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Issue 167, September 2019
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Work goes on in wake of dam emergency
COMMUNITY: New boat launch P5 HERITAGE: Etruria feature P18
BOAT REVIEW: Ivar III P56
More than 1000 people worked day and night to stop the reservoir dam collapsing, with an RAF Chinook helicopter flying in repair materials as part of the emergency effort. More pictures on page 4. PHOTO: CRT
HOLIDAYS: Newborn camper P59
THE impact of the partial failure of the dam at Whaley Bridge on Canal and River Trust’s future work is “as yet unclear”, according to the charity’s chief executive Richard Parry. He couldn’t say for sure who would foot the bill for the major emergency
By Sarah Spencer
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Wigan Pier green light
operation and subsequent restoration at Toddbrook Reservoir. “That’s partly because we don’t quite know what the cost is and to what extent there will be some sort of national response,” Mr Parry said. He said the CRT “certainly” expected to bear the costs directly associated with work on the reservoir itself, but
COUNCILLORS have given the green light for a transformation at Wigan Pier, writes Geoff Wood. Sited alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, it was originally a jetty where wagons would tip coal into waiting barges. In the 1930s it became famous in George Orwell’s description of the plight of the working classes, in his book The Road to Wigan Pier. Five years ago a nightclub on the site was pulled down, but now Wigan’s planning committee is set to breathe new life into the landmark. A wedding venue, gin distillery, micro brewery and town houses are among the proposals.
there was uncertainty around the rest and there were decisions to be made “beyond the immediate control of the trust”. Mr Parry added: “I don’t think we are expecting to make wholesale changes to future programmes, but we will see how this plays out.” He continued that for now the CRT
Funding hopes high
COTSWOLD Canals Trust is expecting a visit from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in mid-October, when an evaluation will be made as to whether the group is ready to submit the Stage II application for its Cotswold Canals Connected (CCC) project. A successful outcome will release the bulk of the funding to fully restore the Phase 1B – Stonehouse to Saul Junction – length and much more besides. “Everything is now being pulled together for the Stage II application and once that is done, work will need to start on preparing for the physical work so we are ready to go when we get the green light,” said chief executive Ken Burgin.
would “get on with what’s in front of us” and added: “We don’t really want to stop anything unless we reach a point where we absolutely have to.” The drama began after a period of very heavy rainfall on July 31 in the Derbyshire High Peak area. • Continued on page 4
Watersports riding a wave
WATERSPORTS participation in the UK is at an all-time high with 4.66 million Brits hitting the water in 2017, according to the latest research. This is the highest number recorded since the annual Watersports Participation Survey was first conducted. Canoeing remains the nation’s favourite way to get on the water, with 1.85 million people picking up a paddle last year, while ever-growing board-based hobbies are hot on its heels for pole position, receiving a combined 1.5 million participants. But the draw of traditional boating pastimes remains strong with more than 681,000 people enjoying motorboating, a rise of 37%.
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NO sooner had I written that nothing happens in the summer holidays than we get an unseasonal deluge and the threat of a dam collapse causing the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge to be evacuated. For a few days everyone held their breath as, amid forecasts of further storms, teams worked day and night to reduce water levels in Toddbrook Reservoir and reinforce the dam wall. The reservoir, which feeds the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals, was completed in 1840 and is one of 72 managed by the Canal & River Trust. With the inevitable inspections that will follow this emergency, it will be interesting to see in the coming months where funding will come from to prevent future failures. On another wet day I visited the Etruria Industrial Museum (see page 18) at Stoke-on-Trent which also appeared on Celebrity 5 Go Barging the following week. Although narrowboaters groan at the constant references to barges, programmes such as this are great advertisements for canal holidays with a boom in last-minute bookings reported, see business news on page 55. This month we welcome a new contributor, Nicola Lisle, who explores Tom Rolt’s legacy to the canals in the 80th anniversary year of the start of his pioneering voyage on Cressy and subsequent publication of his canal classic Narrow Boat. See her feature on page 24. And talking of books, the programme has been announced for the Braunston Waterways Literary Festival, for which we are a joint sponsor, on Saturday, September 14, see page 57. Our festival preview, featured last month, can be viewed at www.braunstonmarina.co.uk If you pick up this edition before the end of the month you will still have time to show your support and nominate a team of deserving volunteers for our Towpath Talk Top Team award for 2019. You can complete the nomination online at www. towpathtalk.co.uk
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The stern of Chiltern, a wooden motor narrowboat c1946. The iron hull of icebeaker Marple which dates from the mid-19th century. Another icebreaker on the boat disposal register is Whaley Bridge.
