IWA Ouse News Autumn 2018

Great Ouse Branch

Ouse News - Autumn 2018 Newsletter covering the Great Ouse and tributaries Contents: Branch Committee

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Branch News

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Chairman’s Corner

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Letter to Editor

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Regional Chairman

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EA - River News

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Festival of Water

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Visit to Jordans Mill p24 Book Review

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New bridge carrying the A142 over the River Great Ouse at Ely Photo: Ian Cornish

Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways.

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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Great Ouse Branch Committee: Committee members may be contacted by email: e.g. an.other@waterways.org.uk Chairman: Keith Alderton Tel : 01366 727236

Volunteer Co-ordinator: Gail Mead Tel: 01359 232603

Secretary: John Hodgson Tel : 01234 344884

Member: Stephen Foote Tel: 01763 838936

Treasurer: Enid Hodgson Tel : 01234 344884

Member: Derek Bradley Tel: 01353 661601

Ouse News Editor: Carole Alderton Tel : 01366 727236 Membership Officer: Peter Webb Tel: 01353 658581

We are a small, friendly group and would welcome another committee member to help us organise meetings and events.

Please contact the editor.

(Authorised to examine all private boats and in addition, residential boats provided they are fitted with a gas bubble tester) Additional contact : Ely Boat Chandlers 01353 663095

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Branch News Winter Meetings are at 8.00 pm at the North Lodge Pavilion, North Lodge Park, Milton, CB24 6UD. T HURSDAY 22 ND N OVEMBER

2018

We welcome the following new members to the branch.

We hope you will introduce yourselves to us when coming to an event or meeting:

This will be a Waterways Quiz and a Fish and Chip Supper.

John Bacon, Haverhill

T HURSDAY 28 TH F EBRUARY

Chris Liles, Wisbech

2019

An illustrated talk on ‘The River Great Ouse from Ely to Denver’.by Mike Petty, Cambridgeshire Researcher, Lecturer and Historian.

S ATURDAY 23 RD M ARCH

2019

Visit to Jordans Mill. Details on page 24.

T HURSDAY 28

TH

M ARCH

2019

This will be our branch Annual General Meeting, together with an update from the Environment Agency.

Cont’d:

Keith & Lorna Cootes, K. Lynn Anthony Garratt, St Neots Thomas & Wendy Jackson, Ely Nick St Clair, Rye, East Sussex David Elliott, Reach Darren & Andi Giggins, Wisbech Adrian & Rachel Dodman, St Neots Sue Fernandes, St Neots Owen Gallagher, St Neots Ian & Claire Gillett , Ely

Sean O’Connor, St Neots

Royston Harris, Royston, Herts

Trevor & Lindsey Peters, Ely

Nick & Pauline Hindle, Royston

Anthony Pope, Ely

Julie Humphrey, Sandy, Beds

Ray Porter, St Neots

Richard & Louise Landen, Sandy

Margaret Randle, St Neots

Keith & Bev Allgood, Huntingdon

Christopher & Denise Tutin, Ely

Janet Nicholls, St Ives

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Chairman’s Corner - Keith Alderton Autumn seems to have come on very suddenly, with biting winds and a sharp drop in temperature. Quite an abrupt change from the long glorious summer we have all enjoyed. The change in season was most noticeable to us as we travelled across the Middle Level and back up the wide expanse of the Nene Valley to the Grand Union. Although we were lucky to experience mainly blue skies, the bitter wind did not let up. It is not very often that we have to light the solid fuel stove in mid-September!

Our journey to the Festival of Water at St.Neots, and back, took us a total of 34 days spread over 4 sessions. Nine days to get from the GU to the Little Ouse, 11 days along the Great Ouse to St.Neots and back to March.

This was followed by a further 10 days to get to Napton on the Oxford Canal for a complete repaint and finally 4 days back to base at Blisworth.

It was hard work though as time constraints meant that we had to achieve 20 lock-miles a day for much of our journey. Great fun though!

The Festival of Water proved to be a great success and was very well attended by both boaters and the general public (see report on page 20).

The final tally of boats attending was about 90 - 75 of which came from the canal system – not bad for such an isolated waterway! The great thing about these occasions is the opportunity they provide to meet up with old friends and to socialise in the evenings.

