Journal of the Inland Waterways Association’ s Milton Keynes Branch
The Floating Market held over the Easter weekend by the Roving Canal Traders’ Association at the Globe Inn, Linslade, made for a pleasant afternoon’s outing, with about a dozen boats offering all manner of merchandise for sale. Read more about the Roving Canal Traders’ Association on Page 14. Photo: Les Franklin.
f Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/iwamiltonkeynesbranch/
This edition has something of a theme: trade is alive and well on the waterways see the advertisements on Pages 6 and 13, and the article on Page 14.
Branch members made good use of the chance to quiz two Canal & River Trust officers on 17 April see Page 7.
The Diary and other pages have a host of suggestions for whiling away the summer.
Enjoy this edition!
Chairman’s Column
BMKWT Chair encouraged by recent policy changes
Mikron Theatre Company’s summer tour
An evening with Canal & River Trust
Diary
Parks Trust events
IWA webinars and recorded talks
Low water levels reported on the Wendover Arm
Will re-lining on the Wendover Arm resume soon?
Strengthening work at WilstoneReservoir
A chance meeting solves a problem
WRG helps Buckingham Canal Society with tree felling
Canoeists clean up in Leighton Buzzard
Rickmansworth Festival scaled back for second year
The inland Merchant Navy
Cabin stool carpenter wanted
The Editor’s Page Universal’s theme park
in touch with MK Branch
May I start with an apology to Branch members and any other attendees at our social evenings for the truncated programme of social events during the winter months. The two cancellations were both occasioned by third party circumstances and at very short notice. One related to the financial viability of our usual venue for meetings. I can advise that this was resolved and the Conservative Club continues to be available for our regular use, albeit with a nominal rental fee now attached. Our programme for the 2025/26 season is in planning and will be published in due course. Marie Draper has assumed the task of preparing the programme. She would love to learn of any thoughts that members might entertain regarding future topics.
Another apology: for the cancellation of the Clean-up planned for early April. Again circumstances conspired against us and the management team felt that there was no real option save to cancel the event. April 2026 will see the event back on the calendar.
The new charity trust, MK Canals (which evolved from the former MK Canalside Forum - see January TPT)), has made headway securing funds to develop facilities through Milton Keynes to aid the expansion of the safe operation of the trip-boat Electra and also provision of improved moorings for those who are mobility-impaired. It is not just boat-users who will benefit but also those who enjoy being on or near water –acknowledged as being of therapeutic value. The new trust is also working on plans to provide charging points for boats utilising electric propulsion.
Chairman’s Column continued.
fAt our final social evening for 2024-25, we were delighted to welcome Ros Daniels, Canal & River Trust's London and South East Regional Director. Ros and her colleague Matthew Symonds gave us a slick tag-team presentation of how CRT perceives its position now and in the future. Les Franklin, our editor, spent much of the evening scribbling furiously, and his report on the evening is on Page 5. No secret was made of the austerity measures imposed by Government. But the levels of funding, as juicy as they may look, continue to be reduced; the upshot is that CRT is becoming more savvy about how it utilises available funds. Ideally it would wish to be able to act both reactively and proactively. It is therefore developing management planning tools to cover both angles as well as taking on the new tasks required by virtue of an ever-expanding role, with the need to embrace the financial implications of the widening expectations of the general public.
Our support as individuals is therefore as essential as ever, be it financial or by way of practical involvement. The former leads to match-funding and the latter to our own general well-being and health, as well as knowing we are doing something for all to enjoy. There are many opportunities to get involved locally: the Buckingham Canal Society, the Parks Trust throughout MK, initiatives by local parish councils and many more –and all with varying levels of commitment.
In the meantime, enjoy the delights of being near to water. I hope we shall see you at our Fenny Canalside Festival on 23 August, by the Watling Street bridge in Fenny Stratford, or elsewhere.
Tim Armstrong, Branch Chairman.
