FromtheEditor Asregularreaderswillknow,Idon’tgenerallydoeditorials. IampromptedbythecommentonagemadebyPaulinhisLondonRegion piece, to add my pen’orth. I am a year or so older than Paul and can only reiterate hisplea.Ifeeltheremustbe,outthere,peoplewhofeelthesamepassionasus forourwaterwaysheritagebuthavenot,forwhateverreason,takentheplunge ofgetting involved.If thatdescribes you,please reconsider.Our waterwaysneed allthehelptheycanget.Ifyouhaveanyskillsinpreparingmagazinesfor publication,orevenifyouhaven’tbutwouldbehappytolearn,Iforonewould lovetohearfromyou.
HanwellLocks Youwill haveseen inthe RegionChairperson’s notesin thisedition ofthe newsletter that your Region Committee has decided that we need to have another go at adopting the Hanwell Flight of locks in West London, which are on the English Heritage at risk registerandtoworkwiththeCanalandRiverTrusttogetthelocksoff thatregister. ThereasonforthisisthattheHanwellFlightoflocksisoneofthegemsofthecanal networkinLondon,givenitspicturesquesetting,heritagesignificanceandrich wildlife.OverthelastdecadeorsoCanal&RiverTrustanditspredecessorBritish Waterwayshaveimprovedthe flightwiththeinstallationofinterpretationpanels, improvementofthetowpathandbiodiversityenhancement.InJuly2019aGreen FlagAward recognisedthe highenvironmental standardsof workby theTrust’s staff andvolunteers.TheCanal&RiverTrustvisionistopreservethehistoriccharacter ofthe flightandtomakeitawelcomingplaceforvisitorsandahavenforwildlife.
Constructedin1794theHanwell flightoflockstogetherwiththe boundarywalloftheformer MiddlesexCountyAsylum (completed1831)isaScheduled Monument(ListEntryNumber: 1001963).Thelockkeepers’ cottagesatlocks92,93,95and 97contributetothehistoric contextandallareGradeIIlistedbuildings.Thewalls,gates, sluicesandtraditional humpbackcanalbridgeatLock 90(NorwoodTopLock)arealso GradeII-listedstructures.Above theHanwellFlightisthesiteof ThreeBridges,aScheduled Monument and a rare intersection ofcanal,roadandrailway engineeredby IsambardKingdom Brunel.
TheThreeBridges,GrandUnionCanalwith SouthalltoBrentfordBranchlinebelowand WindmillLaneAbove
TosavewatertheGrandJunctionCanal Companyinstitutedconservationmeasures byinstallingside-pondsattheHanwell FlightandNorwoodBottomLock(Lock92). TheHanwellFlightside-pondscameintousearound1816andarepartofthe ScheduledMonumentdesignation.Theside-pondsarenolongerinoperationaluse althoughsomerepairworkwascarriedouttotheside-pondsatLocks97and94in 2001and 2011respectively. Restorationof theside-ponds isneeded, andthis hasled tothe flightbeingplacedonHistoricEngland’sHeritageatRiskRegister.
ContinuedOverleaf
Thelocksandside-pondsatHanwellarerecognisedasanon-statutorywildlifesite dueto itsintrinsic valuefor wildlifeand theassociated connectionsto otherimportant habitatsincludingtheRiverBrentcorridorandthenearbypublicopenspaceof JubileeMeadow andBlackberry Cornermanaged byEaling Council.The off side ofthe canalsupportsadiverserangeofwildlifeincludingamphibians,wetlandbirdspecies, aquaticvegetationsuchasreedbeds,sedges,rushesandwetlandtreesincluding willowandpoplar.
Treesthatareencroachingontheside-ponds andliabletoharmthehistoricfabricaretobe removedandoffsetbygenerouscompensatory plantingofnativetreesinappropriatelocations alongtheoff sideofthecanal.Canal&River Trusthasinstigatedaprogrammeofvegetation managementthroughathird-partycontractor toenablesafevolunteeraccesstotheside-pond areas. Restoration of the side-ponds will require themanagedremovalofinvasiveaquatic specieswith floatingplantedbedsbeing installedforcontinuityandenhancementof importantwildlifehabitats.
The primary objectives of the proposed Hanwell LocksPartnershiparetoassistCanal&River Trustwithcareandmaintenanceofthelocksat Hanwelland Norwood,to enhancebiodiversity, toprovidevolunteerhelpwithmeasuresthat willenabletheTrusttoremovetheHanwell FlightfromtheHistoricEnglandHeritageat RiskRegister,andinthelongtermtorestore theside-pondstooperationaluseforboaters.
ThisarticleonHanwellLockscomes fromalongerdocumentwrittenbyRay GilleditedbyPaulStrudwick.
Lock97in2009.Theovergrown sidepoundcanbeseenonthe right.PhotosChrisBushill
Date Route Start(TubeStn.)
