Meridian Cuttings - Autumn 2021

Issue 27

The Newsletter of South and North & East London Branches

Autumn 2021

I was first elected your Region Chairman ten years ago after the previous chairperson had to resign due to ill health. That summer’s newsletter was the first time I produced these notes for you. At that time, we were looking at how we could support boats visiting London for the Olympics by carrying out work parties to clean up the canals.

The boating scene in London has changed much in the last ten years with many more boats moored in the region, many being used as people’s homes. One thing that has not changed since 2011, is the need to broaden the age profile of the association and to widen the membership base so that others recognise us as being a broad “church” representing not only the boating and heritage interests, but also all other users such as walkers and casual visitors.

The breath of the work carried out by the association continues to astound me. Here are a few of the things we have been done in the last few months. �� We have campaigned to support Freight on the Aire & Calder Navigation and are asking for the additional funding required for dredging. �� Organised a meeting of the Waterways All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on “Freight and Sustainability on the Inland Waterways”, with speakers from Strathclyde University, Commercial Boat Operators Association and IWA. �� Working with the National Inland Navigation Forum, received legal advice that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill has been drafted in such a way so as to only include vehicles which are expressly intended to be used on the road, and therefore boats or other water craft would not be affected by the Bill.

In September Janine and I joined Chiltern Branch on a trip to look at the waterways and some of the campaigning in the South West Branch area. We had the opportunity to take a trip on the Grand Western Canal, at Tiverton, in one of the few remaining horse drawn trip boats, Tivertonian. We also looked around Bridgewater Docks. They have many unique features and the local branch is campaigning for them to be restored and brought back into full use. If you are in the area, I highly recommend a visit.

Cover Photo by Paul Strudwick ‘Fitting the engine’ on Tivertonian on the Grand Western Canal 2

To allow your Branch and the London Region to continue to support London’s waterways we do need volunteers to carry out important tasks in our committees.

Elsewhere in this edition of Meridian Cuttings (p20 Ed) you will find details of two volunteer positions we need someone to take on. If you think you could help please contact me.

Whilst on the subject of volunteering West London Branch are working with Canal & River Trust for the care, conservation and restoration of the Hanwell Flight and Norwood Locks (See photo below). If you would like to volunteer a few hours in the open at the beautiful setting of the Hanwell flight, one of the gems of London’s canal network, why not consider joining them at one of their future work parties. Work parties at Hanwell are held on the second Thursday of each month between 10 am and 2pm.

If you are interested in joining them just email or text me: paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk Mobile: 07785 240291 Last time I wrote to you I expected that the Volunteer Hub would have come on line by now. Unfortunately, as I write, this has not happened but I’m told it should become live by November.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association or of the London Region or its branches. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA accepts no liability for any matter within this publication.

Editor: Chris Bushill, 52, Brycedale Crescent, Southgate, London, N14 7EU. 3

Introduction Essex Waterways Ltd (EWL) is IWA’s wholly owned subsidiary company which maintains and operates the 13 mile Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation which runs from Heybridge Basin near Maldon to Springfield Basin in Chelmsford, Essex. The subsidiary was formed in 2005 to save the Navigation from closure following the administration of the original Navigation Company.

EWL has eight volunteer directors and uses both employed staff and volunteers to operate the waterway. There are nearly 300 boats on this with around a further 500 visiting Heybridge Basin from the tidal River Blackwater every year pre Covid. All EWL income is spent on operating, maintaining and improving the Navigation. With visitors to the waterway increasing especially during the last two years, EWL now operates four trip boats, kayak hire and a refreshment Kiosk. This increased income enables more maintenance staff to be employed.

An Update on Essex Waterways is published in each Chelmsford Branch Newsletter and the most recent is reproduced here.

Essex Waterways Update Since my last report the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation has remained busy with people coming to canoe, paddleboard, take a trip on one of our trip boats or just visiting for a walk or experience. All this is in addition to our boating customers.

