Milepost201405

Do you recognise the man? Or the bridge? See page 22

May 2014 West Riding Branch

Contents Chairman’s Thoughts Region Chairman's Thoughts Volunteers 2013—2014 Thank you to our MPs Destination Leeds Skipton Festival In case you missed it AGM Minutes Welcome Stations The Most Interesting Apology for the AGM Boston or bust!

Quiz Another sort of volunteer work for IWA People who help run the Branch 2014 / 2015 Directions and Location map List of Open Meetings

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Chairman’s Thoughts Hello again, As I am writing this it is misty and raining hard. There is a lot of scope for improvement in the weather before we next go boating (tomorrow — late bank holiday Monday).

Those of you who were at the AGM in April will have heard me ask for more help to run the Branch. Yes, I know I go on about it, but at the next 2015 AGM, all but two members of the committee complete their terms of office. At least two do not wish to volunteer for more years on the committee, and the others have yet to decide whether to stand for re-election.

This could leave us with a problem: the rules say we can remain as a Branch with only two committee members, but with fewer people we would have to curtail what we do. Volunteering is the theme for this edition – on the towpath, at waterway events, as well as the work done by the committee and its members. Our Branch does well, and we could do better with more help.

The Open Meetings are important for how the branch is seen by the waterways public. We run eight meetings each year, including the AGM and Christmas social at which we do not usually invite outside speakers. Thanks to the generosity of the South Pennine Boat Club, the enthusiasm of our speakers and the loyalty of those who regularly attend, we usually break-even in financial terms, and sometimes have some profit for the funds. The meetings need to be organised, including inviting speakers, checking beforehand what they need, and welcoming them to the Branch on the meeting evening. We already have volunteers to organise a raffle and its prizes, welcome members and do the coffee tea and biscuits; as Branch Chairman, I usually introduce the speaker and invite any questions at the end. We do not have any volunteers to arrange the speakers. It is straightforward to (at least initially) choose speakers from the IWA website list, invite them and advertise the arrangements. We have speakers for all the remaining meetings in 2014.There will be open meetings in 2015 (only) if we have a volunteer to organise them.

There have been some thoughts about what we could do instead. Arrange meetings in different parts of the Branch, in hope of meeting more of our members. Maybe this would be more attractive for a new volunteer to organise. We could take the Christmas meeting to another location. It could be in a pub somewhere, and not necessarily on a Friday. We just need a willing volunteer to offer to do the organising ...

And many thanks to those who have done some volunteering and written parts of this newsletter.

Enjoy the summer months in the good(?) weather .Hope to see some of you in September . Elaine Scott, Branch Chairman 3

Well Done That Region "Pleased to say we have exceeded our annualvolunteer-days target". Well Done. After two years of a new enthusiasm for volunteering, it's a good time for the (equally-new) Canal and River Trust to review how well volunteering has progressed. I'm quoting here one of the (employed-and-paid-by-CRT) volunteer-coordinators at a Customer Forum meeting: that's a renamed, refocussed User Group.

We (we CRT and we IWA) have a vision of volunteering, and part of its plan is CRT employing people to encourage volunteers: this shows a real commitment to the new approach, and recognises that having volunteers doesn't just happen by itself, it's not necessarily money-saving (certainly not initially), and overall, will expand community involvement and increase public appreciation of our waterways. All good, so far. We want to know how well it's going, so we will measure something, and then to give those employees a target for the 'something', and to inspire a bit of healthy competition we will have a something-league-table.

Then we can discuss their 'somethings' in their annual appraisals, maybe award extra pay, ...

And the 'something' can take us over as the important-thing-to-achieve. In practice we chase volunteer-days – for that is the 'something' we decided to measure rather than good-of-the waterways or community-involvement or publicappreciation, or volunteer-group-sustainability all of which are harder to evaluate. It's lazy management to count days instead of looking at what those days actually achieve. A gardening-guru in a radio interview this morning suggested that plants have been doing-their-thing for 300-million-years and unnecessary mollycoddling in a modern garden isn't likely to change their essential behaviour: "Create the right environment and leave them to get on with it" was the recommended recipe. Waterway volunteers need the right balance of a welcoming environment and detailed management for our new approach to have long-term success.

Like the National Trust Of The Waterways Often heard from politicians explaining what the proposed Canal and River Trust was to be, the NT-comparison was a persuasive comparison with an existing successful enterprise. Of themselves, the NT say on their website "3.7million members, 61,000 volunteers, over 17 million visits to pay-for-entry properties, estimated 50 million visits to open-air properties" That includes visits to the River Wey Navigation in Surrey, which is itself a small part of the NT estate.

A visit to one of the NT's Grand Houses earlier this month (ÂŁ16 for the after4

noon, thank you) emphasised how many people can be used watching over each room, dissuading visitors from touching things which are not-to-betouched, and perhaps answering questions and being generally helpful. Overall, I hated the opulance-for-the-few created out of the efforts of working people, and that disquiet probably contributed to a dislike of being continuously watched-over. That volunteers were doing it just enhanced my negative feelings. Let's not assume that our volunteers, just by being by the canal, enhance the visitor-experience ...

