Cargoes Spring 2012

Spring 2012

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

Jubilee at Newbury In the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, the K&A Canal Trust is relaunching trip boat Jubilee as a permanent new attraction for Newbury. The boat will be painted and decorated to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Jubilee was originally launched for the Trust in 1977 (the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee) and had since been operated at Crofton, Bath and Brassknocker Basin (Limpley Stoke) . Access at Brassknocker was not ideal, however, and cessation of a commercial trip boat operation at Newbury left an unsatisfied demand which the Trust decided would best be met by moving Jubilee there.

Jubilee in earlier days as a trip boat

[Photo: Courtesy K&A Canal Trust]

Public trips will commence at Easter leaving every weekend from Newbury Wharf.

Jubilee will also be available for private charter throughout the summer. There will be a longer trip when Jubilee travels to Reading in mid-June for the annual Reading Waterfest. But she’ll be back in Newbury well before the Newbury Waterways Festival in July.

It is especially appropriate to celebrate Her Majesty’s Jubilee in this way as the restoration of the canal really got under way 50 years ago after the Queen accepted a petition calling for its restoration. 2012 is also an important landmark for the Trust marking the 50th anniversary of its foundation in 1962.

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Editorial In this Diamond Jubilee and Olympics year much will be happening on our waterways across the Region and beyond. We hope that members will find the opportunity to join in the celebrations.

Our last Editorial (Winter 2011) mentioned the increasing concern about the cost of Regional Newsletters, such as Cargoes, and the savings that could be achieved by reducing the number of issues per year from 4 to 3. We can now report that at a recent Trustees’ Meeting it was agreed to continue the present arrangements for another year – so we plan on there being 4 Editions of Cargoes in 2012. The financial position is, however, being kept under review and some economies are likely to prove essential in the long run. One other economy, mentioned in Chris Wardley’s article in the last Cargoes, would be for members to be prepared to access Cargoes through the Website instead of receiving a printed copy through the post. Members who might be interested in this option may have already taken the opportunity of seeing what is currently available electronically (a pdf of the latest Cargoes can be accessed and downloaded by going to www.waterways.org.uk/Regions_Branches/south_east/cargoes). By agreeing to this option you’ll have the latest Cargoes readily available with colour pictures throughout and you’ll be saving the Association money, particularly on postage which is now a major element of production/distribution costs. In due course all members for whom a current Email address is held at Head Office will be contacted with more details of the Electronic alternatives for accessing Cargoes and given an explanation of the procedure involved.

It is now timely to remind members of the forthcoming Branch AGMs. This is your opportunity to meet Branch Officers/Committee face to face and to discuss matters of interest and concern. It provides a chance to get involved - maybe through joining your Branch Committee or volunteering for some task outside the Committee framework. There are plenty of things to be done and many hands make light work. Full details of when these AGMs are to be held can be found on page 5 and if you are planning to attend the Solent & Arun AGM please note the date is now Tuesday 10th April - not as shown in the previous Cargoes.

Cargoes Editorial Team

Cover Picture: The new Canal Centre on the Wey & Arun at Loxwood is nearing completion and will be officially opened on 1st April – see page 37 [Photo: Julian Morgan (WACT)]

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From the Region Chairman Introduction It’s now January and I’m waiting for winter to arrive. This is such a change from the last two winters and it’s a relief not to have to worry about the impact of prolonged sub zero temperatures on my boat. However the mild winter has also been a very dry one and the reservoirs in some parts of the system remain at a very low level.

There are real concerns over sustaining summer boating on the Leicester summit and also the South Oxford. Unless there is a very wet spring I think we can expect restrictions. That said I believe BW have managed the situation reasonably well.

Certainly the massive investment in back pumping over the past 25 years has proved its worth and avoided the situation faced in the dry summers of 1974/75 when there were major closures. There were no closures last summer merely restrictions which, although inconvenient, did permit through navigation. I’m planning for an early cruise this year travelling south from the midlands, down the South Oxford and Thames to attend the rally on the Basingstoke at spring bank holiday when we hope to have through navigation up Deepcut and on to Odiham.

I’ll be returning up the Grand Union hopefully avoiding the Olympic closure difficulties.

Canal & River Trust There has been a lot going on behind the scenes in the final stages of the negotiations with Defra over the launch of the CRT. At the time of the last Cargoes the negotiations on the financial settlement were bogged down which prompted IWA's call for members to write to local MPs. Thank you to those who did this - a number of MPs wrote to the Minister as a result of IWA action and this, together with other IWA lobbying has undoubtedly played a role in the substantially better offer. I attended the Ministerial briefing on 31st January, just as this edition of Cargoes was going to press. The settlement looks considerably better in general terms, and is substantially more than was first put on the table. We are particularly pleased to see that many of the issues that IWA raised and lobbied for through our supporters and Members of Parliament have been addressed and that the original settlement has been substantially increased from £390million over ten years to potentially, £800m over the full 15 years if you add indexation, in addition to the full property portfolio. However delays in striking the deal means that the launch will now be in June The issues that IWA lobbied for and that have been addressed are:  increased funding:- there is an extra £10 million per year, or 1/5 extra cash for an additional seven years.  indexation to protect the funding from inflation:- a degree of this has been provided.  a longer contract term:- it’s been increased by a third, giving financial certainty for 15 years.  additional resources to address the pension liabilities:- this has been addressed in part with an additional £25m given immediately.

5 Aside from finance the other issue of concern to IWA is the governance arrangements in which there are only four boater slots on the CRT Council of initially 35 members eventually climbing to 50. IWA is by no means guaranteed one of these slots so five IWA trustees (myself included) have put their names forward for election with the hope that IWA will succeed in getting at least one of the four positions. The results will probably be known by the time you read this.

Inglesham Lock Appeal As you will all know IWA launched an appeal some time ago to raise £125k for restoration of the Inglesham lock at the eastern entrance to what we now call the Cotswold canals. The lock is just outside our Region but adjoins it. More significantly when the Cotswold canals are fully restored they will comprise a new through route of strategic significance. The Cotswolds Canal Trust (CCT) are primarily focussed on the lottery funded restoration through Stroud (phase 1a) whilst also identifying funding sources for phase 1b to link the isolated Stroud section to the main system at Saul junction. However IWA believes that opening a new eastern front of restoration at Inglesham (phase 2) should provide additional impetus to the overall project. Clearly it was going to be a challenge to raise all the money in times of recession but the good news is that around £70k has now been raised by IWA. Furthermore, work on the ground has started in earnest and a useful dialogue has been established with the CCT to establish who is responsible for what. What is needed now is a final IWA push to increase the amount of money raised. I am grateful to Branches and individuals within South East Region for what you have all done. If there is any more you can contribute then it will be gratefully received. Details are on IWA website.

Paul Roper

Branch Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given of Branch Annual General Meetings as follows: The Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take place at 7.30 for 8pm on Wednesday 14th March 2012 at the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 1AT. The Kent & East Sussex Branch AGM will take place at 7.30 for 8pm on Thursday 15th March 2012 at St. Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone, Kent.

The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 19th March 2012 at the Byfleet Boat Club, The Boat House, 4 Old Parvis Road, West Byfleet, Surrey KT14 6LE. The Solent & Arun Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th April 2012 at The Norfolk Centre, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PA. The above notices are a repeat of those previously published except that the date of the Solent & Arun Branch AGM has been brought forward to Tue 10th April.

The standard IWA Agenda for Branch AGMs, as previously published, will apply.

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Diary of Meetings & Events Wed 15th Feb, 8:00pm, S&HCS: Canals and Rivers of Eastern France - Robin Higgs (see page 14) Thu 16th Feb, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: The Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation, Ford to Hunston - Adge Roberts (see page 9) Tue 21st Feb, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): Restoration of Paddle Steamer Medway Queen - Mark Bathurst (see page 16) Tue 21st Feb, IWAKES: River Medway Alliance meeting

(see page 25)

Wed 29th Feb, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): The Canal du Midi - Ron & Myra Glover (see page 16) Thu 1st Mar, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Ellesmere Port & Liverpool – Peter Oates & Laura Sturrock (see page 35) Sat 10th & Sun 11th Mar, 10:00am, K&A (Reading): RESCUE

(see page 17)

Wed 14th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: AGM(see pages 5 & 32) Wed 14th Mar, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: AGM + Presentation by the London Region Chairman, Paul Strudwick (see page 38) Thu 15th Mar, 7:30 for 8:00pm, Kent & East Sussex Branch: AGM + The national situation of IWA & the Canal & River Trust - Les Etheridge. (see pages 5 & 25) Thu 15th Mar, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Traditional Canal Painting - Robert Wright (see page 9) Mon 19th Mar, 7.30pm, Guildford & Reading Branch: AGM + K&A Canal - Bill Fisher (see pages 5 & 10) Tue 20th Mar, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): AGM + KACT, is it in the Cart? – Mike Rodd (see page 16) Wed 21st Mar, 8:00pm, S&HCS: The Hereford and Gloucester Canal - Dick Skeets (see page 15) Wed 28th Mar, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): Preview cruise on Jubilee – Trust Members only (see page 16) Sat 31st Mar, 7.30pm to 11.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Barn Dance

