Aegre June 2008

AEGRE • Woolsthorpe urgent 2008!

• Rallies in 2009 • Boston Haven in 2013?

The journal of the East Midlands Region of

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June / July 2008

No.120

Aegre is published Š 2008 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association.

Chairman WRG

John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208 Mobile 07889 444190

Vice-Chairman & Treasurer

Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX Tel: 01469 530138

Leicestershire Branch Acting Chairman: John Evans, tel: 01509 416647 Chairman Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Dave Carnell. Contact address as above.

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch

Contact Mike Snaith; details below

South Yorkshire & Dukeries Branch Chairman

Mavis Paul, 116 Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Sheffield S10 5RZ Tel: 0114 268 3927

Secretary

Vacant

Region Planning Officer

Mike Snaith, Hawthorne Cottage, 70 Main Street, Gunthorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EU.

Members

David Johnson, 37 Eastmoor, Cotgrave, Nottingham NG12 3NU Tel: 0115 989 9612.

Ian McDonald, c/o 68 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JG Tel: 07932 156539 E-mail:<home@hubberlugs.go-plus.net> Malcolm Fielding, 1 Vicarage Way, Arksey, Doncaster DN5 0TG Tel: 01302 873127

Editor for Aegre:

Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Way, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0GQ Tel: 01507 602713. email: aegre@humbhony.demon.co.uk

Collation & despatch

Nancy & David Johnson

Printing

This is the web version, not suitable for printing.

Picture credits:

See page 21. Cover picture: Thanks to Focus Consultants (UK)

Inland Waterways Association: Registered Office, 3 Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth WD3 1LT. Registered as a Charity No: 212342. Tel: 01923 711114. Fax: 01923 897000 Website: http://www.waterways.org.uk The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the East Midlands Region. They are published as being of interest to our members and other readers.

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AEGRE June/July 2008

No. 120 Contents

The Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bow Button Region Chairman's Notes Woolsthorpe Top Lock A Curious Boat Theft.

Rallies past and Future News from the Lincolnshire Branch Boston Waterways' Development Plan Draft British Waterways User Groups Leicester Festival of the River.

Picture Credits Ashby Canal to Host National Trailboat Festival 2009 New Publications Reviewed News from Leicestershire Branch New Cromford Canal President British Waterways Long Term Moorings: Nancy Johnson Speaks at Launch of Grantham Canal Guide Just Two Lock Gates Chesterfield Canal to host 2009 National Campaign Canal Societies in the EM Region Journals Received.

Regional Diary Dates 2008

Next issue probably to be published in November 2008. Contributions to the editor by the end of September 2008 please.

The space on the right is for local contact information.

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4 5 6 8 9 12 14 18 19 21 22 23 25 27 27 28 29 30 31 32 32

The Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bow Button A traditional cry of newspaper editors is "Hold the front page". Fortunately for my nerves we don't publish Aegre on the same hectic schedule, but these last few weeks have been a touch hectic. We have had late news of various kinds, some good, such as the news on rallies and festivals in our area; others not so good, such as the major problems at Woolsthorpe Lock on the Grantham canal, where many of us enjoyed the Trail Boat Festival just a few months ago, it seems. More about all these things in this issue - a bit late, but I hope with information to interest you.

Maybe I am being too optimistic too soon, but I have been cheered by how many things are currently going ahead, or at least are moving steadily through the necessary planning stages. We heard from Chesterfield, for example, that studies are going ahead to find a solution to their Norwood Tunnel "bypass", while new road works in Markham Vale have included provision for the canal. In Lincolnshire, work is well advanced on the new lock at Black Sluice, reported later in this issue, and progress on the Slea continues. All over the area small scale works are continuing, adding facilities for boaters and all who use the waterways.

One factor in all these schemes seems to be a positive common interest approach. We have had an appeal for help from the BCU in pressing forward with their access campaign. Walkers, cyclists, canoeists, anglers all have legitimate interests in the preservation and sympathetic development of our water. We have given considerable space in this issue to the draft plan for Boston Haven and area around. This relies heavily on those engaged in building housing. All over the country we have seen sites where sympathetic land development has acted as a catalyst for waterway improvements.

Coupled with all this progress, we are honoured in East Midlands by National Rallies next year. John describes the programme later, but with Red Hill, Chesterfield and Moira (just outside EM Region), there will be a lot to do to help the organisation of these events. All hands really are needed on deck, or in the camping field, or whatever, please.

Hope you all have a good summer. I don't know what the next issue of Aegre will hold - to quote the song "Who knows where or when?" But maybe!

Good luck, Peter.

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Region Chairman's Notes The past few months have been very busy for me with work on Woolsthorpe Top Lock, the Langley Mill Boat Rally, and my involvement with the IWA National Festival; most of these are reported later in this Aegre.

We have not done much boating so far this year so we are setting off to Birmingham, the River Avon and Gloucester as it is some years now since we went into the South West. I hope the rainfall is not as heavy as last summer and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run into difficulties on the river sections. Finally, we return to Wolverhampton for the IWA National Festival at Autherley Junction.

In the last Aegre I asked for volunteers to help Mike Snaith and Brian White to help run Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch. I know that they are doing their best with keeping an eye on planning matters and I have a continuous contact with British Waterways, but without help there will be no more meetings with speakers on waterway topics in the Rushcliffe Centre in West Bridgford. It is now getting too late to set up a programme for this Autumn and the availability of the room may be in doubt unless bookings are made. Leicestershire Branch collected two new committee members at its AGM and have decided to continue to work as an IWA Branch; however, they are still short of a Chairman.

I mentioned in the last Aegre that British Waterways were holding meetings in various parts of the system to debate the licence issue with boaters; this was perhaps marginally successful in showing some reductions.

Robin Evans, BW Chief Executive, is visiting East Midlands Navigation area on July 9th. He will be meeting the public at 08.30 at Nottingham Sailing Club, Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford and at 17.30 he will be at the Elms, London Road, Retford. Please contact Becky Brooke at BW Newark 01636 675702 if you are interested.