Income from canoe and paddleboard licences continues to increase with much of this being captured by our River Warden on regular patrol. Trip boats Albert at Paper Mill and Blackwater Dawn at Heybridge Basin have been operating both charter trips and ticket trips on a daily basis. We are fortunate to have several really dedicated volunteer skippers and crew that make this possible. Victoria has also been operating charter trips

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Our trip boat operations have been expanded to operate a new service on the rivers in the centre of Chelmsford. This is a joint venture with One Chelmsford which represents nearly 500 businesses within the City centre to deliver projects and initiatives to ensure that Chelmsford remains the county’s premier destination to live, work and visit.

Because of the several low bridges on both rivers a new open boat has been purchased for the venture. This can accommodate 10 -12 passengers and is usually crewed by our volunteer skippers. The aim is run every day during the school summer holidays and then on weekends while there is a demand.

When operating, tickets are sold from an ice cream tricycle in Backnang Square where the trips start. They run down the River Chelmer and then up the River Can through Central Park to the railway viaduct and returning taking about 45 to 50 minutes. The inaugural trip included both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford.

The kayak hire at Paper Mill proved popular during the school holidays. On the Navigation it was necessary to close Paper Mill Lock for 5 days to deal with a blown lower gate cill which was making it difficult to operate the lock. Work has continued at Paper Mill with the construction of the new island toilet building which is now weatherproof. An extension to the office is also underway.

At Heybridge Basin the picnic tables provided for visiting boaters have been replaced with eight new benches and additional tables and benches have been built and installed for Kiosk customers. These were built by myself as a volunteer with help from my wife.

Meanwhile, Colin Edmond, also a Director volunteered to convert our old weed lifter to a ‘lavender boat’. This involved removing the redundant engine and drive system as well as the hi-ab lifter, cleaning down, painting and installing a new concrete floor and holding tank. The boat will be used to remove grey waste water from the Kiosk and possibly eventually as a pump-out facility for boats in the basin.

Volunteers from Ford Motor Co. spent a day at Heybridge Basin and constructed two canoe racks which will provide a new canoe storage facility there.

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Last year our dredging programme had to be cancelled due to flood conditions. Our attempts this year to get it underway have already been hampered by the unavailability of contractors previously appointed. We are therefore currently investigating the purchase of a long reach excavator so that we have greater control of our dredging work.

The weather this summer has seen very rapid growth along the tow path which has kept our lengthsmen busy as has weed removal on the Navigation. The lengthsmens work has been assisted by Dan who has joined our team and by several regular volunteers. Floating pennywort is beginning to appear again especially between Hoe Mill and Heybridge Basin. Chelmer Canal Trust volunteer work parties are concentrating on its removal.

In August we managed to have the previously delayed visit from Phil Hornsey, IWA’s new Chief Executive. He visited several of our sites along the waterway meeting some of our staff in the process. He seemed to be impressed with Essex Waterways operation.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the relationship between the two bodies while also planning to move some of the administration work currently carried out at Chesham to our Paper Mill office.

Roy Chandler

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As we reach the end of the autumn cruising we can look back on a period when the canals have got back to something approaching normality and if anything were busier than expected. I assume that a lot of this being the number of people hiring because of the restrictions on foreign travel. My boating this year took me past many hire bases empty of boats!

We do not see many hire boats in our branch area but our waterways are still very busy with continuously cruising boats of which we are still awaiting the CRT proposals and consultation on ‘Managing Boats on London’s Busy Waterways’ which have again been postponed.

On the River Lee the CRT proposals for Water Safety Zones with regard to a potential clash with rowers and moored boats have been postponed whilst further discussions take place including the formation of a Lee Valley Forum It was nice to see several of our branch members at the IWA Festival Of Water at Worcester.

The Angel Canal Festival happened in September albeit as a smaller event than previous years.

Planning Applications are still at a low level with most applications dealing with Reserved Matters outstanding from previously approved schemes.

