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Foxton Junction by John G Carlaw
Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways Disclaimer: The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this Newsletter but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed herein may be construed as policy or official announcement unless stated otherwise. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the Newsletter
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Content From the Editor From Your Regional Chairman Summer Canal Camp Food for Thought Essex Waterways Update
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7
Charles Stock Social Scene Just For Fun Safety Bulletin Committee Update
Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 10 Page 11
From The Editor With the ever increasing cost of printing and postage we all are looking at ways to reduce cost, and make saving whilst keeping quality and distribution to the maximum. One of these avenues is moving from a paper based version of the magazine to an electronic media. I hear the sharp intake of breath from those who may not have access to a computer, broadband or an email account, please be assured that printed distribution will still be in placed for those who wish to continue to receive a posted version. The Newsletter is written with electronic communication in mind, with colour content and photographs for improved web appearance. This reduces the time period from proof reading / corrections to being placed on the branch web page and then prepared for distribution by Head Office. For those of you who would like to receive an electronic copy you will need to register on the IWA web site. This is easy and secure. The method is to access the Inland Waterways Association web site at www.waterways.org.uk On the right hand side, just below the IWA banner you will see the option to Register. Under the heading Register for Web Services enter your membership type and then follow the directions. This will allow your email address to be put on the system and will be used to send the link to the newsletter, (controlled by the Head Office). The benefits to having an electronic copy is that it will be in colour, you would receive it earlier than by post, and you could print it off in what ever format you wish, (although black & white will remain the norm for printed distribution). A letter to all members seeking your support for this move from paper to electronic format appears on the back of this newsletter. Once notification has been received from those who have register, you will no longer receive a paper version and will receive an email, to the registered address giving you a link to the online / electronic Newsletter. Please make time to look out your photos, articles and ideas and send them in for our next newsletter For those on e-mail please send your input to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk. Those without just give me a call to arrange for collection. 07837 576464. John G Carlaw
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From Your Regional Chairman I have been your Region Chairman for just over a year now. A lot has happened in that time and I have enjoyed getting round to meet members of other branches. We have seen the launch of the Canal & River Trust in July and have run a successful Campaign to keep Commercial Road Lock open and hence a safe passage for boats going to and from the Lee during the Olympics. The Region has also made a number of donations including two of £500 one to the Wendover Arm Trust and the other to the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. Some people have said to me “Isn’t IWA redundant now that the C&RT has been formed and are going to run the waterways?”. They have even suggested that IWA has become C&RT’s lapdog. My answer is always NO. We are hopefully looking at the end of the beginning of our long campaign for a national waterways trust but there is a long way to go. The presence of boats makes navigable waterways distinctive and attractive to a wide range of users. We believe that effective maintenance of our waterways for navigation is fundamental to encouraging leisure use by the widest range of people, including users of both the waterspace and the bankside. Navigation requires the maintenance of navigable depth to set standards, both for safe passage of boats and to promote the establishment and conservation of aquatic life, whilst the maintenance of a stable bank and towpath allows all users to benefit from safe access to the waterways. We will continue to campaign to maintain and improve access to all waterways. London Region is a large area and we have a number of campaigns going on. A few examples might give you an idea of what we are doing. To the West of London we have a continuous campaign to ensure the Slough arm is dredged to allow broad beam boats to get to Slough. In the North we continue to support the Wendover Trust to raise money to continue the restoration of the Arm, particularly important this year as they have had to cancel their main fundraising event due to the Diamond Jubilee. In the Chelmsford Branch area we continue to maintain and run IWA’s only waterway the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. This is a continuing demand on volunteers’ time but allows us to show how a charity can run a canal. We need more help for all our campaigns, so if you can spare a few hours a month please get in touch with John Gale your Vice-chairman or with me. Paul Strudwick
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Summer Canal Camp on the Chelmer & Backwater Navigation
The outboard was later found to have ingested blanket weed into its cooling system and once removed was working better than before!