The IWA reorganisation moves slowly onwards, however the proposed reduction in the number of Trustees (Council members), by the removal of Region Chairmen, was overturned at the last Council meeting following severe concerns by some branches, regions and individual members. Consequently, the organisational changes are being implemented piecemeal where they are not contentious and where they speed or ease the work of the Association. I hope you all have a good summer and I look forward to seeing you out on the waterways.

John Baylis Page 5

Woolsthorpe Top Lock In the late summer of last year Woolsthorpe Top Lock on the Grantham Canal started to show signs of cracking on the off-side wall. British Waterways immediately installed heavy steel props between the walls of the chamber to prevent the off-side wall collapsing completely into the lock.

After a short cogitation BW decided that, since it was so severely short of money and the Grantham Canal was a Remainder Waterway, its cheapest option was to fill in the lock with aggregate or stone until it had sufficient money to carry out a full repair. The Grantham Canal Partnership and the Grantham Canal Society had meetings with BW to discuss alternatives to infilling, but neither organisation had anything like enough money to meet BWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirements. BW would only pay for the propping until the end of the financial year and then fill in the lock.

spent on a major project rather than be frittered away on routine maintenance. I went to BW at Newark to discuss the spending of the bequest.

They were interested but needed more details on how the work might be done and what the estimated cost would be. I suggested that it would be better to demolish the wall to alThen IWA had a stroke of luck, low removal of the props and start or so we thought. We were advised partial repairs. We could then raise of a potential legacy, which more money to complete the realthough restricted in its purpose building. But BW was adamant they could be spent on restoration work wanted to see sufficient money on the Grantham Canal. Early this available to complete the work. year I met the executors and we dis- However, they agreed to leave the cussed options for spending the props in until after the deadline of money. Both agreed that it should be March 31st provided that the volunPage 6

of the lock. Roy Sutton then prepared a method for demolishing the wall down to its original foundations and rebuilding in mass concrete with a brick face.

The main problem with doing such a major work as demolishing a teers could pay for them. That mon- lock wall is to ensure that there is ey is now coming from a private sufficient weight left in the wall to donation by a member of the GCS. prevent the invert slipping from the weight of the opposite wall and Woolsthorpe Top Lock had been causing a total collapse. When the partially repaired in 1992 when the locks were built, the wall top three locks were re-gated. foundations were kept apart by an Fortunately Roy Sutton, one of inverted brick arch so that the IWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s honorary consultant pressure from the growing walls was engineers, had carried out a careful transmitted to the ground underneath survey of the profiles of the off-side the inverted arch. As both sides wall at that time. A new survey were built together the weight was showed almost unchanged profiles. distributed evenly, but in total each With the co-operation of BW side wall probably weighs 300 to engineers, A.V. Squires Contractors 400 tons. Removing one side could prepared the lock for a more detailed allow the weight of the other side to survey of the walls below low water slide or push the invert into where level and of the brick invert. That the demolished wall was standing. survey, although brief, revealed that Roy has now devised a method of the whole wall just above the invert piling and partial demolition of the had slid several inches sideways and off-side wall to allow for sufficient water was leaking through the crack weight and thrust to prevent the and washing sediment into the base invert from moving. Royâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s method Page 7

filled in. To our mind it would be criminal to allow BW to fill in the lock as it will cost much more to remove the infill and then rebuild. It would put the restoration of the Grantham Canal back by ten or twenty years and would nullify the work funded by the East Midlands Development Agency grant of £350,000 spent on dredging and tree cutting on the top pound in 2006-7.

We are trying to acquire grants for doing the work but the granting timescale is months and we need to get the work done before the bad weather this winter. We have had promises of approaching £20,000 but are still well short of target. If is probably the most economical and you feel you can help raise the safest. There is no opportunity for money or suggest other sources work by volunteers and BW insist please let me know as soon as on contractors doing the work. possible. Finally, although this is basically an IWA project I would Unfortunately all this extra work like to thank John Brydon and Mike will cost money and, despite some Stone of the Grantham Canal promised contributions from BW, Society for their personal help and we are still short of the total cost of local knowledge in many meetings re-building by about £50,000. If we with BW and contractors. don’t get the money on the table in the next six weeks the lock will be John Baylis (07889 444190)

A Curious Boat Theft.

Police are appealing for information regarding the theft of a 23 ft cabin cruiser from the River Witham about 8am on Mon 7th April. The blue & white cruiser was lifted from the river onto a hi-ab lorry close to the petrol station on London Rd, Boston. If anyone can assist with information, your call will be appreciated by any police station.

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Rallies Past and Future Over the Spring Bank Holiday, May 24-26, the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association held its boat rally at Langley Mill to celebrate 40 years of the Association. It was 35 years since the re-opening to navigation of the Great Northern Basin and 25 years since the Erewash Canal became a Cruiseway under the British Waterways Act 1983. As in 1973 the band on the narrowboats Bath and Petrel cruised up from Anchor Bridge to the Great Northern basin leading the local dignitaries on the British Waterways river cruiser. I helped the boats to come up Langley Bridge Lock using the same brass

windlass that had been used in 1973 and suitably engraved, and three of the boats Electra, Culpin and Soldanella were present on both occasions.

Over 100 boats attended the rally from as far away as High Poynton on the Macclesfield Canal, Lincoln and Droitwich. In addition to the various ECP&DA anniversaries it was also the annual rally for the Association of Waterway Cruising Clubs and for boats of the Allen Register made at Oldbury.

The crowds attended well on Saturday and Monday but were fewer on the rainy Sunday. The boaters' entertainment was excellent with Martin Taylor an accomplished folk singer on Friday, Dandy the Black Country Duo on Saturday and on Sunday contributions by all the boat clubs and canal societies; in total about 18 acts. The Real Ale tent was

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well supported and there were open mike sessions and dancing when the formal acts finished. The rally was well appreciated by all those attending â&#x20AC;&#x153;just like the old ralliesâ&#x20AC;? and many new friends were made. The refurbished water supply on the Erewash canal performed well and everybody seemed to have good trip up and down the canal thanks to Kevin Howe and his BW team.

