The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users
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Issue 109, November 2014
Autumn sunshine on the K&A
Christmas Gift Guide Starts P60
MAKING WAVES AT MAESBURY
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Passing one of the Kennet & Avon Canal’s most attractive swing bridge locations – by St Lawrence Church at Hungerford. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES
London boaters petition CRT over speeding towpath cyclists By Polly Player
LANDMARK CELEBRATIONS AT PARKHEAD FESTIVAL
BOATERS in London have petitioned the Canal & River Trust to address the recurrent problem of speeding cyclists along the city’s towpath network. A series of incidents in recent months have left many boaters concerned for the safety of both themselves and their pets. As London’s roads become progressively busier, many cyclists have found the towpath network to be a
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THE PROS AND CONS OF COMPOSTING LOOS P55
Roy opens ‘roving bridge’
TWO projects making it easier for people to access the World Heritage Site on the Llangollen Canal have been officially reopened by local resident Roy Duggan, who helped raise awareness of them. The 19th century Postles Bridge built by Thomas Telford in Trevor has been updated with a new ramp allowing people with mobility scooters or pushchairs and cyclists easier access. The ‘roving bridge’ was built to allow horses, towing laden canal boats, to cross the canal without the need to be unhitched. Towpath improvements included widening and resurfacing a 1500m stretch between Horseshoe Falls and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
438 BOATS FOR SALE Starts on
faster, safer alternative to cycling on the road. However, due to the high volume of traffic along the towpaths, combined with the high speeds at which many cyclists traverse the network, many London boaters now feel that the towpaths are no longer safe, and that a speed limit should be introduced in order to address this. CRT’s advice to cyclists is to share the towpath fairly, keep to a reasonable speed, use their bells to alert walkers of their presence, and to slow down where
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River Thames, Windsor
Thames & Kennet Marina
Walton Marina
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Pyrford Marina
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Norfolk Broads
necessary in order to avoid causing accidents. While many cyclists abide by these guidelines, a number of the city’s bicycle commuters do not, which has led to a series of accidents and collisions involving cyclists and other towpath users. As a result of this, many London boaters feel that CRT should be doing more to enforce a safe cycling speed along London’s towpaths. On September 17, two cyclists were involved in a head-on collision on the towpath next to Broadway Market on
Pub on food shortlist
WATERSIDE pub The Ship Inn at Brandon Creek, where the Great Ouse and Little Ouse rivers meet, has reached the finals of the pub restaurant section of the FreeFrom Eating Out Awards 2014. The winners will be announced at a presentation party on the first day of the Food Matters Live event at Excel in London’s Docklands on Tuesday, November 18. Two food stalls at Camden Lock Market – Feed Me Primal and Louisiana Chilli Shack – have also been shortlisted in the cafes, coffee shops, tearoom and takeaways section.
the Regents Canal, leading to paramedics attending the scene and one of the injured parties being taken to hospital for treatment. In a separate incident, London boater Andy Thornycroft’s dog was lying beside his boat when he was hit by a cyclist passing at speed, while Ali Rawlings, who used to sell drinks and cakes from her boat, says that the issue of safety regarding towpath cyclists has effectively stopped her from trading. • Continued on page 2
Waterways archive goes live
THE Canal & River Trust has published more than 37,000 archive records and 22,000 historic images from its archives online at canalrivertrust.org.uk/archive for the first time. The £50,000 project is the first phase of a major project to open up public access to the national waterways collection. The Waterways Archive is housed at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port and is the largest archive of waterway-related materials in the country and holds a wide range of primary material relating to the history of Britain’s canals and inland waterways.
2 NEWS
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WELCOME
WE HAVE all heard, I’m sure, about people buying or renting boats to live on because it is their only affordable access to a home of their own – especially in the South East. But are the prospective boaters or those wishing to offset the costs of boat ownership fully aware of the legal ramifications? I asked Sorwar Ahmed, boater liaison manager of the Canal & River Trust in London – see my report on this page. While in the capital, I also visited the London Canal Museum for the preview of a fascinating new exhibition about the role of the waterways on the Western Front in the First World War. More on this next month but in the meantime see details on page 59. The ‘which toilet’ debate has taken a new twist with the emergence of the composting toilet to add to the choice of pump out or cassette. Polly Player looks at the pros and cons of this new loo on the block in her feature on page 55. As the festival season draws to a close, Harry Arnold reports from a very successful Maesbury event on page 4 and I spent an enjoyable weekend at Parkhead, see page 14. The Canal & River Trust has taken decisive action in the dispute over the Kirk Bramwith coffee boat, reported last month. I visited the boat on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal and have spoken to the parties involved, but my report has been overtaken by events, see page 3. I don’t know whether you have started your Christmas shopping yet – something else to add to the to-do list – but if you’re looking for some ideas of boat-related gifts, turn to the first of our gift guides on page 60. Happy hunting!
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TALK
Janet
Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Julie Brown Display advertising Nikita Leak nleak@mortons.co.uk Classified advertising Stuart Yule syule@mortons.co.uk Feature advertising Jason Carpenter jcarpenter@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional ad manager Sue Keily Direct sales executive John Sharratt Group production editor Tim Hartley Production manager Craig Lamb Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us General queries 01507 529529 help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466 Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004 Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456 Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – November 20, 2014
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Heading for London?
Do your homework or you could have to turn again By Janet Richardson
LIVING on a boat is being seen as a cheaper alternative to buying or renting a home on land, particularly in the honeypot areas of London and the Home Counties. Each month our wanted ads include requests from people seeking to lease a boat either short or long term with a view to living aboard, but are they – and those making their boats available for hire – aware of the implications? Sorwar Ahmed, boater liaison manager (London) for the Canal & River Trust told Towpath Talk that people are sometimes given the impression that they can acquire a boat and head to London but in reality they have very little prospect of finding somewhere to moor. And this is making it more difficult for boaters simply wishing to visit the capital. And there are other legal implications: “If you rent a boat and something happens, you need to be sure you are covered by insurance,” he explained. Landlords have a duty of care and responsibility for ensuring the correct cover is in place as well as a valid boat safety certificate and that CO and smoke alarms are fitted. It must also be properly licensed for letting.
