WW62

Winding Ways Newsletter of the Leicestershire Branch Issue 62 - September 2012

Future of Branch Hangs in Balance

Buried Treasure in Thurmaston?

What do William Lane, a unicorn and an exotic sounding cannon have in common? They all feature in our annual Autumn Treasure Hunt which this year takes place in Thurmaston. In previous years we’ve learnt little known facts about Mountsorrel and Barrow on Soar whilst following the clues; we anticipate that this tradition will be continued at Thurmaston on Thursday, 13h September.

With no Secretary, no new Committee Members to replace the two who retired at the last AGM, our long standing Treasurer having moved away from the area and our Social Secretary called to ‘higher duties’, our Committee is indeed struggling.

After all that the Branch has achieved in the fifteen years of its existence, it would be extremely sad to see it fail, but without members willing and able to assist with its running, the future looks very uncertain.

In order to make the most of the, now shorter, evening, please meet at 7.00 p.m. prompt at the Mill Lane car park. If you use a ‘sat nav’ go to LE4 8AF. . . . if not, look for the post box in Thurmaston village that marks the end of Mill Lane.

Let us hope that the national approbation of ‘The Big Society’ generated by the Olympic Games may yet see a spin-off in our local voluntary organisations which seek to benefit society at large. WRVS, who boast volunteers aged from 16 to 102, recently published results of research which demonstrated that those who volunteer lead happier and more fulfilled lives; furthermore, the sense of well-being was shown to vary in direct proportion to the amount of volunteering done. Perhaps all our members are busy volunteering for other causes, but it is regrettable that we are struggling to find a few stalwarts prepared to give a couple of hours of their time once in a while.

Social Programme 2012-2013 Along with this copy of Winding Ways, you will receive your copy of the Social Programme, 2012 - 2013. Please put the 2012 dates in your diary now, then keep the programme safe until you receive your new diary for Christmas, then enter the 2013 events in that. So there should be no excuse for not knowing that the IWA Leicestershire Branch meets on the second Thursday of the month, usually from September to May inclusive.

In our Chairman’s Report in this issue he announces his intention to retire in February if there is no-one forthcoming to ‘spread the load’ before then. You are urgently requested to consider whether the Leicestershire Branch has a role to play in bringing the Association to the local level. If the answer is ‘yes’, you have the power to do something about it. Presumably you are a member of the Association because you have an interest in the waterways; whilst that interest and your subscription is valuable to us, just a little bit of effort, from those who can spare a few hours occasionally, could make a world of difference in spreading the word and ensuring a great future for your local canal and river.

As your Social Secretary, I have to say that I sometimes wonder why we bother organising Social Meetings when only a few stalwarts are regular attendees. We know that people have other commitments, but it would be really encouraging to go to a meeting and find more than approximately 10% of our members had come along. Not only do we hope that you would find our talks and other events interesting, but it is a chance to meet up with old friends, and make new ones. The Function Room at the Gate Hangs Well is up one shallow step, so no staircases to climb!

As well as your Social Programme, you will also find details of our Christmas Dinner - the menu and a booking form. You are welcome to bring along friends and family. Just print off an extra copy of the form if necessary, or ring (07710-0292470 or email (beryl@nbwasp.copy.uk) me for an extra copy. If you have any doubts about dietary matters, contact me, and we’ll sort something out for you. The chef at the pub was very helpful last year! Let me have your cheque and booking form as soon as you can, and at the latest by 24th November.

So please don’t sit back and wait for someone else to ‘take up the slack’; this is addressed to you. Your involvement doesn’t have to be a long term commitment; you don’t even have to become a Committee Member to help us out. * Would you consider leading a walk in your area? * Could you help by distributing posters and publicising our social meetings? * Might you be persuaded to take the minutes at an occasional committee meeting? * Have you some ideas as to how we can raise funds?

Your thoughts and ideas on the way forward for the Leicestershire Branch would be warmly welcomed (See p.4 for contact details).

I hope to see many of you on Thursday, 1 3th September at Thurmaston for our Treasure Hunt.

Beryl McDowall, Social Secretary

Launch of Canal & River Trust Details of this event can be found on p.2. This photo was taken at the Central Shires launch event at Fradley.

