Aegre March /April 2022

March/April 2022

River Trent special edition. See pages 5 and 9

From the East Midlands Region of the Aegre 162 - March/April 2022 Page 1

Aegre is published © 2022 by the East Midlands Region Committee of the Inland Waterways Association for members of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branches.

Chairman

David Pullen, 43 Howell Road, Heckington, Sleaford.

Lincs NG34 9RX Tel: 01529 460547

Vice-Chairman

Dave Carnell, Conifer Cottage, North End, Goxhill DN19 7JX

Leicestershire Branch Chairman

Andrew Shephard, 41 Roman Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4BB. E: andrewshephard1946@gmail.com

Lincolnshire Branch Chairman

Contact David Pullen (as above).

Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch Chairman

Contact David Pullen (as above).

Member & WRG rep.

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.editor@waterways.org.uk Printing: Colour Image Loudwater. Despatch: Branch Volunteers.

Picture credits: Front cover; see page 5. Others; see page 26.

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

Tel: 01494 783453. Website:

http://www.waterways.org.uk 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 may change and should be checked before travelling.

Any chart fragments or related information on canal or river features will be out-of-date when published and should not be used for navigation.

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Keadby Bridge

Aegre No. 162 March/April 2022 Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam From the Region Chair Trent Navigation Alliance (TNA) The Trent - Navigation and Mooring Boating on the Tidal Trent Ancholme River Trust B2P Wetland Corridor Cranfleet Cut Visitor Moorings Chesterfield Canal Trust Cromford Canal Derby and Sandiacre Canal Erewash Canal (ECP&DA) Grantham Canal Society Leicestershire IWA Branch Lincolnshire IWA Branch Louth Navigation Trust Melton and Oakham Waterways Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire IWA Branch Sleaford Navigation Trust Picture Credits Old Union Canals Society Journals Received Trent and Mersey Canal

4 5 6 7 9 13 15 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 26 26 27

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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

Norman Cornwell, 38 Millfield Road, Kimberley, Notts.

NG16 2LJ Tel: 0115 8544155 Mobile 07854 451183 www.ecpda.org.uk (note the change)

Association

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.org.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 First of all, apologies to all for the late arrival of this edition. Much has happened very recently in the Region, and on the other hand not much happened, waterways-wise, immediately after our previous edition. So here goes.

This time around our main theme is the River Trent, mainly the tidal section, and below Derwent Mouth. My first acquaintance with the River Trent was through the pilot books of Henry Irving He spent many years exploring the “nooks and crannies” of the East Coast in a Paull shrimper called Venture.

His guide to the “Tidal Havens of the Wash and Humber” includes, in the earlier editions, such small inlets as Skitter Haven and North Killingholme (now lost to Ro-Ro traffic).

However, for our Trent topic in this edition, he includes such tantalising clues as “the area behind the Humber is a thrilling and enjoyable cruising ground”.

For boating on the tidal Trent, I still think the book by John Lower “Narrow boat on the Trent” is amongst the best summaries you can find. First published in 2007, a revised edition was published by the Chesterfield Canal Trust in 2018. A few copies are still available from the Trust, price £9.50 including post and packing.

Just to explain our front cover the four pictures are of:- the infant Trent, near Knypersley Reservoir in Staffordshire; Cromwell Lock from the right bank; West Stockwith from the air; and Trent Falls beacon from a passing barge.

For some years we published here the annual forecast for the Aegir/Eagre/Aegre on the Trent, but a more a convenient source of these data if you need them may be the Crowle web site https://crowle.org You may not get this in time, but do note the C&RT East Midlands Boater Conference in Northampton on Tuesday April 5. Details on their web site.

This edition of Aegre is slightly different to our previous layout, in that we have put reports from all (or almost all) the local kindred organisations in alphabetical sequence so that it should be easy to find planned events, and reports on past and current activities for wherever you are. Enjoy finding your way around.

Peter

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From the Region Chair I guess we are all looking forward to the upcoming boating season in the hope that, after over 2 years of on-off boating, we can plan with confidence, and eventually get to enjoy some relaxing boating in 2022. Although as I write Covid cases are rising again following the recent relaxation of mask wearing and hospital visiting, so let’s hope the apparent mildness of the Omicron variant continues to lessen the severe illness and death rates.