A helpful volunteer lockkeeper ... at an iconic location, with lots of non-canally visitors around, approached the front of Copperkins waiting-turns above the lock, and without wave to the steerer Pushed-Out-The-Front. Which was supposed to be helpful but completely messed-up the careful inch-perfect positioning while the lock had been filling, and the intended nonchalant lock-entry with minimum fuss and minimum gap behind the ascending boat.

Which begs a question: are volunteer lockkeepers exercising the rights of the Navigation Authority to instruct boats, or are they acting on behalf of boatmasters in assisting crews in lock operations? The teeshirt, the lifejackets, the dangling rescue-line, the insurance arrangements, the need of prior-training all suggest the former, while a twitter-exchange with Customer Services says that lockkeepers will desist from helping if asked.

From this customer's perspective: the delight of the waterways is to be part of a collection of heritage structures combined as an operational, navigation network which we are privileged to work for ourselves, and which is (for the most part) a Turn-up-and-Go-Service. It needs a fair amount of self-reliance, and once I have the hang of doing it, I am left to my own devices; I'm just too old to appreciate being told what other people think I should be doing, and it's tiresome to have to arrange for the Navigation Authority to be in attendance to be able to go somewhere (as necessary with, for example the Anderton Lift, Liverpool Link, Lancaster Link, Tinsley Flight, Standedge Tunnel, tidal locks). It's always excellent to meet other users and work together to make the navigation easier. But it is the navigation that's the fun: I don't need and wouldn't welcome someone insisting on steering my boat as a condition of using some part of the canal – and working the locks is similar. I enjoy the experience, and enjoy doing it well. If there are willing helpers available, I will ask for assistance if I need it. And if they would like to do my washing-up while I wind the paddles, so much the better.

Volunteers will volunteer to do what they find most interesting or most enjoyable.

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Let's not give away to them the bits that attract visitors to do for themselves. It still leaves plenty for volunteers to do. We are all keen for boats to share wide locks, and in the Midlands there are signs asking boaters to wait for half-an-hour for another boat to arrive. Really good would be the information that a moving boat is ten minutes' behind, and with good mobile communications, volunteers could be observing, collecting information and passing it on to help navigators.

At busy junctions (Middlewich and Fradley come to mind) it would be useful to know which oncoming boats intend to go where and some help with where-bestto-wait would be valuable at busy periods.

Navigation in the North East We don't have busy junctions or busy locks in our part of the network, and so there are no volunteer lockkeepers who could keep up the Region's league-table position for volunteer days by helping boats through. Earlier in the year some boaters whom we had met in the Midlands were daunted by the Huddersfield Narrow locks, and invited us for an afternoon winding paddles so they could meet their booking for Standedge. This was good fun, and maybe we could expand the idea by having a list of volunteer helpers who could assist boat crews when they request it. We would need the lock-winding volunteers, as well as a volunteer to organise, publicise and administer the scheme.

And there another issue that a boat-centred volunteer scheme could avoid. I think that canals are safe places for visitors: we need them to take commonsense precautions by being aware of lockbeams being moved, and avoiding standing too close to lock walls. We shouldn't be conveying the message that we need a lifejacket to visit the canal, and in situations that experienced boaters have assessed the risks as not requiring a lifejacket, it doesn't help our image to have everyone in a blue teeshirt wearing one. Let's allow volunteers and visitors to make their own decisions about it: we don't need bureaucratic rules.

All the CRT regions have been asked to organise Welcome Stations at convenient locations on their waterways, primarily to speak to large numbers of passing visitors. Little Venice and Foxton seem obvious locations, and judging from the seven-thousand winter-weekend visitors to the 2012 Bingley lock-maintenance open-day, that's also a good location to meet the public. The North East Region has chosen Fearns Wharf CRT office as its base, but the number of passing visitors there seems to be very limited, even if it's just a base for volunteers spreading the word in Clarence Dock. Shouldn't we be finding a way to speak to visitors in York?

Peter Scott, Region Chairman 6

Volunteers 2013 and 2014 In 2013 we held five enjoyable working parties in Leeds and Salterhebble. We estimate that this used about 32hrs of CRT-paid time and about 11hrs paid by IWA. Five of our committee members volunteered about 50hrs of working-party time and another 65hrs in travelling and preparation for the events. We attracted about 20 additional people volunteering about 75hours of working-party time and using about 15hrs in travelling. There was another 50hrs used by another 6 people is bringing boats to the events. We collected many-bags of rubbish, restored large areas of cobbles to plant-free condition, bashed some balsam, cleared floating logs from the canal and painted a mile of mileposts and did other oddjobs that came to hand.

Saturday 21 June to Saturday 13 July Rochdale Boat Gathering Volunteers are needed to help with the planned boat gathering on the Rochdale Canal between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. If you feel able to offer some time during that period, please contact Diana with expressions of interest at dfmoorings@paul-diana.com There is no need to commit to a specific time or task at the moment, however, Diana will need to know if you are interested in being a volunteer lock keeper during that period because some training will be available, provided by Canal and River Trust.

