Cargoes Autumn 2017

Autumn 2017

Newsletter of Guildford & Reading Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches

Easter weekend on the Basingstoke

Galleon Marine brought their fleet of hire boats to the Canal Centre at Mytchett from Odiham to avoid the channel closure at the Dogmersfield landslip.

Nine boats from Byfleet Boat Club cruised up to Brookwood Country Park over the weekend for an overnight stay before some boats depart for the northern reaches of the canal system over the summer months.

Seen here at St. JohnĘźs with some people taking advantage of the excellent bakers nearby.

Whilst others clear their weedhatches Verna Smith

From the Region Chairman

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First I wanted you to know that I decided some time ago not to stand again as SE Regional chairman. Verna Smith has been elected in my stead and I am sure that see will do a much better job than I have been able to do. Increasing I have felt that my efforts over the last three years were not commensurate with the rewards in terms of IWA progress particularly in restoration and navigation. To some extent this has been a matter of circumstance with the multiple political changes largely stalling the CRT assimilation of the EA waterways. We have now put the Basingstoke firmly on IWAʼs agenda, long overdue and much needed. Restoration committee is no more and has been replaced with the Restoration Hub which is firmly Head Office led. Head Office and Head Office costs continue to grow as membership declines. WRG will continue as a volunteer organisation and it is pleasing that Mike Palmer becomes a trustee in September. I could make a number of other critical observations but will not make myself even more unpopular and ineffective than I already clearly am. I will continue as Guildford and Reading Branch Chairman, on finance committee and give Verna any support I can.

The Oxfordshire Branch Chairmen, Steve Good, is now on the road to recovery following a time of ill health. I wish him well. The IWAKES Branch Chairman, Mike Hannan, sadly died recently.

The region continues covers some splendid waterways and I report some of that in my branch chairmanʼs report. However there is much to be done. On restoration there is the Wilts and Berks and the Wey and Arun to support. The Thames, and more so the Basingstoke and the Kennet and Avon and in need of much work and investment. Navigation, while less of an issue on the Thames, has both flood problems which are at least now to be addressed between London and Windsor and a lack of moorings given usage. EA is just it seems waiting for CRT to fix their problems.

Lastly may I apologise for the lack of the last Cargoes. Ray is being very sadly missed.

Gareth Jones

[Cover Picture: The £3.5 million refurbishment to East Farleigh Lock on the River Medway (see page 33)]

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Diary of Meetings & Events

Sat 26 Aug, K&A (Reading): Possible outing to Chichester Ship Canal or Chichester harbour (see page 16) th

Mon 28th Aug, 1.00pm, Towpath Walks Group: The Olympics

(see page 39)

Sun 3 Sep, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regentʼs Canal

(see page 39)

rd

Thu 7th Sep, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Cruising in Ireland by Gordon Osborn (see page 22) Fri 8th Sep, 7.00pm, BCS: Acoustic & Ale Special on the John Pinkerton ll (see page 14) Sat 9th Sep, 11am-5pm, National Trust: Heritage Open Days, Dapdune Wharf (see page 20) Sat 9th Sep, 11.00am – 3.00pm, WACT: Guildford's Treadwheel Crane (see page 26) Sat 9th Sep, 2.15pm, WACT: Guided circular walk - Shamley Green (see page 26) Sun 10th Sep, 2:30pm - 5:00pm, WACT, Guided Walk, Gunpowder Store (Shalford) to Bramley (see page 27) Wed 13th Sep, 2.30pm, BCS: Cream Tea Special on the John Pinkerton ll (see page 38) Wed 13th Sep, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: The work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - speaker TBC (see page 38) Sun 17th Sep, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Limehouse to Docklands (see page 39) Fri 22nd Sep, 7.00pm, BCS: Jazz & Ale Special on the John Pinkerton ll (see page 14) Sat 23rd Sep, 11am, National Trust: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf (see page 20) Sun 1st Oct, 10.30am – 4.30pm, Oxfordshire: Banbury Canal Day (see page (37) Sun 1st Oct, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regentʼs Canal

(see page 39)

Thu 5 Oct, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Itchen Village, Itchen Ferry and the Diaper Family by Cheryl Butler (see page 22) th

Wed 11th Oct, 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Narrowboats to the Medway by Simon Judge (see page 34) Wed 11th Oct, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Canal & River Trust Saving our waterways heritage by Phil Emery, CRT (see page 38) Sun 15th Oct, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Union Canal (see page 39) Wed 18th Oct, 8.00pm, BCS: History and Restoration of the Cotswold Canals by Clive and Jill Field (see page 13)

5 Thu 20 Oct, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: “Heroes & Villains of the Basingstoke Canal” by Roger Cansdale (see page 9) th

Thu 26th Oct, 7.30 for 8pm, IWAKES, "Crossings of the Lower Thames" talk by Rob Poole (see page 34) Sat 28th Oct, WACT: Autumn meeting at Pulborough Arun Hall

(see page 27)

Thu 2 Nov, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Pete and Jane of the Day Star Theatre (see page 22) nd

Sun 5th Nov, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: 400 Years of the New River (see page 39) Wed 8th Nov, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: The Wey Navigation by Dr Roger Squires (see page 38) Wed 15th Nov, 8.00pm, BCS: The RNLI 'it's not all at sea' by Colin Brown (see page 13) Thu 16th Nov, 7.00 for 7.30pm, IWAKES: The Ouse – Source to Seaʼ by Geoffrey Mead (see page 34) Thu 16th Nov, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: “The Thames Sailing Barge.” by Gareth Jones (see page 9) Thu 7th Dec, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Annual Waterways Quiz

(see page 9)

Thu 7 Dec, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Inter Society Waterways Quiz (see page 22) th

Wed 13th Dec, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Mulled Punch & Mince Pies to celebrate Christmas (see page 38) Thu 14th Dec, 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Get together with Thames & Medway Canal Association (see page 34) Thu 14th Dec, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Christmas Dinner

(see page 9)

Wed 20 Dec, 8.00pm, BCS: Wildlife along the Canal by Dave Williams and Kathryn Killner (see page 13) th

Wed 17th Jan, 8.00pm, BCS: The Thames Tidal Defences by Nathan Ellis (see page 13) Thu 25th Jan, 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Meeting remains subject to confirmation (see page 34) Wed 21st Feb, 8.00pm, BCS: Exploring the Caledonian Canal by Dr Roger Squires (see page 13) Wed 21st Feb, 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Branch Annual General Meeting followed by quiz see page 34) Wed 21st Mar, 8.00pm, BCS: Whitchurch Silk Mill by Deborah Wheeler (see page 13) Wed 18th Apr, 8.00pm, BCS: Canal & River Trust Engineering a 200 Year Old Infrastructure by Neil Owen (see page 13)

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IWA South East Region Chairman: Gareth Jones Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking RH5 4QQ Tel: 07850 819 071 Email: gareth@hillhouse.farm

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee Chairman, Basingstoke Canal & River Thames: Gareth Jones (as above) Secretary: Jenny Bartholomew Tel: 01306 882927 Email: jen.bartholomew@talktalk.net Acting Treasurer & R. Wey: Mike Lewis

K & A, WACT & Planning: Verna Smith

IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee Secretary, Sussex Ouse & Cargoes Contact: Roy Sutton 79, St Leonards Park, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1EG Tel: 01342 317569 Email: RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk Treasurer: Les Etheridge Membership Secretary: Anne Etheridge

Social Secretary: Sue Schwieso

Waterways Reps R. Medway: Michael Marsh R. Stour: Roy Newing Thames & Medway: Bernard Snell

Dartford & Crayford: Ken Moore

R. Adur: Brendan Whelan Northfleet Harbour: Graeme Rooney Royal Military Canal: Peter Wilkinson

Faversham & Swale: Dale Henson

IWA Oxfordshire Branch Committee Chairman: Steve Good 1 The Bungalows, Ham Lane, Aston, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2DE Tel: 07825 296357 E-mail steve@stevegood.info Secretary: Brian Saunders Tintern Cottage, County View, Clifton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 0QA Tel: 01869 337227 Email: brisaunders33@gmail.com Treasurer: Ann Yeatman Webmaster: Robin Williams

Cargoes co-ordinator & Jericho: Terry Yeatman Geoff Branner Non Committee Responsibilities

Thames RUG 3: Sue & David Cooper

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Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: At the January meeting we welcomed Derrick Hunt. On this occasion he had his “Canal & River Trust Work Parties” hat on. Derrick is the organiser of the volunteer work parties in the Bradford on Avon area of the Kennet & Avon Canal.

These volunteer work parties really started by accident when members of the K & A Trust gathered by the canal to clean & tidy. It all grew from there to the well organised group of volunteers who carry out many tasks from the simple to the skilled.

Derrick explained that canal restoration does not end with just the re-opening, if a canal is to remain open there has to be an on-going maintenance programme for which CRT do not have all the necessary resources. Many newly opened canals are very basic and require improvements in addition to the normal maintenance to make them attractive to boaters.

The number of volunteers in this area number about 40, sometimes there are three work parties out four days a week. We were quite surprised at the variety of tasks carried out by his volunteers, not just weeding, litter picking and cutting back vegetation but major skilled work is also done. Tasks such as hedge laying, designing and building steps, and building walls are also carried out. The volunteers support the C&RT engineers and contractors. C&RT supply the tools the materials, the boat “The Vale of Pewsey” together with the fuel and all the personal protection equipment that is required for this type of work.

Members of this group can be seen in their volunteer uniform, T shirts, sweat shirts & fluorescent jackets at Bradford on Avon Lock assisting boaters through the lock and generally forming a welcome party in this popular area.

