The Butty - Spring 2024

Welcome

Dear Members,

As I’m writing this, we’re just coming out of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. As someone who lives by the canal, I notice every year that this is the moment where most people remember we have a canal here! The towpath suddenly goes from a sludgy, deserted mess that I drag my grouchy pug along once a day to a social, friendly space where you can’t move without a family in their wellies wanting to say hello! I love it

There has been a lot of change in the Trust since I last wrote to you and I’ve been musing on how to discuss it here We have a new Chairman, much has changed with Trust staffing, several new Board members!

Reflecting on this, I’ve realised that I have never known the Trust to be a place to shy away from change If we think about the beginning of the Trust, the restoration, we were formed to disrupt and create positive change for the K & A that had fallen into disrepair. And more recently, throughout the pandemic, we constantly evolved and changed the ways we worked. Even down to things like Bruce Boat Diana going hybrid or implementing a new booking system! It doesn’t always feel easy or comfortable - but we get there. And on a recent visit to Devizes Wharf, I was pleased to chat to Terry Mundy in his Museum and find that for Terry and (museum horse) Hercules, it’s business as usual!

I hope you enjoy the Spring Butty and I hope you’ll use the brighter days to get out there and see some of the incredible work happening along the Canal, whether it’s on one of our boats, at Crofton, at the museum or on the towpath.

Very best,

Jen

JenSmith-Furmage

Editor

K&A Canal Trust, Devizes Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1EB

Who's who

President: Rob Dean CMG

Vice presidents:

Rt Hon Lord Benyon

Bill Fisher

David Lamb

Michael Corfield

Michael Goodenough

Prunella Scales, CBE

Terry Kemp

Timothy West, CBE

David Copley

Mike Wyatt

Trust council: Graham Puddephatt, Chair chair@katrust org uk

Jerry Dixon, Hon Treasurer fd@katrust org uk

Graham Snook

Mike Bailey, H&S

Ali Cannon

Robert Dunton

Terry Mundy

Enterprise board: Graham Puddephatt, Chair

Jerry Dixon

Michael Corish

Ceri Hanlon

Paul Hanson

Paul Kettel

Office:

Helen Flavinfinance@katrust org uk

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Chairman’s Letter

An update from Trust Chairman, Graham Puddephatt

4-12

Branch Updates

Updates from the our Branches (and their boats!) as we go into the 2024 season

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Greenham Lock

Trust Volunteer Alison Cannon expands on her lock series with an article on Greenham Lock

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Mike Wyatt - Profile

A profile on Trust Vice President Mike Wyatt and his history with our Canal

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Accessible Waterways Conference

Bruce Boats attend the Accessible Waterways Conference - a report

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Reading Water Fest

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An update on the ever popular Water Fest and it’s plans for the 2024 season.

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News From The Nivernais

Mary Ranger brings us news and updates from our twinned canal in France, Canal du Nivernais

Chairman’s Letter

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Butty.

I would like to introduce myself as the newly appointed chair of the Trust wtih Chris Sims, the previous chair, having stepped down due to ill health. We thank him for all he did for the Trust. I also want to thank the other members of Trust Council or Enterprise Board who have left their roles since the last edition of The Butty.

I have been Chair of Reading branch and a Director of Enterprise prior to this. My working background was in IT, and I have experience as chair of a parish council, and trustee of a disabled arts charity. I was first introduced to canals over 40 years ago. I have to say, I feel it is a great honour and privilege to have been asked to take on the role. I am grateful for the support from The Trustees, Enterprise Directors and many of our talented and resourceful volunteers.

This winter has proved challenging with excess of water and high flow rates. Climate changes predicted include wetter winters, and drier summers. We are looking to make changes to reduce our carbon foot print. I am pleased to report that Bruce Boats are trialing a new fully accessible hybrid boat, and are hoping to bring it to Reading Waterfest on the 8th June.

The Trust is looking at how we can utilize technology improvements. In view of this we are looking for people with expertise that can lead on Social Media, Marketing, and Membership. We are continuing to refine our use of the new online booking system for boat trips, and develop content for the website, giving more autonomy to the branches.

One of my first duties as Chair has been to present David Copley a certificate and a bottle of wine to celebrate his appointment as an honorary Vice President of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

He recently stepped down as Trustee and was previously Reading Branch Chair. He has been an active Trust member working on restoration of the Kennet and Avon since 1972.

Mike Wyatt was also appointed as an honorary Vice president in recognition of the work done during the restoration of the navigation, and his work to make the Reading Waterfest an annual event from 1990 as well as being a well-respected chair of the Reading Branch.

The need for campaigning to protect and look after the Kennet and Avon canal did not end with the completion of restoration. There is increasing concern about the reduction of government funding, and the challenges and demands of maintenance and flooding. The Trust is a proud signatory to support the IWA campaign ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’. The Trust is also part of a forum to advise and support CRT, and acts as a critical friend. We have been proactively looking at how the waterway has been affected by flooding in the river sections. Advice offered from the perspective of experience gained, from work done during restoration, has been well received.

