AEGRE March 2008 N o . 11 9
The journal of the East Midlands Region of
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Aegre is published Š 2008 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association. Chairman WRG
John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208
Vice-Chairman & Treasurer
Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138
Leicestershire Branch Carol McDonald, c/o 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester Chairman LE7 7JG Tel: 07932 156539 E-mail:<home@hubberlugs.goplus.net> Dave Carnell. Contact address as above. Lincolnshire Branch Chairman Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman
Nancy Johnson, 37 Eastmoor, Cotgrave, NG12 3NU Tel: 0115 989 9612.
South Yorkshire & Dukeries Branch Chairman
Mavis Paul, 116 Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Sheffield S10 5RZ Tel: 0114 268 3927
Secretary
Vacant
Region Planning Officer
Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main Street, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU.
Members
David Johnson, 37 Eastmoor, Cotgrave, Nottingham NG12 3NU Tel: 0115 989 9612. Ian McDonald, c/o 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Tel: 07932 156539 E-mail:<home@hubberlugs.go-plus.net> Malcolm Fielding, 1 Vicarage Way, Arksey, Doncaster DN5 0TG Tel: 01302 873127
Editor for Aegre:
Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQ Tel: 01507 602713. email: aegre@humbhony.demon.co.uk
Collation & despatch
N&D Branch Members.
Printing
This is the web version
Picture credits:
See page 29. Cover picture: The Spider T, from Malc Nicholson
Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office, 3 Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1LT. Registered as a Charity No: 212342. Tel: 01923 711114. Fax: 01923 897000 Website: http://www.waterways.org.uk The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the East Midlands Region. They are published as being of interest to our members and other readers.
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AEGRE March 2008
Contents
Page 2
Colophon
4
The Editor’s Bow Button
5 7 8 11 12
From the Region Chairman Aegre times 2008 News from Lincolnshire A lovely day at Sleaford Ice-breaking rations 1947/48
14 15 & 16 16 17 19 22 23 23 24
Spider T - a Humber Super Sloop Borrowash pictures Journals received The Sheffield Canal - continued News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire New publications reviewed News from South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Grantham Canal Society News from Leicestershire
27
Picture puzzle - just for fun 14
28
Obituary - Rodney Mills
28
Answers to picture puzzle
29
Obituary - John Wood
29
Picture credits
30
Regional Diary Dates
31
Canal Societies in the Region
32
Erewash Rally
Next issue probably to be published in June 2008. Contributions to the editor by the end of April 2008 please. The space on the right is for local contact information. Page 3
No. 119
The Editor’s Bow Button Did you know that we are part of the "third sector"? Have you ever heard of the third sector? I certainly hadn't until I came across a press release from the "authorities" in the Cabinet Office last year. Apparently this term lumps together all voluntary and charitable activities in this country. It is used to distinguish them from the first and second sectors, which I suppose are government and commerce, in that order of importance. Now nobody can object to a bit of classification as a help to identification and discussion. After all we classify canals into broad and narrow for very good reasons. But on reading further I found that a new Office for the Third Sector had been set up as part of the Whitehall structure, aiming to give guidance to the third sector. There was even a proposal to appoint two thousand new "Third Sector Commissioners" in the apparent belief that there was a need for wide co-ordination and rationalisation. Now I'm guessing, but a post with a grand title like Commissioner doesn't sound to me like less than about £60,000 a year and probably double that with overheads and expenses. Multiply by 2,000! Looking in the other direction, that of real work and achievement, and I think of the state of our canals some fifty years ago, and the direction they were going; downhill; empty; filled in. It seems obvious to me at least, that if it had been left to "government" we would probably have none left at all now. And let me hasten to add that that is nothing to do with party politics, because in that period they have both had a fair turn. Looking around the canals generally, and reading the reports from our branches this time, it is clear that much has been achieved and is continuing, based on voluntary efforts. There is however a snag. Voluntary is voluntary! As a general rule, I have always understood that in a voluntary organisation, a faithful ten per cent of membership do ninety per cent of the work. We belonged once to a PTA where this was formally recognised in an "Apathy Fund". If you didn't want to help with organising say a jumble sale, you were expected to put a suitable amount into the Fund. The ten per cent rule can work for a time, but at some point the faithful need a change. This is now affecting our branches seriously. It may or may not be to do with a formal structure, but again I would say that enthusiastic voluntary effort can overcome all sorts of difficulties, eventually even obstructive legislative ones (what can I be thinking of?). Maybe the DEFRA and British Waterways financial and other problems are useful in provoking the kind of protest reaction we have already seen last year, and which John has described in the next pages. But we need to couple protest with the same positive spirit of recovery, in all senses of the word, in order to make a fresh start and build on the good work already done. Good luck, Peter.
