Magazine of IWA Lee & Stort Branch Autumn 2013 We had a ‘Tidy Up Ware’ day a few months ago, in preparation for the Ware Festival – two, in fact – the first on the 18th May; then on the 22nd June. This one was very successful. A lot was achieved in and around the area on the towpath generally known to our Branch as Gazebo Village, and most of it was done by the Cubs and Beavers of the 5th Ware Scout Group! Debbie Vidler of CRT was there handing out high vis jackets,
gloves, rakes, hoes, shovels and barrows, and for the adults, cutters, shears and loppers. A good contingent arrived, along with their respective Leaders and a few Parents, and they worked relentlessly throughout the duration of their support, trimming back the vegetation, pulling up weeds, and raking and barrowing the debris, in return for unlimited Penguins and orange squash.
The rain held off for most of the time, and a blustery breeze kept everyone cool. All had a thoroughly enjoyable day, and went home suitably exhausted. We really couldn’t have done it without them. AND… …they’ve asked if they can come and do it again next year! What a pity that all our members were conspicuous by their absence – but hopefully we can look forward to seeing most of you at future clean-ups.
Some small background of the 5th Ware Scout Group. We only opened our doors 4 years ago, making us the newest group in Ware. We have since grown from just five 6yr olds, to over 50 young people. They were able to achieve most of their 'Environmental Partnership' award for helping to tidy up Ware. This badge can only be done in association with another business or voluntary organisation, so it’s often a tricky one to sign off. Thank you again for the opportunity! We would love to come back next year with our older section (opening in September this year), to lend another hand.
Rammey Marsh Cruising Club was established in 1970 and is situated on the River Lee approximately 4 hours cruising time heading north from the Hertford Union Junction, and is found as the River Lea leaves the industrial outskirts of London and meets the tranquil countryside of Essex & Hertfordshire, at the Historical town of Waltham Abbey. The Club House has a licensed bar and is open on Friday
and Saturday evenings, and Sunday Lunchtimes, when guests are always welcome. We are an active club and try to arrange social events once or twice a month. We are also active members of the ALCC, AWCC, and IWA. The Club has an active social calendar, which includes guest speaker nights, social nights, dinner and dances and club cruises, which are all used to generate funds to support the club and its charitable events.
Sue B pondering a boatload of collected rubbish on the lower part of the Lee.
PHRNG
Did you know the Port of London Authority (PLA) hold biannual meetings to discuss recreational navigation on the tideway. The meetings are generally in the Spring and the Autumn. PLA issue a lot of helpful advice as well as instigation a Thames Navigator Club (TNC). The TNC is free to join via their website and yet it offers you a free set of tide tables as well as a laminated recreational guide to the Tideway which is updated annually. Early this summer they discussed a variety of topics some of which are summarised below. PHRNG? The Port Harbour Recreational; Navigation Group (who says bureaucracy doesn’t have a sense of humour, albeit rather black?) Traffic • More commercial traffic (increase of 50% this year and Tideway Tunnel will further increase) in the upper/middle reaches. Above Putney PLA considers more recreation functionality than commercial. • Some Clippers allowed 25 knots up to Wandsworth • standard of mooring ropes/fenders need improving on the tideway • Thames Navigator Club welcomes new members • PLA Safety Bulletin 1/2013 (down load-able) re kill cords following recent disaster.
Events Notice to Mariners issued for the whole year in the Spring. Incidents • circa 30 incidents noted this year many involve: • poor lookouts • lack of training (e.g. London Fire Brigade fireboat demotions) • poor boat maintenance • Stand Up Paddle-boards are perversely considered safer than many other very small craft (PLA Bylaws prevent such navigation within 200m of moorings or within fairway) River Works • Battersea Bridge contact Ravensbourne via VHF 14 for traverse (ongoing till 2014) • Thames Tunnel in early stages, disruption will be inevitable • Baynard's House cooling system to be finished before 2016 • Fulham Football Club Development causing navigation conflicts between kayaks and rowers. Barge layout causing concern AOB • "mooring squatting" becoming a problem on the tideway (especially above Kew Bridge)
This year’s Ware Festival took place during a perfect summer weekend, unlike last year when it rained almost continuously.
The newly operational trip boats, moored on the Town Quay, proved to be no interference with the activities on the water, and co-operation from outsiders was evident.
Bishops Stortford Canoe Club are shortly to hold their annual Winter Series Marathon race – on Sunday 3rd November 2013. It will be co-ordinated from the Clubhouse beside Southmill Lock and will use the stretch of the Stort between the cut in the centre of Bishop’s Stortford, and Sawbridgeworth Lock. Competitors will be getting on the water from 11:30am, racing will start at 12 noon and should be completed by 2:30pm. Anything you can do to warn the Narrowboating community that this will be taking place, and deter them from moving through the area at this time, will be appreciated, though we will of course try to minimise inconvenience to any boats which are around on the day. If you have any queries or problems, please call the number below. On the day of the race, event HQ can be contacted on 07401 878781.