An unfortunate outcome from the ongoing uncertainty about meetings and gatherings is that none of our three branches has been able to hold a satisfactory AGM for over 2 years. Normally this spring edition of Aegre would carry the statutory AGM notices for the branches, with the required advance notice and agenda. My guess is that we will have to try the route of virtual AGMs for Lincolnshire and Leicestershire Branches, although the one previous attempt with this method (Lincolnshire Branch in 2019) wasn’t any better attended than previous “in person” AGM’s. In 2019 Lincolnshire did however manage to maintain a quorate committee of three.

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch is currently not quorate and is likely to cease to be a viable group. The AGM held in Shardlow

in November only attracted six members from a membership of nearly 400, so that tells its own story I’m afraid. Only one member was prepared to join the committee. As Region Chair I will shortly be making recommendations to IWA Trustees about the future for members in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and will report the outcome in the next Aegre edition.

And now for something completely different, as the “Pythons” used to say! Well perhaps not that different, as it concerns IWA governance and organisation at the Chesham central office, and the way that our national trustees operate. One of the requirements on charitable organisations such as the IWA is that we try to operate in line with best practice guidelines set out by the Charity Commissioners. This is to ensure that the trust that the public vest in charities is not misused or corrupted. Included in recent guidelines to charities such as IWA are to: ● Significantly reduce the number of Trustees (now set at eight for IWA, although currently there are only five in position). ● Shorten the maximum terms of office, (now set at 2 x 3 year terms for IWA), and

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● Seek to appoint trustees with a wider age range (i.e. younger!) and wider economic and cultural background.

The main advantages are fresher ideas and a more dynamic and wider vision for the organisation.

However there is a corresponding need to compensate for any loss of knowledge and experience at the Trustee Board, and at Chesham.

This introduction is just to flag up to members that shortly (hopefully in the next edition of “Waterways”), to effectively implement the new arrangements, Trustees will be announcing a new structure called “One IWA”, and also will be inviting branches and

other IWA groups to nominate members for positions that can support the much smaller Trustee Board in the future.

I can already hear groans from “seasoned” members, many of us having witnessed, indeed experienced, similar management changes in our various careers and places of work! Although I understand this reaction, my view is that any organisation that is afraid of change is in effect inviting change without being able to control the process. In “One IWA” there will also be a re-affirmation of how and what IWA is about, going forward.

DP

Trent Navigation Alliance (TNA) A river Trent Navigation Alliance has been formed between: · · · · ·

TrentLink Inland Waterways Association (IWA), East Midlands Region River Trent Visitor Moorings Group The Boating Association (TBA) Leicester Trader, Heritage Boat Charity

The parties forming the Alliance have become increasingly concerned with the deteriorating standards of management of the Trent Navigation, to the extent that we believe that current and future operating procedures create unacceptable risks and constitute a failure of Duty of Care to users of the navigation.

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Parties in the Alliance include mariners with many years of experience in navigating the Trent, and who have first-hand evidence of the reduction in safety standards including: ● Reduction in channel dimensions due to minimal maintenance dredging ● Increasing siltation problems due to lack of dredging after “flood events” ● Vague and inconsistent advice to boaters from inexperienced lock keepers ● Reduced navigation “windows” due to unavailability of both staff and volunteer lock keepers.

The Alliance has noted significantly decreased boat passages in recent years, linked to adverse publicity as to safe navigation procedures and experiences.

The Alliance is therefore pledged to campaign for re-instatement of navigation support resources to restore the use and enjoyment of the Trent, as the main navigational artery in the East Midlands, to previous levels.

Newark, 26 February 2022

Left to right; David Pullen, Nick Roberts, Jon Skinner, Robert Aspey. Photo taken at Newark, 26-2-2022.

