Meridian Cuttings New Year 2015

Meridi an Cuttin g s Issue No. 009

New Year 2015

The newsletter of the North & East and South London branches of The Inland Waterways Association

We keep the waterways alive!

By campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways -1-

M

erry Christmas, a Happy New Year & Welcome to the first 2015 edition of Meridian Cuttings!

If that sounds like a quote from the late Alan Whicker’s travelogue (oh dear that’s showing my age!) this newsletter is all about London - because there’s so much going on and both branches have been extremely busy, as related by Libby and Tim in their Chairmen’s reports on pages 4 and 5.

Alan Smith has been walking on air since South London’s socials resumed in September because the attendance has exceeded 20 at every one - you can read his report and check forthcoming events on page 8. If you fancy a towpath walk in the fresh air after all that turkey, Roger Wilkinson’s walks are detailed on page 10.

Peter Gregory has been getting down and very dirty at the London Region Big Dig and sounds as if he can’t wait for the next one - read his mucky tale on page 12.

Two select bands from South London went to see the Tall Ships in September, from two quite different perspectives. You can see their photos and read about their experiences on pages 14 and 16.

We’re all lookng forward to our return to Caprini Restaurant at Waterloo for our Annual Dinner on Friday 23rd January. All the details, including menu choices and a booking form, are on pages 18 to 20 - do come and join us.

Both Branch Annual General Meetings will be held in March, after which we shall be sadly losing our South London Treasurer, Peter, who has decided to stand down. There will then be 4 vacancies on South London Committee; and 3 on that of North & East London. So, if you can spare a few hours every couple of months to help out, it would be very much appreciated.

Full details and a nomination form start on page 21.

Wishing you all a very happy time,

Christine Smith, Publicity Officer & Newsletter Editor

Contents

Page

A view from the Chairs 3 London Region with North

& East London Socials 7 South London Socials Report 8 South London Social Calendar 9 IWA with London Walks 10 Welcome new members! 10 Friends of Regent’s Canal 11 London Region Big Dig Clean-up 12

Page

Viewing the Tall Ships

- from a narrowboat

14

An Alternative View of the

Tall Ships

16

Annual Dinner Information 18 Annual Dinner Menu Choices 19 Annual Dinner Booking Form

20

Branch Annual General Meetings 21

Who’s Who on the Committees 23 How to get to the Branch Socials 24 -2-

A View from the Chair From London Region Chairman, Paul Strudwick Next year will be the third anniversary of the foundation of CRT and importantly elections to the CRT Council. There are changes to the composition of the council and the way its members are appointed. IWA has now been given a seat as of right but at the same time WRG has lost theirs. We will need to continue to keep an eye on this process and influence them so the membership represents the widest possible range of interests and use of the canal network. A waterways trust was always an IWA aim; however, the reality of CRT requires IWA to consider the future priorities. IWA Navigation Committee provide a list of issues we should be looking at and helping to resolve; these include and, as they say in dance shows, “in no particular order”:• •

•

• •

The provision and management of short, long term and residential moorings.

Communications on navigating:- How do boaters find out about Floodwater/strong streams, planned, and unexpected restrictions to navigation when away from their base?

Boater competence:- How do we encourage boaters to improve their general standards and promote good practice?

Network extensions/restorations:Services and service:- Standard, provision and maintenance of sanitary stations, water taps and rubbish disposal. Are there enough winding holes and are they in the places they are needed?

I’m sure some of you are now screaming “they have missed that off the list”, if we have please let me know and I will raise it at the next committee.

On visitors’ moorings CRT seem to have put the exercise of the definition of “places” on the backburner, where hopefully it will stay. We understand why they thought this was a good thing so, with some other boating organisations, are pushing CRT to define “Bona fide Navigation” and enforce that before looking at the need to define places. We in London have the biggest problem with boats overstaying on moorings and we need to try to reduce the number of new people using boats as a residence in the area. One of the problems has been lazy journalists picking up past articles on how idyllic it is to live afloat. As Alison Smedley pointed out in her recent blog “People often have an image of life afloat as being idyllic and peaceful. It’s nothing of the sort, in my experience. It can be fun and exciting, but it can be cold, hard work and lonely too.” If you see any articles that romanticise living on a boat, complain to the paper’s editor pointing them to the blog on our website.

We must now also turn our attention to the General Election. IWA intends to produce a Waterways Manifesto that members, branches and regions can use in the run up to May. I will arrange for your news editor to include the details in a future edition of Meridian Cuttings.

Finally, can I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Paul Cover Photo: The Big Dig, Commercial Road Lock, Regent’s Canal on 22nd November. See Peter’s article on page 12 Photo by Peter Gregory

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From North & East London Chairman Tim Lewis Your branch officers have been busy!

