AEGRE
No.128
Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 1
Aegre is published Š 2011 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches. Northampton members receive their own publication.
Chairman
John Pomfret, db Drijfhuis, Braunston Boats Ltd, Bottom Lock, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HJ Tel 01788 891027
Vice-Chairman
Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138
Leicestershire Branch Acting Chairman
John Evans, Highfields Farm, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8AL Tel 01509 416647
Lincolnshire Branch Chairman
Dave Carnell (as above)
Notts. & Derbys Branch Chairman
Vacant. Contact Mike Snaith, below.
Northampton Branch Chairman
Bernard Morton, Yew Tree House, 14 Baker Street Gayton, Northants. NN7 3EZ Tel: 07785 375787
Region Planning Officer & Notts & Derbys Branch
Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main St, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU
Secretary & WRG
John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208
Member
Ian MacDonald, 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Mobile: 07950 003383
Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQ Tel: 01507 602713; email: aegre@humbhony.demon.co.uk Printing: This is the web version. Picture credits: See page 5. Front cover picture: Northampton 2010 Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Registered as a Charity No: 212342. Tel: 0845 4501146 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.
Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 2
AEGRE March 2011
No. 128
Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region......................4 Picture Credits......................................................................5 The Editor’s Bow Button.......................................................5 News from Lincolnshire Branch............................................6 Woolsthorpe Top Lock..........................................................8 Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend..............................................9 Sulphur Free Red Diesel.....................................................10 Journals Received..............................................................11 News from Derby and Sandiacre........................................12 Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2011....................................14 Northampton National Campaign Rally ..............................15 Becket’s Park......................................................................17 Publications Received.........................................................19 News from Leicestershire Branch.......................................20 John Nuttall.........................................................................22 News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch..........24 The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam.......................................26 David Trickett......................................................................26 Regional Diary Dates 2010/11............................................28 Notts & Derby Branch Programme.....................................28 Leicestershire Branch Programme....................................29 Buckingham Work Party Dates...........................................30 Northampton Branch Programme.......................................30 Lincolnshire Programme....................................................31 Dog Bridge, Findern............................................................31 Next issue probably to be published in July 2011. Contributions to the editor by the end of May 2011 please. The space on the right is for local contact information.
Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 3
Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region Buckingham Canal Society
Helen Preston, 16 Mallard Drive, Buckingham MK18 1GJ Tel: 01280 821232 www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society
Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk
Erewash Canal P & D
Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129
Association Foxton Inclined Plane Trust
Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk
Friends of the Canal Museum
C/o The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk
Friends of the Cromford Canal
Patrick Morriss, The Shieling, Dukes Road, Lower Hartshay, Ripley, Derby DE5 3RP Tel: 01773 742895 www.cromfordcanal.org.uk
Friends of Raymond
c/o Braunston Marina, Braunston, Daventry, NN11 7JH www.thefriendsofraymond.org.uk
Grantham Canal Society
Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com
Louth Navigation Trust
John MacDonald, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 610539 www.louthcanal.org.uk
Melton & Oakham Waterways Society
Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330 beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/mows/
Old Union Canals Society
36 The Ridings, Desborough, Kettering NN14 2LP Tel: 07010 705103. www.fipt.org.uk/Local.htm
Sleaford Navigation Trust
Steve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460 www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk
Trent and Mersey Canal Society
1 Pinfold Cottages, Back Lane, Little Haywood, Stafford ST 18 0UL. Tel: 01889 882770 www.trentandmersey.btinternet.co.uk
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The Editor’s Bow Button Loose ends have always worried me, whether they are actual loose ends of rope on board a boat - someone might trip and go overboard - or loose ends of topics which we have dealt with here as far as they went at the time, but which seemed to have gone very quiet. This time it is a pleasure to pick up some of those loose ends, and at least to tie a “Matthew Walker” in the middle, even if the final story is not quite complete. For example we come back in this issue to the Long Horse Bridge over the Trent - or rather not for a long time over the Trent, preventing a true towpath walk from Sawley to Shardlow; and there is good news on plans for Boston flood prevention, coupled with the Fenland Link, and a final statement on Woolsthorpe Top Lock. Even in times of economy all round, it is good to see some work going ahead or satisfactorily completed. Although we don’t usually cover items of canal or river stoppages here, as they are mostly short term and we don’t work like a daily newspaper (fortunately for the editor), there are some here as well because they seem longer term and important. As usual we have tried to bring you the latest programmes from the branches, and a special pull-out supplement on the event at Northampton on the Nene. Although we cover historical items sometimes, we don’t usually go back as far as October 1164 and the Council of Northampton - nothing to do with the Borough Council currently in office. See why in the centre supplement. Good luck to all for the remaining season; keep boating. Peter.
Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this or earlier editions of Aegre: BW Newark, Paul King; Paul Birtles; Tony Pitman; John Lower; Peter Stone; Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Brian Dominic; Beryl McDowall; Nancy Johnson; Norman Osborne; David Pullen; Dave Scott; Mike Snaith; John Baylis; Bill Joyce, Lynda Payton; Colin Crofts; Rod Auton, Linda Hulme. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 5
News from Lincolnshire Branch Since the last edition of Aegre your Chairman has attended a Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership (LWP) workshop in Spalding. Speakers from the Partnership gave updates on works completed and plans for the future.
