Endeavour Northampton Branch Newsletter — November 2021 BENCHES ON THE NORTHAMPTON ARM Our Task Parties have been busy installing bases for three new benches on the Northampton Arm. Picture shows bench at Lock 1, the other two are going to be above and below Lock 14. Hopefully, they will all be installed before Christmas. If you would like to help at the Task Parties, which are held twice monthly on the first Sunday and third Tuesday, look at the dates for the Task Parties on page 11. For more information please contact geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932
Bench at Lock 1 with the base large enough for a wheelchair to fit next to the bench. Information panel near by.
waterways.org.uk/northampton Printed by Colour Image. Phone 07821 894521 email colourimage@aol.com
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Our holiday trip this year was on the Leicester Ring which we tackled in a anticlockwise direction. There were some interesting parts and some awkward ones too. When we got to Foxton Locks, the boater in front had just came back from booking in with the lock keeper and we were told that it was going to be about an hour and half wait. Linda went to book in and was told that we would be going as soon as the boat had come out of the locks. The lock keeper told us later that the person who had booked in to come up had gone for a walk and they couldn’t find him so we got to go down first. We made a detour to Market Harbrough and to get supplies. The road swing bridge was very hard and one person couldn't move it alone. On the way to Leicester the canal was just wide enough for a narrow boat as reeds were taking up over half of the canal. Wildlife was taking advantage of this, as we saw a terrapin was resting on the reeds.
The narrow channel
As we got into Leicester, the secure moorings at Castle Gardens were full with a CRT flat working boat on them, and some who appeared to have been there a lot longer, despite the 48 hour limit. We were going to tie up to the working boat but the boat next to it had a cat with kittens and Bobby our dog doesn't like cats. If he had heard them in the night, we wouldn’t have got any sleep with his barking! We were told that there were more secure moorings just under the bridge at the university so we went there. Alas, they were full but a liveaboard moved forward to allow us to moor on the end, leaving us still overhanging the walkway by about 20 feet. These are more secure moorings than those at Castle Gardens as the university lock the only gate at about 7pm - so you have to be back on your boat by then. We were told Continued on page 9 IWA Northampton Branch has a Facebook page. It is 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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DIARY DATES D
ALL WORK PARTY DATES ARE ON PAGE 11 December 14th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Christmas Quiz at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth with John Pomfret Prize for best-dressed festive table
January 11th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The
Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth Speaker Richard Thomas - A day in the life of a Thames Tug
20th 7.45
February
IWA Milton Keynes Branch Meeting at The Irish Centre Watling Street Fenny Stratford MK2 2 HX. Speaker; Richard Thomas—Panama Canal
8th 8pm
IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth Speaker-Blisworth Canal Society — Walter Alexander A canal photographer
17th 7.45
IWA Milton Keynes Branch Meeting at The Irish Centre Watling Street Fenny Stratford MK2 2 HX. Speaker; Clive Johnson— Wendover Arm Up-date
March 8th 8pm
April 14th 8pm
IWA Northampton Branch AGM at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth followed by Clive Johnson — The Wendover Arm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth Speaker — Roger Butler —A cruise through the Midlands in 1972
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 As I write this, we are enjoying a very pleasant sunny and mild autumn. Nature has done us proud yet again with our trees and hedgerows presenting us with a most amazing array of colours. 2021 is drawing to a close – another year mired with lockdowns and covid restrictions stopping us in our tracks and throwing our plans (for boating or otherwise) into chaos.
