Towing Path Topics - January 2023

Towing Path Topics

Newsletter of the Inland Waterways Association

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: Wendy Humphreys with Bill Froggatt, CRT Heritage advisor, on the Lune Aqueduct on a branch trip.

Photograph acknowledgements (All others by the editor)

Cover Jim Nott Page 3 IWA Pages 14, 15 Russell Moorhouse Pages 28,29 John Hewerdine

Abbreviations

LCT - The Lancaster Canal Trust

CRT - The Canal and River Trust LCRP - Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership

L&L - The Leeds & Liverpool Canal

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)

Wendy Humphreys

15 January 1953—5th October 2022

It is with great sadness that we have to record the sudden, unexpected death of Wendy, our branch chair.

In addition to chairing our branch since 2016, Wendy was our social secretary organising the branch meetings, trips and walks. She was our representative on Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership and Lancaster Canal Trust (LCT). She recently covered planning and in effect was our sales officer. All this after serving as branch treasurer from 2004 to 2016; which also included a spell as newsletter editor.

If there was a hole in the dyke Wendy would step forward to plug it.

And not only for the IWA, she was also editor of the LCT’s newsletter ‘Waterwitch’.

Wendy and her husband Derek joined the IWA in March 1989, following boating holidays and Derek’s long association with canals. They did not own a boat but had a keen interest in canals and their heritage. Wendy’s involvement in waterways and other matters was reflected at her funeral in Blackburn where half of those attending had to stand, there were so many there.

Our sincere condolences to Derek and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Wendy, you’ve done your bit.

Wendy receiving her Richard Bird medal for services to the IWA.

Editor’s comment

Welcome to the first TPT of 2023 and let’s hope that this year we can move away from the limitations on our activities imposed by Covid. It has not been possible to plan anything so far so look out for any emails and the next TPT in May.

This edition is inevitably influenced by the sudden death of Wendy, our branch chair and all the uncertainties that creates.

As usual this January edition has the calling notice for our AGM in February including the minutes of the 2021 AGM. I normally summarise the branch chairman’s report but out of respect for Wendy it is included in full. If you read it you will see just how much she did for the branch, even in a quiet year.

There are a couple of queries for you what happened to the weed eating carp and Mr Ribble? (Pages 21 & 22). Any answers gratefully received, along with anything else you might like to contribute. I have had very little sent in this time.

We have photographs from a couple of walks (pages 12&14) and Nigel Hardacre is planning a new one (p16). They are always interesting and well researched so I hope I am free to go on it this time as I have missed some recent ones.

Details of the monthly social meetings are on page 26. If you can get to Chorley please join us, they are always enjoyable and informative evenings. I hope this newsletter arrives before our Zoom webinar on 19th January, note that is a Thursday, deliberately chosen for anyone who cannot make Wednesdays.

The plea in the last edition for someone to take over the distribution of our Leeds & Liverpool plaques fell on deaf ears. It is not an onerous task and can be taken on by someone no longer very active; please consider it.

Best wishes, David

Please notify membership@waterways.org.uk or the editor if you would prefer to receive your copy of ‘Towing Path Topics’ by email rather than a printed copy, thus saving IWA money.

Branch chairman’s report

My first report as branch chairman. With some trepidation I volunteered to step into the shoes so tragically and unexpectedly vacated by Wendy. A hard act to follow.

My thanks to Audrey Smith who has ably held the fort since Wendy’s death in October and has held my hand as I take over the reins. (Nice mixture of metaphors there, Ed). Audrey has agreed to take on the job of booking speakers for our 2023/24 season of branch social meetings. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like to be covered, we would love to hear from you. Audrey will give up that job after one year so we will be looking for someone else to take over the role.

Thanks also to Malcolm Sterratt for taking over from me as our branch treasurer. I know that our accounts will be in safe hands.

Thanks to the rest of the committee for their support and also to the staff at Head Office who have been extremely helpful. It is all change at Head Office with several new staff, including Dave Pearce our new CEO plus a potential move of premises when the lease on the current offices runs out in March.

Committee appointments are confirmed at the first committee meeting after the AGM which this year is on 22 February (see page 30). I hope that we will see you there, formal business is usually very short.

Perhaps this is the time to say a little bit about myself. My wife, Gillian and I joined the IWA in 1977 after enjoying canal holidays with friends who owned a small, fibreglass Dawncraft Dandy, moored at Barnoldswick. We had other, narrowboat holidays on our own and with our 2 sons (who, to be honest, weren’t that keen) but we never owned our own boat.

I joined the branch committee and was secretary for 6 years from 1983. After that, my involvement reduced, mainly due to adopting the 2 boys and work commitments. After Gill died in 2012 I started attending branch meetings again and became newsletter editor early in 2015. When Wendy became branch chair I took over as Treasurer in March 2016. IWA rules state that you can wear many hats but you cannot be chair and treasurer. I will continue as editor for the time being, but if you fancy a go, just let me know.

