Cargoes - Spring 2017

Spring 2017

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

Raymond Earnest Carnell 19th April 1940 – 25th November 2016 Sadly Ray Carnell passed away on November 25th last year. The Memorial Service and Interment were held at the Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground, West Clandon on 28th December. The service was well attended by many of Ray’s waterway friends. We heard from Bruce Barter, a childhood friend who he grew up with in South London, with whom Ray had maintained a lifelong correspondence and friendship. He was able to tell us that Ray had been a civil servant working in the Department of Pensions. We knew Ray was a keen photographer but learned from Bruce his strong interest in gardens and gardening. As we know Ray had married Marion nearly 30 years ago.

This was Marion’s second marriage and it was her family who organised the funeral. Regarding Ray’s work for the Inland Waterways I can do no better than to quote Paul Roper’s citation when Ray won the Bird medal in 2011...

Carnell: Citation for a 2011 Richard Bird Medal Ray Carnell, whilst not a boater, has held a longstanding passion for the waterways which has manifested itself in dedicated service to the IWA for nearly 40 years. This year marks 30 years continuous active service on the Guildford and Reading branch committee.

Throughout his time on the committee he has been a stalwart of the editorial team of the “Cargoes” regional magazine. At the start of his service he was the branch photographer recording local events such as festivals, boat shows and the developing restoration of the Basingstoke Canal. He moved on to become deputy editor and eventually editor of Cargoes, taking more and more upon himself to produce a high quality magazine, liaising with all the various canal societies and region branches to ensure that all activities and forthcoming events are suitably advertised. He still turns up to many of these events to take the photographs!

In addition to his editorial duties Ray has, for decades, acted as a great ambassador for the IWA by taking the branch IWA stand to all the local waterway related events with promotional/recruitment material as well as a sales stand to raise funds for the branch. He does this in all weathers frequently assisted only by his wife Marion. 2010 was not an untypical year and Ray took the stand to the following events in the area: British Leisure Show, Windsor Racecourse (3 days in March) Woking Canal Festival at Bridge Barn (3rd & 4th April) Beale Park Boat Show (4th – 6th June) Reading Water Fest (19th June) Guildford Festival Boat Gathering (3rd July) Goring & Streatley Regatta (17th July) Newbury Waterways Festival (25th July) National Waterways Festival at Beale Park (28th – 30th August) Weybridge Thames-side Festival (4th Sept) Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet (25th Sept)

3 Ray is a quiet unassuming character who is helpful and friendly to everyone he meets. He is a source of considerable knowledge about waterways in the area and is often a first port of call for those requiring information. Like many branches Guildford and Reading has had its share of difficulties and I owe Ray a debt of gratitude in that after a spate of resignations from the committee two and a half years ago Ray was one of a few prepared to continue whilst I had to rebuild the committee. Initially Ray continued as the sole editor of Cargoes working long hours to see successfully see each edition through to publication.

I am delighted to strongly recommend Ray Carnell for a 2011 Richard Bird medal.

Paul Roper, SE Region Chairman, 16th December 2010 Since then Ray continued to work tirelessly for IWA despite the loss of Marion. Ray’s health had been deteriorating and he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He leaves a stepson and very large shoes to fill in SE Region and the Guildford and Reading Branch for which he was the "quiet stalwart” for so many years.

Gareth Jones

Editorial You will read of the sad death of Ray Carnell, editor of this Newsletter for many, many years, last November throughout the pages of this edition. I first met Ray when he badgered me into helping him (and Cecil Ives at that time) in 2012.

Since then I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him, gradually taking a bigger part in producing Cargoes, and have appreciated the amount of time and effort he has given to ensuring the success, quality and popularity of this Newsletter. I have enjoyed his company, appreciated his professionalism and envied his skills and knowledge. I will do my very best to keep up the high standards he set but he is a hard act to follow. He is sorely missed.

There is much going on maintenance wise on our rivers and canals, and I’m sure on many, many boats, as we approach the 2017 cruising season. I wish you all a Happy New Year and an enjoyable and trouble free Boating Season.

As a member of IWA you probably get lots of opportunity to talk to friends and family about the work the association does to protect and restore the waterways. Membership is not expensive and permits us to carry out all our major national campaigns such as the re-routing of HS2 plus helps us support local restorations like the Wey & Arun. There is an advertisement on the back cover of this issue for you to share with anyone you believe might wish to support the work we do.

Tim Fry [Cover Picture: River Wey & Godalming Navigations maintenance team working in Thames Lock replacing the lower lock gates and undertaking lock chamber repairs.]

4

From the Region Chairman The passing of Ray Carnell is sadly mourned. I am sure we all appreciate Tim Fry, our deputy Editor and IT guru, for stepping into the expanded role.

On a regional level, most things appear to be awaiting the decision and timing to merge CRT and the EA waterways. Judging by the Thames it cannot come too soon. Whether that will include other waterways such as the Basingstoke remains to be seen. We are busy with the annual round of AGMs. Details in the diary. In Oxford we wish Steve Good, Oxford Branch Chairman a speedy recovery from surgery.

Internally, the IWA is continuing its review of the scope of the restoration committee and also the evolving role of branches. I will report as matters work through.

For inspiration I have been reading “The River Runs Up Hill” by Robert Aickman, our founder. It rather puts the Basingstoke situation on perspective both from the events of 50 years ago when Mrs Marshall’s bid for the Basingstoke canal was thought to be on behalf of IWA, and the more general points he made on Association aims, need for a National Waterways Conservancy and the overall economic and social benefits of inland waterways. He also contrasted the European development of waterways and the lack of a national policy in Britain.

CRT has been a big step in the right direction and while it has a positive policy to waterways previously owned by the old BWB [and formerly the railway companies such as the Montgomery], it seems to have a less generous disposition to those owned by county councils such as the Basingstoke or the Cotswold Canals. Some canals, although very long term projects such as our own Wey and Arun, do very well. And finally the considerable finance needed to make progress on the Basingstoke seems affected by having County Council owners who have at least re-opened the canal and managed the risks but who find it more difficult to access charitable, national or public support. Yes, there are plenty of volunteers, yes there are WRG working parties but we don’t seem to quite get there. And we can all agree that faced with the pressures County Councils face, waterways are not going to be a top priority. However the volte face on the Surrey referendum shows to Government can find money in the face of political pressure.

Clearly we need to sit down with the Basingstoke Canal Society and work out a way forward that will safeguard the Basingstoke for future generations. It is currently enjoyed by 1.3million people a year and it was described by Aickman as one if not the most beautiful waterways in England.' Its wooded charms pointing a genre finger towards London in the heart of the suburban South East '. We, with the society, must look at ways to access sustainable funding, whether it is National Government, Lottery Funding, local or national petitions and public appeals. Now is the time to make our voice heard.

Gareth Jones

5

Branch Annual General Meetings Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the Kent & East Sussex, Oxfordshire and Guildford & Reading Branches of The Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows: The Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm for 8pm on Wednesday 8th March 2017 at Begbroke Village Hall, 3 Begbroke Lane, Begbroke, Oxon OX5 1RW. (Please note change of venue). Tea/coffee and biscuits available.

The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 3rd April 2017 at National Trust’s premises at Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RR. The Agenda for the Branch meetings will be based on the standard format set out in IWA Byelaws, as below:

Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Approval (following amendment if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGM held the previous year 3. Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items) 4. Branch Chairman's Report 5. Branch Treasurer's Report and Accounts 6. Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary. Simply contact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM) 7. Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified in writing at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM.