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Region Chairman's Notes The year 2007 was as difficult for the waterways as any we have seen since the founding of the Association 62 years ago. It was a year of constant campaigning against funding cuts, and excessive increases in boating costs in particular, serving to remind us all of the continued importance of the IWA. There is a constant need for members who are not necessarily active in the sense of physical restoration of navigations, but who are prepared to put pen to paper in support of the network, and prepared and ready to lobby and cajole MPs in support of our cause. As a result of our campaigning and lobbying, and members' regular and direct contact with their local MPs, over 200 MPs are known to be sympathetic to our cause. We have been successful in building close working relationships with several influential MPs and have benefitted from this partnership in the course of debates on the state of the waterways in Parliament. MPs and Government have probably never been so well briefed or knowledgeable on the subject of the waterways. In terms of funding campaigning, IWA members and local branches set up a series of blockades in late 2006 and early 2007, with a very successful campaign cruise past Parliament. The campaign certainly caught the attention of Government and the media. Relevant Early Day Motions and three highly successful Adjournment Debates came about as a result of the influence of our parliamentary consultant, or spontaneously as a result of lobbying of parliamentarians. As such, our campaign actions have ensured a much more favourable funding allocation to the waterways than might have been expected, given the current gloomy economic climate and financial constraints in which Government, and Defra in particular, find themselves. IWA lobbied vigorously against the introduction of the moorings trial auction process, arguing that it was unfairly treating those on waiting lists, unnecessarily inflating the cost of boating to the detriment of those on fixed or limited incomes, and exploiting the monopolistic position that BW held. The result was that BW only achieved about 70% of the income that the moorings might have generated by the normal means; not counting the additional costs to BW of the exercise. Similarly, the IWA was forceful in its condemnation of the proposals to increase boat licence fees by over 33% over the next 3 years, claiming that British Waterways was taking advantage of its power and "mugging" boaters. IWA also strongly criticised BW for consulting merely on how it should be introduced, and not on the need for the increase itself. This latter criticism Page 5
brought about a series of consultation meetings arranged by BW around the country for users to attend. The meeting at Leeds, which covered most of our Region, was well attended, with a coach load of members from the West Stockwith area. The result was that BW have decided on 5% plus inflation rather than the 9% + inflation originally proposed, and retention of the 10% quick payment discount. Seemingly a success for the IWA and other boaters; but the cynics have noted that BW only intended the lower figure anyway. Although we had one of our best years for 10 years, with membership peaking in mid-year, deaths and retirements of some of our older members, coupled with lapsed memberships, meant that we finished the year with less members than at the start. Given our high profile and campaigning this was a disappointing result and although membership is just under 18,000 members, we want to significantly improve this year, and look to all members to help promote IWA to friends, family and other waterway users wherever possible. This year we want to take advantage of our high profile and active campaign stance, and seek to energise membership and ensure that IWA is visible on the waterways and in boatyards and marinas everywhere. It appears that the IWA is still needed just as much as it was 40, 50 or 60 years ago, but the support of Branches has diminished nationally as well as locally. I noted in the last Aegre that additional support for Branch committees was required, but my pleas fell on stony ground. Leicestershire Branch is having a discussion at their March meeting (see page 24) on the future operation of the branch, with particular reference to the holding of regular branch meetings. Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch were less successful and at present have only TWO committee members; unless there are some volunteers soon for co-option to the committee to run the branch, its closure is inevitable. When the Nottingham, Leicester & Derby Branch became part of East Midlands Region 34 years ago it was a strong and vital branch. Now, despite the Sawley - Shardlow area being one of the most popular boating centres, it is most disappointing that the branch has fallen to this sorry state. Anyone with an interest in rectifying this problem please contact me as soon as possible. Having reported the results of the AGM, I must thank Nancy Johnson for her many years as Secretary and then Chairman of Notts & Derbys Branch, and also to David Johnson, and Linda and Andrew Kemp for their support. Nancy, with her chauffeur David Johnson, attended many meetings of the Grantham
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Canal Partnership, the Grantham Canal Restoration Society and the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust where she was the IWA representative. Finally, I would like to thank Graeme Wade who has retired after eight years as Region Secretary. Graeme took over from his sister Helen Bullock when she and her husband David, a former Aegre editor, moved to Staffordshire. I was very sorry to hear that John Newmarch died in January. John was the husband of Brigitte Ackermann, whose parents Max and Susie were well known boaters in the 1960s and 70s with their boat Soldanella. Our sympathies go to Brigitte and her family. John Baylis
Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2008 No, I’m not sure how you really ought to spell it either, but it is a fascinating phenomenon, and we are most grateful to the Environment Agency for their predictions for the coming year. These times are for Gainsborough until the end of August, and are adjusted for the change from GMT to BST, but it can be up to thirty minutes earlier depending on possible strong winds, for example. There are no dramatic forecasts for this year, because of the way the moon phases and the equinoxes fall. Stockwith should be about 20 minutes earlier than Gainsborough, and Owston Ferry about 45 minutes earlier. For more details EA have a very useful leaflet giving some of the folklore and recommended viewing places, like Derrythorpe, Gainsborough itself, Morton, Stockwith, and Susworth. PH.
