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Number 157
Autumn 2016
WATERWITCH MAGAZINE OF THE LANCASTER CANAL TRUST
NB Waterwitch at Country Fest 2016 The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No.1167020) Corporate Member the Inland Waterways Association
http://www.lctrust.co.uk/
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CONTENTS Chairman’s Report This page New Standing Order details 3 Boat Operations report 4 Restoration update 2015/16 7 Hal Bagot 9 New LCT Website 10 Latest from LCRP 11 Membership Report 14
Aldcliffe Road Trail Boat Festival Chesterfield Heritage Day Sept 2016 When the Dragon Boats Came ‘Wych Way’ Part ii Canal Ovens Update 100 Club results
15 17 20 21 23 27 29
Annual Accounts Summary 2016
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Chairman’s Report Firstly a welcome to all our members both old and new. Some notes on the last AGM. There was some discussion on the presentation of the Accounts, but as Peter our Treasurer was not able to attend, it was agreed that we would publish some more member friendly accounts presented in the appropriate way of small charities and as requested by members. These are on page 30. The main item was the adoption of a sequence of votes needed to change the Trust’s status to a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO from now on!), members first voted through the minor constitutional changes required by the Charity Commission, then the formal adoption of the change to a CIO was passed with resounding support. Finally there was the need to wind up the existing Trust with its assets and name being transferred to the new organisation. From then on, the meeting was run under CIO rules. Unlike the old constitution, the AGM does not elect trustees to specific roles but simply elects members to the trustee body. The membership had been asked in the notice calling the AGM for volunteers to stand as Trustees. Six members had put their names forward, and had been proposed and seconded, to serve as Trustees. (Same old faces I’m afraid!) but they were elected unanimously. We are pleased to have though one new Trustee in Cameron Crook. Cameron introduced himself to the meeting and was welcomed. Following the formal business, Audrey Smith OBE, gave us a stimulating talk the focus of which was partnership working – very pertinent currently! Thanks to all who contributed to making this a successful and pleasant evening – from the providers of tea and (Continued on page 3)
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biscuits to Hal Bagot our President for chairing it. Moving on, as the new constitution requires, the first Trustees meeting after the AGM appointed its members to various officer roles. This has resulted in David Joyner as Boat Manager, Peter Jones as Treasurer, David Gibson as Secretary and Vice-chair, Cameron Crook has taken on the role of Webmaster and Robin Yates as Chairman. We will be meeting with CRT officers in mid-October following which we should be in a position to plan a work programme for the Autumn and Winter months. Apart from work on our own First Furlong, more of which elsewhere in this edition, there’s a lot for us to do in the Hincaster area and surrounds. Finally, a plea for skills! Our membership comes from a wide range of backgrounds and amongst our members must lurk some valuable skills and experience just waiting to be put to good use! Many people do not see themselves as ‘committee’ people, but nonetheless would like to be involved in the success of the Trust. Our Membership Secretary for example is not a Trustee and doesn’t attend committees but makes a very valuable contribution to the running of the Trust. Get in touch if this type of working appeals to you and you have something to offer your Trust. Robin
STANDING ORDERS In order to cope with the change to CIO we are required to change some bank accounts. Members are requested to change their Membership Standing Orders from our NatWest account to the following, as soon as possible: CAF Bank Sort Code: 40-52-40 Account: 00020897 It will be of great assistance to the treasurer. Regards, Peter Jones See page 16 for new Standing Order form 3
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Boat Operation Managers Report April 2016 David Joyner The season began for the crew in April with the now compulsory annual refresher courses. The courses took place over two days, 8 crew members one day and another 8 the following day. The morning was taken up in the improvised classroom at Preston Patrick Memorial Hall and practical activities in the afternoon. We we re ab ly e nli gh te ne d an d ente rta ine d by ou r I W A recommen ded tu tor Andrew Phasey. The highlight for most of us was the repeated setting fire to a secret mixture in a pan in the car park, whereupon each one of us was called upon to put the fire out twice, once with a fire blanket and once again with a CO2 fire extinguisher. The top picture on page 6 shows us examining what happens when a life-jacket inflates, from left to right, Chris Blackwell, Andrew Phasey, Sue Harvey, Neil McGary (Chairman of the Trip Boat Sub-Committee) and Ian Hill. The discussion regarding life-jackets resulting in a bulk order, at generous discount from David B ro w n's em p lo ye rs M i dl an d Chandlers, of several personal lifejackets at the crew's own expense. Among other practical activities we practised throwing lifebuoys and throw lines. Pictured middle page 4
6 is Richard Trevitt who excelled at this exercise, almost clearing the canal! At Countryfest we received record donations, probably due to the excellent weather. Pictured, bottom page 6, leaving the jetty outside the show ground with a full load is a new skipper, Ian Wake, who also volunteers as a lockkeeper on the Millennium Link. We are also looking forward to working next season with two new crew members, husband and wife team Cameron and Lyn Crook. Cameron has also joined the Trust Executive Committee. We are keen to recruit as Skippers anyone who has or is willing to take the RYA Helsman Certificate or better, and Clerks who would like to sit in the sunshine at the Stables collecting passenger names and recruiting new members. Also pictured is a regular Sunday trip with Sue Harvey at the helm and Alan Mather entertaining the passengers. Talking of Alan Mather, our revered ex-Boat Operations Manager, it is with great regret that he has just informed me of his retirement from skippering. We will see him and most of the crew and their partners at our Boaters' Dinner at the Crooklands Hotel in (Continued on page 5)
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view to fitting a transparent cover which could be deployed or rolled up depending on the weather. All other Trust boat trips charge for their services and many of our crew feel we should do the same, perhaps along the lines of the present charges at Countryfest and the Westmorland Show. Examination of our income shows that we barely clear £2 per head in donations at present. I would urge members who haven't already done so to join us on any Sunday, May to September, Bank Holidays and Saturdays in August for an enjoyable trip spotting wildlife and points of interest along our route. If you have been before bring your friends and family along. Charters are also available for special occasions at any time by arrangement May to September for £33 for 40 minutes, or £50 for 90 minutes. Contact me, David Joyner, Acting Boat Operations Manager, on 07504 710371.
