Aegre November 2021

November 2021

The Riverhead, Louth. See page 9

From the East Midlands Region of the Aegre 161 - November 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

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; Rob Hall of Riverhead Theatre.

Others; see page 24.

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 161 - November 2021

Derby’s new boat in home waters - see page 20

Aegre

No. 161 November 2021

Contents Canal Societies and Trusts in the EM Region The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam From the Region Chair News from Leicestershire Our Front Cover Shardlow a Heritage Port?

Cranfleet Cut Moorings Boston to Peterborough (B2P) Wetland Corridor.

Lincolnshire Jottings Journals Received Access to Sleaford Navigation Slea Events News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Louth Navigation Trust Festival Derby and Sandiacre Canal Chesterfield Canal Trust Trent and Mersey Canal Grantham Canal Society Cromford Canal Old Union Canals Society Picture Credits Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 3

4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 22 23 24 24

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.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

Page 4 Aegre 161 - November 2021

The Editor’s Flotsam and Jetsam

Although for various reasons I have not been afloat much in the last few months, I have kept a close watch on the CRT notices of stoppages and other announcements. Several things emerge to the (more or less) unbiased eye.

The first is that there have been a lot of problems due to either vandalism, or possibly what I can only describe as unintentional vandalism - bumps and bangs or paddles dropped and bits falling off.

Could this be due to a rush of less experienced boaters making haste to get round their “ring”?

Although there are always complaints about locks, etc., out of action, I have great sympathy for CRT always trying to catch up with the far-flung problems.

And is this rush associated with the wide publicity being given by national newspapers to the joys of boating? I have just read an article in a major paper about the joys of living by water, and the premium to pay if you want to try it in a house (£1M+). Almost as an afterthought, it refers to living on a

boat as a cheaper option, “and you can move about if you want to”.

The article also refers to a book by Steve Haywood, “Tales from the Tillerman”, sub-titled “A life-long love affair with Britain’s Waterways”, as if to encourage people to take it up. The odd thing was that I had just read the book, and much of it is given over to either over-exciting moments such as negotiating the Ribble Link, or rather boring moments trapped in York or Naburn by floods for several months.

People must finally make their own decisions, but I really hope CRT and EA get enough designated funds to keep their various shows on the road.

Plenty of news in this issue about really active Trusts and Societies working towards their restoration plans - and some frustrations too.

Please support the various efforts being made, whether by buying a Christmas card, attending a meeting or even donating.

Peter

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 5

From the Region Chair There has been a flurry of IWA supported activity at Shardlow since the last edition of Aegre, but sadly IWA are not sufficiently supported in the area to ensure our future viability in Derbyshire.

Before Covid struck, our Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire (N&D) Branch held a series of social evenings at The Clock Warehouse, all with a very satisfactory turn out, but it was all organized by just one member acting as Branch Chairman. Despite all the potential future Shardlow based activities, and the excellent Clock Warehouse venue, it is now doubtful that IWA will continue to function there.

If any N&D member has any suggestions for the future of this branch, (which incidentally has nearly 400 members!), please contact me without delay.

En-route to the Shardlow festival aboard Rhoda Ellen (RE), the oil pump, deep inside the engine, failed, leaving us stranded at Kegworth. Fortunately the crew on Omega, a much smaller narrowboat (but one with a big heart!), breasted up to us and delivered us to Redhill Marina.

Whilst we fixed the engine we took the opportunity to have RE

slipped and pressure washed, new anodes fitted and the hull blacked.

Redhill Marina has developed hugely since 2009 when we last spent any time there for the National Waterways Festival.

I counted at least four additional boat building/boat servicing companies in addition to routine Marina services. The rise in popularity of wide-beam boats has given the marina a whole lot of new opportunities, in particular as a site for boat surveys. We were therefore rather flattered when RE was lifted out on the fabulous 70 tonne capacity “Travel Lift”.

Picture right.

Rhoda Ellen looked a mere toy as she was plucked from the water and placed, ever so gently, on sleepers for the hull work to commence!