A number of local boaters and IWA committee members were concerned when it was announced that the 2009 IWA National Festival was to be at Redhill on the River Soar, on August Bank Holiday 2009. National Festival sites are becoming rarer and a lot of the old sites cannot be revisited, so IWA Festivals welcomed the approach from Redhill Marina and Rushcliffe Borough Council to stage the rally. Concerns have been voiced about access, but the new railway station, East Midlands Parkway, should be completed in time for the festival and will put the site effectively within walking distance of Nottingham, Leicester and Derby rail stations, and car parking is being arranged. Doubts on the land area were dispelled for me when I saw what was available between the river and the railway. Although the limited number of moorings is still the subject of discussion, the site will be of similar size to St. Ives last year. The main concern at present is the possibility of flooding if we get

similar rainfall to 2007 in July, however we are seeking the records of river flows for the last ten years prior to having a risk assessment to determine the likelihood of such an event. The Festival launch meeting will be held in October, details to be arranged, when local people will be invited to hear more about the event and how they can become involved.

One of the purposes of holding the national on the River Soar is to

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encourage boaters to use the local canals that are navigable and to encourage restoration of others like the Cromford, Derby & Sandiacre, Grantham and the Melton & Oakham Waterways. Also next year in the early Spring there will be rallies at South Kyme on the Slea Navigation and near Boston to celebrate the reopening of the South Forty Foot by the Environment Agency; details of these will be available later. For those in the West of our region the 2009 Trailboat Festival will be at Moira, see page 22 for details.

It is now over 100 years since the closure caused by coal mining subsidence of both Butterley Tunnel on the Cromford Canal and Norwood Tunnel on the Chesterfield. However, the Chesterfield Canal Partnership has already raised sufficient money for British Waterways to restore the canal up to the Kiveton Portal and now have several possible solutions for getting past the hill and underneath the M1 Motorway, whilst still using a small length of the old tunnel. In order to bring publicity the CCP requested the IWA Campaign Rally for 2009 and this was granted by IWA Festivals.

The rally is being organized by the Chesterfield Canal Trust and the Retford & Worksop Boat Club as well as CCP and IWA. The site has already been earmarked and CCP are conducting local negotiations. BW are very keen on the event and Boat Entry forms are now available. Look in on

the Web Site at www.kiveton2009.com for details.

Both the Retford & Worksop Boat Club and the Chesterfield Canal Trust have played a vital part in the navigation of the Chesterfield Canal on two very different occasions. In the early 1960s BW wanted to close the Chesterfield Canal below Retford but some keen boaters and members of the old IWA Sheffield Branch managed to get a few boats up the canal as far as Worksop by repairing lock gates and paddle gear and then persuaded BW to keep the canal open to this point. BW were keen to ensure that they got no further by removing the gates and pushing in the coping stones and lock walls on the locks up to the tunnel.

When the IWA decided to have its Campaign Rally in Worksop in 1977 to celebrate the bicentenary of the canal, the Chesterfield Canal Society was formed to campaign for improved facilities and a winding hole in Worksop. The rest as they say is history, the canal is now open from West Stockwith to Norwood Tunnel and the Trust and Partnership have restored five miles of the canal at the Chesterfield end and plans are afoot not only to complete the restoration but also to make a connection to the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation in Rotherham.

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John Baylis

News from the Lincolnshire Branch From Dave Carnell Despite the unseasonably cold and frosty weather as I write, plans are being made for early summer waterways events. A number of boats left Lincoln on May Day Bank Holiday, en route to Langley Mill, to celebrate the Erewash Canal, Preservation and Development Association 35th Anniversary of the re-opening of the Great Northern Basin at Langley Mill over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, 23rd to 26th May. IWA Restructuring. Concerns still remain about the proposal of removing Regional Chairmen from the National Council, as they are the only local link that members have to the National Committee. With the present lack of volunteers for Branch Committees the retention of a regional representation is important. Should members require a further detailed response to the proposals please contact me by e-mail on dcarnell@talktalk.net.

Boston Lock Link. Following an official “sod cutting” ceremony in February, the main contractors are now carrying out enabling works. These include installing a new temporary flood defence bank to give access for a 90 ton crane to demolish a mooring dolphin and insert piling for the new lock chamber. Two existing cottages are to be refurbished to provide an exhibition space, small shop, café and toilet/shower facilities for boaters. At the other end of the Fenland Link, funding is in place for the necessary technical scope reports for the connection with the Rivers Glen and Welland.

At BW Lincoln moorings the new facilities block is now open (see picture of final works), providing toilets, showers, laundry, rubbish disposal and a boater operated pump-out to replace those lost in the Brayford Pool. The laundry and pump-out are BW card operated.

Following reports of a number of animals, mainly muntjac deer, drowning in the Fossdyke a number of deer ramps have been installed between Drinsey Nook and Torksey. It is understood these could cause navigation restrictions, and further details as to their conPage 12

struction and locations are being sought.

Replacement and extended moorings are being provided at Stamp End Lock, Fiskerton Fen, Dunstan Fen, Southrey, Kirkstead Bridge, Langrick Bridge and Anton`s Gowt, the entrance to the Witham Navigable Drains.

On the Slea Navigation indications are that the new footbridge, slipway and winding hole will be completed by October. At Bottom Lock contracts are being signed for the installation of new mitre gates, safety ladders and pontoon moorings for those operating the lock. Replacement winding gear is being investigated with the intention of reducing the 350 turns required to raise the guillotine gate to a navigable height.

Footpath design and consultation works have begun to extend dual-use paths from Lincoln to Saxilby and to develop the Horncastle to Woodhall Spa route using the old rail track.

