Issue 14
The newsletter of South and North & East London Branches
Autumn 2016
200th Birthday of the Regent’s Canal The Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden, named after the Prince Regent, later King George IV, is now over 200 years old. This two-mile section was formally opened on 12 April 1816. Two centuries later, the Canal & River Trust together with the Friends of Regent’s Canal, the London Canal Museum and IWA marked the anniversary. A group of representatives of canal organisations gathered at Camden Town to watch a specially-baked celebration cake cut by Councillor Richard Cotton, Deputy Mayor of Camden, on the roof of the former lock-keeper's cottage. The cake-cutting took place exactly 200 years after a much more lavish ceremony marking the opening in 1820.
In this issue: • Celebratory Cruise of Olympic Park/ Bow Back Rivers • 200 years of Regent’s Canal • Chairman’s Reports • London Walks • Cavalcade Report • Social Reports • Local Campaigning • Future Events • London Socials • Carpenters Road Lock • Chambers Wharf • Committee Members And Contact Details
Cover: Start of the Cruise of the Bow Back Rivers – photo Roger Squires
Ian Shacklock, Cllr. Richard Cotton, Phil Emery and Roger Squires with the cake PHOTO: CRT Built to fuel Britain’s industrial revolution as a significant trade link in the 19th Century, the canal pre-dates iconic London buildings such as Big Ben and survived bombings in the Second World War. Following the opening of the waterway between Little Venice and Camden, the remaining length of the canal from Camden to Limehouse was opened in 1820. After a period of decline in the mid-twentieth century the canal is now experiencing a renaissance, with more people using it than at any time in its history. Sam Thomas, Canal & River Trust customer operations manager, said: “The Regent’s Canal is used more now than any time in its history. We always refer to it as being one London’s best kept secrets but you could argue that it’s not much of a secret anymore. The section from Little Venice to Camden that we’re commemorating encapsulates what the canals in the capital are all about. In just a few miles it traverses through such an array of locations and communities. . Continued next page
There’s a paradox; a 200-year old space that cuts right through the heart of one of the most modern cities in the world. It’s an industrial marvel, but full of nature. And it’s quiet, but you’re never far from the throng of London. It’s also amazing to consider how the city has evolved around the canal over the last two centuries. We’re delighted to be joining the Friends of Regent’s Canal and the London Canal Museum to celebrate this stretch’s 200th anniversary. The success of the canal is built on the people that love and use it, so we hope it continues to go from strength to strength.” Ian Shacklock from the Friends of Regent’s Canal, said: “This event will serve as a warm-up for bigger celebrations in four years time and it is an important milestone for Camden Town which became connected to the Midlands in 1816. I hope this will raise public awareness of all the hard work and engineering skill that went into the canal's construction and that it will encourage people to visit the Regent's Canal Information Centre at this historic site." Roger Squires, Secretary of IWA North and East London Branch and Trustee at the London Canal Museum, said: “The Regent’s Canal provides a central focus for the London Canal Museum’s displays. Our new Regent’s Canal display identifies what a major development opportunity it offered to the northern fringe of London when it was built between 1812 and 1820. Although it has changed drastically since that time, and found many new uses, it still offers a key feature in the townscape and continues to provide an amazing local resource.” London Canal Museum Exhibition The London Canal Museum launched a new exhibition on the 16th August: ‘Turning 200 – Celebrating the Birth of the Regent’s Canal’. This includes a celebration of the Cumberland Arm which was a half mile branch of the Regent’s Canal leading to a canal basin near Euston Station. “Our researchers have been uncovering the fascinating history of the lost Cumberland Arm” says Martin Sach, Chair of the Trust for the London Canal Museum. “The exhibition tells some enthralling stories of lost industries; the rise and fall of the canal arm and its renewal as part of today’s London”. The Cumberland Arm and Basin were just a stone’s throw from the new West End of London - both planned by John Nash. Although planned to supply the surrounding aristocratic neighbourhood, the Cumberland Arm never fulfilled its potential. The Arm was not used by the railways when they arrived at nearby Euston, where this new transport technology was announced by the triumphal Euston Arch. Charlie Forman, Project Manager for the Exhibition says “We’ve been engrossed in the life cycle of this canal. The Prince Regent gave his name – but not his money – to the venture. While the company struggled to raise the cash, he spent a quarter of the sum they needed on the tableware for his accession banquet. Then as the canal’s fortunes declined and the neighbourhood became poorer, social reformers and artists arrived. Our exhibition highlights some amazing facts, including how the basin was filled in with rubble from the blitz. Remarkably the land created was turned over to allotments which thrive to this day – probably the most central plots in London. Perhaps their continuing success is down to the legend that the topsoil came from Windsor Castle”. The exhibition is open during museum opening hours and will also allow visitors to see how to trace the route of the lost Cumberland Arm today. To Find London Canal Museum From King's Cross Square, at the front of King's Cross mainline station, walk alongside the station, down York Way. This is the opposite side of the station to the concourse. You need to walk away from the concourse, past the arched front of the station to York Way, then turn left onto York Way. Carry on until you see a traffic island in the middle of the road with a right turn, this is Wharfdale Road. Follow Wharfdale Road until you see New Wharf Road which is the second turning on the left.
