THE EASTERLING JOURNAL OF THE EAST ANGLIAN WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION VOLUME TEN, NUMBER ONE AUGUST 2018 Edited by Alan H. Faulkner 43 Oaks Drive, Colchester, Essex CO3 3PS Phone 01206 767023 E-mail alan.faulkner22@btinternet.com
EAST ANGLIAN WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IS 60-YEARS OLD Join us on our Birthday Celebration Cruise on the river Great Ouse from Bedford on Saturday 22nd September 2018. Details on page 20.
GRAND OPENING OF STRATFORD ST MARY LOCK Saturday 12 May was a very special day on the river Stour as it saw the formal re-opening of the lock at Stratford St Mary which had been closed for 80 years. Whilst the restoration work on the lock had been completed last September and a few boats had already passed through, the River Stour Trust had decided to postpone the formal reopening until the spring. As a result, Griff Rhys Jones, Vice President of the Trust, was able to announce to a crowd of supporters that the lock was now open.
2 Griff was accompanied by Mark Harling, Regional Manager of Enovert, formerly the Cory Environmental Trust, who had been the main sponsors of the project, covering the £85,000 cost to provide the new lock gates. Other contributions included £7,500 from the Tony Harrison Legacy Fund, with the balance being found from the Stour Trust’s own resources. With this opening, the river is now passable for authorised craft for a further three miles up to Langham. The biggest contributor to the restoration was the work of volunteers from the Stour Trust. Over a twelve year period, volunteers worked to put in an estimated £150,000 worth in voluntary labour without which the work could never have gone ahead. The workers were led by Roger Brown and it is estimated they put in 15,000 hours of work over a twelve year period. To mark this contribution, in future the lock is to be known as the Roger Brown Lock. The opening was shown on the BBC’s Local News on the Saturday evening and there were reports in the following Wednesday edition and Friday editions of the local Colchester newspapers. This opening brings the number of locks restored by the Stour Trust to four – Flatford, Dedham, Stratford St Mary and, at the northern end of the canal, Cornard lock in Sudbury. In addition, the Trust has been responsible for providing three slipways, two waterside warehouses, a visitor centre and several launching points. This has enabled the community to use the river that the world famous artist, John Constable, painted and made famous.
S2C Paddlers in restored Stratford Lock
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BROADS NOTES AND NEWS Network Rail and the Broads Authority: Whilst most people will have enjoyed the spells of very warm weather that have been experienced this year, they have caused problems at two important locations on the Norfolk Broads - at Reedham on the river Yare and at Somerleyton on the river Waveney – where there are swing bridges over the waterway. Both bridges have been swinging open for fixed-masted vessels since 1905 and both must be coming to the end of their useful lives. The immediate problem is that both bridges expand in very warm weather and this prevents them from swinging. In turn, this causes considerable problems for the owners of larger boats that are unable to squeeze underneath. After pressure from the Broads Authority, Network Rail has commissioned plans for both Reedham and Somerleyton which were completed in March 2014. They looked at a series of options for the replacement or the refurbishment of the two structures. At Somerleyton, a formula has been worked out whereby the temperature is taken every morning which, with a rough timing for the afternoon, gives advanced warning when the bridge will not open. Meanwhile, there is a third swing bridge on the Broads and this is in Norwich at Trowse, a short distance downstream from the main line railway station. Whilst it is of much newer construction, it has been plagued with problems and it only carries a single railway line. A £100,000 list of improvements has been drawn up and it is hoped they can be carried out this year. The main problem here is the limited time available for the bridge to operate because of the sheer volume of rail traffic. River Waveney (1): Plans for a canoe trail on the river have been delayed owing to problems over the construction of a portage place below Ellingham Weir. The Broads Authority is investigating ways to protect the riverbank from erosion before a portage can be constructed. The Canoe Trail starts at Diss but paddlers tend to stop at Ellingham because of the lack of a portage below the weir. A safe portage would allow them to carry their canoes over land and re-enter the water on the other side of the weir. Broads Authority officers had been unable to survey the site last September owing to the bank being heavily overgrown and River Waveney Trust volunteers had been asked to clear it. This then revealed a number of gabion baskets filled with stone that had been installed to prevent erosion but had subsequently collapsed. They had resulted in the bank becoming heavily eroded and the entire project has needed to be redesigned to incorporate measures to deal with the situation. Meanwhile, the canoe portage will be relatively simple and quick but due to the height of the river the need for erosion protection will be much more complicated, making it impossible to estimate a completion date. It is hoped that some work can be completed this summer. River Waveney (2): The project to enable small electric, wind and paddle powered craft to enjoy the river between Beccles and Bungay has taken an important step forward. Whilst it has not been possible to travel by any waterborne craft other than by canoe, the former mayors of the two wards Hugh Taylor and Olly Barnes – are hoping to see that change. Between them, they are proposing that specially licensed vessels should be able to use this stretch of the river enabling it to become a
