IWA South East Region Newsletter Cargoes

Autumn 2012 Autumn 2012

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

Editorial Despite appeals in the last edition of Cargoes, we are sorry to have to report that the EGM of the Solent & Arun Branch held on 28th June failed to elect any new Committee members and the decision was taken to wind up the Branch. It is sad that the high hopes springing from that Branch’s inaugural meeting at Chichester in March 1978 should end in this way. But much has been achieved over the past 34 years as highlighted in Mike Laishley’s farewell piece on page 32.

For the record, Solent & Arun Branch was created in 1978 to cover the West Sussex and South Hampshire areas that had been part of the old Guildford Branch - so it seems that things are, to an extent, going full circle with a return to the original July 1974 boundaries but with a more logical ‘waterways’ split between East and West Sussex whereby the Post Codes RH15 to17, RH19, BN1 to 3, BN5 and 6, BN15 and BN41 to 45 currently in S&A will become part of IWAKES Branch.

S&A members with addresses, other than the Post Codes mentioned above, will be returning to what is now the Guildford & Reading Branch (whether this should give rise to a change of branch name remains to be considered). The allocation of Post Codes between branches is for IWA Trustees to determine but it is anticipated that these proposals will be confirmed at their next meeting (on 18th August). We would also point out that all members do have a right to choose the branch to which to belong and can change their allocated branch by contacting HO (email to: membership@waterways.org.uk).

As to the future, we hope that news from the former Solent & Arun area will continue to play a significant part in Cargoes as it has done in the past. We are sure that Guildford & Reading and Kent & East Sussex Branches (see contact details in the Centre Pages of the Summer Edition of Cargoes) will welcome active participation from their newly acquired membership.

Finally, we return to the topic of ‘Electronic Cargoes’ by drawing attention to the new category of membership which is explained in the article on page 4 - in particular, members need to be aware that an option to receive Cargoes electronically will not, in itself, be treated as an option to switch to the new category of membership for which a specific request is required.

Cargoes Editorial Team

[Cover Photo: Ray Carnell: The return of Newbury Waterways Festival saw an impressive gathering of boats along the waterfront at Victoria Park - see report on page 17]

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From the Region Chairman Canal & River Trust Well it’s finally happened! BW is no more and the CRT was finally launched on 12th July with a series of low key events throughout the system. Earlier plans for a high profile launch had to be abandoned because of continued uncertainty over the timescale for the parliamentary process. In the end this went quite smoothly. I attended the main launch at Camden lock where there were a number of short keynote presentations including ones from Caroline Spelman, Defra Secretary of State, and also Richard Benyon, the waterways minister. Tony Hales, CRT Chairman, acknowledged this as a key stage in realising the 50 year old IWA vision. Clive Henderson paid tribute to the efforts of those who have achieved the launch of CRT but noted that IWA wanted more, including the inclusion of EA navigations in 2015.

Where next for IWA? In my Navigation Committee we have reviewed our campaign priorities now that government funding, for so long the key focus of IWA’s efforts, is now determined for the next 15 years. Our first priority is to campaign for EA inclusion so that those waters can benefit from the additional fund raising opportunities that the charity offers. This campaign is going well and at a senior level EA is supportive of the move (Lord Smith, EA chairman, spoke very positively about this in the Lord’s debate). However, despite considerable support, such a transfer will require additional government funding in the next spending round and it may yet prove to be an uphill struggle.

Another priority is to campaign for adequate standards of maintenance of the system including dredging and marginal vegetation control. This has been neglected in recent years as the priority was dealing with the backlog in safety related principal structures issues. It is anticipated that once the additional government funding kicks in within three years there will be more money to spend on maintenance but we will have to continue to argue the case for an appropriate split between spending on the navigation as opposed to towpaths and other demands on the budget.

A final priority is a controversial one. Many of you will be aware of the issue of those boat owners without a home mooring, purporting to be continuous cruisers, but in practice hover around a small geographical area rarely moving any distance.

Some of these so called “continuous moorers” keep a low profile and cause little problem to the other users. However in some places the situation has got so bad that they have a detrimental effect on the enjoyment of others. The two particularly acute areas are London and Bath where it is very difficult for visiting boats to find an overnight mooring. This problem is not new, it’s been going on for years exacerbated by lack of BW enforcement. IWA is very supportive of those who live aboard their boats and indeed the genuine continuous cruiser. However where continuous moorers cause difficulty for others we believe it’s time for action and this is now being raised with CRT at the highest level. There is no quick solution but it is now much higher up the campaign priority list. Watch this space.

4 Boating Looking back at what I wrote for the last Cargoes it’s hard to believe how it all changed. At that time we were in the midst of a major drought with dire predictions over whether the system could be kept open throughout the summer. Well the deluge arrived and water shortages are for the time being a distant memory. As I write this its raining again although there are signs of a change in time for the Olympics. My month’s boating from mid-May proved to be a mixed bag with about half of it lovely weather but the other half included some of the most dire boating conditions I can remember. Nevertheless it was all fun and I enjoyed (again) the Macc and Peak Forest and for the first time I ventured into Manchester with a diversion up to Worsley on the way back. The weather certainly had an effect on the boats. Visitor moorings were busy, if not full but there were relatively few boats on the move and once on the GU I rarely shared a lock. If predictions about climate change are correct then we can expect more extremes in the weather - periods of drought as well as spells of torrential rain. The waterway system needs to be resilient to these extremes and I know the water management team at CRT are planning ahead. I have a meeting with them in August to hear about these plans.

Region Issues You will have read elsewhere that it is proposed to wind up the Solent & Arun Branch. It’s always regrettable when an IWA Branch folds but in this case the demise has been long expected. Although the Branch has a relatively large number of members this reflects the high population densities in the Portsmouth and Southampton areas. Almost uniquely there are no publicly available non-tidal inland waterways in the Branch area and the key restoration projects of Wey & Arun and Chichester are run by separate trusts. This means that the interests of many members lie outside the Branch area and for boaters this will be where they moor and enjoy most of their boating. As a consequence the Branch has struggled for years for a viable committee. Subject to final Trustee approval the Branch will be split between Guildford and Reading and Kent & East Sussex Branches essentially on the basis of river catchment with those in the Ouse/Adur going to KES and those in the Arun catchment and to the west going to G&R. I would like to pay tribute to Mike Laishley and his colleagues for keeping the Solent & Arun Branch going for as long as they have. I hope that their vital work of sustaining navigation on the Adur and Arun will continue.

Paul Roper

New Electronic IWA Membership IWA’s trustees have approved the introduction of an electronic membership category for single and joint memberships (for those paying both annually and monthly) effective from 1st July 2012.

Members within this category will not receive printed communication from IWA. Instead, newsletters and correspondence will all arrive electronically, either by email or by links to the Association’s website. This move is in response to some members’ concern for the environment and feedback that they wish to reduce the amount of material arriving in their letter box. This may be particularly suitable for

5 boaters continuously on the move. There is also a desire to continue to reduce IWA’s operating costs so that members’ subscriptions can be even more focussed on our practical work, rather than on the ever increasing cost of postage.

In order to recognise the administrative savings to the Association, and to encourage uptake, the new category will be offered at a discounted rate of 80% of the standard single and joint membership rates.

Members wishing to transfer to the electronic membership category can change their membership category by contacting membership@waterways.org.uk The new rates will be applied from their next renewal. Members who have already opted to access Cargoes electronically and who wish to transfer their membership to the new ‘electronic membership’ category will still need to advise HO of their wish by email as above.

Diary of Meetings & Events Thu 16th Aug: 3.00pm to 7.00pm, IWAKES: Open afternoon at Sutton Hall Lock, Isfield (see page 27) Fri 31st Aug: 10.30am, IWAKES: Iron Gate Lock visit

(see page 27)

st

Fri 31 Aug 7:30pm, Wharf House, Cropredy: Mikron Theatre Company, “Losing The Plot” (see www.mikron.org.uk) Sat 1st Sep 7:30pm, Wharf House, Cropredy: Mikron Theatre Company, “Can You Keep A Secret?” (see www.mikron.org.uk) Thu 6th Sep, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: “The Wilts & Berks Canal” by Chris Coyle (see page 33) Sat 8th Sep, 10:00am, Chichester Canal Trust: Guided walk along the old Portsmouth & Arundel Navigation (see page 33) Sat 8th/Sun 9th Sep, Oxfordshire Branch: Oxford Open Doors(see pages 29 & 31) Sat 8th Sep, W&ACT: National Heritage Open Day th

Sun 9 Sep, 10:00am, Chichester Canal Trust: Poyntz Bridge

(see page 36) (see page 33)

Wed 12th Sep, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: “Birmingham & Black Country Canals” by Phil Clayton (see page 31) Wed 12th Sep, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: ‘Manchester Ship Canal’ by Richard Thomas (see page 38) Tue 18th Sep 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): 'The Wilts & Berks Canal' and 'The history of World Canals' by Martin Buckland (see page 19 ) Sat 22nd Sep 2.30pm, G&R Branch: Wey & Arun Cruise

(see page 20)

Wed 26th Sep 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): to be advised

(see page 19)

