Aegre March 2017

Aegre 147

March 2017

Preparing for great events coming to our region: see the pull-out extra inside, page 15

From the East Midlands Region of Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 1

Kingfisher Narrowboats Ltd For DIY or Serviced Blacking at our covered dry dock at Trent Lock on the junction of the River Trent and the Erewash Canal. We are able to take two narrow boats together, or boats up to 75ft x 13ft Specialist narrow boat fitters for alterations and re-fits, including painting, electrical and mechanical work.

Tel: 0115 972 7936 www.kingfishernarrowboats.co.uk E-mail: enquiry@kingfishernarrowboats.co.uk Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 2

Aegre is published Š 2017 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches.

Chairman

David Pullen, 16 Church Street, Scothern, Lincoln LN2 2UA. Tel: 01673 862278

Vice-Chairman

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

Leicestershire Branch Chairman

Ian McDonald, 1 Goodheart Way, Thorpe Astley, Leicester LE3 3RX. Tel: 0116 3321534

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Dave Carnell (as above)

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman

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

Secretary & WRG

John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208

Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth, LN11 0GQ E-mail: aegre@waterways.org.uk Advertisement Manager for Aegre: Ian Mc Donald, see above. E-mail: aegre.adverts@waterways.org.uk Printing: Colour Image Loudwater. Despatch: Branch Volunteers.

Picture credits: Front cover, Aegre library. Page 5, Mike Snaith.

Other credits, page 22.

Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA. Registered as a Charity No: 212342.

Tel: 01494 783453. 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.

The inclusion of any advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the IWA East Midlands Region or any of its Branches. Dates of events should be checked before travelling.

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Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Erewash Canal P & D Association

Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk

Norman Cornwell, 38 Millfield Road, Kimberley, Notts.

NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 8544155 Mobile 07854 451183 www.erewashcanalpreservationanddevelopmentassoc.org.uk

Foxton Inclined Plane Trust

Friends of Charnwood Forest

Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk

Canal

Mike Handford, 1 Sheepy Close, Hinckley, LE10 1JL Tel: 01455 611508 mahandford@gmail.com

Friends of the Cromford Canal

John Baylis, see page 3.

Grantham Canal Society

Mike Stone, 7, Crow Park Drive, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5AS; Tel: 0115 931 3375 www.granthamcanal.com

Louth Navigation Trust

Paula Hunt, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead, Louth LN11 0DA Tel: 01507 605496 www.louthcanal.org.uk

Melton & Oakham

Michael Clowes, tel: 01509 414140, e-mail: lindandmick@btinternet.com www.meltonwaterways.co.uk

Waterways Society

www.cromfordcanal.org.uk

Sleaford Navigation Trust

Steve Hayes, 10 Chelmer Close, N. Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8TH Tel: 01522 689460 www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk

Trent and Mersey Canal Society

10 Long Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 0BL. Tel: 01606 834471 www.tamcs.org.uk

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Notts and Derby clean-up team -page 27

Aegre

No. 147 March 2017 Contents

Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region...............................................4 River Welland and River Glen Cruise............................................................6 Boston Barrier Update...................................................................................7 Rivers in Our Region.....................................................................................8 News from Leicestershire............................................................................10 Lincolnshire Happenings.............................................................................14 Event pull-out supplement.......................................................................15 Ilkeston Festival - August 26-28..............................................................16 Moira Trail-boat Rally - May 27-29..........................................................20 Sleaford Boat Gathering - Apr 28 to May 1.............................................20 Leicester Riverside Festival - June 3-4...................................................21 Long Eaton Waterside Festival - June 3-4..............................................21 Foxton Locks June 17-18........................................................................22 Nottingham Riverside - August 4-5.........................................................22 Picture Credits.............................................................................................22 Rivers in Trust, Trust in Rivers....................................................................23 Demise of navigable waterways?................................................................25 News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire..............................................27 David Thurlwell Bullock 1935 - 2016...........................................................32 Around the Societies and Trusts.................................................................33 News from Grantham Restoration...............................................................34 Journals Received.......................................................................................35 Waterways World Back Issues....................................................................35 Next issue probably to be published in July 2017. Contributions to the editor (see page 3 ) by the end of May 2017 please.

The space on the right is for local contact information.

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River Welland and River Glen Cruise places! One can only but imagine how such a name came about?)

The successful IWA campaign cruise on the River Welland in 2016 will be repeated this year. The window for suitable spring tides has been identified as 23-29 May. These dates in May allow boats to visit the Sleaford Navigation thirtieth re-opening boat gathering at South Kyme in early May (see page 20) and to remain in the South Lincolnshire area with possibilities for cruising the Witham Navigable Drains and Black Sluice Navigation.

The exact schedule for the Welland/Glen cruise will be confirmed when we know how many boats wish to make the trip.

There are already enough boats to ensure that the cruise will happen. For further information on the 2016 cruise there is a video produced as a supplement to your printed Aegre on the IWA website. Look for “EastMids Videos”.

This year there is also the possibility for boats with a low air draft to cruise the River Glen through Surfleet and inland as far as Tongue End. (It is only in The Fens that one comes across such exquisitely named

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The Welland is navigable through Spalding, and inland as far as Peakirk near Peterborough. However, headroom through Spalding is limited by several road bridges (2.24 and 2.33m) and finally a footbridge at 1.85m. The lowest bridge on the Glen is 1.8m.

It is particularly important to repeat this cruise in 2017 in the context of the current IWA campaign to make sure EA don’t close any further navigation structures due to reduced funding. There are already three locks in the Anglian region that are closed because EA have not maintained them in a safe and usable condition. The cruise is also important in the longer term campaign to get EA navigations transferred to CRT. Please contact David Pullen at david.pullen9@btinternet.com or on 07766 714650 or 01673 862278 at the earliest opportunity if you wish to book for these trips. .David

Boston Barrier Update The Boston Barrier proposals will be examined in a public inquiry starting on 19 April at the Barrier Community Hub in Boston. IWA is pleased to have ensured that the proposed barrier will be subject to public scrutiny as we believe there are huge missed opportunities for

Boston and for the future of the Fens Waterways Link. We are also opposing the proposals due to unsafe design in respect of dangerous, concentrated water flows through the barrier making navigation hazardous. The present barrier design reduces the navigable channel from 50m down to 25m, and the location is on the outside of a bend in the tidal river with already restricted sight lines.

