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Issue 34 Winter 2021 www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield
Lichfield Lines
Canal Basin at Baswich under construction (see Page 10)
The newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch
The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and navigable rivers. The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or as an official pronouncement, unless specifically identified as such. 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 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
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Branch Chairman’s Report - October 2020
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Chairman’s Report I only took over the reins as Chairman in late November, so this is a very new venture for me. I am more used to publishing what other people have written than writing it myself. My predecessor Phil Sharpe decided to stand down last year after doing a brilliant job for many years. I was previously Treasurer of the branch but as the rules of the Association do not allow both Treasurer and Chairman to be the same person we needed to find another Treasurer before I could take over as Chairman. My wife Sue kindly volunteered without too much arm twisting. Her second career since leaving the IT business is as a professional bookkeeper so with these skills she will make an excellent Treasurer. Those of you who have been to our public meetings will probably know both myself and Sue (she’s the one trying to get money from you for the raffle). For those of you who we haven’t met I have included a photo of both of us so if there is anything you want to chat about next time you see us you will know who we are. I am pleased to say that as well as Sue joining the committee, Adrian Wedgwood has volunteered to join us as Minutes Secretary and is working on his first set of minutes as I write. The post of Minutes Pete & Sue Gurney in warmer climes Secretary has been vacant for some time so it is good to have Adrian taking on the role. Adrian has kindly provided me with a summary of his career, both paid and voluntary, so as you will see, he is more than qualified for the job and will make a great addition to the committee (see Page 5). After a very depressing 2020 when virtually nothing was allowed for most of the year 2021 has not started much better. Still, with a vaccine being rolled out hopefully things will get back to some sort of normality in the not too distant future and we can get back to boating. Unfortunately, restrictions meant that we were unable to go cruising during our allocated 6 weeks on our shared narrowboat during 2020. However, a friend very kindly let us have sole use of her narrowboat for two weeks in the summer when cruising was allowed. So, we set off in our own “bubble” and we’re pleased to say that the few people we met along the way were also observing social distancing and other Covid safe measures. We even managed to visit a few pubs on our journey and they were also taking the precautions seriously so this meant we were able to
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enjoy a few meals out. I hope you have also been able to enjoy our waterways whether it was boating, walking, cycling or whatever, when it has been safe to do so. As a branch we have enjoyed a couple of canalside strolls before the new lockdown restrictions started. The new look IWA website is now up and running. It is still very much a work in progress, but it is getting there. I have posted the event details for our first two online meetings of 2021 so please have a look and register of you are interested in joining us. Depending on how quickly the magazine printing and distribution process goes the first one of these on February 17th will either be imminent or just happened. We also will be posting a series of self-guided walks on the website, so if you fancy some fresh air and a canal walk have a look. We will be continuing our online meetings for a while yet with our Branch AGM and talk in March and another talk in April being scheduled by zoom (see Forthcoming Events). I hope you had as good a Christmas as was possible under the restrictions and wish you a happy new year and I look forward to “seeing” you at one of our online meetings. Pete Gurney 15/1/2020 Forthcoming Events Covid-19 Note: Due to the current regulations we are unable to have any public meetings, walks or strolls so our events are limited to online only.
Wednesday 17th February 2021—New Lives From Old Boats Chris Leah of the Wooden Canal Boat Society will talk to us about the challenges of restoring and preserving historic wooden boats and finding new uses for
Wooden narrowboat “Hazel” at Croxton flash
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them. Putting them to work on behalf of the community provides opportunities for people to learn new skills, make new friends and do something useful and rewarding. This will be an online only meeting at 7:30pm. Please register on the IWA website to join this webinar. Wednesday 17th March 2021—Branch AGM followed by talk Our branch AGM (see agenda on Page 12) will be followed by an illustrated talk by branch member Neil Barnett on his recent trip on the Manchester Ship Canal. This will be an online only meeting starting at 7:30pm. Please register on the IWA website to join this meeting. Barton Swing Aqueduct on the Manchester Ship Canal Wednesday 21st April 2021—Online Talk from John Parry, Subject TBA John hasn’t decided what to talk about yet but we will let you know as soon as possible. John has contributed great articles to this magazine over the past few years and has given us a talk before so whatever he decides will be interesting. This will be an online only meeting starting at 7:30pm. Please register on the IWA website to join this webinar. Recent Activities Unfortunately our Christmas dinner on December 6th and our New Year’s Day Walk were both casualties of the Covid situation. Our events since the last magazine have been limited to one stroll and a short period of Offside Veg Clearance. Hopefully we will be able to organise more walks and events later this year.
