Ditchcrawler - September 2014

The Magazine of the North Cheshire Cruising Club

CELEBRATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER

Happy Birthday to

4th Wendy Gregory – Odyssey

5th Pam Jones – Thomas Harriet

6th Brian Bowker – Cleopatra

8th Mike Sellars – Jabege 2

9th Bryan Roberts

12th Geoff Taylor – Hakuna Matata

15th Bill Jewsbury – Taylor Maid

16th Gareth Winstanley

17th David Critchlow – Wild Rose

20th Denise Wright – Hirondelle

20th Barbara Palmer

And Happy Anniversary To

5th Jean & Fred Pennell – Lady Kay

9th Edna & Eric Roberts – Cindy

13th Ruth & Mike Sellars

14th Gill & Jim Ling – All J’s

21st Gail & Alan Fosbrook – Cygnet

Summary of the AWCC North West Region Branch Meeting,

held at the Watch House C.C. Stretford, on the evening of Thursday

11th September 2014.

(Copy of the minutes in their entirety available on request)

The meeting which was attended by approximately twenty representatives of North West Boat

Clubs opened with a brief address from two females from West Lancashire Police whose

responsibilities include parts of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The ladies highlighted difficulties

in responding expediently to boaters in need of police assistance when given poor descriptions

of locations particularly from hire boaters’. The AWCC representative for their area offered his

help and the use of a Nicholsons Guide. They were also advised of the existence of R.C.R. who

have themselves considerable experience in responding to boaters’ in remote locations.

There is widespread concern regarding overgrown vegetation on or near the canal banks. This

is creating to poor visibility leading to safety hazards. In some instances, thanks to poor briefing

and/or ignorance the contractors charged with cutting the bankside growth are depositing the

cuttings directly into the canal. Another drawback with reduced visibility is that the unique

vistas offered when navigating canals through appealing countryside are frequently denied.

Lock 9 West on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has now been fitted with depth indicators in an

attempt to avoid user problems. Two instances of boats sinking in the vicinity of Lock 23 West

have been reported. This was in fact the same boat on both occasions and appears to be down

to gross negligence on the part of the boater involved.

The restricted width problem at the Hurleston Lock flight at the start of the Llangollen Canal

appears to have been resolved.

One club in our region, the Lathome Marine Cruising Association based at Burscough on the

Leeds Liverpool Canal is to be disbanded. It is understood that this club is suffering from an

ageing membership to the extent that it is no longer viable.

The initiative to re-open the Runcorn Lock flight at the West end of the Bridgewater Canal

appears to be gathering momentum thanks to the ‘Unlock Runcorn’ campaign, (see website).

This restoration would offer another canal ring almost on our doorstep, taking in the

Bridgewater Canal, the Manchester Ship Canal, the River Weaver, the Anderton Lift and the

Trent & Mersey Canal.

The officials representing North West Branch of the AWCC are in regular contact with their

counterparts nationally through the National Executive Council. Mindful of costs, AWCC North

West propose that the number of attendees at the N.E.C. meetings is reduced from 23 to 12

and the number of annual meetings is reduced from four to three. These changes are to be

suggested at the forthcoming NEC meeting on Saturday 13th September 2014.

Date of next meeting, Thursday 13th November 2014.

John Suggitt, A.W.C.C. representative, N/B Evenlode

NCCC DATES FOR 2014

BOWLNG COMP………………………………………TBA

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMP……………...……Thurs 9th OCT

LAYING UP/ PRESENTATION…………...…Sat 25th OCT

GEORGIE’S JEWELLERY & CRAFTS…...Thurs 30th OCT

AGM………………………………… ……Sunday 2nd NOV

AUTUMN QUIZ (Barbara Palmer)………...Thurs 20th NOV

CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP....Sunday 30th NOV

CHRISTMAS FLORAL DOMO………….…Weds 3rd DEC

ADULTS CHRISTMAS PARTY…………….....Sat 6th DEC

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY………...Sat 13th DEC

BRASS BAND CONCERT…………………...Sun 14th DEC

CHRISTMAS QUIZ (Barbara Palmer)……..Thurs 18th DEC

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY…………….…Weds 31st DEC

Sunday Lunches at NCCC

New members may not know and established members may need

reminding, that light lunches such as toasties, pies, jacket potatoes,

hot-pot, soup etc. are available in the club-house during the winter

months. The bar is also open.