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The Trent - Navigation and Mooring Over the past year or so there has been an increased interest in navigation by inland boats on the tidal section of the Trent, and in developing better mooring facilities for visitors all along the navigable Trent. This is very much due to the efforts of two people; Robert Aspey for the moorings, and Nick Roberts for the tidal Trent. Both have Facebook groups with over 400 members at the moment. You can see the current results of their hard work on Facebook, but we have included a brief summary here to encourage members to support in any way possible.

For navigation issues please use: Trent Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/666937220961360 For mooring issues please use: Visitor Moorings on the River Trent https://www.facebook.com/groups/267686390376240.

The Visitor Moorings group is to encourage discussion and give advice and help to boaters interested in setting up more visitor and residential moorings on the River Trent and associated waterways.

Their work has been covered in several earlier issues of Aegre, including Mountsorrel on the Soar and more recently at Stoke Bardolph and Cranfleet Cut. As always, the work is on-going, as any facility needs checking and sometimes maintenance. Photo shows James Dawson’s boat at Stoke in 2021.

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The Trentlink group is for skippers and crew of inland craft looking to use the tidal River Trent.

After joining, members have access to: 1/ Group “Files” and “Topics” that contain useful introductory documents based on the experience of local boaters.

2/ Under “#videos” (in the Topics area) are various links to videos showing how to (and how not to!) use the river.

3/ Use “Posts” to ask questions of the experienced local boaters that are Group members 4/ Post your intended Lock and departure date a week before you go and join up with other “Buddy” boats for the trip. …and enjoy your trip!

This group started in the second half of 2021, partly arising out of a number of “horror” stories on Facebook about near-misses by narrow boats running aground or drifting without an anchor. There was also concern that people were being put off by lack of river maintenance such as dredging, and some confusion about rules such as whether to carry VHF. Perhaps a particular concern was about entering locks such as W. Stockwith or Keadby from a fast flowing stream.

Entry to West Stockwith, picture below, and see the aerial view on the front cover.

Nick Roberts wrote in October 2021: “The 45 mile tidal River Trent CAN be safely and enjoyably navigated by low power inland craft as long as they are in good mechanical condition and use the guidance given in publications such as " Narrowboat on The Trent" by John Lower (available from Chesterfield Canal Trust) and carry suitable equipment including the local chart of "River Trent (Tidal), Cromwell Lock to Trent Falls" available from The Boating Association (TBA).

If things do go wrong on the Trent, there is little outside help available, and it is strongly suggested that skippers of low power

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or single engine craft travel with other similar boats WHERE POSSIBLE, and this Group might be used to identify other boats intending to travel on the river in a mutually acceptable time frame.

This Group is in its infancy, after some years of discussion with local organisations, boaters and lock keepers, as well as other skippers met around the cut, and it is intended that more detailed guidance and assistance on arrival might be requested from this Group as time progresses”.

While the flow of disaster movies continues on Facebook have a look at the long list produced by a “search” for River Trent Narrowboat - the constructive work being done by this Group has advanced very much in just a few months It has not far short of 500 members, and a considerable array of useful information. It does not try to reproduce material already available from sources such as the charts from TBA or the book from Chesterfield (they still have some copies), but other valuable stuff such as pictures of the “rusty pole”, once and maybe still a valuable navigation beacon at km 76.

Picture on this page. Yellow ring shows the other end of the bearing.

The Group page includes “Topics” such a Documents, Tides, Videos, Notices to Mariners, and Buddy Required. “Files” includes Recommended Equipment Lists, Lock Departure Times, Notes from the key meeting to widen the Group’s coverage at West Stockwith on 11 February 2022, and some navigation by-laws.

John Hutton wrote, also at the end of 2021, “Congratulations to Nick Roberts for having the forethought to set up this site.

I have only been boating on the river Trent since May this year

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Calm Day, Calm Trent

and am surprised at how few boats use the river. Having spoken to several boat owners around Newark, Nottingham and Lincoln there seems a real fear among some of them to venture out onto the tidal Trent. Their fears are not founded on experience but by rumours and scare stories put about by other boat owners.

“The Trent, like any river, has to be taken seriously but there is nothing between Trent Falls and Cromwell lock that should prevent any well-found narrow boat or small river cruiser from making the passage”.