New homes sought for 12 historic boats from National Collection
THE National Waterways Museum (NWM) is seeking new homes for 12 vessels following a review of the historic importance of all boats currently in its collection. They will be offered free of charge by the Canal & River Trust to accredited museums and then to individuals and private organisations who are able to meet the demands of caring for the vessels. Head of collections and archives Graham Boxer explained: “As a collection of national significance we have specific obligations around the 68 boats in our care. “With limited funds and storage space, we need to reduce the number of boats in the collection to focus our
efforts on those of the greatest historic importance, and so re-homing some is the right option. “Our review concluded that it is far better to have a representative collection of fewer items, comprising the most historically significant, cared for in the most appropriate way and in the best possible condition, than many in a poor state.” The decision to let any object go was not taken lightly and the trust has identified the boats it needs to re-home. These range from the iron hulls of icebreakers to a salmon fishing boat. In some cases, the museum already has better examples of that type of vessel while some are of less interest
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as they have been changed so much over the decades that very little original material remains. “We anticipate that there are museums that may be interested to take some vessels, and there are many enthusiasts who could provide the right loving homes for these displaced vessels, as they do for many of the most historic boats still in use on the waterways today,” Graham added. Hannah Cunliffe, director of National Historic Ships UK said it was pleased that the trust had chosen to adopt the principles set down in its guidance
publications. She commented: “We hope that a heritage solution is found for the vessels made available to re-home and would be glad to offer further advice to any individuals or organisations considering taking these craft on.” The vessels are being offered free of charge, with the new owner being asked to pay only the transport costs. The deadline for expressions of interest is November 2, 2019. Details and an application form can be found on the Canal & River Trust website canalrivertrust.org.uk/nwm
Ariel heads back to the North By Colin Wareing
HISTORIC working narrowboat Ariel has returned north to resume trading following a devastating fire in May last year. The boat, which is operated by Liam Hewlett and his partner Kerry as a coal and diesel delivery boat was moved after the blaze to Crick where the cabin has been rebuilt by Kerry’s dad. While Ariel was being repaired Liam and Kerry have continued to supply their customers with the use of a Star class motor of 1935, Bellatrix. They mainly operate on the Bridgewater Canal, the northern end of the Trent & Mersey Canal and the River Weaver. At the time of writing there were still
a few more jobs to be completed on Ariel following which she’ll be back hard at work and again running under the Midlands and Coast Canal Carriers name which Liam and Kerry obtained the rights to use in June 2018. According to their Facebook page (see Midlands & Coast Canal Carriers) as we went to press on August 14, Ariel was due to make her first run from Leigh to Runcorn and return over the following week (contact 07748 958303). Ariel had been rebuilt with a new bow and counter from part of the remains of the original boat that was split in the 1960s and has been operated by Liam and Kerry since September 2010.
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Built in around 1935, Aries is a Star class wooden motor narrowboat, known as a ‘small ricky’.