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October, very well organised as usual by Olive Hill, despite her continuing battle with lung cancer. While we did exceptionally well at Countryfest, the same cannot be said for the rest of the season. Although there were as usual a few washed-out days when we may not have expected many passengers, there were also some fine days where we hardly saw a soul. This is in spite of deploying some new notice boards made by Frank Sanderson, which undoubtedly brought in a few more passengers. I can only surmise that the problem was due to the difficulty this year in distributing Boat Trip leaflets. This was in part due to the lack of availability of the leaflets, due to the tedious process of printing labels to cover the old membership rates and Membership Secretary address, and also difficulty in distribution due to the illness of key personnel. The Boat Sub-Committee met three times this year, with one more meeting delayed due to difficulty in matching our calendars. Matters discussed ranged from moving the boat operation to Millness, a new cover for the boat, sweatshirts for the crew and changing from free trips to charging. The idea of moving to Millness was dismissed for the time being as impractical for a number of reasons. Neil McGary has arranged for a company that specialises in boat covers to visit nb Waterwitch at Millness over the winter with a
David Joyner Acting Boat Operations Manager
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Summary of Boat Takings 2016 season Trips made 134 6 charters 21 at the two shows attended 107 scheduled Donations £2431.14 Sales £43.35
Life Jacket scrutiny
Throwing Practice
Trip Boat in May
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Restoration Update Autumn 2016 Peter Jones Not a lot has happened at the First Furlong since the last report, progress is held up by a combination of the damage to Stainton Aqueduct and the decision making over the lining. CRT have replaced the very temporary dam
ongoing state of the isolated section and have had a meeting
Reinforced bank Less Temporary Clay Dam View to Stainton Bridge
above the aqueduct with a less temporary (but not permanent) clay dam, and have reinforced the bank over the dam so that the footpath could be opened – with a small kink. This resulted, initially, in a significant lowering of the level towards Stainton Bridge but it has since increased somewhat. The nearby residents are naturally very concerned about the
with Chantelle Seabourne, the NW regional manager for CRT to express their concerns and press for restoration work to be done. (Continued on page 8)
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The Trust attended the meeting in June and the meeting was given the following information by CRT: CRT will have had their cost estimate of the full repair works by now and will let us have this information in due course. CRT have applied to Cumbria CC for funding from their government flood compensation grant, with an application to HLF likely to be needed to top up. Possibility of public funding also being considered but CRT's general appeal for flood relief donations raised only about ÂŁ100,000 nationwide. CRT ha ve a lso ma de representations to central government, including involving Tim Farron MP. Timescale for repairs totally dependent on success of fundraising. No further updates have been received. (Does any one know anything newer?) We are still mulling over the relining procedure for the First Furlong as we are not certain that our advised solution can be applied successfully in our situation (weather etc.). We have had some contacts with 8
Higher Water Levels
other restoration groups and a fact finding tour is being arranged to visit a number of sites in the next couple of mont hs t o g le a n more information. Before we actually apply a new lining preparation work has to be done, removing the failed lining and all the earth and mud which is above the original clay and then keeping the rainwater out. It is going to be quite a logistical exercise requiring careful planning. A lot depends on the human resources we can put into it and we would welcome more input from members with technical expertise. (Continued on page 9)
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Further north, as many of you are aware, are a number of bridges which still remain despite there being no canal. Most of these are in a fair state but Horse Park Bridge (B179) is not, Even though it was the subject of the winning photo in the IWA ‘Lost Waterways’ competition last year, and is very picturesque.
