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Issue 163 May 2019

WIN FUEL GUARD PRODUCTS WORTH P70 £595

TOP TEAMS GET THEIR AWARDS P4 AROUND THE REGIONS: RICHARD THOMAS P17 WORKING BOAT’S UNUSUAL CARGO P15

Braunston blossoms

Tree blossom has been exceptional in some places this spring including Braunston Marina, where the trees’ displays have probably been the best they have ever been since they were planted in 1997 to commemorate the last British soldier killed in Northern Ireland before the Good Friday Agreement – Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick from Northamptonshire. Braunston Historic Rally preview on page 24. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Fears over London mooring price hikes

By Sarah Spencer

BOAT REVIEW: PARTING SHOT

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LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY MARINA?

Find your ideal location using the map in our monthly feature

Turn to

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BOATS FOR SALE Turn to

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PRICE hikes on permanent London moorings could add to overcrowding problems on the capital’s waterways, according to the Inland Waterways Association (IWA). The warning comes after Waterside Moorings, a division of

Policy challenge

the Canal & River Trust (CRT), wrote to customers in central London advising them of the outcome of the price review to bring prices in-line with the market rate for these sites (as reported in the April issue of Towpath Talk).

Apart from 16% of London customers who will see prices increase between

THE Wide Boat Action Group is celebrating success in its campaign to achieve major changes to the policy and complaints procedure operated by the Canal & River Trust. Following a meeting with Ombudsman Committee chairman Kevin Fitzgerald, WBAG has been informed CRT procedures will now allow policy decisions to be challenged through legal proceedings when appropriate. It has also been agreed that a boating representative will be on the Ombudsman Committee which, according to WBAG, is a significant change.

inflation and 1% above inflation and 8% whose prices will remain the same, the remainder will see prices rise more significantly. Annual increases will be capped to a maximum of 10% for a transition period of up to five years.

The IWA stressed a need for “affordable moorings” in the capital

Coast-to-coast paddle

A WOMAN from Embsay near Skipton is preparing to paddleboard 162 miles from coast to coast to raise money for charity and highlight the problems of littering, writes Geoff Wood. Jo Moseley’s route will take her along the entire length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the Aire & Calder Navigation. She plans to start her voyage in Liverpool on July 27 and finish nine days later.

Jo, 54, will spend two minutes every day collecting rubbish, which she hopes will encourage others to do the same.

in its recent Vision for London report, however it now believes that with the news of price increases on almost 300 permanent moorings in central London, these seem “increasingly unattainable”.

New bridge

• Continued on page 3

A NEW ‘green’ bridge for walkers and cyclists is to be built over the River Thames at Nine Elms to provide a link to Pimlico, writes Elizabeth Rogers.

As well as Londoners who currently live, work or enjoy leisure hours in the area, it will also serve those expected to occupy the planned 20,000 new homes. A design team has been appointed by Wandsworth Council. The crossing will be between Grosvenor Road, Pimlico, west of Claverton Street, and Kirtling Street, near Battersea Power Station in Nine Elms.

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SPRING has sprung and brought with it the chance for many of us to get out and about again; I have been on the road visiting places as far apart as Sharpness and Beverley.

For me the highlight has been meeting the teams of volunteers to present their Towpath Talk Top Team Awards. Their enthusiasm and the warmth of their welcome will stay with me a long time and it has been great to see the projects they have been working on. See pictures on page 4.

We will be launching the 2019 Top Team Awards in the coming weeks and will bring you more details next month about how you can nominate your favourite team.

It will not have escaped you that we are in the run-up to the Crick Boat Show but May is always a very busy month for events with its two bank holiday weekends – see our extended What’s On guide from page 19 onwards for details of just some of these.

We are proud to be working as a media partner with the Middlewich FAB Festival this year and you can read more about the event in June and enter a competition to win a family ticket to see Toploader on page 22.

Whenever I hear their hit Dancing in the Moonlight it still reminds me of the Jamie Oliver advert – and talking of food and drink, see Tim Coghlan’s feature about the revival of the Admiral Nelson Inn at Braunston on page 99.

At Sharpness I met another of the Canal & River Trust’s new regional directors, Richard Thomas, see page 17 and at Stenson saw plants being loaded for transport by canal to Icknield Loop, see page 15.

A busy month!

Beverley barge celebrates big 70

By Janet Richardson

CELEBRATIONS were held at Beverley over the weekend of April 13-14 to mark the 70th birthday of locally built barge Syntan.

The 64-ton ‘Sheffield’ size vessel was one of the 17-strong fleet operated by Hodgson’s Tannery.

Other historic boats moored along the Beverley Beck included the Humber Keel & Sloop Preservation Society’s historic ships Comrade and Amy Howson which overwinter at Beverley and spend the summer at Hull Marina; also Vulcan, Pax and Sun. The event was organised by Beverley Barge Preservation Society, whose chairman Iain Campbell welcomed me on board Syntan.

He told me she was discovered at Doncaster Power Station in 2001, having been laid up for 20 years and extensively vandalised.

When Hodgson’s sold their barge fleet in 1972, Syntan was bought by Waddington’s of Swinton to carry steel.

“We had no idea what we were going to do with her but one of our founders felt there should be a barge in Beverley because Hodgson’s had a fleet here,” Iain said. The barges were used to carry products as well as coal for the tannery and the gas works.

Restoration was effectively completed in 2006 with the help of Single Regeneration Budget Round 6 funding but work is always ongoing. The last of four commercial ships that were built at J R Hepworth & Co at Paull, she still

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Janet

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has her original Gardner engine, which was rebuilt before the engine maker finished trading.

The old hold, which carried about 110 tons fully laden, and original forecabin are now used as a museum, heritage centre and community space for meetings, school visits and functions. A chairlift is available for less able visitors.

Although Beverley is her home mooring, thanks to an agreement with the local council, Syntan still goes downriver to Hull for festivals and other events but is too big for the Driffield Navigation system.

Beverley was a shipbuilding town despite being so far inland but ships could only go downstream when they were built.

Also open to visitors was Sun, a former mud hopper bought from British Waterways for the princely sum of £5 in 2007. She was repaired at the Beverley shipyard and was eventually

The oldest boat on show, Vulcan – an iron barge built in 1865 by Swans of Glasgow.

Boats moored along the Beverley Beck for the birthday weekend.

Syntan’s 70th birthday cake.

Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – tshaw@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Stuart Yule – syule@mortons.co.uk Chris Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk Aiste Davydove – adavydove@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Charlotte Fairman 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-6pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm 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 – May 23, 2019

Visitors in Syntan’s former hold – now a visitor centre and community space.

Passengers get a good view through Sun’s windows.

Assistant editor Sarah Spencer sspencer@mortons.co.uk Group advertising manager Sue Keily

Ready to welcome visitors on board Syntan are John Rouse and Beverley Barge Preservation Society chairman Iain Campbell (right). PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON

commissioned in 2013 following a lot of work by volunteers.

Sun has been fitted with windows and can carry up to 12 people on public and charter trips, mainly on the upper River Hull towards Driffield. Seats have been sourced from a local business company and tables from British Rail. Wheelchair access is also available.

The 2019 public trip programme starts on Wednesday, May 8 at 9am to Struncheon Hill. Other dates are: Saturday, June 8, 9am Struncheon Hill; Saturday, July 6, 9am Struncheon Hill; Monday, July 22, 10am Aike Beck; Monday August 5, 9.30am Aike Beck; Tuesday, September 3, 9am Aike Beck and Thursday, September 19, 9.30am Aike Beck.

Trips to Struncheon Hill last about seven-and-a-half hours and cost £30 per person; Arram Beck six hours, £20.

Giving trips over the weekend was the latest addition to the BBPS fleet, Mermaid, an ex-Trinity House vessel

Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk

Publisher Tim Hartley

See page 14 or call 01507 529529

Former lifeboat tender Mermaid returns from a trip. which was donated by survey company Gardline. Built by Hyundai in South Korea, she is used as a tripboat and for training purposes.

The World Barge Pulling Championships will take place on the Beverley Beck during the last weekend in September, when teams of four compete against the clock to pull Syntan backwards over a 200-metre course.

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www.towpathtalk.co.uk • Continued from page 1 The IWA is concerned that the price rises could see “even more” boaters who live aboard forced to leave their current moorings and turn to continuous cruising.

“By declaring that they do not have a home mooring and taking to temporary moorings, these boats will add to already overcrowded sections of waterways in London and will join the towpath shuffle between short stay moorings, having to move at least every 14 days,” said a statement from the IWA. “They will also put an additional strain on the limited facilities on London’s waterways, which IWA already believes to be insufficient for the number of boats in the area.”

