Towpath Talk - February 2020 - Preview

T TOWPATH TO

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

88 PAGES

Issue 172, February 2020

TALK

FREE

The daily ‘canute’

COMMUNITY AWARD FOR BOB

P3

CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGNER

P9

WORD ON THE WATER

This is what ‘rush hour’ looks like for London commuter Craig Gunn. He has ditched the crowded Tube for a kayak and paddles three miles along the Grand Union Canal to Paddington Basin to get to work. Full story page 23. PHOTO SUPPLIED

P24

The next link on the restoration route

JONES THE BOAT RETIRES

By Janet Richardson

P51

BOAT REVIEW: the hideout

P52

FOR BREAKING NEWS & BOATS FOR SALE visit our website

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

P57

CHESTERFIELD Canal Trust has unveiled its plans for the restoration of two of the ‘last nine miles’ at the western end of the canal.

More than 270 people visited the Hollingwood Hub headquarters on January 10 and 11 to view and comment on the proposals.

A planning application will be submitted in February or early March to restore the canal from Eckington Road Bridge to the Chesterfield Borough boundary near Renishaw. This will cover the whole of the canal’s path within the borough which has not yet been restored, a distance of nearly two miles.

Among the Friday morning visitors were local MPs, Lee Rowley (North

Token support boosts trust

LICHFIELD and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust will receive a cheque for £560 after taking part in Waitrose’s Community Matters scheme. During December, shoppers at Waitrose & Partners’ Lichfield store were invited to place tokens in one of three boxes representing local good causes. The charities were awarded a proportion of £1000, decided on the number of tokens placed in each box, and LHCRT proved to be the most popular. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that LHCRT made a profit of £8604.67 from last year’s Huddlesford Heritage Gathering. The Gathering is a biennial event organised jointly by the trust and Lichfield Cruising Club.

East Derbyshire) and Toby Perkins (Chesterfield). The boundary between their two constituencies comes through the middle of the Hollingwood Hub site.

“Both of them are incredible supporters of the Chesterfield Canal,” said the trust’s publicity officer Rod Auton. He explained HS2 is expected to bring the next bill to Parliament at some time during the summer and that it was

Crew needed for new boat

CRUSADER Community Boating will start its season in April with a new purpose-built boat. This is due to increased demand and it will be in addition to its fully accessible widebeam based at Blisworth Marina. Crusader is a Northampton charity running free trips for people with physical or mental disability, disadvantaged people and the elderly from care homes. It is now recruiting extra volunteers to crew its two boats. No experience necessary.

If you want to find out more, the next recruitment open day is on Thursday, February 6 at Blisworth Marina (NN7 3FG).

To book contact Dave Garratt, boat manager, 07729 183232 boat-manager@crusadercommunityboating.org.uk

important to have the canal restoration plans on the map.

Despite several meetings, the trust has not yet been able to finalise an agreement with HS2 about its bridge across the canal.

Other complications include five different landowners, several buried sewers and water pipes and significant land subsidence in the Doe Lea Valley.

• Continued on page 2

£750,000 hedge fund

CANAL & River Trust is carrying out a £750,000 project to tackle overhanging trees and hedges this winter.

The works will focus on preserving navigation and ensuring sightlines are kept clear, rather than cutting back every metre of overgrowth. The CRT actively manages vegetation all year round, but large-scale activities are best suited to winter when the waterways are quieter and disturbance to wildlife is minimised.

While most of the national programme of work is carried out by specialist contractors, the trust is working alongside volunteers to deliver the work and “every extra pair of hands” is welcomed.

2 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WELCOME

Don’t miss out! Get 12 copies delivered to your home for less than £1 a copy

THIS year’s calendar has two notable changes – the four-yearly appearance of February 29 and the movement of the early May Bank Holiday to a Friday, May 8, to celebrate the VE Day anniversary; this came too late for many diaries and calendars.

Unless you are a woman aiming to propose on ‘Bachelors’ Day’ – leap year tradition has it that if your man refuses he has to buy you 12 pairs of gloves – it is more likely that May 8 will be more relevant, especially if you are involved with an event organised for what is usually the bank holiday weekend.

Some of these, including the IWA Canalway Cavalcade, have reduced to two days whereas others, such as the St Richard’s Festival at Droitwich, have moved forward to May 7-10. If you are planning on heading for any of these, you may need to update your schedule.

With the latest storm – Brendan – having brought yet more rain to add to the already high water table let’s hope that February doesn’t live up to its filldyke tradition or we’ll be squelching around for months to come.

But having been office-bound for most of December and January, I am looking forward to getting out and about again and our what’s on guide, starting on page 18, includes opportunities for volunteering at the Waterway Recovery Group’s canal camps in 2020 or at one of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s taster days.

On a more serious note, we have been taken to task by River Trent boater Martin Savage for not spotting that boat surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies’ article on page 62 of the January edition had a 2 in the heading which should have read ‘Don’t ignore the importance of ventilation and CO alarms’. As he points out this is an important safety message regarding carbon monoxide whereas those more science-savvy will know that carbon dioxide (CO2) is totally different.

For details about alarms visit www.boatsafetyscheme.org

See page 14 or call 01507 529529

The next link on the restoration route • Continued from page 1 The Staveley Puddlebank, which is up to 30 feet high, has been removed in some places and 170,000 cubic metres of clay will be needed to rebuild it. An aqueduct will also be required to take the canal across the River Doe Lea. In order to produce its application, the trust has had to commission several investigations including a water resource study, flood risk assessment, archaeology, heritage and ecology reports.

The last nine miles has been broken down into seven sections, of which the plans relate to Section 1 – The Colliery Link which runs from Eckington Road Bridge at Hartington in Staveley to Spinkhill Lane in Renishaw, where it joins the sites of the old Hartington Colliery and Renishaw Colliery.

Ground levels have been severely affected by mining subsidence and a new passage under the railway requires ‘fall and rise’ locks on either side to reduce the pound level and accommodate the requirements of the lower rail level.

Staveley Town Lock was completed in 2016 to drop the pound.

This crossing is now proposed to be used by HS2 as a link to its proposed Infrastructure Maintenance Depot on the old Staveley Chemical Works site west of Hall Lane.

Discussions with HS2 engineers are ongoing to assess any further design requirements and changes.

The link between the TransPennine Trail and the Arkwright

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins, centre with Chesterfield Canal Trust chairman Peter Hardy. Pictured left is restoration committee chairman Mark Potter and, right, Rod Auton, trust publicity officer. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON Trail will cross the canal on a new high-level multi-user trail bridge, which will cross east of the ‘riser’ Railway Lock.

Access to the farm fields north of the canal will be provided by an

accommodation bridge. This will also provide additional walking and cycling access to the Trans-Pennine Trail from Mastin Moor and Lowgates.

Chesterfield Canal Trust’s aim is

to complete the restoration by the canal’s 250th anniversary in 2027. For further details of the proposals and the 2027 Restoration Appeal visit www. chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk

TOWPATH

ALK

Janet

Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk

Assistant editor Sarah Spencer sspencer@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Group advertising manager Sue Keily Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – tshaw@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Chris Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Aiste Davydove – adavydove@mortons.co.uk

The proposed aqueduct crossing the River Doe Lea. IMAGE SUPPLIED

Visitors view the plans. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Editorial design Chris Abrams

New edition of canal guide now on sale

Successful start for new society

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust has each section of the canal back into use. updated its essential guide, Visiting Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman the Wey & Arun Canal.

Sally Schupke said: “While the Canal The latest publication has been Centre at Loxwood, West Sussex, and revised to include recent restoration the public boat cruises offered from projects such as the £375,000 Gennets there may have helped many people Bridge Lock and £375,000 Southland explore one section of the canal, there Lock, both near Loxwood, West Sussex, are many other parts of the waterway the circular walkway at Birtley in Surrey that visitors have yet to discover. and the Thriscutt Slipway at Dunsfold “This guide offers a glimpse into on the Surrey/Sussex border. the old and new of the With handy maps and canal, its route through photos, historical background the stunning Sussex and and practical advice on Surrey countryside, and accessing the canal, the guide provides a practical guide is an essential for those who to getting the most from the Wey & Arun Canal.” want to get more out of their exploration of the 23-mile The 72-page guide, waterway. The guide covers priced £6, was first the canal route in detail, printed in 2012 and with maps and extensive has been written and illustrations in full colour. It edited by volunteers highlights the unmissable The updated Julian Cheek and beauty spots, areas of guide to Visiting Geoff Thomas.

