Towing Path Topics Newsletter of the Inland Waterways Association Lancashire & Cumbria Branch
January 2019
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Towing Path Topics are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) or of its North West Region or of the Lancs and Cumbria Branch. They are, however published as being of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. No reproduction is permitted without acknowledgment. Cover: Leeds & Liverpool Canal below Johnson’s Hillock
Photograph acknowledgements:
Page 6 and cover John Hewerdine Page 8 Neil McGarry Page 9 & 10 Lancaster Canal Trust Page 11 Wendy Humphreys Page 13 LCRP Page 15 CRT Page 16 Mike Gallagher Page 17 Daniel Adamson Preservation Society
Common initials used in the newsletter: IWA Inland Waterways Association CRT Canal and River Trust LCT Lancaster Canal Trust LCRP Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership NB This newsletter gives the required notification of the 2019 Branch AGM (see page 18).
Copy date for next edition 22nd April 2019 The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication. Editor: David Faulkner 22 Moorland Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8EX Tel. 01254 249265 Email david.faulkner@waterways.org.uk
Editor’s comment Welcome to the first newsletter of 2019. As usual we have some good news and some bad news. It is with regret that we have to record the deaths of 2 stalwarts of the waterways – Brian Holden and David Smith (see page 14). Brian was an enthusiastic champion for the restoration of the Rochdale Canal. I remember thinking that he was pursuing an impossible dream when he came to speak at our branch meetings, talking about the millions of pounds needed. But I was wrong. By using arguments for economic regeneration, funds were obtained from many sources and we can now travel across the Pennines along the full length of that canal. So, for me at least, it is a lesson not to despair about restoring the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal. Our National Trailboat Festival in June will be part of that campaign, I hope you can come along to support it. Bring the family, there is plenty for all ages at the adjacent Country Fest (see page 8). David did so much for this Branch and the IWA nationally that there wasn’t room to include everything on page 14. Not least was his support for his wife Audrey. Her award of the prestigious Cyril Styring trophy (page 16) is an item of good news. Our cover photograph shows a part of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal that was originally the Lancaster Canal. The Lancaster was completed in 1819 and various events (including the Trailboat Festival) are planned to celebrate the bi-centenary this year. We hope that it will be as successful as the bi-centenary of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in 2016 but the uncertainties created by the significant re-organisation of the Canal & River Trust may restrict their contribution; let’s hope not. Your comments and contributions are always very welcome, please share your thoughts, moans, congratulations and any news with your fellow branch members. Happy New Year, David
Chairman’s Report By the time you are reading this it will be 2019 and Christmas and New Year celebrations will be over but at the time of writing they are yet to come which makes it strange to say I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year with lots of celebrations and family time, but I hope you did and are all looking forward to 2019. 2018 was a very busy year for your branch and 2019 promises to be even busier! I hope you all read your latest copy of Waterways, where our branch and our area had 4 full pages all about the branch activities and some of the wonderful canal related places we have in our very large area. Our new social season started in September with a talk about Carnforth Coke Ovens, unfortunately I was not able to be there but I understand it went well. In October we were fortunate to have the National Chairman, Ivor Caplan who talked to us about the IWA and the latest news about the IWA. In November we had a change from the advertised programme as our speaker was not well. Chris Hudson from the Institution of Civil Engineers stepped in at a couple of weeks notice and talked about the Ribble Link Navigation. That was a very well attended meeting as members of his Institute attended as well as our IWA members. Don’t worry we didn’t miss an opportunity to hand out membership forms! In December we were going to have a Christmas meal at St Chads but unfortunately the number of people who were able to attend was too low for St Chads to offer a meal, however we had a last minute booking at the Hoghton Arms and had a very good meal there, thanks to those who attended. We plan to repeat the Christmas meal in 2019. In 2019 we will have a full programme for you with a particular focus on the Lancaster Canal as 2019 is the 200 th anniversary of the
opening of the Lancaster Canal and of course there is the Trail Boat Festival. We are all getting used to the new Canal and River Trust logo but maybe not so used to the changes brought about by the reorganisation. At the moment a lot of the C&RT staff are uncertain about their future and we are uncertain about who is doing what. This doesn’t make things easy for us when we want to talk to C&RT for any reason but we appreciate everyone is doing their best. I have continued to attend various meetings including Lancaster Canal Trust and Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership meetings where I have represented the views of the branch and the IWA. I continue to be involved in the planning for the 200 th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the Lancaster Canal. The first Region electronic meeting went well and it was good not to have to travel on a dark winter evening, the next one will be electronic as well. The planning for the National Trail Boat Festival is going well; we have a small but talented/experienced committee! We could always do with more help though; get in touch if you can help. (See page 8 for details of the festival Ed) I would like to take this opportunity to thank fellow members of our committee, all of whom work hard in their own ways to benefit the IWA and our branch. Sir Robert continues to attend our meetings when he can and offers us advice and support. He is also working hard for IWA at National level and using his skills and contacts as a politician to benefit the IWA.
