Towing Path Topics - September 2021 by The Inland Waterways Association

Towing Path Topics Newsletter of the Inland Waterways Association Lancashire & Cumbria Branch

September 2021

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Towing Path Topics are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) or of its North West Region or of the Lancs and Cumbria Branch. They are, however published as being of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. No reproduction is permitted without acknowledgment. Cover: Beware! Alien invader—see page 30

Photograph acknowledgements:

Pages 12-17 the Nott family Pages 18-28, 30,31 Wendy Humphreys Others the editor Abbreviations LCT - The Lancaster Canal Trust CRT—The Canal and River Trust LCRP—Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership

Copy date for next edition 12th December 2021 The editor retains the right to edit any article or letter submitted for publication. Editor: David Faulkner 22 Moorland Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8EX Tel. 01254 249265 Email david.faulkner@waterways.org.uk

Inland Waterways Association

Registered office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Registered as a charity (No. 212342) 2

Editor’s comment Late summer/autumn and things are slowly getting back to normal for most of us. We have not been very active as a branch but we didn’t entirely stop, mainly because of our branch chair’s skill at liaising with the Lancaster Canal Trust and others. Many thanks to Wendy for her efforts and her reports. Hopefully you will receive this edition before the week of Heritage Open Days starting 11 September, see pages 38 & 39. Whilst at that end of the newsletter you will also see details of our social meetings, both in person and via Zoom. Thanks to Maralyn and Jim Nott for their account of a trip both ways along the Caledonian Canal. I have added a short piece on the canal’s history to put it in context. Next year will be the 200th anniversary of the official opening so expect to see plenty of publicity (assuming Scottish Canals get their act together).

This was in danger of becoming the Nigel Hardacre newsletter. You will see that Nigel has been busy researching and leading various walks and then he pops up to bash some Himalayan Balsam. On page 8 you will find mention of the 2 large boxes of memorabilia bequeathed to us by Mildred and Eric Sadler. Eric was editor for many years and he left a collection of Towing Path Topics going back to the change to this A5 format in 1979. I have included an extract from Summer 1979 which shows that some things have not changed much in 40 years. Any comments and news of what you’ve been up to always welcome. David Faulkner

NEW MEETING DAY AND PLACE Our evening social meetings will now take place on a Wednesday at Primrose Gardens, Chorley. See page 34 for details. 3

Branch Chair’s Report Welcome to the chairs report for Towing Path Topics, the summer has gone by at a fast pace and although there is still some of it left, a few leaves have started to fall from the trees and that means it is time for our autumn Towing Path Topics and to let you know about our next season’s social events. You will see later in the magazine that we have a full programme planned and as well as our live events we also have some Zoom events. As predicted in the last magazine we have had to find a new venue and because our new venue isn’t available on Thursdays, we have also had to find a new night, our next season of meetings will be on a Wednesday. It feels good to be going back to live events and I hope many of you will join us, but we haven’t forgotten those who live a long way away or those who can’t travel, and we have included a few Zoom events. We have managed a few events this year, not as many as in a normal year though and we hope to do more next year. On the 22nd of May Nigel Hardacre who is one of our members as well as a Lancaster Canal Trust Trustee, organised a walk along part of the Ribble Link and on the 5th of June he organised a walk near Johnson’s Hillock and part of the Lancaster Canal. Although these were Lancaster Canal Trust events, I attended both and so did some of our members. Nigel is a very good walk leader always doing lots of research and sharing interesting information. Nigel has led other walks and plans more and many of these will be joint IWA, LCT events; this means we can attract more people and it is good to work in partnership. We held a Balsam Bash at Haslam Park on the 26th of June; this was in partnership with LCT and Friends of Haslam Park. We had a good turnout and got rid of lots of Balsam. On the 12th of August we held another joint event, this time with LCT and Canal and River Trust, this was a youth engagement day, and we hope to repeat the event next year.

Nigel led another walk on the 14th of August along the old tramway from Avenham Park at Preston. We couldn’t cross the river using the Tramway bridge as it is currently closed but it was very interesting walk and was done in partnership with IWA, LCT and the Friends of 4

the Tram Bridge (who are campaigning to re-open the bridge). Let’s hope that we can hold more events next year and that many of you will be able to join us at activities near the canals in our area. I have continued to attend meetings, all online, saving lots of time on travel but still not quite as good as live meetings. They included the Lancaster Canal Trust; IWA Region; Canal and River Trust liaison meetings and Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership. On the subject of LCRP, I am hoping that by the time you receive this magazine there will be some good news; the partnership is holding interviews for a new chairman on the 17th of August. I will be on the panel representing IWA and if someone is appointed, we hope that the work of the partnership can go forward in a more positive way. Audrey Smith spent several years as temporary chair and Robin Yates from LCT has held the fort as temporary chair after she left. They both achieved a lot, but a permanent chair will be much better for the partnership.