Ground. We were promoting the leisure activities within the county and were encouraged by the interest shown in the waterways activities. A further promotional event is at Lincoln Castle May 21st and 22nd showing various heritage skills and crafts Andy Jee of the LWP identified items used in the past. A display of Barge included in a 3.8 million pounds fund- Art has been requested. ing bid with three main objectives for the Fenland Link connection: A number of Lincoln boaters usually take part in a Boxing Day Icicle cruise 1. Record and describe a number of on the Fossdyke. However this winter, route options for the Link to the River with ice five inches thick, this was not Welland. possible. The ice also affected the 2. Produce high level studies showing automatic sluices at Stamp End Lock in Lincoln, and once activated they economic benefits. were unable to reseat properly. This 3. An exit strategy. caused a large run-off of water which Proposals for the future also include a was felt some two miles away at Burton Waters Marina before being rectimarina for commercial and leisure fied. craft on the River Nene at Sutton Bridge and a slipway at Hubberts Bridge on the Fenland Link.
Last November a display commemorating the 200th anniversary of severe On the Boston Tidal Barrier, the EA flooding in Boston was held. Contributions from all authorities with flood are now considering three sites, protection responsibilities attracted a reduced from five. Details are now large audience. One member produced clear for the next design phase, and we were pleased to learn from Nicolas photographs from the 1920s, showing details of dredging work carried out Parkinson from EA at the Branch by a Norfolk company, Mornement AGM that finance for the next year 2011/12 has been released. A Water- and Ray. A number of steam dredgers are shown working in and around the ways Strategy for Spalding is also Witham Valley. Of particular interest being finalised. is dredger Kyme working on the Once again members attended the entrance to the Slea Navigation. The "The Tastes of Lincolnshire Christmas size of the machinery and number of Event� at the Lincolnshire Show operatives contrasts greatly with Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 6
today’s modern hydraulic machines. Another observation is that the water courses were free from large amounts of vegetation that today impedes water flow.
ronment Agency and riparian owners have been incorporated in drawings for use in Land Drainage consent applications to create an "Access to Water" facility. Using “Community Payback” labour the vegetation on Recent work parties on the Slea have flood banks has been cleared, seats removed large overhanging branches installed and areas prepared for an and tidied up vegetation in and around all-weather footpath towards North the waters at Bottom Lock Island; a Kyme. large willow tree obstructing navigation has also been removed in South Whilst working on the boat and chatKyme village. At Billinghay the ting to a nearby boater, John Hodge, Skirth Regeneration Society are work- we noticed a small animal swimming ing with a Cluster Group of eight in the water; a rat, vole or perhaps a other villages who support each snake? Closer inspection found it to other’s projects and developments that be an hedgehog and a rescue was are of benefit and interest to their attempted. Each time we tried to reach local areas. Advice from the Highit, it swam across the water towards ways Authority,local Councils, Envi- the flood wall and piling. A young Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 7
man climbed the flood wall and crouched precariously on top of the small piling ledge. After several attempts and getting wet to his knees when he slipped off the ledge, the hog was finally rescued by a canoeist. The animal was very stressed and shivering and placed in a box with a covering to keep it warm. What to do now? Telephoning the RSPCA we were told they did not collect wild animals; perhaps a local sanctuary would, or a veterinary surgeon would treat it for free. Having located such a practice, John and I drove to the Veterinary Hospital in Newport Lane, Lincoln. Upon explaining the circumstances of the rescue there was no hesitation in accepting the animal, providing it had a name. 'Swimmy", a female, was cared for by one of the nurses,who later rang to say she was looking after Swimmy at home and she was doing well. Our grateful thanks to the Newport Lane Hospital, for without them the outcome could have been very different. For planned events in Lincolnshire, please see the diary pages at the back of Aegre. Dave Carnell
Woolsthorpe Top Lock We have finally closed the account for re-building Woolsthorpe Top Lock on the Grantham Canal. Although the main work finished in 2009, there was some snagging and landscaping work to be carried out before the final payments and reconciliation with the IWA National Treasurer. The final total costs were as follows Morrison Construction for rebuilding 196,176 Costs of propping carried by IWA 14,860 Access agreement 2,500 Laboratory testing and transport 829 Total ÂŁ 214 355 Income Charles Fredrick Woodman Legacy 101,179 Lincolnshire County Council 40,000 East Midlands Development Agency 35,000 British Waterways 20,000 Personal donations 10,090 Donations from IWA Branches etc. 4,000 Interest, Gift Aid and Tax Refunds 4,090 Total ÂŁ 214,359 British Waterways covered the VAT for the work by Morrison Construction. I am grateful to Mike Stone and the Grantham Canal Society for testing after the main work was completed and their continued maintenance. They are now looking to replace at least the top gates of the lock, so the small profit will be retained and hopefully increased towards this aim. John Baylis
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Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend Musical entertainment will include a free concert on both Friday and Saturday nights with other entertainment on the canal side. Friday night's concert will feature a visiting group of dancers from Hungary as Planning is well underway for a full well as local singers and musicians. weekend of activities and entertainAs an added bonus, The Canal ment to celebrate our waterways herit- Museum will be open for a glimpse of age as part of the annual the new displays being developed award-winning Gala to be held in over the winter by volunteer teams Stoke Bruerne over the weekend of and there will be plenty to do for all 10th-12th June - so book the date in ages. your diaries now! Event Chairman David Blagrove said: Organised by the “Friends of The “Our annual Gala is set to be another Canal Museum” in conjunction with sizzling weekend of fun and frolics on the Canal Museum and local village and off the water and provides an organisations, the event promises lots ideal opportunity to showcase our of fun for boaters and visitors alike. museum and all the work carried out There will be traditional displays of to the displays by volunteers over the canal painting & lettering, rope-work winter. We can guarantee a good time and knots, miniature and model railwill be had by all. We look forward to ways (we hope), traditional boats, seeing you all there.” trade stalls - on and off the water More information including photos of and the usual beer tent with real ales and plenty o’ grub. If we’re lucky the last year’s Gala can be found on the pirates may also be paying us a visit – website at so brush up on your pirate-speak now! www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 9