The Canal & River Trust has been tackling congestion in the London area and now has an enforcement team at full strength. Sorwar explained that it is in the middle of a threeyear project to tackle the problem and reminders are sent via a text messaging service to boaters using 14day moorings when they are due to move on. “People get a boat without actually thinking about where to keep it. If you do your homework and are properly prepared you can get a lot out of boating – that is the challenge,” he added.
Legal requirements
Guidelines for renting a boat to live on, or hiring out your own boat, can be found on the CRT website at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/a-boat-of-yourown which recognises that having a boat as a home is a popular choice for some people and some boat owners are keen to find ways to help offset the costs of owning and maintaining a boat. However, it warns prospective landlords: “If you cannot demonstrate that you’ve met all the legal requirements, including having a non-private boat safety certificate, commercial insurance and proof that you’ve gone through the handover
procedure correctly, you may end up with a serious criminal conviction. “You cannot get a licence to rent out your boat for residential use unless you have a home mooring with planning consent for residential use. These moorings are in very short supply, so you should not apply for a Residential Letting licence until you have secured an appropriate mooring. “Renting out your boat without the correct licence is a breach of your terms and conditions and you risk having your licence revoked.” And prospective tenants are advised: “If you’re thinking of renting a boat to live on (or for any other purpose), make sure you do your research thoroughly before you start.” The boat’s licence should have RL clearly marked in the centre if the boat is licensed for Residential Letting and the letters SDHH if it is licensed for holiday hire. If you have any doubts, email the customer services team at customer.services@canalrivertrust.org.uk (03030 404040) with the boat’s name and index number, explain that you’re thinking of renting the boat and ask them to confirm that it has the right kind of licence.
Row rumbles on over disputed moorings ownership
By Elizabeth Rogers
UNCERTAINTY continues about the ownership of a length of bank alongside the Oxford Canal at the northern end of the city, leaving a dispute about moored boats unresolved. Naming themselves The Friends of Castle Mill Stream, boaters took up occupation of the moorings several weeks ago, claiming that the canalside land is unregistered. Initial approaches were made to the Canal & River Trust to have the boats
removed, but the trust does not believe that it is the landowner. National Rail then became involved as research showed that its predecessor had owned the land, it having been sold in the early 1800s by the predecessors of the trust. Legal teams for both bodies are still investigating the history of the ownership. CRT’s Sarah Rudy told Towpath Talk: “We are still certain that the trust doesn’t own the land. Network Rail says that it was sold to us but we are
these moored boats.” she said. “Meanwhile, they are getting more and more entrenched, as I have warned the trust. I am concerned that the longer this continues the more difficult it will be to move them on. They have already tried to establish themselves by erecting a community notice board. “I have been receiving complaints about noise, as there are flats that overlook the site. The residents there report hearing loud music and raucous shouting.”
Boaters alerted to Calor cylinder recall
• Continued from page 1
The Regent’s Canal towpath. PHOTO: PASTLONDON Ali states that due to the speed of passing cyclists in areas including Mile End, Victoria Park and Broadway Market, she no longer feels able to ensure the safety of her customers on the towpath while they are being served, and for this reason, has ceased to trade within the London area. CRT issued Ali with some leaflets to hand out to cyclists listing the mentioned guidelines on cycling speed and sharing the towpath, however, the guidelines have not had any significant effect on the speed or attitude of the worst offenders. Ali states that many cyclists have responded aggressively when asked to slow
waiting for it to provide the evidence for this. We are still adamant about the matter as we cannot find any record of a transfer to us.” Victoria Bradley from Network Rail said its own researches are continuing. Oxford City councillor for the ward of Osney and Jericho Susannah Pressel has been hearing of concerns from local residents. “I am very disappointed indeed that the Canal & River Trust has still not lifted a finger to do anything about
down, or have replied that cyclists have right of way, which is of course incorrect. As a result of the ongoing issues regarding towpath cycling in London, London boater Laura Hughes has launched a petition on Change.org, encouraging CRT to introduce speed limits and calming measures along the towpaths of the canals and rivers in London. With 365 signatures to date and a wide range of supporting comments and personal stories of incidents involving cyclists having been collated already, boaters and any other parties that use the towpaths on a regular basis are encouraged to add their voice to the campaign.
● The petition can be found online at http://chn.ge/1wzcME1 and more information is available via the London Boaters Facebook group.
THE Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is supporting Calor Gas Ltd to alert any boaters to the immediate product recall on all 6kg Calor Lite® cylinders manufactured between 2008-2011 inclusively, following concerns regarding the potential deterioration of the cylinder. A small number of these cylinders have been found to be showing signs of premature internal deterioration which over time could lead to a gas escape. BSS manager Graham Watts said: “We have been advised that the risk of this occurring is perceived to be minimal. “However, we understand that Calor, which sees its responsibility for customer safety as paramount, is determined to
have a thorough internal inspection of all potentially affected cylinders.’ Cylinders must be returned to any 6kg Calor Lite® retail outlet immediately. Cylinders manufactured outside this date range are unaffected and safe to use. Also cylinders from 2008-11 that have already been checked do not need returning. These are marked with a hole punched into the flat metal tare disc that sits on top of the cylinder just below the valve. Boaters can find the nearest 6kg Calor Lite® retail outlet by using the Find-aStockist facilities to be found at www.calor.co.uk/recall. Boaters returning a cylinder from the critical period will be given, for free, a full replacement 6kg Calor Lite ®cylinder.
