Lee and Stort Recorder Spring 2017

Spring 2017

Brick Lock Brick Lock (Lock 14) on the River Stort has been closed since 4th January for a reconstruction of the chamber wall. This has not been going as smoothly as we planned. The wall that we’re replacing was not constructed as anticipated and much more had to be removed.

This then uncovered issues with the foundations and we have had to re-design our solution in response to these factors.

Our team is working 7 days a week to re-open the navigation but the works will not now be complete until May. We appreciate that this delay risks considerable inconvenience to some boaters and that there are many who planned to attend the IWA Canalway Cavalcade (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/10087/iwa-canalwaycavalcade-2017-little-venice-paddington-arm). Therefore, there will be a limited opening of the lock over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (14th - 17th April).

All boats that wish to pass should contact us (enquiries.london@canalrivertrust.org.uk, 0303 040 4040) and we’ll put together a timetable that will be published on 10 th April.

What’s In A Name?

I’m sure every boater has seen the name on another boat and asked (perhaps only to themselves) “How on earth did they come by that name?” And I’m sure that most boaters would have had a good explanation for their boat’s name if the question had actually been asked. Or perhaps they had just been mischievous and given their boat a particularly quirky name just to get others speculating.

Our boat is called ‘Annie & Walt’ and that does cause some to ask why. Many ~ particularly American tourists for some reason ~ assume it is our names and greet us as if long-lost friends, even though it does state ‘M J & L Newman’ immediately underneath the ‘Annie & Walt’ and it surely doesn’t take too much gumption to realise that ‘Annie & Walt’ can’t be reconciled with ‘M J & L Newman’.

Anyway, here’s our explanation: It was always known in Lorraine’s family that her maternal grandfather had ‘been on the canals’ and supposedly been born on a narrowboat*, and there was a bit of folk-lore that described him being tied as an infant to the watercan, and being swept overboard when the towrope from another boat was being passed over the top.

However, nearly all his life and work were firmly on land, and since in the middle years of the twentieth century an association with the canals was not generally regarded as a heritage to be proud of, not much detail ever emerged about that part of his background. Moreover, our interest in family history in general, and the inland waterways in particular only really took off after the everyday pressures of bringing up a

young family had abated, by which time, of course, Grandad had sadly passed away.

But thanks largely to the IWA, the closing years of the last century brought an ever-greater appreciation of our canal system, and that first-hand family association became something to cherish.

At the same time, Ancestry was getting going on the internet and making genealogical research much easier and more accessible.

And when, in 2009, we started to think about a retirement project, I’m sure the canal connection was somewhere at the back of our minds when we decided to go out and buy a narrowboat, even though we hadn’t been near the canals since a few week-long rentals back in the 1970’s, and certainly couldn’t claim to being avid boaters. The boat we bought was called ‘Margo’ – a nice enough name and probably meaningful to the previous owner, but Lorraine swiftly got fed up with being likened to Penelope Keith, and we decided to give Margo a make-over, and rename it at the same time.

And that’s were these two threads come together, because the 1901 census return for Linslade, Bucks records that at Watkin’s Wharf on the Grand Junction Canal, there was moored up a boat (or boats, we have never quite decided) called ‘Annie & Walt’ upon which were a family of seven including Henry Higgins (Lorraine’s great-great-grandfather) – described as ‘Captain of Boat’ – and his eldest son Thomas Higgins (Lorraine’s great-grandfather) – described as ‘Driver of Boat Horse’. And somehow that name just seemed right for our new acquisition.

So, that’s our excuse; what’s yours?

Mike & Lorraine Newman.

* Grandad’s birth certificate actually records his birthplace

The Fishery Inn as it might have been in Grandad’s time

as The Fisheries, Hemel Hempstead.

There seems to have been a pub here since the 1850’s which, by all accounts, served most needs of passing boatmen. Apparently, this extended to providing midwifery and maternity care!