Among the local opportunities to which Tim refers are, of course, those open to you as a Branch member. Contact Athina Beckett for helping with maintenance of the Wolverton Mural, or contact Diane Witts to offer help at our Lock Adoption at Fenny Lock or at the Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Your help will be very much appreciated!
Help us maintain the surroundings at Fenny Lock Diane Witts will be pleased to hear from you. Photo: Les Franklin.
Beautiful pub with beer garden, located right by the canal in Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes.
Food served daily (except Tuesday), lunchtimes and evenings. Real ale available.
Check out our social media pages for more information.
5% discount on food for IWA members.
11 Lock View Lane, Fenny Stratford, MK1 1BY Tel: 01908 372317
Email: philrallen245@gmail.com
Web site: https://redlionfenny.co.uk Facebook: TheRedLionFennyLock
In his column in the Trust's April newsletter, Simon Clewlow, Chair of Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, expressed the view that planning policy changes by central government have greatly improved prospects for the Waterway. Under the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill, requirements for environmental assessments will be eased somewhat in the interests of stimulating the economy.
Traffic-free travel beneath the A6 viaduct, Bedford: artist’ s impression of the Waterway from the Trust’s web site.
The launch of the Independent Water Commission's call for evidence on future water management has prompted Water Resources East (one of the Trust's partners) to offer to act as a "regional scale systems planner", looking across catchment and local authority boundaries, to develop fundable investment plans. The Waterway project is ideal for this approach, as it offers benefits in many directions.
Simon reported that the Trust was invited to an Integrated National Transport Strategy roadshow, during which he emphasised the part that waterways can play in offering trafficfree travel links to walkers and cyclists. He was also encouraged by the interest in the Waterway shown by delegates at the inaugural meeting of the Bedford Water Management Alliance, which brings together those interested in improving water management in the Borough to minimise damage and disruption. Clearly the flooding at the A421 Marston Moretaine interchange has sharpened minds.
Funded by income from supporters and generated by volunteers, the Trust has commissioned AECOM, infrastructure consultants, to develop an Outline Business Case (OBC) for the whole Waterway, as an update to previous studies. An OBC is compiled in a format recognised by HM Treasury, and sets out the strategic rationale for the project, assessing costs, benefits and value for money. The OBC will identify funding, management and delivery options. A report from AECOM is expected by the end of May. AECOM has also been commissioned to carry out a detailed design study for joining up the balancing ponds at Bedford Commercial Park, Wootton, to form a leisure facility in the short term, perhaps funded by Section 103 agreements, and ultimately as part of the Waterway route.
The Trust has employed Greenwood Drones to capture video footage and stills of the entire Waterway route. The images will help in understanding the terrain and any hidden problems that may be hard to see from the ground, and will serve to document the Waterway before and after construction.
Following installation of signage on the Milton Keynes Waterway Park section of the Waterway route, the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust's Eastern Projects Group has agreed plans with Bedford Borough Council for installation of similar signs at five locations between the A6 viaduct (Kempston) and Green Lane, Stewartby. The signs were expected
continued.
to be installed in early April. The Group intends to approach the other authorities along the route in due course.
Work is underway to landscape the towpath alongside Electra's charging point at Fenny Stratford. Vegetation has been cleared, and Buckingham Canal Society volunteers took down trees. Beds containing low-maintenance planting are being created.
Electra has a full schedule of cruises lined up for its 2025 season. Café Bar cruises can be booked up to the time of departure – great for a last-minute plan on a fine day for short family cruises or longer relaxing chill-out cruises. Food cruises for cream tea, fish & chips, or morning coffee and cake close 48 hours ahead. Fish & Bubbles cruises, with a glass of prosecco and award-winning fish & chips, start on 16 May and run early Friday evenings until the end of August. The new charging point at Fenny Stratford has opened up more options for cruises see https://www.bmkwaterway.org/electra/programme/ for details. A new offer, available on 24 May, 20 June, 18 and 27 September, is the All-Electric Skipper Experience. Take Electra's helm (with an expert trainer beside you) for a three-hour private cruise with up to six guests on board.
