MilePost201005

The Magazine of the West Riding Branch May 2010

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Contents Branch Chairman’s Notes .......................................................................3 West Riding Branch AGM Minutes.......................................................4 Income and Expenditure Account...........................................................6 Who Wants To Go To Leeds On A Dark Friday Evening?.....................7 Alien Invaders..........................................................................................8 Private Trip Through Standedge Tunnel.................................................9 Discussion & Forum for IWA Regions and Branches ..........................10 West Riding Branch Stand....................................................................13 Numbers Quiz .......................................................................................15 Answers to Numbers Quiz.....................................................................16 Leeds and Liverpool Canal Trans Pennine Award................................16 ‘A Warm Welcome!’.............................................................................17 Advertising in ‘The Mile Post’..............................................................17 The Mile Post.........................................................................................17 Map showing location of meeting venue...............................................18 Committee Members 2010/ 2011..........................................................19 Programme of Events for 2010/11.........................................................20

IWA Headquarters .

Registered Office The Inland Waterways Association Island House Moor Road CHESHAM HP5 1WA Telephone - 01494 783453 Web site www.waterways.org.uk NOTE: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of The West Riding Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers.

Front cover.

Skipton during the Waterway Festival in May. 2

Branch Chairman’s Notes By the time you get this it will be spring. Hopefully we will all have been able to take advantage of the fine weather to use the waterways for walking, angling, cycling and boating.

Our highlight so far was to complete the trip to Sheffield in Copperkins.

We were prevented from doing this in 2007 by the floods. This time there were no such difficulties and the trip from Acton Bridge via Standedge Tunnel to Sheffield Basin returning via the Trent to Nottingham went well. The tidal Trent was wonderful. We were lucky to have a fine, windless day for the trip.

The other event of course is the election. We now have a new government and some new local councillors.. This gives a wonderful opportunity to write or email to your councillors and MP to congratulate them on their election, and mention waterways.

How about saying something along the lines of “Congratulations on being elected as the member for (insert name of ward or constituency). I would like to draw your attention to the plight of the waterways in this country, particularly the (nearest canal or river to the area). Lack of funds for maintenance is causing deterioration in the fabric of our heritage. We are in danger of losing a great public asset for walkers, anglers, cyclists and boaters. I hope you will do all you can to support this valuable resource.”

To find the contact details put your post code into the website http://www.writetothem.com/ . This will provide you with a list of your elected members.

The SOS campaign is still going on .

I hope to see you at our meetings. If you can’t get there because of transport problems let me know. It may be possible to put you in touch with someone who can offer a lift, at least from and to the station.

Elaine Scott 3

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION WEST RIDING BRANCH AGM Minutes of the 2010 AGM held at Centenary House, Leeds. Friday 12th March Present: 27 adults, 2 children 1. APOLOGIES: Richard Amende, Mike McHugh, Tony Martin, Mike Tucknott.

2. MINUTES OF THE 2009 AGM held at Centenary House, Leeds on Friday 13th March, as published in May 09 Mile Post are accepted as a true and correct record of the meeting.

Proposed by Liz Pinder. Seconded by Ian Moore.

Matters arising: Non 3. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Chairman Elaine Scott reported briefly on the Branch Seminar which she and 3 other branch committee members attended. Elaine modelled some of the new corporate clothing and gave details how to purchase it.

4. TREASURER’S REPORT The accounts were presented to the floor using a visual diagram on the overhead screen.

5. OUSE/URE SECTION Proposal that West Riding Branch supports our Ouse/Ure section in its aspiration to become a separate IWA Branch in the NE and Yorkshire Region.

Proposed: Peter Scott. Seconded: Tony Martin. Proposal accepted.

6. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE 4

Bob Laing, Liz Pinder and Peter Scott up for re election to be reappointed until 2013.

Proposed: Elaine Scott. Seconded: Ron Healey. Unanimously elected.