IWA BIRTHDAY. Did you r ealise that this year is the 75th anniversary of the Inland Waterways Association? If you didn’t, I feel partly responsible for this. In a “normal” year, the Branch would surely have marked this milestone with some sort of event bringing members together. But, as things were, it would have been somewhat foolhardy to have planned any sort of gathering which members would have been prevented from attending or at best reluctant to attend. How many of our waterways is it possible to walk or boat along now because of the efforts of Tom Rolt and Robert Aikman at the inaugural meeting of the Association early in 1946? Without their inspiration and lobbying who knows how little of our inland waterways would still exist? We are very fortunate, within our Branch area, to have a dedicated band of volunteers at the Buckingham Canal Society who have been working for many years to restore the Buckingham Arm with the first section soon to be rewatered. But it doesn’t stop there. I must also highlight the various volunteer/adoption groups that are regularly hard at work on parts of the system in our region. These all do an enormous amount of unpaid work out in all weathers to keep our waterways open and useable. Besides our Northampton Arm Adoption Group, there is the Stoke Bruerne Adoption Group, the Braunston Canal Society, the Whilton and Buckby Locks Association and maybe others that I’m not aware of – please let me know if there are! EA BOAT REGISTRATION FEES INCREASE. The Environment Agency has published its proposals for charging boat registration fees on its waters following a consultation during the summer. IWA, along with other bodies such as Great Ouse Boating Association, have been highly critical of the proposals which do nothing to alter the discrepancy currently existing between EA’s different waterways areas. Specifically, boaters on Anglian waterways will face significantly higher fees compared with those on the Thames. In addition to a fee per square metre (variable across different areas) there will also be a “base fee” which is proposed to be £15.90 on the Thames for 2022 compared to a massive £159 on the Anglian waterways. There has been no mention of the impact on the Gold Licence (joint EA/CRT licence). Those of us who regularly use the River Nene and other Anglian waterways will realise that such a huge increase in fees will be felt on waterways with the poorest provision of services! Has someone at EA got
8 their arithmetic wrong? One can only hope that they come to their senses and alter these proposals which will place an unfair burden on boaters. BRANCH ANNUAL DINNER. By the time you r ead this, the dinner will have happened and you will be able to read about it on page 12. I would just like to say how pleased I am that we could, once again, hold our annual dinner after having to cancel in 2020. If you came, I hope you enjoyed yourself. If not, let me know as we are always anxious to improve our events. BRANCH TALKS. Our fir st talk since Mar ch 2019 (thanks Covid!) took place in October with our very own John Pomfret taking us on an interesting sightseeing tour of waterways in Germany. Catriona Butler has been busy finding entertaining speakers to come to the Walnut Tree on the second Tuesday of each month up to and including May 2022. November’s talk was by Philip Clayton on the Caledonian Canal – a canal I would love to visit though sadly not on nb Inca! In December, we will have our Xmas Quiz devised by John Pomfret. Hopefully, we will all be in festive mood by then so remember there will be a prize for the best decorated table – make sure you come prepared with tinsel, baubles, lights etc. Why stop there … decorate yourself too! Catriona has one or two slots still to be filled and is always keen to get recommendations. So, if you have any ideas for topics and/or speakers or maybe you yourself have a talk (loosely related to waterways) that would interest us do let her know. Catriona’s contact details appear on page 30 or you can use my phone contact details on the same page. SEASON’S GREETINGS. It seems way too ear ly to be wr iting this, but you’ll have to forgive me as it will be the only chance I get to communicate with many of you … and I have avoided the “C” word so far. I wish you and your families a happy and enjoyable festive season – fingers crossed we are able to gather together in our homes, unlike last year. And a happy New Year – may 2022 be a huge improvement on 2020 and 2021.
Winners for the 100 Club November draw The draw took place at the Annual Dinner at The Boat Inn and was drawn by Colin Neal with Sandie Morton looking on 1st Prize Mick & Catriona Butler £100 2nd Prize Geoff Wood £40 3rd Prize Jayne Keys £25
9 Continued from page3 that someone with a CRT key had broken into the boats moored at Castle Gardens earlier in the year . The canal was clean with hardly any rubbish due to a community boat, manned by volunteers were clearing it up to the weir several days a week. But, sadly, after the weir and around a corner there was a sudden change with cans and other rubbish in the canal. On the River Soar at Kegworth, after trying to moor up in two places where the river was too shallow, we found a nice place in the sun. It was a nice place for about an hour then the planes started - we had moored up under the flight path to East Midlands Airport! Fortunately, there weren’t too many planes due to Covid. We shared Kegworth Lock with Our mooring under East Midlands flight path another boat who moored at Shardlow Marina at the end of navigation on the River Trent. They bared left just before the lock that took us onto the Trent and Mersey. The River Trent was flowing fast and it was very windy and we were glad to get through Derwent Mouth Lock. This lock was manned by a CRT volunteer who told us it had been very quiet that day. After this lock, we were back on the Trent and Mersey Canal. Not long after we came to Shardlow Lock where we spotted another terrapin on the vegetation by the edge of the canal. It was along this stretch that we met fellow Entering Trent Lock on a sunny day Northampton Branch member Peter Wass who was also doing the Leicester ring but the other way round.