Electra's Family Specials Programme continues, offering cruises to groups who face barriers due to finance, illness, disability, mental health, or lack of awareness. Electra guests donated £3,600 in 2023, allowing the team to offer free trips in 2024 to groups including Ukraine Appeal, Spinal Injuries Association, Young Carers and Willen Hospice. Guests donated a similar sum in 2024, which will fund the 2025 cruises. If you know of a group that would benefit from the Programme, please email electra@bmkwaterway.org. The team is also interested in finding businesses willing to support this scheme.
An Honorary Solicitor is being sought by the Trust to lend support as the project gains interest from politicians, developers and potential funders. The role would include acting as a contact point for general legal enquiries, identifying when legal advice is needed and how to procure it, and commenting on development contracts and partnership agreements. Anyone interested in this role is asked to contact Simon Clewlow at: simon.clewlow@b-mkwaterway.co.uk
The Trust is seeking new volunteers for the John Bunyan boat, including deck and cabin crew, MCA-certified Boatmasters, and event volunteers. A Chairperson, Commercial Manager, Marketing Manager, and Cabin Operations Manager are also sought. If you are interested in any of these roles, information and an application form are available at: https://www.bmkwaterway.org/johnbunyanboat/volunteering/ From B&MKWT web site and newsletter, April 2025.
Mikron Theatre Company is once again touring the canals aboard their narrowboat Tyseley. They are presenting two new shows:
Operation Beach Hut (OBH): Holly arrives in the quaint town of Fiddling-on-Sea for a quiet break from the big city. However, she is soon plunged into a whole new world of coastal chaos. Fiddling-on-Sea’s Best Beach Hut Competition is in full swing, and the summer heat is rising. As the competition deadline draws closer, the deep history of the seaside floats to the surface, washing up a host of characters and stories from the past. Holly soon realises there is far more at stake than just a prize for best beach hut.
Hush Hush! (HH): In a nondescript mansion in a nondescript town, a group of extraordinary men and women work to provide intelligence that would help to win the war. But shhh, keep it under your hat! For the rest of the world, Bletchley Park doesn’t exist. Peggy Valentine arrives at Bletchley in 1940, young, headstrong and gifted. Among boffins, soldiers and debutantes, all working to protect their loved ones abroad, Peggy shoulders the burden of high pressure war work in a world of feuds, friendships and absolute secrecy.
Wed 11 June, 7pm, Admiral Nelson, Dark Ln, Braunston (HH) Fri 13 June, 7pm, Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne (HH)
Sat 14 June, 7pm, Lionhearts Cruising Club, Nicholas Mead, MK (OBH)
Sun 15 June, 1pm,, Lilbourne Village Hall, Station Rd, Lilbourne, Rugby (OBH)
Tue 17 June, 7pm, Hedgerley Memorial Hall, Kiln Lane, Hedgerley, Bucks (HH)
Wed 18 June, 7pm, Globe Inn, Globe Ln, Linslade (OBH)
Thur 19 June, 7pm, Grand Junction Arms, Bulbourne Rd, Bulbourne, Tring (OBH)
Fri 20 June, 7pm, North Aston Village Green, Bicester, Oxon (HH)
Sat 21 June, 2pm, National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park, MK (HH)
Sun 22 June, 2pm, National Museum of Computing, As above (HH)
Tue 24 June, 7pm, Rising Sun, George St, Berkhamsted (HH)
Wed 25 June, 7pm, Rising Sun, As above (OBH)
Thur 26 June, 7pm, Fishery Wharf Café, Fishery Rd, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead (HH)
Fri 27 June, 7pm, Red Lion, 56 London Rd, H Hempstead (OBH)
Wakamata NDoto is the floating home of Paul and Natasha, where we create a range of heritage crafts including canal art, signwriting and bespoke items, alongside small space storage solutions. We also stock a range of Miniml refillable eco-friendly cleaning products. All with an ethos of sustainability and upcycling.
