Issue 19
The newsletter of South and North & East London Branches
Summer 2018
Canalway Cavalcade 2018 In this issue:
Canalway Cavalcade Local Campaigning Chairman's Reports Future Events London Socials London Walks Boat Licence Review Abbey Mills PS Committee Members and Contact Details
Cover: Canalway Cavalcade
Little Venice
Photo – Laura Radley, assisted by Libby Bradshaw, signals the opening of Cavalcade
The hottest May Day Bank Holiday weekend since 1978 brought the crowds out in droves in Little Venice, where the 36th annual Canalway Cavalcade took place. There were 140 boats lined up along the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals and moored by their sterns in Brownings Pool, the junction of the two Canals. With bunting gently bouncing in the breeze and their paint and brass-work gleaming they presented a colourful spectacle, alongside marquees and gazebos selling a multitude of items. The Noyze Boyz played in the Pool, and soul bands, flamenco dancing and the nationally acclaimed Rock Choir performed in the Amphitheatre to huge crowds, who waved, joined in the singing and danced. Libby Bradshaw, Ceremonial and Children’s Activities Manager, introduced the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Ian Adams, who welcomed everyone to the City of Westminster and thanked the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) for putting on the event. Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, followed and welcomed everyone to London’s Waterways. Ivor Caplan, National Chairman of IWA described the work carried out nationally by the organisation. Libby thanked British Land for their sponsorship and support and introduced John Edmonds, Vice President of IWA London Region, who declared IWA Canalway Cavalcade 2018 open. This year, Mrs Laura Radley, widow of the late Arthur Farrand Radley, who was the instigator of Canalway Cavalcade in 1983, rang the bell to signal the boaters to sound their bells and horns and the start of the Pageant, whose theme was Canal Builders. Boats and crews were dressed according to the theme with picks and shovels, boots and wheelbarrows. One was covered in “bricks” to resemble the canal tunnels, another had models of the Pontycyllte Aqueduct and Falkirk Wheel on the roof and another went right back in history to 500BC with crew dressed in Chinese costume to commemorate the Grand Canal of China.
All the while the most delicious chicken, sausages, burgers and real ale were on sale on the Stone Wharf, where visitors sat relaxing in the warm sunshine on the patio. In Rembrandt Gardens children were silently entertained by Mr Mylo the mime artist – he achieved the almost impossible by making them sit down without uttering a word of command! Closely followed by a slightly noisier Punch & Judy. Other children’s activities were led by the Floating Classroom on the Electric Barge, the Church Army and the Pirate Castle from Camden. On Sunday evening Craig Haslam, dressed in full evening dress complete with bow tie, was master of ceremonies for the Procession of Illuminated Boats, where once again the boaters covered their boats with as many lights as would fit along the roofs and sides, powered entirely by their batteries. On Monday afternoon, the awards were presented by Mrs Laura Radley. Marcus Boudier Trophy For the best decorated privately entered boat in Saturday’s themed Pageant Highlander, owned by Tony Tucker, Runner up: Webbies
Dear and friends. The Raymembers Dunford Buckby Can Trophy For the best decorated boat entered by a waterway or community group: Red Watch, owned by Tony Catchpole I hope you had a lovely summer. Several members of the South London Branch have been The Electric the Trophy outCruise publicising aims and objectives of our association at several waterway and For the best illuminated boat in London. Sunday evening’s Procession: community events around Our first event this year was when we took our Rachel, owned by Mark Saxon, Runner up: My Lovely
Gazebo to Canalway Cavalcade and South London branch members ;Eric Garland and Gerard PrydeThe Graham Award Coales ranCapelin the Waterways Game over the 3 day May Bank holiday festival, so a huge thanks For the best entry by a boater who has not previously taken part in either the Saturday Pageant or Illuminated to them for giving up their weekend. Boats: My Lovely The other event we went to was Streatham Kite Day on Streatham Common on Sunday 14th The Westminster Trophy May where Garland, Gerard Pryde-Coales successfully ran the Waterways Game Donated by theEric City of Westminster for the winner of theand BoatI Handling Competition: and sold some books Maps from our sales stand. We had several members of the public Stronghold, steered by Ray&Oakhill who were interested The Roger Squires Trophyin our stand, including one of the directors of The Canal & River Trust, one of our members and the Club mayor of Lambeth who stopped for information andto Presented by St Pancras Cruising in recognition of Roger’s 10 yearsat asour theirstand Commodore, it is awarded the best novice in the Boat Handling Competition: Stella, steered byby Karen advice. Thecompetitor photo below shows your publicity officer surrounded a seaCook of Lucozade! because weMemorial had to run the game with non-alcoholic drinks at this event, but we still made a The Vic Trott Trophy Isprofit! open toSo boaters andagain non-boaters, to the couple in the best “Boaters’ Sunday Best” costume: thanks to Ericawarded and Gerard. Caroline Moore of Iquitos
