Towpath Talk January 2023 issue preview!

HI-TECHWASTE CONTROL

FutureoftheUK’sinlandwaterwaysdebatedinParliament

THEfutureandimportanceoftheUK’s canalsandwaterwayswasthesubjectof aHouseofCommonsdebate.

Althoughtherewasaparticular focusonthe2000milescaredforand lookedafterbytheCanal&RiverTrust, waterwaysmanagedbyothernavigation authoritieswerealsodiscussedwithMPs fromNorfolk,ScotlandandNorthern Irelandalsotakingpart.

MichaelFabricant,MPforLich eld

andchairmanoftheAllParty ParliamentaryGroupforWaterways, initiatedthedebatebeforemanyother MPs,includingRebeccaPow,the MinisterforWaterways,responded. edebateopenedwithMrFabricant settingouttheuniquecontributionto thenationofthetrustanditswaterways, fromtheeconomicimpactthroughto thehugesocialandenvironmental bene tstosociety.

edebateheardhowtheCanal& RiverTrust,formedin2012toprotect andpreserveitswaterwaysacross EnglandandWales,isawaitingthe outcomeoftheUKgovernment’sreview ofitsfundingcontractbeyond2027. e currentgrantis xeduntil2027andis decliningbothinrealtermsandasa proportionofthetrust’stotalincome.

MPsspokeabouthow,withthe increasedthreatfromclimatechange

eventsnotenvisagedin2012,thetrust isincreasingitsspendingonthecore nationalinfrastructureinitscare.

Continuedfundingfromgovernment beyond2027isessentialtoprotect themanybene tsfromwaterways, minimiserisktoitsnumerous neighbouringcommunitiesandavert thenetwork’slong-termdemise,the meetingwastold.

Cornishriverfind

AROUND£10,000worthofjewelleryhasbeenfound atthebottomofaCornishriver.Adivercontacted Devon&CornwallPoliceafterdiscoveringthe gemsintheHelfordrivernearFalmouth. ehaul includedapearlnecklaceaswellasanumberof ringsandpendants.O cersarehopingtoreunite thejewellerywithitsowner.Apolicespokesman describedsomeoftheringsandpendantsas verydistinctiveandsaid:“Wearehopingto nd theownerasitisclearthejewelleryisofhuge sentimentalvalue.”

AsnowyscenealongtheLeeNavigationbetweenWalthamCommonLockandCheshuntStationinHertfordshire.Buticespellsdangerandthe Canal&RiverTrusthasissuedatimelywarningforpeopletotakecareonthetowpaths,bridgesandlocksides.Thisisaphotokindlysubmittedto ourInstagrampagetowpathtalkofficialbyJoeDunneandTamarSaphra.

WINTERhasarrived butalthoughitcanbe beautifultolookat,the snowandicecanprove hazardous.

Aswegotopressourthoughtsare withthefamiliesoftheboyswho tragicallydiedafterfallingthrough iceonalakeinSolihull. eCanal &RiverTrusthasissuedatimely warninghighlightingthatwhilethe waterwayslookgreatonInstagram whiletheyarefrostyandsnowy, theriskofslippingorfallinginto thecoldwatercanincrease.Seethe trust’ssafetytipsinnewsandviews atcanalrivertrust.org.uk

Alsointhenewsarethestrikes currentlya ectingtransport,health servicesandthepostaldeliveries. Weapologiseforanydelayour subscribersmayhavehadinreceiving theircopyof TowpathTalk,ormay haveintheperiodahead.

Oneofoursubscriptionpackages coveringthecostofpostageisagreat waytoreceiveyourpaperespecially ifyouaresomedistancefromoneof ourstockistsandwhilewearedoing allwecantomakesurecopiesare withsubscribersassoonaspossible, wehopetheindustrialactionis resolvedquickly.

eweatherhascertainlychanged sinceIvisitedtheStanleyFerrylock gateworkshopandKingsRoadLock ontheWake eldBranchoftheAire& CalderNavigationatthebeginningof December–seemyreportandphotos onpage5–andthereisalsoareport ofotherwinterworksontheWigan ightonpage6.

Manyofouradvertisersbringyou theirseason’sgreetingsstartingon page42andwelookforwardtoevents in2023includingBoatlifeLive,see pages13,17and47,theCanalway Cavalcadewhichcelebratesits40th anniversary,alsoonpage17andthe BraunstonHistoricBoatRally,page 18.Hopefully,yourfreewallplanner willcomeinusefulasyoulook forwardtoarrangingfundaysout.

Wishingyouahappy newyear

Editor JanetRichardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk

Publisher TimHartley Groupadvertisingmanager SueKeily

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Nextissue –January26,2023

Continuedfrompage1

MrFabricantexplainedhowthe delaystothegovernment’sreviewwas causinggreatconcernforwaterway usersandwillsoonstarttohinderthe trust’sabilitytoplanforthefuture,with somanyimportantlong-termprojects todeliver.

WaterwaysministerRebeccaPow respondedtothedebatebycommending thearrayofcolleaguespresentatthe debateandacknowledgingtherole ofvolunteersandthehugerangeof publicbene tsdeliveredbytheinland waterways,fromleisureandrecreation throughtoindustrialheritage,mental well-beingandasthegreencorridors thatcanalsforgethroughboththe countrysideandurbanareas.

Theministeralsospokeabout ensuringthecriticalinfrastructure ofthecanalnetworkisresilient toclimatechangeandhowitcan helpmeetnetzerotargets,notleast throughactivetravelandthetransfer ofwatertosupportthesecurityof publicwatersupply.

Onfunding,sheacknowledgedthe trusthasverye ectivelyworkedon generatingotherincomestreamsto reduceitsdependencyongovernment fundingandthatgovernmentwas ‘lookingwithalaserfocus’atallthe issuesthathavebeenraisedandthe continuedfundingcaseforthegrantinto thefuture.Shesaidgovernmenthasto getthedecisionright,whichiswhytime isbeingtaken,butanannouncementon thetrust’sfundingbeyond2027would bemade‘forthwith’.

CRTchiefexecutiveRichardParry commentedafterwards:“ etrust’s worktoprotectandpreserveourhistoric canalnetworkdeliverswide-ranging bene tstosocietyanditwasgoodto seethisuniquevalue,thatonlycomes fromaresilientandadequatelyfunded canalsystem,acknowledgedonallsides oftheHouse.

“Aswecontinueourdiscussions withDefraaroundourongoing grant,wewelcomethecross-party recognitionoftheimportanceofthe canalnetworkandremainfocusedon

SomeoftheMPswhotookpartintheparliamentarydebateonNovember22,withrepresentativesofCanal& RiverTrustandIWA.Fromleftare:MaggieThroup,MPforErewash;RichardParry,chiefexecutiveofCanal& RiverTrust;MichaelFabricant,MPforLichfield;SueO’Hare,deputychairmanofIWAandWendyMorton,MP forAldridge&Brownhills. PHOTO:PAULRODGERS

achievinganoutcomethatwillenable ustomeettherisingcostofsustaining thenation’shistoricwaterways, managingthepotentialrisktoallthe placestheyrunthroughanddelivering ourstatutoryresponsibilitiesforthe longterm.”

edebatewasalsowelcomedbythe InlandWaterwaysAssociationbutitwas disappointedattheminister’sresponse andinparticulartothequestionof timingfortheDefraannouncement.

IWAconsidersthatgovernmenthas missedanopportunitytoreassurethe publicthat2000milesofwaterways

LicencefeestoriseinApril

THECanal&River Trust’sboatlicence feeswillriseby9%from April1,2023,forboth privateboatownersand boatingbusinesses. Whencombinedwith theinterimincrease introducedfrom October1,2022,this willmeananoverall year-on-yearincreaseof 13%forthoserenewing anannualboatlicence intheperiodfromApril 1untilSeptember30, 2023.

Chiefexecutive RichardParrysaid:“We areallfacingthehighest levelsofinflationin over40yearsand,as thetrust’scostssoar,we mustaddressthebudget shortfalltosafeguard navigationandthesafe upkeepofthewaterways. Wehopethereisan understandingthat thisisanessentialstep toensuretheongoing maintenanceandrepair ofthehistoriccanals andrivernavigationsin ourcare.

“Ournetworkis oldandvulnerable, especiallytothe extremeweatherevents thatarebecomingmore common,andthis winterwewilldeliver oneofourlargest programmesofrepairs andmaintenance todate,withlarge increasesinour expenditureonvital reservoirsafetyworks (whicharemandatory undertheUKReservoirs Act)inparticular.”

Thegovernment grantpayment,which goestowardsthecost ofmaintainingthe waterways,isfrozen thisyear–andhence declininginrealterms –withnocertaintyof whatgrantwillbemade availablefrom2027.

Lookingfurther ahead,thetrust proposestocarryouta consultationin2023to gatherfeedbackonhow boatlicencepricing mightlookoverthenext 10yearstosupportthe

long-termfutureofthe waterwaynetwork.

Richardadded:“Boat licencesaccountfor aroundaneighth(12%) ofthetrust’sannual incomeandhelpfund someofthevastamount ofworknecessaryto keepthewaterways safeandnavigable;as wesetoutinourannual BoaterReport,ourcore networkexpenditureis aroundfourtimeswhat weraisefromboating.”

Thetrustwill continuetosupport boaterswhomaybe strugglingtopaytheir licencefeesonacaseby-casebasis.This mayincludearranging flexiblepayment plansandsignposting torelevantservices, forexamplethe WaterwaysChaplaincy, localauthoritiesand CitizensAdvice.For moreinformationvisit: canalrivertrust.org.uk/ enjoy-the-waterways/ boating/do-you-knowa-vulnerable-boater

inEnglandandWaleswillreceive su cientfundinginthefuturetokeep themsafeforthepeoplewholive,work andspendtimeonornearthem,and toprotectthisimportantinfrastructure networkforfuturegenerations.

Issuesraisedincludedthepotential

formorewatertransferprojects,the impactofclimatechangeonhistoric infrastructure,waterwayrestoration projectsandthehardworkputin byvolunteers,aswellasthemost importantissueofcontinuedsupportfor thewaterwaysfundedbygovernment.

Charityacquiresnew landforcanalrestoration

APOPULARstretchofrestored canalbetweenChippenhamand Lacockcouldbeextendedthanks toanewdeal.

eWilts&BerksCanalTrust hasalreadyrebuiltmorethana kilometreoftheformerwaterway fromPewshamLockstoDouble Bridge.Ithasnowsignedaleasewith WiltshireCouncilforanadditional 500mstretchtowardsReybridge.

Chairmanofthetrust’sMelksham, Chippenham&Calnebranch,Dave Maloneysaid:“Walkers,runnersand cyclistsenjoythisbeautifulcorridor throughthelocalcountrysideandwe runtripboatsthroughthesummerfor localfamiliesandcommunitygroups.

“However,therewateredsection currentlyendsatDoubleBridgeand thetowpathbecomesmoreuneven afterthispoint. isnewlease,which willbeautomaticallyrenewedevery sevenyearsatapeppercornrent, givesustheconfidencetostart investinginplanstorestoreand rewaterthislengthtoo.”

CounNabilNajjar,chairmanof theWiltshire,Swindon&Oxfordshire CanalPartnership,said:“ eland waspurchasedbytheformerNorth WiltshireDistrictCouncilspeci cally tohelptherestorationproject,andthe fullyrestoredcanalwillbeanexcellent leisurefacilityandwildlifehabitat.”

Expertadviceandsurveyswillbe commissionedtoimprovethehabitat andprotectthewildlife,beginningin thespring.Assumingnoproblems arediscovered,thechannelwillbe clearedandthetowpathraised.

echaritywouldthenremove thebundatDoubleBridgeandallow waterto owintothenewsection.It aimstoextendthePewshamstretch towardsLacockandthenconnect withtheoriginallinesouthofthe village,wherethetrusthasalready purchasedsomeoftheland.

iswouldjointheproposednew ‘MelkshamLink’toprovideaccess totheKennet&AvonCanalviathe RiverAvonthroughthetowncentre.

Theultimateambitionisto restoretheentirewaterwayto theThames&SevernCanalnear CrickladeandtheRiverThames nearAbingdon,connecting Chippenham,Calne,Royal WoottonBassettandSwindon. Visitwww.wbct.org.uk

DaveMaloneybesidethe newlyacquiredstretchofcanal betweenDoubleBridgeand Reybridge.

