Endeavour Newsletter 2012 February

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Endeavour

1 to attempt (eg the fulfilment of an obligation) by exertion of effort; 2 archaic to strive to achieve or reach ~ vi to make an effort to do something n a serious determined effort

Northampton Branch Newsletter - February 2012

BOAT GATHERING TIME AGAIN Final preparations are currently underway for the Branch’s annual Boat Gathering on the River Nene at Becket’s Park, not far from the centre of Northampton.

As already reported in the last Endeavour, the 2012 event over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend from Friday 4th to Monday 7th will be a return to “normal service” from last year when the Gathering was upgraded to National Campaign Festival status.

AA unique opportunity to experience the delicate flavours of Indian cuisine at its best!

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Continued on page 18

TRY OUR NEW BRINJOL SPECIALIST DISHES The Becket’s Park waterside pictured from the Wathen Wigg bridge at last year’s National Campaign Festival

£9.95*

Will your Photographic Competition entry feature in our new calendar?

Full details on page 9 The IWA was founded in 1946 to campaign for the retention, restoration and development of Britain’s navigable waterways and for their fullest commercial and recreational use.

The IWA is a registered Charity (no. 212342) , whose work is supported by members’ subscriptions.

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EDITORIAL MUSINGS As spring and summer swiftly approach, I think it is timely to take stock of the mixture of annual waterway events we have taking place on our “patch”.

It’s pretty impressive and reflects highly on the on-going commitment and enthusiasm of the organisers, in the most part voluntary. There are three relative newcomers among the mix.

In June there is the Gala Weekend at Stoke Bruerne organised by the Friends of the Canal Museum. In August follows the Blisworth Canal Festival which is truly a village affair involving so many groups and organisations. Then at the end of September, for the fifth time, Stoke Bruerne will be at war again.

May the sun shine as brilliantly and warmly as it did for the 2011 War Weekend. Add to these attractions the well-established Crick Boat Show and the ever-popular Braunston Historic Narrowboat Festival and you can see we have a canal showcase of which other areas can surely only be jealous.

Things kick-off, though, with our Boat Gathering at Becket’s Park, which is well-heralded in this Endeavour. I encourage you to join in. From what I hear things are shaping up well. It is organised by a small group who have established a template for the event to which they add and subtract as appropriate.

But they do need new blood, if only to avoid repetition. For example, I know the setter of the Town Treasure Hunt is anxiously looking for a successor.

Not that he minds doing the basic spade work, but simply because this is the fourth time in recent years he has done it and it doesn’t get any easier to come up with fresh ideas. If he is still in the post next year, he threatens to send participants – and this quiz regularly attracts a sizeable response - to the outer reaches of town by bus to add a bit of variety!

On another topic – of all the items in this issue, the one I find most encouraging is on page 10 concerning the Buckingham Canal Society. It reveals a development that some sceptics doubted would ever happen, namely the rewatering, in manageable stages, of the Old Stratford section from where it is stanked off at Cosgrove at the head of the moorings to the A5. Keep your fingers crossed that the embankment holds firm and the unknowns prove unfounded. Only time will tell. In fact, keep everything crossed and, above all, keep the faith.

By the way, did you notice the caption to a picture in the spring issue of IWA Waterways? It posed the question, is the River Nene “Britain’s loveliest waterway?” Who are we to argue...

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DIARY DATES March 13th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch AGM at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, followed by a quiz with Michael and Catriona Butler.

14th 7.30 IWA Eastern Region AGM at Peterborough & District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough PE1 5HA. 26th 7.45 IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting at Pavilion Community Sports Club, Worelle Ave, Middleton, MK MK10 9AD off Tongwell Street A4146 (V11) “So you think you want to own a boat” with Ian Fletcher, David Darvill and James Griffin.

April

10th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, Speaker to be announced 23rd 7.45 IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting (venue as above), “Historic Waterway Films” including boating on the Ouse and Derwent.

29th 10am IWA Northampton Branch Westbridge Arm clean-up (see page 7 for details).

30th –1st IWA Milton Keynes Branch spring clean -up, Fenny Stratford – Old Wolverton. See web page for more details.

May

4th-7th Northampton Branch Boat Gathering, Becket’s Park, Northampton.

(See details in this Endeavour).

15th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker to be announced. (this is a week later than normal because of Boat Gathering)

June

2nd—5th 10am –5pm Crick Boat Show, Crick Marina, West Haddon Road, Crick NN6 7SQ www.crickboatshow.com 7th 7.30 Mikron Theatre in the marquee on the Museum Green, Stoke Bruerne.

Bring your own blanket and chair.

9th & 10th Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend. (See page 25 or visit www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk).

23th & 24th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Festival. (See page 29).

Buckingham Canal Society Work Party Dates March 8th, 11th, 22nd.

April 5th, 8th, 19th.

May 3rd, 13th, 17th,31st.

For further details, please contact Athina Beckett on 01908 661217

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Branch Chairman’s Jottings

by Bernard Morton Better late than never, but a Happy New Year to you all.

I’m sure the penny has dropped with most of you that the acronym of the Canal & River Trust is, somewhat unfortunately, “CART”. Oh dear – didn’t anybody spot it?

Or even, is it a deliberate mistake designed to draw attention? I can’t honestly believe it’s the latter; I’m more inclined towards the former. On the other hand, the name chosen for the new Trust is such, in retrospect, an obvious one that maybe someone suggested: “Let’s run with it and take a chance …”. Then again, is the ampersand a cunning diversionary tactic?

The critics (as well as cynics) are doubtless priming their weapons, verbal and written, to go to town when matters start to go a little awry, which surely they will in the initial stages as with any newly-launched sizeable scheme or organisation despite detailed planning. But it would surely be unfair if the brickbats began flying early on. We must allow the Trust to get its feet under the table and demonstrate it means business for the wholesale benefit of the waterways before accusations are levelled of being “left in the cart”.

I for one welcome the Trust and wish it well with its activities from day one. It has a daunting task and its personnel deserve 100% support. Bear in mind, it is dreadfully underfunded and will always be playing catch-up, especially on the maintenance front. You hardly dare imagine what might happen should a major structure fail. I suppose we should be glad that the major Blisworth Tunnel Repair happened when it did, some 30 years ago now. What a struggle it was then to get the necessary funds released to carry out the work required. So if something similar occurred in today’s dodgy economic climate, what are the chances of securing meaningful financial support? Absolutely zilch, I would wager. On the other hand, though, perhaps we should be more Monty Pythonish in our approach by looking on the bright side of life. The worst might not ever happen – but did I see a pig up there?

