Endeavour - February 2023

Endeavour

Historic Narrowboat,

Part III of her journey

Sculptor

Ellesmere Port and the return to Stoke Bruerne

After spending last winter on-clothed on the River Weaver, Sculptor was in need a considerable attention to the hold, engine room and the cabin as well as being overdue for much of the planned annual maintenance.

The volunteers in the Boat Care Team had prepared the maintenance dock for Sculptor’s arrival and allocated storage space for all that equipment that is on-board the

Sculptor approaching Braunston Turn

There have been two new road bridges built over the Grand Union Canal in our region this centaury. The first one was built in 2005 over the canal and railway on quickly.

On a completely different note with the cost of living high CRT have announced that licences are going up 9% this April that with the increase earlier in the year of 4% is a rise of 13% for licences due in April. (Hopefully there wont be any further rises during this year). Is this extra money going to improve the canals, get the grass cut better than last year and dredging done where needed. It’s the services that are out of use that affect boaters more, will they gey repaired quicker –we shall have to wait and see!

IWA Northampton Branch has a Facebook page. It is 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.

Nature is taking over at Banbury Lane Bridge in just over 4 years

DIARY DATES

March

14th 7.30pm IWA Northampton Branch AGM at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne followed by Jane Hamilton — Bedford to Milton Keynes Update. An update on the work of the proposed Bedford to Milton Keynes waterway linking the Grand Union to the River Ouse.

16th 7.45 IWA Milton Keynes Branch Meeting at Bletchley Conservative Club 105 Queensway Bletchley MK2 2DN Steve Ashley gives an up date on the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway

April

11th 2.30 IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne Theatre show by Kate Saffin—A Century of Boatwomen

20th 7.45 Milton Keynes Branch Meeting see above for location

Hana Wilson talks about the Bata Canal in the Czech Republic was largely financed by the Bata Shoe Company. Severely damaged during World War 2, much of it has now been restored

May

9th 7.30 IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne Spot-the-Lock with Peter Scott a miscellany of pictures to intrigue you!

27th – 29th Crick Boat Show Crick Marina details www.crickboatshow.com

IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton

Branch Chairman’s Jottings

byBernardMorton

HAPPY NEW YEAR! As I’m writing this at beginning of January, I feel justified in starting with this greeting even though you might not read it until early February. It is a cold, dreary, wet day in Gayton and I’m trying to ignore the pleading eyes of our dog Jasper who’s up for “walkies” whatever the weather.

Winter came early this year with two inches of snow and severe frosts (day and night) which meant it hung around for a couple of weeks. Now, we are enduring plenty of wet weather which, although not pleasant, should be welcomed as there are reservoirs belonging to water companies and CRT that need filling to avoid any repeat of restrictions this summer.

SCULPTOR’S RETURN. Since my last Jottings, I was pleased to visit Stoke Bruerne to join the welcoming party for Sculptor. It is great to see her back on her home moorings outside the Museum after being away for nearly a year. Rob Westlake has been serialising the journey home in previous issues of Endeavour so see front page for the final instalment. Well done to Rob, Kathryn Doddington and others for their tenacity in overcoming several difficulties en route.

CHRISTMAS QUIZ NIGHT. Our Branch meeting in December was a Christmas Quiz run by John Pomfret ably assisted by his partner Liz Fraser. We guessed that the wintery weather played a crucial part in the low attendance. By the 7.30 start time, there were only four people there and we were seriously considering cancelling the event and heading down to the bar. We decided to wait a few more minutes and fortunately more arrivals meant we were able to have three teams (one more than last year). Tables were festively decorated and so were the team members. My thanks to John and Liz for organising the Quiz. Modesty prevents me from naming the winning team – you’ll have to search through the rest of this issue!

FUTURE BRANCH MEETINGS. Please check out the listing for future meetings on page 4 and take careful note of the timings. As mentioned before, we are trialling afternoon meetings starting at 2.30pm for January and February to see if attendances increase. But our AGM in March will be in the evening at 7.30 allowing as many members as possible to attend – we know you all love an AGM!

Whilst on the subject of our AGM, we are still a relatively small Committee who have been there for some time. We would love to have some new people join us with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Our meetings take place on Zoom commencing at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month from September to May. We have been using Zoom since lockdown and have found it quite successful. Please contact me to discuss any interest you may have in joining the Committee using the contact details on page 30

SAD LOSS OF TWO BRANCH MEMBERS.

