Cargoes - Autumn 2018

Autumn 2018

Autumn 2018

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

Kent & East Sussex and Oxfordshire Branches

Sabine Clark 1954 – 2018

We are sorry to inform readers of the unexpected death of Sabine Clark, who edited Cargoes in the early 2000s whilst her husband Tony Clark was Chairman of Guildford and Reading Branch. Tony and Sabine met in Vienna in the 1980s when Sabine was working for DIN, the German standards institute and they decided to settle in the UK. Over the last thirty years Tony and Sabine cruised the inland waterways in the Tug No1, a Stewarts and Lloyds canal tug, and covered most of the system. Sabine worked professionally as an Area Commander in the fire safety of entertainment venues for the London Fire Brigade. More recently Sabine helped Tony with the construction of a boat dock in their garden beside the Basingstoke Canal.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Tony and his family Mike Lewis

Editorial Welcome to the Autumn edition of Cargoes. There have been several changes since the last edition: Gareth and Jenny have both decided to stand down from the Cargoes team and we thank them for their input during the last few months.

Chris and Tim will continue as joint Editors and look forward to a long relationship with Cargoes.

We are very sorry to learn of the death at such an early age of a previous Editor of Cargoes, Sabine Clark, and thank Mike Lewis for writing her Obituary.

Our thoughts are with Tony and his family at this sad time.

The other piece of new is that Cargoes will now be in FULL COLOUR. Our contributors have pulled out all the stops and provided us with lots of lovely photos, so this issue is jammed packed with colour photos, information on Accessible Boating as well as articles from our usual contributors – many thanks to everyone.

With the recent long spell of very hot weather we hope the lack of water in rivers and canals has not affected your access to our lovely waterways.

Cargoes Editorial Team

3

From the Region Chairman The glorious weather has seen people drawn to spend time both on and in the water, and the health benefits of being outdoors have gained more general scientific backing but how do we finance the upkeep of our waterways? The licence fees proposed by the Environment Agency have drawn widespread criticism from the powered boating community and with good reason. On the Thames the proposed increase will take the income proportion gained from boat licences to over 50% which is up from around 20% in 1980 and this is for an arguably lower standard of service. This increase will still leave the Thames under-funded. The Medway has been singled out for another steep increase in licence fees and boaters are asking why. Last year the increase in licence fees was explained by the need to re-coup the cost of repairing Allington lock. The question remains; who is going to pay for the unquestionable benefits that a vibrant and viable waterway brings to the population in general? In a less cash-strapped environment perhaps some blue sky thinking could link health budgets with environment but this seems unlikely at present.

As the IWA prepares for the Festival of Water at St. Neots’ over the August bank holiday, the future of the festival is being debated by IWA Trustees and the Marketing Group. I would be interested to hear what members think about the future of this annual event.

The Oxfordshire branch will have a busy autumn with canal days in both Banbury and Oxford. The latter will take place on September 8th and has been resurrected from oblivion largely due to the efforts of Steve Good and his team. The sale of Lechlade Marina to IWA members Ian and Jules Lindsay, is welcome news.

They are planning to resurrect the marina from its derelict state over the next few months. Do visit their website, currently under construction, for news of their progress.

I must congratulate the Basingstoke Canal Society on receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award marks their tireless efforts over the past fifty years to restore and enhance the canal. Past and present volunteers have been invited to a party to mark the occasion later in the summer. The society is continuing to encourage the county councils to keep negotiations open with CRT but budgetary constraints are a huge consideration.

IWAKES is keeping a vigilant eye on some significant planning developments along the Thames, some of which may impede current mooring and launching points. Roy Sutton, who is IWA’s consultant engineer, has highlighted the need for a cohesive response to the River Basin consultation, as branch boundaries do not coincide with river basins. Alison Smedley will co-ordinate responses on behalf of the IWA. Enjoy the water from on the boat or bank!

Verna Smith Cover Picture: Beale Park Boat and Outdoor Show

Photo: Chris Jones

4

Diary of Meetings & Events Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Sep, Wilts & Berks: Melksham Food & River Festival (see page 41) Sun 2nd Sep, IWA South London Branch: Angel Canal Festival

(see page 41)

Sun 2nd Sep, BCS: Odiham Raft Race

(see page 13)

Sun 2nd Sep 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Limehouse to Docklands (see page 43) Wed 5th Sep 2.15pm, WACT: Cream Tea Voyage

(see page 27)

6th

Thu Sep 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: A selection of Canal pictures and DVD’s by Tony Shadick (see page 24) Sat 8th Sep, IWA Oxfordshire Branch: Oxford Canal Day Sat 8th & Sun 9th Sep, K&A (Newbury): Newbury 1940’s weekend Sat

8th

& Sun

9th

(see page 37) (see page 16)

Sep, IWA South London Branch: Slough Canal Festival (see page 41)

Wed 12th Sep 7.30pm, IWA South London Branch: Social Speaker tba (see page 42) Sat 15th Sep 6.30pm, K&A (Reading): Reading Branch BBQ

(see page 17)

Sun 16th Sep 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse (see page 43) Sun 16th Sep 2.30pm, WACT: A guided walk from Gunpowder Store (Shalford) to Bramley (see page 27) Sun 16th Sep, IWA South London Branch: Hayes Canal Festival

(see page 42)

Tue 18th Sep, K&A (Reading): “Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue” (see page 17) Wed 19th Sep 2.15pm, WACT: Cream Tea Voyage

(see page 27)

22nd

Sat Sep, from 11.00am, River Wey & Godalming Navigations: Wey River Festival (see pages 9 & 22) Thu 27th Sep 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: “The Caledonian Canal” by Roger Squires (see page 35) Sat 29th Sep, IWA South London Branch: Branch Cruise on The Basingstoke Canal on NB Kitty (see page 42) Sat 29th & Sun 30th Sep, K&A (Crofton): Crofton Steam Gala

(see page 18)

5 Sun 30th Sept 2.00pm, WACT: The official opening of the Thriscutt Slipway (see page 27) Wed 3rd Oct 10.30am, Guildford & Reading: Walk New Haw to The Anchor, Pyrford. (see page 9) Thu 4th Oct 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Vic 32, a Clyde Puffer by Ron & Myra Glover (see page 24) Sun 7th Oct 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 43) Wed 10th Oct 7.30pm, IWA South London Branch: "Brewing along the Wandle Valley" by Alison Cousins from Wandle Industrial Museum (see page 42) Sun 14th Oct, Banbury Canal Day

(see pages 37 and 46)

16th

Tue Oct, K&A (Reading): “Model buildings including Aldermaston ticket office” by Avril Burdett (see page 17) Wed 17th Oct 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: Kim Lowe: “The Life of Brookwood Cemetery”. (see page 11) Thu 18th Oct 7.00pm, Salisbury Group: “A Sorry Affair” The Southampton & Salisbury Canal by Peter Oates (see page 7) Sun 21st Oct 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard to Greenland Docks (see page 44) Wed 24th to Sun 29th Oct, K&A (Newbury): Creepy Cruises

(see page 16)

Sat 27th Oct 10.45am, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross, Granary Square to Camden (see page 44) Sun 28th Oct, K&A (Crofton): Crofton Halloween steaming weekend (see page 18) Thu 1st Nov 7.45pm: Southampton Canal Society “Pleasure Boating in the 1930’s 40’s and 50’s” (see page 24) Sun 4th Nov 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Three Mills, to Bow Back Rivers (see page 44) Wed 14th Nov 7.30pm, IWA South London Branch: A speaker from the Buckingham Canal Society (see page 42) Thu 15th Nov 7.00pm, Salisbury Group: Vic 32, a Clyde Puffer by Ron & Myra Glover (see page 8) Thu 15th Nov 7.00 for 7.30pm, IWAKES: “The Evolution of a charity trip boat operation” (see page 35) Sun 18th Nov 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: The Regent's Canal: Islington to Hoxton (see page 44) Tue 20th Nov, K&A (Reading): Members slide show and Christmas “party” (see page 17)

6 Wed 21st Nov 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: Pam and Mark Bathurst, “The History and Restoration of the Paddle Steamer Medway Queen - Heroine of Dunkirk”. (see page 11) Sat 24th Nov 10.45am, Towpath Walks Group: Regent's Canal: King's Cross, Granary Square to Camden (see page 44) Sun 2nd Dec 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: The Regent's Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 44) Thu 6th Dec 7.30pm, Southampton Canal Society: Inter-Society Waterway’s Quiz (see pages 8 & 25) Wed 12th Dec 7.30pm, IWA South London Branch: Christmas Social (see page 42) Wed 12th Dec 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Historic Waterway Films by Les Etheridge (see page 35) Thu 13th Dec 7.00pm, Salisbury Group: Christmas Dinner

(see page 8)

Sun 16th Dec 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: The Regent's Canal: King's Cross, Granary Square to St. Pancras (see page 44) Wed 19th Dec 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: David Linsell: “Power from Poo” (see page 11) Thu 27th Dec 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Union Canal: Little Venice, Paddington Green Paddington (see page 44) Sun 30th Dec 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: The Regents Canal: Mile End to Limehouse (see page 44) Tue 1st Jan 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 44) Thu 3rd Jan 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Members photographic evening (see page 25) Sun 6th Jan 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross, Granary Square to Camden (see page 44) Wed 16th Jan 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: Pete Starling: “By Barge to Blighty” (see page 11) Sun 20th Jan 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse (see page 44) Thu 24th Jan 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: “It’s not all at sea” by Colin Brown (see page 35) Sun 3rd Feb 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park & Bow Back Rivers (see page 44) Sat 9th Feb 10.45am, Towpath Walks Group: Regent's Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 44)

7 Sun 17th Feb 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green to Paddington (see page 44) Wed 20th Feb 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: Malcolm Head: “Archaeological Treasures of the Thames” (see page 12) Wed 20th Feb 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: AGM followed by “Antarctica an amazing Continent” by Mike Marsh (see page 35) Sun 3rd Mar 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Islington to Mile End (see page 44) Sun 17th Mar 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 44) Wed 20th Mar 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: David Rouse: “200 Years of The Thames and Medway Canal”. (see page 12) Sat 23rd Mar 10.45am, Towpath Walks Group: Regent's Canal: King's Cross, Granary Square to Camden (see page 44) Sun 7th Apr 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard, to Greenland Dock (see page 44) Wed 17th Apr 8.00pm, Basingstoke CS: William Sargent: “Marine Policing Unit” (see page 12) Sun 21st Apr 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regents Canal: Kings Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney) (see page 45)

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: This year we held our annual boules & BBQ in June instead of the traditional July. Sixteen members & friends enjoyed the lovely BBQ served up by Jeff, landlord of the Green Dragon. The weather was very kind to us as four teams played knock out matches. The winners and runners up were all awarded with a small prize. As always, Jacques, our resident French guest umpired each match to ensure fair play.

