Towing Path Topics
Newsletter of the Inland Waterways Association
Lancashire & Cumbria Branch
May 2023
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: Spring blossom at Barrowford locks, L&L Canal
Photograph acknowledgements (All others by the editor)
Pages 6, 28 John Hewerdine
Page 7 Janet Dunning
Pages 15,16,17 Flotel Suite
Page 20 LCT
Page 26 Michael Akers
Abbreviations
LCT - The Lancaster Canal Trust
CRT - The Canal and River Trust
LCRP - Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership
L&L - The Leeds & Liverpool Canal
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
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.
Editor’s comments
Welcome to our May edition, as you can see from the previous page it is a real mixed bag this time. I hope that you find something of interest.
Sadly we have to record the death of 2 people who have contributed such a lot to our local waterways—David Gibson and Jack Staziker. The average age of our branch members, and that of many other organisations, is increasing so unfortunately we can expect more such news.
On a more cheerful note I am pleased to record that the January edition article about the Millennium Link statue prompted a response from 3 readers, see page 12. It is always encouraging to know that someone reads the newsletter. If you have any snippets about anything you read please share them. I still haven’t had any news of the weed-eating carp on the Northern Reaches mentioned last time.
It was good to see the towpath improvements under way at Burnley, not before time. According to the CRT notice at the site, there will be a surface preparation to change the colour of the tarmac from black to buff. Many of these towpath improvements are paid for by local councils from ‘levelling up’ funds.
Talking of such funds, Preston did well in their bid and a replacement tram bridge should be one of the results. We are waiting for a decision on its design; our man Nigel Hardacre is keeping a close eye on developments. That’s when he is not devising and leading walks and all the other things he does for IWA and LCT.
Be careful if you go magnet fishing—see page 11. I have a photograph of the actual grenade but could not get a response from the copyright holder to use it.
I am not paid to advertise the Flotel (page 15), but thought you might be interested. Initially I thought it was a hotel boat but in fact it is more of a floating holiday cottage for two. I don’t know the prices but I think it would need to be a very special occasion to justify a stay. The décor may not be to everyone’s taste.
Don’t forget, all contributions most welcome.
DavidBranch chairman’s report
Following the AGM in February we now have all the main branch officer posts filled, see page 31 for details. We would like more people to join the committee, especially as Maralyn, our secretary and Audrey, who has agreed to organise our social evenings, will be stepping down next year.
On the subject of the monthly social meetings, we are considering moving the meeting place from Chorley to somewhere closer to where more of our branch members live, possibly Preston. If you know anywhere suitable, please let me know. We may also change the night, please contact me if you have any views.
We certainly had an interesting and varied programme of talks in the past year, a fitting tribute to Wendy our late chair who organised them. Thanks to Audrey for stepping in to ensure that it all took place. And for feeding and accommodating several of the speakers.
It’s too early to give you details of next season’s programme, starting in September; we need to book the venue first. However, we will be at Country Fest at the beginning of June and there will be another Balsam Bash on 1st July, details elsewhere in this edition.
Nigel Hardacre has been busy leading walks and devising new ones, usually for members of the Lancaster Canal Trust and Friends of the Tram Bridge as well as us. Details of all his walks are on the branch pages of the IWA website. We will inform you of walks and events by e-mail. These will be no more than one a month at most, we don’t want to become a nuisance. (Unlike about ¾ of the firms who seem to fill my in-box.)
It’s all change at IWA head office. The end of the lease has led to a move of office building, see page 2 for the new address. It’s still in Chesham so we have been able to retain our existing office staff and volunteers. (It’s thanks to them that you are reading this.) Our recently appointed CEO has left us, so that is further disruption.
We are all hoping that there are fewer stoppages on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal this year. The Canal & River Trust seem to have listened to criticism and will be trying to give more notice of any cruising restrictions. There will inevitably be water supply problems because the Barrowford reservoir is still out of use.
As I write this, CRT are still awaiting news of their government funding but whatever it is, money will be tight.
That’s enough from me. Thanks to our committee for their support to me and the branch and to everyone else who helps to support our waterways in any way. I hope you have an enjoyable spring and summer on and/or beside our canals and rivers.