I would like to thank the branch committee members for their efforts manning our stand over the 3-day event. Throughout the festival weekend we spoke to many members of the public about our organisation and local rivers. Without doubt this helped us to sign up 16 new branch members.

We also involved a lot of children with our two model locks and other WOW activities. However, I must admit that we all abandoned the stand, battened down the hatches and adjourned to the entertainment tent to drink beer and listen to dodgy music during the prolonged monsoon on the bank holiday Sunday.

Ouse News Page 5 Setting up, packing up, transporting and storing our gazebos, tables, stock and equipment etc for these events is no small task. For many years we have been fortunate to have the services of David Anderson, our Sales Officer to head up these activities. However, David has had some health problems of late and now feels that he is unable to carry on and, as a result, has resigned from the branch committee. I would like to thank David for all his hard work over the years and wish him the very best for the future. This inevitably leads me to send out a plea for volunteers (or pressed men) to come forward and join us on the branch committee.

Members may be aware that due to the inability to form a committee the Ipswich branch folded earlier in the year, following the course set by the defunct Norwich branch many years earlier. This means that we now have no representation in one of the areas with the greatest concentration of boats in the Country. A sad state of affairs indeed! It is therefore proposed that consideration be given to forming a new Norfolk and Suffolk Branch to cover the Broads and associated rivers. We, through the Eastern Region Committee, have offered our full support to this project.

Our off-season programme is now well underway with the usual mix of talks and activities. The meeting on the 22nd.November will consist of a fish & chip supper and waterways quiz. All members and friends are welcome. There is no need to book places as we can order food on the night.

We will have a return visit by local historian Mike Petty on the 28th February. Mike will follow on from his last talk and examine the history of the River Great Ouse between Ely and Denver.

Our away-day next year will comprise a visit in March to Jordans Mill on the River Ivel near Biggleswade. This is a fine Victorian watermill that is still in working condition. Unusually, the mill is powered by a water turbine rather than a waterwheel. We will be given a tour of the mill, followed by afternoon tea in their visitor centre. Full details on page 24.

Finally, on the 28th March we will hold our usual snappy AGM followed by an update from the River Managers of the Environment Agency.

Ouse News Page 6 Letter to the Editor This letter from Deb Curtis of the Field Theatre Group and speaker at our meeting on Thursday, 23rd November 2017 on the ‘Littleport Riots’ refers to our letter published on page 6 in our Summer 2018 edition: ‘Ah ha! Very sharp eyed, we could do with them working for us!

‘Here is the stone. And this is the story. The one on St Mary’s church tower was replaced, sometime in the 1980s, we think. The original was removed and stored in the boiler room of the church for several years .... until it was ‘liberated’ by Littleporters.

‘The story goes that the (then) vicar of St Mary’s contacted someone in Littleport and told them where the original stone was stored. He then left the boiler room door open for them .... and agreed ‘not to notice’ when it disappeared. It is now in the parish council chamber (The Barn) in Littleport.

‘There is a move to have the stone installed in St George’s church, but permission has not yet been granted by the Ely Diocese. (Not surprisingly, perhaps, given the treatment that the Littleport Rev. Vachell received at the hands of the mob on the night of the riot!)

‘I hope this is helpful.’

Deb Curtis

Ouse News Page 7 Chris Howes, Eastern Region Chairman:

Boston and Peterborough are geographically only 30 miles apart, but at present navigating between them by boat requires either a challenging Wash crossing (for which boats designed for inland waterways are not best suited) or a tortuous 250 mile, 135 lock, 15 day trip along the River Witham, Fossdyke Canal, River Trent, Grand Union Canal and River Nene. Because of the narrow gauge locks on the Rothersthorpe flight, this journey can only be made by boats less than seven feet wide, and any other boats wishing to make this journey need to be craned out and transported by road.

The Fens Waterways Link (FWL) was an ambitious scheme originally conceived in the early 2000s to develop and progress waterway links across the Fens from the Cathedral City of Ely in Cambridgeshire, through the Cathedral City of Peterborough and on to Boston. To date significant progress has been made with major investments at Boston, and extending accessibility to the the waterways in Lincolnshire.