The Mike Stevens Memorial Trophy Goes to the “Best Boat” at Canalway Cavalcade, selected from all the boat entries at the event, it is awarded in recognition of Mike’s outstanding contribution to IWA and Canalway Cavalcade during his lifetime: Mystique, owned by Paul Campbell. The Idle Women Shield Sponsored by Jan Knox, proprietor of Canal Experience Training School, the shield was awarded to the best lady entrant in the Boat Handling Competition: Wild Garlic, steered by Ms Laurence Dugeon The Visitors’ Favourite Boat Trophies Sponsored by The Inland Waterways Association’s Canalway Cavalcade Committee two new trophies were awarded to boats in the Pageant and Illuminated Procession which received the highest number of visitors’ votes: Pageant: Stumpy, Illuminated Procession: Dragonfly
Jerry Sanders, Chairman and Commercial Director of the IWA Canalway Cavalcade Organising Committee said: “The outstanding success of this year’s event is due entirely to the dedication of the volunteers who organise, set up and run the event, the boaters – some of whom travel miles in variable weather conditions to attend – and the stallholders whose imaginative wares and delicious food enticed the thousands of visitors who attended. Thank you to you all.”
Region Chairperson's Column With spring well on its way we can start thinking about getting out to enjoy the inland waterways whether by walking, cycling, angling or boating. The future of our inland waterways is by no means certain with doubts about long term funding. In the same way that our local roads might look pretty good until we have a few hard winters, so lack of investment in our waterways will mean a gradual decline. The Canal & River Trust will soon have to renegotiate its government grant and the Environment Agency, which is responsible for the Thames amongst others, is challenged by budget constraints. Over recent years we have begun to understand more clearly how waterways can build and renew communities, through health and leisure, social cohesion and integration, regeneration, trade, heritage and tourism. This is why in London we need to really think about the role of our waterways. We see how attractive our canals and rivers are to people who want to live afloat and we must manage these desires alongside those of people who wish to enjoy them as visitors. Going round the Region I am often asked what is the difference between IWA and C&RT? For me there are clear differences. Firstly C&RT is the navigation authority for less than 50% of the inland waterways of England and Wales. Its role is to keep those waterways, for which it is responsible, in the best possible condition. IWA is a membership, campaigning organisation that promotes, the conservation, use, maintenance and development of the inland waterways of the British Isles. We are, through our subsidiary Essex Waterways, also responsible for the maintenance of a waterway and, in my opinion, the Chelmer and Blackwater demonstrates how well a small band of dedicated professionals and volunteers can look after a navigation. IWA’s and C&RT’s interests often coincide so we should work with them for the greater good of the waterways. But our interests are much wider, we champion the restoration and the maintenance, of all waterways and historic craft and the buildings and structures alongside them. Through our restoration hub we offer local restoration trusts and societies, expertise and advice, as well as grants and, through Waterway Recovery Group, training and organised restoration Canal Camps. If you want to know more about how we support restoration it is well worth having a look at the restoration pages on our website. The Canal and River Trust are rebranding and reorganising. They are reducing the number of their regions from 10 to 6. The canals in London, and the rivers Lee & Stort will end up in a region that stretches from Bishop’s Stortford to Oxford. This seems to me to pose a threat to our good relationship at local level. There seems little commonality between the problems on the Oxford Canal and Bishop’s Stortford. In London, they have told us they intend to implement a new strategy for controlling moorings in the near future. One has to be concerned that the implementation of this will be more difficult under the new organisation. We will need to keep a close eye on developments and I will keep you informed of what is happening. Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Person https://www.facebook.com/iwalondon/ and at paul@greenboater on twitter
Boat Licence Review IWA Response Following publication of the outcome of Canal & River Trust’s licence review consultation on 6th March, The Inland Waterways Association regrets that Canal & River Trust has failed to take the opportunity to produce a modern licensing system that addresses the problems it inherited on its creation in 2012. IWA sees this as a missed opportunity to solve some of the issues caused by the current licensing system, and in particular the effect of the continuous cruising option introduced by the British Waterways Act 1995 as an alternative to having a home mooring. After spending a significant amount of resource on a major review and consultation, it is disappointing that so little has come of it. The review does nothing to address two of IWA’s key concerns; the increasing use of widebeam boats on inappropriate waterways to the detriment of other waterways users, and ensuring that boaters without a home mooring cruise an appropriate distance. IWA will continue campaigning for these concerns to be resolved. In response to the detail contained in Canal & River Trust proposals:
IWA is concerned that many boaters will face a significant increase in their licence fees within 2 years as a result of the changes to the prompt payment discount IWA considers that a licence based on boat area (length x beam) would have been a fairer and simpler system rather than the proposed three width bands IWA notes the loss of the 1 day visitor licence and considers that it should continue to be available online to encourage compliance by occasional users, eg of canoes and trailable boats, and to encourage more people to get afloat affordably.
