Endeavour - November 2017

Endeavour Northampton Branch Newsletter — November 2017

FIRST JOHN FAULKNER LEGACY GRANTS ARE MADE The first two projects to receive grants, each of £10,000, from the Branch’s John Faulkner Legacy, have been made. They are the new higher clearance Nene footbridge at Thrapston and the Buckingham Canal Society, whilst the Northampton Sea Cadets have been promised a similar sum.

The most visible project to date is the much needed Nene footbridge, a short distance below Islip Lock, which is already in place.

Continued on page 18 The new footbridge over the River Nene at Thrapston

waterways.org.uk/northampton

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EDITORIAL MUSINGS I reckon there’s a fair chance that today more people know more about our canals and rivers – and many of those overseas as well – than at any other time. For this encouraging state of affairs, I suggest we have to thank the exposure they are now experiencing on television. So, first, step forward Tim and Pru. Household names each; no need for further explanations, even if Fawlty Towers and (latterly) EastEnders come to mind! There are others, too. For example, John Sargeant barged about a bit, but not quite with the same resonance as Tim and Pru. In fact there has been a whole miscellany of waterways-based programmes on our screens, culminating recently with The Narrow Boat in the Britain Afloat series. Originally shown only in the BBC’s East Midlands region, it went national on a Saturday evening in October. The fact that it competed for viewers with Strictly no doubt meant it lacked as big an audience it merited, but surely the inevitable repeats will follow plus all the other catch-up services. Presenter Mary-Ann Ochota came over as a true enthusiast, telling the story of the narrowboat’s evolvement in an engaging style. There were brief aerial views of Stoke Bruerne and a more detailed piece on Braunston and its annual Historic Narrowboat Rally. Tim Coghlan was listed among the programme’s consultants.

All very good.

Several years ago, an hour-long programme focused on the post-war restoration of the canal system, heavily featuring the sterling efforts of the IWA. A number of the pioneers of that era featured. I am sure that most of you have seen this programme at some point as it is often repeated, usually on BBC Four. Then add to the “telly” exposure to the system the good works carried out by David Suchet who, I would imagine, never misses an opportunity to espouse the canals. In the early 2000s David kept his boat moored at Gayton Marina and several of our members had the pleasure of chatting with him, but always about canals, never Poirot. Then there is Timothy Spall – but we all don’t take to the sea in a barge.

Tim, Pru and David are loyal supporters of the Association. Indeed, the Wests opened the IWA’s National Festival at Northampton in 2015 and were also at Braunston as recently as last June to open the Historic Narrowboat Rally. Thus, these days, when you steer general conversations with the uninitiated towards the canals, usually finding it still necessary to explain that the boats are narrow and not barges, you are less likely to be identified as an eccentric! Who’d have thought, in the Robert Aickman years, it would have been possible to write an editorial piece along these lines? Perhaps only him, with his undying optimism.

On another tack, I expect you must have noticed this Endeavour boasts a different front page design featuring the IWA’s new logo, all part of an overall rebranding exercise undertaken by the Association. We were tempted in some way to acknowledge the name of the legendary detective in the new design – personally I thought this was long overdue! but it was considered our friends in neighbouring Oxfordshire might become a tad upset.

Anyway, can anybody do morse any more?

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DIARY DATES December 12th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Christmas Quiz with John Pomfret January 9th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: Sheena Wilson CRT— Water Management with CRT February 13th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: Tim Carter — An Inland Navigators Tale March 13th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch AGM at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Followed by speaker TBA

NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES December 3rd, 19th. January 7th, 16th. February 4th, 20th.

March 4th, 20th. April 1st, 17th. May 6th, 22nd.

Contact: geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604453932

BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES December 3rd, 19th. January 11th, 14th, 25th. February 8th, 11th, 22nd.

March 8th, 11th, 22nd. April 5th, 8th, 19th.

For more information contact Athina Beckett athinabec@aol.comor phone 01908 661217/07721 319404

STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP WORK PARTY DATES December 12th. January 10th. February 14th. March 14th. April 11th.

Contact: stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk

IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates

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Branch Chairman’s Jottings

by Bernard Morton It is hard to believe that, as I write this, we are already well into November – where has the year gone? We have been lucky to have experienced one of the mildest, driest autumns for some time which has given us some glorious autumnal sights. However, I guess those whose job it is to ensure adequate water levels in our canals and reservoirs have probably been praying for rain.

