Waterways Magazine - Summer 2023 - No 280

WAteRWAYs edItOR:

Ross Stokes Tel: 01283 742962

E-mail: r.stokes@wwonline.co.uk

ARt edItOR: Claire Davis

AdVeRtIseMeNt MANAgeR:

Laura Smith Tel: 01283 742956

E-mail: l.smith@wwonline.co.uk

AdVeRtIsINg desIgN: Jo Ward

AdVeRtIsINg PROdUctION: Samantha Furniss

E-mail: s.furniss@wwonline.co.uk

RePROgRAPHIcs:

Waterways World Ltd, 151 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1BG. Printed in England by Warners (Midlands) PLC, Bourne, Lincs Articles may be reproduced provided permission is obtained and acknowledgement made.

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National Chair - Les Etheridge Company Secretary – Vedy Reddy

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Nothing printed in Waterways may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless stated, otherwise IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. Although every care is taken with advertising matters no responsibility whatsoever can be accepted for any matter advertised. Where a photo credit includes a note such as CC-BY-SA, the image is made available under that Creative Commons licence; full details at www.creativecommons.org

5. Welcome Les Etheridge (National Chair)

7. News

Round-up of all the happenings within the IWA and beyond

16. festival fun

Highlights of the 2023 boating calendar

18. Waterways for today

More insights into the benefits of our waterways

22. Love your Waterways

Verena Leonardini talks about her transition from life in Tuscany to living on board her narrowboat, and her new role at IWA

24. campaign launch

Join our Protect Our Waterways campaign to ensure the future of our canals

26. courtesy counts

Simple considerations that can make life more harmonious on our canals and towpaths

28. Photo competition

Do you have a potential prize-winner?

30. Restoration round-up

Updates on projects, plus how to become a volunteer on our Canal Camps

32. summer walk with IWA

Exploring the paths around Shugborough and Tixall Wide

S EVEN REASONS WHY YOUR MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTION IS VITAL

1. IWA Canal Clean-ups led by our branches keep many waterways clear of debris

2. Restoration is kept high priority through funding for the Waterway Recovery Group

3. Over 10,000 days of volunteering each year will be supported with the right training, tools and materials

4. IWA can campaign to defend the waterways from unwelcome development

5. We can pass on traditional skills and workbased experience for volunteering young people

6. We can lobby the Government and work with other organisations to repair, improve and protect our waterways heritage

7. Your voice is counted when IWA speaks up for all those who enjoy the country’s canals and rivers

COVER PICTURE: Canalway Cavalcade 2019. Tom Claydon

Welcome from les etheridge, national chair

Protect Our Waterways

I hope that by the time you read this, the Government will have reached a sensible decision in terms of waterways funding that supports, and is consistent with, their own policies such as Levelling Up and the Environmental Improvement Plan. I don’t believe that this will be the case, but I’d be delighted to be proved wrong by reading, for example, of an appropriate longterm funding package for Canal & River Trust.

This lack of joined-up thinking is why we have launched the Protect Our Waterways campaign, which covers all canals and rivers. You can read more about it on page 24.

Our Waterways for Today report demonstrated, in great detail, the benefits and value of the waterways and was sent to all MPs with waterways in their constituency and those who were known to have an interest. It was also sent to Government departments and local politicians. Thank you to everyone who followed up with MPs etc. The responses we received included several Government departments plus one om Jeremy Hunt (before he was Chancellor of the Exchequer). The responses are all supportive, in complete contrast to the apparent lack of desire to fund this national asset. The amounts required really are small change for Government. I have been encouraged by a response om Keir Starmer’s o ce which wants to engage with IWA so perhaps this is a promising sign for the future.

The move to a new o ce in Chesham is nearing completion as I write. I must thank our hard-working sta and volunteers for dealing with the inevitable disruption at a time when they have been very busy.

Spring is when the waterways start to be more heavily used following the completion of the winter works programmes carried out by navigation authorities. Last year there were water shortages in many areas and the inevitable accompanying restrictions to navigation. Reservoirs have refilled surprisingly well over the winter so let’s hope 2023 is a be er year in this respect but blessed with good weather.

I started by talking about Protect Our Waterways and I’m going to finish on the subject. There are many di erent interests involved with waterways such as leisure, commercial, residential and transport. At times, these interests conflict and di erences arise. The common interest is well-maintained thriving waterways and whatever Government may think, that needs national and local government funding. Our waterways need all the di erent interests to come together to get this message across to politicians.

A er World War II, there were plans to fill in and close canals. The formation of IWA provided the opportuni for people to come together, and the vast support demonstrated to Government how many people cared! We need to do the same again so I appeal to everyone with an interest to support Protect Our Waterways so that we can prevent them om falling once more into a sad state of decay and dereliction.

Date Announced for AGM

The Inland Waterways Association’s annual general meeting will be held on Saturday 23rd September, 2023 at the Civic Hall, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8UJ. Further details, including the meeting agenda, will be confirmed in due course, posted on the IWA website and shared through the IWA Bulletin email as they become available.

Waterways APPGW

essential role of the waterways in the Government's Environmental Improvement Plan

At its meeting on 28th March in Westminster, the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways (APPGW) heard from Heather Clarke (Canal & River Trust’s Director of Strategy) and Eoin Harris (Canal & River Trust’s Head of Environment) on how inland waterways are a key contributor to the Environmental Improvement Plan. Attendees also heard from Michael Limbrey (Chair of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust) about the Montgomery Canal as a practical example.

The presentations highlighted some of the issues facing our waterways including climate change, plastic pollution, water quality, ageing infrastructure, biodiversity loss, and invasive species. As it was once again held as a hybrid meeting, over 70 representatives of waterways organisations were able to join remotely. A Q&A session followed, in which some of these waterway organisation representatives raised questions which were discussed by the MPs and presenters.

The meeting was chaired by Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield and APPGW Chair, and was also attended by Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South and APPGW Vice Chair.

Restoration Conference

The 2023 Waterway Restoration Conference, which was jointly organised by the Inland Waterways Association and Canal & River Trust, took place on Saturday 18th March. The event was attended by more than 100 delegates at the Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield, where they explored the journey from pre- to post-restoration with a series of speakers and workshops. This year’s theme was Creating a Sustainable Waterway.

Keynote speakers included George Rogers, Development Manager at Chesterfield Canal Trust, who delivered a presentation about CCT’s successful bid for £5.3m from the Towns Fund. The talk also explored how CCT is having to evolve to lead the delivery of this major scheme – including project governance, resourcing and procurement of external consultants and contractors.

Gemma Gregory, Countryside Service Manager at Derbyshire County Council, also made a presentation about the challenges of operating a canal – from restoration to operation. The third keynote speaker – Roger Clay, Engineering Director at Avon Navigation Trust – explored some of the challenges that can occur in the post-restoration stage, from the perspective of an external navigation authority.

Delegates also had the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions, with an environmental session delivered by Canal & River Trust and a technical session from Terry Cavender, Trustee & Executive Officer at Buckingham Canal Society.

After the conference, delegates were invited to attend an optional site visit led by Chesterfield Canal Trust or go on a self-guided walk. An online survey was conducted during the conference which has prompted some excellent feedback. We thank those who attended the event and look forward to seeing you again at the next Restoration Conference.

BCN clean-up

The 2023 Birmingham Canals clean-up weekend took place on 25th-26th March on the Walsall Canal in Tipton. The annual event aims to help keep the less well-used parts of the BCN and Black Country Network from getting choked up with rubbish and becoming impassable for boats. This year was no exception as Waterway Recovery Group volunteers used grappling hooks to recover shopping trolleys, tyres, bicycles and even more exciting treasures from a section of the Walsall Canal between the basin and Ryders Green locks.