This edition of Aegre is to encourage boaters to do a bit of

research using the many clues available, and try the adventure.

All photos in this article and of West Stockwith on the front cover are from Trentlink, with kind permission from Nick Roberts and the members of the Group.

One of the advantages of being the editor of something like Aegre is that you have easy access to the content of earlier issues. Given, of course, that your hard disk has withstood some hard times. So in this context, we make no apology for reprinting on page 13 an article from March 2015. Lessons, if any, are left to the reader.

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Boating on the Tidal Trent The Canal & River Trust is developing a survey to try and understand what can be done to encourage more boaters to venture out onto the nation’s rivers.

This is being prepared by the Trust’s East Midlands waterway partnership along with the Boating Association and Inland Waterways Association. Together they are keen to attract more boaters onto the tidal Trent, but it’s hoped that the findings will provide useful insights for other rivers across the country.

The aim is to understand current trends on tidal, non-tidal and canalised rivers and to identify possible barriers which may prevent boaters from exploring their nearest one. The partnership will then use the findings to develop a package of measures which could include training courses, instructional videos, more readily-available information, or informal boating convoys.

Danny Brennan, chair of the Trust’s waterway partnership in the East Midlands, said; “We firmly believe that every boater should experience the River Trent at some point in their lives but we also recognise that there are some issues that may currently prevent them from doing so.

“Whether it be a degree of fear or a simple practicality, such as not knowing when locks will be open, we want to understand why some boaters don’t venture onto the Trent – and the other rivers that the trust cares for.

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“Once we’ve identified all the issues we can then start to look at ways in which they can be addressed. We want to make it easier and more attractive for boaters to venture onto our rivers so that they can really get out there and explore a different aspect of life on the water.”

Possible areas of discussion and, in due course, support include: Convoys with a lead boat; Pilotage by experienced volunteers; Wider availability of charts and the Trent Vale Guide (currently out of print); VHF training and guide to getting a licence from Ofcom; Tide tables.

Much of this material could be made available by newer methods such as Youtube for training videos; apps for

phones and tablets; a real time app including GPS; a web site with the associated information and maybe a forum.

Actual training topics could include the range of items needed to plan a trip, such how to gain advantage of the tides:Planning a journey; Using tides; Strong streams and floods; River bed profiles; Journey times, speeds, speed limits; Entering and leaving locks; Anchors and what to do with them; How to meet oncoming vessels and their wash; Commercial traffic; Navigation signals; Contact with Lock Keepers; Safe mooring in emergency; MOB recovery.

Signs and Portents on the Trent: Sunken Island Editor’s note: This text and pictures are unchanged from 2015.

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Ancholme River Trust The River Ancholme has been subject of a thorough clean-up by the Ancholme River Trust. The trust, which is also planning on planting flowers along the length of the Ancholme through Brigg, is set to launch a public awareness campaign in a bid to prevent the river becoming too overgrown with weeds.

B2P Wetland Corridor A study into the opportunities and threats associated with open water transfer of water into the proposed South Lincolnshire Reservoir (SLR), will be completed by the end of March 2022. Water sources for the new public water supply reservoir are expected to be the river Trent and the river Witham , with water extracted from the Trent at North Muskham flowing through Lincoln and thence into the South Forty Foot Drain (SFFD). Open channel transfer (as with the Louth Canal feed into Covenham Reservoir) will offer potential new waterway connections for B2P at Guthram Gowt and from Langrick Bridge into the Black Sluice Navigation (SFFD). The Langrick bridge connection would potentially create a new waterway “ring” via Boston, (“The Boston Ring”?). These are important opportunities but depend heavily on the final preferred site for the new reservoir.

The preferred site for the reservoir will be included in the “Gate 2” proposal to OFWAT in July 2022.

Cranfleet Cut Visitor Moorings After several years working with CRT to get some progress, their Heritage Manager today confirmed to me that, using a metal detector, CRT found six mooring rings that had become covered by silt and grass from frequent flooding. These have been uncovered, and with the fitting of a new clasp at one site, there are now six additional mooring rings, as shown on the photo from CRT. These are now available for the boating season.

