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Endeavour
Northampton Branch
Newsletter - May 2015
1 to attempt (eg the fulfilment of an obligation) by exertion of effort; 2 archaic
to strive to achieve or reach ~ vi to make an effort to do something n
a serious determined effort
The IWA was founded in 1946 to campaign for the retention, restoration and development of Britain’s navigable waterways and for their fullest commercial and recreational use.
The IWA is a registered Charity (no. 212342) , whose work is supported by members’ subscriptions.
Richard Parry, CEO of The Canal & River Trust, with Bernard Morton after unveiling
the plaque and mural commemorating 200 years of the opening of the Northampton Arm.
Full report on page 20 and in Chairman’s Jottings.
Northampton Festival of Water 2015
at Becket’s Park, 29th-31st August For more details see pages 21 & 23
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EDITORIAL
MUSINGS
3
When presenting his report at the Branch AGM in March, Chairman Bernard Morton
voiced grateful thanks and praise to many of his colleagues, both on the Branch
Committee and others who lend their considerable weight but prefer to bypass com-
mittee work. However, there was one obvious omission – the Chairman himself
went without thanks.
There have been, at previous AGMs, occasions when a member of the audience has
risen to their feet and expressed appreciation of the Chairman’s efforts. But not this
time, and so I feel, on behalf of the Branch membership, this situation should be
rectified. Bernard, together with his wife Sandie (who, shall we say, by pure coinci-
dence {!} happens to be Branch secretary and who received her husband’s thanks)
ensure the Branch ticks over smoothly from month to month. A lot goes on in the
background, of course, such as arranging the annual dinner, etc, etc. Other duties are
more conspicuous. Bernard leads from the front and drives initiatives, an obvious
example being the adoption of the Northampton Arm. He is also among those at the
forefront in the organisation of the Northampton Festival of Water in August.
Now, happily, he is still prepared to soldier on, as evidenced by his willingness to
continue as Chairman when committee responsibilities were confirmed at the April
Branch committee meeting. So, Bernard, our sincere thanks to you. Just let us make
sure we give him our fullest support. And if anyone does find cause to criticise (and
Bernard, I imagine, is one who is well prepared to take it on the chin), then please
criticise thoughtfully and constructively. If not, make yourself known with an offer
to do it yourself!
Meantime, the next issue of Endeavour in August will focus on the Festival of Wa-
ter. Not unexpectedly, we shall be looking back to the IWA’s 1971 record breaking
National Rally at Becket’s Park and Old Stager is already realising this is a reminisc-
ing opportunity not to be missed. Why, in fact, shall we all be gathering at some-
where called Becket’s Park? More mature members may well know the answer. Old
Stager has already hinted to me that the venue might easily have been known as –
wait for it! – Cow Meadow Pastures. All will be revealed.
IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https://www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to
use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or
engage in discussion on what’s happening.
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DIARY DATES 4
IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton
Please visit it regularly to see any updates
June 1st Pond dipping at Stoke Bruerne - 01604 862229 for information and bookings
7th 1pm Mikron Theatre presents ‘One of Each’ on the Museum Green at Stoke Bruerne
7th before 10am Sunbeam Motorcycle Club – Rose of the Shires Run in Museum car park
9th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Natter & Noggin at The Wharf Inn, Bugbrooke
12th Pre-Family Festival music night at The Navigation, Stoke Bruerne
13th & 14th Family Festival at Stoke Bruerne (details see page 10 or visit
www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk)
27th –28th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival (see page 25 & back page)
July 11th-12th Buckingham Canal Festival (details 01908 662127)
21st Geocaching Event at Stoke Bruerne (details see page 9)
August 8th –9th Blisworth Canal Festival (details www.blisworthcanalfestival.co.uk)
11th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Natter & Noggin at The Britannia, Bedford
Road, Northampton
29th-31st Festival of Water at Becket’s Park, Northampton (details see pages 21 and 23
and also in Chairman’s Jottings)
September 8th 6pm IWA Northampton Branch 3 mile walk, starting and finishing at the
Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. More details will be on the website, Facebook
and Twitter
12th-13th Stoke Bruerne Village at War (details
www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk)
NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES June 9th, 28th. July 7th, 26th. August 4th, 23rd.
September 8th, 27th. October 6th, 25th. November 10th, 29th.
For details, contact [email protected]
or phone 01604 453932
BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES June 4th,14th, 18th. July 2nd, 12th, 16th, 30th.
August 9th, 13th, 27th. September 10th, 13th, 24th.
For details, contact Athina Beckett on 01908 662127
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Stowe Hill Wharf, Heyford Lane,
Weedon, Northants NN7 4SF
Tel: 01327 341365
Proprietor Robert Gudgeon
welcomes you to Stowe Hill Workshop
Full Repaints
Hull Blacking/Stern Gear
Inspection and Repairs
Engine Repairs and Maintenance
Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations
Plumbing Installations and Repairs
Electrical Installations and Repairs
NEW — Fuel Polishing Service
Stockists of Morris Oils and Grease
Full range of Batteries always available
(please let us know your requirements)
By road we are easily found, a few yards off the A5 at Stowe Hill
towards Nether Heyford. By boat close to Bridge 26
ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN, FROM SIMPLE
TASKS TO COMPLETE FIT-OUTS
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Branch Chairman’s Jottings
by Bernard Morton
7
FESTIVAL TIME NEARS. The following is how Northampton Borough Council
is promoting the Festival of Water at Becket’s Park on 28th – 31st August:
“The Northampton Festival of Water on the waterfront at Becket’s Park will have an
array of attractions on and off the water providing a fun day out for all the family.
Up to 200 boats, including leisure, trade, heritage and working narrow boats, are
expected in the marina and on the river front as well as canoes, rowing boats, sailing
boats, windsurfers and ribs. Organised by the Inland Waterways Association, festi-
val goers can expect to enjoy live music, theatre and dance, canal crafts demonstra-
tions, fundraising stalls, children’s activities and more.”
Sounds a rather challenging event in which to be prominently involved, doesn’t it?
But it must be emphasised that we are not alone in this venture – the Council’s blurb
in its widely distributed “What’s On” brochure does not mention that the Council
itself is a prime player along with the EA and CRT. Basically, the IWA Events
Team and Northampton Branch are organising the main activities and entertainments
with the Borough Council providing most of the infrastructure for the event, such as
power supplies, toilets, water and waste disposal. Plus, of course, the land required
without charge for the Festival at Becket’s Park and nearby, not forgetting the camp-
ing and caravanning facilities at Delapre Abbey. However, it seems there is a per-
ceived confusion in the dates of the Festival. For Festival entrants, the events kick-
off on the Friday 28th. As far as the public is concerned, it is a Saturday, Sunday and
Monday attraction and thus is being advertised as from the 29th – 31st. All clear now?
Obviously the organisers are now well into the thick of it and boat entries are being
steadily received. It goes without saying that volunteers are needed to help with a
variety of jobs over the entire Festival Bank Holiday weekend, including both before
and after, so please get in touch with me (contact details on page 38).