There was a pre-inquiry meeting at Boston Guildhall on 7th February which was attended by Gren Messham and David Pullen. This meeting was

supposed to be purely to agree domestic arrangements and procedures for the main inquiry. However, it turned into quite a ding-dong between several parties and EA. I would liken it to a boxing match weigh-in where the boxers are supposed to be polite to each other, but can’t just resist having a pre-match “rehearsal”!

There are a total of 31 parties who have registered objections or made representations about the design of the barrier. This is a healthy number of parties and will ensure that EA are subject to very close scrutiny.

We are also heartened that the inspector is a qualified town planner, which hopefully means that all the opportunities for Boston town centre to be transformed by a better barrier will be given serious consideration.

The public part of the inquiry is expected to last until mid-May, and we expect the inspector’s report to be published around mid-July.

David Pullen

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Rivers in Our Region Our region’s navigations are dominated by river routes. Our three principal rivers, The Trent, The Soar and The Witham are the arteries by which boaters in the East Midlands cruise to the connected navigations and are also the arteries for through navigation to the north, south, east and west.

Challenges on river navigations are often water levels and flows, and it always helps to have plenty of information when planning cruises, and indeed whilst en route if conditions are changing. I have recently come upon a free website which takes Environment Agency real-time river data and presents it in an easily understood format.

On www.gaugemap.co.uk (Shoothill Gauge Map) you will find the latest data on river levels relative to flooding risk, and for some gauging stations this also includes volumetric flow data. By looking at recent and current levels and flows it is possible to make a reasonable assessment of conditions that will affect your boating safety and enjoyment. Some gauging stations in our area are shown on the map opposite (courtesy of Shoothill).

On the Soar for example they are at Littlethorpe, upstream near Narborough; at Freemans Weir in Leicester opposite King Power Stadium, showing the level over the weir; at Syston by the River Wreake; at Pillings Lock (this includes flow data); at Zouch; and at Kegworth. A sample plot for Kegworth to the 15th February is shown here.

On the Trent there are gauges at Shardlow on the main river; at Cranfleet below the lock; Colwick; Gunthorpe over the weir; Farndon; North Muskham; Carlton on Trent; Torksey; Gainsborough; and Keadby.

On the Fossdyke and Witham on the Till at Saxilby (this is one of the feeders to the Fossdyke); Lincoln Fossdyke level; Lincoln Brayford Pool level; Lincoln Stamp End downstream level; Fiskerton Sluice upstream of Bardney Lock; Bardney Witham level downstream; Kirkstead bridge Witham level; Chapel

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Hill; Langrick Bridge; Boston Grand Sluice (tide level in the Haven downstream of Grand Sluice Lock); and Hobhole Sluice tide level at outfall. Bardney and other stations down to Boston show the effect of tide lock at Grand Sluice.

On the Glen at Surfleet Sluice showing the tide level in the sluice outfall; and at Tongue End at the Bourne Eau outfall with a tide lock from Surfleet .

On the Welland at Fosdyke Bridge showing tide level; at Spalding Marsh Lane sluices showing the level through Spalding to Peakirk; and at Cowbit Four Mile Bar. These levels show tide lock due to Spalding sluices.

Finally in our list, on the Slea/Kyme Eau at Sleaford by the tilting gate near Carre Street; and at Leasingham Mill, AKA Paper Mill Lock.

Studying such data is only narrowly less nerdish than my well known pre-occupation with rainfall data and statistics! As a committed river navigation enthusiast I’m fascinated by the ever-changing water flows and the effect this has on river levels. As an example, the effect of the last significant flow event on the Trent was on 24 November 2016, which saw the peak flow rate at Shardlow increase from typically 25-35m³/sec to 158m³/sec. That is over 500% more flow, so it’s no wonder that the Trent is often closed!

David Pullen

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News from Leicestershire From Ian McDonald Last time I wrote about planning and our concerns that we were not being heard, particularly in Leicester. Our Social Secretary Andrew noticed an application listed by Leicester City Council for the “Wolsey” island redevelopment, which is just upstream of Belgrave Lock alongside the National Space Centre. In particular the application made no reference to the waterway being alongside. A carefully considered response was made, in which we pointed out that we did not object to the application per se, but regretted that the opportunity to provide much-needed moorings had been missed. The acknowledgement received from the Council referred to our letter as an objection (!?) and asked if we wished to address the planning meeting. We decided that we should do so, and prepared suitable words to fit within the five minute time slot permitted. I was away at the time of the meeting and Mike Dixon offered to speak. His words were mentioned in the newspaper report and several of the committee were very supportive. Our comments were that it was unfortunate that though the developers were to provide a new bridge over the waterway at a cost approaching £1M, the £2-3,000 for Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 10

some mooring bollards could not be imposed. The excuse was that the towpath was outside the boundary of the development. No comment that so would be around 90% of the bridge!

Andrew followed up by writing to the Chairman of the Planning Committee regretting the outcome, commenting on the way several of the committee had been very supportive of our mooring suggestion. No reply has been received to this letter, though the City Mayor responded very positively to the copy of the letter that was sent to him.

After the IWA/CRT Planning Conference that Andrew & Debbie Shephard attended in Birmingham, they followed up on the contacts made during the day that they found to be very useful. One of the contacts was Ian Dickinson of CRT who works out of The Kiln at Newark, as well as Waterway Manager Sean McGinley and head of planning for CRT. Andrew arranged a meeting with Ian Dickinson at Newark, which Debbie and I also attended, hosted by Sean. It was an exceedingly useful meeting, we believe for both the IWA and CRT. Sean also asked if we could suggest suitable locations for him to take the

CRT Trustees on their January meeting in Leicester, and then kindly asked us to go to the evening reception to meet the Trustees as well as CRT and Leicester City employees.

