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THE EASTERLING JOURNAL OF THE EAST ANGLIAN WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION VOLUME NINE, NUMBER TWENTY MARCH 2018 Edited by Alan H. Faulkner 43 Oaks Drive, Colchester, Essex CO3 3PS Phone 01206 767023 E-mail alan.faulkner22@btinternet.com
THE NEWLY RESTORED LOCK AT STRATFORD
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THE RESTORED STRATFORD LOCK. We are delighted to be able to report that the long-running restoration work at Stratford St Mary lock on the river Stour was completed towards the end of 2017. The lock chamber had been cleared out nearly two years ago and more recently the upstream entrance to the lock, which had become badly silted, had been dredged out and reconnected to the river. At the same time a provisional an agreement had been reached with lock gate manufacturers Hargreaves of Halifax to provide and fit four new gates. Going on from this, 2018 is destined to be a memorable year at Stratford and there is going to be an official re-opening of the lock by Trust Vice President Griff Rhys Jones. The restoration of the lock has been the culmination of 10 years of backbreaking work by a team of volunteers and the lock will be renamed “The Roger Brown Lock” in honour of Trust member Roger Brown who, with his wife Susan, lead the team of workers. The new lock gates have been funded by an £85,000 grant from Cory Environmental Trust, without which the work could not have been completed. A trail boat festival is planned for later this year, together with electric boat rallies and EAWA will hold its 2018 Annual General Meeting at the River Stour Visitor Centre. BOSTON FLOOD BARRIER. Plans for the Environment Agency’s £100 million flood defence barrier at Boston have been approved by the Secretary of State Michael Gove and H.M. Treasury. It will provide better protection for more than 14,000 properties from tidal flooding and will feature a moveable gate across the river Witham together with a new control building to operate the barrier, new flood defence walls on both banks and a replacement gate across the entrance to the existing Port of Boston wet dock. Now the scheme has been approved a contract for the project was awarded to Bam Nuttall and Mott MacDonald joint venture at the beginning of December. Boston has a long history of tidal flooding. It was flooded in 1953, again in 1978 and more recently during a tidal surge on 5 December 2013 when the defence were over-topped, damaged or breached. This affected the town extensively, with more than 800 properties flooded across 55 streets.
A THIRD NAVIGATION OF THE OLD BEDFORD RIVER. A third navigation of the Old Bedford River took place during November 2017 from the tidal sluice at Salters Lode to the current head of navigation at Welches Dam lock. The Old Bedford is a statutory navigation first opened in 1637, and managed and controlled by the Environment Agency. In 2006 the EA piled the entrance to Welches Dam lock and the lock remains unusable 11 years later. Before the first successful trip in April 2017 by three narrow boats (Lily May, Ever After and Olive Emily) we were advised by the EA that it would have been better to make the trip in May. Immediately before the second successful trip in July by two boats (cruiser Maria II and Olive Emily) we were strongly advised to either cancel it or postpone it for 4 months until the scheduled weed cut had taken place in October. Therefore I notified the EA in October that I wished to navigate the Old Bedford during November. The dates of 13 and14 November were confirmed and Chris Howes (Lily May) and Jeff Walters (Ever After) offered to join me in their boats.