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Liam and Kerry and their Patterdale terrier Tommy on board Ariel at Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, WWW. COLINANDCAROLESCREATIONS.CO.UK
Spindrift 3 is a Royal Navy ‘jollyboat’ c1910. PHOTOS: CRT
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Horse safety zone aims to cut towpath dangers PIONEERING new safety initiatives have been introduced at the Grand Western Canal Country Park in a bid to make the towpath safer. A three-mile-long ‘Horse-drawn Barge Operating Zone’ is now indicated by new signs at either end, with smaller versions of the sign located at access points between. These A2-sized signs have been developed in response to several nearmisses under some of the bridges in recent years, when towpath users have acted dangerously around the horse that pulls the barge. The signs highlight the safe behaviour requested of towpath users in this zone, as well as some of the potential hazards. Devon County Council and the Tiverton Canal Co have jointly designed and funded the new signs following a review of the horse drawn barge’s operational risk assessment. Philip Brind, proprietor of the Tiverton Canal Co, said: “Our review found that the towpath is now busier than ever before, but many of the canal visitors either don’t know about the horse-drawn barge, or are unaware of the area where it operates. “More importantly, they’re not aware of the potential dangers that the horsedrawn barge operation could pose to themselves as canal users, whether on foot, fishing or as a cyclist. “Our thanks go to canal manager
Mark Baker and his team, and Devon County Council, for their understanding and support in creating this Horsedrawn Barge Operating Zone, which is the first of its kind in the country.” Coun Roger Croad, Devon County Council cabinet member with responsibility for environment, said: “We all welcome the fact that the use of the canal is continuing to increase, but we don’t want it to become a victim of its own success. “We want everyone to be safe when using the towpath and that needs all users to be considerate to each other. “Canal Rangers are reporting that public feedback to the signs has so far been very positive. Hopefully these new signs will help people recognise the potential dangers of the heavy horses on the towpath in the Horse-drawn Barge Operating Zone. This will make things a great deal safer for all canal users, particularly when passing under the bridges.” New signs have also been developed to encourage more considerate behaviour among cyclists, after members of the Canal’s Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) expressed concern at the number of reported incidents involving cyclists under bridges. It was found that a large proportion of cyclists do not dismount and walk under the canal’s bridges, and with no legal or physical restriction requiring them to do
so, the JAC agreed to focus on explaining the dangers to cyclists in the hope they will slow down, give way and take extra care. An update to the policy relating to cyclists at bridges means that instead of being requested to dismount and walk at 19 of the canal’s bridges, the instruction to dismount is now only made at five bridges in the Horse-drawn Barge Operating Zone and the two bridges on either side of Sampford Peverell. The horse that pulls the barge features on most of the signs in the zone and these signs have red and orange backgrounds. All the other signs portray a number of volunteers that represent a range of more vulnerable towpath users, including a mobility buggy user, a dog walker, and
A sign warning cyclists to dismount as they can’t see what’s coming.
Welcoming the Horse-drawn Barge Operating Zone sign are Philip Brind, managing director of Tiverton Canal Co, Ross (a 17-hand Shire) and Alan Palmer, head horseman, Tiverton Canal Co. parents with pushchairs. These signs have blue/green backgrounds and give messages to slow down, take care, and give way. Devon county councillors Colin Slade and Ray Radford agreed to fund the new signs aimed at cyclists, using their locality budgets. Coun Colin Slade, county councillor for Tiverton East, said: “The signs are photo-based so that even if towpath users don’t read the text, a glance at the photos should get across the idea that they can meet someone or something head-on under the bridges. “The range of users featured in consecutive signs should reinforce the vulnerability of towpath users that cyclists could scare or injure if they don’t slow down and take extra care.” Coun Ray Radford, county councillor for Willand and Uffculme, said: “Each of
the individual signs includes the bridge where the sign is located, which makes it more pertinent and meaningful. By being more engaging, hopefully users will be more inclined to take on board the messages.”
Another towpath sign urging caution. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Passenger boat operator continues campaign against HS2
A PASSENGER boat operator on the Grand Union Canal in Hillingdon has vowed to continue her campaign against HS2 after a court case against her was dismissed. Sarah Green, of Arthur Daily Trips, who has been campaigning for years to protect the Colne Valley wetland nature reserves in west London, said she was “relieved” at the outcome. However she continued she was “also really concerned” that her fears were “still not being taken seriously”. Sarah believes the high-speed railway plans are threatening wildlife habitats in the area, and said that under the surface of the wetland nature is the Mid Chilterns chalk aquifer, which provides 3.2 million people with fresh drinking water and is under threat of damage. Sarah, along with another woman, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated trespass following a protest
Stepping up the ‘Stop HS2’ fight are, from left, Peter Egan, Ambassador for the Jane Goodall Institute conservation organisation, Sarah Green and Scott Ainslie, MEP Green Party London. PHOTO SUPPLIED in the Colne Valley in December against HS2 work that was due to take place. The district judge at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court said it was not possible to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the protesters were trespassing on land in the possession of HS2.
Sarah said: “What we are saying is ‘halt the destruction’.” She said the floodplain was home to kingfishers, dragonflies and barn owls, “part of the web of life that is being annihilated by HS2”. Sarah was recently joined on her boat Arthur on the Grand Union Canal by the
Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan. He later tweeted: “I had a terrific trip on the Grand Union Canal. I learned a great deal about how HS2 from London to Birmingham will impact negatively on the natural water filtration systems and the devastation of the waterlands all for 20 minutes off the journey. Is it worth it do you think?” Sarah added she felt “let down” in her fight by the Canal & River Trust. “This is the only area of extensive wetlands in London and it’s a pleasure to work here. It’s all going to be destroyed and I have had no assistance from the CRT at any point in this fight to keep it. “Every time I explain or enquire I’m given the stock answer that CRT is neutral, but having said that they are taking money for licences from people like us. Everything depends on the tranquillity and nature of the canals and they are not standing up for that.”