I look forward to meeting you along our wonderful waterway,

GrahamP

AGM Announcement

The 2024 AGM will be held on Saturday 1st June at 11am. If you wish to attend the meeting, you must contact the Devizes office (bookings@katrust.org.uk) saying whether you wish to join by Zoom or attend in person, by Thursday 30th May 2024. Proxy Notices (will be available on the Trust website) should be returned by the same date.

Reading Branch Updates

We have been holding our meetings in Reading on the Humber barge moored at the Bel and Dragon. We were surprised and pleased, to find that this has now been renamed the Narrow Boat. To mark this we presented Natalie and her team with an early edition of LTC Rolt’s book ‘Narrow boat’ with a challenge to read it before the spring trips begin

It seems they are likely to have plenty of time to read it, as this end of the Kennet is still on Red Boards, with no opportunity to move Matilda back to Winter mooring since October. County lock, and the bottom landing stage of Fobney lock, have been underwater for several months She remains outside the Narrow Boat where preparations for the coming season are underway. We have discovered we have a friend literally overlooking Matilda Too, opposite her enforced winter moorings

I would like to thank Kelly, who messaged us a few times, to let us know about some flapping covers, and some rope adjustments we needed to make This prevented some unfortunate mishaps, and we are truly grateful to a guardian angel.

Around October, we heard reports of otters in Central Reading and a little later Keith, our Boat Manager, was delighted to see a pair of otters rolling and playing around Matilda Too. They have been seen feeding, and playing on a regular basis since then.

In November a lady with a life sized resin horse called Miles, was walking the towpath in stages, towards London She was doing this in memory of her daughter Brodie, a young rider, raising awareness and money for Riders Minds and PAPYRUS suicide prevention. This was fortunately before the towpath became too waterlogged www doitforbrodie co uk

We have had a full programme of meetings with speakers over the Autumn and Winter season. Rob Coles from CRT spoke in January Rob thanked the Trust and specifically the Crofton Volunteers for running the Beam engines, and maintaining the water level, while they were replacing the summit level pumps This was the largest budget project on CRT’s work for this year, to pump water up to the summit level from Wilton water. He discussed the recent flooding, with unprecedented volume of water Storm rainfall in the Marlborough area caused a sudden rise in tributaries of the Kennet.

Reading Branch

David receiving Vice President award.

This caused flooding there, which then worked its way down to our area. Much of the flow and monitoring levels reached new highs, with Newbury seeing 40 cubic Metres/second, that’s a lot of water!!! The CRT team are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year managing this complex balancing act.

In February Sue Law presented her new book “The Dark side of the Cut”. Including fascinating stories of murder and intrigue at the canal side, and an insight into how the boating community were seen.

By Dru Marland

There has been a change of subject for March with Anne Husar from the IWA talking about the campaign ‘Fund Britain’s Waterways’.

The flood plain, and water meadows to the west of Reading, have been high, and constant. Driving through some of the recent excess of water, I experienced a swan swimming across in front of me, with a heron watching on. The water doesn’t suit all, and I have seen deer looking for dry ground around the water meadows. The grass areas on the lock sides, are heaped with mole hills, the little velvet beasts desperately looking to keep their noses dry.

Waterfest will be held on 8th June we are looking forward to have one of our Bruce Branch fully accessible boats visiting. The boats offer hire boat holidays and day trips from Great Bedwyn. They will be working with Reading Borough Council and others to offer trips to those who otherwise might not be able to get on the water. We are planning to use the wharfage outside the new Huntley Wharf buildings to host a larger number of boats, now that the development is finally finished. There will be an exhibition in the Turbine house, hosted by a gallery of canal artists, several based on the K&A. Please contact me if you would like to bring your boat or have a stall.

The Aldermaston Tea Rooms have been open continuously from the start of the year and are prepared to welcome the Devizes to Westminster Canoe race at Easter. We are preparing for the Wash house/Toll house information centre to be open and viewable this Spring. We have had permission to use articles from The Narrowboat magazine to detail the life of a Toll Clerk, and some detail of the workings of John Gould’s working boats. We have recently been donated some artifacts for the working K&A including a mast from John Gould’s boat ‘Colin’. If anyone has any similar items, we would be pleased.

Keep well and look after each other.

GrahamP chair.reading@katrust.org.uk

“Reading…on Kennet and oh so near the Thames” - Daniel Defoe 1724

Reading meetings are held at 7.30pm third Tuesday of the month at The Narrow Boat, Reading RG1 3EQ You are welcome to come along, or contact me for the Zoom access.

See katrust.org.uk for more details on these meetings. *Stop Press

The Narrowboat pub / Restaurant has been closed by Fullers at short notice. We have moved Branch meetings to our Tea Rooms and Aldermaston

Newbury Branch Updates

Hi from Newbury, where for once I'm sitting writing this looking at, relatively, blue skies!

Normally at this time of year we would be getting Jubilee ready for our yearly training and a chance for some to get out on the water for the first time since the end of last season. We're still getting ready for training, but sadly it's all going to be land based as we can't get out on The K&A. Once again being on a river section is haunting us.

Since the last Butty we ended the season with our Halloween trips, which went down really well, and then it was full steam with preparations for our Christmas trips. Crew and committee got together for a wrapping party and over 200 presents were wrapped, labelled, collated and boxed ready for Santa to deliver.

