Reverse WRG? Thrussington Lock in July 1938. See Melton story on page 24 for details.
From the East Midlands Region of the Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 1
Aegre is published © 2021 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 Tel: 01469 530138
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
Graham Jeffery, Mercia Marina, Findern Lane, Willington, Derbyshire DE65 6DW E: graham.jeffery@hotmail.co.uk
Member & WRG rep.
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, Melton Reach plc. 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 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.
Page 2 Aegre 159 - March 2021
An inspection at Taylor’s Lock. Photo Steve Hayes
Aegre
No. 159 March 2021
Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam Journals Received From the Region Chair Boston to Peterborough (B2P) Wetland Corridor Keddington Lock Repairing Waterway Structures News from Leicestershire Lincolnshire Jottings Boston Barrier Louth Navigation Trust Visitor Moorings Covid-19 Lockdown Easing. Sleaford Navigation Trust Melton and Oakham Waterways Society Grantham Canal Society Derby and Sandiacre Canal Chesterfield Canal Trust Cromford Canal Picture Credits Other Canal Societies and Trusts Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 3
4 5 5 6 9 10 12 14 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 27 28
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 In many areas this time we have snippets of encouraging news this time, often in restoration works, where good progress has been made. Not in digging ground, but in the vital preliminary stages of getting the thousand and one permissions and licences to actually do the practical work. See our reports from the Societies and Trusts from around the Region. However one piece of “structural” good news is that, finally, the works to put back some of the remnants of Keddington Lock, on
the Louth Navigation, have been completed. Not to the stage of a working lock (I am tempted to add “of course”) but to where the the upstream level is reasonable, the flow of water down the canal and the actual river are maintained, and Alvingham Mill gets a proper supply. Details and pictures on page 10 Hoping for more and better things this year, best wishes, 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; “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.
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 5
From the Region Chair
The winter floods have certainly been challenging for flood defence agencies and navigation authorities. Eastern England received 150-200% of normal rainfall, (including snowfall equivalent) in both November 2020 and January 2021. The effects are evident in pictures from Birstall on the Soar Navigation near Leicester (page 14) and at Taylor’s Lock on the Slea Navigation near South Kyme (above and on page 8).
One such example which CRT are struggling to sort is on the downstream side of Ratcliffe lock on the Soar, where the navigation rejoins the main river channel. As the system re-opens to increasing boat traffic, and river levels return to summer levels, we can expect further silt shoals to appear. The River Trent will again be highly likely to need spot dredging on the downstream “tails” of some of the locks.
Fortunately, no breaches or over topping have occurred in our region as far as we are aware at this stage in early spring. However, on the river navigations in particular we should anticipate the “hidden hazard” of silt deposits, moved downstream by the fast-flowing water, to appear in certain spots.
IWA “Waterways Watch”
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Waterways Watch is an IWA initiative to collate and report silting sites and grounding incidences across the system. IWA will then be able to take these examples forward as a tool to lobby navigation authorities about problems on the waterways. This will also enable IWA to lobby government for bet-
ter funding. The reporting form is available on-line at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/ campaigns/waterwayswatch Waterways Watch is also a tool to collate other waterways access and user issues including vegetation affecting navigation, and towpath condition. The full news item is here: https://www.waterways.org.uk/ about-us/news/new-reportingtool-for-issues-affecting-the-waterways. Red Diesel As I write The Treasury have announced that common sense has prevailed, and that the present status of allowing taxrebated “red diesel” to be used for propulsion in inland waterway craft can continue beyond 2022. The requirement to have separate white and red diesel tanks has been withdrawn. As now, boaters will be required to self-declare the percentage of red diesel used for propulsion, and the vendor will add the tax to this part of the sale. IWA, among others, campaigned, and lobbied intensely at political level for this, and our thanks to IWA Navigation
Committee for pursuing this to the successful outcome. Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Branch is still without sufficient branch officers to function as a fully quorate branch. In the autumn we will make further initiatives to form a committee. In the interim Graham Jeffrey has continued to act as chairman. Please send any ideas or observations for the work of IWA in the branch area to either Graham or myself, (our contact details are on page 2). There is, however, a wellsupported, IWA led, “hands on” action group: Visitor Moorings River Trent and Associated Waterways, which is successfully creating new and improved visitor moorings in Nottinghamshire. (see separate report by Robert Aspey, IWA branch moorings officer, on page 21 ). IWA website and “IWA TV” The revamped IWA website is gradually being re-populated with branch and regional information. Please check that your local waterway information is correct, as some errors have crept in as the old pages have been migrated across from the previous web platform.