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
New residential moorings in Millwall Outer Dock Canal and River Trust have been granted planning permission for 16 new residential moorings in Millwall Outer Dock. The Trust press release says that the number of boats on London’s waterways has gone up by over 70% in the past five years. Residential moorings are often oversubscribed, so this new development will provide a much-desired resource for the capital. C&RT say the new mooring scheme will see high quality pontoons, water, electricity and other facilities built in the dock. There will be plenty of space left in the dock for sports like canoeing and sailing. Floating planters alongside the pontoons will provide a home for ducks, coots and other wildlife. The moorings will be managed by Waterside Mooring - the part of the Trust that looks after over 300 long term mooring sites across England and Wales. Work on the pontoons will start in summer with the scheme likely to be finished in autumn. Prices for the moorings are still to be finalised. Your editor says, ‘whilst IWA support this development it will make no impression on the numbers of live-aboard boaters on London’s canals.’
Wendover Arm Trust Draw It’s that time of year again - the WAT Grand Draw - this year on 2nd September. The draw will take place at St. Mary’s Parish Church in Drayton Beauchamp, Tring. We trust the Mayor of Tring will again officiate . The prizes are as exciting as ever, with a week’s holiday on a narrowboat sponsored by Wyvern Shipping Co Ltd of Leighton Buzzard. The second prize is dayboat hire from Cowroast Marina from Narrowboatdayhire.com – for up to 10 guests. The third prize is for two people to visit the dizzy heights of The Shard and a lunch on the Thames. There are also cash prizes up to the value of £100 and a total of ten prizes plus two ‘novelty’ prizes. Tickets are priced at £1.00 each. A book of ten tickets are enclosed with this Meridian. The full prize list is shown on the Trust’s web site. Extra tickets are always available from the Promoter, www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk Michael Wright.
Angel Canal Festival 2018 C&RT and Council Step in to Save Event This popular event, which takes place on the first Sunday of September each year in the City Road Basin, had been under threat of closure because lead organisers Beryl Windsor and Sasha Mears couldn’t find anyone to replace them. The festival was devised, and has been run for over thirty years, by a team of volunteers. For this year’s event the volunteer Management Group is handing over organising responsibilities to the Canal & River Trust. Funding is also being provided by Islington Council and the event will be supported by Islington Boat Club, Angel Community Boat Trust and St Pancras Cruising Club amongst others. The 2018 Angel Canal Festival will be on Sunday, 2 September around City Road Lock and City Road Basin on the Regent’s Canal and will feature boat trips, craft stalls and live music, offering a host of fun both on the water and the towpath. The organisers are interested to hear from anyone keen to run activities at the festival or anyone who would like to volunteer. Last year more than 8,000 people visited the festival, which featured 70 stalls arranged along the towpath and surrounding streets selling everything from canalware, crafts and books to clothes, bric-a-brac and a wide range of food and drinks. As well as businesses, many charities and local political parties took stalls to raise awareness, give advice and chat with the local community. Beryl Windsor said, “Neither Sasha Mears or I could Roger Wilkinson, Chris Bushill and Liz have guessed, when we offered to assist Jim Lagden Rayner at Angel Festival 2017 with the Festival, what we were letting ourselves in for. We’d heard his cry for help at a meeting at St Pancras Cruising Club in 1998. Little did we know that the skills we'd developed in our paid jobs as theatrical costumier and retired secretary respectively, would transform us into event organisers. Yet here we are, 20 years later, handing over to a new team, the Angel Canal Festival we have helped grow into the successful and much loved community event enjoyed by thousands each year. It has been a privilege to follow in the footsteps of the founders, the late Crystal Hale and Jim, and we couldn’t be happier that the Canal & River Trust have offered to take it on. We know the Festival will be in good hands and wish the new team well.” For more information, including how you can get involved in the event, contact Angel.Festival@canalrivertrust.org.uk mailto: Angel.Festival@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Abbey Mills 150th Birthday Abbey Mills Pumping Station celebrated 150 years since its completion by the great civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette on 22nd May. The Thames Water site