Northampton Branch IWA Newsletter May 2016

Endeavour

1 to attempt (eg the fulfilment of an obligation) by exertion of effort; 2 archaic to strive to achieve or reach ~ vi to make an effort to do something n a serious determined effort

Northampton Branch Newsletter - May 2016

LOCK 17 SEAT IS UNVEILED High praise for our volunteers

Northampton Mayor, Cllr Penny Flavell, at the centre of the unveiling celebrations. Full story on pages 9 – 11.

The IWA was founded in 1946 to campaign for the retention, restoration and development of Britain’s navigable waterways and for their fullest commercial and recreational use.

The IWA is a registered Charity (no. 212342) , whose work is supported by members’ subscriptions.

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EDITORIAL MUSINGS Seldom do readers respond in such a positive manner as they did after reading Old Stager’s pictorial reminiscences in our last (February) issue of the IWA’s 1971 National Rally of Boats at Northampton.

Typical was the email from Dave Chapman, Chairman of the Association’s Chiltern Branch. He said the article and pictures “brought back great memories for my wife and I” who were attending what was their first IWA rally as part of a contingent from the Navigation Boat Club at Cosgrove. He added: “It was also when we first came across the Mikron Theatre group – and who would have guessed then they would still be touring the waterways today.”

There were several other emails in similar vein plus verbal acknowledgements to me as well as to Old Stager (yes, some of you do know who he is!). We seem to have hit the right nostalgic button here.

Another response came from well-known waterways photo-journalist Harry Arnold, a long-standing acquaintance of Old Stager. Harry was surprised at Old Stager’s puzzlement of his perceived scarcity of photographs of the event, pointing out that Waterway Images photographic library has, among its three and a half million or so pictures, several of the 1971 Rally. What Harry does not realise is that Old Stager is a self-confessed internet luddite and he was searching only locally (and verbally) for actual prints – you know, those things you used to keep in rectangular folders (with a section for the negatives) and pass from hand to hand among family and friends.

Harry writes: “One of my abiding memories is of what must have been the Sunday night. There had been an official IWA National Rally dinner on the Saturday night which took many people to a venue off-site. (The dinner was discontinued because of this a few Nationals or so later). There was no real fencing of the site in those days and the employment of a security company as at later IWA Nationals.

“During the Sunday, Dave Martin (Rally Director) picked up a rumour that a large gang of youths were to gather and come to the site in the evening to create trouble.

So he and Graham Palmer (the founder of the Waterway Recovery Group) gathered a group of us volunteers together and we stood in a line across the site entrance with appropriate, as we thought, menacing expressions; just like a stand-off in a Western film. The large group of youths duly appeared, took one look at us and turned tail back to the centre of town. Quite a satisfying experience and certainly a new slant on volunteer work!”

Harry has written a special article about the Waterway Images photographic library for Endeavour, which will appear in our August issue.

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DIARY DATES

June

18th –19th Family Festival at Stoke Bruerne. See page 18 25th –26th Braunston Historic Boat Rally. See page 26 and back page

July

11th -12th Cosgrove Festival organised by The Buckingham Canal Society at Cosgrove Lock and Village Hall

August 27th-29th IWA Festival of Water, Pelsall. Details on IWA website www.waterways.org.uk September 10th -11th Village at War Weekend at Stoke Bruerne 13th 8pm

IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: Tony Conder — Waterways at War

NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES June 28th. July 10th, 26th. August 14th, 23rd.

September 4th, 20th, October 9th, 25th.

November 13th, 29th. December 11th.

For details contact geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932

BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES June 2nd, 12th, 16th, 30th. July 10th, 14th, 28th.

August 11th, 14th, 25th. September 8th, 11th, 22nd.

For details contact Athina Beckett on 01908 661217

Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership Work Party Dates June 8th. July 13th. August 10th. September 14th.

For details contact stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk

IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates

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7

Branch Chairman’s Jottings

by Bernard Morton I cannot think of anything more on-going at the moment than the growing controversy over the proposed rail freight terminal between Blisworth and Milton Malsor, a major development which will have a devastating effect on the canal environment in the immediate area. At the moment it seems that as soon as you say or write anything, the scene moves on and you’re already behind. The Branch opposes the terminal in principle. We are involved in the protest and will keep you posted. See also page 30 and there’s more on www.railcentral.com.

BRANCH GATHERING. I must say I was somewhat disappointed in the response we had this year to our annual Boat Gathering. Nurser’s Dock at Braunston Marina was the venue, a repeat of our visit in 2014 – and thanks again, Tim, for making the facilities available – and quite frankly you couldn’t find a more convenient and appropriate location: moorings in the dock and just around the corner on the main line, hard-standing for marquees and so on and convenient parking. Congratulations to those of you who did attend and who told us they thoroughly enjoyed themselves – but where were the rest of you? In the end we mustered over 20 visiting craft and their crews after at least four no-shows due to illness or family commitments. There was one camper. This turnout was, sadly, down on previous years.