Audrey Smith is still active, she and I walked the Johnson’s Hillock flight with people from Canal and River Trust, we pointed out our concerns and the problems we saw; to date these have not all been resolved but we will keep up the pressure. I will make my usual plea for more committee members, the more members we have the more we can do,. If anyone is interested in joining the committee, please let me or one of the other committee members know. And my thanks of course to all of our branch committee without their help we would not be able to do so much. I hope to see some of you at events and meetings and look forward to a more normal 2022 Take care everyone. Wendy Humphreys

REPORT FROM THE NW REGIONAL CHAIRMAN

Normality is almost here - is it? Certainly boaters are more active and users of the canal seem more plentiful. But is it real? The pandemic situation is improving, thanks to the vaccination programme, but people are still wary. And, given the prevalence of the Delta variant in the North West, rightly so. Fingers crossed, then, for early autumn often the best time to be on the Cut anyway. Your Branch is continuing to meet virtually - although with imminent plans to resume physical meetings - and I am consistently impressed by the attendance and the quality of the discussions. There was a poll within one organisation recently on the pros and cons of Zoom etc. and, perhaps surprisingly, 75% preferred virtual to actual reality. No travel, no traffic, no hassle, more members present, more convenient, more environmentally sustainable - and, of course, the cuppa or something stronger alongside! What is your view?

Your National Trustees have been considering the financial and other implications of a declining and ageing membership and there is a fascinating debate beginning on what the objectives of the IWA should be. Are we just a members’ organisation, providing services, information and support for boaters and other users of the waterways? Or should we be a professional lobbying organisation to national and local government and other influential groups, putting the case for the waterways to those in a position to help or hinder? Can we be both or only one or the other? Our future depends on some sort of decisive focus - and pretty soon. I invited the new IWA/CEO, Phil Hornsey, to our last NW Regional meeting and he was both fascinated by our discussions and fascinating to listen to. He is, needless to say, still new to the job but is making a point of visiting Branches, talking with and to members, as well as considering improvements in the IWA throughout the land. He looks to be an excellent appointment. 6

Thanks again to your Branch and Officers, together with your own commitment - and enjoy the rest of the cruising season.

************************ Dear Editor, Something to remind us the world isn’t all COVID. There is still much to enjoy, especially along the Cut. Brian Capps.

Twilight. A coven of rooks chattering their way to roost. A solitary crow beating steadily to his nest. A squadron of swallows hunting the sedges for supper. A lone swift practicing in-flight refuelling along the canal. A jay, his language as colourful as his plumage, scolds all & sundry. The voices of the woodland choir slowly sinking with the sun. The distant thump of a boat engine slowly fades away. The chatter of the paddle gear finally stills. And night steals silently along the cut.

Waterways memorabilia In previous editions we mentioned the passing of Mildred and Eric Sadler, enthusiastic members of this branch for many years.

Their son, Ian has sent us 2 large boxes of various waterway items for us to sell for branch funds. It’s an eclectic mix of canal merchandise including some unusual items such as a canal painted toast rack. (See below) For boaters there are numerous plaques from rallies etc for you to add to your collections. There are also some limited edition 8” diameter decorative plates in their original packaging with certificates of authenticity, all perfect. • “Memories in Motion” series by Barry Freeman (Davenport Pottery), 2 plates • “Waterways by Winter Moonlight” by Alan Frith (Wedgwood) 5 plates • “Romance of the Waterways” Roger Kent (Royal Worcester) 4 plates • “Over the Canal” one plate in the Wedgwood “Country Connections” series by John Chapman. • “The First Lock” one plate in the Royal Doulton “Life on the Waterways” series by Terry Harrison. If you want to fill a gap in your existing collection or just a space on your wall (or bulkhead), get in touch with the editor. No reasonable offer refused.

Memories in Motion Waterways by Winter Moonlight Romance of the Waterways 9

Caledonian Canal The 60 mile long “Cally” was built as a ship canal connecting the North Sea to the Atlantic, allowing ships to avoid the voyage round the North of Scotland through the treacherous Pentland Firth. Construction started in 1803 and the canal was officially opened on 23 October 1822 when a steam yacht crowded with VIPs left Inverness, arriving at Fort William the next day. The design of the canal was shared between two distinguished engineers - William Jessop and Thomas Telford. They used the Great Glen, a natural cleft running across the Highlands. The route is from Inverness on the East coast to Corpach, close to Fort William in the West. It links a series of fresh water lochs Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy (yes really!). The lochs account for about two thirds of the total length. The summit is Loch Oich at 106 feet (amazingly low considering it is cutting through the Scottish Highlands). There are 15 locks to raise the canal to the summit from the West and 14 locks down to Inverness. These include impressive staircases at Fort Augustus and Inverness but the most spectacular is 8 locks of ‘Neptune’s Staircase’ at Bonavie close to the western end of the canal. At the beginning of the 19th century the Highlands were in a very depressed state. The clearances had led to thousands emigrating and the government was concerned about the lack of employment opportunities for those that remained. An expanded fishing industry was one possible solution and a safe route from East to West for fishing vessels would help, as well as providing passage for cargo ships and naval vessels.

