Cargoes

Autumn 2011

Newsletter ofGuildford & Reading

Kent & East SussexOxfordshire and

Solent & Arun Branches

2

Cecil Ives We report with sadness the death of Cecil Ives who had been a loyal and hard-working member of the Cargoes Editorial team for the last two years. Cecil joined at a critical time when the team had been precipitously depleted by the resignation of Tony Clark and his wife, Sabine; this occurring at the very time when Cargoes was being expanded to encompass the IWAKES Newsletter following the creation of the new South East Region. Cecil had already written his memoirs (Golden Opportunities or The Reminiscences of an Octogenarian) which included a whole chapter on his waterways experiences and we were fortunate that he was available to provide an experienced pair of hands as Cargoes moved forward into a new era. In fact from speaking to his family we know how much it meant to Cecil to meet the challenge of producing the best results possible. He will be greatly missed and we extend our sympathy to his son Michael, daughter Sue and all the family. [Photo courtesy of Sue Ratcliff]

Celia Roper

It is with great regret that we announce the untimely death of Celia Roper, the wife of our Region Chairman. She passed away on 1st July after a tragically short battle with ovarian cancer lasting just six weeks from diagnosis. Celia provided considerable support to Paul as he took on ever greater responsibilities with IWA and could be seen at the Branch AGMs as well as social events such as the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society talks. Celia was also directly involved with Canal Society as a crew member for the John Pinkerton trip boat. Our condolences go to Paul and his family at this difficult time. Celia Roper, 1946 - 2011

Cecil Ives, 1925 - 2011

3

Editorial It is with much sadness that we find yet another edition of Cargoes this year is overshadowed by the deaths of members who have contributed much to IWA matters in the Region. On the page opposite will be found tributes to Cecil Ives, a member of the Cargoes Editorial team, who died in May and to Celia Roper, the wife of our Region Chairman, who died in July. David Harman, a member of the IWAKES Branch Committee whose IWA membership and Branch Committee work goes back over half a century, has also died recently and a tribute to him appears on page 16.

The All-Party Parliamentary Waterways Group has recently published its own report on the governance and finance of the New Waterways Charity. Full details including the Group‟s recommendations can be found on IWA‟s Website at www.waterways.org.uk. IWA supporters are now urged to write to their MP in support of the conclusions, especially concerning the need for additional funding, and to ask their MP to let the Minister know of the concern.

Although we are now well into the season of outside events around the Region, there are still many opportunities for members to get involved with activities in their Branch and beyond. Details can be found in this Cargoes. This year‟s Waterways Festival at Burton-upon-Trent was blessed with fine weather and along the towpath there was an impressive gathering of historic working boats. This will have been the last Festival for at least two years - it has been decided not to hold a National Festival in 2012, as there is already a busy programme including Canalway Cavalcade, a Trailboat festival on the Cotswold Canals over the extended Spring Bank Holiday for the Queen's Jubilee, and a national campaign festival at Preston over the August Bank Holiday, as well as likely activities in connection with the Olympics. Looking further ahead, indications are that the 2013 Waterways Festival will be returning to a venue in South East Region and will be held at Newbury - a first time on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Cargoes Editorial Team [Photo: Ray Carnell]

[Cover photo by Peter Silver: Peter Darch at the helm during a previous Oxford „Open Doors‟ Event – see p27]

Irene Belcher & Pete Boyce on „Betelgeuse‟ at Burton

4

From the Region Chairman IntroductionFor reasons reported elsewhere this has been a very difficult time for me and my report will be much shorter than usual. The only boating I have managed so far this year has been attendance at the Northampton rally over a glorious May Day bank holiday weekend. Celia steered the boat back up the long flight of narrow locks towards the Grand union main line blissfully ignorant of her serious condition. It proved to be her last trip on our narrowboat. I haven‟t even seen my boat for a couple of months but that is about to change - as I write this I‟m preparing to depart for the National Festival at Burton on Trent. I hope to see some of you there.

New Waterways Charity The detailed IWA response to the NWC consultation was submitted by mid-June. Idon‟t need to go through what we said as the response is on IWA‟s website and I outlined what it would say in the Summer Cargoes. Since that time I have seen a number of the responses from other waterway organisations and there is a common thread - broad support for the proposals, a desire to include EA navigations at a later stage but considerable concern over the indicative funding package. As an aside we now know the funding for EA navigations including the Thames - the short term cuts are fairly draconian, particularly for capital investment, and appear to be more severe than those planned for NWC but with little prospect of finding alternative sources of funding. This does not seem to be a sustainable situation but only time will tell how all this pans out.

We now know who the NWC transition trustees are - and there is one prominent boater and long-time IWA member John Dodwell. John was once the General Secretary of IWA and has a deep understanding of the various issues. The other trustees are big hitters in their respective fields many with considerable experience in the charitable sector but they will have a steep learning curve to climb. IWA campaigning activity with regard to NWC is going on behind the scenes in the political arena. It is a great feather in IWA‟s cap that we succeeded in both reactivating the All-Party Parliamentary Waterways Group and also for securing the position of secretariat support. This will give IWA considerable opportunity for exerting influence. The chairman is Alun Michael MP and the Vice-Chair is Tony Baldry, both former waterways ministers. The group has held two hearings to gather evidence with regard to NWC. The first addressed governance issues and the second finance. At this latter hearing our National Chairman, Clive Henderson was invited to submit evidence. The report from the group, recently published, expresses similar concerns as those of IWA. I remain hopeful that there is still theprospect of squeezing a little more money for NWC out of government.

Paul Roper

5

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes:

At the May meeting, members Mike & Lynn Bassett gave us a talk and slide presentation on Nova Scotia and its canals. They told us about their visit last year to this part of the world and used their photos of the scenery and wildlife on the „Cabot Trail‟ in their talk. They followed this route in the Cape Breton region where they spent most of their time. They gave us information regarding the two canals, the „Canso‟ and „St Peter‟s‟, which both have sea locks and are found in this area. The canals‟ histories were explained, and they also showed us the site of John Cabot‟s landing.

The Shubenacadie canal, which dissects Nova Scotia from the Bay of Fundy in the north to Dartmouth in the Bay of Halifax in the south, was shown and discussed in some detail. They visited the canal and the Fairbanks Interpretive Centre at Dartmouth, and were welcomed by Bernie Hart, the Canal Commission Executive Director, who showed them around and updated them with a photograph of the proposed inclined plane restoration at Dartmouth.

Programme of Events

Thu 20th Oct: October is the 21st birthday of the Salisbury Group and on that occasion we will be welcoming back Ron & Mary Heritage to tell us about the re- enactment of Tom Rolt‟s “Cressy” Cruise. We will welcome visitors to our celebrations on this special occasion.

Thu 17th Nov: Secret Canals of Britain. Stuart Fisher, editor of Canoeist Magazine and author of the book “Canals of Britain”, gives a canoeist‟s eye view of the canal system with particular emphasis on the canals that cannot be reached by narrowboat.

Thu 1st Dec: Inter-Society Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall, Southampton - organised by Southampton Canal Society Thu 15th Dec: Christmas dinner at The Green Dragon, Alderbury.