PHOTO: JUSTINGUY

Conferenceupdatedon boatingindustryissues

Wordsandphotos:JanetRichardson

BUSINESSleadersfromacrossthe inlandwaterwaysgatheredinWorcester fortheBritishMarineInlandBoating AGMandconferenceonNovember25.

Theywereupdatedonavariety oftopicsfromarangeofspeakers followedbyworkshopsandroundthe-tablediscussionsintheGrahame HickPavilionatthecountycricket clubground.

emorningbeganwiththeAGMsof bothBMIBandtheMidlandsCommittee followingwhichapresentationwas madetooutgoingBMIBchairmanNigel HamiltonofH&HConsulting&Training Servicesbynewlyelectedchairman RussellChaseofFarncomeLeisureLtd. Vice-chairmanisPaulaSyredofFox NarrowboatsLtd.

BritishMarine’sheadoftechnical servicesRossWombwellupdated membersontheCleanAirStrategy aimedatachievingzeroemissions capabilityby2025.Hesaidthatthey havebeenworkingonthisforthepast fouryearsanditshouldbede nedby theendof2023.

RegardingtheHSEcodeofpracticefor marinasandboatyards,hesaidagroup ofabout20membershadbeenworking towritethisinconjunctionwithHSE (Health&SafetyExecutive)andshould havesomeformofaccreditationinthe nextsixmonths.

Rossalsogaveupdatesabout QAB(QualityAssuredBoatyard) requirementsforhireboatoperatorsand theHireBoatCode.Intheafternoonhe ledaworkshoponHBCStabilityTests.

Headofpublica airsBrianClark spokeaboutmeasureswhichcould a ecthireboatoperatorsincludingthe EnergyBillReliefSchemeandtheWelsh Government’sconsultationonatourism taxwhichcouldpotentiallyimpacton moorings.HealsoreferredtoaDefra consultationonwatere ciencyand saidthatBMisseekinganexemptionfor marinesanitaryware.BMisalsoworking withcolleaguesontheRiver ames regardingtheclosureofSunburyDry DockinSurrey.

Awaterresourcesupdatewasgiven bytheCanal&RiverTrust’snational hydrologymanagerAdamComerford whosaidthatrainfallthisyearhadbeen

atitslowestlevelinhis21-yearcareer. IthasbeenthedriestAugustsince2003 andsummersince1995aswellasbeing thehottestonrecord.

Thishadasignificantimpacton headerreservoirsparticularlyinthe Northwherethecanalsaremuchless resilienttodryweatherandwhere essentialreservoirengineeringworks aretakingplace.Hesaidthat20 projectscosting£24.5millionrepresent a‘massiveincreaseinspend’andwhich thetrustwillhavea‘hugechallenge’to deliverontime.

AlthoughtheLeeds&LiverpoolCanal hadstartedtheyear90%full,closures hadtobebroughtinduringthesummer onthemainsection,theOxfordand GrandUnioncanalsnotfaringquite sobadly.

Adamsaidthatthenavigation authoritieshaveenjoyed200years’

exemptionfromwaterabstraction licencesbuthavenowhadtocome underthesystem.Describingita‘step change’hecommented:“ isisone ofthebiggestchangesinourwater resourcesforalongtime.”

Holidaysurvey

Canal&RiverTrust’sheadofcustomer servicesMatthewSymondssaidthat of35,000boatscurrentlylicensedby thetrust,around7000arecontinuous cruiserswithouthomemoorings,ahigh proportionoftheseinLondonandthe SouthEast.

e rstpartofaconsultationon customerservicefacilitieshadjust closedandaminimumstandardis tobeagreed,hereported. etrustis alsotriallinganewpaymentsystemfor pump-outmachines.

Matthewaddedthatarecenthireboat

customersurveyhadrevealedthat90% ofuserswereonholidays,70%ofthese fromMaytoAugustand73%ofhirers werefamilieswithchildrenunder16. Ahireboatholidayrepresentedgood valueformoneyand86%ofthose surveyedwouldrecommendaholiday.

Regardingthelong-awaited Governmentgrantreview,hesaidthey don’texpectanannouncementuntil early2023.

Oneofthemostthought-provoking talkswasgivenbyStuartAustinof PromarineFinancewhodescribed reportsofthecostoflivingcrisisbythe BBCandothermediaas‘dramaticand scaremongering’.

Hesaidthatmostofthecanal boats nancedbythecompanyare liveaboards–amarketdrivenby lifestyleand nancialchoicewithbuyers mainlyseekingtomoveoutofrental accommodationontoaboatwhichwill betheirownproperty. epurchaseof boatsforleisureusewaslikelytobe morea ectedbythecostoflivingcrisis buttheboatingindustryisinsulatedto someextent.

SimonLunness,directorofHolray, whichprovidessoftwareforhire operations,spokeaboutthebene tsof usinganonlinebookingsystem.

Thecompanymanagesabout 1200boatsandalsootherholiday accommodationsuchascaravansand lodgesandworkswithcustomers’own

websitesandbookingsystemsaswellas reducingtheiradmin.

Overthelast10years,theyhave handled194,000bookings,fourpeople onafour-berthboatbeingthemost popularcombination.

CatherineArmstrongofDroitwichbasedCafwinCruisersspokeaboutthe conversionof58ft6innarrowboat Ollie Owl (reviewedby TowpathTalk inJuly 2022)fromdieseltoserialelectricby Ortomarineforholidayhireuse.She saidthatretro ttinghadprovedmore di cultandexpensivethenanticipated andnewsoftwarewasneededforthe electricalsystems.

Sheexplainedthattheengineisthe largestconsumerofpowerfollowedby thewaterheaterandother240vmains equipment.Howevertheboathadbeen fullybookedthisyearandhadnotrun outofpower.

Catherinesaidthatitrequiresa di erentapproachtoteachingguests. isincludesdrivingbykilowatthours insteadofmileage,beingawaretomoor upwithaclearviewoftheskytoget maximumsolaryieldandkeepingitems o thesolarpanels.

Holidaymakerscanenjoynearsilent cruising,fume-freeoperationandcloser interactionwithnatureforwhicha premiumispaidbutbookingshave beenup.

econferencewasfollowedbyagala dinnerintheevening.

BritishMarineheadoftechnicalservicesRossWombwellleadinga workshoponHBCStabilityTests.

Industryrepresentativestakingpartinround-the-tablediscussions.

Sculptor’sgreatcanaljourneys

Wordsandphotos:TimCoghlan

ACTORSandboatersTimandPruare nottheonlyonestomakeGreatCanal Journeys.Andwhereasthoseengaging octogenarianshavenowretiredfromthe fray, Sculptor –theoctogenarianhistoric narrowboatownedandoperatedby theCanalMuseumatStokeBruerne–isonceagainoutandabout,nowthat Covidrestrictionshavebeenlifted.

Itstravelsinthelast12months standequaltothoseofmanya narrowboatenthusiast.Andtheywere allmeticulouslyloggedbydevoted volunteerKathrynDoddington,whose auntwasoneofthewartimecanal volunteers–the‘IdleWomen’.

Asawarm-up, Sculptor cameforthe miniBraunstonHistoricNarrowboat RallyonSeptember,5,2021,whereit founditselfinthecompanyofsixformer workingnarrowboats.Allwentwelland Sculptor returnedtoStokeBruerneto prepareforthebigone,therunupto NorthwichontheRiverWeaverwherean extensiveprogrammeofoverduerepairs –heldbackbyCovid–wouldnowbe carriedoutatYarwood’sYard.

isisonlyyardsfromwheretheboat wasbuiltbyWJYarwood&SonsLtdin 1935.Littlesurvivesofthatoncegreat smallshipandnarrowboatbuilding yard,butthedrydockdoes.Itislocated underarailwaybridge,whichprobably accountsforitssurvival,anditisnow operatedbyMikeCarter,oneofthegreat expertsinthesematters.

OnOctober31,2021–whenmost boatersarethinkingofclosingdown forthewinter–volunteerRobWestlake, 71,andacrewoftwofromtheCanal& RiverTrustseto fromStokeBruerne, headingnorthinallthehoursofdaylight left. eirroutetookthemuptheGrand UniontoBraunston,thennorthupthe OxfordandCoventryCanalstoFazeley, thenuptheTrent&Merseytothe AndertonLiftandontotheRiverWeaver andYarwood’sYard.Heretheyarrived eightdayslateronNovember8,having beatenallthestoppages. eirone concessiontocomfortwasstayingthe nightsatpre-bookedhotels,wherethey couldalsoenjoydinnerandbreakfast andmostofall,thatbath.

eworks,includingblastingthehull backtobaremetal,requiredrepairs andafullrepainttopandbottom,were nallycompleted,andbyJuly2022the boatwasreadytomovetospecialist repairersattheCRTyardatEllesmere

Livinghistory

BythentheAndertonLiftwas pronouncedoutofservice,soitwas necessaryforRobandhisteamtotake Sculptor downtheTrent&Merseyand thenashortrunuptheManchesterShip Canal,lockinguptotheyardandcanal museumatEllesmerePort,wherethe repairscouldbeseenbyvisitorsasreal livinghistory.

Inall, Sculptor wasthereforsomeeight weeks. enonOctober16itwastime tobegintheevenGreaterCanalJourney southtoStokeBruerne‘byanotherway’. Firsttherewasthesentimentaljourney downtheShropshireUnion,wherepostSecondWorldWar, Sculptor hadbeen givenanew40-yearleaseoflifeasa canalmaintenanceboatuntil1985.(It wasthendecidedtomakeitaworking exhibitfortheCanalMuseumatStoke Bruerne,having rstbeenre ttedtoits originalbuildatEllesmerePort.)

erethenfollowedadoglegupthe ‘Wolverhampton21’andthroughthe middleofBirmingham,thenoutonthe NorthStratfordCanal,whereateamof volunteerswerewaitingto‘ y’them downtheLapworthFlight.

ismarkedtheendoftheCRTcrew, volunteerlockkeepersandhotels.Rob WestlakeandfriendAlynJonestook over,sleepingonboardintheoldway,

buteatingtheirdinnerashoreinthe placeswheretheytiedup. erewere hardlyanyotherboatsnowmoving andthepairofthemhadtomanagethe HattonFlightontheirown,andlikewise prettywellallthewidelocksbackto StokeBruerne.

Sculptor arrivedatBraunstonMarina onthelateafternoonofOctober25, whereweprovidedamooringandour showerfacilities.Robwascomplaining ofsomeengineproblemshewas

experiencingwiththec1960ListerHA2 engine–butIthoughtitwasdoingpretty wellandcouldlimpback.

Butwearrangedforourneighbour PaulRenshaw,whospecialisesin vintageengines,tocomeandlookatit thefollowingmorning.Bymiddaythe boatwasokaytogetgoingandbythe followingeveningithademergedatthe southernendoftheBlisworthTunnel, readyforthewell-plannedcelebrations thefollowingmorning.

AregionalBBCTVcrewonhand to lm Sculptor’sreturnhaddecided theywantedthearticulateKathryn Doddingtontofrontit–withher ne canalpedigreeofthatSecondWorld WarauntieandherstrongNewZealand accent.Sointhe nesttraditionofwhat

youseeisnotnecessarilytrue,once thecamerateamwereready,Kathryn reversed Sculptor backintothetunnel, assistedbyJuliaMorgan–fromAustralia andnowworkingforCRT.Nowitisa strictCRTrulethatitsboatsarealways double-crewed,butafterthe rsttake, itwasdecidedthatKathrynwouldlook bettersteeringtheboatonherown.

Fortheretake,Juliahadtohideinthe hold.Itgavethedramatice ectrequired, KathrynresemblingacanalValkyrieas, withspeedand xeddetermination, shethensteered Sculptor backtoitsold mooring,outsidethemuseum–justa littleshortofayearafterithadseto Andtheretohelptietheboatupwas RobWestlake,whodidn’tseemtomind. Yeah,he’sagoodbloke,isourRob!

CelebrationsinthenewlyrefurbishedCanalMuseumatStokeBruerne, filmedbyBBCLookEast.Fromleftare:RobWestlake,Phoebe Robinson,whomadethecakeof Sculptor,andAlecSwain,bothofthe CRTmuseumstaff.BraunstonMarinagenerouslysuppliedcelebratory sparklingwine.

Portforfurtherworkstothekeelson andmore.

ReadyforthelastlegbacktoStokeBruerne.RobWestlake,71,atthe helmofthebeautifullyrestored Sculptor,withstalwartcrewAlynJones.

