Endeavour

Endeavour Northampton Branch Newsletter — August 2018 SCHOOLCHILDREN HELP US CREATE COLOURFUL MURALS UNDER MOTORWAY BRIDGE Sandie Morton reports: The underside of the M1 Motorway bridge has, for many years, been blighted by unsightly graffiti - some of it of a crude nature. With the Branch’s adoption of the Arm, we have wanted to tackle this for some time. It is actually a fantastic space of cathedral-like proportions, being 70 metres long and goodness knows how high. Fortunately for us the graffiti only reached a couple of metres in height – clearly the “artists” didn’t come equipped with ladders.

Under the motorway — focusing on Northampton through the ages

Cont. page 20 Please support our new fundraising

100 CLUB See page 17, web page and loose insert for details and application form

waterways.org.uk/northampton

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EDITORIAL MUSINGS “What’s in a name?” These days the question is more likely to be, “What’s in a logo?” Some months ago, the IWA introduced a re-designed logo as part of an overall re-branding exercise, together with well-defined explanations. Happily, these changes have been generally accepted, although some members, especially among the grey-beards, have found it challenging to identify with the new symbol. What was wrong with the much-loved sword, they have been heard muttering. Times move on, however, alongside ideas and attitudes. What is right one day is not appropriate the next.

Now the Canal & River Trust has been following a similar path. In May we were presented with the Trust’s re-designed logo and accompanying raison d’etre - of course not to everybody’s liking. But when the suits get-together with the marketing and PR people, beware, change is inevitably in the air, all for the best possible reasons, it is explained.

Endeavour found itself eavesdropping on one of several CRT introductory sessions to its new image for office and operational personnel plus volunteers in the Stoke Bruerne and Milton Keynes areas and roundabout. This was held at Stoke Bruerne just before May Endeavour was published, so to an extent it is old news. Tom Deards, the Trust’s Head of Legal and Governance Services, presided and a short explanatory film was dutifully viewed.

How was it all received? At the informal buffet which followed, a measure of cynicism, surely anticipated, was apparent.

Basically, same reaction as to the new IWA approach. Now, however, the dust is settling and people are arriving at more considered verdicts regarding both the revamped identities and the reasons why.

It is the logo designs which appear to have aroused the most ire. CRT assures us that it is “making life better by water”.

Whatever your views, you cannot argue with that sentiment. IWA is all for it, too.

IWA veterans Brian Mayland (left) & Roger Hasdell assimilating the CRT message from Tom Deards (photo: Kathryn Dodington)

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DIARY DATES September 29th 11.30 IWA National General Meeting: Maidenhill School, King’s Road, Stonehouse, Gloucs GL10 2HA. Details www.waterways.org.uk/agm

October 9th 8pm

IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: Andy Newbury — How Railways Changed Blisworth

November 10th 7pm IWA Northampton Branch Annual Dinner at The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne. Details see page 9

13th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: Neil Owen —Managing a 200year-old Infrastructure (updated)

December 11th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Christmas Quiz at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, with John Pomfret

NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES September 18th. October 7th, 16th.

November 4th, 20th. December 2nd, 18th.

Contact: geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932 BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES September 20th. October 4th, 14th, 18th.

November 1st, 11th, 15th, 29th, December 9th, 13th, 27th.

Contact athinabec@aol.com or phone 01908 661217/07721 319404 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP WORK PARTY DATES September 12th. October 10th. November 14th. December 12th.

Contact: stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk

IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates

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Branch Chairman’s Jottings

by Bernard Morton I write this looking out of my window at gently falling rain – hooray! It is a rare occurrence to be rejoicing at the sight of rain but after the unbelievably hot, dry summer so far, and with talk of hosepipe bans and closures/restrictions on several canals already, it is indeed a welcome sight – though it will probably do more to help our poor lawn than it will to fill CRT’s reservoirs.

ALL CHANGE. I must first dispel rumours that Sandie and I have given up boating. The eagle-eyed amongst our friends and acquaintances spotted our boat nb Lexa up for sale, put two and two together and made five. We have actually changed boats – in Sandie’s eyes very much an upgrade to a modern, clean engine, semi-trad back deck, bow thruster and washing machine. Personally, I do miss Lexa’s engine room with the Lister HRW3 and the chug-chug sound but, during our trip, I had to acknowledge that the semi-trad deck (much more dog friendly), quiet engine, and even the bow thruster, made for very relaxed cruising.

We saw nb Inca on the Rugby Boats website one morning, went to view it that afternoon and put down a deposit there and then – impulsive or what? All this was a couple of weeks before we were due to set off on an extended cruise to Bristol … possibly not our smartest move. There followed a survey and a few minor remedial repairs resulting in us only taking ownership two days before we were due to set off. Those two days were very busy finding a home for everything and we were only a few hours late meeting up with our travelling companions, Linda and Ian Bekusch on nb Kooshie Number, at Stoke Bruerne.

I was more than a little annoyed to find that I couldn’t transfer or cash in my Gold Licence from Lexa, which was worth about £600 for the remaining six months. So Lexa’s new owners got her with half an annual Gold Licence … and also a full tank of diesel as I had filled up in preparation for our trip.

With a new CRT licence, we set off in normal English summer temperatures but, after the first week, we were hit with tropical heat and blazing sunshine with warm, sticky nights – not that I am complaining.

