Sou'Wester - May 2020

Sou’Wester The pleasures of walking the canals!

Picture courtesy of Mike Potts

May - August 2020 / Issue 184 IWA South West and South Wales Region www.waterways.org.uk/ southwest

South West and South Wales Region Committees South West & South Wales Region Committee: Chairman: *Roger Francis Members: Hon. Secretary: *Ray Alexander Sou’Wester Editor: *Joyce Potts Navigation Committee Representative: *Steve Warwicker

*Geoff Brown *Geoff Harman Baz Juniper *Steve Peet *Tony Pugh

Avon & Wiltshire Branch Committee: Chairman: *Geoff Brown Member: *Steve Warwicker Hon. Secretary: *Tim Wheeldon Hon. Treasurer: *David Chalmers Events Officer: *Geoff Brown 100 Club Administrator & Publicity: *Vivienne Hook Salisbury Group: *Ron & Myra Glover Jon Van de Geer Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch Committee: Chairman: *Steve Peet Members: Vacant Hon Secretary: Jackie Peet Acting Treasurer: Chris Handscombe South Wales Branch Committee: Chairman: *Tony Pugh Hon. Secretary: Vacant Treasurer: Henry Brown Minutes Secretary: Vacant Membership Officer: *Tony Pugh Publicity Officer: Vacant Volunteer Co-ordinator Vacant West Country Branch Committee: Chairman: *Ray Alexander Hon. Secretary: *Sally Hillman Hon. Treasurer: Mike Aldridge Volunteer Co-ordinator: *Mike Slade

Members: Mike Synan Chris JL Yewlett

Members: Julian Gibson Chris Jewell Maurice Pinner

*Contact details for these appear inside the back cover.

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Region Chairman Dear members and prospective members This edition marks the first year since I have been Regional Chairman and it seems to have shot by which I look on as being a little disturbing, seeing as I have already had my allotment of three score years and ten!

However, it is not all gloom and doom as I have vowed to check that the minimum life span of the new modular lock gates on the Mon and Brec canal, really do live up to the claim that they will last a minimum of 100 years, so I am hoping to be around for another 96 years.

Of course, if I continue to live much longer on the Mendip Hills, I run the risk of either being washed away or blown off them!

Thirty five years ago, when I was “wing sailing� on my ship, Ashington, the Metrological Office were predicting that wind strengths would rise and also their frequency would increase.

So it is that this prediction is coming true, and as I write Greta Thunberg has just visited Bristol to tell us to wake up and tackle the situation of global warming as lots of areas of the country are flooded.

At present, the country seems geared up to keeping the rising sea levels from invading the coastal areas. However, during these recent weeks it shows that an equal concern has to be to let the flood waters out, and this is where some canals and waterways can play their part. Sadly there seems little or no joined up thinking in dealing with the two problems.

It is, therefore, essential when dealing with coastal defences in areas where rivers exist, extra planning care is needed, to ensure that a new scheme does not cut across the ability for nature to drain the inland waters out to sea.

Roger Francis

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Notices BRANCH AGMs 2020 In view of the coronavirus situation the decision has been taken to postpone the Gloucestershire & Herefordshire branch; and the South Wales branch AGM’s until further notice.

The West Country Branch committee has taken the decision to cancel the Annual General Meeting of the Branch which was due to take place on 2nd May, 2020 at the Black Swan in Langport, Somerset. The activities planned for the day have also been cancelled. It is hoped that the 2021 AGM and the planned activities will be able to take place at Langport.

The Avon & Wilts Branch AGM did take place.

News SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH WALES REGION APPOINTMENTS Do you think you might have some time to spare to join the Region committee?

The Region team is looking for a new Hon. Secretary. The current post holder has been in situ for five years and having taken on a branch chairman role feels it’s time to step aside from this role and make way for someone new.

The committee meets four times a year in Bristol and in addition to providing a forum for communication between the branches, it oversees the publication of Sou’Wester (the region magazine) and awards the prestigious Brian Sheppard Award annually.

To find out more, please contact Ray Alexander at rayalexander01@gmail.com 4

EDITORIAL Joyce Potts As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t normally do an Editorial column but I must admit that I feel moved to put pen to paper, or in this case, fingers to the keys.