This year the Social Committee will begin serving their culinary delights

on

Sunday 19th October, 12 - 1.30pm.

Sunday Lunches will be available on:

19th Oct, 26th Oct, 2nd Nov, 9th Nov, 16th Nov 23rd Nov.

No lunches on 30th Nov as the room will be used for the Christmas

Wreath workshop.

TROPHIES and CRUISING LOGS

If you have a club trophy and have not yet returned it could you return

it as soon as possible. Also if you are entering your cruising log in this

year’s competition please give it to me the first or second week in

October.

Thank You

Jan

KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

We urgently need help in the kitchen for Sunday lunches, which we hope will

resume on Sunday 19th October. I say we hope to resume because without more

help we will not be able to provide this service for our members. There is a small

group of regular volunteers who are willing to show you the ropes if you can help.

We require your help with either taking the money, brewing the drinks or

washing up. We don’t expect you to prepare or cook food unless you wish to.

We require your help from 12 – 2pm on a Sunday once each month and for

moorers in the arm this will count towards your monthly targets.

We really want to keep up the Sunday lunches because if you do work on your

boat during the winter it is a welcome break from the cold plus it’s a chance to

socialise with those members who can’t make Thursday nights.

Please contact Jan Tattersall or Pam Russell for more details or add your name to

the list on the club notice board.

Many thanks.

KITCHEN CLEAN

It’s autumn again and time to ask for volunteers to help with the annual deep

clean of the club kitchen.

Here are the dates:

MONDAY 13th OCTOBER 10-1pm, 1-4pm

TUESDAY 14th OCTOBER 10-1pm, 1-4pm, 7-9pm

THURSDAY 16th OCTOBER 10-1pm, 1-4pm

Rubber gloves, cloths, brews & biscuits provided!!

Please contact me with your preferred day and time 01457 861085

Look forward to seeing you.

Jan

The first working day will be 11 October and each 2nd Saturday

thereafter.

Please see notices in Clubhouse.

RAFFLE PRIZES

Please donate any unwanted gifts which would be suitable to use as

raffle prizes at our next social events.

Many thanks

The Social Committee

Jen and I spent a few days in Bugsworth recently and met Jan at the

Navigation Inn which we found as first timers to be a warm welcoming

hostelry serving good food and good beer in very convivial

surroundings.

Jan sends her regards to all at North Cheshire and looks forward to

seeing us in the Navigation. Ed.

NORTH CHESHIRE CRUISING CLUB

Saturday 25th Oct

8pm

£7

INCLUDES ENTERTAINMENT & LIGHT SUPPER

I had the good fortune to navigate the Marple Lock Flight on a number of occasions both during

the 1950’s and after restoration which was completed during the 1970’s. The lock flight, the

Lower Peak Forest and the Ashton Canal’s deteriorated significantly in the late 1950’s and early

1960’s resulting in a ‘protest cruise’ in 1961 to demonstrate to British Waterways that the

through route to Manchester remained viable. A number of NCCC club members mindful of the

threat of closure supported this initiative. Shortly after this a serious breach occurred at Marple

Aqueduct consequently re-opening of this route seemed very remote if not impossible. We are

indebted to a relatively small group of canal enthusiasts and civic minded local residents who

campaigned long and hard for restoration, often sacrificing their leisure time to achieve their

goal of a fully operational canal.

Having lived in the centre of Marple for a number of years, whilst walking the lock flight I’ve had

the time take in the multitude of detailed features on offer. Whilst it shames me to admit it, I’ve

grossly under estimated the wealth of Industrial Archaeology contained in and around the lock

flight corridor. During a visit to Marple, a party of Germans couldn’t believe that this area hasn’t

been declared a World Heritage site! If for any reason you can’t sail (ice or low water levels),

take a walk down the flight and continue to Hydebank Tunnel. The boat horse path above the

tunnel passes Blackhurst’s Farm which has fairly recently been converted into a café offering

excellent value for money (closed Monday’s). Should you attempt this walk, you may

experience first-hand the work of some of our eminent Canal and Railway Engineers who were

active during the late Eighteenth and most of the nineteenth century.

In this and subsequent issues I’ll attempt to summarise some of the features you may come

across including the temporary railway which was employed to move freight during the

construction of the lock flight.