Date April 6th April 7th April 8th April 9th May 5th May 6th May 7th August 3rd August 4th August 5th August 19th August 20th August 21st August 31st
Time 19.22 20.44 20.44 ? 21.29 18.57 19.43 20.32 08.18 08.57 09.36 08.33 09.07 09.43 07.20
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Forecast Small Medium Medium Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small Small
News from the Lincolnshire Branch From Dave Carnell
BW licence consultations. My initial response to the problems of attending a meeting with senior members of BW was that there were too few venues on offer. For example travelling from Lincolnshire to Leeds plus parking problems would cost in excess of £50. I was very pleased to be told that members of the West Stockwith Boat Club had hired a coach in order to attend, and I was one of 49 people who came to the first of three one-hour sessions. The two following sessions had 19 confirmed to attend each session. In addition to private boat owners there were representatives from residential boaters, canoeists, traders and hire craft operators. It was agreed that the time constraints were insufficient for all to have their say, but the following points were made: 1. The consultation assumed that everyone has access to computers. Other means of publicising the meetings should have been used in addition. 2. The consultation appeared only to examine income from boaters and no other sources, i.e. the other 97% of waterway corridor users. The argument that these people paid via taxes etc was countered by the fact that boaters also pay these taxes. 3. Suggestions were made that BW entered into talks with the Local Government Association. 4. We were advised of the Defra requirement that Local Authorities work in partnership with development projects. Study of the government white paper �Strong Prosperous Communities� was recommended . 5. The predicted income charts failed to take into account the present down-turn in the financial market and the actions of licence payers who could move to other navigation authorities, licence craft for river-only use, or remove boats from the water when not in use. Page 8
From those at the meeting it was obvious that private boaters were mainly senior citizens on pensions and it was these people who had campaigned for many years to keep the system as we know it today. BW appear to disregard this and the “Waterways for Tomorrow” initiative of the government. It was stressed the proposals were not a “fait accompli” and the figure of 9% increase per year was Robin Evans’ own thoughts. On a brighter note the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership has secured funding to replace the mitre gates on Sleaford Bottom Lock. The project will also provide floating pontoon moorings for lock operation access plus picnic tables and seats for those using the lock island and public footpaths. This project is being manMudlarks at Sleaford aged by the Slea Navigation Trust. The footbridge, slipway and winding area in Sleaford are being managed by the County Council. Planning requirements and consultants’ reports are on-going. Still on the Slea, Cogglesford Water Mill has been refurbished with a new time-line history display and a wooden floor. For the future a canoe day is being proposed for March 30th. Local canoe clubs are taking part, with possibly the opportunity to ”have a go” for those interested. A telephone contact, should anyone want to take up the offer of having a go at canoeing, is Paul Skinner on 01205 353754 or e-mail paulskinner57@btinternet.com. Notice has been received about a planned straw-burning power station at Sleaford. Our initial concerns were about the possible Page 9
effects on ground water levels and any loss of water to the navigation channel. From the details known it appears to be mainly air-cooled with a small amount of water cooling. We have now been assured that water will come from the town mains water system and there will be no impact on the river. The future management of Brayford Pool remains unclear. A meeting arranged by the Lincoln City Council was cancelled by them at 24 hours notice. The reason given was that the officers were double booked. A future date could not be fixed until there was something to discuss as to the legal issues of the Pool. The Environment Agency are to produce River Guides for the Rivers Ancholme, Glen and Welland. Draft copies have been seen, courtesy of East Anglian Waterways Association, and a number of comments submitted. Lincolnshire Tourism are producing guides for the visitor attractions in the upper reaches of the Ancholme and posed a question as to the origin of the name Brandy Wharf. Research by the previous owners of the Cider Inn indicates that Vikings used the then tidal river to reach this point, their name being BRANDE. The wharf also served the nearby Winghale Priory with provisions; this may support the other local view that Brandy was landed here. To enable volunteers to support BW and work unsupervised, a meeting with BWs national Health and Safety Officer has been arranged. Recently Waterways Recovery Group received accreditation for minor hand-tool works. We hope to build on this and obtain acceptance of WRG training courses in other categories. More on this in the next Aegre. Finally your old cine films are needed. Central Television run a programme called �The Way We Were�, and researchers for the programme are anxious to obtain film or photo materials of early holidays on the inland waterways. Rebecca Lyon can be contacted on 0844 8814186 if you have any suitable material. Page 10
A Lovely Day for a Sleaford Work Party This effort was both successful and profitable. Mel, Ernest, Rob, David and Norman removed most of the wooden piles and stakes protruding from the river bed at the site of the proposed winding hole and slipway, using the Tirfor winch, spades and brute force. The photos (this page and page 9) show the team in action, and Ernest discovering how much old waders can leak. We enjoyed a great deal of support from other SNT members and created interest for the public. We overcame the disposal of much of the wood by delivering a considerable amount to Ada Trethewey's water garden, where she wanted to use it to shore up a bank threatened by erosion. Some was then stored for future use at Norman's yard and then, when we had finished, Pullen, Osborne Enterprises (otherwise known as POE to their friends) negotiated the sale of a quantity of weathered half-sleepers for ÂŁ20.00 to a couple from Colchester. They were staying with relations at Great Hale and Norman delivered them to Great Hale. David now has ÂŁ20.00 to add to SNT Sales. Overall not a bad day's work. Norman Osborne