Sulphur Free Red Diesel Pending for some time has been a European Community requirement that nonroad diesel and gas oil should be sulphur free from January 1st. 2011. Non-road here includes inland waterway craft and recreational craft when not at sea. Sea going craft, heating or stationary equipment are excluded. Someone in the industry commented to me that the UK has been regarded as the “dirty man” of Europe for permitting a high sulphur content for so long. However since January there is a UK Fuel Quality Directive on this. One way for suppliers to achieve the new low sulphur requirement is to use some biodiesel content, also known as FAME (fatty acid methyl ester). The British Marine Federation (BMF) now recommends the use of FAME free fuel if at all possible, and the Department of Transport has estimated that 75% of the gas oil supply to the relevant sectors will be ‘sulphur free’ and will not contain FAME. The concern about the use of FAME arises because, principally in older equipment, there may be incompatibility between the fuel containing FAME and some materials of tanks, pipes and seals such as brass, bronze, tin, copper and zinc; and natural rubber, nitriles, butadienes and so on. It is quicker to list the materials believed to be compatible: carbon and stainless steels and aluminium; nylon, teflon, and fluorocarbon of the elastomers; carbon filled acetal of the polymers. If your fuel supply does have a FAME content - and of course there is a question as to whether your supplier knows and is able to tell you - then the BMF have a number of recommendations. On looking through them, to me they all have a rather familiar ring, as of things we ought to be doing anyway, but which are a nuisance until things go wrong. And of course I am not sure what all my seals and gaskets are made of. Here is a beginning of the list to give a flavour. Remove all water from tanks and conduct monthly checks to ensure, as far as practical, that they remain free of water. Tanks that don’t already have drain points for removing water are likely to need modification. Examine sight gauges on older fuel storage tanks for signs of leakage and replace any leaking seals.
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If you are having tanks serviced before you receive the new fuel it would be advisable to replace fuel seals as a one-off precaution. Replace fuel filters after 2 to 3 deliveries/turnover of the new fuel. Ensure the content of tanks is turned over every 6 months or in any event no less often than every 12 months. We haven’t got space for the full text, but this summary is based on a fuller BMF document available at: http://www.londonboatshow.com/pdf/Fuel%20update%206Dec.pdf and it is important to note that they have a careful reservation, as do we, that they have made considerable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the above information. However neither BMF nor its employees can accept liability for any loss, damage or injury whatsoever resulting from the use of this information. May your motor run well and be leak- and stutter-free! Peter
Journals Received We are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals from various canal and river societies and trusts. They include “Endeavour” from Northampton Branch; “The Portal” from Friends of the Cromford Canal; “The Cuckoo”, from the Chesterfield Canal Trust; “The Bridge”, from Grantham Canal Society; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; and “The Wharfinger”, from Louth Navigation Trust, as well as “Navigation” from our region next-door at West Midlands. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of one of these journals should contact the relevant address given in our page 4 directory. For “The Cuckoo” contact the editor John Lower at 92a Tapton View Road, Chesterfield S41 7JY. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 11
News from Derby and Sandiacre
We currently have an Outline Planning Application pending with our three Local Authorities. After three years under consideration we are now eagerly awaiting committee meetings in February/March to gain approval. This deals with the 12 mile canal stretch, but excludes a special crossing over the Derwent (the Derby Arm) and use of the river to get to Derby itself. Even so it has been a torment to get to this stage. We have had:
- to rewrite the Environmental Impact Assessment, which became out of date as the application was considered - to consult with statutory bodies including the Environment Agency (would we cause a flood), Highways Agency (crossing the Raynesway ring road), BW (flooding and maintenance provision) and landowners/developers
- at the last moment to undertake ecological surveys of roosting bats, - a false start after nine months only to crested newts, water voles and badghave to resubmit when planning offic- ers following a change in case law in June, which now requires this to be ers changed done at Outline Planning when previ- a need to employ Planning Consult- ously it could be done section by secants following this change (this obvi- tion. This cost us £8,000 that we ously added substantially to the costs), didn’t have. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 12
So we are over-spent (offers of help gratefully received!) and late, but at last we feel we are about to take a massive step forward. Look out for the publicity in March!
- secured funding from Awards for All and IWA for six new Interpretation Panels along the canal line. This will raise public awareness of the path of the canal
Other Developments
- secured training grants to increase the number of hedge layers in place. The Derby was called the May canal after hawthorns that lined it in its heyday. We have started to relay hedges, but we have a massive task on our hands to get the hawthorn hedges back to their original state along the whole canal.