16FebSunday Regent’sCanal:KingsCross–GranaryKingsCross,bytaxiqueuesign, Square–StPancras nexttooutdoorPretaManger
2MarSunday Regent’sCanal–MileEnd-Limehouse MileEnd
9MarSunday Regent’sCanal:King’sCross-Granary Square–Camden KingsCross,bytaxiqueuesign, nexttooutdoorPretaManger
16MarSunday GrosvenorCanalandBatterseaPower Station Victoria,WiltonStExit, OppositeApolloVictoria Theatre
23MarSunday Regent’sCanal:KingsCross–GranaryKingsCross,bytaxiqueuesign, Square–StPancras nexttooutdoorPretaManger
6AprSunday Regent’sCanal:King’sCross-Granary Square–Camden KingsCross,bytaxiqueuesign, nexttooutdoorPretaManger
20AprSunday Regent’sCanal:KingsCross–GranaryKingsCross,bytaxiqueuesign, Square–StPancras nexttooutdoorPretaManger
4MaySunday Regent’sCanal:RiverTyburn–Little Venice BakerSt(BakerStnorth/Lords exit)
10MaySaturday SecretsofthenorthernQueenElizabethStratford,Westfield/QEOPexit OlympicPark byPretaMangersign
18MaySunday 400yearsoftheNewRiver ManorHouse,FinsburyPark exit,exit6
25MaySunday Regent’sCanal–LittleVenice-Camden WarwickAvenue
StarttimeforallWalksis2.30p.m.
Rates: Normalcharge:£20
Seniors(65+)andStudentsrate:£15
Childrenaged16andover,accompaniedbyparents:£15
Childrenaged8–15,accompaniedbyparents:£5 (Childrenunder8,accompaniedbyparents,goforfree)
WalkaboutCard:Thesecardsareavailableforbothadults,seniors, studentsand childrenaged 16and overaccompanied byparents. Theycost £5to buy andthengive£5off everyotherwalktaken.Thecardsarevalidfor6months.
Priorbookingisstronglyrecommended:PleasecontactLondonWalks:0207624 3978.Oremail-london@walks.com.
ItispossibletochecktheIWAwebsite(waterways.org.uk),ortheLondonWalks website(walks.com)toseeifanylatechangestothewalkhavehadtobemade.
LondonRegionChairman’s Report Weareamembershiporganisation.ItmightcomeasasurprisetosomethatI startthisRegionReportwiththisreminderbutwithoutyouwecandonothingto protectthewaterwayswelove.Iworryaboutthefutureofyourbranchandthe region.Itis becomingincreasinglydifficult to findpeople totakeon vitalroleson the committeestokeepthingsmovingforward.Iamnearly78yearsoldnowandhave beenyourregionchairforfourteenyears.WhilstIamhappytocarryon,fornow, thereisnoobvioussuccessorstandinginthewingstoreplaceme.IfLondonRegion andyourBrancharetocontinuetocarryouttheirkeyrole,campaigningtoprotect thewaterwaysfromtheinevitabledeclinethatthepresent financialsituationwill cause,weneedtoattractyoungerpeopletotakeupthe fightfromyourpresent committeemembers.
Withthedecliningnumberofmembersprepared,orable,tosupportouractivities andprojects,weneedtoidentifythosethatareapriority.Wecanthengather volunteerswiththe enthusiasmandexpertise todeliverthem. Thiswillrequire cross BranchandevencrossRegionworkingbutisamust,ifwearetoprotectLondon’s waterways.Finally, weneed toidentify themessages, andmedia outlets,for instance newspapers and social media, we need to use to tell others what we are doing. We can achievemuchmore,butweneedyourhelp.Isthereaprojectyouthinkisapriority? PleaseletyourBranchChairormeknow.
YourRegionCommittee hasdecidedthat weneedto haveanothergo atadoptingthe HanwellFlightoflocksinWestLondon,whichareontheEnglishHeritageatrisk register.Toenableustogetthe locksoff theat-riskregister,Chris Benthasvolunteeredtoleadthe projectandwehavehad preliminarytalkswiththeCanal& RiverTrustaboutsettingupa partnership,likethe onethatlooks aftertheNorthampton flightof locks.The firststageoftheproject willbetidyingupthe flightand generallysprucingitup,wecan thenthinkabout clearingoutsome ofthepondstoseewhatisneeded tobedonetobringthembackto use.Wehopetostartworking partiesinthespring,soifyoucan findthetime,pleasecome andjoin us.Ifwearetobesuccessful,wewillalsoneedtogetlocalpeopleonoursideand joiningusonourworkparties.Doyouhavecontactsintheareawhocanhelpus identifythebestmedia outlets,totellthem aboutourwork?The projectteamcanbe contactedusingtheemail: hanwell.volunteers@waterways.org.uk.
Thisisnotaquickprojectbutisanexcitingchallenge.
Duringlastyear’striparoundthesystem,Iwasshockedatthelackofvegetation control.The towpathsare veryovergrown andthere islittle signof mowingthe grass aroundthelockswhichcanmakeoperatingthemquitedangerous.Inmanyplaces, thetreesalongtheoffsidehavenotbeencutbackandoverhangthewaterwaytothe extentthatitisdifficultforboatstopasseachother.Iwouldlovetohearyour experiencesifyouweretravelingaroundthesystemlastsummerandwhilstyouare outandabout thisyear,so Icanfeed thembackto yourNavigationcommittee. They canthenbuildupapictureofwhatishappeningandusethatindiscussionswith navigationauthorities.
Ifwecangettherightpeople,doingtherightthingin2025,wecaneffectively continuetocampaigntoprotectthewaterwaysintothefuture.