Left to right: Harry Arnold (Member of Central Shires Partnership), Darren Green (C.S. Waterway Manager), Helen Whitehouse (IWA), Nicholas Bostock (Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire), Charlotte Atkins (Chair of Central Shires Waterway Partnership), Tom Franklin (CRT Trustee), Alison Smedley (IWA Branch Support Officer), John Evans (Chair of IWA Leicestershire Branch), and Beryl McDowall (Member of Central Shires Waterway Partnership).

Photo: Julie Arnold

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Chairman’s Bit

Canal & River Trust (CRT)

Firstly I must offer my congratulations to Beryl McDowall, our indefatigable Social Secretary, on her appointment to the Central Shires Waterway Partnership. I’m hoping that elsewhere in this issue she will explain in greater detail what this involves, but it is the link between waterway users / enthusiasts (you and me) and the new Canal and River Trust. So it is great to know that one of our number will be closely involved and there can be few people better qualified than Beryl to uphold our interests. It is indicative of her depth of knowledge and experience that Beryl has also been appointed to the Navigation Advisory Group of the Trust. I know you will join me in wishing her well in both of those voluntary positions. but . . . . . Beryl is one of a handful of people who have kept our Branch afloat in recent years and she will not now have the time to continue her Branch duties as, among others, Social Secretary.

by Beryl McDowall John has mentioned elsewhere that I have been elected as member of the Central Shires Waterway Partnership. In case you are wondering how I came to be in this position, I thought a bit of background might be useful.

Some months ago, as in all Waterway Regions (which remain the same as the old British Waterways Regions), waterway users and other interested bodies were invited to consider putting people forward for election to the Central Shires Waterway Partnership. They were looking not only for boaters, but for those with interests such as community involvement, volunteering, ecology, heritage, angling, walking, and so on. I discussed my potential interest with Darren Green, the Waterway Manager, and Charlotte Atkins, who had been appointed as Chair of the Central Shires Waterway Partnership, and was encouraged to apply. I duly filled in the application forms, and waited! I was asked to attend for interview with Darren, Charlotte, and Roger Hanbury, of The Waterways Trust, at BW (as it was then) Fazeley Office. We discussed my past involvement with pleasure and commercial boats; my work as an Education Consultant with the Construction Industry Training Board, in which I was using construction as a tool for delivering the national curriculum, and building links between schools and BW sites; my volunteering experience, from working with Waterway Recovery Group back in the early 70s, to heading up a group of five Leicestershire Branch members who do jobs around Mountsorrel Lock; and jointly writing a book of Leicestershire walks, some of which took in sections of our waterways.

David and Lesley Brewer, long time Branch Members, and in David’s case our Treasurer since 1999, have recently moved to their home county of Cheshire, where they will be near family members. Again, I know that you will join me in wishing them well for the future and in thanking them for all their hard work and contributions to the Branch. Lesley has been a major donor of the books that have appeared on our stand at Branch Events and which have generated significant funds over the years.

I am indebted to Herbert Eppel, who has agreed to take on the Treasurer’s role alongside his work on the website and e-group. But we are currently without a Secretary, Social Secretary or Publicity Officer. Our Planning Officer and Volunteer Coordinator is cruising in the summer (lucky chap!) so is only available in the winter months. In spite of my many pleas over the past couple of years, we gained only two committee members last year and none this year when two long serving members retired. For several years I insisted on being known as Acting Chairman, leaving the door open for a younger member with fresh ideas to take on the full role. This year in a last ditch attempt at giving the Committee more credibility, I yielded to persuasion to drop the ‘Acting’ bit. I am due to retire ‘by rotation’ at next February’s AGM. Not only do I have increasing family commitments, but I am not prepared to continue as Chairman of a Branch whose active members can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Unless, therefore, there is a transfusion of ‘new blood’ on the Committee during the next few months, I will not be standing for reelection. It has been shown in other organisations that this course of action can breathe new life into a committee as the vacuum is filled. . . . . but I would rather that was done in the more traditional way.