Festival Committee Chairman, John Pomfret, told you more about the Festival in the
February Endeavour. He will contribute again in the August issue. Meanwhile, for
all enquiries and booking forms, please go to the Festival web pages at
www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/festival_water/
northampton_festival_water_2015
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT GAYTON. I was so pleased when your
Branch Committee decided to hold a special get-together at Gayton Junction to mark
the opening of the Arm on the 1st May 1815. Sadly, we missed the actual date by one
day – our celebration was on Saturday, 2nd May - but it was certainly more timely
than waiting until the end of August at the River Festival to recognise the occasion.
A good number of members turned up at Arm End to enjoy a free BBQ, drinks and
other refreshments. The previous weekend our Task Party volunteers blitzed the site
around the sanitary station leaving it spick and span while liberal use of white paint
really smartened up the area overall.
Among our guests was CRT Chief Executive Richard Parry, who joined us after
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opening the IWA’s London Cavalcade event and did us the honour of unveiling a
commemorative plaque as well as a colourful mural of the Arm (featuring a typical
lift bridge) created by the children of Gayton C of E Primary School with guidance
from professional artist David Bowers of Mosaic Madness. Some of the children
were present at the ceremony accompanied by their teachers. Much of the initial
design work for the mural had been carried out by Branch Committee member Sam
Line, together with David Blagrove (who needs no introduction), and I would like to
thank them both for their help with this project.
Joint Task Party organiser, Mick Butler, briefly outlined the outstanding work of the
volunteers who meet regularly twice a month to give the Arm TLC. In some areas of
the Arm, said Mick, it is now almost a question of hunt the towpath rubbish so metic-
ulous have our litter-pickers become. Richard warmly acknowledged our efforts,
saying how appreciated these were throughout the CRT organisation.
All in all, a very successful occasion. Although it was certainly a bit chilly, the rain
held off. However, had it rained we would have been well protected in the tentage
kindly loaned by The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne who enthusi-
astically supported us by transporting all the necessary equipment to Gayton from
Stoke aboard the Museum’s nb Sculptor. Also, grateful thanks to Bill and Liz
Mann who ran the BBQ and also to the refreshment ladies who I dare not mention
by name should I inadvertently miss one out – and then what trouble I would be in!
But you know who you are.
WEATHERWISE. The vagaries of our delightful climate have been demonstrated
clearly once again this winter and spring by the paucity of rain. Drought is the
dreaded word that comes to mind – but then again, deluge might suddenly take its
place. A friend of mine whose front room view overlooks the Washland flood lake
near the A45 at Northampton tells me that its low level hasn’t apparently changed in
months, and of course Nene boaters haven’t been plagued by a fast flowing river and
sudden flooding. CRT report adequate supplies of water and, at the time of writing,
effective management of this natural resource so vital to us should ensure trouble-
free boating. But who knows what the crystal ball is indicating. Fingers crossed for
a pleasant summer of traditional sunshine and showers (but not too prolonged and
heavy). Just
enough to get us
all to and from
Becket’s Park!
Richard Parry
(CRT) unveiling
the mural and
plaque alongside
Francesca (9)
from Gayton
Primary School
with Bernard
Morton and Mick
Butler (right)
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Northampton Arm Stoppage Winter 2014/15
CRT Waterways Manager Neil Owen describes works
undertaken during the stoppage period
Duration of works 4 weeks, total cost approx 80k. We removed composite steel approximate-
ly 25 years old and timber gates and replaced them with traditional oak gates produced by
our repair yard in Bradley
Details of the works are as follows:- Replacement Lock 2 top gate, including new cills and vertical timber sealing post (jams) Replacement of cills to bottom gates and refitting of the gates to prevent leakage through the
mitre, heals and cill.
Replacement of top and bottom gates to Lock 13, including cills and jams. This required a 60t
crane located on the offside of the canal due to difficult access on the towpath side. All pad-
dles were checked and seals and bolts replaced as required.
Top gate Lock 7 refitted and lined to prevent water loss. Service of ground paddles seals and
bolts replaced as required
Ground paddles on Locks 2-4-5-6-13 serviced, including replacing worn bolts, checking rub-
bers and replacing as required.
In addition we carried out the following vegetation works on the Arm in January and Febru-
ary
1200 m2 reed cutting (using heavier duty methodology)
Offside cutting 1 m out from bank - 755 m
Offside cutting to the bank bends – 516 m
Trees- 45 small/medium multi stem trees on the offside bank.
Fender growth 577 m2
This is all in addition to the stoppage works two years ago when extensive underwater brick-
work repairs were completed.
The outstanding item is spot dredging on the Arm, which will be complete as minimum using
our dredger boat to ensure the channel is clear for the Festival of Water at Becket’s Park.
GEOCACHING EVENT AT STOKE BRUERNE
The Branch is co-organising a Geocaching event with Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership
on the evening of Tuesday, 21st July. If you’ve always wanted to find out more about this
popular global treasure hunting game – now’s your chance. All you need is a GPS or a
Smart Phone with the Geocaching App downloaded. It’s free to register a Geocaching
Account on-line. If you don’t have a GPS or a Smart Phone, don’t worry, we can team
you up with someone who has. More details will appear on websites closer to the time, so
keep an eye out. The event will be taking place at Stoke Bruerne and it is hoped all
those taking part will end up for a ‘noggin and natter’ in one of the two pubs, possibly
with a BBQ laid on. If you want more information, please contact Lynda Payton or Sam
Samuells on 01604 862501 or e-mail [email protected]
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GRAND JUNCTION BOAT COMPANY
Boat Building and Fitting,
Marine Engineers, Electricians,
Agents for Yanmar Diesel Engines
CANAL MAINTENANCE YARD,
BLISWORTH ARM, boatrepairs.uk.com
NORTHAMPTON NN7 3EF [email protected]
Tel: 01604-858043 narrowboatrepairsnorthampton.co.uk
NEW BRANCH MEMBERS
ARE WELCOMED
We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour
NEW MEMBERS
Mr C Joynson, Daventry
Mr C & Mrs C McCowen, Blisworth
Mr B Morgan, Daventry
Mr P Simpson, West Hunsbury
Mr D Robinson, Wellingborough
Mr R Louden & Family, Daventry
Mr S D & Mrs M J A Savage, Billing Garden Village
Mr A Simons & Family, Kettering
Mr R & Mrs S Winters, Harpole, Northampton
MEMBER WHO HAS TRANSFERRED
TO THE BRANCH
Mr D Milne, Crick
We look forward to meeting you all
at Branch events
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BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS REVIEW
FEBRUARY Arm’s 200th Anniversary Celebrations
Sandie Morton is in discussions with Mosaic Madness regarding the cre-
ation of a mural for the sani-station wall at Gayton Junction. Bill Mann
has agreed to run the BBQ.
Northampton Arm, Mile Post No 2
The replacement of this was discussed and all agreed that the Branch
should fund its manufacture. The proposal of a commemorative plaque
for Eric Young to be placed on a new mile post was discussed and agreed.