Janet Dunning, continues as membership officer and is doing a really good job. Tony Dunning who is the vice chair of the branch offers me lots of support. Tony and Janet also give a lot of help at our social meetings. David Faulkner does an excellent job as treasurer and multi tasks as editor, I am sure you will agree he does an excellent job of that. Then there is Audrey Smith who works so hard for the IWA both locally and nationally. Audrey was rewarded for this at the National AGM when she was presented with the Cyril Styring Trophy.
Jim Nott is doing a wonderful job of planning officer for the branch and has already responded to several planning reports. At the committee meeting in November Maralyn Nott offered to become the branch secretary and I am very grateful to her for that. Of course we still need new committee members, in particular a Sales Officer, we are trying our best with Sales but a dedicated officer would be able to do much more, let me or another member of the committee know if you are interested. Our February meeting will be our AGM and I hope to see many of you there. Wendy Humphreys
Some of those who attended the Christmas meal at the Hoghton Arms, Withnell. A good 3 course meal, most of us chose the traditional turkey dinner.
2019 IWA Trailboat Festival This national festival which our branch is organising will be on the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal on 1st to 3rd June. It will be part of the Lancaster Canal Bicentenary celebrations and aims to publicise efforts to restore the Northern Reaches. It will take place where the canal runs next to the Westmorland Showground at Crooklands. It will be in association with Country Fest which is on Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd. Boaters will be able to enjoy all the attractions and events of Country Fest and its visitors will be able to visit the trailboat festival. The partnership worked well in 2015 when the Lancaster Canal Trust organised the trailboat festival. Monday the 3rd will be just for the boaters and interested onlookers. There will be an award ceremony and several VIPs have been invited who can join us on a trip on the canal followed by a walk. We hope that Lancaster Canal Trust will have finished the work on the First Furlong by then and the boats will be able to sail the newly opened stretch. Entry forms for boats and camping are now available on the IWA website and entry forms for traders and canal societies are available on the Westmorland Showground website. So far we have 9 boat entries but expect to have plenty more before long. Road access to the showground is easiest from junction 36 of the M6. It is best to follow the Country Fest signs rather than use a satnav.
Lancaster Canal Trust Lancaster Canal Trust, LCT, continue to work hard on their monthly (sometimes more frequent), work parties on the First Furlong and at Hincaster Tunnel. Their chairman Robin Yates sends out a monthly e-newsletter with details of the work parties and if anyone is interested in joining them you can sign up to the newsletter to find out when and where they are. The details of how to sign up for the newsletters and much more are on their website www.lctrust.co.uk The website is being given a revamp by Alan Mather, one of the trustees who has recently volunteered to be the webmaster. During 2018 LCT had help with the work parties from a couple of companies which have schemes to encourage their workers to assist with local voluntary organisations. They had help from British Gas and from Calor Gas and the additional person power helped to achieve a lot more progress.
Volunteers hard at work laying blocks.
The First Furlong, which is the stretch from bridge 172 at Stainton Crossing and bridge 173 at Sellet Hall is nearly completely lined and finished off with blocks to protect the lining. LCT have their Block Appeal and donors are giving £1 a block to contribute towards the almost 24,000 blocks which are needed. So far the block appeal has raised over £10,000. If you want to buy any blocks have a look at their website or better still arrange to go along to lay them. It’s not all good news though, in October there was a break-in at the site and several tools and items of equipment were stolen. This was very disappointing for the volunteers who give up so much of their time and effort. The items have now been replaced so that work can carry on and are being stored in a more secure location.
One of the blocks. Peter Jones is the LCT trustee who is heavily involved in the planning and the work for the First Furlong, he is also the Trust’s treasurer! Peter wants to concentrate more of his time on the First Furlong and the Trust is actively looking for a new treasurer. If you have the time and the skills to become the LCT treasurer please get in touch with the Trust, ample training and handover will be given. The trust is also looking for a fundraising officer, there are sources of funds out there and lots of advice on how to raise funds but a dedicated fund raiser is needed to find funding opportunities and to apply for them. This would suit someone who wants to help the Trust but perhaps doesn’t want to take part in work parties. Surely
there must be someone who has some prior experience or is willing to learn. The more funds the Trust has the more work it can do. The Trust has a new social committee and after a number of years without social activities, three events were held in 2018 and more will be planned for 2019, again keep an eye on their website for details. Events are open to non-members as well as members. The social committee has also made a start on tidying the garden area near Crooklands from where the LCT trip boat sails. This area has a couple of picnic tables and the idea is to make it an attractive experience for people who are going on the boat trips and for other people who might want to have a picnic alongside the canal.
The path at Crooklands before work, note the weather!
In 2019 IWA Waterways Recovery Group will be holding a camp on the Lancaster Canal at the First Furlong and Hincaster Tunnel, that should help the Trust’s volunteers get the project finished.
WRG camp is 19-27 April. Details on www.wrg.org.uk or call 01494 783 453 Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership The following items are taken from the LCRP newsletter. Stainton Aqueduct repairs Led by the contractor Kier, on behalf of the Canal and River Trust, the restoration of Stainton Aqueduct is progressing. To keep up to speed with progress you can like the 'Stainton Aqueduct Restoration' Facebook page where regular photos are posted. The first task the team completed was a finger tip search of the river bed to get as many crayfish and other protected beasties out of harms way, before machines moved in to install flume pipes to allow access over the river bed! Towpath Trail Roadshow - Feedback It was great to meet so many supporters and curious residents at Towpath Trail Roadshow events in Kendal, Sizergh, Holme, Carnforth and Lancaster. The Cumbria Bridleways Society attended several events to urge that Towpath Trail improvements include access for horses. Our partner The Canal and River Trust are the major landowner on the Kendal to Lancaster section of the Towpath Trail and they have advised us that horses are not permitted on their towpaths. Reasons include the need for additional land take to ensure public safety and increased costs for both construction and maintenance of the surface. LCRP have therefore decided that horses will not be permitted on the Towpath Trail.
Adapted Bikes - New Partnerships LCRP have recently met with Better Leisure, Kendal Cycle Club and Wheels For All - all great partners keen to see Towpath Trail improvements to support their brilliant causes. With access to the Towpath directly from Kendal Leisure Centre, the Towpath Trail is an opportunity to enable cyclists on adapted bikes to access the nearby countryside. Together with Cumbria County Council LCRP are developing designs to reduce the incline to Burton Road and improve the crossing point to enable all to access more of the Towpath Trail.
Sport England Funding Progress LCRP continue to work with Sport England to develop a funding application for Towpath Trail improvements. After a small setback regarding LCRP's preferred location for Sport England investment, we are now back on track with supportive landowners. Together we are developing an application to create improvements between Wellheads Lane and Crooklands, making the area accessible to all. [Stop Press: Funding bid has been successful, Ed]
Brian Holden We are sorry to report that Brian died on 25 September 2018. Brian was one of the founders of the Rochdale Canal Society and the driving force behind the restoration of the Rochdale Canal In the past he was a frequent visitor to our branch meetings and on several occasions he gave us a talk on progress with the restoration and the history of the canal. He led one of our visits to the work taking place on the Rochdale Canal. Latterly his narrowboat ‘Tim Bobbin’ was moored at Hebden Bridge. David Smith We are sad to report that David died in the nursing home where he has been for several years on 28 December 2018.
Some years ago David received the Richard Bird medal for his services to IWA and this Branch in particular.. Those services make a long and varied list. He joined the IWA’s West Riding Branch in 1970 and was harbour master at the IWA National Rally in York in 1975. He joined this Branch in 1977 when he and the family moved across the Pennines. He joined the Branch committee in 1978 and became Chairman in 1988. By then he had led dinghy rallies on the Northern Reaches; taken part in campaign cruises from Maghull to Liverpool and organised the branch programme and outings. As chairman he encouraged the Branch to attend canal society and regional campaign rallies for the Rochdale, Huddersfield Narrow, Sankey and Ulverston canals plus the Anderton Boat Lift. He continued to plan the social meeting and outings. He was harbour master again in 1998, this time at the IWA National Rally at Salford Quays. David stood down as Branch Chairman in 1999 but continued on the committee still organizing the programme. He instigated and managed the Transpennine plaque scheme to encourage boaters to travel the full length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. He later designed and managed the Liverpool Link plaque after requests from boaters. He retired from the Branch committee in 2014 after 36 (!) years.
Parbold Dry Dock Restoration The following is taken from a Canal & River Trust volunteers notice. The Trust is working in partnership with Burscough Heritage Group and Parbold Heritage Group to bring Parbold dry-dock back to life and we'd like to get more of our volunteers involved in this unusual and interesting opportunity. We will be carrying out important work such as vegetation removal, tackling problem plants, mending fences and generally making the dock a bit more attractive and safer for the community. Tools, equipment and refreshments will be provided. The group will meet every second Thursday, at Parbold Dry Dock, beside Rose of Parbold with access from Mill Leat Close Sara Ponting, volunteer team leader at the Trust says, "Volunteering on one of our canal projects is a great way to spend some time outdoors, learn new skills and make friends, so we encourage everyone to come along and give it a go."
To sign up for this opportunity, please visit the website at: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer/opportunities/OPP0006413parbold-dry-dock-restoration
Volunteers at Parbold
Audrey Smith awarded Cyril Styring Trophy The Cyril Styring Trophy, the IWA’s premier award, is presented to an individual IWA member who has, in the opinion of the trustees, made an outstanding contribution to furthering the Association's campaigns. Audrey was appointed National Chairman in 1994. During her four years of chairmanship, she oversaw a revitalisation of the Association’s Head Office, much improved relations with navigation authorities and other waterways user groups and a more prominent campaigning role for the waterways with government. Her tenure concluded with a move of IWA’s Head Office out of London in 1998. She has been described as perhaps IWA’s “most eminent national chairman in recent years”.
Audrey’s achievements at the time were recognised by government with an OBE, the first honour to an IWA senior officer for work in that role, and at the time one of the very few honours to a waterways personality. Over the past 20 years, Audrey has continued to serve the Association in a variety of roles, including as IWA vice president and currently as chairman of the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership, giving it a new lease of life with recently announced HLF lottery and other substantial grants.
Balsam Bashing We are not the only people who are trying to eradicate Himalayan Balsam. Maralyn Nott saw this bashed balsam in Austria during her summer holiday. Its flowers are pretty but it is taking over and its shallow roots cause erosion of river and canal banks. We’ll be bashing as a branch again in the summer. The Daniel Adamson Restored Ship Canal steam tug
To whet your appetite for the talk on 31 January here are 2 shots of the art-deco interior of the ‘Danny’. Les Green and Bob Cannell will tell us about the tug and the enormous task to restore it to its former glory.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting of the IWA Lancashire and Cumbria Branch to be held at St Chad’s Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle-leWoods, Chorley PR6 8AJ On Thursday 21st February 2019 starting at 7:30 pm
AGENDA 1: Apologies for absence 2: Present 3: Approval of minutes of the previous AGM held on 22 nd February 2018 4: Matters Arising
5: Chairman’s Report 6: Treasurer’s Report 7: Election/re-election to the Committee:
We need more members on the committee, the nomination form is opposite. Please consider whether you can spare some time to help us, you will be made very welcome.
