The Inland Waterways Association
Ouse News - Summer 2014 The Great Ouse Branch Newsletter covering the Great Ouse and tributaries
Contents: Branch Committee
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Chairman’s Corner
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Gt Ouse - AONB
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King’s Lynn Pontoons
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River News
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Voyage of Discovery p16
‘Reach Fair - May 2014’ Photo: Carole Alderton
Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways.
Branch News
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Welches Dam
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Reach 2014
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The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Great Ouse Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers.
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Branch Committee Chairman: Keith Alderton Holly Cottage, 57 Globe Street Methwold Thetford, IP26 4PQ Tel 01366 727236 e-mail:keithalderton@sky.com Secretary: John Hodgson 9 Beaufort Way, Brickhill Bedford, MK41 7XQ Tel 01234 344884 e-mail: jhodgson@rivouse.fsnet.co.uk Treasurer: Enid Hodgson 9 Beaufort Way, Brickhill Bedford, MK41 7XQ Tel 01234 344884 e-mail: jhodgson@rivouse.fsnet.co.uk Ouse News Editor: Carole Alderton Holly Cottage, 57 Globe Street Methwold Thetford, IP26 4PQ Tel 01366 727236 e-mail: carolealderton@sky.com Sales Officer: David Anderson 21 Cambridge Street St Neots PE19 1JL Tel 01480 477227 e-mail:david.anderson@uwclub.net
Membership Officer: Peter Webb 35 Norfolk Road Ely, CB6 3EJ Tel 01353 658581 e-mail: peter.c.webb@tesco.net Member: Stephen Foote 14 High Street, Chrishall Royston, SG8 8RP Tel 01763 838936 e-mail: g4foh@tambourine.org.uk Member: Derek Bradley 24 Witchford Road Ely, CB6 3DP Tel 01353 661601 e-mail: bradleyd@waitrose.com
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Chairman’s Corner It turned out that I was somewhat optimistic when I wrote in the spring edition that ‘By the time you read this, the worst of the winter flooding will be behind us’. However, we got there eventually and dare I say it, the water levels are now back to normal. I am pleased to report that we held four successful meetings over the ‘off’ season, all of which were reasonably well attended. We are now working on producing an equally interesting programme for next winter. The practice of holding a visit to local places of interest prior to the boating season has proved to be popular, with 40 Great Ouse and Peterborough branch members attending a fact finding tour of Horseway Lock and Welches Dam on the 5thApril - see the full report on page 22. It was nice to learn that all talk of taking potentially expensive legal action to try and force the Environment Agency to restore the navigation has now been replaced by a more practical approach based on ‘How can we achieve the desired result by involving local organisations and seeking help from the various funding organisations?’. This is an approach that we as a branch can fully support. The resolution of the mooring situation along Ely waterfront seems to be grinding slowly towards a successful conclusion with the Secretary of State having finally approved the enabling byelaw. However, there now has to be a period of consultation before the rules can be enforced. After much deliberation, the Cam Conservators and the Environment Agency have agreed the terms of a new Interchange Agreement allowing EA registered boaters to navigate the Cam. The 10% surcharge levied last year has now been reduced to 5%. However, this will be offset by a 4.8% general increase in the EA licence fee, leaving boaters with a 0.2% gain. I suppose that this can be regarded as some sort of progress! Have a great boating season.
Keith Alderton
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Great Ouse - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Bid The 17 miles of tranquil river scenery of the Great Ouse Valley through Huntingdonshire from Little Paxton to Earith is loved and appreciated by boaters and ramblers, but remains a hidden secret for many. Now, a small local group has launched a bid to have this area declared part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) by English Nature. There are currently 33 AONBs in the country; the largest being in the Cotswolds and the smallest comprising the entire Scilly Isles. AONB status can afford an area of special scenic value a measure of protection from intrusive development under the National Planning Policy Framework. Designation as an AONB can encourage sympathetic land use whilst recognising its outstanding amenity and recreational value. The group believes that the almost unique landscape quality, relative wildness, tranquility and natural and cultural heritage of the Great Ouse Valley make it a prime candidate for protection. Close to the river in the 69 sq km site there are currently 1300 hectares of man made lakes and this is expected to rise to over 2000 ha in the next twenty years as new wetlands are created. Considering that this would be an area twice the size of the Norfolk Broads, the potential soon becomes clear. Add the vast flood meadows, the pockets of ancient woodland and traditional osier beds, together with unspoilt views of thatched cottages and ancient church spires, the need to protect this area for the future becomes obvious.