From the Region, Autumn 13 It is always difficult sitting down to write to you. There are always a number of things going on around the Region and Nationally, that I would like to talk to you about. The problem is that by the time you get to read my comments they could well have been superseded by new events. You may have seen articles in the waterways press about changing the water points around the country. As I understand it, the present taps have become illegal after some recent changes in water supply regulations and CRT could be prosecuted if they did not change the installations to conform to these regulations. What they need to do, is fit a non-return value in the pipework (like the one on your showers at home). I am told they will be retaining the ‘traditional’ cast iron points where they can. Where they cannot the new replacements look cheap, contain sharp metal edges, and where I have met them, they have nearly always been unlocked
with the padlock missing! I will bet CRT will have to replace the lot, as now we have warned them of the dangers they could be open to all sorts of claims if someone is hurt. If they had bothered to talk to us, the users, first, we could have saved them thousands of pounds! You have probably heard that the National Festival at Cassiobury Park this year was a financial and public relations disaster. As a Trustee I have occasionally to take decisions which are at best unpalatable. At the last trustees meeting we spent a long time looking at the viability of the proposed National Festival at Stratford next year. With great reluctance we agreed that the current proposal to run the Stratford Festival, with an unpaid gate, was not viable and we had to decline the opportunity to run the Festival. We then debated what to do about future National Festivals. The Trustee Board hope to have something to report to you early next year regarding this. There is much going on behind the scenes on sorting out the problem of boats overstaying on visitor moorings, but meaningful progress is rather slow. The SE mooring strategy in its final limited form is being implemented. There is yet another K&A consultation on going. CRT has contacted boaters known to use the K&A. If you intend to use the K&A in the near future, I suggest you ask for a copy of the consultation and send in your comments. The consultation can be found at: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations/current-consultations. Finally, I would like to tell you about what IWA is doing to get the Environment agency transferred into CRT. All our branches are sending letter to the MPs in their area. We know these letters work, because there has already been one Parliamentary Question and the Waterways Minister asked the Member of Parliament, who asked the question, to meet him to discuss the situation. There was a change of waterways minister in the recent government reshuffle and this could make our letters more effective as they help to alert the new minister to the problem. At the moment this is a political campaign. If the time comes for direct action involving all our members, we will let you know what we need you to do. Paul Strudwick, Region Chairperson.
My Summer with Georgina Like many people I started my boating experiences some years ago, in the 1980’s, by taking out hire boats, then I became user of a shared-owner boat, and more recently have also been a Skipper with Canalability. But it’s been my long held dream to one day own my own boat, and enjoy more time on the water. This dream finally became a reality, when last December I went up to Whilton Marina to look at some boats, first laid eyes on Georgina D, and almost immediately fell hopelessly in love. During the winter months I made several visits to Whilton Marina to make some personalised alterations and minor refurbishments, as well as slowly equipping her with everything needed for comfortable cruising. Finally, in April, I set off south down the Grand Union heading for Little Venice and Canalway Cavalcade where I could show off my new girlfriend to anyone interested. Since then it’s been a glorious summer and has been quite literally a voyage of discovery. My travels have taken me to the National at Cassiobury Park, several visits to Ware, including our very own Ware Boat Festival, a trip to Limehouse, and many happy days buzzing up and down the Rivers Lee and Stort, and introducing her to her new home at Hallingbury Marina. I’ve made many new friends, I’ve had some wonderful days cruising, and I’ve grown to love her more and more.
But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been the occasional problem or two – the problems with the alternator mounting (thanks, Bob, for your help with that); the engine failure caused by a diesel filter problem which delayed me getting to Little Venice so that I finally arrived at about 9:00 p.m (thanks Bob, Phyllis, Roy, Mike, & Lorraine for your support and the cooling beer waiting for me when I arrived); the minor water leaks (thanks, John); and the failed engine mounts. But none of these has dampened my spirits, and I can honestly say that I’ve had the most enjoyable summer ever. And to anyone thinking of jumping into the boat-owning fraternity I can only say “Go ahead, do it, and enjoy yourself!” And what of next year? To put it bluntly more of the same, please. We’re already booked in for Canalway Cavalcade, and Ware Boat Festival is a MUST, but I have no firm plans beyond that although I’m sure there’ll be plenty of opportunities to join my friends in Stort Boat Club and New Stort Boat Club throughout the year, and I can’t think of many better places to cavort with Georgina than the lovely Rivers Lee and Stort. So if you see us out and about, don’t be afraid to say hello and come and meet my new 44ft, 15 tonne, 23 year old floozie. Les.
