Cargoes Summer 2011 by The Inland Waterways Association

Summer 2011

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

Dick Harper-White We are saddened to report that Dick Harper-White died on 26th April. Not only had Dick been one of the longest serving Committee members of the Guildford & Reading Branch (only retiring at the AGM last year) but he had contributed much to the national waterways scene with his demonstration of canal painting on IWA‟s Stand at the London Boat Show and all around the country. His work as chairman of the th We are saddened to report Dick Harper-White died(held on 26 April. only had organising committee of thethat Guildford Water Festivals from 1985Not to 1989) Dick beensome one ofvery the successful longest serving Committee members of thetoGuildford & Reading produced events and enabled the Branch make a donation of Branch (only retiring AGM last year) but he hadon contributed much to the national £11,500 towards the at St the Johns backpumping scheme the Basingstoke. waterways scene with his demonstration of canal painting on IWA‟s Stand at the London Boat aShow andSecretary all aroundand the country. His as chairman of the Tony Davis, former Chairman ofwork the Branch, adds: organising committee of the Guildford Water Festivals (held from 1985 to 1989) produced veryon successful events enabled the Branch to make a donation Dick was asome stalwart the Guildford andand Reading Branch Committee for some 30 of £11,500 towards Johnsmemories backpumping on thetoBasingstoke. years, and I havethe twoSt special of hisscheme contribution IWA‟s cause.

Dick Harper-White

Tonywas Davis, a former Secretary and Chairman theon Branch, adds: of Lock One First his leadership of the working parties thatoftook the restoration of the Basingstoke Canal, the Branch's special project at that time. It was a particularly Dick was a stalwart and on the Guildford andofReading Branch Committee some 30 difficult restoration, Dick led a band dedicated workers through for to its years, and I This havetook two some specialten memories contribution IWA‟s cause.to keep at completion. years or of so,his and he had thetoperseverance it, and the enthusiasm to keep many of his team with him over that period. First was his leadership of the working parties that(Continued took on the restoration of page) Lock One on opposite of the Basingstoke Canal, the Branch's special project at that time. It was a particularly difficult restoration, and Dick led a band of dedicated workers through to its completion. This took some ten years or so, and he had the perseverance to keep at it, and the enthusiasm to keep many of his team with him over that period. (Continued on opposite page)

Dick explains his waterways painting craft to the Mayor of Woking and Peter Redway during Woking Waterways Festival 2000 at Bridge Barn [Photo: Ray Carnell]

Editorial In this first Cargoes following the season of AGMs it is pleasing to find a number of new faces taking on various duties in the Branches and further details are contained in the centre pages of this Edition. The anticipated changes in the running of our National waterways network have moved forward another stage and an up-to-date account in given in the Region Chairman‟s report on pages 4 and 5 As National Chairman, Clive Henderson, made clear in his speech at the opening of Cavalcade, the provision for adequate funding is likely to be the key to success. This year‟s Waterways Festival at Burton-upon-Trent takes place at the end of July, so this Edition of Cargoes contains a final round up (on page 6) of the preparations for what is always a major event in the Waterways calendar. Another major IWA event has been the annual Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice. We understand that the prize draw has been going well and the money raised is expected to top last year‟s figure. The issue of tickets with the last Edition of Cargoes may well have been a contributory factor to this year‟s success and the organisers have expressed thanks for the support of Cargoes readers who responded. Finally, a welcome to Tim Fry who has joined the Editorial Team and has been busily engaged with this present Edition. Editorial Team Cover Photo: Burton-upon-Trent Festival in 2004

[Waterway Images]

Dick Harper-White (Tribute continued from previous page) Secondly, there was his traditional boat painting ability, and I have many examples of his skill on my own boat. Perhaps they will become collectors pieces in the years to come! There was scarcely an IWA Branch, Region or National Event in the '70s, '80s, and „90s where one did not find Dick sitting in the corner of the IWA marquee, showing off his skills to an admiring audience, and supported by his wife Jean. I think he did the painting as much for the pleasure it gave him, and his addition to the "scenery" of the IWA marquee, as for the modest amount of money that it must have brought him. My wife Doreen, deputy head of an Infant School in Weybridge, remembers a whole day he spent in school with the children, patiently painting the school crockery in traditional canalboat style. Thank you Dick for your support over the years. Tony Davis

From the Region Chairman Introduction At last the milder weather has arrived and since I continue to overnight on my boat whilst attending meetings in the midlands I have had opportunity to spruce her up for the forthcoming boating season. However this is a very busy time for meetings and I have not yet had time to actually take the boat out of the marina! I will be putting that right soon with an Easter trip, followed by taking it to the Northampton campaign festival. I will also have my main cruise for four weeks in June and after a short gap I will be en route to the National Festival at Burton on Trent. There is plenty to look forward to. AGMs The AGM season has now come to a close and you will read more about this elsewhere in this edition. I was delighted to attend all four of these and even more pleased to see that all have viable committees to go forward. Branches are key to the success of IWA and in these difficult times of funding shortfalls and, at best, a static membership their role is likely to increase in the future. I am grateful that members are prepared to help out on committees but we need more and I urge readers to contact their local branch if they feel they can spare the time to help out. The New Waterways Charity On 30 March Defra launched “A New Era For The Waterways” the formal consultation on the New Waterways Charity. I attended the event alongside the Regent‟s Canal and heard the Minister, Richard Benyon, speak with a passion about his vision for the future. This is the third time I have heard him speak and I am encouraged by his commitment, indeed I am aware that following the embarrassing U-turn over the forestry issue there was some hesitation in the corridors of power as to whether this project should go ahead. IWA has advocated that the right way forward for Britain‟s navigable inland waterways is probably for them to be managed by a third sector body, and is pleased that the detailed proposals on how Government intends to change British Waterways into a new civil society body are now available for detailed review and consideration. We know that the EA navigations will not be included in 2012 but there is some commitment to include them by 2015 subject to affordability and the agreement of the charity trustees. I now face a plethora of both internal IWA and wider stakeholder meetings to help formulate our detailed approach. Key aspects for us to look at will be how: •

the indicative funding stacks up in delivering a sustainable charity.

• the governance proposals can best achieve community engagement consistent with localism and so that local „ownership‟ of waterways can lead to tangible benefits for the waterways.

5 • the Government is planning to ensure that the Environment Agency navigations can transfer smoothly in 2015/16. Other Navigation Issues Despite the NWC dominating my time at the moment there are some other significant navigation issues around but I will mention only two. The first is the long-standing issue of so called “continuous moorers”. These are people without a home mooring, who profess to be continuous cruisers, but in practice spent long periods in a small geographic area. This is a particular problem at the Western end of the K&A, Oxford and London areas. To date BW‟s legal powers have been challenged by some interested parties and the problem has been getting worse. I should stress that IWA is supportive of people residing on boats provided the rules are obeyed and the same goes for those who genuinely continuously cruise. However it seems that more people are taking to the water as a cheap means of living. Luckily BW have recently won a legal case involving one individual on the K&A who stayed within the 10 mile pound between Bath and Bradford. The judge stated “what is clear to me is that the defendant who is clearly living on the boast cannot claim that he is using it „bona fide‟ for navigation by moving it every so often up and down a short stretch of canal”. This is potentially a landmark ruling that should give BW more confidence in their ability to enforce continuous cruising guidelines. I suspect we can expect to see more court cases in the coming months. The second issue is the good news that the K&A has finally been upgraded from a remainder waterway to a cuiseway. I won‟t bore you with the intricacies of the 1968 Transport Act upon which BW depends for much of its legislative framework. However all BW waterways were, at that time, designated as freight waterways or cruising waterways with the rest being classified as remainder waterways, including the K&A which was at that time unnavigable. It has been a long haul to get the K&A upgraded and as such it now has much more security and protection in legislation. However we expected to see the intention to re-grade other navigable remainder waterways, such as much of the Birmingham system, included in the consultation document. There is clearly more work to be done! Paul Roper [Members will be aware of the proposals to turn British Waterways into a charity (see item in Region Chairman‟s report above). The consultation document is available online at www.defra.gov.uk/consult/waterways-1103 till 30 June 2011. A single IWA response is being drawn up and, as we go to print, IWA has published an Initial Response to the consultation document – see IWA Website. However, members are also being encouraged to submit their own personal responses. Ed]

The Waterways Festival 2011 Festival Extravaganza Floats into Staffordshire There will be so much to see and do on the banks of the Trent and Mersey Canal when Burton upon Trent hosts The Waterways Festival, previously known as the National Festival and Boat Show, from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st July 2011. This new date is a change from the normal practice in recent years of holding it over the August Bank Holiday, and has come after significant consultation with exhibitors, attending public and IWA volunteers who are all vital to the staging of the event. This historic brewing town has been chosen for the second time to host the annual celebration, with up to 30,000 people expected to attend. The three day festival is an exciting and colourful extravaganza packed with an array of attractions all aimed at providing an educational and fun day out for all the family. Around 350 boats, many decorated, will line up along the water‟s edge. Heritage crafts will also feature strongly at the festival, with historic working boats on display. The event is renowned for its high quality entertainment and history lovers will be drawn to the major Viking battle re-enactment and living camp being staged by the world famous Regia Anglorum. With a reputation for vivid and dramatic entertainment, the Mikron Theatre Company will debut a new waterways show called Hell and High Water. There is much more to see, including live music, water activities and fairground rides. The festival will also host up to 250 exhibitors so whether you‟re interested in boats and chandlery or just wish to browse the many speciality stalls, including clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery and speciality food and drink, the choice is extensive. The event itself is organised entirely by a small army of volunteers gathered from canal enthusiasts and many from the local community of the host area. If you‟d like to get involved and become a volunteer please contact Ann Mayall on 01488 682504. Make sure you put the date of this national IWA event in your diary! Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.thewaterwaysfestival.co.uk. Ticket prices: Single Day Adults £8 (On Gate £10), Single Day Concessions £7 (On Gate £8) and Three Day (day time only) Ticket £15 (On Gate £19). Children under 16 GO FREE when accompanied by an adult.