‘Single-handed’KathrynDoddingtonat Sculptor’stillershortlyafter emergingfromStokeBruernetunnel.TheheadofhercrewJuliaMorgan isjustvisibleinthehold.

FullsteamaheadforStokeBruerneMuseum.

Makingwaves.KathrynDoddingtonandRobWestlakeacknowledgepeopleonthecanalsideas Sculptor isat lasttiedupbackatStokeBruerne,almostayearafterheadingnorthformajorrepairs.

Lockgateworkshopwelcomesopendayvisitors

Wordsandphotos:JanetRichardson

THECanal&RiverTrust’sStanleyFerry workshopinWestYorkshirehostedan opendayonDecember3toshowcase wherelockgatesaremadetomeasure forthe2000-milenetwork.

Around350peopleweregivenguided toursofthesitebesidetheAire&Calder NavigationnearWake eldwhereaLet’s Fisheventwasalsoheldforwould-be anglersaswellaswoodworkandfestive artsandcraftsforyoungervisitors.

eStanleyFerryworkshopisoneof onlytwoplacesintheUKwhereCRT manufacturesandrefurbisheslock gates,theotherbeingBradleyinthe WestMidlands.

Leadingthehourlytourswas workshopsupervisorAndrewBayliswho explainedthatmorethan100gateleaves aremadeonthesiteeveryyear,each oneindividuallyforaparticularlock andcanalsuchasthosebeingmadefor RavensLaneLockontheGrandUnion.

etimberismainlysustainably sourcedBritishoakandbasicallythe samemethodofconstructionisusedas around200yearsago.Ittakesbetween veand20daystomanufacturealock gate,eachweighingonaverage3 ½ tonnes,withaworkinglifeofbetween25 and30years.Oneofthebiggestmadeat theworkshop,weighing15tonnes,was fortheRiverWithamatBoston.

Andrewsaidthatthecraftspeople inthewoodworkingandfabrication workshopsarequali edjoinersand welders.Traineesserveathree-year apprenticeship,theschemerecently beingjoinedbyits rstfemalerecruit.

Healsoliftedthepaddletoshow water owingintothedrydockwhich wasbuiltbetween1854and1856and hasbeenoutofaction.Andrewsaiditis hopeditwillbeoperationalagaininthe nextyear. egateswereinstalledabout 20yearsagosoanumberofsta have experienceof ttingthese.

Aminibuswasavailabletotake visitorstothestoppageatKingsRoad Lock(Lock3)ontheWake eldBranch which,ataround200ftinlength,isone ofthelargestonthetrust’snetwork. Duringthesix-weekproject,work includesextendingthelockladders whichinvolvescuttingoutsomeofthe masonryandrepairingpartofthesluice.

etrustisinstallingnewgatesacross 52locks,aspartofits£58millionwinter worksprogrammeofmajorrepairsand canalimprovements.

ChiefexecutiveRichardParrysaid: “Weworkyear-roundtomaintain navigationsbuttheworkwecarryout overthewinterisattheheartofit.

“It’smoreimportantthaneverthat thesehistoricwaterwaysareproperly fundedsowecanpreservethemfor boaters,neighbours,andallthosewho spendtimebythem.”

Oneofthelockladderswhichhas beenextended.

Insidethewoodworkingworkshop.

Acoupleofvisitorslearnmore aboutlockgateconstruction fromoneofthewoodworking workshopteam.

AndrewBayliswithLevel2apprenticeKarlWigglesworthinthe fabricationworkshop.

VisitorslookdownintothedrainedKingsRoadLock.

JasonFinneywithBryanCunninghamofLet’sFish.

CotswoldCanalsbookarrivesbyboatatlaunchparty

THECotswoldCanalsTrust recentlyheldalaunchwitha di erencewhenittransported anewbookbyboatfromthe printersalongarestoredstretch ofcanal.

Celebratingthetrust’s50years ofrestoringitscanals,towpaths andenvironment,itisentitled RevivingtheCotswoldCanals–A GoldenCelebration;theCotswold CanalsTrustat50.

Itwasreceivedbyguests whoenjoyedrefreshmentsat thecanalsideStroudBrewery whereaspeciallydecoratedcake wascutbythebook’sauthor, LouiseNicolson.

Muchmorethanjustahistory ofCCT,thissubstantialbook celebratessomeofitsgreat momentsoverthepast50years, withmanypersonalmemories byvolunteers.

ItputstheCotswoldCanals storyinitscontextpastand presentandsetsoutthetrust’s visionforthefutureaswellas showinghowrestoringthecanals hasawidereachinbene tingthe environment,biodiversityand thecommunity.

iscomprehensivebookalso suggeststhingstoseeanddo alongthecanals,nearbyvillages toexploreandplacestoeatand

drink.Itincludesaspecially commissionedthree-page,foldoutmapbylocalmapmaker GeorgeStevens.

ephotographsarebyMike Gallagher,CCT’sdocumenting photographerforadecade,and manyofthemincludeitsvolunteers. Mostofall,everypage celebrateshowloyalmembers andvolunteershavecatalysed greatthingssothattodaylarge amountsoftheCotswoldCanals andthecanalenvironmentare restoredforeveryonetoenjoy. Torecognisethis,thebookis dedicatedonitstitlepagetoall volunteersoverthepast50years.

AuthorLouiseNicolsoncutsthe celebratorycake. PHOTOS:CCT

RevivingtheCotswoldCanals–AGoldenCelebrationbyLouiseNicolsonispublishedbythe CotswoldCanalsTrust(RRP£19)andcanbeboughtfromthetrust’snewStonehouseshop onQueen’sRoad,openWednesday,FridayandSaturdayfrom10am-4pmororderedonline athttps://cotswoldcanals.org/product/reviving-the-cotswold-canals-a-golden-celebration/

Winter worksat Wigan

Words&photos:ColinWareing

EMERGENCYrepairs havebeentakingplaceat PoolstockLockNo2on theLeighbranchofthe Leeds&LiverpoolCanal atWiganinabidtoreduce waterleakage.

Pipeworkfromthepumps usedtopumpwateraround thelockhadtoberemoved, aswasthesafetyfencing andthena bredamthat wasinplacebelowthelock.

Thelengthofcanal abovethelockwasdue

Author Louise Nicolson cuts the JamieUnderwoodofWheatleyPrinterspresents alaunchcopyofthebooktoJimWhite,CCT chairmanoftrustees.

DoublewinforFinsleyGateWharfscheme

NEWcraftapprenticesarebeingtrained inrareheritageskillsbytheCanal& RiverTrustinadoublewinatBurnley’s FinsleyGateWharfdevelopment.

LocatedontheLeeds&Liverpool Canal,the220-year-oldformer boatyardandcanalo cehaverecently beenrenovatedandtransformedinto asuccessfulrestaurantandcafebar, functionroom,guesthouse,community heritagelearninghub,workingforgeand watersidegardens.

e£2.9millionrestorationwas reopenedinJuly2021,butCovidand risingmaterialcostsdelayedworkon the nalpieceofthejigsaw–asmall, stone-builtwashhouseandoutdoor toilet,whichwouldoncehaveservedthe canalsupervisor’shouse.Constructed inlocalgritstone,the160-year-old outhouse,liketherestofthesite,was inapoorstateofrepair,withonly ve originalroo ngslatesstillinplace.

Sta fromthetrustcameupwithan innovativeplantocompletetheFinsley Gateredevelopmentbyusingtheproject asatrainingopportunityforfournew specialiststonemasons.

Theyoungcraftapprentices,all fromBurnley,wereoriginallytakenon undertheKickStartschemeafterCovid andarenowbeingformallytrainedas apprenticesinthespecialistskillof stonemasonry.DominicLafrenz,Tyler Williams,MasonMacariandLuke Haywoodspendafortnighteverytwo monthsatYorkCollege,oneofvery fewinEnglandofferingcoursesin stonemasonry. erestofthetimethey arelearningpracticalskillsonthejob withthetrust.

Nowundertheguidanceofthe CRT’sNorthWestheritageadviserBill Froggatt,projectmanagerMarkWigley, apprenticesupervisorGrahamMitchell andcraftoperativeJamesArcher,they arehelpingtorepairthebuildingand convertitintoanewstorehouseforthe site’svolunteergardeners.

BillFroggattexplained:“Canals initiallybroughtprosperitythroughtrade duringtheIndustrialRevolutionand it’swonderfulthat,inthe21stcentury, theyhavebeenreinventedasaplacefor peopletospendtheirleisuretime,get t,enjoytheoutdoorsandfeelhealthier.

“FinsleyGatewasanimportant regionalboatingcentreinthe19th century,fuellingBurnley’sgrowthas acottontown.KnownlocallyasMile Wharf,itislocatedonasharpbend nexttothetown’sfamousone-milelongembankmentacrosstheCalder Valley,oneofBritain’sSevenWondersof theWaterways.”

Billadded:“ ishasbeenaperfect win-winproject,whichachievesthe completerestorationofanimportant GradeIIlistedsitewhilegivingusan opportunitytoo erapprenticeships inthespecialistskillofstonemasonry tofourlocalresidentswhowere previouslyunemployed.

“Overthenextcoupleofmonths,we willbecompletingthejobwithanew slateroof,andnewwindowsanddoors, createdbyaward-winningapprentice carpenterManiLau,fromourBradley WorkshopnearBirmingham.Itwillbe fantastictoseeFinsleyGateWharf nally restoredinitsentiretyandtheformer washhousegivenanewleaseoflife.”

ewharfsitehasalreadybecomea popularlandmarkforlocalresidentswho areenjoyingawiderangeofactivities fromyoga,paddleboardingandcanoeing tocraftclasses,schoolvisits,heritage tours,lightrefreshmentsanddining.

RestorationofFinsleyGateWharfwas fundedbytheNationalLotteryHeritage FundandtheEuropeanRegional DevelopmentFund,supportedby BurnleyBoroughCouncilandthenew sitemanagementcompanyFinsleyGate WharfLtd.

FinsleyGateWharf. PHOTOS:CRT

FinsleyGatewashhousebefore restoration.

FinsleyGateapprenticesDominicLafrenzandTylerWilliamswithJaames ArcherandheritageadviserBillFroggattatthewashhouserestoration.

Finsley Gate former washhouse andcanalsupervisor’shouse.

PeterKillan,whoisretiringas groupleader. PHOTOS:UCAN

Newbroomstosweepclean

UPPERMILLCommunityAction Network(UCAN)inGreater Manchesterwillbestarting2023 withnewgroupleadersfollowing thedecisionbyPeterKillantostand downattheendofDecember.

Onevolunteerhasalready o eredhisservicesbutduetowork commitmentswishestosharethe rolewithsomeoneelsesothatthe groupcancontinuetoholditstwicemonthlyworkparties.

PressofficerKarenWilliams conveyedthegroup’sthanksfor Peter’stirelessvoluntarywork, dedication,di erenceandimpacthe hashadonthevillageofUppermill asafoundingmemberofUCAN whichwasestablishedin2015.

“Underhisleadershipwhatever thefocusofouractivity–from craftingapond,placingbatandbird boxesinsuitablelocations,building habitatpilesforlocalwildlife,balsam bashing,litterpicking,lockpainting andmanymoreactivities–the drivingforceofPeterisonewhich alwaysapproachesthevarioustasks withboundlessenthusiasm,making workingwithhimandtheworkin handsuchapleasure.

“Peterhasalwaysplaced

highvalueinUCANworkingin partnershipwith,forexample,the Canal&RiverTrust,thelocalTesco CommunityChampion,Incredible EdibleSaddleworth,StreetScene

Green eld,KeepBritainTidyand OldhamCouncil’sDon’tTrash OldhamCampaign.Likewise,hehas alwayswelcomedeveryopportunity ofinvolvingyoungpeopleinthe workofUCAN.”

Volunteershavealsobeen verygratefultoPeterandhiswife Judithfor nishingtheworkparty activitiesenjoyingtheircompany andwarmwelcomewithhotdrinks andbiscuitsintheirgardenwhile re ectingonagoodday’swork.

DuringtheCovid-19pandemic, whenUCANactivitywasonhold, Peterdecidedtocelebratehis80th birthdaybyraisingfundstotalling £6016forDrKershaw’sHospice byclearingleavesfromthecanal towpaththroughUppermill.Itis hopedhewillcontinuetovolunteer withUCANwithwhoeversteps forwardasnewleaders.