It is available from restoration and original the Wey & Arun the website, https:// features and also explains Canal. PHOTO the next steps needed to bring SUPPLIED weyarun.org.uk/shop/

A £1000 donation was a boost to the new Bradley Canal Restoration Society (BCRS).

The group had its inaugural meeting in November during which a committee was formed. The aim of the society is to restore the canal between Moorcroft Junction on the Walsall Canal and Bradley Workshops at Bilston.

The line of the canal is intact but

Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm. help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004. Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – February 27, 2020

Independent publisher since 1885

Conditions Editorial is accepted subject to availability of space, and editorial policy on content and insertion cannot be guaranteed.The publishers retain the right to edit material submitted. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy through accurate and clear copy, but the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

Independently proven pick up: 34,450 copies

most of it has been infilled and it is expected that restoration will be fairly straightforward.

The £1000 cheque was presented

by Martin O’Keeffe, chairman of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society.

The BCRS is actively recruiting members. Further details at www. bradleycanal.co.uk/

Martin O’Keeffe, chairman of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society, presents a cheque for £1000 to Dave Pearson, chairman of the Bradley Canal Restoration Society. To the left is Gavin Hawkins, BCRS treasurer, and to the right, Darren Clift, BCRS publicity secretary. PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEWS 3

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Community boat completes first leg of its journey back to glory

A smiling Bob Alderman preparing for the recent festive trips.

Community award for long-serving volunteer

Kilsby before being wrapped in tarpaulin.

By Sarah Spencer

AN OXFORD Canal Festival restoration project is aiming to save a dilapidated narrowboat for the community.

The Oxford Canal Festival was revived in 2016 with the aims of raising awareness of “one of Oxford’s best-kept watery secrets”, and raising money to purchase and restore a special narrowboat for everyone to enjoy.

Organisers began searching for a run-down narrowboat for use as a performance and exhibition space, to promote the heritage and stories of the Oxford Canal, as well as for short trips.

When nearby waterways resident Helen McGregor donated 107-year-old Kilsby to Jericho Living Heritage Trust, things began to get moving.

“The boat was really in a sorry state and Helen could no longer live on her,” said festival co-director Steph Pirrie.

“She loved the boat and its history and

wanted to find a way of it surviving – it was a happy marriage; we had the opportunity to save a wonderful boat and it means we can get lots of volunteers and the community involved in the restoration.”

Kilsby’s bottom needs replacing and the hull is bulging, the cabin is rotting and she is seriously leaking. She is staying afloat with the aid of pumps, and the engine doesn’t work.

This deteriorating condition meant there was no time to lose and £5000 raised at the last Oxford Canal Festival meant immediate action could be taken to get her into dry dock.

Tooley’s Boatyard, one of the oldest working dry docks on the inland waterways, located in Banbury on the South Oxford Canal, was chosen to carry out the work – but first Kilsby needed to get there.

An enormous tarpaulin was wrapped under the hull and around all of the boat then painstakingly laced

An artist’s view of how the community stage boat might look. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

up and made watertight.

And on her first trip in years, Kilsby was slowly towed by Helen’s new boat (Kilsby 2) up the canal, past Jericho and Wolvercote to King’s Bridge and onwards.

Despite some nightmare moments the journey was completed in four days.

A survey will now be carried out and a draft schedule of works drawn up before the restoration programme can begin.

Steph said it would be really nice to complete the whole project in two years but continued: “It’s as much about the journey and getting people involved as it is about the outcomes.”

She said: “We need around £60,000 to restore and re-purpose Kilsby and return her to the Oxford Canal (around £8000 of this has been raised so far). We are talking to Canal & River Trust, who are behind the project. We’re hoping to secure a significant capital investment grant from Heritage Lottery or other community foundations. The rest we aim to raise from the Canal Festival and other events, crowdfunding and private donations.

“Operating costs are estimated at £3000 a year. We will cover this by running trips in the summer and hiring the boat to members and to theatre groups/performers. We hope Kilsby will eventually take pride of place at Jericho Wharf.”

The back of the boat will be a performance space so that people can sit on the banks and watch, and it is hoped that Helen, a writer and actress, will be the first to take to the stage.

The Oxford Canal Festival is a biennial event and the next one takes place September 11 and 12 this year.

ONE of the longest-serving volunteers on The Rose of Hungerford has been honoured in the West Berkshire 2019 Community Champion Awards.

At a presentation ceremony at Shaw House in Newbury in January, Bob Alderman received a Highly Commended in the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional dedication and hard work for the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust in general and two of their boats in particular.

His colleagues on The Rose of Hungerford nominated Bob and were delighted that his hard work and contribution had been recognised in this way.

The panel was extremely impressed that Bob had dedicated nearly 70 years of active work to the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and had shown incredible commitment over the years. His willingness to help others, whether passengers or fellow volunteers, is clear and the panel felt that his voluntary work should be recognised and celebrated.

Bob grew up beside the canal on which his great-grandfather had worked and even swam in it as a child.

He helped the last commercial boat make its final voyage from Aldermaston to Newbury. He worked with John Gould to keep the canal open and so avoid the canal being declared closed.

Bob joined the K&A canal association at its inception in 1951 and has been a member ever since. He worked on the Jubilee trip boat in Newbury before moving to Hungerford and becoming part of The Rose of Hungerford volunteer team for nearly 30 years.

He is a regular crewman and helm and a vital member of the maintenance team. Bob is also an invaluable mentor

to generations of volunteers and his calm and knowledgeable advice is invaluable to new crew members and helms. He is great company, unfailingly cheerful and helpful and a mine of information and stories about the canal and the boats and people on it.

The K&A canal provides a valuable amenity for all; it would be a dry, weed filled ditch had it not been for the many volunteers like Bob who worked for 30 years to restore and preserve the canal. The Rose of Hungerford brings tourists and income to Hungerford, and generates funding for the canalside buildings owned and managed by the trust (Newbury Wharf, Devizes Wharf, Crofton Pumping Station).

In 2019 The Rose carried more than 5000 passengers and raised £30,000 for the trust. Bob is not only one of the most frequent volunteers, he will often cheerfully and willingly fill in at short notice when needed.

Bob Alderman steering The Rose of Hungerford. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

4 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk Part of the temporary ry y repair will consist of constructing walls down the spillway face inside the damaged area – that’s the area filled with bags of stone in this view – and installing a waterproof lining material.

The size of the dam wall is evident in relation to the size of the camera crew.

Water being pumped out of Toddbrook Reservoir.

‘Long road ahead’ in reservoir restoration

By Colin Wareing

MAINTAINING water supplies for boating on the Peak Forest Canal looks set to become a challenge over the next few years in the wake of the Toddbrook Reservoir emergency.

The news came in a meeting held by Canal & River Trust to give an update on progress at the site above the town of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire.

On July 31 last year there was heavy rainfall across Derbyshire and the Peak District, resulting in Toddbrook reservoir becoming very full and excess water flowing over the spillway on the dam wall.

For some as yet unknown reason, part of the concrete covering the spillway broke away and exposed the clay and soil dam beneath it.

With the integrity of the dam possibly compromised, large parts of the town were evacuated while the levels in the

reservoir were reduced by 12 highcapacity pumps moving water out into the River Goyt.

The reservoir is now nearly empty of water and plans are progressing towards a permanent repair and eventual return to use to provide water to the Peak Forest Canal.

The latest update was through a media day at the reservoir and a public meeting in Buxton, which was attended by nearly 100 people.

At present, the meeting heard, the reservoir is nearly empty and the flow of water from the main source, Todd Brook, has been diverted around the reservoir down the bypass channel into the River Goyt.

The pumps that emptied the reservoir are still in place, with one on an automatic system to pump if the water level rises following heavy rainfall.

