Aegre November 2017

Aegre issue 149 November 2017

A new view on the Association.

Details inside.

From the East Midlands Region of the

Aegre 149 - November 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 149 - November 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 McDonald, see above. E-mail: aegre.adverts@waterways.org.uk Printing: Colour Image Loudwater. Despatch: Branch Volunteers.

Picture credits: page 30

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 and times 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

Margaret English, 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 19

Aegre

No. 149 November 2017 Contents

Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam From the Region Chair News from Leicestershire Lincolnshire Happenings Rivers, Tides and Locks EM User Group Meeting A Younger Boater’s View on Standedge News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Notts & Derby Branch Programme Annual General Meetings New IWA Chairman Helen Bullock Obituary Around the Societies and Trusts Picture Credits Journals Received

4 6 7 9 12 16 17 18 19 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Next issue probably to be published in early March 2018. Contributions to the editor (see page 3) by the end of January 2018 please. Files in RTF or JPG preferred if possible.

The space on the right is for local Branch contact information.

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The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam One of the frustrating things about editing an occasional journal of this kind is that interesting things seem to happen just after you have sent the file to the printer. So now it’s time to catch up. First, a very specific event, because it affects the visual image of the IWA, was the presentation after the AGM of a “new branding”. As I am not expert in this area, I will not try to describe it in detail, but I have tried to incorporate some of the suggestions in this edition of “Aegre”. It would be very helpful if readers could compare with our July issue and comment. Maybe even try to see the changes in some things like printed colours and type faces, a bit like those competitions with two similar pictures and “spot the difference”. As a clue, go through in chronological order. Our front cover tries to show one of the changes graphically, and includes the main new logo in its four colours. The four colours are blue for water, red for the built heritage and restoration, green for the green corridors of waterways, and dark blue, at the hub, for volunteer effort, with these examples.

Also a coincidence was a sequence of articles about Standedge Tunnel in “Towpath Talk”, “Waterways World” and others, reporting on a group passage of the tunnel by twelve boats. A coincidence because we went through just afterwards and heard all about it from our volunteer escorts, including some details not included in the published reports. Though the tunnel is not in our region, we have a short report on the transit from a younger crew member.

David has given a summary of the AGM proceedings, and he also commented on limited parking because of building work on the site. While the actual meeting accommodation was good, the site had an odd atmosphere, emphasised for me because I had to leave before the lunch, and couldn’t get out through the eight foot high spiky fence and locked gate. Fortunately the guy with the WRG van also wanted to get out, and knew who had the combination for the lock. He helpfully drove back to the meeting room, fetched the expert, and sorted us out. Best wishes, Peter Aegre 149 - November 2017 Page 6

From the Region Chair

The National AGM at Langley Mill had a good attendance (120+), making it one of the best attended AGM’s in recent years. Attendances have been rising recently anyway due to the more inclusive programme, with real waterway restoration and volunteer content giving a wider level of interest to members, not just the procedural AGM agenda. It was great that the East Midlands venue was able to

attract such a good number, with the three previous AGMs having all been in West Midlands! The venue was excellent - a modern school lecture theatre with adjacent kitchen and dining area.

Jonathon Smith (National Treasurer) explained that, whilst IWA is very sound financially, it is fortuitous that legacies and favourable stock market conditions have compensated for declining regular income from membership and donations.

This is the main reason that IWA has to change.

IWA Re-brand.

Members attending the AGM had a preview of the IWA vision

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for the next 10 years from Peter Johns, new chairman of Marketing Committee. Peter argued for IWA to be “bigger” by embracing all waterway users.

Paul Rogers from marketing committee then gave the new vision and re-branding presentation, including the new “propeller” logo (see our front cover for an example in four colours). The key objective is to integrate all of IWA’s present operations (WRG, IWA itself, and Essex Waterways) under one corporate logo. This it does very well. It is important to understand that changing a logo is NOT just what a re-branding exercise is about. How IWA, as a whole, acts, speaks and promotes itself going forward is what will define the success and future of IWA. The vision and new logo will be publicly launched in early November, but at the time of writing not all the artwork etc. was available for this edition of Aegre.

After lunch there was an optional cruise on Birdswood on the Cromford Canal, or a guided walk on the Erewash Canal. The trip on Birdswood highlighted both the beauty of the isolated stretch of the Cromford and the significant management issues due to the constraints of operating a heritage trip boat in a SSSI.

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The AGM, the Cromford and Erewash Canal visits, together with the Ilkeston Festival of Water have been great spotlights on our region. I hope they have at least put Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire waterways into many more members’ minds up and down the country.