Consequently, the canal was funded by public money, unusual for a canal, and local labour was used in its construction rather than importing gangs of navvies. Whole new villages were built to house the workers and the project was a massive undertaking. The inexperience of the workforce created problems and shoddy workmanship meant that locks were starting to crumble by 1839, the record year for traffic. The canal reopened in 1849, now able to take vessels up to 400 tons with 4 steam tugs to assist sailing vessels. Look out for bi-centenary celebrations next year. 10

Fishing boats under sail by Tomnahurich

On Loch Oich by Invergarry Castle 11

A trip on the Caledonian Canal—Maralyn Nott’s log In January 2020, husband Jim and our son Paul spent some time researching and then booking a week’s holiday on the Caledonian Canal in May with Caley Cruisers. When lockdown began in March they initially changed it to May 2021 and, as that date approached, it moved again to 24th July. With fingers firmly crossed, we started to prepare for the trip and on Friday 23rd set off for Inverness where we were booked in to a Premier Inn for one night. Prior to that we had emails from Caley Cruisers with videos to watch which we would be questioned on at the marina. On Saturday morning, Paul and I went food shopping in Tesco before going to the marina. We were asked to be at the base for noon and, after booking in at reception, were fitted with life jackets and asked a couple of questions before being shown our boat. Due to Covid restrictions, only the designated skipper and one other crew member were allowed on board for the detailed briefing although I and my daughter-in-law, Sandra were able to hear most of it from the quayside. We hired the well equipped 4 berth Kintail 4. Here shown moored at Fort Augustus After instruction, Jim was asked to take the boat out under the watchful eye of the instructor and then reverse it back in to the mooring space. We were then able to load our luggage and set off about 1.30. We reached Dochgarroch lock by 3.00pm – all the locks are manned between 8.00 and 6.00 with an hour off for lunch somewhere between 12.00 and 2.00, depending on the traffic going through. We then 12

went across Loch Dochfour and on to Loch Ness through a buoyed channel.

We saw a 10 foot broad beam moored near Jacobite cruisers before Loch Ness – next day the lock keeper at Cullochy lock told us that they had to wait three weeks for the weather to calm down before they could take the broad beam across Loch Ness. It was quite choppy across Loch Ness but the boat handled well. There are few landmarks on the loch with the charts we were given showing the odd “conspicuous house”, a boat house on the south shore and Urquhart castle on the north. Approaching Fort Augustus we had to line up with, and head for, the church spire to ensure that we didn’t confuse the canal entrance with the river mouth to the right. We got there just before 6.00 and moored up. It was quite busy with not many spaces left. 13

In Fort Augustus we went out to find somewhere to eat and managed to find an outdoor eating area at The Bothy. We were being extra cautious about social distancing and avoiding crowds as Jim is to have a knee replacement at the end of August, but this didn’t spoil our enjoyment of the holiday. The first boats go down the flight of five locks at 8.00 and one of the lock keepers goes round to see who is going up at 9.00. There were six boats going up and, after they had gone up in the first locks, two crew members got off each boat to rope the boats through the rest of the flight. It took nearly 2 hours to get up the five and on to canal. We then went through Kytra lock and Cullochy lock with the lock keepers ringing ahead so we were expected. Kintail 4 at Fort Augustus on the return journey At Cullochy, the lock keeper rang ahead to Aberchalder swing bridge which opened as we approached slowly. Through the bridge we were on to Loch Oich – in the middle section we had to follow the channel between red and green buoys to avoid the shallow areas. The water level was low as there hadn’t been much rain. 14