DavidCountry Fest 3 & 4 June 2023
Westmorland Showground
We shall be having a stand at Country Fest to promote the IWA and what we do for the waterways.. The event is a great day out for the whole family and we will have activities for children. Attract the kids and then talk to the parents is our modus operandi.
The showground is at Crooklands, close to junction 36 of the M6. Your help for an hour or two would be most useful, please contact the editor.
Jack Staziker
Sadly we must report the death of a branch stalwart for many years, Jack Staziker. Jack was active in various roles including branch s. When we printed our own newsletter Jack s
Richard Bird medal for services to the association. Always good
REPORT FROM THE NW REGIONAL CHAIRMAN
So summer is approaching and everyone will be on or about the waterways. More people, more boats each year, it seems, so the pressure on maintenance, water levels, weed and a myriad of other issues will be at the forefront of our minds.
Many colleagues have mentioned the apparent deterioration of some parts of the network and I have had to raise these issues with CRT on more than one occasion. So the IWA’s campaign to “Protect Our Waterways” has even greater significance than heretofore.
I have written before about the need for more funding from the Government and Ministers must be made aware of the vital importance of improving and developing our waterways rather than just letting things tick over. Local councils, MPs and other influential and relevant organisations can play a part here and IWA is at the forefront. All and anything that you can do locally to help will be greatly appreciated.
The move of HQ has now been completed and you will hear more in due course about faces and places. As we are about to appoint a new Chief Executive, it is essential that staff and volunteers maintain good lines of communication and that morale is kept up on both sides.
Your Trustees are keen to encourage new members and new ideas and our campaigns will go some way to help achieve those objectives. We are not alone amongst charities in needing to economise our expenditure so all suggestions for fund-raising will be gratefully accepted.
As ever, thank you for your continuing commitment and enthusiasm. Enjoy Summer on The Cut.
Letter from CRT Dear Sir Robert,
During December’s Regional Advisory Board meeting you commented that Lancaster Canal was covered in green scum/algae and asked if its removal is included in the vegetation clearance programme as it is damaging flora and fauna and has been there for some time.
A response to your concern is in the minutes of that meeting, which are due to be issued shortly, but Liam Cooper has asked me to let you have the information sooner.
The algae/scum is likely to be Duckweed and possibly Azolla dependent on the year and location. The Lancaster team usually hires a Truxor (weed clearance boat) for approximately 6 months and use it to clear the weed on the Northern reaches to enable flows to the main line. When not in use on the Northern reaches this is then deployed on to the main line mainly clearing Duckweed/Azola or any other weeds causing issues. The local teams have been clearing the weeds but the algae has to be dealt with by trained staff and is not something that can be done by volunteers.
The Duckweed which gives that bright green coverage on the water is prevalent over the summer months and usually dies back in the winter. It is particularly prevalent at the Preston end of Lancaster Canal. This winter the warm spell in November last year prevented a lot of the natural die back of the Duckweed, however the Christmas cold snap did help a great deal. In addition, the significant amount of surface water entering the canal over the last few weeks has pushed a lot of the Duckweed down the various by-washes where it will eventually meet the tidal area of the Ribble link and die off naturally. There is no doubt that the Duckweed will return in the summer months, and will be managed as best as the team can but, it is such a prolific and fast-growing species our limited resources will not be able to contain it and it probably will be an issue again this year.
We continue to look at innovative ways to control aquatic weed, including with the support of volunteers throughout this season. To this end, weevils have been placed in to the water, these will naturally help remove the weed by eating it. Our ecologist has advised that weevils would not be of any use in trying to clear the Duckweed because the beetle feeds on waterfern and they do not feed on
duckweed. Weevils are natural pests that are brought over from where the plant is native to that help us manage the problem species.
If the invasive non-native species Water fern (Azolla) returns this summer, it would outcompete the duckweed. We tend to get either one species or the other. Weevils released in 2022 are more frequently over-wintering and would therefore manage the water fern by eating it. We have access to more weevils if and when required.
I hope you find the above helpful.