I WAS THINKING THE OTHER DAY that it has been a funny 12 months. At the time of writing we seem to have slipped back towards drought conditions again after the encouraging post Christmas/early January mini-monsoon period. I keep my boat at the Middle Nene Cruising Club at Titchmarsh and in my time there I cannot recall such a prolonged period during which navigation on the river has not been interrupted by floods. It wasn’t that long ago that river boaters were complaining they were not getting their licence worth because regular high water levels prevented them from leaving their moorings. Such are the ups and downs (literally) of river boating in particular. Let us hope we shall not be too inconvenienced this summer by deluges from above, although a quick look in mid January at Pitsford Reservoir told its own story. We do need that rain – and quickly too.

7 SADLY I’VE BEEN UNDERWHELMED by the response to my appeal in my Jottings column in the last Endeavour for volunteers to come forward to join the “local waterway partnership boards” required to advise and influence the management of canals when the Canal & River Trust gets underway. I don’t believe this will be a too onerous task but one which needs to be fulfilled in our efforts to ensure the success of the Trust. I have details of what is involved. Please get in touch (contact details on page 39).

ELSEWHERE IN ENDEAVOUR you can read all about our annual Boat Gathering at Northampton’s Becket’s Park. An entry form is enclosed with this newsletter.

Also on page 9 are full details about our enhanced Photographic Competition which we hope will attract enough high quality entries to allow the publication for the first time of a Branch calendar for 2013. What a splendid stocking-filler that would prove to be!

Steve Skears, who runs Skears Photographic in Wellingborough Road, Northampton, has kindly sponsored (and judged) the Photographic Competition at the Boat Gathering for several years now. He continues to “stay aboard” and we are very grateful to him for his continuing involvement. I have visited his shop and found it something of an Aladdin’s Cave for all things photographic. Well worth a look.

THE NEXT CHAIRMAN’S JOTTINGS will be written after the Boat Gathering and we shall be into what some like to term “the cruising season” although I know this grates with many who like to keep on the move the year round. Anyway, get to and dewinterise your boats as required to be prepared for the first spring-like day. If the weather is like last year, it won’t be long in arriving. Alternatively, if you appreciate the waterways in a manner other than boating, such as walking and enjoying the countryside in general, you won’t have had a close season. It’s a twelve-monthlong activity, always there waiting for you to sample its pleasures whatever the weather.

With my best wishes and hope to see as many of you as possible at our Boat Gathering at Becket’s Park. And do please bring your photographs along.

WESTBRIDGE ARM CLEAN-UP DATE IS FIXED FOR SUNDAY, 29th APRIL The Branch’s annual Westbridge Arm clean-up is scheduled for Sunday, 29th April, a week before the Boat Gathering.

The idea is primarily to clear rubbish (notably shopping trolleys) out of the river to ensure it is navigable for the Westbridge Arm Challenge held during the Gathering. There is also a certain amount of litter picking to be done around the area.

Please meet in the St James Retail Park by Boots Pharmacy (previously Pizza Hut) at 10am. The necessary equipment will be provided but come appropriately dressed as participants can get as dirty as they wish!

Light refreshments will be provided and the job is normally completed by late morning. Good fun and achieving something really useful.

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NOTICE OF AGM IWA Northampton Branch

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Tuesday, 13th March, 2012, at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, commencing at 8pm.

AGENDA: (please bring this agenda to the meeting) 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8:

Apologies for absence Minutes of previous AGM held on 8th March,2011 Matters arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Branch bid to rejoin Eastern Region vote will be taken Statement of Committee size Election of Committee members

At the time of publication, there are 4 elected vacancies on the Branch Committee.

The ex-officio seat is currently occupied by John Pomfret, the East Midlands Region Chairman. Details of the foregoing will be given at the meeting before Item 8 above.

Nominations for election must be in writing, signed by the proposer and seconder, and contain the signed consent of the nominee (all of whom must be paid up members of the Association) and should be deposited with the Chairman, Bernard Morton, Yew Tree House, 14 Baker Street, Gayton, Northants, NN7 3EZ {signed) Bernard Morton IWA Northampton Branch Bernard Morton seeks re-election. Sandie Morton and Michael Butler were co-opted during 2011 and seek election. At the time there are 4 vacancies and 3 nominations, leaving 1 vacancy.

BRANCH BID TO REJOIN EASTERN REGION Northampton Branch Chairman, Bernard Morton, writes: In the reorganisation of 2008, Northampton Branch Committee elected to join East Midlands Region rather than Eastern Region to assist in aligning the IWA’s regional structure with regional government bodies, particularly the development agencies. With the abolition of regional government, this argument no longer applies and the Branch Committee has put forward a proposal to the Trustees to re-join Eastern Region. The Trustees did not approve this at its February meeting but it is open to the Branch Committee to resubmit the request, accompanied by evidence of support from the Branch membership and neighbouring Branches and Regions. Your Committee, with our branch members’ support fully intends to re-state its case and, as part of this campaign, will be placing a motion before the Branch AGM, on 13th March 2012, asking for members’ endorsement of the proposal to re-affiliate.

Continued opposite

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“WATERWAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR” PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION MAY RESULT IN A BRANCH CALENDAR In association with the Branch’s May Day Bank Holiday Weekend Boat Gathering, a PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION is being promoted with a £50 prize voucher donated by Skears Photographic, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton, going to the person securing the top picture.

The competition carries the theme “Waterways Throughout The Year”. This provides you with plenty of opportunities to sort out any prints you may like to submit as the theme covers all aspects of the waterways world, afloat as well as ashore – boats, birds, nature, the lot. The only proviso is that the pictures must have been taken in the UK, and the more local the better.

The organisers hope a sufficient number of high standard entries will be received so the Branch is able to produce a 2013 calendar featuring the best of these photographs. Pictures used will be accredited, of course, to the photographer.

To enter, all you have to do is to deliver your prints to the Boat Gathering by 6pm on the Sunday evening (6th May) to be judged. You do not have to attend by boat to do this. Just bring them to the site making sure you have described (ie. location etc) the images pictured together with your name, address and contact details. If you are delivering your prints to the site and have arrived by other means rather than by boat, you are, naturally, welcome to stay on and join in with the evening’s fun and entertainment. Alternatively, if you cannot make it to the Boat Gathering, please bring your prints along to the Branch’s April social meeting at the Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth on the 10th.