A fresh initiative, the Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor, was launched at the IWA Festival of Water at St Neots on 25-27 August 2018.

Its aim is to breathe new life back into that original vision. Lead by IWA Lincolnshire & Peterborough Branches, the partnership brings together the Environment Agency and Lincolnshire County Council.

The Partnership has identified the development of a wetland corridor connecting Boston and Peterborough as a tangible and deliverable section of waterway that can be progressed at a significantly lower cost than the original concept of Fens Waterways Link (FWL).

Ouse News Page 8 Using largely existing waterways and public access footpaths, the partnership has identified that the addition of approximately 12 miles of new channels to connect with 50 miles of existing waterways will create a significant new wetland corridor. This will incorporate and link Black Sluice Navigation (South River Welland Forty Foot Drain), the River Glen, the River Welland and the River Nene all of which are existing EA navigations.

Widening the scope of the original Fens Waterways Link project will unlock new opportunities to incorporate a range of economic, ecological, environmental, and public access benefits, in addition to extending the region’s navigations. This range of benefits will also facilitate wider options for obtaining funding such as flood risk management, health & wellbeing, and ecological enhancement.

The Partnership propose to form a charitable trust which will include representatives of all interested stakeholders. The Trust Board will be formed from volunteer stakeholders and significant regional and local representatives.

The partnership is also aiming to reinvigorate public interest in the opportunities and benefits of the full FWL concept, particularly in the Peterborough, Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire areas.

The benefits of the proposed new corridor far exceed the benefits to boating between Boston and Peterborough. It would provide a new route for cyclists and walkers, be welcomed by fishermen and other waterway enthusiasts including canoeists and paddle boarders. It would benefit both flora and fauna, creating a wetland corridor, and bring economic regeneration.

Ouse News Page 9 Viewed in conjunction with the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway, together these two projects would better connect our eastern waters with the national waterways network. Whereas the B&MKW will require over 40 locks, Boston to Peterborough crosses mainly flat agricultural land and it is anticipated that only 4 locks will be needed ! The B&MKW bills itself as potentially “the first new waterway constructed in England in over a century”. Perhaps they need to watch out for the “new kids on the block”.

Chris Howes Regional Chairman

Dont’t forget to purchase your Christmas Cards either at our next meeting on Thursday, 22nd November or from Ely Boat Chandlers and support your branch!!

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Ouse News Page 11 River News from the Environment Agency Waterways Operations Team Leader (Gt. Ouse and Stour Navigations) Duckweed on the Old West River & Floating Pennywort. Weed, Weed Everywhere!

I’m sure those of you who ventured out onto the Old West River this season between July and August couldn’t help but notice the pea green soup that had developed around the Twenty Pence bends area. Some of you will have gotten through this without incident; but I know some of you will have also struggled, broken down or even have had to be towed out. Especially those of you with raw water cooled engines and those fitted with weed strainers and filters. I also appreciate for some of you this will be your lasting impression of this season; after all it’s a short season and the duckweed situation on the Old West River was at its peak right about the time the river reaches its busiest.

I’ll attempt to outline what we did in response and what the causes were, share with you the feedback we received and, more importantly, what we’re going to do in the future when the same situation arises. The same situation will arise as we know the Old West is prone to and will suffer again at some point from duckweed or Lemna Minor. We are more likely to get the hot dry summers which leads to lower levels and high water temperatures as a result of climate change. This is also likely, as with this year, to cause lower river flows and levels which will impact our ability to flush water through Hermitage Lock at Earith Bridge into the Old West River which will also in turn lead to better growing conditions for duckweed.

This year, the season formed the perfect growing conditions for duckweed on the Old West River, the sluggish, relatively shallow watercourse heats quickly, receives a lot of sunlight and is super nutrient enriched from the adjacent agriculture and drains.

Ouse News Page 12 As we saw this year, this can cause eutrophication and aquatic plants can bloom out of control as a result. Usually we can use Hermitage Lock to recharge or flush through the Old West River, which is a key tool in managing duckweed in the Old West River. However, in order to do this it requires a certain water level above Hermitage Lock on the upstream reach between Hermitage and Brownshill. Because of lower fresh water flows coming from the Bedford Ouse this level was seldom reached this year so it resulted in very limited flushing which didn’t help the situation.