Robert Aspey

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Chesterfield Canal Trust There are now four trip boats running for the Trust, from Shireoaks, Hollingwood, Chesterfield, and Ranby or Retford. There is a very full programme of trips, and the boats are usually available for charter when not in use for public trips. It is too complicated to repeat here, but see the Trust web site for details.

They will be holding the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 30th March at Hollingwood Hub starting at 7.30 p.m. All members will be welcome. Anyone who would like to get involved as a volunteer worker is invited to contact David Kiddy at workparty@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk Progress on the planning and finance front is slow but steady, in many cases delayed by the need to get involvement from external bodies.

They have revised and updated the very popular Guide to the Chesterfield Canal. 44 full colour pages; 12 major detailed maps; walking information; pubs & cafés; past and future restoration; public transport; history; boating tips etc. It costs £9.50. You can buy it from their online shop with a special offer whereby you get a free copy of our History book as well. There are still a few copies of the old guide on sale at Hollingwood Hub for £7.50.

The boat pull with Dawn Rose will be in action again this year. It involves volunteers pulling the boat by human power - normally two people - from Shireoaks to Worksop or the reverse. The idea is very simple. You get your group together and book a date. You pay the Friends of Dawn Rose £50 and then raise as much as you can for your cause through sponsorship. Several groups have raised four-figure sums. Dates are available in April and May. To book ring 07972 287793.

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Cromford Canal Meetings have resumed at the Ironville Church Hall, NG16 9NN at 7.30 on the third Monday of the month, except for April, when the AGM will be held on the 25th because of the Easter holiday.

All are welcome and there is a tea/coffee break and raffle and hopefully a bar. Admission is normally £2.50 except for the AGM which is free of course.

Work at Aqueduct Cottage has now progressed to the stage when the exterior is finished except for garden work and rebuilding the wash house. Interior work such as lime mortaring remains to be completed.

For the Beggarlee project much of the paper work has been completed, including, crucially, the geo-technical report on the site.

This has allowed other essential paper work to move ahead, such as the “Landscape and Environmental Management Plan” and the “Water Vole Protection Plan”.

Volunteers have been working hard at clearing at Brickyard Bridge, Sawmills; Ironville fencing; Cromford reed pulling and various other locations. Anyone who would like to help should contact John Barker at work@cromfordcanal.org.uk.

For trips on Birdswood, the boat is now certified for passenger operation, but electrically driven, alas no horse. Bookings are via a new website www.birdswood.org. and will begin on April 2 from Cromford Wharf at 11am and 2pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Leawood Pump will be “in steam” on a range of dates including April 14, 17, 18,21, May 1 and 2 and June 2, 11 and 12. Usual opening is 11am or 12.

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Derby and Sandiacre Canal Derby Riverboat A new location has now been agreed for boarding, a concrete hard-standing under Causey bridge on the side opposite the Silk Mill . This has a few advantages in that it will have easier access for volunteers without having to go through a third party property and it can be made secure reasonably easily—just block off at the sides of the bridge.

This avoids the need for a boom upstream of Exeter Bridge—saving tens of thousands of pounds.

It needs a revised (but much simpler) formal application to the EA. The Council have now formally adopted the project, so they will be providing access paths, power, etc. and as part of this they will handle planning.

As far as timing is concerned we are holding on to a spring launch.

Working Parties .A great deal of work has been completed at Chellaston. We are now getting close to clearing the line between the A50 and Infinity Park Way. In addition the teams

have started work in trimming back the newly acquired stretch between Breaston and the M1.

The Cottages Three cottages are now open for letting. A probable bidder has been identified for the cafe, and they hope to open in April, and the plan for the first members’ meeting is to have it in the upstairs room.

Indoor Meetings These have changed site to the cafe at Draycott, and the day as “fourth Tuesday”, all at 7.30 pm.

Tues 26th April. Anne Featherstone on The Curious History of Sweeney Todd.

Tues 24th May. Michael Crane and Stewart Craven on Beeston Lock Cottages.

Tues 28th June. Rodney Hall on The coldest place on earth.

