Waterwitch Autumn 2009 by Lancaster CanalTrust

Number 141

Autumn 2009 Edition

WATERWITCH MAGAZINE OF THE LANCASTER CANAL TRUST

The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No.24O957 Affiliated to the Inland Waterways Association Ltd.) http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk/

The Westmorland Show at Crooklands took place on a glorious September day and Trust volunteers had a busy day speaking to the many people who came to see us at the stand and providing free trip boat rides throughout the day.

Contents Letter from the Editor 3 Chairman's Report 4 Volunteer Awards 6 Pendle Canal Festival 8 School Project Dallas Road School 10 Hello to new members. 11 Torchlight Procession– Kendal 13 Fuelling Stops on the Lanky 15 Paintings & memories of the Lancaster Canal 16 Boat Operation Manager‘s notes 18 ―It just came off in my hand‖ 21 Hincaster horsepath—John Gavan 23 Helen‘s Puzzles 24 Working Party report 26 Members Letters 27 BW ‗an irreverent look ‗by John Gavan 29 Heritage Open Day—Lune Aqueduct. 31 Letter from the Editor Dear Members Autumn Edition 2009 I am sorry this edition is a few weeks late due to my late holiday & my annual involvement in the Kendal CAMRA Beer Festival. This is a packed edition and I have had to leave out some articles and précis others. Maybe room for them next time. At this time of the year there is much to report regarding the proliferation of events & shows. This has meant that apart from the Chairman’s Report there is little on the future progression of the Canal Restoration. As David says we will hopefully have more concrete things to report in the next issue and will therefore devote more space at that time. It is nice to get a few letters each time and these can often provoke others to respond. If you have anything you want to say to other members then please write. As you may be aware, the Trust, under the expert guidance of Mike & Fran Valiant, has very recently established an electronic news page available on the internet which gives up-to-date news and events relating to all things Waterways. We do not see this as usurping the traditional hardcopy Waterwitch, which it is nice to be able pick up as and when. Rather the new electronic news page is a very useful tool for keeping members quickly informed of current events as they happen rather than waiting for news every three months. However. this Magazine is well established and long may it reign. I hope you enjoy this edition. Regards and a very happy Christmas time. David Currington. Front cover picture: Waterwitch being lifted out at Crooklands Depot ready for a complete overhaul and repainting. 3

Chairman‟s Remarks with and show the movers and shakers in IWA what we are about up here in North West and being able to chat to Vaughan Welch from IWA Restoration Committee and Mike Palmer, Chairman of Waterway Recovery Group has sown seeds for the future. The team are looking forward to next year‟s event on the Thames at Beale Park (aren‟t they?). Only a few days later we were back at Crooklands for the Westmorland County Show which was manic! Any ideas about trying to record numbers visiting the stand were soon dispelled as the stand was swamped with visitors, while up on the canal the trip boaters were kept busy throughout the day. Other events we have attended since the last issue of this magazine have been the Preston Riversway Festival and Pendle Canal Festival and we have had the „Waterwitch‟s Brew‟ once a month in Levens Park. There may be reports of these elsewhere so I won‟t repeat them here, except to say thank you to all those who have helped with not only the stand at the various shows, but also at Levens and with the trip boat this summer. Not that we will be hibernating this winter – we have a long list of jobs for the „dirty weekenders‟ to do (and

nfortunately we didn‟t win best non-commercial stand for the second year running at the IWA National Festival; the judges felt they couldn‟t give it to us two years in succession (you could you know!). Never mind – we didn‟t go there to win prizes but to win hearts and I believe we did that as I know several of you will be reading this as new members from the show. Many thanks to Paul Shaw who was one of the many volunteers from Waterway Recovery Group who set up, took down and kept the Festival running smoothly, but who also took most of our „kit‟ down (and brought back), saving us a lot of work. Pat & Gordon‟s new caravan got its first test as LCT „HQ‟ – it was nice to be able to go back to the caravan after the show had closed for the day and have a wash with hot water and the „après show‟ social (we did get the „barbie‟ to light eventually!) Attending this event offers us the opportunity to promote the restoration to the wi der audience. I am always amazed how much interest there is in the Lancaster elsewhere in the country, but of course, now that we have the Ribble Link it is being visited by increasing numbers of boats from elsewhere on the system – all grist to our mill! But it also provides the opportunity to meet

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hopefully for some dirty midweekers as well!). One question we are frequently asked on the stand and el sewh e r e i s “Wh en wi ll restoration start?” Various start dates have been quoted over the years, which, with the benefit of hindsight, were unrealistic, but no doubt stated in good faith given the circumstances at the time. The world has moved on and much has changed, but there is no doubt about the sense of frustration the public, as well as ourselves, feel over the apparent lack of movement in getting stage 1 off the ground. Our concerns were voiced most vociferously at the last meeting of the Lancaster Canal Restoration Partnership‟s (LCRP) Executive meeting. The answers we received satisfied us that the movers and shakers in the local authorities are doing what they can to move the project forward – but that there are many other issues which impact on the regeneration and the rebuild of the canal in Kendal – and until these are resolved the project is log jammed! The Committee have conducted the affairs of the Trust on the basis that stage 1 would move ahead rapidly. This is unlikely to happen as quickly as we would wish. Accordingly the Committee have decided that, whilst the work on turning stage 1 into reality continues, it is time for a „second front‟. Accordingly the 5