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, writes: At our January meeting, Martin Smith, part time resident of Australia and member of the Australian Canal Society (ACS), which ha s members all over the world, told us about the canals in South East Australia and Tasmania. Although the focus of most of the ACS meetings is on overseas waterways, they do have some Australian canals although they are not suitable for cruising holidays. Martin began by telling us about the Berry Canal, built in 1822, which was built in three days by convicts supervised by Alexander Berry. This involved cutting through a sand bar and was the first transport canal in Australia, it was 191 meters long. The North Creek Canal, 750km north of Sydney and built in 1896, was 3.5km in length. This joined northern rivers in order to transport timber, dairy products and sugar cane to the south coast. Other canals in the Sydney dock area were built in order to transport passengers around the city but became redundant from 1855 when the first Australian railways were built. Some railway bridges over the canals were built too low for boats to pass and so the supply of raw materials to the soap works and glue factories was taken over by the railways. Canals built for irrigation were long and straight and today are used by powerboats and also by water skiers towed by trucks driving alongside the canal. The longest true canal in Australia is the Sale Canal in Victoria, 200 km east of Melbourne. It is 5km long and was dug between 1886 and 1889 to connect the town of Sale with the Gippsland Lakes and thence to the Bass Straight.. Today modern cruisers use this canal and the area is said to be as beautiful as the Norfolk Broads. Martin then transferred his attention to Tasmania. The Denison Canal was built in 1905, Denison was an engineer, trained at Sandhurst and went on to became governor of Tasmania in 1847; he also built the Rideau Canal in Canada. Even though the Denison Canal is only 2.4 km long, it shortened the journey from the east coast to Hobart by 80km. At low tide it is 17m wide. The Egg Canal was built with convict labour in 1838 to link the towns of Franklin and Cradoc. It soon became silted up. Re-excavating began in 1884 and the canal is still in use today. It was the first campaign of the ACS in 2010 when authorities wanted to put a large pipe along the canal rather than digging a trench across land. Protests were made and many small boats took to the water in order to join the campaign. Martin Smith concluded by saying that canals never made a serious contribution to the Australian transport system as in early times goods were moved by sea rather than on the few canals that were built. This he put down to the competition between the Australian States and their reluctance to assist one another when canal routes crossed borders.

8 Salisbury Group (Cont’d) For our February meeting Mike Lee, Hon. Engineer of the K&A Trust, came to tell us about the concept and construction of the K&A Canal and how it came about. Mike began by explaining how the canal was constructed in three different sections. First the Kennet Navigation from Reading to Newbury which was opened in 1723. At that time they didn‟t have the knowledge to build conventional locks, as we know today, so the original locks were turf sided, but these were soon replaced with brick lock chambers.The second section opened was the Avon Navigation between Bristol and Bath in 1727. This was built very quickly in three years and was prosperous from the start although it was constructed with no towpath. This left a gap of 57 miles in the middle. Work on the actual K&A Canal started in 1794 and was opened in 1810. John Rennie constructed the canal and although he was a very talented craftsman, the construction of the canal proved to be a very stiff learning curve for him. Rennie had anticipated using brick but the investors around the Bath area insisted on using Bath stone. This was an unwise choice as the stone deteriorated rapidly and eventually the stone had to be replaced with brick. Other problems occurred. For example springs of water emerged at canal level out of the hillside in the section of the canal between the two aqueducts. This pushed the through the clay lining into the canal hence it had to be rebuilt five times. The problem was finally resolved as late as 1990 when the water was passed via culverts down to the river Avon below and the canal was itself was lined with concrete. Mike then talked about the Caen Hill flight, which was built straight up the hillside to Devizes rather than taking other proposed routes to avoid the steep hillside. Rennie also devised a unique design of swing bridge, which pivoted on a roller bearing using cannon balls to enable the bridge to swing easily. Water supply was always a problem but again Rennie solved this by devising a pumping station at Claverton. This was the first and only example of a water driven pumping system on a canal in this country, it used the power of the River Avon to pump its own water up to canal level. He also devised the system of supplying water to the summit level by installing the beam engines at Crofton. In the second half, Mike then turned his attention to another of his interests, that of the Canal du Nivernais in France and of its twinning with the Kennet and Avon Canal. The Nivernais was originally devised for transporting firewood to Paris. Previously, rafts of logs, controlled by “flotteurs, ” were floated to the River Yonne and then poled with the river stream to Paris. After the opening of the canal more compact rafts were transported along the canal, which enabled this log traffic to take place for a longer period than just when the river was in flood. The last flotage took place in 1923. Mike then rounded off his talk by mentioning the first hire base on the Nivernais, which started the revival of the canal in 1968, the formation of Les Amis du canal du Nivernais in 1989 and the twinning with the K&A in 1991.

9 Why archives? This is the question that was answered at our March Meeting by Elaine Kirby, archivist for the K&A Trust based at Devizes. The answer was explained during the evening – “To keep and record the past for the future.” Elaine explained how the records from the last 200 years of the K&A are kept and stored. Elaine started by giving us information about various national archives, leading to the portacabin at the BW site in Devizes which, to us, is just as important. We then saw slides of items stored in her archives dealing with places and the people who worked on the canal. She showed us pictures of various historic craft, some of which were involved in the construction and maintenance, others were trading craft and there was even one of Tom Rolt on board Cressy. Then there were pictures of buildings that no longer exist and others showing how they were originally used. Other pictures included stories about the people photographed along the navigation. After the break we were taken on an aerial trip along the canal that originated from a video training flight in an army helicopter. The course of which, took us from Hungerford almost to Devizes. We worked out that the date of this would have been pre 1970 and it was most interesting to see how empty the canal was in those days. You may think of “archives” as being a somewhat “dry” subject but Elaine showed us through her enthusiasm and knowledge what a fascinating subject it is. Everyone agreed that we had had a most interesting evening‟s entertainment.

Programme of Events Thurs 21st July Boules & BBQ at the Green Dragon. 7.00pm Thurs 20th Oct “Tom Rolt Celebration Cruise”. Ron & Mary Heritage will be returning to us to tell us about their re-enactment of Tom Rolt‟s “Cressy Cruise” (October 16th is the 21st Birthday of the Salisbury Group of WA and so we will be celebrating this event at the October 20th meeting). Thurs 17th Nov Secret Canals of Britain. Stuart Fisher, editor of Canoeist Magazine and author of the book “Canals of Britain”. Thurs 1st Dec Inter-Society Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall Southampton Thurs 15th 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 or Jon Van de Geer on 01722 412841

Guildford & Reading Branch News Chairman’s Report Since my last report the snows and ice of winter having given way to a very early spring with the prospect of summer water shortages. It is I believe a particularly lovely spring which should lighten the heaviest of hearts. The tragedy of Peter Redway‟s passing is covered elsewhere in detail but, Peter, we will miss your tireless work , skill and enthusiasm - our thoughts are with your family at this sad time. We will work with the S&HCS to provide a fitting memorial. This has been a setback to progress on the Basingstoke but things are happening and we will continue to press for a reopening in full from early 2012. On the social side there will be a visit by the Mikron Theatre Company to the Fox & Hounds at Fleet at 7.30 on July 3rd (full details of Mikron‟s shows in the area are on pages 37 and 38). There is little to report on the K & A excepting that a judicial decision has mitigated the blight of non continuous cruising and the canal has been upgraded to cruiseway from remainder. Details of the Thames are in a separate article and while initially it will not be part of the New Waterways conservancy, the door is being left open for a future such move. Our own AGM was well attended . The financial report and re-election of officers passed without note. We then had a lively debate on where the Branch should make donations. The Inglesham Lock donation was increased to £500, whilst the Perseverance IV appeal will get £250 and the Wey & Arun Trust are to receive £600 for a survey on the Surrey section. It is proposed that this latter donation should link in with a walk on the Northern section of the Canal to take place on Wednesday 15th June, the suggested route being from Sidney Wood Car Park ( SW of Dunsfold Aerodrome ) to Loxwood and back with a lunch stop at the Onslow Arms. This might provide an opportunity to discuss where else funding would be helpful. It would also ensure that your team in the Waterways quiz was more knowledgeable on the Wey and Arun. However, despite your team failing to identify the new Wey and Arun aqueduct, its vast knowledge of obscure industrial and northern waterways lead to a victory (see separate report). The team was ably led by Ben Scott who seems to have devoted most of his life to visiting the more remote parts of the network. We are planning a repeat trip on the John Pinkerton on the evening of Monday 18th July – bookings through Verna Smith or me (see centre pages for contact details). Things are looking good for the Thames Barge trip combined with a visit to the Chelmer and Blackwater in the Autumn. At the AGM we had a very informative talk from David Gibson of the Thames Sailing Barge Trust who own Pudge and Centaur . Both are listed on the historic ships register. Thames barges were the vital link between London and the London docks and the tideways of East Anglia and North Kent. They were the lorries of their day typically carrying cargoes of 100 to 150 tons with a skipper, mate and perhaps a boy . They were also raced; a practice started by Dodds the Golden

11 Dustman, an appropriate name as much barge traffic consisted of horse feed into London returning with horse manure as fertiliser to agricultural land along the tideways. Barges often resembled floating hayricks with the mate on the stack directing the skipper on the helm aft. The barges now carry people and our planned trip in the Autumn will give an opportunity to experience this at first hand. (For further details, when available, about the Wey & Arun walk and the trip on the Pinkerton, see the G&R Branch page of IWA‟s website – www.waterways.org.uk). I‟ve already this year enjoyed a repeat visit to the Mon & Brec. When I was last there the election had happened and the Labour Government was in its death throes. While funding is short, politics on balance seems to have more positives than negatives for waterways. Clearly volunteers will need to do more but with the increase in longevity we have the supply even if it does have grey hair or none at all!. There is still a lot of life in the eldest third. Let‟s ensure it leaves as much of a legacy as the Victorians did for us. Gareth Jones

Guildford & Reading Branch success at the Southampton Inter-society Waterways Quiz The Guildford & Reading team consisting of Ben Scott (Captain), David Daines, Tony Davis and Gareth Jones were successful in winning this year‟s Quiz (nominally the „2010‟ quiz because the event had been postponed from last December due to the snowy weather).