In preparation for this good news we have been busy elsewhere and have: - strengthened our Trust Board with two local MPs and two new Councillors. This also adds to our representation in the County Council. - appointed Mike Wood to the Trust as our Consultant Architect. He has been instrumental in getting general agreement from Derby City Council that we are eligible for S106 money. Mike was also responsible for plans drawn up to regenerate toxic land at Spondon by building the canal through it with a feature marina. - strengthened our Society Committee with new members following Judy Flack’s retirement.
We are part way through rebuilding the Society trailer in the form of a narrow boat. Apologies to Cromford, but we did do it originally ten years ago. We will use it as a mobile display for exhibitions. I’m sure it would get greater recognition and help us to generate members. We have planned awareness events – watch the press – to promote the granting of planning and recruit more members and funds. Help would be gratefully received. Meetings We also have a full programme of meetings, held on Tuesdays (normally 4th in the month) at Gregory’s Bar, Aspen Drive, Spondon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE21 7SG. Please join us if you can – details are posted on our website. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 13
Aegre, Aegir, Eagre, Haygir... 2011 Our fascinating phenomenon on the Trent again, and we are grateful to the Environment Agency for their predictions, shown up to September 1st. These times are for Gainsborough, 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. Stockwith should be about 20 minutes earlier than Gainsborough, and Owston Ferry about 45 minutes earlier. This seems a quiet year, because of the way the moon phases and the equinoxes fall. The biggest forecast is for September 29th at 07.58. 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 March 19th March 20th March 21st March 21st March 22nd March 22nd March 23rd April 17th April 18th April 19th April 20th August 1st August 2nd August 3rd August 4th August 29th August 30th August 30th August 31st August 31st September 1st
Time 17.59 18.40 07.13 19.22 07.53 20.05 20.50 18.34 19.19 20.04 20.51 08.04 08.43 09.25 10.07 07.02 07.41 20.51 08.21 20.55 09.02
Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 14
Forecast Small Large Small Large Small Large Small Small Medium Medium Small Small Medium Medium Small Small Medium Small Large Small Large
Northampton National Campaign Rally
Plans are now well advanced for a full programme of activities and entertainment for boaters and the public at our 2011 National Campaign Festival at Northampton over the May Day Weekend (30th April – 2nd May). The aims of the Festival are to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Nene becoming fully navigable to Northampton from The Wash; to encourage greater recreational use of the river, supported by better facilities; as well as contributing to the process of re-connecting Northampton with its waterfront.
Many of you will be familiar with the established format of the boat gathering, with moorings between South Bridge and Northampton Lock and boaters’ events on the lock island. This will all happen as usual, although we expect more boats, so we have a harbour master this year (Branch member Mike Wooding), who has the unenviable job of making sure that trade boats that need to be bank-side are bank-side and that everyone else can be fitted in efficiently. While we will make sure that all the bank-side is clear right up to South Bridge, to maximize the mooring space availaBy the time of the Festival, the Envi- ble, boats may have to moor alongside ronment Agency’s new 82–berth each other (raft up, breast up, whatmarina in Becket’s Park will be open. ever your term is) up to four or five This will provide a valuable facility deep; so please don’t turn up expectfor boaters and a visitor attraction, and ing to have your own personal bit of forms the first step in revitalising the bank! We don’t intend to allocate speriverside. cific moorings but will probably Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 15
establish separate zones for steel narrow boats / barges and for river cruisers – the detailed plan will depend on who books in. We also hope to be able to use any spare space in the new marina (if there is any by then).
(and maybe others) will be running boat trips for the public. If you know anyone who might be interested in participating – either as a trader, a charity or providing entertainment, please pass on details.
The other thing that will be different from the usual gathering is that we will also have a public area (open daytime only) in Becket’s Park, with the usual range of trade stands, society tents, catering, beer tent, and entertainment - the usual stuff of boat rallies - and the St John Ambulance boat
Booking forms for boats and trade stands are available on the IWA website. If you have any queries, please contact me on pomfret@btinternet.com. I look forward to seeing you there. John Pomfret, Festival Chairman
Boat and trade stand entry forms from Eric Young a
Come along and support us Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 16
Becket’s Park Becket's Park is a traditional park along the bank of the River Nene, and forms a green gateway to the centre of Northampton. It is named for Thomas Becket, who is said to have drunk from a well on the edge of the park during his trial by Henry II at the Council of Northampton in 1164. Designed as a park for promenading, Becket's Park is used today primarily by workers from the town centre taking the air and relaxing. The Northampton River Valley Master Plan highlights the importance of the river valley in Northampton and recognises the value of, and need to enhance, Becket's Park and also the adjacent Midsummer Meadow. The main works include development of an 82 berth marina on the boating lake with an expected completion date of 31 March 2011. New 'clamber-art' sculptures - art works for playing and climbing - have recently been installed (see photo). These were designed and built by artist Joel Parkes and funded by Marks and Spencer, and the Councils. The Borough Council is now improving the whole feel of the park by upgrading the paths, lighting and seating, in particular restoring the promenade by the river. Some events from the history of the park include in 1460 - War of the Roses, Battle of Northampton in Delapre - crossed river into park. In 1590 there was milling on site - a Nuns’ mill given to Delapre Abbey. In 1610 Speed’s map shows the park as part of Norman defences of the town. In 1612 there was flat racing on the site, and in 1783 construction of the promenade - New Walk - began. Coming to 1937, boat rides developed along the river, and in 1993 boating for the disabled was introduced. With acknowledgements to Northampton Borough Council.