Ouse News Page 6 The bid, which is currently undergoing initial assessment by Natural England, seeks AONB status for the Great Ouse Valley in conjunction with the Ouse Washes to the north, already a RAMSAR site of international importance. A decision on whether the bid may proceed further is expected sometime in 2014. For further information or to express your support contact : greatouseaonb@gmail.com or visit the group’s new GreatOuseAONB Facebook page. David Mercer
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Pontoons at King’s Lynn Installation of the new visitor pontoons in historic King’s Lynn was completed in July 2013, adding new sailing opportunities to a town already brimful of rich maritime history. The new visitor moorings are situated on South Quay adjacent to King’s Lynn. The quay itself provides a choice of bar, restaurant and tea room facilities, whilst all the facilities of the town centre are just a few minutes walk away. The pontoons are easily accessible to sea-going craft, but can also be accessed by craft from the inland waterway network. For further details: • • •
Visit - www.sailthewash.com Email - visitorpontoons@westnorfolk.gov.uk Telephone - 01553 763044
(Photos courtesy of Dave Bouttell)
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R iver N ews from the E nvironment A gency Nathan Arnold
Boat Safety Scheme points boaters to important safety issues - highlighted by recent boat tragedies. In the space of a few days, three people on two vessels have died from suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is pointing boat owners to its advice to help stay safe. A man living on his narrowboat in Banbury died along with his pet dog and two fishermen have been found dead aboard their vessel in Whitby harbour. In the context of the initial reports that these people may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, boat skippers and crews are being strongly encouraged to take stock and ensure that they are properly protected against the threat from the extremely toxic gas. CO is a colourless, odourless gas – often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’ – and can kill quickly if inhaled in high concentrations. The early symptoms of poisoning are similar to flu or food poisoning, and include headaches, nausea and dizziness. Any fuel burning equipment can be a potential source of CO including stoves, gas appliances and any engine exhaust. The Boat Safety Scheme warns that CO build-up in boat cabins can occur with any one, or a mix, of these factors: with faulty, badly maintained or misused appliances exhaust fumes from a boat’s engine or generator escaped flue gases from solid fuel stoves blocked ventilation or short supply of air - fuels need the right amount of oxygen to burn safely
Ouse News Page 9 Boat Safety Scheme advice on avoiding a carbon monoxide incident is to: Install fuel burning appliances properly Maintain appliances and engines routinely Use the equipment correctly Don’t allow engine fumes into the cabin space Deal with problems immediately Don’t allow bodged repairs and maintenance Install a CO alarm certified to as meeting BS EN 50291-2 Test the alarm routinely Never remove the batteries Know the signs of CO poisoning and how to react If you are in any doubt about what to do, visit the Boat Safety Scheme website, where you’ll find clear and helpful guidelines on how to make your boat CO safe.’ The BSS has the latest advice for boaters on www.boatsafetyscheme.org/CO – Don’t let CO ruin your life!
(Authorised to examine all private boats and in addition, residential boats provided they are fitted with a gas bubble tester) Additional contact no: Ely Boat Chandlers - 01353 663095
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R iver N ews from the E nvironment A gency cont’d: Record amount of visitors to our waterways - We have made it easier to purchase a short term visitor registration by increasing the number of agents that now sell them. Over 1100 short term visitor registrations were purchased for the River Nene, Great Ouse, River Stour, Ancholme and Welland & Glen in 2013/ 14. This is more than any other recorded year, demonstrating the increasing popularity of the beautiful waterways we have here in the Anglian Region. The next step in enforcement - Where vessels are not registered, or where we need to remove a vessel in an emergency, we have the option of removing vessels from our waterways. From March 2014 we started removing several non-registered vessels on the Great Ouse and Nene. The photograph shows a sunken vessel being removed from Brandon Creek.
Ouse News Page 12 Brampton Lock repaired following high flows Works to repair the guillotine gate at Brampton Lock were successfully completed at the end of January by our contractors. The works involved removing and refurbishing the gate trod wheels, installing new greasing arrangements and metal patch repairs to the gate & frame; a detailed dimension survey was also undertaken whilst on site. The repairs were required so that the gate can be operated correctly, particularly when we use it for flood discharge. Godmanchester Lock improvements continue Cill preparation
A full lock inspection was undertaken in October-November 2013. It included work on the mitre doors and the guillotine gates which resulted in the replacement of pintles, cill improvement works, painting works and general improvement of the entire lock. Works to remove tree obstructions around the lock and landing stages are currently ongoing and the footpaths around the lock will be improved by the spring. This continues on from the refurbished visitor mooring work that was completed in the autumn at Godmanchester Lock and the desilting of the channel downstream Lock drain down of the lock.