Though limestone is a very valuable commodity, offering lime both as an agricultural fertilizer

and an ingredient for cement manufacture, prior to the coming of the canals the quarry

operators were restricted by their dependence upon pack horse transportation. Mindful of this

opportunity, the Canal Companies responsible for Peak Forest and the Caldon branch of the

Trent and Mersey targeted the limestone outcrop within North East Derbyshire, quickly

realising that it was impractical to attempt a direct waterway link to this feature. The three and a

half mile long rail link with between the Caldon Low Quarry complex with the Caldon Canal

which came into operation around 1778, employed a horse operated railway utilising wooden

rails faced with cast iron plates mounted on wooden sleepers. The later five and a half mile long

rail link between the Quarries to the South east of Chapel en le Frith and the Peak Forest Canal

employed ‘L’ section cast iron rails mounted on stone sleepers.

Construction of the Peak Forest canal having commenced in 1794 appeared to progress

smoothly, the railway and upper level being operational in the Spring of 1797. However during

the Autumn of 1797 it became apparent that there were insufficient funds to complete the

construction of the Marple lock flight whereupon work on these locks was immediately

suspended. The following January the canal company decided to implement Benjamin Outram’s

proposal for the temporary railway offering a short term means of bypassing the lock flight, this

being completed as far as the South end of Marple Aqueduct in May 1798. Needless to say, the

specification of this railway bore a close resemblance to that linking the South end of the canal

at Bugsworth with the quarries. Subsequently in 1800 the lower level section of the canal was

completed, thus, at this instant in time the canal was operational, no doubt generating much

needed funds for the canal company shareholders. Also in 1800 the temporary railway was

extended from the then canal terminus near what is now the Forces Club, South as far as Brick

Bridge (No 33).

Station Road

Lock 9

Photo 10 Warehouse

Lock 10

Photos 7 8 & 9 Photo 6

Lock 11 St. Martins Road

Lock 12

Stockport Road Oldknow Road

Lock 13

Lock 14

Lockside

Lock 15 Photo 2

Photos 3 4 5

Lock 16

Limekiln Lane

Macclesfield Canal

Strines Road

KEY

Canal

Railway

Road

Brick Bridge Photo 1

Map of Temporary Railway Route along upper half of lock flight

in 1803, work recommenced on the lock flight, which was completed in 1805. The temporary

railway which was dismantled during the Spring of 1807 and stored for re-use is inextricably

linked with the lock flight and to this day there remains evidence of it. Though I’ve managed to

photograph some genuine artefacts, I suspect that elements of the temporary railway were

removed from storage and re-used to form a rail/canal and a rail/road transhipment complex

located between the Marple Limekilns to the East of the temporary 1797 canal terminus and

Strines Road, consequently some of this information is ‘speculative’.

A ‘figure of eight’ walk offers one the opportunity to view both the temporary railway (walking

downhill) and the lock flight (walking uphill), see map.

To be continued.

John Suggitt, ‘Evenlode

John will display photographs together with the article on the evening of the Clubs

Photographic Competition. – Ed

Boaters get ‘stay put’ winter licence

Many continuous cruisers prefer not to have to keep moving their boat during the

winter months when bad weather and stoppages can make travel difficult.

Following a positive response to last year’s trial changes to the winter moorings

system, allowing continuous cruisers to keep their boat in one place by purchasing

a winter mooring permit, the Canal & River Trust (CRT) will continue that pilot

scheme with a few additional features.

Between November 2014 and March 2015 boaters will be able to choose cheaper

and more flexible General Towpath Permits, allowing mooring anywhere on the

towpath for a month or more, with a few exceptions.

Also Selected Visitor Moorings where a selection of the most popular sites will be

offered for winter moorings as in previous years.

In Central London there will be Winter Mooring Sites in four locations (West,

Central, East 1 & East 2)

CRT is now offering winter mooring permits of one, two, three four or five

months’ duration, starting on the first day of the month. There are unlimited

numbers of general towpath permits available.

For more information, including prices, is on the C&RT website. Winter mooring

permits will be available from Wednesday 1 October on the C&RT website.

For continuous cruisers seeking to book selected visitor moorings or central

London winter moorings, four and five month permits will be available then, with

two and three month permits on sale on 14 October and one month permits

bookable from 1 November. Other boaters will be able to secure winter moorings

at selected visitor sites from 1 November.

Alternatively – with the current availability of berths – a number of marinas are

offering winter mooring deals.

ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION

Each year we hold a photographic

competition. This year the date for the

competition is Thursday 9th October.

The categories for the competition are

CANAL SCENE

CANAL FLORA & FAUNA

FUNNY PHOTO (Giggle Cup)

ARTWORK – a piece of artwork produced by a club member

with a canal or waterways theme.

Bring your entries between 8pm – 9pm. I will be judging the

entries with a selected team of experts!

So look through your holiday snaps and enter the

competition.

GOOD LUCK!

Jan

Chicken Breast Fillets with Parma Ham

Serves: 2

225g (8 oz) baby new potatoes, cut in half

1 courgette, halved lengthwise and cut into 2.5cm slices

1 red onion, cut into 1.5cm thick wedges

2 red peppers, cut into 2.5cm pieces

12 cherry tomatoes

6 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp crushed red chilli flakes

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast fillets

4 slices thinly sliced Parma ham

Method

Prep:15min › Cook:45min › Ready in:1hr

1. Preheat oven to 200 C / Gas mark 6.

2. Place potatoes, courgette, onion, peppers and tomatoes into a large bowl. Add the garlic, thyme and

chilli flakes; season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Pour in olive oil, then toss until the vegetables are evenly coated with oil. Pour into a baking dish and

bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, season the chicken to taste with salt and pepper. Wrap each chicken breast with two slices

of prosciutto, and secure with cocktail sticks.

5. After the vegetables have cooked for 15 minutes, place the parma-wrapped chicken on top of the

vegetables, and continue baking until the chicken has firmed and turned opaque, about 30 minutes.

6. To serve, remove the chicken from the baking dish, and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

7. Divide the roasted vegetables among two dinner plates. Remove cocktail sticks from chicken, then

slice each piece of chicken into five diagonal slices. Fan the chicken out on top of the vegetables

Dear Member

I am pleased to invite you to the 10th Annual General Meeting of The North Cheshire Cruising Club Ltd., at the clubhouse on Sunday 2nd November 2014 at 2 pm. You will find the following papers in this magazine:

Agenda

Nomination form for full members to put their names forward for Director positions

Nomination form for official Club positions

Proxy forms

Nomination/Proxy forms to be returned to me, duly proposed and seconded by full members, by Monday 13th October 2014. Please note that the Minutes of the 9th Annual General Meeting held on 3rd November 2013 will be available to view at the Clubhouse at this year’s AGM Whilst several Directors/Officers have expressed their desire to serve the club again, members may nominate themselves for any of the following vacancies.

Director positions open for nominations:-

Bar Director - John Fenton wishes to continue in this post

Finance Director

Premises Director

Director without portfolio - Bill Jewsbury wishes to continue in this post

Commodore: As the incoming Commodore becomes a Board member on appointment, we need to ratify this position at the AGM

Officer positions open for nominations:-

Membership Liaison

Minutes Secretary

Moorings Officer

Quartermaster

Vice Commodore

Rear Commodore

Resolutions and Any Other Business:- Finally we hope we can conclude the essential business of the Limited Company quickly and that we have a productive and efficient general meeting, where a healthy debate is welcome and where we also display respect for each other. The Board decided that any resolutions raised for the debate during Any Other Business have to be submitted to the Secretary before 6th October 2014. Resolutions will be time limited and may be subject, at the Chairman’s discretion, to a hand vote to indicate the strength of support from the members present. Such voting is not binding on the Board. Associate Members Associate members are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting but will not be able to take part in the formal part of the meeting, including voting, prior to the interval. If you have any questions about arrangements or roles, please contact me or any other Board member. Pam Suggitt Secretary and Returning Officer The North Cheshire Cruising Club Ltd

NORTH CHESHIRE CRUISING CLUB LTD

AGENDA

For the 10th Annual General Meeting To be held on Sunday 2nd November 2014 in the Clubhouse at 2 pm

1) The Chairman welcomes members to the AGM

2) Apologies for Absence.

3) The Minutes of the 9th Annual AGM held on 3rd November 2013

4) Amendments, if any, to the Minutes

5) Proposer and Seconder invited to accept the Minutes

6) Matters Arising from the Minutes

7) The Chairman’s Report

8) The Secretary’s Report

9) The Finance Director’s Report and the presentation of the Accounts

10) Questions to the Finance Director on the Accounts

11) Proposer and Seconder invited to accept the Accounts

12) Proposer and Seconder invited for the re-appointment of the Auditors

13) The Land & Water Space Director’s Report

14) The Membership Services Director’s Report

15) The Premises Director’s Report

16) The Premises Director’s Report (Bar)

17) Elections to be introduced by the Secretary/Returning Officer

DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

A) Bar Director B) Finance Director C) Premises Director D) Director without Portfolio E) Commodore

OFFICER NOMINATIONS

F) Membership Liaison G) Membership Secretary H) Minutes Secretary I) Moorings Officer J) Quartermaster K) Vice Commodore L) Rear Commodore

INTERVAL

The interval will provide an opportunity to take refreshment, pay Mooring or Membership Fees for 2014/2015, purchase Christmas Cards and provide Christmas Greetings to our current Ditchcrawler Editor for inclusion in the club magazine.

18) Resolutions 19) Any Other Business 20) FORMAL CLOSE OF AGM 21) The Chairman closes the meeting

BLANK PAGE

NORTH CHESHIRE CRUISING CLUB LTD Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on Sunday 2nd November 2014 at 2 pm at the Clubhouse, High Lane, to transact the following business:

To receive and adopt the Accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2014 together with the reports of the Chairman, Secretary, Auditors, and the other office holding Directors. To elect a Bar Director, Finance Director, Premises Director, Director without Portfolio, Membership Liaison Officer, Membership Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Moorings Officer, Quartermaster, Commodore, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore. To re-appoint M.S. Twist & Co as Auditors of the Company To transact any other business that may lawfully be transacted at an Annual General Meeting A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting may appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his place. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

By order of the Board

Pam Suggitt, Secretary

==================================================================================

NORTH CHESHIRE CRUISING CLUB LTD

Form of Proxy

I __________________________ being a person entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting of the above Company to be held on Sunday 2nd November 2014 hereby appoint ___________________________to be my proxy to attend the above meeting on my behalf and to vote on any resolution as he/she may think fit, or to such effect as I have indicated on the back of this form. Signed _____________________________________________________ This proxy must be lodged with the Secretary by handing it to her or posting it to the NCCC, The Wharf, Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport, SK6 8AA, by 13th October 2014.

BLANK PAGE

NORTH CHESHIRE CRUISING CLUB LIMITED

Nomination Form I am willing to let my name go forward at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday 2nd November 2014 to serve as ___________________________________________________

DIRECTOR of the above named Company, subject to the Articles of the same.

Signature _________________________________Date______________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________ Boat________________________________________________________________________ Proposed by______________________________ Boat________________________________ Seconded by______________________________Boat________________________________ This form to be returned to the Secretary/Returning Officer of the NCCC, no later than 13th October 2014 – Postal address is The Wharf, Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport, SK6 8AA

NORTH CHESHIRE CRUISING CLUB LIMITED

Nomination Form I am willing to let my name go forward at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday 2nd November 2014 to serve as ___________________________________________________

OFFICER of the above named Company, subject to the Articles of the same.

Signature _________________________________Date______________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________ Boat________________________________________________________________________ Proposed by______________________________ Boat________________________________ Seconded by______________________________Boat________________________________ This form to be returned to the Secretary/Returning Officer of the NCCC, no later than 13th October 2014 – Postal address is The Wharf, Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport, SK6 8AA

BLANK PAGE

NCCC Board of Directors 2013 / 2014

Chairman Garry Dockerty 01663 767810 Company Secretary Pam Suggitt 0161 427 9906 Finance Director Vacant Premises Director Bob Barlow 01663 765731 Land & Water Space Director Eric Roberts 01457 855929 Membership Services Director Pam Russell 0161 998 0391 Bar Director John Fenton 0161 998 0391 Director without Portfolio Bill Jewsbury 07812 368887 Sailing Officer Immediate Past Commodore Janet Tattersall 01457 861085 Company Officials Archivist John Suggitt 0161 427 9906 AWCC Rep John Suggitt “ Ditchcrawler Editor Bernie Budworth 01925 764377 Food Safety Officer Janet Tattersall 01457 861085 Fundraising Co-ordinator Sheila Barlow 01663 765731 Health & Safety Officer George Griffin 0161 355 6830 Kitchen Supervisor Pam Russell 0161 998 0391 Licensing Agent Jen Budworth 01925 764377 Membership Secretary Pam Suggitt 0161 427 9906 Moorings Officer Graham Fulcher 0161 312 0117 Quartermaster Bill Jewsbury 07812 368887 Web Master Garry Dockerty 01663 767810 Wharf Supdt. Brian Bowker 01663 763595