at 01604 862988 email eric.young@waterways.org.uk
- even if you don't have a boat!! Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 17
The
National Waterways Campaign Festival 2011
incorporating the annual Northampton Boat Gathering
30th April to 2nd May (May Day Bank Holiday weekend)
on the River Nene at Becket's Park, Northampton Boat trips and water activities Sea Cadet demonstrations Westbridge Arm challenge Displays/activities in Becket's Park and Entertainments Historic and trade boats
Boaters' events on the island Real ale bar Site open to the public 10am toAegre 5pm128 - March 2011 Page 18
Publications Received The South Pennine Ring, Part 2 of 2, by John Lower. Published 2011 by Richlow, PO Box 3994, Sheffield S25 9AZ.. £7.50. ISBN 978-0-9552609-8-8 http://www.richlow.co.uk. Last year we had the pleasure of reading a fresh guide book from Richlow Publications, on the South Pennine Ring. This was an excellent coverage of the Rochdale part of the Ring, so that the second part was keenly anticipated. Now the new guide has been published, for the Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals, and the odd bit of the Calder and Hebble. It fully lives up to expectation. The spiral bound A5 format is handy for use, whether in a boat or in a map case (to keep the Pennine weather out). The print is of Richlow’s usual high quality, with imaginative use of colour in the maps, and in the text. Pleasant photographs illuminate the text as well, and there is even a cross-section of the Standedge tunnels to show how they all fit together. Special mention is made of the many efforts devoted to the restoration works over the past many years, and some features of the canal still reflect the difficult terrain and the unusual measures needed to get around, through or under the obstacles. Towpath walks and other routes are covered, with diversions where necessary, so that anyone interested in the area, coming by any means of transport, can find a long or short trip to suit. A worthy addition to the Richlow library. PH Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 19
News from Leicestershire Branch Nearly four years after the official opening of the re-vamped Loughborough Wharf, the most prominent site at the end of the arm remains vacant and surrounded by unsightly hoardings. That could change if a planning application currently in front of Charnwood Borough Council is successful. The proposal is for a six storey 87-bed Travelodge Hotel to be built on the site with retail and restaurant outlets on the ground floor. We see this as a more appropriate use of the site than the originally proposed apartment block but we are still not impressed with the architecture. While it is slightly lower than the previous proposal, we maintain that a structure of this scale will overshadow the basin and make it very much less attractive to visiting boaters. We have objected to the proposal on these grounds as well as requesting an increase in soft landscaping and the provision of some meaningful ‘interpretation’ works. Barely a trace of the original infrastructure remains and we feel very strongly that visitors and locals alike should be encouraged to ponder the fascinating history of what was once at the very heart of Loughborough’s development.
carry forward the ‘Strategy’ that emerged from extensive consultation. An early encouragement has been a successful ‘Green Infrastructure’ bid which has resulted in a sizeable chunk of cash being made available for improvements to signage towards and along the navigation in the Birstall and Watermead area. Your views are urgently invited on the desirability or otherwise of ‘branding’ the proposed new signs. In the current financial climate it seems unlikely that there will be many major developments taking place along the waterway but The Partnership will miss no opportunity to champion its cause and achieve what is best for the river corridor.
Foxton is also suffering from the effects of the funding crisis. At the end of January there was a meeting of the Foxton Locks Partnership at which BW effectively ‘bowed out’ (compare Cotswold Partnership) leaving Foxton to fend for itself. Again, it seems improbable, short of the intervention of a Fairy Godmother, that any meaningful progress will be made towards restoration of the inclined plane within the foreseeable The River Soar/Grand Union Canal future. Partnership consisting of all riparian It was decided that a ‘Partnership’ local authorities between Loughborshould continue in one form or ough and Kilby Bridge, and numerous another and we are anxious that IWA other interested ‘stakeholders’, is now are fully represented at same. Is there up and running, meeting quarterly to a member who has an interest in the Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 20
future of Foxton who would be prepared to wear the IWA hat at the proposed not very frequent meetings? On a more positive note, plans are progressing for our attendance at The Loughborough Canal and Boat Festival (April 30th/May 1st) and Leicester’s Riverside Festival (June 4th/5th). We hope to be running WoW activities at both events and will be urgently seeking helpers. Branch members will have received details and an entry form for the Leicester Festival but if any boaters from further afield would like to attend please contact Maggie Young at maggie3751@hotmail.com or 0116 2248755, who will once again be acting as Harbour Master.
Further details: Jo Swift on 01509 635827 or see our new website at: www.loughboroughcanalfestival.co. uk. Finally, as you will have read elsewhere, the custodians of our waterways will be relying increasingly on volunteers to help in a multitude of fields ranging from public conveniences to public relations and from lock keeping to book keeping. Ian McDonald has agreed to act as our Volunteer Co-ordinator and he would like to hear from you if he can add your name to his list of ‘willing hands’. Mail to ianmcdonald@uwclub.net or phone 07932 156539. John Evans Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 21
What have we been doing in Leicestershire in recent months?
tives. Afterwards we were able to mingle and chat with friends.
