ANGLIAN CUTTINGS
RIVER BURE at BRAMPTON COMMON Photographed by Stu Wilson
Ipswich Branch Newsletter Winter 2012 No. 121 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 River Stour Trust Sue Brown
RSTRep.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk Pickerel Project 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 Happy and Healthy New Year to all Once again a big thank you to all the contributors without whom Anglian Cuttings would be much thinner. This edition includes updates on the activities of the River Gipping Trust, The River Stour Trust, The North Walsham & Dilham Canal, and introduces the new Bure Navigation Conservation Trust covering the Aylsham Navigation. Further and fuller details on all of them can be found on their websites, all listed on page 16.
Ireland (interesting that the Republic of Ireland has a ‘Royal’ canal!), and noting the subject of our February speaker, Francis Hart, I thought the centre spread of photos taken on our trip in October last year would be appropriate. However, the picture below could well mark the end of an era. Since our return we have heard that Venice could be banning the big liners due to damage they cause to their canals. Future visitors by water could have to take buses to visit the city from another nearby port. Charles
We also feature waterways further afield with the first part of Ivan Cane’s voyage with his trail boat on the Royal Canal in MS QUEEN ELIZABETH ENTERING VENICE AT DAWN
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE We gladly welcome all our new members From Norfolk: Mrs D Crosby & Mr C Weigand Mr T J Harber; Mr J Venier; M J Burrows; Mr G R Jeffrey. From Suffolk: Mr G C Davies. From Essex: Mr & Mrs P & M Lane; Mr & Mrs S & P Mucklow; Miss K Simmons; Mr M F Telford; 34th Colchester Scout Group. May the New Year bring us all much Happiness. Clive Saville 3
CHAIRMANS’ JOTTINGS When you read this report Christmas will be over and we will be halfway through our winter programme and so far we have had some interesting speakers and the meetings have been well attended. Our next meeting will be in January, which is our members evening, followed in February by the AGM , and then it will be the annual dinner in March. If you have not already booked for the dinner and wish to attend please contact me ASAP. For my sins I am also now wearing another hat. I was approached by the Parish Council in Rattlesden, due to my knowledge involving the River Gipping, asking me if I would take leadership of a group of volunteers to clear the River Rat through the village. After discussions with members of the Parish Council and a meeting with the Environment Agency it was agreed that a group of volunteers from the village would clear back the dead trees, brambles and overhanging branches. The river has a tendency to flood during the winter when we have snow or heavy
mornings; progress is good and we have received positive comments from the local residents. We have also been assisted by a local land owner who has leant us a tractor and trailer to take away all the debris and even the couple who run the local pub (The Brewers Arms) have supplied us with coffee and cakes and the occasional bacon butties. Work on the River Gipping continues and we are now working every Wednesday on the lock at Pipps Ford and the first Saturday of the month sees us at Baylham. So far this winter the weather has been kind to us and we have had some really sunny days for our work parties.
prolonged rain, so it is hoped this clearance will help. The EA are planning to de-silt the river through the village so our clearance will be of help to them. There are approximately 10 volunteers who meet most Saturday
I hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you all the best for the New Year. Chard 4
River Stour Trust Restoring and conserving the River Stour Navigation As usual it has been a busy year, with the regular events we organise on the river being well supported and much enjoyed. In particular the fun coracle event at Bures in August, and S2C over a weekend in September when we had our full quota of 300 canoes travelling from Sudbury to Cattawade with a night camping at Wissington. We held the annual Illuminated Boat Procession at the end of the summer, and Christmas Bazaar in December.
was decided to replace the entire deck, sides, canopy and frame, and our work party has removed all the seats and fittings ready to start rebuilding in the new year.