A DIFFERENT FRONT PAGE LOOK FOR ENDEAVOUR. I am sure you noticed immediately that our front page looks a little different this time. This is because IWA has decided it needs to rebrand itself with a new vision and goals for the next five years. This vision is for “A thriving, growing network of sustainable inland waterways for everyone”. Included with this comes a new logo designed to help raise the profile of the Association, particularly amongst young people – apparently, the new logo is more appropriate for social media than the old one. The rationale behind all these changes is explained fully in the Winter issue of Waterways.

NEW EASTERN REGION CHAIRMAN. It was a great pleasure to invite the new Chairman for Eastern Region, Chris Howes, to our November Committee Meeting. He came to introduce himself, to find out what we, in Northampton Branch, are up to and to see how he could help us in the future. I’m happy to say he was very impressed with what we are achieving. He intends to reinstate Regional Meetings where all the Branches in the Region can share ideas and information.

As he is also Chairman of Peterborough Branch, Chris has already been busy planning for the next IWA Festival of Water to be held at St Neots on the River Great Ouse over the August Bank Holiday weekend 2018 – a note for your diaries. This will be a welcome highlight for the Anglian waterways which are currently facing serious funding threats. The organisers are confidently expecting around 100 boats to attend, so we will need to continue to work hard over the coming months to ensure the Northampton Arm is looking its best and able to cope with all the expected extra traffic. Chris Howes will be writing in the next Endeavour.

ANNUAL BRANCH DINNER. This year our dinner was once again at The Boat Inn in Stoke Bruerne and was reasonably well attended. The food and service were again excellent: my thanks to all who were responsible for making the evening most enjoyable. Our guest speaker was James Griffin, the “boss man” from Wyvern Shipping, who gave an entertaining talk on Boating Past and Present. More about this occasion on pages 20-21.

AGM RECOGNITION. The Branch was well represented at this year’s Association’s AGM at Langley Mill in late September. First, Geoff Wood and Mick Butler, the Joint Task Party Organisers of our Northampton Arm adoption initiative, gave a

8 presentation of the work carried out to date, noting the praise we have received from various sources, not least the Canal & River Trust acknowledging our efforts. Copies of August’s Endeavour, which featured the launch of the Nature Trail on the Arm

by Northampton South MP Andrew Lewer, were made available and snapped up in double quick time. Well done, Geoff and Mick. I gather the Branch earned enviable Brownie points!

Then later in the proceedings, IWA and Branch stalwart Lynda Payton received her well-deserved Richard Bird medal. Although Lynda has stepped down from active Branch involvement in recent times, following her husband Sam’s stroke, she continues to be there in the background. There is more about Lynda and her award on page 12-13.

Meanwhile, many many thanks Lynda for all you have done for the Branch and the Association in general over the years. She joins Branch members Roger Hasdell and Graham Treagus, who were awarded Richard Bird Medals in 2011 and 2016 respectively.

MUSEUM ACCREDITATION. Congratulations to our friends at the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum for the notable recognition they have received recently. This has taken the form of official renewal of Full Accreditation through the Museum’s Accreditation system operated by Arts Council England, and is a considerable feather in the cap for the Museum and all those associated with it.

These include several of our Branch members, among them Mick Butler who is Chairman of the Museum’s Friends group. He tells me this Accreditation comes at a very timely moment as it coincides with CRT’s impending bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to enable major developments at the Museum.

Also, just announced, is the acceptance by Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire - a constituency, of course, which includes Stoke Bruerne – to become Patron of the Friends of the Canal Museum. I know she was among the crowds at this year’s Village at War weekend at Stoke Bruerne in September and I would imagine attending events such as this helps her to “keep her feet on the ground” after the hurly-burly of the House of Commons!

MOSAIC TRAIL. The mosaic Nature Trail, funded from the John Faulkner Legacy, on the Northampton Arm is progressing well. The plaques have been installed at Locks 1-8 and at 17, so we’re half way there. Do look out for them if you are walking/cycling/boating on the Arm. Our Task Party volunteers are doing a great installation job and hopefully, by the next Endeavour in February, they will all be in place.

News also of a further grant from the John Faulkner Legacy. The Braunston-based Friends of Raymond group are to receive £5,000 to help with their on-going work on Nutfield. A lot of steelwork is required along with new timbers as well as new cloths to help protect the boat and to provide sleeping quarters for the crew when the boat is out and about.