Ouse News Page 13 Relief Channel lock cleared A full lock inspection was undertaken in February-March 2014. This involved a detailed inspection of the lock operations and improvements where necessary. A large volume of heavy silt/ sludge was removed from the lock and the hydraulic system was checked and replacements undertaken where necessary. Silt in lock pen
Ouse News Page 14 East Coast Tidal Surge In early December 2013, the country faced the largest tidal surge along the east coast in 60 years. Sea levels at many locations were higher than those during the devastating floods of 1953 – Britain’s worst 20th century natural disaster – which claimed more than 300 lives in England. However, flood risk management schemes, forecasting and warning since the 1950s, helped to save lives and protect property. Emergency services evacuated 18,000 people from coastal communities and, over the duration of the surge passing down the coast on 6 December, a record-breaking 64 severe flood warnings – the highest category and meaning danger to life – were in place. At one point, flood warnings were issued to 43,000 homes and businesses in just an hour. Around 2,600 properties flooded but 800,000 were protected by 2,800 kilometres of defences including the Thames Barrier, which safeguarded the capital from the highest sea level since the structure was completed 30 years ago.
The photograph shows tidal water flowing over Denver lock into the fresh water side (upstream). Photograph courtesy of Mr P Bancroft.
Ouse News Page 15 Strong Stream Advice gets even better - During the Summer we will be improving our Strong Stream Advice (SSA) system for the River Great Ouse between Kempston and Earith. We have been liaising with our boating customers for a while now about the way we issue SSA advice when flows and levels are above normal or locks are being used for flood discharge. Following the feedback given we will be introducing a new ‘caution’ (amber) phase, we will also be changing the way we downgrade our messages when flows are returning to normal. New signs will be installed at many of our lock sites that will display either green, amber or red boards informing customers on the ground of river conditions. We are also introducing an amber flag to the existing system. As part of the changes we will be updating our phone messages, texts and email systems to reflect the new phases. Later in the year, we are also planning to introduce a similar SSA system for the River Cam between Cambridge and Pope’s Corner. Further information about the improved SSA system will be available in the summer edition of GOBA News. If you would like to receive our Strong Stream Advice message please call 01522 785943 or visit our website for further details.
Ouse News Page 16 Voyage of Discovery Mark (son) and Keith (father) took over The Ship Inn at Brandon Creek on 1st September 2012 and have now almost completed their second successful year as landlords of their own premises. After 6 years working his way through from university pub barman to managing a 2000 capacity night club, Mark took on managing a village pub in Bloxham near Banbury. A year later he persuaded his semi-retired father to join him in finding and running his own pub. After a 6 month search of suitable premises, the pictures of the idyllic waterside Ship Inn at Brandon Creek caught their eye and seemed too good an opportunity to miss. Following several 230 mile round trips to view, check out the locals and negotiate, they committed themselves to taking on the leasehold of this ‘Free of Tie’ famous Norfolk pub/restaurant with its history dating back to before Cromwell’s time, and also famed for its part in the Littleport Riots of 22nd May 1816. Amongst others a William Creek is listed as the landlord in 1845, so Mark & Keith have now added their names to this long and esteemed history of hosts at The Ship. (try Googling Brandon Creek Norfolk) In view of their total lack of knowledge of The Fens (they had never been east of Northampton!!), its current and potential customers, the local traditions or working environments, they made the decision to open and run The Ship immediately without any major changes – rather than close and redevelop, until they could assess what worked well and what needed changing/ improving. That first year produced a strong list of positives and left them looking to develop their ideas for the future of the business. The immediate change was in opening from noon 7 days a week straight through until close; normally 11pm in the summer but earlier during the winter months, dependent upon evening customer demands. (Customers told us how frustrating it was to turn up for a pint and find the pub closed Mondays and every afternoon!) Next to change was the menu – from what was a choice of frozen foods to predominantly freshly cooked, locally sourced produce. This can be illustrated by the reduction of the freezers from 16 down to just 4 in the 12 months. Menus change about every 6 weeks to stay fresh and seasonal.
