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INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday, 29 June 2012 Venue: ‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham. Present: Chard Wadley (Chairman), Charles Stride (Secretary), Spencer Greystrong (Treasurer), Lewis Tyler (RGT), Brian Cornell (Pickerel) and Gerry Crease. 1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Clive Saville, Brian Holt and Diana Holt.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 20 APRIL 2012. The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 20 April 2012 as being a true record of the proceedings.

MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA. There were no matters arising.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard commented on the HO Bulletin regarding metal thieves who are now targeting machinery at work party sites. It was felt that the Ipswich Branch had done the best they could to ensure the equipment is secure and this was discussed at length. Chard reported on the email from Alison Smedley, Branch Campaign Officer, which explained her objectives. Chard said that he had since met Alison and had discussed the Ipswich Branch projects which are now run by the River Gipping Trust. Alison asked if she could contact our members as they want volunteers for a work party on the Chelmer and Blackwater to get rid of the Himalayan Balsam and Chard had agreed to this request. Secretary Charles reported on Items received and circulated: Peterborough Minutes for May 2012 and Great Ouse Minutes for March and May 2012 RAG Minutes for March. Update on Flood Barrier Cycle Ramp in Ipswich. Southern Canal Association’s next meeting in the autumn. Received From Head Office: Who we are campaign document for consultation, Charles said that comments are required. 2013 National Trail boat Festival on the River Rother, East Sussex. Chesterfield Canal Association Grant – up to £30,000 for two years. Various other bulletins. Received from other Associations: Aylsham Navigation - meeting and event notices which are to be published on the web site. Charles asked if we should attend any of these events and Lewis said he might attend the Coltishall event on 26 August. Planning Items Received and Circulated: Ipswich Local Plan – General Update. Norfolk – Former May Gurney Site Outline Planning at Trowse which is awaiting Norwich City validation. Brian sent a report saying that this has not yet been validated and when it is he will ask for mooring spaces to be considered if the Committee agrees. This was agreed by those present.

Other Items: Norfolk and Norwich Naturalist Society Workshops. Treasurer Spencer distributed copies of the accounts saying there is not a great deal of activity as most is now done by the River Gipping Trust. Spencer explained the purchases for work parties plus other purchases and donations including the costing for the newsletter. Spencer said a response had been sent to HO regarding the amount of money held in our bank account. Public Relations Officer Report from Brian to say the web site had been updated. Social Secretary Confirmation from Diana that the annual dinner will be 12 for 12.30pm on 9 March 2013. Brian sent a report to say there will be a weekend coach trip next year in May. Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles stated that the Summer Edition of Anglian Cuttings was issued in June. Regarding the email from Neil Edwards on HO printing and distributing Anglian Cuttings; Charles asked if Spencer could work out the average cost of the last 3 editions and then the cost if produced by HO for a comparison. After some comments and suggestions it was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting once costs had been produced. Charles finished by saying that the next edition would go out in September 2012 and thanked all who had supplied reports for the summer magazine. Chard then raised the problem of those who have an electronic copy and forget to notify HO if they change their email address. Chard continued saying one such case had recently come to his attention. This was discussed at length and it appears that HO tries to contact members by other means if emails are bounced back as unable to send. Membership Secretary Membership figures are as follows: April 480 members and 317 memberships May 479 members and 316 memberships Clive reported a large number of lapses in April mainly due to free memberships given to WRG camp participants Spencer reported that HO are proposing to introduce an electronic membership only meaning the cost of memberships would be reduced. 5

REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Lewis said that the latest meeting was held on 25 June 2012. A copy of an 18th century survey map of the Ipswich to Stowmarket Navigation had been offered to the RGT for £100. Lewis said the best location to display the map, if purchased, had been discussed and it was proposed to offer £80 for the map. Regarding the ‘Realizing the Dream’, Martin Bird and Les Howard had met David Benham, Needham Market Development Officer, MSDC who had agreed about the trip boat idea. It was noted that there were no real planning issues but planning consent would be needed for any structural renewal. There could be funding available. Gerry Crease had reported on the Boat Association as he is now an individual member on behalf of the Trust. Thanks were recorded to Charles Stride for producing the latest RGT Newsletter.

Broad Authority Forum No Report. River Stour Trust Brian Cornell reported that at the AGM a new treasurer, Gareth Cole, was appointed. Brian said the John Constable is due to be finished in September and will be kept at the Visitors Education Centre. The John Constable will be taken to the campus at Ipswich University and hopefully the University of Essex. It is hoped to have educational trips aboard the John Constable. RST have requested Ipswich Branchâ€™s aluminium staging for 2 days for portage on the Source to the Sea event. Pickerel Project Group Chard reported that there is a clean-up day on 1 July in Stowmarket. There is also an additional clean-up on 15 July at Combs Ford where they will be working with the Combs Ford Community Project to tidy up the River Rattlesden. 6

ANY OTHER BUSINESS None.

NEXT MEETING Friday, 21 September 2012.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.05pm.