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 7
The new interactive waterways map is a quick and easy way to check what new users and the public will experience if they click on any of our waterways. A brilliant part of the new web presence, ”IWA TV” is a record of recent, and notice of future, IWA on-line presentations, (Webinars), given to branches, and also nationally organized workshops and presentations. The way forward methinks! https://www.waterways.org.uk/ iwa-tv Our pictures of Taylor’s Lock were taken on 30 January and show the Slea making a level through the lock, the guillotine raised by EA , and with the downstream pointing doors tied open.
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Boston to Peterborough (B2P) Wetland Corridor Since my last report in November 2020 the B2P business case review has been signed off. Here is the Executive Summary. The Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor (B2PWC) will create new connections between the River Welland and the River Glen, and between the River Glen and the River Nene, thus creating a 58 mile long navigable link between the town of Boston and the City of Peterborough (blue line in map to right). It will mark a significant improvement on the current shortest route (red line) which is approximately 250 miles long. The proposal involves the development of new lock infrastructure at the five waterway intersections, in Padholme, Peakirk, Surfleet and Guthram Gowt, and Black Hole Drove; the dredging and widening of existing waterways where necessary, improvements to bridge and culvert infrastructure where needed, and the creation of new short sections of new waterway where necessary. The project is expected to benefit the Lincolnshire and Peterborough economies in a number of ways, including: ● Opportunity to tender for £73.65 million capital works ● £40.8 million additional tourism spend ● £9.2 million land value uplift ● Creation of new routes for exercise and active travel ● Reduced flood risk ● Secures long term water supply for household consumers & farming industry ● Supports proposed housing developments at The Quadrant (Boston) and at Norwood and Paston Reserve (Peterborough) ● Creation of new, and preservation of existing wetland habitats ● £103 million total contribution to the economy A positive return on investment David Pullen, Chairman B2P Parnership Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 9
Keddington Lock Regeneration work at Keddington Lock on the Louth Navigation was completed on Saturday 20 February 2021.
but the quoins and hinge stones were retained and reinstated on top of the new rock weir. The banks have been strengthened and implanted with plastic grid to allow natural growth and prevent erosion.
Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board LMDB), under the umbrella of the Louth Navigation Regeneration Partnership, had provided resources and time to reinstate the path of Louth Canal, and to raise the water level up-stream sufficiently to feed the River Lud and onwards to Alvingham Mill.
The crumbling and dangerous lock remains had to be removed,
Louth Navigation Trust are delighted with the outcome after a two year struggle since the breach. Even after LMDB volunteered to come to the rescue, the project was blighted by floods elsewhere, narrow windows of availability due to birds nesting and fish spawning, not to mention Covid. In the end the work had to be
Page 10 Aegre 159 - March 2021
ELDC, IWA, AW, LCC , EA and Alvingham Mill all contributed, along with LNT .
done in high flow conditions with accompanying snow and ice. LMDB definitely deserve a big clap from the people of Louth, who can now enjoy the tranquillity of a walk by the canal once again, with the gentle rippling of the water over the new rock flight. Louth Navigation Trust wish to thank members of the community who donated to their Charities Trust page: https://www.sponsorme.co.uk/ paulahunt/keddingtonlock.