Visit us at facebook.com/nbwakamatandoto
Place your order at nbwakamatandoto.com/shop Contact us at ndotokamata@gmail.com or 07866 741462
The guest speakers at a well-attended Branch meeting on 17 April were Ros Daniels, Regional Director, London and South East, Canal & River Trust, and colleague Matthew Symonds, Head of Boating and Customer Services.
They presented a slide show that was an extended version of CRT's Boater Report 2024, copies of which were distributed. During a fast-paced but orderly exchange of views, Ros and Matthew faced some well-informed questions and opinions which they fielded with aplomb as they went along.
Finances: Due to the progressive cut to the Trust’s Grant-in Aid and the increasing costs of maintaining the system in the face of climate change, the Trust is attempting to diversify its income. James Griffin suggested that the maintenance of reservoirs, vital for public safety, could be a powerful lever in persuading Government of the need for adequate funding.
Affinity Water Transfer Scheme: The speakers asserted that this would yield worthwhile revenue. Some questioners thought that a pipeline would be less costly than the raising of bridges and banks that the scheme was expected to entail, but both speakers refuted this. Latest: see the Scheme’s April 2025 Community Update at: https://guctransfer.co.uk/resources/document-library/ (scroll down to find it).
Licensing: The consultation for the Commission reviewing boat licencing was due to end in a few days; its report is expected in September. Ros noted that London sees the greatest concentration of evasions, and that about 100 boats per year are removed from the waterways. Those with a home mooring will have to provide evidence of that mooring in future. Several questioners argued for a licensing system that acknowledges different boat types.
Maintenance: Both speakers said that climate change is increasing the maintenance burden. Dave Roberts noted that the system is now disjointed due to stoppages following breaches or other problems. Matthew replied that the Trust is aiming for better planning of preventive maintenance. Key structures such as reservoirs are inspected at increased frequency, and dredging priorities are decided from surveys conducted on a rolling basis.
Boating: There are now about 35,000 boats on the Trust's waterways. The recent Boater Survey has prompted commitments to improve on several fronts, including rapid repair of broken paddle gear, more accessible mooring points, a closer watch on grass-cutting and tree-work contractors, improvements to sanitary stations, and better waste disposal arrangements. Where possible, disposal points would include bins for four classes of refuse. Dave Roberts noted that collections from these facilities were often too infrequent. and questioned how many boaters would sort their rubbish conscientiously.
Communications: Matthew highlighted progress on improvements in communicating with canal users, including changes to the booking system, a web site "chat box", and better help for finding the right web page. A boaters' phone app is being planned; several questioners suggested existing apps that might serve as the basis for this. Tim Armstrong pointed to the need for the Trust to draw in a much wider audience. Diane Witts noted an increasing problem with speeding electric bikes and scooters; Matthew asserted that it is illegal to use them on towpaths, and that the Trust is working at how to discourage it.
Report and photo: Les Franklin.
We hope to see you out and about on the cut this summer. Below are selected events, all within reasonable distance. Our own events are listed below in bold type. Events organised by others are in regular type.
Saturday 10 May 10am - 4pm
Canal Roses Painting Workshop: Learn to paint canal roses in this oneday workshop.
The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester, NN12 7SE
Price £35.00, adults over 16. Book via: https://canalrivertrust.digitickets.co.uk/tickets?branches.branchID=2919 then click Stoke Bruerne Workshops.
Tuesday 13 May 2.30pm
17 - 18 May 1am - 5pm
24 - 26 May Sat, Sun 10am -6pm Mon 10am - 5pm
7 - 8 June
Opening times to be confirmed
IWA Northampton Branch meeting
Guided walk at Weedon Depot, with a knowledgeable resident guide. The Depot, Weedon Bec, NN7 4PS. Cost £2.00 per person. Free parking within the depot.