Cruise of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
To celebrate the plans for re-opening the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park waterways a public cruise and evening reception was held on 9 July 2016. Starting from Three Mills public mooring this was the first public cruise of the Olympic Park Waterways since the summer of 2014. Roger Squires reports: On a bright July morning over 70 boats gathered at Bromley By Bow to take part in a Cruise around the Olympic Park. This was a joint operation, devised by IWA North & East London Branch, CRT, London Legacy, and St Pancras Cruising Club, to give boaters a chance to see these waterways. It was co-ordinated by Andrew Phasey on behalf of IWA. When the Cruise was originally planned, it was envisaged that the ‘Crossrail’ barrier on the Bow Back loop would have been removed. This barrier/ infill was created some ten years ago to facilitate the construction of a new London railway line. It was also used as a temporary pedestrian route for access into the Olympic Park. Continued next page
Unfortunately, negotiations between CRT and Crossrail did not proceed as planned. The outcome was that the 9th July Cruise had to be undertaken in two parts either side of the blockage. The number of boats wishing to take part also meant that the flotilla had to be split into two sections. This facilitated the segregation of the boats into the two components of the cruise – the Inner Park loop, around the Stadium, and the other along the Main Park spine via the Waterworks River and past the Aquatics Centre. The cruise started with a Safety Briefing given by Andrew Phasey. This was followed by words of welcome from CRT Managers. At the appointed hour the two processions of boats moved from their moorings upstream towards the Park. One group proceeded onwards to just below Old Ford Locks where the entry to the Park was made. The other made a sharp right turn, just after the Bow Flyover, to proceed through City Mill Lock and into the Waterworks River. With careful planning, the lockkeeper at Three Mills Lock had regulated the level of the water here so that boats could speed through the lock chamber without stopping. This avoided any potential bottleneck. This flotilla then proceeded up past the Aquatics Centre and the Trip Boat moorings to the entrance of, the still to be restored, Carpenters Road Lock. All boats turned in the lock entrance here and retraced their steps. In the meanwhile the first group of boats passed around the Olympic Stadium and continued onwards to the Crossrail Blockage. Here they were turned at the ‘Bulls Eye’ painted on the Wall and retraced their incoming route. Both of the two sections of the flotilla passed each other whilst they were back along the main navigation and thus continued to proceed along the channels they had not previously navigated. All then returned to the Bromley By Bow Moorings. In the evening CRT /London Legacy hosted an event at the local Brewery to mark the Cruise. Originally it was planned that some boats would proceed through Three Mills Lock turning at the end of Bow Creek, with a smaller group going on to sail around the Isle of Dogs. Unfortunately, by then, the wind on the main river had got up and white horses were evident on the Thames. London VTS advised that, in their opinion, to proceed around the Isle of Dogs was unwise. Sadly, the flotilla decided that they would take that advice. However, when Carpenters Road Lock is reopened next year, that event itself may offer the opportunity to complete those elements of the cruise the boats were not able to complete on 9th July 2016. Photo below shows part of the cruise in the Olympic Park Photo Roger Squires