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On 13 November all three boats locked out of the Middle Level lock at Salters Lode into the tidal Great Ouse. I then attempted to enter the narrow tidal channel leading to the Old Bedford sluice. This looked hopeless because it had not been maintained or dredged and was badly silted up. Moreover there was a sand bar at the entrance with only 3” of water covering it. Only ducks would have been able to enter the Old Bedford “on the level”. I therefore turned the boat round and started to dig a channel to the Old Bedford sluice using the propeller in reverse gear. This was repetitive and time consuming but worked and I was able to enter the non tidal river still in reverse just after the tide turned. Chris and Jeff were less fortunate and were unable to follow me which was very disappointing for all concerned including the many onlookers. Soon after we were on our way to Welney where we moored overnight outside the Lamb and Flag (Elgoods beer, excellent food, fine old photos, large stuffed fish in glass cases, accommodation if we had needed it and a real fire. Early next morning we were off for Welches Dam lock 6 miles away. This is an attractive location with a fine lock-side cottage close of the extensive premises of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Ouse Washes nature reserve. It looked particularly good in the autumn sunlight and once again we received a warm welcome from one of the residents. Welches Dam lock remained impassable and once again we had no alternative but to turn round and head back to the Old Bedford sluice. Leaving proved far easier than entering, perhaps because I had already laboriously dug a channel on the way in. Following discussions with the Middle Level lock keeper and a member of the EA’s navigation team, I reversed a short distance into the tidal channel at low water enabling them to shut the tidal doors and for “Olive Emily” to rest on soft mud just outside. Soon after the boat lifted on the incoming tide and I then reversed into the main tidal river and (in forwards) re-entered Salters Lode and the Middle Level. In 2016 the Middle Level Commissioners gave permission within two weeks to IWA (Peterborough) to organise working parties fir maintenance work close to Horseway lock. These must have been judged a success because a year the MLC asked the IWA if they would repaint and spruce up the lock itself the later. Note: This MLC lock remains in working order unlike v EA’s Welches Dam lock, a short distance away. The statutory right of navigation under the Anglian Water Authority Act 1977. In public EA accepts the statutory right of navigation but this appears to be largely ignored in practice. It seems that each time to try to take a boat into the Old Bedford we are told it is either too early in the year or too late. If April, July and November are not suitable then when it is truly open and navigable? Why did only one boat out of three manage to enter the river this time? Which is more likely, the lack of maintenance and dredging or just bad buck? Navigation is also restricted by the single guillotine gate at Welney. This cuts the Old Bedford into two and prevents navigation beyond when it is closed which is often the case. Sometimes the gate can be is raised slightly which allows algae and weed to
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accumulate at the gate. On other occasions there can be a noticeable difference level on either side, which makes navigation impossible. WINTER WORKS: On 7 December 2017 the Environment Agency announced £1.4m of capital works were to be carried out over the winter months. On the river Nene Woodford Lock 20, Titchmarsh Lock 23, Wadenhoe Lock 24, Ashton Lock 28, Cotterstock Lock 29 and Orton Lock 37 are to receive attention. The works will cover special tasks such as the replacement of the counterweight at Cotterstock to the complete refurbishment of the structure such as at Titchmarsh, Wadenhoe and Woodford. On the Great Ouse the sweep arms on the mitre gates at Eaton Socon lock are to be replaced and the footbridge at Brandon Lock is to be repaired. FLOATING PENNYWORT. The removal of this weed has continued unabated on the on Ely Ouse and the Cam rivers with removal work resuming on 13 November and expected to continue for the rest of the year. The Environment Agency’s autumn report shows an alarming picture of a side arm of the waterway completely covered by this aggressive weed. Volunteer groups across the Great Ouse catchment are being encouraged to report sightings and boaters can reduce the spread of this and other aquatic invasive species by following the “Check – Clean – Dry” principle which can be researched on line for lots of practical advice. Any sightings can be reported via email Anglian-invasive@environment-agency.gov.uk or by telephone 03708 506506. MARK THE ROUTE: One of the strategies identified in the Bedford & Milton Keynes Trust’s Business Plans for 2017/18 is to Mark the Route of the Waterway by way of markers, footpaths and artwork wherever feasible and affordable. Unfortunately, this does not come cheaply but is felt to be worthwhile for promotional purposes which is one of the Trust’s main objectives. We are identifying sections which have the highest footfall and therefore the highest opportunity for promotion of the Waterway. We submitted a very ambitious application to mark the route throughout the Central Bedfordshire region via the Central Beds Infrastructure Project. Against strong competition, we were fortunate enough to be awarded a grant of £8,300 to mark the route through part of the Marston Vale Millennium Country Park and Forest Centre. In addition, the Trust will be contributing in the region of an additional 20% of the grant from our own funds towards the project. So, we identified the section which runs from the Forest Centre car park down to Church Road in Marston Moretaine as being good value for money which will raise the profile of the route and project in a high profile area. This is about half-mile in length. We have commissioned a local chainsaw artist, and in consultation with the Forest Centre staff we have developed some very attractive carvings consisting of three benches plus some standalone interactive sculptures. The pieces will all reflect our Vision for the Waterway Park depicting associated wildlife including frogs, herons, otters, dragonflies plus leisure activities such as boating, kayaking, walking and cycling.