There was another wait of two or three weeks whilst many candidates were interviewed. Eventually I received a phone call from Charlotte, telling me they would like to offer me a place on the Partnership, and asking if I would accept it. Of course I was delighted to do so. So far I have been to two Partnership Meetings at Fazeley, the CRT launch at Fradley, and a day's briefing session at Fearns Wharf, Leeds. I have two more Partnership Meetings planned for September, one of which is where we will sort out who is on which of our subgroups to cover the specific areas we have identified, and will also be attending a further briefing session at Gloucester Docks. Herbert Eppel represented our Branch at the CRT South East Region Launch at Stoke Bruerne.

You need make no long term commitment, your help on a ‘one off’ basis would be welcome and if you’d like to attend Committee Meetings as an observer to see what makes us tick, you’ll be very welcome. Contact details for committee members are given on page 4, so why not e-mail or phone one of us now and learn how enjoyable and rewarding a greater involvement in the Association can be.

Since all this happened, I have been through a similar procedure with the Navigation Advisory Group, a national group, and have subsequently been elected to that body. In both the Waterway Partnership and the Navigation Advisory Group, members are elected on a personal basis, based on what specific skills and interests they can offer. They do not represent any specific organisations. However, I will obviously be pleased to hear from any member who wishes to contact me - although I may end up pointing them to someone else, depending on the nature of the enquiry!

Photo: John Evans

I mentioned above the launch of CRT. On 12th July John Evans (as Chairman of Leicestershire IWA Branch) and myself (as a member of the Partnership) attended the Central Shires launch at Fradley. The plan had been for me to take my boat, "Wasp" to the event, to be used in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the lock, but unfortunately the floods on the Soar and Trent prevented me from getting there by boat, so a stand-in boat was organised, and I went the day before in my campervan, so that I could help with setting up displays, etc. prior to the actual launch. It remains to be seen how CRT will evolve, but if we all meet the challenges with an open mind, we can but hope that it is the success that we are all aiming for.

Charlotte Atkins cuts the ribbon, assisted

by Tom Franklin and Nicholas Bostock

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Loughborough Wharf

Planning Applications

The picture shows our Chairman’s narrow boat Element moored in Loughborough Basin in front of the recently completed Travel Lodge Hotel. Although some finishing touches have yet to be made and the ground floor retail units are not yet occupied, the whole development is now virtually complete.

Thanks largely to our representations, the water space is larger than it otherwise would have been and the hotel building is two storeys lower than at first planned. Whilst we still feel that significantly better use could have been made of the opportunity, the end product is lighter and more ‘airy’ than would have been the case, had the original plans been adopted.

New planning applications for developments close to our canals and waterways are of concern to us as lovers of these waterway corridors.

One recent major application has been for a large housing estate to the west of the canal as it enters Market Harborough. The land on which the proposed houses, schools and shops will be built is mostly set below the level of the canal and will be partly behind the travellers’ park homes. I expect some of the houses will be visible from the waterway, but what will definitely be seen is the proposed bridge that will replace the existing footbridge by the OUCS moorings. IWA and OUCS tried to eliminate this bridge and its major impact on the canal, but BW had already agreed the design and will receive payment for the facility. There will be a small marina as part of the overall development.

We are currently endeavouring to have the historic significance of the Wharf recognised with some suitable interpretation works.

Photo: John Evans

All local authorities are required by the Government to provide land for a certain number of new homes, and Harborough considered this site was one of the “least bad” options, though the traffic from the large number of homes will have a significant impact on the surrounding road network, especially links to Leicester and the M1.

Each week the local waterside planning authorities issue details of applications that have been made to them by people who wish to undertake works that will change our surroundings. We are able to view details of these applications on-line and I try to do this to spot those that might affect us, and make appropriate representations, but it would be a great help if all our members could keep their eyes peeled for planning applications that might impact on the waterways. These notices are posted close to the proposed development, usually attached to posts or fences, as well as being published in the local press and on-line. If you see any applications that concern you, please email or phone me with the details so I can try to address anything that concerns IWA. I can be contacted on mobile 07950 003383 or email me on: ianmcdonald@uwclub.net Ian McDonald

Forest Line Revival?