Regards,
Chris Brooke Customer Support AdministratorTalking of invasive vegetation
Balsam Bash 10.00 Saturday 1st July
Haslam Park, Preston
Once again we are joining the Friends of the Park , LCT and others in what has become an annual event. We are attempting to prevent Himalayan Balsam becoming established along the Ribble Link.
Meet in the car park on the right further down Bristow Avenue PR2 1JE. If coming from Preston you cannot turn right into Bristow Avenue, you will have to go past, turn further up and then come back.
If you plan to continue into the afternoon bring a packed lunch, the Friends can provide a hot drink and the loo.
We suggest that you wear long sleeves as the balsam often grows alongside stinging nettles. We can provide gloves but most people bring their own.
Pulling up the balsam is very easy, it has very shallow roots, which is part of the problem—it destabilises the banks of waterways as it outcompetes native flora. It establishes a mono-culture which is also bad for wildlife.
Grenade in the canal
In January, Lowerhouse Lane in Burnley was closed by the police as a magnet fisher had found what was suspected to be a hand grenade.
An Explosive Ordinance Disposal team was called in to assess the item.
The team confirmed that though it was a genuine grenade, it was not live or viable and so of no wider threat to the public and the road was re-opened.
What it would have looked like when new. The actual find was corroded and muddy.
This is not the first time a grenade has been found in the Leeds & Liverpool Canal locally; an old hand grenade was found in the L&L at Rishton in October 2021, non-viable, no danger said police at the time.
And talking of things you find in the water ...
Next time you get a fouled prop spare a thought for the RNLI lifeboat crew who discovered they had knitting wool entwined round their propellers while rescuing people from flooded properties in Cockermouth Main Street during November 2009.
By way of explanation, the contents of a craft shop were amongst the debris floating down the main street when the River Derwent burst its banks.
Thanks to Janet Dunning for that extract from a previous newsletter when she was editor.
Millenium Link
“Gauging the Ripple”
The enquiry in our last edition about the wooden statue at the head of the millennium link staircase locks on the Lancaster Canal elicited responses from Philip Garside, Janet Dunning and Nigel Hardacre. The general opinion is as follows:
The 4 metre high oak statue ‘Gauging the Ripple’ was soon known locally as the Ribble Piddler (or Pisser) due to his stance.
He was part of the £21,000 sculpture trail commissioned by The Ribble Link Trust and British Waterways.
It was created by local sculptor Thompson Dagnall. The Piddler fell victim to vandalism; a treatment to remove paint from his feet led to wood rot making the statue unsafe. It was removed in 2008 and was reported to be in storage at British Waterway’s Burnley depot. Current whereabouts unknown but it may be in Bretherton where Thompson Dagnall lives.
It was not until 6 years later that a replacement, named ‘Canal Builders’, was installed. The new metal sculpture which is shaped like a 3 metre high wave topped by a narrow boat within which navigation tools are standing, was made by Derbyshire artist Denis O’Connor and again commissioned by the Ribble Link Trust, at a cost of £30,000. It was officially unveiled on 8th May 2014.
If you are still feeling nostalgic for the ‘Piddler’, a sculpture similar to ‘Gauging the Ripple’ named ‘Halsall Navvy’, also by Thompson Dagnall, stands by the Leeds to Liverpool Canal just across the bridge from the Saracen's Head at Halsall at a point where the first sod of the canal was cut on 5 November 1770, by the Hon. Charles Mordaunt of Halsall Hall.
According to the nearby interesting interpretation panel, West Lancashire Canal Partnership ’ from 4 proposals submitted by local Dagnall’s commemorates the labourers who dug the canal by
If you walk under the adjacent bridge and along the towpath there is a plaque marking the very spot where the building of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal began. in our September 2022 edition he was named the Ed)
Levelling Up Fund: Preston's Old Tram Bridge to be replaced and cityparksrevamped in £20mboost
It will form part of a package of regeneration projects, focusing on parks, transport and the public realm. They include upgrades to some of the city’s most-cherished green spaces and the creation of socalled “active travel” infrastructure to promote walking and cycling.