Derrick is one of these people who uses his common sense, when he sees a job that needs attention they just get on with it. When asked “Why do it?” the answer is “Because it is there. What you do is enjoyed by many others.”

We could do with a few more like Derrick who show commitment and enthusiasm to keep up this good work to keep the K&A working for all of us to enjoy.

At the February meeting we welcomed Peter Turvey, Chair of the Crofton Branch of the Kennet & Avon Trust. Peter started by reminding us about the history of the Kennet & Avon Canal.

The main subject of the evening was “The Crofton Beam Engines.” Peter explained how Crofton houses the Boulton & Watt engine built in 1812 that is the worldʼs oldest fully working beam engine still in its original setting carrying out the job that it was designed for. The building also houses the second beam engine which originally came from the Cornish tin mines. The reason for the existence of these two pumps was to raise water 40 feet from the reservoir called Wilton Water and send the water along the one mile leat to just above Crofton top lock.

8 In 1968 Crofton was bought by the K&A Trust who then started its restoration. First steam up was in 1970 and was officially opened in the same year

by Sir John Betjeman. Sadly the chimney was considered to be dangerous so the top half had to be removed but fortunately it was rebuilt to its original height in 1997. Today Crofton is a grade 1 listed building 200 years old, but it constantly requires a lot of care and attention.

Peter then explained that the K&A Trust now has to look to the future, planning for essential conservation. As Crofton receives no government funding there is always a need for fund raising in order to secure this special place for future generations. Not just preserving the pumps and building but looking at a wider perspective to include all the facilities and activities that is required to attract the visitors of this day & age.

It was good to see that so many photographs exist of the old days, especially of the people who were involved in the initial restoration, even better that names could be put to these pioneers of restoration.

Some of our members knew quite a lot about the K&A and Crofton, others knew nothing at all, but everyone left the meeting having gained new knowledge about this amazing piece of industrial archaeology.

“Crofton is moving on but we will never forget the great debt that we owe to those heroic volunteers and enthusiasts that saved Crofton for present and future generations.”

At the March meeting we welcomed Andrew Phasey to talk to us about safety on board boats. Andrew is the Technical Officer of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs (AWCC) and is a member of the Technical Committee of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS). He also sits on the Canal & River Trust Council (CRT) as a private boating representative.

Andrew explained that the BSS was introduced twenty years ago. The aim is to minimise the risk of fire, explosion, pollution and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. He pointed out the main areas that the examiners check for: Ventilation – Most important as there are deaths every year from CO poisoning. He particularly emphasised the danger of this –“The Silent Killer”.

Fire Precaution – We were introduced to the range of fire extinguishers that should be used on fuel (diesel & petrol), electrics, gas and solid fuel. The audience took part in demonstrations of the correct ways to use a fire extinguisher and fire blankets.

Electrics – Andrew talked about the importance of securing batteries and the safe connection and isolation of the battery terminals.

Fuel Lines – Ensuring that the correct type of fuel lines has been used, that they are in perfect condition and routed to avoid abrasion and acute bends.

Gas Bottle Storage and Gas Pipes – Bottles must be stored in a ventilated position and securely mounted. Flexible and solid pipes must be checked regularly.

Solid Fuel Heaters – These must be securely mounted and checked for cracks, missing cover plates, & warped doors which could allow harmful gases to escape.

We were shown photographs of some of the appalling examples of highly dangerous installations that examiners have found when carrying out their examinations.

9 In the second half of the meeting Andrew changed the topic to “Tideway Cruising Adventures” where he showed us pictures of cruises on the tidal River Thames where all varieties of boats cruise regularly in convoy with the St Pancras Cruising Club. Here he emphasized the importance of detailed planning, a mandatory safety briefing, buoyancy for all and essential equipment such as anchors and navigation lights.

We all left the meeting ready to check all our safety precautions both at home as well as on board our boats.

At the July meeting the weather stayed very kind to us on 20th for our annual boules match. Jeff, landlord of The Green Dragon, served up his usual excellent BBQ enjoyed by all. Sixteen members showed their competitive spirit in the matches that followed. Heats, followed by finals produced a winning team who were then awarded with their prizes. All this was overseen by Jacques our French umpire. A good time was had by all.

Myra Glover

Programme of Events There will be no meetings in August or September.

Thu 20th Oct: “Heroes & Villains of the Basingstoke Canal” by Roger Cansdale.

The most surprising thing about this canal is that it still exists at all. This is largely due to the activities of a fairly small number of people who appeared at critical points in its history. Their actions were in some cases soundly commercial or altruistic & in others fraudulent & criminal, but without these heroes & villains the canal would not exist today & they may well be needed in the future.

Thu 16th Nov: “The Thames Sailing Barge.” by Gareth Jones, a member of the Thames Sailing Boat Trust. These craft were commercial vessels with flat bottoms built for the shallow waters & rivers of the Thames Estuary in the 19th century. They can dry out at low tide & could carry cargoes of 100 tons. Gareth will be telling us about the history of these craft & their use today.

Thu 7th Dec: Waterways Quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society. Questions will be set by the 2016 winners – Salisbury IWA. Thu 14th Dec: Christmas Dinner at The Green Dragon Alderbury.

Dates for our 2018meetings are: Thu 18th Jan, Thu 15th Feb, Thu 15th Mar, Thu 19th Apr, Thu 21st Jun, Thu 18th Oct, Thu 15th Nov, and Thu 13th Dec Unless otherwise stated, meetings are at The Green Dragon, Old Road, Alderbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3AR starting at 7.30pm when visitors will be warmly

10 welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 email glover.3@btinternet.com or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman Water levels on the Grand Union and the Basingstoke are down so boating may be restricted. The snap election has put on hold many plans.

The civil service is now in purdah postponing many meetings particularly those involving the EA. It is unfortunate that the Thames meeting on May 23 had to be postponed.

At the branch AGM the committee were re-elected. On the new committee Mike Lewis continues as acting treasurer, Jenny Bartholomew is Secretary. Verna Smith does most of the other jobs. She has also become a board member of the River Thames Alliance and jointly with myself represents the branch on Thames User Forums. Between us we cover the Wey and Arun, the Wey, the Thames from Teddington to Goring, the Kennet and Avon as far as Great Berwyn and of course the Basingstoke. At the AGM we had an excellent talk by Mark Rudall on steam boats.

Verna is also working on attendance at various shows and the branch social programme. We would also like to try and do more in the former Solent and Arun area. We did approach the Salisbury Group but they it seems have their hands full already.

Since my last report I have had four boating excursions; A day on the Wey, a weekend on a Thames sailing barge , a week on the Belgian waterways and two weeks doing the Thames , South Oxford , Grand Union ring. The Wey was in good shape and most enjoyable. The Thames barge proved most enjoyable despite some unfavourable weather, Roy Spurgeon and Verna Smith were the IWA content. The Belgian trip was a real eye opener. I was accompanied by three ladies and as well as a week on the waterways we visited Ypres and the Menin Gate a monument to the fallen at Passchendaele which started in August 1970. On the waterways we started at Nieupoort visiting both Bruges and Ghent. Belgian is not well served for boat hirers but we used a British firm Le Boat. We also received a lot of help from the Dutch Barge Association. Their magazine editor was moored in Bruges and a few weeks later we saw him again on the Grand Union near lock 60.

The waterways are very well organised. There was much commercial and very heavy freight with very professional boat handling skill on display. Where we went there were few locks but many lift bridges a quick call on a mobile or VHF and they magically opened to let us pass. We will go again and hopefully visit one of the very impressive boat lifts.

The ring was perhaps of most interest. We started and finished at Aldermaston which gave us a bit of the K and A which is not in good shape on this

11 stretch. The locks work poorly, the vegetation needs a very good cut back and some dredging please. The lambʼs foot bridges work well. The Thames is a delight although more locks could have lock-keepers. As you approach the end of the nontidal section at Teddington the river is busier and busier with a wide variety of users. IWA must ensure that nothing is lost and much gained from transfer from EA to CRT. The boatersʼ casual moorings are a big issue. The tidal section from Teddington to Brentford was exciting particularly as there was a very big tide running over the streets of Richmond. The journey is made at the top of the tide.

Even so one must make the turn into Brentford as to miss the turn and have to come back against the current would not be easy. It is pointless starting earlier from Teddington as little progress would be made against the incoming time. As we passed the Richmond locks all was submerged. The Grand Union was interesting with few stretches not populated with mooring boats, many of them wide boats. At the junction with the Northampton arm we took on a new crew including Verna Smith and for part of the time Philip Riley. Through Braunston and the South Oxford is a delight. Then the Thames again and back on the K and A. At Oxford we took the Dukes Cut to avoid the host of moored boats on the city section of the Oxford. A very interesting and fulfilling trip which was easily completed in two weeks.

At branch level we do miss Ray Carnell enormously. We could as a branch do with more volunteers. We have been unable to attend as many festivals at least in part because some of IWA equipment has not been released by Rayʼs executors.

Jenny has been hospitalised but is now on the road to recovery.

Gareth Jones

Sales & Publicity Stand As the season of fetes and festivals continues the manning of the Branch Sales Stand is becoming urgent. We were able to recruit some willing helpers at the AGM but we will need more folk to help in 2018.

The season ends with the Wey River Festival at Dapdune Wharf, Guildford on September 23rd which needs a couple of helpers Please contact: verna.smith63@gmail.com 01252 517622 if you can help.