9 A SAD FAREWELL. We are sad to learn of the departure of Vicky Martin from her role as the Canal & River Trust’s South-East Waterways Manager. Over the past two and a half years, we have received a lot of support and encouragement from Vicky and she has always been ready to attend our Boat Gatherings and various mosaic unveilings on the Northampton Arm. We wish her well in her new job with Welsh Water. Please see page 14 for Vicky’s farewell message.

SEASON’S GREETINGS. It seems early to wish you all Season’s Greetings but, seeing as the shops have been full of Christmas items for a couple of months and this is the last Endeavour of the year, maybe it isn’t. Don’t forget that our Christmas Quiz and Social Evening is on Tuesday 12th December at The Walnut Tree, Blisworth and our Arm Task Parties will continue through December (3 rd and 19th).

Big Draw returns to Stoke Bruerne For the last four years, Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership has been hosting a Big Draw event as part of the national art initiative designed to get people of all ages and abilities enjoying the fun of art.

In half-term week, this year’s Big Draw event was held on the Museum Green in lovely sunshine and relatively warm temperatures for late October. Over 80 participants of all ages were encouraged and inspired by local artist Deborah Thompson. As well as adding personalised hand doodles to a giant roll of wallpaper, our budding artists produced a huge colourful collection of artworks which stretched along the canalside, pegged out on a washing line between the trees.

There were prizes for best artwork in four categories – under 8s, 9-16s, adult and family. The Partnership was pleased that Sandie Morton, IWA Northampton Branch secretary, was able to come to judge the winners. She couldn’t resist joining in too!

The Canal Partnership would like to thank the following organisations and businesses for their generous sponsorship of the Big Draw Event: The Boat Inn The Canal Museum The Canal & River Trust IWA Northampton Branch South Northamptonshire Council Helen Westlake

Artist Deborah Thompson and Sandie Morton judging the winning pictures

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NEW BRANCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour

NEW MEMBERS Ms K Bright & Ms E Hogen-Esch, Crick Mr R & Mrs S Johnston, Rushden Mr & Mrs T Leacock, Blandford Forum, Dorset Mr A & Mrs J Pritchett, Weedon Mr D Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire Mr A & Mrs C Holyomes, Bugbrooke

MEMBERS MOVED TO THE BRANCH Mr P Butler, Weedon Mr J & Mrs J Halford, Hethersett, Norwich Mr M J & Mrs D J Gunn, Braunston Mr & Mrs C S Taylor, Brixworth Mr D & Mrs T A Wood, Tetford, Horncastle

We look forward to meeting you all at our Branch events The IWA 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 the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine.

Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space.

IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https://www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.

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Editor

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Lynda Payton is awarded a Richard Bird Medal Bernard Morton writes: Back in March this year, your Branch Committee decided that we should put Lynda Payton’s name forward to be considered for a Richard Bird Medal awarded by IWA. This is a medal awarded to “members of the Association whose efforts and support are considered to have brought significant benefit to the Association over a sustained period”.

It was my pleasure to write the citation that was submitted for consideration by Head Office and I share this with you here: “Lynda Payton has been a loyal and dedicated member of IWA Northampton Branch for over 19 years and for much of this time she served as a member of our Branch committee, getting heavily involved with all of Branch life, including our annual Boat Gatherings (our main fund-raiser). She was Branch Chairman for several years and editor of our Branch magazine, Endeavour, for many years transforming it into a vibrant, informative, award-winning read. Most recently, Lynda has worked tirelessly to promote our Branch’s activities as Publicity and Grants Officer. When Northampton Branch was selected to host the Festival of Water in 2015, she was heavily involved with all the publicity for that event, working closely with IWA Head Office and the Festival team, where her hard work was highly regarded.

“Lynda is a leading personality in the canal scene at Stoke Bruerne. In 2005 she was a founder member of the Friends of the Canal Museum established to help preserve the museum at a time when funds were severely restricted and its very existence seemed threatened. Lynda assumed the role of publicity officer and has led organising committees for annual fundraising events, as well as working as an active volunteer helping to look after the exhibits.

“She is also an active member of the Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership, a body set up to bring together representatives from village residents and businesses, local councils and waterways organisations such as CRT and IWA Northampton. This Partnership has also adopted the stretch of canal from Blisworth Tunnel to the bottom lock and Lynda can be seen regularly getting her hands dirty!