6

Diary of Meetings & Events Tuesdays to Sundays Ongoing until 1st Mar, 10.00am – 4.00pm, London Canal Museum: Exhibition, East End Voices (see page 41) Mon 27th Feb, 6.30pm, The Railway and Canal Historical Society: James Brindley - an overview of his Life & Achievements by Victoria Owens (see page 40) Tue 28th Feb, 7.30pm, Surrey Industrial History Group: Elstree: Britain’s Hollywood by Bob Redman (see page 15) Thu 2nd Mar, 7.30pm, London Canal Museum: Lifts, Locks and Stanches by Ivan Cane (see page 41) Thu 2nd Mar, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War by the local Maritime Archaeology Trust (see page 26) Sat 4th Mar, K&A (Reading): R • E • S • C • U • E

(see page 18)

Sun 5th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Limehouse to Docklands (see page 39) Wed 8th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Branch Annual General Meeting – note change of venue (see pages 5, 37 & 40) Wed 8th Mar, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: Branch AGM with guest speaker Les Etheridge (see page 38) Tue 14th Mar, 7.30pm, Surrey Industrial History Group: Eric Lomax - The Railwayman of War and Peace by Dr Michael Bailey (see page 15) Wed 15th Mar, 8.00pm, BCS: History of Bursledon Brickworks by Carolyn Haynes (see page 17) Thu 16th Mar, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Boat Safety by Andrew Phasey (see page 11) Sun 19th Mar, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to Camden (see page 39) Tue 21st Mar, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): AGM + Helpless in Holland by Rob Dean CMG (see page 18) Sun 26th Mar, 11.00am, 2.30pm & 4.30pm, WACT: Cruise, Mothering Sunday Relaxers (see page 29) Wed 29th Mar, 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Flood Risk Management on Romney 29Marsh by Sam Howe (see page 35) Sun 2nd Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden (see page 39) Mon 3th Apr, 7.30pm, G&R: Branch Annual General Meeting

(see pages 5 & 12)

7 Thu 6th Apr, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: Eling Tide Mill, the Past and the Future” by Ruth Keer (see page 26) Fri 7th Apr, 7.30 for 8.00pm, IWAKES: Northfleet Harbour by Conrad Broadly following TMCA AGM (see page 35) Sat 8th Apr, K&A (Crofton): Provisional 2017 opening date

(see page 19)

Sun 9 Apr, BCS: Public Trips restart on the John Pinkerton ll

(see page 18)

th

Wed 12 Apr, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: The Canals of Venice

by Dr. Roger Squires (see page 38) th

Fri 14th Apr, 11am, 12 noon and 2pm, WACT: Easter Bunny Special Voyages (see page 29) Sat 15th Apr Mon 17th Apr, K&A (Crofton): Easter steaming weekend (see page 19) Sun 16th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Kings Cross, Hitchcock’s Hackney (see page 39) Sun 16th Apr, 11am, 12 noon and 2pm, WACT: Easter Bunny Special Voyages (see page 29) Mon 17th Apr, 11am, 12 noon and 2pm, WACT: Easter Bunny Special Voyages (see page 29) Tue 18th Apr, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): tba

(see page 18)

Wed 19th Apr, 8.00pm, BCS: SS Shieldhall - 61 years and counting by Graham MacKenzie (see page 17) Sat 29th Apr to Mon 1st May, K&A (Crofton): May Bank holiday steaming weekend (see page 19) Sat 29th Apr, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill (see page 41)

Sat, 29th Apr to Mon, 1st May, IWA Canalway Cavalcade: Little Venice, London www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/canalway_cavalcade/ (see inside rear cover) Sat, 29th Apr, WACT: AGM at Cranleigh Village Hall

(see page 29)

Sun 30th Apr, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Regent’s Canal: Regent’s Park & R. Tyburn to Little Venice (see page 39) Thu 4th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to (see page 41) Forest Hill

Sat 6th May, 2.00pm, IWAKES: SORT Walk to Fulling Mill

(see page 35)

Sun 7 May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge to Denham (see page 39) th

8 Wed 10th May, 2.30pm, BCS: Cream Tea Special

(see page 18)

Wed 10th May, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: The Waterways Recovery Group (speaker TBC) (see page 38) Thu 11th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill (see page 41)

Sat 13th May, 10.30am, K&A Trust: AGM Sat 13th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon (see page 41) to Forest Hill Sun 14th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, River Fleet, Blackfriars to St. Pancras

(see page 41)

Tue 16th May, 7.45pm, K&A (Reading): Joint meeting with G&R Branch (see page 18) Sat 20th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill (see page 41) Sun 21st May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, Derelict London all day guided tour of Limehouse & Poplar (see page 41)

Sun 21st May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: R. Thames: Limehouse to Docklands (see page 39) Tue 23rd May, 2.30pm, Towpath Walks Group: Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge to Denham (see page 39) Fri 26th May, 10.00am, BCS: Canal Enthusiasts Cruise, Colt Hill to Odiham (see page 18) Sat 27th to Sun 28th May, IWA National Trailboat Festival: Ashby Canal Trust, Moira Furnace, Furnace Lane, Moira DE12 6AT see www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/iwa_trailboat_festival/iwa_trailboat_festival Sat 27th to Mon 29th May, CRICK BOAT SHOW: Crick Marina, Northants NN6 7SQ see www.crickboatshow.com or call 01283 742970 Sat 27th May to Mon 29th May, K&A (Crofton): Spring bank holiday steaming weekend (see page 19) Sat 27th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, Derelict London guided tour of the Woolwich area (see page 42) Sun 28th May, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, Grand Surrey Canal, Peckham to Rotherhithe (see page 42)

Tue 30th May, 10.00am, BCS: Canal Enthusiasts Cruise, Odiam to Colt Hill (see page 18) Thu 1st Jun, 7.45pm, Southampton Canal Society: SCS Celebrates its 50th Anniversary (see page 26)

9 Thu 1st Jun, 11am, 2.00pm, WACT: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages (see page 29) Sat 3rd Jun, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill (see page 42) Sun 4th Jun, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, Derelict London tour of Silvertown

(see page 42)

Sun 4 Jun, WACT: Poddle th

(see page 29)

Thu 8th Jun, 7.30pm, Mikron Theatre Company: The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Nr Towcester, NN12 7SE, BFF (see page 40) Sat 10th Jun, K&A (Reading): Reading Water Fest

(see page 19)

Sat 10th Jun, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill (see page 42) Sun 11th Jun, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, Hampstead’s lost Rivers Fleet, Westbourne & Tyburn (see page 42)

Thu 11th Jun, 2.15pm & 4.30pm, WACT: Cream Tea Voyages

(see page 29)

Wed 14th Jun, 2.30pm, BCS: Cream Tea Special

(see page 18)

Wed 14 Jun, 7.30pm for 8.00pm, South London Branch: The Wey and Arun canal by Alan Johnson (see page 38) th

Thu 14th Jun, 2.15pm & 4.30pm, WACT: Cream Tea Voyages Sun

18th

Jun, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, The lost docks of Wapping

(see page 29) (see page 42)

Sat 24 Jun, 7.30pm, Mikron Theatre Company: Cricklade Bloomers, Cricklade, SN6 6AE, BFF (see page 40) th

Sun 25th Jun, London’s Lost Rivers: Walk, River Fleet, Blackfriars to St. Pancras

(see page 42)

Sun 25 Jun, 5.30pm, Mikron Theatre Company: Forbury Gardens, Reading, RG1 3EJ, TDE (see page 40) th

Tue 27th Jun, 7.00pm, Mikron Theatre Company: Fordingbridge Group of WIs, The Town Hall, Fordingbridge, SP6 1AS, TDE (see page 40) Thu 20th Jul, 7.30pm, Salisbury Group: Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon 7.00pm (see page 11) Sun 23rd Jul, K&A (Newbury): Newbury Water Festival

(see page 19)

Sat 5th & Sun 6th Aug, IWAKES: Gravesend Town Pier. Gravesend Open Weekend (see page 35)

10

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: We had an excellent turn out for our November meeting when one of our own members, Nick Grundy, gave us a fascinating talk about cruising the British waterways in the 1930s, 40s & 50s. This talk was based on the adventures of his Grandparents, Reg & Marjorie Grundy, who were pioneers in exploring the inland waterways for leisure purposes.

Nick has been able to carry out this research by using old family photos.

Amazingly his Grandparents had thought to take many photos of their boating expeditions, many of which are labelled and dated, together with the surviving log books written in school exercise books by his Grandmother.

The first photo we saw was of a homemade canoe built in 1898 by his Grandfather, Reg Grundy, followed by a rowing boat on the River Dee taken in 1927. Reg must have been one of the first people to hire a boat for pleasure; we saw pictures of their hire boats “Rambler” in 1934 and “Roma” in 1937 and 1938.

There is now a gap between 1939 and 1945 due to WW2, but then we saw pictures of the first boat that they purchased. “Heron” was bought by Reg in 1945, a clinker built narrow beam cruiser, converted from a ship’s cutter. Heron was moored on the Montgomery Canal below Frankton Locks; they brought the boat up the locks just before they fell into dereliction in the mid-1940s.

We see pictures of the Grundy family on board “Heron” in 1946 on the River Thames and in 1947, 1948 and 1949 on the Llangollen Canal. At this time the Llangollen Canal was virtually disused and under severe threat of closure. What was so interesting was that Nick even has pictures of “Heron” on the Llangollen Canal together with the famous “Cressy” with Tom Rolt on board. Nick’s Grandparents were there at the start of the IWA and were actively involved in the early campaign to save the waterways. Nick’s Father, Martin Grundy, together with his brother Crick Grundy were children in the 1930s but soon appeared in photos on board Heron, and later on as young men.

They explored many waterways, including the River Avon, the River Dee and the Oxford Canal. It was interesting to see photos of “Heron” struggling along almost derelict canals and read Marjorie’s comments about the state of these waterways, most of which are now popular cruising routes. For this talk Nick found some contemporary photographs to compare with the historic photographs. Some places have changed very little while others are barely recognizable. In 1950 “Heron” cruised to the first IWA National Rally of Boats at Market Harborough, in 1952 to the Llangollen Rally with 20 other boats, then in 1953 to a rally on the Macclesfield Canal.