“The Waimangu Story”. At our January meeting, David Hastie took us on In November John Pomfret gave a a conducted walk down the Waimpresentation on “Waterways of the angu (which translates as Black Water North East.” We enjoyed a large from Maori) Valley in New Zealand, number of photos of nearly all the riv- North Island -near Rotoroa. ers in the area in question, along with a lot of helpful advice for those who Beryl McDowall proposed a well-demight be considering a boat trip to served vote of thanks, and then David this area of the country. continued informally to show various slides of New Zealand. boating event December saw us sitting down for our in the East Midlands. Christmas celebration at The Wheatsheaf, our normal meeting venue, where we had a choice of a traditional For future plans, please see the diary Christmas meal, or various alternasection at the end of the magazine.
John Nuttall John Nuttall has retired from British Waterways after spending most of his working life with them. John started working at Castleford in 1983 under Peter Barnes who was the Area Engineer Manager for the BW Yorkshire Area. Then with the first BW re-organisation in 1989 Ian White became the new North East Region Director and appointed John as the Waterway Manager of the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation and the Chesterfield Canal. Boaters had complained for years about the poor spindles on the S&SYN paddle gear and often used an old 12 sided three penny bit to pack out the normal paddle handle. This was because the original, fixed, long throw handles with ¾ inch square spindles were removed to prevent vandalism after the commercial traffic dropped off. As part of his improvement of the locks John re-furbished all the paddle gear boxes and fixed new standard size spindles.
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project, particularly the works from Shireoaks to Kiveton Park. During this time John Lower, Dave Turner and myself worked with John on the design of the paddle gear for the restored locks. During his time at Leeds, John was also involved with the Grantham Canal at Cotgrave and on the Foss Dyke and Witham Navigations. A further BW re-organisation moved him to Newark, finally as East Midlands Region Regeneration Manager.
Tony Harvey and John Nuttall at John's retirement. John is holding his Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him by the Chesterfield Canal Trust
John’s tenure of the Swinton Office only lasted until 1992 when a further BW reorganisation drastically reduced the number of Waterway Managers and Richard Mercer brought the S&SYN and Chesterfield Canal into his East Midlands Navigations and saw the Sheffield Development Corporation works on Sheffield Basin, but I am sure that John was involved in the preliminary discussions. John then moved back to Leeds as Regeneration Manager identifying money for restoration, towpath work and other improvements. John has been deeply involved in achieving the funding for and delivering the Chesterfield Canal works
John worked with Mary Powell of the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership on the Water Rail Way, improvements at Saxilby and Torksey, the new moorings at Boston and the new slipway on the River Welland. In more recent times John has been involved with the Grantham Canal towards Grantham, the Nottingham Canal at Meadow Lane and on the Erewash Canal infrastructure. During his time at BW John has helped raise and supervise canal and river work worth millions of pounds and I doubt if this effort has been matched in other parts of BW. John is leaving BW at a most critical time and I am sure that in BW’s new role as charity John could play a vital role. John was recognised by BW some years ago when the new weed cutting boat on the Chesterfield Canal was named “John Nuttall”. However, to finish his career John was invited to Windsor Castle for a reception of people involved in rural communities and presented to Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. I am sure we all wish John and his wife Helen a long and happy retirement. John Baylis
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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch Leaving aside the travel chaos and bitterly cold weather it seems to have been relatively quiet over recent months in the local area. Maybe so many political and national / international changes are taking place that there is a lull at local level. We are therefore bracing for the storm. That said, British Waterways are progressing with plans for installation of Hydro-Electric power schemes on the R. Trent at Sawley and Gunthorpe, but with no firm timing as yet. They are also progressing with the replacement for Long Horse Bridge near Shardlow. This carried the towing path from the Trent and Mersey canal onto the Trent Navigation and was demolished due to BW’s safety concerns. The new bridge is being built as a multi-user pathway further upstream on the river and was due to start in early January, taking 30 weeks for the bridge construction and a further ten to build the connecting “greenway”. As I write in late January there is no activity evident on the Shardlow side but hopefully it will start soon. The expectation is therefore for the bridge structure to be installed late June but with official opening in October. We understand the structure is in work in Sheffield. The Derby and Sandiacre canal restorers are also poised for a significant step forward as outline planning permission has been submitted to the Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 24
authorities for restoration of most of the main line of the canal. See the article by Chris Madge for details. In preparation for the storm, several committee members attended the recent Branch Officers’ Seminar where we spent a day finding out more about National activities and had the opportunity to air views on the topics discussed. We learnt about the latest developments regarding the National Waterways Charity, which is likely to replace British Waterways sooner rather than later; what the role of IWA could be within this changing environment; followed by a number of discussion sessions and plenty of opportunity to debate the issues. Many views were aired and it became clear that IWA continues to have a major role to play, and that role requires the strength of a large and broad membership. The afternoon period was then devoted to engaging with “The Young Ones”; retaining members and then recruiting new ones. It was a really interesting day with lots to think about and lots of opportunity to really take part and add value as an individual to the direction and activities of IWA organisation. My thanks (and no doubt those of many others as well) go the organisers and participants who made it such an informative day. It would take up too much space to cover much more on this
topic here but if you want to know more about the issues and the outcomes please come along to any of the meetings we have and let’s talk – it is an absolutely enthralling time to be part of IWA and the broader inland waterways environment. It must be what Messrs. Rolt and Aickman dreamed about, a once in a generation opportunity to shape the management and operation of the whole country’s waterways.