Friday 28 June to Sunday 30 June Thwaite Mills Boat Gathering as part of the Leeds Waterfront Festival This is our third year in helping with this event. And those who have helped before will know it is a good event. We need people to help erecting marquees and market stalls on Friday after which you can stay for the barbeque, manning the stand and helping with children’s activities on Saturday and Sunday and dismantling the stalls and marquees on Sunday. You are welcome to turn up at any time, and invited to stay to the quiz on Saturday night.

As well as the fun at Thwaite Mills there is are free boat rides and a free bus to the other sites in Leeds.

To help please contact me on elaine.scott@waterways.org.uk or 07980953880

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Dewsbury Canal Festival Savile Town Wharf, Mill Street East, Dewsbury, WF12 9BD Saturday 26 July to Sunday 27 July 10am - 4pm Fun family friendly activities including best dressed boat, the town crier, boat trips, pond dipping, stalls and much more! Take part in the first Dewsbury ‘Try’athlon on 26 July - try your hand at lots of different activities. The fun fair will also be on site from Friday 25 July.

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Brighouse Canal and Music Festival and Summer Market Saturday30 August to Sunday 31 August Celebrating the Calder and Hebble Navigation as it winds it’s way through Brighouse, there will be boat rides, live music, fairground rides and a two day Summer Market with over 80 stalls of locally produced food and crafts with plenty of tempting street food. Our stand will be there.

But that’s not all, CRT have some different sorts of things to volunteer to do. http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer for more details Welcome Stations (see page 21) Leeds, around Clarence Dock based at Fearns Wharf Apperley Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal Towpath Task Forces Sowerby Bridge, Rochdale Canal and Calder & Hebble Navigation.

Hazel Mayow, hazel.mayow@canalrivertrust.org.uk, 07920 466237 Skipton Leeds & Liverpool Canal Monthly on alternate Wednesdays and Sundays Alice.Kay@canalrivertrust.org.uk or phone 07825 196 365 Knottingley, Aire & Calder Navigation First Thursday of the month, 10am until approx. 1pm Lucy Dockray, lucy.dockray@canalrivertrust.org.uk Tel. 07767383736 Huddersfield Broad Canal Second Friday of the month, 10am until approx. 3pm Claire McDonald, claire.mcdonald@canalrivertrust.org.uk, Tel 07920295943 Selby, River Ouse and Selby Canal Third Saturday of the month, 10am until approx. 3pm Lucy Dockray, lucy.dockray@canalrivertrust.org.uk, Tel 07767383736 And of course, there is the work we mentioned ln the last issue Mirfield Promenade Greenwood Lock to Cooper Bridge in Mirfield, West Yorkshire http://mirfieldpromanade.blogspot.co.uk/ Don’t forget, if you don’t like any of the opportunities on offer, start your own!

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Our Local MPs Last year the IWA Trustees asked all the branch committees to write to their Members of Parliament, to express our concern about the postponement of the transfer of the Environment Agency navigations to Canal and River Trust announced by the then Waterways Minister, Richard Benyon. The new Waterways Minister, Dan Rogerson, met the NationaL Chairman early in 2014.

There are 25 MPs that cover our Branch area.

We would like to thank those who responded to Ian Moore about the issue.

Hilary Benn (Labour, Leeds Central) Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat, Leeds North West) Stuart Andrew (Conservative, Pudsey) Philip Davies (Conservative, Shipley) Mike Wood (Labour, Batley & Spen) Jason McCartney (Conservative, Colne Valley

We are grateful both for the responses, and confirmation that MPs across the Destination Leeds – further developments Following on from our last report things have been happening in Leeds. With the backing of the NE and NW waterway managers and staff the following visitor moorings have been identified or confirmed and will be or have been signed (in direction of travel upstream):

Knostrop Lock (left bank, above the lock)

Above...

Knostrop Lock (below the lock, alongside the old lock in the basin) – not yet available pending dredging

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...and below

Fearns Wharf pontoon (no longer short stay)

Fearns Wharf

New Dock (former Clarence Dock) existing visitor moorings to be increased in number by using finger pontoons Brewery Wharf (left bank) River Lock upstream, left bank below Kirkstall Fly Boat River Lock upstream, Granary Wharf, right bank (nb moorings in the arms attract a small charge which includes electricity)

New Dock ( Clarence Dock)

Office Lock (upstream, both banks).

Facilities pontoon below Leeds Lock (half the pontoon, upstream end) Leeds Lock (lock landing below the lock, half the landing, downstream end )

Duration at the sites varies from 48 hours to 14 days and all are free of charge except the moorings off the main line at Granary Wharf.

At Brewery wharf it is intended to offer water, electricity and rubbish disposal and also discount vouchers for adjacent businesses, courtesy Rushbond plc.