With thanks to Chris Madge for this up-dated information. Photo below by Robert Aspey. “the trip boat waiting at Darley Abbey”.

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Erewash Canal (ECP&DA) Obituary Howard Smith, a long-time stalwart and former Chairman of the Association, died a few days after we went to press with the last Aegre. An obituary appears in the latest issue of the ECPDA Outlook.

Events at Sandiacre Lock Cottage Saturday - April 2, Pie and Peas by Mick and Carole Golds. Must book.

Saturday - April 8, Art workshop by Janet Barnes Sunday - April 17, Easter activities, Ribbon plates and duck hats Monday – April 18 (BH), Easter activities, Pine-cone animals Monday – May 2 (BH) Sunday – May 15, Spinning/weaving demo AGM - May 19.

For queries on any meetings at the Cottage, contact Glyn Stenson on 07809 251441. Normally there is a monthly meeting on the third Thursday at 7.30 pm. All welcome.

Works along the canal On the 9th January C&RT commenced a stoppage at Long Eaton Lock to repair the lock landing, which has been in a state of collapse for over two years. A coffer dam was erected above the lock to enable the de-watering of the lock area. Bypass pumps were installed to maintain the water flow around the stoppage. On Monday 24th Erewash members visited the site to see what progress had been made.

Apparently the support/retaining wall below the lock landing copings had virtually collapsed and when the section was de-watered it toppled into the canal bed. Picture from C&RT

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Grantham Canal Society

Mike Stone advises: the great news is that the the slipway at Woolsthorpe has been completed.

Visitors will see a much changed depot at Woolsthorpe with a brand new slipway, and within a few weeks additional storage areas so that we can once again use the depot to host visitors.

Photo above by Colin Bryan for GCS. Regular management by the three maintenance teams along the top length to Denton and beyond has helped recovery of the navigation from the effects of volunteer absence caused by the shut-down and distancing requirements.

A re-start has also been made to clearance and water management along the canal in Rushcliffe.

Other visible signs of volunteer activity on the canal in the coming months will include completion of a safe mooring for volunteers to access maintenance craft above Lock 18; for the first time our engineers can work on craft out of the water using the new slipway at the depot.

After this work The Three Shires trip-boat will be commencing operations with an enhanced operating schedule this year offering both pre-booked short cruises and the opportunity for group charter cruises of up to four hours duration. If you are planning your days out why not include Woolsthorpe as a ‘Go To’ destination.

The Three Shires will start the season on Sunday 27 March with the first half-hour trip at 10:00, last trip 15:15.

On Good Friday 15 April, first trip 10:00, last trip 15:15.

On Easter Sunday 17 April First trip 10:00, last trip 15:15.

On Easter Monday 18 April First trip 10:00, last trip 11:30 Trips need to be booked online via the website: www.granthamcanal.org and follow the link on the Boat Trips page. Trips are £25 per boat plus a £1 booking fee. The boat can carry up to 10 passengers. Later trips can also be booked - just ask.

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Leicestershire IWA Branch Not too much to say really. Covid really knocked us back as far as social gatherings, although it didn’t have much impact on our boating.

We will finally be arranging an Annual General Meeting, probably to take place at the Birstall Sports & Social Club, in October. The date of the meeting will be finalised by the time of the next Aegre publication, and by then we will have sorted out the issue of guest speaker. Now that we have ‘learnt to live with Covid’, I do hope we will get a decent turnout from the Branch members.

Some of us attended the CRT inaugural presentation of their Leicester Waterways Improvement Partnership launch event at the Space Centre in November 2021. Their vision is about ‘making the best use of this 200 year old asset of the City and bringing all the benefits to the City of Leicester that come with having a clean, vibrant, attractive and healthy waterway’.

Well, good luck with that. Anyway, we confirmed that we would not hesitate to support them, but we are still waiting for something tangible to happen.

As regards the Memory Lane Wharf project, I understand that CRT are still dealing with planning pre-commencement conditions. No definite timescale on this unfortunately. They had hoped to be on site by October 2021, but now I’m wondering if that will be by October 2022.

