IWA Chelmsford Branch Newsletter Spring 2021

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Bridge 37, Kingswood Junction By Stephanie Mason & John Grieve

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 The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor House, Chesham HP5 1WA 1

Content From The Editor London Towpath Walks From The Vice Chairman From The Regional Chairman Essex Waterways Update Lockdown Diorama Chelmer Waterside It Was A Good Year

Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 7 Page 12 Page 16

Creative Crafters Wark’s Ring & Oxford Canal Photographs AGM Social Diary Branch Committee Vacancy Just For Fun Branch Committee

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From The Editor There are changes being carried out on the IWA web pages and they are currently working on making the account area tailored to you.

If you had an account with the old website, you will not be able to log in to this one.

They will be in touch with you on how to set up a new account as soon as they can.

Once able to log on please check your contact details to ensure they are correct.

We still need you to dig out those photographs, write that article, document those waterway memories as we would still like to increase our contributors to the next Newsletter. Last inputs for Summer Newsletter 21/06/2021.

For those on e-mail please send your input to chelmsford.news@waterways.org.uk Those without just give me a call. 07837 576464.

London Towpath Walks Guides Needed One of the lesser known activities of the London Region is IWA’s Towpath Walks Society. The society, in partnership with London Walks, carries out a regular series of guided walks along London’s canals.

The walks last just over two hours and take place on two Sunday afternoons each month starting at a tube or DLR station. They’re a great way to introduce people to the waterways, and to raise money for IWA. It may seem strange asking, at this time with the walks suspended due to lockdown, but they need more guides for when the walks restart and it can take a couple of months before they can get feet in boots and ready to start to learn the routes.

All that is needed is an interest in waterways, an enjoyment of sharing your knowledge with others and a love of walking. A full briefing will be provided for the series and each individual walk. You will be part of a team so you can do as many or as few walks as you like.

If you would like to help, please contact londonwalks@waterways.org.uk

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From The Vice Chairman This year has been one of immense change and difficulty for us all and the IWA Chelmsford Branch has also seen many changes. We have not been unable to hold our usual social meetings for over a year.

Molly Beard our Chair has been unwell and has not been able to attend Committee meetings. We send Molly our best wishes for a full recovery and hope to see her soon.

John Gale has resigned from the position of Vice Chair and Treasurer which he held for many years. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to John for all his work for the Chelmsford Branch in those roles over the years.

Sadly Dennis Padfield our Publicity Officer and longtime IWA supporter has died and we send our condolences to his partner and family and friends and acknowledge his work and contribution to the branch. The Committee decided to donate £50 to Essex Waterways on behalf of Dennis to go towards a brick-built barbeque at Sandford Mill. Dennis moored his Narrowboat ‘JADEN’ at Sandford Mill.

Stephanie Mason, our refreshment rep has sadly lost her Mother and we also send Stephanie our thoughts and condolences.

During the year, those committee members that felt able met online using Zoom. We were therefore able to keep in touch.

We have held 3 online Zoom socials so far with Tim Lewis and Roy Chandler talking about London Waterways and Chelmsford’s Waterways, respectively. Both talks were excellent and attracted up to 100 attendees. We also held a Branch Christmas social Quiz which was very enjoyable.

Our AGM in March was well attended and was followed by another excellent talk by Roy Chandler on the restoration of the lighter ‘Susan’.

So, what does the future hold?

I was elected as Vice Chair at the AGM in March. Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual meeting and voted for me. I will retain my role as Social Secretary. Hopefully, we will be able to resume social meetings at the Galleywood Heritage Centre in September.

We will continue to follow Government guidance and information supplied by IWA Head Office.

We will also hopefully have two further on-line Zoom talks in April and May this year. Please check your emails and the IWA web site for further information.

On behalf of the committee, we send you our best wishes and hope to see you again soon.

Rebecca Loader

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From The Regional Chairman It is once again time for me to put pen to paper and write a piece for your magazine. One of the problems I have is that as I write this it will be a month or so before you see it, so I have to get my crystal ball out to try and make my ramblings topical, without knowing what the burning issues will be when you come to read them!

The long days of winter are nearly over and with a road map out of the Covid 19 lockdown, we can start thinking about being able to enjoy the Inland Waterways again. Unfortunately, the lockdown meant we were unable to celebrate properly the 75th anniversary of the meeting, on 15th February 1946 at 11 Gower Street, London, and the formation of the Inland Waterways Association.