The new bridge at Granary Wharf has opened to pedestrian traffic. We have also been notified of a proposed bridge nearby connecting Camley Street with Granary Street as part of a Section 106 agreement with Camden Council. Details at https://regentscanalbridge.com An interesting newspaper report gives details of a proposed Ferris wheel at Camden Lock. We have yet to see a planning application for it.

We have noticed that the conversion of the Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo into a Monkey Enclosure has commenced.

Looking at the CRT winter stoppages list the stoppage notified is a three month closure of the Hertford Union Canal from January to March 2022.

The London Canal Museum has extended its opening to four days a week these being Thursday to Sunday.

The London Branch of the Waterway Recovery Group have two digs provisionally booked, the first being on the Wey And Arun on 23rd/24th October and on the Buckingham Canal on 13th/14th November.

Tim Lewis

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The transformation of many areas alongside our canals into high density residential and commercial developments continues, notably along the Lea, Bow Creek, Stratford Olympic Park and Canary Wharf, mostly with beneficial results for the waterway, unless you would prefer the nostalgia of industrial dereliction as the backdrop to your canal visits.

Most of the applications we process now are for alterations to specific components within major development schemes approved some years ago, before Brexit and Covid moved the goalposts.

For instance, a recent proposal at Camden Lock to change an approved catering and retail area into a go-kart track. This is brought about by the expectation that the huge growth in on-line purchasing triggered by Covid will reduce the number of people turning out to shop for themselves. So to succeed, retail developments The Nostalgia of Industrial will need to offer other attractions, especially to Dereliction. River Lea Tottenham widen the appeal to other family members.

Should we object to this? The go-karts will be electric, the developer promises sound-limiting measures, the track will be wholly indoors and there will be no significant alterations to the exterior of the building facing towards the canal. So, arguably, the positive experience of the canal that visitors to Camden Lock enjoy, will be brought to more people.

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Another recent application is reconstruction of a bridge over the Waterworks River to enable development of the Bridgewater site, primarily for residential use.

This includes improvements to allow reopening of the west side towpath, closed since 2008 on safety grounds. This we will strongly support.

Right - Proposed bridge at Bridgewater Triasngle Site

A third example is the Travis Perkins depot site at the entrance to Paddington Basin.

In the previous round of consultation, we called for retention of the early 20th century gabled facade of the existing building facing the canal, as a reference to the appearance and use of the basin when it was a receiving point for goods carried by canal. The existing gabling only covers a short length of the canalside and, at the time of writing, a satisfactory way of integrating this into the much larger façade of the proposed new building has not been found. We will continue to look for any worthwhile solution which we could support.

Rod Gray 20 Sep 21

Plan of proposed Development of Student Accomodation on Trasvis Perkins Site 9

The Wharves of the River Thames in London In my “summer update” I reported on the subject of “Graffiti on our Waterway Bridges in the London Region”. This proved to be an epic project engaging me in around 150 hours of “armchair computing” to complete and consuming around 1,800 files and about 2 Gb of disk-storage.

Having immersed myself into the preliminaries of this current project, I can foresee around 200 hours of application will be needed to arrive at any form of completion with no “lockdown” down-time to speed my progress. So what I shall be reporting here will reveal only the early stages of my research.

The “catalyst” for my current inspiration was a book entitled “London Wharves & Docks – second edition” originally priced seven shillings and sixpence net. I discovered this publication during a visit to the London Canal Museum archive during early February 2020. The main pages of interest I found within the book comprised 16 pages of maps depicting the locations of wharves & docks between Teddington and Tilbury.

As this “discovery” occurred just prior to “lockdown” I have been unable to peruse this volume further and the only copies I could find online were outside my price range (possibly due to the pre-decimalisation vintage of the publication).