Cllr Pauline Watson worked very hard in the initial stages of this project, and Cllr Julia Simmons has worked hard with the community to help the project run smoothly. Paula Hunt Pictures are dated, in sequence: 22 Jan., from Adrian Royle 3 Feb., from LMDB 19 Feb., from D Harrison 22 Feb., With outfall upstream. 22 Feb., adjacent work 22 Feb., a gentle flow, and the visible hinge stones
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 11
Repairing Waterway Structures During last summer's easing of the lock-down, I took some minor “direct action” to repair one of the rotting timber posts that support the gate paddle ratchets on one of lock gates on the River Soar (Kegworth Deep). The curved top faces were splitting and rotting away down through the posts. In a few years or so they would no longer provide any support to the ratchets, rendering the paddles inoperable. As the weather had been hot and dry for a few days, all the timber was bone dry, and there was almost no boat movement. We therefore moored up our boat, and I carried out the following repairs based on nearly 40 years experience in the construction industry: ● Made sure the timber was dry so I was not sealing in moisture (after a few hot dry days in summer most exposed timber is quite dry). ● Scraped out any loose timber. ● Brushed 1 coat of external quality waterproof PVA (mixed with
about 4 parts water) into the timber (dries in less than 5 minutes) ● Filled all the holes with a fibre reinforced GRP filler, such as P40 (not P38); it dries in less than 5 minutes, and yes, it is suitable for timber as well as car body repairs. The fibre bridges any gaps and binds the filler into the timber. ● Sanded all smooth, and gave a final coat of PVA.
All done in less than 15 minutes. I also covered all exposed timber in PVA which waterproofs it without the need for paint. I did not apply a finishing coat of white gloss paint, as this can take an hour or so to dry, so would need “wet paint don’t touch” signs, so when we left all was ready for another boater to use.
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Six months later it is still solid as a rock. I have suggested the above repair method to CRT many times over the years; “sounds a good idea” say managers, but it never gets to operational use, and they continue to use the present method of just brushing paint over and into rotting timber until the whole component fails and has to be replaced at great expense.
Photos: Typical rotting balance beam (Left) and completed repair of a timber post (This page). WRG agree with my method, and shared it to the CRT volunteer Facebook group, where many
wanted to know why CRT was not using this method. However (as I had been warned) there was a small but vociferous backlash from a few who thought it was sacrilege to be doing this to "Heritage timber", even when I pointed out it was saving the existing timber, and that much of this timber is replaced every 25 years or so because it has been left to rot. I think we just need to get on and do the repairs that are within our capabilities when we get the opportunity, as myself and others have been doing. I have tried all the official routes and got nowhere, and I get the impression that most sensible CRT staff are happy for us to just get on with these repairs as long as what we do is an improvement. Can IWA members look out for similar opportunities to repair these existing lock structures and save CRT some much needed money? Robert Aspey IWA Branch Moorings Officer
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 13
News from Leicestershire
Birstall Visitor Moorings - View North from White Horse Footbridge Social Gatherings: Our last meeting was the AGM in February 2020, after which we were effectively locked down by Covid 19. Mid-February 2021 and we are still locked down, but with a glimmer of hope that things may open up over the next month or two. All being well, we shall aim to recommence the branch social gatherings in October. This first meeting will incorporate the Annual General Meeting that we postponed from February. Memory Lane Wharf: The good news here is that CRT have now secured Planning Per-
mission for the scheme, and are currently working through the pre-commencement conditions. They hope to have these signed off, together with the legal agreements for the lease, by March, with work starting very shortly afterwards. So, we could see some new visitor and residential moorings, together with boaters facilities, by the middle of the year. Everards Meadow: The new visitor moorings just to the south of Blue Banks Lock, between bridges 102 and 101, are due to go in this March, giving visiting boaters the opportunity to moor up and explore Everards
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Meadow and other local attractions, including the soon-to-beopened new brewery.
than usual, and probably as high as many of us can remember. Boaters with on-line moorings have had a very trying time.
These new visitor moorings are a CRT initiative, in consultation with Blaby District Council. The IWA were, however, asked to advise on the location and practicalities of the moorings, which is an encouraging indication.
Birstall Lock Not much progress here. This photo was taken months ago, and this is how the site looks today. Perhaps something to do with Covid and more pressing maintenance issues?