I am sad to report that two long-standing, loyal Branch members passed away in December.

ROBERT PARKIN was a keen volunteer on the Northampton Arm starting at the very first one at Lock 17 in July 2013. He was a regular participant ever since clocking up over 700 volunteer hours during this time. He enjoyed tackling the grass along the Arm and was known as our “Mower Man”. He was a keen boater and attended our boat gatherings on his boat nb Welford Arm. On one occasion he used his boat to take some of our volunteers down the Welford Arm to facilitate the removal of offside vegetation which was becoming a nuisance.

The Branch was represented at the funeral by Geoff Wood and Mick Butler. We offer our sincere condolences to his family – he will be sorely missed.

JOHN ALDERSON was an early member of IWA and served as our Branch President for a while. His working life was spent as an engineer where he worked on motor vehicles and narrowboats. He was an enthusiastic boater and enjoyed exploring the canals with his family on their boat nb Thorn. In the 1980s he and his family moved to Nether Heyford bringing them nearer their boat which was moored at Flore Lane Wharf.

John and Sandy were keen supporters of the Branch, regularly attending the social meetings at The Walnut Tree, our boat gatherings at Becket’s Park, Northampton and of course our annual dinners.

The Branch was represented at the funeral by Sandie and me. We send our heartfelt condolences to Sandy and family.

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 aWith all the rain that we have had n 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.

The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity (No. 212342)

Obituary JohnAlderson

John was born in Orsett, Essex where his father worked on the Shellhaven oil refinery, but they were later evacuated to Chester when the war began with his fathe continuing at Shell's Stanlow Oil Refinery. Little did Lynne know that she would receive the middle name of 'Myrina' - the name of a Shell lubricant oil!

John and his elder brother George gained their education here in Chester. John later attending technical college in Liverpool followed by an apprenticeship at Perkins in Peterborough; on weekends thumbing a lift back to Chester.

His early years saw him owning and running a garage in Chester; he veered towards anything mechanical in vehicles or narrowboats - the sound of a Bolinder powered narrowboat chugging along the canal was music to his ears.

It was here in Chester that he joined the IWA being one of their earliest members. This love of narrowboats and the history of the canals and its people carried on throughout his life. He was past president of the Northampton IWA and the family enjoyed many hours on their narrowboat Thorn. He was a member of The Friends of the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne where he volunteered on weekends.

John's early working life was around London, later moving to an engineering firm in Buckingham - right up his street working with diesel fuel injection pumps! With this company he travelled extensively to Europe and Southeast Asia fulfilling his love of travel and different cultures.

By this time John had met Sandy, they were married in Canada and settled down to married life in Silverstone and the arrival of two daughters - Lynne & Lisa. John was now with Mercedes Benz - on the industrial engine side - based in Ealing which meant leaving home on a Monday and returning Friday. Eventually the company moved to MK which made for a more stable family life. As well as visiting customers around the UK John made extensive trips to Europe and Eastern Europe during the Communist era - in fact sometimes Sandy wondered if she would ever see him again as he was a keen photographer and in a communist country this was perhaps not wise!

Being able to drive any vehicle was not a problem for John - and one of Lisa's fondest memories is of him arriving at home in Manor Park one evening driving a big red Mercedes fire engine! This was to be demonstrated to a prospective customer next day but for the night it resided on the front drive - much to the amusement of neighbours!

John became a member of the Institute of Diesel and Gas Turbine Engineers where he met many like-minded professionals for technical discussions and creating many friendships. During his time with IDGTE he organised a few Social Visits for the group to noteworthy companies in Europe - which were greatly enjoyed by members

and wives.

The family moved to the lovely village of Nether Heyford in 1984 - to be nearer his beloved boat Thorn on the canal at Flore Lane Wharf. Throughout the years, John and family travelled with Thorn up and down the canal attending weekend gatherings and boat rallies.

Although John loved travel, he was never happier than pottering in his garden having family around him or at the boat doing much needed maintenance. Here in his beloved garden he took up growing various veg although the success with onions eluded him! Being an engineer was a distinct asset when having to mend various bits of machinery or solving a constructional problem.