Horse Park Bridge
We would like to do restoration work on this bridge but this will require negotiations with the owner and the local heritage officer as it is Grade II listed and we are hoping to get these underway in the near future. PJ
HAL BAGOT an extract from Towpath Times “Long-serving Chairman of the Lancaster Canal Restoration Partnership Hal Bagot of Levens Hall is to step down after 18 years of service. The LCRP was set up by a group of enthusiasts to promote and deliver the regeneration and ultimate restoration of the Lancaster Canal by exploring opportunities, leads and ideas, which LCRP members bring to the partnership. Members of LCRP include Lancaster Canal Trust, the Inland Waterways, the Canal & River Trust, SLDC and Cumbria County Council. The aims are: • Full restoration of several bridges and partial works to halt the deterioration of bridges and locks. • Restoration progress at Stainton of a crucial 'First Furlong' of the abandoned canal. • Regeneration at the terminus area in Kendal and the 2-3 miles of canal within the town, including site investigation work on the route. The long-term vision of the LCRP is to have a fully restored and well-maintained navigable canal running from Kendal to Tewitfield. Hal Bagot plans to spend more time afloat.” 9
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The New LCT Website Just a quick note to let you know that the new Lancaster Canal Trust website is now live and can be found at www.lctrust.co.uk There is still some work to do, pages to add, information to update, but that is the beauty of websites: they are dynamic and interactive, and always subject to change. Nevertheless, I think you’ll agree that it is very professional looking and comprehensive. I hasten to add, however, that it was produced by Colin Thomas at Xtensive Web design, not me! The Home Page is graphically rich giving a good overview of our history, ethos and activities. There are several sections: the What We Do section includes information about our trip boat Waterwitch, illustrated talks, volunteering opportunities, and our handbook; there is a section about the Canal itself, including the Canal Directory and currently available books and media; the Gallery will be the home for photographs and a Virtual Tour of the Northern Reaches; and the Contact Page is where people can ask a question or send a message, which will then be directed on to the relevant member or members of the Trust. The latter should be particularly helpful as there is just one online form to fill in; no email addresses to find and no need to try and decide who best to send your query to. This will hopefully get our message across to the wider public, to other organisations, and attract new members. It will also help us communicate better both within and beyond our organisation, making sure we all know what’s going on, how we can get more involved, and know who to contact when things go wrong or when we want to know some more. So do have a look when you get chance and if you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know. I will let you have an update on how things have progressed in the next issue of Waterwitch or you could just keep on checking the website. Cameron S Crook, LCT Webmaster
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Latest from the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership events and explanation of the heritage is required to make it relevant to a wider group of people. Ideas to achieve these objectives include xcreating defined nodes or hubs with clear starting and finishing points for walkers and cyclist xcreating multiple routes options for various skills and abilities xutilising the trail as a formal countryside access for Kendal's growing population xlinking Kendal clearly to Levens and Sizergh as well as Lancaster xmaking Hincaster Tunnel a key feature to celebrate the Canal's heritage, potentially linking it to Leven's Hall and Sizergh ximproving the area around the Lune Aqueduct, potentially linking to Lancaster's Maritime Museum and perhaps creating a cafe and popular visitor destination xactively promoting and linking to all existing connected routes for example, Bay Cycle Way and Hest Bank Coastal path xImproving signage and interpretation to reflect the
As a reminder to members, the LCRP is comprised of the Local Authorities along the route of the canal. The Canal & River Trust, which owns and is responsible for the canal below Stainton and some scheduled structures such as Hincaster Tunnel and the Sedgwick Aqueduct. The Inland Waterways Association, the national body for the preservation and restoration of canals and ourselves. The Lancaster Canal Trust, whose aim is a fully navigable canal between Kendal and Preston. In the longer term, the LCRP share and support our aim. In the shorter term it works at projects that raise the awareness of the canal and the Towpath Trail is just such a project. A Towpath Trail between Kendal to Lancaster aims to significantly increase the number of people using the canal corridor, utilising the canal as a lever for leisure and economic benefits and upgrading the towpath to allow the greatest possible access to a wide variety of users. Currently many people feel that the canal is only for canal enthusiasts and therefore improved engagement with the public, much better interpretation, organised
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character, history and heritage of Lancaster Canal At this stage these are simply ideas which need to be shared with the wider community and so a series of roadshows were planned along the route of the canal. It is believed that inviting comments and ideas and encouraging people to be a part of the programme will ensure the project's success and increase its long term sustainability. The timetable for these roadshows was: Wednesday 5th October between 2 pm and 8 pm at the Factory Tap on Aynam Road Kendal Thurs 6th Oct - 4 pm to 6 pm at Sedgwick Village Hall Tuesday 11 Oct - 4 pm to 6.30 pm Holme Village Hall Monday 17th Oct - 4 pm to 6.30 pm The Canal Turn, Carnforth Tuesday 18th Oct - 2 pm to 8 pm The Waterwitch, Lancaster. The Partnership have funded a Project Manager, Helen Moriarty, who comes with a wealth of relevant experience and skills ranging from partnership working, fundraising, project management and delivery, all of which will be key in pushing forward the LCRP multi-use trail project. She is already well established and working hard to bring this imaginative and ambitious project to fruition. You will have read elsewhere that
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Mr Hal Bagot, for many years the stalwart chairman of the partnership, has stepped down. It is sad to reflect that some ten or so years ago, under Hal's chairmanship, the restoration of the northern reaches was a near certainty with funding largely in place and commitment from all relevant corners. Then circumstances changed, not least the `banking crisis' and funding dried up. It was hugely disappointing to all but not least to Hal who had steered the group into a position where the long held ambition of a restored canal was no longer just a dream. We wish him well for the future. In the meantime, Audrey Smith, another stalwart of the waterways, one time chairman of the Inland Waterways Association and chairman of the Northern Partnership, has stepped into Hal' s shoes temporarily whilst a new chairman is sought. Details of the chairman's role can be found on the LCRP's website http:// lancastercanalregenerationpartners hip.wordpress.com. Finally it was a very sad occasion very recently when we had to say goodbye and ‘bon voyage’ to our previous Vice Chairman Helen Thomas. Helen is moving away from Over Kellet where she has lived for many years, joining the trust in 2000. We remember also (Continued on page 13)
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her late husband Peter who also was a loyal and staunch supporter of our Canal. Helen was I think currently the longest serving Executive member. She is moving to be nearer to family and her beloved Scotland. She has an apartment overlooking Wemyss Bay. We shall miss her greatly. RY
STOP PRESS For the latest update on the Towpath Trail please go to http://www.lctrust.co.uk/
Richard Trevitt, Peter Jones and David Currington formed a small (but select) farewell committee and presented Helen with a plaque in recognition of her great service to the Trust. Below Peter is shown making the presentation.