Two week long summer Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camps took place on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation at the end of July and beginning of August. Both stayed at the Haybay accommodation barge at Heybridge Basin, but the work this time was at Rushes Weir, Ulting, a remote location which somehow is a very popular spot for groups of youngsters to enjoy the river.
The main work, specifically planned for the summer months when water levels should be lower, was repairs to eroded brickwork on the weir. This was to be cut out and replaced with new. Working on a slippery sloping weir with deep water below presented certain risks, so on the first day scaffolding contractors erected safety rails along the whole weir while the volunteers carried out site clearance and preparation and received instruction on the use of equipment and safety harnesses for work on the weir. The lock paddles were used to control water flow on the weir whilst still retaining adequate water depth for users of the Navigation which included the trip boat Victoria visiting the location.
This posed two problems, getting the sixteen or so volunteers to and from the site each day and avoiding leaving any equipment or materials at the site. The answers were to use the Navigation and Essex Waterways workboats. Two small “Raider” workboats were made available at Hoe Mill Lock together with the barge Julie.
The volunteers would travel to Hoe Mill in their WRG vans and then transfer with tools to the two raiders for the trip upstream to Rushes each day. Julie would be used as the materials store carrying bricks, sand, cement etc. as well as having a portable toilet unit on board and EWL staff would take her to and from the site each day. This all worked well and to plan except that during the second camp one of the outboard motors was not cooling adequately and so was taken out of use and the two raiders were breasted together for the journey.
The first camp was led by our local volunteer, Bob Crow with Alan Wiffen, another WRG regular, as assistant leader. Apart from John Geary, another Chelmsford Branch member, most of the other volunteers were first timers with little waterway experience. Bob’s experience soon showed as a team emerged and large areas of eroded brickwork on the weir slope were hacked out and new brickwork was inserted..
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News From The Mill
on the weir on Tuesday, so a quick transfer was made back to Heybridge Basin to work on the north quay. During this week an eroded bank below the weir was reformed using faggots (tightly packed and tied bundles of willow) held in place with chestnut stakes. That lost day was possibly the reason why on the last day of the second camp the work on the weir brickwork was not quite complete and two holes remained to be filled. However, in order to overcome this, Bob Crow returned to site with EWL staff on two days after his holiday and finished the work. Thank you Bob, our local hero!
The resultant brick rubble was transferred to the tow path bank where this was packed into gabion baskets placed in a previous bank washout to form a more permanent repair. As the number of volunteers working on the weir needed to be restricted, the group was split into two with the second group carrying out scrub bashing on the adjoining tow path where rapid vegetation growth had left only a narrow muddy track for the tow path. This clearance was welcomed by the many users of the path and it also allowed this to dry out. Progress on replacing brickwork was necessarily slow, requiring much cutting and placing of bricks before laying, so as to ensure the smooth slope of the weir was maintained. By the end of the week a useful team of volunteers was evident and work was progressing well. Unfortunately, the first week was soon over and when the first group left on the Saturday, a new group arrived
During the two weeks the new volunteers gained considerable experience, an insight to our working waterway, useful work was done and several friendships made. We have a final 2012 Canal Camp at the end of October which will see several of our regular volunteers return, and we are already being asked by the Waterway Recovery Group how many camps we wish to host next year!
The second week camp was led by Sarah with Chris as assistant and whilst Sarah had been on previous Canal Camps on the Navigation, both were new as leaders. Bob Crow therefore stayed on for the start of the week in order “to show them the ropes”. Once again virtually all the group were first timers including a group from France which lead to several interesting explanations and comparisons during the week. A similar pattern of work was carried out replacing brickwork on the weir, continuing scrub bashing and completing the gabion placing and filling. A day of high water levels prevented any work
Roy Chandler
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Food For Thought This is the time of year when the fruits of our labours start to be gathered and laid down for the winter. As you walk the tow path of the Navigation you may wish to take a container and start to collect blackberries. Blackberry Brandy Here is a simple but good way to make a couple of bottles of this and it is absolutely scrumptious on a cold winter’s evening (or mixed with iced lemonade on hot summer’s evenings, (if you have any left for the summer) 1lb blackberries, washed 8 ounces superfine sugar 35 fl.oz (1 litre) brandy Divide the blackberries between 3 sterilised 500ml ‘Kilner’ jars (or alternatively use other sterilised jars/ containers that you can seal tightly, or place blackberries into one very large container). Pour in the sugar, dividing it equally between the jars; divide and pour in the brandy. Seal the jars tightly and shake them well. Store in a cool, dark cupboard and shake every other day for a week, then shake once a week for two months; the brandy will then be ready to drink, but will keep improving if you can manage to leave it for longer! When the brandy has steeped for at least two months, strain it off into a 1 litre bottle (you can reserve the fruit for a very boozy dessert; a few berries are great served with vanilla ice cream); it is now ready to serve.