In Leicestershire things are more fraught with the GU Canal Leicester Line being closed indefinitely from Leicester to Kilsby Bridge.

Leicester Branch IWA and Navigation Committee are making strong representations to CRT as to how this has been allowed to happen. We are questioning whether the water management of Saddington reservoir is satisfactory in view of the fact that it is within a separate CRT waterway unit (see page 17).

In Lincolnshire, apart from the inexplicable delay in the outcome of the Boston Barrier Inquiry, we are continuing to support the Fenland Waterways Link and will be bringing forward proposals for IWA to take a higher profile position. In the meantime we are planning a further campaign cruise in May 2018, probably to the new head of navigation on the Black Sluice Navigation.

David Pullen

News from Leicestershire From Ian McDonald Nothing excitingly good in Leicestershire since last Aegre, and what a sad tale it has been. I don’t know how many of you receive the CRT stoppage notices for the waterways that concern you. When Carol and I were out cruising for 6 months at a time I kept changing the waterways for which I received notices, now I just get those for the GU Canal, Leicester Section plus the River Soar, and what a terrible number of stoppages has been notified to us. The line is now closed and unlikely to re-open this year. Would it have helped if CRT had restricted opening hours as has been done previously?

Early on there were problems with Birstall Lock, with trouble with the cill of the lock. Some repairs have been made, but I understand there is a major operation that is still being planned for a lasting repair with a major stoppage. At least on the River Soar there is almost always enough water for boating.

I wish that could be said for the water levels between Foxton and Leicester. If I had kept copies of the stoppage notices we have received this year, it would have been a long list and it has been awful.

I had not realised that last winter was fairly dry, certainly our garden seemed pretty soggy and friends with lawns reported the moss in their lawns was terrible. Ours is gravel to allow us to go away for 60 day stretches. The reports from CRT about the rainfall flowing into the Saddington and Soulby reservoirs over the winter and spring showed falls significantly below the normal, leading to low water levels by the time the cruising season started. Rainfall in the autumn, winter and spring was some 23% below normal, though summer was 17% up, but this is on a reduced volume of water and has limited effect on water stored.

Shortage of rainfall perhaps allows us to understand partly why we have been short of water, but I have several observations on this.

We clearly need to ensure that no water is wasted. I understand that the feeder from Saddington reservoir is badly choked with weed and there is a significant chance that this weed growth is wasting a lot of the water that then fails to reach the canal. I also understand that there is another water source for the Harborough Foxton pound from the Gumley stream that should flow into it near the foot of

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Foxton Locks. Mary Matts tells me that this feeder is also totally choked with weed causing the water to spill over into the field and surrounding areas, not reaching the canal. This may not be a significant amount, but over 365 days of the year it can add what can be a useful volume.

I understand that some of the earlier stoppages on the line were caused by mindless vandalism.

Others were probably caused by careless operators leaving gates and/or paddles incompletely shut.

The locks from Kilsby to Kings have in the past had “water economy locks” fitted to the lock mechanisms. These have been of various types over the years and I understand few, if any, are still operational.

These locks could be a bit of a nuisance, certainly so when they were padlocks on chains. A few minutes thought on how best to sequence lock operations optimises the operation of a lock when these “economy” locks are in place. This will get people through the lock in almost the same time as if there were none in place and I will certainly press for them to be re-activated. I feel certain that boaters who have been inconvenienced by low or empty pounds would welcome effective economy measures being in place, assuming that this will reduce the problems.

Lock 15 But how many of the closures have been due to open gates and paddles? How much of the stoppage list has been simply due to lack of water supply? The line from Foxton to Leicester only has a water supply from the Foxton pound, there is no additional supply along the flight down to Kings Lock.

BW installed a (then) state-of-theart metering system around the network some years ago. Part of this is a black pyramid alongside Kibworth Top Lock that I understand monitors the amount of water flowing through the bywash, as well as the number of lock operations. Linked in with others around the network CRT should know how their system is managing its water supply.

I have been told that water has been run down Foxton overnight

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very regularly through the summer. I also understand that it has been noted that water has been running down the by-wash at Kilsby Lock, but the empty pounds have been frequent below this lock. This water either vanishes through badly maintained locks, mostly the gates, but how much is vanishing through the banks of the pounds and walls of the locks?

want to do the trip, only for this to happen.