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Membership Report as at September 2016 Yet again there has continued to be a steady trickle of new memberships over the spring and summer. I would like to thank all those members who have now renewed their membership for this year, but there are some members who have not renewed yet and who need reminding again if they wish to continue receiving Waterwitch. As can be seen from the table below, there are a number who have not yet done so. If you paid by standing order, no further action is necessary as long as the subscription rate in your standing order is up-to-date. If you are unsure whether your membership is up-to-date, please contact me by email at membership@lancastercanaltrust.org.uk or by post at the address below. I would like to thank those who take out life membership or pay their subscription by standing order, which saves them having to remember to make a payment each year and saves us having to issue reminders. If you wish to set up a standing order, contact me and I will send you a form. Alternatively, cheques for renewal can be sent to me at 83 Main Street, Great Broughton, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0YJ. At the time of writing this report, the membership of Lancaster Canal Trust stands as follows: up-to-date due for renewal Affiliated organisations 12 3 Individual members 145 38 Joint/Family members 62 30 Life members 94* *The number of life members was incorrectly stated as 131 in my previous report. It should have read 91. Assuming two adult members for each joint/family membership, this gives a total of 477 adult members, 101 of whom have not yet renewed their subscriptions. Overleaf, we are pleased to welcome those new members who have joined since our last issue. Dave Moll LCT Membership Secretary. 14
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NEW MEMBERS We are pleased to welcome the following new members who have joined since our last issue: Andrea Booth Natland, Kendal Ann Burgess Oxenholme, Kendal Christopher Byrne Formby, Liverpool Cameron Crook Preston Michael Dickson Endmoor, Kendal Pauline Findlay Middleton Robin George Yatton, Bristol Ray Griffiths Penruddock, Penrith Alan Helm Wrea Green, Preston Ian Hutt Sedbergh Susan Jarrett Standish, Wigan John Short Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth Please accept my apologies if I have missed anyone DM.
Whatever became of BW’s Aldcliffe Road depot in Lancaster do I hear you ask? A SMALL bespoke waterside development of 14 family homes at Aldcliffe Yard in the heart of Lancaster is now complete and ready for new residents. The development includes new three and four-bedroom houses, as well as refurbished homes created out of Grade 11-listed stone canal buildings. Situated on a heritage site off Aldcliffe Road, the stone and wood-clad homes are in a conservation area next to the picturesque Lancaster Canal only a five minute walk from the city centre. Several of the homes were completed using a trailblazing 'custom build' approach to house building. Buyers bought their plot outright and controlled the design and internal layout but the house (Continued on page 16)
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THE LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Registered Charity number 1167020
STANDING ORDER FORM To the Manager………………………………………………..Bank Address…………………………………………………… ……….. ……………………………………………………… ……… …….. Please pay to the Lancaster Trust account no 00020897 at CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ, sort code 40-52-40 £…….. annually on the first of January commencing………………… from my account no. ………………… sort code…………… until this order is amended or cancelled by me. Signature ………………………… Date………………………… Please insert the correct subscription amount, complete the form and send to your Bank or Building Society. Subscription Rates from January 2015 Individual £14, Family £20, Joint £20, Affiliate £14, Life £180. (Continued from page 15)
was constructed by the development project's professional builders - a less daunting version of 'self-build’ offering potential savings on the final market value. Supporting the Government’s policy to promote self build and the conversion of redundant buildings, Aldcliffe Yard was even featured on a BBC Panorama programme in March 2015 as an exemplar scheme for solving Britain's housing shortage. The developers are H20 Urban, a joint partnership between development company Bloc and the Canal & River Trust which owns the canal side site. House purchasers will have the feel good factor of knowing that part of the profits from the development will be reinvested in the canal network for public benefit. Nigel Belk H2O project manager said: “Opportunities to buy into such an attractive part of Lancaster canal heritage don’t came along very often. Some residents have the benefit of a private canal towpath and one of the hack gardens even includes a small, historic canal crane. This really is a unique site providing beautiful contemporary homes in a sought-after heritage setting”. 16
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Trailboat Festival Chesterfield 2016 The 2016 Trailboat Festival at St a ve le y Town Bas in Chesterfield was held over the spring bank holiday this year so we towed over a few days early with "Helterskelter" in order that we could explore this stretch owned by Derbyshire County Council and have a look around Chesterfield beforehand. When we arrived we were
Hollingwood hub
surprised to see the area around the new Town Lock being constructed by the Chesterfield Canal Trust volunteers looking like a building site and my first thoughts were will it be ready in time. We got launched into the basin and along with Clive and Trina on "Delilah" we headed off to the original Terminus at Chesterfield visiting the Trust's visitor centre at the Hollingwood Hub on the way. We returned a couple of days later to find more The lock when we arrived Tra i lboa ts had arrived and also a new Trip boat for the CCT being delivered, and a hive of activity on the new lock. There was going to be a total of five Trip boats operating at the festival, two of which are based on this stretch plus the (Continued on page 18)