“With the formation of the Canal and River Trust, Lynda was appointed to the South East Waterways Partnership, bringing her experiences gleaned from many years of boating and membership of IWA to the role. This voluntary role is just another demonstration of Lynda’s total commitment to the preservation and protection of our waterways.

“Her campaigning zeal for the waterways came to the fore in 2007 when she shared a megaphone with Sonia Rolt on Butcher’s Bridge at Braunston protesting against government funding cuts to the waterways – she cites this as her proudest IWA volunteering moment!

13 “Sadly, last summer, Lynda’s husband suffered a stroke and she felt she needed to step down from her active role in our Branch and some of her other waterway commitments in order to devote more time to ensuring Sam’s recovery. She is sorely missed and has proved to be quite irreplaceable on our Committee, though she continues as a supportive Branch member.

“I believe that Lynda would be a very worthy recipient of a Richard Bird medal for her indefatigable work for waterways in general and for IWA specifically.”

Lynda Payton, proudly holding her medal, pictured with the retiring IWA National Chairman Les Etheridge

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Letter to the Editor Vicky Martin, retiring CRT’s South-East Waterways Manager, expresses her thanks I would like to take this opportunity to say a fond farewell to the many members of the IWA Northampton Branch with whom I have had the privilege of working with over the last two and a half years. It has been an absolute pleasure working with so many volunteers who care so passionately about the future of our 200-yearold canal network and are making such a difference to their local waterway.

Vicky Martin, who is on her way to Wales

It was wonderful to have the opportunity in August at Lock 17 on the Arm to showcase your great work to Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South. I am extremely grateful to Geoff Wood and friends for allowing us to gate crash their summer holiday and hitch a ride as they were cruising through. Building relations with MPs is becoming increasingly important to the Trust as we prepare for negotiations with Government regarding our future funding.

I have said before that the IWA Northampton Branch adoption of the 4.5mile Northampton Arm is an inspiration to others. The bi -monthly Task Parties have truly transformed the Arm with regular lock maintenance and vegetation clearance together with the planting of daffodil bulbs, the reinstatement of the historic milestones and the installation of a commemorative mosaic bench. However, what stands out for me is the way that you involve the whole community in your endeavours – from local schoolchildren creating a mosaic at Gayton and designing the plaques for the Nature Trail, to local businesses like Carlsberg, Santander and Bellway Homes. According to our records, your adoption group has clocked up just shy of 5,300 volunteer hours since the first Task Party in 2013. This is a phenomenal achievement – well done everyone who has contributed!

As you may know I have been taking a strategic approach to the development of key destinations across the South-East and working in partnership with key stakeholders to create Destination Management Plans (DMPs). The Stoke Bruerne DMP has been fed into the South Northants Tourism Review, which was undertaken earlier this year. The report has just been published and recommends up to £1m interven-

15 tion to support funding applications for visitor infrastructure improvements at Stoke Bruerne. I am also delighted to report that the Canal Museum has now achieved full accreditation, which will open up new avenues of funding for the Museum. A big thank you to your members who have helped us gain this award.

One of the key actions in the Foxton DMP is the development of events to attract new audiences and to grow support and awareness of the Trust. Following the overwhelming success of the Illuminated Boat Festival last year, the festivities will be taking place over two days this year – 17th and 18th December. If you fancy a cruise up to Foxton and would like to be part of the illuminations, there are a limited number of moorings that can be reserved – contact Alex Goode ASAP on (07917) 261411. To control visitor numbers and manage demand, the event will be ticketed this year; tickets go on sale to the public in November.

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FIRST JOHN FAULKNER LEGACY GRANTS ARE MADE Our payment went to the consortium of organisations involved in the bridge replacement, these including the Environment Agency, East Northamptonshire Council, Thrapston Town Council, Islip Parish Council, Northamptonshire County Council Member Empowerment Fund and the Association of Nene River Clubs.

With a restricted headroom of 2.2 metres (7ft 2ins), depending on river conditions, the old footbridge posed a long-standing hazard to navigation. In recent years its condition has steadily deteriorated and when eventually, its owner, Northamptonshire County Council, agreed it should be replaced, the IWA, EA and other interested bodies were prompted to step up their ongoing campaign for its replacement.

The new footbridge at Thrapston with its non-slip surface

In its December issue, Waterways World reports that the project was not an easy one, with the new bridge needing landowners’ agreement and consent regarding the design, height and a slight relocation/realignment. Also, the ground conditions required a special piling method so as not to cause damage to the adjacent Grade 11 listed mill building. All this added significantly to the costs, of which the County Council agreed to pay 50% if the balance could be raised locally.