It is not so long ago that up to 50 boats were assembling at Becket’s Park for the Gathering in Northampton. I keep asking for members’ reasons for not attending, but with scant response.

This year our numbers, boosted by a few arriving by car and several boaters who moor in the adjacent marina, resulted in an acceptable attendance, enough to fill our main marquee for the evening’s entertainment, so well compered by Gathering chairman Mick Butler. But there should have been more of you.

Your committee will analyse and discuss the situation. I hope you will be part of this exercise. But are boat gatherings such as ours becoming a thing of the past? If so, it is a great pity. These events just don’t happen. They take a great deal of organising and initial financial outlay.

To my mind there is no doubt that the type of people now coming onto the waterways are a different breed to those of years past. Now the Canal & River Trust are on the scene, many seem to think IWA’s campaigning element has largely ceased – it’s all pleasure boating, with a perception that much of this is done in floating “country cottages”. And so many boats just don’t move off their moorings at all! I know this sounds rather harsh but I submit there is a significant grain of truth in these observations.

A watchful eye must be kept on CRT and their aims and activities monitored. We recognise the organisation suffers from a debilitating financial shortfall and that is why many of us happily become involved with volunteering, such as the Branch’s

8 highly successful adoption of the Northampton Arm. CRT Chief Executive Richard Parry is a good friend of ours and we often welcome him to our patch. But he has a tough job to do, which we respect. However, IWA has a job to do, too: making sure the waterways system is run in an appropriate manner with boaters and other users treated fairly and not taken advantage of.

I realise I have strayed from the point – our Boat Gathering. We really do need to know why support has dropped away in recent years. The Gathering is the Branch’s principal fund raising activity. As such we cannot run it at a loss. We must cover our basic expenses. I and my colleagues would be loathe to witness the ending of the event. But this is the reality at the moment. Please help to keep the Gathering alive. My contact details are on page 38. Anonymous submissions would be equally valued.

ILLNESS TAKES ITS TOLL. We live in sombre times at the moment. None of us is getting any younger – and people get ill.

I’m sure you have all heard about David Blagrove’s struggle with his illness. Happily, he is surrounded by supportive friends and family and it was so heart-warming that he was driven to Braunston on the Saturday of our Gathering to mingle – even, I understand, to bend the ear of CRT’s South-East Waterways Manager Vicky Martin!

– as well as being vocally active during John Pomfret’s talk about the Braunston area.

Then a week before the Gathering came the troublesome news that Branch stalwart Sam Samuells (husband of Lynda Payton) had suffered a stroke. Lynda got him to hospital in double quick time – essential action which no doubt mitigated against the full effects of his stroke. Nevertheless, this is naturally a very worrying period.

Our thoughts are with both David’s wife Jean and Lynda.

THANK YOU GRAHAM AND LYNDA. After more than 40 years, one of the Branch’s most dedicated supporters has stood down. I refer to Graham Treagus, our talks organiser. This can be a thankless task and we owe Graham an enormous thank you. When he has been let down at the last moment – and this does happen more often than you think – he has ably arranged a substitute speaker. Furthermore, he has allowed our monthly Branch committee meetings to be held at his house, always with refreshments. Graham, our sincere thanks. Yours will be a hard act to follow.

Also, as we go to press, Lynda Payton has intimated, following Sam’s illness, that she too is resigning from the Branch committee. We shall miss her greatly. For nearly two decades she has worked tirelessly for the good of the Branch, including a period as Branch chairman. Undoubtedly, she has raised and maintained the profile of the Branch in impressive style, latterly in her role as Publicity Officer. The fact that she and Sam live at Stoke Bruerne means, of course, that they will still be around the canal scene. No matter what the circumstances, doubtless she will be contributing to the canal world in some shape or form. Quite simply, Lynda, I feel that you will be virtually irreplaceable.

Meanwhile, let us hope for nice weather as we are out and about on our waterways.

Please support Branch activities when and where you can. See you around …

9 Visit Lock 17 and see for yourselves

“A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION FROM A WILDERNESS TO WHAT IT IS NOW” It was congratulations all the way when a colourful mosaic-decorated commemorative bench seat at Lock 17 at Far Cotton in Northampton was unveiled at a lunchtime ceremony on Thursday, 21st April.

The congratulations were led by Northampton Mayor Cllr Penny Flavell, who said how impressed she was with the overall tidiness and presentation of the area – “a complete transformation from a wilderness to what it is now.” Endorsing her observations, Canal & River Trust Chief Executive Richard Parry declared how “fantastic” and “inspiring” it was to see such a dramatic improvement around the lock area.

The recipients of the praise were our Northampton Arm Adoption Group volunteers, led by Geoff Wood and Mick Butler, who spend many hours mowing, strimming, weeding and litter-picking as well as painting balance beams and other lock and canal features to provide a welcoming environment, particularly at Lock 17 – the gateway lock between canal and river.

The concrete bench seat, marking the 200th anniversary of the opening of the fourand-three-quarters mile long 17- lock Arm in May 1815, is an eye-catching towpath feature, its installation being made possible by the generosity of Bellway Homes, who have just completed their canalside development between Lock 17 and the nearby St James/Far Cotton road bridge.