Retirement brought more time for various community activities - U3A, Film Club, Garden Club, reading - anything on trains, buses, canals, industrial archaeology - he has an extensive library! The highlight of his retirement was a cruise on the TrentSevern waterway in Ontario with Sandy and Canadian friends in 2018.

John leaves behind Sandy, daughters Lynne & Lisa, son-in-law Will, grandson Charlie, brother George, niece Jill and Ellen a very dear family friend.

Obituary Robert Parkin

Robert died at the end of November, aged 78, after a short illness. Robert was born in Northampton and grew up in Wellingborough. He went on to study Engineering at Leeds University.

After graduating Robert had a long and successful career in the construction industry, moving to the northeast in the late 60s where he worked on large-scale infrastructure projects, notably the Cow Green Dam in Teesdale and the Newcastle Metro.

Returning to Northamptonshire in the 1980s, Robert was involved in the construction of the M25. In later life he became a health and safety consultant. In retirement Robert pursued his passions for ballroom dancing, narrow boating and travel.

Robert became an IWA member in December 2003 a year after he purchased his boat.

Robert started with us on the very first Task Party at lock 17 on the Northampton Arm in July 2013 and has been a regular and much appreciated volunteer over the years. Robert clocked up well over 700 volunteer hours over this time. Robert was our mower man and he must have known almost every blade of grass on the Arm. He also used his boat on one occasion to transport some of us down the Wellford Arm to the Main Line to clear some vegetation on the offside

He leaves behind his wife Julie, and two sons, Jonathan and Richard.

NOTICE OF AGM

IWANorthamptonBranch

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Tuesday, 14th March, 2023, at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne commencing at 7.30pm.

AGENDA:

1: Apologies for absence

2: Minutes of previous AGM held on 8th March, 2022

3: Matters arising

4: Chairman’s Report

5: Treasurer’s Report

6: Statement of Committee size

7: Election of Committee members

8: AOB

Under the IWA Branch bylaws effective from 16th May 2009, last amended 11th June 2011, there is no restriction on the maximum size of the committee John Pomfret, Tony Clarke, Helen Westlake and Paul Lynam retire by rotation and seek re-election.

It is no longer necessary for those who wish to stand for election to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Written consents from Branch members wishing to stand for election should be deposited with Branch Secretary Sandie Morton before the commencement of the AGM business via sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk

{signed) Bernard Morton, IWA Northampton Branch Chairman

We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour

Nicholas Paterson

We look forward to meeting you at our Branch events

Report from Les Etheridge National Chairman

Northampton is one of the most active branches in IWA and it was a real pleasure to attend your annual dinner in November. Thank you for all the branch does in supporting and furthering IWA’s charitable aims for the inland waterways.

One of the questions people ask is what is IWA For me it is quite simple in that it is to protect and restore the inland waterways. IWA’s role as the only independent charity covering all our waterways is as relevant today as it has ever been.

There is no other organisation in the UK that does or could do the range of work undertaken by IWA. We have not been good at telling people all that we do and we will be working to improve this in 2023 to ensure that people realise all the work that IWA does.

In terms of protecting the waterways a good example is the setting up of Essex Waterways in 2005 to save the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. IWA was the only waterways organisation that was prepared to act and today the navigation is once again vibrant and successful.

IWA works to restore waterways and support the restoration societies through the work of the Waterway Recovery Group and the expertise available through our Restoration Hub. Where else can a restoration scheme get for example engineering, Insurance, training and physical support?

Funding for waterways is a real issue in these difficult financial times. Canal & River Trust are having problems in getting the government to agree to continue their funding beyond 2027 and even if funding continues will it be at an adequate rate? I am also hearing of other waterways losing funding that is essential to them. I fear there is a real prospect of waterways again facing closure. Our “Waterways for Today” report, which you can find on our website, clearly spells out the value that the waterways provide. The closure of waterways to navigation would be totally unacceptable to IWA and more importantly it would be a tragic national loss.

IWA’s work over many years has helped to restore 500 miles of inland waterways. Can you help us ensure that all the existing waterways remain navigable and to restore the next 500 miles?

For over 20 years I was an armchair IWA member and it was only when I volunteered to join the Finance Committee that I started to realise just how wide a range of work IWA was involved in and also the important influence it has on the inland waterways. We need volunteers to carry out the wide range of work we achieve and it can be a very rewarding experience. If you feel you could add to the work already done by volunteers nationally please do contact our Volunteer Manager, Jenny Hodson (Jenny.Hodson@waterways.org.uk). Jenny will happily discuss how your skills can be used to support the inland waterways. Of course, Northampton Branch will also be very pleased if you want to volunteer locally.

Historic Narrowboat, Sculptor

Part III of her journey

Ellesmere Port and the return to Stoke Bruerne

The week after the trip along the Manchester Ship Canal, I returned to Ellesmere Port and commenced work to drain all the ballast from the IBC’s and clear everything out of the hold. All the IBC’s were lifted off and the shutts – the false floor throughout the hold – where removed. This exposed the bottom boards, which could then be cleaned throughout and inspected for any signs of rot or decay. The shutts were taken away to the carpenter’s workshop where they were repaired as necessary, and all were treated with anti-fungal chemicals.

The chine angle irons at the bottom of the steel hold sides were de as were the knees. Loose flaking paint and rust was chipped away, and all the steelwork coated with Waxoyl. The cabin and engine room were emptied, and every surface washed. The bilges were scraped clean, under the motor and beneath the cabin floor. Finally, the front bow locker was emptied, and everything washed, after which the steelwork was de-rusted and again treated with Waxoyl.

Several parts of the running gear were removed, and the carpenters replaced the wooden box around the hand pump and replaced a rotting cross beam. All the new parts of the running gear were painted. The gunnels and the kelson were cleaned and treated with Stockholm Tar and Linseed oil.

The hold emptied and the chines de-rusted and treated

I again returned to Ellesmere Port and spent another week there in August helping the volunteers and staff with the various aspects of the work. The Ellesmere Port Engineer serviced the engine and attempted to resolve an intermittent starter problem. A reconditioned starter was fitted and a new battery, but still the problem persisted.

Alec Swain – the Museum’s Boat Care Technician created the plan for the return journey to Stoke Bruerne, which was modified several times. The aim was to enable Sculptor to be back at Stoke Bruerne for the October half term week.

Helen and I made plans for a short holiday up in the North-west at the end of September, so that we could enjoy a long-postponed day trip on the Manchester Ship

Canal. This was a birthday gift to me from the previous year, which was delayed by the pandemic. For anyone interested in the Mersey, Liverpool and the Ship Canal, this is a wonderful day trip on-board the Mersey Ferries vessel, Royal Iris for which we had glorious weather. The following a day we spent at the Waterways Museum, having meetings with the team there and making the final plans for the return trip. Volunteers and staff from Ellesmere Port were going to take Sculptor down the Shropshire Union and then members of our team from Stoke Bruerne would join them in Wolverhampton for the Birmingham Canal Navigations and then the last part of the journey would be undertaken by our own volunteers. One concession had been agreed which was to allow the crew to stay on board as necessary. The plan was completed, with hotels booked for alternate nights and some basic camping equipment added into the hold. A thorough check was made of all the on-board equipment before it was re-loaded and instruction given for the re-ballasting of Sculptor using the IBC’s and the 6 blue barrels.

Thanks are due to all the hard-working staff and volunteers at Ellesmere Port for the work that they did whilst Sculptor was there. Staff Alec Swain and Heather Densham. Boat Care Team Jones, Stuart Gardiner and Di Skilbeck MBE. Boatyard Carpenters - John Davies, Neil Barlow and John Hughes along with Dave Trent and his volunteers from the Power Hall.

Sculptor finally left Ellesmere Port on Sunday 16th October with Alec Swain and Nigel Carpenter as the main crew and assisted by various other members of the team. Unfortunately, the planned first day destination was not reached, due to a serious oil leak from the engine filter housing. As it was a Sunday, the technician from the Port was not available, so Sculptor was filled with more oil and limped into Chester. On hearing this news, I made strong recommendations that Sculptor should be returned to Ellesmere Port and the problems rectified and the bilges cleaned out. However, time was pressing, due to booked accommodation and overnight moorings arrangements, so on the Monday morning, the technician sorted out the oil leak problem and refilled the engine with oil and the crew got underway – though now a day behind schedule.

