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Issue 113, March 2015
Liverpool showcase
4 CHANCES TO WIN A FULL SET OF PEARSON’S GUIDES worth nearly £100 a set
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR AT THE HELM OF A £200m PROJECT
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The Albert Dock complex will be at the centre of the International Mersey River Festival and a new Northern Boat Show in June. Harry Arnold revisits the city of his youth on page 14.
PREPARING FOR A STARRING ROLE AT BRAUNSTON RALLY P60 MEET THE BOATER WHO TOOK ON THE TV ALLOTMENT CHALLENGE
PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
New rules for boaters without a home mooring THE Canal & River Trust has outlined a new policy for continuous cruisers who don’t move their boats far enough to meet its published Guidance for Boaters without a Home Mooring. It will look at how far boats have
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New north-west chairman
HOW NOT TO PAINT YOUR BOAT P103
A LEADING urban regeneration specialist, with strong links to the north-west of England, has been appointed to chair the Canal & River Trust’s North West Partnership. Bob Pointing will chair his first bimonthly partnership meeting in March. Currently resident in Liverpool, he brings with him a wealth of experience. For nearly a decade he was programme director and chief executive of Barrow Regeneration and West Lakes Renaissance, and previously worked for Government Office Merseyside and was chief executive of North Liverpool Partnership. He led on the Wigan City Challenge project and worked for housing providers in Liverpool and Manchester.
351 BOATS FOR SALE
Starts on
moved over the course of their previous licence to see if they satisfy the requirements which are based on the BW Act 1995. This month CRT will write to anyone with a boat registered as not having a
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More locations, more choice Stourport Marina Tel 01299 827 082
Racecourse Marina, Windsor
Stourport on Severn
Tel 01753 851 717
River Thames, Windsor
Thames & Kennet Marina
Walton Marina
Tel 01932 221 689
Boat sales at seven Marinas with over 150 boats for sale
Visit:
www.tingdene.net
Upton upon Severn
Walton on Thames
Brundall Bay Marina
Tel 01189 477 770
River Thames, Caversham
Upton Marina
Tel 01684 593 111
Tel 01603 717 804
Pyrford Marina
Tel 01932 343 275 River Wey, Surrey
Norfolk Broads
home mooring to advise them of the process and will begin renewing licences on this basis from May 1. Regular reminders will then be sent to all those boaters whose limited movement is causing a concern and on
Little ships to return
DUNKIRK Little Ships are to gather on the Thames in May before a return to mark 75 years since the evacuation. They will form up in the Royal Docks on May 16 and 17 before sailing to Ramsgate to join others from around the UK. The fleet, by then expected to number more than 50 vessels, will sail to Dunkirk on May 21 before a series of ceremonies and events over the following days. Many of the small boats from along the Thames were gathered at Tough’s boatyard at Teddington. A memorial beside Teddington Lock commemorates the operation.
the expiry of their licence, those that have consistently failed to move in accordance with the CRT Guidance will be refused a new licence unless they take a home mooring. • Continued on page 2
School waterway visit awards
TWENTY-ONE inland waterway destinations have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for providing fantastic educational visits for local schools. The visits are run by the Canal & River Trust’s Canal & River Explorers and see trained, locally based education volunteers running activities for school and youth groups, with children learning about their local area, science and technology. So far, more than 35,000 children have discovered their local canal or river with help from the team. Sites awarded the badge include: Gloucester Waterways Museum; Foxton Locks; Anderton Boat Lift; Standedge Tunnel and Brecon & Goytre Wharf. Visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers
2 NEWS
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WELCOME
THE days are lengthening and although it’s frosty as I write, the birds are starting to sing and spring is definitely in the air. Although some of our readers will have kept on boating throughout the winter months, for others it is a time to start preparing for the cruising season ahead – you could win a fantastic set of Pearson’s guides in our competition on page 62. Stoppages are beginning to wind down and continuing our roundup of open days, Harry Arnold visits Stoke-on-Trent while Polly Player reports from Braunston and I had a preview of the St Valentine’s weekend event at Hatton, see page 4. Geoff Courtney talks to the Mayor of Bedford who chairs the consortium at the heart of the proposed Bedford-Milton Keynes waterway on page 9; and we catch up with the latest news from the work parties and volunteer groups on pages 10 and 11. Harry Arnold looks at what’s happening in Liverpool this year on page 14, more news next month, and Steve Fila, technical director of CDMS SSE Ltd, reports on the major project to remove the Stourport barrier. Schools break up at the end of this month for the Easter holidays and Phil Pickin reviews a hire boat built with families in mind on page 54; while Tim Coghlan continues to look forward to the Braunston Historic Boat Rally with the first of a twopart feature on the boats which will pay a special tribute to the late Sonia Rolt on page 60. And a collection of plates belonging to another much missed member of the canal community, Maureen Shaw, is coming up for auction on the anniversary of her birthday on Saturday, March 28, see page 59. And don’t miss Polly Player’s tongue-incheek guide on how not to paint your boat on page 103.
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Spate of attacks on boaters leads to renewed community spirit By Polly Player
BOATING in London is often viewed by those outside the capital as something of a high-risk activity, with thefts, muggings and attacks on the towpaths of London’s canals seeming to occur on an almost weekly basis. While those living in the thick of it are quick to point out that generally, only bad news makes the headlines and that the towpaths of London are not a freefor-all for unimpeded criminal activity, it is certainly fair to say that crime and physical attacks on boaters have come to something of a head over the course of the last couple of months. Incidents during December 2014 and the first two months of 2015 have been concentrated around the East London area, with Springfield, Victoria Park and parts of Hackney Wick having seen a number of frightening scenes take place. Reported incidents within the last three months alone include a number of towpath threats and muggings, as well as physical attacks including attempts to push towpath walkers into the canal, and group attacks targeting
lone walkers during the evenings. Theft of equipment from boats, such as pushbikes and generators has also peaked in the London area over the last few weeks, and in one incident, a boater interrupted intruders on their roof, who were found to be emptying petrol cans over the boat, but who ran off when the boater’s dog began to bark. Both the police and the Canal & River Trust have been made aware of ongoing issues being perpetrated by both gangs and individuals in certain hotspots, however, it is thought that a significant amount of crime against boaters is also going unreported. One of CRT’s London mooring rangers, Mikaela Khan, has been liaising with police in the area, who have agreed to take the following steps in order to help reduce crime against London boaters: ● Increase police patrols within problem areas ● Support community engagement by arranging towpath meetings with interested boaters ● Put together an information pack for boaters, including sharing
• Continued from page 1
New rules for boaters without a home mooring Initially CRT will focus on those who, having declared they will continuously cruise, move the least, including a number of boats that barely move at all. For the first few months while boaters are becoming familiar with this policy, the Trust proposes to issue short duration licences to give those boaters concerned a further opportunity to establish an acceptable range of movement. Chief executive Richard Parry said: “The right for boaters to continuously cruise is enshrined in law, and I welcome this way of boating. Our new approach does not change any rules, but it does seek to provide greater encouragement to everyone to comply with our Guidance, and spells out the consequences if they consistently don’t.” Mike Rodd, chairman of the National Association of Boat Owners, said: “For those who are living on their boats as a lifestyle choice, these requirements – to continuously cruise – will not present any problem. Of course some folk who live on their boats may be affected: those who are genuine boaters will welcome the clarity, but a small number will find it difficult to conform.” However, in its comments on the individual proposals NABO referred to their ‘unnecessarily aggressive tone’ adding that if CRT needs to make these changes it is a ‘sad reflection’ on our waterways. “It just goes to show how the misbehaviour of a few has resulted in significant change in regulations for everyone.” Mike added: “We welcome CRT’s new welfare officer, Sean Williams, and applaud his work, especially in getting CRT’s existing enforcement officers briefed on the resources available to help those who are in difficulty.” CRT head of enforcement Denise Yelland said: “Over the last 12 months the Trust has been operating in this way with boaters who are new to continuous cruising. The approach is now being expanded to all boaters who continuously cruise so that we are treating all boaters fairly and consistently. “We are continuing to monitor boat movement as we always have done. What is changing is that we are being more active in telling people when we are concerned about their limited movement pattern, and spelling out what they need to do to meet our requirements.” Welcome for the initiative also came from the Association of Continuous Cruisers (ACC), the Residential Boat Owners’ Association (RBOA), the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs (AWCC) and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), national chairman Les Etheridge commenting: “We hope the new enforcement process will quickly address in a fair way the significant issues which have developed in recent years.” Richard Parry added: “Our message to boaters without a home mooring is that, if you are worried about your range of movement, or want to know more about what else you need to do to comply with our Guidance, please speak to your local enforcement officer (or contact your local Trust office). “In many cases, making some small adjustments to a cruising pattern is enough to meet our Guidance, while in other cases taking up a home mooring may be more appropriate. Ultimately we are trying to help boaters understand our requirements and avoid running into trouble, for the benefit of all boaters.”
details on police access points along the London canal network, and improving response times to 999 calls from boaters Mikaela advises boaters that in order for these steps to be effective, the support of boaters is vital, and that all incidents (no matter how minor) should be reported to the police, by dialling either 999 in the case of an emergency, or 101 at all other times. London boaters themselves have also been instrumental in supporting each other in the face of the current problems, organising meet-ups and events aimed to promote solidarity between boaters, and show a physical presence in areas that were previously largely being avoided because of gang violence and threats. Events such as a Reclaim the Towpath stroll have already taken place in areas such as Hackney Wick, Springfield, and the Victoria Park area, allowing boaters to meet up and discuss the current issues, as well as to offer support and advice to each other on how to stay safe. London boater, Mike Doherty, posting on the London Boaters’
Boaters and other towpath users in the London area can get involved in future Reclaim the Towpath strolls and other boater-led events in London by visiting the London Boaters’ Facebook page, or the Reclaim the Towpath Facebook page to get in touch with others in the area. Facebook page, said of the strolls: “This is about solidarity, safety, presence and about boaters coming together and reclaiming the towpath at night. This is not about vigilantism, being tooled up or confrontation. It isn’t a magic bullet; Mikaela is on to the police, and boaters are being more safety conscious and keeping each other informed; but it is part of the solution. OUR part of the solution.”
Crackdown on Thames licence evasion BOATERS on the River Thames are being urged to renew their registrations or face prosecution. The reminder comes after an early crackdown in recent weeks on evasion of 2015 annual registration fees along the non-tidal section. In a multi-agency operation which targeted Kingston-upon-Thames then Whitchurch and Purley, the Environment Agency, alongside the Metropolitan and Surrey Police as well as Kingston and London Borough of Richmondupon-Thames enforcement officers served nearly 100 enforcement notices. EA waterways operation manager, Nick McKie-Smith, said: “All boats kept on the river must display a valid annual registration plate at all times. We are turning the heat up early on annual registration. Why risk prosecution and a possible criminal conviction? If your annual 2015 boat registration fee is still due, register or remove your boat from the river.” The income raised from boat registration fees
helps to pay for the upkeep of the entire nontidal navigation between Teddington and Lechlade, a length of 144 miles, including 45 locks. The crackdown on non-registration will continue throughout the boating season. Waterways staff undertake registration checks and enforcement out on the river and at locksides to ensure that boats hold the additional legal requirements for a valid boat safety certificate and at least third-party insurance. Nick added: “Just like a car, a boat needs to be licensed, insured and have the boat equivalent of an MoT, which is a valid Boat Safety Certificate or BSC, before it can be kept on the river. This is to minimise the risks of accidents such as boat fires, explosions, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide poisoning onboard and polluting substances entering the water and harming the environment. We want to ensure all our customers can enjoy the river as a safe environment.”
Heritage trainees get to work on lock repairs By Harry Arnold
TWO of the Canal & River Trust’s new heritage trainees Victoria Allen and Anna More had the opportunity to work on the repairs to Middle Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Fradley Junction recently. Forty two heritage trainees will be recruited over three years under the Waterway Heritage Skills project, which is costing £811,000, with £607,000 coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future programme. The recruits will learn lime mortaring, stonemasonry and carpentry, among other skills.
CRT heritage trainee, Victoria Allen, uses lime mortar for pointing while Anna More fixes a ground paddle during repairs to Fradley Junction’s Middle Lock. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
Help us find the Towpath Talk Volunteer of the Year AN ARMY of volunteers help to maintain the network of more than 4000 miles of inland waterways across the British Isles. From the Waterway Recovery Group to the individual who cares for his or her ‘own patch’ of towpath, thousands of unpaid hours are contributed each year. And it’s not just maintaining the canal and river infrastructure but providing voluntary crews for the community boats which provide such a valuable service in enabling disabled and vulnerable people to enjoy a day out in the countryside or preserving 200 years
of heritage for future generations. Every month Towpath Talk reports on the work carried out by these volunteers and we want to say a big thank you to all these people and especially those unsung heroes who have gone that extra mile. We will be asking readers to nominate them for a prestigious new Volunteer of the Year award and recognition throughout the inland waterways. For details of the award and how you can nominate someone to receive this special accolade, see the April edition of Towpath Talk, out on March 26.
NEWS 3
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Coast to coast canoe trail will follow canal routes
MORE than 10,000 young people from some of England’s most deprived communities will help to transform 150 miles of canal, creating the longest canoe trail in the UK. Over the next five years 1524 year olds and their families, will be recruited to create social action squads along the length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and Aire & Calder Navigation, connecting communities along the route to each other and their local environment and waterways. The Desmond Family Canoe Trail will be the
longest of its kind in the UK, first launching in Merseyside and over five years stretching to Yorkshire. Along the way it will connect towns and cities including Liverpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Burnley, Leeds, Skipton and Goole. Canal & River Trust chairman Tony Hales said: “We want communities to use canals to enrich their lives as part of a healthy and fun lifestyle. Canoeing is a great sport, growing in popularity, for the young and the older. We want to make it accessible and enjoyed by many more families and individuals, whatever their
physical ability.” The project is being developed by the trust, thanks to a £1.3 million donation from The Desmond Foundation and has the support of British Canoeing and Canoe England. Along with designing the trail, the young people will organise and run a year-round programme of activity for their community including canoe taster sessions. Physical improvements to the route including planting new community gardens and habitats along the trail will also take place. More than 50% of the
Where will the future waterways supporters come from? A CONFERENCE will take place in Birmingham this month to examine where the future champions of the nation’s waterways will come from, and to share experiences with organisations looking to attract new supporters. The free event is being held on Saturday, March 21, at the Bond Conference Venue, 180-182 Fazeley Street, Birmingham (B5 5SE), from 10.30am-3.30pm. It is being run by the Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society and the Canal & River Trust and will feature guest speakers from the youth and voluntary sector. Among the topics under discussion will be: ● how our ageing society is likely to have a profound effect on membership groups, organisations and charities ● the tension between maintaining an attractive offer for existing supporters and increasing the involvement of younger groups ● if it’s feasible to reach and engage people of all ages with just one ‘offer’ ● whether societies/groups are equipped to attract a new generation of supporters which is more confident and tech-savvy than ever before. Caroline Killeavy, Canal & River Trust head of community engagement, said: “This conference is an opportunity to share ideas, experiences and hear from organisations that have had successes in attracting new support. I’d encourage anyone interested in attending to come along.” David Wheeler, from the Worcester
IN BRIEF
New Mikron shows
Canoeing is growing in popularity. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST population lives within five miles of a canal or river and many of these are within an urban area – some are the most deprived communities in England with youth unemployment (44%) and
child obesity (32%) well above the national average. This project aims to help make that connection and leave a lasting legacy for these communities to enjoy for years to come.
● To get involved email coasttocoast@canalriver trust.org.uk or visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/cc
Heulwen Trust appeals for skippers and crew By Harry Arnold
Volunteer lock keeper, Veronica Dussen, being trained by Canal & River Trust waterway supervisor, Terry Drake, at Junction Lock, Fradley.
PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society, added: “Every canal society I’ve spoken to recently is looking at how to find new members and volunteers. We’re not just talking about getting younger people involved, but also those in their 40s, 50s, 60s and upwards. Volunteers can be any age, young to old, so we’re looking at how we can appeal to the whole spectrum of ages. It makes sense to pool our ideas and expertise, that’s the aim of the event.” ● To register a place, or for more information contact Sarina.young@canalrivertrust. org.uk 01636 675740.
WELSHPOOL’S Heulwen Trust has decided to make wider use of its two Montgomery Canal-based passenger boats than in the past, with two objectives in mind. Firstly to run the boats themselves to raise income for eventual replacement and maintenance and to fund the charity’s intended purpose, to providing free canal trips for the less-abled and the elderly. Secondly, to make fuller use of the canal in order to minimise weed growth and provide support for the Canal & River Trust in the work needed to keep the navigation clear on the central, currently isolated, restored section of the Montgomery between Arddleen and Refail. The trust is appealing for volunteers join it as additional skippers and crew members, which are needed to supplement its permanent skippers during
the planned extended 2015 cruising programme. This programme includes weekend trips throughout the day from Welshpool Wharf of about 1½ hours duration, commencing at Easter, and – in conjunction with this year’s ‘Making Waves’ programme – five three-hour cruises to Brithdir Locks; also possible hospitality trips for sponsors and supporters. Volunteers will be trained to the required appropriate competency certificate standards and the trust will meet all training costs. The trust emphasises that it will always call first on its permanent skippers but desperately needs support or involvement as back-up skippers or crew members. It will also gladly pay those skippers seeking reimbursement for their time. Anyone interested should contact Pat Ward on patward@ intonet.co.uk or on 07801 288388. Also see Baldwin Trust appeal on page 108.
AUDIENCE figures for the shows put on by Mikron, the canal theatre company, are growing every year say officials, writes Geoff Wood. And the Arts Council England, will be helping to fund two new shows: One of Each, the story of fish and chips and Raising Agents, celebrating 100 years of the WI. A spokesman said: “Working for Mikron is like no other acting job as they have to be able to sing and play an instrument to a high standard. But they also have to navigate the waterways, and steer a 78ft narrowboat.”
Rejoining the league?
SILTING up of the River Witham contributed to the decline of the port of Boston in the late Middle Ages and loss of its trade with the Hanseatic League countries. This was despite the development of a cargo boat with a flat bottom and removable keel to cope with shallow waters. The south Lincolnshire town has now taken another step towards rejoining the league that it was last associated with more than 700 years ago with the recommendation by Boston Borough Council’s Cabinet that it should join Die Hanse, the modern-day equivalent.
Body found in Trent
POLICE closed Nether Lock at Newark on the River Trent after a narrowboat crew discovered the body of a woman who had been missing for four weeks, writes Les Heath. Emily Holloway, 39, of Lincoln, had not been seen since December when she left her home one day and took a taxi to Newark. A member of the family reported her missing later the same day. Her death is not being regarded as suspicious and the Nottinghamshire coroner has been informed.
Online vote IN OUR last online poll at
www.towpathtalk.co.uk we asked readers whether they have cruised any canals or rivers overseas. Most popular choice with those who responded was Scotland with 33% followed somewhat surprisingly by Germany with 28%. Tying with 17% were France and the Netherlands with 5% having cruised the Irish waterways. The Waterway Recovery Group recently launched its 2015 Canal Camps so this month we are asking readers whether they are planning a working holiday this summer.
Water bottle winners
The Heulwen Trust needs extra skippers and crew to expand its Montgomery Canal trips from Welshpool. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
CONGRATULATIONS to 10 lucky readers who have each won a Water-to-Go drinking bottle in our December competition. They are: Pauline Dring, Braunston; David Page, Desford; Steven Morris, Southwell; Claire Deakin, Market Drayton; Thomas Ward, Manchester; Caroline Warren, Bracknell; Melanie White, Stoke-on-Trent; David Reeves, Warminster; Raphael Patrice, Fulham and Pam Hubbard, Stourport.
4 WINTER WORK
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Stoke showcase for lock works and local trusts By Harry Arnold
CRT Central Shires waterway manager Darren Green explains the work to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Stoke-on-Trent, Coun Majid Khan and his daughter Shahida Parveen Khan, and the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson.
ONE of this year’s Canal & River Trust (CRT) 16 public lock open day events was at a site where a previous one was held last winter – the narrow two-lock staircase at Bedford Street on the Caldon Canal above Etruria Junction in Stoke-on-Trent. On Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, we understand about 340 visitors booked in to go into the drained twin chambers. The works cost £70,000 in total and mainly involved removing the upper chamber’s top gate and fitting a new one. Other work included repairs to the bottom gates to reduce water leakage and on brickwork in the lock chambers. The stoppage started on January 5 and was expected to take six weeks; with the lock planned to be operational again by midFebruary. There were also CRT stands with information about the trust,
Bedford Street staircase lock in Stoke-on-Trent was again the location of a CRT public open day. PHOTOS:
WATERWAY IMAGES
recruiting Friends and showing visitors how to make bird nesting boxes. Other displays were mounted by IWA North Staffs & South Cheshire Branch, the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canal Trust, the Beatrice Charity and the Etruria Boat Group, which also had its boat Lindsay on site. The Etruria Canal Museum was also open on both days, serving welcome refreshments. Local civic VIP visitors on the Saturday included the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Stoke-on-Trent, Coun Majid Khan and his wife Shahida Parveen Khan, and the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson.
Braunston locks open weekend draws almost 900 visitors By Polly Player
THE Canal & River Trust hosted an open weekend at the end of January to allow the general public to find out more about the maintenance work undertaken at Braunston’s Lock 3 and a rare opportunity to walk across the bottom of the drained lock. Despite the chilly winter weather, almost 900 visitors visited the lock in the Braunston flight of the Grand Union Canal while it was drained for essential maintenance works which cost around £37,500 to complete. The top and bottom gates of the lock were removed and refitted, with the gates of Lock 3 realigned in order to fit properly within the lock chamber. The original brickwork within the lock has been exposed and repaired, and the completed works, which took a month in total as part of a planned winter stoppage, saw the newly refurbished lock reopening in the middle of February. A planned fish rescue was undertaken prior to the lock being drained, during which 20 rare bullhead fish were caught and released further down the canal. John Ellis, national fisheries and angling manager, said: “There is definitely a breeding population on the Grand Union Braunston flight, which is very exciting as the fish are protected by law due to their increasing rarity. Canal lock chambers with brick walls and stony beds offer ideal habitat for this species.” At the peak of the open weekend, visitors were queuing for their chance to traverse the floor of the lock, passing their time while waiting by viewing an exhibition of work from the children of Braunston Primary
School about their own trip to see the lock’s inner workings. Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, said: “This winter we are spending £45 million on essential repairs and restorations and routine maintenance to our canals and rivers. By showcasing this work to the public we can give them a glimpse of the craftsmanship of the waterways’ original 18th century design and the scale of the work we do to care for it. We hope this will inspire more people to get involved to enjoy and help support their local canal or river navigation.”
Making bird nesting boxes was very popular with visiting families.
A lock of love on the Hatton flight
Children from Braunston Primary School look at one of the rescued fish.
Visitors in the drained Lock 3. PHOTOS: BRAUNSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
OVER Valentine’s weekend, around 700 visitors ventured to the bottom of Lock 34 at Hatton on the Grand Union Canal to see up close this fine example of working heritage near Warwick. The works, which started in late January and should be complete by March 6, cost £22,000 and involved highly skilled craftsmanship with timberwork on the gates being repaired within the lock chamber due to access for a crane on site being difficult via the towpath. Ian Lane, manager of the West Midlands waterways, who gave tours with members of his team, said: “Although cold, Hatton was as beautiful as it always is and we had a great weekend. “Visitors were able to take a close look at the mussels on the lock chamber walls and hear about the interesting history of the canal. It was great to have old photos of how the Hatton flight looked to compare it to today. There really was a ‘lock of love’ for the canal this weekend.”
Ian Lane and Richard Parry at the Valentine’s weekend open days at Hatton. PHOTO: CRT He added: “A number of visitors expressed an interest in getting involved with the work the trust does which is great to hear. Why not come along and lend a hand at the big canal clean-up on March 1 between 10am-1pm in Leamington?” For more information please email info.warwickshire@ waterways.org.uk
Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry, centre, with members of the waterways press and recently appointed CRT welfare officer Sean Williams being given a briefing on the work on Lock 34 by customer operations manager Ian Darby in advance of the open days over the weekend of February 14-15. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
NEWS 5
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New team hired to help firms flourish beside waterway
THE Coastal Community Fund has awarded £654,000 to Warrington and Halton’s Linking the Locks project to develop business opportunities along the Sankey Canal. A successful joint bid saw the collaboration of Warrington Borough Council, Halton Borough Council and the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS). Delivered by Warrington & Co, the Linking the Locks project will look at various ways of improving support to businesses along the stretch of the Sankey Canal between Spike Island in Widnes and Fiddlers Ferry Marina in Warrington. The project will include the surrounding business parks and industrial areas. It will also look at apprenticeship opportunities, business and employee training and ensure that companies are kept aware of local and national initiatives and any associated funding support. Heading up the scheme will be Warrington & Co’s newest recruits: Jonathan Aghanian as business development and
Jonathan Aghanian and Joanne Lomax of the Linking the Locks project. PHOTO SUPPLIED marketing officer with Joanne Lomax as business development & marketing co-ordinator. Funding for these new posts comes from the grant awarded by Coastal Communities. Jonathan said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this project during such an exciting time for development within Warrington and Halton. I look forward to working closely with everyone with a vested interest along the Sankey Canal as we take this project forward.”
Steve Park, managing director at Warrington & Co, said: “There is great scope for development along the historic Sankey Canal, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in supporting new and existing businesses in the area.” A formal launch event involving local training providers, Sankey Canal Restoration Society, along with local businesses is planned for March 2015. Further details will be circulated soon.
Green light for second phase at Brentford Lock West ISIS Waterside Regeneration has been granted planning permission by Hounslow Borough Council for the delivery of a second phase at its mixed use scheme at Brentford Lock. The second phase of homes will include 141 new residential properties, including four bedroom townhouses and a collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as commercial space on the ground floor along Commerce Road. Development director Katie Sully said: “The scheme has already had a positive impact on this little corner of west London, with increased use of the local waterways and initiatives such as Cultivate London – an innovative urban farm which has been on site since works first commenced
– really adding to the sense of community that is building here.” Mæ Architects has been appointed to design the second phase and has been working closely with the developer and the local community to ensure that the delivery of this second phase offers a different architectural perspective while complementing the initial phase of homes currently under construction. Partner Alex Ely said: “Our design takes its cues from the
waterways and its wharf architecture as well as drawing on characteristics of the nearby conservation area. We are excited about now taking it forward to construction and adding our bit to this great development.” Situated along the banks of the Grand Union Canal, Brentford Lock West forms part of a five year project which will also deliver new community spaces and commercial buildings, helping to create new jobs for the area.