IWA is calling for navigation authorities and local authorities to look at alternative types of affordable moorings, including community moorings which are owned and run by the boaters themselves.

IWA supports the idea of boaters making use of disused basins or offside mooring sites for this and has a list of possible sites ready for investigation.

Paul Strudwick, chair of IWA London region, said: “Home builders across the capital are having to meet requirements to provide some level of social housing in any new developments, but navigation authorities can charge on or above market rate for permanent moorings.

“IWA calls for affordable moorings to be provided in the capital. These do not need to have the all-singing, all-dancing facilities of the more expensive marina moorings, but should have access to basic facilities.

“We hear time and again from members who have been priced out of living in the capital, and while we understand that market forces will push up the prices, we ask that some affordable mooring sites are set aside.”

IWA said it would welcome a meeting with Waterside Moorings or Lloyds Development Capital, which now owns BWML, the next biggest provider of permanent moorings in London, to discuss the issue of affordable permanent moorings in central London.

Mark Evans, head of Waterside Moorings, said: “I understand and appreciate that making the necessary financial adjustments to afford the new mooring fee may be tough for some of our long-standing mooring customers.

We are therefore not going to impose the full increase straight away, but rather, phase the increase over the next five years.

“I believe that our London moorings remain good value for money, and we will continue our programme of improvements to ensure that we maintain their quality.”

New Grade I status for Claverton A MUCH-loved piece of 19th century industrial heritage on the Kennet & Avon Canal will now receive extra recognition and protection, with the announcement that its Grade II Listed status has been amended to Grade I. Claverton Pumping Station, near Bath, is owned by the Canal & River Trust and was built to pump water from nearby waterways into the Kennet & Avon during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

In spite of being more than 200 years old it’s still in working condition – thanks to the dedication of its own team of volunteers. And it’s their hard work that has helped Claverton to gain increased recognition.

Historic England’s Grade I Listed designation means that the building is of exceptional interest. Only 2.5% of the UK’s 500,000 listed buildings are Grade I listed. So the humble pumping station now enjoys the same status as such iconic buildings as Brighton Pavilion, Chatsworth House and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Audrey O’Connor, senior heritage adviser for the Canal & River Trust, explained: “Claverton is a special place for many reasons. When built it was in the vanguard of engineering, keeping the K&A topped up with water needed to transport freight between London and Bristol.

Better mooring planned WORK to improve towpath mooring in the London and south east region has started following recommendations in the London Mooring Strategy. CRT contractors are installing rings on the Limehouse Cut and at the junction of the Hertford Union Canal and Lee Navigation, to create a new visitor mooring and pre-bookable mooring providing access to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. On the Grand Union Canal, mooring rings are being installed at Yiewsley and West Drayton.

Claverton Pumping Station is the only working example of a waterwheel-driven pumping station on the national canal network.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

“Since 1967 it has captured the imagination and inspired the hard work of volunteers who have cared for the building. The current team continue that long tradition and are responsible for this elevation of status that will safeguard Claverton for future generations.”

She expressed special thanks to Peter Dunn and Neil Hardwick. “Their commitment and energy, and that of all the volunteers, has made this happen.”

Claverton Pumping Station (Ferry Lane, BA2 7BH) welcomes visitors at certain times of the year. The pump will be open and running every Saturday to September 28 and on

CRT to spend £8m on dredging THE Canal & River Trust is spending £8 million on dredging in the financial year 2019-20 to help keep the waterways navigable for boaters.

This comprehensive programme covers locations identified by boaters, as well as the places that need dredging every year.

Jon Horsfall, head of customer service support at Canal & River Trust, said: “If we get lots of reports of a problem spot, it will go on to our priority list. This year we’ll be tackling plenty of places that boaters have told us could do with a little extra attention.”

The trust will be carrying out dredging work on the following canals over the next year: Oxford Canal (various locations between Enslow and Wolvercote); Grand Union Canal (various locations between Bull’s Bridge and Boston Manor); Upper & Lower Peak Forest Canal (River Tame to Whaley Bridge); Macclesfield Canal (at various lengths); Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal (Sebastopol to Usk Road); Coventry Canal (Coventry Basin to Hawkesbury); Worcester

IN BRIEF

& Birmingham Canal (Diglis to Lea End Lane); Llangollen Canal (spot dredging); and Chesterfield Canal (River Trent to Babworth).

Annual maintenance dredging will take place on the River Weaver (including Hunts Lock), the Ribble Link, the River Severn and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, and throughout the Yorkshire and North East region. The trust will also be clearing the River Thames approach to West India Dock, the River Mersey approach to Canning Half Tide Dock, and lock approaches on the River Trent.

This year the trust will also be supporting feeder improvement works at priority locations across the network to maintain water feed – more important than ever given the dry weather over the past few years.

Alongside this, the charity will take on jobs that arise throughout the year and investigate sites for work in the future.

Boaters can get in touch with the trust by filling out a webform, calling 0303 040 4040, tweeting @ CRTcontactus or getting involved in a regional user forum.

Saturday, October 26.

Built in 1812 by John Rennie for £6279, the pumping station has been recognised for a number of reasons.

It is the only working example of a waterwheel-driven pumping station on the national canal network. Very few canals retain their original pumping stations in working order and Claverton uses innovative technology, invented

by James Watt.

Despite being adapted over the centuries it still has many of its original elements including the pumps.

The pumping station is, says Historic England, ‘of international significance'.

Canal trust launches legal ‘fighting fund’ LICHFIELD and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has launched a ‘fighting fund’ to help recover legal costs incurred in opposing a housing development that the group claims could put its work at risk.

The Deanslade Park development was approved by Lichfield District Council’s planning committee without inclusion of a canal bridge and canal channel works that LHCRT said was required by the council’s own Development Plan to safeguard the continuing restoration of the Lichfield Canal.

Trust chairman Christine Bull said LHCRT had spent “many hours, meetings, emails and £11,500 on a nationally expert planning law barrister” to fight its case. “So, we spent £11,500 in good faith, but to no avail,” she said.

“I’ve followed up with CrowdJustice, which as the name implies, crowdfunds litigation costs. Provided we get enough support we should be able to recoup that money, and put it back into everyday restoration funding.”

Donations can be made at https:// www.crowdjustice.com/case/ lichfield-canal-restoration-trust/

Transport historian

THE death has occurred of waterways author and historian P J G (John) Ransom, a member of the Inland Waterways Association for more than 60 years. His list of publications included Waterways Restored (Faber & Faber, 1974), Your Book of Canals (Faber & Faber, 1977), The Archaeology of Canals (World’s Work, 1979) and Scotland’s Inland Waterways: Canals, Rivers & Lochs (NMS Publishing, 1999).

Oxford dredging scheme THE national dredging programme was due to address the worst sections of the south Oxford Canal during April. Works started at Enslow and will cover a number of lock approaches and flood infrastructure, passing through a long stretch between Duke’s Lock and Wolvercote Lock, finishing in the Hythe Bridge section where the canal ends with a visitor mooring in Oxford’s city centre. CRT was aiming to complete the work before the end of July to attract more boaters to Oxford.

Canalside homes

PLANS have been drawn up for 88 new homes beside the Macclesfield Canal, writes Geoff Wood. Developer Bellway Homes has submitted plans for a 2.5 hectare site off Gunco Lane. The developers aim to build 48 three-bedroom homes, 30 fourbedroom homes and 10 homes for social housing.

Women on top

THE Canal & River Trust has published its latest Gender Pay Gap Statement.

Available to view on the trust’s website, it shows that on average women are paid 2.6% more than men at the trust at the ‘snapshot date’ of April 6, 2018 (pay) and in the 12 months reference period until then (bonus).

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Presentation time for Towpath Talk’s Top Team winners

TOWPATH Talk went on tour during March to visit the winners of its 2018 Top Team awards.

As announced earlier in the year, the clear winners following the judges’ final and readers’ vote were the Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteering Team. In joint runner-up slot were the Cotswold Canals Trust and Welshpool Canal Adopters Group and in joint third the Daniel Adamson Steam Ship volunteers and the IWA Northampton branch.

Our thanks go to the readers who rose to the challenge of finding a group of unsung heroes who have gone that extra mile for their local stretch of towpath, canal or river, waterways association or community boat – and gave our judging panel a difficult job of shortlisting the finalists.

Thanks also to our judges Haley Hadley, sales and marketing director of award sponsor ABC Leisure Group, John Dodwell and the Arnold family.

The Top Team nominations have proved beyond doubt that there are lots of dedicated teams of committed volunteers out there – who all deserve recognition for the hard work they are doing for the benefit of the inland waterways.