Batchworth Boat Rally
A Boaters' Meeting in place of the Rickmansworth Festival, cancelled due to asbestos concerns at Aquadrome site see Page 13.
Frogmore Lane Rickmansworth, WD3 1JJ
Crick Boat Show: The premier show for all things Boat. West Haddon Rd, Crick, Northants, NN6 7SQ
Full details at: https://www.crickboatshow.com/
IWA Harborough 75: Celebrating the 75th anniversary of IWA's 1950 Festival of Boats & Arts.
To be based at Foxton with a cavalcade to Market Harborough on the Saturday. Historic and private boats, floating traders, land based stalls, food, ice cream, music and much more.
Event free to attend, but charge at Foxton Locks Long Stay Car Park, Gumley Rd, Market Harborough LE16 7RR
More info: https://iwaharborough75.org/
19 - 20 July
Opening times to be confirmed
Cosgrove Festival and Craft Fair: Trading and charity/historic boats, craft fair, towpath stalls, food and drink, entertainments. Info at: https://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk/events-and-news/annual-festival-events/
Our base at Linslade is within weekend reach of the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, or the Chiltern Hills and Aylesbury. Choice of exciting one- or two-week cruises including the Thames. 17 luxury boats, 2 to 8 berth. Boat Builders - Repairs - Dry dock - Blacking - Repaints
Waterside holiday cottage
Rothschild Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 2TF Tel: 01525 372355 Fax: 01525 852308
https://www.canalholidays.co.uk james@canalholidays.co.uk
Members of IWA, APCO, BMF, B&MK Waterway Trust, Wendover Arm Trust, Buckingham Canal Society, Aylesbury Canal Society
Saturday 26 July 11am-5pm
2-3 August 11am - 5pm
Linslade Canal Festival: Trade and historic boats, craft displays, entertainment, food and drink. Admission free. Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Linslade. https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/council_events/linslade-canal-festival/
Fenny Stratford Canal Festival: Historic boats, floating market, stalls and displays, refreshments, info point. Help welcomed for setting-up and clearing contact Diane Witts. Admission free. No on-site parking - please park considerately elsewhere in Fenny Stratford. Pedestrian access from Watling Street at what3words ///final.wrong.stone
Saturday 16 August 11am - 4pm
Thursday 18 September 7.45pm
How the Canals were Built: Find out about how the bridges, locks, tunnels and canals were built. Free family event. The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester, NN12 7SE
IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting: topic to be announced. Bletchley Conservative Club, 105 Queensway, Bletchley, MK2 2DN
Saturday 27 September IWA National AGM: Venue and details to be announced.
Find all IWA events at: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events
The Parks Trust has plenty going on over the summer here is a taster:
Wednesday 28 May, 9pm: Family Bat Walk. Learn how to use a bat detector! Walton Lake, Newport Road, Woughton Park, MK. What3Words location: wacky.engage.rotate Adults £5, Children under 16 £1, pre-booking essential. Other dates June - September.
Thursday 29 May, 8.30pm: Moth Night. A moth trap will be set up to attract and identify moths. Howe Park Wood, Tattenhoe, MK4 3GG Adults and accompanied children over 12, £5.
For full details and how to book, go to https://www.theparkstrust.com/events/
Many IWA Branches are still offering their “in person” meetings as Zoom webinars. For up-to-date details of most IWA events, please visit the main IWA events page at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events
See also IWA’s Youtube channel, with videos on various topics and recordings of past meetings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ROBJ6rpm_41BSmu-Glf2Q
Joining a webinar “live” is easy, using a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone.
* Go to the events calendar via the link above. The webinars are listed in date order; each has a "Book now" link, which takes you to more details about the meeting. Click “Register now”.
