Endeavour Northampton Branch Newsletter — Autumn 2026 Canal Blocked at Stoke Bruerne A tree had fallen across the canal at Stoke Bruerne just after the bridge near the Navigation Inn completely blocking the canal.
The tree fell overnight on the 21st August and was cleared by 3pm that day but nobody could go anywhere as the locks had now closed. No damage was done. waterways.org.uk/northampton Printed by Colour Image. Phone 07368 291216 email colourimage@aol.com
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The hot, dry weather recently means several canals are either closed or locks on restricted opening times . This is along with long term stoppages throughout the navigable network. We all know Britain’s canal and river network is facing growing disruption, but IWA unique Risk index has mapped the number of long-term navigation closures has increased by 40% since late 2025. The Risk Index launched in November 2025, initially recorded 15 indefinite stoppages across the network. It was the first national assessment combining climate risk, including drought and flooding, as well as financial resilience across the network. It found that most waterways face increasing exposure to heavier winter rain fall and drought conditions, while many navigation authorities are operating under significant financial pressure. IWA’s new assessment identifies 21 indefinite stoppages , defined as closure that has been in place for more than 30 days without a published reopening date, excluding planned maintenance works. The findings show emerging trends in long-term interruptions to navigation across our 5,000 miles of navigable canals and rivers, and comes against a backdrop of mounting pressures on the network, including ageing infrastructure, underinvestment, and flooding, drought and increasing impacts of climate change. East of England and North West England appear to be among the regions most prone to network interruptions. Some closures have remained unresolved for many years eg. Welches Dam remaining closed to navigation since 2006 (two decades!). Britain’s waterways provide significant public benefits to millions of people, supporting recreation, tourism, nature recovery and local economies. The network also supports more than 300,000 jobs through associated marine, tourism and leisure activity. For these benefits to be fully realised , waterways need to remain open and connected. Extract from Autumn issue of Waterways An apology from me to Roger Ireland for spelling his name wrong on the article he wrote on the Jungle on the Northampton Arm. Thank you Roger for that interesting account of what volunteers are doing on the Northampton Arm.
IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates
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September 19th 12.30 IWA Annual General Meeting 2026 at the University of Worcester, St Johns Campus, Worcester WR2 6AJ You can attend the sessions remotely or in person October 10th 10.00 - Wire wrapped Xmas Decs Workshop ** 16.00 13th 14.00 Branch Meting at the Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne Speaker Kay Andrews entitled Foxton Locks Re -balancing the history on Site 31st Halloween Trail (Museum opening hours) 31st 10.00 - Crepe Paper Flowers Workshop ** 16.00 November 14th 10.00 16.00 Crepe Flowers (poppies) Workshop ** 10th 19.30 Zoom talk by our own John Pomfret entitled “From the Lingqu Canal to the Pinglu Canal 2000 years of waterway development in China” 21st 12.30 IWA Northampton Branch Annual Lunch the Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne December No Branch talk/meeting booked. 5th 10.00 - Wire Resin & Christmas Wreath Workshop ** ** All Workshops can be booked in advance at http:// canalrivertrust.digitickets.co.uk Places are limited so early booking advised.
See page 16 for news about Branch Meetings
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Branch Chairman’s Jottings by Bernard Morton Well, here we are again – suffering our fifth heatwave of the year and a drought reminiscent of last year! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 heatwave which I remember very well as it was the year Sandie and I were married. Is this what we can expect our summers to be like from now on? CRT have calculated that England received just 4% of its normal July rainfall. They are labelling this drought as a “flash drought” because of its rapid onset. The consequences of the heatwaves and drought conditions were brought home to us in our Branch when there was a serious fire at Nether Heyford by Furnace Wharf on the GU Canal. This started at the top of a field where a farmer was using a combine harvester, took hold very quickly and spread down towards the canal where a section of hedgerow caught fire. Several fire appliances attended and stopped it spreading to the electricity pylons. Some boaters were in the vicinity and there is a good eye-witness account from them on the front page of Towpath Telegraph August issue which sounds very scary. Let’s hope we get some rain (in decent quantities) very soon especially as CRT have just announced limited access to lock flights in our region and closed the Northampton Arm due to lack of water just like last year. Since our last issue, we have attended the Braunston Historic Boat Rally and Canal Festival where we manned (womanned?) a stall for Head Office selling books, maps, and IWA merchandise including Christmas cards. Trade was steady and it was good to catch up with friends/ members over the weekend. A sincere thank you to all who helped out on the stall over the weekend. A big thank you to Tim Coghlan and Braunston Marina who donated £200 to our Branch from the proceeds something they have done for many years. Much appreciated Tim. IWA has been celebrating its 80th birthday this year – you’ve probably read articles in the waterways press already or maybe taken part in functions. Since its formation, IWA has worked to protect, restore and champion our inland waterways. It began as a small group led by Robert Aickman and Tom Rolt campaigning against the threat of widespread canal closures and has grown to an influential national water-