However, I have been able to source two other publications, namely: �� “Particulars of Dry Docks, Wet Docks, Wharves, &c., on the Thames” a reprint originally published 1904. �� “River Thames Wharf Directory” published 1954 The bulk of the first publication shows tables of both the North & South banks and lists, Wharf Premises, Proprietors and Where Situated. The extent of the coverage was for wharves between London Bridge and Blackwall. The information on the pages was difficult to discern as the original was reproduced in a grey halftone. In order to extract the data in electronic-form I resorted to a magnifying-glass and an online dictation programme, thereby capturing over 500 wharf particulars in over 4,000 words.

The bulk of the second publication similarly shows tables of both the North & South banks and lists, Name of Wharf, Address, Name of Owner or Occupier and Type of Business Carried out at Wharf. The extent of the coverage was between Brentford and Tilbury. Despite the reproduction of these pages being suitable for OCR dataextraction, I opted again for the dictation-method (for ease of formatting), thereby capturing over 600 wharf particulars in around 14,000 words (a lot of speech).

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I have initially focused my attention with the “River Thames Wharf Directory” as it details the nature of business and commodity conducted at each wharf. However, as these publications differ by 50 years, it might be interesting to attempt a retrospective comparison of the differences between the respective proprietors to gauge the longevity of businesses over time.

Having captured the Wharf details, the next stage I propose to undertake is to identify the specific location of each wharf. Fortunately the central portion either side of London Bridge is covered by 19th century Ordnance Survey (OS) maps at a scale of 1:1,056 (5 feet / 60 inches to one mile). The mapping detail at this scale is quite exceptional. A preliminary inspection around London Bridge has revealed that virtually every individual wharf can be identified. The mapping outside this coverage will mostly be 1:2,500 (25 inches to one mile); however with the expected relative sparsity of wharves in these areas, it hopefully will not be too difficult to identify individual wharves.

Extract of OS 1:1056 (60” to 1 mile) map of north bank west of London Bridge

Extract of OS 1:1056 (60” to 1 mile) map of north bank east of London 11

The 19th century OS maps are overlaid with contemporary satellite-imagery which can be zoomed to a high level of detail which might be useful for identifying today’s usage (mostly office-blocks and apartments). The cursor for the mapping also identifies the location in terms of OS Grid reference (to one metre accuracy) and also geographical co-ordinates of latitude & longitude.

The provision and extraction of location-data will facilitate mapping of each wharf-site.

It has been possible to broadly classify the nature of businesses into about thirty commodities handled at each wharf, so each broad-business can be colour-coded also.

To enhance the visual appreciation of this largely lost landscape, it is fortunate that the Port of London Authority (PLA) commissioned a panoramic photo-survey of the north and south banks during 1937. The results of these discovered archives have been published in a couple of books, namely: London’s Changing Riverscape – Panoramas from London Bridge to Greenwich London’s Lost Riverscape - A Photographic Panorama To visually augment this subject further, I have so far found around 75 historic photographs of London’s north & south banks and shipping from Historic England’s National Monument Photographic Archive.

In the interim, I have been tasked in providing a live presentation of my findings at our South London Branch meeting at Croydon in November – so no time to waste!

Billingsgate 1880 (England’s National Monument Photographic Archive) 12

At the moment these are on hold pending decisions about in-person meetings and venues and whilst awaiting further details on the postponement of the C&RT consultation document on Managing Boats on London’s Busy Waterways. A talk on this had been planned for June and it was then hoped could be held in September or October.

At the moment these are on hold pending decisions about in-person meetings and venues and whilst awaiting further details on the postponement of the C&RT consultation document on Managing Boats on London’s Busy Waterways. A talk on this had been planned for June and it was then hoped could be held in September or October.

Unfortunately this was not possible. This will be a webinar when it takes place.

Date to be advised: New 2021 Proposals for ‘Managing Boats on London’s Busy Waterways’ – Matthew Symonds, National Boating Manager (Leisure Boating), Canal & River Trust (C&RT) In December 2020 we had a webinar presented by Matthew during the initial engagement period on this subject.