The restoration works will see a temporary waterproof wall erected

The pontoon carries the inlets for the 12 high-pressure pumps that drained the reservoir and are still in place on site just in case another significant weather happening occurs. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING UNLESS INDICATED

Toddbrook Reservoir showing work planned in 2020. PHOTO: CRT

along the spillway crest, which will reach down into the dam’s clay core. This will be followed by the installation of sturdy concrete barriers on the spillway slope to channel any overflowing water into the central undamaged section.

This will all remain in place until permanent reconstruction of the dam is undertaken.

Improvements were also to be made to the Todd Brook inlet channel at the head of the reservoir.

After the emergency in the summer, the masonry weir was raised with the installation of mesh baskets filled with sandbags. In the year ahead, these will be replaced by a footbridge incorporating sluice gates, providing a higher degree of control over water flows from the brook into the reservoir or around the reservoir via a bypass channel.

New footbridge

A new pedestrian footbridge across the brook will also be built to create a safe route for people wishing to walk from one side of the valley to the other.

The fate of Toddbrook reservoir’s fish population is a positive one. The week before Christmas a third rescue was undertaken to net as many as possible before the reservoir was drained further, which would have left them unable to breathe in the lower oxygen and higher silt environment.

This followed successful fish rescues in August and October when thousands of coarse fish – bream, roach, perch and pike – were captured in large nets and then transported to another trust reservoir near Birmingham.

Before the incident it was understandably a popular angling spot.

In total it is estimated that about 30,000 fish, equating to five tonnes, will have been rehomed by the end of the process.

There are two separate independent enquiries ongoing, one commissioned

by CRT and the other by the Government.

Once these have reported, a longterm plan will be developed to repair the dam.

Simon Bamford, asset improvement director for the trust, said: “Once we know what caused the damage to the dam we will be able to work out a detailed plan for repairing it, including a precise timetable and costings.

“At the head of the reservoir we know a footbridge has been on the wish list of some local residents, so we are delighted we can incorporate this into the design for improving the inlet.”

It is anticipated that the full works to make the reservoir able to once again

supply the Peak Forest Canal could take several years and cost around £10 million.

Daniel Greenhalgh, CRT’s North West regional director, said while the priority was keeping Whaley Bridge and its residents safe, this might not be great for boaters, following on from the last two years of lock rebuilding on the Marple flight, as there would be a real challenge over the next few years of maintaining water supplies on the Peak Forest Canal, with restrictions in lock usage likely.

Julie Sharman, chief operating officer with the trust, said: “More public open days are planned for the spring and we will be sending a newsletter to more than 3000 Whaley Bridge homes to explain about the repair works.”

The Canal & River Trust described the works as “a long road ahead for the restoration and reinforcement of the Toddbrook Reservoir”.

The reservoir sparkles in the winter sun as a fish rescue takes place watched over by a camera crew and presenter from a local BBC news programme.

This will all remain in place until permanent reconstruction of the dam is undertaken. PHOTO: CRT

NEWS 5

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

ANT joins ombudsman scheme

AVON Navigation Trust (ANT) has joined the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme to give its river users an independent final third level for complaints.

The scheme provides independent

Chairman of the Waterways Ombudsman Committee, Kevin Fitzgerald.

dispute resolution for customers, on top of the trust’s current in-house complaints procedure.

The move replaces the previous arrangement where an independent trustee/director was the final escalation point for complaints.

Kevin Fitzgerald, chairman of the Waterways Ombudsman Committee, which oversees the independence and accessibility of the ombudsman, said: “ANT is demonstrating its commitment to its customers with the appointment of the Waterways Ombudsman.

“Investing in complaints handling is a clear sign that they want to provide the level of service that their customers expect.”

ANT chief executive Clive Matthews said: “We actively encourage feedback and make it as easy as possible for people to have their say. We get very few complaints but the Waterways

Ombudsman Scheme provides a valued, independent system of adjudication if customers are not satisfied with the outcome of our own investigation.”

The Waterways Ombudsman

Waterways Ombudsman Sarah Daniel. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Scheme provides an independent and impartial means of resolving disputes outside the courts at no cost to the complainant. It can investigate disputes between complainants and ANT that have been progressed through ANT’s internal complaint handling procedure, or those that have reached a deadlock stage.

Complainants must contact ANT directly to seek a resolution to their complaint before they can escalate the complaint to the ombudsman.

Sarah Daniel, the Waterways Ombudsman, said: “I am delighted that ANT has joined the scheme. When I visited the office at Mill Wharf I was impressed with the commitment to providing a personal, effective and efficient service to customers.”

More details about the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme can be found at www.waterways-ombudsman.org

ANT chief executive Clive Matthews.

Adventure begins for Cotswold fundraisers COTSWOLD Canals Trust has unveiled its new £140,000 wheelchair-accessible electric-powered trip boat.

The trust was able to commission the boat, Adventure, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, grant-giving trusts, parish, town and district councils and individual donors.

Lisa Mant, company secretary, who is responsible for booking all the chartered boat trips from the Cotswold Canals Trust’s head office in Stroud, said: “We are excited about being able to offer charters to the whole community on the new trip boat Adventure.

“She will be an asset to Cotswold Canals Trust, enabling all passengers to have their own adventure on our beautiful canal.

“Anyone can charter a private trip by calling me on 01453 752568 or emailing mail@cotswoldcanals.com for details.”

After the original designs were drawn and funding secured, members of the Stroud community who are registered disabled, and other canal societies that have previously commissioned accessible trip boats, were consulted.

This influenced the decision to commission a longer and wider beam craft and inspired some key improvements.

These included: space to sit outside on the deck of the craft instead of just inside, a higher-spec passenger hoist, and, crucially, the craft now boasts a fully accessible toilet.

Adventure is the first boat in the CCT fleet that has fully green credentials; with electric propulsion instead of diesel, solar panels fitted to be completely selfcharging for up to eight-hour-long trips, and will have moorings with electric hook-up.

Adventure is a fully accessible and electric-powered craft. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

She is bigger and more accessible than originally planned, at 54ft x 10ft, with the size allowing better access and manoeuvrability for wheelchair users and will carry 12 passengers with a crew of three or four.

Adventure has been launched into the water on the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal and crew training and qualification will take place throughout the winter.

Once the Stroudwater Navigation restoration project is complete she will be free to sail anywhere from Stroud to Saul Junction along 14km of canal.

While searching for a boat builder that was willing to take on this challenge, CCT was introduced to Ortomarine, who have experience in designing and building accessible craft and helped CCT develop original approaches to disabled access and environmentally sustainable engineering.

The total price, including necessary modifications, was £140,000, plus transportation costs. This was higher than originally planned, but ongoing costs will be reduced from using green power, it will cater for more people and will serve the intended beneficiaries for longer.

CCT is still looking for top-up funding to backfill the extra costs and if you can contribute any amount to this – or to the wider restoration appeal – get in touch with fundraising@cotswoldcanals.com or go to www.cotswoldcanals.org.uk The trust is also looking for new volunteers to join the restoration teams and you can get in touch on 01453 752568 or go to the website to register as a volunteer.

A great day for Cotswold Canals Trust and its supporters when the new trip boat is lifted into the water.

Some of the people behind the success. Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers, from left, Bob Mulkerrin, Tim Kerry, Ian Dunn, Paul Rees, Mike Smith and Rob Burgon.

6 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Work to start on historic Mile Wharf

FINSLEY Gate Wharf in Burnley, known locally as Mile Wharf, is about to undergo a £2.2 million restoration.

The Canal & River Trust has appointed contractors Rosslee Construction to undertake the work to transform the heritage buildings on site into a range of community amenities, including a cafe, bar, function room, overnight accommodation and education facilities.

The work will take around a year to complete.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the trust is working with the future tenants of the site, Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd and architects, Donald Insall Associates, to transform the Grade II Listed buildings

into a waterside destination.

In use for more than 200 years, the site is steeped in local history and set to become a base from which to explore the Lancashire town of Burnley by water, foot or bike.

Opened in 1801, Mile Wharf was an important industrial hub for the North West and one of the oldest wharves on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Ian Sprott, development surveyor at Canal & River Trust, said: “This is a giant step forward appointing the contractors to start physical restoration work. We are excited to see this important heritage site being transformed into an attractive visitor destination and a hub of activity for the local community.