Boston Borough Council have engaged consultants to explore the development of the town’s waterfront area and identify facilities required to encourage users of the Fenland Link to stay in the town. A number of possible sites for moorings and facilities have been suggested for the Maud Foster Drain and River Witham. A new and exciting draft plan has now been published for the re-development of Boston waterside area - see our separate article on this.

In the March edition of Aegre I mentioned the canoe day in Sleaford. This proved immensely popular with over 30 canoes on the water and some local youths turning up to have a go. The more adventurous, with instructors, travelled along the Slea, portaging some locks whilst others shot the white water over the lock top sills. It is intended that, during the summer, weekly evening sessions will take place near the Hub, under the supervision of qualified instructors.

I also mentioned a meeting with BW`s National Health and Safety Officer, Tony Stammers. IWA Region Chair John Baylis; Chair of IWA Restoration Committee Vaughan Welch and I discussed the “Health and Safety” restrictions BW had placed on volunteering, and the lack of a national policy. Since that meeting a standard form for submission to BW by canal societies and Page 13

trusts has evolved. BW have also recently appointed a Volunteering Manager, Edd Moss, whose remit is to consider and provide a national standard for new volunteers on WRG Canal Camps, define their training, and provide for the older skilled volunteers with many years of trade skills and safe working experience.

Greener Energy. Two planning applications for straw burning power stations have been made in the Branch area, one at Sleaford and the other on the River Ancholme at Brigg. Initial concerns over their effect on water supply, discharge and increases in water temperature have been allayed. The plans show they are 90% air cooled and in the case of the Sleaford station water will be taken from the town water main, not from the river.

Initiatives by North Lincolnshire Council’s “Active Choices Active Futures” programme have a vision to build active, healthy, successful and safe communities. Six water-based groups are promoting activities on the River Ancholme. These include rowing, canoeing, boating, angling and quadrathlon events. Dates and locations for these are available from the EA’s Recreation Officer, Candy Reed on 01522 785832 or candy.reed@environmentagency.gov.uk.

Boston Waterways' Development Plan Draft Normally in this journal we would give a short review of a couple of paragraphs to all publications received. This new document, however, is a substantial one with great potential for future development of the Boston area, and in particular the areas surrounding the waterways - not only the Witham and the Haven, but less well known ones such as the Maud Foster (not just a windmill) and the Hobhole. We are most grateful to Focus Page 14

Consultants, who have played a major role in preparing this report for Boston Area Regeneration Company, for permission to quote extensively from it.

The essential preliminary to all this is the work already struggled for over many years, mainly by the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership. The two keys to an improvement in Boston town and around are the new connection at Black Sluice into the South Forty Foot and the Haven Barrage, described in our issue of March 2007. In that article I described the Haven at low tide as a dirty muddy ditch. The consultants do not actually use those harsh words, but include graphic pictures of the waterway at low tide, with various derelict hulks alongside derelict buildings. They describe the decline in trading which has led to the town neglecting the river and the associated quaysides and buildings. To quote their words: "The long term aim of the Boston Waterways Development Plan is to enable Boston to maximise the potential of the borough's waterways. A key objective is to enable Boston Area Regeneration Company (BARC) to demonstrate to potential investors, developers and landowners, as well as public sector funding partners, what can be achieved in Boston, and just how the borough can benefit by making better use of waterways and waterside sites, and co-operation between a variety of participants: Elements are: • The Boston Lock Link - the lock linking the Haven and South Forty Foot Drain at a cost of approximately £8m, currently being undertaken by Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership and the Environment Agency; • The Haven Barrage investment of over £35m into the construction of a flood defence barrage proposed by the Environment Agency and Lincolnshire County Council which, if approved, will begin construction in 2010. Both the Lock Link and the Barrage form part of Environment Agency's Combined Strategy for Boston - nationally the first of its type; Page 15

• West Street / Merchant's Quay Redevelopment - developers Modus Properties, working with Boston Borough Council, are planning a £80 million redevelopment scheme in Boston's town centre, including waterfront sites adjacent to the Haven; • Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership - investment of £16 million has been spent since 2002 on improving Lincolnshire's waterways as a whole, increasing visitors and users of the waterway system; • The Waterfront - significant investment by Persimmon Homes in the development of over 200 residential units close to London Road Quay; • St Botolph's Church - major investment including a café, shop, offices and toilets as well as major restoration works to the Great West Door and a high profile festival programme for 2009.

These investments will create significant opportunities for Boston, bringing with them:

• Increased numbers of visitors and users, both on the water and waterside • Construction jobs and expenditure • Raised water levels, giving opportunities for mooring of craft • Increased numbers of residents living near to waterways • Greater demand for leisure activities • Increased demand for moorings and related facilities and services The vision and aims will be supported by eight themes with related objectives. These objectives directly respond to the key issues identified in the policy documents and strategies summarised in the strategic context section of the Development Plan and also issues raised by stakeholders during the consultation interviews. The eight key themes and objectives are summarised below: • Theme 1: Infrastructure: To establish the necessary infrastructure for the waterways to thrive and grow. Key Projects: - Haven Barrage - Dredging - Signage and Interpretation Page 16

• Theme 2: Transport: To develop and promote Boston Port as a major hub for the transportation of freight from the east coast to other parts of the country and Europe. Key Projects: - Freight Facilities • Theme 3: Boating / Tourism: To develop Boston's waterways as a leisure and tourism facility for residents and visitors to the borough. Key Projects: - Marina / Long term moorings - Visitor moorings - Other Boat Facilities • Theme 4: Leisure and Recreation: To create and promote new leisure and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors as part of the development of Boston's waterways. Key Projects: - New Bridges - Access Points - Cycleways / Footpaths - Water Based Sports - Trip Boat / Water Taxi - Fishing Facilities • Theme 5: Environment: To sustain and enhance the quality of the waterway environment and aquatic habitats as part of the development of Boston's waterways. Key Projects: Environmental activities • Theme 6: Waterside Development: To act as a catalyst for public and private investment in key brownfield sites adjacent to the waterside and to ensure good practice in the development of the waterside. Key Projects: - A listing of specific sites on land.