(see page 32)

7 Sun 1st Apr, W&ACT: Official opening of the Loxwood Canal Centre (see page 37) Wed 4th Apr, 7:30 for 8:00pm, IWAKES: TMCA AGM

(see page 25)

Thu 5th Apr, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: A selection of filmed SCS trips inc. War on The Watercress Line, Crofton & Classic Goodwood - Tony Shadick & Brian Evans. (see page 35) Tue 10th Apr, 7.30pm, Solent & Arun Branch: AGM

(see pages 5 & 33)

Wed 11th Apr, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: A lock-keeper’s life Jeremy Batch (see page 32) Sat 14th Apr: Day Course, History and Literature of Oxford’s Waterways by Mark Davies, Fee £24 (see page 31) Tue 17th Apr, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): K&ACT Archives - Elaine Kirby (see page 17) Wed 18th Apr, 8:00pm, S&HCS: Southampton Shipping with Railway Connections - Paul Gosling (see page 15) Wed 18th Apr, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: Amsterdam Excursions - Roger Squires (see page 38) Sat 21st & Sun 22nd Apr, 10am to 5pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Family fun days (see page 32) Sun 22nd Apr, Solent & Arun Branch: Bullion Run

(see page 33)

Wed 25th Apr, 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): Branch AGM

(see page 16)

Thu 26th Apr, 7:30 for 8:00pm, IWAKES: Droitwich Canals Restoration - Roy Sutton (see page 25) Sat 5th to Mon 7th May, Byfleet Boat Club: Weyside 2012 Sat 5th to Mon 7th May: Canalway Cavalcade 2012 at Little Venice

(see page 12) (back cover)

Tue 15th May, 7:45pm, K&A (Reading) + Guildford & Reading Branch: Tale of Two Steamers – Waverley and Kingswear Castle - Roddy McKee (see page 17) Wed 16th May, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: Narrow Boat Raymond - Steve Miles (see page 38) Thu 17th May, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: European Locks, Lifts & Structures Ron & Myra Glover (see page 10)

8 Jun, Oxfordshire Branch: Theatre in the Dock

(see page 32)

Sat 2nd to Mon 4th Jun: Trailboat Festival, Stroudwater Canal, Stroud Sat 2nd to Mon 4th Jun: 21st Anniversary of the reopening of the Basingstoke Canal (see page 13) Sun 3rd Jun, River Thames: Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant (see page 15) Sun 3rd to Tue 5th Jun, Wendover Arm Trust: Festival on the Grand Union (see page 17) Fri 8th to Sun 10th Jun: Beale Park Boat Show

(see page 12)

Wed 13th Jun, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: Limehouse & East London - Jeremy Batch (see page 38) Sat 16th Jun: Reading Water Fest

(see page 12)

Sat 23rd Jun, 7:30pm, S&HCS: “Can You Keep A Secret” - Mikron Theatre Company (see page 14) Sat 23rd Jun, South London Branch: Trip on the Kingswear Castle. (inside back cover) Sat 7th Jul, Chichester Canal Trust: Conducted linear walk from Barnham to Hunston (see page 34) Sat 7th Jul: Guildford Festival Boat Gathering

(see page 12)

Sun 8th Jul, Chichester Canal Trust: 1820 Poyntz bridge open

(see page 34)

Sun 8th Jul, Chichester Canal Trust: “Losing the Plot” - Mikron Theatre Company (see page 34) Sat 14th Jul, Chichester Canal Trust: Conducted linear walk from the sea lock to Chichester basin (see page 34) Thu 19th Jul, 7.00pm, Salisbury Group: Boules & BBQ

(see page 10)

Sun 22nd Jul, 10:00am to 5:00pm: Newbury Waterways Festival

(see page 16)

Sat 8th & Sun 9th Sep, Oxfordshire Branch: Oxford Open Doors

(see page 32)

Sun 7th Oct, Oxfordshire Branch: Banbury Canal Day

(see page 32)

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Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: At the November meeting, Stuart Fisher gave us a talk entitled “The Secret Canals of Britain”. We were all intrigued by the vast number of waterways that he had covered in his canoe, those that narrow boats cannot reach. Stuart had ventured far afield as far as the Forth & Clyde and the Crinan and Caledonian Canals in Scotland right down to the Grand Western Canal and the Bridgewater & Taunton Canal in the South West.

Some of Stuart’s pictures went back in time as a few of the waterways that he had ventured on are now linked to the main system and once more opened to narrow boats, such as the Lancaster Canal. It was interesting to see waterways that in their time were industrial, such as the canals around Runcorn, Warrington and St Helens, as well as the picturesque ones.

Stuart had obviously travelled far afield with his canoe to reach those waterways that are less known to narrow boaters. All this experience has led to the publication of his book “The Canals of Britain”.

In December we entered a team into the annual waterways quiz hosted by Southampton Canal Society. It was a close run battle between the four teams but it was Southampton Canal Society who came out on top.

Our 21st year was rounded off with the Christmas dinner at The Green Dragon; twenty-two of us enjoyed the excellent food served up by Jeff and his staff in the warm and friendly environment.

Programme of Events Thu 16th Feb:

The Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation, Ford to Hunston. Adge Roberts will give a talk about the history of this unsuccessful canal and show slides of the visible remains. He will also highlight the recent archaeological finds and conservation work that have been carried out along this nine mile stretch of canal.

For those interested a guided walk along this canal may be possible later in the year.

Thu 15th Mar:

Traditional Canal Painting. Robert Wright is a member of The Waterways Craft Guild and will be giving a talk on “Traditional Canal Painting”. This will include an explanation of the origins of Roses & Castles decoration, biographies of four of the most famous narrowboat painters from the days of canal carrying and of some of the well known recent painters, and he will be

10 describing how narrowboat decoration changed after the Second World War. Robert will explain the origins, objectives and workings of the Waterways Craft Guild and show a short video and explanation of the painting of a canal rose.

Thu 17th May:

European Locks, Lifts & Structures - Inland navigations are a means of transporting goods from A to B, but what happens when hills get in the way? Over the centuries man has devised many solutions to this problem. In this talk Ron and Myra Glover will show slides and explain the function of many of these structures found on the European waterways.

Thu 19th Jul:

Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon. 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 Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Guildford & Reading Branch News Chairman’s Report All is now organised for the Branch AGM on Monday 19th March at the Byfleet Boat Club with Guest Speaker Bill Fisher of the K&A Trust. Do come along as we need your feedback on the work that is being done to restore the Basingstoke and the Wey & Arun as well as keeping an eye on the Wey Navigation and the parts of the Thames and Kennet & Avon that fall within our area. Excellent progress is reported elsewhere on the Basingstoke. During the past year Ian Bell moved to the West Country - so we lost the services of a valued Committee member whose hard work on the Basingstoke Canal 'Open Access' policy has recently been rewarded as reported on page 14. We do need the odd volunteer for the committee or otherwise to help spread the load. We also want your feedback on the events we plan for this summer. Bill Fisher, our AGM Speaker, is a K & A Trustee with whom I was involved in that restoration at Newbury in the early sixties. Bill at one stage worked on narrow boats with people like David Blagrove. He ran the very successful Kennet Horse Boat Company and then went on to have his own business the Newbury Boat Company. Bill’s talk will focus on the restoration of the K&A. Do come along as the AGM should be a most interesting evening and we should have more details of the full programme planned for this summer.

On Tuesday 15th May we have a joint meeting with the K & A Trust (Reading Branch) when Roddy McKee will give a talk on ‘Tale of Two Steamers – Waverley and Kingswear Castle’. Those with long memories will recall that such joint meetings at Reading used to be an annual feature of our Branch social programme; so thanks to our friends in the K&A Trust for welcoming our return. We know that there are many members of IWA in the Reading area in G&R and Oxfordshire

11 Branches, so do please give this meeting your support (full details under Kennet & Avon Canal News on page 17). Following on from this talk there will be a trip on the Kingswear Castle on Saturday 23rd June jointly with South London Branch (for further information see inside back cover). We may also be organising a trip on the Wey and Arun Canal and we are likely to repeat the Thames Barge cruise at end of September. Details of the Basingstoke 21st Anniversary of the Reopening Rally, organised by Verna, can be found in my article on page 13 - do come along, by boat if you can. I will probably be bringing my steam car or steam lorry. The Branch Stand will be there – see Sales & Publicity Stand article on page 12 where Ray has set out the other rallies which the Branch will be supporting.

Already I have a number of canal trips for the summer. Let’s hope there are no water shortages. The Olympics will curtail much Thames estuary traffic during the summer but I do have another fully booked cruise on the North Kent coast for Thames Barge Pudge in August. I also plan to drive my steam lorry down to Cornwall for two or three rallies in those parts. Another treat is from my wife who, for my Christmas present, gave me a driver experience on the steam launch Consuta . This is a fully restored most elegant and rapid 1896 Henley referees launch. I will report.