The year of manufacture can be found in two places on the base ring.
HS2 route change at Fradley Junction THE Government is adopting Canal & River Trust and Inland Waterways Association proposals to realign the route of HS2. The new route avoids much of the historic Fradley Junction to Woodend area of the Trent & Mersey Canal, and the need for a large worksite alongside the Coventry Canal between Streethay and Huddlesford. Assurances have also been
given that HS2 will ensure that restoration of the Lichfield Canal can continue. CRT commissioned engineering consultancy Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd whose report set out an alternative alignment largely avoiding the canal, substantially reducing embankment heights, noise and visual intrusion, and potentially saving the project millions of pounds.
NEWS 3
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Successful rescue after boat catches on lock cill
THE crew of a hire boat from Wyvern Shipping Co Ltd were able to resume their cruising holiday around the Leicester Ring after it was successfully rescued from Kegworth Deep Lock on the River Soar. This drama began when the 62ft four-berth narrowboat Empress entered the lock at 9am on September 25. With the top gates closed and the bottom paddles opened, the steerer stepped off the boat to take a look at the parallel old lock and the boat drifted back in the lock, the stern caught on the cill and the bow sank into the bottom of the lock. Two women who were in the saloon managed to make their way to the stern and get off the boat and, in doing so, one received minor cuts and bruises. The emergency services were called by a passer-by and the police,
ambulance and fire brigade arrived within 20 minutes; then the hirer called Wyvern Shipping’s managing director James Griffin. He requested that the fire service ensured that the lock was not used and the boat left on the cill until he arrived, also informing the Canal & River Trust (CRT) of the accident. After a two-hour wait, the CRT’s contractors Commercial Boat Services arrived with pumps and lifting equipment and a rescue plan was agreed. James said: “This was an almost identical cilling to the one in March at Bath deep lock where the rescue operation took five days and the boat was sunk twice during the rescue resulting in it being written off. This I did not want to happen to Empress; as the owner of the boat I wanted to keep the flooding of the boat to a minimum
IN BRIEF Weaver bridge reopens
Narrowboat Empress is refloated during the successful pumping out operation.
PHOTO: JAMES GRIFFIN
and also have the lock clear as soon as possible.” Using winches to pull the boat on to an even keel, mobile pumps were used to remove the water from the cabin. With the gunwales above water, the boat was soon pumped out and when it was fully floated it was found that no water had gone beyond the forward area that was sunk. The river water was fortunately very clean. The rescue operation took four hours and the holiday-makers were able to remain on the boat. At 7pm
Wedding gifts boost Keppel appeal RIGHT: Signing the register are newlyweds Andrew and Elizabeth Watts of the Etruria Boat Group following their marriage on October 11. Instead of gifts, they asked for donations towards the appeal to restore the group’s historic boat Keppel and were over the moon with the generosity of family and friends who contributed over £2500. See more about the Keppel appeal on page 15.
PHOTO: REBEKAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
Now it’s the Tour de Broads 2014 READERS may remember the reports in Towpath Talk last year about Selby man John Wonfor who set off around the canal and river network on board a converted 16ft catamaran to raise money in memory of his late wife Carol. His journey, called The tour de canale 2013 took two-and-a-half months and raised about £3000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. John said: “It turned out to be a series of disasters mixed up with a series of wonderful people. I tried to keep a daily diary and this seemed to amuse people for some reason.” His boat, called Listen, was “so abused by my
bad sailing” that it had to be retired and he has bought a new one Listen Too for this year’s challenge which started in late September. John aims to travel every navigable stretch of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, using an electric powered outboard with nine batteries for power. He is doing it again to raise awareness and funds for Macmillan Cancer Support as a payback for the “wonderful help” given to Carol who died of bowel cancer two years ago. John’s effort can be supported at www.macmillan.tributefunds.com/carolwonf or or through John’s Facebook page.
James started the engine and backed Empress out of the lock. The next morning Wyvern Shipping replaced the loose items that had been submerged and the hirers were able to continue their two-week holiday. James expressed his thanks to the four boaters held up at the lock, his engineer, and Commercial Boat Services for its help and providing the equipment for what turned out to be a very successful rescue. He added that the crew had experienced many canal holidays.
Canal & River Trust takes action in coffee boat row
THE Canal & River Trust has taken decisive action in the row which blighted a peaceful stretch of the Stainforth & Keadby Canal at Kirk Bramwith by serving an injunction on the owners of coffee boat Brass Rivet II. As reported last month, cafe operators Michael and Donna Milsom had appealed an enforcement notice by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council which stated that their business contravened planning regulations. Their landlord, the Canal & River Trust, terminated their commercial mooring agreement and after they did not meet the September 8 deadline to move, head of business boating Phil Spencer stated on October 2: “As a consequence, and to avoid further conflict and uncertainty, we have taken the difficult decision to take action to stop the coffee boat from operating on the current site.” Announcing to customers that the cafe would close on October 19, Donna stated: “We have fought long and hard to stay for the wonderful people we have met over the last three summers and regret the decision that has been forced upon us. Many thanks for your support and custom.” As we went to press, she told Towpath Talk that she had contacted her local MP, labour leader Ed Miliband and both she and some of her customers would be appealing to the Ombudsman. Nearby residential boaters claimed the Milsoms had made their position untenable by breaching their permitted planning permission and mooring contract. Spokesman Dave Binks, who has been on the CRT moorings on the opposite bank for several years, told Towpath Talk it had been a living hell for the past two years. He concluded a lengthy statement outlining the boaters’ complaints by asking: “Why should this historic area with its listed locks not be protected from the uncontrolled, everexpanding unsympathetic business so that it’s here for everyone to enjoy?”