by the River Lea in Stratford was open for fully booked public tours for one week only. A time capsule was buried in the gardens, containing a highvis jacket, a “fatberg” documentary on a USB stick and a bottle of local tap water. The oldest of the pumping buildings at Abbey Mills has operated since 1868 but the site is still operational and is surrounded by a 10ft-high fence. Architect Sir Charles Driver packed different styles into the cathedral-like pumping station, including Russian Orthodox, Gothic, Celtic and Byzantine. It has been renovated for the 150th anniversary and the ironwork painted to its original specification. The engineer’s great-great-grandson, Sir Peter Bazalgette, executive chairman of ITV, said, “The marks of the past help define our future. Abbey Mills was one of the two magnificent, pumping ‘cathedrals’ that Joseph Bazalgette commissioned at the heart of his sewage system for London. It’s wonderful it’s being preserved, not least as an inspiration to our city’s future sustainability.” Abbey Mills Pumping Station was originally surrounded by formal, landscaped gardens. 1933 electric pumps, likened to huge Daleks, inside Abbey Mills PS. Named for its proximity to the former site of Stratford Langthorne Abbey, the pumping station was built to lift lower level sewage into the Northern Outfall Sewer that took sewage from all over London to Beckton. An extravagantly ornamented building it was nicknamed 'the Cathedral of Sewage'. Its two Moorish-style chimneys were demolished in WWII for fear they would be used as bomber landmarks; they had been unused since steam power had been replaced by electric motors in 1933. The new pumping station to the south was built in 1994-7, since when Exterior Abbey Mills Pumping Station the old Pumping Station has been used as standby, for example in times of storm. The website London Gardens on Line has some fascinating details on the pumping station. http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.php?ID=NEW001 Thanks to Thames water for permission to use photos from their website:
https://www.thameswater.co.uk/sitecore/content/corporate/corporate/media/news-releases/abbey-mills-150-anniversary
From North & East London Chairman, Tim Lewis We continue to engage with CRT with the problems with mooring on the Branch area’s canals which puts off visiting boats. We are encouraging the creation of bookable and short term moorings. We also note and welcome the creation of a boaters canal watch scheme to tackle the rise in boat break-ins and anti-social behaviour towards boaters. London’s waterways continue to get extensive press coverage, recent articles include the arrest of a person who was pushing people into the canal and the dangers of wakeboarding on the canal, both of these happened at Kings Cross. I am sure that Canalway Cavalcade will be reported elsewhere but it was good to see lots of our branch members manning the information stands at the event and I thank them all. Those of you who got excited about the return of the Inland Waterways section of the London Boat Show will be disappointed to hear that the 2019 event has been cancelled. I would ask members who have had an email from IWA head office titled ‘Please Say Yes’ about the new GDPR regulations to respond. Otherwise we cannot continue to send out information electronically about the work of the IWA. On the planning front we continue to monitor planning applications that affect the canal environment. We understand that the much objected BWML plans for the visitor moorings in Limehouse basin have been rejected but we welcome the approval of the plans for the redevelopment of Cody Dock on Bow Creek. We continue to press Crossrail for the reopening of the towpath below the Northern Outfall Sewer on the Bow Back Rivers loop. This was closed to allow the Crossrail works to proceed. Initially it was closed to allow security to be enhanced for the Olympic Games Site and was not reopened with the other towpaths in the area at the end of the games. We note that the Barnsbury Community Theatre Company have been awarded a grant of £67K to produce a new play to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Regent’s Canal. St Pancras Cruising Club celebrates its 60th Birthday this year. Work is proceeding apace on their new Club House alongside St Pancras Lock. As mentioned elsewhere we note the retirement of Jon Guest as Waterways manager for London and the appointment of Regional Director, London & South East – Ros Daniels. Also Tav Kazmi, currently Acting Waterway Manager for the South East, is appointed as Deputy Director. We look forward to meeting and working with these appointees. As you can see the Branch carries out an amazing amount of work but this is carried out by a small number of volunteers. We would welcome any assistance in continuing this work. Tim Lewis, Chairman, North and East London Branch.