CRT asked me to mention their Annual Boater Conference at Northampton University on Tuesday the 5th April. I’m not sure if this issue of Aegre will get out in time, but if it does, the event is free and starts at 11.30. For all information, Google: CRT East Midlands Boater Conference to register / get tickets.

Mo Murray and I installed an extra Leicester Line leaflet box at Sawley last July, and we are continuing to keep all the boxes topped up. We now have boxes covering the full length of the navigation. (Photo Mo Murray) Here’s hoping for a good Summer.

See you all in the Autumn.

Andrew Shephard, Chairman

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Lincolnshire IWA Branch Dave and Penny Carnell are not seeking re-election to the Lincolnshire Branch Committee. Dave and Penny have served on the Lincs Branch Committee for more than 40 years, and Dave was Branch Chairman for around 38 years. Penny has been Branch Secretary for a similar time. We thank both Dave and Penny for their enormous efforts, commitment and achievements over their extended periods of office and will miss them greatly. Dave is also

stepping down as Vice-Chairman of the East Midlands Region Committee.

Saxilby Parish Council are holding their “Saxilby Waterfront Festival” on Sunday 5th June as a joint celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Branch welcomes TrentLink’s Nick Roberts as a member.

Louth Navigation Trust Planned events for 2022 include: Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival - 30 April to 5 June.

Canal and Blow Wells Walk - Tues 24 May. Start at 10am at Tetney Lock.

Alvingham Walk - Thurs 26 May. Start at 6pm at Alvingham Mill.

Louth Canal Linear Walk - Sat 28 May. Start at 10 am at Tetney Lock AGM - Wednesday 15 June. Navigation Warehouse 7.30pm Culture at the Canal, Zero Degrees Festival, July / Sept 2022, various dates to be confirmed.

Navigation Warehouse. Water level raised in the Riverhead for paddling. For more details and exact dates check the Trust web site. www.louthcanal.org.uk Work parties continue at various sites along the canal, normally on the second Monday of the month.

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Melton and Oakham Waterways In the past we have reported several times about Melton’s very useful work boats Mole and Badger. However the ownership of boats always comes with responsibilities and work. Mick Clowes reports on events last year with the boats and their TLC: “The initial problem was the large unruly tarpaulin which, as its first covering was getting rather aged and threadbare. Following the sinking during flooding, and subsequent revival, it was decided to fit a semi-permanent top, which grew into the structure you see today. This has given it a memorable profile and character and it has been likened to the “floating noodle bars” that adorn harbours of the Far East.

“The structure is an angle iron welded frame topped with recycled plastic board that, if you could but see the underside, obviously started out life as shop signs for a bathroom and plumbing centre! Although relatively thin, the whole structure was a problem to remove even for four strong people, so the constructors, Stuart and Mark, set about constructing a gantry, with a swing out support arm, holding a pulley and cable connected to a small winch which removes the whole top all at once. .

“Other things that may be of interest are a new MOWS fleet of 7 rowing boats for the river in Melton (arriving shortly), which could be a joint venture with the riparian owners – The Melton Town Estate, but this is still under negotiation.

We also have bids in for a trip boat, bank-side interpretation boards, extra signage, and the reprinting of our revised walk leaflets in book form, and a possible 2023 calendar.

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Things are beginning to warm up again, and there are a number of things to do if you would like to help.

Melton is a friendly group and a warm welcome is guaranteed! Work parties undertake a wide range of maintenance tasks on the waterways, often on our work boats ‘Mole’ or ‘Badger’ on the first and third Sundays of the month. If you are curious as to what we do , you could come to see at first hand before committing any of your time. To get more information contact Mick Clowes, e-mail lindandmick@btinternet.com.

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire IWA Branch Obituary Nancy Johnson, who was Chair of the Branch for some 17 years from the late 1980s, sadly died last November, just after our November issue of Aegre had gone to press. She had been responsible for much fundraising and hands-on help for many restoration projects, including £26,000 for a footbridge over the outflow on the Nottingham Canal near Wilford Street, and work on the Grantham Canal at Cotgrave. In addition, she contributed lively and amusing articles to Aegre.