It is hoped Kirkstall Fly Boat will be able to provide pump out, water and rubbish disposal on the berth immediately below its mooring. It is also hoped to increase further the number Brewery Wharf of visitor moorings on the river in central Leeds by working with waterside businesses, and also opposite Thwaite Mills, in due course. The arrangements described are subject to review and comments from users will be most welcome.

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Skipton Waterway Festival

Rainbow Spirit in the dark

And in day light 12

Skipton Waterway Festival The 2014 Skipton Waterway Festival was held over the first Bank Holiday in May, the weather was kind this year with only a little rain one night and no wind.

Over 50 boats were registered for the event but there were many more moored outside the town plus the passing hire boaters. The theme this year, not surprisingly, was the visit of the Tour de France to Yorkshire in July: on day one it passes through Skipton. The good weather brought out the crowds and as well as the boats there was a good selection of stalls and activities , together with continuous entertainment on a stage in the basin area by the Freddie Trueman statue.

Freddie The West Riding IWA stand featured Chris creating his usual interest demonstrating the art of knot tying for fender manufacture.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society had their boat Kennet on display and reported a record number of visitors, in excess of two thousand. At the “Boaters Bash” on the Saturday evening we enjoyed a hog roast and music by Jive Express.

Chris, fenders and the stand

The winner of the Best Dressed Boat was also announced and this year there were joint winners with boats "Jupiter" & "Titus", Jupiter is owned by David & Ruth Crane and Titus is owned by Dave & Bev Grice.

Sunday Afternoon saw the raft race with a record 10 entries, one sank at the start but all of the others finished the course with the winner being the Rubber Dubbers in just under 3 minutes.

Sunday evening saw the illuminated cruise when 15 boats went about 1 mile out of Skipton and as dusk fell returned in procession with a vast selection of lights.

It was a warm, windless evening making controlling the boats in convoy at tick over speed somewhat easier than in other years. The good weather also brought out the crowds again with hundreds lining the tow path and bridges into Skipton. The winner of the Best Illuminated Boat was Rainbow Spirit, owned by William & Eileen Jowitt This event would not happen without the hard work of Ian, Pam and Zoe of Pennine Cruises and all their helpers so a big thank you to them. Here’s to 2015.

William Jowitt 13

Skipton Waterway Festival On Sunday, while Liz and Chris Pinder, assisted by Tim Field manned the stand, some of the rest of us found other things to do.

Elaine and Ian talked to Paul House of CRT

We all resisted the temptation to go above ground caving S.

..but the Region Chairman and Trustee didn’t resist the ice shaves

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In case you missed it January

Apollo Canal Business David Lowe At our first meeting of 2014, David Lowe spoke about his Apollo Canal business, which he ran for many years. A bus stop, he said, has to look like a bus stop, with the usual pictogram of a bus on it. Even more so if it's advertising a waterbus. And a good waterbus service has to have a timetable and keep to it - even if it does travel at walking pace.

There were many more gems and insights into the business which David shared with us in his excellent and informative talk.

Something to live up to—received after the January meeting To the Committee Although we have been IWA members for several years, last Friday was the first meeting we have been able to attend, having moved from Essex to West Yorkshire.

We did not know what to expect! What we found was an interesting venue, an extremely kind and pleasant welcome from both the committee members and the general membership, a very interesting talk, and a nice cup of coffee!

We look forward very much to the next meeting, and getting to know more IWA members etc.

Yours sincerely Shirley and Don Ward

February Seesaws, slopes, slides and structures�

- the principles behind canal science and engineering by Geoff Auty On Friday 14 February Geoff Auty once again gave a fascinating talk about how some of the canal engineering we take for granted actually works. He was ably assisted during the evening by Ellen and Ailsa Sayles in a number of different demonstrations.

Starting with the basics of the seesaw I was wondering whether I had come to the wrong group but then it all started to fall into place with the seesaw principles being linked to the workings of lift bridges; from the picturesque bridges of the South Oxford to the magnificence of Tower Bridge.

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Moving on from bridges, Geoff covered the workings of different sorts of paddle gear and how the gearing mechanisms were vital in making it possible for boaters to move these incredibly heavy structures using just wooden handspikes and windlasses. He had produced a number of beautifully made and fascinating little models to demonstrate how all these principles worked.

Calder and Hebble Paddle Gear

After the break he went on to focus on the Falkirk Wheel. To be honest I hadn’t really given much thought to the scientific principles behind this beautiful piece of engineering but when Geoff started covering each in detail it was quite fascinating to understand how all the parts of the structure worked together so efficiently.

Once again a thoroughly enjoyable and unpredictable presentation from Geoff and we look forward to his next instalment.

The highlight from Ailsa was that “she liked the seesaw”.

Falkirk Whell

Ellen really enjoyed the evening too “All the things on the waterways revolve around science. It is fascinating. I have always wondered how lift bridges work and Geoff has taught me things that I will need in the future. There is always a way to make learning fun and Geoff does that every time” Alastair and Katy March

“The Work of the RNLI” by Colin Senior

Colin was giving his 153rd volunteer presentation on the work of the RNLI. He told us how the work is funded then showed us some short videos on the work they do. There was the usual amazing stories and pictures of recues at sea—I find in wonderful that anyone will put to sea in weather like that!