Ben Smith, Sales Director of Bellway East Midlands, said how pleased he was that Bellway had been able to contribute to such an “inspiring community project”. He added: “Thanks to the volunteers, the area has been brought back to life. Remember how overgrown it all was? Now we have a great view which before was something of an eyesore. Everywhere is so opened up.”

CRT gave their full backing to this IWA North-

The completed bench seat with roses and castles on the back

10 ampton Branch initiative, with their personnel playing an important role in the transformation. Bellway provided the finishing environmental touches by completing the towpath from the lock to the adjacent access road. The high quality path is bordered by attractive flower beds. Some re-turfing has even been carried out near the lock.

The old crane, saved from total destruction by the Branch, which at one time handled cargoes at Trenery’s adjacent timber yard below the lock, now sits in a tasteful landscaped area created by Bellway. The next Branch job will be to design and install an interpretation panel.

The decoration covering the seat was undertaken by Bristol-based mosaic artist David Bowers trading under the name of Mosaic Madness. Working from an original idea and basic design produced by Branch committee member Sam Line, he provided the final professional approach to a design which includes a crane unloading a narrow boat as well as canal-style roses. He admits he found the project one of his most challenging to date – “it really took me out of my comfort zone.”

A former nurse, 45-year-old David’s canal background certainly helped, dating back to volunteer work as a youngster on the Basingstoke Canal alongside his father.

When nursing the disabled, he was given a mosaic kit, becoming increasingly fascinated by the craft until he turned it into a full-time job 12 years ago. He prepared all the individual pieces for the seat in his studio, like a giant jig-saw, with the rose pieces proving to be the most tricky. The final installation of the pieces and grouting took a little over two days. Among those helping were our own Adoption Group members, Bellway and CRT personnel and Emma Matthars, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator from IWA Head Office.

A commemorative plaque is attached to the top of the seat. The Branch commissioned a similar plaque and a mosaic mural by the sanitary station at Gayton Junction (see Endeavour May 2015), with the mosaic design and installation also being a combined effort between Sam Line and David Bowers. Branch Chairman Bernard Morton told those attending the unveiling: “We now mark, therefore, the 200-year lifespan of the Northampton Arm at both the top and bottom of the canal. Our com-

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11 mittee thought it very fitting to do this and we have been able to complete the project largely through the generosity, and welcome community attitude, of Bellway Homes.

It is a gesture of which we are enormously grateful.

“Similarly we must acknowledge the ready assistance and co-operation of the Canal & River Trust, Richard Parry’s attendance today being clear evidence of how much the Trust appreciates the input of its volunteers countrywide and especially what we are achieving here in Northampton.”

Among those at the unveiling ceremony were stalwarts of our Adoption Group Task Parties who, twice a month, year round, work on various lengths of the Arm. Also there, and full of praise at what had been achieved, was IWA National Chairman Les Etheridge. His interest and support is greatly appreciated.

PAGE 1 PICTURE CAPTION At the unveiling of the mosaic-decorated seat: in the centre is Northampton Mayor Cllr Penny Flavell, on her left is Branch Chairman Bernard Morton, extreme right is Richard Parry (CRT Chief Executive) and extreme left is Ben Smith (Sales Director of Bellway East Midlands). Others pictured include volunteers from IWA Northampton Branch. BELOW The commemorative plaque attached to the top of the seat.

IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https:// www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.

12 BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS REVIEW FEBRUARY Urgent Business It was reported that the 2015 Northampton Festival of Water accounts had still not been finalised. John Pomfret agreed to follow this up.

Treasurer’s Report Current balance stands at £6261.12. Commitments include the cost of an Arm milepost and memorial plaque to Eric Young, Arm Adoption Fund and Boat Gathering. The new marquee has been paid for (£690.30) Boat Gathering The new marquee has been delivered to its storage point. Tim Coghlan and Lorna York are both happy to do a talk.

Northampton Arm Work on clearing the by-pass weirs has continued with great results.

The remaining two by-pass weirs will be cleared on Sunday 14th February. A mega litter pick has also been carried out with over 60 bags of rubbish collected. Geoff Wood has been approached by Cummings Engines regarding their staff joining our task parties, also contact from the Northampton Cub/Scout group. Two regular task party members have attended a First Aid course and have received their certificates.

An important issue centred upon working in groups of no less than three: if someone was injured one could go for help while the other stayed with the casualty. This course also raised the usefulness of a portable defibrillator. This was discussed and it was agreed that the cost (approx. £1,000) was something worthwhile, with the equipment being used on task parties and at Branch events such as Boat Gatherings. The new Arm Guide leaflet is ready to go to print, with ABC Leisure (Gayton Marina) sponsoring the publication.

Nene Task Group/Regional Navigation Group Bernard Morton attended the meeting in January and the possibility of raising the Islip footbridge is still being discussed. He also reported there had been recent problems at Titchmarsh Lock when EA were late reversing the lock, causing localised flooding.