In next month’s Towpath Talk we will be announcing details of how you can nominate your Top Team in our 2019 awards.

The jubilant volunteers from the Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteering Team with Haley Hadley of award sponsors ABC Leisure, centre with volunteer recruitment director Nick Farr and volunteer director Paul Cronin. Also present were ANT Chairman Jack Hegarty and directors Penny Glover and Vaughan Welch. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED Towpath Talk editor Janet Richardson unveils the Top Team logo now proudly displayed on the team’s work boat Jubilant.

The winning team: Receiving the award on behalf of ANT’s Mobile Volunteering Team are, left volunteer recruitment director Nick Farr and right, volunteer director Paul Cronin with Haley Hadley, left, of award sponsors ABC Leisure and Towpath Talk editor Janet Richardson.

Towpath Talk editor Janet Richardson presents the award to group founder Pat Ward.

PHOTO: MICHAEL LIMBREY

JOINT RUNNER-UP: Welshpool Adoption Group NOW known as the Welshpool TRAMPS – Thursday Restoration And Maintenance Project Supporters – the volunteers started working with the Canal & River Trust in 2015 and have only missed one Thursday since due to bad weather.

They carry out a variety of work along the Montgomery Canal which they adopted between

Refail (Berriew) to Bank Lock but venture further when needed.

I caught up with them at Pool Quay where they were working on Crowther Hall Lock with their former CRT work boat Mantis which the group also adopted and has restored to full use after being found sinking at Maedy Bridge.

The award was received on behalf of the group by its founder Pat Ward. Now led by Chris Bushnell, it has around 20 members who contribute over 2000 volunteer hours a year.

WINNER: Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteering Team AVON Navigation Trust volunteers are feeling super buoyant after scooping the Towpath Talk Top Team award.

“Receiving this award is one of the most special moments I’ve enjoyed since I started working with the Trust (ANT) 23 years ago,” said volunteer chairman Paul Cronin.

“I am enormously proud of our Mobile Volunteer Team (MVT). We are thrilled to be recognised in this way,” added ANT’s volunteer recruitment director Nick Farr.

Evesham man Nick headed the drive to attract more volunteers for the Wyre Piddle-based Trust, which looks after the Avon and its boaters.

Numbers have swelled from a loyal handful in recent times to more than 100 this year, with the Avon-loving helpers looking after locks, moorings, support at events and river patrols.

Nick has no problem finding volunteers for the MVT, which is in its third season providing more hands-on support to free up the charity’s engineering squad to get on with the big jobs.

“All I have to do is explain that we’re a friendly bunch on a boat, who have a lot of fun (safely) doing non engineering maintenance... and

people are hooked,” said Nick, whose team’s latest ticked off job was replacing all 1000 boards at Pershore’s recreation ground moorings.

“The variety of skills they bring mean that we can tackle just about any job and we’re all learning new talents from each other.”

Editor Janet Richardson presented Paul with the framed winners’ certificate at a special event in front of the MVT work boat Jubilant, which now boasts a Top Team plaque.

“The MVT was a clear winner in both votes for our first team award and its work sums up why volunteers are so important to our waterways,” she said.

The happy squad also received a prize of a celebratory canal day out from awards’ sponsor ABC Leisure Group and a £100 cheque, which will be spent on equipment for the team.

“We are delighted to be involved with the awards and it’s great that ANT’s team won. A lot of our boaters enjoy the Avon, which they help to keep looking so lovely,” said Haley Hadley, sales and marketing director.

Now in its third season, ANT’s mobile volunteering team was formed as to provide a link between the regular volunteers who look after the locks and overnight moorings and the trust’s paid staff.

The Welshpool TRAMPS with volunteer leader Chris Bushnell, left of centre holding certificate and founder Pat Ward right.

Painting the gates at Crowther Hall Lock.

The group’s work boat Mantis.

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JOINT RUNNER-UP: Cotswold Canal Trust THE Cotswold Canals Trust had royal recognition for the work of its volunteers when the Prince of Wales visited last year to formally open the first phase of ambitious plans to reconnect the Stroudwater Navigation with the inland waterway network.

I visited the Wallbridge Visitor

IN BRIEF

Centre, one of three operated by CCT volunteers, to present the award at the side of Wallbridge Upper Lock.

They carry out a huge variety of work from hedging to dredging and members have contributed around 150,000 volunteer hours since 2013.

The next phase of the restoration will see it advancing towards Saul Junction and connection with the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

Residents to return

THE Environment Agency has announced that it is restoring the positions of resident lock and weir keepers at five locations along the River Thames, writes Elizabeth Rogers.

They are at Buscot, Goring, Chertsey, Sunbury and Teddington. The proposed withdrawal of these residencies together with the possible disposal of lock keepers’ houses received much condemnation and in 2008-2009 a campaign was launched to save them.

West Oxfordshire District Council was among the public bodies objecting to the proposals.

Canalside concert Volunteers working on the Brewery Wall project in Stroud.

JOINT THIRD PLACE: Daniel Adamson Steam Ship Volunteers

THE 109-year-old tug Daniel Adamson, known as ‘the Danny’, was on its winter mooring at Sutton Weaver Bridge when I visited the ship to present the award to some of its team of around 90 volunteers.

Chairman of the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society Dan Cross told me it was painting and cleaning week and they were busy getting ready for the new season with public

Hedge planting is just one of the tasks carried out by volunteers.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

trips starting on May 18.

“We are making a big effort to get everything looking at its best,” he said. “Bookings are going really well at the moment and we are 163% up like-for-like to last year.” As well as the usual cruises on the River Weaver, there will be gin cruises in cooperation with Liverpool Gin and a couple of real ale cruises with Saddlers Brewery.

The Danny has spent the winter on the Weaver, creating a lot of local interest and team have been going out to give talks in the area.

Towpath Talk editor Janet Richardson presents the award to Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers co-ordinator Jon Pontefract, Linda Webster and Bridget Mitchell. PHOTO: MIKE JOHNSON

BOATERS on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Uppermill in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, had a treat when 35 musicians from the Grenadier Guards gave a concert on their doorstep, writes Geoff Wood.

The Guardsmen, in full uniform with busbies, played a 40-minute medley opposite the canal on the King George V Playing Fields. They were watched by a large crowd of locals and visitors after marching smartly through the village.

Help for homeless IWA branch chairman Bernard Morton and Sunday morning volunteers receive the Towpath Talk award from editor Janet Richardson.

JOINT THIRD PLACE: IWA Northampton Branch THE IWA Northampton Branch runs two work parties each month and I caught up with members on a rainy Sunday morning at Lock 17.

The volunteers were getting ready for a lock open day the following weekend but were not deterred by the weather.

I was greeted by branch chairman Bernard Morton and members of the branch who have adopted the

4.75-mile Northampton Arm which links the Grand Union Canal with River Nene.

Their aim is to improve the canal corridor for everyone and this includes a nature trail challenge with each of the 17 locks along the arm being marked by a mosaic plaque created by local schoolchildren to depict the arm’s history and nature.

Work parties take place on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of the month.

THE Canal & River Trust has teamed up with charities and local authorities in London to provide assistance and guidance to the homeless. In 2017/18 there were more than 50 people sleeping on the towpaths of London. If you spot someone that is sleeping on a towpath, highlight this to both Street Link and the CRT.

Plastic pollution

A NEW study has found high levels of plastic pollution in stretches of two rivers in Greater Manchester, writes Geoff Wood. More pieces of micro plastics were found in the River Irwell and the River Tame than were identified in a stretch of the River Thames. In the wake of the findings, by university researchers, Friends of the Earth called for routine monitoring of all UK rivers.

Skipper sought

DAPS chairman Dan Cross (left of centre) and members of the team with the award in front of the Danny.

Volunteers working on Lock 17 where the Northampton Arm joins the River Nene.

A FERRY service along the River Dee at Chester is looking for a new captain, writes Geoff Wood. The Sandy Lane Ferry has been in operation for 50 years and is run as part of a community initiative by Cheshire West and Chester Council. A spokesman said the position would suit a local person with time on their hands and knowledge of the river.

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Major plans for Slough basin move a step closer THE major redevelopment of Slough Canal Basin has moved a step closer with the announcement of a new partnership involving waterside regeneration specialists.

Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), the partnership between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments, looks set to realise its longheld ambition of the redevelopment of Stoke Wharf – the terminus of the Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal.

For decades the canal has been hidden behind the Travis Perkins builder’s yard on Stoke Road, neglected until a recent clean-up by the Canal & River Trust.