PaulStrudwick
Trustee&LondonRegionChairperson
EmailPaul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk
Tel:07885240291
Colleagueswill, I’msure, knowthat thehighlight ofIWA Lee& StortBranch’s yearis theWare BoatFestival, heldon the first weekendin Julyas partof thewider, monthlongWareFestival.Planswerewelladvancedfor2024withover40boatbookings taken(and paidfor), approvalsgiven andvenues arrangedwhen –with twoweeks to go–wewereadvisedthatthepublicfootpathwhich,alongthis900mstretchofthe riverthroughthetowncentre,doublesasthetowpathhadbeenclosedand prohibitedfromuseforreasonsofpublicsafety.Inpractice,the‘closure’hasbeen completelyignored byall theregular usersand mooredboats; theplastic barriersare pushedasideandthenoticesdisregardedsinceeveryoneknowsthatnothinghas changedonthetowpath/footpath overdecades;yes,itdoeshave lumpsandbumps wheretreerootsarepushingup–butdoesn’teveryruralpath?However,witha prohibitionorderunderSection14(1)oftheRoadTrafficRegulationAct1984in force, which – understandably – would undermine our Public Liability insurance, we hadno optionbut tocancel theevent, refundour attendeesand foregothe depositon venuehire.Moreimportantly,alotofpeoplewerehugelydisappointedandwe receivedmanymessagesofappreciationforthewastedtimeandenergywhichthe committeehadexpended.
Theincidenthas,though,openedacanofwormsaboutresponsibilitiesforupkeep oftowpathsanddecidingwhenatowpathisunsafeforuseandmustbeclosed.My understandingisthat:
WhereatowpathisownedbyC&RTthenthedefaultpositionisthatcanbe regardedasa permissivefootpath (i.e.thepublichaspermissiontouseit,but noright).However,C&RTarenottheregisteredownersof all towpathsadjacentto theirwaterwaysanditseemsthatsometowpathsareunregistered(i.e.haveno legalowner),inwhichcircumstancesthequestionofpublicpermission/right becomesunclear.However,theresponsibilityforupkeepclearlyremainswiththe Landowner–wherethereisone!
Sometowpaths(infact,allontheR.Lee)aredesignatedbythelocal authorityas PublicRightsof Way although,again,thesecouldbeownedby C&RT, by someone else or be unregistered. So,therighttousethemisclear,but theresponsibilityfortheirupkeepbecomesmessy.AccordingtotheHertsCounty Council(HCC)website,thelandownerhasresponsibilitytoensure:
o Thattheminimumwidthoftherightofwayisclear
o Thatthereisnothingoverhangingthepath
o Thatthesurfaceofthepathisleveland firm …otherwise,itisHCC’sresponsibilitytomaintainthefootpath/towpath.Butwhat istherelefttodo,onemightask?
Now,onemightimaginethat–givensuchsharedresponsibility– thesensiblething wouldbeforHCCandC&RT,ideallywithWareTownCouncil,tospeakwithone anotheranddecideonasensibleandmeasuredcourseofaction.Butno;HCCtook actionwithoutconsultingC&RTorthetowncouncil,theresultofwhichwasa prohibitionorderwhichwasopenlyandcompletelyignored,andHCCwringingits handsanddespairingoverthehighcostandtimescaleofrepairingthefootpathand ofthedifficultiesof workingnexttowater!Andwheredidthat leaveanyboaterwho moorsuponthisstretchandstepsoff his/herboat?Aretheybreakingthelaw? 8
Inanefforttoresolvethiscrazysituation,IWAL&SatleastmanagedtogetC&RT’s NationalTowpathsAdvisortospeakwiththeHCCcaseofficerandotherwisestirup county/district/towncouncillors,although–inevitablyitseemswheneverElfin Safetyswoopsin–therewasnoinstantaneoussolution.Asitwas,theweekendof No-WareBoatFestival2024wasanabsolutewash-outwithheavyrainthroughout FridayandSaturday,soperhapsfortunewasshiningonusinsomeway.The laughablecorollarytothisepisodewasthat,notwithstandingHCC’sassertionthat repairsthefootpath/towpathweregoingtotake‘monthsofworkandhundredsof thousandsofpounds’,severalweeksafterthenon-eventsomeonecamealongone day, filledinthecrackswithlooseasphaltandquietlyrecoveredallthebarriers! So–thankfully–welooksettoreturnwithWareBoatFestival2025andwithsome assurancethatthevariousstakeholderauthoritiesappreciatethatactingwithout consultationmightproducesomeeggonface.
Withbestregards, MikeNewman Chairman,Lee&StortBranch
PS With some sadness, since he has been a good friend of IWA L&S and done the best hecould,underenormouspressure,wenotethatourlong-termlocalC&RTArea Manager,SandileMithyane,lefttheTrustandtookupapositionsomewherein EppingForest–althoughIdon’tknowifthatmeanshe’slurkingamongthetreesor simplyworkingforthelocalcouncil.Welookforwardtoworkingwithhis replacement,HowardClark.
.
FromNorth&EastLondon Chairman,TimLewis IamwritingthiswhilstlookingoutatsomemiserableJanuaryweatheratatime when we would normally be in the middle of the canals being closed for improvement works.HoweverapartfromthreeweekendclosuresforanewbridgeatCamley Street,StPancras,plusatwo-weekstoppageonCarpentersRoadlock,thereisvery littlehappeninginourBranch area.Whetherthisisbecause ourcanalsareintip top shapeorisasignofalackoffunding,Iamnotsure.Isuspectthatitisthelatter.
TheplannedstoppagetosurveyIslingtonTunnel,aheadofsomeanticipatedmajor works,willnotbehappeningnowastheworkscannowbecarriedoutwithout closing the canal other than for short periods. It would be nice if we could say that the CarpentersRoadlockstoppagewillinconveniencemany,butitmustbeoneofthe leastusedlocksinthecountry!
Your committee has been busy reviewing planning applications alongside the Branch area’swaterwaysand,althoughwedonotseeasmanyaswehavebeenusedto,we stillseeanumberofcontentiousones.Paddingtonisacaseherewithtwoschemes goingthroughorstartingtheplanningprocess.Thelargeschemetobuildonthe TravisPerkinssitehasbeenrejectedagainbyWestminstercouncil.Thescheme whichwouldasapluscompletethe walkwayaroundthearmisstillconsideredtobe toooverbearing.