MARCH

Urgent Business Branch AGM. Sandy Morton is to make slips available to nominate the

13 name of the Northampton Sea Cadet’s new boat. The name will be chosen by the Sea Cadets. It was noted that the Chairman’s and Treasurer’s reports will be available to all attendees before the AGM starts to keep the formal part to a minimum.

Treasurer’s Report Current balance stands at £6594.42. There is a £200 contingency fund for the Boat Gathering and £1,237.96 earmarked for the Northampton Arm adoption commitments, including the cost of a milepost and plaque.

Northampton Arm All by-pass weirs have now been cleared. Offers of help from various community volunteer groups continue to be received. These include Barclaycard, Nationwide, Cummings Engines and Santander; also enquiries from local Scouts and Park Rangers from Becket’s Park..

Reports from Local Societies, canal Partnerships etc Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership. Helen Westlake reported that the Open Lock Weekend had been very popular with around 1,200 people attending over the two days. Parking at the cricket club went well. The Adoption Group has been planting hedging by the new fence at the Quarry Field.

APRIL

Urgent Business Before the election of Branch officer posts began, Graham Treagus announced he was standing down after 42 years. Geoff Wood thanked him for his long service to the Branch and said that he would be missed a greatly.

Branch Chairman - Bernard Morton. Proposed Tony Clarke, seconded Geoff Wood Vice Chairman - Geoff Wood. Proposed Mick Butler, seconded Alex Madisons Treasurer - Alex Madisons. Proposed Sandie Morton, seconded Tony Clarke Secretary - Sandie Morton. Proposed Geoff Wood , seconded Alex Madisons Membership Secretary/Task Parties - Geoff Wood. Proposed Tony Clarke, seconded Sandie Morton Events Committee Chairman/Task Parties - Mick Butler. Proposed

14 Geoff wood, seconded John Pomfret Publicity Officer/Grants Officer - Lynda Payton. Proposed John Pomfret, seconded Sandie Morton Branch Meetings Organiser - Vacant Editor - Tony Clarke. Proposed Sandie Morton, seconded Mick Butler Website/Social Media Officer - Sam Line. Proposed Tony Clarke, seconded Alex Madisons Planning Officer – Helen Westlake. Proposed Geoff Wood, seconded Mick Butler Boat Gathering It was reported that everything was in place; 15 boats booked in and paid for with three more expected. CRT’s Vicky Martin will be opening the Gathering at 12 noon.

Membership There are currently 287 memberships (458 members), slightly down on January.

Any other Business Sandie Morton reported that the Branch had submitted two entries in the Living Waterways Awards 2016. One is for the Northampton Festival of Water in the Recreation and Tourism category and the other is the Northampton Arm Adoption in the Community and Volunteering Category.

FAREWELL GIFT TO GRAHAM AFTER 42 YEARS SERVICE Forty-two years of loyal service to the Branch by Graham Treagus was acknowledged at the May Branch committee meeting when Graham was presented with a farewell gift by Chairman Bernard Morton.

Graham was our talks organiser, mainly for our monthly social meetings. Committee meetings were also held at his house, always accompanied by refreshments.

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SAVE THE BRANCH MONEY! Stop receiving Endeavour by post and instead get it electronically. You will be notified by email when it’s published on-line. This will save in postage and printing costs. The printed version will be available at Branch meetings. Contact Geoff Wood at geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk and he will organise it.

Editor

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Wendover Arm Trust Grand Draw - 2016 Michael Wright writes: Hello to all the Northampton IWA recipients. The plan is to enclose two books of Grand Draw tickets with your magazine so that you can take the opportunity not only to win some of the prizes, but also support the Wendover Arm Trust in their continuing efforts in restoring the canal. The Wendover Arm Trust Grand Draw this year is again to raise further funds for the continuing restoration of the canal, which feeds water from Wendover to the summit level of the Grand Union canal at Bulbourne.

The restoration is carried out by a dedicated team of volunteers, who meet for seven days each month to continue restoring the route of the canal, now working from Drayton Beauchamp towards Little Tring.

Let me update you all a bit from last year when the latest section of the canal was rewatered. Nature has taken her hand and the seeded banks are now green with grass and other sundry plants. The mechanical plant has moved operations towards Whitehouses, where CRT and their contractors are carrying out works on the pipework and sluice to direct the ‘excess’ water (at some time following further re-watering) to the reservoir.

The volunteers however are busy laying the concrete pipe capping. This is never seen again but is essential to protect the underground 18” salt-glazed pipe which is nearing the end of its lifespan. It has been there for over 100 years. The capping is progressing towards bridge 4 and there is also the shifting of vast amounts of spoil for the profiling of the canal, once the capping is completed.

In November 2015, CRT, together with WAT, prepared and submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to use a contractor to speed the restoration along.

The result of the application should be known shortly, but if it is successful, there will be more paperwork for the second phase of the application. It could be a very long process.

The draw prizes include the first prize of a one week Boating Holiday sponsored by Wyvern Shipping of Leighton Buzzard; second prize a Day Boat hire sponsored by Lee Valley Boat Centre; third prize a Virgin Experience Day - a visit to the Shard; fourth prize £100 cash. There are many other valuable prizes to be won. These are shown on the Trust’s website – www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk , along with the latest information regarding restoration.

The Trust hopes you will sell these two books of tickets, returning the counterfoils and a cheque to the promoter. If you can sell more tickets to your friends or at your workplace, then call Michael Wright on 01727 860137. Email draw@wendoverarmtrust.co.uk Your enquiry would be most welcome. The printing of tickets this year has been sponsored by Morgans Plant Hire and are priced at £1 each. The Trust is extremely grateful to all the sponsors.

The Draw will take place on Sunday 4th September 2016, during the Restoration Open Day at Drayton Beauchamp, when it is possible to see the restoration volunteers in action and the progress that is being made. Visit www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk for full details of progress and more pictures.

Thank you in anticipation of your essential support.

17 NEW BRANCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour

The Navigation Stoke Bruerne

NEW MEMBERS Mr D & Mrs S Hawkins, Great Billing Mr A & Mrs J Cleave, Woodford, Kettering Mrs P Martin, Burton Latimer

2 Meals for £10 Monday – Thursday

MEMBERS WHO HAVE MOVED TO THE BRANCH

Live Music every Friday

Mr S T Gray & Mrs F E Nicholson, Bedford Mrs S Hunt, Maldon

Like our facebook to keep updated with all offers and promotions

We look forward to meeting you all at our

Branch events

www.facebook.com/navigation.sb

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Steel or wooden cabins repaired, windows added, removed, replaced, side doors added.

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Painting Some aspects of coach painting and traditional rose and castle decoration.

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Summer opening Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 11am –3.30pm Contact 07760 778638 You will find The Canal Shop opposite the Museum at

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BRAUNSTON BOAT GATHERING GOES WITH A SWING The weather was unseasonable, but nevertheless more than 20 boats and their crews, together with other land-based visitors, came together at Braunston over the early Spring Bank Holiday weekend for the Branch’s annual Boat Gathering. The focal point of the event was Nurser’s historic dock at Braunston Marina, courtesy once again of Marina supremo Tim Coghlan, and the attendance would have been better had not illness and unavoidable family commitments not led to at least four boat withdrawals. Even so, once again it was a highly enjoyable occasion, with the emphasis on fun.

In fact people involvement from the word go CRT’s Vicky Martin was the secret for the success of the Gathering, opening the Gathering jollied along throughout by an exuberant Mick Butler, chairman of the Gathering organising committee — from the volunteers who attended especially to erect the tentage on the Friday “build up” and taking everything down on Monday morning, to everybody else generally “mucking in”. Here the Branch owes a huge debt of thanks to the Canal & River Trust and The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne for the use of Sculptor, the museum’s floating exhibit, to transport so much of the equipment required to and from Stoke Bruerne, and for the volunteer crews.

A popular official opener was Vicky Martin, Manager of CRT’s South-East Waterways. She paid tribute to the enthusiasm of the Branch’s approach, particularly the Northampton Arm Adoption Group whose members, she said, “have clocked up a

Happily, some of the time the sun shone...

21 remarkable 3,000 volunteer hours. We are so grateful to you all”. Mick Butler commented: “We are pleased that Vicky stayed on for some time and chatted with so many people, obviously eager to know their views and how CRT could work in harmony with us.”

Friday evening was a getting -to-know-you session, with a beetle drive and bingo.

Saturday night featured entertainment from the group Bread ‘n’ Dripping with quiz night on Sunday. There were guided walks around Braunston and over the tunnel led

by John Pomfret and Rodney Hardwick respectively as well as well-attended talks

by Tim Coghlan, Lorna York and John Pomfret. The Friends of Raymond were there with their promotional stall. There were also tombola and bric-a-brac stalls while Catriona’s vintage tea room with home-made cakes did a roaring trade, as did Bill Mann selling hamburgers. A travelling fish and chip van called on Sunday evening, which proved a sell-out. Later, a bestdressed table competition was won by the Green Party, led by Nick Wolfe.

Money raised during the weekend from raffles and other attractions, including the Boaters Auction, will be shared between good causes.

Verdict: a splendid weekend, a little chilly, sunshine and showers and well worth the effort to be there. Just a pity there weren’t more of you (see Chairman’s Jottings on page 8).

The winners of the various competitions were: Boaters Quiz: John and Jan Halford, Jubilee Best Boat: Simon Carey, Cepheus Treasure Hunt: John and Jan Halford Right: John and Jan Halford, winners of the Boaters Quiz and the Treasure Hunt

Above: Saturday night dancing to Bread ‘n’ Dripping

22 OUR SINCERE THANKS GO TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF SO MANY COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE DONATING RAFFLE PRIZES INCLUDED:

Stowe Hill Workshop Whilton Marina Chandlery Whilton Marina ABC, Gayton Marina Skears Photographic The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne The Navigation, Stoke Bruerne The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne Plus generous members and guests who also donated raffle prizes as well as items for the Boaters Auction, tombola and bric-a-brac.

