Spring 2021
Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches
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Index Basingstoke Canal Society John Pinkerton Focus on Accessible Boating Association
Branch Annual General Meetings
Page: 7 Page: 8 Page: 15
Page: 6
Byfleet Boat Club
Page: 9
Chichester Ship Canal
Page: 32
Guildford & Reading Branch
Page: 7
IWA TV
Page: 42
Kent & Sussex Branch – IWAKES
Page: 24
River Adur Dartford & Crayford Navigation River Medway Thames & Medway Canal Association Eastern Rother Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Kentish Stour Future Events
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust
Page: 31
Page: 9
Newbury Reading Crofton Beam Engines
London Region
Page: 37
Maidenhead
Page: 16
Mikron Theatre Group
Page: 41
Oxfordshire Branch Banbury Canal Partnership
Page: 33 Page: 34
Region Chair Report
Page: 3
River Thames
Page: 2
River Wey & Godalming Navigations
Page: 14
National Trust
Salisbury Group
Page: 6
Southampton Canal Society
Page: 17
South London
Page: 39
Towpath Walks
Page: 40
Wey & Arun Canal Trust Future Events
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Future Events
Page: 18 Page: 22
Page: 35 Page: 36
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Editorial Whilst writing this editorial at the end of January, although we are still in lockdown it is nice to see some beginnings of warmer days to come and, hopefully, the possibility of using the canals and rivers to their full by whatever means you use. There has been so much rain recently that many waterways are running close to flood which means that high water levels and the current restrictions restrict use of the waterways. I have been very heartened by the number of articles I have received from contributors for this edition of Cargoes. There is so little happening that I know at times it is very difficult to find things to write about! Thank you all! This time I have included a couple of articles about canals and rivers in our area that are not so well known The Chichester Ship Canal and the River Loddon. I hope you enjoy them. Chris Jones – Editor
From the Region Chair Here we have enjoyed the first proper snow for ages, even if it did not last long. It was great to see the snowmen and hear the shrieks of delight from the children…and some adults. The garden is beginning to wake up, with some bulbs testing the temperature and the mahonia blossom providing useful nectar. We are looking forward the warmer, brighter days. Planning for events is difficult in these uncertain times but I am sure that things will begin to settle down later in the year. I had hoped that we would be planning the detail of the Trailboat Festival at Dunsfold Park but this may have to be postponed until later this year and the Basingstoke Raft Race organisers are keeping their powder dry for now too. The IWA has hosted number of informative webinars which I have found very useful. The latest on “Canal Authority Underfunding” was particularly useful as it featured contributors from non-EA and CRT waterways, namely: the Basingstoke Canal Authority, The Broads Authority, Chichester Ship Canal Trust and the Grand Western Canal Trust. Some common themes emerged such as the significant increase in towpath use during lockdown, the increasing number of paddleboarders / non-powered craft and the decline in powered boat ownership. It was also noted that people living close to these waterways had re-discovered them as a real asset. Cover Photo:
Courtesy: Wey & Arun Canal Trust
4 Apart from the Chichester Ship Canal Trust, which manages to be selffunded, through its trip boat operation and local fundraising, all authorities were clearly concerned about the impact of local authority funding cuts on both the structures and operation of their canals. Looking to the future, the need for costly investment in electric charging points was highlighted by the Broads Authority, as the boats will be required to use low carbon fuel from 2025. One of the biggest tasks on the Broads is dredging and the Authority would like to invest in an electrically powered wherry for moving the arisings but the cost is prohibitive. The spokesman for the Basingstoke Canal suggested that central government funding for capital projects for investment in income generation the canals would help them become less reliant on local government funding. Lottery funding was also discussed but this is usually only available for Heritage work or new projects. Until next time stay safe and keep zooming! Verna Smith
Obituary Ron Heritage 19 January 1933 – 30th October 2020 th
Born in January 1933 Ron was one of four children. The family lived in Ramsgate, Kent. Ron enjoyed the freedom to roam the harbour area during childhood. He never lost this love of the sea and boats. Indeed with many friends in the Ramsgate Lifeboat, the RNLI was Ron’s chosen charity throughout his life. A happy boy, although somewhat of a rascal I understand, Ron went to school locally until WWII broke out. With two siblings he was evacuated to Staffordshire and lodged with two families for the period of 1940-1942. It was a difficult time but I understand that he was a bit of a character there as well. In 1948 at 15 yrs old he left school for a plumbing apprenticeship which on completion in 1952 was soon followed by National Service in 1953. Of course he chose the Navy, was assigned to 6 different motor torpedo boats (MTB) during that time. His service was extended for a few months of part time work. Whilst on Navy home leave he met his future wife Mary, who was a nurse. They married in April 1954. On leaving the navy in 1955 Ron worked in various plumbing roles and moved to Gillingham where they lived with their baby daughter, Jo and later their son Tony. Ron worked in plumbing, both domestic and commercial in and around the Medway towns for many years. Having joined the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating (1973) he rose to be the National President, travelling with Mary to represent the institute at a number of official functions. In these years Ron and Mary’s family grew by five grandchildren whom they loved greatly.
5 When Ron and Mary retired they purchased a Narrowboat called Andantino which they moored at Lower Heyford in Oxfordshire and started living aboard from the April to September each year travelling many parts of the inland waterways. To enable them to do this more freely, they eventually sold their home in Rochester and moved to Fringford in Oxfordshire, to be nearer their boat and the canal system. They purchased a new boat Heron, got involved in the local Oxfordshire branch of the Inland Waterways Association becoming Branch Chairman in 2005. In particular organising with wife Mary’s help many Narrowboat events in Banbury and Oxford, including Banbury Canal Day. They were justifiably proud of their re- enactment of Tom Rolt’s famous canal trip for one whole summer travelling up to Chester, which attracted reports from the national press, and included a local school childrens’ involvement in keeping tabs on their progress via the internet. This earned them recognition at IWA national level. In 2013 by then in their late 70’s Ron and Mary sold Heron and threw themselves into village life in Fringford, whilst keeping in touch with all their IWA friends. Throughout this time, Ron was well known for having something in his garage to fix whatever problem arose in the village and always loved to spend time chatting at every opportunity to their increasing group of friends. In 2014 Ron and Mary celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary, being 60 years married. When Mary passed away in 2016 after a tragic few weeks struggling with Motor Neurone Disease, Ron learned to cook for himself and started to grow many of his own vegetables, also joining the church discussion and lunch group, regularly hosting and doing some cooking for the small group and challenging them with some interesting ideas in the matters of faith and church. At this point he became a Great Grandad to two boys, Beau and Jack. In March 2019 sadly Ron was suddenly taken into hospital for an emergency life saving operation, which was to prove very successful. After a few weeks in intensive care he was able to return home, defying all expectations. He lived alone and cared for himself for another year, still enjoying his home and friends to the full. The garage continued to provide repairs and event items for the village and he increasingly enjoyed lunch at the local pub. In March 2020 as the country was caught up in Covid 19 and following some difficult news from the doctors caring for him, Ron moved back to Kent to live with daughter Jo and her husband Colin. He was in surprising good health and managed to fix gates, put up huge sheds to accommodate his vast array of tools, building raised vegetable beds and planting masses of tomatoes, cucumbers and marigolds. Here he was able to see more of his grandsons and great grandsons. Saying that there was still so many things he wanted to do, in particular build some more raised beds, Ron continued to potter in the garden and find things to fix until, after a couple of days of feeling very tired he passed away peacefully at home. His life was one that he often said, was happy and fulfilled and we thank God for him. Brian Saunders Banbury Canal Partnership
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Branch Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the Kent & East Sussex, Oxfordshire and Guildford and Reading Branches of the Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows: The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM: Mon 29th March, 7.00pm by Zoom The Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM: Tues 30th March 7.30pm by Zoom. The Oxfordshire Branch AGM: Wed 14th April 2021 by Zoom.