ThesecondPaddingtonschemethatwearelookingatisproposedbySt.Mary’s Hospitaltodevelopthesiteofthelasttwocanalwarehouses,datingbacktothe 1850s,onthePaddingtonArm.Theproposalisaratherextraordinaryplanto renovateandadapttheexistingstructureandadd fivenewstoreystohouseanew medicalresearchcentre.Thiswillbeadifficultonetocommenton.(SeeArticleby RodGraybelow.)Anotherschemewearelookingatisaproposaltoconstruct mooringsonthetidalBowCreekatThreeMills.
AnotherdifficultoneisaproposaltoinstallrailingsonCityRoadBasinwherethere wasafatality.Itisnormallyourpolicytoobjecttorailingsalongsidethecanal.Also atCityRoadBasinisaproposal,yettogoforplanning,toinstalla floatingoutdoor swimmingpool.Ithasgenerallybeenourpolicytoobjecttoschemesthat permanently‘infill’waterways.
TheBranchhasrecentlybeenaskedtocommentoftheproposalbyCamdenCouncil toimpose aSmoke ControlOrder whichis proposedto includethe waterwayswithin theBorough.
TheBranchhasbeeninanenviouspositiontomakeseveraldonationstowaterways relatedorganisations.OntherestorationsidewehavemadedonationstotheWey& ArunCanalTrust andtheWendover ArmTrust,the moneyforthe latterwillbe used totraintheirvolunteerstodealwiththeregulatoryactivitiesrequiredtocarryout theirnextphaseofwork.
WehavealsomadeadonationtotheAngelCanalFestivalwhichwillbeusedtokick starttheorganisationofthe2025event.
Wearealsopleasedtohavedonatedtothemajorcampaigntosaveourwaterways, FundBritain’sWaterways.Themoneywillgotowardsthecostsofamajorboating eventafterCavalcadewhenon7thMayaCampaignCruisetoWestminsterwilltake place,backedupwithareceptionfor MPsandpeers.Let’shopewecan persuadethe newgovernmentoftheimportanceofourwaterways.
ThebranchwasrepresentedataneventheldinourBranchareaorganisedbythe AccessibleWaterwaysAssociation,presentedasanewlyformedinitiativeaimedat workingwithCRTandotherrelevantauthoritiestodevelopmeansofimproving accesstothecanalsystemandalsotoinform,representandassistpeoplewith disabilities,impairmentsoraccessibilityissueshinderingtheirenjoymentofthe waterways.
NewsfromtheLondonCanalMuseumwhichlastyearcelebratedanannualtotalof 20,000visitorsforthe firsttime.Amajornewexhibitionabouttheconstructionof ourwaterwayswillbeinstalledfrom8th Marchandwilllasttoatleasttheendofthe year.Themuseumisalsointheprocessofcarryingoutmajorrenovationstoits Bantamtug.
TimLewis,North&EastLondonBranch
LondonCanalMuseumfromBattlebridgeBasinPhotoChrisBushill
TidewayTunnelUpdate Aftertenyearsofconstructionthelastof21connectionshasbeenmadebetweenthe originalVictoriansewers andthenew 25kmThamesTideway Tunnel.Thisbrings the entiresystemonlinetoprotectthetidalThamesfromsewagepollution.Thepipewill divert34ofthemost-pollutingsewageoutflowsthathavebeendischargingintothe Thames.TidewayCEOAndyMitchellsaid:“Thisisanothersignificantstepforward –withthis finalconnectioncomplete,thesupersewerisfullyupandrunningand protectingtheThames.Ournextstepistotestitinstormconditions–whichiswhy wearekeepingacloseeyeontheweather–andwewilldothisoverthecoming months.”
Historically,thesewernetworkhasstruggledtocopewiththetwinchallengesof populationgrowthandclimatechange,withrainfallregularlyoverwhelmingthe systemandcausingittodischargeintotheThames.Now,withthesupersewerfully connected,95%ofthosespillsarebeingstopped.Connectionshavebeenmadeat landmarklocationsincludingthe startingpointofthe UniversityBoatRaceat Putney Embankment;ChelseaandVictoriaEmbankments;BlackfriarsBridgeintheheartof theCityofLondon;andKingEdwardMemorialParkinWapping.Theworkof bringingthefullsystemonlinebeganintheautumnof2024,whenTideway announcedthatthe firstfourconnectionshad ledto589,000tonnesofstormsewage beingcapturedbytheTidewayTunnelinasingle,rainy24-hourperiod.
Workontheprojectbeganin2016–withactivitytakingplaceattwodozen constructionsitesfromActoninwestLondontoAbbeyMillsPumpingStationin Stratford,eastLondon.Morethan20deepshafts–someaswideasthedomeofSt Paul’sCathedral–wereconstructedacrossLondontodivertsewage flowsandto lowertunnellingmachinesintotheground.The firstofthesegiantmachinesstarted workdeepbeneathLondonin2018,withprimarytunnellingonthe25kmmain tunnelandtwosmallerconnectiontunnelscompletedin2022.Bytheautumnof 2023,asecondarytunnelliningwasfullycompleteonallthetunnels,withtheheavy civilengineeringworkthencompletedinthespringof2024.
