Hereward w13 4 web (16pp)

PETERBOROUGH BRANCH

HEREWARD WINTER 2013/4

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

Dates for your Diary Tuesday 18th March

Eastern Region AGM Wednesday 19th March

Peterborough Branch AGM

More D etails on Page 2

Followed by Annual Review of EA ma ers by Irven Forbes Both events at Peterborough Bowls Club—7.30pm.

Saturday 5th April

Visit to Welches Dam & Horseways Followed by a presenta on on the background & history of the route and some of the problems encountered over the years.

Meet Horseways 11am—Refreshments to be provided—Joint with Gt Ouse Branch.

Anyone wishing to a'end please advise Branch Secretary Roger Green.

Tuesday 15th April

Visit to St Germans Pumping Station This new sta on was opened in 2011, has the capacity to pump 70 tonnes of water per second and is crucial to draining the Fenland area.

Visit starts at 10.30am. Numbers limited to 25. Anyone wishing to a'end please advise Branch Secretary Roger Green. Places allocated on a first come basis.

Easter Weekend 18—21April

Easter Cruise Visi ng Holme Fen, Ramsey Forty Foot, Stonea and Three Holes.

Assemble at March 10am Good Friday. Crews wishing to take part please advise David Venn so IWA insurance can be arranged. Non-members welcome.

Cover Photo: Since the latter part of 2013 the view from Town Bridge in Peterborough of the original Great Northern Railway bridge over the Nene has been somewhat changed. The whole bridge has been shrouded in white sheeting while contractors carry out cleaning and grit blasting work as part of the refurbishment of the bridge. It is understood the completed work will involve the repainting of the structure which will hopefully improve the present rather drab appearance the bridge gives to this area of the river.

The very enthusiastic management of Railworld are lobbying to have this area of the riverside improved with landscaping to provide an improved and more attractive walking route from the city to both the Railworld attractions and the Nene Valley Railway station.

EDITOR’S NOTES

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belated Happy New Year to all Branch members. It has been a fairly quiet period over the Winter months but we do have some events to inform you about which are planned for later in the year when we hope better weather favours us. Details elsewhere within.

In November last year your committee met with Ian Bliss – the newly appointed EA Partnerships Manager for Anglian Waterways. Ian gave a presentation to promote discussion on this recent initiative to create this role and to establish a Volunteer Steering Group within the EA. Having previously lagged behind the former BW and now CRT in the use and encouragement of volunteers, these actions from the EA do seem to demonstrate a change in mind-set on the subject which can only be welcomed.

Ian made reference to recent workshops held with both RNG members and EA staff during which key outcomes for volunteers included the need for clear responsibilities, to be given support and made to feel valued, to have involvement in new innovations and tasks and demonstrate willingness to share workload. Concerns expressed included: lack of engagement, bureaucracy, reluctance to engage and H&S obstacles. Staff members expressed concerns about volunteer management time, the fact that volunteers are amateurs, risks to current staff jobs and again H&S responsibilities.

The Volunteer Steering Group includes a remit for wider EA responsibilities and is not just waterways focussed. VSG have started to work on policies and procedures for volunteers, addressing risks and issues, identifing volunteer roles, increasing awareness within EA, engaging with partner organisations eg. IWA, Boat clubs etc. A Volunteering Tactical Group has also been established with responsibility for implementation and delivery, producing a volunteers handbook and identifying sources of external funding.

One Volunteering Group is already running with a part time coordinator, 80-160 volunteers, and is engaged in training and extending roles and responsibilities.

Three key local pilot projects in Anglian region currently being considered for significant amounts of volunteer input include:• Opportunities at Denver for moorings supervision, assistant lock keepers and visitor welcoming roles. There is an aim to develop Denver as a ‘honeypot’ site as it is recognised that its attractions are currently under promoted.

• Northampton lock and marina information centre. Aim to provide a welcome and assistance ‘gateway’ for craft and visitors joining the Nene from the canal system.

• Peterborough visitor support. Tied in with more encompassing plans in the Peterborough Waterspace Development Plan and plans for development of South Bank.

More general volunteer roles under consideration include lock and picnic site gardening, moorings assistants, litter picks, site checks and cover for events and shows.

It was agreed that the subject would be discussed again at the Branch AGM in March when Irven Forbes will give his annual update on EA matters with a particular focus on navigation and volunteering. Members attending will then have the chance to raise any questions at this time.

Philip Halstead

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS We have decided to dispense with a Winter meetings programme this year and instead have arranged a programme including the traditional Easter Cruise plus some site visits which we thrust will be of interest to members.

Easter Cruise This years cruise over the Easter Weekend will visit Holme Fen and Ramsey and culminate with a Social Event at the new moorings at Three Holes. The itinerary is:Good Friday 18th April: Boats to assemble at March for 10am with boats cruising to Holme Fen to overnight. Plan is to be at Lode End for around 2pm.

Easter Saturday 19th April: Leave in the morning to cruise via the Ramsey Forty Foot to moor for the night at The George.

Easter Sunday 20th April: Leave in the morning to be at Stonea for lunch. Then move on to Three Holes for a social event and BBQ. Easter Monday 21st April: Disperse at your leisure.

The event is open to members and non-members are also welcome. Entries must be booked with David Venn (details page 12) for IWA insurance cover to be arranged.