October 2020 Onwards In October the Offside Veg Group was able to start work again as the Covid regulations had eased enough to be able to work. IWA Lichfield Branch volunteers were doing two days a week with CRT volunteers out of Fradley plus IWA Warwickshire working on the other three days. This continued successfully until the regulations were tightened again and the volunteers were not comfortable continuing.
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It was planned to restart in January but when the restrictions became even more severe CRT decreed that all volunteering projects should cease. This means that the equipment has been returned to the hirers and the work will stop for this winter. Despite this the groups managed to clear the excess vegetation from Fazeley as far as Polesworth on the Coventry Canal, which was great progress. We will find out later in the year whether the project can continue next winter.
Tuesday 3rd November 2020—Canalside Stroll at Brereton On the 3rd November we had our latest socially distanced branch stroll along the Trent and Mersey Canal in Rugeley. Two groups of 5 of us set off from the Premier Inn area and enjoyed the beautiful Autumn Colours along the canal and taking advantage of the newly widened and relayed towpath. Unfortunately I was so busy talking I forgot to take a photo of our Refurbished towpath at Rugeley from Mossley Bridge members. Six of us then drove up to the Stags Leap and because we were then in Tier 2 of the COVID Regulations the staff kindly put us in our own area where we each sat at our own little table. We hope to resume our strolls when regulations allow. Report by Margaret Beardsmore Photo by Phil Sharpe Adrian Wedgwood—An Introduction to our new Minutes Secretary Four decades in the Brewing industry with senior management roles at Bass in malting, technical services, marketing, sales, pub operations and communications including as director of the world-renowned Bass Museum of Brewing, plus a spell with a leading video & conference production company, has seen Maz & Adrian move around Britain. Outside work Adrian was director of a Regional Tourist Board and a leading Midlands Chamber of Commerce. On retirement his consultancy services saw him advising several family brewers on tourism opportunities, directing a major Christmas party/events operation (once attended by President Bill Clinton!) in Cheshire and as PR for a leading Midlands golf &
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leisure business. Now back at Barton under Needwood where they bought their first home in 1964 Adrian's hobbies include the theatre, bellringing, Morris dancing and, of course, CAMRA! Together he & Maz, a major Stroke survivor, are passionate about our waterways, perhaps inherited from the family ancestor who promoted & Adrian & Maz on the Monty was first Treasurer of the Trent & Mersey Canal Co., and are regulars at IWA's Lichfield Branch activities. 'I'm delighted to be helping our dedicated Branch committee encouraging more people to enjoy the heritage and leisure benefits of our wonderful waterways by supporting IWA's objectives' said Adrian. 'This year we are hoping to be 'doing the Caldon' in June' he added. Census 2021 In March 2021, every household in England and Wales will be expected to complete their census questionnaire. And, of course, that includes all people living on boats. The census is for everyone. Once every 10 years, it helps build the most complete picture of the country. The whole population has the chance to provide information. This ensures all communities are represented in decisions on funding and services. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools or new transport routes. Everyone – from young adults to the elderly and including visitors from overseas – must take part if they are here on 21st March 2021, or are usually resident in England and Wales. For the first time, it will be a primarily online census. This makes it easy for most people to complete on any device. However, while the census will be digital first, online support centres and paper questionnaires will be available for those who need them. Liveaboard Engagement Liveaboard boaters will receive a letter, either by hand from a census officer or in the post in March, with details of how to take part. The method depends on whether the mooring is registered with Royal Mail or not. For all those registered with Royal Mail,