N&ElondonPlanningfrom RodGray Wherewehavecanalrelatedbuildingsofscaleandquality,suchasatKingsCross, CamdenandRegentsWharf,wecangenerallylookwithsatisfactionatthe preservationsandadaptationsthathavebeenachieved,substantiallydrivenbythe generalrulesandexpectationsoftheplanningprocess.Butbytheirnaturecanal wharfbuildingswereusuallymodestandchangesinuseofthesitesovermaybe100 yearshaveseenmanydisappearcompletely.ThePaddingtonArmhasbeentotally redevelopedinrecentyears.Thewaterwayhasbeenkeptintact,publicaccesstoit hasbeenmassivelyimprovedanditislinedwithtallnewdevelopmentsappropriate toakeycitycentresite.Butthere’slittletoremindusofitslonglifeasabusycargo transferpoint linkingLondon bycanal toBirmingham andbeyond. Theonly original canalbuildingsonthisstretcharea2-storeyterraceofwarehouses,knownasThe Bays, dating back to the 1850.These have been owned by St. Mary’s Hospital for over 40yearsandhavelongbeenadaptedforofficeandrelatedusesforhospital departments.
ProposalshavenowcomeforwardforaglobalMedicalResearchCentreonthissite, calledtheFlemingCentre,tobeachievedbyrenovatingtheexistingterraceand addinganew5-storeystructureontop.It’sanextraordinaryandstrikingbuilding. Thisdevelopment isnot atthe planningstage butwas broughtto myattention bythe ChairmanofIWA’sHeritageCommittee.TheN&ELondonCommitteediscussed thisandotherproposals.ItwasagreedthatthebranchshouldsuggesttoIWA Heritagethat theretained structureshould berestored asclose aspossible toits look wheninuseasacanalwarehouseinthe19th century.Inparticularthatthecranes existingonthebuildingshouldberetainedasshouldthestonesettsatthestation sideofthebuilding.Aconcreteboxstructurethatappearedtobeintrudingonthe originalbuilding,ifretained,shouldbemovedup.
Wehavemadeadecision toalternateourRegionSocials asin-persononemonthand on-linethenext.Thiswillenableustocontinuewiththesocialaspectwhilstalso allowingpeople unableto travelto thevenue tojoin inwith talks.Dates forthe online onesareunderdiscussionandwillbecirculatedinduecourse.ThesewillbeinApril andJune.
Thein-persononeswillalternatewithSouthLondonSocials(seep20)sothereis alwaysanin-personIWAeventeachmonth.Wearepleasedtobeabletocontinueto holdtheRegiononesattheLondonCanalMuseum,12-13NewWharfRoad,N19RT. Thedatesforthenexttwooftheseare:
TuesdayMarch18th– CanalRestorationwithWaterway RecoveryGroup (WRG)–TimLewis
TheeveningwillstartwiththeNorth&EastLondonBranchAGMat7.30.Tim’stalk willstartatabout8pmandwillcovercurrentrestorationworkbeingcarriedoutby WRG. Pleasebringyourfriends,theydonotneedtobeIWAmembers.
TuesdayMay20th –SpeakerTBA
Thetalks startat 7.30pmand wehave tea,coffee andsoft drinksavailable beforehand andin thebreak. Someof ususually go to alocal pubfor adrink afterwardsand all are welcometojoinus.
IfyouwouldliketobeaddedtomycirculationandarenotontheIWA LondonRegioncirculationpleaseemailmeasbelow:
LibbyBradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956655037
LondonWaterway RecoveryGroupand Kent&EastSussex CanalRestorationGroup Thames&SevernCanal WeymoorBridge7th September2024
MakeaDateforCavalcade2025!
IWA’sCanalwayCavalcadeisback-biggerandbetterin2025-atLittleVenicein Londonoverthe firstMaybank-holidayweekend-3–5May2025.
Thethemeofthisyear’seventis‘Waterways:Past,PresentandFuture’. Whilstrecognisingthehistoricimportanceofthewaterwaysintransformingthe UK’seconomyin the18th and 19th centuriesand givingusthe richcanalside heritage andresourcethatwecan enjoytoday,Cavalcade2025will alsoencouragevisitorsto appreciateourwaterwaysasavitalassetforthefuture.
Asusual,awidevariety ofnarrowboatsandothercraft fromaroundthecountrywill convergeonLondontoprovideanunrivalledspectacle,withtradersandcaterers addingtothebuzzthatsurroundsourfullprogrammeofentertainmentforboth childrenandadults.
YoucanbepartofCavalcade2025by:
AttendingtheeventinMayandtellingyourfriends, Joiningtheorganisingcommitteeoverthenextfewmonths, Helpingforafewhoursduringtheevent.Justgivemeacall–I’dlovetohear fromyou!
Donating(youcangiveanamountofyourchoicetotheworkofIWAand Cavalcade2025byscanningtheQRcodebelow)
Everyonewho caresabout ourwaterways canbe partof theevent andhelp shareour loveofthewaterwayswiththe1000sofmembersofthepublicwhowillbeinLittle Venicethatweekend.
ItmightsurpriseyoutoknowthatmanyfolkswhovisitCanalwayCavalcadehad neverpreviouslyrealisedthattherewasacanal attheendoftheirstreet!Mostdon’t knowthatLittleVeniceconnectsLondonto1000sofmilesofcanalsandnavigable riversacrossthecountry.Ourvisitorsdon’tjustneedto knowaboutwhat’sgoingon duringtheevent;yourknowledgeandpassionforthewaterwayscouldinspireour visitorstoseemoreintheirlocalwaterwayoreventogetinvolvedinthevitalwork ofIWA.
As we get into the final three months before the event, the Cavalcade 2025 committee ishardatworkonallofthelast-minutepreparationsandwe’rehopingthatthis year’seventwillgowaybeyondtheappealandimpactofpreviousyears’events.