* Fill in the online form that appears, and click the "Register" button. You can do this well in advance of the start time. You should receive an email with a simple “Click here to join” link.
* The webinar opens in your browser. For “live” webinars with audience participation, make sure that your camera and microphone are connected.
If you are unable to join a meeting “live”, you can usually see previous webinars and video presentations at one of the addresses in this panel.
On 18 April, Wendover Canal Trust posted a notice on its web site saying that it had received a number of reports of low water levels on the Wendover Arm. It was reported that the sluice near the Wides (which releases water past Weston Turville reservoir) was locked in the fully open position. Concerns were expressed about the effect upon wildlife.
WCT appreciates hearing about these issues, but they should also be reported direct to Canal & River Trust, the responsible authority.
WCT has heard two reasons for the lower level: the weeds and reeds were very well cleared by CRT last winter, so the water is draining away more quickly. Also, the water is routed via Wilstone reservoir, which is being kept at a lower level during the strengthening works (see below).
CRT assures WCT that it monitors the Wendover water levels regularly. The latest report is that the sluice has now been closed, and water levels on the Wendover Arm should start to recover.
WCT web site, April 2025.
At the time of writing, re-lining work is still paused on the Wendover Arm. At the IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting on 17 April, I asked Ros Daniels, Regional Director, London & South-East, Canal & River Trust, about the state of play regarding the pause, which was imposed by CRT nearly two years ago. She replied that CRT was close to agreement with the Environment Agency on the methods to be adopted when re-lining resumes.
Les Franklin.
Canal & River Trust has begun statutory work to strengthen the embankments at Wilstone Reservoir. At 1,350 metres, the embankments are among the longest of the 71 major reservoirs in the Trust's care. After site preparations, work to install two thousand 11-metre-long steel sheet piles into the reservoir’s two embankments will begin in May.
Built in 1802 to supply water to the Wendover Arm, Wilstone Reservoir can hold over one million megalitres of water, the equivalent of over 300,000 Olympic swimming pools.
The water level will be lowered by 0.5 metres. The reservoir will continue to supply water to the canal, and its level will slowly lower throughout the summer, as usual. Land-based equipment, including a silent piling machine, will be used. The reservoir’s footpaths, car park and some local roads will be temporarily closed at times. Fishing will not be possible at the reservoir during the main construction period from May 2025 to March 2026.
A number of habitat improvements will be made to the reed beds, as well as replacing nine small and medium-sized trees which will have to be removed in order to carry out the works. A section of hedgerow will also be coppiced.
CRT news release, April 2025.
Ford End Watermill, near Ivinghoe, was rescued from dereliction in the 1970s, and is now maintained and opened to the public by Ford End Watermill Society. Upkeep of the Mill is a constant task for the volunteers, who sometimes have to buy in help for specialist tasks.
Last year, a badly leaking sluice gate needed replacing. Water is stored in a millpond, supplied in turn by a stream. The sluice regulates the supply of water to the mill wheel, and so controls the speed of the machinery. It is similar to a lock paddle but is much wider, to match the width of the pentrough that leads water to the whole width of the mill wheel. It also has two racks, operated by two pinions on the same shaft.
The old sluice gate. Still from FEWS video.
The sluice was last replaced twenty years ago, but this time Chris Tugby, Mill Manager, could not find anyone to do the work before the Mill opened in 2024. By chance, he then met someone who, when asked what he did for a living, surprised him by saying he was a carpenter. Chris quickly turned the conversation to the Mill and the need for a new sluice gate, and asked him if that was something he could do. Chris was even more surprised when told “Yes, I think so; I used to work for British Waterways making lock gates!” He agreed to visit the Mill to take measurements. Some oak was sourced, and the carpenter made up the gate to the general dimensions required, with final fettling and fitting to be done at the Mill with volunteers helping.