“With the support of the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the European

Regional Development Fund, Burnley Council, Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd and the local community, this promises to be an exciting space where people can learn about the local heritage and enjoy the fantastic well-being benefits of spending time on or near the water.”

Glenn Davidson and Lee Shepherd, directors at Finsley Gate Wharf Ltd, commented: “We look forward to the grand opening of this beautiful leisure facility located on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

“As well as supplying fantastic food and beverages for our visitors, we will also be hosting a large variety of events, activities and celebrations throughout the year.

“Finsley Gate Wharf is going to be a new and exciting focal point for Burnley residents and visitors alike.”

Mile Wharf will be transformed into a visitor destination and activity hub. PHOTO: CRT

Delivering railway for the future THE Leeds & Liverpool Canal will be brought back into industrial use this year when it’s used to transport goods to help replace a Victorian railway bridge.

Goods and materials will be transported by barge as part of work to replace the bridge between Rishton and Church & Oswaldtwistle stations in Lancashire.

At the same time, a pontoon will also be placed on the canal at Rose Grove to create a safe working space for engineers to strengthen another railway bridge.

The work is part of a £3.95 million investment by Network Rail to improve journeys on the East Lancashire line which runs between Blackpool, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

The vital work means sections of the railway between Blackburn and Colne, and Blackburn, Accrington and Todmorden will be closed between February 15-23. Passengers are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel.

Sarah Padmore, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “We are always looking at innovative ways we can help provide a better railway while causing the least amount of disruption

to passengers and local communities.

Using the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was an obvious way to do this and we will be transporting material to and from site throughout the work.”

Mark Overum, Canal & River Trust’s area operations manager, said: “It’s great that Network Rail is using the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to transport goods along it instead of using the road and we are pleased to be working with them on this project.”

As well as the bridge work, new drainage will also be installed in the Rose Grove area to help protect the railway during heavy rainfall. Track improvements will also be delivered at Townley Tunnel and Gannow Junction. There also will be two closures of the canal and its towpaths by Oswaldtwistle Golf Course from Monday, January 20 until Friday, March 13 and at Rose Grove from January 27 until March 6.

The East Lancashire line is used by passengers travelling between Blackpool, Preston, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, via Accrington and Burnley.

To plan journeys and check for the latest travel information, visit www. nationalrail.co.uk.

NEWS 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

New year sees winter works continue A £43.6 MILLION programme of repairs on waterways across England and Wales this winter is continuing after the completion of some major projects during the first six weeks.

Of the 118 hand-crafted lock gate leaves due to be replaced, more than 100 had been made and about half were now on site either having been fitted or about to be put in place, at the time of the latest update (December) by the Canal & River Trust.

The trust’s teams had completed 14 of the published winter improvement works with another 36 due to be finished by the Christmas break.

A further 92 repair and refurbishment projects were due to be completed this new year.

In terms of major projects the trust is carrying out, work had been completed to replace gate cylinders on the Tees Barrage.

On the Lancaster Canal, the Lune Embankment was being relined, while on the Macclesfield Canal similar work was being carried out at Palmerston Street Embankment.

At Hurleston on the Llangollen Canal, where movement in the lock walls has restricted passage through the lock, the trust was carrying out work to rebuild the affected wall, halt movement and increase the width of the lock chamber.

Work was ongoing at Winterburn Reservoir, and at Blackbrook Junction Bridge in the West Midlands.

Scheduled works still to come included repairs to mechanical swing and lift bridges, embankment relining and culvert repairs, among others.

Two pumping stations were also on the list for special attention; Bowyer Street Pumping Station, a key water supply to the Grand Union Canal, will see works to upgrade and replace lifeexpired pumps; while on the Wendover Arm, a similar project at Tringford

Pumping Station will replace the pumps, pipes, electrics and gantry.

Dredging had been completed on the Macclesfield Canal and on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, where the trust had removed 27,000 tonnes of contaminated sediment at Titford Pools.

Further dredging, bank protection and tree works were planned for the new year.

On the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Pontymoile, 4km of dredging had been completed, with a further 2.2km planned.

Spot dredging on the Llangollen Canal was ongoing with around 1700 cubic metres of silt removed from the 2km length between Frankton Junction and

A Canal & River Trust team fitting a new bracket at Lock 2 of the Rufford Arm in West Lancashire.

PHOTO: COLIN WAREING

New Marton Locks, with some dredgings reused to repair offside erosion.

The work was set to continue, along with reactive spot dredging across the country and projects at Sharpness Dock, Ribble Link, Liverpool Dock approaches, and on the Upper & Lower Peak Forest and Chesterfield canals.

The CRT is also offering people the chance to see ‘behind the scenes’ at a number of sites.

The open days will give visitors access into drained lock chambers on the Grand Union Canal and Trent & Mersey Canal, while repairs to the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ – Anderton Boat Lift – provides an amazing opportunity to get a rarely seen view of this ‘wonder of the waterways’.

A number of the events, including on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, will highlight the trust’s #plasticschallenge which invites people to get involved in helping to stop the flow of plastic litter into the world’s oceans.

Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, said: “By investing over the winter months we’ll not only be protecting the historic fabric of the region’s waterways and making sure that they’re working well for boaters, but we’ll also be ensuring that local communities have safe, open waterways to enjoy.

“Many people may not realise the work and attention that our charity and our volunteers put into caring for the waterways or indeed how getting involved, simply by visiting their local canal, can improve their health and well-being.

“Our winter open days are a chance for people to come along and find out more, and we look forward to seeing lots of new faces as well as many old friends at the events.”

Find out more about the open days at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ enjoy-the-waterways/events/open-days

OPEN DAYS February 1 and 2, 10am to 3.30pm, Bedford Street Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal, Stoke: This staircase flight of

locks will be drained, with visitors able to access the bottom of the lock where repairs are being undertaken at locks 1 and 2. The trust is replacing the top end gate and relining two other sets of gates to help save water by reducing leakage through the flight. In addition, the trust will be showcasing repairs to the lock’s 200-year-old brickwork.

EARLY February (maybe 8 and 9) Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llangollen Canal, near Wrexham: The trust is

draining the aqueduct at this World Heritage Site as part of an important 10-yearly inspection. It is hoping to allow people to walk in the aqueduct’s drained trough which spans the Dee Valley below. Trust experts will be on hand to talk about the history and maintenance of the aqueduct and canal.

FEBRUARY 8 and 9, 10am to 3pm, Anderton Boat Lift, River Weaver, Cheshire: Visitors will get a behind-

the-scenes look at the maintenance that goes into keeping the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ in good working order.

There will be guided tours to the very top of the lift and visitors will have a chance to gain access into the dry well.

There will be activities for children and talks about the works taking place (accompanied by CCTV footage) for those unable to gain access into the dry well. Access to Anderton visitor centre and cafe will be as usual.

FEBRUARY 29, Stanley Locks, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Liverpool: The trust is

hosting a heritage tour of the Stanley

Lock Flight with a heritage walk between Top Lock and Stanley Dock. It is hoping to offer boat trips between Bottom Lock and Princes Lock. The trust’s ‘Let’s Fish!’ programme will offer visitors the chance to try angling for free.

FEBRUARY and March, Foxton Locks, Grand Union Leicester Line, Market Harborough: At the famous Foxton

Locks the CRT will be undertaking major works to several locks along the flight, including gate replacements and brickwork and ladder repairs.

The trust is hosting a programme of weekend events and activities (guided walks, talks, etc.) over the course of the maintenance works.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to step down into one of the locks on a specially installed staircase. Events will run at weekends in February and March with further details confirmed on the trust website.

MARCH, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal: This spring the CRT will be

hosting a programme of weekend events and activities along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. There will be guided tours and talks at some of the key sites including Sharpness Docks and Saul Junction, as well as family activities at Gloucester Docks.

Confirmed dates and times to follow.

MAY 16, Diglis, River Severn, Worcester: As part of a celebration of

World Fish Migration Day, the trust’s partnership project Unlocking the Severn, which will ensure the return of migratory fish to the River Severn, will provide tours showcasing the construction of an important new fish pass at Diglis.