Birstall Visitor Moorings view towards White Horse Footbridge Floods: The last twelve months has seen the River Soar in flood more often
That’s it for this issue. Hope everyone stays well, and that those of you who are boaters manage to get out and have an enjoyable year on the waterway. See you in October! Andrew Shephard Chairman, Leicestershire Branch
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 15
Lincolnshire Jottings Zoomed Since the November edition of Aegre our Branch has hosted two virtual meetings on Zoom. On 21st November around 70 IWA members and guests attended as Ken Otter, of the newly formed Stamford Canal Society, gave a presentation about the canal. Many of the details are in the November edition. In essence Ken has created an on-line reference resource as an interactive website. It is particularly aimed at enabling younger audiences to surf around the site to find information “on demand!” Ken’s presentation was unusual in that, instead of the ubiquitous PowerPoint format, he demonstrated selected subject areas by screen sharing from the live web pages. We look forward to further developments for this historic waterway. It is great to have a new and fresh challenge within the Branch. Here is Ken’s correct email: ken.tallington@gmail.com
chaplains extends to the whole waterway community. In these socially and economically stressful times we heard how a range of waterway users find that the social contact, with familiar and caring “faces” out on the towpath and in marinas and boat yards, helps them to cope. The Branch has decided to postpone the AGM, which should normally occur in February or March every year, until the Autumn, when hopefully it may be able to be part of a more “normal” (i.e. face to face), social event. Visit Provisional details of a Branch afternoon/evening visit and walk to Covenham Reservoir and Louth Canal in June appear on page 20 in this edition. Contact details are important because we are hoping to include the option for an outside pub meal and possibly a presentation by Anglian Water on the operation of the reservoir. The Web site
In early February Lincolnshire Branch held another successful Zoom meeting with a presentation on the Waterways Chaplaincy by committee members Adrian and Chris Dann. Around 70 attended and heard how the work of the
The Branch committee is hugely thankful to Branch members Steve and Chris Hayes for spotting that several of the waterways have incorrect and out of date information on the Branch web
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pages. We are in the process of submitting corrected information to the IWA web-masters at Chesham. If you spot any further points or can offer additional information please contact David Pullen. Boston Aside from the apparent completion of the Boston Barrier (see pictures on page 19), Boston Borough Council and their partners have completed, and been awarded, a successful bid for funding under the Government’s “Towns Fund”. Boston will get around £22m from the Communities and Local Government department. It is however desperately disappointing that in the entire submission for Boston there is not one single reference to the waterways, and no acknowledgment of the role that a revitalised waterfront could play in regeneration of Boston. The bid document is available at https://www.bostontowndeal. co.uk/.
westwards towards the CRT facilities. We are now told that the flood protection works will commence on 19th April 2021. A traffic light one way system is planned , allowing navigation to take place. The final details are being worked out, with the normal working day being Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and the whole job could take up to six months. The boats moored opposite the works will be required to move on a rota system, to allow the restricted navigation passage. Negotiations to find temporary moorings are taking place by the contractors. Vehicles which normally park on the bank access road will not be allowed to do so to allow a large crane access. River Ancholme Silt The Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society mooring for the sloop Amy Howson had to be relocated to Hull marina due to excessive silting at her South Ferriby berth.
Witham and Fossdyke We reported last time that the EA are to install 300 metres of flood protection piling on the north side of the canal, from Brayford Pool
The silt was removed by the EA in autumn 2019, allowing her to return early in 2020. She was due to be taken back to Hull in November 2020 for the winter but
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 17
Amy Howson at Brigg. The bridge behind is the M180 the Ferriby Lock gates could not be opened wide enough, due to silt. The cause of the silting is that one of the sluice gates does not close properly, allowing silt to enter the Ancholme on each tide; this then settles around the lock area as the tide goes out. To enable works to rectify this problem, floating pontoons need to be sited on the quay that Amy Howson occupied. She has now been moved upstream to Glanford Brigg Boat Club for the duration of the works. (see picture). The official date for the navigation to open each year is 1st April! The Old River Ancholme loop passes through Brigg market place
and normally allowed easy access to the town for boaters. This loop is also badly silted and no longer usable by cruisers. The Brigg Rowing Club, also situated there, also have silt difficulties. Towards the head of the navigation, from Harlam Hill Lock to Bishop Bridge, the navigation is also badly silted. This silting is due to large amounts of water being transferred as part of the “Trent Witham Ancholme” water transfer scheme. Enquiries show that monies arising from this scheme are paid to the EA’s Flood Protection account and not Navigation, which is being affected.