The Watermill from beside the millpond. A corner of the sluice (centre, picked out in yellow) is visible. Photo: Les Franklin.
Early one Saturday, the team dammed off the stream, opened the old sluice gate to drain the pentrough, then dismantled the rack-and-pinion gear, allowing the old gate to be lifted out. This was taken to the front of the Mill, where the old racks were fitted to the new gate. This was lifted into position and the rack-and-pinion gear refitted. The new gate was then given a dry run by working it up and down several times and making final adjustments. The old sluice gate has been left at the front of the Mill for visitors to see.
Ford End Watermill makes for a most pleasant afternoon's outing. This summer, it is open 2pm - 5pm on the dates below, with milling demonstrations 2.30 - 4.30pm, water level permitting. Last admission is at 4.30pm. Admission is £5.00 for adults; accompanied children aged 16 and under enter free. Souvenirs and stoneground flour produced at the Mill are on sale; cash payment only. Parking is free, and toilet facilities are available. Disabled access is restricted. The Watermill is off Station Rd, Ivinghoe, LU7 9EA, 600 metres from St Mary's Church. More info at https://www.fordendwatermill.co.uk/
Open days:
Sunday 11 May
Monday 26 May (BH)
Sunday 15 June
Sunday 6 July
Sunday 20 July
Sunday 3 August
Monday 25 August (BH)
Sunday 14 September
Sunday 12 October
Paraphrased by kind permission from FEWS AGM minutes 2024, and web site 2025, or as stated.
The Buckingham Canal Society held a very successful Christmas Canal Camp with nineteen people attending. Volunteers arrived on Boxing Day and stayed at the Quarries Scout Camp over the Christmas holiday. With several WRGIES and some members of the WRG Forestry team present, a lot of work was achieved.
t able to remove all of them, so made a return visit a few weeks later and have now cleared all the dangerous tree on the offside of the canal at Cosgrove. We are expecting a visit from WRG BITM in the near future to continue the work at Cosgrove.
At our Bourton Meadow site, volunteers have been clearing brambles from the offside of the canal to stop them spreading into the reeds growing in the canal bed, and this work has been going well. This site is where we hold our Green Gym work parties and is looking particularly attractive at present, having first had daffodils and now Marsh Marigolds starting to flower.
We have started to get bookings again from outside companies wanting to join us for a ‘team building day’. So far we have thirteen groups booked in already this year. Last year we had thirty-three Corporate groups join us which was a record!
Our AGM took place on Saturday 15 March with thirty-five people in attendance. We were entertained by Steve Morley who gave a very interesting talk on the WRG Canal Camps he and Mandy had attended over the years.
Also time to mention our annual Cosgrove Festival and Craft Fair which takes place this year over the weekend of 19 – 20 July.
Athina Beckett, Buckingham Canal Society.
On 12 April, members of Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club carried out a litter-pick on the canal. Canoeists retrieved debris from the off-side, and a working party cleaned up on the towpath. According to a Facebook post by a Canoe Club member, they filled 61 bin bags as well as recovering a number of larger objects including: a supermarket trolley, a motor bike and a pushchair. Well done!
Photo: Geoff Gauntlett.
For the second year running, the Rickmansworth Festival has been replaced by a scaleddown event in the form of a boat rally at Batchworth, due to concerns over buried asbestos at the Aquadrome site. Following gravel extraction, asbestos cement was used in the 1920s and 1930s to stabilise the ground. Having updated its Asbestos Management Plan, Three Rivers District Council designated the site as a "no dig" zone, meaning, for example, that no stakes can be driven into the ground to support marquees, and that even driving over the grass is discouraged.
Two new traders have booked space in this edition and the next two. Alan and Tina of Wobbly Limited got a mention in the January edition as I had already been put in touch with them. They passed the details to their friends Paul and Natasha on nb Wakamatandoto (that's Swahili for "Dream Catcher" - pronunciation coaching available). Both of these advertisers are roving trading boats.