Bunting and tinsel were unravelled, costumes dusted off, not Santas obviously as he's real, and mince pies purchased. All was ready to go.... and the heavens opened. Old timers talk of the great rains of 2014 when the floods came and the flow rate through Newbury was just under 30. Trips get called off once the flow reaches 10, by the time we were due to sail..... it was 22.6 and you couldn't see some of the lock landings.

Thankfully contingencies were in place and we had another party, to turn the John Gould Room at the wharf into Santa's Grotto. Even though we couldn't get on the water a great time was had a by all. The big man in red made several appearances and the kids loved it.

The rain continued and just after Christmas the flow was 39.6. I invested in a pump and spent a bit of time moving water out of my cellar and we are still, at 29.6. We are all keeping our fingers crossed the season can start as planned at the end of April. Everyone is going to be working hard to make the season the best we can and we are putting some different evening trips on for the summer. We attended the volunteering fair in Newbury in January, which was very good for us and we're looking forward to trying up our new crew members and letting them loose(ish) on the canal.

Before the season starts we have our AGM in the John Gould Room on the 24th of April. Feel free to turn up if you want to meet any of the volunteers who make Jubilee and Newbury and happy and successful part of the KACT.

Hungerford Branch Updates

The prospect of the Rose going back into action in Spring lifts the spirits as we struggle through the tail of Winter.

This year, however, we face a number of serious challenges. Several of our key volunteers, including a number of our experienced boatmasters, are hors de combat because of health issues. We hope and expect they will be fit enough to contribute later on, but we will struggle without them in the first few months of the season.

The Kennet remains closed to navigation; the waterways in and around Hungerford are at their highest in living memory. Our out of water MCA inspection and hull blacking has been postponed by at least a month and unless flows reduce significantly soon, will have to be delayed again.

On the brighter side, we have successfully passed our MCA in water inspection. Canal and River Trust have finally repaired Dun Mill lock (some three years after problems first arose!).

To add to that, a gratifying number of new volunteers will be going through EST and joining us as fully fledged crew members for the 2024 season. A new cooker has been installed and the gas cut off is now easily accessible. The new KARS crew booking website appears to be working well.

We look forward to giving Rose a (much needed) new coat of paint and our first trip of the season on Mothering Sunday and send our best wishes to the invalids for a smooth and rapid recovery.

Bruce Branch Updates

So much has happened recently I don’t know where to start. With many new committee members, and big changes in the way bookings are taken, some of us have spent the winter months at our computers honing our IT skills. Not so the Winter Warriors, who in record numbers have turned out in all weathers to make sure the boats are in tip top condition ready for the new season. The rain made locating leaky windows easy –fixing the leaks was more of a challenge, but one which was overcome with the usual efficiency and good humour.

Steve Gibbons has been working hard on publicity: as a result we have an encouraging number of bookings for this year and are well on our way to meeting our target numbers. Steve represented Bruce Boats at the Accessible Waterways Conference in December, and at the Wiltshire WheelPower Sports Festival in February, both interesting and extremely worthwhile events. At the start of the year almost forty of us enjoyed a New Year Buffet at the Three Tuns pub in Bedwyn, where staff members Janet, Ollie and Beth had been preparing to take part in the New Forest Trail Run. We were delighted to be their chosen charity for this sponsored event: the donations total has reached over £3000. A fantastic achievement.

Our most exciting project this year is converting one of our widebeam boats to hybrid (diesel-electric) propulsion This has been funded by a very generous legacy, and we hope will allow us to run entirely on electricity for day trips, while having the full range and power for holiday hires provided by the existing diesel engine The advantage of electric, as well as reducing our carbon footprint and exhaust emissions, is that it is much quieter than diesel so will offer a better experience for all on board. Watch out for Diana in a couple of months’ time as she glides silently down the canal...

Lady Hilda is also gearing up for a good season, ready to welcome Guides, Scouts, Trefoil, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants on board, with record numbers of bookings already in place. Two out of the three DofE trips are already full; we may add another in the summer holidays to cope with demand

Our Easter Fayre and Open Day was a great success, with visitors travelling from as far afield as Leeds to look round the boats

Crofton Branch Updates

Preparation for the 2024 season continues apace with a successful result of the boiler inspection whilst stripped down for the winter, it is now back together again and will be ready for a Hydraulic test on 27 February. A small team of volunteers have continued researching for alternative fuel to coal, last season our trials with a fuel part made with olive stones gave mixed results, it was also extremely hot and hard work for our people managing the further trials will continue this season. With the type of coal our boilers burn now becoming more difficult to obtain, we confirmed an order of twenty tonnes late last year whilst the coal was still in transit, so 2024 streaming’s are secure.

Winter has not been incident free, work repairing the chimney was completed by contractors during October.

It was apparent that many of the windows in the pumphouse were in poor condition and needed urgent attention, volunteers devised a method of removing and repairing the eight beam gallery windows which reduced cost of repair considerably. We have no records of storm damage during the last 200 years but our roof and gutters suffered the year before last, then storm Isha early this year caused damage to the roof in almost the same place.