Hopefully you have had an opportunity to look at our new website https://www.waterways.org.uk. The old site was no longer able to meet our needs and our partners, who supplied the site, had said they were not prepared to develop it further. The new site has been designed to be exciting and attractive to nonmembers as well as our members, and to be future proofed, using the latest design techniques. By the time you read this, hopefully, the next phase, the Volunteer Hub, will have come on line. This will allow you, amongst other things, to manage the way you participate in the association’s activities and restore some of the information lost when the old site closed. Have a look, and if you have any ideas on how the site could be improved please let me, or one of the team at Chesham, know. Like all good websites, it is still a "Work in Process" and will continue to be as we tweak it to meet the changing world.

Whilst on the subject of the new website have you found IWA TV yet? During the lockdown some branches and regions, including your branch, have arranged for speakers to give talks on all sorts of subjects about the waterways using webinars (an online talk and slideshow). These have all been collected together on the website and cover a range of subjects from restoration and heritage to how to take photos of the canals.

You will probably have heard by now that we have a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Phil Hornsey.

Before joining us, he has held senior positions in British Rowing, O2, EE and Betfair. We will all need to support him as he leads the association into the next 75 years. I’m certain that those far-sighted people who met at Gower Street all those years ago would be astonished at what we have achieved! Let’s work together to do the same in the next 75 years.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person

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Essex Waterways Update December saw work commence on replacing the eroding piling to the Lock Island at Paper Mill.

However excessive rain during the early part of this year brought high river levels and flooding that prevented this work continuing. On the island the steel base frame was fitted to the screw pile foundations for the new toilet building. Also at Paper Mill the installation of an upgraded electricity supply to the island was commenced with cable laying and cabinet installation.

Unfortunately the floods also prevented the planned dredging at Baddow Meads and the Hoe Mill Lock Cut and this cannot now be commenced because of the fish breeding season.

Our team also undertook the usual annual willow planting along the Navigation even though no trees were cropped for cricket bats last year as the tow paths were extremely busy. The provision of new angling platforms has been commenced in a scheme grant funded by the Environment Agency.

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Essex Waterways Update (cont) At Hoe Mill the access drive has had surfacing replaced after severe flooding and a base formed ready for a new Office to serve the caravan and camping site.

In readiness for our boaters return several silt shoals created by the floods have been removed and lock gear greased and operation checked. The weed boats have been moved to Heybridge Basin for servicing ready for the season.

The high river levels see the deposit of litter along the Navigation and the Heybridge Basin Sailing Club members undertook a litter clear from Heybridge Basin to Beeleigh.

Our Waterway Manager Steve Cottis has left and a new General Manager, Anthony Comber, has commenced his duties from our Paper Mill Office.

Paul Hindley our previous Heybridge Basin Assistant Lock Keeper has been appointed as Lock Keeper and Grant Everiss will be transferring from his full time lock keeper role to the Lengthsmen team.

As Lockdown is gradually easing we are preparing to reopen the Daisy Meadow Kiosk at Heybridge Basin initially for take away sales. We will also be offering family trips on the trip boats Blackwater Dawn and Albert as soon as the Government Road map permits and we expect a busy season. We will therefore be looking for more regular volunteers to crew these boats. If you are interested in helping with this please contact Sarah at Paper Mill: sarah.philips@waterways.org.uk

Roy Chandler

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Lockdown Diorama With the third lockdown and the chilly weather I moved some of my model making from the summer house, at the bottom of the garden, to the warmer spare room in the house.

Only having small models of canal boats to work from I started to draw out my ideas and to calculating the scale and sizing the parts, which was part of the fun.

Settled in I started to prepare and cut out the parts to a canal lock and assemble in sections to check the sizing.

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Lockdown Diorama (cont) After a number of glue-less assemblies were completed the general construction started to take shape and began to look a representation of a narrow canal lock.

Having spent the last week of October 2020 on the Worcester and Birmingham I had a number of photographs as reference. (See the Winter Newsletter 2020/2021 article Autumn Break).

Once I started to paint and reference the model canal boats to the lock, I was able to adjust the scale, and as I assembled the lock chamber, gates and tow path it all began to look a reasonable representation.

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Lockdown Diorama (cont) Searching the internet I was able to obtain some of the smaller parts, paddle capstan and lock gate hinge plates, which tested my miniature painting ability. Modified paper clips were a good resource.

This part of the model making seemed to take longer. As each part and colour needed to be dry before I could add another coat of paint or add the next colour. Slowly, with the aid of magnifying glasses, I was able to pick out the detail.

Fortunately black and white being the main colours was a help.

As I completed the sub parts and added to the diorama it started to take shape and look life like.

Using the model of a maintenance canal boat for checking and adjusting the scale / size of various areas of the model was made easier. Adding the grass and bushes was just a matter of spreading glue over the various areas to be covered and then sprinkle the grass and lay the bushes down. A little messy having to wait for the glue to dry before removing the excess. The work area did have a green hue from the over spill.