There’s been a lot of doom and gloom about at the moment regarding the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Some of the South West and South Wales region committee members have been telling me that they couldn’t do a report as everything has been closed, all events cancelled for at least the next three months. There was even a very brief rebellion as to whether there should even be a Sou’wester this time as there was nothing to report and would there be any staff at IWA Head Office to print, stuff, stamp and post the magazines out to our members? Actually, they may have had a point regarding the latter as Ian, the printer, has to stay at home and there is only one member of staff in the office so this issue was destined for being seen on the website and via email only hence it being earlier than normal.

If by some lucky chance you are one of the few who received this by post, Alicen Stenner from HO has found an alternative printer.

Okay, so we have to stay at home whether it be working or self-isolating etc. At the time of writing, we are still allowed to go for a walk provided we don’t drive too far out of area; buy essential shopping; or collect prescriptions for ourselves or our neighbours as long as we keep at least two metres apart from each other but look at the bright side. This gives us an opportunity to know our neighbours albeit across a garden fence, or on social media or via phone or from either side of a window; to bring back the community spirit. We can sort our gardens/allotments out as long we keep social distancing, spring clean or finally do all those little jobs that we have put to one side due to lack of time etc.

The canal towpaths are still open so don’t fall in whilst trying to stay away from each other. Please keep checking for updates in case this changes.

If we all help each other, we can get through this.

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A Beginners Guide to The Leominster Canal.

The Beginnings by Martin Hudson, Member of the Friends of the Leominster Canal Often over looked, Leominster was and still is a busy and industrious town. Located in north Herefordshire, transport links to Leominster (pronounced Lemster) in 1700 were poor. In a similar fashion to many towns in that era, improvements were sought to the roads and the River Lugg was improved for purposes of navigation.

The river route connected to the River Wye and was used for transport of many goods, including mercury for the thriving hat and glove-making businesses of Leominster.

But as business increased, the appetite for fuel also increased.

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In 1777, Robert Whitworth was commissioned to assess potential canal routes to Leominster. The venture stalled, but was revitalised in 1789 with the appointment of Thomas Dadford Junior. He surveyed a direct route from Leominster to The River Severn at Stourport. Thus began a complex story reminiscent of many canal companies of the age.

Active support followed with Thomas Harley, Walter Blount, Viscount Bateman and many others buying up share options. Following an Act of Parliament in 1791, progress on a grand scale began.

Spacious headquarters, several large aqueducts, tunnels, locks and bridges were constructed. The intention was to link Stourport to Kington. Some of the Dadford designs were experimental and needed decades of modification or repair. However, the starting point of the canal was not at the logical junction with the River Severn. Vested interests saw construction begin at Mamble where Sir Walter Blount dominated the local coal mining scene.

Mamble is many miles from Stourport.

The story of how the canal evolved, of how from grand beginnings the Leominster Wharf was just a repurposed Inn and how the Teme Aqueduct lost its centre arch will be told in subsequent issues.

For more information, try The Friends of The Leominster Canal web site www.theleominstercanal.co.uk Historical Maps: Dadford’s approach to Leominster and his fantastical flight of locks towards Stourport.

Photos: Wharf House near Mamble and the “Two Thirds Teme Aqueduct” near Woofferton.

Courtesy of Martin Hudson 7

BRIDGWATER DOCKS UPDATE Ray Alexander

Sou’Wester 183 referred to the announcement by Canal and River Trust (CRT) on 3rd, December, 2019 that they will not be extending or renewing their lease of the Docks when it expires in July, 2020, that they will be working with Somerset County Council (SCC) to secure the long term future of the Docks and that they have undertaken to put the Docks back in the position they were in 1999, when they entered into the lease.

Subsequent to this the branch has had meetings with the Estates Manager at SCC and with CRT about the future of Bridgwater Docks, and in addition have briefed Ian Liddell-Grainger, the MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset on the current situation regarding the Docks. We are aware that discussions between SCC and CRT are now underway and that these are beginning to make some progress.

The Branch has prepared a dilapidations schedule (as requested by CRT) and a note on the future management of the Docks, both of which have been circulated to the parties to the lease. The dilapidations schedule includes works that we have identified will need to be undertaken by SCC in addition to those that are the responsibility of CRT; it also includes an appendix which sets out a number of options for mitigating the costs involved. These include, for example, not restoring the inward facing gates of the middle lock, using modern materials for restoring the other lock gates and narrowing the width of the channel between the inner and outer basins, where the middle lock gates are located.