8 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Sandford lock keeper wins top award

A SANDFORD lock keeper has won a prestigious British Marine Inland Boating award.

British Marine Inland Boating has awarded its Lock Keeper of the Year Award for 2019 to Aidan Mahon, lock keeper at Sandford Lock on the River Thames.

The award, also known as the Esme Dowling Award in memory of Esme Dowling, a lock keeper at Napton Locks on the Oxford Canal from 1957 to 1988, is presented annually by hotel boat operators in British Marine membership to navigation authority staff or volunteers who have gone the extra mile in delivering excellent customer service on the UK’s inland waterways.

The award is open not only to lock keepers, but to all waterways staff who

have offered outstanding assistance to waterways users.

Hotel boat operators are some of the most widely travelled boaters on the system, travelling up to 1500 miles each summer season and between them they travel practically the entire waterway system, making this a truly national award.

Previous winners include Bob Preston, Caen Hill lock keeper (Kennet & Avon Canal), the Canal & River Trust’s lock keeping team at Bingley Five Rise (Leeds & Liverpool Canal), the weir keeper, Richard Hawkins, and volunteer assistant lock keeper, Frank Jordan, at Abingdon Lock (River Thames) and John Rosenthal, Netham lock keeper (Bristol).

British Marine Inland Boating voted for the nominees and the association’s past chairman, Russel Chase, presented the final award to Aidan at Sandford Lock in December.

Chairman of British Marine Inland Boating, Nigel Hamilton, said: “Aidan Mahon was voted for by the members of British Marine Inland

Boating for his fantastic contribution to the smooth running of our inland navigations and excellent service to visiting boaters. Congratulations to a well-deserved winner.

“The hire boat sector likes to recognise the professionalism of navigation authority staff, especially when they give exceptional service to boaters.

“What makes our canals and rivers unique is the living heritage of boating and navigation. Thames lock keepers help make this an exceptional experience for hirers.”

Aidan said: “I was really pleased to accept the Lock Keeper of the Year Award, which is fantastic recognition for the work that we, lock keepers and volunteers, put in here at Sandford, but also for the work that all us lock keepers along the River Thames put in every day – I’m really happy about that!

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to all involved and we will keep trying to live up to the greats who have won the award previously, for another year at least!”

Aidan beat off stiff competition with an impressive 14 runners-up recognised for 2019’s award. These were:

Celebrating the award are, from left, Aidan Mahon, James Scowen of British Marine member Tranquil Rose and past chair of British Marine Inland Boating, Russel Chase. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Tony Wright (Culham Lock, River Thames) Julian Stott (Stanley Flight, Leeds & Liverpool Canal) Salvador De Los Angeles (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Paul Ashbourn (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Jed Burgess (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Andrew Croxford (Teddington Lock, River Thames) John Harris (Teddington Lock, River Thames)

‘Long life’ lock gates on trial A SET of new ‘long life’ lock gates is to be trialled on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Currently being installed at Picketsfield Lock near Hungerford in Berkshire, the innovative new gates are intended to bring efficiencies and longterm environmental benefits.

The new ‘long life’ lock gates are an evolution of the composite gates – made out of steel and timber – that are used in some places on the Canal & River Trust’s waterways.

In developing the gates the CRT has been consulting with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust about the design and construction.

Made predominantly out of steel, the new gate design is intended to last at least twice as long as a standard lock gate, with an anticipated life span of more than 50 years.

The robustness of the metal

The new gates on the Kennet & Avon Canal being lifted into place for their trial. construction will reduce the need for repairs, saving CRT time and money and reducing disruption for boaters.

The gates have been designed with disposable parts such as the sections

The new gates in place and almost set to start their trial. PHOTOS: CRT

Paul Harrison (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Jeff Kennett Teddington Lock, River Thames) Adrian Marshall (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Tom Musaeus (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Gemma Riley (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Matt Rooke (Teddington Lock, River Thames) Peter Weekes (Teddington Lock, River Thames)

where the gates meet to be watertight.

This means they can be easily removed and replaced without draining the canal or removing the gates, bringing environmental benefits by reducing the need to mobilise heavy plant and materials at often remote locations.

The gates at Picketsfield Lock retain the same paddle gearing, the same fixings and the same steel balance beam and so the proposed gate will resemble the gate that it is to replace, giving boaters and visitors the look and feel of a ‘classic’ lock gate.

Richard Wakelen, head of asset management at CRT, said: “The canals were built over 200 years ago and it’s a testament to the original engineers that their designs have stood the test of time.

“Now, with modern technology, we can trial some improvements that could make things better for boaters while making the best use of our resources.

“It’s exciting to be trialling something new and innovative on the canals and imagining that, in generations to come, engineers could be looking at our designs and building on them.”

He added: “As the charity that looks after 2000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, we are always searching for innovative ways to look after the locks, bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure in our care and welcome the support of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.”

Chris Sims, chairman of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, said: “Timber lock gates are renewed every 20 to 25 years; however we can see these newly designed trial gates lasting over 50 years.

“The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust has been looking at innovative new designs for some while now and we see this exciting trial as a first step of change that we are undertaking in partnership as two canal charities.”

The Craven canal towpath was not user-friendly and was in need of improvement.

Big step forward for towpath project

A MAJOR milestone in the £2 million Craven canal towpath project was completed in time for the local community to enjoy waterside walks over Christmas.

The work has improved sections of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath from Skipton to Gargrave, and Bradley to Kildwick.

The towpath through Gargrave from Anchor Bridge to Eshton Road has been fully resurfaced, along with a stretch between Bradley Swing Bridge and the war memorial at Hamblethorpe Swing Bridge.

Canal & River Trust secured funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, with further support from Craven District Council and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership to improve the access to the canal towpath.

In total, 11.7km of the towpath will be improved, as identified in the Access Development Plan commissioned by Craven District Council and written

by Sustrans.

Work is continuing on other stretches of the towpath and was due to be completed by the end of February.

Luke Edwards, project manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re delighted with how the work is progressing so far and the completed sections have delivered a vastly improved surface.”

The towpath improvements in Craven extend along an 8.2km stretch

between Anchor Bridge (Gargrave) to Gawflat Swing Bridge (Skipton), and a further 3.5km between Bradley Swing Bridge (Bradley) and Warehouse Swing Bridge (Kildwick).

When complete, the 11.7km stretch of towpath will be resurfaced with a natural limestone material that creates a durable and compact surface, chosen to be in keeping with the rural area.

The path will also be widened at key hotspots, including Gargrave and Broughton Road, to provide better access to and from Skipton railway station and employment sites in the town.

There will also be new ‘welcome’ and information boards about key points of interest and visitor facilities in and around the canal, and additional waymarking signage to help people find their way on to the waterway.

A new canoe portage point in Gargrave, in association with Desmond Family Canoe Trail, will help paddlers get on to the water and enjoy England’s first coast-to-coast canoe trail.

Coun Simon Myers, Craven District Council’s lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “I’m really pleased with the progress that has been made so far and I know residents are keen to see this important project completed.

“When the towpath improvements are finished, this will create a fantastic route through Craven for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“This improved towpath makes the countryside more accessible to all.”

The towpath’s vastly improved surface will be of benefit to pedestrians and cyclists. PHOTOS: CRT

Work in progress along the canal with the new limestone-based surface.

NEWS 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Characters of the cut

Alice Griffin meets climate change campaigner Hamish Evans.

Hamish’s environmentally friendly narrowboat Harry.

THE environment has been on the lips of pretty much everyone I have visited over the festive season… from feeling bad about using plastic to worrying about over-consumption and yet, so few people seem to actually be doing anything in earnest to turn the tide.

Not so with 22-year-old Hamish Evans, who at just 16 years old moved on to his 25ft narrowboat Harry with a commitment to turning it into a ‘zero carbon home’.

Moored permanently in Bathampton, Hamish’s electricity comes from solar panels and he’s even switched to a compost toilet, with the rich matter being used to nourish fruit trees. “Heat comes from the wood-burning stove, which is a challenge to make carbon neutral, but I have planted thousands of trees in the last three years so I hope that over time the carbon is offset and the wood biomass renewed.”