Committee have committed the Trust to a project to raise the water level in the canal to what it was in the late 40‟s from Stainton south and to rebuild the first culvert at Millness, a project which has the support of the LCRP. When you say it quickly it doesn‟t sound much; but in reality it is a massive project and will require engineering assessments to establish what remedial work is required to make the banks above the present water level watertight once again. It will have to be done in stages and this may require work to reinstate the feed from Stainton Beck. Then there is the question of how the work i s executed: u sing contractors, or can it be done by volunteers? Finally, the cost of it and how this money can be found. These questions will be occupying the minds of the Committee over the winter. Along with this the Committee feel it is time we conducted a review of how we operate, what we do and are we using our funds in the most effective way. Hopefully, by the time the next edition comes out, we will have a blueprint for the future. I am pleased to say that work on „LCT HQ‟ is complete. Pointing, using traditional materials, of the exterior of the building has been completed. Members will recall that earlier in the year we employed (Continued on page 11)

ACHIEVEMENTS OF VOLUNTEERS IN NORTH WEST CELEBRATED BY BRITISH WATERWAYS British Waterways is celebrating the importance of volunteers to North West canals and rivers by recognising those involved with volunteer projects. The Lancaster Canal Trust has dramatically benefited the region‟s waterways over the past 12 months.

LCT Chairman David Slater receives the Award from Vince Moran, BW’s Finance Director, at the User Group Meeting on 14th October.

Volunteering plays a vital role in British Waterways‟ duty to maintain and protect the 2,200 miles of inland canals and rivers it cares for. Once a year, it celebrates the contribution of volunteers by presenting an “acknowledgement” award to ten projects that have illustrated the successful partnership between volunteer groups and the waterways. In the North West the Lancaster Canal Trust was chosen for its work to help restore the Hincaster Horse Tunnel on the Lancaster Canal and developing the safety management systems and becoming self sufficient. 6

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Vince Moran, BW's Finance Director presented the Trust‟s Chairman David Slater with their award at the Lancaster Canal and Leeds & Liverpool user group meeting on 14th October. Last year British Waterways was involved with volunteer-led projects that contributed 15,994 volunteer days to the promotion and upkeep of the waterways worth in excess of £1 million. Debbie Lumb, comments: “The waterways have a long history of volunteering and the actions of these groups and individuals are still central to the delivery of physical works, customer service, research and promotional activities. We are delighted that people in North West are making the choice to volunteer and put something back into the community in these tough times. The Lancaster Canal Trust has done a fantastic job caring for and promoting the waterways and this deserves to be celebrated. They are a great example of what volunteering can achieve, and we are proud to be associated with them.” Statement issued by British Waterway’s press office

Another of Sheila's amazing talents as she handles a 10 ton steam roller with ease!

I refused to put a caption on this photo sent in by our worthy Chairman other than the one he gave above. He’ll be in enough trouble when ‘Her indoors’ ‘sees it . 7

Pendle Canal Festival

This

manoeuvres across the basin! Berth holders at the marina had decorated their craft with bunting and there was a distinctly carnival atmosphere.

year‟s Pendle Canal Festival was altogether a much grander affair than on our previous attendance twelve months ago. Lots more stalls, more entertainment attractions, bigger attendance – this event seems to be growing in popularity since it moved to Reedley Marina in September 2008. Amongst the highlights this year were the Leeds&Liverpool short boat floating museum Kennet and „have-a-go-atcanoeing‟, which provoked a number of dodgems-like

We were blessed with glorious weather and a good location for our stand and well before the official start time of midday we were talking to visitors and making sales. We had 112 visitors in total to the stall, most of whom were local folk enjoying a day out at the Barden Mill/Reedley Marina (Continued on page 9)

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complex, but we also spoke to a number of boaters who had crossed the Ribble Link or were planning to do so and a sprinkling of walkers and cyclists. The question on everyone‟s lips was “When will we see progress on getting the canal in water back up to Kendal?” We reassured them that it was a question of “when” rather than “if” and hopefully sent them all away feeling more positive about the achievement of our goal. Our colleagues on the adjoining IWA stall, Ruth Symonds and Madeline Dean, were also promoting our cause with their ever-popular tombola and sales tables.

The LCT team of Beryl Bowcott, Mike and Fran Valiant were kept busy right up until the close at 5 pm. An illuminated boat parade into Burnley town cent re was scheduled for later in the evening but in the event only a few stalwarts turned out for this. The festival was part of a wider Heritage Open Days weekend; on the Sunday we went to see the looms at the Queen Street Mill in operation and this is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. Our thanks to festival o r g a n i s e r Vaughan Jones; we‟re looking forward to an even bigger and better event next year. FV

Dallas Road Community Primary School 5 classes, accompanied them canal side walk to the Aqueduct and went to Lancaster Maritime Museum them.

Dallas Road Community Primary School in Lancaster recently contacted us via the website asking for assistance with the project on the Lancaster Canal being done by their Year 5 pupils.

on a Lune the with

At the museum we saw the permanent canal exhibits and the newly opened temporary exhibition ‘Water Link - Lancaster Canal, Past, Present and Future’.