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A more unusual video was the sinking of an inflatable boat under a highway bridge over a river in flood. This incident led to the introduction of a special training course for RNLI volunteers based on inland flooding. The accompanying training video showed how difficult it is to keep your feet in fast flowing water and pointed out the problems of navigation on a flooded street. At least at sea someone has charted the rocks for you. On the high street you have little idea if you are boating over a post box or a parked car.

Friday 11 April Back to the Beginning by Denise Spence from the South Pennine Boat Club The evening started with a presentation on the transform of the site with many illustrations showing what a marvellous job the Club has done, using volunteers.

Since 1984 the Club has transformed an area of dereliction into the great facilities that we see today.

Pictures from the AWCC web site

Garth Robinson gave us a brief talk on the AWCC (Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs). The AWCC was created in 1965 to protect boaters interests, facilitate visitor moorings between clubs, and provide a boaters rescue service. http://awcc.org.uk/ 17

Minutes of the 2014 AGM

held at 9pm on Friday 11th April at South Pennine Boat Club.

Present 18 members 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Peggy Furniss, Malcolm Braine, Paul Jowitt Katie, Alastair, Ellen and Ailsa Sayles, Tim Field 2. MINUTES OF THE 2013 AGM held on Friday 12th April at South Pennine Boat Club, as published in May 2013 MilePost are accepted as a true and correct record of the meeting.

Proposed by Peter Scott Seconded by Liz Pinder 3. MATTERS ARISING: None 4. BRANCH CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Committee members: Chairman: Elaine Scott Secretary: Ian Moore Treasurer: William Jowitt Membership: Chris Pinder Minutes: Liz Pinder Members: Peter Scott Mike Tucknott Assisted by: Meeting co-ordinators: Badges, stamps and raffles: Web Master

Alistair and Katie Sayles Ellen and Ailsa Sayles David Mack

Alastair Furniss, Elaine's father, who had been the branch telephone-contact, died in February (post now vacant). Elaine thanked all the committee for their work during the year, all our speakers who have entertained us, all the members who have supported these meetings and the South Pennine Boat Club for making availabe to us their excellent facilities.

Elaine reported on Branch activities, mentioning a selection of meetings attended, including CRT User Groups, Aire Action Leeds, Rochdale Canal Linear Park Group, Leeds Voice Environment Forum, Leeds Waterfront festival, CRT's NE Partnership Workshop, Destination Leeds, Boaters' Meeting with Richard Parry CRT Chief Executive) and then our seven monthly Open Meetings The branch stand and displays were taken to Saltaire (“A Bit of a Do” organised

by Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society). Skipton Water Festival, South Pennine 18

Boat Club Rally / Open Day, Leeds Waterfront Festival at Thwaite Mills, Leeds' Sea Cadets Open Day, Working Parties in Leeds & Salterhebble MilePost (branch magazine) is now printed in colour and distributed directly by Head Office with the help of volunteers local to Chesham The branch has planned attending Skipton festival (Sat. Sun. Mon 4-6 May) with the Gazebo, the Thwaite Mills Boat Gathering (Fri. Sat. Sun. 27-29 June) and would welcome help putting up market stalls on the Friday, with a barbecue on Friday evening, a Boaters and helpers’ quiz on Saturday and clearing up on Sunday evening; we will also attend Brighouse (Sat. Sun. 30-31 August) with the Gazebo, and Wild-over-Waterways activities.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT Income and Expenditure Account

Capitation Donations Social meetings & working parties Events and fund-raising activities Magazine Trading Lotteries & raffles Bank interest & charges Officers' expenses Other TOTAL Surplus/(deficit) for the year Balance at 31 December

2013 ExpendiIncome ture 639.00 0.00 299.00 275.00

2012 ExpendiIncome ture 776.93 0.00 209.78 235.00

0.00

155.00

0.00

50.00

0.00 0.00 507.57 226.00 30.01 0.00 159.13 1860.7 1

63.54 534 221.71 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 540.71 234.00 21.48 0.00 20.00 1,696.0 1

45.00 564.71 107.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1,249.25 611.46

£3,082.81

1,846.72 800.38

£2,471.35

William Jowitt noted that accounts are kept by IWA Head Office, and the meeting does not need a resolution to accept the accounts. William presented these figures for information 19

William noted that Capitation is the monies we receive from IWA to fund the magazine; that under “Donations Expenditure”, the main donations were to Skipton Waterway Festival. There had been a good level of income and donations at both Skipton and the Thwaite Mills Boat Gathering.

6. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE Proposed (Tim Field seconded by Mike Tucknott) that Ian Moore be appointed until 2017 AGM: and that Liz Pinder (Tim Field seconded by Ian Moore) until the 2015 AGM: (the shorter period was at Liz's request). This was unanimously agreed.