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DP and DC
Boston Barrier A few pictures from the test closing of the barrier. A routine test closing was planned for 16th February, but had to be put off because of heavy fresh water flow from the Grand Sluice. A further test is planned for March 16th. (Top left picture from Jon Carpenter)
Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 19
Louth Navigation Trust Visit IWA Lincolnshire Branch have reserved 21 June for a visit and walk along the Louth Canal at Covenham, and also to the reservoir, basically following the LNT reservoir walk guide. We hope that a representative from the Anglian Water Communities Relations Office, someone from the reservoir technical team and one of the leading lights in Water Resources East (WRE) will also attend. Hopefully also the pub in Fulstow will be open for either a meal or refreshments. IWA would like very much this visit to be a joint event with Louth Navigation Trust if members would like to join - please advise via Paula. Paddlers At the time of the Canal250 celebrations last year, four young men kayaked from Humberston Fitties to the Gas Lamp in Louth. They set off at 7am to negotiate the 2 miles of choppy waters and catch the tide as it opened the sea gates at Tetney Haven. Paddling was good until Alvingham with clear water, swans and wildlife. Then the water depth dropped and kayaking became impossible after Keddington Lock. They declared it a great expedition and fun, and would like to see more water activity in the Riverhead. For the status at Keddington Lock, see page 10 . Events. As always, subject to possible change: Canal and Blow Wells Walk Tues 25 May,Start at 2pm at , Tetney Lock Alvingham Walk Thurs 27 May Start at 6pm at Alvingham Mill Canal Linear Walk Sat 5 June Start at 12.00 noon, Tetney Lock AGM Wednesday 16 June Navigation Warehouse 7.30pm Culture at the Canal, Zero Degrees Festival. June / July ?? Paula Hunt Page 20 Aegre 159 - March 2021
Visitor Moorings As some of you may know we set up a new Facebook group in 2017 for those interested, or even concerned, about the shortage of visitor moorings on the Trent and connected waterways. After a slow start interest has picked up and we now have over 240 members.
4. Advise the owner to inform CRT and their public liability insurance provider. 5. Post your progress on this facebook group and ask for any help you need, so other members of this group can offer help, advice, or attend site meetings with you.
The purpose of the group is to encourage discussion and give help and advice to boaters interested in this topic. Documents relating to this are in the Files section of the Facebook page, but the basic steps would usually go like this:
Quite literally it’s as simple as that. We already have two moorings set up that way at Mountsor-
1. Identify potential mooring location 2. Find a contact for the landowner (a Google search is often enough) 3. Contact the landowner saying you are from the “Visitor Moorings Group” and if they would be interested in allowing visiting boats to moor along part of their bank-side, where they can gain income from a mooring fee or increase boater customers to a business they run (farm shop, café, pub, etc.). The very simplest of moorings just requires some stakes in the ground to tie up to; it can always be upgraded later.
rel Staithe (above) and Stoke Bardolph, and a few others in the pipeline. It’s down to us boaters to make the first move,. Expect a few setbacks, but as you start to make progress it can be very rewarding.
Robert Aspey IWA Branch Moorings Officer
Please go to the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/267686390376240 if you are interested in joining. Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 21
Covid-19 Lockdown Easing. I have received a schedule from British Marine Federation, which has been agreed by DEFRA. Below is a summary of the schedule as it affects private boaters. This schedule for easing Covid-19 lockdown will be subject to continuous review by Government and may be suspended if Covid infection rates change. “Open Boat” = river cruiser/day boat or day hire boat without enclosed cabin. “Enclosed Boat” = any boat with an enclosed cabin space, e.g. most private boats with sleeping cabins. Permanently occupied boats, which are a main residence are subject to separate arrangements as specified by a navigation authority or marina management. Until 12th April visits to private boats are limited to essential maintenance only.
29 March
12 April
17 May
21 June
Private Boat
One household, 6 people max. Stay local. No overnight stay
One house2 households 6 hold, 6 people No restrictions, people maximaximum (subject to remum. Stay local. Stay local. view) Minimise travel
Day hire boat
“Open Boat” no One houserestrictions. No restrictions, One household, 6 people “Enclosed hold, 6 people (subject to remaximum Boat”- 2 houseview) maximum. holds, 6 people maximum
Holiday Hire
One house2 households, 6 No restrictions, hold, 6 people people maxiNot permitted (subject to remaximum mum view)
Canoes, paddle boards, etc.