One of the recent developments that will help me as a new branch chairman are Zoom meetings of all branch chairs with head office staff. Similar meetings have started for membership secretaries and treasurers. These informal meetings allow us to share expertise and experience between ourselves and head office. An opportunity to ask stupid questions. It improves communications between head office and the branches, particularly important with the recent staff changes. I certainly found the recent treasurers’ meeting useful.

You may find this hard to believe, but a problem that we have as a branch is that we do not know where our members live. Mainly due to data protection regulations and IWA computer systems. We hope that this will be sorted so that we can choose the most suitable locations for social events. St Chads is open again so we may go back there for our monthly meetings but if you know of anywhere more central, say Preston, please let me know.

Following the overdue increase in annual subscriptions, one of our main aims this year will be to ensure that we retain as many of our existing members as possible. Plus we need to recruit more members. At under £1 a week our subscriptions are on a par with large charities such as the National Trust, English Heritage, RSPB but unlike them you don’t get free entry to a stately home, castle or bird reserve. See opposite for why the IWA matters and is worth supporting.

Country Fest is back this year, on 3/4 June, we may well take our stand and hopefully be next to Lancaster Canal Trust . And no doubt we’ll have our annual ‘Balsam Bash’ in Haslam Park, Preston.

To be able to contact our members and the public (and recruit new members), we need help. You do not need to make the commitment to being on a committee or regular working parties, it is sufficient to volunteer your services for individual events, no pressure.

Best wishes for 2023. David Faulkner

Only the IWA …

In his final briefing as interim CEO, friend of the branch, Jonathan Smith stated:

“

I am quite happy to remind members what IWA achieves with its volunteers:

Running the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation via Essex Waterways.

Running the restoration hub which:

Funds and operates Waterway Recovery Group Holds the Annual restoration Conference Produces the restoration handbook for all restoration groups

Operates the IWA/WRG Plant & Driver Authorisation Scheme

Chairs the Restoration Hub High Level Panel

Arranging insurance, which would be difficult to get on an individual basis, for non-profit making corporate members including those in the restoration sector.

Operating the Heritage Advisory Panel and the Planning Advisory Panel which are both centres of excellence and provide free support and advice to branches and waterways bodies.

Providing the secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways giving IWA a unique insight into the decision making process affecting waterways.

Operating the IWA Certificate of Boat Management providing a cost effective certificate for skippers which is recognised by the Maritime and Coastguards Agency.

And of course, only the IWA has a nationwide branch structure where volunteers actively support local waterways.”

IWA is the only organisation in the country that is able to give a complete overview of the inland waterways network and is uniquely positioned to comment on the issues facing inland waterways now and into the future.

See pages 10 & 11 for a summary of the report ‘Waterways for Today’

REPORT FROM THE NW REGIONAL CHAIRMAN

I started my last Report to you by saying that “there have been some changes at the top...”! So it has now proved to be the case in Government and may well be again, given the febrile nature of current politics. The relevance to us in the IWA, however, is who is responsible for the Waterways and what that Minister intends to do on our behalf. As it happens, it will be Rebecca Pow MP so there is an element of continuity.

Our (new!) Chairman and Chief Executive - Les Etheridge & Jonathan Smith - have now settled in and are both involved in detailed reviews as to staff, administration, IT, communication with Members and, above all, the situation with regard to the Chesham Headquarters. The landlord is not proving conducive to IWA needs and changes, so when the lease expires, we will be on the move. Trustees have asked that, for the benefit of staff, the office should be in the same general location and exploration is presently afoot. They are also now involved in appointing a new Chief Executive, since Jonathan will cease his much-appreciated interim activities at the end of the year. More anon.

There was a major debate on the waterways in Westminster Hall earlier this month. The venue is an adjunct to the House of Commons and provides the opportunity for MPs to debate (usually) noncontroversial but important matters for 90 minutes. A number of Members contributed and the debate was wound up by the Minister,

who was not as helpful or forthcoming on future funding as she might have been. Economic pressures are great at the moment, as we all know, but the finance necessary for the future of CRT etc. is important. More lobbying will be needed.

I cannot conclude this Report without mention of the sad loss of Wendy Humphreys. In my time as NW Chairman, I could not have asked for a more helpful, reliable and effective Branch Chairman for Lancashire & Cumbria. Like many of you, I was greatly shocked by her death and want to place on record my privilege and pleasure at knowing her and working with her. She was a “superstar volunteer” and is an excellent example to us of real and dedicated commitment.

All good wishes and support for her successor, David Faulkner.

A very Merry Christmas and, hopefully, more prosperous New Year to everyone.

Sir Robert met my copy date of the week before Christmas so some of the above has been overtaken by events, such as the new CEO has now been appointed. Ed

Ha! Just when you thought you had escaped those cracker jokes ….

Q What’s the difference between a Hippo and a Zippo?

A One’s heavy, the other is a little lighter!