We found this to be very worthwhile, and I for one was very impressed by the Trustees to whom I spoke, especially as two of them also had their own boats and a third was born on a boat in London! The renewed contacts with the Council were also useful, and we followed this up with a meeting at City Hall with two of the planning officers. They explained some of the restrictions under which they had to work, and usefully provided a copy of the document that set out the Council’s planning policies, most especially regarding the waterways. We left this meeting with mixed feelings, but have been told that in future the Council will send direct to us copies of planning applications that impinge on the waterway. Watch this space. I tend to be a cheerful optimist, sadly Andrew is much more cynical but hopefully not more of the realist!

Friars Mill moorings have been popular, but sadly Region Chairman David reported that when he was at the Trustee’s meeting at Friars Mill in January the moorings looked to be full of “Permanent Moorers”. He reported that there is a possible prob-

lem with this as he was told that, though CRT built the pontoons, they do not have any legal control on them to enable them to undertake enforcement as they sit on land owned by the City Council. I asked Sean for clarification on this before I took the matter up with the Council and was delighted to be told yesterday that this matter has been resolved and that 48 hour mooring notices were being affixed both at Friars Mill and Castle Gardens. The latter is not before time as the latter moorings have had no mooring restriction signs there, ever since they were installed many years before.

Of course Friars Mill moorings mean there is potable water available in the city at last! The Elsan problem, or rather the lack of facilities in Leicester, is undergoing active consideration by CRT for inclusion into the development of Memory Lane wharf

by Lime Kiln Lock. Simon Papprill of CRT is pretty good at winkling money out from sources, and he is currently working towards getting these new moorings and facilities funded and created. We have been asked for our thoughts as to what these new facilities should include and before this is in print we will have been at a meeting to discuss how and what we consider the development should include.

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Also at Memory Lane we have been asked if we know when the arm was reduced in length, something I had never heard of before. If anyone knows anything about changes to this wharf, if they could let me know I will pass this on.

The AGM on Feb 9th was a useful meeting with a reasonable attendance, though I was a little upset that one long-standing branch member failed to curtail his holiday in New Zealand to join us! I managed to control my enthusiasm and to follow the agenda carefully this year, and as well a getting a new member elected to the committee, we felt confident enough to re-establish the three year committee membership period. Two of us stood down, offered ourselves for re-election, and those attending voted that all three of us should be elected. Welcome to the committee Mike Dixon. We held a discussion about whether we should retain our second Thursday meeting day, or move it so it does not clash with the revised Notts and Derbys meetings. It was agreed that meetings will generally be on the second Thursday, but that, to enable our Region Chairman to attend both, we would hold our AGM on the first Thursday in February.

Carol and I attended the East Midlands and South East “user group” Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 12

meetings. At both there were several other interested and vociferous parties with concerns that they pressed forward in ways that were almost to the exclusion of others at the meeting. The East Midland meeting chairman managed to significantly restrict these intrusions; his colleague in the South East was not so successful, and Carol and I left before the agenda had been completed.

We have had some interesting speakers this session. After the summer we resumed at The Gate in October to have a very interesting talk by Rosemary Gibson, clad in classic boat– woman garb, about the Grantham Canal restoration. It was interesting to see and hear how restoration of this canal has progressed. She suggested we might like to arrange a branch visit to see the canal; something we may try to arrange later in the year.

In November the CRT Heritage Adviser Rosemary Gibson came to talk to us about how she and her small team work to ensure that the heritage of our waterways is maintained.

In December we had our Xmas party, held again at Debbie and Andrew’s home. Excellent food was enjoyed by all, with Mike and Sheila Dixon helping with some dishes. I thoroughly

enjoyed creating a quiz for all, based on knowledge of canals but not just those in the UK. It was a close run quiz where, had I realised it would be so then I’d have revised the prize criteria. The prize was given to the team of Brian Carter & Andrew Shephard who just pipped Mary Matts on her solo effort by a single point.

Andrew considers that if it is decided to hold a Christmas party in December, then it might be a good idea to move it also to the first Thursday to be it further away from other Christmas festivities. Could I ask that members please give us some opinions about this and also about what form our Christmas meeting should take.

My contact details are to be found to the front of Aegre, my e-mail is ian.mcdonald@waterways.org.uk.

After our AGM Mike Dixon gave us a very different view of life afloat.

Starting from boating with his family and on to his own little dinghy, he moved onto narrow-boats via some very large oil tankers he navigated around the world. He is also currently restoring an historic sailing boat that was built by Fairey, famed for their Swordfish aircraft. We are lucky that he and Sheila decided to move nearer to their family and settle in Market Harborough, especially as at the AGM he was elected to the commit-

tee after a year of being a co-opted member.

Please try to come along to the Riverside Festival on June 3 & 4. Foxton Festival is two weeks later on June 17 & 18. See our centre pull-out.

CRT have said that they wish to engage much more with the largely Asian community in the area around Lime Kiln and Belgrave Locks. They believe that by having a feature at Lime Kiln Lock with illuminated boats to link with the Divali Festival of Light in October, interest will be generated. It will need some careful attention to ensure enough boats turn out and that there is enough illumination. Last December the South East Waterway arranged an illuminated boat event at Foxton Locks. Sadly they didn’t advise us of it, despite it being in our branch area, but they promoted it heavily on Facebook and local radio. So many people tried to come along that additional overflow parking had become totally full, and roads into and around the village had become grid locked. As the Divali event is already busy and the crowds are already catered for nearby, it will only be near the water where crowd management will be a new matter for control.

Have a great season. Ian

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Lincolnshire Happenings By the time you read this the Branch AGM will have taken place. The existing committee members of Lincolnshire Branch are all eligible to remain on the committee within the next three year. All are involved with other Trusts and Societies, and for the Branch to keep pace with developing technologies and waterway projects new blood is urgently required.

Please give serious consideration to helping to promote the IWA activities in Lincolnshire.

In the last edition of Aegre there were three main topics, the Boston Barrier, Fenland Link, and Fulney Lock.

On Boston Barrier see page 6. The Boston MP, Matt Warman, also hosted a meeting of all interested parties and the EA Area Manager. It was resolved that EA would examine the concerns against their TWAO submission and respond to those raised, and they acknowledged the project had to be fit for purpose.

As mentioned in the July Aegre the campaign cruise through Fulney Lock on the River Welland to Spalding was successful, obtaining a lot of good publicity. This was achieved after the EA removed silt and debris from the lock area. However, in their “Anglian Waterways Group� NovemAegre 147 - March 2017 Page 14

ber meeting it was proposed that Fulney Lock siltation management should be re-classified from high to low. This may impact on usage in 2017.