4 “green water lane”. This follows a recent riverbed survey that was conducted with the assistance of the Broads Authority and the support of the River Waveney Trust and of both Beccles and Bungay Town Councils. Under the water lane scheme, small licensed electrically-powered vessels would be able to travel between the two towns. Other proposed aspects of the scheme include work on canoe portages and launching points, repairs and restoration of riverside footpaths and connections to the Angles Way and other footpaths linking the river with nearby villages. The data from the survey will be passed to the Broads Authority who will analyse it to produce an underwater profile map of the riverbed. This will be used to establish whether any dredging or re-profiling work will be required to permit the types of vessels envisaged to pass along the river. As part of this, last summer the two mayors led a canoe voyage along the seven mile section of the river between Beccles and Bungay to raise awareness of the project. Neglected Rivers: The Eastern Daily Press on Saturday 5 May reported that landowners are being encouraged to suggest waterways that could benefit from an ongoing project that has already restored the natural characteristics of several Anglian rivers. This restoration work is being carried out in Norfolk and Suffolk on a three-year programme that is costing £350,000 a year. Areas being targeted are those where the Environment Agency has withdrawn from normal maintenance, where the flood risk is low but where there would still be benefits to water management and to wildlife habitats. An example is the East Suffolk Internal Drainage Board that has restored over a mile of the river Wang at Henham near Southwold. This involved the removal of blockages in the channel and the installation of flow deflectors and has been supported by Water Framework Directive funding. Another example is where the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board has done vegetation management on the Upper Yare at Barford and started a restoration scheme on a stretch of the river Whitewater to restore it to a more natural self-maintaining state. North Walsham & Dilham Canal (1): The Broads Authority’s planning committee has given its approval to an application by farmer Mr Luke Paterson to build ten glamping pods alongside the canal near Dilham Village. Mr Paterson’s company owns the canal almost up to the first lock and this development forms part of a farm diversification project along 400 metres of the canal. The site is accessed along Oak Road and lies between Oak Farm and the canal. The farm used to receive funding from the European Union’s Agricultural Policy but this is due to finish when Britain leaves. The glamping project is intended to replace these lost funds. The farm currently manages 380 hectares of land but the proposed glamping site would use less than one hectare. Two designs of pods have been proposed which will be located at 40 metre intervals to provide privacy for holidaymakers. The pods, which will have water and electricity supply, will be set back 20 metres from the canal and will be available to hire year round. The development will include a car park, and bicycles and canoes will be made available for hire. Not everyone has been happy with the plans. The Broads Authority received six objections citing the adverse impact on the roads, on residential amenity, and on the landscape and ecology. Against this,
5 seven supported the scheme as it will help support the rural economy. For our part, we wish the project well and shall follow its progress with considerable interest. North Walsham & Dilham Canal (2): Work continues on the canal upstream of the fourth lock with bank clearance and general improvement work, albeit at present not to the same intensity as seen last summer. At that time, the workers were engaged in building two spillways, one well upstream of Bacton Wood lock and the other immediately upstream of Ebridge lock. At the end of May, however, the volunteers returned to Ebridge to prepare the site for another of the NW&DC’s successful Open Weekends when the public are invited to visit the site, examine the Trust’s work, view the improvements already made, and enjoy a cruise up the river. This event took place over the spring bank holiday during which the Trust launched ELLA II as its latest trip boat. She joins the SUE B which is already in service. Part of the canal has now been included in a national challenge for boat users. Enthusiasts who navigate the upper section of the canal from Ebridge Mill pond to Bacton Wood Lock can gain a new Inland Waterways Association Silver Propeller award. This is aimed at encouraging members to explore more of the country’s lesser-known waterways. River Chet: The Broads Authority had announced plans to build a replica of a 900-year old boat which was discovered beside the river Chet in 2013. This is intended to be for education and exhibition purposes and once built the boat will be used to bring the history of the area to life. The replica will be built using construction methods as close as possible to those used by the medieval boat builders and a programme of sailing activities and events will be set up to show what medieval river transport was like. The boat was discovered by diggers working on a stretch of floodbank along the Chet. Archaeologists investigated and, after examining the timbers, found the boat to be at least 400 to 6OO years old. Meanwhile steps have been taken to improve navigation on the Chet by removing a series of marker posts that were erected by Broadland Environmental Services Limited. These posts were used to mark the edge of the river bank after re-profiling was carried out as part of the Broadland Flood Alleviation Scheme. With the re-growth of bank side vegetation the river edge is clearly visible, meaning the channel markers are no longer necessary to indicate the boundaries of the river bank. The 33 markers have now been removed and, as a result, this has made the channel more navigable. The Chet is a narrow river and so this will be a great benefit to boat users. Water, Mills and Marches: It has been recognised that some of the region’s most historic mills and waterways, that make up the rich landscape of the Norfolk Broads, could be lost without action to protect them for future generations. Under the title of “Water; Mills and Marches”, the Broads Landscape Partnership Scheme was officially launched in Norwich on Wednesday 17 January. It will focus on education initiatives, the restoration of 12 iconic Norfolk water mills and protecting the region from issues such as climate change. A £4 million budget over a five year period is envisaged. Herbert Woods: The original Herbert Woods wooden cruiser “Spark of Light” has been launched into the day hire market. She was built in 1927, and now captures the old time cruising fashion of idyllic motor boating from that era but with all the mod-cons one would expect to find on a modern fleet of