Peter Walker, from the Canal & River Trust, said: “I understand Sarah’s concerns about the impact of HS2 on the Colne Valley. We’ve been in touch with her to assure her that we’ve done what we can to mitigate the impact. “As an apolitical organisation, the trust is neither for nor against HS2. Our priority, like that of the Inland Waterways Association and affected canal societies, is to mitigate any adverse impacts HS2 might have on the waterways. By taking this stance we’ve been able to work with HS2 to allow our concerns to be raised and solutions to be found.” A spokesperson for HS2 said: “Alongside the economic benefits, HS2 will deliver a new green corridor made up of woodland, wildlife habitats and amenity facilities, designed to blend the line into the landscape and leave a lasting legacy of high quality green spaces all along the route.”
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Traditional barge could return to Severn A TROW could be seen on the Severn again after more than 100 years, thanks to the efforts of a group of enthusiasts in Stourport. They have come up with the plan in response to a search for a new home for replica barge The Hereford Bull – a two-thirds size Wye/Droitwich/upper Severn trow. The Hereford Bull was built in time to take part in the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations on the Thames in 2012, having been commissioned by a Hereford initiative, and has been used on the Wye by naval officers, rowers, sea cadets and others. Built at Tommi Nielson’s shipyard in Gloucester docks, it is now there again awaiting its fate, as the Hereford group
has decided that limitations on range and use mean a different home base should be sought. Trows are the traditional barges of the Severn and Wye rivers and their tributaries, built at Chepstow, Bridgwater, Gloucester, Worcester, Bewdley and other places upriver. On the arrival of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in the 1770s they transshipped their cargo with narrowboats to take goods and coal to and from Stourbridge, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and further. The two basins at Stourport would have seen much of this work for 130 years, before the last trade with trows ceased sometime before the First World War.
The group, which has the proposed working title Stourport Trow Sailing Trust, believes it has a strong case for a useful trow. A vessel of this size can be rowed, paddled, sailed, motored, towed, hauled and otherwise used as a boat, by a wide range of people, for example youth organisations such as scouts and cadets, and for courses including training for both maintenance and use on the river, and RYA-type boating skills. Also limited outings could be arranged for the less able, as well as taking part in the occasional carnival or festival, according to the group. The town has a narrowboat, Bramble, for heritage purposes, but a trow would
Replica trow The Hereford Bull. • Continued from page 1 The spillway at Toddbrook reservoir was put at risk of collapse, with the exact cause still unclear. The reservoir provides water to the Peak Forest Canal and on to the Macclesfield Canal at Marple. Hundreds of people in the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge were evacuated and more than one billion litres of water were carefully pumped out of the reservoir into the River Goyt – working with the Environment Agency to avoid downstream flooding. This lowered water levels in the reservoir by more than 10 metres. An RAF Chinook helicopter dropped more than 500 one-tonne bags of aggregate on to the damaged section of spillway to reinforce the structure, and grout was poured around the bags to bind them to further strengthen the structure. At the same time work to divert the feeds of water into the reservoir took place. Just after lunchtime August 7, it was declared safe for residents and boaters
be appropriate as they pre-date the narrowboat and no trows are left now that can actually be used. Stourport Yacht Club, based in Brindley’s clock warehouse in the upper basin, has, said the group, offered to find mooring space and offer facilities for the vessel and its potential users, which makes the whole project viable. Local authorities and organisations also support the idea of having such a vessel based at the town. Stourport Trow Sailing Trust will appoint trustees and enrol volunteers and officers at a meeting on September 24, with the aim of concluding discussions with the Hereford group on conditions and details of transfer. It will also commence fundraising from various sources, including subscriptions from members, plus
The first Stourport Bridge, 17751794, with trows. donations from anyone interested in seeing a trow on the Severn again, and asks people to help by getting in touch. Anyone interested is invited to contact David Struckett, member of the IWA’s Navigation Committee, member of Stourport Yacht Club and vice-chairman of the Worcestershire Waterways Users’ Forum, on 07976 746225, david. struckett@waterways.org.uk Details of how to donate can be emailed to interested parties.