Arrangements were made for me to join the crew for an overnight stay in Wolverhampton on the Wednesday evening, to enable an early start to be made the next morning. I was dropped off just after 6am at Napton Narrowboats yard by the Autherley Junction. The other crew members took a vehicle down to Icknield Port –our planned end of day destination. In the darkness, I fumbled about, attempting to

Martyn Kerry - some final touches

Continued from page 15 find various items of equipment, and carrying out the daily engine checks. With the dawn breaking, I wandered down to the stop lock at the junction which I made ready and waited for the rest of the crew. We soon got underway but only achieved the first 25 yards as we became stuck fast in the gate of the stop lock, caused by an underwater obstruction. First job was to get Sculptor back out, with a great deal of reverse thrust and lines attached to the counter studs. Then the job of clearing the debris from behind the gate with just the long shaft. Eventually we achieved getting into the lock, the water level adjusted by 6 inches and we were on our way down to Aldersley Junction and the start of the Wolverhampton 21. Swinging into the junction Alec alighted to set the lock, only to return a few moments later – I need a key! Where is the handcuff key? Doesn’t Sculptor have one? Well, No! On our normal travels about the East Midlands, one is not needed, so we’ve never had one as part of the equipment. Alec, always up for a morning run set off back to Napton Narrowboats to purchase a couple of keys.

The crew worked well together, taking 5 locks before swopping over and we made swift work of the 21 narrow locks, with no oncoming traffic until we reached the centre of Wolverhampton. At Tipton Factory Lock we were met by Kev Maslin – the well-known canal boat photographer. The autumnal colours and a little sunshine produced some photos for his 2024 calendar. Rain set in soon after as we made our way along the Birmingham New Main Line. We got well stemmed up in the Bromford Stop where we did some dredging and stirred up oily deposits. Icknield Port Loop – where the Heritage Boat Group are based was our appointed overnight mooring, but we discovered that it is also where every Canal and River Trust work boat in the Birmingham area is moored for the weekend. We breasted Sculptor up – about 4 deep and clambered onto the quayside. Kathryn Dodington and Peter Simpkins had travelled up to Birmingham and were waiting for us as we arrived somewhat bedraggled into an Edgbaston Hotel where we all spent a pleasant evening together.

The next morning we set off through the centre of Birmingham. Kathryn on the tiller, struggling to see anything as we set off into the low sunlight. Through Gas Street Basin and under Black Sabbath Bridge for the right-angled turn onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. After yesterday’s heavy rain, Sculptor’s skeg was well down in the water and with a bilge full of oil and water, it was not possible to use the on-board pump or else we might have caused a major oil slick. As we neared the new Birmingham University Railway Station, I held back to allow an oncoming boat to pass through a narrow channel under a bridge. However, a second boat was following and on attempting to regain the channel, Sculptor caught on an underwater object. The usual toolbox of tricks was exercised, but nothing worked, Eventually, with the lightest person on the counter and everyone else well forward in the hold we slipped off the obstruction.

After taking the sharp turn at the Kings Norton junction we were on the North Stratford and through the non-functioning but listed historic guillotine lock. Now the North Stratford is a delightfully scenic canal through the County of Warwickshire, but the canal is never straight for many yards. I real workout for the steerer of a 72foot narrowboat! The planned destination of Kingswood Junction seemed a long way off, but the sight of a Canal and River Trust Volunteer lock keeper at the top of the Lapworth flight was a welcome sight. She was just knocking off for the day but

promised us that the whole of the flight had been set in our favour. With a good team, we made swift progress and although there was a call to stop partway down, I persuaded the other crew members to press on – as there was a good pub at the bottom! We moored up and Alec and Kathryn were picked up by Steve Bagley to collect a car from Birmingham and to take Kathryn back to Stoke Bruerne