VHF is Changing The emergency services Airwave System is being phased out in September 2017, Tetra (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) was never that good? It is only half way between a mobile phone system and a walkie-talkie running really old hat technology and very poor at mobile data, running at 7.2kbs. We (you) will lose IWA London Coastguard Channels 23, 84, 86 for Maritime Region 200 Club Safety Information (MSI), but at least they are The club was leaving 62, 63 & 64. formed to help fund the What does that mean for you? When running of the Region, so you cruise between Limehouse and that other sources of Teddington, keep with channel 14 and you income could be devoted won’t know the difference. If you do go below the Barrier you probably knew that anyway. to waterways causes. At

the moment the Club is well below its target of 200 members‌..

This is a reminder to everyone of an article which appeared in the Autumn edition. It seems not enough people responded to the request.

Please look back at the last edition, and have a think about supporting it.

Navigating In Close Proximity to Piers, Jetties, and Other River Structures

Following recent incidents involving passenger vessels and small craft, the PLA has identified some safety issues, which are of relevance to Masters on the tidal Thames, and especially those operating smaller vessels within central London. Below is a summary of the advice (PLA Safety Bulletin#1 of 2017).

Small Vessel Movements In the tidal Thames there are many structures that can result in smaller vessels being obscured and not being readily seen by larger craft. It is essential that Masters and Operators of small boats working in and around piers and jetties give due consideration to whether they can be seen by nearby vessels. When entering the fairway from an obstructed position, for example behind a pier, the Master must ensure it is clear and safe to proceed before joining the channel, as well as .giving consideration as to whether they are the

give way vessel. In this instance it is recommended that vessels navigate well clear of piers and jetties to a visible position before attempting to enter the fairway, and should make use of sound signals where necessary to attract attention.

Small vessels are also reminded that most passenger and freight vessels have blind spots close to the vessel, where they are unable to see smaller vessels. Extra care should be taken by masters of small vessels when navigating in high traffic density areas, and larger vessels should be given a wide berth, especially when they are moored against piers and jetties.

Remember - if you can't see the Master of the vessel, he can't see you!

Use of Sound Signals It should be noted that PLA Byelaws do not expressly require the sounding of 1 long blast when leaving a pier, or Limehouse.

Region Notes Spring 17 With spring coming, it is time to start planning the waterway events you wish to attend. In London, most branches are involved in at least one waterway event. Please keep an eye on this magazine for details of your local event and come along and support it. I’m certain you will have a great day out and it is a chance to get involved with supporting the waterways.

This year is going to a busy one for IWA, we are launching several new initiatives, and will continue our existing lobbying of parliament and navigation authorities.

Firstly, can I thank all of you who sent me their ideas on how CRT could re-structure boat licencing from April 2018. I passed all these on to our Navigation Committee and they were taken into account when forming our national position. This is being sent to CRT and should be available on the website by the time you read this.

We will be continuing to work with CRT to develop a fairer fee charging system for all boat owners. Whichever option is chosen as a result of CRT’s review, existing boat owners may find themselves facing large

increases in licence fees. We will be pushing CRT to minimise the impact on individuals, of any significant changes. Phasing in of higher charges could be one way of achieving this. We see this review as a way for CRT to balance the use of the system, without constraining access by all. It could further differentiate licence cost of smaller craft from bigger craft and could (over time) increase CRT income if customer demand is there.

The first of our new initiatives is the ‘Love Your Waterways’ campaign, which will be formally launched in a few weeks. Its aim is to encourage communities to appreciate their local waterways, particularly where there are high levels of vandalism, dumping and litter. To achieve this, we need to get communities to recognise the importance of waterways for boosting health, well-being, leisure activities, and the local economy. The campaign will allow us to celebrate a lot of the activities that already take place, unite them under a simple campaign message, and build on the great work that your local branch already does to look after their waterways.