7. ELLIOTT AND JENNIFER MOSLEY Thanks and the presentation of a painting were given to Elliott and Jennifer in recognition of the years they have served on West Riding Branch committee on the retirement of Elliott at this years AGM. The meeting was preceded by a short presentation by our 2 youngest members Ellen and Ailsa Sayles and by the Region AGM. The meeting was followed by member’s slides.

Ellen and Ailsa giving their presentation before the start of the AGM. They told us all about their holiday on the ‘Shroppie’.

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Income and Expenditure Account Income Capitation Donations

2009 Expenditure

Income

2008 Expenditure

940.24 407.34

0.00 385.00

1,552.60 345.00

0.00 784.99

Social meetings & working parties

0.00

228.68

0.00

345.00

Events and FundRaising activities Magazine Trading

0.00

0.00

333.91

65.99

40.00 302.35

1,143.40 155.00

120.00 84.64

1,150.40 57.00

Lotteries & 67.50 raffles Bank interest & 28.22 charges Officers’ 0.00 expenses Other 0.00 TOTAL 1,785.65 Surplus/(deficit) For the year Balance at 31st December

0.00

95.50

0.00

0.00

79.99

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00 1,912.08 -126.43

0.00 2,611.64

0.00 2,403.38 208.26

£2,399.67

£2,526.10

Notes Capitation – the monies we receive from IWA to fund the magazine.

-some of the monies payable for 2007 were received in 2008 hence the big year on year variation with 2009 Donations Expenditure- main donations to Skipton Waterway Festival, Fundraising – was all booked to trading in 2009 William Jowitt Treasurer 6

WHO WANTS TO GO TO LEEDS ON A DARK FRIDAY EVENING? It was with reluctance that I agreed to accompany my husband who wished to attend the IWA Regional A.G.M. in Leeds on the 12th March.

As we live near Hull, a round trip of over 100 miles was not my ideal choice for a Friday evening.

How glad I am that I went. From the start of the evening with the presentation by two young children who were obviously delighted to show us pictures of their canal holiday, through a lively regional A.G.M., followed by the West Riding Brach A.G.M. which was followed by slides from members who had been asked to limit their presentation time to around 5 minutes. This meant that everything moved at a lively pace, we saw several sets of slides, both old and new and to round off a most enjoyable evening, we were offered excellent homemade cakes and biscuits with tea and coffee also available.

May I congratulate all those who worked so hard providing the refreshments and making the evening so interesting.

Maureen Bromley Wife of East Yorkshire Branch and newly elected Regional Member. ************************

Elliott Mosley receiving a painting from the branch at this years AGM. This was in recognition and appreciation of the many years service given to the branch by Elliott and his wife Jennifer. (See page 5.)

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ALIEN INVADERS The threat of Alien plant invasion has suddenly become a reality for the waterways in this area. It is reported that Hydrocotyle ranunculoides otherwise know as Floating Pennywort has been found in the River Don the Calder and Hebble Navigation and the Aire and Calder Navigation. This aquatic plant was brought into this country in the 1980’s from North America as a plant for tropical aquaria and garden ponds. By 1991 it appeared in the wild and has found its way into our rivers, lakes and canals mainly due to people dumping unwanted plants.

It roots in slow moving water and if left unchecked forms thick mats covering the water thus starving the waterways of sunlight and oxygen. This plant can choke drainage systems and will crowd out native plant life. Boating and angling interests are also affected. Because it forms such a thick blanket covering it starves the waterways of sunlight and oxygen which in turn means that the survival of fish and aquatic insects is threatened.

As this plant can grow up to 20cm (8 inches) per day and can regenerate from the tiniest fragment its control is very difficult and costly to control. Currently it costs BW in this region more than £50.000 per year and £350,000 nationally money that could be spent elsewhere on the system.

Jonathan Harts-Woods, BW Environment Manager said “Floating Pennywort demands ongoing monitoring and intensive control mainly because of its alarming growth rate.”

Floating Pennywort isn’t the only plant which is putting a strain on out waterways system. Other highly invasive plants include Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed the latter two being virtually impossible to eradicate. Containment is essential for these two plants with Floating Pennywort being removed and sprayed wherever it is found before it spreads further and becomes beyond control.