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the Office for National Statistics will send a letter containing a unique access code to allow boaters to complete their online census form. If someone is not registered with Royal Mail and lives in a marina, a census officer will deliver the letter. If people live on a permanent mooring or other location, the ONS will send a census officer to deliver forms to any households they can find. During March 2021, even if people are away cruising on their boat, they will need to take part. The advice from ONS is to complete the questionnaire before you go. Benefits For All The man in charge of delivering the census is the ONS’s deputy national statistician, Iain Bell – himself a boater. Based in south Wales, he spends part of his time living on the Mon & Brec Canal with his partner. A successful census will help give the best picture of the needs of everyone living in England and Wales. It benefits everyone. Based on the information you give, it ensures millions of pounds can be invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GP and dental services.. It is therefore crucial we reach everyone in the country – from people living in London’s commuter-belt to all inner-city communities; from those living in the countryside to student populations; the elderly and all ethnic minorities. And, indeed, anyone like me, who spends time living on a waterway. There are some groups who are harder to reach than others, with language, living arrangements, technology and understanding of what the census is all being barriers for us to overcome. My advice for liveaboards is to make sure you have a postal point if you have a mooring. For continuous cruisers, registration with a GP means analysis covers you as well. It’s crucial you do take part. If analysis that feeds policy decisions doesn’t reflect all sections of society then there is a risk of the needs of different groups not being met. Being able to complete it online will hopefully make it easier than ever for all of us to take part. We do recognise there will be some people who need paper forms or help getting online. Therefore we have set up local census support centres to help with that. Even if people are away cruising on their boat, they still have to take part in the decennial event. Covid Implications For The Census There are also some changes to the running of the census in 2021. These reflect the fact the world has had to come to terms with the coronavirus pandemic. Iain adds: “Our design now means we can conduct the main census field operation without anyone ever needing to enter a house – or houseboat. All contacts will be socially distanced. Field staff will be equipped with PPE in line with government guidance. Recruitment and training have been moved wholly online.” Covid-19 has also made this census more important than ever. “Much like the 1921
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Census after World War I and Spanish flu in the early 20th century, Census 2021 will be crucial in giving a snapshot of life in the 21st century,” says Iain. “The census will highlight areas of deprivation. It will show the ethnic make-up of the country. It will provide information on our living arrangements, health, education and the jobs we do. The data from it will help inform government policy at a local and national level for years to come.” It is vital that the census sheds light on long-term trends, while also reflecting today’s society. Nobody would find it sensible if data from the census still captured the occupation of lamp-lighting and didn’t now include social media analysts. Equally, the ONS no longer collects information about whether houses have running water and outside toilets. It now collects more information to help provide the diversity information necessary for private and public sectors to serve the wide range of needs of different communities. Other Changes “All our planning has been about ensuring Census 2021 will reflect modern society and will be the most inclusive yet. Everyone can identify as they wish using the new searchas-you-type capability online. Plus there are write-in options on paper if they need it,” Iain explains. “With community engagement being key, we are working with communities to ensure we engage safely in line with the government’s coronavirus guidance. We are also able to reach out using new forums that have emerged during the pandemic.” As well as questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity, there are new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for those aged 16 The man in charge—Iain Bell and over. Gathering this information will ultimately help local communities. It will allow charities, local and central government to understand the services people from different groups need, and monitor equality. There is also a new question on armed forces veterans to help understand numbers, locations and age ranges of our armed forces community for central and local government, as well as charities that work with veterans and their families, so they are able to target resources and expertise where they are most
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needed to meet their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant. Although results will be available within 12 months, personal census records (the information people will give) will be kept secure for 100 years. Only then can future generations view them, as when the 1921 Census records are made available to the public in early 2022. Find Out More For more information about the census, how to get support and the ONS’s plans for Census 2021, visit census.gov.uk. You can also call the census helpline 0800 141 2021 in March. For boaters in Wales, that number is 0800 169 2021. Planning Matters This report covers almost 50 planning matters dealt with between mid-October 2020 and mid-January 2021. If anyone wants to see more details of our responses I will be happy to supply these on request.