(Now I wonder where the 3rd Duke of Bridgwater spent his early years nearly a century later before something faintly similar took shape between Worsley and Manchester!).
We were also educated about the development of the Coal Industry in the Leen Valley, which runs along the Nottinghamshire Derbyshire border. It’s only when you look back to the Industrial Revolution and the place of the coal industry in that revDo therefore come along to our olution that you understand the true Social meetings, the recent ones have heritage of the canal network in this been fascinating and there is more to country. It was an intriguing insight come. Recently we found out about into the history of coal mining in the the Canal du Midi, a 240 km long local area, its rise and fall, and its canal in the south of France that con- legacy that we see today. Thanks go nects the Garonne River to the Étang to David Amos for an informative de Thau on the Mediterranean. The and truly enlightening evening. original purpose of the canal was to shortcut between the Atlantic and the Coming up in March we have Bob Mediterranean, avoiding the long sea Williams informing us about the latvoyage around hostile Spain, Barbary est situation regarding the restoration pirates, and a trip that in the 17th cen- of the Lichfield and Hatherton canals; tury required a full month of sailing. followed in April by the Notts Fire & Rescue Specialist team, highlighting Built 1667-1681 by Pierre-Paul what they do and educating us all on Riquet, it is now a UNESCO World how to stay safe. So put the evening Heritage Site and contains unusual, arc-walled locks (to withstand water of the third Friday in the month in pressure), the world’s first canal tun- your diaries and see the calendar of events at the back of this magazine. nel (Malpas) and inspiring 17th cenDo come and join us, everyone is tury engineering at the Fonserannes most welcome, so I look forward to flight of locks and the round lock with triple gates at Agde. Thanks go seeing you there. to presenter John Wilkinson for Mike Snaith bringing the whole canal to life. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 25
David Trickett We are sorry to report the passing of David Trickett, Vice Chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, who died in early November aged 64. David was born in Manchester where he trained to be a teacher and then he spent the majority of his working life in Chesterfield. David joined the Trust in 1997, and in 2000 he became Vice Chairman, ably supporting the late Keith Ayling who died last year. Although he helped in all aspects of the Trust’s work, his main role was in sourcing and securing grants and sponsorships towards restoration of the Canal. David was a member of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership Technical Officers Group for several years, and he later took over from Keith on the Partnership itself. David was a great helper in the IWA Campaign Rally at Kiveton Park last year and his small mobile home was used as office and communications base. The church and an extension room at Holymoorside were packed for his funeral with many local friends and old scholars as well as colleagues from his canal interests. We send our sympathy to Rachel and other members of his family. John Baylis
The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam A “Tea Pot Run”? Last year there was coverage in several of the waterway magazines of the “Jam ‘ole run”, and boats commemorating the coal traffic from Atherstone to the former jam factory of Kearley and Tonge at Southall. In relation to this type of transport I was told a similar story of a “Tea Pot Run”, but I have no confirmation of this, as the BBC might say. So here is the story, and maybe someone could verify or deny? Joe Lyons, of tea shop fame, had a factory on the Paddington arm of the Grand Union from the early 1900s. One of the many things they did was Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 26
to pack tea - well before the days of tea bags. The tea came from India by ship and then from Tilbury by canal, being transferred in the once-familiar tea chests. Tea being a natural product varied from one consignment to another, and had to be blended or mixed to ensure a consistent product in the shops. This was done by expert tasters with a very delicate palate. However an additional problem was that the water supply in various towns in England also varied, affecting the taste of the tea when brewed locally. To allow the blenders to adjust the tea mix to suit various towns, they used special supplies of water from say Sheffield or Derby to brew their test
samples. This water was brought from the town concerned in big glass carboys by canal, and delivered to the Lyons dock to meet the tea coming from the other direction. Carefully labelled, it was then used to make test pots of tea before the batch was sent off to the towns of England by road or rail. Lyons also had their own sidings on the GWR.
surge barrier at Europoort, but a member, Ben Bennett, has sent an impressive picture of a recent big aqueduct over the river Elbe just north of Magdeburg. Previously east-west canal traffic had to lock down to the river, go several kilometers along it, often stopped by low water levels, and then lock up again to the Mittelland Kanal (their Midlands Canal). Now a new “trogbrücke” takes canal traffic So there you are - any better informa- straight across the valley. See the piction out there? How long did this con- ture on our back cover page and the tinue? Which towns supplied water sketch map below. samples? What type of boat was Can we hope for something similar at used? Hoping to hear from someone Derby, perhaps? on this. Complaints Non Tidal Trent Locks Yes there are some. Recently we had a complaint to Aegre that the actual British Waterways announce that fol- aegre last September was disappointlowing a review of planned spend for ing. So here are your full moon times 2011/12 they have chosen to reduce for later in 2011: Apr 18th at 02:45; the hours lock keepers will be in May 17th at 11:10; June 15th at attendance at the non-tidal River 20:15; July 15th at 06:41, all in UTC. Trent Locks from the current hours of Keep an eye open! 9:30am to 6:00pm to new hours of Peter 9:30am to 5:30pm, until further notice. They say they have not taken this decision lightly and understand it will cause some annoyance and disruption, but in view of reduced national budgets a cut in overtime has been necessary. Enquiries: Newark - 01636 704481 Big Structures From time to time we have covered big waterway structures such as the Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 27
Regional Diary Dates 2010/11 All members of any branch, visitors, and non-members are all welcome to attend.