In feedback sent to me a lot of criticism was made of the efforts to keep the duckweed under control. We usually schedule two passes of the weedboat crews on the Old West River, and we did request an early pass as the Old West River is the main link used by boats between the Bedford and Ely Ouse which the crews did undertake in late June / early July as soon as they could get permission to start their cutting operations after the majority of the bird nesting season. After that time in response to the duckweed growth and formation, we requested a further 4 passes of the Old West River that took place over July and into late August.

Generally our weedboat fleet with Conver Weed Cutting Boats and Berky Weed Harvesters are largely ineffective against duckweed, as the small leaves of this plant carry positive and negative charges enabling the plant to form dense mats across the river. When in early development, the plant leaves form a tight but thin layer across the water surface; this layer will part and then almost immediately form in on itself again behind a vessel as it passes. At this stage our weed cutters and harvesters cannot pick up or lift the weed out as it simply falls through their mechanisms, so it is futile using the weed fleet when they can be deployed elsewhere on the river having an impact.

Ouse News Page 13 However in the space of just a few weeks the duckweed this season had bloomed to such an extent that it formed a few inch thick crust on the water’s surface - so our weed crews hatched a plan. On their 6th and last pass in late August, in the run up to the IWA National Festival they utilised the Berky Weed Harvester at its slowest ahead speed and the lifting conveyor at its slowest speed to gently tease the Duckweed out of the water on the conveyor slats as a solid sheet without dropping through.

Now although the weed harvester suffered a major mechanical breakdown as a result, they did at this stage manage to make great progress and cleared the majority of the length of the Old West River as a result with just a few hundred yards remaining when the harvester suffered the breakdown.

The harvesters and cutter crews were then due to proceed onto the River Cam to undertake Floating Pennywort clearance in late August / September, but the repairs have only recently been finished so they are now anticipated to reach the River Cam after some of the Ely Ouse tributaries by mid-November to undertake Floating Pennywort clearance from Bottisham Lock on the River Cam, downstream to the Ely Ouse and back up to Ely. The Friends of the Cam Valley are making great volunteer efforts upstream in Cambridge and above Cambridge in the head waters. The Cam Conservators also undertake the Floating Pennywort control on their waters.

Elsewhere on the Bedford Ouse the strategy is being executed and a progressive reach downstream is planned in and worked upon year after year as well as the upstream reaches being revisited to remove any remerging Pennywort areas. This will systematically move down river but means that for now between Bedford and St Neots the Pennywort is well controlled and an impact is being made through a combination of hand picking, mechanical removal and spraying. Downstream however is still infested and this is getting worse around the Hemingford area. St Ives to Earith is in a quarantine zone so control is carried out here when Pennywort is found.

Ouse News Page 14 To this end there are some great efforts by volunteers; Jones Boatyard and others are regularly out on the trout stream clearing Floating Pennywort and the Hemingford Backwater. We, in Waterways, are also seeking contractor quotes to undertake some Pennywort de-baulking work below Offord down to Hemingford to remove much of the biomass on the main navigation in a bid to stop the channel becoming choked as we witnessed on the River Cam below Bottisham Lock last year. We hope to undertake this by the end of the year.

And for the future; the waterways team do not possess any weed cutting or equipment directly, this instead resides in other field teams. This then also means that we do not command control, or have the ability to deploy it where the greatest navigation needs are. As a result, and based on experiences such as Pennywort and Duckweed on the Old West, we are liaising with our fleet colleagues and in the process of placing an order, as I write, to purchase a waterways Conver weed boat for the waterways team to operate in conjunction with our field operations colleagues so we can deploy it when and where it is needed.

For example on the Old West River this summer to free up the rest of the weed cutting fleet to undertake their normal activities so that we could have then attempted to control the duckweed within our own team. For the duckweed we are also investigating some submersible pumps that have proved useful on ponds and lakes at clearing duckweed.