Can anyone tell me what is the lowest military rank? Every time I ask someone they say ‘it’s private’!

Q What did the raindrop say to his mate?

A Two’s company, three’s a cloud!

My father brought me up single-handedly. It’d not easy being the daughter of a pirate!

‘Waterways for Today’

This IWA report, issued in September, establishes that the inland waterways network is a vital part of Britain’s infrastructure

There is evidence from a wide range of sources to demonstrate the value of the waterways by identifying 12 key benefits with compelling quotes, case studies, statistics and data about each one.

The 12 benefits of inland waterways that have been identified are across four main areas:

ECONOMIC

1 Contributing to the country’s economic recovery – regeneration of rural and urban areas / improving the lives of millions of people.

2 Increased spend in local communities – boat-based tourism and leisure activities contribute £2.5bn to the economy each year.

3 Savings to the NHS and social care budgets – waterways are shown to improve health, wellbeing and longevity of people who live near them through increased physical activity and social prescribing.

NATURAL & BUILT ENVIRONMENT

4 Protecting and improving the natural environment – waterways are blue-green corridors to allow opportunities to reconnect disparate habitats, biodiversity net gain and improvements for wildlife.

5 Waterways heritage for future generations – with their historic buildings and structures, waterways form a vast, open-air heritage network, accessible to everyone and bringing history to life.

6 Sustainability – planning for resilience and climate change. Waterways can be part of the solution to the climate crisis through adaptation, mitigation and enhancing the natural environment.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

7 Connecting communities – access to the towpaths is free. These flat, linear routes can be used as active travel corridors to connect communities and provide passage between urban and rural areas.

8 Education and young people – waterways offer opportunities for hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects as well as the humanities and arts, through outdoor classrooms, visits to local waterways and intergenerational learning.

9 Jobs, training and apprenticeships – waterways offer many opportunities for employment, training and apprenticeships including in the tourism, leisure, hospitality, engineering and construction sectors.

IMPROVING PEOPLE’S LIVES

10

11

Improved physical health – waterways bring opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, running, cycling, fishing, sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding and volunteering.

Improved mental health and wellbeing – waterways boost wellbeing and improve mental health through physical recreation, shared social experiences and connecting with nature.

12 Creating better places to live – waterside locations create a sense of place that can enhance people’s enjoyment of the area they live in. Encouraging greater diversity and inclusivity across local communities.

The report proves why the ongoing maintenance and regeneration of Britain’s navigable waterways is essential and also calls for another 500 miles of currently derelict waterways to be brought back into use.

You can see the report on the IWA website www.waterways.org.uk and also obtain a copy if you wish. It will be an important resource to help us, for instance, to influence members of parish councils up to cabinet ministers. See also page 23 for news of CRT’s grant.

Lancaster Canal Glasson Arm

One fine November Saturday I walked from Galgate to the start of the Glasson Arm and part of the way along. I didn’t have time (alright the energy) to walk to Glasson Dock so drove there. It took me so long to load the parking app on my phone and pay the charge that the light was going. At least I got my bacon sandwich at the tea bar joining dozens of motorcyclists. Ed

Above: Lock 1. Opposite: Lock 2 looking North & South: the basin.

Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal

Although this canal is not in our branch area, it is sufficiently close to be of interest and we have had branch visits there in the past. Russell Moorhouse here recounts his walk in February 2022. Ed

After consulting the excellent Open Canal Map mobile phone app, and OS maps, I discovered the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal now ‘starts’ about half a mile from the site of the original end, at Bury Wharf.

I joined the towpath, which is a public footpath, and part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail, about half that distance away, near the end of Wellington Street, which leads to Arthur Street off the A58, Bolton Road, near the River Irwell bridge in Bury, the area is a small industrial estate.

Looking south west from the current end of the canal.

Bridge 20, ‘Bennys Bridge’, adjacent to Hinds Lane, Elton Reservoir is to the left, view looking north towards Bury. Manchester 11 mile post on this section

The footpath/towpath is in good condition, and is surprisingly, mainly through semi-rural areas. Total walking distance, Bury to Radcliffe, and back to Bury, 5.8miles.

Three railway lines once crossed over this section of canal on over bridges.

Abrupt end! Water Street, Radcliffe, a pipe supplies the canal beyond this busy 4 lane road bridge, in the centre of the town.

Planned walk at Tarleton on the Rufford Branch and tidal River Douglas

Nigel Hardacre is planning a walk along the Rufford branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the tidal River Douglas at Tarleton. It will probably take place in the Spring (March/April).

As a resident of Much Hoole, this is only a stone’s throw from where I live and is the closest canal by distance. Some recent footpath/trail improvements on the Tarleton side of the river are a long overdue upgrade on a popular walking route. Benches, interpretation boards and updated signage have also been added on a route that follows the line of an old railway that connected the boatyard and wharf at Tarleton with the West Lancashire Railway at Hesketh Bank.