8 ways organisation dealing directly with politicians to seek better funding and encouraging restoration and volunteering across the system. There has been an appeal for trustees running recently in the hope of bringing in fresh ideas and views from a different perspective such as paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking on our waterways, or from walkers and cyclists. Hopefully, there has been a good response to enable IWA to remain relevant and respected in the future. You’ll probably have noticed that there are no details of us doing a lengthy boating trip this summer. For various reasons, we had not planned any trips for the late Spring, and then the excessive heat arrived, and now lack of water. Coupled with this is the fact that there are quite a few restrictions over the system. The Whitchurch breach has closed the Llangollen which won’t be reopened until the end of the year at best. The Bridgewater Canal is also closed at least until December 2026 due to a well-publicised breach. The Anderton Boat Lift is closed also for repairs. On top of this, there are numerous temporary stoppages as CRT seeks to replace/repair lock gates and other infrastructure to minimise the loss of water – most essential but annoying when trying to plan a boating trip! Is the lack of water in the system and the resultant closures going to be a regular occurrence? Are we boaters who pay an ever-increasing CRT licence fee soon going to be asking “Is it worth it?” as are boaters on the East Anglian waterways with regard to their EA licences. Ironically, their complaint is that for large parts of winter they are unable to boat with closures due to flooding! And what a situation for all the boat hire companies and other waterside businesses who are suffering for a second-year running. Still, we may be unable to do much boating this summer but we are still able to enjoy our waterways for many other activities. So, wherever you visit, stay safe and enjoy yourselves. Take particular care where the canal seems to be a carpet of green - this will be weed and will not support a human … or a dog as our Golden Retriever Jasper found out on one trip. He thought he could walk across the green carpet to get to Sandie on the other side of the lock - what a shock he got! Bernard Morton.
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TASK PARTY DATES NORTHAMPTON ARM
September 6th,15th. October 4th,20th. November 1st,17th. December 6th,15th. Contact Paul.Lynam@waterways.org.uk or phone 07817 461842/01604 247792 BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES Every Tuesday, Every Thursday and Second and last Sunday in month. Contact: athinabec@aol.com or phone 01908 661217/07721 319404 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP September 9th October 14th.November 11th. Contact: stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk BRAUNSTON CANAL SOCIETY TASK PARTY DATES September 10th,27th. October 8th,31st. November 12th,28th. December 10th, 26th. Contact Clive at braunstoncanalsociety@gmail.com or phone /text Clive on 07817 435911 The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated, otherwise the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space. The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity (No. 212342)
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STEADY AS SHE GOES FOR THE TWENTY SECOND 2026 BRAUNSTON HISTORIC NARROWBOAT RALLY Despite the weather warnings for extreme heat, this year’s Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally - held in its traditional slot over the last weekend in June - remained as popular as ever. Whilst visitor numbers were somewhat down, historic narrowboat attendance was the best for several years, with 90 of them, versus 79 last year, with the boats coming from all corners of the waterways. And the numbers would have been much higher, but for mechanical problems, perhaps to be expected with these old canal leviathans, and continuing problems with a lock on the Napton Flight, which has unfortunately narrowed and can no longer allow the passage of 7’00’’ historic narrowboats . Originally just over 100 were originally booked in, versus the preCOVID all-time high of 113. Most disappointingly for this year was the absence again of President,
Actor and canal enthusiast Sam West (L) with Nick Lake (Chairman of the Friends of Raymond) at the helm of the motor Nutfield with butty Raymond in tow for the opening procession of historic narrowboats, which followed the Rally’s formal opening by Sam West.. (Tim Coghlan)
11 the last surviving steam narrowboat, where the problem of building a new steam boiler to modern standards continue. A lot of progress has now been made and the Friends of President, who attended the Rally with a marquee stand, are confident the boat will at last be back in steam by the end of this year and ready to lead the 2027 Opening Rally Parade. By way of a double-disappointment, legendary musician and steam enthusiast, Pete Waterman, who had been booked to open the Rally became unwell at short notice and had to cancel coming. It is hoped that that both he and President with be fully recovered in time to open the 2027 Rally and lead the parade. By way of good fortune, prior to the official opening, actor and canal enthusiast Sam West had already been booked to unveil a plaque to his parents to commemorate their some twenty years of involvement in various ways at Braunston Marina. Having just finished the next winter series of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ he willingly agreed to step in for Pete Waterman, and to open the Rally on the Friends of Raymond’s Nutfield & Raymond – the motor Nutfield now celebrating the 90th anniversary of its launch at Yarwoods of Northwich in 1936.