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new one and two more craned out of the main stretch and brought on low loaders. Amazingly on the first day of the festival the new lock was opened by the Mayor and was in operation, we took part in the boat handling competition and had to dodge the flurry of Tripboats. The Festival was very well supported and another highlight was the illuminated parade held on the Saturday evening. On the Monday there was a flotilla of boats heading up the canal to Chesterfield and we had to have a go at taking "Helterskelter" through the new lock. We recovered our boat
and returned home having made many new friends. During our stay I made contact with the Trip boat managers to see how their operation compared to ours; I was impressed with the amount of public support they have in their area, and also with over 120 active volunteers at the festival alone I'm sure there will be great advances made. It was also plain that Derbyshire CC input was a driving force and creating a Multi User Greenway along the towpath has helped to get the public using the route and keen to see boats back to Chesterfield. If only we could get Cumbria CC to see the potential in our own
Craning in a tripboat
Head of the canal where it meets the Rother
Chesterfield’s twisted spire (Continued on page 19)
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Festival site in the basin
Northern R e a c h e s restoration and take ownership of it I sometimes think if the Lancaster Canal had been called t he Kenda l Ca na l t he y might realise its existence! Neil McGarry
Illuminated parade
The next stage below the lock
The new lock open with Trip boat
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Heritage Day Walks September 2016 John Acres and I arrived early and set up the Heritage Day literature at the walk, and as John got the ‘morning’ walk underway Alistair, Tony and I gave the boat and equipment a much needed clean up after the muddy show. We then took the display equipment back down to Millness, and stored it in our
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building. We ran some trips on the boat for some very interested people and John did his ‘afternoon’ walk. All in all, it was a very successful day, and the walkers comments were very favourable. N McG
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10th July 2016 the day that a Dragon Boat came to the Lancaster Canal In the last magazine we reported on the Dragon A change of Crew Boat coming to the Lancaster Canal to raise funds for Paddles for Life, a charity set up in 2007 to encourage wellbeing in women who have had breast cancer diagnosed. This duly happened and here a few pictures to illustrate the event. All the enjoying themselves, a key Paddlers really do seem to be aspect of the message the are trying to share with others in a similar situation. Here is a brief report and letter of thanks on what happened. ‘Pad dl e rs fo r Li fe Windermere took up a challenge to paddle their dragon boat Artemis Phyllis along 30 miles of the Lancaster Canal in Lancashire and Cumbria from Bil sborrow to Tewitfield. The first crew took the dragon boat 12 miles past Catterall, (Continued on page 22)
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Garstang, Cabus, Cockerham and Galgate. Following an enthusiastic welcome at Lancaster there was a change of crew and fresh helms to take the dragon boat on the northern leg of 12 miles to Tewitfield. The end of a thirty mile Lancaster Canal paddle at Tewitfield was met with a rapturous welcome and a flower ceremony to remember family and fri e nds. W hat a fant ast ic achievement!’ 17th July 2016
D e a r E l a i ne , Ri c h a r d, a n d Colleagues at Lancaster Canal Trust. Thank you for your help in making the Paddlers for Life Lancaster Canal Challe nge hap pen on 10/07/2016. There were over 50 participants involved in the event in one way or another; some fulfilled their personal challenge of paddling a dragon boat a distance of either 18 or 12 miles, while others supported their efforts with enthusiasm and lively encouragement. All of them came with a personal experience of can ce r, ei the r ha vi ng been diagnosed or having cared for a loved one. There was much to celebrate at the end of the day! You are especially busy in your work. On behalf of everyone, I
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really appreciate your taking the time to give me so much individual attention when I called to enquire for some advice and your potential support. The comments below are just some of many and show just how incredible a day everyone enjoyed. Thanks to everyone who helped organise and support this event. It was a marvellous day - Janet I was invited along with two nurse colleagues to paddle 12 miles down Lancaster Canal on 10th July. Wow what an experience and what a truly committed, friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming bunch of people. The reason for paddling was never forgotten and the joy in participating and remembering friends was humbling to see. Thanks to all for a fantastic day. - Barbara Well done on a well organised and inspiring event. I think you must now know that all the planning, organisation (and stress) paid off. It a ll went amazingly well. Nick
Please accept our sincere thanks. Warm regards, Louisa Balderson Trustee, Paddlers for Life
www.lancastercanaltrust.org.uk www.paddlersforlife.co.uk RT
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‘Whych Way’ Part II from Gloucester to Skipton Mike & Fran Valiant packed with interest and we spent another day at the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, a stone’s throw from our mooring at Shepherd’s Patch. Back at Gloucester we were joined by our daughter Eleri on the short Severn hop to Tewkesbury to link up with the Avon. It proved useful to have an extra crew member aboard since the Avon Navigation Trust recommended two people on ropes at the locks whilst a third worked the paddles. Moorings were again at a premium but there was usually adequate space at the favoured stopping poin ts at P e r s h o r e , Evesham and Bidford. This is an idyllic waterway, though we thought our eyes
Part 1 of our journey was covered in the previous issue of Waterwitch, and we were about to leave Gloucester. Mike made good speed on the wide lock-free Gloucester & Sharpness Canal as most of the swing bridges were manned or high enough to pass underneath. Saul Junction was our mooring for the next two days, where we were ringside to watch craft being craned out of the water at the boatyard, and there was excellent walking along the route of the Stroudwater Canal and the Severn Way with its superb estuary views.