The Branch moved from the now defunct Grand Junction Region to the East Midlands in 2008 as part of the general region reorganisation. However, with the abolition of regional government, it is now felt that Northampton Branch sits more naturally (we share the River Nene with Peterborough) and historically with Eastern Region which includes Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Cambridge branches. In fact, in the late 1960s, Northampton was allied with Peterborough, Cambridge and Norwich as the Eastern Branch and Northampton committee members were travelling to the other side of Cambridge for meetings.

The IWA Eastern Region Branches fully support our proposal to move regions and are looking forward to welcoming us back. This move also has the full support of our East Midlands Regional Chairman John Pomfret.

Please come to our AGM on 13th March 2012 to give your Committee your support for this proposal. Those unable to attend the AGM are welcome to write to me at 14 Baker Street, Gayton, Northampton, NN7 3EZ.

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Buckingham Canal progress Chairman of Buckingham Canal Society Athina Beckett contributes: It is wonderful to see the interest that continues to grow in the canal. A broad mix of volunteers both young and old are working on the restoration project to preserve this piece of local heritage.

From its opening in 1801, the canal was used to transport bricks, coal and manufactured goods as well as impors from the London Docks. It also provided transport for agricultural produce from the farms and villages along its route. The waterway to Buckingham ran a total of just under 11 miles from the Grand Union Canal at Cosgrove Lock along the Old Stratford and Buckingham Arms. The original route passed through Old Stratford, Deanshanger, Thornton, Leckhampstead Wharf, Thornborough Mill, Maids Moreton Mill and Bourton Meadow. Much of the canal is now dry, and parts have been built over. Certain sections of the route will need to be created anew due to the development that has taken place in and around villages since the canal’s closure.

However, the Old Stratford Arm from Cosgrove to where it meets the A5 is still classified as a Remainder Waterway by British Waterways. The Buckingham Arm from Old Stratford to Buckingham was officially abandoned in 1964.The Society has previously commissioned an outline feasibility study regarding the restoration of the entire length of the canal arm. The report concluded that it was a feasible project, although significant funding and commitment will be required.

The really good news now is that, in partnership with BW, plans are in hand to gradually re-water the Old Stratford Arm from Cosgrove in approximate100–metre long sections, hopefully starting later this year. At the Buckingham end, at the Bourton Meadow site, plans are also in hand to re-line and re-water this section, again hopefully beginning sometime in 2012. Futher work is planned as well for the area around the Nature Reserve at Hyde Lane, near Foscott. The Society is actively seeking new members and volunteers to join the existing membership of around 200 and welcomes participation at all levels from the Members of the Buckingham Canal Society work party cross community. It runs the lock at Cosgrove on their way to clear vegetation from the three work parties a canal in preparation for future restoration work

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month on alternate Thursdays and on the second Sunday of each month. No experience is necessary (see page 4). The Society is also actively seeking grant and other funding to progress its restoration activities working in partnership with local authorities in the area as well as with private companies.

BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS REVIEW

Meanwhile, the BCS held a very successful AGM at the end of January at Buckingham Community Centre. This year we had booked the larger hall because of increased attendance in previous years. This proved to have been the correct decision as we had over 70 people there. It also gave us more space to display photos and publicity material about the canal whilst people had a lot more room to circulate during the interval and meet up with old friends. Reports were received from the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Work Party Organiser and this was followed by a very interesting talk by Ed Grimsdale about the history of trade on the canal in Buckingham. If anyone would like further details or a copy of these reports, this can be arranged.

Concern was expressed that invitations to stand on committees associated with the Canal & River Trust were only sent out to BW licence holders and not EA or other user groups (eg. fishermen, cyclists, ramblers etc.) This matter should be brought up at the next IWA Navigation Committee meeting.

On Friday 27th January, the Society took delivery of a set of redundant lock gates from the Northampton Arm where the gates had been renewed. BW arranged delivery to Home Farm opposite the BBOWT Nature Reserve via a low loader where the BCS had arranged for a telehandler to take the gates down the track to the Nature Reserve for installation on the lock at a later date. These will not be working gates but will give the impression to the public walking along the Ouse Valley footpath what the canal will look like once restored.

With a telehandler on site some of our volunteers took the opportunity to have a go at driving it as we had aWRG training instructor on site as well.

We invite all IWA members to come and view all the current work being carried out on our work parties. Most of the work parties are being held at Cosgrove, so more convenient for Northampton members to join us. For more details, please visit the BCS website at buckinghamcanal.org.uk or email info@buckinghamcanal.org.uk

GRAND JUNCTION BOAT COMPANY Boat Building and Fitting, Marine Engineers, Electricians, Agents for Yanmar Diesel Engines CANAL MAINTENANCE YARD, BLISWORTH ARM, NORTHAMPTON NN7 3EF Tel: 01604-858043

boatrepairs.uk.com info@boatrepairs.uk.com narrowboatrepairsnorthampton.co.uk

December

Correspondence

Branch Dinner

A good response was received from the questionnaire at the dinner. Full report on page 24.

Branch Magazine/Website

It was pointed out that an electronic version of Endeavour should be sent to Aegre, the Region Newsletter, to allow the editor to select any relevant information for their next issue. It was then debated as to whether Northampton Branch is in the right IWA Region; it was felt that we should be more closely aligned with MK Branch and Peterborough/Cambridge Branches.

A vote of 6 in favour of a switch and 1 against followed. Bernard Morton agreed to talk to Head Office and Regional Chairman about how to proceed.

Boat Gathering

The Sub Committee has a new Chairman, Michael Butler. It was reported that this this event will be smaller this year following 2011 National Campaign Festival, focusing on boats and activities on the Lock Island. It is hoped that Northampton Borough Council will take on the organisation of a public event in Becket’s Park as the Council is keen for this to become an annual event.

Planning

Bugbrooke appeal and new application. Discussed at length; the development

is outside village boundary and close to the Grand Union Canal. Plans highlighted that the applicant also owns land to the south which adjoins the GU and could be next area for development. Lynda Payton is to draft a formal letter to South Northants Council stating our objections, and should the development get the approval, ask that a significant natural landscape buffer should be the requirement.

Willow House, Blisworth, has been refused (this involved a re-route of the old tunnel tramway). Blisworth, Chapel Lane, 27 properties – no objection as it is not near the canal.