● The Sales and Marketing Suite is open daily, 10am-5pm. For more information or to book an appointment call the Brentford Lock West sales team at Stubbings Property Marketing on 0208 569 7449, email brentfordlockwest@stubbingsltd.co.uk or visit www.brentfordlockwest.co.uk
An image of the canalside development at Brentford Lock West. PHOTO: ISIS
Deadline looming for awards to celebrate canal and river work ENTRIES close on Friday, March 13, for the Canal & River Trust’s 2015 Living Waterways Awards. Led by an independent panel of experts drawn from the voluntary, environmental, arts, heritage, engineering and architecture sectors, the awards celebrate the work done by individuals, communities and organisations to improve their canals and rivers, making them exciting places to live, learn and spend time. CRT chairman Tony Hales explained: “We’re on the search for those people and projects that have done the most to make a difference to the nation’s canals and rivers – transforming the places they
pass through and enriching the lives of all who use them. “We want to shine a spotlight on the most engaging, innovative and inspirational projects, to recognise the amazing work being done, celebrate success and, most of all, say thank you.” Winners will be announced at a ceremony in October. The seven award categories ● Art & Interpretation ● Contribution to the Built Environment ● Community & Volunteering ● Education & Learning ● Natural Environment ● Recreation & Tourism ● Restoration & Historic Environment
● The awards are sponsored by Keir, CPC Civils, Fountains and Hyder Consulting. Further details can be found at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/living-water ways-awards-2015
IWA in talks over the future of lock
FURTHER talks have taken place between the IWA and the Environment Agency (EA) regarding the future of Elvington Lock on the River Derwent in North Yorkshire. Following a structural survey identifying what repairs are needed, the EA has agreed in principle to initiate repairs to the guillotine top gate subject to the IWA developing a proposal to repair or replace the wooden mitre gates at the downstream end of the lock. Discussions continue with the owners of the bottom gates in order to find a suitable way forward. The closure of the lock by the EA in February 2014 due to concerns about the guillotine top gate structure left a number of boats stranded upstream. Concerned at the loss of a six mile stretch of the connected inland waterway network, the IWA instigated discussions in order to get the lock brought back into use.
BUSINESS opportUNIty oN FoSSdykE NavIgatIoN THE Canal & River Trust is looking for a tenant to operate a stretch of moorings on the historic Fossdyke Navigation near Torksey Lock. Dating back to Roman times, the Fossdyke is thought by some to be Britain’s oldest canal. Torksey Lock is a popular stopping point for boaters at the junction between the Fossdyke and the mighty River Trent. Bids to manage the moorings, which have space for around 12 boats, are invited by March 20, 2015. Denise Barraclough from the Canal & River Trust said: “This is a great opportunity to manage, and potentially improve, moorings at one of Lincolnshire’s most historic and muchloved waterside spots.
“The moorings give people the opportunity to enjoy the best of Lincolnshire’s countryside while also having the essential shops, places to eat and other amenities close by. It really is a great spot to get away from it all and explore the county’s rich heritage, so we’re expecting there to be a lot of interest from people wanting to manage the moorings.” While the moorings don’t have water or electricity, they do have secure toilet and shower facilities nearby. There is also extensive car parking available for boaters to use. Contact Denise Barraclough on 07717 785304 for more details and to arrange a viewing.
6 NEWS
IN BRIEF Fundraiser in rescue drama
CANAL & River Trust fundraiser Jermaine Williams, 19, helped to rescue a man who had fallen into a canal in Birmingham city centre. Jermaine, who was 2014 fundraiser of the year in Birmingham, rushed to his aid with a passing jogger who happened to be a lifeguard and pulled the man to safety. Emergency services were on the scene in minutes.
Raffle restoration boost
RESTORATION projects across the country will benefit from more than £13,000 raised by The Inland Waterways Association’s first Waterways Restoration Raffle, which ended in mid-January after five and a half months of ticket sales. Over 7000 tickets were sold by the IWA directly and through restoration groups. National chairman Les Etheridge praised the generosity of ticket buyers and thanked the donors of raffle prizes, which included a number of boating breaks and holidays.
Anger at school decision
VILLAGERS were angry following a decision to site a large replacement secondary school beside a scenic canal, writes Geoff Wood. Educators say the rural site beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Diggle in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, was just what they wanted for the new Saddleworth school. But villagers and boaters said the scheme would spoil scenic canal voyages, destroy the last bit of countryside before the West Yorkshire boundary and cause widespead traffic congestion.
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Long term possibility of new River Thames crossing is welcomed by councils By Elizabeth Rogers
THE long-term possibility of a new bridge across the River Thames on a stretch south-east of Abingdon in Oxfordshire has been welcomed by local parish councils as a means of reducing the volume of traffic currently using the existing road network. Areas of land regarded as being of interest if any future proposals for a new road and new bridge arise at a later date have been included in the draft Local Plan of the Vale of White Horse District Council, which is currently out to public consultation. There is, however, no immediate prospect as it has been stated that if the project did go forward it would be 10 years at least in the planning stage. At Clifton Hampden, a village famous in literature as the setting for scenes in Jerome K Jerome’s tale of Three Men in a Boat, the parish council has long been wanting an additional bridge to relieve traffic flows on the bridge in its own village, but says that it has been taken by surprise that a possibility has now been mooted. A new road and bridge would service the expanding Culham Science Centre, and would relieve pressure on the road network arising from the major housing developments in the Didcot area of some 2000 new homes. The area of Appleford and Sutton Courtenay has been a suggested location. Appleford Parish Council says that there are some mixed feelings in the village for although an additional bridge would be very much welcomed, there is concern that contributions to the funding could come from Community
Skull found at lock examined By Elizabeth Rogers
FORENSIC examination of a skull found at King’s Lock, on the River Thames at Oxford, has resulted in it being treated as historic remains. Thames Valley Police were called to the scene following the discovery by two fishermen on Sunday, January 11, and the area was taped off. The skull was then studied by forensic officers and archaeologists. The scene-watch was lifted when it appeared likely that the find was an historic one and not believed to be linked to any crime. Further work will be carried out to discover more about the find. The area where it was found is close to a series of Bronze Age barrows, or burial mounds.
Infrastructure Levy payments arising from new gravel workings in the area, a development which the village is opposing. Sutton Courtenay would prefer that the bridge was not so near its own boundary as to bring increased traffic through its High Street, which has many listed buildings. But chairman Michael Jenkins is not looking too far ahead. “I have been a parish councillor for 50 years and there has been talk of a new river crossing for all of that time, not always in the same place,” he said. “River Thames crossings are few and far between. The problem is in finding a location to be able to relieve local traffic and not add to it.”
Thames Path
Long Wittenham Parish Council has problems with current traffic flows through the village, so would also welcome a means of relieving this. It also has another river-crossing proposal ongoing – but this for walkers rather than for motorists. It is working with Oxfordshire council to set up talks with the owners of crossing-points either side of an island in the River Thames, just north of the village. The Thames Path here runs on the Clifton Hampden side of the river and Long Wittenham Parish Council would like to have the availability of these means of crossing, which are not at present open to the public, opened up to walkers. One crossing to the island is via a bridge on the land of a local farmer and the other is via the weir, controlled by the Environment Agency.
If access could be achieved, this would open up the possibility of establishing a circular walk taking in parts of both villages. The parish council is also planning to enlist the help of The Ramblers, formerly the Ramblers’ Association, in achieving its objective. It is not only on the stretches of river to the south east of Abingdon that another crossing point has long been felt desirable. In Abingdon itself, suggestions for a second bridge to relieve traffic flows on the existing bridge on the A415 resurface at intervals. “This has been an aspiration for councils for the past 40 years,” town and district councillor Mike Badcock told Towpath Talk. “It is something we would dearly love to have, but although there has been land earmarked for it, the problem has always been finding the means of funding.” Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council are each contributing £250,000 towards a feasibility study for a third bridge in the Reading area across the River Thames. The study would look at whether this would ease the existing traffic congestion in the Reading and Wokingham areas. Wokingham Borough Council sees it as the only long-term solution, but South Oxfordshire District Council has concerns about possible negative impacts. Cost however would remain the main issue, requiring government funding. With the necessary alterations to the existing road network that would result, this would rise to a figure in the region of £60 million to £100 million for the complete scheme.
Masterplan for aqueduct includes £1m visitor centre By Harry Arnold
A VISITOR centre costing over £1 million could be built by the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal. It is part of a 10 year masterplan by consultants, commissioned by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the local Wrexham Council. However, both organisations have stressed that the scheme is purely an idea of what could be created as it is dependent on how funding could be generated. The aqueduct was completed in 1805 and the design is generally attributed to Thomas Telford. But he was only agent for the original Ellesmere Canal and – although a great engineer –sometimes took credit for such structures, backed up by sycophantic biographers. William Jessop was the canal’s engineer and it is likely that he had considerable influence on Pontcysyllte’s design. The original design drawings and other relevant contemporary documents – which would go towards solving this question – were in existence in the 1960s (I saw them) but have since disappeared. It is believed that they may be in a private collection somewhere. An 11 mile stretch of the canal, between Chirk Bank and the tourist centre of Llangollen – containing both Pontcysyllte and Chirk aqueducts and Chirk Tunnel – was designated a World Heritage Site in 2009. The aqueduct has always been a magnet for tourists but currently only has a
small visitor centre, toilets and car park at the Trefor end and the consultants say that the number of visitors has increased since designation but they only stay for about an hour. Their ideas include a heritage and learning centre, christened The Arch, which would also have a shop and cafe and a platform to give visitors the best view of the aqueduct. Other ideas include a playground for younger visitors and a woodland area with walks and adventure equipment. There would also be new lift bridges, pathways and a picnic area. There are also proposals that would see the creation of an activities hub which would allow local businesses and social enterprises to provide visitors with information and equipment to participate in activities such as boat hire, cycling and walking. The report says that the centre could generate a net profit of more than £54,000 a year and provide the equivalent of six full-time jobs. Local North Wales Assembly member Mark Isherwood has raised the fact in the Welsh Assembly that the site is missing out on thousands of potential visitors every year because it is not being marketed effectively by the Welsh Government. He said that key stakeholders have raised questions over whether the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct as a regeneration site and tourism area has a high enough profile and expressed concern that there wasn’t a clear co-ordinated group championing the aqueduct.
A visitor centre for the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct? PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
RYA SPOTLIGHT 7
www.towpathtalk.co.uk The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.
Flying the flag for the environment THE next time you happen to find yourself in an inland marina, take a look around to see if you can spot a Gold Anchor flag flying overhead. Over 31 inland marinas have been through the award scheme and will have their flag proudly displayed. Run by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), the Gold Anchor award scheme has been in place in the UK for over 25 years. It is well known as a credible measure of a marina’s quality and shows that the marina will have been subject to a range of rigorous tests and criteria assessed by independent experts. The scheme can award between one and five gold anchors, with every level reflecting both quality and credibility for the facilities and service given to customers. What you may not realise is that since 2010, the Gold Anchor has included environmental factors, from the availability of recycling facilities and equipment to dealing with oil and fuel spills through to environmental management systems such as the international standard ISO14001. So when you see a Gold Anchor flag you can be sure that the marina has taken its environmental responsibilities seriously. Taking care of the environment is much more in our everyday consciousness these days and in fact if you enjoy the peace, tranquillity and nature of the inland waterways, it is no doubt because you already have a deep appreciation of the environment around you.
New technologies
But there are a handful of marinas that have gone above and beyond and invested in new technologies and innovation not to mention
Flying the flag: the team at Overwater Marina. PHOTO SUPPLIED habitats. It was no surprise therefore that two such companies took the honours at the Marina of the Year Awards for 2015 presented at the CWM FX London Boat Show. Top spot was awarded to Overwater Marina in Audlem Cheshire, with Caen Hill, Devizes (winner in 2014) taking the runner-up slot. Now in their second year, the awards have developed significantly with votes being cast for an impressive 84 marinas. As part of the voting process marina customers were asked to comment on why they felt the marina they were voting on was the best with excellent customer service topping the polling. The Green Blue – the joint environment project of the British Marine Federation and Royal Yachting Association – has worked with both of these marinas since 2010 and it is not difficult to see why they are so successful. A compelling combination of clear vision, strong leadership and energy makes for a winning formula. These
The marina entrance. PHOTO: MARK WELTON
qualities, as well as a genuine appreciation for the environment, have also helped them on their journey to become more sustainable. The foresight and resolve to weave sustainability into the fabric of their marinas mean that moorers and visitors hardly notice that they very much contribute to that journey through their behaviours on land and afloat.
Showcase
Owners of Overwater Marina, the Maughan family, were always keen to ensure that the marina design, build and operation enhanced the local environment and habitats. It opened in March 2010 with 230 berths, reception building with all the laundry and shower facilities you would expect to find for customers and an onsite business for boat maintenance.
It was also quick to install a combined solar and ground source heat pump system to provide heat and power for the building’s underfloor heating and hot water, rainwater harvesting to collect water from the building roof not to mention the shallows and soft edged planting purposely set around the moorings to encourage nature to thrive. And so in late 2011 Overwater deservedly became the first inland marina to receive five Gold Anchors. As a showcase of best practice Overwater is without doubt setting the standard for inland marinas to aspire to but sustainability is equally achievable for those marinas who might just be starting out on their journey; and the Gold Anchor scheme offers a great roadmap setting the pace and direction for steady progress.
● For more information contact dan.reading@thegreenblue.org.uk To find out more about the work of The Green Blue visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk
Earn commission for your club SINCE its relaunch last year the RYA Joining Point scheme has seen a 74% increase in the number of clubs, training centres and marinas signing up as Joining Points and earning commission for every new RYA member they sign up. Membership operations officer, Gemma Garrett said: “We’ve welcomed 120 new Joining Points to the scheme and 640 new members to the RYA. Last year’s top Joining Point earned £750 in commission for their organisation and we hope to get even more Joining Points earning more commission throughout the 2015 season!” The scheme provides a quick and easy way for those organisations registered as joining points to encourage their members and customers to join the RYA and experience the many benefits of membership. As a thank you for spreading the word about RYA membership, Joining Points receive a commission for each member recommended; £10 for every family membership, £7.50 personal membership, £5 Under 25 membership and £2.50 for a youth member, which can be fed back in to their organisation. On registration, organisations receive a Joining Point Pack containing everything they need to promote RYA membership to their members and customers, explaining the importance of supporting the RYA and all the work it does on behalf of the recreational boating public, and the numerous membership benefits, rewards and services available. Each pack provides the club or centre with the possibility of earning up to £1000 in commission depending upon the number of members signed up. Commission is paid on a quarterly basis and the amount depends upon the type of membership signed up to. ● Signing up as an RYA Joining Point is completely free and easy to do, email joiningpoint@rya.org.uk www.rya.org.uk/joinrenew/Pages/ JoiningPoint.aspx
8 NETWORKING
SOCIETY NEWS Pub chat prompts project
A DISCUSSION over a few pints at the Stubbings pub near Hebden Bridge resulted in a major project to repair a 150m section of the Rochdale Canal. Volunteers from the Calderdale Boat Club joined forces with the Canal & River Trust on the two-week project. The drive came from the boaters who wanted to see repairs carried out where they moor their boats. The canal was drained between locks 11 and 12 for up to 30 volunteers from the boat club to work with CRT experts to repair damaged walls and install extra mooring rings.
Bridge-naming honour
A CEREMONY was held recently on the Ty Coch site to thank all those who have put so much into the project this year. A surprise presentation was made by Lord German to Coun Bob Wellington, leader of Torfaen County Borough Council, of a sign naming Bridge 36 the Bob Wellington Bridge. Bob has long been a supporter of MBACT (Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust) and the restoration of the canal. The naming of this bridge in the middle of the Ty Coch flight is a lasting tribute to everything he has done. (MBACT E_Mag, January)
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Wappenshall restoration project Plan for Medway Queen threatened by funding shortfall to mark ‘little ships’ 75th THE Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust has made an urgent appeal for help to keep afloat a £1.5 million project to restore the warehouses and basin at Wappenshall. A Heritage Lottery Fund grant will contribute £1 million towards this, leaving the SNCT with another £500,000 to find. So far £70,000 has been raised from other funding sources and a direct appeal to members has added a further £20,000 of pledged funds, with more coming in every day. The fundraising team have studied more than 200 grant-funding bodies to check eligibility and applications have been made to over 100 of these, but so far with little return. One major local authority grant of £100,000, that SNCT was advised to bid for and assured would be successful, has been turned down. A spokesman said: “We are still pursuing other funding sources and, as mentioned above, we have appealed to our 1250 members to pledge their support – if even half of them pledge
New patrons for vessel
THE Medway Queen Preservation Society has announced the appointment of two new patrons. The first was Lord West of Spithead who was First Sea Lord from 2002 to 2006 and then chairman of the National Security Forum until 2010. He is a former trustee of the Imperial War Museum, chancellor of Southampton Solent University and president of the Merchant Navy Medal Fund. He has been joined by Sir William McAlpine who is active in many railway and other transport restoration projects.
Steering the way
The canal passes under the wharf.
THE Russell Newbery Register continues an introduction to Black Country language in its winter newsletter in readiness for its 2015 rally on the BCN. Snippets include joobus (dubious), ockerd (awkward) and pothery (close and stuffy).
Owd Lanky interest
THE recently formed Owd Lanky Boaters Group on the Lancaster Canal now has 200 members from as far afield as USA and Canada.
KNISELY-MARPOLE
something, this will make a significant dent in the amount we need to raise. “We have a deadline later in 2015 to raise the full amount of match funding needed, but if we do not reach our target by then, the pledges will not be called in, so members will know that if they make a pledge and we do call it in, the fundraising has been successful.” So far the SNCT has had a HLF Round 1 payment of £72,000 to pay for all the preparatory work required and then has to apply for the balance of its £1 million grant. The plans are all now in place but because of the funding shortfall, the trust has had to put off making this application. There is now a real possibility that the Wappenshall project will be deferred by the HLF, so if anyone has any idea where the SNCT can obtain the match funding required, please contact chairman Bernie Jones, details at www.sncanal.org.uk or call 07971 016322.
Working boat Python receives another grant THE Chesterfield Canal Trust has been awarded another grant to restore its historic working boat Python. National Historic Ships UK has made an award of £1000 towards the cost of repairs to the hull. Jan Warsop of the trust said: “We are delighted that this well-loved vessel can now receive the love and attention that she deserves. We can’t wait to get her back on the water, helping the
THANKS to the Narrow Boat Trust Co Ltd for sending us a copy of its magazine The Steerer (autumn issue). A new one to our bookshelf, it makes interesting reading with some informative articles well illustrated with photographs. The trust owns working boats Brighton and Nuneaton and carries solid fuels from the Midlands to the southern waterways as well as promoting the use of such boats at festivals and other events.
More Black Country lingo
Wappenshall Wharf: a funding crisis could jeopardise restoration plans. PHOTOS: RICHARD
Python awaiting repair in Paul Barber’s boatyard.
Canal & River Trust and visiting boat rallies where she has many friends.” Python is an 86-year-old ex-British Waterways working boat and is on the National Historic Vessels Register. It was acquired by the trust in 2009 and is used as a floating promotional vehicle at boat rallies across the canal system in the summer. In the winter, the trust’s volunteers use it to help the Canal & River Trust with maintenance tasks on the Chesterfield Canal. Over a year ago, it sprung a leak and a detailed inspection found that much of the hull was very seriously corroded and would need major repairs. Unfortunately, a bid for help to the Heritage Lottery Fund failed, but the Inland Waterways Association stepped in with a major grant just before Christmas. Python has been stored at Paul Barber’s boatyard on the Erewash Canal for over a year. The crew are now busy preparing it for the repair work, which will take place in the summer. It is hoped that Python will return to the Chesterfield Canal in the autumn ready for its maintenance role.
Busy year for the Friends of Slough Canal PROGRESS has been made on various fronts over the past year, according to the Friends of Slough Canal. Co-operation with ‘officialdom’ along with organisation of volunteers on practical work has contributed towards the aim of turning the canal into a well-used amenity for the people of Slough. Throughout the year the group has been working hand-in-hand with the waterway’s owner, the Canal & River Trust. Among the results achieved have been the installation of signposts at strategic points, extensive repair work on Trenches Bridge, Langley and Meads Bridge, Iver, and the first dredging of the canal for many years. This made a major contribution to the success of September’s Slough Canal Festival, organised by Slough Borough Council with help from the Friends group. Last spring’s towpath tidy and litter pick in March was attended by more than 30 volunteers and dealt with over half the length of the canal from Mansion Lane Bridge, Iver, to the basin at Stoke Road, Slough. This year’s event is scheduled for March 21. The friends group has also been active in promoting wildlife along the canal, including wildflower planting and the creation of a ‘pollinator patch’ by Trenches Bridge, one of
seven sites chosen in England, Scotland and Wales to boost plant diversity and stem the decline in bees and other pollinating insects. The welfare of bird life on the canal is regularly monitored. With an eye to the future, contact has been maintained with statutory and other bodies concerned with infrastructure and amenity projects affecting the canal. Examples include: improvements to Bloom Park (Slough Borough Council); redevelopment of Stoke Road Basin (Canal & River Trust); and promotion of a navigable waterway link between the canal and the Thames (London Waterway Partnership). The CRT is currently engaged in a preliminary study, bringing together previous proposals, which it is to be hoped may lead to its eventual construction. The Friends committee of eight people is dependent on an army of members and supporters, communication being maintained through the Facebook page and distribution of minutes of meetings. ● Readers who want to know more should call 07542 168444 (answerphone service) or visit Facebook Group: Friends of Slough Canal.
THE Medway Queen Preservation Society (New Medway Steam Packet Co Ltd) has been awarded a transition grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund for 2015. This will enable the society to plan and implement a muchneeded reorganisation and begin preparation for major funding applications. It is primarily aimed at bringing the society’s legal structure and governance up to date and fitting it for the increased responsibilities that the restored ship brings, and will contribute to specific aspects of the project’s overheads in the coming year. The society hopes to raise funds to be able to make a temporary move to Ramsgate to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Dunkirk with the Little Ships. This is an opportunity to raise the project’s profile and encourage visitors, but the necessary tow and insurance costs are high. It is also hoped to repeat previous successes with apprentices and trainees which require grant funding to cover supervisory staff and materials. The amount of this work that can be done will be entirely dependent on the level of funding that can be achieved. Some restoration progress has been made thanks to funding by the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, The Ironmongers’ Foundation and the Headley Trust. In November 2014 the BBC filmed on board Medway Queen for an episode of Heirloom Detectives. This is a follow-up to an Antiques Roadshow programme that featured the grandson of Medway Queen’s captain at Dunkirk. The daughter of MQ’s 1st Lieutenant, John Graves, also took part in the programme and has loaned her father’s dress sword for display in the visitor centre. The programme is expected to be broadcast in March. ● During the Dunkirk anniversary year, Medway Queen and its visitor centre will be open from 11am to 4pm every Saturday up to December 12 (last admissions strictly 3pm). Please note that ship access is subject to operational requirements of the restoration and other factors so check first on 01634 575717 if you are travelling any distance. Disabled access is limited and subject to tide conditions.
It is hoped that the Medway Queen can be towed to Ramsgate for the Dunkirk anniversary commemorations. PHOTO: MQPS
Thumbs up for six tonne manual hydraulic bridge PROGRESS has been made on the replacement of Lodgemore Bridge in Stroud, reports the Cotswold Canals Trust. The original wooden swing bridge was operated by boaters hauling coal and grain along the Stourwater Navigation. It was replaced with a metal swing bridge in the 1920s. Engineer Angela Rowbotham has used her own boating experience to come up with a single pylon, manually operated hydraulic bascule bridge. Raising the six tonne bridge deck by manual winding is assisted by a six tonne kentledge, or counter weight. Planning permission has been granted by Stroud District Council. Eel and fish pass apparatus at the upper end of a concrete channel bywash has been attracting interest at Wallbridge Lower Lock. As well as helping the migration of fish and eels, the dual purpose construction also carries heavy flows of water from Slad Brook.
An artist’s impression of the new Lodgemore Bridge. PHOTO:
COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST
NETWORKING 9
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Imagination will see new waterway built, says mayor By Geoff Courtney
THE chairman of the consortium at the heart of the proposed Bedford – Milton Keynes waterway has spoken exclusively to Towpath Talk about his belief in the £200 million project. Bedford mayor Dave Hodgson chairs the collection of local authorities and other organisations that is charged with progressing the scheme, which was first mooted in 1811, subsequently lay dormant for 180 years and was resurrected in 1995 with the formation of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. As the trust developed ideas for the scheme, which was – and remains – dismissed by some and welcomed by others, the consortium was set up in 2010 under such terms of reference as providing “consistent and constructive advocacy” for the project, exerting influence at local, regional and national level to promote the plans and forming partnerships to turn the dream into reality. Mr Hodgson was appointed chairman and under his wing are representatives of Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes councils, the Bedford & MK Waterway Trust, the Environment Agency, the Canal & River Trust, the Marston Vale Trust and the Parks Trust. Achievements since 1995 include the entire 16mile route, between Kempston, near Bedford, and the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes, being given protection, and the building of two underpasses, one of which is beneath the M1. To sceptics, such progress is so minimal that it supports their belief that the project has no hope of coming to fruition. The mayor is, not surprisingly, having none of it, although he understands the reasons for such negativity. “It has taken 204 years to reach this stage – why would people not be cynical? I am not going to say it will be easy, but it is achievable, perhaps by 2030, some 20 years after the formation of the consortium. There is a lot of stuff in the pipeline and I believe it will happen.”