Sharpness Canal overlooking the Severn Estuary
There were spectacula r rive r vistas at Sharpness, with the added attraction of the eerie ships’ graveyard at the Purton Hulks. Although only 16 miles long, the G&S is
Visitor Moorings at Bidford on Avon
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of footbridges made it a precarious balancing act to cross from side to side. The scenery made up for the difficulty, however. Mooring at the bottom of the Wilmcote flight, we walked to the pretty village which was once the home of Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden. Next day we Boating in Stratford upon Avon encountered E d s t o n e Aqueduct, a miniPontcysyllte with no rail on one side and the illusion of launching oneself across o pen
were playing tricks when a Venetian gondola swept by, complete with gondolier in striped jersey and straw hat. He returned soon after, ferrying a wedding couple to their reception at the hotel on the opposite bank.
We arrived at the quintessentially English town of Stratford in glorious sunshine to moor on a picture postcard spot opposite the church which houses Shakespeare’s tomb. Thronging with tourists and with the river busy with trip boats and hired rowing boats by day, we found the evenings and early mornings quieter for forays ashore. Here we said goodbye to Eleri, and prepared ourselves for the next stage of our journey. From Stratford we cruised to the Avon’s limit of navigation before coming back to Bancroft Basin and thence out onto the Stratford Canal. After the wide rivers it seemed confining at first to be going through narrow locks again with heavy gates and stiff paddles. A lack 24
Edstone Aqueduct
space. The recommended moorings at Wootton Wawen were full but we found a space a little further along and walked back to the village to visit the Saxon church. Between Wootton Wawen and Kingswood we moved up steadily through the locks behind nb Gallifrey, home to a de l i g h t f u l y o u n g m a n w h o entertained us with his violin at intervals. Conversation revealed that he intended to train as a (Continued on page 25)
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water and graffiti and razor wire on the a dja cen t b ui ldings . We squeezed gratefully onto the secure offside CRT wharf at Bourneville and our initial impressions of the area were improved next morning by walking up through the heritage area associated with the Cadbury site. We cruised on past Selly Oak and Edgbaston to the iconic Lapworth flight Gas Street Basin and explored the Ouzell Street, Icknield Port and Soho Loops before mooring next to smart flats in the city centre. For ex-librarian Fran, the new library was a must-see and this stunning building afforded spectacular cityscape views. Having heard horror stories about vandalism and rubbish, the stroll around the beautiful gardens. The Lapworth flight occupied most BCN proved to be a fascinating mix of the next day but CRT volunteers of industrial heritage and green speeded up the process and a delay space. We returned to safe central due to a stuck paddle at one lock moorings in the evenings but spent provided an excuse to pop into the our days cruising along some of the adjacent canal shop to buy some varied offshoots and up and down delicious locally baked cakes. We the ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Lines. Long passed onto the Worcester and stretches of the waterway are Birmingham Canal through the fringed by trees which mask the Kings Norton guillotine lock to find fact one is in the heart of Britain’s an urban scene of rubbish in the second largest city, yet within a few miles you can pass Going under the Engine Arm viaduct Birm ingham beneath the concrete columns of the M5 or T e l f o r d’ s famed Galton Bri dge . Moving outward we went through the Factory Locks at Tipton and turned (Continued from page 24)
cabinet maker and fit out boats. At Kingswood Junction we turned off onto the Lapworth link, made use of the handy CRT station for rubbish and recycling and then walked across country to the NT property at Baddesley Clinton for a
(Continued on page 26)
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down the branch to the Black Country Museum at Dudley. Mooring space is limited here but boats come and go regularly so we were able to find a space overnight and tour the exhibits. Next day we took the Old Line to Oldbury and paused there to walk along to Titford Pools before returning to the Museum for another overnight stop. Arriving at the long Wolverhampton flight we began our descent at 11am and fetched up tired and thirsty, having successfully navigated one very low pound at Lock 11, on the Shroppie by 4pm. Breaking out the white wine, we toasted our good fortune as the reasonable weather we ha d encountered through the flight gave way to torrential rain, thunder and lightning within half an hour of mooring. We found a good spot next day opposite Turners Garage in Wheaton Aston to take advantage of the cheap diesel, along with several other boats intent on doing the same, but all had to wait till next morning as it was closed on Sunday. Norbury Junction was much quieter than on our last visit, and a very wet Market Drayton provided shopping and CRT services en route to the locks at Adderley and Audlem. The traffic flow was in our favour here and we rarely had to close a bottom gate. We cruised along part of the stretch in company with a lovely Welsh 26
boating family, giving Fran a rare chance to chat in her native tongue. On the Middlewich Branch we found Cholmondeston Lock had been commandeered by the Shropshire Union Canal Society in a bid to raise funds by soliciting donations in return for being assisted by volunteers. Stalls on the bank offered secondhand books and delicious local preserves, so we indulged in both! On the Middlewich flight we met Moondancer, which had partnered us once through Wigan, so we joined forces again. Another dĂŠjĂ vu moment occurred at Anderton, where we passed Avington, an exOwnerships boat in which we used to have a share. We were now in familiar territory and at Dover Bridge we teamed up with Graham on Hakuna Matata to tackle Wigan on the following day. With the boats tied together, Graham piloted our craft through the flight while Mike and Fran worked the locks. Low water slowed us down but we eventually gained the top at 4pm and moored up for a very late lunch. The tough swing bridges near Oswaldtwistle, a struggle on the journey down, had been loosened so we passed on more easily to moor below the Barrowford locks. We arrived back at Skipton 99 days after setting out, already thinking about where to go in 2016. So where did you go? ED.