Cooking is also a difficult one, but Hamish tells me how he uses a rocket stove and Kelly Kettle and heats water on the fire. “I am still reliant on 13kg Calor gas bottles, but my hope is that biogas bottles will be on the market in coming years.”

(Biogas is the process of extracting methane from our food waste and animal manure before bottling it for use).

While not everyone would choose this kind of simplicity, choosing what we eat, how we get about and how much electricity we consume, are all within our control.

Hamish’s choices certainly run through every area of his life. When not studying at Bath University he works at local bakery, The Oven (run by boaters!), helps on an organic farm and is also heavily involved with a local land co-operative, the Dry Arch Growers. “The land co-operative is just 100m from my mooring. I had known about it for a while and went along to volunteer before deciding to become a member. It’s a real luxury to have the six-acre orchard and community allotment on my doorstep.”

Psychological challenge

In the summer of 2019 Hamish challenged himself to Two Months Eating from the Land and this year he’s going for three. “To be honest it’s not a big deal, it’s perfectly possible to get all our calories in a balanced diet from the land, it's more the psychological challenge rather than physically meeting needs,” Hamish tells me.

“It’s the staying up late to boil veg for lunchtime

Eating from the land. the next day, shelling hazelnuts for hours, waking up before dawn to harvest berries for breakfast... but actually this felt like a more wholesome way to be. I have never felt so healthy, close to nature and energetic.”

As a vegan myself I was intrigued to see if Hamish felt the need to supplement his diet and was heartened when he mirrored my own belief, that “we have such a protein focus in our culture, but the majority of Europeans eat more protein than our bodies can healthily digest.”

On his local, vegan summer diet Hamish worked full time, cycled everywhere, played sport and the only exceptions he made were some bread from the bakery where he works and some good local oil and sea salt to jazz up the endless potatoes, but as he acknowledges himself: “I envisage the eat from the land project becoming easier and more varied every year, as I become more skilled at growing, foraging and cooking.”

Hamish’s passion for the environment led to him getting involved with Extinction Rebellion (XR) a year ago. “Since then I have helped establish the Bath group and more recently, Bath XR Youth as I see this as our best hope of avoiding a climate and ecological crisis on a global scale.”

Hamish tells me that a range of meetings, events, actions and socials happen every week to suit varying levels of involvement and there is even a national XR Boaters group!

Boat living is not necessarily ecologically sound given the opportunities for generators, diesel and coal, but the choice to keep things basic and carve out a more environmentally friendly life on the cut is ours to make. “I am often reminded to cherish this simple life and the everyday beauty of the canal is what I love most: waking up on the water to a frosty-red sunrise with birdsong and the swans drifting by. It’s easy to idealise, but equally easy to take for granted.” Speaking with Hamish reminds me that not everyone is taking this earth for granted and that the future is in good hands; let’s just not forget that we all have hands.

Hamish is removed by pol ice during an Extinction Rebellion prot est.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Climate change campaigner Hamish Evans in Bath.

10 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Jo at the prize draw to raise money for a walking aid.

Jo with her mother Carol Offord, husband Stu and fundraising organiser Sarah Robinson (right). PHOTOS: LES HEATH

Moorers rally round to help stroke patient Jo

By Les Heath

BOATERS at Wigrams Turn Marina in Warwickshire have joined forces to raise money for a fellow liveaboard who suffered a major stroke 18 months ago.

Jo Wooldridge and her husband Stu had just established their boat moving business (WeMoveAnyNarrowboat.com) when the stroke brought an end to their venture 18 months ago.

Since then they have remained at Wigrams Turn

Marina where they have received tremendous support from other boaters.

Despite advice to the contrary the couple decided to stay on their own boat, Norma Jeane, named after Marilyn Monroe.

“We were told that living on the boat was no longer an option,” said Stu. “But I had other ideas.

We wanted to stay on the boat and I regarded it as a challenge.”

Since then Stu has adapted the boat to accommodate Jo’s needs and has even built a ramp

The narrowboat Norma Jeane which Stu adapted to enable his wife Jo to live aboard. with a chair and electric winch to enable her to get off the boat and into a wheelchair. Jo can even use it herself with a remote control to operate the winch.

The boaters organised a raffle which raised £743 for an outdoor walking aid specially designed for stroke patients. It was organised by fellow boater Sarah Robinson and drawn at a festive afternoon organised by the marina.

Jo helping herself off the boat using the ramp and winch.

The National Waterways Museum collection includes more than 60 boats. Pictured is Mossdale, the last surviving example of a wooden Mersey flat. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Arts Council grant to Ellesmere Port museum THE National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port was among 28 successful collections to be awarded Designation Development funding supported by the National Lottery.

It will receive £33,451 for its project, which will draw on the specialist knowledge of a diverse selection of Canal and River Trust staff, inland waterways experts, enthusiasts and academics to develop the NWM’s knowledge and understanding of its object collection.

CRT’s head of collections and archives, Graham Boxer, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the Arts Council grant to unlock the hidden stories in the museum collection and share how these have impacted and influenced work today in looking after our waterways.

“The museum collection contains over 10,000

artefacts including more than 60 boats that tell the story of people that lived and worked on our inland waterways. Among these artefacts are fascinating stories that resonate with many roles of staff and volunteers today.”

He added: “Throughout the project, we will draw on the years of experience and specialist knowledge within the trust and among our stakeholders to engage both internal and external audiences to rediscover the past, through our collection.

“We think this will provide a fascinating insight for visitors to understand the important work of the Canal & River Trust today.”

Other recipients included the Black Country Living Museums Trust and the London Transport Museum.

NEWS 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Hidden depths uncovered at Worsley Delph

Worsley Delph has been transformed, with new features that reveal its unique heritage.

Pictured are replicas of a crane (the orange structure) and the ‘starvationer’ boats which used to operate in Worsley Delph (the boats were very thin to fit inside the mine and you could see the wooden ribs – hence the ‘starved’ nickname).

A £5.5 MILLION facelift for Salford’s Bridgewater Canal has been completed, uncovering hidden history at Worsley Delph.

The Delph, formerly a quarry, was the birthplace of the Bridgewater Canal, which was a catalyst for the Industrial Revolution.

Over time the site had become overgrown, but after a 14-month restoration project, the Delph has been transformed, with enhanced access for visitors and new features that reveal its unique heritage.

The work is the culmination of a £5.5 million physical regeneration of the Salford stretch of the Bridgewater Canal, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Salford City Council, Bridgewater Canal Company and other partners.

Coun David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said the work would help new generations of local residents and visitors to fully appreciate the Delph’s rich history and the canal’s role in the Industrial Revolution.

“A new multi-level viewing platform has been installed to improve access and offer panoramic views across to the island.

“New features now tell the story of the Delph’s past as both a gateway to an extensive network of underground coal mines and the starting point for Britain’s first ‘true’ canal in 1761.

“These include a sculptural representation of the primitive crane that towered over the island during the Delph’s early life as a quarry,” he said.

The construction work uncovered several historic finds. During de-silting, a partially submerged mining boat near the site’s western cliff face was lifted and moved just to the south of the Delph island to be more visible from the viewing platform.

Another 1940s mine maintenance boat was discovered buried in silt in the south-western basin. Due to its fragile condition archaeologists have advised it should remain buried to preserve it.

Construction work to create a new viewing platform revealed two previously unrecorded

tunnels beneath School Brow and also a metal winch. The winch was probably used to move goods between boats and Worsley Road, while the tunnel, which had a stone quay at its mouth, may have been used for coal deliveries to the village corn mill.

The tunnels were recorded by archaeologists from the University of Salford and preserved, although they are hidden from view behind the new platform. The winch has been restored and reinstalled within the Delph.

One of the sluice gates between the Delph and an entrance to the underground mines has been restored and the site itself is now lit up from dusk.

There are also new artworks, including a replica mine cart full of coal and a copy of the original Act of Parliament from 1759 that set the canal system in motion.