BEEF GOULASH 1lb braising steak 1 large onion 2 tbsp oil 1 tbsp plain flour
1/2 - 1 oz paprika 1 oz tomato puree seasoning 3/4 pt beef stock 1/4 pt red wine
Cut the steak into 1” cubes, season, fry in the oil. When the meat has coloured, add the onion and cook until softened. Then sieve in the flour and paprika, making sure that you keep stirring to prevent it sticking to the bottom of the pan. After 1 - 2 minutes, add the tomato puree. Gradually stir in the stock and red wine until the gravy is thickened and boiling. Put the goulash into a covered dish to cook in the oven at a low temperature (GM 2, 250˚F) for a couple of hours until the meat is tender. Check seasoning and flavour, sometimes a pinch of demerara sugar can bring out the taste well. Thicken with arrowroot or cornflour if necessary. So with minimal use of all those kitchen gadgets here is some food for thought. Open the wine and get cooking. If you have tried and tested dishes that you would like to share then please send on to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk .
John G Carlaw
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Essex Waterways Update The last Newsletter confirmed that Essex Waterways Ltd was looking for a replacement Manager for the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation as Colin Edmond will be retiring later this year. Following much interest in the position and subsequent interviews, Graham Brown has been appointed as Manager Designate and will commence duties on September 10th Graham was previously employed by Essex & Suffolk Water as a Manager of leisure facilities at Hanningfield Reservoir. Interviews also took place for an Assistant Lengthsman to work with Michael Cole, the Senior Lengthsman along the Navigation. Directors of EWL were so impressed by the number and quality of applicants for this post that they have appointed two assistants, James Cole and Sam Hobden. Both have already commenced their duties.
One of James Cole’s first task was repairing Heybridge Basin toilets. Roy Chandler
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New From The Mill
Charles Stock 1927 - 2012 Charles Stock, a well known small boat sailor, died peacefully in his sleep on the 19th September 2012. Charles was born in Wood Green in 1927 and evacuated to Chelmsford at the start of the Second World War. He was educated at King Edwards Grammar then worked at the Admiralty tracking enemy shipping before training with the marines. After the war he trained at a farming institute in Norfolk. He worked as farm manager for many years living in High Easter and later Pleshey before moving back to Chelmsford to work in the civil service allowing him more time for sailing. He served on the local council, spoke at the Tory conference, appeared on TV and radio, was a member of the East Coast Old Gaffers Association and served on the RYA committee enjoying a meeting on the Royal yacht during Cowes Week. He was passionate about sailing, covering over 40,000 miles in his small yacht Shoal Waters always a familiar sight on the River Blackwater. He wrote about his sailing trips in articles and the book Sailing Just for Fun. He taught and lectured for over 50 years inspiring many to take up sailing. In 2010 he received a Lifetime Award from the Royal Cruising Club for services to cruising. He was a great supporter of the opening up of the inland waterways. I know that he enjoyed exploring the canals and rivers and meeting people as he plied his way, often punting or towing Shoal Waters. This old fashioned method of travel gave him much pleasure throughout his sailing life, especially a trip up the Chelmer and Blackwater to Chelmsford. He has set off on his final cruise and will be much missed by his wife Joy, family and friends. Funeral service Chelmsford crematorium 4/10/2012 at 2.45. Website: shoal-waters.moonfruit.com Jim  Stock  (son)
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News From The Mill
Social Scene October 11th I thought as the new Social Secretary, and as someone who is also very new to attending branch meetings, that I would just introduce myself, and also encourage you to encourage me! I retired from work about eight years ago now, because my hearing level had dropped to the point I couldn't easily use phones or follow conversations. Many of you will have met my Hearing Dog, Selva, who slightly disgraced herself at the first meeting by barking at fireworks! Two years ago I had a cochlear implant which has improved my hearing dramatically - but I do need people to speak fairly clearly, and noisy surroundings (tea and chat!) can be a challenge. I still struggle with the phone, especially with unfamiliar voices - so much prefer e-mail contact if possible. But I would love you to contact me!