SUTTON Weaver Swing Bridge over the River Weaver, near Frodsham, Cheshire, has reopened after a £4.5 million restoration. The bridge, which carries the busy A56 trunk road, opened to traffic again on Saturday, October 11. Rowing boats and narrowboats have been able to pass underneath throughout the project, but the Weaver Navigation was expected to be open to all river traffic by the end of October. It is the first complete refurbishment of the 88-year-old bridge, which carries 20,000 vehicles a day, and will extend its life by over 50 years. Full report next month.
Python in dock
THE long distance traveller pictured in our report of Alvecote Historic Boat Gathering last month was Ling, which is owned by a Chesterfield Canal Trust member who has kindly been taking information about the Chesterfield Canal and Trust, including its big banner, to many historic boat events this summer. The trust’s boat Python almost sank last year and was temporarily repaired before being taken to Paul Barber’s boatyard where it has been out of the water for 12 months. It remains there while the trust seeks the large amount of funding necessary to give it a thorough repair and refit job, setting it up for the next 20 years.
Panther error
Historic boat Panther is owned and operated by the Coventry Canal Society, not club as reported in our September issue. We are happy to set the record straight about both of the above boats.
Online vote IN OUR latest online poll at
www.towpathtalk.co.uk we asked readers for their views on the badger cull. Of those who responded, 71% were opposed to the cull, 21% were in favour and 8% were undecided. This month we are asking readers what type of toilet they have on their boat.
Murder enquiry
A 64-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman’s body was found on a canal boat at Salterforth, West Craven in North Yorkshire, writes Geoff Wood. At the time of going to press, the woman, who was believed to be in her 40s, had not been formally identified.
Triathlon date THE 2015 Montgomery Canal Triathlon
will be held on Saturday, May 9. There will be a change in the walking and the canoeing sections but it will still use the 35-mile route. For further information contact 01691 831455 or visit Pete’s Montgomery Canal website at www.montgomerycanal.me.uk/
8 NETWORKING
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Slough success
New headquarters for Aylesbury Canal Society
Bowbridge progress
THE new facilities building and club headquarters for Aylesbury Canal Society at Circus Field basin on the edge of the town was recently handed over to chairman Bryan Barnes by Peter Hubbard of the builders, Lodge Park Construction Limited. Receiving the keys to the new building, Bryan said it marked the culmination of a long and complex process triggered by the Aylesbury Waterside development. “It opens a new and exciting chapter in the society’s history but we will continue to promote the use of the Arm and to welcome visiting boats as we always have done. “We look forward to seeing old friends and new faces at Circus Field and hope that many canal users will be able to join us for the official opening celebration and bicentenary of the Arm in 2015.” Some landscaping and internal fittingout works remain for the society to complete but members transferred all its possessions from temporary accommodation to the new HQ at a
SOCIETY NEWS THE Friends of Slough Canal has congratulated Slough Borough Council and the Canal & River Trust on the success of Slough Canal Festival, held in September at Bloom Park, Slough. This year’s event saw well over twice the normal number of visiting boats moored alongside the festival site, due in large measure to work recently carried out by the CRT dredging the canal. It is hoped that, as the improved condition of the waterway becomes more widely known, more boaters will include Slough in their cruising schedules. COTSWOLD Canals Trust reports good progress on the Bowbridge Lock restoration with extra impetus given by four week-long Waterway Recovery Group camps which concentrated on rebuilding the upper wing walls, clearing silt and installing stop plank grooves. The trust’s Tuesday Volunteers have almost completed the rebuild of the towpath wharf wall, and the Thursday Volunteers will soon also be working there with activity increasing to three or four weekdays and possibly Sundays.
well-attended and very busy working party over the weekend of September 13-14. The £1.7 million building, partly funded by the sale of the society’s previous lease on the town basin in Aylesbury and by a substantial bank loan, will provide a new headquarters for the society after more than 40 years in an adapted prefabricated home dating back to the aftermath of the Second World War. The building contains a first-floor function room with lift access and capacity for 300 people with a bar and adjoining toilets. The function room leads to a balcony with views overlooking the Aylesbury Arm and across the society’s basin which accommodates 40 members’ craft and space for visiting boats. A boaters’ laundry contains two washing machines and two tumble dryers while the three showers include one suitable for wheelchair users. All will be available to visiting boaters who can expect the usual ACS welcome on arrival.
THE Retford and Worksop Boat Club’s recent fundraising event to help three servicemen, who received serious injuries in Afghanistan, qualify for the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil raised more than £4000. As reported previously in Towpath Talk, amputees Steven Palmer, Craig Wood and Luke Sinnott are already members of the British Sailing Team and funding from Help for Heroes helped to buy their boat Spare Parts. Many donations were received and North Notts Lions gave a cheque.
Gloucestershire Canal Trust has received a £150,000 loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to develop and own a property at Dymock which will form part of a wider housing development. This comes six months after £85,000 part funding to buy the only waterside pub on the canal route.
Trust trophy
THE Welshpool-based Heulwen Trust was recently awarded a trophy by the National Community Boats Association for being its most active member in 2014. The boat trips for disabled children and adults are in constant demand, with a school from as far as north London visiting in July. (Friends of the Montgomery Canal newsletter, August 2014)
Website milestone
CONGRATULATIONS to the Plas Kynaston Canal Group whose www.plaskynastoncanalgroup.org website recently had its quarter of a millionth hit.
The temperature-controlled and ventilated wet dock.