Economic benefits
Such belief may be considered PR speak – Mr Hodgson, who is a Liberal Democrat, is a seasoned politician and a directly elected mayor who faces an election in May – but he backs up his views with persuasive rhetoric. “The economic benefits would be great. More than 50% of the route could be developed, including housing, and an advantage for residential building would be the increase in value due to the proximity of the waterway.” This claim is supported by University of Newcastle research, which has shown that houses overlooking water, such as canals or the sea, can command a premium of 18%. “Canal users would bring in money to benefit the local economy, and the waterway would open up the possibility of three-day holidays due to nice places in the area for boaters to visit,” said the 55-year-old mayor. “In addition, people would want to use the waterway for events, and the towpath could become a cycle route and also be used by runners as well as walkers. There would be a complex of benefits across a lot of activities.” The waterway, said the mayor, would be built by dividing the route into 26 parcels, each of which would be a stand-alone project, incorporating a series of linear lakes. In addition to developers, who are key to the entire scheme, other possible funding sources, he said, could be the Heritage Lottery Fund, charities and the public, while the trust would also consider calling on volunteer help. Aha, say the naysayers, never mind courting developers, never mind promoting all the perceived benefits of such a waterway, never mind talk of volunteers and the Lottery. What of Brogborough Hill?
Dave Hodgson on the River Great Ouse in Bedford. The town’s mayor chairs the consortium that is a part of the £200 million project to build a waterway between the county town and Milton Keynes.
PHOTO: BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
With Bedford located on the cusp of East Anglia, the terrain of the waterway’s proposed route reflects the flat fenlands of this part of England, and thus presents few engineering challenges. Except, that is, for said hill. This obstacle is situated roughly halfway along the route, close to junction 13 of the M1, and while its height of 325ft is not of mountainous proportions, it is high enough to make the waterway’s promoters take a sharp intake of breath. To the road builders who recently improved the nearby A421, such a geographical feature was doubtless little more than a hiccup. But to canal engineers, it is something else.
Engineering issues
Mr Hodgson admits that it presents “engineering issues”, which is certainly one way of putting it. Others may put it another way, using such words as “insurmountable” or “unaffordable”. Once more, the mayor leaps to the defence of the project. The solutions he offered as we spoke were a lift, a Falkirk-style wheel or a series of lock gates. “The Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust is an imaginative group and I am confident there will be a solution, and indeed am curious about what that solution will be. Perhaps there may be an engineering competition to find that solution. We do not know the cost, but I know one thing – it won’t be as expensive as HS2!” He said that if the solution was innovative enough, it would, as with the Falkirk Wheel which is visited by 400,000 people annually, become an attraction in itself. “We will figure it out,” he said. Far from being an unsolvable nightmare, the mayor believes Brogborough Hill could, ironically, be the linchpin that completes the Bedford-MK waterway project. “If we got the waterway to the edge of the hill on either side, then we would have the excitement of people wanting us to make the final connection.” Of the entire project, he says: “We would be limited only by imagination. The route has tremendous scope. People would go for walks along the towpath, there would be industrial and residential benefits and benefits for the boating and tourist industries. It will be an attraction for people who are on the water and those who are not. If we do not have hope and aspiration, we do not have a future.” The mayor, his consortium colleagues and members of the Bedford & MK Waterway Trust have a hill to climb both literally and metaphorically. But imagination, innovation, and gaining the support of the public, developers and associated industries may just be the key to unlock this 200-year-old dream.
Successful winter for Dudley canals DUDLEY Canal Trust has celebrated a successful winter, with visitor figures showing a dramatic increase compared with 2013 figures. Visitor attendance in the last quarter of 2014 showed a massive 23% rise from the same period in 2013, leaving the attraction over 10% up across the year. The trust’s annual Santa boat trips were particularly successful this year. With boats sold out as early as November, extra days were added to cope with the demand.
“This continued growth is great news for us,” said Nick Morris, chief executive of the Dudley Canal Trust. “We’re thrilled to continue to be one of Dudley’s favourite attractions, consistently attracting new visitors to us.” Visitors are encouraged to return to visit again in 2015, with all new developments including a new sound and light show in the famous Singing Cavern launching in February half term and many new events and activities throughout the year.
10 VOLUNTEERING
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WORK PARTY ROUNDUP WITH IWA’S STEFANIE PRESTON
Bottle tops, bangers and mash among Stoke finds THICK fog and an iced-over canal did not deter people from turning out to clean up the Trent & Mersey Canal through Stoke-on-Trent in early February. The annual Stoke-on-Trent Canal clean-up this year was centred on Middleport, and was organised by IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and supported by the Canal & River Trust, Trent & Mersey Canal Society, Burslem Port Trust and the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. The volunteers worked as far as the Tunstall Bypass Bridge in one direction and the start of Festival Park in the other direction, a distance of over two miles. Twenty-five bags of litter were collected from along the towpath and included a number of curious finds such as 40 blue plastic bottle tops without any bottles, a string of sausages and a floating bag of potatoes. The channel was cleared of submerged rubbish under four bridges, as well as quite a few objects being retrieved from the canal opposite Middleport Pottery, where there is an access point on to the towpath. Unbroken ice on the canal gave a new dimension to even the most experienced of grapplers, with the first few throws of the grappling hook being required to just break through the ice. Of the various bicycles that were pulled out, Alan Christian of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust hopes that one of them will be able to be recycled for use
Volunteers at IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch’s January work party.
PHOTO: BOB LUSCOMBE
Training day in the West Country VOLUNTEERS with the IWA West Country Branch undertook vegetation clearance and training sessions in January. Twelve volunteers arrived at Bathpool and were divided into two groups. The first group cleared excess vegetation growth and used this to make a dead hedge for the benefit of the local wildlife. Meanwhile, the second group of six volunteers were trained by Canal & River Trust staff and successfully gained accreditation in the safe use of various power tools. Over 50 volunteer hours were given by the group and two new volunteers were welcomed to the team. All in all, the branch was pleased with a very successful day.
Volunteers build a dead hedge from cleared vegetation at the IWA West Country Branch work party. PHOTO: MIKE SLADE
VOLUNTEERS with IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch completed a good day’s work at the end of January and managed to clear all the saplings from the offside bank at Cow Lane (Union Terrace). The branch took on the task having received a request from local residents and businesses who had noticed the area was attracting lots of litter. It is great to see such interest from the local community.
Volunteers at IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch’s January work party. PHOTO: MIKE CARTER
FORTHCOMINGWORK PARTY EVENTS Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangement indicated.
Sunday, March 1
Two of the volunteers with bikes hauled from the canal at Middleport. PHOTO:ALISON SMEDLEY in his ‘Blenderbike’ project, which will give the public an opportunity to blend their own smoothies using pedal power when the project gets out and about to local events. Two truckloads of assorted scrap, including car parts, fencing panels, insulation material, a mattress, about five bicycles, fishing wire and a gearbox were taken away at the end of the day. Volunteers then enjoyed a well-earned warming cup of tea and cake in the Middleport Pottery cafe.
Historical ramp discovered on Macclesfield Canal ON A cold January day, eight volunteers turned out to support the first Congleton Work Party of 2015. Their objective was to clear litter that had accumulated over a number of years from a 1.5 mile stretch of the Macclesfield Canal between
Making an impression with the local community
Congleton Wharf and the Brookhouse Lane Bridge (no. 72). Recent ‘hedge to edge’ cutting had exposed a considerable amount of litter and the volunteers collected over 15 bags of rubbish as well as a significant amount of cardboard and polystyrene packing together with a number of furniture items that had been fly-tipped over a period of many months. At the end of the day, the entire 1.5 mile length of towpath and adjoining embankment had been cleared. A few of the volunteers also uncovered an historical ramp that used to run from the towpath up to a canal keeper’s cottage. The existence of this ramp was originally identified by one of the regular volunteers from historical maps from the beginning of the last century. Having identified and cleared a small section of the ramp, volunteers plan to try and restore the ramp back to its former status over coming months, which would open up a new access point to the canal towpath for all to enjoy.
Branch’s first work party of the year
IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch volunteers met at Lime Kiln Bridge on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in January to carry out a litter pick through the town as far as Caldwall Lock and back. The group collected about eight bags of rubbish. After warnings of snow, cold and more to come, it was a relief to find the weather bright and sunny, but cold enough to be happy for a lunchtime finish.
Rubbish clearance yields rich pickings A GROUP of eight volunteers from IWA Northampton Branch turned out at the end of January to carry on their good work tidying up the canal at Far Cotton, after being presented with a Volunteer Recognition Award by the Canal & River Trust South East. The award was given in connection with the group’s adoption and care of the entire four-mile Northampton Arm between Gayton Junction and Northampton. It proved to be a reasonable winter’s day, perfect for the jobs in hand, which included tidying up the lock island by Lock 17 and vegetation removal on the block paved towpath between Lock 17 and the B&Q footbridge, done by the volunteers using an industrialtype floor scraper. Finally, rubbish clearance at Bridge 14 near Briar Hill resulted in rich pickings, such as nine shopping trollies, two bicycles and a mattress, all removed from the canal using grappling irons. Overall, a very satisfying and tiring day.
IWA Warwickshire Branch: Leamington Spa Canal Clean-up. Meet at Clemens Street Bridge (Br.40), Clemens Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 2DN. 10am-1pm, all are welcome. Contact info.warwickshire @waterways.org.uk
Tuesday, March 3
IWA Northampton Branch: Monthly work party on the Northampton Arm. Contact Geoff Wood by email Geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk
Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 and Saturday 7th
IWA Ipswich Branch supporting River Gipping Trust: Pipps Ford (Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LJ) or Baylham Mill Lock (Mill Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LG) River Gipping. Meet at 9am to continue clearing storm damage to Pipps Ford or carry out maintenance at Baylham Mill Lock, finish at 3.30-4pm. Contact Martin Bird 01394 380765, restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk
Wednesday, March 11
IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch: Monthly work party on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Tasks to include painting, tidying and vegetation clearance at a location to be confirmed. Contact David Struckett 07976 746255, david.struckett@waterways.org.uk
Thursday, March 12
IWA Northampton Branch: Volunteers will work on Mile Post 3 adjacent to Lock 15. The Mile Post has been partly buried so the branch plans to excavate around it, lift it out and refix in at the correct height. Meet at Hunsbury Hill Avenue NN4 8JN. 10am-2pm. Anyone hoping to attend should contact Geoff Wood 01604 453932 geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust. New monthly work party on the Uttoxeter Canal, 10am-3pm. Vegetation clearance at Bridge 70, Crumpwood. No parking available at site so please meet at 9.30am at Denstone Village Hall, College Road, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HR for a lift, or meet on site at Bridge 70 at 10am having made your own way on foot. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve.wood@waterways.org.uk
Thursday, March 19
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Monthly work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal, 10am to 4pm. Painting and vegetation clearance. Meeting point to be confirmed. Contact: Andy Hellyar-Brook 07926 204206, andy.hellyarbrook@waterways.org.uk
Friday, to Monday March 20-23
IWA Lichfield Branch: Path completion work party at Brindley Bank, Rugeley. The CRT will again be funding the roadstone and machinery but volunteers are needed to do the work. Any help would be much appreciated, either for a day or for a few hours. Meet at the bottom of the steps by the aqueduct, accessed along the footpath between Albany Drive and the pumping station, off Wolseley Road, Rugeley WS15 2QY. 9.30am-4pm each day, weather permitting. Lunch, hot drinks and cake will be provided. If you can help please contact Margaret Beardsmore 07581 794111 margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk
Saturday, March 21
IWA Manchester Branch: Monthly work party at a venue to be confirmed in the Greater Manchester area, 10am-4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk or phone 07710 554602
Sunday, March 22
IWA Warwickshire Branch: Hatton work party at Hatton Locks, Birmingham Road, Warwick CV35 7JL. Park and meet at Oaklands Farm Kennels near the Shell garage on Birmingham Road, Warwick. 10am-3pm. Tea and coffee will be available. For further information email info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk IWA Northampton Branch: Monthly work party on the Northampton Arm. Contact Geoff Wood by email Geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk
Tuesday, March 24
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting the Burslem Port Trust. New monthly work party on the Burslem Arm. Meet at Luke St, Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3LY. 10am-3pm. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve.wood@waterways.org.uk
Friday, March 27
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch: Work party in Congleton as part of the Congleton Station project, 10am to approximately 12.30pm. Work will include vegetation clearance and litter picking to help improve the environment around Congleton Railway Station, the Macclesfield Canal Towpath and Hightown. Meet at the Queen’s Head Pub, Park Lane, Congleton CW12 3DE. Contact Bob Luscombe 07710 054848, bob.luscombe@waterways.org.uk
Friday and Saturday, March 27-28
IWA Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch and Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association (ECPDA): Canal clean-up on the Erewash Canal. Friday will be led by ECPDA with support from the local IWA branch and Saturday by IWA Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch with support from ECPDA. All volunteers are welcome to come along to either or both days. On Friday meet at Gallows Inn Pub car park DE7 5BN at 9.30am, work will progress along the towpath finishing at about 3pm at Sandiacre Lock. On Saturday, work will continue from this point and volunteers should meet at Sandiacre Lock, Lock Lane NG10 5LB (parking limited so may have to park in adjacent streets) at 9.30am, work will again progress along the towpath and finish at about 3pm at Trent Lock. Lifts to return to the start point will be arranged for both days. Contact Stefanie Preston 01494 783453 ext 610 stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk
Saturday, March 28
IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Monthly work party at various locations alongside the Shropshire Union Canal in the Chester area. 10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Mike Carter 07795 617803, mike.carter@waterways.org.uk
Sunday, March 29
IWA South Yorkshire & Dukeries Branch: Canal clean-up at Tinsley, Sheffield. Meet at Tinsley Marina. 10am-1pm followed by pie and peas for those who order in advance. Details from Mavis Paul 07725 464611 mavis.paul@waterways.org.uk
For further information on any of these events contact: Alison Smedley, IWA branch campaign officer (07779 090915 or email alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk) or Stefanie Preston, IWA branch campaign assistant (01494 783453 or email stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk). Information can also be found on IWA’s website: www.waterways.org.uk
VOLUNTEERING 11
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Local volunteers turn out to clean up the River Lee THE Canal & River Trust is seeking more people to join the River Lee Towpath Taskforce following a successful event on Thursday, January 15, when volunteers turned out to help clear around 60 sacks of rubbish from the river at Enfield. These clean-ups encourage people to come out, get their hands dirty and help protect some of the most important heritage and wildlife habitats along the river. Becky Williams, Canal & River Trust volunteer leader said: “The event was a lot of fun. Why do people do it? Well everyone has their own reasons, usually it’s a mix of being part of a nice friendly group, being outdoors, caring for your local environment, or just being beside the water. “You don’t need any special skills to join, just turn up in some suitable outdoor clothes and we will help you with the rest.” Murray Scott and David Edwards both had careers as directors of companies in the City of London and have become friends through volunteering together. Murray said: “We could have spent our retirement playing golf or sitting around, but we wanted to do something useful and meet up with some friends. They call us conservation volunteers, but we call ourselves conversation volunteers!” Another volunteer Geoff Page, said: “I grew up by the Lee, I fished in it, swam in it, boated on it, walked by it, I live just nearby, so this is my chance to tidy her up a bit.”
Taskforce volunteers beside the River Lee.
PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST
Projects the Taskforce complete include litter picking, painting, towpath maintenance, repairs to listed structures, creating wildlife habitats and tree planting, among others. ● The group meets on the third Thursday of each month, lunch and refreshments are provided. For more details about getting involved contact rebecca.williams@canalriver trust.org.uk 07799 436816
Could you meet and greet boaters in Liverpool? By Harry Arnold
IN AN appeal for a different type of volunteer job the Canal & River Trust (CRT) is looking for people with a passion for Liverpool to greet boaters mooring in the city. The volunteers are needed to greet and look after boaters who have travelled through the Liverpool Link waterway to moor in Albert and Salthouse docks. In navigating the Link, boats pass along the city’s historic waterfront and pass many of Liverpool’s
Volunteers are wanted to greet moorers in Liverpool.
PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
museums, restaurants and galleries and when moored are in the midst of the many attractions and facilities of the World Heritage Site, such as the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Tate at Liverpool and the Museum of Liverpool Life; also right next to the Liverpool One shopping centre. The role will involve being on hand to meet and talk to boaters and other visitors, helping with any enquiries they may have and explaining the role of CRT. Volunteers will get full training and will work with other volunteers and employees who will help build up their knowledge. CRT volunteer development coordinator Matt Taylor said: “We are not looking for people who are waterway experts, but we are looking for people who are friendly and approachable and know who to ask if they don’t know the immediate answer.” He added: “They will be playing a key role in meeting and greeting the arriving boats, ensure they are on the correct mooring, provide any local information they may need, and make sure they have a fantastic stay in the city.” ● Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer in Liverpool can find out more on – www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/ volunteer
Recognition for small tasks volunteer team THE Small Tasks Team Volunteers working with the Canal & River Trust in the North Wales and Borders region have been awarded a CRT Volunteer Recognition Certificate. This is for consistently delivering a high technical standard of work on small
construction and enhancement projects during 2014. The presentation was made at the CRT volunteer ‘thank you’ event which took place in December at Anderton. A wide variety of projects are planned by STTV for this year throughout the North Wales and
Borders waterways. These were due to start in January with a return to Barbridge to complete the improvement work to the visitor moorings access on the north side of the junction. It is then expected to work on two projects in the Nantwich area.
Taskforce connects with the local community
Carry on camping with the Waterway Recovery Group
BACK in action for 2015, is the nearly new Huddersfield Broad Towpath Taskforce, writes Geoff Wood. The task force which has been concentrating so far on lock painting on the Broad Canal is making a good impact with the local community, say organisers. Co-ordinator Claire McDonald said: “We have attracted a small band of regular volunteers and have regular attendance from students at Kirklees College. “These sessions are very important in helping us make connections within the local community. If we have brought a few new people on to the waterways then we have been successful.”
WATERWAY Recovery Group volunteers spent over 40,000 hours in 2014 restoring canals, planning Canal Camps, going on weekend digs, attending festivals and much more. They worked on 21 restoration sites from Driffield Navigation in the North East to Somersetshire Coal Canal in the South West. The first Canal Camp of 2015 is on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation from February 14-21 with Bob Crow and Bob Coles leading the camp. At Easter WRG head to Bowbridge Lock (March 28-April 4/April 4-11) on the Cotswold Canals with camps from March 28-April 4 and April 4-11.
● More volunteers are still sought and Claire McDonald can be contacted on 07920 295943, email: Claire.mcdonald@ canalrivertrust.org.uk
● For a 2015 WRG Canal Camp brochure email enquiries@wrg.org.uk with your name and address. www.waterways.org.uk/wrg
12 HEDGEROW FOCUS/COMMUNITY BOATING
Winter work keeps canal ‘navvies’ busy
THE Shropshire Union Canal Society has conducted hedge-laying sessions during the winter months, for a number of years, at several locations on the Montgomery Canal. Volunteers are currently working along the Montgomery Canal towpath at Arddleen, having started in December 2014. An average of 18 volunteers attend each session which takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month until March. These are being organised this year by the Canal & River Trust, who supply the tools and other equipment but the volunteer work force is provided by society members.
A work party at Arddleen.
SUCS volunteers hedge-laying along the Montgomery Canal towpath. PHOTOS: SUCS
Local people have been very enthusiastic about the work being done, which is excellent publicity for the Montgomery Canal, and, current preparation by the Montgomery Canal Partnership, for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £3.7 million in September 2015. The purpose of the HLF grant is to restore the whole section of canal between Pryce’s Bridge and the winding hole at Crickheath and other projects in the area. This extension will allow boats to turn round at Crickheath and thus bring another 2.5km of canal into full use, which will benefit the local community. The society’s main project is channel restoration which is suspended during winter months. The new restoration project, Pryce’s Bridge to Crickheath is due to start in April.
A canalside style of hedge-laying THERE are an estimated 2000 miles of canalside hedge in the UK, towpaths mainly being looked after by volunteers most of whom are not very familiar with hedge-laying. National Hedgelaying Society member Roger May, who is also a member of the Chichester Canal volunteer team, helped lay a hedge in the South of England (SOE) style in 2012. But it wasn’t long before local kids started using the stakes as javelins which ended up in the canal. A rethink was required so Roger, along with society members Ian Runcie and John List developed a pragmatic style which they hope could form the basis of a national canalside style. Photos from the early 20th century showed newly layed hedges using live stakes (crops) which they understand is known as the crop and pleach style which is still practised in parts of
Wales. It involves laying the pleachers and leaving every fifth or sixth trunk as a live stake. This is pleached at three feet or so and layed on top as a binder to maintain this height. Using this as a basis, Roger and the team improvised as they went along and layed 200m of canalside hedge, the main criteria being wildlife preservation rather than stock proofing. An article was published in the South of England and national hedge laying magazines and they hope to bring their efforts to the attention of other canal trusts where volunteer groups may be faced with miles of untended hedgerow and inadequate funds. Roger told Towpath Talk that the style has received some local interest with conservation groups as it is more suitable for inexperienced volunteers as well as from the office of the Prince of Wales who is patron of the society.
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Serving the community In this issue Derek Stansfield, director of training for the National Community Boats Association, looks at how members’ websites reflect their dedication and commitment.
SERVING the community is the underlining and combining principle of all the members of the National Community Boats Association. In one form or another this is written into the constitution of all our members, some explicitly and some covertly. What is apparent is the diversity of that service and the vast array of provision there is. It is also evident that the vast majority, if not all of these projects, rely massively on volunteers. To illustrate this point a look around a few of our members’ websites will give sufficient evidence. For example: East Manchester Community Boat project states: “Our object is to provide or assist in the provision of facilities, in the interests of social welfare, for recreation, education or other leisure time, occupation of persons mainly in the East of Manchester and Greater Manchester areas, who have need of such facilities by reason of their disability. In the event of spare capacity to also include persons who are disadvantaged by social and economic circumstances with the object of improving and enhancing their conditions of life.” Canalability based at Harlow says: “We are a registered charity dedicated to working with community, youth and family groups especially those with disabled people.” Laburnum Boat Club in London has two narrowboats (one of which is wheelchair accessible) running day trips for youth, community, educational and welfare groups. One of our newest members New Reflections is an organisation that provides dedicated care for young people and covers the following areas: ● Early Intervention: Youth engagement programmes, respite breaks, foster care support and care leavers support. ● Residential Care Services: Emotional behavioural difficulties, learning disabilities and semi-independence. ● Education: DFE registered school to educate up to 28 pupils ages 11-18 years, offering Key Stages 3 and 4, following National Curriculum and Alternative Curriculum, open to day students (those who, for whatever reason, cannot access main stream schooling), vocational training and partnership with colleges and local education authorities.
Trip boats
The Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust operates three 70ft narrowboats for use by groups from Walsall and surrounding areas. Two of these for residential youth and community trips, one a day-trip boat, with wheelchair access for elderly, disadvantaged and disabled groups. In the East Midlands one of our members, the Chesterfield Canal Trust, is dedicated to the promotion and restoration of the Chesterfield Canal, while Eckington School is a schoolbased project offering trips to families, groups etc through shared provision with the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The Thames and Kennet Narrow Boat Trust is a community-based project dedicated to providing young people with an inland waterways boating experience they will never forget. Swinton Lock Activity Centre is based on the South Yorkshire Navigation Canal at Swinton; the centre provides arts and environmental activities, including boat trips and boat handling courses for all ages. This then is just a snapshot of a few of our projects but it does give a flavour of the diversity within the NCBA. In trawling through all the websites the word ‘dedicated’ continuously appeared, whether it be in relation to the personal, the provision or the ideal. Alongside this as mentioned before was the word volunteers, without which many of our projects would not exist. Therefore it is right that the NCBA at its annual conference and AGM in March looks at both the issues of ‘Serving the Community’ and ‘Volunteering’ not only in maintaining our waterway network but also enhancing what we believe are essential services to the community. CANAL & River Trust chief executive, Richard Parry, will be the keynote speaker at the NCBA annual conference and AGM on Thursday, March 19 which has the theme of Serving the Community. It will take place at the Forest Arts and Media Centre, Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall WS3 1AG, starting at 10.30am following registration with tea/coffee from 10am. Lunch is provided. Other presentations include: The diversity of service provided by the NCBA, and volunteering and adoption of sections of canals. The AGM will include the election of officers and trustees. To book or for further details contact Bob Ratcliffe on 07921 404757 by email on staff@national-cba.co.uk
● For more about the different styles of hedgelaying, visit www.hedgelaying.org.uk
Historic canalside hedges to be revived A PROJECT to restore canalside hedgerows along the Coventry Canal near Whittington is under way by the Canal & River Trust and the Tamworth Towpath Taskforce group following a nationwide survey last year to stop a decline of 50% since the Second World War. The group began by repairing and replanting a 50m section, filling in gaps between hedgerows and helping to connect important habitats together. A 600-mile survey, made possible by £50,000 funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, was the biggest ever health check of the nation’s waterside hedgerows and identified ways that they could be improved as lifelines for wildlife. The survey revealed that over half the hedgerows across the country were in good condition and 25% of hedges recorded were thought to be less than 10-years-old, showing good progress in recent years. Hawthorn was found to be the most common hedge species along with ash, blackthorn, elder and hazel. Tom Freeland, volunteer coordinator for the Canal & River Trust said: “Hedgerows are more than just important features in the landscape, they are lifelines for some of our most threatened wildlife. Once lost it takes years to re-establish a new hedge, but thanks to this support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, we’ll be able to run hedge laying and planting days with our volunteers along the region’s waterways and begin to reinvigorate our canalside hedgerows.”
A canalside hedgerow. PHOTO: CRT Stuart Moodie, senior ecologist for the Canal & River Trust added: “The growing threat of habitat loss has meant that many of Britain’s most at risk species, including dormice and water voles, as well as farmland birds such as blackbirds, thrushes and tree sparrows will all benefit from establishing new hedgerow corridors.” Many stretches of canalside hedgerow are over 200 years old and are the canals oldest established habitat. They would originally have been planted by 18th century canal builders to protect the towpath from cattle and other livestock. However, changes to farming practices in the UK saw traditional hedges removed or replaced with barbed wire fences.