Ouse News Page 17 With Keith being diagnosed as Coeliac (an intolerance of Gluten) they decided to ensure as much as possible of the menu would be created by their chefs using no Gluten containing ingredients. Keith in common with all Coeliacs, was fed up when going out to eat where the only guaranteed ‘Gluten free’ options were steak and baked potatoes. This has proved an extremely popular decision, with many Coeliacs from all over East Anglia coming to sample the wide ranging, non Gluten containing menu - especially the battered fish and chips - normally a major No No on GF diets. In fact, on a recent training day at Coeliac UK’s head office with representatives of many national chain restaurants, Mark and locally based head chef, Mark Payne, were held up as shining examples of how to manage Gluten free catering and menus in smaller restaurants. ‘Healthy Option’ versions of some standard menu dishes, have been identified recently as highly desirable; people looking for these more healthy/ slimming options (no added fats or sugars) are normally only offered salads or poached salmon and baked/new potatoes and are now a standard menu option. Within a month of starting, Mark (an enthusiastic musician) had found a local singer/songwriter, living aboard his boat on the Little Ouse, who started the now popular Friday Night Live Music sessions. Various guests now play on alternate Fridays at 8pm offering an Open Mic. Session from 9 pm. There is often serious competition to secure a slot with 4 or 5 regular local entertainers and others, turning up from all over Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, for the sessions through till about Midnight. On the other Fridays, live artists are booked (often as a result their appearances at previous Open Mic. Sessions) for that evening’s performance. So you can now be guaranteed ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ at The Ship every week throughout the year, with free moorings for customers. The first Wednesday of each month offers further encouragement for local talented singers, songwriters, poets & storytellers to perform their own works under the expert organisation of Stella Hensley & Chris Newman from Cambridge from 8 pm. Stella & Chris also bring together the daytime live music programmes for the Beer Festivals with ‘The Barefoot Doctors’ their own blues band, headlining the evening session.
Ouse News Page 18 In June 2013 their first 3 day Beer, Boat and Music Festival was launched with 20 real ales and ciders offered, along with a lamb roast & BBQ and nearly 24 hours of live music in the marquee and in the bar. Over 1000 people and 35 boats turned up, despite the inclement weather. The 19th
October saw this repeated, but on a smaller scale, with The Ouse Washes Molly Dancers in attendance, performing ‘The Black Sheet’ dance based on a Cromwellian story of The Ship Inn in the 1650s. Where do they go from here?? – A series of Menu Taster evenings has started. Keep an eye on the website for details. Themed Evening and Chef’s Nights, when each chef will show off his/her own specialities, are in the planning stages as are a Quiz Night series & Storytelling sessions. They are offering a comfortable relaxed riverside venue for local businesses to hold meetings, training days and seminars utilising the restaurant space during weekdays. They are similarly hoping to encourage local artists, crafts guilds and special interest groups and clubs to utilise their space, to meet and exchange ideas – just contact them to discuss your needs and ideas. Other longer term projects are in the process of investigation, or are coming to fruition imminently; developing boater services, such as offering basic foods, fuel, shower and laundry services, along with Wi-Fi, power and providing accommodation are all well advanced.
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Branch News Winter Meetings
are at 8 pm on Thursday evenings at the Cole’s Road Community Centre, Milton (North Cambridge) CB24 6BL.
Members & Visitors welcome. T HURSDAY 23 RD O CTOBER
2014
An illustrated talk by Mike Petty, C a mbr i d ge s h i r e R e s e a r c h e r, Lecturer & Historian on ‘The History of the Rivers Cam and Great Ouse between Cambridge and Ely’.
T HURSDAY 27 TH N OVEMBER
2015
To be advised
T HURSDAY 26 TH M ARCH
Harry Chell, Cambridge Colin & Patricia Smart, Brandon
2014
An illustrated talk by the RiverCanal Rescue.
T HURSDAY 26 TH F EBRUARY
We welcome the following new members to the branch. We hope you will introduce yourselves to us when coming to an event or meeting:
Barrie Goddard & Family, Waterbeach, Mr D Sadler & Family, Bury St Edmunds
Members who have moved to the branch: 2015
Our March meeting will be our AGM and update from the river managers of the Environment Agency.