Another successful season for our 4 boats finished at the end of October. A good working relationship has developed between the new owners of Henny Swan and the Trust at the Sudbury end of the river. At the lower end our boat now operates as a waterbus between Dedham and Flatford on both Saturdays and Sundays from its new base at The Boathouse at Dedham, which has proved to be a mutually happy arrangement. All the boats are now out of the water for the winter, with major maintenance work already under way on our pontoon boat. Areas of rot in the deck were to be replaced but, once work was begun, it
The building of the Stour lighter continues in Brightlingsea with its expected completion next summer, and as soon as the EA’s consent is obtained, a new jetty extension is to be constructed at the Granary for its passenger operation. Much has to be done to ensure this large boat will be able to travel safely between Sudbury and Henny, including major crew training.
Additional supports and replacement of rotting timbers on the Granary balcony is also to be done next year.
Jeff Burroughs and Gordon Denney have joined the Stratford Lock Restoration team, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the project. Work parties at the lock have cleared the vegetation, and new proposals for completion of the channel are to be put to the EA, hopefully to allow work to resume next summer. Sue Brown 5
The Trust continues to work with its band of enthusiastic volunteers at Baylham and now Pipps Ford locks. This on-going commitment of the Trust’s original plan of restoration, reconstruction and maintenance of the River Gipping (Ipswich and Stowmarket Navigation) between Pickerel Bridge, Stowmarket and West End Bridge Ipswich continues to provide interest to the general public. Over the year many local clubs and organisations have enjoyed Power Point Presentations by members of the Trust. This is a two way affair, as the information revealed by local residents adds greatly to the history and knowledge of the area. Over the winter the weather dictates the progress of the restoration, but with the approval and help of the Onians Trust, the further restoration of Baylham lock should eventually see the positioning of new sluice. Our Annual General Meeting is planned for 25th May 2012 at Needham Market
Community Centre when we again hope to have an interesting speaker. Other dates for diaries include Sunday 9th. September 2012 when, following the enormous success last year, we plan to participate again in the Heritage Open Weekend, by opening the Baylham Lock site to the public. This time we hope to add refreshments to our list of attractions. We have been fortunate to recruit a new Trustee to our Committee in the person of Les Howard. Mitzi Tyler
RESTORATION
REPORT
The weather this Autumn has been kind to us so far, and we have been able to enter the winter period without having to cancel any of the work party meetings due to bad weather. With the help of some supplementary strength and skills from a couple of new members who joined us in early autumn, we completed the re-build of the Baylham Lock chamber in October. The result is pretty impressive, and a visiting planning officer even commented that “it looked as if we had never been there” which, I’m sure he meant as a compliment to the bricklaying skills!
There is still work to do at Baylham, and now the chamber itself is complete, we will be concentrating on the paved area below the bridge on our Saturday sessions. Our initial enquiries regarding replacing the sluice have been supported by both the Environment agency and the Mid Suffolk planners, and this will be a future major project,. 6
Our Wednesday sessions are now focussing on the repair of the accommodation bridge at Pipps Ford. This is a flat decked bridge built of steel beams on brick abutments. Over the years the structure had become overgrown with brambles, blackthorn and two ash trees, and the combined effect of the roots and subsidence had pushed out the spandrel walls supporting the earth ramps either side of the main bridge structure. We had been promising the landowner we would get to work on this for some time, and he has been remarkably patient and supportive of our efforts. We aim to repair the walls and re-bed three coping stones that have subsided on the upstream edge of the lock chamber Having spent a couple of sessions setting up a temporary camp in a somewhat
stylish hut, we cleared off the superficial vegetation and discovered the two ash tree stumps were a little larger than was obvious from the top growth, as over the years they had been effectively pollarded in an attempt to keep the tops under control. On a smaller scale , we found buried at the base of one of the walls what appears to be an original windlass, rather corroded and rusty , one of the very few historic items we have ever recovered ! At the time of writing we have pulled out the two stumps and started to remove the damaged areas of the spandrel walls. If the weather continues to support us, we will shortly commence re-building. Martin Bird 7
THE CANALS
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S OF VENICE
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North Walsham & Dilham Canal – Restoration Progress
2011 has been a year of great progress on the North Walsham & Dilham Canal. Maintenance work has continued at Honing Staithe Cut and canal walk, and at Honing Lock where sadly a lottery application for monies towards restoration did not succeed first time around.
machinery has seen huge progress on the Ebridge pound. The millpond has been cleared, the canal de-silted well north of the lock and all the trees removed, so that the banks can now be rebuilt. The lock collapsed bypass culvert is now cleared so that repairs may be planned. Much of this work has been able to take place as a result of positive negotiations with the canalside landowners.