Anyonewhowouldliketoo er theirservicesordiscusstherole cancontactPeteron01457878361 oremailpeterkillan@hotmail.com

UCAN,supportedbyCanalandRiverTrust,wasformedinlate2005 toimproveandmaintainthecanalcorridorthroughUppermill.Itisalso convertingtheformerdredgingtipneartheviaductintoawoodland habitatandhaveaddedapondtomakeitahavenforwildlife.

Fundingsecuredfornextstage ofLichfieldCanalrestoration

THELich eldCanalwillmoveastep closertorestorationwithfunding of£116,200securedforworkatthe DarnfordMoorssectionofthecanal.

LichfieldandHathertonCanals RestorationTrust(LHCRT)willuse themoneytocreateanecologypark.

eEuropeanRegionalDevelopment Fund(ERDF)isproviding£41,200 ofthegrant,withmatchfundingof £75,000fromHS2’sCommunityand EnvironmentFund(CEF).

iswillenableLHCRTtomake habitatimprovementstotheDarnford Brookwetlands,existingwoodland andhedgerowsfromDarnfordLaneto pasttheliftbridge.Itwillalsoenable thetrusttoputthecanalchannelinto watertotheeastoftheliftbridge.

Trustvolunteershavebeenpreparing thesiteandBluetechWaterfront SolutionsLtdhasbeencommissioned toengagespecialistcontractorstoput thecanalchannelinwaterandbecome anaquatichabitatbyFebruary2023.

LHCRTchairmanCaroleMillssaid: “ isfundingisfantasticnewsforthetrust, aswewillbeabletocreateawonderful spaceforwildlifeandfortheenjoyment ofwalkers,whilealsohavinganother sectionofthecanalinwater.Grantslike thisarevitalforustoundertakemajor

work,aswe’reavolunteer-ledcharity withminimalregularincome.

“Iwanttothankourhard-working volunteerswhohavespentsomuch timeworkingonthesesuccessfulbids.

eseERDFandCEFgrantsarecritical inenablingustoprogressandweare lookingforwardtothecompletionof theecologyparkearlynextyear.”

ispartoftheLich eldCanalisclose tothenewsectionbeingconstructedas partoftheHS2CappersLanediversion. IndependentchairmanoftheHS2

Funds,CathyElliott,added:“Weare pleasedthatLich eldandHatherton CanalsRestorationTrusthassuccessfully securedfundingtotransformasection ofthecanalintoanewwildlifehaven. Iwouldencouragecommunity-led environmentalorganisationsimpacted byHS2tocontactGroundworkUKto explorethetangiblebene tsavailable fromthefunds.”

Applicationsarealsounderway forfurtherfundingtoputthecanalin watertoDarnfordLane.

WendoverCanalTrustlaunchesphotocompetition

THEWendoverCanalTrust(WCT) haslaunchedaphotography competitiontoenticepeopletothe canalduringthewinter.

Itislookingforpicturesthat capturethedi erentscenesofthe WendoverCanal–whetherit’sthe wildlife,thelandscapesorpeople usingthecanalandtowpath.

SaidCliveJohnson,WCT chairman:“Thecanalcanbe picturesqueatalltimesofyear butthewintercanbeparticularly special.Howeveryoumightbe usingthetowpathorcanal,we hopeyou’lltakethetimetocapture

Rovingtradersresumecharitydonations

SINCEthestartofCovid-19theRoving CanalTradersAssociation(RCTA)along withmanyothercharities,non-pro tmakinggroups,businessesandtraders thatmakeupthecanalnetworkhavehad atoughtime.

isyearhowever,thingsreturned toalmostnormalandtheassociation’s oatingmarketsstartedtotakeo once again,enablingRCTAtoresumeits annualcharitydonations. Thesearevotedforbymembers who,thisyear,chosetheWaterways ChaplaincyandtheForcesVetsA oat

Projectwithadonationof£500toeach.

TheWaterwaysChaplainswork alongsidetheCanal&RiverTrustto makesureboaterswhohavefallenon hardtimesorneedsomesortofsupport arenotmissedorlostinthesystem.

eyworkwithfoodbanksaround thecountryandmakesurethatessential meals,bagofcoalorfuelgettothose whomightotherwisegowithout;they maintaincontactandsupportinso manyways.

RCTAtradersoftencomeintocontact withsomeofthechaplainswhoarevery

supportiveoftheassociation’seventsso itwassuggestedthatthedonationwas presentedtothecharityviawaterways chaplainsMalcolmandStephanieGreySmart,wholivebesidetheShropshire UnionCanalinMarketDrayton andareverywellknownwithinthe boatingcommunity.

SeniorchaplainMarkChestersaid: “ isdonationof£500willmakeareal di erenceinthelivesofsomeofthe boatersweencounter.”

eForcesVetsA oatProjectisclose to nishingoneofitsdonatedboats,nb Daisy, readyforaforcesveterantomake hertheirhome.

efounderofthisprojectAndyFlint said:“Whatalovelyemailtowakeup to,”wheninformedofthedonation. Membershopeithelpsthemwith ongoingprojects.

RCTAalsomakesasmallerannual donationtotheCanal&RiverTrustif possible,aswithoutitssupport oating marketsandotherwaterwaysevents wouldnottakeplace.

amemorablepicture.”

Pleaseemailjustonejpegpictureto rppr@hotmail.co.ukwiththelocation ofthepicture,yourname,addressand telephonenumberbyFriday,January 6,2023.

e nalistswillbejudgedbynew trustpatron,TVpersonalityRobbie CummingofBBC4’sCanalBoatDiaries fame.Firstprizeis£100,secondis£50 andthirdis£25.

Winnerswillbeannouncedonthe trustwebsiteinJanuary2023andwill featureinitsfuturepublications.Please notethatanypicturesofchildrenmust haveparentalconsent.

Forfurtherinformationcontact RichardPeelon07805083595,email: rppr@hotmail.co.uk

RCTAchairmanSueMeaders

RCTAisrunsolelybyvolunteers andisopentoalllicensedroving traders.Newvolunteersand membersarewelcomedviaits websitewww.rcta.org.uk

Fireworksononeofthemodelboats.

LHCRTtrusteesPeterBuck(engineering)andCaroleMills(chairman) atDarnfordMoors. PHOTO:LHCRT

UCANvolunteersclearing leavesfromtheHuddersfield NarrowCanaltowpath.

presentingthedonationto waterwayschaplainsMalcolm andStephanieGrey-Smart.

PHOTO:RCTA

LittleTringBridgeonthe WendoverCanal. PHOTO:WCT

PHOTO:DAVIDRICHARDSON

FamilyBurr

Raisingafamilyonthecut

ByAliceGriffin

ITWASonanearlymorningbackin 2011whileworkinganarrowboatdown theOxfordSummittowardsNaptonas partofafamilyholidaythatTimand JulieBurrdecidedtheyhadtomakethe canalstheirhome.

Julietoldme:“Tim’sparentsregularly holidayedonthecanalsbeforebuying theirownboatsowhenwegottogether 22yearsagocanalboatsinstantlybecame abigpartofourlives.Onthatparticular morningitwasa5amstartsomeandTim madethedecisiontowalkandsetthe locks.Itwasawarm,mistymorningand soquietandcalmwithlotsofwildlife. Ourson,Harry,was veandcurledup ontheroofinaduvetwithGrandadclose by.Inthatmomentweknewthiswashow wewantedtoraisehim.”

Twoyearslatertheyboughttheir rst boat,a70fttradcalled Poshratz,builtin 1998byNeilHudson.“Itwasbuiltfor agentlemanandhiswifetocarrythe equipmentneededforwhatwascalled theFibrewaycontract. etowpath providedeasyaccessforroutinginternet fromtowntotownso breopticcables areburiedalongsidemanyofthem.”

Atthepointofmovingonto Poshratz TimandJulie’sson,Harry,wassevenand itwasacomfortablespaceforthisfamily ofthree.“Harrysleptinthebackcabin andmeandTimhadthedoubleroom.” However,familyBurrneverimagined theywouldhaveanotherbabybutnot longaftermovinga oat,Gracecame along.“At rstshesleptonashelfabove ourbed,thenmovedintoacribinthe loungeandontoatravelcotuntilTimand myfather-in-lawcameupwithagenius ideaofadinettethatpushestogether.”

However,asGracegotolderand Harryoutgrewthebackcabin,thefamily wereforcedtostartthinkingaboutspace. Havingalovefortheoldworkingboats andadesiretolearnthenewtechniques

andskillswhichgowithhavingapair ofboats,theydecidedabuttywould beasensiblechoice.“Wehaveowned Bakewell,a70ft1936HarlandandWol buttybuiltfortheGUCCC,forfouryears nowanditisworkingwell.Graceand Harryhavetheirownbedrooms,and thereisano ceaswellasaworkshop.” isextraspacealsomeansthefamily wereabletowelcomemuch-loved labradoodle,Teddy,in2021.

Havingtheirownspaceisvery important,certainlyfornow16-yearoldson,Harry,whosincethe rstCovid lockdownhasbeenbusyworkingonhis ownproject.“Hefocusedonopening

atrainstationatWeedonBecandhis researchandproposalsendedupbeing quitevalidanddetailedenoughto drawtheattentionofpeopleintherail industryandlocalcouncils.”

ThisledHarryontoBBCradio Northampton,followedalittlelaterby aninterviewwithBBCTV.“Hisinterest hasgrownfromthereandnow,alongside hisnewapprenticeshiproleasatransport plannerinBirmingham,he’sonamission tovisitallthestationsintheUK.Currently he’sonapproximately400!”

efamilyhaveenjoyedanumber ofyearslivingoutonthecutandhave facedallchallengeswithwonderful enthusiasm.Julie’sclaimtofameis successfullyloadingapramwithabottle ofgas,bagofcoal,anetoflogs,bagof rubbishandofcourse,ababy!However,

asfamilycommitmentsincreasedthey foundtheywerestruggling.“Welove livingonthetowpathbutitisvery demandingontimesowhenTimbegan workingatWhiltonMarina,wedecided movingtherewouldbethebestoption.”

efamilyhavenotbeentieddown thoughandinthispastyearalonehave spentfourmonthsoutonthetowpath. DaughterGrace,noweight,lovesthe lifestyleandtalkstoeveryoneshemeets aboutherboatsandtheirwayoflife.

Afteralmostadecadelivingonthe water,itseemsthewholefamilyfeels thesame.“ ecanalsandourboatshave becomethemostperfecthomeandwe can’timagineeverfeelinganydi erent, butthisisinlargepartduetothesmallbut veryclosegroupoffriendswe’vemade. eirpatience,advice,andgenerosity

hashelpedandreassuredusbeyond measure.”Thissenseofcommunity meansalottotheBurrfamily,whonow feelstronglyaboutpassingalongthis samekindnesstootherswantingtostart theirownboatingadventures.

Tim:@timmytwoboats

Harry:www.transportmids.comand@sustainable transportmidlands

AliceGrif nisawriterand yogiwithagypsysoul.She leadsyogaclassesandnatureinspirede-courses,allfromher narrowboat, Melody Website:www.alicegrif n.co.uk YouTube:@wanderingalice

CommunityartprojectextendsalongtheWestMidlands’canals

THECanal&RiverTrusthas workedwithpartnersalong theWalsallandCoventry canalstoaddtoitsstreetart trailintheWestMidlands.

eprojectispartofa nationalstreetarttrailthat transformsspacesalongside canalsinEnglandandWales withthehelpoflocalartists andcommunitygroups.

CRTinterimdirectorforthe WestMidlandsJonHorsfall said:“It’swonderfultosee howartcanhelptransform placesandourcanalsare nodi erent.Havingthese bright,funmuralsalongour waterwaysencouragespeople tocomeandvisitandseefor themselveswhycanalsare specialandfeelthewellbeingbene tsofspending timebythewater.”

Supportedbyplayersof People’sPostcodeLottery, thesenewpiecesofcanalart

havetakeninspirationfrom thelocalcommunityandits linkswiththecanal.

InWalsallthenewart installationhasbeencreated byWeareCullaalongthe canalnearSteepBridgeWay.

eartworkwasdesigned byDawnHamblett,a volunteeratthetrustand showsatraditionalworking narrowboatbeingpulledby ahorse.

InCoventry,thecanal

arthasbeeninstalledby Midlands-basedstreetart organisationBRINKArtsand wasdesignedwiththehelp oflocalschoolchildrenin Foleshill. eartcelebrates thecottageweavingindustry

anditslinkwiththecityand localpeople,encouraging themtovisitthecanaland enjoytheworkoflocalartists. Itwilltellthestoriesofthe di erentcommunitieswho livealongthecanal.