We arrived at Laggan swing bridge at 1.05 and, as expected, the bridge keeper was at lunch, so we moored on the pontoon and we too had our lunch. When we got through the bridge we went along Laggan Avenue, the canal section between Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The avenue is lined with Scots Pines, planted when the canal was being constructed so is very beautiful. We moored for the night on a pontoon before Laggan locks. We had hoped to eat at The Eagle floating restaurant but all the outside tables were in the sun and it was very hot so we decided to eat on board. On Monday morning, we went through Laggan locks into Ceann Loch and then in to Loch Lochy. At Laggan and Gairlochy there are two sets of gates to each lock but the lower lock gates are quite frequently left open, so we only had to pass through one lock. The lock keeper advised us to get to Gairlochy locks for 11.00 (they operate at 9.00, 11.00, 1.00 and 3.00). As we approached the end of Loch Lochy we passed a yacht at anchor which then followed us down the channel leading to the lock. When we were both through the lock, the lock keeper opened the swing bridge for us to pass through. We then passed through Moy bridge, which is permanently open between 9.30 and 3.00 (or once the last boat has left Gairlochy west bound). Moy is the only known cast iron swing bridge in existence in the United Kingdom, and is likely one of the oldest movable bridges of any kind in the UK. It is also a very unusual double-leaf design swing bridge. Essentially, the bridge is two bobtail swing structures that when closed form a single span. The bridge is hand-turned and the turning lever is inserted and operated from a post on the abutment meaning the operator does not "ride" the bridge as is the case with many hand-turned swing bridges. We continued along the canal and moored at Banavie on a pontoon just above Neptune’s Staircase, the longest staircase lock in Britain. Hire boats are not allowed to go down these locks so that is where we turned round. As we approached Banavie, we had good views of Ben Nevis with its peak above the clouds. After lunch, Jim, Paul and I walked down the staircase to see where we could eat later. We looked at The Moorings bistro and The Lochy pub but decided to cater for ourselves.

On Tuesday morning, we set off slowly from Banavie at 9.35 to get through Moy bridge after it opened and easily reached Gairlochy locks by 10.50. The lock had just let 3 yachts heading west in and we moored on the pontoon while these came out and the swing bridge opened. Crossing Loch Lochy, I steered the boat letting Paul take over as we approached the narrower entrance to Ceann Loch. We arrived at Laggan Lock just as the lock keeper went for lunch and gave a time of 1.45 pm for entry allowing us to have a leisurely lunch while double moored next to another Caley boat on the pontoon.

After going through the locks we filled with water and set off along Laggan Avenue approaching Laggan swing bridge slowly and watching for it opening to let us through into Loch Oich. It started to rain and there were a few rumbles of thunder so we moored at Invergarry pontoon about 1 mile into Loch Oich for the night. We made a drink and then the rain stopped so we had a 10 minute walk to Glengarry Castle Hotel. We tried to book dinner but they were fully booked so had afternoon tea instead. We walked the short distance to Invergarry Castle ruin and then back to the boat before it started raining again. Paul went for a swim in the loch. On Wednesday it was overcast but dry when we got up and the sun was trying to break through. We left the mooring and followed two cruisers and a yacht through the buoyed channel. As we approached Aberchalder swing bridge, we saw the road barriers go down so we were able to hover and then follow the other boats through. We went down Cullochy and Kytra locks before arriving at Fort Augustus where we moored at the top of the locks. After lunch there was a torrential downpour so we stayed aboard for the rest of the afternoon. Later Paul, Sandra and I went for a walk down the locks and Sandra bought some antlers from the butcher. On Thursday morning we were all up before 7.30 so decided to go down the locks at 8.00 as only one other boat was going down. We had originally thought we would go down at 10.00 but that would probably be busier. Paul and Sandra roped the boat down and we got to the bottom before 9.00 so had to wait for the bridge to open. We moored on one of the pontoons at the bottom of the locks. Jim and I went for a walk round town, looking round some of the little shops, and got haggis rolls and a Scotch pie for lunch from the butcher. 16

Paul went for a walk and saw a huge charter yacht, Aumichakiad, moored at the top of the locks. Jim and I walked up to see it and a sea cadet ship, the TS Jack Petchey, moored opposite.

36.88 m Motor Yacht Aumichakiad We met Alison, Rupert and Peter Smedley who had cycled from Inverness and were stopping for the night in Fort Augustus before continuing to Fort William. We had hoped to eat at The Bothy again as we had enjoyed the meal on Saturday but the kitchen was closed due to staff shortage so we had Chinese takeaway instead. Friday was a slow start, leaving Fort Augustus before 10.00. We hoped to stop briefly for lunch at Urquhart bay but it was hard to see the mooring so we carried on. Loch Ness was a lot smoother than it had been on the west-bound crossing. After going through Dochgarroch lock with another Caley boat and a yacht, we slowly proceeded to Tomnahurich swing bridge where we waited for the others to catch up and for 2 boats coming the other way. We got back to the boatyard before 3.00 and spent the rest of the afternoon packing and tidying the boat ready for departing next morning. Dinner that evening was using up left-overs – eggs, bacon, oven chips, baked beans and haggis. We thoroughly enjoyed our week on the Caledonian. The main difference from the canals we are used to was the many sea-going yachts making the crossing between the East and West coasts of Scotland. 17

Tramway walk 14th of August with Friends of the Tram Bridge On the 14th of August we had a joint walk with Lancaster Canal Trust and Friends of the Tram Bridge, this walk was led by Nigel Hardacre who is a member of all 3 groups. The tramway linked the 2 ends of the Lancaster Canal through Preston; a temporary substitute for the bridge across the Ribble that was never built. We met at Avenham Park in Preston and walked up what would have been the incline of the tramway to the engine house. The engine house is long gone; replaced by The Belvedere (or “lovely view”) a pavilion sadly locked. The slope of the incline has been reduced but it was interesting to stand there and think of all the activity there would have been in the past. From there we walked down the route of the tramway to the old tram bridge, which took the tramway across the River Ribble, this is locked as it is deemed to be unsafe. There is a group called the Friends of the Tram Bridge; it is currently a facebook group with over 2,000 members but a committee has been formed and they are about to become a Community Interest Company. Once this is achieved they will get more involved in trying to save the tram bridge either by repair or replacement.

We detoured from the tramway route to cross the Ribble on the old train bridge now a wide pedestrian route, then looped back to the tramway. The route has been kept in very good condition by the local authority and is well used by walkers. For those who understand the history it is breath-taking to see the scope of the engineering work needed to build it on an embankment. We saw evidence of the old stonework which would have had the sleepers laid on it, some of it had been made into walls. On these walks it is always possible to find new things and Nigel was delighted to find evidence of the stones which would have had the sleepers secured to them. There is evidence of another engine house further along the route (now a private house) that was needed because the gradient was too much for horses. Later the slope was reduced so horses could pull the trucks, but the steeper gradient is still evident near what is now a mobile home park. There is still evidence of the tramway with the name of the road but we wondered if people would associate the name with a canal goods tramway or would think it was passenger trams. Another enjoyable and interesting walk and let’s wish the Friends of the Tram Bridge group every success in getting the tram bridge reopened. Wendy Humphreys

Opposite page: the tram bridge viewed from Avenham Park 19

Clockwise from top left Belvedere, Tramway, Railway Bridge, Former Engine House, Blocks for sleepers 20

Planning Report Since the last edition of Towing Path Topics I have looked at all the planning reports sent to me from various local authorities although it is fair to say that we do not receive reports from all of them. Alan Green our new planning officer is still finding his feet but he has helped with some applications. I have also regularly checked the Canal and River Trust planning site as all applications which affect or could affect the canal have to go to CRT as a statutory consultee. There is an application for the Botany Bay area, alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Chorley. This is for an “Industrial Village;” I put in comments on this application after speaking to colleagues at CRT. We shared similar concerns about the impact on the canal corridor. Villages seem to be in fashion as there are plans for a “Garden Village”, south of Lancaster, this includes several thousand homes. (Some village! Ed) On 29th of June I met with representatives from Lancaster Canal Trust, CRT and the local authority to walk the route of the planned development and I think we made some useful comments. There is a lot of information about the plans on the Bailrigg Garden Village website. Wendy Humphreys

From the Bailrigg Garden Village website: What is a Garden Village? The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government defines garden Villages as distinct communities of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes with the following characteristics: • Clear identity; strong local vision and engagement • Sustainable scale • Integrated, forward looking and accessible transport • Healthy places; well designed places; great homes • Generous, accessible and good quality green & blue infrastructure • Legacy & stewardship arrangements for the benefit of the whole community • Etc etc 21

More IWA/LCT walks led by Nigel Hardacre Walton Summit 5th June Our route was: Johnsons Hillock locks; the arm of the Lancaster Canal where it goes off towards Preston; the route of the canal until we got to the old basin near what was the Duke of York pub (now the Co-op) and then circled back to the Johnson’s Hillock flight. The start of the Walton Summit branch is in water and regularly used by families and groups for water sports, fishing and canoeing. We saw a group of youngsters with their supervisors having a great time canoeing on the canal and there were others about to join in. We walked along the old embankment; saw an old canal aqueduct which used to carry the canal over the River Lostock; past what was Whittle Tunnels now collapsed; through a tunnel under the motorway to the old canal basin with some millstones making a feature of what was once carried on the canal. There was a celebration there in 2003 and we saw the commemorative plaque. Then we left the route of the canal to walk across fields to get a good view of the area, we took a well earned rest near what used to be the local workhouse before rejoining the canal and back to the top of the Johnsons Hillock flight. .

Opp page—taking a rest near the old workhouse. This page— the plaque at what was the old canal basin in Whittlele-Woods. For both walks, reports and photos by Wendy Humphreys.