The Trust responded by sending Dave Slater to talk to the teacher and provide some background material, followed by Richard Trevitt who gave a talk to two Year

A crocodile on the Lancaster Canal? No, it’s just 60 Year 5 pupils from Dallas Road School on their way to visit the Lune Aqueduct 10

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contractors to dredge the canal up to the wharf wall to provide a winter mooring for „Waterwitch‟. Geoff and Richard have installed mooring rings and on the completion of the cruising season, she was brought down to Millness, then on 1st October she was lifted out, the first time in seven years! I have to say that this is long overdue, not helped by the protracted

negotiations with BW to gain a lease on what was in effect, a derelict building. However, we have got there and we will have the hull ultrasonically tested to assess its integrity. Finally, although we didn‟t win an award at the IWA National, our work has been recognised by the efforts of Paul, David and Richard. Details elsewhere.

Towpath Talk Issue 48 (September) carries a long article on the Basingstoke WRG camp earlier in the year run by Paul Shaw. If you can't pick up a copy it should be available online shortly although they are currently displaying Issue 47. Go to Page 4. Paul is extensively quoted such that you could almost believe he knows what he's talking about! Mike Valiant.

Hello! The Lancaster Canal Trust extends a very warm welcome to the following new members and we hope to see you at some of our events:

Mr & Mrs T Jones, Lancaster Mrs D Potts & David North Sherburn - in - Elmet Mr C Jones, Kendal Mr & Mrs F Oliver, Brackley Mr R C Mansley, Kendal Mr & Mrs P Jones, Kendal Mrs & Mrs C Jones, Carnforth Mr & Mrs J Miller, Ulverston

Mr ST Boddington, Macclesfield Mr T Berridge, Chesterfield Ms C Ashcroft, Wigan Mrs M Noblet, Penwortham Mrs M Hulme, Penwortham Dr & Mrs P Wraight, Staveley Mrs D Penny, High Casterton Mrs T Briggs, Carnforth Mr A Jackson, Carlisle Mr & Mrs D Hannigan, Blackpool

Friends of Lancaster Maritime Museum have invited LCT members to join them on their next outing on Sat. 17th July 2010. They are to visit the Salt Museum at Northwich in the morning and The Anderton Boat Lift in the afternoon. Cost is £25 per person to include:  Coach Travel,  Entry to Museum;  Entry to Anderton Lift Exhibition  A sail on the River Weaver  A trip on the Lift AND morning coffee & afternoon tea £10 deposit per person or further information to: JK Broadhurst, Seatoller, Vicarage Lane, Burton in Kendal, LA6 1NW (01524) 781604

LCT Events Diary

100 Club Prizes: 1st £25; 2nd £15; 3rd £10. Winning Numbers since last Issue

August 2009

Little seems to be happening in the run up to and in the immediate post Christmas periods. So just a reminder of the Working Party dates

September 2009

Sunday 13th December 2009 Ivy clearance / prep for WRG visit

October 2009

Sunday 10th January 2010 Joint party with WRG at Tewitfield

1st Hal Bagot; 2nd Blank; 3rd Blank.

1st Blank; 2nd A Seed; 3rd S Henstock

1st W Stock; 2nd H Thomas; 3rd A Hornby

Sunday 14th February 2010 TBA 12

Kendal Torchlight Parade September 11th 2009

a novice at this sort of thing it was all quite an interesting experience. There were two entries for the Lancaster Canal Restoration Partnership .. ourselves as the LCT put in a boat … yes .. we did get a boat to the centre of Kendal .. courtesy of Neil McGarry who kindly brought along his Caraboat. Hal Bagot contributed his steam powered wagon driven by the redoubtable "Curious" George ably assisted by Steve (who miraculously produced fish and chips just before the parade started ..). The Trust was very capably represented by Ken and Mandy Aldred, Paul Shaw and myself. South Lakeland District Cllr Andy Shine also appeared (quite unsuitably dressed but willingly donned an LCT sweatshirt) and 13

mention must be made of Ben McGarry who was an expert (eventually) on the illuminations for the Caraboat …so we had mustered a crew of 8 altogether our entries were numbered 89 and 91 respectively. Assembly time was 6.30 pm and there was much coming and going with people in pink fluffy tutus and leggings, purple glitter and rather large amounts of eye shadow and mascara…(and some of these were fellas …). I was informed that they were probably associated with the parade and were not the ordinary citizens of Kendal out for an evening stroll. By 7 pm the Caraboat was lit up and the wagon had a good head of steam going - assisted by the water tender which had appeared and which was to follow on behind… the steam engine

gets round about half way and then has to fill up with water I was told. So we were all set to go a good half an hour before the official "off". There was (Continued on page 14)

similar appendages pinned to their lapels) George let rip and was off across the roundabout and joined the parade - at number 89 … Neil followed on (numbered 91) … closely followed by the water tender (towed by a very smart new tractor).. However, as Neil got to the roundabout he was stopped by a very efficient police officer and one of the marshals came up to advise the they were "just" letting the horses through - beautiful heavy horses, some without carriages, but all sporting wonderful decorations and bells. Magnificent. Whilst waiting for those to go through we were told they were also letting the motor bikes through … about 30 Harley Davidson’s exhibiting an unhealthy investment in metal polish and defying health and safety with ear splitting 100+ decibels - but wonderful nonetheless … and then "just" the cadets …which was actually a marching band with a display of the latest models of Jaguar cars intervening … We were now, of course at least 400 to 500 yards behind the steam engine which was roaring through Kendal as fast as Steve could stoke up … At last we got the go ahead but not until there was a large gap ahead of us. Kept back at walking pace by the Police and parade marshals we were not likely to catch up with the "intervening" exhibits let alone George and Steve. Thankfully, the crowds did not seem to mind ... and there were thousands of them ... the length of the walk would have been about 3 miles and along each foot there were people in huge numbers, cheering, waving lighted wands, windmills and other fripperies