Other features include the site of the railway swing bridge that crossed the River Douglas and a surviving and now modernised lock cottage.

Start and finish will be at Plox Brow (PR4 6ES) which has a car park and is very close to the first swing bridge shown in the bottom photo.

Distance is 3.25 miles (5.2km). This is a ‘there and back’ walk as a circular route would take us back down through Hesketh Bank to Tarleton with only the traffic and no views or anything of interest to point out.

I will be re-tracing my own walk from 2020 and will add this one to this year’s social events programme for IWA as well LCT members. It will be of interest to anyone who wants to see where the Ribble Link goes to and connects at the other end, once boats leave the Millennium Ribble Link and on to the Rivers Ribble and Douglas.

The lock and boat photo is undated but I would estimate post war, showing the river lock at Tarleton, on the canal side.

Nigel

We will send out dates and details by e-mail nearer the time. It will also be on the branch pages of the IWA website.

Taken from their website leedsandliverpoolcanalsociety.co.uk

Time Lapse Video – 1st in a series

During Kennet’s journey from Bingley to Skipton in 2022, after being open in Shipley and Bingley, a time lapse video was taken to give a “captains eye view”.

The video starts at the top of the 5 Rise Locks, Bingley and ends at Farnhill – due to our 2 camera batteries running out – a lesson learnt – we must remember a battery charger next time.

The end result shows the continuous journey in approx 10mins (3 hours in real time) and is now on our Youtube Channel. We hope you enjoy it and the other footage on the channel.

You will see the many swing bridges either open or appear to open as Kennet arrives at them. This is due to a member of the crew cycling along the towpath and opening them all. See if you can spot him. You will also see how important it is to be aware of other boat users with less experience.

The story however doesn’t finish there. We plan to make a series of these videos as Kennet travels along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. This will show all aspects of the canal from industry to beautiful views.

It’s interesting to take a look at the video. Click on the link on the website. It tells you the names of the villages as you pass them so you can work out where you are.

Are you old enough like me to remember that interlude shown on B&W television of the train journey of London to Brighton in 4 minutes? Well, it reminded me of that but it’s nowhere near as fast, so you can appreciate the scenery. Ed

Regeneration

Partnership

Canal & River Trust, Cumbria County Council, IWA, Kendal Town Council, Lancs County Council, Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancaster City Council and S Lakeland District Council

No good news about LCRP. The recently appointed chair, Chris May has had to resign for family reasons. There is no longer a project officer. Local government reorganisation in Cumbria means that the Northern Reaches will be within a larger council which may reduce the level of interest and support currently provided by South Lakeland District Council.

Robin Yates their chairman encourages you to make a New Year’s resolution ‘This year I must volunteer to do something for the LANCASTER CANAL TRUST’.

‘

The first working weekend is Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January when we will be fitting new handrails to the viewing platform at Hincaster tunnel and clearing the path from Well Head Lane and up the Horse path and around the tunnel portal.’

They have had their usual busy year working on the first furlong. There has been a set back to their plans to remove the earth bund separating the new section from the existing in-water section at Stainton. A water pipe has been discovered running through the bund. It will be up to CRT and United Utilities to decide what to do next, so don’t hold your breath.

To sign up for Robin’s monthly bulletin with news and details of working parties email him at robin@phonecoop.coop

Ulverston Canal Regeneration Group

I went on their website to see if there were any recent developments. Nothing much seems to be happening at the moment but there was the following advice about what to feed wild birds, particularly the swans and waterfowl on the canal.

Safe food

Cracked corn

Wheat, barley or similar grain

Oats

Rice (cooked or uncooked)

Birdseed (any type or mix)

Grapes (cut in half)

Frozen peas or sweetcorn (defrosted, no need to cook)

Earthworms

Mealworms

Chopped lettuce or other greens or salad mixes

Chopped vegetable trimmings or peels

Duck pellets

Unsafe food

Bread Chips

Crackers and biscuits

Popcorn

Sugary food sweets, chocolate

Well, good luck with cutting your grapes in half. I knew bread was bad for them, at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre at Martin Mere there are photographs of deformed ducks caused by eating bread. They can also suffer from malnutrition as bread is tasty but not very nutritious.

Uneaten bread contaminates the water and encourages algae, as well as rats. So make those leftovers into a bread and butter pudding instead and eat it yourself. Ed

Ribble Link Query

Donald Cook of Ambleside has written to ask what happened to ‘Mr Ribble’? The wooden statue at the top of the Ribble Link staircase. He can be seen on these photographs from the BWB leaflet about the opening of the Link but has been replaced by the structure featuring a boat and tools. →

From ‘Towing Path Topics’ summer 1981

Weed Control Experiment

The ever-present problem of weed control in canals is in the news again. British Waterways Board (BWB) in conjunction with Liverpool University are planning to introduce grass carp to the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal in a controlled experiment.

Grass carp, which originates in the north of China, appeals to BWB because of its voracious appetite for water weeds.