• Theme 7: Public Realm: To create a high quality public realm which attracts residents and visitors to the waterside. Key Projects: - Haven Bank / Irby Street - Custom House Quay - Doughty's Quay • Theme 8: Activities: A programme of activities to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the waterways and celebrate their historical importance. Key Projects: - Waterside Festivals / Events - Marketing and Promotion.

It is also likely that other projects will develop and emerge over the lifetime of this Development Plan.The list of projects is by no means exhaustive and is likely to evolve to take advantage of new opportunities over the next five years."

Of course much remains uncertain, but so far the overall plan has been well received, and it will be interesting to see how it progresses. At least the link into the Forty Foot is underway. Watch this space.

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British Waterways User Groups Both British Waterway User Groups for the East Midlands Navigations were within a week of one another and it seems easiest to do one report.

The Winter Stoppage programme seems to have gone according to plan except for new tail gates at Eastwood lock on the Erewash Canal. This stoppage was cancelled because of flooded access, nearly rescheduled for late April and finally delayed until next winter. Meanwhile the somewhat porous gates have been covered with ply for the summer. Next winter, in addition to Eastwood, stoppages are planned at Freemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meadow; Derwentmouth tail gates; Misterton Bottom Lock; and the tail gates at West Stockwith. Some investigation work is planned for Cromwell Lock on the River Trent.

downstream of Cromwell. Also on the River Trent, BW are reducing lockkeepers' hours between Holme Pierrepont and Newark Nether locks.

The new hours will be 0930 to 1800 every day. BW were originally proposing more user operation of the mechanised locks on quieter weekdays in the summer.

In the River Witham work is progressing on the new lock from the tideway into Black Sluice or Forty Foot Drain; this is due to be completed by the end of the year but will not be open until Easter 2009.

Boaters at the meeting were concerned that, with the opening of the new lock and access to more nontidal cruising water, BW should improve the locking arrangements at Grand Sluice.

BW have given Edd Moss charge On the River Trent some very of volunteers nationally on the BW large parts for Staythorpe Power Sta- system. He will be based at Hatton, tion, such as transformers, are to be but he will be managed from Newark moved up river in Wynn's heavy lift Office. BW hope that he will be able barge Terra Marque. As this is too to change BWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attitude to volunteer large to pass through Newark the parts work and make more use of their will be unloaded at Cottam Power undoubted talents in some fields. On Station and then moved by road. As the Erewash Canal, Erewash Canal this is such a large vessel the Preservation & Development navigation on the Trent downstream Association helped BW on its towof Cottam/Torksey will be closed on path clean up. BW covered Long certain weekdays in August. Details Eaton to Gallows Inn with the are not available yet but check ECP&DA doing Langley Mill to navigation times when going Gallows Inn. Contractors in the boat Page 18

“Bollin” are currently cutting overhanging trees on the Erewash Canal up to Langley Mill. BW will then take the boat back, collecting shopping trolleys and bicycles on the way. The Erewash is missing the annual ECP&DA/IWA floating cleanup from Langley Mill to Long Eaton.

We have been telling BW for months that the Erewash Canal feeder at Langley Mill was blocked, but despite several attempts nothing was found. Recently contractors found a Calor gas cylinder blocking an eighteen inch cast iron pipe under the

A608. Fortunately they managed to blow it out the way - it had come in by water pressure. The same contractors then moved onto the culvert that takes Nethergreen Brook under the Cromford Canal; a very interesting occupation with high flows in the brook. It was amazing how much concrete other contractors had “lost” into the water when building a land drain. The apron had been concreted on sunken sleepers and pallets, and well over a cubic metre had set on the debris at the upstream entrance to the culvert.

John Baylis

Leicester Festival of the River.

The 2008 Festival was held over the weekend of June 7th – 8th on the Mile Straight alongside Western Boulevard in the city. There was concern earlier in the week that boats would not be able to reach the Festival site from the north, as following heavy rain the river Soar went into flood, with one report of river level rising by 2 feet. Fortunately by

Thursday levels had dropped into the “Amber” and continued falling.

The Festival started at 12 on Saturday, with the local Councillor for the Western Boulevard area parading along the line of boats in the beautifully restored Broads cruiser, Dancing Foam. Rain started at exactly 12 too! The opening address was given from under an umbrella, and the intensity of rain varied from faint to fairly heavy and the flat grey sky did not promise well. But after about 90 minutes it stopped, the clouds cleared and the sun shone,

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and it did so for the rest of the weekend.

and through the water, with some of them performing amazing stunt manoeuvres. The Sea Cadets provided There were over 40 boats booked an essential safety cover for boaters into the Festival, including four of the and visitors, as they have done since restored wooden Broads cruisers that we first held the Festival. We were moor at Sileby Mill. The old working raided by Vikings in a reduced scale boats Brighton and Nuneaton that long boat and many boats took part in belong to the Historic Narrowboat the decorated boat competition. The Trust were offering people the chance judging of the boats was by members to look at a traditional boat cabin. of the public who placed voting slips Frenchlands 2 was a floating in a ballot box. There were valuable bookshop and Dandelion operated by prizes for the winners, these being the Baldwin Trust was a floating tea funded by Riverside Housing who shop, offering home made cream teas. have their base close to the main Peter Le Marchant Trust brought one Festival site. of their broad-beam boats to show how those with physical disabilities Whilst we were performing on the are able to experience cruises on the water, the adjacent Western river.