Winners of the Sunday night quiz

Friends of Raymond collecting the Sunday night raffle from Bernard Morton

Winner of Best Boat: Simon Carey, Cepheus

David Blagrove is flanked by Bernard Morton and Vicky Martin

23

JOB VACANCY Northampton Branch

ARE YOU THE PERSON WE NEED ON OUR BRANCH COMMITTEE? Northampton Branch is looking for a new Committee member after Lynda Payton’s decision to retire due to Sam’s illness following an impressive 19 years loyal, dedicated service to the Branch.

What is involved?

One committee meeting per month on 1st Tuesday (except for June, July and August) Role of publicity/grants officer is on offer but is not an essential part of the vacancy Positive way to contribute to help preserve our inland waterways heritage Salary — negotiable, but not exceeding £0 per annum!

If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Bernard Morton, Chairman, 07785 375787 email Bernard.morton@waterways.org.uk

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PUT TO TASK ON THE ARM!

By Emma Matthars, IWA Assistant Volunteer Coordinator Within a week of joining IWA as one of their two new Assistant Volunteer Coordinators, I was invited to join Geoff Wood and his team of volunteers on one of their regular monthly midweek Adoption Task parties on the Northampton Arm, meeting close to Lock 16 in a residential area of the town.

The task for the day was to cut back vegetation from the by-pass weir, clear the build up of debris from the bottom of the weir channel, tidy the verges around the lock and litter pick the length of towpath around the lock.

The team of 14 volunteers willingly got stuck in to the various tasks and their work rate was very impressive.

The vegetation around the bypass weir was quickly cut back, despite everyone getting an impressive array of scratches from the brambles and dog rose. One team cut out the roots and vegetation build up in the weir channel – a job made easier by CRT kindly lowering the pound level to allow us to get down into the bypass weir without getting too wet. A small group walked in either direction from Lock 16 to litter pick the towpath, returning with bags of rubbish.

Another group cleared the floating vegetation and debris build-up in front of the lock gates. Someone spotted a large flat-bed trolley from the nearby DIY store at the bottom of the lock chamber, so armed with a couple of grappling hooks and some careful fishing techniques, the team soon heaved the heavy trolley out of the lock safely.

This was then used to transport the rubbish back to the path entrance.

As a newbie to the world of canal restoration, I took the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the canal, its history and the myriad of canal terminology from the very knowledgeable volunteers. I was given a demonstration of how to fill a lock using a windlass and lock key. The workings of a lock have long fascinated me and it was a great opportunity to ask lots of questions. I have no doubt my summer holiday will be on a canal boat!

Our working day consisted of a 10am start, a break for lunch and we pushed through until about 3pm. By the end of the day I had acquired some impressive scratches along my arms, aching muscles and a good idea of the work of a mid-week volunteer group. Everyone works very hard, is enthusiastic and welcoming.

Thank you for inviting me along and I look forward to working with you again in the near future!

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Steaming up for the fourteenth Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival at Braunston Marina, 25th – 26th June, 2016 Tim Coghlan, of Braunston Marina, writes: Plans and preparations are well underway for the 14th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival, cosponsored by Braunston Marina and the leading canal magazine Towpath Talk.

From its small beginnings in 2003, the Braunston Rally has become the premier rally and festival on the English canals. Its success-formula is now much copied, with similar events springing up all over the canal network. This is good for the canals and the precious collection of surviving working narrowboats – but the Braunston Rally remains the best, with by far and away the most historic narrowboats and visitors in attendance.

The Braunston Rally’s location is at the heart of the canal network, in the beautiful setting of the historic Braunston Marina and the adjacent canal village of Braunston. But probably what is more important for the boaters and visitors, is that due to the unique canal setting in Braunston, the historic narrowboats are able to parade in a sort of figure of 8 over a two mile circuit. This is a challenge for the steerers, and a spectacular sight for the now 6,000 regular visitors to watch and photograph from so many vantage points, which include the famous quayside beer tent – the Wet Dock!

In pride of place for the 2016 Braunston Rally will be the Braunston

27 Marina based pair of historic narrowboats, Nutfield and Raymond, today lovingly restored and maintained by the enthusiastic Friends of Raymond. At the end of these narrowboats’ working lives, they were part of the small fleet of five Blue Line narrowboats that took part in what transpired to be the last canal run under regular contract, carrying coal from Atherstone, north of Coventry, to the ‘Jam ‘Ole’ – a jam-factory in west London - until the trade collapsed in October 1970.

The year 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the building of Nutfield by Yarwoods of Northwich for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company (GUCCC), at a cost of £900. Nutfield was unceremoniously launched on 22nd July, 1936 - so a celebration here. After the GUCCC was nationalised in 1947 by the post-war Labour government, Nutfield was to see service with three further canal carriers, the new British Waterways Board, then Willow Wren Canal Carriers and finally Blue Line of Braunston. Few working narrowboats served in as many fleets, and Nutfield was also one of the longest serving narrowboats from the original GUCCC fleet.