The Northern Reaches, being cut off from the rest of the network, provide the ideal place to conduct such an experiment. If successful, the Board could save a large amount of money each year by replacing barge weed cutters with weed eating fish!

Does anyone know what became of this experiment? It is mentioned briefly on the CRT website which states that a small population of grass carp are still in the Lancaster Canal. Ed

Waterways in Danger (an extract from IWA press release)

‘Successive governments have starved the waterways system of money for adequate maintenance. As a result the 150 year old system is showing increasing signs of decay’ says John Heap. National Chairman.

Sir Frank Price, chairman of BWB in an impassioned plea said the canal system needs £100 million to make it safe and avert extensive closures and he appealed to the government ‘to face squarely the threat that exists’.

Sir Frank is particularly aggrieved because the Board has to pay for the upkeep of 1,100 road bridges, even though it is argued that the canal existed long before motor vehicles. Nearly 100 of these need rebuilding and another 146 are ‘borderline’. Common Market moves to encourage the use of heavier lorries means that the Board may have to find another £9 million for further strengthening of bridges.

‘Unemployment pay of £6,000 for a married man with 2 children is close to the average wage of BWB employees, pay us to take on more workers to carry out some essential repairs.’

From Canal and River Trust

GRANT REVIEW UPDATE

“

The Canal & River Trust has been notified that the Government expects to publish the outcome of the current Grant Review, which will determine future grant funding for the Trust beyond 2027, due on 1 July, in the autumn.

Whilst we are disappointed at the delay to the Review, we are continuing to work with Defra to achieve a successful outcome that will ensure the waterways have the funding they need so that they can be cared for, and continue to be safe and available for the millions of people who enjoy and benefit from them, for years to come.

Defra’s statement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/ government/publications/canal-river-trust-grant-review.”

ANDERTON BOAT LIFT

The Lift has been out of use since August due to the failure of a safety mechanism in one of the lift gates. It is likely to be Easter before it is open again. Each of the lift’s 10 sets of gates will have new ‘fall and arrest’ safety systems installed (approved by Historic England—it’s a Scheduled Ancient Monument). In addition the seals on the main hydraulic rams will be changed. The rams will need to be split from the caissons, polished, seals changed, and other maintenance items to extend the life of the rams.

The whole iron structure needs blast cleaning, repairing and repainting; the timber control cabin replacing and IT operating system updating. There are also plans to improve the visitor facilities eg replacing the marquee used to host school groups by a flexible alternative building plus improvements to the visitor centre.

The emergency repair work this winter will cost £450,00. The heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of £574,000 towards the cost of repairs and the development of an extensive community engagement plan.

A speaker from CRT will be coming to our January social meeting to talk about the lift; hopefully we will get more information about the immediate repairs and a £13.4 million project for ‘Engineering the Future’. We would also like to know why this is necessary 20 years after a very expensive refurbishment. Ed

Leeds and Liverpool Canal before they were locked until next morning. Let’s hope that we do not get the same restrictions in 2023 but another dry summer is likely so we may suffer again.

Wed 25th Jan 2023

Wed 22nd Feb

Social Programme January to April 2023

Anderton Boat Lift One of the 7 Wonders of the Waterways

AGM followed by a picture quiz

Wed 29th Mar

Be my GuideThe Trials and Tribulations of being a Nicholson Waterways Guide writer and researcher.

Our speaker will be from The Canal and River Trust. There is currently a lot going on at the lift.

Janet Dunning, will lead the picture quiz. We had a similar event last season when our speaker cancelled at short notice and it was great fun.

Jonathan Mosse. Jonathan has researched and written the Nicholson Waterways Guides for over 30 years –and more recently The Times Waterways of Britain – having developed a fascination for Britain’s inland waterways whilst teaching. He currently lives on a 60ft narrowboat, moored on the Lowland Canals of Scotland.

Wed 26th April

Sustainable Propulsion

Bowman Bradley, Bowman is chair of IWA’s Sustainable Propulsion Group. Things have moved on quite a bit since last time Bowman spoke to us and they are still moving.

Zoom Webinar Thursday 19 January 7.30—8.30pm

Essex Waterways and the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation.

Roy Chandler. Roy, a former historic buildings advisor, is the current Chair of Essex Waterways. He became a Director in 2005 when IWA took responsibility for maintaining and operating the Navigation.

See back page for location of our monthly social meetings. To book for the Zoom webinar go to the IWA website or email the editor.

Social meetings September to December 2022

Firstly, 2 apologies:

• To David Lowe of the Commercial Boat Operators Association (CBOA), not Owners as printed in the last TPT.

• To Maarja Kaaristo for cancelling her Zoom webinar on 20th October because after we lost Wendy we did not have the time to find someone to host it. Hopefully Maarja will be able to talk to us next year, possibly in person. (It was typical of Wendy that during lock-down she trained as a Zoom champion for our branch and others).