Further details for all AGM’s are available on the Branch section of the IWA Website. Joining instructions will be available on Registration. The Agenda for the branch meetings will be based on the standard format set out in IWA Byelaws as follows:
Agenda 1
Apologies for Absence
2
Approval (following amendments if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGM held the previous year
3
Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items)
4
Branch Chairman’s Report
5
Branch Treasurer’s Report and Accounts
6
Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary). Simply contact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM
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Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified in writing at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM
Salisbury Group Our Salisbury Correspondent, Myra Glover writes: Due to continuing restrictions, we haven’t been able doing anything for our small group and I probably won’t organise anything until the government gives us the freedom to continue which hopefully won’t be too long. When we are eventually able to meet I will contact everyone on my list. If anyone wants any information before then please phone or email me on 01722 710322 or 07768 622966, email glover.3@btinternet.com, myra.glover@waterways.org.uk or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841. Myra Glover
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Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman It is a tribute to paid staff and volunteers on our waterways that trees continue to be cleared, water levels managed and phones answered. The towpaths continue to be well used and hardy paddlers can still be seen enjoying their exercise, though I suspect that some onlookers are secretly hoping for a splash. There is little of note to report except that we now know that Cavalcade, held at Little Venice, is postponed until 2022 and the IWA Trailboat Festival is likely to be held later in the year than expected. In the meantime do take advantage of the excellent series of webinars, discussions and talks available through the IWA website under IWA TV. Our Branch AGM will be on Monday 29 th March, please visit the branch pages on the IWA Website for registration details. Verna Smith (acting Chair)
Sales & Publicity Stand The Sales Team are waiting to hear if any of events we are hoping to attend will go ahead. If they do we will need volunteers to man the stand. Please contact Ben Scott, on 07484 223691, or Cargoes editor, Chris Jones if you think you’ll be able to help. We will welcome you with open arms! Our email address is chris.jones@waterways.org.uk The Sales Team
Basingstoke Canal Society Growing Support for the Basingstoke Canal Society Marks a Strong Start to 2021: The continuing constraints of Covid-19 can’t keep The Basingstoke Canal Society from making a strong start to 2021, with the charity reporting a growing membership, increased fundraising and plans to build new links with councils across the area. Our new website, pictured, which was launched last year has received well over £14,500 in donations for our initiative for more information signs, with contributions coming from Fleet, Farnborough and Rushmoor Rotary Clubs, RAF Odiham, Farnborough Airport, and £1,000 from the De La Rue charity, in Basingstoke.
8 Hart, Woking and Surrey Heath councillors have also made extra contributions above their ongoing maintenance contributions. Two legacies have also been received from two long-standing volunteer supporters of the society, Dieter Jebens, a founder member, and Dick Snell, also a long-term member. “We are tremendously grateful for everyone’s very generous donations,” said Society Co-vice-chairman Ken Sankey, “which means we have raised around almost three quarters of the £20,000 required for our information boards project. These were called for by canal users who want to know more about the canal, its history and wildlife, so we are pleased to be well on our way to making these a reality! We hope to get the first signs in place within the next couple of months. “It is great that we also hit our target of reaching 1000 members in 2020 with the Society’s membership growing by 20% in the year. On the back of the increased usage of the canal, the committee now has ambitious plans to add a further thousand this year to take the overall number to 2,000 members. “A new focus for 2021 is to develop our links with local councils along the canal, to promote this wonderful asset to our communities,” adds Ken. “We believe more people could enjoy the physical and mental health benefits to be gained along its banks, and an aim for this year is to develop ways to reach more members of our population.” You can find out more about the canal and how to support the Basingstoke Canal Society via the website at https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk. Canal Watch to Tackle Crime Along Woking Stretch of the Towpath The Basingstoke Canal Society is joining in partnership with Surrey Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Woking Borough Council and the local community to launch a new Canal Watch initiative following a number of incidents over the past 18 months. Drawing inspiration from a similar scheme in the East Midlands, Sgt Ed Lyons said: “It’s been really interesting to see how many people use the canal and how members of our community have volunteered to help us patrol the towpath, to record any suspicious behaviour or criminal activity. The new Canal Watch will be the first of its kind in the South of England and has the support of the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro, who is supporting the scheme with funding for hi-vis tabards and jackets for the volunteers. Sgt Lyons added: “We hope the first patrols will be active in early March when Covid 19 restrictions will hopefully be relaxed. We hope this will both discourage any undesirable behaviour and also provide a reassuring presence for other canal users.” Lisa Taylor
Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II and Kitty Boat Trips: While both John Pinkerton and Kitty are out of service at the moment we will accept requests for dates in 2021. All bookings will be subject to current Covid-19 restrictions, which may reduce passenger numbers from the maximum of 50.
Charter trips booked so far are those shown in the list of Scheduled Trips & Events. If you would like to charter on a day without a trip shown, please contact us
9 at https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk or phone the Booking Team on 01256 765889 (10am - -8pm). You can charter the whole boat for exclusive use by family, friends or work colleagues. Cruising in the peaceful surroundings of the Basingstoke Canal is a great way to relax. Trips from Mytchett: Boat trips on board our friendly 12-seater boat Rosebud usually run at weekends and on public holidays from Easter to September. Please contact us for up to date information. Tel 01252 370073, email info@basingstokecanal.co.uk or check on Facebook or Twitter.
Focus on Accessible Boating Association The Accessible Boating Association is a registered charity which enables people who can’t use existing canal boats to enjoy cruises on the Basingstoke Canal. Two boats are available: Madam Butterfly is a comfortable 7-berth cruising boat and Dawn is a 12-person day boat. Both boats are based in Odiham at Galleon Marine’s boatyard with trips operating from Colt Hill Wharf from April to October. For more details see the website www.accessibleboating.org.uk. New volunteers are always welcome; speak to one of our volunteers or contact our Chairman, John Ranson at chairman@accessibleboating.org.uk
Byfleet Boat Club We are sorry but due to Covid 19 regulations Boat Hire is currently suspended. All our meetings are being held by Zoom as listed on our website. Please contact us if you are interested in joining the club, although we suggest you visit us first when able to do so. Michael Chamberlain
Kennet & Avon Canal News Newbury Branch 2020 having been pretty much a write-off due to the COVID pandemic, we are hoping that things will improve this year so that we can resume boat operations once it is safe to do so. Since restrictions look set to continue for quite some time, this is likely to be on a limited basis with small groups of passengers only with COVID-secure protocols followed. Provisional planning for the new season is well underway. As part of that we are on the look-out out for new volunteer crew. If you are interested in volunteering on the boat, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for fit, friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to join our team. To find out more e mail us at jubilee@katrust.org.uk. Training is slated for March ready for the start of the boating season, hopefully around Easter although that timetable may well slip depending on the prevailing situation at that time. Our provisional plan is
10 to run “boat of 6” trips on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12 noon and 2.30 pm. When the programme is finalised, further details will be published at www.jubilee.katrust.org.uk , where bookings can be made online. Newbury Waterways Festival 2020, which had been due to take place on Sunday 5th July, unfortunately had to be postponed until this year. It is now due to take place on 4th July 2021, again with the theme “The Great British Summer” in Victoria Park, which hopefully will have lots of boats, trade and charity stalls, and entertainment for all, with free entry. At the time of writing, it is uncertain whether the event can proceed and detailed planning is on hold. Sarah Foley
Future Events The Newbury Waterways Festival The Newbury Waterways Festival is due to be held on the 4th July in Victoria Park by kind permission of Newbury Town Council. Victoria Park is filled with trade and charity stalls with entertainment for all the family. We arrange a colourful flotilla of boats to moor alongside the Park. The branch raises a significant amount for Trust funds through the festival. The next Festival, with a theme of ‘The Great British Summer’ Sarah Foley is due to take place on the 4th July 2021.
Trips Aboard Jubilee K&A Newbury Branch are hoping to start trips on Jubilee at Easter. We plan to have “Boats of 6” trips on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12 noon and 2.30pm. Please email jubilee@katrust.org.uk or look on our website www.jubilee.katrust.org.uk.