Pictures of these plants can be found on the Internet and in your local library.

Please don’t let this happen, report any sightings to British Waterways or the Environment Agency immediately.

Malcolm Fielding Secretary SY&D branch 8

Private Trip Through Standedge Tunnel.

Only the second private through trip of Standedge Tunnel has been booked for Saturday 19th June 2010. The boat carries 20 people each way at a cost of £8.50 ( normally £10.50) and takes between 2 and 2.5hrs.

The return trip is Marsden - Diggle - Marsden. Throughout the journey there is a commentary.

I have filled the outbound trip and am offering places at the same price for the return trip. There are some others interested in some of the places so I will have to offer on a first come first served basis.

It is intended that the boat will leave Diggle at around 13.00hrs arriving Marsden between 15.00 hrs. and 16.00hrs.

The outbound group have booked a meal at the Diggle Hotel at 12.00hrs.

Anybody is welcome to join us. The cost of this is £11 for two people.

I have arranged for parking at the Diggle end at the Hotel. Return to Diggle for cars etc.is by own means. However we can talk through ways.

Anybody with a blue card can park at Tunnel End in the Centre. Others nearer Marsden.

For those going it is advised that you bring warm clothing, regardless of the weather outside. In parts of the tunnel it can be wet if you choose to travel in the open part of the boat. You might also want to bring a flask.

There is a toilet on board.

If you are interested in this trip please contact :Ray Helm 01484 307441 29 Red Lane Meltham Holmfirth HD9 5LJ

The entrance to Standedge Tunnel at Marsden.

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Discussion & Forum for IWA Regions and Branches Arranged by IWA Promotions and Communications Committee Saturday 6 February 2010 - Summary of the Day 25 of the 35 branches were represented by a total of about 80 Branch Officers and other members. The presentations were all entertaining and made useful points. Discussion workshops, and lunch, gave time to compare notes with people in other branches who we might not usually meet, and exchange ideas on resolving some of the issues facing us as an organisation.

It was obvious at all the sessions that we are not the only branch which is notdoing all the things it would be good-to-do; branches have different strengths and weaknesses and even the most successful branches are not good at everything.

Some branches excel at campaigning but have no social programme , some are good at watching over planning applications, but do not campaign or have meetings for members. The main point is to keep going and recognise what else can be done.

There is help available for failing branches – PrommCom is available to assist where it can, but they do need to know where they are needed; we do have to ask.

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Overall the membership, nationally, is reasonably constant, without significant change from 18,000 over the whole of the last 30 years, with our new members just about balancing those who leave. Of course, if every member could get one new member from friends, family, work colleagues and acquaintances, then we could double our membership: it is those direct approaches that best trigger those who are just waiting-tobe-asked to join! We need to be following-up those who do not renew their subscriptions to find out why they are leaving; in particular, giving up regular use of a boat may be inevitable with advancing age, but support for the Waterways can continue, if we can make the IWA interesting and relevant to our full range of supporters.

The importance of welcoming new members and encouraging them to take part was emphasised, and this is best with a personal contact; by phone, or email we can find out why someone has joined and what they can offer in the way of help. Action-groups for specific projects were suggested, with a groups of, say, 6 or 7 people with the appropriate skills; and there is a beginning a middle, and more importantly an end to the involvement required, and it’s not necessarily sitting on a committee.

With the General Election looming we need to lobby all the three mainparty candidates to show the number of people interested in waterways for all the activities. A delegate from Ireland said that they have crossparty and cross-border consensus to Ireland’s waterway and their funding. It would be good to get that message across in England and Wales.

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We looked at our new IWA website, which should be in operation by now. It is proposed to use electronic communication as much as possible and it will be possible to register on-line to receive the headquarters bulletin and other relevant communications. This hopefully will keep everyone better informed of what is going on whilst reducing the amount of trees used.

In all it was a very good day with many ideas thrown about and good points made. Now we are all charged with trying to put some of them into practice. Meeting various trustees and committee members was good – it gives us easier contact when we have difficulties – none of us are on our own.