At Briggate, the millpond was linked to the canal after many years of being a silted up area of scrub. With the help of two diggers and a dumper truck, weekday work parties and much hard work, much of the pond was de-silted, and with a local couple cutting the grass regularly, Briggate re-gained its millpond this year – complete with ducks. There is still much to be undertaken here – but at last we, and the locals, are able to see a positive asset to the hamlet. Meanwhile, on the Old Canal Company’s section from Ebridge to Swafield, the new owners use of heavy 10
Work has ceased for the winter at Bacton Wood Lock, however the bricklaying is almost complete. Laurie Ashton (The Old Canal Co. Ltd.) and his bricklayer John have achieved so much here. The lock was in a very bad state of repair and has required extensive maintenance brickwork (over 50,000 bricks) which has been truly an inspiration to all involved in the canal restoration project. Laurie intends to make a start on the manufacture of the top gates during the winter - We never cease to admire his 'can do' attitude to the restoration. Above the lock, in March this year, the
“breached” culvert was replaced by two large pipes, soil laid over the top allowing larger machinery access to the canal up to Royston Bridge, and the assist with the removal of trees from the spillway. The year was rounded off by two work parties at Royston Bridge, who cleared some 40 years of scrub and tree growth in the dry bed and banks from the Bridge up to the “diversion” breach. The section was then mown, and one can now see water in the distance from the bridge.
Our thanks to all the volunteers who have helped throughout the year, it has been particularly pleasing to welcome more younger members with all of the skills that they bring with them, allowing us oldies to rest on our shovels and watch in awe! Work continues in 2012 on alternate Sundays . Ivan Cane For more information please contact EAWA Work Party Organiser David Revill, 01603-73864 davgis@live.co.uk
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Bure Navigation Conservation Trust Next year, 2012, is the 100th anniversary of the Aylsham Navigation's closure, following the catastrophic flooding on August 26th 1912 which washed out all of the locks and most of the bridges. The Navigation, if in existence now, would have extended the Broads cruising area by 9.5 miles and through 5 locks on the Bure from Coltishall to Aylsham. The project so far has concentrated on researching the history in preparation for the publication of a definitive book on the subject next year. We are also planning a commemorative event on the 100th anniversary to the day involving the carriage of a token cargo on the waterway by canoe to meet with the wherry Albion at Coltishall. We have also arranged for an embroidered map of the route to be ready and a new logo for the waterway. Most importantly we have formed the Bure Navigation Conservation Trust; this is a charity that was signed in to existence on 22nd November 2011, although at the time of writing we have still to register and set-up bank accounts etc., although these matters are in hand. Our objectives are not to restore the waterway but to preserve and conserve along its length. We will apply the twin principles of conservation and preservation to the history, flora and fauna as well as having a longer term aim of establishing a footpath along the river for its entire historical navigable length. 80% is already in existence although public expenditure cuts make the maintenance and quality of the walking route an early priority. We will also way mark and install interpretation boards along the Navigation’s course. Further details are on our website. Stu Wilson http://aylsham-navigation.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/ 11
Cruising the Royal Canal in Southern Ireland Part One In 2011 a long time Member, Ivan Cane, decided to take his Wilderness Beaver Trailboat ‘Navi’ on a longer than usual trip and visit the Royal Canal in Ireland. This is Part One of his journey with more to follow in future Anglian Cuttings. In the late 1950’s, I read “Green & Silver” by L.T.C. Rolt, and that gave me the urge to one day cruise the Royal Canal in Southern Ireland. In 1994, I joined an IWA visit to the country, when we looked at the restoration at the time. Then in 2011, an invitation was given to the Wilderness Boat Owners’ Club to join the Western Rally to celebrate the through opening of the Royal. Building of the Royal Canal was started in 1790, supposedly promoted by a shoemaker who had been spurned by the Directors of the Grand Canal, in opposition to that canal. It continually had to be bailed out and eventually reached the Shannon at Cloondara, 90 miles and 46 locks from Dublin, 27 years later.
The canal is a substantial structure, taking barges up to 75ft by 13 ft carrying 50 ton. Each village seemed to have its own harbour, which could accommodate several barges (or floats) at a time. These harbours now make a centre point for the villages, with the loading areas becoming the “Village greens”
The Midland Great Western Railway bought it in the 1845, which the intention of laying the railway on its bed, but instead built much along its banks. By 1927 the tonnage carried was down to 10,000 tons, and the last boat passed through in 1955, with the official canal closure occurring in 1961. In 1974 the Royal Canal Amenity Group was formed with the aim of encouraging each community along the canal to aid restoration of the waterway as a local amenity. In 2010, with a little help from the EU, and strong leadership from certain individuals, both at Waterways Ireland, and in the RCAG branches, the canal was re-opened in 2010.
A friend, Darren, and I trailed our 1978 Wilderness Beaver trailboat “NAVI” over from Norfolk, via Stena Line to Dun Laoghaire on Wednesday 10th August. We then negotiated the road works and made our way to Maynooth slipway. Here a gentleman unlocked the gate so that we could be ready for when the Water Patroller, Des, arrived to supervise our launch. We were also met by the local RCAG Branch chairman, who provided us with a lock-key for the remainder of the day. We ventured from Maynooth to Kilcock that evening – and were immediately impressed by the quality of the waterway and the locks en route. The Harbour at Kilcock allowed us to explore the village and stock up 12
some local boats aground, despite water being pumped in. This meant that mooring bankside would be tricky, so we guessed that there would be a landing stage at the Drawbridge, and there we settled for the night at 9 p.m., the canal being so low we had not had the need to raise the drawbridge to pass underneath. An early start on the Friday meant that we reached Moran’s Bridge at Mullingar by 9.30, having passed through the fascinating “Little Deep Sinking” at Baltrasna, with the sides of rock jutting into the clear waters of the canal. The landing stage at Moran’s Bridge was tricky to reach, due to vegetation either side – but it was close to the garage where we stocked up with petrol ready for the next week. Sadly, time prevented us from exploring the town more fully, but we were guided to an excellent supermarket behind the Post Office, close to Moran’s Bridge. A trip around the loop of Mullingar was fascinating; the canal is on a newly seeded embankment to start, then past the impressive old buildings by the slipway and harbour. There was also a facilities block in what appeared to be a secure former storeyard, that would have made a good overnight stop, had we the time. The Lough Owel Feeder also enters the canal along this stretch – but it appeared rather reed choked and a digger was apparently waiting to tackle it. Next the canal was flanked by modern flats with the Cathedral visible astern.
with provisions and take-aways, and also to talk with the canoe polo team trainees. Thursday saw us have a late start as Des was unable to meet us to un-padlock the double lock until 11.30. The double lock was again easy to work through – even with our small frail 34 year old glass fibre boat. Similarly, Des helped us through L17, as this was also padlocked. The long level was a delight to cruise, much tree lined, with varied vistas of the surrounding countryside, plus the interest of the occasional passing train. We had been warned that weed could be a problem, but compared with the rivers of East England, controlled by the Environment Agency, there was nothing of consequence. We reached Thomastown Harbour earlier than expected – as we had lost count of the bridges over the final three miles, but in time to meet the next WI helper, Dave. Despite the rain that accompanied us for much of the day, Dave was more than willing to help us up the 8 locks. With perfect team work, Dave and Darren on either side of the locks, and me steering, “NAVI” progressed through in 90 minutes. The summit was very low with
Ivan Cane (To be continued) 13
The Haunted Bridge And other Strange Tales of the Oxford Canals
By Jane Gordon-Cummings Reviewed by
Brian Holt Jane Gordon-Cummings author of the romantic comedy “A Proper Family Christmas” lives in Oxford and with her husband Edwin, owns an electrically propelled Narrowboat that they keep on the Oxford Canal.
South Oxford section at Wolfhamcote. Edwin has drawn a map to show the location of each chapter and the chapters are written in geographical order south to north. An atmospheric black and white photograph accompanies each chapter on the first page and a black and white thumbnail picture closes the chapter.
Jane’s interest in the canal started when she use to cadge a lift on the hotel pair, run by her sister, fellow author Katie Fforde and brother in law Desmond, between Banbury and Oxford. When she married Edwin they took their honeymoon on a canal boat.
The tales are pure fiction but the settings are all genuine and as you read the book and travel the canal past each location as I did, it is very easy to see how the stories could become believable. The South Oxford Canal has more than its fair share of spooky places, from disused quarries at Bakers Lock on the river Cherwell and ruined Halls like Hampton Gay to the modern motorway bridge carrying the M40 over the canal where a young engineer died.
I was given this book as a birthday present and had it with me while we were cruising the South Oxford canal where it is set. While I was in Oxford I had the pleasure of meeting the author and her husband, who stopped by our boat for a chat on the way to visiting their own boat. This paperback book is 67 pages and 10 chapters long, with each chapter telling a ghost story for a location on the Oxford Canal. The first story features the railway bridge over Sheepwash Channel between the Thames and Isis or Louse Loc. The setting for the last chapter is the disused railway bridge just to the south of Braunston on the Grand Union/
Published by OxPens 67p, ISBN 978-1-904623-15-1
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Price £6-99
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DATES for your DIARY
2nd
BRANCH MEETINGS & EVENTS 2012 Branch Meetings held at the Community Centre, School St., Needham Market At 7.30, unless otherwise stated. FRIDAY 13TH JANUARY Members Evening FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 38th AGM/Illustrated Talk by Francis Hart—Venice Past & Present SATURDAY 3RD MARCH — 12PM FOR 1230 Annual Lunch - Compasses Holbrook Pre-Booking with Chard Wadley A Members Annual Outing is being planned for 2013 FRIDAY MAY 25TH - 7.30 Needham Market River Gipping Trust AGM OTHER DATES TUESDAY 24TH JANUARY –7.30pm Burg Reading Room
Bure Navigation Conservation Trust Meeting River Stour Trust Weekend Boat Rides commence again in Spring 2012 SUNDAY 18TH MARCH - Mothers Day Lunch Cruise to Henny Swan MONDAY 28TH MAY - Sudbury Teddy Bear Boat Rides See their Website http://www.riverstourtrust.org/events-2011.htm There will be no IWA National Festival in 2012 due to the Olympics and Queens Jubilee Events. It will be back in 2013
WORKING PARTY DATES Working Parties are held by the River Gipping Trust at Baylham Lock 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
EASTERN REGION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Region of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Wednesday 14 th March 2012 at the Peterborough and District Indoor Bowls Centre, Burton Street, Peterborough at 7.30 p.m.
AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Approval of the Minutes of the AGM held on 16 th March 2011 3. Matters Arising from those Minutes 4. Chairman’s Report 5. Election of Committee Members (see notes below) Notes: [following the amendment of Region Byelaws which came into force on 14/3/09] The Chairman of the Region is elected in a separate ballot and the Chairmen of each of the branches within the Region are members of the Region committee ex officio. This is an election for the remaining members of the Region committee. The period of office of none of the existing elected members of the committee comes to an end at the 2012 AGM but there is no limit to the number of members of that committee. It is no longer necessary for those who wish to stand for election to the committee to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Consents from members of the Region who wish to stand for election at the AGM 2012 must be deposited with the Region Secretary [Nigel Long 7 Georgian Court, Peterborough PE3 6AF or by email at nhlong@supanet.com] before the start of the Annual General Meeting
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 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/ British Waterways/Waterscape - http://www.waterscape.com Waterways Trust - http://www.thewaterwaystrust.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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