Ifyouhaven’tvisitedcavalcadebefore,Iwouldliketoencourageyoutocomealong andmakethis wonderfuleventpart ofyourbank holidayweekendplans. Ifyouhave beenbefore,youknowthatthere’ssomethingforeveryoneandwelookforwardto seeingyouagain–perhapsevenaspartoftheteam.
Thereareplentyofopportunitiestosupporttheeventbyvolunteeringtowelcome visitorsatourinformationstands,helpingourpressrelations,socialmediaor fundraisingteamsonsite.Wealsoneeddedicatedsupporttosupplementthe Committee’smarketingandvolunteerliaisonteams.
IcannotemphasiseenoughtheimportanceofaneventlikeCanalwayCavalcade.It providesanopportunityforthoseofuswhoarepassionateaboutthewaterwaysto bringourmessagetothosewholivelocallyinWestminsterandthesurrounding boroughs,tothewidercommunityacrossLondonand,givenourpresenceinthe capitalcity,andtoshareournationalvisionoftheimportanceofthewaterwaysto thenationasawhole!
Thanksforyoursupport.Ihopeyou’lljoinusinMay–orperhapsevengiveusyour supportinthecomingmonths.Givemeacallandwecanchatabouthowyoumight help.
PaulRodgers ChairandEventDirector
IWACanalwayCavalcade2025
Mobile:07785502605
Email:paul.rodgers@waterways.org.uk
NewLifeboatStationforthe Thames Followingtheenquiryintothe1989MarchionessdisasteritwasdecidedtheRiver ThamesneededadedicatedSearchandRescueserviceandonJanuary2nd,2002, fourLifeboatstationswereopened–oneatTeddingtonwhichoperateslikecoastal stationsonapagerandthreethataremanned24hoursaday,oneatChiswick,one atTowerandoneatGravesend.
TheEclassinshorelifeboatisthefastestintheRNLI fleetandwasspeciallydesignedforLondon’sbusy RiverThames.Withitspowerfultidalcurrents, submergeddebrisandheavytraffic,theRiverThames canbeincrediblydangerousforthoseonandbythe waterandtheEclasslifeboatwasdesignedtohandle theseriverconditions.
WayneBellamy,managerofChiswickLifeboatStation said'Theriveristhelifebloodofourcitybut,as someonewhohelpedsetupthelifeboatserviceonthe Thames,Iknowitcanbedeadly.Morethan20people stilldrownintherivereveryyear,andeverysecond countswhenitcomestosavinglives.
Wemaynothavetodealwithbigwavesorhideous stormslikeourcoastalcounterparts,butwehaveto battlehugetides,fast-movingwater,bridges,piers andconstantrivertraffic”.
TheRNLIlifeboatsonthetidalThamesatChiswick,WaterlooBridge,knownas ‘Tower’whereitwas originallybased,andGravesend haveadutycrew offourready tolaunch in90 seconds.Tower RNLIlifeboat stationis thebusiest andChiswick the secondbusiestintheUKandIreland.SinceTheRNLIsearchandrescueserviceon theThamesstartedin2002,ChiswickLifeboathasattendedover4,600incidents andsaved193lives.Itslocationisnotideal,noristhebuildingandthelease concludesin2026.
AsuitablepropertyhasbeenfoundinWandsworthandplanningpermissionfor changeofusehasbeengranted.Thenewlocation,at90PointPleasant,SW18,will puttheboatanditscrewinthebestpossibleplacetosavelives.Thebuildingnow needstobemodifiedtocreatethenewstation.
WayneBellamystates:
“Thenewlifeboatstationwillprovidemodernfacilitiesforourcrew,andaplaceto welcomethepublic.Itwillhelpussavelivesfordecadestocome.
Movingfrom Chiswickto WandsworthRiverside willput theboat andits crewin the bestpossible placeto savelives. Currently,around 70%of ourshouts areeastwards, towardsthe city.We estimatethat movingto thenew stationwill reduceour average emergencyresponsetimeby1minuteand20seconds.Thattimecouldmeanthe differencebetweenlifeanddeath.EverymomentcountsonthetidalThames. Itwillbringourwholecrewtogetherinoneplace,onehome.We’llbeabletohelp andsupporteachothermuchmoreeffectivelythanwe’veeverbeenabletodo before.Withbespokeandvastlyimprovedtraining,restandrecuperationspace,it willmakeahugedifferencetoourvolunteers’wellbeing.
Anditwillallowustocontinueourlifesavingwork,butbetter.Thenewpublic engagementarea willbe soimportant forour watersafety andeducation work.We’ll beabletowelcomemorepeopleandofferthemabetterexperience.Itwillallowus toeducatelargergroupsofchildren,tosharemorewatersafetytips,tobuild awarenessandtorallymoresupportfor thecharitygenerally.It’saplatformfor the future.
Onceitisopen,themuchlargerreplacementbuildingwillalsoincludespacefor trainingnew volunteersand visitors.Work isalso neededto upgradepart ofthe pier wherethelifeboatwillbemoored.”
Ifyouwouldliketodonatetothenewstationappealpleaseusethislink: https:// rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/wandsworth-riversideappeal
Thankyou
LibbyBradshaw,BranchChair,Clapham,BatterseaandWandsworthRNLI fundraising.
Sincetheautumnwehavebeenholdingtheseonalternatemonths.InOctoberLibby Bradshawgaveatalk:“Lifeboats2024–Celebrating200yearsofsavinglivesatsea” and,atourChristmasSocial,IanSesnangaveatalkontheChesterfieldCanal.