South London Chairman’s Report Since the last edition of ‘Meridian Cuttings’ we have had our AGM and the following people have been elected to the South London Branch Committee: Libby Bradshaw – Branch Chairman Allan Scott – Branch Secretary Dorothy Robbie – Branch Treasurer Simon Dyer – Planning Officer Lesley Pryde-Coales – Publicity Officer Shea Richardson – Social Secretary Contact details may be found on page 22. In February Simon Dyer gave a very interesting talk about his volunteer work for C&RT over the previous year, including having been volunteer lock keeper at St Pancras lock on Tuesdays during the summer. He has kindly agreed to repeat this talk at the Region Social at Paddington on Tuesday 19th June – see page 20 for details. In early March the Tidal Thames Navigators Club met for its annual evening meeting where updates about the Tidal Thames are shared with members. Several of us attended, especially those from St Pancras Cruising Club. This is hosted by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and included information on shipping, the state of the river, boatyards and much more. The PLA is holding an Open Day at Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend, on Saturday 2nd June. It consists of tours of PLA Vessels and the PLA Port Control Centre, various stalls and exhibits where not only PLA staff are on hand to give advice, but also external organisations, such as the RNLI and various activities for attendee participation. For further details see -http://pla.co.uk/Events/PLA-Open-day In April I attended a conference organised by the Thames Estuary Partnership entitled ‘Climate Change Adaptation & The Thames’ where participants held a wide range of interests and where we looked at the effect of climate change on the river and its environs. I hope to get a speaker along to a future social meeting where we can discuss the implications of climate change to our rivers and estuaries. More recently, many South London members were involved in the organisation and running of IWA Canalway Cavalcade at the beginning of May. This included the official events, organising and running the information stands, children’s activities, church services and the presentation of awards. Our branch stand was there with Eric Garland and others running the Waterway game and providing general information. A full report on the event may be found elsewhere in this magazine. We are planning to go to various other events during the summer and autumn but could do with more help to run the stand. Please contact one of the committee if you feel you could help in this way or if you know of any events local to you where we might take the stand.
Some of you may have seen people in gilets labelled ‘Waterways Chaplain’ around the canals. On May 12th I went to a meeting in London to find out more about their work and their plans to increase the number of chaplains in London. These are all people who are willing to support and listen to people in need around our canals in London. An article about their work may be found elsewhere in this magazine. The following day I went to the launch of the new boat for the River Thames Boat Project at Teddington waterfront. South London Branch has supported this community project at various times over the 30 years it has been in existence. This project makes the River Thames accessible to all by use of their specially adapted Dutch barge, ‘Thames Venturer’ (formerly ‘Richmond Venturer’) based at Kingston. The project also reaches out to schools, providing a classroom on water where children can learn about the river and its environs. On Sunday 13th May after some highly successful fundraising they were able to launch their second, smaller, boat ‘Thames Discoverer’ which will also be able to cruise the River Wey and canals. Finally, with my RNLI ‘hat’ on I continue to liaise with the local Lifeboat Management Group at Chiswick and fundraise for the service. I have recently been asked to join a forum including PLA, C&RT, London Fire Brigade and RNLI re safety on boats and on the River Thames. This is as an IWA representative. Several of us, including me, were unable to make the last meeting because of the snow. However, I look forward to sharing the work of this group with you all in due course. I wish you all a very happy summer, boating or non-boating! Libby Bradshaw, South London Branch Chairman
Libby Bradshaw at Cavalcade with Cllr Ian Adams, Lord Mayor of Westminster who also represents Little Venice Ward
London Walks Programme Date
Route
Start (Tube Station)
20 May Sun
Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge – Denham
Uxbridge (High Street exit)
3 June Sun
Limehouse – Thames – Docklands
Westferry DLR (by Cycle Hire Point)
16 June Sat
Regent’s Canal: Little Venice – Camden
Warwick Avenue
17 June Sun
Grand Surrey Canal – Royal Navy Victualling Yard - Greenland Dock
Surrey Quays
1 July Sun
Regent’s Canal: Islington – Mile End
Angel
14 July Sat
Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square - Camden
King’s Cross (taxi rank)
15 July Sun
Regent’s Canal: Little Venice – Camden
Warwick Avenue
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park & Bow Back Rivers Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square - Camden Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green
Stratford, by “Newham London” sign Paddington Bakerloo Praed Street exit
2 Sep Sun
Limehouse – Thames – Docklands
Westferry DLR (by Cycle Hire Point)
16 Sep Sun
Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse
Mile End
7 Oct Sun
Regent’s Canal: Little Venice – Camden
Warwick Avenue
4 Aug Sat 5 Aug Sun 19 Aug Sun
21Oct Sun 27 Oct Sat
Grand Surrey Canal – Royal Navy Victualling Yard - Greenland Dock Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square - Camden
King’s Cross (taxi rank)
Surrey Quays King’s Cross (taxi rank)
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. Saturday walks start at 1045. 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. Roger writes: If you would like to become a Guide for the Towpath Walks, you would be very welcome. We have a vacancy for a guide, and we would be very pleased to hear from you. If you're not sure about it - don't worry, we will brief you well. Just ring us, or email us, and the rest is plain sailing.