Programme of Events There will be no meeting in September.

Thu 18th Oct: “A Sorry Affair” The Southampton & Salisbury Canal was a child of the canal mania of 1792 when investors were willing to put their money into any canal scheme in order to receive large profits. It was seen originally as part of a

8 more general scheme for inland waterway routes linking Bristol and the Thames with the south coast. However, history presents a sad tale of a project ineffectively controlled and the canal lost its shareholders a great deal of money and indeed the canal was never completed. Peter Oates will be telling us about our local canal.

Thu 15th Nov: Ron & Myra Glover together with Dave Thomas took a week’s holiday on Vic 32, a Clyde Puffer. They will be relating their experiences whilst onboard as they pass through the locks on the Crinan Canal and as they steam around the Western Isles of Scotland.

Thu 6th Dec: Waterways quiz organised by Southampton Canal Society at Chilworth village hall.

Thu 13th Dec: Christmas Dinner at The Green Dragon Alderbury, 7.00pm 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 welcomed. Further information can be obtained from Ron & Myra Glover on 01722 710322 or 07768 622966, email glover.3@btinternet.com, myra.glover@waterways.org.uk or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman I have just returned from my annual week on European waterways. This year it was the Marne-Rhine canal in Alsace, Eastern France. It was very hot and very interesting. Alsace has in turn been French and German during the 19th and 20th centuries. The German influence is strong, particularly the food. The canal was built by the French around 1855 to link Paris with Germany. The section I was on was between Strasbourg, the eastern summit, and the link to Saarbrucken in Germany. The 17 locks rising to the Eastern summit were closely spaced and caused great difficulties. Passage of these locks could take 10 hours. So, in 1968, yes 1968, they were replaced by the Saint-Louis Arzviller inclined plane. There is allowance for two tanks but a present there is just one which takes you up 45 metres in about 10 minutes. The tank is counter balanced by weights. All is detailed on the internet with videos and pictures. Both going up and coming down are experiences not to be missed. You can also take a trip boat. The other 30 odd locks to Strasbourg are all self-operated and automatic. If there is a problem, there is a waterway authority contactable who can operate the lock remotely. There is of course CCTV available to the waterway authority.

My take on the waterway was the excellence of the boat lift and there is some very limited commercial traffic. The waterway is very well maintained and has considerable leisure traffic mostly hire boats. Boats discharge grey water direct to

9 canal water, yes directly into the canal. There are apparently no pump out facilities.

How does that square with what we are told are European directives requiring the clean-up of our inland waterways and in-shore waters? Do they have SSSI in France?

France?

Life in the UK drifts on through a heat haze. The EA transfer to CRT is off Life in the UK drifts on through a heat haze. The EA transfer to CRT is off for the foreseeable future. The EA seems intent on wringing every drop of cash they for the foreseeable future. The EA seems intent on wringing every drop of cash they can from the waterways. The Basingstoke transfer to CRT will be decided in can from the waterways. The Basingstoke transfer to CRT will be decided in principle this year. The last JMC which I attended on the John Pinkerton was principle this year. The last JMC which I attended on the John Pinkerton was not inspiring. The new chairman is about to retire for health reasons. The Wey and not inspiring. The new chairman is about to retire for health reasons. The Wey and Arun and Wey Navigations are inspirations. Our joint meeting with the Reading K Arun and Wey Navigations are inspirations. Our joint meeting with the Reading K and A went well, thank you Mark Rudall for another great talk on steam boats. Our and A went well, thank you MarkndRudall for another great talk on steam boats. Our trip to the Chichester canal on 2 August is fully booked. There is the walk later in is the walk later in trip to the Chichester canal on 2nd August is fully booked. There rd the year from New Haw to The Anchor, Pyrford on Wednesday 3rd October. the year from New Haw to The Anchor, Pyrford on Wednesday 3 October.

Gareth Jones Gareth Jones

Forthcoming Forthcoming Events Events Wed 3rd Oct 10.30am: Walk - New Haw to The Anchor, Pyrford – Meet at Wed 3rd Oct 10.30am: Walk - New Haw to The Anchor, Pyrford – Meet at The Anchor, use a few cars to drive to New Haw and walk back to the pub. Please The Anchor, use a few cars to drive to New Haw and walk back to the pub. Please contact Gareth Jones on 07850 819071 for further details contact Gareth Jones on 07850 819071 for further details

Sales Sales & & Publicity Publicity Stand Stand We are very pleased to be able to attend the following show: We are very pleased to be able to attend the following show: Sat 22nd Sep: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf Sat 22nd Sep: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf Our Season started with helping on the IWA stand at the Beale Park Boat and Our Season started with helping on the IWA stand at the Beale Park Boat and Outdoor Show. Members from G&R helped to man this stand with members from Outdoor Show. Members from G&R helped to man this stand with members from IWA South London. This was followed 2 weeks later by Reading Water Fest which IWA South London. This was followed 2 weeks later by Reading Water Fest which was very well attended and we would thank the volunteers who helped to man this was very well attended and we would thank the volunteers who helped to man this stand. Unfortunately, due to the lack of volunteers we were unable to attend the stand. Unfortunately, due to the lack of volunteers we were unable to attend the Newbury event.

Newbury event.

The next event we are attending is the Wey River Festival. If you are able to The next event we are attending is the Wey River Festival. If you are able to help at this event please let Ben Scott (07484 223691), or any of the Cargoes team help at this event please let Ben Scott (07484 223691), or any of the Cargoes team know, or email iwacargoes@outlook.com know, or email iwacargoes@outlook.com The Sales Team The Sales Team

Bits the Basingstoke Basingstoke Bits on on the The Joint Management Committee (JMC) on June 28th was held on John The Joint Management Committee (JMC) on June 28th was held on John Pinkerton 11 in Odiham. The new chairman announced at the start that he was Pinkerton 11 in Odiham. The new chairman announced at the start that he was standing down from all his council commitments through ill health. The go ahead standing down from all his council commitments through ill health. The go ahead

10 of a potential transfer to CRT will be decided, in principle, by the end of the year.

This will, I believe, require a level of creativity and vision which currently seems absent. In the meantime, the canal is again cut in two as a boater has sufficiently damaged a set of gates on the Deepcut flight at Lock 18, for it to require new gates.

These are on order but as the wood had to ordered from France and space needed to be found for the making 0f them it is not a quick job. There are also negotiations with Natural England on boat movements due to the SSSI status. One is not inspired. Other work goes on and there is investment from both county councils.

I was struck by a comment in the Byfleet Boat Club newsletter. They have christened the Basingstoke the “never again” waterway. However, they do go again.

Lastly, Sabine the wife of a former branch chairman, Tony Clark, who lives in Woodham and has a boat on the Basingstoke, has passed away. A commemoration in her memory was held at their home on July 28th.

Gareth Jones Stop Press: The lock gates at 18 have now been fitted but more rain is needed to re-open the flight.

Ed.

Basingstoke Canal Society Chairman’s Report The highlight for the Basingstoke Canal Society in recent weeks has been the receipt of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service which was announced in early June. The Award is a fitting tribute to all the volunteers who worked over so many years to restore the canal to the magnificent waterway that we see today. We are hoping to have a BBQ in late summer to celebrate this outstanding achievement. As I write, the canal is closed to through navigation above Woking because of serious damage caused by a boat owner to a lock gate on the Deepcut flight. This will involve the manufacture and installation of a new gate. The timing of this is obviously unfortunate as we are now in the middle of the boating season.

We are moving ahead with some of our volunteer-led projects. These include the lowering of the wall at Crookham Wharf to enable the two boats operated by Accessible Boating to safely embark/disembark their passengers. Work on new boat moorings at Farnborough Road, Aldershot is temporarily suspended until the end of the bird nesting season. At Colt Hill, the purchase of the strip of land adjoining the canal between Galleon Marine and the A287 by-pass bridge has now been completed and plans are in hand to build a new boat basin. This will inevitably involve a considerable amount of preliminary work including the preparation of a basin design, the application for planning consent, flood and environmental surveys etc. Fortunately, we now have some new members with relevant professional qualifications who can make a significant contribution to our planning team. The IWA’s Hon Engineering Consultant, Roy Sutton, is now working on a scheme to repair Swan Cutting, North Warnborough, which badly

11 needs re-building if we are to avoid further navigation difficulties, especially for the John Pinkerton. Our boating operations continue to thrive with record bookings for Kitty in Woking and good business for the John Pinkerton providing premium rate transport to the Farnborough Air Show for trade visitors.

Disappointingly, there is very little news to report on the negotiations between the County Councils and the Canal & River Trust over the transfer of the canal to the Trust. We always knew that this would present very difficult problems, but we still believe that it is in everyone’s interest to see the transfer go through in the next two or three years. As always, we are keen to contribute to the discussions but, so far, there is little willingness on the part of the Counties to involve us. We would also like to see the other members of the Canal Partnership taking a more active role in securing a long term and sustainable future for the canal.