However, following a period of land assembly, SUR has announced it has formalised plans to work in partnership

with specialist waterside developer Waterside Places – a joint venture between national urban regeneration specialist Muse Developments and the CRT. Together, they will deliver the complete regeneration of this area.

Works will involve the comprehensive redevelopment and refurbishment of the Stoke Wharf area, including the canal and towpath and part of Bowyer Field, which is owned by the council.

As part of SUR’s work to create new high-quality homes in the borough, more than 200 apartments and 40 houses are planned on the site. The homes will be surrounded by extensive public open space in the reinvigorated park and alongside the canal.

SUR also plans to deliver a shop,

cafe and community hub overlooking the canal.

Andy Howell, general manager of SUR, said: “Working with Waterside Places we hope to transform this location by providing a range of highquality new homes set within large areas of open space and public realm.

“Our proposals will create a community, enhance the public space and improve access to the waterway to encourage new activity in this area.”

Mike Auger, director at Waterside Places, said: “We’re delighted to be joining together with SUR and look forward to working closely with them to deliver transformational regeneration at Stoke Wharf.

“Our primary focus is to deliver a high-quality, urban waterfront scheme

Maidenhead project moves into new phase

The Library Footbridge constructed by Greenford as part of the first phase. PHOTO: GREENFORD

A CIVIL engineering firm has been appointed for the next phase of the 10-year Maidenhead restoration project aiming to restore the town centre and waterways.

Oxford-based Greenford has been appointed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) as principal contractor for the construction of the Green Lane weir, fish and eel pass and boat rollers, due to begin in Maidenhead this spring.

Greenford Ltd, with expertise spanning 25 years specialising within the water industry, worked on the initial phase in 2015.

The waterway project was initiated in 2006 by Maidenhead Waterways Group, a charity run by local people. Planning consent was granted in 2012 and the project adopted by RBWM in 2014.

The waterway is being built in stages in

An artist’s view of how Stoke Wharf might look.PHOTO SUPPLIED that will create a vibrant, diverse new community in Slough, while unlocking this area of the Grand Union Canal for more people to enjoy.”

SUR will be developing its proposals this year and these will include a public consultation as part of the planning process.

conjunction with adjoining town centre regeneration projects.

Richard Davenport, chair of the trustees for Maidenhead Waterways Group, said: “Completing the weir stage will help transform the outlook for large areas of the town centre, permanently filling and stabilising the York Stream and creating an amenity that can be actively or passively enjoyed by all.

“The inclusion of a fish and eel pass will allow fish passage and two old weirs can then be removed to improve aquatic connectivity to and through Maidenhead town centre.”

Robert Hutton, director at Greenford, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been appointed to take on the work and to form part of such an aspirational project.

“Much of what we do at Greenford involves working in the community to create and design solutions which blend seamlessly into the environment and this is no exception. We very much look

forward to starting on the next phase.”

Once constructed, the weir will lift surface water levels and increase water depths throughout the town centre channel, filling the already enlarged channels. The York Stream arm of the waterway is set for completion and to be fully operational by the end of this year.

The RBWM Area Action Plan covers a range of aspects including delivering attractive streets and places, new shops, homes and business and leisure opportunities.

Coun Derek Wilson, waterways champion at RBWM, said: “Funding the weir will ensure that more of our residents will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the waterways now and in the future.

“It was important to us that we made the waterways as accessible as possible and the weir will ensure that small boats of all kinds are able to travel uninhibited in and along our beautiful town centre waterways.”

ASK THE TRUST 7

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ASK THE TRUST Waterway users kept up to speed on trust priorities

By Janet Richardson

ADVICE for widebeam boaters has been included in the updated Boater’s Handbook, the Canal & River Trust’s boating engagement manager Matthew Symonds told the 2019 National Users’ Forum.

An overview map shows which waterways are suitable for wider craft and maximum craft dimensions will be included on the trust’s website.

His presentation to the meeting held at The Bond in Birmingham focused on the key boating priorities of improving service, managing compliance and changing users, which includes developing tourism and increasing the use of unpowered craft to attract the next generation of boaters.

Matthew reported that about 35 referrals a month are made to the trust’s welfare officer, mainly from the ‘hotspot areas’ around London and Bath.

“We are working closely with partners including waterway chaplains and independent organisations to identify additional support for vulnerable boaters,” he said.

However the meeting heard that the trust will have removed more than 100 boats, some of which are people’s homes.

It is currently considering options for managing boat numbers in areas of high demand such as London, which has more than 630 boats per kilometre.

The Boater Review 2018, which explains how the trust applies its finances to benefit boaters, was sent to all licence holders.

Chief operating officer Julie Sharman reported that the trust’s 2018-19 income forecast was slightly down, by £1.6 million, at £210 million – mainly due to the sale of marina subsidiary BWML – but costs were close to target.

There have been acquisitions of more than £80 million including Brentford, Bow Wharf, Hale Wharf and the Birmingham Roundhouse, where work has started.

A year after the tragic death of student Charlie Pope in the Rochdale Canal, the Manchester Water Safety Partnership had initiated an independent safety review by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and its recommendations are being taken forward.

At an inquest into the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct death in 2016, the coroner had raised concerns including gaps in the railings and the ‘nibs’ at the base of handrail uprights. The World Heritage Site partnership is looking at reducing the gaps.

The Pocklington Canal restoration project was now complete and work is ongoing on the Montgomery and Grantham canals, the latter having received acclamation from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the legacy of skills it is providing. More third party funding is available for

towpath projects in 2019-20.

New submissions for Green Flag status are being made in respect of the Peak Forest, Erewash, Sheffield & Tinsley canals and the Lee Navigation/ Grand Union Canal at Hanwell in London.

Julie stressed that the trust remains ‘open and interested’ in respect of a transfer of Environment Agency navigations but there was currently no appetite for further discussions due to Brexit and other factors.

Eyes and ears

Head of customer services support Jon Horsfall gave an overview of how the team supports the regions and said they were about to appoint a national leisure boating manager.

During a busy and successful year it had contributed more than £30 million to the trust’s income and there had been 500,000 boat sightings. Four thousand people had taken part in 200 Let’s Fish events and the education team had recruited more than 120 regular volunteers and connected with more than 65,000 primary schoolchildren.

National fisheries and angling manager John Ellis said he had been working on the canal network for 31 years and had found that the contribution made to the UK economy by boating and angling was closer than he thought.

“Both groups use the nation’s waterways for their health and well-being needs and play a role in volunteering,” he said.

“They both act as eyes and ears for the trust.” He added that both boating and fishing are specifically mentioned in the Transport Act 1968 and the trust continues to have a statutory duty to provide both.

A review of the winter works and a look forward to the year ahead was given by head of direct services Dean Davies.

There had been 205 planned stoppages, mainly in the North West, and there are 19 planned between April and October. Nine open days had attracted over 8500 visitors and recruited 165 ‘friends’.

Emergency repairs had been made to ‘the biggest gates I have

ever seen’ at Marsh Lock on Weaver Navigation following impact damage. Innovative solutions had included floating the heavy greenheart gates out.

In answer to a question, head of asset strategy and engineering services Richard Wakelen said they were looking to develop a new type of lock gate.

Looking ahead, Dean referred to water mitigation measures on the Oxford Canal and the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal and consultations were also taking place on next winter’s stoppage programme.

An update on HS2 was given by head of asset management Peter Walker, who said that the trust is maintaining a neutral stance to try and get the best deal for the waterways. Enabling work

has started on Phase 1 between London and the West Midlands (Fradley Junction) and Phase 2A to Crewe is going through the parliamentary process with Royal Assent expected later this year.

Phase 2B up to Manchester and Leeds is in an earlier stage of planning. Referring to places where it could impact on navigations and restorations, he urged people to respond to consultations and consider lodging petitions.

Elected boater representatives Andrew Tidy and Nigel Hamilton spoke about their role on the trust’s National Council and how they can influence the strategic planning process and Richard Wakelen gave an overview of asset management and inspection procedures.

8 NETWORKING

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Bridge earns design accolade

Project engineer Tony Ford (left) and volunteer co-ordinator Bill Nicholson with the prestigious award.

Cruise to mark 250-year milestone

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THE Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) is celebrating a major milestone in the city’s history with a special cruise.

November will see the 250th anniversary of the canal reaching Birmingham – an important event in establishing it as an industrial centre – and the group intends to commemorate this in style.

BCNS is organising a cruise into Birmingham on Saturday, November 2, starting from Windmill End at 8am with the intention of arriving in the centre at midday.