Volunteers from IWA, including WRG volunteers, are supported each year by volunteers from Birmingham Canal Navigations Society, Dudley Canal Trust, Coombeswood Canal Trust, Canal & River Trust, Friends of Tipton Cut and local residents. IWA’s Volunteer Manager, Jenny Hodson, and Events & Restoration Hub Co-ordinator, Verena Leonardini, also attended the event. IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch helped to organise the event and also provided volunteers.

A BCN clean-up can remove up to 60 tons of rubbish. Such events can help to combat plastic pollution, littering and fly-tipping which threaten our waterways, as highlighted in the Protect Our Waterways campaign.

New IWA Trent group under consideration

IWA trustees have agreed on the formation of a new support group in Nottinghamshire which will concentrate on improving and developing navigation and facilities on the River Trent Navigation.

The group will be inclusive of all existing IWA members with NG postcodes, i.e. the majority of Nottinghamshire Branch members, but will be open to all IWA members and all other interested parties.

Initially, the group will focus on supporting existing activities which aim to improve navigation and maintenance on the Trent, including Trentlink (organised by Nick Roberts) and the Trent Moorings group (organised by Robert Aspey).

Initially, the Nottinghamshire Trent Group will be very informal and concentrate on activity-based projects on the river. Ultimately, the group may choose to form as a fully constituted IWA branch but this is not presumed nor considered to be essential.

Interested members and other supporters are invited to get in touch with Nick Roberts or Robert Aspey via Facebook or David Pullen, IWA Region Chair.

Trentlink Facebook link: facebook.com/ groups/666937220961360

Trent Moorings Facebook link: facebook.com/ groups/267686390376240

Preston tram bridge to be replaced with funding from Levelling Up bid

After campaigning by local community pressure group Friends of Tram Bridge, Preston City Council has included the replacement of the old tram bridge in its Levelling Up funding bid in 2022. IWA member Nigel Hardacre has helped the group by joining the committee and organising and leading several heritage walks around the closed bridge and the route of what was once the Lancaster Canal’s horse-drawn tram road (plate-way), which ran from 1803 until its closure in 1862. It connected both ends of the Lancaster Canal and was only designed to be temporary until enough funds could be raised to build 5 miles of canal to connect both ends. The railway age quickly followed and the canal link was never built.

We will await the release of designs for the new bridge, having held a competition last year with designs proposed by schoolchildren in Preston and students at local colleges and universities.

Lichfield Branch Off-side vegetation clearance

IWA Lichfield Branch has been busy over the winter cutting back the offside vegetation in its area. Starting at Willington, the team worked its way along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction, and had a little time left over to do some spot trimming on the northern reaches of the Coventry Canal.

The off-side vegetation operation began five years ago when IWA Lichfield got together with its local CRT office with the idea of a joint venture. It begins each winter in October, and work stops at the end of February when the wildlife begins nesting.

CRT supplies the two workboats (a motor and a hopper/butty), all the equipment and the training, while IWA Lichfield volunteers amassed more than 1,600 hours over the winter.

Volunteer Co-ordinator Neil Barnett said: “It’s a great way to get out in the fresh air and get some exercise too. You work within your physical capabilities in that you do as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. The best aspect of it is the camaraderie and banter.”

The branch also has other volunteering opportunities throughout the year for both outdoor activities and for helping with the general running of the branch. For more information, contact neil. barnett@waterways.org.uk.

IN MEMORIAM

Ben Williams

We were deeply saddened to hear that Ben Williams, a key figure in IWA Manchester Branch in the latter part of the 20th century, died last Christmas Eve at the age of 89. After joining IWA and becoming an active member, Ben became known for his engagement with and encouragement of new members. He occupied many committee roles, latterly as a Branch Vice President, and was the recipient of a Richard Bird Medal. Ben will be fondly remembered by many in the IWA Manchester Branch and beyond.

Allan Scott

The Canalway Cavalcade Committee and other members of the IWA community were saddened to hear of the passing of former Waterspace Manager Allan Scott, who lost his battle with lung cancer on 16th February. Allan’s involvement in Cavalcade goes back a long way, as does his involvement in London WRG and IWA South London as a Branch Secretary. Many will have fond memories of Allan manning the Waterway Game on the branch stand, or seeing him in a principal role in The Gondoliers some years ago.

IWA response to CRT licence fee consultation

IWA submitted a response to the Canal & River Trust’s consultation on licence fee increases. Recognising that CRT is dependent on a Government grant that is not inflation linked for a good part of its income, we appreciate that the trust has no option but to try to raise more from other sources to compensate. However, increasing the licence fee beyond inflation risks pricing boaters off the system, or simply being unable to pay, which could result in a net loss.

In response to the options for apportioning the rises across boat licence payers, we have some concerns:

• We do not support the proposal to raise licence fees for continuous cruisers above those with home moorings. Firstly, as set out in The British Waterways Act 1995, there is only one Pleasure Boat Licence.

• Added to this, it is not possible to define continuous cruisers, which is the term used in the consultation. Some boaters never have what might be called a home mooring so continuously cruise all the time; others continuously cruise much of the year then tie up in a marina for the winter; some boaters have home moorings that are not on the CRT system; and there are many other possible combinations.

• The proposal to charge more for continuous cruisers would be an administrative nightmare, open to abuse and highly divisive within the boating community. Dividing the community like this is especially detrimental at this critical moment, when the whole waterways community needs to come together to show Government how our canals and rivers are valued and need to be adequately funded.

• IWA does support the proposal to charge by area, as this would bring it in line with EA registration fees and make Gold Licence administration more straightforward.

• We would like to see CRT achieving a considerable increase in the non-boating income from all those who currently enjoy the waterways and whose benefits will suffer if they deteriorate.

• Looking at the income from CRT’s 2021/22 annual report, boating brings in around £24m from licensing plus £20m from moorings and other commercial boating activities. Against this, income from CRT ‘Friends’ has remained constant at around £3m despite the large investment made into establishing this support.

• Alongside this, we will continue to campaign for local and national government to recognise the many benefits, including health and well-being, that the inland waterways provide to a large part of the population and fund them accordingly.

• The benefits freely enjoyed by those local to waterways are the reason for national and local government to help fund the costs of keeping waterways in good condition so the benefits are not lost.

IWA 2023 Trustee

applications now open

Trustee applications for 2023 are now open. We are looking for candidates with the experience and skillsets that will be needed over the next three years to complement those of existing trustees on the board and to fill any vacancies.

The role of a trustee is to help the IWA achieve its charitable objectives. As a member of the board, they will use their skills and judgement to work collectively with the other trustees to:

• ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit;

• comply with the charity’s governing document and the law;

• act in the charity’s best interests;

• manage the charity’s resources responsibly;

• act with reasonable care and skill; and

• ensure the charity is accountable.

The vacancies will be further promoted on our website, in our newsletters and through wider advertising. We are particularly seeking applications from individuals who are skilled in the areas of finance, fundraising, social media or IWA knowledge, but welcome applications from individuals with any experience they believe is valuable to the board.

The full applicant information pack is available on the IWA website or can be obtained from IWA Head Office. Applications, which close at midnight on 11th June, should include a covering letter, completed skillset framework and CV.

Applications can be sent to the chair of the recruitment panel, Hannah Sterritt, at hannah.sterritt@waterways.org.uk or via post to IWA Head Office: Unit 16B, First Floor, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham HP5 2PX.

IWA campaigns for boaters' access to Energy Bill Support Scheme

IWA has joined a campaign led by the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) to ensure boaters who live off-grid or without a home mooring are able to access the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme.