Connecting to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Baswich, the application by Stafford Riverway Link for their restored canal basin, a connecting channel and a towpath bridge was approved in November, and work there briefly resumed before the second coronavirus lockdown intervened. Also partly retrospective, was Stafford Boat Club’s application for an extended storage building and two toilet blocks, which we have supported. And at Otherton near Penkridge we have asked for better screening of a proposed Building the Basin Wall at Baswich (john Potter) new barn. By the Trent & Mersey Canal opposite The Crown Inn at Handsacre, an application for an excessively wide access road into the field by a development company is clearly intended to facilitate some form of built development. A previous proposal for a housing estate here was refused and an appeal dismissed, so we have objected to this application. On the Coventry Canal at Atherstone, the long derelict Britannia Works hat factory
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has permission for its replacement by apartment blocks, subject to keeping the architecturally attractive Listed Buildings on the road frontage. But after 20 years of neglect their condition is very poor and the new owners have proposed total demolition, which we objected to. This has since been approved but with conditions to protect the canal and ensure rebuilding of a replica front elevation. Alongside the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Bloxwich a derelict former factory site has been approved for housing with extensive canalside green spaces which should make an attractive development. Near the Cannock Extension Canal, the 2016 application for a go-kart track has finally been refused due to the Green Belt, drainage issues, and noise to nearby canal boats, many of which are residential. Affecting the Ashby Canal restoration route on a site at Oakthorpe, we have objected to an increase from the previously agreed 3 houses to 4, which would intrude on the protected line of the canal.
Construction work on Phase 1 of the HS2 High Speed Rail project continues, and an HS2 Land & Property Review has recommended that the Government “extend entitlement to a home loss payment to houseboat owners who cannot reasonably be relocated, so they are placed on the same footing as mobile home owners”. The contractors for the northern section of Phase 1 are Balfour Beatty Vinci and I have attended several virtual liaison meetings with them and CRT about the designs of the canal crossings. The Trent & Mersey Canal crossing at Fradley is now proposed to be a single span concrete bridge of generous dimensions, and with noise reduction integral with the parapets. This well balanced design is an improvement on earlier ones, and minimises canal closures to lifting on the bridge beams. Construction is scheduled to start in 2022. Meanwhile, the TrentSow Parklands and Cannock Chase AONB HS2 Group, on which I also represent IWA, has allocated £1.5m of Phase 2a HS2 funding to environmental enhancement projects in the area, including £595k to CRT for towpath
Towpath at Tixall Wide to be improved with HS2 Funding
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resurfacing work on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal between Great Haywood and Milford. As mentioned last time, the latest Phase 2b Western Leg Design Refinement consultation mainly affects the Middlewich Branch, and I have now submitted the IWA national response. We have called for appropriate design of the new bridges and better screening and noise mitigation, with minimised canal closures. Full details are on the IWA national website. The future of Phase 2b has also been considered as part of the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and the North, which we contributed to last July. Their final report looks at a range of alternative investment packages prioritising upgrades, regional links or long distance links, and depending on the level of funding. Each includes the 2b Western Leg from Crewe to Manchester, but whilst not completely ruled out it is clear that the Eastern leg is not seen as a priority. The Upgrades package omits the Eastern Leg entirely and concentrates on improving existing routes, as IWA advocated. Although the Long Distance Links package includes the whole of Phase 2b, the cost of this limits other important upgrades, and the Regional Links package including the Eastern Leg from Birmingham only as far as East Midlands Parkway is clearly the NIC’s favoured option. It remains to be seen which options the Government includes in its Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands which had been due to be published by the end of last year. Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer East Midlands Parkway Station
mattbuck (category), CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Common
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IWA LICHFIELD BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY 17th March 2021, at 7.30 PM A virtual meeting to be held on Zoom