In the five weeks we were at Redhill I estimate that around four wide-beam boats per week were lifted and returned to the water, so all-in-all a superb facility for East Midlands boaters, and well done to Redhill Marina for investing in such a useful piece of kit.

Without further drama, RE is now safely back at her home mooring at Sileby!

Page 6 Aegre 161 - November 2021

We were lucky with our breakdown, but if it had happened out on the mighty River Trent things could have been “quite tricky” (an understatement to say the least!). I am, therefore, pleased to report that a recently recruited IWA member, who by chance is a retired master mariner, is actively pursuing options to improve navigational safety on the Trent, and particularly on the tidal sections.

An increasing number of boaters with little or no river or tidal experience are venturing “up north” to escape the crowded southern waterways and CRT are either oblivious and/or frightened to tackle the issue.

So watch this space! The Lincolnshire Branch AGM in February will be a forum for discussing improved safety and boater co-operation with other boaters and boat clubs.

That’s all for now. Let’s hope we have some colder weather this winter and hopefully the dreaded Azolla, Duckweed and Pennywort will have diminished before Spring 2022.

DP

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 7

News from Leicestershire Social Gatherings: Regrettably, Covid is still an issue, and we have not arranged any social events for what remains of 2021.

Memory Lane Wharf: Still a work in progress. As reported in the last issue, Planning Permission was granted with a list of pre-commencement conditions which CRT are working through and hope to have discharged soon. The legal agreements have also been fairly protracted, but CRT say that they are making good progress and anticipate that they will be signed off around the time that the precommencement conditions are worked through. No definite timescale on this unfortunately, but the hope was that they would be on site by October. This does not appear to have been achieved, so we must hope that the project gets on site before too much longer, as the boaters’ facilities and services are badly needed in Leicester.

Birstall Lock The Canal & River Trust have now completed the reconstruction of the lock landing below Birstall Lock, on the River Soar / Grand Union Leicester Line. The new hard edge has been designed to match the adjacent hard-edged visitor moorings, and comprises a

stonework vertical face and in-situ concrete walkway. Heritage aficionados may have issues with the stonework perched on top of steel piling, but at least CRT have gone some way to fitting in with the existing wharf design. It could have been just ‘ARMCO’ piling, and a new stone wall down to the river bed would have been considerably more complicated and expensive. Boaters, and in particular single-handers, however, need to be aware that there are as yet no mooring bollards or rings, and no ‘ARMCO’ piling-top horizontal band for mooring hooks. It is not, therefore, possible to secure a boat whilst setting the lock, so until the planned installation of bollards is carried out, lock users will need to tie up at the visitor moorings instead.

Hoping everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

AS

Page 8 Aegre 161 - November 2021

Our Front Cover Beside the Louth Canal Riverhead basin is a handy pub, called The Woolpack, named for the former export of wool from the town. Just across the pub garden is the old drill hall, which was turned into a theatre about 20 years ago, with much local effort and fund-raising. The theatre has a dedicated team of supporters, both audience and all kinds of front-of-house and back-stage crew. Amongst the stage crew are talented scene painters, who were prevented from painting scenes on flats for the stage during the interminable lock-down of the last couple of years. So attention turned to the rather uninteresting blank brick wall at the back of the theatre.

This forms the boundary to part of the back of the stage used by actors for going from side to side during performances.

Local research in the library and museum found many useful details of the Riverhead canal trade during the prosperous period before the railways gradually took over from the canal, and a creative imagination turned the dull back wall into a dramatic scene of a busy Riverhead, albeit not exactly as it is now or was then. Even the mortar rows in the wall serve as ripples on the water.

Many thanks are due to Rob Hall, of the Riverhead Theatre, for the work, and for permission to reproduce it here.

PH

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 9

Shardlow a Heritage Port?