Unfortunately,wehavehadafewproblemsrecentlyinaccessingourroomatEast Croydonandwillbediscussingthewayforwardatourcommitteemeetingon7th March.However,thedatesforournexttwomeetingsare:
WednesdayApril 16th – BranchAGM followedby around-up ofwhat ishappening onourwaterwaysandthecampaignforbetterfunding.
WednesdayJune11th –SpeakerTBA
Meetingsstartat 7.30andwe canaccessthe venuefrom7pm viaacode whichwillbe putonthedoorontheevening.
The venue is The Primary Room East Croydon United Reformed Church, Addiscombe Grove,CroydonCR05LP.ItisashortwalkfromEastCroydonTrainandTramstop. Refreshmentswillbeavailableinthebreak.Forfurtherinformationpleasecontact SheaRichardson,SocialSecretary,SouthLondonIWA: shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk 07803904803.
NewLockConstructionontheChesterfieldCanal
PhotoChrisBushill
AbelatedHappyNewYeartoyouall.Itwasgoodtoseesomeofyouatthe4Fratelli Caprinirestaurantlastmonthforourannualbranchdinner.Whilstweweresmallin number,wehadagoodtimewithanexcellentmeal.
CommitteeNews:
Wewereverysadtolearnofthedeathof JudithHunter who finallylostherbattle against cancer at the end of October 2024. Judith had been on the committee recently, kindlyofferingtotaketheminutesofmeetings.Forsomeyearssheorganisedour Januarydinnersbeforehercancerstruckher.Shewasaregularattendeeatsocial meetingsoftenseentobecollectingthemoney.Severalofusattendedherfuneralin EastDulwichwhere thechurchwas packed,a fitting tributetoher manyinterestsand popularity.
Ourpublicityofficer, LesleyPryde-Coales andherhusband,Gerard,havenow settledintheirnewhomeinCornwallwhichtheymovedtoinJuly2024.Weare gratefulforthemanyyearsLesleyhasservedthebranchandforallGerard’shelpon thebranchstandovertheyears.LesleyandGerardmetworkingtogetherforSouth LondonBranch.WewishthemmanyyearsofhappinessinCornwall.Lesleyhas kindlyofferedtocontinue withanypublicitythat canbedoneremotely forthebranch forwhichweareverygrateful.
In2024 IanSesnan joinedourcommitteebringingawealthofexperienceofcanals sincethe1970’s.HeiscurrentlyaTrusteeoftheIWAandaDeputychairspecialising in Restoration. I quote his biography from the 2022 Waterway Restoration conference “IanSesnan servesthe IWAin anumber ofvoluntary rolesincluding strategicfunding andtheHeritageandPlanningAdvisoryPanels.Hestartedcampaigningforinland waterwaysattheageof18whentheEdinburghandGlasgowUnionCanalwas threatenedwithfurtherblockage(bytheEdinburghCity Bypass).Hehasvolunteered andservedonboardsofanumberofheritageprojects,inparticulartheWensleydale Railway.Professionallyhehasworked foraLondonBorough,Friendsofthe Earth,andtheDiocesesofLondonand Rochester.Sincethemillenniumhehas workedasaself-employedconsultantin heritageandcommunityprojectsoften specialisingincommunity-ledprojects; socialenterprises;fundingandbusiness planning”.Weareluckytohavehimon theSouthLondonteam.
IanisontherightinthephotowhichI hopeWilts&BerksCanalTrustwillnot mindmestealingandI’msureIanwill bedelightedtoseepublishedagain. (Ed)
Branchsocials WevisitedtheWandleIndustrialMuseumduringtheafternoonofWednesday14th February2024insteadofhaving aneveningmeetingthatday.Itis asmallmuseumbutfullof interestinginformationandwell worthavisit.
Wepresentedthemuseumwitha chequefor£200 fromthebranch.
FurtherinformationaboutSouth LondonSocialsmaybefoundon page20.
BranchSalesandPublicityStand WecontinuetotakeourbranchstandtoWaterwayeventsandlastyearthesewere CanalwayCavalcade,AngelCanalFestivalandBrentfordFestival.Wecontinueto receivedonationsofWaterwaybooksandselltheseateventsandbranchsocial meetings.
Wearekeento findmoreeventsinSouthLondonand,ifyouknowofanyinyour area,pleasegetintouchwithmeoroneofthecommitteemembers.
RiverThames ThetidalRiverThamesisourbranchwaterwayalongwithtributariesand waterwayssouthof theriver.The PLAhaspublished its PriorityAction Planfor aCleanThames (2024-2030)“Our2050Visionisofacleanriver,freeofsewage, wasteandotherpollution,supportinggreaterbiodiversityandrecreationaluse”. Detailsonthesepriorities maybefoundinthefulldocumentat https://pla.co.uk/sites/default/files/ 2024-04/Clean-Thames-Plan.pdf
Clean-upson theriver area vitalpart ofthis work,and members of thebranch have assistedatthe BatterseaBeachClean eventswhichtakeplaceonceortwicea month on Saturdays at differenttimes,dependentontides. Theaimistoclearthe foreshore andslipwayoflitter,removingplasticpollutionandotherinorganic litterfromtheThames.Thedatesforthenexttwoclean-upsare: Saturday,1st March,9.30am-11.30amandSaturday22nd March,12pm–2pm. PleaseemailSamanthaJohnsonat batterseabeachclean@gmail.com withoffersof help.
LifeboatsontheThames- Lastyearwecelebratedthe200th anniversaryofthe founding of the RNLI and this year we will see progress on the development of a new stationontheThamesatWandsworthRiverside.Anarticleonthenewstationmay befoundonpage18.