Festival of Water
Boat bookings and trader reservations were coming in slowly. A list of
previous advertisers had been received and a letter was being composed
to be sent out. A VIP is needed to open the event
Northampton Arm Adoption
The twice-monthly Task Parties were continuing, with attendances aver-
aging 10-12 people. The proposed banners advising the public of the Task
Party activities are awaiting Head Office approval. The new Northamp-
ton Arm leaflet, revised by Sam Line, is to be displayed in the unit by
Lock 1.
Membership
There are currently 465 members and 293 memberships
Reports from Local Societies
Braunston Canal Society —At the Society’s AGM, Chris Burton stood
down as Chairman with Nick Scrivens taking over. The Open Day at the
lock by the Admiral Nelson pub had been very popular with over 1,000
people attending over the two days.
MARCH Arm’s 200th Anniversary Celebrations
It was reported that Richard Parry will be attending and will unveil the
mosaic mural and plaque. The size of the mural was agreed at 1.2 m x 1m
and feature a horse-drawn working boat passing under a lift bridge. Neil
Owen has given permission for them to be mounted on the Sanitary Sta-
tion wall. Sculptor will be attending and bring catering equipment and
gazebos from The Friends of The Canal Museum on the Saturday morn-
ing.
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Treasurer’s Report
Account balance was £5077,67 with £943.52 of planned expenditure
still to be debited. The promised donation of £200 for a defibrillator at
Stoke Bruerne is still pending whilst other contributors are sought.
Northampton Arm Adoption
The next Task Party will be around Lock 1 with re-painting of the shed
and the Lock Keeper’s hut and Lock 2 where a new gate has been in-
stalled.
Branch Magazine and Website
A special Endeavour with the Festival Event Programme as the flip side
in addition to the normal August edition was agreed.
Reports from Local Societies
Buckingham Canal Society — The Society’s AGM was held on 31st Janu-
ary with 60 people attending and Richard Parry giving a talk on the Fu-
ture of the Canal Network and Restoration. Cosgrove Festival will be
over the weekend 11th –12th July and will combine with the Cosgrove
Feast, which the village is reviving.
Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership—The planning for the installation of
interpretation boards is proceeding slowly. Wood for the supports is be-
ing brought from the Kennet and Avon via road and Sculptor.
Friends of Canal Museum—Six new picnic tables/benches have been or-
dered for the Museum Green.
APRIL Election of Officers
Branch Chairman - Bernard Morton
Vice-Chairman – Geoff Wood
Treasurer - Alex Madisons
Secretary - Sandie Morton
Membership Secretary/Task Parties - Geoff Wood
Events Committee Chairman /Task Parties - Mick Butler
Publicity Officer/Grants Officer - Lynda Payton
Branch Meeting Organiser - Graham Treagus
Editor - Tony Clarke
Website/Social Media Officer - Sam Line
All above were elected unopposed
Arm 200th Anniversary Celebrations
The mural will be made by the children of Gayton Primary School, who
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are very enthusiastic.
Treasurer’s Report
A balance of £5392.20. Alex proposed that we should forego the per
capita payment for Endeavour. This means we will not have to pay pro-
duction costs and we should realise a surplus due to the level of adver-
tising.
Festival of Water 2015
It was reported that boat bookings are slow but more publicity will be
forthcoming, which should help. As promised EA have been busy dredging
the river near Lock 17, a very shallow area, and by Carlsberg.
Northampton Arm Adoption
A new sponsor is needed for the printing of the Northampton Arm leaf-
let. CRT had made an offer in the past to assist, so it was greed that
Lynda Payton would ask CRT if they are prepared support us with this
task. All notices about closing gates and paddles were in place.
CRT had requested Task Party help with clearing lock weirs. Geoff Wood
has been to look at these and considered we could only tackle one per-
Task Party as it is a time consuming job. Mileposts had been painted. No
2 still missing.
CRT
A new SE Waterways Manager, Vicky Martin, has been appointed. Sarah
Brown has recently been appointed as Community Development and En-
gagement Manager. Joe Salmon has been appointed as Sports Participa-
tion Manager and will be funded by Sport England. Stoke Bruerne Muse-
um will be selling licences etc on Wednesdays similar to the arrangement
at Braunston Stop House. Among CRT-funded projects are £100k on
towpath resurfacing, £300k on Northampton Arm, £300k at Cassiobury
Park, £200k on the digital Foxton Inclined Plane project and £350k on
the Aylesbury Arm.
Reports from Local Societies
Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership -Task Parties are continuing and have
cut back hedging that was encroaching onto the Museum Green. Consent
applied for defibrillator as the Museum is a listed building. The Branch
has promised £200 towards the defibrillator costs and £200 towards
the picnic tables.
May Mile Post No. 2 /Eric Young memorial plaque
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The Navigation
Stoke Bruerne
2 Meals for £10
Monday – Thursday
Live Music every Friday
Like our facebook to keep updated
with all offers and promotions
www.facebook.com/navigation.sb
www.navigationpubtowcester.co.uk
15
CRT is looking for a template and will seek quotes for the manufacture.
The Branch intends to hold a fund-raising appeal to help with costs.
Festival of Water
Mick Butler has secured sponsorship from Briggs and Forrester which
will cover the cost of wrist bands, and from Persimmon Homes for the
large entertainments marquee.
Northampton Arm
All agreed that the 200th Anniversary Celebration had been very worth-
while. It was well attended, not just by Branch members but by CRT, who
have supported our adoption and work on the Arm, and by new CRT ap-
pointees Vicky Martin and Sarah Brown. After opening the London Caval-
cade, Richard Parry later joined us and was very impressed with our work
and enthusiasm. Thanks go to Bill and Liz Mann for the BBQ and The
Friends of The Canal Museum for bringing Sculptor and equipment. Task
Parties were continuing to be well attended with 10-12 people at each
one. The area around the sani station had been cleaned up prior to the
event. The next few Task Parties will focus around Lock 17 where vege-
tation is growing quickly and encroaching on the landing point below the
lock. Mick Butler will see if Bellway
Homes will build a block bench
which could be covered in mosaic at
a later date. Santander are keen to
do another Task Party; this will be
different to our normal Tuesday
Party and will focus on painting
Locks 16 and 17
Nene Task Group
EA is in talks with landowners about
extending the moorings by the busy
Thrapston road bridge, with a poss-
ible new access point. Any install-
ation of pump-out/Elsan disposal
point here is dependent on lottery
funding. EA is proposing to charge
for its River Nene Guide in line
with other river guides.
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From the earliest days of the Grand Junction Canal, Northampton wanted to be con-
nected with the main canal system. The opening of the upper River Nene to naviga-
tion in 1761 had been of benefit to the trade of the town, and when the first proposals
of a trunk canal passing through the county were beginning to be aired, local land-
owners and businessmen began to show a desire for such communication to pass
through the county town. There was, however, a most significant problem: North-
ampton lies in the valley of the River Nene and all communications, other than north-
eastward along the river valley, must cross a range of hills at some point.