Philip Riley wincombecottage2@gmail.com

Chobham Social Meetings The meetings are usually held 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.

Wed 17th Oct: Kim Lowe: “The Life of Brookwood Cemetery”. The talk will cover the creation of the cemetery, the design, and the people who have been laid to rest in the cemetery.

Wed 21st Nov: Pam and Mark Bathurst: “The History and Restoration of the Paddle Steamer Medway Queen - Heroine of Dunkirk”. The talk traces the history of the Medway Queen since its launch in 1924, service on the Thames estuary, use as a minesweeper in WWII, seven trips to Dunkirk and returning to her old route until 1963. Its use as an Isle of Wight nightclub from 1966 until 1974, return to the River Medway in 1984, and the rebuilding of her hull.

Wed 19th Dec: David Linsell: “Power from Poo”. This talk will introduce Thames Water with an overview of the company; it’s geographic coverage, customers and handling volumes of clean and waste water, plus tonnes of dry solid material for disposal. It will describe the sewage treatment with historical development, basic elements in sewage work, sludge processing, anaerobic digestion, pasteurisation and thermal hydrolysis. Finally, power generation in a combined heat and power plant plus future developments will also be discussed.

Wed 16th Jan: Pete Starling: “By Barge to Blighty”, The role of inland waterways and the evacuation of casualties in the First World War. During the first world war with the number of casualties being on unprecedented scales, evacuation to the base hospitals at the coast became a major problem. This

12 talk will highlight the role of the inland waterways as a means of casualty evacuation.

Wed 20th Feb: Malcolm Head: “Archaeological Treasures of the Thames”. This show and tell discussion will feature a number of artefacts that have been recovered from the River Thames during dredging operations conducted over a number of years. Of varying ages, it's remarkable that the objects, some of which are very fragile, have survived mechanical dredging and are available to enjoy today, many years after they were lost or discarded.

Wed 20th Mar: David Rouse: “200 Years of The Thames and Medway Canal”. The Thames and Medway Canal, originally built in the early 1800s, now running from Gravesend to Higham in North West Kent has an interesting military, engineering and social history. Unfortunately, the canal was never the commercial success hoped for. This talk traces the timeline from initial fundraising, construction challenges, the impact of railway fever, and eventual demise of the canal. Looking forward, the canal could be developed into a green safe water corridor, supporting fishing, informal boating and other activities.

Wed 17th Apr: William Sargent: “Marine Policing Unit”. This talk will discuss how the Marine Policing Unit (MPU) is responsible for policing the 47 miles of the River Thames within the Met area (Dartford to Hampton Court) as well as providing a specialist response to over 250 miles of canals and waterways, lakes and reservoirs and other bodies of water in London.

Further information at http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk or contact chobham.talks@basingstoke-canal.org.uk. To receive free reminder emails sent about a week prior to each talk, contact Mark Coxhead at mark@coxhead.org.uk

Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II Public Trips in Hampshire aboard the John Pinkerton II restarted on Friday 30th March and run until Sunday 30th September– see www.basingstokecanal.org.uk/jp/public-trips Or join us in Woking aboard the Society’s trip boat Kitty for a cruise in the beautiful surroundings of the Basingstoke Canal. Enjoy a cruise past Horsell Common, a short distance from the setting for HG Wells’ “War of the Worlds”, and see the town from a completely different, and peaceful, perspective.

We run Public Trips on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays at various times throughout the summer, each trip lasting approximately 1¼ hours if no stops are made. For details of the trip schedule, http://www.basingstokecanal.org.uk/jp/kitty/ . You can book as individuals or family groups on public trips, up to a maximum of 12 people, and you will be sharing the boat with others.

Private charters are also available

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Other Events Sun 2nd Sep, Odiham Raft Race: The idea of a raft race on the canal in Odiham came from Parish Councillor David Stewart who has been doing most of the organising, including getting approval from Natural England! The Society has agreed to run the event, which will be covered by our insurance. The intention is that teams will start from Lodge Copse Bridge and make their way down to Colt Hill. What has yet to be decided is what sort of bank-side entertainment at Colt Hill will be provided. Philip Riley has so far been representing the Society but is keen to get others involved. It is certain that people will be needed on the day to help with marshalling but help with the organisation of the day is also needed – another opportunity to help the Society! Please contact Philip on 01256 702109 or by email at wincombecottage2@gmail.com

Focus on Accessible Boating Association The Accessible Boating Association, usually referred to as Accessible Boating or ABA, is a registered charity that was initiated in 1985 by Mildred Stocks, then Chairman of Hart District Council, who wanted to enable people who couldn’t use

The Mildred Stokes

14 existing canal boats to enjoy cruises on the Basingstoke Canal. The charity was called Boats for the Handicapped to start with but changed its name in 2001.

ABA’s first ‘accessible’ day boat, named The Mildred Stocks, was built by the RAE apprentices and launched in 1986. The charity then decided to procure a holiday boat and, after much fundraising, Madam Butterfly was launched in 1995.

Madam Butterfly is a comfortable 7-berth cruising boat, equipped with wheelchair lifts, fore and aft, and a hospital bed.

Madam Butterfly is ideal for families or groups with little or no experience of canal boating and can be hired for up to seven nights.

Our dispatcher shows the hirer how everything on the boat works and provides basic tuition in operating the boat.

By 1997 it was decided that a new, better equipped day boat was needed and so a purpose-built craft was designed, named Dawn, which was launched in 1999.

Dawn is a 12-person day boat with a wheelchair lift, toilet and a gas hob and

is available for trips manned by ABA volunteers or self-drive hire. In recent years we have introduced scheduled trips to enable individuals and small groups to enjoy trips on the canal. We also use Dawn for publicity and fundraising activities such as our Father Christmas trips and running trips from Old Thatch when open for the National Gardens Scheme.

15 Both boats are based in Odiham at Galleon Marine’s boatyard with trips operating from Colt Hill Wharf from April to October. Over the winter months maintenance of both boats is undertaken by our volunteers calling on professional help when necessary.

For more details see our website www.accessibleboating.org.uk. You can follow what we’ve been up to on Facebook and Twitter. New volunteers are always welcome; speak to one of our volunteers or contact our Chairman, John Ranson at chairman@accessibleboating.org.uk

Kennet & Avon Canal News Newbury Branch By the time you read this we will probably have forgotten the long hot days of July, including the 8th when we enjoyed a very hot Newbury Waterways Festival. A successful day as usual, but unusually a day of trying to keep cool! Our theme of “Reach for the Skies” was well interpreted by the boats attending – we even had a model Spitfire on top of CRT welcome boat The Admiral. We were delighted however, that the coveted Brewers Trophy for the best dressed boat was won by the youth boat Falcon Adam. Decorated by 1,200 butterflies made from recycled milk bottles and painted by Guides, Brownies, Rainbows and community groups from around Berkshire and beyond, and with posters and banners reflecting the RAF theme, it well deserved the trophy. It looked very effective and pretty. We were entertained during the Festival by The Crofton Stokers with their easy blend of music and finished the day as normal with our ‘famous in Newbury’ duck race. Great Falcon Adam winners of the Brewers Trophy fun as always. Trip boat MV Jubilee ran extra trips during the day and sold out every trip. Many thanks to all the stall holders, helpers, boaters, and organisers in making this a Festival to be proud of.

Newbury will be hosting a 1940s weekend over 8th and 9th September. Lots of activities will be taking place see https://visitnewburyevents.org.uk/their-legacyour-history for more details. Trip Boat MV Jubilee will be running an extra special boat trip with two War Babies reminiscing.

Trip boat MV Jubilee will be travelling to Crofton again this year for the annual Steam Gala over the weekend of 29th and 30th September. She will be running 3 boat trips each day; an ideal opportunity to try a boat trip at a different part of the canal whilst enjoying the Steam Gala at Crofton.

16 MV Jubilee finishes the autumn with a run of Halloween trips for children.

Join us for a Creepy Cruise from Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th October. These are fun trips when passengers and crew dress up, have fun and there is even a chance to try our ‘trick or treat’ box! For details of these and all trips, including our Santa trips at Christmas, see https://jubilee.katrust.org.uk/.

Julie Dean

Forthcoming Events

Newbury saw a new season of boat trips start on Easter Monday on-board MV Jubilee. They will continue through the year until end of October, trips are at 12 noon and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays and at 2.30pm on Thursdays. Extra trips, and our popular themed trips, will also feature during school holidays. See https://jubilee.katrust.org.uk/ for full details.

Sat 8th & Sun 9th Sept: Newbury 1940’s Weekend, Wed 24th to Sun 29th Oct: Creepy Cruises For further details contact Julie Dean juliedean@btinternet.com

Reading Branch Annual outing 2018 In August 2017, the Branch outing was to the Chichester Ship Canal. It prompted us this year to go on the Chichester Harbour Tour.

Therefore, on 14 July 2018 we all set off to Emsworth, which is to the north of the harbour. One of our members is a volunteer driver for a local community bus, so 14 members travelled in

chauffeured luxury. The remainder made their way by cars.

The weather was glorious with wall-to-wall sunshine. This was fortunate, because the tour boat ‘Solar Heritage’, is a 50-seat catamaran with power provided solely by solar panels which cover the whole roof. The engines in each float were almost silent.

17 Emsworth is a lovely small town with numerous eating and drinking establishments, so having arrived by 11.30 am, there was plenty of time to get fed and watered before the tour started at 1.30.

We then enjoyed a very tranquil - and quiet - one hour conducted tour of the harbour with commentary on the points of interest and the wildlife.

All agreed it was a great day out and we are now looking forward to another waterway outing in 2019. Panama Canal perhaps?

Forthcoming Events Sat 15th Sep 6.30pm: - Reading Branch BBQ at Aldermaston Tea Rooms - £8.00 Tue 18th Sep: “Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue” Tue 16th Oct: “Model buildings including Aldermaston ticket office” - Avril Burdett Tue 20th Nov: Members slide show and Christmas “party” - Please bring food.