Evaluation of consultants’ proposals and Crofton Branch Committee input for Crofton 2030 project was completed and submitted to NHLF in November. Although some of the proposals if we wish to progress with them will require substantial funding, during the discussions certain ideas were identified that could be managed by volunteers ideas such as making better use of the buildings on site particularly now the stone Smithy building is owned by the K&A Trust. Work has already started on relocating workshops, the next phase is to convert the Smithy into a learning area for schools and make use of Pumphouse cottage ground floor as visitors refreshment facilities.

Crofton Beam Engines has secured a grant of £6,120 from the Association of Independent Museums under its 'New Stories New Audiences' programme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their 'Crofton for Kids' project. The grant will fund the development and production of a class set of working models of the pumping station, buildable by children and designed by volunteers. Visiting groups of children will visit the station to learn how it works They will be helped to build the models and will then work in small groups to create short videos about the station. These videos will be made accessible to visitors to the station through the use of QR codes, taking advantage of the intranet installed around the site.

Whitney Cawley, the Learning and Community Engagement Officer at Crofton Beam Engines said: "This is an exciting opportunity to develop our activities with children. We have already signed up three local schools to work with us, and are talking to others We will then be able to use the models created as part of the project in our existing learning sessions and incorporate them into a more regular family workshop which we hope to offer throughout the year"

Graham Snook, a Trustee and Chairman of the Crofton Branch, said: "This grant recognises the value of the work we are doing at Crofton to develop our learning and engagement programme. We are grateful to the Association of Independent Museums for their continuing support to small museums such as Crofton Beam Engines."

The New Stories New Audiences programme is designed to support small museums to stay relevant to their audiences and to increase their impact by identifying new stories and by working with a new partner, to work differently and to try something new

Heritage Open Days 2023

Devizes Branch Update

However, there was a particular hiccup which made these trips more interesting for passengers and more challenging for our crew of elves You may have seen on

On the wharf itself, the Devizes branch are continuing to develop and promote our re vamped venue, the Rennie Room, for public to hire for all kinds of events. So far we have yoga classes, the wharf theatre use it as a rehearsal room and we host a weekly and very popular park run. The museum has been complemented by the Galley room, which serves tea and coffee to the visitors. For further information contact Ann Snook(snook30@btinternet.com)

The new season officially commenced on 10th March when we put on two well attended Mother’s Day cream tea cruises. The weather was kind and the passengers all lovely. All of us at Devizes are looking forward to a continued successful and productive time ahead on the Kenavon Venture!

Note from The Editor - While this edition of The Butty was in production I was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Jean Smith. Jean has been an integral and much-loved part of Devizes Branch for many years. A full article on Jean’s life and huge contributions to Devizes branch will be included in the Autumn Butty.

Bradford on Avon Branch

Updates

Those long, heady summer days, out on the cut, cruising along with the sun on your face, greeting walkers on the tow path….don’t you just long for their return?

Memories of our lovely passengers being looked after by our hard working crew feel somewhat distant in the middle of a grey, damp February day – but the days lengthen and in the blink of an eye, we are back doing what we love!

Meanwhile, we had fun at our B Mac Christmas After Party, emptying the boat ready to go to drydock. Our band of “jolly helpers” who watch their number of steps certainly had a boost, up and down the boat steps, across to the cafe, up and down the stairs. On repeat. But the reward was a drink in the Canal Tavern and further opportunity to chat and bond a bit more. A Crew Jolly along the canal to Semington was another great day out, and not at all a “busman’s holiday” as we re-grouped and recalled all things boaty. It was good to welcome some of our brand new volunteers.

And now we are ready for the first of our trips: Mother’s Day, Easter with a Bank Holiday Cream Tea trip, Spring Burst that takes us to the Dundas Aqueduct in early May.On we go to Midsummer Daydream in June, Boater’s Apprentice in July, monthly cream tea trips and a lot of charters!

We are privileged to be a part of many celebrations from birthdays to weddings, retirements to annual gatherings, active people on holiday to not-so-active-any-more people who can enjoy sitting on board appreciating the scenery as they pass through it.

A lovely Canadian couple have been in touch about an ancestral history visit they will be doing They have connections with the Peto family of Iford Manor and a trip on ouur boat is a highlight of their planned holiday. Amazing! And then from our social media we know that some of our lovely “regulars” are as excited about being on the boat again It’s like meeting up with old friends

We look forward to the Nautical Archaeology Society returning in September as part of their Victorian Boating weekend. We are fortunate to count Ali Cannon among our Skippers and here she is beautifully dressed in her costume reading extracts from her book “Victorian Boating”

So what’s not to like about volunteering on a KACT boat?

These words came from one of our new crew last season, like gold dust, and I’m sure lots of our wonderful KACT volunteers will echo them:

“Volunteering as crew has greatly contributed to both my physical and mental health – the latter particularly – as there’s no substitute for tootling along the canal on a summer’s afternoon and I get a real sense of pleasure and satisfaction from each trip. Helping and interacting with the passengers gives me a palpable sense of worth, especially when they thank us so kindly at the end of a trip It’s great to be able to help people and see them having a good time ” And long may it continue as we head into another glorious boating season.

