A Path Forward
From the East Midlands Region of the Aegre 151 - July 2018 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 Page 2 Aegre 151 - July 2018
Aegre is published Š 2018 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
Member & WRG
John Baylis, 215 Clipstone Rd West, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0HJ Tel: 01623 621208
Secretary & 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. Front cover: new moorings at Friars Mill, C&RT and Simon Papprill; other credits page 27.
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.
Aegre 151 - July 2018 Page 3
Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region
Ancholme Rivers Trust
Gail Copson, 21 Maple Close, Brigg, North Lincs. DN20 9JE. Tel: 07769 950589.
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society
Chris Madge, c/o 62 Broadway, Duffield, Derby DE56 4BU Tel: 07827 946444 www.derbycanal.org.uk
Erewash Canal P & D Association
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 Canal
Foxton Canal Museum, Middle Lock, Gumley Road, Market Harborough LE16 7RA Tel: 0116 2792657 www.fipt.org.uk
Mike Handford, 1 Sheepy Close, Hinckley, LE10 1JL Tel: 01455 611508 mahandford@gmail.com
Friends of the Cromford Canal
Judy Berry, 5 Hambling Close, Nottingham NG6 7DX Tel: 0115 854 9852. www.cromfordcanal.org
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 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
Page 4 Aegre 151 - July 2018
New IWA Banner on display at Leicester Festival See page 13
Aegre
No. 151 July 2018 Contents
Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region From the Region Chair The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam Journals Received Langley Mill Boat Rally News from Leicestershire Lincolnshire Happenings Fresh Scope for Louth Navigation Entropy Prevails at Louth News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Melton and Oakham Waterways Society Events and Open Days Around the Region Picture Credits
4 6 8 8 9 10 14 16 18 19 23 25 27
Next issue probably to be published in November 2018. Contributions to the editor (see page 3) by the end of September 2018 please. Files in RTF or JPG preferred if possible. The space on the right is for local Branch contact information.
Aegre 151 - July 2018 Page 5
From the Region Chair Reflecting on Change There seem to have been a lot of changes in waterways circles and politics in the last 12 months, and although July is not usually a time for reflection it seems appropriate to comment right now before the details and relevance to IWA are lost. Changes in CRT management are being implemented together with their new branding and logo. By comparison, IWA’s re-brand and new logo, launched in 2017, seems very logical and attractive. The IWA brand emphasises our wider activities and interests - boating/navigation, with WRG fully integrated into core IWA restoration, and environment. Our “market positioning” now emphasises the huge and on-going job we still must do in safeguarding our waterway heritage, defending existing navigations and initiating and supporting further restoration and new navigable routes. IWA has re-focused, consolidated, refined and re-stated our aims and mission, and we are “doing what it says on the tin”. “Love Your Waterways” for what they were, what that should be, and what they could be, has never been more relevant and important. But what of the change in emphasis in CRT? I think their new logo (loathe it or love it, maybe even try to understand it?), pretty much matches their Page 6 Aegre 151 - July 2018
new “brand position”, that of welfare and well-being rather than heritage, navigation and boating. Why have CRT moved off in this direction then? I think we don’t need to look much further than future funding prospects from government to understand this new “position”. Actually, it isn’t that much different from the terms under which CRT was created in 2012. It might be a surprise to hear that none of the main “Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by which DEFRA have been measuring CRT performance since 2012 include protection of waterways, navigation or heritage! This also explains the preoccupation of CRT with visitor numbers to towpaths. CRT are preparing (as they rightly should be) their position for the next funding negotiation by attempting to move more explicitly into the welfare and well-being “market”. To do this they have to engage and enthuse politicians, the wider public, and perhaps even more importantly, new and more inclusive funding streams. This perhaps explains why the new CRT logo has only a very tenuous connec-