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ICE-BREAKING RATIONS 1947/8 Editor's note: To keep the atmosphere of Malcolm's article, I have left the units in the original £ s d and even ½d. You don't need a calculation, do you? For the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation Company, ice was the biggest enemy of the canal, the canal company and its boatmen, especially in the commercial carrying days. It must have been heart-breaking for a skipper to wake up in the morning and find the canal totally frozen over with ice several inches thick. To a certain degree it was the same for the canal companies who had to try and keep the waterways open. The only redeeming factor for the canal company workers was that they would be getting overtime and maybe hardship money whilst on ice-breaking duties. The canals had to be kept working, if possible, because the railways and road transport were always ready to step in and take over if the canals failed to deliver. This was as true on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation as on every other canal in the country. From the records salvaged from the canal company offices in Sheffield we can gain an insight into the big freeze of 1947/48 by looking at the rations ordered to feed the men engaged in keeping the canal open. Some idea of the amount can be gained from the following list for Swinton Yard. Also remember the country was still experiencing wartime rationing therefore permission to obtain these foodstuffs had to be gained from the Ministry of Food. From Swinton Co-op 72 lbs of corned beef at 1/8d per lb = £6-0-0 From Melias 22 lbs of biscuits at 1/2d per lb = £1-5-8 24 tins of condensed milk at 9½d per tin = 19/3lbs of tea at 3/- per lb = 9/6lbs of sugar at 4d per lb = 2/We also have the figures for the Doncaster Yard. All rations for Doncaster were purchased from the Doncaster Co-operative Society, Doncaster and Thorne branches during March 1947: 657 ¾ lbs of biscuits =£39-7-8½ 192 tins of condensed milk = £7-0-11 27 ¼ lbs of tea = £6-6-3 54 ½ lbs of sugar = £0-18-2 72 x 6lb tins corned beef = £36-0-0 77 tins (presumed to be biscuit tins) £3-17-0 Bags ? = £0-9-0 Page 12
Also dated April 1947 was an overview of the total rations issued and those returned. There were 411 Rations issued from Tinsley: Tea
Sugar
Milk
Biscuits Corned Beef
Received
13lbs
26lbs
101 tins 306lbs
Issued
12lbs 13½oz 25lbs 11oz 95 tins
306lbs
306 lbs 306lbs
Because of the rationing any amounts left had to be returned to the shop where purchased and a refund obtained. So 2½oz of tea, 5oz of sugar and 6 tins of milk were returned to the Brightside Co-operative Society. Could you imagine returning 2½oz of unused tea to a shop and getting a refund in this day and age? There is a record dated 15th September 1948 of an amount of corned beef to the value of 10s 4d being retained at Sheffield Wharf, Old Warehouse, locked in a cupboard for future use. The hand written note was signed. Several companies were used by the canal company for the purchase of the rations. Some are still trading today; others will have familiar sounding names to some readers. They included Barnsley British Co-operative Society (Swinton branch); Doncaster Co-operative Society (Thorne & Doncaster branches); Brightside & Carbrook Co-operative Society; Wm. Yeomans & Sons Ltd of Sheffield; HC Sayer & Sons; Nichols & Co of Sheffield; and Melias Ltd. A note added from the accountant's office states regarding Yeomans: “Will you please note that on the invoice I have received from the above for 74 ½lbs Biscuits there is a charge for 14 tins at 2/- each. The tins are, I believe, returnable when empty and I shall be glad if you will see that the 28/- paid as a deposit is returned to this Unit, if and when the biscuits are consumed". The Canal Company certainly believed in watching the pennies and accounting for every item. To me it goes to show the determination of the canal companies to endeavour to keep their respective waterways open during the freeze. I bet the men were sick of the sight of biscuits and corned beef though. What the records do not tell us is how many men were involved. The figure of 411 rations issued is for the total men involved, with each one receiving a daily ration allowance. Work on the icebreakers was hard, dangerous and exhausting. The icebreaking gangs deserved their rations. Malcolm Fielding Page 13
SPIDER T - A HUMBER SUPER SLOOP From Malc Nicholson Spider T is a 1926 Humber Super Sloop. She was built for Captain John Tomlinson at Warren's Yard, New Holland and was pride of the fleet. The vessel is now at the end of a major restoration She is a sail powered Super Sloop, one of only two ever built for commercial use. Her sister ship the Junior T no longer exists. The Spider T was designed to be faster and carry more cargo; she had a deeper hold and a fine run aft which gave her speed. She was fully rigged similar to the other Humber Sloops of the period which had a mainsail and a foresail, but the Spider T had mainsail, foresail, jib and a topsail. These Super Sloops were built at the end of the sail powered era at Warren's yard on the banks of the River Humber to work on the estuary and along the East Coast carrying cargoes of coal, sand, gravel and bricks, in the hope that these new more capable vessels, suitable for both coastal waters and inland rivers and canals, would bring fortune to the shipyard. Unfortunately no more vessels of this type were ever made. The last time Spider T was fully rigged was in 1939. There is a copy of a famous picture by Reuben Chapell of the sloop Ethel, which also sadly no longer exists, but is rigged similar to the Spider T to give an idea of how she looked in full sail. It has been mentioned in some publications, and is local knowledge, that vessels of this type were extremely quick just under sail power before engines were ever installed. The Spider, it was said, could beat the paddle steamer from Hull to Goole under sail with cargo, and the paddle steamer could do nine knots!! The vessel was given a government grant for an engine, de-rigged and reregistered as a motor vessel for the war effort. She carried on working up until 1970 when her owner died and she was sold at auction as pride of the fleet. It is understood that Captain Tomlinson's widow purchased the Spider back again, but eventually the vessel became derelict and sank. She was then raised and re-fitted with some structural repairs, earning the organiser the British Empire Medal as the vessel was used as a community project. She eventually fell into disrepair and became a derelict again, fully stripped out and ready to be cut up and broken. This was when I bought her. In a twelve-year period we have systematically restored her by stages every year, each stage a major project. Once running properly she has been used regularly in the last eight years. She now has an original external Page 14