September Bill Froggatt, the very knowledgeable heritage advisor for CRT spoke about the Douglas Navigation and its later use as a WWII stop-line. For the latter it was interesting to see examples of houses that had been modified to make them easier to defend. As usual, Bill had been very thorough in his research.

October—David Lowe of the CBOA gave us an interesting and amusing account of his introduction to and involvement with passenger and freight carrying. As chairman of the CBOA David was able to tell us about current developments. He gave us copies of the their latest newsletter ‘CBOA News’ - you can see copies on their website www.cboa.org.uk (I’ve asked to go on the circulation list Ed.)

November—Chris Hudson, a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, gave an informative talk about John Rennie the Elder (who knew there was an Elder and a Younger?!). His work on canals, aqueducts, bridges and dockyards mark him as one of the greatest engineers of his age. 200 years after his death you cannot travel far in the UK without encountering something that was of his design, construction or on which he was consulted.

Chris concentrated less on his well known local achievements such as the Lune Aqueduct and more on projects throughout the UK to illustrate the breadth of his 18thC expertise. In discussion afterwards we speculated on the difficulties he must have faced in travelling throughout the country on very poor roads.

If you want to know more, there is a very comprehensive book on the website www.rbt.org.uk/john-rennie

IWA

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 23rd February 2022 At Primrose Gardens, Fleet Street, Chorley PR7 2EE

1: Apologies – Nigel Hardacre, Dorothy & John Hewerdine, Gillian & Richard Smith and Ian Treanor.

2: Present - Wendy & Derek Humphreys, David Faulkner, Malcolm Sterratt, Maralyn & Jim Nott, Audrey Smith, Janet & Tony Dunning, Ruth Symonds, Peter Simmonds, David & Yvonne Hargreaves, Mike & Sandra Moon, Sir Robert Atkins, Russell Moorhouse, Philip & Clare Garside.

3: Minutes of the AGM held by Zoom on Thursday 25th February 2021 - The minutes were accepted as a true record. Proposed by Audrey Smith and seconded by Jim Nott.

4: Matters arising - There were no matters arising.

5: Regional Chair’s report - Sir Robert Atkins welcomed those attending and was pleased to see such a good turnout. He thanked Wendy and her team for their hard work over the last year. He has been appointed to the CRT North West Advisory Board and yesterday had on-line meetings with IWA and CRT.

Paul Rodgers, the National Chair is trying to change the structure of IWA. The membership is in decline in common with many organisations and membership fees are not covering running costs. The new chief executive, Phil Hornsey, has some new ideas.

Are we a membership organisation or a lobbying organisation?

There is a lot going on in the region which covers a large area and other branches as well as our own. Our branch has a substantial membership in Scotland.

There are several problems on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, some having been reported by our members. Sir Robert has discussed these with Daniel Greenhalgh who is aware of these concerns.

Inland Waterways Association Lancashire and Cumbria Branch

Currently there is a breach at Rishton and £9million is to be spent on the Anderton boat lift.

CRT is getting disadvantaged young people involved with canals and currently has about 100 volunteering.

Current campaigns in the North West include, Preston Tramway Bridge and Chester Graving Dock.

6: Chair’s report - see appendix 1

7: Treasurer’s report - David reported that it had been an easy year as not much had been happening. The unaudited accounts had been published in the January edition of Towing Path Topics. The total income for the year was £362.02 which included £100 from HO for membership recruitment, giving a surplus of income over expenditure of £158.69.

The accounts were accepted. Proposed by Janet Dunning and seconded by Jim Nott.

8: Election/re-election to the committee - Audrey Smith, David Faulkner and Wendy Humphreys were due for re-election under the three year rule and Malcolm Sterratt had volunteered for election to the committee. All were elected en bloc.

The meeting closed at 8.29 and was followed by a nostalgia evening led by Audrey Smith.

Appendix 1 Chair’s Report

Firstly I want to say thanks to everyone for attending our live AGM; last year as you know we held the AGM by Zoom and although we changed our January meeting to a zoom webinar, your committee decided to go ahead with a live AGM. 2021 was a difficult year for all of us and we were not able to do many of the things we had hoped to do but we did manage to do some things, at least we didn’t have to spend a lot of time cancelling plans as we did in 2020 and we were very selective about what we did do.

Our social programme went ahead with the remaining social events for the 2020 to 2021 season being held by zoom. St Chad’s which we had used for several years, closed, not due to covid we were told but due to a dioceses review, so we had to find a new venue for our 2021/2022 season. We got off to a good start with live meetings at our new venue of Primrose Gardens. We held live meetings in September, October and November and it was so good to be able to see people and to catch up with everyone’s news. Many thanks to our speakers and to our members for turning up. We had sales stand at each of the meetings and of course a raffle to help branch funds, thanks to those who donated raffle prizes.