Verna Smith

Bits on the Basingstoke The Basingstoke continues to have its problems. Since the breakdown of talks with CRT where we are told by the councils that "the time wasn't right" we are told that funding for the canal is "ring fenced". The repair works at

12 Dogmersfield are now complete. Swan cutting is still exploratory and many thanks on the engineering side to Roy Sutton. Water, particularly with the exceptionally dry start to the year, will be a problem. Galleon temporarily moved to the canal centre at Mychett during the stoppage to alleviate problems for their hire business.

The long term solution for the canal has to be CRT. In my view the transfer will need to be financed by a large grant from the lottery. This is the way it has happened for the Scottish Canals, the Rochdale, the Huddersfield Narrow, the Kennet and Avon and is a work in progress on the Montgomery and the Thames and Severn. We will continue to explore and exert pressure together with the Basingstoke Canal Society.

Gareth Jones

Basingstoke Canal Society Chairman’s Report The favourable weather has enabled the contractor to make good progress on the repairs to Tundry Hill Cutting in Dogmersfield. However, the ground conditions in the area of the slip are much more unstable than previously thought.

This has resulted in the need to reinforce the slopes in the cutting by the use of very large gauge piles and the installation of drilled ground anchors. This is a more complex solution than originally envisaged and, as a result, the work programme has been extended. It is now expected that the contract will be completed by midJune which will enable the canal to be re-opened to full navigation at that time. The effect of this delay is being felt by boat owners and not least by Galleon Marine who have moved some of their hire boat fleet to the Canal Centre until the navigation is reinstated.

A depth survey has recently been completed and this will enable the BCA/Counties to prepare a dredging strategy for the canal. Coupled with this there are now proposals to re-activate the BCA dredger, Unity, which has been out of service for some time. It is currently thought that dredging needs to concentrate on the particularly shallow sections rather than dredging complete lengths of the canal.

Work should start this summer on an extension to the wharf in Woking town centre adjacent to the WWF building. The Canal Society has agreed to part fund this project to the tune of ÂŁ12,000.

Although the negotiations with C&RT over the transfer of the canal to the Trust came to an end just before Christmas we understand that the door is still open and further discussions are scheduled for later this year. In the meantime the Counties have re-stated their commitment to support the canal over the next 3 years with HCC agreeing to make available the balance in their capital account after the repairs to the Dogmersfield slip and SCC indicating that it will make ÂŁ150,000 per annum available for capital projects until 2020. We find it encouraging

13 that the Counties fully recognize the need to maintain their capital contributions pending the outcome of the discussions over the long term future of the canal.

Philip Riley

Chobham Meetings The meetings continue to be held as usual on the third Wednesday of the month at the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, nr Woking GU24 8AZ commencing at 8pm.

Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Raffle and retiring collection. Non-members and friends are very welcome. Please pass the word around. The programme up to Easter 2017 is shown below: Wed 18th Oct: History and Restoration of the Cotswold Canals by Clive and Jill Field The 60 minute presentation takes the audience on a journey through history of the two waterways that make up the Cotswold Canals. We examine the rationale behind the need for water transport to bring heavy materials from the River Severn in Stroud - in 1779! We also consider the influences, past and present, of recreating the 36 mile link between the Rivers Severn and Thames.

Wed 15th Nov: The RNLI 'it's not all at sea' by Colin Brown Our volunteer lifeboat crews rescue 24 people a day. The RNLI is a charity which provides a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coast of the UK, plus seasonal lifeguard patrols on over 250 beaches, a Flood Rescue Team, water safety advice and training at home and abroad.

Wed 20th Dec: Wildlife along the Canal by Dave Williams and Kathryn Killner The talk will start with a general overview of habitats along the canal and their importance to wildlife. It will then provide some specific information about things to look out for, in particular how to spot signs of otters, water voles and dormice, amongst other species.

Wed 17th Jan: The Thames Tidal Defences by Nathan Ellis An introduction to the past, present and future of the Thames Barrier and its associated Gates, tidal Walls and Embankments.

Wed 21st Feb: Exploring the Caledonian Canal by Dr Roger Squires The talk will discuss TelfordĘźs masterpiece. A ship canal across Scotland using the natural fault line of the Great Glen and its series of fresh water lochs.

Wed 21st Mar: Whitchurch Silk Mill by Deborah Wheeler Join us for a virtual tour of a Georgian silk weaving water mill, see, hear and feel its fascinating history and beautiful fabrics.

Wed 18th Apr: Canal & River Trust Engineering a 200 Year Old Infrastructure

by Neil Owen

14 The presentation will discuss the way in which Canal & River Trust are managing their Engineering Assets, including future improvement and the implication on the possible adoptions of Waterway managed by other Navigation Authorities.

Further information at http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk or contact Malcolm Brickwood at chobham.talks@basingstoke-canal.org.uk Mark Coxhead operates a free email reminder service. Reminder emails are sent about a week prior. To be included on the list please contact Mark Coxhead at mark@coxhead.org.uk

Trips on the John Pinkerton II Regular Public Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II have restarted and run mostly from our base at Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham, which last approximately 2½ hours, either eastwards towards Winchfield, or to the west towards Greywell and Odiham (King Johnʼs) Castle (the direction determined by the skipper). A family ticket for two adults and two children is great value at £25. For more information and to see the schedule go to: http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/jp/public-trips Special (Themed) Cruises. These cruises were very popular last season, so please book early to avoid disappointment!

Fri 8th Sep, 7.00pm: Acoustic & Ale Special. Departing from Colt Hill, Odiham.

Approx. 3½ hour trip. Tickets: Adults £25, to include Acoustic Duo Still Crazy band and fish & chips delivered to the boat. Real ale available to purchase.

Wed 13th Sep, 2.30pm: Cream Tea Special. With piano accompaniment departing from Colt Hill, Odiham. Approx. 2½ hour trip. Tickets: £17.50 Fri 22nd Sep, 7.00pm: Jazz & Ale Special. Departing from Colt Hill, Odiham.

Approx. 3½ hour trip. Tickets: Adults £25, to include jazz band and fish & chips delivered to the boat. Real ale available to purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: Trip durations may be longer than stated when the Canal water level is low, for example after periods of little rain.

Bookings and Enquiries: Book on-line at johnpinkerton.co.uk/booking, or ring 01256 765889 (10am – 8pm) with your debit or credit card.

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Kennet & Avon Canal News Newbury News The K&A Trustʼs Newbury Trip Boat ʻJubileeʼ celebrates her 40th birthday this year. Jubilee had a ʻRe-launchʼ event on 17th April and her birthday party on 1st July. She is looking very smart having been professionally repainted for this special anniversary. Trips are every Saturday and Sunday 12 noon and 2pm, and Thursday at 2.30pm. Look out for our popular Pirate trips for children on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the school summer holidays. Check www.Jubilee.katrust.org.uk for more details.

The Crofton Beam Engines are now open for the season and this year is a good time to visit. Over the winter, the boiler has been refurbished following the successful fundraising campaign that raised the £45,000 needed for this vital work.

Crofton needs more work; for repairs to the buildings, to improve the loos and to provide new interpretation and family friendly activities. The Trust will shortly be submitting a ʻStage 2 bidʼ to the Heritage Lottery Fund for around £521,000 towards this £750,000 project. The Trust has already raised nearly £150,000 and will be working hard this summer to raise the rest. This is important work – ensuring the worldʼs oldest fully working beam engine is around for future generations to enjoy.

Details of opening times and Steaming weekends are on www.croftonbeamengines.org.uk Julie Dean

Reading News Reading Water Fest.

Reading Water Fest took place on Saturday 10 June 2017 between 11am and 5pm. The event was run from the Forbury Gardens, along the Kennet between Chestnut Walk and the Riverside Museum. Reading Borough Council and The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust were working together once again.

Live performances and free family activities in the Forbury Gardens, the avenue of stalls along Chestnut Walk, live music and a tasty bite to eat with something refreshing from the Bel and The Dragon at Blake's Lock plus the flotilla of boats along the Kennet Canal were enjoyed by all.

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Forthcoming Events The Reading Branch of the K&A Canal Trust are continuing to hold their monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month up to next May. These take place at The Grange Free Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, READING, RG30 3HD starting at 7.45 pm. Entry donation £2.50 (inc. K&A members) – to help with expenses. Further information from: John Swift who can be reached on 0118 941 5540 or 07533 886 917 and by email: swift.john21@gmail.com. The programme for 2017 is as follows.

Sat 26th Aug: Possible outing to Chichester Ship Canal or Chichester harbour.

Might hire a minibus. Contact Pam Swift (details as John Swift below).

For further information about K&A events in Reading and Newbury see their Website at www.katrust.org

Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group, reports on the latest developments: Progress continues on construction of the first half (York Stream) of Maidenheadʼs waterway ʻRingʼ, in conjunction with the regeneration of the town centre. The first 4 of the initial 8 sections of the waterway are now complete. Our contractors are currently working on two further sections of channel south of the GWR railway line, before completing the section by Maidenhead Library once the new footbridge has been installed there.

Completed section of York Stream to the north of A4/St Cloud Way, looking south from Town Moor.

With the flow diverted for the works, the water laying in the (now sealed) channel is rainfall only at this stage.

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Section towards Green Lane, currently being widened, deepened and sealed.

Fully submerged piles being used to allow natural sloping banks

The final linking section of the York Stream arm will be built by Shanly Group next year as part of its Chapel Arches Phase 3 development, creating a mini version of Reading's Oracle set around a small water basin on the north side of the restored road bridge. The detailed design for the downstream weir at Green Lane is awaiting sign off, but once built (due early 2018) will lift the surface water throughout the town centre to fill the enlarged channels.