condition with a design of sails from 1920. We have used a traditional sail maker noted for hand-made sails for historic vessels. He has done a fantastic job re-creating 1920’s style sails from traditional tan coloured sailcloth called clipper canvas. Internal fit-out is in a very comfortable and impressive Edwardian period finish. She is crewed by a team of craftsmen, engineers and experienced seamen who have helped bring this glorious Edwardian vessel back to sail majestically again, in the waters she was built for. (See the cover picture.) In a recent joint publicity operation the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire and Deputy Mayor of North Lincolnshire boarded the Spider at Keadby and skippered by Malc, sailed down the Humber to Grimsby`s Royal Dock. Tourism chiefs hope it will help to attract visitors and short-break holiday makers to the North and North East Lincolnshire coasts. Hope to see you aboard, Malc Nicholson (Prospect House DN17 3NA)
A nice piece of brickwork at Borrowash
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WRG brickies at Borrowash
Journals Received. We have received copies of these journals from our colleagues in the various societies, partnerships, and trusts. Many thanks to all concerned. Anyone wishing to subscribe to any of these could contact the appropriate address, given on page 31. The LWP Newsletter is free, call 01522 550615. Navigation, from our neighbours in West Midlands Region. The Cuckoo, from Chesterfield Canal Trust. The Packet, from Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society. The Portal, from the Friends of the Cromford Canal. Grantham Canal News, from the Grantham Canal Partnership. LWP newsletter from Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership. The Wharfinger, from Louth Navigation Trust. Page 16
THE SHEFFIELD CANAL By J W BELL Conclusion. This account was found in some papers recovered from the old canal company offices at Sheffield Basin in 1989. The date of writing is unknown, but it would have been written during the heyday of steel production in Sheffield, maybe the 1930-40’s. I reproduce it here as written, as a matter of interest. It is entitled simply “Sheffield Canal“. Malcolm Fielding
Storing space in the main warehouse seemed almost unlimited. That was partly due to systematic arrangement. One section, I found, carefully proofed and safeguarded, was devoted to carbide. On another vast floor thousands of bags of cement. Sacks of flour covered another big area. Then there were grain silos; timber yards; metal stacks. Going up and down the canal are more than 400 “keels” - that is the word for boats on the canal. Once they used to come under the power of their own sails to Keadby. From there they were drawn to Sheffield by horses, in charge of men quaintly known as horse marines. Very precious, insured for £300, is a model of one of these early keels in the company offices.The keels still retain an interesting variety in names. There are three on the canal for instance called Faith, Hope and Charity, and one owner - a non-golfer - names all his after golfing terms, such as Baffle and Tee. I even noticed one keel philosophically christened Plato. But in more fundamental things there is a change. The horse is gradually being ousted by the motor, and now the majority of the boats chug up and down the canal with Diesel engines. And instead of taking about three days from Hull to Sheffield, they do the journey (or is voyage the word?) in 20 to 24 hours travelling time. Last year the keels carried more than 800,000 tons of merchandise. That was 50,000 tons more than the year before and in the last five years the tonnage has increased by 300,000 tons. The goods they bring from Hull are amazingly varied. Mr Mennell mentioned just a few - grain, timber, lead, metal ores, oil, case goods, foodstuffs, sulphur, flour. Tomatoes must be popular in Sheffield, according to Mr Mennell, because sometimes as many as ten thousand cases of them are delivered at once. Coal is the big tonnage on the return journey to Hull. Page 17
Running a canal has its problems, of course. The banks have to be tested; repaired where necessary. The channel has to be dredged regularly. Strange things come to light during these operations. Not so long ago a complete mattress and a sofa were fished out. Rough weather can cause trouble temporarily. In one of the early spring storms this year, the gale blew 11,000,000 gallons of water out of the canal on the ten mile stretch from Thorne to Keadby. But the canal company are prepared for such emergencies. They have their own reservoirs to supply deficiencies along the canal. Mr Mennell in fact seemed to have an answer to all my questions. One point he was quite emphatic about - that canals have a future. He believes there has been a full cycle now from the days when canalising first became popular a century and a half ago. He puts it like this: “First there were only roads for transit of goods. Then came the canals which took some transport from the roads. But the railways came soon after the canals, capturing the role of great transporting medium. Came the internal combustion engine and the roads regained something of their old sway.” But now, says Mr Mennell, comes the latest development - that people are finding once again that for bulk transport the canals can do a very good job and easily hold their own. All the same, the canal cannot stretch right to your workshop or factory or storehouse, unless you are very lucky. And to transport goods speedily from their wharves to their clients, the canal company runs a fleet of Bedfords, supplied through Bentley Brothers of Sheffield. Smartly painted in black and yellow, they provide the link which justifies the slogan they bear - “From Dock to Door”. End Note from Malcolm Fielding: Possibly Mr Bell worked for Bentley Brothers, who knows? The last paragraph does seem to favour that company. These lorries are featured on some of the canal company’s literature.