13 Reports from Local Societies /Partnerships Friends of the Canal Museum Gala Weekend is being renamed to reflect “heritage”...now to be Stoke Bruerne Gala 2012 Celebrating our Waterways Heritage, 8-10th June. It is hoped this will assist the Stoke Bruerne Partnership in a forthcoming HLF funding application. Work on Sculptor progressing slowly – still a shortfall of funds.

Any Other Business

Iron Trunk renovation near Cosgrove: it is envisaged by BW that leak reduction will be attempted by re-grouting on abutments. This will save the need to close and de-water if successful. Provisional date for early February boat parade is dependent on weather and progress of work.

January Matters Arising The Eastern Region Branches are to be consulted about Northampton Branch’s potential move back to Eastern Region.

Correspondence Neil Edwards has replied to possible change of Region but this will have to be agreed by the Trustees who meet in February.

Boat Gathering

Planning and progressing well. The entertainment is booked for Friday night (Chris who performed at the Branch Dinner) and Saturday night (The Caverners). Greetings from Branch have been sent out to all who attended the 2011 Campaign Festival with a booking form in hope of attracting some to return.

Planning

4 applications: 3 at Blisworth Marina relating to office buildings and 1 at Cosgrove for first floor extension above a garage. No objections.

Reports from Local Societies Friends of Canal Museum. Illuminated Boat Parade and Carol Singing was well attended and £140 raised. It was felt that there was not enough carol singing (only 5-10 mins).

Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership. Tenders had gone out to 5 consultants for the HLF bid. It was asked if IWA would be prepared to be involved in some way?

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February Michael Butler was welcomed to the committee as he is Chairman of the Boat Gathering committee.

Urgent Business

Sandie Morton clarified the position of existing members, stating that Bernard Morton was due for re-election and Sandie Morton and Michael Butler were co-opted during the year so were seeking election, leaving 1 vacancy.

Correspondence

Alex Madisons has received a certificate from Inglesham Lock Appeal confirming the Branch’s donation of £2,000.

Branch Meetings

The possibility of holding canalside walks during the summer months was discussed.

Membership

There are currently 480 Branch members (385 memberships). There had been 5 new members (4 memberships) in January. An IWA survey (2008) showed that 60% of the national membership were boat owners. Members expectations of Association showed that over 90% favoured lobbying government and navigation authorities, 65% clean-ups and restoration, and only 21% for Branch social meetings .

Boat Gathering

5 bookings received to date, weekend entertainment was sorted and booked.

The design for the plaque has been finalised, the design consisting of a diamond working boat with 5 barrels on board (to symbolise the Olympic rings).

Nene Task Group

The construction of a Wellingborough waste disposal point, pump out and Elsan will be going ahead. Proposals for a new marina at Skew Lake, Rushden, on River Nene.

Proposal to put red/amber/green boards at locks on River Nene instead of depth gauge boards as these would be more visible from a distance.

Reports from local Societies /Partnerships

Friends of Canal Museum reported that plans are in hand for the Gala weekend in June and Village at War in September.

Any Other Business

The committee welcomed the good news about improved funding secured by the new Canal & River Trust and look forward to its inauguration on 1st June 2012.

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THE WHARF INN BUGBROOKE

Stowe Hill Wharf, Heyford Lane, Weedon, Northants NN7 4SF Tel: 01327 341365 Stowe Hill Workshop is now run by Graham Shepherd & Robert Gudgeon

● Boat Building

 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

All work undertaken, from simple tasks to complete fit-outs

Cornhill Lane, Bugbrooke, NN7 3QB

by Bridge 36 on the Grand Union Canal

Tel: 01604 832585

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OLD STAGER writes…

WATERWAYS WHEEL KEEPS TURNING As the demise of British Waterways nears, let us look back to the December 1959 issue of the Association’s Bulletin (no 60) to remind ourselves of BW’s financial situation at that time.

It is reported that Mr J.L.E. Smith, an IWA Advisory Committee member, had prepared a succinct analysis which revealed that British Waterways made a loss of £640,000 in l958. Although revenue for that year was slightly higher than in the previous 12 months, the loss was almost double. Points of interest from the l958 accounts are noted:

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A – The cost of administration increased by 20% in a single year;

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C – Nearly a quarter of the entire staff left and had to be replaced in the course of the year.

VAST RANGE OF DISHES INCLUDING

CLASSIC PUB FOOD, VEGETARIAN CHOICES AND A VARIETY OF SEAFOOD LARGE CANALSIDE BEER GARDEN

B – The number of administrative and clerical staff increased by 8% in the year, while the operating staff declined.

In a debate in the House of Commons at that time – the first general Parliamentary debate on inland waterways to take place since World War Two – Mr Geoffrey Wilson, MP, observed: “There may be reasonable explanations of all that, but if the Commission were a public or private liability company, I think the Chairman would have to do a lot of explaining at the Annual General Meeting as to how it came about.”

It seems the debate emerged as an outstanding triumph for the Association. Bulletin reported (almost certainly in the words of Robert Aickman): “Almost all debates of this type are the same in general shape. The enthusiasts, having carefully mobilised themselves, speak first, and say all the right things, because they understand the subject. Then come speakers who think they have an independent view of the subject, and therefore have not been mobilised. After them comes the official spokesman for the Opposition, who, being official, must be cautious, and, being an Opponent, must make some Party points. Finally, comes the Government spokesman, who, as he may actually have to do something and even involve others, can hardly be perceived to move at all, and is mainly preoccupied with proving that what his friends did in the past, was unquestionably the best that could possibly be done.”

And what was the principal thrust of the waterways supporters? Yes, you’ve guessed it: the vigorous advocacy for the establishment of a National Waterways Conservancy. So the wheel turns its (almost) full circle.

17 It is worth quoting two observations of Mr John Wells in the debate. He said: “It is no secret that the British Transport Commission spends £4,000 to buy a boat to let out for hire, which a number of people sitting in the public gallery this morning can buy for £1,700. It cannot possibly be profitable for a public body to spend 120% too much on capital goods.”

Mr Wells also commented: “The Lee and Stort Navigation is a splendid and very beautiful stretch of waterway coming within ten miles of the House. Yet if an Honourable Member tried to open a lock on the Sabbath day, he would have to accompany his request with something from his trouser’s pocket. It is completely out of step with modern holidaymaking to expect boats to be stationary on Sundays.”

KEEPING GOING. The year 1959 saw the Association’s national Rally of Boats held at Chester. The Bulletin reported a boating achievement which certainly left Old Stager feeling rather feeble: “Our Member, Mr S. M. Burton, who is 85 years old, navigated with his wife, and no other crew, from Walton-on-Thames; 244 miles and 209 locks. In one day they went through 33 locks, every one against them when they arrived.” Some going. Is there anyone of the present (or ageing) population out there who can beat it?