This may be viewed at https://youtu.be/qb0yqAk-JTI. Results of the engagement exercise have been put together and we will hear what proposals the Trust has come up with. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and give comments (in addition to the formal consultation exercise that will take place after this) and Matthew will be outlining the main points for discussion. Once again we hope a wide range of people will join in this evening to contribute views on this important subject, all of which will be passed on to C&RT. Details of future talks will be sent out in advance by email to all region members. If head office does not have an email address for you and you would like to be kept informed of these talks please let me have your contact details. Meanwhile, details of all forthcoming IWA webinars and recordings of previous ones may be found using the following link: www.waterways.org.uk/tv Libby Bradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956 655037

The First slide from the December Webinar

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Call to businesses to fund ‘ready to go’ climate resilient river restorations Dozens of waterway sites ripe for rewilding, say London Rivers Week organisers A map of 145 ‘ready-to-go’ river restorations were revealed as part of this year’s London Rivers Week (October 23-31) – with a call to businesses to help fund them. Of the average 3km per year of rivers and other waterways rewilded in the capital since 2000, the majority have been funded by the environmental or government sector.

The Catchment Partnerships in London (CPiL), which runs London Rivers Week through its London Rivers Restoration Group, have set an ambitious target to increase that rate to 5km by 2025. If that rate was achieved and maintained, about 33% of London’s 640km of rivers (about 400 miles) could be restored by 2050, a rise from the current 20%, campaigners say.

With climate a hot topic, organisers are driving home the message that the next set of restorations must be fit for a changing climate – and that a wider funding pool must be found.

Debbie Leach, CEO of environmental charity Thames21 which chairs CPiL, said: “Many commercial companies have corporate social responsibility policies. As part of that community outlook, we urge them to consider the multiple opportunities to restore open spaces that we are putting forward.

Potential funders such as health authorities and developers need to work with the environmental sector and local authorities to see the value of the multiple benefits that restoring our rivers can bring to the health of people and a variety of wildlife.

With the global conference COP26 being hosted by our own Government in Glasgow shortly, the issue of restoring nature to help fight climate change has never been more pressing. Global temperatures are rising, contributing to more frequent extreme weather events such as flooding and drought, so it is in the interests of everyone that future restorations are resilient to the needs of our changing environment.”

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Woodberry Wetlands by credit Penny Dixie

Berkeley Group is one example of a private sector firm that has helped fund rewilding projects, including waterways, one being Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney.

Projects ripe for the green light, subject to funding, include: Norbury Park in Croydon, RiverWise: Nature and Community Recovery in Lewisham, which would involve time in nature being prescribed by health authorities; and Catchment Reset: a river project on the Salmons Brook, Enfield, seeking to restore the area to as natural state as possible and crucially addressing flooding issues.

River Roding (c) Anna MacLaughlin

Neil Sinden, Director of CPRE London, said: “From meandering river walks, open water swimming, and paddling on canals to bird watching and pond dipping, we want to celebrate London’s unique aquatic spaces. We’ve heightened our awareness and connection to the city’s waterscapes over recent months. This is an opportunity to celebrate these precious blue assets that continue to provide a source of activity, relaxation, or just a moment of escapism.”

The nine-day programme started with a guided walk explaining how 100,000 trees being planted along the Salmons Brook at Enfield Chase will help rivers and the health of the capital generally. This walk was attended by your editor who also earlier helped plant some of the the trees. Other such talks ranged from those along the Ravensbourne, the Hidden River Fleet and the Hogsmill, among other places.

About Thames21 Thames21 connects people with rivers by putting healthy rivers back at the heart of everyday life. They aim to improve and restore rivers, educate and empower the community and campaign for positive change for the good of people and the environment. They mobilise thousands of volunteers every year to clean and green the capital’s 400 mile network of waterways.

Thames21 works hand-in-hand with local communities to improve and maintain our waterways. They engage approximately 7000 volunteers in waterway improvement activities across London every year.