An enjoyable part of the model making was the definition of the lock side, tow path, spill and weir taking place.

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Lockdown Diorama (cont) Whilst glue and paint was drying I was looking at how to finish the scene and the display the diorama needed. Having made another, a few years previously, I was looking at how I could combine the two.

The previous was a canal scene of a lift bridge along with a boat and butty and other canal boats.

Again this was all based on the model boats and the lift bridge and I had to sketch out the size and scale.

Depending on how or if I join the two together I will either have to create a link for the towpaths or build a turnover or snake bridge for the interconnection of the two diorama. Perhaps build a scale turnover or snake bridge will be the next project. Again this will have to be drawn out and the scaled to suit. Might be a more complicated build as the bridge has multiple curves to take into the design. First curve would be over the towpath, second curve over the canal, the third curve over the non towpath side of the canal.

The last two would be the side change of the towpath going over the bridge. This design was used so the horses towing barges could swap banks without disconnecting the rope. Fine examples of these bridges can be seen on the Macclesfield Canal.

Mean while the final assemble was to position the lock gate hinge plates and fit the lock gates. Add the paddle capstan, the lock gate handrails and finalise the position of the lock ladder, handrails and lock mooring posts.

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Lockdown Diorama (cont) Continuous adjustments were carried out as the diorama completion became closer, reposition of the lock gate walk ways and safety hand rails, the handrails for the lock ladder and the repainting of parts that had scratches and marks.

After many hours of looking from different angles, directions and views I got to the point where stopping was the best choice.

As you can see from the photographs they show various key views that depict the life like function of a canal lock. Time to clear up the work area and get to the drawing board for the next project.

John G Carlaw 11

Chelmer Waterside In 1985 the Branch produced its report entitled ‘Springfield Basin ..... and Beyond’. This proposed that the derelict Springfield Basin, the terminus of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation should be restored and the adjoining vacant gas works site should be redeveloped for residential purposes. A New Cut through the vacant land was an important part of the proposals to link the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation with the rivers in Chelmsford.

I provided an update on this link in the Winter 2020/2021 edition of this Newsletter as the Council is now proposing a new lock is constructed alongside the automatic weir on the River Chelmer instead of the Cut connection.

In 1992 the Branch spearheaded the restoration of Springfield Basin with it reopening in 1993. In the following year the Council produced a Planning Brief for ‘Springfield Basin and Chelmer Waterside’ which encouraged redevelopment around the Basin and opening it up to public access. This resulted in several residential developments and the opening of the popular Waterfront Place restaurant.

Between 1999 and 2002 the Council adopted a series of Planning Briefs for the different areas in Chelmer Waterside and these encouraged the development of Lockside Marina as well as further building around Springfield Basin. They were also to see a major scheme commence with the building of over 400 apartments on the ‘peninsula’ of the gas works land. This development by Taylor Wimpey is nearing completion.

The Council has over the years been purchasing land in the area and this includes the remainder of the gas works land as well as former industrial sites between Navigation Road and the Navigation. It now wishes to bring these areas forward for residential development to help meet their housing targets and make use of vacant ‘brown field land’- a term applied to previously developed sites. There could be capacity for a further 1,100 new homes in the area.

In February the Council therefore published ‘Chelmer Waterside, Consultation Draft Development Framework’. This is an update of the previous planning documents and the Vision Statement reads: “Chelmer Waterside will be a high-quality residential-led neighbourhood with integrated local-scale, community and water-related uses. The area will provide high-quality new homes in a sustainable city centre context, promoting walking/cycling and ease of access to local facilities.

New movement infrastructure will mean the creation of new bridge connections with consideration to wider networking, and an emphasis on enhancing water navigation. Development will make strides towards Chelmsford's objective of achieving net-zero Carbon emissions in new buildings by 2030. The area will benefit from new open spaces that provide balance to the urban landscape and give residents and visitors alike the opportunity to socialise, relax or get active.

Set within a unique waterside environment, the regeneration will enable active use of the waterways, creating a vibrant and dynamic new quarter for the city that provides a positive long-term legacy for Chelmsford.”

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Chelmer Waterside (cont) Sections of the Brief cover Movement on both land and water. The Movement (water) Framework Considerations state: “ Continue Council's own work investigating the creation of a new lock at the sluice gates to provide extension to navigable waterway Design new structures to achieve suitable clearance to water to facilitate navigation.

Investigate replacing existing bridges with taller structures which achieve suitable clearance to water to extend navigable waterway.

Provide suitable alternative facilities and access to the water for existing water users and encourage further community and commercial usage.

Maintain current access points to water and increase opportunities to access the water – suitable land access required.

Increase the potential for moorings” These are all aims that this Branch has been seeking since its original 1985 report for Springfield Basin.

The Brief includes a Conceptual Masterplan which requires the relocation of the gas pressure reduction system to the allotment (east) so that the high pressure gas main which runs through the site can be removed to allow redevelopment. This plan shows the new lock adjoining the automatic weir and the replacement of the two low pedestrian bridges which cross the Rivers Can and Chelmer at their convergence.

There is also a section on Lock creation which is based on the recent report on this by the Council’s consultants on the automatic weir and feasibility of the new adjoining lock.

These are all aims that this Branch has been seeking since its original 1985 report on Springfield Basin.

As Consultees, both the Branch and Essex Waterways have therefore supported the aims of the Brief in general terms, but have asked for a greater commitment to the provision of the new lock as the proposed new access road and bridge over the River Chelmer occupy the line of the previously proposed New Cut and will prevent construction of this. Comments have also been submitted on several detailed points but both the Branch and Essex Waterways have confirmed that they look forward to working with the Council and their Waterside Working Group as stakeholders to achieve their aims.

Some aims may take years to materialise, but good things are worth waiting for!

Roy Chandler

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Chelmer Waterside (cont)

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Chelmer Waterside (cont)

The Taylor Wimpey Chelmer Waterside development

Springfield Basin

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Apart From Covid It Was A good Year With Covid in the headlines it was easy to forget the very wet winter which turned our towpath mooring into a sea of mud. In March we drove from the mild, sunny Essex weather into rain at our mooring so had to build up a path across the mud to the boat. Covid has made little things important; a couple of days maintenance, watching Venus rising beyond the fields and listening to reed warblers in the plants opposite chatting into the dark past 11pm

Back home to the Stour at Stratford St Mary where an ash tree had come down across the lock channel. It had four large trunks, 2 of which were under water, so quite a challenge. Masterminded and led by James and his chainsaw, 4 of the old restoration gang cleared it in 3 days with winch, Tirfor and a lot of muscle.

Not much freeboard on these waders!

Job’s a good’un

On our boat again in August when the weather turned really hot so we did a leisurely pootle between shady moorings, one of which had the “Friendly Wood” on one side and trees on the other giving all day shade. In the morning I was on the towpath cleaning the windows when an elderly gent came striding towards me – starkers! I don’t think the trustees of the Wood intended quite this level of Friendliness!

In the Napton flight a man left his spaniel tied on his boat while he worked the lock; of course it ended up dangling when it tried to follow him. Then 6 of the loudest-people-ever moored next to us for lunch, continually shouting at each other, before a bellowing sneeze finale, and their dog stole his sandwich!

We passed the sad sight of an enormous bank of soil across a field for an HS2 canal crossing. Words fail me.

The temp had now reached 37 in the shade triggering thunderstorms so we decided to turn at Fenny Compton and explore places we had previously passed by such as the pretty village of Napton. Here we discovered an Aladdin’s cave of good things in the PO, where we joined the queue for hot sausage rolls.

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Apart From Covid It Was A good Year (cont) The last one sold as we reached the counter but the very apologetic girl offered us “only homemade” ones straight from the oven – Mmm! While the parish church was organizing a Covid-compliant bringyour-own picnic on the green, the Chapel on Pillory Green was closed: “No services until Covid 19 rules relaxed or Jesus returns”. That evening we arranged to have a pub meal with our daughter and gave her precise directions to pick us up on the main road bridge over the canal where there were roadworks traffic lights as a landmark. By evening the Heavens had opened and, as we waited in full yellow waterproofs, a truck with flashing lights arrived to remove the lights so she had to pick up a pair of yellow idiots jumping up and down and waving frantically. We got a final soaking on the last day out when we were called back to check our car after the marina car park was hit by “cat” thieves. We were lucky but our neighbour’s car was badly damaged.

We timed our September trip badly; the lock at the marina entrance was closed for 2 weeks for repair on the day we arrived. With the weather good and everyone marooned in the marina, the air became filled with the sound of sanders and smell of paint so we joined them to touch in scrapes and rust patches. It was interesting to watch the repair underway; they had stop planks in and a Rothen’s crane boat sitting on the bottom of the lock to lift off the gate and beam, and CRT’s.

contractor (I called him Fred, after Dibnah) designing and fabricating a complex steel repair splint for the rotten top of the king post. This had to be bespoke and made on site because of the unique slopes of the gates and walls. While Fred worked diligently to make a superb repair, I was annoyed to see the 4 CRT men on site every day lounging in their vans, apparently doing nothing.