Michael & Pamela Hedge, Huntingdon Phil Prettyman, Burwell
Ouse News Page 20 Quiz night on Thursday, 27th February This proved to be an enjoyable evening - we had five teams and six rounds, with a possible 64 points. Our winning team (Keith Alderton, Gail Mead and Enid Hodgson) had 54 points
Why not come along to our next meeting on Thursday, 23rd October, 2014. We shall be having an illustrated talk by Mike Petty, Cambridgeshire Researcher, Lecturer & Historian on ‘The History of the Rivers Cam & Great Ouse between Cambridge and Ely’. A14 West A10 to Ely A10 to Cambridge
Tesco
To Milton
A14 East Tennis Courts Entrance Community Centre
Details of more meetings are on Page 19 and the map above should help you to find the exact location in Milton! (If you have a problem finding us please phone Stephen Foote on 07774 613557)
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Ouse News Page 22 Visit to Welches Dam Lock on Saturday 5th April 2014 The original Welches Dam Lock was built in 1651 when Vermuyden dug the Forty Foot Drain, aka Vermuyden’s Drain, from Ramsey to drain waters from the Middle Level into the Old Bedford River, thence to sea via the Old Bedford Sluice at Salters Lode and the Great Ouse River. It was last repaired by the National River Authority and was formally reopened by Lady Helen De Freitas on 30 March 1991. The lock has effectively been closed since the middle of 2006 as it is in a dangerous state. In the IWA News (Oct 2011) it was reported :Notorious for being connected by one of the system’s smallest locks (47 ft) to the system’s leakiest cut, this lock has been closed by stealth by the EA for several years by a “temporary” coffer dam, ostensibly to prevent water seepage, but in fact severing passage, of which there is a statutory right enshrined in law. Unfortunately EA denies it has a statutory responsibility to fix the lock, and even if they did, it’s too costly for the limited use in the current circumstances regarding funding. The issue might eventually be sorted by the provision of the final stage of the proposed Fenlands Link, should this ever reach fruition. But in the meantime an important principle is at stake, what to do about a navigation authority not acting to carry out its legal responsibilities. It’s a matter that is currently taxing IWA’s Peterborough Branch and IWA’s Navigation Committee. IWA has taken preliminary legal soundings citing an option to pursue a court case incurring a possible legal bill of over £100,000. Thankfully this never happened, so it was decided that members of the Peterborough Branch and Great Ouse Branch would have a visit to Welches Dam and Horseway Lock to see the problem first hand.
Ouse News Page 23 On 5th April 2014, a fine but breezy day, we gathered at St Nicolas Church, Manea, at 10:30am. Then, after sharing cars, we travelled in convoy first to Horseway Lock. Here we found two boats had made their way up to the lock and both were able to enter. It was as far as they could go, as above the lock the channel was completely dry. After a look around we then moved in convoy again. Although Welches Dam lock is only 2.2 miles away we had to drive 6.2 miles by car to get to Welches Dam, where we viewed the closed lock. To the layman both locks looked as though they could be repaired. We returned to Manea Church Hall, where we had a presentation of the Middle Levels’ history from Roger Sexton and then another presentation of the potential solutions to the various problems with this route from Andrew Storrar. Andrew is a past professor of manufacturing engineering at Queens University, Belfast. He had been involved over the years with WRG and as a consulting engineer on various waterway and dock projects. A generous buffet and tea/coffee was then provided and further questions answered. The Great Ouse Branch had 15 members attending and, in total, about 40 people were present including the National Chairman, Les Etheridge. We look forward to seeing future developments, and our thanks go to the Peterborough Branch for organising this event and also to their catering personnel for a fine buffet. Peter Webb Bedford River Festival 19th & 20th July, 2014 The Embankment/Russell Park As well as a Festival Parade, there will be Raft Races, Dragon Boats and many more attractions. www.bedfordevents.co.uk
Ouse News Page 24 Reach 2014 Not many members gathered at Reach this year; as some members now have their boats moored on the canals and others were away, we only had four boats in attendance. At various times other members came by car. The meal on Saturday night was as good as ever at the Dykes End pub. The BBQ on Sunday was held on a lovely sunny day, albeit with a cheeky breeze. After the BBQ, with much sharing of food, we held the traditional quiz on local and national waterways. The quiz had been set by Keith and Carole who, as they were attending a wedding, left the quiz for me to read. By pure coincidence, it was won by Jean Webb with 28 points. It was a very close event with the losers (who should remain nameless) only a few points behind – but John & Janice were disappointed they had not been given a wooden spoon prize! Not content with one quiz, four of us went to the Village Quiz that night and came 4th out of 16 teams. As most other teams had 6 or 7 members we were very happy with the result. On the Monday morning and afternoon the IWA had a stand at Reach Fair. Dave Anderson kindly brought the tent and sale items which, with the help of other members, helped boost the image of the IWA. One unfortunate side effect of it being a warm sunny day, was the fact that the ice cream queue stretched right in front of our tent creating an obstacle for people wishing to visit our stand. We look forward to next year and hope more people will turn up to this fun weekend. Peter Webb The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 612245. Registered as a charity No 212342. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Rd, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Phone No 01494 783453.