Ribble Link 22nd May We met at Haslam Park in Preston and walked to the top of the Ribble Link in lovely weather. Then down several of the locks, some of our walk was on the Preston Guild Wheel. We left the link and walked across the golf course and along a bit of road until we picked up the canal again and back to Haslam Park.

An old milestone and one of the new ones installed to mark the Lancaster Canal bi-centenary.

On the way to the Link. Opp page An old canal building converted into a private house The basin at the top of the Link.

Youth Engagement Event 12th August 2021 August is Youth Engagement month and 12 th of August 2021 was International Youth Day. Our branch, LCT and CRT worked together with support from the IWA Restoration Hub to host an event to celebrate the day. The event was held at Wakefield’s Wharf near Crooklands on the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal. LCT took their gazebo which all the organisations shared and which along with banners and pop ups served to gain the attention of passing walkers. We were able to tell passers-by about the 3 organisations; the work each one does and the history of the canal and of Wakefield’s Wharf. Most visitors took away leaflets and membership forms; we always hope for new members from these events. It was surprising to hear how far people had travelled to enjoy the canal with some people on holiday from as far away as London.

The important business of the day was of course Youth Engagement and the young people who attended were able to enjoy Waterside Bingo and win a small prize and have a trip on Waterwitch the Lancaster Canal Trust trip boat. They earned their treats though by lots of hard work clearing weeds from the garden and picnic area at the stables from where the LCT trip boat leaves. The day was a brilliant example of partnership working and let’s hope we have stimulated in the young people an interest in canals and waterways. We certainly intend to hold similar events in the future.

Youth Engagement Day (continued) What happens when you’re married to the branch chair. Also p26 Derek & Wendy at the gazebo. Below: the stables with IWA bunting. Note the steps previously repaired by LCT volunteers.

P27 the picnic area before; during and after the weed clearing. Right Part of the children’s reward, a trip on ‘Waterwitch’ 28

26 August—’Nb Nice butt…’ with a beautiful paint job, patiently waiting at Haigh Hall for the repairs to the lock at Johnson’s Hillock to be completed (flight closed from 10 to 28 August). I asked about the boat’s name—it’s a long story which includes a previous girlfriend and the advice not to ask your pub friends for suggestions for boat names.. Ed

Balsam Bash Haslam Park On the 26th of June our branch, LCT and Friends of Haslam Park held a joint Balsam Bash at Haslam Park. About 10 volunteers worked during the day with a short lunch break. We worked near the feeder to the canal and along the towpath and pulled up lots of balsam. The weather was on our side, warm and breezy and we all had a great time. It was good to be on a working party and to meet with friends old and new, and we had time to chat as well. After several years of Balsam Bashing in this area it is good to see that we are making a difference. Wendy Humphreys

Nigel can be found slashing balsam when not leading walks.

We were near the John Rennie aqueduct over the Savick Brook.

P30 Two of the ‘Friends’ and a gnome found in the undergrowth.

From the Branch Chairman’s report in TPT Summer 1979

“It seems that the long winter of discontent is over, both weatherwise and canalwise. The Board’s dispute is over and while a couple of months ago we were concerned that the Leeds and Liverpool would be completely closed at Foulridge Tunnel, we are now pleased to report that the tunnel is open and other areas of concern, Barrowford, Burnley Embankment have been taken care of. We owe a great debt of gratitude to John Freeman, Area Engineer and his Section Inspectors and staff for the hard work and effort put in to get the canal open for Easter. It is however disturbing to learn of reports of the damage caused by some thoughtless hirers over the recent weeks – damage that could affect this summer’s cruising for us all. It is a pity that some operators do not consider the implications of allowing untrained hirers loose on our crumbling waterways and the hirer cannot be blamed if he goes off not knowing one end of the boat from the other. On the other hand, we all know of operators who spend a lot of time with their hirers giving instruction and helping on the first day – why can’t there be more like this? We all have a duty to make sure the new hirer knows what he is about but if there are any cases of blatant vandalism we would like to know so that the matter can be taken up with the Council and BW. With the bad winter and the Board’s dispute the fabric of the canals is in a poor way and we cannot afford to allow anyone to take to the water without due regard for the precious asset he is using.” Any of this sound familiar? Remember the Winter of Discontent – 1978/79 PM James Callaghan? Ed John Enser of L&L Cruisers wrote in the next edition, Autumn ‘79

“In answer to our Branch Chairman’s remarks in the last issue of Towing Path Topics regarding the misuse of our canals by hire boats I would like to make the following points: Since the closure of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in 1974 it became clear that the livelihood of all the boat hire operators on the L&L was reliant on the efforts of all users to conserve water resources throughout the year. 32