The Hereford Bull sailing on the Wye. PHOTOS SUPPLIED on the stretch of the Peak Forest Canal to return home. The Canal & River Trust manages the reservoir and said an investigation into the cause of the failure “would leave no stone unturned”. It continued that as well as visual inspections twice a week by trust operatives, its reservoirs were rigorously inspected twice each year by reservoir engineers and also undergo detailed 10-yearly inspections by an independent government-appointed inspecting engineer. The last one was undertaken in November 2018 and the report signed off by the independent engineer in April 2019. This did not identify any immediate concerns. The CRT manages 72 reservoirs across the country and Mr Parry said the Environment Agency had issued an instruction to all reservoir owners to do some immediate checks. “We expect there to be various levels of investigations and we will start our own. We will probably appoint an expert from outside the trust.” He said particularly in the spotlight
The race was on to pump out the water before the pressure caused a catastrophe.
would be reservoirs with a spillway design similar to Toddbrook. Construction of Toddbrook was completed in 1840 but Mr Parry said it seemed the bit that appeared to have failed was constructed in the early-Seventies, “rather than the old infrastructure”. The exact nature of the rebuild or repair of the Toddbrook dam will be determined following the investigation into the cause of failure and using the latest design and construction techniques. Water levels in the reservoir have remained very low since the emergency, according to CRT, and pumps had worked efficiently to remove any new rainwater. The CRT and contractor Kier have now taken over responsibility for the site from the emergency services and continue to closely monitor water levels. The CRT is also carrying out a major fish rescue to re-home thousands of fish which have been affected by the draining of the reservoir. Coarse fish, such as bream, roach, perch and pike, have been captured in large nets by fish specialists and transported mostly to Upper Bittell Reservoir, near Birmingham. Upper Bittell reservoir has low fish stocks after it was drained and refilled following maintenance works two years ago and therefore is able to accommodate the large amount of fish without upsetting the local ecosystem. Mr Parry added he had been “heartened” by the response to the major incident. “Particularly when you visited the site and saw the way everyone has worked together and experienced the reaction of local people. The fact everyone was getting on with resolving the situation in a real spirit of collaboration was great. It almost restores your faith in human nature.” Mr Parry said a lot of positive things
had come out of the incident, “but clearly the backdrop is something happened that shouldn’t have happened”. “The main thing for us now is to be vigilant about learning from this failure and ensuring there is no chance of anything like this happening in the future,” he said. The last such evacuation in the UK was in 2007, when cracks appeared
in the dam at Ulley Reservoir, near Rotherham, following heavy rain. According to an Environment Agency report, the last time anyone died due to a dam disaster in the UK was in 1925, when two dams burst killing 16 people in the north Wales village of Dolgarrog. The UK’s worst-ever dam disaster was the Great Sheffield Flood of 1864, which claimed at least 240 lives.
Sandbags shored up the dam. PHOTOS: CRT
Whaley Bridge 'wake up call' THE Whaley Bridge emergency should be a “wake up call” for the Government to ensure the waterways are adequately funded, said the Residential Boat Owners’ Association. Following the major incident at Middlewich last year and the current partial failure of the reservoir dam in Derbyshire, it is the view of the RBOA “that these should be a wake up call for the Government to ensure that the Environment Agency and
Canal & River Trust are granted full funding of the waterways to enable proper preventative maintenance and improvement of all aspects of our waterways, both canals and rivers,” said a statement. “It is the considered opinion of RBOA that this is a minimum requirement to ensure the safety and future of all waterways for those who live close to or are users of this national asset, so protecting our environment and national heritage.”
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Trust launches new community boat A CELEBRATION ‘launch’ of the Baldwin Trust’s new £120,000 community boat took place at Pillings Lock Marina at Quorn, Leicestershire – the culmination of months of intense fundraising. The 68ft vessel, built by Colecraft, was named Halseyon Days by Anne Halsey, widow of the Baldwin Trust’s founder Bert Halsey. She used a bottle of beer, rather than champagne, to ‘christen’ the craft – the traditional method of naming a narrowboat.
Pouring the beer over the gunnel, Anne said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in producing this incredible boat. It has taken blood, sweat and tears but it has certainly been worth it.” One of the first guests to look round was the Mayor of Charnwood Borough Council, Coun Brenda Seaton, who was given a tour by trust chairman Mick McLoughlin. The vessel, which took its first passengers on the River Soar only a week after the ceremony, has a newly designed lift capable of accommodating
The spacious lounge.