TO BRISTOL AND BACK. Our planned route was down the GU to Brentford, out onto the Thames and up to Reading, then onto the Kennet and Avon Canal. Initially, we had thought about going up the Bristol Channel to the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal but the fee of £210 for the pilot per boat was a little off-putting – an awful lot of beer tokens. So, we decided to return along the K&A to Reading and then up the Thames to Oxford and home via the Oxford Canal and the GU. If you are interested, you can read more about our trip in Sandie’s report beginning on page 10.

BRAUNSTON HISTORIC BOAT RALLY AND FESTIVAL. We were sorry to miss this very special event due to our trip. Our Branch joined up with Warwick-

8 shire Branch to man an IWA promotional stall over the weekend. Unfortunately, we were unable to find any Branch members willing to help staff the stall except for our Deputy Chairman, Geoff Wood. Thanks Geoff for your sterling work over the weekend and thanks also to Clive Joynson, one of our dedicated volunteers, who gave up his time to help erect and dismantle the stall. Great work guys.

M1 BRIDGE MURAL – NORTHAMPTON ARM. In my jottings in May’s Endeavour, I mentioned that work was about to start on a mural under the M1 bridge just below lock 12 on the Arm. I am pleased to say that this has been completed, despite a few problems, and we have already received some great reviews from passing boaters and other towpath users. Please see our main story.

MOSAIC NATURE TRAIL CHALLENGE. Following its official launch by Richard Parry and Joan Kirkbride in April, we have been pleased to receive completed challenge forms from a small number of people, with certificates of achievement duly sent out. Since the launch, we have erected plastic boxes at Locks 1, 14 and 17 to hold entry forms, though we struggle to keep them stocked. Hopefully that means lots of people are enjoying the challenge but not too bothered about sending them in?

Or maybe someone is short of scrap paper.

Remember, if the boxes are empty, you can enter online by going to our Branch website https://www.waterways.org.uk/northampton/northampton and save the cost of a stamp.

ALEX MADISONS. Alex, who was our Branch Treasurer for a number of years, has resigned from the Branch Committee as he is due to take up a new post in Panama for four years. Although Alex didn’t have any specific role recently, his contribution has been much appreciated over the years especially as Treasurer. So, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his new job, thank him for all the hours he has devoted to the Branch and to wish him and Jackie the very best of luck and much happiness out in Panama.

COMMITTEE VACANCIES. We have several vacancies now on our Branch Committee which we would really like to see filled as soon as possible. New people with fresh ideas and enthusiasm are very important to keep our Branch moving forward. The Committee meets at The Boat Inn on the first Tuesday of each month from September to May inclusive. The vacancies are:PR/Publicity Officer – our longest-standing vacancy and an important one. We have missed opportunities recently to sing our Branch’s praises in the waterways and local media, which is a great shame. Advice and support is available to help someone settle into the role.

Social Media/Website Officer - this vacancy has come about due to the recent resignation of Sam Line for personal reasons. We did have a good presence on Twitter and Facebook and our website pages were up-to-date and informative, but things have slipped just recently. This role is important and allows us to keep in touch with members, supporters and users of the waterways within our area.

9 Committee Member – with Alex’s departure to foreign parts, we have another vacancy. Although this one doesn’t have a specific role (and doesn’t have to have one), we are keen to recruit someone to take Alex’s place. We would be open to ideas on a role that we perhaps haven’t had before.

If you are interested in any of these vacancies or would like further information before committing yourself, please contact me using the details on page 34.

REMINDERS. I will finish with a series of reminders. First, do consider joining our 100 Club – we really do need our members to support this important fund-raising venture which we hope will replace the funds we used to raise from our annual boat gatherings. For details see page 17 or our website.

Don’t forget our Branch Dinner which will be at The Boat Inn on Saturday 10 th November. Details are below. This is a popular occasion and spaces are limited so get your booking in as soon as possible.

Finally, don’t forget our Branch Meetings at The Walnut Tree, Blisworth, resume on 9th October and will be held on the second Tuesday of each month through until May. I am very grateful to Catriona Butler who has taken over the Meetings Organiser role when Gemma Kinsey resigned. The list of topics and speakers for the 2018 -2019 season look very interesting. Full programme on page 27.

ANNUAL BRANCH DINNER Saturday, 10th November 2018 at 7pm for 7.30pm By popular demand we are returning to

The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne Our guest speaker will be Mike Partridge — His Early Years Numbers are limited to 50, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

A booking form is included in Endeavour and is also available on the Branch web site, www.waterways.org.uk/northampton

SORRY FOR THE DELAY Apologies for the late appearance of this issue of Endeavour.

This became unavoidable following a family bereavement.

Editor

Towpath Talk’s Top Team Award Latest. IWA Northampton volunteers who form task parties on the Northampton Arm have been nominated for Towpath Talk’s top team award.

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Exploring the Kennet and Avon Canal

by Sandie Morton

Following last year’s exploration of the northern canals, we planned to head south this year and explore the Kennet and Avon Canal, along with our friends Linda and Ian Bekusch on nb Kooshie Number - a first for both crews. We had heard many stories about how difficult the K&A is so we set off in our new boat nb Inca in early June wondering just what we had let ourselves in for.

Our route took us down the Grand Union to Brentford. This part of the trip was uneventful with plenty of water and few boats travelling in either direction. Thus, we made good time and only had a couple of hours wait for the tide to be able to enter the Thames – we noted that Brentford is still smelly.