The Northern Region of APCO (Association of Pleasure Craft Owners—established and financed by ourselves as individual companies) provided a booklet entitled ‘How it all works’ explaining in lay terms the correct way to operate the works of the L&L as well as some advice on the etiquette of the cut! We believe the publication to have been a great success and modifications have been introduced in subsequent reprints in our endeavours to achieve the maximum effectiveness. Undoubtedly the best form of tuition is practical and all the APCO hire operators on the L&L ensure that every boat is monitored through the first locks the hirers encounter. In our own case this involves 3 or 4 men working an average of 3 hours every Saturday night to monitor our fleet through the Johnson’s Hillock Flight. Latecomers on Saturdays often necessitate another journey to the locks on Sunday morning. As I said earlier the effort must come from all users of the waterways and possibly boat clubs and societies could follow our example by ensuring there is no unnecessary waste of water by their members. Surely the application of polite seniority and co-operation by the boat owner locking through with a hire boat is preferrable to the attitude adopted by some ‘I’m not going through with one of them’”. ********************

Barrowford reservoir July 2018—water shortages are still a problem at times on the Leeds & Liverpool

Lancashire and Cumbria Branch Social Meetings September 21 to April 22 NEW DATES, NEW VENUE After a gap of over a year we are back with live social meetings and we hope as many of you as possible will join as we return to something like normal. We have enjoyed the Zoom meetings and it has been wonderful to attract large audiences so we will hold some meetings by Zoom during the season but it will be good to hold live meetings again. Our previous venue at St Chad’s Parish Centre is not able to take our bookings as it is undergoing refurbishment so we have found a NEW VENUE and we have a NEW NIGHT, our meetings will now be held on the last Wednesday of the month at Primrose Gardens Chorley. The only exception to this will be our Christmas Meal which will be on a Thursday at the Hoghton Arms. Primrose Gardens is an Extra Care facility in Chorley, it has a meeting room which we have hired. The address is Primrose Gardens, Fleet Street, Chorley, PR7 2EE There is no car parking available to us at the venue, that is reserved for residents. We can drop off and pick up, but there is car parking at Fleet St car park which is a directly across the road from the Primrose Gardens and is free after 6.00pm. Post code PR7 2EE The room will be open from 7.00 and the meetings will start at 7.30pm Members should enter the building via the main entrance and are welcome to wait in the lobby if they are a little early. We will be able to provide tea/coffee and biscuits.

SOCIAL MEETINGS Date

Topic

Speaker

Wednesday 29 Sept 2021

APOLLO Mission Impossible or a Dream Realised

David Lowe David’s talk will cover how he became interested in canals and waterways, early canal holidays, involvement with IWA, and finally setting up and running what became a large and very successful waterways business, operating passenger and freight boats in the North and East Midlands.

Wednesday 27 October

Community Engagement Project

Carrie House Carrie is the project officer for the Heritage Lottery Funded Community Engagement Project including Stainton Aqueduct, she has spoken to us before but has much more to say now the project is ending.

Wednesday 24 November

Waterway Recovery Group

Thursday 9 December

Christmas meal

Wednesday 26 Jan 2022 Wednesday 23 February Wednesday 30 March Wednesday 27 April

John Rennie Canal works AGM

Jonathan Smith Jonathan has spent many years volunteering with WRG. Hoghton Arms, please see the IWA website nearer the time for further details Chris Hudson Institution of Civil Engineers Followed by a nostalgia evening led by Audrey Smith Alison Smedley

IWA Campaigns

The L&LC between Wigan and Liverpool – construction of the Douglas Navigation, conversion to a canal and later use as a WWII stop-line.

Bill Froggatt Bill is a Canal and River Trust Heritage Advisor, we have heard him before , his talks are always interesting.

In addition to the live talks we will be having Zoom talks, these will be on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 and we hope that members who are not usually able to attend our live meetings will join us at these. Of course as with our live meetings these Zoom meetings are open to all. To receive an invitation you need to ensure that we have your email address. If we do not already have it send it to Head office or to Wendy to pass on delwendwhm@btinternet.com Zoom Meetings Date 13 October 2021

Topic Mike Clarke’s international work and ‘Canals before the Canal Mania’,

Speaker Mike Clarke President of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society

12 January 2022

Community Moorings Scotland – An Alternative Mooring Strategy

9 February

Canal Lifts

Dr Alastair Martin treasurer of Community Moorings Scotland, you have read about it in Waterways Autumn 2021, this is your chance to hear more and to ask questions. Peter Brown (To be confirmed)

16 March

50 years of involvement with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society and looking back over the last 50 years of the L&LCS

Mike Clarke President of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society

Branch Committee Chairman Vice-chairman Secretary Treasurer & Newsletter editor Membership secretary & webmaster