Floating Safely into the New Season

One of the important “Backroom” (Garage) activities during the downtime for the boats, and crews, is to test, check, and certify our life Jackets. Our President Rob Dean undertakes this annual servicing task which he has recently completed for this year. Our policy since December 2021 requires the inspection to be done, and a report of the results sent to the Director of Boats, to include numbers of life jackets inspected, failure rate, and statistics for replacement of components. This is a summary of that report.

139 life jackets were provided for servicing (including 9 from the Falcon Adam team which are owned by the Thames & Kennet Narrowboat Trust). All the Life Jackets were serviced in accordance with the approved procedure, which includes overnight inflation.

136 were passed for use on Trust boats, with 2 used at Crofton. Three were rejected, of which 2 were destroyed and one (personally owned) marked 'unsafe and not to be used on Trust boats'. Certificates were issued to our boat managers.

Some gas cylinders and other minor parts were replaced from stock. The boats have been supplied with additional in-date replacement bobbins and gas cylinders for use during the season if needed. Boat managers will check any new personal Life Jackets being brought to Trust boats to make sure they meet our requirements.

There is collating of any incidents involving lifejackets, to monitor their performance. Each year there are a few false activations. This tends to happen if Life Jackets are stored wet!

We are grateful to Rob Dean for completing this mammoth task. All Life jackets have now returned to the boats and are ready for use.

Lifejackets ready for the 2024 season

Locks on the CanalGreenham Lock (86)

By Alison Cannon

If locks could talk, what tales they could tell of the happenings at their gates over the years! One lock which has seen more than its fair share of strange events is Greenham Lock, located to the east of Newbury next to Greenham Lock Marina

Surrounded by flood meadows when it was first built in the 1720s, initially this large turf-sided lock would have received barges from the Thames, to be joined later by pairs of narrowboats. In 1878 a writer to The Newbury Weekly News reminisced about the boats of earlier times: “A couple of Mr John Flint’s, or Mr Evans senior’s, or the late Daniel New’s ‘wussers’ [narrowboats], strung together as close as the Siamese Twins, are returning perhaps with loads of the much-prized Newcastle coals that had been ‘whipped’ from the northern coal-hulks in the port of London. . . . also one or two of the Brothers Quarrenton’s big barges, just starting on their journey with a miscellaneous cargo bound for London Probably the chief part of the load is comprised of the famous barley grown in West Berks for the big London brewers ”

Five years later, the lock was in a bad state of repair and a stoppage was necessary. The canal was dammed and the water drained using an Archimedean Screw “driven by an engine placed in a punt in the stream adjoining” The “extensive repairs” were completed in little more than a week. Perhaps CRT could learn a thing or two from life in the 1880s – but finding the “seventy men” required to do the work might be a challenge. Certainly these repairs were more successful than one in the 1950s for which an old telegraph pole was ordered to make a replacement balance beam, but when it arrived it was found that the courier, to make transport easier, had sawn it in half!

The lock is named after the nearby Greenham Mill, which in 1811 was the location for the making of the Throckmorton (or Newbury) Coat, the result of a bet that the whole process of making a woollen coat – beginning with shearing the sheep – could not be completed within 24 hours. . (The bet was won in 13 hours 20 minutes). Then just slightly further afield is Greenham Common, a name for many synonymous with the Women’s Peace Camp against nuclear weapons in the 1980s. Both these events are commemorated in Newbury’s West Berkshire Museum.

Less well known is the excitement caused by two successive dangerous dogs living near the lock, resulting in multiple letters and even a poem to the local press in 1879; and, in a strange reversal of fate, the vicious attack on a walker’s dogs by the inhabitants of the lock-house in 1916.

Later, the lock cottage was inhabited by one Major Stanley Chittenden, who ran a riding school of about 20 ponies next to the canal. He shunned a motor car for a pony and trap, and was still using them to do his shopping well into the 1960s. By this time the pony was almost blind, so the Major gave up his seat in the trap to lead the pony along, oblivious to the dangers of traffic on the newly-built dual carriageway. He also used it to collect calves from Newbury Cattle Market for his farm:“Admittedly it’s quite a squash in the trap with the family and the odd calf or two, but who cares; it’s a very pleasant way to travel,” the Major told the Reading Evening Post in 1966.

Profile - Mike Wyatt

Mike Wyatt has recently been appointed as a Vice President in recognition for his long contribution to the Trust Mike has made a huge contribution to the work of the Trust, his influence extending as far as Buckingham Palace. As a result, he is one of the few Trust members to have been awarded the Trust’s highest honour of the John Gould award Mike and his wife Audrey relocated to Reading after Mike’s work as a military engineer in the Far East.Later, their boat would be called Moonflower, after an unusual oriental flower, one of which they kept at their house They joined the Trust and in the mid1970s. Mike joined the Bulls Lock restoration project where his army experience allowed him to be one of the qualified engineers supervising the work as well as working as an “ordinary” volunteer on days when other engineers were rostered to take charge. Best known for his work as a member and later Chaiman of Reading Branch he has also suggested, researched and implemented a series of schemes to build on the Trust’s history and promote the canal. The Trust AGM usually took place at the western end of the canal but Mike thought some should come eastward so he and Audrey organised and catered for an AGM at Reading, another one was later held at Burghfield

Reading Waterfest was initially seen as a one off event, to mark the canal reopening in 1990. Reading Borough Council seemed impressed with the success of the event, and so Mike built up a relationship with them to support and maintain the event going forward. Waterfest is now in its 35th year

Knowing that a petition for restoration of the canal had been sent to the Queen in 1956 (but subsequently lost by the Public Records Office) Mike proposed that a Declaration of Gratitude for restoration be sent.

