Chester Packet
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Spring 2012
Issue No 57 THE INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION CHESTER & DISTRICT BRANCH
Ron Evans
The sorry state of the Dee lock as it is today—see inside for full story from the Chairman of Chester Canal Heritage Trust.
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WATERWAYS STRATEGY FOR CHESTER—The story around the sad picture on the front cover, from John Herson, Chairman of Chester Canal Heritage Trust In January 2012 there was an unusual but welcome sight on the River Dee in Chester. A narrow boat was tied up at the Sandy Lane landing stage. The sad thing was that the owner had been compelled to bring the boat to the river by road. This simple fact underlines how Chester is failing to make the most of its fascinating waterways. The local system has four parts – the upper Dee above the weir, the lower tidal Dee, the Dee Branch canal to Tower Wharf and the main canal through the city. In theory they all interconnect, but in practice they don’t. The potential for Chester’s waterways to be developed as a unified system has not been realA canalboat—brought by road! ised. The latest example of this was the draft Chester ‘One City Plan’ prepared by Chester Renaissance and Cheshire West and Chester Council. This recognised some of the importance of the waterways but mainly in terms of site development opportunities. There was no joined-up vision. Chester Canal Heritage Trust, Chester & District IWA and BW have combined to press for a ‘waterways strategy’ to encourage a greater number of boats to visit Chester’s canals and river. An improved and safe passage between the canal and the upstream Dee is the key to delivering this vision. It would offer huge benefits in terms of increasing visitor numbers, supporting waterside regeneration, creating interesting visitor destinations for boaters and other users whilst also providing additional business opportunities. A package of at least two measures is needed to make this vision a reality. The first is the restoration of navigation through the Dee Branch and River Lock. At present it effectively impassable due to silting and structural defects in the River Lock. The hard fact is, however, that it is only worth reopening the Dee Branch if boats can easily reach the upper Dee. Otherwise there is nowhere to go.
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The second requirement has to be a new lock in Chester weir so that the route between the canal and the tidal and non-tidal Dee can be used safely at wider states of the tide. The closest parallel – easily used by boaters - is the short tidal link between the Middle Level and the Great Ouse at Denver Sluice. There is a potential site for the new lock in the old mill race at the south end of the Dee weir. If this lock was built canal boats and suitable sea-going craft could come up to Chester’s Riverside and cruise the upper Dee as far as Farndon. Chester would become an attractive waterway destination like Stratford after the reopening of the River Avon and the Stratford Canal. These ideas are not new. Proposals for a lock in the weir have been made before, but then they were premature. People couldn’t see the economic and social benefits. The time is now right. The ambitious waterway schemes of the past twenty years have been seen to reinvigorate their surroundings. Chester’s waterways are a massive asset to the City, but not enough people see them or use them. A strategy with the clear goal of opening up the system would remedy this situation. Its starting point needs to The potential lock site be a feasibility study of the technical issues involved together with a cost-benefit analysis of the returns that would flow from the project. John Herson Chester Canal Heritage trust
It should be noted that the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the IWA. They are published as being of interest to our members and readers. The IWA is a registered charity No.212342
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OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE President Richard Drake, BEM North West Region Chairman
Alan Platt, 013527 2064; alan.platt@waterways.org..uk
Branch Chairman
Brian Phillips, 01244 300025. brian.phillips@waterways.org.uk
Vice Chairman
Bill Sinclair, 01244 319890; billsinclair5@aol.com
Secretary
Gillian Bolt, 0151 678 9300; gillianbolt:@waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Ron Evans, 01928 788673; rjkingsley@tiscali.co.uk
Webmaster, Region Committee Representative
Mike Carter, 0151 608 6113; mike.c.carter@btinternet.com
Editor, Chester Packet
Margaret Pitney, 0151 608 6487; margaret.pitney@talktalk.net
Merseyside Liaison
Dave Smallshaw
SCARS Liaison
Colin Greenall 01744 73174; colin.greenall@btopenworld.com
0151 924 2036; flatboat@aol.com
BRANCH CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Hello I hope you had a pleasant Easter as usual the weather was very unpredictable especially following on from the warm spell. Although the Monday was wet the three previous days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday were for Easter quite good. My wife and I cruised from Audlem to Christleton and back and it was great to see so many people out enjoying the waterways. Why did I not go beyond Christleton? Sadly I did not have the time as I had to work Easter Monday but it is a question that is being asked. The Branch has received reports of people cruising to Christleton and getting the Park & Ride bus into Chester for the day. In the past there have been problems in Chester and these stories are still doing the rounds. If time allows I would recommend continuing not only to Chester but on to Ellesmere Port. Yes there are broad locks and the Northgate Staircase but the scenery and the back door approach to Chester is interesting plus there is attractive countryside on the way to Ellesmere Port and the National Waterways Museum is worth a visit.