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an inkling that things might not all be well when we noticed the pink stretch limo behind us sporting number 144 and behind that an old omnibus sporting 29. However, low key was the order of the evening and the weather forecast was good - so we were all quite laid back. By 7.30 an awesome parade of tractors began moving off across the bridge ahead of us toward the roundabout which was the start of the parade - and we waited for our turn … two small steam locomotives (numbered in the low 80's) were waiting just before the roundabout

- in readiness .. we then had the nod and were advised to move forward at about 7.40. Steam engines are such that stopping and starting is not their natural function so when advised to go (by the marshals who had phones glued to their upper lip) and the police (who had

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which were for sale from trolleys pacing the route (they must have made a fortune that night. We got back to the starting point at about 9.15 and dismantled the lights on the Caraboat ... no sign of George and Steve who had gone back to Levens - hopefully eventually followed by the water tender. The reckoning was that it had been a good night ... we had given out thousands of leaflets advertising the trips on Waterwitch, the Signpost Trail, the Trust and the Partnership. There had been great interest in restoration of the Northern Reaches and of course with all the little ones around, trips on the boat

were something to look forward to. A good effort all round … anyone interested can look at the parade on YouTube "40th Torchlight Parade". There are several views of the steam wagon and if you look v e r y carefully Neil's Caraboat appears for about one jillionth of a second in the middle somewhere . So now we can start planning for next year's entry … perhaps a JCB sporting a large bucket drawn through on a low loader with the prominent LCT logo to advertise that we have started digging out the Northern Reaches (now wouldn’t that be good? Pmb/sept 09

Fuelling Stops on the Lanky 2. Canal Turn, Carnforth on asking to speak to the current landlord to find some history of the Pub and any other points of interest, I waited for some time only to be told, when he did appear, that he could only find time to speak if I made an appointment and came back. Not the most helpful of pub landlords to someone who is indirectly trying to give the pub free publicity. I hope this doesn’t reflect on the service one would normally expect in the pub, as the lady

oving towards the northern end of the open Canal, I visited the Canal Turn pub alongside the canal basin in Carnforth. This is a Punch Taverns inn and the real ales on offer were Greene King Abbott Ale, Black Sheep Bitter and Speckled Hen. Sampling a half pint, the beer was on good form and the pub does have its Cask Marque award. Consisting mainly of one long bar area with a conservatory extension exploiting the views of the actual basin, the pub serves the usual comprehensive food we now expect in our pubs, with a selection to suit all tastes. There is a quiz held on Tuesday’s at 9.30pm. More of the pub I cannot say as, regretfully,

behind the bar was extremely helpful! Titus O’Newt

A few more paintings and memories of Lancaster Canal By Ian Dunn B.A. A.T.D. the packet boat started W hen from Canal Head it was pulled

cheaper end but the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;poshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; end would be slightly better; it must have been a fantastic mode of travel, fast before the trains and smooth. About thirty years ago the water authorities dredged part of the canal round about the Stainton area to clear the

perilous occupation... the horses would travel at about eight miles an hour. It was a risky task to duck under the arches I have tried it, you cannot take your eyes from the stone work for one moment otherwise you will end up with a monstrous great headache. The inside of the packet boat must have been rather crowded and smelly in the

mud from the bottom & interesting artefacts started to appear: empty shells about four inches long, which I thought must have been thrown out of the barges after they had been eaten, but later on I came across one or two that were alive. They were some sort of fresh water clams. There were also

by two large heavy ponies in tandem. I have drawn a small coloured sketch to show how the boy or young man drove the front horse sitting astride the one behind. As you can see, this was a

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Change Bridge

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large blocks of coal about one and a half foot square which must have dropped off the barges going to the gas works or to domestic dealers on the canal side (these lumps of coal soon vanished by the way)....On the banks of the canal at Stainton a pair of swans used to nest, not on the tow path side but in the rougher n o r t h bank. The male swan could be q u i t e aggressive if you stood and looked at the nest from the other side Inside a Packet Boat 17

the canal when we were trying to work out how to get an egg, we never did get one. As the barges approached Canal Head at Kendal the tow path changed from the left of the canal to the right side at the cross over bridge. I have painted a picture to try and give some idea of the way in which the tow rope was not disconnected ,but slid over the parapet of the bridge. This called for some dexterity with perhaps a wayward horse or dealing with any snags onto the bridge This bridge has been consolidated in the last few years and is now in excellent order so that future generations can admire the design and artistry of the nineteenth century. Near this bridge were some coke ovens. They have been obliterated, I think, now. Ian Dunn

“On an even keel” Waterwitch Ops Managers notes.

hectic 2009 - lots of change that the boat team have had to soak up and they have done this well. Next year will, I hope complete most of the changes, making us compliant with the new regulations. I know all the Trust members work hard, but I have to take my hat off to the boat crews and of course the boat operations sub committee. Some of the changes have needed volunteers to behave like paid employees; delivering on time to set

and how to remind them without nagging? Our micro training sessions aim to remind, refresh, update and ‘upskill’ our crews and this happens every week – so when crews assemble, the duty manager selects a micro training module that is essential to the safe running of the boat e.g lifejackets – how many parts are there that you need to know about before putting it on, or when you use it for real? Answer - at

the end (don’t look yet).