Boats can join in at intermediate points, or if they are coming from other directions, such as the Birmingham and Fazeley or Worcester and Birmingham canals, pass through the city centre then wait on the Wolverhampton side of St Vincent Street bridge for the main convoy.

After the midday celebration at Old Turn, boats can parade around to Cambrian Wharf or through Gas Street Basin winding by the Mailbox.

CRT will reserve moorings along the Oozells Street loop and on the main line, however it would help if boats breast up to allow everyone to moor together.

Evening entertainment has been organised in the Crescent Theatre (Brindley Place), where tickets are needed and the boat entry will include this, providing access to the studio theatre and bar. As numbers are limited to the capacity of the theatre, early entry is recommended.

On the Sunday the boats will disperse, cruising along the Icknield Port and Winson Green loops, the original line of the canal.

Entry is £17 – for more details of how to obtain an entry form, see http:// bcnsociety.com/ or email chairman@ bcnsociety.com

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THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust scooped a highly commended place in prestigious design awards for its Compasses Bridge project.

Project engineer Tony Ford was presented with the accolade in the Environment and Landscape category of the Waverley Design Awards, by Coun David Else at a ceremony in Farnham, Surrey.

The awards, which celebrate good design in planning, architecture, sustainable development and landscaping, are organised by Waverley Borough Council and sponsored by The Haslemere Society.

Judges said: “The Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s work at Compasses Bridge has opened the whole area up to the light and created a canalside haven.

“We have been impressed with the passion of the volunteers and that the

whole community has been involved, and hope this commitment is mirrored in future projects.”

Compasses Bridge has been the trust’s most ambitious project in Surrey and the first highway bridge rebuilt on the canal in the county.

Construction at the entrance to the Dunsfold Aerodrome site at Dunsfold/ Alfold began in June 2015 and the bridge was officially opened in October 2016

by Dame Penelope Keith. The project involved removing a concrete causeway created in the 1930s, along with constructing a new road and pedestrian bridge alongside.

The project cost £770,000, all funded

by Wey & Arun Canal Trust members.

Construction work was carried out by specialist contractors, the trust’s own volunteers and visiting working groups.

The bridge’s completion created a new

The highly commended Compasses Bridge. PHOTOS: WEY & ARUN CANAL TRUST one-and-a-quarter mile canal section for boats to travel along freely, joining the three miles of fully operational canal at Loxwood in West Sussex, where the trust has a visitor centre and thousands of people a year enjoy excursions on its boats.

The trust aims to restore the 23 miles of canal that runs from Shalford in Surrey to Pallingham in West Sussex, recreating the link from London to the sea at Littlehampton using the rivers Thames, Wey and Arun, and the canal.

Thanks for doing rubbish job!

Grant boost to lock restoration

A BIG thank you went out to volunteers who helped with a litter pick organised by the Well Creek Trust.

Twenty bags of rubbish were collected between the Aqueduct Bridge in Outwell and the British Legion village hall in Upwell.

Two groups carried out the work one in a boat and the other along the

WORK will start this summer on a major lock restoration after grant funding was secured.

Ebridge Lock, the best-known of the six along the North Walsham & Dilham Canal, will benefit from the project, estimated to cost up to £35,000.

This has been made possible thanks to a £26,000 EU LEADER grant to the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust, which is working with the canal owners to regenerate the 19th century waterway.

The funding will cover the cost of manufacturing the top gates and stop planks, which block off the lock enabling repairs to be carried out.

Volunteers will carry out the restoration with some professional help and the trust is appealing for donations to cover the cost of specialist contractors, materials such as bricks for the lock walls, and equipment hire.

“The Ebridge Lock area has become a magnet for locals and tourists to walk, fish, boat or just sit, since the Old Canal Company (OCC) restored the reach to Ebridge,” said trust chairman Ivan Cane.

“However, the waters are only held back by a wall of cement bags placed at the top of the lock some 60 years ago.

This grant will lead to the replacement of the bag wall with new gates – that will sustain the present level of water for people and nature, as well as being a visual reminder of the past.

“This will also be the first stage in the restoration of the second lock on the canal.”

BactonWoodLock,onemileupstream, has been restored over a 10-year period by the OCC, which owns that stretch of

banks of the creek – with a person in a car collecting the rubbish and taking it back to a central point.

Plastic bottles and beer cans were, as usual, the most common items.

Well Creek in west Norfolk is an important inland navigation link between the Nene and the Great Ouse rivers.

Volunteers hard at work with just a few of the bags that were filled with rubbish. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Volunteers dig in to plant 50 trees FIFTY woodland trees were planted at a recent project day of Uppermill Community Action Network (UCAN).

The sun shone as volunteers gathered with the main aim of planting the trees, which had been provided by Octopus Energy and donated to UCAN

by Martin Powell.

The trees are native to the UK and will help provide further diversity in the Viaduct Woodland.

Some volunteers concentrated on litter picking along the canal towpath and surrounding areas, while a third group also worked in the woodland and continued the task of building wood piles to support local wildlife.

There is still more to do and UCAN is always pleased to welcome new members.

For anyone interested in getting involved, upcoming project days will take place on: Saturday, April 27; Saturday, May 11; Thursday, May 23; Saturday, June 8.

All equipment is provided by CRT and you are recommended to wear stout footwear and suitable clothing for the weather conditions on the day.

The usual meeting point is 10am at the canal bridge on Moorgate Street, Uppermill, in Saddleworth. For more details contact UCAN’s group leader Peter Killan on 01457 878361, or e-mail at peterkillan@hotmail.com

Ebridge Lock as it looks now.

PHOTO: JULIE KELLEHER

the waterway, and volunteers.

Once nearly nine miles long, the canal opened in 1826 to ferry cargoes to and from mills and communities along its route. But it went into decline with the arrival of the railway and the last wherry sailed it in 1934.

Disuse led to the waterway becoming choked with vegetation and Ebridge Lock, along with the rest of the canal infrastructure, rusted, rotted and crumbled away.

It is the most visible of the canal’s locks, standing beside the road from North Walsham to Happisburgh, on Ebridge Mill Pond.

The waterway is Norfolk’s only sailing canal with locks.

Email secretary@nwdct.org for details of how to donate to the project.

Volunteers make light work of stones

UCAN volunteers kept smiling during a day of tree planting and litter picking. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

SURFACING the final sections of towpath and completing the layer of stone above the water line on the phase one section were the main achievements of April’s Montgomery Canal work parties.

The work of Shropshire Union Canal Society volunteers on the Montgomery Canal near Crickheath will move on to phase two in June – a distance of 300 metres – which will link up with the Canal and River Trust winding hole project at Crickheath next year.

Newt fences have been installed along this next section to be restored and will enable work to begin once ecologists have declared the new site to be clear of great crested newts, which are an endangered species.

A small team completed a survey along phase two as part of the preparation for the commencement of work.

Phase one has been filled with water and tested for leaks.

Completing the layer of stone above the water line was one of the jobs carried out by Shropshire Union Canal Society volunteers in April. PHOTO SUPPLIED

NETWORKING 9

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Characters of the cut Colin Wareing meets canal artist Jan Vallance.

JAN Vallance is a character of the cut, maybe a fairly quiet one but it’s really her work that speaks for her.

She has been painting for as long as she can remember, back to the days when her children were small and she used to entertain them by drawing and painting.

Jan went on to become an art teacher in Chester before moving into a studio in Stockport for a good 10 years, selling a lot of her paintings and prints to friends, relatives and online.

She works with acrylic paints as they are fairly quick drying, and, having started with a base layer of colours, will then work with charcoal to design the image she is looking for. Jan says : “I like my pictures to tell a story, though the real story should come to the viewer as they look at the image.

“Quite a while ago I stopped adding a title to my work, as I felt that influenced what the viewer may see. Hopefully my pictures will suggest lots of different ideas. I know what I see from the painting, but others may see something that hasn’t even come to me.”

Jan continued: “A lot of my work concentrates on journeys, as is my lifestyle and one of my favourite ways of illustrating a journey by canal is through a bridge hole. I’ve painted the view through many a bridge, from out in the country snake bridges to graffitied urban ones.

“I like the idea of going through, and coming out the other side without actually knowing what’s there. What’s there can be made up by the viewer, some will know having passed through the hole already, some won’t so I’m challenging them to imagine.”

She added: “I like the portraiture painting of Diego Velázquez, a Spanish artist who lived from 1599 to 1660, whose work was quite dark, which influences my style, but I also like to add a bit of sparkle at times to lift the image.”

Having lived aboard her narrowboat, Tonka, for 10 years beforehand, Jan took the plunge five years ago to become a roving trader selling from the boat, which is based on the Macclesfield Canal. Tonka is also now known as The Art Boat.