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News from Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire A bit belated, but a happy & prosperous New Year to everyone. Our Christmas social & buffet at the Rushcliffe Arena was the usual popular event with 41 people attending and almost managing to eat the last of the fabulous and attractive food provided by various members and the committee. My thanks to all who helped and also to those who donated the raffle prizes. The talk by John Wilkinson on boating in France was very well received. I could see the envious looks on faces as he described his adventures. We also launched the new guide book to the Grantham Canal at this meeting. Our thanks go to Tony Pitman for the months and months of work that was put in to attain the content and quality that has been achieved. The book will soon be available for sale at £4.50. Our Branch contributed £1000 towards the printing costs, and a further £1000 was donated via Mike Snaith's Exxon Mobil Volunteer Involvement Programme The Grantham Canal benefitted from a New Year Camp by the Waterway Recovery Group. From 26th to 31st December they worked on scrub clearance, landscaping and bank protection. The Cropwell Bishop Parish Council contributed with a grant towards the cost, with a little help from our Parish Councillor, Colin Bryan. There is another WRG work party by “Bit in the Middle” planned for March 16th & 17th. The East Midlands Development Agency has granted £65,000 towards the cost of a Green Infrastructure Study of the canal corridor, including possible diversions, between the river Trent and Cotgrave .This will be to inform planning decisions that we hope will favour restoration of this part of the canal. The study is also being funded by Nottinghamshire County Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and a grant from IWA. At the Grantham Canal Restoration Society AGM new committee members were voted in. This should add strength to their future programme. They also anticipate changing the name by dropping the word “restoration”, hoping to attract a membership with wider interests. Tony Pitman is now able to retire from his temporary chairmanship. Hickling Parish Council together with the Grantham Canal Partnership has received approval for a scheme to develop the warehouse at Hickling Basin to provide a café, discovery centre, regeneration manager’s office and new slipway. Page 19
Goods news for the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust. They have now secured funding for a full time Project Director, Mr Rob Hartley, to drive forward a canal restoration project with funding up to £150,000. The funding is being provided by the Derby & Derbyshire Economic Partnership and will be match funded by the Trust’s own fund raising efforts. The Canal Society is in urgent need of a new membership secretary, social secretary and work-party organiser. Any volunteers please contact Judy Flack on 0133 3256037 Derbyshire County Council has secured a grant of £417,500 from East Midlands Development Agency as part of a £850,000 package of funds to improve the northern-most section of the Cromford Canal that it owns; this should help to encourage further economic development Teenagers have been getting their hands dirty to improve a popular fishing spot. The 13 to 19 year olds from Pinxton Youth Centre worked with Countryside Wardens to improve the area around the wharf ponds at the end of the Pinxton Arm of the Cromford Canal. The volunteers have put in six wooden fishing platforms as part of the Pinxton Wharf Conservation project. Howard Smith has announced his intention to retire as chairman of the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association. After all these years he will be missed and hard to replace. I wonder what he intends to do with all the spare time. Perhaps Sheila might get all the jobs done now. The Society has an exhibition at the Ripley Tourist Information Centre from 2nd April to 30th April 2008. Please call in to see it. They are also looking for helpers for the Rally Weekend 23rd to 26th May. This is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Society and the 35th anniversary of the opening of the Great Northern Basin. Contractors for British Waterways have also been dredging the Erewash and Nethergate feeders and the water supply has improved considerably. The Trent Vale Landscape Partnership, led by British Waterways, is about to benefit from a grant of £1.76 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Also EMDA has granted various sums for further works on the Erewash Canal corridor; the River Soar from Loughborough to Kilby Bridge; a feasibility study on freight on the River Trent and the development of brown field sites. At the same time British Waterways has published an extensive list of deferred repairs, including the controversial Long Horse Bridge where the Derwent enters the Trent. Page 20
Brush bashing at Borrowash
While on the subject of British Waterways, we seem to be entering a new era of confrontation: what with the “On line� bidding for moorings creating so much ill feeling (if you take time to monitor the site it seems that boaters are their own worst enemies) and now we have the possibility of the big Trent locks only being manned three or four days a week. We attended a meeting at Colwick Boat Club and have a further meeting probably mid-February so more of this later when we have more information. On a more upbeat note: the Notts Fire and Rescue Service have formed the East Midlands first specialist rescue team and have been training at Holme Pierrepont: It has set up a 48 strong team of specialist fire fighters, dedicated solely to rescue and who are on duty 24/7. I bet that will cost more than the redundant Police Boats, but that was from another budget of course. Notts & Derbys Branch AGM was held on Friday 15th Feb when a report on the year was given by the Nancy the Branch Chairman. Dave and Nancy are to retire from the posts of chairman, secretary, sales officer, press and Page 21
publicity, events officer and archives officer of the committee. Nancy said “After holding the post of Chairman for 17 years I feel it is time to step aside to do some boating and other things”. At this meeting Linda, after serving as Social Secretary, and Andrew also retired after serving on the committee for 12 years and we are now in need of the following officers: Chairman, Secretary, Minute Secretary, Sales Officer, Social Secretary, Press and Publicity and Archives Officer and possibly two or three members to assist. So please search your souls and think what you could be doing on your free evenings. Our boat is just about to be repaired after the tree fiasco at Great Haywood so let’s hope for a better summer this year Nancy Johnson
New publications reviewed Chesterfield Canal, by John Lower and Chrstine Richardson. Richlow Publications, PO Box 3994, Sheffield S25 9AZ ISBN 978-0-9552609-4-0 £5 post paid. Well not really a totally new publication, but an up-dated version of the Chesterfield Canal guide from Richlow, reviewed in these pages last year. The new version has several changes to maps, pictures and supporting data, but the most visible change is spiral ring binding (which pedant out there said helical?) in order to make the book easier to handle in a real life situation. This has however meant that the price has had to go up to £5, but it is still an excellent production and well worth the modest price, postage included. Richlow are planning a guide to the waterways of Lincoln and Boston this year, to replace the out of print edition they did via the Hallamshire Press ten years ago. John Lower and his wife are going to boat in the area for research purposes over Easter. Watch out for them; I am sure they would welcome any suggestions and comments. PH. Page 22