The new water basin on the south side of the c1825 Chapel Arches bridge, with Shanlyʼs now completed Chapel Wharf (left) and The Picturehouse (right) apartments set on either side of the new water basin. The bridge awaits refacing

Completed section of channel between York Road and the GWR (and Brunelʼs c1838 tunnels), water at interim level pending installation of the downstream weir.

To view a YouTube 'fly through' using drone shots of the waterway – section by section, with landmarks added, and showing progress to date and next stages please see... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCmG_dp9Oh0. You can see the overall route maps and follow the projectʼs progress on MWʼs web site www.maidenheadwaterways.org or through these pages….

18

River Thames News The good news is that the Thames has won its licensing case. This means that not only will the EA be able to levy a one year fee on boats leaving Thames marinas but they will be able to charge for boats in Marinas. This is worth around a £1m per annum to the Thames. The budget for the Thames had been under pressure as funds were being used to pay for repairs to East Fairleigh lock on the Medway. This lock now has to have an additional £2m spent on it - hopefully this does not represent a further charge on the Thames.

There have been management changes on the Thames but the general election has curtailed progress on the potential CRT merger and indeed and discussions or meetings. As remarked elsewhere Verna Smith has join the River Thames Alliance board.

Gareth Jones

River Wey & Godalming Navigations After a fairly dry winter we had a few wet days during the early part of the year but as we have all noted – it has been a very dry spring. However our ground water levels are high and we do not envisage any need for navigation restraints at this time but now the boating season has begun in earnest we will, of course, regularly monitor the situation. With Easter behind us the nice dry, if chilly, weather has encouraged lots of people to get out and use their boats or to hire one. It is absolutely super to see people out on the waterway enjoying themselves navigating along this beautiful river navigation and dare I say it - a joy to all our volunteers and staff who put so much into maintaining and looking after the waterway for you.

During the summer we have lots of bank works planned. Currently the Maintenance Team are working on soft bank protection and towpath improvements from New Haw Railway Bridge upstream to Parvis Wharf. We also have works planned above Bowers Lock and below Triggs Lock. Later in the summer we plan to re-steel sheet the lower lock landing bays at Triggs and Unstead Locks and incorporate canoe portage points within the works. Later in the year we shall dewater Bowers Old Buck Weir and. much later, Newark Lock to facilitate principal engineering inspections. Lock gate changes for next winter are provisionally lowers at Coxes Lock and possibly one more pair elsewhere depending on wear and tear during the summer. We have now completed our channel survey for dredging purposes and are pulling together a dredging project to commence in 2018.

Spring also brought vegetation growth and the smell of wet paint! Our Lengthsmen Team, along with the help of many volunteers, are now busy cutting grass and painting locks and other structures. Iʼm reliably informed painting the white line down lock sides is far from easy. Our team are also busy in the summer delivering our events programme along the waterway which compliments the work

19 of the teams at Dapdune Wharf and Shalford Mill which have been particularly busy with lots of school visits at the moment.

So we are looking forward to a fine warm and dry season and I hope to meet some of you out and about on the waterway enjoying yourselves or if not at the Wey River Festival in September.

John Gibson, Navigations Manager

Guildford Hydro Project For centuries the River Wey has powered mills along its length, but all of these ceased working many years ago. For example, Newark burned down in 1966, Stoke is now a newspaper office and Guildford Town Mill at Millmead is used as a store and studio for the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. However, the millstream at Millmead now flows again to generate power, this time to generate electricity to feed in to the national electricity grid.

Sponsored by Guildford Borough Council, in 2006 the Guildford Hydro Project re-installed a water turbine in a small building called the Toll House beside Town Mill at Millmead in Guildford and this drives a generator feeding power into the grid. The turbine was brought from Ireland and replaced a similar turbine which was used to pump water to the reservoir on Pewley hill until 1952.

The old turbine is currently on display at Dapdune Wharf.

20 After 50 years of disuse the Toll House was restored in 2006 as part of this project. A meter in the front window shows the level of power being generated and a digital display shows the total energy generated since 2006. The total currently stands at 1.6 Gigawatt hours and this corresponds to a saving of about 850 tonnes of CO2 emission from generation by fossil fuels.

The turbine is an 42 inch open flume Francis turbine with an output of 45kW, estimated to power about 50 homes, although the power may be reduced due water restriction in Summer and lack of head due to flood in the lower reach in Winter. The shaft is vertical and water enters tangentially at high velocity from the side through guide vanes to drive the runner. The runner blades are curved at the bottom and discharge the water axially at low velocity so that almost all the kinetic energy is imparted to the shaft giving a high efficiency. Although the concept is over 100 years old, modern massive hydroelectric plants use the Francis turbine although they operate with a much greater head and use a closed snail shaped feed instead of the open flume. The guide vanes are movable and are adjusted under automatic control to give the best efficiency under all flow conditions.

The Hydro Project is an interesting mix of high and low technology. It has restored a historic building, provided environmental benefits by reducing CO2 emissions and, once capital costs are recovered, will provide an income stream for the Borough. The Toll House is not normally open to the public but Guildford Borough Council is willing to arrange visits to the Hydro Project by appointment.

The National Trust periodically runs boat trips from Dapdune Wharf to include visits to the Hydro Project.

Mike Lewis

Forthcoming Events Sat 9th Sep, 11am-5pm, Heritage Open Days, Dapdune Wharf: Hands-on activities for children, plus interesting facts for adults as we air the archives and artefact collection. Guided walk at 2pm from Dapdune to the Town Centre and the tread wheel crane.

Sat 23rd Sep, from 11am, Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf: We welcome boaters and visitors alike to celebrate everything that is great about the river. They'll be plenty to do such as willow weaving, children's crafts, Surrey Wood Turners and many other foodie and activity stands. The illuminated pageant at dusk is the highlight of the day, lighting up the river from the centre of Guildford.

21

Southampton Canal Society March Meeting - Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War. In 1991, the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology was established with funding from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Councils. From 2014 the Heritage Lottery Fund is part supporting the Trustʼs work for four years.

Stephen Fisher, the Research Officer reminded us of the changes in recording archaeology through digital photography and up to date software capabilities.

Stephenʻs talk and discussions gave us an insight into our ships and boats built, and used in WW1 including the German Navyʼs Fleet. An early view of St. Nazaire & Bruges with the U-boat pens. HMS Furious was the first aircraft carrier. 1914The North Sea War, zone blockades to hold the German fleets in, this led up to up to the Battle of Jutland. 1916 saw Dreadnoughts and U-boats attempting to starve our British ships. Sea Mines were dropped. December 1917 In Dover/France nets & mines laid to stop the U boats taking the easy route up the English Channel, A picture of the South Foreland lighthouse. The Hospital Ship Astunas, after discharging her patients at Avonmouth and clearly showing a Red Cross was torpedoed by German Sub VC66, she eventually ran aground in Salcombe.

Archive photographs, maps and drawings were shown. There are 610 known wrecks of the Isle of Wight all waiting to be recorded, on the River Hamble a Sea Plane Lighter and a few others lay by the M27 motorway bridge. These years of war at Sea was a great loss of Ships and People. There are Memorialsʼ at Tower Hill with 12,000 Merchant Seamen lost and Hollybrook Cemetery, Southampton with 57,200 known UK losses.

An excellent talk and it was much appreciated that Stephen was willing to spend time at the end listening and discussing questions members had. The Maritime Archaeology Trust are accredited to the Governing bodies of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

The Maritime Archaeology Trustʼs booklets were handed out. Inside the front cover showed the remains of German destroyer V82, recently identified by the Trust in Portsmouth Harbour. An enthusiastic band of volunteers help with meeting people at events, schools and talks. Venues all along the south coast range from country parks, sailing clubs, schools, scouts huts and museums. These events make use of their HLF funded Discovery Bus or event tent. Visit www.forgottenwrecks.org for more information Angela Rose “SCS Celebrates its 50TH ANNIVERSARY” 1967-2017.

On Thursday 1st June 1967, twenty local canal enthusiastʼs held their first meeting at the Scoutsʼ Headquarters in Millbrook. Brian Evans was elected Chairman and Laurie Pearce the Secretary. Thus was the Southampton Canal Society founded.

22 As our June Meeting was on Thursday 1st, to mark this occasion members and friends enjoyed an afternoon boat trip on the “John Pinkerton II” at King Johnʼs Castleʼ. Local historian, Derek Spruce, will give a talk.

Angela Rose

Forthcoming Meetings Thu 7th Sep, Cruising in Ireland by Gordon Osborn.

Gordon will be talking about family cruising in Ireland.

Thu 5th Oct, Itchen Village, Itchen Ferry and the Diaper Family by Cheryl Butler Thu 2nd Nov, Pete and Jane of the Day Star Theatre, on their yearly visit to Southampton Always a very entertaining evening. Tickets £10 from the secretary Angela Thu 7th Dec. Inter Society Waterways Quiz.

IWA Salisbury Group as last yearʼs winning team will be organising the Quiz and the evening is hosted by SCS. The traditional American Supper will finish off the evening.

Meetings, unless specifically stated otherwise, are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth Southampton SO16 7JZ. Start 7.45pm Visitors welcome. For monthly Newsletter visit www.sotoncs.org.uk or ring 02380 675312.

Wey and Arun Canal Trust WACT News COMPASSES BRIDGE PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION WACTʼs Summit (Northern) Working Party is driving on to finish the Compasses Bridge project, with May 1st as the latest target for completion, at the end of a planned visit from the Newbury Working Party of the Waterway Recovery Group.

March was a particularly busy and productive month on the northern section of the canal. The Open Working Week in the middle of the month saw much progress on the bridge site, at one of the entrances to the Dunsfold Park aerodrome and business complex.