Unless otherwise stated, meetings are at The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3AR starting at 7.30pm when visitors will be warmly welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841

6

Guildford & Reading Branch News

Chairman’s Report

As I write this in the middle of a rather soggy summer my sense is of more sunshine than storms. We are all very sad at the passing of Celia Roper. We are also supportive of Paul who in eight short weeks from a cloudless sky had a huge part of his life taken from him. I have just returned from my third canal holiday of the year. The first on the Mon and Brec was serene, peaceful and beautiful. The second on the Leeds and Liverpool was exciting, very damp at times and hard work in bursts. As we had a wide boat, very luxurious, we were alone in locks but on the sections with frequent swing bridges it was good to have company. One pleasant feature of the canal is that locks tend to come in flights. Company or a favourable road is a bonus. The two wonders of the waterways are not to be missed. The Burnley embankment gives you a chimney pot level view of the town. It set me wondering if they have ever had leakage issues. What can we learn for the Basingstoke? The Bingley Five rise is awesome. While you know it is only 60 feet top to bottom it seems much more. In part one suspects because it is on the side of a hill but it raises the vertigo stakes as much as the 126 foot high Pontcysyllte aqueduct. In this context I wondered if the cast iron trough on the Huddersfield Narrow where it crosses the Tame is not the first on this pattern rather than the one at Longton. My last trip was on the Rochdale and that was very hard work and eventful. It did strike me that on both the Leeds and Liverpool and the Rochdale there is a huge amount of water wastage. Near the summit, lock 35, a boat that was with us called out BW at 4 in the morning as water leakage was leaving both boats grounded. I would pay tribute to BW in particular Steve Foulds who understood the problems and was on hand that day and to sort out further problems with excess water we encountered in Manchester. However the water wastage must be costly as I was given to understand that the canal‟s reservoirs are now owned by United Utilities and allwater has to be purchased. These problems I feel sure could be addressed by better maintenance and planning. Both canals are in part very beautiful and interesting but there is an excess of lockkeepers and bureaucracy. After Manchester where we found the annual gay festival in full swing on the streets next to the Rochdale nine we did manage a visit to the Barton Aqueduct and the Worsley mine, most appropriate on the 250th anniversary.

Barton Swing Aqueduct panoramic view

7

Closer to home we had a visit reported elsewhere to the Wey and Arun to hand over a cheque for £600. What the Trust is achieving is little short of miraculous. Do visit Loxwood, have a trip on one of their boats and admire both the canal and the fantastic work that is being done. There is little to report on the Kennet and Avon apart from the long overdue upgrading to cruiseway status and the planned Cotswold Canal Society‟s Centennial Cruise in August with the boats from Saul Junction taking one of the two routes now available to Inglesham lock. We wish them well. Progress can be monitored by visiting the canal or the Thames but do get more information from the website (www.saultolechlade100.co.uk). The Thames is reported elsewhere but one suspects that until the waterway charity is clear much remains on hold. The Wey is the gem it always is. A tribute both its natural advantages and the management and leadership of John Gibson on behalf of the National Trust. We are looking forward to presenting him with a cheque to help the restoration of Perseverance lV. The trip on the Basingstoke on the John Pinkerton is now very well subscribed. The detailed issues on the Basingstoke are reported elsewhere. Suffice to say that the words are encouraging but we would like to see more action. It will encourage us to do more on the social side. The Thames barge trip has the support to go ahead too. In December we will be defending our position as victors of Southampton Canal Society‟s Waterway quiz. Much to be encouraged by but lots more to do.

Gareth Jones

Corrigendum

Canalway Cavalcade – Best Dressed Boater‟s Award

Our piece about Shirley Trott in the last edition of Cargoes erroneously attributed the origin of the Canalway Cavalcade Best Dressed Boaters Competition trophy toShirley. It has been pointed out to us that this trophy, in memory of Vic Trott, was in fact donated by Betty and Alec Gosling who, with Shirley & Vic, had been enthusiastic supporters of dressing for the occasion in traditional boaters‟ outfits.

RC

Sales & Publicity Stand

A busy June and early July saw the Stand on the road at the Beale Park Boat Show, Reading Water Fest and Guildford Festival Boat Gathering. Although the first two of these events experienced indifferent weather, all three can be counted as a success as far as business done and publicity achieved for IWA was concerned. There being no Newbury Waterways Festival this year, we now have a break until the final event of the season, the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club‟s Fox & Hounds Rally, at Fleet on Saturday 17th September (see separate article for more details).

Ray Carnell

8

On the Wey

The gathering of boats on the river Wey on 2nd July for the annual Guildford Festival event included the usual parade of decorated boats which this year had the theme of „Nursery Rhymes‟ The winner was „Le Coqueliot‟, owned by David Shirley (Sing a song of sixpence) and the runner-up „Emily C‟ which belongs to Mr and Mrs Les Hinde. Earlier in the afternoon the public had been entertained by another spectacle on the river (downstream of Millmead Lock) when over 30 specially constructed craft took part in the Guildford Lions Charity Raft Race with the theme of „the movies‟. There were many innovative designs with some more river-worthy than others. Hogwarts Castle, entered by Chris Lyddon was judged the Best Presented Raft.

Sing a song of sixpence Hogwarts Castle [Photos: Ray Carnell]

Bits on the Basingstoke Both your Branch and the Surrey and Hants Canal Society have had a very busy time with the Basingstoke Canal. It has been pleasant to see such positive articles on the canal in the specialist press. However there have been negative signals from Surrey County Council officials in particular. In a SCC public value review, Surrey Officers had made a proposal to transfer the management of the Surrey section of the canal to a third party and they had recommended a 20% cut in SCC‟s contribution to the canal budget. It has now been confirmed that neither of these recommendations will be pursued. The officer primarily concerned has taken early retirement. Much better news was the election of Linda Kemeny in May as a new county councillor and her rapid promotion to Chairman of the Canal‟s JointManagement Committee. Keith Chapman, the Hampshire County Councillor and outgoing Chairman, has always been positive about the canal. The Basingstoke Canal Authority is part of Hampshire but part Surrey under the joint management arrangements, thus the Chairmanship alternates. Linda Kemeny was with Thames Water so has experience in waterway issues. She has demonstrated both energy and commitment to the Basingstoke already. She does see the wider picture that the canal is a huge asset and should be developed and treated as such. She has

9already improved attitudes at councillor and official level. We will continue to assist these changes as will, no doubt, Keith Chapman.

The two major problems that exist seem to me to be a lack of analytical clarity and money. Surrey and Hampshire County Councils announced a year ago major commitments on the capital budget. We await seeing this translated into action. We understand that a contractor has been appointed. We now wish to know when work will start, that the work will reopen the Deepcut Flight, when that flight will formally reopen and that there are no other planned works which will close the canal. Hopefully the new team will address this with urgency. While sections of the canal are open, the Deepcut flight is not. Summer will rapidly be winter and the work for which there should be the money and a formally appointed contractor may not be completed, perhaps not even begun. This will probably mean the canal will not reopen fully in early 2012 as repeatedly promised. Our argument is if there is a problem let‟s identify it and sort matters out. If fiddle and drift continues to be the order of the day, time will run out and there will be no reopening. It would seem at long last there is a real will to make this move forward.