Halseyon Days moored up for the naming ceremony.
By Les Heath
wheelchairs. Its spacious passenger cabin has central heating, large panoramic windows and an advanced ventilation system. There is a washroom, toilet and fully fitted kitchen with an electric cooker. There is no gas on the boat. Thanks to a Towpath Talk plea for volunteers in March and an open day in June, the trust now has sufficient numbers to run all three boats in its fleet. But that’s not the end of it – fundraising is already well advanced for yet another boat.
Trust chairman Mick McLoughlin with the Mayor of Charnwood, Coun Brenda Seaton. PHOTOS: LES HEATH
A wheelchair guest using the lift.
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Report reveals volunteer hours are at record high A RECORD number of volunteer hours was revealed in the Canal & River Trust’s latest report. Those volunteering for the trust gave more than 670,000 hours of their time, with other good news including the continued growth of Green Flag status – with 250 miles of waterway holding the quality assurance mark at year end (now 300 miles). The 2018/19 Annual Report & Accounts also showed CRT’s spend on charitable activities topped £156 million, up from £153 million the previous year. This sum covers core maintenance, repairs and infrastructure works, with, for example, £7.2 million spent on dredging and £4.1 million spent on Highlights of the 2018/19 Annual Report & Accounts include: • An increase in charitable spending to £156 million, with record spend on waterway operation, maintenance and repair • Growth in volunteering to 671,000 hours, with the first volunteer recording 10,000 hours of service for the trust, and a 27% growth in volunteer lock keepers to 1130 • Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag status awarded to 250 miles of canals at year end (now 300 miles) • An increase in boats of 0.5% to 34,367 with boating accounting for around 22% of overall income • A total of 420 local groups
museums and attractions. There was a small rise in boats on the network, and record numbers of children were engaged through the trust’s education programme. Chairman Allan Leighton said: “The past year has seen continued progress as the trust works towards its ambition of living waterways that transform places and enrich lives. “We know that being either on or beside our waterways offers many different things to different people. This past year we’ve begun to make the case for the huge role the trust and our waterways can play in society and truly be a national asset for the 21st century – a ‘natural health service’ supporting – canal adoption groups, corporate volunteers and community groups – helping to care for the trust’s canals • More than 92,000 children enjoying face-to-face sessions with the trust’s Explorers team and nearly 4000 adults and children taking part in a ‘Let’s Fish!’ taster session • The publication of the first Boater Report explaining how the trust generates income, including the contribution from boaters, and how the money is spent across the network • A growth in ‘Friends’ (those making a regular financial donation) rising 18% to almost 29,000.
communities across England and Wales to realise the well-being benefits of time spent by water. This year we have maintained the investment in the network that is so vital to all our four million regular users – boaters, anglers and towpath visitors – while taking the decision to reposition the trust to raise awareness of the hugely important role that waterways are playing in improving the daily lives of millions of people. “As we look towards the 2020s, we know that the foundation we have laid in this first phase of the trust’s life will give us a strong platform from which to build a powerful case for ongoing funding, and a compelling appeal to a broader audience, to make their lives better by water.” Chief executive Richard Parry said: “While delivering our waterway operation, maintenance and repair remains our priority, we are striving for greater efficiency so that our funds can go further. “The past year has seen us reminded of the scale of our core responsibility with some extreme weather contributing to infrastructure damage and to severe water shortages in many areas in the peak summer months. “Our capacity to deliver on our broader strategic agenda has been strengthened this year through a major restructure that has seen accountability devolved into regional teams whose priorities reflect the needs and aspirations of each area that they serve.” He continued: “The renaissance of the canals continues to go from strength to strength and the network we manage
Welshpool volunteers painting gates at Crowther Hall Lock on the Montgomery Canal. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON today is in better health than ever, with many thousands of volunteers now helping us to care for the navigations we operate, and an ever-expanding range of partner groups working alongside us to make a difference to the waterways in their local communities. “The ongoing value of our canal and river navigations is no longer in doubt, and the numbers already spending time on or by our waterways proves their enduring popularity. “With environmental causes gaining more support than ever before, the trust is active in embracing the ‘think global but act local’ message to deliver beauty and well-being on the doorstep for millions of people.”