There were between six and nine volunteers over each day of the six-day period, during which a ramp was installed on the airfield side leading from the road

23 down to towpath level. Two hundred and forty tons of crushed hard-core were rolled in using a remote controlled roller – the latter being used for safety reasons.

Volunteers working on the landscaping and public viewing platform at the new Compasses Bridge On the west side of the bridge, the transformation has been dramatic with a public viewing area and the wooden steps down to it completed and the siteʼs noticeboard reinstalled.

The whole area has been top-soiled and seeded with grass as part of the landscaping commitment and a path constructed to the neighbouring mobile home park. Yet more drainage work is under way beside the road and the whole area has been tidied.

Following completion of the Compasses Bridge project, WACTʼs work compound will be moved half-a-mile down to Ticknerʼs Heath at Dunsfold, in preparation for the working partyʼs next major job. This is a similar bridge to Compasses to replace the causeway blocking the canal at Ticknerʼs.

This project is in the early stages of planning, led by project engineer Tony Ford.

GENNETS BRIDGE Further down the canal, WACTʼs Thursday and Sunday group has a number of teams making progress at the new Gennets Bridge Lock site.

The project includes a bridge to carry the Sussex Border Path bridleway across the canal and one team is working on the parapets and making copings to go on its walls.

24

Project engineer Eric Walker on the new bridleway bridge at Gennets Bridge Bricklaying is continuing in the lock itself, with work taking place on training walls, top sill and the back-pump chamber.

Plans are also being made to excavate a new winding hole at the northern side of the local, for when the canal is restored from the current head of navigation at Southland Lock.

Volunteers at Gennets Bridge Lock have been tested on the practice and theory for the safe use of tracked excavators over 10 tonnes. Five people have had some expert instruction from Alan Dougharty, of Accredited Plant Training at Hadfold Farm, Adversane.

WEY & ARUN CANAL TRUST AGM By anyoneĘźs standards, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust had a remarkable year, chairman Sally Schupke told the 2017 AGM at Cranleigh Village Hall on Saturday, April 29th.

WACT Board members listen to Chairman Sally The Trust was Schupke give her report during the 2017 AGM continuing to make good progress with its three-site strategy and had also made significant progress on planning future projects.

25 The construction and opening of Compasses Bridge in Alfold had been completed on time and on budget and WACT volunteers were making excellent progress with the Gennets Bridge Lock construction.

Plans for phase one of the Bramley Link project were continuing, with a planning application soon to be made and the public consultation process to start soon, followed by the necessary fundraising.

“Alongside WACTʼs achievements in canal restoration, we can celebrate a huge breakthrough in the first part of 2017,” said Sally. “For the first time, the Trust now owns significant sections of land on and near the canal route.”

After a long legal process, it had finally signed James Field, the documents to acquire the Hunt Nature Park site in Chairman of Wey & Shalford from Surrey County Council. Thanks to Arun Enterprises Ltd, another generous transfer from a local landowner, gives his report to the the Trust also owns most of Gosden Aqueduct between 2107 WACT AGM. Shalford and Bramley.

Waverley Borough Council had transferred ownership of the Whipley Manor railway bridge site, near Cranleigh, to the Trust and the latest acquisition, again thanks to generous landowners, was a significant section of canal in the Alfold and Ifold area.

“Our big event for 2016 was the bicentennial weekend at the beginning October, when the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Wey & Arun Junction Canal and the official opening of Compasses Bridge were celebrated,” Sally added.

The celebrations at Loxwood with members dressed in a variety of period costumes and the special boat trips, the formal opening of the bridge by Dame Penelope Keith and the celebration tea at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford including the naming of member Paul Barfield's boat by the Mayor of Guildford had provided significant publicity for the Trust.

Referring again to restoration projects, Sally said the Northern Working Partyʼs focus would move down the canal to Ticknerʼs Heath once the Compasses landscaping was finished. There, project manager Tony Ford was already working on the next major project in the area, a new canal crossing to replace the causeway on Dunsfold Road. If all went well, work on the ground could start early in 2018.

Also scheduled for early 2018 was the opening of the Sydney Thriscutt Slipway, roughly halfway between Compasses and Tickner's.

Alongside the major projects, maintenance and improvement of the restored sections of canal were continuing, said Sally. Thanks to volunteer project manager Brian King and a generous grant from British Canoeing, there were now two canoe landing stages at Loxwood. WACT was always keen to encourage responsible canoeists on the Loxwood section and numbers continued to increase.

The ambitious plans for 2017 and beyond required it to step up its fundraising. The Boat Group was a huge contributor to this, with another excellent year of public and chartered cruises adding more than £58,000 to Trust income.

The Trust was also grateful to everyone who supported the Local giving match funding campaigns and to all who bought tickets in the Christmas Raffle,

26 which raised nearly £5,000. The 157 walkers on the annual sponsored walk, the Poddle, brought in around £10,000.

During the year, the Trust had mourned the loss of three immensely valuable volunteers, John Taylor-Cram, Geoff Perks and Dave Kersley.

John administered the Christmas raffle, organised the talks panel, looked after registrations for small boat rallies and administered the newspaper recycling scheme.

Geoff planned the route for the Poddle for many years but his contributions behind the scenes were larger. He was a meticulous administrator who served as Trust Secretary from 2000 to 2004. He was also a proof-reader, checking the WeySouth magazine before publication.

Dave devoted much of his spare time to volunteering for the Trust over four decades. Over the years, he was involved in many aspects of the restoration project, from crewing trip boats to joining various working parties. In recent times, he was the main driver of WACTʼs Land Rover, delivering supplies and equipment and towing the mobile display vehicle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Wey & Arun Canal Trust press and public relations officer Rob Searle.

Tel: 01276 857914 Mob: 07913 416435 e-mail: rob_searle@weyandarun.co.uk

Forthcoming Events Public trips in to run from the WACT Canal Centre until Sunday 29th October, 2017.

Sat 9th Sep, 11.00am – 3.00pm, Guildford's Treadwheel Crane, Heritage open days. Come and join volunteers from the Wey & Arun Canal Trust at the Town Wharf in Guildford (opposite the White House pub and St Nicolas church - also, Church tower open during the morning for visits to the top and bell chamber) and see the Guildford Treadwheel Crane. Meet our costumed boat people along the wharf side who will be on hand to talk about life on-board. Also childrenʼs' activities, a sales stand featuring river and canal goods plus historical photographic display.

The Wey Navigation was opened in 1653 and the crane which stands on the redeveloped riverside at Guildford probably dates from the late 17th century. It was used to load and unload barges at the former wharf, close to its present position, and was worked by men walking inside the 18 foot diameter wheel. Access to exterior at any time (SU 994 494).

Sat 9th Sep, 2.15pm: Heritage Open Day guided circular walk - Shamley Green.

Visit Whipley Rail Bridge and Josias Jessopʼs canal swingbridge, Shamley Green, and join us on the Wey & Arun Canal Trustʼs new Callcott Reilly walk trail. Meet at the Shamley Green church car park for guided walk by Alan Johnson, Vicechairman of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust who will lead you on a 4-mile circular walk to see how the 1865 Guildford-Horsham railway crossed the 1816 Wey & Arun Canal and explore a newly revealed iron truss bridge and see local industrial heritage. Although most of the paths are flat, please wear appropriate footwear for

27 this country walk. Free of charge (donations to WACT welcome). Meet at Shamley Green church car park. Please book online or notify your attendance to: events@weyandarun.co.uk by 8 September. 01483 505566.

Sun 10th Sep, 2:30pm - 5:00pm, Heritage Open Day Guided Walk, Gunpowder Store (Shalford) to Bramley. Led by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, approximately 2.5km, 2 hours, starting from Stonebridge Wharf, the walk follows parts of the course of the original canal to the former Bramley Wharf. The walk includes the new Hunt Nature Park in Shalford. Although most of the paths are flat, please wear appropriate footwear for this country walk. Pre-booking required: Book online (see button above) or telephone: 01483 505566 or email: events@weyandarun.co.uk by noon Thursday 8th September. Meet at the Gunpowder Store, Stonebridge Wharfside, Shalford. The Gunpowder Store may also open. Parking available at Broadford Business Park, Shalford GU4 8EP (behind the Parrot Inn) on the A248 Shalford-Godalming road.

Sat 28th Oct: Autumn meeting at Pulborough Arun Hall Further details and booking from the Trust Office on 01403 752403. office@weyandarun.co.uk www.weyandarun.co.uk Northern Office Phone: 01483 505566 (Mondays-Thursdays, 8.30am-12.30pm)

IWAKES Branch News Mike Hannan Just before publication we have heard that Mike Hannan, the Chairman of the IWA Kent and East Sussex Branch, died on 31st July. He was a hugely popular and effective Branch Chairman, garnering input and support for a wide variety of Branch activities, and is much missed. We hope to provide a full appreciation in the next issue.

Bill Young, 1932-2017 Bill Young was born in Gravesend in 1932. He was an evacuee and subsequently his family moved to London and North Devon before returning to Gravesend. Bill was called up and joined the Army Catering Corps, becoming a trained baker. He subsequently worked as a gas-fitter and, for many years, in developing and making Occupational Therapy aids. He had an interest in boats from his youth and owned many, including a narrowboat which provided the design of the floral wreath on his coffin. Bill was master of the IWA ĘťJubileeĘź which he took from Teddington to Gravesend and up Dartford Creek in July 2006, with his wife,

28 Sue, and several other IWAKES members as crew. Bill was a radio ham, and we needed his ability with the VHF radio. He and Sue travelled the UK canals widely and also visited France, Belgium and Holland waterways. Bill was Commodore of the Strood Yacht Club and was instrumental in enabling IWAKES to use the clubhouse as a venue for social meetings. Bill died of Alzheimerʼs disease on 6th July 2017. He will be remembered for his sense of humour and practical approach.