Sadly, Nick’s Grandparents died in 1955, three years before he was born.

Nick’s talk finished with photographs of him with his parents as a baby on “Heron”. ”Heron” was then sold in 1962.

Many of the photos that Nick found were tiny and in poor condition; others were old negatives. However modern technology enables these to be seen clearly

11 for the first time. They were brilliantly shown on the screen together with notes in his Grandmother’s hand writing from the log books.

Martin Grundy, Nick’s Father, subsequently bought a converted commercial narrow boat “Beatty” with iron sides and elm bottom which has been altered, modified and reconstructed on several occasions. Nick is now the owner of “Beatty”. With his family he has cruised extensively around the canal system and “Beatty” had the honour of representing the County of Merseyside in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in 2012. Together with Nick’s sons, there have now been four generations of the Grundy family involved in the Inland Waterways of Britain.

These photographs and log books that Nick has inherited are a valuable record of the waterways history of that time.

Our group did really well again this year in the quiz at Southampton Canal Society! Our team of Colin Davis, Tony Fry, Eric & Sue Lewis led throughout and won again. As we won last year Nick Grundy set the questions and was quiz master. Now we have to set them again next year.

In December, 27 of us enjoyed the Christmas dinner served up by Jeff and his team at the Green Dragon.

Programme of Events Thu 16th Feb: “Crofton Pumping Station, its preservation and the challenges ahead” by Peter Turvey, Chairman of the Crofton Branch of the Kennet & Avon Trust. Crofton Pumping Station is one of the key industrial heritage sites in England, housing the world’s oldest beam engine in its original location & still capable of doing the job it was built for back in 1812. For nearly 50 years, teams of dedicated volunteers have lovingly preserved, restored, cared for and operated Crofton’s engines – but there are challenges ahead. How do you reposition a specialist heritage site, make it more sustainable, attract a wider 21st century audience, and make it attractive to potential funders who have very different agendas from Crofton’s enthusiastic volunteers?

Thu 16th Mar: “Boat Safety” by Andrew Phasey, Technical Officer for the AWCC. The will be no meetings in April, May or June.

Thu 20th Jul: Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon. 7.00pm There will be no meetings in August or September.

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

The most surprising thing about this canal is that it still exists at all. This is largely due to the activities of a fairly small number of people who appeared at critical points in its history. Their actions were in some cases soundly commercial or

12 altruistic & in others fraudulent & criminal, but without these heroes & villains the canal would not exist today & they may well be needed in the future.

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

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

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 email glover.3@btinternet.com or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841.

Guildford & Reading Branch Branch Chairman I have commented more than enough on troubles. The sad passing of Ray has been commented on elsewhere. He will be hugely missed particularly at Branch level. Farewell dear friend. I had my final trip on the River Wey as the year closed which was as good as ever. In April there is the AGM with much to report on our navigations, progress or lack of it with CRT and an excellent Steam Boat presentation.

There is nothing planned now on the boating front until May when I am off to the Belgian canals. Bruges and Ghent are prime destinations. Boat hire, maps and guide books are not the easiest but with some help from the Dutch Barge Association we are prepared.

At the end of June a party will be spending 2 weeks doing the clockwise Thames, Grand Union, Oxford ring starting and finishing at Aldermaston on the Kennet and Avon. Much more will happen in the coming months and there is a full breakdown in the Cargoes diary.

Can I yet again thank branch committee members for all their hard work? We are a shrinking band and can do with help. Also thanks to those not on the committee who can be relied on for a helping hand.

Gareth Jones

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Steam narrowboating: not for the faint hearted!

Continued in the Winter 2016 edition of Cargoes So what are the challenges with steam in a narrowboat? Quite a few!

Single-handed operation is not impossible, but it ain't easy! Quick astern and restart ahead procedures are not necessarily straightforward, even with a unidirectional steam engine with a reversing gearbox. A big 'single' for example needs a flywheel and the kinetic energy it stores means stopping isn't instant.

Furthermore, when it does eventually stop, it can easily do so on top or bottom dead centre and fail to restart, demanding that the flywheel be moved to partial stroke so that it can start again. This was always a problem on early steamships with single cylinder machinery, both paddle and screw steamers, but they had a hawk-eyed engineer with one steady hand on the throttle valve able to judge (usually!) precisely by eye where their very big and slow-moving (say 40 rpm) engine would stop in its stroke.

Boiler management is also critical. An engine-driven pump may put back all the water evaporated on a long run, but mechanical issues and traffic circumstances can always arise demanding a sudden need for make-up feed via the injector, thus anyone in sole charge of anything steam-powered will always be driving with one eye on the gauge glass. I'm neurotic about water feed, because if I make a mistake I won't necessarily blow my eyebrows off but I will most certainly do expensive and time-consuming damage to my tubes.

My experience of modern diesel narrow boats, and even with my succession of 20' or smaller steam day launches, is that while we may be happily proceeding along a canal at 4mph, there is always, I repeat, always, another boat to be met at every bridge or blind turn. Avoiding action has to be taken immediately, often a quick reverse and sometimes several well-judged fore-aft tuck-the-stern-in manoeuvres.

A modern diesel narrowboat has the minimum of controls: a combined throttle and fore/aft gearbox control gives more-or-less instant response and is remarkably tolerant. A steam plant needs a throttle and if uni-directional (like a single-cylinder former generator engine) it will have a separate gearbox control to be used with very great care because the torque in a still-revolving steam engine is a force to be reckoned with! If, as is more usual, reversing is achieved by a traditional link-motion or radial valve gear on the engine then care, again, must be exercised to avoid crankshaft stresses. Boiler and fire management controls also have to be separate.

Thus, I suggest, steam narrowboating is not for the lonely: you need an alert engine-room aide. And neither is it for the faint-hearted. But people do it and lessons are being learned all the time that probably those FMC men of old knew perfectly well, but the lore died when those lovely FMC steeple compounds and nice little Scotch boilers came out and the first Bolinders went in...

Ah yes: steeple compounds! A compound engine is one with two cylinders, a small one into which steam is introduced first and a much larger one (the low pressure cylinder) into which the same steam goes once it has expanded

14 somewhat in the small (high pressure) setting. It uses the same steam twice to get double the work out of it to economise on fuel.

A steeple compound is one with the two cylinders one above the other, the high pressure on top driving to a single crosshead and crank. It will behave like a single in terms of stopping and starting. In-line compounds are much easier to work with and because the cranks can be at 90 degrees to each other they are less likely to stall on a dead centre, as described earlier. The FMC boats had steeples to save space, for steam plants are by no means compact. The boiler was a massive waste of potentially revenue-earning space and the arrival of the early semi-diesels was an economic life-saver to those early powered canal carriers.

But leisure boats with steam power? Yes please! A large modern coal or oil-fired boiler matched to a substantial slow-moving compound engine is a delight to watch in action but This is a steeple compound steam engine – but in a such a plant needs to be run scale to drive a 16-18’ day launch. FMC steam by competent people with a narrowboats used similar looking engines but very 'feel' for the vagaries of steam much bigger. They use very little steam and are power. Modern steam very compact but can stop on dead centres just narrowboats will have when you don’t want them to! everything found on any other contemporary narrowboat because they have an engine-driven and possibly a separate steam-driven alternator and a full contemporary 12/240v electrical system. That means even the possibility of an emergency electric feed water pump if trouble arises and the engine pump and injector fail to deliver, as can happen. They may have a speaking tube into the engine room to ensure reasonably safe manoeuvring and they will have nice conveniences like a steam ('Windermere') kettle for ever-ready boiling water for tea.

The owner will not be worried by the inordinate wait to raise steam and the

15 monstrous amount of space taken by the steam plant and the rigours of stripping the boiler down for annual testing.

The pleasure will lie in the sheer joy of having got the darn thing operational, the wonderful fragrances of steam and the delight of being a bit different, and, of course, having a loud steam whistle instead of a silly little motorcar horn!

Mark Rudall Mark is the guest speaker at the Guildford & Reading Branch AGM – Ed.

Surrey Industrial History Group Lectures Members may be interested to know that the 41st Series of SIHG fortnightly lectures is now underway at the Education Centre, Guildford Cathedral. GU2 7UP. They run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and the cost is £5 for each individual lecture.

The next three lectures are: Tue 28th Feb: Elstree: Britain’s Hollywood by Bob Redman, Secretary Elstree Screen Heritage Tue 14th Mar: Eric Lomax - The Railwayman of War and Peace by Dr Michael Bailey, President of the Stephenson Locomotive Society For further details see www.sihg.org.uk or contact the Programme Coordinator Bob Bryson, email meetings@sihg.org.uk.