Reading Branch Chairman’s Report Hello again, Wishing you well for the coming new year and hoping you are all still keeping well. I never thought when I mentioned the start of a month’s lock down in November, we would be pretty much the same in February. With the Vaccines now being deployed and the Warmer Weather approaching hopefully we can take an optimistic slant on the new year. Spring seems to be starting. I have seen Primroses and Snowdrops on the banks and yesterday saw a few bats flying around. Walking out on the towpath has been misty early in the morning and the water looks fast and full. The sluice nearby has been raised by CRT today so the water is still rising. No flood warning. I do wonder if the EA monitoring point at Theale, having been faulty for over 2 years now, has given up the ghost. Most of the plans mentioned last time are still just that at the moment. We have had some interest from RBC about the 1st Mile of the K&A. We have plans to
11 improve the offering at the Tea Room at Aldermaston and to renovate the Toll Office / Wash Room in the grounds of the tea rooms to provide an information point for the K&A Canal Trust. The discussion with RBC around Water Fest is still positive but has been scaled down to a single day event. I have spoken to folk from both Historic Narrowboat Club (HNBC) and The Narrowboat Trust and all things being equal they are hoping to attend this year’s event. The K&A Reading Branch continues to stage online meetings. We have recently had a talk from Phil Prettyman from the HNBC, regarding the nuances of historic narrowboats and some of the interesting tales that emerge from the boatman’s cabins. At the time of writing our next talk is from Suki Russell Howard to talk about the Secret Garden Project in Newbury on the Lock Island area known to some as John Gould’s Garden. On 16th March we have a presentation “Kopuko Mine Canal” (yes they do have canals in New Zealand) from Stephen Desmond (our man in NZ), and on Tuesday 20th April we have a talk from Fabian Hiscock of The Narrowboat Trust giving the story of the Trust, researched for its 50th anniversary in 2021. If anyone would like to join please let us know and we can provide the link. You can look for us on Facebook (Kennet and Avon Canal Trust - Reading Branch) for most up to date information. If you would like to sit in on the planned presentations please contact me. Having boated the K&A and used the lock in various states of repair, I witnessed the replacement of the gates at Southcote Lock. I had stories from Dave Copley about the restoration and the 30th anniversary of the said restoration. Some time ago I invited Bill Fisher and Terry Kemp to speak at our branch meeting having heard them speak at a meeting in Devizes about the “Long Life Gates”. In my head a lot of this came together. Many of the locks were 25-30 years old…the expected life of a lock gate is 25 years. With modern timbers this is nearer 15-20 years. Each set of Lock gates require 7 seasoned oak trees…. I’m told that current practice is to source from Germany, Netherlands, Poland, and this is “white” oak (quercus Alba) not the traditional English oak (quercus robur). White Oak has long been used in Europe and the Americas as a good (Relatively) quick growing lumber provider. It does not have the same strength and robustness as its Rubur relative. This is possibly the reason for the reduction in gate longevity. Additionally, trees are not able to grow to the same maturity. 200-year oaks aren’t readily available today.
12 On the K&A we have 103 locks, 206 sets (pairs) of lock gates. That’s 1,442 “mature” and Seasoned Oak trees. A small forest! The problem is wider, these numbers are very rough but are just the K&A. All other wooden gates have the same issues. The Reading branch has offered to pilot a lock survey to help CRT and further the cause for a move towards long life Steel gates. We have been working with Bill and Terry both VP’s of The Trust to help them identify areas of concerns and help the discussions with CRT in their prioritisation of lock repair and maintenance. At the moment we have identified the locks in “our patch” and have established a process to examine and record each lock together with a small “tool kit” to help the survey. The plan is to use volunteers that we can train to look at crucial elements of the lock and the area around and identify areas of concern. We have done all the relevant risk analysis to keep us safe. The survey work involves less activity than actually taking a boat through the lock, so should be pretty straightforward and comfortable to achieve. Once we think we have sorted the exercise into a smooth operation we will be engaging with the rest of the branches to provide a comprehensive state of the waterway from a lock perspective. The plan is to include not just the working gates but looking at the structure, brickwork and coping stones, as well as items like benches and fencing gates etc. I have heard recently that a pair of steel gates have just been refurbished from the Napton Lock Flight and is being put back into service after 100 years of use. That’s 28 trees saved on its own!! Unfortunately, our plans to restart the physical working party (acting in concert with CRT) will have to be further delayed. Hopefully, we can start back to an active group in early summer. There is still scope for some interesting and fun activity on the K&A for 2021. You can keep Up-To-Date on the branch’s Facebook page (Kennet and Avon Canal Trust (Reading Branch)) or the Trust’s web page (https://katrust.org.uk/readingbranch/ Keep Well, Stay safe. Graham Puddephatt Chair.reading@katrust.org. 07802 154504
13 Future Events – By Zoom Tues 16th Mar: Presentation on “Kopuko Mine Canal” by Stephen Desmond Tues 20th Apr: Presentation “The Narrowboat Trust” by Fabian Hiscock giving the story of the Trust, researched for its 50th anniversary in 2021.
Crofton Beam Engines Crofton Beam Engines completes major Lottery funded project and receives further grant to help it steam again in 2021 Crofton Beam Engines, owned by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, has just completed a major £750,000 project to restore and protect its Grade 1 listed building, which houses the oldest working beam engine in the world that is still in its original location and capable of performing the task for which it was installed. The project to tell “Our Crofton Story”, which was supported by a grant of over £500,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has also delivered new accessible and family friendly toilets and a disabled ramp to allow better access to the buildings; new interpretation panels throughout the site and video screens showing the engines in operation; and improved facilities around the grounds including additional picnic tables and cycle racks. The project has also enabled the Trust to employ a Learning and Community Engagement Officer, who has started developing a programme to provide online resources and encourage school visits. Because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Crofton site was only open for a limited period in 2020, and the engines were not steamed. This has had a major impact on revenue. The Trust is therefore very grateful to the Wolfson Foundation, which also supported the major project, for a further grant of £35,000 to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 in 2020, and move ahead into 2021. Plans are already in place for steaming to recommence at Easter 2021. Chris Bolt, Trust Treasurer and Project Manager for the final stages of the major project said: "Today is a major milestone for the Trust. Despite the impact of Covid-19 in 2020, Crofton Beam Engines has a secure future thanks to the work completed as part of the major Lottery-funded project and the additional funding we have been able to raise. The grant from the Wolfson Foundation is a vote of confidence in the whole Crofton team and the unique heritage of the site." Further enquiries to: Chris Bolt (07766 756408)
Staying Covid-19 Secure in 2021 The Pumping Station, station grounds and Pay & Display car park will OPEN during Easter 2021 (Non Steaming) and will then reopen again for May Bank Holiday. Provisionally from May 2021 there may be steaming days, but please check the website and our social media for updates. If you’d like to contact us with any questions please either telephone: 01672 870300 or e-mail: crofton@katrust.org.uk
Crofton Beam Engine Website
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River Wey &Godalming Navigations By "Wey" of a Diversion: Your Editor has invited me to report on the River Wey for this edition but things have been quiet on the river this winter. All I have seen are a few canoes and paddleboards, a couple of day hire boats being taken down river for dry-docking and a National Trust employee cutting the grass on the towpath. Furthermore, the river has occasionally been in flood. So by "Wey" of a diversion I shall describe the history of some of the diversions to the channel of the River Wey. When the A3 Trunk Road was constructed in 1981 it passed under the railway in Guildford close to the present A25 at Wooden Bridge. Just North of Wooden Bridge the river turned sharply West and ran along the backs of the gardens of a number of houses in Weyside Road. This is shown in Map 1, copied from a 1986
street atlas in which the new A3 is shown but the position of the river has not been updated. As the A3 had passed under the railway it would have required an unreasonably steep gradient to cross the river with sufficient headroom for navigation so the river was moved Eastwards. The bridge and the new channel were built first and then the ends of the channel were excavated to connect with the river. The old channel was filled in and a retail unit, occupied until recently by PC World, was built on part of the site. Some houses in Weyside Road were demolished to make way for the A3 and the back gardens of some others now face an area of woodland instead of the river. I recall navigating the old route and seeing the cleanly profiled channel before the water was let in. The dotted red line on Map 1 shows the new straight channel and photo 1 is an aerial photograph. The river also suffered changes near Stoke bridge when the A3 was constructed. Map 2 shows the area at Stoke with the A320 Woking Road going Northwards. Again the river has not been updated. The natural river and millstream from Stoke Mill flowed Southwards under the proposed line of the A3 and then parallel to the A25 Parkway for some distance, then flowing Northwards to be joined by the navigation at Stoke
15 Lock. To avoid constructing two bridges a new channel was cut for the natural river, parallel to, and on the North side of, the A3. This new channel can be seen, tree-lined, in photo 2 and is marked in red on Map 2. The old route of the river is now a still backwater behind the Parkway hotel and only provides flood drainage for the area to the South of the river. The navigation channel was not affected by this diversion.
Map 3 shows an island just upstream of Stoke, close to the Waterside Centre. I understand that this was created when the meander was bypassed in the River Wey Improvement Scheme in the 1930s. The island is an island no longer. The backwater has become silted up and the upstream side of the island is now used as a mooring for a small boat hire business. There are further loops downstream which are shown on some maps and can be seen, tree-lined, on Google-maps satellite images. There was a meander between Stoke Lock and Bowers Lock, which was bypassed in the 1930s. In the 1970s I recall seeing an old narrowboat sunk in the backwater here but it is not visible now. There were other meanders below Triggs Lock which were bypassed in the 1930s. It is interesting to note that the Guildford-Woking borough boundary still follows the old line of the river, not the present channel. There are still two meanders in the navigable river which have not been bypassed. One is just above Dapdune and the other is at St Catherine’s. Presumably, there was not sufficient traffic above Dapdune to justify the work. The towpath is on the inside of the bend at St Catherine’s and there is a roller to accommodate the towing rope. I understand from discussion with local people that there was wide turning point in the river a couple of hundred metres below Wooden Bridge but that this was infilled when houses were built in Weyside Road in the 1930s. I have not found any maps showing this but I would be grateful to receive any information any readers may have about this, c/o the Editor. Mike Lewis G&R Committee River Wey Representative
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Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group By the time you read this we will hopefully finally be out of lockdown, which has severely limited Maidenhead Waterways (MW) activities in recent months. We did however hold a well-attended AGM via Zoom in November, looking back on the major progress (pre pandemic) achieved on the project last year and adopting the group’s annual accounts. Members were reassured that, with low fixed costs and our loyal volunteer resources, MW remains financially stable and is looking forward to resuming progress on the ground once more. While MW’s activities were necessarily on hold, the streamside developers have continued working on site, with the hoardings starting to come down around the final phase of Shanly Homes’ Chapel Arches (north) waterside development. Pictured is part of the (empty) new northern water basin, around which cafes and boutiques are planned. The large black pipe in the centre of the picture has been carrying the flow through the site during the works but will shortly be removed to allow the new water basin to fill, providing the final “missing link” that will join up the already completed up and downstream sections of the restored waterway channels. As with the earlier Chapel Arches (south) phase, the channel walls here have a dual role of retaining the water and also form the underground car park structures on either side of the channel. Two levels of underground parking have been incorporated this time to serve the apartments above. Construction of this section of channel - to a specification dictated by MW’s planning consent has been fully funded by Shanly Homes, who in return benefit from acquiring a water outlook for their development.
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A brief spell of snow in January transformed the waterway for a few days, with the new Green Lane weir and channel (pictured) looking rather lovely and quite serene. The wildlife in the new deep water is already abundant and we are looking forward to the spring greening everything up again and to see what nesting activity we get this year. Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees MWRG
Southampton Canal Society Future Events All meeting and events are in abeyance due to COVID 19 restrictions. Please visit our website for up to date information. Meetings, unless specifically stated otherwise, are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth Southampton SO16 7JZ. Start 7.45pm, Visitors welcome. For monthly Newsletter visit www.sotoncs.org.uk or ring 02380 675312.
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Wey and Arun Canal Trust WACT News Volunteers keep up the good work Wey & Arun Canal Trust volunteers clocked up an impressive 21,807 hours of work in 2020, despite the limitations of lockdown. The figure was just 5,614 down on the previous year, showing the dedication from working party members, boat crew and back office volunteers to the Trust and its aims. Working parties were stood down during the spring lockdown and again at the end of the year, and the Trust also missed the visiting working party camps it benefited from in 2019 when three week-long camps were held, along with numerous weekend visits. When regular working parties were able to resume, teams were kept to small groups to manage the restrictions, but several working parties increased the number of days they operated. The EWG, which usually operates on a Thursday, began working across five days a week with reduced numbers to make up for lost time on the Harsfold Bridge project at Wisborough Green. Despite winter storms, flooding and the pandemic hampering construction, the team managed to complete the project on time in the late summer as a result. Volunteers were also able to work across several days at the latest major project, the Tickner’s Heath road crossing at Alfold, Surrey. Operating during the pandemic also created extra hours for the directors and back office volunteers, as they worked on how to operate the Canal Centre, boat trips and working parties safely. Their efforts meant the Canal Centre operated and boat cruises were able to run from August through to the end of December, bringing in much needed funds.
19 Chairman Sally Schupke thanked all those involved in the Trust for their hard work in such difficult times. “The thousands of hours put in by our loyal volunteers is truly inspiring. Without them we wouldn’t be able to achieve the successes we continue to make. The past year has been challenging for so many, and our volunteers have stepped up and carried on, and I thank them for that.” Volunteers carry out many varied tasks for Trust, from outside physical jobs such as maintenance and restoration, to behind-the-scenes roles such as helping with admin, marketing and publicity, accounts and fundraising. Volunteers are also needed to help in the Canal Centre in Loxwood, and as cabin crew for the boat operation. If you would like to volunteer in any way, please email support@weyandarun.co.uk to express your interest. Please note, working parties are currently not in operation due to Covid-19 restrictions. Gill Davies Canal restoration plan set to solve Cranleigh road headache Residents in Cranleigh could see a solution to a problematic one-way road in the Surrey village if the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is granted planning permission for a proposed canal restoration project in the area. The Trust has submitted an application to Waverley Borough Council to widen the single-lane Elmbridge Road that runs from the A281 to create a two-way road and footway. The road widening would include a replacement canal bridge, allowing restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal beneath the major obstacle that the current road represents. Surrey County Council had identified Elmbridge Road as a priority project, setting aside Section 106 funding (developer contributions) from new housing. These funds will be used for the road widening, while the Trust will fund footpath improvements and restoration of the canal itself. The project also includes some “enabling development” on the existing residential plot that will be severed when the canal is reinstated. The proposal includes the restoration of 330 metres of the canal south of Elmbridge Road. The level of the canal will be lowered by about 2 metres to pass through the new bridge without excessive raising of the road. This will in turn require a new lock to be built, towards the southern end of the restored length. The line of the towpath will be adjusted to cross the canal twice, once via the new bridge and again via a footbridge at the lock. The project involves extensive improvements to existing footpaths with widening and resurfacing. It will also create a new dedicated route for the residents of the nearby retirement village to reach Cranleigh’s centre. Responses to a public consultation held in October last year were overwhelmingly positive. Respondents believe the plans to be an enhancement of
20 the current road situation and enhancement to public access to the canal and countryside. Project Manager Tony Ford said: “For several years, the canal trust has been working with Surrey County Council and the adjacent landowners on this comprehensive project. It provides multiple benefits with improvements to road and footpaths and restoration of the canal where it was long-ago filled in within a residential site. This proposal will benefit Cranleigh residents in many ways.” Gill Davies Wey & Arun Canal Trust hedge layers’ keep an ancient craft alive In Surrey and West Sussex a small band of volunteers are keeping an ancient country craft alive, and providing a valuable habitat for wildlife at the same time. The Wey & Arun Canal Trust hedge laying team has been running for 18 years, and at the end of November they resumed their weekly working party under COVID-19-safe conditions. The team usually works from October/November until February/March when birds begin nesting. This season they are laying a hedge along the canal at Loxwood, West Sussex, continuing the one they began last year. Each team member has an individual area to complete, marked out in orange paint, keeping them socially distant from one another. The Loxwood hedge will be laid in “Southern Counties” style. According to the National Hedge laying Society there are more than 30 different regional styles, developed to cope with the climate of an area, different farming practices and the trees and shrubs that grow there, which in West Sussex is usually native species of hawthorn, field maple, ash and oak. The technique, unchanged for centuries, first involves removing brambles and excess growth from the hedgerow about to be laid. The hedge layer then cuts away (pleaches) the stem towards ground level and arches it over at an angle of 60 degrees, encouraging new shoots to grow straight upwards. The ‘pleachers’ are then “weaved” in and out of the hazel stakes, with a stake every 21 inches.
21 The aim is to create a line for the eye to follow, with stakes in a row and the rolling lines of binders in between. Even the tops of the stakes are cut with care, so they are all the same height and angle. The result is a thing of beauty bordering the canal towpath, but importantly the practice keeps a hedge healthy and longer living and provides both food and refuge for wildlife. The Wey & Arun Canal Trust hedge laying team will be working on the Loxwood hedge, opposite the Canal Centre, for the rest of the season. Gill Davies Pandemic has shown the value of canal restoration, says Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman As we enter another lockdown, you would be forgiven for thinking the chairman of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust would be feeling rather downbeat about the coming year. Fundraising events have had to be called off, boat trips cancelled and working parties stood down. However, Sally Schupke, who has chaired the charity restoring the 23-mile canal spanning Surrey and West Sussex for more than 10 years, is full of optimism. She says although the pandemic has been tough on the Trust’s finances, members and supporters, it has brought into sharp focus the importance of its aim of creating a green corridor to be used for leisure. “During the pandemic so many people have appreciated the green spaces on their doorstep. In uncertain times a walk along the canal towpaths and the nature park at Shalford in Surrey have brought us calm. Seeing the beauty of nature and being out in the open air have been a lifeline for many,” she says. “I can’t see that changing as we come out of this dark period.” She adds that the numbers of people visiting the longest restored section at Loxwood were well above average throughout the year, along with other picturesque areas such as Lordings Lock near Wisborough Green and Hunt Nature Park in Shalford. “We have seen everyone from families with young children to older people thankful for the easy and flat walking, kayakers, paddleboarders, cyclists and horseriders, all enjoying the special feeling that being by the canal provides and importantly getting some respite from being at home and having some necessary exercise.” The Trust’s ambition is to bring back to life the canal that once provided a waterway route from London to the South Coast, and Sally says the goal is one that
22 the Trust remains focused on in 2021, opening up more sections where it can. It hopes to open a circular canal walk in Birtley, near Bramley, some time this year, providing another scenic area to explore. It hasn’t only been the public who have experienced the benefits of canal restoration, though, but those 150-plus volunteers who give up their spare time to join working parties which in normal times run almost every day of the week. “Having to shut down working parties has been a blow,” Sally admits. “For volunteers it’s not just about the maintenance and restoration work itself - although that is important to them - but the social side of working together in a team, the camaraderie. Volunteering can be so good for your mental wellbeing, as well as physical health.” “Due to social distancing we had to limit numbers working over the summer when working parties were allowed to once again operate, and we were even turning people away who had offered to volunteer. We hope that when we get back to normal we will be able to welcome even more volunteers to our working parties.” Sally also hopes that the public will continue to support the Trust through donations and membership to help it bounce back from the fall in revenue in 2020. “We plan to hold fundraising events when we can and operate our boat cruises from Loxwood as soon as restrictions are lifted in the spring. Tickets for our trips run with reduced capacity throughout the summer, autumn and over Christmas were in big demand and we can’t wait to welcome passengers back when we can.” “The pandemic has showed that the restored canal brings a lot of people pleasure, both on and off the water, and we want to make sure that continues.” Gill Davies
Future Events Trailboat Festival is scheduled for 1st and 2nd May. Final details cannot be confirmed at present. For up-to-date information please visit our website www.weyandarun.co.uk or for general queries email support@weyandarun.co.uk. There you may also book in a trailboat or visit. New details will be sent to all those on our mailing list. Northern Office: Bridge End, Somerswey, Shalford, Guildford, GU4 8EQ. Phone: 01483 505566 (Mondays-Thursdays, 8.30am-12.30pm) For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our Northern Office on 01483 505566, or visit www.weyandarun.co.uk
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River Thames River Loddon The River Loddon, a tributary of The Thames, rises near Basingstoke. It flows northwards for about 28 miles (45 km) to meet The Thames at Wargrave, near Reading. The River Loddon and its tributaries drain an area of nearly 400 square miles (1,036 km). The river used to have many active mills, and remnants of these are still visible. Mill pond reaches, weirs and sluices can still be seen in many places. Most of the mills used wheels to generate their power although two used water turbines. One of the mills used to produce silk and another paper but the rest usually milled corn or produced flour. Several of them have been converted to homes or hotels. For instance The Longbridge Mill is now a pub and restaurant. Over the years the river has been used for mainly recreation purposes by rowing boats, canoes and punts. Boat houses can be seen on old maps and I understand there are postcards in a collection at Reading Local Studies Library. Coarse fishing is another activity which is still undertaken. There is even the possibility there was once some commercial navigation. There is an abundance of wildlife on the river and there are areas now classed as SSSI’s (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) due to rare varieties of bulbs and pondweeds. Old gravel works have become nature reserves and waterparks. Improvements have been made to the water quality and a fish bypass installed at Arborfield Mill for migratory species. Photos: Courtesy of “Get Reading” and “Twyford & District Fishing Club”
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Kent & East Sussex Branch IWAKES Chairman’s Piece It is very pleasing to see an increasing number of new members joining the branch. IWA has been working to protect and restore the inland waterways for 75 years so a big welcome to all our new members. If you have some spare time please do get involved in branch activities, you will be very welcome. Contact details can be found in the magazine and we would be very pleased to hear from you. We must all have been pleased to see the back of last year and I very much hope that 2021 will be much better. A positive last year was that a lot of new people discovered the inland waterways. When able to reopen in July, hire companies had exceptional levels of bookings because of increased demand for UK holidays. This is continuing and I understand bookings are also well up this year. People took to the towpaths in large numbers and whilst this caused some issues it also meant lots more people came to understand the value of our canals and rivers. With both the Environment Agency and Canal & River Trust being underfunded increased national appreciation of the waterways is very important if they are to attract increased funding. Government needs to understand just how important the waterways are to the nation and also the role they can play in regeneration as we build back from the many negative impacts of the pandemic. I hope we will all be able to enjoy the inland waterways to the full in the coming months. Happy New Year. Les Etheridge
River Adur news from Brendan Whelan A consortium is in the process of re-wilding an area of Bramber, near Steyning, in West Sussex. The area is boggy, bounded by the road running through Bramber, the River Adur and the village of Bramber. Already there is a community orchard and grassy pathways created, gates built and there are plans to create more effective ponds. It was an area partly covered with ancient salterns so there is an historic interest, that will be highlighted, and there will be improvements to the habit that will encourage a wide variety of wild life. A coordinator for the site is a keen boating person and confirmed that the use of canoes and other small craft, on the River Adur, increased during the 2020 lockdowns. A slipway for small craft and canoes has been suggested and the Chair of the local Community Partnership has offered to discuss the issues. Other groups
25 and organisations, such as the Environment Agency, would obviously need to give their support. As noted in Cargoes many times, the facilities for launching in Shoreham are pitiful and there is no other public launching facility along the ten or so miles of the navigable River Adur. If anyone wants to visit Bramber Brooks there is a car park in the village, some parking on the road and at the end of a small road leading to the historic Castle. The footpath to the brooks is opposite Saint Mary's House, High Street, Bramber, BN44 3WE. See http://stmarysbramber.co.uk/ for details of the house, opening times, etc. Visiting the brooks is best done when there hasn't been heavy rain!