To view the trust’s 2018/19 Annual Report & Accounts, visit: www.canalrivertrust. o r g . u k / a b o u t - u s / annual-report-and-accounts The trust will be holding an Annual Public Meeting on September 19 at Austin Court, Birmingham. For more information, including how you can register your attendance, go to www.canalrivertrust. org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/ events/2019-09-19-canaland-river-trust-annual-publicmeeting-2019
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Valuable lessons at Ironville plot project
In 2014 the Friends of Cromford Canal (FCC) adopted a section of the line of locks known as the Codnor Flight, at Ironville, Derbyshire, from the Canal & River Trust. The adoption is from lock 5 under the railway bridge westward up to the Codnor Park Reservoir, at the site of the now-destroyed lock 1 and the intersection with the Pinxton Arm canal. Here John Guyler, of the Friends of Cromford Canal, and Lock Keeper’s Garden creator Andy Cadman look back in their own words at the history of the project and at the impact it is having. THE FCC worked for the whole of that first winter clearing the area between lock five and lock three. At lock four (Smith’s Lock) the area was really overgrown after years of neglect and was one of the first areas that was cleared. The sight that greeted us when we climbed over the wall on to the top of the lock for the first time was really depressing – trees growing out of the lock wall, 6ft high brambles and years of rubbish.
Over two winters of work the whole area around and on the top of lock 4 was becoming tamed and the main problem was ferns and brambles each summer. The towpath on the opposite bank was restored over three stages by the North West Waterway Recovery Group with the Friends of Cromford Canal assisting and funding the plant and equipment and the billeting arrangements. The area started to come alive and
Volunteers clearing the top of the lock.
Hard at work installing the fence. with a reduction in the litter and dog fouling issues it became a much more pleasant place to be. It was around 2015 that some of the local residents started to develop an idea that the top of lock 4 would be an ideal place to create a ‘Lock Keeper’s Garden’. The idea was to show how the canal employees might have lived as well as creating a visually pleasing area. The Canal & River Trust at first was very reluctant to agree to the ideas, but eventually agreed to allow the garden, provided a fence was erected along the 50 metres of the chamber, to protect users from the drop of 15ft into the chamber. This fence was erected by FCC volunteers, with all the materials supplied by CRT. The Lock Keeper’s Garden group started the serious planting of the garden and created the information signs. Now, there is a thriving, impressive, productive garden, for all ages to visit and enjoy. On May 15 this year, Ironville Primary School (Kestrels class) paid a visit to the Lock Keeper’s Garden. The object was to sow several different varieties of radish and discover which was the best one to grow.
Schools and other visitors have enjoyed spending time in the garden this year. After six weeks, the children paid a second visit to harvest their crops and returned to school to count, weigh, assess and taste the different varieties. This therefore also became a science, food technology and maths lesson too. On each visit the children learnt all about the different plants there and how they grow, as well as the history of the canal and local wildlife. Now there are also visits from adult groups to view the
success of the project. The Friends of Cromford Canal work parties continue to provide general maintenance of the area, fence repairs and painting, removing litter from difficult-to-access sites and keeping the watercourse clear, including the removal of Himalayan balsam. The garden is now a very visual reminder of the success of volunteering in the local community.
8 NEWS
Rewarding work for waterways THE Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Inland Navigation Panel is seeking a new chairman to promote the views and interests of inland cruisers. The Inland Navigation Panel is a sub-committee of the RYA Cruising and Government Affairs Committee and plays a crucial role in keeping up to date with developments on the inland waterways, connecting the RYA with boaters and other relevant organisations and agencies. Issues brought to the panel include matters of environmental policy, safety, user charges and inland waterway planning and management policies. This voluntary position provides an ideal opportunity for someone with a real interest in the inland waterways to build experience in a non-executive role within a friendly and reputable national governing body. Relationships with the Canal and River Trust, Broads Authority and the Environment Agency are of particular importance. The appointment is for four years. All expenses are reimbursed. As an important link between the RYA and its members, the role requires a strong commitment to reach out to the boating community around the UK, to be accessible to them, to listen to concerns, and to determine the handling of issues that arise from this in close co-operation with RYA staff. For an informal discussion contact Howard Pridding (RYA director of external affairs, email howard. pridding@rya.org.uk, 023 8060 4221) or Philip Aspey (chairman of RYA Inland Navigation Panel, email philipaspey@aol.com, 07904 058205).