Near Keighley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. PHOTO: DEREK STANSFIELD ● Follow NCBA on Facebook.com/NationalCBA and Twitter @CommunityBoats. Blogging at http://blog.national-cba.co.uk
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13
14 NEWS FOCUS
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Turning the spotlight on Liverpool Harry Arnold looks at the city where his great-grandfather traded out of Albert Dock as skipper of a Mersey sailing flat. Harry studied at Liverpool College of Art and served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on depot ships based in Salthouse Dock. LIVERPOOL’S Albert Dock complex is to host a new boat show to run concurrently with the 2015 International Mersey River Festival over the weekend of June 5-7. Last year the River Festival attracted around 200,000 visitors. Entitled The Northern Boat Show, it is being arranged by Carnah Events, which has mounted other exhibitions such as The Northern Home Show in Manchester and The Southern Home Show in London. The organisers expect that there will be around 150 exhibitors and 60 boats attracting an estimated 25,000 visitors. Support has come from the Albert Dock, Gower Street Estates and the Canal & River Trust. Albert Dock will showcase the latest sailing and power boats, with smaller craft on display in the adjacent Salthouse Dock and a land-based exhibition on the Salthouse Dock quayside. The organisers say that the show will cover every aspect of the leisure marine industry from boat builders, sail makers, chandlers and engine manufacturers to marine finance, clothing specialists and navigation equipment. A much more ambitious boat show – in terms of
duration – was planned for the site in 2011 and appeared to founder because of the then dramatic fall in boat sales and lack of exhibitor bookings. Director of the Northern Boat Show, Richard Milbourn, said: “Market research shows that half of all UK boat ownership is north of Birmingham and yet the major UK boat shows are based in Southampton and London.” (They appear to have overlooked Crick.) The show will be free to all River Festival visitors and serious boat owners will be able to buy premium tickets to give them exclusive access to the specialist areas. Early Bird tickets for pontoon access to the boats are currently £2.50 per day, with the price going to £5 from Friday, May 1. The International Mersey River Festival itself has a packed programme of maritime activities for all the family and live entertainment at Music on the Waterfront. Last year saw tall ships, naval vessels, barges and narrowboats afloat; along with model boat displays, flyboarding, Zapcat racing, have-ago water sport sessions and the 25th International Canoe Polo Tournament.
Sailing ships in Canning Half Tide Dock. PHOTOS:WATERWAY IMAGES UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ● There is more about the International Mersey River Festival on www.liverpoolonthe waterfront.co.uk or follow On the Waterfront on Facebook or @lpoolwaterfront on Twitter. To book tickets for the Northern Boat Show and get regular announcements and updates, visit www.northernboatshow.co.uk
HLF boost for steam tug-tender the Danny ONE of the major recent additions to the attractions moored in Albert Dock is the Daniel Adamson – the lastsurviving Steam Tug-Tender in the UK – known affectionately to its supporting members of the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS) as the Danny. Normally moored away from
A DAPS volunteer shows visitors the Danny’s massive boilers.
the public eye on its berth in Sandon Dock, it was brought around in June and – manned by society volunteers – visitors have recently topped an amazing 10,000. Built in 1903 by the Tranmere Bay Development Company, the Danny was originally named the Ralph Brocklebank after one of the directors of its owners, the Shropshire Union Railways & Canal Co. Its initial role was to tow barges and carry people and livestock across the Mersey between the docks at Ellesmere Port and Liverpool. In 1921, it was bought by the Manchester Ship Canal Company which added two sumptuous art deco saloons and an elevated promenade deck in 1936; highly unusual features for a vessel of this type which has led it to be described by leading experts as a unique example of a miniature transatlantic liner of the 1930s.
After the refit, the tug was renamed in honour of the Manchester Ship Canal Company’s first chairman and took on a new role as an inspection vessel for directors and potential users of the canal. It continued this role until taken out of service in 1985, transporting VIP guests such as King Fuad of Egypt, the Danish royal family and former president, Dwight D Eisenhower, when they visited the area. This is how I particularly remember it passing along the canal through my then home village. Taken out of service 30 years ago, the Danny lay in Ellesmere Port but fortunately was saved from the breakers 11 years ago by the campaigners of DAPS. As we went to press came the great news that the society has been awarded £3.8 million to restore the Danny by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF);
Marina services within a few minutes’ walk of the city centre LOCATED in the heart of Liverpool City Centre docks at the Liverpool marina complex, with excellent access to the River Mersey and the inland waterways networks via the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Link, Bluepoint Marine Services caters for a variety of craft. Its services include the operation of a 60-ton travel hoist, specialist launch dock and hard standing for up to 90 vessels.
The 60-ton travel hoist in operation.
Together with its specialist marine partners at the Liverpool marina complex, Bluepoint offers a variety of services for craft in the commercial and leisure sectors. Liverpool Marina and Yacht Club has 370, mostly serviced, berths in a secure environment within a few minutes’ walk of the world-famous Albert Dock and Liverpool’s vibrant city centre.
Edmund Gardner’s dazzling display
The Daniel Adamson – viewed from the surrounding warehouse buildings in Albert Dock. the culmination of a detailed and complex bid. The tug will now be towed to a dry dock, allowing work to begin on the repair and restoration programme which is planned to be completed this year with the vessel back in service in spring 2016. Once the restoration is complete, people will have a chance to ride on this historic ship as part of a programme of cruises on the Mersey, Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal.
When not in use, it will be moored outside some of the area’s waterside museums as part of a joint education programme to help visitors, especially school children, explore the region’s important industrial and maritime history. The restoration work will mostly be carried out at the Sandon Dock berth, but DAPS is negotiating to establish an information centre in Albert Dock where once again the Danny will be a public attraction.
Trips around the Albert Dock complex
SINCE the unfortunate demise of Yellow Duck Marine’s parent company, trips around the Albert Dock complex have reverted to Liverpool Boat Charter’s Skylark. The business, which runs both regular public sailings and charters, was taken over last year by experienced enthusiast Andrew Gorrie of Heswall. Skylark operates from the opposite corner of Salthouse Dock to the main visitor moorings and its 40-minute public trips, starting every hour on the hour from 10am, take you on a circular tour of all seven of the Liverpool South Docks, right down to the Mersey entrance lock at Brunswick Dock.
A variety of vessels moored at Bluepoint Marine Services.
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
In addition to the comprehensive boatyard services, on-shore facilities include dedicated male and female showers; a lively bar and restaurant open from 7am; private conference and function rooms and ample free car parking for berth holders and customers. With customer service being of paramount importance to both Bluepoint Marine Services and Liverpool marina complex, you’re certain of a warm welcome.
LITERALLY the most colourful addition to the attractions is the repainting of the historic pilot vessel Edmund Gardner – which sits in the dry dock next to Canning Half Tide Dock – as a First World War Dazzle Ship. This dazzle camouflage was employed to optically distort the appearance of British ships in order to confuse German submarines on their distance and direction of travel. The repainting is a commission by Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez as part of the ‘14-18 NOW’ project – a major UK cultural programme to commemorate the First World War as a partnership between Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. It is a public monument for the city and the repainting was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cammell Laird and Weightmans. The ship will, however, return to its original livery to celebrate the forthcoming 150th anniversary of Liverpool Pilotage Services.
● Bookings and enquiries can be made at the tourist centre next to Skylark’s berth or on 07540 373838.
Exhibition showcases Lusitania centenary A NEW exhibition will open on March 27 on the first floor of the Liverpool Maritime Museum to mark the centenary of the sinking of the liner Lusitania, one of the most horrific incidents at sea during the First World War. Lusitania sailed from New York with 1960 people on board and on May 7, 1915, was near Kinsale off Ireland when it was torpedoed by the German submarine U-20. Lusitania sank in less than 20 minutes with the total loss of life of 1196. There is a waterway interest in this as the lookout who spotted the torpedo was 18-year-old able seaman, Leslie Morton, from Birkenhead who, later in life, became the instigator and managing director of the Willow Wren Canal Carrying Company. Morton was awarded a special medal for raising the alarm, and helping to rescue about 100 survivors. The medal is in the museum’s collection and will feature in the exhibition.
The Edmund Gardner’s First World War dazzle livery contrasts sharply with the backdrop of modern buildings.
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Removing the Stourport barrier By Steve Fila, technical director, CDMS SS E Ltd
FOR those who have never visited Stourport-on-Severn it is a delightful place and well worth a visit. For those who have, you are going to see a significant change on the waterfront. With a population of more than19,000, it is uniquely the only town in Britain built solely as a consequence of the coming of the canals. Before its growth there existed a small hamlet called Lower Mitton and two black and white houses c1600 can still be found in Mitton Street. Popular legend has it that James Brindley chose Stourport rather than Bewdley for his canal because the citizens of Bewdley did not want his ‘stinking ditch’ passing through their town. The reality is that Stourport made
CDMS brought in its 50ft hydraulic crane barge which is road transportable and can therefore work anywhere in the country.
far more sense from a topographical point of view. A canal joining the River Severn at Bewdley would have needed to cross several hills. Joining the Severn at Stourport it could follow the Stour valley and this obviously made construction much cheaper. The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal linked the River Severn with the Trent & Mersey and as a result, after Birmingham, Stourport became the busiest inland port in the Midlands. The canal opened to Stourport in 1771 and by 1812 five canal basins had been built. In 1775 the first Stourport Bridge across the Severn was built by the Canal Company. The town rapidly expanded and by the 1780s there were brass and iron foundries, a vinegar works, tan yards, worsted spinning mills, carpet mills, barge and boat building yards, warehouses, shops, houses and inns. By 1795 it had 200 houses and 1300 inhabitants. But the arrival of the railway in 1862 was to pose a major challenge to the canal. The town extended out to Newtown with Brindley Street being the main arterial road through the new residential area. During the 20th century new industries came to the town and residential expansion continued. Some of the first local authority housing in the country was built in Park Crescent and Olive Grove. Large private housing developments grew up along Windermere Way and Stagborough Way in the 1960s and 1970s.
The breakwater or barrier protected the intakes and river traffic from collision, diverted the dirty River Stour water away from the intakes and provided a walkway that could be used by personnel to periodically (using rakes on long poles) clean the outer intake coarse filter grids.
An aerial view of the power station.
CDMS Barrier Removal project
Steve Fila receives a kiss for all his hard work!
Stourport power station
The power station was officially opened on June 2, 1927, by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and was enlarged after the Second World War. The site, adjacent to the River Severn and River Stour, enabled the power station to operate without the customary cooling towers. This requirement for a copious supply of reasonably clean water meant that this could not be obtained from the River Stour, especially in winter. The water intakes were positioned in the Severn, far enough out into the river so as to avoid the debris-laden waters close to the river bank. Coal was originally brought to the power station by river and canal with a narrow gauge railway linking it through Severn Road. The branch line from Stourport station along the embankment was constructed in 1940 so that coal could be brought by rail. The power station finally closed in 1984. The cleared site has since been developed as a housing estate with the branch line left as a public right of way. The embankment was substantially removed in 2004 to make way for part of the proposed Stourport relief road and the building of the Millfields housing development.
Additional muscle was needed to lift the concrete sections and steel piles.
The project known as the Stourport Barrier Removal has been on the agenda for the past four years but the sensitive area and its wildlife meant that elements such as otter runs and hedgehog tunnels had to fit in with the site development programme. CDMS SS E Ltd won the contract after a rigorous tendering phase and began work after successfully winning the contract in early June 2014. In order to minimise effects on the environment, public access and rights of way it was decided that the entire barrier removal would be carried out entirely from the waterside of the site. The only available navigable channel close enough to the structure, however, was a mere 0.8m deep. This required a bespoke approach as the 55m length of reinforced concrete barrier and 60m of steel piles, which all had to be cut off underwater and removed from site, would require additional muscle to lift the concrete sections and steel piles clear after cutting Some pieces weighing weighed more than two tons. CDMS therefore brought in its versatile 50ft-hydraulic crane barge which was ideal for the shallow water operations thanks to its shallow draught. The twin front-mounted hydraulically operated spud legs proved to be an awesome combination, and they ate into the project with impressive efficiency.
Concrete barrier
One of the remnants left behind on the River Severn was a concrete barrier at its mergence with the River Stour. Its function was to take the abstracted cooling water from the River Severn through eight intake culverts measuring 2.5m x 2.5m and also the similar adjoining seven discharge culverts back into the watercourse. As well as protecting the intakes and river traffic from collision, it diverted the dirty River Stour water away from the intakes. Access to the large trash screens over each culvert entrance was gained by a link-span bridge, which enabled regular clearing of leaves and branches from the top of the walkway, particularly required after flooding. The contract required that not only the concrete structure be removed and reduced to 0.7m above Normal Summer River Level but also that the 15 culverts be sealed underwater with concrete. In addition each alternate culvert required the concrete wall to be set back 2m down inside and along from the culvert entrance, this was to provide a sheltered space for fish to protect them from the adverse current of the river in flood conditions. The link-span bridge was the first element of structure for removal, which spanned 9.5 from the adjacent riverbank to the barrier’s concrete walkway, followed by 130m of 300mm x
Acknowledgements: Hazard signs warn navigational traffic of the remaining sections of the base structure.
300mm high-level timber fender. The 60m of steel Larssen piles were in excess of 7m high and therefore a midline cut at water level had to be carried out to reduce the height sufficiently to assist loading by the deck crane. It was discovered that at 5m intervals piles were set back to back and in-filled with concrete to provide additional support to the pile panels, therefore 13 concrete-filled King piles also needed cutting off underwater in addition to the 130 Larssen piles. The underwater pile cutting concluded with 48 low-level deflector piles. In order to carry out remedial maintenance and to protect the area from further degradation additional elements were built into the scope of project works. These included pressure pointing defective areas of the adjacent masonry structure, removal of trees and de-vegetation of brickwork, pressure jetting sections of riverbank piles and protective coating. Safety hazard signs were also supplied to warn navigational traffic of the remaining sections of the base structure, the total sub base removal of which was non cost-effective. All items removed from the site were recycled as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and protect wildlife and habitats. The project was successfully completed on September 21 in line with the project specification. Since then CDMS SS E Ltd has received a significant amount of congratulatory emails endorsing the tremendous improvement in appearance of this area.
Barrier pile cutting operations in progress.
A CDMS diver taking time out to share his lunch with the swans.
● Stourport Power Station photos and historical Information kindly contributed by facebook ‘Friends of Stourport’ and www.stourporttown.co.uk
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BOATYARD & MARINA NEWS 53
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insider
Boat review Technical tips What’s on
P54 P55 P59
Competition Holidays Bits & Bobs
P62 P63 P64
Historic marina to shine once again
STANILAND Marina, formerly Thorne Lock Marina Ltd, has found new owners. As of January 2015, the site, owned by the Canal & River Trust on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal, has been taken over by the same organisation which currently runs Boroughbridge Marina, an 80-berth inland marina on the Yorkshire Ouse. The marina is steeped in history as the yard has been used for boat building since the 1700s. Originally located further down on the river Don, the yard found its current home in the late 1800s. The main business back then was the building and repair of Humber Keels but through the years, many vessels were built including warships and pleasure craft.
In recent years the yard saw a decline in building but an increase in berthing requirements along with the necessary facilities that go with them. In early 2014, the company running the marina went into liquidation and a new owner had to be sought. Now in 2015, the new management is looking to revamp the site in its entirety and bring all the facilities back to life including major refurbishment works. The site boasts a variety of vital facilities for boaters which include open and covered dry docks, lifting for cruisers and narrowboats, soon to be well-stocked chandlery, berths for up to 60ft, clubhouse with bar and restaurant, engineering and fuels.
The historic Staniland Marina found its current home in the late 1800s. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
Fourth David Bellamy gold award for Mercia Marina
More berths are being created at Tingdene’s Racecourse Marina.
PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
Major expansion at Tingdene’s Racecourse Marina By Harry Arnold
MAJOR excavation works to increase the capacity of Tingdene Marinas Ltd’s Racecourse Marina on the River Thames at Windsor are almost complete. It is part of continuing investment – currently over £1 million – in this location which is one of three major Thames marinas owned by the group; which also has other sites on the Broads and the River Severn. An area of land to the north of the marina has been removed to create a new fairway and enlarged water area which will allow an increase in berths from
the current 220 to 300. This follows on from the renovation of the facilities building, installation of new bathrooms and the opening of GoGo’s Waterfront Restaurant. In addition to the extra berths, the next step will see a rolling programme to replace the current pontoons with a state of the art system, which is expected to commence this year. Tingdene operations director Steve Arber said: “We are very pleased to continue to improve the facilities at Racecourse Marina, both for our existing customers and our new ones, which is our company policy at all our sites.”
SOUTH Derbyshire’s Mercia Marina has won a gold David Bellamy conservation award for the fourth year running. The 74-acre marina, near Willington – the largest inland marina in Europe – received the award from the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA), of which celebrity conservationist David Bellamy is president. The awards scheme recognises holiday parks for work they have done to protect or enhance the natural environment or wildlife. Mercia Marina qualified for the scheme four years ago when it launched the development of its luxury holiday lodges. The marina has since built 16 lodges overlooking its 24-acre lake and has permission to add a further 10. David Bellamy last year hailed Mercia Marina as “a champion of all things green”, being particularly impressed by its efforts to improve biodiversity in and around the beauty spot as well as its enthusiastic committee of wildlife volunteers. Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, said: “This is just the fourth time we’ve entered the awards scheme, and the fourth time our conservation efforts have been recognised with a gold award. “The award is testament to all the hard work and planning of both the marina staff and the fantastic group of volunteers who help us look after the environment here.” The awards scheme, which gives bronze, silver and gold accreditations, was co-founded in 1996 by naturalist and broadcaster David Bellamy in partnership with the BH&HPA. The assessors analyse everything from the toilet flush systems to the wildlife management to arrive as their award level. Mercia Marina opened only as recently as 2008. Since that time, a six-figure sum has been spent on landscaping and conservation
Some of Mercia Marina’s luxury holiday lodges. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Overwater named 2015 Inland Marina of the Year
Hull Marina joins the RYA active marina programme HULL Marina, operated by British Waterways Marinas Ltd (BWML), has just joined the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Active Marina Programme. That has been accompanied by investments in the marina to bring a range of benefits to customers. The programme encourages and supports increased berth holder activity by partnering with marinas, RYA recognised training centres, berth holder groups and yacht clubs to establish or enhance a programme of training, cruising and social opportunities. This comes hard on the heels of Hull being awarded Gold Status by the Caravan Site Storage Owners Association (CaSSOA), the highest accolade it offers, following a site inspection of its caravan storage area in July 2014. Hull Marina is more than just somewhere to moor your boat. A quality location in the heart of the city, it now offers secure hard standing on monthly or annual contracts, along with under-cover workshops and a 50-tonne boat lift from £17.50 per metre as well as mast stepping from only £55. On-site maintenance and repair services are provided by Lloyd’s approved contractors. It also boasts the full range of top notch marina facilities that you would expect of a BWML coastal marina. Barry Granville, marina manager at Hull, said: “We are delighted to be part of the RYA Active Marina programme. Working closely with the RYA and utilising our in-house expertise will enable us to help our customers make the best use and get the most value out of their boats. Our programme of practical activities will help our berth holders and visitors learn new skills, have fun and, most importantly, stay safe on the water.”
projects, such as tree planting and the creation of specific wildlife habitats, including a butterfly drift. The marina last year opened The Boardwalk, its new £1.7 million waterside shopping, leisure and office development on the site, in conjunction with a new sensory garden, outdoor events area and programme of circular walks.
Janet and Angus Maughan of Overwater Marina.
SOUTH Cheshire’s Overwater Marina was named winner of the TYHA Inland Marina of the Year 2015 by The Yacht Harbour Association with partners GJW Insurance at the CWM FX London Boat Show. The marina, which can be found on the Shropshire Union Canal close to Audlem, opened in 2010 and has quickly earned a reputation for its beautiful countryside location, spacious design and friendly atmosphere. The Overwater team have worked hard to create a
Winners and runners-up with their trophies. PHOTO SUPPLIED
wonderful destination and were delighted when it became the first canal marina to achieve the prestigious 5 Gold Anchors in TYHA Gold Anchor Scheme. Owners Angus and Janet Maughan and their family developed the marina as a diversification of their dairy farm and have been amazed at how quickly it has grown into a thriving and successful business. Manager Janet said: “I can’t believe we won the award; to be named the best inland marina in the country is absolutely
wonderful and a testament to all the hard work and effort the family and our fantastic team of marina staff have put in. The award is made even more special by the fact that it is voted for by our customers and we would especially like to thank everyone who voted for us.” Now in its second year, the awards scheme was open to all Gold Anchor accredited marinas both in the UK and overseas. The winning marinas are considered the best by their customers in the UK Coastal, UK Inland, International and Superyacht categories. TYHA, a group association within the British Marine Federation (BMF), made significant changes to the way the competition is run to make it easier for boat owners and berth holders to vote. Gold Anchor accredited marinas were given automatic entry into the competition and over 3000 people took part by voting for 84 marinas. As part of the voting process, marina customers were asked to comment on why they felt the marina they were voting on was the best, with excellent customer service topping the polling. The runner-up in the inland category was last year’s winner Caen Hill Marina.
54 BOAT REVIEW
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A safe and comfortable bed for the little one. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN
The very comfortable-looking double berth.
Room for a little one
Phil Pickin takes a look at a child-friendly boat, built with family holidays in mind. THERE is a saying that ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and Lucy May would seem to embody this saying. The owners of this, the most recently built sponsored boat to enter the Kate Boats’ fleet, gave some unusual design criteria to the team. Being the parents of a baby meant that the safety of the youngest member of the crew was paramount, and making a number of adaptations and design innovations has produced a boat that other families with young children will find very useful. The overall layout of this cruiser stern 58ft boat could be described as having a ‘back to front design’ with the lounge at the stern followed by the galley, a fixed double berth, the bathroom and lastly a bedroom towards the bow with either two fixed singles, or a fixed single and a full-sized cot. It’s the addition of a cot that is one of the most significant design changes made to the layout and construction. Not only did the owners want a safe and
comfortable place for their child to sleep, but it had been noticed by the Kate Boats’ team that using a travel cot on a narrowboat isn’t always a success! With this in mind, one of the single berths in the forward cabin has been built so that it can be converted into a cot. This is not some temporary, clipped together adaptation to an existing bed. This cot is set up before the boat is taken out on hire and remains in this configuration throughout the trip, providing a safe and comfortable bed for the little one. Obviously if a cot isn’t required, the boat remains configured with two single beds in this cabin. The curtains in this room are to blackout specifications in an effort to keep the room as dark as possible at bedtime and additional sockets have been fitted should a baby alarm be required. Another baby friendly adaptation is to the main seating area towards the stern. This area is accessed from the stern
Both gas bottles have been relocated at the cruiser stern, either side of the main doors.
doors via a number of steps which exit into the saloon on the right-hand side. This final step has a sliding, solid baby gate integrated into it. This gate, together with a matching one closing off the entrance into the galley area, creates a safe area for a crawling baby or toddler to play. There is also additional floor covering to cover the location plates in the floor into which the table poles fit, such has been the attention to detail.
New ideas
Lucy May is a six-berth family boat, built using oak to line the interior and is finished with complementary green colours used in the upholstery and carpets. The boat is finished to the high standard we have come to expect of Kate Boats with its continued addition of new ideas and innovations to what is, in essence, a hire boat. For example, every possible area that can be used for storage has been used. During the many years of operating hire boats the company has learned a thing or two and this has resulted in the development of a few things, including the use of sliding solid wood shutters on the galley window. This avoids the clatter of blinds so often used when obviously curtains cannot be used. All new builds will have this and it’s becoming a retro fit to the remaining fleet as it’s proved such a success. The galley has all of the appliances you would expect to see in a family boat. Microwave, full-sized cooker, fridge, an as this is a hire boat, it’s exceptionally well equipped with everything you might need. This can include plastic cutlery etc for babies or small children and child seats for use at the table during mealtimes. Throughout the galley, maximum use of space is evident in providing more than enough cupboard space for food and other provisions. Moving forward, you pass the very comfortable-looking double berth before coming to the bathroom, and when I say bathroom I mean it! This room has been fitted with the smallest
members of the family in mind with a shower over a small bath being installed rather than the usual shower cubicle. The room is spacious, warm and fitted with a Tecma electric flushing toilet and wash basin with lockers fitted below the basin and above it. As previously mentioned, the forward cabin can be adapted with the addition of the cot, but even if this isn’t in use, the potential for this adaptation is not overly obvious. The only giveaway is a small wooden cleat on one wall. The cabin can be exited via a forward door on to the well deck which has also been redesigned.
If a cot isn’t required, the boat remains configured with two single beds in the forward cabin.
A shower over a small bath has been fitted with the smallest members of the family in mind.
The galley has more than enough cupboard space for food and other provisions.
Buggy storage
Both gas bottles have been relocated at the stern, either side of the main doors. This provides room for a very sizeable and secure locker, ideal for the storage of a buggy or similar. Central heating and 240v power available as you might expect, as is a TV in the main cabin area and a radio with speakers fitted within the cabin ceiling. The roof is also lined with oak and inset with LED lights and a good-sized opening roof light over the main seating area. Outside, Lucy May is fitted with chrome fittings for vents etc, something of a departure for Kate Boats, but it is finished in the company’s normal smart green colour scheme. The result of all these design ideas, is a very comfortable and safe, familyfriendly boat that will accommodate six, just about regardless of what age the family members are. Being part of the hire fleet, anyone can enjoy the features included. But as with all Kate Boats’ boats, the hire fleet also acts as a showcase of its design and build ideas. As a result, anyone looking for a new build can not only see these things in action but also incorporate them within their own boat. All narrowboats are constrained by the standard dimensions, but it never ceases to amaze me just how many variations on a theme can be included within this space. Long may these innovations continue.
Throughout the galley, maximum use of space is evident.
A green colour scheme has been used in the upholstery and carpets.
This baby gate closes off the entrance into the galley area.
This final step into the saloon has a sliding, solid baby gate integrated into it.
SPEC SHEET Style: Cruiser stern Length: 58ft Engine: Kioti 42hp Control system: Canaline Inverter: Victron Heating: Eberspacher Washroom: Tecma electric toilet Galley: Fridgemaster refrigerator New World cooker Logik microwave Stainless steel sink and drainer Line out material: Oak ● Kate Boats, The Boatyard, Nelson Lane, Warwick CV34 5JB Tel: 01926 492968 www.kateboats.co.uk
PRODUCTS 55
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Fuel cleaning tips for 2015 from the Tankbuster
WITH the start of 2015 boating season not far off, it’s time to update boaters on changes to fuel contamination. Each year refineries under EU legislation increase the level of additives in red and white diesel. These are now starting to affect the older engines and as levels rise each year engines could suffer. In 2014 there was an increase in engine failures. Causes included inline filters becoming blocked by diesel bug in its decomposed state; fuel lines towards the engine needing replacement due to fuel starvation, caused by the diesel bug reducing the inner bore size of the fuel line and the failure of injectors and fuel pumps. The surface mounted deck filler was the main source of rainwater getting into the fuel tank due to either a missing or broken o-ring. If you have a surface filler, check the o-ring now and buy a couple of spares. Usually your pump out and water filler use the same o-ring, so check those too. A main cause of fuel contamination is from water caused by condensation from half-filled tanks left over from the winter months also water in every litre of fuel that you purchase. Every time you fill your tank up, you stir up the contamination lying at the bottom of the tank leading to engine breakdowns.
