Endeavour - May 2015

Endeavour

1 to attempt (eg the fulfilment of an obligation) by exertion of effort; 2 archaic to strive to achieve or reach ~ vi to make an effort to do something n a serious determined effort

Northampton Branch Newsletter - May 2015

Richard Parry, CEO of The Canal & River Trust, with Bernard Morton after unveiling the plaque and mural commemorating 200 years of the opening of the Northampton Arm. Full report on page 20 and in Chairman’s Jottings.

Northampton Festival of Water 2015 at Becket’s Park, 29th-31st August For more details see pages 21 & 23 The IWA was founded in 1946 to campaign for the retention, restoration and development of Britain’s navigable waterways and for their fullest commercial and recreational use.

The IWA is a registered Charity (no. 212342) , whose work is supported by members’ subscriptions.

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EDITORIAL MUSINGS When presenting his report at the Branch AGM in March, Chairman Bernard Morton voiced grateful thanks and praise to many of his colleagues, both on the Branch Committee and others who lend their considerable weight but prefer to bypass committee work. However, there was one obvious omission – the Chairman himself went without thanks.

There have been, at previous AGMs, occasions when a member of the audience has risen to their feet and expressed appreciation of the Chairman’s efforts. But not this time, and so I feel, on behalf of the Branch membership, this situation should be rectified. Bernard, together with his wife Sandie (who, shall we say, by pure coincidence {!} happens to be Branch secretary and who received her husband’s thanks) ensure the Branch ticks over smoothly from month to month. A lot goes on in the background, of course, such as arranging the annual dinner, etc, etc. Other duties are more conspicuous. Bernard leads from the front and drives initiatives, an obvious example being the adoption of the Northampton Arm. He is also among those at the forefront in the organisation of the Northampton Festival of Water in August.

Now, happily, he is still prepared to soldier on, as evidenced by his willingness to continue as Chairman when committee responsibilities were confirmed at the April Branch committee meeting. So, Bernard, our sincere thanks to you. Just let us make sure we give him our fullest support. And if anyone does find cause to criticise (and Bernard, I imagine, is one who is well prepared to take it on the chin), then please criticise thoughtfully and constructively. If not, make yourself known with an offer to do it yourself!

Meantime, the next issue of Endeavour in August will focus on the Festival of Water. Not unexpectedly, we shall be looking back to the IWA’s 1971 record breaking National Rally at Becket’s Park and Old Stager is already realising this is a reminiscing opportunity not to be missed. Why, in fact, shall we all be gathering at somewhere called Becket’s Park? More mature members may well know the answer. Old Stager has already hinted to me that the venue might easily have been known as – wait for it! – Cow Meadow Pastures. All will be revealed.

IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https:// www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in discussion on what’s happening.

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DIARY DATES

June

1st Pond dipping at Stoke Bruerne - 01604 862229 for information and bookings 7th 1pm Mikron Theatre presents ‘One of Each’ on the Museum Green at Stoke Bruerne 7th before 10am Sunbeam Motorcycle Club – Rose of the Shires Run in Museum car park 9th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Natter & Noggin at The Wharf Inn, Bugbrooke 12th Pre-Family Festival music night at The Navigation, Stoke Bruerne 13th & 14th Family Festival at Stoke Bruerne (details see page 10 or visit www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk) 27th –28th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival (see page 25 & back page)

July 11th-12th 21st August 8th –9th 11th 8pm 29th-31st

Buckingham Canal Festival (details 01908 662127) Geocaching Event at Stoke Bruerne (details see page 9) Blisworth Canal Festival (details www.blisworthcanalfestival.co.uk) IWA Northampton Branch Natter & Noggin at The Britannia, Bedford Road, Northampton Festival of Water at Becket’s Park, Northampton (details see pages 21 and 23 and also in Chairman’s Jottings)

September 8th 6pm 12th-13th

IWA Northampton Branch 3 mile walk, starting and finishing at the Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. More details will be on the website, Facebook and Twitter Stoke Bruerne Village at War (details www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk)

NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES June 9th, 28th. July 7th, 26th. August 4th, 23rd.

September 8th, 27th. October 6th, 25th. November 10th, 29th.

For details, contact geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932

BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES June 4th,14th, 18th. July 2nd, 12th, 16th, 30th.

August 9th, 13th, 27th. September 10th, 13th, 24th.

For details, contact Athina Beckett on 01908 662127

IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates

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Engine Repairs and Maintenance

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Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations

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Plumbing Installations and Repairs

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Electrical Installations and Repairs

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NEW — Fuel Polishing Service

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Full range of Batteries always available (please let us know your requirements)

By road we are easily found, a few yards off the A5 at Stowe Hill towards Nether Heyford. By boat close to Bridge 26

ALL WORK UNDERTAKEN, FROM SIMPLE TASKS TO COMPLETE FIT-OUTS

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Branch Chairman’s Jottings

by Bernard Morton FESTIVAL TIME NEARS. The following is how Northampton Borough Council is promoting the Festival of Water at Becket’s Park on 28 th – 31st August: “The Northampton Festival of Water on the waterfront at Becket’s Park will have an array of attractions on and off the water providing a fun day out for all the family.

Up to 200 boats, including leisure, trade, heritage and working narrow boats, are expected in the marina and on the river front as well as canoes, rowing boats, sailing boats, windsurfers and ribs. Organised by the Inland Waterways Association, festival goers can expect to enjoy live music, theatre and dance, canal crafts demonstrations, fundraising stalls, children’s activities and more.”

Sounds a rather challenging event in which to be prominently involved, doesn’t it?

But it must be emphasised that we are not alone in this venture – the Council’s blurb in its widely distributed “What’s On” brochure does not mention that the Council itself is a prime player along with the EA and CRT. Basically, the IWA Events Team and Northampton Branch are organising the main activities and entertainments with the Borough Council providing most of the infrastructure for the event, such as power supplies, toilets, water and waste disposal. Plus, of course, the land required without charge for the Festival at Becket’s Park and nearby, not forgetting the camping and caravanning facilities at Delapre Abbey. However, it seems there is a perceived confusion in the dates of the Festival. For Festival entrants, the events kickoff on the Friday 28th. As far as the public is concerned, it is a Saturday, Sunday and Monday attraction and thus is being advertised as from the 29 th – 31st. All clear now?

Obviously the organisers are now well into the thick of it and boat entries are being steadily received. It goes without saying that volunteers are needed to help with a variety of jobs over the entire Festival Bank Holiday weekend, including both before and after, so please get in touch with me (contact details on page 38).

Festival Committee Chairman, John Pomfret, told you more about the Festival in the February Endeavour. He will contribute again in the August issue. Meanwhile, for all enquiries and booking forms, please go to the Festival web pages at www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/festival_water/ northampton_festival_water_2015 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT GAYTON. I was so pleased when your Branch Committee decided to hold a special get-together at Gayton Junction to mark the opening of the Arm on the 1st May 1815. Sadly, we missed the actual date by one day – our celebration was on Saturday, 2nd May - but it was certainly more timely than waiting until the end of August at the River Festival to recognise the occasion.

A good number of members turned up at Arm End to enjoy a free BBQ, drinks and other refreshments. The previous weekend our Task Party volunteers blitzed the site around the sanitary station leaving it spick and span while liberal use of white paint really smartened up the area overall.

Among our guests was CRT Chief Executive Richard Parry, who joined us after

8 opening the IWA’s London Cavalcade event and did us the honour of unveiling a commemorative plaque as well as a colourful mural of the Arm (featuring a typical lift bridge) created by the children of Gayton C of E Primary School with guidance from professional artist David Bowers of Mosaic Madness. Some of the children were present at the ceremony accompanied by their teachers. Much of the initial design work for the mural had been carried out by Branch Committee member Sam Line, together with David Blagrove (who needs no introduction), and I would like to thank them both for their help with this project.

Joint Task Party organiser, Mick Butler, briefly outlined the outstanding work of the volunteers who meet regularly twice a month to give the Arm TLC. In some areas of the Arm, said Mick, it is now almost a question of hunt the towpath rubbish so meticulous have our litter-pickers become. Richard warmly acknowledged our efforts, saying how appreciated these were throughout the CRT organisation.

All in all, a very successful occasion. Although it was certainly a bit chilly, the rain held off. However, had it rained we would have been well protected in the tentage kindly loaned by The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne who enthusiastically supported us by transporting all the necessary equipment to Gayton from Stoke aboard the Museum’s nb Sculptor. Also, grateful thanks to Bill and Liz Mann who ran the BBQ and also to the refreshment ladies who I dare not mention by name should I inadvertently miss one out – and then what trouble I would be in!

But you know who you are.

WEATHERWISE. The vagaries of our delightful climate have been demonstrated clearly once again this winter and spring by the paucity of rain. Drought is the dreaded word that comes to mind – but then again, deluge might suddenly take its place. A friend of mine whose front room view overlooks the Washland flood lake near the A45 at Northampton tells me that its low level hasn’t apparently changed in months, and of course Nene boaters haven’t been plagued by a fast flowing river and sudden flooding. CRT report adequate supplies of water and, at the time of writing, effective management of this natural resource so vital to us should ensure troublefree boating. But who knows what the crystal ball is indicating. Fingers crossed for a pleasant summer of traditional sunshine and showers (but not too prolonged and heavy).

Just enough to get us all to and from Becket’s Park!

Richard Parry (CRT) unveiling the mural and plaque alongside Francesca (9) from Gayton Primary School with Bernard Morton and Mick Butler (right)

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Northampton Arm Stoppage Winter 2014/15 CRT Waterways Manager Neil Owen describes works undertaken during the stoppage period Duration of works 4 weeks, total cost approx 80k. We removed composite steel approximately 25 years old and timber gates and replaced them with traditional oak gates produced by our repair yard in Bradley Details of the works are as follows:Replacement Lock 2 top gate, including new cills and vertical timber sealing post (jams) Replacement of cills to bottom gates and refitting of the gates to prevent leakage through the mitre, heals and cill.

Replacement of top and bottom gates to Lock 13, including cills and jams. This required a 60t crane located on the offside of the canal due to difficult access on the towpath side. All paddles were checked and seals and bolts replaced as required.

Top gate Lock 7 refitted and lined to prevent water loss. Service of ground paddles seals and bolts replaced as required Ground paddles on Locks 2-4-5-6-13 serviced, including replacing worn bolts, checking rubbers and replacing as required.

In addition we carried out the following vegetation works on the Arm in January and February 1200 m2 reed cutting (using heavier duty methodology) Offside cutting 1 m out from bank - 755 m Offside cutting to the bank bends – 516 m Trees- 45 small/medium multi stem trees on the offside bank.

Fender growth 577 m2 This is all in addition to the stoppage works two years ago when extensive underwater brickwork repairs were completed.

The outstanding item is spot dredging on the Arm, which will be complete as minimum using our dredger boat to ensure the channel is clear for the Festival of Water at Becket’s Park.

GEOCACHING EVENT AT STOKE BRUERNE The Branch is co-organising a Geocaching event with Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership on the evening of Tuesday, 21st July. If you’ve always wanted to find out more about this popular global treasure hunting game – now’s your chance. All you need is a GPS or a Smart Phone with the Geocaching App downloaded. It’s free to register a Geocaching Account on-line. If you don’t have a GPS or a Smart Phone, don’t worry, we can team you up with someone who has. More details will appear on websites closer to the time, so keep an eye out. The event will be taking place at Stoke Bruerne and it is hoped all those taking part will end up for a ‘noggin and natter’ in one of the two pubs, possibly with a BBQ laid on. If you want more information, please contact Lynda Payton or Sam Samuells on 01604 862501 or e-mail lynda.payton@waterways.org.uk

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NEW BRANCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour

NEW MEMBERS Mr C Joynson, Daventry Mr C & Mrs C McCowen, Blisworth Mr B Morgan, Daventry Mr P Simpson, West Hunsbury Mr D Robinson, Wellingborough Mr R Louden & Family, Daventry Mr S D & Mrs M J A Savage, Billing Garden Village Mr A Simons & Family, Kettering Mr R & Mrs S Winters, Harpole, Northampton

MEMBER WHO HAS TRANSFERRED TO THE BRANCH Mr D Milne, Crick

We look forward to meeting you all at Branch events

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12 BRANCH COMMITTEE MEETINGS REVIEW FEBRUARY Arm’s 200th Anniversary Celebrations Sandie Morton is in discussions with Mosaic Madness regarding the creation of a mural for the sani-station wall at Gayton Junction. Bill Mann has agreed to run the BBQ. Northampton Arm, Mile Post No 2 The replacement of this was discussed and all agreed that the Branch should fund its manufacture. The proposal of a commemorative plaque for Eric Young to be placed on a new mile post was discussed and agreed.

Festival of Water Boat bookings and trader reservations were coming in slowly. A list of previous advertisers had been received and a letter was being composed to be sent out. A VIP is needed to open the event Northampton Arm Adoption The twice-monthly Task Parties were continuing, with attendances averaging 10-12 people. The proposed banners advising the public of the Task Party activities are awaiting Head Office approval. The new Northampton Arm leaflet, revised by Sam Line, is to be displayed in the unit by Lock 1.

Membership There are currently 465 members and 293 memberships Reports from Local Societies Braunston Canal Society —At the Society’s AGM, Chris Burton stood down as Chairman with Nick Scrivens taking over. The Open Day at the lock by the Admiral Nelson pub had been very popular with over 1,000 people attending over the two days.

MARCH

Arm’s 200th Anniversary Celebrations It was reported that Richard Parry will be attending and will unveil the mosaic mural and plaque. The size of the mural was agreed at 1.2 m x 1m and feature a horse-drawn working boat passing under a lift bridge. Neil Owen has given permission for them to be mounted on the Sanitary Station wall. Sculptor will be attending and bring catering equipment and gazebos from The Friends of The Canal Museum on the Saturday morning.

13 Treasurer’s Report Account balance was £5077,67 with £943.52 of planned expenditure still to be debited. The promised donation of £200 for a defibrillator at Stoke Bruerne is still pending whilst other contributors are sought.

Northampton Arm Adoption The next Task Party will be around Lock 1 with re-painting of the shed and the Lock Keeper’s hut and Lock 2 where a new gate has been installed.

Branch Magazine and Website A special Endeavour with the Festival Event Programme as the flip side in addition to the normal August edition was agreed.

Reports from Local Societies Buckingham Canal Society — The Society’s AGM was held on 31st January with 60 people attending and Richard Parry giving a talk on the Future of the Canal Network and Restoration. Cosgrove Festival will be over the weekend 11th –12th July and will combine with the Cosgrove Feast, which the village is reviving.

Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership—The planning for the installation of interpretation boards is proceeding slowly. Wood for the supports is being brought from the Kennet and Avon via road and Sculptor.

Friends of Canal Museum—Six new picnic tables/benches have been ordered for the Museum Green.

APRIL

Election of Officers Branch Chairman - Bernard Morton Vice-Chairman – Geoff Wood Treasurer - Alex Madisons Secretary - Sandie Morton Membership Secretary/Task Parties - Geoff Wood Events Committee Chairman /Task Parties - Mick Butler Publicity Officer/Grants Officer - Lynda Payton Branch Meeting Organiser - Graham Treagus Editor - Tony Clarke Website/Social Media Officer - Sam Line All above were elected unopposed Arm 200th Anniversary Celebrations The mural will be made by the children of Gayton Primary School, who

14 are very enthusiastic.

Treasurer’s Report A balance of £5392.20. Alex proposed that we should forego the per capita payment for Endeavour. This means we will not have to pay production costs and we should realise a surplus due to the level of advertising.

Festival of Water 2015 It was reported that boat bookings are slow but more publicity will be forthcoming, which should help. As promised EA have been busy dredging the river near Lock 17, a very shallow area, and by Carlsberg.

Northampton Arm Adoption A new sponsor is needed for the printing of the Northampton Arm leaflet. CRT had made an offer in the past to assist, so it was greed that Lynda Payton would ask CRT if they are prepared support us with this task. All notices about closing gates and paddles were in place.

CRT had requested Task Party help with clearing lock weirs. Geoff Wood has been to look at these and considered we could only tackle one perTask Party as it is a time consuming job. Mileposts had been painted. No 2 still missing.

CRT A new SE Waterways Manager, Vicky Martin, has been appointed. Sarah Brown has recently been appointed as Community Development and Engagement Manager. Joe Salmon has been appointed as Sports Participation Manager and will be funded by Sport England. Stoke Bruerne Museum will be selling licences etc on Wednesdays similar to the arrangement at Braunston Stop House. Among CRT-funded projects are £100k on towpath resurfacing, £300k on Northampton Arm, £300k at Cassiobury Park, £200k on the digital Foxton Inclined Plane project and £350k on the Aylesbury Arm. Reports from Local Societies Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership -Task Parties are continuing and have cut back hedging that was encroaching onto the Museum Green. Consent applied for defibrillator as the Museum is a listed building. The Branch has promised £200 towards the defibrillator costs and £200 towards the picnic tables.

May

Mile Post No. 2 /Eric Young memorial plaque

15 CRT is looking for a template and will seek quotes for the manufacture.

The Branch intends to hold a fund-raising appeal to help with costs.

Festival of Water Mick Butler has secured sponsorship from Briggs and Forrester which will cover the cost of wrist bands, and from Persimmon Homes for the large entertainments marquee.

Northampton Arm All agreed that the 200th Anniversary Celebration had been very worthwhile. It was well attended, not just by Branch members but by CRT, who have supported our adoption and work on the Arm, and by new CRT appointees Vicky Martin and Sarah Brown. After opening the London Cavalcade, Richard Parry later joined us and was very impressed with our work and enthusiasm. Thanks go to Bill and Liz Mann for the BBQ and The Friends of The Canal Museum for bringing Sculptor and equipment. Task Parties were continuing to be well attended with 10-12 people at each one. The area around the sani station had been cleaned up prior to the event. The next few Task Parties will focus around Lock 17 where vegetation is growing quickly and encroaching on the landing point below the lock. Mick Butler will see if Bellway Homes will build a block bench which could be covered in mosaic at a later date. Santander are keen to do another Task Party; this will be different to our normal Tuesday Party and will focus on painting Locks 16 and 17 Nene Task Group EA is in talks with landowners about extending the moorings by the busy Thrapston road bridge, with a possible new access point. Any installLive Music every Friday ation of pump-out/Elsan disposal Like our facebook to keep updated point here is dependent on lottery with all offers and promotions funding. EA is proposing to charge for its River Nene Guide in line www.facebook.com/navigation.sb with other river guides.

The Navigation Stoke Bruerne 2 Meals for £10 Monday – Thursday

www.navigationpubtowcester.co.uk

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THE STORY OF THE NORTHAMPTON ARM

By David Blagrove From the earliest days of the Grand Junction Canal, Northampton wanted to be connected with the main canal system. The opening of the upper River Nene to navigation in 1761 had been of benefit to the trade of the town, and when the first proposals of a trunk canal passing through the county were beginning to be aired, local landowners and businessmen began to show a desire for such communication to pass through the county town. There was, however, a most significant problem: Northampton lies in the valley of the River Nene and all communications, other than northeastward along the river valley, must cross a range of hills at some point.

Various proposals were made that offered the town a transport facility, including a canal that would pass northwards from Northampton through Market Harborough to Leicester and the Trent, but on 30th April 1793 the Grand Junction Canal received its Enabling Act authorising the building of a branch to Northampton, thus causing great satisfaction. However, more than 18 years were to pass before this branch canal became a fact. The height difference of just over 107 feet (32.1m) between the Grand Junction Canal and the River Nene at Northampton was to prove a hard obstacle to overcome; but the financial difficulties were even greater.

By the spring of 1796 a point of junction was selected at the boundary of the parishes of Blisworth and Gayton. The Grand Junction’s engineer, James Barnes was ordered to survey and estimate for a canal on the newly selected line. In September 1796 the Grand Junction Canal was open to Blisworth from the north; the road from Towcester to Far Cotton passing through the village had been turnpiked and improved and, pending the completion of the rest of the canal, Northampton had to be content with that for the time being. During the years 1796 to 1800 the Grand Junction Company was completing its main line and the Paddington Arm and concentrated its efforts on these tasks. In the meantime a planned canal to Northampton from the north had run into difficulties, largely the result of price inflation due to the war with France. Construction had stalled at Debdale Wharf, north of Foxton, and no work had been done since April 1797. Northampton now found itself with only one water route, via the Nene and The Wash to London and the north; otherwise its industries were dependent upon turnpike roads. The River Nene Commissioners were also becoming fractious and even offered to assist with the finance. Several solutions involving horse railways were put forward but unfortunately for the town nobody else was prepared to finance these proposals and the matter rested.

Agreement was reached in February 1803 to build a part canal, part railway, which eventually became a very short arm out of the main line at the selected point on the Gayton/Blisworth boundary and a long length of railway from there to Far Cotton,

17 where an interchange wharf was to be built beside the river. Work commenced in late 1804 and then speeded up with the completion of Blisworth Tunnel in the following spring. Work was completed on 7 th October 1805 at a final cost of £12,000.

Like its predecessor at Blisworth Hill, the railway was of plateway section.

For nearly 10 years the railway served Northampton but from the very beginning its shortcomings were many. Pilfering and breakages were always problems, while some commodities did not lend themselves to transport by the small wagons, timber being a good example. There seemed to be little prospect of the canal down the valley from Market Harborough ever being completed and when, in 1809, a canal was promoted to link the unfinished Old Union Canal with the Grand Junction at Norton, Northampton opposed the Bill which was largely sponsored by Grand Junction interests. At this point the Grand Junction agreed to build a canal to Northampton - but with narrow locks. This was because, although the Grand Union’s line was built with wide bridges and tunnels the locks at Watford and Foxton were made narrow to save water and consequently the Grand Junction would not receive water from the GU summit in sufficient quantity to operate wide locks to Northampton. A clause was inserted in the Act to the effect that should the locks at Watford and Foxton be widened, the Northampton Arm locks would also be dealt with. This clause has never been repealed.

Work on the Northampton Arm began in summer 1812. The Northampton railway now brought materials on site more readily than road-based carts. Finally, on 1st May 1815, a huge crowd gathered at Far Cotton to see the first boats arrive. The final length of the Arm from the Main Line to the Nene was a little over five miles.

Northampton as a town had stagnated for decades. Its population in 1811 was probably less than it had been in 1400. From 1815, though, the town’s population began to grow, and has done ever since. By 1831 it had nearly tripled. Industries sprang up round the waterside. Breweries, foundries, gasworks, timber yards and storage wharves appeared in what became known as the South Quarter and as far upstream as West Bridge. The provision of public hygiene was ignored and the South Quarter became notorious for disease, but the rest of the town, including the boot and shoe industry, flourished. Almost immediately the Arm carried a large volume of merchandise and a considerable quantity passed onto the Nene. Upstream traffic though, if carried by river lighter, had to be transhipped at Far Cotton or other wharves.

The advent of the railway after 1844 does not seem to have greatly affected the fortunes of the Northampton Arm. The new railway threw off a branch to Market Harborough. It is believed that much of the brickwork required for the Market Harborough line was brought down the Arm from Savage’s brickworks at Stoke Bruerne and Gayton and unloaded onto contractors’ wagons at the site of the original bridge.

The growth of the town continued, with a huge spurt in late Victorian times. The requirements of this augmented population more than compensated for any traffic lost to railway competition, particularly as so much industry was concentrated near the waterside.

18 The main carrying company, Pickfords ceased regular long-distance canal trade in 1841. Much of their work was taken over by the Grand Junction Canal Carrying Company, and an engraving of the 1840s shows a pair of Grand Junction boats lying stern on to Bridge Street in a long-vanished arm on what is now the site of Carlsberg’s Brewery. During the 1880s the railway geography of Northampton was greatly altered with the building of a loop line directly from the main West Coast line. As part of the new arrangements, a new locomotive shed was required and the railway company purchased part of the original line above the bottom lock for this. The canal was then diverted to pass north of its original line, which course it still follows. The entrance to the old line is still evident between Lock 17 and the adjacent lift bridge site.

A very intensive traffic worked over the Arm at one period was ironstone. In the Blisworth area there were several ironstone pits connected by tramway to loading points on the canal and the raw ironstone was taken from these points down the Arm to a wharf below Lock 15, from where it was taken to the adjacent Hunsbury Hill furnaces for smelting. A heavy traffic ensued, augmented by the demands of the 1914 -18 war. However, the furnaces ceased production in 1923 and the traffic ceased.

Bricks were also carried from a small brickworks near Bridge No 3 at Sandlanding Wharf.

After the end of hostilities in 1918, although the local ironstone industry fell on hard times, the Arm remained busy with traffic, notably coal, grain and timber and such items as imported strawboards for boot and shoe packing purposes as well as iron ingots for castings. The Grand Junction company built a warehouse just above Lock 17 at Far Cotton to deal with some of this traffic requiring covered storage. One upward traffic was gas tar from the Northampton gasworks to tar distilleries at either Banbury or Oldbury.

In 1929 the Grand Junction Canal was taken over by the Regent’s Canal Company and the new augmented concern renamed the Grand Union Canal. The new company, looking to increase the traffic carried over the whole system, soon after acquired a small carrying concern, Associated Canal Carriers Ltd of Northampton and set about increasing the fleet. This fleet grew considerably during the 1930s and was renamed the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co (GUCCC).

The once-extensive grain trade to Northampton and Wellingborough, which was severely curtailed during World War Two, revived again after the war. Following nationalisation of the canals as from January 1948, a steady general decline set in. The last regular coal trade, to the Rousselot Gelatine Works on the Nene, ceased around 1959; the gas tar trade ended in 1953 and other commodities gradually ceased as road competition strengthened.

By 1968 it was evident that the survival of the Arm was in doubt. There was very little pleasure traffic using it, one reason being that the River Nene authorities demanded an extra licence for passing beyond Lock 17. In consequence, a group of

19 local enthusiasts formed what was to become in due course the IWA Northampton Branch at a meeting at the Plough Hotel, Northampton, in September 1968. Although the grain trade could not be saved (the last boats passed in April 1969), the Branch was more successful in persuading the powers-that-were to retain the Arm in navigable condition. Rallies were organised to publicise the fact that the Arm formed a link between the Fenland waterways and the main system, culminating in the hugely successful IWA National Rally of 1971, attended by some 650 boats, the majority of which made the passage down the Arm. As the leisure use of waterways increased during the 1970s and 80s, so the demand for secure off-line moorings rose. In 1980 a piece of land that lay between the onetime clay pit north of Bridge 2 and the oil depot was excavated to form what is now Gayton Marina. Then, during the planning stage of the A43 Blisworth bypass in the late 1980s, it appeared that the proposed road would adversely affect the part of the Arm between Locks 2 and 12. The Branch entered an objection to this aspect and was supported in this by British Waterways. Following a Public Enquiry at Blisworth at which the Branch’s objections were heard, the line of the road was altered slightly so as to protect the amenity of the canal. Presently, in the wake of our Branch’s adoption of the entire length, the Arm would seem to be entering a new, positive era.

Long live the Northampton Arm!

This view from Lock 10, with the M1 in the background, was taken by John Russell in April 1992

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COMMEMORATING 200 YEARS OF THE NORTHAMPTON ARM Lynda Payton, Branch Publicity Officer, issued the following Press Release after our celebration at Gayton Junction: A mosaic mural to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Canal Arm on 1st May 1815 has been unveiled at Gayton Junction on the Grand Union Canal.

The mural, funded by The Inland Waterway Association’s Northampton Branch which adopted the 4¾ mile long Arm two years ago, has been designed and made by children from Gayton C of E Primary School with the help of local mosaic artist David Bowers.

Francesca, aged 9, one of the children who helped make the mural, supported by Richard Parry, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, which provided the accompanying commemorative plaque, unveiled the artwork. Richard Parry said: “It was a real pleasure to join such a positive and active local group of volunteers to celebrate the 200th anniversary. The mural is wonderful - a very fitting celebration of the history of this very special section of our great canal system” The ceremony, which also featured a barbecue party and the cutting of a large birthday cake, marked the start of the bicentenary celebrations that will culminate in the IWA’s Northampton Festival of Water, which is being held at the bottom of the Arm on the River Nene at Becket’s Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend on August 29th -31st.

More information about the Northampton Festival of Water can be found at www.waterways.org.uk/etc.

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Festival of Water, 29th-31st August, at Becket’s Park, Northampton An overall update A full programme has been announced for the Northampton Festival of Water being held at Becket’s Park in Northampton over the August Bank Holiday, 29 th-31st August. The free entry event will have plenty for everyone to see and do. Starting with a Boaters Quiz and BBQ on Friday evening, the weekend continues with live music from Braunston Pickle, Ukebox Jury, Martin Day, Dave Fry, Chris Tymkow and Chris Tobin and headline band, Grandma’s Wooden Leg, will be entertaining on Saturday night. As well as trade and market stalls, there will be trade and historic boats on the water and an illuminated boat parade. Local Queen’s Oak and Brackley Morris Sides will be dancing on Saturday and Sunday and a Dog Display Team will also be going through its paces. Children will be kept amused by family entertainer Chucklefoot, Thomas the Tank Engine will be chugging around the site and other children’s rides will be available as well as face painting and other activities. Boaters who haven’t explored Northampton’s waterways before will have the opportunity to take part in a regular Northampton Branch event – the Westbridge Challenge. A boat handling competition is planned and it’s rumoured the local Sea Cadets will be out in force.

The weekend is set to be a bumper one so if you are coming by boat, caravan or are camping - book in now! For those without a Gold Licence and wanting to explore the local waterways further, special 2-for-1 registration is being offered by the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust, which will double your cruise duration when booked through the Festival booking process.

Forms and more details are available on the website at: https://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/festival_water/ northampton_festival_water_2015 Opening hours are 10—6 Saturday & Sunday and 10-4 Monday with the usual boaters entertainment on the Friday evening. Parking in Northampton Borough Council car parks and the event car park in Midsummer Meadow will be free all weekend.

The Festival is being organised jointly by the IWA Events Committee and Northampton Branch, so we hope you will all want to support the event. There are plenty of jobs for volunteers to do, from lock wheeling to giving out programmes.

Any Branch members who are willing to help should contact Sandie Morton on 01604 858294 or e-mail northampton@waterways.org.uk

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23

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DAY BOAT HIRE FROM BRAUNSTON OUZEL 11 Cruise either towards Napton or Hillmorton and return The Ouzel 11 seats up to 12 people It has hot and cold water in the galley, crockery, cutlery and glasses on board, a gas ring, kettle and flush toilet. Buoyancy aids on request.

Prices: Weekends and Bank Holidays: £160.00. Monday - Friday: £125.00 Returnable deposit: £50.00 UNION CANAL CARRIERS LTD Braunston Pump House, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry, Northants. NN11 7HJ

Tel 01788 890784

Fax 01788 891950

The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine, but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated, otherwise the Association accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine.

Neither the editor nor IWA can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the magazine, and opinions stated are those of individual contributors. We will, however, gladly publish corrections if notified. The editor reserves the right to shorten or modify articles published in the interests of clarity or space.

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Steaming up for the thirteenth Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival at Braunston Marina, 27 th – 28 th June, 2015 Tim Coghlan, of Braunston Marina, writes: Plans and preparations are well under way for the 13 th Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally & Canal Festival – co-sponsored by Braunston Marina and Towpath Talk.

From its small beginnings in 2003, the event has become the premier rally and festival on the English canals. Its success formula is now much copied, with similar events springing up all over the canal network. This is good for the canals – but Braunston Rally remains the best, with by far and away the most historic narrowboats and visitors in attendance.

The Rally’s location is at the heart of the canal network, in the beautiful setting of the historic Braunston Marina and the canal and village at Braunston. But probably most importantly for the boaters and visitors is the ability for the boats to parade in a sort of figure of 8. The twice-daily parades of 80 or more ancient canal leviathans is a challenge for the steerers and a spectacular sight for visitors and photographers alike, with so many vantage points along the canal and within the Marina, including the famous waterside beer tent – the Wet Dock!

The Rally also inspires the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the surviving fleet of historic narrowboats, 150 of which have already attended various rallies over the years, with some not seen before already booked in for this year. Three of the regular attendees are having makeovers this winter, with Raymond and Sculptor both having the work done in our large dry dock at Braunston Dock – both sponsored by Braunston Marina.

Another historic narrowboat that has received a major makeover this winter is the Fellows Morton & Clayton butty Kildare, which is paired with President – the last surviving steam working narrowboat. The pair will be the star of the Rally which will have the theme of the surviving Fellows Morton & Clayton fleet, several of which predate WWI, including President and Kildare.

We are delighted to announce that Richard Parry, CEO of the Canal & River Trust, has accepted our invitation to open the Rally. He has sportingly agreed to don working boatmen’s clothes to perform the traditional opening by steering President with Kildare in tow, into the marina from the Grand Union Canal and declaring the Rally open – to the fine sounds of church bells of Braunston and Daventry Brass band.

Kildare will be steered by CRT Chairman Tony Hales, who is a regular attendee and joiner-in at our Rallies, and has already opened the rally in 2011. The traditional theatrical-spectacular opening should make for a splendid start to what will undoubtedly be THE canal Rally of 2015! Here’s looking to seeing you there!

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27 Wendover Arm Trust — Grand Draw 2015 Hello to all Endeavour recipients. Enclosed with this edition are two books of Grand Draw tickets which will give you the splendid opportunity to take part, not only in the prize draw, but perhaps most importantly, support the efforts of the volunteers in the restoration of more canal for your use and enjoyment.

The Wendover Arm Trust Grand Draw this year is again to raise further funds for the restoration of the canal, which feeds water from Wendover to the summit level of the Grand Union canal at Bulbourne. The restoration is carried out by a dedicated team of volunteers who meet for seven days each month to continue restoring the route of the canal, now working from Drayton Beauchamp towards Little Tring. The current cost to restore one metre of canal has been calculated at about £450.00, hence the ongoing need to raise further funds. There are no grants.

The prizes for this year include a first prize of one weeks Boating Holiday, sponsored by Wyvern Shipping of Leighton Buzzard; a second prize of a Day Boat hire, sponsored by Lee Valley Boat Centre; a third prize of a Virgin Experience Day - a visit to the Shard, with dinner for two; a fourth prize of £100 cash. There are many other valuable prizes to be won. These are shown on the Trust’s website – www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk , along with the latest information regarding restoration.

The Trust hopes you will sell these two books of tickets, returning the counterfoils and a cheque to the Promoter. If you can sell more tickets to your friends or at your workplace, then call Michael Wright on 01727-860137, E-mail draw@wendoverarmtrust.co.uk Your enquiry would be most welcome. The tickets this year have been sponsored by P E Mead and Sons, Wilstone Farm Shop and are priced at £1 each.

The Draw will take place on Sunday 6th September 2015, during the Retsoration Open Day at Drayton Beauchamp, when it is possible to see our restoration volunteers in action and the progress being made.

Visit www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk for full details. Visit us to see the new section that has just been re-watered

Thank you in anticipation of your essential support

These pictures were taken from bridge 4a before and after re-watering in April

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SUPPLIES We are a family run, customer friendly business based adjacent to Bridge 32 at Nether Heyford. Our service point is clear of moored boats making your stop quick and easy. We offer the following services:

        

DIESEL – always competively priced PUMP OUT – no meter clock here BLUE TOILET FLUID ODORLOS – organic waste tank treatment CALOR GAS – all sizes of bottled gas including Camping Gaz. SOLID FUELS – all types of smokeless fuel or coal. Plus firelighters, sticks and logs.

CHARNWOOD STOVES – all sizes of multi-fuel stoves with or without boilers MORRIS OILS – popular grades of engine oil plus water resistant grease FUEL SET FUEL CONDITIONER

Most Major Credit Cards Accepted.

Open: 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays

Fred Tarry Bridge Cottage Furnace Lane Nether Heyford Northampton, NN7 3JY

Telephone/Fax: 01327-341202 Email : rhigginbottom@btconnect.com

Northamptonshire RESTAURANT º BARS º BOAT TRIP DINE IN STYLE IN WOODWARD’S CANALSIDE RESTAURANT 01604 862428 www.boatinn.co.uk

SAVE THE BRANCH MONEY! Stop receiving Endeavour by post and instead get it electronically. You will be notified by email when it’s published on -line. This will save in postage and printing costs. The printed version will be available at Branch meetings.

Contact Geoff Wood at geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk and he will organise it.

Editor

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WRG’s Summer Canal Camps IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) has launched its 2015 Canal Camp dates. WRG will be running 27 Canal Camps across England and Wales from as far south as the Stover Canal to as far north as the Driffield Navigation.

A close up on Camps Canal Camps are a great way to experience the great outdoors whilst working on really worthwhile projects. If you love spending time in Britain’s countryside learning about its industrial heritage, then Canal Camps are for you. They also offer a great opportunity for you to meet new people and learn new skills. Volunteers come from all walks of life - all you need is the enthusiasm to get stuck in and learn. Each camp costs £56 for the week and is open to anyone aged over 18. In 2014 WRG spent 40,000 volunteer hours working towards the restoration of derelict waterways and we want to do even more in 2015!

Camps in 2015 WRG ’s 27 Canal Camps will be hosted by 12 different canal trusts and societies this year on some great sites. We will be working on the Monmouthshire Canal helping to restore the Ty Coch Lock flight as well as possibly having the chance to assist in the installation of modular lock gates. We will also be working on the Ashby Canal restoring and rebuilding not one but two bridges as well as heading over to the Grantham Canal working on an exciting new site carrying out lock restoration work. If you’d like to know more about volunteering with WRG, please contact Jenny or Amber at WRG Head Office – 01494 783 453 ext 604, email enquiries@wrg.org.uk or visit the WRG website www.wrg.org.uk 2015 so far…

Already this year WRG volunteers have been working hard having cleared vegetation and undertaken towpath improvement works on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation on the February Canal Camp. Over 40 volunteers also spent two weeks brick laying at Bowbridge Lock on the Cotswold Canals. A bit closer to home found 100 volunteers in April clearing the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) on 18th and 19th April. Volunteers spent the weekend clearing over 40 tonnes of rubbish along the BCN Old Main Line at Smethwick Junction and surrounding locks.

Festival Season On August Bank Holiday WRG will be holding their ‘Drive a Digger’ attraction at IWA’s Northampton Festival of Water. From Saturday 29 th - Monday 31st August we will be running 10 minute long sessions where both children and adults can have a go at operating the excavator’s arm and play a series of ‘games’ to test your skills. Look out for us there and make sure you get involved.

To support these camps and enable them to take place, WRG owns a set of four vans. These vans will travel around 10,000 miles annually across the country to ensure WRG keeps running smoothly.

Help keep WRG on the Move – £120,000 Appeal IWA has launched an appeal to help WRG raise £120,000 to purchase the four vans with the aim of buying two vans in 2015 and a further two in 2016.

Since WRG first purchased the set of vans around

31 eight years ago, they have been driven a total of 400,000 miles. This is the equivalent of travelling around the world sixteen times! WRG’s vans play a vital role transporting volunteers, equipment and tools on WRG’s week-long Canal Camps and weekend digs across England and Wales, and without them WRG couldn’t continue to support canal restoration. The current fleet of four much-loved Transit vans needs to be retired and it is time to find new sets of wheels for the next generation of volunteers.

We can’t do this without you. The appeal needs the support of people like you who are passionate about waterways restoration to help reach the target. If you would like to help WRG get the essential equipment for restoring canals, then please make a donation or get involved in one or more of the many exciting events and activities that will take place throughout the appeal.

Ways to Donate Online: See www.wrg.org.uk/wrgvanappeal for how to donate via the Virgin Money Giving appeal page.

Cheque: Make cheques payable to The Inland Waterways Association and send them to WRG Van Appeal, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Debit/Credit Card or Direct Debit: See the appeal leaflet inside this issue of Waterways that explains how to pay by credit/debit card or set up a direct debit.

If you would like any further information on the appeal visit www.wrg.org.uk/wrgvanappeal or contact Toby Gomm at 01494 783453 ext. 611.

TO SUM IT ALL UP — a note from our Branch Treasurer First, a thank you. Without those people who support Branch social events, attend the Boat Gathering, advertise in the magazine and make a donation towards the Northampton Arm Task Parties, we wouldn’t be able to survive as an IWA Branch. We rely on the funds and donations that these events raise to be able to campaign for better and safer facilities, to help bring back disused stretches of waterway and to help improve the quality of the waterways for all users.

We have made donations to other waterways groups to the sum of £1,098 over the year and our major donation from the proceeds of the Boat Gathering went to Braunston Canal Society.

Our monthly social event at The Walnut Tree at Blisworth has financed itself again, thanks in part to Bernie and Donald Turnbull keeping the charge for the room at the same rate again this year.

At the end of the year we had a balance of £6,092. This might seem a lot to hold in our accounts. We took a decision to reduce this amount to close to £4,500 which would be made up of funds allocated for use on the Northampton Arm from the disbanded Grand Union Canal Society (£1,600), and a £2,000 contingency for our Boat Gatherings – we need to be able to meet any unforeseen costs, because in two previous years (2012 –2013) we made a loss owing to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions. We also need to keep a £1,000 as a general reserve fund.

However, we don’t want to spend the remainder in order just to reduce the balance, so are reducing this balance slowly. As a committee, we would welcome any ideas you may have so funds can be put to good use. This little note is far from being a financial report, but I hope it gives you a small view of how we try to use the funds we receive. If you do have any questions, you can contact me at alex.madisons@waterways.org.uk

Alex Madisons

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Old Stager looks back to…

THE MARKET HARBOROUGH RALLY WHICH SPARKED THE FESTIVAL SCENE With the IWA’s mini “national rally” at Northampton just around the corner, it seems timely to delve into the history books to learn something about the Association’s first ever rally – it lasted the best part of a week – at nearby Market Harborough in mid-August 1950.

My chosen work of reference is, of course, Robert Aickman’s The River Runs Uphill, written in 1967 but which languished unpublished until 1986, the Association’s 40 th anniversary year, when Michael Pearson was able to organise publication by his company, J.M. Pearson via “a friend of a friend”. The book deals with the early years of the IWA, the material being sourced largely from the Association’s Bulletin – a tour de force from the author’s own pen – but the only chapters concerning us here are those entitled The Festival 1 and The Festival 11. Both are prime examples of Aickman’s individualistic stylish prose. I won’t go into the politics surrounding the book and its publication – Market Harborough is my chosen topic and I will stick with it.

“Towards the end of 1949, we felt that it was time we did something for the Members,” wrote Robert, adding: “We thought that a small rally of boats would best meet the case: undeniably a contribution to the Association’s campaign, and at the same time an established method of promoting competitive enjoyment among boatowners.

An important point, however, was that only a small minority of our Members owned boats: we were neither a boat club nor a trade association. The need to provide supplementary attractions for the majority led to conflict and to astonishment.”

The co-operation of Market Harborough Urban District Council (do you remember these bodies?) was sought and quickly given, the event going forward under the banner declaring a “Festival of Boats and Arts”, which clearly appealed to Robert’s strong theatrical leanings. Tom Rolt’s initial estimate of boat attendance was 20 to 30. The final boat count was 120 – “filling the Canal Basin and winding far out into the country”, we are told.

A major feature of the Festival was the plays presented in the Assembly Rooms.

Explorer and ornithologist Peter Scott filled a major role in this venture as well as in the general organisation of the event. Overall, Robert made full use of his theatrical and other wide-ranging connections; he was adept at name-dropping but all to great effect.

Robert wrote: “In the Basin we placed the converted narrow boats, and arranged for them to be floodlighted every evening; the Severn Wildfowl Trust’s Beatrice was moored in a small inlet of her own, where her blithe complement dispensed joy at all times. Every day the Festival lasted, the crowds on the towpath grew. The District Council’s estimate of the final attendance was more than 50,000 persons. Unfortu-

33 nately, no arrangement could be arrived at, whereby we, who did not own the towpath, could charge for the spectacle; and the spectacle was not of the kind for which more can be extracted from voluntary collecting boxes than from a fixed payment, as is the case, for example, with a cathedral; though, of course, we did what we could in that way. The weather remained generally fair, despite some very heavy showers; or the towpath would have become impassable, as happened at several subsequent Rallies.” He added: “Morale seemed to remain high; with a large number in an appropriate condition of continuously advanced euphoria.”

There were fringe attractions “almost beyond cataloging”, ranging from a Festival Queen and displays of Polish National Dancing to a chess tournament. “We had smoked out all the talent which hides away, insufficiently vitaminised , in every English country town,” Robert observed. There were “alfresco nocturnal oscillations for all” to the Rogues of Rhythm Dance Band. A firework display at the cricket ground attracted an estimated crowd of 20,000. The whole event was rounded off with a Grand Festival Ball and awards presentation. The Market Harborough Advertiser “took photograph after photograph”.

Robert summed up: “The 1950 Festival changed the entire prospect for the waterways of Britain; in the main, by simply reminding people, other than specialists, of their existence, and especially by manifesting the enormous potential for pleasure boating. It would hardly be too much to say that an entire new form of public recreation entered history at Market Harborough. Brought in first, amid much controversy, as a somewhat desperate auxiliary in the campaign for a revival of commercial carriage, pleasure boating came to dominate the entire struggle, and ultimately transformed the inner life of the Association.”

Condensing the happenings at the Market Harborough Festival from two chapters comprising 13 pages crammed with personal detailed observation in Robert’s inimitable style, has proved a challenging exercise. The best way is to get a copy of the book and read it for yourself Sadly, the Festival was dogged by internal conflicts – but that was happening within the Association at the time. Nevertheless, undoubtedly it was a glorious occasion, achieved principally through Robert Aickman’s sheer force of personality and drive, wholeheartedly supported by the VIPs he attracted to the event. We learn there was a deficit - £70, a sum which Robert describes as “minuscule”. I am sure our Joint Founder persuaded a kindly benefactor to help out!

IWA Northampton Branch now has a Facebook page. It’s at https:// www.facebook.com/IWANorthamptonBranch Members will find posts there about our talks, Task Party dates and much more, as well as being able to use it for discussion purposes. We’d like to hear your views. We also have a Twitter account @northamptoniwa where you can leave us a message or engage in general discussion.

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Buckingham Canal Society It is evident that 2015 is going to be a good year for the Society. Already we have obtained grants from the Local Area Forum and the Community Chest. The LAF grant was for £2,000 and was used for materials, enabling us to buy new signage for the Buckingham end of the canal. CRT, in allowing us to use their procurement system to buy both signage and timber, extended this money which means we don’t pay VAT so out grant is effectively boosted by 20%. And as always our volunteers and a corporate volunteering day provided the labour. So new signs, new benches in the Hyde Lane Nature Reserve and raised awareness of our work. The Community Chest grant was for £7,000 and will enable us to appoint our first employee, a part-time Support Officer (SO). Once again CRT is helping and our SO will be able make use of office accommodation at the Trust’s Milton Keynes offices. The benefits of partnership and CRT’s commitment to canal restoration are highlighted by both projects.

The post will advertised soon and Network Rail’s HR team has indicated it will help provide the necessary documentation and policies.

During the last two months we have made great inroads into solving the problem of the leak at Bourton Meadow in Buckingham. Many of you will be aware of the problems following the initial relining, with ionic exchange causing the original liner to fail. Well, in March, four trustees waited on a very cold day for a large articulated lorry to arrive from Germany. Although it was a little late, with the help of Nick Hawes we unloaded the large rolls of geotextile and HDPE liner and got them onto the land next to the canal. Soon afterwards the original contractor spent four weeks laying and heat sealing the three layers and backfilling with soil. Just after Easter the canal was refilled with water and so far water loss has been in line with our expectations. We now have 6,000 aquatic plants to plant, also supplied at no cost by the contractor; so all volunteers are welcome to help with this and other work. The most important thing is that this work has been completed at no cost to us for materials and labour although many volunteer hours and visits by the trustees throughout the works have enabled successful completion.

Now we are keeping our fingers crossed that a grant application to WREN will be successful. This will provide £30,000 to purchase material for the construction of a sustainable and hardwearing footpath along the full length of the canal within the nature reserve. Again, in the autumn, we will need lots of volunteers to undertake the construction and to move the many tons of stone we will have to purchase. Obviously more news on this when we hear from WREN, but the LAF has already granted £2,700 towards this project and this is an important element of any successful WREN grant application.

Finally, in closing, whilst we always welcome new volunteers, you can also support our work by attending the Cosgrove Canal Festival which this year is in partnership with the Cosgrove Feast over the weekend of 11th-12th July.

Mike Annan, Society Chairman

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Local Crafts & Gifts THE CANAL SHOP at Stoke Bruerne Under the management of Sue Austin, who warmly welcomes all visitors Crocheted lacework a speciality Special offer –10% off for boaters SUMMER OPENING TIMES Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am - 3.30pm

Contact 07760 778638 You will find The Canal Shop opposite the Museum at Stoke Bruerne

Now fully open

WHILTON MARINA CHANDLERY  Diesel  Pump ` out  Well stocked chandlery  Groceries

Pay us a visit, just browse and see what we have to offer Open daily 9am –6pm ALL YEAR ROUND Tel 01327 844639 E-mail: marinachandlery@gmail.com

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ADVERTISING All advertisements must comply with the requirements of the Trades Descriptions Act and avoid misrepresentation of goods offered for sale. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 requires that businesses seeking to sell goods must clearly indicate this in an advertisement.

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10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance 5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly

BRANCH SOCIAL MEETINGS Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from September to May inclusive at THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm All members and non-members welcome.

Food and drink available

Noggin and Natter during summer months Tuesday 9th June, 8pm The Wharf, Cornhill Lane, Bugbrooke.

Tuesday 21st July (check website for details) Geocaching Evening at Stoke Bruerne Tuesday 11th August, 8pm The Britannia, Bedford Road, Northampton.

NEXT MEETING Tuesday 8th September, at 6pm A 3 mile walk starting and finishing at the Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth.

The next edition of Endeavour will be published August 2015

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WHO’S WHO IN NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 2015/2016 Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787 E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk

Vice Chairman, Joint Task Party & Membership Secretary Geoff Wood E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk

Branch Secretary Sandie Morton E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk

Treasurer Alex Madisons

Branch Meetings Graham Treagus E-mail: graham.treagus @waterways.org.uk

Boat Gathering Chairman & Joint Task Party Organiser Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler @waterways.org.uk

Planning Officer Helen Westlake E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk

E-mail: alex.madisons @waterways.org.uk

Festival of Water Chairman

Publicity & Grants Officer

John Pomfret

Lynda Payton E-mail:lynda.payton

Newsletter & Joint Website Editor Tony Clarke 07939 977859 E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Non-Committee posts Sales: Catriona Butler 01604 473756 Endeavour Assistant Editor/ Advertising & Distribution, Archivist Roger Hasdell 01604 248582

E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk

Joint Website & Social Media Officer Sam Line E-mail: sam.line @waterways.org.uk

Boat Gathering Sub-Committee members Michael Butler (Chairman), Catriona Butler, Linda Clarke, Tony Clarke, Alex Madisons, Steve Miles, Bernard Morton, Sandie Morton and John Pomfret

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