TimanddaughterGraceonboard Poshratz

JulieBurrinthebackcabin.

Apprenticetransportplanner Harryisonamissiontovisitallthe UK’srailwaystations.

Gracehavingfunonthetowpath.

PHOTOSSUPPLIED

TimonthetillerwithlabradoodleTeddy.

TheWalsallmuraldesignedbyCRTvolunteerDawn Hamblett. PHOTOS:CRT

Restoredwaterwheelbecomesaninternethit

WEY&ArunCanalTrust volunteers’restorationofa uniquewaterwheelinWest Sussexhasbecomeaninternet sensationthankstoaYouTube videoreachinghundredsof thousandsofpeople.

ewaterwheelatLordings LockandOrfoldAqueductnear WisboroughGreenhasbeenthe focusofattentionforBrianKing andhisteamofvolunteersover thepastyearandnowtheirhard workhasgoneviral,withavideo oftherestoredstructurebeing viewedby320,000peopleatthe timeofwriting.

Wearandtearandvandalism

hadputthewaterwheel–an undershotwheeldesignedto takewaterfromtheRiverArun andfeeditintothecanal–out ofaction.However,agrant fromacharitabletrustwas receivedtofundtherestoration andprojectmanagerBrian KinggaveYouTubersPauland RebeccaWhitewickatourwhen restorationwascomplete.

ewheel,whichisthoughtto betheonlyoneofitskindinthe UKinworkingorder,hasproved somethingofanenigmaover thedecades.Itwasdiscovered byrestorationpioneerWinston Harwoodincompletedisrepair

in1992withnorecordstoshow itsdesign,anditwasrebuiltin 2003.“Nooneknewexactlyhow itworked,”saidBrian.“Iamin aweofWinstonfordeveloping itintothisuniqueworking waterwheel,”headded.

Howthewheelworks

ecanaliscarriedoverthe RiverArunviaanaqueduct,with thewaterwheel–poweredbythe river–designedtolifttheriver waterintothelock. ewheelis some13ftindiameter,locatedin anarrowbrickchamberadjacent toalargeropenpit.

Twoseparatestreamscome

intothewaterwheel:one controlledbyamanually raisedslidegatewhich admitswatertothebottom ofthewheel.Asthewheel rotates,its32bucketspick upwaterenteringfroma separatestreamofwater fromaleatgatebetweenthe pitandchamber. ebuckets raisethewaterto9ftatthe highestpoint,wherewateris dischargeddownachuteand intothelock.

Therepairs

Investigationsfoundthat thewheel’scentralsupport boltshadsheared,sowereno longerabletoholdandcontain thestubshafts. ismeantthe wholewheelhaddropped ontothebrickbase.The solutionwastocommissiona bespokesinglestainlesssteel shaftwithassociatedend angestosupportthewheel, manufacturedtoexactsizing and xedinplacebyaspecialist engineeringcontractor.

Aspecialistcontractor wasbroughtintoreweldthe wheel’sdamagedbuckets andanewCortensteelchute ttedtoconveythewater fromthewheeltothecanal.

Whenitwasoperatedin earlyautumnBrianrecorded thewaterwheel’sthroughputat 3100gallonsperhour,running at1.5rpm.

Riverlevelsaretoohighto operatethewheelatthistimeof yearandthearea oods,butitis

Therestoredwaterwheel.

hopedtodemonstratethewheel inactioninthespring.

TowatchtheYouTube video,goto:https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=QEc925r6Knga

HowWinstonHarwood foundthewaterwheel in1992.

ProjectmanagerBrianKingbeinginterviewedatthe waterwheelbyPaulandRebeccaWhitewick.

Someofthewaterwheelrestorationteamatwork. PHOTOS:WACT

Above:BrianKingfilmingthewheelinaction.

Areal-timepictureofthe stateofthewaterways

ByPhilPickin

ALTHOUGHyoumaynot haveheardofit,PlanetPatrol mobilisedmorethan1000 peopletoparticipateinits AutumnWaterWatchto locationsacrosstheUK.

OverthreedaysinOctober, theenvironmentalnon-pro t organisationco-ordinated theactivitiesofconcerned individualswhorecordeda seriesofobservationslooking atthepollutionlevelsintheir localcanals,riversandstreams.

eobservationsincluded thestudyofobservable pollution,litterandinvasive species. eseobservations wereenteredintoPlanet Patrol’sapptobuildanalmost real-timepictureofthestateof theUK’swaterways.

Asaresultofthesurvey, theorganisationpublished the ndingsinareportwhich producedsomesurprising results.Mostsurprisingofthese wasthat85%ofparticipants ratedtheirlocalwaterqualityas averageorabove. isisdespite governmentdatashowing thatnoneoftheUKrivers arein‘goodchemicalhealth’, accordingtoPlanetPatrol.

Otherstatisticsthatwillbeof particularinteresttotheCanal& RiverTrustarethat79%ofthose whotookpartstatedthatthe waterwaysare“veryimportant tothem”,with93%sayingthat theyhavea“positivein uence onhowtheyfeel”.Apparently, 67%ofparticipantssaidthey enjoyedtheirwaterwayatleast onceaweek.

LizzieCarr,founderofPlanet

Patrolandthe rstpersonto paddleboardtheentirelength ofBritain’swaterways,soloand unsupported,said:“Weknow thatthestateofwaterqualityin theUKisreachingcrisispoint, butoursurvey ndingsreveal thatawarenessoftheproblems theyfaceisworryinglylow.

“Awarenessleadstoaction, whichisexactlywhycitizen scienceinitiativeslikeAutumn WaterWatchareaninvaluable toolinfillinginformation gapsandhelpingtoshape ourunderstandingofhow widespreadthethreatsto ourwaterwaysare.Wemust continuetobringattention

tothedangersofpoorwater qualityforthesakeofthe environmentandpublichealth.”

Sheadded:“Inlieuof adequategovernmentfunding, it’smoreimportantthanever togalvanisepublicsupport throughpeople-powered datatohelpinformsolutions. Citizenscienceholdsimmense power,andI’mincredibly gratefultoallthosewho participatedandlookforward tobuildingonitssuccessin SpringWaterWatch2023.”

Despitethenumbers indicatingthatmanyofthose takingpartfeltthatthewater qualitywas‘averageorabove’ thesurveyalsofoundthat67% ofsitesobservedshowedvisible signsofpollution. emost commonpollutantseenwas, unsurprisingly,litterat36%. Foamonthewaterwasalso presentat19%ofsites.Foamis generallytheresultofsynthetic productssuchasdetergents enteringthewaterwaysorthe resultofdissolvedorganic matterandmaybeasign ofpollutionthatcouldbe dangeroustoaquaticlife.

Invasiveplantswerealso seen,includingHimalayan balsam,whichwaspresentat 51%ofthesitessurveyed.In all,658siteswereobserved acrossEngland,Scotland, WalesandNorthernIreland, withtheresultsbeinganalysed byindependentexpertsfrom LoughboroughUniversity.

Ifyouwanttobeinvolved inthe2023survey,oranyof PlanetPatrol’sactivities,visitthe organisation’swebsiteatwww. planetpatrol.co

Newregionaldirectorfor CRTintheEastMidlands

THECanal&River Trusthasannounced theappointmentofa newdirectorforits EastMidlandsregion.

LinnyBeaumont hastakenuphernew rolefollowingonfrom herinterimleadership oftheregionafter thedepartureofPhil Mulligantobecome chiefexecutiveof thePeakDistrict NationalPark.

Shejoinedthetrust threeyearsagoto overseethecharity’s partnershipsand externalrelations acrosstheEast Midlands.She previouslyheld seniorrolesatthe Prince’sTrustand HomeStartUK.

Linnysaid:“Living rightbytheRiver SoarIknowjust howimportantthe waterwaysinthe EastMidlandsare toboatersandlocal

communitiesand thedifferencethey canmaketopeople’s lives.I’mproudand excitedtocontinue ourimportantwork buildingsupport forourprecious waterwaysand protectingthis

incrediblenetwork sothatitishere tobenefitthe communityfor generationstocome.”

Sheadded:“Asa charityweneedmore peopletogetinvolved inourworkandI’ll belookingtobuild

thesupportfrom parliamentarians, localauthorities, businessesand communitiesthatwill besovitalinensuring thatourwaterways canprosperand neveragainfallinto thedeclinethatwe sawintheearlyand mid-20thcentury.”

etrustcaresfor around300milesof waterwaysintheEast Midlands,covering Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshireand Northamptonshire. Withmorethan 800,000peoplein theregionlivingon thedoorstepofone ofthesewaterways, theyconnect communitiesand bringvitalhealthand well-beingbenefits aswellassupporting jobsandthelocal visitoreconomy.

PlanetPatrolfounder LizzieCarrwasawarded theMBEinJune2021for servicestoenvironmental activismandtocharity.

PHOTO:PLANETPATROL

NewEastMidlandsregionaldirector LinnyBeaumont. PHOTO:CRT

Successfulcampaign toprotectwaterways heritageinLondon

IWA’sHeritageAdvisoryPanel supportedtheNorthandEastLondon Branchinobjectingtoaproposalfrom Canal&RiverTrusttodisposeofthe stripoflandalongsideCommercial RoadLockontheRegent’sCanal. IWAfeltthatdisposalofthisland threatenedthecanal’sheritagesetting andamenityvalue.

TakingLimehouseBasinasa meetingplaceforboatsbetweenthe tidal amesandtheinlandcanals, thislockstandsasagatewaytothe canalsystem. etwolockchambers tneatlyintothespacebetweentwo historicbridges,twinarchesofthe CommercialRoadBridgeandthe nesinglearchofthedocksrailway, nowDLR.

iscanalscapeisveryimportant tothecharacterofthedesignated Regent’sCanalConservationAreaand IWAfeltthatanythingbuiltonthesite wouldinevitablydamagetheseviews.

esecondchamberisanimportant heritagefeatureanditdeservestobe kepttoshowhowthecanaloperated initsbusycommercialdays.Itisalso importanttomakesurethatrestoring

thesecondchamberispossibleinthe future,evenifnotcurrentlyanoption. eassociationadditionallybelieves thatitisinappropriatetodisposeofany landthatformspartoftheoperational environmentforacanallock.

Objectionswerealsoraised bytheFriendsofRegent’sCanal, theCommercialBoatOperators Association,theLowerRegents

CoalitionandtheGreaterLondon IndustrialArchaeologySociety.

eCanal&RiverTrustresponded totheobjections,sayingthatthe waterwayscharityhad“carefully consideredthevariousrepresentations made,”andacceptedthat“thesaleof thislandonafreeholdbasisisnotin thebestinterestsofthetrustandwe willnotbeprogressingit.”

Dona tion to steam narro wboa t President honours reno wned boa tbuilder

IWA Lich eld Branch has donated £2000 in memor y of Malcolm Braine, founding member of Sta ordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society e donation to the Black Countr y L i v i ng

current restoration work and design and installation of a new boiler for President – one of the world’s few sur viving boats of its kind and part of the National Historic Fleet IWA’s donation honours Malcolm, a renowned boatbuilder and restorer who formed a link from the historic working boatyards to the modern leisure boats His abilities for boat renovations were second to none; he worked on almost 150 historic boat conversions during his lifetime A h u g e l y re s p e c t e d f i g u re i n boatbuilding, Malcolm was recruited by Tom Rolt into IWA in 1948, which led to his honorar y life membership 70 years later

Sue Gurney, treasurer of Lich eld

“particularly tting as Malcolm was instrumental in originally rescuing and restoring President in the 1970s”

e museum needs to raise £20,000 to complete the work You can donate here: https ://www justgiving com/ campaigns/charity/bclm/president

New year brings fresh ideas and opportunities

FOR many of us, the new year will see us set ourselves a series of resolutions that we don’t always keep up is year set yourself one that you w ill enjoy continuing with, if you nd the right setting, right people and right times for yourself L e t I WA h e l p y o u f i n d t h e s e a n d h e l p you to su c c e e d i n you r 2 0 2 3 re s o l u t i o n s Ju s t g o t o o u r volunteer ing pages on the website https ://water ways org uk/suppor t/ ways-to-get-involved/volunteer and we will help nd you something near to where you live, doing something that interests you, maybe something you ’ ve never tried or thought you’d never get the chance to do You don’t have to have skills in that area, we will help you learn along the way and develop the skills you need in a friendly setting with like-minded p e o p l

our wonderful canals

and water ways for the future It’s not all about getting dirty in the outdoors either, plenty of other opportunities are available

Volunteer manager Jenny Hodson said: “ Volunteer ing o ers a whole assor tment of opportunities which can help meet your personal goals as well as helping others and our natural and built environments If you want to be more active tr y our restoration, maintenance or environmental roles

“If you are thinking of pursuing a job in a leadership or administration role, what better way to s e e what it’s like than by volunteering in that area? If you have a few spare hours and want to share your present skills or knowledge or learn new ones then just ask ”

Volunteering with IWA brings the opportunity to meet new people, have new experiences and improve your physical and mental health.

org.uk;07977263840.