Currently, boaters who do not pay their fuel/electricity bills directly and those who are off-grid or without a home mooring, are exempt from the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme. IWA worked with NBTA on a paper which was submitted to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The scheme opened to boaters on fixed moorings on 27th February. Search online ‘Apply for energy bill support if you do not already get it’ to find the details. However, the process for boaters without a home mooring to apply for the grant is still not confirmed so IWA will continue to work with NBTA in campaigning for access to energy support for all boat-dwellers.

IWA Support for Cotswold Canals water scheme

IWA is supporting the Cotswold Canals Trust in campaigning for a scheme to provide desperately needed additional water supplies to London and the South East, and could enable the restoration of the whole 36 miles of the Thames-Severn link. IWA submitted responses to this and the other Water Resource Management Plans currently out for consultation.

The consultation considers a wide range of issues affecting water resources but the biggest impact on canal restoration is how to transfer water from the Severn to the Thames. Both a pipeline and open-water transfer via restored canals are being considered.

A key omission in the consultation when comparing the canal versus pipeline is the presentation of a wellconsidered analysis of the financial value of the restored canal to society and the local economy. This seems to have been largely ignored but the Cotswold Canals Trust has used the recent IWA Waterways for Today report to calculate the additional financial value of restoring the canal. This could run to about £800m over the next 80 years (the basis on which the costs and best value calculations are based). That additional benefit more than offsets the difference in cost between the pipeline and canal options. It also justifies pressing for the full restoration of the canal rather than the minimum necessary to enable the transfer of water alone.

Waterways 'Restoration Showcase' set to return in July Steamship Danny to be the exhibition venue on the River Weaver

The Chester & Merseyside Branch of IWA has agreed with the team at the heritage steamship Danny for the vessel to host a rerun of the successful Restoration Showcase promoting canal and navigable river projects. The decision comes a er popular public support for a similar event held in Canning Dock Liverpool in 2019.

The event is to take place on the weekend of 29th-30th July, during school holidays when the ship is berthed static at its Su on Weaver Wharf. The organisers hope that the ee exhibition will a ract waterway enthusiasts, the general public and families to see the work of voluntary organisations across the North West and Wales bringing life back to long-abandoned waterways.

Launched in 1903, Danny is registered on the National Historic Ships register alongside the Cu Sark and will be open to the public to enjoy its art deco lounges with hot drinks, snacks and alcoholic beverages available om the galley. There will also be outdoor space where families can enjoy a picnic.

The 2019 event a racted more than 500 visitors despite atrocious weather, with 12 organisations exhibiting, while a Covid-cancelled event planned for 2021 had 15 organisations accepting invitations. The UK has more than 2,000 miles of navigable waterways and restoration societies are commi ed across the country to expanding the network, bringing many miles of neglected and abandoned waterways back to navigable standards.

Jim Forkin (IWA Chair, Chester & Merseyside) said: “The navigable waterways in the UK contribute some £2.5bn to the economy while providing a ‘green’ corridor ee for people to enjoy and that figure can grow further if the system is fully restored to its previous glory. The work of these societies and their volunteers needs to be brought to the a ention of the public and decision makers in socie .”

Les Green (volunteer for Danny) added: “The Danny team were delighted when the showcase idea was put to us, both to support these wonderful societies and for Danny as a small exhibition space being able to fulfil its potential as a multifunctional asset for the local populations.”

Su on Weaver Wharf is easy to find, located on the A56 around 8 miles west of Warrington and within a mile of J12 on the M56 motorway. Danny is moored right next to the swing bridge.

Nominations open for IWA awards

Hundreds of volunteers give their time to support the waterways through IWA. Each year, a number of these volunteers are nominated for and presented with IWA’s national awards. The awards are a way of recognising the amazing work carried out by our supporters throughout the year, and over longer periods of time too.

Nominations for these awards are now open. From fundraising e orts to restoration endeavours, it is time to say thank you for the contributions that we simply could not do without.

Nominations for awards are invited om members, branches and regions and should be emailed to awards@ waterways.org.uk or posted to Awards Panel c/o IWA Head O ce, Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, HP5 2PX by 30th June 2023. Award nominations are then considered by an Awards Panel nominated by trustees and recommendations made to trustees for final approval.

Office move

IWA has relocated to a new head o ce as the 15-year lease on Island House ended this year. The team didn’t have far to move as the new head o ce is conveniently located in Chesham.

A redirect has temporarily been put in place for any mail sent to the old address, but please make sure to use the new address in future: IWA Head O ce  Unit 16B,   Chiltern Court,  Asheridge Road,  Chesham,  Buckinghamshire,  HP5 2PX

The winners of the national awards for 2023 will be announced at the national AGM in September.

Award categories

Cyril S ring Trophy IWA’s premier award is presented to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the association’s campaign.

John Heap Salver The association’s major fundraising award is given to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to raising funds for the association.

Christopher Power Prize Awarded to the person, socie or trust who has made the most significant contribution to the restoration of an ameni waterway.

Richard Bird Medals These medals are awarded to members whose e orts and support are considered to have brought considerable benefit to the association over a sustained period.

Navigation Committee update

The Navigation Committee’s first meeting of 2023 in February had a busy agenda and this was followed on March 25 with our first live meeting for a long time, at the Roundhouse Birmingham. Our face-to face meeting included an excellent heritage walk, guided by Ivor Caplan.

Major points on the agendas included the recent liaison meeting with CRT’s National Boating Manager and the first meeting of the IWA representatives on the various Environment Agency (EA) stakeholder groups. We also reported on a useful meeting with the new Chair of the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities and look forward to working closely with AINA in areas including sustainable boating and residential boating.

Topics discussed with CRT included waterway condition data, dredging, volunteering opportunities in reservoir maintenance, plans for water transfer projects, provision of electric hook-ups, and the sale of Northwich Yard. We put forward a proposal to extend the current Gold Licence covering CRT and EA waterways to include the Middle Level Navigations. On the River Trent, we expressed concern about a proposed move to online-only booking for locks. We also supported the Trentlink group’s request for the reopening of the Stainforth & Keadby Canal, which provides the ‘safe’ route between the tidal Trent and the North-East waterways avoiding the Humber Estuary. The canal had been closed since November 2022 following a bridge strike but shortly after our meeting, it was re-opened to boats pending permanent repair.

CRT reported the results of the first phase of its consultation on customer service facilities. Its proposal was based on IWA’s Policy on the Provision of Boaters’ Facilities and responses showed broad agreement. CRT also explained that a consultation on a 10-year pricing framework for licence fees was to take place in response to the financial pressures it faces. At the March meeting, the committee finalised its response to this consultation by confirming its policy that boats with a licence issued on a continuous cruising basis should not be charged more for this and noting our concerns that further increases could drive boaters off the waterways. Our response will also emphasise the major financial contribution from boating and the importance of the government grant in enabling the wider public benefits of the waterways.

On EA waters the situation in each of the local areas is very different but there are common themes including the lack of sustainable and predictable funding, the minor role of navigation within EA, the complexity of the EA organisation and resulting difficult communications, lack of reliable and publicly available data on assets and their condition, and pollution and its impact on navigation as well as the environment.

The most concerning outcome from our CRT discussions was data supporting IWA’s contention that the condition of its waterways has been declining in recent years. This is especially ominous in view of the continuing uncertainty over the future government grant. IWA’s major campaign, Protect Our Waterways, is focused on proper funding for all waterways and the Navigation Committee will be fully supporting it. Initial discussion took place at the March meeting on how we can record and communicate the declining condition of waterways and therefore the need for long-term sustained funding.

While CRT may be in the spotlight at present, the problems of inadequate waterway funding are much wider. The latest

EA Navigation update states that the financial settlement for 2022-2023 onwards was less than half the funding requested, for both revenue and capital. Scottish Canals needs £75m to catch up with current outstanding maintenance.