Although the inland waterways no longer carry high volumes of bulk cargoes, they have become the home of over a hundred floating traders selling food and drink, clothes, crafts and fuels, as well as services such as boat maintenance and installations of solar panels and mobile internet. Many depend upon passing trade at festivals or wherever they decide to moor; others have online shops in addition to or instead of relying on passing trade.
Both of our advertisers belong to the Roving Canal Traders' Association (RCTA see https://www.rcta.org.uk/), a non-profit organisation that supports existing and prospective CRT-registered roving traders. It was set up because CRT did not want to deal with roving traders individually. (Other waterway business types had associations, e.g. hire boats, hotel boats.) Nonetheless, CRT wanted to tighten the rules because many traders were operating without a CRT licence or Public Liability Insurance. The RCTA educates new traders about the terms of the licence, and advises on formalities such as Food Standards, Public Liability, tax etc. It organises events for its members and publicises floating markets and festivals organised by others.
Many of these traders could equally well operate as shore-based businesses, but have chosen a floating life for reasons of economy or lifestyle, and they bring variety and colour to the waterways. If you can, please give your custom to our new advertisers and to our longer -standing ones - please mention TPT when doing so. The Branch very much values the support of all our advertisers, as it allows us to put as much funding as possible towards the waterway good causes that we support. Les Franklin.
Paul Culshaw of trading boat Wakamata NDoto is developing his skills as a canal art painter. He would like to find someone who can produce the sort of cabin stool that boaters used to have in their back cabins, for him to paint in traditional style and sell. These stools were used as extra seating in the cabin, or for seated tasks on the towpath. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact the Editor.
Beautiful WATERSIDE 4-bedroom family home
With private 50ft ‘END OF GARDEN’ MOORING.
Located on the Grand Union Canal in Fenny Stratford (MK1 1BA). Price £650,000. Contact Suzanne at: 2suzanneelise@gmail.com
Universal’s theme park.
Universal Pictures’ scheme to build its European theme park south of Bedford has provided a fast-moving story during the latter half of April. I was curious as to how the scheme might affect the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway project, and also the existing nearby transport links: the A421, the Marston Vale/East West railway, and the Midland main line. As I was uncertain about how these related to each other on the ground, I have put the detail on a satellite image of the area.
The proposed theme park site (A) lies between the Marston Vale/East West Rail and Midland railway lines. Universal has an option to buy an additional parcel of land (B) between the Marston Vale line and the A421.
The B&MKW Trust's indicative Waterway route appears to run about 200 metres from plot B, with the A421 between the two. Its April newsletter appeared just too early to react to the initial news, but the Trust has since welcomed the scheme, suggesting that, as a first
The two plots in Universal s indicative route, the A421 and railways. Image: Google.
step, the Waterway route could be made available during the park’s construction as a traffic -free cycling/walking route. I wonder if a case can be made for Section 106 funding for any aspect of the Waterway’s construction, perhaps citing its potential for leisure, water management and importantly potential biodiversity net gain offset for the theme park.
Universal intends to provide road access from the A421, but it is not clear whether this would be by re-modelling an existing junction or creating a new one.
The East West Rail line passes between plots A and B, and it seems probable that either an upgraded Kempston Hardwick Station or a new prestigious station would be planned to serve theme park visitors from Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
Wixams, a relatively new settlement south of Bedford (off the right edge of the image), has long been promised a station on the Midland line. Such a station would serve visitors arriving from the north, from London and from Luton Airport. The theme park proposal has also prompted the suggestion that this station could serve visitors arriving at the park on through trains from Europe. This would involve alterations at St Pancras and other upgrade work on the route out of London.
Planning permission for the theme park has yet to be granted, but Universal seems very committed that it will go ahead. We wait with interest to see how these projects will dovetail together as they develop. I am indebted to various news sources for this summary.
Les Franklin, Editor.
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