Various proposals were made that offered the town a transport facility, including a
canal that would pass northwards from Northampton through Market Harborough to
Leicester and the Trent, but on 30th April 1793 the Grand Junction Canal received its
Enabling Act authorising the building of a branch to Northampton, thus causing great
satisfaction. However, more than 18 years were to pass before this branch canal be-
came a fact. The height difference of just over 107 feet (32.1m) between the Grand
Junction Canal and the River Nene at Northampton was to prove a hard obstacle to
overcome; but the financial difficulties were even greater.
By the spring of 1796 a point of junction was selected at the boundary of the parishes
of Blisworth and Gayton. The Grand Junction’s engineer, James Barnes was ordered
to survey and estimate for a canal on the newly selected line. In September 1796 the
Grand Junction Canal was open to Blisworth from the north; the road from Towces-
ter to Far Cotton passing through the village had been turnpiked and improved and,
pending the completion of the rest of the canal, Northampton had to be content with
that for the time being. During the years 1796 to 1800 the Grand Junction Company
was completing its main line and the Paddington Arm and concentrated its efforts on
these tasks. In the meantime a planned canal to Northampton from the north had run
into difficulties, largely the result of price inflation due to the war with France. Con-
struction had stalled at Debdale Wharf, north of Foxton, and no work had been done
since April 1797. Northampton now found itself with only one water route, via the
Nene and The Wash to London and the north; otherwise its industries were depend-
ent upon turnpike roads. The River Nene Commissioners were also becoming frac-
tious and even offered to assist with the finance. Several solutions involving horse
railways were put forward but unfortunately for the town nobody else was prepared
to finance these proposals and the matter rested.
Agreement was reached in February 1803 to build a part canal, part railway, which
eventually became a very short arm out of the main line at the selected point on the
Gayton/Blisworth boundary and a long length of railway from there to Far Cotton,
THE STORY OF THE
NORTHAMPTON ARM
By David Blagrove
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where an interchange wharf was to be built beside the river. Work commenced in
late 1804 and then speeded up with the completion of Blisworth Tunnel in the fol-
lowing spring. Work was completed on 7th October 1805 at a final cost of £12,000.
Like its predecessor at Blisworth Hill, the railway was of plateway section.
For nearly 10 years the railway served Northampton but from the very beginning its
shortcomings were many. Pilfering and breakages were always problems, while
some commodities did not lend themselves to transport by the small wagons, timber
being a good example. There seemed to be little prospect of the canal down the val-
ley from Market Harborough ever being completed and when, in 1809, a canal was
promoted to link the unfinished Old Union Canal with the Grand Junction at Norton,
Northampton opposed the Bill which was largely sponsored by Grand Junction inter-
ests. At this point the Grand Junction agreed to build a canal to Northampton - but
with narrow locks. This was because, although the Grand Union’s line was built with
wide bridges and tunnels the locks at Watford and Foxton were made narrow to save
water and consequently the Grand Junction would not receive water from the GU
summit in sufficient quantity to operate wide locks to Northampton. A clause was
inserted in the Act to the effect that should the locks at Watford and Foxton be wid-
ened, the Northampton Arm locks would also be dealt with. This clause has never
been repealed.
Work on the Northampton Arm began in summer 1812. The Northampton railway
now brought materials on site more readily than road-based carts. Finally, on 1st May
1815, a huge crowd gathered at Far Cotton to see the first boats arrive. The final
length of the Arm from the Main Line to the Nene was a little over five miles.
Northampton as a town had stagnated for decades. Its population in 1811 was proba-
bly less than it had been in 1400. From 1815, though, the town’s population began to
grow, and has done ever since. By 1831 it had nearly tripled. Industries sprang up
round the waterside. Breweries, foundries, gasworks, timber yards and storage
wharves appeared in what became known as the South Quarter and as far upstream
as West Bridge. The provision of public hygiene was ignored and the South Quarter
became notorious for disease, but the rest of the town, including the boot and shoe
industry, flourished. Almost immediately the Arm carried a large volume of mer-
chandise and a considerable quantity passed onto the Nene. Upstream traffic though,
if carried by river lighter, had to be transhipped at Far Cotton or other wharves.
The advent of the railway after 1844 does not seem to have greatly affected the for-
tunes of the Northampton Arm. The new railway threw off a branch to Market Har-
borough. It is believed that much of the brickwork required for the Market Har-
borough line was brought down the Arm from Savage’s brickworks at Stoke Bruerne
and Gayton and unloaded onto contractors’ wagons at the site of the original bridge.
The growth of the town continued, with a huge spurt in late Victorian times. The
requirements of this augmented population more than compensated for any traffic
lost to railway competition, particularly as so much industry was concentrated near
the waterside.
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The main carrying company, Pickfords ceased regular long-distance canal trade in
1841. Much of their work was taken over by the Grand Junction Canal Carrying
Company, and an engraving of the 1840s shows a pair of Grand Junction boats lying
stern on to Bridge Street in a long-vanished arm on what is now the site of Carls-
berg’s Brewery. During the 1880s the railway geography of Northampton was great-
ly altered with the building of a loop line directly from the main West Coast line. As
part of the new arrangements, a new locomotive shed was required and the railway
company purchased part of the original line above the bottom lock for this. The canal
was then diverted to pass north of its original line, which course it still follows. The
entrance to the old line is still evident between Lock 17 and the adjacent lift bridge
site.
A very intensive traffic worked over the Arm at one period was ironstone. In the
Blisworth area there were several ironstone pits connected by tramway to loading
points on the canal and the raw ironstone was taken from these points down the Arm
to a wharf below Lock 15, from where it was taken to the adjacent Hunsbury Hill
furnaces for smelting. A heavy traffic ensued, augmented by the demands of the 1914
-18 war. However, the furnaces ceased production in 1923 and the traffic ceased.
Bricks were also carried from a small brickworks near Bridge No 3 at Sandlanding
Wharf.
After the end of hostilities in 1918, although the local ironstone industry fell on hard
times, the Arm remained busy with traffic, notably coal, grain and timber and such
items as imported strawboards for boot and shoe packing purposes as well as iron
ingots for castings. The Grand Junction company built a warehouse just above Lock
17 at Far Cotton to deal with some of this traffic requiring covered storage. One up-
ward traffic was gas tar from the Northampton gasworks to tar distilleries at either
Banbury or Oldbury.
In 1929 the Grand Junction Canal was taken over by the Regent’s Canal Company
and the new augmented concern renamed the Grand Union Canal. The new company,
looking to increase the traffic carried over the whole system, soon after acquired a
small carrying concern, Associated Canal Carriers Ltd of Northampton and set about
increasing the fleet. This fleet grew considerably during the 1930s and was renamed
the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co (GUCCC).
The once-extensive grain trade to Northampton and Wellingborough, which was se-
verely curtailed during World War Two, revived again after the war. Following na-
tionalisation of the canals as from January 1948, a steady general decline set in. The
last regular coal trade, to the Rousselot Gelatine Works on the Nene, ceased around
1959; the gas tar trade ended in 1953 and other commodities gradually ceased as road
competition strengthened.
By 1968 it was evident that the survival of the Arm was in doubt. There was very
little pleasure traffic using it, one reason being that the River Nene authorities de-
manded an extra licence for passing beyond Lock 17. In consequence, a group of
Page 19
19
local enthusiasts formed what was to become in due course the IWA Northampton
Branch at a meeting at the Plough Hotel, Northampton, in September 1968. Although
the grain trade could not be saved (the last boats passed in April 1969), the Branch
was more successful in persuading the powers-that-were to retain the Arm in naviga-
ble condition. Rallies were organised to publicise the fact that the Arm formed a link
between the Fenland waterways and the main system, culminating in the hugely suc-
cessful IWA National Rally of 1971, attended by some 650 boats, the majority of
which made the passage down the Arm.
As the leisure use of waterways increased during the 1970s and 80s, so the demand
for secure off-line moorings rose. In 1980 a piece of land that lay between the one-
time clay pit north of Bridge 2 and the oil depot was excavated to form what is now
Gayton Marina. Then, during the planning stage of the A43 Blisworth bypass in the
late 1980s, it appeared that the proposed road would adversely affect the part of the
Arm between Locks 2 and 12. The Branch entered an objection to this aspect and was
supported in this by British Waterways. Following a Public Enquiry at Blisworth at
which the Branch’s objections were heard, the line of the road was altered slightly so
as to protect the amenity of the canal. Presently, in the wake of our Branch’s adoption
of the entire length, the Arm would seem to be entering a new, positive era.
Long live the Northampton Arm!
This view from Lock 10, with the M1 in the background, was taken by John Russell in April 1992
Page 20
20
Lynda Payton, Branch Publicity Officer, issued the following Press Re-
lease after our celebration at Gayton Junction:
A mosaic mural to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Northampton
Canal Arm on 1st May 1815 has been unveiled at Gayton Junction on the Grand Un-
ion Canal.
The mural, funded by The Inland Waterway Association’s Northampton Branch
which adopted the 4¾ mile long Arm two years ago, has been designed and made by
children from Gayton C of E Primary School with the help of local mosaic artist Da-
vid Bowers.
Francesca, aged 9, one of the children who helped make the mural, supported by
Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, which provided the ac-
companying commemorative plaque, unveiled the artwork. Richard Parry said: “It
was a real pleasure to join such a positive and active local group of volunteers to
celebrate the 200th anniversary. The mural is wonderful - a very fitting celebration
of the history of this very special section of our great canal system”
The ceremony, which also featured a barbecue party and the cutting of a large birth-
day cake, marked the start of the bicentenary celebrations that will culminate in the
IWA’s Northampton Festival of Water, which is being held at the bottom of the Arm
on the River Nene at Becket’s Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend on Au-
gust 29th -31st.
More information about the Northampton
Festival of Water can be found at
www.waterways.org.uk/etc.
COMMEMORATING 200 YEARS
OF THE NORTHAMPTON ARM
Page 21
21
A full programme has been announced for the Northampton Festival of Water being
held at Becket’s Park in Northampton over the August Bank Holiday, 29th-31st Au-
gust. The free entry event will have plenty for everyone to see and do. Starting with a
Boaters Quiz and BBQ on Friday evening, the weekend continues with live music
from Braunston Pickle, Ukebox Jury, Martin Day, Dave Fry, Chris Tymkow and
Chris Tobin and headline band, Grandma’s Wooden Leg, will be entertaining on Sat-
urday night. As well as trade and market stalls, there will be trade and historic boats
on the water and an illuminated boat parade. Local Queen’s Oak and Brackley Morris
Sides will be dancing on Saturday and Sunday and a Dog Display Team will also be
going through its paces. Children will be kept amused by family entertainer Chuckle-
foot, Thomas the Tank Engine will be chugging around the site and other children’s
rides will be available as well as face painting and other activities. Boaters who have-
n’t explored Northampton’s waterways before will have the opportunity to take part
in a regular Northampton Branch event – the Westbridge Challenge. A boat handling
competition is planned and it’s rumoured the local Sea Cadets will be out in force.
The weekend is set to be a bumper one so if you are coming by boat, caravan or are
camping - book in now! For those without a Gold Licence and wanting to explore the
local waterways further, special 2-for-1 registration is being offered by the Environ-
ment Agency and the Canal & River Trust, which will double your cruise duration
when booked through the Festival booking process.
Forms and more details are available on the website at:
https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/festival_water/
northampton_festival_water_2015
Opening hours are 10—6 Saturday & Sunday and 10-4 Monday with the usual boat-
ers entertainment on the Friday evening. Parking in Northampton Borough Council
car parks and the event car park in Midsummer Meadow will be free all weekend.
The Festival is being organised jointly by the IWA Events Committee and North-
ampton Branch, so we hope you will all want to support the event. There are plenty
of jobs for volunteers to do, from lock wheeling to giving out programmes.
Any Branch members who are willing to help should contact Sandie Morton on
01604 858294 or e-mail [email protected]
Festival of Water, 29th-31st August,
at Becket’s Park, Northampton
An overall update
Page 23
23
RICHARD GILL BSc, MABSE
BOAT SAFETY TESTING BW AND EA APPROVED
EXPERIENCED EXAMINER WITH 25 YEARS WORKING ON THE
WATERWAYS
Grand Union, Oxford & Leics Canals
Rivers Nene and Thames
RING: 07889 10 99 39 [email protected]
The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated, otherwise the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space.
HIGH HOUSE MARINA LTD
High House Wharf, Heyford Lane, Weedon, Northants NN7 4SF
OUR SMALL MARINA (ONLY 24 BOATS)
IS A VERY FRIENDLY PLACE TO BE MOORED, HENCE OUR CLIENTS
TEND TO STAY PUT
Our car park is quite secure and well hidden from the road
WE DO NOW AND AGAIN HAVE A VACANCY,
SO WHY NOT GIVE US A CALL?
Contact Phil Gardner on 01327 349519, E-mail:[email protected]
DAY BOAT HIRE FROM BRAUNSTON
OUZEL 11
Cruise either towards Napton or Hillmorton and return
The Ouzel 11 seats up to 12 people
It has hot and cold water in the galley, crockery, cutlery and glasses on board,
a gas ring, kettle and flush toilet. Buoyancy aids on request.
Prices:
Weekends and Bank Holidays: £160.00. Monday - Friday: £125.00
Returnable deposit: £50.00
UNION CANAL CARRIERS LTD
Braunston Pump House, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry, Northants. NN11 7HJ
Tel 01788 890784 Fax 01788 891950
Page 25
25
Tim Coghlan, of Braunston Marina, writes: Plans and preparations are well under way for the 13th Braunston Historic Narrow-
boat Rally & Canal Festival – co-sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk.
From its small beginnings in 2003, the event has become the premier rally and festi-
val on the English canals. Its success formula is now much copied, with similar
events springing up all over the canal network. This is good for the canals – but
Braunston Rally remains the best, with by far and away the most historic narrow-
boats and visitors in attendance.
The Rally’s location is at the heart of the canal network, in the beautiful setting of
the historic Braunston Marina and the canal and village at Braunston. But probably
most importantly for the boaters and visitors is the ability for the boats to parade in a
sort of figure of 8. The twice-daily parades of 80 or more ancient canal leviathans is
a challenge for the steerers and a spectacular sight for visitors and photographers
alike, with so many vantage points along the canal and within the Marina, including
the famous waterside beer tent – the Wet Dock!
The Rally also inspires the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the surviving
fleet of historic narrowboats, 150 of which have already attended various rallies over
the years, with some not seen before already booked in for this year. Three of the
regular attendees are having makeovers this winter, with Raymond and Sculptor both
having the work done in our large dry dock at Braunston Dock – both sponsored by
Braunston Marina.
Another historic narrowboat that has received a major makeover this winter is the
Fellows Morton & Clayton butty Kildare, which is paired with President – the last
surviving steam working narrowboat. The pair will be the star of the Rally which will
have the theme of the surviving Fellows Morton & Clayton fleet, several of which
predate WWI, including President and Kildare.
We are delighted to announce that Richard Parry, CEO of the Canal & River Trust,
has accepted our invitation to open the Rally. He has sportingly agreed to don work-
ing boatmen’s clothes to perform the traditional opening by steering President with
Kildare in tow, into the marina from the Grand Union Canal and declaring the Rally
open – to the fine sounds of church bells of Braunston and Daventry Brass band.
Kildare will be steered by CRT Chairman Tony Hales, who is a regular attendee and
joiner-in at our Rallies, and has already opened the rally in 2011. The traditional
theatrical-spectacular opening should make for a splendid start to what will undoubt-
edly be THE canal Rally of 2015! Here’s looking to seeing you there!
Steaming up for the thirteenth Braunston
Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival
at Braunston Marina, 27 th – 28th June, 2015
Page 27
27
Hello to all Endeavour recipients. Enclosed with this edition are two books of
Grand Draw tickets which will give you the splendid opportunity to take part, not
only in the prize draw, but perhaps most importantly, support the efforts of the vol-
unteers in the restoration of more canal for your use and enjoyment.
The Wendover Arm Trust Grand Draw this year is again to raise further funds for
the restoration of the canal, which feeds water from Wendover to the summit level
of the Grand Union canal at Bulbourne. The restoration is carried out by a dedicated
team of volunteers who meet for seven days each month to continue restoring the
route of the canal, now working from Drayton Beauchamp towards Little Tring. The
current cost to restore one metre of canal has been calculated at about £450.00,
hence the ongoing need to raise further funds. There are no grants.
The prizes for this year include a first prize of one weeks Boating Holiday, spon-
sored by Wyvern Shipping of Leighton Buzzard; a second prize of a Day Boat hire,
sponsored by Lee Valley Boat Centre; a third prize of a Virgin Experience Day - a
visit to the Shard, with dinner for two; a fourth prize of £100 cash. There are many
other valuable prizes to be won. These are shown on the Trust’s website –
www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk , along with the latest information regarding restora-
tion.
The Trust hopes you will sell these two books of tickets, returning the counterfoils
and a cheque to the Promoter. If you can sell more tickets to your friends or at your
workplace, then call Michael Wright on 01727-860137, E-mail
[email protected] Your enquiry would be most welcome. The tickets
this year have been sponsored by P E Mead and Sons, Wilstone Farm Shop and are
priced at £1 each.
The Draw will take place on Sunday 6th September 2015, during the Retsoration
Open Day at Drayton Beauchamp, when it is possible to see our restoration volun-
teers in action and the progress being made.
Visit www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk for full details. Visit us to see the new section
that has just been re-watered
Thank you in anticipation of your essential support
Wendover Arm Trust — Grand Draw 2015
These pictures were taken from bridge 4a before and after re-watering in April
Page 29
SUPPLIES
29
Northamptonshire
RESTAURANT º BARS º BOAT TRIP
DINE IN STYLE IN WOODWARD’S
CANALSIDE RESTAURANT
01604 862428
www.boatinn.co.uk
We are a family run, customer friendly
business based adjacent to Bridge 32 at
Nether Heyford. Our service point is clear
of moored boats making your stop quick
and easy. We offer the following services:
DIESEL – always competively priced
PUMP OUT – no meter clock here
BLUE TOILET FLUID
ODORLOS – organic waste tank treat-
ment
CALOR GAS – all sizes of bottled gas
including Camping Gaz.
SOLID FUELS – all types of smokeless
fuel or coal. Plus firelighters, sticks and
logs.
CHARNWOOD STOVES – all sizes of
multi-fuel stoves with or without boilers
MORRIS OILS – popular grades of
engine oil plus water resistant grease
FUEL SET FUEL CONDITIONER
Most Major Credit Cards Accepted.
Open: 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday,
8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays
Fred Tarry Bridge Cottage
Furnace Lane
Nether Heyford
Northampton, NN7 3JY
Telephone/Fax: 01327-341202 Email : [email protected]
SAVE THE BRANCH
MONEY!
Stop receiving Endeavour by
post and instead get it elec-
tronically. You will be notified
by email when it’s published on
-line. This will save in postage
and printing costs. The printed
version will be available at
Branch meetings.
Contact Geoff Wood at
[email protected]
and he will organise it.
Editor
Page 30
30
IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) has launched its 2015 Canal Camp dates. WRG
will be running 27 Canal Camps across England and Wales from as far south as the Stover
Canal to as far north as the Driffield Navigation.
A close up on Camps Canal Camps are a great way to experience the great outdoors whilst working on really worth-
while projects. If you love spending time in Britain’s countryside learning about its industrial
heritage, then Canal Camps are for you. They also offer a great opportunity for you to meet
new people and learn new skills. Volunteers come from all walks of life - all you need is the
enthusiasm to get stuck in and learn. Each camp costs £56 for the week and is open to anyone
aged over 18. In 2014 WRG spent 40,000 volunteer hours working towards the restoration of
derelict waterways and we want to do even more in 2015!
Camps in 2015 WRG ’s 27 Canal Camps will be hosted by 12 different canal trusts and societies this year on
some great sites. We will be working on the Monmouthshire Canal helping to restore the Ty
Coch Lock flight as well as possibly having the chance to assist in the installation of modular
lock gates. We will also be working on the Ashby Canal restoring and rebuilding not one but
two bridges as well as heading over to the Grantham Canal working on an exciting new site
carrying out lock restoration work. If you’d like to know more about volunteering with WRG,
please contact Jenny or Amber at WRG Head Office – 01494 783 453 ext 604, email enquir-
[email protected] or visit the WRG website www.wrg.org.uk
2015 so far…
Already this year WRG volunteers have been working hard having cleared vegetation and
undertaken towpath improvement works on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation on the
February Canal Camp. Over 40 volunteers also spent two weeks brick laying at Bowbridge
Lock on the Cotswold Canals. A bit closer to home found 100 volunteers in April clearing the
Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) on 18th and 19th April. Volunteers spent the weekend
clearing over 40 tonnes of rubbish along the BCN Old Main Line at Smethwick Junction and
surrounding locks.