South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Branch I hope you all had a good Christmas and are keeping to your New Year resolutions. In the last edition of this magazine there were a few pictures and an article about the floods in June. I think that we all thought we had seen the last of the heavy rain for a while. It just goes to show how wrong you can be. Who would have put money on the fact that within six months people were again carefully watching for the rivers flooding, again! Fortunately we were lucky this time, but others were not. The branch will be holding another CANAL CLEAN UP on the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal in association with the Abbeydale Round Table and British Waterways. This will take place on Sunday March 30th ; meet around 10.00 am at Tinsley Marina, Sheffield. Again pie and peas will be available after the event. Please make an attempt to take part. The Branch and Region Annual General Meeting took place at Strawberry Island Boat Club on the 20th of February. I will report back in the next edition. Meanwhile I would like to encourage members to support the branch socials. Again these are held at 8.00 pm at Strawberry Island Boat Club, Milethorn Lane, Doncaster on the following dates: 16th April, 18th June, 15th October and the Christmas Social on 10th December, all Wednesdays. Thank you, Mavis Paul
Grantham Canal Society 1. The trading name has been changed from the Grantham Canal Restoration Society to the Grantham Canal Society 2. The principal reason for the change is for the society to appeal to a wider audience including anglers, towpath walkers, environmentalists, etc. who use the canal but don’t associate with the term ‘restoration’ 3. The officers of the society are:1. Chairman Mike Stone 2. Vice chairman John Brydon 3. Company secretary Mike Oliver 4. Treasurer Jim Barker 4. In addition the committee has been expanded and now totals a further 10+ members 5. The contact details for the society are:- Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 Page 23
News from Leicestershire Branch From Carol McDonald The Future of the Branch I am writing this the morning after our AGM and would like to address this first part to Leicestershire Branch members. An additional Branch meeting has been arranged and is being held on 13th March at Oadby Tennis Club. Having run out of discussion time at the AGM, the first half of this meeting will take the form of a further debate on the future of the Branch. The programme listed the meeting as being dependent on the outcome of the AGM and with a 7.30 start as normal and we want to agree how the branch will move forward in a full and frank discussion. The remainder of the evening will be the ‘Members’ Slide Night’. For those of the digital persuasion, Beryl will bring her slide projector and laptop & projector to enable electronic images to be shown. If you want to bring and show some images, please let Beryl know, either to beryl@nbwasp.co.uk or 07710 029247. The reason for holding this meeting is that the committee decided some months ago that attendance at branch social meetings had declined to such a level that it was unreasonable to continue to ask speakers to come along to speak to so few in the audience. Accordingly Chairman Carol wrote to all members to let them know that unless attendance significantly improved at meetings, and unless new blood arrived on the committee, future meetings and even the continued existence of the branch was in doubt. Unfortunately, though there has been some increase, attendance has failed to increase noticeably, and last night’s AGM was the last meeting scheduled on the programme of events. However at the AGM we had great news as two members volunteered to join the committee, filling two spaces that had arisen because members were to go off on very extended cruising. We still have the problem that several others on the committee have also said they will not be able to contribute as much to the running of the branch as they have in the past. Page 24
The problem of ensuring an attendance to warrant getting speakers remains, so what do we do? We are considering holding gatherings on certain dates in suitable locations, possibly in pubs, but we need input from members in general. We will have a committee that will do the business part of branch activities such as lobbying / cajoling BW, EA and Councils and other bodies, and though we hope to continue with the rallies we need help on the stand to make it effective. Please try to come along with your ideas and your pictures, have your say and enjoy the show. Leicester Riverside Festival, June 7th/8th This year we will be building on the great success of previous years and with significant support from Leicester City Council and Riverside Housing. There will again be Dragon Boat Racing and there will be a whole range of activities on the adjoining park and the closed road. As we drank the beer tent dry last year they surely must bring it back again! For boaters we will again have our decorated boat competition, with significant cash prizes, and this year we want people to try to make their displays on the theme of ‘Leicester’. We have some historic boats coming and hope that boaters will join us in great numbers. For those of you from further afield who are planning a long cruise, do try to join us. Ian will be taking bookings at £10 and you get a special plaque and a reserved mooring. Contact him on ianmcdonald@uwclub.net or phone 07950 003383 for a booking form. Please note, this year it is not one week after the Crick Show, it is two weeks after it. The Foxton Festival, June 14th/15th One week after Leicester, this event will celebrate the completion of the current stage of works at Foxton which has seen the Inclined Plane revealed; the bottom basin and top arm restored; significant improvements and development to the buildings at the bottom of the locks; and the installation of a range of innovative interpretation aids. There is a good number of historic working boats promised and boats booking in advance will get a plaque and a reserved mooring, all for £10. Contact Ian again for a booking form as above. For both of these events you can turn up and join in on the Page 25
day and be most welcome, but if you haven’t booked in you will not get a reserved mooring and will be mooring a bit further from the action. Other branch news is that despite our concern at low audience figures, Beryl arranged a superb range of meetings for us including a memorable Xmas meal at a superb pub where mine host astounded us in several ways. It was amazing how he fitted us all in, yet we had elbow room. The food was staggering in its quality, quantity, value and service, and the whole pub was run by just three people. In January we did another “Flog It” raising useful branch funds and having fun too. During the autumn David Hastie told us about his trip to the Coal & Cotton Rally into the docks at Liverpool. The talk about the Coventry Canal was most noteworthy, Tony Collins had never given it before and did so to celebrate the Society’s 50th anniversary, and it was wonderful to share his enthusiasm. Floating Pennywort is at last being removed! A weed cutter/collector has been seen at Barrow Deep and the cold weather has made the weed look a lot less vibrant. Unfortunately the giant watercress that has taken to sharing the water with the pennywort is still thriving. BW had assured us that it would die off as the pennywort disappeared; let us hope the recent really cold weather will assist in this. We suffered from funding cuts in Leicestershire as planned works at Foxton Locks and re-gating at Freeman Meadow have not been possible, we will have to hope that the remaining structure holds good until BW can get the work done. The committee will ensure that our MPs are aware of the risks that the funding cuts have created in Leicestershire. Carol