Working with Trust President and local MP Tony (later Sir Anthony) Durant, whose parliamentary duties included contact with the palace, the declaration was carried along the whole canal by boat in 2003 and signed by people along the way. It was then presented personally to the Queen by Mike, Tony, Trust Chairman Brian Poulton, and Reading Branch Chairman Peter Crawford. November 2005 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of Reading Branch. Mike worked hard to locate original members and organised a special reception in November 2005 for past and present members and local civic leaders.

Mikes careful research also included the history of the wharves and moorings on Reading’s waterways Part of the banks near the former Huntley and Palmer biscuit factory were identified as Blakes Wharf and Reading Borough Council put up a plaque bearing the name As age increased Mike handed over the Chairman role at Reading, but remained as an active member, and as a wise adviser to his successor. Mike also had family connections with a local Scout group, and helped them raise funds to rebuild their HQ, after a suspicious fire

Now in his nineties he has recently moved from Reading to Newbury to be near his family.

Always modest, Mike is always known as Mike The term Major M. Wyatt only emerges when needed to overcome bureaucratic barriers, or to strengthen a claim for support to the Trust

Accessible WaterwaysConference

In December, Steve Gibbons and Ali Cannon were privileged to represent Bruce Boats at the first conference of the newly-formed Accessible Waterways Association (www.awa-uk.org.uk). The following report is from founder members Tracey Clarke (text) and Tim Clarke (picture).

Report of the Towards Accessible Waterways Day 2023

Saturday 2 December 2023 can be hailed as a great success for the Accessible Waterways Association (AWA). Despite the weather, and some train problems, around 50 people gathered at the wonderful Trefoil House venue in central Birmingham for the Towards Accessible Waterways Day. This was hosted jointly by AWA and the Canal and River Trust, and was linked to the International Day of People with Disabilities. Although from the outside the choice of venue didn’t look great (because of the current building work), it proved to be a superb one. The brand new Trefoil House has been built for the Girl Guides and is fully accessible and very well equipped. There was a large hall, which housed our meeting as well as the exhibitors, with plenty of room to circulate. A separate room provided a more sociable area for refreshments and lunch. The whole of the venue was on the ground floor, and nearby parking added to the benefits.

The day was for anyone who identifies as having a disability, or who cares about the accessibility of our beloved canals and their surrounding environments. It included exhibition stands from:

The Accessible Waterways Association

The Canal & River Trust

Waterlodge UK Ltd

Overwater Wheelyboat Services

Food Allergy Friends Ltd

Bruce Boats (Kennet & Avon Canal Trust)

Waterways Chaplaincy

Navigating the System

Spring 2024

Tracey Clarke and Matthew Symonds introduce the day There were talks/presentations from Rob Oliver; Paralympic Medallist Kayaker

Tracey Clarke – AWA

Matthew Symonds and Dick Vincent – CRT

Liz Humphreys – ‘Having a boat built for full accessibility needs’

· Rekha Vijayshankar – Marie Curie

·Rev Richard Alford – Waterways Chaplain

These talks all promoted a great deal of excellent ongoing conversations both in ‘Q&A’ style

Perhaps the topic that provoked the most interest was the prototype new mooring bollard that was brought along by Dick Vincent, National Towpath Advisor for CRT This is a full-size model of the proposed design for bollards to be installed at designated accessible mooring places, which are to be gradually set up around the network This provoked a great deal of very interesting and useful conversation about the whole topic of the accessibility of moorings and routes to and from them.

Accessible WaterwaysConference

Also very interesting was the talk by Rob Oliver about his experience of and gratitude for use of the canals around Birmingham during Covid Lockdown times, when training facilities were closed. Rob used the canals to train for the Tokyo Paralympics 2021, where he won a bronze medal. Through that time, Rob became very fond of our inland waterways system and says that he prefers them to the ‘clinical’ training facilities, because they combine his rigorous training with enjoyment of the wonderful and very varied surroundings.

It was wonderful to share in Liz’s story of having her own bespoke boat built to accommodate her increasing health and mobility difficulties. This shows that it can be done and that a boat can be an excellent home even when we face very challenging physical difficulties.

Rekha was unfortunately unable to join us in person but, thanks to the wonders of technology, gave us a great presentation about the services that Marie Curie can offer for end of life care. This seems like a morose subject but it is one that we all have to face at some point. Rekha tackles the topic with wonderful sensitivity and delivers it with a delightful and sometimes gently humorous manner. It most definitely gave us all food for thought and for further conversation.

Rev Richard Alford told us a little about the ways in which the beloved Waterways Chaplains are able and very willing to befriend, advise and assist any boater in need. They are a truly treasured team of wonderful people around our network.

Matthew Symonds, National Boating Manager and Acting Customer Services Manager for CRT, joined Dick Vincent in talking about the mooring bollards and, more in general, about the accessibility of our 2000+ miles of inland waterways.

This started as a questions-and-answers style presentation with Tracey of AWA as the interviewer It led on to some really good further conversation among all delegates and proved both interesting and helpful

Tracey gave a little insight into how the Accessible Waterways Association came about. She also talked about plans ongoing for the new organization, explaining that, at the moment all the thoughts buzzing around about this are limited by human resources A couple of people have subsequently offered to join the team This is superb news and Tim and Tracey will be in further talks with them to explore the future development of the CIC

All in all, it was a very pleasant, productive and wellworthwhile day. It was great to meet so may people who are passionate about striving to make our precious canals and rivers more accessible so that they can be enjoyed by everybody equally

News from Around The Trust

I attended Phyllis Court as part of Henley Literary festival on the 5th of October 2023 to listen to Tim West recount tales captured in his new book “Pru & Me”. Tim was “in Conversation” with James Hogg who steered him through memorable stories for a very enjoyable, and entertaining introduction, to what I have since found, a fascinating read. At the end of the chat there was an opportunity to question our man. I raised my hand and was offered the mic to ask my question. I asked,

“Given that you are a Vice President of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, do you have a favourite spot or memory of the K&A?”

Tim thought for a moment and said that he and Pru had always enjoyed their time on the K&A. The scenery was stunning, and the variety of the locks and structures always makes it interesting…but the earliest memory was attending an early campaigning meeting in Bath held near a lock, then full of mud.

An objector to the restoration stood on the lock gate, and gave forth his opinion. Someone must have leaned on the lock beam, and the gate shuddered. The chap fell gracefully back into the mud to a rousing cheer from the bystanders.”

With a grin Tim said,

“If this is the type of folk wanting to restore the waterway, I want to be part of it.”

I spoke to James afterwards who thought I asked a very interesting entertaining question.

Graham Puddephatt - Trust Chairman

You may have seen my article in the 2022 Autumn issue of the Butty about my “bird boat box” I had from my Grandchildren for my 75th birthday. My last comment was “I hope the birds like it as much as I do, let’s see what happens next Spring?” Well they obviously did like it. In 2023, all seemed quiet but when I connected the camera we saw 5 eggs. I didn’t realise they were sneaking in the back door where I installed the camera.

Instead of the usual Blue Tits, we had a pair of Robins. I have now fitted the boat with a deck box to house the camera to get a better picture and see if the use the front door,so let’s see what happens this year? - Graham Seymour

Bird Boat Box!

News from Around The Trust

Remembering Barrie Barrett

The Kennet & Avon Canal has lost a long-time supporter and promoter with the passing of Barrie Barrett.

Barrie Barrett was born in 1931 in Devizes but moved to Rowde when he was about 18 months old. From an early age Barrie loved nothing better than playing in the fields and lanes in Rowde and learning all about the wildlife and nature around the area. Later in life he built his own bungalow next to his parents’ home in Marsh Lane and married a local girl the daughter of the village baker.

He did many Guided walks along the Canal for various groups and clubs and produced a book on 6 walks around Rowde which included the Canal. He was also interested in photography and spent many hours filming a pair of Swans on their nest and managed to catch a cygnet being hatched.

When the idea of the Jubilee Wood was proposed Barrie thought this was a lovely idea especially when he was asked to plant a tree in memory of his wife which he was delighted to do. He remained interested in the progress being made and what flora and fauna could be seen there which led him to leave a bequest in his Will.

This bequest is now in the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Archive and is a fascinating collection of papers, photographs and slides an invaluable source of research for those especially interested in the Caen Hill Area.

Note from our Archivist - If anyone is able to assist with digitising slides, this would be greatly appreciated. Please do let me know through the Butty Editor.

A Challenge From The Archive

Elaine, our Archivist, asks, ‘Does anyone know what the metal loops are for on the top of the wall on the lower left side in the picture below)? I have an idea but if anyone knows I would be grateful.’

Reading Water Fest

by Lucy Daniels - Reading Borough Council

For thirty-five years Reading Borough Council has worked in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust to deliver the annual Reading Water Fest event.Water Fest is the towns largest free outdoor festival and alongside the water-based activities, boat parades and beautifully painted boats, the event also features an exciting mix of arts, culture and heritage, through performances, activities and workshops. This accessible one-day event takes place within the Abbey Ruins and along the River Kennet, celebrating the Abbey’s rich 900 year history and its environmental and heritage connections with Reading’s waterways. This year’s event will also officially launch this year’s Reading Climate Festival.

On the day Reading Borough Council’s Events and Engagement team manage all land-based activities and programming and work throughout the year to ensure an exciting programme of activities and entertainment take place across the site.

Activities across the site include an annual Street Food festival brought to you by Blue Collar Street Food in the Forbury Gardens - with their ultimate selection of food stalls there is so much choice you will be sure to find something to enjoy! The Forbury Gardens also host a wide variety of local charities and community groups who set up stalls in the gardens to showcase all the vital work they do here in Reading. And for the first time this year the Forbury Gardens will host a sustainable fashion show, giant pre-loved and thrift clothes sale and repair shop.

On the day visit the Abbey Ruins for a mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance across two stages. Our acoustic stage will be located in the beautiful surroundings of the South Transept throughout the afternoon and our main stage can be found in the dormitory area of the Abbey.

The South Transept will also play host to a whole range of historical and heritage stalls include Reading Museum, Friends of Reading Abbey, Civic Society and The Confraternity of St James.

The main stage programme has been curated in partnership with the new Reading Global Festival (Celebrating of the diverse grassroots SOUND of Reading). There will be a wide range of performances taking place throughout the day from local bands, soloists and choirs.

Chestnut Walk, is home to The Oscar Wilde Memorial Walk and also to the event’s craft avenue. Browse amongst a range of hand crafted items and admire the beautifully painted narrow-boats, new and old. Why not take a relaxing journey on one of the regular trips on the Kennet and Avon Canal Trusts narrowboat, running throughout the day or buy your ticket for the duck race later in the day.

We’ll once again be featuring a floating stage as part of the event. Be prepared to be entertained as you meander along Chestnut Walk by a range of local soloists and groups bringing a whole host of exciting new sounds to the Kennet.

We are also really pleased to be able to extend the event once again along Riverside Walk this year as the development works in this area are now complete. This has meant that we’ve been able to programme a range of sustainable themed workshops, entertainment and refreshments (Provided by the Narrowboat restaurant and bar) into this area once again!

Waterways Poet Laureate at WaterFest 2023

News from the Nivernais

By Mary Ranger

Winter is nearly over and Spring is around the corner The winter here has, fortunately, been wetter than usual topping up all the water tables,lakes and reservoirs and consequently our rivers and canals It was also a winter with several colder spells than we have known since several years, the canal here freezing over in many places. Perhaps this will help kill or, at least slow down the prolific growth of the aquatic weeds that continues to choke our canals nationally Navigating, particularly with a bigger, deeper draughted boat, is slow, tedious going and obviously heavy on fuel consumption As elsewhere, the weed cutting machines are valiantly keeping a navigable channel open. It seems that this aquatic Myriophyllum heterophyllum plant of which there are 69 species some of which are now banned from sale as they are often used in fish tanks the contents then disposed of reaching the waterways eventually

It proliferates aided and abetted by the quantity of nitrates in the water washed down from the adjacent farmland, and the increasing intensity and duration of sunny periods heating the water as well as increasing the light available for photosynthesis.

The University of Lorraine has beeen callled in to study the problem in St Jean de Losne at the southern end of the Burgundy canal where the " gare d'eau" housing a large number of boats was all but impasssable Endeavours to reduce the light available, the quantity of nutrients and physically chopping the weeds did not have the success anticipated but pullling the weed out in the autumn then chopping regularly do keep it under control.

On the canal here we do still have several hotel boats of large dimensions that help keep the channel open, chopping and dispersing the weeds, apparently not necessarily a positive outcome

The bits and pieces only replanting themselves. The bigger boats do push aside the mud and silt but this accumulating depth must eventually provide more breeding ground for the weed,amongst other inconveniences. Dredging is expensive and administratively complicated as the mud extracted has to be analysed, treated and stocked.Not a job in view! As an aside, the dredging machine built specifically for the Nivernais was sent to the scrapyard despite pleas from the Amis headed vociferously by Joe Parfitt; There are fewer and fewer larger boats on the canals here, it seems; is this due to Covid, Brexit, increasing costs, rules and regulations?

Besides the regular maintenance work, the big current project is the reconstruction of the Batardeau weir in Auxerre alongside the first lock off the river Yonne. Replacing the 19th century frames and needles for huge rubber water filled balloons started in October 2022 and should be completed this spring. The balloons can be filled or emptied automatically in order to raise or lower the water levels. Previously, and still in practice on the Nivernais as elsewhere, workers have to walk out onto the barrage and, of course, when the river is in flood, to lift or replace the 2,50metres long by 7 centimetres wide wooden poles - a risky business! Other work has included modifications reinforcing the fish pass on the weir in Vermenton and along the banks of the embranchment there.

The old lock at St. Didier, some seventy kilometres further south partially collapsed last year hindering the opening of the canal cruising season but further repairs were made this winter. Even further south, at the intriguingly named Picampoix pound where there is a huge gravel quarry engulfing the canal and the lock, "renards", not foxes in this case but leaks in the banks were searched out and repaired.

Not far from this weir, on the river below in front of the St.Etienne cathedral is moored a 38 metres excommercial boat converted into a very successful cafetheatre. The "Ysaline" navigates each summer stopping en route to present plays and musical events for young and old.

The Amis plan this year to organise a "chantier de nettoyage" along the banks of the canal around Mailly le Chateau in cooperation with a local historical society and a fishing association. Even though our canal runs through bucolic and isolated (as well as beautiful!) areas, rubbish of all dimensions and origins seems to land and accumulate.

Motivated and organised by Muriel, our treasurer, we have re-published a very successful booklet dedicated to the Nivernais canal with attractive watercolor illustrations originally painted by Eddie Bonel, boat owner and lock keeper based on the canal in the Valley of Sardy.

We will be present at the Port Festival in Migennes on the Burgundy canal in September and we will participate in a national weekend celebrating water and its uses.

A quote from our treasurer, our aims here are "to defend, animate, promote and maintain our canal according to our means, not necessarily to our ambitions".