IWA Middlesex Matters Autumn 2012

Middlesex Branch Newsletter email: middlesex.newsletter@waterways.org.uk

No. 30 Autumn 2012

nb President at the IWA Canalway Cavalcade

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Middlesex Matters Autumn 2012

Diary Dates 2012-13 social evenings 13th November – 2012.

Roger Squires presents an insight into ‘Waterways of Bohemia and Saxony’

9th April - 2013

Speaker tba.

14th May - 2013

8th January - 2013

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Speaker tba.

11th June - 2013

End of season indoor skittles evening.

12th February – 2013

10th September- 2013

Speaker tba.

Speaker tba.

8th October - 2013 Speaker tba.

12th March – At Hillingdon Canal Club - London

12th November - 2013

Region AGM and Middlesex Branch AGM.

Speaker tba

Please note that the Middlesex Branch does not hold social meetings in July, August or December.

For more information contact the Social Secretary Lucy Smith on, middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk or 07947 451376 Middlesex Branch social evenings are held at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Rd, Uxbridge UB8 2QX Entrance is free and all are welcome including non members.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS OF

THE INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION MIDDLESEX BRANCH AGM followed by the

LONDON REGION AGM will be held at the

HILLINGDON CANAL CLUB HQ UXBRIDGE WHARF New gates for Norwood Top Lock Photo: Stephen Bray WATERLOO ROAD UXBRIDGE UB8 2QX Tuesday 12 March 2013 at 8pm - Bar open from 7.30 Nominations for election to the Branch Committee and/or the Region Committee must be received by the Secretary by 12 March 2013.

Secretary:- Robin Bishop, 11 Lichfield Road, Cricklewood, London NW2 2RE. email:- robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk

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From the Region Chairman Paul Strudwick With the nights drawing in it’s time to reflect on what we have achieved in London over the past year and to look forward to next year. 2012 has been a busy one for all the branches in the London Region, as well as for IWA nationally. In July we saw the launch of the new Canal & River Trust. IWA’s campaign certainly ensured that their financial settlement is more generous than it could have been.

fundraising events including a classical music concert!

With so much going on across the region it is always difficult to pick out the highlights for my report to you. Your branch has had a busy summer culminating in the Slough Festival in September. I had intended to join you there but a problem with my boat forced me to turn back.

I will try again next year. London & North East Branch have, with The Friends of Regents Canal, persuaded Starbucks not to remove the visitors’ centre in the Camden Lock house.

Whilst other branches have been running successful boat festivals, working parties and

that it does not just spread the problem over an even wider area. This is on top of our on-going campaigns, supporting the Festival of London Waterways and the new problems that will inevitably come up and will require our attention. If you think you have some time to help us next year, please give your chairman, Keith Clayton, or any member of your committee a call.

So much for the past, what have we got coming up next year? Actually it is already looking as though it is going to be another very busy one. IWA Festivals have decided to use the boating events in the region, Cavalcade, Rickmansworth, Ware, Angel and Slough festivals along with the National Boat Festival at Cassiobury Park, to create an IWA summer campaign throughout the capital's waterways.

This year London Region has, as it does They will be looking at our branches to help every year, held the largest IWA rally of the run, linked events, talks and displays, theatre year at Little Venice. It has had a successful performances, discovery tours, sponsored campaign to keep Commercial Road Lock open walks, clean-ups, pub tours and brewery trips, throughout the Olympic period. This was street parades and anything with a theme, or a followed up by using our volunteers, who were location, or a story around the London originally intended to act as harbour masters for waterways. the expected hundreds of visiting boats, to During the next year we will need to engage assist in manning the lock as well as the control with CRT to try and find a solution to the points around London. The efforts by IWA problem of the Non-Compliant Continuous volunteers have been well received by CRT and Cruisers who are so common on the canals of all the boaters they came in contact with.

London. Your region committee is already Finally we have hosted the National AGM at working on this and we are engaging in Chelmsford with members coming from all meaningful dialogue with CRT. The trick will over the country to visit our region. be for us to help CRT to do this in such a way

Inland Waterways Association

Paul Strudwick London Region Chairman

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First trip for new owner ends in disaster An evening trip on the River Thames quickly turned to disaster for five adults and a dog. On the 24th August the narrowboat, Mini Moo was delivered to South Dock Marina in London for a new owner. They requested to lock out of the marina into the Thames for the short trip across the river to Limehouse Marina.

The vessel departed the lock at 17:00 and as they left the lock keeper commented that they should have lifejackets on board as they appeared to be missing.