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Where has the last 6 months gone to? Lots of ideas and plans but sadly not much has happened practically. We had a couple of small work parties at the Bolton le Sands oven site and as well as some more general site tidying we did a small excavation without any tangible archaeological results. A metal detector survey of the site revealed a modern 5p coin and a 1900 one penny. Some further digging is expected soon. We did have an interesting and informative talk at an afternoon meeting on 17 May at the library in Bolton le Sands. Our member Jessica Holmes, who is a qualified archaeologist, started with details of the Lunesdale Coalfields that few, if any of us, had heard about before. Situated mainly around a series of geological fault lines between Ingleton and Burton some of the coal had been mined by the Romans in ‘Bellpits’. Some of the coal from this area could have been made into coke in earth clamps but the main conversion, especially in the canal-side ovens, would have been to coal from Wigan brought up on the canal after its initial opening to Tewitfield. The need for coke was stimulated by
Canal Coke Ovens - Update Sept 2016 by Brian Crawley Abraham Darby’s demonstration in 1709 that coke could be economically used to smelt iron. Be ehive k ilns , for c ok e production, were introduced into the Sheffield area from America in 1802 and it is on this basic design that our canal-side ovens are constructed. Brian Jones, our Chairman, then gave us a listing of the eight sites of ovens along the northern length of the Lancaster Canal that we are aware of. From the northernmost in Kendal, of which there are no remains; to the coalyard in Crooklands, again no known remains; the well known set at Holme; a long bank of them at Tewitfield, of which only one is accessible and used for storage; our namesake ovens at Carnforth; the set that we are hoping to excavate soon at Bolton le Sands; a few hidden away in a bank on the golf course by the aqueduct in Lancaster; and one or two in a wooded quarry at Ellel, near Galgate, that need further investigation. He also told us (Continued on page 28)
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(Continued from page 27)
about Dr Allen Hatheway, in Pennsylvania, America, where there are about 40,000 coke ovens that he has recorded. A chance find of a brief article about him in the Westmorland Ga zet te le d t o a mazing revelations about ovens. The fact that there is a place called Westmorland in Pennsylvania was probably the reason that Allen had read about the new information board at the Holme o v e ns i n a n e a r l ie r Westmorland Gazette. Another useful contact has been made with the Lancaster and District Heritage Group who are very active in the local area and very interested in our work. They have also given us contact with an archaeological group in Wigan who have sent us some information about the Kirkless colliery, coke works, iron works and steelworks close to where was the end of the southern section of the Lancaster Canal as it merged with the Leeds and Liverpool. Kirkless, of which there is now very little trace, was owned by the Wigan Coal and Iron Company who also owned a number of the sites of the coke ovens in which we are interested. The archaeology people in Wigan have not seen 28
coke ovens and are very interested in a visit to see ours soon. Whilst we have not yet been successful in arranging another Lancaster Towpath Taskforce meeting at Carnforth, after a couple of recent meetings with C&RT personnel we have now been given a date of 5 October for the removal of most of the damaging tree cover on the oven bank by the C&RT contractors. A large willow tree that is tending to obstruct the passage of boats along the canal will also be removed. We are currently discussing with them the possibility of us helping with the marshalling of walkers along the public footpath through the site during the re moval operation. The same meetings with C&RT have also raised the need for a method statement to be produced by us for excavation of the central one of the ovens and fitting of grills to inhibit access. The inside of the oven will then be visible. Still quite a way to go to achieve our final aim. Brian Crawley Secretary Friends of Carnforth Coke Ovens
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Lancaster Canal Trust 100 Club
The winning numbers since the last Magazine are First Second Third May 35 61 51 June 38 24 37 July 59 73 58 August 69 39 23 September no draw will be included with October Draw
To use an overused phrase -You have to be in it to win it! If you think you should be on the list but cannot find your name or would like to have a number please ring Cath Davenport, the 100 Club Organiser on (015395) 67250 or email her on cmadavenport@hotmail.com. 1 Jack Skimming 2 Gerry Stokes 3 Bob Seed