tion, image-wise, with waterways, boats and navigation. My take on this new juxtaposition of IWA and CRT is that IWA must re-double our efforts to be steadfast, highly vocal, and highly political on the benefits and opportunities of vibrant, well maintained navigations, and well used waterways. It is boats and navigation that give life to our waterways and attract towpath visitors, I think CRT now have their eyes elsewhere! Stop Press! I have just learned that the majority of the Chesterfield Canal will be transferred to the new CRT Yorkshire and North East Region (Sean McGinley is the Regional Director – Leeds). However, the upper section belonging to Derbyshire County Council will remain in East Midlands region. We in our local IWA region will need to consider what effect this has on our organisation and activities in Derbyshire. David Pullen
“Dawn Rose” at Erewash Rally
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The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam This month, a bit later than usual, we have a mixed bag of news to bring you, but first a request. We have had to revise our mailing list as a result of the new rules known as GDPR. We hope this works for you, but if there is any problem, please call or e-mail our main office at Chesham, as it is no longer handled locally. Later on, David reports on a very successful event at Langley Mill at the end of May, and Leicester had their Festival and other Spring events went well, mostly blessed with good weather. On the restoration front, reports are more mixed. Melton are moving ahead with their work at Grove School, but are being frustrated by repetitive requests for more information on planning permission already granted. Relevant perhaps to this, I have just been reading a letter to the Editor of Cromford’s
excellent magazine “The Portal”. From David Dawson, it calculates the probable cost of clerical staff at local authorities processing the bits of paper associated with a quite simple bit of canal restoration - “Environmental Statements” and so on; in all 23 different types. He comes to a total of just over £1.1M pa, which would pay for quite a bit of social care and services. However… Sleaford are busy planting up their coir rolls at South Kyme, and have the funds and permissions for further work. Although a longer term project, Louth Navigation Trust had a successful meeting, chaired by their local MP, to agree a partnership plan for moving work on. Best wishes for the coming summer and autumn, Peter
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. Page 8 Aegre 151 - July 2018
Langley Mill Boat Rally Following on from the hugely successful IWA Festival of Water at Ilkeston in August 2017 which drew many favourable comments from visiting boaters and the wider public, the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association (ECPDA), organised yet another very successful rally at Langley Mill over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. Around 80 boats attended together with all the local, and some regional, canal societies and restoration trusts. Chesterfield Canal Trust must be congratulated on navigating Dawn Rose, their newly constructed replica “Cuckoo Boat” round from their canal via the River Trent to attend and play a prominent part in the weekend celebrations. Dawn Rose and ex-working boat Bath provided the platform and transport for the (now traditional) arrival of the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band by water into the top lock. Many of the local and regional “movers and shakers” in waterways circles attended and as usual it was a great opportunity to network and gossip, (isn’t this the same thing?). The weather was brilliant throughout the weekend
and attendance must have been at least 1000+ on each of the three days. IWA Notts and Derbys branch, supported by other branches in the region, gave the first public outing in the region for one of the new branded IWA gazebos, poignantly located right next to CRT’s newly branded gazebos! Our new gazebo is very striking, and many IWA members and public visitors were impressed by the large, beautifully designed map of the entire UK mainland waterways, which formed the entire back wall of the gazebo. This map is very useful in explaining to people new to the waterways the extent of the whole system, and all of the potential restorations and new navigations. It was, all in all, a wonderful weekend and a hugely successful event for ECPDA. David Pullen Aegre 151 - July 2018 Page 9
News from Leicestershire From Ian McDonald I started to write this in glorious sun and just a couple of days ago travelled on a car ferry on flat calm sun-baked Adriatic waters, I’m in Croatia! We met up here with a couple from Market Harborough, late of Mountsorrel, who are keen motor-homers. After we told them we used to live aboard they asked if we knew of the IWA! They happened upon the Pelsall rally in 2016, loved it, went to Ilkeston last year and are booked for St Ives. They just love the relaxed way the sites and whole event is organised. I will talk to them later for their report on St Ives so I can give an outsider’s review of the event!