As a result although we can’t prevent the growth in the first place I hope we will be better placed to respond to it, be more reactive and stand a better chance of having an impact and gaining control when these problems do arise. I hope this is of some reassurance that we did not rest on our laurels and we did attempt to do what we could with what we had this year and that we are making plans and seeking equipment to be able to better react in the future, alongside being able to flush at Hermitage Lock.

Ouse News Page 15 Register your vessel or face court, boaters

w n era

Failing to register a boat for use on Environment Agency waterways is an offence under the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010, and carries a maximum fine of £1,000.

All of the prosecution sessions, pending any appeals, relating to the 2017/ 18 year have now been heard in court where a total of 18 cases were brought before the magistrates, resulting in just under £15,000 (£14,922.03) worth of fines, costs and compensation where the following amounts were awarded: £3,688 in fines, £3,499.99 in costs, £7,734.04 in compensation Furthermore, the work on preparing cases for the 2018/19 year has started in earnest with 7 cases being prepared to date and more to follow. This will bring the number of cases landing in court since 2017 to 25 which will, of course, increase further by the time the year is out.

Our simple message is that it is a legal requirement to register your vessel if it is on any of our waterways, including backwaters and marinas. We will take action against anyone who fails to comply. To register your vessel you can obtain all the information you need by going online to gov.uk and searching for ‘register a boat’, or by calling 03708 506 506 Mon to Fri 08:00 18:00.

Ouse News Page 16 It is also a requirement to clearly show the vessel name and registration number on your vessel alongside the license plate. Many who are actually registered fail to show either their plate, their vessel name and registration number or any combination of the three and this can lead to a perception that there are more unregistered vessels than there actually are, as well as holding up the enforcement checking process, meaning that our enforcement officers have less time to spend on those actual vessels that are genuinely evading the registration requirements.

Pump-Out Token Update As an update to the pump-out token introduction, the Environment Agency still plans to introduce the tokens over this coming winter in time for the 2019 boating season. Since the summer edition I have been contacted with a few additional questions which I thought would be useful to share here as there may be many others with the same or similar question(s) in mind.

1. Q) Where will tokens be available and how will I know where to purchase them?

1. A) We have been building up the number of ‘navigation agents’ this year and the pump-out tokens will be available either via the Environment Agency directly at our sites with a staff presence, e.g. Denver and Hermitage Locks and via our navigation agents. We are trying to secure a mixture of agents that are open and accessible throughout the week and at locations where boaters are likely to visit, e.g. supermarkets, marinas, riverside public houses etc. At each pump-out site we intend to fit notice boards similar to those at our locks and moorings with a map and current list of nearby agents / token sale points so that you will know where to go and purchase tokens from.

2. Q) How much will a token be and how much time will this buy?

2. A) The current token price this year (2018/19) is ÂŁ10 per token and it has always been our intention that one token should provide sufficient time on the pump to enable one complete emptying of a holding tank. Some concerns have been raised about the amount of pump running times when pressing the existing pump-out buttons, especially at Ely.

Ouse News Page 17 These are not related to the token timers and we will control the amount of time set and, as mentioned, our intention is to allow for 1 full pump-out per token.

3. Q) Won’t this just lead to people pumping their tanks out directly to the river?

3. A) We hope that river users will continue to act responsibly and not discharge their holding tanks into the river. Water quality data doesn’t suggest this is the case for other parts of the country that operate paid for tokens and anyone who does this could be committing an offence and could be prosecuted under legislation such as the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act. The Environment Agency also monitors water quality regularly for ecological status against things like the Water Framework Directive and any deteriorations would rapidly be identified and the causes investigated so there will be some inbuilt monitoring following switching to pump-out token operation.

4. Q) Why do you need to introduce a charge and token for pump-outs and not Elsan disposals?

4. A) Pump-outs continue to be a relatively expensive facility to provide and maintain and there is no statutory obligation to provide them. By providing them we are addressing a market failure for them to be provided privately and because we realise they are an essential facility that allow river users to fully enjoy the waterway. To build and install the facilities from new costs in the tens of thousands of pounds and in the last two years alone up to £38,500 (approximately £6,500 per pump-out per year on average) has been spent on maintaining, servicing and repairing the three Great Ouse pump-out facilities based at Denver Complex, Ely Willow Walk and Earith, Westview Marina. We are also one of the last river systems to introduce a charge which will only contribute to and not likely to cover the operating costs. In a climate of ever reduced funding, if we are to continue to be able to provide such facilities we have little choice but ask those who use them to contribute. Elsan disposal points tend to cost less to install and maintain and whilst there is no current plan to start charging for Environment Agency provided Elsan points, nothing can be ruled out in the future.