Fenland Link. Following the suggestion by the EA that IWA, as a third party organisation, could take on the future management of progressing the link, our Trustees have decided that we are not in a position to engage a project manager.

The review of the potential transfer of EA navigations to CRT continues, and both organisations believe the transfer, subject to agreement, has the potential to create a more integrated and sustainable network. There are however concerns that, with an ever decreasing budget, the EA may consider abandoning some of their Anglian navigations. See our separate article on page 25.

The submission of the second round application of the Leader funding bid for the moorings in South Kyme and a winding hole entailed many hours of burning the midnight oil. After submission, a number of technical questions were presented with a deadline. This proved impossible to meet and the application was reluctantly withdrawn. Dave Carnell

Lots of great events this year in East Midlands. Come and enjoy; come and help.

Event pull-out supplement

Sleaford April 29 - May 1

Ilkeston Aug 26-28 Long Eaton Nottingham Aug 4-6 June 3-4 Moira May 27-29 Leicester June 3-4 Foxton June 17-18

This spring and summer there are great water-based events around the Region. Everyone is invited to come and see the fun; everyone is invited to come and give a bit of essential help to make things roll smoothly. This is your pull-out supplement full of information, to keep through the season.

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Ilkeston Festival - August 26-28 The annual IWA Festival of Water will come to Ilkeston over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 26th to Monday 28th August 2017. It will be along the Erewash Canal and on the adjacent Gallows Inn playing field. A provisional plan of the site is on our next page. The field postal address is Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5BP, or for purists, the entrance is at SK 47636 40528 or 52.9601N, 1.2922W. Although the M1 and a railway line are not far away, they do not provide close access. The site is really in between Ilkeston and Trowell, on the A609. There is a bus service (MY15) which goes past from Long Eaton to Ilkeston.

The Festival will be free to attend for the public and will have attractions on and off the water to provide a fun day out for all.. Many boats, including leisure, trade, heritage and working narrow-boats, are expected and there will be a range of craft stalls and activities on site. There will also be a market and fund-raising stalls, and there is still some space for boaters, charities and local groups who are interested in having a stall and fund-raising for their chosen group.

Although planning is already under way, we still need volunteers to help organise one of the most highly anticipated inland waterways events in the country. For more information about helping please contact: Jane Elwell, Events Committee Chairman. Email: jane.elwell@waterways.org.uk or call 01635 414567 We also need more general helpers between Wednesday 23rd August and Wednesday 30th August 2017, for jobs such as directing car park traffic, litter picking, erecting marquees, distributing programmes, making PA announcements, and assisting with site information points and activities. For more information about this please contact Pat Barton. Email: pat.barton@waterways.org.uk. Thank you.

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Sleaford Boat Gathering - Apr 28 to May 1 To celebrate 30 years of voluntary work on the Slea, a Boat Gathering will be held on May Day Bank holiday weekend at South Kyme. Plans include, on Friday 28th, a medieval banquet and music (fancy dress optional) at the tower (in a heated marquee); on Saturday 29th a table top sale, scarecrow competition, decorated boats competition (both with an 80's theme), and a duck race. In the evening there will be a 60-80's dance with food (fancy dress optional) in the village hall. On Sunday 30th there will be a church service, then a family 'fête style' afternoon and evening in a marquee at the tower with activities including a bouncy castle, then food and music in the evening with a quiz about 9.30 pm. It will be £20 per adult ticket to cover all three evening entertainments and food inclusive. Children are free to attend Sunday afternoon / evening.

Location: South Kyme village. Further details are available from Sue Sowerby at 01522 856810 or publicity@sleafordnavigation.co.uk

Moira Trail-boat Rally - May 27-29 On the Ashby Canal at Moira at the Heart of the National Forest, the event revolves around the historic Grade 2 listed Moira Blast Furnace and the restored, isolated length of canal.

Over the 27th and 28th May there will be the Trailboat Festival, hosted by the Moira Canal Festival committee, with extra activities for boaters on Monday.

On the Saturday and Sunday, there will be a living history display, childrens’ entertainment, Battle of Britain fly-past, morris dancing, and a duck race.

Shreck the boat horse will demonstrate the old art of boat towing, as he leads the parade of boats. There will be a wide variety of stalls and exhibits, bar and refreshments.

Location: Moira Furnace, Furnace Lane, Moira DE12 6AT Contact details: Phone Geoff Pusglove 07989 550427 Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 20

Leicester Riverside Festival - June 3-4 Our Leicestershire branch plans a presence at the Leicester Riverside Festival on the “Mile Straight”, and a sub-committee has been established to move things forward. A meeting with the City Council’s organiser has been held.

CRT is eager to engage much more with the people of Leicester, and as this event is likely to attract 20,000 visitors it is an ideal venue. The branch had one boat decorated with an IWA banner last year, and our members aboard tried to engage with people on the towpath. Our efforts this year will be greater, and I hope also that we are able to enhance the turn-out of visiting boats, especially as 2017 is the 50th anniversary of the National Rally that was based in Abbey Park. If any readers have memories of the 1967 Rally I would be delighted to receive them. We have undertaken to take bookings for boats attending this year’s Festival, and plan to establish reserved moorings for boats that are booked in advance of the Festival. There will be a commemorative plaque for boaters attending. We will need to make a charge of £10 to cover our costs for this work, the plaques and for our Saturday evening gathering of boaters. Any surplus will go to local waterway charities. Booking forms from andrew.shephard@waterways.org.uk. Ian

Long Eaton Waterside Festival - June 3-4 This is a second joint activity by Canal & River Trust, Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association and Long Eaton Civic Society. It will again be held at Trent Lock, Lock Lane, Long Eaton, Notts NG10 2FY at he junction of the Erewash Canal and River Trent. There will be trade/craft stalls; trade boats from the Reverie Canal Trading Co; historic boats; taster canoe sessions; Trent Valley Sailing Club; Devil's Elbow Rowing Club sessions; Learn to fish; Meet Shreck the Workhorse and much more. Come along and join in the fun.