We exited onto the tidal Thames in a short convoy of five boats and reached Teddington late afternoon. After a pub dinner and overnight stay (for a fee of £9.50) we set off up the non-tidal Thames towards Reading. At the locks, the crews of both boats enjoyed having nothing more strenuous to do than holding ropes.

The entrance to the K&A was somewhat inconspicuous – the sign being partly hidA turf-sided lock on the K&A

11 den by overgrown vegetation. After one lock we approached Reading and tried to find moorings to allow for the restocking of supplies. Available moorings here were limited to pay and display – a fee of £8 which both captains deemed too much for an hour or two We set off again and were soon confronted by traffic lights controlling a narrow, winding stretch of canal through the centre of Reading. There was a pushbutton sited conveniently for operation from a boat and a short wait for the green light.

Leaving Reading, we encountered a stretch of gravel pits and water meadows with well-spaced locks which would have been quite tranquil but for the M4 motorway and a busy railway. The railway kept us company for some distance with the M4 eventually being swapped for the A4.

Our journey then took us through Aldermaston and onto Thatcham, where we experienced our first turf-sided lock, Monkey Marsh Lock. There are now only two such locks remaining on the K&A which are listed as ancient monuments by Historic England. These locks have sloping sides with vegetation which just gets flooded as the lock fills. You had to leave these two locks empty. In fact, quite a few of the “normal” locks had also to be left empty which we found strange – not sure if this is due to leakage or some other reason.

At Thatcham, we found moorings alongside Tesco. Becki, our youngest daughter, lives in Thatcham but, due to some bad planning and us making better time than we thought we would, we arrived there on a Friday night when Becki was visiting a friend up in Stoke-on-Trent. Son-in-law Peter came and met us bringing some mail that had been forwarded to their home and dined with us on board. The next day we passed through Newbury, a lovely town which has really embraced its waterfront with plenty of moorings, cafes and pubs facing the water, and old warehouses tastefully converted into shops, tearooms and an information centre. If only Northampton could have had the foresight to do something similar with the Nene waterfront.

Our next stop was Hungerford where we visited The John O’Gaunt Inn for dinner as it was far too hot to cook on board. This had been a recurrent problem during our trip which led us to either dine al fresco, with Ian manning the BBQ, or to visit numerous hostelries en route. Those of you who know Bernie well will understand what a sacrifice this was for him and you’ve no idea how great a thirst one develops boating in 30+ degrees heat!

Leaving Hungerford, we soon came to Hungerford Marsh Lock which is unusual (unique?) in having a swing-bridge across the middle of it. If your boat is over 30ft long you must open the bridge before entering the lock to avoid a disaster. After Hungerford we passed through the Vale of Pewsey, a pretty area with hills to the north and gently sloping farmland to the south. This was also a long stretch of over 11 miles without any locks.

We moored up late afternoon on some moorings by The Bridge Inn at Horton Bridge just outside Devizes. Our plan was an early night to gather our strength for the Caen Hill flight the next day. Best laid plans and all that … the pub wasn’t serving food

12 but directed us to various takeaways who would deliver. We chose Indian which was delicious. Bernie received a lot of stick from us when he told the driver to keep the change (the princely sum of 40p). His defence was that we had already paid a delivery charge. We sat in the pub garden to eat as it was so hot and were entertained by many crows which collected in the trees overhanging the moorings. We thought/ hoped they would quieten down when darkness fell but no, they kept up the noise all night. So much for being well rested after a good night’s sleep.

We set off the next morning travelling a couple of miles to the top of the famed Caen Hill Locks, with 29 locks within 2 ¼ miles. We breasted the boats up and left Bernie with the simple job of steering whilst the other three of us took on the hard graft of the locks. The first six were nicely spaced out and were completed before it got too hot. The next 16 looked rather daunting when viewed from the top. Fortunately, there was very little traffic, so we were able to complete them in 2 ½ hours, thanks to a very efficient team. The last seven locks were again well spaced out and at the end we decided to spend the night in the Caen Hill Marina so that we could take advantage of their laundry facilities, etc.

The next part of the journey took us past the bricked-up entrance to the derelict Wilts and Berks Canal. One can only dream that one day this will be a link through to the Thames, but sadly not in our lifetimes I think. We passed through Bradford-onAvon, noting how picturesque it was and promising ourselves a stop on our return Nearly at the bottom — descending the Caen Hill flight

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DIESEL – always competively priced PUMP OUT – no meter clock here BLUE TOILET FLUID ODORLOS – organic waste tank treatment CALOR GAS – all sizes of bottled gas including Camping Gaz. SOLID FUELS – all types of smokeless fuel or coal. Plus firelighters, sticks and logs.

CHARNWOOD STOVES – all sizes of multi-fuel stoves with or without boilers MORRIS OILS – popular grades of engine oil plus water resistant grease FUEL SET FUEL CONDITIONER

Most Major Credit Cards Accepted.

Open: 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays

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Telephone/Fax: 01327-341202 Email : rhigginbottom@btconnect.com

Northamptonshire RESTAURANT º BARS º TRIP BOAT

DINE IN STYLE IN WOODWARD’S CANALSIDE RESTAURANT 01604 862428 www.boatinn.co.uk SAVE THE BRANCH MONEY! Stop receiving Endeavour by post and instead get it electronically. You will be notified by email when it’s published on-line. This will save in postage and printing costs. The printed version will be available at Branch meetings. Contact Geoff Wood at geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk and he will organise it.