The victorious G&R team (l to r) David Daines, Tony Davis, Ben Scott and Gareth Jones [Photo: Judith Scott]

12 Waterways Quiz Report (Cont’d) Whilst it might be said to be a case of „third time lucky‟, since the G&R team had been runners up in the previous two year‟s competitions, in fact „luck‟ was hardly a factor, it was more a question of fielding a formidable combination of team members encompassing a wide spectrum of waterways knowledge and experience which evidenced itself in the margin of their victory (17 points) over the second-placed team. Following last year‟s Tom Rolt centenary, the Branch team was highly knowledgeable about IWA‟s co-founder, scoring 90%, but need to improve their knowledge of „locks‟ where they scored only 56%! Ben Scott said he was delighted that the Branch had won the trophy again for the first time since 1998 and he looked forward to defending the award. He also explained that although by tradition the winning team were responsible for setting the questions the following year he thought there were special circumstances to vary this. Nick Grundy, the question setter and quiz master, had brought helpful technology and expertise to the task which made the event great fun for the audience and fair to all the teams. He has therefore kindly agreed to continue this December, particularly as only around half the questions he had carefully prepared were in fact used on the night. The event was well attended and, as usual, our hosts – the Southampton Canal Society – ensured it was a convivial gathering and provided a splendid supper to round the evening off. Ray Carnell

Sales and Publicity Stand As usual our first event of the season was Woking Canal Festival at Bridge Barn on Easter Saturday and Sunday. Excellent weather provided a welcome contrast to the challenging conditions experienced in some recent years and the Branch Sales/Publicity Stand and the Lucky Lock Game attracted plenty of customers. A lively programme of music and dance entertained the public on both days. As regards the boats attending, the lack of numbers was certainly made up for by the interesting assortment of those that did come, in particular Finch (Jeff Holman), Nancy Bell (Brenda & Dick King), Tug No1 (Tony Clark) and White Heather (Mike & Jenny Adams). It was pleasing to see Nancy Bell back on the Basingstoke after her extensive overhaul and Brenda & Dick are to be congratulated on winning the award for best decorated boat, judged by the Mayor of Woking, the runner-up being Spirit of the Night (Peter & Ursula Harman). Much credit must go to the band of Surrey & Hants Canal Society helpers under the leadership of Verna Smith for putting on another successful festival. RC

Dick & Brenda King, winners of the best decorated boat competition, with Nancy Bell [Photo: Ray Carnell] Further events around the Branch which we expect to attend are: Beale Park Boat Show from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June (in conjunction with Middlesex Branch. Sales Stock supplied by Head Office) Reading Water Fest on Saturday 18th June (see advert on Back Cover) Guildford Festival Boat Gathering on Saturday 2nd July Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet on Saturday 17th September Do come along to visit our Branch Stand or maybe volunteer to lend a hand.

Shirley Trott As we go to press, we have just learned the sad news of the death of Shirley Trott, a long-time IWA member who was actively involved with events on the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal, aboard her narrowboat Tristan III. Shirley and her late husband, Vic, were also great supporters of the Little Venice event and donated the cup for Best Dressed Boater.

Bits on the Basingstoke Any update on the Basingstoke is over shadowed by the death of Peter Redway, the Chairman of the Surrey and Hants Canal Society. He had worked tirelessly for the canal over many years and was a key figure in the planning of working parties and the execution of major engineering projects carried out by the Society. Peter will be sorely missed by all those who are actively involved with the Basingstoke Canal. And there is a much fuller tribute elsewhere in cargoes. Hampshire and Surrey CCâ&#x20AC;&#x;s, the owners of the canal have decided to re-structure the Basingstoke Canal Authority and incorporate it into the Countryside Department of Hampshire CC. We have concerns over the reduction of rangers that is in plan and where the canal might sit in the priorities of the Countryside Department. On the positive side, the capital expenditure budget has been protected and Dyer and Butler have been appointed as long term contractors and are expected to start work in May 2011. The priority jobs are the demolition and rebuilding of the wing walls of locks 19.20 and 25 and also renewal of a number of bypass channels. The other priority is the embankment around Poulters Bridge where there is a significant leak high on the embankment. Work is also to be done on towpaths. At Frimley Lodge the towpath has been diverted with repairs to be done with nicospan and plant shelf. At the Swan cutting there is need for rebuilding and realignment. Sustrans may help with the towpath through Deepcut and the Woking Cycle Group is to help with keeping the towpath clear in the Woking area. We are disappointed with the BCAâ&#x20AC;&#x;s progress in meeting with us and the canal boating clubs to discuss and plan the implementation of our open access document. We continue to press them on this and hope to have some progress to report by the next edition of Cargoes. We remain concerned by the BCAâ&#x20AC;&#x;s lack of enforcement of licensing currently on the canal and have put them on notice that continuous cruisers may migrate onto the Basingstoke due to the judiciary at the Western end of the K & A. There is a much more positive working environment with the different user groups pulling together to improve the condition and access on to the Basingstoke. Cyclists, canoeists, fishermen and of course boaters seem to have at last got the message that the canal needs to be used to keep it in good condition. Even Natural England seemed to be taking a more balanced view to the canal. Since the last Cargoes we have made constructive suggestions on two planning issues which we hope will enhance the canal and provide some funding. Gareth Jones

Farewell to Peter Redway Representatives from a wide spectrum of the waterways restoration movement, together with members of waterways organisations from far and wide, gathered alongside the Basingstoke Canal at St Johns on 18th February to bid farewell to Peter Redway, an indomitable fighter and worker on the Canal. It was entirely fitting that Peter‟s final journey should have been along the canal when his coffin aboard the S&HCS workboat Alan Flight was, in a traditional boater‟s farewell, bow-hauled by mourners from Peter‟s home at Redway Cottages alongside the canal to the top lock of the St John‟s flight. The coffin itself maintained Peter‟s dedication to the waterways being decorated in traditional waterways style. The Chapel was filled to overflowing for the service of thanksgiving at which the tribute was given by Robin Higgs, OBE. There was a traditional boatman‟s farewell for Peter [Photo: Ray Carnell] Evidence of Peter‟s work on the canal can be found throughout its length. Near the entrance to the Canal there is the Woodham Back-pumping installation in which Peter played a prominent role and where the pumphouse (below Lock One) is named after him. Moving up to the St Johns flight of Locks, the restoration of which was very much Peter‟s concern, we find the back-pumping project that he had masterminded. The completion of that backpumping scheme was an achievement celebrated at IWA‟s National Campaign Rally at Brookwood in May 2006 (another event in which Peter took a leading part). As Chairman of the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society he led by example, which was amply illustrated at the Annual General Meetings when he not only gave the Chairman‟s address but also delivered the annual round up of the Society‟s Work Party activities. The many facets of the canal with which Peter was concerned mean that he is going to be greatly missed. Philip Riley, Vice Chairman of the Canal Society, said: "There is no doubt that the loss of Peter is a tremendous blow to the canal. Peter's leadership of the working parties

16 and his quiet but persistent approach to dealing with the local authorities and the BCA undoubtedly made a significant contribution towards the protection and development of the canal. The Basingstoke Canal continues to face formidable problems, both financial and practical, but we all owe it to Peter to continue with his campaigning work, as he would certainly have wished". RC

River Thames News Our Branch Thames Representative, John How, reports: THE WATERWAYS CHARITY: The decision by the Minister to exclude EA Thames from the new Charity (which is absorbing British Waterways), at this time but with the option to include at a later date. See also Region Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x;s notes on pages 4 - 5. EASE PROJECT (Environment Agency South East): The merger of the Thames and Southern Regions waterways within EA to create EASE is progressing well and ready to take effect from 1st April 2011. Unfortunately the anticipated ÂŁ6m savings from this project passes back to the Government and cannot be used to contribute to future EA budget reductions. BOATING LICENSES (INLAND WATERWAYS ORDER): This is being implemented on the Thames as from 1st Jan, with enforcement from 1st April. The requirement is for every boat to display a license (which is only awarded if the applicant can demonstrate valid insurance), whether on the river or in a marina. The objective is to ensure a fair system for all, and for the majority of license fee paying boat owners, to take comfort that those few who have not contributed to fees in the past are not able to continue this practice in the future. Enforcement will be through targeting areas with high instances of boats without licenses. EA will welcome help in communicating a positive message to our members, plus notification and identification of non licensed boats. WEBSITE: The successful website is to be outsourced from the EA and is to be run by the equally successful Tourist for South East. This will allow greater support from commercial operations along the Thames generating advertising revenue to supplement budgets for operations. SWIMMING IN THE RIVER: Concern is being expressed about the safety for the increasing number of swimmers in the River, for both training and organised swim events. Discussions are being held to consider:-

17 - Swimmers to wear fluorescent caps or tow marker buoys, when training and in competitions - How organisers will advise swimmers what to do if practicing in the Thames before an event - Mixed messages about 'health hazards' in river given by organisations for Rowers and Swimmers. 2012 OLYMPICS (Dorney Area): All arrangements progressing well, with the exception of the temporary footbridge from the car park at Windsor Racecourse to Dorney. An alternative bridge has been proposed to reduce Olympic costs that EA object to and are requesting the original proposal for the footbridge to be retained. WALTON BRIDGE: At last a replacement to the temporary river bridge at Walton has been approved. Work on the new £32m bridge has commenced but construction will not start till January 2012 and must be completed before December 2014. There has been a bridge at this location since 1750, but bombing in the World War resulted in the present temporary bridge being in use since 1953.