IWAawardprizemoney usedtofundBuckingham CanalSocietymosaic

volunteer.Furtherroles

MKDons,andlandowner ofthefarmlandadjacent tothecanal,kindly attendedandunveiledthe mosaic.CanalandRiver TrustCEORichardParry alsoattendedtheevent andwasimpressedby theworktheBuckingham CanalSocietyvolunteers havedoneandcontinue toundertake.

CommercialRoadLockstandsasagatewaytothecanalsystem. PHOTO:JAMESTIDY

Receiving the cheque are, from left: Carolyn Sankey, director of development at the Black Country Living Museum and Nick Haynes, chairman of the Friends of President from Sue Gur ney, treasurer and Pete Gur ney, chairman of IWA Lichfield Branch PHOTO: IWA

PHOTO:

PHOTO:TERRYCAVENDER

Tinkeringatthemargins

JonathanMosse’s monthlylookatfreight developmentsonthe inlandwaterways.

ATTHEendofNovember,theBritish PortsAssociation(BPA)andtheUK ChamberofShippingjointlyhosted theirannualScottishParliamentary MaritimereceptioninHolyrood,with asizeablegroupingofMSPs,todiscuss thesustainabilityandenergyrevolution intheirsector.

DeliveringaGreenFutureforScottish ShippingandPortsisthetitleoftheir latestreport,withScotlandclaiming tobeleadingtheUK’spathtoagreen future,representedbyitsthrusttoreach netzeroby2045, veyearsaheadof othernations’targets.

WhiletheBPAacknowledgesthat thereisanunquestionableroleforthe UKGovernmentinsecuringambitious internationaltargets(RishiSunak madeittoSharmEl-Sheikinthe11th hour,afterall)muchofwhatisneeded inScotlandcanbedeliveredbythe ScottishGovernment.

StuartCresswell,BPAchairman, observed:“Wearelivingthrougha veryimportanttimefornotonlyour industry,butforthenationasawhole aswetransitiontowardsthenewworld oflowcarbon.Itiscleartoeveryonethat Scotland’sportshaveanabsolutelypivotal roletoplayindeliveringthisvision.”

Nowthat’sallwellandgoodasfar asitgoeswhichis,ine ect,thecoast! I’dbethe rsttoadmitthatScotland’s shorelineisnotexactlyriddledwith navigableinlets,penetratingdeep inland.However,thereportdoesmajor ontheimportanceofinfrastructure,and

whatareconnectedinlandwaterways (wheretheyexist)ifnotanimportant facetofaport’sbasicinfrastructure?

JustasGlasgowandtheRiverClyde shunonward,localwatertransportfrom, say,GreenockorKingGeorgeVDock, London,indirectcontrast,embracesit acrossabroadspectrumoftra c,from bulkaggregatesthroughtolastmile parcelstra c. e amestrialIreportedoninlast September’seditionof TowpathTalk isnownotonlycompleted,buthas beenwrittenupinadetailedreport andalreadylearninghastakenplace, withconclusionsdrawn.Itcanbe readat:www.crossriverpartnership. org/?publications=river-freight-pilotcase-study-summer-2022.

Participantsquicklyestablished

thatthekeytosuccesslayinthe preparation.Onceeverythingwasin place,problemscouldbedealtwith swiftlyande ciently.Itwasfoundthat communicationchannelsneededtobe clear,withakeycontactalwaysavailable. Successlayinpromotingthepilotas widelyaspossible.Newandinnovative waystotakevanso thecapital’sroads remainsaprescientissue,sogaining tractionfortheprojectwasnevergoing tobedi cult.However,itwasapparent thatallconcernsneededtobesharedwith stakeholdersthemomenttheyoccurred.

eRiverFreightPilotCaseStudy, amongotherthings,identi edwhere the ameslegmight,ultimately, t intoanoveralldeliverypictureandJohn Spencer–directorofGPSMarine,who providedthevesselforthetrial–gives

usaclue:“Ifworkingto(river)piers, theidealsolutionwouldbeforalarge vesseltotransportthecargounitsand forasmallercrane-equippedvesselto shuttlebetweenthelargervesseland thevariouspiers,shuttlingloadedand emptycargounitstoandfro.”

Andifyouthinkthat’sabitofastretch –aleaptoofar–goingfroma40-tonne juggernauttearingdownamotorway

toasilent,emission-free,electriccargo biketricklingalongapedestrianised urbanstreet,thenthinkRussiandolls. Loadedaboardourjuggernautis afull-sizecontainer,intowhichare packedsmaller,van-sizecontainers.Into theseare ttedbike-sizedcontainers, somethingintheorderof200kgeach andgradually,astheparcelclosesin onitsdestination,thecarryingmodule isbrokendowntothepointwhereit’s justthepackagethatarrives,fuss-free, ontherecipient’sdoorstep.

ePortofLondonAuthority(PLA)–a majorbackeroftheRiverFreightPilot–is alreadyputtingitsmoneywhereitsmouth is,havingjustacquiredMalthouseTerrace Pier,ontheIsleofDogs. ishasexcellent connectionstonearbyCanaryWharf and,whileitwillremainacallingpoint fortheUberBoatby amesClippers riverbusservice,PLAintendstoexpand thepierwithspacededicatedtoriver transportationoflightfreightandparcels.

JulieTankard,PLA’s nancedirector, makesthepoint:“Throughour investmentstrategyweareworkingto encouragemoretradeontheriver.It’s awin-win.Morerivertradebooststhe economy,createsjobs,andhelpsreduce carbonemissionsinthecapitalbytaking lorrieso theregion’sroads.”

So,whatisthereforScottishports, andGlasgowinparticular,nottolike…?

DHLexpressparcelsriverboatontheThameswithStPaul’sinthebackground.

UnloadingstationeryontheThames

TheRoundhouseBirmingham

NicolaLisle discovers anewvisitorcentrein Birminghaminthelatest inhermuseumseries.

ONEofBirmingham’snewestvisitor attractions,havingopenedinJuly2021, theRoundhouseinBirminghamisa lovelycanalsidegemintheheartofthe city’sLadywooddistrict.

Thehorseshoe-shapedbuilding datesbackto1874andwasatthe heartofBirmingham’srapidindustrial development–inwhich,ofcourse,the city’scanalnetworkplayedamajorrole.

Birminghamwasalreadyamajor industrialcentrebythetimeJames Brindley’scanalopenedin1769,leadingto writerArthurYoung(1741-1820)dubbingit ‘the rstmanufacturingtownintheworld’, anditsprosperitywasfurtherboostedwith theopeningof omasTelford’snewcanal in1838.Rawmaterialswerebroughtin fromLondonanddistributedtothecity’s factories,with nishedgoodsthenbeing transportedtotheMidlandsandbeyond forshippingallovertheworld.

Despitethecomingoftherailwaysinthe mid-19thcentury,Birmingham’sindustrial mightcontinued,andbytheturnofthe centuryseveralmilliontonsofgoodswere beingcarriedalongthecity’scanals.

NowBirmingham’sstoryhasbeen broughttolifeintheRoundhouse’snew visitorcentre,alongsidethestoryofthe Roundhouseitself.

ThesiteonwhichtheRoundhouse nowstandswasoriginallyCorporation Wharf,establishedinSheepcoteStreetby theBirminghamCorporationin1864asa stonebreakers’yard. ein uxofworkers intoBirminghamhadcreatedademand fornewhousingandroads,soahardstone knownasRowleyRag,quarriedintheBlack Country,wasbroughttoCorporationWharf byhorse-drawncanalboatstobehammered intosmallpiecesbythestonebreakers.

In1873localarchitectWilliamHenry Ward(1844-1917)wonacompetition heldbytheCorporation’sPublicWorks Departmenttodesignanewdepotat SheepcoteStreet.Ward’sRoundhousewas completedayearlater,becominganotable landmarkinthecity.

Forthenext80years,theRoundhouse

providedstablingfor50horses,which carriedstone,nightsoilandotherheavy goodsaroundBirminghambycart orboat.

Bythemid-20thcentury,though, itwasthebeginningoftheendfor theRoundhouse.Carsandvanstook overfromhorsesandcarts,andthe Roundhouse’sdaysasacitydepotwere numbered.It nallyclosedduringthe 1990s,andforafewyearsitservedasa nurseryandaspaceforbusinessesand exhibitions.Asthe21stcenturydawned, though,theRoundhousewasinneedof renovationandanewpurpose.

Fortunately,thebuildinghadbeen givenGradeIIlistedstatusbyHistoric Englandin1976,sodemolitionwasn’t anoption.

Itwasn’tuntil2013thattheCanal &RiverTrust,whichnowownsthe building,formedapartnershipwiththe NationalTrustwithaviewtorestoringthe Roundhouseandbringingitbacktolife.

Detailedhistory

Eightyearslater,withthehelpof NationalLotteryHeritagefunding,the Roundhouseopenedtothepublicas avisitorcentrewithacafe,exhibition spaceando ces.Walldisplaysinthe visitorcentretellthestoryofBirmingham anditscanals,fromits19thcentury industrialheydaytoanoptimisticand ever-changing21stcenturycity,witha detailedhistoryoftheRoundhouseright uptoitsrenovationandreopening.

erearealsooutdoorexhibitions, includingWanderWater,which openedinSeptember2022andis aseriesofsculpturesreflectingthe femaleexperienceofwalkingalongthe localcanals.

Butthereismuchmoretothe Roundhousethanjustthebuildingand itscourtyard.AttheheartofRoundhouse Birmingham,thecharityresponsiblefor runningtheRoundhouse,isamissionto getvisitorsexploringBirminghamandits canalheritagebyfoot,bikeorboat,and thisistheperfectbasefordoingjustthat.

ereisaprogrammeofeventsfrom springtoautumn,includingaguided touroftheRoundhouse,kayaktours, paddleboardingexperiences,heritage workingboattrips,walkingandcycling tours,andotheractivities.

Youcanalsoenjoyself-guidedwalking

andcyclingtours. eseincludeCocoa Canal,whichexplorestheCadbury connectionandtakesyoufromthe RoundhousetoBournvillevillage; Towers,TeddyBearsandTrains,which takesyoutoTolkien’sTowersatEdgbaston ReservoirandChadValleytoys;andLocal LookAround,aninteractivetourtaking intowpathwildlife,thehistoricOldTurn Junctionandnarrowboats.

Pickuplea etsintheRoundhouse ordownloadfromthewebsite. Audiotoursarealsoavailable,for whichyouwillneedtodownload thefreeGeotouristapp.Full detailsareonthewebsite.

Roundhouse Birmingham

1SheepcoteStreet,Birmingham

OldTurnJunctionwhichdates from1769.

CanalwayCavalcadepreparesfor40thanniversary

THEInlandWaterways Association’sCanalwayCavalcade willcelebrateits40thanniversary atLittleVeniceduringtheEarly MayBankHolidayweekendfrom April29-May1,2023.

islegendaryeventhasbeen bringingcommunitiestogether since1983andwillonceagain betransformingtheheartofthe Londoncanalnetwork,withmore than100colourfullydressed boats,livemusic,refreshments, craftstallsandplentyoffamily funforalltoenjoy.

evibrantfestivalisoneofthe biggestandbrightesteventsin thenation’swaterwayscalendar anda rmfavouritewithvisitors.

Therewillbeapacked programmeofeventsbothon ando thewaterincludinga pageantofdecoratedboats onSaturday;boathandling competitionsandanevening processionofilluminatedboats onSunday.Youngervisitorscan trytheirhandatkayaking,visita TeddyBear’sPicnic,enjoycrafts, gamesandfairgroundrides.