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Work has already started and should be completed by spring 2018.
NORTH WALSHAM AND DILHAM CANAL TRUST. It is excellent to be able to report that the Inland Waterways Association’s Waterway Recovery Group made excellent progress on the Ebridge spillway during their twoweek long visit to Norfolk in August. Despite its best efforts, however, there simply had not been enough time to allow the work to be completed. It involved completing the laying of the bricks and then the filling in of the intermediate gaps between the bricks with mortar – an extremely important area that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. During the following Saturday (26 August) four volunteers from the North Walsham Trust made a worthwhile start by laying out more of the bricks in readiness for a large session that was followed the day after. The opportunity was also taken to fill in some of the previously laid bricks with mortar. These preparations led to an impressive team of sixteen volunteers assembled ready to deal with those areas that had not been covered. Due to their dedicated efforts most of the outstanding work was completed – a truly support effort. . AITKEN CLARK: On 23 June 2016 the newest of the Broads Authority’s safety launches was launched at How Hill Staithe at 11.30am on 11 June 2017 named after the Authority’ s newest Chief Executive for his work of the working of the Authority. RIVER WENSUM: Last year serious concerns were raised about the health of the river Newsum and an Upper Wensum Cluster Farm Group was formed in a bid to reduce its impact of the agriculture on the river and bring together its 15 farmers and landowners to co-ordinate their conservation efforts. The main work concentrated on the Wensum itself but other rivers include were the Avon, Dove, Camel, Ure, Axe, Eden, Coquet, Itchen, Test, Lambourn and Welland. WATERWAY GONDALAS: After years in storage at Great Yarmouth four colourful vessels could be about to take to the water again. Built in the 1950s each of the boats carried a beautiful carved animal’s head and operated on a boating lake in the town where they were a popular feature. Whilst the main part of the vessels are beyond repair the heads have been carefully reserved and the intention is to reintroduce them in a waterways restoration project at St. John’s Church which is now well under way. BROADS ACTION PLAN. A group has been established to investigate yobbish behaviour following a series of incidents. It is planned the group will:Investigate increased Ranger and Broads Beat presence in the evening. Expand the current Super Safety Days programme to evenings. Work with industry to encourage limiting the maximum speed of hired day-boats. Investigate the purchase of mobile speed signs. Improve the level of communication between Broads Authority Rangers, Broads Beat & boat hire companies to share intelligence.
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Encourage the development of rewards for boat hirers who complete an on-line preview safety test.
ALBION’S VISIT TO THE ELY RALLY “Are we right for Horning?” A reasonable request from the deck of a Broads boat, maybe a newcomer just for checking, from a bystander in idle curiosity. On this occasion it was different. The question was asked with tongue in cheek from the deck of Albion of a crew member on board the Lynn Well light vessel in the middle of the Wash some 20 miles from the Norfolk coast. How did Albion come to be where no wherry has ever sailed? It all began with an idea from the Chairman at the time at a Committee Meeting during the winter of 1972 and continued was his work at keeping the work of the trust before the public. This was to be his most ambitious yet. Why not take Albion to the 1973 Inland Waterways Association National Rally at Ely in the Fens. To raise funds, increase membership and show that the Trust is foremost in the successful running of a Preservation Society. Having made the decision in principle much work was done preparing Albion for the trip. Seams were re-caulked, repairs made, bottom and topsides tarred, decks ditched etc. A 2-inch rope was lashed completely around the hull below the plancea by which Albion could be towed. Not from any single part such as the timberheads or mast. Main shrouds were ringed, a dinghy stowed on the foredeck and lifelines fitted port sand starboard. A portable petrol driven pump was stowed as well as two anchors. Much work was also done studying the right weather conditions that would be necessary to make the trip. Sea trips were not unknown for wherries at that time and the voyage of the Gipsy was researched for any help. The crew for this venture were Ewan Anderson as Skipper supported by Douggie Blewett, David Bray, John Perryman and Stewart Anderson. A camera crew from Anglia Television were also to film parts of the trip. The towboat Deep Venturer (ex Admiralty M.F.V) was organised to accompany the trip additionally fulfilling the role of safety boat, committee boat and media platform. Away at last Deep Venturer cast off at 16.25 on Friday 13 th June 1973 with Albion alongside. Outside Yarmouth Harbour the plan was to drop to a 120-foot tow rope. At the harbour’s mouth, the foredeck disappeared under a wall of water with the mast all but striking the derrick of Deep Venturer. Voices were raised in concern everywhere but all was well. The binges were checked and founded to be dry and Albion continued on her way under tow from Deep Venturer. Darkness was falling, the tiller was lashed and Albion continued on her 15 hour trip. The lights of Cromer had come abeam and as they faded all was in total darkness apart from the lights of Deep Venturer. At Blakeney Output Buoy that was a report they were slowing down because of an overheating bearing. Whilst to some extent