Bits on the Basingstoke In the short term there is a good deal of necessary maintenance work going on this winter. The volunteer programme is in full swing and adding to the efforts.

The plan for the canal to become part of CRT is not going so well. There is a large gap between the required dowry from CRT and the amount the Councils feel able, or want, to pay. If this is not resolved the Councils will have to continue to fund the canal, given the considerable economic benefits it brings to both Hampshire and Surrey. However council budgets are under huge pressure in funding the growth in population, education and social care for the elderly. Surrey residents are no doubt aware of the proposed County Council referendum for a 16% increase in council tax. Will residents put their hands in their pockets for the canal or the elderly? Time as they say will tell. Another option must be the lottery which has been the catalyst in many of these situations. It’s not over yet but time is exceedingly short.

Gareth Jones

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Basingstoke Canal Society Chairman’s Report The New Year arrived with the very disappointing news that the negotiations between the two County Councils and CRT on the transfer of the canal to the Trust had been terminated on the grounds that the cost of the transfer is ‘unaffordable’.

What this means is that the sum required by the Trust as a so-called dowry is in excess of what the Counties are prepared to pay in order to relinquish management of the canal. This decision, although not entirely unexpected, has come as a very considerable blow to us. A transfer to CRT offered a secure and sustainable future for the canal which the Counties, given their dependence on year by year government support and the pressures placed on them by central government to reduce cost, cannot offer. It is particularly ironic that this impasse should have occurred at a time when the canal is probably in better condition than it has been since the re-opening in 1991. It would be a tragedy if all the hard work put in by the BCA, the Counties and the volunteers over recent years is put at risk by the inability to fund necessary repairs. The Counties assure us that, despite this set-back, it is their firm intention to maintain the navigation but this still begs the question of what will happen if a major repair, such as the Dogmersfield Cutting, becomes necessary. In the light of these developments, the Canal Society is considering how it can work more effectively with the Canal Partnership (which includes the 6 riparian districts) to increase income and minimize cost. Amongst the steps we are advocating include the transfer to the canal budget of the rents from the houseboats at Woodham and the café at Mytchett and the fee received by SCC for the fibre optic cable beneath the towpath. We have been pressing for some years for all these receipts, which logically should belong to the canal, to be made available to the BCA to supplement its budget. It is also essential, in our view, that the District authorities should pay their annual contributions to the canal in full especially since the canal is clearly regarded as a very important public amenity in their areas. We are clearly facing a period of considerable uncertainty about the future of the canal but, as always, the Canal Society remains firmly committed to do all it can to retain the navigation which it has fought for so long to restore and maintain.

Philip Riley

Chobham Meetings The meetings continue to be held as usual on the third Wednesday of the month at the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, nr Woking GU24 8AZ commencing at 8pm. Malcolm Brickwood has taken over as Talks Organiser and we wish him well in this role.

17 Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Raffle and retiring collection. Non-members and friends are very welcome. Please pass the word around. The programme up to Easter 2017 is shown below: Wed 15th Feb: Eling Tide Mill, the Past and the Future by David Plunkett: Traditional, tidal powered water mills were invented over 2,000 years ago. They have been part of the hidden industrial coastal scene of Britain all that time without many of us knowing of them. Most have been lost over time but just a few have been saved and restored to working order. Out of over 200 built in the UK, just a handful of examples survive for us to visit in 2016. The restored survivors will be shown and their earlier distribution and concentrations around our coastline explained.

In this presentation, the emphasis is on Eling Tide Mill, at Totton on the edge of the New Forest. This ancient site is over 900 years old and successive mills and causeway dam have been a feature of the old toll bridge across Eling Creek, to this day. The long history will be explained and how the tides govern the working of the mill and its miller.

Eling is managed by The Eling Experience and is currently closed for major repairs due to be completed in the spring of 2017. For interim news, visit: www.elingexperience.co.uk Wed 15th Mar: History of Bursledon Brickworks by Carolyn Haynes: The only Victorian steam driven brickworks left in the country the Brickworks at Bursledon are an amazing survivor. All the original buildings and machinery are still there and for some reason, although the owners operated them from the age of the horse right through to the age of cheap flights they didn't update their works.

The talk gives a history of the brickworks, why they are so important and what we hope their future will be.

Wed 19th Apr: SS Shieldhall - 61 years and counting by Graham MacKenzie: Taking the history of "Shieldhall" and considering its daily toil in a working life from 1955 to 1985 and then into preservation bringing the story up to date with information regarding Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 2013.

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

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Trips on the John Pinkerton II Public Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II restart on Sunday 9th April – see http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/jp/public-trips Wed 10th May, 2.30pm, Cream Tea Special, with piano accompaniment departing from Colt Hill, Odiham, approx. 2½ hour trip. Tickets: £17.50.

Fri 26th May, 10.00am, Canal Enthusiasts Cruise, Colt Hill to Odiham. Approx. 4 hour trip to the Fox & Hounds pub, Fleet. A fantastic opportunity on this extended trip to see the beauty of some parts of the Basingstoke Canal that you may not have seen.

Tue 30th May, 10.00am, Canal Enthusiasts Cruise, Odiham to Colt Hill. Approx. 4 hour trip. A fantastic opportunity on this extended trip to see the beauty of some parts of the Basingstoke Canal that you may not have seen.

Wed 14th Jun, 2.30pm, Cream Tea Special, with piano accompaniment departing from Colt Hill, Odiham, approx. 2½ hour trip. Tickets: £17.50.

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

Tue 21st Mar: AGM + ‘Helpless in Holland’ - Rob Dean CMG, (Trust Chairman) Tue 18th Apr: tba Tue 16th May: Joint meeting with IWA Other K&A Reading Events: Sat 4th Mar: R • E • S • C • U • E Further details from David Copley on 0118 959 8247 (see also Spring 2017 edition of Cargoes).

19 Sat 10th Jun: Reading Water Fest. For more information, see future editions of Cargoes.

The Newbury Waterways Festival Team have announced the 2017 event will take place on Sunday 23rd July. The theme will be ‘Beatle Mania’ so please put that date in your new 2017 diary.

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

Crofton Beam Engines 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 200year-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 Crofton site is closed to the public as we are maintaining the boiler, engines and site over the winter. If you have not visited us before then please have a browse and see what you missed. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you in 2017!

Sat 8th Apr: Provisional 2017 opening date for Crofton Sat 15th Apr Mon 17th Apr: Easter steaming weekend Sat 29th Apr to Mon 1st May: May Bank holiday steaming weekend Sat 27th May to Mon 29th May: Spring bank holiday steaming weekend More information from http://www.croftonbeamengines.org

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Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group, reports on the latest developments: The York Stream arm of the ‘Ring’ nearing completion Progress continues apace on construction of the first half (York Stream) of Maidenhead’s waterway ‘Ring’, in conjunction with the regeneration of town centre.

Underpinning of the c1825 Chapel Arches Bridge is complete and a new (‘old’) brick face is being added. The southern water basin has been fully excavated to expose (and will fill) all three large bridge arches and the channel bed is being progressively lowered to full depth and sealed with clay to Hoardings coming down to expose the old Chapel eliminate water loss.

Arches Bridge and new water basin. The exposed bridge Once the flow is returned face and new reinforcements are being brick faced and and the downstream weir up-lit

at Green Lane is added, the surface water level will be lifted throughout the town centre to fill the enlarged channels.

Shanly Group’s residential led developments on either side of the basin are now complete and will include a riverside café and View of the (part filled) basin from Chapel Arches restaurant, public towards the Library. The bed is being progressively terraces plus a reopened lowered and sealed with clay before the downstream Green Way path. The weir is added and the flow returned informal ‘amphitheatre’, next to the channel by the Library launched at the end of November and has already hosted its first events. A new footbridge over the enlarged channel is due in

21 March and will reconnect the public paths and provide views of the water basin and restored bridge.

Once the area to the south of Chapel Arches Bridge is complete, Shanly Group will start work to the north of the bridge, where a mini version of Reading’s Oracle is planned. It too will be set around a widened channel that will join the already completed up and downstream sections of the waterway.

Further north, the channel up to Town Moor is already completed - widened and deepened and with a new flood-proof tow path added under the ring road.

Channel north of A4 being finished off (Nov). Now completed.

To the south, below the GWR and down to Green Lane, channel enlargement is also progressing well and should complete by the Spring, before the weir is added around the end of the year. Most of this section is able to use fully submerged tubular steel reinforcements for the necessary bank strengthening, allowing a natural green edge to be retained. As each section of waterway is completed and landscaped, the banks are greening up and locations are now being identified for bird and bat boxes, Kingfisher perches etc. to encourage the wildlife to return once the flow is allowed back into the enlarged channels.

