Kent & East Sussex Branch Interim IWAKES Chairman’s Piece

We held our first meeting of the season at our usual venue in Strood Yacht Club on the evening of 19th September. The excellent talk we enjoyed was an exploration of the past and present of the preserved steam driven tanker SS Shieldhall [ www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk ]. This was given by Graham Mackenzie who is Chief Engineer, devoting a lot of his time in a voluntary capacity in order to keep the vessel operational. A visit or better still trip on board is highly recommended by Mike Marsh, one of our members who organised this talk. Thank you Graham and Mike.

Unfortunately the audience was not huge. Risking the charge of repeating the same message… as always we do need more members to show an interest in order to keep these evenings viable. We would be willing to arrange meetings elsewhere in the branch area if there is support for this. I would especially like to he ar from members living in East Sussex and West Kent if they have ideas that might inspire.

Peter Wilkinson

Obituary

Reverend Douglas Caffyn PhD

We are sorry to hear of the death of Rev Caffyn, an Eastbourne resident who made an immense contribution of support and advice on waterway access issues. From his meticulous research into the history of rights to use navigable rivers Douglas Caffyn concluded that there had long been a common law right to take a boat along the navigable rivers of England and Wales but that this right was misinterpreted in an influential nineteenth century legal text.

His research gained him Academic recognition. In 2004, he submitted a thesis on “The Right of Navigation on Non-tidal Rivers and the Common Law ”, providing a wealth of information and shaping thinking on the subject of access to water. It gained a Master of Law degree from the University of Kent.

A more detailed tribute is published by British Canoeing at…. https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2023/tributes-paid-to-reverenddouglas-caffyn-phd

IWAKES Branch Walk on the River Cuckmere from Alfriston to Exceat Bridge

Thames & Medway Canal Association

The TMCA applied for a grant from the Kent Community Foundation. We needed funding to obtain a new Headquarters as with our limited resources we could not afford one. I am very happy to say we were considered worthy and received the funding necessary for the basic purchase. It will make such a difference to us as to lose our previous HQ was a real blow to both our morale and ability to function as a working group. When we have purchased the cabin it will remind passers-by of our presence and has given us all a huge boost to feel that our work is appreciated and rewarded by others. Following the proposed reduction of funding for our waterways we had a mention on Meridian TV news which again helps to publicise our canal.

Our efforts have been noticed by Gravesham Borough Council as I was presented with a Community Award for work associated with the canal. I accepted this on behalf of us all which of course would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the Work Party. So, a big thank you for the many hours spent working along the towpath.

Unfortunately, we have had to sell our ride-on mower. It was a good little machine, versatile and fun to drive. This was stored within the Met Police site which was not ideal. In addition, we did not really need it as we have lost our original HQ with the large grass areas front and back. The mower went to a good home as I took it up to the Bexley Cricket Club in the trailer with TMCA member Mike Shelvey. He is a keen cricketer and a Work Party member. With a short test drive the groundsman there seemed very pleased with the result.

We had a meeting recently with Sustrans which is the group responsible for the provision and maintenance of the National Cycle Network. The canal towpath forms part of Route number 1 of this network.

The towpath surface is very poor and becoming dangerous for cyclists and difficult for wheelchairs and the like. Sustrans has accepted that a new surface is required and confirmed it will organise repairs.

We have a seemingly never-ending list of tasks. One at the forefront is a battle with bikers who continue to damage the gate at Nuralite. Our efforts at repair only last a few weeks before they come along with an angle grinder or heavy vehicle.

A boat was launched earlier in the year to clear bags full of litter along the waterline but again, by the time you read this, more cans and bottles will have been added.

A number of circular walks starting from Gravesend and Higham and incorporating the Thames and Medway Canal have been put together by TMCA volunteers. If you would like a copy of any walk emailed, please get in touch.

Dave Parnell