By the end of June the old footbridge had been removed to enable new foundations to be built in readiness for the replacement bridge. The new structure was craned into position on 1st September.

The new bridge provides 3 metres (9ft 8ins) of clear headroom in normal river conditions. Those walking over it benefit from a non-slip surface along its length.

Earlier this year, Branch Chairman Bernard Morton presented a £10,000 cheque to Terry Cavener at the Buckingham Canal Society’s AGM to help towards the cost of restoring Bridge No.1 on the canal.

A passing boat enjoys ample clearance under the new Nene footbridge

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AHOY THERE SHIPMATES...

Sandie Morton reports: At the beginning of October, your Branch Committee was invited to visit TS Laforey, home of Northampton Sea Cadets at Becket’s Park, and I went along together with Chairman Bernard Morton, Geoff Wood and Mick Butler. Northampton Branch’s involvement with these Sea Cadets goes back some years as they have always been very keen to be an active part of our annual Boat Gatherings at Becket’s Park. They would carry out boat handling demonstrations with a variety of their craft over the weekend, but a highlight was always the race between our powered boats and their rowed boats. Cheered on by their supporters and passers-by on the river bank, they would always win.

Over the years, the Branch has made small donations to the Sea Cadets as a “thank you” for their support. With the arrival of the legacy from John Faulkner, we were keen to offer them more financial help with the inspiring work the organisation does among young people. The legacy just happened to coincide with the launching of a major fund-raising effort by the Sea Cadets, who have outgrown their existing premises adjacent to Northampton Marina and need better facilities, such as changing rooms. The Committee felt that as a registered charity which “aims to help young people progress to responsible adulthood using water sports and the theme of the Royal Navy”, they should receive a donation of £10,000 towards the cost of these new facilities. The unit currently comprises 130 members aged 10 – 18 years supported by 28 unpaid adult volunteers.

The primary purpose of the invitation was to show us around their existing facilities and to hear all about their exciting plans for development. An 18-year-old Marine Cadet was summonsed to conduct the tour. He impressed us all by his eloquence, knowledge and enthusiasm.

The evening continued with a formal parade during which the guard of honour was inspected by former Sea Cadet Mick Butler, who had a chat with everyone taking part - we all know how Mick likes to chat!

Once the parade was over, the secondary purpose of the invite took place. This was the official naming of their newest boat – the name, Scooby Do, selected by them from a list of suggestions from our members who were present at a Branch social meeting last year. I have to report there was no bottle of champers to be broken over the bows, merely a flag covering the name which Bernard whisked off with a flourish.

Scooby Do after its launching - from left Geoff Wood, Mick Butler, Bernard and Sandie Morton

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2017 Branch Dinner at The Boat Inn IT WAS CERTAINLY A FUN OCCASION...

The canalside restaurant at The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne was filled almost to capacity for the Branch Annual Dinner on Saturday, 11th November.

It developed into quite a fun occasion, with many friendships being fostered and new ones made.

Popular guest speaker was James Griffin, from Leighton Buzzard-based Wyvern Shipping, who entertained with light-hearted recollections of the changing waterways scene from the 1950s to the present day. He emphasised the need for everyone, including CRT, to help each other to keep the system going in such a manner which ensured the public’s continuing support — “a cocktail of help” is how he described it.

The evening’s raffle raised £146 with an on-the-spot decision made for the money to go to the Northampton Arm adoption scheme, likely to be for the purchase of more daffodil bulbs and other flowering plants to add to the existing impressive display of daffodils along the Arm.

Raffle money will help to say it with flowers on the Arm

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Images from the Annual Dinner — the picture bottom right shows Bernard Morton presenting Lynda Payton with a congratulatory bouquet marking her winning a Richard Bird Medal (see page 12)

22 Louise Stockwin, of the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, reflects on a busy year

A SUCCESSFUL & HAPPY SEASON The 2017 season started early in February with the popular Open Locks event. My colleague Steph Furniss and I witnessed a record number of guests for this early part of the year. Visitors were treated to walks into a lock chamber and the opportunity to participate in a taster fishing or canoe session. The winter team were kept busy with just under a hundred visitors into the Museum over the weekend and crowds in and out of the café and shop.