6 Fri 28th Sep: 10.30am, IWAKES: Iron Gate Lock visit th

(see page 27)

th

Fri 28 to Sun 30 Sep, 10.30am, G&R Branch: Thames Barge trip (see page 9) Thu 4th to Sat 6th Oct, Oxfordshire Branch: Theatre in the Dock

(see page 31)

th

Thu 4 Oct: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: “The Rochester Bridge Wardens Trust”

by Sue Threader (see page 27) Thu 4th Oct, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: “Magic Lantern Show” by Alan Brindle (see page 33) Sat 6th Oct, BCBC: Fox & Hounds Rally th

Sun 7 Oct, Oxfordshire Branch: Banbury Canal Day

(see page 14) (see pages 30 & 31)

th

Wed 10 Oct, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: The Cutty Sark Trust by Martin Woodgett (see page 31) Wed 10th Oct, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: ‘More Travels with my Canoe’ by Roger Wilkinson (see page 38) Tue 16th Oct 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): to be advised th

Tue 16 Oct 7:30pm, SIHG: Mapledurham Mill

(see page 20) (see page 12)

th

Wed 17 Oct, 8:00pm, S&HSC: ‘Canals and Rivers of Eastern France' by Robin Higgs OBE (see page 14) Thu 18th Oct, 7:30pm, Salisbury Group: “The Somerset Coal Canal” by Derrick Hunt (see page 8) Sun 21st Oct: 10.30am to 4.00pm, IWAKES: Visit to Crossness Engines (see page 27 & map 39) Tue 30th Oct 7:30pm, SIHG: Crossing London’s River st

Wed 31 Oct 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): to be advised

(see page 12) (see page 19)

st

Thu 1 Nov, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: “A Night at Blackstone Hall”

by Pete & Jane of DAY STAR THEATRE (see page 33) Wed 14th Nov, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Alice in Waterland by Mark Davies (see page 31) Wed 14th Nov, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: ‘Wey and Arun Canal’ by John Talbot (see page 38) Thu 15th Nov: 7.00pm for 7.30pm, IWAKES: The trials and tribulations faced restoring the Suffolk Stour (see page 28) Thu 15th Nov, 7:30pm, Salisbury Group: “Narrow Boating on Tidal Waters” by Nick Grundy (see page 8) Tue 20th Nov 7:45pm, K&A (Reading): to be advised

(see page 20)

7 Wed 21st Nov, 8:00pm, S&HCS: ' History of Dragon Boat Racing' by Murray Jones & ' The Jubilee Thames River Pageant 2012' by Kathryn Dodington (see page 14) Wed 28th Nov 7:45pm, K&A (Newbury): to be advised

(see page 19)

th

Thu 6 Dec: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: “Paddle Steamer Medway Queen – Heroine of Dunkirk” (see page 28) Thu 6th Dec, 7:45pm, Southampton Canal Society: WW Quiz (see pages 8 & 33) Fri 7th Dec, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, South London Branch: Christmas Dinner (see page 38) Wed 12th Dec, 7:30pm for 8:00pm, Oxfordshire Branch: Skittles Night (see page 31) Thu 13th Dec, 7:30pm, Salisbury Group: Christmas dinner

(see page 8)

th

Wed 19 Dec, 8:00pm, S&HCS: 'Crofton Beam Engines on the Kennet and Avon Canal' by John Willis (see page 14) Thu 24th Jan: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: “Implementing the Medway Plan” by Phil Munslow (see page 28) Wed 27th Feb: 8:00pm for 8:15pm, IWAKES: AGM

(see page 28)

st

Thu 21 Mar: 7.30pm for 8.00pm, IWAKES: “The Basingstoke Canal” by Gareth Jones (see page 28) Sat 25th to Mon 27th May: IWA National Trailboat Festival, Bodiam 2013 (see page 26)

Salisbury Group Our Salisbury correspondent, Myra Glover, reports on their last two meetings before the summer break: European Locks, Lifts & Structures In the many years that Ron & Myra Glover have been cruising in Europe either trailing their 23ft Viking cruiser or on board their 42ft Dutch steel cruiser, they have encountered many different features for travelling up, down and through hills. The illustrated talk in May covered both historical structures, some of which are no longer in use, to those built in more recent times.

Firstly locks. Today many locks in Europe are “do it yourself” but never having to wind paddles or push gates. Fascinating mechanisms are used, twist poles and lift poles, radar and electronic “zappers” all of which activate locks. Balance beams are rare in Europe, but there are many different systems for opening and closing gates.

Some lock keepers have invented rods and linkages to enable them to open two gates from one side.

The deepest lock is on the River Rhone, 26 metres! These deep locks fill and empty quickly and efficiently; the floating bollards make securing in the locks so

8 easy. There are some fascinating staircases, from the Rogny on the Canal de Briare, built in 1642 and no longer in use, to the barrel shaped Fonceranne locks on the Canal du Midi. Some locks have been bypassed by slopes. The Montech Slope (1973) and the Bezier Slope (1983) where engines were used to push the water up the slope. Neither of which were truly successful and they both reverted back to using the locks. There are plenty of tunnels, both short and long, including the 160 metre Malpas tunnel on the Midi, opened in 1681, reputedly built in six days. Both the Mauvage tunnel on the Marne au Rhin and the Saint Quentin tunnel have no ventilation systems and boats are pulled through by electric tugs. Two inclined planes are in use, the Arzviller on the Marne au Rhin, opened in 1960, to replace seventeen locks and the amazing Ronquier inclined plane on the Canal Charleroi a Brussels opened in 1962 where boats travel 1,432 metres in a large tank on 236 wheels.

Finally the famous lifts on the Canal du Centre in Belgium. Four hydraulic lifts built between 1885 and 1918. (They are like four Anderton lifts one after another.) Even though they are still in use, close to them is the highest boatlift in the world, Strepy Thieu, opened in 2002, which only takes 7 minutes to raise 73.5 metres.

It is only by travelling through all these fascinating structures in Europe that one realizes what could have occurred in England had canals not been phased out in favour of railways.

Boules & BBQ evening We were so fortunate that our Boules and BBQ event was held on the first day of summer weather. Twenty of us enjoyed the balmy evening playing boules and sampling the excellent BBQ cooked by Jeff, landlord of the Green Dragon.

Competition was fierce and Jacques, our French referee, was seen to be measuring to the nearest millimetre to judge the winning team.

Programme of Events Thu 18th Oct

“The Somerset Coal Canal” by Derrick Hunt Revelations, excavations and restoration of the Somersetshire Coal Canal. Derrick talks about the exciting updates on all the activities that have been taking place over last five years. Plenty going on to report!

Thu 15th Nov

“Narrow Boating on Tidal Waters” by Nick Grundy Nick will be giving an account of his travels in his 70-foot narrow boat “Beatty” cruising some of the great tidal rivers of the waterways system. This includes the Severn Estuary, the Trent and Yorkshire Ouse, the Thames through London and the Mersey Estuary

Thu 6th Dec

Waterways quiz at Chilworth Village Hall organised by Southampton Canal Society

Thu 13th Dec

Christmas dinner

9 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 It seems but a short while ago that we on Southern Waterways were worrying about droughts. No more though I do think the problem which essentially is inadequate storage capacity has not gone away. In recent years there have been too many reservoir projects cancelled in the south east. Money is always seems to be found for climate change issues and pollution concerns affecting freshwater fish.

Ministers talk about precious resource but if it is that precious why not store more of it in times of plenty. Our planning laws still need revision if we are not to go forth in a treacle of bureaucracy and unaccountable regulation.

Since my last report we were pleased to have reinstated our annual joint meetings with the K&A Reading Branch where we were made most welcome at their May Meeting (see report on page 16). In June, Branch members joined with those of South London Branch for an enjoyable 5 hour cruise on the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle (see page 11). The proposals for reallocation of members following the winding up of Solent & Arun Branch are mentioned elsewhere. These are subject to Trustee approval but we look forward to welcoming all those members joining or, in the case of some longstanding members, rejoining Guildford and Reading (we may need a new Branch name). You will be most welcome - do volunteer for the committee and do join in our social events. Our cruise on the Wey & Arun Canal will be on Saturday 22nd September (see details on page 20). There are still places available on the Thames barge trip from 28th to 30th September – please contact me if you are interested. We now have a new webmaster, Tim Fry. Thanks to Pete Nicolls who has had to relinquish the duties due to his work.

Following the AGM in March, the Branch Committee is now settling in. Jenny Bartholomew is looking after planning and the Kennet and Avon. Others continue in their previous roles although John How is devoting much time and effort to the water resource issues on the Basingstoke. Verna, having already spent much time earlier in the year organising the S&HCS Canalside Jubilee event in June, has again played her part in another successful WRG work week on the Basingstoke. This is a prime focus which is commented on elsewhere.

I have had a very enjoyable few weeks on the English and French waterways. I travelled north on the North Oxford and thence to Fradley junction and the Trent and Mersey. I left the Macclesfield on the Friday to join other friends at Anderton for a Cheshire Ring trip. Previous I had spent a weekend on the Wey with yet another group. We had remarkably good weather on all these trips and the waterways seemed in very good shape. Misgivings were expressed by many on CRT and its future finances. I attended the Surrey and Hants AGM where both Tony Hales formerly Chairman BW and Linda Kemeny chair of the Basingstoke JMC spoke.

10 Both are very committed to the waterways and both understand the huge economic dividend delivered by the inland waterways. However CRT is a much more competent and functional organisation than the Basingstoke with its multi-threaded, largely incompetent and unfocused management structure. Following that I had a week on the Canal de Bourgogne. We travelled north from Veneray to the junction with the Yonne. It was a very pleasant trip and we found the lockkeepers and the locals very friendly and helpful. We were not quite so impressed with the hire firm, Nichols, but I will be taking that up with them directly. We did note three things.

First, apart from hire boats and hotel holiday peniches, there are very few other boats either moving or stationery. No slowing down for endless moored boats here.

Secondly while the hire boats seem fairly busy the hirers were Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, German, Dutch, Russian or Eastern European. Few Southern Europeans and NO French. We did see one commercial peniche loading near the junction with the Yonne. Secondly there are no birds except the odd heron. There are fishermen so presumably there are fish but the French gun, rod and pot it seems has exterminated most wild life. Lastly many, many villages are now bereft of village bars and eating places. Many listed in the waterway guide are closed for the foreseeable future. Economic bleakness has hit rural France very hard. It is difficult to see how these waterways will continue with so much manpower in the form of lockkeepers and so little traffic.

The Olympics are now here to enliven the summer if not to curtail some boating.

However one can believe that there will be a dividend for us in future years. One must wish CRT well and hope they are as successful a charity as other long standing national charities. One may worry about the future and certainly there is much to worry about but charities do seem to have a much better record of running things than government. We shall see.

Gareth Jones

Sales and Publicity Stand As expected, June proved to be a very busy month with the Sales/Publicity Stand on the road for three consecutive weekends though we could hardly have anticipated such unseasonably poor weather.

First, we were at Frimley Lodge Park for Canalside Jubilee, a well-run event that

‘Doreen C’ (Tim & Liz Dodwell) ahead of ‘Victoria M’ (Jan Smith & Pam Wait)

John Ross joins the team on the Branch Stand

11 could have done with more public support. However it was held on the weekend of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations with many counter attractions not least, for boaters, the Thames Pageant on the Sunday. However, there were some compensations for the lack of visiting boats – ‘Elizabeth Rose’ with John Ross in his Beefeaters outfit added a touch of brightness to the occasion and Mark Coxhead again came up trumps with a splendid cake to mark the 21st anniversary of the canal’s reopening. It was also interesting to see memorabilia displayed by Robin Higgs who had, of course, figured prominently in the reopening proceedings in 1991.

The following weekend saw our annual appearance at the Beale Park Boat show.

Hardly had we finished setting up the stands on the Thursday afternoon, when the heavens opened. So much rain fell between then and the following morning that parts of the site became waterlogged and the Friday opening had to be abandoned.

The Saturday and Sunday saw an improvement in the weather but we were never going to make up for the loss of a complete day’s trading.

Since then we have attended Reading Water Fest on Saturday 16th June and Newbury Waterways Festival on Sunday 22nd July – see separate reports on pages 16 and 17.

Our final outside event of the year will be the Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet now set for Saturday 6th October (further details on page 14).

Ray Carnell

Kingswear Castle Trip Following on from Roddy McKee’s talk in May (see report on page 16), over 30 IWA members and friends (accounting for around half of the fare-paying passengers) joined the Kingswear Castle’s ‘Wharfs, Creeks and Jetties’ Trip on 23rd June. In somewhat blustery conditions we set out from Chatham Dockyard on the cruise to Sheerness and back, visiting various points of interest en route with distant views of the Sheppey Road Bridge and across the estuary to Southend on Sea. A relaxed atmosphere, enhanced by some of Roddy’s amusing anecdotes, added to the

12 enjoyment of the occasion. Thanks are due to Alan Eggby of South London Branch for organising the trip.

RC

Surrey Industrial History Group Lectures The 37th Series of industrial archaeology lectures includes two with waterways aspects. On 16th October the lecture will be on Mapledurham Mill: The Millers Tale from Domesday to 2012 by Mildred Cookson, Miller. A fortnight later, on 30th October, the subject of SIHG member Geoff Roles’ talk is ‘Crossing London’s River’ Lectures are from 19.30 to 21.30 at Lecture Theatre F (Building 12) at the University of Surrey, Guildford and cost is £5 per lecture. The season of lectures continues fortnightly on Tuesdays but from December onwards meetings will be at The Education Centre, Guildford Cathedral. For further details see www.sihg.org.uk

Bits on the Basingstoke Yet again I find myself reporting on the Basingstoke in a state of indecision and frustration. At present there is much to report that is good on the Basingstoke. Let’s start with that and then move on to analyse what’s wrong. First there is considerable goodwill, energy and leadership from the politicians on both County Councils. Secondly there appears to be the finance to do the job either from the public purse or the Lottery. Thirdly the job does not appear to be presenting major challenges. Fourthly there is a will by Bob Potter to build a marina at Mytchett and various ideas for mooring facilities along the canal. Fifthly there is huge public support from a broad range of users for an open navigation. There are no motorways to be culverted at vast expense or diversions or low and immovable bridges for example. The greatest engineering challenge is the provision of adequate water supplies but even that seems to be soluble at a reasonable cost.

Relationships appear good with the regulatory agencies of the Environment and Natural England.

So what is the difficulty? I am reminded of the politician who set himself modest goals when in office but found himself presented with formidable obstacles. The first of this is the “study“. We have lots of these. They are time consuming, costly, delaying and largely consist of “give me your watch and I’ll tell you the time”. We have the “Vision“, available to view on the Surrey County Council website. We have the estates department conducting an evaluation which largely serves to delay yet again the Canoe Clubs plans. We have endless engineering and risk evaluations.

We have a contractor who allegedly has not previously worked on inland waterways. However we do not have very much going to look at other waterways to see best practice. We do not have much of people descending from ivory towers to see the problems on the ground and at first hand. We do have lots of meetings the minutes of which are produced with interminable delay and contain the minimum of action points. We have a serious deficit of competence in running a navigation. We have an organisation structure which is dysfunctional. In consequence despite spending considerable quantities of public money and huge volunteer effort very little progress has been and is being made to open navigation through Brookwood

13 and Deepcut. And very limited “Open Access� occurs through Woodham and St Johns.

Impressions of Dereliction on the Basingstoke

[Photo: Courtesy of WRG]

Above Deepcut though, isolated navigation is serene. Despite a golden opportunity when the leases were due for renewal at end June this year it appears that the houseboat navigation issue at Woodham was not addressed. A walk from Brookwood through Deepcut gives an impression of dereliction with trees growing from lock walls.

Ian Brown the BCA Director retired at the end of June. His successor needs to be competent and have a clear mandate to reopen the canal to navigation. That mandate needs to be part of an organisation structure which has authority over all matters concerning the navigation. On the Wey you have a clear example under the National Trust and John Gibson of a joined up organisation resulting in a waterway working exceptionally well with high user satisfaction. On the Basingstoke you have an example of the opposite.

Lastly I would make the point that an open Basingstoke Canal would make a major economic contribution to its environs. The Falkirk Wheel and associated waterways have already according to the Chairman of British Waterways returned fivefold the original investment made at the Millennium. While we live in a prosperous area additional benefits in this time of austerity should not be spurned. Gareth Jones

14

Fox & Hounds Rally at Fleet The Basingstoke Canal Boating Club’s annual rally at the Fox & Hounds pub in Church Crookham, Fleet is moving back to the slightly later dates of 6th and 7th of October with the main activities taking place on the Saturday. The BCBC Committee are hopeful that the works at Deepcut and Brookwood might be completed to allow the re-opening of the entire canal in September, and allow boaters from Woking and the River Wey to join us.

We are hoping to have all the usual entertainments including members of the Steam Boat Association with their beautiful craft. Do make a point of putting the date in your diaries and come along and join us.

Jan Byrnes

S&HCS Social Meetings Following last season’s widely acclaimed series of meetings we look forward with eager anticipation to the new season starting in the autumn at the usual venue the Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, near Woking,GU24 8AZ. Meetings will commence at 8pm on the third Wednesday of the month.

Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available during the interval. Non members and friends are very welcome to come along.

Wed 17th Oct

Wed 21st Nov

Wed 19th Dec

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

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

Murray Jones - ' History of Dragon Boat Racing' (First Half) Kathryn Dodington - ' The Jubilee Thames River Pageant 2012' (Second half) Murray is an international official of the Dragon Boat Racing Association and will describe the fascinating history of this unique sport and its competitions.

Kathryn (a Canal Society committee member) will talk about her participation in her narrow boat 'Leo No.2' in the Jubilee Thames River Pageant this year.

John Willis - 'Crofton Beam Engines on the Kennet and Avon Canal' John Willis is the Chairman of the Crofton Beam Engines Group of the Trust and will describe the history and operation of the historic 1812 Boulton and Watt engines which this year are celebrating their 200th anniversary.

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

15

River Thames News Future of Navigation (FoN project) It is clear that the Government wish the Environment Agency to eventually become a ‘Regulatory and Monitoring’ body and not have any ‘Operational elements’.

Consequently the FoN project is now seen as an essential step to ensure EA Navigation is ring fenced and being run as near as possible to a ‘commercial business’.

A number of organisations represented on the Thames - Waterways Working Group (WWG) express concern that the EA Navigations and particularly the River Thames will be transferred to the new Canal & River Trust in 2015. However recently Lord Smith (Chairman of the Environment Agency) in a Lords debate, gave a clear indication that EA are fully supportive of the transfer into CRT, quote;‘It is, of course, the Government's ambition to go a bit further in two to three years' time and to include the Environment Agency's navigation responsibilities in the new Canal and River Trust. I welcome that ambition and we in the Environment Agency will do everything that we can to assist the process’ Management Matt Carter (Thames non-tidal Manager) is now well established and his priority is to maintain (and where possible improve) the navigation and level of customer service at the standards achieved over recent years. The slimmed-down Management structure of the merged two EA Regions is producing substantial savings and the focus is on the employment and training of volunteers as Summer Assistants at locks, plus Boatmen for enforcement. The new Commercial Manager has introduced some ‘quick wins’.

Customer Survey Telephone customer survey by a Consultant, indicated that the random 151 surveyed (expected to give at least 92% accuracy) showed that 80+% were happy with the service; most knew nothing about Grant in Aid and assumed that boaters fees paid for all the service. Few knew about the ‘Customer Charter’ or anything to do with enforcement, hence improvements are required in ‘selling the messages’.

Enforcement The new approach to licence enforcement is in its infancy, but is already increasing boat licence revenues and fines through court cases. Good message, more to be done.

Major Events Both the Port of London Authority (PLA) and EA Navigations have been congratulated on their efficient organisation and management for the Jubilee Pageant.

Preparations for the Olympics are on programme, with adequate notices of changes to River navigations where appropriate.

John How

16

Kennet & Avon Canal News A tale of two steamers by Roddy McKee At the joint meeting of IWA Guildford & Reading Branch and the Reading Branch of the K&A Canal Trust in Mid-May members were entertained by Roddy McKee with his informative, interesting and amusing illustrated talk about the Paddle Steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle. As a member of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, Roddy showed his depth of knowledge of the subject and we looked forward to meeting him again in his role as crew of the Kingswear Castle (see separate report on page 11).

Also at the meeting John Reid, and his wife Caroline, came up from Portsmouth to say a few words about the Olympic Atlantic Row in which his nephew, Andrew Morris, was to participate and which it was planned to complete by traversing the K&A Canal from Bristol to Reading on the way to the finish at London (see article on page 17).

RC

Reading Water Fest Heavy rain during the week before the event resulted in flood conditions on the River Kennet which made it impossible to proceed with the river-based Water Fest activities and left David Copley (Chairman of K&A Canal Trust, Reading) and Lucy Burgess’s team from Reading Councils Promotions Dept. with the considerable task of relocating the craft stands etc. from Riverside Walk/Chestnut Walk to Forbury Gardens. Although not an ideal solution, the various stallholders made the best of it as they battled with strong winds on the day. Despite the absence of boats and the

17 change of venue, the public turned up in good numbers as usual but everyone seemed to be looking forward to a return to normality next year.

RC

Newbury Waterways Festival After a break last year, Newbury Waterways Festival‘s return to Victoria Park on 22nd July was marked by large crowds enjoying a welcome touch of fine summer weather. The gathering of craft along the waterside included the Narrow Boat Trust’s pair ‘Nuneaton’ and ‘Brighton’ whilst on land there was a large number of craft stalls as well as the stands representing a variety of waterways organisations.

Cruises aboard the K&A trip boat Jubilee (now based at Newbury Wharf) proved very popular. The theme for this year’s show was ‘Diamonds & Gold’ (marking the Royal Diamond Jubilee and the K&A Canal Trust’s 50th Anniversary). The winner of the award for ‘Best dressed boat’ went to John Ross with ‘Elizabeth Rose’ – yet another success for John who had already won the Marcus Boudier Trophy at Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice in May this year. John explained that this was the fourth event to which he had taken ‘Elizabeth Rose’ specially decorated for the Jubilee and featuring the Tower of London (including ravens). He was clearly pleased that his meticulous decorative work had been giving so much pleasure to the general public (and particularly John Ross receiving the award the children) on all these occasions. To round for Best Dressed Boat from off the event, and by popular demand, the public Councillor Arthur Johnson, the were to see ‘Elizabeth Rose’ in action as she Mayor of Newbury led the field for the start of the Duck Race. The [Photo: Ray Carnell] Newbury Branch of the Trust, with Graham Smith at the helm, must be congratulated on organising such a fine event.

RC

Olympic Atlantic Row The original grand plan was for Roz Savage and Andrew Morris to row the Atlantic from St. Johns in Newfoundland to England starting in early May 2012. They have both rowed the Atlantic single-handed before, but this would be a first for a male / female crew. Their aim was to get to London a few days before the opening of the Olympics.

Their rowing boat, 'Bojangles', is a 24' ocean going craft full of the latest toys to make such an epic crossing 'reasonably' safe. It has already been rowed across the Atlantic twice (2,575 miles) and the Pacific once (7,000+ miles).

First landfall from Canada would be Lands End, then to London either by rowing along the English Channel, turning left at Dover and then again at Margate, to travel up the Thames or, their preferred route, up the Bristol Channel to Portishead, then up the River Avon to Bristol Floating Harbour. From there to Bath and on to the

18 Kennet & Avon Canal to Reading and finally from Reading they would continue down the Thames to the Olympics.

The crew of Bojangles bid farewell to the K&A Canal as the Thames beckons [Photo: John Swift]

In the event, their carefully scheduled departure from Canada was delayed by ice flows (shades of the Titanic a hundred years ago) which had broken away from Greenland two years earlier. As the days passed, it became obvious that they were not going to make it to London in time for the Games.

Eventually, they had to completely re-organise and because of the new timings, Roz had to withdraw from the crossing. Andrew, who is in transport logistics as a profession, decided to have 'Bojangles' shipped across in a container to Harwich and on by trailer to Clevedon in Somerset on the Bristol Channel. It turned out that the slipway at Clevedon was unsuitable to launch such a large rowing boat so back on the trailer to Portishead, from where their UK journey commenced in early July, Andrew Morris shared the rowing with Chris Martin, who had rowed 'Bojangles' across the Pacific. Naomi Coe, a member of the organising team, would also share the rowing. Even this inland waterways part of the journey was not without problems. Having entered Bristol Floating Harbour, they were told they could not be let out on to the tidal Avon as it was too dangerous (This in respect of a boat and a crew who have, on other occasions, crossed oceans). In fairness, the state of the river was such that no craft could have navigated safely. So, back to the trailer and a trip by road from Bristol to Bath. Once on the Kennet and Avon, things looked up, but we all know how bad the weather was in July.

The team were very ably assisted at this stage and all the way to Reading and beyond, by the 'Amber Foundation', an organisation which takes in youngsters who have 'fallen by the wayside'. It provides accommodation, moral support and opportunities which, as its tag-line says, "transforms young lives". It had a 78% success rate in 2011 with 133 unemployed young lives transformed.

19 The Foundation provided from two to eight of their youngsters each day to help with the lock setting, including Caen Hill Flight. A hired narrowboat accompanied 'Bojangles' for all of the K&A route with John & Caroline Reid providing support and beds each night.

It was fortunate that they reached Devizes on the day that C&RT was officially 'launched' and were therefore absorbed into the celebrations by the K&ACT. They reached Reading on a very rainy 18th July, with a K&ACT Reading Branch reception party cheering and clapping them through 'The Oracle' shopping centre.

The following day they set off down The Thames, welcoming various forms of hospitality on the way. On Sunday 22nd July, Andrew 'Moz' Morris rowed for an incredible 11 hours almost non-stop, covering the 30 miles from Bray to Twickenham Yacht Club, where a reception was waiting. From there, the final leg to Westminster, where they had to end the adventure, as security for the Olympics would not let them proceed any further.

A great disappointment that they couldn't include the Atlantic crossing this time, but even 'our' bit was still a great achievement. See www.OAR2012.com for more information.

It goes without saying, that adventurers such as these are already planning the next epic row and, who knows, they might be able to complete the whole route next time. Their aim is to encourage youngsters to take up rowing by fund raising for 'The Rowing Foundation charity - helping young people on to the water'. www.therowingfoundation.org.uk Congratulations to all concerned.

Canal Trust Meetings

John Swift

Both the Newbury and Reading Sections of the Trust hold a series of autumn/winter monthly meetings to which non-members are always welcome. For the latest details see their Website at www.katrust.org The Newbury meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at The Stone Building, The Wharf, Newbury RG14 5AS at 7.45pm prompt (doors open 30mins before). Admission is free. Light Refreshments are available. There is adequate public parking alongside the venue. Meetings will be held on 26th September, 31st October and 28th November. Details of speakers have yet to be confirmed and more details will be on the Website nearer the time.

Further information from the Trust Administrator 01380 721279 or Branch Secretary 01635 580356, Email: kact.newbury@virgin.net The Reading meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month from September to May (excluding Dec) at The Grange Church Hall, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD (just off the A4 Bath Road).

First three months are as follows: Tue 18th Sep

Martin Buckland – 'The Wilts & Berks Canal' and 'The history of World Canals'

20 Tue 16th Oct th

Tue 20 Nov

to be advised to be advised

Entry donation, including K&A members, £2.50 (to help with expenses).

More details can be found on K&A Trust website: www.katrust.org

Wey & Arun Cruise Members are invited to join a cruise on the Wey & Arun Canal on Saturday 22nd September. This will be a three and a half hour trip starting from the Onslow Arms, Loxwood at 2.30 pm and costing £12 per person. Further details will be on the Branch website www.waterways.org.uk/guildford/guildford_reading There are a limited number of places available which are being allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. If you would like to join us please contact Verna Smith on 01252 517622 email verna.smith1@virginmedia.com by 8th September at the latest.

Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group Maidenhead Waterways Plans APPROVED After six years of hard work, by volunteers and professionals, and some hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on technical feasibility and environmental assessments, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has granted planning permission for Phase 1 of the waterways restoration scheme, subject to various conditions. Permission is being granted for a five year period, with a requirement to complete the works within a further five years, giving Maidenhead Waterways Group maximum time to secure the funding needed for implementation.

This first phase of the waterway plans will create a 2.1Km long navigable ‘Ring’ around the town centre, suitable for use by small craft, and linking with the Thames via Bray Cut to the south at Bray Marina. A lock will be added when the number of larger craft able to reach the ‘Ring’ area make this worthwhile, but the channels will be constructed from the outset to ultimately accommodate narrow boats. In the meantime, boat rollers at the weir will assist smaller craft to access the ‘Ring’.

Members of a specially called Development Control Panel on 13th June gave a warm response to the proposals, which form a key part of the Area Action Plan to rejuvenate Maidenhead town centre. Many Panel members and other councillors spoke for and enthusiastically endorsed the plans and also the professional way the Waterways Group had gone about them. There were also some excellent public speakers in support, from a range of different perspectives – a championship level canoeist, the Sports and Recreational Alliance (formerly CCPR), the Chair of PRoM (the group leading the Area Action Plan), the Civic Society, Chamber of Commerce and also a key developer of a number of ‘waterside’ sites in the town.

The hearing lasted over two hours as the Panel covered all the ground, received various lengthy reports and debated the issues. The project is far more complex and wide reaching than our simple vision of …’bringing the Thames into town’ might suggest and the rigour of the planning process, which at times has proved to be frustrating, at least means we now have a robust approval. Our hard won

21 unequivocal support from the Environment Agency, who formally back the project and had no objection, on flood or any other grounds, greatly reassured the Panel and helped secure the decision we wanted.

Securing planning consent is a major step forward for the Maidenhead Waterways Group, increasing our credibility with funders and also developers looking to participate in the wider Area Action Plan developments. With this first planning consent granted, we can now move on to working through the planning conditions and to completing a lengthy detailed design stage of work, while funding sources are in parallel sought to implement the first Phase.

Richard Davenport

Boats at Olympic Cycle Race On Saturday 28th July the Olympic Men's Road Cycle Race passed through Surrey and crossed the River Wey Navigation at Newark Bridge.

Given the road closures and the difficulty in parking close to the route many people used the River Wey Navigation to reach Newark Bridge. A steady stream of walkers and cyclists passed down the towpath from Cart Bridge, Send and over a dozen boats were moored between Papercourt Lock and Newark Bridge so that their crews could view the race. The photo shows the view from the bridge towards [Photo: Matthew Lewis] Papercourt lock immediately after the race.

Mike Lewis

IWAKES Branch News

Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Come for a Walk with SORT Terry Owen, SORT member and co-creator of the Sussex Ouse Valley Way, will be leading guided walks to the Iron Gate lock site at Sheffield Park on Fridays 31st August and 28th September, departing at 10:30 from the Visitor Centre. They will be about 2 miles in length and be of no more than 2 hours in duration. These walks are restricted in numbers and must be pre-booked with the National Trust via 01825 791264, or e-mail sheffieldpark@nationaltrust.org.uk Terry’s own 'Discovering Sussex' walk will be on 30th September starting at 10am from Barcombe Mills car park (grid ref: TQ 304247) about 1 mile west of the A26. It is a nine-mile walk entitled "The Ouse - Looking Good at Isfield Lock". All welcome,

22 no pre-booking, bring a snack and a drink and please do be capable of walking 9 miles!! (A small contribution to the Leader’s expenses is always welcome).

More on MORPH (Middle Ouse Restoration of Physical Habitats) Members of the SORT management committee have met with the EA and their consultants Royal Haskoning on four separate occasions in the last year to appraise, critique and hopefully influence their plans for the 10 sites on the River Ouse where the EA wishes to improve the river habitat or water quality through improvements, renovation or removal of various structures in the river, in particular fish passes, sewage outfalls, weirs and so on. We continue to push for what the EA refer to as “no regrets” solutions on each site where all interested parties are catered for in the adopted design and works undertaken. We are concerned, however, in that the most recent communication received from the EA in the form of a Newsletter to all stakeholders included reference to a "preferred solution" at Sutton Hall Weir. So far as we are aware a number of options were still up for consultation at this site and we have not seen any formal report on any adopted scheme, despite two direct requests to the EA. We are continuing to press for these to be made available.

SORT Needs a New Membership Secretary (and Fundraiser)!

Sadly, our Membership Secretary has decided to relinquish his post so we seek a replacement. If you think that you have the necessary persuasive and computer skills to handle this role, please get in touch with SORT via their Secretary, Hazel, at: 4 Farm Cottages, Parkfield Way, Bolnore, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4TB; Tel 01444 414413; e-mail info@sxouse.org.uk.

He was also our Fundraiser, but these two roles need not be tied together so if anyone out there in IWA-land fancies fundraising for SORT please also get in touch.

Bob Draper ISFIELD LOCK Down on the Sussex Ouse, following an unexpected earlier start during a dry April to this year’s restoration targets, the rain during May and early June quickly slowed the work down. However brief windows of

Before the pour

… and after

23 opportunity appeared and allowed steady preparation for the repair of the hole in the fore-bay of the lock chamber.

The preparation involved extending the ramp into the chamber to the offending area to allow machinery access before the area surrounding the hole could be cleared and cleaned. The steel for the concrete reinforcement then needed to be placed across the bay and into recesses chased into the walls, positioned and secured.

Once that was achieved all that was required was a window in the weather and a turnout of a large enough workforce to enable the 3.6 cubic metres of concrete to be mixed and poured in one day.

Somehow a day was selected, during some of the most unsettled weather for years. The lock was regularly pumped dry leading to the chosen day and on Saturday 9th June the ‘big pour’ was completed in a continuous seven hour operation involving most of the regular SORT workforce and some invaluable help from three members of KESCRG.

Part of the pour team

[Photo: Roy Sutton]

The success of the task rested heavily on Ted Lintott’s shoulders and SORT do recognise the amount of work and planning he put into this one day when the main restoration task for 2012 was completed. And, with that task complete, work can now continue with the demolition and restoration of the west chamber wall.

Terry Owen

Thames & Medway Canal Association Since the Summer issue we have been subject to rain and wet conditions for much of our working activities; but kept up our regular presence along the canal keeping

the footpath clear and free from overhanging growth and encroaching vegetation.

Litter picking and clearing fly tipping and dumping is still necessary. The RSPB walked with members along the towpath identifying flora and fauna and explaining the work they had been achieving on Shorne marshes, next to the canal, to

24 encourage waders and lapwings to feed and breed. There is a cattle grazing

management plan to keep the grass to an acceptable height particularly down the banks of the drains and dykes to make them more usable for waterfowl.

Two walks were undertaken for the Gravesham Month by TMCA this year. Angela attended the first, when over twenty walkers came along on a reasonably balmy evening. She understands the second walk was similarly blessed. David Rouse guided us along, telling the visitors about sights along the canal; also how Charles Dickens used to walk the canal and marshes gaining inspiration for his novels (such as "Great Expectations" based very much around the marshes).

The TMCA display team took the information stall to the Chatham and District

Model Railway Show in Number Five Slip, Chatham Dockyard on 9th & 10th June.

We had a reasonable position near the Cafe. There were well over 100 other stalls; including many super layouts of train tracks of differing gauges. Both days were very busy with people interested in our canal, especially the fact it is now a railway.

We had visitors from the Bridgewater and Taunton Canal and the Somerset Coal Canal, all interested in OUR canal, plus many other visitors, some familiar with the canal, many not. Angela was fascinated by the intricate layouts and the work that must have been involved in making them, including a couple that involved canals and narrow boats. A well worthwhile visit to a historic environment.

Talks to groups of WI, ARA, Rotary, etc. keep our profile and promotion going as well as helping to raise funds for equipment etc.

25 The pontoon at Town Pier, Gravesend is being used, highlighting the river frontage and MV Balmoral is running a series of cruises up and down river from the pontoon.

Thames Barge Cambria is being moored there during the first week of August, after the Barge Race, with The Thames and Medway Canal Association on board on Friday 3rd August with a display and talks about the canal.

We attended the ‘unveiling’ of an information board at the now filled in and built over Strood Lock. Three local Councillors were present and it was very sad to see the lack of foresight and initiative by the Medway Council not to at least make provision for opening up a link to the River Thames sometime in the future by preserving the line of the canal as a linear water park for the residents when the development is completed.

Angela Acott/Brian Macknish

River Medway News The Olympic Torch travelled down the River Medway on Friday 20 July. The Olympic Torchbearer boarded a Royal Barge at Archbishop’s Palace and was rowed downstream, escorted by the police, to the Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club steps. As part of the Olympic Torch celebrations, there was a Maidstone Mile Swim by two groups of swimmers from Maidstone Law Courts to Tovil and return.

On 26th May a Medway day of action by the members of the Environment Agency, Fisheries, and Bio diversity unit and Police was undertaken from Yalding to Maidstone town centre. 98 Unregistered boats were noted and 13 of these reported for prosecution. The police also gained some intelligence information. This exercise will be repeated at some time in the future. The EA stress that they consider prosecution only as a last resort and encourage boat owners to have their vessel license registrations up to date.

The Kent Police Marine unit are setting up a pilot Kent Marine Watch Service similar to neighbourhood watch whereby members of the public can report crime related incidents on or about the river. Information is then sent quickly by a community message system via email, text, mobile, landline phone, etc. to various river users and police units. A similar system on Essex waterways has seen a 20% drop in boat and river related crime.

The River Medway towpath where it passes through Maidstone on the south side of the river behind the retail outlets has had a section cut off by development and the existing older Power Hub building. Efforts by Maidstone Borough Council to have this missing link opened are encouraging. Recent discussions with Baltic Wharf, the land owners, and visits by civil engineers have been positive and although a

26 listed building is involved it is hoped this short section will accessible through to Whatman Park in the not-too-distant future.

The 3rd meeting of the newly formed Medway River Alliance took place on 19th June at the EA offices in Addington. This was very much a working meeting with ideas and suggestions put forward from workshop sessions on how best the Alliance can have a shared way forward for the Medway to promote a river for people, wildlife and prosperity. These areas cover access, amenities, navigation, water quality, ecology, commerce and regeneration. The Alliance is made up of several organisations and interested parties that include Maidstone and Tonbridge & Malling councils, MRUA, Commercial operators , Marina owners, IWA, Medway Valley Countrywide Partnership, canoe /rowing clubs, Kent Fisheries and the EA. Mike Marsh

Bodiam 2013 IWA 2013 National Trailboat Festival - Bodiam Castle, River Rother, E. Sussex Spring Bank Holiday Saturday 25th to Monday 27th May 2013 The Kent & East Sussex Branch of the Inland Waterways Association is pleased to announce that it will be running the 2013 IWA National Trailboat Festival in association with the National Trust.

The Festival will held at Bodiam Castle, with a mooring site directly in front of the castle on the Eastern River Rother over the Spring Bank Holiday 2013.

The purpose of the festival is to promote the use of the River Rother. The river whilst navigable is currently little used between Bodiam and Rye. The river runs through idyllic countryside and offers trailboaters the opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet of a beautiful river over a stretch of 12.5 miles. It is also hoped that the festival will additionally profile the work of IWA, The Thames and Medway Canal Association and the Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust.

Festival organisers, Kent and East Sussex Branch of IWA, hope that the festival will stimulate interest in the local inland waterways, amongst the large number of visitors to Bodiam Castle over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, and especially hope that it will capture the imagination of visiting children. The Branch also hopes to use the festival as a campaign platform to promote membership of IWA. Les Etheridge, Festival Chairman said: “The River Rother is a beautiful river navigation that is now sadly little used by boats. We hope that this festival will encourage visitors to make more use of the river and the prospect of seeing a large number of boats moored against the backdrop of the magnificent Bodiam Castle is a really exciting prospect for all involved.”

For more information on: The 2013 National Trailboat Festival – www.waterways.org.uk/bodiam2013 Bodiam Castle and the National Trust - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle

27 The Thames and Medway Canal Association - www.thamesmedway.co.uk The Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust - www.sxouse.org.uk Copies of the event poster www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/trailboat_festival_2013/poster and entry form www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/trailboat_festival_2013/Entry_Form

Future IWAKES and Other Events th

Thu 16 Aug: 3.00pm to 7.00pm Open afternoon at Sutton Hall Lock, Isfield: SORT members and guests can see for themselves the restoration that has so far been achieved and talk to volunteer working party members about their work.

Teas, coffees and soft drinks will be available and a lock-side barbecue will offer a selection of cooked food, both meat and vegetarian.

Parking will be available nearby, with a short walk through woodland and fields to reach the lock.

Please telephone Terry Owen on 01342 315786 for further information and directions and to confirm whether you would like to attend.

Fri 31st Aug and 28th Sep at 10.30am Iron Gate Lock visits: The National Trust and Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust have organised guided walks at Sheffield Park that will visit Iron Gate Lock and which will be led by a member of SORT. Walks will be about 2 miles in length and be of no more than 2 hours in duration.

Visitors will be able to see the work carried out at Iron Gates to date and learn more about the Ouse Navigation. Walkers should call the National Trust at Sheffield Park on 01825 791264 or email sheffieldpark@nationaltrust.org.uk to obtain directions and further details and to book a place.

Thu 4th Oct: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend: “The Rochester Bridge Wardens Trust”: Talk by Sue Threader This is a TMCA-organised event to which all are welcome.

Sun 21st Oct: 10.30am to 4.00pm Visit to Crossness Engines: (see map on inside back cover) The Old Works, Crossness STW, Belvedere Road, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9AQ. The engines will be in steam. Entry is £5 (under 16s free).

Visitors are advised to wear flat shoes as refurbishment is under way.

28 A minibus service operates from Abbey Wood BR Station, with the first leaving at 10.15am and thereafter at half-hourly intervals with the last bus leaving Crossness at 5.00pm. (We will assemble and meet the first minibus service when it arrives at Crossness).

Thu 15th Nov: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Upper Room, Perrymount Methodist Church, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3DM (near the Railway Station and 200 yards from Clair Hall) Andrew Richardson, Chairman of the River Stour Trust, will give a presentation on the trials and tribulations they face in restoring the Suffolk Stour, a similar project to the Sussex Ouse SORT and IWAKES joint meeting.

Thu 6th Dec: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Gravesend Sailing Club, The Promenade, Gravesend: “Paddle Steamer Medway Queen – Heroine of Dunkirk” TMCA and IWAKES pre-Christmas get-together Thu 24th Jan: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Strood Yacht Club, Knights Road, Strood: “Implementing the Medway Plan”: Phil Munslow will describe the works undertaken (and still being undertaken) by Environment Agency on the Medway over the past ten years.

Wed 27th Feb: 8:00pm for 8:15pm IWAKES AGM at St Nicholas’ Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone.

Thu 21st Mar: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Grove Ferry Boat Club, Grove Ferry Road, Upstreet, nr Canterbury: CT3 4BP “The Basingstoke Canal”: Gareth Jones, Chairman, G&R Branch.

Tea and coffee are available at all IWAKES evening meetings.

Oxfordshire Branch News Chairman’s Report What a year 2012 has been for the waterways and their enthusiasts and as I write this half of the year lies before us. Those of us fortunate enough to have been out on the water have had to be aware of water levels and availability, states of stream, stoppages and restrictions. As many of you know, for a few days in April the Oxford Canal and the River Cherwell were as one below Nell Bridge. The Thames has been on “red” four times in May and June, the first time for three weeks. Thanks to

29 technology it is much easier to know the situation than it used to be.

The “Fun Weekend” at Heyford Wharf was, despite the indifferent weather, much enjoyed by both visitors and members. The new event in a rural location was not as busy as we hoped, the weather forecast probably did not help. The telephone booking system for the trip boats kindly run by Muddy Waters was much appreciated, for which we thank them. The boat trips were nearly full. John Webb and his street organ drew attention to the event and was great entertainment for all.

The Bloxham Ladies Morris on the Sunday was very popular as was the service from “Kizzie's Bistro”. Oxfordshire Narrowboats were so pleased with the weekend that they have invited the Branch to come back in April 2013 and we have accepted, in anticipation that one of our members will in due course volunteer to organise it.

Sue and I were fortunate enough to have complimentary tickets to watch the “Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant” from the upstream side of Chelsea Bridge. We were very lucky to see it all from such a great location. Six hours with other boaters of every possible hue in the cold and wet (the heavy rain only arrived just before the passenger boats reached Chelsea) was interesting. When the pageant finally appeared, the sound of the bells was great and all those man powered boats amazing. There were many other things of interest not least the narrowboats.

Philip Tree, one of the Branch volunteers, was on Century with a group of scouts and others from Warwickshire. He told me how much of a huge undertaking, over several days, taking part was. The day itself for Century meant a start well before 6am only being tied up in West India Dock again after 10pm. She still had to return to Stratford-Upon-Avon. We thought “Gloriana” was the best boat. I trust that your experience of the pageant was good too.

Starting in March, Cherwell District Council has been consulting on the various documents of the final draft of their Local Plan (which replaces the Local Development Framework). The first document was a proposal to make the whole of the Oxford Canal in the district a conservation area. Then in May the Draft Conservation and Urban Design Strategy for 2012-2015 was issued for consultation. This is relevant to a number of their policies but especially Bankside, Canalside and the proposed Oxford Canal Conservation Area. During the autumn, comments will be invited on the draft Local Plan itself. This is a much changed document from the draft Core Strategy. The Oxford Canal is now given proper recognition. The change, by the district council, in their plans giving recognition of the Oxford Canal, is for heritage and value as a resource, is marked, amazing and has been welcomed by the Branch.

Over the weekend of 8th and 9th September the Branch will be involved in supporting Oxford Preservation Trust's “Open Doors”. Last year the whole heritage event in Oxford had 60,000 visitors, the largest event on that weekend in the country. The theme this year is “Oxford's Industrial Heritage” in which of course, the canal is important. The trust and the Oxford City Canal Partnership, with support from Kate Saffin, are organising the events in the Pocket Park leaving the Branch to organise the three trip boats. Philip Tree will be managing these with Peter Darch the moorings. If you are one of those who kindly volunteered to help,

30 thank you. If you are not, please come along anyway and join the fun. If you plan to bring your boat please book a mooring with Peter. This is our fourth year at Oxford Open Doors and each has been better than the previous one at both promoting the waterways and as a social occasion for members. We are hoping that since the location is at the boundary between canal and Environment Agency territory, the Canal & River Trust will be well represented.

Then Sunday 7th October will be “Banbury Canal Day”. This is its ninth year. Last year was fantastic for all with perhaps as many as 20,000 attending. One of our members, Tricia Campbell of Banbury Town Council, is the lead organiser. The Branch contribution will be restricted to running the three trip boats with Philip and Peter again organising things for us. If you wish to come by boat you need to book in with the town council but it is a good idea to tell Peter too. Again, if you are one of those who kindly volunteered to help, thank you. If you are not, please come along anyway and enjoy the atmosphere.

This year “Theatre in the Dock” will be organised in Tooley's Historic Boatyard in the few days before Banbury Canal Day, from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th October.

Details are being finalised as I write this. The timing and the events being planned will increase the attraction for boaters in coming to Banbury by boat for Canal Day. The Branch will be involved with volunteers supporting the events as stewards. Full details will be available on the website in due course. If the association has your email address, further information will be sent to you that way.

In June the Branch became aware of a planning application to the Vale of White Horse by Cotswold Boat Hire of Lechlade for change of use for the derelict buildings on Brandy Island adjacent to Buscot Lock on the River Thames.

Cotswold Boat Hire has purchased the island from Thames Water and are proposing that they be allowed to relocate their business there. The change of use of existing buildings in support of a local rural business seeking to survive and develop using derelict buildings is, we believe, consistent with local and national planning policies. In particular it is supported by the National Planning Policy Framework. In describing the provision of some twenty on line moorings for river cruisers as a “marina” the National Trust seem to have misled a large number of their members about the nature of the proposals. This has led to an emotional national campaign “Save Buscot”. Careful examination of the papers, the site and planning policy, has led the Branch to consider that the National Trust's view is wrong. The Branch has supported the application. Indications so far suggest that it is likely to be approved.

Chris Wardley

Rose Skinner 1924-2012 Rose Skinner, one of the last links to the days of the Number Ones and working boat families, has died at the age of 87.

Born to one boating dynasty, the Hones, in 1924, she married into another, the Skinners, in 1946, her husband Jack being the nephew of Joe and Rose Skinner who operated the famous mule-drawn boat Friendship, now in the National Waterways Museum.

31 Rose and Jack carried on working the boats until 1962, and settled by the canal in Kidlington on the South Oxford. Jack worked all over the cut, but rarely stayed away from home if he could help it. He and Rose spent barely a night apart in 62 years of marriage.

In 1955 Rose and Jack Skinner played an essential role in saving the South Oxford Canal when they took a special load of coal, on Willow Wren's pair Redshank and Greenshank, from Nuneaton to Morrell's Brewery in Oxford. This last cargo was the legal proof needed by waterways campaigners to keep the waterway open. Rose worked hard all her life on the boats, as a wife and mother bringing up four children and then for a local company in Kidlington. She never lost her love of boating, and was a mine of wonderful stories, although she had a few acerbic things to say about some of the modern boaters as they passed the cottage! She will be much missed by all her family and the wider boating community.

Kate Saffin

Banbury Canal Day – Sunday 7th October Come and join us all at this amazing annual event attracting boaters, traders and visitors from all over the country. Enjoy boat trips, boat taxi rides & vintage doubledecker bus rides. Be entertained with a 6 hour dance & singing programme, or listen to a continuous programme of folk music. Activities galore for the children ~ fun-fair, inflatables, bungee jumps, indoor competitions, horse & cart rides. Hook Norton beer marquees will be available for the adults and a plethora of food and exciting stalls to tempt young and old alike.

Tricia Campbell, Banbury Town Council

Forthcoming Events You are invited to join us on the following dates: Sat 8th & Sun 9th Sep

Oxford Open Doors See http://www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk/ for details in due course

Wed 12th Sep

Phil Clayton of the Birmingham Canal Navigation Society “Birmingham & Black Country Canals”

Thu 4th – Sat 6th Oct

Theatre in the Dock, Tooleys Boatyard, Banbury For details see IWA website in due course

Sun 7th Oct

Banbury Canal Day - see www.banburycanalday.co.uk

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Wed 10 Oct

Martin Woodgett: The Cutty Sark Trust

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Wed 14 Nov Mark Davies: Alice in Waterland - The influence of the River Thames on Lewis Carroll’s choice of stories and characters Wed 12th Dec

Skittles Night

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

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

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Solent & Arun Branch News Chairman’s Report Unfortunately the E.G.M for the Branch failed to produce a viable committee, so after a long debate it was decided that the only realistic option was to close the Branch. This was not an easy decision to reach but one that has become increasingly likely over the past couple of years. My personal involvement has been since 1983 in a variety or roles, the Branch itself having been formed a few years earlier.

What did we manage over that time?

Established an annual cruise on the River Arun In 1988 published a guide to the Arun with a Sports Council grant Sat on the M3 public enquiry made sure the Itchen Navigation wasn’t blocked Ropetackle Development inquiry and subsequent meetings Cruised practically every river in the Branch area Ran coach trips to the SS Great Britain, Chelmer & Blackwater and Gloucester.

Ran a sales stand and held public meetings/quizes - these enabled us to make regular donations to waterways causes.

Supported the Bark Store restoration at Botley Campaigned for slipway access on the Arun and the Adur.

Supported the work of the Chichester Canal Trust.

More recently held working parties on the Itchen Navigation.

Alan White, Ray Pierce, Gerry Skinner, Peter Boyce and myself (twice) were Branch Chairmen, ably assisted by a whole host of Committee members over the years.

Future arrangements for members in the Solent & Arun area are covered elsewhere in this Cargoes and we anticipate that support for waterways projects in our area will continue as before.

Mike Laishley

Chichester Canal Trust The plans for the Stables building, have been passed for a visitors/education centre plus toilets, workshop, office, mess room and storage but work cannot begin until the young bats have flown, by about mid August, but we should be ready by the end of the year which will be a lovely way to finish our 190th anniversary.

We, the whole canal, have just been judged as an entry in In Your Neighbourhood as part of South and South East in Bloom. We are also part of Chichester’s entry in Chichester in Bloom, and Britain in Bloom.

We had a very good play from Mikron. “Losing the Plot” was great fun with some superb singing. What a joy they always are to watch.

We were host to the local Rotary club for their Dragon Boat racing to raise money for themselves and Cancerwise. Oh! What fun, and oh! what rain at the end.

Linda Wilkinson

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Future Events th

Sat 8 Sep, 10:00am

A linear guided walk along the old Portsmouth & Arundel Navigation towpath from Barnham Court Farm, Church Lane, Barnham (Follow signs from the Murrells Arms) to Ford. Parking available at the start. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society as part of Heritage Open Days.

Sun 9th Sep, 10:00am

Poyntz Bridge open till 4pm, 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 artefacts. At 2:00 pm there will be a guided walk around the basin led by Alan Green illustrating the history of past industry around this canal feature. In conjunction with Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society as part of Heritage Open Days.

All enquiries to Linda Wilkinson on 01243 576701 or email canal.linda@uwclub.net

Southampton Canal Society Forthcoming Events th

Thu 6 Sep

“The Wilts & Berks Canal” presented by Chris Coyle, the Company Secretary of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.

Thu 4th Oct

A “Magic Lantern Show” presented by Alan Brindle.

American Railroads, Red Indians, Victorian Humour & Comic Strips.

Thu 1st Nov

A Night at Blackstone Hall” performed by Pete & Jane of The DAY STAR THEATRE Tickets £8 from A Rose 02380 675312 eve.

Includes an American Supper supplied by our members.

Thu 6th Dec

Annual Intersociety Waterways Quiz, as last years winners SCS will be setting the questions and hosting the evening. Followed by an American Supper

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

34

Wey and Arun Canal News Pulborough to Pallingham Boat Rally The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant may have featured over 1000 boats but it was not the only flotilla to have set sail this summer. The number of boats involved in the annual boat rally from Pulborough to Pallingham may have been fewer in number but it is a key event in the aim to restore the Wey & Arun Canal.

Organisation of the cruise to the head of the River Arun used to be undertaken by the Solent and Arun Struggling with the obstacles along the way Photo: W&ACT] Branch of IWA but The Wey & Arun Canal Trust (W&ACT) has agreed to take on the coordination of this traditional boat rally.

Ten boats, crewed by 16 people and one dog, launched on the River Arun from Pulborough in a bid to reach Pallingham Quay (at the start of the Wey & Arun Canal) and preserve the right for future navigation. “The aim of this annual event held in May each year is to ensure that when restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal is completed, there will be no legal hold ups in enabling the boats to use the River Arun,” said organiser John Taylor-Cram.

“The event was timed to make the best of the tides, but we still had enough time to stop off at the White Hart at Stopham Bridge for some well-earned refreshments” John commented.

Loxwood High Street Canal Bridge In the last edition of Cargoes we reported that work had started to construct brickfaced parapets on the Loxwood High Street Bridge. By early June the scaffolding shielding the construction work was removed to reveal the new, but more traditional-looking brick and rail parapet.

“The steel barrier has been replaced by a 1m high cast in situ concrete wall, that has been faced with brickwork, and topped by a single rail to raise the height to 1.4m,” said W&ACT chief engineer John Talbot. “The result is strong enough to provide containment and protection for users of the bridleway but looks more in

35 keeping with the canal setting and allows pedestrians a clearer glimpse of the canal too.

Len Milsom on behalf of Loxwood Society said “The Loxwood Society and the Canal Trust have been working hard over the last three and a half years to raise sufficient funds to replace the bridge parapets. We are delighted that now the appearance of the bridge is more in keeping with its local environment and other local river and canal structures. We would like to thank all those people who have supported us in this effort.”

The new brick-faced parapets at Loxwood High Street Bridge [Photo: WACT]

Annual Poddle 117 Poddlers took part in the Trust’s 40th Annual Poddle on Sunday 10th June.

Starting at Loxwood, the route allowed walkers to see many of the achievements of the last 12 months - Southlands lock has been largely rebuilt, a new stretch of derelict canal has been cleared of trees, the Loxwood Pound has been waterproofed and a Canal Centre has been opened. The route was a mix of shady woods, wild flowers and lovely views. Finally it is pleasing to report that this year’s Poddle raised some £6,000 towards Southland Lock gates.

Work on the Summit Pound Restoration on another section of the Wey & Arun Canal was recently fast tracked thanks to a week-long working party by volunteers that focused on part of the canal near Alfold in Surrey. Although the work is still at an early stage the W&ACT hopes that it will soon achieve its aim of being able to operate boat trips on this section.

36 The recent work has centred on a section of canal which runs along the edge of Dunsfold Park - at the summit of the entire canal – and was undertaken by volunteers from the Newbury Working Party Group (NWPG) in association with the Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camps programme, which is supporting the restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal.

"This is a very attractive section of the canal and for many years we have wanted to open it up to the public,” said W&ACT chairman Sally Schupke. “Until now it could only be used by canoes and small boats as several mud banks caused problems for larger boats. The towpath was also full of holes and unsafe for walkers.”

Restoration work during the camp in early July focused on the northern 1km Work in progress on the summit pound section of the 2km shallow cutting - next [Photo: Courtesy of W&ACT] to Dunsfold Park - which has been identified as offering potential for boat trips. Despite the poor weather conditions the volunteers worked on levelling the towpath, building an access ramp from Compasses Bridge (that currently divides the two parts of the canal) and constructing a landing stage from which boat trips can operate.

“This section of canal has special significance as the opening ceremony for the canal took place at the Three Compasses pub next to the canal in 1816,” explained Sally Schupke, chairman of W&ACT. “A plaque on the wall next to the pub commemorates the event. By the time we reach the 200th anniversary in 2016 we hope to have removed more of the obstructions to navigation in this area, with a view to Alfold and the Three Compasses becoming another showpiece section of the canal similar to the section in Loxwood.”

National Heritage Weekend The W&ACT will be playing its part in the Heritage Open Days weekend, when the Gunpowder Store, Stonebridge Wharfside, Shalford, near Guildford will be open between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday, 8th September. This building is not normally open to the public. There will be displays on the history of the Wey & Arun Canal.

Also a guided walk at 3pm from the Gunpowder Store along part of the old route of the Wey & Arun Canal, via Tannery Lane Bridge (the only roving bridge built on the canal), Gosden Aqueduct and finishing at the old Bramley railway station. Approx.

1.5 miles. Bookings for the guided walk through Guildford Tourist Information Centre on 01483 444333 or tic@guildford.gov.uk

37 Parking available at Broadford Business Park, Shalford, near Guildford, GU4 8EP (located behind the Parrot Inn, on the A248 Shalford to Peasmarsh Road) The W&ACT would like to acknowledge the assistance received from The National Trust and Gordon Murray Design Limited.

Please note that Brewhurst Mill will NOT be open for this year's (2012) event.

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

Wilts & Berks Canal News Most readers will know that, step by step, the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is restoring the historic main line running across the boundary between two of the IWA regions.

It runs for 52 miles (83 kilometres) from the junction with the Thames near Abingdon – the new ‘Jubilee Junction’ opened in 2003 – towards a new junction with the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham. New junctions, because the old line has been built over - as have sections within Swindon Borough and a comparatively short section near Wantage. Cricklade tunnel has collapsed and a new junction with the Thames & Severn Canal will be needed.

One of the greatest challenges facing the Trust is to stimulate greater awareness of the work of the Trust along this long corridor and beyond the waterways fraternity and their own members. Five recent events have helped their wider publicity.

Trip boat visited Stroud Following winter maintenance NB Dragonfly visited Stroud for the 2012 IWA National Trailboat Festival over the Jubilee weekend 2nd to 4th June. She joined the Cotswold Trust own boat Perseverance to give rides to hundreds of visitors despite the difficult weather.

She has now returned to Swindon – Kingshill length - operating on Sundays in accord with times shown on their website www.wbct.org.uk Annual Sponsored Walk The best way to an understanding amongst a wider public of the benefits of a restored canal through town and country is to provide an example which can be experienced. Each Year Trust member Peter Williams has been organising a sponsored walk along the ever-growing restored section north of the National Trust village of Lacock towards the short flight of locks at Pewsham near the A4. This year the length was opened by the local MP, Duncan Hames.

Towpath Challenge As in many restoration projects, essential support is found from an official Canal Partnership (now known as ‘The Wiltshire Swindon & Oxfordshire Canal Partnership) which last year threw out the challenge to open the whole 52 miles of the main canal towpath to walkers and wildlife within 5 years. The Trust has embraced this aim and a senior member has taken time out from his full time work to progress the project and is systematically driving forward a series of sections where land ownership can be identified and permissions obtained so that over the next 12 months various openings of ‘waymarked sections’ can be made. These

38 towpaths will be improved and maintained by the Trust. Early targeted lengths include existing rights of way close to Abingdon and Wantage and information on these will be available by way of walk leaflets and through the website. The public will then be confident that they are following on or close to the historic canal line.

Melksham Link After three years of patient negotiations and preparation of detailed engineering designs and essential environmental studies, in June the Trust has submitted a formal planning application to Wiltshire for a brand new 3 km. link from the Kennet & Avon Canal down through 3 wide locks into the River Avon and under the listed bridge to Melksham waterfront. This application is now out to formal public consultation – support welcome.

Wider recognition of the work: Queens Award for Voluntary Service Back in 2002 this new Queens Award was created to mark the Queens Golden Jubilee and is the highest accolade a voluntary group can get - equivalent of getting an individual MBE. This year the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust was one of 112 organisations, out of 250 nominations nationwide, to be recognised with the “Queens Award for Voluntary Service” as the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee on 2 June.

Support from the community This wider recognition of the work, such as the NatWest Community Fund award last year, added to the recognition within the waterway fraternity such as Waterways Renaissance Award –– is proof of the support from the local community which is a serious factor when competing for external funding.

Membership numbers are also important as always size matters. ‘Armchair members’ who are not able to be active on site are part of the mix, as are those ‘backroom boys’ who prepare the paperwork so that the spadework can take place.

Brian Roberts

South London Branch Meetings South London Branch Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 for 8:00 pm in The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. Admission to the talks and presentations is free to all, members or non-members, although we do request a contribution towards room hire and refreshments. The programme for meetings is as follows: Wed 12th Sep: th

‘Manchester Ship Canal’ by Richard Thomas

Wed 10 Oct:

‘More Travels with my Canoe’ by Roger Wilkinson

Wed 14th Nov:

‘Wey and Arun Canal’ by John Talbot

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Fri 7 Dec:

Christmas Dinner

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

Location of Crossness STW, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9AQ (see IWAKES Future Events on page 27)

The Inland Waterways Association South East Region: Chairman Paul Roper

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

Banbury Town Council Presents

BANBURY CANAL DAY

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Lock, Stock and Barrel

The 9th annual Banbury Canal Day offers you a wonderful day out at the heart of Banbury’s canalside. Join us for a day of dance, folk music, boat rides, markets and stalls galore. Take time to browse the fantastic arts and music in The Mill Arts Centre. Stop off at Banbury Museum who will ensure an enjoyable visit for young and old, plenty to keep active minds happy.

Organised by Banbury Town Council Sponsored by For more information contact 01295 250340 or email info@banbury.gov.uk