speakers on a vast range of topics, not one of them bettered Adrian’s talk. It was factual with useful images and delivered in a highly user-friendly way so that all could follow what could have been a difficult topic. I was not alone in my opinion and everyone that commented on his talk was fulsome in their praise. The thing is that he is very good in the technicalities of his trade in making limited water resources stretch a long way, whilst also being able to talk clearly In Aegre last time I was talking about in a readily understandable water, and generally water resources way to non-technical users. since then have been OK, though the line We were very lucky to get through our patch has not been without him along. stoppages. Very recently of course there has been the CRT staffing reshuffle. I for On our patch Andrew Shepone am delighted that Sean McGinley hard has been steadily refurhas managed to achieve promotion to be bishing our Leicester Line in charge of Yorkshire and North East. leaflet boxes. They have done My impressions of Sean have always well, lasting around 18 years been very high, appreciating the way without needing any TLC. that even as a busy man he would always The leaflets they dispense find time for a word or two, whilst also seem still to be appreciated usually managing to control his waters! because people like the regular up-dates to reflect the I mentioned last time we were to have changes on our waterways. the CRT Hydrologist, Adrian Comerford, to talk to us at our March meeting. Since The new moorings at Friars our branch in Leicestershire opened in Mill were completed a couple 1995 I have missed very few of our meet- of years ago, providing much ings, and though we have had many needed water points in the high-powered and excellent waterway city. We had thought the
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showers alongside the moorings were for the use of boaters but it now seems certain that boaters will not be able to use them, as they are part of Friars Mill, not part of CRT’s assets. At least there are good moorings and water. I have been in contact with Sean about the lack of power at the power points. It seems when built CRT included the same type of payment system as at their online moorings and frankly nobody knows how to use them. Sean advises me that his successor managing these moorings and Simon Hughes are to work with Simon Papprill, whom we have met at our branch meetings, about resolving this power issue. We will chase them. The latest on the sanitary point is reasonable news. CRT have cleared up the old moorings at Memory Lane and have installed some new moorings, so I guess people could moor there now. They now are seeking a meeting with us about service connections
Memory Lane before and after for this to be completed shortly. Until we have the meeting we can’t be sure there will be an Elsan point, but as this has been what we have been shouting about for over 20 years it certainly is to be hoped there is! (Two pictures are provided by Simon Papprill from CRT.) He tells us CRT will also shortly be installing some mooring rings the branch requested above Belgrave Lock as part of the towpath improvements there. When installed, boaters will have somewhere to tie up to visit the Space Centre and the Golden Mile. Currently there are no fixed moorings from Friars Mill to Birstall. The unfortunate news about these is that Debbie and Andrew paid a visit the other day to refresh their minds about the site above Belgrave Lock. They were horrified to see
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how close to the waterway the new buildings are. I too was horrified the other week when I searched to see what had happened with the application for student accommodation in a planned development alongside Friars Mill. You may recall that about a year ago we wrote to the Council objecting to how the application they were considering drove a “Coach & Horses” through the Council’s planned building scheme for the area. This scheme was for buildings rising mostly to 3 floors with the odd ones to 6. The new application was for 12, 14 and 16 floors. I had spent a long time carefully drafting our response and knew that when I had made objections previously, I was notified of progress on the application. I heard nothing about this until Herbert flagged something up he had seen via either The Mercury or the Civic Society, and where the development was apparently under way. I had heard nothing from the Planners after my objection. I contacted the Planners after Herbert’s note but have had no satisfactory response and in midApril when I went alongside the site there were hoardings around it with warnings about Deep Excavations, which are precursors to foundations for tall buildings!
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Local Councils are a funny lot, though. They normally moan about having no money yet CRT’s Simon Pappril (see earlier) contacted me to say that my old employers, Blaby District Council, had been in touch about possible contributions to additional moorings in their patch. I was amazed that they thought they might have a bit of money to spare! The problem was that I was already away from home and could only scratch my memory as to just where the boundaries between Blaby & Wigston and Blaby & Leicester run exactly. I’m fairly sure I know and frankly I doubt there is anywhere that could be used. Obviously there is the “basin” near County Arms but the last time I looked closely at that the mud was almost on the surface, so someone will need to do a lot of dredging. The other possible place is around Gees and Blue Bank locks, but neither is going to get boaters to moor up & swell the coffers of Blaby District retailers I fear. I will resolve possible locations on my return; we must always try to assist in improving facilities. Sad news the other day reached me courtesy of Beryl & Mary. Freda Hales died the other week following a fall in the nursing home where she lived. She, with her late husband Les, were early movers in the waterways revival in Leicestershire. I first knew them
when we moored at the boatyard in Thurmaston in the 1990’s; they owned the house alongside and for years their old boat was parked on chocks in the garden. For many years they would attend rallies and Festivals by road dressed in traditional boatmans’ clothing, Freda would undertake traditional hand crafts at these events. They were a lovely couple and were always pleased to talk about their early days of boating. Richard Thorpe reported that he and Margaret were at the 21st Leicester Riverside Festival and that they displayed the new IWA banner on the side of their boat. (See page 4) A number of people took leaflets from the collection they displayed on the roof. Richard was helping to run the everpopular trip boats from Sileby Mill, and said that boat numbers were down slightly on previous years and there were no old working boats there. He surmised that the Golden Jubilee Erewash Canal Festival at Langley Mill the previous weekend could well have reduced boat numbers. The Festival seemed to have been a success with a large crowd, with many taking a trip on the water. CRT had two displays and he thought the new corporate image looked good on banners!