River Thames Alliance The River Thames Alliance is a partnership of public and private sector organisations, set up in June 2003 to help manage the future of the non-tidal Thames. IWA is a member, and there are 81 other organisations in the Alliance including many riparian local authorities and user organisations. It is hoped that – despite the uncertainty about the Environmental Agency‟s navigation responsibilities in the longer term – the Alliance will continue to operate as an „umbrella‟ organisation as it fulfils a clear need. One of the sub-committees deals with mooring opportunities and problems and met on 18th February. Reports were given on two sets of contractor- improved visitor moorings:- at Wallingford as a result of Partnership working majority funded by the South Oxfordshire District Council and :- at Weybridge as a result of EA itself funding improved access from the bank and to the Shepperton – Weybridge Ferry (the only ferry that is part of the designated Thames Path). Also aired were concerns about the number of residential boaters on the Thames – some of whom move rarely and others who overstay on essentially visitor moorings. Pioneer actions in re-scheduling the overnight regulations on Reading Borough Council owned moorings and possible legal basis for co-ordinated action along the whole of the Thames were discussed. Another affiliated group is the River Thames Alliance Marketing Partnership (RTAMP) which is a public/private sector partnership promoting the freshwater River Thames from the source to the outskirts of London as a leisure destination and runs an excellent informative website at :-- www.visitthames.co.uk. Brian Roberts

Kennet & Avon Canal News Wyn Gould It is with great sadness that we have learned that Wyn Gould, the widow of Kennet & Avon pioneer John Gould, passed away in April at the grand old age of 95. Wyn was without doubt the K&A Trust‟s oldest member having partnered John from the early days of campaigning and driving for restoration of the Kennet & Avon Canal. After John‟s death in 1999, Wyn remained engaged with the Trust and regularly attended Newbury Branch meetings until ill-health made that not possible. Her last public Trust duty was opening the Newbury Waterways Festival in 2008.

IWA Recruitment IWA‟s membership levels are declining and local Branches have an important role in ensuring that IWA is perceived as relevant and worth supporting. How to increase membership is a perennial problem and various initiatives have been tried over the years. Direct personal approach can be a fruitful source of recruitment and under a scheme recently announced by HO, Branches can benefit by £20 for each member recruited (as identified by HO from the Branch indicators – GU,KE,OX or SA – which must be shown on the application form). Membership leaflets can be obtained from HO and usual Branch sources or membership application forms can simply be downloaded from IWA‟s website at www.waterways.org.uk. Ed

British Waterways Wildlife Survey BW has recently launched their 2011 survey from now until September stating “ we'd like you to tell us about the wildlife you've seen on your local canal, river, dock or reservoir. We want to know how many creatures you have seen and where you have seen them. Each sighting recorded helps British Waterways' ecologists to monitor, protect and preserve the amazing biodiversity found on our waterways” For further details please see their website at www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey/

IWAKES Branch News Past Events Angela Acott reports on three meetings earlier this year: The Panama Canal by Dr Roger Squires

In late January approximately 35 members and friends met at Strood Yacht Club to hear a talk by Roger Squires. It was given in Roger‟s usual clear and precise manner; there is never any problem with hearing his talks. He explained the rather complicated building of the Panama Canal then took us on a trip through the Canal. It was Christopher Columbus who first went looking for a way through from the Atlantic to the Pacific across the Isthmus of Panama before 1500; but it was the Spanish who found a way across in 1500 and raised their flag. Many countries and nations tried to build a canal across the isthmus but were defeated by disease or the difficult terrain. A Scot, William Paterson, persuaded the Scottish government to finance him in 1698, but all these schemes came to naught until the Americans got a foot in the door and the treaty of 1904 gave them the full go ahead to start building the Canal. The terrain through which the Canal was being constructed was very unstable with bad landslides and earthquakes. The total workforce was about 46.000 of whom there were some 20,000 Barbadians; every one of them was fully employed. At last diseases that had been present were identified and eradicated. New canteens were built to provide better food and living conditions for them. Breakwaters were built at each end of the Canal. It soon became a visitor attraction of gigantic proportions and, at last, in April 1914, test runs started and the first cargo vessel sailed through on August 15. Roger then took us through the canal on the P&0 cruise ship 'Arcadia‟. 14.000 vessels now use the cut each year; they have to pay „up front‟ and it can cost £20.000 for the bigger ones; a 50ft boat would cost £500 to go through at night. Each vessel has to have a pilot and a rope man and many of the larger ones only have a clearance of 2ft. The boats are guided through by „mules‟ on the lock side; these are small Japanesebuilt locomotives that attach cables to the ships and guide them slowly through the huge locks. A convoy system operates allowing a few boats up and down at each time. There are small swing bridges across each lock, for the use of the workforce, but not our pretty wrought iron affairs! All the locks are double gated for maintenance purposes and servicing of the mules is done on the lock side. Cargo boats, bulk carriers and container traffic use the Canal, plus liners (many from Japan). Hence the

20 Past Events (Cont’d) Authority is having to enlarge and extend the Canal. Roger concluded by showing us slides of the beautiful and elegant Centennial Bridge and some of the huge lock gates dating from as early as 1913; so it was built to last! The „Arcadia‟ finished her trip in a very opulent and fast growing, Panama City. As usual it was a wonderfully executed and researched programme by Roger and we hope it's not too long before we see him again. IWAKES AGM Around 20 members and friends gathered at St Nicholas Church Hall, Maidstone for the IWAKES Annual General Meeting on 24th Feb 2011. Chairman Mike Hannan introduced the Committee; Paul Roper, Chairman of the South East Region attended. There had been seven successful talks during the year; but a talk arranged at Ashford (at great expense) failed as only one person from Ashford attended. We also attended the Beale Park National Festival and saw the newly acquired dumper presented to Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust to replace their previous one. The committee met 5 times in the year and had to keep changing venue as the pubs go bankrupt or burn down. Joyce and Bernard have looked after the books well for a number of years and were now stepping down. Luckily we have a young couple who have come forward to take up the post, namely Ann and Les Etheridge. Michael Marsh, a returned lapsed member, said he had just taken up a new post as a Boat Safety Examiner on the River Medway (of which there are at least 3 or 4). Les Schweiso jumped straight in and asked if he would give us a talk on the subject and the gentleman said he would. After this Les joined Sue, his wife, to test our knowledge of the system with a collection of slides, the main part of which the members could answer. You‟ll have to go to some more remote parts to fox Sue and Les but well done. Ron and Mary Heritage‟s Re-enactment of the Cressy cruise In early April members had a very warm welcome when we visited the Grove Ferry Boat Club to hear about the journey of the N/B 'Heron' reliving the same journey that Tom Rolt took on his boat "Cressy" in 1939, after which he wrote the book, „Narrowboat‟, beloved by canal folk everywhere. Ron and Mary Heritage (formerly of Kent and East Sussex Branch, now of Oxfordshire) decided to undertake the same journey as a celebration of the life of this quiet unassuming man, and an Alvis car and Vintage Rail enthusiast. (Continued on page 21)

The Inland Waterways Association Island House Moor Road Chesham HP5 1WA www.waterways.org.uk Phone: 01494 783453

IWA South East Region South East Region Committee Chairman: Paul Roper ‘Cranborne’ , Baughurst Road, Baughurst, Tadley, Hants RG26 5LL Phone: 01189 813381 Email: paul.roper@waterways.org.uk Secretary: Philip Riley Wincombe Cottage, Broad Oak, Hook, Hants RG29 1AH Phone: 01256 702109 Committee Members: Gareth Jones (Chairman, Guildford & Reading Branch) Mike Hannan (Chairman, Kent & East Sussex Branch) Chris Wardley (Chairman, Oxfordshire Branch) Mike Laishley (Chairman, Solent & Arun Branch) Ray Carnell (Cargoes Editor) Roy Sutton

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Chairman, Kennet & Avon and Wey & Arun (Surrey): Gareth Jones Hill House Farm Misbrooks Green Road Beare Green Dorking RH5 4QQ Phone: 07850 819 071 Email: hhel@btconnect.com Secretary and Basingstoke: Verna Smith 63 Avondale Ash Vale Aldershot Hants GU12 5NE Phone: 01252 517622 Email: verna.smith@virgin.net Acting Treasurer and River Wey: Mike Lewis Basingstoke Canal Stakeholders Rep: Ian Bell Sales Stand and Publicity: Ray Carnell Planning Officer and River Thames Liaison: John How Non-committee member: Branch Website: Pete Nicolls

IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Chairman and River Rother: Mike Hannan. Trumpeter, Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent. TN27 9JN Phone: 01622 890586 Email: mcfhannan@btinternet.com Secretary and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cargoesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Contact: Roy Sutton. 79, St Leonards Park, East Grinstead, West Sussex. RH19 1EG Phone: 01342 317569 Email: RoyDavidSutton@Yahoo.co.uk Treasurer: Les Etheridge. Membership Secretary: David Harman. Social Secretary: Sue Schwieso

Dartford & Crayford: Ken Bishop. River Medway: Graham Ingram. River Stour: Roy Newing. Thames-Medway: Bernard Snell Other Committee Member: Anne Etheridge Royal Military Canal: Vacant

IWA Oxfordshire Branch Chairman and Planning Officer: Chris Wardley Mount High St, Adderbury, Banbury, OX17 3LU Phone: 01295 810610 Email: Oxfordshire@waterways.org.uk Treasurer: Ann Yeatman Social Secretary: Sue Wardley Branch Website and ‘Cargoes’ coordinator: Terry Yeatman: Member of River Users Group 1 & 2: Steve Parker Oxford initiatives: John Temple Tasks carried out by non-committee members: Events/Volunteers Co-ordinator: Mary Heritage Member of RUG 3: Sue Cooper

IWA Solent & Arun Branch Chairman and Itchen Navigation: Mike Laishley 16 Park Avenue, Widley, Waterlooville, Hants. PO7 5DW Phone: 023 92325000 (evenings) Email: mike.iwa@ntlworld.com Secretary and Shoreham Slipway Group: Brendan Whelan Hillyfields, Sopers Lane, Steyning, West Sussex. BN44 3PU Phone: 01903 816012 Email: b.whelan@mistral.co.uk Treasurer: Pete Boyce EA and Wey & Arun Rep: Tony Pratt Chichester Canal Rep and Southern Canals Association: Linda Wilkinson

Other waterways organisations Chichester Ship Canal Trust

www.chichestercanal.co.uk

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

www.katrust.org

Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Southampton Canal Society

www.sotoncs.org.uk

Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust

www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk www.sxouse.org.uk

Thames & Medway Canal Association Wey & Arun Canal Trust Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

www.maidenheadwaterways.org

www.thamesmedway.co.uk

www.weyandarun.co.uk www.wbct.co.uk

21 Past Events – Re-enactment of the Cressy cruise (Cont’d from page 20) They set off from Banbury in April 2010 accompanied by Tony and Christine Crawford on N/B „Jupiter‟ with their destination Chester, Tom Rolt‟s birthplace. They were accompanied out of Banbury by musicians and dancers. Many cars from the Alvis car club visited them at stops along the trip. They spent three peaceful nights moored in Leicester (contrary to some reports). Ron unfortunately lost concentration in Harecastle Tunnel and damaged the boat slightly…. all the joys of boating. When they arrived at Middlewich the ladies of the town had made them Chorley Cakes and Treacle toffee, a good surprise. Having left Chester they headed back to Banbury for the unveiling of a Blue Plaque that had been fitted at Tooley's Boatyard in memory of Tom Rolt‟s six years moored there. The Heritage's ended their most enjoyable trip at the Waterways Festival at Beale Park in August 2010. We were lucky enough to be able to enjoy the trip with them, in the lovely hut that Grove Ferry Boat Club call home. [Readers wishing to know more about Ron & Mary‟s epic cruise last year can find details in past editions of Cargoes available through the Regional Page of IWA‟s Website. In particular, the departure from Banbury (Summer 2010 edition), progress report and Blue Plaque unveiling (Autumn 2010), special award at the Beale Park National (Winter 2010) and Oxfordshire Branch Talk (Spring 2011) - Ed].

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust The 2011 season gets off to an early start The unexpected but very welcome spring sunshine meant that the SORT volunteer working parties could get off to an early start for their restoration season, in fact on the first full day a record number of Trust members turned up to get stuck into the task ahead. 2011 will offer new challenges to the Trust, and although we say this every year this year we really mean it. The target for completion, before the end of the season in September, is another section of the west wall of Isfield Lock. Last year saw the complete restoration of about a 5m length of the wall and the aim is to complete another 5m this year, but whereas last year‟s section required digging out and rebuilding some 3m depth of the wall, the next section will, additionally, require construction of two nibs extending down to invert level, due to the poor state of the existing chamber wall making its shear strength doubtful. Work has begun under the guidance of project manager Paul Morris, and digging has commenced. As the spoil is removed so the old lock chamber wall is being demolished and all re-usable bricks are being cleaned and stored for the rebuild.

Excavation work in progress at Isfield Lock

[Photo; Courtesy SORT]

One piece of good news recently received by SORT Chairman Bob Draper was a letter from HMRC confirming that our application for Charity status has been approved. This means that whilst not yet a fully registered charity (due to our small annual turnover), we can now benefit from Gift Aid tax repayments from the Government on all donations to the Trust. This will bring a very welcome boost to our restoration fund coffers. If you are interested in helping SORT to restore this wonderful old lock, remotely tucked away in the Sussex countryside, then please contact Ted Lintott on 01444414413 Terry Owen

Thames & Medway Canal Association TMCA Chairman, Brian Macknish, reports: I am writing this instead of being outside enjoying this wonderful spell of sunny weather with us at this moment. The canal and marshes are looking splendid and full of interest; spring growth is emerging, birds are arriving and, with our residents, are feeding and nesting ready for a busy time ahead. The pump has been tested and run

23 from a generator and to see the water pouring into the canal, if only for a short period, looks good for the future. When EDF and Network Rail are going to get their act together to connect up so we can pump regularly is anybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x;s guess. Pump Outfall [Photo: David Rouse] We keep promoting the benefits of restoration and had a visit from (and are talking to) North West Kent Countryside Partnership. They seem to think some funding could be obtained to further our aims and are prepared to go for it. Our static display team pop up all over the place and guided walks seem to be popular at the moment. The activities of the Tuesday working group will be confined to strimming, using secateurs, litter picking and tidying-up as any concentrated tree and hedge work has to be kept to a minimum because of nesting birds. We have planted trees and seeded the slipway area at Mark Lane. The Obelisk area looks good after spending many hours stump pulling and brush cutting to improve the visual impact. Many passing people ask about it and are given a leaflet prepared by Brian & Maureen Amos.

A pause in activities for Les Schwieso, David Rouse & Maureen Amos [Photo: Angela Acott]

24 TMCA (Cont’d) David Rouse has given a talk at Coldharbour Library, Northfleet using our digital equipment bought with the results of (past Chairman of IWAKES) David Hodginson‟s sponsored London Marathon run for TMCA. We attended a „Greening the Gateway‟ meeting at Gravesend Civic Centre, titled “Caring for our Towns and Countryside”. An interesting evening with about ten groups represented. Presentations were given by: Martin Hall (Greening the Gateway), David Smith (Access Officer KCC) and Keith Harrison (Action with Communities in Rural Kent). A very good evening for discussions and networking!

Future IWAKES and Other Events Mon 23rd May: 7:00pm to approx 8:30pm: TMCA guided walk starting from, and returning to, the Ship & Lobster (end of Mark Lane): following the riverbank and towpath Wed 22nd June: Evening meal and boat trip on the Rother. Meet at riverside pub (White Hart), order meal, take the boat trip (one hour) with glass of wine, return to pub to eat. For timing details contact Graham Ingram. All-in price £25, booking essential, cheques made payable to „IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch‟, should be sent to Graham Ingram, 5 Pilgrims Close, Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Kent. ME17 1NZ. (01622 858076). Wed 5th October: 7:30 for 8:00pm. Mark Gallant of the Kent Countryside Partnership will talk on “The River Darenth”, to be held at the Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend. (This is a TMCA meeting to which all are welcome). Thurs 17th November: 7:00 for 7:30pm: Chichester Ship Canal Trust described by Linda Wilkinson (Chairman of the Trust). In the Upper Room, Haywards Heath Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath RH16 3DN (Near the railway station, about 200 yards up from Clair Hall). (This is a joint meeting with Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust). Thurs 8th December: 7:30 for 8:00pm: At the Gravesend Sailing Club: (This is a joint meeting with Thames & Medway Canal Association) Tea and coffee is available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Oxfordshire Branch News Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report Ron and Mary Heritage and Vivien Wright stood down from the committee at the Branch AGM in March after many years service and many achievements, for which we thank them profusely. The new committee has a hard task in following them. Ann Yeatman continues as treasurer. Terry Yeatman continues and now takes on responsibility for the Oxfordshire section of the association website and co-ordination of contributions to Cargoes. Sue Wardley continues as social secretary but now as a member of the committee. Steve Parker has joined and becomes our representative on RUG 1-2. We thank Trevor Tate for his work on this group over the last few years. John Temple is also new to the committee and is taking on responsibility for some initiatives in Oxford. Sue Cooper, not a member of the committee, is our representative on RUG 3, as replacement for John Dalton, who is to retire shortly after many years of service on several River Thames groups on behalf of the association. The Branch are seeking a secretary who will also prepare meeting minutes and, by September, a replacement events organiser. Mary Heritage will then be able to train her replacement in good time for events in 2012. If you or someone you know is available to take on either of these roles then please tell me. I will continue to deal with planning matters unless someone offers to take this role from me; no reasonable offer refused! The committee has resolved to build on the achievements of Ron and Mary and to focus on involving more members doing more within the Branch and the waterways community. I was charged with using my access to membership records to contact members to seek their views on our priorities and how their aspirations for involvement could best be met. I will be starting a plan for telephoning members about this shortly. British Waterways South East Waterways has an initiative to recruit volunteer rangers for the South Oxford Canal (reported elsewhere). This is supported by the Branch committee who are working with BW to design the way it works so as to appeal to members. Please let me have your ideas and views about this. This is an important matter and a first stage in making the New Waterways Charity work in Oxfordshire. The monthly meetings season ended in April with an excellent talk on the Wendover Arm. Our new projector and screen (we used to use those borrowed by Ron & Mary) give such a bright image that we did not need to turn off the lights thus giving more interaction with the audience. We have a very interesting programme starting on 13th September. Please come along.