Similarly problems exist in regard to access (where Ian Bell and Kathryn Dodington have come up with possible solutions), water supply (where John How is doing much good work) and the new leisure facilities at Mytchett. On these topics we seem to have a mixture of incomplete analysis, bats and a capacity to find obstacles unmatched by a facility to find solutions. Overshadowing this is the general threat of cuts. It is true that the BCA have and are having cuts but it is farfrom clear to me whether this is a real problem or not. There are considerable resources both cash and volunteer available to the canal. These will only be made available reluctantly if at all if there is not a marked improvement in the management of the asset and transparency in communication. There are signs of change. There are good things happening, namely a grant of the order of £200,000 over three years from the Higher Stewardship Scheme to the canal. However in addition to having the canal reopen we will press on these other issues to be resolved to ensure as much benefit as possible is realised. In their document “value for money” the Surrey and Hants Canal Society state that the canal is used by over a third of a million people a year. This is a major opportunity to enhance a real jewel of an amenity. We know there is pressure on the Wey and the Thames where there are waiting lists for moorings. Basingstoke Canal - we hope your hour is at hand. I remain more optimistic that good results may be achieved but some parties will need markedly to up their game. The changes in the team are a chance for greater dynamism in the management of this fantastic asset. Hopefully Surrey and Hampshire Councillors will ensure that officials are focused on achieving key objectives within acceptable timescales. They can count on our help. Promises must be kept and become deeds. Unnecessary delay and obfuscation must be a thing of the past. There seems now a real will at Councillor level to make things happen and I hope to report some positive on the ground actions in the next Cargoes. Gareth Jones

10

Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet

Steve Dallen, Chairman of the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club, reports that the Club‟s annual rally at the Fox & Hounds pub at Fleet will be going ahead once again from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th September, with the main activities being on Saturday 17th. Let‟s hope we can keep up the tradition of wall to wall sunshine.

All the usual favourites will be there, including members of the Steam boat Association of Great Britain with their atmospheric and beautifully prepared craft, the Surrey and Hants Canal Society Stall, IWA stall, the Fleet Ladies Morris Team, and of course the legendary BCBC cake stand!

Other events, new to this year, are planned, and are currently at the realization stage, so why don't you come along and see what we've arranged for this year? Look forward to seeing you.

Mikron Theatre Group

A fine summer‟s evening in the natural amphitheatre between the canal embankment and the Fox & Hounds Pub provided an ideal setting for Mikron‟s latest production „Hell and High Water‟. In this the story of the building of the Bridgewater Canal, this year celebrating its 250th anniversary, is told in typical Mikron style with acting interspersed with musical numbers.

[Photo: Ray Carnell] All four of our thespians played their part with Adrian Palmer in particular showing his versatility by regular alternations of character from James Brindley to John Gilbert (the Duke‟s Estate Manager) via the role of a persistent, but amusing, „manof the cloth‟ seeking tithes from a cash-strapped Duke of Bridgewater. Excellent entertainment for an appreciative audience.

RC

11.

The Bridgewater Canal at Worsley (Where it all began 250 years ago) [Photo: Chris Wardley]

WRG Work Camp at Lock One

Having been responsible for the complete rebuilding of Lock One, G&R Branch is particularly interested in the building of a landing stage. This photograph shows work in progress by a national team of WRGies led by Paul Shaw. Unfortunately, a day was lost because of a malfunctioning pile hammer, and then the ground proved to be very hard, so the work was not completed in their time here. The piling was completed, but not much else.

[Photo by courtesy of Surrey & Hants Canal Society]

12

S&HCS Social Meetings

Time flies and after a successful 2010/11 season of talks the new programme will commence in October and run through as usual until April 2012. The venue will be the usual one at The Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham. Meetings will start at 8pm on the third Wednesday of the month. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Non members and friends are very welcome to come along.

Wed 19th Oct

Adrian Softley - ' Boat and Barge Building at Honey Street'

Adrian Softley from the Barge Inn at Horton, near Devizes will describe the history of the famous barge building base on the Kennet and Avon Canal and will also talk about the building of the replica barge 'Unity' in 2005.

Wed 16th Nov

Roger Squires 'Waterways of South Holland'

A welcome return visit from one of our regular speakers, Roger will describe a circular tour of South Holland's waterways including the little visited but very busy Twentee Canal. This is a new waterway constructed for the growing industry of this part of Holland.

Wed 21st Dec

Richard Thomas ' The Gunpowder Plot'

For further information on this talks programme please contact David Millett on 01252 617364.

River Thames News

Thames Bits

Potential Drought Status. The South East Region has experienced the driest spring on record and as a result the Environment Agency has moved into „potential drought‟ status. Recent below average rainfall has resulted in river flows that are below normal at several sites across the south east region. Flows in the River Thames are similar to what would be expected later in the summer. However this is not having any impact on boating at present.

13EA - Waterway Working Group (WWG) The Environment Agency (EA) works closely with the WWG to ensure the River Thames facilities are appropriate for the public. Now that EA waterways will not be part of the New Waterways Charity (NWC) till 2015/16, (only then if it is affordable to do so), the EA must find ways of reducing its funding requirements, to suit National budgets.

The WWG have established a sub-group to report to the next WWG meeting on 3rd

August, to address the challenges going forward under the headings of;-

Provide a service that feels the same or better for the customers Focus on the aim to make the River Thames Waterway be more financially

sustainable and less reliant on Government funding Sustain the current condition of the Waterway Assets

River Thames Alliance (RTA) This is another set of interested parties, including the EA, which has delegates from about 70 organisations, of which IWA is one. Currently there is a review of the final year of a 5-year Thames Waterway Plan (2006 to 2011). Details for RTA can befound on www.visitthames.co.uk.

John How

Thames Alliance AGM and Moorings Group progress

Thames Alliance held its overall AGM on a Hobbs trip boat at Henley on 12th July.The general thrust of the invited contributions was the experience in enthusing and enabling volunteers alongside waterways. River Thames Society, Nation Trails (Ridgeway & Thames Path) and the Thames21 wider work with the younger elements of local communities were reviewed and the current EA Volunteer project for assistant lock-keepers was explained. An overall review of the year included the continued existence of the growing „Visitthames‟ website but now under the auspices of the Tourist Board. Everyone is seeking, in these times of limited funds, constructive things that can be done to improve the Thames experience by all users.

The Mooring Group – which is part of the Alliance – has over the year been trying to progress co-ordination of actions to improve bankside moorings controls that would be taken by the different landowners. They have found that the problem of „overstayers‟ on moorings is the common interest of the Authorities along the lower Thames. Overstayers are experienced boaters, know full well the „small print‟ on notices controlling moorings, should know better, and tend to „take liberties‟.Reading has followed up their reports to committee with successful legal action and with this confidence have begun to implement differing mooring regimes at the different lengths of banks that they control. In each location they will soon have new regulations for both day time and overnight. These will be enforced more aggressively than before.

14However, there are many boaters who do not know in advance the „fine print‟ of each mooring unlike the „residents‟ who are on home ground. They are the new visitors who generally know that mooring regimes on the Thames might involve different charges in different locations. They are nervous about whether, and how much, they might be asked to pay or when charges will „kick in‟.

At the very least there should be a common definition of what constitutes an „overnight‟ mooring so that visiting boaters know when a „casual shopping stop‟ might change into, and be charged, as if the stay were overnight. I am pleased to report that there appears to be a growing „consensus‟ in the Mooring Group that any boat on a landowners mooring after 1600 hours can reasonably be thought to be staying overnight and – subject to the appropriate legal signs – will be at risk of being asked to pay the stipulated charge. If this is finally agreed, it would be the beginnings of a welcome consistency along the whole of the freshwater Thames.