Just for Fun Puzzle Spot 14 Having given the crossword a rest for the time being, we continue the photographic challenge on the page opposite - two more well known locations with a distorted image. These are probably a bit less difficult to identify. I hope you enjoy this feature, good luck. Answers on the next page. Malcolm Fielding
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RODNEY MILLS I was saddened to hear in November of the death of Rodney Mills. Many of you would know him as a friend and supporter of Lincolnshire Branch and the Sleaford Navigation Trust, and more specifically as Pat Taylor’s very able assistant on the sales stall. All those who knew him will miss his warmth, intelligence and humour. Rodney was a modest unassuming man whose conversation occasionally gave tantalising glimpses of a fascinating life. I think it's significant that, after the wonderful funeral service that celebrated his life, so many of the congregation commented to one another, “I had no idea that Rodney had done all that, had you”. There are lots of good memories; Rodney carrying a scythe over his shoulder like a personification of Old Father Time all the way from Chapel Hill to Bottom Lock in order to wreak havoc on the nettles. His partiality for a glass of red wine, preferably Italian. His wry smile whilst unpacking and packing stock for the stall in the manner prescribed by Pat. His contributions in readings and prayers at the church services at South Kyme. Those are just a few. Rodney was best described by the old fashioned phrase, a true gentleman. I am grateful I had chance to know him and regret the passing of a good friend to the Trust. Christine Hayes, Chairman, Sleaford Navigation Trust
Answers to the puzzle pictures from this issue of Aegre
TOP BW Sampson Road Depot, Grand Union Canal, Birmingham BOTTOM Kingswood Junction, Grand Union & Stratford Canals Page 28
JOHN WOOD John Wood was the founder, editor and publisher of the magazine “YARPS�, which he circulated around the South Yorkshire & Dukeries area. He was also a regular attendee at the British Waterways East Midlands User Group meetings. His views, not always popular but always forthright, were a common feature of the meetings and Yarps carried some very interesting articles and quizzes. John was a person who did not suffer fools lightly; he had strong views and was not afraid to state them. John, a long term boater and boating enthusiast, moored his boat on the Chesterfield Canal, where he was well known. My lasting memory of John though was his campaign to have the information about the wartime blitzed lock on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation reinstated after the coping stone on the lock side was removed when the lock was being renovated. Whilst the coping stone was being lifted, it, like many others, crumbled into many pieces. I can remember John standing bolt upright and to attention at the side of the new memorial whilst it was being re-dedicated. He died from cancer in early December of last year; and we pass our condolences to his family. Malcolm Fielding
Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance Aegre: Paul Birtles; Tony Pitman; John Lower; Peter Stone; Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Brian Dominic; Beryl McDowall; Nancy Johnson; Norman Osborne; Malc Nicholson.
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Regional Diary Dates 2008 All members of any branch, visitors, and non-members are all welcome to attend South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Branch Usual Venue
Strawberry Island Boat Club, Milethorn Lane, off Wheatley Hall Rd., Doncaster. For details call Mavis on 0114 268 3927
Mar. 30th.
Canal clean-up, Tinsley
Apr. 16th
Quiz and social
June 18th
Social and BBQ
Oct. 15th
Quiz and social
Dec. 10th
Christmas social Leicestershire Branch
Usual Venue
Oadby Tennis Club, close to Leicester Racecourse at 7:30pm. For all details call Beryl on 07710 029247.
Mar. 13th
Special members’ meeting at Oadby
Jun.7/8th
Riverside Festival, Leicester
Jun.14/15th
Foxton Festival Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch
Usual Venue
Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford at 7.45 p.m. For more details call Linda on 01949 860867
Apr. 2-30
Erewash CPDA exhibition at Ripley Lincolnshire Branch
Usual Venue
St Mary-le-Wigford Hall: near Lincoln railway station
Mar.30th
Canoeing opportunity at Sleaford.
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Canal Societies in the EM Region Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canal Trust Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Erewash Canal P & D Association Foxton Inclined Plane Trust Friends of the Cromford Canal Grantham Canal Society Louth Navigation Trust Melton & Oakham Waterways Society Old Union Canals Society Sleaford Navigation Trust Trent and Mersey Canal Society
Judy Andrews, 39 Hill St., Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8EN Tel: 01226 743383. www.bddct.org.uk Keith Ayling, 16 Pinchfield Lane, Wickersley, Rotherham S66 1FD Tel: 01709 700223 www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk C/o Jeffery Jones Partnership, 43 St Peter’s Churchyard, Derby DE1 1NN Tel: 01332 576037 Lesley Reaney, 318 Osmaston Park Road, Allenton, Derby DE24 8FB Tel: 01332 601699 www.derbycanal.org.uk Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129 Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk Patrick Morriss, The Shieling, Dukes Road, Lower Hartshay, Ripley, Derby DE5 3RP Tel: 01773 742895 www.cromfordcanal.org.uk Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com John Stanbridge, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 610539 www.louthcanal.org.uk Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330 http://www.waterways-society.co.uk 36 The Ridings, Desborough, Kettering NN14 2LP Tel: 07010 705103. www.fipt.org.uk/Local.htm Steve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460 www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk 1 Pinfold Cottages, Back Lane, Little Haywood, Stafford ST 18 0UL. Tel: 01889 882770 www.trentandmersey.btinternet.co.uk
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EREWASH CANAL PRESERVATION & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Invite you to their
Boat Rally 23-26th May 2008 To celebrate 40 years of the Association & The 35thAnniversary of re-opening The Great Northern Basin Langley Mill AWCC Midlands Region & The Allen Register Boat Gathering
have been invited to join with E.C.P & D.A. to celebrate this event If you attended the re-opening 35 years ago and have memories or photographs of this occasion we would be very pleased to hear from or see you at this special event General enquiries: 0115 938 4129 Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association Registered Charity No. 503262
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