Pete Hesketh – just back from a trip round the world on cargo vessels etc November 8th Barrie Sanderson - “Portwey” (one of three remaining coal fired tugs) December 13th Christmas social plus Keith Leedham – award winning slide sequences January 10th Darren Tansley Essex WildLife Trust – Vole recovery Project
I have been narrow boating for almost 20 years now. I first hired a boat with friends, and then had shares in a boat based near Calcutt locks in the Midlands. About four years ago I bought an ex-hire boat, which continues to be moored at the same site, giving me endless entertainment at base watching boats at the locks and wild life (not much difference....) on the reservoir. I have really enjoyed the meetings since I started coming - I had no idea how much is involved in keeping our local waterways such a valuable resource, and how much time, most of it voluntary, it takes. Since taking over from Molly as Social Secretary I have almost exhausted her list of suggestions for speakers, supplemented by my own contacts. We have speakers more or less sorted through to next summer, but from next September I would be thrilled if you would let me know what interests you (its good to have variety), what format you prefer, and any suggestions or volunteers for speakers. Publicity for our evenings is not easy, so keep an eye on the web site if you are able, and bring others as well! Jean Maxwell
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PLACE COFFEE CUP HERE
News From The Mill
Just For Fun
Walking In Idiom
SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3 x 3 block contains the numbers one to nine (1 - 9) 4
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As autumn turns the 2012 calendar corner into October, we must take care walking along the Navigation. Making sure to proceed cautiously and are walking before you can run. Trying not to walk on eggshells or on thin ice. A walk on the wild side can be just as bad as walking a mile in some one else's shoes. Some like to walk the tight rope, if you do make sure it is not a short walk on a long pier and at the end be asked to walk the plank. Always walk tall and if you are happy you could feel like you are walking on air. When the path is narrow you may need to walk in single file. Most of the time you can walk arm in arm but it may be best if you can walk hand in hand. Try not to walk your feet off and when busy do not get mad and walk off the job. Whilst on the Navigation you may meet every walk of life. Just remember if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck.
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Safety Bulletin to Narrowboat Owners Navigating on the Tidal Thames A bulletin has been received from the Port of London Authority about the sinking of a Narrowboat in Limehouse Reach. On the 24th August 2012 a Narrowboat was delivered by rosd to South Dock Marina in London for a new owner. The vessel was lifted into the dock and the new owner requested to lock out of the marina as they had an overnight berth in Limehouse Marina; a short distance up the River Thames. The vessel departed the lock at 17:00 with 5 adults and 1 dog on board. As they departed the lock the lock keeper commented that they should have lifejackets on board as they appeared to be missing. The crew decided to continue on and left the dock with 3 adults in the aft cockpit and 2 adults in the cabin. The vessel transited directly across the river to the starboard side of the channel and then turned upriver towards the Limehouse marina. Shortly into their transit the crew noted a change in the engine note and opened the engine room hatch to find the engine half submerged. All persons quickly moved to the stern to try to bail out the engine room, but were unable to cope with the ingress of water into the vessel. The engine room continued to fill with water and flooded into the main cabin, submerging the aft caming below the water, resulting in severe flooding of the vessel which sank in 10 seconds. All of the crew and the dog entered the water without lifejackets, but were rescued by a nearby RIB and Police Launch. Safety Lessons The hull of the vessel had been completely double plated and the increased weight of this plating had resulted in a reduced safety clearance with the bottom of the engine room vent being positioned approximately 65mm above the waterline. With 3 persons positioned on the aft deck the bottom of the engine room air vent became submerged beneath the waterline by 50mm.