See the route maps and follow the project’s progress on MW’s web site www.maidenheadwaterways.org, or through these pages….

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River Thames News £1million project begins to repair locks on the River Thames It appears that the EA/CRT merger is proceeding. Thames User Group is to meet Richard Parry, CRT CEO, and Peter Walker, who handles the financial aspects of these transfers. Michael Sheffras and some River Thames Alliance members continue to promote the notion that they can run the Thames. There are many obvious issues with this, not least getting money from local authorities. As in the case of the Basingstoke and their County Council owners it is very difficult, however strong the economic and tourism case, to spend money on the waterways and go short on social care and education. This is where national government and IWA lobbying plays a crucial part. Local government budgets are finite, central government has more flexibility. However the third sector has to be the way, then charity status and volunteers can be more to the fore. In the meanwhile the Thames navigation budget under EA goes from bad to worse. The next few months will be very interesting.

Gareth Jones

River Wey & Godalming Navigations All our staff and volunteers were saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Carnell in November. It came as quite a shock as he visited the office only the week before pursing some more of the unsung work he devotedly undertook for IWA and our waterways – namely asking for Cargoes material and booking the Dapdune Centre for your AGM to be held early in 2017. Ray’s was a familiar face at the wharf and at various waterway events where we would invariably meet up with him. I, our staff and volunteers and the National Trust pass on our condolences to his family and friends.

We are all keeping our fingers crossed that this dry(ish) spell of weather continues! While the cold can be challenging if working outdoors in very long wet spells of weather can cause havoc with our important planned winter work programme. We are confident we have enough water for navigation during the summer season so more than happy to settle for cold and crisp now.

At the end of 2016 our maintenance team were busy at Thames Lock replacing the lower lock gates and undertaking lock chamber repairs. We also opened up the bottom of the lock chamber to guided visits during one of the stoppage weekends. Over 200 people took the opportunity to find out more about the work the National Trust undertakes along this wonderful waterway and how they can support this work by volunteering, giving a gift or donation or leaving a

23 legacy in their will. If you want to find out how you can help look after this waterway please do contact the Navigations Office (01483 561389 e: riverwey@nationaltrust.org.uk) to discuss.

The beginning of 2017 finds our maintenance team in the bottom of Bowers Lock changing both sets of lock gates before getting ready for the summer season of bank repairs. Repairs are planned for Send/Worsfold area, Parvis Wharf and above Bowers Lock. We also plan to replace the lower lock landing bays at Unstead and Triggs Locks and undertake repairs to Papercourt Lock bypass weir.

Our principal asset inspections will continue at Bowers Old Bucks Weir which we will attempt to dewater sometime during the summer river conditions allowing.

During spring we hope to receive our new excavator to replace the existing machine on Hoe. The current JCB machine is now nearly 15 years old and has been worked very hard for a long time and has more than paid for its keep.

While all this maintenance work takes place we carry on with our vegetation management. Winter is the time we undertake major tree works at various sites across the waterway as well as the winter cut back along the towpath and offside to ensure we maintain a good navigable width for cruising. We have nearly finished collecting data on silt levels in the manmade sections of the waterway with a view to developing a project to begin in 2018 dredging the mostly badly silted areas.

This work will probably carry on at least over two years depending on available funding.

Outside our own works the Environment Agency are working on replacing some of their River Wey Improvement Scheme structures – the green flood defence weirs constructed during the 1930’s. Surrey County Council is being pushed to remove their failed concrete bag work from under the Jacobs Well road bridge – not pretty but not an issue for navigation. We continue to struggle with Environmental Permit Regulations (administered by EA) which are making it very difficult, time consuming and expensive to undertake even the smallest of bank repairs in main river sections of the waterway. Finally we like many others are trying to second guess what is going to happen to the economy and how that will affect our funding streams. The River Wey Navigations are self-funding and not only do we not receive any grants from Government we don’t get anything from central National Trust funds either. So please come and boat with us and if you are looking for a mooring we have a few vacancies on offer – please contact the office for more details.

John Gibson, Navigations Manager

Journey to the Bottom of Thames Lock In November Thames Lock, on the River Wey Navigation, was drained for lower gate replacement and on the weekend 26th and 27th The National Trust took

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Steve Stewart, Navigations Foreman, describes the concrete walls to [Photo: Matthew Lewis] visitors.

[Photo: Matthew Lewis]

lock and to explain the repair work which had been completed.

The lock is particularly interesting for historical and technical reasons. It was built as a turf-sided lock with wooden sides up to the lower water level and wooden piles to the upper water level. In the early 1800s the lock was rebuilt with a solid floor and sides made of

the opportunity to open the work site to visitors. The Trust is launching a campaign to raise awareness of how the public may support the waterway by volunteering, donations and legacies and this event showed the public the cost and scale of maintenance work required to keep it in operation. A temporary staircase provided safe access to the bottom of the chamber and National Trust staff and volunteers were on hand to brief visitors on the history of the

The water mark on the wing wall outside the lock and the gauge inside clearly show the shallow draught in the chamber at normal Thames water level.

[Photo: Matthew Lewis]

concrete, which was an innovation at the time. Also Shepperton and Molesey locks on the Thames were rebuilt, with the consequence that the water level in the reach between these locks was lowered and this reduced the available draught over the bottom cill of Thames lock. To overcome this a single 14ft gate was The new gates seen from the bottom of the chamber.

[Photo: Matthew Lewis] constructed to make another pound and raise the level immediately below Thames Lock. This makes Thames Lock into a staircase, and lock operations here are supervised by a lock-keeper.

Stop planks were in place above and below the lock and a pump was running continuously to drain out the seepage. Walking below the ground level, visitors were provided with safety helmets. Steve Stewart, Navigations Foreman, showed

25 us the empty chamber and emphasised that the 200 year old concrete walls are still sound. The floor of the lock is flat concrete, unlike the brick invert of a canal lock and I asked Steve what was below it. He speculated that it was probably the original wet elm bottom, still sound two centuries later. The installation work was complete ready for re-watering the following week, and Steve explained the that the mitre faces of the new gates had been finished by hand to give a near perfect water seal.

The event was free, refreshments were provided, and over 200 people visited the lock on this unique occasion.

Mike Lewis

Southampton Canal Society

The Annual Inter-Society Waterways Quiz As always, our 2016 programme rounded off with the popular Inter- Society Waterways Quiz, twenty six members plus visitors supported the four teams.  We welcomed back the Basingstoke Canal Society with Dave Wedd, Jeff Hill and Tim and Penny Cadle, with their supporters.  IWA Salisbury Group with Sue Lewis, Colin Davies. Eric Lewis and Tony Fry.  IWA Guildford & Reading Branch with Ben Scott, John Jones, Robin Higgs and Mike Lewis. Our IWA Members who have the IWA Cargoes quarterly Newsletter will be sad to hear that a regular Guildford & Reading team member, Ray Carnell, died on the 25th November. Ray will be greatly missed at IWA events supporting the Sales & Publicity stand and Cargoes.  Southampton Canal Society with Alan Rose, David Wilkinson. Malcom and Janet Gunningham.

As last year’s winners it was Salisbury IWA turn to arrange the questions and quizmaster. This was very ably carried out by Nick Grundy with Myra Glover keeping up to date with the scores for each round. Questions on Inclined plains at Nynehead, Bude and Chard. Grand Canals in the world, China, Venice, Ireland.

Identifing pictures of Nick boating on continental waterways. Canal places ending in “wich” (Greenwich, Middlewich, etc.). The name of Peter Scott’s boat (Beatrice).

Past IWA chairmen (Clive Henderson), WRG founder (Graham Palmer). Identifying Canal Builders, etc. etc. All in all a very interesting Quiz as the teams battled for positions.

26 end.

Throughout the evening the audience also participated with a prize at the

All the team places were close but Salisbury IWA finally pressed ahead to be champions again. The magnificent trophy was presented to the team.

Many thanks to Nick for organising the Quiz and to Myra the scorer and to all team members for their participation.

Thanks to all who generously donated raffle prizes and especially to Pam McKeown for her now traditional prize of a great home-baked Christmas cake.

The evening finished with the traditional American Supper- many thanks to our members for providing such a wide selection of delicious food and to those who assisted in the galley and the setting up and clearing of the furniture.

Angela Rose

Forthcoming Meetings Competition” Thu 2nd Mar, “Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War”: A talk by the local Maritime Archaeology Trust.

Thu 3rd Apr, “Eling Tide Mill, the Past and the Future” by Ruth Keer: This ancient site is over 900 years old. The long history will be explained and how the tides govern the working of the mill.

Thu 1st Jun, “SCS Celebrates its 50TH ANNIVERSARY” 1967-2017.