AGENDA
Apologies for absence Approval of the minutes of the 2020 AGM and any matters arising from these minutes Report from the Branch Chairman Financial Report from the Treasurer Elections to the Committee Members completing 3 years in post and eligible for re-election. Pete Gurney, Derek Beardsmore, Neil Barnett Members co-opted since last AGM and willing to stand for election. Sue Gurney, Adrian Wedgwood Any other candidates Any resolutions requested by members of the Branch (provided the Branch Chairman was notified in writing of the item at least 6 weeks prior to the AGM) * Any Other Business
Notes: Candidates for election to the committee must be current members of the Lichfield Branch and should indicate their willingness to stand. The Branch committee officers (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) are elected by the committee from its members at their first meeting after the AGM. Current members of the Committee are: Pete Gurney (Chairman and Acting Secretary), Sue Gurney (Treasurer, co-opted), Phil Sharpe, Derek Beardsmore, Neil Barnett, Adrian Wedgwood (co-opted). *Please put any resolutions in writing and address them to the Chairman at 5 Bracken Close, Stafford, ST16 1SG or by email to Lichfield@waterways.org.uk by 3rd February 2021.
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Editorial Notice Lichfield Lines is the newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch, it is produced 4 times a year to keep members informed about our forthcoming public meetings, walks, work parties and other activities, to provide reports on recent meetings and events, and to include articles of general interest to our members. The editor, Peter Gurney, welcomes articles, letters or photographs of waterway activities in our Branch area which can be emailed to pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk (Please note there is a 35MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address). The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th April 2021, for publication in May. Advertising Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 400 Branch members. It can also be read and downloaded by anyone from the Branch website pages. If you would like to publicise your waterway related business to our members, and others that read the newsletter online, we can offer advertising space at the following rates: Full Page - £20 per issue
Half Page - £10 per issue
Please contact the editor to discuss artwork and layout. By advertising you will help to sponsor IWA's charitable activities and reach potential customers who are all committed to the waterways. The IWA has a range of corporate members some of whom offer discounts to members. The discount details can be found on the IWA website at www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/corporates. Corporate members in our area are— Lichfield Cruising Club Longwood Boat Club Stafford Boat Club Ltd Ashby Canal Association Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Tamworth Cruising Club Ashby Canal Trust Ash Tree Boat Club Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd Restoration Trust Elite Furnishings Canal Transport Services Ltd Birmingham and Midland Marine Services Waterways World Ltd River Canal Rescue Ltd Midland Chandlers Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust Glascote Basin Boatyard (Norton Canes Boatbuilders) Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.
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Your Committee Chairman and Acting Secretary Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Pete Gurney
Treasurer Tel: 01785 255101 Email: sue.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Sue Gurney
Planning Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk
Phil Sharpe
Newsletter and Website Editor Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Pete Gurney
Volunteer Coordinator & Membership Tel: 07808 846434 Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Neil Barnett
Navigation Officer Tel: 07847 470112 Email: derek.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk
Derek Beardsmore
Publicityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Press & Magazines Tel: 07808 846434 Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk
Neil Barnett
Minutes Secretary Tel: 01283 713125
Adrian Wedgwood
Ex Officio: Region Chairman also Branch Sales and External Talks (noncommittee posts) Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
Helen Whitehouse
Non-committee posts Walks Coordinator Tel: 07866 201873 Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Clive Walker
Strolls & Facebook
Margaret Beardsmore
Social Secretary
Lynn Evans
Tel: 07581 794111 Email: margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk Tel: 07933 236785 Email: lynn.evans@waterways.org.uk Branch Contact Address Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk
IWA Lichfield Branch 5 Bracken Close Stafford ST16 1SG
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