Dock facilities
The indoor, temperature-controlled and ventilated wet dock is more than 72ft/22m long and will accommodate a boat with an air draught of up to 2.2m/7.2ft beneath the automatic folding door. A covered and ventilated dry dock space is also centrally heated and is accessed by a slipway and electric winch with capacity for boats up to 72ft long and weighing as much as 30 tonnes. At normal water levels the draught above the trolley is sufficient to accommodate a former working boat. Once inside the dock, boats can be lifted off the slipway trolley with a purpose-designed hydraulic lift system
and placed on stands to allow the bottom to be pressure washed easily and worked on at a suitable height. Metered single and three-phase electric outlets are provided in each dock along with user-managed central heating, fan and light-level controls. The essential equipment for cleaning and painting boats, such as sanding machines with dust extraction, access platforms and a 220 bar/3200psi pressure washer, are included as part of the dock’s hire charges. Dock users are also provided with separate toilet and shower facilities and a rest room with equipment for coffee and light meals away from the working space.
Tunnel stalwart returns to part-time duty
Support for sailors
Bank loan THE Herefordshire &
Aylesbury Canal Society chairman Bryan Barnes receives the keys from Peter Hubbard of Lodge Park Construction Limited. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
By Geoff Wood
Headteacher Patrick Cummings cuts the ribbon during the naming ceremony at Hollingwood Hub. PHOTO: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST
Launching ceremony for school narrowboat HEADTEACHER Patrick Cummings officially named the Eckington School narrowboat Madeline in a simple ceremony on Sunday, September 28. As previously reported in Towpath Talk, it has been named in memory of Madeline Siddall, a student at the school in Sheffield who died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 15. Members of her family, staff and students from the school and members of the Chesterfield Canal Trust looked on as Mr Cummings spoke about Madeline’s qualities as a very popular and able member of the school community. He thanked the Siddall family, the staff and students who have worked on the boat and members of the Chesterfield Canal Trust who have helped with the project. Having taken delivery of the shell of a 40ft steel narrowboat in October 2011, a dedicated team of students and staff from the school have fitted
out the boat completely. It was much admired during the canal festival at Staveley Town Basin in June. During the early months of 2014, several members of staff and some students were trained to be skippers by members of the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The school has already made much use of Madeline, firstly on an activities week and subsequently for familiarisation cruises. A full course of science work based around the boat is currently being written and the boat will soon be used by Eckington feeder schools. Chesterfield Canal Trust also runs public trips on board Madeline from Hollingwood Hub on Saturdays. Originally only scheduled to run in the summer holidays, they proved so popular that the season was extended until the end of October and will restart in April. All takings are split equally between the school and the trust.
A POPULAR staff stalwart who earned the nickname of the New Standedge Admiral for his supervision of trips through the Standedge Tunnel has retired after 47 years’ service in canals. But a day later Fred Carter was back on duty as a part-time seasonal pilot and guide for the tunnel with the Canal & River Trust on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden, West Yorks. At a retirement party at the Standedge Visitor Centre, Fred was presented with an engraved gold watch. There was also an impressive retirement cake and a framed photo of the Tunnel End cottages and the entrance to the tunnel.
Fred Carter is pictured, second left, with, from left, David Baldacchino and James Dean both of the Canal & River Trust and David Sumner of the Huddersfield Canal Society. PHOTO: BOB GOUGH Fred said his proudest moment at Tunnel End was meeting Prince Charles at the official re-opening of the canal.
TeensTake overTrusT’sTwiTTeraccounT DUDLEY Canal Trust recently handed over control of its Twitter account to local teenagers as part of the national Teen Twitter Takeover Day. Molly, 17, and Morgan, 15, both locals from the Black Country, spent the day experiencing everything the underground attraction has to offer
Molly, 17, from Kingswinford, and Morgan, 15, from Wolverhampton, legging trip boat George through the Dudley Tunnel. PHOTO SUPPLIED
and then sharing their activities with Twitter via Dudley Canal Trust’s twitter account @DCTTrips. Sarah Fellows, heritage activities officer at Dudley Canal Trust Trips Ltd, said: “We know our canal boat trips are great fun for everyone however old they are, so it was great to have two enthusiastic teenagers helping to spread the word for us across Twitter.” The girls also spoke to other organisations around the country who were taking part in the takeover, including many museums and heritage organisations. The Twitter Takeover Day was just one of various spin-off days organised by advocacy group Kids in Museums as part of the Children’s Commissioner’s annual Takeover Day, which happens in November each year. Molly and Morgan’s final tweet read: “Had a great day at DCT and hoping to come again soon! #takeoverday”
Society looks forward to anniversary celebrations THE Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society is in for a busy year in 2015 heading up celebrations throughout the year of the opening of navigation from Birmingham to Worcester in 1815. Events already in the programme include: May 1-4: St Richard’s Boat and Car Festival, based in Vines Park, Droitwich. This will be a four-day event with a full programme of live entertainment. May 15-17: Beer and Boat Festival, Alvechurch. The Weighbridge Pub at Alvechurch already has a good reputation for holding beer festivals and for 2015 the
canal society is joining forces with ABC Leisure Group to create a unique weekend of family entertainment June 12-14: Worcester Festival. For this event the WBDCS is working with the Worcester Canal Group to bring to Worcester the continuing 200year celebrations. Again with full entertainment throughout the weekend. July 10-12: Kings Norton Festival Based around the junction of the North Stratford Canal and using the Kings Norton playing fields, this will provide a new entertainment stage for local bands to show off their talent. Local community groups have all
joined in to make this a festival to remember with steam engines, vintage and classic cars. The society is in talks with the floating trade boats to encourage them on to the Worcester Birmingham Canal. There will also be a real ale bar and many craft stalls. WBDCS has commissioned a special ale to be produced which will be on sale throughout the year. It will be called ‘THE 58 SPECIAL’ based on the 58 locks of the WB Canal and brewed to 5.8%. The society has also been holding a photographic competition from which the best 12 photos will be used to create a one-off celebratory calendar for 2015.