This is most likely to be my final piece for Aegre as Leicestershire Branch Chairman. Carol and I have accepted an offer on our home and have agreed to purchase a new flat at Selsey near Chichester and expect we will move in August. Whilst I will remain as an IWA member and will affiliate to Leicestershire, I really will not be able to fulfil my duties as Chairman, or as a useful committee member. I have been on the committee since it started in 1995 and have enjoyed being involved in the running of the Branch, meeting our members, writing loads of stuff for Winding Ways and Aegre. I have enjoyed being thoroughly involved in two Harborough Festivals as well as several in Leicester and Loughborough as well as flying the flag at a branch stand at Foxton and at the National in Worcester in 1999, getting people to come to Harborough in 2000. I am delighted to say that Andrew Shepherd has offered to take over the reins as Chairman until the AGM next February. I sincerely hope one or more of you will get in touch with us about supporting and also joining in with running Leicestershire Branch. I can honestly say that I have always found that the pleasure gained far outweighs any effort involved. Please give it a try.
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Lincolnshire Happenings
In my last contribution I referred to conflicting statements regarding the transfer of of EA`s navigations to CRT. Thankfully there are further developments in that the Minister has instructed Defra to consult further with CRT to reach acceptable agreements on some issues, to take the amalgamation forward. Sleaford Navigation Trust. Congratulations to those who spent many hours preparing the LEADER funding bid for Project South Kyme moorings. The funding has now been received and a contractor appointed and the work was due to start early in June. Monies from Gregg`s Community Fund has allowed the purchase of aquatic plant plugs to be installed in the coir roll bank protection in Sleaford and South Page 14 Aegre 151 - July 2018
Kyme. See our picture from Mel Sowerby. above. Boston Barrier works have now commenced in earnest. Regular navigation warning notices are being issued advising of areas where beam dredging is taking place. This involves a heavy metal beam being dragged along the bed on outgoing tides, disturbing the silt, which is then washed away as the tide goes out. Other notices warn of jacked-up legged barge working platforms in the water. A warning notice has been issued that the mooring pontoon at the Black Sluice Pumping station, now returned to its usual station, is not suitable for all states of the tide and has to be used for short periods either side of high tides for boats to gain access to the
South Forty Foot lock (Fenland Link).
At the Brayford Trust, Drake’s dredging equipment has arrived in the Pool to commence work. Due to problems with the owners of the proposed dredging disposal site, I understand the spoils are now to be taken, by road, to Whisby Pits west of Lincoln. Our pictures, above and right, are courtesy of “The Lincolnite” and Lewis Foster. Fens Waterways Link (FWL) Chris Howes, IWA Eastern Region and Peterborough Branch chairman, Dave Carnell and David Pullen are representing IWA in discussions with the Environment Agency and Lincolnshire County Council on how to move FWL forward. An economic study into the benefits of the new waterway link is a vital step in gaining support and funding, and LCC are now ready to commission this study. The project will now concentrate on the Boston to Peterborough
section. South Holland District Council business development department are very supportive and will be a key partner. Destinations such as Spalding, Crowland, Surfleet and Peakirk, currently disconnected apart from the tidal connection, will benefit economically as will Boston and Peterborough. We are planning to publicly re-launch the revised project at the IWA Festival of Water at St Neots, 25-27 August 2018.
To support and promote the revised Fenland Waterways Link project, in the longer term, we are investigating the feasibility of hosting a trail-boat rally in the south Lincolnshire area, possibly at Crowland on the river Welland, where there is an excellent slipway which gives access to 15 miles of river navigation between Spalding and Peakirk. It is envisaged that this will be a joint event between Lincolnshire and Peterborough IWA Branches. Dave Carnell
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Fresh Scope for Louth Navigation Louth Navigation Trust have drawn up a document outlining their vision for developing the waterway. This was discussed at a meeting chaired by Victoria Atkins MP with former Waterways Minister Sir Robert Atkins and representatives of local Councils in early June. Some land ownership questions remain, in particular affecting the installation of tidal pontoon moorings at Tetney and also the relocation of a Phillips Oil Refinery crude oil pipeline that crosses the navigation just above water level. Louth Navigation was part of the general expansion of a canal network in the 1700s. It was opened in 1770, connecting the town’s merchants to the rest of country via the Humber Estuary and the sea. Economic prosperity followed from trading, using craft able to carry up to 120 tons. This continued until railway and improved road connections took traffic away in the later 1800s. The canal remained, though little used, until 1920 when a serious flood of the River Lud devastated much of the town and the Riverhead loading basin. The enterprise was wound up, the land and buildings sold, and the canal formally closed in 1924. It remained as a part of the drainage system of the area.