The meeting for the South East region is two days after East Midlands’. Carol and I went to one previous SE user group meeting and we walked out of the shambolic event after something over two hours during which we strained to hear as there was no microphone, plus others were allowed to interrupt willy-nilly.

I well recall the then manager, Derek Newton, telling a branch meeting in the late 1990’s that he had secured funding to re-gate the whole line up to Foxton, and after this we seemed to be trouble free.

That is 25 or so years ago. Have the gates reached the end of their life? Our Manager Sean knows I will be asking these questions at his meeting and he has already told me he is waiting for the result of assessments by the engineering team. I hope he will have some more answers that will give waterway users some confidence that they should be able to plan to travel through Foxton next year.

This has been galling just as we have good moorings now in Leicester, with drinking water at last! I understand from people along the line that many boaters have had to turn around, unable to complete their planned route. A great pity as Leicestershire Branch has been trying to get people to

Then of course there was the Illuminated Boats fiasco at Foxton last Christmas which saw all the roads into the village overloaded and jammed causing the police to shut the roads. A few weeks ago they held a Vintage Weekend with several vintage boats and cars, but the towpath was only open to people who paid for entry to the event. Hardly anyone came and exhibitors and stall holders took hardly anything. I think most people feel that change cannot come soon enough.

In October CRT hosted its illuminated lock event at Lime Kiln, linking to the Divali celebrations, with children being encouraged to decorate paper boats to be floated when illuminated in the lock.

Region Chairman David will be with them with lights ablaze. We hope this attempt to link with the community around the lock meets with great success.

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Lincolnshire Happenings

River Ancholme.

Finally the problems with the tide lock on the River Ancholme have been resolved and boats are now able to get out to the River Humber. The impact on navigation has seen a number of craft being transported by road to other waterways. One of the problems was excessive silting from the lock to the Humber, which has been eased by flushing water through the lock. This build-up of silt is not restricted to the Humber or UK waters. An EU body,”Intereg” is monitoring siltation in the North Sea and the near Continent to ascertain the extent of the silt and its environmental contents. A seminar is to take place in Hull this autumn.

Sleaford Navigation Trust .

With a successful application of a stage 1 Leader funding bid, specifications have been sent to companies to tender for the stage 2 application work. Meetings with the Trust, land owner and the EA have taken place to progress the installation of a “winding hole” upstream of South Kyme.

Louth Navigation Trust.

As reported in the last edition the Riverhead warehouse sale was withdrawn by Groundwork. Due to work by the local authorities the building was listed as a Community Asset and means of securing its future were being sought.

At the time of writing it is understood that East Lindsey District

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pumping it into reservoirs to dry before being spread to agricultural land. The Board of the IDB are supportive of leisure uses of the waterway, which bodes well for future navigation.

Council propose to purchase the building to secure its future. Our picture, from the Co-op, shows a joint clean-up team in front of the Warehouse. Sustrans have prepared a Business Study to create an all-weather multi-user path alongside the canal from the coast at Tetney to join up with the Waterrail Way on the River Witham. This is part of the District Council’s “Daneway” tourist development.

Boston Barrier.

At the time of writing the results of the Public Inquiry are still not known. The report is believed to have been submitted for approval to the Secretary of State for DEFRA, Michael Gove.

Boston Grand Sluice Lock is without lock keepers and being operated by CRT operational staff.

A meeting with river users considered three options for future operations:

Fenland Link.

The Internal Drainage Board continue with their work to increase the flood water storage capacity of this waterway. A Dutch company used a suction dredger to remove silt from a length of 11 kms. (picture right) Aegre 149 - November 2017 Page 13

1. Replace the two keepers on a like for like basis, 2. Recruit two seasonal keepers as required throughout the summer and use operational staff when requested throughout the winter.

3. Move to user operations.

The consensus was that volunteer keepers, as on the Trent, would need considerable practice and regular attendance to achieve safe operations due to the short time window when suitable levels of tide and the River Witham are available and the flood doors close.

Option 2 found general approval, with the suggestion of one seasonal keeper with additional backup provided by trained local volunteers (who know more about the Grand Sluice operations). For 2018 CRT will enrol a seasonal keeper. More details are given on page 16.

Other concerns were lack of moorings should boaters miss the operating tidal window; weed clearance now EA operate the sluices; and VHF contact with the lock.

Brayford Trust have announced that in the near future dredging of the Pool will take place and the remaining fixed moorings will be replaced with floating pontoons. The Harbour Master’s office and boaters’ facilities have now moved into the new university accommodation block.

