Aegre July 2019

From the East Midlands Region of the Aegre 154 - July 2019 Page 1

Aegre is published Š 2019 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

Andrew Shephard, 41 Roman Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4BB. E: andrew.shephard@waterways.org.uk

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Dave Carnell (as above)

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman

Graham Jeffery, E: graham.jeffery@hotmail.co.uk

Member & WRG

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

Secretary and Editor for Aegre: Peter Hill, 7 Lock Keeper’s Way, Louth LN11 0GQ E-mail: aegre@waterways.org.uk

Printing: Colour Image Loudwater. Despatch: Branch Volunteers.

Picture credits: Front cover, Finishing the landing stage at South Kyme, from Steve Hayes. Others; see 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.

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Pouring concrete at Grantham lock 14 - see page 23

Aegre

No. 154 July 2019 Contents

Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam From the Region Chair Pull Snap Stomp Journals Received News from Leicestershire Lincolnshire Happenings News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Around the Societies and Trusts River Slea Report - 12th June Picture Credits Next issue probably to be published in November 2019. Contributions to the editor (see page 2) by the end of September 2019 please. Files in RTF or JPG preferred if possible.

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

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4 5 6 8 9 10 14 20 21 26 27

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 Waterways Society

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

Old Union Canals Society

Jean Bourne, 2 Nithsdale Crescent, Market Harborough, LE16 9HA tel: 01858 461483

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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The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam

It is impossible to write, in the latter half of June, without expressing sympathy with the inhabitants of Wainfleet and some nearby villages who have been thrust from their homes by flood waters from the River Steeping. We have a “live” report from some members who observed the River Slea at the time (page 26), but none from Wainfleet. At the moment we do not know the cause of the breach.

By co-incidence I was coming back from Schiphol to Humberside shortly after that and had a chance to see the situation from above. Although late, it was clear and light enough to see how far the water had spread, and oddly, it wasn’t very far (admittedly seen from several thousand feet). The limits of the flood emphasised that just a few centimetres in elevation can make all the difference to a household. In parts of The Netherlands they quite frequently put isolated houses and farms on what they call a “terp”, in effect a raised mound of earth, which does not need to be very high to be effective.

Earlier in June we had news that Environment Agency navigations were not to be transferred to Canal and River trust “at this moment in time”, which is very

vague. Disappointing, but you may have seen that IWA Chair Ivor Caplan said “ “We understand that current funding is constrained but believe that sufficient investment in waterways is essential to enable them to meet their full potential in environmental and amenity benefits. IWA will continue to campaign and to support EA in practical ways, in order to ensure that these benefits are realised”.

On to more cheerful matters. We have several reports of good progress in restoration projects across the Region, and indeed Grantham seem to be running into the problem of work going ahead too quickly. No, that’s not really a problem, but read Mike Stone’s piece on page 23 for an explanation. Work is going well at South Kyme and Derby and Sandiacre, and Chestefield are in full swing for the summer.

At the moment it seems still uncertain as to whether we shall have a wet / dry / hot / cool summer, but whatever it is, have a good season by or on our waterways.

Best wishes, Peter

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From the Region Chair Honestly, I didn’t do a Rain Dance, or appeal to powerful spirits from a prayer mat! I’m referring to my hopeful, but in the end purely mathematical and boringly obvious observations of probabilities, and long term rainfall averages. My rueful comment, in Aegre of February 2019, was that probably only a “Monsoon Summer” could save the inland waterway system from a summer of closures and restricted cruising options. It has been almost an exact carbon copy of the period up until mid-March 2012, when only an extremely wet summer prevented a widespread lock down of the canals. Subsequently it pretty well rained continuously until December, with massive environmental, social and economic consequences with many home and properties flooded. “Be careful what you wish for” springs to mind! As I write this in early June, parts of the country, and particularly the virtually official drought on the Eastern side have, I think, just ended with the start of the monsoon.

It remains however, more than a little ridiculous that our maritime country patently has more rain dropped on it than we are ever likely to use. Yet Eastern and central Southern England is no more drought resilient than many much

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hotter and lower rainfall southern European countries. We (most of us in England that is) simply don’t store, conserve, or utilise our natural water resources efficiently because we take water for granted.

In the process of engagement and widening a debate about water security and making better use of our water reserves as the basis for the Boston to Peterborough (B2P) Wetland Corridor, I have learned that the longer periods of extreme weather patterns are most likely a result of climate change, and are likely to require significant infrastructure investment to make the country more drought resilient.