Notts & Derby Branch Programme The Notts and Derby branch of the IWA organises a series of public meetings. We are hoping to attract lots of new faces to the meetings and have arranged a very interesting and varied group of speakers. Non IWA members will be very welcome to attend. You will find us a friendly bunch! We meet on the third Friday of the month throughout most of the year. Meetings are held at 7.30 pm at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7HY. This is not far from the A60 (Loughborough Road) and the Arena entrance road is roughly opposite Greythorn Drive. It would take about 25 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453. Don’t be alarmed by a barrier at the entrance - they will let you out again. For SatNav equipped vehicles try 52° 55.328’ N, 01° 08.673’ W, or SK 57610 36424. Note that Rushcliffe Leisure Centre is a different place. Further information about meetings can be obtained from Mavis White on 01636 671726.
Friday, 18th March 2011 Illustrated talk by Bob Williams “Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Today”. The latest news and activities surrounding the restoration of these lost canals bordering Birmingham and Lichfield. Friday, 15th April 2011 Illustrated talk from the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Specialist Team. Join us to find out what they do, how they do it and how to stay safe on our waterways. Friday, 20th May 2011 Guided walk along the Derby and Sandiacre canal led by Chris Madge, Chairman of the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Society. Final details to be notified later. Start 7pm. Friday, 17th June 2011 Circular walk along the Grantham Canal near Woolsthorpe, led by Colin Bryan of the Grantham Canal Society. Meet at the “Rutland Arms”, (aka “Mucky Duck”) car park, Woolsthorpe at 7pm. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 28
Friday, 16th September 2011 Illustrated talk by Chris Madge concerning the latest restoration developments of the Derby and Sandiacre canal. Friday, 21st Octber 2011 “The set up of the Butterley Engineering Company”. An illustrated presentation by Brian Key concerning the history of this company and its interrelationship with the fortunes of the Cromford Canal.
Leicestershire Branch Programme Meetings will normally be held at 7.30 pm at The Wheatsheaf Pub, Leicester Road, Thurcaston, LE7 7JN, (at the junction with Mill Road) in the Function Room/Skittle Alley, unless otherwise stated. The Wheatsheaf is on the Anstey to Birstall road. There is plenty of parking at the pub. For SatNav equipped vehicles try 52° 41.679’ N, 01° 09.715’ W, or SK 56738 11106. Thursday, 10th March, 2011 Mary Matts will give an illustrated talk entitled “Wild Flowers and Waterways.” Although she is based at Foxton, Mary’s talk will include flowers from a wider area, as well as local specimens. Thursday, 14th April, 2011 Skittles Night at The Wheatsheaf pub, Thurcaston. Prior booking desirable. Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May, 2011 Loughborough Canal and Boat Festival. Thursday, 12th May, 2011 Explore an area of Leicestershire by walking round a village to take part in our Treasure Hunt, organised by Beryl McDowall. Further details nearer the time. Saturday / Sunday 4th / 5th June, 2011 Riverside Festival and Boat Rally on the Mile Straight, in Leicester. Many attractions, both on and off the water, with something for everyone. Further details of meetings will be given in “Winding Ways” and will be on the Branch web site. Alternatively, contact the Social Secretary, Beryl McDowall (phone 07710-029247) or email beryl@nbwasp.co.uk. Aegre 128 - March 2011 Page 29
Northampton Branch Programme April 12th Colin Edmond with "Chelmer & Blackwater - Past, Present and Future" 8pm 30th April -2nd May National Campaign Rally at Becket's Park, River Nene, Northampton May 10th John Pomfret on “Waterways and Wildlife Conservation”. 8 pm. June 10th-12th Stoke Bruerne Gala Week-end.
Buckingham Work Party Dates Mar
May
Thursday Sunday
10h 13th
Thursday
24th
Thursday Sunday Thursday
5th 8th 19th
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Apr
Thursday Sunday Thursday
7th 10th 21st
Jun
Thursday Sunday Thursday Thursday
2nd 12th 16th 30th
Lincolnshire Programme April 29th to May 2nd. Boaters’ Gathering at South Kyme on the Slea Navigation. Joint activities with villagers and boaters. Contact. Steve Hayes 01522689460 or Stevehayes-kyme@ntlworld.com
May 13th to 15th Fenland Link. Organised trips will benefit from a discounted EA Licence of five pounds. The Grand Sluice tidal lock dimensions are 41 feet by 14 feet, requiring larger craft to lock through when the tide makes a level with the River Witham. Pre-bookings with craft dimensions are necessary. Further details from Dave Carnell on 01469 530138 / 07974 510320.
May 28th to 30th Witham Navigable Drains. A new map, giving air draft, winding places and services available has been produced. Contact Dave Carnell, phone as above.
Dog Bridge, Findern Monday 11 April 2011 - Tuesday 9 August 2011. There will be overnight closures between 20.00hrs –07.00hrs on the following dates: 11th 12th 13th April 2011; 25th 26th May 2011; 6th 7th June 2011; 8th August 2011. Due to Network Rail replacing the bridge deck it will be necessary to close the canal for safety reasons during particular operations. Works are to be carried out overnight to minimise disruption. British Waterways apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. Enquiries: 01827 252000
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Magdeburg Aqueduct & Derby Arm
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(artist’s impression)