Dartford & Crayford Navigation National Historic Ships UK’s annual awards ceremony is a celebration of maritime heritage around UK coasts, lakes, and rivers. It encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with static and operational historic vessels through photography, volunteering, conservation, online activities and skills-based training. A Special Commendation Award was given the Dartford and Crayford Creek Restoration Trust “banks team” for their work clearing Priory Lock and surrounding land using historic spritsail barge Decima’s winches to remove debris from the lock. The team received a prize of £500. Flagship status was also awarded to four Regional historic vessels, each receiving £250 respectively to be spent on the vessel or related digital activities. These included Medway Queen in recognition of their PR drive to promote the ship’s planned visit to Ramsgate which resulted in the team developing both a new book “Memories of Dunkirk” and a virtual online tour of the ship. The slipway at Dartford Creek is finally getting resurfaced, it’s not to the design DCCRT and IWAKES proposed; so, will have limitations. But nonetheless still a great success story when you consider it was totally blocked from use by trees before we started.
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River Medway report from Mike Marsh Covid-19 continues to impact on the Environment Agency’s ability to manage the navigation. Only essential works are allowed at present. The team has been directly impacted with 2 staff having had positive test results. They are prioritising their key responsibilities and continue to provide a 24/7 navigation duty response. River conditions have been very challenging this winter. EA have received several reports of sunken vessels (see picture) and, worryingly, a report of a canoeist in serious difficulty when on the river in high flow. The EA Capital Investment programme is continuing throughout the winter… x
The £1.2m refurbishment of the lock structure at Allington is underway with the site taken over by contractors Volker Stevin. (The picture is of stop-log installation). Their programme is running behind schedule due to difficult conditions and supply problems. Work is likely to run into the navigation season. However, plans are in place to have an operational lock that is safe to use while the work continues.
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The dredging programme has been pushed back and is now planned for April/May 2021.
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Teston sluice has reached the end of its useful life and a full replacement is planned for summer 2022.
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Sluice Weir sluice (pictured) and Anchor sluice refurbishments are underway. Repairs to the chambers and associated equipment will extend the life of these vital water level management assets.
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Boating facility upgrades at Town Lock and Allington are due to be completed by the end of March.
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Condition assessments of all locks, weirs and sluices are underway to help inform the future work programme. Divers (pictured at Tonbridge Town Lock) have been carrying out underwater investigations.
Navigation Updates The EA dredger is awaiting a new operating arm and has been out of action for 6 weeks. New Rotork gearboxes (the paddle gear shown in the picture) have been replaced at Teston, Hampstead and Town locks. Three new CCTV cameras are being installed at Allington Lock to improve coverage A bridge engineer has been commissioned to carry out a full condition report on all 16 bridges that EA maintain; to help with maintenance programme. A bid for funding a new EA work boat has been submitted following agreement on the design and specification. As expected, several Strong Stream Advice warnings have been issued in past months due to high water flows and three named storms so far this winter have resulted in some tree damage near the river. (A large fallen willow tree is pictured being removed).
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Thames & Medway Canal Association In spite of the “restrictions” we have been clearing along Canal Road to give a good view of the spring daffodils around the base of the obelisk. This was installed to mark the dividing line between the jurisdiction of the City of Rochester and the City of London so you knew where to pay your fishing dues. Even then London was extending its influence arguing that as the canal was connected to the Thames and fishing dues were paid to London down as far as Cliffe then the canal should be treated similarly. Our portacabin was broken into recently by removing a steel mesh window guard, frame strips and double-glazed pane. Fortunately, they didn’t find anything worth taking and it didn’t take us too long to put it back together as there is a wrecked portacabin on site we used for spares. We had success at the planning stage for the Albion development, so will now have a continuous unbroken waterway from the road crossings each end of the site instead of the three shallow pools shown on the original development plans. Currently this section is completely filled in, so the result will be a waterway even if it is not yet joined to the basin. The next planning involvement was for the Nuralite site which resulted in approval of a redevelopment. Unfortunately, the canal section is too contaminated with asbestos to be excavated but the developer offered to help the TMCA in a number of ways also preparing a lottery funding application should we feel it necessary to reposition the canal. After our Facebook plea for an outboard we ended up with ten similar motors, the newest forty years old and none working. After two months lock-down we ended up with some working engines, all in all a success as British Seagulls were easy to dismantle, cost very little and kept me busy over this time of constraints. Dave Parnell
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Eastern Rother Malcolm Jones reports that there has been no recent activity to speak of on the River. Water levels became very high at one point, but are now down. Local contacts all say the same. The EA office is closed and staff working from home. Clubs and businesses are shut down. We are grateful to John Weller for the following account based on an article by Paul Jessett published in “Tenterden Terrier” No.143 the Journal of the Kent and East Sussex Railway…. When the railway from Robertsbridge to Tenterden was opened in 1900 a major engineering feature was the 66 feet span bridge over the River Rother at the Kent / East Sussex boundary. In 2020 in the period of the first “new normal”, at a time when the railway was closed for passenger services, the decision was made to bite the bullet and repaint the bridge. With the necessary programme of works agreed the first stage was to assemble a team of workers. The next was to arrange for a small engineer’s train to be assembled to transport equipment, materials and volunteer workers – all socially distanced – to the site. In order to avoid pollution to the river it was decided to jet wash the structure rather than grit blast. For many years the bridge had been fitted with a mobile gantry system. As it had suffered over these years it had to be re-commissioned and fitted with new boarding. The gantry was covered with plastic sheeting in order to catch any debris. The jet washer ran off a reservoir comprising a large water cube, which was refilled every evening on return to the base at Rolvenden station. Once the grime had been removed the team set about removing the bad areas of corrosion. During the painting phase of the operation the gantry came into its own as it allowed work to progress inside, outside and underneath the bridge at the same time. The days were scorching hot and the site was visited by local people enjoying the river and even paddle boarders had to mind the wet paint. Somewhere over 150 litres of paint were used up in over 50 person days of volunteer effort.
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Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust No work has been possible on site since the last edition of Cargoes due to the pandemic restrictions and current lockdown. The large quantity of rain we have had would most probably have stopped us doing very much anyway as the ground conditions would have been very slippery and flooded at times. However, we have not been idle! Lots of background work is going on as we apply to the Charity Commission to be a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, moving on from being recognised by HMRC as a charity for tax purposes. During this site-visiting lull, we have taken the opportunity to start reviewing a number of business-supporting areas, including our Vision, business case, website management and content and also the work we aim to do in the next couple of years. The picture is from May 2007 when we were still clearing the silt out of Sutton Hall (Isfield) Lock and discovering the remnants of the lock gates.
David Evans (Interim Chairman)
Kentish Stour news from Roy Newing Roy took the Environment Agency South East Area Manager on his boat to see the problems caused by overhanging and fallen trees. As a result, the EA is now undertaking tree cutting. Sandwich swing bridge is now fully repaired and functioning and the temporary bridge for power cable installation is to be removed shortly.
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Future IWAKES and Other Events Please check the IWAKES “Events” pages on the IWA website https://www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches/iwa-kent-eastsussex-branch/events for the latest situation. The branch will not (until conditions change) be arranging any further “physical” meetings. The presenters of the three cancelled meetings Simon Judge, Colin Brown and Mark Rudall have all kindly offered to present at a later date. However, we will hold a “virtual” Branch Annual General Meeting by Zoom at 7.30pm on Tuesday 30th March 2021. To participate please either… x
Click on the following link to register…. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R32yy0wrSw2v7Al6HsTp4A
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Or go to the IWA “Home” webpage. Then select “About us”. Then select “Local Branches”. Then select “IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch”. Then select “Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM” and register.
Please register now, even if you are unsure whether you will attend. Doing so will not deny anyone else a place. You will be sent reminder emails the day and hour before the event. Branch Annual General Meeting Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Approval (following amendment if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGM held the previous year 3. Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items) 4. Branch Chairman's Report 5. Branch Treasurer's Report and Accounts 6. Reports on the waterways in the branch area from our local representatives 7. Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary. Simply contact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM) 8. Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified in writing at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM. Copies of the 2020 Annual Accounts and the minutes of last year’s Annual General Meeting are available to download from the website.