We do have a full programme and a very active restoration role. Any support and help will be greatly appreciated. Ray is always looking for helpers for the Branch stand at rallies. As I point out in my Basingstoke piece (page 13) there are lots of ways there to help. In the last Cargoes I mentioned that Ben Scott was kind enough to invite a number of us on his narrow boat for a cruise up the Basingstoke to near the bottom of Brookwood. A most enjoyable day but a real eye opener. This has helped greatly in our interaction with the canal owners and other parties. Feedback, help and the support for petitions as with the Bedser Bridge does make things happen. Also do talk to your local politicians and say how much you value the Basingstoke in particular and our other waterways. IF you do this it is much easier for politicians to justify the spending of taxpayer money. This is clearly the case where a council supports a waterway which does not run directly through the constituency; the case for a number of political bodies funding the Basingstoke. As always it is the squeaky wheel that gets the oil.

I have said nothing about the new Canal and River Trust as I am sure Paul will cover this in his report. I have become more involved with IWA and am about to join the finance committee. John How and I are also helping on Inglesham Lock restoration, a major appeal and WRG project. I am working on funding and John with water and the Environment Agency matters where he has great experience.

Fellow members, amid the economic gloom and the melt down in the Euro zone, we have much to be grateful for. Do come to the AGM. Do try to help. Do have lots of pleasure in 2012 with our marvellous inland waterways and those who use them.

Gareth Jones

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Sales and Publicity Stand Preparations are now getting underway for our Sales and Publicity Stand to take part in a variety of events around the Branch area this summer. We start with the Byfleet Boat Club’s ‘Weyside 2012’ at The New Inn, Send during the May Day BH Weekend (see details below). Then we have the Basingstoke Rally (to mark the 21st Anniversary of the Canal’s reopening in 1991) at Frimley Lodge Park from 2nd to 4th June (Queen’s Jubilee BH weekend). This will be closely followed by the Beale Park Boat Show (Friday 8th to Sunday 10th June) when we shall again be joining forces with Middlesex Branch. Reading Water Fest, is on Saturday 16th June and the Guildford Festival Boat Gathering is scheduled for Saturday 7th July.

After a gap last year, Newbury Waterways Festival returns on Sunday 22nd July.

At these events we usually have the Sales Stand with a selection of donated books and maps together with some of the remaining items of painted-ware by Dick Harper-White who sadly died last year. We also try to feature local waterways in our displays with supplies of informative leaflets. Finally we usually run the ever popular Lucky Locks Game that has been raising funds for the waterways for over 30 years!

It will be appreciated that this all takes some organising both in advance and on the day, so offers of help are always welcome. Events are spread right across the Branch, so most members will hopefully find something fairly near to hand. If you might be available to help, do get in touch and I can tell you more about our involvement. Email: iwacargoes@hotmail.com or phone 01483 282806.

Ray Carnell

Weyside 2012 All river users will be welcome at Weyside 2012 which will take place from 5th to 7th May on the Wey at The New Inn, Send. Hosted by Byfleet Boat Club, there will be live entertainment, competitions and a variety of stalls plus a BarBQ, Boat jumble and Bric-a-brac.

Boaters and stallholders wishing to attend should contact Byfleet Boat Club at The Boat House, 4 Old Parvis Road, West Byfleet, KT14 6LE. Tel: 07500 718262.

Bits on the Basingstoke This year, 2012, is looking to be very exciting for the Basingstoke. First a very big thank you to all who supported the petition regarding Bedser Bridge both by personal signing and by Email. Woking Council as a result have redesigned the bridge to be both lower and far more in keeping with the canal. Not only have they done that but they have offered a new canal basin in Woking. Part of our strategy on Bedser Bridge was to ask for better boating facilities. This now seems to be moving and we have a proposed design, a location and a meeting with the Council to take matters forward. There seems a growing realisation that the canal is a real

13 asset to this part of urban Surrey. Indeed two further projects - a Vision exercise and a proposed bid for Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) - are likely to lead to a very secure future for the waterway. The Councils do seem to be on message. That is not to say all the battles are won. Much needs to be done and as always we will look to IWA members for support. We fully acknowledge the role of the Surrey and Hants Canal Society with whom we work very closely. There is now an increasing sense of partnership with the owners the two County Councils, the Canal Society and IWA. There is also on the ground, and in the mind, progress. Last Autumn, during the Peter Redway memorial weekend, WRG very successfully carried out projects along the length of the waterway. The contractors have been busy working on Brookwood and Deepcut locks. It is looking very promising to reopen fully in the Spring.

Organised by our very own Verna Smith, there will be a major boat rally with associated landside event taking place over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday (2nd to 4th June) at Frimley Lodge Park. The Canal at this point is very near to the railway line and Ash Vale Station provides a service to Waterloo for those wishing also to see the massive marine pageant on the Thames being laid on for Her Majesty. Further details on the S&HCS website (www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk), via IWA’s website (www.waterways.org.uk) or contact Verna at verna.smith1@virginmedia.com.

Two issues on which we are now working very hard are improving water supply and increasing boat movement limit which the owners will need with our support to work on with Natural England. The ecologist advising on the SSSI is the first to acknowledge the benefits of the navigation being open and boat movements helping keep the water clear and oxygenated . The Environment Agency the water control regulator is engaged and we will work on ensuring that sufficient water is available to keep navigation open at all times. An insufficiency of water will not improve either the SSSI or the newly restored canal infrastructure. Also positive is the news that planning permission has been granted for the new Mytchett leisure facility. Progress on the HLF grant will be time consuming but should lead to the canal being in first class order. With more boating facilities at Woking and elsewhere, positive housing developments at Aldershot and near Deepcut plus the solution to water shortages, there is a bright future for our much loved and valued waterway. Not only will it be a marvellous green park, it will provide wonderful facilities for some of the most highly prized locations in the entire country. There is no reason why the Basingstoke cannot rival the Wey Navigation or even the mighty Thames. It is an oasis that the Canal Society estimate is used by over 300,000 people a year. How many more will enjoy it when it is properly navigable.

Would you like to help in some way towards this latest push for the Basingstoke Canal’s future? We would be grateful for any help. We have needs for ‘copy typists’ to produce electronic versions of important past papers; Engineers who might wish to do some ‘desk top’ studies plus a host of other activities that do not necessarily need to involve meeting or much travel, all to suit the time you have available to spare. If you would like to be involved however small please contact me at hhel@btconnect.com.

14 As we go to press, Surrey County Council have announced approval of the 'Open Access' policy. This will greatly enhance boating access to the Basingstoke and at long last acknowledge that there can be a rise and fall in the Woodham pounds where there are residential houseboats. Boaters will, however, need to exercise great care when passing the moored houseboats.

Gareth Jones [Readers will have been interested to see that an article on the Basingstoke Canal features in ‘IWA at Work’ on page 8 of the latest edition of Waterways Ed]

Mikron on the Basingstoke This year's visit of the Mikron Theatre Company to the Basingstoke Canal will be at Fleet Football Club, Crookham Road, Fleet on Saturday 23rd.June at 7.30pm The show is called "Can You Keep A Secret?".

In the bicentennial year of the Luddite risings, which took place around Marsden, West Yorkshire, who better to illuminate their story than fellow Marsdeners, Mikron with their unique blend of humour, history and harmonic arrangements!

Details from David Millett on 01252 617364 or email:d.millett7@ntlworld.com Further details in the Summer Edition of Cargoes.

S&HCS Social Meetings

The Canal Society’s monthly social meetings resumed in the New Year with an extremely interesting and entertaining talk by Chris Witts about his life working on the River Severn. He recalled the days when there were regular cargoes along that waterway, including oil and grain and he included a plea for continued support for Gloucester Waterways Museum where this heritage was being preserved for future generations. We also saw a couple of clips from videos. The first told the story of the Severn Bridge disaster in 1960 of which Chris had first hand experience and indeed has written a book on the subject “The Severn Bridge disaster – 25th October 1960” whilst the second showed the transport of grain to Tewkesbury Mill as it was towards the end of commercial carrying on the river.

The programme of talks continues on the third Wednesday of each month at the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, GU24 8AZ. Meetings start at 8pm and coffee/tea and biscuits will be served during the interval. Nonmembers and friends are very welcome to come along. Retiring collection.

Wed 15th Feb:

Robin Higgs OBE - 'Canals and Rivers of Eastern France' The Canal Society’s former Chairman and current Vice President Robin Higgs will be showing a selection of slides from his boating holidays in Eastern France in 2010 and 2011.

Waterways to be featured include the Canal L'Est and the River Saone.

15 Wed 21st Mar:

Dick Skeets - 'The Hereford and Gloucester Canal' Dick Skeets will be visiting us to talk about the history of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal and bring us up to date with all the restoration work that has taken place over many years and which is, of course, still continuing.

Wed 18th Apr:

Paul Gosling - 'Southampton Shipping with Railway Connections' With a long term interest in shipping and transport in the Southampton area, Paul will be visiting us to illustrate the story of shipping in Southampton Water and the Docks from 1970 to the present day. The presentation will include scenes of boat and freight trains which are integral to the dockland scene.

Further information from David Millett on 01252 617364 or email:d.millett7@ntlworld.com

River Thames News Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant A 1,000-boat flotilla reflecting the UK's maritime heritage has been assembled for the Diamond Jubilee. On Sunday 3rd June, the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will journey down river from Putney to Tower Bridge, where the Queen will disembark to watch the rest of the Pageant continue down river.