In October Pam and James invited us for a week on the Broads and we set out from Stalham to visit the broads and villages between the very low bridges at Potter Heigham and Wroxham. Taking the canopy down in windy rain at Ludham Bridge proved challenging; even jumping ashore proved too much for me and I sat down in the mud! It was easy to see that every hire boat was out, along with day boats and anglers everywhere.

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Apart From Covid It Was A good Year (cont) Coming to Horning brought back memories from the 50s when I had lived there, and I was stunned by the huge marina by the Ferry Inn which had been a vast reed bed when I last saw it. I remembered seeing reed cutters with scythes there, bringing out huge stacks of cut reeds on punts. Pam fell in love with the nearby holiday home my Grandad built in the 30s.

We moored by the village green at the quay where local farmers used to heap their sugar beet to wait for the wherry to transport them to Cantley factory. The wherry’s huge black sail could be seen above the vast desolate reed bed on the opposite side and its approach from miles away caused much excitement “It’s Albion. Albion’s coming”. The beet were loaded into the hold by hand using a beet fork with knobs on the ends of the tines. The wherries could be sailed by one man or with a crewman, and were cleaned out in the summer to take holiday maker’s, usually students

I walked Roger along the village street to see the boatyards but only Southgates survives, where they were busy working on private craft. All that remains of Banhams and its neighbour Percivals boatyards, where my family worked, is a concrete slip with a central chain, the yards now replaced by waterside flats. During the war my aunt also worked here building Motor Torpedo Boats, when they dug the opposite bank away to allow them to be launched. Nowadays that area is used as a small marina for cruisers and sailing boats. Although the appearance of the shops has changed little, only the grocer’s is now a supermarket, while the butcher, veg, fish and posh dress shop are now either houses or selling tourist trivia. Imagine our surprise when we discovered a flight simulator in the back room of a shop offering “flights” in a variety of planes including a Spitfire or the Lancaster, which Roger chose. He spent the happiest of hours flying over Norfolk, landing 3 times at Norwich Airport (only missing the runway once) and even rolled it, which we were told they could do if they were not loaded. A wonderful experience and superb instructor.

Wroxham still has a thriving holiday boat trade although two of the boatyards by the bridge have gone to become flats, and the village centre is dominated by two modern Roys shops. In the 50s Roys, “The World’s Largest Village Store” was made up of many old village shops, each a department: chemist, shoes, toys, and food and hardware, which was delivered weekly to the surrounding villages in a little van. But most important, the village still serves super fish and chips by the river. An ideal end to a good holiday.

Sue Brown

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Creative Crafters While stuck in lock-down I set up a Facebook Group called Essex & Borders Creative Crafters Forum as a way of keeping crafty Essex people in touch. Any crafty people in the Chelmsford Branch are quite welcome to join if they wish.

The time at home also gave me the opportunity for more Canal Art. Most of the decoration I do is on small items that I can take to craft shows in Essex. Essex people are not really in to large Canal Art items unfortunately but this year I managed to paint a few more of the larger items.

The pictures show a Water Can that I have recently finished and would like to sell for £165.00. To avoid postage, I would like to offer it to Chelmsford Branch Members. I will donate a third of the price to the Chelmsford Branch of the IWA.

If you are interested in purchasing please contact me at timwhitelock@hotmail.co.uk Tim Whitelock

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Warks’ Ring and Oxford Canal We had made 'provisional' plans to cruise the Warwickshire Ring during our two-week holiday in September, dependent upon the Covid-19 restrictions.

When the time came, we were lucky enough to head off to our boat, based in Brinklow Marina, early on Friday 11th September. Once unpacked, we eagerly set off on our cruise along the Oxford Canal. A dull, windy start, but with late afternoon sunshine.

We noticed all the field crops had now been harvested. The hedgerows were colourful with berries, teasels and burrs. There were a lot of cruising boats about too. Once through Hawkesbury stop lock, onto the Coventry Canal we moored. It is a popular area, some of the boats had left slightly wider gaps between each mooring, socially distancing.

On Saturday we watched lots of boaters, cruising in both directions, before we ourselves set off. Sadly, throughout the Nuneaton area we saw so much floating rubbish, also on the towpaths, and in the hedges. At one of the bridge holes, we saw a pile of rusty items, including a wheelbarrow, garden fork, and wheels, which we hoped had been left there for CRT to collect.

We cruised passed Hartshill Yard, a base for CRT, and moored above Atherstone locks. After lunch we headed into town, following Covid guidelines.