OpeningtimeswillbeSaturday 10am-6pm,Sunday10am-6pm and9-10.30pmandMonday 10am-5pm.Formoredetails

ofwhat’son,timings,howto getthere,howtobookinyour boat,plusafulllistingoffood anddrink,craftandotherstalls, pleasevisitthewebsite:https:// waterways.org.uk/support/ ways-to-get-involved/events/ iwa-canalway-cavalcade-2023 FollowonFacebook(search forIWACanalwayCavalcade) oruse#canalwaycavalcadeon TwitterandInstagram.

ThecolourfulCanalway CavalcadeatLittleVenice.

PHOTO:IWA

Oneofthemostsuccessfulandbestattendedinlandwaterways eventsinthecountry,itisorganised,setupandrunentirely byIWAvolunteersandmoretalentedpeopleareneededto strengthentheteamand llsomemuch-neededroles.

So,ifyouhaveafewhoursamonthtospareandcanmake yourselfavailableduringtheEarlyMayBankHoliday,IWA wouldloveyoutogetintouch–whateveryourspeciality.All youneedisenthusiasmandapositive,eager‘cando’attitude forthefollowing:secretary,assistantsecretary,publicityand marketingassistant,socialmediamanager,commercial assistantandsiteservicesassistant.

Allrolesaboverequireattendanceataroundeightcommittee meetingsperyear(mostlyonvideoconferencing)andthe needforgeneralavailabilityduringtheweekleadingupto thefestivaltotakeondutiesattributedtotherole.Youwillof coursealsoberequiredtoattendtheevent.

Formoreinformation,ortoregisteryourinterest,please contactfestivalchairmanTomClaydon,email:tom.claydon@ waterways.org.uk

WHAT’SONINJANUARY

Ifyouwantyoureventlistedinourfree monthlyWhat’sOnsection,emailyourentry tojrichardson@mortons.co.ukorusetheevents formatwww.towpathtalk.co.uk/events

Pleasecheckwithorganiserswhetherthe eventisgoingaheadbeforesettingout.

January1

IWALichfield: AtherstoneandtheCoventry Canal–aneasyfour-milecircularwalkalong thetowpath,footpathsandpavementswithno stiles.MeetinthecarparkoftheAtherstone RedLionHotel,99LongStreet,Atherstone, WarwickshireCV91BB,10.45for11am.Contact CliveWalker,clive.walker@waterays.org.uk

January3

Worcester-Birmingham&DroitwichCanals Society: Aneveningwith‘CaverKeith’ (Edwards). islocalBromsgrovecavercould arguablybedescribedasBritain’spremier undergroundphotographer.Meetingroom behind eWeighbridgePub,Scar eldHill, Alvechurch,7.45pm.Freeentry.

January10

IWANorthampton: Members’videosandlocal waterway lmclipswithBernardMorton,‘techie’ andpresenter. eBoatInn,StokeBruerne.2.30pm.

IWAChester&Merseyside: IanWilsontalks onthehistoryandrestorationoftheKennet &AvonCanal. eCafe,EllesmerePortBoat MuseumCH654FW,7.45pm.Funra e,sales andshopavailable.

January15

IWAChester&Merseyside: eLlangollenand ShropshireUnionCanals–Barbridgeandthe surroundingcountryside. iscircular3.75-mile walkissometimesalongfootpathsnotoftenused butmostlyinfaircondition;thelevelrouteiseasyto followinveryruralscenerywithsome eldstocross. emainfeatureisthe ightoflocksalongsidethe Hurlestonreservoirandanotherinterestingfeature isthehamletofStokeManor. ereareafewstiles andkissinggatestowardstheendofthewalkand althoughtheyareallingoodordertheyarenot dogfriendly.Meetingat10.15for10.30amstart andreturningtotheparkingplaceabout1pm.On the ursdaybeforethewalkareminderwillbe senttoeveryonewhohasbookedinwhichwillalso givedetailsofwhereyouwillneedtopark.Totake partemailwalkguidederek.smith@waterways.org

ErewashPreservation&Development Association: OpendayatSandiacreLock Cottages,Sandiacre,NottinghamNG105LA, 10.30am-3.30pm.www.ecpda.org.uk

January19

IWAMiltonKeynes: KayAndrews,topictobe con rmed.BletchleyConservativeClub,105-111 QueenswayMK22DN,startingat7.45pm.

January25

IWAChilternBranch: Gettingitright:Making accuracyaffordablebyJeremyBatch.RWT HeritageCentre,BatchworthLock,Rickmansworth WD31JJ,8pm.Admission:IWAmembers£3; guests£5,refreshmentsincluded.Contactjohn. brice@waterways.org.ukforfullprogramme.

WalkofftheexcessesofChristmas

THEShrewsburyDistrictand NorthWalesBranchofthe InlandWaterwaysAssociation willholditsannualWinterWalk onSaturday,January7,2023. isyear'swalkwillbealongthe MontgomeryCanaltowpath.

eseannualeventsareopen toallandalwaysprovepopular, withwalkerskeentospend sometimebesidethecanal.It alsohelpstoblowthecobwebs offaftertheexcessesofthe festiveperiod. ewalkisalso anidealopportunitytoseethe restorationworkbeingcarried outontheMontgomeryCanal.

isyearwalkersareaskedto meetat10.30amatCanalCentral, MaesburyMarsh,wherethere willbeatalkbyChrisHesketh,

trusteeoftheShropshireUnion CanalSociety,ontherestoration workcurrentlytakingplace. Chriswillthenleadthewalkto SchoolhouseBridge,returning throughCrickheathtoBridge85 toCanalCentralforrefreshments.

Thewalk,whichisfreeof

charge(butdonationsarealways welcome),willbearound vemiles andincludetwostiles. etowpath maybealittlewetandmuddy,so thewalkmaynotbesuitablefor anyonewithmobilityissues.

Foranyonewhowantstoenjoy thesceneryofthewaterwaysall yearroundwithouttheneedto takepartinthewalk,thelocalIWA branchhasahigh-qualitycalendar forsaleviahttps://waterways.org. uk/branch_news/shrewsburybranch-calendar-2023

Formoreinformationorto bookyourplaceonthewalk, pleaseemaildawn.aylwin@ waterways.org.uk

Theannualwinterwalk organisedbytheShrewsbury DistrictandNorthWalesIWA branchisalwayspopular.

PHOTO:PHILPICKIN

TheDrawbridge,SolihullLodge –apicturefromthecanalpast

rom the canal p

ByTimCoghlan

IHAVEsortofgainedareputationfor followinguponquirkycanalstoriesthat peoplepasstome.Andonceonthecase, Iseemtocomeupwithalotmorethan therewastostartwith.

Pleasekeepthosequirkystories comingasIenjoythatsortofthing andamunsurprisinglyalongpaid-up memberoftheInspectorMorseSociety.

Mylatest ndwasaletterIreceived inlateAugustfromPetaMillard,whom Ihadmetwithherhusbandsomewhere duringmynowmanycanalyears.Dated August25,2022,itcamefromanaddress inagloriousruralsettinginWales.

Petawrote:“Wehaveawatercolour, unframed,withsomefoxingof e Drawbridge,SolihullLodgewhichis ontheNorthStratfordCanal.Howwe acquireditwasthattheformerMidlands ownermovedtoWestWales.Whenthe mandiedhiswidowwenttoSouthAfrica andisalsolonggone.Itwasleftinthe atticandthenewownersoftheproperty didn’twantitandgaveittous,whilewe wereworkingonthatproperty.

“Wehavenodescendantstowhom wecanpassitandnootherrelations interestedinthewaterways.Whenwe popourclogsitwillprobablyendupin askiporonabon re,whichisashame becauseofitshistoricalimportance.

eareaisstillcalledSolihullLodge, butisnowfullofhouseswithBridge No.7havingreplacedtheoldwooden structure.Wewouldlikeyoutohaveit andlookforwardtohearingfromyou.”

Itwasano-brainer,andIrangPeta immediatelytosay“Yesplease!”Having paidthesmallsumof£7.99forpostage, thewatercolourwasnowmine.Aweek orsolater,itarrivedinalargeji y bagwiththelargeinstructiononthe envelopetoRoyalMailto‘Pleasehandle withcare,’whichwasdutifullyfollowed.

Itwasajoyandaprivilegetoreceive thatwatercolour,completewithits original nemount,withpastelwash lines.Despitefoxing–whichwith modernrestorationtechnology,could largelyberemoved–itwasavery wellpaintedpictorialscene,with e

Sadlythepicturewasunsigned, butwhilenomasterpiece,itwaswell paintedbyoneofwhatwereoncecalled ‘weekendartists’–notprofessionals, buthadenjoyedtrainingtoavery goodstandard.Andfrommyenquiries sofar,thisistheonlywatercolourof thedrawbridgeextantfromthecanal workingdays.

Inthepainting,thedrawbridgeand thesmallshopoppositeseemtobein goodorder,comparedwiththeonly photographIcould ndofthesame scene. atwastakenbytheyoungcanal enthusiastIanWrightinabout1950, whenthiswasnotthecase:thecanal itselfwaslargelyunusedandweedinfested,andtheshop-cum-publooked prettydilapidated.Sodatingthepicture wouldsuggest1920s-30s,maybeearlier.

Interestinglythewatercolourshows nosignageonthebuilding,whichisvery evidentinWright’sphotograph,with wolargesignsforDrawbridgeStores andDaresAles–suggestingitmight havedoubledasashopandpubforthe analtradewhenthiswasstillverymuch arurallocation.Certainlythereseems obeashopwindowinthewatercolour, whichisalsothereinthephotograph.

copiesofthatwatercolourandIan Wright’sphotograph.Chrisfoundthem fascinating,andwillinglyacceptedmy o ertohaveadisplaymadeofthem, withexplanatorycaptions,forhispub.

business. ehighlightwasobtaining thecateringcontractforDerbyCounty CricketClub,whereChrisworkedforher forseveralyears,beforehemovedon tothepubtrade.Hestillfollowscricket, buthisrealpassionnowisgolf,whichhe playstwoorthreetimesaweek.

Shortlyafterbeingappointedas themanagerof eDrawbridge,Chris soonhadhishandsfullinsteeringit throughthewholeoftheneartwoyears oftheCovidcrisis,whichatonestage hadprovedanunforeseenblessing.In amomentofbureaucraticmadness, formerHealthSecretaryMattHancock shutdownwholesectionsofEnglandas unsafebecauseofhighCovidoutbreaks, usingancientcountyboundaries,rather thanfocusedmodernpostcodesforthe highlyinfectedareas.

eDrawbridgeislocatedjustinside Worcestershire,whichhadtheall-clear. ButWarwickshire,about100yards awaytotheeastandBirminghamsome threehundredyardstothenorth–on theothersideofthecanalaqueduct–werebothinlockdown.Followingstrict socialdistancing,withtablesoutsidein thelargecarpark,Chrisandhisteam wereabletoenjoyaroaringtradefrom theverygratefullocalcustomers,who couldwalkorcyclethere,manyusing thecanaltowpath.

farmhouseonthesitesimplyhadits upper oorremovedandtheground oorincorporatedintothebuilding,to giveitagenuineolde-worldefeel.

Ithenexploredthewealthofcanal memorabiliaondisplayaroundthe pub,whileenjoyingabeer. emost fascinatingexhibitformewasthe extractfromthe1884mapOSofthe area,withwhatappearstohavebeen thefarmhousenowincorporatedinto thepub,butotherwisealmostnohouses atall.Sincethentheareahasbeen swallowedupintosuburbia,withthe canaltheonlysurvivinggreenlung.

Itwasnow nallytimetovisitthat crime-against-canalsscene. ereIsaw notracewhatsoeverofwhathadonce beenthepicturesquecanaldrawbridge andstoresatSolihullLodge.Instead therewasawidefast- owingurbanroad andbridgeforthecanalcrossing,which hadbeenbuiltuptoallowheadroomfor thecanalnowsome10feetbelow.

Itcouldbeseenthroughtokeniron railings,whichcarriedacastmetal plaque,theinscriptionofwhichreads: ‘Afterreconstructionthisbridgewas openedbyCouncillorJLShepherdson MayorofSolihull30thMarch,1963’ –sojust13yearsafterIanWright’s photographfromanotherage.

Atleastthedrawbridgehalfa mileawaytothesouth,beside e Drawbridge,wasmorefortunate.As thedisplaysigninChris’spubinforms us:‘ eDrawbridgeatMajorsGreen, isbelievedtobetheonlyworkingroad bridgeleftinEngland.Whenbuiltithad woodencounterweightsbutthesewere replacedin1965withsteel.’

TheDrawbridge,SolihullLodge.The watercolourwasprobablypainted inthe1920s-30sbyanunknown artist,whenthedrawbridgewasstill ingoodcondition.Itwasgivento theauthorbyMrsPetaMillardfor longtermsafekeeping.Itprovided theinspirationforthisarticle.

InowfeltIneededtorevisitthescene andseewhathadreplacedthatlifting bridgeandwithit,thesurrounding urbanisationofwhathadoncebeen unspoiltcountryside.Ichosean autumnalSaturdaymorning,which promisedtobe neandsunny–essential forcanalphotography–andratherrare asthewetweathersoughttomakeup forthedrysummer.Iarrivedat e Drawbridgeinnat11.15am,wondering ifIwasfartooearlytobeallowedin. Butitwasopen,withafewelderly customersabout–nodoubtsavingon heatingathome–withtheirhalfpintsof bitterandtabloidnewspaperscarrying thelatestonHancockintheJungle.

Iaskedthefriendlybarladyifthe managerwasabout,explainingwhoI was.Yeshewas,andsoonIwasjoined byChrisFenton,towhomIexplained thereasonformyvisit,showinghim

Thesehewouldhappilyaddto hisexisting necollectionofcanal memorabiliaonthewalls.Hethenwent o andcollectedandbroughttome theframedpictureoneofhis‘oldboy’ customershadrecentlypaintedofthe olddrawbridge,thesourceofwhichI haveyettoascertain. epicturewould shortlybeondisplay.

Chrisrelatedhowhehadbeenthe managerheresince2019andpriorto thathewasanassistantmanagerfor ayearattheWatersidePub&Carvery aboveHillmortonLocksontheNorth OxfordCanal,afteritwasacquiredfrom MarstonsbyGreenKing,andhadits namechanged.

HehailsfromDerbyandhadbegun hislifeinthecateringtradewhen, aged15,hehadleftschooltohelphis motherwiththecateringbusinessshe hadstartedafterbecomingwhatwasin e ectawarwidow,withherhusband thenveryill.Hehadservedwiththe RoyalMarinesinthe1982FalklandsWar, wherehehadbeenbadlyinjured,and neverreallyrecoveredfromhiswounds.

Tomakeendsmeet,shestartedwhat provedtobeaverysuccessfulcatering

Duringtheverywarmsummerof 2022,Chrisandhisteamenjoyedan excellentseason,includingplentyof businessfromtheboaters,withtheir boatsmooredonthetowpathoneither sideofthedrawbridgeasfarastheeye couldsee–manystayingovernight enjoyingdininginthepub.

Chrisshowedmeround,pointing outjusthowclosethepubbuildingisto thetowpath.Whenthepubwasbuiltin the1960sorthereabouts,theoldsmall

ChriscommentedthattheCanal &RiverTrusthadrecentlygiventhe drawbridgeamajorserviceanditwas nowinexcellentorder. epubvisitors loveitandcanwatchitoperatingfrom thecanalsidepatio.Andwhatever inconvenienceitcausedtothe motorists,notonewoulddaretryand removeittoday.Itisasadthoughtthat thedrawbridgeatSolihullLodgecould alsohavebeensaved,butatleastwenow havethatwatercolour.

TheDrawbridgeasseenfromthecanaldrawbridge.ManagerChris Fentonsaidtheinn,immediatelyadjacenttothetowpath,wasasclose tothecanalasyoucanget!

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

Drawbridge;SolihullLodgewrittenon themountinpencilina necopperplate hand.

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

Thesameplacetoday.Theidyllic drawbridgescenereplacedby BridgeNo.7andanewmajorroad in1963. PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

The same but much deteriorated scene in 1950 A photograph taken by the young canal enthusiast t IanWWriighht,whhowasthentravelling theNorthStratfordCanalby canoe. Twelveyearslater andthe scene hadbeen obliterated. PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN COLLECTION

ThewelcomingDrawbridgepub andFlamingGrillsigns. PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLANCOLLECTION

NCAspringmeetingwith lockworkshopvisit

THENorthernCanalsAssociation willholditsspringmeetingon Sunday,February12from10am5pmhostedbytheBradleyCanal RestorationSocietyintheheartof theBlackCountry.

Aswellasactivitiesarrangedby

the BCRS, the day will also include atouroftheCanal&RiverTrust’s BradleyLockGateWorkshop. Forfurtherinformation,please contactchairmanIvanCane,at northern.canals2021@btinternet. com

Rail over river

Stunningkingfisher mosaicunveiledon BuckinghamArmbridge

Words&photos:TimCoghlan

VISITORStothepartlyrestoredeastern sectionoftheBuckinghamArm, whichstartsaboveCosgroveLockon theGrandUnionCanal,willnowbe surprisedtoencounteraking sher.

Itisnotthefeatheredvarietybuta beautiful30incircularmosaicofone, bythenowinternationallyrenowned BritishmosaicartistMelanieWatts.

Thechoiceoftheworkandits location–onnewside-brickworkof therestoredandpartlyrebuiltBridge OnefacingCosgroveLock–wasthatof long-timestalwartoftheBuckingham CanalSociety,AthinaBeckett.Shewas giventheChristopherPowerPrize,a sumofmoneyawardedbytheIWAto‘a person,societyortrustwhohasmade themostsigni cantcontributiontothe restorationofaninlandwaterway’.

isawardmarkedherlongyearsof servicesinceshejoinedtheBuckingham CanalSocietyin1993–nearly30years ofservice,joiningonlyayearafterthe societywasfounded.Duringthattime shehastakenmanyroles,includingthat ofchairman.Sheiscurrentlyatrustee andworkpartyleaderandisfrequently seenrunningthesociety’sstandat canalevents,includingtheBraunston HistoricNarrowboatRallies.

Athinachosetospendthemoney onaking shermosaicbyMelanie Watts,asshehadenjoyedseeingthe artist’scanalsideowl–almostona

dailybasis,whenwalkingherlatedog furthersouthontheGrandUnionat GreatLinford,MiltonKeynes,near whereshelives. ereisalsoanother majorworkbytheartistofapeacock butter yfurthersouthatRedHouse Park,thetwoofthemformingpartof theMiltonKeynesArtsTrail.

WhatstruckAthinawasthatneither ofthoseornatepieceshadsu eredany vandalismsincetheyhadbeenput up–asindeedhadnoneoftheother artworks–andhopedthisking sher wouldlikewisebespared,despite itssomewhatremotelocationat BridgeOne.

Ona neSaturdaymorning,some 50peoplemetfortheunveiling, includingtheCanal&RiverTrust CEORichardParryandanumberof seniorrepresentativesfromtheIWA andlocalcouncillors.Athinaopened proceedingsbytalkingaboutthework ofBuckinghamCanalSociety–just howmuchhadbeenachievedbythe volunteersinrecentyears,despiteCovid –andthehopethatthecanalwould befullyopenedinthenot-too-distant future,aswayshadbeenfoundtoget roundtheremainingobstacles–likethe A5atStonyStratford. eevidenceof thesociety’sworkwastheretosee.

Asshespokeagroupofabout30 walkersfromNorthamptoncame through,enjoyingtherecentlyrelaid towpathandthenow ve-milecircular walktotheendoftherestoredsection

andthendowntotheRiverOuse,and backuptheGrandUniontoCosgrove. Andtomakethepointanothergroup camethroughlaterduringproceedings. eimportanceoftherestoredcanalas acommunityassetcouldnothavebeen bettermade.

eplaquewasunveiledbyPete Winkelman,chairmanoftheMKDons FootballClub.Aformersuccessful musicproducerfromhishistoricmanor atGreatLinford,heisnowequally successfulasalocalpropertydeveloper andlandowner.Hisfarmlandadjoined theBuckinghamCanalattheeastern endandhehadbeenmostsupportive oftherestorationproject,including allowingfreeaccessacrosshisland.In hisaddresshepraisedtheworkofthe society’smanyvolunteers,whosework hefoundinspirational.

HewasfollowedbyMelanie Watts,whospokeofher25years asaprofessionalartistandher commitmenttousingherarttodraw attentionto‘ourstunningspecies, manyofwhichareindecline,which asanartistIamconcernedabout.’She workedwithmaterialsthatwouldnot fadeinanoutdoorenvironment,andin thecaseofthisking sher,onlynatural stonehadbeenusedtostunninge ect. Herworkisnowindemandworldwide includingAmericaandIndia.

Thewaterwaysmessageisgetting throughintheNorthWest

SPEAKINGatthesocial meetingoftheInland WaterwaysAssociation (IWA)inDecember attheEllesmerePort BoatMuseum,Chester &Merseysidebranch chairmanJimForkin reportedasolidyearof progressbytheIWA, associatedorganisations andindividual membersinbringing theneedtoprotectour waterwayheritagetoa wideraudienceinthe NorthWest.

Inparticularhenoted thesuccessofChester inbecomingthefirst InlandHeritagePort andthee ectthathad createdonthecity,with nowagreaterwillbeing expressedbycouncillors toprotectwhatisleftof thecity’smaritimepast.

eeconomicbene tof bringingbothinlandcraft andsea-goingvesselson tothecity’swaterfront andpotentiallynavigating upstreamoftheweirhas alsobeenaccepted.

Toaddtotheimpactof theInlandHeritagePort status,theIWAorganised acelebrationof250 yearssincetheChester Canal,nowpartofthe ShropshireUnion,was rstinauguratedbyActof Parliamentin1772which attractedmorethan1000 peopletothebanksofthe canalinthecitycentre.

Chester’ssuccesshas beennotedbydecision makersandhopefully

thiswillencourageother townsintheregionto applyandsecuremore recognitionandthus greaterprotectionfortheir remainingarchitecture.

RuncornLockswereto receivethe rsttranche ofmajorfinancial commitmentwhichwill seethemarvellousstart tothisuniqueschemein 2023;amajorstepinto theregenerationofold Runcorntowncentre andthecreationofanew canalcruisingring.

eNewCutHeritage andEcologyGroup demonstratedwhatcan bedonewithurban greenspacesasthey improvedaccessviathe towpathoftheNewCut Canal(Warrington)tothe PaddingtonMeadowsand turneda eldofformer grazingpastureintoawild owermeadow.Regular ecologicalsurveysare carriedout.

Inadditionthegroup organisedalocalhistory exhibitionwith10groups attendingincludingthe FriendsofWarrington TransporterBridge,a grouplookingtorestore therarebridgeacrossthe RiverMersey.

esteamship Daniel Adamson hostedMPs anddecisionmakers fromacrosstheNorth Westwaterwaysincluding fundingbodiesand interestgroupstoaday’s cruiseontheWeaver.

eWeaver,oneofthe

leastutilisedwaterways, wasshowcasedas groupsassociatedwith thenavigationincrease pressureforimproving facilitiesanddredging.

Staffandvolunteers atthe‘Danny’have continuedtopromotethe vesselandwaterwayswith aschoolsprogramme andthepresentation teamcompletinga record36presentations toeducationalgroups includinghistorysocieties allacrosstheregion.

Howeverdespitethese successesandmanymore, thereremainedthreats toimportanthistorical artefacts,particularlythe drainedSankeyStHelens Canal,theperilousstate oftheDeeBranchin Chesterandtheproposed sell-o ofCanal&River Trustwatersideproperty inNorthwich.

JimForkinwaseagerto stressthatnewevidence producedbytheInland WaterwaysAssociation(in theformofthedocument, WaterwaysforToday) showedthatBritain’s waterwayscontributed morethan£2.6billion tothenation’seconomy andthatcanalscambea majorfactorineconomic generation.Copiesof thisdocument,which canbefoundonthe IWAwebsite,weresent toallMPsandleading councilrepresentatives withwaterwayswithin theirconstituencies.

ArtistMelanieWattswithhernow unveiledkingfishermosaic.

ANeneValleyRailwaySantaspecialcrossestheRiverNeneatWansford onDecember12.ThetrainheadedbySouthernRailwayBulleidBattleof BritainPacificNo.34081

isheadingforPeterborough.

PHOTO:ROBINJONES

About50people,includingCanal&RiverTrustchiefexecutiveRichardParry,attendedtheunveilingofthe

PeteWinkelmanoftheMKDonsaddressingthevisitors,watched by,fromleft,TerryCavender,BuckinghamCanalSociety’sexecutive officer,mosaicartistMelanieWattsandprizewinnerAthinaBeckett.