We continued on the Trent and Mersey stopping at Alrewas for Sunday lunch. The first pub was full and the second wasn’t doing food so we ended up at the George and Dragon. We had a nice meal there but they weren’t doing roast dinners for another two weeks when their new menu was due out. It was a nice village with friendly people. Next, it was onto the Coventry Canal, where at Pooley Country Park, we met another Branch member Roger O’Dea on nb Hineroa. They were going back to their moorings. We finished our return on the Coventry, Oxford and Grand Union canals to our home mooring at Taverners Boat Club. Now tell me about you boating trips so I can share it with others my details are on page 30. Seasons Greetings to everyone and I look forward to getting your trip reports.
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100 CLUB —Join Now for 2022 The 100 Club was set up to raise funds for the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association which are then used within the Branch or can be distributed to worthwhile local waterways charities and organisations. It is one of the main ways that we raise funds for our Branch. You need to be an IWA member over the age of 18 to join but not necessarily a member of Northampton Branch. Each member may hold up to four separate stakes at the rate of £15 per stake per year (payments due before end of February each year). There are two draws each year – one at the Branch AGM in March and the other at the Branch Dinner in November. Prizes are adjusted in proportion to actual membership. The Branch retains 45% of the income, the other 55% is split into 3 prizes at each draw. The first prize in each draw is currently £100.00. Funds raised for Branch in 2021 is £285.00
Application forms are available at Branch meetings or from paul.lynam@waterways.org.uk or via our web page waterways.org.uk/ Northampton
Please join up and support your Branch … you’ve go to be in it to win it!
Advanced Notice of AGM to be held on March 8th This is your Branch come and have your say give us ideas on what you want from the Branch. There are vacancies on our committee - if you are interested in joining us, meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month from September to May. Meetings currently via Zoom. Please contact Bernard Morton on bernard.morton@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 858294
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TASK PARY DATES NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTIES DATES December 5th,21st.January 2nd,18th. February 6th,15th.March 6th,15th. Contact: geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932 BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES Every Tuesday, Every Thursday and second and last Sunday in month Contact athinabec@aol.com or phone 01908 661217/07721 319404 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP WORK PARTY DATES December 14th. January 12th. February 9th Contact: stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk BRAUNSTON CANAL SOCIETY TASK PARTY DATES December 14th.January 13th, 29th. February 10th,26th. March 10th, 26th. Contact Clive at braunstoncanalsociety@gmail.com or phone/text Clive on 07817 435911. Due to Covid19 please check before attending that the task/work parties have not been cancelled 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 aWith all the rain that we have had n 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. The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity (No. 212342)
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BRANCH ANNUAL DINNER We returned to the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne for our annual dinner after it had to be cancelled last year because of Covid. It was nice to meet up with members again, and to see some new faces. A tasty 3 course meal was enjoyed by everyone.
Members enjoying their meal and able to socialise again
Our after dinner speaker was Colin Neal from Crusader Community Boating who gave an update on their new boat, Community Spirit. The Branch gave a donation of £10,000 from the John Faulkner legacy to help fund it. The new boat is a hybrid and is moored at Blisworth Marina, along with their other boat Crusader. The talk was interesting and informative, explaining how they were just ready to start their trips when the shutdown came, and everything had to stop. IWA Northampton A raffle was held with the Chairman Bernard proceeds from the raffle Morton presenting the then being donated to proceeds of the raffle Colin Neal from Crusader £135 to Colin Neal Boating.