6 hire boats. Originally, the boat was available for hire for longer periods but she is now only available for day charter so as to protect this rare piece of boating history. In fact, the boat has undergone several changes of name. Some time prior to April 1934, her name was changed to “Spot of Light” and in 1947 her name became “Shimmer of Light”. Herbert Woods decided in 1954 to refurbish and refit the boat to make her seaworthy. Then named “Cherrie”, she was sold in 1971 and again in 1999, but was then involved in an accident when a tree fell across her front deck which led to lengthy repairs. She was not been seen again until 2005 when she was renamed “Shimmer of Light” and was relocated to Broads Edge Marina in Stalham where, in 2011, she was reunited with Herbert Woods. The cost of hiring this piece of history for the day, with a skipper for up to six people, is £300. Norfolk River Pollution: Recent tests conducted by the Environment Agency have shown that at least two of Norfolk’s rivers – the river Wensum and the river Waveney - are heavily polluted, placing fish, birds and aquatic insects very much at risk. In particular, both these two are contaminated with neonicotinoid pesticides. The Wensum, a special Area of Conservation for river life, was found to be chronically polluted, whilst the Waveney was found to be acutely polluted. The findings came as an unpleasant shock to most local people who had always thought of the rivers, and especially the Waveney, as being quite clean. Due to the harm they cause to bees and other pollinators, neonicotinoids were banned in 2013 by the European Union from use on flowering crops. As a result of these latest findings, moves are expected soon to extend this ban to all outdoor uses. Broads Sailing Boats: A consortium of sailing companies operating on the Norfolk Broads are getting together to turn the tide for their niche industry, which has been in decline. Hunter’s Yard at Ludham, Swallowtail Boatyard also at Ludham, Oliver’s Sailing Holidays at Martham Ferry, Martham Boats at Marsham and Eastwood Whelpton Sailing Holidays at Upton, have formed the Broads Sailing Group in order to revive the cabin yacht hire business and promote the opportunities for sailing in the area. Fifty years ago, the Broads were teeming with yachts provided by more than 40 operators but now there are only the five companies in the business. A new web site has been set up – Broadssailing.com – which the public can use to contact and make bookings with any of the five companies. The group hopes to capitalise on last year’s Broads designation as a National Park. This move comes partly due to the declining distribution of holiday brochures, such as by Hoseasons, which often had several pages dedicated to sailing, and the realisation that it would be best to work together rather than compete with one another in a declining market. The Broads Boat Fleets: An increase in the size of the private boat fleet and better than expected hire boat numbers has placed the Broads Authority in a stronger than expected financial position. Following on from this, the authority was in the position of being able to offer a below inflationary increase of just 1 per cent for 2018/2019 or address some of the most common requests from boaters, such as spending more on dredging, on maintenance, on the provision of moorings or an increase in ranger patrols. Meanwhile, the number of weekly hired motor cruisers has been in decline since a high of over 2,200 in the 1980s. Between 2012 and 2016, the number dropped from 894 to 789, and the hire boat industry had predicted a further reduction of 20 boats in 2017/2018. Instead, there was actually an increase in the numbers from 789 in 2016 to 802 this year. This is thought to be down to the
7 growing awareness of the Broads as a National Park, brought about through a partnership with the Broads Authority, which reflects on the number of boats being used. This has also been helped by significant investment in new boats. The History of the Broads: The Eastern Daily Express has always taken a special interest in the Broads and in a recent edition it included a brief history. “Comprising more than 200km of navigable channels, the Norfolk Broads make a haven for sailors. From the traditional Norfolk wherries to yachts and motor cruisers, boats of all sizes and propulsions have – and still do – cruise the waterways. Broads Sailing estimates there were 40 companies offering cabin yachts for hire on the Broads in the 1960s. But the increasing popularity of motor boats led many boat rental companies to change their stock. Sailing clubs which formed through the 20th century as the Broads become a more popular destination, such as Horning, Hickling Broad and the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club at Wroxham, also help keep the tradition alive. The Broads were only revealed as a man-made phenomenon in the 1950s, when research found the sides of the deep lakes were vertical rather than naturally sloping. It was concluded that they were the result of inundated medieval peat diggings, known to have been a common fuel. Toxic Algae: A cheap, safe and effective method of dealing with harmful algal blooms is on the verge of being introduced following successful field and laboratory tests. These involved the use of hydrogen peroxide as an effective treatment against the golden algea, prymnesium parvum, which is responsible for the death of millions of fish worldwide. It also poses a threat to the £550 million economy of the Broads National Park.
