Committee minutes 22 november 2013

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting Date: Friday, 22 November 2013 Venue:‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham.

Present: Chard Wadley (Chairman), Charles Stride (Secretary), Spencer Greystrong (Treasurer), Brian Holt (PRO), Diana Holt (Social Secretary), Lewis Tyler (RGT), Brian Cornell (RST) and Gerry Crease.

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Clive Saville.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 6 SEPTEMBER 2013 The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 6 September 2013 as being a true record of the proceedings.

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MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA None.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard commented on the loss made at this year’s National Festival and it was agreed that the branch supported the decision by HO to no longer hold National Festivals but would in future support existing events.

Chard had received a letter from Alison Smedley who had picked up on our appeal for new committee members. Alison has offered a member of her team, Stefanie Preston, to attend one of our committee meeting to see if ideas could be put forward about events that might attract new members to the committee. This was discussed and Chard is to invite her along to a committee meeting.

Secretary Charles reported on the following items received: Minutes received and circulated: Great Ouse for September and November 2013 Peterborough for September, October and November 2013 Milton Keynes for September and October 2013.

Planning notices received: South Norfolk Local Plan Consultation November to 13 December. Brian Holt will check to see if there are any Waterway concerns.

IWA HO, various bulletins circulated: Various circulars received. Noted in particular that stand alone National Festivals will not be held for the foreseeable future. Noted that IWA will support existing events.

There will be no increase in membership fees for at least another year.

Other items circulated: Waveney Trust – various messages.

AGM 2014 Charles stated that those due for retirement at the AGM in February 2014 are Diana and Brian Holt, Clive Saville and Lewis Tyler.

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Treasurer After the distribution of the latest accounts, Spencer explained some of the expense items.

Spencer explained that we are still receiving the per capita payments as HO cannot stop this until the next financial year.

Spencer said that the branch membership of the Norfolk Industrial Archaeological Society (NIAS) was due and it was agreed that this should be renewed.

Public Relations Officer Brian reminded the committee about Frances Hart contacting him regarding the bridge over the river in Norwich and Brian continued saying that consent had now been passed by the Broads Authority this month.

Brian asked about emails sent via Charles from Geoff Doggett, Waveney Trust, being put on the website. After some discussion it was agreed that Spencer and Brian would discuss the possibility after the meeting.

Social Secretary Diana reported that letters of thanks had been sent out to the speakers of our previous two meetings. Regarding future meetings, Geoff Doggett, Waveney Trust, is speaking in December, January will be the Fish and Chip Supper and the AGM in February will be followed by a talk from Spencer on the rebuilding of the Sluice Gates at Baylham.

Discussions continued on meetings for the future and it was agreed there would be no annual meal in March due to the 40th Anniversary lunch being held in October 2014. After this there would be a speaker for November 2014, a Christmas meeting in December 2014 and then the AGM in February 2015.

Diana recorded the numbers attending the October meeting were 16 members and at the November meeting there were 24 members.

Spencer reported that there are 4 spare seats on the coach for the September trip.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles reported that the Autumn Edition had been published. Regarding the next edition, contributions are required by mid December 2013 ready for publication in January 2014.

Membership Secretary Chard gave the following membership figures: August 2013 – 454 members and 298 memberships September 2013 – 452 members and 298 memberships October 2013 – 449 members and 298 memberships.

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REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Lewis reported on the latest meeting of the Trust held in October 2013. Lewis started with the River Action Group regarding an article in the Ipswich Society’s newsletter which states they have some problems. Lewis continued saying that there was no mention of the River Gipping Trust so he had contacted John Ireland with the RGT comments asking if the Trust could be of any help. Lewis said he had received a reply back from them and a meeting is being held today and Colin Turner will be attending.

Lewis said that the property by Creeting Lock is up for sale and he had sent out a letter to the owner, Mr Biddle, thanking him for his support in the past. Chard followed up by saying he had visited Mr Biddle who has promised to make the new owners aware of the RGT and the work that had been done to the lock.

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There have been adverse comments regarding the towpath on the River Gipping and Lewis has sent a letter to Suffolk County Council and hopes to hear something shortly.

The River Gipping Talks are going well.

Broads Authority Forum Brian had attended a meeting two weeks ago and a report had been sent round to the committee.

Brian said that the Broads have now published 4 Canoe Trails and they are planning on doing more.

River Stour Trust.

Brian Cornell started by saying that he has been getting quotes for a new toilet block, kitchen and tea shop at The Granary in Sudbury as they are losing custom due to the poor state of what is there now. These quotes are coming out at around £25,000.

The RST are also looking at getting a bigger boat. Brian explained that when Barretts built the estate at Cornard there was £150,000 put forward for a halt at the railway crossing and this has not been taken up. Therefore, the Treasurer has put forward to use this for a River Bus to run between Sudbury and Cornard.

Brian reported that Flatford Lock should be restored next year.

The RST magazine Lock Lintel is being updated and Brian showed the committee what it will look like saying it will now be A4 size instead of A5.

Waveney Trust.

Brian reported that The Trust is being very active and that Geoff Doggett would like to see boats going up to Ellingham Mill.

North Walsham and Dilham Canal Spencer reported that he had received various emails and said that the stop notice is still in operation, however, restoration work is still continuing.

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40th ANNIVERSARY – SEPTEMBER 2014.

The committee decided that they would invite people from the IWA and local Trusts to the anniversary lunch being held in October 2014. A list of people will be finalized at our next committee meeting.

Brian Holt is to look into printing the invitation cards ready for sending out in the spring.

Chard to do a note for Anglian Cuttings to make members aware of the lunch and venue.

Spencer to deal with the printing of a banner.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS Charles asked if the letter appealing for new committee members should go in Anglian Cuttings once again. This was agreed by all.

Spencer said that he had bought, on Ebay, the East Anglian Magazine which contained an article

by John Marriage on Navigation on the Gipping 1980.

Brian asked if anyone knew the whereabouts of a book giving an account of the last canoe trip on the Gipping. This was discussed and will be looked into.

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NEXT MEETING Friday, 31 January 2014.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.15pm.

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