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Since 1986 the Louth Navigation Trust (LNT) has worked to bring the main Riverhead Warehouse, and eventually the canal itself, into action again as a local community benefit. This was supported in principle by Groundwork Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, Louth Town Council, Anglian Water. and the IWA. A substantial feasibility study was done by consultants Faber Maunsell of Peterborough in 2004/5, and since then much work has been done by LNT volunteers to survey; maintain where possible; and to limit dereliction by time, weather and further floods of the River. This flooding has been moderated by new retaining ponds upstream from the town, built under contract to Environment Agency (see our report in Aegre of March 2016, page 18). In some places possible maintenance is limited by uncertain land ownership. However major the problems facing restoration may seem, a valuable step forward to a solution was taken on June 1st, when the meeting of interested parties was held at the Navigation Warehouse. The aim was to seek the establishment of a “Louth Navigation Community Restoration Project Group” to progress the work. This
would also include a multi-user path along the canal towpath connecting into the Sustrans Danelaw project. ELDC is already looking at a path route extending from the East Lindsey coastline along the Louth Navigation and then connecting with the Water Rail Way on the Witham (potentially via the disused GNR Louth to Bardney train line). Access for pedestrian, cycle, equestrian and disabled users would bring multiple economic, well-being and tourist benefits. Subsequently LNT have prepared a draft partnership document, which those present at the meeting, and other relevant bodies,
will be invited to support. These would include: ● Louth Navigation Trust ● Environment Agency ● Anglian Water ● Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board ● Lincolnshire County Council ● East Lindsey District Council ● Louth Town Council ● Canal & River Trust ● Inland Waterways Association Actions will also be taken to try to resolve the Phillips66 pipeline question, also involving Merton College Oxford, who own some associated land. Picture courtesy of Louth Leader and James Silcocks.
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Entropy Prevails at Louth Hardly had the angling season opened on June 16th when fish in one of the upper pounds of the Louth Navigation were left struggling in mud. For some time (years) the pound above Keddington Lock has been maintained at a low but reasonable level by the remains of the lock structure, wooden patching to the cill, and gabions placed by EA some years ago to replace and support the lock walls. A reasonable level was required in order to supply an abstraction point a few yards above the lock, used to feed the down-stream course of the River Lud and a water-mill at Alvingham. The ad-hoc structures fulfilled their purpose, although damaged by serious flooding in 2007 and by lesser flows at other times of heavy rainfall. However seepage around the left of the lock gradually scoured away earth and clay, leading to collapse of some of the gabions and a pipe from a field drain. Then, uncorrected and during a period of dry weather, the scouring finally worked down to the level of the bed of the pound above, accelerating the flow rate and leaving the canal looking more like the river bed. Remedial action is plainly difficult. The immediate surroundings have no
vehicular access, and the ownership of the bank seems unclear. What does seem clear is that if left to run, the scouring will eventually encroach on the remaining gabions and wall remnants, which support a well-used footbridge over the lock.