Nomination Form – Lancashire & Cumbria Branch Volunteer/Nominee…………………………………………………….. Please print Signed……………………………………………………………………. Date………………………………… Address…………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………… Telephone Numbers: Home………………………………. Mobile………………………………………………. Email…………………………………………………………………… Volunteers / Nominees must be an IWA member of this branch and be in good standing. Please return this form before Monday 18 th February 2019 to:
Maralyn Nott, Sunnycroft Cottage, Dowbridge, Kirkham, PR4 3RD or by email to lancsandcumbria@waterways.org.uk or present the above at the start of the AGM Under the bylaws volunteering/nominations can be accepted from the floor at the AGM
Inland Waterways Association – Lancashire and Cumbria Branch Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 22nd February 2018 in the St Chad’s Parish Centre, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley. 1.
Present: Wendy & Derek Humphreys, Tony & Janet Dunning, Audrey & Gillian Smith, David Faulkner, Jim & Maralyn Nott, Barry Horner, Peter Simmonds, David Hargreaves & Les Fragle.
2.
Apologies: Roger Wormsley, Janet Ramsey, Robert Dick, Rt Hon Sir Robert Atkins (Regional Chairman), Robert Irvine and on behalf of Forth & Clyde Society, Geoffrey Oxley, Dorothy & John Hewerdine, Yvonne Hargreaves, Richard & David Smith.
3.
Minutes of the AGM held on 23 rd February 2017 in the St Chad’s Parish Centre, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley: The minutes were accepted as a true record, Proposed: Audrey Smith, Seconded: Tony Dunning.
5.
Matters Arising: There were no matters arising.
6.
Chairman's Report (Wendy Humphreys): Wendy gave an excellent report which is attached as Appendix 1.
7.
Regional Chairman’s Report (Rt Hon Sir Robert Atkins): In his absence Wendy read out Robert’s report which is attached as Appendix 2.
8.
Treasurer’s Report (David Faulkner): David gave a summary of the accounts which are attached as Appendix 3. The headline figure is the loss of £1971, this is mainly due to the donation of £2,250 to the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership. The committee has agreed that the donation will continue for the next two years, mainly to support the salaried LCRP Project Officer and this has been agreed by IWA Head Office Our raffles and donations at branch meetings cover the cost of the meetings. Thanks to everyone who brings a raffle prize and thank you for buying tickets.
Thanks to Wendy for finding speakers who are either free or who don’t charge much. We made a small profit on the Anderton Boat Lift trip, that wasn’t the object but we try to avoid a loss. Thanks to Wendy for organising that trip. Thanks to Audrey for posting out the Leeds and Liverpool plaques to boaters. Her frequent trips to the Post Office raised £50 and provide good publicity for the branch. We had a one-off expenditure to buy weights for the gazebos. This is to stop them blowing away, especially when we are on hard standings and is a requirement of most organisers. There were no queries and the accounts were accepted, Proposed: Janet Dunning, Seconded: Derek Humphreys. 8.
Election to the Committee: Under the three year rule Tony Dunning was up for re-election and was happy to stand again. His re-election was accepted. Under the three year rule Les Fragle was up for re-election but was standing down. The meeting gave a vote of thanks to Les for all his work as Secretary, Membership Secretary and Environment and Planning Officer. All the remaining current committee members were prepared to continue and the meeting accepted that and they were all reelected. Jim and Maralyn Nott were nominated to join the committee and their nomination was accepted with thanks.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting. Following the meeting Audrey and Gillian Smith had prepared a three part quiz that was enjoyed by those in attendance. Thanks to Audrey and Gillian. To save space the following is a brief synopsis of the 3 appendices. The full text will be available at the AGM but if you would like to see it before the meeting please contact the editor by email. App 1 Branch Chair Wendy mentioned the sad death of the previous region chairman, Mike Carter and welcomed Sir Robert Atkins as the new chairman. The branch had another busy year, Wendy listed the monthly social
meetings at which attendance had increased but more would be welcome. Our new venue was very suitable. Outings were to the Anderton Boat Lift and a walk on the Lancaster Canal with a trip on ‘Waterwitch’ plus 2 Balsam Bashes. We took the branch stand to our lock wind at Johnson’s Hillock locks, Country Fest and Botany Bay. We have plans for other events in 2018 and could go to more if we had more help. We (mainly Wendy) attended meetings of IWA region, CRT, LCT, LCRP to support the organisations and represent members’ views. We are working more closely with LCT. 2018 will be challenging: with preparations for the Lancaster Canal bicentenary; reorganisation of CRT; resignation of Les Fragle (thanks to Les for his work on membership, planning applications and as secretary). Congratulations to Janet & Tony Dunning for being awarded the Richard Bird medal. Thanks to them and all the committee for their hard work on behalf of the branch. Welcome to the committee to Maralyn & Jim Nott. More committee members are needed. Appendix 2 Region Chairman (This was printed in full in our May edition) Apologies for not attending due to dental surgery. He gave details of his waterways background. He will be IWA’s link with national and local government.
We need to improve our relationships with other waterways users, not just boaters. Be fully aware of our responsibilities for those with disabilities and for children and young people. The change of logo indicates a change of attitude towards government and general public; we must become more professional in our dealings with all and sundry. Thanks to our members for your commitment and activity; without you we simply would not function. Appendix 3 Balance sheet at 31 December 2017 Total funds £10,577.30. (Northern Reaches Fund £6,644.45; Branch Funds £3,932.85) Income £1,036.67. Expenditure £3,008.28
Branch Committee Chairman
Wendy Humphreys Darwen
07763 561572 01254 703553
Vice-chairman
Tony Dunning Egremont
07730 113894 01946 820875
Secretary
Maralyn Nott Kirkham David Faulkner Langho
07912 249265 01254 249265
Treasurer & Newsletter editor Membership secretary
Janet Dunning Egremont
Environment & Planning
Jim Nott Kirkham
Publicity
Audrey Smith Wheelton
Sales
Vacant
Social secretary
See chairman
Lancaster Canal Regeneration P’ship
Audrey Smith & Wendy Humphreys
Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Audrey Smith
Lancaster Canal Trust
Peter Jones
Wild over Water & Web Master
Janet Dunning
Region Chairman (ex officio)
Sir Robert Atkins
01946 820875
01257 274440
Email addresses are firstname.surname@waterways.org.uk
We no longer publish addresses. If you want to write to us please use the editor’s address (p2)
Branch Social Programme 2019 Date
Speaker
Topic
31 Jan
Les Green Bob Cannell
The Daniel Adamson Trust. Restoring a unique steam powered canal tug
28 Feb
Audrey Smith OBE
AGM and nostalgia evening
28 March
Tony Dunning, Barbara and Malcolm Bridge
Electric boats
25 April
Andrea Barrett
Update of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the opening of Lancaster Canal
Canal & River Trust
Venue for branch meetings We meet on the last Thursday of the month from September to April at St Chad’s parish centre which has a very pleasant meeting room and a bar. You are welcome from 7.00pm for a drink and a chat, the meetings start at 7.30pm St Chad’s Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley PR6 8AJ. It is behind the former Red Cat pub, easily accessible from Junction 8 of the M61 (take the first left turn for Wheelton off the A674 then first left); junction 3 of the M65 (take 2 nd right turn for Wheelton off the A674 then first left) or take Town Lane from Whittle-le-Woods (From A6 turn onto Shaw Brow or School Brow, a few yards along Chorley Old Road turn right onto Town Lane, St Chad’s is about a mile on the left). There is ample parking in the car park.
*********************** The mystery photo in the last edition was taken at the boatyard on the Ashton Canal during our Branch outing last June.