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I am pleased to report we were able to restart our social meetings at East Croydon this month with a talk by Tim Lewis: Summer Boating on Historic Narrowboat Fulbourne, on the way to the IWA Festival of Water’. Unfortunately, due to ill-health, I was not able to be there myself but gather from those who went it was a very enjoyable talk.

Our Heritage Officer, Derek Humphries, is currently researching the history of wharves on the River Thames and will be giving a talk on 10th November: `The Lost Wharves of our London Port’. Full details of our social meetings may be found on page 9.

Another ‘first’ for 2021 was our only outing with the branch stand, to the Angel Canal Festival on Sunday 5th September. It was good to see the festival back again and our stand was one of very few charity stalls there.

The Waterway Game was popular and we also had a good Eric Garland and, at the front, Gerard Pryde-Coales selection of 2nd hand waterway man the South London stall at Angel Canal Festival books on sale which have been donated to the branch. Whilst the branch is beginning to open up to activities again there is a lot happening on our main river – the Tidal Thames. Some of the following may be of interest to you: Cory’s are celebrating 125 years on the river this month having first moved coal, then oil and then aggregate before taking on moving London’s waste out of the capital. In 2012 the company established its recycling facility in Wandsworth which processes 84,000 tonnes of waste each year. More details may be found at https://www.corygroup.co.uk/ Richard Thomas’s talk: ‘A Day in the Life of a Thames Tug’ has been presented in the past to the branch and shows A Cory’s Coal Lighter c1940 Cory’s in action.

Water safety continues to be an important aspect of work and I continue to be part of the London and Thames Water Safety Partnership. This group looks at many aspects of safety on the river, tidal and non-tidal, and works alongside the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum. This latter group is specifically committed to reducing the number of people who drown in the tidal Thames, either accidentally or deliberately. Launched in May 2019 by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, their Drowning Prevention Strategy sets out their ambition to improve safety on the tidal Thames, in line with the commitment to make it as safe a river as possible. The following link leads to the progress report from May 2021: https://www.pla.co.uk/assets/ttwsf-progress-report-may2019-may2021.pdf 16

The RoSPA Water Safety Conference 2021 takes place online on Thursday 18th November 1pm-2.30pm and is free. It will focus on current developments in water safety, with reference to the recent UN resolution on drowning prevention and how the UK can work towards meeting this challenge. If interested please follow this link: https://www.rospa.com/events/schedule/water-safety-conference-21 Lifeboats on the River Thames provide a search and rescue service from Teddington down to below Gravesend. On January 2nd 2022 these will have been on station for 20 years. The service was introduced following the enquiry after the Marchioness disaster in August 1989. Apart from the regular rescues there is an educational programme for children and adults with regular training for businesses and other groups in use of throw lines and other equipment, especially those along the banks of the river. Tower Lifeboat Station is the busiest station in the country followed by Chiswick. There is currently an appeal to raise £33,000 for a new Lifeboat station for Tower, details Tower volunteer crew member Nazrawi Mamoneh of which may be found here: wearing a Lewis Hamilton signed jacket auctioned https://rnli.org/support-us/giveto raise funds for Tower Lifeboat Station. Credit money/give-to-a-specialRNLI/Paul Dunt appeal/tower-appeal The Museum of London’s Docklands has opened an exhibition ‘London: a Port City’ which will continue until May 2022 in two parts. Admission is free but tickets have to be pre-booked https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london/eventdetail?id=287608&b=y The second part of the exhibition will run from 14th February – 8th May 2022. An interesting article on the exhibition with many pictures can be found online at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10119621/Rarely-seenphotographs-capture-life-Port-London-early-19th-century.html For those in a spooky mood there are also some ‘Docks after Dark’ tours between 5th and 26th November at 5.30pm: “Join us after the museum doors close for a journey through the East End's most terrifying tales. Hear chilling accounts of the men, women and children who worked at the docks, learn about the public executions that took place in the area and stop off at the most haunted spots in our 200-year-old building”. These also need to be pre-booked and cost £20.