The Reading Branch hold their monthly meetings (no December meeting) at 7.45pm at The Grange Free Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road).

Branch contact is: John Swift who can be reached on 0118 941 5540 or 07533 886 917 and by email: swift.john21@gmail.com Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses).

Other meetings will be held as shown below and further details can be found on the Website at www.katrust.org.uk

Crofton Beam Engines Come and visit the oldest working steam engines in the world still performing the job they were built to do! There are two beam engines, one of which is an original 200-year-old Boulton & Watt. Both are fed by a hand-stoked, coal-fired Lancashire boiler. These are magnificent pieces of industrial archaeology appealing both to families and steam enthusiasts. The engine house is set in unspoiled Wiltshire countryside close to the old market town of Marlborough.

The Beam Engines can be run in steam to special order if you have an event you would like to celebrate or a group of people to whom you would like to give a unique experience. Also, the engines are available to use by film and broadcasting organisations, for instance when portraying themes of the industrial revolution, great inventors, canal transport and steam as motive power. The beautiful surroundings make this an ideal location for filming.

Prices depend on a number of factors which will differ according to the chosen date and bookings are subject to the terms and conditions set out here.

Please contact us if you want to receive more details.

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Forthcoming Events Sat 29th & Sun 30th Sep: Crofton Steam Gala Sun 28th Oct: Halloween steaming weekend More information from http://www.croftonbeamengines.org

River Thames News It is likely that a new waterways minister will be appointed shortly as Theresa Coffey is retiring due to ill health. The current Environment Agency Strategy, having at least postponed again a transfer to CRT, is to maximise income by cutting costs while increasing fees for water and boating and permissions for waterside works. Boat licence numbers continue to decline. Hopefully a new minister will lead to a more boater friendly atmosphere. Does the EA realise it is running a tourist attraction with all the economic and social benefits that brings? There is yet another consultation in which IWA will, of course, participate. Comments from members would be most welcome.

Gareth Jones

River Wey & Godalming Navigations It is difficult to comprehend that when I last wrote for Cargoes I was complaining about the cold wet weather. I sit writing now as record temperatures continue to soar and we wonder if it will ever rain again! Luckily here on the Wey we have a good and reliable source of water that means at this time we do not envisage any navigation restrictions although we always encourage good practice such as boats sharing locks – it is much more sociable in any event! Unfortunately, this positive picture is not replicated across the wider waterway network and we are hearing of restrictions taking place on other waterways.

As I look back over the last few months I am reflecting on what have done, what has been happening? It is easy to get lost in the day to day operation and management of the navigations. We have as always been tackling a variety of annual and planned works. Painting locks and bridges has been going on, much aided by the good weather which has also had a real impact on the amount of grass that requires cutting. Lock winding gear mechanisms have been serviced and checked and small bank repairs undertaken along the towpath opposite Shalford Meadow. Papercourt Lock bypass weir has been repaired and there have been other

19 small jobs undertaken and completed. Small but important projects have been undertaken such as refurbishing the elsan and water point at the upper end of the New Haw mooring line under the M25 bridge and a larger bank works project has commenced at “Whippets Turn” within the Sutton Place Estate. After consultation with our Curator we have also made some simple improvements around the lower gates at Stoke Lock which have always been rather difficult to operate.

We have also been working on our larger and longer-term projects. We plan to replace the upper gates at Stoke Lock and lowers at Coxes Lock this winter.

While the locks are dewatered we will also take the opportunity to undertake principal engineering inspections. On that theme we shall shortly be dewatering Unstead Meadow Weir to allow us to undertake repairs and a 1 Elsan Point at New Haw principal engineering inspection.

The Environment Agency finally mobilised at Thames Lock and Walsham Gates straight after Easter Bank Holiday Monday – they were in a rush to get on with the job. Unfortunately, very little to date has happened since, with the exception of the construction of a temporary weir at Ham Oil Mills.

Such a pity when the weather has been so kind, but it does look like the works may continue into the winter flood season…… but then may finish by next Easter!

If we can find the funding, we will also try and replace a pair of gates at Walsham Gates – they are quite small and we expect them to cost much less than a normal upper set of lock gates. We are also looking at how we can upgrade and improve the elsan facilities at Pyrford Lock next year. We continue with our long programme of re-steel sheeting upper and lower lock landing bays with the lower bays at Newark (approx. £18k) and Coxes (approx. £53k) due for replacement soon. During these works we will also try to improve non-power Kickers at Stoke Lock boat access. The total programme to replace the steel sheeting now nearing the end of its life on the lock landing bays over the next 10 years will cost somewhere in the region of £600k. This creates somewhat of dilemma for us as we hope to get a contract soon for year 1 of our dredging programme for the canalised sections of the waterway and we are looking at costs of around £1m+ over a 3 year period (subject to internal approval and availability of funds). We can’t quite afford that and keep on top of the “normal” items such as replacing lock gates, so there will have to be some creative rescheduling and

20 prioritisation to ensure we can move forward if a little more slowly than we would wish. We are however keen to avoid creating a “backlog” – we want to keep on top of the tasks and keep improving the property for all our visitors to enjoy.

Dapdune Wharf is slowly recovering from the poor start to the season caused by the cold wet weather. “Puffing Away” the steam boat rally has just concluded another successful weekend visit. This weekend it is “BIG CAMP” on the island and I hope the weather holds for that. We have, so far, had an exceptional year for booked education/school visits and we expect that to continue after the school holidays have finished. Jem Bates has been here for two weeks undertaking our planned annual maintenance programme on barge Reliance and helping develop a larger project for next year to tackle some niggly problems. At this time I do not have any further update on where we are with Perseverance.

We have held two “Inside the Trust” events on behalf of our national legacy team for supporters who have indicated they wish to leave funds to the Trust in their will. It is a really good way of helping a property you love and you can decide on where and how your money is used so it isn’t swallowed up by central funds.

Our first event nearly came unstuck when we discovered after nearly 25 years sterling service the electric batteries that power trip boat Dapdune Belle had finally died. 48 hours and £6k later half a ton of batteries had been changed out and the boat operational again. I wonder how many thousands of people have enjoyed a lovely quiet trip on Belle? We certainly got our money’s worth out of the old batteries!

As the school holidays begin I do hope the lovely weather continues – if a little cooler please – so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy our wonderful waterways.

John Gibson, Navigations Manager

IWA G & R Branch contribution to the River Wey & Godalming Navigation project to improve lock landing bays and provide non-power portage points On Tuesday 17th July the National Trust’s Navigations Foreman on the River Wey & Godalming Navigations was very pleased to receive a cheque for £1,000 from Mike Lewis on behalf of the Guildford and Reading Branch of the Inland Waterways Association.

This generous donation helps the Trust to keep on improving access for water users along the navigations. Over the last few years lock landing bays and portage points have been improved and provided at St. Catherine’s, Unstead and Triggs.

Improvements are planned this year at Newark and Coxes Lock. This is long term programme taking place over 10 years. As Steve says, “every donation, large or small, makes a difference and helps us achieve our goals.”

The National Trust and John Gibson, Navigations Manager for the River Wey and Godalming Navigations, also extend their gratitude and thanks for this valuable contribution to the work of the Trust and the support the IWA Guildford and Reading Branch provide to the operation of the River Wey Navigations.

John Gibson, Navigations Manager

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Improvements to Portage Points on the River Wey The River Wey is very popular with kayakers and canoeists. Addlestone Canoe Club, Godalming Scout Canoe Club, Elmbridge Canoe Club, Wey Kayak Club, The Canoeing Camping Club and Guildford Rowing Club all have members who frequently use the river in small unpowered craft, and those who navigate the length of the river need a low bank to be able to portage their craft around locks. Last year the National Trust re-steel sheeted the lower landing bay at Unstead lock and a section was set lower for portaging small craft (see photo). This year the Trust is making improvements to the portage points at several locks.

Already completed is the portage point below Triggs lock. This consists of a Unstead lower lock landing bay with canoe portage wooden piled stage with a non-slip point surface and a single mooring post and is in the backwater, so it does not affect larger craft using the lock (see photo).

Plans are in hand to improve the portaging provisions at Coxes Lock and Newark Lock. At these locks the top of the piling will be lowered, at a point away from the area used by power boaters using the lock.

I spoke to Steve Stewart, Wey Navigations Foreman, about the work.

He said that the specialised navigation work, about 50%, would be undertaken by the Trust's maintenance team and the remainder, more general work, by contractors. I asked Steve about the cost per metre of the piling and Triggs canoe portage point

discovered it was far greater than I had expected, costing between £600 and £700 per metre. John Gibson, Navigations Manager, informed me that the work at Coxes Lock would cost about £55k and the work at Newark Lock about £25k so this work is a considerable outlay for the Trust. The photo showing re-sheeting of Unstead Lock lower

Mike Lewis (left) present the cheque for £1,000 to Steve Stewart, Navigations Foreman at the stern of barge “Reliance” at Dapdune Wharf

22 landing bay shows the scale of the work involved. Some of the canoe clubs have made a contribution to the cost of the work, and others are expected to do so in the future. We discussed the portage point improvements in the Branch Committee and decided that the Branch should make a donation of ÂŁ1,000 to the Trust. On 17th July I met with John Gibson and Steve Stewart at Dapdune and handed over a cheque for ÂŁ1,000, against a backdrop of the barge Reliance, (see photo).

Mike Lewis

Forthcoming Events Boat trips from Dapdune Wharf We have three electric launches, Dapdune Belle, Sir Richard Weston and Seewey and being electric, they are very quiet. The volunteer skippers have an interesting tale to tell - all about the history of the area you will be passing through on your trip. In summer, the damselflies dart in and out of the boat, shining emerald and blue.

Most trips head towards Guildford, passing what used to be the manufacturing quarter, with the Electric Theatre - the former electricity works for Guildford until 1968, and the site of Moon's timber yard - now Debenhams.

Sometimes our volunteer skippers decide they need a change and head downstream towards Stoke lock, passing lovely bankside vegetation and offering you a completely different view of Guildford.

Trips can only be booked at the ticket hut on the day and are not available for advanced booking. When the river is in flood, we're unable to operate the boat. As the boats take a maximum of 12 passengers, on busy days they get booked up very quickly, so there are times when there may only be seats for the last boat left.

Sat 22nd Sep, from 11am, Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf, Guildford: We welcome boaters and visitors alike to celebrate everything that is great about the river. There'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.

Puffing-a-Wey 2018 Polished brass and copper, with varnished teak and mahogany, were very much in evidence at Dapdune Wharf on 14th July for Puffing-a-Wey, an annual steam boating event run jointly by the National Trust and the Steam Boat Association of Great Britain. Ten steam launches attended, along with traditional electric launch Emerald.

The public were invited by the launch owners to cruise on the river and the

Mazeppa

23 National Trust's passenger launches Sir Richard Weston and Dapdune Belle were also offering cruises.

I was pleased to meet Mark Rudall, who presented our recent talk on steam boats, and had brought his launch Mazeppa to the event. Mazeppa is 19ft long and has a compound engine. The boiler is a coal fired water tube boiler and has an independent steam driven feed pump.

There were several other open launches of similar size, coal fired. Chimera had a water tube boiler, with a twin cylinder, (not compound) engine, and Genevre had a 2-drum water tube boiler and a compound engine. Suilven and Zara Finn had vertical fire tube boilers with compound engines. Melissa had a Stuart Turner 5A single cylinder engine, and although coal fired, was smartly turned out, with polished brass boiler top and Suilven gleaming varnished planks and striped sealing between them.

Lady Heather also had a single cylinder engine with a coal fired water tube boiler.

The newest launch at Dapdune was Aurelia, whose hull was built in 2014.

Aurelia has an oil-fired water tube boiler, and a twin cylinder engine.

The largest steamboat present was Surta, a replica launch with an aft cabin and a 45ft steel hull, robust enough to navigate the narrow canal network. Surta has an oil-fired water tube boiler with Lady Heather at Dapdune Wharf automatic firing and a Sissons compound engine, built in 1950 as a training aid for a technical college.

Left

Above

Surta’s Engine - Sir Richard Weston Above: Sir Richard Weston Left: Surta’s Engine

24 Ursula

Photos by Matthew Lewis

I am grateful to Julian, the skipper of Ursula for taking me aboard for a cruise.

Ursula is a replica 27ft launch built in 2001, with an aft cabin. Ursula's coal fired vertical fire tube boiler is complemented by a Mumford engine built around 1890, of a type used in small navy launches at the time. In addition to cruising in the UK Julian has also taken Ursula to cruise continental waterways.

Mike Lewis

Southampton Canal Society

At our June Meeting we welcomed Caroline Tilley a volunteer from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution which was a very informative and interesting evening.

The RNLI was formed on the 4th March 1824 by William M Hillary. It is reckoned to be the best in the world able to help with flood and sea rescues. All the UK waters and the Republic of Ireland are included, and the range and type of boat required is amazing - from the all-weather, self-righting one-hundred-mile range craft controlled by a very experienced crew to Hover craft and smaller boats used for inshore rescues. There are many lifeboat stations dotted around our coastal areas where 170-190 people drown each year. Tower Bridge & Waterloo Bridge in London are stationed with paid crew. Dialling 999 for the Coastguard may save a life as help could be only 10minutes away.

Funding is primarily from the many dedicated Volunteers collecting funds from gatherings like ours, visiting schools and shopping areas. Their table of RNLI goodies was well supported by us and a donation was given from our Society.

Angela Rose

Forthcoming Events Thu 6th Sept 7.45pm: Tony Shadick, with the assistance of Brian Evans our President, will remind us of our 50th anniversary Boat cruise on the Basingstoke Canal and other film/pictures of the Society’s Trips over the years.

Thu 4th Oct 7.45pm: Ron & Myra Glover - A week on Vic 32 a Clyde Puffer thro’ the Crinan Canal and the Western Isles of Scotland Thu 1st Nov 7.45pm: Nick Grundy “Pleasure Boating in the 1930s, 40s & 50s”.

Boating exploits of his Grand Parents before the second World War, using old photographs, surviving log book and other historical material, to include early IWA campaigns.

25 Thu 6th Dec 7,45pm: Inter Society Waterways Quiz. Questions will be set by the 2017 winners - IWA Salisbury. The evening is hosted by SCS and the traditional American supper will finish off the evening. We welcome other IWA teams to challenge us.

Thu 3rd Jan 7.45pm: Our members photographic 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 WRG Restoration Holidays at the Wey & Arun Canal Trust This year Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) are supporting the Wey & Arun from 20th to 27th October Volunteers will be working on two projects. The first at Birtley to help create 850m of towpath and recreational paths. The second project will begin the creation of a new visitor centre and a boardwalk for a nature conservation zone located nearby, both projects aim to encourage visitors to come and see this historic canal and encourage interest in the country’s industrial heritage. To book a space go to https://www.waterways.org.uk/wrg/canal_camps or call Alex Melson, Volunteers Coordinator, on 01494 783 453 for more details.

“Poddle” Supporters of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust came together in June for the charity’s annual sponsored walk “Poddle”.

The 12-mile route offered the opportunity to discover the disused Portsmouth & Arundel Canal along with the picturesque River Arun, as well as raise funds for the Trust’s restoration work Some 144 walkers strapped on their boots and set off from Walberton Village Hall in Arundel for the circular route. Along the way participants were not only able to enjoy the Sussex countryside but got a fascinating glimpse of canal structures, including the entrance to the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal at Ford, a buried canal bridge hidden in a residential area and the Hollingworth swing bridge. They were also treated to a traditional tea at the last stop.

26 The Portsmouth and Arundel Canal was abandoned in 1855 after it failed to be a financial success. It had been part of a larger scheme to allow craft to move from the Thames in London to Portsmouth without having to enter the Channel. It formed the southernmost half of the waterway link of which the Wey & Arun Canal forms the northern route and which the Trust is aiming to restore fully.

Wey & Arun Canal Trust chair Sally Schupke was delighted to report that the Poddle raised more than £10,000 and praised organisers and volunteers for their efforts. She said: “The event brought together members and supporters for a fantastic day out. All those participating enjoyed exploring the walk and discovering more about the story of our lost canals”. “I would like to congratulate those who took part and event organiser Margaret Darvill and her team for their incredible dedication and hard work.”

Paddleboarders stand up for river rights The River Arun was a riot of colour recently as a flotilla made up of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards navigated from Pulborough and Stopham to the tidal limit at Pallingham, West Sussex.

The annual river rally attracted more than 30 small crafts. More than half were paddleboarders, illustrating the surge in popularity of the sport.

The three-and-a-half-hour trip celebrated a long tradition of boats navigating a river which was once part of a route from London to the South Coast. The event aims to demonstrate that the River Arun is still a navigable waterway, proving that navigation rights still exist.

The route took in the junction of the canal with the river and headed to Pallingham Quay, the furthest navigable point for boats on the route.

Chair Sally Schupke said the good weather helped make the rally “good fun for all involved” and recent rain meant even shallow sections were easy to navigate. She added: “The aim of the Trust is to restore the Wey & Arun Canal and that ticks all the boxes: heritage, environment and leisure.” The restoration work has meant parts of the canal are now well used by canoeists, kayakers and, more frequently, paddleboarders.

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New guide shows canal history in the making The restoration story of the Wey & Arun Canal has been brought bang up to date in a new publication “The Guide to Restoration Progress on the Wey & Arun Canal”. It provides a fascinating insight into the restoration work of the canal from the 1970s to the present day and is sure to appeal to anyone interested in the canal and those who wish to know more about it. This fully revised edition charts the progress of the canal’s restoration in West Sussex and Surrey, including the very latest projects.

The 56-page booklet features 10 maps of the canal and extensive details of the restoration work, along with both archive and more recent photographs.

The guide was last updated in 2014 and this new edition for 2018 includes recent projects such as the completed Compasses Bridge. It demonstrates the huge amount of restoration work the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has achieved over the 23mile canal.

The 2018 guide, edited by Julian Cheek and Geoff Thomas, costs £6 and is available online at www.weyarun.org.uk/shop/, or from the Loxwood Canal Centre (High St, Loxwood, West Sussex RH14 0RD, tel: 01403 753999, open Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm).

For general information on the work of the Trust, please telephone our Northern Office on 01483 505566, or visit www.weyandarun.co.uk.

Forthcoming Events Wed 5th Sep 2.15pm: Cream Tea Voyage. A late summer opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on our electric canal boat Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by £14.00 Booking essential.

Sun 16th Sep 2.30pm: A guided walk from Gunpowder Store (Shalford) to Bramley. Starting from the Gunpowder Store at Stonebridge Wharf, Shalford, along parts of the course of the canal to the former Bramley Wharf.

Wed 19th Sep 2.15pm: Cream Tea Voyage: The final cream tea voyage this season! Join the cruise, sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cream tea on our electric canal boat Wiggonholt, whilst watching the beautiful countryside pass by £14.00 Booking essential.

Sun 30th Sept 2.00pm: The official opening of the Thriscutt Slipway (on the Summit Level of the canal near Alfold and Dunsfold, Surrey) Public trips in 2018 began on Saturday 31st March and run every Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday until Sunday 28th October.

Private charters are also available 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)

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Kent & East Sussex Branch IWAKES Chairman’s Piece I am very pleased to welcome Brian Franklin to the IWAKES committee as our new Dartford and Crayford Creek Restoration Trust representative. The visit to the creek by a convoy of narrowboats from our friends at St Pancras’ Cruising Club coincided with the inaugural Dartford Nautical Festival at which the Sailing Barge Decima was also a major feature. I was very sorry that a family boating holiday meant I was unable to attend. The Festival went well and has achieved good publicity for the Trust including a feature in the August edition of Canal Boat.

Well done everybody involved in making such great progress with the restoration.

River Medway boaters suffered a 10% increase in licence fees this year, the highest for any boaters on Environment Agency (EA) navigations, and we hear that they face similar increases in years to come. Whilst it is great that the Medway is probably in the best condition of any EA navigations it is important that boating remains affordable. I sympathise with the financial difficulties the EA faces but large and ongoing cost increases for Medway users are not the way to solve their problems. Our inland waterways are a fantastic resource and they must remain vibrant and attractive to all.

Les Etheridge – IWAKES Chairman

IWAKES Boat Trip

29 Fifteen IWAKES members and their families and friends (plus a 10 month old baby) travelled from Newenden to Bodiam and back on the Dannie Lee on Wednesday 4th July. It was a superb day; during the heat-wave, but with just enough cloud to be comfortable.

The boat, operated by Bodiam Ferry Company, was full both directions.

(Picture: Bernard Snell)

It is good to see how this company has expanded; now with a second boat available for bookings. The castle and railway were in good state with one train packed with visitors. Following our return most of the travellers took a cream tea in the new Bodiam Ferry cafĂŠ at Newenden.

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Ted Lintott, SORT Work-Party Organiser, had his operation (new valve and a single by-pass) on Wednesday 26th June. He is now home, and Hazel is stopping him being bored.

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River Medway news from Mike Marsh New Pontoon: Former Mayor Councillor Malcolm Greer and current Mayor of Maidstone Councillor David Naghi joined forces on Saturday 7th July for the opening of a new pontoon for the Maidstone Sea Cadets. This was made possible due to funds raised by Cllr Greer during his Mayoral year.

The Anchor pub in Yalding re-opened in July as The Boathouse following a £1.3million refurbishment and recruitment of a new management team. It is on the River Medway, a few minutes from the village of Yalding near Maidstone ME18 6EG. The new investment is designed to make the most of its unique riverside location.

Part of the Shepherd Neame portfolio, it has a glass-fronted restaurant and larger outside decking area, among other improvements and offers stunning views overlooking the river. A new raised exterior terrace has also been built, leading on to a large decked area, to allow extensive al fresco dining. Open every day 11.00 to 23.00 with food served from 12.00 to 20.00. www.boathouseyalding.co.uk The Old Boat Café is an historic 1911 former horse-drawn Fellows Morton and Clayton narrowboat that has been converted as a floating café. The Old Boat offers a range of coffees and locally sourced, organic food. Its child-friendly too!

The original boatman's cabin offers a tantalising glimpse into the fascinating life of the family who once worked this horse-drawn boat. Kids will love it! As you sit, gazing out onto the Medway, on a floating piece of our industrial heritage, you can feel the river breeze on your face and the gentle rocking from the wake of small craft and be surrounded by waterfowl. It doesn't get much better than this as you feel yourself relax and slow to the gentle ebb and flow of river life. About 80% of the products served in this cafe are locally sourced with options for gluten free, vegan and vegetarians alongside food which can be enjoyed by everyone. The Old Boat Café is moored between the road bridges in Maidstone Town Centre.

The Environment Agency has proposed increases in boat registration charges from 2019 to 2020. These repeat the increases levied this year which propose a further 10% rise in fees on the River Medway. The proposed increase for the Thames is 5.7% and for Anglia region 7.5 %. The consultation period ends on 27th August with responses considered in early September before the EA confirms any increase in October after consultations with Defra and The Treasury. Needless to say, these proposed increases are not going down too well with the boating communities on the Medway coming so soon after the rises in 2018.

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River Adur history from Brendan Whelan The Shoreham Slipways Group (SSG) was formed, around 17 years ago, to promote access to the River Adur both for people who want to go out to sea and those travelling the 12 miles inland to the highest currently navigable point of the River Adur. Historically navigation was possible further upstream, along the Baybridge canal (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baybridge_Canal) and, through a series of locks, to the north of Henfield.

The IWA was instrumental in starting the SSG, the logic being that an organisation based locally but with the backing of a respected national organisation would be more effective. The group has essentially acted as a pressure group and kept the absence of public slipways (and the destruction of hards/slipways) in the public eye. Many lessons have been learnt and, hopefully, these may be of interest to others. Publicity is vital and local papers are always keen for stories. As the reporters are overworked, providing a draft article works best. One has to accept that errors may creep in before the story goes to print but, overall, this approach has proved useful. Social Media is important but it has proved difficult to have sensible debates because some people simply want to be abusive and unconstructive.

Attempting to obtain, and retain, the support of Councillors is vital. In our case, the West Sussex County Councillors have always supported the aim of providing public access to the water. Even with the change in balance between the political parties and the inevitable rotation of individuals. Locally, Adur District Councillors have proved more difficult. Despite all our efforts there are still those who believe, and state publicly, that there are many places for boat owners to launch, boating is only for the rich, slipways cause flooding and that there are no economic gains.

Perseverance and attempting to feed information via other routes is the only way around this frustrating issue.

Many organisations have to be contacted such as yacht clubs, rowing clubs, diving organisations, fishing groups, boat owners’ associations, Chambers of Trade, MPs, etc. As with the Councillors, efforts must be made to keep others informed and retain support. Generally, we found that other groups and individuals are supportive and happy, for example, to support planning applications. The numerous official bodies such as County Highways, right of way offices, Natural England, the EA, etc, all need to be talked with. Some of these organisations have more facets than the Koh-i-Noor and, like the diamond, each offers a different perspective!

In summary, it is hard work starting and running a campaigning group but on the positive side we have met many pleasant and supportive people. Plus, the amount we have learnt about a wide range of matters (from bird roosting patterns to how to obtain funds) has made the last 17 years very interesting.

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Northfleet Harbour Graeme Rooney, IWAKES’ Representative to the Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust (NHRT), has resigned due to his being unable to spend enough time in this country to give the Trust his full attention.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) is now the planning authority for Grove Road and Northfleet Riverside areas. https://ebbsfleetdc.org.uk/groveroad/ shows the masterplan that adopts the road layout proposed by NHRT, but which omits the vital lock to enable access between the Harbour and the River. EDC is now seeking the views of local residents and others through a public consultation.

IWAKES has responded and has also contacted all its members with a known email to ask them to register their concern at omission of a lock.

To coincide with the Consultation the NHRT is launching its formal vision and plans for a Community Harbour to take this scheme to the next level. The Trust asks that the public join us and help to firmly get the harbour restoration in the EDC’s plans for the area. The Northfleet Community Harbour masterplan stems from a £50,000 study undertaken by harbour and marina specialists MDL Ltd, which not only proved the technical feasibility of the harbour but it also looked at how it could contribute to the local area and positively enhance the legacy of the Ebbsfleet Garden City. This study, as have many others, also looked to property uplift value to fund the harbour’s restoration, currently the national average for property uplift value in harbour side development is approx. 10-20% which more than covers the commercial viability.

The current EDC vision offers some modern, much needed, housing, which will be very nice but if the truth be told will mirror the many miles of modern housing along the Thames which have essentially cut the land off from its maritime access and heritage. The restoration of Northfleet Harbour with boating access fully opened to the Thames with lock gates will not detract from the current vision but will positively support and enhance the Northfleet Riverside masterplan and take it from another boring riverside housing scheme to something that will be the jewel in the crown of Ebbsfleet Garden City.

A restored harbour with full boating access offers…

1.

A tourist destination to make riverside pubs and restaurants worth visiting and actually viable, 2.

A centre for Historic Ship Restoration which will bring with it not only tourist attractions but real employment in the boat yards with apprenticeships for youth, skilled engineering jobs, enjoyment for locals who could join the many ship restoration trusts.

3.

Much needed marina facilities for the Thames with associated employment in managing the berths and modern boat maintenance and repairs.

4.

Facilities for Sea Scouts, Sea Cadets and other voluntary organisations.

5.

Access to the Thames for locals with the opening of the public slipway at the bottom of College Road.

33 6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Biodiversity improvements with improved access, more river bed for spawning fish and deculverting/daylighting of the River Ebbsfleet which has been lost to the public for decades.

Access for fishing vessels both professional and amateur allowing the opening of specialist local fish stores Public access for viewing the historic ships and modern boats Sailing and boating schools to get people on the water Amenity for local communities with great links to waterside walking and cycle routes or to take part in harbour activities Or simply space to sit, chill and just watch the world go by.

Northfleet Harbour with no restored boating access offers…

1.

Another half mile of riverside flats and housing as can be seen between B&Q and Gravesend Town Centre and pretty much most of the Thames.

Thames & Medway Canal Association TMCA has been offered the land occupied by the canal between the Nuralite entrance and Shornmead Crossing. Some radical works are suggested by the present owners in conjunction with TMCA adopting the canal. These would effectively terminate the navigation at Shornmead Crossing. IWAKES has been provided with access to the Nuralite ‘Drop Box’ which gives much technical detail of the state of the site and the investigations and work carried out to date. IWAKES has worked through all the information in the Drop Box and sent comments to TMCA on 1st May 2018.

(Picture: Les Schwieso)

BCM Construction has completed construction of a footbridge across the canal to give access to the newly reconstructed TP Hut from the towpath.

A six-metre length of the gabions alongside the slipway at Mark Lane has failed in rotation following rusting of the tie-back wires at water level. Gravesham Borough Council will not include the gabions in an HLF Bid and has requested that th th TMCA undertake the repair. A weekend dig is now planned for 17th and 18th November 2018 when wrg ‘BITM’ will visit and remove the failed material using an excavator and two dumpers.

Gravesham Borough Council issued a ‘Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation – Site Allocations and Development Management Document’ on 25th April 2018.

IWAKES responded on 13th June 2018.

34

Dartford & Crayford Navigation The inaugural Dartford Nautical Festival was held on Sunday 27th May at Dartford Lock.

Activities centred around the Thames barge Decima. The 65-ton, 85-foot Decima, built in 1899, was joined by a flotilla of 6 narrowboats (who formed part of the St Pancras Cruising Club Five Creeks Cruise), kayaks and other small boats.

On land the West Hill Morris Dancers danced from the Hufflers Arms along the river bank and in the hold of the sailing barge. The afternoon’s musical festivities continued with a sea shanty sung by Jim Radford. Jim has a connection with Dartford Creek as a young seaman on a tug that helped build the Mulberry Harbour as part of the Normandy invasion in World War II. Parts of the Mulberry Harbours were built in the dry dock on the west bank of Dartford Creek. This was followed by an excellent afternoon and evening of folk singers and musicians from SE London. The mayor of Dartford, Cllr David Mote, with the mayoress, Ellen Mote (seen with David Leal, owner of Decima), enjoyed the festivities along with the leader of Dartford Council, Cllr Jeremy Kite.

The narrowboats remained at Dartford Lock for the remainder of the week before continuing to Barking Creek.

During the week they also visited Crayford Creek and gave councillors and planning officials from Bexley council a tour of the Crayford Creek basins and a cruise back to Dartford lock. The event was made possible by the hard work of the volunteers of the Dartford and Crayford Creek Restoration Trust who have done much to clear the lock and quayside at Dartford and remove obstructions to (Photos: Conrad Broadley & Simon Judge) navigation.

35

Kentish Stour news from Roy Newing The Environment Agency plan to place faggots (to which the 'Downstream Interests Group' objected) has now been dropped. A further meeting has been held with National Grid, who plan to bridge the River for up to three years to install new powerlines. National Grid has fully satisfied all the objections made. A contact telephone number will be provided throughout the period of the works.

There has been a consultation “Rationalising the Main River Network: Stour Marshes De-maining Pilot” on possibly transferring weed management, de-silting and tree and scrub management from EA to the Internal Drainage Boards.

Environment Agency has indicated that reduced funding will prevent future tree and brush maintenance between Fordwich and Sandwich. Roy Newing’s boat has hit one fallen tree that was 40 to 50 ft long with 6in boughs.

Future IWAKES and Other Events Thursday 27th September 2018: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood, Kent. ME2 2AH: ‘The Caledonian Canal’: Roger Squires Thursday 15th November 2018: 7.00 for 7.30pm: Upper Room, Perrymount Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath.

RH16 3DM (near the railway station and 200 yards from Clair Hall): ‘The evolution of a charity trip boat operation’. A talk by several people connected with the Wey & Arun Trip Boats over the past twenty-five years.

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust and IWAKES joint event.

Wednesday 12th December 2018: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend. DA12 2BS: Get together with Thames & Medway Canal Association.

‘Historic Waterway Films’: Les Etheridge.

Thursday 24th January 2019: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood, Kent. ME2 2AH: ‘RNLI – It’s not all at sea’: Colin Brown of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

Wednesday 20th February 2019: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Christ Church United Reformed Church, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1SG: http://www.christchurchtonbridge.com/about/how-to-find-us/ ‘AGM’ followed by ‘Antarctica -An amazing continent’: Mike Marsh.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

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

36

Oxfordshire Branch Branch Chairman As I sit typing this article in early July the weather has been totally amazing, glorious, stunning, and it has been like this for weeks past!! Oh to be in England now that summer is here!!

By the time you read this article in September I wonder if we will still be recalling the glorious summer of 2018? Or will we have suffered from so called “100-year floods” that seem to happen every few years these days. Mind you President Trump is quite convinced that this Global Warming is all a nonsense, pure fiction, and is seemingly determined to carry on promoting the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil) and to graphically demonstrate his views, to have pulled out of hard won global agreements. “Sad, very sad!!”

Also on my mind is that it looks very likely that, USA President Donald Trump will visit Blenheim Palace in South West Oxfordshire, close to the South Oxford canal at Thrupp / Kidlington an area so closely associated with our former war time Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.

Anyway, the point is, it got me thinking about Canals in America.

Question 1. Being: Are there any canals?

Question 2. If so how many? and Question 3/4/5. When, why and how were they built?

I then did some research online and look what I found out. . . . . . .

“In the United States, about 15% of the intercity freight (measured as a combination of distance and weight) is carried by water, on either artificial canals or navigable rivers. In 1997, 1.2 billion tons of cargo was transported on United States waterways.

By 2020, the annual tonnage is expected to be twice that amount, with the Transportation of cargo by barge costing only about half as much as moving it by rail and about one-eighth as trucking it”.

THAT IS WORTH REPEATING “Only one-eighth the cost of transporting freight by road” I have been exalting and promoting this idea in UK Political circles for years and still only one or two in UK Politics listens and agrees (vested interests in road transport or what?) the article continued with. . . .

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees some 25,000 miles of commercially navigable waterways and about 240 lock chambers.

Half of these locks are more than 50 years old, and some are too small for the large collections of barges that are commonly linked and moved by a single modern tugboat.

37 With the expected increase in waterborne cargo transportation, it will be necessary to refurbish, replace, and enlarge many locks.

Canal construction, which includes not only transportation waterways but also channels designed for enhanced environmental purposes, will also continue.”

So, the above information led me to wonder what the next 50 years, following Donald Trump’s visit to Blenheim Palace, might hold in store for our own UK Inland Waterway System? Of course, who our next Prime Minister is, and Brexit, may have a lot to do with it.

Meanwhile . . . . . Can we generate an understanding with our politicians?

Can the IWA make our government “Wake up to Waterways” with electric powered craft moving freight? Can we have a great new revival of our own Inland Waterways, new canals, new channels, new basins, new investment, built by our army Engineers?

Join my one-man revolution.

“WAKE UP TO WATERWAYS 2100” to promote the concept via our IWA Political lobby.

Certainly. Boris supports the plan, do you?

Boris Johnson and Steve Good

Read more: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Canal-and-Lock.html#ixzz5Jv4jzp8i Steve Good

All the best,

Forthcoming Events Sat 8th Sep: Oxford Canal Festival: Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground 12.00 noon to 6.00pm. Raise money for a Community Narrowboat Restoration Project Also: Free Boat Trips hosted and Helmed by IWA Volunteers, Live Music, Fabulous Food, Fancy Dress Parade, Beer Tent, Canal Traders, Canal Olympics ,Roses & Castles Paintings, Boo Boo the Clown, Canal Walks, Swingboats, Tea & Cakes, Dog Show, Talks & Storytelling and a lot more Sun 14th Oct: Banbury Canal Day: Live Music, Decorated Boats Arts & Crafts Market, Dance Displays, Family Entertainment, Food & Drink Stalls

38

Banbury Canal Partnership As I said in the last edition of Cargoes we have now resumed working on our area of the South Oxfordshire Canal. At the time of writing we have repainted Great Bourton, Grants, Banbury, Elkingtons and Broadmoor locks. In the next 10 days Varneys and Cropredy will be added to the list!

We have also carried out vegetation clearance near Grants Lock, and a little way further up to improve visibility on a sharp bend just beside the M40 motorway bridge. In many of these tasks we have been joined by a group from Xylem Water Solutions who we understand like their staff to volunteer on voluntary projects especially those that involve water. Last time I mentioned that the weather lords were not getting the weather right, now they seem to have turned the other way, as we have not had any rain (other than the odd 2minute shower) for the past 6 weeks. Indeed, it has been so hot that on black painted metalwork we have to watch that we don’t get scorched!

Before

We have been asked what the locks look like before and after their repaint. These 2 pictures show what Broadmoor lock looked like before and after our attention: Our working parties take place on the third and fourth Tuesdays each month - venue to be announced, but we have agreed to repaint all the locks. As they were last painted up to three years ago, we feel it is time they experienced our tender loving care again.

Whilst many hands make light work, many more hands would make even lighter work. So, if you want a day out in the country side come and join us. You might just enjoy it so much you become a regular Please contact myself or Chairman Colin Garnham-Edge if you would like to be put on our emailing list. Remember we have an email contact address: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com - We also have a Facebook page Brian Saunders BCP/IWA Committee representative After

39

Wilts & Berks Canal The dream has come true: New canal section opened to the public A great day for the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust: supporters, funders, landowners and the public gathered by the Wilts & Berks canal at Studley Grange between Royal Wotton Bassett and Swindon for the formal opening of a new section some 1.2 km in length.

Chair of Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, Roderick Bluh, Chair of Viridor Credits Board, Peter Renshaw and fellow Trustee, David Robertson, together with Biffa representatives’, Nick Emery, National Estates Manager, and Dean Willett formally opened this newly restored section of the Wilts & Berks canal. Also joining in the celebrations were Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett, Mike Farrow, Chair of Wiltshire Council, Cllr Alison Bucknall, Deputy Leader Vale of White Horse District Council, Cllr Ben Mabbet and Chair of The Wiltshire, Swindon & Oxfordshire Canal Partnership, Fleur de rhe Philipe. Also present were contractors, project managers, members of the public who had contributed to the project, WBCT members and volunteers, and many local people who have all helped to bring this dream to reality.

WBCT Chairman, Roderick Bluh said: “This new section of the Wilts & Berks canal which we have completed in 2018 and is an excellent example of the cooperation between the organisations who worked together to create this amazing and diverse canal and towpath environment, giving benefit to all who use it.

Biffa have been supporters from the very beginning of this project and, as our landlords, continue to support WBCT in many different ways.

It is another step completed on our march towards Swindon bringing the dream of a canal restored to connect the southern canal network with the Midlands nearer to reality.