26 Blank 27 John Davenport 28 Don Cook
51 Bryan Tennant 52 Don Cook 53 Keith Bye
76 Helen Boothman 77 David Hill 78 Dorothy Hill
4 Maureen Olley 5 Sheila Slater
29 Mark Houghton 30 Maureen Olley
54 Angela Acott 55 Nellie Fogg
79 Jacqueline Kenny 80 Andy James
6 Cath Davenport 7 Dave Cox 8 Nick Brown
31 E Ann Allwright 32 Frank Hodson 33 John Muncaster
56 Peter Jones 57 Keith Midgley 58 Gillian Greer
81 Alistair Gregory 82 Jeff Dunn 83 Adrian Hughes
9 Martyn Clapham
34 John Muncaster
59 Beryl Bowcott
84 Jack Kelly
10 Gerry Stokes
35 Margaret Gibson
60 Helen Thomas
85 Mike Dickson
11 Blank
36 Margaret Gibson
61 Helen Thomas
86 Blank
12 Blank
37 David Shepherd
62 Tony Fisher
87 Blank
13 Don Cook
38 John Knowles
63 Kathleen Hughes
88 Angela Seed
14 Diana Langstaff 15 Pat Clapham
39 Robert Yates 40 Neil McGarry
64 Nigel Hardacre 65 Ann Hardacre
89 Frank Sanderson 90 Sue Sanderson
16 Adrian Hughes
41 Blank
66 Cath Davenport
91 Alistair Gregory
17 D E Penny 18 Don Cook 19 Gerald Rigby
42 David Richardson 43 Reg Phillips 44 Carol Hannigan
67 Elsie Gregg 68 John Caley 69 Hal Bagot
92 Mark Houghton 93 Richard Trevitt 94 Blank
20 Bill Wappett 21 Blank
45 Gordon Clapham 46 Blank
70 Ian Hill 71 Robert Yates
95 Dilys Golden 96 Dilys Golden
22 John Dodwell
47 Clive Woodhouse
72 Christopher John
97 Blank
23 Liz Phillips
48 Anthony Greer
73 Kathleen Hughes
98 Marilyn Clark
24 Howard Broomby
49 Reine Wilson
74 Walter Butler
99 Marilyn Clark
25 Angela Broomby
50 Susan Dickson
75 John Dodwell
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100 Olive Hill
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The Lancaster Canal Trust Annual A/cs 2015/ 16
Income +/- 2014-15 Membership Subscriptions 5355 -394 Legacies 1000 1000 Trip Boat Donations 4193 447 Guide Book Sales 2411 -44 100 Club Subscriptions 1126 46 General Sales 199 -210 Investment Income 620 -142 General Donations 1632 -1293 Talks 184 -201 Trailboat Festival 1314 1314 Grants 425 219 Publicity Events 0 0 Total 18459 742 Expenditure Upper Reaches Projects 3887 -21113 Waterwitch Newsletter 1831 -1207 Cost of Items Sold 888 -11 Depreciation 692 -1 Trip Boat Running 1339 30 Governance 1753 311 Stock Write Off 780 -251 Other Costs 714 -107 100 Club Prizes & Costs 683 113 Events 3 68 43 Promotional Material 1290 1284 Other Projects & WorkParties 127 -10316 Funded Studies 0 1900 Surplus 4107 Total
18459 -29325
Balance Sheet Stock Lloyds TSB C.O.I.F. NatWest Bank CAF Bank CAF 90-Day Petty Cash Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable
1756 -1654 880 530 1396 6 4710 1019 14992 1448 92345 614 236 44 599 425 -3008 1890
Total
113906 4322
Map courtesy of Mike Valiant.
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LANCASTER CANAL TRUST Officers and Committee 2016/17 President Audrey Smith (Temporary) Vice - Presidents John Gavan; David Slater Chairman Robin Yates (01539) 733252
Vice - Chairman David Gibson Secretary David Gibson cbriar@gmail.com Treasurer Peter Jones 14 Blencathra Gardens Kendal LA9 7HL (01539) 739105 peter@cpsj.me.uk Membership Secretary Dave Moll davemoll@davemoll.plus.com Public Relations Officer Robin Yates. Waterwitch Editor David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal LA9 6AD (01539) 732599 dadcurrington@hotmail.com Working Party Organiser Vacant Accounts Inspector Janet Cherry Associate member of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners (ACIE)
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS & OTHER TRUST OFFICERS
Sandra Henstock (L.C.B.C. Representative) (01253)764171
David Joyner Boat Operations Manager tripboat@lancastercanaltrust.org.uk
Affiliated Members Beetham Parish Council Bolton-le-Sands PC Burton-in-Kendal Parish Council Cabus Parish Council Forton Parish Council Lancaster Canal Boat Club Newton with Clifton PC
Over Kellett Parish Council
Preston Patrick Parish Council Ramblers Association (Preston Area)
Slyne with Hest Parish Council
Ramblers Association (Lancaster) Warton Parish Council Westmorland & North Lancashire Long Distance Walkers Assoc. Wright & Butterfield, Kendal
Waterwitch is copyright 2016, published by The Lancaster Canal Trust (Registered Charity No. 1167020) c/o David Currington, 12 Sedbergh Road, Kendal, LA9 6AD The Lancaster Canal Trust may not agree with the opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or an official announcement, unless so stated - otherwise the Trust accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication.
Visit LCT website at:
http://www.lctrust.co.uk
The deadline for contributions to the next edition of Waterwitch will be mid March 2017 Contributions may be e-mailed to dadcurrington@hotmail.com Or by post to David Currington 12 Sedbergh Road Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6AD Printed Printed by by Kent Kent Valley Valley Colour ColourPrinters, Printers, Kendal. Kendal. (01539) (01539) 741344 741344
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