The Braunston Rally continues to inspire the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the surviving fleet of historic narrowboats, more than 150 of which have already attended various rallies over the years. Some that we have not seen before are already booked in for this year.

The Rally will be formally opened by Les Etheridge, National Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, which this year is celebrating the 70 th anniversary of its founding in 1946 – ten years after the launch of Nutfield.

Les Etheridge will perform the traditional opening ceremony.

This he will do with a little help from the Friends of Raymond, by steering Nutfield, with Raymond in tow, into the marina from the Grand Union

Ron Hough at work on Raymond

28 Canal and then declaring the Rally open beneath the marina’s historic Horsley Ironworks entrance bridge. He will perform this to the fine sounds of the bells of Braunston Church – known as The Cathedral of the Canals - and also the band of Daventry Brass. If past years are to go on, the marina entrance will be packed with canal enthusiasts for this theatrical spectacular.

This year’s Rally will include a special exhibition of the works of the legendary canal painter and signwriter Ron Hough, who died earlier this year aged 81. In recent times, the livery of both Raymond and Nutfield were repainted by him. Between the parades of boats, the narrowboats will be included in the Ron Hough exhibition as surviving working examples of his outstanding boat painting.

To help cover the infrastructure costs and to add to the public interest, trade exhibitors are invited to attend. Canal societies with whom the marina is associated are also invited, being offered free marquee or outside space. Other attractions will include the famous Braunston beer tent, plus fast food and fun. Music will be provided by a number of bands, presenting a wide variety of popular music.

There will be an admission charge to the public of £10 per car. All profits will be donated, as usual, to canal and local causes, the main recipient being the canal charity, the Friends of Raymond.

The Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival is sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk magazine, with support from the Canal & River Trust.

The success of the thirteen Rallies to date has made this into The Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival. Here’s hoping we see you here.

DAY BOAT HIRE FROM BRAUNSTON OUZEL 11 Cruise either towards Napton or Hillmorton and return The Ouzel 11 seats up to 12 people.

It has hot and cold water in the galley, crockery, cutlery and glasses on board, a gas hob, kettle and flush toilet. Buoyancy aids on request.

Prices: Weekends and Bank Holidays: £165.00 Monday - Friday: £130.00 Returnable deposit: £50.00 UNION CANAL CARRIERS LTD Braunston Pump House, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry, Northants. NN11 7HJ

Tel 01788 890784

Fax 01788 891950

www.unioncanalcarriers.co.uk

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Rail Freight Terminal The Editor writes: The proposed rail freight terminal between Blisworth and Milton Malsor, which we first reported in February’s Endeavour, will dramatically affect the Northampton Arm, with warehouses at least nine metres (30 feet) high virtually alongside for much of its length from Gayton Junction to the M1 crossing. The rail link serving the development will also be built up to the same level as the existing West Coast Main Line.

Floodlighting will inevitably illuminate the arm generally. There will be a raised roundabout on the A43, just below Gayton Marina, which will also be lit for safety reasons. Additionally it is suggested a hotel and leisure complex will be built between the A43 and Arm End cottages, which clearly will impact greatly.

It is all a deeply depressing prospect for canal enthusiasts and people living in the area. Suffice to say, the protest movement is now in full swing, with the IWA involved, It will be a long drawn out process, although it is understood the aim is to have the first stage of the terminal up and running by 2021 — a date which is dangerously close. More details on the scheme may be found on www.railcentral.com

SOME SAY “NO” TO DAVENTRY CANAL PLAN It seems not everyone favours the idea of a canal arm into Daventry. As reported in the June issue of Waterways World, 120 local residents marched through the town centre on 16th April to voice their opposition to the now long-discussed plan.

The local Labour Party organised the protest, claiming that the Conservative controlled District Council’s scheme went against the wishes of the local population.

Apparently a parish referendum a few years ago rejected the idea.

The site for the canal basin, part of which once formed the playing fields of the old Daventry Grammar School, is there, seemingly ready and waiting. During road reconstruction, a bridge was even altered to accommodate the waterway at its approach to the terminal basin The original plan for the two-mile arm from the GU main line included seven locks.

A later plan has five of the locks replaced by a 40ft boat lift designed to attract visitors — something of an Angel of the North or Falkirk Wheel in tourism potential, according to the Council.

Wendy Randall, the councillor who leads the Labour opposition group on the Council, said: “Daventry already has a canal and we love it. But we don't want a dead end into the town; nobody will come to it.”

Meanwhile, Daventry continues to expand and walking over the top of Braunston Tunnel demonstrates clearly how the town is encroaching upon the canal environment. Cllr Randall claims that the Council has already spent “far to much” on the plans, and money could be better spent on rejuvenating the existing town centre.

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THE CHANGING FACE OF BECKET’S PARK It’s time for all change at Becket’s Park in Northampton. A taste of things to come was described by Sue Cant, the Environment Agency’s Waterways Team Leader covering Northamptonshire, when she wrote in February’s Endeavour about the new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking the town centre with the University of Northampton’s evolving Waterside Campus. This work has led to the demolishing of the boathouse by Town Lock on the island where we hold Boat Gatherings. It is now a question of wait and see if the island is suitable to hold further Gatherings there.