Two major consultations are running in the area of water resources: one on draft best-value regional plans for five (largely English) regions, and one on management plans for individual water companies. Amy Tillson submitted IWA’s national response to these consultations to complement responses from regions. We are also registering IWA’s interest in the River Thames Scheme, a major new scheme in Surrey with the aims of improving flood protection and the environment, but also with possible implications for navigation.

Two particular areas of the Navigation Committee’s remit were progressed at the late March meeting. Firstly, waterways freight which has always been fundamental to IWA thinking. Under a new chairmanship of this group, it was confirmed that our support would continue for ongoing freight initiatives which often struggle to get established and maintain viability. We also agreed to support the initiation of a new Environment Group to progress this important area in relation to navigation. As an example, the Sustainable Boating Group’s current work in showing that better dredging will reduce the power consumption required by cruising boats will benefit from a consideration of the linked environmental criteria.

Ongoing Navigation Committee activities include the oversight of relevant campaigns (community moorings, freight, HS2, sustainable boating) and the review and updating of policies. Our proposed updates to the IWA Policy on the Provision of Boaters’ Facilities were approved by Trustees and the revised version may be found in the library section of the IWA website. The Vegetation Management and Residential Boating Policies are in progress. Navigation Committee confirmed its longstanding support for continuous cruising and for residential boating in general.

Navigation Committee also gave advice to the Huddersfield Canal Society (with valued input from Ray Alexander) on the subject of the designation of remainder waterways.”

Sue O’Hare, IWA Deputy Chair and Chair of Navigation Committee Ivor Caplan, Deputy Chair of Navigation Committee

IWA concern over CRT charges

CRT has announced its intention to charge for events. From 1st June it will introduce a non-refundable administration charge for third-party events, which will be paid as part of the submission process. There will be an additional charge for large-scale commercial events and promotional events.

IWA is concerned that a literal interpretation of the announcement will impact events held by IWA and by canal restoration societies and other local groups, potentially leading to their cancellation. We have made our concerns clear to CRT at both national and local levels, and received assurances that there is no intention to charge non-profit organisations. We remain concerned since CRT’s position is being communicated inconsistently around the network, and we will continue to monitor the situation and make further representations at the highest level if needed.

Volunteering at festivals

Our annual Canalway Cavalcade and Festival of Water events will be returning this year so we are on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to help – could you be one? No experience is necessary for many of our volunteering roles, however you will need to be over 18 to apply.

Volunteering at a festival is a fantastic opportuni to meet new people and gain experience in areas such as:

◆ Children’s activities

◆ Collecting donations

◆ Commercial

◆ Entertainments

◆ Information stands

◆ IWA marquee

◆ PA announcements

◆ Programme distribution

◆ Waterspace

Visit the links below to find out more about volunteering at one of our festivals:

Canalway Cavalcade (29th April – 1st May, 2023) waterways.org.uk/cavalcade

Festival of Water (26th – 28th August, 2023) waterways.org.uk/ festivalofwater

2023 festivals

Canalway Cavalcade

29th April – 1st May, 2023

IWA’s Canalway Cavalcade will return to London’s Li le Venice for a 40th anniversary celebration. The event is held annually over the three days of the early May Day Bank Holiday and is a vibrant waterways celebration. London’s Li le Venice will be transformed with hundreds of colourful boats, live music, re eshment stands, cra stalls and family activities. Boat bookings are now closed though you can still a end this unique festival as a visitor. waterways.org.uk/cavalcade

Reading Water Fest

10th June, 2023

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch plan to be present at Reading Water Fest, which is organised by the Reading Borough Council and the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. There will be live entertainment, stalls, children’s activities, boat rides and the famous duck race.

Cavalcade. Iquitos in the pageant.

IWA Marquee.

Lucy Ward at the Festival of Water 2022.

Committee roles

The Canalway Cavalcade committee is seeking new members so please do consider joining the fantastic team behind this vibrant canal festival in the heart of London’s waterways. Current vacancies include Marketing & Social Media Assistant, Secretary, Site & Services Assistant, and Treasurer. For more information, or to register your interest in a committee role, please contact Christine Smith: christine. smith@waterways.org.uk

The IWA Festival of Water committee is also looking for new members to join them in planning and arranging this popular event. Come and join the team of volunteers who organise one of the most eagerly anticipated inland waterways events in the country. For more information contact the Festival of Water team: event.volunteer@ waterways.org.uk.

Ware Boat Festival

30th June-2nd July, 2023

Join us at the beautiful and historic market town of Ware on the upper reaches of the River Lee for IWA Ware Boat Festival. The event returns from Friday, 30th June to Sunday, 2nd July for a weekend of boating activity and socialising. The boat festival is an integral and important part of the wider Ware Festival so there will be plenty of activities. Boat bookings are now open so please visit our website to secure your place. waterways.org.uk/ware

Festival of Water

26th-28th August, 2023

Join us at the 2023 IWA Festival of Water on the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Pelsall Junction (near Walsall) for a bank holiday weekend of fun for all who love spending time by the water. A full programme of music and dance will take place over the weekend. Boat and campsite bookings are now open so visit our website to secure your place. We are also seeking stallholders and traders so download a trader booking form if you are interested in trading at this year’s event. waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater

Whitchurch Canal Festival

2nd-3rd September, 2023

IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch will be represented again at the 2023 Whitchurch Canal Festival. Last year, the branch ran boat trips during the festival. These were popular (and free) but raised a substantial amount in donations. If you would like to help out on the stall this year, then get in touch with the branch: shrewsandnwales@waterways.org.uk.

Cavalcade. Red Watch

IWA Festival of Water 2021. Boats from Bridge 16.

Reading duck race.

ke Ne WMAN

Ware Boat Festival.

HIGHLIGHTING THE BENEFITS WATERWAYS FOR TODAY

BENEFITS 5 and 12

Continuing her series on the IWA’s Waterways for Today report, Alison Smedley highlights two more benefits of our waterways: heritage and living space.

The Waterways for Today report has been widely distributed to politicians, local authorities and government departments. It demonstrates that our inland waterways network is a vital part of Britain’s in astructure. It also highlights why the ongoing maintenance and regeneration of Britain’s navigable waterways are essential by outlining 12 significant ways in which our inland waterways benefit the economy, the natural and built environment, local communities and the lives of individual people.

Here we look at how preserving waterway heritage for future generations is important, and why investment in waterway projects creates be er places for people to live.

Benefit 5: Waterways heritage for future generations

The ‘Natural and Built Environment’ section of the report highlights our waterway heritage.

Our inland waterways form a vast, open-air network of historic canals and rivers. This heritage is not confined to a museum but is open and accessible to everyone, and is unsurpassed in its scale and inclusivi .

The built heritage of the waterways ranges om the simple 18th-century architecture of locks and co ages, humpback bridges, wharfs and warehouses to pioneering tunnels and embankments, soaring aqueducts and a unique 21stcentury boatli .

Waterways heritage is holistic; it is not only the buildings and engineering structures, but also the landscape, the traditions, the culture, the boats and the people who operated them. Add in the fact that each waterway is unique, and this all contributes to the sense of place and living history to experience and enjoy when visiting them.

Most waterway structures and engineering features date om the 18th and 19th centuries, and are at risk om weather extremes caused by the changing climate. This heritage is what makes our waterways special. It needs protecting through the local planning system and through su cient funding for maintenance. Heritage skills can be kept alive by protecting the few remaining historic boa ards and ensuring their long-term future as working sites.

Hundreds of Conservation Areas include canals. Conservation Area status can lead to wider investment and benefits to the economy, such as the £1m investment in Stoke-on-Trent’s canals in 2016, following a review of its canal Conservation Area.