Ann Sullivan, Alan Mather & Gillian Petfield standards. That’s what regulations are about. It is especially difficult when our volunteers are on rota perhaps 5 times per year! How to remember the changes, and how to let people know about changes that have happened since they were on the boat last time 18

The recruiting of new boat volunteers is going well – we need more, of course, but we have had 5 newly assessed steerers, one new shore crew, and circa 6 others who are being inducted (without a boat at present). That’s a lot of training to be delivered, by a few

people. So we need more people to volunteer to step up and become approved trainers – contact Frank Chalmers on 07973112046. Being a passenger

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vessel steerer is a very responsible job and we need serious volunteers to do

– if you have previously been a steerer, before regulation – coming back and learning the new ropes should not be difficult – some of this year’s new steerers have started from scratch. The boat also has needed TLC and is now receiving a major refit covering;

 grit blasting the hull inside and out (benches and woodwork all out),  painting the bare metal with red oxide,

Gillian steering with a motley crew this enjoyable work. Training steerers before and after assessment is a teaching job and has the benefits of seeing your colleagues pass their tests to become novice steerers, able to be put on the rota. The boat teams now look like this:- 13 steerers who have several seasons under their belt, 5 newly assessed steerers who qualified in September 2009, and approx 6 to be inducted. Our newly qualified steerers are – Ann Sullivan, Gillian Petfield, Chris Jones, Peter Simmonds and Stephen Hesford – are all most welcome. We should be able to have an early spring group for assessment depending on the experience of new inductees. Captain John Huntington, who could not be assessed in September, should I hope be part of the next assessment group. That would give us a minimum of 19 steerers to begin the 2010 season in the smart new Waterwitch. Don’t forget

 ultrasonic tests by John Murray our very helpful Marine Surveyor (ret.),  many coats of paint to keep the hull safe for years to come,

 engine out – part dismantling by Neil McGarry, then reassemble and painted,

 new stern gland and any other servicing the boat needs.

Waterwitch was lifted out with seeming ease, arranged by Trish Buzzard, and set down on huge tyres, one on top of the other, four columns – the boat on top some 5 feet above the ground. Once the hull is treated the decorative painting of the cabin will continue with the boat lowered on to just one tyre (these tyres weigh approximately 1 tonne each). The Waterwitch is a well built boat that has years of service left in her. In future, passengers will be enjoying trips

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in Waterwitch from Crooklands to Kendal – soon we hope. Waterwitch and I would like to thank Alan Mather, Trish Buzzard, Neil McGarry who have worked their socks off. Apologies to those at home who

Top: Peter

Simmonds steady as she goes Left: Wendy, Alan

and Chris Jones looking very pleased with himself! Below:

Stephen Hesford Where’s that jetty? have not seen them for some time… Frank Chalmers

.Answer – 5 main parts,  the CO2 cylinder,  the jerk toggle,  the manual inflation

tube,

 the

whistle and importantly 2 green safety indicators on the CO2 cylinder. our steerers & crew wear these. 20

up and she was given approval. Ann’s turn. Ann set off and probably did the same

It just came off

things – stern off, hold in midstream,

in my hand!

other assessed manoeuvres. Then it was

reverse through a bridge, bank turns, and time to return, and just as the boat was near the jetty – there was the cry “Alan, what shall I do now”. Ann stood there at the

That’s

helm, with the throttle handle in her hand and the engine in slow reverse.

Ann

Steven who was waiting as last assessed

Sullivan’s

steerer for the day wondered if he was to

story

be assessed at all. It increased the tension

anyway!

for him. The boat was hauled back on ropes and poles and the damage considered. Boaters

are

naturally

creative,

lateral

n the 26 September we were all set

thinkers with “never say die” resilience.

to have our trainees assessed by

Tool kits were up ended looking for that bit

Wendy Beamont. She comes all the way

of something that was kept “in case it came

from Oxford and assesses our new steerers

in handy” and lo and behold – an old trusty

according to the IWA/ MCA criteria. We

bicycle tyre lever and a jubilee clip + throttle

assembled at the Memorial Hall near

handle = boat back in operation.

Crooklands (for the first time), opposite

Steven did his assessment (rather carefully

Trust Member Frank Sanderson’s new Tea

on the throttle) and Ann watched with

rooms and Wendy acquainted us with the

trepidation to see if the handle came off

basics of First Aid, CPR and other sensible

again. Ann will receive a special certificate

things. The trainees get quite nervous,

to remind her of the day she broke the boat

thinking about the forthcoming tests on the

(in jest).

boat. After tea at Frank’s, we all went to the

Everyone passed the assessment and the

Stables and the first steerer boarded the

patch mend lasted until the boat was lifted

Waterwitch.

high out of the water. Thanks to Peter

Prior to this, on Friday, Wendy had assessed

Simmonds, who now has his tyre lever back

and passed Chris Jones and Peter Simmonds

and congratulations to the new steerers –

and was all set to give a longer time to

Ann Sullivan,

steerers who were likely to need both

Petfield, Chris Jones, and Steven Hesford.

training and assessment.