Sunday was warm and sunny, as we headed down the eleven single locks. The volunteer lock keeper at the top was keeping count of boats going up and down. The lock pound between 2 and 3 was very low, and the others were all lower than normal. We continued on down the Glascote locks (2) , then turned left at Fazeley junction, onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Soon passing under Drayton Footbridge, a Gothic Folly, quite unique. We ascended some of the Curdworth flight of locks, mooring near the Dog & Doublet pub, at Bodymoor Heath. Using our new tyre fenders, to stop the boat knocking against a metal ledge under the water level - we have been here before.

It had been a very hot day, so we booked a table at the pub, and in the evening enjoyed our meal, a plate of BBQ ribs.

Catching the news that night forced us to change our planned route - around the Warks Ring at Birmingham, making it shorter, so we could get through Solihull, before they went into tighter restrictions.

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Warks’ Ring and Oxford Canal(cont) A very early start on Monday, took us up the remaining Curdworth locks. It soon turned into a very hot day. The hedgerows remained colourful with ripened elderberries hanging heavy on the branches.

The bridges on this canal have names not numbers, some stone, some brick, all small, and very picturesque, especially with some stunning reflections, the camera was busy.

At the three Minworth locks, we needed our Anti-vandal key, we noticed a lot of floating debris in this area too. Soon after we took a sharp left turn at Salford Junction, onto the Saltley Cut. A two mile stretch, a much cleaner canal, although an industrial area. We followed a hire boat up the five Garrison locks, which had to stop at the top due to a badly fouled prop.

At Bordesley Junction (GUC) we had to give way, a cruiser came passed and went straight into the bottom of Camp Hill locks on the left. The couple asked how long our boat was, being only 30ft they were happy to share, so I carefully followed them in.

We worked the six locks together, making it easier for both boat crews.

At the summit, we cruised a lovely tree lined cutting, we noticed the water levels were quite low. Passing through Catherine-de-Barnes, we saw the moorings full of hire boats. We continued to the five double Knowle locks, heading down them and leaving Solihull behind us.

We moored below, where John checked the prop, and removed a small amount of plastic debris.

Tuesday, we had a later start, on another lovely sunny day. Passing a stunning brick built, decorative, canal side house, at Turner's Green, before heading through the two-way, VERY WET, Shrewley Tunnel, which has an unusual horse path.

We had intended to moor above Hatton locks, but the moorings were under a lot of trees, the towpath was not very doggy friendly, and there was a lot of passers-by, being Covid safe was debatable. With this in mind we proceeded down the twenty-one, double locks, on the hottest day so far.

Near the Hatton cafe there were even more people about, all trying to distance and stay Covid safe. It took three hours and ten minutes to navigate the flight on our own. At the bottom we continued passed the Saltisford Arm, which was closed to visitors, to moor above the Warwick (Cape) locks.

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Warks’ Ring and Oxford Canal(cont) On Wednesday, we headed down the two double locks, sharing with a hire boat. As we passed Kate Narrowboats Base, we noticed the empty moorings, but a FULL carpark.

Onwards through Leamington Spa, ascending locks this time, sharing again, before mooring early, near Wood lock, for a relaxing afternoon and evening, in such peaceful surroundings.

We were woken early on Thursday, listening to Owls hooting for ages, it was lovely to hear them. When we left for the lock we were joined by another boat, so we shared the locks, including Bascote's two single, then two staircase locks.

Continuing onwards on our own, up the Stockton flight of eight. The couple at the Lock Cottage above, recommended The Boat Inn. So we moored, and enjoyed a lovely lunch, at a table by the canal.

Heading off again, and soon ascending the three double Calcutt locks, then turning right at Napton Junction, onto the Oxford Canal. Passing the empty Napton Hire base moorings, and the FULL carpark.

Narrow boating is popular during Covid times.

We saw Napton windmill on the hill, and moored nearby in a slot just our size. It is a popular mooring area and always well occupied.

On Friday morning we walked to Napton village stores, for provisions, including some highly recommended Water Buffalo sausages. Later we headed up the narrow locks.

A volunteer lock keeper was helping at lock one. Part way up the flight we saw the Water Buffalo grazing in the canal side fields.

Near bridge 122 we saw a land locked narrowboat in a field, set in a dug-out area, filled with water, and a plank from boat to grass. We moored soon after, at Priors Hardwick, for a lazy afternoon. In the evening we had a fabulous three course meal, at The Butchers Arms, a Portuguese Restaurant, in the village. Due to Covid restrictions it was a different experience to previous visits, no Silver Service this time, but still excellent.

Cruising on Saturday, we passed lots of clay soil heaps, which are part of the HS2 construction route.

Onwards to descend the five Claydon locks, then down Elkington's, Varney's, Broadmoor, and Cropredy locks, which were all busy. Mooring in a lovely rural area near bridge 156.