Another initiative that is likely to be launching later this year, is a rebranding of IWA. We have two problems with our existing image which trustees believe needs addressing. Our corporate colour, blue, is also used by CRT. It is difficult for members of the public to distinguish our volunteers when they are working on CRT waterways. The second problem is that people have difficulty in identifying the association from the logo, you have to know that the letters I W and A mean ‘The Inland Waterways Association’. The International Water Association also have a similar logo. At the time of writing this letter, the Trustees are still considering their options, and how best to make the changes.

If you would like to know more about national campaigns, or think you would like to get more involved, please get in touch with your chairman or with me.

This is the year when you have a chance to elect a new Region Chairperson. Look out for the announcements in the next few weeks if you would like to replace me. We also have vacancies on the Regional Committee. We meet 5 or 6 times a year in the Canal Museum near Kings Cross. If you would like to be involved in the work we do for the canals in London, why not drop me a line and I can give you some more information.

Paul Strudwick, Chair Person, London Region.

Twitter Paul@greenboater

A Personal Remembrance, along with this amazing website The River Lea is often referred to as London’s second river and rivals only Old Father Thames in terms of its length and the way it meanders through several counties and many of the boroughs of North and East London 1956/7 8yrs.

Craven Park School in Hackney, is but a stone’s throw from the River Lea. After school, I would walk from the Walthamstow Marshes towards 3 Mills, where I would talk to the bargeman on his way past, and be allowed to ride the horse back home, by Springfield Park, past wood yards Bambergers, where the cranes now are, and Latham’s, the furniture people. Being so little, I had to be lifted up onto the horse’s back.

The marshes and fields alongside the River Lea also provided rich pastureland, and agriculture played a very important part in the development of Tottenham. The marshes were used to grow hay which was in great demand to feed the many horses in London. (and didn’t someone once say, ‘by the year 2000 we wouldn’t be able to move in London for horse....’!!!)

Along with some of the local kids, I would play on the barges when they were tied up after their day’s work, sit by the embers, and eat any left-overs from the bargemen’s lunch boxes that they happened to leave behind.

While making a delivery to Lebus’s, along with my Dad one day, we had a bit of a wait to be unloaded. The workman came and spoke to me, saying, “Come with me and see something you’ll never see

again. Bring your dad, too.” He led us to the wharf where whole sheds full of Mosquito parts had been in storage. “Within the week”, he said, “they will all be gone – scrapped”.

Bright sunlight woke me one morning, and I was dressed and ready for school before I realised that it wasn’t sun at all. It was still night time, and the bright light was a fire over at Tosh’s wood yard. All of it was razed to the ground, timber, lorries, the lot. Flats are now on that site, along by Markfield Park.

I would sometimes be allowed to ride the horses all the way from 3 Mills to Tottenham Lock, where the horses were kept overnight, and if I was very lucky, I would be allowed to give them their nosebags. But before long, they were no longer there. They had been replaced by the little towpath tractor.

Bambergers would import timber, while the cork barges would deliver to Gamages (I think). We, as kids, would scavenge any left-over planking and cork from the relevant barges, and make rafts so we were able to enjoy ourselves, messing about on, and in, the river.

The original route of the River Lea contained many shallows and pools and meanders that made navigation difficult.

Eventually, in the late 18th century a series of cuts and canals were constructed to bypass the less navigable sections of the river. And thus the River Lea navigation and the series of Locks and weirs that exist today were first developed.

The web address for this interesting site is: tottenham-summerhillroad.com/river lea tottenham Be sure to dip into it when you have 2 or 3 days to spare.

The details of this, of course, are subject to my 60-yr-old memory, which can sometimes play tricks!

Terry Stembridge

IWA warns Scottish Canals over declining boat numbers

The Inland Waterways Association has written to Scottish Canals expressing deep disappointment at the announcement from Capercaillie Cruisers, which operates hire boats from Falkirk on the Scottish lowland canals, that it will cease trading after the 2017 season. According to the statement from Capercaillie, this is due in part to the proposed scale of interest in Scottish Canals’ charges and restrictions on boat numbers on the Falkirk Wheel. As Capercaillie Cruisers is also the operating agent for the ABC and Black Prince fleets based at Falkirk, this will mean the end of the entire hire boat operation on the Forth & Clyde and Union canals.