NEW BRANCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED We extend a warm welcome to the following IWA members who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour Mr C Bent & Ms F Craven, Towcester.

Mr G C Brook, Towcester.

Mr R Planner, Rushden.

Mr D Thompson, Kettering.

Ms G Baines & Mr M Zacharias, Corby Mr R Crutchley, Kislingbury Mr D Haddon, Weedon Ms D Phillips, Stanwick, Wellingborough.

Members who have moved to the Branch Mr & Mrs G & W Bushell, Weedon.

Mr R & Mrs L Wyles, Long Buckby

We look forward to meeting you all at Branch events

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OUR BOAT GATHERING IS NOT JUST FOR BOATERS

Full programme is being arranged for annual Becket’s Park event The Gathering has a new Chairman, Michael Butler, who says he and his colleagues on the organising committee hope the attendance will reach at least 50 boats. However, he points out that the Gathering is not just for boaters (IWA members or otherwise). “It is an open event for IWA members generally who are welcome to come along with their friends at any time to join in the fun and take part in the various events, but we do ask that the friends are signed in as official guests,” he says.

As always, the Environment Agency has waived the requirement for a river licence over the Gathering period. This includes passage through Northampton Town Lock to access the waterpoint and sanitary station downstream near Midsummer Meadow.

Moorings will be on a first come, first served basis and boats will be expected to breast up as required.

Various VIPs, including Northampton’s Mayor and local MPs, are being invited to attend the Gathering and there is likely to be a short trip for them on the St John Ambulance boat Crusader on the Sunday afternoon. At other times, Crusader will be available for public trips.

The Friday afternoon (possibly earlier) sees the erection of the main marquee and other tentage on the Lock Island, and help will be required for this. From early Friday evening, a BBQ will be operating at “full steam ahead” followed by an informal meet-andgreet get-together with a mix of entertainment , including light-hearted games.

Saturday will see a variety of events, culminating in the evening’s musical session featuring The Caverners 60s Duo from Cambridge who are new faces at our Gathering.

Sunday will include the traditional Boaters’Auction, compered by that popular double act Eric and Bernie who are guaranteed to tweak the last penny out of you. Please bring along any unwanted items, old or new, and not necessarily boat-related for the auction.

A fish, chicken and chips van (advance orders only) will arrive on site early Sunday evening, after which it will be quiz time with Sam and Lynda.

Boat Handling competitions are on the schedule for both Saturday and Sunday, as is the Westbridge Challenge. Also over the weekend, you can indulge yourselves at Cat’s Tearoom (home-made cakes a speciality) as well as making purchases at the Sales Table, which last year did record business. A lot of new stock is promised.

More details of the weekend’s activities will be given in the boaters’ information packs which will be sent out on receipt of entry forms and also when registering your attendance on arrival at Becket’s Park. It is hoped to add to the events and attractions outlined here. For instance it is known that the local Sea Cadets will be putting on demonstrations and it is possible a “town tour” with a Blue Badge Guide will be organised for the Saturday afternoon.

As always, a prime objective of the Gathering, in addition to having a good time, is to raise money for, in particular, local waterway causes. At the moment, the recipients of

19 any surplus funds accruing are still to be confirmed, but these will be made known at the event.

And finally – yes, the REAL ALE BAR will be on tap throughout offering, of course, other beverages as well as beer.

Says Gathering Chairman Mick Butler: “ It’s looking good. Do your very best to come along, including all you IWA members who, for one reason or another, cannot arrive by boat. Look forward to seeing you.”

A Boat Gathering entry form is enclosed with this issue of Endeavour. If it is missing, or you mislay it, please give Eric Young a ring on 07973 739833 or 01604 862988 for a replacement. You can also find the entry form on the Branch website www.waterways.org.uk and follow the links to Northampton Branch (East Midlands Region).

Iron Trunk Aqueduct is 200 years old The Iron Trunk Aqueduct is a magnificent Georgian structure, which carries the Grand Union Canal over the River Great Ouse.

Built in 1811 by canal engineer Benjamin Beavan, following the collapse of the previous brick-built structure, the aqueduct stands at an impressive 10.8 metres high and connects Wolverton with Cosgrove village Back in December 1799 before the aqueduct was in place, boaters would have to navigate a series of temporary locks which would lower the canal down to the river.

They would then cross over the river and then up a second flight of locks to rejoin the canal. This was time consuming, used a lot of water and was difficult to navigate when the river was in flood.

When the aqueduct opened, it generated an income of £400 a month (equivalent to £13,500 in today’s money) by charging for the extra amount of cargo the canal was able to carry.

In 2011 the Iron Trunk Aqueduct celebrated its bicentenary with a £300,000 programme of improvement works which have been carried over into this year. These works include refurbishing the aqueduct and restoring it to its original colours.

This project is being funded by a number of local organisations

20 including the Peoples Millions, British Waterways, Wolverton Town Council and WREN Local schools and organisations have been encouraged to get involved with the project and are researching the aqueduct’s history to produce information panels and develop new waterway walks using existing pathways.

Come along to the open day 26th February at the Iron Trunk Aqueduct to find out what works British Waterways will be doing to help restore this waterway wonder.

11am & 2pm Short talk by British Waterways’ manager about the history of the aqueduct and what works are taking place. Meeting point is beside the aqueduct.

11:30am & 2pm Guided circular walk, led by Milton Keynes Parks Trust, will depart from beside the Galleon Pub. The walks are expected to last a maximum of an hour and are not suitable for mobility users or pushchairs.

11am – 3pm  Free trips boat trip (one way), between Cosgrove and Wolverton (trips last about 30 minutes).  Galleon PH - refreshments, face painting, children’s activities, photographic display.  Car park, Wolverton – scavenger hunt for children, from the MK Parks Trust vehicle.  Below the aqueduct - demonstration of traditional harnessing for a working horse.  Beside the aqueduct – come and see historic narrowboats moored alongside the towpath.  Cosgrove Wharf – children’s activities on the MK Play Association’s Funion Bargee; refreshments aboard Elizabeth of Glamis.

Right and on previous page: preparing the aqueduct before repainting.

