and-greet get-together with a mix of entertainment, including a local singer and light-hearted games.

Saturday will see a variety of events, culminating in the evening’s musical session featuring ‘The Caverners’ 60s Duo from Cambridge who are new faces at the Gathering.

Sunday will include the traditional Boaters’Auction, compered by that popular double act Eric and Bernie who are guaranteed to tweak the last penny out of you. Please bring along any unwanted items, old or new, and not necessarily boat-related for the auction.

A fish, chicken and chips van (advance orders only) will arrive on site early Sunday evening, after which it will be quiz time with Sam and Lynda.

Boat Handling competitions are on the schedule for both Saturday and Sunday, as is the Westbridge Challenge. Also over the weekend, you can indulge yourselves at Cat’s Tearoom (home-made cakes a speciality) as well as making purchases at the Branch's Sales Table.

It is also hoped that the local Sea Cadets will be putting on demonstrations and it is possible a “town tour” with a Blue Badge Guide will be organised for the Saturday afternoon to show you the delights of Northampton town! The St John Ambulance boat Crusader will be offering river trips for the public in exchange for a small donation.

As always, a prime objective of the Gathering, in addition to having a good time, is to raise money for local waterway causes. At the moment, the recipients of any surplus funds accruing are still to be confirmed, but these will be made known at the event.

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Brian W. Smith Marine Surveyor Pre-Purchase Surveys Valuations—Insurance Surveys CE Compliance for Home Builds Contact Brian on: Tel: 01354 680341 Mobile: 07887 781649 E-mail: smith.marine@btinternet.com

Boat Safety Examinations Engine Evaluation & Condition Ultra-sound Osmosis Assessment Gas System Surveys

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

WINTER SOCIAL MEETINGS

January – Book Swap The January meeting saw the Branch hold its first ever Book Swap thanks to the ingenuity of Richard Fairman. It turned out to be a good social get together which promoted much friendly banter among those present. Without the need to give order to a formal speaker it was a good opportunity to have a chat and enjoy the light refreshments. As a diversion the evening was rounded off with a game of Bingo!

February – EA Annual Review The February meeting saw us back on a more serious note with the now annually awaited visit of Irven Forbes to give his yearly review of the goings-on in the EA Anglian Region.

Although the position of the EA Navigations in relation to the new Canal & River Trust is still undecided, much work is going on behind the scenes to prepare for whatever changes are eventually decided upon by the time of the review of the situation which is due in 2014/5.

A substantial portion of the income to the Region for 2011 was £6 million Grant-in-Aid from the Government with boat licence fees contributing approximately 30% of the total income for the year. There were 6400 powered boats registered in the Region during 14

2011 with the number expected to be similar for 2012 bringing in around £1.65 million in licence fees.

Licence evasion, which is a thorny topic with legally registered boaters, is being vigorously pursued with 34 prosecutions being brought in 2011 and 11 so far in 2012 with the final number for this year expected to be about the same level as last.

Expenditure on the Region’s waterways in relation to navigation for 2011 was in the order of £6 million made up roughly of 20% for staff, 27% for routine maintenance and the balance on capital works. Despite the present uncertainty on the Region’s future constitution and reporting structure, there is no holding back on capital expenditure and as much is being done in this direction as funding permits.

Major work is being undertaken on the Ouse at St Ives Lock where the floor is being replaced to allow future draining down for routine maintenance to be done without a total closure of the river. On the Nene experiments are being undertaken at several locks to reduce the incidence of river flow overtopping the pointing doors at normal river levels with a pilot installation at Titchmarsh Lock having proved successful. Drain down and inspections are being undertaken at the locks at Clifford Hill, Higham, Upper Wellingborough, Cotterstock and Ringstead.

A general concern across the whole of the Anglian Region is the current drought situation. The dry year experienced in 2011 left river and aquifer levels very low and with the present winter also having been unusually dry, there has been very little water recharge into the soils and strata over recent months. This situation will result in lower river levels during the coming summer and is leading already to weed infestation on certain rivers, particularly in the Lincolnshire area. One particular invasive weed named Azolla is causing severe problems with blanket coverage and experiments are taking place with the introduction of a strain of weevils that feed on the weed in the hope that they will reduce the weed growth.

The Agency are still actively seeking external funding wherever possible along with working closely with the Flood Management arm of the EA to combine works funding where this is feasible. The new moorings installed at Orton last year received significant financial support from Peterborough CC and the work on Dog in a Doublet Sluice was jointly funded between Navigation and Flood Defence budgets. Progress on the Peterborough Waterspace Strategy is looking much more optimistic at present and further developments on the Fens Waterways Link are likely with the location of the proposed Boston Barrage having been agreed and a feasibility study on the connection point from the South Forty Foot to the Glen being well advanced.

Irven as usual manfully fielded a range of questions from the floor and a wide range of topics were aired as part of the discussion.

The Branch expressed its gratitude to Irven for taking the time once again to address us with a very informative presentation and the meeting responded in the usual way.

Philip Halstead 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: 07578-753558 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 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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Oundle - Historic town on the Nene

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nhabited since the Iron Age Oundle was originally a trading place and market for local produce. As the area became prosperous, wealthy traders set up shops and houses many of which stand today. Oundle had a grammar school since at least 1465, at which Sir William Laxton (Lord Mayor of London) was educated. He founded Laxton Grammar School in 1556, administered by the Worshipful Company of Grocers, from which the present Oundle School evolved.

Among the oldest buildings is the Talbot Inn. This was constructed of timber; it was rebuilt with stone from the ruins of nearby Fotheringhay Castle. Other pubs include the Rose & Crown, the Ship Inn, the Angel, the George and the Riverside, which sadly is currently derelict. There are a number of churches by far the most prominent – with the largest steeple in the area – is St Peter's parish church which occupies the main churchyard. Other major buildings include the Stahl Theatre and Oundle School buildings which are sometimes open to the public. A farmers market is held in the Market Place on the second Saturday of every month. Oundle is home to two of the three factories producing Fairline Boats and Oundle Marina.