Summer of travel

For the last three years Jan’s sole income has been from selling her paintings and prints from them

Jan Vallance at work in her Marple studio. PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, WWW.COLINANDCAROLESCREATIONS.CO.UK

so she has to get her work out there, which works well from the boat, but as any creative person knows who is having to earn a living from what they create, there’s not always enough hours in the day to actually create.

Jan likes to sell at canal gatherings, festivals and floating markets, rather than just open where she happens to moor, as it takes quite a bit of work to set up her boat to sell, so the more footfall the better. It does mean she at times does some long single-handed days boating between festivals.

“I used to boat for about seven hours a day but by the time I’d done all the domestic stuff at the end of it I’d not much time to paint, so now I’ll do 14 hours a day to give me a day off tomorrow to paint.”

Do you do commissions?

“Yes I will do, but my main income is from selling what I feel like painting, which seems to be going quite well. I’ve sent paintings all around the world, a lot to America, and I sold a wood block painting to Tracey Ullman when I was down in London, though she did haggle with me over it.”

How do you feel when you sell a piece of work that you have worked on for a long time?

“When I’m working on a canvas I’m really enthusiastic, it feels like a friend. However, though, paintings are never finished,

there comes a stage when the feeling is that’s it for me and now it’s time to move on to the next one. So time for it to give enjoyment by hanging on someone else’s wall.”

Jan continued: “While working on the boat is great, meeting and boating with other people, and selling, I had a desire to produce larger canvases again and the chance came along to rent a space in what I presume were offices on the corner of Goyt Mill in Marple. This is a good-sized, well-lit space which overlooks the Macclesfield Canal with great views over towards Manchester.

“I’ve been here over the winter and hope to be able to afford to keep it on for next winter when I come back from my summer of travelling, which will see me travel as far south as Rickmansworth on the Grand Union and coming back up through Birmingham, before exhibiting at Audlem Mill in November and December with the Guild of Waterways artists, for whom I’m the membership secretary. So I’m looking forward to another summer of travel, a lot of hard work, new people to meet, new paintings to paint and lots of fun, doing what I love – boating and painting.”

Search for Jan on the internet, she has a website and social media presence, see her work and find out if she’s coming to a canal near you soon.

Water team storms through planting!

A TEAM of volunteers from Southern Water rolled up their sleeves to help the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s work.

A band of seven headed to Tickner’s Heath on the Surrey/Sussex border, where they spent the day planting new hedges and mulching.

The team managed to plant 720 small trees, a mix of hawthorn, hazel, wild cherry and dog rose, clocking up 120 metres of hedging.

Swapping the office for the

scenic countryside was part of the company’s community volunteering programme, which allows employees to spend two days’ paid leave working individually or in a team for their chosen charity or community project each year.

Commercial contracts manager Barnaby Holliker said fun was had by all.

“The teamwork shone out on this task and we stormed through the hedge planting and mulching,” he said.

Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman Sally Schupke added: “Working with businesses such as Southern Water brings benefits for all parties and is a valuable way of ensuring our restoration work moves forward.”

The trust is aiming to restore the 23 miles of waterway that runs from Shalford in Surrey to Pallingham in West Sussex, recreating the link from London to the sea at Littlehampton using the rivers Thames, Wey and Arun, and the canal.

10 COMMUNITY

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Trip boats raring to go after refresh THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s fleet of boats has been given a refresh for 2019 and the team is raring to go with a new season of public trips.

Smart new signage and repainting mean the boats look better than ever, with Wiggonholt, Zachariah Keppel and Josias Jessop all getting a facelift outside and in for the start of cruises.

Trips run every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until Sunday, October 27.

They begin from the Canal Centre in Loxwood, West Sussex, and vary in length from 35 minutes to two-and-a-half hours.

Wiggonholt is the trust’s biggest boat, seating 55, and is suitable for wheelchair users.

The electric-powered boat was paid for and given to the trust

by the Wiggonholt Association, a champion of the West Sussex countryside.

The other two boats are named after the engineers involved in the canal’s creation back in the 19th century, when the canal made it possible to travel by boat from London to Littlehampton on the south coast via Weybridge, Gu i l d f o rd , Pu l b o rou g h and Arundel.

Josias Jessop was responsible for surveying and designing the Wey & Arun Canal, while Zachariah Keppel, a builder from Alfold, was the contractor responsible for building the canal. He went bankrupt and had to give up the job before it was completed.

For more information on cruises and to book in advance, go to www.weyandarun.co.uk, or call 01403 752403.

Engineer Ian James attaches new livery to the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s fleet. PHOTO: WEY & ARUN CANAL TRUST

Canal visit could be just what the doctor ordered IT’S official – visiting a canal can reduce your stress levels.

Scientists have discovered that spending between 20 and 30 minutes among nature could cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol by about 10%.

An American study led by Dr MaryCarol Hunter found that taking at least 20 minutes out of your day to stroll or sit in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels.

“We know that spending time in nature reduces stress, but until now it was unclear how much is enough, how often to do it, or even what kind of nature experience will benefit us,” Dr Hunter said.

“Our study shows that for the greatest payoff, in terms of efficiently lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, you should spend 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking in a place

Josias Jessop looks better than ever after a facelift.

PHOTO: WEY & ARUN CANAL TRUST

that provides you with a sense of nature.”

The Wey & Arun Canal provides miles of tranquil towpath for visitors to explore, with picnic benches and seating in order to fully enjoy the West Sussex and Surrey scenery. The trust also offers a series of free downloadable short walks from its website.

Getting close to nature could not be easier at the recently created Hunt Nature Park in Shalford, either, where a viewing platform provides the perfect opportunity to sit and watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

For the ultimate in relaxation, boat trips set off from the trust’s visitor centre in Loxwood, West Sussex, every weekend, with special trips operating during the school holidays. For more on booking cruises and how to make the most of the Wey & Arun Canal, go to www. weyandarun.co.uk.

The Wey & Arun Canal has miles of tranquil towpath to explore. PHOTO: WACT

Halcyon Days for the Baldwin Trust

By Les Heath

NOW that sufficient funds have been raised to pay for the Baldwin Trust’s new community boat on the River Soar, all eyes are already set on a fourth boat for the fleet – possibly a widebeam.

The new boat, which will be named Halcyon Days, is nearing completion and will be in service this summer.

Getting on and off the boat will be much easier as the stern has been built with a flat floor and no trip hazards.

A newly designed passenger lift is being installed to assist those with mobility issues.

A spacious passenger cabin with large panoramic windows has

central heating and an advanced ventilation system. There will also be a fully fitted kitchen, washroom and toilet.

All three boats will carry defibrillators.

Trust representative Alasdair Macintyre said: “We had a very successful 2018 and we are expecting a bumper season in 2019.

“We intend to continue to pursue more grants and donations in order to purchase a second new boat which could be a widebeam.”

With more volunteers needed to crew the boats, the trust is holding an open day on board one of its craft – Dandelion – at Pillings Marina, near Quorn, on Sunday, June 9, from 10.30am to 4pm.

The Baldwin Trust’s new boat Halcyon Days under construction. PHOTO: LES HEATH

John Bunyan boat team cruises into the summer SUMMER favourites such as the Sunday afternoon cruises and the Barns Hotel afternoon tea cruise return in May on the River Great Ouse at Bedford.

The John Bunyan boat team’s 2019 programme also includes the following variety of cruises: The Walkers Special runs on Thursdays at 1.30pm offering a one-way ride from Priory Marina to Sovereigns Quay (in Bedford town centre).

The passengers are then free to go shopping and enjoy the attractions the town

centre has to offer with a walk back alongside the river to Priory Marina (visiting the cafes etc. on the way!)

The Motown-Soul Cruise with DJ Keith Stewart runs on a monthly basis starting on Thursday, May 9.

The Folk On The Boat music event held in association with Mill Race Folk and featuring various folk music artistes starts on Thursday, May 23.

Full details of the cruises, times, prices etc. can be found on the website www. johnbunyanboat.org

COMMUNITY 11

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£1.2m Selly Oak plan gets go-ahead PHOTO: GLENN HOWELLS LTD

How the canal route appears today (below) and an artist’s impression (above) of how the completed project might look.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

PLANNING approval has been granted for the Lapal Canal Trust’s ambitious £1.2 million restoration of the Dudley No. 2 Canal in Selly Oak. The trust’s plans to convert the Greenway, left by the developers of the new Selly Oak Shopping Centre, into a working canal have taken a significant step forward, thanks to the approval of Birmingham City Council.