HERE AND THERE Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterways Trust: In May, Chris Grayling MP, the Secretary of State for Transport, announced that a scheme to upgrade the A421 road effectively between Bedford and the MI motorway had been approved by the government. Whilst this was seen as good news for many, there was no mention of the fact that this would cut across the proposed route of the Bedford to Milton Keynes canal. This has been planned to cross the road where a culvert has already been provided to enable it to pass under the existing single carriageway. Indeed, this omission is quite extraordinary bearing in mind that the proposed route of the canal has been common knowledge for several years. This is a major blow to the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterways Trust which has been told it must subscribe an immediate amount to cover the cost of varying the government’s plans.
8 Halesworth: The volunteers who are working to restore a stretch of the canal at Halesworth have received a welcome gift in the shape of a new power brushcutter. This came from the Inland Waterways Association’s Ipswich Branch and was purchased through a generous donation. The volunteers are known as the New Reach Working Group and were founded two years ago after one of its founder members, Gerald Burns, had paddled a canoe from Halesworth to Southwold to draw attention to this little known waterway. This then started a project to restore that part of the canal in the town, known as the Blyth Navigation. This welcome gift will make the maintenance of the towpath and canal bank much easier in future and assist with the clearance of surface weed from the water and leaning vegetation from the bank. It might also eventually encourage the group to see if it can expand its objectives by seeking to restore the dry middle section of the canal and join up with the navigable section through Southwell to the sea. Kings Lynn: The Nar Ouse Regeneration Area in Kings Lynn is once again being looked at by the developers. Situated close to the main river, the area was at one time being looked at as the site for a new marina, but the sheer costs involved scuttled that idea. There are at least five acres immediately available for development on what used to be the site of a former fertiliser factory – originally known to generations of Lynn folk as “the muck works”. Several years ago, the river Nar was diverted to enter the Great Ouse on a much more direct course further to the west and cutting out the difficult bends near the works. This area of Lynn is being transformed by development and is destined to change even more dramatically in the future. The Baden Powell: An iconic part of Kings Lynn’s fishing history, the Baden Powell, has taken to the water again complete with a set of new sails that will help it relive its glorious past. This doubleended cockling boat was built in 1900 and served for more than 50 years harvesting shellfish from the Wash and the West Norfolk coast. Later, she fell into disrepair until a group of dedicated volunteers started work to restore her as part of the region’s maritime heritage. Helped by community fundraising, the boat was restored over a 10-year term by the Kings Lynn Norfolk Boat Trust and she was returned to the water last year. On 14 March this year, she was fitted with a new set of replica sails. These had been made in the traditional way by Steven Hall in his sailmaker’s loft on the river Blackwater at Tollesbury in Essex. Meanwhile, volunteers had made the ropes and blocks to enable the crew to set her sails to the wind and a reconditioned diesel engine has been fitted. Bookings for trips on the boat can be made via the boat’s website www.floatourboat.co.uk Holes Help Kingfishers: Drainage boards on the Middle Level system south of Kings Lynn have now made more than 90 holes which the tiny birds can use to dig their burrows. The Natural Level newsletter reports that kingfishers had another very successful nesting season in the Middle Level during 2017. Whilst mild winters without prolonged freezing conditions may not be favoured by fen skaters, they have undoubtedly helped the survival of good numbers of kingfishers. Newly adopted holes out of the 93 drilled have included sites at Woodwalton, the Hundred Foot Washes, Benwick and March Riverside.
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NEWS FROM PROJECT HEREWARD
Project Hereward was first established over twenty years ago at the start of a successful and enduring partnership between East Anglian Waterways Association and Peterborough branch of the Inland Waterways Association. Close co-operation and joint funding between the two associations had enabled a turning point for boats to be provided at Ashline Lock on the Middle Level in time for the 1993 IWA Festival at Peterborough. At the festival EAWA showed pictures of a 70ft narrowboat using the new turning point, to the amazement of sceptics who thought it impossible for a boat of this length to navigate the right-angled bend at Briggate. Thoughts turned to enabling full-length narrowboats to pass right through the Middle Level to the Great Ouse system, saving a potentially hazardous trip out into the Wash. EAWA commissioned engineer Roy Sutton to report on work needed to lengthen Ashline and Marmont Priory locks. EAWA Chairman, Roger Sexton launched PROJECT HEREWARD at the National Waterways Festival in August 1993. A pledge of £2,500 was received from the Well Creek Trust with a generous donation from Fox Boats at March. The Middle Level Commissioners agreed to extend both the locks if the estimated total cost of £72,000 could be raised from donations, corporate sources and local government. By the following summer more donations and pledges had swelled the fund to well over £6,000. The momentum was established. Sources of further funding were now actively explored leading to a grant from the Rural Development Commission and Fenland Tourism. Fenland District Council, always a great supporter, pledged £1,000 and most importantly initiated a grant application to the European Commission. Poor soil conditions at Marmont Priory lock meant that the Middle Level Commissioners had to revise their estimate for this lock to £55,500 but they agreed to pay £12,000 towards the cost. By April 1996 confirmation had been received of European funding of 50% of the cost and the Rural Development Commission raised its contribution to £12,000. With the major grants added to generous individual donations work could start in October 1996 and by the following Spring Marmont Priory Lock was partially refurbished and extended to 92 feet.