A spring (or surge) tide occurred on the River Parrett during the second week of March which resulted in the river overtopping the stop planks on the outside of the barge lock and saline water flooding into the Docks.

The spring tide also caused much of the silt on the outside of the stop planks to be scoured away.

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Luckily the stop planks and the Barge Lock gates held firm but it nevertheless illustrates the fragility of the current infrastructure and the need for repairs to be undertaken.

Photo: Saline water from the River Parrett overtopping the lock gates of the Barge Lock in Bridgwater. Courtesy of Pete Chambers

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 24TH MARCH, 2020 

Whilst our towpaths remain open, use of them should now be limited and only use those that are local to you, quiet and largely free of moored boats

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No fishing until further notice

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Avoid any stretches with boats moored against the towpath

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Strictly observe social distancing at all times

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Follow the latest advice from Government

We are asking leisure boaters to stop all non-essential travel and not to visit their boats if they do not live aboard permanently. As a result, and to help those who live aboard (along with those who would need to travel to their boat in order to move it) we are suspending the requirement to move every 14 days. This will be kept under review in line with revised government guidance, initially until 14th April. During this period, you do not need to contact us to tell us you will be staying in one location for more than 14 days.

We ask everyone to be considerate and make sure at least a minimal amount of essential movement is maintained to keep vital boater facilities and services accessible to those that need them.

Please note that passage through manned locks, bridges and tunnels will be limited to essential movement to reach facilities or relocate, and will only be available on a booked basis.

Please follow the gov.uk guidelines for staying at home, self isolation etc.

Please check our website for the latest updates and advice for all boaters: www. canalrivertrust.org.uk 9

BRIDGWATER TIDAL BARRIER UPDATE Ray Alexander A substantial amount of documentation relating to the proposed Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) for the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Scheme was received just before Christmas, in both electronic form and hard copy form. The first step undertaken involved identifying what needed to be reviewed in detail and allocating this between myself, Roy Sutton (IWA Hon. Consultant Engineer) and Baz Juniper (IWA Planning Advisory Panel). As you might imagine this was followed by a significant amount of reading, checking, identifying potential issues to be raised with DEFRA and discussing and agreeing the same.

All this resulted in a 9-page letter on the proposed TWAO being submitted to DEFRA which contained 4 objections and 10 representations. This was sent to DEFRA on 11th February and copies were also sent to all West Country Branch Members, to our contacts within the South West and to IWA’s waterways mailing list. The letter is available on the West Country Branch website and sets out in detail the objections made to the TWAO along with the various representations that have been made.

In brief, the Inland Waterways Association has objected to the following: 

The failure of the proposed Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Order to include the safeguarding of land within the decommissioned Bypass Channel for the future construction of a lock and thereby to mitigate the impact of the Tidal Barrier on navigation over the lifetime of the barrier;

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The minimum headroom of a vertical lift gate and the foot and cycle bridge potentially being less than 9.2mAOD;

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The lack of detailed design information that has been included in the Draft Order and thus the failure to provide any clarity to the statement made in the spring 2017 update that a vertical lift gate offers the ability to be used to pen water for potential future amenity use; and

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The proposed minimum soffit level of 8.6mAOD for the temporary bridge and to it being anything less than 9.2mAOD. 10

It is understood that the Secretary of State, DEFRA, had until 12 March to decide whether to hold a public inquiry but that in accordance with the rules he has decided to extend this to 27 April 2020 before he is required to give written notice of an intention to cause an inquiry to be held.

West Country Branch Chain Gang Volunteers from the West Country Branch recently moved a lengthy and heavy chain together with an anchor from the base of the heritage crane at Bridgwater Docks, as part of the preparatory work for painting the crane later this year.

The chain is believed to be the chain used by the Scraper Dredger (known in her later days as “Bertha�), which was used in the Docks from 1841 to the late 1960s to stir up the silt in the inner basin. Canal water was then used to flush the silt through to the outer (or tidal) basin prior to it being sluiced into the River Parrett. Bertha spent some of her retirement at the Exeter Maritime Museum and then at the Eyemouth Maritime Museum; she is now in the South West although regrettably not available for public viewing.