● If you are planning your cruising for 2015, WBDCS invites you to come and help celebrate a unique period of time. Any trade, craft or boat entry or further information can be obtained from david@eurotexsales.com or visit the WBDCS website at wbdcs.org.uk. On Saturday, December 5, 2015, the celebrations will culminate in a bell ringing at all the churches from Worcester to Birmingham.
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Pottery boat, Fair Rosamund.
Characters of the Cut New contributor Noah Price meets potter Mark Ilsley.
STUDIO potter Mark Ilsley lives on a boat called Fair Rosamund. The name of this boat – if you are not aware of the history behind it – may, at first, conjure up a romantic image of a fictional 16th century damsel. But ‘Fair Rosamund’ was originally the name given to the mistress of King Henry II of England – Rosamund Clifford. Not long after Mark bought the boat, back in 2009, he was curious enough to look up the name online and once he found out the significance behind it, he could not wait to tell a friend about the legendary beauty his boat was named after. His friend quickly tried to dispel the legacy by telling him that he had to look at what people considered to be ‘beautiful’ in the context of her time: “If you only had four teeth left and one wart...” his friend said, “...that’s all you needed to be seen as beautiful!” But Mark has always been able to see the beauty behind the name and he said that he would “never dream of changing it”. The name, to this day, can still be seen on the bow of his boat but the boat is perhaps better known to local boaters and towpath dwellers as ‘The Pottery Boat’. Mark is 54 years old and has been a professional potter since he was 32. With his combined love for the countryside, his attraction towards the canal lifestyle and his passion for potting he decided, in the second year of owning the boat, to renovate 12ft of it – with the help of his friends – into an ideal place for a pottery studio. In this studio he currently makes stoneware mugs, bowls and plates and receives commissions to create personalised mugs – which are guaranteed to last ‘long after the next ice age’ and are especially made with comfortingly sturdy round bases, making them ideal for people who live on boats. Mark suffers from Multiple Sclerosis which is a ‘progressive’ neurological condition affecting the nerves in the brain, the control over muscle movement and vision. Despite this affliction, Mark stoically deals with the symptoms and from time to time he can even make light of them. He
Mark Ilsley, working in his pottery studio on his boat.
PHOTOS: NOAH PRICE
can get around on his boat with remarkable ease – the narrow space and the furniture give him support to move around – and with the aid of a walking stick he can manage short distances. But when Mark is faced with having to go through a lock, which is a test for even the most able bodied of people, it becomes a challenge that he cannot face on his own. It is a testament to Mark’s friendly character that he can always rely on nearby friends to help him out. There is a part of him that unnecessarily feels somewhat guilty about having to require the help of his friends but he did say that overall he has, “never regretted living on a canal boat.”
Successful season on the Lancaster Canal RIGHT: Lancaster Canal Trust trip boat Waterwitch on her last trip of the season with an audience of growing cygnets. Many hundreds of happy passengers were carried this year and the trust thanks everyone for their support and generous donations. Waterwitch will continue to be used for special trips and weekend work parties clearing the canal banks of overgrown tree branches before being moored at Millness wharf, her winter quarters. ● Waterwitch is operated May to late September as a means of promoting the canal restoration and to place the trust in a better position to raise the funds required to breach the M6 blockages and connect the Northern Reaches to the remainder of the canal system. www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk
16 HERITAGE/ANNIVERSARIES
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Open days south of the Humber
Keppel – paired with the motor boat Mountbatten in Anderton Canal Carrying Company Ltd livery – nearing the end of its long-distance carrying days on January 20, 1971.
Appeal to fund Keppel’s new bottom By Harry Arnold
THE Etruria Boat Group has launched an appeal to replace the steel bottom of the historic ex-working boat Keppel; the butty that is paired with the
Canal & River Trust (then BW) chairman Tony Hales and Etruria Boat Group chairman Graham Watts aboard Keppel at the handover of the two boats to the Group on June 2, 2011.
PHOTOS:WATERWAY IMAGES
motor boat Lindsay; which is also in the group’s care. Lindsay recently carried HRH Price Charles, The Prince of Wales, during his visit to Stoke on Trent. Keppel was one of the last Admiral Class boats built to trade on North West waterways; latterly carrying potters’ materials from Runcorn to the Potteries and returning with coal to Middlewich. It needs a new steel bottom and other works to repair the wear of 54 years of hard work. The renovation work will cost over £16,000, but with money already raised – including an anonymous donation of £5000 – just over £4000 is needed to start work. Many hours of volunteer labour will be put in to the project by members of the Boat Group, but the skilled steel work will be carried out at Roger Fuller Boatbuilding at Lime Kiln Basin, Stone,
which has a long-established reputation for its work with historic canal boats. Keppel is on the register of National Historic Ships-UK which has donated £1000. The Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the Prince’s Regeneration Trust has given help in kind, and local businesses have donated materials and expertise. Working with the CRT’s Explorer programme, at places along the Trent & Mersey Canal from Red Bull to Etruria, at Westport Lake, Hanley Park and Middleport, Keppel will be set up as a floating classroom and education resource. If the work is not done, there is a danger that this historic boat may be lost to Stoke-onTrent and this education programme will be put in jeopardy. Anyone wishing to help with the appeal can donate via http://etruriaboat groupvolunteers.org.uk/keppel -appeal/