We also had a Christmas meal at the Hoghton Arms and those who attended enjoyed a lovely meal and an opportunity to mix socially which these days is a rare treat. Then in January covid cases increased and we were advised to hold our January meeting by webinar. For the rest of the 2021/22 season we plan to hold live meetings, let’s hope we don’t have to change our plans. The 2022/23 season hasn’t been planned yet but we do hope for live meetings and details will be in Towing Path Topics. I would be interested to hear comments about the new venue and whether we should stay with it for 22/23.

In addition to the live meetings and the January webinar we planned 4 extra webinars. This was because the webinars held in 2020 were such a success and attracted bigger audiences that we would normally get at a live meeting. This is because people don’t have to travel for a webinar, and we have attracted members and non members from all over the country, even some from out of the country. Webinars also make it easy to attract speakers who wouldn’t normally want to travel “Up North.” We will plan at least 2 webinars for the next season, but should we change the night from Wednesdays to another night so that members who have regular commitments on Wednesdays can attend?

Our branch committee has met every 2 months during the year, to discuss IWA business and share plans. All of these bar one have been by Zoom and most of the committee has got used to the idea of meeting by Zoom, it certainly saves on travel but it is not the same as meeting face to face and we did use to enjoy lunch and a social chat before the meeting. We have planned our next meeting by zoom but we will have to decide what happens after that.

We may not have been able to carry out a lot of activities but there has been plenty going on on-line.

I have attended 3 All Party Parliamentary Waterways Groups. Not the same as attending a live one at the House of Commons of course but still useful and interesting and much cheaper all round to attend by webinar.

I have attended monthly meetings of the Lancaster Canal Trust as the IWA rep.

I have attended meetings to discuss the development at Bailrigg near Galgate and also a live meeting where members of LCT, CRT, the local

council and myself walked the length from Galgate to Lancaster to look at the site of the proposed Garden Village and make comments. Myself and others from the committee have attended meetings with CRT and IWA to discuss a WRG camp which we were hoping to hold in 2021; after getting so far with our plans covid meant that we decided it was best not to go ahead. We also decided that because of all the uncertainties 2022 was not the year to hold a WRG camp in our area. We have decided to try for another Youth Engagement Day instead and maybe build on that for a WRG camp in the future.

I continue to be a Zoom champion and although I am sure I have a lot to learn I can at least arrange webinars and meetings on Zoom and I even helped with the Guildford and Reading branch AGM.

I have also attended Canal and River Trust user forums and Northwest liaison meetings, all by Zoom.

I have attended IWA Region meetings, all by Zoom and am building up good relationships with IWA chairs in the Northwest. I attended the IWA National AGM by Zoom.

All of the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership meetings have been held on line and I have attended those to represent our branch. Sir Robert attends to represent the IWA nationally. LCRP has appointed a new chairman, Professor Chris May, I helped with the recruitment process and he started in January. In March LCRP will have a development day when we can look at plans for the future.

On the subject of CRT and Sir Robert I would like to congratulate Sir Robert on behalf of the branch, he has been appointed to be on the CRT Northwest Advisory Board, a position long held by Audrey Smith.

There have been some live meetings and events, all using best practise to be Covid secure.

The branch has heard of problems on the Leeds and Liverpool canal and we have made representations to CRT about those, some of the problems we raised were addressed in the CRT North West User Forum. In particular we have been concerned about the area around Johnson’s Hillock. Audrey and I met with CRT representatives to walk the area and look at the problems, I am pleased to say some problems have been addressed but we are not complacent, and we have another walk around the area planned so that we can look at progress and report problems.

The branch has also been involved in consultation on the new interpretation signs planned for the Lancaster Canal, this was part of the work commissioned by LCRP and part of the work done by Carrie House, the Heritage Lottery Fund Project officer, and we held on line consultations and a site meeting at Wakefield’s Wharf where we had a particular concern as the work involved making changes to a joint LCT/IWA memorial to a past member.

I am happy to say that our concerns were taken into account in the design

and although planning decisions have caused delays, I look forward to seeing the interpretation signs being installed very soon.

Sadly Carrie House’s post came to an end in October last year, she came to speak to us at our October meeting just before she left and updated us on the project.

In October CRT held an event at the Crooklands Hotel, this was to celebrate Carrie’s work and to thank the many volunteers who have helped her. Audrey and I attended and we met the new LCRP chair there.

One of our members, Nigel Hardacre has organised lots of walks and I have been on several of them. These walks have sometimes been on behalf of the Friends of the Tram Bridge Group, and sometimes LCT and IWA. They have all been Covid safe and it has been good to get out in the fresh air and walk along the canal again.

One event we didn’t get to in 2021 was Country Fest at Westmorland County Show Ground, we have been for several years previously. In 2021 there was no Country Fest, there was a Country Food Show, but we couldn’t attend as we couldn’t get a team together as everything was very last minute. For 2022 there will be a Country Fest and the branch hopes to go with the IWA gazebo and stand. Watch out for confirmation in Towing Path Topics. We did manage a Balsam Bash in June, with Friends of Haslam Park and LCT. We pulled lots of Balsam, stayed socially distanced and had a great day.