26 Oxfordshire Chairman’s Report (Cont’d) Please also support the Branch at “Oxford Open Doors” in Hythe Bridge Arm, Oxford on the weekend of 10th & 11th September and Banbury Canal Day on Sunday 2nd October. These are, at the moment, the only fund raising activities of the Branch. The more members who come along, not just to join Mary's teams of volunteers, the higher our profile. Sue & I will be there on NB Water Song (Burgundy red) from the day before on both occasions. Please come and give me your views and ideas face to face even if you have told me by email or on the phone. In the meantime, enjoy the waterways. Sue and I will be out on the cut on NB Water Song up to Skipton and Ellesmere Port and back over the next three months, but still in contact electronically. Chris Wardley

Social Events Reports Branch meeting on Wednesday, 9th February Wildlife of the Waterways - An Ecologist‟s Viewpoint - Dr Colin Lee, Ecologist Colin Lee is an ecologist with a consultancy company in Banbury that does work for British Waterways, landowners and others conducting planning surveys on the green infrastructure. This includes surveys of protected indigenous species such as bats, otters and the white clawed crayfish and invasive species such as the American signal crayfish, mink, Himalayan Balsam and Japanese knotweed. The waterways form corridors for the spread and protection of wildlife, not just in and on the water but in the surrounding vegetation of the banks, towpaths, hedges and trees which give more structure to wildlife than fields, which are heavily managed by cultivation. They are a great resource to link different areas and keep wildlife flourishing. Water can also be a barrier to predators such as the fox which, although it can swim does not often do so. The commonest birds on the waterways are Mallard ducks. Other birds include swans, geese including the non indigenous Canada goose, herons, greater spotted woodpecker and kingfisher as well as all the birds of the hedgerows. The beautiful kingfisher is usually seen briefly as it darts along. The male digs a one metre deep nest in steep river and canal banks. Insects including butterflies, bees, damsel and dragon flies are numerous of course. Surprisingly the larvae of the damsel and dragon fly are extreme predators themselves, feeding on tadpoles. There are also reptiles, amphibians and mammals with a resurgence of newts, water voles and otters since the devastation caused by the escape of farmed mink in the 1970s and the heavy use of pesticides running off into the waterways. The improvement in water quality as the result of legislation in 1978 banning many pesticides, and captive breeding programmes have resulted in a great increase in otter population. This has caused reduction of the competing mink population, allowing the small mammal

27 population to increase. Waterways form a linear navigation tool for the seventeen or eighteen species of bats. Different species emit different sound wave lengths, 35 kHz or 50 kHz and have aerodynamic wing shapes according to the habitat of the particular species. They roost in woodpecker holes and tunnels and hibernate in winter. Much conservation work is being done to assist wildlife in and around the waterways and to prevent the spread of invasive species. Colinâ&#x20AC;&#x;s excellent and highly informative talk encouraged us, as boaters, to take care not to damage the banks when we turn and moor our boats and to be more aware of the waterways resource we are so lucky to have. Sue Wardley Branch meeting on Wednesday, 13th April Restoration of the Wendover Arm - Ray Orth of the Wendover Arm Trust The Wendover Arm is a section of canal that was created in 1794. It was conceived only as a feeder to supply water from the springs, rivers and streams coming from the Chiltern hills at Wendover to the summit pound of the Grand Union Canal at Tring. However it was built as navigable and brought prosperity to the Wendover area, especially to the farmers who bought manure from the London bus depots to fertilise their fields and sold their straw for horses in London. Despite several attempts to overcome major leaking in the dry chalk section, the Wendover Arm was closed to navigation in 1904 when leakage in the arm was drawing from the Grand Union rather than feeding it. The leaking section was replaced by a pipeline. The cost of carriage of goods thereby increased and the area returned to its former poor state. The canal fell into disrepair whilst continuing to remain in ownership of British Waterways and continuing to supply water. It stayed in this derelict state until a group of local people formed the Wendover Arm Group in 1985 which became the Wendover Arm Trust in 1989. The Trust is a charity which only uses volunteers and relies entirely on donations, an annual festival, a raffle and a small amount from grants. To date about one of the six and three quarter miles of the arm has been reopened, with resulting increase in local flora and fauna, and is fully navigable. Ray showed us some amazing pictures of the sections before and after restoration, revealing a beautiful landscape which is a delight for people to pass through, whether by boat or on the footpath. There is still a huge amount of work to do and funds are needed particularly for the restoration of the three remaining bridges on the stretch still in water, though too shallow for navigation, to Wendover. The fact that all the work has been done by volunteers, apart from Little Tring Bridge and the A41 bridge - part of the new A41 road, is difficult to comprehend. We were all impressed by the success of the efforts made by the Wendover Arm Trust. This was a fascinating talk which should encourage us all in our efforts to restore and improve our waterways heritage. Sue Wardley

Volunteering with British Waterways on the South Oxford Canal British Waterways, South East Waterways, are seeking Waterway Rangers, Lock Rangers and Mooring Rangers on the South Oxford Canal (the section south of bridge 143 above Claydon Top lock 17 is in the Oxfordshire Branch Area). Volunteers are sought from all stakeholders in the canal. Rangers, working in small teams, would take responsibility for specific duties on a clearly defined section of the canal. They would work alongside British Waterways teams. Waterway Rangers would focus on talking to visitors, leading guided walks, ensuring that information is up to date, reporting problems and leading volunteer work parties on a variety of routine planned minor maintenance projects. Lock Rangers would take special responsibility for assisting in the safe and effective operation of locks and Mooring Rangers in the collecting of data on the use of and problems with visitor moorings at selected hot-spots. These roles would be seasonal, except for routine maintenance, and be from April to September inclusive. At this stage the lock flight on the South Oxford for which rangers are sought is Napton (in Warwickshire Branch area); with the possibility of including Claydon at a later stage. The moorings hot-spots in the first phase of this imitative are Cropredy, Banbury, Lower Heyford and Thrupp. British Waterways are at an advanced stage of agreeing with Thrupp Canal Cruising Club that they should provide the rangers at Thrupp from their membership. The allowable mooring periods at these hotspots are being reviewed with local stakeholders and will almost certainly be changed so as to reduce that for the summer period. Routine planned maintenance will include minor bank and towpath repairs (including backfilling behind piling and over tie rods), lock painting and keeping the canal and towpath clear of rubbish and debris. Rangers will be encouraged to use their initiative in proposing the scope of work for consideration. Works will be carried out to agreed specifications, standards and scopes. British Waterway will provide all training, protective clothing, equipment, tools, materials and also reasonable expenses agreed in advance. Expressions of interest should be sent in the first instance to Jeff Whyatt, South East Waterways Manager, Freepost RRKZ-GYAJ-AJXY, British Waterways, 510 Elder House, Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BW (no stamp required) or to jeff.whyatt@britishwaterways.co.uk. Please tell Jeff that you are responding to an article in Cargoes.

Forthcoming Events Banbury to welcome Cotswold Centenary Celebration Cruise on 27th August Banbury Town Council is holding a civic reception on the towing path beside the Museum at 10am on Saturday 27th August for the Cotswold Canals Centennial Cruise (being organised on behalf of the Cotswold Canal Trust by Peter Bellinger and a small committee), the five boats in the cavalcade having stopped in Banbury on Friday 26th. The Cotswold Canal (comprising the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal) runs from Saul Junction on the Gloucester Sharpness Canal to Lechlade on the River Thames near to the head of navigation. It has been closed since the 1920s and 30s. This year marks the centenary of the journey of the last fully laden working boat, “NB Gem”, making the journey from end to end, a total of 36 miles and 56 locks. In commemoration the celebration cruise has been arranged to highlight the restoration work currently under way and raising awareness of the restoration work still required to be carried out before the direct route from Saul to Lechlade can once again be open. Two groups of boaters will be leaving Saul on the 12th August to travel to Lechlade. The route of the northern group is Gloucester Sharpness Canal, River Severn, River Avon, Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal, Grand Union Canal, Oxford Canal and River Thames; a distance of 178 miles and 148 locks. The Oxfordshire Branch will be supporting the cruise from the time it reaches Claydon Top Lock until it arrives in Lechlade. If you would like to be given more details please email oxfordshire@waterways.org.uk. Please come to Banbury for 10am on Sat 27th August. Oxford “Open Doors” Waterside event: 10th and 11th September On Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Come along and enjoy a day out by the water in a beautiful part of Oxford - and celebrate the Nation‟s Waterway Heritage. With activities and stalls at Hythe Bridge pocket park (opposite Worcester Street Car Park), on the lower reaches of the Oxford Canal, and in Jericho there will be much to see and do: free boat trips, children‟s crafts, and colourful and informative displays. You can take a stroll along the canal or join in guided walks led by a local historian and boat resident, to learn more about the history of the area. Then pause for refreshment in the lovely St. Barnabus Church, Jericho where there will be even more to see and learn about, including an illustrated talk on Saturday evening. Three boats will operate from Hythe Bridge pocket park, and NB Venturer, a community boat able to accommodate people with disabilities, will be operating from Isis Lock (a short distance along the towing path).

30 Banbury Canal Day: 2nd October Held mainly around the waterside where there are colourful displays of boats, boat rides, stalls, folk dancing, music and much more. Banbury really comes to life at this Annual event. If you can spare an hour or two to help at either the Oxford “Open Doors” event or Banbury Canal Day I would be delighted to hear from you. In order to be a "skipper" you need to have a minimum of Helmsman‟s Certificate but any of the other jobs just need enthusiasm and an ability to chat to people. If you have a boat and would like to bring it and stay for the weekend just let me know. Like to know more? then please ring me, Mary Heritage, on 01869 277400.

Dates for your diary You are invited to join us on the following dates: Sat/Sun 10th/11th Sept: Oxford Waterside „Open Doors‟ Event (see separate article) Wed 14th Sept: Stephen & Verna Wass A talk about Morris Dancers, in particular the story of a local girl who worked on the canal Sun 2nd Oct: Banbury Canal Day (see separate article for details) Wed 12th Oct: Paul Barnett, Chairman Friends of Purton, The Purton Hulks, River Severn, Gloucestershire. Wed 9th Nov: Liz Payne, Chairman of Cotswold Canals Trust, Working to restore the Cotswold Waterways Wed 14th Dec: Skittles night Unless otherwise stated the above events are held in the Social Club at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT 7.30pm for 8.00pm. New members and visitors most welcome. For more details or directions phone Ann Yeatman - tel: 01865 372552.

Solent & Arun Branch News Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report A good turnout at Arundel for our AGM and the South East Region AGM followed by an informative talk on the Waterways of London by Jon Guest of British Waterways. His position in BW enabled him to give an insight into the problems of managing waterways, from litter to other companies damaging bridges whilst laying cables. I joined up with the Southampton Canal Society team for the Annual Quiz, postponed in December because of the weather. A great evening saw us come second to Guildford and Reading. Thanks to Nick Grundy for doing such a great job setting the questions and acting as quizmaster. Good to see the River Itchen on the TV on Country File the other week, showed some of the work being done by the project and the progress made there. Here are the dates for our cruises, have a great summer enjoying the waterways. 15th May River Arun Cruise 17th July River Adur (see separate article in this Cargoes) 18th Sept River Hamble (more details in next Cargoes) Full details from Branch contacts (See list in Centre Pages) Mike Laishley

Cruise on the river Adur Shoreham by Sea has a long history of water based activities ranging from shipbuilding and fishing to oyster beds! Not only was the river Adur navigable but it led to the long defunct Baybridge Canal. Unfortunately the town is now without adequate public slipway facilities. This cruise is therefore part of our on-going campaign, in conjunction with the Shoreham Slipways Group, to get improved launching facilities. However, it is also aimed at having a good time on the river so our plan is to launch at Ropetackle, cruise around part of the harbour and then travel upstream to the Kings Head, in Upper Beeding, before returning to recover the boats. The trip is suitable for small boats and canoes. The lower part of the slipway at Ropetackle is rather muddy and therefore you will need wellingtons.

32 Adur Cruise (Cont’d) Schedule for Sunday, 17 July: For the nautical types, the high tide is expected at 13:40 – harbour mouth. Launch at Ropetackle around 11:00 to catch the rising tide. Ropetackle is just north of the A259 (coast) road on the east side of the Adur, near the Norfolk road bridge. (See contact details below for more information.) There is no longer any parking near the slipway but you will be directed to a suitable parking place. We will leave at around 11:15 and, after a tour of parts of the harbour, will travel up the river, for about five miles, to the Kings Head, at Upper Beeding. Whilst the pub serves food, you may want to take a packed lunch to avoid having to wait. We will return when the tide is still fairly high. Hence making the recovery of the boats more straightforward. If you plan to join this cruise, or have any queries, then please contact Brendan Whelan: b_whelan@mistral.co.uk or 01903 816012.

Chichester Ship Canal Trust – Forthcoming Events Saturday 25th June 10am start. A linear guided walk from Barnham Court Farm, Church Lane, Barnham. (Follow signs from the Murrell Arms) to Ford. Walk along the old tow path of the Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation and see many engineering remains of the canal. Approx. three miles. Parking available at the start. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society. Sunday 26th June Poyntz Bridge open from 10am till 4 pm. Situated approx. 200 yards south of the canal basin, Chichester. Possibly the only single span 1820 cast iron swing bridge in the UK. Plus a display of photos and artifacts. At 2pm there will be a guided walk around the canal basin led by Alan Green, illustrating the history of past industry around this canal feature. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society. Saturday 9th July 7.30pm Mikron Theatre production of Hell and High Water. To be held at Donnington Parish Hall, Stockbridge Road, Chichester, PO19 8QT. Tickets £7.50 from Linda Wilkinson on 01243 576701 or on the door. This production enabled by sponsorship from Linden Homes.

33 Sunday 10th July 10am start. A linear guided walk from Salterns Lock by Chichester Marina, along the canal tow path to the basin at Chichester seeing the engineering features and remains. Approx. 4 miles. Parking available at Marina. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society.

Saturday 10th September 10am start. A linear guided walk along the old Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation tow path from Barnham Court Farm (directions as above) to Hunston. See the engineering remains of the canal along the way. Approx. 6miles. Bring packed lunch. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society as part of Heritage Open Days.

Sunday 11th September Poyntz Bridge open from 10am till 4pm All details as at 26th June including the Basin walk. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society as part of Heritage Open Days. . All enquiries to Linda Wilkinson on 01243 576701 or canal.linda@uwclub.net

Southampton Canal Society The Inter Society Waterways Quiz held on 7th April was well supported.Nick Grundy, IWA Salisbury, Quiz Master and Myra Glover ran a very enjoyable evening. Top marks to Guildford & Reading Team .Followed by Solent & Arun joined with SCS, closely followed by the Salisbury Team.

Forthcoming Events Thursday 2

June “Social Evening” Bring & Buy”, Silent Auction, Quiz,

Thursday 7th July Pablo Haworth will enlighten us with “The Bailey Bridge” Thursday 28th July AGM followed by Cheese & Wine (which went down well last year) Meetings held at Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth Southampton SO16 7JZ Start 7.45pm For Monthly Newsletters see www.sotoncs.org.uk

Angela Rose

Southern Canals Association Winter meeting Verna Smith reports on the Southern Canals meeting at Devizes on 27th Feb: In opening the meeting, Robin Higgs spoke of seeing the current waterways position as a time for change with new opportunities. He also spoke of the need to keep websites up to date. Clive Henderson, IWA National Chairman, explained the background work that was being undertaken in preparation for the New Waterways Charity (NWC). He reflected on the changes that had happened in the two and a half years since he became Chairman and on the published proposals for the structure of NWC, The present position had been achieved with the help of MP‟s and waterways ministers. NWC would be a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the future of the waterways. Mike Rodd, Chair of K&A Canal Trust, spoke of the trial partnership between BW and the K&A. He spoke of the positives of past links with local BW but also the pitfalls of pre-existing arrangements/partnerships when trying to re-work the partnership to form a trial NWC local board. He was concerned that the Chair for the local NWC would be imposed from the National Body. Simon Cain gave a presentation about the development of bio-friendly materials to mend and reinforce banks and towpaths. He spoke of the reasons for bank erosion, e.g. mooring pins, dogs, crayfish burrows, anglers, pedestrians. Liz Payne, Chair of Cotswold Canals Trust, gave an upbeat update on the progress on the Cotswold canals, which included news of the new HQ, excellent volunteer support and the grants from HLF. Their trip boat is providing c£12k p.a. . Vaughan Welch, Chair of IWA Rescom, chaired a session on „Post Restoration strategy.‟ and posed the questions  where will the funding come from? e.g. moorings, boatyards, legacies, tolls  how will the waterway be maintained? There were contributions from Clive Matthews, General Manager of the Avon Trust, Roy Chandler, Chairman Essex Waterways, on the Chelmer and Blackwater and Peter Foulger & Bernard Ashley, from the Wey and Arun Trust.

Spring Meeting Steve Parker reports on the Southern Canals meeting at Newport on 17th April: Representatives from canals all over southern England, and Wales, met on a bright sunny day at the Fourteen Locks Centre on the Monmouth canal at Newport. After a brief welcome the meeting left to drive to Drapers Lock for a walk along part of the canal to see some of the restoration work. This was the stretch used for the national trail-boat festival last year. The main talking part of the meeting started after lunch with a report on our host canal. It was very good to hear of the working together by the Canal Trust and all the local councils, unlike in some areas. We were then told about the Neath canal restoration and the Welsh Waterways Festival that they are hosting this year. This was followed by some discussion on the government plans for a national organisation to oversee the waterways. The various organisations present then all give updates on their situations. As almost all are restoring some waterways it did show how much is going on. Anyone with projects could see what can be done and, in our case in Oxford, it shows that there is hope for a terminal basin.