Peter Simmonds, Gillian FC

Gillian Petfield was questioned and she took the helm. Wendy, Alan and Gillian were out for more than an hour, and came back, tied

The things we get up to - Part 2 The Lift out of Waterwitch

Steady as she goes. We have a cunning plan!

By Jove weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done it! Left & Below

Every picture tells a story. So do these two! (Cartoon conveniently found in archives; what was it for then?)

Anon

Hincaster Horsepath How an ancient monument was created. John Gavan recalls.

n the mid 70‟s I was Trust Secretary and „Waterwitch‟ editor. Whilst walking the Northern Reaches I was surprised to find scaffolding had been erected inside Hincaster Tunnel, for nearly half its length, allowing me to walk inside the tunnel well above the dewatered but very muddy tunnel invert. Enquiring as to the reason for the scaffolding suddenly appearing it was revealed that BW and British Rail were concerned about the structural safety of the tunnel. BR were experimenting with a high speed tilting train; the APT, on the West Coast line which as you will know, runs directly over the tunnel – and were concerned it might collapse. It was even suggested the tunnel should be filled in! I penned a short article for „Waterwitch‟ saying that the reason for the scaffolding was that BW were anxious for tourists to visit the tunnel and had erected the scaffolding so they could look inside. This was picked up by the „Lancaster Guar dian‟ and „West morl and Gazette‟ which reprinted the article as fact! What BW thought of it I do not know, but nothing was ever said. Shortly after this, the Trust had the 23

offer of assistance on a practical project from a platoon of Royal Engineers. They spent a week cleaning the portals of the tunnel, staying at the then recently closed Bela River Prison. The Trust provided them with a barrel of beer from one of the two Lancaster breweries that existed at the time – both alas, no longer with us, and on their final night in Westmorland, myself and David Slater enjoyed their hospitality at a raucous evening at one of Milnthorpe‟s hostelries. On completion of the work we had the tunnel professionally photographed, and the pictures sent to the Environment Agency with a request that the tunnel be listed. Unbeknown to us the EA sent an inspector to look at the tunnel. The result was that although the tunnel was not considered worthy of listing, the portals were. However the biggest surprise was that the inspector had decided that the horsepath should receive Ancient Monument status. – a most unexpected result! It was suggested to South Lakeland District Council that a notice board be erected, drawing attention to the Horsepath – but it didn‟t want to know. Some years later the matter has been rectified as the Trust arranged for information panels to be made and sited at either end of the tunnel. A plaque was then erected by BW at the west portal stating, incorrectly, that the tunnel is an Ancient Monument! Designating the horsepath as an (Continued on page 25)

Helen’s Word Puzzle No.1 Answers acer, ache, acne, acre, antic, arch, artic, asthenic, cairn, cane, canister, canst, cant, care, caret, carnet, cart, case, casein, casern, cash, cashier, cast, caste, caster, cater, chain, chin, cent, cert, chair, chaise, chant, chanter, chart, chase, chaser, chaste, chasten, chat, cheat, chert, chest, chit, cire, cist, cistern, cite, cither, cran, crane, crash. Crate, crest, cretan, cretin, each, enact, enrich, etch, ethic, ethics, ethnic, inch, incase, incest, insect, itch, nacre, natch, nectar, nice, niche, race, races, rachis, , ranch, reach, react, recant, resect, rice, rich, sachet, scan, scant, scar, scare, scart, scat, scathe, scena, scent, sear, search, since, stearic, stench, steric, teach, tech, tench, theca, trace, trice. HINCASTER All words except Hincaster are to be found in Collins English Dictionary. We had one list sent in by Mr D Moll of Cockermouth (see letter in letters section) with 105 words not including 3rd person singular verbs formed by adding a (s) to a verb. Whilst he missed several from Helen’s list he had another list of his own totalling another 27 words, so there were in total no fewer than 133 words from the puzzle. Mr Moll’s additional words were: ascent, canter, certain, china, chine, nicer, nicest, raciest, racist, recast, retch, richest, scantier, scent, sect, snatch, snitch, stance, starch, trance, tranche, arsenic, char, christen, secant, thrice & trench.

Helen’s Word Puzzle No.2

20 30 35 40+

Fair Good Excellent Champion

All words can be found in the Collins English dictionary. Answers the next edition. ED. 24

There is one 9 letter plural word in the square. See how many other words you can find of four or more letters. All words must use the central letter (E). Each letter can only be used as many times as it is in the square. Apart from the 9 letter word, which is plural & canal related, then no proper names, plurals, adding an "s" to make the 3rd person singular of a verb, foreign words or abbreviations are allowed.

