Meridian Cuttings - Spring 2024

Lee & Stort

The Newsletter of South London, North & East London and Lee & Stort Branches Issue 32 Spring 2024

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Fund Britain’s Waterways Cruise, Westminster Photo Tim Lewis Royal National Lifeboat Institution 200th Anniversary

Front Cover

Lee & Stort Report

Page 6

London Walks Programme

Page 8

South London Socials

Page 9

Cavalcade 2024

Page 10/11

North & East London Chairman’s Report

Page 12/13

London Region Chairman’s Report

Page 14

London Region Socials

Page 15

South London Chairman’s Report

Page 16 - 18

St Pancras Waterpoint

Page 19

AGM Notices

Page 20/21

Meeting Location Maps

Page 22

Branch Committee Members and Contact Details

Page 23

London Waterway Recovery Group and WRG Forestry, Baldwin’s Photo Tim Lewis Knob Lock, Wey and Arun Canal

Back Cover

Page 3 - 5

St Pancras Cruising Club Trip West India Dock To Three Mills Lock 15th November 2023 Photo Tim Lewis

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RNLI 200 200 years of Saving Lives at Sea “With Courage Nothing is Impossible” – Sir William Hillary 4th March 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Lifeboat service in Bishopsgate’s London Tavern. Many events will be taking place this year to mark the occasion starting with a service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on 4th March. We will be having a presentation at the London Canal Museum on Thursday 14th March by Wayne Bellamy, Station Manager supporting Chiswick and Teddington. See page 15 for further details. RNLI will have a stand at IWA Canalway Cavalcade with sales items, water safety information and checking of Lifejackets.

Some History from the RNLI: Sir William Hillary’s vision for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea became a reality in 1824. Living in Douglas on the Isle of Man, Hillary saw the treacherous nature of the sea first-hand. He witnessed dozens of shipwrecks around the Manx coast and saved many lives with the help of locals. In the early 19th century there was an average of 1,800 shipwrecks a year around our coasts and the danger of shipwreck was an accepted way of life at sea. Hillary refused to sit by and watch people drown.

A year earlier on 28 February 1823, Sir William Hillary made an impassioned appeal to the nation. He published a pamphlet detailing his plans for a lifeboat service manned by trained crews for all of the UK and Ireland. He sent this to the British Navy, ministers and prominent citizens, appealing for the formation of a National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck. At the heart of this institution would be ‘a large body of men in constant readiness to risk their own lives for the preservation of those whom they have never known or seen, perhaps of another nation, merely because they are fellow creatures in extreme peril.’

The priorities of the institution would be ‘first, the preservation of human life from shipwreck, secondly (provide) assistance to vessels in distress, thirdly the preservation of vessels and property, fourthly the prevention of plunder and depredations in case of shipwreck, fifthly the succour and support of those persons who may be rescued, sixthly the bestowing of suitable rewards on those who rescue the lives of others from shipwreck or who assist vessels in distress’ Hillary’s idea fell on deaf ears – the Admiralty refused to help but he didn’t give up.

Instead he rebranded his appeal for the more philanthropic members of London society and this time it worked. The idea caught the eye of Thomas Wilson, Liberal MP for Southwark, and shipping magnate George Hibbert, Whig MP for Seaford and Chairman of the West Indies Merchants. Despite some personal differences, the three men 3 became a formidable force and the campaign rapidly gathered momentum.

An interim committee was appointed while plans were made for a public meeting.

More and more benefactors came onboard, inspired by the committee’s rigorous face-to-face lobbying and advertising of the public meeting. King George lV assured royal patronage and the Prime Minister Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, agreed to be President.

4 March 1824 - London Tavern, Bishopsgate: Over 30 eminent gentlemen put their names to the fledgling RNLI at the inaugural public meeting. Vice-president and Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Charles Manners-Sutton, presided over the meeting.

Among the aristocrats, clerics, politicians, naval officers, brokers, bankers, merchants and philanthropists were anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce and sea safety guru Captain George Manby.

The crowd unanimously passed 12 resolutions, including: ‘That an Institution can now be formed to be supported by donations and annual subscriptions. ‘That such immediate assistance be afforded to persons rescued as their necessities may require.

‘That the subjects of all nations be equally objects of the Institution, as well in war as in peace [and] that medallions or pecuniary rewards be given to those who rescue lives’ Little did they know that these 12 resolutions would still stand as part of the RNLI’s charter almost 200 years later.

Praised as the ‘Father of the Institution’, it was a landmark moment for Sir William Hillary, whose vision had finally become a reality. King George lV graciously granted the Royal prefix to the Institution’s name, making it the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck.

Two months later, Sir William Hillary wrote: ‘ … this Institution has been [honoured] by the high patronage of the King … sanctioned by many of the most distinguished characters in the church and state, and sustained by the bounty of a generous nation.

‘It only remains for me to express the heartfelt satisfaction … that this Institution is now established on principles which will extend its beneficial effects to the most distant shores, and to generations yet unborn.’

On 5 October 1854, the Institution’s name was changed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – the RNLI – as we are known today.

Zetland lifeboat at Redcar in 1802. The oldest surviving lifeboat

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Message from Mark Dowie, Chief Executive of RNLI on the Charity’s 2024 plan “As we embark on a new year, I want to take a moment to recognise this once in a lifetime opportunity for us all to celebrate 200 years of lifesaving. 2024 is a milestone year and we must remain focused on delivering our key priorities whilst taking the opportunity to commemorate the lifesavers who came before us, celebrate our achievements, and inspire everyone who will pave the way for our future. In 2024 we will: Maintain our ability to save lives: The RNLI was founded to save lives at sea. 200 years later, we are busier than ever and despite the challenges our charity faces, we must remain focused on maintaining our core purpose Protect the RNLI by addressing critical risks: To protect our people and service in response to a constantly changing external environment, we will prioritise activity to mitigate critical risk relating to service availability, safety, compliance and technology.

Reduce our costs whilst maximising our income: Everyone has worked hard to make significant savings in 2023 and we must continue with this momentum. To keep financially sustainable, we will continue to reduce our costs whilst maximising our income and leveraging the opportunity our 200th anniversary brings to connect with existing and new supporters.

Support our volunteers and staff: We recognise that we are operating in an uncertain environment and we need to continuously adapt and evolve. Our people are the heart of our charity and power the RNLI with talent, passion and kindness; we need to work together and support each other as one crew.

More detail on our 2024 plan may be found at https://youtu.be/BjsX_DWJRbc This year will be a busy but exciting one with lots of events you can get involved in. I look forward to celebrating our successes of 2024 with you all as we move into our third century of lifesaving”.

Tower-e-class-lifeboat

Further details on RNLI 200 events and how you can get involved may be found on the following link: https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/programmes You would also be very welcome to help with London fundraising – please contact me, Libby Bradshaw, Chairman Clapham, Battersea & Wandsworth RNLI fundraising branch at libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk or 07956 655037. Donations can be made on https://www.justgiving.com/page/rnli-clapham-battersea-wandsworth-2024 Thank you. 5

Improvements to and Accolades for the River Stort There is a natural tendency to draw a distinction between ‘natural’ rivers and ‘manmade’ canals and so to hold preconceived views on the relative beauty of one against the other. And it seems that – certainly until recently – local authorities also drew that distinction; towns and cities often grew to straddle rivers and those rivers remained at the heart of the community. Canals, on the other hand, had to weave their ways through backstreets and into the industrial areas – hopefully out of sight and out of mind. But then there are those rivers which were made navigable and where we, with our passion for the navigable inland waterways, have common interest with the wider community’s respect for rivers in the natural landscape. Both the Lea / Lee and Stort are, of course, natural rivers, but the Stort has undergone much less in the way of canalisation and most of its course follows the meanderings of the original river. It was made navigable essentially to allow easier passage for goods into and out of the market town of Bishop’s Stortford (there was a plan to link the upper reaches of the Stort with the upper reaches of the Cam – somewhere around Saffron Walden – and provide an inland link between the Great Ouse / the Wash and London which, needless to say, never happened); perhaps because it did only serve the one town the Stort Navigation was never a commercial success and there is a history of its being sold from one company to another for next-to-nothing before being incorporated into the national system. Even – dare I say – Bishop’s Stortford fell out of love with the river and in the 1970’s concreted over the last quarter-mile and terminal basin to build a shopping centre and car park, and turn its back on the final stretch. But no longer! In more recent years, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has very actively sought to capitalise on and celebrate the river at its centre, through an initiative called Waterside Stortford. See: https://www.bishopsstortfordtc.gov.uk/what-do/waterside-stortford

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I wouldn’t suggest he has achieved this single-handed, but credit must go to my fellow committee member George Cutting who is very active in promoting Waterside Stortford both from within and beyond the Town Council. This pulls together a wide range of stakeholders and agencies and between them they have made some dramatic improvements which have recently been recognised and rewarded: �� Creation of a 3.5 mile (5.6km) countryside trail, with the town at its centre. The trail features

twenty-one information boards along its length illuminating the history and ecology of the River Stort. �� Recent installation of a mural alongside the current terminus of the River Stort, close to the town

centre. �� The Environment Agency, working in partnership with Waterside Stortford, is improving the

habitat for water voles and encouraging them to make new homes on the Stort Navigation in Bishops Stortford.

And more widely: �� The Stort Navigation has been awarded Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy thanks to

community efforts in Bishop's Stortford. Previously just two kilometres (1.2 miles) of the waterway around Harlow Mill were recognised by the international quality mark but now all 22km (13.6 miles) have the coveted accolade – celebrated by a green flag flying above the terminus in Bishop’s Stortford �� C&RT have, this winter, replaced the upper gates at Sawbridgeworth Lock

The River Stort and Bishop’s Stortford always were worth visiting, but 2024 will see the journey to this extreme of the network more attractive than ever!

With best regards, Mike Newman Chairman, Lee & Stort Branch

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Date 18 Feb Sunday

Route Start (Tube Stn.) Grosvenor Canal and Battersea Power Station Victoria (Wilton Street exit, opp. Apollo Victoria Theatre) 3 Mar Sunday Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Square- Camden Queue sign, next to outdoor Pret a Manger) 17 Mar Sunday Limehouse - Thames - Docklands Westferry DLR (by Cycle Hire Point) 31 Mar Sunday Regent’s Canal: Little Venice - Camden Warwick Avenue 7 April Sunday Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Hitchcock’s King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Hackney Queue by Pret a Manger) 21 Apr Sunday Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square King’s Cross (meet by Taxi – St. Pancras Queue sign, next to outdoor Pret a Manger) 5 May Sunday Regent’s Canal: River Tyburn - Little Venice Baker St. (Baker St. North/ Lords exit) 18 May Saturday Grand Union Canal: Kensal Green – Little Kensal Green Venice Grosvenor Canal and Battersea Power Station Victoria (Wilton Street exit, 19 May Sunday opp. Apollo Victoria Theatre) 26 May Sunday Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse Mile End 2 June Sunday

Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square- Camden

16 June Sunday

River Wandle and Wandsworth Canal

King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Queue sign, next to outdoor Pret a Manger) Earlsfield sta. (National Rail)

7 July Sunday

Regent’s Canal: Little Venice - Camden

Warwick Avenue

21 July Sunday

Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square King’s Cross (meet by Taxi – St. Pancras Queue sign, next to outdoor Pret a Manger)

Start time for all Walks is 2.30 p.m. Normal charge: £15 Concessionary and Student rate: £10 Children aged 16 and over, accompanied by parents: £10 Children aged 8 – 15, accompanied by parents: £5 (Children under 8, accompanied by parents, go for free) Prior booking is strongly recommended: Please contact London Walks: 020 7624 3978 Or email them at: london@walks.com It is possible to check the Canal & River Trust website, or the IWA website (waterways.org.uk), or the London Walks website (walks.com) 8 to see if any late changes to the walk have had to be made.

Unless indicated, the following South London Branch Social meetings take place at 7.30 p.m in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall (URCH) Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. Wednesday 14th February 2024 Group visit to Wandle Industrial Museum Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD 2pm - 4pm (Free Entry but donations welcome) RSVP to lesley.pryde-coales@waterways.org.uk Please note: No evening social at United Reformed Church Hall.

Wednesday 13th March 2024 IWA South London Branch Annual General Meeting.

Followed by a talk 'The Silver Propeller Challenge' by Paul Strudwick.

Wednesday 10th April 2024 IWA South London Branch social meeting Speaker to be confirmed.

Wednesday 8th May 2024 Parliamentary 'Fund Britain's Waterways Cruise' on the River Thames.

Boats will cruise pass Parliament at lunchtime.

More information at waterways.org.uk Wednesday 8th May 2024 IWA South London Branch social meeting Wednesday 12th June 2024 IWA South London Branch social meeting Speaker to be confirmed.

Contact Shea Richardson, Social Secretary, IWA South London Branch, on 07803 904803 for more information on any of the above.

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It’s that time of year again and we will soon be back at Little Venice for our Annual IWA Canalway Cavalcade which will be held over the weekend 4th – 6th May. The theme for this year is ‘Funding Britain’s Waterways’ and we very much hope many of you will be able to support the event in person on foot or by boat.

If you are coming by boat the link for the boat entry form is: https://waterways.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Canalway-Cavalcade-BoatBooking-Form-2024-V3.pdf There is also a ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ cruise to Westminster on Wednesday 8th May details of which may be obtained from Andrew Phasey at theoldmainline@fastmail.fm We are looking for volunteers in the planning of the event and over the weekend itself – please see message below from our Volunteer Coordinator, Emma Greenall.

“Please could you spare some time to help with roles including running the Information Stands, Collecting Donations, Distributing Programmes, and assisting the teams on Commercial and Childrens Activities? Whatever time you can offer will be greatly appreciated, even if it's just a couple of hours.

We require all volunteers to complete a Booking Form prior to arrival so that we have essential medical and emergency contact information and can thoroughly plan for the event, even if you have discussed attending with any of the team leaders. To complete your booking please follow this link: https://forms.office.com/e/RTnLkgrM6T If you would prefer to fill in a paper form, go to the webpage and look under the Volunteer section https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalwaycavalcade-2024 If you can spare some time before or after the festival, the Work Camp co-ordinator is always happy to welcome an extra pair of hands to help build the event on the Thursday and Friday and especially to dismantle the festival on the Monday evening and Tuesday morning. If you fancy building market stalls, gazebos and putting up banners please email pete.fleming@waterways.org.uk to register your interest.

Whilst most of these roles take place on site over the event weekend, there are several opportunities for volunteers to help our Organising Committee, such as Publicity, Marketing, Commercial, Volunteer Coordination, and Social Media. If you have skills or interest in these areas please get in touch. Whilst most of these roles take place on site over the event weekend, there are several opportunities for volunteers to help our Organising Committee, such as Publicity, Marketing, Commercial, Volunteer Coordination, and Social Media.”

If you have skills or interest in these areas please get in touch with Libby Bradshaw at libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk or on 07956 655037.

We look forward to seeing you in May and thank you in advance for your support To find out more about IWA Canalway Cavalcade visit: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/iwa-canalway10 cavalcade-2024 Follow us on Facebook Twitter and Instagram

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I am glad to see that our branch has seen, and will see more, activities involving the Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign. 14th November saw a convoy of boats leave the West India Docks, later gathering outside the Palace of Westminster to make a noisy protest with a bunch of supporters joining in on Westminster Bridge.

In May the focus of Canalway Cavalcade, held in our branch area, will be on the FBW campaign and on the following Wednesday, 8th May, there will be another Westminster protest cruise. A recent Canal & River Trust London Region reception held at St Pancras was also a good opportunity to join CRT in putting our case forward.

Above: Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruise

Right: Canal & River Trust London Region Reception Photos Tim Lewis

Our branch area waterways saw no planned stoppages over the winter which is a good or a bad thing depending which way you look at it! The short cold spell in January did ice up the canals for a short period during which the few boats moving included the fuel boats which provide a vital service to London’s boaters.

We continue to monitor and, where appropriate comment on, all planning applications that impact on our waterways although there is a dearth of major schemes proposed at the moment. A recent announcement about the plans for the redevelopment of the St Pancras hospital site is causing concern about the height of buildings near to the canal.

In this edition you will see details of the Branch Annual General Meeting. The work of the branch is carried out by a small but hard working committee but we would welcome any help, so please consider joining us if you can.

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The London Canal Museum welcomed over 20,000 visitors for the first time in 2023, the increase largely thanks to the highly successful trip boat season, using their new trip boat ‘Long Tom’.

Long Tom on London Canal Museum Tunnel Trip 4th October 2023 Photos this page Tim Lewis

The London Branch of the Waterway Recovery Group continue their programme of weekend work parties at various locations throughout the country. Recent digs have been on the IWA run Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, the Wey & Arun Canal and the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal.

London WRG Chelmer & Blackwater Springfield Basin 13th January 2024 13

As usual at this time of year, I would like to wish you and your family all the best for the New Year and to express the hope that it will be a happy and prosperous one. In the dark days of winter, it is often difficult to remember how much we enjoy the summer’s cruising the Inland Waterways, but spring is not far away and once again we will be able to get out on the water.

Can I thank all of you who filled in the membership survey at the end of last year. The results have been published in Waterways. The board of Trustees has now elected a new Chairman. Mike is not that well known in the association, but, I believe, is the correct person to lead the Trustee Board at this time. The board has also appointed several Vice Chairs to oversee specific areas of the boards work. Hopefully, by the time you read this we will also have a new National Treasurer.

In my opinion one of the major problems that IWA has is that, over many years, it has drifted from being a proactive campaigning organisation to a reactive one. Some years ago, in London Region, we produced a Vision for London’s Waterways but have done nothing to identify the opportunities and threats to delivering the ideas we set out. Yes, we have used it to react to events by showing we are forward thinking, but have sat back and hoped someone else would read it and do what we think is necessary. With our waterways under threat from funding cuts we do need to up our game and fight for the waterways we hold so dear.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of Tom Rolt’s death on the 9th May 1974. He was, along with Robert Aickman, one of the founders of the Inland Waterways Association.

I had the pleasure of meeting his widow Sonia, who was one of the Idle Women who crewed the narrowboats, delivering coal, on the Grand Union, during WW II. His foresight and enthusiasm for maintaining not only for the canals, but all the heritage of the industrial revolution is, in my opinion, still an inspiration to us all.

By now, you would have heard that we have again increased our membership fees.

With inflation at the levels they are, we have had no option if we are to have enough funds to continue campaigning for the future of the canals. If you haven’t already done so, have you considered paying monthly by Direct Debit to spread the cost over the year? Have a word with Chesham and they can set it up for you. Whilst on the subject of raising money to help pay for the Association’s work, if you purchase things on line have a look at the Easyfundraising website https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk.

This year I had to purchase a new fridge and raised over £17 for the association whilst getting a better deal than offered by local shops. So far, other members using this website have raised nearly £2500.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chairperson 14

We are starting our Region Socials again in February and, for various reasons, have moved these to THURSDAYS, sometimes the 2nd Thursday and sometimes the 3rd Thursday depending on the availability of the venue. We are pleased to be able to continue to hold these at the London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 9RT. The dates for the next few socials are: Thursday February 15th – Puffing along the Caledonian Canal – Libby Bradshaw.

In September ten of us from St Pancras Cruising Club had a week on the Clyde Puffer, VIC 32, on the Caledonian Canal. The talk will include some of the history of VIC 32, the Caledonian Canal and our adventures along it.

Thursday March 14th – A talk on Lifeboats as we Celebrate 200 years of the RNLI – Wayne Bellamy, Station Manager supporting Teddington and Chiswick RNLI The RNLI was formed in 1824, on March 4th so this year we are celebrating the past 200 years with many events around the country. There are now 238 Lifeboat stations around the country and 242 beaches are watched over by RNLI Lifeguards. Four Lifeboat stations were opened on the River Thames in January 2002 following the enquiry into the Marchioness disaster where so many people lost their lives. Since they have been on station Tower Lifeboat station has become the busiest in the country with Chiswick the second busiest. Wayne has been on station at Chiswick since the Photo

by Tim Lewis. start of that station. Lifeboat sales products will be available to buy and donations would be very welcome.

There is some uncertainty about the April date at present – this will be publicised shortly on the link below.

Thursday May 16th – Speaker TBA Thursday June 13th – a talk from Waterway Chaplains Details of all these events may be found using the following link: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events The talks start at 7.30pm and we have tea, coffee and soft drinks available beforehand and in the break. Some of us usually go to a local pub for a drink afterwards and all are welcome to join us.

Please bring your friends, they do not need to be IWA members.

If you would like to be added to my circulation and are not on the IWA London Region circulation please email me as below: Libby Bradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956 655037 15

Happy New Year to you all! We started 2024 with our annual Branch Dinner at Fratelli Caprini restaurant, Waterloo on Friday January 19th. There were 16 of us enjoying the hospitality of the brothers who run the restaurant and there was a good range of choices on the menu. A raffle brought in £87 for branch funds – thank you to all who contributed prizes.

We are planning to go to the Wandle Industrial Museum during the afternoon of Wednesday 14th February rather than have an evening meeting that day which we felt wouldn’t be popular as it is both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. We will be meeting there at 2pm. Details may be found on page 9.

From the website: “In the museum you will find displays showing the history of the River Wandle and the industries that used the river's power. From the early mills that were flour mills to mills still working in the 20th century.

There are displays about the more famous names associated with the Wandle. There is opportunity to 'take snuff' and trace the course of the River Wandle discovering the location of the mills along it. Amongst our permanent displays is a large scale model of the William Morris Works and smaller models of Merton Priory and the Liberty Print Works.

With a mix of working models, films, pictures and information we have something for all ages”.

We will start our evening meetings at East Croydon on Wednesday March 13th with a talk on ‘The Silver Propellor Challenge’ from our Region Chairman, Paul Strudwick following a short AGM. Our publicity officer, Lesley Pryde-Coales and her husband, Gerard, will be moving to Cornwall in the summer so we will be looking for someone to take on that publicity role. We are due to go to 3 events so far this year with the branch stand so please let us know if you can help man the stand: May 4th – 6th IWA Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice, June 22nd Brentford River Festival, September 1st Angel Canal Festival We will be running the Waterways Game, selling Waterway related items including 2nd hand Waterway books and providing information to the visiting public about IWA, ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ and the canals and rivers in London.

Photo shows the South London Branch stand at Angel Canal Festival in 2017.

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River Thames Much is happening on the River Thames. The Port of London Authority (PLA) Thames Vision 2050 is described as follows: “The UK’s leading port, central to the nation’s economy, with Net Zero emissions. A clean river, free of pollution and rubbish, supporting more sport, passengers and freight. A resilient Estuary, adapting to climate change and richer in wildlife. A more diverse Thames, providing jobs, learning and enjoyment to the whole community, and always, everyone, staying safe”.

The five priorities of Thames 2050 are Safety, Net zero transition, Resilience, Ship & Port Technology, Access & Inclusion. As part of the PLA’s implementation of the Thames Vision 2050 plan, one of the key actions was the production of a river masterplan, matching Vision actions and goals to wider planning and other policy guidance. The Tidal Thames Masterplan works to help realise growth opportunities along the Thames, and integrate the river into the economy and lives of communities.

See following link for further information: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8b200c3e35214f088d4c0ac6a8b1cc7c/ The Thames Landscape Strategy’s (TLS) Annual meeting in December 2023 covered climate change issues where “The presentations demonstrated how global factors causing climate change have already started to increase flood risk altering ecosystems along the Thames. Regional strategic flood risk policy was discussed and measures to implement this at a local level introduced. Ways that the work of the TLS can deliver strategic goals through its work on the ground, community volunteer action and the emerging Joint Thames Strategy Refresh were introduced. The evening concluded with a presentation looking at how climate change is impacting the Freshwater Tidal Zone, bringing the presentations full circle by demonstrating how nationally significant environments can be created by creating local floodplain resilience in the upper Tideway”. (From Thames Estuary Partnership Newsletter, December 2023) In June 2023 the PLA launched their ‘Clean Thames Manifesto’ – a plan to reduce the amount of sewage and other pollutants such as chemicals and plastic rubbish in the river. Whilst cleaning up the Thames is by no means a new initiative this manifesto includes the fact that three water companies in the area have agreed to end sewage spills into the Thames by 2040, ten years earlier than the national target.

The PLA is responsible for the condition of about 95 miles of the Tidal Thames from Teddington Lock to the Thames Estuary. Boats will be banned from emptying waste from their vessels into the Thames in 2024 as part of the review of river regulations.

Wet-wipe build up is one of the concerns and there is a build-up of these near Hammersmith Bridge. There are campaigns to ban the sale of plastic wet-wipes which is supported by PLA. Clean-ups in the Battersea area have identified much of this plastic waste over the years.

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Members of the branch assisted at the Battersea Beach Clean in December 2023. The group says: “Our aim is to clear the Battersea foreshore and slipway of litter, removing plastic pollution and other inorganic litter from the Thames, improving the river for the wildlife and people that use and treasure it”. The dates for the next few clean-ups are on Saturdays: Feb 17, 1-3pm, Mar 2, 11.30am -1.30pm, Mar 16, 12-2pm. Please email batterseabeachclean@gmail.com with offers of help. The ‘Clean Thames Strategy’ consultation took place in November 2023 and we await the final outcome on that.

Tideway Tunnel The £4.5 billion Tideway Tunnel project in London is now approximately 90% complete, aiming to address sewage overflows and improve the Thames River's water quality for the capital. This consists of 25km of concrete tunnels designed to redirect raw sewage and runoff to treatment plants during heavy rainfall, preventing the discharge of untreated sewage into the river. Tideway's completion is expected to significantly enhance water quality in the region, as it will help reduce sewage discharges into the river. Further efforts are needed to invest in sustainable drainage solutions to capture rainwater before it enters the sewerage system, especially in the face of climate change challenges.

Lifeboats This year sees the 200th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI and we will be supporting events at stations on the tidal Thames. An article on page 3 of this edition tells of the history of the RNLI. Finally I hope many of you will support the next Campaign Cruise for ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’ (FBW) on the River Thames, cruising to the Palace of Westminster, on Wednesday 8th May. Panacea will be taking part.

Libby

FBW Cruise West India Dock To Westminster and back 14th November 2023 18

ST PANCRAS HISTORIC VICTORIAN WATER TOWER OPEN DAYS 2024 IWA members and friends are very welcome to visit the St Pancras Waterpoint which is located close to St Pancras Lock on the Regent's Canal. This historic Victorian water tower was previously located close to St Pancras station and was relocated in 2001 when the station was extended to accommodate Eurostar. Its location close to both the canal and the railway provides a unique vantage point for appreciating the development of transport in London.

The Waterpoint is managed by St Pancras Cruising Club who open it to the public six times each year. The Open Days this year will be on 18 May, 22 June, 20 July, 17 August, and 14 and 21 September - all Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Expert guides will lead tours of the building every hour. Tours must be pre-booked and the booking link will be posted on the SPCC website at the beginning of April where you can also find a full history of the Waterpoint and its move to the current location. https://www.stpancrascc.co.uk/?q=node/4 .

Tony Hay Hon Secretary St Pancras Cruising Club

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AGM London Branches of The Inland Waterways Association will take place as follows: North & East London 7:15 p.m. on Thursday 14th March The Canal Museum New Wharf Road N1 9RT

South London 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 13th March at: The Primary Room The United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Road Croydon CR0 5LP

AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2023 AGM plus Matters Arising 3. Report from the Chairman 4. Presentation of Accounts 5. Questions submitted to the Chair in Advance 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

North & East London

South London

Chairman

Tim Lewis Libby Bradshaw e-mail: e-mail: tim.lewis@waterways.o libby.bradshaw@water rg.uk ways.org.uk

Secretary

Tim Lewis e-mail: tim.lewis@waterways.o rg.uk

Vacancy

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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 above). 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: North & East London Deadline for Nominations

14th March

Current No of elected members

6

Members completing 3 years in post

Chris Bushill Liz Rayner

Members co-opted since last AGM

South London 13th March 7

Libby Bradshaw Simon Dyer

0

0

New blood needed. Please consider joining our committees to have your say on the future of London’s waterways. Volunteers willing to take up the role of Secretary in both South and N&E London would be most welcome.

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.

Committee Name:

South London* Print Name

North & East London* Signature

*delete whichever does not apply Date

Candidate Proposer Seconder 21

IWA South London Branch, United Reformed Church, Croydon

London Canal Museum, New Wharf Road, N1 9RT 22

Role

North & East London

Chairman

Tim Lewis Tel: 02085300425 / 07802518094 tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk

Secretary Treasurer

South London Libby Bradshaw Tel: 07956 655037 libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk

Tim Lewis Ian Israel Tel: 020 84461823 ian.israel@waterways.org.uk

Vacancy Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk Shea Richardson, Tel: 02086770196 / 07803904803 shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk Judith Hunter Tel: 07773532384 judith.a.hunter@btinternet.com

Social Secretary

Vacancy

Minutes Secretary

Chris Bushill

Newsletter Editor

Chris Bushill Tel: 02082457063 chrisbushill@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary

Liz Rayner lizrayner48@gmail.com

Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk

Publicity Officer

Vacancy

Lesley Pryde-Coales Tel: 07787 372408 lesley.pryde-coales@waterways.org.uk

Planning Officer

Rod Gray rodgray125@aol.com

London Walks Representative

Roger Wilkinson –Tel: 02036129624 roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk

Corresponding Member Ex-Officio as Region Chairman

Simon Dyer Tel: 07857 978111 simondyer@outlook.com

Derek Humphries derek.humphries@waterways.org.uk Paul Strudwick Tel: 01248535342 / 07885240291 paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

South London Representatives Planning & Conservation Committee: Wandle Valley developments

Eric Garland, Simon Dyer, Shea Richardson

Lee and Stort Chairman Mike Newman Tel. 07887 540398 mike.newman@waterways.org.uk

If you feel you could help with any of the vacancies or would be interested in joining us as an ordinary member we would love to hear from you 23

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: 16B Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 2PX Tel: 01494 783 453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country' s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.