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Warks’ Ring and Oxford Canal(cont) Sunday, we headed off down Slat Mill, Bowton, and Hardwick locks. Soon arriving at Banbury, where construction works were in progress. We continued through the lift bridge and down Banbury lock, then stopping briefly so I could get provisions from Morrisons.

Then heading down Grants lock, where boats were getting stuck, due to the bottom gates not opening fully, but with fenders raised it was manageable. The lock cottage here had been burnt out, and was still surrounded by Police tape for safety.

Onwards down Kings Sutton, Nell Bridge, and Aynho Weir (diamond shape) locks. Mooring near the open lift bridge (one of many we had passed) at Aynho Wharf.

On a very misty Monday morning, we set off for Somerton Deep lock, then down Heyford Common and Allen's locks. The lift bridge at Lower Heyford is electric, and operated by a CRT key. Onwards descending Dashwoods, Northbrook, and Pigeons locks.

At Bakers lock, the river warning signs showed we were safe to proceed onto the River Cherwell, this is a short river trip to Shipton Weir (diamond shape) lock. Soon we arrived at Thrupp, where we were lucky to find a mooring, near Holy Cross Church at bridge 220.

It was very busy here, with private and hire boats, the only remaining space was on the bend in front of us, and was soon filled by a hire boat, a friendly crew we had seen on and off over the last few days.

In the evening, we had a lovely meal at The Boat Inn, in 'The Morse Room', surrounded by Inspector Morse framed photo's on the walls, as filming had been done here.

On our return journey back, we were able to stop at the 'Pig Place' Farm Shop. Previously, whenever we passed, the moorings were full, this time there was a 30ft space. We topped up our provisions, and enjoyed a hot bacon roll. Yummy.

Back at Napton, we descended the locks in high winds. Meeting Narrowboat Nutfield and Butty Brighton ascending the locks. It was lovely to see the historic working boats, and volunteers. We managed to moor below the locks, before the forecasted 40-60 mph winds arrived.

Returning to Napton village stores, this time to get Water Buffalo burgers, and they were delicious.

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Warks’ Ring and Oxford Canal(cont) In the evening we ate at The Folly Inn, who were using marque's, as the pub is tiny inside it remained closed, a one-way system for customers to follow worked well. Food was delivered on a tray, served with disposable wooden cutlery, and condiments given in a paper bag. The food was excellent, and the system well planned.

Continuing our route back via Braunston Turn, down Hillmorton's three locks, through Rugby, Newbold, and back to our berth at Brinklow.

It had been a lovely couple of weeks, and well needed after living with Covid-19 restrictions, which is still ongoing.

Our planned route of a SLOW Warwickshire Ring, had been cut short, and speeded up, due to changing Tier Risks around Solihull. However, our trip down the Oxford Canal was a bonus, one of our favourite routes.

The weather was very mixed, from needing jumpers and waterproofs, to tee-shirts and shorts.

The canals were very busy, with boaters taking advantage of relaxed Covid restrictions. The hire boats were out in abundance, great for the businesses.

The trees and hedgerows full of fruits, so colourful. Seeing stunning reflections, misty mornings, starry nights. We are so very lucky.

Although there were some issues with low water levels, and areas of floating rubbish on the Warks' Ring, the clean Oxford Canal was good to see.

We kept to ourselves mostly. Any Pubs we used were pre-booked, and all had Covid precautions, which we felt safe with.

All too soon it was time to return home, hoping we would be able to cruise again soon. Sadly, it was to be our last trip for 2020, due to further Covid restrictions, and lockdown again. However, we are looking forward to the 2021 season, and whatever it should bring.

Stephanie Mason & John Grieve

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Photographs Having finished our trip along the Worcester and Birmingham last October we took the opportunity to look at the junction to the River Severn. The lock gates had been closed due to the flooding and rain. As you can see from the pictures the river was making a statement of its power.

John G Carlaw

River Severn looking upstream

Diglis Lock entrance from River Severn to Diglis Basin

Entrance lock to Worcester & Birmingham Canal

Diglis Basin

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AGM

Held as a Zoom Meeting on 11th March 2021 at 7.30 pm.

1. Apologies. Molly Beard. Stephanie Mason.

2. Approval of the minutes. Approved.

3. Matters arising from the minutes. Rebecca Loader, as acting Vice Chair, said that John Gale had handed over his position of Branch Treasurer to Philip Cervini and that Philip had been working with John to affect the handover of the role.

4. Report from Rebecca Loader, acting Vice Chair. Rebecca thanked everyone for attending and reported that it is now a year since our last AGM and social meeting in the Hall. Due to Covid-19 Branch Committee meetings had to continue to be held on Zoom which has become the new normal.