10 With over £6,000 remaining in the fund held by EAWA, more generous donations and further European funding works to Ashline Lock were completed by April 1999. PROJECT HEREWARD celebrated completion of its first major goal. The last barrier to full-length boats navigating the Middle Level to and from the main canal system had been removed. But there was more to be done. Thoughts turned to the possibility of creating a navigable link between the rivers Nene, Witham and Welland. This ambitious project would later form the basis of the Environment Agency’s ‘Fens Waterways Link’ project. The first major step would be to enable passage to the South Forty Foot at Boston’s Black Sluice. So at the 2001 IWA Festival at Milton Keynes, Roger Sexton launched Project Hereward 2 to promote this scheme. On the 30th of March 2009 the new lock was opened marking completion of the first stage in this ambitious long-term project. Project Hereward will continue to promote and encourage further progress on the Fens Waterways Link. At present the only navigable link from the River Nene to the Great Ouse is through Well Creek, itself saved from closure in 1970 by the Well Creek Trust. The Trust restored navigation to the creek in 1973 and continues to do sterling work in protecting and enhancing the waterway for all users. There are now over 1,000 boat passages each year through this route. However, Well Creek is not without its problems; it is shallow and has several low bridges but if serious bank erosion or other issues were to occur the Middle Level navigation link would be closed to all. The alternative link, used by all boats before the restoration of Well Creek is via the Forty Foot River from Horseway Lock and through Welches Dam Lock into the Old Bedford River and Old Bedford Sluice. The historic Forty Foot River was one of Cornelius Vermuyden’s first Fenland drainage channels, dug in the 1600s. Horseway Lock is maintained by the Middle Level Commissioners and is in working order for boats up to 60 feet. Welches Dam Lock (47 feet) was refurbished by the National Rivers Authority with voluntary assistance from IWA and EAWA in 1991. But in 2006, without warning or notice, but later citing water leakage, the Environment Agency closed Welches Dam lock to navigation with a steel-piling cofferdam across the entrance. In 2014 the latest phase of Project Hereward was launched by EAWA and Peterborough branch of the IWA with support from the Great Ouse branch. Project Hereward - Welches Dam to Horseway is progressing steadily with significant landmarks including commissioning of technical reports and a drone survey of the entire length of the Forty Foot. The project also received a generous private donation towards the restoration of Welches Dam lock.
LATEST PROJECT HEREWARD NEWS The Project Hereward working group continues to meet monthly. There have been many frustrations in our dealings with the Environment Agency and over access to the lock for a detailed survey. The good news is that in the last few weeks we have received a draft proposal from the EA as to how the project might progress. Subject to certain conditions the Agency will consider granting a long-term lease of the Forty Foot and Welches Dam lock to Project Hereward for work to proceed. It is intended that the assets will be handed back to the Agency on completion. Project Hereward will need to incorporate in its own right to enable it to legally enter in a contract with the EA and consideration is currently focused on how this might be best achieved. None of the current team’s considerable efforts of the last 4-years have been in vain or wasted and all the knowledge gained will be invaluable in enabling us to achieve the ultimate goal of fully restoring and re-opening this vital navigation link.
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JOINT EASTER CRUISE On Good Friday morning, seven narrow boats from the Middle Level Watermans Club and the Peterborough Branch of the Inland Waterways Association set off from March to navigate, in convoy, via the Twenty Foot River to Whittlesey. The forecast threatened freezing cold weather and possibly even snow but this did not deter the intended navigators. The first challenge came in the form of Infield’s Bridge, which is listed as having a headroom of just 1.6 metres at normal levels. It is worth remembering that in these circumstances, the most vulnerable part of the human body are the fingers on the tiller!
OLD BEDFORD RIVER AND WELCHES DAM On 7th July, John Revell of Peterborough IWA, aboard ‘NB Olive Emily’ succeeded once more in making the difficult passage through the badly-silted Old Bedford Sluice to Welches Dam Lock which has been unlawfully closed to navigation by an Environment Agency cofferdam. The efforts of John and others to keep this waterway maintained and in use are to be applauded and offer great support to ‘Project Hereward’ which aims to fully reopen navigation of the neglected Forty Foot River between Welches Dam and Horseway Lock on the Middle Level. There will be a further attempt in August by a number of boaters in a variety of craft. Please see the IWA Festival of Water article on page 19 of this issue.