Moorings continue to be affected by the construction works of two other blocks. A planning appeal for a further “over the water” commercial restaurant property has just been decided in favour of the developer and the Brayford Trust. There is considerable local feeling against, led by Lincoln Civic Trust.

Grantham Canal Society, Work continues apace, see more details on page 29.

IWA Matters.

Due to coming changes in the Protection of Data Act in May 2018, branches have taken part in a H/O survey. Details provided by the Branch appear to meet the criteria.

The River Welland and Glen cruise publicity has raised questions as to navigation dimensions in some publications. These are being compared and checked.

The Branch stand was installed at the Ilkeston Water Festival where the weather encouraged many people to attend on the three days.

Our display boards provided details of the Boston Barrier, Fenland Link, Sleaford Navigation Trust and contact details of the waterway societies within the Branch. (See our picture at the head of this report).

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when such orders are being sought.

Environment Agency has carried out a survey on proposed increases on boat registration fees. Licences could make up some of the shortfall in their government funding. The increase in Anglian Region was suggested at 7.5%. The IWA representatives on the Anglian Navigation Group responded, details appearing in IWA`s September Bulletin.

EA have also requested opinions on a survey “Options for water”.

This appears to be mainly for environmental projects but could affect navigation, with the suggested removal of waterway structures controlling water levels.

Again a national IWA response has been made, including that: “the criteria for funding any schemes will also need to ensure that the stringent requirements to protect Public Right of Navigation are not put at risk by an unintended and otherwise well-meaning approach to modify a waterway, particularly where EA is the Navigation Authority.

EA and Defra will both be aware that projects potentially affecting PRN require approval through the Transport and Works Act Order procedure, which is a lengthy and expensive process possibly requiring a Public Inquiry. IWA is, as an organisation, a ‘Schedule 5 Statutory Consultee’ for projects impacting inland waterways, and is informed by the TWAO Unit

Many of the structures existing in rivers and inland waterways are also of heritage interest, and may be covered and protected by appropriate heritage designations, and of interest to Historic England in their role as ‘...the public body that looks after England's historic environment. We champion and protect historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.’ IWA suggests that criteria for schemes include a process for checking whether any artefacts are designated, and if so whether appropriate permissions have been sought prior to projects being approved for funding.

Structures that exist in inland waterways that were constructed to facilitate navigation, but have been allowed to fall into disrepair and disuse are also potentially available for restoration as part of an overall project to restore navigation on the waterway. These structures should be retained for potential reinstatement, rather than removed using funding under these (or other) proposals.

However, IWA considers a project to improve mitigation of a barrier should be a suitable candidate for funding in this scheme, if future reinstatement of navigation was either facilitated or at least not made more difficult by the work.

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Rivers, Tides and Locks River Trent Navigation Guides to the river provide land line contact telephone numbers for each Lock Keeper. As sometimes they may be away from the phone, CRT have now added mobile numbers as a means of communication.

These are shown in the list on page 28.

Following a review of lock keeping at the tidal locks, CRT wish to pass on some proposed changes: Boston The departure of Mick and Sam has required a comprehensive review of lock keeping at this site.

From April 2018 we plan to have two seasonal staff operating the lock, working 4 days on / 4 days off / 5 hours a day, supported by volunteers.

In recognition that from November to March last winter we only had 10 boats use the lock, and whilst we recruit and train the seasonal staff, we propose to operate the lock through this winter on a booking system only. This will commence on Wednesday 1st November 2017 until Sunday 11th March 2018. Although we would appreciate as much notice as possible, we will do our best to accommodate all bookings.

West Stockwith and Torksey We will continue to operate the lock each day for 8 hours in summer and 6 hours in winter, but avoiding split shifts in summer where possible.

Cromwell We will aim to introduce volunteer lock keepers at Cromwell to support the staff at this lock. We propose to operate the lock for 6 hours in winter rather than 8; though we will be flexible with this approach to accommodate the needs of boaters.

Fossdyke Floating pennywort is present on the Fossdyke Canal at Torksey, Drinsey Nook and at the confluence with the River Till. The EA have an intensive spraying programme in place and are hopeful they can eradicate it. They have asked that you do not try to remove it yourself as this can cause an increase in the rate of spread by allowing small fragments to break off and establish new areas.

Treatment with herbicides is the best method of total eradication.

If you spot pennywort on the Fossdyke can you email darren.randall@environmentagency.gov.uk.

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EM User Group Meeting This was attended by Carol & Ian McDonald and Mo Murray at the Nottingham Sailing Club.