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being was true, it resulted in the incident being reported in the Eastern Daily Press on 14 July as “Albion tow boat fire accident.” Between Cromer and Burnham Flats the wind strengthened and at about 3am the tow boat changed course and headed into a force 5 knot wind. The agreed signal to attract the attention of Deep Venturer was five blasts on the air horn. Eventually after a good deal more than five the message got through and the voyage continued until dawn at dead slow. The wind was dropping and with time to spare against the schedule the tow continued to the southeast part of the Wash where anchors were dropped and breakfast taken (eggs, bacon, beans, marmalade, bread and buttered). The TV crew (having retreated to shore in their own boat overnight) returned to film the raising of sail and Albion under weigh. With the wind dropping this was agreed after compromises made with the film crew as to the number of times the sail would be raised (two). So the sail was raised and Albion did its bit being the first wherry to sail into the Wash. All well until the arrival of the TV helicopter the downdraft of which caused Albion to lose speed and to begin to draft backwords towards the Lynn Well light. Without panic the sail was lowered, fenders deployed and Albion slid stern first alongside the lightship. The whole operation being carried out in silence much to the amusement of the crew of the lightship. The silence being eventually broken by John Perryman asking of the crew of “Are we all right for Horning”. Filming over, Albion proceeded towed alongside Deep Venturer picked up a pilot and entered Lynn Dock at 16.35 on Saturday 14 th July to an official welcome from the people of Kings Lynn. The first time a black sailed trader had visit the port. Albion continued to Ely, had a very successful visit to the IWA National Rally and returned to home waters without incident. (From “The Wherry”, journal of the Norfolk Wherry Trust). HISTORIC NORTH WALSHAM: In a headline in the Eastern Daily Press on Friday 15 September Eleanor Pringle wrote “An historic landmark which was once the lifeblood of Norfolk industry is being restored thanks to the help of 30 dedicated volunteers from around the country – and beyond. More than 30 volunteers have been taking part in a Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) camp on part of the unique North Walsham and Dilham Canal. The waterway is Norfolk’s only sailing canal with locks and has been closed for nearly 20 years. The workforce has spent two weeks rebuilding the derelict spillway – at Ebridge, just above the dilapidated lock. Once finished, the restored spillway will make it easier to control water levels along the 19 th century waterway, which fell into disrepair after the last wherry sailed it in 1934. Among the volunteers was Evelyne Laveaux who had travelled from her home in north east France to help. “I am very much interested in conservation and restoration and I am a teacher of English in France so this allows me to combine both interests, and practise my English,” she said. “It’s varied work and it’s an opportunity to learn things I didn’t know – like bricklaying. Work on the Royston spillway has so far taken 851 hours, over three months clearing, levelling and bricking the spillway, working to an angle of 45 deg. A paid
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workforce on a basic wage would have earned about £6,000 in that time. The hardest job had been rolling the ground to compact it, working to a 30 degree include. They had then reinstated the crest wall at the top of the structure and had finally worked on brick facing the weir slope. “I like to be outside doing something practical and as much as anything it’s enjoyable because of the banter with everyone else,” said Bob Crow, from Brightlingsea, who led the camp in its second week. The WRG workers had attracted a lot of attention from the many dog walkers, canoeists, fishermen and other Canal users. Mr. Crow added “People kept stopping to say ‘Lovely work. When can you come and do my patio?” People could visit Ebridge Mill pond last weekend, as part of Heritage Open Days. IS THE ECONOMIC TIDE TURNING FOR KING’S LYNN? So asked a head line in the Saturday 9 September issue of the Eastern Daily Press. For after years of economic ebb, it looks like the proud port’s ship might soon come back in again. Almost twenty years ago there was a similar buzz alongside the former whaling quarter. A marina had been proposed for the silted-up Nar Loop, surrounded by new homes, shops and restaurants and West Norfolk Council bought up the land and courted the developers. But the cost of building the marina scuttled the deal. Now ideas are now being floated for the site between the Millfleet and Hardings