Boulevard was closed to traffic and several excellent food stalls offered a Three boats operated continuously good choice of foods from Caribbean, over the weekend giving people a through Indian and on to Organic rare short trip along the lines of boats, and breed burgers. On the Plaza there was Paddle Plus were exhibiting how a great selection of bands and acts many ways people can paddle along performing, with sound levels usefully restricted, but good enough to fill the Plaza with people all the time. Behind the Plaza, Bede Park had many activities for children to join in with WOW activities being very popular with around 150 children signing up. For adults the beer tent was popular with its array of beers and ciders.

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Despite the wet start, which must have put people off coming, Saturday was busy and the towpath thronged with people, so that we were glad to close up the IWA gazebo and get the BBQ fired up and the decorated boat procession under way.

A good crowd appreciated this, especially Paddle Plus who strapped two Bell Boats together, added a platform, and then had children from a local primary school aboard beating out rhythms on drums as the paddled past.

The BBQ was great; we all brought our food to cook it and sat around in the lovely evening enjoying the music and our company.

Concerned lest there might be disturbances to our security and that of the park displays, security guards patrolled the towpath from mid-day Friday, and all boaters were provided with a mobile number to summon instant assistance. They were not called upon.

Sunday was more of the same, only multiplied. It was beautifully hot and very busy. The Lord Mayor honoured us by attending and giving the awards to the best decorated boats.

Reflection won with Forever Young second and Lily Pad third. The beer tent ran dry at 3pm, queues for ice creams and food were long, but there was wonderful good humour. Just along from where our boats were moored a local Rotary Club had organised Dragon Boat racing in aid of ProstAid with races starting at 10.30 and finishing at 4.30. I understand they had a very successful day, our IWA branch founder John Croot was greatly involved with this event. All in all a wonderful week.

Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance Aegre: Paul King; Paul Birtles; Tony Pitman; John Lower; Peter Stone; Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Brian Dominic; Beryl McDowall; Nancy Johnson; Norman Osborne; Channel 4, David Pullen, Focus Consultants; Infoterra.

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Ashby Canal to Host National Trailboat Festival 2009 As part of a focus on events to be held in the East of England in 2009, The Inland Waterways Association’s National Trailboat Festival for 2009 is to be held on the restored length of the Ashby Canal at Moira, which is at the very northern end of the canal in Leicestershire. The festival will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend 23rd- 25th May 2009.

The canal through Moira was restored between 1999 and 2005 following its previous progressive abandonment due to mining subsidence. This is part of a longerterm scheme to restore the canal from Snarestone to its original terminus at Moira. By featuring the festival at the recently restored section at Moira, IWA Festivals hopes that the event will show-case the work done by the Ashby Canal Trust and raise awareness for the continuing restoration. The festival site includes the only lock (so far) in existence on the Ashby Canal, and is set adjacent to the impressive Moira Furnace, a grade 2 listed building in the heart of the National Forest.

The featured restored length of canal is approximately 2000m long and includes two permanent

slipways. There is good parking adjacent to the site, and water and toilet facilities are available. The event will be organised by the Ashby Canal Trust who, along with members of IWA’s Lichfield branch and Ashby Canal Association, will provide much of the assistance over the festival period.

Speaking on behalf of the IWA Festivals’ Committee Derek Smith, Trail Boat Director, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the exceptional work achieved by the Ashby Canal Trust and its supporters, and we hope that the festival will raise further awareness for the remainder of the scheme.”

Ashby Canal Trust usually holds an event at Moira each year, and held a Moira Canal Festival from 7th- 8th June last. It is hoped that the Trail Boat Festival can capitalise on this always popular event.

For more information on the 2009 Trail Boat Festival please contact Geoff Pursglove of the Ashby Canal Trust on 01530 273956, or www.Ashbycanaltrust.co.uk

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New Publications Reviewed Yorkshire Stone to London,

by Christine Richardson. Richlow Publications, PO Box 3994, Sheffield S25 9AZ ISBN 978-0-9552609-2-6. Published 2007. ÂŁ4.50 post paid.

This is a slim but very informative booklet, produced in the high quality we have become accustomed to from this publisher. The topic is the little-known story of how stone from Anston, now in Rotherham, was chosen and shipped to Westminster for construction of the new Houses of Parliament after the disastrous fire of 1834. The author's research was originally made in conjunction with the British Geological Survey, but has been expanded to cover much more than the geology. It includes transport by water; building techniques; quality control, or lack of it; and subsequent maintenance and restoration work. Within 36 pages of A5 a fascinating tale is told in a way worthy of the distinction of the eventual building itself. Obtainable from the publishers or IWA Sales, or e-mail books@richlow.co.uk. PH.

The Grantham Canal Guide, by Tony Pitman The Grantham Canal Society Ltd., 14 Avon Road, Nottingham NG4 4JU Published 2007/8.

Much work has been done on the Grantham Canal over the past few years; the Trail-Boat Rally was held there last year, and several footpath and similar country guides are available for the area.

However it is some 20 years since a full canal guide as such was available, and that is now out-of-date. It is very welcome therefore to see a completely new guide covering pretty well all aspects of the canal along its full length from Trent Lock to Grantham, and including historical notes, wild life commentary and fishing possibilities as well as the basic function of a canal as a waterway. Many pictures show early views as well as current ones, and detailed and overall maps show the course of the waterway Page 23

and adjacent features in full colour. Much effort has evidently gone into the preparation of the maps, and (conscious of living in a glass-house, Ed.) they would perhaps have benefitted from a finer screening in the printing process.

The overall impression is of a high quality, carefully researched and thorough book of 96 pages, meeting the needs of visitors of all kinds to the canal and nearby sites. It may seem an odd thing to add, but one could hope that it is made out-of-date quite soon, so that we do not have to wait another twenty years for a guide to a really navigable waterway along the whole route. PH.

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News from Leicestershire Branch From retiring Chairman Carol’s comments in the March edition there seemed to be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel so far as the future of our branch was concerned. But there was always the possibility that it was a boat I saw coming in the opposite direction!