There are two large car parks at Trent Lock which will quickly get very busy.

There is easy walking access along the towpath from Sawley, Long Eaton and Cranfleet lock.

More information by e-mail: FMCTrout@btinternet.com Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 21

Foxton Locks June 17-18 Organised by the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust on June 17 and 18, entertainment over the two days will include arena displays, live music on two stages and a fun-fair. The address is Gumley Road, Foxton, near Market Harborough, LE16 7RA. Festival entry is ÂŁ7.00 per adult per day and accompanied children are free! Find out more on the festival's website: http://www.foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk, For volunteering e-mail cathy.fipt@gmail.com.

Nottingham Riverside - August 4-5 People of all ages can enjoy the annual Riverside Festival along the banks of the River Trent and experience a variety of food and drink from the stalls whilst listening to the wide range of music on offer at the Victoria Embankment, Nottingham, NG2 5FB. There will be free art activities for the little ones in the Children's Zone, a Sports Zone with opportunity to try a range of Sports activities, live music stages, Street theatre, a street fair, global craft stalls, trade stands and a display of traditional steam engines and organs. There will be a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday night.

River activities include Boat Trips and Angling Instruction and Sunday will see the return of the annual Dragon Boat Challenge where a number of teams take to the water to compete for charity.

Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this edition of Aegre: Ian McDonald; Dave Carnell; Mike Snaith, Rod Auton; Mel and Sue Sowerby; Archie Roberts; Shirley Rogers, David Pullen, Alicen Stenner, and as noted for specific articles. Centre collage Stephnie Pay. Some photographs in this issue are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. The authors concerned are David Hallam-Jones, p16 & top p17; Tim Glover, centre p17; Mat Fascione, field, p17, Richard Croft, p20; Graham Hogg, p29. Ordnance Survey map p17 is Š Crown copyright and database right 2017.

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Rivers in Trust, Trust in Rivers We have become accustomed to working well with the various regions of the Canal and River Trust, and occasionally IWA volunteers have been involved in work parties with other River Trusts, such as a rubbish clearance along the River Mease, west of Leicester. In our region there are quite a few of these groups, and it may be interesting to see how they are set up and work.

Twenty or thirty years ago concern developed nationally about the filthy state of many of our rivers, often due to effluent from industry and fertiliser run-off. Trent and Thames were bad examples. Fishing was at a low ebb in many waters, with trout and salmon seen as (absent) indicators of clean water. Not only clean water for some species, but accessible water such that the fish could move upstream. Manmade obstacles like sluice gates had been put in, for good reasons such as flood prevention and land drainage control, but they also effectively stopped fish migration .

Because of the wide variety of causes for the problems, no one authority could be very effective. Local Councils; riparian owners; navigation and flood control bodies were affected, and their areas of responsibility did not always align with the reality on the ground - or rather in the river basin concerned. Expertise could also be found in some University Depart-

ments. As always in our country, an essential catalyst to action was voluntary effort.

Small groups were formed, on a local basis, keen to care for the “health” of a given river or stream. Here health meant not only cleanliness of water, but the surrounding vegetation; the actual course of a stream, often unnaturally constrained into dead straight lines, and the opportunity for various fauna to thrive. Also involved was education of the public: “Please don’t throw your rubbish in the stream, it is bad for all of us”.

With this kind of set-up and objectives, charitable trusts formed an obvious formal structure, giving the chance to establish a sound reputation, encourage volunteer support, and encourage those with commercial interests to help, without a feeling of competition. And of course to apply for grant money! Gradually the word spread, with River Trusts all over the country. A need to exchange information and experience led to the formation of an “Association of River Trusts” in 2001, which later changed structure in 2011 to an independent umbrella organisation called “The Rivers Trust”.

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Common to all these bodies would be a constitution and a set of objectives, typically saying, as in the case of the Welland River Partnership, chaired by the Welland River Trust: Our vision is that the River Welland, from its source near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, through to the tidal limit at Spalding, Lincolnshire, including all the many tributaries will: • Be cleaner and healthier • Continue to provide drainage and manage flood risk • Support more fish, birds and other wildlife • Meet the needs of drinking water suppliers and businesses • Provide a more attractive place for people to enjoy • Be sensitively managed by everyone whose activities affect it.

We will achieve our vision by working with everyone who wants to help us, including individuals, land managers, farmers, local communities, businesses, voluntary organisations, local authorities and government.

Similarly there is a Trent River Trust, at one time “OneTrent” , which supports the Soar River Catchment Partnership, and a Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, which supports a Witham Partnership. In North Lincolnshire, an Ancholme River Trust was set up in 2013. It has run litter picking sessions, and a River Festival in 2016.

These groups vary widely in size, budget, and paid staff. The Rivers

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Trust, based in Cornwall, turns over about £1.1M a year and has nine paid staff. The Lincolnshire Rivers Trust turns over about £40K and has one project worker. The Trent Trust, which started as the “Salmon Trust”, turns over about £250K and has five staff and teams of volunteers. More locally, the Welland Trust turns over around £30 to 40k a year.

Sleaford Navigation Trust (SNT) is working very closely with The Witham Partnership in improving habitat in several locations in South Kyme. The Partnership have already funded up to 100m of coir roll installation, which in any case had to be installed as ecological mitigation for the water access point. They are discussing a further 60m length of coir installation in Sleaford. There is also a possibility of the partnership partly funding the new winding hole in South Kyme, with a grant towards improving the habitat for fish spawning. This is likely to be in the form of a shallow shelf in the bank (“berm”).

SNT are one of the Witham Partnership, and the partners appreciate local knowledge of the river, so it is a mutually beneficial working arrangement.

There is an excellent "New Rivers and Wildlife Handbook", which gives detailed information on ecological mitigation and management for all waterways. Available from well known on-line suppliers. Ed.

Demise of navigable waterways?

On February 20th, Therese Coffey, MP, Under-Secretary of State at DEFRA, stated in reply to a question from David Mackintosh, MP for Northampton South: “No navigations on Anglian Waterways have been closed permanently since 2006.

For health and safety reasons, and to protect the general public and those who use the waterways, the Environment Agency has temporarily closed some assets such as locks and landing stages, that have made some waterways difficult to access for some craft.”