In August we worked with CRT and LCT to hold a Youth Engagement Day at Crooklands. There was the LCT gazebo and a shared LCT/CRT/IWA stand which attracted lots of interest. There were boat trips and gardening opportunities for young people. We all had a lovely time, especially the young people and we hope to hold a similar event this year. Another event being planned is the Region Social, this year it will take place on the 11th of June and will be a boat trip from Manchester and will include food. Hopefully the details will be finalised in time for the next Towing Path Topics.

Things have not gone well in our area and you will all know about the breach in Rishton, let’s hope CRT can get it fixed in time for summer cruising.

In September I walked along the Lancaster canal near Stainton Aqueduct, from the canal towing path you can hardly see what all the fuss was about but going down to the viewing area you can see what a good job CRT and their contractors have done.

Our branch continued to administer the Leeds Liverpool Plaques; the branch

offers 2 different plaques as follows:

Trans Pennine - Leeds to Eldonian Village, Liverpool within 12 months and

Liverpool Link - passage of the Link i.e. Eldonian Village to Salthouse Dock

Both cost £8.00 each.

Thanks to Audrey Smith for this and for all the other support Audrey offers using her wealth of knowledge and experience.

Taking all these things into account 2021 was quite a busy year for your branch but we do hope for more events in 2022 so be sure to read Towing Path Topics for all the latest news.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the other members of your committee, we rely on them to keep our branch running and as I keep saying the more members we have the more we can do.

This year we have one new nomination for the committee, Malcolm Sterratt, who many of you will know was co-opted to the committee after the last AGM and seeks nomination at this AGM. Malcolm has attended all of the branch committee meetings since the AGM and has been a big help to the committee, so thanks for that Malcolm. Sadly our new planning officer Alan Green only nominated last year has had to resign for personal reasons. I have been looking at Planning Applications with help from Jim Nott and Malcolm Sterratt but we really need a new planning officer.

Thanks to Janet and Tony Dunning for all the help they give, Tony is the vice chairman and Janet helps with the raffle at branch meetings when we can have live meetings and is also our website officer and membership officer.

Thanks to Jim Nott for helping with planning and for other work he has done in supporting the branch.

Thanks to Maralyn Nott for her work as secretary and her support for the branch.

I would also like to thank David Faulkner for his role as treasurer; he is doing a brilliant job of looking after our money. David is also the branch magazine editor and thanks to him for that. I think we can agree that David is doing a brilliant job of the magazine, he has kept the editions going during Covid and always has lots of interesting things to say.

I would also like to thank Sir Robert who usually manages to attend our committee meetings especially now they are held by Zoom and gives us the benefit of his experience and advice.

My thanks also to Ian Treanor who is on our committee as LCT representative and regularly attends our meetings.

And I also want to thank all the people who support our committee members and our members who help us with events and meetings, it’s been particularly interesting this last year to hear from members who don’t usually get to meetings and I always welcome contact from those members, keep the emails coming.

And I again want to record our thanks to head office staff, most have been working from home and things haven’t been easy but they have been so supportive especially in helping with the website, organising webinars and keeping us informed. In particular organising IWATV which has some really interesting recordings on it, take a look if you haven’t already. This year we have lost Gemma Bolton who gave lots of help with Zoom, she has moved on to UNICEF, I have wished her all the best on behalf of the branch.

We also have a new Chief Executive, Phil Hornsey and I look forward to meeting him, but he kept in touch by email.

I hope I have remembered to thank everyone and let’s all hope that 2022 is a better year, I certainly hope to see lots of members at live events this year.

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Wendy Humphreys

DIARY DATES

Date Event Page

Thurs 19 Jan Zoom Webinar, speaker Roy Chandler, ‘Essex Waterways and the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation’

Wed 25 Jan Branch social evening at Primrose Gardens, Chorley, speaker from The Canal and River Trust ‘Anderton Boat Lift’

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Wed 22 Feb Branch AGM at Primrose Gardens followed by picture quiz 26

Wed 29 Mar Branch social evening at Primrose Gardens, speaker Jonathan Mosse ‘Be my Guide’ 26

Wed 26 Apr Branch social evening at Primrose Gardens, speaker Bowman Bradley ‘Sustainable propulsion’

3/4 June Country Fest, Westmorland Showground

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All our ‘live’ meetings will be held on the last Wednesday of the month at Primrose Gardens, an Extra Care facility, on Fleet Street, Chorley PR7 2EB

There is free parking at Fleet St car park, directly across the road. We cannot use the resident parking except for dropping off.

Enter the building via the main entrance and you are welcome to wait in the lobby if a little early. Meetings start at 7.30pm but we are there from 7.00 for setting up and chatting. We have a break for tea/coffee and biscuits and finish before 10.00pm.

Any programme changes or additions will be in the branch news on IWA’s website and we’ll notify you if we have your email address. To be invited to Zoom webinars go to IWA website or contact the editor