As the most eye-catching of the plans, the replacement bridge –estimated in 2021 to cost around £6m – will enable the restoration of a connection between Avenham Park and Penwortham that was abruptly cut over safety fears almost four years ago. A near 3,000signature petition last year pushed for the bridge to be included in Preston’s levelling up bid.
The historic tram bridge crossing has been the focus of a long-running campaign calling for its reinstatement after the structure closed in February 2019 when an inspection found that it was at risk of sudden collapse.
Additionally, the bid set out plans to create cycling corridors, running from east to west and north to south across the city. The aim of those schemes is to establish good connections to bus and train services, employment sites and residential areas for those who travel on two wheels – and to tempt more people to do so.
(Taken from the Lancashire Evening Post website. We await details of designs for the new bridge but there is limited time before the money has to be spent. Ed)
Flotel at Riley Green
Something described by its owners as ‘a masterpiece like no other canal boat on the market’ has opened at Riley Green on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Named ‘Show Time’, it is a broad beam barge that has been converted to luxury accommodation for 2 people in which to stay overnight or longer. You can entertain more but it only sleeps 2.
Where Show Time is moored there is outdoor seating with your own firepit and hot tub.
You are not expected to take it for a cruise but if you do want to move you can hire a captain. You can also hire a chef and a waiter.
The project belongs to Zander Lawrenson and his father Paul who during lockdown were not able to organise their East Lancashire music festivals ‘Restricted Forest’ and ‘Restricted Rocks’.
They found the boat at Riley Green marina. It was an empty shell and they have designed it around luxury Italian brands with no expense spared.
Described as a fantastic alternative to a traditional hotel or cottage getaway and an idyllic break away from home.
Regeneration Partnership
Canal & River Trust, IWA, Kendal Town Council, Lancs County Council, Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancaster City Council and Westmorland & Furness Council
Those of you who are very observant will see that the members of LCRP have changed since our January edition. Cumbria County Council and South Lakeland District Council disappeared on 31 March under reorganisation of the local authorities, to be replaced on the East side of the county by Westmorland and Furness Council.
I am pleased to say that for 12 months at least, W&F Council will support the partnership in the same way as SLDC.
Helen Moriarty has re-joined us for one day a week as project manager. Helen was the Partnership’s first project manager before leaving to have a family and did much good work, including bringing in crucial funding.
The previous chairman, Professor Chris May has now left for family reasons and we are actively looking for a replacement. If you can suggest anyone please do so. Meanwhile, as one of the 2 current directors of the recently created Community Interest Company, I have agreed to take on the role for the time being. (Robin Yates of the Lancaster Canal Trust is the other director. It may be a while before the local authorities appoint anyone but we can function with just 2).
Now that the restrictions of the pandemic are largely behind us and with a project manager in place, we can resume progress with creating a fully accessible towpath trail from Kendal to Lancaster.
Planning permission has now been received for the new interpretation boards. The first one of these should be unveiled in Kendal next month.
David FaulknerMonthly working parties continue, volunteers are always very welcome (no particular skills needed).
Ian Treanor and his merry band of helpers have been working on Waterwitch’s hull (and her bilges) and she is now back in the water ready for the new boating season. Crewed by some new, fully-trained and certificated skippers.
The hull was painted with 2 coats of red oxide primer. The interior bilges were de rusted and primed, followed by a coat of specialist bilge paint.
At Millness on the Northern Reaches.
DAVID GIBSON
With great sadness the Lancaster Canal Trust have reported the death of their long-serving Secretary, David Gibson.
David had been actively involved in canal restoration for much of his life, first in Hampshire with groups such as the Wey & Arun Canal Trust and then with the Lancaster Canal Society when he and his wife Margaret moved north some 20 years ago.
He was a keen supporter and volunteer with the Waterways Recovery Group and the IWA. David worked on many projects around the country and rarely missed one of LCT’s work parties.
David was a qualified solicitor and LCT benefited enormously from his wise counsel and unflagging commitment to the Trust and always his warm, dry sense of humour. He will be greatly missed.