Pictures by Geoff Wood

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DOVER AND OUT! Tim Coghlan says a sad goodbye to retiring boatbuilder Dave Thomas who has been a welcome fixture at Braunston Marina for over twenty years The collapse in narrowboat building has taken its toll on some established boat builders and it is with much personal sadness that I record the recent closure of the Braunston Marina-based David Thomas Boatbuilders. The reason for this is that Dave has no new orders for hulls, which he has always seen as his indoor winter work. He hasn’t built a hull since the beginning of 2011 – a training narrowboat for Rugby-based Willow Wren Cruisers. And that will now prove his last.

Dave has for some time supplemented his work with repairs and over-plating to older narrowboats, which has been invaluable to us with our services to our moorers and ‘matters arising’ from brokerage surveys of older boats.

However that work meant working outside, the boat a few feet above ground on a cradle. At times it also meant lying on the ground, which was fine in summer. Now with masses of this work – narrowboats don’t die – but no other work, and with winter in hand, at 62, he has decided it is time to hang up his welder.

Dave has been with me since nearly my earliest days, when with the departure of Colecraft Engineering to their new factory at Long Itchington in 1991, I divided what I called the Braunston Marina Trade Centre into four workshops, opening for business in early 1992.

Dave has an interesting antecedence. He was born in Altrincham in Cheshire – he denies all links with Manchester. Leaving school at sixteen, he took up a boilermaker apprenticeship with ICI, which he completed and stayed on until the age of 29, which gave him an excellent grounding in metal working.

Astonishingly he then took a job in the Liverpool prison service which he only stuck for six months. (When hearing this from him, I reminded him of the old joke: What do you call a Scouse in a suit? Answer: The accused. He had heard it before and just shook his head. Then he said that he should never have gone into the prison service.)

With canals all around him, he was interested in them, and from the age of 22 had gone on hire-boat holidays in the Cheshire area in the early 70s.

Then in early 1979, he spotted an ad. in Waterways World for a welder to come and work with Balliol Fowden at Braunston Bottom Lock. With Balliol’s flare for design and Dave’s technical knowledge of steelwork, they quickly

22 built up a reputation for building high quality boats. Together they worked out the first Dutch narrow barge, Balliol always having an interest in Dutch barges. Balliol then became more and more involved in other things – building up not one but two hire fleets, becoming a highly reputable surveyor – which took him further and further afield, including not unsurprisingly to Holland and France. He also operated a mooring basin at the Bottom Lock.

Dave only wanted to build boats, and so he came to us. In his time here he has built many hulls, including more of those Dutch narrow barges. And several narrowboat hulls for the former Braunston-based Merlin Narrowboats.

Some of these still moor in the marina, including that inseparable trio, Charlotte, Huffler and Jola.

For me a poignant moment was in 1996 when moorers Audrey and Gordon Simms had their new narrowboat Royal Ruby entirely built in the marina.

Dave fabricated the hull, Sue and Paul Tanser, then of Utopia, fitted it out and painted it, and our alas Dave Thomas with narrowboat Dover now deceased John Pearcy carried out the engine and other technical installations.

The champagne-launch was very special for me. At last I had succeeded in bringing back narrowboat-building to Braunston Marina, which had ceased in the 1970s, after being here famously since the late 1790s - including Raymond, the last wooden narrowboat built for the canals.

Dave’s final assignment was to carry out major repairs to one of our most distinguished moored boats, the 71ft 1938 former working narrowboat Dover. The over-plating done in the famous TV film was kept to the minimum to preserve the integrity of the hull.

Now, a half-dozen years later, things had moved on, and major strengthening repairs needed to be done. Indeed we were all worried the 35 ton boat might have broken in

23 half when it was gingerly lifted out of the water.

Dave did a very sensitive repair, with the main strengthening below the waterline, so that the visual hull looks much as it formerly did. After Dover’s relaunch, he said to me: “I’m pleased that my first and last assignments on the canals were repairing old working boats.

When I arrived at the Bottom Lock I set to on restoring the Cleopatra, as a result of which she is still out there, still owned by the same owner. But the one that gave me most pleasure was the re-riveting and repairs to Nutfield.

There was the challenge of recreating genuine authenticity. Also the boat is a Northwich built GUCCC - the part of the world I came from, and special to Braunston, as Braunston is special to me”.

We will miss him greatly.

REGIONAL NEWSLETTER ON-LINE Members are reminded that Aegre, the East Midlands Region newsletter which features information about all the Branches in the Region, including Northampton, is available (in full colour) to read on-line on the IWA website at:

http://www.waterways.org.uk/regions_branches/east__midlands/ aegre_online Or just go to www.waterways.org.uk and follow the links to Regions & Branches, then East Midlands

24 Saturday, 12th November, 2011

Branch Dinner Survey Location (Weedon) Results:- good & very good 87% Very poor 4% Comments Very central Heart of England (room) Results:- good & very good 67% Very poor 7% Comments: too cramped, a bit tight and noisy, virtually impossible to move between tables to get more drinks etc., no space for waiters – had to collect food ourselves, staff excellent - more room between tables would have been nice, not enough space in restaurant, dangerous to be handing hot food across behind people’s backs and uncomfortable to be continually pushed in as people passed behind us.

Menu Results:- good & very good 78% Very poor 0% Comments: adequate for such a large number Price Results:- good & very good 91% Very poor 2% Comments: just right, great, good value for money, would be prepared to pay more.

Quality of food Results:‐ good & very good 73% Very poor 0% Entertainment Results:‐ good & very good 80% Very poor 10% Comments: great, too loud and started too soon, brilliant, good – however too loud and too soon, music and speeches should not start until dessert, not necessary, good but inhibited conversation, very good but not during meal please, as good as the singing was, it certainly impeded conversation – would prefer to eat meal without music, little too loud for conversation, very good musician and selection of songs – but way too loud in crowded small room with people trying to converse over meal, not needed and too loud, you couldn’t hear yourself speak.

Conclusions On all aspects, we scored more 4s and 5s. We had a great turnout (more than for last 2-3 years) which caused some of our problems!

The room was too crowded – on reflection, had we stuck to a maximum of 50 and not had an entertainer, we could have spread out more by doing away with the middle row on the lower level … this would have made it easier for the staff to serve food.

The entertainer was liked but criticised for being too loud (so as to make conversation difficult) and for starting too soon. Several commented that he should have started after the eating had finished but this would have hardly been worth paying £100 for! Perhaps save the money next year?

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Stoke Bruerne’s Annual Illuminated Boat Procession The Carols and Illuminations event, organised by the Friends of the Canal Museum, on Saturday 12th December, attracted large crowds and 10 decorated boats.