Editor

14 journey. Had we realised just how difficult it would be to moor on the stretch after the Avoncliffe Aqueduct (due to a large concrete shelf below the waterline) we would have stopped at Bradford. We eventually found moorings in a lovely woodland setting with what I can only describe as a precipitous slope from the towpath down to the River Avon.

The next day we passed the entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal and was reminded of a talk we had last year. Then it was on past the Claverton Pumping Station (closed) and onto Bath. As we approached Bath we found empty moorings at Bathampton and stopped for a well-earned break. Our plan was to spend a couple of days exploring the beautiful city of Bath allowing Bernie to find a dentist to refix a crown that had come out. We opted to go on the open-top, hop on hop off bus tour (dogs welcome) which was a marvellous way to get around with an excellent recorded commentary to educate us. The Roman Baths and Pump Room are a must to see, as is the famous Crescent.

On leaving Bath we passed through a series of six locks, with Bath Deep Lock (19ft 5ins) being the second deepest lock on the navigable waterways I believe – just pipped by Tuel Lane Deep Lock on the Rochdale Canal which we encountered last year. About two miles outside Bath, we ran into trouble – to be specific, a large submerged tree trunk - whilst winding to return to a waterpoint we had just passed. This lifted the rudder from its lower pivot and damaged the propeller. Inca was unmoveable, but Kooshie Number was able to render assistance and tow us to the waterpoint.

Bernie and Ian endeavoured to get the rudder back into position without success.

Fortunately, we are members of RCR, who were great. They sorted out an engineer to meet us at Swineford Lock, which we reached strapped to Kooshie Number. The engineer took a matter of minutes to get the rudder back into position. A new propeller was needed so the advice was to proceed to Bristol where it could be fitted, so this is what we did.

All (female) hands to the windlasses

15 Bristol is a marvellous place to take a boat to and well worth paying the licence fee (£54.40 for Inca) to enter the floating harbour. The river below Hanham Lock is controlled by Bristol City Council to whom the licence fee is payable. In the floating harbour, there are a great variety of moorings from pontoons, finger moorings, and quays to accommodate the wide variety of vessels - an interesting mix of large ocean -going cargo vessels, sleek yachts, as well as widebeam boats, narrowboats and cruisers. We had been directed to secured pontoon moorings in Arnolfini Wharf which we reached about 6pm on a Saturday. Looking around, the area was surrounded by pubs, clubs and a wide variety of restaurants... very handy, we naively thought. We hadn’t taken into account that it was a Saturday night, payday weekend, and a very hot night so large crowds quickly built up outside all these establishments. The noise was very loud, so we debated moving elsewhere but agreed we were too tired. As it happened, because the noise was a constant level and we were exhausted after an eventful day, we went to bed not expecting to sleep a wink but, in fact, we all slept really well.

RCR ordered a new propeller which was scheduled to be fitted at Bristol Marina, leaving us with two to three days to explore Bristol. We opted for the open-top, hop on hop off bus tour again (also dog friendly) and over the next two days we made great use of our tickets. The commentary (this time by a guide travelling on the bus) was fascinating and, as well as the normal sights, we got to see two of Banksy’s creations in situ. We also visited the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge – both amazing feats of engineering.

By the time the new propeller arrived, the hoist at Bristol Marina was out of action as they were awaiting delivery of a new part. Rather than wait, we were advised to travel back to Keynsham where there was a crane to lift Inca out … at 7am The actual work didn’t take long but the sight of the boat suspended from the crane whilst this was done was rather nerve-wracking.

Once the boat was back in the water, we set off for Bradford-on-Avon which we had missed on the way down. It is a lovely place and well worth the walk from the canal to explore. The River Avon flows through the town centre and, as well as a fine stone bridge, there are many splendid stone houses and converted industrial buildings formally used for cloth production.

At Bradford we picked up some day passengers, namely daughters Sam and Becki, sons-in-law Chris and Peter and Peter’s parents who are keen to get a boat. All this extra manpower meant a leisurely day for Linda and me for a change as we didn’t get off the boats for locks or swing-bridges all day.

We moored up at Sells Green, convenient for The Three Magpies pub, where we dined and then bade our visitors farewell. This put us within a mile of the bottom of the 29 Caen Hill locks which had to be tackled the next day. We had been informed that the bottom paddles on the 16 locks are raised overnight and that it was a good plan to arrive at the bottom lock at 8am when the flight is opened. To achieve this, we set off at 7am got through the first seven locks and were the first boat to go up

16 the flight, which we did in just two hours.

The rest of our journey back along the K&A was uneventful. At Reading, we turned onto the Thames and headed for Oxford. We arrived in Oxford around midday and found some good moorings opposite Jericho Wharf, currently undergoing redevelopment which I recall prompted much argument and opposition. Only time will tell …

A couple of days were spent exploring the delights of Oxford and we went on a walking tour around the university. Our guide was a Canadian post-graduate student from New College and she was excellent. We got inside parts of New College where various films were made and learned so much about what life for an Oxford student is like – quite unlike my own experiences.