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A WALK ALONG THE TOWPATH I was given this at the annual dinner which is an extract from a past Endeavour, before I took over as Editor. After passing a weir where the River Tove again nears the canal, the towpath becomes decidedly more bumpy along this pleasant stretch as it travels a straight run in a due south direction. After passing under bridges 58 and 59 the canal now sweeps round to the left as it nears the Yardley Wharf Kingfisher Marina and Baxter’s Boatyard situated by bridge 60 Yardley Bridge. It was in this area that I met two fellow walkers Roger Hasdell and Geoff Wood and we stopped and had a good chat. They were very knowledgeable about the canals and local area and were very interested in what I was doing. Well, we all ended up swapping phone numbers and addresses and we kept in touch. It turned out that they were both members of IWA Northampton Branch. Later in the year, I sent the Branch a small donation towards helping in any projects they were undertaking. Imagine my surprise when I received a copy of Endeavour and inside was the following article. EDITORIAL MUSINGS You never know what the outcome will be when you strike up a conversation with a passer-by on the towpath. Normally it’s just a friendly chat, the person never to be seen again. On the other hand, the result can be fruitful. I had such a meeting the best part of a year ago at Yardley Gobion on a regular autumn ramble with a friend (we alternate usually between towpaths and disused railways lines, “How sad can you get?” observes grand-daughter). I exchanged names with one Doug McKenna from Cannock, who it turned out, is an avid towpath walker ranging over a wide area, relying on public transport to get him there and back. That day he had trained to Northampton, bussed to Stoke Bruerne and was returning home by rail from either Wolverton or MK, depending how for he got with Wolverton his favourite thanks to the canalside station. Doug is certainly a character with whom I have kept in contact by letting him have a copy of Endeavour as I discerned him as the type of person who would spread a positive message about the waterways. Now he has rewarded my faith by sending the Branch a cheque for £25. Very many thanks, Doug, greatly appreciated. Continue to enjoy your walks. “Over the years I have kept in touch with Roger, Still continue to make donations to the branch, and have attended many canal festivals at Northampton and met Roger on many occasions”. “Happy Happy Times
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Now that the restrictions have been lifted and we are able to go cruising again let me know about your trip so we can all share in your experiences. Write a report about your cruise, let others know the good and not so good places to moor, eat, drink, places of interest worth visiting and anything else that might help others to enjoy that area. Let us know of any mishaps or interesting things that happened on your journey. Include pictures of your cruise, unusual things scenery and anything else that you want to add.
Or maybe you could tell us about the boats you’ve hired or owned. Email your articles to me, tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk
Speakers for 2021/2022 11th January Richard Thomas
A day in the life of a Thames tug
8th February Hillary Spurrier
Walter Alexander a Canal
(Blisworth Canal Society)
Photographer
8th March AGM followed by
Clive Johnson
The Wendover Arm
12th April Roger Butler
A cruise through the midlands in 1972
10th May Simon Judge
A navigable Thames Creek
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SUPPLIES We are a family run, customer friendly business based adjacent to Bridge 32 at Nether Heyford. Our service point is clear of moored boats making your stop quick and easy. We offer the following services:
DIESEL – always competively priced PUMP OUT – no meter clock here BLUE TOILET FLUID ODORLOS – organic waste tank treatment CALOR GAS – all sizes of bottled gas including Camping Gaz. SOLID FUELS – all types of smokeless fuel or coal. Plus firelighters, sticks and logs. CHARNWOOD STOVES – all sizes of multi-fuel stoves with or without boilers MORRIS OILS – popular grades of engine oil plus water resistant grease FUEL SET FUEL CONDITIONER
Most Major Credit Cards Accepted. Open: 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays
Fred Tarry
Bridge Cottage Furnace Lane Nether Heyford Northampton, NN7 3JY
Northamptonshire RESTAURANT º BARS º TRIP BOAT DINE IN STYLE IN WOODWARD’S CANALSIDE RESTAURANT 01604 862428 www.boatinn.co.uk SAVE THE BRANCH MONEY! Stop receiving Endeavour by post and instead get it electronically. You will be notified by email when it’s published on-line. This will save in postage and printing costs. The printed version will be available at Branch meetings. Contact Geoff Wood at geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk and he will organise it. Editor