WATERWAYS FOR TODAY OVERVIEW OF THE 12 BENEFITS

In this issue we explore two more of the 12 benefits outlined in the report, but here is a reminder of what they are.

but here is a reminder

The full report, available to download om IWA’s website, is being widely distributed to politicians, government departments, local authorities and funding bodies. It can be used as a tool for your local campaigns, with materials downloadable om the website including PDFs relating to each of the 12 benefits.

Economic

1. Contribute to economic recovery

2. Encourage increased spend in local communities

3. Facilitate savings to the NHS and social care budgets

Natural & Built Environment

4. Enhance and improve the natural environment

5. Protect heritage for future generations

6. Improve sustainabili and help to combat climate change

Local Communities

7. Connect communities

8. Provide opportunities for education and young people

9. Create jobs, training and apprenticeships

Improving People's Lives

10. Encourage improved physical health

11. Improve mental health and well-being

12. Create be er places to live

Historic boats bring waterways heritage to life at the National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port.

ALISON SMEDLEY

John Bishop is a comedian and actor from Runcorn. He recently narrated Unlock Runcorn, a film made for the Runcorn Locks Restoration Society.

Case Study

Chester recognised as Heritage Inland Port

Heritage Inland Ports, a new initiative from the Maritime Heritage Trust as part of its Heritage Harbours scheme, is organised jointly with National Historic Ships and European Maritime Heritage. The scheme aims to breathe new life into historic buildings, moorings, maintenance facilities and wasteland, while connecting with local communities and developing training opportunities for young people.

In Roman times, Chester was the busiest port in north-west England. The Maritime Heritage Trust recognised this long history when it announced Chester as its first Inland Heritage Port in 2021.

It followed an application by IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch, Chester Civic Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council, which outlined its unique historical development, catalogued surviving features and evaluated its environmental and heritage significance.

Chester’s waterways are part of an interconnected system linking the open sea, Dee Estuary and the River Dee with the national waterways network via the Shropshire Union Canal.

Designation as an Inland Heritage Port will help protect the city’s waterfront, maritime and inland waterway heritage assets, while supporting local business growth and increasing tourism. It will also promote community inclusivity and attract investment and heritage funding.

Facts & Stats

n According to surveys carried out for Government, 80% of people think local heritage makes their area a better place to live, while 45% of adults living in the UK have an interest in heritage transport.

n Britain’s waterways are home to well over 3,000 listed structures, 50 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and are included in five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

n Canal & River Trust, the UK’s largest navigation authority, is the third largest owner of listed structures after the National Trust and the Church of England, and ahead of English Heritage.

n Thousands of working boats and barges once carried cargoes along this network of waterways. Today only a few hundred historic inland craft remain, with around 400 listed in the National Historic Ships Register.

“Hidden among the backstreets of Runcorn old town is a key that could unlock Runcorn, releasing its potential and building on its proud history, and change the future of Runcorn forever…”

Remains of Runcorn Locks.

Below: Chester – historic boats gathered at Tower Wharf.

Benefit 12

Creating better places to live

The ‘Improving People’s Lives’ section of the report looks at how waterways can benefit the community by creating better places for people to live.

Waterside locations are perfect for allowing people to appreciate and enjoy their surroundings. The diverse communities living on and beside the waterways contribute to this sense of place.

The inland waterways have been home to people on boats for as long as there have been craft navigating them. While leisure boating provided a new purpose for the inland waterways following the demise of commercial carrying last century, in recent years residential boating has really taken off. The high cost of housing, particularly in some parts of the country, has contributed to the increasing number of boats being bought and built specifically with residential use in mind.

Local authorities should embrace this trend by encouraging residential moorings (especially boater-led, affordable sites) and additional facilities for boaters as part of new waterside developments.

The regeneration of waterways and their towpaths can open up new sectors of local communities to the waterways, including groups not currently engaged with their canal or river, bringing greater inclusivity and diversity. Social inclusion and diversity can be improved by encouraging minority groups, families and young people to become actively involved in their waterways through angling and water sports such as canoeing, rowing, stand-up paddleboarding and sailing.

An important message in the report, and included in its recommendations, is that better funding is required to enable all this to happen.

Facts & Stats

n Waterways can provide many ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’ –identified by the Town & Country Planning Association as “compact and connected neighbourhoods where people can meet their everyday needs within a short walk or cycle”.

n Research carried out for Canal & River Trust suggests that waterways deliver an estimated social well-being value of £3.8bn per year to those using them.

n According to Canal & River Trust, 8.8 million people benefit from living within 1km of a waterway. Some 23% are from BAME backgrounds while more than 60% (2 million) households experience well-being inequalities.

n Canal & River Trust also reports that a further 3 million people live within 1km of a derelict waterway that could be brought back to life.

Tracy Spiers is a Stroud-based artist, who welcomed the reopening of the Stroudwater Navigation through the town.

Ebley Mill, Stroud – home to Stroud District Council and restored as part of the regeneration of the area instigated by the canal’s restoration.

“Restoration of the Stroudwater Navigation has opened up a natural doorway to our wonderful heritage. The combination of vision, investment, dedication and time has resulted in the impressive redevelopment of Ebley. It has brought health, wealth and well-being to the whole community and we are all the richer in non-monetary terms because of it.”

Case Study

Canal restoration creates community water feature for Selly Oak Whitehouse Wharf is a new water feature in Selly Oak, which will create a public amenity for the local community.

It is situated near Dudley No 2 Canal, built to connect the Dudley and Worcester & Birmingham canals. It once provided an important link to the Dudley coalfields, and the industrial town of Selly Oak, now part of Birmingham, grew up around the canal junction.

The new section of canal includes a bridge linking shops to Selly Oak town centre, a new public square and the historic remains of an old lime kiln. The large water space will enable boats to enter or exit the soon-to-be restored Dudley No 2 Canal. It will also form an attractive water feature in the heart of Selly Oak, to be used by the whole community for canoeing, paddleboarding, angling, or just sitting and enjoying.

The £300,000 project was made possible thanks to the support of Canal & River Trust, the site’s previous leaseholders (Sainsbury’s and M&G Real Estate), and more than 50 funders, companies and individuals who have helped pay for it. Canal & River Trust has committed to maintain the new water space, which forms part of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

The project forms part of ambitious plans to preserve the many attractive old buildings in Selly Oak.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street dug the first hole at a ceremony in March 2022 to mark the start of the threemonth project.“This is a hugely important project for Selly Oak and the wider region, and I endorse it wholeheartedly,” he said. “Our canals provide a safe and enjoyable way for residents to exercise, commute and connect with nature.”

Andy Street (with shovel) at the launch.

From Tuscany to the River Lee

Ross Stokes talks to Verena Leonardini about life on London’s waterways and her new role as IWA’s Events and Restoration Hub Co-ordinator

London’s waterways may be a far cry from the Italian coast but Verena Leonardini says her love affair with the capital’s rivers and canals started as soon as she arrived nine years ago from her native Tuscany.

“Rivers and canals have always been my absolute favourite places to escape the hustle and bustle of London city life,” she tells me on a phone call from her narrowboat moored at Stonebridge Lock in north London.

“As I come from a quiet port town, I was primed to enjoy being near water,” she says. “Later when I moved to Milan, I worked at a theatre next to Navigli – the two remaining canals that once encircled the city.

“It must have been in my painter father’s [blood] too, as my parents’ house is dotted with his paintings of boats of all sorts, and ports and waves and water reflections.”

Verena’s role as the IWA’s Events and Restoration Hub Co-ordinator reflects her passion for boating which has only intensified since she bought her own boat three years ago.

The 57ft Still Magic is now her permanent home, and she spends her time continuously cruising on the River Lee in and around London, with forays into the countryside when city moorings get too hectic.