Centre of attraction were the children of Stoke Bruerne C of E Primary School who sang carols on the Museum Green accompanied by Lincoln Noel on the electric piano and led by Andrew Woodward of The Boat Inn. Santa and one of his reindeer were on hand, all the gift shops were open, mulled wine was on offer and the aroma of hot chestnuts roasting on an open fire completed the Christmas atmosphere.

Visitors were able to take an illuminated boat trip down to the tunnel and back to see all the decorated boats. Narrowboat Inchy complete with Rosie and Jim nativity scene won the Best Illuminated boat competition for the 4th year running.

The "Guess the Name of the Reindeer" competition was won by Lilly from Alderton.

The event raised ÂŁ140.

Volunteers wanted for WOW Education at The Canal Museum Stoke Bruerne Elaine Stanley from BW is currently working with Louise and David and the museum to develop their education program for schools as well as update the WOW education resources. One thing that we wish to do is increase the number of education volunteers supporting the museum. We are therefore holding an open session on 22nd March for anybody interested in finding out more contact Elaine.Stanley@britishwaterways.co.uk or phone 07733 124565

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An arm and a leg experience at the Blisworth Arm End SUPPLIES Northamptonshire We are a family run, customer friendly business based adjacent to Bridge 32 at Nether Heyford. Our service point is clear of moored boats making your stop quick and easy. We offer the following services:

   

DIESEL – always competively priced PUMP OUT – no meter clock here BLUE TOILET FLUID ODORLOS – organic waste tank treat-

ment



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 1.00 pm on Saturdays Fred Tarry Bridge Cottage Furnace Lane Nether Heyford Northampton, NN7 3JY Telephone/Fax: 01327-341202 Email : rhigginbottom@btconnect.com

RESTAURANT º BARS º BOAT TRIP SPECIAL EVENTS  Sunday, 18th March — Mothering Sunday  Friday, 30th March — Champagne Party  Monday, 23rd April — St George’s Day Celebrations

01604 862428 www.boatinn.co.uk

RECYCLING REMINDER The Branch recycles ink jet cartridges and mobile phones to raise cash to help local projects.

Please bring them along to Branch meetings or ring 01604 767212 to arrange collection.

Please no Epson ink tanks.

Tim Coghlan writes: I recently experienced an astonishing coincidence: Shortly after I came to the very enjoyable IWA January meeting at the re-named and refurbished Walnut Tree Inn at Blisworth - to hear our John Pomfret holding forth on the far-away country of the Czech Republic, of whose waterways I knew nothing - I was working on through the recently discovered Evelyn Hunt’s WWII diary, which I am serialising in Canals Rivers + Boats under the title Evelyn’s War. Evelyn was one of the Idle Woman, and her highly personal diary - never intended for publication and abandoned after only ten months - is full of fascinating frank comments and observations. But used to them as I was, I was still bowled over when I came upon the following entry: “Tuesday, 5th October, 1943 Blisworth Arrived at the Arm End at dusk and went to the Hotel for a bath and a meal. There is something very strange about the place and I believe eyes are closed there to all sorts of ‘goings on’ and strange practices. They have taken to charging us a great deal for very little, too. Perhaps we are not quite their ‘type’ or something. I don’t believe they are encouraging us!”

Just what went on there, at what was then called the Blisworth Hotel, is open to much speculation. One thinks of Brief Encounters galore, the hotel being so isolated and very close to then Blisworth Station on the mainline - hotels have always made a good revenue from what is termed in the trade ‘day-lets’. Or perhaps being out in the country and with good access to friendly farmers, black marketing went on there on a massive scale - Evelyn mentions the meals she enjoyed here. She also comments elsewhere on the free availability of food if you knew where to get it. With the station long closed, and rationing gone, nothing of course goes on like that today!

Instead the welcoming family owned hotel is run to a very high standard, with excellent food and drink - not to mention the good meeting facilities.

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.

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

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What is this? Is it a boat or butty?

A Blisworth resident writes:I have been amazed to witness the arrival of what is being called a 'floating patio' by the owner of one of the cottages at Blisworth Mill.

This consists of a 30' x 8' (minimum) floating metal 'container', cuboid in shape and sitting about 5' proud of the waterline. He has installed it at the height of a set of previously guarded patio doors to enable access straight onto it from the property.

The base has been painted black, presumably to try and make it boatlike. It fails miserably. It has been tethered against the Mill, a unique Grade 2 listed building in our Conservation Area. The owners see it as a permanent amenity. A mooring ring has been anchored into the concrete of the neighbouring property to secure it; this was not there before. This container has no means of independent steering and so cannot be likened to a 'butty'. It was clearly towed into position somehow.

In its current state it damages the integrity of this iconic Mill building. What is more worrying is that it is said to be going to evolve into a full blown floating patio complete with glass screening, patio heater, seating etc. Surely permission of some sort was needed for this? It is attached to a listed building and is opposite a listed building (Sun Moon and Stars). BW own the land under the Mill and presumably are the leaseholders? The 'object' is also on the water. It must set a dangerous precedent.

It seems that the owners have had it purpose built.

I would value your opinion on this. The photograph was taken from the towpath opposite.

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MOORING MYSTERIES AT BARBY AND ONLEY We approached Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina for his thoughts on the somewhat strange ‘goings-on’ at Barby and Onley on the North Oxford Canal beyond Braunston. On the one side of the canal, there is an opened half- finished 100 plus berths marina which, with its lack of pontoons, seems to be in some financial trouble. Across the canal, there is a proposed massive marina for 600 plus berths which, if built, will be the largest on the canal network. But the long-anticipated planning application to Daventry Council has still not been made and the proposed gargantuan marina now appears to have sunk without trace….

Tim Coghlan suggested we simply published verbatim what he wrote in his recent moorers’ newsletters. The controversial views expressed are entirely his own!

Extract from the Braunston Marina Spring 2011 Moorers’ Newsletter: Looking at the proposed 600 berth marina at Onley, what seems to me to be astonishing is that BW seems so utterly blind to the damage that it would do.

There is not only the matter of log-jam congestion - on what is already the busiest stretch of canal in the country. But there is the huge damage to the canal rural environment, and with it BW’s reputation as the trusted guardian

Any comments will be published in the next edition of Endeavour. Make them as amusing or serious as you like. I look forward to reading them. Editor.

The view from Willoughby Bridge towards Barby Hill and below it the site of the porposed 600 berth Barby Pools Marina

33 of our canals, when for its future, it most needs that reputation held high.

