ANGLIAN CUTTINGS
Ipswich Branch Newsletter Winter 2014 No. 127 The IWA may not agree with the opinions expressed in this publication. They are, however, published as a matter of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed can be construed as policy or an official announcement unless stated. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this publication.
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IWA IPSWICH BRANCH YOUR COMMITTEE Chairman Chard Wadley chairman.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Secretary & Anglia Cuttings Editor Charles Stride secretary.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk editor.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Treasurer Spencer Greystrong treasurer.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Membership Clive Saville membership.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Publicity Brian Holt pro.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Social Secretary Diana Holt socialsec.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk River Gipping Trust Lewis Tyler RGTRep.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk
Pickerel Project/River Stour Trust Brian Cornell
pickerelrep.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Officer Gerry Crease officer01.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk
*************************** IWA Ipswich - http://www.waterways.org.uk/ipswich
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EDITOR’S PONDERINGS
C H STRIDE
A Very Happy and Healthy New Year to you All So please note the date, Saturday 4th October, in your diary and contact Chard for a booking.
Once again thank you to all the contributors to this edition of Anglian Cuttings, in particular to Brian Holt who has been very prolific with three items.
Well Folks now we must consider the next 40 years, or at least some of them. The present Committee Members have been advising over the last year that many of them, having put in many years on the Committee, probably totalling all together well in excess of a hundred years, wish to hand over the reigns to new blood. We have been looking for new volunteers for quite a while and in particular over the last year, but regretfully no one has come forward at all.
This year is a fairly momentous one for the Branch as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, and we are marking the occasion with two events. The first is the three day weekend outing taking place in September, and at the time of writing there are only four places left, so if you want join us please contact Spencer quickly.
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The second event is our Anniversary Luncheon, so no March event this year, as this will take place in October. We are pleased to advise that our IWA National Chairman, Les Etheridge will be in attendance, and we understand that his boating activities started in Norfolk, and we hope to have representatives from other local Waterway Associations. As our Chairman advises Steve Hayward has agreed to return and I am sure will keep us entertained with some lively and, no doubt, some controversial viewpoints.
The AGM is coming up in February. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE IS FRIDAY 14TH, not the 7th as advertised in the last edition. Please consider coming forward so that the Branch does have a future in supporting all the various Waterways in our region and to continue providing benefits for our local members. We look forward to seeing you. Charles Stride
On the Stour 3
CHAIRMAN’S JOTTINGS When you read this we will be into a new year so I hope you all had a very good Christmas and you are now ready for 2014. Our branch meetings in October, November and December where very successful and everyone seemed to enjoy the talks. In October, Peter Minter from Bulmer Brick and Tile Company, gave a very informative talk about his brick company explaining not just how to make them but the history of the company and the buildings they had renovated, which all who attended found very interesting.
I and other committee members will be retiring in February 2015, so if you feel able to take on any of the positions which will becoming vacant please do not hesitate to contact us. In November, sadly, we said goodbye to Don Brazinski as he has returned to his roots in the USA to be nearer his Son. We had a farewell work party lunch in Woodbridge where everyone wished him well for the future; this was a surprise for Don as he did not know this was being arranged for him. I personally wish him well and I will miss him very much as he was a good friend and colleague. Chard Wadley
Through the summer work has continued on the River Gipping at Pipps Ford where we have now two groups working, one group working on building the new foot bridge and the rest of us working at the lock itself. (See further reports within the magazine). In the last magazine I reported on the Branch’s 40th anniversary lunch which is being held at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket on Saturday, 4th October 2014. We plan to invite various representatives from the IWA and other waterways within the region. We also have a guest speaker, Steve Hayward, who you may remember from previous branch meetings, who gave us talks on his various books, such as ‘Fruit Flies like a Banana’. Just to remind you all that the AGM will be taking place in February and it is not too late to put your name forward to join the committee. You may remember that 4
um Society. Spencer has added an additional presentation – Rebuilding History, approximately 20 minitues, dealing mainly with the building and replacing of the sluice gates at Baylham – this has yet to receive its first airing.
Uneventful progress since the report of the Autumn Edition of Anglian Cuttings. We have been noted that Riverside Farm with Creeting Lock is on the market, and our dialogue with Suffolk County Council on the condition and up -keep of the towpath is continuing. An item in the Ipswich Society Newsletter concerning the future of the River Action Group was received with interest and we have been in touch with them.
So we now have 3 @ 20 minutes, 1 @ 45 minutes and 1 @ 70 minutes. As usual, we would welcome any invitations to further promote the aims and aspirations of the Trust Lewis Tyler RESTORATION UPDATE PAGE 8
The Presentation Talks are continuing with already some ten bookings for the year ahead – to a variety of local organisations, including the Ipswich Gerani-
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL We gladly welcome all our new members From Norfolk: Mr. F Muir, Mr. R Bywater & Mr. N Ballard, Mr. A Barber, Mr. & Mrs. B & A Hawes, Ms. B Schubert, Mr. S O’Brien, Mr. D Hall, Dr. G Maka, Mr. & Mrs. J & E Wainright. From Suffolk: Mr. J Read & Familty Mr. H C Nutt, Mr. T M Smith, Mr. M G Phipps. From Essex: Mr. D M Kury & Family, Miss A Kitchener, Miss K Stevens, Mrs. S Winter & Family 5
IPSWICH BRANCH It is forty years since Ipswich Branch was founded and this next year we will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary with two events to mark the occasion, details elsewhere in this edition of Anglian Cuttings. During this time the Branch has been very successful in looking after and representing the IWA’s interests in the area. In particular it has, through its many volunteer members past and present, done much practical work in the maintenance and restoration of the River Gipping, Stowmarket Navigation, as well as supporting other waterways in North Essex, Suffolk and more recently Norfolk. In order for the Gipping restoration work to continue and, in particular to allow a wider access to funds and donations, it was necessary to set up a separate Trust to further this work, The River Gipping Trust is now well established and is actively taking the restoration work forward. There is still a major role for the Branch in supporting the River Gipping Trust, and other River Trusts in the area, many of which are regularly reported on in Anglian Cuttings, representing the IWA, protecting Waterway interests, and providing contact and social events with our large and widespread membership. To this end our winter social meetings continue to have a good turnout with a range of interesting speakers, and our almost annual outings are nearly always fully subscribed. To run the Branch and these activities it does need input from a number of willing Committee Members. Most of your present Committee have been in place for an extended number of years, our Chairman is one of the longest serving in the IWA with over 20 years in that position. Recent appeals at our AGM’s for new members have not brought forward any volunteers, and the recent letter sent out to all Branch Members did not bring any positive response. The present Committee meets about 6 times a year, usually over lunch, and there is of course some background work and arrangements to make for any events. The present Committee is dedicated to marking the 40th Anniversary , but after that many of them wish to pass on the baton to fresh minds and input. It is essential therefore that new volunteer Committee Members come forward over the next 12 months, or else it is probable that the Branch will have to close and all the local activities will have to cease. PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE CONTINUATION OF YOUR BRANCH 6
Did You Know where these were?
THE CHESAPEAKE & OHIO CANAL USA Locks 2, 3 &4 in Washington, visited by your Chairman & Editor during our recent trip. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, abbreviated as the C&O Canal, and occasionally referred to as the "Grand Old Ditch," operated from 1831 until 1924 parallel to the Potomac River in Maryland from Cumberland, Maryland, to Washington, D.C. The total length of the canal is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km). The elevation change of 605 ft (184 m) was accommodated with 74 canal locks. To enable the canal to cross relatively small streams, over 150 culverts were built. The crossing of major streams required the construction of 11 aqueducts. The canal also extends through the 3,118 ft (950 m) Paw Paw Tunnel. The principal cargo in the latter years was coal from the Allegheny Mountains. The canal way is now maintained as a park, with a linear trail following the old towpath, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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RESTORATION REPORT members of the work party meeting at their have been able to make significant progress undercover, while the Pipps Ford bunch have had to deal with the weather and the after–effects of the St Jude’s storm.
Pipps Ford Bridge Underway! We are now well under way with the construction of the new bridge for the bywash at Pipps Ford. The Spring and Summer weather this year was kind to us, with relatively low groundwater levels , which meant that we were able to make great progress in excavating the old decayed abutments and re-building the new abutment walls in the old river channel.
Luckily, the St Jude’s day storm came and went without causing any structural damage to any of our active sites, though we had to clear fallen trees from the lock site at Baylham, and we are aware of a number of other sites where trees have been weakened and are leaning over the river. A number of trees came down around the Pipps Ford site and a significant amount of clearing up is going on at the moment. Sadly for us one of our regular members, Don Brazinsky attended his last work party in November, and has now returned to his native America, where we hear he is settling back into life in the USA after 41 years in the UK. I would like to thank Don for all of his support over the years, and wish him all the best for his new life across the pond.
The walls themselves were substantially complete by October, and the Autumn has been spent backfilling with earth and rubble. This should now provide a good length of time to allow the backfill to settle before we install the bridge in the spring next year.
The work parties will continue through the winter, with the Wednesday work parties split between the farm and Pipps Ford. For the time being, our first Saturday of the month work parties will take place at White House Farm.
The timber for the bridge was supplied by the same farm as we used for the Baylham Sluice gates, and they have again provided us with workspace, storage and use of power. The timber was milled at the end of October at White House Farm and the 8
Martin Bird
Don Brazinski - Flying below the Radar! In November 2013 Don Brazinski, one of our most valuable and long serving members of the Ipswich IWA, said his sad goodbyes and, after 41 years in England, returned to America. He had started his career with the US Navy - until 1955 and then, after a short period in civvy street, joined the US Air Force, from where he retired with the rank of Master Sergeant, and finally settled down in England in 1971. Don was a larger than life was in at the birth of our restoStowmarket Navigation, a time speaking of in the way of plant, had a way of making things
member of our work party. He ration work on the Ipswich & when we had very little worth equipment or money. But Don happen.
Does anyone remember the American TV programme, several years ago, called “M.A.S.H” about a field hospital in Vietnam? They had a character, known as "RADAR", who had an uncanny ability of acquiring desperately needed items as if from nowhere – Don was our very own “RADAR”. When we started work on Bosmere lock we needed sandbags. The next thing we knew 40 pallets of sandbags turned up on an articulated lorry. These were very quickly followed by such items as Stop Planks and a whole range of tools – the list was endless. We only had to mention we needed something and it appeared as if by magic. Perhaps I should mention that during this time Don worked for the US Air Force at RAF Bentwaters as Warehouse Supervisor, Store Manager and Commissary Officer and was obviously in a very advantageous position to assist the US Air Force in disposing of unwanted items when RAF Bentwaters was deactivated in 1993, at which point Don finally retired. I know that none of us are indispensable but Don comes close to that. He will be greatly missed by all his IWA friends and his going will leave a big – big hole in our Working Party. We wish him well and hope that, with the aid of modern technology, we have not heard the last of Don. John Finch
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River Stour Trust Restoring and conserving the River Stour Navigation
Would you like to skipper an electric launch on Constable’s beautiful River Stour? The River Stour Trust is looking for volunteers to join its team of skippers and crew operating its fleet of electric launches on the River Stour in Suffolk, made famous in John Constable’s paintings. The launches carry visitors to the river on trips from Flatford and Sudbury on weekends from April to October. The 21ft launches are simplicity itself to drive, with smooth, quiet electric motors, and maximum speeds of 4mph. Anyone who can handle a narrowboat or motorboat will be able to drive one, but full training and familiarisation with the river will be provided. The river is peaceful, with just swans and occasional rowing boats to negotiate, and you will find yourself drifting back 200 years to the days when it was a busy commercial waterway, with 50ft lighters towed in pairs by horses through 13 locks from the sea to Sudbury. Or you can join the elite team operating our restored River Stour Lighter. 50ft long, with two powerful electric drives, it is a test of skill to manoeuvre this 160-year-old craft through locks, with only inches to spare. The boats operate every weekend, and occasional weekdays, but you can volunteer for as many or few days as you wish. For more information contact: administrator@riverstourtrust.org
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CANOE TRAILS For some time now the Broads Authority have been working hard to improve access to the Broads via the Integrated Access Strategy (IAS) which links people with the land and waterways. It is hoped that other trails will be ready for next years outdoor festival, one of which will be the Upper Thurne
Last year they employed a person full time to work on the IAS specifically to produce Canoe Trails. These trails were developed following discussion with the Canoe Hire Companies, other Canoe centres in the UK and Canoe England. So far there have been four trails published but there are no plans to produce any trails for below Acle, so as to avoid areas of high tidal fluctuation. Thus ensuring that the trails are safe for families and people of all levels of expertise providing they take suitable safety precautions.
In addition to the above, permission has also been obtained from land owners and the Environment Agency to build a Canoe Launching platform on the River Waveney downstream of Ellingham Mill. This will be built and paid for by The Broads Authority but will then be maintained by The River Waveney Trust: http://groupspaces.com/ riverwaveneytrust
The present trails cover Bungay, Geldeston on the southern rivers and Salhouse, Sutton Staithe/Wayford Bridge on the northern rivers. Each trail has its own map and user information. They can all be downloaded for printing or used on a mobile device from the Broads Authority web site at. http://www.enjoythebroads.com/ boating/canoeing
Brian Holt
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THE DENVER SLUICE You may recall in my first article about The Denver Sluice Complex back in spring 2013 edition of Anglian Cuttings I said that Denver effects water levels as far away as Essex. In the 1960s the Government was concerned about drinking water shortages in Essex and a plan was conceived to transfer fresh water that would have just flowed out to sea at Kings Lynn down to Essex. To achieve this they built a tunnel from the Cut off channel at Blackdyke to a pumping station at Kennet and then a pipeline to Kirtling Green with an outflow into the River Stour. As the Cut Off channel that runs from Denver to Barton Mills was dug virtually level, by constructing the Impoundment Sluice at the Denver end of the channel the water level could be raised and so flow south. Closing the impounding Sluice
diameter tunnel to Kennet Pump station all by gravity. At the Kennet Pumping Station the water is pumped for 14.3 Km via a 1,830mm pipe to Kirtling Green where it discharges directly into the River Stour and so on to Essex and Suffolk Water’s reservoirs. The operator at Denver is responsible for not only maintaining the correct river levels on the Ely Ouse and its tributaries but also for ensuring that sufficient water is sent to the Kennet pumping station. To do this he has a large SCADA telemetry system to inform him of water levels throughout the system as well as Essex and Suffolk Water’s requirements. To control the levels of the Ely Ouse he has the three sluice gates in the Head Sluice each independently controlled. These allow excess water in the Ely Ouse to flow into the relief Channel at a maximum rate of 1,500 million litres per second. Although the sluice mechanisms are electrified all adjustments have to be carried out locally at the individual gates. In addition to this water can be flushed out through the Little Eyes of Denver Sluice when tide levels permit.
at Denver and feeding waters into the Cut Off Channel, via the diversion sluice, from the Ely Ouse, achieved this. The water would then flow south for 25 Km along the Cut Off Channel to Blackdyke, where it enters a 20Km long 2,540mm, 12
For maintaining the correct level he can raise the Impounding Sluice
There is a legal requirement to maintain a minimum flow down the Relief Channel when the Impounding Sluice and the Head Sluice are both closed, the Residual Flow Sluice, commonly know as the Hands Off Sluice achieves this. This is a metered sluice between the Ely Ouse and the Relief Channel. At the top end of the sluice is a manual gate that is used to close the whole thing down. This is followed by an automatic float operated sluice, which maintains a constant level within the sluice chamber. At the tail of the sluice are a set of calibrated divisions, each with its own gate that can be opened or closed to give a measured flow rate down the Relief Channel.
and allow the floodwater in the Cut Off Channel to flow straight into the relief Channel or when water is required by Essex and Suffolk Water close the Impounding Sluice and flow water into the channel with the Diversion Sluice, this is a fall back sluice and is hinged at the bottom and raised or lowered like a drawbridge on cables.
Brian Holt ********************************************************************** October and November have been hectic to say the least! From Griff Rhys Jones paddling along to open the Study Centre to the buzz of chainsaws and the quiet nurturing of a sapling in its new home for the next 50 plus years, we've done it all recently. If any of you have never been along to one of our working parties, been to the River Waveney Study Centre or are just wondering what we get up to as volunteers, the pictures tell the story. Have a browse through the galleries on our web site under the Photos tab and you'll get the idea. www.riverwaverneytrust.org This may inspire you to join in any of our activities that appeal to you. Watch the website and your inbox for details of events as they are planned. It is always a special and positive feeling to meet in person. So many of us have developed new friendships as members of the Trust, it seems we are becoming the Waveney's own dating agency! Enjoy!
Geoff Doggett 13
A Cigar in Belgium Journeys of a Narrowboat Part 1 By Anne Husar Published by Troubador www.troubador.co.uk ISBN 978-1-78306-114-3 In paperback and Kindle available from Amazon This is the first in a series of books by Anne about their life on their Narrowboat Wandering Snail, referred to in the book as “Snail� in mainland Europe. It is not a book for the anorak, full of facts and figures, but of everyday life on the commercial waterways of Belgium. You may already be familiar with the tales of Wandering Snail as an abridged version of chapter six was published in Canal Boat magazine. Anne and her partner Oliver, affectionately known as Oli started their boating life like many of us hiring for the odd week here and there over many years, until they made the decision to have a boat of their own. They bought a 70-foot sail-a-way shell and had it transported to their back garden in North Norfolk where Oli set to and fitted it out. Once completed they launched Snail on the Fens and cruised the UK waters for a time, fixing any snags that popped up. In 2008 they decided to say goodbye to England and take Wandering Snail to waters new on the other side of the North Sea. It is here, with chapter one, that the book starts in earnest, with Snail on the back of a lorry crossing to Terneuzen where she went back into the water. Over the next 12 months Anne, Oli and their dog Woody travelled extensively through Belgium meeting lots of very friendly people who really made them feel welcome. They also met the odd character that they would be more than happy to never see again. People took them in to their homes and went out of their way to help them. Everywhere they went, Snail was the centre of attention. They shared locks with the large commercial craft that still ply their trade on the wide deep waterways and when they were stuck in mud a 1500 tonne vessel came to their rescue, by nosing forward to them and passing a line to pull them free. They had been stuck for six hours by this time, with the Fire Brigade and large crowd in attendance. Overall this is a very readable book by anyone interested in Narrowboating or the continental inland waterways. As for the title of the book, well you will have to read it to find out. Reviewed by Brian Holt 14
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DATES for your DIARY
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BRANCH MEETINGS & EVENTS 2013/2014 Branch Meetings held at the Community Centre, School St., Needham Market At 7.30, unless otherwise stated. FRIDAY 10TH JANUARY 2014 Members Evening—Fish & Chips FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY AGM New Committee Members Required FRIDAY 5TH SEPTMBER 2014—SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2014 Branch 40th Anniversary Outing Contact Spencer Greystrong for Bookings SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2014 Branch 40th Anniversary Luncheon—Cedars Hotel Stowmarket Guest Speaker STEVE HAYWARD Contact Chard Wadley for Bookings FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2014 Presentation by Geoff Doggett—Chairman River Waveney Trust FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER Members Evening—Fish & Chips FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2015 AGM NEW COMMITTEE REQUIRED
WORKING PARTY DATES Working Parties are held by the River Gipping Trust from 0900 to 1700 every Wednesday and on the first Saturday of each month, unless that Saturday is a Bank Holiday in which case it will then be held on the second Saturday of that month. For further information and to confirm dates contact Martin Bird Tel: 01394 380765 Email: restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk 15
40TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the AGM of the Ipswich Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held at the Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market at 8pm on Friday 14th February, 2014 AGENDA 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)
Apologies for absence Approval of the 2013 AGM Minutes Matters arising from those minutes Chairman’s report Treasurer’s report and presentation of accounts Adoption of the accounts Election of Committee members
USEFUL WEBSITES IWA Head Office - http://www.waterways.org.uk Waterway Recovery Group - http://www.wrg.org.uk River Gipping Trust - http://rivergippingtrust.org.uk River Stour Trust - http://www.riverstourtrust.org East Anglian Waterways Association –http://www.eawa.co.uk Aylsham Navigation - http://aylsham-navigation.norfolkparishes.gov.uk River Waveney Association -http://groupspaces.com/RiverWaveneyTrust/pages/our-aims IWA Peterborough Branch - http://www.iwapeterborough.org.uk The Broads Society - http://www.broads-society.org.uk The Australian Canal Society - http://www.auscanal.org.au/ The Canal & River Trust - http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/ DEFRA Dept. for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - http://www.defra.gov.uk
The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. Registered Office; Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire. HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk Registered in England No. 612245. Registered as a Charity No. 212342
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