The plans are also supported by the local community and the Canal & River Trust (CRT), who suggested a number of improvements.

Selly Oak industry was developed around the canal junction in the early 1800s and the Lapal Canal Trust feels it is important to protect and restore this important heritage link with the past.

The restored waterway stands to benefit the environment in several ways, from providing alternative transport links and promoting leisure activities which benefit the wellbeing of the community, to being a wildlife corridor, connecting green spaces together.

Residential moorings are included in the plan, the income from which will be used by the trust to help with ongoing maintenance costs on the canal.

Dr Andrew Hardie, chair of the Lapal Canal Trust, said: “We are grateful for the help received from Sainsbury’s, Landsec and Birmingham City Council, and look forward to the canal link being restored in partnership with the local community.

“The canal will enhance the areas it passes through, from Selly Oak through Weoley to the Birmingham boundary and beyond.”

Restoring this section of canal and the winding hole is estimated to cost £1.2 million and utilising the Section 106 Agreement the developer will provide £500,000, leaving the Lapal Canal Trust with the task of raising £700k. Around £180k was raised in the first five months of an appeal.

Dr Tony Whateley, Lapal Canal Trust secretary and treasurer, said: “As a community we are all proud of our Birmingham canals and we would like to thank the following for their generous contribution to this project: Headley Trust, Careys, GJW Turner Trust, Henry James Sayer

Charity, Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society, Inland Waterways Association, Heritage Lottery Fund and members of the Lapal Canal Trust. More recently, from: Jabbs Trust, Rowland Trust, Grimmitt Trust, Patrick Trust, Gowling WLG, Geoff Hall Trust, Collins/Sayer Trust, Birmingham Common Good Trust, Richardson Foundation, memory of Dr Ian Langford, and subscribers of canal magazines.”

The trust is actively looking for more financial support. Contact details for donations can be found on the website www.lapal.org

Double the fun with Wey & Arun

A POPULAR boat rally and a picturesque sponsored walk are two of the fun events being run by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust – and everyone is welcome to join in.

Last year’s rally on the River Arun was a great success, attracting more than 30 small boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for the three-anda-half hour trip from Pulborough and Stopham to the tidal limit at Pallingham in West Sussex.

The route reaches the furthest navigable point for boats.

The free event, this year taking place on May 19, aims to demonstrate that the River Arun is still a navigable waterway, proving that navigation rights still exist.

The busy trust is also inviting the public to pull on their walking shoes and join members for their annual sponsored walk, dubbed The Poddle.

This is the 47th event and one of the trust’s biggest fundraising events, last year raising £10,000 for the charity.

This year’s walk on Sunday, June 2 will begin in Bramley Village Hall and take in some of the most scenic and varied parts of the canal, including the trust’s newly acquired length in Birtley where it is creating a 2km circular walk.

The route then follows footpaths to Shamley Green, then onwards to Farley Green, where lunch is provided.

Last year’s rally on the River Arun was supported by waterways users of all kinds. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The afternoon walk takes walkers to Albury Heath, across Blackheath and rejoins the Downs Link to return to Bramley village hall for tea and cake.

Both morning and afternoon sections are about six miles of mainly flat terrain and walkers can do either or both sessions.

For more information and to register go to https://weyarun. org.uk/events39, or email poddle@weyandarun.co.uk and for more information on taking part in the River Arun Rally and to register, visit https://weyarun. org.uk/events38 where full details are available.

One of the stunning areas included on the sponsored walk. PHOTO SUPPLIED

12 IWA ROUND-UP

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Funding sources for restoration projects MORE than 40 different restoration societies and 116 individuals came together in Wolverhampton for the seventh annual Canal Restoration Conference jointly hosted by the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and Canal & River Trust.

This year’s conference, held at the end of March, was entitled Relining Your Pockets and focused primarily on how to source and secure funding for a restoration project.

One of the keynote speakers was Liz Shaw from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who gave a very interesting presentation on new funding frameworks and how restoration societies could bid for grants of between £3000 and £5 million.

At the event, Waterway Recovery Group chairman, Mike Palmer, launched the IWA’s latest report, which aims to provide restoration societies with case studies that show the wide-reaching benefits that a

canal restoration can bring to a local area.

The Waterways in Progress report high lights the fact that a canal restoration doesn’t need to be completed in order to have a positive impact, both economically and socially – it starts to give back to the community right from day one.

Attendees at the conference were among the first to see the Waterways in Progress video, which is introduced by IWA vice-president, David Suchet. The video can be used by all restoration societies to support the Waterways in Progress report and standalone case studies.

Steve Higham, head of service, partner and outcomes development at the Canal & River Trust, spoke

David Suchet fronting the new video.

about the positive mental health and well-being benefits of volunteering and being involved in canal restoration.

The trust has done a great deal of research into the value of being close to waterways as well as the motivation behind volunteering.

Steve played a moving video about a young man called Bernard whose life has been turned around thanks to his volunteering role with the trust.

In addition to the keynote speakers, there were six breakout sessions which looked at many of the different areas around securing funding and running a successful restoration project. Topics included the importance of community engagement, including how to use the media to raise awareness of your projects; how to build relationships with funders; what funders are looking for in a grant application; how to add value to your grant by running archive projects; and how to set up your organisation correctly in order to maximise grant potential. Presenters had a wealth of experience which was readily shared and active discussion took place between attendees.

The day ended with a Funding Q&A session, where restoration societies were able to receive specific advice from the funding

IWA BRANCH DIARY FOR MAY 2019 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.

EAST

Sunday May 12

IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Work party to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation.

Contact Mel Sowerby: 01522 856810 or email workparty@sleafordnavigation.co.uk

MIDLANDS

Sunday May 5 and Tuesday May 21

IWA Northampton Branch: Work party 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

NORTH

Thursday May 9

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Work party on the Uttoxeter Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact Steve Wood: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk or 07976 805858.

Thursday May 16

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am to 3pm. Contact John Lawson: 07940 878923 or email John.lawson@waterways.org.uk

Saturday May 18

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: 07710 554602 or email secretary@manchester-iwa.co.uk

Saturday May 25

IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Work party in the Chester area working alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. 10am to 4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Jason Watts: jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Tuesday May 28

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting Burslem Port Trust: Work party on the Burslem Arm, Stoke-on-Trent. 10am to 3pm.

Contact Steve Wood: 07976 805858 or email steve.wood@waterways.org.uk

SOUTH

Tuesdays May 21 and 28:

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 in May

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: 07855 794256 or email stevebulgin@icloud.com

Every Tuesday and Saturday in May

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. For further details contact Mike Slade: 07977 263840 or email 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

Delegates at the Canal Restoration Conference were among the first to see the new Waterways in Progress video. PHOTOS: IWA experts for their individual projects. Feedback has been extremely positive and both IWA and Canal & River Trust are looking forward to next year.

If you were unable to attend the conference but would like to receive a copy of the

presentations, please contact Jenny Morris, restoration hub coordinator (IWA): jenny. morris@waterways.org.uk or Jodie Weathers, restoration support coordinator (Canal & River Trust): Jodie.weathers@canalrivertrust. org.uk

AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON

Big canal clean-up clears 30 tonnes of rubbish MORE than 100 volunteers, including 50 from the Waterway Recovery Group, were out in force to help clear more than 30 tonnes of rubbish from the Birmingham Canal Navigations over the last weekend of March.

Motorcycles, push bikes, lorry tyres and a caravan chassis were among the many items pulled from the four miles of canal bed and towpath.

The BCN clean-up is held every year and over the last five years, 170 tonnes of rubbish has been cleared from the canal in total.

Volunteers came from more than 20 local charities and canal societies to help clean up Birmingham’s canals. It is hoped the annual effort on the Birmingham Canal Navigations will help to keep the less well-used parts of the canal network from getting choked up with rubbish and becoming impassable for boats, canoeists and other waterway users.

Push bikes were among the items pulled from four miles of the BCN. PHOTO: TIM LEWIS

The canals are also visited by walkers, families, anglers, cyclists and joggers, who will all benefit from a clearer canalside.

Great British Spring Clean on the Grand Union EIGHT tonnes of rubbish was cleared from 10 miles of the Grand Union Canal around Milton Keynes on April 5-6 as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

A total of 76 volunteers took part in the work party organised by IWA Milton Keynes Branch.

The haul included the usual supermarket trolleys and bikes, a bed, an airbed, several mattresses, garden chairs, traffic cones, timber, a tennis racquet, boots and shoes, and a kitchen sink. The most bizarre finds were lots of lemons, and an arm from a shopwindow mannequin.