Our pictures, courtesy of LNT, show, on this page the cill from the foot-bridge ( just visible at the top left the abstraction point); on the back page top, the scene in 2016; back page centre, the flow out into the lock chamber adjacent to the collapsed field drain; and below, the bottom of the pound above the lock. Not quite white water interesting for kayaks, but give it a bit of rainfall? At the time of writing, we do not have further news. Possibly check the LNT web-site at http://www.louthcanal.org.uk/ PH
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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire I hope everyone is out and about enjoying the good summer weather as it has been unusually clement for either towing path or boating ventures recently. So it seems a long time to take my mind back to recall our AGM last February. The review of the previous year highlighted our fund raising activities, attendances at events and canal clean-ups. It was also good to report that last year the Branch donated £1000 to local waterways causes. £500 went to the Canalside Heritage Centre at Beeston on the Nottingham Canal to enable them to start engineering plans for a mooring in the adjoining derelict old river lock – which should increase visitor numbers and help sustain their long term income. £500 was also donated to the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association to help them purchase Sandiacre Lock Cottage and then install new toilet facilities - helping to secure the future of this historic cottage for generations to come. At the AGM we were also joined by Region Chairman, David Pullen, who gave an interesting report on IWA’s new marketing vision and objectives for the short and long term. Not as dry a subject as it might sound, as the background and reason for the new
logo and how well it had all been thought through became abundantly clear. Perhaps a key piece of information for the Branch came towards the end of proceedings, when committee retirees were mentioned. For the last few years the Branch has been managed by three stalwart committee members and two additional “behind the scenes” volunteers fulfilling important roles but sending in reports rather than attending meetings. Of the three stalwarts, one is moving out of the area so will not be able to continue and the other two, after 18 and 20 years in post, for family and personal reasons announced they would continue for twelve months but would then stand down from committee at the following AGM in February 2019. It was therefore clear to the audience that prior to the next AGM a new committee needed to be recruited otherwise the branch would close. So your scribe is making a plea to you, dear reader, if you have any spark of interest, however small or large, in keeping the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch afloat please contact me. Note you will not be thrown in at the deep end as Treasurer. Brian White and I will be in post until next February and will still be
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around after that to provide knowledge and help if required. Three key roles required are Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. When there is even a small core group of people, none of these committee roles are onerous, so this is a good opportunity for you to try your organising skills, Go on, try flapping those wings and fly to new heights. Contact me. Our March Social meeting was “Getting About” - a history of the transport of people and goods from place to place, an illustrated talk by local historian, Bob Massey. Quite a look back through time to Roman carts, forest tracks developing into roads, stagecoaches, inns and stables before moving on to turnpikes, canals, railways and the modern roads we have today. An interesting evening. In April we were warned to “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. This was a clear indication that restoring canals in the twenty-first century requires business acumen and a significant number of people. Mike explained that a trip boat with more than 12 passengers and crew like Birdswood Page 20 Aegre 151 - July 2018
needed to comply with stringent Maritime and Coastguard Agency regulations in terms of crew training, boat operation and maintenance and formal inspections. This was high cost, which meant the boat had to be operated intensively, which meant a significant number of people were required to market, promote and crew. Similar conditions apply to maintaining the canal you have in water as well as new restoration. The more you succeed in restoration endeavours, the more you need to do to sustain even a steady state. Be careful what you wish for. Volunteers they may be, but professionalism is the name of the game. In May our Social gathering went outdoors and we were treated to a guided circular walk along the Nottingham Canal and River Trent near the Canalside Heritage Centre in Beeston. Our guide explained the points of historical interest along the route, whether turnover bridges, scandals of Royalty, some history of Boots (The Chemist) and Clifton Hall. Then as we returned to the Heritage Centre, refreshments were available and were followed by an illustrated talk on restoring the derelict cottages and developing them into the centre we see today. Finally we had a brief visit to the centre’s museum. What better
way is there to occupy a summer evening in May? The late May Bank holiday weekend also saw us in attendance at the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association’s 50th anniversary Boat Rally at Langley Mill. It was my great pleasure, along with Region Chair David Pullen, to represent IWA at the opening ceremony beside the Lock outside the Great Northern Basin. A special occasion and a great honour, made more memorable by the Brass Band in full voice rising in the Lock in two pristinely turned out working narrow boats. This was our first opportunity to exhibit IWA’s new logo and branded gazebo. The marketing team have done a really good job designing the new logo and gazebo. The gazebo was so much easier to erect and take down, yet was a brilliant backdrop to promote IWA with prominent logo and a fabulous map of the waterways network printed on the inside of one of the panels. It was