Ancient Monument didn‟t just cover the pathway – but every structure on it as we know from the work that the Trust have recently carried out. This of course includes the bridge carrying the railway over the horsepath. So although BR had been concerned over the tunnel, it now faced another problem – running a high speed train over an Ancient Monument. And what has become of the high speed APT? Today it languishes on a

....and some of the work that awaits our working parties this coming winter season at the eastern end of the horsepath.

siding at Crewe Heritage Centre, but it paved the way for the Pendalinos that cruise above the tunnel at well over 100mph. And the tunnel hasn‟t collapsed as BR feared – we could have told them it wouldn‟t! JG

Working Party Report

(Continued on page 27)

(Continued from page 26)

Dear David RE your photo of the 2003 working Party captioned "Where are they now?"..... I am still here!. The man in the green fleece in the foreground is me! Will Warburg behind me in the hard hat, the two ladies (?) in the trees are Helen Warburg and Beryl. The chap with the loppers was a regular back then but I have forgotten his name. (Camper van man I think ) That was a great working party, we cleared huge amounts of scrub and overgrowth and it was in preparation for the famous visit of the Wergie gang the following year with a summer camp (I think) to do the stonework on the spillways (Paul Shaw arranged that) I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember who took the photos that day but other people there would have been Paul Shaw, Bev, Ollie, Don, Dave S and a few more I can't recall I am hoping with the improvements 27

to my various injuries that I will be back in full swing on the working parties this winter (Paul and Beryl, you heard it here first!) having been a patchy attendee last winter. Regards Ian Treanor

A reminder Ed ................................. Dear Mr. Trevitt, As members of L.C.T. we have long planned to walk the canal over its entire length, this we have just completed. It proved very easy to (Continued on page 28)

fun with no prize offered, please find enclosed my offering of words. I have restricted myself to words permitted by Collins English Dictionary (paperback edition) even though this eliminates a small number of words contained in other dictionaries but not included in Collins. I use the term "permitted by", having included words such as "nicer" and "nicest" which do not actually appear but are implied by the fact that comparatives and superlatives are only explicitly given for adjectives with more than one syllable. I look forward to comparing my list with those published in the next edition of Waterwitch. Sincerely, Dave Moll

(Continued from page 27)

plan and execute, thanks to your excellent guide. Since we used mainly public transport this information, and mileage was useful. Unlike our experience a couple of years ago when walking the Leeds/Liverpool canal when a good deal of map reading and planning were involved, so thanks indeed! Also another point, I consider the current edition of 'Waterwitch' to be an excellent production! Thanks again for your work for the trust. Yours sincerely, Don Hopkin ........................... Dear Helen, Thank you for your word puzzle in the latest issue of Waterwitch. I hope that the designation "no. 1" implies that it is to be followed by others. Although I appreciate that it is just for

Dave, thanks for the list. Helen says that if you feel like sending in some future word puzzles of your own please do so and she will turn to other types of puzzle. Ed.

An old photo of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;NELLIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; any ideas? 28

ritish Waterways

British Waterways Annual Report 2008 – 09 John Gavan has cast an irreverent eye over it’s pages

t used to be said of that great No r th e r n in stitutio n , th e ‘Manchester Evening News’ that it was ‘like a friend dropping in.’ The same could be said of the BW Annual Report. Each year we would eagerly await its arrival through the letterbox. The report would always contain many useful facts and figures about Britain’s waterways network, but not any more – not even a mention is made of the Inland Waterways Association or the work of the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council. Copies of a printed version are as rare as hens’ teeth these days – the all conquering Internet has seen to that. However whilst cruising the north west canals this summer I had the need to call at the BW office at Wigan where to my delight I found a printed version of this document. So what do its 88 pages tell us? It tells us the names of the British Waterways Board; 11 individuals, all business people. One, Duncan Sutherland, represents the Scottish interest. Who represents the consumer and all those who do so much to keep the system alive – nobody! However, you will be pleased to know that the Chairman, Tony Hales, received the sum of £41,858 for just 96 days’ work! Not bad considering we are constantly being told that BW has no money for 29

even basic maintenance! To be fair though, he did ask that his ‘fees’ for January and February be donated to a ‘good waterways cause’. This, it transpired was the Swinton Lock Activity Centre, a charity with premises adjacent to the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation near Mexborough. A community based arts, educational and activity group, it works with both able bodied and disabled and provides a wide range of water based activities such as fishing, and has its own narrow boat. It would be churlish to be critical of another charity, which is undoubtedly doing sterling work in the community and was chosen to be the recipient of Mr Hale’s hard earned fees by BW staff themselves. However one cannot help but wonder how many waterways managers would have liked to have got their hands on that money to help pay for some long overdue repairs – and can this really be considered to be ‘a good waterways cause’ when the money was used to purchase a minibus! The malaise I had been feeling for some months, brought on by the thought of greedy bankers, a mattress round the prop whilst on the Bridgewater and the demise of Newcastle from the premiership, was not helped in any way as I (Continued on page 30)

this helped us to double the number of volunteer days on our waterways to 16,000, valued at over £1m. We are looking at how waterways volunteering can become more accessible to local communities, engaging them for mutual benefit – such as on the Lancaster Canal where the Canal Trust recently made important heritage repairs to structures on the Hincaster Tunnel Horse Path, a scheduled monument.”

(Continued from page 29)

glanced at the pages of this esteemed journal. In fact I was feeling positively suicidal! I looked hard at the murky waters of the canal. Could these, that had given me so much pleasure over the years, now release me from earthly bonds. As I teetered on the brink of the abyss, I turned to page 16 and my heart leaped with joy as I read the following paragraph;“During the year we employed a national volunteering manager, an important step in our journey to better understand existing and potential volunteering across the waterways. We also launched awards that go part way to recognising the significant volunteer contribution made on our canals and rivers – identifying a number which, through their dedication, have made a significant impact on their local waterway. All

So there we have it. In this most august of publications, which will be widely read in the corridors of power, if not in higher places; where there is no mention of esteemed bodies such as IWAAC and the IWA, we find the Lancaster Canal Trust. Be proud of your achievement!