Sean McKinley reported that John Dodwell had retired as a Trustee after two periods in post. On licence evasion, there are 61 boats under investigation out of 3570 licensed.

In Leicester Liz Fleuty reported that a Somali Cultural Experience scheme had 18 people start the course and all 18 completed it. None of them knew anything significant about the waterways before taking part but now had experienced the waterway and had acquired skills and had greatly enjoyed it. It is hoped to extend the scheme to other cultural groups.

At the Divali opening event some 650 children eagerly attended the CRT stand and 100 paper boats were decorated by them. On Divali Day these boats will have been illuminated with small LED lights and floated on Lime Kiln Lock, which will also be decorated with lights.

Sean addressed the water supply problems on the line from Foxton to Leicester. He had only recently acquired the responsibility for these down from Kilsby Bridge and the problems were an unwelcome surprise. He apologised for the closure but emphasised that he considered that it was best to allow all the reservoirs to recharge before reopening the line.

Most of the locks had had their gates sealed with ash and tarpaulins and this seemed to have stopped the loss, indicating that loss was from the locks, though this had been aggravated by

some user carelessness and some vandalism.

He was asked if repairs to the locks would be made during the closure but said that as this would waste water he was anxious not to do this, but wait until the locks were open again. I must say this rather puzzled me but as the meeting was running late I am taking it up with him by email!

There was some good discussion from the floor on whether an adequate supply of water had been allowed to flow from the reservoirs in the South East Region to recharge the flight. His response was that when he had asked for water it had usually been allowed to flow. The feeling on the floor was this was an ad hoc arrangement and not satisfactory.

The matter of the back pumping possibilities up Watford Locks was discussed. One person present who obviously had a great knowledge of the Summit said that he had NEVER been aware of these pumps being used over many years, yet they could have helped supply the summit and allow more water down to Leicester. It was also reported that the overflow weirs on the Kibworth Top pound appeared to be set at differing levels and that water was seen to be flowing in overflow channels whilst it had yet to reach the level to allow overflow down Kibworth Top bywash, thereby wasting water that could have helped supply down to Leicester.

I sensed Sean was unwilling to be critical of his colleague and as such I will take this up directly with Richard Parry.

IMcD

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A Younger Boater’s View on Standedge

By Charlotte Parker.

In July 2017 we took our narrow boat, Silver Star, through the Standedge Tunnel. This tunnel is the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain. It took nearly 17 years to build and there is a train tunnel next to it. It was originally 4950m long but was later extended to 5000m. Some bits are just rock but other bits are brick. This is because the sand and pebbles would fall down if the bricks were not there. When we got inside it was dark! It was also cold inside.

We got dripped on three times where there were air vents going up to the surface. We had to stop and wait when the day-trip boat came into the tunnel. Old boats were pushed through the tunnel by a man pushing with his feet on the roof of the tunnel. Nowadays

boats have engines but it still took us 2 hours to go through. We had a CRT pilot travelling with us to keep us safe, and he gave us lots of information about the tunnel. We all enjoyed this exciting experience, but it was good to get back outside and see the sky, even though it was raining!

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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Looking back over the summer it doesn’t seem long since we had our venture to Attenborough Nature Reserve which I reported on in the last Aegre, so it has flown by. I guess that might be because it has been interspersed with bursts of intense activity preparing for and then attending a number of events.

The Lock Wind held at Derwent Mouth Lock on the Trent and Mersey canal in Shardlow took place in early August and this year we were raising funds to support the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association project to purchase and further renovate Sandiacre Lock cottage.

A worthy cause as the cottage has been progressively renovated by the Association over decades to its current condition and it was ear-

marked for sale by owners CRT with a consequently uncertain future. The Association were tasked with raising £65000 within a limited time frame so every bit of assistance will count.

Fortunately the Lock Wind took place in good weather and a stalwart band of six volunteers were there throughout the day and were joined in the afternoon by a further two. With four gates to man, an exhibition stand, cakes to sell and explaining to boaters what the day was all about, it was quite a challenge with so few.

Especially in the morning. However, team work to the fore, 34 boats passed through the lock (photo below) throughout the day and all seemed happy with the service. £140 was raised and a big thank you is due to all the boaters

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who gave so generously. A big thank you also goes to the volunteers taking part and to Mavis White (ably assisted by daughter Sandra and granddaughter Katie) for making such tasty cakes.