Unfortunately, due to Health problems Molly Beard (Chair) had been unable to attend and John Gale (Vice Chair) did not have access to Zoom. Therefore, Rebecca had been nominated acting Vice Chair by the committee so the meetings could continue. Rebecca added that a lot had happened since the 2020 AGM and mentioned the roles of some of the members. John Gale had retired as Branch Treasurer and decided to also resign as Vice Chair. Rebecca thanked John for his many years of work on the committee. It was also with great sadness that Denis Padfield our Publicity Officer had passed away after a short illness. Roy and Chris Chandler attended the funeral at Boreham Church. Chelmsford Branch had managed to hold 3 on-line socials with Tim Lewis and Roy Chandler talking about London and Chelmsford Waterways respectively and a Christmas Quiz. John Carlaw had also managed to produce interesting newsletters during the Pandemic and Rebecca asked members to remember to submit John articles and photographs for the newsletter. She also reported that EWL had recently appointed a new Manager for the Navigation Anthony Comber and a new Lock Keeper Paul Hindley at Heybridge Basin. Rebecca wished them both well in their new roles and hoped that they would be able to attend a Branch social in due course to meet the members. Finally, she mentioned that the whole length of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation had attracted a lot of visitors during lockdown last summer and thanked all those who had volunteered to litter pick. She also thanked Roy and Chris Chandler for the continued work they do with EWL. Rebecca mentioned that the future for socials at the Hall is still uncertain but was hopeful that as the vaccination programmes continue to be rolled out and the virus recedes it will be possible to return to face to face meetings again perhaps in the Autumn.

5. Report from IWA Trustee. No report 6. Presentation of accounts. Philip Cervini presented the accounts visually. He said little had changed during the year. The Accounts were up to 31st December 2021 and therefore included 3 social meetings at the beginning of the year. The Accounts were approved.

7. Election of Committee Members. John Gale had resigned as Vice Chair and Rebecca Loader offered to take over this role as well as being Social Secretary. This was proposed, seconded and approved.

8. Questions from the floor. There were no questions.

The meeting closed at 7.55pm.

Chris Chandler 26

Social Diary We have been able to secure 2 speakers to give us online Zoom talks for April and May. An email link will be sent from Head Office. If you have email you can access Zoom. You do not need a microphone or a camera for these sessions. Just click on the link you are sent.

Thursday 8th April 2021 7.30pm Mike Kelley – The Sleeping Beauty – Sixteen years of work to help restore the Cromford Canal in Derbyshire. Including information about the passenger carrying horse drawn boat.

Thursday 13th May 2021 7.30pm Brian Margetson - Crossing the Severn – Man’s attempts to secure a reliable means of crossing the Severn Estuary. Two major ferry crossings, one tunnel and three bridges later. The civil engineer Thomas Telford described it as ‘one of the most forbidding places at which an important ferry was ever established’ These two talks will conclude the social diary for this year. During the year and the Pandemic your branch will have put on 5 talks, a Christmas Quiz and an AGM plus held all the usual committee meetings. Your committee is committed to providing you our members with a social diary where we can.

Please let us know if you are able to give a talk or know anyone who can.

September 2021 and future meetings The Galleywood Heritage Centre will re-open at the end of May with social distancing and reduced capacity in place. It is possible providing Government rules allow and IWA Head Office advises that we will be able to resume social meetings in the Autumn. The availability of Speakers and the number of people willing to return is an unknown. As always, we will keep your informed via the web site and emails and the newsletter.

Rebecca Loader Branch Committee Vacancy Due to the sudden and unexpected death of Dennis Padfield a vacancy on the branch committee has arisen.

The position is for the Publicity and Press Officer in promoting the IWA Chelmsford Branch activities and the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation and attracting more supporters and members to the branch.

The role is to promote the Branch and the Navigation and its events with the local media and press. If you think you could help with this role please contact rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk or telephone Rebecca on 01621 332619.

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Just For Fun SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3 x 3 block contains the numbers one to nine (1 - 9) 8

3

7

8

2

6

7

3

2

9

9 6

9 7

6

1 1 3

2

4 9

4

9

8 8

8

6

2

9

Branch Committee If you have any topics or subject that you wish to bring to the committees attention please use the contact details below Molly Beard:

Chairman

molly.beard@waterways.org.uk

Rebecca Loader

Vice Chair & Social Secretary

rebecca.loader@waterways.org.uk

Philip Cervini

Treasurer.

philip.cervini@waterways.org.uk.

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

Stephanie Mason: Refreshments.

None

Kirsten Smith:

Youth.

None

Adam Wyllie:

Branch Web Editor.

Adam.wyllie@waterways.org.uk

IWA Chelmsford Web Address

http://www.waterways.org.uk/chelmsford

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