Past Events Flood Management on the Romney Marsh At the end of March eleven members and friends travelled to the charming outpost of Rye Harbour/for a talk by Ali Taylor of the Environment Agency concerning Flood Management on the Romney Marsh. She was joined by her colleague Andy Crates. They showed some interesting maps to illustrate the talk. The Lowest area of land is about 15 miles inland from the coast. The state of the sea wall at Dymchurch in 2007 was perilous and deteriorating fast. So, after many years of patching work, it was clear major work was needed as 14.500 homes and a power station are behind the sea wall. Up to today £130 million has been spent and four schemes are needed to complete the work and to guard against breaching and overtopping. The Ministry of Defence have some of the biggest firing ranges in the country behind the sea wall and they have paid a substantial contribution.

The Rother/Romney Catchment is Aliʼs area. It has 384 km of watercourses. EA are responsible for weed-cutting, embankment mowing, coastal works, tree works, trash screen clearance, blockage removal, intermittent dredging, construction, repairs and incident response. Also, all the while, they think about the wildlife around them. They work closely with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. EA carry out three main types of coastal works… beach monitoring, shingle recycling and beach recharge. They have 32 pumping stations, three tidal sluices and eight coastal outfalls and they manage and maintain flood storage reservoirs to retain flood water to prevent it reaching downstream towns. All in all a most interesting evening missed by the greatest majority of the members.

Angela Acott The Medway Prison Hulks Keith Gulvin spent more than 20 years painstakingly researching facts from fiction of this subject and presented a fascinating insight into what life was like for prisoners and convicts aboard some of the numerous hulks moored on the River

29 Medway between 1793 and 1847.

One of the most famous ships was HMS Victory which was originally built at Chatham Dockyard and converted to a hospital Prison Ship before being refitted for Lord Nelson prior to the Battle of Trafalgar. Many ships were captured from the French, Spanish, Dutch, Danes and American navies.

Some of them could house over 1000 men. Hulks were also part of fiction as Charles Dickens places a convict ship at Cooling in Great Expectations which was certainly a Coast Guard vessel on station to suppress the local smuggling trade.

Visitors to the hulks could purchase wood carving and paintings made by the inmates.

The French prisoners were particularly skilled at carving intricate figures from the bones of their meat ration. Some very fine examples can be seen in the Guildhall Museum Rochester In 1823 special arrangements were set up for 300 young offenders, some only six years old.

Originally, they would have been housed with the hardened criminals, and transferred to HMS Bellerophon which was built close by in Frindsbury. The imprisonment of these young people was the forerunner of the Borstal Young Offenders Institutions established in the Medway Town in 1911.

Bernard Snell

River Adur The Shoreham Slipways Group (SSG) has been trying to arrange a meeting with Southern Housing (SH), the developers of Free Wharf which is on the bank of the river Adur in Shoreham by Sea. It is hoped that an ancient public hard, within the site, could be reopened as a slipway. SH commissioned a consultancy to list all the reasons why a slipway could/should not be created. They have not discussed the matter with Shoreham Port Authority. Their plans to build a viewing platform at the end of the existing hard would not be allowed because it would both obstruct access from what is a public highway and obstruct the river channel. Similarly, their proposed cantilevered walkway along the banks of the river would be dangerous on a tidal river because boats could become trapped (and debris would accumulate).

The phrase "public realm" is used many times in the report to illustrate that a slipway would detract from this concept but it can be argued that a slipway will enhance the "public realm" and help the local economy. As requested, the SSG will respond on the report to the local council and will also ask the local MP, Tim Loughton, to call a meeting of interest parties. Attached are technically accurate images, commissioned by the SSG, showing how a slipway would blend into the proposed scheme.

Brendan Whelan

30

Dartford and Crayford Creek Restoration Trust The trust first set out in 2014 as a Facebook group, which now has over 1,100 members. The Dartford and Crayford Creek Restoration Trust (DCCRT) formed officially in the Spring of 2016. In summary, DCCRT's objectives are to: • promote the conservation, preservation, protection, improvement and sustainable development of the physical and natural environment of Dartford and Crayford Creeks; • advance education for the public benefit in the heritage and the historical, architectural and social significance of the Dartford and Crayford Creeks; • provide marine recreational facilities for public benefit.

Dartford Creek at high tide photo by Sandra Applegate

Dartford Creek at high tide photo by Sandra Applegate Decommissioned lifeboat moored in Dartford Creek 2016 For those unfamiliar with the area, both creeks are tidal. Dartford Creek extends from Dartford town to the Thames, while Crayford Creek extends from the former Vitbe Mill to join Dartford Creek. Navigation for masted vessels to Dartford is limited

31 by the bridge on Bob Dunn Way (the A206), however on Crayford Creek there is no restriction until the rail bridge (4.8m) Historically, industries served by the creeks included linseed oil, mustard seed, cotton, flour and saw mills, fishery, brick works, iron works, gas works, paper manufacture, timber and coal merchants, brewery, tannery, pharmaceuticals, munitions and cement making. These industries are now all gone.

The creeks and the surrounding marshes have considerable ecological value and provide a demarcation between Greater London and Kent. The banks of Dartford Creek, once busy with industries noted above, are becoming lined with housing developments. This has proved a mixed blessing, in that access to the river becomes more restricted. On the other hand, a recent S106 arrangement is leading to the refurbishment of a long-abandoned slip way. Once operational, this will improve access to the river and, it is hoped, attract more craft to the river. The London Borough of Bexley recently approved a planning application for an industrial development, potentially affecting the use of Crayford Creek. DCCRT made submissions to both the council and the developer, and have won an undertaking by the developer to provide additional facilities for creek users.

Sailing on Crayford Creek

photo by Mike Chairman Over recent years, the creeks have attracted an increasing number of visitors. A small number of yachts have navigated from the Thames up to Crayford Creek . In addition a narrow boat moored for several weeks in Dartford Creek in 2015 and 2016, and we were graced with a visit from a de-commissioned life boat last year.

The bright orange livery attracted much attention! London Borough of Bexley has approached a social funding advisor on our behalf, and we await the outcome of a meeting between the advisor and Bexley's Chief Executive in April.

32 We seek funding for an initial consultancy report, to help us develop a plan for substantial improvements for both water-borne and land-based users of the creeks.

There is potential for improved moorings between Dartford town and Dartford Lock and at Vitbe Basin and the approaches along Crayford Creek. Other aids to navigation may include: • • •

Mooring buoys at the mouth of the Creek for use by visitors when waiting for suitable tide conditions.

Marking the navigation channel.

Height and depth gauges at the Flood Barrier and bridges

And on land: • •

Improvement to riverside access and sign posting.

Heritage / ecology information boards.

In the long term, we aim to promote opportunities for apprenticeships and maritime employment.

DCCRT has a Facebook page: Friends of Dartford and Crayford Creek, aka Steam Crane Wharf. Members to share anecdotes and pictures of the creeks.

We also have a web page, which readers are invited to visit: www.dartfordcrayfordcreek.org.uk/ Ken Moore

River Medway News

The £3.5 million refurbishment to East Farleigh Lock is now well underway.

Medway River Users Association and IWAKES Committee members were invited

by Phil Munslow (Environment Agencyʼs Navigation Manager) to view the work on 14th February. A very strong new, heavily reinforced concrete skin is being placed over the face of the existing (circa 1911) mass-concrete lock chamber walls to tie them together where their joints are failing and water leaking through.

The main logistical problem is getting material to the lock, which is on the north bank, separated from road access by the railway station. This is achieved by a sixty-tonne crane, operating from newly-built piled foundations by the south bank lockhouse and whose boom spans the entire width of the River. Bulk materials and plant are

33 transported over a pontoon placed just upstream of the weir. This is also carries the pipe that delivers pumped concrete.

50 N/mm2 concrete is used to give long term strength, but in the short term it cures quickly, enabling shuttering to be quickly stripped and speeding the work.

Uplift of the unreinforced concrete chamber floor when the chamber is drained is prevented by seven hundred tons of precast concrete blocks placed onto it using the crane and divers, leaving sufficient gap each side to allow temporary shuttering for concrete to be installed. The old walls are braced apart by huge cylindrical steel shores that are removed in stages as concreting proceeds. Once the new concrete walls are in place then a new reinforced concrete floor will be cast between them in stages as the blocks are lifted out.

The project also includes the installation of a new fish pass on the south bank so that, when the restoration is completed, 9 out of 10 lock sites along the River Medway will have fish passes. Also, a new breakwater is being built below the lock to protect boats from turbulence from the weir sluices.

Unfortunately, the discovery of very poor concrete in a retaining structure to the bottom lock gate recess has resulted in a 12week extension to the outage and it will now be mid to end of June before the lock is reopened. Similar problems were not encountered in three previous lock refurbishments, so this came as a surprise. The circa ÂŁ400K additional cost will come from next yearĘźs budget.

Roy Sutton (for Mike Marsh) Medway Licence Consultation I have seen the EA navigation charges. Seems very unfair to me to increase Medway's charges by 10%- the smallest of the 3 regions while Thames has 5.7% and Anglia only have 7.5 % rise. They have the larger boat license base from which to raise more money so feel the 10% is an unreasonable disparity between the regions. I think the Thames boaters have quite a powerful lobby so maybe that comes into play.

The consultation document above is well presented and as usual, details the EA case for increases very well.