Later in August we attended the IWA Festival of Water at Gallows Inn Fields, Ilkeston, over the Bank holiday weekend August 26-28. It was a great few days out for all the family with lots of entertainment and things to do and see. Waterway Recovery Group’s “learn to drive a digger” sessions were particularly popular. There were over a hundred narrowboats moored canalside, many resplendent with bright colours and bunting which also proved a major draw. The classic cars on display also caught my fancy with the summer sun

shining on the polished chrome of yesteryear.

Our gazebo and exhibition stand (above) was positioned close to the main IWA marquee and we had a steady flow of people stopping by, giving us an opportunity to explain the local waterways and issues, which neatly complemented the national picture.

There were also good displays from local waterway restoration groups and I think the whole holiday weekend was a success in raising the profile of IWA, the under-used local waterways and the great potential of the nearby restoration projects. The Branch exhibition stand was manned by a small group who put in an impressive effort over the Bank Holiday and a big thank you goes to all

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involved. With all those people enjoying the festivities, plus seeing the achievements taking place and future potential of local waterway restorations the Festival should prove memorable.

The Festival took a great deal of organising and a lot of people put a lot of effort into making it happen. It was therefore good to see those efforts worthwhile as so many people were there taking part and enjoying the days. On a similar but smaller scale the preplanning and organisation of the Nottingham Canal Clean-up came to fruition on Sunday September 3rd, when 24 volunteers met at Meadow Lane Lock and set about business. The day was organised by the Branch in partnership with CRT. Volunteers included IWA

members, boaters, local people and an enthusiastic cohort from local company Xylem, who all wanted to get involved in cleaning up the surrounding area. Teams of volunteers with grappling irons got to work (see the photo above).

Making their way along towards the city from the Lock, they pulled out 25 bicycles, 5 shopping trolleys, 6 tyres, fence panels, traffic cones/signs and other assorted items. This year there seemed to be fewer shopping trolleys but many more duvets/blankets and camping chairs. As the grapplers moved along, more volunteers were active, litter picking on the towing path side, whilst another team of volunteers set off on CRT’s work-boat “Blaby�, to tackle offside and any waterborne litter as well as transporting the

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grappled scrap to CRT’s Trent Lane depot for recycling.

The urban nature of the canal was not only manifest by the shopping trolleys; this year 24 hypodermic needles were found and carefully collected using appropriate techniques as well as a handbag complete with wallet, credit cards and driving licence. The latter was reported to police and after some research the police confirmed there was nothing sinister and their instructions regarding the documents were followed. The whole area was left much cleaner than before, especially noticeable on the offside and because of this and the large pile of mangled scrap, both the fruits of one’s labour and the success of the day

could clearly be seen. Thank you to all 24 volunteers who took time out to make the day such a success.

Let’s hope we have similar success next March when we are planning to hold a Clean-up of the Erewash Canal. Date and specific location has still to be finalised but it is likely to be on a Saturday in late March so make sure you keep your diary free if you are interested in joining in. It is particularly important this year as lots of boats are expected to be using the canal to attend the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association’s 50th Anniversary Rally at Langley Mill over the 2628th May Bank holiday in 2018.

50th Anniversary, wow, there are

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going to be lots of celebrations so put that date in your diary.

September also saw IWA hold its Annual Members’ Meeting for the first time for a long time within our Branch boundary in Aldercar near Langley Mill. There was a refreshingly good turn out of attendees. As well as the summary of the national view of the year gone by, the meeting will be remembered for the presentation of the new marketing study culminating with the launch of the Associations new vision and long term goals for the next five years.

The presentation concluded with the overall re-branding of the organisation and the launch of the new logo. A question and answer session followed with differing views expressed. You will see the new logo yourselves so little point in trying to describe it here. That said a logo is only a logo, it’s what’s behind it and what it represents that really counts and that was very well examined and put across to the audience in the presentation.

After the formal meeting was concluded, members were invited to participate in either a cruise along the Cromford Canal in trip boat “Birdswood” or a tour of the historic Great Northern Basin, its buildings, and the restoration work taking place on this section of the Cromford. Sadly it was a bit

inclement on the weather front and the scenic beauty of the East Midlands was left to the imagination. Overall, a very enlightening meeting and I wish more members could have been there to take part.

The initiative we started last year to establish additional moorings within the local area continues apace although there is nothing further on the ground to report back at this stage. That said we are looking for any information you might have regarding your knowledge of potential sites. To aid this Robert Aspey, our Branch Moorings Officer, has set up a new Facebook group to encourage the creation of more visitor moorings on the River Trent and associated waterways. Please go to https://www.facebook.com/group s/267686390376240/ to request to join and share your information.