Elaine Scott - West Riding Branch Chairman

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West Riding Branch Stand.

May Bank Holiday weekend, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of May, was the Skipton Waterway Festival. This is now in its 9th year and like every other year before, the branch stand was on site for the full three days. We always enjoy Skipton as it is such a local event for us, with lots of old friends visiting the stand. The festival was well attended although the weather could have been kinder. It was windy and cold for much of the weekend and we did have rain on one day.

There was a plenty of entertainment on offer and lots of stalls to look round. The theme for this year’s festival was the 1940s. There were lots of people in the clothes of the time and some imaginative displays on many of the boats. One boat had its roof covered in models of babies and was called ‘1946 Baby Boom’.

Another had a large gun and a gunner on its roof. Music from the forties was provided by the excellent Madeline Brown.

Our aim this year was to publicise Save Our System 2010, the campaign which is fighting the waterway funding cuts. We spoke to many people about the cuts and distributed lots of leaflets with details of how to help in the fight.

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I’d like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to everyone from the branch that came to the festival and gave their time to man the stand.

If you would like more information or to join the campaign go to www.SOS2010.org.uk.

Another way of helping to support our waterways is to sign the online petition at http:/petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals Your waterways need your support – NOW. The branch stand will be attending various waterways events this year including York Dragonboat Racing !0th July Leeds Waterfront Festival 17th July Dewsbury Waterway Festival 24th July And of course the IWA National Festival at Beale Park on 28th, 29th and 30th August.

We hope to see you at one of them.

At Skipton there was the chance to get close to various birds of prey on the Corio Raptor Care and Rehabilitation stand. Here children are gently stroking a little owl 14

Numbers Quiz Answers page 16

0

26 L of the A 13 40 D and N of the G F 26 Letters of the Alphabet

1 7 W of the W

14 80 D around the W

2 9 P in the S S

15 4 H of the A

3 12 S of the Z

16 8 F in a M

4 18 H on a G C

17 24 B B in a P

5 90 D in a R A

18 2 G of V (P and V)

6 7 S on a F P P

19 7 D S

7 3 B M (S H T R)

20 7 B for S B

8 24 H in a D

21 9 R in the G of C

9 3 F for O K C

22 3 M (A, P and A)

10 13 S on the A F

23 9 L of a C

11 5 T in I R

24 10 G B H on a W

12 11 P in a F T

25 1 F O the C N 15

Leeds and Liverpool Canal Trans Pennine Award An up to date version of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Trans Pennine Award plaque is now available to boaters who travel between the Eldonian Village, Liverpool and Office Lock, Leeds [or vice versa] during a calendar year.

The plaque is sponsored by IWA North Lancs & Cumbria branch and British Waterways. Since its inception in 1998 over 100 plaques have been issued.

Passage of the new Liverpool Link is not required to qualify. Copies of the relevant section of the boat log and/or relevant photographic evidence will be accepted as proof of passage.

Entries should be sent to: David M Smith; Brewery Wharf; Dark Lane; Whittle-le-Woods; Chorley; Lancashire; PR6 8AE along with a cheque / postal order / or stamps to the value of ÂŁ3.

Queries can be sent to david@familysmith.co.uk

Answer to Numbers Quiz 0 26 Letters of the Alphabet 13 40 Days and Nights of the Great Flood 1 7 Wonders of the World 14 80 Days around the World 2 9 Planets in the Solar System 15 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse 3 12 Signs of the Zodiac 16 8 Furlongs in a Mile 4 18 Holes on a Golf Course 17 24 Blackbirds Baked in a Pie 5 90 Degrees in a Right Angle 18 2 Gentlemen of Verona (Proteus and Valentine) 6 7 Sides on a Fifty Pence Piece 19 7 Deadly Sins 7 3 Blind Mice (See How They Run) 20 7 Brides for Seven Brothers 8 24 Hours in a Day 21 9 Rooms in the Game of Cluedo 9 3 Fiddlers for Old King Cole 22 3 Musketeers (Athos, Porthos and Aramis) 10 13 Stripes on the American Flag 23 9 Lives of a Cat 11 5 Thunderbirds in International Rescue 2410 Green Bottles Hanging on a Wall 12 11 Players in a Football Team 25 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

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‘A Warm Welcome!’