You have my full support in opposing the 10% fee rise which I suspect you will. I understand the EA need to raise income and feel a 5-7% rise in the charge would be fairer in the light of what other regions are being asked to pay.

CRT licence fees are going up too but not by 10%.

In highlighting the reduction in Government grant aid in the document, the EA makes the case quite well for the urgency of a CRT/EA navigations transfer to go

34 ahead- a position the IWA has and is till lobbying for as you know. Personally I feel however that with the current uncertainty over Brexit and what UK Government will be spending on this, I cannot see any transfer going ahead just yet. Michael Gove seems to have only just got his feet under the desk but has more about him than his predecessor so who knows!

Mike Marsh

Future IWAKES and Other Events Wed 11th Oct, 7.30 for 8.00pm, Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend. DA12 2BS: ʻNarrowboats to the Medwayʼ: Talk by Simon Judge on last yearʼs visit by eleven boats from St Pancras Cruising Club.

Thu 26th Oct, 7.30 for 8pm, Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend. DA12 2BS: "Crossings of the Lower Thames" talk by Rob Poole Thu 16th Nov, 7.00 for 7.30pm, The Upper Room, Perrymount Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3DM (near the railway station and 200 yards from Clair Hall): ʻThe Ouse – Source to Seaʼ by Geoffrey Mead. A pictorial journey looking at how geology shapes the physical and human landscape and rural and urban economy. Dr Mead, a tutor at the University of Sussex, is a popular and well-known figure in adult education history teaching circles in Sussex and his talks and walks are renowned. His work with the Centre for Community Engagement at the University of Sussex has featured in the national press, with, for example, his academic tours of Brightonʼs murky past giving a boost to the new film version of Graham Greeneʼs classic novel, Brighton Rock. His doctoral research is in the development of interwar suburbia and the associated issues of landscape change and housing issues. He currently lectures and teaches in the areas of Sussex coastal landscapes, Sussex agricultural history and Sussex industrial history Joint SORT and IWAKES meeting.

Thu 14th Dec, 7.30 for 8.00pm, Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend, DA12 2BS: Get together with Thames & Medway Canal Association.

Thu 25th Jan, 7.30 for 8.00pm, Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood, Kent.

ME2 2AH: Meeting remains subject to confirmation Wed 21st Feb, 7.30 for 8.00pm, St Nicholas Church Hall (Small Hall), Poplar Grove, Maidstone. ME16 0DE: Branch Annual General Meeting followed by quiz.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Venue maps can be found at www.waterways.org.uk/kent/kent_east_sussex

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Oxfordshire Branch News Branch Chairman Over 60? Looking for somewhere to enjoy a two-course hot meal among friends, with easy transport connections, or free and easy car parking facilities?

Sturdyʼs Castle Country Inn, Banbury Road, Kidlington Oxfordshire has all of this and is where the IWA Oxfordshire Branch have been meeting of late. It is proving to be a very fine, affordable and popular place to meet with our many likeminded friends. In fact, as I type I am already looking forward to our next meeting at Sturdyʼs Castle as scheduled for just after the Easter Holidays, as we all look forward to moving into early May and then the summer.

This topic of meeting together with like-minded friends, leads me on to one of my two pet subjects, namely what are we as members of the IWA Oxfordshire branch doing, or not doing, for the following . . . . . Over 18? Over 30? Over 40?

Over 50? Groups. What can IWA Oxfordshire Branch say they are offering to these younger folks? Remember, we were all once the same age as them.

Aged 18 years I was a very fit and healthy young Inland Waterways enthusiast. I had been enjoying holidays and weekends afloat for 11 years by then!! My dadʼs first boat was purchased by him when I was aged just seven. I vividly recall we very proudly flew our IWA pennant on every outing too. Indeed, I was so much of an Inland Waterways enthusiast that by the age of twenty-one I was living with my new wife on a narrowboat working hard to get our first canal side boatyard to pay us a living wage.

So, my first question for this issue of CARGOES is, what are all our current Branch Members and our Branch Committee actively doing, or at least planning to do, to reach out to attract tomorrows “Over 60ʼs” IWA Supporter enthusiast, those who today are aged 7, or 21, or 35, etc.?

Indeed, lets risk getting very personal here, by rephrasing the same question, by requesting you all individually to ask and answer yourself “what am I personally doing or am I prepared to do, to proactively reach out to attract tomorrows “Over 60ʼs” to join the IWA Oxfordshire Branch today? Food for thought . . . . .

Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it, And Anyone could have done it But in the end Nobody always ended up with the task.

When Nobody did it, Somebody was angry because it was Everybody's job.

But Everybody thought that Somebody would do it instead.

Now Nobody realised that Nobody would do it.

So consequently, Everybody blamed Somebody When Nobody did what Anybody could have done In the first place.

36 Please let us have your names if you are willing to join a new branch “Working Group” to focus on appealing to a wide range of younger enthusiasts in an attempt to get them involved in our IWA branch activities – Thank you in anticipation for your help.

I look forward to DOING IT with you!

My second pet topic is . . . . .

Over the years, the IWA Oxfordshire Branch seems to me to have become focussed upon the southern 35 miles of the Oxford Canal, whilst seemingly largely ignoring the fact that we have a responsibility to fellow Inland Waterway enthusiasts on the 60 miles of River Thames, a distance of nearly twice the length!! The fact is our branch responsibility stretches from Goring on Thames in South Oxfordshire, all the way to Lechlade on Thames at the southern edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire.

See here: https://www.waterways.org.uk/oxfordshire/oxfordshire where on our own IWA Oxfordshire Branch website page we proudly boast the following . . .

Welcome to the IWA Oxfordshire Branch pages.

Waterways in the Oxfordshire Branch comprise approximately 60 miles of the River Thames, 35 miles of the Oxford Canal and 25 miles of the Wilts & Berks Canal (under restoration).

And finally Ladies and Gentlemen . . . . . . at present we seem to have little to do with engaging with the Wilts & Berks Canal Restoration project or enthusiasts despite the fact that . . . .

“In 2006, IWA provided a grant of about £60,000, to celebrate its diamond jubilee that year, as a major funder for the construction of a new length of waterway to connect the canal to the Thames near Abingdon. The work was carried out by the Canal Trust, a contractor and WRG volunteers, and was opened during the week following IWAʼs National Festival at Beale Park on the Thames in late August 2006.”

Clearly as a leading IWA Branch we need to step up to the plate and shoulder our responsibilities to widen our “Vision”. To find new innovative mechanisms and imaginative new ways to meet with and support some of these like-minded individuals who fall into the remit of our Branch Area. To try to become involved in their work and their aspirations for the future too, if nothing else perhaps we could try holding a joint winter season meeting to hear about their work and progress.

Please, let all those reading this article today pledge to find just a little spare time to volunteer in some small way to get personally involved. Involved in some little way or another, to put back just a little of what we have all got out of it in the past. Involved, to halt any decline of our branch and instead to help grow our branch into being one of the biggest and best IWA Branches in the Country.

We most certainly have the very best inland waterways to work with. We share an undoubted common interest in our inland waterways heritage and lifestyle.

Surely, we can now all come together to use our combined skills and many years of

37 wide experience, to show just how much we care about giving back a little of ourselves, giving back for our future generations benefit, your grandchildren and mine, NOT just by the giving of a little of our money but a little of ourselves.

Please call me any time to offer a little of your time and talents too. 01993851586 Warmest regards to you all and have a great summer season.

Steve Good

Banbury Canal Day 2017 Canal Day in Banbury this year is ʻonʼ again after a delay to building work planned for the waterside.

Organisers Banbury Town Council are working flat out to contact boaters, charities, clubs, businesses and others who make the event the busy, exciting day out that people have come to expect.

Already the response has been positive and visitors are guaranteed a variety of stalls including food vendors, music courtesy of Banbury Folk Festival, funfair, and plenty of water-base...d action.

Mayor Cllr Colin Clarke said: “Canal Day is a massive event with around 12,000 visitors – some travelling long distances to get here. It is good news that we can have the event this year when all seemed lost. I want to thank Castle Quay for telling us of the change of plan as soon as they were aware of it. Many boaters – especially traders – plan their year with Banbury Canal Day in mind and we hope some will still available to help make the day a massive success.”

Anyone wishing to participate or trade please email info@banbury.gov.uk

Wilts & Berks Canal In the Oxfordshire area, the local district council VWHDC have been consulting regarding the Second Stage of their local plan to 2031. A specific policy is included which safeguards the historic route from prejudicial development as well as support in principle for restoration. In the Stage One plans various onerous clauses had been included unlike in the plans for our neighbouring authorities and the previous 2011 local plan so we were pleased to see these removed in the new version after discussion.

In the Vale of White Horse after years of negotiation the Trust obtained a long lease over a long stretch of canal west of Wantage. The restoration will include at least one lift bridge and a weir to control the water level. Much planning work remains to be done including ecology reports and habitat management plans but this should keep us busy for a while.

We came to village fete and show season. We will have attended the Newbury Waterways Festival on July 23rd where we were alongside the stand from our friends in the IWA regional branch. We will also be taking our marquee to the White Horse Show at Uffington for the August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday.

For the Wantage branch of the Canal Trust aka East Vale work parties are all about maintaining the towpath and verges after the spring rush of growth. The

38 intrepid team can be seen in various locations with strimmers working their way along.

Over the county boundary in Wiltshire excavation work at Studley Grange near Royal Wootton Bassett was completed earlier this year and planting of wildflowers along the towpath and margins in association with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust started this spring At Dauntsey Lock the restoration of the Peterborough Arms continues. The restored community rooms are nearly ready for opening with full opening as a pub planned for later this year. Our Trust HQ and Office will continue to be based there.