You will recall that at the time of our AGM, not only did we gain two new committee members, and here’s a very warm welcome to Jim and Charlie, but there was so much constructive discussion that we ran out of time and were to continue this at a further meeting in March. Hidden in the small print of one of Carol’s reports was also an indication that she intended to retire from the Chair at the AGM. May I, at this point, pay tribute to all that she and Ian, her husband and predecessor in that chair, have done for the branch over seven or eight years. We wish them well for their extended cruising plans, and look forward to their continuing presence on the committee when they return to base for the winter months.

When I was elected Vice Chairman some years ago, I made it quite clear that it would not lead to chairmanship. In spite of several

persuasive voices and for a number of reasons I am not willing to reconsider that position. No other candidates having emerged, I’m afraid that we are currently chairmanless, so here I am, acting in that capacity only.

But back to the good news and the March meeting. I’m pleased to say that it was well attended and the positive, constructive and lively discussion that started at the AGM was continued. The outcome was that the future of the Branch is assured, at least for another year.

Beryl, our hard working Social Secretary, has put together an interesting and varied programme for next winter, but in response to member’s suggestions the timing and venue for these meetings will not follow the usual pattern. Members of the branch will receive a copy of the programme, or look for details in the next edition of Aegre.

Another agreed change in our procedures concerns committee meetings, which will now take place

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only every two months unless there is urgent business needing attention that cannot be given by e-mail or telephonic communication. Hopefully this will make the prospect of committee membership less daunting as we are still seeking two or three new members to bring new blood and life to our (predominantly) time-worn group (apologies to anyone affected and offended!). Anyone interested in joining the committee would be welcome to attend a meeting or two as an observer before committing themselves, so please get in touch with one of us for dates and venues etc.

I’m writing this just prior to the Leicester Riverside Festival so am unable to report on that event (but see page 19). Suffice it to say that one of the objectives is to generate traffic on the river and help dispel the myth that Leicester is not a safe place to be. In our view a busy river is a safe river and Leicester is no worse than any, and better than many, city navigations. The Festival at Foxton follows on the heels of Leicester.

Let’s hope that both weekends are blessed with fine weather. If you haven’t visited Foxton by land or water in recent weeks I would urge you to do so. Some of the changes are quite dramatic.

Thank you to all those who acted on Carol’s request and telephoned their vote for the SUSTRANS

“Connect 2” bid for the Big Lottery Fund’s “Peoples Millions”. I’m pleased to say that the scheme was declared the winner, which means that the foot-bridge over the Wreake where it joins the navigation at Syston will, at last, be rebuilt with navigable headroom beneath. I understand that proposed bridge designs are currently being studied and, while there is no indication of a time-scale, this represents a giant leap forward for MOWS. Congratulations!

The current news on the floating pennywort menace is that BW are about to start trials of an EA approved spray in an attempt to slow it’s growth this summer. Watch this space, but once again, the more traffic there is moving on the river, the better the situation will be for all.

A number of Branch members will form a small flotilla heading for ‘The National’ at Autherly Junction.

The announcement that next year’s Festival will be on our doorstep at Redhill (if not quite within the Branch area) came as something of a surprise.

The likelihood is that we will give the event all the support that we can, so be thinking to what extent you are willing to be involved.

All for now. Have a great summer and I hope at least a part of it will involve water!

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John Evans (acting Chairman)

New Cromford Canal President

The Friends of the Cromford Canal (FCC) are pleased to announce that the actor, adventurer and personality, Brian Blessed, has become President of the FCC. Brian was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, but has strong connections with Derbyshire, in particular the Peak District National Park. He is quoted as saying, 'For me the beautiful landscapes of the Peak District are the centre of the earth.' He is delighted to be able to head our great restoration project especially at this time.

Formerly he was President of the Council for National Parks (CNP) 2001 to 2007.

Brian Blessed has been one of Britain’s favourite actors for many years; a true national treasure with one of the most recognisable voices in television, film and theatre. He has performed many roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Best recognized on the screen by his booming voice, when not acting Blessed is an intrepid alpinist, having scaled such peaks as Mount Everest (attempted three times, has yet to succeed) and Kilimanjaro, as well as being the oldest person to have trekked to the North Pole.

Mike Kelley, Vice Chair of the ‘Friends’ said, "Brian is just the personality we need to head this wonderful Derbyshire project of ours.

We already have Julian Richards, Archaeologist, Writer and Broadcaster as our Patron, so now with Brian as our President we have a complete and balanced team to help us move ahead.

We welcome Brian aboard."

Picture from Channel 4

British Waterways Long Term Moorings: Allocating vacancies and setting prices The long-promised consultation is now published by BW, following its Mooring Tenders trial, to cover how it allocates vacancies for the moorings that it manages and how to set prices for those moorings.

Please if you can look at: www.britishwaterways.co.uk/mooringconsultation08 The closing date for comments is 20th August 2008 Page 27

Nancy Johnson Speaks at Launch of Grantham Canal Guide "At long last after almost 20 years we now have a long-awaited and brand new guide to the Grantham Canal. I have great pleasure in being associated with this publication and feel honoured to be included with names from the past that have devoted so much time and effort towards the restoration of our canal. The names that come to mind over the last two decades, Chris Cove - Smith, John Marshal, Garland Grylls, Mike Atherley, Mike Mitchell, Mel Crosby, Chris Tizzard and more recently, Colin Bryan and the stalwart members of the regular work parties who have achieved so much over the years.

There are many, many more and also the members who contribute by way of subscriptions are all appreciated.

The Inland Waterways Association helped by the Exxon

Mobile Volunteer Involvement Programme has played a large part towards the aims of the Grantham Canal Restoration Society by way of funding for impact and feasibility studies, replacement of mile posts, funding of work party expenses and liaising with our own subsidiary company, the Waterway Recovery Group who have in the last few years devoted whole weeks of holiday time working on various projects. With the help of events like the recent IWA National Trail-Boat Festival and the funding for the dredging and tree management from the East Midlands Development Agency, all this helps to ensure the eventual restoration to a fully navigable canal with all the sustainable employment and businesses that go with a fully working canal and linear park."

