Hereward su13 web (16pp)

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH

HEREWARD SUMMER 2013

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

EDITOR’S NOTES

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he Branch AGM held in March resulted in some dramatic changes to the make-up of the Branch Committee with the retirement of several long standing officers and members who have provided stalwart service to the Branch. We bade farewell to Alastair and Carole Chambers, Chairman and Membership Secretary respectively, Deputy chairman Graham Baughn, Secretary Nigel Long, Treasurer Michael Slaughter and John Dudley. I am sure all members will wish to join me in recording thanks to all these retiring members for their efforts on our behalf over a good number of years.

As there were no new nominations received at the AGM for any of the positions vacated, the first committee meeting following the AGM was a fairly sombre affair. Only five members remained on the committee and we had to set about the task of appointing officers. Roger Mungham volunteered to act as Treasurer and David Venn agreed to act as Chairman on a temporary basis but the key role of Secretary could not immediately be filled. The decision was made to write to all Branch members to explain the predicament and you should all have received David Venn’s letter. At this meeting the remaining members of the committee did seriously consider whether it was worth carrying on and this point was made clear in the letter. A positive outcome has been the co-opting on to the committee of Roger Green who volunteered to take on the role of Secretary and Andrew Storrar. Roger introduces himself to you on page 2 in of this issue and we welcome both of them to our ranks.

There is still however room for more volunteers and we will offer a warm welcome to anyone interested in joining the committee. We intend to carry on but it goes without saying that with our reduced numbers activity within the Branch is likely to be restricted until more support is forthcoming.

The low level of activity within the Branch over the recent period is reflected in this smaller than usual ‘Hereward’ and I make another plea for any material any of our members may like to contribute. ‘Hereward’ is your magazine not mine or the committee’s and any topical contribution is always welcome. Please bear this in mind as you plan your summer involvement with the waterways. A few notes and photographs of any interesting places you visit or experiences you encounter will help us return to the normal size for the Autumn issue.

According to the BBC this Spring has been the coldest based on average temperatures for 30 years. I certainly go along with that. Hopefully the Summer months will compensate and as I write this in early June things do seem to be on the up. I wish everyone a good summer and enjoy the waterways.

Philip Halstead

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cing u d o r t n I

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OUR NEW BRANCH SECRETARY

wonder what I have taken on – branch secretary? One thing is for sure Nigel will be a hard act to follow!

I think my interest in inland waterways began when I was 8 years old when I navigated my first canal. It was in a 6ft plywood dinghy made by my Dad, we launched it for the first time on the Chesterfield canal near Drakeholes Tunnel. I was fascinated and further outings to Marple and Whaley Bridge reinforced this interest.

Over the years we have hired boats for holidays and have explored a wide range of waterways with family and friends.

When I was teaching we would take four narrowboats and 30 youngsters on the Great Ouse in March and October – no formal risk assessments in those days!

When retirement from the county council loomed we made the decision to purchase a 45ft sailaway so that I would be kept occupied fitting it out rather than getting under my wife’s feet but also so that we could enjoy the waterways when and where the mood and opportunity would take us.

“Chatsworth” is now complete and we have had several cruises around the system in the last couple of years – Bath, Bedford, BCN and Bugsworth Basin are perhaps our highlights. The level of maintenance and development certainly varies around the country and it is plain to see that CRT has an enormous backlog to cope with. As IWA grapples to understand its role in this new relationship with CRT I am convinced that it is certainly a vital one if we are to protect and preserve what we all care and campaign for.

Roger Green 2

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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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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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LETTERS—APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE

This letter was received by the Branch requesting assistance from any of our members. If anyone wishes to respond to Mr Lenten’s appeal can you please reply direct.