The Mini Tankbuster.
Revolutionary material for lock gates comes to the UK
The lightweight construction minimises the wear and tear on hinges, reducing maintenance intervals and costs.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
Fuel test samples.
Fuel cleaning services
With more companies offering fuel cleaning services, boaters need to be aware that fuel cleaning requires Using the Tankbuster fuel cleaning equipment. specialised equipment to clean to below five microns and water removal to manifestation of the diesel bug. below 200ppm (parts per million). Suppliers such as hire boat companies, Refineries governed by EU regulations marinas and boatyards selling high have reduced water level from 400ppm quantities of fuel are better, but from to 200ppm. While this water random tests ppm levels of between removal level is now better, it 400 to 800ppm can be found. still comes with additional Tankbuster’s general range of problems and from the equipment filters to below 2.8 time the fuel leaves the microns and removes water to refineries, no below 90ppm. Depending on regulations really apply what equipment Tankbusters to maintain the quality uses, the TB1 will remove of diesel. water to 50ppm and filter to This raises the question one micron. This range of of how many times the fuel equipment is ideal for larger is transferred from tank to fuel tanks and will clean the tank before ending up in the fuel quicker. end user’s tank. Tests carried Boaters can either purchase out by Tankbusters in their own equipment and conjunction with its constantly maintain their fuel manufacturer have shown and tank, without the need of water levels as high as purchasing additives, or 1500ppm – from fuel being contact me for details of my sold to the end users. agents offering a fuel Diesel bug spores Suppliers selling low under the microscope. cleaning service. The Tankbuster fuel polishing system. volumes of fuel are the worst culprits. Tanks are often ● If you’re a marine or service engineer, marina, boat club etc, incompletely filled leaving the tank to Tankbusters is always looking for new agents. Contact 07974 808277 condensate. This causes rusting in Email: bruce@tankbusters.co.uk Web: www.tankbusters.co.uk normal steel tanks and the
LOCK gates perform a vital role but maintaining the ageing infrastructure is an extensive and costly operation. Traditionally made from wood and steel, they need regular inspections and replacement costs can be high. ECS Engineering Services has launched an innovative technology which delivers a low maintenance, lightweight and durable alternative. Techniques have been developed in the Netherlands to construct strong, lightweight and durable structures using fibre reinforced polymers (FRP). With more than 300 projects completed, this proven technology is being introduced to the UK by ECS with its experience in designing and installing water control structures. The material technology, known as InfraCore® Inside, has a design life of 100 years and comes with a 50 year warranty, providing peace of mind that any new lock gates will not rot or corrode and also provide excellent resistance to water, salt and UV radiation. Lock gates using InfraCore® Inside can be made to measure with a reduced lead time and the possibility to specify any colour. In addition, each set of gates can be prefabricated with a frame ready to be cast into a reinforced concrete lock chamber or with a non-slip wear surface and an FRP hand-railing system. ECS Engineering is offering its expertise to deliver bespoke FRP lock gates as an alternative for the installations that it completes for clients including water utilities, local councils, the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency.
The useful common earwig of the meter world Howard Williams is a marine and land electrician with many years’ experience of boat electrics. He presents marine electrical training and is the managing director of Boatelec Ltd. In this new series he deals with an aspect of boat electrics each month.
LAST month, I dealt with the multimeter, a useful tool in itself. Far more useful, is one which includes a DC clamp ammeter. These have recently become more common and affordable. They are basically a multimeter with ‘pincers’ – the earwig of the meter world. The red one in the top photo on the right is a new UNI-T from Maplin costing about £40. At the price these seem a good quality DIY tool. The yellow one is my Fluke which has had a hard life and has been a brilliant professional quality tool but is pricey for DIY use. There are other makes, many of which will be fine, some rubbish, so be cautious. In case you are unsure, DC is direct current – the sort you get from batteries and AC is alternating current – the sort you get from the mains or an inverter. On meters, AC is often shown by a wavy line and DC by a straight line with a dotted line below it. AC (mains) clamp ammeters have been about for ages and are common and cheap but not much use on a boat. They usually measure DC as well but
not by the clamp and are easy to buy by mistake. It is important to be sure that you are getting a clamp ammeter which measures DC by the clamp. If you are not sure, ask. They will usually measure DC up to 400 or 600A. AC clamps which have to connect into the circuit for DC current won’t usually go above 20A. Once you’ve got your DC meter, set it to Amps ‘A’ and ‘DC’. Some meters set one on the dial and have a button for the other and some set both on the dial, so read the instructions. Some meters have scales for higher and lower currents on the dial. On the UNI-T these are 40A and 400A. If in doubt start at the highest and work down. Zero the meter by tapping the clamp jaws lightly together a few times then pressing the relevant button. The jaws are then opened and placed around the cable, one cable only, not positive and negative together. The jaws don’t clamp on to the cable, they close completely and the cable goes through the middle, as in the picture.
Almost miraculously, the meter then displays, with reasonable accuracy, how much electricity is flowing in that cable in amps. There is no electrical connection between the meter and the circuit and almost no chance of damaging the meter or the circuit. It will work on the corresponding negative (black) cable. The jaws are plastic coated so will not cause short circuits. A DC clamp ammeter is extremely useful. Even for those with a built-in power management panel or battery monitor. What is it useful for, Howard? I hear you chorus. Well, here are a few examples: Placed around the main output cable from an alternator the clamp will measure the charging current. When the batteries are flattened it should be possible to see the current coming down over time which, with a little experience, will allow you to assess your alternator and the condition of your batteries. More of this next month. Current drain faults between individual batteries or through faulty alternators can easily be located by placing the clamp round the relevant cables. The true current drawn, for example, by an inverter can easily be measured. Solar panels and wind generators can be tested for their actual output rather than relying on sometimes very poor charge indicators. The actual current drawn by consumers on board the boat can be measured to minimise consumption and maximise battery life. ● Next month, I’m going to talk about voltages, currents and batteries – very important things for all boaters but particularly those of us living off line.
The red ammeter is a new UNI-T from Maplin which costs about £40. My yellow Fluke has had a hard life and has been a brilliant professional quality tool but is pricey for DIY use. PHOTOS: HOWARD WILLIAMS
The jaws don’t clamp onto the cable, they close completely and the cable goes through the middle.
Do you have a burning question on boat maintenance or electrics which either breakdown and assistance firm River Canal Rescue or Howard Williams of Boatelec Ltd can help you with? If you are keen to see a particular technical topic covered, why not get in touch? Contact us at Technical Tips, Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ; email editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON
March memorial auction of Maureen Shaw’s plates
The late Maureen Shaw; plates from her collection will be up for auction on March 28.
A floral lace plate with no maker’s markings.
A ribbon plate made by Schumann, Bavaria.
Email details of your event to: jrichardson@mortons.co.uk or send details to: What’s on, Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ
Compiled by Janet Richardson
MANY people will still fondly remember Maureen Shaw as they pass through Wardle Lock in Middlewich, whether they knew her or not. There is amemorial interpretation board by the towpath for us all to refer to as we pass by. Most of Maureen’s possessions have been redistributed or kept in the family. The last items are mainly her plates plus a few other decorative items and it was thought that some of her friends and acquaintances from the waterways might like to have something of their own to remember her by. To this end an auction has been arranged and it will take place from 1-3pm on Maureen’s birthday on Saturday, March 28 at Middleport Pottery in Burslem. The pottery recently benefited from restoration through the
Prince’s Trust and was reopened in July 2014. It offers guided tours, pottery sales and a canalside cafe serving beverages, snacks and meals. Maureen liked her food and would have been in her element here, in more ways than one. It was felt to be a fitting location for the auction as it is in the heart of the Staffordshire Potteries by the Trent & Mersey Canal, which was one of the many waterways that Maureen travelled when she was growing up and after she married. There are 70 lots in the auction, the sale will be cash only to avoid additional administration and you can view the items and see the descriptions by visiting www.tamcs.org.uk/auction It is hoped that this will be an occasion when many likeminded people come together and renew old friendships.
● Middleport Pottery, Port Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3PE. Tel: 01782 499766 www.princes-regeneration.org/middleport-pottery
WHAT’S ON IN MARCH
Puppets to bring Brer Rabbit to life FAVOURITE episodes from the famous Brer Rabbit stories will be portrayed using beautifully crafted marionettes in the Puppet Theatre Barge’s spring production opening on Saturday, March 21. Storytelling by TV star Rudolph Walker will bring to life the stories collected from the plantations in the southern states of America by Joel Chandler Harris. Dramatic lighting and effects with specially composed music will enchant and delight all the family. The show is suitable for everyone down to three year olds. Running until Sunday, May 17, there will be performances on Saturdays at 11am and 3pm and
Sundays at 3pm. During the Easter holidays there will be daily 3pm shows from Monday to Friday, April 6-10 and 13-17. For the early May Bank Holiday weekend there will be a noon show on Sunday, May 3 and two performances on Monday, May 4 at Brer Rabbit meets a tortoise in one of 11am and 3pm. the tales. PHOTO SUPPLIED ● Described as ‘one of London’s more elusive treasures’, the Puppet Theatre Barge is moored at Little Venice, Blomfield Road, London W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube station). It is an established 55-seat theatre with all modern facilities. Tickets: Adults £12, children £8.50, concessions £10, no booking fee. Contact the box office on 02072 496876 or online at www.puppetbarge.com
Another chance to see the Angry Boater live in London
Angry boater Joel Sanders.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
IF YOU missed the recent live ‘Angry Boater’ shows, there’s another chance to see London boater, Joel Sanders, for a remaining three Tuesday nights in March. His six-week residency at The Barge House, 46a De Beauvoir Crescent, Regent’s Canal, Haggerston (Haggerston Overground is nearest station) finishes on March 17. Joel has lived full time on a canal boat for the past five years, predominantly as a continuous cruiser around London. The show challenges the myth that a life on the
water is all about peace and tranquillity but he says it is also an attempt at being open about his own shortcomings. He worked in comedy for the best part of 20 years, predominantly as a performer overseas and as a promoter here in the UK before selling his business – a comedy club – in 2011. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets can be booked online at www.angryboater.com and WeGotTickets – priced £7 (or £10 cash on the door)
If you want your event listed in our free monthly What’s On section email your entry to jrichardson@mortons.co.uk or use the events form at www.towpathtalk.co.uk/events. As always please check with organisers on the details of the event before setting out on your journey.
March 1
Old Union Canals Society: A walk along the towpath on Grand Union Canal summit and return by footpaths. Meet near Park Farm (Bridge 31) on Stanford-on-Avon to Cold Ashby road, 10.45am for 11am start. Visitors welcome. Contact Bob Martin 01536 760165 or 07908 366012. IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park and River Tyburn – Little Venice. Starts Baker Street tube station (Baker Street north/Lords exit) at 2.30pm. Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 02036 129624.
March 3
March 12
IWA Warwickshire: AGM followed by a look back at the Stratford Waterways celebrations 1964, 1974 and 2014. The Sports Connexion Leisure Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore CV8 3FL. 7.30pm. Macclesfield Canal Society: The Bollin Valley by Keith Warrender. Macclesfield Liberal Club, Boden Street, Macclesfield SK11 6LL, 7.30 for 7.45pm. www.macclesfieldcanal.org.uk
March 14
St Pancras Cruising Club: Daffodil cruise. Contact vicecommodore Perry Medhurst on 07880 351169, perrymedhurst@gmail.com
March 21/22
Shire Horse Society: Annual show at Arena UK near Grantham. Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 8am-4pm. Day tickets adults £10 and under 12s/seniors £8 on the gate. www.shire-horse.org.uk
March 23
Weedon Art Group: Abstract painting, all classes are suitable for beginners and improvers. Scout Hut, New Street, Weedon. One session £15. Contact Libby Hart 01327 341816, weedonart@btinternet.com
IWA Milton Keynes: Waterways and Wildlife by John Pomfret. Milton Keynes Village Pavilion, Worrelle Avenue, Middleton, Milton Keynes MK10 9AD (accessed off Tongwell Street V11), 7.45pm.
March 15
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: The Fossdyke by Ian Morgan. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 8pm. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members.
Birmingham Canal Navigations Society: From the Coal ’Ole – a journey through Black Country Life by Billy Spakemon with Brian Dakin. Titford Pumphouse, Engine Street, Oldbury B69 4NL, 7.30pm. Contact Phil Clayton 01902 780920. Worcester, Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society: The work of the Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust by Dick Skeet. The Meeting Room, Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Wharf B48 7SQ, adjacent to The Weighbridge pub, 7.45 for 8pm. www.wbdcs.org.uk IWA South London: Joint meeting with Kent & East Sussex, speaker Richard Parry, chief executive CRT. Captain’s Room, White Oak, Swanley Bowls Centre, Gerralds Close off Hilda May Avenue, Swanley, Kent BR8 7BF. 7.30 for 8pm.
Northern Boat Jumble: Brooksfield Farm, Sproston Green, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire CW4 7LN (350yd from Jct18/M6). Open to buyers 10am. Adults £3.50, children/parking free. Chaddock & Fox Promotions boatjumbles@ yahoo.com 02392 381405 or 07887 771451 www.boat-jumbles.co.uk IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands. Starts Westferry DLR (by cycle hire point) at 2.30pm. Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 02036 129624.
March 5
Southampton Canal Society: Evelyn’s War – the wartime diary of ‘idle woman’ Evelyn Hunt with Tim Coghlan. Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45pm. Visitors welcome. Contact 02380 675312, www.sotoncs.org.uk
March 16
IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester: AGM. Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8AW, 7.15 for 7.30pm. Contact Chris Osborn 01299 832593, jcosborn@ btinternet.com
Old Union Canals Society: Joeys, Joshers and James – a Birmingham canals miscellany by Phil Clayton of the BCNS. Great Bowden Village Hall, Great Bowden, Market Harborough, 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Contact Mary Matts 01162 792285.
March 7
March 17
Dorset Boat Jumble: Canford Park Arena, Magna Road (A341), Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AP. Open to buyers 10am. Stalls inside and out. Adults £4, children/parking free. Chaddock & Fox Promotions boatjumbles@yahoo.com 02392 381405/07887 771451, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk Craignish Boat Jumble: Craignish Village Hall, Ardfern, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8QN. Open to buyers 10am. Adults £4, children/ parking free. Jan Brown 01852 500689, info@craignishcommunitycompany.org.uk
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust: Crofton winter work open day. Crofton Pumping Station, Marlboough SN8 3DW, 10.30am3.30pm. Free entry, light refreshments available for small charge.
March 8
Kent Boat Jumble: The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6PY (Jct 4/M20 or Jct 5/M25). Open to buyers 10am. Adults £4, children/parking free. Chaddock & Fox Promotions boatjumbles@yahoo.com 02392 381405 or 07887 771451, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk
March 10
IWA Chester and Merseyside: Havana to Galapagos – cruising the Caribbean Sea from Havana to the Panama Canal by Capt Derrick Kemp, master mariner. Tom Rolt Conference Centre, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FW. 7.45pm. Bar and coffee-making facilities available. IWA Middlesex: Buckinghamshire Canal Society with Athina Beckett. Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2QX. Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start. Contact Lucy at middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk
March 11
IWA South London: AGM followed by presentation on The Olympic Waterways by Alan and Christine Smith. The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. 7.30 for 8pm. All welcome, no admission charge but donations of £2 towards costs. Contact Alan Smith 07787 077179 or email alan.smith@waterways.org.uk
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust: Joint meeting with the local IWA and Cotswold Canals Trust with updates on restorations. The Royal Oak, Much Marcle HR8 2ND, 7.30 for 8pm. Everyone welcome.
March 18
IWA Warwickshire: A walk along the Stratford Canal. Meet at the car park by Edstone Aqueduct NGR SP163611 at 10.30am. Contact IWA Warwickshire, info.warwickshire@ waterways .org.uk
March 20
Boat Museum Society: Boating with Manchester Grammar School Scouts by Alan Jones. Rolt Conference Centre at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FW, 7.30pm. Bar, everyone welcome. Trent & Mersey Canal Society: CRT Central Shires waterways operations, Darren Green will give an update on recent maintenance work. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.45 for 8pm. IWA East Yorkshire: AGM and social evening including medley of entertainment. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD, 8-10pm. £2 inc refreshments. Contact roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk 01482 845099.
March 21
Friends of the Montgomery Canal: Towpath Litterpick at Welshpool. Town Wharf, parking in Church Street car park (free parking notices available on arrival), 10.30am. Free refreshments afterwards at Welshpool TIC. http://making waves2015.co.uk
March 24
March 25
IWA Chiltern: AGM followed by a ploughman’s supper and speaker. Little Chalfont Village Hall, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP8 4UD. 8pm. All welcome to attend. Contact 01932 248178.
March 27
March 28
March 28/29
Day-Star Theatre: Roses & Castles workshop weekend at Audlem. No experience necessary, 10am-4pm each day. £75 (£25 deposit), materials, lunch and refreshments provided, bring your own item for decoration. Contact Jane Marshall on 01270 811330, jane@day-star-theatre.co.uk or visit www.day-star-theatre.co.uk Weedon Art Group: Weekend workshop with well-known painter Paul James www.paul jamesart.com. Scout Hut, New Street, Weedon. £60. Contact Libby Hart 01327 341816, weedonart@btinternet.com
March 29
Friends of Gloucester Waterways Museum: Boat Jumble in the car park at Gloucestershire College, off Llanthony Road GL2 5JQK. 10am-2pm. Admission £3, accompanied children free. Contact 01452 859991 glosboatjumble@gmail.com Old Union Canals Society: A walk along the north Oxford Canal to Willoughby and return by footpaths. Meet near Braunston Church, 10.45am for 11am start. Visitors welcome. Contact Bob Martin 01536 760165/07908 366012.
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Sonia’s narrowboats
Part I – The Second World War years
Sonia Rolt, the widow of Tom Rolt, author of Narrow Boat, died on October 22, 2014, in her 96th year. She was more or less continuously involved in the waterways since she became a Second World War volunteer boatwoman in 1943. Over those 70 plus years, she worked or just cruised a number of narrowboats and a barge in France, but she never owned one. In this two-part series we look at those boats – four of which we are expecting to see at this year’s Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally as a special tribute to Sonia. By Tim Coghlan
SOMETIME in 1943, three young ladies, Sonia (then South), ‘Chattie’ Salaman and Meriol Trevor, who had earlier learnt acting together at the London Theatre Studio under Michael St Denis, were living in a flat in Beauchamp Place in London’s fashionable Knightsbridge. Together the three girls got a job at the Hoover factory in west London, which was now making
Tiller Girl: Sonia South in about 1944 when working as an ‘idle woman’ for the GUCCC and very much with stars in her eyes. She is steering the butty boat Moon on the Grand Union Canal, towed by the motor Phobos.
components for the aircraft industry – principally the Avro Lancaster bomber which had come into service in 1942. One of the flatmates spotted an advertisement in The Times calling for female volunteers to work narrowboats on the Grand Union Canal. This was due to a combination of the increased wartime carrying on the canals and crew shortages caused by younger boatmen volunteering for the forces or being called up to work on landing craft; canal boatman was generally a warexempt occupation. In response to their enquiry, the girls would have received the standard reply, which included the following: “When able to operate boats without supervision, trainees will be appointed to boats of their own, a crew consisting of three women, there being no objection to friends going together.” It seemed an ideal escape for the three of them but the advertisement cautioned: “Only women of robust constitution and good health should enter this employment.” Sonia later recalled: “We were all quite physically fit and thought we could manage it. We didn’t know anything at all before we went to be trained. I don’t think any of us had even seen a canal.” They went for their initial training run with the great Kitty
The Moon today: Moored just to the right of the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne and currently nearing completion of a major restoration by its owner since 2001, Richard Cox. It will be attending the 2015 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally – its first – and will be towed by the Phobos in the parade of boats. But Richard has not decided on the livery – the boat having had so many under different liveries in its working days.
Sonia on parade: An elegant Sonia Rolt, aged 88, opening the 2007 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally from the stern of steam narrowboat President. Her early theatrical training and a love of an audience never quite left her. She was an enthusiast for the Braunston Historic Narrowbooat Rallies and attended three of them – 2006, 2007 and 2009 – the last in her 91st year. PHOTO:TIM COGHLAN
Gayford who co-founded the female canal volunteers in 1942. In 1944 they were given a special badge to wear with the initials IW – for Inland Waterways, but gave rise to the nickname Idle Women. The girls joined Kitty on her pair of boats at Bulls Bridge near Uxbridge and went to load in the London docks before heading north to Birmingham. Then it was a loop back to Coventry to load coal and so back down to London, a round trip of about three weeks, after which they were on their own.
but it does appear in David Williams and Peter Silvester’s well-researched book Historic Working Narrow Boats Today with its 465 known surviving boats. It may be out there somewhere.
Carrying company
classes, some even building the boats in wood – for the GUCCC was a company in a hurry. The man driving all this was the tough, dynamic GUCCC general manager Lesley Morton – a man who in his earlier life had sailed square riggers and then went on to survive the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915. By 1938, he managed a fleet of 374 boats, and naming the new boats was becoming a nightmare. Earlier boats were named after towns with canal connections like Nuneaton – or remotely so like Uttoxeter, which had a canal until the railway arrived in 1845, being built over the canal bed. But then Morton just resorted to Bradshaw’s Railway Almanac, coming up with far-flung towns like Brighton and Bexhill. The Battersea probably falls into this category and was originally paired with the butty Bayswater, through which runs the Regent’s Canal. The naming got worse with the Star Class inflicting names like Arcturus, Betelgeuse and Cassiopeia causing trouble for the semiliterate signwriters, with several incorrectly spelt. Today the Battersea survives in good order. Built in 1936 by Harland & Wolff it now has the red, white and blue livery introduced in 1937 to mark the coronation of King George VI. The boat has attended our rallies in the past and we hope to see it again this year for the Sonia Tribute. The whereabouts of the Uttoxeter is presently unknown,
Exhausting but liberating
As Sonia & Co had passed this brief training period, learning a fraction of the skills that the boatmen had taken a lifetime to learn, they were put in charge of the GUCCC pair, the motor Phobos and the butty Moon – which were to become at once their home and workplace for the next two years. Sonia said: “I found the work exhausting but liberating. Perhaps because I was an orphan with a nomadic upbringing, I thought the boatmen had something I hungered after. I soon made friends with the boaters and the people along the bank.” The naming of the Phobos was Leslie Morton at his most obtuse. It is one of the two moons of the planet Mars and the nearest moon to our own – so the chance pairing with Moon must have had an appeal. So small is the Phobos moon that it was only discovered in 1877. In Greek mythology, he is the God of Fear, hence ‘phobia’, and his brother the God of Terror. The motor Phobos was built by Harland & Wolff in 1935. It has survived into our time thanks to major restoration works by Malcolm Braine in the 1970s –
PHOTO:WATERWAYS TRUST
Kitty’s boats were the motor Battersea and the butty Uttoxeter – both of the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company’s (GUCCC) Town Class. In 1929 the Grand Union Canal Company was formed, with high hopes of canal modernisation, in anticipation of which it set up a carrying subsidiary, the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company (GUCCC) which immediately began a programme both of buying up small operators and commissioning new builds, starting with its newly designed Royalty Class. Between 1934 and 1936 its Star Class was built, and between 1936 and 1938 its Town Class – each to new distinctive designs. Both classes of boats were built either at W J Yarwood & Sons of Northwich or Harland & Wolff (of Titanic fame) at its Woolwich works in London. And there were other builders of both
A fair deal for boaters: Sonia in about June 1945 drawing political slogans on the cabin of her GUCCC motor Phobos. Note the very basic GUCCC livery towards the end of the war compared to what it was prewar, per the Battersea today. PHOTO: SONIA ROLT COLLECTION
The Phobos today: Lying on its non-towpath side mooring above Weedon on appropriately the Grand Union Canal, and looking immaculate in its original GUCCC 1935 blue and white Merope livery. Its ‘pontoon’ is a 1930s canal maintenance riveted hopper with a wooden deck. There are four other 1930s GUCCC boats moored in line north beyond the Phobos: the Royalty Class William & Mary, the Star Class Bootes and the Town Class Thaxted – so a very good representation of the fleet. PHOTO:TIM COGHLAN
PHOTO: SONIA ROLT COLLECTION
Learning the ropes: Kitty Gayford, left, with two now unknown trainees on probably the motor Battersea with maybe the butty Uttoxeter in tow.
including replacing the original National engine with its present Russell Newbery. This was followed by a full length cabin conversion by Tooley’s Boatyard in Banbury. The boat has to date only attended one of our rallies – ironically in 2009 where it was seen in passing by Sonia when she attended her last rally – but will be with us this year. And so to the butty Moon; this was another 1935 Harland & Wolff – the exact vintage of Phobos. Again it has survived and its known history shows the troubled times working boats have lived through to do so. In 1948 the Moon went to the newly nationalised British Waterways Board, then in the early 1950s to the Willow Wren fleet, where it re-encountered Leslie Morton in his new role as the saviour of canal carrying. Then when that folded, it was abandoned and left to rot in the lower reservoir at what is today Braunston Marina. It was rescued by Braunston-based Union Canal Carriers and turned into a camping boat, in which role it served from 1976 to 1999. After that, Braunston-based steel fabricator Roger Farringdon put a full length steel cabin over the hold, doing minimal work to the back cabin, so that it survives almost in its original shape. The Moon’s present owner is Richard Cox, who is a church clock repairer by profession. He has continued the Moon’s restoration, with the boat moored at Stoke Bruerne, almost outside the Boat Inn where Sonia must have drunk with the gals. With work nearing completion, Richard is now at a loss as to which livery to apply. He fancies the blue and yellow BWB, but my view is to go for the original GUCCC blue and white Merope livery, to match Phobos – especially when we parade them at this year’s Braunston Rally, probably paired together for the first time since August 1945. Following behind steam narrowboat President and Kildare, Phobos and Moon will be the Star Class of the show. ● Tim Coghlan will relate the postwar boating years of Sonia Rolt in our next edition.
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PEARSON’S CANAL COMPANIONS Worth nearly £100 per set! Pearson’s have been chugging along the cut for over 30 years; conveying facts and figures, insight and entertainment, wit and wisdom: from Brentford to Burscough, from Shardlow to Sharpness, from Tipton to Todmorden. People from all walks of life have been encouraged to explore the inland waterways using these guides, which have become as much a part of tradition as their subject matter. The latest addition to the Pearson’s family is Leeds and Liverpool covering Sowerby Bridge to Selby, Knottingley to Goole, Castleford-Leeds-Liverpool/Liverpool Link, Wigan-Leigh, Burscough/Rufford Arm/Ribble Link.
Each guide is worth £9.95 each – making this a fantastic prize! The guides can be purchased from www.centralwaterways.co.uk
To be in with a chance of winning, simply enter your details below and return to: Towpath Talk March 2015 Pearson’s Guide Competition, Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ. Closing date: April 21, 2015. Or alternatively, enter online at www.towpathtalk.co.uk.
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BOATING
Sponsored by
HO LIDAYS
Canal breaks and river cruising in the UK, Ireland and Europe
New owner sought for historic tripboat ONE of the oldest engine-powered narrowboats Lapwing will no longer be available for hire from The Floating Boater due to the loss of its moorings at Paddington and Little Venice. The operators have owned this historic boat since 1987 and started the business with it, taking parties on the Regent’s Canal and Grand Union Canal. The narrowboat was built in 1913 so is 102 years old. Through the years the boat has been lovingly maintained with a complete new bottom in 2012 and totally new internal kitchen, toilet and main saloon. Thousands of people have enjoyed being entertained on board Lapwing and now a new owner is being sought. Hopefully someone on the canal system will continue to run it or privately enjoy this unique example of English waterways history.
Lapwing: a unique example of English waterways history. PHOTO SUPPLIED
● The Floating Boater, Waterside, Little Venice, Warwick Crescent, London W2 6NE. Tel: 02072 661066, enquiries@floatingboater.co.uk, www.floatingboater.co.uk
Australia Day tribute from English village A CANAL boat carrying an image of the Australian flag made its way into Bathampton on January 26, the burial place of Admiral Arthur Phillips, who sailed into Port Jackson, now Sydney Harbour, in 1788. Phillips, who later became the first Governor of New South Wales, is purported to be buried in the village’s churchyard. Every year a service of remembrance is held at St Nicholas’ Church, Bathampton, around the time of his birthday, to commemorate his life. The nautical Australia Day tribute, from Foxhangers Canal Boat Holidays, came as over six million tourists from around the world are due to visit the 87-mile Kennet & Avon Canal this year.
A nautical Australia Day tribute from Foxhangers Canal Boat Holidays on the Kennet & Avon Canal.
PHOTO: ROBERT COLES
WHAT’S ON
Compiled by Janet Richardson
Model Boat Show returns to the National Waterways Museum THE Canal & River Trust is welcoming the return of the Model Boat Show to the National Waterways Museum for the seventh consecutive year over the weekend Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8. The weekend is a fun packed event for enthusiasts and beginners alike as the boats will once again occupy a large section of the canal. Model Boat Clubs from across the North West will assemble to display and exhibit hundreds of the best boats built by their clubs in the past year. John Inch, general manager at the National Waterways Museum said: “The annual Ellesmere Port Model Boat Show gives members of the public the unique chance to take control and try steering the intricately designed boats for themselves. “Special highlights of the weekend include boat races, steering challenges, free sailing, model boat building demonstration and the award for the best boat.” There will also be multiple model boat traders selling parts and full kits as well as being available to offer advice on how to construct your own models.
Stroll along the Montgomery Canal THE first event on the 2015 Making Waves programme of events celebrating the Montgomery Canal, the annual St David’s Day Walk will take place along the towpath on Sunday, March 1. Organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, it will start at 10.30am from the car park of the Golden Lion, Four Crosses, joining the towpath at Clafton Bridge (No 100). There will be a chance to see the recent improvements between Four Crosses and Carreghofa making the towpath more accessible. The walk is about three-and-a-half miles and a shuttle vehicle service will be organised to transport walkers back from the finish at Llanymynech. http://makingwaves2015.co.uk/
Admission to the event is only £3.50 which includes access to the rest of the museum. For more information contact the museum on 01513 555017 or visit the website at www.canalriver trust.org.uk/nwm
Charity auction at Chippenham THE Wilts & Berks Canal Trust’s Melksham, Chippenham and Calne Branch is hosting a charity auction at the Angel Hotel, Chippenham SN15 3BW on Thursday, March 26. Lots include days out, experiences, unique items and Easter hampers which can be viewed online at www.melkshamwaterway.org.uk Auctioneer is Gordon Brockman of The Chippenham Auction Rooms and registration takes place from 7pm for a 7.30pm start, bar available. Commission bids can be placed by email at Auction @WBCT.org.uk or contact 01373 859207.
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BITS & BOBS A nod to St Patrick’s GREETINGS! A few years back, March was a dicey month for our budget because we were stretching all of our resources to buy our narrowboat, Jenny Wren. A bit of the good luck of St Patrick’s Day rubbed off on us when I noticed a posting in our bank for a ‘one year free interest of up to £10,000’ on a new credit card. We applied for the card and ‘charged’ that part of our boat costs. It was just that bit more that we needed to close our deal. (The next day that sign was gone). Phew! So we call our boat, unofficially, our good luck charm (our vessel of gold at the end of the rainbow). Each year we celebrate March with a nod to corned beef and cabbage.
by Rexx & Phill
March top tip
When we are cruising extensively we listen to our battery-charged radio and store our aerial to give the ‘tele’ a rest. But, in port, during the confinement of winter weather, gotta have our sports shows and costume dramas so up goes the aerial. When the ‘in like a lion’ part of the March winds decides to chew up and spit out our antenna, we have planned for it. We have a short length of pipe mounted to a board; the pipe of the aerial slides into this. We tuck the board under either side of the boarding ladder carriage and tie the pipe that carries our aerial off with guy wires to the railings that run down the side of the boat. We run the cable wire through a stern window and tape it off to prevent the rain from sogging up our curtains. The wind has carried pieces of our aerial off over the years, but the main part has always remained intact. It looks a bit like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, bent and with bald spots but it works year after year. It is easy to dismantle when necessary to either remove entirely or to just take down and lay on the cabin top when our local chugging takes us under bridges or through the odd tunnel.
GARDENING Boater takes on the BBC’s Big Allotment Challenge
Lena Watson next to her allotment sign. PHOTO: BBC By Polly Player
Phill’s Cabbage and Corned Beef
Total prep time 15 minutes, cook time 10 minutes, serves 2
● ● ● ● ● ●
340g tin corned beef Enough margarine to brush the frying pan 1 tbsp ketchup 1 tsp mustard Pepper to your taste NO SALT, the corned beef is salty enough
Cabbage slaw ● 1 tbsp oil ● 2 tbsp butter ● 1 small tin pineapple chunks ● 1 large carrot, grated ● 1 small onion, chopped finely ● 2 celery stalks, chopped ● ¼ small white cabbage, shredded ● ½ cup salty peanuts, chopped ● 2 tbsp mayonnaise ● ¼ cup spicy Asian salad dressing Heat a wide, shallow frying pan, add the butter and oil and add the pineapple. Fry until they are browned on both sides. While the pineapple is frying, toss the rest of the ingredients for the cabbage slaw together and set aside. Remove the browned pineapple and add to the salad.
Form the corned beef into patties and slip into the hot pan. Fry just long enough to brown (5min). Work quickly and gently so that the patties do not fall apart. Mix together the ketchup and mustard and drizzle on to the patties before plating. Plate two patties per person with mounds of the cabbage slaw on the side. Have apple sauce on the table to add as another side.
Rexx’s Cabbage Strudel
Long line
Prep time 30 minutes, cook time 25 minutes, makes 8 slices We continually find features on Jenny Wren that make us say “we really lucked out on this vessel”. Shifting, response of the tiller and good petrol mileage really ‘float our boat’. The length of 56ft makes it possible to fit into the largest percentage of the canal system’s locks. The layout of the cabin enables us to have company around a convertible sofa/table space. Muy importante! The beam is a standard width that I sometimes swear contracts to fit through locks that have bulged inward with age. Yet in winter the same beam seems to expand by just those few degrees needed to store our heavy coats and extra cookery books. (That last bit may be leprechaun fairy dust, but it FEELS magical.) For Filling ● 2 tbsp butter ● ¼ green cabbage, shredded ● ½ onion, grated ● 1 med apple grated ● 1 tbsp cornflour ● 1 tsp sugar ● ¼ tsp salt ● ½ cup raisins ● ¼+¾ cup walnut pieces, toasted and finely chopped For Filo layers ● 5 sheets Filo pastry (thaw overnight in the refrigerator). Once removed, keep under a towel to prevent drying ● 8 tbsp (one stick) unsalted butter, melted ● 1 full cap of vanilla extract ● ½ cup sugar ● ¾ cup reserved walnuts from prep for filling ● 1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting Day before, prepare filling or on the day prepare filling but allow time to cool. Method: In a sauté pan melt the butter. Add the cabbage and sauté until tender, add the onions and apple and sauté until softened. Sprinkle over then stir
MANY boaters enjoy growing their own fruit, veg and flowers on their boats during the summer months of the year. But with space at a premium on the average narrowboat, the serious gardener and grow-your-own enthusiast is quickly likely to find themselves running out of room to expand. Keen gardener Lena Watson, 45, who lives with her partner Kevin on their narrowboat in the South East, soon had this problem brought home to her when she found a duck making a nest in her pot of carrots one summer and decided that getting her own allotment plot was the way to go. Little did Lena know six years ago when she took on her own plot in Denham that her flair for growing and desire to expand would ultimately lead to TV stardom. Nevertheless, when the BBC came calling for participants in the second series of the Big Allotment Challenge TV show, Lena was ready to respond. Having successfully made it through the first five rounds of the series prior to elimination with just three episodes of the show left until the final, I spoke to Lena about her participation in the challenge and her background as a boater and gardener in more detail.
in the cornflour, sugar, salt and raisins. Simmer, uncovered (10min) to allow the pan mixture to further thicken. Stir ¼ cup of walnuts and reserve the additional ¾ cup for the filo layers. Stow in the fridge overnight and bring to room temperature the day of OR if it is day of, spread the mixture onto a sheet pan to cool. Preheat the oven to 175° C (350 °F) Mark 4. Remove the total number of filo sheets required, stack them and cover with a towel to prevent drying. Place one sheet on a work surface and brush it with melted butter; sprinkle with a light dusting of sugar and nuts. Cover this with the next sheet of filo and do the same. Continue until you have a nice stack of buttered, sugared and nutty sheets. Spoon the filling in a log shape along one of the long ends of the stacked pastry. Leave a 2in border, fold the filo over the filling, tuck in the ends and roll up like a jelly roll. Place seam side down on a greased or non-stick baking sheet. Cutting only halfway through, slash the roll across the top at 1½in-angled intervals. Brush the top with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar/nut mixture. Bake until golden brown, about (25/30min). Let cool (10-15min) and dust with icing sugar. Cut the rest of the way through the slashes and serve warm. Fare Well!
Lena is a self-employed painter and decorator by trade and has been since she was 16 years old. She comes from a long line of enthusiastic growers, having helped on both her dad’s and her granddad’s allotments in her childhood, growing all sorts of produce from flowers to runner beans. When Lena moved aboard, she took her flair for gardening with her and began by growing potatoes and other food produce in planters placed along her roof. Lena quickly found herself running out of space and as well as the mentioned duck incident lost some plants during the high winds a couple of years ago before ultimately deciding to expand to her own allotment plot. Lena grows a wide range of produce including potatoes, peas, carrots, onions,
Lena’s garden outgrew her boat.
PHOTO: LENA WATSON
garlic, leeks, raspberries, gooseberries, and flowers, and makes her own jams, chutneys and pickles from her produce. Her skills in the kitchen as well as the garden came in handy when she spotted the advert for applicants to take part in the second series of the BBC’s Big Allotment Challenge last year, and she just made it in as a competitor with one day left until the closing date. Participation in the Big Allotment Challenge saw competitors doing much more than just growing their own produce. The interview stage of the competition really put Lena through her paces, involving flower arranging and making home-made produce as well as answering questions on growing and gardening. Clearly Lena had what it took as despite her last-minute application, she was in.
Walled garden
The location for the growing part of the Big Allotment Challenge was within the beautiful walled garden at Mapledurham House near Reading, with the original nine competitors being given a budget to buy seeds and plants for their challenge before being let loose. Participation and judging took place under the watchful eye of presenter Fern Britton and judges and gardening experts Jim Buttress, Jonathan Moseley, and Thane Prince, as well as a host of TV cameras. Despite being a little daunted to start with, Lena soon got into the swing of things and quickly bonded with the other eight competitors in the show. Each episode of the show saw the competitors taking part in three separate challenges: grow, make and eat. Lena enjoyed the flower growing the most, but was particularly proud to win two ‘best in show’ awards. The first was for her first ‘eat’ challenge, making a mustard sauce to her great grandmother’s recipe, and the second for her okra growing. Lena proudly made it through the first five episodes of the series before her elimination, which she says was something of a relief, as she didn’t have to take part in the following week’s canapés challenge. Having been immensely popular with the show’s viewers (and, of course, with the whole TV-watching boating population rooting for her), Lena says of the entire experience: “I learnt loads and met eight amazing gardeners who will be my friends for life. Fern Britton was lovely and I am so glad that I had this amazing opportunity and privilege to work alongside all of the experts and crew. All of the lessons I have learned I will take with me throughout the rest of my life.” ● The BBC’s Big Allotment Challenge finished airing on February 7 and past episodes of the show can now be found on the BBC’s iPlayer service. Lena has blogged about her experiences on her Facebook page, Lena’s Garden Diary, and you can also follow her on Twitter @allotmentlena for tips and tricks to help with your own gardening endeavours.
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36FT SEA OTTER built 2010, exc cond, it is the HSE version, which means that a bow thruster comes as standard, 4 berths, dinette seats 4 and turns into double bed, front can be either a very wide double bed or 2 beds, bathroom has a cassette, shower and a wash basin, cratch on front and the canopy/hood at the back folds down easily. Tel. 01904 797496. York.
57FT NARROWBOAT hull replated, Pro-Build, 2011, new BSC, good Lister engine, Morco gas boiler, Morso Squirrel, domestic electrics and interior need some work, no cooker or fridge, this is a sound boat that needs some DIY, priced to sell. Tel. 07896 702966. Oxfordshire.
BURLAND 26ft x 6ft 10”, 1975, GRP 4 berth cruiser, Ford 1.8hp reliable diesel & Enfield leg, gas oven, gas fridge, sink, 4ft worktop, wardrobe and convertible dinette, toilet compartment, cushioned cockpit seats and helmsman chair, berthed Peterboro’ YC, CoC, AW licence, £3500. 07989 742468. Cambs.
EARLY 1900S BCN Unfinished project, Gardner 4lk, moored South Staffs, £20,000. Tel.
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EXCITING PROJECT! Historic narrowboat, ‘Chance 2’ – 70ft wooden butty, ex workboat (Chance and Hunt Ltd, Thos Clayton), full length conversion (inc wood burner), Royal Enfield engine, unique propulsion system using Hotchkiss cones, needs repair and renovation, £4000 ono. Tel. 07811 839285. Chester
FREEMAN 26 Twin diesel full inventory and complete refurbish, gel chrome, hard top, new hood, Safety 2018, many pictures on pre-loved, £12,500 ovno. Tel. 01772 338751. Lancs.
FREEMAN 27 in excellent condition, all facilities, full galley with fridge, single Perkins 4108 diesel, h&c, clarifier, £18,000. Tel. 0207 7229897. Oxfordshire.
GREY LADY 20ft x 8ft, glass fibre fishing boat with Ford LXD diesel engine, wheelhouse and cabin having toilet and sink, £3200. Tel. 01406 490484 eves. Lincs. 30FT NARROWBOAT 2001, BMC diesel, PRM box, BSC till Nov 2017, canal licence Dec 2015, moored Sawley, bargain £8500. Tel. 07710 270380. Derbys.
NAUTICUS CRUISER 27 recon outdrive, recon cyl head, new drive shaft, new interior lights, immersion heater, Leyland 18 diesel, BSS cert till 2017, good all round cond, many extras, £8500 ono. Tel. 07923 298941. Lancs.
PIPPIN 26FT NARROWBOAT all steel, BSS to July 2016, licence to April 2015, moored Ripon, North Yorkshire, £13,995 ono. Tel. 07885 351460. N Yorks.
RELCRAFT ZIRCON 30ft x 10ft Volvo diesel, end bedroom needs kitchen fitting, Safety 2017 licence 2015, moored Whitley Bridge, £6500. Tel. 074770 61752. E Yorks.
SEMI-TRAD NARROWBOAT 35ft, built 1993 by M Hurst (Mirfield), 1.5 BMC engine, BSC 2017, 4 berth, 3/4 bath/shower, solid fuel stove, fridge, cooker, TV,DVD, illness forces reluctant sale, therefore selling fully equipped with all items required for a canal holiday. Tel. 01254 886016. Lancs. OLD TOWN DISCOVERY SCOUT Canadian canoe, c/w three paddles, air bags, spares seats, good condition, £600. Tel. 07713 455270. Cheshire.
SEMI-TRAD NARROWBOAT 45ft, beautifully built by Bourne Boats of Cheshire, only 350 hours on clock, built 2009, must view, moored on Leeds Liverpool Canal, £41,000. Tel. 07979 102927. W Yorks.
SHARE FOR SALE in 2003 Dutch barge, 17m x 4m, Private Owners Assoc, 3 weeks cruising per year, moored in Auxerre, France, fully equipped to cater for 6, £8500. Tel. 01904 653207. York.
SHETLAND 640 HARDTOP 21ft, 2+2 berth, GRP cruiser, 2006, e/start, Mariner 9.9hp outboard, BSC 2018, galley with Flavel cooker, sep toilet, lovely spacious cruiser, good cond, original gel coat, £4500 ono. Tel. 07736 650250. E Yorks.
SHIPS ROWING and sculling boat, 12ft 6” x 5ft, v strong heavy f/glass construction with built in buoyancy tanks, appears sound hull, needs some tlc around the gunnel areas, hull moulding has provision for a prop shaft to be drilled, laying Liverpool, £350. Tel. 07714 331745. Merseyside. AVON S100 10ft 6", excellent condition, dry stored, £275 ono. Tel. 07982 193767. Liverpool.
TRADITIONAL STYLE NARROWBOAT 57ft, 2004, built by Liverpool Boat Builders, 2-4 berth, Thorneycroft marinised Mitsubishi engine (heats water), 150 ltr diesel tank, s/s 500 ltr water tank, newly fitted brand new Villager stove and back boiler with heating system, new 2700 watt inverter fitted, sep bathroom with Thelford cassette toilet, basin and shower, large living room, kitchen: New World cooker hob, Lec fridge with freezer, bedroom, BSC Jun 17, hull last blacked and out of water 2013 Aug, sandblasted, engine in good working order, loads of storage space, licence up until Oct 2015, winter mooring up til April 2015. Tel. 07955 442552. Bucks.
VARNISHED MOTOR LAUNCH charming 17ft 6”, built circa 1935 as tender to a large yacht, double skin teak (5/8) on bent elm timbers, copper fastened, Kelvin diesel engine, ideal for, cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon, would consider swap for vintage motorbike or why? £4500. Tel. 01925 266309. Cheshire. FRENCH AND PEEL NARROWBOAT 45ft, 1991, 2 cylinder, Lister engine, recently reblacked and painted inside and out, 4 yrs BSC, wood burning stove and gch, inverter, bathroom and shower, presently moored in Bunbury near Chester, offers in region of £23,500. Tel. 07842 097255. Cheshire. BIRCHWOOD 33 Classic, Perkins twin diesel, original gel coat, rear deck, anti-fouled, Safety Certificate, sleeps 6, oven, 2 ring hob, fridge, hot water heating, shower, en-suite bathing platform, £22,000. Tel. 0114 2510098. S Yorks.
DAWNCRAFT CENTRE COCKPIT 28ft, family owned from new, new windows, repaint, new cushions, good condition, nearly new engine, 4-stroke o/board, retiring, safety licence. Tel. 07941 706169. Warks. NORMAN GRP CRUISER 23ft, Honda 15hp o/board, just serviced, recently out of water, painted and anti-fouled, refurbished inside and out, new carpets, curtains, new canopy (£1000) BSS to Sept 2017, licensed to June 2015, moored at Fazeley, fees paid till end of May 15, £4995. Tel. 01827 767485; 07946 664749. Staffs.
Parts and spares
3 X ANODISED WINDOWS exc cond, single glazed, toughened glass, top hopper, hidden screw fixings, for aperture: 912 x 532mm, £250 buyer collects from Leeds, W. Yorks, I’m afraid. Tel. Mark 0798 8097869. W Yorks. ASSORTMENT OF FENDERS included, white box fender, £10; small dehumidifier, £25; flipper whale pump, Mk 4, £20; compact mini oven, black, 240v, £20. Tel. 077910 34695. Cambs. BMC 1500 ENGINE reconditioned and run in, new fuel pump, Borg Warner gearbox, can be seen running, £1500 ono. Tel. 07926 649627. Kent. BMC 1800 STARTER MOTOR and fuel pump (mech), gwo, £200 & £350 respectively; 70 & 30 amp alternators, gwo, £150 & £100 respectively; 18" x 14" three blade propeller - no chips or pitting, 1.5" shaft, £300 buyer collects.Tel. Dave 01978 757987. N Wales. BMC 1800 fuel pump, (Mech), £300; BMC 1800 starter motor, £150; Lucas 70 amp alternator, 3125; Lucas 30 amp alternator, £100; 18" x 14" 3-blade propeller, £300. 01978 757987. Wrexham. MIKUNI MX40 diesel heater, working but no backplate, includes new glow plug, boxed.Tel. 07796 268479. Cheshire.
THREE BLADE PROPELLER 19 x 14, 11⁄2 " shaft, standard taper, good condition, no blade damage, £200. inc free courier delivery. Tel. 07890 604121. Bucks. ELITE FURNISHINGS sofa bed and boatman’s chair plus box stool, under seat storage, terracota pattern fabric. All in very good condition. Will dismantle to fit in estate car, over £1000 new, will accept £300 ono. Tel. Greg on 01295 770487. Warks.
RENTING A BOAT TO LIVE ON, OR HIRING OUT YOUR OWN BOAT? Our important message to both groups is to do careful homework first and not to either hire out your boat or rent a boat that isn’t properly licensed for this use. Please visit www.canalrivertrust. org.uk/boating/ a-boat-of-your-own to avoid any difficulties with the legal and safety issues involved.
102 READER ADVERTS
FLOVER 55 electric outboard, used once, no longer needed, £150. 07472 191658. Cambs. GARDNER 1L2 diesel engine, fully rebuilt with engine, bed and drive pulleys for use as a generator, would also make excellent boat engine, full photo record of work from start to finish, this is a beautiful example of a rare slow running engine and an absolute show unit. Tel. 01254 202341. Lancs. GARDNER 4L2 MARINE 1939, c/w Gardner No 2 reversing box with hand start, mounted on Gardner frame, £3500. Tel. 07581 414475. Staffs. JCB 850w 2-stroke inverter generator, excellent working order, new plugs, filter, oil etc, £85 ono; h/duty chest waders, used only once, £30 ono; Lucas 110 amp dual purpose battery, as new, used on one occasion only, part no. LX31 MF, (receipt dated 19/07/14), £60. Tel. 01827 767485; 07946 664749. Staffs. LISTER ST2 runs but smokes a bit, LM150 mechanical gearbox with drive stub, large quantity of new pistons, ring sets, big end shells all Lister, 2 new SR barrels, one new ST barrel, various other ST engine parts, £900. the lot.Tel. 07899 697097. Northants. MORCO F11E LPG water heater with roof cowl, brand new and still boxed; Arrow EVM, LPG, log effect stove, top or rear outlet if required, brand new and still wrapped, half original price, will secure both items (heater and stove). Tel. 01254 202341. Lancs. SPARE PORTA POTTI TANK new and still in box, spare porta potty 365 holding tank, £35. Tel. 07923 569144. Cheshire.
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SHURFLO DIAPHRAGM water pump, Model 2095-423-343, 12 volt, 10.6 litres/min, 30 PSI integral pressure switch, offered free for spares (pump body ok, motor shaft seized!) Collection only from Warrington. Tel. 07940 538401. Merseyside. TWIN WALL FLUE KIT brand new for Morso Squirrel stove, £325 ono. Tel. 07538 433928. Cheshire. WINDOWS FOR NARROWBOAT 5 rectangular, 36" x 21", 4 port holes, 173⁄4" dia, two side hatch units, 271⁄2" x 61⁄2", gold finish, good condition, £250. Tel. 07735 292590. Droitwich. WINDOWS FOR NARROWBOATS 5 rectangular, 36" x 21"; 4 portholes, 173⁄4" dia, 2 side hatch units, 271⁄2" x 61⁄2", gold finish, excellent condition, £250. Tel. 07735 292590. Worcs.
Parts Wanted
2 PETROL TANKS, £20 each will seperate. Tel. 01509 646479. Leics.
BOAT PROPELLER 17” x 11” for 11⁄4” shaft, left hand rotation, Offers. Tel. 0750 8027734. Cheshire.
Selling your boat is
FREE
Engines
NICHOLSON NT 2600 boat trailer, twin axle, bought new Feb 2014, £1800. Tel. 01757 707367. Yorks.
Equipment MIKUNI MX40 diesel heater, working but no backplate, includes new glow plug, boxed, £150 ono. Tel. 07796 268479. Cheshire.
TWO GAS CYLINDERS full, will separate, £20 each; will seperate. Tel. 01509 646479. Leics. INLANDER FRIDGE 12/24 volts, 830cm high, 500cm wide, 500cm deep, £60. Tel. 07964 101998. Northants.
DANFORTH ANCHOR unused, anchor 8kg, with force swivel convector, 3m galvanised chain and approx 5m rope. £50. Tel. Mike 07771 811211. Cheshire.
CANADIAN OPEN CANOE Classic style composite boat with hardwood gunwales, as new, £550. Tel. 07866 639411. Cambs.
Make
1.8 BMC ENGINE runs but several overheating occurrences have caused damage to the heads, will need work, low hours, recon typically under 20 hrs/year for past 10 yrs! gearbox is 150 and in good condition, at Evesham Marina, sold as seen, £300 ono. Email:. Andyp917@ hotmail.com Oxford. GARDNER 2LW diesel engine, fully stripped and rebuilt with new parts as required, fully marinised and c/w PRM 260 gearbox, this engine is to a very high standard and will look splendid in a traditional engine room, must be seen to be believed, will separate from gearbox if required.Tel. 01254 202341. Lancs.
Model
PARTS WANTED BD3 JD3 or Perkins P3 engine wanted. Tel. 01384 294131. S Staffs. FREEMAN MK II CABIN CRUISER 'J' type, direct drive gearbox wanted for crossflow engine, must be in good condition, forward and reverse to work. Tel. 077910 34695. Cambs.
Wanted NARROWBOAT WANTED unfinished, sailaway or a project boat with a good running engine will consider a boat in need of overplating preferably 40ft upward in length. Tel. 0790 6019299. Norfolk. PREMIER COOKING RANGE wanted, small, cast iron, solid fuel cooking range for a canal boat, good price paid for one in good condition. Tel. 01905 355606. Worcs. WANTED - Dunton aluminium windless. Tel. 07969 851633. Skipton.
AEROGON WIND GENERATOR with controller and 20 amp dump, short mast with stay wires, buyer collects, £100. Tel. 07508 954367. Cambs.
CASSETTE TOILET Brand new, never fitted but stored for a couple of years, ceramic toilet, model CTLP 3110. Tel. 07526 759010. Beds.
PORTHOLE LACES and cabin lace, hand crocheted,. Tel. 07887 512912. Oxon.
Miscellaneous
ARGOS DEHUMIDIFIER 10ltr, used once, c/w user manual. great for condensation problems, £35. Tel. 07557 525899. Staffs.
Price
VICTORIAN KETTLE Victorian cast iron kettle made by T. Holcroft and Son, excellent condition, would look good as part of a tableau, cash on collection only, £120 cash on collection. Tel. 01525 211933. Beds. BACK COPIES of Waterways World and Canal and Riverboat magazines, first 30 years in binders, Offers. Tel. 01384 830664 after 6pm. W Mids.
Choose a section ■ For sale ■ Wanted ■ Miscellaneous
for private readers
BETTE HIP BATH - best make, white, 106cm x 72cm x 52cm high, vgc, available 1st March, cost new £300, asking £125 ono; glass shower door, 137cm x 70cm, vgc, new seals fitted, easily obtainable, available 1st March, cost new £55, asking £25. Tel. 07513 437114. Glos. FRIDGE MASTER 12v fridge/ freezer, 4 years old, holiday use only, excellent condition, 3* freezer compartment, height 830 x width 475 x dia 510, £200. Tel. 07505 359955. Northants. GAS HOB new unused 4 burners still in package bought £260, for sale at £160. Tel. 07900 264050 for more details. W Yorks. MIKUNI MX40 diesel heater, working but no backplate, includes new glow plug, boxed, £150 ono. Tel. 07796 268479. Cheshire. TWO ARMCHAIRS Clean and comfortable, custom made for boats, converts easily to single beds with storage under the seats, £60 the pair. Tel. 07885 348047 eves. Warks. MORSO 1410 SQUIRREL brand new, still boxed with full warranty, £525 can be delivered locally for free. Tel. 07976 761812. Derbys. ZANUSSI COUNTER FRIDGE 50 ltr volume, one ltr ice box, 240v, 55 watts, good condition, £60 ono. Tel. 07733 997000. PORTA-POTTI (regular size), on boat at Reading so can be seen & collected, £15 ono. Tel. 0207 7229897. Berks. WATERWAYS WORLD MAGAZINES 1973 to 2003, good condition, many in binders, Offers. Tel. 07874 903008. Cheshire.
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How NOT to paint your own boat!
A step-by-step guide by Polly Player
Wake up one morning in March and think, “painting the boat! Epic idea and I’ve got that long weekend off in April.” ● Decide on a complex and highly convoluted colour scheme that involves lots of panels, coachlines, stripes and contrasts, because that dude in the marina did his boat last year and it looks awesome. ● Buy tins of paint, brushes and sheets of sandpaper, optimistically congratulate yourself for being ready to start as soon as the long weekend in April comes around.
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Re-pressure wash now that you are absolutely positively certain that there is NO loose paint left to come off. ● Repeat points 20 through 22 a couple more times, before deciding that you’re never going near a pressure washer again and you’re just bloody well painting it now, regardless. ●
Wonder why two weeks later there are still very slightly tacky patches of wrinkled paint on the roof that appear to be at least a couple of mm deep. See the light that painting shouldn’t be slapped on at the same consistency as glue. Too late.
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Eye up the outside of boat appraisingly every couple of days, thinking about how that rust will just sand right off and how easy it’ll be to follow the existing coachlines.
Tell everyone you’re painting the boat next month, and stand basking in their impressed if slightly sceptical mutterings. ● Get advice from 10 different people on how to go about it. Wonder at the maths that says 10 people times boat painting advice = fifteen different answers.
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● Undercoat boat to within an inch of its life. Smile tightly at
passing boats that all, to a man, say either “you’ve missed a bit!” or “you can do mine next!”
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Wake up the following weekend planning to put on first layer of gloss. Observe that undercoat isn’t actually dry, and really, should it be both the thickness and consistency of chewing gum? Survey says “no.” Wait another week for the undercoat to become more putty in texture than chewing gum. Decide to paint over it anyway. Know that this is incorrect but stick fingers in ears and hum, studiously avoiding eye contact with anyone who looks more closely. Wonder how in the name of all that is good and holy you’re supposed to paint the underneath of the handrails, when however convinced you are that you’ve covered them, they are still clearly not done from certain angles. Realise how terrible the roof paint looks due to your painting technique best being comparable (unfavourably) to a finger painting toddler, resolve to do better on the rest. Paint sides and gunnels with surprising ease, due to surface being less pizza-like in texture than the roof. Measure out in precise distances how far the average person with reasonable eyesight has to be from the boat to miss the shockingly bad workmanship and flaws, address areas that particularly stand out from 8ft away in dim light with no glasses.
Realise you might have been over-optimistic in your belief that you could just wave a bit of sandpaper at the rust and slap some gloss on top. Buy paint scraper, rust binder and undercoat. Nod sagely at your foresight in realising the potential problems with your original idea, draw out running order of how painting will go and how simple it all seems now that you are so much wiser. Eagerly await the long weekend in April. Should be able to get the bulk of it done over the three days, right? Long weekend in April dawns to torrential rain, biblical flooding and tornado-style winds. Keep picking up paint scraper at every break in the weather, put it down again muttering angrily. End of April. Scowl at people who ask how the boat painting is going, while your tins of paint and new brushes collect dust. Mid May. Sunshine! Paint everything! Figure that you can sand and undercoat at least the roof and one side in one day, get to work. End an eight-hour day of blood, sweat, rust and tears with one gunnel just about acceptable enough to put undercoat on. Wait two weeks for the next break in the weather. Scrape, sand and generally beat the crap out of the boat, until it’s no longer fighting and all of the rust and remaining paint is cowering in fear. Brilliant. Now you can do the undercoat. It’s a bit grubby from all of the shed rust though, so hire a pressure washer to clean it up with first. Have an amazing time playing with the pressure washer, then aim it at the sanded, smooth keyed paint remaining after you prepped it. Watch in abject horror as the pressure washer lifts whole strips of previously stuck-fast paint off in layers. Spend a long time crying in self pity, then even longer drinking the pain away. Re-sand and prep the worst parts.
Finished at last. PHOTOS: POLLY PLAYER
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Cover roof in plants and solar panels, then halfheartedly sand back and re-paint any areas not now covered in boat-tat. Decide against painting the side panels and contrasting colours, start secretly wondering how ashamed of yourself you will be if you get vinyl stick-on coachlines. Try masking up a tiny bit of coachline to paint. Observe result. Decide, not that ashamed of vinyl at all, actually. Buy vinyl coachlines, apply, stand staring in shock at how well they worked out. Start eyeing up particularly bad patches of paint, wondering what else comes in vinyl that can be stuck on to cover it. Acquire a set of stick on decals, apply artistically to various points on the bow and front of the boat where the paint is the worst. Realise this actually looks 10 times worse, but oh well, they’re there now. Lose will to live and become increasingly frustrated at how however many times you undercoat and then paint contact areas (such as where the cover goes on or where the mooring line passes over the bow) and leave them to dry, the paint just rubs right off within days. Decide to concentrate on the tiller, because it looks shocking and an elaborately painted tiller will really draw the eye. Use all acquired wisdom of paint prepping, thickness of paint and technique to paint awesome stripes on the tiller that impress even your neighbours, in the middle of the driest week of the year so far. Hear rain two hours later. Learn what paint “blooming” is. Consider getting tree branch and going a bit Basil Fawlty about it all. Run out of ideas as to how to reach and prep/paint the tunnel bands from the back of the cruiser stern. Leave the job there for a considerable amount of time, while “thinking.” Notice that it’s starting to get dark by 6pm each night, so it would be silly to try and finish the painting now that it’s winter, right? Hibernate for several months. Wake up one morning in March and think, “painting the tunnel bands! Epic idea, and I’ve got that long weekend off in April...”
104 BOAT SAFETY/ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton
Triple whammy warning over wet wood fuel
Boaters using damp wood and logs in their stoves could be risking a triple whammy including increased costs, stove damage and carbon monoxide poisoning says the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS). IT IS CruCIAL that wood fuel is kept in a dry, well-ventilated area. If not, the damp fuel will cause the stove to run at a lower temperature as the heat of the fire will be producing steam meaning the stove will need much more fuel to keep the boat warm. Even worse, the steam dissolves out flammable, acidic tars which will cling to and block up, as well as inevitably damage, the stove and its chimney. Damaged stove installations are more likely to leak combustion gases into the cabin space, and because of incomplete combustion as the fuel is damp, those gases are more likely to contain carbon monoxide (CO) – giving the vicious cycle that could see a highly toxic atmosphere in the boat. Stove flues lined with tar could also lead to a chimney fire. Glyn Hughes, the solid fuel expert behind the Soliftec website said: “Almost all problems associated with burning wood are caused by damp fuel. A 1kg log of fresh wood will contain about a tea mug’s worth of water. “To burn effectively, wood needs to be dried out, ‘seasoned’, to a maximum of 15 to 20% water. “The difference is huge. A fresh 1kg log with 60% moisture may be able to give out just under 2kW of heat energy, a 1kg log dried to only 25% roughly doubles the heat per kW to about 4kW.”
Make sure your stored wood has dried out before burning it in your stove.
PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
Wood that burns easily and cleanly with good heat will feel dry and have a hollow sound when tapped. The bark will either have fallen off, or will fall away easily and good wood often has cracks in the end where it has dried out. Any wood that feels damp and dense or has the leaves attached should be avoided. Seeing green or white mould on the surface and not having any radial cracks are signs of potentially unseasoned fuel that needs drying before use.
● There is much more information on stove fuels at www.soliftec.com/ woodfuel.htm ● The BSS has the latest advice for boaters on staying safe from CO poisoning www.boatsafetyscheme.org/CO. Don’t let CO ruin your life.
Boat Safety Scheme reaction to report on Windermere tragedy THE report into the deaths of the mother and daughter from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning on a boat on Lake Windermere in 2013 has been published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). It mentions the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) in several places including the recommendations of the chief inspector of the MAIB, one being that the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNP) adopts the BSS as a means of improving safety. Welcoming the report, BSS management committee chairman Vince Moran said: “We owe it to everybody affected over the years,
including victims, friends and families, to intensify our efforts to get the message out. “We have already begun a dialogue with the Lake District National Park Authority and have offered our support in their consideration of the chief inspector’s recommendation. We will work closely with the authority to see what action can be undertaken to reduce the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in the future and we are confident that adoption of the BSS by LDNP, as recommended by the MAIB, has the potential to also reduce the number of incidents of boat fires and explosions.” The MAIB report recognised that BSS boat examinations help identify potentially dangerous CO-emitting installations, highlight the risk and trigger key warnings with relevant recommendations for the boat owners. Also agreeing with the MAIB finding, the BSS believes it would be helpful to see suitable CO alarms supplied with boats from new. It would send a strong message to owners about the importance of carbon monoxide safety. The scheme is moving forward the chief inspector’s recommendation for the BSS that its examiners highlight any issues, explain the nature of the risk and promote the fitting and testing of CO alarms certified as meeting the recognised standards whenever a boat owner attends an examination.
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Campbell’s Lock in 2008.
PHOTOS: GERALDINE FOLEY
Volunteers building the sandbag dams.
The lock today.
COMPLETED in 1742, the Newry Canal is the oldest summit canal in the British Isles and was used to carry coal from Tyrone via Lough Neagh, the canal and the Irish Sea to Dublin. It was abandoned in the 1940s and since then has fallen into dereliction. However, the line of the canal remains intact with only minor obstructions. Since 2008, the Newry & Portadown branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland has been working to clear vegetation from the canal structures and campaigning for restoration. The 18 miles of towpath has been reinstated and sees some 200,000 visitors annually on bike and foot. The branch aims to promote the existing waterway facilities and to enhance the towpath visitor experience to gather more support for full restoration. recently attention has been focused on a limited rewatering of the four-mile
summit section between the villages of Poyntzpass and Scarva. As the canal is a scheduled ancient monument there has been an enormous amount of behind the scenes preparation with all the agencies involved. In September, the volunteers built two sandbag dams 1m high at both guard locks and a week later the local canoe and kayak club joined branch members for an informal regatta at Scarva. As a result, the two local councils that own this section of canal have contributed £5000 towards the cost of fabricating and installing half height lock gates. This will rewater the summit through the summer months for small craft. The gates will be opened in winter for drainage purposes. Work started in earnest during February with the delivery of steel and wood for construction of the gates and is hoped to be completed by May.
While this may seem a small and limited beginning, the branch hopes that local communities habitually using the waterway will kick-start ‘proper’ restoration. In addition, the branch has taken a lease on the former sluice keeper’s cottage beside Acton Lake which is the summit feeder reservoir. It plans to open it at weekends as a Canal Heritage Centre to highlight the rich history of the waterway. This project, part-funded by a small Heritage Lottery grant, will help to develop a towpath tour app using historical maps and photographs which will allow the visitor to see the changes to the area over the 270 years of the canal’s existence. To support the campaign and learn more about this unique canal heritage visit the group’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/newry.portadown. canal
Newry Summit is to be rewatered
New plaNs forwaterways museumat williamstowN Harbour SHANNON Sailing Ltd (SSL) is considering setting up an inland waterways museum at Williamstown Harbour, Whitegate, Co Clare. Originally constructed in 1834 for the Dublin Steam Packet Company, the harbour and its surrounds are steeped in history. It is SSL’s intention to restore Williamstown Harbour to its former glory while at the same time establishing a premier marina on the Clare shore of Lough Derg. The company acquired the harbour and former Williamstown Lodge Hotel towards the back end of 2014 with the intention of developing the site over time to provide quality facilities and outstanding customer service to boaters and their crews. The ambitious plans include a number of visitor attractions which will also cater for non-boaters, such as tea rooms. For many years Williamstown Harbour has been home to Shannon Castle Line hire fleet. After sadly falling victim to the recession, these craft have also been purchased by SSL and although not definite, it is hoped that the hire fleet business will reopen for the 2015 season.
Williamstown Harbour viewed from Lough Derg.
PHOTO:ALISON ALDERTON
SSL’s main base is on the opposite shore at Dromineer, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, where for 28 years it has operated a marina, ISA training centre, chandlery along with boat sales and brokerage services which is described as a “one stop shop for boaters”. www.shannonsailing.com
Lough Derg lifeboat launched in severe weather
The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat in action. PHOTO: LOUGH DERG RNLI
LOuGH Derg rNLI launched in severe weather conditions during January after a member of the public reported sighting an upturned canoe between Holy Island and the port of Mountshannon. As well as the rNLI team from Dromineer, the Coast Guard lifeboat based at Killaloe was launched in the west to south-westerly Force 7 winds to assist the Irish Coast Guard Search and rescue helicopter search for two people. On arrival at the scene it was discovered the two canoeists who found themselves in difficulty had managed to get ashore on Holy Island. The Coast Guard Search
and rescue helicopter crew were able to successfully land and transport them to Limerick hospital where they were reported to be suffering from the symptoms of hypothermia. Following the call-out, Brian Hanly, Lough Derg rNLI deputy launching authority, said: “It is crucial the public check the weather forecast before going afloat and remember that the water is very cold at this time of year. Mr Hanly also commended the rNLI volunteer crew for their speedy and professional response to the call-out in the testing weather conditions.
Captivating new look at the Royal Canal IN OCTOBEr, Ireland’s royal Canal will be celebrating its fifth anniversary of reopening to navigation. While much of the canal’s historical past has already been recorded in works such as those by ruth Delaney and Ian Bath, this fascinating 70-page paperback book concentrates on the lesser known and therefore in some ways more interesting stories connected to the canal. Complementing its predecessors beautifully, it provides a new and different outlook on the waterway in its anniversary year. The Royal Under The Railway covers a number of topics mostly about the canal after it was purchased by the Midland Great Western railway. The author, Brian J Groggin, a previous editor of Inland Waterways News, the magazine of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, turned blogger (irishwaterwayshistory.com), has meticulously researched and referenced his subjects. With the author’s special interest in steam-powered craft, it comes as no surprise that one is featured; on this occasion a 120ft steam-powered narrowboat which split in two to fit inside the royal Canal’s 70ft locks. Other subjects include
an ingenious movable floating bridge used to allow access to the railway station at Broadstone, the companies trading along the canal and the horses which slept on board their boats. There is also a detailed section covering the canal bridges in Dublin written by industrial historian Ewan Duffy. While for some this book may be considered more of a detailed special interest publication or indeed just one for the anoraks, these glimpses into the more unusual aspects of the royal Canal make a refreshing change from the normal run-of-the-mill canal book and make for captivating reading. The Royal Under The Railway (Ireland’s Royal Canal 1830 – 1899) Published by the railway and Canal Historical Society, priced at €12.50 plus p&p from the IWAI online shop: www.shop.iwai.ie ISBN: 978-0-901461-61-2
ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton 105
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Celebrating St Patrick
BEST known for banishing snakes from Ireland, St Patrick is also responsible for the most colourful feast day in the Irish calendar. Despite very little being known of his life, on March 17 – the anniversary of his death – all over the country, and indeed the world, the Irish come out in force to celebrate their patron saint, and there are plenty of watery connections to interest today’s boater. Lough Derg (Red Lake) in County Donegal, not to be confused with the largest of the Shannon’s lakes bearing the same name, has ancient connections with St Patrick. Its name reputedly derives from the saint killing a large serpent whose blood turned the waters red. Lying seven kilometres north of the border village of Pettigo, Lough Derg covers 890 hectares and has many islands. The best known is Station Island where legend says that Christ showed the saint a subterranean entrance to purgatory. This ancient site of pilgrimage, often referred to as St Patrick’s Purgatory, has been receiving those wishing to partake in fasting and praying for over 1000 years. While visitors are welcome to freely explore the on-shore site, access to the island can only be gained by boat, a small flotilla of which regularly ferries pilgrims across the shallow waters. There are boat gatherings up and down the country, many of which are organised by the Inland Waterway Association of Ireland (IWAI). In 2014 the village of Cootehall on the Boyle Waters held its inaugural St Patrick’s Day gathering and boat parade. With the assistance of the IWAI Boyle River Branch, this has helped put the pretty village, which had fallen victim to the aftermath of the Celtic Tiger, back on the map. Boaters with craft sporting bunting and crew dressed as leprechauns, characters from Irish legends, Viking invaders and indeed St Patrick himself will congregate
St Patrick is best known for banishing snakes from Ireland.
here again this year temporarily turning the place into a kaleidoscope of colour and jovial activity. Those without a boat will still find it possible to take part in onwater activities as many trip boats organise special Paddy Day events ranging from leisurely day trips to colourful disco cruises.
Boat blessing
As St Patrick’s Day marks the beginning of the leisure boating season, blessing of boats and crew is often combined with celebrations. Boats are one of the most ancient objects to be blessed by the church and this long tradition is believed to stem from Mediterranean fishing communities with strong Catholic beliefs. This would usually involve a local priest giving thanks to ensure a safe and bountiful season lay ahead, and could range from a simple ceremony to a festival lasting several days.
A boat viewed through the cloister. PHOTO: LOUGH DERG
Dressed for the Cootehall boat parade. PHOTO: DAVID KNIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHY, COOTEHALL
IWAI members celebrating St Patrick’s Day. PHOTO: DAVID KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY, COOTEHALL
PHOTO:WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Boats waiting to ferry pilgrims to Station Island, Lough Derg. PHOTO: LOUGH DERG The colour green features extensively in celebrations and like the shamrock, which St Patrick used to illustrate the Christian teaching of the Holy Trinity, has become a patriotic symbol of Ireland. As a result of this, rivers are often turned green. The most famous of these events doesn’t take place in Ireland but in the US where the Chicago River has for over 50 years been annually turned into a ribbon of emerald green to mark the start of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Turning the waters green originally arose by accident after plumbers used a fluorescein dye to trace illegal pollution discharges. This has since been shown to be harmful to the river and powdered vegetable dye is now used to create the same effect. The dye begins as a narrow streak which quickly spreads to turn the waters green. This lasts between six to 12 hours and is still sponsored by the plumbers’ union. One of the most spectacular
celebrations takes place in Dublin where there is a St Patrick’s Festival featuring a ‘Greening of the City’ during which landmark buildings and businesses, entertainment venues and cultural institutions are turned green with the aid of outdoor lighting. The main event is an impressive street parade crossing the River Liffey which features the country’s leading pageant companies as well as international and Irish marching bands. In the past this has included 100 performers from the Inishowen Carnival Group depicting the traditional Irish story of The Mermaid’s Tale, telling of a fisherman’s encounters with a mermaid who traps the souls of shipwrecked sailors beneath the sea in lobster pots. Should you find yourself in Ireland on St Patrick’s Day, release your inner leprechaun and go with the flow, embracing this celebration which produces a craic quite unlike any other!
The IWAI Boyle River branch boat parade. PHOTO: DAVID KNIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHY, COOTEHALL
Celebrating St Patrick’s Day on the water.
PHOTO: LEN FITCH
Useful information ➔ Lough Derg offers one-day retreats and three-day pilgrimages on Station Island; for more information please visit the informative website: www.loughderg.org
Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) www.iwai.ie St Patrick’s Festival (Dublin) www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Preparing a trip boat for the celebrations. PHOTO: LEN FITCH
106 TOWPATH TREASURES
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Milepost
Humble nuggets of history Words: PHILLIPPA GREENWOOD Images: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN
An old milestone on the Oxford Canal near Kidlington.
A Gloucester & Sharpness Canal milestone.
NOT all treasures of the built canal environment scream from the skies as Pontcysyllte Aqueduct does, or rumble from the bowels of the earth like Standedge Tunnel. The fanfares they blow are real, but along everyone’s local canal the tiniest things can reach in gently and mean as much. A small milepost, sitting unceremoniously tucked between weeds along the canal towpath might not make the rank of a mention in many guidebooks – but the passerby who overlooks them, misses the part these posts play in the story of Britain’s canals. Mileposts are stalwart gems of history, scattered at regular intervals along the towpaths. Catch a glimpse of a milepost today and the Industrial Revolution is staring you in the eye. This is hidden history that can be touched and connected with, in the freedom of the fresh air. Canals were built under Acts of Parliament and mileposts were required
to tell working boatmen the distances they had travelled and therefore how much toll would be due to canal companies who charged on a ton and mile basis. During the original working life of the canals, every canal company had its own style of mileposts. The fascinating story of the milepost doesn’t stop with the Victorians. During the Second World War canal mileposts became a matter of national security and many were removed to prevent Nazi invaders mapping the country. Some of those signs were lost or melted down for the war effort, but many were returned to their rightful place on the canals after the war. Sometimes replica mileposts had to be made, and they were usually slightly altered to avoid confusion with the originals. Mileposts hold the clues of the past for the canal detective, and are an inspiring example of how the canals of Britain have carved their own story in the living landscape.
A huge Grade II listed milestone on the Macclesfield Canal.
An old milestone on the Peak Forest Canal at Marple.
A Grade II listed milepost at the start of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Shardlow.
TOWPATH TREASURES/ANGLING 107
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The Towpath Angler
Our monthly look at the angling scene
The start of the Montgomery Canal at Welsh Frankton.
On the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Gargrave.
A recent milestone on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Hanbury.
The Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge.
An unusual number on the Union Canal.
SINCE submitting my last article I have enjoyed a slightly extended holiday in the Canaries during which my wife and I met up with a number of old friends, including a lovely couple from Norway, who we first met three years ago. Despite the weather not being the best we had a really good time. Much like the UK we suffered throughout out with strong winds, which occasionally were near gale force. That said it was still considerably warmer than here at home. Before we set off for home our Norwegian friends invited us to visit them some time soon. It is especially attractive as they have a summer cottage on the sea shore and do a lot of fishing so, with any luck, I will be able to re-kindle my liking for sea fishing. I guess there is always a price to pay for going on holiday. Although I kept abreast of emails while away there was, needless to say, a pretty sizeable list in the inbox on my return many of them relating to meetings. I already had quite a number in place before going away, and now I have just a handful of spare dates until well into March. Quite a number of my meeting commitments will be Canal & River Trust. CRT stages its first National User Forum meeting of 2015 later in February. I find these meetings extremely interesting, not least because they provide a perfect opportunity to meet practitioners from all sectors of the user community. The meetings allow the sharing of best practice and are also a good sounding board for new ideas and so help CRT formulate future strategies. I have previously mentioned the fishery & angling action plans and how these will be integral to each waterway’s business plan. While I have been away several waterways, in conjunction with CRT’s fisheries & angling team, have set up workshops. These will be the foundation stone upon which the plans will be developed. Each plan will help shape the role fisheries and angling has in CRT going forward by identifying and establishing priorities and then ensuring that these are actioned. It is therefore crucial that all angling club customers actively participate in their respective plans from the outset.