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VISIT STOWE HILL WHARF FOR ALL Y
Proprietor Robert Gudgeon welcomes you to Stowe Hill Workshop
Full Repaints Hull Blacking/Stern Gear Inspection and Repairs Engine Repairs and Maintenance Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations Plumbing Installations and Repairs Electrical Installations and Repairs NEW — Fuel Polishing Service Stockists of Morris Oils and Grease Full range of Batteries always available (please let us know your requirements) By road we are easily found, a few yards off the A5 at Stowe Hill towards Nether Heyford. By boat close to Bridge 26
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN, FROM SIMPLE TASKS TO COMPLETE FIT-OUTS
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YOUR ESSENTIAL BOATING SERVICES
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TRIP REPORT CALDON CANAL TO LIVERPOOL by Sandie Morton Following on from my trip report on The Caldon Canal in the August issue, we and our travelling companions (Linda and Ian Bekusch) carried on along the Trent and Mersey Canal in a north westerly direction through the Harecastle Tunnel which we had pre-booked. It is always interesting to see the orange water coming out the other side – the result of iron oxide seeping into the canal. After a sit-down going through the tunnel, you are immediately confronted by a long series of single locks in pairs, well known as “Heartbreak Hill”. Unfortunately, there was only one of each pair operational at the time, so this was a lengthy journey with the two boats, initially through urban areas and then out into open countryside. The next major town was Middlewich convenient for all boating services. There were three locks in quick succession all manned with helpful, friendly CRT volunteers, with a fourth by a lovely pub aptly named The Big Lock. Here, we did attempt to find a Tesco which we were assured was only a short walk – we gave up after a fruitless search in the heat and decided that we could survive on what we had onboard. There was then a long stretch of the Trent and Mersey without any locks which took us past Northwich and a huge, ugly chemical works, various salt works and the Anderton Lift. There was a short debate about whether to do the Lift and the River Weaver now or on the way back and the decision was to do it on the way back. We then approached two short tunnels, the Barnton and the Saltersford Tunnel. These are both single width so have timed entry to avoid any crunches. After a pleasant journey through open countryside we came to Preston Brook Tunnel – again a timed entry. We had just missed our slot between the hour and 10 minutes past the hour so had to wait – time for a leisurely lunch! Beyond the Preston Brook Tunnel, we entered the Bridgewater Canal, which is owned, not by CRT, but by the Manchester Ship Canal. However, there is a mutual arrangement whereby licences of the other owners are valid for 7 days. What we didn’t realise is that we Waiting to go through should have registered for passage along the Preston Brook tunnel Bridgewater. This omission was pointed out to us when we moored up for the night in Lymm. Chatting to nearby boaters, we were told that we could be liable to a fine of £40-50 for failing to register. Not having seen or read anything about this, but assuming it to be accurate, we thought we should register promptly! The moorings at Lymm were very pleasant - park/gardens along the towpath and a pub with a lovely
19 garden opposite. We took advantage of the pub garden not only because we were aware of the need for social distancing but also because of the lovely weather. A useful variety of shops were available in Lymm not just pubs. The next day, after stocking up with supplies, we set off through open countryside again. However, this was soon to change as we approached Sale and then Stretford, two large urban areas shielded much of the time from the canal by hedging. Here the canal became very straight and wide with very few boats moving (though plenty were moored up in various boat clubs along the offside). The towpath was wide, in a very good condition and very well used by walkers, runners, cyclists, rollerskaters, skateboarders, dog walkers etc. As this stretch was straight and wide (even the bridges were wide) it was rather monotonous, so I took the dog off and walked a long length of it. He was as grateful as I was to get off the boat! At the end of this long straight there is a sharp left-hand bend and just after Bridge 39 there was a very good marina with boat services. We filled up with diesel and Kooshie Number had a pump-out and we emptied our cassettes. It was run by fabulous people, friendly and helpful and we would certainly recommend them. Shortly after this stop, we approached Waters Meeting where the Rochdale Canal branches off heading east through Manchester. We turned left onto the Leigh Branch of the Bridgewater