L&LCS’s exhibition boat ‘Kennett’ has had a change of programme. In 2023 it originally intended to go to events at the eastern end of the canal to mark the 250 year anniversary of the opening of the first section between Bingley and Skipton, but there are not enough events so they will be at the western end. On 26-29 May they will be at Worsley Cruising Club and 1-3 September Crooke Hall Inn, Wigan for the Beer, Boat & Music Festival. (Sounds fun).
Red Wheel at Wigan Locks
The National Transport Trust has awarded the Leeds & Liverpool Canal’s Wigan Flight of locks the coveted National Transport Trust Heritage Plaque or ‘Red Wheel’.
The construction of the flight of 23 locks in 1816 was a notable technical achievement raising the canal more than 200 feet in just two and a half miles. Its construction also marked the completion of the canal linking the cities of Leeds and Liverpool, a project that had started 46 years before.
The Red Wheel will be installed adjacent to Henhurst Lock 86, a seven-minute walk along the canal eastwards from Trencherfield Mill or a 15 minute walk from Wigan’s two railway stations.
The Red Wheel will be unveiled by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Melanie Bryan OBE DL in the presence of Stuart Wilkinson (NTT Chair), Jerry Swift (NTT Deputy Chair), Richard Parry (CRT Chief Executive) and Graham Cooper (River & Canal Historical Society Northwest Group Secretary).
(And Audrey Smith and me representing IWA and the Branch Ed)
The unveiling will take place on the 8th June at 1100 am at Henhurst Lock.
Information supplied by Bill Froggatt, CRT Heritage Advisor
Below: Red Wheels at Hincaster Tunnel and the Lune Aqueduct
Report of our social meetings.
January - Talk on the Anderton Boat Lift
The speakers were Fran Littlewood and Rebecca Mason from CRT talking about the repair work currently being undertaken at the Anderton Boat Lift and the ambitious plans for the whole site.
Fran, an engineer, is the project manager for the repairs. She explained about the work done to replace the seals and polish the surface of the 2 hydraulic rams that raise and lower the 250-ton caissons that hold the boats. Initially they thought the rams might need replacing at a cost of £1,000,000 each, but thankfully they should last another 40 years. The seals will need replacing again in 10 years, but it should be an easier job now they have done it once.
The project included replacing the safety mechanisms on the 5 pairs of gates. It was the failure of one of these gates that caused the lift to be closed last year. The repairs have been partly funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HFL) grant.
Rebecca from the Enterprise team, told us that CRT have applied for a very large HFL grant to improve the whole site. This will include major changes to the visitor centre and a building to replace the marquee. The intention is to make it a major UK visitor attraction. In response to questions we were told that no decision has been taken on the introduction of an entry charge
February—AGM
Th formal business of the AGM was completed quickly as usual. We then had a picture quiz of canal junctions and terminuses. This had been devised by Janet Dunning who unfortunately could not be there, so Rich Smith handled the technology and presented the quiz. As always, the photographs produced much discussion and reminiscing.
March—’Be my guide’
Jonathan Mosse gave us an amusing account of the trials and tribulations of writing the Nicholson’s Canal Guides from the earliest days. Most of the research completed by bicycle. Jonathan kindly gave 2 guides, ‘hot off the press’ as raffle prizes.
April—’Sustainable Boating’
At short notice, Jonathan Mosse returned from Scotland to replace our scheduled speaker, Bowman Bradley who had been taken into hospital. Jonathan is also on IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group (originally ‘Sustainable Propulsion’ but they now include other aspects of life on board).
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) made from waste cooking oil is now a well-established alternative to conventional diesel. It does not have the problems associated with the first-generation FAME biodiesel. Electrically powered boats are becoming more common, although they have to use onboard generators to charge the batteries due to the scarcity of land based charging points. Wind and solar power help but are not sufficient in themselves. Hydrogen and fuel cells are in development but are for the future.
Jonathan is converting his own narrowboat on which he lives, to be ‘off - grid’. He will have electric propulsion and, in summer at least, will generate enough electricity for his domestic needs.
The Sustainable Boating Group’s 2020 vision paper is available on IWA’s website with further information on this fast-moving topic.
Note the old boat buried in the mud a project for some brave soul.