As waterway supporters I see our role as partnering these developments in such a way that all communities come to love and value our waterways. “Love Your Waterway” was never more apt! The B2P Wetland Corridor presentation that I gave to several waterway groups and trusts, which supports the holistic approach exemplified by Water Resources East (WRE) as developing a best practice framework, was very well understood by those groups.

The new £100,000 Waterways in Progress grant was launched at the IWA/CRT restoration workshop in late March, and to the public and politicians at the

House of Commons in early May. It will be targeted towards a project or projects that add value to a waterway restoration straight away, and must deliver on one or more of the key themes of Waterways in Progress: ● Channelling regeneration ● Promoting personal development & well-being ● Creating Community Spaces ● Enhancing heritage and habitats The grant will not necessarily fund more miles – it is focused on the wider benefits a waterway restoration project can bring - but it will bring opportunities for the successful project(s) to create partnerships, engage communities and key stakeholders, as well as keeping their project moving forward.

Grants will either be given to one project or split across several projects. There is no minimum amount, but the project must not have started and must have a realistic chance of completion by the end of 2021. Expressions of interest should be submitted to IWA Restoration Hub by 16 August 2019.

The community aspects of the criteria are clearly not just about boating, but to me are a great

opportunity to enthuse others in some of the things that first enchanted us about our watery “green and pleasant land” such as walking, fishing, cycling, or canoeing.

IWA is actively seeking to recruit new members to the Association, and has launched a special incentive programme to help any members in marinas that wish to attract like-minded local boaters to support the charity and our campaign work. Your local branch will be grateful for your support, and should you wish to widen your recruitment beyond the marina to other waterway enthusiasts you might know, we will all benefit even more.

Finding a format and a convenient central meeting hub for a future committee to organise and promote our Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire IWA branch activities remains a challenge. I hope there has been a reassuring response to the survey that IWA have sent out, and that we can ensure that the very well-supported fund raising for local waterway restoration groups that Mike Snaith, Brian White and Archie Roberts and branch members established continues.

David Pullen

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Pull Snap Stomp Take FIVE minutes to help stamp out Himalayan Balsam

Photo Rupert Smedley

Have you seen the vast swathes of Himalayan Balsam growing along the bank as you enjoy the water during the summer months? As attractive as it looks, this non-native invasive plant, with its reddish stem and pink-purple flowers is causing the widespread erosion of river and canal banks, leading to problems on the towpath, flooding and the suffocation of fish eggs.

Himalayan Balsam grows so quickly that it crowds out our native wild flowers, and because it has no root stock, once it goes to seed and dies back, there is nothing left to hold the soil together during the winter months. We need to stop the spread of these plants and in order to do that, we need to pull them out before they go to seed… and we need your help.

IWA is asking you to get behind their Pull Snap Stomp campaign this year.

Launching in early summer, the campaign encourages supporters to help stop the spread of Himalayan Balsam by pulling it out of the ground whenever they see it by the canal or river bank, to snap off the root, and to stomp down on it to stop it growing again. Families with young children or grandchildren are encouraged to take part in the campaign as the stalks are very easy to pull up and have a very pleasing ‘pop’ as they are removed from the ground.

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To support the campaign, people can register to receive an activity pack which gives more information about Himalayan Balsam and how to spot the plant along the towpath. Local IWA Branches are also organising their own local Work Parties, encouraging people to take part.

There are several resource guides to help people find Himalayan Balsam including leaflets, posters and an online video. Volunteers will also receive a pair of branded gloves to protect their hands while they pull, snap and stomp their way along the towpaths.

Alison Smedley, Policy & Campaigns Officer, IWA, says; “We are hoping that large numbers will get behind our Pull Snap Stomp campaign this year.

Over the years, our Balsam Bashes have made real inroads into reducing the spread of Himalayan Balsam and we hope this will continue. If everyone takes just five minutes out of their walk to stop and pull up some of the plants, we should be able to make a real difference.”

The IWA campaign first ran in 2013, and since then it has gone from strength to strength. IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire branch has been particularly successful in removing Himalayan Balsam from its towpaths and it is now hoped that other branches and areas will have a similar level of success.

IWA has a dedicated web page www.waterways.org.uk/himalayanbalsam and will be supporting the campaign via IWA social media feeds. Don’t forget to use #PullSnapStomp for any social media posts.

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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News from Leicestershire For our March meeting, on the 14th, we were pleased to have the new CRT East Midlands Director, Phil Mulligan, who delivered his well prepared, practiced and very interesting CRT talk on current issues. ‘Well Being’ was mentioned, but actually not too many times. He is a good, confident speaker, and he went down well with the branch members who made it to the meeting.

Our guest speaker for our meeting on the 11th of April was Geoff Pursglove, who gave us an interesting talk on the subject of the Ashby Canal. The meeting was unfortunately not so well attended, maybe due to the time of the year and other commitments, such as boating! The monthly Branch meetings will resume here on the second Thursday of October. More details nearer the time.

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Issue 15 of our Guide to the Leicester Line was collected from the printer on 29th of April and is now being widely distributed up and down the navigation via our distribution boxes (see photo), boatyards, marinas, pubs and so on, and are handed out by the CRT volunteer lock-keepers, particularly at Watford and Trent Lock.

This issue has been sponsored

by Redhill Marina, The Rose & Crown at Zouch, Sileby Mill Boatyard, L R Harris & Son Boatyard, The White Horse PH at Birstall, Pillings Lock Marina, Foxton Boat Services and North Kilworth Wharf Ltd., and the Canal & River Trust.

We have had 8,000 copies printed, and the guides will have the ‘JOIN THE IWA’ leaflet inserted. Quite a bit of inserting, but worthwhile we think. We are aiming to install additional boxes at the Friars Mill Visitor Moorings, and at Trent Lock.

Our main news item, however, is our success in persuading CRT to install fourteen visitor mooring rings just above the Belgrave Lock on the Leicester Line to the north

New visitor Moorings at Wolsey Island, Leicester

of the city. This location is ideal for access to the National Space Museum and Victorian Pumping Station, as well as several well known supermarkets, but there had previously been no moorings for boaters, as the towpath is edged in stone on this section of

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the navigation, with no rings or bollards. Hitherto, the closest places to tie up were at Birstall, some two miles to the north, or above Lime Kiln Lock, about a mile further south.

The City Council’s Planning Committee had previously rejected the branch's proposal for the provision of the visitor mooring rings to be funded by the adjacent Wolsey Island residential developer, on the grounds that the towpath was outside the development site.

We thought that this was a disappointing and hypocritical response, given their so-called commitment to their waterway.

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The 1967 Plaque As it looks now Anyway, good news for boaters, as well as local businesses and the museums. Unfortunately, the original footpath from the lock through to the aforementioned facilities is currently blocked by the residential construction project, but this is nearing completion and it is hoped that the footpath will soon be re-instated.

Our focus now is on Limekiln Lock and Memory Lane Wharf.

We are working closely with CRT and the City Council on exciting plans for the restoration and regeneration of the wharf to provide new residential and visitor moorings, together with a new water point, Elsan and rubbish

The 1967 Plaque As it was disposal. There will also be additional designated visitor moorings on the towpath side opposite the wharf. CRT has already installed mooring pontoons up the arm, although access to the city from the wharf is not yet possible.

We hope this will create a boating hub that will transform the wharf and, we hope, Limekiln Lock.

This location was the site of the IWA’s National Rally in 1967, and the plaque commemorating the event, installed on the wall alongside the lock, is now so badly defaced as to be invisible. We aim to see it restored and incorporated as part of the regeneration scheme for the site.

Pillings Lock Marina are holding an ‘open weekend’ over the last Bank Holiday of May, and at the time of writing we plan to be there with our gazebo aiming to do a bit of IWA promotion. We also plan to be at the Old Union Canal Society event on the 18th and 19th of May at Welford, again with the gazebo.

Finally, we were sad to learn that Tony Matts of Foxton Boat Services died on Easter Sunday. Tony was a significant individual on the Leicester Line, having set up Foxton Boat Services in the 60s. A full obituary will be included in the next edition of Aegre.

That’s it for this issue. Happy Boating! Andrew Shephard

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Lincolnshire Happenings Sleaford Navigation Trust Part of the “Destination South Kyme” project is the construction of a winding hole above the village. The recent successful LEADER bid saw the installation last year of two landing stages in South Kyme together with information boards about the history and significance of the navigation.

However, it was always accepted that in order to encourage an increased number of visitor boats to the village, the Trust would have to provide the opportunity for them to turn. This is not to discourage boats from travelling to the current head of navigation at Cobblers Lock, but to accept that, for some, the restricted air draft at Ferry Farm Bridge, or problems with weed, could mean a Page 14 Aegre 154 - July 2019

long reverse back to Taylor’s Lock.

Fear of that prospect might well deter weekend visitors to the navigation.

Wild life protection, and environmental mitigation and enhancement for a "soft engineering" design solution delayed the start of construction but, finally, a licence from the landowner was agreed

and signed, the Environmental Permit was in place and work started on site on May 28th. The design will incorporate fish refuge and spawning areas and the Trust is very grateful for help from the Environment Agency in the design and funding for these. Much appreciated financial assistance has also come from individual donors; the East Anglian Waterways Association and the IWA. After all the delays, it was great to see Phil Wright on site with an impressive digger and to see preliminary excavation taking place.

When that is completed, coir roll

and matting will be installed by volunteers to provide the necessary environmental mitigation and enhancement.

Just to prove the justification of the works, if justification were needed, SNT volunteers on site on the second day of construction were somewhat surprised when a 50 foot narrow-boat appeared on the scene, having come up from South Kyme. The crew were delighted to see the winding hole taking shape and decided to give it a try. With a bit of help from Phil Wright, who obligingly dug out a

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foot or two more, he was able to turn and is therefore the first boater to enjoy the benefit of the construction. The winding hole is now fully usable for full length boats. Ecological and environmental enhancements and mitigation supported by EA and Lincolnshire Rivers Trust will shortly complete the project. Naturally the Trust hopes he is the first of many and that the increased use of the navigation helps to make the case for further restoration into Sleaford.

Harlam Hill Lock, which isolates the last 2 miles to the head of navigation, were discussed and details of a meeting between IWA and EA at a national liaison meeting in London were noted.

The closure of South Ferriby Lock has marooned some 90 boats on the river and prevents others wishing to take up moorings at the Brigg Boat Club to do so.

Any day now, possibly by the time you read this, this winding hole upstream to the west of South Kyme village will be completed.

During the Boat Gathering in May two boats went to Cobblers Lock, the present head of navigation.

Turning at the by-wash proved difficult due to the amount of silt that has built up from the course of the old Slea. The installation of an all-weather footpath and mooring decking have been completed.

The boaters received their usual warm welcome from the villagers at the quiz night; due to the wind the duck race was blown upstream against the flow.

Problems were brought to the EA`s attention last autumn but repair works did not start until late spring 2019 and at the time of writing are ongoing and beset with problems in isolating the water entering the chamber. This is the third consecutive year that the April navigation opening date has been missed. The Boat Club are also trying to negotiate, with the EA, management of the river banks on their moorings, which suffer from severe bank erosion.

This issue has been a problem for years with no action taken to remedy it and the Club are prepared to carry out the work themselves, using monies held in an escrow account of monies withheld from EA`s lease.

River Ancholme.

At an Ancholme Rivers Trust meeting on May 15th the ongoing problems with South Ferriby tide lock , bank erosion and closure of

A number of years ago it was agreed the EA would not carry out works to Harlam Hill Lock until the Ferriby Lock issues were completed. It was not envisaged that

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so many years would pass with the problems still unresolved. With the willingness of local river users to try and source funding, as was the case some 19 years ago, it is difficult to understand why a letter of ownership cannot be forthcoming.

An Ancholme Water Festival, jointly organised by the Glanford and Scunthorpe Canoe Club and Ancholme Rowing Club, gave the chance for people to experience using rowing, paddling, stand-up and sit-on boarding on the river (picture below). It proved very popular on a warm sunny day.

Canoe launching pontoons and a slalom course are planned near the Leisure Centre on the new

course of the river next to the Leisure Centre.

Louth Navigation Trust.

The impasse of who is responsible for repairing the problems with the damaged Keddington Lock appears to have been clarified.

Due to the efforts of the Trust Secretary contacting the HSE, they advised that the EA as regulators should identify the danger and instruct the relevant persons to deal with it under the Dangerous Structures Act of 1984, to remove or make safe (photo on next page). In this case the ELDC Building Control section are involved. As a member of the LNT Partnership, East Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board have offered to lead a scheme to repair the dam-

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age by designing a weir upstream of the lock cill to restore the water to the River Lud and repair the banks. This will also restore the water supply to the listed and restored Alvingham water mill.

delivery stage. The path will connect with the National Coastal Path at Tetney, then following the canal, through Louth and connecting to the established Lincoln to Boston “Water Rail Way”.

Following a site visit by Canoe England, three sites have been identified as suitable for a Canoe Trail under their “Places to Paddle” scheme. These have been sent to the EA who have responded listing a number of requirements and charges.

Boston 2 Peterborough Wetland Corridor.

Meetings with the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire CC and Lincolnshire and Peterborough IWA branches continue. As part of preparations a draft “Strategic Outline Business Case” for the Northern Route is being studied and research carried out for heritage information. The route for

ELDC have plans to take the proposed Multi User Path to the Page 18 Aegre 154 - July 2019

joining the Black Sluice Drain to the Rivers Glen and Welland follows earlier proposals.

An extract from “Harrods History of Stamford”, published in 1785, states “the River Welland be made navigable with articles of agreement made in 1664 between aldermen and burgesses of Stamford and a Daniel Wigmore concerning a lease in the making of the River Welland navigable”.

Another proposal in 1810 was for the “Stamford Navigation to unite the Eastern, with the Midlands and Western Counties of the Kingdom”. Full details and figures of all types of charges, commodities and shipping that would benefit the Country are given. The map (above) follows much of today’s draft route. This report

also includes a letter from Thomas Telford dated January 8th 1810 saying “In conclusion his preferred route is 4 miles shorter than that laid by a Mr Whitworth and with its many connections appears to be a fair prospect of ample remuneration for the Adventurers”.

The southern section waters are in South Holland, where maps of William Dugdale of 1662 will provide material for further research and details that contribute to the history of the projects that have been considered in earlier times.

These include water courses such as Cat`s Dyke, Folly River and the ancient Car Dyke as at Wasps Nest (left).

Dave Carnell and Steve Hayes.

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News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire At a recent social evening of the Derby & Sandiacre canal restorers the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch presented a cheque for £1000 to aid their endeavours to restore a one mile section of derelict canal in Draycott, Derbyshire.

The Branch had spent the previous 12 months or so raising funds for this donation at various events including merchandising, sales activities, cake sales and a Lock Wind. The project entails raising £100,000 from the general public and then using that to leverage a further £270k from various funding organisations to complete the task of restoring this section of canal. The IWA donation takes the total raised from the public to £96,000, so they are almost

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there, and this donation will make a major contribution to getting them over the line. The project has great importance as it will likely see the very first section of the whole Derby & Sandiacre Canal restored to navigation.

The photo shows retiring and new Chairmen Mike Snaith and Graham Jeffery, assisted by retiring Treasurer Brian White, presenting the cheque to Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society Chairman, Eddy Case.

Around the Societies and Trusts Chesterfield Canal Trust Amongst a very busy spring, one event is easy to share. The BBC’s “Country File” visited to film part of their programme on Derbyshire, and this is probably still to be seen on BBC iPlayer if you missed it.

Work continues on most of the sub-projects already under way, and they have a new Development Manager, George Rogers, in place to plan and co-ordinate.

Taking in three counties and 46 miles of tow paths over nine days, the Chesterfield Canal Walking Festival is billed as the biggest canal walking event in the country. Organised by the Trust, the festival will run from Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd September with a total of 53 guided walks - the majority of which are free - ranging from a children’s walk of just two miles to the full 46-mile length of the canal in three days.

The Trust’s Walks Officer, David Blackburn, who has been researching and leading walks for over 20 years, said: “The canal is an absolute delight at any time of year, but early Autumn possibly sees it at its best. There are walks for all ages and abilities, including specialist interest walks and combined walks and boat trips for people who would like a more relaxing day out.

There are special interest walks, e.g. Nature, History, Architecture, Restoration, Bird spotting, Bat spotting and Geocaching. One walk gives the opportunity of a guided tour of Britain's last surviving working Railway Roundhouse at Barrow Hill, whilst another includes a Posh Picnic. Several walks will investigate the section of the Chesterfield Canal that has not yet been restored and will reveal plans on how this will take place.

Full details for all the walks, including booking information can be found at www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk. Bookings can also be made by calling 01246 345777.

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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 £2.50 and there is a bar, tea, coffee, and raffle. The first one after the summer break will be on 16th September.

Regular public trips between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction aboard the electrically powered (sometimes horse-drawn) historic narrow-boat Birdswood will operate at most weekends throughout the summer. Call 07552 055455 to check or book. Leawood Pump House will also be open, sometimes in steam.

The Derby and Sandiacre Trust have had a unexpected bonus at the cottage. At the loss to friends at the Cromford Canal, the WRG group planned for the last weekend in May could not take place.

This involved 12 members of the London group not averse to brick work.

George Rogers contacted Chris Madge to see if we could use the labour – of course we said yes and welcomed them to our site on the Saturday and Sunday. Much work has been done and this also enabled us to release most of our normal team to Borrowash to concentrate on the preparation for the WRG group coming to us in July for a full week. Working parties continue as usual at Draycott and Borrowash, while the WRG group will be at Bottom Lock.

Indoor meetings are planned to continue at 7.30 pm at the Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash DE72 3HA on the 23rd July.

Erewash CP&DA from Norman Cornwell.

The Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association is delighted to report that it has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group in the UK can receive.

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The award is known as the “MBE for volunteer groups" and our award recognises all of our members’ efforts over 51 years, initially in preventing the closure of the Erewash canal and the ongoing work to ensure the canal remains available for everybody to enjoy.

The announcement was made in the London Gazette on June 2nd.

ECP&DA is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Winners get a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal, which will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire later this year.

Sandiacre Lock Cottage is open on Sundays July 21st and August 18th from 1.30 to 4.30pm; Monday August 26th from 11.00 to 3.00pm; Sundays September 15th, October 20th, and November 17th from 1.30 to 4.30pm; and Sundays December 1st, 8th & 15th from 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 Mike Stone (Chairman) The really positive progress that the construction teams are making has encouraged us to look forward to the next major obstacles. Clearly locks 13 and 12 need some remedial work (see next pages) and decisions have yet to be made, firstly on the work required and secondly on the funding we can attract. HLF rules require that funding associated with locks 14 and 15 project must have been fully completed before any application for additional funding for a new project can be made.

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Grantham Canal Lock 12 - see also back cover Whilst this ruling is understandable, it would result in our experienced construction teams having a period with no work to do on lock refurbishment. Consequently we are looking at the next major project which is Muston Gorse bridge. Ideally this should be an original style structure to maintain the environment of the area and we are already discussing design with a volunteer who has experience in this field.

The society will also need to identify benefactors who could meet the cost of the materials as, within our present construction terms, we have demonstrated sufficient skills to permit construction by volunteers. If anyone wishes to put themselves forward as a potential funder please contact us. I am most anxious to maintain the continuity of a major ongoing project for our key construction teams so that their skills are not lost.

Melton and Oakham Waterways Society are still worried about plans for the “Melton Distributor Road� affecting the canal route. At this time the issue is not clear. They had a clean-up in April, with the usual selection of rubbish retrieved from the waterway.

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Grantham Canal Lock 13 Old Union Canals Society hold their monthly meetings in Great Bowden village hall (LE16 7EU) on the last Friday of the month at 7.30pm. For information call Mary Matts on 07813 599323.

Sleaford Navigation Trust is reported in the Lincolnshire section. The work parties continue, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Call Mel Sowerby on 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 social programme, if you are near enough, is at The Red Bull Public House, Congleton Road South, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 3AJ and the programme will begin this year on October 18th. For further information contact Gillian Watson on 01606 835 606 .

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River Slea Report - 12th June In the midst of heavy rain in the week beginning 10th June, our observers noted the state of the river and flow rates at various points. Contributions from Debbie Scott and David Pullen. We have no data for the River Steeping. Ed. Flow at Leasingham Mill Gauge Station was eight times the “normal” summer flow at 13.30 on 10 June (Monday). EA probably opened the sluices at Taylor’s Lock earlier that day as it was down to 3.5 times by 9.15 today. At least there won’t be much weed above the lock!

Just as well we aren’t in the river right now, and that the coir revetments aren’t in place yet! We have no measure of the water levels in South Kyme.

Chapel Hill level peaked at 1.8 mODN at 5.15 am today, so there will probably be another peak when this afternoon’s tide lock at Boston has backed it up to the Witham towards Bardney (there was no data upload since 7am this morning). Fortunately tides are reasonably benign at this phase of the lunar cycle, and even “Springs” are moderate.

(Pictures from Debbie Scott at 6am on the Wednesday) Page 26 Aegre 154 - July 2019

Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this edition of Aegre: Michelle Hill, Eddie Case, Archie Roberts, Dave Carnell; David Collin; Mike Snaith; Rod Auton; Mel and Sue Sowerby; David Pullen; and as noted for specific articles.

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River Slea at Chapel Hill at 6am on 12th June. Photos from Debbie Scott.

Above: Concrete pouring at Lock 14 at the end of May. Photo from Sea Lane Media Ltd. See page 23.

Below: Grantham Canal Lock 14 before work started.

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