2 households, 2 households, Maximum 30 No restrictions, 6 people 6 people people in private (subject to reStay Local group view)
David Pullen, IWA East Midlands Regional Chairman. Page 22 Aegre 159 - March 2021
Sleaford Navigation Trust Glennmont Partners (the owners of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant), in partnership with North Kesteven District Council, make funding available via the Community Power Fund to support community projects within a five-mile radius of the plant. Applications are considered on a quarterly basis by the Sleaford REP Community Power Fund Panel. Representatives of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, the local community and NKDC councillors are members of that Panel. We are delighted to report that, in January, we heard that the funding application to the Panel made by the Trust in December was successful. We have been awarded funding for new equipment to manage vegetation along the waterway in the shape of two petrol powered brush-cutters and a pole-saw. The grant also allows us to purchase appropriate PPE for volunteers using the equipment, together with a specific training course relevant to the use and maintenance of the pole-saw. We hope that this award will enable us to work more efficiently in conjunction with our volunteer work party members and encourage more people to become involved. At present, Covid-19 restrictions prevent us from holding work parties but we hope that, before too long, these will be able to resume, possibly in early April? If you would like to find out more and join us, please contact Mel Sowerby at workparty@sleafordnavigation.co.uk for details. In normal times, work parties are usually on the second Sunday of the month. In the past the Trust was fortunate enough to be able to call on the services of Andy Martin, an IWA and SNT member, who was a qualified tree surgeon. Since Andy’s retirement we have not been able to address the issue of fallen branches with anything more powerful than a bow-saw. Thanks to a grant from WRG, funding has been secured for two work party members to attend a training course for chain-saw maintenance and cross-cutting. This will certainly enable them to complete the tasks more efficiently and speedily, and should reduce the incidences of aching shoulders and hand blisters as well! Thank you WRG! From Steve Hayes Aegre 159 - March 2021 Page 23
Melton and Oakham Waterways Society At the time of compiling our previous news, we were unable to print the photograph on the front page, although it has since been posted on our Facebook page. This shows the lock in June 1938 after the Royal Engineers had just used the downstream portion of the towpath side wall for explosives practice. Unfortunately, the upstream portion was next for the same fate. The man leaning on the bridge rail, in the white shirt, is believed to be the father of the photograph owner. The land owner is thought to be the man wearing the flat cap and muffler. Photograph shown with kind permission of Reach PLC. From Mick Clowes
Grantham Canal Society Mike Stone reports that the Society requires some assistance, as do most voluntary groups. Key jobs to fill, for probably a couple of days per month working at home include a Company Secretary. Ideally somebody with some legal experience. Areas of activity including records for Companies House, the Charity Commissioners, etc. Insurance negotiation and records; Craft licensing, and arranging the Annual General Meeting. A Purchasing Assistant to help control the flow of materials required for our new developments. A person with planning and drawing experience in Property or as a surveyor, to establish the topography of work sites and to develop plans for new construction. A Recycling person to head
a project to review silt removal from the canal. They could offer innovative ideas for recovery and sale of recovered material. This is a continuous need by all canals to maintain navigation. All the above roles are capable of being undertaken from home and do not imply living at a location near the waterway. The recent lock-down has shown how easily some roles can be adapted for home working. There would, of course, be opportunities to get out onto the canal and meet other volunteers if required. Please email in the first instance to volunteercomms@granthamcanal .org. If these roles are not for you how about asking one of your contacts or friends? Might be just what they are looking for.
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Derby and Sandiacre Canal
Eddie Case reports again that working parties are still on hold, but it is not all negative as we enter 2021. There is lot to look forward to; all being well the trip boat will be launched on the River Derwent in the early Summer.
away. Killingley, the contractors constructing the canal, have pulled their equipment and workers off site and are reviewing how the project can be restarted. Once a plan has been agreed we will let you all know.