Common issues Adapted extract from Britain’s Canals, A National Treasure in 100 Must-See Objects by Phillippa Greenwood and Martine O’Callaghan – published by Coolcanals July 2012.
The Crinan Canal by the Moine Mhor.
On the Shropshire Union Canal at Audlem.
www.coolcanals.com
FACT FILE Milepost Historic examples of milepost or milestones can be seen at Ellesmere Yard on the Shropshire Union Canal, in the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, and in other waterways museums such as Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne.
Milestone Society The Milestone Society’s aim is to ‘identify, record, research, conserve and interpret for public benefit the milestones and other waymarkers of the British Isles’. The website includes a database of almost all visible milestones in Britain. www.milestonesociety.co.uk
National Waterways Museum For more information visit: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/national -waterways-museum Gloucester www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/gloucest er-waterways-museum Stoke Bruerne www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/thecanal-museum/stoke-bruerne
Location On canals throughout Britain. The canals are open all day every day – just find your local canal. How to get there By train National Rail Enquiries 0845 748 4950 By bus Traveline 0871 200 2233
On foot Canal towpaths are now easy routes to cycle and walk, many being part of Sustrans National Cycle Network or longdistance walking trails. www.sustrans.org.uk www.ldwa.org.uk Moorings There are plenty of visitor moorings available along Britain’s canals Local tourist info Canal & River Trust/Glandwr Cymru Use the Canal & River Trust website to find specific local canal information. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
In my role as chair of the advisory group, I am hoping to attend a number of these workshops myself. Given that the angling survey in 2014 confirmed
David Kent
our belief that the angling ‘experience’ on our waterways is still diminishing I am really keen to explore the key common issues flagged up in each waterway and then see the advisory group lend its full support to help make some solutions a reality. Closely linked to this you will recall I have previously reported on the CRT/AT Canal Pairs Championship. As I outlined, a qualifier will be staged in each waterway, but to really ensure the sustainability of this event it is imperative that more sections of more canals become fit for purpose over time (e.g. good access, car parking and a decent towpath are particularly essential ingredients). The action plans could well deliver these thus generating long-term benefit for both CRT and the clubs. Because of my holiday I have not really had a chance to talk to my various contacts about how our waterways have been fishing since the new year, so I have little to report. One thing I have noticed however is that while the regular specialist and match anglers are 12-month-a-year people, increasingly more and more anglers ‘hang up’ their kit from December to March. Many of our older ‘brethren’ have been doing this for years but, in truth, winter fishing is now a big turn-off for many. I must admit that even I think twice these days if I need to break ice before wetting a line! No doubt some of you will be contemplating a couple of hours, especially if the sun is shining. I think an afternoon session would still be favourite as the water may be that odd fraction warmer. Make a point not to forget that extra layer of clothing and your drinks flask. Good luck.
Seagull rescue prompts advice to anglers ANGLERS have been urged to take care when disposing of their fishing lines and hooks after the RSPCA and firefighters rescued a gull caught on a hook at the Grantham Canal. A passerby had spotted the bird tethered on to a submerged branch between Earlesfield Lane and Trent Road. RSPCA animal welfare officer Kate Burris was called out and found the distressed gull with a hook piercing its foot. As ice prevented her from getting close to the bird, Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue used a floating pontoon to enter the canal and reach the gull, which was then taken for examination and first aid at Avenue Vets in Grantham. It was released the following day.
River restocked A rich harvest DWINDLING fish stocks in the River Dearne, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, have led to more than 2000 barbel being released into the waterway, writes Geoff Wood. Last year, the Environment Agency released 2500 fish into the river as the first stage of a re-stocking project. They have also created deep pools in the Dearne, which are needed by barbel for spawning.
THERE was a rich harvest recently for anglers on one Yorkshire river, writes Geoff Wood. Large shoals of grayling chose stretches of the River Aire at Keighley, West Yorkshire, as a winter feeding ground. Anglers reported fish being caught on float in increasing numbers, and Keighley Angling Club placed extra pegs near Utley Bridge as the popularity of the fishing continued to build.
108 WET WEB / NEWS
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The Wet Web Helen Gazeley finds out more about the UK’s largest inland seaway.
GIVEN that, as the IWA advises ‘the Manchester Ship Canal is not considered a leisure waterway’, it’s unsurprising that there aren’t many narrowboaters travelling this wide expanse. Some found themselves making an unplanned visit a few weeks ago, however, when rerouting to avoid the renewed breach in the Trent & Mersey. It’s worth a visit, as the MSC, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Waterways compiled by Robert Aickman 50 years ago and the UK’s largest inland seaway, has a story unfolding. Paul Kirby, marine supervisor for Peel Ports, which now runs it as part of a unified facility in conjunction with the ports of
Liverpool and Manchester, says it’s getting busier every year. In the last five years, the number of containers (TEUs or Twenty-foot Equivalent Units, the measurement of a vessel’s cargo capacity) transported on the MSC has risen from 3000 to 22,500. It’s expected to increase to 100,000 in the next five years. Much of this is down to the Green Highway Shuttle Service, which connects deep-sea cargo with inland distribution hubs, taking bulk cargo off the road. When Kellogg increased its use of the shuttle in 2013 it estimated a reduction in its supply chain of 40,000 road miles, and the removal of 61 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
The Manchester Ship Canal has more picturesque parts than this. See Ian and Helen’s blog, http://ianhelencanals.blogspot.co.uk for interesting landmarks.
Ongoing development has comprised a container port on the outskirts of Manchester and a new £300-million deep-sea container terminal at Liverpool, due to open this year, which will bring a third port to the UK able to accommodate the new gargantuan ships that measure the length of four football pitches and are the height of 14 double-decker buses. The other two are in the south-east. Also included will be hubs along the canal to integrate warehousing and rail with road and waterborne transport. It’s a project with echoes of the MSC’s Victorian heyday. When it opened in 1894, it brought deepsea shipping right into Manchester, with all the economic impact that implies. For a time it was the country’s Britain’s third busiest port, though the city saw traffic decline throughout the latter part of the last century. With ongoing developments such as this, talk of a new Northern powerhouse begins to seem reasonable. On such a waterway, you might expect narrowboats to be discouraged, but Paul Kirby explained that, while commercial shipping is given priority in the four hours either side of high tide, smaller vessels (with their shallower drafts) are taken on either side of this period. To apply for permission to travel you need to fill in the MPF3 Pleasure Craft Induction Pack (peelports.com/ports/ manchester/port-information) which gives full details of the equipment required and
M/T Theodora, one of Tarbit Tankers’ high-heat vessels, taking bitumen, oil and chemicals, enters a lock on the Manchester Ship Canal. PHOTOS: PEEL PORT GROUP procedures followed. A full description of the route is also available from the IWA (http://bit.ly/1IhNzIt). The Russell Newbery Engine Owners and Enthusiasts Club completed a trip last year (fearing that increased traffic might make passage more difficult to organise in future) and describe both it and the organisation involved in its summer 2014 newsletter www.rnregister.org.uk/RNRN82-WebSmall.pdf If all this sounds fascinating, but you’d rather not negotiate it yourself, you could follow the example of Ian and Helen on nb Leo who describe their journey along the MSC on the Royal Iris from Liverpool last November on their blog, Travelling the Canals of England ianhelen canals.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/ cruising-length-of-manchester-
Artwork of sorts on the Manchester Ship Canal. ship-canal.html. Alternatively, Manchester Cruises offers a 45-minute tour starting at the other end www.manchester cruises.com
➔ Formoreinformation Do you have a favourite website? Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com
Baldwin Trust seeks new crew members THE Leicestershire-based Baldwin Trust is appealing for new volunteers to help crew its community boat trips. Since its foundation in 1988, it has operated specially adapted narrowboats, giving canal and river day trips for family groups
and in particular for the elderly, the disabled and those with special needs. It currently has two 70ft boats with lifts to allow easy access for passengers in wheelchairs and difficulties with mobility. Boating experience would be preferable but is not a necessity
A good outcome for Thorne Yacht Club and The Ethel Trust
as full training will be given. For more information contact chairman Pete Anderson on 07787 757114. All members work as unpaid volunteer crew to look after the boat and the visiting group on their outing. www.baldwintrust.co.uk
Crane restored to former glory
THORNE Yacht Club social committee raised £2000 in 2012-13 for the Doncaster-based Aurora Centre which provides support for people with cancer. Last year, following months of uncertainty due to the closure of Thorne Lock (Staniland) Marina early in 2014, the yacht club social committee kept things ticking over with the support of caretaker managers Judith and Chris Pattenden. Thanks to its members, past and present, a respectable £1500 was raised for nominated charity The Ethel Trust which operates a community barge on the Keadby & Stainforth Canal. It will be based at Staniland Marina in Thorne from May 2015. The club, which reopened on February 7, is now looking forward to a positive future with the new marina owners and the opportunity to raise muchneeded funds for local charities. New owners for Staniland Marina, page 53
Jeff Dobson, right, chairman of the TYC Social Committee, presents the cheque for £1500 to volunteers for The Ethel Trust, Phil Harrison, centre, and Brian Orwin, barge skipper, left. PHOTO: DAVID BRAMHILL
After undergoing lengthy restoration, this canalside crane has been reinstated as a feature on its original site beside the Trent & Mersey Canal at Shardlow. The crane was originally erected in 1870 by Zaccariah Smith for beer handling at the bottling stores on each side of the adjacent canal arm, now filled in, and was first restored by the Trent & Mersey Canal Society in 1989. PHOTO: LES HEATH
109
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TALKBACK
Your chance to write to us on any Towpath topic:
Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk
Was barge sunk to eliminate disease risk?
★ Silky Star Letter ★ TOWPATH TALK has joined forces with Silky Marine Products to celebrate the great letters and pictures we receive from our readers with a star prize each month. The lucky winner will receive a tub of Silky Cream Cleaner, Silky Deep Cleaner Ready to Use and Silky RX Enzyme Toilet Odour and Waste Reducer, worth a total value of more than £25 from the new range of Silky Marine Care and Maintenance products. Silky Marine Products are specifically formulated to work in sequence to remove dirt and residue specific to the boating environment, and include the widely regarded classic Silky Cream Cleaner. When a boat’s surfaces have been cleaned to a high standard using the Silky cleaning range, the valet and polish products bring out the shine, which is then sealed for the season with the unique polymer technology of Silky Protect. Available to the public through www.silkyproducts.com and selected retail outlets, Silky Products have been manufactured in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield for more than 40 years.
Watch the tiller arm in the ice THANK you for the excellent article on boating in winter: ‘Wonderful winter – but it demands respect from boaters’ (Issue 111, January). I have been boating for more than 40 years and so tend to read such articles with a slightly world weary view that writers usually state the obvious, but I was delighted to read the suggestion that you could actually warm up the water in the weed hatch by adding a kettle full of boiling water. Many a time have I cursed the cold as it caused excruciating pain in my arm as I cleared a propeller. If the advice given works, then I will be thankful for the rest of my boating days and totally bemused as to why this never occurred to me
or any of my boating friends. On a more serious note, one thing that the article didn’t mention was the danger from the tiller arm when boating through ice of any appreciable depth. When a bend is encountered, the boat often has to go into reverse to reposition it to allow it to turn. If the ice has any thickness, it can jam between the rudder and the hull and swing the tiller arm across the stern of the boat. You don’t want to be in the way when or if this happens, as it can hurt or even worse, push you into the water. Not good in icy conditions with a turning propeller right next to you. Nigel Nicholson nb Hakuna Matata
Stranded boaters say thanks to Brewery Tap I WOULD just like to ask if you would print a thank you for me to the manager and staff of the Brewery Tap in Lymm. It is a micro-brewery based in the old post office and opened in August 2013. They have now perfected their fine cask ales brewed on site. They have been extremely supportive of the boating community in the light of the recent stoppages on the Trent & Mersey and Rochdale and Ashton canals. These stoppages have forced a number of boaters to stay in or close to the village. The manager has been extremely helpful providing water, kindling, coal and fire lighters as well as a warm welcome to boaters and their dogs. Although they do not sell hot food they do provide a number of complimentary snacks of olives, pretzels, pickled eggs and wasabi peas and sell A Ward of Stockton Heath award-winning pork pies with a range of mustards. They also allow customers to buy food either from the superb cafe boat when it is in the village or the Lymm chip shop opposite and eat inside the pub. I’d just like to send a big thank you from all the stranded boaters for their kindness and hospitality. I hope you can print a few words of appreciation on our behalf. Doug Wild By email
A warm welcome for stranded boaters in the Brewery Tap. PHOTO SUPPLIED
THE Westmorland Gazette (January 22) carried a story about a sunken barge on the Lancaster Canal at Field End Bridge (169) winding hole which is now full of horse tail weed. There was a diphtheria epidemic in 1920, and it is thought that it was a hospital ship transporting victims from outlying areas to Lancaster. Certainly, during the First World War, wounded soldiers were transported by canals, as this was a safe and smooth way, rather than by rickety carriages, or farm carts over rough roads. This story has created considerable response from older people in the community and a story emerges that a little girl may have died on board and the barge was sunk by the owners as there was no means of fumigating against deadly diphtheria in those days. This story is ongoing and divers are preparing to investigate, but perhaps other canal communities have similar stories and it would be interesting to hear them. Frank Sanderson Public relations officer, Lancaster Canal Trust.
The winding hole at Field End Bridge. PHOTO: FRANK SANDERSON
Join the volunteers on the Macclesfield Canal
Fuel charges on hire boats
JUST to confirm Peter McLaren’s letter ‘Work is being done on the Macclesfield Canal’ (Talkback, Issue 111, January). Since September 2014: ● Volunteers from the Macclesfield Canal Society and local boating groups have cleared 11 miles of overhanging offside vegetation ● Contractors have cleared a further 16 miles ● Volunteers have cleared about six miles of towpath saplings; and, all being well, by March volunteers will have cleared a further 10 miles of towpath saplings. All this volunteer work is done with the blessing and material assistance of the Canal & River Trust. Further work is being planned. Look out for news of more volunteer effort cutting back offside trees on the Peak Forest Canal in the autumn. Local groups are adopting and improving the towpaths in increasing numbers, too. As an aside, I carry a bow saw and loppers when boating, which have come in handy clearing fallen trees etc, out of the way and cutting back the odd dangerously low branch. We are keeping up the pressure on CRT to dredge the worst parts of the canal. Bear in mind though it’s always going to be shallow and slow going, the original act specified 3ft 3in as opposed to the 4ft 6in depth of other narrow canals. Mooring away from wharves on the Macc is tricky except where the bank has been piled, as the canal was built to a shallow saucer shape. CRT is installing pontoons in Macclesfield during March to overcome this, and various collapsed sections of towpath are being repaired this winter. So, please don’t be put off visiting the Macclesfield Canal – we think it’s the most scenic in the country, and Bosley Locks are certainly in the most beautiful setting anywhere. If everyone who complained about the state of the cut put in just one day’s volunteer effort there would pretty soon be very little to complain about. The CRT and IWA websites have loads of details about towpath taskforces and other volunteer opportunities, and anyone who wants to be part of the volunteer work parties on the Macc should email secretary@ macclesfieldcanal.org.uk Ray Butler Secretary, Macclesfield Canal Society
Adding fuel to the fire READING the letters on the matter of the dodgy merchants (Talkback, Issue 112, February), I felt I must concur with the original article in question and add my own experiences to the melting pot! A couple of winters ago when myself, my partner and our baby first moved aboard, our boat was fitted with a solid-fuel Squirrel stove and, after seeking advice from fellow boaters, we sought out petcoke as our fuel. While on holiday we found a place selling it at a very reasonable price and bought 20 bags back with us to see us through winter. On opening our first bag we discovered that among the fuel were pebbles and small stones, as well as extremely runny ‘slack’. We rang the merchant who told us that it was just ‘a bit of yard dirt’ and not to worry. We took him at his word and carried on using the fuel (finding stones in each successive bag), and one evening there was a pop, a resounding crack, a hot stone melting a patch in the carpet and a shattered glass front in the fire! We replaced the glass in the fire and were horrified when the same thing happened two weeks later. Perhaps it was bad luck, and indeed ‘yard dirt’ but we decided to get a Bubble stove in the spring to avoid any chance of our daughter getting hurt. Also, while visiting friends, we were approached by a strange man thrusting leaflets for a local coal merchant. He seemed a little odd and on questioning our friends we were told that he was trying to spite the local coal boats and boatyards. Our friends had tried a bag of what was said to be Excel but, on burning it, found it to be something completely different – Burnwell. All in all, while I see the concern of the writers if there are inaccuracies in the article, I believe them sadly mistaken if they think that coal is as infallible as they would hope, and all merchants are as honest as they are. Sally Harper By email
READER David Jefferson wrote to TPT raising concerns about the cost of heating fuel charged to hire boat customers following a trip on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. In the autumn, his party hired a dieselheated boat from Red Line at Goytre Wharf, booked through ABC Leisure and he wrote: “We had a very nice few days on what must be the most beautiful canal in the UK and the weather was wonderful, not the rain which Wales is famed for. There was a sting in the tail though.” When they returned the boat, they were told that they owed an additional £56 for diesel and were given a receipt that itemised the diesel used for propulsion and domestic which was charged at £80.82 although they claimed to have only used the heating for about six hours. David wrote to ABC, asking what the hourly charge for heating was and received a partrefund, but no explanation. Following a further letter in which he mentioned contacting Trading Standards, ABC replied that it apportions the fuel charges by a notional percentage and suggested the high use of fuel was caused by the speed they travelled on a shallow canal. Towpath Talk also contacted ABC for clarification and an excerpt of the reply to Mr Jefferson follows: “There is only one type of diesel supplied. Government regulations stipulate that two different rates of duty are charged, one rate for propulsion and another for domestic use. At the time of your holiday these charges were £1.64 for propulsion and £1.15 for domestic. By arrangement with the tax authorities we have set percentage ratios which we can declare. In October when you returned your boat these percentages were set at 18% propulsion and 82% domestic which are simply nominal percentages agreed between our company and the tax authorities, ironically instigated by us to lower our fuel charges. It was suggested that the central heating system does use quite a bit of diesel and that the cruising speed and the weed hatch were also possible factors to explain the amount of fuel used. The marina manager stated that diesel readings for that day reconciled with the reading on the pump with total accuracy and confirmed 85.7 litres of fuel (18% 15.4 litres charged at £1.64 per litre and 82% 70.3 litres charged at £1.15 per litre). This does not mean that 82% of the total was used for heating, it is only the accepted means of allocating the tax duty. For comparison he also provided details for charges for the same boat before and after the trip in question. The booking before was taken for a three-night break and their fuel bill was £51.60 so they needed to pay an additional £1.60 and the booking took the boat for a fournight break and used £58.56 which meant they had to pay an additional £8.56. There was also a Swallow class boat taken out for seven nights at the same time and they used £71.32 which meant they had a refund of £18.68. In conclusion although the extra fuel charge of £56.12 was correct, we did as a gesture of goodwill refund £28 so we now consider this matter closed.”
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River Canal Rescue – rising from the ashes
IN TRUE phoenix-like fashion, River Canal Rescue is rising from the ashes after a fire in an adjoining building gutted its premises and stock. It hopes to move into a newly built office by April. The team has been working from a temporary office since November with emergency and general enquiry lines on divert to mobiles and post redirected to its new address. Managing director, Stephanie Horton, explained: “It’s been a tough time but we‘re going from strength to strength and are close to a full recovery. Thanks to the generous assistance of our many suppliers and contractors, stock levels are now reaching the same levels we had before the fire. “By April we hope to be back in our original location, moving
into newly built offices and storage areas, and we will then be able to install permanent phone lines.” She continued: “It’s business as usual for administration and our membership packs and documentation are up to date and on track. The only area that has proved more difficult is with accounts. It was in the main, a paper-based system, which perished in the fire, so we’ve had to build a new system from scratch. “Operationally we’ve tried to ensure the fire has had little impact on our customers and the service we provide – and we’ve been helped by our insurance company, Navigators & General, which ensured disruption was kept to a minimum. The team provided
unparalleled support in resolving our claim and this has been crucial in keeping our business running.” Stephanie originally predicted it would take until Easter for her business to recover, however, with stock back to its original levels and two new members of staff joining the office and engineering team, she’s confident RCR can meet customer demands moving in to the busy season. A major issue has arisen as a result of the fire after RCR found the owner of the company housing the fireworks did not have insurance. The firework company had an inspection from Trading Standards, which licenses the sale of fireworks, two weeks before the incident. However, there is no
requirement to check whether adequate or correct insurance is in place. Had insurance been taken out, the insurer would have required the owner to comply with strict health and safety guidelines. RCR is campaigning, along with other affected businesses, for Trading Standards to routinely check insurance when undertaking visits. Stephanie concluded: “It’s a sobering thought, but a simple modification to the rules could have prevented this fire from happening, saving lives and safeguarding businesses. Our landlord is set to lose £650,000 and the business next door has ceased trading. This is no surprise when the fire brigade advises 65% of businesses fail following a catastrophic fire. ”
TowpaTh TiTTeR
CONTINUING our light-hearted look at life on the cut with another contribution from Les Heath.
Just like sheep: A view from the banks of the River Nene to the Washlands Flood Storage Area just outside Northampton. And thanks to Brian Slack of nb South Downs for this quacking pic!
Continuing the wildlife theme, here’s another contribution from Harry Arnold of Waterway Images.
“What is this stuff? Aargh, I can see my feet!”
The Canal & River Trust is improving the ecology of the Trent & Mersey Canal by planting Seagull Trees.
Lost canaLwonderstheme for photo competition THE Lost Wonders of the Waterways World is the theme of a new photo competition launched to capture the hundreds of miles of derelict canals across England and Wales. Launched by the Canal & River Trust in partnership with The Inland Waterways Association, it is asking for photographs of derelict or unrestored waterways that capture the emotion and feeling of our ‘lost’ waterways to help rediscover and bring these much-needed spaces back to life. Jason Leach, CRT enterprise and
restoration manager said: “Many of us have seen striking images of some of our most famous landmarks such as Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Bingley Five Rise Locks or Standedge Tunnel, which are great examples of how special our waterways can be. We’re after originality and good technical ability and pictures that trigger emotion in people. “There are hundreds of miles of abandoned waterways out there and we hope it opens up the imagination to the potential of how local areas could look if a canal was restored over time.”
The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 10, 2015 and the winning entry will win vouchers worth £500 and two runners-up will scoop £250. Winners will be announced during the week commencing May 11. ● For details about how to get involved with a canal restoration group near you and for competition and prize details, visit www.canalriver trust.org.uk/restoration
Southerly breeze
In this month’s extracts from her online blog,Amy Whitewick noses out a windy problem and a new arrival. TRAPPED wind, combined with the sniffles, is perhaps the most terrible set of crimes on this earth – particularly if it involves an engine. Our boat caught one of those so-called nasties and refused
to start, the bow shuddering as the vessel coughed and spluttered, rocking in its foundations. Engineer Dave came to the rescue, looking upon it with a furrowed brow and a quizzical look on his face, before coming to the conclusion that there was trapped wind between the injectors. To put it into perspective, it was as bad as having wind stuck below your rib cage after drinking a pint of apple juice. Very nasty. Unfortunately boats don’t have the natural capacity to produce a jolly good fart, hence the need for a set of spanners and a great deal of patience to bleed her out like a radiator. I actually felt sorry for her, being in such an embarrassing situation. We all know what it’s like to be in company when your body decides to misbehave.
Clean pants
The ‘girl’ waiting to meet her new neighbour.
PHOTO:AMY WHITEWICK
After some unpleasant fumbling, our girl was soon back to fighting fit under Engineer Dave’s capable hands, and resumed to her normal rumble after a
If you have a suitable photo or anecdote we can share with our readers, please send it to Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR or email: editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk And don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter @towpathtalk and on Facebook
couple of turns of the engine key. I patted her gently. At least we used kitchen roll to mop up her spills, unlike the boxes of sanitised rags we often have, with curious examples of human undergarments in their midst. Knickers might be amusing, but, often being made of nice cotton, they are handy for cleaning purposes (when they too are clean and belong to someone else, of course. Using your own is against all righteous laws, and isn’t an attractive quality to have).
The theory of neighbours
Suddenly, out of the blue, we have found that we have a new set of neighbours. The boat next to our girl has been sold, and not long ago we spied smoke coming out of the chimney – the ultimate ‘I’m here’ signal on a cold winter’s day. I’ve since learned the hard way that it is far better to freeze than light your fire if you have your favourite type of breakfast muffins on board, or someone might just invite themselves in and eat the lot in front you while you look on like a dog that’s had its bone whipped out from under its feet. Yes, you know who you are. The toffee flavour was my favourite one. Once the new smoke was sighted, it seemed everyone in the marina had come outside to a) see if a new pope had been elected or b) paint/polish/nip to the shop/see Colin/walk the dog just to see what all the commotion was emanating from a small van carrying enough furniture for a small two-storey house. Men were rushing backwards and forwards with sack trucks
and chairs, and even I stopped to wonder how it would all fit (the boat is a fat one like our girl, so anything’s possible). Observers of this event were so curious and yet slightly afraid to see what was going on that they shouted to each other across the water just to see if anyone wanted a cup of tea so that they could confer with their theories in secret. Nursing theories is a very dangerous art, requiring two rounds of tea, lots of whispering and an initiation ceremony (no-one knows whether it involves dunking or drinking). Boaters are champions at shouting, being able to rival the yodellers of the mountains. After all, mobile phones are almost useless, and string and cups, well – quite frankly, it’s better to yell across the marina and shout ‘eh?’ in response to every question. For some reason mouthing ‘tea?’ always gets a yes. Swearing achieves nothing except frowns from your neighbours. I’ve yet to meet the new owners, but they sound interesting. I spied a cage big enough for a lion in their rear cratch, with a teddy bear bigger than me in it. Perhaps the bear is dangerous, who knows. Either way, our girl is now snug as a bug with two stoves (one each side) keeping her cosily warm for half the cost. Let’s just hope she doesn’t learn how to fart. ● Read Amy’s blog at http://weboughtafatboat.blogspot.com
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