Pits. Confidence is buoyed up again by the council’s King’s Court HQ, as investment begins trickling back into Lynn. Hundreds of new houses are being built at Lynnsport and the former Beales department store in the Vancouver Quarter is being transformed. And on the water front plans to move a bus gate at few yards will unlock new areas of land for development although the plan did not come without a certain amount of controversy. GREAT YARMOUTH: A bold new design has emerged for Great Yarmouth’s proposed third river crossing. This previously involved a bascule or lifting bridge similar to the town’s Haven Bridge and this remains the County Council’s preferred option for the site. Now a second option for a swing bridge has been mooted – a crossing pivots from a single column in the river – famous examples are of the river Tyne in Newcastle with smaller visions located at Reedham and Somerleyton. With the involvement of Norfolk Country Council it has been pointed out that Great Yarmouth needs a third river crossing to reduce congestion on its roads. Display boards showing the design options are on display at several localities. BROADS HIRE FLEET: For the first time over the last five years the size of the hire boat fleet has risen slightly. The number of weekly hired motor cruisers has been in decline since a high of over 2,200 in the 1980s – for instance between 2012 and 2016 the number dropped from 894 to 789 and the industry had predicted a further fall of 20 craft in 2017. Instead, however, there was an increase up to 802 – a small but welcome development representing significant investment by the industry in new boats and in the retirement of older vessels. Meanwhile a new and fairer toll charging structure has stemmed the decline in small private boats and these have increased in number by over 10pc from 1,646 in 2016 to 1,820 this year. A spokesman for the authority reported that it was in a good
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position to offer some strategic choices in response to requests from boat owners and the hire boat operators.
EAST ANGLIAN WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION LIMITED Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 June 2017 INCOME Subscriptions & Donations Membership Fund Project Hereward Gift Aid Claim Investment Income Total Income EXPENDITURE Cost of Charitable Activities Easterling Newsletter Working Party Insurance Project Hereward North Walsham & Dilham Donation
£1,079.48 130.00 820.00 668.88 30.36 £2,728.72
380.27 419.65 760.40 1,500.00 £3,060.32
MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION Annual General Meeting Company Registration & Other Fees Meeting Room hire Subscriptions paid Total Total Resources Expended
144.95 69.96 63.00 54.00 £331.91 £3,392.23
BALANCE SHEET as at 30 June 2017 Current Account Investment Account Project Hereward Life Membership Fund Total Less Sundry Creditors Total Funds
£15,261,83 9,194.91 1,059.60 993.34 £26,509.68 1,649.26 £24,860.42
Director’s Report for the year ending 30 June 2017
Results: Expenditure of £3,329.23 exceeded income of £2,698.36 on the General Account but there was £30.36 of income on the Restricted Account. Outgoings continued to be modest and covered just two issues of “The Easterling” but it also included just over £760 towards the cost of the investigation into the repair of Welches Dam Lock. Most of this was subsequently covered by a donation. It also
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included £1,500 to the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust to assist towards the cost of accommodating two week-long work parties at Ebridge in August 2017. Principal Activities. The main activity of the Association remains that as an Amenity Society working to secure improvements to the waterways in Eastern England for the benefit of the general public. The company is a non-profit distributing company, limited by guarantee (No 895405) and is registered as a charity (No 251382). Welches Dam Lock. The continued closure of this lock that lies between the Old Bedford River Canal and the Forty Foot River remains as one of the biggest challenges facing the Association. It should form an essential part of one of the two through routes to the Middle Level Navigations but has been illegally closed since 2006. The lock is owned by the Environment Agency which drove a piled barrier across its south entrance, thus preventing it from being used for navigation. Meanwhile the condition of the Forty Foot River that links up with the rest of the Middle Level system continues to cause concern due to leakage and the water level has been lowered to prevent this. Last year in partnership with the Peterborough Branch of the Inland Waterways Association we set up an action group led by our member Professor Andrew Storrar to work towards addressing this problem. One of the first steps was to commission a drone to undertake an aerial survey of the Forty Foot River between Welches Dam and Horseway lock to ascertain its condition and shed light on the work needed to restore to a navigable condition. Subsequently the £720 cost of the aerial survey was refunded to the Association by a donation. Meanwhile Welches Dam Lock has been inspected in so far that this is possible as full access is very difficult. The Association has earmarked