In Nailmaker’s Basin, on the other side of Worsley Road Bridge, new seating and interpretive paving has been installed and Alphabet Bridge, the smallest bridge across the Bridgewater Canal, has been restored. The bridge gets its name from its 26 planks used by generations of school children to help learn their alphabet as they cross it to reach nearby St Mark’s school.

These improvements are part of the final phase of the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Salford City Council supported improvement works along the Bridgewater Canal in Salford.

These include: Conservation and lighting of James Brindley’s original 1761 stone aqueduct at Barton; Conservation works to Worsley Green Monument and James Nasmyth’s Steam Hammer at Patricroft; Distinctive new sculptures along the canal including the Monton horse, the Barton navvie and the Worsley ducks,widening and resurfacing towpaths from Worsley to Boothstown and at Barton and new signs and seating; Improvement works to Barton Aqueduct Pocket Park and Duke’s Drive country park next to the canal in Monton.

Sculptures of a local newspaper with news about the canal and a miner’s candle, to help visitors appreciate the history of Worsley Delph. PHOTOS: SALFORD CITY COUNCIL

12 IWA ROUND-UP

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Starting year off on right foot

AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON

New bridge opened A LONG-PLANNED new road bridge across the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal and the adjacent river has been formally opened.

A previous structure is now the property of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust following intervention by IWA West Country Branch.

The trust will use the structure as a farm accommodation bridge across the restored canal, giving it a new lease of life, instead of it being removed and broken up as was previously planned.

Crossways Swing Bridge well before its removal. PHOTO SUPPLIED Members of the local IWA branch attended the opening ceremony which not only launched a new canal crossing, but also resulted in

a smart new quarter-mile length of towpath between Crossways Swing Bridge and Mead’s Swing Bridge in the Bridgwater suburbs.

Obelisks uncovered A SERIES of Seventies obelisks were uncovered during work to clear sections of the Stockport Canal.

This happened when Waterway Recovery Group’s regional group WRG North West helped the Manchester & Stockport Canal Society to clear a heavily overgrown section of the Stockport Branch, near the junction with the Ashton Canal at Clayton.

The efforts uncovered a longneglected garden, complete with ornamental obelisks, which was established in the 1970s following the infilling of the canal.

The team from WRG North West and the Manchester & Stockport Canal Society who cleared a heavily overgrown area of the Stockport Branch. PHOTOS: ROGER BRAVEY

The obelisk garden before (top) and after being restored.

EAST

NORTH

will carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. Contact: Mel Sowerby on 01522 856810 or workparty@sleafordnavigation. co.uk

the Uttoxeter Canal at Crumpwood.

10am to 3pm. Contact: Steve Wood steve.wood@waterways.org.uk or 07976 805858.

EVERY Friday IWA Lichfield Branch and Canal & River Trust: Work party on the

Coventry Canal between Fradley and Fazeley to help clear offside vegetation. Prior training on use of a wood chipper and/or a pole saw may be needed. 9.15am- 3.30pm. Contact: Neil Barnett neil.barnett@waterways. org.uk or phone 07808 846434.

SUNDAY February 2 and Tuesday 18 IWA Northampton Branch: Work

parties on the Northampton Arm. 10am-2pm. Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact: Geoff Wood geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk

WALKERS around the country took advantage of fine weather at New Year to get out and about along the canals.

Twenty six walkers gathered for a New Year’s Day stroll along the Trent & Mersey Canal.

The event, organised by IWA Lichfield Branch, was a four-and-a-half-mile

Twenty six people tackled more than four miles of the Trent & Mersey towpath.

Special treatment for Cotswold canals

Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangements are indicated.

MIDLANDS

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

High-spirited walkers enjoyed the Montgomery Canal.

IWA BRANCH DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 2020

SUNDAY February 9 IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Volunteers

Trains were an added attraction for those who took a stroll by the Bridgwater and Taunton.

ramble between Alrewas and Fradley, through fields, over a brook, along the canal and past a new marina being built just below Common Lock.

And the sun shone on a New Year walk along the Montgomery Canal from Canal Central organised by IWA Shrewsbury & North Wales Branch.

The group stopped at Maesbury Marsh to look at Sycamore House and the Navigation Inn, then followed a route past the nature reserves and Aston Locks.

IWA West Country Branch attracted some 30 members, volunteers and friends to its New Year’s Day trip along the towpath of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal with the railway alongside.

The group walked four miles from Creech St. Michael to Cogload and back.

Participants could see the Somerset Levels in flood and for railway enthusiasts there were plenty of Great Western and Cross Country trains in action on the day.

THURSDAY February 13 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Work party on

SATURDAY February 15 IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch:

Work party alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. 10am to 4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact: Jason Watts jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk SATURDAY February 15 IWA Manchester Branch: Work party

in Greater Manchester. 10am to 4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal.

Contact: barry_m@manchester-iwa. co.uk or 0787 5999 825.

THURSDAY February 20 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the

Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey

TWENTYTHREE volunteers from IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group spent seven days over Christmas helping to restore the picturesque Cotswold canals. The group cleared trees and other vegetation from the canal bank and removed debris from the water. The canal restoration at Brimscombe Port is part of a wider £35 million regeneration of the Cotswold canals. Once completed, this final part of the restoration will connect the Cotswold canals to the main UK network.

Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact: John Lawson John.lawson@waterways. org.uk or 07940 878923.

SOUTH TUESDAY February 11 and 18 IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Work parties

on the Oxford Canal near Banbury. 9am to 1pm. Contact Colin Garnham-Edge: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com

WEST EVERY Saturday IWA West Country Branch (Taunton):

Work parties in the Taunton area.

10am-1.30pm. Please let us know if you intend to join us, by 6pm the day before. Contact: Steve Bulgin on 07855 794256, stevebulgin@ icloud.com

EVERY Tuesday and Saturday IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater): Work parties in the

Bridgwater area. 10am-1.30pm.

Please let us know if you intend to join us, by 6pm the day before.

Contact: Mike Slade on 07977 26384, mdslade8@gmail.com

For further information on any of these events, please contact Gemma Bolton on 01494 783453 or email gemma.bolton@waterways.org.uk Details can also be found on IWA’s website at www.waterways.org.uk

Groups of volunteers cleared trees from the canal bank and debris from the water. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Future of docks still uncertain

THE future of Bridgwater Docks appears uncertain.

IWA West Country Branch has been lobbying both Canal & River Trust and Somerset County Council to address the future of Bridgwater Docks for a number of years.

Failed infrastructure means that craft have been unable to use the Barge Lock to gain access to and from the River Parrett since 2002-3.

CRT, which leases the docks from the council, has announced it will not be renewing the lease in July. When the lease runs out all the interests in the docks will revert to the council.

The trust has said it will be working with the council to identify how the docks can be managed in the future.

CRT has also pledged to carry out a number of repairs to put the docks back in the position they were in 1999, when it entered into the lease. This includes replacing the lock gates that are subject to the lease.

IWA West Country Branch, which contributes hundreds of volunteer hours each year to look after Bridgwater Docks, will continue to support discussions to ensure the docks are properly maintained for the benefit of all waterway users.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

13

14 EVENTS ROUND-UP

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Milton Keynes boaters banished the darkness and brought out the light

Illuminated boats make their way along the Grand Union Canal. PHOTO: KAREN PHILIPS FOURTEEN boats left Lionhearts Cruising Club festooned with hundreds of lights to cruise along the Grand Union Canal to welcome new neighbours Campbell Wharf Marina to the Milton Keynes area for a pre-Christmas get-together.

Members from Lionhearts Cruising Club were also joined by boaters from Taverners Boat Club, the Milton Keynes Inland Waterways Association and one other who travelled all the way down from Stoke Bruerne to participate.

The bridges along the canal were packed with spectators cheering the parade on their way. Some boats were playing festive music which made for

a truly magical event and even Santa was having a go at steering – a bit of a change from his sleigh!

Boats started to arrive at Campbell Park around 6.30pm to be greeted by a wonderful welcoming group of spectators waiting on the new threepronged bridge which spans the canal before turning into the marina, which was ablaze with even more illuminated boats.

The organiser Pat Durham of Lionhearts Cruising Club said: “Many thanks to all who took part and came to view the parade and to Campbell Wharf Marina who hosted the boats overnight and supplied mulled wine and mince pies to the participants.

