Navvies 257

volunteers restoring waterways

navvies Spotlight on the

Uttoxeter Canal

waterway recovery group

Issue No 257 February-March 2013

Navvies Production Editor: Martin Ludgate, 35 Silvester Road, East Dulwich London SE22 9PB 020-8693 3266 martin.ludgate@wrg.org.uk Subscriptions: Sue Watts, 15 Eleanor Rd., Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9FZ Printing and assembly: John & Tess Hawkins, 4 Links Way, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 3RQ 01923 448559 john.hawkins@wrg.org.uk Navvies is published by Waterway Recovery Group, Island House, Moor Rd., Chesham HP5 1WA and is available to all interested in promoting the restoration and conservation of inland waterways by voluntary effort in Great Britain. Articles may be reproduced in allied magazines provided that the source is acknowledged. WRG may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated - otherwise WRG and IWA accept no liability for any matter in this magazine.

Waterway Recovery Group is part of The Inland Waterways Association, (registered office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA). The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 612245, and registered as a charity no 212342. VAT registration no 342 0715 89.

ISSN: 0953-6655 Š 2013 WRG

Martin Ludgate

Directors of WRG: Rick Barnes, John Baylis, Mick Beattie, James Butler, Spencer Collins, Christopher Davey, George Eycott, Helen Gardner, John Hawkins, Judith Palmer, Michael Palmer, Jonathan Smith, Harry Watts.

Visit our web site www.wrg.org.uk for page 2

Contents

Martin Ludgate

In this issue...

Above: London WRG and KESCRG try to avoid going off the rails on their Christmas Party dig on the Uttoxeter Canal (see our 8-page Uttoxeter Canal feature on pages 7-14) Left: one of the larger items pulled out of the BCN during last year’s Cleanup. See ‘Coming soon’ on p5-6 for details and a booking form for this year’s Cleanup on the Stourbridge Canal.

Below: ‘Beware of the flowers, because I’m sure they’re gonna get you’ - see our piece on invasive plants on p36-37. Front cover: clearance at Bridge 70, Uttoxeter Canal, on the New Year camp (photo by Martin Ludgate). Back cover, top: Lock 11 on the Basingstoke is renamed Redway Lock by Surrey & Hants Canal Society in memory of our old friend Pete Redway (SHCS) bottom: the amazing Meccano bridge built at Nob End by a team led by Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society volunteers (MBBCS)

Chairman MKP on CRT and ‘comfy camps’ 4 Coming soon Easter camps, Cleanup 5-6 Uttoxeter Feature eight pages on an upand-coming Staffs restoration including WRG Forestery and New Year camp reports 7-14 Food safety and hygiene 15 40 interviews FT’s Clive Alderman and Essex’s John Gale face the questions 16-23 Diary canal camps and weekend digs 24-26 Letters more on this ‘working together’ thing - and why are we doing people’s gardening for them?

27-33 Progress projects around the country34-35 Invasive plants advice on how to deal with foreign flora on your worksite 36-37 Directory WRG and canal societies 38-41 Camp report Cotswold New Year 42-44 Boat Club news from WRG BC 45 Noticeboard 46 Infill with Dear Deirdre 47

Contributions... ...are always welcome, whether handwritten, typed, on CD, DVD or by email.

Photos welcome: digital, slides, prints. Please say if you want prints back.

Digital pics are welcome as email attachments, preferably JPG, but if you have a lot of large files it’s best to send them on CD or DVD or to contact the editor first.

Contributions by post to the editor Martin Ludgate, 35, Silvester Road, London SE22 9PB, or by email to martin.ludgate@wrg.org.uk.

Press date for issue 258: 1 March.

Subscriptions A year's subscription (6 issues) is available for a minimum of £3.00 to Sue Watts, 15 Eleanor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9FZ. Cheques payable to "Waterway Recovery Group" please.

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all the latest news of WRG's activities page 3

safety matter”. Absolutely no recognition that it was a PR own goal and running entirely at odds with both their new approaches of “you tell us how to run the waterway” and “we really want our volunteers to be properly integrated”.

Welcome to 2013 – I guess that the most Anyway I’ve deliberately avoided naming important expectation from any Chairman comment names or even waterways as I hope that it will be in each Navvies is that the question “what are we sorted out soon by someone who realises it’s just doing this year?” will be answered. And that is usually souring the national situation. Best of all it looks like the intention, though it often succumbs to the tempta- the ‘few clever words at a few well-run meetings’ will tion to drivel on about higher concepts, big pictures actually come from the IWA so who knows, there regarding the whole network and suchlike. Of may be life in the old dog yet! Actually that is of course, one of the great things about Navvies is that course rather unfair of me. Here in Navvies we it manages to deal with both, but this time I’ll aim for should definitely applaud the recent increase in IWA the nitty-gritty and not the blue sky stuff. working parties all over the network. Alison Smedley There has been some discussion, continued in is doing great work in getting people actually on the this edition, regarding just what the ‘new’ CRT is towpath repairing things and I can’t recommend too doing. Much has been guesswork based on words highly checking the IWA website, picking up the from either the old BW or the transitional organisation. phone, dusting off your boots and getting involved.

Neither of those is really very satisfactory for getting a Aha: it’s finally happened – I have actually got real answer out of them. BUT it’s been a while now: to talking about definite details, wellies on the ground, Trustees are in place; policies have been worked out; real work, etc. So what are we doing this year? Well staff and departments have been re-arranged; business much more of the same really. While there seems to plans have been approved. So now should be the time be so much interest in what we might consider for CRT to provide a clear vision on what volunteers peripheral activities it seems only sensible to concenmean to them. So I have asked them, and Caroline trate on making a real success of the core stuff we do Killeavy has agreed to write an article for the next so well. So we have a great set of Canal Camps, our Navvies giving just that. Not vague hopeful words training events look good: we already have a decent with disclaimers but a real insight into what the CRT agenda for our Leader Training day and the Training community engagement business plan says; what are weekend is going to include some very big bendy their actual priorities and how do they think it will affect toys. The Regional groups are also doing well and anyone who currently volunteers on waterways? have got some great work on great sites lined up.

Still on CRT (and nearly making it to practical One area we are interested in putting a bit of details) is that I have to declare a conflict of interest. As effort into are the twin areas of ‘Family Camps’ – a member of CRT Council (the volunteering rep) I have where you can bring children and the activities might had to sign official documents from DEFRA saying (to be arranged to suit both the kids and the adults, and paraphrase) that if it all goes belly up then I have to pay ‘Comfy Camps’ - where the work is much like a for it. Now admittedly the amount is limited to £10 so I normal camp but you get a decent bed at the end of leave you to decide just how much I will be influthe day. Both of these ideas are possible but it really enced by this but I thought you should know! does depend on whether they will attract enough You may have noted above that I put new volunteers. So before we put too much effort into CRT in inverted commas as quite a few people seem organising either of these we really do need to know rather sceptical about it really being new at all. So far whether you are interested in either. Please email me I have seen lots of change but recently I encountered or Jenny at Head Office if you are and we will see if a contretemps that reminded me of a very old school it can be progressed further. No obligation yet, we BW. It involved poor communication, wild accusajust want to know the levels of interest. tions, stubborn egos, pissed off volunteers, all the And back to things that are definitely happenusual stuff. And to be frank, from my distant viewing we have picked dates for our Logistics weekends point it looked like a typical skirmish, both sides when we try and clean, repair, rebuild the Canal arguing over something that really didn’t deserve it Camps kits. This year we will be working on the kits and could be sorted out with a few clever words at a in May11/12 and June 1/2nd. More details to follow few well-run meetings, etc. in the next Navvies but if you are handy with a paint But what was most worrying was that, when brush then we’d love to hear from you. escalated to senior levels in our ‘new CRT’, it was One other change for 2013 - I look forward to just the same old regime. Lots of “don’t tell us how meeting you all on a site somewhere this year. to run our waterway”, “we have to make responsible Hugs and Kisses decisions” and even the hint that this “was a health & Mike Palmer

Chairman

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Book now for Easter camps, Training weekend, and the not-quite-the-BCN Cleanup on the Stourbridge Canal and the Fens Branch.

Coming soon Cleanup, training, camps

Easter Camps Our apologies for a slight mix-up about the dates of the Easter canal camps in the ‘Coming Soon’ pages last time. There are, as we said, three Easter camps this year. Camp 201303 is on the Lichfield Canal, running from Friday 29 March to Saturday 6 April. We’ll be woring in Darnford Park on the edge of Lichfield city, where a new length of canal including a set of staircase locks is being created as a way of getting the restored waterway across the A51 and A38 main roads. The work for the camp will include creating the base for the locks and the channel leading up to them, so there will be block-laying, machine operation and scrubclearance, with leaders Martin Thompson and Bob Crow in charge.

Camps 201302 and 201304 are both on the northern reaches of the Lancaster Canal, from 29 March to 6 April and from 6 to 13 April. Paul Shaw and Sarah Ashman are your leaders for the first week, and we’ll be carrying on the work at Stainton, where a 225-metre dry section of canal is being cleared, re-profiled and lined ready to re-water it and connect it up to the existing length that the Canal Trust’s trip-boat is already operating on. You’ll get to work on stonework, vegetation clearance, and earth moving with diggers and dumpers.

Book for these camps via Head Office on 01494 783453 or enquiries@wrg.org.uk.

BCN-ish Cleanup 13-14 April 2013 So why’s it a ‘BCN-ish’ cleanup, not a BCN Cleanup? Well, our annual weekend of throwing grappling hooks into the Birmingham Canal Navigations, pulling out bikes, prams, and whatever other junk we can retrieve is... well... it’s actually not happening on the Birmingham Canal Navigations this year!

But fear not, it’s still happening - it’s just that it’s a couple of miles away on the Stourbridge Canal, which technically wasn’t actually part of the BCN system, although it’s a vital route for boats heading on or off the BCN. We’ve got two lengths to clear: one is a section of the Stourbridge Main Line above the 16 Locks, and an important part of the through route; the other is a little-known and seldom-navigated dead end, the Fens Branch which leads to a nature reserve and a useful mooring - or it would, if it wasn’t so full of rubbish - and that’s where we come in!

The Cleanup is a joint effort between WRG, the local IWA branches, the BCN Society and other local canal groups, and the Canal & River Trust (ex BW) which will be supplying work boats, skips to empty them into, and grappling hooks and gloves for volunteers. And after a slight mixup last year when BW inadvertently cleared some of the worst bits before we arrived, we’re promised some top quality rubbish to pull out this time! In past years we’ve found a coffin, a toilet, a sword, a vacuum cleaner, a kitchen sink, a set of goal posts, sixteen shopping trolleys all still locked together, and a bike that was good enough for the editor to ride home on. What will we find this time?

We’ve arranged overnight accommodation and catering in the historic canalside Blowers Green Pump House owned by the Dudley Canals Trust. Its address is Blowers Green Pumphouse, Peartree Lane, Dudley, DY2 0XP. Full joining instructions will be sent out to anyone who books on for overnight accommodation (booking form overleaf), and lifts can be arranged from the nearest station at Cradley Heath (on the Birmingham to Stourbridge line). Alternatively those who just want to come for the day are welcome to turn up at the signing in point which is expected to be near the top of the Stourbridge 16 locks.

For more details see wrg.org.ug or contact WRG leader Aileen Butler 07703 567764.

In the meantime feel free to fill in the form overleaf and send it in!

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Leader training day 18 May It’s open to experienced leaders, assistants, MUPs, cooks, anyone who wants to find about more about leading, and also local canal society working party organisers - so everyone, really! The Leader Training Day is the main way we get information to our leaders so it’s useful that if you’re thinking about leading a camp this year you can manage to attend. We try really hard to vary the content year on year and make it interesting. Training also goes the other way and there tends to be a lot of feedback and discussion from the leaders themselves on how we can all do things better. Contact Jenny at Head Office on 01494 783453 or jenny.black@waterways.org.uk with your name and any dietary requirements etc if you want to attend.

WRG Training Weekend 22-23 June The summer Canal Camps programme might sound a long way off, but it’s time to start thinking about what training you might need to help you get the best out of the summer camps. Every year we run a training weekend just before the start of the first camp, by which time we’ll have got a good idea of what the work will be, and therefore what skills we’re going to need this year. But in the meantime if you know what you’d like to learn, be it machinery operation (such dumpers or excavators); construction skills (for example bricklaying) or any of the other many subjects from First Aid to cooking that we’ve covered over the years, then the sooner you get in touch and tell us what you want to learn, the more likely it is that we’ll have time to set up suitable training for you.

Contact Ali Bottomley on aliwomble@fsmail.net and tell her what you want to learn!

Coming next: Summer Canal Camps preview Our main summer camps programme gets under way on 29 June with another week on the Lichfield led by Mark ‘MK2’ Richardson and Becky Parr. We’ll have details of that and all the other camps in the early part of the summer in our first Camps Preview article in the next issue of Navvies. In the meantime see wrg.org.uk and the WRG Facebook group for updates.

waterway recovery group

in association with BCNS, CRT and IWA

I would like to attend the 2013 Canal Cleanup on April 13-14 on the Stourbridge Canal Forename:

Surname:

Address: email: Phone:

Any special dietary requirements?

I require accommodation Friday night / Saturday night / both nights I enclose payment of £

(pay 'WRG') for food (£13 for whole weekend)

Do you suffer from any allergy or illness, such as epilepsy or diabetes, about which we should know, or are you receiving treatment or under medical supervision for any condition? YES / NO (If yes, please attach details) In the unlikely event that you should be injured, who should we contact?

Name:

Phone:

Signed: Please send this form to: National Cleanup bookings, WRG, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA

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Spotlight on the Uttoxeter Canal Our eight-page feature on an up-and-coming restoration scheme in Staffordshire begins with a week’s tree felling in October...

Camp report WRG Forestry Camp

until 2013. A rethink and an approach to the Churnet Valley Railway resulted in an agreement to work on the line at Bridge 27 where This may seem a rather formal report it was known that Jackson’s Wood Lock once but Clive has twisted my arm for it, and existed at the top of the railway cutting side. reckons that his Dad may make a useful The challenge presented, though, was team member rather than sitting at home having accessed the railway siding site reading the paper, that’s his biological father through a quarry there followed a 3/4-mile rather than his adopted canal dad (Mr John walk up the line to the worksite - then to get Hawkins)!! So here goes. onto the lock area as trees and scrub existed You would (should) have read in the right down to the permanent way (PW), no last edition of Navvies the Editorial about the lineside maintenance having been carried out Spirit of co-operation and the mention of the for many years. The agreed solution came Churnet Valley where WRG Forestry Team in the form of two PW trolleys which could had been in action. Those with many years be used to transport the brew kit/shelter in Navvies will remember WRG playing a part (most important), chainsaws and tools up in the restoration of the Froghall Basin on the the line; unfortunately though these had to Caldon Canal which is the start of the be manually hauled up the gradient to the Uttoxeter Arm. The local society the Caldon site. It was agreed, as we would be clearing & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, chaired by Julie one side of the embankments to access the Arnold and with Alison Smedley as Work lock site work, to clear the opposite side and Party Organiser, have not been idle since then and have produced an outline feasibility study for the restoration through to Uttoxeter, supported by the local authority – with a plan to create a long distance walking path using the canal towpath where possible in the interim.

Alison contacted coordinator Clive Alderman with a view to doing some clearance work at Bridge 70, near to JCB World HQ (could he get access to play with big boys’ toys?). Unfortunately there is a South Staffs Water borehole adjacent to the site, and permission to WRG FT clear trees from the railway cutting sides fell could not be arranged Clive Alderman

Uttoxeter Canal Camp report WRG Forestry Team October ‘12

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Spotlight on the Uttoxeter Canal the bridge would be done also to improve the sight lines and stabilise the bridge structure.

Accommodation came in the shape of the local cricket pavilion, basic but it had showers!

More importantly it was conveniently adjacent to the three pubs in the village. Very necessary when you’ve arrived and need to find an evening meal on Friday night.

Saturday morning saw us on a short

van ride to site, loading kit onto the trollies and hauling/walking the line to site where the brew tent was erected.