It will feature a seven-mile long procession of Dunkirk little ships, historic vessels, steam boats and tugs. At its centre will be a royal barge, decorated in red and gold, carrying the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The flotilla will feature 20,000 people on the water, travel under 14 bridges and take 90 minutes to pass any given point.

Lock keepers cottages Following the EA announcement on 7th October 2011, (to let empty lock keepers cottages and not appoint future resident lock keepers), representatives from various Thames user groups met with SE Environment Agency Regional Director and others on Tuesday 15th November, 2011.

However the Regional Director feels it is necessary to make savings by not filling vacancies for paid lock keepers and also by renting out vacant lock residences as these become available. Some of the Thames User Groups will now seek a meeting with Lord Smith to ascertain if this is the final decision on the way the River is to be manned and operated.

Olympics Liaison between EA and London Olympic Games Organising Committee (LOGOC) contractors on construction of the temporary Dorney Bridge is well underway.

16

Kennet & Avon Canal News News is of a variety of activities this year on the Canal from Newbury eastwards to the Thames, with a focus also on celebrating the Trust’s own jubilee – a golden jubilee marking 50 years since the Trust was founded. Besides the remainder of the season of monthly meetings organised by the Newbury and Reading Branches of the Trust, there will be the inauguration of public trips from Newbury by the Trust’s boat ‘Jubilee’ (see article inside front cover). Then there will be the usual major Festival events with Reading Waterfest on Saturday 16th June and Newbury Waterways Festival (with the theme of ‘Diamonds and Gold’) at Victoria Park from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 22nd July.

Canal Trust Meetings Both the Newbury and Reading Sections of the Trust hold a series of monthly meetings to which non-members are always welcome and details are as follows: The Newbury meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at The Stone Building, Newbury Wharf at 7.45pm prompt (doors open 30mins before).

Admission is free. There is adequate public parking alongside the venue, at present costing £1 for the evening. Meetings are as follows:Wed 29th Feb:

Ron & Myra Glover of IWA Salisbury Group – ‘The Canal du Midi‘ The Canal du Midi dates from 1681 and forms part of the link between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean bypassing the sea route round the Iberian Peninsula. It is probably Europe‘s most popular cruising waterway.

Wed 28th Mar

Preview cruise on Jubilee - Trust Members only – Booking required on 01635 580356

Wed 25th Apr:

Branch AGM followed by a discussion about the future of the Canal and the Trust lead by Trust President David Bruce

Further information from the Newbury Branch Secretary 01635 580356 or Email: kact.newbury@virgin.net The Reading meetings are held at The Grange Church Hall, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road). This is a new venue and meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (Sep to May excluding Dec). Meetings are as follows:Tue 21st Feb:

Restoration of Paddle Steamer Medway Queen – Mark Bathurst

Tue 20th Mar:

Reading Branch AGM + ‘KACT – is it in the Cart?’ – Mike Rodd

17 Tue 17th Apr:

K&ACT Archives - Elaine Kirby

Tue 15th May:

Tale of Two Steamers – Waverley and Kingswear Castle Roddy McKee (see separate article for further details of this Joint Meeting)

Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help our expenses). For further information on the Reading meetings contact John Swift, on 01189 415540 More details can be found on K&A Trust website: www.katrust.org.uk

Joint meeting of K&A Trust and IWA The Trust’s monthly meeting on 15th May will be a joint one between the K&A Trust (Reading Branch) and IWA (Guildford & Reading Branch) and reintroduces a link which was maintained annually until a few years ago. The talk by Roddy McKee will be ‘Tale of Two Steamers – Waverley and Kingswear Castle’ in which Roddy will be recounting the history of these two restored paddle steamers and updating us on the ongoing work that has been taking place over the years to keep these historic vessels in operation, including the two stages of the major rebuild of Waverley. They are the only operational passenger-carrying paddle steamers left in this country, and long may they be so.

A few weeks later, on Saturday 23rd June, there will be an opportunity to have a trip on the Kingswear Castle which is being organised in association with IWA South London Branch (see inside back cover for picture and further details).

Reading RESCUE The K&A Trust will once again be supporting the Rivers & Environmental Spaces Clean Up Event in Reading with working parties at 10:00am at County Lock over the weekend of 10th/11th March. Volunteers needed – contact David Copley – 0118 959 8247

Wendover Arm Trust Hemel Hempstead Festival Wendover Arm Trust are holding another Festival on the Grand Union at Hemel Hempstead over 3 days, Sunday/Monday/Tuesday 3/4/5 June 2012 This Festival is held to finance restoration of the Wendover Arm. Further details from the website:www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk Nigel Williams Publicity Director, Wendover Arm Trust

18

IWAKES Branch News Past Events Sussex Ouse Navigation Walk On Sat 22nd October 2011 Terry Owen of The Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust took a party of around fifteen people (ranging between under 1 year to over 80 years old) on a guided walk along part of the Sussex Ouse Navigation. We met at 10:30 at ‘The Sloop’, Sloop Lane, Freshfield (nr Scaynes Hill) and proceeded (with landowner permission) through the privately owned woodlands of Hammer Wood and Cole Wood and along the line of the canalised navigation past the ruin of Polebay Lock to nearly reach Bacon Wish Lock (isolated by the by-wash stream).

We returned at approximately 12:30 to meet four people who had arrived late. The Sloop serves good meals which many of the participants enjoyed.

Roy Sutton

Some photographs taken on the walk by Angela Acott

19 Chichester Canal In mid-November twenty-two people gathered at Haywards Heath for a talk about the Chichester Canal. This was well presented by Linda Wilkinson, Chairman of the Chichester Ship Canal Trust. The canal resembles the Thames & Medway in appearance, but there the similarities end. Chichester has a shop, café, two trip boats (‘Richmond’ and ‘Egrement’), two tugs and rowing boats.

The canal enters Chichester Harbour through Saltern Lock, near Chichester Marina. It was originally part of the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal that was engineered by John Rennie and gave a direct link to London. The overall cost was £176,134 (42% over budget). The ship-canal section was 50ft wide and eight feet deep, taking vessels over 100 tons. It is now spring-fed, though once there was a pumping station at Ford.

The Trust has recently undertaken work costing around £100,000 on the towpath, in part to repair damage caused by water voles. They have one small slipway, but propose more. They have recently purchased an old stable next to the pub and their shop. A recent development has also provided them with a new building with meeting room, toilets, etc. They have just taken on a fund-raiser for the project to link the canal to the sea, which includes two costly road crossings and a new lock.

Angela Acott Boat Safety Scheme Well over 35 people were present at Ditton Community Centre (another super room) for a presentation concerning the "Boat Safety Scheme". Roy Sutton introduced us to Michael Marsh, an IWAKES Representative for the Medway who is also a Boat Examiner. He had some information booklets to look at and buy. Phil Rickett, BSS Quality and Technical Manager, told us all navigations comply with the scheme except the Lake District and Loch Lomond.

He told us about the Dirty Dozen (but Angela counted 13) of offences that boaters commit. On 9300 boats examined 7 faults a boat were found on average.

No 13 was 1474 boats had no fuel OFF label or location marked.

No 12 was 363 boats failed for gas cylinders not secure and valves at top.

No 11 was 403 battery cables not secure and in good condition.

No 10 was 419 failed because not all electric cables were supported and in good condition.

No 9 Failed if they did not have a standard fire blanket if the boat had cooking facilities.

No 8 was 461 boats failed as their LPG System was not free of leaks as defined in the tightness test.

No 7 484 failed as their LPG pipe work was not made of suitable material, adequately secure and free from damage.

No 6 505 boats failed as their battery terminals were not correctly installed and protected.

No 5 506 failed as the flexible fuel feed and return hoses were not suitable for the fuel used and fire resistant.

20 No 4 520 failed because the fuel or power supply to an appliance did not meet the applicable requirements for boat safety.

No 3 844 mostly hire boats failed because batteries were not well secured against excessive movement in any direction. (This was mainly due to the fast turn around on hire boats with no time to check).

No 2 874 boats failed because they did not have the correct fire extinguishers fitted provided with the correct rating. Go to a proper boat supplier. Only fit the best.

No 1 Most failures, 1676, is ventilation in accordance with the relevant standard! DON'T block vents. Carbon Monoxide KILLS. Following this Phil Munslow EA River Medway Operations Manager had only had two slides. But they were good. He said EA had been talking about joining the Boat Safety Scheme since 1987 and will conform next year. A Transport and Works Act Order of early 2010 enabled them to enforce the Scheme. The registration of this scheme has gone to an office in Rotherham. Other safety Scheme examiners were present and a question and answer session followed.

Angela Acott Christmas Gathering early December.

Over 25 people braved a wild and woolly night to descend on the Sailing Club for firstly a talk by Sue and Les Schwiezo on Ripon via Boston. After the projectionist had struggled with the machine we got going. Les and Sue left very early one morning from Ventnor Farm Marina for their epic voyage around middle Britain.

After visiting the very friendly butcher in Braunston Les managed to fall into the canal. Not a very good start to a very long trip. They overnighted at Norton Junction before descending Foxton Locks in beautiful sunshine and the usual spectacular views. They then proceeded on through Leicester on "Barnet Fayre" of the Thames and Medway Carrying Co. Les recommends the Trent Lock P/H which is under new management.

The boat was moored in Nottingham Marina for three nights whilst Sue and Les went out and about with their free bus pass. After this little interlude they went on to the Witham and the Fossdyke rivers from Torksey Junction. They visited Woodhall Spa a little town like a seaside place in the middle of the country. Don't all go there or it will be spoilt. It was then on to the Stainforth and Keedby overshadowed by enormous Ferrybridge Power Station, now fed by train instead of tom puddings. It was then out through Selby Lock onto the Ouse (one of) before moving on to Ripon and the most northerly outpost of the connected canal system. Making much use of their bus passes from the "Barnet Fayre" they travelled 634 miles and 180 locks and Sue counted every one of them.

After this excitement was over there was a stampede for the table loaded with goodies which had been supplied by some of the members and super teas and coffees made by Pat of the Sailing Club. Plus a large raffIe. Everybody wishing other members good Christmas wishes.

Angela Acott

21

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Winter Report 2011/2012 Job Done The Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust (SORT) can feel satisfied and very pleased with themselves as all the target tasks have been completed for the 2011 working season down at Isfield Lock on the Sussex Ouse.

The rebuilding of the next section of west chamber wall was achieved by September and fifteen newly crafted coping stones safely positioned.

But with the unusually dry weather holding out the working parties were able to push on through October and November for the first time ever and have begun to prepare for work on the next section of chamber wall in readiness for the 2012 season.

For now however the lock has been secured for the winter months.

Winter Work With Isfield Lock off limits during the winter months some members of S.O.R.T. seem not to know when it’s time to lay down their tools.

Negotiations have taken place with the National Trust (NT) at Sheffield Park Gardens, just 6 miles up river, to begin clearance of Iron Gate Lock. This lock sits on a short cut of the River Ouse, on the very edge of the NT land. The aim of the Trust is to feature the lock and the navigation in a publication encouraging visitors to enjoy a walk through the meadows and across the agricultural land owned by them, as a diversion from the strolls through the more formal landscapes at Sheffield Park Gardens.

But the lock is not only in a state of serious disrepair it is also hidden from view and totally overgrown with a mix of mature trees and scrub.

So work has begun by S.O.R.T. and throughout the winter many of the temporarily “unemployed” Isfield restoration team will be at Iron Gate lock. With saws, loppers and cutters and the help of the N.T. workers they aim to completely clear the lock site to expose the lock to the passing visitors. Hundreds of bricks that lie scattered about the site and within the chamber will be collected and stacked, as will any copingstones that are capable of being saved.

S.O.R.T. are not really looking that far ahead, with probably 4 more years work left to complete at Isfield, but could Iron Gate be the next target lock for complete restoration one day?

If you want to join the working parties at Iron Gate (every Thursday this winter) or Isfield in 2012 (Thursdays and Saturdays) please contact Ted Lintott at 01444414413 or tedl@talktalk.net

22 Middle Ouse Restoration of Physical Habitats (MORPH) Away from the business of lock restoration and working parties SORT has been engaged in meetings and discussions with the Environment Agency and Royal Haskoning (independent engineering and environment consultants) over the proposals contained in the MORPH project.

The project is targeting ten sites on the Ouse for improvements to fish passage, habitats along the banks and surrounding countryside and storage of floodwater.

The EA have promised to keep SORT informed of all plans to implement aspects of the project and to include SORT in future discussions.

If anyone wants to read more visit the EA website at

http:/www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/135096.aspx

Terry Owen [Readers will have been interested to see that ‘Restoring the Sussex Ouse’ is featured in ‘IWA at Work’ on page 9 of the latest edition of Waterways Ed]

Thames & Medway Canal Association So here we go into 2012 for yet another year to make as much progress as possible in our aim to restore some, if not all, of The Thames and Medway Canal.

The problem of connecting the pump to the electricity supply is still with us; EDF and Network Rail seem to be totally unaware of the benefits to the area by resolving this problem.

Seven TMCA members attended the Gravesham Borough Council’s Regulatory Board meeting on the 7th December 2011, with a spot booked to speak in favour of The Albion Quayside planning application. The Applicants also spoke and both parties were able to answer questions from the Board. The result was satisfactory and the application was approved with some reservations. This multi million pound project to regenerate Gravesend’s Canal basin has been given the go-ahead.

Gravesham Council’s planning committee has unanimously backed the proposal by giving outline consent for the land to be regenerated, but the finer details have yet to be decided.

There will be 650 homes, shops, cafes, restaurants, play areas and the restoration of the canal section that runs through this first part of the development. Some extra funding may be necessary to ensure the canal is restored to full navigable standards with access to the basin. Anybody with experience in raising this kind of funding would be a help to The Thames and Medway Canal Association.

Our Tuesday morning working party continues to make the towpath as user-friendly as possible by cutting back verges and vegetation that grows and falls across the pathways; also trees that blow down in the wind or die and drop on the footpath are cleared. Fly tipping and litter is always a problem but is not as frequent as it used to

23 be and I put this down to keeping the area looking cared for and maintaining a regular presence.

The interest shown by all the present users of the canal and towpath never ceases to amaze me, and although we get criticisms from time to time, everybody would like to see part or full restoration. Our talks to Active Retirement Associations and other groups seem popular and we were given six watercolours of Gravesend waterfront, piers and canal lock at one meeting. We had several conducted short walks last year and have some bookings for the coming year. A student from Brighton University has asked to visit the area to study water voles and will be appearing during January.

Brian Macknish

Regulatory Board Meeting on 7th December 2011

As reported by Brian Macknish (above) a group of TMCA members attended the Council’s meeting to discuss the planning application for Albion Quayside off Canal Rd at the Canal Basin Gravesend. Angela Acott gives her observations on the proceedings: Never having been to such a meeting before the whole thing seemed pretty much a shambles. Hardly a thing could be heard and the councillors were constantly going to and fro to the coffee making machine. Mike Wenban was the only member of the council who could be heard well but, when it came to his turn to speak, Brian Macknish could be heard around the room - so why couldn't the rest speak up?

The Slipway near Mark Lane was discussed due to the fact triple glazing in the apartments would have to be fitted. No complaints would be welcome from the residents after they move in knowing a working boatyard is close at hand. Mr Rayner of K.C.C Highways said money would have to be spent widening the junction at Milton Rd/Ordnance Rd - he did not want Mike Wenban's preferred roundabout.

Three letters were attached to the Agenda from Urban Gravesham, Countryside Properties and Conrad Broadley who said in summing up "I do hope the outline scheme can be approved, so that we can move forward to the next stage and start ironing out the detail of the scheme and this can be done with full involvement of ALL stakeholders, in particular the Thames and Medway Canal Association". Jane Cribbon (Chairlady) and all the councillors seemed to be in favour of the development (as it stands). Outline planning permission was granted and another site meeting is planned to consider matters further. We came away reasonably heartened.

Angela Acott

24

River Medway News EA Lock and Sluice refurbishment - Detailed proposal and plans have now been circulated by the Environment Agency for the lock refurbishment programme at the Anchor sluice at Yalding, Teston Lock and East Farleigh Lock.

Yalding Anchor sluice - The work is to include replacement of handrails, radial gate bearings, valves, renewing of gate seals and pressure washing of concrete wall and cleaning of sumps.

The provision of a fish pass through the penstock arrangement and canoe portage facilities will also be part of the refurbishment plans.

Teston Lock - Here more extensive work will be carried out. The lock chamber wall and base are to have reinforced concrete slabs installed and the both pairs of lock gates refurbished. Lock side furniture such as bollards and railings will be replaced and reconstruction of lock island nose undertaken. A new bridge across the existing bypass channel will be constructed and this channel will be de-silted and re-profiled with the installation of brush chutes and rest pools to facilitate fish and canoe passage.

East Farleigh Lock - Similar refurbishment will take place here with pre-cast concrete slabs being installed on the lock chamber base and sides, lock furniture being replaced and the island structure being reinforced and repaired with new piling being added. As with Teston lock both pairs of lock gates will be removed for refurbishment. As required by the Water Framework Directive a new fish/eel pass will be installed at the weir.

New weir safety booms are to be fitted at all of the above sites and, as you would expect, full environmental assessment proposals have been put forward to include landscaping, planting and vegetation/tree management and wildlife habit studies.

Medway Boat Navigation registration fees, The EA have now announced their rate increases will be a 6.4% rise (CPI + 2%) per year in 2012, 2013 and 2014 taking effect from 1st January 2012. The EA will annually review the impact of these increases taking into consideration economic and other pressures on registration numbers. Navigation charges for commercial boats will remain frozen at 2011 levels until 2015.

The EA have revised their earlier 2011/12 annual powered boat registrations of 812 down to 685 (a drop of 16%) due to a database error. This is of some concern as it represents a sizeable drop in income for the EA and an indication of the financial constraints being felt by many of those with boating interests.

Boat Safety Scheme A successful meeting was held on 1st December 2011 with a good attendance to hear Phil Rickett from BSS and Phil Munslow from EA talk about the various aspects of the Scheme including common examination failure points and the implantation of the Scheme on the Medway from April this year. The EA announced

25 a time qualification concession for boats undergoing planned restoration work, though registration fees still apply (see further report on page 19).

River Medway Alliance Following the inaugural meeting in October 2011 the next meeting will take place on 21st February 2012. The Alliance has a wide range of River Medway users and organisations represented on it, including IWAKES Branch members.

Mike Marsh

Future IWAKES and Other Events Thu 15th Mar: 7:30 for 8:00pm Kent & East Sussex Branch Annual General Meeting followed by a talk from Les Etheridge on the national situation of IWA and the Canal & River Trust.

At St Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone.

Wed 4th Apr: 7:30 for 8:00pm TMCA AGM. At the Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend.

Thu 26th Apr: 7:30 for 8:00pm Roy Sutton describes 38 years of volunteering on the “Droitwich Canals Restoration”, a project finally completed last year.

At Grove Ferry Boat Club, Grove Ferry Road, Upstreet, nr Canterbury: CT3 4BP Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Grove Ferry Boat Club

St Nicholas’ Church Hall

Gravesend Sailing Club

26

Oxfordshire Branch News Chairman’s Report At the north of the south Oxford Canal in 2011 serious restrictions to navigation were in place from early July to the end of the season. Matt Wells, Hydrologist for British Waterways reports “Last year was one of the driest years on record across the southern half of the country. As a result the underlying hydrological conditions have remained stressed and consequently reservoir refill during the winter so far, has been lower than we’d usually experience in the South East. The group of reservoirs we call the Oxford & Grand Union hydrological unit, feeding the Grand Union Mainline down to Milton Keynes as well as the Oxford Canal and the Leicester Line in the South East Waterway, currently remain lower than we’d expect for this time of year. We currently estimate that there is a greater than 25% risk that the Oxford & Grand Union reservoir group will not reach a refill target holding of 80% full by the start of the main boating season. We monitor water resources closely during the winter refill period. As a result of the risk to reservoir refill becoming apparent, on 13th January we announced £700,000 of additional investment with the aim of increasing water resources resilience in drought prone areas of the network. Examples of schemes identified in the Oxford & Grand Union hydrological unit include; works to reservoir and canal feeders, and back-pumping at Braunston.” Matt has kindly provided a graphic illustration of the present position on water resources.

27 To assist in management of water resources British Waterways are advertising, with the help of Brian Blessed, for volunteer lock keepers in locations which include Napton and just might include Claydon, if enough were to be recruited.

The Branch annual skittles in December was, as usual, well attended, much enjoyed and excellently organised by Ann & Terry Yeatman, for which we thank them. As in 2010 Thrupp Canal Cruising Club entered a strong team but this time did not prevail. Thirty members much enjoyed the talk by Bill King in January on the “Upper Thames Patrol”. Please support the AGM in March. We need some additional committee members to support the many activities in which we are engaged, especially a minutes secretary.

Steve Parker, who includes Morris Dancing in his interests, is organising the barn dance at Yarnton on Saturday 31st March. Please come and support this new and, for the Branch, novel event organised by one who is experienced in doing so.

Cherwell District Council Core Strategy is now expected to make adequate recognition of the importance of the canal and the contribution which can be made by the valley corridor, which includes the river Cherwell, both in the landscape and as a resource which includes leisure. The Branch has been invited to discuss detail with the key people responsible for drafting the strategy.

In Cropredy the district council has granted planning permission for a 30 berth marina to the south side of the village, adjacent to the primary school, and a 250 berth one to the north of the village. The parish council supported the application for the latter but not the former. The Branch is now attempting to create a forum in which all those interested in enhancing and supporting the canal corridor will agree to work together to define joint projects on which they will work together. The marina developers are agreeable to supporting this forum. There are a number of groups in the area including a dynamic canoe club and an active scout group. At an appropriate time, British Waterways are willing to engage with such a group.

In Banbury the town council are starting preparations for Canal Day for which the Branch will again be helming trip boats kindly provided by Oxfordshire Narrowboats and Tooley’s Historic Boatyard. Tooley’s is the location for “Theatre-in-the-Dock”, which this year will probably be the last weekend in June. The developer for the large marina in Cropredy has agreed, in principle, to be a sponsor for this event and the Branch has offered its help to the promoters Kate Saffin and Tooley’s (also Branch members) in practical ways.

For Canal Day (and the Branch’s other events) Peter Darch has agreed to take on the role of Harbour Master which is quite a tricky role in Banbury. There is not much space and boats, particularly the trading boats, all have their preferred place. The Branch is exploring with Banbury Museum, which is due to become a charitable trust in a few months, its being more involved in the event and finding opportunities to extend its coverage of the canal with the support of the Branch at its special events.

Preparations for the Fun Days at Heyford Wharf, with the support of Oxfordshire Narrowboats and Muddy Waters, are now well under way, led by Jane Hall. On

28 the bank activities will include Morris Dancing. We had hoped that WRG might be able to come but this may not be possible.

At Thrupp the Canal Cruising Club’s main charity sponsorship for 2011-12 is in aid of Inglesham Lock. The club is a corporate member of the Branch and several of its most active members are individual Branch members. They held their annual dinner in November at which Mike Palmer of Waterway Recovery Group was the principal guest. In a short speech, Mike reported that 2012 will be principally a year of preparation for action at the lock rather than one of action, whilst a number of administration matters in relation to planning are cleared.

The club, in addition to being tenants of British Waterways, continue to increase their role in management of the canal environment at Thrupp. They are lead partner in the South East for its new systems for monitoring and managing visitor moorings.

In December the organisation which publishes the children’s books about narrow boats under the banner Muddy Waters ran Santa Cruise trips on three weekends in December. More than a dozen Branch members helmed the two trip boats for Muddy Waters who have generously denoted £320 to the Branch in thanks for their voluntary help.

In Oxford, The Oxford City Canal Partnership, of which the association is a founder member and which the Branch supports at the Oxford Open Doors event in September each year, is preparing to make a Heritage Lottery Fund Your Heritage Scheme grant application. It is likely that one of the Branch’s members will be leading this, supported by members of the partnership and The Waterways Trust.

The application will be to the Fund and probably for about £50,000. One half of the £500 cost of preparing the application is being provided by the Branch, with the balance from other members of the partnership. The project will be to further raise the profile and enhance the canal in Oxford and increase engagement of the adjacent communities in its heritage and development.

Oxford Preservation Trust is preparing for the 2012 Oxford Open Doors event at which the theme will be Oxford’s Industrial Heritage in which the canal played a major part. The Branch will be working with the trust to promote this aspect of the event and will be seeking sponsorship for it, including funding for the trip boats.

The water drive turbine at Osney has now been occasionally in use. The Environment Agency has sought expressions of interest from boat repairers (and builders) in entering into a lease to their substantial facility in Osney, which is underused.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has announced a five year target for there being an end to end footpath along or close to the historic, or new, line of the canal. A project manager has been appointed. This will be a huge challenge. In Oxfordshire the Vale of White Horse District Council is preparing to finalise its Core Strategy which is an opportunity for the trust and the Branch to engage with them. The latest intelligence on the Upper Thames Reservoir suggests that this project might disappear from the agenda. If this were to be so, whilst it would create new problems for the Wilts & Berks, at least the level of uncertainty would be diminished. This might also help the possible alternative plan for water transfer from the River Severn to River Thames using the Cotswold Canal.

29 On the River Thames Wallingford Town Council has expressed an interest in help with organising a waterside event, including river trips, which the Branch is exploring with them and potential boat providers. The first event would probably not be until 2013.

Benson Lock is closed and will remain so until March for a major refurbishment including new steel lock gates. The Environment Agency held an open day on 11th January which included members of River User Group 3. The operation, an impressive one, gave the agency the opportunity to examine the original cast iron construction of the lower half of the lock which it knew existed but had no details. This photo shows one of the new upper gates in position for adjustment and finishing.

A Day Course on History and Literature of Oxford’s Waterways is being led by narrowboat resident, author, guide, speaker and active association member (particularly at Oxford Open Doors in the Oxford City Canal Partnership) Mark Davies on behalf of the charity Workers’ Educational Association. For further details, see advert on page 31.

Chris Wardley

Past Events Branch meeting Wednesday January 11th 2012 The Upper Thames Patrol: The Waterborne Home Guard of the Thames from Maidenhead to Lechlade during World War II Speaker: Bill King military historian and ex RAF The Upper Thames Patrol was formed in March 1939 before the outbreak of the Second World War, as it was realised that the Thames was vitally important strategically in the event of invasion, since it and its tributaries crossed the country from east to west, forming a natural barrier in the defence of the nation. Protecting

30 bridges and locks from sabotage by the enemy and also preventing deliberate flooding in order to damage land and infrastructure was a priority in stopping the advance of a foreign army. If this barrier was breached London could be encircled and would fall. It was known that Hitler was planning to put a puppet government in Oxford on his victory over the British and which was the reason why this city was never bombed.