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The Chichester Ship Canal
Chichester Canal is a leisure waterway linking historic Chichester to the sea. The canal runs 4 miles from the Basin to the Harbour at Birdham and, today, the 2 miles as far as Donnington are navigable. This tranquil haven starts within easy walking distance from the railway station, bus terminus and city centre. The canal has sections bounded by mature trees and also travels through open farmland with good views of the cathedral and South Downs. It is valued by local residents and holidaymakers who enjoy the many activities – narrow boat trips, rowing, canoeing, rambling, fishing, and cycling. The tow path is a designated public footpath, now part of the extended Lipchis Way. Management of the activities and maintenance of the canal is the responsibility of Chichester Ship Canal Trust, which leases the canal from West Sussex County Council. The Canal Trust is a registered charity with around 800 members. A major aim of the Trust is to preserve, maintain and improve the navigation between Chichester and the harbour – a historical monument to the transport revolution in Britain in the 19th century. A further objective of the Trust is to provide amenities and attractions for locals and visitors to enjoy. The Trust is entirely manned by volunteers who crew the boats, run the shop, bailiff the angling and carry out maintenance and restoration work. Courtesy: Chichester Ship Canal Website
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Oxfordshire Branch Branch Chairman I hope this finds you safe and well. At the time of writing the country is still firmly in the grip of the lockdown with few signs of it being lifted although encouraging progress on administering Covid-19 vaccinations which gives some positive hope for this coming boating season. In light of the current situation it has been decided to hold the Oxfordshire branch AGM as a virtual meeting by Zoom. I do understand some people reluctance to use the technology but please do give it a try I think that you will find it’s surprisingly easy and works well. I attended the recent Cotswold Canal Trust AGM via Zoom and I gather they had a record attendance as it is so easy to log in rather than travel across the county to a meeting. We have pencilled in meeting for Wednesday 14th April. Head office will be sending an email out to all members with the arrangements and the log in details, so please look out for that. I hope that you are able to join us, that you manage to stay safe for the rest of this winter and that Spring brings us all a good boating season. Photo Courtesy: Debby Mullier IWA Website Ian Lindsay
Future Events Wed 14th Apr: AGM by Zoom Please look on the IWA Branches website for Registration details Thurs 16th to Sat 18th Sept: Oxford Canal Festival. Further details www.oxfordcanalheritage.org
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Banbury Canal Partnership We have been unable to carry on working. Which means of course we have no ongoing work to report, since our last report. However, our Chairman and another Committee member together with two colleagues from Banbury Town Council attended a pole (chain) saw course getting a certificate that allows their future use under the Canal and River Trust requirements on the Oxford Canal. So, for information I thought you might be interested in the lock painting, background and CRT requirements. There are two types of paddle gear on the Oxford Canal, beside the two paddle positions. At the head of each lock is a ground paddle with gear mounted on a concrete post separate from the lock, at the tail is the gate mounted paddle gear. The ground paddles are similar in all cases. However, over the years the gate paddles have been replaced in some circumstances. Those now in use are either Original Oxford gearing or replaced Grand Union gearing. Whilst the difference could be explained, a picture being worth a thousand words, there follows three pictures. Varneys Lock: Showing Oxford paddle gear on double gates – Note all metal centre uprights with timber outer uprights taking the windlass spigot
Dashwood Lock: Showing Grand Union paddle gear on single gate – Note timber centre upright with timber outer uprights taking windlass spigots
35 A typical ground paddle found on all locks The locks are always painted black and white and various combinations of these have been tried. However certain items remain constant on the Oxford. The lock beams are painted black with approximately 500-600mm on the extreme end painted white. The tubular handrails on the gate are painted white. The gate itself above water level is painted black. From experience we use white/black Hammerite for the metalwork and concrete uprights, and white/black Sadolins for the woodwork. Once the pandemic lockdown is lifted and if you would like a day out in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, come and join us. You might just enjoy it so much you become a regular Please contact myself or Chairman Colin Garnham-Edge if you would like to be put on our emailing list. Remember we have an email contact address : bcpontheoxford@gmail.com We also have a Facebook page Brian Saunders - BCP Cargoes representative
Wilts & Berks Canal Our last article mentioned the likely acquisition of a workboat – this is still in the offing, but slightly delayed by the boat being needed elsewhere first. Once it’s here, we’ll show some pictures…. The big news is that, shortly after the last article, Highways England confirmed a grant of just over £42,000 for design & feasibility studies for an underbridge to get the canal under the M4! Feasibility isn’t about whether to build a crossing, it’s about how. The process will proceed in stages over the next few years, so expect further information as it becomes available. The crossing is planned for about ½ mile east of Junction 16 on the M4, as shown on the map below. The dark blue shows the lengths of canal currently in water; the light blue
36 shows the crossing itself, plus the sections that will join it up with the dark blue parts. These are to be constructed under a Section 106 planning obligation; the developers are a partnership between Swindon Borough Council, David Wilson Homes & Barrett Homes. The canal is to be completed by the time around 2,000 houses have been built.
The dark brown line is a road crossing, currently under construction; the canal works will take it south & west from the M4 as far as the pale road at the bottom left. These two developments will more than double the navigable length of canal in the Borough of Swindon. Further afield, the Trust has an ambitious project, a long time in the planning, to restore – or rather re-route – the canal from the Kennet & Avon canal at Semington, near Trowbridge, to join with the River Avon in Melksham as the first part of restoration of the south-western end of the line. Funding is available from a developer, and we are hopeful that we will be able to put in a planning application in the near future. Exciting times for the Wilts & Berks! Chris Barry, Comms Secretary, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
Future Events Dragonfly is currently at its mooring outside Waitrose. Please visit our website for up to date information. The Boating season for Dragonfly normally starts at Easter and finishes in September. Trips may extend through October depending on the weather.