passing by a large Kellogg's +Factory with its own arm (closed off to the public) and the Trafford Centre. We then crossed over the Manchester Ship Canal via the Barton Swing Aqueduct. What a contrast in size between the two waterways! Our next stopping point was Leigh where we found a supermarket convenient for the canal and some good moorings just outside the town where there was a long expanse of parkland, fishing lakes and nature reserves. This peaceful area was a brief respite before the urban sprawl of Wigan and, after around 40 miles without any locks, we came to two at Wigan south of the town. Having negotiated these, we came to Wigan Junction where the Leigh Branch of the Bridgewater meets the Leeds & Liverpool Canal – right turn to Leeds, left turn to Liverpool. Turning left, we found the locks well-spaced but interspersed with swing and lift bridges, some manual and some electric. Again, the countryside was peaceful and largely agricultural. We passed by the Ruffold Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal which would have taken us up to the River Ribble and the Lancaster Canal … maybe another time! Soon we came to Maghull and Aintree (remember the Canal Turn referred to during the Grand National?). Just before the racecourse, there is a swing bridge called Hancock’s Swing Bridge which carries a busy road across the canal. We moored up overnight just before this. However, we misread the signs and thought we could operate it after 7am when in fact it was before 7am, to allow rush hour traffic to flow without interruption. Nothing to do but to enjoy a leisurely cooked breakfast and wait! Having negotiated the bridge, we headed towards Litherland where we had been
20 advised to make full use of CRT services as these were the last before Liverpool – there was also a large Tesco by the side of the canal. Although we were passing through heavily built-up areas now (both residential and industrial) the canal was in a green corridor with trees, shrubs and hedgerows along the towpath – very pleasant. We noticed that there were very few people making use of this area – such a shame! We had already booked in advance our passage through the Liverpool Canal Link and our moorings in Salthouse Dock. When we arrived at the Stanley Locks, we were pleased to see a team of CRT volunteers who helped us down the four locks in no time. We were then off through the old disused docks which are in the process of being commercialised to 21st century needs i.e. hotels (The Titanic), and warehouse conversions into apartments with cafes, bars and restaurants. One such conversion, that of a vast former tobacco warehouse, was really impressive. Opened in 1901 it is claimed to be the largest brick-built warehouse ever constructed – who knows! Having passed the warehouse, we headed towards the Victoria Clock Tower and then took a sharp left into what is locally known (and signposted) as “Sid’s Ditch” – a concrete sided stretch of waterway named after a local CRT lockkeeper. This “ditch” lead us to a lock, three short tunnels and a further lock which took us past the “The Three Graces”, Salthouse Dock our mooring for the next five days comprising the Liver Buildings, Cunard House and Customs Building, and into the historic Albert Dock.
Albert Dock is a lively tourist destination with the Tate Liverpool Gallery, a wide
21 variety of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants to tempt you. We were booked into Salthouse Dock next door which was away from the hustle and bustle. Once we had found our mooring pontoon (made difficult by faded, hard to read numbers!) we were surprised to find water and electricity on tap and free of charge – at least for up to seven days. The moorings are well below the level of a busy road, so traffic noise was not an issue and with padlocked entry were quite secure. Where else would you find jelly fish floating off the stern? They were also well-placed for Liverpool One (major shopping centre) and the rest of the city was within a short walk. Bernie was delighted to discover that there were SEVEN Wetherspoon pubs nearby too! We took nice 5-day break here as there was so much to see and do. You just have to go on the Ferry across the Mersey – and yes, they do play that song on board! Tour buses operate from near the dock, and we went on one which included the Beatles tour complete with a funny, entertaining Liverpudlian tour guide. Our return journey took us to the Anderton Lift which we went on. Sadly, it was closing down that day for 2 weeks so our plan to explore the River Weaver had to be abandoned. We also visited the Montgomery Canal off the Llangollen Canal. “The Monty” is well worth a visit but you do need to book your passage through the flight of locks via CRT. At present, it is only a short stretch open to navigation, but further restoration is progressing slowly. We went down one day, stopped overnight by a pub and returned the next.