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Ouse News Page 19 Q. 5) There are frequent problems with some of the public pump-outs.

What will happen if a token is used and a problem develops not allowing the pump-out to proceed or complete?

A. 5) Introducing pump-out tokens will not stop breakdowns or problems from occurring and it will not necessarily mean when they do break down that they will be able to get fixed any quicker than they currently do. All our pump-outs are serviced and maintained, but they are prone to problems which is a part of the reason why they are expensive to provide. We hope with the token system that faults will be reported to us more promptly and that responsible use of the facilities will be encouraged. For example, the majority of issues tend to be caused by foreign objects working their way into the pumps, such as wipes, and other items including clothing and cans have been recovered once repairs have been made. Simply charging for the use of the facility will ensure we receive reports if problems develop and will ensure people only use the facility when absolutely necessary reducing congestion at the facilities and the amount of frequency the pump is in use.

In addition we will ensure that a system is in place so that if anyone is affected by a pump-out problem and uses a token but can’t pump-out that they can arrange to get a replacement token free of charge.

Q 6.) Are there any plans to provide any more pump-out facilities?

A. 6) The Environment Agency has previously operated or planned to operate facilities at other locations including Eaton Socon and Littleport, however, as these were partnership based facilities, i.e. we provided the facilities on others land and shared running costs etc. they have at some point in time ran into difficulties and meant that they have no longer been viable to provide. We operate the Ely Willow Walk pump-out on a similar basis with East Camb’s District Council on their land and because of budget cuts, even at Ely they are looking to pass the whole operation to the Environment Agency. Previously we have shared the costs; the Environment Agency has provided, maintained the facility and paid for the water costs but the council has provided the sewerage connection and sewerage costs.

Ouse News Page 20 It is these factors and considerations that need to be sorted out in advance with an agreement before any new facilities are developed.

With the pump-out token charges if they can shift the operating costs onto a more sustainable footing, even if this moves towards covering costs, then when opportunities arise it may become easier to create a business case to provide new pump-outs in the future. We are always open to entering discussions with others where these facilities could be provided.

Paul Separovic The IWA Festival of Water – St.Neots, August 2018 For the first time since St. Ives in 2007, the Association chose to hold its annual festival in the Great Ouse branch’s patch - St.Neots, over the late August bank holiday weekend. From the outset, St. Neots Town Council were enthusiastically behind the idea and were hugely helpful to IWA. Only those who have been directly involved know how much work and effort it takes to organise one of these events. But – on the Friday morning, boaters, caravanners and campers began arriving, on a somewhat blustery day. Boaters had fun trying to find their allocated berths, caravanners their space on the site and campers bravely tried to put up their tents in the wind.

In the afternoon, the Great Ouse branch contingent set about putting up their show stand (having finally worked out where it was supposed to be…..!) and by tea-time the gazebos were erected and ready to be populated in the morning with tables, chairs and other impedimenta. In the evening the group repaired to the beer tent and took part in the ‘Boaters’ Quiz’ – in which they achieved a most creditable 3rd place!

On Saturday morning the stand was quickly fitted out and the show opened.

Attendance was good; lots of people and lots of interest in our waterways messages. In the evening an excellent ‘sixties’ band entertained us and a really good time was had by all.

Ouse News Page 21 On Sunday however, our luck ran out! Shortly after opening the stand, the skies darkened, the wind picked up and it belted down with rain. It wasn’t long before our Chairman declared the Branch stand closed, and volunteers repaired to the beer tent until the worst was over. Fortunately the rain held off for us all to watch the magnificent fireworks display and the parade of illuminated boats in the evening.

On Monday the bad weather cleared and we had a steady stream of visitors to the Branch stand all day. Around 4pm we dismantled the stand and packed things away for storage over the winter. In the evening we visited a local chinese restaurant, had a lovely supper and got a bit noisy!