Work continued initially this year at the dig out in Draycott - see the picture - but the work on phase 1 has been stopped after being 3/4 complete, due to the site being flooded. Storm Christoph, in mid January as with the rest of the country, produced so much rain that the site was completely flooded. The railway track at Draycott was also partially flooded and trains again stopped.
Work is also still ongoing at Sandiacre to check the state of the lock walls. The more that Gary and David dig, with various helpers, the more issues seem to arise. However, we will overcome any obstacles.
In an attempt to help Network Rail, we removed the bund that had been constructed at Derby Road, to allow the extreme volume of water from the site to get
The trip boat is coming! Work has been on-going on the kitchen fitout and the electrical systems that are needed. We are also looking at crew being trained by the Chesterfield restoration group, all ready for a hopeful launch prior to the winter floods/high water. The Outram is currently based at Long Eaton for the fit-out.
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Chesterfield Canal Trust Donation boost The Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals Trust has donated over £22,000 to the Chesterfield Canal Trust. This money will go to the Rewatering Renishaw project. The Barnsley Canal Group was formed in 1984. It re-launched as the Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals Trust in 2000. For a number of years support has dwindled. The new Barnsley local plan does not include the restoration of the canals in the borough. Without that support, the prospect of a thorough restoration, estimated to cost a nine figure sum, appears to be very unlikely. It was therefore with great regret that the Trust’s Council of Management decided to wind up the Trust and cease operations. They considered that their remaining cash assets should be transferred to an active canal restoration project where they can be put to good, practical use and chose the Chesterfield Canal Trust as recipi-
ents. This was approved at their AGM. in November. Mike Silk, Company Secretary of the Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals Trust said: “Despite our disappointment at having to close our Trust, we are convinced that helping to keep the restoration work of the Chesterfield Canal Trust moving forward is the best use for the resources we are passing across. We wish the Trust every success with its plans for full restoration, which will benefit local communities as well as all users of the route of the canal.” The Rewatering Renishaw project seeks to make good 500m of canal which was restored through Renishaw, Derbyshire in 2009, as part of a housing development, but which has not been maintained. It will also extend the channel by a further 500m. It will be transformed into a permanent water-space that local people can celebrate and enjoy.
Renishaw 2010
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Renishaw 2020
Cromford Canal Volunteer efforts pay off Everyone involved with volunteering for maintenance of the waterways should be aware of a useful side benefit. John Guyler reports that one of the preparatory tasks necessary before the Beggarlee work could actually start at Langley Mill was a number of sample bore holes to check for ground structure and possible contamination. This could have cost several thousand pounds to be paid to CRT. However a check through the records since January 2015 showed that FCC volunteers had done several thousand hours of work on CRT areas, and shifted over 250 bags of litter and several tons of various rubbish. This information was given to the CRT Strategic Programmes Delivery Manager. After a period, FCC were advised that there would be no charge. Beggarlee Progress John Boucher reports that nothing much has happened on the ground yet, but good progress is being made with the paper. These necessary reports include archaeology, landscape and ecology maintenance, water vole protection, and soils survey. Licences are needed from the Derbyshire CC and the Environment Agency, as well as a footpath diversion order. Land owners on the Broxtowe side also have to be approached. All this needs volunteers to process the various applications, and at the moment FCC are short-handed in ecology and habitat, forestry, landscaping, archaeology and geotechnical areas. To support all this activity more help on the publicity and fund-raising areas would be really valuable. Anyone wiling to help could drop a mail to judyvberry@gmail.com.
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; Michelle Hill, Eddie Case, Archie Roberts, Dave Carnell; David Collin; Mike Snaith; Rod Auton; Mel and Sue Sowerby; David Pullen; Jane Pollard; Mick Clowes; Malcolm Fielding, and as noted for specific articles.
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Other Canal Societies and Trusts
Old Union Canals Society
Trent and Mersey.
normally hold their monthly meetings in Great Bowden village hall (LE16 7EU) on the last Friday of the month at 7.30pm. For current information call Mary Matts on 0116 2792188.
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 planned programme will hopefully continue in the 21/22 winter season. They also note that the Society web site has been redesigned - don’t worry if it looks different.
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