Her new life is in stark contrast to her time in Italy where she studied and worked in the arts, mostly theatre, dance and music. After completing a BA in Cultural Heritage Studies, she went on to take an MA in Performing Arts and Multimedia Communications, and then an MA in Arts Policy and Management at Birkbeck University.

During her time as a student she worked part-time at a publishing house, translating and laying out graphic novels and comics, and later writing theatre reviews for an arts magazine. “This meant that I could go to the theatre twice a week and I had a chance to talk about my favourite artists and plays.”

Verena says her love of the arts is deeply connected to her later attraction to boat life in London.

“I started to fantasise about living afloat during my endless walks by the canals,” she recalls. “To be honest it was the very sight of those little coloured vessels, the smoke from the flues, the spectacular misty mornings that really became an obsession for me.”

After six years Verena began to research the concept of life on the water, talking to boaters and reading up on all things nautical. Six months later she decided to take the plunge and bought a Liverpool Boat, built in 1996. Despite having no experience, she was reassured by other boaters who told her that neither had they when they started.

Rather than being intimidated, Verena has embraced her new life. “One of the most exciting aspects is the idea of being part of a world of brave women who do not fear isolation, adverse conditions and manual work,” she says.

She now feels part of the local boating community and likes to return to familiar moorings where she knows her surroundings and will meet up with regular boaters to share experiences and local knowledge.

She concedes that the first two years aboard were difficult. “It was a steep learning curve, especially dealing with the anxiety of the unknown. Every time something gets broken you have to fix it. Luckily there are so many helpful people around to give you advice. There are also really useful Facebook groups and blogs. Gradually you build up your knowledge.”

A damaged gearbox not long after she bought the boat presented the most difficult period for Verena so far. She was unable to fill her water tanks and showering at gyms wasn’t an option due to lockdown. Libraries were also shut which meant she couldn’t charge her phone or laptop either.

Eventually she managed to source an engineer to sort the gearbox. More recent problems have included a broken water pump and a break-in.

“One of the most exciting aspects is the idea of being part of a world of brave women who do not fear isolation, adverse conditions and manual work,”

Verena loves to read in those rare spare moments.

Verena Leonardini.

“Not working during lockdown gave me plen of time to learn which has given me more confidence,” says Verena who laughs when I ask if she was a keen DIYer before owning a boat.

In her role with the IWA, Verena is responsible for a wide range of events om clean-up projects and WRG canal camps to the annual restoration conference, and organises online events such as webinars and meetings where IWA branches’ chairs and treasurers can get together to discuss issues.

As Restoration Hub Co-ordinator, she puts people in touch with IWA experts to advise about particular issues. “For example, if people want to do some restoration work on a section of a canal but don’t know who owns it. There are so many people with specific knowledge who are happy to help. This is a great tool which I don’t think many other organisations can provide.”

As a continuous cruiser who works full-time om her boat, Verena has found the IWA very supportive because they understand that living on a boat requires a flexible approach to working hours. Life on the water is demanding and takes up a lot of her time a ending to general maintenance, something she finds hard to explain to her iends on dry land.

So is there anything she misses about Italy? “Family obviously,” she says. “They are ge ing too old to visit and are used to large spaces so may find life on board di cult. I still hope iends and family will come at some point.”

Verena has got out of the habit of going to the theatre, but doesn’t miss it as much as she feared, discovering the a raction of nature. And she likes to read and keep fit – the la er a legacy to her days as a competitive boxer.

“Now my life has changed so radically, I can only think of how I can contribute to maintaining those beautiful spaces, so distant om the restlessness of the ci , yet always around the corner,” she says.

The 57ft cruiser stern, Still Magic. A wooden sign displays Lady Gnagna, a nickname given by a friend – “but let’s not tell the boat that someone tried to change her name… it’s bad luck!” jokes Verena.

ABOVE RIGHT: Verena’s hometown of Livorno in Tuscany.

To learn more about the campaign and help to Protect Our Waterways, visit waterways.org.uk/protect

If you wish to get involved or o er your support for the campaign, email: protect@ waterways.org.uk

IWA launches major campaign to protect our waterways

The Protect Our Waterways campaign has been launched to ensure that all our inland waterways are adequately funded to deliver the benefits detailed in our Waterways for Today report.

IWA is deeply concerned about the threat posed by funding cuts with, for example, the financial situations of Canal & River Trust and Sco ish Canals being especially critical. Despite being recognised in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, the condition of the waterways continues to deteriorate while Government funding is decreasing.

Canals and rivers are valuable assets which can contribute to the country’s economic recovery, help to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enrich the lives of local communities, as highlighted in our report. Ongoing funding is therefore critical if we are to not only save the waterways for today, but for the future as well.

“I urge everyone who loves the waterways to support our campaign and ensure its long-term success. With your help, our canals and rivers stand a be er chance of securing the investment they need.”

IWA Chair Les Etheridge

waterways.org.uk/protect

History tells us that without boats travelling along them, waterways silt up and become dirty rubbish tips. Without proper maintenance, reservoirs, aqueducts and embankments deteriorate, resulting in communities being put at increasing risk of water damage from a failing infrastructure. The added threat of climate change will only worsen the situation as severe flooding and breaches become more common.

IWA is calling on national and local government to fund all waterways at a level that keeps them as major assets that can continue to contribute to the economy, our health and well-being, and coping with the climate crisis.

We will:

u Raise awareness of the threat through national, local, and social media.

u Petition to protect our waterways from risks as a result of funding cuts.

u Ensure MPs and local politicians are fully aware of the benefits of the waterways and the threats to them.

u Arrange high profile events and activities including waterways festivals and towpath stalls.

u Be ready to work with Government to offer knowledge and expertise and solutions to improve and maintain our waterways, both now and in the future.

u Collaborate with communities and organisations that share our passion for the waterways to widen support for the Protect Our Waterways campaign.

u Continue to provide practical assistance in the maintenance and improvement of waterways.

The waterways of today would not exist without IWA which, over many years, has ensured that these valuable assets have been preserved and enhanced. Millions of hours of volunteer time and effort along with lottery funding have been invested in revitalising the waterway network. IWA will not let that network fall into disrepair again.

long-term campaign

The March launch was the start of what may be a long campaign. Funding for the waterways is not at the top of the Government agenda. It will take time to persuade national and local government, and to secure funding for all our waterways, so the campaign will need to be long-term and building over time. It will seek to raise awareness across the country of the benefits of waterways and the threats to them from inadequate funding, and maintain that awareness over the months and years ahead. So, events will be organised that cover the whole country. For example, we are considering a march along river paths and towpaths and events that build momentum, participation and awareness such as an online forum.

The campaign has been well received so far, having been publicised on our website, social media, special bulletins, and in the waterway press. Already it has inspired members to contribute; local councils have offered support, and we’ve heard from content creators keen to spread the word. Those attending the IWA/ CRT Restoration Conference heard how the campaign will help raise awareness of the need for funding for restoration societies.

We will be raising awareness at upcoming events too, including Canalway Cavalcade, with campaign details included in the visitor brochure. We will continue to promote the campaign in-person, online and in the wider press. Please show your support and share our social media posts, news articles and publications with other waterways enthusiasts.

How you can help

u Identify areas where there has been a long-term need for action to correct a fault, but nothing has happened and it just gets worse.

u Send photos to us which highlight the threats facing our canals by emailing them to protect@waterways.org.uk.

u Help to spread the word on social media by engaging with our content and sharing our posts.

u Donate to help IWA campaign to Protect Our Waterways. Visit waterways.org.uk/protect for more information.

Breach on Leek Branch.

Toddbrook Reservoir.