John Revell and Alison Smedley reach the unlawfully closed-off Welches Dam Lock. Picture: Eddy Edwards
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NORTH WALSHAM & DILHAM CANAL TRUST At the start of 2018, the expected progressions are done, meaning the refurbishment of the two spillways between Royston Bridge and Ebridge Mill and the completion of our pontoon trip boat, the “SUE-B”. This former work had to be completed before the dried up part of the canal between Pigneys Wood and Bacton Wood Lock at Spa Common, could be re-watered. Why are spillways on this canal so important? You can prove the reasons to yourself in your own bath at home. Place your favourite model boat (about 10” long) in the bottom of the bath. Both rivers and canals have a constant flow of water coming in at the top end (the source) and in your bath we call this ‘the tap’. Turn the tap ‘on’ and notice that, as in a river which flows away to the sea, the water runs down the plug-hole and the boat does not float. If you now put the plug in the hole the water will rise – and your boat will float! In the case of a canal, the designer has built a lock across the flow to stop the water running away, just like the plug in the bath. What happens then with the tap still on and water pouring in? Will it overflow and spoil your bathroom? Not at all! The clever designer of the bath allowed for an overflow hole and pipe to take the excess water down, past the plug-hole to join the waste pipe and flow away safely. In a canal, when it is full, the water runs over the spillway, down into a ‘backsoke’ (drain), which then runs down to flow back into the canal below the next lock – just like the overflow pipe and plug-hole in your bath. And just like your bathroom floor, the countryside does not get flooded either! The North Walsham & Dilham Canal was purpose built to a design and most of its’ length is manmade – note the straight lines of the banks without sharp corners – as against a river which wanders where it wants and makes navigating any useful sized vessel mostly impossible as in the case of the River Ant up in the North Walsham area. In January this year, water was returned to flow under Royston Bridge as far as the bund (a purpose made bank across the canal) – about 500 yards below the bridge – on a one month trial basis. This trial is to ensure that the banks are suitable and that the spillway operates as it was designed to do. The next stage will be to remove the bund and allow the water to flow along to Bacton Wood Lock and the refurbished Water Mill at Spa Common. With this stretch of water complete we anticipate a great revival of Mother Nature – as has happened on the Ebridge Pound. The other main achievement is the operation of our first trip boat – the pontoon “SUE-B” which runs on most Sundays - other days will be considered in the future. The trips last about 60 minutes starting at and returning to Ebridge Mill Pond via Spa Common. A beautiful and peaceful part of the countryside! Please telephone Graham on 07585 160772 for details and reservations - highly recommended to avoid disappointment, especially if you are on holiday and are tight for time! Enjoy the scenery and your walks along the canal banks!
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH WALSHAM AND DILHAM CANAL TRUST EAWA director, David Revill, who has played such a significant role in the very significant progress made by the NW&DC Trust is to stand down as its Work Party Organiser. David has given so much of his time, not only in organising and leading the Trust’s work-parties for the last 12-years but also in liaising and negotiating with the canal owners and the various official bodies that are involved. The role as Work-Part Organiser will now be taken up by Chris Heath. David will continue as the Trust’s Liaison Officer as it moves forward to become an incorporated body. Thank you, David, for all the achievements you have made possible and for the continuing valuable input you make as an EAWA director. Back in March, Ivan Cane, EAWA’s director who manages the NW&DC archives, received notification that some important historical papers from a private estate concerning the canal were to be sold at auction near Cambridge. EAWA immediately agreed to match the Trust’s own pledge of £200 towards purchasing the records and further generous pledges from individuals swelled the funds available for bidding to over £1,000. In the event, Ivan, accompanied by EAWA chairman Roger Sexton, was able to secure the documents, which date from 1812 to 1826, with a bid of £156 plus auction fees. The only other bidder, a local North Walsham resident, who had intended to kindly donate the items to the Trust, stopped bidding when he realised who Ivan was representing. The documents will add valuable information to the archives and will provide useful clues to guide further research. It is hoped that, in time, copies will be made available in a booklet form to be offered for sale to aid Trust funds. The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust’s journal ‘Quagmire’ has further details. You can support the work of Trust by making contact through its website: www.nwdct.org or by writing to the Administrator at 117 Mundesley Road, North Walsham NR28 0DD.
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MIDDLE LEVEL BILL EAWA has been a strong supporter, over many years, of the Middle Level Commissioners’ efforts to update the outdated, historic and largely ineffective legislation under which they operate the navigation on this unique waterways system. The MLC seek to acquire powers which would enable them to make navigation byelaws, to establish a boat registration scheme, to require insurance of vessels, to set minimum safety standards and to make charges which may help fund improvements to navigation facilities. The historic winter pastime of Fenland Skating on Well Creek was also to be protected. A previous attempt, 20-years ago, to gain powers through secondary legislation, a Transport and Works Act Order, failed when it was found that this legislative vehicle was unsuitable. It is said that Iain Smith, the MLC’s long-serving Clerk and more recently Chief Executive, was most anxious to see that the legislation was in place before his retirement from the MLC at the end of 2017. In 2016, the MLC held consultations over a proposal to seek new Primary legislation in the form of the Middle Level Bill. EAWA directors met with the Commissioners in June of that year and gave their approval to the proposals subject to effective future representation for navigation users and establishment of a separate navigation budget and account, subsidiary to the main MLC accounts. In December 2016, the Middle Level Bill was deposited with the House of Commons and the long Parliamentary legislative process began. The Private Bill was introduced in the Commons on 1st February 2017 but, in what would become a regular weekly occurrence, was objected to by a member and failed to gain its Second Reading no less than eight times. A General Election meant that the Bill was lost for that session of Parliament. With agreement from all parties it was reintroduced in the new session on 26th October 2017. The Bill had six petitions against it from individuals and organisations including the National Bargee Travellers’ Association and March Cruising Club and was referred to an Opposed Bill Committee for evidence to be heard and considered. The Commons OB Committee met in January 2018 and over three days made a number of minor amendments to the Bill and secured several key written undertakings from the promoters before reporting back to the House. One of those amendments required, for the first time, establishment of a Navigation Advisory Committee but its powers were very limited and its constitution, in our view, less than satisfactory. On 28th February the Bill passed its Report Stage and was introduced into the House of Lords the very next day. By the end of March 2018 the Bill had passed its Second Reading stage in the Lords but now with seven petitions against had to be referred to yet another Opposed Bill Committee. Added to the list of Petitioners were the National Association of Boat Owners and, it may surprise some, the East Anglian Waterways Association. At their February meeting EAWA directors had agreed to make use of this final opportunity to try to fine-tune the Bill, particularly as regards the formal constitution of the Navigation Advisory Committee and the improvement of Middle Level navigation facilities.
15 In June EAWA directors met again with David Thomas, new CEO of the Middle Level Commissioners and their legal officer, Lorna Macshane. It was a cordial and productive meeting and we secured a written undertaking that appointed members of the Navigation Committee who were also landowners in the Middle Level must have a genuine navigation interest. We also received assurances about the Commissioners’ wish to improve navigation facilities. As a result we were able to withdraw the EAWA petition and NABO also decided not to proceed with theirs. The Lords Opposed Bill Committee met over four days in July 2018. The hearings were televised and it was quite remarkable to compare the proceedings with those of the earlier House of Commons’ committee. The five members, four Lords and one Lady, led by Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, were most patient and thorough in hearing and considering evidence and exhibited an impressive depth of understanding of the background and issues to be resolved. Their Lordships secured a number of enforceable written undertakings from the Commissioners, not least of which (in brief) are:
That 25% of the annual income received from registration charges shall be spent on improving facilities until they meet minimum IWA standards. That a new definition of “small vessel” is included. That Byelaws must be effectively advertised and publicised along with any protocols for removal of vessels. That new Byelaws introduced will have a 12-month transitional period to enable boaters to meet construction and equipment standards. That required safety standards are equivalent to those of the Boat Safety Scheme. That registration charges for vessels used as dwellings and which remain in marinas and do not navigate the waterways are limited to the costs of administration and enforcement of insurance and safety standards only. That there will be a residential mooring strategy, devised and reviewed as necessary in conjunction with the Navigation Advisory Committee, with the aim of increasing availability of residential moorings. And that these undertakings are published and retained for reference on the MLC website.
They also made significant Amendments to the Bill, some as a direct result of representations but others based on their own wish to ensure fairness and endurance for the new legislation. Again, in brief, the most significant of these amendments are:
That the Commissioners must give their reasons for appointing any person to the Navigation Advisory Committee and persons appointed must disclose any direct or indirect interest in Middle Level business. That the MLC must give reasons for rejecting any recommendations after consultation with the Navigation Advisory Committee and that failing agreement the matter must be referred to mediation or for determination by a person acting as an expert. The subsequent determination will then be binding on the MLC.
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That the Commissioners must continue to exercise their navigation functions under previous Acts subject to the provisions of this Act. That the Commissioners are NOT required to aim to secure that the income from registration charges meets the costs of maintaining the navigation and facilities. That the Commissioners must keep a ‘Navigation Account’ in a form sufficient to show their Income and Expenditure in respect of their navigation functions and facilitate independent audit. Any registered owner of a vessel on the ML waterways is empowered to refer the accounts to the local government auditor. That no charge is to be payable in respect of small unpowered pleasure craft, defined as less than 6 square metres block area or as prescribed by the Navigation Advisory Committee. That MLC must publish a protocol for removal of vessels (although this does not limit removal of vessels causing an obstruction to navigation).
The EAWA directors are content that these Undertakings and Amendments made in the House of Lords OB Committee fully meet their previous concerns in relation to the Navigation Advisory Committee and provision of facilities and further believe that it was right and proper to use the legitimate democratic function of petitioning against the Bill as far as was expedient. EAWA directors believe that their Lordships have done an excellent job of making certain that the Bill when passed into law will now be fair, effective and enduring for all current and future users of the Middle Level waterways. The next stage is for the Bill to receive its Third Reading in the House of Lords chamber before being passed back to the House of Commons. No date has yet been set. Both houses must agree the amended version of the Bill in the current session of Parliament before it can go forward for final Royal Assent.
ASSOCIATION NEWS It is with great sadness that we report that both Alan Faulkner, EAWA Treasurer, and Roger Sexton, our Chairman, have suffered lengthy periods of poor health and hospitalisation in the last few months. Despite serious and debilitating illness, Alan has continued his 27-years as editor of ‘The Easterling’ by producing most of the content of this issue, kindly assisted by his daughter, Lynn. Roger is currently in a nursing home rebuilding his strength whilst keeping a very watchful eye on EAWA and waterways matters in general, making sure that members’ interests are represented. We send both Alan and Roger our thanks for their work and our hopes that there will be rapid improvement in health for each of them.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS Members will undoubtedly have been inundated over the last few months with emails about the new General Data Protection Regulations which came into force on 28th May 2018. Associations such as ours are required to inform members how we use any personal data supplied to us and to gain permission for that intended use. EAWA only uses data supplied by members for purposes in direct connection with membership of the association and will never pass personal data to any third-party without a member’s permission given in writing. We may, if you have requested, use your personal email address to send copies of ‘The Easterling’ and all distribution is kindly carried out ‘in-house’ by our member Ivan Cane. We recently sent an email to all members for whom we hold an email address asking you to confirm and/or update your details and advise us of your preferred method for receipt of ‘The Easterling’. Thank you to all those members who took the trouble to respond. If you wish us to amend the details we hold at any time then please advise our new Membership Secretary, John Hodgson: 9 Beaufort Way, Brickhill, Bedford MK41 7XQ. john.hodgson@eawa.co.uk 01234 344884 Finally, should you have any worries about how EAWA keeps or uses your information, then please let us know. You also have a right to refer any concern to the Information Commissioner’s Office. EAWA’s 2018 Annual General Meeting was held beside the River Stour at the River Stour Trust Visitor Centre on 15th April. A full report will follow in the next edition of ‘The Easterling’. Thank you to all members and guests who attended and also enjoyed a little boat trip on the river. In accordance with the Association’s rules the following serving directors offered themselves for reelection which was approved: John Mayhead David Mercer Andrew Storrar Jeff Walters The other currently serving directors are: Christopher Black Alan Faulkner John Hodgson David Revill Roger Sexton David Tomlinson All directors can be contacted by email using the format - firstname.lastname@eawa.co.uk We urgently need some new recruits to the EAWA Board to help us meet the challenges to come in protecting and preserving our wonderful East Anglian waterways. Commitment is attendance at just four board meetings each year, plus your knowledge, ideas and enthusiasm. Travel costs may be reclaimed. Please contact the secretary: david.mercer@eawa.co.uk 01480 466877
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ASSOCIATION NEWS At the June EAWA Board Meeting, directors voted to increase the minimum Annual Subscription to the Association from £5 to £10. This is the first time for many years that the minimum sum has been increased and many of our members already generously choose to donate more. Life Membership of the Association is also available for a one-off payment of £100. All subscriptions and donations go directly to helping EAWA’s charitable aims to benefit the region’s diverse waterways and support other local waterways groups. Initially proposed to try to ease some of the pressure on our Treasurer, Alan Faulkner, we are delighted that John Hodgson has agreed to take on the new role as Membership Secretary. John can be contacted at the postal and email addresses given on page 17 or by telephone on 01234 344884. Thank you John kindly for offering to considerably add to your existing commitments by stepping into this crucial role. A brand new Membership Brochure is currently being prepared ready for the St Neots Festival and other events. If you would like a few to distribute and encourage other waterways users to join us then please contact John.
Is your membership subscription up to date? Please continue to support our vital work by paying promptly and avoiding the need for reminders. _________________________________________________________________________________ STOP PRESS The Environment Agency has announced a proposal to increase Boat Registration Charges in the Anglian region by 7.5% each year for the next two-years. This reneges on a previous commitment made after last year’s 7.5% increase to consult this year on a new 5-year charging plan. The proposal further widens the differential with Thames region charges which will only increase by 5.7% despite the more comprehensive service provided by the EA to Thames boaters. EAWA will be making strong representations about the unfairness and unsustainability of such huge increases in charges which will drive boaters away from EA waterways. Please take the opportunity to have your say, before 30th August, at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/engagement/navigation-boat-registration-charges-2019-to-2021/
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EAWA AT THE IWA FESTIVAL OF WATER 2018
The IWA Festival of Water this year will be at St Neots on the River Great Ouse. The event is to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend, 25th – 27th August, and is expected to draw huge crowds and over 100 visiting boats. The riverside venue, St Neots beautiful Regatta Meadow, will provide something for everyone with, in addition to the boats, a host of displays and activities including children’s rides, a bird of prey demonstration, a vintage vehicle display and a novelty dog show and, of course a beer tent and refreshments. On the Sunday evening there will be an Illuminated Boat Parade and a spectacular firework display. EAWA will be there. We have two adjoining stands booked adjacent to the local IWA group stands. In addition to publicising EAWA’s other work we will be jointing promoting Project Hereward. Members are very welcome to join us on one of our stands to say ‘Hello’ or to help us publicise and promote the work of EAWA across the region’s waterways.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Leading up to the event and as part of the publicity there will another attempt to navigate the Old Bedford River to Welches Dam Lock over the weekend of 18th – 19th August. Although the number and size of boats will be severely restricted by conditions at the Old Bedford Sluice, small boats may gain direct access to the river upstream of the sluice. Spectators are also being encouraged to support the event by visiting Welches Dam Lock or Horseway Lock at the other end of the neglected section of the Forty Foot River.
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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 A 4-hour river cruise on the John Bunyan Saturday 22nd September 2018 Cruise departs Priory Marina at 1.0 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