Brian Stovold

South London Branch Forthcoming Events Unless otherwise indicated, the following South London Branch Social Events will take place at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at: The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. There is no admission charge for talks, film shows or presentations but we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakersʼ expenses, thank you.

Wed 13th Sep: The work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - speaker TBC Wed 11th Oct: Canal & River Trust - Saving our waterways heritage by Phil Emery, CRT Wed 8th Nov: The Wey Navigation by Dr Roger Squires Wed 13th Dec: Mulled Punch & Mince Pies to celebrate Christmas All are welcome, IWA members or non-members at our meetings For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk

Towpath Walks Group Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regentʼs Canal (and elsewhere).

This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways – which most outsiders donʼt realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, weʼll brief you so, if youʼd like to give this a try, please contact Roger Wilkinson.

39 Mon 28th Aug, 1.00pm: Walk, The Olympics, Bow Back Rivers & Carpenters Road Lock, meet Stratford Station (Newham London sign) Sun 3rd Sep, 2.30pm: Walk, Regentʼs Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 17th Sep, 2.30pm: Walk, Limehouse to Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 1st Oct, 2.30pm: Walk, Regentʼs Canal: Kingʼs Cross Granary Square to Camden, meet Kingʼs Cross (taxi rank) Sun 15th Oct, 2.30pm: Walk, Grand Union Canal: Paddington to Little Venice, meet Paddington (Bakerloo, Praed St. exit) Sun 5th Nov, 2.30pm: Walk, 400 Years of the New River, meet Manor House (Finsbury Park exit) For more information about Walks (Normal charge: £10.00, Concessions & Student rate: £8.00) please contact Roger Wilkinson, telephone: 07896 801930 or email: rogerw9796@yahoo.co.uk

Scotland’s newest canal named in honour of The Queen A NEW canal section forming the eastern gateway to Scotland's historic Forth & Clyde Canal was given a royal seal of approval as it was officially named in honour of Her Majesty The Queen on July 5th.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh boarded the Seagull Trust barge the Wooden Spoon Seagull and led a small flotilla along Scotland's newest canal section, built as part of the £43 million Helix project which features the internationally acclaimed, 30m-high Kelpies sculptures, before unveiling a plaque officially naming the new section the Queen Elizabeth II Canal. The unveiling was accompanied by a breathtaking aerobatic display from the Global Stars stunt flying team.

The Queen Elizabeth II Canal forms the eastern gateway to the Forth & Clyde Canal, which carves across Scotland from Bowling in the west to Grangemouth and the River Carron in the east. One of the most complex sections of waterway ever constructed in Scotland, the Queen Elizabeth II Canal passes underneath two major trunk roads (M9 and A905) and across utility pipelines, demanding innovative engineering solutions from a UK-wide team of experts.

The Helix project and the canal at its heart have transformed the maritime experience of sailors arriving from across Northern Europe and beyond and created a world-class marine hub into and out of Scotland. The 1km canal returns

40 the Forth & Clyde back to its birthplace in Grangemouth some 250 years after it was built.

The QEII Canal is the final piece of the Millennium Link – an £83.5 million project that restored the nation's inland waterways to a navigable state for the first time in more than 50 years and saw the construction of the iconic Falkirk Wheel. from towpathtalk, 12 July 2017

Transformation of derelict East London waterways complete CRT are welcoming boaters back to the Bow Back Rivers that run through East London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, after a 10 year transformation project that has turned the derelict, virtually unnavigable waterways into a major new route for the capital.

It follows investment of over £60 million as part of the wider regeneration of the area in the lead up to and following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Exploring the capital's canals and rivers Jon Guest, Canal & River Trust's London waterway manager, said: "The transformation of the area has been incredible. Those with long memories will remember that the rivers in this part of the east end were all but unnavigable, subject to the tides and full of fly-tipped fridges, cars and tyres. I'm over the moon to see the changes and I'm excited for everyone who will get to explore them, at a time when the capital's canals and rivers are arguably more popular than any time in history."

The three and a bit miles of rivers in the Park were once used by local industries but the drop in canal freight after the Second World War, together with a build-up of silt, saw them decline until they were largely closed in the 1960s. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games offered the opportunity to unlock the true commercial and leisure potential of the Bow Back Rivers. Now the waterways will be once again open to boaters and other people who want to get on the water and enjoy the Capital's newest cruising route.

Paul Brickell, London Legacy Development Corporation, said: "The waterways of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have a fantastic industrial heritage.

We have worked hard for many years to open up the waterways so more people can use them, and are proud to welcome leisure boats into the Park to complement the commercial activity we have already introduced.

"We've got lots coming up this summer, as we celebrate the restoration of Carpenters Road Lock and look forward to hosting our first East London Waterways Festival at the end of the August. See you there!"

This summer the Loop of waterways around the London Stadium, which includes the Old River Lea, City Mill River and St Thomas Creek, will open to public navigation for cruising without the need for prior booking.

41 Closures will occur from time to time as part of the security requirements for high profile events in the Park. Boaters will be notified in advance of any closures via the Trust's stoppage notifications and notices on site.

Short stay visitor moorings CRT are also planning to create a 100-metre stretch of short stay visitor moorings on a currently unmoorable length of towpath on the Lee Navigation near the Hertford Union Canal. As boaters may be journeying from far afield to visit the Park some of the new moorings will be pre-bookable to guarantee travellers a place to pull up. Boaters will be able to reserve a spot at the pre-bookable moorings for up to seven days at a cost of ÂŁ10 per night with the other spots free for up to two days stay. These moorings will be available by the end of the year. There will be no mooring within the Park itself.

Jon Guest adds: "Boaters from across the country have been looking forward to cruising these rejuvenated waterways and we want to make the experience as smooth and pleasant for them as possible. The new visitor moorings will be a valuable addition to a busy area and will ensure boaters have somewhere to end, and start, their journeys."

From autumn Waterworks River and Three Mills Wall River, which runs adjacent to the loop, will be opened to navigation via the soon to be completed Carpenters Road Lock. The Lock is being restored as part of a ÂŁ1.8million project, part funded by the Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund and London Legacy Development Corporation. A booking system will be trialled over the summer with full launch after the East London Waterways Festival on Monday 28 August. from Canal & River Trust, 15 June 2017

Injured veterans restore historic canal lock Injured servicemen and women are being given the opportunity to re- build their lives, gain qualifications and learn new skills by transforming and restoring historic canals.

The Canal & River Trust have come together with Help for Heroes to deliver an ambitious canal restoration and career recovery programme for wounded, injured or sick servicemen, women and veterans.

Veterans from across the country have joined the Heritage Heroes project and are working alongside the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust to restore Pewsham lock in Chippenham. Veterans and volunteers from the canal charity are rebuilding an abandoned stretch of canal and lock. Ironically the lock was used for military demolition practice in the lead up to the Second World War. As well as the restoration work the team are creating a nature play area on site for local children to play and learn outdoors.

The project, made possible by ÂŁ500,000 funding from players of People's Postcode Lottery, aims to bring pride and purpose back to our heroic veterans while restoring canals, some of which have been left neglected for decades.

Veterans returning from service are highly-skilled and capable individuals, with a great deal to contribute to society. Too often however, they are ill-prepared

42 for the transition back into the civilian world. The Heritage Heroes project will equip the wounded, injured or sick heroes with City & Guilds qualifications in construction, health and safety, horticulture and land-based management which can be used to help them identify a new, purposeful career.

Phil Wearing joined the Army in 1993 when he was 23 years old and went into the Green Howards – an infantry regiment. While on a 6 month tour to Northern Ireland he damaged his spine. A year after the injury he was diagnosed with cracked vertebrae. Following rehabilitation, he was medically discharged from the military. Phil said: "I went through a tough time a few years back – I couldn't work because of the pain I was in, which left me with money troubles and I ended up feeling very suicidal. I was put in touch with Help for Heroes – and the first time I spoke to Help for Heroes I saw light at the end of the tunnel. Although I'm still in pain, Help for Heroes have also helped me with pain management, I was so determined to do this course. I've been 100% better in my own well-being. I'm meeting so many likeminded people, speaking to similar people is the best therapy I've found."

Jason Leach, CRT's Enterprise and Restoration Team Manager said: "Heritage Heroes is such an exciting project for us. It gives the Canal & River Trust the opportunity to work with Help for Heroes to transform waterways as well as helping to rebuild our wounded heroes' lives." https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/ 6 July 2017

The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Gareth Jones, Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking, RH5 4QQ Phone: 07850 819071 Email: gareth@hillhouse.farm Guildford & Reading Branch: Chairman Gareth Jones, Contact details as above Oxfordshire Branch: Chairman: Steve Good 1 The Bungalows, Ham Lane, Aston, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2DE Tel: 07825 296357 Email: steve@stevegood.info Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. Editor: Tim Fry Next issue: Winter 2017 Copy date: 15th October 2017

Printed by www.imprintcolour.co.uk I Tel: 01252 330683

Wey River Festival

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Come and join us at Dapdune Wharf for a fun packed day.

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Site opens from 11am till late.

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Entry is free.

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A variety of food and craft stalls including, demonstrations from the Surrey Wood Turners, have a go sessions from the Guildford Archery Club and Black Dragon Morris dancers.

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Children’s activities will be on the island including a climbing wall, pirate ship bouncy castle.

 (there maybe a small charge for some

children's activities)

Parking on site is limited, use of public transport and local car parks, recommended. 

To round off the day, why not come and watch the spectacular illuminated pageant arriving at the wharf around dusk and enjoy music from the talented Croydon steel orchestra.

Navigations Office 01483 561389 or email riverwey@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey