PETERBOROUGH BRANCH HEREWARD www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The IWA charity registered number 212342 The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Peterborough Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers Dramatic Sunset over the Water SPRING 2010
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PETERBOROUGH BRANCH
HEREWARD
www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The IWA charity registered number 212342
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Peterborough Branch. They are, however,
published as being of interest to our members and readers
Dramatic Sunset over the Water
SPRING 2010
Cover photo: John Revell
1
Alastair Chambers
I know it’s a cliché but it really does seem like only 5 minutes since I wrote
my last piece, time is flying. Since then the Committee organised the annual Christ-
mas social, which was an outstanding success, enjoyed by around 40 people, who all
seemed to enjoy our mix of fun and jollity as well as the now traditional pass the parcel. The Branch is always up too something and this year we will be running our May Day
Bill Fen Do, courtesy of John & Lyn. Head Office have been busy, the S.O.S. cam-
paign is gathering pace and as you read this it is not too late to contact your MP and
protest about the cuts to EA’s navigation budget. This will have an impact on ‘frontline’
services. We have only a short window of opportunity to get MP’s to listen, as once the
election has been held no doubt it will be business as usual again. I make absolutely no apology for returning to the subject of numbers and bodies. It is
a sad fact that your committee is not superhuman, and we need more people to help
share the load of running the Branch, organising events, a social programme and attend-
ing meetings with a range of interested parties. You do not necessarily need to sit as a
full committee member, any time you could give, or any skills you have could all help
lighten the load. Please do not be backward at coming forward, we need helpers for
Bill Fen, we need anyone who wants to contribute. Being Region Chairman as well does mean I get a wider view and I can say that our
situation is not unique, we are all busy people and it is always easy to think that some-
one else will do it, sadly we don’t have enough other people. We have lost Norwich
Branch, I don’t want to lose any others!
On a brighter note the Committee have decided to focus our efforts on improving
facilities around the Middle Level and fundraising will be dedicated to that end. See you all soon.
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
O nce again the Branch will be holding it’s by now legendary May Holiday Boules
& Barby at Bill Fen Marina (courtesy of John & Lyn Shotbolt). Although details
are scarce those of you who have survived previous years have a good idea of the ba-
sics.
Entertainment starts on the Friday evening (April 30th) when the bar will be open,
times to be advised.
Saturday will see the usual jollity, fun and games, with again evening entertainment.
Sunday Barby, Beer and more jollity. As ever we will need help and assistance, be it
behind the bar, helping with games or even restocking the loo’s. Any offers please con-
tact Mickey Slaughter.
This is our main fundraiser of the year and we are trying to get moorings around the
system as well as our ongoing titanic struggles with the byzantine complexity that is the
EA. All things that will benefit as local amenities for local boaters. We need your sup-
port and trust we will see you there.
BILL FEN ‘DO’
2
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ROUND-UP
Charges Increase In the last issue I reported that the national increase in navigation charges had been set
at 3.3%. I also pointed out that such an increase imposed across all three Regions
would see yet a further increase in the imbalance between the charges paid by boaters
in Anglia region and those in other regions. Towards the end of last year a proposal
was put to reduce the rate of increase on Anglia region to start to address that imbal-
ance. In the event the EA Directors totally rejected the proposal. They were more
impressed by the fact that if the increase in Anglia were frozen [so that the 3.3% in-
crease was not imposed at all] it would cost the Agency about £50,000 in lost fees at a
time when every penny counted. Quite apart from the fact that we had not asked to
have the full increase remitted the Directors clearly believed that to grab every last
penny from boaters in an already over- charged region was more important than any
issues of justice or fairness. Waterways Finances 2010/11 There has been a substantial cut in the Grant in Aid payable to the Anglia Region in the
next financial year. This year the total budget for the region is about £5.1m. It is ex-
pected that the year on year reduction in income in the next financial year will be of the
order of £476k. i.e. approaching one tenth of the overall budget. We have been assured
that the capital budget will be the same as in the current year. It is the revenue budget
which will bear all the cuts. What is planned is that a number of appointments either to
planned additional posts or to fill currently vacant posts will not be made. This will be
coupled with a reduction in maintenance works. What all this means is that as you
navigate about the system you are likely to notice a reduction in service levels. That
the country generally is in a financial mess is no secret; that the Agency is forced to
make such cuts is not therefore a surprise.
This news does, however, underline the necessity to support the IWA SOS 2010
Campaign.
Strategic Priorities for Water Related Recreation in Eastern England This is the title of a Plan which is shortly to be launched formally. It was produced by
Brighton University and was managed by a steering committee including British Wa-
terways, the Agency, Natural England and Sport England. It is potentially of some
importance. If a planning department is faced with an application for permission it is
likely to be to this document that it will turn to establish what waterway recreational
assets are deemed important by those responsible for such matters and what plans those
bodies might have. Planning departments are likely to proceed on the basis that if as-
sets/ plans are not recorded in this document they are not important. Against that back-
ground I pointed out at the last meeting that the Plan contained a list of Strategic Wa-
ters. The Plan says that “a number of current waters in the region have such strategic
significance that their recreational and conservation value needs to be recognised”. It
then goes on to list them. In the list are the Broads, the Ouse and the Nene – but there
is no mention of the Middle Levels.
We are talking about a system that provides over 100 miles of navigation, the navigable
link route between the Ouse and the Nene and miles of channel where angling can be
pursued, to say nothing of the numerous opportunities for casual walking and other in-
formal recreation. It has either within its area or nearby a number of sites of social dep-
rivation. All this has been ignored by the steering committee and those who drew up the
Plan. At the recent meeting there was a report from the Agency’s Regional Strategy
Unit. In relation to the Plan it was stated in terms that “whilst any identified factual
inaccuracies could be addressed, further amendments would be inappropriate”. As the
omission of the Middle Levels was not a matter of fact but a policy decision we were
being told in effect that even if the Plan was wrong it was not going to be changed. This
was totally unacceptable to the Group which as a result rejected both the Agency report
and the original Plan. We will now have to see what, if anything, develops.
Great Ouse Tidal Strategy All of you will be only too aware of the long-term problem of the silted state of the
Tidal Ouse between Denver Sluice and Salters Lode lock. A review of the strategy for
the management of this area has been under way for several years. Tony Harrison, one
of the IWA’s consultation engineers has been sitting on the Technical Advisory Group
involved in this process. The draft of the proposed Strategy for the future was published
for consultation in the autumn of 2009 and to this the IWA responded.
At that stage the Agency had intended to address the silting of the tidal Ouse by alter-
ing the draw mark at Earith to allow more water down the New Bedford to help achieve
a flushing effect and by repairing the 3 little eyes and increasing the water retention
level in the Ely Ouse by 0.2m. to achieve a flushing effect through those eyes.
It had been admitted that these steps in themselves would do no more than hold the pre-
sent level. In addition the Agency proposed to wait for a major event (defined as two
wet winters) to kick start the removal of siltation. It was thought that such an event
would reduce the bed by about a metre and once this had been achieved the above two
steps should maintain that reduced level. The Agency’s solution to the siltation problem
therefore amounted to little more than to await an “Act of God”: if He would not help
us nobody else (least of all the Agency) would!
From the address to the Navigation Group it became apparent that it was no longer
planned even to alter the draw mark and that this element of the Strategy would not be
pursued. As to the Ely Ouse the intention was still to maintain an increased head of
0.2m. but the Agency also intended to explore whether it might be possible to have a
higher head. In that connection it was reported that the third eye which had not been
repaired in the autumn was still not working. While the Agency had tried to bring it
back into operation it had broken down twice and the Agency was still trying to make it
operational.
In its consultation response the IWA had pressed hard that the bed ploughing which
had been tried and found successful in the run up to the “National” at St. Ives in 2007
should be reinstated. Others proposed this solution or simple dredging. Despite the fact
that the number of steps proposed by the Agency to tackle the problem of siltation had
actually been reduced from that set out at the time of the consultation it was indicated
that there was still no intention of dredging or ploughing the river or taking other such
3
4
£7.95
action. The reasons given were either that the steps did not work or cost too much. In
short the proposals of the IWA and others made in the consultation process have been
ignored.
There was at the Group meeting very strong criticism of the Agency stance but no
movement was forthcoming. Meanwhile the bed of the Ouse at this point is about
1.3m. higher than was the case in 1975.
The Old Bedford/ Old Bedford Sluice/ Welches Dam Lock One of the main reasons that passage through the Old Bedford and the Sluice is so dif-
ficult is that the approach channel to the Sluice is silted and has to be dredged before a
passage can be made. Options to improve the passage along the Old Bedford via the
Sluice are being made and developments are awaited.
As to Welches Dam the bad news is that expenditure approval for the repair to the
lock referred to in the last edition of Hereward was refused by the EA and the engi-
neers are required to go away and do further research. Revised plans will not be put
before the appropriate committee until April so that permission to proceed will be de-
layed until then at least. From this it can be seen that at present there is no guarantee
that the lock will be repaired, as had been expected, in the coming financial year.
There is due to be a report back meeting on all the above issues at the beginning of
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WELCOME!
The Branch wishes a warm welcome to the following new members:-
We look forward to seeing you at some of the Branch events which are announced in
this and future editions of Hereward.
Mr G Brown St Neots
Mr L Clayton Stamford
Ms S Crampin Huntingdon
Mr P Stebbing Thrandeston
Mr P Fleming Deeping St James
Ms M Futter Holbeach
Mr M Rowe St Ives
Ms J Ward Holbeach
11
O n Sunday 17 January 2010 a novice boater, who was attempting to
navigate in Strong Stream conditions became trapped long-ways on against the
bridge at Irthlingborough on the River Nene, sparking a major rescue operation. It
took Environment Agency staff and several fire crews, including a specialist water
rescue team, more than three hours to turn the 65ft narrowboat to enable it to pass
safely under the bridge. At one stage, the force of the water against the craft and its
position against the bridge forced an attempt to winch it free to be abandoned because
the boat was in danger of tipping over. [See the photo inside the back cover].
Recent rain and snow melt had lead to a rise in water levels and flows and we had
issued Strong Stream Advice the day before the incident warning against navigating
on the River Nene. For one reason or another, in this case, this advice was not heeded.
It is vital that people know the state of the river before taking to it in their boats – it
could make the difference between life and death. In this particular case, the boat had
travelled only a few hundred yards downstream from where it had been moored before
the strong current swung the boat round and forced it against the bridge.
I am urging Nene Boaters to sign up for a free service to receive Strong Steam Advice
(SSA) from us and then listen to the advice we give. You can choose to have messages
sent to mobile phones, landlines, or receive texts or email alerts. Messages are sent at
any time of the day or night.
I would also like to ask for your help in trying to ensure that as many boaters who are
new to the Nene as possible are also aware of this free service. Until we have a lock
keeper in place at Northampton as part of the marina development it is possible that
people can come onto the Nene from the canal network without fully understanding
the characteristics of a river navigation and the dangers associated with strong stream.
If you happen to talk to anybody new to navigating the River Nene I would be grateful
if you could take the opportunity to explain to them how they can receive Strong
Stream Advice.
To receive an SSA registration form, please email mandy.doolan@environment-
agency.gov.uk. Alternatively, call the SSA line for pre-recorded updates at any time.
Call 0845 and choose option 1, followed by 032112 for the River Nene. To get infor-
mation on the River Great Ouse, follow option 1 with 033211, or for the Ancholme,
dial 031212.
SIGN UP TO A SERVICE WHICH COULD SAVE
YOUR LIFE! by Sue Cant
We hope you will please support our advertisers in return for the
valuable support they give to the Branch in making this publication possible.
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Region of
the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Thursday 18th March 2010 at
8.00p.m. at the Milton Community Centre, Milton, Cambridge.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 13th February 2009
3. Matters Arising from those Minutes
4. Chairman’s Report
5. Election of Committee Members (see notes below)
Notes: [following the amendment of Region Byelaws which have come into force on
14/3/09]
a) The Chairman of the Region is elected by separate ballot and the Chairmen of
each of the Branches within the Region are members of the Region Committee
ex officio. This is an election for the remaining members of the committee.
b) There is no limit to the number of members of that committee.
c) The period of office of the following elected members of the Region committee
comes to an end at the 2010 AGM namely, John Hodgson, Nigel Long, Paul Strudwick
and Peter Webb. All are eligible to stand for re-election. David King and Stuart
Thurston were co-opted during the year and their period of co-option expires at the
2010 AGM. Both are eligible to stand for re-election.
d) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to the committee to
be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Con-
sent from members of the Region who wish to stand for election at the AGM 2010
must be deposited with the Region Secretary [Nigel Long, 7 Georgian Court, Peter-
borough PE3 6AF or by e-mail at [email protected]] before the start of the
Annual General Meeting.
CONSENT FORM
I agree to stand for election to the Eastern Region committee at the 2010 Annual
General Meeting. I am a member of Eastern Region.
(Sign) ___________________ Print Name ___________________
12
EASTERN REGION AGM
13
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Peterborough
Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Wednesday 17th
March 2010 at the Peterborough and District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton
Street, Peterborough at 7.30 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2009
3. Matters Arising from those Minutes
4. Chairman’s Report
5. Presentation and Adoption of the Branch Accounts for the year to 31/12/09
6. Election of Committee Members (see notes below)
Notes: [following the amendment of Branch Byelaws dated 12/5/09]
a) There is no longer any limit to the number of members of the committee
b) Under the 3-year rule Graham Baughn, Alastair Chambers, Carole Chambers,
John Dudley, Nigel Long, Michael Slaughter and David Venn will retire at
the forthcoming AGM. All are eligible for re-election.
c ) It is no longer necessary for those who wish to be elected to the committee
to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so.
Consents from members of the Branch who wish to stand for election at the
AGM 2010 must be deposited with the Branch Secretary [Nigel Long 7 Geor-
gian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF or by email at [email protected]] before
the start of the Annual General Meeting.
CONSENT FORM
I agree to stand for election to the Peterborough Branch committee at the 2010 Annual
General Meeting. I am a member of Peterborough Branch.
(Sign) ___________________ Print Name ___________________
PETERBOROUGH BRANCH AGM
Brian W. Smith
Marine Surveyor
Pre-Purchase Surveys
Valuations—Insurance Surveys
CE Compliance for Home Builds
Boat Safety Examinations
Engine Evaluation & Condition
Ultra-sound
Osmosis Assessment
Gas System Surveys
Member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners - Gas Safe Reg. YDSA
The Branch has decided to focus its efforts for this year on two main objectives. The
first is the Welches Dam/Old Bedford saga, the second is to improve the facilities on
the Middle Level, with particular regard to moorings. So this year we start on Good
Friday by meeting at Three Holes. Ideally by the gauging station where we think a
mooring would be good or back by the road bridge where the bank is lower. Wander
up to the Red Hart lunchtime-ish. The pub has recently reopened under new and keen
owners who want to encourage boaters and experience the benefits that we can bring
(A thirst!). After that we run down to Stonea, with possibly a stop by the staunch where the
drain runs toward Chatteris, another possible mooring site. After cocoa and an early
night we head for Horseways on Saturday morning, aiming to be at the Lock for a
photo call at midday. The 40 foot awaits as we cruise down to The George for Satur-
day night. Sunday is a trip to Floods Ferry for Lunchtime, Remi is cooking Sunday roasts. If
you want to eat then you must ring Remi or Tamsin on 01354 677302 to book lunch.
Remember its cash only. If the weather forecast is kind we leave to go back to the
junction and up toward Angle Corner, aiming for the Turves road bridge, yet another
potential mooring site. If the weather is bad then we can stay at Floods.Ferry and go
our separate ways Monday. This is an ‘Official’ IWA cruise, covered by event insurance, so you will need an en-
try form, these are available for me, either phone, write or email and I’ll send you one. Returned forms by 28th March please, hopefully this will be well supported and we can
The dangers of river navigation in flood conditions were demonstrated in January when a narrowboat was forced against this bridge and an emergency rescue operation was required as described by Sue Cant on page 11. The Environment Agency are requesting all Nene and Ouse boaters to register for the automatic issue of Strong
Stream advice by contacting [email protected] or by phoning the EA as outlined in Sue’s article. Do it now—it could save your life!
At other times a lack of water is
a problem for boaters and here we look back on some of the tribula-tions from last years attempt by members of the Branch to gain access to the Old Bedford River via the tidal doors. A landscape of mud and some vigorous use of the pole are seen in these views. It was all to no avail as the attempt proved fruitless.
Alastair gives details of the Easter Cruise in this issue when we will take campaigning to more frequently used waters around the Middle Levels in the hope these experi-ences will not be repeated.