A brisk walk to the Tom O’ the Wood pub at Rowington were we enjoyed a great meal in the company of some of the Lapworth Volunteers. During the night, it poured with rain and thunderstorms rolled around the hills. Whilst volunteer lock keepers were willing to help us at Hatton, we decided to wait until the middle of the day, when the storms had past, and the wind died down. A short afternoon trip in glorious sunshine along the wide Grand Union where we arrived at the Top of Hatton to enjoy a late brunch at the Lockside café. We left Sculptor and took a taxi to the previously booked hotel at Warwick. During the night, it again poured with rain and on returning to Sculptor the next morning, she was lying low in the water after all the rainfall. Adrian Honeybill joined us for the day and with the help of a couple of pre-arranged volunteer lock keepers, we made good progress down the 21 locks, even though hardly any other boats were moving. A quick and necessary pit stop at Leamington for some addition provisions, and we pressed on up the Bascote staircase locks to our next planned overnight mooring at Long Itchington. We moored up outside of the village so that we could pump out some of the bilge water. By using a small submersible auxiliary pump, we managed to remove many gallons of water from beneath the oily surface. A short walk up the first couple of locks of the Stockton Flight brought us to the welcome sight of the Blue Lias pub which provide a warm and welcoming meal. We stayed onboard again, and Adrian returned the next morning for the last leg of the journey back to Braunston. Stockton Locks were soon cleared and the 3 locks at Calcutt were we watched the partial solar eclipse. Around Wigrams turn where the Oxford Canal joins the Grand Union for the

Some much necessary tlc co Braunston Marina

Preparing Buckby top Lock

final leg back to Braunston Marina. Arrangements had been made with Graham Newman and Tim Coghlan at the Marina to enable us to tidy Sculptor up and ensure she was presentable for the return to Stoke Bruerne the following day. Lifts were arranged which enabled us to spend a night at home and the next morning Alyn Jones joined me for the final day. Our lock keeper friend, Dave Lee provided us with help up the Braunston Locks and down the Buckby flight where he left us as we returned along the familiar route back to Stoke Bruerne.

To enable Sculptor to make a grand return to the Museum the following day, we moored for the night at the blacksmith’s forge. The next morning BBC Look East film crew arrived and with a little manoeuvring Sculptor re-emerged from the tunnel and then proceeded along to her mooring besides the Museum Green, where staff from the Museum and East Midlands region and volunteers formed a welcome home gathering. The ladies of the Museum Café had created a couple of amazing cakes and champagne glasses (thanks to Tim Coghlan) were raised as a toast to welcome Sculptor Home. Television interviews were recorded for that evening’s Look East.

Welcome home cakes

The Branch is collecting old printer, toner and/or inkjet cartridges for recycling.

I would be most willing to take them off your hands.

This form of recycling may not generate large amounts of funds but, as they say, every little helps.

Please bring them to the Branch meetings or please email me on sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk

When you go cruising again let me know about your trip so we can all share in your experiences. This is where you can suggest new places to visit or to avoid.

Write a report about your cruise, let others know the good and not so good places to moor, eat, drink, places of interest worth visiting and anything else that might help others to enjoy that area. Let us know of any mishaps or interesting things that happened on your journey. Include pictures of your cruise, unusual things scenery and anything else that you want to add. I am looking forward to receiving your reports. Or maybe you could tell us about the boats you’ve hired or owned. Email your articles to me, tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk

BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY

The BCS had another very successful year in 2022 working at three sites along the canal, Cosgrove, Hyde Lane and Bourton Meadow. A lot of work achieved with the help of twenty-two visits from outside companies and WRG groups. These include BITM WRG, KESCRG, Ingram Micro, Network Rail, VW, Sava, Santander, NHBC, BT, HSBC, Audi, Arriva, Mitie and Cummins.

'Diana the Dredger' has arrived at Cosgrove after a very eventful journey from Berkhampstead. This was the dredger recently purchased from CRT and was used in the Milton Keynes IWA clean-ups. 'Diana' has a problem with her engine at present but hopefully will be in action shortly working alongside our other work boats Louise, Perserverance and our tug Shoveler dredging the Buckingham Canal.

Diana the dredger

Athina Beckett

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 & Archivist

Tony Clarke

07305 893924

E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Committee Member

John Pomfret

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

Joint Task Party Organiser

Michael Butler

E-mail: michael.butler @waterways.org.uk

Planning Officer

Helen Westlake

E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk

Committee Member

Catriona Butler

E-mail: catriona.butler @waterways.org.uk

Non-Committee posts

Website and Media Officers

Gail Anscombe Email: gail.anscombe@waterways.org.uk

Lynda Payton Email: lynda.payton@waterways.org.uk

Branch Meetings

Lynda Payton

E-mail: lynda.payton @waterways.org.uk