Wendy Humphreys Darwen Tony Dunning Egremont

07763 561572 01254 703553 07730 113894 01946 820875

Maralyn Nott Kirkham David Faulkner Langho

07912 249265 01254 249265

Janet Dunning Egremont Alan Green Chorley

01946 820875

01257 274440

Sales

Audrey Smith Wheelton Vacant

Social secretary

See chairman

Lancaster Canal Regeneration P’ship

Wendy Humphreys

Leeds and Liverpool Canal Lancaster Canal Trust

Audrey Smith

Environment & Planning Publicity

Committee members Region Chairman (ex officio)

Ian Treanor Darwen Jim Nott Malcolm Sterratt Sir Robert Atkins

Email addresses are firstname.surname@waterways.org.uk You can write to us c/o the editor see page 2

Heritage Open Days 11th – 20th of September 2021 Lancaster Canal Trust Events

Heritage Open Days are going ahead this year with even more events than there were last year and Lancaster Canal Trust will be taking part once again by hosting “In Person” events, boat trips and guided walks The Trust has not been able to hold many events this year because of Covid restrictions so we hope you will join us for the Heritage Open Days events. LCT will be sticking to all the latest government guidance on events and all our events except the morning boat trips will have to be booked. Mornings of Saturday 11th, Wednesday 15th and Saturday 18th Boat trips on Waterwitch at 10.30 and 11.30, no need to book, just turn up at the stables at Crooklands. Afternoons of Saturday 11th, Wednesday 15th and Saturday 18th Boat trip on Waterwitch to Stainton followed by a guided walk to Hincaster Tunnel and a return boat trip to Crooklands The boat leaves from the stables at 12.30 and will return at 4.30, this event must be booked. Saturday 18th Walk Radburn and Walton Summit, start at 9.30 at the Lord Nelson pub, Sandy Lane, Clayton–le-Woods PR6 7RD and finish there. The walk is about 4 miles (6km) and must be booked. This is a summary of our events, further details and how to book the walks are on the Heritage Open Days website. The Heritage Open Days website also gives information about other organisations’ events. The address is www.heritageopendays.org.uk You can search for events near you or zoom in on the interactive map.

To book the walks you can also email Wendy Humphreys at delwendwhm@btinternet.com

Friends of the Tram Bridge Group Events 11th of September 2021 at Avenham Park 9am to 4pm including guided walks at 9.30 and 1.30

You will have read a little about the Friends of the Tram Bridge group elsewhere in this magazine and heard about the interesting tramway walk led by the very knowledgeable Nigel Hardacre. Well, for those of you who want to hear more about the group or do the same walk (but remember new things are discovered every time so it won’t be quite the same), then the 11th of September is an opportunity to do so. The Friends of the Tram Bridge group will be holding an event at Avenham Park, Preston, near the Pavilion Café, from 9am to 4pm and there will be 2 guided walks, one at 9.30 am and one at 1.30 pm. Booking is advisable for these walks and more details are on the Heritage Open days website. Just search events near you or Zoom into the interactive map for details of this event and lots of other events. The Friends will have a gazebo near the Pavilion café and give out information about the tram bridge, its history, its links with Avenham Park, why it is closed and how you can help to save it. You can just turn up at the gazebo but booking is advisable for the walks. Nigel has asked me to add that volunteers to man the stand are needed and if anyone is willing to help let me know and I will pass your details on to Nigel. Wendy Humphreys

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society Events Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September 10.00am-4.00pm ‘Kennet’, with its new-look interior will be open to the public at the Saltaire Festival. There will also be a display on the towpath. ‘Kennet’ will be moored near the bridge at the bottom of Victoria Rd. A great opportunity to see the new heritage displays and for children to take part in a quiz.

Diary dates Date

Event

Page

Saturday 11 Sept

Friends of the Trambridge 9.00-4.00 Walks at 9.30am and 1.30pm

Trips on ‘Waterwitch’ 10.30 & 11.30am

‘Waterwitch’ Trip & walk 12.30pm

Trips on ‘Waterwitch’ 10.30 & 11.30am

Waterwitch’ Trip & walk 12.30pm

Walk Radburn & Walton Summit 9.30am Trips on ‘Waterwitch’ 10.30 & 11.30am Waterwitch’ Trip & walk 12.30pm

‘Kennet’ at Saltaire 10.00am-4.00pm

Sunday 19 Sept

‘Kennet’ at Saltaire 10.00am-4.00pm

Wednesday 29 Sept

Branch social meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 13 Oct

Branch Zoom meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 27 Oct

Branch social meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 24 Nov

Branch social meeting 7.30pm

Thursday 9 Dec

Christmas meal 7.30pm

Wednesday 12 Jan ‘22

Branch Zoom meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 26 January

Branch social meeting 7.30pm

Wednesday 15 Sept Saturday 18 Sept