great to see so many people and boats supporting the event which was a triumph for ECP&DA. (See also David Pullen’s column on page 9 for further information. All Erewash photos courtesy of Heather Nettleton). The picture of the Bar overleaf was in the main marquee which accommodated a stage for the band, open mic entertainments and charity sales stands. The front of the bar shows the top row of 27 casks of beer and cider. By Monday afternoon the Bar was dry. Looking ahead we are planning a Lock Wind at Derwent Mouth Lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Shardlow. The date is Saturday 21st July and if you wish to take part we would value help. Don’t be shy about coming along, it’s good fun and for a good cause. This year we are planning to raise funds to aid the Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society in their project to restore the first section of the Derby canal along the Draycott Mile. Their plans are well advanced for the restoration of their very first section, but funds are still tight and every penny will count. This would be an especially good event for a prospective new Branch Chair or Secretary to come and meet the current comAegre 151 - July 2018 Page 21
mittee members and some stalwart volunteers in an activity environment…...so come on down. We are also planning a Canal Clean-up on a 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. It will be on the Nottingham Canal and the plan is to start at 09.30 hrs at either Sainsbury’s near Castle Marina or Beeston Lock in Beeston. Car parking should be available in Sainsbury’s car park or if at Beeston, roadside on the nearby roads. If you are interested in another fun day out please keep your eye on the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch page of the IWA website or do get in touch by emailing nottsandderbys@waterways.org.uk for further information nearer the time. On the Social front our season of evenings is being planned. Our next meeting will be on Friday 19th October with the speaker to be confirmed; November 16th will be an illustrated talk about the trials and tribulations of supplying water to the whole canal network by Canal and River Trust’s National Hydrology Manager, Adam Comerford. If you want to know why the canals are sometimes short of water, this is your chance to find out and query, why? December 21st will be our Christmas Social with buffet, including an illustrated talk but the speaker is to be confirmed. The events will take place at our now usual venue at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7HY. So from October put the evening of the third Friday in the month in your diaries and see the calendar of events at the back of this magazine. Do come and join us, everyone is most welcome, I look forward to seeing you there. Don’t forget if you want to be Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or fulfil other roles for the Branch, we need you. Please get in touch. Mike Snaith Page 22 Aegre 151 - July 2018
Melton and Oakham Waterways Society From Mick and Linda The big news is the planning application that has gone in to Charnwood Borough Council from the landowners at our “front door” in Syston. alongside the river where it joins the Leicester Navigation above Junction Bridge. This details the rebuilding of the Junction Toll House, in its original position, to contain three holiday lets and a further four situated in the restored “tin huts” which were originally built as an isolation hospital. Cycle hire, café and canoe storage with associated car parking and landscaping complete the picture. MOWS fully supports this application as this will strengthen our plans to open this first section to Lock 1 and further to the Gate Hangs Well pub. Planning application P/18/0915/2 on the Charnwood planning portal shows all the details. Better drawings may have appeared by now, but even as an outline it has aroused the excitement of MOWS. The drone video on the MOWS website shows the area in great detail and we have a photo, circa 1900, of the toll house to assist design ideas. Secondly, we now have full use of the old Grove School landing
stage and associated storage container, and our volunteers have been busy cleaning up and landscaping the whole area. Here are before and after pictures.
This area is next door to our slipway, and adjacent to the site for our new double dock build which,
since receiving planning permission, has been dogged by red tape requiring extra surveys and increased costs for change of materials, etc. Luke Walker and Rachel Banyard of WRG have been very involved with this and we thank them for their efforts in the face of seemingly endless opposition. Aegre 151 - July 2018 Page 23
The bad news affects where members of the Society have been working on plans to restore the canal with a towpath to provide walkers and cyclists with a carfree pathway between the two towns. That scheme is now in jeopardy because of the £63.5 million Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR), which has now been given full government and local authority funding to funnel traffic to the east of the town. Crucially for the society, the route would cut across the old line of the canal, although the county council said this week it was sympathetic to the aims of the society and would work with the group to find a solution. Mick Clowes added: “According to the plans, it will cross the B676, the Oakham Canal and the River Eye all together at the Lag Lane Junction. The whole area will become “roundabout number five” of the scheme, so the line of the canal is now under threat. Once it became clear that Leicestershire County Council had opted for the 7km road to pass to the east of Melton, connecting the A606 Nottingham Road to the A606 Burton Road, with roundabouts at Scalford Road, Melton Spinney Road, A607 Thorpe Road Page 24 Aegre 151 - July 2018