Ryan Dimmock of the trading coal boat Southern Cross being presented by Martin Lewis (L) - Area Accounts Manager of Midland Chandlers - with £250 of Midland Chandlers vouchers and the annual Nurser Buckby Can Award, for the Best Historic Narrowboat in Show – as voted by the boaters. (Victoria Jane Photography)
12 Prior to the plaque unveiling to his parents, Sam said, ‘Sooner or later, all canal journeys lead to Braunstson. My parents worked hard to support the restoration efforts of a number of canal societies who I know are represented here today. They would be absolutely chuffed at the honour of this plaque, in this place, and at this celebration of working boats.’ The opening took the now well-established format of the chosen pair of boats entering the marina from the canal under the famous Horseley Ironworks bridge to a peel of bells from Braunston Church – ‘the Cathedral of the Canals’, where Sam declared the Rally open. And serenading the pageant was fine music from Daventry Brass. The winning historic narrowboat for this year’s Nurser’s Award Buckby Can for the Best in Show as voted by the historic narrowboat owners, was to Ryan Dimmock with his immaculately maintained coal boat Southern Cross – built in 1935 by Harland & Wolff at Woolwich. As well as the Buckby can, Ryan also received £250 worth of Midland Chandlers vouchers, generously sponsored by them, and presented to him by Martin Lewis, their Area Accounts Manager. Actress Kate Saffin of Alarum Theatre brought canal family history alive. She was dressed as a traditional boat woman and was ‘at home’ in the boatman’s cabin of ’Effingham’ tied up near the marina entrance bridge. Here she showed visitors round the tiny cabin, explaining to them the mysteries of just how the boatmen-families managed to live and work in such a confined space, what they wore, how they ate, washed and slept, and the tough life they led. The Guild of Waterways Artists were again provided with their own marquee, sponsored by Braunston Marina, and ten of its members had their works on display, including the now near-legendary canal artist Dusty Miller. There was also a trade marquee shared by exhibitors and a number of canal societies. In it was a ‘canal authors’ corner, with Shirley Mann signing her well-received book on the WWII Idle Women, ‘Maggie’s War’. By 3.30 on the Saturday, she had sold out of her entire stock! With Shirley on the writers’ stand was long-serving canal crime writer Leo McNeir, both his latest sixteenth ‘Marnie Walker’ canal-crime thriller, ‘Lost Soul’, and back numbers which included greats, like Death in Little Venice. Canal societies were also outside, as were a number of good causes which were given free space.
The Rally is also billed as a canal festival – in the fine tradition of the
13 first IWA Rally held at Market Harborough in 1950, inspired by its cofounder Robert Aickman. Entertainments included on the Thursday night before the Rally, the Oxford based ‘Idle Women’ trio with their new show of songs and tales they had written since their appearance last year. The Rally’s resident music-impresario Janul - for some years now - produced the amazing musicians she finds each year for the beer tent – a mini-Glastonbury, without the mud. They included the ‘Braunston Blaggers’ a sort of David Blagrove tribute band. On the Saturday there were two groups of Morris Dancers, whilst children were entertained by Professor Diamond’s Punch & Judy Show. On the Sunday evening, to close the event, the Rally sponsored a wellattended candle-lit choral concert by Fiori Musicali of early Italian Renaissance choral music. The venue was across the meadows from Braunston at the ancient church of Wolfamcote. This was to raise awareness of this redundant church and the funds needed for its preservation. The Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally is sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk, and is supported by the Canal & River Trust. Braunston Marina will be hosting the event again next year on the same last weekend in June, 2027 - with, fingers crossed, Pete Waterman onboard to open it on the at-last restored steam narrowboat.
Star Craft’s butty the Nebulae – now a crafts and refreshment floating stall, which was very popular with the visitors. The butty has a distinguished canal history as a working boat, because it was used in WWII for training the Idle Women volunteers. (Tim Coghlan) Continued on page 16
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VISIT STOWE HILL WHARF FOR ALL Y
Proprietor Robert Gudgeon • • • • • • • • • •
Full Repaints Hull Blacking/Stern Gear Inspection and Repairs Engine Repairs and Maintenance Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations Plumbing Installations and Repairs Electrical Installations and Repairs NEW — Fuel Polishing Service Stockists of Morris Oils and Grease Full range of Batteries always available (please let us know your requirements)
By road we are easily found, a few yards off the A5 at Stowe Hill towards Nether Heyford. By boat close to Bridge 26
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN, FROM SIMPLE TASKS TO COMPLETE FIT-OUTS
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YOUR ESSENTIAL BOATING SERVICES
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Sam West presenting on behalf of Braunston Marina a cheque for £200 to IWA Northampton Branch
Branch Social Meetings. In the last issue of Endeavour, we mentioned that last year’s winter Branch Social Meetings were not well attended, sometimes with only three or four people turning up. Obviously, this is not sustainable (when paying for speakers), so your committee have decided to put on just two meetings for the start of this winter season, one conventional afternoon in person meeting in October, and an on-line meeting on Zoom in November to see what the take-up is like. Both feature popular speakers with interesting talks. It is now down to you! Other Branches have been quite successful withholding on-line talks, so this is an opportunity for us to trial one and see how we get on. You know what they say - use it or lose it!