Members of the IWA Milton Keynes Branch were joined by volunteers from local businesses and the public to give the waterway through the city a thorough spring clean from Fenny Stratford to Galleon Wharf.

Volunteers on the towpath and in boats collected rubbish from the canal, towpath and hedges.

One of the boat loads of rubbish pulled from the Grand Union Canal.

PHOTO: VERNON DRAPER

Total hours worked was a magnificent 478, not including the many hours spent organising the event.

Manchester work party gets a boost IWA Manchester Branch took advantage of the unusually sunny weather in February and had a productive day.

Working on the Ashton Canal, between locks 11 and 12, volunteers mostly removed soil and vegetation covering the towpath and coping stones between the locks.

With twice as many volunteers than the January party, the work progressed very quickly. The Manchester & Stockport Canal Society also kindly joined the team, after they had finished their own work party.

To get involved in an IWA Canal Clean-up, see the IWA website: www.waterways.org. uk/calendar

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NEWS FOCUS 15

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Pallets of plants are loaded on to Arundel at Stenson Marina. PHOTOS:

JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

Plants travel by water to new park

By Janet Richardson

A CARGO with a difference was recently transported 45 miles along the canals from Stenson to Birmingham.

More than 8000 trees, grasses and shrubs bound for a new park being created as part of the Icknield Port Loop

regeneration project were loaded on board Phoenix Canal Carriers’ Arundel, skippered by CBOA (Commercial Boat Operators Association) committee member Richard Horne.

“It is the first time we have moved produce by canal,” said Debbie Cooke, commercial manager of Talbot Farm

Ready for off: Richard Horne on board Arundel.

Loading complete, the team from Talbot Farm Landscapes stop for a picture.

Landscapes Ltd, based at Hilton near Derby. “Because the site abuts the canal towpath, it was on the client’s wishlist that we use the waterways.”

Richard Horne said it was also a first for him, his usual cargoes including coal, tiles and aggregates. Before setting off along the Trent & Mersey

Setting off along the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Canal on the Friday morning, he said he expected to arrive in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon, ready for delivery on Monday morning.

The plants had arrived from Holland earlier in the week, Debbie explained.

“We are sending the trees and shrubs to Icknield Port Loop where we are constructing a new public open space.

The 26-week project is due to finish the first week in May.” Talbot Farm Landscapes are doing all the landscaping for the area being regenerated by Places for People and Urban Splash, working in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the Canal & River Trust.

The regeneration masterplan includes 1150 new homes and leisure facilities, to include a swimming pool, reinvented existing historical buildings and more than 1.5km of new towpaths; creating moorings, cycleways and walkways to the city and a waterbus stop.

Journey’s end at Icknield Port Loop. Talbot Farm Landscapes commercial manager Debbie Cooke, Adam Willetts from Urban Splash and Richard Horne.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

16 PETS & ASTRONOMY

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Pets on the cut Free spirit

Crowning glory of the northern skies

Alison Wilkerson meets the canine continuous cruiser who has spent most of her life on board.

SPENDING time on the cut, you often see similar-looking boats, although no two are exactly the same. There are of course numerous variations of narrowboats, widebeams, cruisers, etc., and occasionally one that really catches your eye, making you smile every time you see it.

Once such boat is a short widebeam. Yes, you are reading that correctly, as this boat is only 42ft long and 10ft 6in wide and it really does smile back at you; well, the amazing hand-crafted tree carvings do anyway, as they gaze out of the windows. This boat is owned by Graham Hollington, who has a gorgeous 12-year-old, long haired German shepherd dog (GSD), called Jinny.

Both live on Ecosteam, which was built in 1990. Graham has had only one family hire boat holiday in the past and bought Ecosteam from Wilton Marina 15 years ago. He has lived aboard ever since, having spent the first five years in a marina, and since then he has been continuously cruising.

This unusual boat is a real TARDIS inside and has a very homely cottage feel about it, with a touch of Morocco, and is bright and airy, mainly due to the large windows and heptagonal skylight. All of these were Graham’s work as he has used his artistic flair to create Arabic-themed fixtures including painted wooden arches as well as traditional multi-coloured roses and castles. Ecosteam is driven by a London Taxi BMC 2.2 engine and does tend to chug a bit up and down the Grand Union.

Jinny – originally named Jin which is the Arabic name for spirit – has been with Graham since leaving her canine parents in Ipswich as a puppy.

She has spent her life on this boat, travelling about 2000 miles

Corona Borealiss

By Brian Jones

Now preferring to ‘chill’, Jinny has travelled more than 2000 miles with her owner. PHOTO: ALISON WILKERSON so far, and for the last six years has been watching her creative owner at work.

As well as painting, this includes slate work, signwriting and painstakingly resurrecting – the carving takes two days – carvings which originate from old stories, myths and legends and of the greenman, the woodland deity and force of nature, out of windfall willow branches, as his hobby has evolved. They can now be viewed and purchased from the boat or www.etsy.com/uk/ shop/treespiritcarvings Although fairly new to finding his niche, having been an electronic engineer for years, he believes the smell of oil paint through childhood and beyond from his late father’s paintings has definitely played a part in his inherited creative and artistic talent.

Jinny is extremely loving, loyal and protective, not good with other dogs, chases cats but ignores wildfowl, as well as being a good guard dog. With her long coat, in hot weather she

does get a haircut which must be a relief, especially after last year’s heatwave.

She now prefers to spend her senior years enjoying the finer things in life, such as corned beef and ham which are given ‘little and often’ and now prefers to ‘chill’ inside while cruising and properly enjoying her retirement. And why not?

Since going to press with our April edition, we have been indebted to West Midlands senior waterways chaplain, the Rev Richard Alford, for advising us of the passing away late last year of Ray from nb Morgana Le Fey whose cats were featured on this page.

Our condolences go to Lesley and sadness that Ray never saw it in print.

THE warmer nights are with us once more and many towpath astronomers are staying out under the starry sky to see what the heavens have to offer. The rich star fields of summer are almost upon us, so why not take time out to examine the constellation of Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown).

As we saw in the Towpath Astronomer feature for March, the prominent star Arcturus in the constellation of Boötes is located high in the sky and not far from the overhead point during the evening at this time of year, and can be located by following the curve of the stars in the ‘handle’ of the Plough as seen here.

The small but distinctive constellation Corona Borealis can be found a little to the northeast of the yellow-orange Arcturus as shown on the chart, which includes Arcturus together with the bright star Izar (also in Boötes).

As you can see, Corona Borealis takes the form of a pretty semicircle of reasonably bright stars, ensuring that this pretty little group of stars belongs to the somewhat elite number of constellations that actually resemble the objects they are supposed to depict!

Aboriginal folklore identifies the constellation in two different ways; one, that the group depicts a heavenly boomerang and the other an eagle’s nest, although Arabic astronomers looked upon it as a broken plate (presumably because the stars of the constellation don’t form a complete circle). It is the Ancient Greeks who provide us with the oldest story associated with the constellation, which tells us that it was the crown presented by Bacchus to Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete. The crown was made by the supreme goldsmith Hephaestus at his underwater smithy and given

to Ariadne after she had been deserted by the unfaithful Theseus. After Ariadne’s death, the gods placed her crown in the sky.

The brightest star in Corona Borealis is Alphecca, a white star which shines from a distance of around 75 light years and derives its name from the Arabic for ‘break’, a possible allusion to the constellation itself being an incomplete circle of stars. The old name Alfecca Meridiana for the brightest star in Corona Australis (the Southern Crown, and southern hemisphere counterpart of Corona Borealis) derives its name in a similar way.

Somewhat further away from us is Nusakan, the second brightest star in Corona Borealis.

The light we are seeing today from Nusakan set off on its journey towards us around 115 years ago, shortly after the end of the reign of Queen Victoria.

Those of you with binoculars may like to try their hand at resolving one of the double stars in Corona Borealis. This

is Nu, one of a class of double stars referred to by astronomers as ‘optical doubles’, in which the two stars only happen to lie in the same line of sight as seen from our planet and so only appear to lie close to each other in the sky. The two components of Nu are easily resolvable through good binoculars, which should reveal that both stars have reddish/orange tints.

Another interesting exercise for binocular users is to try and count the number of stars visible inside the ‘bowl’ formed

by Corona Borealis. If you can spot a dozen or more then you are doing quite well.

Our celestial target for the next Towpath Astronomer article will be the constellation of Hercules which borders Corona Borealis and which depicts the legendary hero of Greek mythology. In the meantime, now that warmer evenings are on the way, why not venture out on to the towpath under the late-spring skies and check out the stars of the Northern Crown?

Happy stargazing!