SimonDyerandIattendthe‘YourTidalThamesCatchmentPartnership’ meetingstwiceayear.Thisisacollaborativepartnershipoforganisationsalongthe ThamesfromTeddingtonto theseaco-hostedby Thames21andthe Thames Estuary Partnership(TEP). “TheTidal Thamescatchment partnershipaims tobring together allstakeholdersandinterestedpartiesalongthetidalThamestoworktogetherto protect,enhanceandimproveitswaterenvironmentforwildlife,localcommunities andeverybodyworkingneartoorvisitingthemostfamousriverinourcapitalcity, oritswonderfulriversidelocationsthroughoutthewholeoftheThamesEstuary” FundBritain’sWaterways
LastMay‘Panacea’joinedtheCampaignCruisefor‘FundBritain’sWaterways’ (FBW)ontheRiverThames,cruisingtothePalaceofWestminster,onWednesday 8th May.‘Panacea’willbetakingpartagainthisyearonWednesday7th May.There willalsobeopportunitiestotakepartonlandonWestminsterBridge.
ForfurtherinformationonallFBWplanspleasefollowthelink: https:// waterways.org.uk/waterways/sites/fund-britains-waterways-overview/fundbritains-waterways-future-activities
Allthebestforthiscomingyear
Libby
AGMLondon Branchesof TheInland Waterways Association will take place as follows:
North&EastLondon
7:30p.m.onTuesday18thMarch
TheCanalMuseum
NewWharfRoad N19RT
South London
7:30p.m.on Wednesday 16th April at:ThePrimaryRoom
TheUnitedReformedChurchHall
AddiscombeRoad
CroydonCR05LP
NB3rd not 2nd Wednesday
AGENDA 1. Apologiesforabsence
2. ApprovaloftheMinutesofthe 2024 AGMplusMatters Arising
3. Reportfromthe Chairman
4. Presentationof Accounts
5. Questionssubmitted tothe Chairin Advance
6. Electionto fill posts onthe Committee
7. Questionsfromthe floor
The formalAGMwillbe followed byanotheractivity asperthebranch’s socialprogramme
ContactDetails Chairman TimLewis e-mail: tim.lewis@waterways.o rg.uk
Secretary TimLewis e-mail: tim.lewis@waterways.o rg.uk
Libby Bradshaw e-mail: libby.bradshaw@water ways.org.uk
Simon Dyere-mail: simondyer@outlook.com
BRANCHCOMMITTEE ELECTIONS Tofacilitateelectionsat theAGMs,nominationsforelectiontoaBranchorRegionCommitteemustbereceived bythe relevantBranch orRegionSecretary beforeorat theAGM(seeabove).Allcandidatesandtheirproposersmustbepaid-upmembers ofthe relevantBranch andthecandidatemustindicatehis/her willingnesstostand.
Allelectedmembers ofaBranchCommitteewhohaveheldoffice foratermofthree yearshavetoretire,asdoesany memberco-optedduringthecommitteemeetingssincethelastAGM.Membersineithercategory areeligible forre-election,provided thattheyareduly nominated asdetailed above.Anomination formisprintedbelow.
Theparticularsforeach Committeeareas follows:
Nominations
Memberscompleting 3yearsinpost
Newblood needed.Pleaseconsider joiningour committeestohave your say onthe futureofLondon’swaterways.VolunteerswillingtotakeuptherolesinbothSouth andN&ELondonwouldbemostwelcome.
Note: Pleasenotethat underthenew Bye-lawsallCommitteesmayvaryinsize accordingtothenumberselected.Welookforwardto receivingfurthernominations forCommitteeMembership.
whichever
doesnotapply
IWASouth LondonBranch, United ReformedChurch, Croydon
LondonCanalMuseum, NewWharfRoad,N19RT
Role Chairman
North&East London Tim LewisTel:02085300425 / 07802518094 tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk
Secretary Tim Lewis
Treasurer
Ian IsraelTel:020 84461823 ian.israel@waterways.org.uk
SocialSecretary Vacancy
South London Libby Bradshaw Tel:07956655037 libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk
Simon DyerTel:07857978111 simondyer@outlook.com
DorothyRobbie Tel:02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk
SheaRichardson, Tel:02086770196/ 07803904803 shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk
MinutesSecretary ChrisBushill Vacancy
NewsletterEditor
Chris BushillTel:02082457063 chrisbushill@hotmail.com
Membership Secretary LizRayner lizrayner48@gmail.com
PublicityOfficer Vacancy
RodGray rodgray125@aol.com
Planning Officer
LondonWalks Representative Roger Wilkinson–Tel:02036129624 roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk
Committee Member
Ex-Officioas
RegionChairman
SouthLondonRepresentatives
Planning& Conservation Committee: Wandle Valley developments
Corresponding Member
LeeandStortChairman
DorothyRobbie Tel:02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk
LesleyPryde-Coales lesley.pryde@waterways.org.uk
Simon DyerTel:07857978111 simondyer@outlook.com
Ian.SesnanTel:07971528207 Ian.Sesnan@waterways.org.uk
PaulStrudwickTel:01248535342/ 07885240291
Eric Garland, Simon Dyer, Shea Richardson
DerekHumphries derek.humphries@waterways.org.uk
Mike NewmanTel. 07887 540398 mike.newman@waterways.org.uk
Ifyou feelyoucouldhelpwith any ofthevacanciesorwould beinterestedinjoiningusasanordinarymember we would lovetohear fromyou