Photos: Courtesy of Andy Slocombe

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Comfortable On Your Cushion But How’s Your Head?

Roger Francis I am sure that you are talking about squat and grounding over a drink with friends by now, when the reduction of speed is the main message!

Those two words “slow down” have crept in again! The berth my boat occupies, is right below a bridge hole. This means that the boat is very susceptible to canal effect and boats moving too fast towards the bridge hole.

The mooring post near the bridge, was set in concrete, but has been pulled sideways, and rendered unusable, as a direct result of boats coming down towards the bridge, causing a Venturi effect with their bow waves through the constriction of the bridge hole, and accelerating the flow beyond.

The other factor of the canal effect which should be borne in mind is caused by the inequality of the canal bed. The upshot of this, depends on where the bed gets shallower to one side, and can cause the boat to sheer off, which in turn, causes large rudder movements to be applied, in attempting to keep the boat going straight, and large rudder movements tend to lead to a boat being out of control!

The trick is, to keep as much as possible, to the middle of the canal, which minimises the bank effects and sheering forces, and only move to the side, when passing another boat, or rounding a bend where visibility ahead is restricted. Professionally, it is normal for ships in canals, such as the Kiel Canal or Panama Canal, to keep to the middle even when two are approaching each other and both alter course at the last moment. But then, of course, each ship knows what the other is going to do, which is a far cry from our own canal experience.

Mention of rudders, brings us on to how well you steer. Many times you can notice that boat skippers are using their rudders as a sort of instant reaction device, expecting the boat to answer their demands immediately, and using far too much rudder when the boat does not respond. When I was learning to steer ships, I was only allowed to do an hour’s steering at the most, as it demands full concentration. On ships, there is a course recorder, which is in constant operation when the ship is under way. This consists of a paper chart, linked into a clock, and a pen linked into a gyro compass heading. When learning to steer, this recorder was studied carefully by the Officer of the watch, and if the trace resembled the teeth of a hacksaw blade, I was in severe trouble, as I was using too much rudder and actually increasing the fuel 12

consumption of the ship! The secret is to use as little rudder movement as possible, which allows the ship to find her own course. If you watch an experienced helmsman, you will notice how little tiller movement there is.

That is because the helmsman is watching the forepart of the boat, and as soon as it starts to move away from the chosen heading, in relation to a fixed object ahead, perhaps a tree, a minimal adjustment is made to “float” the bow back onto the heading. If you want to practise this, try settling the boat on a steady course, and take your hand off the tiller, and see how long it is before you have to use the tiller to correct a wander. You will be surprised at the result, if you have steadied the boat beforehand.

Ships are no different. If you are in charge of say, a car carrier, such as the 6,000 car capacity ones you may see in the Bristol Channel, you can usually do course alterations with minimal rudder movements. Maybe if I wanted to alter course say, by 40 degrees (‘) of heading, from 010’ to 050’, my first helm order to the quartermaster would be “starboard 5’ rudder”, then as soon as the bow starts to swing towards the new heading, I would order “midships the wheel”. The ship will then continue with the swing on her own, so the next order I would give would be, “port 5’ rudder” to slow the swing and approach the new heading, and then “midships the wheel” when almost at the new heading, quickly followed by “steady on 050’, which is the signal to the quartermaster that we have reached the desired course and steering can continue as before.

“Simples”, as some animal once said.

Why did the ship turn on it’s own? That’s in my next instalment! Happy boating.

Editor: Making the most out of a disaster.

This chap obviously hadn’t read Roger’s article on steering!

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SWANSEA CANAL – AFTER THE DREDGING Andy Ellis, Swansea Canal Society (SCS) Funded by the Rural Community Development Fund and the Welsh Government Landfills Disposal Tax Community Scheme with match funding from the SCS volunteers, project managed by the Canal and River Trust and performed by Land and Water Services Ltd., the dredging of the canal was completed by the end of February. Now we have 1.5 miles of beautiful canal dredged to a depth of 4 feet, ready for the trip boat that is so important to our vision for the future of the canal.

Here we see Gill and Ronnie out and about on the canal for the first time since the dredging.

At the start of the year, we established a new group dedicated to the promotion of the canal within the local community. A significant part of its remit is to improve the access to boating to everyone, irrespective of their experience and ability.

Here Bob tries out a stabiliser – only a prototype but it works in principle - “Can Do Canoe”.