After Oxford, we journeyed up the Oxford Canal where the single locks came as bit of a shock as we’d got used to double locks right from the beginning of our trip. The lack of water around Kidlington also came as a shock – the first time we had encountered low water levels. The Oxford Canal was peaceful and uneventful apart from Ian and Linda approaching a full lock and finding a small Muntjac deer frantically swimming around. Ian grabbed a rope, made a lasso and, in true cowboy style, managed to catch it. Once on dry land, it ran off without so much as a thank you. The Oxford Canal led us via Napton onto the GU, through Braunston and back to our home moorings at High House Wharf.

How to sum up the trip? The K&A was fabulous and I would recommend it to everyone. Ignore all the comments you hear but plan your trip well. We deliberately avoided the school holiday period which I acknowledge, for some, could present difficulties. We learned that moorings are available, but you need to think about stopping for the day around 3pm. Leaving it till 5 or 6pm is no good at all. Bristol was lovely, lots to do and well worth the extra licence fee to gain entrance to the floating harbour.

We did 336 locks (excluding the Thames locks) and 59 lift/swing bridges according to Linda who kept count. What with that lot and copious amounts of dog walking I came home feeling much fitter than when I left. Somehow, Bernie who spent the trip stood on the back of the boat steering, managed to lose 7lbs in weight – there is no justice.

Latest: Planters vandalised on the Northampton Arm As we go to press, our adoption group volunteers report that several of the planters sited at various locks towards the top of the Northampton Arm have been vandalised.

At Lock 2, both planter backs are missing. Lock 3 has one back missing. Lock 4, both planter backs require re-fixing. Lock 5, both planters have been completely removed. Lock 6 has both planter backs missing. Joint Task Party organiser Geoff Wood said he does not know if the timber was taken for a particular purpose or whether it was sheer vandalism. The plan is to replace the missing timbers over the winter period as the task parties work their way down the Arm carrying out by-pass weir clearance. “ The situation will be monitored and if we have any further incidents, decide whether we want to maintain or remove them,” said Geoff.

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Introducing...

NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 100 CLUB We are launching the Branch’s own 100 Club to raise funds for Branch activities.

It will run annually, so we are asking for a single payment for each year for each share. Each member can have up to four £15 shares. (A total of 4 for couples with joint membership.)

For 2018 there will be one Prize Draw – to take place at our Annual Dinner in November.

Please ensure your Membership Forms are submitted and payments made by 31st October 2018 to be included in the first Draw.

Based on 100 members the prizes will be 1st £500 2nd £200 3rd £100

(These prizes will be adjusted pro-rata up or down if memberships are less or more than 100)

For 2019 and subsequent years there will be two Draws — one at the AGM in March, the other at the Annual Dinner or at the November or December Branch meetings. The prizes in each Draw will be 1st £250 2nd £100 3rd £50

(These prizes will be adjusted pro-rata up or down if memberships are less or more than 100)

For 2019 and onwards, applications and payments will need to be made by 28th February for inclusion in the Draws.

We will, of course, publish the winners in Endeavour and report on how the 100 Club is doing in terms of fund-raising.

If you have any questions, please call me on 07817 461842 or email paul.lynam@waterways.org.uk Paul Lynam, Branch Treasurer

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VISIT STOWE HILL WHARF FOR ALL Y

Stowe Hill Wharf, Heyford Lane, Weedon, Northants NN7 4SF Tel: 01327 341365 Proprietor Robert Gudgeon welcomes you to Stowe Hill Workshop          

Full Repaints Hull Blacking/Stern Gear Inspection and Repairs Engine Repairs and Maintenance Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations Plumbing Installations and Repairs Electrical Installations and Repairs NEW — Fuel Polishing Service Stockists of Morris Oils and Grease Full range of Batteries always available (please let us know your requirements)

By road we are easily found, a few yards off the A5 at Stowe Hill towards Nether Heyford. By boat close to Bridge 26

ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN, FROM SIMPLE TASKS TO COMPLETE FIT-OUTS

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YOUR ESSENTIAL BOATING SERVICES

20 Continued from front page

Motorway bridge murals focus on Northampton through the ages Our first step was to paint over the graffiti which our team of volunteers did last year, leaving a vast blank canvas. We were quite surprised that the walls then remained untouched. There followed a lot of discussion amongst the Branch Committee and our volunteers as to what should replace the graffiti. Eventually it was decided to focus on the off-side wall first and the idea of a historic timeline showing Northampton through the ages was agreed. Marvin, from Lemon Pop Workshops, was recommended to us and we also decided to approach Delapre Primary School (who had worked on the Nature Trail mosaics) to see if it was a project they would like to be involved with. They were delighted to be asked and thought it would be an ideal job to occupy their Year 6 children when they had finished their SATs tests.

In April, Marvin and I went into the school to discuss the project with the children and to run a design workshop when we asked the children to draw their favourite building or place in Northampton. After quite a few pictures of KFC and McDonalds and us explaining more clearly what we were after (and reminding them that there would be prizes for the best designs), we got some ideas we could use. Marvin took the children’s designs and produced a draft timeline beginning with Northampton Castle, moving through events like the Battle of Northampton in the War of the Roses, the Great Fire of Northampton, the importance of the boot and shoe industry and the building of The Guildhall to the floods in 1998.