Nigel Long

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OUNDLE MARINA THE NENE BOATING CENTRE BARNWELL ROAD, OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH PE8 5PA Tel/Fax 01832 272762 e-mail:info@oundlemarina.com

BROKERAGE

CHANDLERY

Contact us for list of used boats currently for sale

SERVICES & FACILITIES Craneage, Slipway, Fuel, Repairs, Boat Covers, Transport, Servicing, Toilets, Showers, BSS Certificates Moorings up to 19 metres —- Insurance Diesel & Calor Gas

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK CLOSED WEDNESDAYS Exit J13 off A14 follow A605 to Oundle Opposite Barnwell Country Park

Stockist of Bainbridge, Aquafax, Blakes Paint, International Paint

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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BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM

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isiting a popular tourist venue by boat is always an interesting experience as one always feels part of the cameo. One such venue is the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley which is directly accessible from the Old Main Line of the BCN system with secure moorings being provided for visiting boaters right inside the museum.

The canal basin forms part of the re-created Black Country Village and there are a wide range of working craft on display, some undergoing maintenance by traditional craftsmen.

The village includes a host of other attractions including a wide range of period shops, a chapel and a school, a welfare institute and of course the pub. The shops include an ironmongers, a dispensing chemist, clothing outfitters, sweet shop and the not to be missed fish & chip shop which fries with traditional beef dripping.

There are also a range of demonstrations of various Black Country industries including chain making, a coal mine, glass engraving and steel rolling.

The canal village site is linked to the main museum building by an electric tramway with opentopped trams (don’t touch the overhead wire!) and a trolleybus system featuring vehicles from Wolverhampton and Walsall. A motor museum includes a good range of vehicles which were manufactured in the midlands with some quite rare makes. The houses in the village are open to allow a snapshot of life before running water and electricity were the norm in homes. In those days the fire was used for cooking as well as providing heat. There are also the Dudley Tunnel boat trips. A great place to visit!

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Shiny new boats on show at Crick

Email: gregbassam@gbwatersports.co.uk 10

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

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Saturday 29 June There will be a Hand Over ceremony of the new moorings at Three Holes to Upwell Parish Council at 3pm at the moorings. The Branch have provided funds for the moorings which have been constructed by the Middle Level Commissioners. It has been agreed that the Parish Council will take on responsibility for the on-going maintenance and upkeep of the moorings to provide a useful facility for the village. See inside back cover for photographs of the moorings.

Saturday/Sunday 27/28 July The Nene Valley Railway is holding a Transport Weekend over these two days which will include classic cars gathered at Wansford, buses and commercial vehicles at Peterborough Nene Valley station and of course the usual rail based attractions with steam trains travelling between the two sites on both days. There are EA public moorings right by the stations at Wansford and Orton Mere and Peterborough Embankment is close by the Nene Valley station in Peterborough. Why not make a visit by boat and add another dimension to the transport theme. Further details at www.nvr.org.uk.

Bank Holiday 23—26 August The Middle Level Watermans Club are celebrating their 50th Anniversary over this weekend with a series of events which are detailed inside the front cover. All IWA members are welcome.

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INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION Peterborough Branch

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ACTING CHAIRMAN: David Venn, Bruffs Lodge, High Street, Nordelph, Downham Market PE38 0BL Tel: 01366 324102 e-mail:davidgvenn@tiscali.co.uk

SECRETARY: Roger Green, 70 Windmill Close, Ellington, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 0AJ Tel: 01480 890215 Mobile: 07799 066001 e-mail: nb.chatsworth@gmail.com

TREASURER: Roger Mungham Boatmans Cottage, Workhouse Lane, Upwell, Wisbech PE14 9ET Tel: 01945 773002 e-mail: rogerboatmans@talktalk.net MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Position Vacant EDITOR: Philip Halstead, 20 Cane Avenue, Peterborough PE2 9QT Tel: 01733 348500 e-mail: pp@halstead5.orangehome.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENTS OFFICER: Richard Fairman, The Old Railway House, Cowbit, Spalding, Lincs PE12 0XD Tel: 01406 380575

Roger Sexton, 2 Shaw Drive, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 9TB Tel: 01354 652329 Andrew Storrar, 48 Station Road, Morton, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0NN Tel: 01778 570610 e-mail: andrewstorrar@aol.com

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New Moorings at Three holes The new moorings at Three Holes which were funded by the Branch were substantially complete just before Easter. There will be a hand over ceremony to Upwell Parish Council on Saturday 29 June at 3pm.

All members welcome.

The Parish council have agreed to take on the on going maintenance and upkeep of the moorings.