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 IWA DONATES £1,000 TO WACT Restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal has benefited from £1,000 donated by Guildford and Reading branch of the Inland Waterways Association. A cheque for that amount was given to Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) during last month’s commemoration of the waterway’s 200th anniversary. Branch treasurer Mike Lewis

27 made the presentation during a celebratory cream tea for members and guests which was the finale of the bicentennial celebrations.

Mr Lewis praised the work of the Trust, which is bringing back to life a canal which was once part of an inland route from London to the South Coast. “Wey & Arun Canal Trust is to be commended for the huge amount of work it has done so far and for Mike Lewis (right), treasurer of Guildford and the impressive projects it is Reading branch of the Inland Waterways carrying out now,” Mr Lewis told Association, speaking during his cheque members and guests gathered at presentation, with WACT chairman Sally Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. “The Schupke and Guildford Mayor Gordon Jackson. canal will be an important part of the inland waterways network and we look forward to the time when it again links up the River Arun with the River Wey. “The IWA is pleased to make a contribution to the restoration fund and we wish the Trust well with its work.”

The previous day, Dame Penelope Keith had officially opened the new Compasses Bridge across the canal’s summit level at Alfold, a part of the Trust’s first major navigation restoration project in Surrey.

WACT is now in the final planning stages re-creating the canal from the River Wey at Shalford to the Gosden Aqueduct of the outskirts of Bramley.

CANAL TRUST UPGRADES CANOEING AND KAYAKING FACILITIES Canoeing and kayaking on the Wey & Arun Canal has been made easier with the installation of two new landing stages.

Inexperienced paddlers in particular will now find the waterway at Loxwood in West Sussex more accessible.

The stages have been built using a generous grant from Canoe England, which is part of British Canoeing, the national governing The new canoe landing stage near body for paddlesports in the UK. Drungewick Lock on the Wey & Arun Canal at They are next to the Loxwood, West Sussex.

Drungewick slipway and near

28 Drungewick Lock, at the southern limit for navigation on the canal to the east of Loxwood village.

The new facilities were installed by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT), which welcomes canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders by arrangement on navigable sections of the canal in West Sussex and Surrey.

Trust volunteer engineer Brian King collaborated with Canoe England to design the landing stages, which are made of oak with stainless steel fixings and an antislip surface.

Members of Brighton-based Martlet Kayak Brian is now working with Club enjoy a festive outing on the Wey & Arun Canoe England to select other sites Canal at Loxwood. for upgraded landing stages to further improve the experience for paddlers.

“The canal is for everyone who enjoys the countryside and we are keen for canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders to use our restored sections in West Sussex and Surrey,” said WACT chairman Sally Schupke.

“As well as the Loxwood section, more than a mile of canal on the Summit Level between Alfold and Dunsfold in Surrey will soon be available and we welcome paddlers who want to have a day out there.”

Members of Canoe England and British Canoeing can use the canal free of charge, but must notify the Trust when they intend to visit. Others can purchase an annual licence for £15 or a day licence at £5 online via the boat licences page at www.weyarun.org.

Group rates are available for organisations such as the scouts and sea cadets.

All visits must be arranged in advance to avoid congestion, and all paddlers must book in at the Canal Centre, off Loxwood High Street before setting out on the waterway.

Another upgrade on the canal at Loxwood has been the replacement of the balance beams which open the gates at Baldwins Knob Lock.

The lock was restored for navigation in 1993 and its gates have been used continually for boat trips for 23 years. The four beams were reaching the end of their lifespan, with the start of internal rot found during a survey.

Specialist carpenters installed new beams, which are currently unpainted as the wood seasons in place.

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Forthcoming Events Public trips in 2017 begin on Saturday 1st April and run until Sunday 29th October, 2017.

Sun 26th Mar, 11.00am: Mothering Sunday Relaxer - from Loxwood (Coffee and Danish Pastries). Booking essential.

Sun 26th Mar, 2.30pm & 4.30pm: Mothering Sunday Relaxers - from Loxwood, (Cream Teas). Booking essential.

Fri 14th Apr, 11am, 12 noon and 2pm: Easter Bunny Specials - from Loxwood.

Booking essential.

Sun 16th Apr, 11am, 12 noon and 2pm: Easter Bunny Specials - from Loxwood.

Booking essential.

Mon 17th Apr, 11am, 12 noon and 2pm: Easter Bunny Specials - from Loxwood.

Booking essential.

Sat, 29th Apr AGM at Cranleigh Village Hall Thu 1st Jun, 11am, 2.00pm: Pirates & Princesses Adventure Voyages - The pirates have returned for 2015! Rollicking good fun on the boat, two sea battles to join in and TREASURE for all the children. Come suitably dressed and help defeat the pirates and rescue the princess, booking essential Sun 4th Jun: Poddle Thu 11th Jun, 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyages - Enjoy a delicious cream tea whilst cruising the tranquil countryside, booking essential Thu 14th Jun, 2.15pm & 4.30pm: Cream Tea Voyages - Enjoy a delicious cream tea whilst cruising the tranquil countryside, booking 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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IWAKES Branch News Past Events Higham History Group For the TMCA meeting in October, we welcomed Kate Woolacott, from the Higham History Group, and some of her companions, who shared the information.

They gave us thoughts on their lovely village. The Group got together in 1997. They cover all aspects of Higham Village and do joint meetings with other groups, visits, walks and talks. Of cause, Higham will always be associated with Dickens. "Ours is the marsh country down by the River". Many pubs in the village were probably visited

by Dickens. Now practically none are left. The Railway Tavern was mentioned in a census of 1851. Now sadly another one gone in 2016. The population was mainly involved in farming, market gardening and hop picking. The Canal was proposed in 1799 by Ralph Dodds. With a tunnel 3931 yards long, which became a big tourist attraction after opening, with visitors coming from far and wide to see it. There was once a windmill in Higham, the base of which is still visible on the outskirts of the village, named Roses Mill after one of the owners. The Knowle, originally a vicarage built in the mid-19th century is now well known as a very popular restaurant. Higham stretches over a large area, with Upper, Middle and Lower; all having their own individual charm and all worth a visit for their own sakes (especially the canal).

Angela Acott Railways of the Ouse Valley by Sam Bee SORT always makes us so welcome at Haywards Heath. The talk was by Sam Bee of the Bluebell Railway, a gentleman of outstanding knowledge. The Sussex Ouse Navigation was completed in 1812, was 22 miles long and had 19 locks. Trade was mostly lime, chalk, manure, aggregates and coal. Railways took over canal routes very quickly and John Rennie transferred from canal building. Railway surveys had to be done at night, as a lot of people objected to the new railways. Joseph Firbank was a very clever and successful contractor, who had to say how much the railway would cost. Many contractors went broke. The railways were mostly built by hand as we were very slow to mechanise in this country. Most of the workforce lived in Shanty Towns. A good navvie could fill a Railway Wagon in a day of digging. Sam Bee showed us an outstanding photo of the Ouse Valley Viaduct at Balcombe that needed a huge workforce to build it. Brick making in Sussex boomed in the 19 th century but the bricks for the viaduct were imported and came by barge up the navigation.

But there were too many railways and the ‘Bluebell’ line first closed in 1958, before Beaching. However, it was forced to be re-opened as it was found that an act of parliament was needed to close it. In 1959, four lads decided they wanted to preserve the railway and went to see Bernard Holden, born at Barcombe station, to

31 see if the railway could be saved, A meeting of least 30 persons then founded the Bluebell Railway, which took three years to bring into operation. The railway had its own track bed from Sheffield Park to Freshfield Halt (and later to East Grinstead and Ardingley). The Bluebell Line is looked up to by other Heritage Railways, as it led the way in rail preservation.

Angela Acott

River Adur The Shoreham Slipways Group (SSG) has continued to try to open discussions with the key groups involved about the possible re-opening Humphrey's Gap, as a public slipway. There is a major development taking place in that area along the A272, which follows the western arm of Shoreham harbour. As the current public hard is officially a highway, as such, it is owned by West Sussex County Council and the local Councillors have indicated their continued support for a slipway.

However, getting other key individuals and groups to talk is proving more difficult, despite the efforts of several members of the slipway group. In early December, someone came forward and offered to start an online petition on https://you.38degrees.org.uk Without, any real effort from the SSG, the number of local signatories has reached 307, presumably with people being triggered by word of mouth, emails or social media. This indicates strong local support and, apparently, topics with 200 or more signatures will be considered by the local Council. The use on online petition may be appropriate for other waterway campaigning groups.

Brendan Whelan

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River Medway News East Farleigh Lock Since September 2016 work on the refurbishment of East Farleigh Lock is continuing and, when it is complete, 9 out of 10 lock sites along the River Medway will have fish passes around their weirs and locks. The new fish and eel pass at East Farleigh will allow coarse and migratory fish the ability to pass the lock and weir complex, allowing fish to reach new spawning grounds and contributing to the overall health of the river. The Environment Agency is spending £3 million on the refurbishment of the navigation lock. East Farleigh lock was last re-constructed over a century ago and, although safe, the main structure is showing signs of wear.