7. REGION CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Peter Scott invited any questions on national or regional issues, and a disussion followe, including the national appeal by CRT to support repairs of flood damage, the progress of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme, and local volunteering work in Mirfield.

8. MEETING CLOSURE With thanks to those providing nibbles, Elaine closed the meeting at 9.50pm

A different aspect of volunteering—Elaine talking to Richard Parry, Chief Executive of CRT, at Little Venice 20

Welcome Stations (an invitation from CRT) VOLUNTEERS TO OFFER A WARM WATERWAY WELCOME The Canal & River Trust is opening the doors at Apperley Bridge, Leeds and other locations around the country, for local people who want to share their passion and knowledge of the waterways with others. New Welcome Stations are part of a plan to give local people and towpath visitors better access and information to some of the best-loved waterway beauty spots in the country.

The Trust already have a growing team of friendly and informative volunteer lock keepers around the country but soon you'll be able to call into our new welcome stations to pick up a local leaflet and find out more. The aim is to open them at the busiest times, relevant to the local need. It's always useful to be able to ask someone about where the nearest cafe is, how far you can walk down the towpath and where it goes to, and if there are ways to support the canal or river that you're stood next to.Volunteers are currently being recruited to help make this happen. Appropriate training will be given (we're not looking for canal experts) but we are looking for friendly, approachable people. If this appeals to you get in touch with the Canal & River Trust's volunteering team to find out more.

Ed Moss, national volunteering manager for the Canal & River Trust, explains: “Our towpaths are alive with visitors who want to know more about the waterways and the rich heritage behind them. No-one knows more about their local area than local people so we want to work with volunteers to create friendly ‘waterway information centres.’

The idea is to offer more local knowledge to visitors, but also a rewarding, social space for our volunteers. We’re open to ideas, so if people would prefer to do this on their own, in couples or as small groups of friends we can work together to help make this work for everyone.”

If you are outgoing, love meeting people, are passionate about your local area and would like to share your knowledge with visitors then the Canal & River Trust would love to hear from you.

To find out more contact us via www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/welcome-stations, email volunteer@canalrivertrust.org.uk or call 0303 040 4040.

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The Most Interesting Apology for the AGM Dear Elaine Thanks for the email. I’m based in Edinburgh, so can’t get to meetings! I opted to be a member of the WR group since that’s where I hail from. My boat – The Smeaton Stanley is in StokeS. I did attempt to get it from Cheshire to Yorkshire in August 2012. Up through the Macclesfield Canal to Marple and then to Dukinfield. Dilemma – the Huddersfield Narrow or the Rochdale. In the end I opted for the Rochdale – didn’t fancy 3 hours in the Standege and emerging with a battered – but fairly new (2011) narrow boat! Wrong choice!.

At the start of the trip up the Rochdale Canal I fell off the boat just after Lock 82 and broke my femur rather badly – smashing it against the underside of the boat as I came out of the water. Sevens ops later (the latest and I hope the last was 6 weeks ago). So I’m afraid I’ve moved the boat south to Stoke.

My reason for wanting to take it to Yorkshire was that I worked on the Calder and Hebble Canal around Mirfield, Dewsbury, Brighouse and Wakefield as a young engineer on a survey of BWB’s canal bridges in 1969, and wanted to re-visit some of my old haunts. We worked off an old BWB boat with a cabin reached down a hatch at the back and with the rest of the boat being a hold for rock, spoil etc. The “Skipper” was an old BWB man called Frank York. There was a stove down below where we mashed up. Frank had a jar of loose tea leaves, sugar and powdered milk for his brew! Most of our work was on the cut, but occasionally we looked at bridges on the Calder. Including the old Stanley Ferry Toll Bridge with its wooden decking. We discovered the baulks of timber between the iron columns and the steel joists supporting the deck were completely rotten. Brian Hutchinson (the Husband & Co engineer I worked for) hit one with a club hammer and it shot straight out and into the river! The bridge was closed forthwith! We also worked on a masonry bridge not far from the chantry chapel in Wakefield, where there is a short stretch of canal that avoids the weir. It was a long time ago and I can’t remember the exact locations in Mirfield etc.

More recently, and up here in Scotland, I unveiled a plaque on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness to commemorate the role of Telford in the two great Coast to Coast canals in Scotland and Sweden (the Gota Kanal). I unveiled an identical plaque in Motala last year.

Paul Professor Paul Jowitt CBE Past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers 2009-10

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Boston or bust!

Andrew Brett, Rieger Having lived in East Yorkshire for 28 years; with family in Norfolk, we usually broke our journey back and forth in the Boston area. Using the Wheatsheaf at Hubbert’s Bridge, the Barge Inn at Swineshead or the Bridge Inn at Langrick.

About four years ago we were surprised to find IWA and other canal literature at the Wheatsheaf. For those who do not know the Wheatsheaf approaching from the north you cross the A1121 road, a railway line and the South Forty Foot Drain and the pub is immediately on your right.