Rupe R t Smedley

Courtesy on our waterways

Speed

Historically, working boat families lived in very confined spaces and the privacy of their homes was important. No one would ever poke their nose down a neighbour’s hatch and shout; a subtle knock on the cabin side and a step back until the occupant appeared was the order of the day. Private or intimate family moments were not for sharing. Today, boaters may have more living space but the same principle applies so when passing on the water or towpath, staring into cabin windows is not welcome. Incidentally, we have found that having notices in the window can encourage people to peer in on the pretence of reading them. Occasionally we get a request, “Can our children have a look in your boat please?”. It is di cult, but a er explaining that it is our home, we do sometimes let them stick their head through the side hatch rather than be un iendly.

For those a ending boating events, mooring in close proximi or ra ed up may necessitate much crossing of stern decks. There is probably no need to ask permission each time but a cheery “coming across” warns anyone below handling a hot cooking pan. And remember: not everyone equents the beer tent late at night so please re ain om singing on the way back to the moorings!

Perhaps the most significant courtesy issue concerns passing moored cra . Of course the well-established practice of passing ‘on tick over’ or as slow as possible applies. I suggest that other issues are worth consideration too. As our waterways increasingly reduce in available depth, it is di cult at times to pass without any wash and movement of moored boats. In windy conditions lighter cra may need power to maintain direction. As a previous owner of a Water Rat drawing around 3in, I know this all too well. Good mooring practices help here, with mooring points apart rather than being within the length of the boat and if no rings or opportuni to use piling anchors, then pins need to be well secured. While passing boats may be annoying, abusive comments coming om cabin windows may not be conducive to good relations.

Another courtesy matter for boaters concerns locks. As water conservation becomes more critical, sharing locks where possible and not turning a lock around in the face of oncoming boats are obvious considerations.

Moorings

In many popular places moorings can be in short supply and it seems basic courtesy to help fellow boaters to fit in. It is sometimes di cult for the early moorers to leave appropriate spaces so some degree

Ivor Caplan o ers some thoughts on how we can all enjoy our rivers, canals and towpaths with some old-fashioned courtesy rather than resorting to hard and fast rules

Common courtesy goes a long way when it comes to sharing our towpaths. HARRY ARNOLD WATERWAY IMAGES

of re-mooring may be necessary if spaces are at a premium. Moving someone’s boat in their absence is a tricky one – and I am not advocating it here – but it is important to all work together. That includes mooring alongside if sufficient width is available and there are several window stickers welcoming this practice. Another consideration when moored close to other boats is noise from running engines or generators. This may be necessary from time to time but please keep it to a minimum and not between the stipulated times of 8pm to 8am. Courtesy to neighbours in this instance also extends to adjacent dwellings so it may be preferable to moor away from them if running your engine.

Towpaths

When enjoying leisure activities on towpaths such as walking, running, cycling, angling and photography, please appreciate other users’ needs and safety in what is often a very narrow corridor between vegetation and water. For example, cycling is fine, particularly with the benefit of a bell, but high speed or racing certainly isn’t. Cycles can be silent and a polite “passing on your right” may avoid the risk of people jumping the wrong way to avoid danger. Cyclists should also be aware of children and pets on the towpath and give them priority.

Permission for organised events should be obtained from the appropriate navigation authority. This is not just for bureaucratic reasons. Permissions can facilitate courtesy by publicising larger events, checking any clashes with other users such as fishing competitions and perhaps installing warning signs on the route. IWA work parties to improve the towpaths are important but should be well planned and signposted throughout, with safe access for other users. Work parties are of course a good opportunity to have a courteous word with passers-by and possibly encourage more support of IWA.

Anglers often need a considerable amount of gear. I won’t mention issues around roach poles, so a wider towpath location is preferred. Groups of walkers can inadvertently cause clusters, making it difficult for others to pass, so spreading out is good practice as is having a leader in a high-vis jacket and back marker.

From time to time it may be necessary to obstruct parts of the towpath with various equipment such as mooring spikes, cameras or angling equipment. Please ensure that this is kept to a minimum and clearly identified.

Pets

The towpath is also great for dogs but not everyone is as mad about them as you so they should be kept under control. And there is the other dog issue, of course. Personally, in rural areas I would rather see a poop scoop used to dispose of it well into the bushes than the less environmentally friendly plastic bag but as I am no longer a dog owner I will leave that to you. Many boaters have cats on board so do keep an eye out for them, especially if you have a dog which likes to chase.

There are other issues around courtesy that I haven’t mentioned here which will no doubt engender some discussion. If the result is a greater understanding and enjoyment of the waterways by everyone, so much the better.

Cycles can be silent and a polite

“passing on your right” may help avoid the risk of people jumping the wrong way to avoid danger

Not everyone is a dog lover so owners should keep them under control.

Anglers often need space for their tackle.

2023 Photo competition launch

We are pleased to announce the launch of our 2023 Photography Competition. Photography helps to bring our campaigns to life. It also ensures that as much of our income as possible is used to protect and restore our waterways.

By entering our competition, you can expect to see your images used across our various IWA campaigns. Category winners will receive £25 to spend in our online shop, plus IWA goodies. The overall winner will also receive a quali print of their photograph.

To enter the competition, send your photos by email, Dropbox link, WeTransfer or other preferred file sharing service to entries@ waterways.org.uk. Along with your image, please include details such as the location, waterway and chosen category for your photo.

This year’s categories include:

People of the Waterways

Photographs of the people who use and love our waterways – om boaters and anglers to paddleboarders, cyclists and walkers.

Urban Wildlife The natural world meets urban environment – we want to see the vibrant assortment of insects, mammals and birds that inhabit our towns and cities.

Protect Our Waterways

Inspired by the Protect Our Waterways campaign, this category aims to highlight the threats facing our waterways such as climate change, plastic pollution and invasive species.

Working Waterways

This category is all about the individuals and organisations who work on our waterways, om eight-carrying vessels to paddlesports instructors and everything in between!

A maximum of 30 photographs can be entered per person. Please visit our website for more terms and conditions: waterways.org.uk/photo.

ABOVE: Old Meets New winner: River Severn at Upton-upon-Severn by Teresa Fuller

RIGHT: Heritage Details winner: Rochdale Canal Milepost by Gillie Rhodes

BELOW: Living Waterways winner: Iron Trunk Aqueduct by Roger Agnew

British Waterscapes and Overall competition winner 2022 Marple Peak Forest Canal Nicola Turner

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Restoration round-up

Featuring updates from the world of waterway restoration, this edition focuses on the restorations where WRG will be holding its summer camps this year. If you’d like to see your waterways restoration project featured in a future issue, send your updates to amy.tillson@waterways.org.uk

Cotswold Canals

Cotswold Canals Trust celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and continues to go from strength to strength. Recent successes include Weymoor Bridge, Inglesham Lock’s popular open day, the A38 Whitminster roundabout and now Ocean Jubilee Rail Bridge. For the second year on the trot, Cotswold Canals Partners picked up the Best New Build under £8m from the ICE SouthWest Awards, this time for Ocean Jubilee Rail Bridge. The bridge reinstates a navigable channel for boats to pass under the railway and was delivered in just seven days during Christmas 2021.

WRG’s latest contribution to the restoration and reopening of the Cotswold Canals will be to rebuild the part-demolished and largely buried Westfield Lock (now John Robinson Lock) and to reinstate the aqueduct/culvert carrying a stream under its top end.

Lichfield and Hatherton

In November 2022 LHCRT was successful in a funding bid to create an ecology park and put a section of the canal in water at Darnford Moors. The European Regional Development Fund is providing £41,200 of the grant, with match funding of £75,000 from HS2’s Community and Environment Fund.

WRG’s job for this summer is to construct 300m of new towpath through a canalside copse as part of the Darnford Moors Ecology Park. The path will be made up with timber edging and a compacted stone infill. A contractor is currently on site building the canal channel and it is expected that we will also get to work on this section once they have finished.