And then came Coronavirus CORVID-19! As we all know only too well, this pandemic is causing untold harm throughout the world but, hopefully, by the time you read this the worst will be over in the UK. Unfortunately, the Society has been forced to postpone all of our work parties and meetings and to suspend the canoe and kayak hire for the foreseeable future.

Nothing daunted, we are continuing to work hard to raise funds for future projects. Recent successes include: 14



Rebecca Phillips, Councillor for Trebanos, has been awarded £2,236 from the Members Community Fund. This will be used to purchase three “Happy to Chat” benches to be installed on the canal bank in Trebanos. Here Rebecca checks out one site for a bench at Trebanos Lower Lock.

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The Inland Waterways Association has provisionally awarded us £20,000 to be used for the construction of a slipway to the canal from Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach. This will allow us to move forward with another of our ambitions – to host a Trailboat Festival to get some real boats back on the Swansea Canal.

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Stephen Hughes' definitive reference book about the Swansea Canal is nearing completion. The Society has agreed to fund the publication of the book and has recently received £2,500 from the Ethel and Gwynne Morgan Trust.

We are indebted to these and all other grant funding bodies whose contributions are invaluable to the maintenance, restoration and development of the Swansea Canal.

And finally, the Canal and River Trust has awarded the Society the prestigious Gold Award for having achieved 50,000 volunteering hours.

Unfortunately, the dreadful virus caused the postponement of the presentation. Not quite the start to the year that anyone predicted but hopefully the virus will be brought under control in the near future and work on the cut can return to normal.

Photos: Courtesy of Andy Ellis

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Branch Reports Avon & Wiltshire Branch Salisbury Group Ron & Myra Glover At the first meeting of 2020 we welcomed Maritime Historian Paul Barnett to tell us about “Operation Dynamo”. This was the story of the evacuation of troops from the besieged port of Dunkirk between 26th May and 4th June 1940. It was thought that 45,000 troops would be recovered but in the end 338,226 men were taken to safety, this included British, French, Polish and Belgians.

Altogether 861 Royal Navy, Merchant and Civilian vessels took part in the evacuation, sadly 243 were sunk. Paul was able to show us many photos of the vessels that took part from the smallest sailing dinghy to the larger coasters. This included lifeboats, fishing boats, pleasure steamers, ferries and leisure cruisers from the Thames & Norfolk Broads. Many of the private boats were commandeered, owners were not allowed to be on board, however even though their boats were commanded by Naval Ratings many owners insisted on travelling with their vessels.

Beaches were continuously under bombardment by German aircraft. 106 allied planes were lost over Dunkirk but the Luftwaffe lost about 135.

Troops on the beach were unaware of the work being carried out overhead by the RAF who were protecting the beaches from German bombardment.

One plane continued to fight until every drop of his fuel was used, he then crash landed on the beach, left the wreckage of his plane and joined the troops in order to return to British soil. His Spitfire has been recovered from the beach and is in the process of being rebuilt, and hopefully will fly again.

This evacuation lasted for nine days. The last troops remained to ensure that all guns and equipment were completely disabled so that they would be of no use to the Germans. However, the steel from all this equipment was of great use to the Germans in their manufacturing industry.

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Even though we all knew the story, Paul had carried out a lot of his own research on the subject so was able to inform us facts that we hadn’t been aware of previously.

At our February meeting: We welcomed back Peter Oates and Laura Sturrock to tell us about their historic working boat “Stanton”. Stanton was built in 1936 at the cost of £900, she is 71ft 6ins in length. Peter had done a lot of research and had found many early pictures of Stanton, the earliest photograph being in 1938, there was also a photo with the original crew on board. In her working days Stanton carried 25 tons of coal, and travelled with her butty alongside.

Peter and Laura took ownership of Stanton in 2007, she had had a full cabin added in 1971. Sadly she was now in a very poor condition, had been vandalised over the years and was in desperate need of restoration. They decided to revert her back to her traditional carrying condition and not to convert her into a pleasure boat.

So work started.

To start, Stanton was given a new bottom of 10ml steel and the base of the side panels that were rotten were replaced.