Visit to Welches Dam and Horseways Much has been heard within the Branch and Region over recent years about these names and it has been decided to arrange a site visit as a joint outing with friends from the Great Ouse Branch. The visit will take place on Saturday 5th April and the meeting place is 11am at Horseways Lock where there is adequate parking.

The visit will include a guided tour of the locks at Hoseways and Welches Dam including a look at the channel in between. The tour will be followed by a presentation on the background and history of the route with an outline of the problems which have been encountered over the years. Refreshments will be available.

Anyone wishing to attend should confirm to Roger Green (details page 12).

Visit to St Germans Pumping Station By kind permission of the Middle Level Commissioners we have been given to opportunity to visit the new St Germans Pumping Station which was opened in April 2011 to replace the old station which was 75 years old. The new station has the capacity to pump 70 tonnes of water per second and is crucial to draining an area occupied by 20,000 properties and including prime agricultural land valued at £3.6 billion. The new pumping station won the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Mayor’s award for ‘Design in the Environment – Commercial New Build’ and also received the overall ‘Gold Award’ as competition winner topping approximately fifty entries in numerous classes. More details can be found at: www.mlcpumping.info/ .

The visit will take place on Tuesday 15th April at 10.30am. Places are limited to 25.

Anyone wishing to attend should advise Roger Green with places being allocated on a strictly first come basis. More details will be advised once the attendees are finalised.

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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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OUNDLE MARINA VILLAGE BARNWELL ROAD, OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH PE8 5PA Tel: 01832 272762

e-mail: info@oundlemarina.com

CHANDLERY

MOORINGS 200 non-residential moorings for Cruisers and Narrowboats up to 62 feet long

Well stocked Chandlery plus Diesel, Petrol, Calor Gas, Homefire Coal, Logs, Kindling

SERVICES & FACILITIES Craneage, Slipway, Boat and Canopy Repairs, Engine Servicing, Toilets, Showers, Laundrette Keep up to date with the latest Boats for Sale, River Conditions and Marina News by visiting www.oundlemarina.com THE CHANDLERY IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK—9.00AM TO 5.00PM

Nigel Long

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PETERBOROUGH BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Peterborough Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Wednesday 19th March 2014 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 2013 3. Matters Arising from those Minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Presentation and Adoption of the Branch Accounts for the year to 31/12/13 6. Election of Committee Members (see notes below) Notes: a)

There is no longer any limit to the number of members of the committee

b) Under the 3-year rule Roger Sexton and Philip Halstead will retire at the forthcoming AGM and being co-opted members during the year, Roger Green and Andrew Storrar must seek election. 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 2014 must be deposited with the Branch Secretary [Roger Green, 70 Windmill Close, Ellington, Huntingdon PE28 0AJ. e-mail:nb.chatsworth@gmail.com] before the start of the Annual General Meeting.

CONSENT FORM I agree to stand for election to the Peterborough Branch committee at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. I am a member of Peterborough Branch.

(Sign) ------------

Print Name --------------

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EASTERN REGION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Region of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Tuesday 18th March 2014 at the Peterborough and District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough PE1 5HA at 7.30 p.m.

AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Approval of the Minutes of the AGM held in 2013 3. Matters Arising from those Minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Election of Committee Members (see notes below): a)

The Chairman of the Region is elected in a 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 Region committee. b) Under the 3 year rule the period of office of those elected at the 2011 AGM comes to an end at the forthcoming AGM. All of those individuals are eligible to stand again for election. There is no limit to the number of members of the committee and therefore no limit to the number of those who may stand for election. c) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to stand for election to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so.

Consents from members of the Region who wish to stand for election at the AGM 2014 must be deposited with the Region Secretary [Roger Green, 70 Windmill Close, Ellington, Huntingdon PE28 0AJ. e-mail:nb.chatsworth@gmail.com] before the start of the Annual General Meeting

CONSENT FORM I agree to stand for election to the Eastern Region committee at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. I am a member of Eastern Region

(Sign) -----------------------------

Print Name ------------------------

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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

WELCOME The Branch offers a warm welcome to the following new members:Mr Pete Booth of Boston, Lincs Mrs J Coe of Huntingdon Mr Bryn Dawkins & Family of Peterborough Mr Roy James & Family of Peterborough

NEW REGION CHAIRMAN Following an unopposed nomination, Richard Collet-Fenson has been appointed Chairman of Eastern Region of the IWA with immediate effect from early in the new year.

Under the IWA constitution Richard will also automatically become a trustee of the Association. Richard has asked to meet the Peterborough Branch committee in February to introduce himself so more information should be available for the next edition of Hereward.

NEW MINISTER As a part of the Government Reshuffle in October, Richard Benyon MP, the Defra minister responsible for inland waterways, stepped down from his Ministerial role and has been replaced by Dan Rogerson, the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for North Cornwall. Mr Rogerson has been an MP since 2005 and has previously served on various committees within DEFRA. 11

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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The New Bedford River Regular contributor John Revell is well known for his cruises into underused sections of the Fenland waterways system and here he describes a couple of photos taken on a venture up the New Bedford River, otherwise known as ‘The 100 foot’.

I took this photograph on the left on the 100 Foot (New Bedford River) from the bridge to the Welney Wetland Centre.

It was nearing low tide on a gloomy November day.

The photograph above was taken as I went under the bridge to the Welney Wetland Centre on a brighter day in September. I am travelling upstream with the flood tide.

Quite a contrast with the previous photo.