Fancy a Walk?

Michael Handford, who was instrumental in setting up The Melton and Oakham Waterway Society, is turning his attention to The Forest Line of the Leicester Navigation or, as it is sometimes called, The Charnwood Forest Canal. This little known navigation ran from coal and lime mines near Thringstone to a terminus basin at Nanpantan, from where a tramway carried the cargo down to Loughborough Wharf for trans-shipment and onward transport. This ‘feeder canal’ was seen as being of such significance to the benefit of trade in the area served that the navigation from Loughborough to Leicester was prevented from opening until the Forest Line itself was operational.

One of the ways in which some IWA branches have encouraged more members (and non-members) to get more involved with the Association is by organising walks. If you have ever walked with a group you will know that it offers an excellent way of socialising and getting to know others within the group. The one snag is that a leader is needed!

If you would be willing to run a trial walk, we’d love to hear from you. It could be so popular that there would be a possibility of it becoming a monthly event. The walk could take place at a weekend and / or on a weekday, which might appeal to our retired members. In the early stages it is suggested that a walk should last no more than 1 to 2 hours and hopefully have some contact with a waterway. A bonus would be if the walk wound up at a pub or cafe where participants could seek refreshment.

Please phone or e-mail one of the committee to register your interest in taking part and indicating your preferred timing.

Offers to lead a walk would of course be gratefully received.

The short life of the canal provides a fascinating story of triumph and disaster and although full restoration is (almost) out of the question, much of the route can be traced and some imposing parts of the infrastructure remain and are considered worthy of preservation. Other objectives of the proposed group are to preserve and enhance the line of the canal and to develop a walking trail along its length, with possible links to other waterways.

Don’t Moan - Do Something!

I’ve had a number of instances recently where boaters (some IWA members) have either phoned me up or come to me in a meeting or at an event, to tell me that “such-and-such a paddle isn’t working” or “there’s a pot-hole just by the balance beam at a lock.” Whilst I report such things whenever I have sufficient detail, it is much better if the boater who experiences the problem reports it to CRT themselves. Send an email tothe appropriate regional office. For example, for the Soar, the email would be: enquiries.centralshires@britishwaterways.co.uk Put tree/lock/pothole/etc in the subject, and give precise location and details of the problem in your email. If you do not have internet access, then phone the waterway office for the region in which the problem was found.

Beryl McDowall

An inaugural meeting of what may become ‘The Friends of Charnwood Forest Canal’ is to be held at 6.30 for 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 30th October at, appropriately, The Priory Inn, Nanpantan Road, Loughborough, which is but a few yards from the site of the original basin.

This meeting will be ‘a must’ for all those with an interest in local history, and will be addressed by Canal historian Brian Williams and (demonstrating what can be achieved) Geoff Pursglove, Project Manager on The Ashby Canal. Do come!

Postcode for sat-navvers is LE11 3YD 3

MOWS Update

provided by BW/CRT. Before they get together they clear their planned work with Stuart Collins, Volunteer Supervisor in Central Shires Region, and volunteers work within the Health and Safety rules required. Once they have finished their session they usually convene in the pub for lunch.

IWA Trailboat Rally MOWS could not get Melton Borough Council's letter of support in time to apply for the 2014 Trailboat Festival. This has now been deferred to 2015, but as this seems a long way off, we may try and stage another “Pork Pie Paddle” and informally invite some trailboaters.

At Lime Kiln Lock we held a successful first working session, clearing up the weeds growing in the block paving around the lock and attempting to remove the graffiti on the wall on the off-side of the lock, with particular attention to cleaning the plaque that celebrated the IWA National Rally that was held there in 1967. Work to the plaque was successful but removing paint from rough brickwork proved impossible with the equipment available. It is hoped to form a team of up to six people to look after this lock.

Wreake End Footbridge The Wreake End Footbridge rebuild seems to be on course for September, although MOWS haven’t seen any planning permission yet. MOWS assume, although it is (nearly) on the same footprint, the design and materials changes warrant planning.

Following the “walkthrough” between the bridge and “The Gate Hangs Well”, MOWS have attempted to get a copy of the report on the footpath condition from officers at County Hall, but they are on holiday at this moment.