“The Environment Agency has not held any recent discussions with local authorities in the Anglian region about the re-opening of closed navigable waterways in that region. The Environment Agency will consider the restoration and re-opening of closed navigable waterways depending on the amount of future funding available and the importance, such as the level of use, of the waterway to be re-opened.”

In our region, Harlem Hill lock on the River Ancholme has been out of action since 2012, in spite of earlier effort and cost to repair the bottom gates and install a pontoon at the head of navigation, sponsored by Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership. Fulney lock at Spalding was neglected for several years too, becoming unusable because of accumulated silt, until IWA pressed for a right of navigation. Not far away, Dedham Lock on the River Stour, and Welches Dam Lock, just off the Old Bedford River linking to the Middle Level, are also out of use. Common to all these is the navigation authority, the Environment Agency, which has closed the waterway quoting lack of funds and “health and safety”. Although these locations are perhaps not on the most popular boating routes, IWA’s concern is that, if funds are that restricted, future closures could affect the more popular rivers such as the Nene and the Great Ouse.

Flatford Lock on the navigable section of the Stour was closed for two years from 2013 because EA condemned its gates as unsafe for navigation, but stated they did not have the funds to replace them. The lock was only reopened in 2015 because the River Stour Trust raised the £80,000 needed for new gates, with EA contributing £5000.

Although some assurances have been given that “there is no immediate risk that we will close any of our navigations“, now is the time for boaters to make their voices heard, and we need your help. If you live near, or boat on, any of the EA Anglian waterways, please write to your local MP and the relevant local authority in order to make them aware of your concerns. A list of addresses is on the following page, and suggested letters are on the IWA web site.

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River Ancholme, Ferriby tidal connection to Caistor Canal junction: North Lincolnshire. Council, Pittwood House, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1AB. Leader, Rob Waltham. E-mail, rob.waltham@northlincs.gov.uk Environment Manager, Neil Pool. E-mail, neil.pool@northlincs.gov.uk MP Andrew Percy, Under Secretary Communities and Local Government.

E-mail Andrew.percy.mp@parliament.uk Office: 81-83 Pasture Road, Goole, North Humberside, DN14 6BP River Ancholme, Caistor Canal Junction to Bishop Bridge: West Lindsey D.C., Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough, DN21 2NA. Chairman Roger Patterson. E-mail roger.patterson@westlindsey.gov.uk Inward Investment Manager. Elaine Poon E.mail Elaine.poon@westlindsey.gov.uk MP Sir Edward Leigh, Under Secretary Trade and Industry. 20 Union Street, Market Rasen, Lincs. LN8 3AA. Tel 0207 2196480.

E-mail: Edward.leigh.mp@parliament.uk Rivers Welland, Glen, and Black Sluice Drain (Fenland Link) Lincs. C.C. County Offices, Newlands, Lincoln. LN1 1YL Tel 01522 552222 Leader Martin Hill OBE, E-mail cllrm.hill@lincolnshire.gov.uk Executive Councillor Development.

Colin Davie. E-mail cllrc.davie@lincolnshire.gov.uk MP Karl McCartney, c/o Lincoln Conservatives, 1a Farrier Road, Lincoln, LN6 3RU E-mail: karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk.

Black Sluice Lock and Drain, (Fenland Link) Boston B. C., Municipal Building, West Street, Boston, PE21 8QR. Leader: Peter Bedford, E-mail peter.bedford.@boston.gov.uk Chair of Environment: Judith Skinner. E-mail Judith.skinner@boston.gov.uk MP Matt Warman, 63 Wide Bargate, Boston, Lincs. PE21 6SG. E-mail: matt.warman.mp@parliament.uk.

Rivers Welland, Glen, Black Sluice (Fenland Link) South Holland D. C., Council Offices, Priory Road, Spalding. PE11 2XE. Leader, The Lord Porter of Spalding OBE. E-mail gporter@sholland.gov.uk Inward Investment Manager, Nigel Burch. E-mail nburch@sholland.gov.uk MP John Hayes. Minister of State, Dept. of Transport. 1 Broad Street Business Centre, 10 Broad Street, Spalding, PE11 1TB. E-mail hayesj@parliament.uk

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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire It’s been pretty quiet this winter so far with thankfully no repeat of the heavy rains of last year. Looking back to a sunny Sunday in late October, about 15 volunteers turned out in Nottingham for a clean-up of the Nottingham Canal from Sainsbury’s towards London Road in the city centre. The day was organised by the Branch in partnership with CRT. Volunteers included IWA members, boaters and local people who wanted to get involved in cleaning up the surrounding area.

Three teams of volunteers with grappling irons got to work. Making their way along, they pulled out numerous bicycles, 25 shopping trolleys, 24 fence panels and other assorted items. They were so successful with clearing scrap that only a short one mile section was com-

pleted in the time. The shopping trolleys were particularly mangled as they had been hit hard by passing boats over the years, so it was good to see their removal. As the grapplers moved along, more volunteers were active, litter picking on the towing path side, ultimately making their way all the way to Meadow Lane Lock and the canal’s entry to the River Trent. Another team of volunteers set off on CRT’s workboat “Bollin” to tackle offside and any waterborne litter, as well as transporting the grappled scrap to CRT’s Trent Lane depot for recycling.

Overall a huge amount of scrap and rubbish was cleared and the whole canal appearance was significantly improved. A big thank you goes to

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all involved who made such a difference on the day. See our pictures on pages 5 and 27.

The grey dreary weather of winter remains as usual though, so it has been a pleasure to attend our Social meetings, the last two being particular highlights. We had a great buffet for our Christmas bash in December with an excellent turnout of members, all treated to the double act of Michael and Carole Golds with their take on the changing face of the Birmingham Canal Navigations over the last 40 odd years. Even over that period the whole scene has changed dramatically, and they have such a comic dialogue of their adventures. It was most entertaining and coupled with good food and good company, what more could you ask for on a dark December night?