Wey and Arun Canal Trust News Report on the AGM in April The meeting took place on 16th April and began with a silent tribute to three members who had recently died. The Chairman, Sally Schupke, outlined the achievements of the past 6 months. The need for an increasingly amount of maintenance work, especially at Baldwinâ&#x20AC;&#x;s Knob Lock, had cost ÂŁ7,500. She also reported on the on-going activities to obtain the necessary permissions from Waverley Planning department for work in Dunsfold, the complex negotiations with the National Trust for a lease to enable the link with the River Wey to be effected, negotiations with Surrey County Council for some land at Hunt Park and work on the Lordings Water Wheel. The Chairman then turned to future plans which include a new visitor centre to replace the tin shed and thanked a number of individuals and groups, including the WRG Forestry Group who had all contributed to a dynamic half year. In presenting the accounts, Jim Phillips pointed out that while the balances looked healthy, most of the money was earmarked for specific projects. He noted that WACT was not immune from the current economic climate and this was having an impact on running costs. He also explained that the lack of forecasts in the summary accounts was due to the impossibility of predicting financial trends. The Treasurer spoke of the

36 W&ACT AGM Report (Cont’d) need to pay costly consultants fees as a necessity to satisfy local government requirements, but these were also a drain on resources. Dusty Miller, Chairman of W&A Enterprises, spoke of a very successful year, with boat charters up by 55% and good results from special events and sales. The net result was the best ever year of profit, and he thanked all for their unstinting efforts. A short, but informative, film about the planning and building of the trip boat, Wiggonholt, was followed by presentations about the rebuilding of Lordings Waterwheel (scheduled for reopening on 11th September), the Bramley Link and Baldwin‟s Knob Lock refurbishment from the respective team leaders. Verna Smith

The 39th Annual Poddle As regular „Poddlers‟ will know this is an annual fund-raising event to support the work of the W&ACT. Over the years a substantial amount of money has been raised that has enabled the Trust to carry out its ambitious programme. This year the Poddle will take place on Sunday 12thJune, starting and finishing at Cranleigh. The walk is a 13 mile circular route through some of the scenic spots in the county and is open to anybody raising a minimum sponsorship of £20. Lunch will be provided for those taking part at approximately the mid-point of the walk, and there will be convenient refreshment stops. For full details of the walk, its route, timings, and, more importantly, the application and sponsorship form, contact the walk‟s organisers Jo and Kevin Holcombe on 01483 418195 (evenings) or the WACT office on 01403 752403,or write to WACT, the Granary, Flitchfold Farm, Loxwood, RH14 0RH or see the Website at www.weyandarun.co.uk.

Small Boats Rally at Gun’s Mouth Shalford This event will be held on Sunday 10th July from 2pm. Come and have a look at what the Trust have been doing at Gun‟s Mouth Island just off the A281 at Shalford. Suitable only for small nonpowered boats, eg kayaks, canoes, rowing boats etc. Further details form the Trust‟s Office or Website (see previous item - above)

Paddle Steamer Cruise South London Branch is once again organising a cruise aboard the Kingswear Castle. This will be on Saturday 25th June leaving Chatham Dockyard at 11.00hrs to the Thames Estuary, returning at 17:00hrs . Party rate fare is £20 per person. Bookings to Alan Eggby, telephone 020 8764 8194 as soon as possible, please.

The Mikron Theatre Company Once again the Mikron Theatre Company will be travelling the country‟s waterways, bringing live theatre to waterside venues with their Summer Tour. In the turbulent times of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester‟s demand for coal was insatiable and there was an urgent need to get it there quickly and cheaply. Mikron‟s new show for 2011 takes us back to 1761, when three men had a vision and hundreds of others toiled to make it a reality. Over rivers, under rock, through “Hell and High Water”, they proved that determination can literally move mountains. In their revival of “Beer Street” Mikron tells the story of pubs and beer and the part they have always played in society. A fitting production in the year which marks „CAMRA‟s 40th birthday and in which IWA‟s National Festival returns to Burton-upon-Trent, arguably the home of British beer brewing. For more information please visit the Mikron website: www.mikron.org.uk

Mikron Performances around the Region th

Sun 26 June 8pm BS C The Bounty, Riverside, Bourne End, SL8 5RG Mon 27th June 7.30pm HW C The Two Brewers, St Peter Street, Marlow, SL7 1NQ Fri 1st July 8pm BS C ) Blubeckers at The Rowbarge, Station Road, Woolhampton, Reading, RG7 5SH Mon 4th July 8pm HW C ) Sat 2nd July 7.30pm BS C, Caversham Ct, Forbury Gdns Reading. 0118 9390771. Sun 3rd July 7.30pm HW C Fox and Hounds, Church Crookham, GU51 5NP Tues 5th July 7.30pm BS C The St George & Dragon, Wargrave, RG10 8HY Wed 6th July 7.30pm HW C Goring Lock, Goring, RG8 9AE Bring your own chairs! Thurs 7th July 8pm HW Waterfront Café, Benson, Oxfordshire OX10 6SJ Tickets £10 must be booked in advance. Details - Tel: 01491 838435 Sat 9th July 7.30pm HW Donnington Parish Hall, Chichester (details see page 32) Sun 10th July 5pm HW C The Plough Inn, Long Wittenham, Abingdon OX14 4QH Mon 11th July 7.30pm BS C Plough Inn, Wolvercote, Oxfordshire, OX2 8BD Tues 12th July 7.30pm BS C The Queen's Head, Eynsham, Witney, OX29 4HH

38 Mikron (Cont’d) Wed 13th July 7.30pm HW C ) Boat Inn Thrupp, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1JY Thurs 14th July 7.30pm BS C ) Tel: 01865 374279 Fri 22nd July 7.30pm HW C Great Western Arms, Deddington, Banbury OX17 3BP Sat 23rd July 8pm HW Tooleys Boatyard, Banbury Museum, Banbury OX16 2PQ Tickets £9. Booking on 01295 272917 Sat 30th July 3.30pm HW) IWA Waterways Festival, Burton-upon-Trent Sun 31st July 3.30pm BS) available as part of the Festival entrance fee Thurs 18th August 7.30pm HW) Wharf House, Cropredy, Banbury OX17 1PG Fri 19th August 7.30pm BS ) Tickets £10 (£8 concessions), tel: 01295 750633 Key: HW – „Hell and High Water‟, BC – „Beer Street‟, „C‟ – No tickets needed but there will be a collection at the end of the performances.

Wilts & Berks Canal News Brian Roberts reports on the „Heart of the Wilts & Berks‟ : Although out of our region, Swindon is at the heart of the two canals under restoration by the Wilts & Berks Partnership. The current major housing expansion is a huge single site between the old town and the M4 – formally known as “the front garden” and now named Wichelstowe. Swindon Council - a founder member of the canal partnership – is keen to be connected to the national waterway system and encourage canal activity to come into an improving / redeveloping town centre… using a route as close to the old north-south line from Cricklade as possible. To the west the historic canal line leads to the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham and to the east it leads to the Thames near Abingdon. Through Swindon itself the east-west line passes through the large Wichelstowe development using both part of the historic line and a necessary new diversion. The Council concluded a Section 106 agreement with the developers to construct the canal within their area. Barratt Homes are part of the consortium of housing developers who have almost completed Phase one of their section. In early April they held a Saturday BBQ promotion in association with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust where they extolled the virtues of canal-side living. Unfortunately the partially watered canal was still in the hands of the contractors, so the initial idea of craning in the new Trust trip boat „Dragonfly‟ did not materialise, but many visitors came and saw the exhibition and the growing length of new canal… some even joined the Trust. Such is the progress that Wichelstowe has been nominated in the 2011 Waterways Renaissance Awards run by The Waterways Trust …in two categories : “Partnership” and “Strategy & Master Planning”.

Thames Water Reservoir Enquiry Martin Buckland reports: The result of the Public Enquiry into the proposed Thames Water Reservoir has been published. On 4 March it was announced that the DEFRA Secretary of State had accepted all the recommendations in the 2000 page report, the essence of which is: “The Inspector has concluded that, whilst the provisions of the revised draft WRMP (Water Resources Management Plan) would enable Thames Water to maintain a secure supply of water over the plan period 2010- 2035, deficiencies present in the plan meant she could not conclude that the supply of water during this period would be efficient and economical.” The initial reaction of those in opposition to the reservoir was victorious – particularly GARD (Group Against Reservoir Development) - but this was later tempered by the realisation that the issue was not yet over. In the revised plan a smaller reservoir on the same site would be one option. Designing a new reservoir would take some time and it would be several years before any construction would begin. Radio Oxford contacted me for the Canal Trust‟s view. Prefacing my remarks with the usual disclaimer that the Trust was neutral on the need for a reservoir, I set out the benefits that would accrue. These were provision of a new channel from the reservoir, under the A34, down to Jubilee Junction at the River Thames and, the alternative route around the reservoir to replace the historic route which would be obliterated. Interestingly the readers‟ comments section on the Oxford Mail website were not all against the project, some pointing out that if you want water it has to come from somewhere. Another suggested that the proposed site was not of great natural beauty and a reservoir might be a big improvement. [We understand that the Inspector suggested that further studies should be made of a number of alternatives to the proposal put before her. These included a canal based „Water Transfer‟ scheme using the route of the Cotswolds Canals and a reservoir at Abingdon, but smaller... either of which could assist canal restoration… see also the Cotswolds Canal Trust response to the decision at:- www.tinyurl.com/5uex4a7 Ed] ____________________________________________________________________

Inland Waterways Association Opinions expressed in Cargoes are not necessarily those of IWA Editorial Team: Ray Carnell, Tim Fry and Cecil Ives iwacargoes@hotmail.com Next Issue: Autumn 2011, Copy Date: 15th July

Soak up the atmosphere at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Saturday 18 June 2011, 11am - 5pm Along the Kennet and Forbury Gardens, Central Reading

General enquiries: 0118 937 2771 www.reading.gov.uk Boaters enquiries: 0118 959 8247 Pr

ot ec

Enhance - Pr

ot e

king to Wor