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To emphasis this and to gain support for promoting this route BW, the Boat Museum Society, Chester Canal Heritage Trust and IWA organised a boat trip between Chester and Ellesmere Port for councillors, MPs, Business people and other volunteer organisations to show the importance and potential of the canal to the Cheshire West and Chester area. Hopefully everyone is aware that the Branch with the River Weaver Navigation Society, Broken Cross Boat Club and D.A.N are organising the Northwich River Weaver Festival over the weekend of 23rd & 24th June 2012. The waterside moorings and events are soon to be finalised. The land based activities are taking place on the Northwich Marina site, which will be redeveloped as retail and housing by BW. The current operators vacate on 31st May 2012 so we only have three weeks to get the site ready to welcome the visitors. Please can you spare some time during this period to assist the Branch in transforming this area so it is suitable for Traders and visitors to safely access. If so please send an email address or phone number to brian.phillips@waterways.org.uk stating availability and if you are able to offer a skill, although muscle power is very acceptable. The Branch and Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch were invited by BW to take part in a pilot scheme to maintain the Notice Boards in our areas usually located by locks or visitor areas. This should start from 1st May and using email the Branch has recruited a team to cover the boards in our area. I will keep you posted on progress but if anyone else would like to get involved please email the address above as it would be useful to have back up if any of the current team are away on holiday or sick. Finally with the Olympics taking place in London and the water shortages affecting the south there may be a greater number of visitors to our area. The Llangollen and the Shroppie are already popular waterways so congestion may occur. Please plan your cruises allowing additional time to compensate for any hold ups. However you enjoy our wonderful waterways I wish you all a pleasant summer. Brian Phillips
The Editor is pleased to receive contributions to this newsletter from members, with or without photographs. Shorter articles are welcome for the Chester Flyer which will be published in September—deadline 2 September 2012.
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REGION CHAIRMAN’S REPORT It is nice to able to impart good news in these troubled times and at the same time to indulge in a bit of self congratulation on behalf of the IWA. That said the news of the final negotiated financial package for the new CRT charity should be already known to most of you as it has been extensively covered in the waterway press as well as IWA national and local press releases. So I shall not repeat in detail what the revised settlement from the government on the new charity is, but in summary instead of £390m over the full term there is now a total, depending on inflation of about £800m, which to me looks like double in round terms. Somewhere out there is someone who thinks it’s not enough, and it never is, but it is a lot better than I, and our people at Head Office who were involved in the detail were expecting. It is also acknowledged by both BW and DEFRA that campaigning by the IWA was a factor in getting a better deal; so on your behalf I thank those of you who wrote to your MPs on the issue and those at a national level who have worked hard at this. And I will make the point that this is the same Head Office who normally attracts opprobrium for over-regulating the branch. So we have a deal that gives the CRT a fair chance having the resources to make it work. The CRT National Council has been nominated or elected and there is a fair representation of IWA people on board. The area Partnership has also been appointed and again there are some friendly faces there. So in this area most things are in place and hopefully we will set out on the venture that is the Canal and River Trust very soon. There have been legal and parliamentary delays but, as I forecast last time it should be effective by the end of June. What we now need is a true partnership between the new charity and its stakeholders, who are you and me and everyone with a stake or interest in the waterways so that working together we can make this work. This means a change in attitude on both sides, which is already happening, and will not be easy, and I’m sure there are many challenges ahead of us, but I for one feel more positive now than I did at the turn of the year. As I write this there is a late, and hopefully last, flurry of snow on the Clwydian Hills across the valley, the heating thermostat has been turned down; the daffs have bloomed, I’m trying to remember where I put the lawnmower and as the boat’s survived the winter unscathed, all I need now is to arrange my life effectively enough to get some time on it this year; however you enjoy the waterways, by boat, foot or bicycle – have a nice summer! Alan Platt
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Maureen Shaw Friday March 30th saw the funeral of one of the great characters of the North West waterways when a crowd of some two hundred gathered at Wardle Lock to escort Maureen Shaw on her last journey by boat. NB Tay came down the Middlewich Arm to enter the lock that Maureen had cared for and lived by for so long. My memories went back to the 80s when, as a very novice boater, I turned the corner from the T & M and tied up to check things out. A boater was brave enough to ignore Maureen’s suggestion that he let the top paddles up ‘just a quarter’, for in those days the paddles were not limited as they are now, and the crash of his boat hitting the cill was equalled by Maureen’s comments on his foolhardiness. I was careful to take my boat up on quarter paddles! At that time she and her husband Jack had been living in the lock cottage for some years. She was born to a boating family 77 years ago and at the age of one, as her mother already had a large family, she was handed over to a childless family. She was 16 when she married Jack, and when carrying finished they moved into the cottage. After Jack died in the 90s she carried on minding the lock, helping boats through and making friends with all of us.. Maureen also was a welcome speaker at various branch and boaters’ meetings. As Tay moved out of the lock and turned into the basin the crowd followed her down to the locks and with so many helpers at the locks and the road cleared ahead of her the three narrow locks were soon passed through and the boat tied up at Town Wharf a short distance across the road to Middlewich Parish Church where the service was held. To paraphrase someone who I was chatting to as we followed her down the flight; ‘They may call it Wardle Lock on the map, but to me it’ll always be ‘Maureen’s Lock’ Alan Platt
An appeal has been launched for a permanent memorial to Maureen. Turn to Page 9 for details
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NORTH WALES AND BORDERS WATERWAY USER FORUM THURSDAY 26 APRIL 2012 PRESUBMITTED QUESTIONS
Below are some of the questions and answers pertaining to Chester & District Branch Q. Chester Canal Heritage Trust requested an update on towpath repairs at the Old Trooper Bridge 122 and City Rd Bridge 123B, Chester. A. Old Trooper Bridge 122—engineers are reviewing the work required with an aim to deliver the repairs this financial year. City Rd Bridge 123B, Chester—BW engineer to meet CWaC engineer on Tuesday 24 April to discuss the condition of the towpath and the washwall to discuss the repairs required. Questions on behalf of AWCC(NW) & Weaver Motorboat Club Q. A.
Lock opening times . Will Dutton, Saltersford, Hunts & Vale Royal locks all be open ‘normal Weaver’ times? Lock opening times have been sent out and have been posted on waterscape and placed in noticeboards.
Q. A.
River Weaver—Marsh Lock. Any progress since October? Minimal progress on Marsh lock with the major works team still—another dive survey and site inspection due 19 April 2012.
Q. A.
Acton Bridge Visitor Moorings. Are time limits in place? 48-hour time limits are now in place on all moorings across the Weaver. The situation will be monitored over the coming summer .
Q.
Frodsham Old Arm. Any possibility that the new BW crane could be used to clear the entrance and the contaminated silt returned to it origin for them to dispose of?
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This will not be possible as it will require extensive works to remove the material from the Navigation completely. There is a full hydrographic survey planned on the Weaver. Points raised in general discussion were as follows:-
Some boats are having problems hooking up on Northgate locks, so this will be looked at with the greatest urgency. Volunteers are to be used at Northgate to help boats through and mainly to publicise the canal to Ellesmere Port. On the Weaver the small Vale Royal lock is now in use with a swing bridge being used for the next 2 years. A big thank you was extended to Wendy Capelle and her team for completing 92% of jobs required. Bill Sinclair
Maureen Shaw Appeal A number of organisations including IWA Chester & District Branch have expressed a wish to provide a tribute to Maureen by way of an interpretation panel which would tell the remarkable story of this special lady and her life as a working boater. From being born into a working boat family, given away twice, and then working the boats with her husband Jack, this fascinating historical account will be read with interest in years to come by boaters and walkers alike. It will be located at Wardle Lock, adjacent to the lock cottage, where she spent the latter part of her life keeping a watchful eye and assisting the boaters. Many individuals have also asked if they could donate to this project and Chester and District Branch have been asked to lead and secure funding to allow the panel to be made and erected. If you feel that you would like to contribute please send a donation, by cheque, made payable to IWA Chester and District Branch with the reverse side marked “Maureen Shaw appeal” to: Peter Bolt,4 Poplar Farm Close,Saughall Massie, Wirral, CH46 5NZ The closing date will be after the Middlewich Festival in June and it is hoped to have an official “unveiling” of the new panel in the Autumn. Updates will be on the IWA Chester Branch website.
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Four Countries Festivals ~ 2011 We continue with the second part of Jeanne Smith’s account of their cruise in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. .
Ireland: - River Barrow rd
On the Wed 3 August we left home at 10.30am to catch the 2.10pm ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and after a very smooth crossing drove off the Ferry in Dublin at 5.30pm. We had arranged to stop overnight at Pat O’Connors ( the organiser of the Royal Canal Festival), he has a small holding outside Dublin with plenty of parking space. Another of our Wilderness boaters was also on the same ferry, so we travelled together. Pat and his wife Ann made us very Unprotected weir on River Barrow welcome, and we all had a Chinese meal together. Derek & I had decided to do a week’s cruise before the main festival which didn’t start until the 12th August, and after talking things over with Pat decided on the River Barrow, this proved for a variety of reasons, to be good choice. Next day we towed ‘Olive’ to Leighlinbridge (pronounced Locklinbridge) where we had been told there was a slipway and parking for the car & trailer, and sure enough there the slipway was in the grounds of a large Hotel. We enquired at reception and were told we could use the slipway and park at the back of the car park (no charge for either). We then needed to obtain a special lock key (windlass) for the locks, so phoned up John the local lock keeper and he was there within the hour, by which time we had the boat ready for cruising. He sold us a new lock key, explained all about navigating the river, and promised he would see us through the first few downstream locks. He was duly waiting for us at the next three locks and told us of a good mooring, just before the next lock, we took his advice and stayed there enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. Departing from there at 9.15am next morning doing Slyguff lock ourselves, we arrived at Upper Ballygellen, where the next lockkeeper ‘William’ caught up
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with us. He helped us through a couple of locks and we were then handed over to ‘Patrick’ who saw us safely through a double lock, to Craiguenmanagh, where we moored for the night. The river there is well used by canoeists and swimmers, who do not seem to feel the cold, and jump in from diving boards suspended above the water. The following day we made our way down to St Mullins, where we moored and walked along the tidal stretch of the river into the small village. We got a bit wet on this walk, as the rain started and didn’t stop for ages. After drying off on board we decided to move upstream to a mooring by Bahana Wood, where we were told there was to be a local IWAI. BBQ, to which we were invited. They had a good fire going (from a chopped down tree) and entertained us with songs and music, I think they were disappointed that we did not sing, but being ‘tone deaf’ I thought it wiser to stay quiet. All the Irish seem to have wonderful voices and even the children do their songs with such ease. The scenery on the Barrow gets better as you move downstream and as the water was quite low, the large rocks, which are a feature of the Barrow, stood well out of the water. None of the weirs are marked, so careful navigation and a map of the river is a must. Sunday morning we moved on upstream, stopping only for a few heavy showers and moored at Gorebridge around 7.00pm. There were some tinkers on the quay a bit the worse for wear but they had children with them who looked after the ponies, and the whole group soon departed, driving the pony carts with speed and agility causing us no bother at all. Next day we moved on to Bagnelstown, ‘tow path talk’ had advised us Grey Owl, another Wilderness boat, was on its way down, so we waited until they arrived. We exchanged greetings and news, then shopped for supplies before continuing upstream to our night’s mooring. Tuesday we headed for Carlow and then did 2 more locks (helped by lockkeepers) before stopping at Maganey, where I walked to the local garage to buy a paper, with a pictures of the Croydon riots, which all seemed so remote from the peaceful Irish countryside. Wed saw us at the top end of the river at Athy ( pronounced Attii) where the Grand Canal joins the river. I shopped for supplies then we headed back down stream again helped by lockkeepers who also worked the lifting bridges for us. Thursday back to Carlow again stopping only for a look at the ruined castle and a chat with Bree & her family (IWA Ireland) who we had met at the BBQ. Friday we arrived back at Leighlibridge by 9.30am in good time to pull ‘Olive’ out and tow over to the Royal Canal. I nearly didn’t make it as at the lock I had tried to get ashore, but the bank was a bit high, fortunately I was helped up by a passing jogger, otherwise I would have got a bit wet as I had passed the point of ‘no return’ to the boat! Jeanne’s story will be completed in the next edition of Chester Packet
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COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST SAUL TO LECHLADE CENTENNIAL CRUISE 1911-2011 Once again we record some of the adventures of members of Chester Branch— here Lesley and Peter Taylor tell us of their exciting cruise across the tidal River Severn, the Kennet & Avon canal and the Thames to Lechlade Early 2011 we received an e-mail announcing that the Cotswold Canals Trust were planning to run a cruise from Saul to Lechlade in August and thought this would be an ideal time for us visit the Kennet and Avon, Thames and to go down to Sharpness and go out on to the Tidal River Severn and into Bristol. We had a very pleasant cruise from our base in Church Minshall to Saul and decided to take the opportunity of exploring the newly restored Droitwich Canal. We joined the Canal off the River Severn and went through the 9 double locks to Droitwich. The lock gates were very heavy and also the paddles were hard work. However, the weather was good and we cruised through very narrow channels which were surrounded by reeds to the only moorings on the canal in the middle of Droitwich, which was a most pleasant town. These were very impressive with new staging and very secure with a locked gate. The next day we went up the double Barge lock and then 7 single locks quite quickly and on to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. We reached Saul and met all our fellow boaters at a meeting the night before the cruise began. Unfortunately due to the inclement weather we were advised that we would not be able to leave Sharpness on the planned date and that we would have to wait a few more days. It was decided that we would all go to Gloucester with the group who were going on the Northern Route so we decorated our boats and went in convoy to Gloucester We were guests at the Gloucester Yacht Club in the evening which was most pleasant. The following day we wished the other boats Bon Voyage as they left Gloucester and made our way to Sharpness on the Saturday morning. We had to wait until the following Wednesday before we were able to lock down on the Tidal Severn but it turned out to be a beautiful day and we had a wonderful cruise to Portishead where we had to lock up into the Marina and stay for about 4 hours before we could go out again and make our way to Bristol.. Again it was a lovely evening and we eventually arrived in Bristol going under the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge at around 9-00 p.m. mooring in Bristol in the dark at previously reserved moorings. The waterfront in Bristol was beautiful although the following day was very wet and quite cold. However, we were most fortunate as two of our fellow boaters lived in Bristol and took us round showing us all the interesting places in the City. We also visited s.s. Great
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Britain which was brought back to Bristol from the Falklands some years ago and had been fully restored to its former glory. After a day in Bristol we made our way to Bath and stayed for 2 days. The weather had now improved and it was beautiful. Bath itself was superb and we did all the usual touristy things and saw many of the highlights. We continued our cruise and visited the Claverton Pumping Station where we had a special tour with the wheel working for our benefit. Later in the day we moored at Bradford on Avon and were taken on the Kennet and Avon Trust Boat for a trip on the canal where we were treated very well with drinks etc. We then made our way towards the Caen Flight but stopped at the junction of the Wilts & Berks Canal and met members of the Wilts & Berks Canal Society who explained what they were planning to do to restore the canal. We went up the Caen Flight the next day and we were helped by many members of the IWA, Wilts & Berks Canal Society and the Kennet & Avon Trust. That evening we were guests at the Kennet & Avon Trust superb premises in Devizes. The next day we then made our way up the Kennet and Avon to its summit at Burbage where we were given a talk about the restoration of the Burbage Crane by John Webb of the IWA. The night before we were the guests of the Pewsey Boat Club who laid on a barbecue for us. A most enjoyable evening. We had also been visited by the BBC earlier that day when they did some filming of all the boats which was to be part of a programme due to go out in October. We now had to make our way to the Thames at Reading. Stopped at Hungerford and Newbury en route and spent a pleasant afternoon in Reading – lots of bars, restaurants on the water front – very cosmopolitan. We stopped at the junction of the Wilts & Berks canal – the other end this time - and we all reversed up the narrow channel, decked with bunting, so we could be photographed at both ends of the canal. Our next main stop was Oxford and we spent one morning with the local TV and radio programmes. We were very pleased with the publicity and it was so good to see everyone being interviewed for the TV and we were very well featured on the morning programme for Radio Oxford. We then had a very pleasant trip to Lechlade, although quite windy at times. Went for a Celebration Dinner on the Sunday evening when all the boat crews joined together to exchange news of their exploits on the journey. On the Monday we were all up by 7-30 a.m. to support David Walliams who was starting his swim on the Thames for Sports Relief. It was a very cold morning and he was so friendly talking to everyone and posing for photographs. He surprised us all by going into the water in swimming trunks only and not the wet suit which he subsequently wore but thankfully he made it to London and raised over £1M - well deserved and it was a privilege to see the start of this incredible swim. So we ended our cruise in high spirits and we all agreed that it had been an incredible journey. We made lots of new friends who we hope to meet up with again – in fact some are coming to our Rally in Northwich. We would like to record our thanks to the Cotswold Canal Trust for all their hard work in organising the event and especially to Martin Turner who was in charge of the Southern Route and organised such superb events en route. A big thank you. Lesley and Peter Taylor
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CHESTER BRANCH WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS: Mr and Mrs B Gale Stefan Chmielowski Ken and Margaret Fairhurst Andrew Fielding Mr D Monks Mr M Williams Mr J and Mrs F Bell Mr R Smith Dr A and Dr L Hawkes Mr A K Kerr Mr and Mrs E W Edge Mr P and Mrs S Blease Mr R Krawczyk and Mr S Allman Mr and Mrs J Laycock Mr J and Mrs J Oliver Mr D and Mrs J Williams
Totnes, Devon Southport Great Altcar Wincham Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Ulverston Ormskirk Knock, Belfast Sidmouth, Devon (Branch change) Warrington Northwich Wirral Wirral Ellesmere Port
We look forward to meeting you all at our meetings at the Boat Museum (see programme on Page 24 and on our monthly Branch walks (details on Page )
DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS NEWSLETTER IS NOW PRINTED IN FULL ON THE IWA WEBSITE? JUST CLICK ON THE ‘REGIONS AND BRANCHES’ TAB, THEN ON ‘NORTH WEST’ AND ‘CHESTER & DISTRICT’ TO SEE THIS MAGAZINE IN FULL COLOUR
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BW Liaison Officer’s Report Our Branch Liaison Officer, Bill Sinclair reports that BW staff are feeling better now more information is becoming available about the new Truse and more money is being put forward. The work at the Boat Museum is finished so now the big job starting is the redecking and new handrails on Dutton Horse Bridge now planning permission has been agreed. Hedge cutting has been going on along the Shroppie and this is nearly finished now. The only other job starting is replacing wooden fenders under the bridge just below Wardle lock at the end of the Middlewich Arm.
BOAT MUSEUM SOCIETY—Diary Dates Meetings are held in the Rolt Centre at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port at 7.30 pm 18 May
Boating in France, Belgium and the Netherlands; Cath Turpin The programme for the 2012-2013 season will be in the next edition of Chester Flyer
CHESTER CANAL HERITAGE TRUST
Are you interested in the canal and what the Trust is doing? Then contact Gwynneth Buss on 01244 665855 or visit the website www/chestercanalheritagetrust.co.uk
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ANN FARRELL Chester & District Branch congratulates Ann Farrell on being selected for membership of the Canal & Rivers Trust National Council. Ann is an active member of the Branch and is elected to represent boaters
After studying physics at Bristol University, Ann worked in the CEGB’s Nuclear Research Labs at Berkeley before training as a teacher. Meanwhile she had married Donal and started a family. They have four children and four grandchildren. Ann moved to Chester in 1972 where she taught in a large comprehensive school for over 20 years. She was a Chester City councillor for 24 years and held the portfolio for culture and heritage in the City’s administration from 2001-7. Ann’s love of boating started in her early teens when she learnt to sail in a variety of dinghies on the River Blackwater. After several canal holidays on hireboats, she bought her own narrow boat ‘Ena May’ in 1992. Since then she has cruised 14,000 miles, worked through 9000 locks and explored 95% of the network. Before her appointment Ann outlined her aims as follows: Navigations are for boats. Without boats they lose interest and decay. I would promote boaters’ interests – maintenance, restoration and improved facilities. I oppose excessive regulation. Charges to boaters should be fair and affordable. The trust should seek to maximise its external funding. In my narrowboat ‘Ena May’ I have explored 95% of the network, cruised 14000 miles and worked through 9000 locks. I am Vice Commodore of Nantwich boat club, a volunteer at IWA festivals and events, a trustee of Chester Canal Heritage Trust, member of SUCS and ‘Saturn’ supporter. I live by the Shropshire Union in Chester. I’m married with four children and four grandchildren – all enthusiastic boaters. I’ve been a research scientist, teacher and Chester City Councillor. From 2001-7 I had responsibility for leisure and conservation in this famous heritage canal city. NAVIGARE NECESSE EST!
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‘JOIN US IN JUNE’ a trio of canal based festivals for boaters to visit and enjoy: Etruria Canals Festival 2-3 June Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 15-17 June Northwich River Weaver Festival 21-24 June "Join-Us-In-June" is a joint initiative by organisers of the above events. Full details will be posted on www.midfest.org.uk Contact Dave Thompson 01606 833434 (office) Middlewich Town Council Further details on the Northwich River Weaver Festival can be found on page 22
FERRIES AMONGST THE TOP TOURIST SIGHTS OF THE WORLD! Wirral Champion magazine reports that Mersey Ferries have been recognised by the National Geographic as one of the top ten city boat trips in the world, featuring alongside New York’s Staten Island Ferry and Brisbane’s City Cat. The National Geographic Website lists the Ferries as the oldest ferry service in Europe dating back to the 12th Century. Last year Lonely Planet placed the Ferries in the top ten most spectacular river sights. Extract from Friends of the Ferries Newsletter
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Merseyside Section Notes for April 2012 Lathom pub opens its doors after major renovation The Ring O’Bells reopened in March following a major refurbishment under new ownership of the Ainscough Group . the owner of eight hotels, pubs and restaurants in the north west including The Eagle & Child at Bispham Green, Parbold. The new owners look forward to developing a strong family orientated pub business and look forward to continuing developming the trade in the near future. Plans underway for new police office at Burscough Wharf There are plans to site a new police office at Burscough Wharf thus maintaining a public presence in the village by renting office space in the former canal supervisor’s house. Vauxhall Artistic Developments Part of lottery funding award has been earmarked by the Riverside Housing Group to support a Vauxhall canal side project, which will work with more than 50 young people in arts and technical activities to promote positive use of the canal side. Canal lock out anger The Environment Agency announced a scheme recently to re-stock the Leeds and Liverpool by Dover Lock in Wigan with new stock of over 4,000 roach and perch in an effort to revive an area blighted by pollution. Angler’s joy then turned into anger when BW refused to unlock the gates, installed to prevent fly tipping and joy riding, to a fisherman’s car park on canal land near the towpath which has been the centre of a long running dispute. This is particularly galling as the fishing club paid for the refurbishment of the BW land some three years earlier.
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The dispute rumbles on but older and disabled anglers feel they are being discriminated against as they are unable to transport their bulky equipment over the barriers to access the water. Warrington woes At a recent council meeting all parties in Warrington joined together to back a motion, supported by some public 4,000 signatures, calling on Peel Holdings to examine ways to minimise the impact on the town’s three swing bridges should more ships use the canal to transport goods. Concern was raised that, at present the swing bridges open once or twice daily and each time they operate it can take up to 45 minutes for traffic flows to get back to normal. The development proposals involve raising freight on the waterway quite considerably and the number of bridge movements could rise to 5 or 6 per day. There is therefore concern that although freight carriage by water is environmentally to the benefit of all it should not come at the expense of the Warrington general public. Royal Pageant local link Beatty, a former Northwich built Samuel Barlow coal carrying narrowboat, which has been in the ownership of the Grundy family since 1968 and now on the National Register of Historic Vessels, has been chosen from many applicants to take part in the largest flotilla of modern times to be formed to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on June 3rd. Representing Merseyside and crewed by three generations of the Grundy family, the vessel will spend two weeks travelling through the system to reach the capital in time for the event. From her moorings near Leigh the trip will take in the Bridgewater, Trent and Mersey, Coventry, North Oxford and finally the Grand Union Canals on her way to the Brentford river lock where the flotilla will form up for a river spectacular. We wish them well on this special occasion. Dave Smallshaw
Chester Packet
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Spring 2012
NEWS FROM THE SANKEY CANAL Around the Boroughs Halton New Mersey Gateway Crossing; The Government has given the go ahead to release funding for the new Mersey Crossing. This is in the region of £471m of the £600m required. Recently some cost cutting amendments have been implemented to the plans on either side of the river, most notably the removal of the toll booths, tolls will now be collected electronically. Three companies have now been chosen to bid for the construction of the bridge. Heritage Lottery Fund Bid Halton and Warrington Councils are in the early stages of making a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of the canal between Fiddlers Ferry Marina and Spike Island. The latest news is that two consultation events will take place at the Catalyst Museum in Widnes on the 24th April for stakeholders and the 30th April for community groups etc. Then this will be followed by a meeting in May with HLF to give them a progress update. Warrington Fiddlers Ferry Lock gates The lock gates have been refurbished by Warrington Council Barmere (this craft formerly belonged to SCARS) the new owner of Barmere is making steady progress on the restoration, the hold has been decked over and a wheelhouse is now in place. St.Helens Stanley Basin Work is now complete at Stanley Basin at Blackbrook, around part of the basin new iron fencing is now in situ and historical architectural features installed i.e. coal waggons and wharf crane. The car park has also be received some much required flood lighting. New Stadium and Tesco The new rugby stadium and supermarket complex have been completed and will mean that the Tesco site alongside of the canal in the town centre will become the subject of redevelopment. As this incorporates the terminus of the canal, this will need to be carefully watched to make sure that the canal is included in the best possible way. At a recent meeting with council officials SCARS were asked to make suggestions as to how the town centre canal corridor could be improved. SCARS activities in 2011 Although the last twelve months have not been the most active for the SCARS volunteer work parties, some useful work was carried out. In February we had the company of Waterway Recovery Group to help us in tree clearance near Sankey Viaduct. This length of filled in canal has over the years become overgrown with young trees and brambles, we set to and made a significant improvement to the area, the only problem being that the cut down trees still remain stacked where we left them. In March it was the turn of Newton Common Lock for a visit, again to clear the lock chamber of young tree saplings and generally tidy up the area. With ten volunteers working as a team this event proved how successful we have become at working together to get a project finished in the allotted time. May arrived and saw us at Spike Island returning the hatch covers to “Barmere” in preparation for is departure to Fiddlers Ferry and new ownership. Also this year the Society’s sales caravan was retired and sold to be replaced by the purchase of our new sales marquee.
Chester Packet
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Spring 2012
SCARS & WRGNW volunteers take a break from tree felling During the summer months the volunteers perhaps will appear not to have been very active but I can assure you that they continued to get out there promoting the society at various events around the area and even on the national stage. In May we attended the Willow Park rural Craft Display in Newton-le- Willows, this is always a good local event with lots of interest shown in the work of the society. Then in July we headed south to be present at the IWA National Waterways Festival at Burton-on-Trent, this year move forward from the August Bank holiday weekend and proved to be a winner with an exceptional attendance and wonderful sunny weather and good sales on our stand. In September the sales stand was at the Fairground & Vintage Vehicle Rally in Victoria Park, Widnes, this is always a good event with lots of interest shown in our exhibition photographs and with good sales of our transport and local history books as well as the society merchandise. With the last of the promotion events out of the way it was back to work for the working volunteers this time at the Sankey Valley Visitor Centre, Blackbrook. During September we designed and built a display of millstones in the garden area of the centre this involved the building of a flagged area capable of withstanding the weight of two heavy millstones and providing information for an interpretive plaque. Latest News
Local Sustainable transport Fund Bid (LSTF) Two members from SCARS attended a meeting on 1st February at St Helens Town Hall. SCARS are supporting the three local authorities (St Helens, Warrington & Halton) in their application for funding from the Department of Transport for the development of sustainable cross boundary links using the Sankey Canal Towpath, the old St Helens to Widnes railway line and other paths in the Mid Mersey Area to form a network of off road transport corridors linking the three authorities The total package cost is £5.901 million, they are asking for £3.214 million from the D of T, the rest £2.687 will come from the three local authorities The scheme will provide for a metal pathway 3 metres wide were possible for walkers and cyclists from Carr Mill to Spike Island and for pathway on the track bed of the former St Helens to Widnes railway line . This will form a circular route and it is “hoped” will encourage sustainable travel between the three boroughs.
Colin Greenall
Chester Packet
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Spring 2012
NORTHWICH RIVER WEAVER FESTIVAL FRIDAY JUNE 22nd – SUNDAY JUNE 24nd 2012 Arrangements are now well under way for our forthcoming Rally, in conjunction with our Partners, The River Weaver Navigation Society and Developments of the Arts in Northwich (DAN)
The Site is quite large so we are hoping for many traders to attend. If you know of anyone who might be interested please contact Lesley Taylor on 0151-342-6651 – Mobile: 07941-492288 – e-mail lesley.taylor22@btinternet.com There is going to be lots of entertainment, Wild Over Waterways (WOW) for the children and many historic boats will be attending during the weekend so even if you cannot come by boat why not visit the site and join in the numerous activities that will be taking place during the Rally? Don’t forget Entry to the site is FREE If you are coming by boat don’t forget to book in to go down the Anderton Lift as it could be quite busy leading up to the Rally For any further information please contact: Lesley Taylor Rally Secretary Details as above
Chester Packet
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Spring 2012
BRANCH WALKS MAY 2012 All walks take place on the 4th Thursday of the month, from October to May (excluding Christmas). Walks commence at 10.15 am and are open to IWA members and non-members alike. Each walk starts and finishes at a pub. Anyone requiring lunch at the pub at the end of the walk can book his or her meal just before we set out on the walk. After our May walk we recess until October. The next series will be outlined in the September newsletter. May 24th – Church Minshull Another new walk starting from the recently refurbished and reopened Badger, Cross Lane, Church Minshull CW5 6DY. From the pub this 3.3 mile walk heads south to cross the River Weaver and the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal before circling to rejoin the canal before passing through Eardswick Wood onto Cross Lane for the return to the Badger. There are about 6 stiles on the walk: one or two are tricky to negotiate. Map reference OS Explorer 267/257 666 605.
The picture below shows walkers on the 4-mile March walk at Dutton tunnel top. As you can see, we start them young!
Chester Packet
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Spring 2012
CHESTER & DISTRICT BRANCH PROGRAMME JUNE-DECEMBER 2012 Branch meetings,are held at 7.45 pm on the second Tuesday of the month in the Tom Rolt Conference Centre at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum 22-24 June
Northwich River Weaver Festival To take place on the River Weaver, Northwich, on the site of the Flotel, in conjunction with River Weaver Navigation Society, Developmen of the Arts in Northwich (DAN) and Broken Cross Boat Club. (See details on Page 22).
9 October
‘From Westminster to the People’ Progress and plans for the Canal & River Trust
Tony Hales CBE, Chair of Canal & River Trust 13 November
Stuart Wood tells us of his life as a Mersey River Pilot.
11 December
‘Four Countries and One Summer with a Wilderness Boat’
Jeanne and Derek Smith Followed by sherry, mince pies and a bumper surprise raffle The programme of speakers for 2013 will be published in the next newsletter
Waterway Walks A Branch waterway walk and optional pub lunch will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month from October to May except December. See details on Page 23. Details of other activities such as lock winds and canal clean-ups can be obtained from the Branch Secretary, Gillian Bolt, Tel: 0151 678 9300