One of our pictures here illustrates the boathouse in all its glory during the IWA’s 1971 National Rally of Boats at Becket’s Park. The other, taken earlier this year, is in sharp contrast—a barren area, sans boathouse, ready for serious construction work to commence.

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HIGH HOUSE MARINA LTD High House Wharf, Heyford Lane, Weedon, Northants NN7 4SF OUR SMALL MARINA (ONLY 24 BOATS) IS A VERY FRIENDLY PLACE TO BE MOORED, HENCE OUR CLIENTS TEND TO STAY PUT Our car park is quite secure and well hidden from the road WE DO NOW AND AGAIN HAVE A VACANCY, SO WHY NOT GIVE US A CALL? Contact Phil Gardner on 01327 349519, E-mail:phil.h.gardner@btconnect.com

Baxter Boat Yard Ltd

Dry Dock, Painting, Welding services, Engine Installations & Servicing, Carpentry, General repairs, Wharf Services & small Chandlery.

Bridge 60, Yardley Gobion Tel:01908 542844 baxterboatyard@gmail.com

The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated, otherwise the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine.

Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify

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BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY Most of the work over the next few months will be concentrated at Cosgrove. Work will continue to discover how much of Bridge No 1 remains. For a considerable period it was thought most of this bridge was missing but towards the end of 2015 our volunteers carried out exploration work on the bridge and a lot more of it appears to be there buried under several layers of earth. If this proves to be the case, work to restore the bridge becomes much easier.

WRG Forestry Group removed four large trees over the weekend of 14 th-15th May. This allows further exploration work on the bridge to take place, having already received permission from CRT to carry out these repairs.

Our excavator ‘Blue’ has been repaired and it is hoped that over the next few months our volunteers will be able to clear away more of the soil so that further work to repair the bridge can be started. Our own volunteers will continue the work of providing a new crossing for the farmer so that the present crossing over Bridge 1 can be closed to allow full restoration work on Bridge 1 to begin This work will be continued by people attending two WRG canal camps we are hosting in the summer months. These take place from Saturday 23 rd till Saturday 30th July and the following week from Saturday 30th July until Saturday 6 th August. If anyone wants more information about the canal camps, please consult the WRG (Waterway Recovery Group) Canal Camps booklet for 2016.

Our volunteers have also been working with the MacIntye Centre, the charity which works with people with learning difficulties, and they have been joining us on our Thursday work parties.

Community and Team building days with outside companies are going well with three visits from Santander and several other companies joining us over the summer months at various sites along the canal — so a very busy time ahead for us.

Finally another reminder about our annual Canal Festival at Cosgrove which takes place over the weekend of 16th-17th July. This year there will again be Craft Fair in Cosgrove Village Hall.

Bookings are going well from both boat traders, stallholders and people wanting to bring their boats to our Festival. For details please see our web site or email events@buckinghamcanal.org.uk

WRG Forestry Group volunteer in action at Cosgrove removing two large trees

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ADVERTISING All advertisements must comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement.

COMMERCIAL RATES 1/4 Page (box) £12.00 +VAT 1/2 Page (box) £25.00 +VAT Full Page £40.00 +VAT Other sizes by arrangement 10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance 5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly

CLASSIFIEDS (suggested donations) £1.50 for 22 words, 15p each additional word £3.50 for box around classified advertisement (nb. telephone numbers count as one word) £3.50 for photographs

BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from September to May inclusive at

THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome.

Food and drink available

NEXT MEETING Tuesday, 13th September Speaker: Tony Conder — Waterways at War The next edition of Endeavour will be published in August 2016

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WHO’S WHO IN NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 2016/2017 Branch Chairman

Branch Meetings Gemma Kinsey

Bernard Morton 07785 375787/ 01604 858294 E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk

E-mail: gemma..kinsey @waterways.org.uk

Vice Chairman, Joint Task Party Organiser & Membership Secretary

Boat Gathering Chairman & Joint Task Party Organiser

Geoff Wood

Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler

E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk

@waterways.org.uk

Branch Secretary Sandie Morton

Planning Officer

01604 858294 E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk

Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk

Treasurer Alex Madisons

Committee Member

E-mail: alex.madisons @waterways.org.uk

John Pomfret E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk

Publicity & Grants Officer Vacant Newsletter & Joint Website Editor

Joint Website & Social Media Officer Sam Line E-mail: sam.line @waterways.org.uk

Tony Clarke 07939 977859 E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Non-Committee posts Sales: Catriona Butler 01604 473756 Endeavour Assistant Editor, Advertising & Distribution, Archivist Roger Hasdell 01604 248582

Boat Gathering Sub-Committee members Michael Butler (Chairman), Catriona Butler, Linda Clarke, Tony Clarke, Alex Madisons, Bernard Morton, Sandie Morton and John Pomfret

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