The Upper Thames Patrol, known as the UTP (or Up The Pub, as local headquarters were usually in Pubs!) initially consisted of volunteers and Thames Conservancy employees. The Upper Thames defended was from Teddington Lock to Inglesham lock and an area one and a half miles either side, a total of 135 miles with 42 locks and 35 bridges. This was divided operationally into stretches, each of which was patrolled from the bank by relays of men in pairs every 2 hours for 24 hours a day until the UTP was disbanded. Boats were pressed into service or volunteered by their owners and included pleasure cruisers, fast Thames slipper boats and smaller craft, and patrolled during daylight hours. Eventually they were all painted battleship grey. At the end of the war they were handed back to their owners in a less than pristine state!

The UTP was absorbed into the Home Guard in August 1940 and was then involved in the construction of the pill boxes on the north bank of the Thames, some of which are still seen today and are protected by Grade II listing. By 1944 the Bridges on the Upper Thames were being used in an attacking instead of defensive role, to transport military equipment and men in convoys from the North of England to the South coast for the invasion of France. Once the threat of invasion had passed the UTP was disbanded.

Bill illustrated his talk with contemporary photos and had his audience mesmerised by the drama and not a little humour that he described.

Sue Wardley

Oxford Branch Events and Volunteers Co-ordinator When you read this we will already be well into the New Year and preparing ourselves for the various events which are already planned.

2011 was a very busy year for the Branch and thanks to those of you who helped at the various events, a very successful one. We have become "known" by many more organizations and some quite influential people, through these events. While events need organizing, more importantly, they need people who are willing to give time and commitment to “make them happen”.

In addition to the two main events which have become firm dates in our calendar we also helped with the launch of the new “Muddy Waters” holiday boat and “Jolly Boatman”, children’s party/day boat at Heyford Wharf. (Home of Oxfordshire Narrow Boats who provide such valued support to us) And during December we supported the Santa weekends at Thrupp. Also arranged by “Muddy Waters” Three events are already in the 2012 diary - please mark these up in yours.

31 The first is a “Fun weekend”, which will be held at Lower Heyford Wharf on 21st/22nd April, followed by Oxford "Open Doors" on 8th/9th September and Banbury Canal Day on 7th October.

Over the past 7 years we have seen the number of events held and "volunteers" willing to give their time grow considerably and I trust this trend continues Chairman Chris is keen to promote IWA and gain new members by "growing" the number of events and widening the area in which these are held When Ron and I moved to Oxfordshire from Kent 8 years ago we joined the local Branch and very soon found ourselves taking a leading role. Ron retired as Chairman last year and I will be stepping aside from my role as Events and Volunteers co-coordinator at the AGM in March, still continuing to assist but not taking the lead. The role is not difficult, particularly now as we have so many willing helpers. It is hugely satisfying, providing opportunities to meet lots of new people and introducing your own ideas. If you are up to the challenge and want more information I will be happy to chat to you about it. (01869 277400) Mary Heritage

Sat 14 April 2012 in Oxford Day Course History and Literature of Oxford’s Waterways Led by narrowboat resident, author, guide, and speaker, Mark Davies www.oxfordwaterwalks.co.uk on behalf of the Workers’ Educational Association.

An introductory understanding of the social, economic and cultural importance of Oxford’s waterways.

Two short illustrated talks, interactive discussion, and a waterside walk, using factual and fictional sources.

Fee £24. For more information, see www.wea.org.uk/courses Course reference C3731585.

32

Forthcoming Events You are invited to join us on the following dates: Wed 14th Mar:

Oxfordshire Branch Annual General Meeting

Sat 31st Mar:

Barn Dance @ Yarnton Village Hall 7.30 pm – 11:00pm Called by Ted Morse with his band. Licensed beer and wine bar.

For tickets contact 01367 241180 - £8.00 including Supper

Wed 11th Apr:

Jeremy Batch “A lock-keeper’s life”

Sat 21st Apr & Sun 22nd Apr:

Family fun days @ Heyford Wharf 10am to 5pm Boat trips, shore activities including bouncy castle and attendance by “Muddy Waters” and “Jolly Boatman”

Jun:

“Theatre in the Dock” at Tooleys Boatyard, Banbury

Sat 8th Sep & Sun 9th Sep:

Oxford Open Doors

Sun 7th Oct:

Banbury Canal Day

Unless otherwise stated the above events are held on Wednesday evenings in the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT. 7.30 pm for 8.00pm. New members and visitors most welcome.

For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman – tel: 01865 372552.

Solent & Arun Branch News Chairman’s Report Welcome to the first Cargoes of 2012. Unfortunately this year the only activity we have planned is the bullion run on the Chichester Canal in April, more about this elsewhere. In recent years the numbers on the cruises have been in decline and with the Committee shrinking we could not ourselves commit to the activities.

Several long-serving members of the Committee will not be standing for re-election at the AGM, and are concentrating on other activities. We wish them well for the future, however this does mean the future of the Branch is far from secure, potentially there will be just Peter Boyce and myself left after the AGM as Treasurer and Chair. We need more members to keep going otherwise the Branch will close, as my future is not long term.

33 We recently made a donation of ÂŁ400 to the Shoreham Slipways Group to help towards the provision of a new slipway on the river Adur at Shoreham. After years of trying, progress seems to be being made with this.

Had a great evening at the Southampton Canal Society Quiz coming third. Our thanks to Nick Grundy for setting such an enjoyable quiz, and Ben for keeping the scores and running the projector.

The Annual General Meeting will be at Arundel on the 10th April (please note change of date) with our own Peter Boyce giving a talk afterwards on the work he is doing on the wooden narrowboat Lucy built in 1953. Lucy had been sunk for several years and Peter recovered her to restore her in his yard at Braunston.

The AGM venue is the Norfolk Centre, Mill Road. Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PA with a 7.30 start, tea and coffee will be available.

Bullion Run On Sunday 22nd April to help mark the 190th Anniversary of the opening of the Chichester canal we will be transporting a piece of gold bullion from Portsmouth to Chichester basin following the route of the canal, boating where possible hopefully reaching Chichester Basin at 2.00.

Mike Laishley

Battling for a slipway in Shoreham by Sea Thirty years ago Alan White, the founder of the Solent and Arun Branch, started campaigning for decent slipway facilities on the river Adur in Shoreham. He came up against many obstacles, changes in local policies, changes in staff and duplicity.

I took over his role in 1999 and in 2004 IWA helped to found the Shoreham Slipways Group (SSG). That group has had many meetings with the bodies which control access to the water such as the many divisions of the Environment Agency, Natural England, Adur District Council, the Shoreham Port Authority and West Sussex County Council. There is now considerable support from almost all of these organisations and the many Local and County Councillor in the area for plans to build a slipway, into the river Adur, on Shoreham Beach. Also, there is now an enthusiastic Harbour Regeneration Manager who is keen to see practical slipways on the river.

Last year, the SSG used a grant from West Sussex County Council for an Engineering Study into the justification and feasibility for the proposed slipway. It confirmed that Shoreham lacks a practical public slipway, that the proposed location offered many advantages and that the design was practical. Therefore the SSG applied for Planning Permission using money donated by IWA.

34 Around 80 metres from the proposed slipway site, West Sussex County Council are in the process of providing a replacement footbridge. The SSG has held discussions with and exchanged many emails with the WSCC bridge project team.

The team has been aware of the proposed slipway for eighteen months and even showed it on some of their earlier schematic drawings. Recently the SSG asked for discussions on access and parking but these were declined. It came as a shock to find the WSSC Bridge had applied for Planning permission for a radically changed position and design. If these had been approved then constructing a slipway would be impossible. Despite being a Stakeholder the SSG were not told and had to push hard to be allowed to speak at the Planning Meeting. The Councillors were sympathetic and, whilst passing the bridge plans, insisted that the SSG is involved in adjusting the bridge design to make a slipway practical. This was a very frustrating episode because WSCC has had every opportunity to discuss the access issue and arrive at a compromise. It is difficult enough liaising with a large number of official bodies and Councillors without having a County Council on the one hand providing money to back a slipway and on the other changing designs to make this impossible!

Brendan Whelan

Chichester Canal Trust The Chichester Canal Trust has managed to purchase, after many years of trying, the red brick building at the canal basin. We think it was stables that belonged to the local brewery, Henty and Constable, as they owned the pub next door, and it has large doors and small windows giving that impression, and it belonged to the pub. We are now trying to raise funds to repair the roof, straighten the walls etc and generally make it suitable to be transformed into a visitor’s centre, an education room, mess room for our volunteers, a workshop and much needed toilets.

It seems to be our lucky year as we will also be in receipt of a new, brick built two story shop and tea room by way of a Section 106 gift from Linden Homes who are building 86 houses and flats next to the basin. We will hopefully take possession in the spring and we will then be able to take our “temporary” (of about ten years) portakabin shop to the scrap merchants, if it manages to last that long.

Looking forward to July Sat 7th Jul:

A conducted linear walk from Barnham to Hunston

Sun 8th Jul:

1820 Poyntz bridge will be open

Sun 8th Jul:

Mikron Theatre Company - “Losing the Plot”

Sat 14th Jul:

A conducted linear walk from the sea lock to Chichester basin

Details of all in the next Cargoes or from Linda Wilkinson on 01243 576701 or canal.linda@uwclub.net

35

Southampton Canal Society The December Annual Inter-Society Waterways Quiz is always a fitting end to our Year and a time to catch up with IWA members from around the Region. After a closely fought contest over Nick’s excellent questions, our own team lead by Eric Lewis, assisted by Paul Herbert, Brian Evans and Alan Rose secured the Trophy.