Looking ahead, as I write, on the social front our season of evenings will recommence in late October.

Note we are changing the venue and day of the week. We are returning to a previous venue, Rushcliffe Arena, which has been completely rebuilt and recently reopened. Future meetings are therefore going to return to this location and we will also revert back to holding meetings on the third Friday in the month. As you

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read this our next Social meeting will be on Friday November 17th at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7HY and then the third Friday in the month thereafter. It is also worthy of note that venue costs have increased, so it would be much appreciated if those attending increased their nominal donations towards proceedings accordingly (the price of a pint of beer is a useful sum to have in mind as a donation). On that topic I have been informed that the Rushcliffe Arena has a café for refreshments but no longer a Bar. The meeting on Friday 17th November should be a cracker, “The Tall Ships Trust” - an illustrated talk by Kevin Miller about

those majestic 3 masted sailing ships and the volunteers that sail and maintain them. Then on Friday 15th December we will have our popular Christmas Social with buffet including an illustrated talk – “Champagne to Alsace” a continental boat trip by John Wilkinson. Please see the calendar of events later in this magazine for information about our interesting future events in the New Year.

So, remember the venue is Rushcliffe Arena and put the evening of the third Friday in the month in your diaries, do come and join us, everyone is most welcome, I look forward to seeing you there.

Mike Snaith

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Notts & Derby Branch Programme The Notts and Derby branch of the IWA is organising a series of public meetings. We are hoping to attract lots of new faces to the meetings and have arranged a very interesting and varied group of speakers. Non IWA members will be very welcome to attend. We meet on the third Friday of the month throughout most of the year, at 7.45 pm at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2-7HY, about 15 minutes from M1 Junction 24 up the A453.

Friday, November 17th 2017 “The Tall Ships Trust” - an illustrated talk by Kevin Miller about those majestic 3 masted sailing ships and the volunteers that sail and maintain them.

Friday, December 15th 2017 Christmas Social with buffet including an illustrated talk – “Champagne to Alsace” a continental boat trip by John Wilkinson.

Friday, January 19th 2018 “The Bennerley Viaduct – Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley” – an illustrated talk by Kieran Lee of Friends of Bennerley Viaduct.

Friday, February 16th 2018 Annual General Meeting. Followed by an illustrated talk concerning a hotel boat “Cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg” by David Pullen.

Friday, March 16th 2018 “Getting About” - a history of the transport of people and goods from place to place, an illustrated talk by Bob Massey.

Friday, April 20th 2018 “Be Careful What You Wish For” – an illustrated talk on the progress of restoring the Cromford Canal and trip boat Birdswood by Mike Kelley of Friends of Cromford Canal.

Further information about meetings can be obtained by email, address :nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk

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Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the constituent Branches of the East Midlands Region of the Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows: Leicestershire Branch: at 7.30 pm on Thursday 1st February 2018 at “The Gate Hangs Well”, Syston, Leics. LE7 1NH. Lincolnshire Branch: at 7.30 pm on Monday 19th February 2018 at Lincoln Boat Club, Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln LN1 1YW. The Club is located adjacent to the Barge Restaurant and the Sea Cadets’ HQ. Nearest car parking is in Lucy Tower Street, about 250 yards E. The speaker after the formal meeting will be David Pullen, on Russian Waterways.

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch: at 7.45 pm on Friday 16th February 2018 at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7HY AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting 3. Matters arising.

4. Report of the Chairman.

5. Report of the Treasurer and presentation of accounts.

6. Statement of committee size 7. Election of Committee members.

8. Address by Member of Council or Trustee 9. Any other business.

Nominations for election to the committees must be in writing, signed by the proposer and the seconder and containing the consent of the nominee. They should reach the relevant Branch Secretary not less than 14 days before that meeting.

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New IWA Chairman

Ivor Caplan was elected National Chairman by the Association’s trustees in a vote on Saturday 7th October.

He succeeds Les Etheridge, who stepped down after five years in the role, and takes the helm at a crucial time. Ivor has been a trustee since 2010 and has been active in the waterways movement for over 40 years holding senior roles within IWA’s Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire branch, Navigation Committee, Residential Boat Owners Association and the BCN Society. He lived afloat for fifteen years and still spends as much time as possible cruising extensively. Ivor will be stepping down from the positions he currently holds with other waterway organisations (RBOA and BCNS) and his term as a member of CRT’s West Midlands Partnership is due to end shortly.