Following the success of participating in the British Tourism and Travel Show in 2016, Steph and Izy Callow joined forces with Foxton and Anderton to promote our destination at this leading annual event for all the UK and Ireland's multi-billionpound domestic tourism industry. It’s a terrific opportunity to encourage tour operators, travel organisers and agencies to bring their groups and coach parties to pretty, historic Stoke Bruerne.

The Canal Museum, like many tourist destinations, is delighted when Easter falls in the middle of April. Team leaders Izy and Lesley Cox helped with the all-important preparations for the Bank Holiday. Evidence shows that visitors who have a good allround experience during their Easter holiday are very likely to return to the same place during the summer — fabulous for the guests and our visitor numbers.

Following the national Mental Health Awareness week in May, when the Canal & River Trust encouraged our teams of staff and volunteers to take time out to participate in waterside Tai Chi & Yoga (as well as a healthy smoothie from the café), we decided a Cancer Research initiative would do our health the power of good, “Walk all over Cancer” challenging us all to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day in June, which led to a lot of competitive hilarity as we covered over 1,200 miles between us in a month.

Staff celebrating CRT’s 5th birthday outside the Museum

During June, we said cheerio to Izy when she accepted a permanent posi-

23 tion at the Canal & River Trust offices in Milton Keynes. This opportunity is great for everyone, as we are still working together as part of SE Waterway.

The start of summer is marked with students swelling the team ranks. This year Stephanie Cliff, Harry Hesketh, Becca Leadbeater and Philippa Stacey quickly learnt the ropes to support Catriona Butler, Lucy Dickens, Bev Emery, Hayley Leadbeater and Zoe Callow through the height of the season. Every team loves an occasion to have fun, so celebrating the Canal & River Trust’s fifth birthday with a locally home made birthday cake was popular with staff and volunteers The versatility of our team members is always key to a successful and happy season.

They work across the activities in the Museum, embracing catering and retail, supporting our event initiatives, passing on information and assisting customers with bookings. Regular events include the Roses & Castles painting courses, Teddy Bears Picnic, out-door theatre performances, Terrific Thursdays during school holidays, Pirate Weekend, Spooktacular Weekend plus support activities led by partners in the area. There are the Big Draw, Over and Under the Hill and, in September, the hugely successful Village at War Weekend. Autumn sees students resuming their studies and so we recruited Deborah Mills to boost the team.

Some months are busier than others, April, July and August being our busiest during 2017. Even with all the hustle and bustle of the daily rituals and routines, we had a special focus: to secure our Museum’s accreditation from the Arts Council. The award is judged on many different criteria — from how the objects entrusted in the Museum’s care are displayed and stored, to the health and safety of staff, volunteers and visiting public, is important for securing the future of the Museum. With the assistance of the CRT’s Steve Bagley and Sarah Brown together with the enormous effort and dedication from the team of local volunteers and staff, we were absolutely delighted when the accreditation was duly awarded at the beginning of October.

Geographically and historically Stoke Bruerne, with its Canal Museum, is an extraordinary place, but what makes it extra extraordinary is all the people involved— and 2017 was no exception.

“Making the extraordinary extra extraordinary”

The Easter Eggtravaganza inside the Museum

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Now fully open

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Open daily 9am –6pm ALL YEAR ROUND Tel 01327 844639 E-mail: marinachandlery@gmail.com

JOB VACANCY IWA Northampton Branch ARE YOU THE PERSON WE NEED ON OUR COMMITTEE TO FILL THE ROLL OF PUBLICITY / GRANTS OFFICER? If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Bernard Morton, Chairman,

07785 375787 email benard.morton@waterways. org.uk

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New IWA Chairman is announced IWA have announced the appointment of Ivor Caplan as Chairman of the Association. Long term waterways enthusiast and activist, Ivor was elected National Chairman by the Association’s trustees on Saturday, 7th October. He succeeds Les Etheridge, who stepped down after five years in the role, and takes the helm at a crucial time for the Association, as a new vision and five-year objectives are unveiled.

Ivor, a trustee of IWA since 2010, has been Ivor Caplan, the IWA’s new leader active in the waterways movement for over 40 years, holding senior roles within IWA’s Birmingham, Black Country and Worcestershire Branch, the IWA’s Navigation Committee, Residential Boat Owners Association and BCN Society. He lived afloat for fifteen years and still spends as much time as possible cruising extensively. Ivor will be stepping down from the positions he currently holds with other waterway organisations (RBOA and BCNS) and his term as a member of CRT’s West Midlands Partnership is due to end shortly.