TO CELEBRATE the 100th anniversary of the Humber Sloop Amy Howson the Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society recently held public open days at South Ferriby, the tidal connection of the River Ancholme and the River Humber. Other restored keels and sloops attending this event were the society’s other vessel Comrade and privately owned Phyllis and Vulcan plus Syntan from the Beverley Barge Association and Sobriety from the Goole Heritage museum. Amy Howson was built in 1914 at Scarr’s Beverley yard for Scaiff’s and named Sophia. A change of ownership in 1916 saw her named I Know and in 1924 was bought by W H Barraclough, being named after one of his daughters Amy Howson. In 1976 she was acquired by the HKSPS undergoing restoration and re-rigging over a period of five years, being the first ship to sail under the Humber Bridge in 1981 and provides on-
The line-up of keels and sloops at the South Ferriby open days. PHOTO SUPPLIED board displays of the trade on the Humber. Amy and Comrade are available for crewed sailing parties of up to 12 people, details are available on www.keelsandsloops.org.uk
Coal barge re-creates arrival of first cargo DESPITE some heavy downpours on Bank Holiday morning, the afternoon brightened and people ventured out to join in with the anniversary celebrations of the Grand Western Canal’s 200th and the Tiverton Canal Co’s 40th birthdays. Throughout the day, families were able to do some pond dipping, take part in a treasure hunt, have their faces painted, or were able to jump on one of Wellington Bouncy Castle’s swing boats which added a real traditional element to the event. Also in attendance were the Friends of the Grand Western Canal who bought along their information stand to promote
their work along the canal. After the horse-drawn barge returned from its morning trip, Philip and Jacquie Brind, the owners of Tiverton Canal Co, invited guests to a small gathering held on board the barge Tivertonian. The guests were those who have been involved not only with the horse-drawn barge over the years but also those that have had a key role in the Grand Western Canal as a whole. These included the chairman of Devon County Council, Coun George Gribble; the original owner of the horse-drawn barge Tony Stockwell; author Helen Harris; local councillors and
Public given chance to travel in narrowboat hold By Colin Wareing
IN A partial re-creation of the old days when it was not unknown for canal boat holds to be cleaned out and works or Sunday school groups were treated to a trip along the canal, the Etruria Boat Group gave today’s members of the public the chance to enjoy the same experience. Over the annual Heritage Open Days weekend of September 13-14 the group ran four trips in their Admiral class narrowboat Lindsay from the industrial museum at Etruria to the recently opened Middleport pottery visitor centre and return with a limited number of folks able to make the return trip. The trips, booked through the
group’s website, were free to go on though donations towards the running and restoration of the group’s two boats were welcome. The two boats, the motor Lindsay and its butty Keppel, built by Yarwoods at Northwich in 1960, had been bought by the group from British Waterways in May 2011, and since then they have restored Lindsay into a condition where it can now be used to make these special trips for which Andrew Watts was the skipper. The group is currently holding an appeal for donations to the restoration of Keppel that is at Roger Fuller’s yard at Stone having a new bottom and footings fitted. www.etruriaboatgroup.org.uk
Welsh cob Taffy draws an original tub boat carrying ‘navvies’ canal manager Mark Baker and ranger Craig Saunderson in a re-enactment of the arrival of the first barge in the Tiverton basin in August 1814.
PHOTOS: DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL
Devon County Council chairman Coun George Gribble addresses guests on board Tivertonian. members from the canal’s joint advisory committee. There was a birthday cake in the shape of Tivertonian made by Mandy’s classic cakes which was cut and shared round following speeches from Tony Stockwell, Helen Harris, Mayor of Tiverton Coun Sue Griggs, Philip Brind and Coun Gribble. Crowds then gathered on the towpath to watch a reenactment with canal manager Mark Baker and canal ranger Craig Saunderson playing the role of traditional ‘navvies’ on board an original tub boat which was loaded with coal and drawn by Welsh Cob, Taffy. This reenactment took place 200 years to the day since the first bargeload of coal was pulled into the Canal Basin on August 25, 1814. The BBC also filmed the event.
IWA Ipswich Branch celebrates 40th anniversary Andrew Watts of the Etruria Boat Group volunteers steers the exworking narrowboat Lindsay out of the top lock at Stoke-on-Trent on the Trent & Mersey Canal.
PHOTO: COLIN WAREING
THE achievements of the Inland Waterways Association’s Ipswich Branch over the past 40 years have been celebrated with thanks to all who have been involved. IWA Ipswich Branch was founded in 1974 and since then has worked to promote and help protect inland waterways across Suffolk and later Norfolk. One key achievement is its work to establish the River Gipping Trust in 2007. This came from over 20 years of restoration work on the River Gipping, all carried out by the branch which eventually sought to create a group that would specialise in the restoration of this waterway. Today the branch still supports the group in a number of ways and the River Gipping is constantly being restored and improved.
Branch chairman Chard Wadley, second from left, with guest speakers Steve Haywood, Les Etheridge and David Stevenson.
IWA Ipswich members branch on a weekend away to celebrate the branch’s 40th anniversary. PHOTOS: CHARLES STRIDE Chairman, Chard Wadley said: “These achievements must be credited to the team of Ipswich Branch volunteers and committee members, all of whom I hope have enjoyed their time with the branch volunteering, making new friends and giving something back to the waterways as much as I have,” he added. Plenty has been going on to mark the occasion, beginning in
September, when members enjoyed a long weekend in Kent, all organised by the committee. This was followed by a celebration lunch in October which was attended by friends new and old as well as speakers Les Etheridge, IWA national chairman, Steve Haywood, waterways author, and David Stevenson, founder member and former chairman of IWA Ipswich Branch.
● If you would like to get involved with the Branch and be a part of its next 40 years please contact IWA Ipswich Branch chairman, Chard Wadley at chard.wadley@ waterways.org.uk or IWA branch campaign assistant, Stefanie Preston at stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk or on 01494 783453.
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ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton 105
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Castles and flying boats
Alison Alderton visits the now peaceful shores from where wartime crews flew patrols over the Atlantic shipping lanes.