Future Meetings – always the second Monday of the month, at 8.00 at the New Inn, Roydon.
11th November 9th December 13th January 10th February 10th March
Speaker to be advised Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Haunted Canals and Waterways a talk by Bob Parris (title to be advised) Branch AGM
We have provisionally booked a Branch get together at The Red Lion at Stanstead Abbotts, for either the 22nd February or the 8th March, both are Saturdays, depending on feedback preference.
It might be a good idea to check out this venue via their web address, redlionsa.co.uk, and study the menu. No more than about 40 can be accommodated, so first come, first served. There is minimal parking available. If any of you are interested please e-mail Terry, address on back page.
Rising Price of Scrap Metal - Thieves strike again Would you Adam & Eve it? The price of scrap has risen so much since 2004 thieves are now resorting to unscrewing brass plaques? For the evidence of this skulduggery see below. Yesterday (2004)
Today (today) (well now actually)
Tomorrow
June Wilkinson 1922 – 2004 can RIP once more.
So this is what John has been up to since his retirement from IWA.
Can anyone see a likeness?!!
Well, what a great summer we've had. Maybe a tad hot at times, but it's the first time in over 20 years of boating that I've had to put on sun tan lotion instead of extra layers and waterproof clothing. Back in July we had our annual boat festival in Ware. A big thank you to the local Cub and Beaver group who helped us clear the festival site a couple of weeks before. It made such a difference and was superb to see young people taking such an active interest in our local waterways. And have great fun at the same time !! The festival itself was a resounding success with almost 80 boats attending, including narrowboats, cruisers, two Dutch barges and a canoe. Nearly half the boats took part in the parade of boats with many decorating their boats in the theme of ‘food glorious food’. The Friday night barbecue went down well with over 200 people fed in under two hours, followed by a relaxing evening on the tow path listening to music from our friends off ‘Golden Ivy’. Our quiz night attracted 150 people and we used the whole event to recruit new members, particularly at the branch gazebo. The weather was kind to us which led to many local people wandering along the tow path. Many commented on how the river had been brought alive by the great turnout of boats. Another success. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to make it another festival to remember. Quite a few of our Branch members took their boats to what is now believed to be the last National Festival. As a Branch we can be proud of our history of supporting the National. Maybe we will be an even more popular event of choice at Ware 2014 !! As many will know, the Branch successfully lobbied Ware Town Council to have the unlawfully erected fence at Ware Common Wharf taken down. We ensured every local councillor was in possession of the correct and factual information about the status of the land. This is a common wharf available for the use of all. We now continue to lobby CRT to ensure the actual mooring is available for use by all boats on a short stay basis.
The Branch, along with the wider organisation are disappointed that central government have not brought all our waterways under the governance of CRT to ensure a more effective and co-ordinated approach to managing the UK’s waterways. We have lobbied the waterways minister and local MPs whose constituencies fall within our Branch area asking that this decision be reviewed. We have been made aware of a proposal to refurbish Carpenters Road lock within the Olympic Park, and a feasibility study is being undertaken. The Branch has said it may contribute local funds to this project if it is approved. We believe it will be a welcome asset that will open up waterways around the Bow back rivers and lower Lee. So as the autumn and winter begin to take hold, I hope you still manage to get out and about and make use of the waterways, and get the opportunity to attend our monthly talks at Roydon. All the very best. Craig
Please be aware that you can receive regular bulletins, updates etc by email; if you have an email address and wish to be kept informed please pass this on to Les: les.hunt@waterways.org.uk
and copy to Tracy Higgin at Head office so she can update your membership records: tracy.higgin@waterways.org.uk
And please don’t forget to notify Les and Tracy if you change your email address.
Committee Members Chairman
Vice Chairman, Publicity Officer
Craig Haslam
Les Hunt h: 01279 860 507 m: 07801 260 579 e: les.hunt@waterways.org.uk
m: 07956 848 025 e: boatyboy96@hotmail.com Secretary
Membership Secretary, Treasurer
Mike Jones h: 01992 584 310 m: 07976 517 749 e: mike.jones10@ntl.com
Carole Beeton h: 01992 468 435
Joint Events Officer
Joint Events Officer
Banny Banyard h: 01279 771 552 m: 07860 669 279 e: banny@tesco.net
e: robandcarole@msn.com Terry Stembridge h: 01992 575 702 m: 07709 205 498 e: terry.stembridge@btinternet.com
Newsletter Editor
Monica Hawes h: 020 8520 0461 m: 07943 169 800 e: monicaforboats@hotmail.com Frank Wallder tel/fax: 01992 636 164 m: 07985 013 032 e: naymenachur@talktalk.net
The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this newsletter, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless otherwise stated. IWA accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. Registered Charity No. 212342