and B676 Saxby Road, the waterways society commissioned an engineering survey from the Honorary Consultant Engineers of the IWA”. The survey mooted a navigable culvert to be built at the B676 intersection between the proposed MMDR and the old Oakham Canal line, which would allow the old waterway route to be resurrected. But the Society has since been told by the council’s highways engineers that it would be too expensive for them to move power lines and shift the line of the River Eye to enable the Oakham Canal link to be retained. The Society asks those who agree with their plans to restore the canal to lobby local councillors and make their voices heard when public meetings are held to debate the planned route later this year. Restoration would be a huge boost to the area, in terms of the leisure amenity, economic benefits, conservation projects and as an education resource. Read more at: https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/ news/environment/plans-torestore-former-melton-canalcould-be-scuppered-by-bypassroute-1-8525963
Events and Open Days Around the Region Chesterfield held their main summer event at Staveley on June 30 / July 1. Aegre had to go to press just about then but they were planning to include the Chesterfield Cultural Partnership creating a piece of giant Land Art using thousands of plastic bottle tops. We are waiting to see what happens! Besides the usual weekly cruises Madeline is running Wednesday Afternoon Cream Tea cruises. John Varley will be running Fish & Chip evening cruises on 11th & 25th July. Seth Ellis will be running from the Chequers Inn on July 14th & 15th and doing Pirate trips from the Hop Pole on July 29th. Cromford Canal. Their social meetings at Ironville Church Hall, Casson Street, NG16 5NN normally continue on the third Monday of the month at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2 and there is a bar, tea, coffee, and raffle. Non members welcome. The plans include: Monday 17th September on “The Midland Railway in Derbyshire” a talk by Glynn Waite. Monday 15th October, “CRT Heritage Approach to Conservation” a talk by Ruth Garratt. Learn about Canal & River Trust’s work on conserving their historic structures, with emphasis on the East Midlands and the Cromford Canal. Regular public trips between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction/Leawood Pump house aboard the electrically powered historic narrow-boat Birdswood operate every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (plus Thursdays until October) Work parties are Wednesdays fortnightly. An Ironville Work Party meets at the Crossings Club, Ironville, 9.30am. (Contact John Barker for more information: 07860 632837) and a Cromford Work Party meets usually at Cromford Wharf car park at 9.30am. Please bring lunch and sensible clothing. Contact John Barker 01773 760358. The Derby and Sandiacre Trust has a major effort at Borrowash with support from WRG from 21 to 27 July. Regular work parties continue at Draycott and Borrowash; contact Eddy Case on 07523 896645. Indoor meetings are planned to continue at 7.30 pm at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA on 27th July. Next topic is “Why Vicars like steam trains?”.
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Erewash CP&DA. Sandiacre Lock cottage is open on Sundays July 22nd, August 19th 1:30 to 4:30pm and Monday August 27th, 11:00 to 3:00pm. Admission is free. Due to the historic nature of the cottages, access for disabled people is limited. For more details and information contact: Glyn Stenson: 07809 251441 or 0115 8543306. Email: glynstenson@hotmail.com. Grantham Canal Society From 11th August – 1st September 2018 and one week in October (20th-27th October), attentions move to Lock 14 where WRG volunteers will set up site and begin dismantling and then rebuilding the lock chamber. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn heritage restoration skills. To find out more about the full programme call Alex Melson 01494 783 453. On Sat 8th Sept 10.00-4.00 Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days feature ‘Picture the Past’, at Woolsthorpe. Then Discovery Day is on October 14th. An entertaining family day offering boat rides, duck races, charity stands and a viewing of the newly restored gated lock 15. Venue: Rutland Arms NG13 0AA IWA Notts and Derby Branch 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. Outdoor meetings vary. Next dates are 19th October, November 16th and December 21st. Melton and Oakham Waterways Society has a full report on page 23 with both good and bad news. Redhill Marina are holding their own Boat Show over the August Bank Holiday weekend 25th-27th August 2018. Opening times are 10am to 5pm. It is a family fun weekend and on Sunday 26th August there will be a Raft Race. The Marina is 1 mile from M1 junction 24, signed off the A453 adjacent to East Midlands Parkway Station. Sleaford Navigation Trust is discussed in Dave Carnell’s report on page 14. Their work parties continue, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Call Mel Sowerby on 01522 856810 for details.
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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; David Collin; Mike Snaith; Heather Nettleton; Rod Auton; Mel and Sue Sowerby; Archie Roberts; Andrew Shephard; David Pullen; Simon Papprill; Richard Thorpe; Louth Navigation Trust, and as noted for specific articles. Some photographs in this issue are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 or 3.0 Generic Licence. To view a copy visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ or http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 .
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A Path Backward - See page 18
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