A new exhibition by Lancashire Museums Lancaster Maritime Museum 26 September – 23rd January 2010 For more details and opening times please visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums 30

Heritage Open Day. Lune Aqueduct Lancaster

he day formed part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme promoted by English Heritage. British Waterways organised three free boat cruises to the Lune Aqueduct during the day including presentations to visitors during the cruise and tours of the aqueduct explaining its design and history. The assistance of Lancaster Canal Trust in delivering the event was invaluable including

presentations regarding the history of the canal and aqueduct from David Slater. The day was originally limited to 60 visitors, demand vastly exceeded this with over 90 visitors being accommodated, and even taking this into account we had to close the tours to further bookings 2 days in advance due to over subscription . Andrew Tegg

Heritage Advisor, North West British Waterways

Some BW photos of the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events. The day also provided the opportunity to showcase the planned improvements to public access to the aqueduct and BW staff handed out details of the intended scheme. 31

THE LANCASTER CANAL

CAN YOU HELP? British Waterways have asked the Trust to help them to update their records in two ways ď&#x201A;ˇ To log, photograph and describe the state of each of the remaining milestones on the Lancaster Canal. ď&#x201A;ˇ Likewise to log and photograph each of the Larch tree formations originally planted near the canal to provide a supply of wood in emergencies If any Trust member would like to undertake the survey of a particular stretch of the Canal please contact our Vice Chairman Richard Trevitt who is coordinating the project on (01524) 846303

LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Officers and Committee President

C.H.Bagot J.P. F.R.I.C.S.,D.L Vice - President

John Gavan Chairman

David Slater 91 Cop Lane, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 9AH. (01772) 746914 Vice - Chairman

Richard Trevitt 2 Fern Bank, Lancaster. LAI 4TT (01524) 846303 Secretary

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599 Treasurer

Adrian Hughes “Ilex", Keasdale Road, Carr Bank, Milnthorpe LA7 7LH (01524) 761879 Membership Secretary

Adrian Hughes “Ilex", Keasdale Road, Carr Bank, Milnthorpe LA7 7LH (01524) 761879 Public Relations Officer

Trisha Buzzard 07802438412 Waterwitch Editor

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599 Working Party Organiser

David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599 Grants Officer

Chris Jones16 Kirkbie Green, Kendal LA9 7AJ (01524) 735504

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & OTHER TRUST OFFICERS Fran Valiant Chairman Recruitment & Promotions (01943) 430494 Helen Thomas Northern Reaches & R&P Committees (01524) 735504 Paul Shaw Working Party Supervisor 07866 803351 Frank Chalmers Boat Operations Manager 07973113046

Trisha Buzzard 07802438412 Publicity Officer & Trip Boat Committee Alan Mather Trip Boat Committee 07730 260003 Geoff Maskell NR Committee (01539) 724895 Sandra Henstock (L.C.B.C. Representative) (01253)764171 Pat Clapham R&P Committee (01524)781489

Affiliated Members Arlen Hire Boats Australian Canal Society Beetham Parish Council Burton - in - Kendal Parish Council Bury & District Anglers Association Catterall Parish Council C.A.R.P. Ltd Holme Parish Council Lancaster Canal Boat Club

Kendal Civic Society Natland Parish Council Newton with Clifton Parish Council Preston Patrick Parish Council Ramblers Association (Preston Area) South Lakeland District Council Westmorland & North Lancashire Long Distance Walkers Assoc

Waterwitch is copyright 2009, published by The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No. 240957) c/o David Currington, 12 Sedbergh Road, Kendal, LA9 6AD The Lancaster Canal Trust may not agree with the opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or an official announcement, unless so stated - otherwise the Trust accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication.

Visit LCT website at:

http://www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk/

The deadline for contributions to the next edition of Waterwitch will be January 31st 2010 Contributions may be e-mailed to dadcurrington@hotmail.com Or by post to David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6AD Printed by Kent Valley Colour Printers, Kendal. (01539)741344

Saturday 17th October 2009 Burton in Kendal

Coffee Morning

Burton in Kendal Memorial Hall, raised T nearly £300 for Trust funds. he annual coffee morning, held at

It was nice to see so many members supporting the event, but it was also rewarding that it was well supported by the local community. Tables groaned under the weight of home made cakes, jams, chutneys and jars of sweets, lovingly produced by Angela Seed, Sheila Slater, Joyce Bye and Beryl Bowcott. Ruth Symonds and Keith Midgley came along with the IWA branch sales stand where, amongst other items, one could purchase Christmas cards and a must have item,

the 2010 IWA calendar which has two pictures of the Lancaster Canal taken by Peter Thomas, on it. Kath Hayhurst came along with her plant stall. In addition there was a display detailing plans for restoration and how our members engaged in practical work spend their time. Thanks are due to all those members who helped out running the event and particular to those who donated produce for sale and prizes for the raffle. Next year’s event will be at the Gaskell Hall in Silverdale – more details later

Back Cover: Just two of the several photographs sent in by Don & Phylis taken on their recent trip along the length of the Lancaster Canal. 35