Looking ahead, restoring the remaining 60 plus miles of canal is no small ambition. It is full of planning, engineering, water supply, financial, legal, land ownership, and maintenance and manpower issues. We know it is never easy nor is it immediate. The clear message today is that it can be done. When everyone buys into the opportunities and benefits the canal brings and with all the necessary stakeholders working together, great things will happen.”

40 The Trust’s flagship project at Studley Grange, costing in excess of £0.80 million, involved the excavation of a new canal section between Chaddington Lane and Studley Grange and the creation of a new wildlife trail along the towpath. Local students and youth organisations were involved in the design of many of the information boards located along the length of the towpath as part of an education and engagement programme with our communities. Proposals are in development to connect the completed canal from Royal Wootton Bassett at Templars Firs to this section and onwards to Swindon.

Nick Emery, Regional Estates Manager at Biffa, said: “We’re extremely pleased to see that the section of canal which forms part of the boundary to our Studley Grange Landfill site has been transformed, with thanks to the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. The Trust has done an excellent job, with help from key sponsors, and it’s fantastic that this section of local canal will be more accessible for members of the public to enjoy as well as helping to encourage local wildlife.”

Our project is the longest and most complex waterways restoration project in the UK, of approximately 70 miles in length, travelling through 3 local authorities areas of influence and 2 water catchment areas: a rural and an urban waterway providing significant environmental, economic and well-being benefits to our region, benefits that can be accessed by our communities both now and in the future.

At Studley Grange we were able, with support from generous funders including the Underwood Trust, Viridor Credits, People’s Millions, Wiltshire Council Area Board, Inland Waterways Association, Crappers & Son Landfill Ltd and members and supporters to create both a wonderful waterways habitat and an educational facility, a “towpath trail” designed to be a resource for local schools and youth groups. This involved working with these groups and others to create information boards and leaflets and in addition working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to add marginal and native planting to the existing site habitat. Wood carving on the leaning posts, showing some of the many examples of wildlife which will use this habitat, has been provided by local craftsmen. Local Guides and Scout groups have become involved in making boxes to enhance the habitat. We take this opportunity to thank our many supporters and volunteers who have helped us to complete this part of the project at Studley Grange.

41 The towpath will be open to the public from 1pm on Wednesday 4th July for all to join in and enjoy this wonderful new part of the Wilts & Berks canal.

The towpath is subject to closure at short notice to allow the adjacent landfill site to undertake maintenance operations as needed.

For further information on how to reach the canal from RWB, and on how to join and volunteer for the Trust visit www.wbct.org.uk Brian Stovold, Chairman East Vale branch

Forthcoming Events Sat 1st & Sun 2nd September. Melksham Food and River Festival MCC branch of the Trust are joint organisers in this very important event, and there are opportunities for volunteers in many roles: management, PR, finances, advertising, communication and general organisation. At the actual event we run very popular boat trips, sell tickets, staff an Information Gazebo and sell merchandise. It is a big event and needs lots of volunteers who help with sessions to suit them. It is fun to join in, and a great way to be part of the team. Please contact paul.lenaerts@wbct.org.uk

South London Branch Forthcoming Events South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. Admission to the talks and presentations is free to all, members or non-members, although we do ask that you donate a minimum of £2 per person to offset room hire charges and speakers’ expenses, thank you. The programme for meetings is as follows: Sun 2nd Sep: Waterways Game and IWA information stand at Angel Canal Festival Sat 8th & Sun 9th Sep: Waterways Game and IWA information stand at Slough Canal Festival

42 Wed 12th Sep: Social meeting - Speaker to be confirmed Sun 16th Sep: Waterways Game and IWA information stand at Hayes Canal Festival Sat 29th Sep: Branch Cruise on The Basingstoke Canal on NB `Kitty’ from Woking at 2.30pm £12.00 per person, to book call Lesley on 07787 3724O8 Wed 10th Oct: Social meeting: "Brewing along the Wandle Valley"

By Alison Cousins from Wandle Industrial Museum Wed 14th Nov: Social meeting: A speaker from the Buckingham Canal Society Wed, 12th Dec, 7.30pm, Christmas Social For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@waterways.org.uk. For updates and information on all IWA events and branches please go to: www.waterways.org.uk

IWA Canalway Cavalcade 2018 Just when you thought Canalway Cavalcade was resting after its enormous success this year there has been a flurry of activity! We are delighted to announce that Mark Saxon is taking over as Chair of Cavalcade Committee, Peter Stanley is joining John Fevyer as Site Services Assistant Manager and Terry Smith has agreed to assist Jerry Sanders in Catering and Commercial as his deputy. These appointments take effect from our next planning meeting in September. Next year's Cavalcade will take place at Little Venice from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th May, inclusive and, if you would like to be part of the team who organises this spectacular event, there are still some vacancies in Admin, Publicity and Sponsorship - apart from lots of opportunities to help as a volunteer during the event itself. You don’t need previous experience, you can be a student or a pensioner, we just need a few hours of your time every month - and three days in May. So whether you've got a bit of experience in these areas, or are just willing to give it a try, contact Christine by email or phone and she will tell you everything you need to know: email: christine.smith@waterways.org.uk or telephone: 01386 642577 or mobile: 07774 890750

43

Mikron Theatre Group Get Well Soon (GWS) 70 years of the NHS! All is not well at St Monica’s Hospital.

They’re on life support, facing bugs, bed-blockers and a battle to save A and E. 70 years ago, Nye Bevan gave us free healthcare for all.

Can his dream survive the demands and pressures of the 21st century?

Can Simon find a cure for his family troubles?

Can Nurse Danuta save the day with her Polish pastries and proverbs?

With tunes, transfusions and titters, join Mikron as we make a surgical strike on the state of our NHS.

Revolting Women (RW) The fight for the vote Why did it take so insufferably long for women to get the vote?

London. 1918. Revolting Women tells the Suffrage story through the eyes of a less well known Pankhurst, Sylvia, who fought for the vote alongside working women in the East End. Sylvia meets Lettie and they push together to Parliament, to bend the ear of the Cabinet. A story of absolute commitment or dangerous obsession?

Full of political satire, song and more suffrage societies than you can shake a stick at, Revolting Women unravels a contentious and momentous movement in history! www.mikron.org.uk

Towpath Walks Group Sun 2nd Sep 2.30pm: Walk, Limehouse, Thames to Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 16th Sep 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, meet Mile End Sun 7th Oct 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue

44 Sun 21st Oct 2.30pm: Walk, Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard to Greenland Dock, meet Surrey Quays Sat 27th Oct 10.45am: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross, Granary Square to Camden, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank) Sun 4th Nov, 2.30pm: Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Three Mills, Bow Back Rivers, meet Bromley-by-Bow Sun 18th Nov, 2.30pm: Walk, The Regent's Canal: Islington to Hoxton, meet Angel Sat 24th Nov 10.45am: Regent's Canal: King's Cross, Granary Square to Camden, meet King's Cross station (taxi rank) Sun 2nd Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, The Regent's Canal: Little Venice to Camden meet Warwick Avenue Sun 16th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, The Regent's Canal: King's Cross, Granary Square to St. Pancras, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank) Thur 27th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Grand Union Canal: Little Venice, Paddington Green, Paddington meet Bakerloo, Praed Street exit Sun 30th Dec, 2.30pm: Walk, Regents Canal: Mile end to Limehouse, meet Mile End Tue 1st Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 6th Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross, Granary Square to Camden, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank) Sun 20th Jan, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse, meet Mile End Sun 3rd Feb, 2.30pm: Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park & Bow Back Rivers, meet Stratford, by “Newham London” sign Sat 9th Feb 10.45am: Regent's Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 17th Feb, 2.30m: Walk, Grand Union Canal: Little Venice & Paddington Green to Paddington meet Bakerloo, Praed Street exit Sun 3rd Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Islington to Mile End, meet The Angel Sun 17th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sat 23rd Mar 10.45am: Regent's Canal: King's Cross, Granary Square to Camden, meet King's Cross station (taxi rank)

45 Sun 7th Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard, Greenland Dock meet Surrey Quays Sun 21st Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regents Canal: Kings Cross to Hitchcock’s Hackney, meet Kings Cross (taxi rank) Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along the towpath of the Regent’s Canal (and elsewhere).

This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways – which most outsiders don’t realise is here! It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you so, if you’d like to give this a try, please contact Roger Wilkinson.

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

The Inland Waterways Association IWA South East Region Chair: Verna Smith 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE Tel: 07986 244479 Email: verna.smith@waterways.co.uk

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee Chair: Gareth Jones Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking RH5 4QQ Tel: 07850 819071 Email: gareth@hillhouse.farm

IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee Tel: 07768 132703

Chair: Les Etheridge

Email: les.etheridge@waterways.org.uk

IWA Oxfordshire Branch Committee Chair: Steve Good 1 The Bungalows, Ham Lane, Aston, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2DE Tel: 07825 296357 E-mail steve@stevegood.info

Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. Editorial team: Chris Jones & Tim Fry Next issue: Winter 2018 Copy date: 15th October 2018

46

Oxford Canal Festival 2018

MAIN EVENT - FREE Saturday 8 September 12 noon to 6pm, Aristotle Lane Recreation ground. More details below.

WRAP AROUND EVENTS: Friday 7 September, from 7pm, White Hart, Wolvercote.

Sunday 9 September, 7.30pm, Big Canal Ceilidh at St Barnabas Church.

RAISING MONEY FOR A COMMUNITY NARROWBOAT RESTORATION PROJECT ALSO: Free Trip Boat hosted and helmed by IWA Volunteers ‐ Live Music – Fabulous Food Fancy Dress Parade – Beer Tent – Canal Traders – Canal Olympics – Roses & Castles Paintings Boo Boo the Clown – Canal Walks – Swingboats – Tea & Cakes – Boat Trips ‐ Dog Show Talks & Storytelling and a lot more

Wey River Festival



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



Site opens from 11am till late.



Entry is free.



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.



Lots of children’s activities will be on the island.

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