Moorings in Enniskillen.
The impressive Watergate of Enniskillen Castle. PHOTOS:ALISON ALDERTON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED NESTLING comfortably on an island in the River Erne, Enniskillen, the county town of Fermanagh, separates the lakes of Upper and Lower Lough Erne. Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, its strategic importance is reinforced by the impressive castle and Watergate looming over the narrow waterway. In the 17th century, it became an English garrison, later serving as a military barracks. Today it houses two museums, and the peaceful town with plenty of tourist attractions is the main cruiser base on the Erne. Here, boaters will find a good choice of mooring places offering easy access to the town, supermarkets and modern Erneside Shopping Centre. Below Enniskillen, Portora Lock usually stands open, allowing unhindered access into Lower Lough Erne. Beyond the lake, its beautiful wooded shores are a feast for the eyes, a boater’s paradise with navigable routes weaving between the numerous islands where safe anchorages and pretty ports of call are accompanied by dreamy views. However, the peaceful scenes encountered here today are deceptive, doing little to reveal the importance this most westerly of lakes played during the Second World War when it was used
extensively by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a base for Coastal Command and its flying boats patrolling the Atlantic. Despite Eire remaining neutral throughout the war, the Allies were secretly permitted to use the ‘Donegal Corridor’, a narrow strip of airspace, allowing direct access from Lough Erne to the coast, avoiding a detour of over 100 miles across home soil. The first remnants of these important operations can be found on the east shore of Gublusk Bay. Once the site of RAF Killadeas, an extensive base with its own hospital, it also housed an Operational Training Unit from where service men came to learn the skills needed for maritime patrols. Since 1950, the site has been home to the Lough Erne Yacht Club, which overwinters its historic Fairy keelboats in one of the original structures known simply as The Hangar, while occupying the former flying boat service bay is the Enniskillen RNLI Station. At Rossclare Bay, boaters will find a public jetty and slipway where the RAF once operated a salvage unit using civilian divers. The original flying boat mooring blocks, some inscribed with the casting date of March 1943, remain. Flat, calm, glassy conditions proved to be the most difficult for crews to land in, as judging the aircraft’s height above the water became deceptive. There are several marked war graves due to the many crashes in and around the lake which sadly resulted in fatalities.
Bismarck sighting
The memorial to the lost flying boat crew at Castle Archdale.
As the lake widens, it passes Castle Archdale, the most impressive of all the former RAF sites and from where Coastal Command operated Consolidated Catalinas and Short Sunderland flying boats. Opened in February 1941, the site housed up to 2500 personnel and had offshore moorings for 108 flying boats as well as 40 boat moorings. The
Second World War stone jetties at Castle Archdale.
Castle Archdale Marina.
A sea plane tender passing a Sunderland of No 201 Squadron, May 20, 1943. PHOTO IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
COLLECTION (WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
flying boats would regularly depart on Atlantic patrols searching for German Uboats in an attempt to protect allied shipping lanes. In May 1941, a Catalina from Castle Archdale was out on a routine patrol when it located the German battleship Bismarck which subsequently led to its sinking. The last operational patrol from Castle Archdale was on June 3, 1945, and while many of the Sunderlands and Catalinas were scrapped, others were scuttled on the lake. It finally closed as an RAF base in 1958 and now forms the Castle Archdale Country Park. The courtyard buildings are all that remain of the 1773 constructed Archdale Manor which houses an informative Castle Archdale at War exhibition and tea rooms. With its popular marina, camping and caravan site sitting on the former
The last patrol to operate from Castle Archdale, June 3, 1945.
PHOTO IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM COLLECTION (WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
concrete aircraft maintenance area, the park can be a hive of activity during the summer. In the grounds, there are walking trails and cycle paths taking in many of the base’s remains, including the aircrafts’ refuelling dock and memorials to crews lost. Finally, at the northern end of the lake is the site of RAF Boa Island, often referred to as Rock Bay. A satellite base for RAF Killadeas, this opened on May 31, 1944, and was Northern Ireland’s last military airfield to open during the Second World War. When cruising these now peaceful waters, spare a thought for those who once served here. There may no longer be flying boats but there are plenty of other craft and that is partly thanks to the heroic efforts of the men and women who served on Lower Lough Erne.
➔ Usefulinformation Castle Archdale (Day) Boat Hire
www.castlearchdaleboathire.com
Castle Archdale Caravan Park & Camping Site www.castlearchdale.com Enniskillen Castle www.enniskillencastle.co.uk Lough Erne Yacht Club www.leyc.net For more information on flying boats try: www.seawings.co.uk
Other related sites of interest: A short distance inland from the lake is Enniskillen Airport. First known as Rossahilly Aerodrome, in 1941 it became a military site and renamed St Angelo Airfield. Due to the boggy conditions, grass landing strips were unsuitable so solid runways were constructed and it became home to 133 and 134 Squadrons which flew Spitfires and Hurricanes used to intercept enemy reconnaissance aircraft. Coastal Command took over in August 1943 and it became a satellite base for RAF Killadeas. At the end of the war the airfield became a maintenance base and was disbanded in 1947. Relics including machine gun pill boxes, air
A wartime beacon erected to assist landing planes.
raid shelters and an underground battle headquarters remained until 2004 when they were sadly demolished before a preservation order could be obtained. Up until this time it was considered the only intact Second World War airfield in Northern Ireland. Several former flying boat tenders can be found on Irish waterways; many of these have now been adapted for leisure cruising. One of the best known is the Lady Corrib which started life as a flying boat refuelling vessel. It was owned for many years by the late Maurice Semple, author and one of the founder members of the IWAI’s Corrib Branch.
● More contemporary photographs from the Imperial War Museum Collection can be seen at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ Category:RAF_Castle_Archdale