The West Riding Branch extends a warm welcome to members who have joined us since the last Mile Post. We look forward to meeting you at one of our monthly meetings or to hearing from you.

*************** Advertising in ‘The Mile Post’.

If your organization would like to advertise in a future edition of ‘The Mile Post’ please contact Bob or Tricia Laing on 01274 581800 or e-mail boblaing@blueyonder.co.uk A full page advertisement is £40 and a half page is £20. Over 500 copies of the magazine are posted to IWA West Riding Branch members and are also distributed at various waterway events throughout the year.

***************** The Mile Post.

Is there anyone out there who could help the branch by writing something for inclusion in the Milepost. Have you been on an interesting boating trip? Tell us about it.. Is there something waterways related you feel strongly about? Write us a letter about it.. Any amusing stories? Tell us all! E-mail us at boblaing@blueyonder.co.uk , hand it to one of us, or post it to any committee member before the end of August. We look forward to hearing from you.

We would like to give a big thank-you to all the people who have already sent us articles for inclusion in the Mile Post. You have made our job much easier and our magazine more interesting.

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Map showing location of meeting venue Centenary House, North Street, Leeds LS2 8AY 18

Committee Members 2010 / 2011 Chairman Elaine Scott 3 Moorbank Drive Sheffield S10 5TH Home 0114 230 1870

Mile Post Editor Tricia Laing 25 Bankfield Road Shipley BD18 4AJ Home 01274 581800

Secretary Ian Moore 2 Eric Street, Bramley Leeds. LS13 1ET Mobile 07989 112581 E-mail westriding@waterways.org.uk

Committee member Regional Chairman Peter Scott 3 Moorbank Drive Sheffield S10 5TH Home 0114 230 1870 Non Committee Posts

Treasurer William Jowitt Oak Lodge 1 Oakridge Court Bingley BD16 4 TA Home 01274 567950 Membership Secretary Chris Pinder 152 High Street Yeadon Leeds LS19 7AB Home 01132 509371 Minutes Secretary Liz Pinder 152 High Street Yeadon Leeds LS19 7AB Home 01132 509371

Meeting Co-ordinators Katie & Alastair Sayles Home 0113 393 4517 E-mail: kandal@btinternet.com Telephone contact Alistair Furniss Home 0113 253 9401 Northern Rivers Officer (Tyne, Wear & Tees).

John Reeve 10 Perth Grove Stockton-on-Tees Cleveland TS18 5BF Home 01642 580350

Mile Post Editor Bob Laing 25 Bankfield Road Shipley BD18 4AJ Home 01274 581800 E-mail boblaing@blueyonder.co.uk 19

Programme of Events for 2010/11.

All meetings take place at 8.00pm on the second Friday of the month, in the top floor Social Club, Centenary House, North Street, Leeds, LS2 8AY. 10th September 10 The Basingstoke Canal -an update.

8th October 10

Canals of the 60’s by John Greenaway

12th November 10

National Chairman Clive Henderson.

10th December 10

Christmas Social and Members’ slides.

14th January 11

"Canal Engineering and the Great Egg Race"

by Geoff Auty

11th February 11

Chinese Canals by Liam D’Arcy Brown

11th March 11

AGM

8th April 11

RSPB at Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve

by Richard Amende

Talks arranged by Alastair and Katy Sayles, 32 Pymont Drive, Woodlesford, Leeds LS26 8WA. Tel 0113 393 4517 Email: kandal@btinternet.com All the meetings organised by the West Riding Branch are open and everyone is invited. Any member of the general public is allowed to attend and members are invited to bring friends.

The Inland Waterways Association campaigns for the Conservation, Use, Maintenance, Restoration and Development of the Inland Waterways, which are part of our heritage, and are there for the benefit of everyone.

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