Health & Safety issues had been agreed with the railway prior to occupation. No passenger services ran on this section of line and only occasional stock movements take place. To this end phone contact was made every morning to establish any movements

Caldon & Uttoxeter canals and associated railways

The Story: First on the scene was the Caldon Canal: a branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal opened in 1778 from Etruria in the Potteries to Froghall (where a horse tramway linked the Cauldon Low quarries) with a branch added later to Leek.

Next came the Uttoxeter Canal: an extension of the Caldon from Froghall to Uttoxeter, and not a great success (it was actually only built to stave off plans for a rival canal), opened 1811.

Next arrival was the North Staffs Railway, which bought out the Trent & Mersey in 1845. In addition to its main north-south line through Stoke it built lines from Macclesfield via Leek to Uttoxeter, Stoke to Leek, and Leek to Cauldon Low, closing the little-used Uttoxeter Canal and using part of the route for its line. The other railway lines created routes parallel to the Caldon and Leek Branch and Cauldon Low tramway, taking away much of the canal’s trade.

By 1960 the Caldon Canal was falling derelict – but thanks to the Caldon Canal Society it was restored and reopened in 1974.

Meanwhile the railways had closed to passengers, but the lengths from Stoke to Leek Brook Junction, Leek Brook to Oakamoor, and Leek Brook to Cauldon Low survived for freight trains serving quarries.

These ended in about 1990, but the rails were never taken up.

In the 1990s the Leek Brook to Froghall railway was reborn as the Churnet Valley Railway running preserved steam trains. More recently a partner railway company, Moorlands & City Railway, has been set up with the aim of reopening the Cauldon Low – Leek Brook – Stoke line for quarry freight, and Stoke – Leek Brook – Alton for park-and-ride passenger trains to Alton Towers theme park.

In 2005 the Caldon Canal Society, now the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, with WRG support reopened the first lock and basin of the Uttoxeter Canal at Froghall, and set its sights on reopening through to Uttoxeter.

That means between Froghall and Alton both railway and canal are proposed for opening.

This will be tricky in the places where the two shared a route, but thanks to (a) the fact that it’s a narrow canal (b) the railway only being interested in opening a single track of the original twin-track line and (c) a move towards some useful cooperation between the two organisations, it looks entirely possible. And the current work at Jackson’s Wood is aimed at exploring how to deal with one of those tricky places.

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a Navvies special feature and approximate times, also warning tapes were placed across the line prior to the worksite. On arrival of a train all work was stopped and personnel kept clear of the line before the train proceeded. However they were only too pleased to allow us a tour of the engine and a photocall.

Trees were cut and scrub bashed and the bonfire gangs had their bonfires lit to dispose of the vast amount of brash created.

So lunch time approached and a volunteer was found to freewheel a trolley back to the access point to load up lunch brought to site

by Mitch then haul it back. Work continued till mid-atternoon when the kit was reloaded on the trolleys and we walked the line back to the transport. Returning to base and a welcome shower followed by one of Mitch’s fine dinners which really revived us volunteers, so much so that we felt that it was imperative that we supported the local hostelries and local brewers.

The rest of the week followed much the same pattern – more trees, more brash burnt. The parapet of the bridge looked strange without its vegetation, and people attacking the ivy clinging to the walls had a tough job trying to dislodge it. Julie and Alison visited the site with a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust officer – all part of the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership - and were happy. Friday – more of the same – with more emphasis on tidying up in readiness for the next dig, the London WRG / KESCRG Christmas dig where they would be concentrating on exposing the lock site itself.

The outcome of the week by the group was the satisfaction of a job well done, an improved vista for any photographer specials and a bridge structure stabilised. For the Canal society it’s a step nearer to their long term plans, and working in harmony with the Railway.

Thanks must go to the volunteers with the chainsaws who made such a mess, the support team clearing it up on site, and our catering team back at the accommodation.

Last but not least, our two brave D of E volunteers Kimberly and Ruchir who passed their Gold residential.

Jim Alderman

Some serious aerial forestry work by WRG FT

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Spotlight on the Uttoxeter Canal

Dig report Christmas party dig

The ‘Pirate Ship’ and ‘Chained Oak’ we were told. Some hours of scrub-bashing later, and one could indeed see that there might just have been some kind of ledge meeting up with the side of the cutting.

This being the Christmas dig, we returned to the accommodation (the splendid Whiston village hall) for an excellent Christmas meal (our thanks to the cooks!) with fancy dress and party games based on a ‘fairground and theme park rides’ theme, in recognition of the close proximity to Alton Towers. The Day family won the prize for the best costumes with their Pirate Ship theme, but honorable mention must go to (a) the Smedleys with their entry based on the Chained Oak (complete with hand-outs telling the story) and (b) Bush Baby and Mk2 for their re-creation of the ‘Oblivion’ ride based on the hall’s wheelchair lift - while the sense of vertigo might not have been quite as authentic, the screams certainly were!

Back on site on Sunday and it was an even chillier morning with a white frost, but the bonfires were soon going again. By the end of the day it wasn’t just looking like there was some kind of ledge up the side of the railway cutting, but it could clearly be seen where the canal channel merged with the railway, and it was even possible (without to much stretch of the imagination) to see where Jacksons Wood Lock must have been.

Martin Ludgate Martin Ludgate

WRG Forestry having set the scene with their week’s camp in October, it was then the turn of the London WRG and KESCRG mobile groups to turn up mob handed in early December to take over where they had left off and continue the clearance work.

A chilly morning saw several dozen volunteers arriv at the foot of the quarry incline near Oakamoor and load their kit onto the rail trolleys, which promtly derailed on the crossings, but after a brief lesson in how to work the points they were on their way again and were soon at the worksite at Jacksons Wood.

WRG Forestry had done a good job of clearing the railway cutting sides, but it wasn’t terribly clear exactly where there might have been a canal through the site.

Our job was to to remedy this by uncovering the site of the canal, which approached the railway cutting from a slightly higher level, and merged with it on the approach to a farm bridge over the railway cutting. Or so

Julie Arnold

London WRG & KESCRG Christmas dig

Vague signs of a channel start to emerge

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a Navvies special feature ...finally a week’s camp between Christmas and New Year made more progress at Jacksons Wood and also on a new site near Crumpwood

Camp report Playing Trains at New Year

Uttoxeter Christmas and New Year Camp

variety of hot & cold snacks, very reasonably priced.

We were set two tasks by the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust (CUCT).

Firstly, to continue the good work previously started by WRG Forestry, London WRG and KESCRG at the site of Jackson’s Wood Lock. This is the now infamous site where access is only accomplished by driving through the demolition site that is Moneystone Quarry, to the Oakamoor sidings of the Churnet Valley Railway at the bottom of the disused conveyor slide; followed by a one kilometre walk along the railway track whilst pushing two track trolleys laden with the kit for the day.

Secondly, to establish a platform, under the close scrutiny of South Staffs Water, to carry out forestry tasks at the site of Bridge 70 located within touching distance of Crumpwood Pumping Station.

Pictures by Martin Ludgate

Thursday: Surprisingly the WRG train arrived on time at the quarry and a barrier crossing process was soon established with Tim Philpot, the demolition contractor.

Scrub bashing commenced in earnest with Sarah admirably managing to start a fire, despite her obvious handicap and she had an injured wrist. Soon the bottom of the lock started to appear and although the ground was completely saturated and it rained more often than not, a really good start was made by all.

In the meantime, Paul and Gary went off to meet the chaps from South Staffs Water (SSW) to agree the risk assessments & method statements, decide on an induction process and to flag & address all the main points of the operation.

Viv, Jason and Emma joined us for dinner as did Laurence, after he eventually Wednesday: Approximately 90% of volun- managed to find an escape route from a car teers arrived on the first day constituting a park he somehow got stuck in for two hours better than expected Boxing Day Service. The – don’t worry, we didn’t understand it either! settling in, timetable and administration process was soon completed and preparaFriday: Chainsaw Ian arrived and this sigtions were made for the first day on site. nalled the start of the Bridge 70 forestry Chef Gorgeous George (it’s an ironic nickteam: Ian and Paul on chainsaw duty, Sarah name) explained that he would be providing acting as lookout and Lynda, Daniel & Emma a buffet car style luncheon, served directly clearing brash and storing logs. The aim was from the trolley and consisting of a wide to clear all the trees and scrub away from the

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Spotlight on the Uttoxeter Canal bridge to facilitate a future survey in order to establish its structural condition. The canal was full of water and the rain didn’t let up for long. The pumping station was in full use supplying nearby Uttoxeter and the weir was a raging torrent.

Back at Jackson’s Wood and with the addition of three extra volunteers, significant progress was made despite the seemingly continuous rain and endless mud.

Saturday: Phil and Martin both joined the team and this enabled some serious bow saw work to commence at the By the end of the camp Bridge 70 was uncovered for all to see... main site. A second fire was necessary as the scrub piled up and Sleeper Dave had a close shave with rush hour: the 15.35 SAD service from one of them – nothing seriously burnt that a Oakamoor Sidings to Whiston Village Hall is trip to the barbers wouldn’t fix. terminating here, all change please!

At Bridge 70, the tirfor winch was in Basically, there was a technical fault in full use as trees were felled and dragged the engine compartment and a replacement across the canal for logging. bus service was urgently needed. The passengers walked up the conveyor and through the quarry to wait for the bus whilst Pete, Sunday: Ian switched to the main site as chainsaw requirements mounted up there, Phil and Adrian stayed with the stricken whilst Sue, Andy, Peter and Evelyne comengine. Unfortunately, their valiant efforts to pleted their fourth full day of hard graft in resolve the problem failed and the in-house the lock. maintenance vehicle [i.e. Gary’s truck] was Laura, Ellie and Martin swapped sites deployed to recover the engine back to the and moved to Bridge 70 for the final day accommodation. there. The last remaining trees were cut Spirits remained high and the evening’s down and the whole site was left clean and entertainment consisted of table tennis foltidy as planned. Offending branches were lowed by a well-earned pub trip. removed to make the public footpath less hazardous and the “grasscrete” was revealed Monday: The purple fairy arrived for the from the mud so that the hard standing area last 5 minutes on site [an annual tradition] was more easily identifiable for the turning and all operatives cracked on with getting as SSW vehicles. much done as possible on the final day. A Meanwhile back at Jackson’s Wood, shuttle service was in temporary operation to shunt driver Adrian made an unexpected ferry passengers to and from the accommoannouncement right in the middle of the dation and miraculously it stopped raining waterway

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recovery

group

Caldon &

Uttoxeter

Canals

a Navvies special feature for most of the morning. All the logs were either moved to the required storage location or new habitat piles were created. Tree stumps were trimmed down and made safe and local Julie took the obligatory team photo and washed all the hi-viz tabards good effort.

A half day was declared due to restricted availability of showers and this allowed time for all the kit to be cleaned, checked and packed safely in the trailer.

A sumptuous new year’s dinner was prepared and served by George and Sue consisting of ...and a distinct dip in the ground showed where Jacksons Wood Lock was several roast options, ten types of veg and an assortment of desnext year! serts – fabulous.

Many thanks to everyone who attended, Julie and Steve from the CUCT and Tim helped and contributed, to make the camp so from the quarry all joined us for dinner and successful. stayed for the arrival of 2013.

The Jackson Wood site was moved on Martin, our esteemed editor, prepared considerably and SSW were very pleased and presided over the now traditional Christ- with our efforts, so we have successfully mas Quiz, which this year consisted of a paved the way for future visits. picture round of 20 different WRG sites active in 2012, 20 questions on the year Finally, did you manage to spot all of the 2012 and 20 questions on the obligatory 30 railway industry related words and railway theme – fantastically entertaining as phrases that were deliberately included in usual. this report? See page 47 for the official list.

Gary Summers & Pete Fleming Tuesday: New Year’s Day required an earlyWordsearch words provided by ish start as there was a lot to do. Catering Miss Amy Howarth kit, personal kit and housekeeping all done and homeward bound by 11.30 - see you all Trust

Churnet

Valley

Railway

M&CR

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Spotlight on the Uttoxeter Canal KESCRG / London WRG party weekend – who last celebrated here during the Froghall restoration when eerily the theme was UnWelcome back to the Churnet Valley WRG! derground Stations. This year the topics mainlined, with theme park rides inspiring a On 23 July 2005 we celebrated the re-open- number of Ghost Trains. (Though it was a Pirate Ship that triumphed!) ing of the first lock and basin of the The New Year was welcomed in with Uttoxeter Canal together at Froghall. Seven years on and lots of “behind the scenes” railway inspired fancy dress, Emma’s being just the ticket – collected from every one of work later, the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals her 2012 train journeys (See below), though Trust (CUCT) now has an outline feasibility study plus some Heritage Lottery Funding none from the line to Jackson’s Wood!

To which end, the train about to depart linked to working with lots of kindred organifrom platform… more news of a special sations on a variety of Churnet Valley Living Landscape projects - and is delighted that so railway journey to Jackson’s Wood lock shortly! many WRG friends old and new have visited Thank you. in the last few months as we embark on the Julie Arnold next phase of restoration of the Uttoxeter Chairman Canal.

Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust Thank you to all who led, assisted, cooked, undertook logistics and came to dig “up the line, down the Churnet Valley” on all the work parties since last October - from old hands to new blood and the D of E-ers on their first residentials.

Thanks again also from the volunteers of the Churnet Valley Railway. At the AGM of their North Staffs Railway Company, shortly after Forestry’s camp, they said a first public “Thank You” to the expert arborist volunteers who began the work on the vegetation that was overtaking the Jackson’s Wood railway bridge and lock site. WRG were also mentioned as being a subsidiary of the “British Waterways Association”, an eerie slip! I clarified the canal and river situation, explaining that it is “Inland Waterways…” with Tom Rolt being the visionary engineer IWA and heritage railways have in common!

In addition to all the work on site at Jackson’s Wood and Bridge 70 that has been achieved, much useful expert advice has also been provided: from dormouse habitat creation to PWay Hut roofing solutions - plus lots of engineering diagnostics! Thank you, the information has been noted and it will all help to get things done in the future.

Meanwhile, the festive season featured some innovative “Magic & Sparkle” back at the accommodation. Whiston Village Hall’s Emma’s costume for train theme New Year party Christmas decor appeared in time for the Julie Arnold

And finally...

Thank you from the Locals

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“We have never had any reported cases of food poisoning via Environmental Health from our cooking but if we did – would our systems stand up?”

Cooking ...and food safety

Cooks, Cooking and Food Safety The great thing about being a WRG cook is that it does feel like cooking for a big group of mates with the best bit being that they generally like your food and then do the washing up afterwards. The one thing we haven’t seriously considered and documented is food safety.

Health and safety on site has been a part of what WRG do ever since the year dot.

It has had to develop over time to meet regulations, insurance requirements and individual site requirements so that we no longer trip over the first aid box whilst giving the Health & Safety talk on site but have a detailed considered DVD followed by a site specific talk.

Like site safety, we really need to consider food safety in more detail too. We have never had any reported cases of food poisoning via Environmental Health from our cooking but if we did – would our systems stand up in court, or would WRG have to pay out a big fine?

Whilst many cooks have some sort of food hygiene training and have had for several years, and many cooks generally have good hygiene skills and put them to use in the camp kitchen, we haven’t always considered all of the other factors that come with a camp – like having standard operating procedures to deal with, say, people that have been brickying all day or are covered in mud – then come and helpfully wash up still wearing site clothes.

See what I mean?

A group of cooks, logistics people and some wannabe cooks have had their heads together at various times over the year and discussed many aspects of cooking. These went right through from “is there a kitchen or do we have to build one (again)?” to “will our big grundy tins fit in that domestic cooker?” (no), to hygienic design of kitchen utensils (I hate wooden spoons!), to catering for people with specific dietary likes, dislikes, lifestyle choices and allergens, to working out how to easily keep an eye on fridge and cooking temperatures so that it would minimize the chance of food poisoning, satisfy Environmental Health if they ever popped in but not make it feel like a major chore to the person in charge of the food.

To this end, a small trial was run over the summer camps last year where several cooks used some of the procedures and paperwork we had put together and some slightly different equipment was bought and used.