Our return route to High House Wharf was via the Shroppie and the Staffs and Worcester Canal to Great Haywood Junction, Returning to go back up the Anderton Boat Lift then onto the Trent and Mersey, the Coventry Canal, the North Oxford and finally onto the Grand Union. We were extremely lucky with the weather for our seven week trip as it was hot and sunny for all but the last week when we were hit with heavy rain and wind as we were mooring up near Hawksbury Junction. It was an amazing trip that I would recommend to anyone.
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Blooming Marvellous! Braunston Marina wins Braunston Village Gardens Competition – Business Category for the second time in five years. Tim Coghlan writes: Despite cutting down on our garden maintenance budget – with the huge drop in customer and visitors due to Covid-19 – I was surprised and delighted to learn that we had still won the Dennett Cup in the Braunston Village Gardens Association’s Annual Gardens Competition 2021 in the category ‘Businesses not on the High Street or The Green’ – of which there are more than twenty. Blooming Marvellous! Winning gardener Braunston Marina’s groundsman Ian Nor-
ris proudly holding the Dennett Cup for the second time. He is seen amongst his autumn display outside the marina shop. This is the second time we have won it in five years, the first being in 2017. The winner in both 2018 and 2019 was the marina based Tradline Fenders. And in 2015 and 2016, our waterside local, The Admiral Nelson. There was no competition in 2020. So we find ourselves in good canal-side company. The reason for our continued success is our green-fingered groundsman Ian Norris, who also acts as our harbour master. The message we received from Kate Mawer,
23 Chairperson of Braunston Village Gardens Association really was for him: ‘Thank you for all the work you have put into your garden this year and so adding to the the enjoyment of the floral displays in Braunston.’ At Braunston Marina we have always prided ourselves on caring for our historic canal heritage and the waterside environment, and over the past thirty three years, we have won several awards for this, with a number of major innovations in which we have led the way. But winning the Dennett Cup twice for our floral displays is something quite special. We are lucky to have Ian onboard.
BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY With Bridge One restoration completed, we have started to look at the second bridge at Cosgrove. Before we could start work on Bridge Two we needed an archaeology report so we were lucky to get the services of the Veterans Archaeology group who spent two weeks carrying out a dig at Cosgrove and camping on site whilst there working on a bronze age site in the field next to the canal. BCS volunteers have also been carrying out restoration work on the flood sluice situated near bridge two. One side of the sluice has been rebuild and the second side repointed.
Floor sluice recently repaired by BCS Volunteers Also at Cosgrove, we have had a group from Marsh Ltd visiting us and working with our volunteers to carry out repair work to the towpath. As well as Marsh, though far less than before lock down, we have had several outside companies joining our volunteers on site this year including Network Rail, Hallam Land Management and the Church of the Latterday Saints. At our Bourton Meadow site, volunteers were hard at work as Buckingham Council had an otter trail (not real ones) from the town centre through Bourton Park with a series of 10 otters in place making a walks trail. We had our own otter (again not a real one) at Bourton Meadow from 23rd July until 31st August which has meant ex-
24 tra visitors, so our volunteers worked hard getting this site into shape and removing several tons of reeds which were blocking the canal bed. With volunteers spending most of the summer months at Bourton Meadow, our Hyde Lane site had become rather overgrown with plenty of stinging nettles covering seating areas and towpath, so plenty of strimming was needed. Volunteers were back there from Sunday 12th September clearing these areas. Again, we had extra help on Thursday 14th October with a group from RS Components based in Corby joining us for the day. This was a new venture for them as their company had just given each staff member two volunteering days a year and we were the first company they had tried - so quite a responsibility for us but I think they enjoyed themselves. Our own volunteers are continuing the practical tasks at Hyde Lane on alternate Thursdays with still plenty of work to do which includes clearing the remaining parts that have become rather overgrown, clearing lock area, painting lock gates and later in the year we plan to plant wild flower beds at this site along the non towpath side. Plans are also in place to install a wooden bridge over the stream at this site and volunteers have been clearing the non towpath side so that footings for the bridge can be put in place and the bridge installed at a later date. Two of our volunteer have attending a crane handling course which means we now have four volunteers able to operation the crane on our work boat Louise. Athina Beckett Buckingham Canal Society