On the planning front our Planning Officer Rod Gray has been searching out and commenting on proposed schemes across the branch area with a particular emphasis on the legacy work on the Olympic Park and on the numerous skyscrapers being proposed around the Isle of Dogs.

Along the Thames we have been looking at the effect on the waterway from the Thames tideway tunnel and numerous proposed new bridges and cycleways.

Along the Regent’s Canal we have concerns about a new bridge proposed at Camley Street and consider that previously approved ramps provide a better alternative. Also on the Regent’s the National Grid has applied to English Heritage for both historic gasholders at Bethnal Green to be given a Certificate of Immunity against national listing. Without the protection of national listing both gasholders can be demolished, although they are in the Regent’s Canal Conservation Area. The East End Waterway Group is urging people opposed to the demolitions to sign two online petitions to National Grid and Tower Hamlets Council. It was agreed that these iconic structures were worthy of preservation and to support petitions to that end.

Planning permission has recently been given for a new restaurant and training centre, in the Old Fish and Coal Offices at Granary Square at Kings Cross, which is to be operated by Jamie Oliver. We feel that this will offer a welcome facility in the Kings Cross Central development area.

The Branch notes that the first phase of the Meridian Water scheme has obtained planning permission; this is an enormous regeneration of the area either side of the River Lea south of the North Circular Road.

The Branch also welcomes the success of a first stage Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the restoration of Carpenters Road Lock on the Bow Back Rivers, something the IWA has been campaigning for for a long time now.

The Branch has taken on the task of obtaining permission for and the erection of a ‘Blue Plaque’ at the Gower Street house that housed the first office of The Inland Waterways Association.

This is a long and frustrating process but we are looking forward to a successful outcome.

Regarding Navigation we note the statement made at the recent Canal & River Trust User Group meeting that 3150 boats have been recorded in the London area. Currently the licence evasion rate was 7.1% but they hoped to get this down to 5.3%. A total of 60 boats were recorded as having no name, no number and no licence.

In 2014, to date, 200 new ‘continuous’ cruisers had arrived on London’s waterways. This put the overall total of ‘continuous‘ cruisers in London to just under 1100. These craft were moored along the towpaths, even though there were permanent mooring vacancies available in various marinas in the London area. CRT have a particular concern regarding the number of boats in London being offered for rent without the appropriate permissions. During the meeting a ‘petition’ was circulated by the Residents of Treaty Street asking CRT to limit the number of boats moored on the towpath to single file between York Way and Caledonian Road bridges, due to reported nuisance from smoke and generator noise from the boats which are presently -4-

moored up to three deep along this stretch. In a change from the normal rose-tinted media articles about the delights of living on boats on London’s Canals a number of publications including Time Out, The Guardian and even a New York newspaper have published articles with more realistic views, including the increasing difficulties such as rubbish disposal and obtaining water, it even made a Radio 4 broadcast.

The branch has raised concerns on a CRT consultation on a proposal to permit unpowered craft, including canoes, to transit Maida Hill Tunnel. At present, although the tunnel is below the threshold length, all unpowered craft are banned. CRT are seeking views as to whether this restriction should be lifted, albeit for periods at the beginning and end of the cruising day, when the trip boats are not in operation.

We note that British Land, a large property company, recently made a successful bid at auction for two permanent trade moorings on the Paddington Basin arm where they will provide an independent coffee boat and floating ‘welcome centre’ to give more information about the canals to people visiting the area.

Roger Squires, our Branch Navigation Officer, attends the Port Of London Authority Harbour Masters Recreational Navigation Group and the River Users Consultative Forum (Upper).

Recent meetings have included concerns regarding the number of breakdowns of narrowboats and the use of hire boats on the Tidal Thames.

Tim

Boats moored along the Regent’s Canal towpath between York Way and Caledonian Road bridges.

Photo: Roger Squires

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From South London Chairman Libby Bradshaw I am not sure at what stage of the festive season this will arrive through your door but I hope very much that you all have an enjoyable time over Christmas and New Year and that 2015 will be happy and healthy for you. The committee has been working hard on your behalf to raise funds and bring you a programme of interesting talks. We especially thank Alan Smith for organising the talks.

We have a team of committee members and others who take the Waterways fundraising game to events and we urgently need more people to join us. This would spread the load and enable us to cover more events thus increasing awareness of our canals and rivers and raising more money for waterway causes. Please get in touch with one of the committee if you feel you could spare some time to help. No experience needed!

Since the last edition of Meridian Cuttings the branch has attended Angel Canal Festival with the Waterways game and general information. We decided not to attend the Thames Festival this year for various reasons but remain on the mailing list for the future. We are now planning events to attend in 2015 which will include Canalway Cavalcade and Rickmansworth in May, possibly Lambeth Country Show in July and Angel Canal Festival in September. We are also discussing the further use of the Wild over Waterways (WoW) mini kit for events and will be liaising with those who helped at Canalway Cavalcade 2014.

Branch members and others had an outing to the Chichester Canal on Saturday 4th October which was greatly enjoyed. A detailed report on this can be found on page 8. My narrowboat, Panacea, with various members of South London branch on board, took part in the Thames Tideway trip round the Isle of Dogs and up Deptford Creek on Saturday 6th September. This was organised by St Pancras Cruising Club to coincide with the Tall Ships at Greenwich. [Note from Ed: see Alan’s article on page 14] Pictures of this trip were included in ‘Bring your own Boating Adventures no 3’ at the Christmas social in December.

Looking ahead to 2015, Panacea will be out on the tideway again in early January for a trip to the Royal Docks where the London Boat show takes place at the Excel exhibition centre from 9th to 18th January. Several branch members will be helping on the IWA stand at the show.

We will greatly miss one branch member, Alan Gorham, who was manager of the IWA stand there over many years and who sadly passed away on 30 Aug 2014. You will see a picture of him at the show in 2011 on page 9. Our next committee meeting will be held on Monday 12th January, near Excel, and we will then travel back up river together on Panacea.

On January 23rd we will be holding our annual dinner at the Caprini restaurant near Waterloo station. Details of this are on pages 18-20 and we very much hope you will join us that evening. We also have a joint meeting planned with the IWA Kent and East Sussex branch at Swanley in Kent on 3rd March 2015. Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust, will be the speaker.

I look forward to meeting many of you during the coming months and please contact me with any ideas for fundraising or offers of help.

Best wishes for 2015 Libby -6-

London Region Socials (combined with North & East London ) Social meetings this autumn have continued at PaddingtonCentral, Sheldon Square, on the third Tuesday in the month. Unfortunately the venue was needed by the owners on 16th September so we had to change that meeting to Tuesday 9th which reduced the numbers able to attend. Dr David Hilling presented a fascinating evening entitled ‘Old Father Thames - back to Life’ which included the development of London as a lighterage port and the changing use of Thames-side facilities. In October we discussed various issues on the London Canals such as moorings for visiting boats, access to lock landings, continuous cruising and the clean-up planned for 22nd November, reported by Peter Gregory on page 12. In November Tim Lewis presented his annual ‘Restoration round-up’. This took us through some of the restoration projects London WRG have been working on during the past year together with a start to finish set of pictures restoring one lock. On 16th December we finish the year with a quiz and auction, sustained by mulled wine and mince pies!

Dates for the first part of 2015 are as follows: January 20th

The Round England Ring – Tim Lewis

February 17th

Boating in and around Venice – Dr Roger Squires

March 17th

North and East London Branch AGM Followed at 8pm by Waterway films – ‘Restoring Historic Boats’

April 21st

Regional Round-up – a chance to hear news from all the branches in our region.

Time:

19:00 for 19:30

Venue:

PaddingtonCentral Management Suite, 1A Sheldon Square, Paddington

Contact for details: Libby Bradshaw

Tel: 020 8874 2787 or 07956 655037

or email libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk Libby Bradshaw The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of the London Region or its branches. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter within this magazine, including adverts.

Editor: Christine L Smith, 41 Jubilee Avenue, Twickenham, TW2 6JA. Tel: 020 8255 1581 or Mob: 07774 890 750.

Email: christine.smith@waterways.org.uk Published by the IWA, N & E and South London Branches at: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342.

Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 www.waterways.org.uk -7-

South London Socials Our social meetings resumed in September with a most interesting talk by Miranda Vickers on the subject of Thames Eyots and Aits. On an exploration of the Thames she found that the published number of islands was a serious underestimate. Obviously in the time available she couldn’t cover all of them but did well to get from the estuary to Maidenhead, considering the amount of detail she went into. Those wanting to know more were pleased to purchase her book.

Our annual boat trip took place on 4th October and we thought our usual luck with the weather had run out as the morning rain continued into the afternoon but soon after we set off from the canal basin at Chichester the sun came out. 21 people enjoyed the trip on the wide boat “Richmond” which goes down to the former junction with the main line of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal for the short trip to the winding hole before the first lowered bridge, which prevents further progress to Chichester Harbour. The aim of the Chichester Ship Canal Trust is to get this section restored and their two trip boats help to raise funds for this. Our thanks to the friendly crew for making it so enjoyable, and providing such a splendid cream tea!

In October Tom Bolton spoke about London’s Lost Rivers.

Again, he couldn’t cover all of them but what he told us about the rivers which once flowed through London was fascinating, particularly as to the spots where they can be seen or, if they are completely hidden, heard. He got a few questions about those he didn’t mention and it was obvious he had done his research. He was very pleased at the number of books he sold, thus proving the interest in the subject.

November’s talk was by Graham and Lyn Deakin who, after sailing Photo by Alan Smith and boating on the South Coast and Thames etc., transferred their boat to Brittany where it is now based. The Brittany waterways are not linked to the rest of the French waterways and therefore have quite a different character. It seems incredible you can boat in France without the need for a licence and that marina fees are much cheaper.

As Graham pointed out, set against that is the cost of actually travelling to France. Although Brittany is very popular with Britons and there are many British-owned boats there, this part of France is not so well-known as the Canal du Midi, for example.

Trip Boat Richmond in Chichester Canal Basin.

The social programme is listed opposite and as always I ask that you make every effort to attend. So far this season, the attendance has been encouraging, so please keep it up!

On January 23rd we will hold our annual dinner, full information can be found on page18.

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Alan Smith

Social Calendar 2015 Unless otherwise indicated, the following South London Branch Social Events will take place at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at: The Primary Room The United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Grove Croydon CR0 5LP There is good parking adjacent to the hall and excellent transport links via East Croydon train and tram stations All are welcome, IWA members or non members There is no admission charge for talks, film shows or presentations but we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you Friday 23rd January Annual Dinner 7:30 for 8:00 pm at Caprini Restaurant

77 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UD

Full details, menus and booking form on page 18-20

Wednesday 11th February

Illustrated Talk by Roger Squires: ‘Waterways of Milan and Pavia’

Tuesday 3rd March

Joint meeting with Kent & East Sussex Branch:

Time:

Venue:*

Topic:

7:30 for 8:00 p.m.

Captain’s Room White Oak Swanley Bowls Centre Gerralds Close off Hilda May Avenue Swanley BR8 7BF Talk by Richard Parry, Chief Executive C&RT

*Phone or email Alan if you’d like a map.

Wednesday 11th March

Branch Annual General Meeting Followed at 8:30 pm by a short film show

For more information please contact Alan Smith, tel: 020 8255 1581; mobile 07787 077179 or email alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

Alan Gorham We are sad to report one of our branch members, Alan Gorham, passed away on 30 August 2014. He was especially well known for his work managing the London Boat show stand over many years and will be greatly missed by the team there.

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Alan (left) at the London Boat Show 2011, trying on the Captain’s hat! Also in the picture, John Robson, another stalwart of the boatshow team, who passed away in June 2013.

Libby

IWA with London Walks Programme Start time for all walks is 2.30 p.m. except* Normal charge: £9 Concessionary and Student rate: £7 Contact: Roger Wilkinson: 020 3612 9624 / 07896 801930 (Note new telephone numbers!) roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk Date

Route

Start (Tube Stn.)

Thursday *1st January Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross,

Granary Square, St. Pancras

King’s Cross station (taxi rank) at 2pm*

Sunday 4th January

Warwick Avenue

Sunday 18th January Islington – Hoxton

Little Venice – Camden

Angel

Sunday 1st February

Mile End

Mile End – Limehouse

Sunday 15th February The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers

Bromley–by-Bow

Sunday 1st March Regent’s Park & R.Tyburn – Little Venice Baker St (Baker St

north/Lords exit) Sunday 15th March

Limehouse – Thames – Docklands

Sunday 5th April

King’s Cross– Hitchcock’s Hackney

Westferry (DLR)

Sunday 19th April

King’s Cross - Granary Square - Camden King’s Cross(taxi rank)

Kings Cross(taxi rank)

Sunday 3rd May Regent’s Park & R.Tyburn – Lt Venice Baker St (Baker St

north/Lords exit) Sunday 17th May

Mile End – Limehouse

Mile End Roger Wilkinson

Welcome to all our new members!

Mr G & Mrs C Agombar Mr R Beavis Mr J & Miss J Bodony Mr K Bullard & Mrs K Dawson Mr J Curran Mr K & Mrs J Davis Mr P E Duncumb & Family Mr J & Mrs J Dymond Mr D Edwards-May Mr J Evens & Family Mr C J G Forman

Mr D McCarthy & Ms J Dixon Ms A Meiser-Steadman Mr N Morley Mr C P Nelson & Ms R Kent Mr M & Ms H F Norris Ms J Pearce Mr S Price Mr B J Rickard Mr J W & Mrs S J Smith Mr D Thompson Mr A Walker

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FRIENDS OF REGENT’S CANAL Overcrowding in London There have been reports in the local press and in the Guardian about the ever growing number of houseboats in London. This topic was also discussed on BBC Radio 4. We discussed canal capacity at our public meeting on 26th November.

Closure of Lower Regent/s for drainage and repairs Are you curious about what lies on the bed of the canal? Discover lost basins and other treasures by looking at our photo collection.

Petition to save historic gasholders in Bethnal Green London is at risk of losing even more of its iconic landmarks in a conservation area. [Photo by Malcolm Tucker http://residents-first.co.uk/] Petition to revive a cycle route and ease towpath conflict One of the main reasons commuter cyclists use the towpath is that some of the roads are too dangerous. We have a chance to rectify this by lobbying the councils to install traffic lights at a lethal junction.

Antisocial Behaviour We are calling for more police patrols along the canal after an incident where a cyclist was pushed into the canal.

Best practice guide for boaters moored in London Islington Council environmental officers have put together some ideas to reduce smoke and noise pollution in built-up areas in a draft document.

These are just some of the topics we have covered in recent months. If you’d like to know more, see updates and the latest news please visit our website.

Ian Shacklock, Chair, Friends of Regent’s Canal Please visit our website - www.friendsofregentscanal.org and visit/follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Fo_RegentsCanal and visit/join our Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ friendsofregentscanal - 11 -

London Region Big Dig Clean-up on Saturday 22nd November 2014 “IWA are looking for volunteers to help clean up the eastern end of the Regent’s Canal while it’s drained.” That sounds interesting, I thought, and I’ve nothing else on that day……

So 10 o’clock on a damp Saturday morning found me and 30 others under the railway arches by Commercial Road Lock. “I’d recommend you wear layers of old clothes you don’t mind getting mucky, and do bring thick socks ” said an e-mail sent a few days beforehand. Very sensible advice! Tea and coffee was dispensed, boots, gloves and hi-vis jackets for everyone sorted. “Do you want a litterpicker and plastic sacks, or a wheelbarrow (to get what’s been found to a central collection point)?” Decisions, decisions. I opted for a litter-picker and sacks, and off we trudged through the light rain to just below Salmons Lane Lock.

Obviously the drained section of the canal is fenced off, and CRT have put in steps down to the mud every now and again. The safety briefing had said make sure that you don’t sink into the mud but that’s not as easy as it sounds. All the volunteers had calf-length boots – the CRT staff had waist-high – and I still managed to get one leg in above the top of the boot during the morning.

Before

Back to the railway arches for a bring-your-own lunch and a wee in the van that CRT had provided (there was a proper toilet on board!). It was gratifying to see Paul Strudwick and Jon Guest, CRT London Area Manager, actively taking part in the Clean-up and Richard Parry, CRT Chief Executive, was around as we trudged back to work after lunch. This was at a new area, around the railway bridge above Salmons Lane Lock with less water trickling down the centre of the canal (and consequently more mud to try and not sink into!). Regardless, there was still plenty of stuff to be pulled out.

Photo: Peter Gregory

So what do you find? Predominantly cans, plastic bottles and plastic bags. That’s not all by any manner of means. Lengths of metal, coils of wire, lots of tyres (some with plenty of tread on them!)

- I hope CRT have a deal with someone who’ll and after! buy the tyres that are found. You name it, it’ll Photo: Peter Gregory - 12 -

probably be in there somewhere. During the course of the day we found two safes (empty!) and a couple of shopping trolleys (which are a devil to get out if they’re partly buried in the mud). I expected more, but there aren’t many supermarkets in this area. Perhaps the best find was a (small) motor bike.

By 3.30 most people were exhausted – I certainly was – and it was called a day. I suppose we’d cleared about 100 yards of canal. Back to the railway arches to clean up as much as you can in large buckets of water.

Even afterwards there was plenty of mud on my clothes – strangely no-one wanted to sit next to me on the train home……

Would I do it again? Without a doubt, even though the boots that CRT provided I found very uncomfortable (but then I have strange shaped feet) – it was the most fun I’ve had (without my wife being involved!) in ages.

Maybe I’ll see you at the next Clean-up?

Peter Gregory - 13 -

Viewing The Tall Ships - from a narrowboat When the Tall Ships visit the Thames it is always a spectacle. To mark the occasion the St. Pancras Cruising Club organised a cruise up the river from Bow Creek to Limehouse with the bonus of a trip up South London’s only other navigable waterway, the River Ravensbourne, better known as Deptford Creek. South London Branch Chairman, Libby Bradshaw, invited committee members to join her on her boat ‘Panacea’ and Peter Gregory, Christine and myself were privileged to participate, together with Libby’s friend, Ian, who did much of the steering.

Such trips are dependent on tides and weather conditions. Our last trip down Bow Creek with the intention of heading up to Limehouse had be aborted because the wind was too strong but on 6th September the conditions were good (at least to start with!), although it was a very murky day.

We assembled at Three Mills on the River Lee (just upstream of Bow Locks) at 07:45 to await the arrival of the flotilla from Limehouse Basin. Our route was upstream, through the Bow Back River and City Mill Lock (which, as on the Olympic Cruise, was on a level), turned on to the Three Mills Wall River and into the Prescott Channel. We had a short wait at Three Mills Lock until there was sufficient water to let us on to the Channelsea River and past Three Mills where the mud banks had by now been covered by the tide. Libby used our passage of Bow Creek to prepare some very welcome bacon rolls (our second breakfast!).

Opposite the O² we entered the Thames and soon passed several sailing ships at Greenwich, including the largest, the Dar Młodjiezy, a Polish training vessel.

Beyond the Hapag Lloyd cruise ship Europa (28,890 grt), we entered Deptford Creek, passing a fascinating mixture of modern developments and reminders of past industry.

The only commercial activity on the river is now Sail Training Ship Dar Młodjiezy the J.J.Prior Ltd. Photo by Christine Smith aggregates wharf, served by the company’s barges. The two moveable bridges – Creek Road swing bridge and the impressive Deptford Lift Bridge carrying the London to Greenwich railway are no longer in use. We winded at Mumford’s Mill, a little way short of the first fixed bridge, Deptford Bridge. There is an eclectic selection of craft on the creek, including a trip boat from the lake at Trawsfynydd, North Wales. As the DLR trains crossed on the curving viaduct we headed back to the Thames.

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Europa and Steam Tug Portwey Photo by Alan Smith

En route to Limehouse we passed several sailing ships and Thames barges coming downstream, many under sail. Rounding the Isle of Dogs the river became quite rough, not helped by the wash from the ubiquitous Clippers and the high speed Thames RIBs. The entrance lock at Limehouse is a lot smaller than it used to be when ships used the Regent’s Canal Dock, so we had to wait for the second locking. The water was so choppy it was difficult to moor at the pontoon. Those behind us had to ride the waves out on the river and apparently some people were seasick, it was so rough. Eventually Narrow Street swing bridge was operated and, with some relief, we entered the lock and the calm of the basin. The experience emphasised that cruising the Tideway in a narrow boat must not be taken lightly.

After an excellent buffet lunch at the Cruising Association we headed up the Regent’s Canal (now lined by continuous moorers) to moor in City Road Basin ready for next day’s Angel Canal Festival, where the branch stand was in operation.

Our memorable day ended with a splendid barbecue in Graham Street Park.

Our sincere thanks go to Libby and the St. Pancras Cruising Club for a truly ‘Grand Day Out’.

Alan Smith

Barquentine Thalassa Photo by Christine Smith

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An Alternative View of the Tall Ships On Friday 5th September 2014 l had an opportunity to go on a cruise on The River Thames, nothing unusual there, but on this occasion the cruise was on a unique historic Steam Tug called `Portwey’, which was built in 1927 and is the last working example of a coal-burning, steam-powered, twin–screw tug in the UK which is currently owned, maintained and operated by the Steam Tug Portwey Trust [Note from Ed: See photo on previous page] In order to raise funds, the trust offered two hour `Tall Ships experience’ cruises on Portwey, to view some of the Tall sailing ships while they were on the River Thames as part of the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival. Once l heard about this opportunity, l booked a place and boarded Portwey at Mast House Pier. Before the cruise started, however, all the passengers were fitted into lifejackets, received a safety briefing and a delicious cup of coffee from the crew. Once the captain was satisfied everything was well, Portwey left the pier and steamed down towards Tower Bridge passing St Katherine’s dock, and a few sailing barges which were sailing the tideway. Before long we were in the pool of London and were fast approaching Tower Bridge, l personally didn’t think there was enough headroom for Portwey under Tower Bridge, but one of the crew informed me that on this cruise, `Portwey’ should be able to fit under the bridge due to a low tide. l was quite surprised that Tower bridge was not opened for Portwey and, after talking to one of the crew members, l was informed that the trust cannot afford the charge of having the bridge opened as they have to use any income for the upkeep and maintenance of such a historic vessel.

Once `Portwey’ was safely under Tower Bridge, we steamed alongside HMS Belfast which looked absolutely huge compared to `Portwey’! Then the captain turned `Portwey’ and we cruised back into the Pool of London. For the rest of my cruise, we steamed down to Maritime Greenwich and Royal Arsenal at Woolwich to view some of The Tall Ships that were berthed in this area, before She’s not going to fit under the bridge!

Photo by Lesley Pryde

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returning to Mast House Terrace Pier to disembark and pick up passengers for the next cruise.

Although this cruise was advertised as a `Tall Ships experience’ trip l was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t many Tall Ships on the River but l was later informed that most of the larger Tall ships were berthed in the safety of deep water at Victoria deep water dock. However, even with the absence of most of the larger Tall Ships, l thoroughly enjoyed my cruise on the Steam Tug Portwey, and l would like to thank the captain and crew for their hospitality. l highly recommend any of our members join Portwey on one of her steaming cruises in 2015, or visit Portwey on her mooring in West India Dock (South Quay) as there are usually volunteers on board Portwey on Wednesdays who are willing to show visitors around. (We could even ask our Social Secretary Alan Smith if we could charter steam tug Portwey for a branch cruise!)

Tall ship Mercedes and Steam Tug Portwey leaving Mast House Pier Photo by Lesley Pryde

If you would like to find out more details about Steam Tug Portwey, please visit their website at http://www.stportwey.co.uk/index.htm

Lesley Pryde Secretary IWA South London Branch - 17 -

ANNUAL DINNER INFORMATION Date: Friday 23rd January 2015 Time: 7:30 for 8:00 p.m Restaurant: Caprini Restaurant 77 Waterloo Road London SE1 8UD (opposite Waterloo mainline station) Price: £25:00 per person, including coffee or tea, VAT, and service.

N.B. The price excludes all other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks e.g. wine or orange juice.

Please purchase your own choices from the waiter and settle your drinks bill before you leave the restaurant.

Menu choices: We have selected a choice of dishes from Caprini’s extensive menu which we think will appeal to most tastes, including vegetarians, and which keeps the price reasonable. If you don’t see anything you like and would like an alternative please get in touch with Alan.

Making your choices: Select one starter, one main course and one dessert from each section on page 19 for each member of your group. Make a note of them (so you don’t forget!) and enter the totals for each item in the adjacent boxes.

How to book: Complete the booking form and menu choices on pages 19 and 20 and send it with your cheque, made out to Alan Smith, to:

IWA Branch Annual Dinner 41 Jubilee Avenue Twickenham TW2 6JA To arrive not later than 16th January 2015

Need more information? Phone Alan on one of the following numbers: 020 8255 1581 07787 077179 Or email: alan.smith@waterways.org.uk - 18 -

ANNUAL DINNER MENU CHOICES ANTIPASTI - STARTERS Salmone Affumicato

Smoked salmon with toast & fresh lemon

Prosciutto e Melone Parma ham & melon

Zuppa Minestrone

Vegetable & pasta soup

Funghetti e Aglio Garlic mushrooms

SECONDI PIATTI - MAIN COURSES Linguine con Salmone

Pasta with salmon in a pink sauce

Lamb chops Pollo ‘Caprini’

Chicken with bacon & mushrooms in a cream & wine sauce

Risotto Valdostana

Rice with mushrooms, peas & ham

Vegetarian Mixed Pasta Vegetarian Lasagne DOLCI - DESSERTS Peach Melba

Pieces of peach with vanilla ice cream, real cream & strawberry topping

Fruit Salad

Plain, with vanilla ice cream or cream

Orange Caramel

Fresh orange in sweet caramel sauce

Pancake

Apricot, Strawberry or Lemon - 19 -

Total

ANNUAL DINNER BOOKING FORM

NAME: .......................................................................................................................

ADDRESS: ................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................

EMAIL: .......................................................................................................................

PHONE: .....................................................................................................................

MOBILE: ....................................................................................................................

NUMBER OF PLACES AT £25:00 EACH:

I ENCLOSE MY CHEQUE FOR:

£............................................................................

NAMES OF OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP: ....................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................

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BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the North & East London and South London Branches of The Inland Waterways Association* will take place as follows: South London At:

7:30 for 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday 11th March The Primary Room The United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Road Croydon CR0 5LP

North & East London At:

7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 17th March 1A Sheldon Square Paddington London W2 6PY AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence 2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2014 AGM plus Matters Arising 3. Report from the Chairman 4. Presentation of Accounts 5. Business of the meeting notified under byelaw 1.3^ 6. Election to fill posts on the Committee 7. Questions from the floor The formal AGM will be followed by another activity as per the branch’s social programme

CONTACT DETAILS South London

North & East London

Chairman

Libby Bradshaw Ground Floor Flat, 61 West Side, Wandsworth Common, London SW18 2ED Email: libby.bradshaw@ waterways.org.uk

Tim Lewis 5 Herongate Road Wanstead London E12 5EJ Email: tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk

Secretary

Lesley Pryde 2 Hepworth Road Streatham London SW16 5DQ Email: lesley.pryde@ waterways.org.uk

Roger Squires 46 Elephant Lane Rotherhithe London SE16 4JD Email: roger.squires@waterways. org.uk

^NOTE : Byelaw 1.3 provides that any member of a region or branch may propose business to appear on the Agenda of an AGM of their region or branch, provided that notice of such business is delivered in writing to the Chairman of the region or branch at least six weeks before that meeting. If any such items are received, a revised Agenda for the relevant meeting will be in a Branch Newsletter which is due to be published before the AGMs. *The Trustees have decided that a London Region AGM is no longer necessary..

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BRANCH COMMITTEE ELECTIONS To facilitate elections at the AGMs, nominations for election to a Branch or Region Committee must be received by the relevant Branch or Region Secretary before or at the AGM (see opposite page). All candidates and their proposers must be paid-up members of the relevant Branch and the candidate must indicate his/her willingness to stand.

All elected members of a Branch Committee who have held office for a term of three years have to retire, as does any member co-opted during the committee meetings since the last AGM. Members in either category are eligible for re-election, provided that they are duly nominated as detailed above. A nomination form is printed below.

The particulars for each Committee are as follows:

Secretary Deadline for nominations

South London

North & East London

11th March

17th March

6

6

Libby Bradshaw

N/A

1

0

Lesley Pryde

Current number of elected members Members completing 3 years in post Members co-opted since last AGM

Roger Squires

Note: Please note that under the new Bye-laws all Committees may vary in size according to the numbers elected. We look forward to receiving further nominations for Committee membership.

I am sorry to have to tell you that our South London Treasurer, Peter Gregory, has decided to stand down after the AGM. We would like to sincerely thank Peter for all his hard work. If you are interested in joining the Committee with a view to taking on this role please contact Lesley Pryde as soon as possible.

Committee Name:

South London*

North & East London*

Print Name

Signature

Candidate Proposer Seconder - 22 -

*delete whichever does not apply Date

Committee Members

Role North & East London

Chairman Deputy/Acting Chairman

Secretary

Minutes Secretary

Tim Lewis 5 Herongate Road Wanstead, London E12 5EJ Tel: 020 8530 0425 / 07802 518094 Email: tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk

South London Libby Bradshaw Ground Floor Flat, 61 West Side, Wandsworth Common, London SW18 2ED Tel: 020 8874 2787 Email: libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk

Vacancy

Vacancy

Roger Squires 46 Elephant Lane Rotherhithe, London SE16 4JD Tel: 020 7232 0987 Email: roger.squires@waterways.org.uk

Lesley Pryde 2 Hepworth Road Streatham, London SW16 5DQ Tel: 020 8679 9866 / 07787 372408 Email: southlondon@waterways.org.uk Allan Scott 4 Thorncroft Road, Sutton SM1 1RL Tel: 020 8642 8104 / 07985 728844 Email: allan.scott@waterways.org.uk

Vacancy

Treasurer

Ian Israel 32 Walfield Avenue, London N20 0PR Tel: 020 8446 1823 Email: ian.israel@waterways.org.uk

Peter Gregory 20 Ashley Gardens, Orpington BR6 9NH Tel: 07932 149959 Email: peter.gregory@waterways.org.uk

Social Secretary

Sally Naylor 21 Pitchford Street, Stratford, E15 4RZ Tel: 020 8519 7481 Email: snaylor@ymail.com

Alan Smith 41 Jubilee Avenue, Twickenham TW2 6JA Tel: 020 8255 1581 Email: alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

Publicity Officer & Newsletter Editor

Membership Secretary

Christine Smith 41 Jubilee Avenue, Twickenham TW2 6JA Tel: 020 8255 1581 / 07774 890 750; Email: christine.smith@waterways.org.uk Sally Naylor 21 Pitchford Street, Stratford, E15 4RZ Tel: 020 8519 7481 Email: snaylor@ymail.com

Dorothy Robbie 23 Porcupine Close, Mottingham, London SE9 3AE Tel: 020 8857 6367 Email: dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk

Sales Officer

Vacancy

Events Officer

Vacancy

Planning Officer

Rod Gray 1 Elgin Road, London N22 7UE Email: rodgray125@aol.com

Work Party Officer

Vacancy

Committee Members

Roger Wilkinson - London Walks Rep. 3 Lyons Villas, Hampton Road, Stanmore, HA7Â 3GF. Tel: 020 3612 9624 / 07896 801930 Email: roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk

Ex-Officio as Region Chairman South London Representatives

Shea Richardson, 7 Barrow Road, Streatham, London SW16 5PE. Tel: 020 8677 0196 / 07803 904 803 Email: shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk

Paul Strudwick 40 Fifth Avenue, Chelmsford CM1 4HD Tel: 01245 358342 / 07885 240291; Email: paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk Planning & Navigation Committee: Wandle Valley developments: Deptford Creek developments:

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Eric Garland Libby Bradshaw Eric Garland

How to get to the London Region (combined with North & East London) Social Meetings:

How to get to South London’s Social Meetings:

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