Arrangements for the mural painting were made, including copious health and safety risk assessments by us and the school, getting CRT to provide barriers, a footbridge and their comfort station on site, the purchase of all necessary materials (paints of all colours and brushes of all sizes plus aprons and gloves) and a coach to bring the children to site. We planned for the work to take place on 21 st – 23rd May and would involve 60 children in total, with groups of 20 on site at each session. All of us involved with organising the project were left hoping the weather would be dry and warm so that the water that frequently runs down the walls and likely to cause us problems was minimal.

The weekend before, Marvin worked on sketching out the design on the wall but unfortunately, when I visited him midday on the Sunday, he had done the design on the wrong wall ie. the towpath wall rather than the offside one! Although this, I am afraid, was a major blunder, there was little that could be done in the time left before the children began arriving the next morning – we would have to make the best of it.

The first group of children arrived on site full of enthusiasm and, after receiving in-

21 structions from Marvin, got stuck in with rollers and brushes with varying degrees of accuracy.

The first group left to go back to school for lunch and the afternoon saw the arrival of a second group. And this was the pattern for the rest of the time. The teachers and classroom assistants got stuck in too and seemed to have as much fun, if not more, as the children and us IWA people.

Work progressed really well – so well, in fact, that we looked like running out of work before the third day. Not wanting to disappoint the children by cutting short the project by a day and as we had already paid for the coach, we decided to tackle another bridge just before Lock 12 which also had graffiti. As I was going to have to draw the design, I thought of a large narrowboat (just about within my artistic capabilities!). I got to site early on the third day to sketch the outline, which was ready for when the children arrived. A few chose to finish off parts of the historic timeline whilst the rest worked on the narrowboat. By the end of the day, we had a large red narrowboat with helmsman, a couple of swans (that look a bit like white ducks), trees, shrubs and flowers.

Mick Butler, Geoff Wood and I went back the next day to do some tidying up of the outlines and to label the different parts. Unfortunately, although the weather had been dry, we had continual problems with water running down parts of the mural.

We did the best we could to repair this damage and Mick then undertook the sealing of the whole timeline to prevent further damage and, we hope, graffiti spoiling our hard work.

We have already had several people

22 saying what a big improvement the murals make and asking what we are going to do with the offside wall.

A good question! Any ideas would be gratefully received and any help from budding artists out there would be most welcome also.

As a thank you for all their hard work, the Branch decided to treat the children and staff involved to a day out in Stoke Bruerne. We provided the coaches and organised trips on Charlie to the tunnel mouth with Mike Partridge, visits to the Museum and a short guided walk with the Museum guides. Fortunately, the weather was good, the children were well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed their day out, as did the members of school’s staff. It amazes me how few of them (including the staff) had been to Stoke Bruerne before. One can only hope that they will bring their families back for a visit.

Our pictures show Delapre Primary School children at work on the murals. In the next issue of Endeavour, we will feature photographs of the historic timeline murals under the motorway bridge.

K&A post-script by Sandie Morton CRT CONTRACTORS HARD AT WORK AT BROCKHALL As we neared the end of our K&A trip to Bristol and back, we came across a hive of activity on the GU between Whilton Locks and Weedon, around Brockhall. CRT have contractors working on quite a long length of the canal, creating a new bank on the offside where serious erosion has taken place. We were surprised to see men in waders standing in the canal balancing wooden posts which were then hammered into position.

Plastic netting was then being attached to these to create a new barrier. A dredger was digging up mud from the middle of the canal and dumping it behind the netting, thus creating a neat edge on the offside which will soon be stabilised by grass and other vegetation.

Well done CRT!

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POIROT STAR DAVID SUCHET OPENS THE 2018 BRAUNSTON HISTORIC NARROWBOAT RALLY By Tim Coghlan The very successful 2018 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally was formally opened

by Poirot star David Suchet, assisted by his actress wife Sheila Suchet. They did so by respectively steering a pair of former working boats, Nutfield and Raymond, from the Grand Union Canal into the marina. Whilst passing under the historic Thomas Telford cast iron bridge, David Suchet dramatically announced to the large number of canal enthusiasts gathered on the bankside: “I declare the 2018 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally open!”

Actor David Suchet formally opening the 2018 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally on the 60-year-old Raymond, accompanied by former working boatwoman Alice Lapworth and the Raymond shipwright Aubrey Berriman (94) (photo: Waterway Images) The Suchets were back by popular demand, having 10 years previously opened the 2008 Rally. That Rally commemorated the 50 th anniversary of Raymond’s launch in June 1958 at what was then Samuel Barlow’s Yard and is today Braunston Marina.

Now they were back for the 60th anniversary and by good fortune David was joined

24 on Raymond by Aubrey Berriman – now 94 and still in good health – who was the shipwright on Raymond. “This is living history,” exclaimed David Suchet. The marina prides itself in having served the canal boater in one form or another for over two hundred and twenty five years.

A number of celebrity guests joined in the opening, which this year included Timothy West and Prunella Scales. They steered respectively the 1936 pair of working narrowboats Nuneaton and Brighton owned and operated by the Narrow Boat Trust.

Other guests included Richard Parry, CEO of the Canal & River Trust, Tony Hales, retired CRT Chairman, and IWA Chairman Ivor Caplan.

A total of 83 historic narrowboats attended this 16 th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally. These annual rallies remain by far and away the largest rally of historic narrowboats anywhere on the inland waterways. As David Daines, owner of the 1935 Yarwood’s narrowboat Cyprus, said: “Braunston remains the premier event, and it is the first we put in our diary every year.”