The location is the least spoilt and most attractive spot on the whole of the canals north of Braunston through to Fazely, with the canal skirting round the base of Barby Hill, which steeply rises some one hundred and fifty feet above it. The view from the top of Barby Hill is one of the finest in the Midlands with the Malvern Hills, near fifty miles away, being visible on a clear day. As one of our moorers put it to me, ‘Onley is the last place on the canals we need a marina!’ He like many other boaters, is very fond of that remote mooring, especially in the winter months when it is largely free of the continuous cruisers.

The famous Rugby-born poet Rupert Brooke, he of a corner of a foreign field that is forever England, referred to that expansive view from Barby Hill and out across the Warwick Plain in another of his poems. This importantly was included in the very opening pages of Tom Rolt’s Narrow Boat – the ‘bible of the canals’, in H.J. Massingham’s Foreword: White mist about the black hedgerows, The slumbering Midland plain, The silence where the clover grows, And the dead leaves in the lane, Certainly , these remain..

A local expert on the Rugby-born Rupert Brooke is of the opinion that the young poet may well have revisited this very favourite spot in early 1915, before going to war for the last time and tragically meeting his death. Letters show that at that time, he visited his aunt and her family in Rugby, before then sailing with the British Mediterranean Fleet to Greece, where he died of disease on the island of Skyros. Perhaps amongst his last thoughts was that now threatened view from Barby Hill.

Rupert Brooke’s view would be destroyed by the near three quarters of a mile long monster-marina with 600 boats packed in to the gunnels, together with two huge inappropriate modern service buildings, which will stick out like giant carbuncles on the face of the canals. It must be stopped!

Extract from the Braunston Marina Winter 2011 Moorers’ Newsletter: Talking of new ‘bleak ‘n cheap marinas’, I wrote at length in the last newsletter about the proposed 600 berth marina at Onley and with it the one ‘under construction’ across the canal at Barby Strait.

The proposed one at Onley has now decided to call itself Barby Pools Marina, as googling ‘Onley’ only brought up the prison next door. But otherwise we have heard no more on this one. There was a promise of a planning ap-

34 plication in February this year, then July, then late summer, then early autumn… But as and when they do, we are ready to fight it!

Meanwhile the other ‘pontoonless’ Barby Moorings Marina seems to be digging itself an ever deeper hole. Rumours abound of it having run out of money to put the pontoons in. Instead, the piles which are in place to take them rise above the waters like a thousand Excaliburs. With the contractors allegedly departing having not been paid, the piles-without-pontoons marina was then flooded, astonishingly with BW’s aid and approval during the driest Midlands summer since records began. This was done just to get something up and running, with the offer of bankside moorings.

The marina bankside itself is now a Somme battlefield. No buildings have been erected, there is no sanitation station – non-existent pump-outs are still being offered free in the prospectus – no diesel, no mains electricity, just a large diesel generator that goes off at 9.00 pm. And a pair of owners who seem to speak with the same optimism of things going fantastically right, as the mad Colonel Gaddafi making his last stand at Sirte.

Many of the twenty plus moorers there are liveaboards and some come to use our pump out and diesel facilities and some of whom have decided not to make the journey back! What worries me is what is going to happen if for the third year running the canal freezes up for three weeks and there are no sanitation facilities. If you want a good laugh at others’ expense, or just quiet assurance that you are in the right marina, visit the Canal World Discussion Forums site or narrowboatworld.com.

Meanwhile our campaign against ‘Barby Pools’ and other proposed central Midlands marinas is in full flight, in which I am an active participant. We just don’t need any more marinas here. Our scalps to date include stopping the proposed 250 berth marina at North Kilworth, another of a similar size above Knowle Locks which was lost at appeal, another on the Staffs & Worcester, again on appeal, another below Knowle Locks which we are now fighting on appeal – I spoke at the hearing – and we are awaiting the result. (This appeal was rejected subsequently.) And now one at Hockley Heath, where we have persuaded the planning officer to make a recommendation for refusal.

(The Planning Officer’s recommendation for rejection was upheld.)

And so it goes on. Like Colonel Gaddafi, BW is still talking optimistically of a huge demand for new moorings to meet all the new non-existent boats being built. Perhaps they should develop the proposed 600 berth Barby Pools Marina…… with or without pontoons.

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RICHARD GILL BOAT SAFETY TESTING

BSc, MABSE BW AND EA APPROVED

EXPERIENCED EXAMINER WITH 25 YEARS WORKING ON THE WATERWAYS

Grand Union, Oxford & Leics Canals Rivers Nene and Thames RING: 07889 10 99 39 RGBARCOS@BTINTERNET.COM

Waterways Pictures has now closed down and does not a end boat shows.

There are some framed pictures remaining. “Sunny Valley” (right), shown in November edi on of Endeavour, is s ll available at £29.95.

Contact Terry Stroud for more details on 01767 640938.

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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 (suggested donations) 1/4 Page (box) £12.00 1/2 Page (box) £25.00 Full Page £40.00 Discount of 10% for 4 issues Other sizes by arrangement

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 September to May inclusive at

THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH at 8pm All members and non-members welcome.

Food and drink available

Next meetings: Tuesday, 13th March AGM followed by Quiz with Michael and Catriona Butler Tuesday, 10th April TBA Tuesday, 8th May TBA ( This is a week later than normal due to the Boat Gathering) The next edition of Endeavour will be published May 2012

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WHO’S WHO IN NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 2011/2012 Bernard Morton

Branch Meetings

07785 375787

Graham Treagus

E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk

E-mail: graham.treagus @waterways.org.uk

Chairman

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

Membership Secretary & Planning Officer Geoff Wood E-mail geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk

Deputy Chairman & Police Liaison Officer

Boat Gathering Sub-Committee members

Eric Young E-mail: eric.young@waterways.org.uk

Treasurer & Planning Officer Alex Madisons E-mail alex.madisons @waterways.org.uk

Michael Butler (Chairman), Catriona Butler, Roger Hasdell, Alex Madisons, Bernard Morton, Sandie Morton, John Pomfret, Sam Samuells and Eric Young (also occasional members Ian Bekusch and Peter Canfield)

Newsletter Editor Tony Clarke 07939 977859 E-mail tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Website & Publicity Officer Lynda Payton E-mail:lynda.payton @waterways.org.uk

Non-Committee posts Sales: Catriona Butler 01604 473756

Archivist, Endeavour Advertising & Distribution Roger Hasdell 01604 767212