On enquiry we found that a new lock had been constructed at the end of the Drain where it discharges into the Boston Tidal Harbour, there had been a lock there until the 1960’s but this had been abandoned. The Drain was now to be known as the Black Sluice Navigation, which gave us the idea that, to bring our boat down from Goole to the excellent mooring constructed near the Wheatsheaf should be added to “things to do before you die.”

Boston

Black Sluice Lock

People who know me will confirm that I am cautious by nature and so I started to make enquiries as to how this could be achieved. I have never met so many people with doom and gloom as I found as I asked around for advice.

Firstly our planned route out of Ocean Lock into the Yorkshire Ouse through 24

Trent Falls around Apex Light and into the Trent met with much head shaking.

Next at Lincoln we would have to negotiate The Glory Hole, the barge which moors next to ours at Goole bares evidence to a problem in the large dent in its steel wheelhouse at a level not much above the height of our hull. Information on the exact measurements of the bridge aperture are impossible to find but what I did “The Glory Hole “ discover was that the depth of water was also limited. Then there is the weed, “we tried to get through but just could not cope with it” was a regular comment.

Finally there was the Grand Sluice Lock at Boston, only 40ft long (our boat is 55ft long) which attracted lots of negative comments.

At the end of 2012 we decided that to moor and eat at the Wheatsheaf would be our goal for 2013, we would go early in the year before any weed had been able to get established.

So at 9.20am on Saturday 4th May we found ourselves exiting Ocean Lock Goole approximately 2 hours before low water having paid £47.49 the charge to use the lock at this time in the company of our friends Ron Shaw and his wife Janet. Ron “the excellent mooring constructed near the had been a Trent Pilot before he Wheatsheaf “ retired. We arrived a few minutes early at the Apex light so carried on past it before turning and moving into the Trent; otherwise the trip up to Torksey went without a hitch and we were tied up in the Foss Navigation at 5pm, a quick meal at the Swan Inn and Ron and Janet left in their car for home.

The next day we made our way leisurely down Fossdyke to Lincoln where we met friends who helped us dismantle our wheelhouse before crossing Brayford Pool cabriole style to get through the Glory Hole. The underside of the bridge 25

reminded me of a church crypt, though more properly described as a barrel vaulted span of Norman origin, it was widened in 1540. Interestingly a bridge after the Glory Hole has a lower air draught but we were able to negotiate both without a problem at very slow speed. At Washingborough we reassembled the wheel house dropped off our crew and moored for the night at Fiskerton nature reserve.

Our journey down the Witham was without incident and certainly there was no sign of weed. We did stop at Dogdyke and made a very worthwhile visit to the nearby Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

At Boston we met the Grand Sluice Lock Keeper Mike and his assistant Sam, we were left with no doubt who was in charge of the lock, but to get our boat through the lock could only take a few minutes as the tide on the salt water side passed the level of the Witham.

Any delay could make it difficult to close the gates.

We were handed a piece of paper with the estimated time of departure 16.01 hours and given instructions when the lock lights changed from Red, to Green and Red we were to cast off and hover

Boats in Boston tidal basin new and old

and immediately we saw two green lights proceed through the lock, which we did and as soon as our stern was clear the gates they were shut behind us.

The navigation through the tidal harbour was uneventful as we kept in the centre of the channel and immediately after passing a disused railway bridge we saw the new lock structure with Andy Woods the Environment Agency Lincolnshire rivers officer waving to indicate we should make a wide arc to approach the lock.

The new lock is a magnificent structure with sector gates at the tidal end and conventional mitred gates to the Black Sluice Navigation. We had to drop down into the Navigation which was a relief as the red light at the exit inside the lock 26

was below our bow to start with. When the mitre gates opened a second glory hole was revealed which we just managed to get through with the wheel house up. Outside were magnificent moorings where we tied up and went back to the lock and pay our licence fee, £11 for two days. Andy Woods proved to be most helpful and informative with a full range of booklets and guides.

We left the lock and proceeded to Hubert’s Bridge moorings again a magnificent Environment Agency standard floating pontoon, arriving two hours after leaving The Grand Sluice.

Black Sluice Lock Exit from Black Sluice Lock

So our journey completed we made for the Wheat sheaf for a meal washed down with a pint or two of Bateman’s XB, to make an entry in their visitors book and have an enjoyable evening putting the world of waterways right with mine hosts Sue and Gary Hall.

On a subsequent visit by Road to the Wheatsheaf we learnt that only two boats had visited the pub this year including our own. This is even worse than 2012 when I understand 6 boats visited the Black Sluice Navigation.

The Black Sluice Navigation is the start of the proposed Fen Waterways Link to create an Inland Navigation between Boston and Peterborough; it would be a great pity if this fails for lack of support. IWA is an organisation that campaigns for waterways to be kept open surely we should be supporting the prospect of new waterways.

Our experience is that it is fairly straight forward to visit the Black Sluice Navigation, there was always several feet of water under our keel, and the tow path rumours of the difficulties are untrue. If you are fed up with congested waterways and would like to have a river to yourself visit Boston.