(With thanks to Nottinghamshire Live for information.)

Shardlow The Shardlow Inland Port Festival is planned again for September 10/11 for 2022. Latest details are to be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/144705997759926/permalink/274 360211461170, and see the notice on our back page.

Major event at Holme Pierrepont.

Not actually a canal event, but members may wish to know that The National Water Sports Centre will host the world's freestyle canoeists in competition between 27 June and 2 July 2022.

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Sleaford Navigation Trust Missing Footpath Section

North Kesteven Lottery

Local parish boundaries were changed in 1948 and this created an anomaly as far as the recording of the footpath beside the River Slea near Ferry Farm was concerned.

We are delighted to be able to report that two people who have bought Lottery tickets in support of Sleaford Navigation Trust have been successful in a recent draw.

One won three free tickets for the next draw while the other won £25.00!

Inadvertently, perhaps the result of a lack of co-ordination or attention to detail, a very short section between the parishes was omitted.

This led to a break in the recording on the Definitive Map of an otherwise continuous path between Sleaford and Chapel Hill.

We are very grateful to the recipient of the money prize who went on to generously donate the winnings to the Trust. Many thanks for your support!

Fish Kill on the Slea

In order to re-establish the right of way and reconnect the path, it is necessary to show that the section has been walked over for a long period of time. If you, or anyone that you know has used the footpath at any time in the past 20 years, your evidence could help establish that usage and enable an application to be made to The County Council for a Modification Order to re-establish the missing section of footpath.

Please consider helping by contributing to the gathering of relevant evidence and contact Councillor Mervyn Head for an LCC Evidence Form by 30th April 2022. Phone 07305 326285.

We have had some reports of fish kill on the Slea. If you do see any fish kill the best thing to do is to contact the Environment Agency directly on their emergency incident phone number which is 0800 807060. They will give you an incident number which you can then use to check on any progress they make to solve the problem.

Information courtesy of Steve Hayes

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Old Union Canals Society normally hold their monthly meetings in Great Bowden village hall (LE16 7EU) on the last Friday of the month at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome, and a donation of £2 is asked to cover costs. For latest information call Mary Matts on 0116 2792188 or 07813 599323.

The next talk will be on April 29, and will be on the Cromford Canal restoration, by Mick and Carole Golds from Langley Mill.

Journals Received We are very pleased to acknowledge copies of journals, sometimes in PDF format, 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; “Union” from the Old Union 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.

Picture Credits We are most grateful to all of the following, who have contributed photographs or other illustrations to enhance this edition of Aegre: Andrew Shephard; Chris Madge; Michelle Hill, Eddie Case, Archie Roberts, Dave Carnell; David Collin; Robert Aspey; Rod Auton; Phil May; Mel and Sue Sowerby; David Pullen; Jane Pollard; Mick Clowes; Alan Leather; David Pit; Malcolm Fielding, Keith Bown, and as noted for specific articles. For the front cover, photos are by respectively Jonathan Kington, Richard Croft and Christine Johnstone, under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 from Geograph. West Stockwith photo from Trentlink.

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Trent and Mersey Canal Their social programme, if you are near enough, is at The Red Bull Public House, Congleton Road South, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 3AJ at 7.45 for 8 in the upstairs room. The planned programme is continuing as below: May 7th. AGM at 11am Middlewich Community Church, Brooks Lane, CW10 0JG, followed by an escorted visit to Murgatroyd’s Brine Pump, one of the few remaining relics of the open pan salt working.

Swarkestone crane They report serious rot in the jib at the crane at Swarkestone. This was not looked at, at the time of refurbishing the similar crane at Shardlow.

Swarkestone Lock Gates A TMCS member at Swarkestone was close by when the upper gate was bashed on February 10. CRT had noted the problem within an hour, and had fabricated a new fixing plate and up-stand in time for the repairs to be completed by February 22. The most difficult part of the repair was apparently getting the old nuts off the embedded studs. See pictures below, both before the bash and during the re-assembly. (From Cynthia Brewin and Vaughn Wheatley).

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