IWA Canalway Cavalcade London’s Biggest Waterways Festival Over the May Day bank holiday Little Venice was again crowded with a pool full of boats stretching out along the canal to the west and towards Paddington basin in the east. Many had travelled for several weeks to attend the festival and many more took part in the competitions and processions over the weekend. The theme of the weekend was ‘Canals Alive!’ which was reflected in the decoration of boats in the Saturday afternoon pageant and Sunday evening illuminated boat procession. Our London Region Vice President, John Edmonds, opened Canalway Cavalcade on the Saturday afternoon, prior to the pageant, thanking all the IWA volunteers for organising and running the event. Councillor Judith Warner, Lord Mayor Locum Tenens (Deputy Mayor) of Westminster, Richard Parry, Chief Executive of Canal and Rivers Trust, and Les Etheridge, our National Chairman all spoke at the ceremony before settling down to the difficult task of judging the pageant entries. Elsewhere Trade and Craft stands were in abundance and there was plenty of choice in the food stalls. A bar tent ran throughout the weekend on the stone wharf with entertainment from a variety of musicians and other performers. Rembrandt Gardens site was buzzing with activity – the ever popular bubble of fun, Mylo the mime artist, Punch and Judy shows and the not to be missed Sunday afternoon Teddy Bears’ picnic, run by the Church Army. At 8am on the Sunday the local church held their communion service on site, led by Father Gary Bradley, vicar of Little Venice; The multidenominational festival service was held at 10am led by Capt. Graham Nunn and his team from the Church Army. At lunch time we were honoured to be visited by the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev’d & Rt. Hon Richard Chartres, who blessed the waters of Little Venice from the horse bridge and then, together with Father Gary Bradley, cruised round all the boats on ‘Lady Mildmay’ blessing them as he went. A new item this year was the schools project where several The Bishop of London blessing the different schools had contributed art projects to be displayed at the waters. Photo Hallam Murray festival. This included those who had been involved in a project on the Electric Barge classroom boat called ‘Life Afloat’. There were plenty of activities for children including those on the Electric barge classroom boat, on and beside the Church Army boat and the Pirate boats who also had ‘Come and Try’ kayaking on Saturday and Sunday. This year we were also treated by the Pirates to a kayaking demonstration in the pool on Saturday morning and again at Sunday lunchtime. The Pirates are celebrating 50 years this year. They won the Ray Dunford Buckby Can trophy for the best decorated boat by a community group, sporting decoration to celebrate their 50 years on ‘Pirate Viscount’. Awards were presented on Monday afternoon by our London Region Vice President, John Edmonds. These were for a range of competitions including best decorated boat, boat handling and best illuminated boat. South London members Bob and Mary Metcalf on Chedoona won the Mike Stevens Memorial Trophy, for the 'Best Boat' at IWA Canalway Cavalcade 2016, selected from all the boat entries at the event. This is awarded in recognition of Mike's outstanding contribution to IWA and IWA Canalway Cavalcade during his lifetime. Many members will remember Mike and his wife Wendy on ‘Felis Catus’ The dates of next year’s IWA Canalway Cavalcade are 29th April – 1st May 2017. We already have many boats and traders booked in and will be starting our main planning with the new committee in September. Any offers of help may be passed through Libby Bradshaw (South London Branch) or Roger Squires (North and East London Branch), contact details at the back of this magazine.
Libby Bradshaw
Bob and Mary Metcalfe of Chedoona winners Mike Stevens Memorial Trophy
Chambers Wharf Work proceeds apace in putting in the Spoil Transfer Pier at Chambers Wharf. The land site has now been cleared to enable the tunnel shaft construction to commence. Photo Roger Squires
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of the London Region or its branches. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter within this publication. Editor: Chris Bushill, 52, Brycedale Crescent, Southgate, London, N14 7EU. chris.bushill@waterways.org.uk Published by the IWA, North & East and South London Branches at: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP 1WA. Tel 01494 783453
From North & East London Chairman, Tim Lewis Although the summer period is supposed to be the quiet time of year the branch continues its efforts on behalf of its members to monitor matters affecting the waterways within our branch area. On the planning front we continue to see planning proposals for more high rise flats along the waterways especially within the former docklands. These are all part of the Mayor’s plans to increase the housing stock. Little regard seems to be paid to the environmental impact of such large blocks. Our Planning Officer is monitoring the various proposals as they are submitted. Not all the planning matters are for high rise schemes, even small alterations to canal side property can have consequences such as losing access to existing wharves where we often have to take a pragmatic view as to their future potential. It appears that CRT’s focus on the congestion of the Central London waterways, especially on the Regents Canal, is bearing some fruit. There are now some spaces for boats in transit to moor. However, pressures are building up on the Lower Lee, where most of the boats seem to be going. We continue to participate in CRT’s Mooring Strategy review which includes the following objectives: * Improve provision and management of moorings * Manage / mitigate the impact of these high numbers of boats on the environment * Protect and generate additional income to maintain London waterways * Ensure fair sharing of water space amongst competing demands * Enable a wider range of boats to visit London * Support London as a destination and tourism strategy * The mooring strategy contributes to CRT’s aim of transforming neighbourhoods and enriching people’s lives. As part of the review the Canal & River Trust has conducted a survey to gauge the level of demand from boaters wanting to visit the capital together with their interest in being able to pre-book a short-stay mooring ahead of their arrival which we encouraged the branch membership to participate in. To reduce the complaints from local residents about generator noise and smoke trial electric charging points are planned at Islington moorings. The problems that arose between CRT and Crossrail regarding the removal of the temporary sheet piled dam in the Bow Back River where the railway works have been taking place have been resolved and we look forward to the Bow Back River Loop reopening early next year. An East London Festival was held a Mile End on 26th June. The event was blessed with a mainly dry day which drew out many visitors. The Branch work is carried out by a small but hardworking group of volunteers but we could do much more if we had more. Should you wish to assist we can always get you involved in matters to suit your expertise and availability. We are especially seeking a Minutes Secretary and a Social Secretary to augment our current team.
Keeping our waterways alive
Towpath Walks Nominated for Award Towpath Walks have been nominated for an award in the Canal & River Trust ‘Living Waterways Awards 2016’. Judging took place early this year and Towpath Walks have been selected as finalists for this prestigious award.
Photos taken during judging walk
To go on a Towpath Walk, simply turn up. No advance booking is needed. The Walks are normally on Sundays, starting at 2.30 pm. Regular charge is £10; concessionary rate is £8. For further details, look on the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk , or contact Roger Wilkinson at 020 3612 9624. See over for a list of all the walks planned this year.
IWA TOWPATH WALKS SOCIETY, London Programme of Towpath Walks up to December 2016 Date 4 September Sunday Start 2:30pm
18 September Sunday Start 2:30pm
2 October Sunday Start 2:30pm
16 October Sunday Start 2:30pm
6 November Sunday
Route Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square - Camden Grand Junction & Regent’s Canals: Little Venice & Paddington Regent’s Canal: Mile End Limehouse Regents Canal Kings Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney Limehouse – Thames – Docklands
Start 2:30pm
20 November Sunday Start 2:30pm 04 December Sunday Start 2:30pm 18 December Sunday Start 2:30pm 27 December Tuesday Start 2pm
SERIAC 2016
Grand Junction & Regent’s Canals: Little Venice & Paddington Regent’s Canal: Islington – Hoxton Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross – Granary Square – St. Pancras Regent’s Canal.: Little Venice – Camden
Start (Tube Station) King’s Cross (taxi rank)
Paddington (Plat 16: Hammersmith & City exit) Mile End King’s Cross (taxi rank) Westferry DLR (by Cycle Hire Point) Paddington (Plat 16: H&C exit) Angel King’s Cross(taxi rank) Warwick Avenue
South East Regional Industrial Archaeology Conference
hosted by Surrey Industrial History Group at Holy Cross Preparatory School Kingston upon Thames KT2 7NU On Saturday 23rd April 2016 Lesley Pryde and Gerard Coales attended SERIAC on behalf of the IWA South London Branch. Following a welcome by Bob Bryson, SIHG Chairman. The programme of talks and presentations in the morning consisted of: • Southern Industrial History: a different perspective by Dr Geoffrey Mead, SIAS • Iron Production in the Eighteenth century Weald by Jeremy Hodgkinson, FSA, Wealden Iron Research Group • Papermaking-History and Development by Phil Crockett, P Eng, BAPH During the lunch break delegates were able to view the grounds and `Ivy Conduit House’ which w as constructed in 1538-40 as part of a new system to provide Hampton Court Palace with water. Following the lunch break the programme of talks and presentations in the afternoon consisted of: • What happened at Merstham? A square mile of industrial archaeology in east Surrey by Paul W Sowan, SHIG & Subterranean Britannica • Ten Green Bottles by Malcolm Tucker, GLIAS & Trustee of London Canal Museum • Researching Berkshire’s Watermills and their Industries by Shelia M Viner, SERIAC Bursary holder I really enjoyed the conference, but found the talk Ten Green Bottles by Malcolm Tucker very beneficial as he told us about a study he completed in 2000 for English Heritage on “the remarkable stock of gasholders that were erected in London in the later nineteenth century” which included images of the gasholders beside the Regents canal. We were offered a table and displayed some information on the branch, IWA and sold a selection of waterway guides, maps and books to the value of £43.00. Photo Lesley on the sales stand
Update on Carpenters Road Lock Roger Squires Reports The local North & East London branch of IWA were most concerned when they were told that Crossrail works would mean the closure of the Bow Back loop from 2007. Especially so when they found out that a set of piling dams were to be inserted either side of the Crossrail works. Subsequently came the news that a new Pedestrian Entry path for the 2012 Olympic Games would also be constructed in the adjacent section of the Bow Back loop. After the Games had ended, the Olympic Delivery Authority, after much local Branch pressure, removed the infill that was used to create the Games Pedestrian Entry Route. However, the Crossrail works were still continuing and, until the new Crossrail Bridges could be constructed, the piling dams Crossrail inserted could not be removed. The new bridges, including the DLR diversion route to the new Pudding Mill station, were finally completed in early 2015. Since then the IWA NEL Branch has been pressing the Authorities for the removal of the dam to facilitate the complete reopening of the Bow Backs Loop. It seemed that a breakthrough had been made in the negotiations in in early 2016, however, the bad news was in the ‘small print’. Crossrail indicated that Thames Water , whose Northern Outfall Sewer was nearby, had said that, as the piles had been in place for ten years, Thames Water were worried that to extract the piles now might disturb their Trunk Sewer Pipes. As such, Thames Water could only agree to the piles being cut off below ground but not extracted . Crossrail were responsible for this work and, to cut their costs, they indicated to CRT they would only cut the piles at 1.25m below water level. When IWA locals heard of this proposal, they identified it was unacceptable on two grounds. Firstly, this shallow depth would preclude the passage of some deeper draft maintenance craft, but also that, as the spot is half way around the loop, and had always been prone to excessive silting, any underwater obstruction here would simply cause an excessive accumulation of silt. The local Branch representatives went into battle to get the situation retrieved. After protracted negotiations between the parties involved, and with CRT and the Olympic Legacy team backing the IWA’s stance, Crossrail finally agreed that the piles should be cut off at 1.5m below water level. These works are shortly due to proceed.The aim now being that the whole of the Bow Back Loop should be reopened when the Carpenters Road Lock restoration is completed in the Spring of 2017. The local IWA Branch, in conjunction with Andrew Phasey of the St Pancras Cruising Club, are planning a ‘Reopening Rally’ for the late Spring Bank Holiday weekend in 2017 to mark this long awaited event. CRT are also planning a range of events and activities, including a floating classroom, guided walks, with plans for a festival, so people can learn about the history of the lock and rivers and experience live performances and contemporary art. Carpenters Road Lock photo Roger Wilkinson
South London Socials In April we had a fascinating talk by Nick Catford on `Underground London`. Via his amazing photographs he took us on a journey into a secret underground world only visited by the few. It was amazing to see deserted underground stations many of which had war time posters and other paraphernalia still in situ. We also saw special deserted War time Headquarters and bunkers etc. Some of these were very difficult to reach, the entrance to one being hidden in a farmer’s field! This was a broad based talk that covered many areas. The May talk `From Land to live aboard` was given by Russell Millar. Russell spoke with passion of his gradual love of the canals gained from his first holiday on a narrow boat. He brought back many memories to the audience present when he spoke of his early experiences of steering a boat, using locks and the joy of the peace of canal life, In 2015 he eventually was able to live the dream and bought his first boat to live on. The problems he encountered were numerous. How does one down size to a boat? The sadness of having to dispose of his photographs and life time belongings was quite poignant. He told us about his first winter when the heating broke down and how they improvised. He related the relief of finding a good permanent mooring site. But most of all the overwhelming feeling one felt at the end of his talk was that it had all been worthwhile and he is happy to have made such a life changing decision. June was Charlie Forman talking on “Celebrating 200years of the Regent’s Canal”. This was of course very topical. Charlie gave us a wonderful detailed story of the Regent’s Canal from its inception to the present day. This was accompanied by amazing photographs, maps, graphs, statistics and humour. I would urge anyone to try to go on one of his guided Regent’s Canal walks to get a flavour of just how much work, intrigue and passion went into creating London’s own canal. We are now on our summer break but will resume again in the autumn. . Please try to attend our talks. We are easy to reach by tram train and car. We offer wonderful cake in the break provided by Lesley! In September we are having our annual boat trip which this year is a return trip from Ware to Hertford on the Lee. Take the train to Ware then ask directions as the station is very near the moorings. Parking is available but restricted. A Booking form follows this article. Please send in by 12th September
Expect an audience on the River Lee Navigation
SOUTH LONDON IWA AUTUMN OUTING Lee Canal Cruise from Ware to Hertford - return Saturday 24th September 2016 starting at 2.00 pm Cost ....£12 Return
Cream Tea (optional)......£7
Tickets will not be issued in advance Please be punctual and arrive at the boat at 2:00pm Please send booking form with a cheque in full settlement made payable to Shea Richardson: IWA SL LEE CRUISE BOOKINGS 7 Barrow Road Streatham Common SW16 5PE by 12th September please for more information phone: 07803 904803 or email shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk cut >>>>>>>>
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South London Chairman’s report by Libby Bradshaw , for Autumn 2016 I hope you are all having a good summer with plenty of boating or other holidays. I am writing this from high up in the mountains in Austria in stunning scenery and far away from the London air! In the last Meridian Cuttings my AGM report was the main message from me. In that I wished Lesley Pryde and Gerard Coales well in their forthcoming marriage. On 28th May several branch members attended their wedding at St Mary’s church, Battersea. We were treated to an evening cruise on The Edwardian and the picture shows Lesley and Gerard on board with the Church in the background, together with Christine Smith our former branch publicity officer. We have taken the branch stand to some events, including IWA Canalway Cavalcade at the beginning of May. Our thanks go to Eric Garland and Gerard Coales for managing the branch stand and to all South London members who helped with information stands, children’s activities and various other aspects of the festival. On Sunday 26th June we took the branch stand and some WoW activities to the East London Canal Festival. This is a new event and was set up as part of the East End Canal Heritage project. Laburnum Boat Club has worked together with local experts and volunteers to capture living memories and information about the Regent’s Canal and the Hertford Union Canal in Tower Hamlets. The project has been supported with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It involved looking for people to talk to who have lived or worked by the canals to share their knowledge. Those working with the project have enjoyed sharing and learning about the history of the canals as well as developing practical skills such as archival research, photography and interview techniques and in providing guided walks. An exhibition of their findings was a central part of the festival together with a wide range of activities, indoors and outdoors. The event was well attended. Quite a number of children enjoyed the activities we offered and learning about different items used on a boat that were on display. The picture shows Shea with some of them. We answered many questions including several about the difference between IWA and C&RT. We plan to increase and update our publicity display to cover information that is frequently asked about by visitors. For further details and reports of the festival please see http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/heritage/eastendersmakingwavesforgrandfestivalforregentscanals 200thanniversary_1_4588656 My boat, Panacea, was at the Ware festival the following weekend together with a couple of branch members. Lee and Stort branch worked hard to put on the event along with the land based Ware festival that was on the Saturday. It was good to be there joining all the boat clubs from the Lee and Stort who take part each year. We may take the branch stand to the event next year Panacea also took part in the Olympic Park cruise on Saturday 9th July. Most of South London branch committee and branch stand helpers were on board and we had a modest sized banner hanging from the handrails each side saying ‘IWA South London Branch’. The event is described in Roger Squires’ article. We are booked for the Angel Festival on Sunday 4th September where we will be running the Waterways Game. We are also looking at the possibility of Slough Festival the following weekend if we have enough people to help. Any offers? Continued next page
We are on our summer break from social meetings which continued up till June. Shea Richardson has reported on these elsewhere in this edition with news of our autumn programme and our September outing. We hope to see many of you at these meetings and outing which are open to all, members and non members. Please note, the outing is also not restricted to South London branch members, all are welcome. Finally you may remember the consultation on ‘Vision for the Tidal Thames’ which took place earlier in the year. Paul Strudwick’s response on behalf of IWA was included in the last edition of Meridian Cuttings. A new report, taking in comments from people’s feedback, was published in July. Progress on each of the 6 goals will be presented at an annual conference from now on. The full report may be found at http://www.pla.co.uk/assets/thevisionforthetidalthames.pdf I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months and meanwhile enjoy the rest of the summer.
Libby Are you really including this bottle!
New Members We welcome the following new members: Iain Forsyth Nevil Pavithran Ian Jacques
Tony Hay Caroline Stanger Steve Sorrill
Kathleen Tyson Fay Walsh
SOUTH LONDON BRANCH Social Calendar 2016 Unless otherwise indicated, the following South London Branch Social Events will take place at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at: The Primary Room The United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Grove Croydon CR0 5LP Wednesday 14th September 2016: `The River Thames Boat project’, by Peter Finch Saturday 24th September 2016 at 2.00pm: Autumn Cruise on The Lee Navigation from Ware to Hertford - return Wednesday 12th October 2016: `Exploring the Stort Navigation’ [Past and present] by Dr Roger Squires Wednesday 9th November 2016: Restoring wooden boat `Roger’ by Fabian Hiscock Wednesday 14th December: Christmas social All are welcome, IWA members or non members There is good parking adjacent to the hall and excellent transport links via East Croydon train and tram stations There is no admission charge for talks, film shows or presentations but we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson Tel: 07803 904803 or e-mail: shea.richardson@homecall.co,uk
LONDON REGION SOCIALS (COMBINED WITH NORTH & EAST LONDON BRANCH) London Region Socials continue to be held at Paddington Central Management office meeting room in Sheldon Square. Since the last Meridian cuttings we have had three very interesting and contrasting talks: In April Stephen Wilding, project manager from the Olympic Park Legacy, came to talk about the Legacy framework and the planned restoration of Carpenters Road Lock. He was also involved in the organisation of the Olympic Park cruise in July, reported by Roger Squires elsewhere in this magazine. In May Charles Brock, Chairman of the Trustees of Pirate Castle, talked about this year’s 50 year celebration of the club which was started in 1966 by Viscount St Davids. The Pirates had been in force at IWA Canalway Cavalcade and were due for an open day in June. Richard Thomas came to speak at the June meeting on The River Lea and Lee Navigation from Luton to Leyton (Old Ford). There was a great deal of interest especially in the history of the source of the Lea which few of us knew much about and Richard will be returning early next year to talk more about the Lower Lee. We had a break in the summer and look forward to welcoming you all back to our autumn programme: Tuesday 20th September: ‘Stover Canal and Haytor Granite Tramway’ – Chris Bushill Tuesday 18th October: Narrowboats to the River Medway, via Gravesend and Rochester – Simon Judge and Libby Bradshaw Tuesday 15th November: ‘Restoration Round-up, London WRG’ – Tim Lewis Tuesday 20th December: Christmas Quiz and Auction with Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.
Medway Cruise
14th May – 18th June
On Saturday May 14th nine narrowboats left Limehouse dock not to be seen again in London until Saturday June 18th – in fact one of them not to be seen back at all but more of that later. The trip had been organised by Andy Spring from St Pancras Cruising club together with Simon Judge, another member of the club both of whom were on Andy’s boat, Arthur Dent. We set off down the tideway mooring at Gravesend pier where we were greeted by the Gravesend lifeboat, who also assisted the Humber Keel that had joined us from Barking Creek off the mud and on to the buoy. On the following day 5 boats continued as far as Queenborough, whilst the other four continued to Rochester and to Allington lock, the lock from the tidal Medway to the non-tidal section, leaving their boats there until work and other commitments enabled them to return. Of the 5 boats one did not continue with the group but, with the assistance of a pilot, continued round the coast to Ramsgate and across to Calais as the owners were moving to France. We continued to Rochester the following day where we stayed 3 days exploring the town. Finally we too went through Allington lock on Thursday 19th May. Photo: Gravesend lifeboat crew coming alongside Andy’s boat, Arthur Dent. The time spent on the Upper Medway will be in the next edition of Meridian Cuttings and Simon and I will be talking about the whole trip at the Region social on Tuesday 18th October. Information on the planning and many photos of the trip may be found on https://nbsg.wordpress.com/medway/ Two further narrowboats came down on the 28th May weekend and all ten returned on Friday 17th June cruising as far as Queenborough where six boats were moored to a concrete lighter and the other four to a nearby buoy. A good party was held on the lighter as the sun went down over the water (See photo below). Richard and Sue Nosek from Indigo Dream provided a surprise cake for Panacea and me to celebrate 35 years of cruising together. On the return from Queenborough to Limehouse we were led by Arthur Dent, followed by Panacea. We did a synchronised turn to starboard to get across to the north side of the river as quickly as possible which Simon managed to capture on camera down the whole flotilla. A celebratory meal was held in the Cruising Association with plenty of ideas about where to go next. A glass was raised to celebrate 35 years of cruising in Panacea and the many adventures she has had. The boats that took part were Arthur Dent, Bleasdale, Doris Katia (from 28th May) Dragonfly, Flora Dora, Gertrude, Indigo Dream (from 28th May), Joseph (who went to France!), Ketura, Panacea and Zavala. Panacea and Zavala had also done the previous Medway trip in 1997. A huge thank you to Andy and to Simon for all their hard work in the planning and getting us all there and back safely. Libby Bradshaw
BRANCH Committee Members Role Chairman
Secretary Minutes Secretary Treasurer
Social Secretary Newsletter Editor Membership Secretary Publicity Officer
North & East London
South London
Tim Lewis Tel: 020 8530 0425/07802518094 tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk
Libby Bradshaw Tel: 020 8874 2787 libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk
Roger Squires Tel: 020 7232 0987 roger.squires@waterways.org.uk
Allan Scott Tel: 020 8642 8104 / 07985 728844 allan.scott@waterways.org.uk
Vacancy Ian Israel Tel: 020 84461823 ian.israel@waterways.org.uk Vacancy
Vacancy Dorothy Robbie Tel: 020 8857 6367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk Shea Richardson, Tel: 020 8677 0196 / 07803 904 803 shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk
Chris Bushill Tel: 020 8245 7063; chris.bushill@waterways.org.uk Liz Rayner liz.rayner@waterways.org.uk Vacancy
Dorothy Robbie Tel: 020 8857 6367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk Dorothy Robbie Tel: 020 8857 6367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk
Sales Officer
Vacancy
Vacancy
Events Officer
Vacancy
Vacancy
Planning Officer Work Party Officer
Rod Gray rodgray125@aol.com Vacancy
Vacancy Vacancy
Roger Wilkinson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; London Walks Rep. Committee Members Tel: 020 3612 9624 / 07896 801930 roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk Ex-Officio as Region Chairman
South London Representatives
Paul Strudwick Tel: 01245 358342 / 07885 240291; Email: paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk
Planning & Navigation Committee: Eric Garland Wandle Valley developments: Shea Richardson Deptford Creek developments: Eric Garland
Meeting Locations
IWA South London Branch, United Reformed Church, Croydon
IWA meet here
Paddington Station. Hammersmith & City Line exit
IWA North & East London Branch, London Central, Paddington
Waterway Recovery Group in Action on the Stover Canal