As many will know, the moorings owned by EA allow the first overnight stay „free of charge‟ but most councils might send someone to collect a charge for each and every night, the happy exception being Abingdon.

As part of this new consensus, the end time for „overnight‟ is thought of as 1100 hours. My own view is that this is a bit late in the day … as it would make a shopper coming to town from „rural‟ moorings at 10 am a bit nervous of stopping.This reduces the „happy go lucky‟ freedom that should be part of the visitors‟ boating experience and would lose business to the town concerned.

However it is not „set in stone‟ yet, we shall see.

Brian Roberts

Kennet & Avon Canal Meetings

Both the Newbury and Reading Sections of the Trust hold a series of autumn/winter monthly meetings to which non-members are always welcome and details are as follows:

The Newbury meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf at 7.45pm prompt (doors open 30mins before). Admission is free. Light Refreshments are available. There is adequate public parking alongside the venue, at present costing £1 for the evening.

15Meetings for 2011 are as follows: Wed 28th Sep: - Ron & Mary Heritage of Oxfordshire IWA - „The Tom Rolt Celebration Cruise‟

Mary retraced the route of Tom Rolt‟s seminal 1939 cruise on Cressy as part of the centenary celebrations of his birth. The original cruise is described in Rolt‟s book Narrow Boat and was the trigger for the chain of events that lead to the formation of the IWA.

Wed 26th Oct: - Elaine Kirby, K&ACT Archive Administrator - „Why Archives?‟

The visible displays in the Trust‟s museum represent only a small proportion of the material available for research. Elaine will explain the role of an archivist and bring along some of the Trust‟s photographs and documents to illustrate her talk.

Wed 30th Nov: - Mike & Lynn Bassett – „Canals of Nova Scotia‟

An exploration of the Shubenacadie Canal, the St Peter‟s Canal and the Canso Canal. All created short-cuts for sea routes and there are a number of interesting features. The Shubenacadie only had a short life, though the other two remain in use.

Further information from the Trust Administrator 01380 721279 or Branch Secretary 01635 580356, Email: [email protected] The Reading meetings are to be held at The Grange Church Hall, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road). This is a new venue and we have also had to change our calendar, so meetings will now be on the 3rd Tuesdays from Sep to May (excluding Dec). First three months are as follows: Tue 20th Sep: - Emily Waters - 'Caversham Court Gardens restoration, beside The Thames' Tue 18th Oct: - Steve Bacon - 'The River Loddon and connection to London' Tue 15th Nov: - Christmas party (bring some food) and K&ACT President, David Bruce. Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help our expenses). For further information on the Reading meetings contact John Swift, on 01189 415540 More details can be found on K&A Trust website: www.katrust.org.uk.

16

IWAKES Branch News

David Harman

David L.N. Harman was born on 10th August 1940 at Tonbridge, Kent. On leaving school in 1956 he started work in London as an export shipping clerk. He obtained a small boat that he used on the River Medway, based in Tonbridge.

He joined IWA on 11th January 1958 and was invited onto the London & Home Counties Branch Committee as Minutes Secretary. He then became Hon. Branch Secretary and served under the Chairmanships of Captain Lionel Monk, David Horsfall and Michael Aplin. In this role he helped to organise the National Rally atAylesbury and the first Little Venice Rally in London. He also helped to organise the London & Home Counties Branch Rally of Boats at Woking in April 1962. The poster for that event advertises „Details from The Secretary, David Harman, „Adelina‟, Woodham Lock, West Byfleet‟.

David worked on the restoration of the Southern Stratford for two weeks under David Hutchings, on the Kennet & Avon under Denys Hutchings and on the Basingstoke in the earliest days of its restoration.

David obtained a second small boat at Tonbridge and organised, under the Tonbridge Carnival banner, two boat rallies at Tonbridge.This was just before Southern Water attempted to close the navigation following flood damage in 1968. David also helped Maid Line move boats from their base in Reading up to Braunston.

David retired from the London & Home Counties Committee in 1966 on marrying and no longer working in London (Graham Palmer took over as Branch Secretary). David and Jean had two girls. They took boating holidays on the Bedford Great Ouse and the Grand Union. [Photo: Bernard Snell]

In 1986, after bringing up his family, David joined the Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee as Sales Officer, becoming Membership Secretary in 1997. He had great contacts for information on developments along the Tonbridge waterside and no planning matters in the area were missed. He and Jean enveloped, addressed and stamped many editions of IWAKES Magazine, an enormous unsung labour.

David was a quiet and modest individual who did not seek the limelight. He brought a steadying influence to Committee meetings. David was awarded the Richard Bird Medal at the 2009 IWA AGM. He was in post as IWAKES Membership Secretary when he died of a stroke on 17th July 2011.

David Harman, 1940 - 2011

17

Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust

Few sailors would dispute that there is a huge shortfall in yachting facilities on the lower Thames. There are no sheltered berths, no safe walk on walk off moorings, and no welcoming destinations leaving a very poorly served Thames yachting community and a very poor visitor experience indeed. With the restoration of Northfleet Harbour we hope to plug this gap as well as provide a multifaceted facility providing the following and much more; boat repairs, historic ships, a base for community based organisations such as sea scouts and other voluntary bodies, sail training, heritage interpretation, victualling, fuelling, restaurants, heritage, safe moorings, walk on walk off facilities, marina facilities, fishing boats, boat sales and so on.

Northfleet Harbour in Kent is an ideal location for what could be a very attractive and popular boating destination on the Thames. It is less than 5 minutes from Ebbsfleet International Railway Station with trains 17 minutes to Kings Cross St Pancras and London's West End and Theatre Land is only 35 minutes away. Ebbsfleet to Paris is only 2 hours away. For the complete shopping experience Europe's biggest shopping centre Bluewater is just 10 minutes away, road links are excellent, just five minutes drive from the A2 and M25. This harbour is accessible at almost all states of the tide and could potentially be accessible at all states of the tide depending on the design of the lock gates needed. The midway location on the Thames would allow sailors to either leave on the low tide to go to London on the flood or leave at high water to leave the Thames on the Ebb.

Northfleet Harbour‟s history dates back to the Roman times with upstream on the River Fleet (AKA Ebbsfleet River) a complex of Roman Villas, Temples, Graveyards and Dwellings being excavated as part of the Ebbsfleet International Railway works, also excavated was Saxon dwellings boasting an intact water turbine.Downstream in the entrance to the harbour there is a tidal water mill dating back to the Victorian times with mill pond, millrace and sluices still intact was a wealth of industry from foundries creating armaments for the Crimean War which is still in operation today (albeit with more mundane items), boat building, and the world‟s earliest cement exports. The photo with the lone sailor shows how the historic harbour (overleaf) declined with the cement industry and was totally forgotten with it being hidden from view behind the factory.

Our aim is for this historic harbour to see a renaissance, the whole area is earmarked for mixed use regeneration, a fully utilised harbour and marina set amidst an attractive new development could very quickly become a major yachting destination. Currently however the harbour has been blocked off by an inappropriately placed flood defence wall with just a sluice to let the river Fleet flow out, we aim to reopen this wall and link the harbour back to the Thames and bring this vital marine asset back into use.

18

Historic view of Northfleet Harbour

Our aims and objectives are as follows.

1. Restore full use and access to the Historic Northfleet Harbour and its historic slipway.

2. Reintroduce spawning fish into the River Fleet and reopen the culvert along Thames Way between Ebbsfleet football Ground and the Railway line.

3. Celebrate the very rich and hidden heritage of Northfleet Harbour area by opening it up to the public and providing interpretation and educational resources. To enable this we will ensure a full archaeological investigation to explore the potential Roman and Saxon use of the harbour associated with the recent finds at Ebbsfleet, as well as to fully understand and interpret the modern industrial history from armaments and cement through to shipbuilding

4. Restore the Northfleet Mill Pond to create a vital environment to promote biodiversity, fish spawning as well as increasing the flood storage capacity of the River Fleet in the rare (& possibly unlikely) event that it should be needed.

5. Restore the early Victorian tidal mill, this will perform several functions, it will aid the migratory fish‟s transit, control water levels, provide interpretation for a valuable heritage asset and allow electricity to be generated for the use of the harbour and to feed into the national grid.

6. Provide a base for organisations like The Marine Volunteer Service, and Sea Scouts to operate from, promote educational resources for both heritage marine and boat building skills.

7. Create a base for historic vessels and ship builders and repairers; The Kenya Jacaranda has expressed an interest as I am sure would the Cambria and many other sailing barges that struggle to find a base on the Thames with the lack of space available.

8. Create much needed employment for the residents of Northfleet; there are no end of studies demonstrating the amount of work generated by ship and boat repairs and other marina service industries.

199. Create a marina the size of Gillingham Marina with pretty much full tidal

access 24hrs of the day Northfleet Harbour to give an idea of scale is five times the size of Gravesend Canal Basin.

10. Provide the only such facility between Ramsgate and London Docks (not even Greenwich has such an exciting and useful offer) and thus a much welcomed and much needed stop off point.

11. Provide an attractive destination for restaurants, shops, pubs and clubs and a major tourist destination as part of the neighbouring regeneration scheme.

The following site gives a bit of background to Northfleet‟s Historic Harbour and the aims of the Trust https://sites.google.com/site/riverthamesheritageopportunity/robins-creek-marina

All enquiries to Conrad Broadley BSc Hons Dip Mgmt MIET Phone 0756 219 4757 Email: [email protected]

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust

In my last report I commented upon the early start and good progress to restoration of the lock at Isfield that had already been made in 2011. Mention was also made of the different challenges that lay in wait this year.

The target was to complete the rebuild of a further 5m section of the west lock wall and those challenges came in the actual amount of rebuilding the targeted section required compared with the section of wall completed in 2010.

But the wonderful spring weather and dry working conditions allowed the twice-weekly working parties to complete the task of digging out behind the damaged wall and demolition of the actual wall before the end of May.

The next stage involved laying down the blinding and the implantation of reinforced concrete nibs a further 1.5m down to invert level. Only then could the mass pouring of „stepped‟ concrete with rubble „plums‟ commence. This stage is currently underway and is accompanied by the gradual re-building of the lock wall itself.

Although the weather has changed now that summer has arrived, progress remains steady and it is anticipated that the work will be completed by August, leaving several weeks to prepare for and begin the next tasks.

These include the creation of „artificial‟ copping stones for the re-built west wall due to the lack of original stones, and the continued excavation of the west upper wing wall which includes a length of canal side used for the navigation traffic when servicing the former paper mill that once stood close to the lock. Preparation of an area in the invert below the lower gate recess, that requires extensive repairs and is a task identified as the main target for 2012, can also begin.

20Isfield Lock (No. 23) – June 2011

[Photos courtesy of SORT

So it is all positive news from Isfield and working parties have benefited from the recruitment of a number of new volunteers who are always made welcome at this friendly and easy going work place.

To join Project Manager Paul Morris and his team just contact Ted Lintott, who organises the workforce, on 01444-414413.

Terry Owen

Kentish Stour

The River flow is extremely low following the hot dry Spring weather. This has resulted in worse than usual weed growth, which is worsened by the nutrients from effluent. The phosphate-stripping that should end the problem under AMP5 is promised for 2014.

21

Thames & Medway Canal Association

Gravesham Heritage Fortnight Events In May the Thames & Medway Canal Association arranged two walks along the river front and back along the canal as part of Gravesham Heritage Fortnight. Both were attended by around twenty people. The first was led on a beautiful sunny evening by Brian Macknish, the second on a just about dry day by David Rouse.

Start of walk at the Ship & Lobster On the lift bridge

Canal from the lift bridge End of the walk at Mark Lane Slipway

We also had an open day at the Canal Tavern with Shirley, the landlady, being her usual helpful and cheerful self. The only person who seemed to have any customers was Barbara Macknish, with her lovely plants. Things became livelier in the afternoon when we had a big discussion about where we could go next year to create more interest. We concluded the only hope was if the canal had been rewatered and things could return to how they used to be.

Angela Acott

Development along the Canal at the Albion Works adjacent Gravesend Basin A revised planning application for the „Albion Quayside Development‟ has been submitted by architects Kiran Curtis Associates. It has lower housing density and this is the first plan from this source to show a channel (rather than drainage swale)

22through the length of this stage of work. The developers, having been provided with very high costs for a navigable canal, had intended to create a wide shallow pond. However, it seems possible they may have changed their minds on being presented with the option to use a much cheaper construction method to achieve a navigable channel to roughly the original dimensions. Provision of road-crossings (bridges) remains a problem.

Angela Acott

Future IWAKES and Other Events

Wed 5th Oct: 7:30 for 8:00pm: Mark Gallant of the Kent Countryside Partnership talking on “The River Darenth”: at Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend: (This is a TMCA meeting to which all are welcome).

Sat 22nd Oct: Guided walk along part of the Sussex Ouse Navigation: Meet 10:30 at „The Sloop‟, Sloop Lane, Freshfield (nr Scaynes Hill). Park at the southern end of the Sloop car-park. Return approximately 12:30. The Sloop serves good meals. (This is a Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust event to which all are welcome)

23Thu 17th Nov: 7:00 for 7:30pm: Chichester Ship Canal Trust described by Linda Wilkinson (its Chairman). In the Upper Room, Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath RH16 3DN (Near the railway station, about 200 yards up from Clair Hall). (This is a joint meeting with Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust).

Thu 8th Dec: 7:30 for 8:00pm: Pre-Christmas get together with nibbles. Sue & Les Schwieso will give an illustrated talk on their journey “To Ripon via Boston”. At Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend: (This is a joint meeting with Thames & Medway Canal Association). Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Oxfordshire Branch News

Chairman’s Report As the trustees of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) begin to form their ideas for the role of the Association from April 2012 with regard to the New Waterways Charity (NWC) so we in the Branches, Oxfordshire in particular, need to do so too. We need to be aware that the waterways in the Branch comprise about 60 miles of the River Thames (where the navigation authority is the Environment Agency (EA)), 35 miles of the South Oxford Canal (for which British Waterways (BW) is the

24navigation authority) and 25 miles of the Wilts & Berks Canal (where the restoration in being led by the trust (WBCT)).

In thinking about the future role of Branch members we need to remember that the majority live near to the Thames, fewer near to the South Oxford or the Wilts & Berks. A number do not even live in the Branch area but nevertheless have their allegiance here, and several live overseas. Many contribute financially to IWA and give their time to other things. Some are active members of the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) and others of the WBCT.

Branch members have a noble history of achievement on all three waterways and more widely. On the Thames such people as Tony Davis and John Dalton have, through membership of the Thames Alliance and the river user groups, been influential in many ways in the improvement of the management of the navigation,the most recent example of which has been the new visitor moorings at Wallingford.

On the Oxford Canal, Brian Roberts and John Tucker were leaders in a number of successes. Following the initial campaign to retain the Oxford Canal, Branch members restored the Hythe Bridge Arm by clearing it to make it navigable. Branch members were successful in persuading Cherwell District Council to make the canal environment in Banbury very much more pleasant than it would otherwise have been, including retention of Tooley's Boatyard and relocation of the museum.

Thrupp Canal Cruising Club (who are corporate members and who include many from the Branch members) have, over twenty five years, made huge improvements to the canal at Thrupp. In Oxford the Association is a member of the Oxford City Canal Partnership, a very important and influential body in the promotion of the canal in the city where there is scope for members to contribute.

More recently, with Banbury Canal Day and Oxford Open Doors, a number of Branch members have become active in practical contributions to furthering the objectives of the Association. In addition Branch officers continue to encourage those in the planning system and those making changes to the environment of the canal to be sensitive to both this and the needs of all users, including boaters.

For the WBCT, Martin Buckland was the driving force and manager of the implementation of Jubilee Junction and Brian Stovold and others several projects between there and Shrivenham, including Pocket Park and Steppingstones Bridge.

On a wider scale the Tom Rolt Centenary re-enactment cruise in 2010, by Ron & Mary Heritage, and Brian Roberts' involvement in many IWA activities, have been important in furthering the objectives of the Association generally. This year Peter Woolsey of Henley-on-Thames paddled a Kayak from Kendal to Tower Bridge with similar objectives (see report below).

These are examples of the contributions made by members to furthering the objectives of the Inland Waterways Association. The New Waterways Charity will,

25from April, present opportunities and need for us to do much more; and the inclusion of the Environment Agency from 2015 will increase the scope even more.

So what could Branch members do in practical ways to support inland waterways in the Branch area? Here are some suggestions:

1. Join one of the volunteer groups which the Branch is developing with other voluntary bodies, local councils and others with an interest in the canal. For example the groups at Cropredy, Banbury and Lower Heyford should takeownership of some of the practical things which BW would like volunteers to do (with their support) and which the volunteers consider should be done.

2. If you live in Oxford give us your ideas as to how the city canal partnership could improve the environment of the canal in Oxford.

3. Become involved (please tell me if you already are) in the various festivals, regattas and the like which are held every year along the Thames and promote the IWA in doing so.

4. Use your knowledge of groups who use the waterways, especially youth clubs, to promote opportunities for IWA members to support them.

5. Use your knowledge of the waterways to suggest changes to such things as access and mooring places that would improve the experience of users. The Great Ouse Boating Association has been very successful in doing this. The Shropshire Union Canal Society has created some fantastic visitor moorings and several other amenities.

Your Branch committee would be pleased to learn of your views and activities. Please send us an e-mail ([email protected]) or telephone me on 01295 810610 or 07802 783405; make yourself known to us at Banbury Canal Day (2nd October in Banbury) or Oxford Open Doors (10th and 11th September at Hythe Bridge Arm) or come to one of our regular monthly meetings starting on Wednesday 14th September in Kidlington (7.30pm at Yarnton Lane Sports Club).

As for me, I have found a long term project on the Wilts & Berks Canal near Wantage which needs someone with my training and experience as an engineer and project manager, so I will be taking that on. However, I will always be available to help you with your projects; please keep me up to date about them.

Chris Wardley

Kendal to London Kayak Trip

Septuagenarian Peter Woolsey, from Henley-on-Thames, a member of IWA Oxfordshire Branch, set himself the aim to redo the same journey aged 70 as he originally completed when he was 17 years old.... and he completed it in one piece and on time!

Peter set off on a solo 390 mile kayaking trip from Kendal to London on Saturday 28th May to help raise funds for Age UK. In addition Peter also wanted to raise

26awareness of the Inland Waterways Association and interest in canoeing via the British Canoe Union. Peter used a CETUS 17 foot sea kayak.

Below is an extract of Peter’s trip as he travelled through the Oxfordshire Branch waters.

Day 10, Monday June 6th. After paddling 28 miles he reached Napton in time for a meal with IWA National Chairman, Clive Henderson and other members of IWA Warwickshire Branch. At this stage Peter Element from IWA Oxfordshire Branch also joined the group and kindly offered to assist with portage around the locks the following day. Chris Wardley of the Oxfordshire Branch had originally enabled Peter to contact several of his members. They all offered help and advice, making this part of his trip much less stressful. That night Peter stayed nearby in Priors Marston.

Day 11, Tuesday, June 7th. This was a tough day of paddling and portaging into ahead wind once more with many heavy showers of rain. Fortunately, the kind members of IWA Warwickshire and Oxfordshire Branches met Peter at several of the flights of locks and assisted him. By this time Peter‟s hands were badly swollen from constant paddling, usually 10 or even 12 hours each day plus the portaging of his kayak around over 100 locks during the previous ten days. This day there were 21 more locks to portage but eventually Peter reached Cropredy, home of the Banbury canoe club. It was club night and many of the Cropredy members were at the club practicing in their K1 and K2 kayaks. The oldest club member, Neville, a sprightly 79 year old was there. Banbury Canoe club kindly stored Peter‟s kayak and he stayed at the Brazenose Arms whose owner had done the Murray Darling 500 mile canoe marathon in Australia some decades earlier.

Day 12, Wednesday June 8th. Peter had to leave Cropredy and begin paddling by 08:30 to reach Banbury by 09:30 for an official meeting with the Mayor at the Banbury Canal museum, organised by Banbury‟s Civic Officer, Tricia Campbell, who is also an active IWA member. Peter arrived a few minutes late but presented the china mug from Etruria and reminded everyone that the funding and building of the Trent & Mersey canal had been at the instigation of Josiah Wedgewood and the other major pottery owners whose raw materials and fragile products were all transported by canal until the end of World War 2. From Banbury Peter continued paddling against winds and through showers and portaging 13 more locks to arrive at 8pm in Kidlington where he spent the night.

Day 13, Thursday June 9th. Another day of wind and showers. Peter set off in a rain shower to be attacked by swans with cygnets. The Oxford canal is at its best between Kidlington and Oxford but there are still some locks to be portaged before Oxford. There are two options to reach the Thames. One, via the Dukes Cut, iseasier as it reaches the Thames more quickly and directly than kayaking through Oxford. From Oxford paddling had a slight advantage from the Thames current, although because of low water this was minimal. A greater advantage was the assistance of lock keepers who control the lock paddles with electric switches and

27„lock‟ boats through - finally Peter could avoid the need to portage each lock.However, he had to wait for the lock keeper to „lock‟ him through each time.

The river Thames is very different from the Oxford canal. The initial reaction is how much wider the river is compared to the canal. There are also many more houses and much more involvement with towns and villages than on any canal. The second thing one notices is that one is in a valley, whereas a canal may often be higher than the surrounding land.

Peter completed his journey at London Bridge on Sunday, 12th June as planned.

Peter Woolsey

Forthcoming Events

Reminder to come to Banbury on 27th August to welcome the Cotswold Centenary Celebration Cruise In the summer edition of Cargoes notice was given that Banbury Town Council would be holding a civic reception on the towing path beside the Museum at 10am on Saturday 27th August 2011 for the Cotswold Canals Centennial Cruise, the five boats in the cavalcade having stopped in Banbury on Friday 26th.The Oxfordshire Branch will be supporting the cruise from the time it reaches Claydon Top Lock on Friday 26th until it arrives in Lechlade in time for the festival weekend of 3rd and 4th September. If you are available to give support, whether on the water or the bank, please contact me at [email protected] or on 07960 515182

Steve Parker

Oxford “Open Doors” event 10th & 11th September Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Oxfordshire Branch is pleased to be working with the Oxford Preservation Trust who organise this event in the City of Oxford as part of the National Heritage weekend. Full details of all the buildings which will be open and other activities which will be taking place throughout the City can be found on the website (www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk).

This is the third year that we have opened the City‟s waterways to the public as part of this very popular event.

We will once again be running free boat trips from Hythe Bridge, along the Oxford canal, through Isis lock and down to the Thames. There will be various exhibitions and activities for the children taking place in the pocket park and in St. Barnabus Church, Jericho.

28Chairman Chris and members of the committee will be available to talk to the public and would be very pleased to meet up with anyone who cares to come along and share their views with them.

The waterside event runs over the two days and we are always glad of any assistance you can give. Please ring me (01869 277400) if you can help. As we take over the visitor moorings during this event anyone wishing to bring their boat will need to let me know in advance.

Banbury Canal Day 2nd October Oxfordshire Branch of the Inland Waterways Association is once again delighted to assist Banbury Town Council with this spectacular Annual canal side event. We will be providing a water Taxi service between the basin area, just above the lock and Sovereign Boatyard where lots of activities take place. From there we provide free boat rides along the Oxford Canal, an experience many enjoy.

Activities and markets take place throughout the town though the focus is along the waterfront. Thousands come to stroll along and admire the colourful displays on the moored boats. We take the opportunity to talk to the public about the Historic Inland Waterways and to discuss with them how they can help to keep these alive.The children meanwhile are kept amused and interested, actively participating in a number of waterway crafts and creating mementoes of this memorable day.

Banbury Canal Day[Photo: Peter Silver]

Chris Wardley, our Chairman, and other members of the committee will be there. They look forward to meeting members and discussing their future plans for the waterways in Oxfordshire. Why not come along, give us a hand for an hour or just join in the fun. I am sure you and your family will have an enjoyable day out.

Mary Heritage

29

Dates for your diary

You are invited to join us on the following dates:

Sat/Sun 10th/11th Sept Oxford Waterside „Open Doors‟ Event (see separate article)

Wed 14th Sept: Stephen & Verna Wass - A talk about Morris Dancers, in particular the story of a local girl who worked on the canal

Sun 2nd Oct: Banbury Canal Day (see separate article for details)

Wed 12th Oct: Paul Barnett, Chairman Friends of Purton, The Purton Hulks, River Severn, Gloucestershire.

Wed 9th Nov: Liz Payne, Chairman of Cotswold Canals Trust, Working to restore the Cotswold Waterways

Wed 14th Dec: Skittles night

Unless otherwise stated the above events are held in the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT7.30pm for 8.00pm. New members and visitors most welcome. For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman - tel: 01865 372552.

Southampton Canal Society

Forthcoming Events & Meetings Thu 1st Sep: Our President, Brian Evans recalls his visits to the Caldon Canal and the Bewdley, Bridgnorth and the Severn Valley Railway.

Fri 7th Oct: DAY STAR THEATRE present “A Long Weekend”, followed by an American Supper, tickets £8. Tel. 02380 675312

Thu 3rd Nov: Paul Barnett, Friends of Purton. Presentation on “Lydney‟s Lost Fleet”

Thu 1st Dec: Inter Society Waterways Quiz, IWA Guildford & Reading, last winners, will be arranging the setting of the questions, followed by an American Supper.

Meetings are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ at 7:45pm. Visitors always welcome. For monthly newsletters see www.sotoncs.org.uk

30

Solent & Arun Branch News

Chairman’s Report

Unlike many IWA Branches we at present have no direct link to the navigable canal network so our activities have always tended to be centred on the rivers of the area. Most of the campaigns we have conducted as a Branch have involved the rivers, trying to improve access and also making sure they are cruised regularly.

The Shoreham Slipway Group The group are making progress on the River Adur but are not there yet, the aim being to get a slipway usable for most tide states to allow access to the River itself.Hopefully there will be some definite plans shortly, this was the reason for cruising the river this year to draw attention to the problems of access.

Southampton Canal Society Quiz We will again be taking part in the quiz on Thursday 1st December hopefully the weather will be kinder this year, if you want to take part then please get in touch. The quiz is followed by an American Supper and is part of the Southampton Canal Society programme of events.

River Hamble Cruise 18th September Our last cruise of 2011 will be on the River Hamble exploring the two arms of the river with a visit to The Horse & Jockey at Curdridge for refreshments. Lighter craft can launch at the public slip at Swanwick or at Warsash for larger craft. This is a chance to explore a Hampshire river with a beautiful rural section and some of busiest moorings in the country.

For full details please contact Mike Laishley on [email protected] or 02392 325000.

Past Events Reports

River Arun On the 15th May twenty craft took part in the annual trip up the River Arun from Pulborough to Pallingham held this year in conjunction with the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, launching took place at the public slipway at Pulborough. Unfortunately due to its location the slip is steep but everyone lent a hand to launch and recover. The river is constantly changing sometimes narrow, then deep and wide, but always rural and beautiful through some of the most remote countryside in the south east. No problems were encountered on the trip this year although we always have saws and cutters available in case trees and Branches have fallen across the river. At Pallingham boaters landed to view the start of the Wey & Arun Canal, it should be noted that we always get permission to land from the landowners every year. The

31return trip was made easier by high water and many stopped off at the White Hart at Stopham for a drink before returning to Pulborough. [A full report of this event, with pictures, is on page 6 of the Autumn 2011 edition of Waterways. Ed.]

A Blustery Day on the Adur On Sunday, 17th July three boats, with ten crew, braved the elements to cruise the River Adur to Upper Beeding. Unfortunately sea conditions prevented two other boats from joining us.

After getting parked vehicles moved from Shoreham‟s Ropetackle slip we then had to negotiate the deep slippery mud to the water, to get the boats afloat. The mud has become an increasing problem over the years. When we first cruised the river in the 1980s it was not a problem with a hard mud and shingle beach. There were plenty of birds to be seen with egrets, swans and cormorants the most common.Going with the tide the engine was having an easy trip. The weather held off until we were enjoying refreshment at the King‟s Head, when the heavens opened.

The return trip was not quite so dry, but there were plenty of walkers and runners enjoying the river. Recovery of the boats at Ropetackle was easier at high tide with plenty of water covering the mud.

Launching Brendan's boat Beeding landing[Photos: Brendan Whelan]

Chichester Ship Canal Trust – Forthcoming Events

Sat 10th Sep: 10am start. A linear guided walk along the old Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation tow path from Barnham Court Farm, Church Lane, Barnham to Hunston (approx. 6 miles). See the engineering remains of the canal along the way.Bring packed lunch. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society as part of Heritage Open Days.