Inland Heritage Port Bid In September Shardlow held a festival, advertised in our July issue, to draw attention to the many features of the village contributing to a unique position on the canal and river system. This was a great success, with stalls, boat trips, and of course teas and refreshments with a real ale supply. A special feature was the launching of the new electric boat for the Derby and Sandiacre Trust (see page 20 ) and the presence of working boats, able to run their engines (photo below by Steven Bates).

Shardlow is one of the finest examples of an inland port from the heyday of the canal era. There are over 80 listed warehouses and merchants’ houses and several of the pubs are also listed.

A group of local enthusiasts and national heritage specialists including the Marine Heritage Trust, Historic Ships, Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, CRT, South Derbyshire District Council and IWA are beginning the process of framing a bid for such a status.

Open meetings were held in the village hall on October 31st and November 1st to allow all points of view to be discussed, and hopefully the results will be reported on the Facebook page below. https://www.facebook.com/groups/144705997759926/ The most recent IWA “Waterways”, (Winter 2021 edition), reports that in June Chester was designated as a “Heritage Port”, and is the first inland port to be so designated. If you follow the link above you will be able to support the Shardlow bid and hopefully contribute to the effort for a successful outcome.

Page 10 Aegre 161 - November 2021

Cranfleet Cut Moorings A good turn out on October 25th. Six of us from this Group met four CRT staff on site.

We certainly gave CRT a bit of good natured flak. However we did say we understood CRT were doing their best with limited resources.

CRT have now agreed to: 1. Discuss the situation with CRT management with a view to making some progress with mooring ring installation in Spring 2022 with volunteer help from us.

2. Find out if the missing and loose towpath coping stones are scheduled to be replaced. The CRT Heritage Officer does not like concrete bags or shuttered up concrete. Personally I think this is still the best way if done neatly.

So some movement at last, but don't hold your breath.

Please share this with any boat clubs you belong to so anyone interested in volunteering is aware.

As soon as I hear back from CRT I will give an update.

Robert Aspey

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 11

Boston to Peterborough (B2P) Wetland Corridor.

Page 12 Aegre 161 - November 2021

The B2P partnership is finalizing a summary leaflet based on the output from the updated business case study, which showed huge cost benefits for the completed link. B2P partners will use this to assist lobbying of local councils and funding agencies to try to ensure that open water transfer channels feeding the proposed South Lincolnshire Reservoir (SLR) are utilized to make at least part of the navigable waterway connection from the Black Sluice Navigation onto the rivers Glen and Welland. More details are available at https://waterways.org.uk/waterways/discoverthe-waterways/boston-to-peterborough-wetlandcorridor The Partnership is also working towards appointing a part-time project officer to drive the whole B2P project forward.

SLR will be part of the Anglian Water long-term water resources strategy. In July a “Gate 1” proposal was submitted to OFWAT including three concept design options,, two of which included open water channel transfer for water to feed a reservoir. The next stage is “Gate 2”, which will be the preferred reservoir design. It is highly likely the preferred option will be a massive new reservoir adjacent to the Black Sluice Navigation in South Lincolnshire, possibly close to Guthram Gowt. This would be ideal for a short connection into the River Welland.

A possible route onwards across the fens to link the River Welland to the River Nene has also been included in the recent “Future Fens” proposals.

DP

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 13

Lincolnshire Jottings Louth Navigation Trust (LNT) held a successful “Heritage, Music and Water Festival” in September which was blessed by warm sunny weather and well supported by members of the public. To allow paddle boarding, canoeing and model boat displays at The Riverhead, the water levels were raised by the insertion of the new stop logs. See the details on page 18 .

After much protest, and following some unfortunate wildlife losses, the Environment Agency (EA) eventually opened the Boston Grand flood sluices and flushed the weed downstream into the tidal section of the Haven. Unfortunately at Bardney Lock the

LNT have also had a very successful joint meeting with the Louth Wild-Life Watch group and there will be another joint session in due course.