The lock will be completely refurbished as part of a 6-month project that will also include the installation of a new fish pass. The work is being carried out by contractors Mackley, part of Team Van Oord Joint Venture partnership. The lock gates were last refurbished in 1998.

Philip Munslow, Environment Agency Waterways Operations Manager said: “It is a testament to the previous lock refurbishment that it has lasted over 100 years, especially in such a harsh environment. The construction is made more complicated by the confined nature of East Farleigh lock. However, working with our suppliers we are pleased to be able to invest in this site and bring the lock up to modern standards. The completion of these works will secure this structure for the next 100 years.”

Destination Management Plan This is an initiative by Maidstone Borough Council to promote the town and has a separate committee addressing the River Medway and how best it can be enhanced and promoted. A meeting was held in December 2016 for the first time between Kent County Council, Maidstone BC and interested parties represented by the Medway River Users Associations chairman Mark Smurthwaite. Chairing the meeting was Maidstone & Weald MP Helen Grant (MRUA patron) who has secured from the parties, agreement on the River boundaries and ownership (i.e. who owns what) and has responsibility for sections of land alongside the River. This is an important step in identifying areas where improvements can be made. Further meetings are planned and positive outcomes are hoped for.

Summer Gathering of Boats As in previous years it is hoped to have a Gathering of Boats on the Medway in the summer. This is traditionally the last Saturday in July. This year that is July 29th. Maidstone BC have expressed an interest in a Regatta type of event this year.

Encouragingly British Marine, www.britishmarine.co.uk are keen to sponsor such an event so watch this space as they say.

EA News Two new volunteers have been trained for help with lock keeping duties. The dredger continues to work on the Medway, winter river conditions permitting and the vessel had clocked up 1000 hrs of service since its implementation. Over 700 vessels on the Medway were registered with the EA in the latest period with

33 enforcement action being taken on a few vessels, 7 of which were seized for nonpayment of licence fees. The renovation of the footpath between Barming and Aylesford is underway.

Mike Marsh

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Isfield Lock Restoration work at Isfield Lock is pretty much completed so far as it can go without sourcing lock gates and attempting negotiations with the Environment Agency (EA) to reconnect the lock to the river. Given the cost of the former and the problems we have locally here in the South with the latter’s policy on structures in rivers, we are consolidating the site and moving to maintenance mode. A little more re-profiling work on the tail cut still needs to be done, but aside from that we have managed to engage a small team of volunteers who will look after the site, cutting the grass, maintaining the rustic perimeter fencing, scrub control and so forth. If we see a change of policy from the EA we will revisit things, but for now, we will bask in the compliments from passing walkers and look for work elsewhere on the Navigation.

Polebay Lock Having been cleared of trees and scrub over the summer months, work here has essentially been put on hold. The landowner is very keen for us to continue work there, but again we would have issues with our local EA team if we did. Roy Sutton determined that the old navigation channel that runs through the lock is designated as part of the main river, and as such we would need EA

34 permission to divert it and bund the lock site to work there. This is such an unlikely event that we have had to put Polebay on hold to look elsewhere.

Irongates Lock This lock lies at the southern edge of National Trust (NT) meadowland adjacent to the gardens at Sheffield Park. We undertook tree and scrub clearance there in early 2012 and exposed the full length of the structural remains, planning to return there once Isfield was essentially complete.

Unfortunately, since that time a change in management at the property has left us with a regime that has no interest whatsoever in restoring this structure. We have tried to work with them on their plans for the site, offering free volunteer labour, stressing the lock's historic significance to Sheffield Park (the main original promoter of the Navigation being the 1st Lord Sheffield) and emphasising how a restored lock would be a visitor attraction to tempt visitors to this remote edge of their property. But all to no avail. The NT engaged independent consultants and seem to have spun their findings the way that the property manager favours i.e. they will just look to conserving the extant remains as they are currently visible with no additional restoration works. Since this goes against our society's aims we will not be helping in these works. I now fully expect nothing at all to be done and for the remains to disappear back under a covering of scrub, continuing their relentless path to decrepitude. All we can hope for now is a change of local management to someone with more business acumen who can see the benefits in visitor experience that full restoration could bring.

Oilmills Lock This lock is off the main line of the river and we had hoped we might be able to undertake some work here.

However, a site visit has revealed that the old lock has been encased and in-filled to a large degree with concrete and so work here would be very difficult.

35 Sharpsbridge Lock We believe that this lock site is also off the main line and could offer potential for restoration. It's early days, we were due to visit the site on the 12th January to do a quick survey and see what might be possible. Unfortunately, the drastic deterioration in the weather on the 12th (heavy rain, snow, gales) persuaded us from that path and we will now try to reschedule. We will also need to track down ownership of the site and seek their permission to work there, should it prove feasible.

Bob Draper

Future IWAKES and Other Events Wed 29th Mar, 7.30 for 8.00pm, Rye Harbour Sailing Club, The Point, Rye Harbour, East Sussex, TN31 7TU: Flood Risk Management on Romney Marsh by Sam (Samantha) Howe of The Environment Agency. NB: VENUE CHANGED due to building work.

Fri 7th Apr, 7.30 for 8.00pm, Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend, DA12 2BS: Northfleet Harbour, a talk by Conrad Broadly following TMCA AGM. Sat 6th May, 2.00pm, depart from Ardingly Reservoir car park, RH17 6SQ: SORT Walk to Fulling Mill: Led by Terry Owen. The ground is, in places, boggy.

Boots should be worn. Parking at Ardingly costs £1, coins only.

Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd Jul, Faversham Creek and Town Quay: Faversham Nautical Festival: Organised by Faversham Rotary and Faversham Creek Trust Sat 29th Jul, Maidstone town centre: Maidstone Gathering of Boats. In. Sat 5th & Sun 6th Aug, IWAKES: Gravesend Town Pier. Gravesend Open Weekend Wed 11th Oct, 7.30 for 8.00pm, Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend. DA12 2BS: ‘Narrowboats to the Medway’: Talk by Simon Judge on last year’s visit by eleven boats from St Pancras Cruising Club.

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 News Branch Chairman Hello everyone, As is one of my life's pleasures, particularly during the long, dark and cold winter season, I was thumbing through a Canal related publication the other day when I spotted a small advert for "Peter Nicholson" a boat builder of some considerable renown and reputation, not to mention considerable experience too.

Noticing within the very small print of the advert the claim for Peter Nicholson's to have been in existence as a steel boat builder since 1973, this instantly and very vividly jogged my memory and transported me back in time to exactly that era of the early to mid-1970s. To a very exact location on the Grand Union canal, indeed to an individual 30 foot length of linear wharf mooring located opposite the towpath at Cassio Bridge near to Cassiobury Park, in the Watford / Rickmansworth area of Hertfordshire.

Suddenly, I could very clearly picture in my mind’s eye the excitement at the arrival of a brand new Peter Nicholson designed and built steel craft of 6'10" x 30' based on the original design of an "Ice Breaker". It looked huge on the back of a low loader!

The craft had been commissioned and the build regularly and painstakingly overseen by a local architect of my acquaintance, who's name at present and rather irritatingly alludes me, but I rather think it was "Jim ?????".

Anyway, it was this same "Jim" who later went on to help me considerably by offering me reduced professional fees, thereby allowing me to finally to be able to afford to submit a blue print design of a new offline Mooring basin to the British Waterways Board and to seek planning permission from the then Rickmansworth District Council (now Three Rivers DC) for what is today known as the Bridgewater Basin.

After the passing of over 40 years since then, I wonder if anyone out there can recall either the boat name, or indeed if the original owners name was Jim?, and perhaps let me know what happened to his pride and joy too? or indeed if she is still afloat and where she is moored today?

All this type of sentimental reminiscing, which I seem to do ever more often these days, only goes to reinforce my belief that between us all we have a hugely valuable, yet often intangible cultural heritage that it is our privilege and responsibility to preserve and pass on for future generations.

This preservation of our Waterways heritage includes not only buildings, dress, customs, terminology, music and lyrics, boats, etc., but also in our preserving and passing on our own personal memories and stories of our own times gone by on the inland waterways of our nation.

37 It is for all these reasons that the IWA needs to grow and prosper by attracting new younger Members who, before they realise it, will be as old and full of happy but fading memories as me, and I suspect you too.

As your New Year’s resolution please help me and the rest of the Oxfordshire IWA Branch team to encourage and recruit many new younger members.

Finally, please do let me know if you recognise this description of "Jim's ice breaker" or if you can shed any light on it at all - Thanks!