Sun 11th Sep: Poyntz Bridge open from 10am till 4pm, situated approx. 200 yards south of the canal basin, Chichester. Guided basin walk at 2.00pm In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society as part of Heritage Open Days. .All enquiries to Linda Wilkinson on 01243 576701 or [email protected]

32

South London Branch Meetings South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30 for 8.00 pm at The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. Admission to the talks and presentations is free to all, members or non-members, although we do request a contribution towards room hire and refreshments. The programme for meetings is as follows:

Wed 14th Sep: „The Friends of Raymond‟ by Steve Miles

Wed 12th Oct: „Restoration of the Sussex Ouse‟ by Bob Draper (provisional)

Wed 9th Nov: „Lost Canals‟ by Nick Kelly

Fri 9th Dec: Christmas Dinner – more details later

For more information about South London‟s Social Calendar, please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581 or email [email protected]

STOP PRESS

On Saturday 1st October South London Branch is arranging a Cruise from Loxwood to Drungewick Lock and back on the Wey & Arun Canal. Commencing at 14:30, duration 3 - 3 1/2 hours, with refreshments available on board. Fare £12.00 per person, £6.00 for children (no concessions). Bookings to Alan Smith (contact details above) by 5th September, please.

Wey and Arun Canal Trust News Work on the Wey and Arun carries on apace both on the ground and behind the scenes. All the hard work at the Loxwood Crossing has been recognised by the award of the Waterways Renaissance Award in the Community category. At the Shalford end of the canal WACT have obtained a long term lease for land at Guns Mouth in Shalford where the canal joins the River Wey.

The Trust‟s funds recently received a £600 boost thanks to a donation from IWA Guildford & Reading Branch. The cheque was handed over at Loxwood Lock by the Branch Chairman, Gareth Jones (see photo on Page 35), prior to a walk along the canal to Drungewick Aqueduct in order to view what had been achieved in recent years. The money will be put towards studies in connection with the „Bramley Link‟, the project that aims to create a „green corridor‟ as a public amenity at the northern end of the canal, near its junction with the River Wey. Work has now started on the next major restoration site at Southland Lock, north of Loxwood, near the West Sussex/Surrey border, where the Trust‟s contractor Burras of Hayling Island has installed piling to reinforce the new lock walls, and has now

33excavated the lock floor and invert down to the old sandstone floor, enabling work to begin on the new concrete base for the lock. Burras will also fill behind the piling with concrete. When this is complete, WACT‟s volunteers will start work rebuilding the top cill, followed by brick facing to the concrete lock walls. The site is very restricted; on one side the Trust‟s working party members are taking particular care to keep disturbance for the local wildlife to a minimum, while on the other side is the towpath, a public right of way. Fund raising for this project has reached nearly £200,000. If you would like to donate to the new lock, please see the Trust‟s Website and click on the photo of Southland Lock „Appeal form‟.

Trust commissions further design studies The Trust is developing a design scheme for the reinstated canal at the northern end and as part of its preliminary work is pleased to announce that a contract has been awarded to specialist engineers Water Environment Limited of Wimbledon, for detailed canal alignment and flood relief studies in the vicinity of Shalford and Bramley. Residents of Bramley, who have over many years experienced flooding to their homes, expressed their strong support for these studies which, following detailed hydraulic modelling of the flood plain, will be used to develop flood defence proposals as part of the overall canal design scheme. The Wey & Arun Canal Trust's Chief Engineer, John Talbot, said: "We are delighted to be taking this significant step forward in the development of our engineering proposals for the Shalford and Bramley section of the Wey & Arun Canal.”

National Heritage Open Days The Trust will play a full part in Heritage Open Days 2011, offering free access to buildings that are normally closed to the public. Brewhurst Mill, Brewhurst Lane, Loxwood will be open to the public between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 10th September. There will be an exhibition from Sussex Mills Group, Gift stall and teas. Park in the Trust‟s Car Park at the Onslow Arms and walk via the towpath to Brewhurst Lock and Brewhurst Lane. The Gunpowder Store building at Stonebridge Wharfside, Shalford will be open to the public for the first time from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday 10th Sept. with displays on the history of the Wey & Arun Canal A guided walk along part of the old route of the Canal to Bramley, starting at 3pm from the Gunpowder Store, can be booked through Guildford Tourist Information Centre (01483 444333) or email [email protected].

34

Reopening of Lordings Water Wheel

Sunday 11th September will see another important event on the Wey & Arun Canal, when the restored Lordings water wheel is being formally unveiled by the Rt. Hon.Nick Herbert whose Arundel and South Downs constituency includes this part of the canal.

The water wheel is situated on the former Arun Navigation section of the canal, south of Wisborough Green, Billingshurst, West Sussex. Originally built nearly 200 years ago, the design of the wheel is believed to be unique in that one side of the blades is used in an undershot configuration to turn the wheel using the river flow, while the other sides of the paddles are cupped and used to lift river water into the canal.

About 10 years ago a volunteer work group led by the late Winston Harwood, the Trust‟s restoration manager at the time, discovered the water wheel chamber. Working only from the internal dimensions of the chamber, a wheel was constructed and this was duly installed in the chamber to test the principle. However, time caught up with Winston‟s wheel, and the central shaft, 3 inches indiameter, was found earlier this year to have snapped.

For all those involved in the restoration it has been an incredible achievement, and the new wheel forms a fitting memorial to Winston, who died in 2005 after a long battle with cancer. The £10,000 cost of restoring the wheel has been met by generous donations from individual members, from a corporate member and by a grant from the D‟Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Alongside the unveiling, which will take place at 12.30pm, a rally of small boats will be held on the canal from 11am onwards (application form on the Trust‟s Website). A barbecue will be provided, while beer and soft drinks will be on sale at the site by the local Hammerpot Brewery. Access to the site will be from the B2133 Lordings Road between Newbridge and Adversane.

Further information about the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is available from the Trust‟s office on 01403 752403 or from the Website: www.weyandarun.co.uk

Iris Piggott As we go to Press we have learned sadly of the death of Iris Piggott who was a former secretary of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust and a tireless worker for the restoration of that waterway. It was thanks to hergenerosity that Lock Gates were installed at Drungewick Lock and were inaugurated following the opening of the Aqueduct in 2003.

[Photo: Ray Carnell]

35

Eric Walker (left) receives the G&R donation from Gareth Jones (Chairman) with Verna

Smith and Ben Scott. [Photo: Courtesy WACT]

The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Paul Roper

Cranborne, Baughurst Road, Baughurst, Tadley, Hants RG26 5LL Phone: 01189 813381 Email:[email protected]

Guildford & Reading Branch: Chairman Gareth Jones, Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking, RH5 4QQ

Phone: 07850 819071 Email: [email protected] Kent & East Sussex Branch: Chairman Mike Hannan

Trumpeter, Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9JN Phone: 01622 890586 Email: [email protected]

Oxfordshire Branch: Chairman Chris Wardley The Mount, High Street, Adderbury, Banbury, Oxon OX17 3LU Phone: 01295 810610 Email: [email protected]

Solent & Arun Branch: Chairman Mike Laishley 16 Park Avenue, Widley, Waterlooville, Hants PO7 5DW

Phone: 023 92325000 (evenings) Email: [email protected]

Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA.

Editorial Team: Ray Carnell and Tim Fry [email protected]

Next issue Winter 2011 Copy date 15th October 2011.

BANBURYCANAL DAYSunday 2nd October10.30am - 5.00pm

Contact Banbury Town Council - 01295 250340