Lapal Canal

A new organisation, the Ty Banc Canal Group, has been formed with the aim of enhancing and promoting the canal. We will be working with them on various aspects of their navigation. Work went on for most of last year on creating a new wharf and turning basin on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to enable visiting boats to enter the Lapal Canal.

Currently there is an informal path between a bridge and the towpath. WRG volunteers will help to excavate the ground and build a new hardened path suitable for all users. This new access will consist of a switch-back ramp and pedestrian steps. A post-and-rail fence will be erected and the towpath there will also be upgraded.

Louth Canal

Louth Navigation Trust has restored the historic Navigation Warehouse in Louth, improved the towpath and carried out remedial work on some of the surviving locks. Work will continue at Ticklepenny Lock, a barrel-sided lock thought to be unique to the Louth Navigation. The brickwork is in a poor state and volunteers will employ traditional heritage building methods to restore the lock chamber using the original bricks.

Neath Canal

Following concerns about the state of management by the local authority of the formerly restored Glyn Neath to Resolven length of this South Wales Valleys canal, a new organisation, the Ty Banc Canal Group, has been formed with the aim of enhancing and promoting the canal.

WRG will be working with it on various aspects. Currently, the Neath Canal flows over the towpath in wet weather at three locations and the drainage pipes are not big enough to cope with the water flow. In addition, two timber footbridges at locks have been removed, preventing access to the lock island for vegetation management.

Volunteers will install new drainage under the towpath at three locations. They will also be building two timber footbridges. Work could also include building an overflow weir, reinstating coping stones on an aqueduct and bridge, bank protection and vegetation clearance.

Derby Canal

The Derby Canal once ran from Sandiacre on the Erewash Canal westwards to Derby, then south to meet the Trent & Mersey Canal at Swarkestone. The length through Derby has been largely obliterated by redevelopment since the canal closed, but Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust has a cunning plan to get back there using a combination of a section of new canal, a canalised length of river, and a new boatlift called the Derby Arm.

WRG has held camps at Borrowash for several years and has been engaged in remedial work to the lock chamber. This year’s camp will move upstream of the lock and volunteers will do remedial work to the masonry canal bank walls.

Ticklepenny Lock work day, Louth Canal.

Weymoor Bridge, Cotswold Canals.

Canal Camps

IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group has launched its summer programme of working holidays called Canal Camps. These week-long getaways mean that you can help restore the derelict waterways of England and Wales. Canal Camps are a great experience for anyone who loves being outdoors and enjoys meeting new people om di erent backgrounds and of di erent ages.

This summer, volunteers will support seven di erent canal restoration projects and undertake a range of work. For example, volunteers will help rebuild John Robinson Lock on the Cotswold Canals, or reinstate the aqueduct/ culvert carrying a stream under its top end. They may even be involved in the construction of 300m of new towpath on Lichfield Canal or help create an access ramp between the bridge and the towpath on the Lapal Canal.

Please be aware that most of the Canal Camps are fully booked. Further camps might be confirmed at a later stage. waterways.org.uk/canalcamps

Burslem Port canal camp path volunteer Charlotte.

Working on Schoolhouse Bridge, Montgomery.

Burslem Port canal camp path volunteer Jen gets to grips with a mini-digger.

Learning to drive a dumper truck on a training weekend, Lichfield Fosseway Heath.

Walk with IWA

Discover new ways to enjoy the waterways with our self-guided walks. Follow the step-by-step instructions in this guide or online using your smartphone, and find out about history and heritage features along the way. More walks are available at waterways.org.uk/walks. We are still adding to this area and would love to hear from anyone who has a waterway walk to contribute. Please get in touch with us at walks@ waterways.org.uk.

Exploring Shugborough and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

Pete Gurney takes a canalside stroll which offers glimpses of Shugborough, the ancestral home of Patrick Lichfield, and Tixall Gatehouse, all that remains of a grand 16th-century hall.

Avery pleasant 4.3 mile walk taking in parts of the Shugborough estate and the towpaths of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals. The walk can be started at any point where there is convenient parking, but the guide below assumes that you will be starting from Milford Common.

MILFORD COMMON From Milford Common, look for the entrance to Shugborough, the National Trust property once the home of photographer Patrick Lichfield, and take the road to the left of the entrance (Holdiford Road). Walk on the pavement on the left of the road and follow this up and over the railway bridge and down to the river bridge. At this point, the pavement disappears so cross the river bridge carefully as it is narrow and the traffic can be busy at times. Continue a short distance up the road to the next bridge watching out for the traffic and take the path on the left of the bridge down onto the canal towpath. The bridge is No 106: Tixall Bridge.

TIXALL LOCK AND TIXALL WIDE Turn right and follow the towpath past Tixall Lock and Tixall Wide. As you go through Tixall Wide, look out for the elegant building on the other side of the Wide across the fields. This is Tixall Gatehouse, once the gatehouse to Tixall Hall. The hall was built in 1555 and demolished in 1928. The gatehouse was built slightly later in 1580 and this has been refurbished as a holiday let run by the Landmark

Shugborough Hall.

Milford Common.

Trust. The most likely theory for the creation of Tixall Wide is that it was dug at the instigation of the Clifford family who owned Tixall Hall at that time in order to provide the hall with a beautiful view. The next bridge is called Swivel Bridge although there is no evidence that it has ever been anything other than a brick accommodation bridge. Passing some permanent residential moorings and an Anglo Welsh hire-base, you will soon arrive at the junction of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals with its very elegant bridge.

THE TRENT At the canal junction, go under the bridge and turn right; the fingerpost points the way to the river Trent. Just past the next lock go down and under the bridge and turn sharp right and then left onto the path that has just crossed the bridge. This leads onto Essex Bridge, a narrow packhorse bridge that originally dates from the 16th century. It used to have many more arches than the existing 18 and in its current form dates from 1817.

Tixall Lock - boater chats with CRT banksman.

Tixall Gatehouse.

Swivel Bridge..

Pete Gurney

Pete Gurney

PLANNING YOUR WALK

LOCATION: Sta ordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Shugborough

DISTANCE: 4.3 miles (6.9km)

EASE: Leisurely

ACCESSIBILITY: It is mostly flat apart om the section through the Satnall Hills at the end where there are some fairly gentle uphill stretches and some steeper downhills.

PARKING: There is one car park on the common (pay and display) and several places where parking can be found with no charge.

SHUGBOROUGH PARK The bridge leads onto the bridleway across Shugborough Park where there are good views of Shugborough Hall, the ancestral home of the Anson family (Earls of Lichfield). If you are National Trust members, you may go through the gate into the park and either visit the house or make use of the cafes and toilet facilities. Either way, you will end up at the visitor centre at the other end of the bridleway.

SATNALL HILLS At this point, follow the exit road up and over the railway bridge, round to the right and where the road curves le go through a gate into the Satnall Hills. The woodland path here is marked by an orange waymark. You will soon come to a fork in the path so take the le fork, again marked by an orange waymark, and follow the path first fairly steeply up and then fairly steeply down to a gate. Go through the gate, turn right and follow the wide track up the hill along the fence line and through the trees.

RUGELEY ROAD At the top of the hill is Satnall Reservoir and the waymarked path goes through a gate to the right. Ignore this and follow the wide track to the le and around the reservoir. This will then turn into a wide footpath going downhill through the trees back to the Sta ord to Rugeley road at a small layby. Turn right onto the pavement and you will arrive back at the starting point of Milford Common.

The bridge leads onto the bridleway across Shugborough Park.

The woodland path into the Satnall Hills.

Rugeley Road.

PETE GURNEY

PETE GURNEY

PETE GURNEY