Shortly into their passage the crew noted a change in the engine note and opened the engine room hatch to find the engine half submerged. All aboard quickly moved to the stern to try and bail out the engine room, but were unable to cope with the ingress of water.

The engine room continued to fill with water and then flooded into the main cabin, resulting in severe flooding of the vessel which sank within seconds.

All of the crew and the dog were then in the water without lifejackets, but were rescued by a nearby London RIB Experience boat and a police launch. They were taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged. The dog, called Gus, was also uninjured.

The hull of the vessel had been completely double plated, and the increase in weight resulted in a reduced safety clearance; with the bottom of the engine room vent being positioned approximately two and half inches above the waterline.

With three people positioned on the stern, the engine room air vent became submerged beneath the waterline allowing water to flood in, and sinking of the vessel was inevitable.

The Port of London Authority has issued a statement about lessons to be drawn from this incident. See p12.

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National Festival 2013 to be held at Watford IWA's 2013 National Festival is to be held at Cassiobury Park on the Grand Union Canal in Watford over the weekend of 19th to 21st July. IWA intends that this will form part of an IWA Summer Festival of London Waterways.

Check the IWA website for further information on: http://www,waterways.org.uk Booking forms for boaters, campers and exhibitors should be available before the end of November.

Allied to this IWA are hoping to help stage a celebration of London’s Waterways in 2013 to mark the re-opening of the Bow Back Rivers and waterways around the Olympics area in East London. The intention is to promote the festivals throughout the year across London including those currently at Little Venice (Canalway Cavalcade), Rickmansworth (on the Grand Union Canal), Ware Boat Festival (river Lee), Angel (Regent's Canal) and in Slough (Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal), but perhaps centred and highlighted by some form of boat gathering in the North Olympic Park when it opens to the public on 27 July 2013.

Branch social evenings The branch social evening on 9th October was held as usual at the Hillingdon Canal Club. We were pleased to welcomed Eileen Bowlt from the Ruislip,

Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society who gave an illustrated talk on “200 Years of the Ruislip Reservoir”.

The picture right: Eileen Bolt with Chairman Keith Clayton.

November social For the 13th November social we have Roger Squires giving us an insight into “Waterways of Bohemia and Saxony”.

Roger always gives an interesting talk, so be there if you can.

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Open Day at Hanwell There will be an Open Day at Hanwell Lock 97 on Sunday 25th November. Members of the public will be allowed to go down into the lock to view the work being carried out.

President and Kildare ascending Hanwell flight after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

by Simon PhotoPhoto

by Simon Bell Bell

Winter stoppages for London area Hanwell lock 97. New top and bottom gates. 5 th November to 7th December 2012.

Hanwell lock 92. New top gates. 7th to 18th January 2013.

Ware lock 2, River Lee. 5th November to 10 th December. Re-sheeting top gates.

Old Ford lock 19. 5th November to 7th December. Refurbish gates.

Enfield lock 13. 7th to 18th January 2013. Various general works.

Stanstead lock 4. 28th January to 1st February 2013. Repairs to lock ladders.

Dredging planned for the Slough arm Slough arm dredging will be done in April 2013. The survey has been completed to highlight the worst affected areas. This will be spot dredging at the worst points.

There is a new national policy that more spot dredging will be carried out to improve matters on more canals around the country.

Volunteering Debbie Vidler, for the C&RT, reported at a user group meeting that there had been 21 volunteer lockkeepers during the summer. The ‘Towpath Tidy’ has been given a make-over and relaunched as ‘Towpath Taskforce’. Events were taking place around London at different locations on two Saturdays and two weekdays in each month.

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Middlesex Branch Sales Stand events 2012 Report by Robin Bishop The Branch Stand has attended several events this year and the first of these was Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice, London over the May Bank Holiday weekend, 5th - 7th May. The Branch Stand was located in the IWA Marquee up on Warwick Crescent pavement along with the Head Office sales stand.

The next event was our attendance at the Ruislip Woods Trust Day at Ruislip Lido on Sunday 13th May. Despite it being mainly an afternoon event the sales were very good.

The Ware Boat Festival on the River Lee was next on the calendar on the weekend of 7th – 8th July. As last year we were located in a good position on a grass site close to a footbridge that crosses over the river from a car park.

The early rain on the Saturday put paid to many of the public turning up.

There was an additional feature this year as the Olympic torch was also passing through the town on the Saturday morning.

This was followed by attendance at the Hayes Carnival in Barra Park, Hayes on Saturday 14th July. We were located in an area where all the charity stalls were set out.

The final event of this year’s calendar was the Slough Canal Festival at Bloom Park, Middle Green Road, Langley on 8th - 9th September.

Some of our Branch Committee members were also involved with the towpath walks up the Hanwell Locks in conjunction with the Open House Weekend on Saturday 22nd September. We also had a display set up.

Robin Bishop Sales Officer

London Region 200 Club Why not join the 200 Club? For just £1.00 per month you’ll be one of 200 that stand a chance to win cash prizes every two months. The prizes are £100, £50, £25 and £25. See page 14.

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Pictures from the Canalway Cavalcade 2012

Wall to wall boats in Little Venice Two crew members check if there’s any tasty tit-bits going.

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Pictures from Docklands

Maintenance is suspended on the clipper Stad Amsterdam in London for the Olympics.

MS Deutschland, 22,400tons, moored in West India Dock during the Olympics,

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Boat Licence fees: 2013 and beyond On Thursday 27 September, the Canal & River Trust held its first, well-attended, public meeting. A day later its Trustees met and decided to limit private boat licence fee increases, for three years from 2014, to inflation only. At the same time, the decision was made to endorse the third and final year of British Waterways’ planned licence prices which will see licence fees rise from 1 April 2013 by 4.6% (2% above inflation).

integral to the appeal of the canals and rivers and therefore to the ability of the Trust to win support from other sources.

“In making a three year decision to peg private licence fees to inflation, we have listened to boaters’ clearly expressed desire for certainty over future fees. We have also done what we can to limit increases recognising that the number of boats on the waterways has remained static and that boaters face significant financial pressures as part of the wider effects of recession.”

Simon Salem, marketing director of the Canal & River Trust, said: “Whilst boaters alone can’t be expected to pay the full cost of looking after the waterways their boats are

Non Compliant Continuous Cruising CRT gives their assessment for mooring rules At meetings in September, the Canal & River Trust's governing Council and Trustees agreed its interpretation of the law relating to continuous cruising. They also gave backing to a number of new initiatives designed to address misuse of the licensing and mooring rules. These include specific proposals for two hotspot areas on the Kennet & Avon Canal and in London.

Simon Salem, marketing director of the Canal & River Trust, said: "The number of people opting to license their boats without a mooring on the basis that they will continuously cruise has increased by 37 per cent since 2007 to 4,400. Most enjoy the waterways and use their boat `bona fide' for navigation in the spirit of the legislation. However, our regular boat sightings give us reason to believe that up to half of people opting to continuously cruise are not currently not doing so within the terms of their licence."

The Trust's policy and plans include: · greater clarity for continuous cruisers on how to comply with the licence terms, backed by sufficient enforcement to avoid continued growth of non-compliance; · stronger enforcement of maximum time limits at visitor moorings, including new signage showing a limit of total days per month as well as the maximum stay time for a single visit; · the introduction of extended stay charges to deter overstaying, backed by more frequent site visits by the Trust's enforcement team; and · a strategic role for the Trust's Waterway Partnerships in identifying priority areas for action.

At hot spot locations on the western end of Kennet & Avon Canal and within London, the Canal & River Trust is already discussing local solutions in collaboration with local boaters.

Nationally there will be more focus on validating new applications for boat licences from boaters without a home mooring, and strengthening boater education in respect of boat licence terms and conditions.

Cont.>>

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>>Cont from p10

with our own policy, RBOA urges those who are non-compliant to work with the Trust and RBOA to resolve this issue once and for all.

There is certainly no desire to drive anyone from the inland waterways, only to find a way of us all to work and live together in harmony and within the rules."

Paul Roper, Chairman of IWA's Navigation Committee, comments: "IWA has been concerned about this issue and so welcomes the acceptance by the Canal & River Trust that something needs to be urgently done about the problems caused by non-compliant continuous cruisers, and in fact any one over staying, especially on visitor moorings. We look forward to a prompt resolution of this matter for the benefit of all users, whilst having proper regard to applying sympathetic transitional arrangements for any residential boaters who may currently be in default."

The briefing and policy paper agreed by the Canal & River Trust Council and Trustees at their September meetings is available to view at: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/council-papers.

Simon concludes: "The initiatives being announced are good news for the overwhelming majority of boat owners who should not be deterred from exploring parts of the network currently popular with noncompliant continuous cruisers. It is also good news for those continuous cruisers who, although they may have been long-established and have set up home in a particular area, wish to work with the Trust to comply with the terms of their licence.

"Those who live aboard at their home mooring and those continuously cruising within the spirit of the legislation will not be adversely affected by the new initiatives."

Alan Wildman, chair of the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA), comments: "The Residential Boat Owners' Association welcomes the commitment to tackle the question of non-compliant continuous cruising patterns.

RBOA recognises that Canal & River Trust is making a commendable effort to assist those whose present lifestyle falls outside the present Continuous Cruising licence terms. In line

Lidoline on the Regent’s Canal Y?N studio has proposed if you are tired of public transportation or bored of walking or cycling to work why not try swimming to work along one of London’s canals. The ambitious project was runner-up in the 2012 Landscape Institute Ideas Competition of London organised by the mayor of London. During winter boaters would not be allowed to use the canal as the plan includes having a thin membrane along the entire route promoting it to freeze for iceskating. Being a bit far-fetched, the design has rallied a few criticisms.

Narowboat fire

A narrowboat on the river Lee sank after a fire in the early hours on 12 October. It was around 1.40am that the fire on the narrowboat at Dobb's Weir moorings was reported, and was well alight by the time fire crews arrived. Crews from Hoddesdon, Hertford, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Essex all attended the blaze.

Surrounding boats were moved away as crews tackled the blaze for over an hour. No one was injured but the boat sank just before 2.40am.

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SAFETY BULLETIN TO NARROWBOAT OWNERS NAVIGATING ON THE TIDAL THAMES As issued by the Port of London Authority The hull of the vessel had been completely double plated and the increased weight of this plating had resulted in a reduced safety clearance; with the bottom of the engine room vent being positioned approximately 65mm above the waterline.

With 3 persons positioned on the aft deck the bottom of the engine room air vent became submerged beneath the waterline by 50mm, the resulting down flooding and sinking of the vessel was inevitable.

The following safety lessons should be carefully considered by narrowboat owners before venturing onto the tidal Thames.

1. The tidal Thames is considered to be a Category C waterway, where wave heights of up to 1.2m may be encountered and vessels should be suitably prepared to meet these conditions.

2. Through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets should be positioned as high up as practicable on narrowboats to meet the conditions likely to be encountered. Where through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets cannot be moved to a safe location consideration should be given as to whether the vessel is suitable to navigate on the tidal Thames.

3. Where modifications have been made to a vessel, such as the extensive use of double plating, it is important to check that sufficient safety clearance remains for the vessel to safely navigate in the intended waterway.

4. Lifejackets and other safety equipment should always be provided on board vessels navigating on the tidal Thames and it is strongly recommended that Lifejackets are worn at all times when on deck.

5. When purchasing a vessel it is essential to have a pre-purchase survey undertaken by a competent surveyor ensuring the surveyor is aware of your intended use of the vessel.

12.09.12

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MIDDLESEX MUSINGS Narrow Escape Narrow Escape seems to be one of the most popular names for a narrowboat although not much thinking involved when choosing it. But for the new owner and crew of nb Mini Moo their first trip was indeed a very narrow escape.

As reported on page 4 the new owner and crew took delivery of Mini Moo, boarded and set off across the Thames heading for Limehouse Marina. The boat sank shortly after leaving the lock.

Licences above inflation - again Once again the boat licence fees are going up with an above inflation rise. I’m thinking of re-running the same article about it in the Newsletter every year in order to save time Wouldn’t it be nice if the licensing people realised that boaters can’t pay for the whole canal infrastructure and, just for a change, give them a below inflation increase.

Dream on, bargee!!

Safety lessons

Assuming the reports published are correct then it occurs to me some fundamental safety measures seem to have been forgotten by all those on board. The PLA issued a statement (on page 12) about the safety lessons drawn from the incident.

Extra weight added

Another boat fire

The tidal Thames is no place for a new owner to try out for the first time an oldish narrowboat. What’s more the hull had just been replated, adding about 5 tons to the boat’s weight. The replating procedure is usually accompanied by the removal of an equivalent weight of ballast. It sounds as if the ballast was left untouched resulting in the boat sitting too low in the water.

Once again I report another boat catches fire and totally burnt out. It must have been a quiet night for fire-fighters in the surrounding area; the blaze was attended by crews from Hoddesdon, Hertford, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Essex.

It makes me wonder how the boat managed to sink after only 1 hour. Maybe it was because the five fire crews combined all their hoses on the blaze at once.

Lidoline

I see reports that the Lidoline was awarded the position of runner-up in the 2012 Landscape Institute Ideas Competition of London organised by the mayor of London. If this one was the runner up, sounds like there were only two entries to the competition. I wonder what the winning entry was.

Inland Waterways Association

Terry Liddle Editor.

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LONDON REGION 200 CLUB Rules of the 200 Club 1 Name: The name of the club is "The Inland Waterways Association London Region 200 Club" ("the Club").

2 Object: The object of the Club is to raise funds for "the Inland Waterways Association London Region" ("IWA London").

3 Membership: Membership of the Club shall be limited to 200 persons; each person must be over 18 years of age and a member of the Inland Waterways Association.

4 Officers: The Club shall be administered by three officers appointed annually by the committee of IWA London. The officers shall select one from amongst their number to be responsible for keeping the accounts of the Club and arranging for the payment of prizes and the transfer of surplus income to IWA London. The decision of the officers in any matter relating to the operation of the Club shall be final 5 Subscriptions: The annual subscription to the Club shall be £12 payable either on admission to the club or by monthly payments of £1 paid by standing order. The annual subscription may be paid by cheque or standing order for £12 annually. A member may hold more than one membership of the Club.

6 Prizes: 6.1 A draw shall take place on six occasions in each year. There shall be four prizes in each draw in the amounts of £100, £50, £25 and £25.

6.2 In the event that the membership of the Club is fewer than 200 members in any year the officers shall be entitled to reduce the amounts of the prizes or the number of draws (or both) provided however that the ratio of prize money to subscriptions shall not be affected.

6.3 Each draw will be made by or under the direction of the officers. The results of each draw will be announced in the issue of the journal of IWA London next following the date of the draw.

6.4 Prize winners will be notified in writing of their entitlement to receive a prize and payment will be made by cheque posted to the address shown on the membership form or to such other address as the member may subsequently have notified to the officers.

7 Accounts: The accounts of the Club shall be kept by the Officers and shall be examined annually by a suitably qualified person.

The Officers shall keep a roll of membership and each membership shall be allocated a roll number Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham. HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 *************************************************************************************************************** APPLICATION FORM To the Officers, I wish to become a member of The Inland Waterways Association London Region 200 Club. I have completed and enclose the standing order / enclose a cheque as payment for membership(s) at £12 per year (annual option) or £1 per month (monthly option).

Full Name.............................................................Address................................................... ....................................................................................................Postcode........……...........

Tel (day)...................................................Tel (eve)................................................

Email address ……………………………………………………………………………………

I am a member of the Inland Waterways Association and I agree to be bound by the rules of the London Region 200 Club.

Signed............................................................... Date..................................................

Cheques should be made payable to:- IWA London Region 200 Club Please send completed forms, cheques and standing order mandates to: Vernon Draper, IWA London Region 200 Club 12 Chipperfield Close, New Bradwell, MILTON KEYNES MK13 0EP 01908 312 239.

Email: vernon.draper@btinternet.com

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AND

FINALLY

Proposed dates for our committee meetings for 2013 are given below. Members are welcome to attend. Meetings start at 7.30pm at the Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge UB8 2QX. 22 Jan

26 Mar

28 May

30 Jul

24 Sept

26 Nov

YOUR BRANCH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER PLANNING/NAVIGATION MEMBERSHIP SALES SOCIAL MEETINGS NEWSLETTER PUBLICITY OTHER MEMBERS

Keith Clayton 020 8573 0883 keith_clayton_1955@yahoo.co.uk Robin Bishop 020 8452 2632 robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk Lucy Smith middlesex.treasurer@waterways.org.uk Keith Clayton 020 8573 0883 keith_clayton_1955@yahoo.co.uk Robin Bishop 020 8452 2632 robinebishop@tiscali.co.uk Lucy Smith middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk Terry Liddle 020 8863 2551 middlesex.newsletter@waterways.org.uk Mike Timms 01753 651975 Stephen Bray Michael Phillips

The newsletter welcomes communications from readers. If you have a point to make, a question to ask, or an interesting picture or article worthy of publication send it to us at Middlesex Matters, 39 Hillview Gardens, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 6HJ Email to: middlesex.newsletter@waterways.org.uk.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Terry Liddle

Middlesex Matters is produced using MS Word 2007.

The next publication will be the spring 2013 edition, issue number 31.

The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of its London Region or of its Middlesex Branch. They are however published as being of interest to our members and readers Š IWA Middlesex Branch 2012 The Inland Waterways Association is a charity campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways and is a non profit distributing company limited by guarantee registered in England number 612245 registered as a charity number 212342 whose registered office is at: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham. HP5 1WA. Tel. 01494 783453 http://www.waterways.org.uk

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Kingston Royals dragon boat in the Jubilee Thames Pageant.

Below: Dressed for the occasion, two more participants in the pageant.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a rowing boat. Then at church I realized, God doesn't work that way, so I stole one and asked him to forgive me.

I was in a cafe that serves 'breakfast at any time'. So I ordered french toast during the Renaissance.

I asked a man recently why he was painting his boat whilst standing dangerously on a step-ladder. “I don't get on with my real ladder.�

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For spelling mistakes etc call 0800 121 8735?

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