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News From The Mill
The following safety lessons should carefully considered by narrowboat owners before venturing onto the tidal Thames. 1. The tidal Thames is considered to be a Category C waterway, where wave heights of up to 1.2m may be encountered and vessels should be suitably prepared to meet these conditions. 2. Through hull fittings, vents and exhaust outlets should be positioned as high up as practicable on narrowboats to meet the conditions likely to be encountered. 3. Where modifications have been made to a vessel, such as extensive use of double plating, it is important to check that sufficient safety clearance remains for the vessel to safely navigate in the intended waterway. 4. Lifejackets and other safety equipment should always be provided on board vessels navigating on the tidal Thames and it is strongly recommended that lifejackets are worn at all times when on deck. 5. When purchasing a vessel it is essential to have a pre-purchase survey undertaken by a competent surveyor ensuring the surveyor is aware of your intended use of the vessel The full article, including photographs can be seen at: http://www.pla.co.uk/pdfs/maritime/Safety_Bulletin_Issue_1_Sept_2012.pdf Branch Committee If you have any topics or subject that you wish to bring to the committees attention please use the contact details below John Gale:
Vice Chairman & Treasurer.
24 Longleaf Drive, Braintree CM7 1XS
Paul Strudwick:
London Region Chairman.
Paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk
Chris Chandler:
Secretary.
Chris.chandler@waterways.org.uk
Roy Chandler:
Planning and Conservation.
Roy.chandler@waterways.org.uk
John Carlaw:
Newsletter and Membership.
Chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk John.carlaw@waterways.org.uk
Mike Huggett:
Publicity.
Mike.huggett@waterways.org.uk
Stephanie Mason:
Refreshments.
None
Jean Maxwell:
Social and Fundraising.
Jean.maxwell@waterways.org.uk
Kirsten Smith:
Youth.
None
Adam Wyllie:
Branch Web Editor.
Adam.wyllie@waterways.org
IWA Chelmsford Web Address
http://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford
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Dear IWA Chelmsford Branch Member We currently send you our branch magazine ‘News From The Mill’ four times a year by post. Unfortunately this method of keeping you informed about the activities of the Branch is becoming ever more expensive. This year the total cost of production materials and postage has exceeded £1000 (£0.93 per copy). We need to try and make savings whilst at the same time making sure we don’t cut back on the information we give you. The obvious way to reduce costs is to use, where possible, some form of electronic communication. This method also has the added benefit of being more immediate. In order to avoid filling your email box with a large attachment we have come up with what we believe is the happy medium. We are publishing News From The Mill on the IWA Head Office web site. The magazine looks just like the paper version with ‘pages’ that can be turned with a mouse click. You can zoom into a particular page or print it if you prefer. We will simply send you an email which will contain a link to the most recent edition of our magazine. If you would like to try it just type the following link into your web browser’s address bar. https://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford/branch_magazine This method of publishing our magazine can only work if you have registered your email address with IWA Headquarters. Newer members will probably have done this when they took out their membership but long serving members may not. It you haven’t yet given IWA HQ your email address, and are happy to receive the newsletter this way, then we would be very grateful if you would tell them. Just send an email to tracy.higgin@waterways.org.uk asking to have your email address registered. We will try out this system with the next issue of News From The Mill, so all of you who have registered your email will receive both a paper copy and an email link. If it all works properly we’ll cut out the paper copy for the following edition for all registered email members, unless you request otherwise on receipt of the initial e-mail. Hard copies of News From The Mill will continue to be available for those members with no electronic links or who advise the Branch Secretary that they wish to receive them. We do hope this change in our system meets with your approval. If it achieves the twin aims of saving money and keeping you up-to-date with Branch activities then we’ve probably done something right! IWA Chelmsford Branch Committee - October 2012