In a slightly different vein but none the less interesting and entertaining, the January Social was a history of the late Stanton Iron Works on the side of the Erewash Canal near Ilkeston. An iron-making behemoth and an enterprise that produced products for the world. The humble Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 28

Stanton man-lid (manhole cover to those of a certain age) and roadside drain cover can be found in virtually every country in the world and they were all produced here. We were introduced to Stanton Cathedral; found out why pig iron is so named, and learnt all about spun iron pipes and the stories of the people who made Stanton Iron Works what it was. Sounds boring?

Nothing of the sort. Absolutely fascinating when the talk is delivered with such skill, humour and firsthand knowledge by an ex-worker with a rare talent for story telling. It is sadly also a classic example of the demise of the manufacturing base of the Midlands but such a rich history speaks for itself and cannot be ignored. It was a great evening, both enlightening and informative.

Those who read the previous edition of Aegre will be aware that we had a successful year fund raising in

2016, with the sponsored Boat Pull along part of the Chesterfield Canal and the Lock Wind in the summer.

In the latter part of the year we therefore donated £250 to the WRG Van Appeal – which has since closed, having achieved the objective of raising £120,000 towards the purchase of four new vans. Then in January this year it was a great pleasure for Treasurer Brian White and I to present a £500 donation to the Canal-side Heritage Centre alongside Beeston Lock on the Nottingham Canal. (See photo on the left). This project is bringing back to life the derelict cottages beside the Lock (photo above in 2013).

The project involves creating a Heritage Museum and Exhibition Gallery, along with a resource centre for schools and community groups, coupled with a community café and allotments for schools to grow their own produce. The Heritage Lottery

Fund is supporting the project and has awarded £800k.

However this does not include any mooring facilities for passing boat traffic.

The IWA donation will be used to get detailed plans drawn up and a Structural Engineer on board to build a landing stage and mooring for narrow-boats in the derelict river lock alongside the canal. This in particular will allow the Nottingham City community narrow-boats (and others) to moor alongside the centre and provide disabled access from boats to the new facilities on land. It’s a worthy cause all round and hopefully the IWA donation will boost the number of visitors to the centre once complete, helping to generate revenue for continuing operation.

We sadly do not have a Planning Officer on the committee, so not much is happening on that front. At least we are not aware of much happening but one thing did come across the planning applications desk during the winter. Avid readers of Waterways World or the IWA Bulletin will already be aware of the situation, but going back to October 2016, information from the Shardlow Heritage Centre indicated

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that Marstons’ Brewery had put in an application to change the name and associated signs of The Clock Warehouse pub in Shardlow. The pub is housed in an iconic grade II listed warehouse building in Shardlow. The Brewery wished to change the name from “The Clock Warehouse” to “MILL on the Trent” and “re-brand” the pub accordingly.

Apart from the fact it has been a general purpose warehouse since the Trent and Mersey Canal was first built in the 18th century and is not on the River Trent there wasn’t much wrong. Oh, it historically had a clock in the top of the gable end facing the village which could be seen from most of the village, with the bell being used for start and finish of the working day throughout most of its history. But that didn’t seem to come into it either.

Shardlow Heritage Centre provided a brief accurate history of the building, directly negating the mythical spin the Brewery were putting on their new name with a supposed history of it being a mill on the River Trent. Along with many local Shardlow villagers, we complained to the Planning Authority but we were told they could not control the name on the signs, only the size and type of sign – to ensure it was in keeping with the listed nature of the building. The Planning Authority suggested complaining direct to the Aegre 147 - March 2017 Page 30

Brewery. We did. No result. They persisted with changing the name.

Armed with the information from Shardlow Heritage Centre we solicited the help of IWA’s monthly Bulletin to encourage members to complain to the Brewery. Many members did. Many local residents did. Wow, people power. The Brewery changed their mind. A result? Then a final sting in the tail.

There has been a historical sign on the side of the warehouse stating “Navigation from the Trent to the Mersey” far beyond current memory and the Brewery proposed taking this down and using the space for the pub name sign. However, the name on that sign is the original description of the Trent and Mersey Canal as contained in the original 18th century enabling Act of Parliament. Further liaison with Shardlow Heritage Centre. Further letters to the brewery and lo and behold, they have agreed to retain the name “The Clock Warehouse” and reinstate the sign “Navigation from the Trent to the Mersey” in its current resplendent position. I for one will visit the pub when I’m next in the area and thank the management for listening to their customers and the local community. A result.

Looking forward to the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring, our Social Secretary has planned a couple of outdoor evening activities

to round off this season’s calendar.

On Friday 12th May we have a guided tour of Attenborough Nature Reserve alongside the River Trent.

The guide will be one of the rangers at this famous centre and there should be lots to see. Meet at the Centre’s car park, Barton Lane, Attenborough, Nottingham, NG9 6DY at 7.30 pm. Please take note that outdoor activities are on Friday evenings, not the usual Thursday, to hopefully encourage a wider number of people to take part. They will be great fun and I recall seeing some spectacularly beautiful kingfishers on my last visit to Attenborough Nature Reserve, so don’t miss your chance. Other visits are pending.

Further ahead we are also planning a Lock Wind at Derwent Mouth Lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Shardlow. The date is still to be finalised but likely to be a weekend day in late July or early August.

We need lots of help with this so don’t be shy about coming along, it’s good fun and for a good cause.

Perhaps our biggest outing however, will be to the IWA Festival of Water at Gallows Inn Fields, Ilkeston over the Bank holiday weekend August 26-28. This will be a great few days out for all the family so please come and help on the exhibition stand or just stop by to say Hello.

We are also planning a Canal Clean up one Sunday in September but as yet planning is not complete. One thing is sure, we will need lots of people to make it a success so watch this space in a future edition for more information.

On the social front our season of evenings continues, our next meeting will be on Thursday 9th March when we have Chris Madge from the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust giving an illustrated talk, “The Derby Canal, past, present and future” which will enlighten the audience on the latest restoration news, at our now usual venue at the Poppy & Pint in Lady Bay, West Bridgford, Nottingham. On Thursday 13th April it will be “Developments along the Ashby Canal” an illustrated talk by Geoff Pursglove of the Ashby Canal Trust regarding the latest restoration activities and plans for the Ashby Canal. Then, as mentioned above, in May we go outdoors.