“The Lionhearts Commodore Barry Ashmore also provided everyone with a vegetable curry and more mulled wine which was most welcome as it was quite cold and very windy. Also a special mention to Lisa Warner who made a brilliant video of the boats entering Campbell Wharf Marina where many of the moored boats were lit up. The glow in the sky could have been seen by the space station if it passed by!”

The video can be viewed on both Lisa’s and Lionhearts Cruising Clubs Facebook pages. For more information about becoming a member of Lionhearts Cruising Club, visit www. lionheartscruisingclub.co.uk

‘Warriors’ wage war on rubbish

THIRTYEIGHT eco-warriors from Bridgwater came together and cleared piles of rubbish from the town’s canal and towpath.

Rage Against Rubbish organised the event with the help of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Somerset Volunteers, and removed litter along the canal from the YMCA in Bridgwater to Brownes Pond on Taunton Road.

Sarah Johnstone, who lives in Bridgwater and is part of the community group Rage Against Rubbish, said: “What a fantastic turn out for our last litter pick of the year!

“We had 11 new volunteers join us, which was brilliant. Lots of people got into the festive spirit and dressed up in their Christmas jumpers and Santa hats.

“We collected 14 black bags of rubbish including lots of glass bottles and cans as well as traffic cones and the standard crisp packets and sweet wrappers.

“We also managed to fill a black bin bag full of dog poo bags!

“We were astonished with the amount of dog waste on the towpath and it seems some dog walkers will bag the poo up and then just leave the bag on the towpath.

We would really like to encourage all dog walkers to place their poo bags in the bins provided along the canal.

“Some of our volunteers also stepped in the poo that had just been left on the path, so please bag and dispose of it correctly.

“We know it’s not all dog walkers that leave their poo bags, but we would love to see less dog mess on the towpath in 2020. So maybe a new year’s resolution for some dog owners out there.”

Rage Against Rubbish was formed by Sarah, Dan Perry, his 10-year-old son Riley, Jason Winter and Trev Vass, all kayakers, who regularly paddle along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal. They

The Inland Waterway Association (IWA) Somerset volunteers collecting all the rubbish from the litter pick. PHOTOS SUPPLIED were fed up with seeing vast amounts of rubbish and discarded items in the waterway.

Sarah added: “We once again would like to thank the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Somerset Volunteers for aiding us with the litter pick and the Canal & River Trust for its ongoing support.

“Thanks also to the YMCA for lending us its kayaks and canoes free of charge and to the Purplespoon Cafe for its discount to our volunteers.”

Rage Against Rubbish’s next litter pick will take place on Saturday, January 25 from the YMCA George Williams Centre on Friarn Avenue in Bridgwater. It will start from 9.50am and run until 12.30pm.

The Rage Against Rubbish Crew and volunteers will paddle and walk towards the Bridgwater Docks following the canal, collecting rubbish from both the waterway and the towpath.

The community group has bin bags, litter pickers and bag hoops for volunteers to use free of charge. Kayaks and canoes can also be booked via the Rage Against Rubbish website.

For further details about Rage Against Rubbish, visit www.rageagainstrubbish. co.uk, email rageagainstrubbish@ gmail.com or see www.facebook.com/ rageagainstrubbish/

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

15

16 PETS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Pets on the cut

Keep on running

Alison Wilkerson finds that a dog and guinea pig make great mates.

WE OFTEN cruise past moored boats and very occasionally see the same boats moored at different locations both northbound and southbound on the Grand Union Canal.

One such boat was a mid-1970s 56ft, Harbour Marine built narrowboat, powered by a Lister SR 3 engine and owned

by Hannah and Louie, who live aboard and have done so since purchasing from a private seller using Apollo Duck in 2015.

We had seen their boat many times but never actually met the owners, as they were never at home. This time they were, and were very welcoming, telling me they lived on their boat, which was their first boat and first home together.

They not only have a log burner but also central heating which they share with two grateful (in winter and on cold nights anyway) amazing pets, namely an extremely energetic fouryear-old dog called Ziggy and a five-year-old guinea pig called Marmite (I love both guinea pigs and Marmite).

I was advised that Ziggy was purchased from a breeder and

Ziggy with his house mate Marmite.

PHOTOS: ALISON WILKERSON

all the puppies were greyhounds crossed with bulldogs. His name was obtained by simply going through the alphabet, although most people think of the late David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust or the late Bob Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley when enquiring about his name.

As you would expect, Ziggy is an awesome sprinter and loves to run, especially with other dogs, but does appear to get pleasure from outrunning them – because he can, of course, and you can’t blame him.

He does tend to wander, but

Ziggy loves to outrun other dogs.

luckily around the vicinity of the boat and fellow boaters to ensure his safety. Apparently he has selective hearing especially where Louie is concerned.

He hates water though, canal water anyway, preferring to watch it from a safe distance, while sitting on the stern not only when cruising but also when moored. It’s possibly due to falling in when stepping off, as a puppy, which seems to be a common trait according to many dog owners I have met over the years.

Food-wise, Ziggy loves everything but actually eats dried food as opposed to wet. He does, however, get the odd treat and is very well behaved; even letting his lovely owners sleep in, which is a welcome consideration, especially in the winter months, with those very dark mornings.

All Ziggy wants to do is make friends with everyone, human and animal, including his little house mate, Marmite, who runs free on the boat – and believe it or not, he gets on fine with her and puts up with her running in the boat, although she’s not as fast as him!

A lined waterproof jacket with reflective piping.

A winter tail Barge Beagle – sniffing out good finds for crews with canines. This month: winter wear.

IN THE cold of winter our dogs can suffer just much as us humans. Whether on or off the water, keeping warm and being protected against bitter winds, snow and ice is paramount and easy to achieve.

Most is common sense and no different to what we would do for ourselves but here are a few ideas and guidelines to help.

There are numerous dog jackets available both from high street retailers and online stores. Taking your dog along to a store is the best way to ensure a good fit.

Look out for wind and waterproof materials and easy fastenings – the last thing one wants to do in freezing weather is to fiddle about with tricky catches, buttons and belts.

Velcro fastenings are quick and efficient and, should your dog get tangled while off lead exploring, make it easy for them to get out of if caught in undergrowth or hedgerows.

With long dark winter evenings in full swing the creative among us may wish to make their dog a unique jacket.

Barge Beagle was lucky enough to have a hand-knitted pullover created for him last winter. The creator used oddments of wool to make the bespoke colour

scheme. Search the internet for ideas – or to make a fabric jacket simply use your dog’s existing jacket as a pattern.

Paws for thought

Keeping the fur between your dog’s pads short and neat will help to prevent ice balls forming which can be extremely uncomfortable. There are lotions available to treat your dog’s pads, keeping them moisturised to avoid drying out.

A less expensive way is good old-fashioned Vaseline – apply to pads just before leaving on a walk to avoid your dog licking it off.

Arriving back to your boat,

Beware of slippery surfaces.

Ensure your dog is safe and warm when on the move.

Paws need protecting in cold and snowy weather.

PHOTOS: ALISON ALDERTON

ensure your dog’s feet are cleaned in warm water to remove any impurities or salt from the roads, a good towelling off and a nice warm fire will soon see your dog in the land of nod. A hot water bottle in a comfy cover may be beneficial although care must be taken, do not use boiling water and make sure your dog is not going to chew on it.

In low light and darkness consider a high-visibility, fluorescent jacket, or one with reflective panels or binding.

There are many different light accessories now available, battery-powered collars (some can even be recharged via a USB connection) and tags which flash in an array of multicolours. Alternatively, a simple reflective armband wound around your dog’s collar or tied to his lead can prove a more cost-effective choice.

Finally please be cautious at this time of the year on all waterways. If under way ensure your dog is wearing a lifejacket and/or keep them inside when possible. Walking along any water frontage should be undertaken with care particularly during periods of extreme cold. Slippery surfaces combined with icy water can result in accidents; being vigilant is paramount.

Hopefully by following some of these simple guidelines we can help keep winter tails wagging well into spring!

Why not make your dog a unique hand-knitted jacket.