From left to right: Ian Wakefield, Deborah Bryan, Chris Tizzard, Nancy Johnson, Tony Pitman, Colin Bryan, Martin Day Page 28

Just Two Lock Gates Recently a "small" operation took place to remove old and ineffective lock gates at the Kyme site on the Slea. Courtesy of David Pullen, the Slea Society's Honorary Engineer, we have some pictures showing the process, and the planning for the remainder of the replacement. To those unfamiliar with this kind of exercise, do take note of the friendly and essential co-operation with Andrew Means, the farmer at the adjacent Bridge Farm. All being well, the new gates will be fitted in October.

Look at the gaps in the boards below water line, no wonder they were leaking like a sieve!

Gate paddle which was blocked off

by RAF divers. Also Andrew Meansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trailer waiting to take the gates away.

Gates stored at Bridge Farm.

Andrew Means has been extremely helpful and has cleared the nettles.

End of story - who has stolen our lock gates ?

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Chesterfield Canal to host 2009 National Campaign As part of a continuing focus on events to be held in the East Midlands in 2009, The Inland Waterways Association's National Campaign Festival for 2009 is to be held at Kiveton Park, near Rotherham, on the summit level of the Chesterfield Canal. The Festival will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend 23rd - 25th May 2009. IWA wants to build support for the work of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership in its plans to replace the collapsed Norwood Tunnel with a surface route and thereby reconnect Kiveton Park to those parts of the canal that are already restored, and the parts of the canal that are currently under restoration in Derbyshire.

IWA also hopes to spur on the Partnership's plans for a new navigable link between the Chesterfield Canal and the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation in Rotherham. The Festival organisers also hope to encourage visiting boaters to use the beautiful Chesterfield Canal and other lesser frequented waterways of the lower Trent.

The Festival location is at the limit of British Waterways' ownership of the Canal, and within a few yards of Norwood Tunnel whose collapse caused the closure of the Canal beyond this point in 1908. The Festival is being jointly organised by IWA together with the Chesterfield Canal Trust, The Chesterfield Canal Partnership, and the Retford & Worksop Boat Club. The Chesterfield Canal is one of the county's earliest canals, and was the last to be designed by James Brindley. Within its 46 miles it traverses widely different urban and rural landscapes and has a wide range of heritage features, many unique to the Chesterfield Canal.

Substantial progress has been made towards full restoration. In addition to the physical works carried out on the ground, there has been major progress on the range of studies required to support a major funding bid. The importance of this canal was confirmed by The Inland Waterways Advisory Council in their December 2006 report, which classes the Chesterfield as being of `national importance' and in `Category 1' (i.e. ready for funding).

For more information, or offers to help, contact 0114 229 5355, e-mail secretary@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk, look at the Festival web site : www.kiveton2009.com or contact Geraint Coles, at the Chesterfield Canal Partnership, 01246 433186 or geraint.coles@derbyshire.gov.uk.

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Canal Societies in the EM Region Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canal Trust Chesterfield Canal Trust Ltd Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Erewash Canal P & D Association Foxton Inclined Plane Trust Friends of the Cromford Canal Grantham Canal Society Louth Navigation Trust Melton & Oakham Waterways Society Old Union Canals Society Sleaford Navigation Trust Trent and Mersey Canal Society

Judy Andrews, 39 Hill St., Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8EN Tel: 01226 743383. www.bddct.org.uk Keith Ayling, 16 Pinchfield Lane, Wickersley, Rotherham S66 1FD Tel: 01709 700223 www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk C/o Jeffery Jones Partnership, 43 St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Churchyard, Derby DE1 1NN Tel: 01332 576037 Lesley Reaney, 318 Osmaston Park Road, Allenton, Derby DE24 8FB Tel: 01332 601699 www.derbycanal.org.uk Howard Smith, 1 Millfield, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 9384129 Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk Patrick Morriss, The Shieling, Dukes Road, Lower Hartshay, Ripley, Derby DE5 3RP Tel: 01773 742895 www.cromfordcanal.org.uk Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com John Stanbridge, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 610539 www.louthcanal.org.uk Richard Booth, Sysonby Knoll, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HP Tel: 01664 503330 http://www.waterways-society.co.uk 36 The Ridings, Desborough, Kettering NN14 2LP Tel: 07010 705103. www.fipt.org.uk/Local.htm Steve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460 www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk 1 Pinfold Cottages, Back Lane, Little Haywood, Stafford ST 18 0UL. Tel: 01889 882770 www.trentandmersey.btinternet.co.uk

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Regional Diary Dates 2008 All members of any branch, visitors, and non-members are all welcome to attend South Yorkshire and the Dukeries Branch Strawberry Island Boat Club, Milethorn Lane, off Wheatley Hall Rd., Doncaster. For details call Mavis on 0114 268 3927

Usual Venue

Sep. 26th

Canal clean-up day

Oct. 15th

Quiz and social

Dec. 10th

Christmas social Leicestershire Branch For all details call Beryl on 07710 029247.

Next meeting probably in the autumn.

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch For all details call Linda on 01949 860867.

Next meeting probably in the autumn.

Lincolnshire Branch

Jul 18/19th

Lincoln Waterside Festival, Brayford Pool.

Journals Received.

We have received copies of these journals from our colleagues in the various societies, partnerships, and trusts. Many thanks to all concerned.

Anyone wishing to subscribe to any of these could contact the appropriate address, given on page 31. The LWP Newsletter is free, call 01522 550615.

Navigation, from our neighbours in West Midlands Region. The Cuckoo and Upgate and Downgate, from Chesterfield Canal Trust. The Packet, from Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society. The Portal, from the Friends of the Cromford Canal. Grantham Canal News, from the Grantham Canal Partnership. LWP newsletter from Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership. The Wharfinger, from Louth Navigation Trust.

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