Whilst not wanting to spread ourselves too thinly, there are clearly many more opportunities and locations where we can make a worthwhile contribution, and by doing it in small groups we have the ability to arrange things to suit people, either at weekends or on weekdays. Our “patch” covers quite some length and it is generally more convenient for our volunteers if they can work in a group which operates fairly close to where they live. This not only cuts down on the time and cost of travelling, but also means that they probably have a greater interest in the site, if it is part of the locality where they live.

Water Outfall The “Smellton “Mowbray saga continues, with Severn Trent now looking at drains from the cattle market possibly finding their way into the watercourse. MOWS will continue to monitor the situation River Clearance Happily the river clearance goes on apace and we are now literally about to turn the corner (opposite the swimming baths) and continue on towards the Lady Wilton Bridge. The last stage before we do will be the removal from the river bed of the old watergate foundations. May be a struggle but could be interesting.

Beryl has arranged a presentation by CRT about the Health & Safety aspects of volunteering which you are likely to need to know if you decide to join one of our groups (e.g. how to handle “sharps” [needles]). Even if you cannot volunteer immediately, please come along. You may well learn something that could be useful to you in the future. This will be on October 11th. Please do all that you can to attend. If you need to contact me about volunteering, you can do so on 07950 003383 or at ianmcdonald@uwclub.net.

Work Parties Just to reiterate that our regular Sunday morning work parties are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Sunday in the month - barring any unforeseen circumstances and weather permitting. If anyone is interested in joining us on "Mole", please contact me on 01509 414140.

Leicestershire Branch Committee Chairman: John Evans Highfields Farm, Woodhouse Road, Quorn LE12 8AL Tel. 01509 416647 Email: john.evans@waterways.org.uk

Work Party and Open Day - Rocks by Rail site on the Ashwell to Cottesmore Road, Rutland Rocks by Rail will be holding an open day on 16th September.

The canal section which we are clearing within this site is desperately in need of attention, so we are asking as many MOWS and work party members as possible to join us at Ashwell at 10.15a.m. on Sunday 9th September. If you would like to take part, or for further information, contact Ron Francis on 01664 564028, e-mail ronsie353@hotmail.com for details or just turn up. Bring spades, forks, rakes, saws, branch loppers. Tea and coffee will be provided at the canteen on site.

Secretary : Vacancy Treasurer & Website Editor: Herbert Eppel Tel. 0116 2873448 Email: herbert.eppel@waterways.org.uk Social Secretary (Acting): Beryl McDowall Narrowboat Wasp, Off Barons Way, Mountsorrel LE12 7EA Tel. 07710 029247 Email: beryl.mcdowall@waterways.org.uk Planning & Volunteer Co-ordinator: Ian McDonald Tel. 07950 003383 Email: ian.mcdonald@waterways.org.uk Archivist: Jim Evans Tel. 0116 2739838 Other: Maggie Young Tel. 0116 2248755 Email: maggie.young@waterways.org.uk Non-Committee Positions Membership Secretary: David Stevenson Tel. 01530 458257 Email: david.stevenson@waterways.org.uk

This will give MOWS much needed publicity in Rutland, as we intend to have photos on display at the open day when Press and Council will be represented.

MOWS AGM 2012 The date for this year's AGM will be Saturday 10th November.

Our guest speaker will be Lynne Berry OBE of the new Canal & River Trust, who will give us a brief insight into the CRT, followed by a question and answer session. The meeting commences at 10.30a.m. All are welcome and refreshments will be available.

Newsletter Editor: Andrew Shephard Tel. 0116 2672630 Email: andrew.shephard@waterways.org.uk

Volunteering

This issue was compiled by John Evans and Beryl McDowall.

We have two sites where we have been working this year. A group is based at Mountsorrel and self manages its work parties, attending to the area around the lock. With Beryl living on the job she has a good eye for work that is needed within the scope of the team’s skills.

Five people arrange a mutually suitable date and time for getting together and doing the work, using some equipment and materials

Opinions expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Association, and the Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish material submitted for inclusion.

Winding Ways

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