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January Quiz Did you get it?

Looking along the Market Weighton Canal from the entrance lock

May Quiz

It is still in our region, but again it is unlikely you will have gone through it.

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Another sort of volunteer work for IWA

Acheman Challenge team complete 50 miles, from left Stephanie Pay, Jenny Black, Toby Gomm and Gemma Bolton (photo by Katharine Thivessen)

On Saturday 5th April four members of staff from IWA Head Office completed a 50 mile quadrathlon along the Grand Union Canal. The team has successfully raised £13,530 towards the cost of a new excavator for IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group (WRG), although there is still time to donate.

Toby Gomm, Stephanie Pay, Jenny Black and Gemma Bolton cycled, worked a boat through Marsworth locks with the kind support of IWA Chiltern Branch, ran and canoed the 50 mile stretch along the towpath from Harefield to Wolverton as part of the Acheman Challenge. Despite some running pains, the team successfully completed the 50 miles in under 11 hours and enjoyed a warm welcome from IWA Milton Keynes Branch at the finish line, along with a free meal and a drink in the Galleon Pub. The team was also presented with a surprise Acheman Challenge cake by IWA Milton Keynes Branch Chairman, Peter Caswell.

The West Riding Brach made a donation in support of the appeal .

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People who help run the Branch 20134/ 2015

Chairman *

Secretary *

Treasurer *

Elaine Scott 3 Moorbank Drive Sheffield S10 5TH 0114 230 1870 07980 953880 elaine.scott@ waterways.org.uk

Ian Moore 2 Eric Street, Bramley Leeds LS13 1ET 07989 112581 westriding@ waterways.org.uk

William Jowitt 35, Lowfield Crescent Silsden BD20 0QE 01535 657256

Membership Secretary *

NE&Yorks Region *

Minutes Secretary*

Chris Pinder 152 High Street Yeadon Leeds LS19 7AB 01132 509371

Peter Scott 3 Moorbank Drive Sheffield S10 5TH 0114 230 1870 peter.scott@ waterways.org.uk

Peter Scott (temporarily)

Committee Member*

Committee Member*

Telephone Contact

Mike Tucknott 4 Royds Avenue Birkenshaw Bradford BD11 2LD 07885 951099

Liz Pinder 152 High Street Yeadon Leeds LS19 7AB 01132 509371

Volunteer needed

Speaker Finder

Badges, Stamps & Raffle

Website

Volunteer needed

David Mack

Ellen & Ailsa Sayles

Committee member indicated by *

Other things to do—take your pick and let us know Navigation things Arrange adverts for MilePost Check Planning Applications Welcome new members by phone Attend Open Meetings Liaise with Canal Societies and Trusts

Assemble MilePost Find Speakers Publicity Organise working parties Write for MilePost Create and run a facebook page Etc. 30

Directions to South Pennine Boat Club – information from the web site http://www.southpennineboatclub.co.uk/

By Road: Follow the A644 from Junction 25 of the M62 towards Dewsbury and Wakefield. Just before the Pear Tree Inn, turn right over the bridge labelled Battyford Toll bridge. The SPBC is on the left, through the gates before the second Bridge Buses: The 278 from Wakefield, Dewsbury and Mirfield for Brighouse & Halifax, stops outside the Pear Tree Inn. The 278 Bus from Halifax and Brighouse for Mirfield, Dewsbury & Wakefield stops across the road from the Pear Tree Inn. Buses to Leeds & Huddersfield (203) or Bradford (253) run from Mirfield town centre.

Trains: Mirfield Station is about 1 mile from the club on the Huddersfield Line. It provides direct connections to Manchester, Huddersfield, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Leeds, Dewsbury and Wakefield.

By Water: The SPBC is on the Calder & Hebble navigation by Battyeford Lock Taxi: Station Cars Tel 01924 490 444 Mirfield Cars Tel 01924 490 999 Central Cars Tel 01924 490 000 31

Programme of Open Meetings for 2014 All meetings take place at 8pm on the second Friday of the month In the clubhouse of the South Pennine Boat Club, Wood Lane, Mirfield WF14 0ED. 2014 Friday 12 September

Historic Narrow Boat Club by David Lowe

Friday 10 October

River waterways of north-east England

By John Pomfret

Friday 14 November

Community Boats

Friday 12 December

Christmas Social 2015

Friday 10 April

AGM

Any other meetings in 2015 needs a volunteer to organise them.

See page 3 All the meetings organised by the West Riding Branch are Open and everyone is invited. We are delighted to welcome any member of the general public and members are encouraged to bring their friends. To find out more about the waterways or the IWA come and join us at one of our meetings or visit the website http://www.waterways.org.uk Closing date for contributions for the next issue 25 August 2014 Contributions can be hand written, typed or in electronic format.

Pictures can be prints or digital.

The views expressed in this publication are published as being of interest to our members and readers and are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of its West Riding Branch.

The Inland Waterways Association Registered in England no 612245 Registered as a Charity No 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 32