Warmest regards to all of you and have a great 2017 on the water Steve Good

Secretary’s Report We would remind you that since the AGM we have stopped all regular social events. As stated previously this was mainly because the work outlay and expense was not covering the very small number of members attending, which in turn was causing a monetary loss to the Branch.

We have however had our first social event. A midday lunch at ‘Sturdy’s Castle’ on the main road between Kidlington and Banbury. All members were circulated (via email where we have your email addresses) and 20 people attended.

The feedback (excuse the pun) was great with requests for us to organise similar events again.

The advantage to the Branch is this costs us nothing but provides a forum for discussion and to meet IWA colleagues in a convivial atmosphere. We will organise another similar event later in the year.

Emails are sent out to members, at our request, from Head Office. So if you did not get a notification please contact Head Office and get them to include you in the email list.

However the rest of the behind the scene items still continue. Please see our Chairman’s report on his involvement with the various river and canal bodies.

PS PLEASE NOTE OUR REVISED AGM VENUE FOR MARCH 2017.

IWA Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take place at 7-30pm for 8pm on Wednesday 8th March 2017 at Begbroke Village Hall, 3 Begbroke Lane, Begbroke, OX5 1BU. Brian Saunders

Banbury Canal Partnership Working parties have continued to be held on the third and fourth Tuesdays of each month. However we do not work in the worst of the winter months as we find paint does not dry under ice and snow, and as importantly it does not do the bones any good!

38 In October we went back to Elkingtons lock and continued with the hedge trimming etc. We landed in good books with the adjacent land owner who subsequently let us have a bonfire in his field and we therefore had a special Christmas work party in December. This allowed us to clear the hedge and undergrowth down to about 5’ (1.5m) for the whole length of the lock. What a difference it makes both to the lock area and the adjacent field. I must admit the warming, coffee, chocolate, and mince pies went down extremely well, hospitality courtesy of Gregg at Forge Farm; as did the blue skies and sunshine on the day.

Working Parties will continue on the third and fourth Tuesdays of each Month. Whilst we usually take a winter break to avoid the worst of the weather, we will commence again in March. We obviously work in a different location for each event. But all IWA members are welcome to attend. So please contact the email address below for details of the next work party.

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.

Remember we have an email contact address: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com We also have a website which can be accessed by putting ‘Banbury Canal Partnership’ into Google or other search engines.

Brian Saunders BCP/IWA Committee representative

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

Wed 8th Mar: Branch AGM with guest speaker National Chairman Les Etheridge Wed 12th Apr: The Canals of Venice by Dr. Roger Squires Wed 10th May: A talk on the Waterways Recovery Group (speaker TBC) Wed 14th Jun: A talk on the Wey and Arun canal speaker Alan Johnson All are welcome, IWA members or non-members at our meetings For more information please contact the Social Secretary: Shea Richardson Tel: 07803 904803 or email: shea.richardson@homecall.co.uk

39

Towpath Walks Group 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.

Sun 19th Feb, 2.30pm: Walk, The Olympics, Three Mills & Bow Back Rivers, meet Bromley-by-Bow Sun 5th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, R. Thames: Limehouse to Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point) Sun 19th Mar, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross Granary Square to Camden, meet King’s Cross (taxi rank) Sun 2nd Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden, meet Warwick Avenue Sun 16th Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: Kings Cross, Hitchcock’s Hackney, meet Kings Cross (taxi rank) Sun 30th Apr, 2.30pm: Walk, Regent’s Canal: R. Tyburn: Regent’s Park to Little Venice, meet Baker St. (Baker St. North/Lord’s exit) Sun 7th May, 2.30pm: Walk, Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge to Denham, meet Uxbridge (High Street exit) Sun 21st May, 2.30pm: Walk, R. Thames: Limehouse to Docklands, meet Westferry (DLR) (by Cycle Hire Point) Tue 23rd May, 2.30pm: Walk, Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge to Denham, meet Uxbridge (High Street exit) For more information about Walks (Normal charge: £10.00, Concessions & Student rate: £8.00) please contact Roger Wilkinson, telephone: 07896 801930 or email: rogerw9796@yahoo.co.uk

40

The Mikron Best Foot Forward (BFF) Something’s afoot at Pearling Manor and it isn’t just the walkers.

The beautiful hostel, rich in YHA history, is lovely but falling apart. External forces are out to grab and turn it into a golf club.

Cue Connie, first ever warden, with a heart as big as her rucksack. She takes us on a journey through the YHA’s past in the hope of securing its future.

In At The Deep End (TDE) Skipwick RNLI is all at sea. Crew members are hard to come by and Coxswain Darren’s management style isn’t helping. So when seventeen year old Shannon volunteers, it’s all hands on deck – particularly for Darren’s teenage son, Billy.

Can the station survive in this ‘me first’ age? Will eccentric fundraiser Hazel’s ideas ever turn a profit? And can Darren and Billy chart the choppy emotional waters closer to home?

Other London Events Mon 27th Feb, 6.30pm: The Railway and Canal Historical Society, James Brindley an overview of his Life & Achievements by Victoria Owens, The Railway and Canal Historical Society, Rugby Tavern, 19 Great James Street, London. WC1N 3ES. http://www.rchs.org.uk/events/london-group-james-brindley/

41 Thu 2nd Mar, 7.30pm: London Canal Museum, Illustrated talk: Lifts, Locks and Stanches by Ivan Cane, London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, Kings Cross, N1 9RT. Admission Adults £4 Seniors/Cons £3. Tel: 020 7713 0836 www.canalmuseum.org.uk Tue to Sun Ongoing until 1st Mar, 10.00am – 4.00pm: London Canal Museum, Exhibition: East End Voices; The Regent’s Canal Heritage, London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, Kings Cross, N1 9RT, Admission Adults £4 Seniors/Cons £3. Tel: 020 7713 0836 www.canalmuseum.org.uk

London’s lost Rivers & Canal Walks Here are some walking tours with Paul Talling, author of ‘Derelict London’ & ‘London's Lost Rivers’. - These walks cover the routes of London's lost and hidden rivers/canals/docks and also take in other points of interest, social history, trivia & the odd bit of dereliction along the way. The time estimate of walks is very rough as I'm in no hurry and these usually result in a social in the pub afterwards. Any queries to: info@londonslostrivers.com Please note that these walks are wholly above ground and there will be no subterranean trips down to the sewers!

Walks are limited to 20 people so as to keep it more personal and are ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE ONLY. Tickets are only on sale from We Got Tickets http://www.wegottickets.com/londonslostrivers.

These walking tours go ahead regardless of the weather - rain or shine, heatwave or arctic conditions! Well behaved dogs and children are welcome on all tours.

Sat 29th Apr: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Thu 4th May: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Thu 11th May: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Sat 13th May: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Sun 14th May: Walk, River Fleet, Blackfriars to St. Pancras Sat 20th May: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Sun 21st May: Walk, Derelict London all day guided tour of Limehouse & Poplar Sat 27th May: Walk, Derelict London guided tour of the Woolwich area Sun 28th May: Walk, Grand Surrey Canal, Peckham to Rotherhithe

42 Sat 3rd Jun: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Sun 4th Jun: Walk, Derelict London tour of Silvertown Sat 10th Jun: Walk, the long lost Croydon Canal, West Croydon to Forest Hill Sun 11th Jun: Walk, Hampstead’s lost Rivers Fleet, Westbourne & Tyburn Sun 18th Jun: Walk, The lost docks of Wapping Sun 25th Jun: Walk, River Fleet, Blackfriars to St. Pancras

Sun 2nd Jul: Walk, River Westbourne, Lancaster Gate to Chelsea Bridge Sun 9th Jul: Walk, The Isle of Dogs

The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Gareth Jones, Hill House Farm, Misbrooks Green Road, Beare Green, Dorking, RH5 4QQ Phone: 07850 819071 Email: gareth@hillhouse.farm Guildford & Reading Branch: Chairman Gareth Jones, Contact details as above Kent & East Sussex Branch: Chairman Mike Hannan Trumpeter, Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9JN Phone: 01622 890586 Email: mcfhannan@btinternet.com Oxfordshire Branch: Chairman: Steve Good 1 The Bungalows, Ham Lane, Aston, Bampton, Oxon OX18 2DE Tel: 07825 296357 Email: steve@stevegood.info Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA. Editor: Tim Fry iwacargoes@hotmail.com Next issue: Summer 2017 Copy date: 15th April 2017

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

IWA Canalway Cavalcade 29 April—1 May 2017 Little Venice London W2

Free Admission!

Come to London’s biggest waterside festival!

For more details of what’s on, timings, how to get here, plus a full listing of food and drink, craft and other stalls visit the IWA Canalway Cavalcade website: www.waterways.org.uk/cavalcade or phone 07979676461 / 07774890750 Follow us on Facebook (search for IWA Canalway Cavalcade) or use the hashtag #canalwaycavalcade

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