The winning historic narrowboat for the Nurser Award for the Best in Show was Ryan Dimmock’s beautifully turned out coal boat Southern Cross. He received £250 vouchers from Braunston-based Midland Chandlers. It was the second time in five years that he has won it.

The event attracted about 7,000 visitors, some travelling from as far afield as Canada and Australia to attend, providing an important visitor-spend for the local economy.

Shore-side attractions included a trade marquee and also a number of other exhibitors and canal societies. Entertainments included the canal-travelling Alarum Theatre, with their play Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways. Also giving live performances were Phil Underwood and Nancy Potter (Canals of Old England) and Professor Diamond’s Punch & Judy. There were also several groups of Morris Dancers and the famous beer tent – the Dry Dock - with music provided by a number of groups.

For me what was most pleasing was the number of boats that came which had never been before together with the comments from so many owners that it is events like the Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally that inspire them to restore and maintain their boats which are such an important living and moving part of our canal heritage.

Each year I hear the same gratifying story, which makes organising the Rally so worthwhile. The Rally has come a long way since the first one in 2003, when 29 boats attended – which seemed a lot at the time.

All profits, which exceeded £6,000, were donated as usual to canal and local causes.

The Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally is sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk and is supported by the Canal & River Trust. Braunston Marina will be hosting the event again next year on the same last weekend in June (29 th – 30th ).

“Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally inspires people to restore and maintain their boats”

25 Obituary

Roy Sears A long-time Branch member and resident of Stoke Bruerne The local canal world was thrown into deep shock in early June when news was received of the tragic death in a road accident of prominent Stoke Bruerne resident Roy Sears.

Roy, who was 72, had lived in Stoke Bruerne for over 50 years. His house, with a garden bordering the canal and his narrowThis typical happy relaxed image of Roy was taken by boat Hoperidge moored his wife Christine. He will be greatly missed alongside, was close to David Blagrove’s home, Wharf Cottage, and so it is hardly surprising that Roy was among those who set up the David Blagrove Trust shortly after David’s passing two years ago. He was the Trust’s joint Chairman with Bill Mann.

A loyal IWA Northampton Branch member for many years, Roy was also a regular attendee at our monthly talks, annual dinners and our AGMs where he would always propose a most welcomed vote of thanks to the Committee for their work during the year. He was a huge inspiration and driver of canal and village improvements. He served on Stoke Bruerne Parish Council from around 1990 until 2013. He actively supported numerous schemes along the area’s canal corridor, such as the inception of the footbridge at Lock 14, countless varied Museum improvements, the opening of the Museum tearoom and the introduction of a blacksmith into the previously derelect forge at Blisworth Tunnel’s south portal. At fundraising and celebratory events, he and his wife Christine generously opened their garden for strawberry teas, champagne and musical entertainment.

After ceasing to work for Avon Cosmetics, Roy launched Stoke Classics which marketed ceramics in canalware style, including a plate to commemorate the reopening, after repairs, of Blisworth Tunnel in the 1970s. He also planted the black mulberry tree on the village green to mark the tunnel’s reopening. Significantly Roy was

26 closely involved with the formation of The Friends of The Canal Museum group.

Roy was gifted in art and design and had a love of music as well as being a railway enthusiast, supporting a wide range of canal and canal linked activities – a man of many talents, unfailing energy, enthusiasm and a dogged determination to see projects through to completion; polite, generous of his time and chivalrous to all. It is said that to measure Roy’s contribution to the canal and village of Stoke Bruerne is an impossible task.

Branch Chairman Bernard Morton observes: “I count it as a huge privilege to have known Roy as a friend and as a colleague concerned with the wellbeing of our inland waterways. He will be hugely missed.”

Stoke Bruerne Parish Church was packed for a special service in July to celebrate Roy’s life. To Christine and all his family, we extend our sincere condolences.

Thanks to The Friends of The Canal Museum for allowing us to reproduce this edited version of Roy’s obituary, a full version of which, compiled by Helen Westlake, appeared in Museum Matters, the Friends’ newsletter.

NEW BRANCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour

NEW MEMBERS Mr M Davies, Crick, Northampton

MEMBERS MOVED TO THE BRANCH Mr D Woodthorpe, Northampton Mr C & Mrs C Briese, Crick Marina Miss K Cook, Oakham, Rutland

We look forward to meeting you all at our Branch events IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https://www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.

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RICHARD GILL BOAT SAFETY TESTING

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LIST OF SPEAKERS FOR 2018/2019 SEASON 9th October: Andy Newbury 13th November: Neil Owen 11th December: John Pomfret 8th January: Roger Butler 12th February: Mike Partridge 12th March: AGM followed by Keith Adams 9th April: Kathryn Dodington 14th May: Lorna York

How Railways Changed Blisworth Engineering a 200-yr-old Infrastructure (updated) Christmas Quiz Canal Holidays in the 50s Overnight Mooring‌21 Years On! Restoration of the Stoke Bruerne Brick Wagon History of the Grand Union Boating Families

The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated, otherwise the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine.

Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space. R The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity (No. 212342)

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BRAUNSTON CANAL SOCIETY Having been newly elected as Chairman of Braunston Canal Society, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you about the changes brought about by our recent AGM. My name is Dave Weller, I am retired, living in Braunston and last year I held the position of Vice Chairman of the Society. With my election to Chairman, the Vice Chairman's role has now been filled by Clive Joynson. Graham Newman was re-elected as Treasurer and Sarah Mallett accepted the role of Secretary.