Much work followed. During this work they found an unexpected problem as the stern plates, put in in the 1980’s, hadn’t been blacked which as a result had caused corrosion. The engine, a 3 cylinder 1968 Lister was completely restored. The original boatman’s cabin would have been made of timber which would have caused a great deal of condensation, it has now been replaced with steel and plenty of insulation. Peter and Laura have now fitted out the cabin in the traditional style. The final relaunch took place on 1st April, 2010.

Photos: Stanton 2007 Laura Sturrock 2010 Malcolm Ranieri 17

Cont on page 18/...

…/cont from page 17

To complete the evening, Peter showed us photos of some of their cruising since the completion of the renovation. This included crossing the Mersey to Liverpool, Braunston historic boat rallies, Braunston show, Basingstoke Canal and the Jam ’Ol Run. Peter and Laura took on a mammoth task back in 2007 and are now enjoying the fruits of their labours.

IWA West Country Branch Ray Alexander, Branch Chairman Branch AGM 2020 Please see page 4 for details on this.

Branch committee I am pleased to report that Mike Aldridge has joined the committee and has assumed the role of Branch Treasurer which had been vacant for several months.

Mike is a long standing work party volunteer and I welcome him to the committee.

Work Parties I should like to thank Mike Slade for his work in establishing monthly work parties from February at Langport on the River Parrett, which it is hoped will grow and become self-sufficient in time.

Unfortunately, both these work parties and our regular work parties in Bridgwater and Taunton have been suspended for the time being due to the coronavirus situation.

New Year’s Day Walk Some 30 IWA members, volunteers and friends, along with 3 dogs, came to the New Year’s Day Walk this year, which for the first occasion was held in the afternoon. The walk along the towpath of the delightful Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, from Creech St. Michael canalside car park to Cogload and back, a total distance of 4 miles, was clearly enjoyed by everyone, especially as it didn’t rain this time! In the distance beyond the railway line that accompanies the canal, the Somerset Levels in flood could be seen and for railway enthusiasts there were plenty of Great Western and Cross Country trains in action on the day – Cogload Junction being where the main lines from Bristol and London meet.

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Upper Parrett Regeneration After a year or more of discussions with the Environment Agency the terms for constructing the walkway between Huish Bridge and Langport have been agreed and this is now going out to tender. A site visit by the WRG Forestry Team took place on the first weekend of February since when all the necessary arrangements for a visit by them to Langport on the weekend of 27/28/29 March were put in place.

However, in light of the coronavirus situation the Forestry Team subsequently cancelled their visit and accordingly it is now proposed to rearrange this for later in the year.

Bridgwater Docks and Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Separate reports on the progress of these campaigns are given on pages 8, 9, 10 and 11 respectively.

IWA South Wales Branch Tony Pugh, Branch Chairman Alas at this time all I have to report is that South Wales (Canals) is/are closed until further notice. After consultation the South Wales AGM is postponed until further notice.

Not the best of times and the worst still to come.

For up to date information on the local South Wales Canal Society’s activities: The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre http://fourteenlocks.mbact.org.uk/ The Monmouthshire, http://www.mbact.org.uk The Neath & canals.org.uk/

Brecon

Tennant

&

Canals

Abergavenny

Canals

Trust

Trust http://www.neath-tennant-

The Swansea Canal Society http://www.swanseacanalsociety.com The Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority http://www.cardiffharbour.com Swansea Marina http://www.swanseamarina.org.uk/ 19

IWA Avon & Wiltshire Branch Geoff Brown, Branch Chairman Our winter program of social events, including our AGM is now complete. After the AGM, Roger Francis, our region chairman gave an interesting talk on his career on larger ships which has culminated in his arrival in our ranks.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing health crisis, I am no longer planning for any social events for the rest of this year. This includes the proposed trip on the Wilts & Berks canal. Even if everything is clear by the proposed date, due to the suspension of work parties, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient time to clear the canal of weed. I will, of course, see how things progress and may be able to organize something at short notice. I will, unfortunately, only be able to let those people know who have given permission for IWA to contact them by email.

The last meeting of the Bristol Harbour users group was cancelled for unspecified reasons. The main point of interest from the previous meeting is that the survey of the harbour walls is complete, but as yet I do not know the result. As far as Bristol’s plans for the Cumberland basin are concerned, I presume the mayor has more pressing matters occupying his mind!