Canal & River Trust Rebrand and Reorganise The Canal & River Trust has reorganised into six regions, appointing six new Regional Directors. The Regional Director, London & South East is Ros Daniels, who joins the Trust with extensive experience of the heritage and tourism sector, most recently as Head of Historic Properties, London at English Heritage. The Trust is rebranding itself to become ‘a charity for the waterways and wellbeing’. The Trust’s new logo is illustrated right. The Trust’s latest press release describes how ‘former industrial waterways can improve the wellbeing of millions of people. It describes The Trust’s waterways as running through some of the most heavily populated communities in England and Wales providing accessible green and blue space on their doorstep. The Canal & River Trust believes that, with ever increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and other debilitating conditions – and rising levels of stress, anxiety and other mental health conditions in the UK, waterways are uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to improving the wellbeing of the nation, with millions of people living within easy reach of one of the free-to-use towpaths running alongside its canals and rivers. The Trust quotes new independent research that shows that simply spending time by the waterways can make you happier and improve your life satisfaction. Many of the waterways cared for by the charity run through some of our country’s most deprived and multi-cultural urban communities, where their potential impact is greatest, with people living in the least prosperous areas twice as likely to be physically inactive than those living in more prosperous areas. A report commissioned by the charity written by social impact consultancy group Simetrica, reveals: The associated benefits of visiting a canal or river increase with the length of visit, with research showing higher levels of happiness and lower levels of anxiety for longer trips Any visit to a waterway is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and visiting regularly is associated with even higher levels of life satisfaction. The Trust’s research also reveals that three quarters of towpath users say they visit to ‘get away from it all and clear my head’, and because they are ‘great places to relax and de-stress’. However, of the eight million people living within a kilometre of a waterway, currently just three in ten ever visit; with vast potential to make a meaningful impact on millions of lives.
C&RT have been setting out how this enhanced role for the waterways charity will improve the health, happiness and wellbeing for those living in waterside communities. It describes the impact that England & Wales’ 200-year-old waterways can have on a society that’s ranked just 19th in the World Happiness Report and is home to 20 million people who are physically inactive, with some of the worst rates of mental health in the world. Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, comments: “Our waterways are an amazing historic legacy for us all, and it is exhilarating to find that they can play such an important new role in our lives. This research presents clear evidence for what we might all experience – that we can make life better by water. And for the millions of people living alongside them, especially in our towns and cities where green space is at a premium, canals and rivers can provide a boost to health, happiness and wellbeing. They are free to use and on people’s doorstep. We believe that waterways have the power to make a real difference to people’s lives, and we’re on a mission to make the most of the benefits they can provide.” The Trust describes their ‘Water’ ambition: “We want over 7 million people (90%) who live close to the waterway to appreciate the benefits they can provide. Waterways can be the catalyst for more cohesive communities. We want one million volunteering hours every year, and for a quarter of the network – 500 miles - to be adopted and cared for by local communities. We want one million children and young people to be engaged in our waterways and actively benefit from them. We want the wellbeing benefits of our beautiful waterside spaces to be celebrated with a quarter of the network awarded a prestigious Green Flag award.” The charity is calling on communities to provide their time as volunteers or to make a regular donation, so the waterways can continue to be cared and enjoyed by everyone. To find out how to feel better by water and to get involved visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk A full copy of the Simetrica report can be found on the Trust’s website as above.