So from this year’s season of camps, there is going to be a file of useful and food safety based paperwork for whoever is going to do the cooking.

There is also going to be an updated cooks handbook (see separate article, page 45) to help all cooks, old and new and information about passing food on to the next camp so that the Beast of a Food Box does not end up with 33Kg of spaghetti or 22 jars of garlic puree.

If any cooks or potential cooks want to see some of what we have been doing, let me know via my new WRG cooking email address below and can give you access to the procedures and information that we have done so far.

Of course, this does not stop you toasting cheese sandwiches on kebs or marshmallows on twigs over the site bonfires because you are big enough and ugly enough to look after yourselves!

Viv Day wrgcooking@gmail.com

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WRG at 40

“So many people prepared to get so dirty and so wet; and everybody enjoying themselves – it was just fabulous!”

– Audrey Smith on Ashtac

Forty views for forty years

40 Views for 40 Years Interview number 29 took me on a day trip to Essex (as did 30 in fact – same day too) to catch up with Clive Alderman. Best known these days for brandishing a chainsaw, Clive’s been digging for years and was happy to tell us about the days when a bowsaw was the most he was allowed.

Q: How and when did you first get involved with canal restoration?

A: It was all my brother’s fault: Garry Alderman. He’d done his Gold Duke of Edinburgh with Ian [Williamson] and Brian [‘Ernie’] Hearne and had such a lovely time he came home raving about it. At that time I was a volunteer on the Bluebell Railway Steam Preservation Society, working up there since I was 16. He said come and try this canal digging lark – we turn up, we get drunk, we go home again and in between we do a bit of work. I thought I’d give it a whirl, that was May Bank Holiday 1990 and I’m still doing it.

The first dig was on the Droitwich working at the Ladywood Lock outside Bill’s house doing work there - reinstating the towpath, brick laying – a KESCRG weekend. The next dig after that was the National at Gloucester. Turning up very late Friday night, walked into the bar (we were using the rugby club as accommodation) about 5 to 11 and said “What time do you stop serving?” He said “when you stop drinking”. The rest of the weekend was a bit messy I think. I remember being introduced to AJ (Mr Jervis) and Mike Palmer. I think the next dig was on the Basingstoke finishing off before one of the many openings.

Q: What motivated you to go back after that first weekend?

A: It was a good laugh - it gets in under your skin. You ask every navvy and they can all give you umpteen reasons but at the end of the day it’s that you enjoy the company, you enjoy the beer and it’s a good craic. You play hard and you work hard.

The Steam Preservation is same place, same thing, different weekend. The advantage with the canal restoration is different place, different people, different weekend. Moving round the country you get to see different bits you’ve never been to; trying different beers and working with different people every weekend.

With the way life moves I ended up working with Graham Robinson [‘Sparky’] and Tenko [The late Dave Johnson]. Back in ’91 at the Big Dig I remember watching them and thought ‘I wouldn’t mind having a go at that’. But that was with NA [Navvies Anonymous] – back then they were the real bad boys and of course Uncle Mick Beattie with his bottle of Pernod. You’d just go “morning Mick” and carry on.

Q: It was KESCRG weekends you did originally?

A: Yep – cut me in half and read ‘KESCRG’, back then. Ended up doing that and then doing the week camps with KESCRG. The Droitwich mainly – I joined just when the Basingstoke had finished. We were travelling up and down to the Droitwich most Bank Holiday weekends. The challenge was to get to the Little Chef on the A40 before it shut – those were the days before the M40 had opened. Then get to the Railway Inn before last orders.

The highlight of the year was the National [Festival]. 1990 was Gloucester, then it was Dudley. I took a fortnight off for that – it was a really, really good National. Everything went really well, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it was good entertainment. One of the things we did was we hid Mike Palmer’s Citroen BX in the accommodation tent – it took him a little while to find that. The following year was Wakefield –

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that was just horrendous [because of the weather and the mud]. It was the National that WRG saved, but the beer tent was rubbish. ’93 was Peterborough and my brother was leader for, that so I helped out being sort of deputy – he and Ken Blackman were the two leaders.

I then got involved in the IWA side, in the organising side. ’94 was back at Waltham Abbey and by then I’d moved to London [from Shoreham]. The Brian Saunders era. The meetings were no good – the best thing to do was to go to the pub before the meeting and you learnt everything that was happening and then I used to go home! I ended up being Trevor Ede’s assistant – site services.

Q: Were you a member of the IWA? A: No – it was because I lived locally to the abbey and Mitch and I think Jude had put themselves forward for leading that year and I hadn’t really got the confidence to do it. Although I’d assisted a couple of Christmas camps with Mark Scoble and then when Mark had had enough of leading them I led them. ’94 was obviously Waltham Abbey but also, somehow, I can’t remember how, I put myself forward for leading WRG’s first ever overseas camp in Ireland - working on the Ulster Canal at a place called Benburb. I led, CJ assisted me for the first week. Then Andy Hubbard and Darryl Foster were the leaders for the following week. It was quite entertaining cos my instructions for the site was “meet the local guy called Erskine Holmes on site on the Friday night, here’s the ferry tickets”. I said “Can I have two vans?” “Yep no problem”. We co-ordinated everyone to be picked up from the M6 services for those coming from the north – I was coming from London with a van and trailer and we picked everyone up and met at Holyhead. Stevo was there – Mr Accordion, Just Jen [Jen Leigh] came, Chris ‘Windscreen’ [Spencer] came for the second week. Thorpey [Alan Thorpe] was there. That was when we had the first WRG phones then – they were bricks.

It was really good but we weren’t allowed to drive any plant or machinery over there because of union rules and insurance. We cleared the lock chamber, in and around the Benburb Linen Mill. We went there for two years – on the third year I couldn’t go I’m sure it was Just Jen and Rhys [Jones] who led and they went down to Clones working on one of the canal bridges down there clearing off all the ivy.

Q: What was different about being in Ireland?

A: Silly question – the Guinness. I didn’t realise the way of life over there is “what you don’t do today will happen next week”. Fortunately the guys we were working with were pretty on the ball. There’s no point in going to a pub in Ireland until 11 o’clock at night because otherwise you’ll be sitting there on your own. The first night we got there for 8 o’clock as normal and sat there getting slowly sozzled – sorry – drinking responsibly. Getting to 11 and “we’d better go, we’ve got a day on site tomorrow”. At about five to eleven, all these people started coming in to the pub with music instruments. The pub just went from being dead to being the liveliest place I’ve ever been.

Q: What about other canal camps - did you do them?

A: Not really. Mainly did Christmas ones. Somehow I ended up doing quite a few Christmas camps on the run - 4 or 5 on the trot. I did the millennium camp for 2000 down on the Thames and Severn. The last Christmas camp I did was in 2004 on the Basingstoke with Mr Redway. We started Christmas Eve and went right through – I think it ended up being a fortnight. We stayed at a brand new village hall near Fleet.

The builder handed the key to the hall to the contracts manager. The contracts manager then turned round and gave them to Pete Redway who then turned round and gave them to me and we walked in.

That was where we were felling trees with bowsaws (I hadn’t got into me chain sawing then). We were told there were no boat movements on the canal and we hadn’t dropped any trees. We ended up dropping these two trees across the canal and just as the second tree hit the floor you heard this distinct donk donk donk as the boat came round the corner: a frantic five minutes.

Q: Did Tenko (Dave Johnson) and Sparky (Graham Robinson) – did they form WRG Forestry then?

A: No – they were just part of NA [Navvies Anonymous] at that point. It wasn’t until after NA had worked its way out of the system. Because of the work Graham and Tenko had done on the Wey and Arun work down there – they used to run their Christmas camp down there and also an Easter camp. They used to go down and clear the line of the canal and they sorted of ended up working just themselves. I can’t really remember how I ended up being involved, getting dragged along with The Forestry – then it was just Tenko and Sparky. I remember we ended up, (myself, Tenko, Alison and Sparky) we went down to the AA

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(Arboricultural Association) Show at Cirencester. We went to the show on the Saturday and did work on the Sunday so we could swing the accommodation down there. We were sitting in the pub near Saul and we said ‘we might as well make ourselves official’ and we were batting ideas around. Su Webster was the other main stalwart. We went from there and ended up being WRG Forestry Team and then carried on bumbling around doing work. Graham had the time to go off and do a lot more training and so did Tenko. They got into climbing and they encouraged me to do my basic chainsaw training. WRG were doing grants and I passed my exam.

Q: What was the idea of that group?

A: The same as it is now: to supply a service to the canal restoration movement to help move projects

Alan Lines

forward. We’re a cheaper option than a commercial contractor. Any canal society – we will go anywhere as long as they’re happy to cover the cost of one of our vehicles to tow all the gear and the consumables on site and that’s what we work to now. Even though WRG Forestry is a million miles from what Graham or Tenko ever saw or ever wanted it to be. Initially it was just going to be a tight group who worked to the professional standards. What we do now is work to as high a standard if not better.

One of the major jobs that forestry did which was unfortunately just at the end of Tenko’s life was Foxton Inclined Plane. We worked hand in hand with British Waterways which was very alien to WRG. We were clearing the bottom half of the plane for BW at minimal cost which enabled them to put money elsewhere into the project i.e. the viewing gantry that’s now there.

It’s what’s happening now with CRT, every pound that volunteers can save they can put back into other projects volunteers can’t do where they need specialist contractors. That’s how I see it. I just hope we can work with CRT, rather than CRT sponging WRG dry for all their knowledge and expertise and going “Cheers! Thanks for all that!” and then shut the door. That’s my only scary thing about getting too far down the line with CRT. Underneath CRT is still British Waterways [chuckles].

Favourite site: Nynehead Aqueduct, Grand Western Only time will tell.

Q: After Tenko’s death forestry came to a bit of a natural lull – but the last couple of years forestry has really expanded.

A: I’m just as surprised as you. Interviewer: I’m not surprised. Clive: Well I am surprised.

After Tenko’s passing Graham obviously mourned. We carried on a little bit but Graham disappeared into the ether for a good few years. Myself, I carried on plodding on, then Martyn Worsley came along as well so that became the two of us. We just carried on being WRG Forestry and then for some reason it just gathered momentum and we’ve become quite a formidable force. The digs on the Grand Western, clearing Nynehead Lift, we ended up using nine chainsaws there. Through WRG funding we’ve now managed to get a few people to the next size qualification allowing us to deal with any size tree that we need to. Lessons that we’ve learnt at Nynehead mean we’ve moved on an awful long way and we’ve been working on projects such as the junction of the Wey and Arun and the River Wey. We’ve saved the Wey and Arun a good few thousand pounds and I’ve found out at the weekend that because of what we’ve done they’ve managed to save enough money to dredge the head of the island out in March – once we’ve finished felling the trees. That’s moved a lot quicker than they’ve ever hoped.

Q: You’ve done quite a bit of work at Froghall? [Caldon/Uttoxeter Canal] A: That was 2002/03 – Froghall was another British Waterways hand in hand scenario. It was the archetypal muddy ditch with Graham and Tenko clearing the trees. This October camp [2012] we were on the Uttoxeter again, we went and had a look and it looks really good up there.

Q: Is it just forestry you do now?

A: I haven’t got time to do anything else. Fortunately due to my wife’s support – who’s a wonderful

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woman. [adds: ‘we can edit it out later!’] By the time we’ve got over one weekend, because of my work and that, it’s time for the next dig. I do miss going to the Nationals because that’s a different kettle of fish but they’re not the same as they used to be.

Q: What are you most proud of about your involvement?

A: Having the best group of people behind me. If there was only me there would be no team. People like Martyn Worsley, Nigel Lee, Paul Shaw, Ben Tingay and of course my wife Jo – she sorts all the catering out. That’s why I call myself the coordinator – I’m not the leader I just coordinate things. I’m very proud of them all.

Q: What would you say WRG was good at

Inspiration: Dave ‘Tenko’ Johnson at Froghall

and what is their greatest achievement?

A: Getting pissed!! The greatest achievement within WRG is still to be going and having the core people to motivate to get 115 people out for a weekend as with the 2012 Reunion. You can list the Over projects, the Jubilee Junction, but WRG’s greatest achievement is every single brick that we lay. The volunteers are their greatest achievement – we have some weird and wonderful people within the group and every single one of them needs a pat on the back.

Q: What’s WRG not so good at?

A: WRG have come on leaps and bounds with their communication. When I did the camp back in ’94 all I had was minutes from a meeting between Neil Edwards and Erskine Holmes discussing vaguely what they wanted done and that was it. No risk assessment, no method statements, no contacts. I was handed the ferry tickets and told ‘see you in a fortnight’ basically. The backup for the camp leaders has improved. I think what WRG wasn’t very good at has improved.

Q: Has anyone inspired you?

A: The main two people Graham Robinson and David Johnson. I wouldn’t be doing what I am now with Forestry without them. It was encouragement. Those two are the main people I was aspiring to be vaguely like.

Q: Do you have a favourite derelict canal?

A: Anywhere I can cut trees down. One of the ones I do like working on is the Sussex Ouse. Every bit of canal’s got its own lovely bit. I love working down on the Grand Western as well, down at Dennis’ at Nynehead lift. I’ve lost track of how many weeks we’ve been down there – and the weekends. The long weekends started with eight of us, then it went to 16 and the last weekend we had down there, there were 27 of us.

This year we had the October camp on the Uttoxeter which was great because we were working on the canal / railway, exposing the line of the canal right on top of the railway. That’s great in its own little right.

Q: What’s the most useful skill you’ve learnt and who taught it to you?

A: Ooh now let me think [sarcastically]. It’ll be using my chainsaw.

Q: Do you have any do classic ‘Do you remember the time when...’ stories?

A: Apart from yours... There are so many cherished memories it’s hard to pick one out. I had my 21st birthday at Little Venice, Cavalcade and Josie [Fisher] made me my birthday cake; Thomas the Tank Engine - bless her. The Hard Hat Cafe at the Nationals, her and Ms Burchett [Sue]. And the classic one was the vegetarian soup. She come on with site with the soup and said “don’t stir the soup, vegetarians first ’cos the meat’s sunk to the bottom”. It was something like that but not necessarily in that order.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

A: I’d like to thank the WRG Board for having the faith in the Forestry team to keep letting the IWA continue to finance us and do our insurance. The continuous investment in us and may it continue. It’s good – I’m a happy bunny.

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John Gale – number 30. A stalwart of Essex and a former employee of the IWA but an unusual relationship with canal restoration initially given just how active he’s been over the last 20 years.

Q: You joined IWA in 1969 – how did you find out about them?

A: It was either a late Christmas present or an early birthday present I

Adrian Crow

was never sure which. My aunt who, at the time, was partner in a boat hire firm suddenly joined me – that was it. I hadn’t heard about IWA before that, this membership just sort of turned up.

I was a non-active member for quite a long time and then London and Home Counties branch was having a rally at Chelmsford and looking for volunteers and I sort of stupidly put my hand up. Before I knew it I was trade show organiser for the event. After we had the rally, the final rally committee meeting we pulled ourselves into the Chelmsford section of the London branch. It was all very democratic – we divided the jobs up amongst ourselves. A few months later there was the reorganisation, we became a branch in our own right. I was the first treasurer but I resigned after a year because I then started work for the IWA and really I was the one writing to treasurers and it seemed it would be a bit awkward. I coerced a friend into joining the committee and becoming treasurer.

Q: What prompted you to work for them?

A: I got talking to John [Dodwell] at one event, they’d advertised in the Bulletin that they wanted a part time bookkeeper for the sales company and in passing I said “if it had been a full-time job I’d have been interested” and thought no more about it. Suddenly I got a phone call some months later saying “it’s now fulltime are you interested?” I went up for an interview which didn’t really cover bookkeeping in the slightest, it was mainly on my canal knowledge and I got the job. I started 5th November 1973. 5 [staff] including me and John Dodwell as general secretary.

Q: Where was head office?

A: Regents Park Road.

Q: What can you remember of those early days?

A: The first couple of months were really chaotic because we had the one big room and one little room – we also had the Christmas cards in there so I couldn’t actually get my knees under my desk. We had doctors’ surgeries downstairs but luckily they moved out beginning of the next year and we expanded into them which gave us a little more space.

Ken Goodwin the national treasurer, in conjunction with the auditors, decided that WRG really needs to be a limited company and I got asked to form the company – which I did. It was easier if I was secretary so I could sign all the paperwork rather than send it off to get it signed. I had every intention of resigning once it was up and running but when I resigned they didn’t accept it so I stayed as secretary. It was basically just taking the minutes and I also I was responsible for making sure the vans were taxed and insured.

Q: Who was WRG Board at that time?

A: There wasn’t one – it was still Graham Palmer running things. When the company was formed Graham decided to take a back seat, he was a director, Alan Jervis became chairman. You had people like Harry Arnold as one of the directors, Mike and Roger Day, I can’t remember them all now.

Q: What were WRG committee meetings like in those days?

A: The board was fairly structured but then you had the committee afterwards - all the various groups had an input there and they were much more free and easy. You never knew quite what direction it was going to go in. I mean, there was an agenda but it didn’t actually do a lot.

Q: When did you leave the IWA [as an employee]?

A: ’93.

Q: When did you first get involved with canal restoration?

A: I suppose the first connection with it was at the 1970 Guildford National Rally when I saw the WRG

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stand. I can’t remember if I subscribed to Navvies then or not but I did soon after. I had boated down there, it was the second one I’d attended, I went to the Birmingham National first. WRG was one of the stands – it was their inaugural stand.

Soon after IWA Chelmsford Branch started we had a working party on a restoration scheme – they obviously didn’t really want us there and we had to hunt out coke cans and bury them. I think we were all put off canal restoration for a long time.

Later, many years later, I went to the Wantage Big Dig and that’s what really hooked me - I haven’t looked back since.

Q: How did you find out about the Big Dig? A: It was in Navvies and also, at the time, I was secretary of the Waterway Recovery Group and so I knew about it from Board meetings. Since I hadn’t been to a restoration for 10/15 years I thought maybe I ought to go.

The main thing that sticks in my memory is that there were about 12 of us moving a tree out of the water – it was one of the bits with water in. You know how mud grabs hold of your wellies and holds on, well I couldn’t move me legs and the tree kept on moving so I had to sit down. It was a choice of cold wet backside, or a hot wet backside if I warmed it at the fire – most uncomfortable.

I started going out with London WRG for a couple of years. I was back on the IWA Chelmsford Branch committee, Doug Beard joined the committee and decided that we would restore Springfield Basin, Springfield Lock in Chelmsford. We’d published a report some years earlier, everybody had said “what a good idea” and then done absolutely nothing about it. So Doug decided that the only way was for us to do it – I think we all thought he’d got a pipe dream really. We had no money, no expertise but he could talk almost anybody into anything. He raised the money and it was restored – the Chelmer and Blackwater. That was ’93 – the spring.

Q: Tell me a little more and the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation and the restoration of that A: It’s just over 200 years old, Springfield Basin and final lock had been vandalised in about ’74/’75 and

Harry Arnold

the company hadn’t bothered to restore it. I think they really would have liked to fill it in and sell it as building land. Doug persuaded - I think it was the National Rivers Authority in those days - to dredge it. They had a little left over in their budget. We never did discover how much it cost them but it was a hell of a lot more than they had left over. We did the lock in slightly adverse conditions ’cos the company weren’t exactly helpful. The outer skin of brick work had been repaired at some stage and hadn’t been tied back in to the inner one. So there was brickwork, mud, brickwork and it was sort of bulging. We took out the outer skin of brickwork. The company wanted us to do it without taking the coping stones off but we just said “there’s no way” and they eventually gave in. We eventually restored it, the vice Lord Lieutenant came and opened it and it’s still in use.

It has had a repair since because there’s a spring in the bottom of the lock and when the spring isn’t springing the water drains out of the lock through it. A few years back there were quite a number of times when the basin emptied itself; it’s fed from the river which is on the same level but when whoever built a new shopping centre, a lot of it was piped and we’ve kept trying to get a grill fitted at the end. One time I went up there with Colin, the navigation manager, and we found six Argos catalogues blocking it up - a waterlogged Argos catalogue is extremely heavy.

About 10 years ago the original company went into administration and we tried to get Chelmsford Council, Maldon Council, Essex County Council, BW, Environment Agency – anybody we could think of to take it over and they all said “what a good idea – we haven’t got any money”. Apart from the Environment Agency who said they’d chain all the lock gates open and use it as a flood Guildford 1970, where WRG (and John’s interest) began relief channel. So IWA formed Essex

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Waterways Limited and we now run it. The Company of Proprietors is still in existence because the right of navigation is enshrined with them.

Q: So you’re quite active now with that?

A: I spend most Tuesdays and Wednesdays there. In the summer it’s mainly mowing; we’ve got 14 miles of towpath to mow. In the winter it varies – this last week, on Tuesday we went up to Rickett’s Lock to remove a load of bits of tree that had come down in the floods. Wednesday we were going to go and get some reeds out – they were narrowing the channel a bit too much but the ice was too thick. We cleared a bit of a footpath – cut brambles back for the rest of the day. It’s mainly maintenance, painting, mowing, whatever needs doing.

Q: WRG have canal camps there?

A: Yes, this year they were repairing the brickwork on one of the weirs – it’s not something you can do in two days a week, you’ve got to do it as a blitz.

Q: What’s the locals’ opinion of the waterway and how’s it run?

A: The boaters, I think on the whole, approve of what we’re doing. Obviously they moan but boaters do moan. The locals, when they see the magic word “volunteer”, because we’ve got various signs that say “volunteers helping to maintain”. They say “ooh – volunteer – you’re doing a lovely job”. If we didn’t have those we’d be council workmen “sitting drinking tea again”.

Q: Doug Beard – he died about a year ago – what was his involvement in the restoration?

Q: He was ringleader basically. We’d issued this report Springfield Basin and Beyond which was Roy Chandler and myself and the first we’d heard of Doug was he wrote in to say “what a good report”. Then he got onto the committee (as did Molly, his wife) and decided that we ought to restore Springfield basin and set about writing probably thousands of letters, getting the grants in and persuading people to give us permission.

We cut down 22 oak trees in Gernon Bushes, which is basically an offshoot of Epping Forest – had a portable sawmill at the end of the track that cut them roughly to size. Our friendly builders’ merchants transported them from there to Papermill Lock where they were converted into lock gates. Unfortunately they had to buy one bit of timber because one of the trees had some rot in the middle. The trees belonged to Essex Wildlife Trust, it was a hornbeam wood and they were pollarding the hornbeams and the oaks were shading them. They were going to have them down anyway and going to sort of use them for firewood. We took them down for them, I think we gave them a fairly hefty donation – but nothing like the amount we would have had to pay if we were buying the oak. Subsequently Doug took some oak trees down for the restoration of Narrowboat Raymond.

Q: What hooked you about canal restoration?

A: I suppose to a certain extent it was putting something back into the canals – they’d given me a lot of pleasure and this was repaying them.

Q: Where did Essex WRG come into it?

Springfield Basin. We had our final meeting after it had been reopened and it was a question of did we all pack up, go home?

Did we become just a working party on Chelmer and Blackwater? Did we form

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Martin Ludgate

A: That was after we’d finished

Favourite: Wilts & Berks. Chaddington Lock opening, 2005

another Essex group? Did we form an independent group like KESCRG? And although one or two people didn’t want to go further afield the consensus was form a WRG group, which we did and we’re still going.

Q: Who were the founder members?

Myself, Doug, Dave Dobbin, Bob Crow – they were the main ones.

Q: A lot of the regional groups have individual characteristics – is there anything particular about Essex WRG? A: We seem to do more of the green stuff, the hedge laying, scrub bashing. Whereas people like London do a lot of bricklaying, we do the jungle bashing.

Q: Have you ever been on a canal camp?

Q: Not as such. I got hijacked as a useful local for one of the Chelmer and Blackwater camps so I went every day but I was actually staying here.

Q: What great achievements has WRG done?

A: Opening a lot of waterways, especially some of the impossible ones. Even knowledgeable people were saying Huddersfield, Rochdale were impossible and we shouldn’t waste resources on them. There they are - open.

Q: What’s WRG good at?

A: It enthuses people. Although it tries to hide it, it’s fairly well organised - it doesn’t like to be seen to be well organised. And of course it’s got the equipment and the expertise.

Q: What’s WRG not so good at?

A: Blowing its own trumpet and that applies to IWA as well. Even boaters don’t know what WRG is very often and as for the general public, they haven’t a clue – a breakdown service or something.

Q: Where do you see WRG’s future?

A: I think there will be a lot of co-operation between the two organisations [WRG and the Canal & River Trust] or I hope there will. I think WRG will still carry on as it is at the moment because CRT won’t want to put a lot of their resources into reopening waterways – their job is maintaining existing ones.

Q: Do you have a favourite derelict canal?

A: I suppose it’s the Wilts and Berks – that’s probably the one I’ve been to the most. It’s got no sort of outstanding features I’ve worked on but it just seems a very pleasant canal and always had good accommodation there.

Q: Do you have any classic “do you remember the time when” stories?

A: I remember one time I went into the basin at Over in the skid steer loader and managed to get it aground – I was sitting there with all 4 wheels spinning. They had to bring the excavator in to give me a push or a pull – I’d obviously parked it on a lump.

Q: Is there anyone that’s inspired you?

A: I don’t know about inspired but people like John Palmer and Mr Mac spring to mind. John and I at the big digs or reunions had a self appointed task: every time there was a new brew of tea we had to test it before it was allowed to go out to the general membership. That was our excuse anyway.

Next time in Navvies I talk to Sophie Smith. Next time I will also be issuing a list of who I’ve interviewed, who I’ve got lined up and how many slots are left so you’ll have to get your thinking caps on and see if I’ve missed anyone absolutely vital.

I’m also looking for someone to interview who started digging after I started interviewing people – so pretty much if you started digging in 2010 and are still digging then you’re eligible!! Let me know ideas via email – being interviewed isn’t as scary as it sounds.

Helen Gardner Helen_gardner@hotmail.com

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Navvies diary Your guide to all the forthcoming work parties

Feb 16-23 Camp 201301 Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation: Bank protection, towpath constructio Feb 17 Sun EAWA/NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal: Bacton Wood Lock Feb 19 Tue IWA Stoke/TMCS Trent & Mersey Canal: Cheshire Locks 10am-4pm Feb 21 Thu IWA Warks Stratford Canal: Lapworth, Kingswood Lock 10am-3pm Feb 23/24 London WRG Shrewsbury & Newport Canal: Forton. First visiting work party on this Feb 23 Sat wrgNW ‘Paper Chase’ waste paper collection Feb 23 Sat IWA Mcr/CRT Greater Manchester area: Lock painting, litter picking, veg clearance an Mar 1-7 WAT Wendover Arm: Seven-day weekend Fri-Thu. Bed & bank lining.

Mar 2/3 wrgNW Uttoxeter Canal Mar 2/3 KESCRG Wilts & Berks Canal: Scrub bashing near Steppingstone Lane Bridge Mar 3 Sun EAWA/NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal: Royston Bridge Mar 10 Sun WRG Committee & Board Meetings: Rowington Mar 14 Thu IWA Stoke/CUCTCaldon Canal: Veg clearance around Froghall. Meet Froghall Wharf 10a Mar 16/17 London WRG Ipswich (River Gipping): TBC (could be Fri-Mon?) Mar 16/17 wrgBITM Cotswold Canals: Ham Mill Lock. Diverting water, damming canal, clear Mar 16 Sat IWA Warks/CRT Stratford Canal: Lapworth, lock painting, litter picking, veg clearance & Mar 16 Sat IWA Stoke/TMCS Trent & Mersey Canal: Cheshire Locks. Painting & veg clearance at Chu Mar 21 Thu IWA Warks Stratford Canal: Lapworth, lock painting, litter picking, veg clearance & Mar 22-24 IWA MK Grand Union Canal: Canal Cleanup between Fenny Stratford & Wolverto Mar 23/24 NWPG Wey & Arun Canal: Dunsfold. Towpath work.

Mar 23 Sat IWA Mcr/CRT Greater Manchester: Painting, veg clearance, pulling rubbish out , litter pic Mar 23 Sat IWA Middx/FSC Slough Arm: Canal cleanup. Meet 9am at Salvation Army Hall, Stoke R Mar 24 Sun EAWA/NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal: Briggate Mar 29-Apr 6 Camp 201302 Lancaster Canal: Reprofiling and lining at Stainton Mar 29-Apr 6 Camp 201303 Lichfield Canal: Machine operation, vegetation clearance, block laying.

Apr 6/7 KESCRG Cotswold Canals: Ham Mill Lock, near Stroud Apr 6 Sat wrgNW ‘Paper Chase’ waste paper collection Apr 6-13 Camp 201304 Lancaster Canal: Reprofiling and lining at Stainton Apr 7 Sun EAWA/NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal: Honing Staithe Cut Apr 13/14 WRG/IWA/BCNS BCN Cleanup Apr 13/14 London WRG BCN Cleanup: Stourbridge Canal Apr 20/21 wrgNW Hollinwood Canal Apr 20/21 NWPG Cotswold Canals: Ham Mill Lock Apr 21 Sun EAWA/NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal: Honing Lock area Apr 27/28 wrgBITM Chichester Ship Canal: Bank protection using nicospan May 4/5 KESCRG Wendover Arm: Whitehouses. Accom at Ivinghoe Aston. Coping stones May 4/5/6 wrgNW To be arranged, possible joint dig with Essex WRG. May 5 Sun EAWA/NWDCT North Walsham & Dilham Canal

For details of diary dates beyond the end of this list ple

page 24

Canal Camps cost ÂŁ56 per week unless otherwise stated. Bookings for WRG Camps identified by a camp number e.g. 'Camp 201301' should go to WRG Canal Camps, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Tel: 01494 783453, enquiries@wrg.org.uk. Diary compiled

by Dave Wedd. Tel: 01252 874437, dave.wedd@wrgbitm.org.uk

on and vegetation clearance David Revill Bob Luscombe Graham Nicholson canal.

Tim Lewis David McCarthy nd pathwork.

Ian Price Roger Leishman David McCarthy Bobby Silverwood David Revill Mike Palmer am-2pm Bob Luscombe Tim Lewis rance or demolition. Dave Wedd & path work.

Alison Smedley urch Lawton Bob Luscombe & path work.

Alison Smedley on David King Bill Nicholson ck. Prob Peak Forest Ian Price Road SL2 5BW David Revill

s and footpath

Bobby Silverwood David McCarthy David Revill Tim Lewis David McCarthy Bill Nicholson David Revill Dave Wedd Bobby Silverwood David McCarthy David Revill

01494-783453 01603-738648 07710-054848 07802-518094 0161-740-2179 07971-444258 01442-874536 0161-740-2179 07971-814986 01603-738648 01564-785293 07710-054848 07802-518094 01252-874437 01538-385388 07710-054848 01538-385388 01844-343369 07971-444258 01603-738648 01494-783453 01494-783453 07971-814986 0161-740-2179 01494-783453 01603-738648 01494-783453 07802-518094 0161-740-2179 01844-343369 01603-738648 01252-874437 07971-814986 0161-740-2179 01603-738648

enquiries@wrg.org.uk davgis@live.co.uk bobluscombe@btinternet.com nick.kenilworth@fsmail.net london@wrg.org.uk chairman@manchester-iwa.co.uk rwleishman@gmail.com nw@wrg.org.uk bobby@kescrg.org.uk davgis@live.co.uk mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk bobluscombe@btinternet.com london@wrg.org.uk bookings@wrgBITM.org.uk alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk bobluscombe@btinternet.com alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk davidjsking@talktalk.net bill@nwpg.org.uk chairman@manchester-iwa.co.uk friendsofsloughcanal@hotmailco.uk davgis@live.co.uk enquiries@wrg.org.uk enquiries@wrg.org.uk bobby@kescrg.org.uk enquiries@wrg.org.uk davgis@live.co.uk enquiries@wrg.org.uk london@wrg.org.uk nw@wrg.org.uk bill@nwpg.org.uk davgis@live.co.uk bookings@wrgBITM.org.uk bobby@kescrg.org.uk nw@wrg.org.uk davgis@live.co.uk

ease contact diary compiler Dave Wedd: see top of page

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Navvies diary

Canal societies’ regular working parties

Mobile groups' socials: phone to confirm London WRG: 7:30pm on Tues 11 days before dig. 'Star Tavern' Belgrave Mews West, London. Tim Lewis 07802-518094 NWPG: 7:30pm on 3rd Tue of month at the 'Hope Tap', West end of Friar St. Reading. Phil Dray 07956 185305

Every Tuesday BCA Basingstoke Canal Chris Healy 01252-370073 Once per month: pls check BCNS BCN waterways Mike Rolfe 07763-171735 2nd Sunday & alternate Thurs BCS Buckingham area Athina Beckett 01908-661217 Anytime inc. weekdays BCT Aqueduct section Gerald Fry 01288-353273 Every Mon and Wed CCT Cotswold (W depot) Ron Kerby 01453-836018 Every mon am Thu pm CCT Cotswold (E end) John Maxted 01285-861011 Various dates CCT Cotswold Phase 1a Jon Pontefract 07986-351412 Every Sunday ChCT Various sites Mick Hodgetts 01246-620695 Every Tuesday CSCT Chichester Canal Carley Sitwell 01243 773002 Every Tue & Wed C&BN Chelmer & Blackwater John Gale 01376-334896 4th Sunday of month ECPDA Langley Mill Michael Golds 0115-932-8042 Second Sun of month FIPT Foxton Inclined Plane Mike Beech 0116-279-2657 2nd weekend of month GCRS Grantham Canal Ian Wakefield 0115-989-2128 2nd Sat of month GWCT Nynehead Lift Denis Dodd 01823-661653 Tuesdays H&GCT Oxenhall Brian Fox 01432 358628 Weekends H&GCT Over Wharf House Maggie Jones 01452 618010 Wednesdays H&GCT Over / Vineyard Hill Ted Beagles ????? ??????

Thursdays H&GCT Herefordshire Wilf Jones 01452 413888 Every Sunday if required IWPS Bugsworth Basin Ian Edgar 0161-427 7402 Every day KACT Bradford-on-Avon Derrick Hunt 01225-863066 2nd Sunday of month LCT Lancaster N. Reaches Paul Shaw 01524-35685 1st, 2nd, 4th Sun + 3rd Sat LHCRT Lichfield Sue Williams 01543-671427 3rd Sunday of month LHCRT Hatherton Denis Cooper 01543-374370 Last weekend of month MBBCS Creams Paper Mill Steve Dent 07802-973228 Two Sundays per month NWDCT N Walsham Canal David Revill 01603-738648 2nd & last Sundays PCAS Pocklington Canal Paul Waddington 01757-638027 Every Wed and 1st Sat RGT Stowmarket Navigtn.

Martin Bird 01394-380765 2nd Sunday of month SCARS Sankey Canal Colin Greenall 01744-731746 1st Sunday of month SCCS Combe Hay Locks Derrick Hunt 01225-863066 Two weekends per month SHCS Basingstoke Canal Duncan Paine 01252-614125 Last weekend of month SCS Stover Canal George Whitehead 01626-775498 2nd Sunday of month SNT Sleaford Navigation Mel Sowerby 01522-856810 Thu and Tue April-September SORT Sussex Ouse Ted Lintott 01444-414413 1st weekend of month SUCS Newhouse Lock Mike Friend 01948-880723 Every Tuesday morning TMCA Thames & Medway C Brian Macnish 01732-823725 Every Sunday & Thurs WACT varied construction Eric Walker 023-9246-3025 Mondays (2 per month) WACT tidying road crossings John Empringham 01483-562657 Wednesdays WACT Tickner's Heath Depot John Smith 01903-235790 Wednesdays WACT maintenance work Peter Jackman 01483-772132 Sundays mainly WACT Loxwood Link Kev Baker 02380-861074 Thursdays WACT Winston Harwood Grp Tony Clear 01903-774301 Various dates WACT Hedgelaying (Oct-Mar) Keith Nichols 01403-753882 last w/e (Fri-Thu) WAT Drayton Beauchamp Roger Leishman 01442-874536 Please send any additions corrections or deletions to diary compiler Dave Wedd (see previous page)

Abbreviations used in Diary: BCA BCNS BCS BCT ChCT CBN CSCT CCT ECPDA FIPT GCRS GWCT H&GCT IWPS KACT KESCRG

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Basingstoke Canal Authority Birmingham Canal Navigations Soc. Buckingham Canal Society Bude Canal Trust Chesterfield Canal Trust Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Chichester Ship Canal Trust Cotswolds Canals Trust Erewash Canal Pres. & Devt. Assoc.

Foxton Inclined Plane Trust Grantham Canal Restoration Society Grand Western Canal Trust Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust Inland Waterways Protection Society Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Kent & E Sussex Canal Rest. Group

LCT LHCRT MBBCS NWPG NWDCT PCAS RGT SCARS SCCS SHCS SCS SNT SORT SUCS TMCA WACT WAT WBCT

Lancaster Canal Trust Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Rest'n Trust Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society Newbury Working Party Group North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Pocklington Canal Amenity Society River Gipping Trust Sankey Canal Restoration Society Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Surrey & Hants Canal Society Stover Canal Society Sleaford Navigation Trust Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Shropshire Union Canal Society Thames & Medway Canal Association Wey & Arun Canal Trust Wendover Arm Trust Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

“Did I really put fuel in my car to travel all this distance so I can (in effect) tidy someone’s garden, when my own garden is is complete disarray?”

Letters Phil Scott feels uneasy...

Dear Martin, The makings of this letter have been on my mind for quite some time now. Maybe what I’m about to say is an indication that I’m suffering from depression, or have lived for too long in a dead end Welsh valley amongst some extremely insular folk, however... the 2012 Bonfire Bash was the case in point.

I’d guess that my motivation to dig with WRG makes me representative of most WRGies: WRG gives me the opportunity to do my bit for ecology / the environment, to protect our industrial heritage, to put my bit back into the canal system, and of course to get outside and have a good time amongst like minded people. WRG seems expert at dealing and negotiating with people and organisations at all levels: what was BW, the EA, local groups, CADW / English Heritage... and land owners.

The last few weekends I’ve been out with WRG or the regional groups have left me thinking, “Did I really put fuel in my car to travel all this distance so I can (in effect) tidy someone’s garden, when my own garden is is complete disarray?” I’m aware that I am by no means the only volunteer to have had this thought. More and more I notice how we are having to pander to (often vastly wealthy) landowners in order that we may further improve the value of their land by restoring the canal that runs through it.

Chatting to one of the locals on the recent Bonfire Bash, I asked what was next for the length of canal we were clearing: No, it’s not being dredged. No, the clearance work is not to enable an engineering survey. No, it’s not being re-watered. No, the towpath is not being built up to a standard representative of a walkway. No, there is no long-term commitment to provide access to boaters or the public. “It’s more psychological really”, said the local, “just to show we are doing something.” If this were the 14 Locks or similar length of canal in the public eye, then yes, I’d 100% agree the inspirational value of our work. But this was an isolated length of canal running amongst fields, to which (correct me if I am wrong) the public have no access. Judging by the number of rotting logs, the area had already been cleared some time in the last 10 or so years, then allowed to return to wilderness. Those in WRG Forestry Team who’d brought some bloody expensive kit to do the job - mostly purchased at their own expense - weren’t even allowed to take the wood they’d cut. Apparently the landowner wanted it, even though the previously made neat log piles had been left to rot....

A similar situation exists with the Somersetshire Coal Canal, which (again, correct me if I am wrong) has structures too narrow to permit conventional narrowboats. [I will correct Phil here because I do think he’s wrong. Unlike some south western canals - for example the Grand Western - which were built for very small tub-boats, my understanding is that the SCC took full size narrowboats. Can SCCS confirm this? ...Ed] Fantastic location, lovely romantic ruins, but what’s the end gain when it appears to be too small for boats and the landowner isn’t happy about us dealing with the tree that’s threatening to pull out one side of a lock chamber, or to remove the accident-waiting-to-happen decaying remains of lock gates as we work below them? We seem to end up having to do things the difficult way, when there are far easier / safer options available.

Many of our volunteers are students or on some other kind of budget, and there’s something that leaves me feeling very uneasy about groups of enthusiastic volunteers coming to work on such projects at their own expense when we seem to be walking amongst the eggshells of the wealthy landowners who, in all honesty, could afford to pay contractors to do our good work. Maybe I’ve been reading too many magazines from the union of Bob Crow? It almost feels like exploitation, not by WRG, but by the more fortunate in society.

Who is doing who the favour here?

I appreciate the difficulty of finding suitable sites for the Bonfire Bash. I realise that

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developing relationships with landowners are important if the restoration project is to succeed, and that it’s a landowners right to say “no” to would-be restorers. However, my criteria for how I spend my time in volunteering are that my input has to be both enjoyable AND make some long term, visible difference. Rebuilding an historic structure or clearing a lock chamber in readiness for survey - tick. Clearing a random isolated length of canal that’s been cleared at least once before and in the knowledge it will all have grown back in another ten year’s time - no tick.

I don’t claim to have an answer to this, is there an answer at all? I’d be interested in other people’s opinions - and I realise that to volunteer with WRG is entirely my choice.

Perhaps I should just be more selective about where I dig - but often it’s not until you have arrived that the picture becomes clear.

Phil Scott I’d be interested to hear people’s views, not only from local canal society folks who know more about the particular examples Phil gives, but also on the more general point. ...Ed Dear Martin and all the contributors Thanks for Navvies 256. It was rather a walk down memory lane for me, with Nick Wright’s and Audrey Smith’s bits.

I remember taking Graham Palmer to see the Derwent, and meeting Gwillim, the local organiser, Roger Womersley and Graham Smith, and many others. (Graham P did not drive, and was reliant on people like me to chauffeur him around – but in those days I had a company car). It may have even been the same weekend that Audrey was there - who knows?

We looked at the kit that large arable farms could turn out – they sucked out slurry from the lock and squirted it elsewhere and had about 4 monster tractors and pumps working a merry-go-round. Meanwhile, our toothpick Smalley had been dumped into the lock by a JCB 4 and I had a happy hour or two digging crap out and filling a waiting JCB bucket, who put it in a trailer pulled by yet another tractor. The political background to this was all about the Regional Water Authority who considered themselves all-knowing and would not even talk to volunteers and other interested local parties. Time has drawn a veil over the messy details, but I well remember Graham Smith much in the thoughts of Graham Palmer who were both being worn down by work load and worry.

It was then interesting to see Nick mention that Graham was very sceptical about work camps. He was: not about their possible efficacy, but about his, and his inner circle’s ability to take on yet another task. Graham had a self-imposed task of trying to weld all the multitudinous working groups into a loose association that could form a self-help set and also have a common front for publicity. Hence the red plant colour that virtually no-one else used. May I point out (again) that weekend working parties do a small amount of good working to a restoration goal, but if used properly generate more publicity than can be dreamed of by a ‘working party’ that sits in a committee and talks about it. Hence Chris Griffiths did much more with his camera than he ever did with a shovel!

It is probably not now realised that Graham knew none of the working party people around the country until he picked up a phone and told them he was coming, then visited and charmed them. True, he knew Harry Arnold, John Liley, and most of the IWA Midland Branch committee – that thorn in the side of 114 Regent’s Park Road, the people who knew many others; but it was Graham who carried the whole project. No, he had no chance of doing anything else.

The BWB (British Waterways Board) of the time were mainly lifetime canal people on the ground with jobsworths allegedly leading them. We knew many workers and learned from them where we could, but we did not work on canals that BWB were supposed to maintain. We met employees of all levels in such places as Ashton and latterly on the Montgomery. The area engineer on the Ashton (whose name I now cannot remember) was a late convert to using volunteer labour, and Brian Haskings, engineer for the Mont. was amazingly supportive. However they were all strapped for cash, and I can have (these days) sympathy for Len Wall the Birmingham area guy, who was unfailingly surly, whilst trying to keep the canal water in the cut and avoid flooding chunks of that city…..and we wanted him to do more!

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Martin Ludgate

The illustration of the ‘HQ’ for operations at the Wilmcote flight (p.25, No 256) reminds me that the Stratford guys had a hut at the top of the flight called Packwood partly because Packwood House was where Crick Grundy, the Canal Manager was based, and partly because it was built from a couple of enormous packing crates. The hut in the photo was called Melbury House after the HQ of BWB, whilst behind ‘Melbury’ was Willow Grange, the eponymous Watford offices of BWB. In our case it was the khazi. This succinctly gives our view of BWB of the time.

The modern day situation is entirely different. Might I suggest that IWA and “No future”? The H&G at Over Basin WRG need to be sure of what they wish to achieve. Time was when in the front of every Navvies was the line Restoration and Development, if memory serves, a phrase lifted from the Objectives of IWA, but which they tried to ignore. I have said before I denigrate the move to drop ‘development’ – it is a poor aim only to look back. However, it is no longer my organisation, I’m just a bad tempered old git; but what do YOU want? The notion of not working on ‘Cruiseways’ is now defunct – I’ll get over it. Personally I can’t see why resources were put into the project at Over. It has no future as a canal, and the canal had no future when it was built, as the mine it served ceased trading 3 years after the canal was finished. Perhaps there are other reasons for WRG involvement I know nothing about, but the decision needs to reviewed in the light of a job obviously well done/the opportunity cost. If you are working there, you cannot work somewhere else. For what it is worth, the Lichfield and Hatherton project would be closest to GKP’s heart, unimaginable when we were working on the Mont, which is why the Mont became his epitaph. But I know what he would have preferred.

Martin was quite right in his editorial to ask for your ideas, but I will extend this – we must work with the whole of the inland waterway fraternity (not just canals). To do that Mike and others will need to phone and charm all connected with CRT/boat clubs/conservation groups and don’t forget the trade – we are nothing without them. Concerted efforts on a very short list of projects are the most economically sensible. All the voluminous professional reports I have seen of various scheme have all said do it now and do it quick, and get it earning. However, we still need to have local groups that keep that all important watch on their patch.

Mike Day Dear Martin Re the article by Nick Wright - Camp Report: The First One. I too remember attending a work camp on the Stratford with my late husband Malcolm. He was working party organisor for the West Riding branch at one time.I’m not sure if it was the one mentioned but have vivid memories of the luxury(!!) accomodation at Lowsonsford and the evenings at the pubs at Wooten Wawen and Lapworth,relaxing after a hard day on the worksite.

It chiefly stands out for converting me to Real Ale as I had previously (to my now horror!) only drunk shandies - thanks fellow navvies for that.

We had a great time and went to a number of other work sites including those in our area-the Yorkshire Derwent, Pocklington, Huddersfield Narrow and also worked on the Droitwich. I am still an IWA member and subscribe to Navvies. I hope that the new waterway charity recognises the massive contribution that WRG has made to the restoration though many now have no concept of the fight we had to prevent closures apart from restoration which is the main movement now.

Thanks Kay Bassett

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Dear Martin Bit late in responding to the CRT (CART as I call it) and WRG ‘working together’ problem. I date back to early days with GKP (Graham Palmer) when husband Ron gave brickwork lessons, loaned machinery, delivered timber and materials, etc. etc. We were then rescuing the Stratford and the Droitwich amongst other stretches. We were rescuing and then handing over to BWB and Trusts, in other words WRG was to us not just a support mechanism but drawing attention to the prevention of loss of waterways before it was too late.

My main worry is that WRG could be looked upon as a “let them get on with it, they know what they are doing and it is a cheap get out” (I remember GKP having to be careful not to tread on Union ‘toes’ in the late ’60s and early ’70s by taking work from BWB employees - who didn’t show much physical enthusiasm for the work in the first place). The recent rescue of the bridges on the Oxford was admirable work but I felt that should have been the main responsibility of the BWB/CART organisation.

I was appalled and commented on the daft idea of turning two sideponds on the GU into “Newt Sanctuaries” at the possible cost of £3K per pond recently; if CART can spend that sort of cash on that, they could spend it on more useful projects to keep the canals open! I realise that CART is for all people, be they walkers, anglers, nature lovers, etc. etc. but surely the prime use for canals is for boats? At least that is what they were created for in the first place - commercial ones at that (yes I know that fight has long since been lost).

I won’t comment on the weed-planting project in the Leicester area but I think CART are employing a lot of people who need educating about canals in particular and their maintenance, whether or not WRG/IWA can do that is a matter for those involved to decide RECOVERY is a strong word of optimism, MAINTENANCE has to be paid for, TRUST is an ambiguous alternative.

Rosemary Carden Dear Editor Reading the articles from long-standing WRGies with interest has reminded me of the early 1970s when I first got involved. My then fiance took me to ASHTAC before I even really knew what a canal was and things built up from there. Soon David (now my husband) was bringing Graham Palmer and John Dodwell (he had the car) back home to continue whatever meeting they had been to, over late night tea and breakfast in our house. WRG was partly hatched in our house and in due course Graham asked me to become his second secretary (the first one had to stop doing because of family commitments). This worked well, by post, and I learnt his signature for certain letters. I even got one of his hand painted cards. We visited his house once so that I could type a correction for Navvies (those were the days of electric typewriters and typing was much more skilled then!). We sat in the living room drinking enormous mugs of tea provided by Edie (Graham’s mother) and discussing the assembly line Graham had set up to produce the painted canal ware he used to sell. Both parents had got involved doing the basic painting in line with Graham’s instructions with Graham providing the finishing touches.

Graham also took us to his office (he worked in insurance). His office area was in a corner of a large room partitioned off and most of the wall space was devoted to WRG paperwork. He did admit that he had a very understanding boss (as did I when I became involved!)

In 1970 Claire Johnstone and I ran the catering section. This started at a London working party group weekend in Stratford when Graham asked me how much marmalade I thought he should buy. Surprised, I offered to do ‘all that’ with Claire. After a couple of weekends when we had managed to empty small village shops of bread, meat and vegetables, my husband lent us a wholesale store card and we would get the food in advance. The main criterion was cheapness, the food was basic – full English breakfast, sandwiches and stew (hiding controversial ingredients like garlic and herbs and spices - lying about them when necessary!) and boiled fruit for afters, all cooked on ancient 4-ringed stoves (with one ring dead), by women with jobs, busy lives and no time to bake cakes in advance (|I didn’t bake my first cake until I had moved north). Cakes and buns were bought. Claire and I paid upfront and got our money back at the camp.

We did have one disaster when Graham decided to get publicity during a work camp in

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Shropshire by inviting all the locals to bring someone. Bad move. They turned up with parents, siblings, girlfriends, girlfriends’ parents, everybody’s friends. Claire and I had been told to cater for “about 30-35”. The queue wound round the village hall and out of the door – around 80 were eventually counted. We had been a bit wary and cooked mince and mash that could stretch to about 60. At the end, when people had stopped coming and Claire and I were looking at the small amount left, in strolled Graham and Mike Day and Megan demanding food and not pleased with what was on offer. We invited them to count the numbers who had turned up and to suggest where on a Saturday night more supplies could have come from. I could see that Graham understood the problem and he never tried that one again. A local came to our rescue by raiding her freezer for some bread and a packet of fish fingers, which is what Claire and I ate.

Graham paid a lot of attention to detail and really cared about the volunteers. The group who used to meet in someone’s flat to collate the early Navvies were always rewarded by cans of beer (boy, how we needed it too) and the sessions were always fun. During the working parties he would check that people were occupied and sort out any problems. After supper we would all head for the pub (which he had alerted beforehand) and he would do his best to keep us from waking the locals as we went home – not an easy task.

Margaret Gibson Dear Martin Your editorial in Navvies 155 has reminded me of the time back in February 1968 when the IWA London & Home Counties Branch Working Party held a one-day working party on the Grand Union at Uxbridge in cooperation with BW. The primary task was to whitewash the bridge just to the north of the old A40, with the option to clear the bushes and undergrowth on the embankment on the towpath side beyond it.

We had two enthusiastic BW foremen to supervise us, and the bridge was soon painted (mainly from planks suspended over the canal on metal straps hanging from the parapets) and we then turned our attention to the embankment, making a massive clearance with several bonfires – something I was told used to be done regularly in the past. There were 85 of us involved (including GKP, my brother John (now a CRT trustee) and Ernie Pull). A subsequent working party (led by GKP) the following June in the same area attracted only 18 participants. It had been a useful experiment, but other waterways more in need of volunteer input were calling. Let’s hope that CRT will be able and willing to take advantage of the expertise developed by WRG, although I suspect that restoration projects will always have the greater attraction for the many WRG volunteers.

Best wishes, Tim Dodwell Dear Martin One aspect of the BW/CRT changeover that is of concern is that, as a charity, CRT is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

With another hat on, I (try to) deal with the National Trust - also not subject to these Acts. It is next to impossible to get any information out of them as they circle the wagons and put the shutters up if asked the simplest of questions.

The CRT not being subject to these Acts, and therefore not being open and transparent, is a retrograde step.

Yours Andrew Telford My understanding (someone please correct me if I’m wrong) is that at a fairly late stage it was decided that certain of CRT’s activities (basically those to do with its statutory duties to maintain waterways) would still be subject to FIOA 2000. Incidentally, one other potentially ‘interesting’ change as far as Navvies and other publications are concerned is that unlike British Waterways, which was prevented from taking legal action for libel / slander as a result of its status as a public authority, no such restriction applies to CRT - which has lost little time in issuing the odd legal letter (not to us, I hasten to add!) ...Ed

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Dear Martin Clearly, this subject is raising a great deal of heat and it’s only right that we think long and hard about the implications. The problem I have with the C&RT is based on my own experience of moving first from a Civil Service led organisation, to a quasi-government company and finally to privatisation. In all those three movements, it was the top level of management that changed whilst the rest of us just carried on doing what we’d always done. It probably took five to seven years for changes to start percolating downwards through the organisation.

The lower and middle management layers of the C&RT will be exactly the same people that were lower and middle managers in BW and will carry on doing what they’ve always done. Just because it’s now a charity doesn’t mean that the various forms, systems and red tape will simply vanish and be replaced by lots of lovely things and we’ll all be pals together.

The second problem we will face is our own failings in planning and organising a week-long camp. I know that things can go wrong and WRG will get things sorted out through the goodwill of everyone involved but if we are working with a professional organisation, muddling through won’t be good enough.

Have a look through the selection of camp reports in Navvies 256. There are any number of things mentioned that should have been sorted out in the planning stage. I hasten to add that I’m not pointing the finger of scorn at any one individual, just making the point that we need to be a lot more careful if we wish to have C&RT working with us.

Lets list a few: No Portaloo on site; the cooker wouldn’t fit through the doors; the accommodation was being used by other organisations; bricks in the wrong place; pickups not made at the right time.

I presume the great and good in C&RT read Navvies and will read the same things I’ve just read. I can’t help thinking that we are not advertising ourselves as the highly efficient well organised team they will be looking for when it comes to working together.

I think the final problem will be that C&RT are only interested in looking after the assets they’ve already got. WRG was designed at the outset to ‘recover’ waterways, not look after existing ones. I know we’ve already broken that rule by working on the Chelmer & Blackwater but if that is to be our future then the IWA Trustees need to take notice of that decision, particularly as they’ve just decided to make it clear the C&RT and IWA are two entirely separate organisations.

I should add that coming from the wrong part of the country probably means I’ll never see the C&RT in our neck of the woods. Even if the EA navigations are handed over to the C&RT sometime in the future they’ll probably not do any more than the current owners, which is precious little.

Spencer Greystrong Dear Martin,

Whither the Mont? – Some Thoughts In August 2011 WRG in four week-long Canal Camps began restoring the length of the Pant Dry Section between Price’s Bridge and Crickheath Bridge by excavating a short length of channel and experimentally lining it. The method being tried out however, at least in the view of some, proved difficult and extremely time consuming to the extent that even if it could be reasonably speeded up, the time to complete that section of the canal would prove dauntingly long. Alternatively, perhaps using Sahara Terraseal, the new ‘Wonder Lining Material’, and investing a little more in 4 inch (100mm) dense concrete blocks to replace the present 3 inch (75mm) blocks that are required as the top layer in the present scheme, rapid progress might result, with an added advantage that 300mm less depth of earth need be excavated (and processed) from the sides and bed of the canal.

Arrangements to continue the work this year had to be abandoned due both to water in the canal and the presence of crested newts. Various stretches of the Pant Dry Section will have their particular difficulties for the restoration process but this section being undertaken

by WRG is, possibly for about two thirds of the length, certainly challenging in terms of channel bed ground conditions. From the turn as far as Crickheath Bridge various depths of peat exist resulting in rather unstable ground. Additionally, historically, some water has

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always been present in these peat bed areas of the canal bed, with 2011 the driest summer in memory being the exception. Some locals have said that they could not remember seeing that section of canal that dry in the last 40 years.

SUCS archive records of renovating Crickheath Wharf Wall and constructing the adjacent Visitor Mooring Wall in 2007/2008 refer to varying amounts of water in the canal during that period. Photographs (Navvies 256 back cover) show the amount of water in the canal in April 2012 after a short period of heavy rain following a dry period. Incidentally, Pete’s Montgomery Canal website in his restoration progress report for Sep/Oct 2012 shows an unbelievable amount of water in the canal.

So it would seem that creating some system for removing water from the canal is crucial if there is to be some certainty of being able to access the canal bed as required to resume work even on the presently planned length of channel from near Price’s Bridge up to the turn. This would be necessary not only in this on-going work area (a land drain is installed there) but also in the canal bed back to the access point for machinery at Crickheath Wharf. Lowering the water table in the channel would hopefully allow the canal bed in the peat bed areas to stabilise sufficiently for machinery to traverse backwards and forwards from the wharf to the worksite in normal years, as was possible in 2011.

The requirement to lower the water table and then maintain that low level whilst work was going on would seem to require a land drain in the channel bed at least from the turn, where the poor ground conditions begin, back as far as the wharf. Initially, if because of the presence of water the ground could not support a digger, it might be necessary to dig by hand two sumps say 10 metres or so apart connected by an open trench, opposite the point of entry for machinery into the canal bed from the wharf.

This would allow pumps to begin discharging water from the canal, hopefully into the ditch in the neighbouring field on the towpath side, so lowering the water level until the bed was sufficiently stable to support a digger. The digger could then fully excavate the sumps and the connecting ditch to construct the first length of land drain at a depth which would be below the planned final excavated depth of the channel for lining. The construction of the next 10m or so section could then be undertaken, and so on.

At the work site, in the absence of a repaired culvert, should it not be possible to find a pump discharge point outside the channel at that point then it might be necessary to extend the land drain from Crickheath Wharf to join up with the length of land drain that already exists at the worksite.

Putting in the land drain would probably take up a limited Canal Camp on its own and it has to be admitted that this addresses neither a solution to the newt problem nor the full stabilisation the ground in the peat areas prior to lining. It also does not address funding or problems needed to be overcome later regarding access by contractors to the unlined length of canal beyond the end of the present lined section and Price’s Bridge, to renew the defective culvert and subsequently by WRG to then line that section.

However, to stabilise the peat areas prior to lining, I would have been inclined to open a discussion with relevantly experienced Civil Engineers (there must be some), from the point of suggesting the removal of peat to a depth of, say, one metre below the planned excavation of the canal bed for lining (or less if subsoil were encountered above that), placing an appropriate heavy terraseal-type lining material as used in the construction of roads across swamps and then tipping quarry waste, or some alternative, to bring the level up to that required for lining, with the land drain being replaced in stretches where it had been destroyed in the process. Some ideas of how the peat areas of the canal bed might be stabilised may also have emerged following any surveys carried out by BW since their levels survey of 2007/2008. Incidentally, piling the offside in this area where the bank has virtually disappeared may also be unavoidable.

It might be interesting to know what options are actually being considered in order to ensure restoration of this section of the Mont can progress. In the not too distant future when the SUCS section between Redwith Bridge and Price’s Bridge is fully lined and again in water the focus will really be on this section so that the winding hole may become accessible for boats.

J J Price A novice Volunteer

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Progress

On the Gipping, otherwise known as the Ipswich & Stowmarket, they’ve been getting stuck into some rather large scale woodwork...

River Gipping

we hope to start work in earnest immediately after the New Year.

The work next to the lock chamber at Baylham is now nearly complete. The final construction involves the re-laying of a brick surface below the old bridge. This is now well under way, and weather permitting, was due to be finished in time for Christmas.

Meanwhile over the Summer the main work party successfully completed work to the Pipps Ford overbridge, with all four flank walls re-built, the deck cleared, new wooden handrails constructed and the exposed metal beams treated. The landowner is keen to see the work here extended to return the immediate area around the lock to its historical setting and we have now made an application to the Environment Agency for the further by-wash work , weir and footbridge that would make this possible. which owns the lock and its surrounding area, and he has expressed an interest in restoring the mill itself to working order. If this is successful , it would be the final piece in restoring this historic group buildings to its appearance in the heyday of its working life Martin Bird

River Gipping

River Gipping Trust

The second half of 2012 saw much progress with our two main projects, the replacement of the old timber sluice gates at Baylham Mill and the completion of the bank works below the lock chamber The sluice frame and gates were constructed over the summer at White House Farm, Little Glemham, by members of our regular work parties using English oak sourced from the farm . The work has been supervised by Raymond Hopkins and the workshop and storage facilities were provided by Jason Gathorne-Hardy, the farm owner, artist, and conservationist. Jason recently won an award from the RSPB for his contribution to conservation in farming at White House farm and our work with locally sourced timber was featured as part of his presentation . For most of the team working on the gates this was our first experience of working with such massive timbers and has been a bit of a learning curve but very interesting to see the whole process from tree felling to finished construction. After being built in the barn to the satisfaction of Raymond, the structure was dismantled and trucked back to Baylham to await a suitable weather window to allow for installation.

Work has now started on preparing for the installation with bank clearance around the old sluice and removal of the old decayed timber frame. The bank clearance has revealed the remains of an old eel trap and associated outbuilding, installed we think in the 1950’s by the then mill owner in a deal with a jellied eel merchant in the east end of London.

Water levels in the river are somewhat higher than usual, following the wet summer, and this may delay the installation of The oak sluice frame and gates await installation the new frame for a while though

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Meanwhile over in Staffordshire they’re dodging sewers, high speed railway lines, bypass roads and traveller encampments...

Lichfield and Hatherton canals

Lichfield and Hatherton area we continue to monitor the plans for High Speed 2 where protests from residents mean that the published route may be modified. HS2 is also of vital interest to our friends and neighbours at Lichfield Cruising Club. All these developments have placed considerable strain on finances with a period of retrenchment in view in 2013.

Meanwhile, the planning application made by travellers near the M6 Toll aqueduct has gone to appeal after being rejected by Lichfield planners. We are also watching closely the planning of the extension of the Lichfield southern bypass between London and Birmingham roads.

On the Hatherton we are slowly establishing ownership details between the former A460 and Bridgtown. Many of the land records have been lost since closure and we grateful for the help of Cannock Chase District Council. There is also a suggestion that the scheme to widen the M6 is again under discussion and this could have a beneficial effect on the canal restoration.

Brian Kingshott

River Gipping Trust

The contractors have finished work in Darnford Park with the foul water sewer successfully diverted leaving the route to the A51 crossing hopefully clear of obstructions.

The deep excavation of the basin where boats will turn to access the A38 crossing is very impressive, as are the first stages of the preparation of the staircase locks 27/28. By working happily with the parks and open spaces department of Lichfield District Council, for a large part of the former works area the landscaping has been completed with the footpaths reinstated and reopened. We hope to use our own volunteers to make further progress as well as visiting work groups.

After many years of negotiation we have finally purchased a vital section of the route from just upstream of Lock 30 to Cappers Bridge. This section is mostly in water although in isolation. Work will not be possible in this area until terms built into the purchase agreement have been fulfilled and this may take several years. In this same

Progress

Relaying the brick surface below Baylham Lock on the River Gipping

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Invasive plants and dealing with them

Do you know you Japanese knotweed from your Himalayan balsam? Bobby gives us the lowdown on dealing with these unwanted visitors to your site...

bare ground liable to erosion.

The most flexible method of controlling Himalayan balsam is pulling by hand, which can be done at any time but ideally before This article is intended as a basic guide to the plants set seed. Balsam can also cut by some of the most common invasive plant species that you are likely to come across on hand or with a strimmer at the start of its a canal site, and how to deal with them. Note flowering season in June but not before this is not a comprehensive guide and if you because this will encourage vigorous regrowth. Plants should be disposed of by have any of these weeds on your site, you burning, or by composting if seeds are not should read further information from one of the sources listed at the bottom of the article. present. Control methods need to be repeated for a minimum of three years to have Some of these weeds can have potenany chance of eradicating the plant. tially significant environmental consequences, while others pose a risk to agricultural land. Care also needs to be taken whilst Japanese knotweed handling these plants, as some can be harmful to humans. Responsibility for controlling these weeds lies with the landowner, and the degree of obligation to do this varies with each species.

There are also a number of floating invasive weeds that may be found on canals, but I haven’t mentioned them in detail here as most of our sites have little or no water!

These plants include Australian swamp stonecrop, parrot’s feather, floating pennywort and creeping water primrose.

Further information on these plants can be found on the Environment Agency website.

Managing invasive and injurious weeds on your restoration site

Himalayan balsam This purple flowering plant grows to 3 metres high and is spread both by water and by an explosive seed head that can scatter seeds up to 7m. It grows in dense patches preventing growth of native plants, and then dying back in autumn leaving

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Japanese knotweed is actually the most common of three similar species of invasive knotweed found in the UK, which also have hybrids! This plant poses a significant hazard to canal projects, not only displacing native species but causing structural damage as the root system of each plant reaches more than 3m deep and can spread at least 7m across.

Controlling knotweed by cutting is possible, but probably not effective on most of our sites as it needs to be extremely accurate and repeated every 2-4 weeks during

the growing season for a number of years.

The most effective method of control is by using industrial herbicides, which should only be undertaken by suitably qualified persons.

The knotweed code of practice provides further information on effective control of these plants and can be found via the Environment Agency website.

Ragwort, Thistles & Docks

Giant Hogweed This plant really does live up to its name, reaching 5m tall and producing up to 50,000 seeds that will be viable for 15 years. In a similar way to Himalayan balsam, hogweed shades out native plants and causes soil erosion if found in dense patches.

Giant hogweed contains a poisonous sap that causes painful blistering and severe skin irritation that can last for six years.

Because of this, strimming should be avoided and extra care should be taken when handling the plant – long trousers, long sleeves and thick gloves recommended.

The most effective method of control is by chemical treatment by a suitably qualified person, but regular cutting or digging can also work. Whichever control method is chosen, it must be repeated for up to 10 years to be effective. Plants can be disposed of at landfill or by composting on site.

Common ragwort (pictured) is the most prolific of the five “injurious weeds� that are classified by the Weeds Act 1959. Whilst it is not illegal to have these plants on your land, landowners must prevent their spread onto agricultural land, and can be obliged to control them if complaints are made.

The other four injurious weeds are spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, broad leaved dock and curled dock.

Ragwort grows on broken or bare ground and is poisonous to horses, cattle and some other livestock with potentially fatal consequences. It is most dangerous when it ends up in hay or other forage because the livestock are unable to selectively avoid it like they would if it was growing.

The easiest way to control ragwort is to pull by hand, holding it close to the ground to ensure you get the roots too. The guidance for disposing of ragwort is varied and depends on the quantity involved. Methods include composting, controlled burning and disposal at landfill. This guidance can be found on the Natural England website.

Bobby Silverwood

Further information Environment Agency guidance on invasive species: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/wildlife/31350.aspx Natural England guidance on injurious weeds: www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/enforcement/injuriousweeds.aspx

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Directory Canal Society and WRG contacts ASHBY CANAL ASSOC Rod Smith 4 Ashby Road, Sinope Coalville LE67 3AY Tel: 01530 833307 BARNSLEY, DEARNE & DOVE CANAL TRUST June Backhouse, 39 Hill St, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8EN 01226 743383 www.bddct.org.uk BCN SOCIETY Jeff Barley, 17 Sunnyside Walsall Wood, W Midlands 01543 373284 www.bcn-society.org.uk BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY Athina Beckett 2 Staters Pound, Pennyland Milton Keynes MK1 5AX 01908 661217 email: athinabec@aol.com www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk BUGSWORTH BASIN (IWPS) Ian Edgar Top Lock House, Lime Kiln Lane, Marple SK6 6BX. 0161 427 7402 ian@theedgars.co.uk www.brocross.com/iwps/ index.htm CALDON & UTTOXETER CANALS TRUST Alison Smedley Hazelhurst Cottage Denford, Leek ST13 7JT 01538-385388 alison@hazelhurstcottage.co.uk www.cuct.org.uk

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CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST Mick Hodgetts 31 Pottery Lane Chesterfield S41 9BH 01246 620695 chesterfield-canaltrust.org.uk CHICHESTER SHIP CT Linda Wilkinson 1 Chidham Lane Chichester PO18 8TL 01243 576701 www.chichestercanal.co.uk COTSWOLD CT Bell House Wallbridge Lock Stroud GL5 3JS 01453 752568 mail@cotswoldcanals.com www.cotswoldcanals.com FRIENDS OF THE CROMFORD CANAL George Rogers 2 Main St, Whatstandwell Matlock DE4 5HE 07789 493967 web@cromfordcanal.org.uk www.cromfordcanal.org.uk DERBY & SANDIACRE CS Doug Flack 23 Thoresby Cres, Draycott Derby DE72 3PH 01332 576037 www.derbycanal.org.uk DIG DEEP INITIATIVE Alan Cavender 53 Derwent Drive, Maidenhead SL6 6LE 01628 629033 alancavender@waitrose.com www.dig-deep.org.uk

DORSET & SOMERSET CANAL SOCIETY Derrick Hunt 43 Greenland Mills Bradford on Avon BA15 1BL 01225 863066 derrickjohnhunt@btinternet.com EAST ANGLIAN WATERWAYS ASSOC David Revill 43 Kings Road Coltishall, Norfolk NR12 7DX 01603 738648 david_gisela@hotmail.com EREWASH CANAL P&DA Mick Golds 73 Sudbury Avenue Larklands, Ilkeston Derbys DE7 5EA Notts (0115) 9328042 ESSEX WATERWAYS LTD Colin Edmond Paper Mill Lock North Hill Little Baddow Essex CM3 4BT 01245 226245 colin.edmond@wrg.org.uk www.waterways.org.uk FOXTON INCLINED PLANE TRUST c/o Mike Beech Foxton Canal Museum Middle Lock Gumley Road Foxton Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7RA 0116 279 2657 mike@foxcm.freeserve.co.uk www.fipt.org.uk ROLLE CANAL AND NTH DEVON WATERWAYS SOC Adrian & Hilary Wills Vale Cottage, 7 Annery Kiln Weare Giffard, Bideford EX39 5JE Tel: 01237 477705 adrian@thewills.eclipse.co.uk www.therollecanal.co.uk

RIVER GIPPING TRUST Martin Bird 29 Melton Grange Rd Melton Woodbridge IP12 1SA 01394 380765 restoration@rivergippingtrust. org.uk GRAND WESTERN CANAL TRUST Denis Dodd, Wharf Cottage Nynehead, Wellington Somerset TA21 0BJ 01823 661653 GRANTHAM CANAL SOCIETY Ian Wakefield 0115 989 2128 ian.wakefield@ granthamcanal.com www.granthamcanal.com HEREFS & GLOUCS CANAL TRUST c/o The Wharf House Over Gloucester GL2 8DB 01452 332900 www.h-g-canal.org.uk KESCRG Eddie Jones ‘Little Orchard’ Berryfields, Fillongley Coventry CV7 8EX 0845 226 8589 eddie@kescrg.org.uk www.kescrg.org.uk LANCASTER CT Paul Shaw 12 Malham Close Lancaster LA1 2SJ 01524 35685 paul_shaw@lineone.net www.lctrust.co.uk LAPAL CANAL TRUST 26 Loynells Road, Rednal Birmingham B45 9NP 01785 713862 www.lapal.org

LICHFIELD & HATHERTON CANALS REST'N TRUST Sue Williams, Norfolk House 29 Hall Lane, Hammerwich Burntwood WS7 0JP 01543 671427 info@lhcrt.org.uk www.lhcrt.org.uk NEATH & TENNANT CS Ian Milne 16 Gower Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9BY 01792 547902 MANCHESTER BOLTON & BURY CANAL SOCIETY Steve Dent 07802-973228 www.mbbcs.org.uk MONMOUTHSHIRE BRECON & ABERGAVENNY CT Phil Hughes 14 Locks Canal Centre Cwm Lane, Newport NP10 9GN 01633 892167 mail@fourteenlocks.co.uk www.mon-breccanal.org.uk NWPG Bill Nicholson 17 Clifford Road Princes Risborough HP27 0DU 01844 343369 / 0779 1097773 bill@nwpg.org.uk www.nwpg.org.uk POCKLINGTON C.A.S Paul Waddington Church House, Main St. Hemingborough YO8 7QE 01757 638027 SALTISFORD CT Budbrooke Road Warwick CV34 5RJ 01926 490 006 saltisfordcanal@aol.com www.saltisfordcanal.co.uk

SCARS (SANKEY CANAL) Colin Greenall 16 Bleak Hill Rd, Eccleston St. Helens WA10 4RW 01744 731746 colin.greenall@btopenworld.com www.scars.org.uk SHREWSBURY & NEWPORT CANALS TRUST Tam Hazan tamir_hazan@lineone.net www.sncanal.org.uk SHROPSHIRE UNION CS Richard Hall 35 Tyrley Cotts Market Drayton TF9 2AH 01630 657737 hall@ostw.co.uk www.shropshireunion.org.uk SLEAFORD NAV TRUST Steve Hayes 10 Chelmer Close N Hykeham Lincs LN8 8TH 01522-689460 email: steve.hayeskyme@ntlworld.com www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk SOMERSETSHIRE COAL CANAL SOCIETY Derrick Hunt 43 Greenland Mills Bradford on Avon BA15 1BL 01225-863066 derrickjohnhunt@btinternet,com www.coalcanal.org RIVER STOUR TRUST John Morris 2 Stockton Close, Hadleigh Ipswich IP7 5SH jgmorris@btinternet.com www.riverstourtrust.org STOVER CANAL SOCIETY George Whitehead 26 Northumberland Place, Teignmouth TQ14 8BU. Tel: 01626 775498 Georgewhitehead1@tiscali.co.uk www.stovercanal.co.uk

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STRATFORD ON AVON CANAL SOCIETY Clive Henderson The Bridge House Church Lane Lapworth Solihull B94 5NU clive.henderson@waterways.org.uk www.stratfordcanalsociety.org.uk SURREY & HANTS CANAL SOCIETY Duncan Paine 52 Kings Road Fleet GU51 3AQ 01252-614125 duncanpaine@talktalk.net www.basingstokecanal.org.uk/society SUSSEX OUSE RESTORATION TRUST Paul Morris, Farmcote Nettlesworth Lane Old Heathfield Heathfield TN21 9AP 01453 863683 sussexouse@hotmail.com www.sxouse.org.uk SWANSEA CANAL SOC Clive Reed 17 Smithfield Road, Pontardawe Swansea SA8 4LA 01792 830782 THAMES & MEDWAY CA Brian Macknish Meadow View, Hodsell St Sevenoaks TN15 7LA b.macknish@btinternet.com www.thamesmedway.co.uk WELL CREEK TRUST Mrs C Day, 1 Tramways Outwell PE14 8PZ carole1910@hotmail.com WENDOVER ARM TRUST Roger Leishman 7 Hall Park Berkhamsted HP4 2NU 01442 874536 rwleishman@gmail.com www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk

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WEY & ARUN CT The Granary, Flitchfold Farm Loxwood, Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 ORH 01403 752403 office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk WILTS & BERKS CT George Eycott 4 Lewendon Road Newbury RG14 1SP 07771 775745 bungle@wrg.org.uk www.wilts-berkscanal.org.uk WOODEN CANAL BOAT SOCIETY 173 Stamford St Central Ashton under Lyne OL6 7PS 0161-330-8422 wcbs@care2.com www.wcbs.org.uk

WRG CONTACTS WRG ENQUIRIES, BOOKINGS, DRIVER AUTHORISATION, Jenny Morris, IWA Island House, Moor Road Chesham HP5 1WA 01494 783453 enquiries@wrg.org.uk www.wrg.org.uk WRG NORTH WEST Malcolm Bridge 89 Rishworth Mill Rishworth Sowerby Bridge HX6 4RZ 01422-820693 nw@wrg.org.uk www.wrgnw.org.uk WRG NW - ENQUIRIES/ PAPERCHASES David McCarthy Woodstock 14 Crumpsall Lane Manchester M8 5FB 0161-740 2179 www.wrgnw.org.uk

WRG BITM & 'NAVVIES' DIARY David Wedd 7 Ringwood Road Blackwater Camberley Surrey GU17 0EY 01252 874437 dave.wedd@wrg.org.uk www.wrgbitm.org.uk LONDON WRG Tim Lewis 5 Herongate Road, Wanstead London E12 5EJ 07802 518094 tim@timlewis.org.uk www.london.wrg.org.uk WRG EAST MIDLANDS John Baylis 215 Clipstone Rd. West Forest Town Mansfield Notts NG19 0HJ 01623 633895 ESSEX WRG Frank Wallder 12 Bray Lodge Cheshunt Waltham Cross EN8 0DN 019926-636164 essex@wrg.org.uk www.essex.wrg.org.uk WRG FORESTRY Clive Alderman 30 Primley Lane Sheering Bishops Stortford CM22 7NJ 07973 877380 clive_jo.alderman@yahoo.co.uk IWA/WRG STAMP BANK Steve & Mandy Morley 33 Hambleton Grove Emerson valley Milton Keynes MK4 2JS 01908 520090 mail@morleytowers.org.uk

Canal & River Trust volunteer coordinators Central Shires East Midlands Kennet & Avon Manchester & Pennine North East N Wales & Borders North West London South East S Wales & Severn West Midlands

Tom Freeland tom.freeland@canalrivertrust.org.uk Simon Gent simon.gent@canalrivertrust.org.uk Rob Labus rob.labus@canalrivertrust.org.uk Steve O’Sullivan steve.osullivan@canalrivertrust.org.uk Lucy Dockray lucy.dockray@canalrivertrust.org.uk Paul Corner paul.corner@canalrivertrust.org.uk Matt Taylor matt.taylor@canalrivertrust.org.uk Debbie Vidler deborah.vidler@canalrivertrust.org.uk John Highmore john.highmore@canalrivertrust.org.uk Alan Sumnall alan.sumnall@canalrivertrust.org.uk Murray Woodward murray.woodward@canalrivertrust.org.uk

CANAL CAMPS MOBILES (A) 07850 422156 (B) 07850 422157 'NAVVIES' EDITOR Martin Ludgate 35 Silvester Rd. London SE22 9PB 020 8693 3266 0777 947 8629 (mobile) martin.ludgate@wrg.org.uk 'WRGWEAR' CLOTHING Helen Gardner 33 Victoria Road Northwich CW9 5RE 07989 425346 wrgwear@wrg.org.uk WRG BOAT CLUB Sadie Heritage 236 Station Rd. Whittlesey Peterborough PE7 2HA 01733 204505 07748 186867 (mobile) sadiedean@msn.com WRG DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Mike Palmer 3 Finwood Road Rowington Warwickshire CV35 7DH 01564 785293 mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk WRG PLANT George Eycott Knowle House 1 Ham Road, Wanborough Wiltshire SN4 0DF 07771 775745 bungle@wrg.org.uk

SITES GROUP Judith Palmer 3 Finwood Rd, Rowington Warwickshire CV35 7DH 01564 785293 jude.moore@btinternet.com

Rick Barnes 11 Lawns Park North Woodchester Stroud GL5 5PP 07976 748345 rick.barnes@wrg.org.uk

WRGPRINT John & Tess Hawkins 4 Links Way, Croxley Grn Rickmansworth WD3 3RQ 01923 448559 john.hawkins@wrg.org.uk

Spencer Collins The Boatyard, 5 Hammond Way Trowbridge BA14 8RS 07790 017418 spencer.collins@wrg.org.uk

IWA CHAIRMAN Les Etheridge c/o IWA, Island House Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA les.etheridge@ waterways.org.uk TRANSPORT MANAGER Jonathan Smith 23 Hardings Chalgrove Oxford OX44 7TJ 01865 891 370 jonathan.smith@wrg.org.uk OTHER DIRECTORS Mick Beattie 42 Eaton Drive Rugeley WS15 2FS

Chris Davey Angle House Green Terrace Skipton BD23 5DS chris.davey@wrg.org.uk John Baylis (see above) Harry Watts 12 St John Road, Slough SL2 5EY 07889 237834 harry.watts@wrg.org.uk James Butler 7 Hawthorne Close Woodford Halse NN11 3NY 07745 256117 james.butler@wrg.org.uk Helen Gardner (see above)

Help us keep this directory up to date

If you spot any errors or omissions or know of any changes please pass them on to the editor. The next full directory will appear in issue 260, but any corrections received before then will also be included in the next available ‘Navvies Noticeboard’. Thank you for your assistance.

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Camp report Cotswold Canals Splish, Splosh Splash, it’s the Cotswolds Post Christmas Scrub Bash

RAF Martin reports from a soggy week at Rucks Bridge, where despite the water on the towpath being above welly depth, “the father of fire was not to be beaten” Wilts & Berks canal. We started cutting our way down the embankment to access the tow path bank as the flood water was over wellie depth on the tow path under the bridge (our original access route into the work site). With sufficient space to organize a bonfire soon cleared, “burn master” Moose set to work and by mid–morning the soddon arisings from the initial morning clearance reverted to their basic elements, the father of fire was not to be beaten.

Jon Pontefract and local WRGie Peter Foord joined us on the 28th complete with mini excavator liberated from the CCT Stroud storage depot; stumps from the previous day work were duly extricated from terra firma, not that bad under foot until the rains came combined with the contents of digger buckets of stumps & soil as they were extricated from the submerged towpath bank, facilitated a mud bath of Somme proportions as the happy band trudged through with fire fodder to satisfy the wanton pyroappetite of burn master Moose. With the sound of adjacent gas fired bird scarers periodically going off and accompanying shouts of “in coming” it was pale imitation of

Alan Lines

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink; well the first bit is correct, in so far as the site at Ruck’s bridge on the eastern end of the Cotswold Canals formed part of the “Great Upper Thames Lake” (GUTL), the second was unfortunately closer to the truth as our “around the corner from the accommodation friendly local pub The Eagle had closed due to the recession and the locals had omitted to tell the leader. His homework has now been marked “must do better research”!

A core of 14 resilient souls had their own Christmas epic version of the “Great Escape” in joining up to partake in an interesting scrub bashing task at Rucks Bridge on the Eastern end of the Cotswold Canal. An exciting drive along roads that at best were causeways across the Upper Thames Lake and in places was under varying depths of flood water. Tasterella continues the story...

So we finally get to see what the Thames and Severn at Eisey would look like ‘’in water’’. The Alex Farm eastern end depot farmyard was literally awash and we were wading to the loo door.

The sight of the Eisey lock *full* and the place where we set up the gazebo under two feet of water; the whole length of the canal looking like..a canal!

Eisey lock with the ladders in place looking totally sponditious. This is a technical term, meaning: wow, look what I helped a wee bit in restoring.

The waterlogged adjacent fields deterred the shooting party on the 27th Dec which meant we could work at Rucks The canal looking unusually canal-like from Rucks Bridge instead of a day away on the

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Alan Lines

the conditions faced in the WW1 battlefields sterling efforts under such testing conditions. but loud enough to effect a nervous reaction Timber produced from the scrub clearin some especially when walking down the ance was collected by the Western end log track in close proximity to one of the units! sales team during the week and taken for A work boat was provided by CCT to processing at the Stroud depot as their local tackle the vegetative growth in the canal bed, demand for fire wood is exceeding producbut alas the floor boards were not supplied tion in the western end restoration operawith it so the boat was limited to a being a tions. The proceeds from the sales provide a “push me pull you ferry” The leader donned very welcome income to support CCT restochest waders and life jacket to reduce the ration effort. On Saturday morning, when growth to stump level and numerous boat even the hardiest WRGie was rain lashed to loads of branches were taken from the offsubmission, the comforts of the Alex Farm side and guided over to the bonfire site on mess room sheltered the intrepid team until the towpath. The concept of the leader with an early day was called for some. Not to be a major cold water infusion of his warm thwarted and with the advantage of a nice winter thermals amused all and their expecCCT refurbished barn, and the novelty of a tations were thankfully avoided. However petrol driven log splitter a knot of WRGies blackthorn and thin rubber waders are not were kept busy by log splitting some of the best of partners and the repair kit may just eastern end stockpile ready for an urgent be needed! Taster continues: post New Year CCT log delivery. Murphy’s The rest of us were either tirforing rule came into play and when the late stayers (John and Paul, who never stayed dry in the left site the rain stopped! rear for very long) or Alan and TC (Teacher After the joys of hot showers at the hall Chris); fire feeding (me and Mo, mainly) or and awesome evening meals the group creating fire fodder (Phil, the robot) and mostly chilled with games or a good book others, all manically creating either logs or but a trip out to a “whoop arse” evening of burn-able material, and rendering the tow skittles against the Wilts & Berks Canal Compath a glorious sight to behold in the lashing pany camp at Dauntsey saw TC win the rain. ‘killer’ part of it, much to his and everyone’s Newbie David (our token Northerner) surprise. The new Mel & Bungle residence was honing his acerbic skills on us and was visited to christen the WRG repair shop pledged a pamphlet on the difference beaka Bungles ginormous garage and the tween Southerners and those above Watford. customer waiting area in the hostelry across Anything above Bristol counts as ‘Here be the road. dragons’ for such as we, and David coming from Whitehaven seemed ..well..the Uttermost North! Except for Mo of course, who is in fact Scottish.

The happy band of bashers were also joined and supported by WRG and CCT forestry volunteers at various times during the week as well as numerous WRG & CCT day visitors including a very well-received visit by the new CCT Chairman, Mike Guest. Jon Pontefract, the local project coordinator, escorted Mike around site to view the ongoing works, and Mike thanked all the volunteers for their Pulling vegetation out - and trying to stay dry

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Camp report Cotswold Canals

RAF Martin reports from a soggy week at Rucks Bridge, where despite the water on the towpath being above welly depth, “the father of fire was not to be beaten”

John Hawkins

Finally Taster does the personnel are some things you wished for and you present appreciation: don’t get (including the local pub!) and othMoose, in full flow as Asst Leader: ‘Get ers that exceed expectations such as my your arses on the van, NOW’ and other terms sterling assistant and fire master Moose, and of endearments, all in the best possible taste. the ever splendiferous (Oops gone all Maria, ever talented as chef, and wonderful Tasterella) Maria cook (and pineapple upside company. 5 dogs at various points. Forestry down cake supremeo) & camp administrator working at Pocket Park in Shrivenham on supreme. The gift that keeps on giving saturation Saturday (which must be where continues to be the companionship, friendthe Sylvanian familes reside) included Alan ( ship and the resilient “never say die” WRGie Mr Camera) Lines, Ben, Tim, Martyn. They of attitude to get the job done despite what the orange high vis. nature throws at you. It is what makes WRG Robin aka ‘Nephew’ appeared, as did navvies the great people that they are and TC aka Teacher Chris. Both hard grafters par coming back for more. excellence, matched by Phil ( the robot) who My thanks to everyone that came, makes the Duracell bunny look halfhearted. waded and conquered, to Paul Ireson for Women on site: myself and Mo, the being my breakfast cook buddy, to Jon ever cheerful, we were the fire gals. Maria Pontefract and the local CCT team (including joined us when she was able to escape Karen and Alan, who may have dried out by kitchen duties, bless her. now!) for the their support and hospitality.

Iain with his new Xmas present Silky A site is being sought for the 2013 those folding saw ‘blade’ which he tested against wishing a drop of post Xmas “southern comChris’s cheapy one. He broke the tip off. He fort” over a drop of “northern bitter”, no always does play too hard with his toys. rivalry intended, honest!

Paul (Mr Breakfast) Ireson was a hero.

‘RAF Martin’ Thompson John the Hawk was as ever, our wise counselor.

Martin ( American) and his laughs were almost as infectious as Paul’s.

David ( the newbie).

Mr Danks, as urbane as ever, a wonderful calming presence and quite a Tarzan impression on the last day, clambering over the trees that leaned over the ‘canal’. Sawing them off. Hauling them in with gusto. Ably assisted by David and Robin.

So like ChristThe push-me-pull-you ferry in use mas presents there

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Wrg bc news Jan 2013 Happy New Year - Here at last is 2013! Of course by the time you get to read this it will no longer be a ‘New Year’ and by now you will be getting the date correct on cheques etc.

2013 is a ‘Milestone’ year for us as our lovely boat Lynx is 100 years old. No party this time. (I expect some of you can remember celebrating its 90 years at the National Festival that year) We plan to tour about with the ‘flags’ flying – and many of you know about our distinctive ‘flags’ too!

Now to Boat Club Plans for this year As the National will be early (20-21 July at Cassiobury Park, Watford) it was suggested that instead of having our AGM there, we have it in August/September. The best venue was considered to be the Lichfield and Hatherton gathering in September, at Huddlesford Junction. I asked for members’ opinions and the replies showed that members thought it a good venue and they could get there or were happy to support the change.

This is definitely a gathering where the purpose is to support restoration and the location has the advantage of being central on the network. Details so far are – dates 21st to 22nd September – location Coventry Canal at Huddlesford Junction. Entry forms are not yet available (when I write this) but check the L&H website as they said forms available ‘early 2013’.

Lots of Members will be going to the National and we hope to have a social get together for the club.

I have a list of those wanting a copy of the AWCC handbook. These should be avail-

Boat Club ...plus more about food! able at their AGM in March and I will post them on. Quick! If you forgot to let me know, do so now as I ordered a couple of spares in case we get any new members.

Any reader interested in joining us?

Membership is open to active members of waterway recovery group and those who have previously been involved with working with the groups. This does not include those who just subscribe to Navvies. To apply contact me, the club secretary, details below.

Have you any other ideas for club activities this year? Please let us know. I fancy another trip to the Droitwich.

You may have heard of Straw Bear the boat, well it’s named after the Straw Bear Festival, which is imminent so I am very busy with that just now, hence not too much exciting news. However for the adventurous members Whittlesey, where the festival is held, has some very good moorings - anyone fancy some winter cruising and a visit to the Middle Level Navigations for the 2014 Straw Bear Festival?

Let’s hope for better boating weather this year! xxx Sadie Heritage 07748186867 sadiedean@msn.com

Food Shopping for a camp – support your local!

We are updating the cooks handbook! This is a fantastic collection of information on how to cater for a camp full of people including suggested recipes.

I really enjoy doing mass cooking. I also really enjoy being on site. However, I hate shopping, I can just about cope with normal domestic sized food shopping but enough for a whole camp is enough to tip me over the edge (although husband Jason has suggested that next time I take my mp3 player and listen to AC/DC to calm me down – it helps him!)

So to make the whole shopping experience much more pleasant and to try to support the local shops in areas where the local people are supporting us, we need your help.

Send me details of any good local shops, farm shops, small manufacturers that have on site shops (eg the cheese factory near Grantham), shops that might give us discount, the local venison supplier (I kid you not!), anyone who would like to bake lots of cakes, etc., anywhere in the vicinity of any of the camps this year or that we are working on long term, (see canal camp brochure with the last edition of Navvies). You can also send me places to avoid, such as Oswestry Sainsbury’s supermarket on a Saturday because the car park is impossibly small to park a transit van in! This way we can build up a nice resource to help all cooks now and in the future and help take away the stress of shopping for me at least!

Viv Day wrgcooking@gmail.com

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Congratulations to Leonie and Ben O’Donoghue on the arrival of their daughter Inara on 10 February weighing 9lb 7.5oz also to George ‘Bungle’ Eycott and Mel Parker on their engagement

Stamps wanted

Send used stamps, petrol coupons, phone cards, empty computer printer ink cartridges to IWA/WRG Stamp Bank, 33 Hambleton Grove, Milton Keynes MK4 2JS. All proceeds to canal restoration.

Apologies... ...for the fact that I can’t think of anything to apologise for this time.

Sorry.

Moving house George ‘Bungle’ Eycott and Mel Parker have moved to Knowle House, 1 Ham Road, Wanborough, Wilts SN4 0DF Alan Wiffen has a new email address awiffen@btinternet.com If you move, remember to tell Navvies

Help needed by WRG North West If WRG(NW) are to maintain their presence at Festivals, Rallies, etc, they urgently need help with the logistics of getting their Sales Stand and stock to (typically) 3 or 4 events per year. The two areas where help is required are (a) arranging what is to go and its collection from where it is stored (3 places in the Manchester area), and (b) driving a van between Manchester and the various locations involved.

Ideally,a single volunteer would fill both roles but any offers of help would be gratefully received. NW have managed to cover the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival in June but have had to rule out attending the Staveley Town Basin Festival in early July and, for the first time in living memory, will not be able to attend The National unless help is forthcoming before then.

Contact John Foley on jfoley456@btinternet.com if you can help.

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Thanks to Chris Griffiths of Stroudprint for continued assistance with Navvies cover printing

Contacting the chairman: Mike Palmer, 3 Finwood Rd, Rowington Warwickshire CV35 7DH

Tel: 01564 785293 email: mike.palmer@wrg.org.uk

Dial-a-camp To contact any WRG Canal Camp: 07850 422156 (Kit ‘A’ camps) 07850 422157 (Kit ‘B’ camps)

Dear Deirdre I’ve offered my services as cook to

Infill

at least four of this year’s camp leaders but none of them have taken up my offer. I don’t really understand it – I won Huddersfield Slimmer of the Year 2011 and I have a brilliant repertoire of low fat, high-fibre meals which my friends at WeightWatchers all say are marvellous. Why are my services being rejected?

- Sarah, Slaithwaite Deirdre writes Thank you for your letter, the menu cards and the sample of low-fat courgette bran brownie, which was very unique-tasting. I think perhaps WRG isn’t quite ready for your low-sodium carrot and barley broth as a de-toxifying alternative to the traditional lasagne, and I’m almost certain your recipe for cholesterol-lowering wheatgerm flapjacks would not be considered an acceptable substitute for the custard cream. Whilst I agree with you that some WRG members might do well to ease off on the second helpings, I think the normal method of an assertive cook armed with a rolling pin is the best way to keep the WRG waistline down.

Do you have a question for Deirdre? You can email it to deirdre@wrg.org.uk

Wordsearch answers

Captions, please!

The following are the railway-related words and phrases concealed in the Uttoxeter Canal New Year canal camp report on pages 11-13.

Sidings Churnet Valley Railway Railway Track Track Trolleys Platform Station Bank Holiday Service Buffet car Hot & cold snacks Timetable Train Barrier crossing Lookout Sleeper Shunt driver Announcement Rush hour All change please!

Engine compartment Engine Replacement bus service Passengers Operatives Arrival Signalled Bridge Points Flag Shuttle

This photo taken on the WRG Forestry October camp on the Uttoxeter appears to show WRG Print’s John Hawkins tied down to the railway track in traditional ‘silent movie’ style. Any suggestions for what might have been going on? What was John saying? What were WRG FT saying? Suggestions to the Editor.

And finally... ...the editor was flicking through old copies of Navvies and came across this intriguing announcement from around 1971: Found: one pair of trousers left at Lowsonford Village Hall (Jim’s size / medium waist) Beer-up type rather than digging type, lovat green colour.

Trouserless gentleman, please contact Jim Woolgar including suitable sum for postage (for trousers, not J Woolgar).

I wonder if they ever got back to their owner.

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