Each member of the team brings skills to the table that will be invaluable in making the Society a success. Before retirement, Clive was a production planning manager in the electronics industry and for the last three-and-a-half years has been volunteering with IWA Northampton, Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership, Braunston Canal Society and CRT. Graham and Sarah are still employed — Graham at the marina utilising his knowledge of boats and the boating world, Sarah at the Environment Agency making good use of her civil engineering degree. My own contribution will come from my practical skills derived from a career in the building industry. We all share the view that Braunston, with its incredible canal heritage, deserves an active and successful canal society.

Being a Canal & River Trust adoption group, our role is to assist in maintaining and improving our section of canal. We consider the canal an amenity and would like to encourage all to take advantage of it. To this end we hold regular task party days on the second Thursday and last Saturday of each month. We meet at 10am and finish around 2pm with a break around 12.30 when we supply tea/coffee/biscuits and volunteers can bring a light lunch if they so wish. We intend to vary the type of tasks and projects we get involved in by working closely with CRT, enlisting their support where necessary. We would encourage any visitors to our adopted section of the canal (tunnel entrance to A45 bridge 90) to relay their observations and ideas to us.

They can then be considered for incorporation into future task days. If you would like to know more about the Society or are considering volunteering with us, you can email us at braunstoncanalsociety@gmail.com or phone/text Clive on 07817 435911.

The team, from left, Sarah Mallett, Dave Weller, Clive Joynson and Graham Newman

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BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY The BCS has been running a festival at Cosgrove since 1993 and this year’s one took place over the weekend of 21st – 22nd July, proving to be one of the most successful we have organised partly due to the excellent weather and the amount of people who visited the event.

Sixteen trade boats attended the festival including regulars Raymond and Nutfield and the Cheese Boat. Newcomers this year included the Herb Boat and the Beer Boat Miss Ellie, which proved to be a strong favourite with the public, particularly as we had very hot weather. Seven private boats also attended and the crews on these helped us with various activities, including the ‘lock assist’, our usual way of promoting the canal and raising funds for the BCS Organised by Sharron Commerford, the Craft Fair in the Village Hall again proved a great success. The volunteers serving teas and cakes also did an excellent job during Saturday and Sunday and raised over £400 for the Society.

The information stall was kept busy all weekend with our volunteers answering questions from the public and explaining future projects for the Society. Plans for the new channel were on display, which again kept the information stall busy. A lot of visitors walked to look at the bridge building along the Buckingham Arm and as well as viewing the bridge were able to see Teal, the first trail boat to visit the Buckingham Canal in recent times. Several people came forward to offer to help with future volunteering projects, great news as we are always looking for more volunteers.

On the Saturday evening we organised our usual fish and chips supper for boaters and friends and were entertained by Phil Underwood, who supplied the music.

The main focus of our work parties has been the restoring of Bridge One at Cosgrove where volunteers have been re-pointing the original part of the bridge using a lime mortar mix. This work will continue over the next month or so.

Here I would like to thank all the WRG groups who have assisted us over the last few months. These have included London and BITM WRG and KESCRG. An lot of extra work has also been achieved by the help given to us by outside companies.

Many companies now allow their staff volunteering days, Network Rail being one of the most generous as they permit staff five volunteering days which must be taken.

Last year saw 10 outside companies join us and I think this year we might beat this record. Thanks goes to the many companies who have joined us this year, including Santander, Argos and Network Rail who have five groups joining us in October.

All IWA members would be very welcome to visit Cosgrove and view the work on Bridge One. Athina Beckett

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ADVERTISING All advertisements must comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement.

COMMERCIAL RATES 1/4 Page (box) £12.00 +VAT 1/2 Page (box) £25.00 +VAT Full Page £40.00 +VAT Other sizes by arrangement 10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance 5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly

CLASSIFIEDS (suggested donations) £1.50 for 22 words, 15p each additional word £3.50 for box around classified advertisement (nb. telephone numbers count as one word) £3.50 for photographs

BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from October to May inclusive at

THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome Food and drink available

NEXT MEETINGS Tuesday, 9th October Speaker: Andy Newbury — “How Railways Changed Blisworth” Tuesday, 13th November Speaker: Neil Owen —”Engineering a 200-year-old Infrastructure (updated)” Tuesday 11th, December “Christmas Quiz” with John Pomfret The next edition of Endeavour will be published in November 2018

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WHO’S WHO IN NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 2018/2019 Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787/ 01604 858294 E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk

Vice Chairman, Joint Task Party Organiser & Membership Secretary Geoff Wood E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk

Branch Secretary Sandie Morton 01604 858294 E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk

Treasurer Paul Lynam E-mail: paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk

Newsletter

Joint Task Party Organiser Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler @waterways.org.uk

Planning Officer Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk

Vacancies Publicity and Grants Officer Website and Social Media Officer Committee Member

Tony Clarke 07305 893924 E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Committee Member John Pomfret

Non-Committee post Branch Meetings Catriona Butler E-mail: catriona.butler @waterways.org.uk

E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk

Non-Committee post Endeavour Assistant Editor, Advertising & Distribution, Archivist Roger Hasdell 01604 248582

The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.

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