I hope some of the above will be of interest to you. If you would like to join our Christmas Celebration on Wednesday 8th December and share stories and pictures of boating or other exploits this year we would love to see you. Details are on page 9.

All good wishes for the autumn and, if I don’t see you before, Christmas and the New Year!

Libby 17

One of the lesser known activities of the London Region is IWA’s Towpath Walks Society.

The society, in partnership with London Walks, carries out a regular series of guided walks along London’s canals. The walks last just over two hours and take place on two Sunday afternoons each month starting at a tube or DLR station. They’re a great way to introduce people to the waterways, and to raise money for IWA. The walks had been suspended due to lockdown, but, now the walks have restarted, more guides are needed to keep up the service and, hopefully, expand to new routes. It can take a couple of months before they can get feet in boots and ready to start to learn the routes so it would be great to get volunteers now to be ready for a full series of walks next year.

All that is needed is an interest in waterways, an enjoyment of sharing your knowledge with others and a love of walking. A full briefing will be provided for the series and each individual walk. You will be part of a team so you can do as many or as few walks as you like. If you would like to help, please contact londonwalks@waterways.org.uk.

Paul Strudwick

Welcome to members who have joined us recently.

We are pleased welcome the following members to North & East London Branch, who have joined since the last publication of our magazine. We look forward to seeing you at IWA events, volunteering, and meetings: Helen Brice, Jeff Keller, Barbara Keller, Courtney Owen, Devan Foley, Tony Bowyer, Heather Boyce, Michael Hill.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all new members to the branches and their activities. We hope to see you at some of our social meetings and to meet you at IWA events where new volunteers are also always welcome. Whatever your interest in the waterways we hope that you will find something here for you and new friends to meet. If we, or any of the branch officers, can assist with any questions you may have please do not fail to get in contact with us. Our details can be found at the back of this newsletter.

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Date

Route

Start (Tube Stn.)

7 Nov Regent’s Canal: River Tyburn – Little Venice Sunday

Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit)

21 Nov Sun

Limehouse – Thames – Docklands

Westferry (DLR)(by Cycle Hire Point)

5 Dec Sun

Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – St Pancras

King’s Cross (meet by taxi queue)

9 Jan Sun

Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – St Pancras

King’s Cross (meet by taxi queue)

16 Jan Sun

Regent’s Canal: River Tyburn – Little Venice

Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit)

6 Feb Sun

Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green

Warwick Ave

20 Feb Sun

Limehouse – Thames – Docklands

Westferry (DLR)(by Cycle Hire Point)

6 Mar Sun

Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard, Greenland Dock

Surrey Quays

20 Mar Sun

Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – St Pancras

King’s Cross (meet by taxi queue)

3 Apr Sun

Regent’s Canal: River Tyburn – Little Venice

Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit)

17 Apr Sun

Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green

Warwick Ave

Start time for all Walks is 2.30 p.m.

Normal charge: £15 Concessionary and Student rate: £10 Children aged 16 and over, accompanied by parents: £10 Children aged 8 – 15, accompanied by parents: £5 Prior booking is mandatory: Please contact London Walks: 020 7624 3978 It is Very Important to check the IWA website (waterways.org.uk) or the London Walks website (walks.com) to see if any late changes to the walk have had to be made 19

Background Do you want to use your networking skills to help the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) London Region raise vital funds and build our ability to increase our work protecting the waterways and their heritage in London?

The London Region consists of six branches Chelmsford, Chiltern, Lea & Stort, North & East London, South London, and West London. Each branch raises funds in its own area by simply asking for donations, organising local fundraising events or running a tombola at local community events.

To enable the London Region and its branches to increase the opportunities for developing new and existing projects and campaigns we need to be able to raise funds across branch boundaries.

Job Summary The post holder will be responsible for raising funds across the London Region from Local and Regional Government, and Lottery funding as well as trusts and foundations and to developing new income streams and donors to support the work of IWA London Region and its branches.