over £15,000 to form the basis of a fund for the repairs to the lock once the Environment Agency gives permission for any work to be carried out. North Walsham & Dilham Canal. We continue to give our whole heart support to the this business and we cover the insurance requirements of the Trust’s very successful working parties. Bottom gates have now been fitted to Spa Common Lock (No 4) and work has been focussed on the dry section of the canal upstream from here. It is hoped this section can be re-watered before much longer. The Association still holds the residue of funds that came from a grant of £5,000 from the North Norfolk District Council to carry our improvements to the Ebridge pound. It is expected that works planned for this coming August will see these funds finally being put to their intended good use. Fens Waterways Link. There is little to report here as everything depends on the outcome of an enquiry into the safety of navigation through the proposed Boston Barrage. The Public Enquiry closed on 31 May and the Inspector’s report is due in the summer of 2017. This could have major implications for the waterways link.
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We are, however, able to report that works are in progress to improve the flood water storage capacity of the Black Sluice Drain and these will also benefit navigation . Some six miles at the southern end of the drain towards the river Glen are being dredged by the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board and the banks are being raised at known low spots to improve flood protection. For some craft these works will extend the navigable channel to the Black Hole Grove Pumping Station that crosses the drain 19½ miles from Boston. General: The Association continues to maintain its watch over its widespread area, taking action where necessary and giving help and advice where it can. This includes the activities of like-minded bodies with whom we are linked, including the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust, the Chelmer Canal Trust, the River Gipping Trust, the Great Ouse Boating Association, the Halesworth New Reach Working Group, the Little Ouse Group, the Louth Navigation Trust, the Association of Nene River Clubs, the River Slea Trust, the River Stour Trust, the River Waveney Trust and the Well Creek Trust. Directors. The directors who served during the year were Christopher Brian Black, Alan Henderson Faulkner (Treasurer), John Hodgson, John Raymond Mayhead, David John Mercer (Secretary), David Edward Revill, Roger George Sexton (Chairman), Andrew Storrar, David John Tomlinson and Jeffrey Alun Walters. None of the directors receive any remuneration but they can be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses.
On behalf of the Board Alan Faulkner, Director
__________________________________________________________________ The directors are sad to report that Alan Faulkner, our Treasurer and Editor of “The Easterling” has been suffering poor health for many months. Never the less, Alan has continued to guide and follow the work of the Association as well as producing most of this issue of “The Easterling”. We are sure that all of our members and friends join us in wishing Alan a return to better health very soon. We send Alan and his family our very best wishes. We do apologise for the late publication of this issue. Trying to keep up the standards Alan has set as editor of ‘The Easterling’ for 27-years is no easy task.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018 Notice is hereby given that the 48th Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 15th April 2018 and will be based at the River Stour Trust Visitor Centre at Sudbury in Suffolk commencing at 2.0 p.m. Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of the 47th Annual General Meeting held on 23rd April 2017 at Hemingford Grey. 3. To receive the Directors’ Report for the year ended 30th June 2017. 4. To receive the Association’s Accounts for the year to 30th June 2017. 5. To elect one third of the Directors in accordance with the Association’s rules. John Mayhead, David Mercer, Andrew Storrar and Jeffrey Walters offer themselves for re-election. 6. To elect a Scrutineer. Mr John Cordran offers himself for re-election. 7. To receive a report about the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. 8. To receive a report about Project Hereward - Welches Dam to Horseway. 9. Chairman’s Report on other aspects of the Association’s work during the year. Our AGM this year is at the River Stour Trust’s new Visitor and Education Centre and we are pleased to support the Trust on its 50th Anniversary. We look forward to learning more about the Trust’s very recent significant progress. Boat Trips from the Visitor Centre Prior to the meeting members may wish to take a short cruise on one of the Trust’s public trip boats, Edwardian Lady, operating from the Visitor Centre from 12.0 noon. at a cost of £5 per person. Further details including a location map are on page 13. Lunch There are several public houses close to the Visitor Centre, the Kings Head and the Five Bells, for lunchtime refreshments. Alternatively, the Visitor Centre will be open prior to the meeting from 1.0 p.m. with Tea and Coffee available for members to sit and enjoy their own packed/picnic lunches.
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The River Stour Trust Visitor and Education Centre
The venue for our 2018 AGM is the Trust’s Visitor Centre adjacent to Great Cornard Lock on the River Stour. Why not enjoy a short electric boat trip before the meeting?
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Membership Matters
At our last EAWA Board Meeting in February directors discussed how best we could ease the load on our Treasurer, Alan Faulkner, until he returns to full health again. The Secretary, David Mercer, agreed to be appointed Acting Deputy Treasurer, reporting to Alan for the time being. More significantly. Director John Hodgson offered and was elected to take up the role of Membership Secretary. We are most grateful to John for taking on this task. Membership enquiries should now be directed to: John Hodgson
john.hodgson@eawa.co.uk
9 Beaufort Way, Brickhill, Bedford. MK41 7XQ.
Tel: 01234 344884
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One of John’s first tasks will be to approve the design of a new Membership Brochure which we plan to have available for various waterways events this year.
Is your 2018 Annual Membership Subscription due? If you are not a Life Member or have not set up a Standing Order then John would be pleased to now receive your subscription for 2018. Annual membership subscription remains a minimum of just £5 but many of our members kindly donate a little extra each year to assist the work of the Association. Why not consider Life Membership which costs £100 ? If you are a taxpayer and state that your subscription/donation is made under the Gift Aid Scheme then the Association can benefit by a really worthwhile additional 25% of the sum you pay.
Thank you for continued support
Ely Moorings In August 2017 we wrote to officials at the Environment Agency and to the Secretary of State for DEFRA to express our concerns that three EA-owned plots of riverside land at Ely on the river Great Ouse were being advertised for sale to the highest bidder. The three sections of riverbank are used for mooring by three well-established and regarded boating businesses vital to the local economy and to the vibrancy of Ely as a boating centre. Bridge Boatyard, the largest hire-fleet operator on the Great Ouse has used one section for over 20-years. Hotel boat Nimph and boat repair workshop, The Boatyard, use the other sections. In expressing our mutual concerns we went a little further than the IWA and the Great Ouse Boating Association by suggesting to the Secretary of State that the proposed sale may even be unlawful, given the provisions of the Anglian Water Authority Act 1977.
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In January, we were pleased to be advised that the open sale had been withdrawn and instead all three plots would be purchased by the local authority, East Cambs District Council. ECDC has plans to improve the river corridor. We are delighted that the moorings will remain in public ownership and the future for the three businesses and the river economy of Ely should now be secure.
Middle Level Bill On 28th February the Middle Level Bill received its Third Reading in the House of Commons and will now pass to the House of Lords for final consideration. EAWA directors continue to fully support the principle of the Bill to enable the Commissioners to introduce boat registration and charges and to revise the historic and out-dated legislation under which they currently operate. The House of Lords procedure affords us the final chance to try to fine-tune several aspects where we feel the detail of the Bill could be improved. We have made appropriate representations on the provision of new and improved facilities and moorings and on the constitution of the Navigation Advisory Committee.
IWA Festival of Water 2018 This year’s IWA Festival of Water is to be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend of 25th-27th August at St. Neots on the river Great Ouse. EAWA will be there! Our stand is booked and we look forward to meeting up with our many members and friends. More details in the next issue of ‘The Easterling’.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY East Anglian Waterways Association is 60 YEARS OLD in 2018 It all began in Bedford in 1958 We thought a trip on the Bedford and Milton Keynes Community Boat John Bunyan would be appropriate
COME AND ENJOY OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
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A 4-hour river cruise on the John Bunyan Saturday 22nd September 2018 Cruise departs Priory Marina at 1.00 p.m. Price £20 per person Includes Ploughman’s Lunch PLACES ARE LIMITED - EARLY BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED To Book – Call Jeff Walters on 07785 787 875 Or email: jwalters53@hotmail com
LICENSED BAR TEAS, COFFEES AND SOFT DRINKS