Tuesday morning had that ‘after the show’ feeling. Boats and caravans slowly departed. Tents were taken down. Landing stages were dismantled (in a couple of instances before they had been vacated…..!) and the festivalgoers headed for home. Next year -Waltham Abbey!

Meg & Stephen Foote

Congratulations!

Mr Michael Robinson visited us on our branch stand at the Festival of Water to show us the Award that he had received from the IWA to celebrate his 50 years membership.

(Pictured here with our Chairman and News Editor)

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IWA Great Ouse Branch Spring Visit - Jordans Mill, Biggleswade on the banks of the River Ivel Join us on Saturday March 23rd for a guided tour of this historic Victorian mill and see the ingenious milling machinery.

This is the fascinating story about the people and the events behind what was the last working flour mill in Bedfordshire; a story of innovation and survival. The tour of the mill will start at 2.30 pm and will be followed by a cream tea served in the Ouse Room. Members of the committee will be arriving at 1.00 pm in order to purchase a light lunch prior to the tour and branch members will be welcome to join us. Please let us know if this is your intention.

More details about Jordans Mill, Langford Rd., Biggleswade, SG18 9JY, including how to get there, can be found on their website https:// jordansmill.com/ The cost of the tour and afternoon tea is £13.95 per person inclusive.

Please complete the form below and send it, with a cheque, made out to IWA Great Ouse Branch to: Keith Alderton, 57 Globe Street, Methwold, Thetford, IP26 4PQ by Friday March 1st. If you have any questions or need any more information please contact Keith on 01366 727236.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------Please reserve .. places on the Jordans Mill visit on March 23rd I enclose a cheque for £ ...........................

Name ......................................................

Tel No ..................................................... e-mail .....................................................

Date .......................................................

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Bridge Boatyard Bridge Road Ely, Cambs CB7 4DY

email info@bridgeboatyard.com Website www.bridgeboatyard.com Telephone 01353 663726

Moorings in marina and on riverside in historic Ely. Close to rail station.

Repairs and servicing Engineering and glassfibre workshops Slipway Suppliers of diesel, gas and coal Authorised Nanni dealership Gas safe engineer

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Book Review

by Stephen Foote

‘Idle Women’ by Susan Woolfit This captivating book was first published in 1947 but has been reprinted on numerous occasions – most recently as one of the ‘Working Waterways’ series from publishers M and M Baldwin.

The author volunteered for War Service in 1944, keen to give service but wanting to keep school holidays free as she had a family. She volunteered for, and was accepted by, the Ministry of War Transport as a trainee on the Women’s Training Scheme.

In her book she recounts her experiences as a working boatwoman in that period towards the end of World War II. I found it quite fascinating and it reinforced my long-held view that the working life on the canal system in bygone days was a pretty harsh one.

Despite the evident hardships, the camaraderie and team spirit of those faroff times also shines through and the author’s cheerful and up-beat style of writing does much to portray that.

She certainly makes light of some of the many trials and tribulations she experienced. Many of the problems she encountered are familiar to us even now; locks that didn’t work properly, pounds which desperately needed dredging; the shame of running inextricably aground and having to wait for another arrival to help pull you off – and more besides.

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I was interested to see the number of names of places in the narrative which were spelled differently to how we know them today; Buckby locks on the Grand Union were the ‘Bugby locks’, the ‘Dog and Doublet’ pub on the Birmingham and Fazeley was the ‘Dog and Jacket’ ‘Napton’ is spelled ‘Knapton’ and so on.

The text is interspersed with some interesting ‘black-and-white’ photographs; the kind which once prompted my young son to ask ‘Daddy, wasn’t there any colour at all when you were little?’!

Altogether an interesting account of some personal experiences of a short period in canal history and definitely worth a read. It has been reprinted several times since it first appeared, the latest seems to be 2001. It is available from Amazon Books and elsewhere.

My grateful thanks to Elizabeth Bradley for the loan of the book to review.

Idle Women by Susan Woolfitt, M and M Baldwin Ltd., Kidderminster, 2001 ISBN 0 947712 28 3

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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.