Shoveler, the CRT tug, which is on long term loan to the BCS
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STOLEN SUITCASE FOUND IN CANAL With permission of the Daventry Express A Daventry man discovered a mystery suitcase full of lost treasures while he was magnet fishing in the canal near his home. Lea Roberts reeled in more than he bargained for while enjoying his hobby at Welton Canal
He later discovered the case had been stolen in a burglary more than 10 years ago. Lea said “Excitement kicked in when I realised that I had something incredibly heavy. “When it came to the surface I could tell it was a suitcase. Seconds later the hook gave way and it sank back down to the bottom. My heart was beating fast at this point at the thought of the secrets and stories which may be contained within. “After a few minutes I got it to the surface once more. Using two hooks, me, my mum Julie and Auntie Claire pulled on the ropes and we managed to get it on to the towpath.” He said the suitcase was spewing canal water and silt from tears and holes in the zips. “We couldn’t make much out at first as it was full of black sludgy silt” added Lee. As we rummaged around we pulled out a pair of binoculars. I filled a bucket with water and as my mum and aunt rummaged for items I was swilling them with water and getting them as clean as I could. Once we had emptied the suitcase we had a collection of items from inside including two bricks, so we knew the suitcase wasn’t in there by accident. Lee managed to track the family through Facebook and returned the case to its owner. It was stolen more than 10 years ago during a burglary from home of Audrey Budd who lives in Napton. Audrey, in her 80s, was thrilled to have the suitcase and her lost items returned.” Her daughter Hillary said: “The stuff was stolen in a burglary 10 or 11 years ago and the burglars seem to have dumped the stuff they didn’t want to keep in the canal. There are a few pieces of jewellery which used to belong to my mum’s sister and their mother and some items of my dad’s; binoculars and camera. Hopefully they will clean up some more. It’s really good to have them back.
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Now fully open
WHILTON MARINA CHANDLERY
Diesel
Pump out
Well stocked chandlery Groceries
Pay us a visit, just browse and see what we have to offer Open daily 9am –6pm ALL YEAR ROUND Tel 01327 844639 E-mail: marinachandlery@gmail.com
The Branch is collecting old printer, toner and/or inkjet cartridges for recycling. I would be most willing to take them off your hands. Also, we can get money for old mobile phones through the same company. This form of recycling may not generate large amounts of funds but, as they say, every little helps. Please bring them to the Branch meetings or please email me on sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk
29 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
CLASSIFIEDS
1/4 Page (box) £12.00 +VAT 1/2 Page (box) £25.00 +VAT Full Page £40.00 +VAT Other sizes by arrangement
(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
10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance 5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly
Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from October to May inclusive at
THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome Food and drink available
Next Meetings 14th December
Christmas Quiz with John Pomfret
11th January
Richard Thomas — A day in the life of a Thames tug
8th February
Hilary Spurrier (Blisworth Canal Society) Walter Alexander a canal photographer
8th March AGM followed by Clive Johnson — The Wendover Arm The next edition of Endeavour will be published in February 2022
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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 Sandie Morton 01604 858294
E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk
Joint Task Party Organiser Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler @waterways.org.uk
Planning Officer Helen Westlake
E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk
Branch Meetings
Catriona Butler E-mail: catriona butler @waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Paul Lynam
E-mail: paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk
Newsletter & Archivist Tony Clarke
07305 893924
E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member John Pomfret
E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk
Non-Committee posts Website and Media Officers
Gail Anscombe Email: gail.anscombe@waterways.org.uk Lynda Payton Email: Lynda.payton@waterways.org.uk
Vacancies Publicity Officer and Grants Officer
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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