37 The boat can be chartered and is popular for birthday and anniversary parties. Plenty of notice is required to make it easier to find crew. For further information, please call the boat team on 07401 220076 or preferably email boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk
London Region Socials by Webinars We are continuing to hold London Region Socials as webinars on the 4th Monday in the month. Since the summer we have had the following talks, all of which were well attended by over 80 people and which can be found on the IWA link: https://www.waterways.org.uk/iwa-tv July: Canal Planning and Conservation in West London – Ray Gill and Roger Still. A talk based in West London, designed to encourage us all to get involved in planning and conservation matters within our own areas, to ensure we protect our waterways heritage and rights of navigation. September: Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). Representatives from OPDC provided an update on OPDC’s plans to protect and enhance the canal side, encouraging use and enjoyment of the canal and conserving its wildlife. October: Finding, Accessing and Restoring our Waterways with London WRG – Tim Lewis Tim’s talk gave examples of canal restoration projects over the years where London WRG has been involved. These were at different stages and of varying complexity, hence the title! November: Cherishing the Tidal Thames: Building capacity in local communities to protect the river’ – A J McConville, Thames21. This was a talk about the different approaches being taken to better understand the issues the river faces and to set about creating the alliances required to protect it. December: Managing Boats on London’s Busy Waterways – Matthew Symonds C&RT. This was an opportunity to discuss the issues around provision for the increased number of boats now on London’s waterways. It was part of an engagement exercise between October 2020 and January 2021. The feedback will lead to proposals on which there will be further consultation before implementation. Matthew has agreed to speak with us again when the proposals are ready for further discussion. Monday February 22nd – Trade under Sail, the Past and the Future – Brian Corbett. This talk included the history of Thames Sailing Barges including some unusual journeys away from home; New build sailing ships and fitting auxiliary sails to existing motor vessels and finally Youth Training on Thames
38 Sailing Barges. Brian is project manager for the Heritage Harbour Initiative and there will be other contributors from this group. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rmYJIaFwRuaFXkTkS9i2dQ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with joining instruction
Future webinars Monday March 22nd – The Royal Gunpowder Mills – Richard Thomas. The former Royal Gunpowder Mills site at Waltham Abbey is rich in history, designated a Scheduled Monument, the highest protection that can be given to a historic site. There are 20 listed buildings at the site. In the Spring 2020 edition of Meridian Cuttings Richard wrote an excellent article about the Waterways of the Mills. As with so many important historical sites the future of the Mills is now uncertain due to lack of income during the Covid-19 pandemic. It would be a tragedy if this site had to close. Hopefully we can campaign for funding to keep it going for many years to come. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0tqtTT6LQMu4G7fvgbv40Q After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with joining instructions. Tuesday 27th April a National IWA talk on the History of Canalway Cavalcade – Libby Bradshaw. To avoid two consecutive evenings this will be the talk for the Region as well. Details to follow. Monday May 24th – A talk by Tim Lewis (details to follow) You will need to register in advance for all webinars via the link given or the IWA website. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with joining instructions. If you would like to be kept informed of these talks please let me have your contact details. Details of all forthcoming IWA webinars may be found using the following link: https://www.waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events Libby Bradshaw, IWA London Region; libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956 655037 The link to all IWA webinars and the calendar is https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/online_talks. The link to recorded previous webinars is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ROBJ6rpm_41BSmu-Glf2Q Please visit our website or contact Libby Bradshaw for up to date information
39 Details of each talk will be sent out in advance by email and also can be found following the link https://www.waterways.org.uk/branches_regions/london/london_region
South London Branch During the lockdown period, the South London Branch committee members have been compiling a series of publicity material in readiness for future rallies and festivals. Amongst the collection is an A5 handout leaflet commemorating the Croydon Canal. The following text is an abridged version of the A5 leaflet: Remembering the Croydon Canal History: The Croydon Canal had a very short life (1809-1836), with the dubious distinction of being the first canal to be legally abandoned. It obtained its Act of Parliament in 1801, the same year as the Grand Surrey Canal and the Surrey Iron Railway. It branched off the Grand Surrey Canal at New Cross and climbed through 28 locks in 9½ miles to reach the terminal basin on which West Croydon station now stands. It was not a financial success as the competing Surrey Iron Railway (the world's first public railway, which followed the River Wandle from Wandsworth to Croydon) had opened six years earlier and there was not enough traffic to support them both. The Surrey Iron Railway was a horse-worked freight line but when a steam railway was planned for Croydon, the London & Croydon Railway bought up the Croydon Canal, closed it and used most its route. Where the railway took a more direct route than the canal, loops were left in water and used for pleasure boating and fishing. This is one of the earliest recorded examples of recreational use of canals, disused canals being a rarity then. The railway company was anxious for extra revenue as the area between New Cross and Croydon was sparsely populated. The Canal Today: Since the railway opened, suburbia has engulfed the route and there are now only three principal sites to see:Dacres Wood Nature Reserve Forest Hill, includes a section of canal in water. Betts Park Anerley includes a section of canal converted into an ornamental pond.
40 South Norwood Lake was one of the reservoirs feeding the canal. Information boards about the canal are displayed at all three sites and also by the Tramlink stop in Station Road, West Croydon (one of the Museum Without Walls series) to record the fact the station was once a canal basin. Other than at these locations, there is now very little evidence of the canal. The expert eye will detect reminders of the route, but it needs a vivid imagination. Street alignments sometimes followed the canal route as at Sunny Bank, South Norwood. In David's Road, Forest Hill, the level Simplified map depicting Croydon Canal in pavement with railings above road relation to other waterways level, marks the site of the towpath, the houses on that side of the road having been built on the bed of the canal. Interestingly, modern road names perpetuate the memory of the canal:Canal Walk, Sydenham and Canal Walk and Towpath Way, South Norwood. Also, Surrey Canal Road is built on the site of that canal (as is Burgess Park). If anybody wishes to know more about the lost canals of South London or would like to suggest any way in which the canal heritage can be publicised please contact:Lesley Pryde-Coales Email: lesley.pryde-coales@waterways.org.uk
Future Events South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon, CR0 5LP. Admission is free to members and non-members, but we do ask for a donation of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses. For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson. Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk
Towpath Walks Group Due to current restrictions, we are unable to hold Towpath Walks. In the meantime we are working to set up virtual tours of the Towpath Walks and self guided walks. Please look at the details on the IWA website.
41 When we are able Towpath Walks Group will be looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere). This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways – which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you. For more information about Walks (Normal charge: £15.00, Concessions & Student rate: £10.00) please contact London Walks, telephone: 020 7624 3978. Booking Essential
Mikron Theatre Group
Small Scale on a Big Scale: Award winning Mikron was founded in 1972, and 2020 marked Mikron’s 49th year of bringing professional theatre to your doorstep. Mikron is the UK’s most prolific theatre company. In our 2020 season we’d planned to perform at nearly 130 venues, but the Coronavirus Pandemic meant we had to cancel the tour, and subsequently launch our 2020 appeal. Anywhere for Everyone by Canal, River and Road: We tour on our narrowboat, Tyseley, in the summer and by road in spring and autumn, to every conceivable type of venue, reaching audiences that other companies cannot. We tell stories of uniquely British things: In our 2021 season we hope to once again explore two fascinating British stories with two brand new commissions by two new writers. In Atalanta Forever The game is on! It’s 1920, and in post-war Britain, women’s football is big news Explore the extraordinary world of heroic hounds, pampered pedigrees and naughty nobblers through the halls and history of Crufts, with A Dog’s Tale. www.mikron.org.uk Mikron Theatre Website
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IWA TV Webinar Programme During the last few months IWA Head Office has been running webinars on a variety of subjects. The next webinar is on 7th April on the subject of Milton Keynes to Bedford Waterways. Registration is through the IWA TV website at https://www.waterways.org.uk. There you will find links to recorded previous webinars and webinars held by our Branches.
In October, 4 tonnes of rubbish were removed from the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes by volunteers from IWA’s Milton Keynes branch. Whilst this has been a difficult year for IWA, our branch volunteers across the country have been able to get out to remove debris, plastics, supermarket trolleys and bicycles from our canals and rivers. IWA TV
The Inland Waterways Association Chesham Staff Phil Hornsey Chief Executive
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Tracy Higgin Administration Manager Day-to-day running of the Head Office at Chesham.
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Rachel Bryant Membership
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The Inland Waterways Association IWA South East Region Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com
IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee Acting Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith63@gmail.com Secretary: Chris Jones Tel: 07711 784374 Acting Treasurer & R. Wey: Mike Lewis Basingstoke & R. Thames: Vacant
Email: chris.jones@waterways.org.uk K & A, WACT & Planning:-Verna Smith
IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee Chair: Les Etheridge Tel: 07768 132703
Email: les.etheridge@waterways.org.uk
Secretary, Sussex Ouse & Cargoes Contact: Roy Sutton 79, St Leonards Park, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1EG Tel: 01342 317569 Email: RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk Treasurer & Royal Military Canal: Peter Wilkinson Membership Secretary: Les Etheridge Social Secretary: Sue Schwieso Waterways Representatives R. Medway: Michael Marsh R. Stour: Roy Newing Thames & Medway: Bernard Snell Dartford & Crayford: Brian Franklin
R. Adur: Brendan Whelan Northfleet Harbour: Vacant R. Rother: Malcolm Jones Faversham & Swale: Vacant
IWA Oxfordshire Branch Committee Chair: Ian Lindsay Tel: 07889 070623 Email: ian.lindsay@waterways.org.uk Secretary: Robin Williams Tel: 07490 454260 Email: robin.williams@waterways.org.uk Acting Treasurer: Jules Lindsay Webmaster: Robin Williams
Cargoes co-ordinator & Jericho: tba
Non Committee Responsibilities Thames RUG 3: Sue & David Cooper Next issue: Summer Copy date: 27th April 2021 Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. IWA, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783453 Company No: 612245. Charity No: 212342 www.waterways.org.uk Cargoes Editor: Chris Jones chris.jones@waterways.org.uk
waterway
Webinars Join us for our series of online talks covering topic areas including our campaign plans, waterways heritage, our canal adoption schemes and more.
Visit the IWA website and reserve your space
waterways.org.uk/webinars The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Company registration number 612245. Charity registration number 212342. Registered office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Photo © Simon Marlow.