So put the evening of the second Thursday in the month in your diaries and see the calendar of events at the back of this magazine. Do note though our evening outdoor activities in May and we hope June will be on Fridays and do come and join us, everyone is most welcome, I look forward to seeing you there Mike Snaith

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David Thurlwell Bullock 1935 - 2016 I am sorry to report the death of David Bullock just a few weeks before his eighty first birthday. David had been a long-serving member of the IWA East Midlands Region Committee. Born in Wakefield, he lived in the area until 1974 when, following local government re-organisation, the family moved to Sheffield and David worked in the City Housing Department until he retired in 1985. This gave him more time for his hobbies of gardening, reading and boating.

David was a founder member of the Chesterfield and Barnsley canal societies and also joined the Huddersfield Canal Society. When Pat Smith retired as Aegre Editor in 1978 David offered to take over.

David was involved with the editing for a total of about twelve years and in the early days David did the printing when they lived in a large house on Psalter Lane. Phil Dalton took over from David in the late 1980’s but after about 2 years Phil’s job moved to London and David took over again. In later years the printing was carried out by Terence Balchin in Nottingham but most of the collation was carried out in David’s house.

David joined the IWA EM Committee in 1978 and continued until 1994. David’s wife Helen, whom he had known and married in his Wakefield days, later became Region Secretary and continued after they left Sheffield. David and Helen started travelling with their five children in a Volkswagen camper van, later transferring to a narrow boat “Psalter”. Their final move was to Wheaton Aston on the Shropshire Union Canal, where they had a mooring within walking distance of home until they finished boating.

Our condolences to Helen, Jimmy, Sally, Liz, Deborah, Caroline and the grand and great-grand children.

John Baylis

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Around the Societies and Trusts Cromford Canal. Their social meetings at Ironville Church Hall NG15 5NN continue on the third Monday of the month at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2 and there is a bar and raffle. March 20 will be on “Stanton at War”; April 24 is their AGM; May 15 is on the Chesterfield Canal and June 19 on the Fritchley Tram Road.

Horse drawn trip days and Leawood Pumphouse openings are on April 16, 17 and 30; May 1 and June 3 and 4 and July 2. Call 07552 055455 for bookings and details.

The Derby and Sandiacre Trust has work parties continuing at Draycott and Borrowash. They are trying to start a Wedneday session; contact Eddy Case on 07523 896645. Indoor meetings are planned to continue on the fourth Tuesday of the month, now at 7.30 pm at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA. On 28 March there will be a talk on “Railway Ticketing”; on 25 April “Bees”; and on 23 May “Stanton Ironworks”. In June there will be a walk. For queries call Chris Madge on 07827 946444.

Erewash CP&DA open days at Sandiacre Lock Cottage, Lock Lane NG10 5LA are on March 19, April 14, 17 and 23, May 1, 21 and 29, and June 18, all normally at 1.30pm. Visitors welcome, but to be sure it is opening call 07809 251441. They are already gearing up for the IWA Festival at Gallows Inn Fields Ilkeston on August 26-28, and the Long Eaton Festival on June 3-4.

Melton and Oakham Waterways Society had a very useful “Western End Partnership” meeting in December with many of those interested in the section upstream from Syston. This included the showing of a film commissioned by the Society, and taken by drone, of the route from Syston to Lewin Bridge.

Sleaford Navigation Trust Their work parties continue, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Call 01522 856810 for details. See also Dave Carnell’s report on page 14 and the notice on our back cover. There will be an AGM and talk on Tuesday 9th May at 7.30pm at Sleaford Rugby Club on Ruskington Road. All welcome.

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News from Grantham Restoration

Woolsthorpe Middle Lock, Lock 15, now has two thirds of the walls rebuilt thanks to the efforts of volunteers, both from within the society and from Waterway Recovery Group. It’s beginning to look more like a canal lock now, even though the scaffolding blocks most of the view down. Local suppliers have been particularly helpful, enabling progress to be continued without any delay.

Mike Stone, Chairman of the Grantham Canal Society, was recently asked “Is this volunteer force sustainable?” His answer was, “Well, no it isn’t in the longer term”.

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Mike went on to explain, “The Society needs to attract younger volunteers to understand the techniques required in restoration and to continue the project long after the current generation of volunteers has retired – for the second time! There are many people in the community who have the opportunity to spend some hours volunteering on the Grantham Canal. They may have recently left formal education; be between jobs; at a loose end once the family has ‘flown the nest’; wanting to improve their fitness instead of just running miles, when volunteering could help shed the pounds. As well, it offers the chance to put something back into the community whilst doing so. If you or someone you know has a few hours to spare and would benefit from training in these skills, why not tell them about the Grantham Canal Society. We would love to hear from them if we are to link the canal to the River Trent once again.” If you feel you could help, then please either email volunteer@granthamcanal.org or visit our website www.granthamcanal.org

Waterways World Back Issues Following our obituary for David Bullock, Helen has offered a complete collection of Waterways World dating from Spring 1972 to December 2006.

Would any member be interested in these? They are all in file boxes, one for each year. They could be delivered in Mansfield or in Nottingham, but no further afield. They would have to be collected in that case.

Please let John Baylis (page 3) know if there would be any interest in them.

Journals Received We are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals from various canal and river societies and trusts. They include “The Portal” from Friends of the Cromford Canal; “The Packet” from the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society; “The Cuckoo”, from the Chesterfield Canal Trust; “Sleaford Navigation Trust” journal; the “Melton and Oakham Newsletter”; “The Wharfinger” from Louth Navigation Trust, and the “Easterling” from our Eastern neighbours the EAWA. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of one of these journals should contact the relevant address given on page 4. For “The Cuckoo” contact the editor at 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, Chesterfield S43 2PF.

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SOUTH KYME BOAT GATHERING will be held on the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend April 28th to May 1st The Sleaford Navigation Trust are holding a Boat Gathering in South Kyme on the Sleaford Navigation to commemorate 30 years of restoration.

Projected events in the village over the weekend include: Medieval banquet Village scarecrow competition Decorated boats 60s-80s Disco Duck race Church service Family fete Quiz Plus more!

For more details and to book in, please contact Sue Sowerby on:- publicity@sleafordnavigation.co.uk or ring 01522 856810 Parry (right) AegreRichard 147 - March 2017 Pageand 36 John Lower