The new vice-chairman will be Paul Strudwick. He believes that there are three key activities that we should achieve. We should have succeeded in re-branding the association as planned by Les. Next we should be able to see some progress in revitalising the branch network, and branches will have started recruiting new members themselves.

Lastly we should have identified how we can ensure our existing educational offerings remain fresh and up to date and how we can deliver a better educational experience to the Centennial Generation.

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Helen Bullock Obituary

I am sorry to report the death of Helen Bullock on September 13th.; Helen was secretary of the East Midlands Region Committee for nineteen years. Initially she lived in Sheffield but for the last few years she drove over from Staffordshire for the quarterly region meetings. In addition, for most of this period her late husband David edited and printed the Region magazine; Helen helping with the printing and publication. David and Helen moved to Sheffield from Wakefield with the local government reorganisation in 1974. Following retirement they lived in Sheffield but then moved to Wheaton Aston and moored their boat "Psalter" on the Shroppie.

Christine and I attended Helen's funeral in Telford and we offer our condolences to Helen's family Jimmy, Sally, Liz, Deborah and Caroline, her grand and great grand children.

John Baylis

Lock Telephone Contacts

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Around the Societies and Trusts Cromford Canal. Their social meetings at Ironville Church Hall NG16 5NN continue on the third Monday of the month at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2 and there is a bar, tea, coffee, and raffle. On November 20th the topic will be “Lidar surveys in the Derwent Valley”, by Steve Malone of “DerwentWISE”.

The Derby and Sandiacre Trust has work parties continuing at Draycott and Borrowash. There will be an open day at Draycott on the morning of 19th November; contact Eddy Case on 07523 896645. Indoor meetings are planned to continue on the 22nd November at 7.30 pm at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA. For queries call Chris Madge on 07827 946444.

Erewash CP&DA report with great pleasure and many thanks to supporters that they have reached their target of £65,000 for purchasing the cottage at Sandiacre. The appeal is continuing to cover work on toilets. Open days at the Lock Cottage, Lock Lane, NG10 5LA are planned on Sunday November 19th (1:30pm – 4:30pm); Sunday December 3rd (11:00am – 3:00pm); Sunday December 10th (11:00am – 3:00pm; and Sunday December 17th (11:00am – 3:00pm). All the December openings have a Victorian Christmas theme. To check openings call 07809 251441. They are also already gearing up for their 50th Anniversary Rally on May 26-28 2018.

Grantham Canal Society had a very successful Discovery Day in October. They are continuing with work on the lock, using much volunteer effort. For the refurbishment of the Depot at Woolsthorpe they are trying to find a wood-burning stove with chimney, free or not expensive, and a fuel storage tank. Contact David on 07970 858458 if you could help.

Melton and Oakham Waterways Society is looking for local volunteers to become Footpath Rangers along the Wreake Valley Way, a heritage and environment trail between Melton Mowbray and Cossington Meadow near Syston. Rangers take regular walks along short sections of the route in their local area. They look out for and report maintenance issues, and help us publicise the trail in their communities. It’s a great way to stay fit and enjoy the countryside!

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Being a Ranger can be fitted in at any time to suit other commitments.

There are no fixed hours – do what you can when you can. We will give you plenty of support and provide all the equipment and training you need.

If you are interested in getting involved, call Paul Dadford on 07870 238688 Sleaford Navigation Trust Their work parties continue, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Call 01522 856810 for details.

Trent and Mersey. Although most of the TMCS activities are in the “far North West” around Middlewich, they would like to hear more about things taking place further south and east on the canal. Contact is Margaret English, details on page 4. Their usual winter meetings are at the Big Lock pub in Middlewich (CW10 9DN) on the third Friday evening of the month.

Chesterfield The next supporters’ meeting will be on November 14th at 8 p.m. at the Hollingwood Hotel, Pine Street, Hollingwood, Chesterfield, S43 2LG, where there will be a talk about our Archaeological Dig that took place at Staveley in August. All welcome.

Nona’s Coffee Shop Ltd. has closed. However Katey has re-opened the Coffee Shop. All will stay the same at first, but there will be changes in the coming months.

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; Peter Jackson (pages 21-24); Andrew Shephard; David Pullen; Alicen Stenner; Bridge Media (pages 19, 20); Alex Parker (page 18) and as noted for specific articles.

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 Roger Kidd, page 10.

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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; “The Bridge” from Grantham Canal Society; “Grand Trunk” from the Trent and Mersey Canal Society, 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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Parry (right) and John AegreRichard 149 - November 2017 Page 32 Lower