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Annual Branch Luncheon Saturday 21st November at 12.30pm The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne Home Baked Bread Basket ********** Home Made Winter Soup Chicken Skewers with BBQ Sauce Creamy Garlic Mushrooms King Prawn Salad with Spicy Marie Rose Sauce ********** Loin of Cod with Creamy Pancetta Sauce Grilled Rib-Eye with Onion Rings & Tomatoes (£5 supplement) Chicken Supreme with Leek & Bacon Sauce Twice Cooked Pork Belly with Cider Sauce Crackling Butternut Squash Wellington Served with a selection of fresh Vegetables ********** Apple & Cinnamon Crumble with crème Anglaise Biscoff Cheesecake Chocolate Brownie & Baileys Trifle Fresh Fruit Salad Cheese & Biscuits (£3 supplement) ********** Coffee or Tea with Mints £34 per head We will be having a raffle, please bring a prize if you can The 100 Club draw will take place during the event.
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hen you go cruising again let me know about your trip so we can all share in your experiences. This is where you can suggest new places to visit or to avoid. Write a report about your cruise, let others know the good and not so good places to moor, eat, drink, places of interest worth visiting and anything else that might help others to enjoy that area. Let us know of any mishaps or interesting things that happened on your journey. Include pictures of your cruise, unusual things scenery and anything else that you want to add. I am looking forward to receiving your reports. Or maybe you could tell us about the boats you’ve hired or owned. Send your articles and stories to tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk
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Please let advertisers know that you saw their advert in Endeavour, that way advertisers know where your business came from!
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WHILTON MARINA CHANDLERY Under New Management Chandlery, Diesel, Pump out, Groceries Pay us a visit, just browse and see what we have to offer for all your boating needs
Open Monday to Saturday 9am–5pm ALL YEAR ROUND Tel 01327 844639 E-mail: marinachandlery@gmail.com The Branch is collecting old printer, and/or inkjet cartridges for recycling. I would be most willing to take them off your hands. This form of recycling may not generate large amounts of funds but, as they say, every little helps. Please bring them to the Branch meetings or email me to arrange collection on sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk IWA Northampton Branch has a Facebook page. It is at https://www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.
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BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY Since the last issue of Endeavour, the BCS has been busy with festivals in June with our Marketing stall attend the Braunston Historic Boat Festival over the weekend of 27th – 28th June. Our own Cosgrove festival took place over the weekend of 18th-19th July. Last year it rained and this year we were worried about the weather being too hot but in the end the weather was fine. We had twenty five boats booked into the festival. A few dropped out because of breakdowns and other problems but those attending included our usual boats who have always supported us over the years like Roger and Raymond and Nutfield and the regular roving boat traders. This year for the first time we had Electra giving boat trips which proved very popular. Because of the fairly new mooring facilities at Wolverton Electra’s range has now increased to include Cosgrove. This year there was more space along the tow path for other stallholders as CRT had remove some old stop planks and more towpath traders could be fitted in. Other news on Thursday 6th August Sarah Bool MP for South Northampton which covers Cosgrove joined us for a site visit. She was shown the bridge that was built by our own volunteers and our future plans were discussed.
25 All advertisements must comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement.
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Cont’d from page 24 … Terry Cavender has already had meetings with Callum Anderson MP Buckingham & Bletchley and Chris Curtis MP for Milton Keynes North. Work parties continue at both Cosgrove and at Bourton Meadow and all Northampton IWA members are always welcome to visit. Athina Beckett Buckingham Canal Society
The next edition of Endeavour will be published in Autumn 2026
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Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787/ 01604 858294
Joint Task Party Organiser
E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk
Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler
Vice Chairman, & Membership Secretary
Newsletter & Archivist
Geoff Wood E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk
@waterways.org.uk
Tony Clarke 07305 893924 E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member Branch Secretary
John Pomfret
Sandie Morton
E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk
01604 858294 E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk
Treasurer Maria Hobbs Email maria.hobbs @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member Catriona Butler E-mail: Catriona.butler @waterways.org.uk
Branch Meetings Lynda Payton E-mail: lynda.payton @waterways.org.uk
Planning Officer Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk
Non-Committee posts Website Gail Anscombe Email: gail.anscombe@waterways.org.uk `Social Media Lynda Payton Email: Lynda.payton@waterways.org.uk
Joint Task Party Organiser Paul Lynam E-mail: paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk
Vacancies Publicity Officer and Grants Officer
The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.
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