Quizmaster Nick Grundy (left) with the winning Southampton Canal Society team (left to right) Paul Herbert, Eric Lewis, Alan Rose and Brian Evans [Photo: Ray Carnell]

Forthcoming meetings Thu 1st Mar:

Peter Oates and Laura Sturrock - Ellesmere Port & Liverpool Pictures of the 2011 Easter gathering at the Ellesmere Port Museum, the crossing of the Mersey and a journey along the Liverpool Link.

Thu 5th Apr:

Tony Shadick has joined SCS on many Society trips which he filmed. This evening includes a selection, also showing War on The Watercress Line, Crofton, Classic Goodwood, etc. Ably supported by Brian Evans.

Meetings are held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ At 7.45pm. For Monthly newsletters visit www.sotoncs.org.uk Angela Rose

36

Southampton Canal Society’s Quiz Night The annual Inter-Society Waterways Quiz, staged by the Southampton Canal Society at the beginning of December, saw the Southampton Team , led by Eric Lewis and ably supported by Brian Evans, Paul Herbert and Alan Rose secure the trophy with an impressive demonstration of all-round waterways knowledge scoring a total of 97 points. Runners-up were defending champions IWA Guildford & Reading Branch with 88½ points closely followed by Solent & Arun IWA and Salisbury IWA. A testing range of questions had been devised by Quizmaster Nick Grundy, whose son Ben did an excellent job in speedily collating the score sheets.

The audience were encouraged to write down the answers and the winner, Janet Cunningham, was presented by Ben Scott of Guildford & Reading Branch with an old waterways print, as also was the Quizmaster Nick.

As always, our hosts Southampton Canal Society provided a fine selection of food and drinks to round off the evening.

RC

Wey and Arun Canal News Loxwood High Street Canal Bridge When the Loxwood High Street Canal Bridge officially opened in May 2009, local residents and many others in the neighbourhood found the functional metal parapets at road level unattractive. The Canal Trust agreed to work in partnership with Loxwood Parish Council and the Loxwood Society to build new brick parapets which are to be constructed from locally-made brick to fit in with the nearby 17th Century Onslow Arms Pub and the award-winning Loxwood Lock. “We love our village and we want future villagers to be proud of what their 21st century predecessors achieved”, commented Len Milsom, Chairman of the Loxwood Society and a local resident.

A small team from the Canal Trust and the Loxwood community have worked patiently towards the objective. Significant milestones included planning permission from Chichester District Council (August 2010) and West Sussex County Council’s approval of the engineering design (February 2011). Quotations from contractors confirmed a total project cost of nearly £60,000. This was higher than hoped for, but major fundraising successes have included about £7,500 in response to a “Buy a Brick” appeal and grants of £5,000 from Chichester District Community Chest and £6,275 from NatWest Community Force. The Trust is particularly proud to have won the NatWest grant because winners were chosen by the local community in a public vote. Coming first out of 58 charitable causes in the Crawley area was no mean feat - and a testament to the importance of historic local waterways to modern communities. Great encouragement can be taken from the support that local people have shown by voting in favour of the project. The Canal Trust will contribute at least £15,000, in addition to generous donations from individual members. Special canal cruises raised over £2,500.

37 “Everything is gradually falling into place,” explained WACT Chairman Sally Schupke.

“With planning permission granted and more than 80% of the necessary funding raised so far, our goal of putting the finishing touches to the Loxwood High Street bridge has never been more achievable. We now just need one final push to raise the remaining money and start the work.”

Any further donations should be made payable to “Wey & Arun Canal Trust” and sent to Sally Schupke, The Granary, Flitchfold Farm, Loxwood, Billingshurst, RH14 0RH. Using Gift Aid, UK taxpayers can increase the value of their donations by 25%; please ask for a Gift Aid form or use the one available on the Trust’s website (www.weyandarun.co.uk).

New Canal Centre at Loxwood Construction of the Loxwood Canal Visitor Centre is nearing completion (see front cover picture). The number of visitors to the area has increased significantly over the years and better facilities are needed to meet their needs and also those of the volunteer staff. The centre will provide information about the canal restoration project, the history of the canal and local village information.

The new building has been designed by Fordingbridge plc. of Fontwell to have minimal impact on the environment. The low-carbon centre is of timber construction, from sustainable sources, includes an intelligent lighting system and a curved 'green roof'. The green roof has been planted with sedum, but there are plans to try to grow a few pumpkins up there during the summer. High levels of insulation and efficient methods of heat capture and retention will ensure minimal energy use. A disabled toilet will be provided within the building.

The official opening of the Canal Centre will take place at 12 noon on 1st April.

Everyone is very welcome to come along to the event and visit the new building.

Boat trips will be running throughout the afternoon.

Local support at Dunsfold Exhibition.

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust held an exhibition at Dunsfold on Sunday 6th November, in order to give local residents the chance to learn more about the Trust and its proposed work in the Dunsfold and Alfold area.

There were over 150 visitors to the exhibition, where details of plans for the local reach of canal were on display. The highlight of the day was the official opening of the exhibition by VIP guest Councillor Richard Gates, who delivered an extremely supportive opening speech in his capacity as the Mayor of Waverley.

Planning applications to improve the stretch of canal between the Three Compasses Bridge and Tickner's Heath in Alfold are currently in the early stages, including the addition of a new boat house, slipway and landing stage in order for the Trust to run public boat trips in the area. A similar development in Loxwood has already been hugely successful, benefiting local residents by improving tourism and leisure opportunities.

The opportunity to share views and concerns about the proposed works was open to all in the form of a short questionnaire which visitors were invited to fill out as part

38 of the consultation. Responses received so far indicate support in principle for the restoration of this part of the canal and the Trust was extremely pleased to receive such a positive response. .

Further information about the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is available from the Trust’s office, on 01403 752403 or from the Website: www.weyandarun.co.uk

South London Branch Meetings 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 request a contribution towards room hire and refreshments. The programme for meetings is as follows: Wed 14th Mar:

AGM, followed by a presentation by the London Region Chairman, Paul Strudwick

Wed 18th Apr:

‘Amsterdam Excursions’ by Roger Squires

Wed 16th May:

‘Narrow Boat Raymond’ by Steve Miles

Wed 13th Jun:

‘Limehouse and East London’ by Jeremy Batch

For more information about South London's Social Calendar, please contact Alan Smith, telephone 020 8255 1581 or email: smith.alanj@blueyonder.co.uk

Kingswear Castle Cruise

Photo: Roddy McKee

23rd June ‘Wharfs, Creeks and Jetties’ Cruise aboard PS Kingswear Castle.

Departs Chatham Historic Dockyard 11:00 returns 17:00.

Group price (no concessions) £20 for group of 20+.

Bookings (with full payment) by 18th May to Alan Eggby 137 Strathyre Avenue, Norbury, London SW16 4RH or for further details phone 020 8764 8194.

The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Paul Roper

Cranborne, Baughurst Road, Baughurst, Tadley, Hants RG26 5LL Phone: 01189 813381 Email: paul.roper@waterways.org.uk Guildford & Reading Branch: Chairman Gareth Jones, Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking, RH5 4QQ Phone: 07850 819071 Email: hhel@btconnect.com Kent & East Sussex Branch: Chairman Mike Hannan Trumpeter, Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9JN Phone: 01622 890586 Email: mcfhannan@btinternet.com Oxfordshire Branch: Chairman Chris Wardley The Mount, High Street, Adderbury, Banbury, Oxon OX17 3LU Phone: 01295 810610 Email: oxfordshire@waterways.org.uk Solent & Arun Branch: Chairman Mike Laishley 16 Park Avenue, Widley, Waterlooville, Hants PO7 5DW Phone: 023 92325000 (evenings) Email: mike.iwa@ntlworld.com Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. Editorial Team: Ray Carnell and Tim Fry iwacargoes@hotmail.com Next issue Summer 2012 Copy date 15th April 2012.

CANALWAY CAVALCADE 2012

Little Venice, London W2 Saturday 5 to Monday 7 May 2012 Join us at Canalway Cavalcade - a unique waterways and community festival arranged at Little Venice since 1983. Organised by Inland Waterways Association volunteers, a registered charity which campaigns for the use, maintenance and restoration of Britain’s inland waterways. There’ll be fun for all the family with a boaters’ gathering, a pageant of boats, trade shows and stalls, bands, kids’ activities, competitions, Morris Dancers, a real ale bar, a wide variety of snacks and food...

and much, much more!

Saturday 10:00 - 18:00; Sunday 10:00 - 18:00, followed by music at 20:00 and a procession of illuminated boats at 21:00 (approx); Monday 10:00 - 17:00

admission is free Press/media/advertising: 07774 890750 Email: canalwaycavalcade@gmail.com General enquiries: 07979 676461 Trade Show space enquiries to Jerry Sanders: 07788 204442 Email: exhibition@waterways.org.uk Boat entries: 020 8642 8104 Catering, Entertainers & Volunteering enquiries to Jerry Sanders as above www.waterways.org.uk