Limehouse Dock Mooring Plans
Following IWA’s campaign objecting to proposals for pontoon moorings in Limehouse Dock the plans have been rejected by Tower Hamlets Planning. We will monitor any future developments
Boater’s Facilities Campaign IWA are asking boaters to help identify areas on the UK’s waterways where basic facilities, such as water points, rubbish and sewage disposal, are missing. Having carried out some initial monitoring, we are now gathering more evidence to share with navigation authorities to encourage them to provide new or additional facilities in the right locations. Over the last few years some boaters’ facilities have been closed leaving gaps in the provision of facilities. This is an issue across the waterway network, and causes problems for many boaters, particularly if they don’t wish to travel very far each day. We consider that basic boaters’ facilities (water, elsan, rubbish) should be at locations which are no more than 5 hours cruising time apart with pump out available every 10 hours cruising time. The difficulties that boaters’ face in trying to recycle their waste is also a concern and so we will be campaigning with navigation authorities for more recycling points to be provided. In the meantime boaters are encouraged to be responsible about the disposal of their waste and to use existing recycling points whenever possible. Please let IWA know of any gaps in facilities or where a site is in need of major refurbishment by filling in the Gap Tracker form at waterways.org.uk/gaptracker. Alternatively you can email the details to our Campaigns Officer, Alison Smedley at alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk
Waterways Chaplains Since the 21st Century Waterways Chaplaincy movement got under way tentatively almost exactly 10 years ago, boaters using or living on our canals have found a new resource that actively seeks them out. However, for practical purposes, Waterways Chaplaincy took off formally with its first salaried Senior Chaplain only about four years ago and Chaplains walking the towpaths of Britain have since grown in number to around 70, with a second Senior Chaplain recently appointed to coordinate operations in the North and Midlands. So what do Chaplains offer? There is a long history of chaplains being present in the military, in hospitals, places of education and prisons - indeed anywhere where people might find themselves under pressure and need the support of a listener. Waterways are often seen as places of stillness and recreation but our system in the UK is now more crowded with boats than ever it was in the heyday of the canals, particularly in urban areas, and many of those colourful craft are homes to difficulty, stresses and addiction of various kinds, their liveaboard owners in some instances trapped into poverty and isolation. Waterways Chaplains are all Christians of different denominations. They may not all be boat owners or have a stake in the waterways, but they will be people very familiar with the towpaths and, above all, they will be interested in people. They commit to walking a mile of towpath a week and, in the course of that mile, depending on where they are, they might meet boat owners, people renting boats, people who fish, walk or cycle and others whose work is maintenance. A distinctive uniform 'Because the chaplains wear a distinctive uniform gilet they are instantly recognisable and conversations start, sometimes leading to practical engagement,' says Mark Chester, Senior Chaplain based in the south of England. 'For some on the canals, that contact with another human who is interested in them has been life-giving. Chaplains work to the maxim 'practically proactive, spiritually reactive' so they are not there in any sense to act like priests: but what they can do, and do rather well, is point those who might be in need to the nearest medical resources, the nearest food bank or other local resource that might get someone out of difficulty.' This new Chaplaincy is growing and becoming part of the fabric of the canals. Chaplains keep in touch with each other via WhatsApp as they sometimes seek advice from others who may have specialist knowledge. More information may be found at http://www.waterwayschaplaincy.org.uk
Examples from the website of what Chaplains offer:
Listening: listening & confidential ear. Signposting: sign post those in difficulty to local support services e.g. foodbanks. Advocates: act as advocates when a boater needs someone to unravel issues e.g. difficulties with paying licences, support with bereavement. Hardship Fund: offer coal/ fuel, food, emergency boat repairs. Emergencies: take boaters to access emergency medical support e.g. Doctor or hospital, housing. Practical: help e.g. washing and drying laundry for boaters, helping out after a (rare) boat sinking.
Mark Rudall - Waterways Chaplain and owner of a steam launch much used on the canals and rivers. Mark says, ‘Look out for those distinctive black gilets. Never hesitate to stop a chaplain: she or he is there for you...’