Commenting on his new role, Ivor said: “IWA is uniquely placed given our independence, our wider perspective, and our strong heritage to champion the cause of the waterways to ensure that they never come under threat again. I see the Association working with all waterways organisations to ensure our canals and rivers are developed to realise their even greater potential for the benefit of all.”

Neil Edwards, IWA’s Chief Executive, added: “Ivor has a strong record in chairing waterways organisations and holding senior charity roles and has a deep understanding of IWA’s campaigning roots. Over the next five years we are going to focus on four core areas that we believe will make the biggest difference to the waterways Speaking for the Waterways, Protecting, Restoring and Inspiring a new generation of volunteers and waterway users. There are busy times ahead and we are delighted Ivor has taken on this role.”

Les Etheridge, IWA trustee and previous National Chairman commented: “It has been a privilege to have been the Chairman of IWA over the past five years. During this time we have maintained and built on the respect we command in Parliament and elsewhere to continue our campaigns for a sustainable future for the waterways currently under EA’s jurisdiction, our Waterway Recovery Group is held in the highest regard and we have made real progress in our campaign to stop HS2 damaging our waterways. I wish Ivor every success as he embarks on the journey to successfully deliver against the new five year objectives and I know our volunteers and members will support him every step of the way.”

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BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY Over the summer months our work parties have split into two groups with one group using Blue, our excavator, and Marigold our dumper truck, continuing the work at Cosgrove around Bridge 1 and the work of ‘Bridging the Gap’ to rebuild the missing arch for this bridge. Talks are taking place in the near future with CRT and a funder so hopefully we should have exciting news to share soon.

I led a different group of volunteers working with several outside companies to complete the installation of oak planks along the edge of the towpath at our Hyde Lane Nature Reserve site as well as undertaking a variety of other tasks there. This work is almost finished and my group will be returning to Cosgrove to join the other group carrying out towpath improvement work.

The other exciting news is that the BCS now has its own van, an ex Waterway Recovery Group red van which can take people and equipment to site. The van will be used by our two support workers who are being funded by Advizor to run a scheme to help people learn new skills, make friends and hopefully get back into work again.

Our new walks leaflet, The Ouse Valley Way, is still proving to be very popular and the take up is going so well that we may have to get more printed soon.

Finally if any IWA Northampton members have any free time on Thursdays and Sundays, you would be very welcome to join one of our practical task work parties or just come and see the progress being made at Cosgrove.

Athina Beckett

The former WRG van, now unclamped by the Buckingham Canal Society

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ADVERTISING All advertisements must comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement.

COMMERCIAL RATES 1/4 Page (box) £12.00 +VAT 1/2 Page (box) £25.00 +VAT Full Page £40.00 +VAT Other sizes by arrangement 10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance 5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly

CLASSIFIEDS (suggested donations) £1.50 for 22 words, 15p each additional word £3.50 for box around classified advertisement (nb. telephone numbers count as one word) £3.50 for photographs

BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from September to May inclusive at THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome.

Food and drink available

NEXT MEETINGS Tuesday 12th, December Christmas Quiz with John Pomfret Tuesday 9th, January Speaker: Sheena Wilson — CRT Water Management Tuesday 13th, February Speaker: Tim Carter — An Inland Navigators Tale Tuesday 13th March

AGM followed by talk (tba) The next edition of Endeavour will be published in February 2018

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WHO’S WHO IN NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 2017/2018 Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787/ 01604 858294 E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk

Vice Chairman, Joint Task Party Organiser & Membership Secretary Geoff Wood E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk

Branch Secretary

Branch Meetings Gemma Kinsey E-mail: gemma..kinsey @waterways.org.uk

Boat Gathering Chairman & Joint Task Party Organiser Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler @waterways.org.uk

Sandie Morton

Planning Officer

01604 858294 E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk

Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk

Treasurer Paul Lynam E-mail:paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk

Newsletter Tony Clarke 07939 977859 E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Committee Member John Pomfret E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk

Non-Committee post Endeavour Assistant Editor, Advertising & Distribution, Archivist Roger Hasdell 01604 248582

Website & Social Media Officer Sam Line E-mail: sam.line @waterways.org.uk

Committee Member Alex Madisons E-mail: alex.madisons @waterways.org.uk

Publicity & Grants Officer Vacant (volunteer required) The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.

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