On the River Ancholme, the River Witham, River Slea and the Fossdyke, canal craft have been restricted by the abnormally thick aquatic Azolla Spp. and Duckweed growth. They can form mats up to 30cm thick and prevent insects and amphibians from reaching the surface. The problem has been more severe in 2021 than in any recent year. Boston was choked for a number of weeks with a combination of both weeds.

weed cannot be flushed out as there are no sluices, so the weed will remain there until it is removed by CRT weed boat contractors, or until it rots away and sinks to the bed of the channel.

We are attempting to find out from EA and CRT why these invasive weeds have multiplied so dramatically in recent years.

At an Anglian Waterways Group meeting siltation was discussed.

Whilst this concerned navigation to the south of the region we once again raised the issue of the severe siltation at Brigg on the Ancholme Old River Loop, which is denying craft access to the centre of Brigg Town. DC.

Page 14 Aegre 161 - November 2021

Access to Sleaford Navigation The recent pandemic has led to an increase in people becoming interested in outdoor pursuits and water sports, particularly canoeing and paddle-boarding. In one area of Cambridge this has created a conflict over usage with members of an angling club seeking to prevent passage over water for which they have paid a considerable amount of money for fishing rights. In that case, the right of navigation is not clearly defined and the situation remains unresolved.

Recently the Trust became aware that a short section of the bed and bank of the river just beyond the by-pass in Sleaford had come up for sale. Some concern was expressed that a future purchaser might attempt to restrict access to the water or indeed to the footpath along the riverbank and it was questioned as to whether or not the

Trust should attempt to purchase the land. In practice there is no need to do so to ensure passage over the water. The right of navigation created by the Parliamentary Act of 1792 was never extinguished, even though the Company of the Proprietors of Sleaford Navigation was wound up following the reduction of traffic after the introduction of the railway. The legal situation is therefore very different from that in Cambridge. Similarly, the public footpath along the bank is clearly identified as such and cannot be closed off.

At present there is no further information on any progress of the sale but the Trust will not be a potential buyer. What is clear though is that they will continue to support the right to the unimpeded enjoyment of the river and bank by all users.

SH

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. Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 15

Slea Events

Friends remembered Steve and Chris Hayes, together with Pat Taylor, were privileged to be invited to the dedication by Waterways Chaplain Tina Clark of a beautifully carved wooden statue of a swan on the riverbank in South Kyme.

and their friendship with individuals goes back decades and provides many happy memories.

As the ceremony took place an otter made a rare appearance.

Additional carvings along the towpath, in the form of “symbolic mooring posts”, depict local wildlife and add to the enjoyment of a walk through the village.

TC & SH.

The swan was created by Mick Burns and funded by local residents in memory of John and Jean Morris, long-time residents of the village who did so much for the community and wildlife there.

Over the years they rescued and cared for many injured swans, so the memorial was particularly fitting. Both were always supportive of the Sleaford Navigation Trust Page 16 Aegre 161 - November 2021

News from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire A N&D branch social and the AGM was held on 6th October at The Clock Warehouse, Shardlow, followed by a presentation on the Stamford Canal by Ken Otter of the Stamford Canal Society.

At the AGM, chaired by myself as proxy chairman, Robert Aspey was elected to the committee. The total branch membership is 392 of which only 7 attended despite all members receiving hard copy invitations and reminders sent to over 200 members by email. With only one committee member the branch is not quorate and will be unable to function as a branch for the foreseeable future.

I will advise the IWA Trustee Board of the situation with a view to restructuring the branch to somehow provide local IWA activities for members. Please could any N&D members contact me as regional chairman before the end of December 2021 if you would be willing to join the committee, or if you have any further suggestions as to how the N&D Branch should function.

The following IWA “hands-on” volunteering opportunities were identified: Shardlow Heritage Port Bid (See page 10 ) Trent Visitor Moorings group (See page 11 ) Trent Navigation Safety Group (See page 6 ) Annual Shardlow Inland Port Festival (as above).

Waterway “clean-ups”, Lock Winds.

So there are plenty!

The excellent presentation by Ken Otter gave members and visitors an opportunity to ask questions, particularly regarding the waterway heritage of the Stamford and Ken’s claim that it is the oldest canal in UK! Ken’s excellent interactive website can be viewed at http://stamfordcanal.info/ A Stamford Canal article was also published in Aegre 158 of November 2020.

DP

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 17

Louth Navigation Trust Festival Plans for a water-based festival in September by the Trust were in great doubt because of the unpredictable nature of the water level in the basin - mostly low, but occasionally too high after heavy rain, in spite of recent flood prevention works upstream (reported on in our March 2016 issue).

After negotiations with the Environment Agency, it was finally agreed that the level could be raised by installing stop logs, or small barriers, at the site of the existing EA tilting gate. This has not worked for some years, otherwise it could have fulfilled the function easily. Literal wooden logs or planks could have been used, but the weight made these impossible to install without heavy plant, but research found

suitable lightweight aluminium from a firm in Doncaster.

Installation had to be well before the event, to allow for the water level to rise. The new stop logs had to be transported from the LNT base in the Navigation Warehouse and carefully lowered into place, then locked with additional wooden battens. Finally a warning notice and barrier were added to prevent any unintended slaloming down the weir.

The actual festival went well over two days with sunny weather and sufficient water. Canoes and paddle boards demonstrated their skills, and Cleethorpes Model Boat Club showed a range of vessels. Music and poetry readings enlivened both days.

LNT Chairman guards the stoplogs at the Navigation Warehouse.

Page 18 Aegre 161 - November 2021

Loading the van

First steps

Not this way!

The party at the Warehouse

Second steps

This is why not.

The party on the bank

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 19

Derby and Sandiacre Canal Chris Madge reports: at long last we have achieved the launch of the Outram Most of concern was that the sonar survey of the river bottom carried out by the council showed a number of underwater obstructions that “should be deep enough”, and a bar across the river just before the mooring jetty in Darley Abbey. We were able to use the small boat commissioned for the launch to carry out lastminute depth testing on the day.

Fortunately these showed the challenges were not as great as suggested and we were able to proceed with contingency plans at the ready. The testing at the Darley end showed that water depth was just about enough, even in the current low water state of the Derwent. The cruise down the river was nerve wracking, but without incident. We followed our set route carefully and avoided the underwater obstructions, enjoying a wonderfully quiet journey up the Derwent. We’re sure there’ll be many paying passengers when we start trips in the spring. (Picture page 3) Working Parties At Borrowash the canal line has been cleared, grass trimmed and hedges/brambles cut back. The team has also installed a set of steps along the side of Bottom Lock. In Draycott further work has been carried out to improve

the new canal stretch and to trim the remaining section of the Golden Mile. .

The Cottages We now have the first two cottages tiled and the sanitary ware in bathrooms are almost in place.

We are now installing the kitchens with volunteers, but working closely with the plumber. Again I’d like to ask for any volunteer painters available to do final snagging. We’ve also had good progress with the café; plastering is almost complete and the toilet block doors close to being fitted.

Plans for the next month are to close out Nos 1&2, get the final landscaping in place (block paving) and start the final fit out of cottage 3. We are also looking to move a pile of 2,000 cleaned bricks from the site that we can’t use — offers welcomed, otherwise they will be used on a future lock restoration.

Indoor Meetings At the Royal Oak, Ockbrook DE72 3SE from 7.30pm.

Wednesday 1st December – Stephen Flinders on Terror from the Skies Wednesday 12th January – David Savidge will be updating us on Working with the WRG.

Page 20 Aegre 161 - November 2021

CM

Chesterfield Canal Trust All children get a present on the Santa Special cruises in December; all adults get a seasonal drink and a mince pie or similar. Fares are £8 and booking is essential.

John Varley ll will be going from Tapton Lock in Chesterfield on Saturdays and Sundays, 4th/5th, 11th/12th and 18th/19th December plus Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd December. To book, please ring 01629 533020.

Work Party.

They are currently finishing off work at Staveley Town Basin with soil to allow re-seeding. Once they have completed the rescue steps, they will flood Hartington Harbour permanently. This will mean that Staveley Town Lock, which they built, will be open permanently.

Madeline will be going from Hollingwood Hub on Saturdays and Sundays, 4th/5th, 11th/12th and 18th/19th December. To book, please ring 07708 050171.

Hugh Henshall will be going from Shireoaks on Saturdays and Sundays, 4th/5th, 11th/12th and 18th/19th December plus Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd December. To book, please email hughhenshall@chesterfieldcanal-trust.org.uk or ring 0114 360 0460 and leave a message.

Seth Ellis will be running Santa cruises from the Chequers Inn at Ranby on Saturdays and Sundays, 4th/5th, 11th/12th and 18th/19th December plus Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th December. To book, please email sethellis@chesterfield-canaltrust.org.uk or ring 07925 851569.

Their next job will be to finish the brick cladding on the tail bridge below the lock. After that, they will clear away the compound.

Planning George Rogers is deeply involved in progressing the manifold permissions, business cases, and risk assessments for the future work.

Although indirectly, this work has been affected by delays carried over from the Covid lock-downs, but is too complex to report here.

See the latest issue of “Cuckoo” for details.

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 21

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 will hopefully continue as below: November 19th 2021 More Spot the Locks by Peter Scott. Another miscellany of oddities from 50 years on the waterways.

December 3rd 2021 Christmas Meal If you would like to join our Christmas meal, make sure Margaret English has your name and email address. She will get in touch the moment she has the menu!

January 21st 2022 The changing scene and history of the Shropshire Union Canal by Ian Wilson February 18th 2021 Warrington Transporter Bridge by Margaret Ingham, chairman of The Friends of Warrington Transporter Bridge.

March 18th 2022 Ampère in Ireland by Malcolm Bridge. An illustrated talk on the Irish waterways.

Grantham Canal Society Mike Stone reports that a major event was held on 18th September when all were invited to see the quality of work achieved when volunteers rebuilt Lock 14. This was the culmination of a Project that was first started as an outline plan in 2009 by the Grantham Canal Partnership assisted by South Kesteven District Council. Finance was to be provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and British Waterways – later the Canal and River Trust – together with the Grantham Canal Society.

The contribution of the equivalent of 9,085 days of time has delivered results of the highest quality.

The majority of visitors to the canal walk cycle or occasionally ride along the towpath, many starting their journey near West Bridgford.

We know that lengths of the canal are not looking their best so this winter GCS volunteers will be enhancing several lengths of the canal parPage 22 Aegre 161 - November 2021

ticularly in Rushcliffe. Those of you who walk regularly will have already seen the benefits of work achieved recently in the Cotgrave Country Park. Other works are planned in the Hickling, Kinoulton and Cropwell Bishop areas where we will be supported by groups including the GCWRG. GCS teams will be concentrating on ecological and environmental work to maximise the benefit to the environment along the whole length of the waterway. We already enjoy active support on the canal in Lady Bay but if you want to get involved in your area please contact the GCS. Email volunteer@granthamcanal.org.

Cromford Canal Work at Aqueduct Cottage has now progressed to the stage when the exterior is virtually finished. Interior work remains to be completed.

The plan to purchase additional land alongside the canal at Beggarlee has had to be put on hold for the moment, as a suitable price could not be agreed.

Brown’s Bridge at High Peak is now under repair with a new slewing ring bearing to replace the old rusted item which had been there for about 200 years.

Two new seats have been installed at Lower Hartshay.

For trips on Birdswood, the boat is operable, but without a horse. Bookings are via a new website www.birdswood.org. Christmas trips are not yet clear.

Meetings resume at the Ironville Church Hall, NG16 9NN at 7.30 on 22 November with a talk by Gary Slator on Agincourt and the Hundred Years War. All are welcome and there is a tea/coffee break and raffle and hopefully a bar. Admission is £2.50.

Aegre 161 - November 2021 Page 23

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. They are definitely planned for November 26th and January 28th, but for current information call Mary Matts on 0116 2792188.

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.

Page 24 Aegre 161 - November 2021