South London Socials 2018 Unless otherwise indicated, the following South London Branch Social Events will take place at 7.45 for 8.00 p.m. at: The Primary Room The United Reformed Church Hall Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP (See Page 23 for map of location) Wednesday 13th June
"Heroes and Villains of the Basingstoke Canal" by Roger Cansdale
DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES AFTER SUMMER BREAK Wednesday 12th September
Speaker to be confirmed
Wednesday 10th October
“Brewing along the Wandle Valley” by Alison Cousins from Wandle Industrial Museum
Wednesday 14th November
Speaker to be confirmed
Wednesday 12th December
Christmas Social gathering with Mulled Punch and homemade Mince pies
All are welcome, IWA members or non members at our meetings. 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. There is good parking adjacent to the hall and excellent transport links via East Croydon train and tram stations. For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson Tel: 07803 904803 or e-mail: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk For updates and information on our social meetings please check https://www.waterways.org.uk/southlondon/south_london
London Region Socials Combined with North and East London Branch We continue to hold our social meetings on the third Tuesday evening of each month except in July and August. We are getting used to our new venue at 2 Kingdom Street and have just about mastered the technology there! In January we shared pictures and stories about the Olympic Park Waterways and the reopening of Carpenters Road lock at the end of August last year. This included the two cruises on the Thames Tideway, one around the Isle of Dogs and the other down to the Thames Barrier. In February Simon Judge gave a talk entitled ‘Fenland Frolics – the Great Ouse and its Tributaries’ in anticipation of the IWA Festival of Water being held at St Neots on the Great Ouse this coming August. In March the North & East London Branch held their AGM prior to a talk by their planning officer, Rod Gray, which I called ‘Challenging Developments on the North & East London Canals’ – a double interpretation. It was impressive to hear the extent of his work keeping an eye out for proposed developments which may affect the canals and his responses to these. I recommend you contact Rod (see page 20) if you need advice on how to respond to developments in your area. In April we took an exciting journey with Roger Squires on a Clyde Puffer – exploring the Clyde Estuary and Crinan canal. Some members were looking up how they could book the Puffer before the evening had finished! Dates for the next few months: 19th June – My year as a Canal & River Trust volunteer – Simon Dyer No meetings in July or August 18th September - TBA 16th October - 5 tidal creeks & a historic sailing barge - Simon Judge & Libby Bradshaw 20th November - Restoration Round-up with London WRG - Tim Lewis 18th December - Christmas Quiz and Auction with mulled wine and mince pies Details of each talk will be sent out in advance by email and also can be found following the link https://www.waterways.org.uk/branches_regions/london/london_region The address of our new venue is 2 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central W2 6BD. The map on page 23 shows the route from Paddington Station to Two Kingdom Street, follow the path round between the lift and the top of the Amphitheatre to Kingdom Street. The following link may also help https://goo.gl/maps/VjKJvzXfy6B2. The venue is on the ground floor. Refreshments are available from 7pm and the talks start at 7.30pm. All are welcome whether IWA members or not. We have people attending from across most of the London Region Branches. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months. Libby Further details from Libby Bradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956 655037
BRANCH Committee Members Role
North & East London
Chairman
Tim Lewis Tel: 02085300425 / 07802518094 tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk
Secretary
Roger Squires Tel: 02072320987 roger.squires@waterways.org.uk
Allan Scott Tel: 02086428104 / 07985728844 allan.scott@waterways.org.uk
Minutes Secretary
Vacancy
Vacancy
Treasurer
Ian Israel Tel: 020 84461823 ian.israel@waterways.org.uk
Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk
Social Secretary
Vacancy
Shea Richardson, Tel: 02086770196 / 07803904803 shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk
Newsletter Editor
South London Libby Bradshaw Tel: 02088742787 / 07956 655037 libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk
Chris Bushill Tel: 02082457063; chris.bushill@waterways.org.uk
Membership Secretary
Liz Rayner liz.rayner@waterways.org.uk
Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk
Publicity Officer
Vacancy
Lesley Pryde-Coales Tel: 07787 372408 lesley.pryde@waterways.org.uk
Sales Officer
Vacancy
Vacancy
Events Officer
Vacancy
Vacancy
Planning Officer
Rod Gray rodgray125@aol.com
Simon Dyer Tel: 020 8769 2981/ 07857 978111 simondyer@outlook.com
Work Party Officer
Vacancy
Vacancy
London Walks Representative
Roger Wilkinson Tel: 02036129624 roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk
Ex-Officio as Region Chairman South London Representatives
Paul Strudwick Tel: 01245358342 / 07885240291 paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk Wandle Valley developments: Deptford Creek developments:
Shea Richardson Eric Garland, Simon Dyer
If you feel you could help with any of the vacancies above we would love to hear from you!
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 Bricklayer Training, Brimscombe Port, Stroud
The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783 453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country' s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.