www.towpathtalk.co.uk
Bench memorial honours Rochdale Canal ‘pioneer’
A WOODEN bench has been unveiled as a memorial to a volunteer who worked tirelessly in support of the Rochdale Canal. A gathering of more than 40 people attended the event and shared memories of ‘Rochdale Canal pioneer’ Brian Holden. The bench was made by a team from the Canal & River Trust and featured a brass plaque outlining some of Brian’s work. It was located at Littleborough on the banks of the Rochdale Canal by the CRT and Littleborough Civic Trust. Brian, who was secretary of the Rochdale Canal Society, died in September, aged 87, after a lifetime devoted to the waterways. His motto was apparently ‘never say never’ and indeed his energy and enthusiasm paid off when, after 50 years of dereliction, the Rochdale Canal was restored to navigation again in summer 2002, allowing boats to once more travel from Manchester city centre to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire. Since the passing of Brian the idea of a permanent memorial to his achievements had gathered pace, and was made possible with the co-operation of the CRT and Rochdale Council. Volunteer Ian Jackson was the driving force behind the initiative and said: “The restoration of the Rochdale Canal was a massive undertaking involving several organisations, but had it not been for Brian’s cultivation of the right people, his 20-year battle with bureaucracy, it would not have happened. The restored Rochdale Canal is his memorial.
The many people who gathered to remember Brian Holden. The photo is courtesy of Frank Carter from Essex, who Brian befriended while Frank was on a towpath walking journey throughout the Manchester region – to the extent that Frank has now joined the Littleborough Civic Trust. “Brian was truly a modern-day ‘Rochdale Pioneer’. He gave his time and passion to ensure everyone’s enjoyment of the Rochdale Canal. This memorial bench is a fitting tribute overlooking his legacy – the Rochdale Canal as we know it today.” It is on an area of grassed land close to the canal, which also includes pretty flowerbeds and a picnic table. The flowerbeds are tended by local volunteers, sponsored by a local garden centre, and form an entry into annual competition Pennines in Bloom. Along with members of Brian’s family, the gathering was attended by past and present members of the
following organisations all who knew Brian: Audrey Smith and John Fletcher, both former IWA national chairmen; Ian Jackson, chairman Littleborough Civic Trust; Moorend Trust; Littleborough Civic Trust; Portland Basin Marina; Kickstart and Openlock Community Narrowboats; Spotland Methodist Church; Rochdale Borough Council; Rochdale Canal Society; Shire Cruisers; Huddersfield Canal Society; Calder Navigation Society; Manchester Region IWA; Lancs & Cumbria IWA; WRG North West. The Canal & River Trust was also represented by a group from the regional task force team.
Brian Holden was devoted to the waterways.
Trust unveils blooming work of art LICHFIELD’S canal trust unveiled an exciting new feature for judges in the Heart of England in Bloom competition. As part of their contribution to Blooming Lichfield’s entry, Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s volunteers created a flower-filled brick planter in the shape of a half-scale narrowboat, seemingly towed by a steel plate horse. The installation, on Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve and Wetlands and named Fosseway Queen and The ’Oss, was conceived and designed by the trust’s engineering director Peter Buck. The boat was crafted by Rick Walters and the horse by Steven Webster, with many hours of help from trust volunteers. Last year, the trust’s Gallows Wharf Garden of Reflection and Rose Willow, a full-sized replica of a narrowboat
full of colourful plants, helped Blooming Lichfield win a gold medal in the competition. Fosseway Queen and The ’Oss was partly funded with a donation of £1000 from the Inland Waterways Association’s Lichfield branch. This was a generous legacy from the late Peter Chandler, a past chairman of IWA Lichfield and one of the early members of LHCRT, who designed the trust’s logo still in use today. The brick narrowboat will display a
plaque in Peter’s memory. The cheque was presented by current IWA Lichfield chairman Phil Sharpe at a garden party held at Gallows Wharf to celebrate LHCRT recently being honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Volunteers attending the party were presented with QAVS badges to mark their contribution to the trust’s work. The trust has also been awarded a Support Staffordshire Star Award for volunteering support for young people. Fosseway Queen and The ’Oss, the brick narrowboat and steel plate canal horse created for Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s contribution to Blooming Lichfield.
The ’Oss, made of steel plate and ‘towing’ Fosseway Queen. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Fosseway Queen, the brick-built half-scale narrowboat at Fosseway Heath.