I am assuming that the next meeting in early May, of the River Avon users group is unlikely to take place. Since the last edition, BANES (Bath and North East Somerset) council have banned mooring in Mead Lane, Saltford. At the moment this is a temporary measure, pending a survey of the river bank. Saltford parish council will, in the meantime, continue to push for the river bank to be made a nature reserve.

I did have plans to organize a Himalayan balsam bash in conjunction with the CRT volunteers, but again, I cannot see that taking place this year.

Hoping for better news next time.

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Forthcoming Events IWA Avon & Wiltshire Branch Salisbury Group Programme Venue:

The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, SP5 3AR

There are no meetings until October and these are subject to the Coronavirus regulations. We will try to update you in the next issue of Sou’wester.

Thursday, 15th October

7.30pm

“The Man who ate his Trousers” the sequel. In 2007, Ann Harries gave a fascinating talk about her Great, Great, Grand Uncle, Admiral Sir George Back whose expedition mapped the Arctic including the search for the North West Passage. A lot has happened since 2007. In 2014, his ship HMS Terror was located under water, 100km south of its last known position. HMS Terror is now being examined using modern technology and is found to be in excellent condition.

So the story continues ………………………...

Thursday, 19th November

7.30pm

The Royal Military Canal. Situated in Kent, it is 28 miles long and was built in 1804, constructed as a defence against the possible invasion of England during the Napoleonic wars. Local historian, George Fleming, will tell us about the history, construction and purpose of this canal.

Thursday, 3rd December

7.30pm

Waterways quiz organised by Southampton Canal Society at Chilworth village hall. Questions set by last year’s winners - Salisbury IWA. Thursday, 10th December

7pm

Christmas Dinner at The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury All enquiries to Ron and Myra Glover - contact details can be found on page 23. Or Jon Van de Geer - 01722 412841

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Waterways in the IWA South West and South WalesRegion Â

Avon & Wilts Branch Rivers Avon & Severn: Tidal navigation that is the responsibility of the Bristol Haven Conservancy, downstream of the second Severn crossing Avon Navigation: Hanham to Avonmouth, including River Avon & Bristol Docks Kennet & Avon Canal: Hanham Lock to Froxfield Bridge North Wilts Canal Somersetshire Coal Canal Wilts & Berks Canal: Kennet & Avon Canal to County Boundary 1m West of Shrivenham Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Branch Coombe Hill Canal Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Leominster Canal Lydney Canal River Severn: from Mythe Bridge, Tewkesbury to a point on the tidal navigation which is the seaward extent of responsibility of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees, downstream of the Second Severn Crossing Stroudwater Navigation Thames & Severn Canal River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to Severn Estuary South Wales Branch Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals Monmouthshire Canal Neath & Tennant Canals Swansea Canal River Usk River Wye - Hay-on-Wye to source West Country Branch Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Cann Quarry Canal Dorset & Somerset Canal Grand Western Canal Par Canal Somerset Navigations Tavistock Canal Torrington (Lord Rolle’s) Canal

Bude Canal Chard Canal Exeter Ship Canal Liskeard & Looe Canal River Parrett Stover Canal River Tone Westport Canal 22

Contacts Ray Alexander

Vivienne Hook vivienne.m.hook@blueyonder.co.uk Steve Peet

rayalexander01@gmail.com

Geoff Brown geoffl.b263@gmail.com David Chalmers david.chalmers@waterways.org.uk Roger Francis roger.francis@waterways.org.uk Myra Glover 01722 710322 myra.glover@waterways.org.uk Ron Glover ron.glover@waterways.org.uk Geoff Harman 01179 623812 geoff.harman@waterways.org.uk Sally Hillman sally.hillman@waterways.org.uk

scpeet59@icloud.com

Joyce Potts souwester@waterways.org.uk or joyce.potts@waterways.org.uk Tony Pugh tony.pugh@waterways.org.uk Mike Slade mike.slade@waterways.org.uk Steve Warwicker steve.warwicker@waterways.org.uk Tim Wheeldon 01225 723890 tim.wheeldon@waterways.org.uk

Next Issue of Sou’Wester The next issue of Sou’Wester is due out in September, 2020.

Please send all copy to the Editor at souwester@waterways.org.uk by

Saturday, 1st August, 2020 The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of IWA. The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1WA. Tel. 01494 783453 Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a Charity no 212343. www.waterways.org.uk 23

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