In IWA’s view this is very bad news for the future of these canals, as it will significantly reduce the number of boat movements and mean that very few people will now be able to experience boating on these restored waterways. IWA believes that boats are an essential part of the waterways, and that the Scottish canals need more boating activity, not less. It appears that there is a large gap between what Scottish Canals wishes to charge, and what Capercaillie Cruisers and potentially other operators, believe they can pay, and IWA has asked Scottish Canals to reconsider its position.

and

Ware Town

The Inland Waterways Association

Boat

FESTIVAL on st

Saturday 1 July 2017 with

Boating Activities from

Friday-Sunday Friday Barbeque * Boat Parade * * Carnival Procession * * Boat Handling Competition * * Town Fair * Quiz Evening * Boat Trips * * Stalls & Information * *

This Year’s Theme is:

Flower Power

A colourful weekend of fun and frolics on, in, and around the River Lee in the heart of Ware, with music, entertainment and hilarity.

For more information, or Boat Entry Form, e-mail: leeandstort@waterways.org.uk phone: 07860 669 279; or visit: www.waterways.org.uk

30 January 2017 FLOATING BUSINESSES SOUGHT TO CREATE SPLASH IN HACKNEY WICK The Canal & River Trust and London Legacy Development Corporation (Legacy Corporation) are seeking floating businesses to moor up in vibrant Hackney Wick, alongside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

As London’s east end waterways continue to grow in popularity supported by the transformation of the Park, the Trust and the Legacy Corporation want to create new opportunities for boaters and businesses that will make the waterway even more appealing. They are looking for high-quality businesses that will bring something fresh and inspiring to this busy and pleasant area.

Mike Grimes, head of boating at Canal & River Trust, said: “This is a great opportunity for boating businesses to bring something a bit different to a really exciting part of our waterways. Hackney Wick is home to a diverse, creative community. With Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on its doorstep it’s also a popular place for visitors. The waterways in this area have been transformed and more people live, work and stroll along them than ever before. We’re delighted to see more people enjoying the waterways and we want to offer them as wide an opportunity as possible to do so.”

The Sweetwater moorings are on the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the Lee Navigation opposite the entrance of the Hertford Union Canal. The two moorings are being offered to boat-based business interested in occupying either one or both of the moorings. Joint ventures that utilise both moorings will also be considered. Each mooring is 21 metres long and can accommodate a wide beam craft. In addition to the mooring there is the potential to use the adjacent amphitheatre-type space for activities supporting the business.

The tender will run (has run!) from 30th January to 13th March 2017.

More information can be found here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/business-and-trade/boatingbusiness/tendered-opportunities

Committee Members Chairman Craig Haslam m: 07956 848 025 e: boatyboy96@hotmail.com

Secretary, Membership Secretary Mike Jones m: 07976 517 749 e: mike.jones10@ntlworld.com

Treasurer Carole Beeton m: 07905 701 948 e: robandcarole@msn.com

Joint Events Officers Banny Banyard Terry Stembridge m: 07860 669 279 m: 07709 205 498 e: banny@tesco.net e: terrystembridge32@btinternet.com Magazine Editor Monica Hawes m: 07943 169 800 e:monicaforboats@hotmail.com

Tony Plunkett m: 07944 678 228 e: tplunkett@hotmail.co.uk

Mike Newman George Cutting h: m: 07721 654 410 m: 07887 540 398 e: georgecutting@btinternet.com e:mike.newman2@btinternet.com

The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this newsletter, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or an official announcement unless otherwise stated.

IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. The IWA is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no 612245. Registered Charity no 212342. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783 453. Web: www.waterways.org.uk