Festival Season
On August Bank Holiday WRG will be holding their ‘Drive a Digger’ attraction at IWA’s
Northampton Festival of Water. From Saturday 29th
- Monday 31st August we will be running 10 mi-
nute long sessions where both children and adults
can have a go at operating the excavator’s arm and
play a series of ‘games’ to test your skills. Look out
for us there and make sure you get involved.
To support these camps and enable them to take
place, WRG owns a set of four vans. These vans
will travel around 10,000 miles annually across the
country to ensure WRG keeps running smoothly.
Help keep WRG on the Move – £120,000 Appeal
IWA has launched an appeal to help WRG raise
£120,000 to purchase the four vans with the aim of
buying two vans in 2015 and a further two in 2016.
Since WRG first purchased the set of vans around
WRG’s Summer Canal Camps
Page 31
31 eight years ago, they have been driven a total of 400,000 miles. This is the equivalent of trav-
elling around the world sixteen times! WRG’s vans play a vital role transporting volunteers,
equipment and tools on WRG’s week-long Canal Camps and weekend digs across England
and Wales, and without them WRG couldn’t continue to support canal restoration. The current
fleet of four much-loved Transit vans needs to be retired and it is time to find new sets of
wheels for the next generation of volunteers.
We can’t do this without you. The appeal needs the support of people like you who are pas-
sionate about waterways restoration to help reach the target. If you would like to help WRG
get the essential equipment for restoring canals, then please make a donation or get involved in
one or more of the many exciting events and activities that will take place throughout the ap-
peal.
Ways to Donate
Online: See www.wrg.org.uk/wrgvanappeal for how to donate via the Virgin Money Giving
appeal page.
Cheque: Make cheques payable to The Inland Waterways Association and send them to WRG
Van Appeal, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA.
Debit/Credit Card or Direct Debit: See the appeal leaflet inside this issue of Waterways that
explains how to pay by credit/debit card or set up a direct debit.
If you would like any further information on the appeal visit www.wrg.org.uk/wrgvanappeal
or contact Toby Gomm at 01494 783453 ext. 611.
TO SUM IT ALL UP — a note
from our Branch Treasurer
First, a thank you. Without those people who support Branch social events, attend the Boat
Gathering, advertise in the magazine and make a donation towards the Northampton Arm Task
Parties, we wouldn’t be able to survive as an IWA Branch. We rely on the funds and donations
that these events raise to be able to campaign for better and safer facilities, to help bring back
disused stretches of waterway and to help improve the quality of the waterways for all users.
We have made donations to other waterways groups to the sum of £1,098 over the year and
our major donation from the proceeds of the Boat Gathering went to Braunston Canal Society.
Our monthly social event at The Walnut Tree at Blisworth has financed itself again, thanks in
part to Bernie and Donald Turnbull keeping the charge for the room at the same rate again this
year.
At the end of the year we had a balance of £6,092. This might seem a lot to hold in our ac-
counts. We took a decision to reduce this amount to close to £4,500 which would be made up
of funds allocated for use on the Northampton Arm from the disbanded Grand Union Canal
Society (£1,600), and a £2,000 contingency for our Boat Gatherings – we need to be able to
meet any unforeseen costs, because in two previous years (2012 –2013) we made a loss owing
to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions. We also need to keep a £1,000 as a general
reserve fund.
However, we don’t want to spend the remainder in order just to reduce the balance, so are
reducing this balance slowly. As a committee, we would welcome any ideas you may have so
funds can be put to good use. This little note is far from being a financial report, but I hope it
gives you a small view of how we try to use the funds we receive. If you do have any ques-
tions, you can contact me at [email protected]
Alex Madisons
Page 32
32
With the IWA’s mini “national rally” at Northampton just around the corner, it
seems timely to delve into the history books to learn something about the Associa-
tion’s first ever rally – it lasted the best part of a week – at nearby Market Har-
borough in mid-August 1950.
My chosen work of reference is, of course, Robert Aickman’s The River Runs Uphill,
written in 1967 but which languished unpublished until 1986, the Association’s 40 th
anniversary year, when Michael Pearson was able to organise publication by his com-
pany, J.M. Pearson via “a friend of a friend”. The book deals with the early years of
the IWA, the material being sourced largely from the Association’s Bulletin – a tour
de force from the author’s own pen – but the only chapters concerning us here are
those entitled The Festival 1 and The Festival 11. Both are prime examples of Aick-
man’s individualistic stylish prose. I won’t go into the politics surrounding the book
and its publication – Market Harborough is my chosen topic and I will stick with it.
“Towards the end of 1949, we felt that it was time we did something for the Mem-
bers,” wrote Robert, adding: “We thought that a small rally of boats would best meet
the case: undeniably a contribution to the Association’s campaign, and at the same
time an established method of promoting competitive enjoyment among boatowners.
An important point, however, was that only a small minority of our Members owned
boats: we were neither a boat club nor a trade association. The need to provide sup-
plementary attractions for the majority led to conflict and to astonishment.”
The co-operation of Market Harborough Urban District Council (do you remember
these bodies?) was sought and quickly given, the event going forward under the ban-
ner declaring a “Festival of Boats and Arts”, which clearly appealed to Robert’s
strong theatrical leanings. Tom Rolt’s initial estimate of boat attendance was 20 to
30. The final boat count was 120 – “filling the Canal Basin and winding far out into
the country”, we are told.
A major feature of the Festival was the plays presented in the Assembly Rooms.
Explorer and ornithologist Peter Scott filled a major role in this venture as well as in
the general organisation of the event. Overall, Robert made full use of his theatrical
and other wide-ranging connections; he was adept at name-dropping but all to great
effect.
Robert wrote: “In the Basin we placed the converted narrow boats, and arranged for
them to be floodlighted every evening; the Severn Wildfowl Trust’s Beatrice was
moored in a small inlet of her own, where her blithe complement dispensed joy at all
times. Every day the Festival lasted, the crowds on the towpath grew. The District
Council’s estimate of the final attendance was more than 50,000 persons. Unfortu-
Old Stager looks back to…
THE MARKET HARBOROUGH RALLY WHICH SPARKED THE FESTIVAL SCENE
Page 33
IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https://www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts
there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your
views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in general discussion.
33
nately, no arrangement could be arrived at, whereby we, who did not own the tow-
path, could charge for the spectacle; and the spectacle was not of the kind for which
more can be extracted from voluntary collecting boxes than from a fixed payment, as
is the case, for example, with a cathedral; though, of course, we did what we could in
that way. The weather remained generally fair, despite some very heavy showers; or
the towpath would have become impassable, as happened at several subsequent Ral-
lies.” He added: “Morale seemed to remain high; with a large number in an appro-
priate condition of continuously advanced euphoria.”
There were fringe attractions “almost beyond cataloging”, ranging from a Festival
Queen and displays of Polish National Dancing to a chess tournament. “We had
smoked out all the talent which hides away, insufficiently vitaminised , in every Eng-
lish country town,” Robert observed. There were “alfresco nocturnal oscillations for
all” to the Rogues of Rhythm Dance Band. A firework display at the cricket ground
attracted an estimated crowd of 20,000. The whole event was rounded off with a
Grand Festival Ball and awards presentation. The Market Harborough Advertiser
“took photograph after photograph”.
Robert summed up: “The 1950 Festival changed the entire prospect for the water-
ways of Britain; in the main, by simply reminding people, other than specialists, of
their existence, and especially by manifesting the enormous potential for pleasure
boating. It would hardly be too much to say that an entire new form of public recrea-
tion entered history at Market Harborough. Brought in first, amid much controversy,
as a somewhat desperate auxiliary in the campaign for a revival of commercial car-
riage, pleasure boating came to dominate the entire struggle, and ultimately trans-
formed the inner life of the Association.”
Condensing the happenings at the Market Harborough Festival from two chapters
comprising 13 pages crammed with personal detailed observation in Robert’s inimi-
table style, has proved a challenging exercise. The best way is to get a copy of the
book and read it for yourself
Sadly, the Festival was dogged by internal conflicts – but that was happening within
the Association at the time. Nevertheless, undoubtedly it was a glorious occasion,
achieved principally through Robert Aickman’s sheer force of personality and drive,
wholeheartedly supported by the VIPs he attracted to the event. We learn there was
a deficit - £70, a sum which Robert describes as “minuscule”. I am sure our Joint
Founder persuaded a kindly benefactor to help out!
Page 34
Buckingham Canal Society
34
It is evident that 2015 is going to be a good year for the Society. Already we have
obtained grants from the Local Area Forum and the Community Chest. The LAF
grant was for £2,000 and was used for materials, enabling us to buy new signage for
the Buckingham end of the canal. CRT, in allowing us to use their procurement sys-
tem to buy both signage and timber, extended this money which means we don’t pay
VAT so out grant is effectively boosted by 20%. And as always our volunteers and a
corporate volunteering day provided the labour. So new signs, new benches in the
Hyde Lane Nature Reserve and raised awareness of our work. The Community Chest
grant was for £7,000 and will enable us to appoint our first employee, a part-time
Support Officer (SO). Once again CRT is helping and our SO will be able make use
of office accommodation at the Trust’s Milton Keynes offices. The benefits of part-
nership and CRT’s commitment to canal restoration are highlighted by both projects.
The post will advertised soon and Network Rail’s HR team has indicated it will help
provide the necessary documentation and policies.
During the last two months we have made great inroads into solving the problem of
the leak at Bourton Meadow in Buckingham. Many of you will be aware of the prob-
lems following the initial relining, with ionic exchange causing the original liner to
fail. Well, in March, four trustees waited on a very cold day for a large articulated
lorry to arrive from Germany. Although it was a little late, with the help of Nick
Hawes we unloaded the large rolls of geotextile and HDPE liner and got them onto
the land next to the canal. Soon afterwards the original contractor spent four weeks
laying and heat sealing the three layers and backfilling with soil. Just after Easter the
canal was refilled with water and so far water loss has been in line with our expecta-
tions. We now have 6,000 aquatic plants to plant, also supplied at no cost by the con-
tractor; so all volunteers are welcome to help with this and other work. The most
important thing is that this work has been completed at no cost to us for materials and
labour although many volunteer hours and visits by the trustees throughout the works
have enabled successful completion.
Now we are keeping our fingers crossed that a grant application to WREN will be
successful. This will provide £30,000 to purchase material for the construction of a
sustainable and hardwearing footpath along the full length of the canal within the
nature reserve. Again, in the autumn, we will need lots of volunteers to undertake the
construction and to move the many tons of stone we will have to purchase. Obvious-
ly more news on this when we hear from WREN, but the LAF has already granted
£2,700 towards this project and this is an important element of any successful WREN
grant application.
Finally, in closing, whilst we always welcome new volunteers, you can also support
our work by attending the Cosgrove Canal Festival which this year is in partnership
with the Cosgrove Feast over the weekend of 11th-12th July.
Mike Annan, Society Chairman
Page 35
35
Local Crafts & Gifts
THE CANAL SHOP
at Stoke Bruerne
Under the management
of Sue Austin, who
warmly welcomes all visitors
Crocheted lacework a speciality
Special offer –10% off for boaters
SUMMER OPENING TIMES
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays from 11am - 3.30pm
Contact 07760 778638
You will find The Canal Shop oppo-site the Museum at Stoke Bruerne
Now fully open
WHILTON
MARINA
CHANDLERY
Diesel Pump out
Well stocked chandlery
Groceries
Pay us a visit, just browse
and see what we have to offer
Open daily 9am –6pm ALL YEAR ROUND
Tel 01327 844639
E-mail: [email protected]
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COMMERCIAL RATES
1/4 Page (box) £12.00 +VAT
1/2 Page (box) £25.00 +VAT
Full Page £40.00 +VAT
Other sizes by arrangement
10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance
5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly
CLASSIFIEDS
(suggested donations)
£1.50 for 22 words,
15p each additional word
£3.50 for box around classified advertisement
(nb. telephone numbers count as one word)
£3.50 for photographs
BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS
Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on
the second Tuesday of each month from September to May inclusive at
THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome.
Food and drink available
Noggin and Natter during summer months
Tuesday 9th June, 8pm The Wharf, Cornhill Lane, Bugbrooke.
Tuesday 21st July (check website for details)
Geocaching Evening at Stoke Bruerne
Tuesday 11th August, 8pm The Britannia, Bedford Road, Northampton.
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 8th September, at 6pm A 3 mile walk starting and finishing at the Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth.
ADVERTISING
All advertisements must comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid
misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977
requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement.
The next edition of Endeavour will be published August 2015
37
Page 38
Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787
E-mail: bernard.morton
@waterways.org.uk
WHO’S WHO IN
NORTHAMPTON BRANCH
2015/2016
Newsletter & Joint
Website Editor Tony Clarke 07939 977859
E-mail: tony.clarke
@waterways.org.uk
Publicity & Grants
Officer Lynda Payton
E-mail:lynda.payton
Branch Meetings Graham Treagus E-mail: graham.treagus
@waterways.org.uk
Boat Gathering Sub-Committee members
Michael Butler (Chairman), Catriona
Butler, Linda Clarke, Tony Clarke,
Alex Madisons, Steve Miles, Bernard
Morton, Sandie Morton and John
Pomfret
Non-Committee posts Sales: Catriona Butler 01604 473756
Endeavour Assistant Editor/
Advertising & Distribution, Archivist
Roger Hasdell 01604 248582
38
Branch Secretary
Sandie Morton E-mail: sandie.morton
@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer Alex Madisons
E-mail: alex.madisons
@waterways.org.uk
Vice Chairman, Joint
Task Party &
Membership Secretary Geoff Wood E-mail: geoff.wood
@waterways.org.uk
Boat Gathering
Chairman & Joint
Task Party Organiser
Michael Butler
E-mail: michael.butler
@waterways.org.uk
Festival of Water
Chairman John Pomfret E-mail: john.pomfret
@waterways.org.uk
Planning Officer Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake
@waterways.org.uk
Joint Website &
Social Media Officer Sam Line E-mail: sam.line
@waterways.org.uk