Time Commitment This is an ongoing, ad-hoc, role which can be tailored to fit in with your time and availability. You would be invited to join the Region committee which meets approximately 6 times a year.

Income Generation We need you to manage, support and develop imaginative fundraising activities across the Region. We would also like you to write grant applications for funding and develop and broaden our corporate member base.

Person Specification You are enthusiastic about supporting the work of the IWA in London.To be able to do this job you will require good administration skills IT/computer skills including Word, Excel and Outlook. It would be excellent if you also have experience of charity fundraising and grant applications but this is not essential.

Advice & Support You will have access and support from IWA’s Head office experienced fundraising team and access to a range of online support material. Further Training may be available.

What’s in it for you?

Amongst other skills, the role will help further develop your fundraising and marketing skills and experience, and will look great on your CV! Further Information If you would like to help or want more information on what is involved please contact me.

Paul Strudwick London Region Chair Paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk 07885 240291 20

I am delighted to inform you that now the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, your committee has decided to return to having in-person social meetings.

Our meetings will be held in the primary room at the United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. The nearest train, tram and bus station is East Croydon, and there is free parking adjacent to the hall.

Refreshments will be available to purchase during the break, and we have a large selection of second hand and pre-loved books available to buy.

Dates for your diary Social meeting on Wednesday 10th November at 19:30 Derek Humphries (IWA Heritage Officer) will give a talk entitled: The lost Wharves of our London Port Social meeting on Wednesday 8th December at 19:30 Christmas Celebration with Mulled Punch.

During the evening members will have the opportunity to show slides and photos of boating adventures.

If you have any questions, please contact our social Secretary: Shea Richardson on telephone number 07803 904803, or e-mail Shea on shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk I look forward to seeing everyone again on Wednesday.

Best regards Lesley Pryde-Coales Publicity Officer IWA South London Branch IWA South London Branch Website

Wharf Cranes at Battersea

Photo Chris Bushill

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IWA South London Branch, United Reformed Church, Croydon

IWA Meet Here

IWA Former Venue

Paddington Hammersmith & City Line exit

IWA Region and North & East London Branch, 2 Kingdom St, Paddington (Note Meetings on-line at present) 22

Role Chairman

North & East London Tim Lewis Tel: 02085300425 / 07802518094 tim.lewis@waterways.org.uk Tim Lewis

Secretary Minutes Secretary Treasurer

Vacancy

Libby Bradshaw Tel: 07956 655037 libby.bradshaw@waterways.org.uk AllanScott Tel: 02086428104 / 07985728844 allan.scott@waterways.org.uk Allan Scott

Ian Israel Tel: 020 84461823 ian.israel@waterways.org.uk

Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk

Vacancy

Shea Richardson, Tel: 02086770196 / 07803904803 shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk

Social Secretary

Newsletter Editor

Chris Bushill Tel: 02082457063 chris.bushill@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary

Liz Rayner lizrayner48@gmail.com Vacancy

Publicity Officer London Region Heritage Officer Planning Officer

South London

Dorothy Robbie Tel: 02088576367 dorothy.robbie@waterways.org.uk Lesley Pryde-Coales Tel: 07787 372408 lesley.pryde@waterways.org.uk Derek Humphries derek.humphries@waterways.org.uk

Rod Gray rodgray125@aol.com

Simon Dyer Tel: 07857 978111 simondyer@outlook.com

London Walks Representative

Roger Wilkinson –Tel: 02036129624 roger.wilkinson@waterways.org.uk

Ex-Officio as Region Chairman

Paul Strudwick Tel: 01245358342 / 07885240291 paul.strudwick@waterways.org.uk

South London Representatives Planning & Conservation Committee: Wandle Valley developments Member

Eric Garland, Simon Dyer, Derek Humphries Shea Richardson

Roger Squires Tel: 02072320987 roger.squires@waterways.org.uk

If you feel you could help with any of the vacancies or would be interested in joining us as an ordinary member we would love to hear from you

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The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245.

Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783 453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country' s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers.