Endeavour Northampton Branch Newsletter — November 2023
10th Anniversary of The Northampton Arm Adoption
The celebration speech by Chairman Bernard Morton His speech is on page 12 More on the Northampton Arm Towpath Improvements on page 9
waterways.org.uk/northampton Printed by Colour Image. Phone 07368 291216 email colourimage@aol.com
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CRT are putting up thre licence fees above inflation as they are short of funds (aren’t we all) but we can’t just aske for a rise at accommodate them! I have seen that they closed the towpath on the Oxford Canal as it had become unsafe, but reading on it was because of overgrown vegetation that hadn’t been cut bac far enough so walkers were walking near to the edge and has made the bank partly collapse . So that will cosr a lot more reinstalling the towpath than making sure that the vegetation is cut back far enough to allow walkers to use it safely. Its things like this where costs could be saved but aren’t so to help them with extra expenses we will increase the licence fees, job done! Winter stoppages on Grand Union in our area:6th November –8th December lock 4 to Lock 11 Long Itchington 9th November - 7th December Bridge 71a Wolverton Milton Keynes 8th January –2nd March Stoke Bruerne Locks 14, 16, 18. Lock 14 is for gate replacement and fender horn repairs Lock16 is for some gate repairs of planking to resolve leakage, and brickwork repairs on bridge 53a Lock 18 Gate replacement and chamber, ladder and horn works. I hope that while the locks are closed that they can also repair the paddle gear on lock 19 as it’s been broken for about a year and causes delays with only one paddle to empty the lock is very slow. Paul Simpson has asked some questions on page 23 please send your answers to me so others can benefit from these. If you have any questions that you wonder what it is or what it was used for please ask, you may be surprised in the answers. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year IWA Northampton Branch has a Facebook page. It is 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 D
January
9th 2.30 IWA Northampton Branch Meet-
ing at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne. Hosted by Bernard Morton: Bring along your film memories of interesting boating trips, or historic footage of waterways in Northamptonshire
18th 7.45 IWA Milton Keynes Branch meeting Bletchley Conservative Club 105 Queensway MK2 2DN Speaker Kay Andrews — Challenging the myths and misconceptions of the history of canal folk art.
February
13th 2.30 IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne. Speaker Phil Clayton — Curious Cuts. The ones you don’t usually find on the tea towels. A trawl among some of the has-beens, never were’s and other oddities of the inland waterways
24th 7.45 IWA Milton Keynes Branch AGM meeting Bletchley Conservative Club 105 Queensway MK2 2DN followed by talk by Hana Wilson The Bata Canal in the Czech Republic, was largely financed by the Bata shoe company. Severly damaged during the World war 2. much of it has now been restored.
March
12th 7.30 IWA Northampton Branch Annual
General Meeting at The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne. Followed by waterway quiz with quizmaster John Pomfret
Task Party Dates are on page 10 IWA Northampton Branch web site www.waterways.org.uk/northampton Please visit it regularly to see any updates
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Branch Chairman’s Jottings by Bernard Morton With summer getting off to a slow start, I am sure we have all appreciated the warm, sunny autumn this year – an “Indian summer”? A SHORT TRIP. At the end of August, we enjoyed a leisur ely cr uise to Market Harborough and back, via the Welford Arm. Although too early to appreciate the autumnal colourfest, the countryside looked spectacular, and the canals were relatively empty. We noticed big changes at Market Harborough since our last visit – namely a massive upgrade to the towpath from the basin for up to 2km to a very large housing development by the canal. What we remembered as a muddy area is being resurfaced with a wide allweather surface which is being financed by Sustrans and section 106 funding from the housing developers. We also saw our previous boat “Lexa” moored on the Welford Arm! CHANGES AFOOT. Since my last “Jottings”, there have been important changes at IWA HQ with the sudden resignation of Sarah Niblock from the post of Chief Executive after only three months. After the departure of longstanding CEO Neil Edwards in 2020, there have been a succession of temporary and “permanent” appointees. We await the announcement of our next leader. BCS NEWS. Our boating tr ip to Mar ket Har bor ough meant that we missed attending a grand occasion for the Buckingham Canal Society – namely the naming of a newly acquired vessel and the opening of a new section of the restoration of the Buckingham Arm. BCS were able to purchase a redundant dredger from CRT which needed a major overhaul. Tim Coghlan, owner of Braunston Marina and member of our Branch, generously stepped in with funding for the purchase and refurbishment of the vessel. As acknowledgement of his generosity, the dredger was named in honour of Tim’s late wife, Diana, who had supported and encouraged his involvement with Braunston Marina and the waterways in general. Sir David Suchet was on hand to “christen” Diana and to officially reopen the new section of the Arm. BRANCH CELEBRATIONS. The Br anch had its own celebr ations too. These were to mark the 10th anniversary of our adoption of the Northampton Arm. Although this Arm hadn’t fallen into disuse back in 2013, it was being sadly neglected and there was a definite threat to its future. I clearly remember coming up from Northampton to the Grand Union in 2012 and finding
8 mooring points overgrown with vegetation and unusable, narrow sections becoming almost impassable due to vegetation and seriously shallow sections along the way. These problems, along with damaged lock mechanisms, overgrown bypass weirs, leaking gates etc, all contributed to a bleak future. The Branch fully acknowledged the importance of this Arm as the only link between the Fenland waterways and the main system and wanted to help ensure it’s survival as a viable waterway. Fortunately, CRT in its first year was encouraging groups of volunteers to get involved and “adopt” sections of the system. Ours was one of the first and the largest (not sure if that is still the case!) adoption to be approved. We felt that 10 years was worthy of a celebration. See page 12 for photos and further details. BRANCH MEETINGS. Our talks season is well under way and ther e are encouraging signs that numbers attending are increasing – and this despite the road chaos that has plagued Stoke Bruerne and the surrounding villages for months. Who knows when that will end! In the meantime, may I encourage you to allow extra travel time to get to our meetings for the time being? So, that brings you up to date with what’s been happening within the Branch since the last issue of Endeavour. Festive merchandise has been in the shops for months now so I guess I can safely wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year without causing any upset! Bernard Morton
ANNUAL BRANCH DINNER Saturday 2nd December 2023 at 7pm The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne A booking form is included in this edition. We will be having a raffle so please bring a prize along if you can. The winners of the 100 Club will be published in the February Endeavour but will be on the website after the Dinner.
Look forward to see you there.
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Wootton Brook Towpath Improvements on the Northampton Arm Continue Northampton IWA volunteers along with Cummins Power Systems continued the towpath improvements up to Lock 13. On Sunday 8th October they started work to continue the towpath improvments up to the Lock. The weather stayed dry even thou it rain was forecast later in the week. They laid another 80 meters leaving about 90 meters to get to the south running slip road bridge, which hopefully will be done early next year. There were problems with motorised barrows not arriving in time but that didn’t deter them. Plastic grid was laid on the slope to help keep it in place
With over 100 volunteers working through the week it was finished by the Thursday afternoon. On the Thursday ther were 10 volunteers from Sky to help.
Look out for details of when the next section will be done, There are two Task Parties each month to check the dates see page 10 why not come and join in.
Final touches and rolling the last section.
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TASK PART DATES NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES
December 3rd, 19th.January 7th, 16th. February 4th, 20th. March 3rd, 19th. Contact Geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 016044 53932 BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES Every Tuesday, Every Thursday and Second and last Sunday in month. Contact: athinabec@aol.com or phone 01908 661217/07721 319404 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP December 13th. January 10th. February 14th. March 13th. Contact: stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk BRAUNSTON CANAL SOCIETY TASK PARTY DATES December 14th, 30th. January 11th, 27th. February 8th, 24th. March 14th, 30th. Contact Clive at braunstoncanalsociety@gmail.com or phone /text Clive on 07817435911 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 aWith all the rain that we have had n 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. The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity (No. 212342)
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12 Continued from front page Bernard Morton’s speech at the 10th Anniversary Hello and welcome everyone! We are delighted to see you all here today to help us in Northampton Branch of IWA celebrate 10 years of our adoption of the Northampton Arm waterway. And I would particularly like to welcome Linny Beaumont who is CRTs Regional Director for the East Midlands – thank you for coming Linny. Our first task party held in July 2013 coincided with the first birthday of Canal and River Trust and the volunteer co-ordinator at the time turned up with liquid refreshments and a birthday cake! Since that time, we have held over 370 task parties (there is even one going on today) and these have amassed an impressive 19,660 volunteer hours.
Our task party volunteers have done an excellent job over the 10 years under the leadership of Branch Co-ordinators Geoff Wood and Mick Butler. A big thank you from all of us – well done and keep up the good work! None of this would have been possible without the great support and guidance from local CRT staff, several of whom I’m pleased to see here today. Also, we have welcomed volunteers from several corporate bodies – Cummins, Network Rail, Santander, Pets at Home to name but a few. As well as sending volunteers from their workforce, Cummins have also provided £38,000 in grant funding which has enabled us, in conjunction with CRT, to upgrade a muddy 350 metre stretch of towpath. I cannot forget the input we have received from with various schools and youth groups. We have created several art installations along the 4 3/4-mile stretch of the Arm including a mosaic waterways plaque at Gayton Junction and a mosaic bench at Lock 17 with children from schools in Gayton and Far Cotton/Briar Hill. Two murals were completed with school children researching, designing, and painting on site. The most recent art installation to be completed was by Northampton Junior Anglers with a delightful fish mural (what else!!). Please take the opportunity to view our efforts on the Arm and enjoy yourselves.
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When you go cruising again let me know about your trip so we can all share in your experiences. This is where you can suggest new places to visit or to avoid.
Write a report about your cruise, let others know the good and not so good places to moor, eat, drink, places of interest worth visiting and anything else that might help others to enjoy that area. Let us know of any mishaps or interesting things that happened on your journey. Include pictures of your cruise, unusual things scenery and anything else that you want to add. I am looking forward to receiving your reports. Or maybe you could tell us about the boats you’ve hired or owned. Email your articles to me, tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk
100 CLUB —Join Now for 2024 The 100 Club was set up to raise funds for the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association which are then used within the Branch or can be distributed to worthwhile local waterways charities and organisations. It is one of the main ways that we raise funds for our Branch. You need to be an IWA member over the age of 18 to join but not necessarily a member of Northampton Branch. Each member may hold up to four separate stakes at the rate of £15 per stake per year (payments due before end of February each year). There are two draws each year – one at the Branch AGM in March and the other at the Branch Dinner in November. Prizes are adjusted in proportion to actual membership. The Branch retains 45% of the income, the other 55% is split into 3 prizes at each draw. The first prize in each draw is currently £80. Application forms are available at Branch meetings or from paul.lynam@waterways.org.uk or via our web page waterways.org.uk/ Northampton
Please join up and support your Branch ...you’ve go to be in it to win it!
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VISIT STOWE HILL WHARF FOR ALL Y
Proprietor Robert Gudgeon welcomes you to Stowe Hill Workshop
Full Repaints Hull Blacking/Stern Gear Inspection and Repairs Engine Repairs and Maintenance Complete Fit-Out and Woodwork Alterations Plumbing Installations and Repairs Electrical Installations and Repairs NEW — Fuel Polishing Service Stockists of Morris Oils and Grease 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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YOUR ESSENTIAL BOATING SERVICES
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Leeds & Liverpool Canal Trip Part 2 by Paul Simpsom
Setting off the next day we encountered swing bridge 218 on the outskirts of Rodley. This is a privately owned bridge and has been built to take 40 ton lorries to supply building materials to a housing development of around 65 houses, and provides the only road access to the properties. The problem is it comes with a unique set of operating instructions, being both electric and manual, and has a 12 step guide on operation. Essentially, you close the barriers electrically, then manually wind back large bolts that secure the roadway in place, then manually wind the bridge open. Closing is the
Swing bridge 218 at Rodley reverse. The amount of effort required is considerable and made worse by the fact that the bridge keeper takes home the handles at 3pm! (until a new set of folding handles are installed to prevent pedestrians hurting themselves on these projections). You could operate the bridge without but it would be like turning a steering wheel scores of times to the point of exhaustion! And all this whilst pedestrians, motorists and lorry drivers wait patiently for 15 – 20 minutes! We negotiated another pair of 3 staircase locks (Newlay & Forge 3 Rise) before winding just before Kirkstall Lock, about 3 miles short of Leeds city centre. We were told that it can be a bit of a rough area after Kirkstall with bricks being thrown at boats and best not to moor up. But our plan was always to wind at Kirkstall Lock. It was here we discovered that there were restrictions on these and other lock flights on our intended journey that only operated between 10am and 5pm, with last passage at 4pm. But some were being padlocked as early as 3pm. Suddenly, all those many hours of
19 careful planning and restaurant bookings were put in jeopardy. We returned to Rodley via the staicase locks and that swing bridge 218 (with the bridge keeper and handles still in attendance) and just secured a town mooring slot that a barge was also headed for. He did a wonderful job backing up and took the last mooring available, which we wouldn't have fitted into. Our evening venue was a very short walk to The Owl which had an extensive menu and huge portions! We'd had to book an early table as they finish serving food at 7pm, but worth it. Seems a lot of things close early around here. The next day saw us retrace our journey through 3 previously-negotiated sets of staircase locks, and several swing bridges, to end the day at a canal-side pub/restaurant The Fisherman's Inn, by bridge 205. I thought we had a great mooring spot very close to the premises but had to move further away as it turned out to be a winding hole opposite. It looked just like bankside erosion but the map told a different story. They served great food and menu choice in a lovely conservatory. Later a notification from CRT advised that swing bridge 187 (electric) was out of action, which was to be our final destination for tomorrow evening. Let's see what the day brings. We woke the next morning to a few spots of rain, but so far it had been very sunny with just a few clouds. We arrived at Bingley Three-Rise at the appropiate time ready for the ascent and up through Five-Rise. This time Rich & Nadine took the boat through seemingly unfazed whilst Jan & I assisted the lock keepers. So many steps up and down, ground paddles and ratchet turns – very tiring work indeed. In one of the chambers the leak was so bad it overshot the bows onto the roof and went the length of the boat to cascade down onto the stern. No wonder they strongly advise to close the boat front doors when going up the locks! Further on into the countryside we were treated to the sight of a heron catching a fish and flying off with its prey. Passing the Silsden boatyard Bingley Five-Rise from the top we called
20 in for a pump-out, refuel and to take on water, all accomplished with the efficiency of an F1 pit stop! This allowed us plenty of time to reach Kildwick, just short of the poorly swing bridge 187. Whilst getting ready to go out we watched a deer grazing in an adjacent field, before taking a short walk down to the village to The White Lion. A popular and very friendly place with lots of choice, great food and again, big portions! The climb back up to the canal was a bit slower than our outward journey. The next morning we awoke to the sound of a thrush, yet again. It seems that they have all moved north as, at home, we hardly hear them now, if at all. We had planned on spending the morning in Skipton and when the crew suggested going early for a cooked breakfast we cast off straightaway. Luckily, swing bridge 187 proved to have been repaired without notification and by the time we arrived in Skipton it was more like brunch time. It's a very attractive town and well worth a visit, with the canal running through the centre offering convenient moorings. Back on the boat and out in the open countryside we came across a cow in the water. She was wading next to the edge looking for a suitable place to get out. Whilst considering what we could do, or who to phone, she found a gap in the fence and struggled out of the water and into the field. Shades of Buttercup / Daisy who swam the length of Foulridge Tunnel! At Gargrave we entered a lock with another Silsden hire boat whose crew opened the gate paddles immediately after the ground paddles! A frightening torrent of water nearly engulfed both boats until they were told to close the gate paddles until submerged. This was their 4th lock and apparently their normal procedure! How they had not previously sunk their boat I can't imagine. We went through the next lock together without incident, observing the correct procedures, and this was our final destination for the day. We tucked in behind a barge taking the last available slot, yet again. The Anchor Inn, attached to a Premier Inn, is virtually canal-side and provided good food with plenty of choice. Luckily, Leeds & Liverpool locks all seem to have bridges of varying types to get across the canal, rather than have to negotiate balancing on the lock gates. Once through the flight of 6 locks at Bank Newton the scenery opens up with views across rural vistas and the canal performs several tight twists and turns. It appears that swing bridges have been left behind in favour of the more traditional stone accommodation bridges – no. 161 at East Marton is a lovely example of a double arched bridge, similar to the one on the Shropshire Union, but without the telegraph pole. The scenery at Greenberfield Locks is especially attractive but gives way to the urban area of Barnoldswick (pronounced by the locals as 'Barlick'). Here Rolls-Royce make components for the RB211 jet engine – RB standing for Rolls-Barnoldswick. We were advised not to moor here overnight so pressed on to Salterforth near a closed-down canal-side pub. It seems west of Skipton there is a dearth of canal-side pubs / eateries. So tonight it was on board catering, moored out in the middle of nowhere. Very peaceful apart from a swan tapping on our boat for its breakfast.
21 The following morning we headed for Foulridge Tunnel (just short of a mile long and arrow straight) with passage through in this direction on the hour until 10 mins past, controlled by lights. We arrived with a couple of minutes to spare so went straight in. It takes nearly 20 minutes to complete the passage, so with oncoming traffic starting on the half hour, for 10 minutes, you don't want to hang about! From the summit we descended through the 7 Barrowford Locks with yet another Silsden hire boat and made good time with the aid of 2 crews working the locks. It's interesting to note that east of Silsden nearly all the locks are staircase, but going west they become flights of single locks. We attempted to stop in Nelson for provisions but could find no suitable moorings, again a combination of low water and rocks at the edge. As we neared Burnley we came across a boat moored on a bend right next to a bridge, making the turn a little difficult. Fortunately, I didn't make my feelings known as the poor boater explained he had something wrapped around his propellor. We could only sympathise and be grateful it had not happened to us. Although on the outskirts of Burnley we found a rural-like spot covered in trees adjacent to Thompson Park, and just down the road from Turf Moor where newly-promoted to the Premier League Burnley play their home matches. The reason for this impromptu stop was a Brewers Fayre evening meal, instead of self-catering again – well, we were on holiday! We awoke to the sound of thrushes again – either there are lots of them or this one has been following us all along. We crossed Burnley Embankment, an oft-forgotten one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways – it took 5 years to build from 350,000 cubic yards of earth taken mostly from digging out Gannow Tunnel and Whittlefield cutting. Because of the lock restrictions we decided to wind at Burnley rather than carry on to Hapton. Another cooked breakfast and shopping in Burnley before re-crossing the embankment and heading for Barrowford Locks to moor at the top lock. On the way back the boater we saw before, stuck by the bridge, was being assisted by another boater cutting a duvet that was wrapped around his propellor. The things that people throw into the canal! Through Barrowford Locks we came across the unusual sight of a Community Payback Team (written on the back of their high-viz vests) who were 'volunteering' their services to payback their debt to society. Another rural mooring with open fields, the peace & quiet only broken by the noise of sheep. Another sunny day saw us heading for Foulridge Tunnel and as we neared the exit at the northern portal there appeared to be a barge starting to come through from the opposite direction! It turned out to be CRT swapping the traffic lights that hang from the headroom gauge and they duly moved the barge to one side. A pit stop at the Wharf for coffee & cake and water for the boat then a stop at Barnoldswick for the evening's supplies. Passing down Greenberfield Locks through idyllic scenery we planned to moor up at the bottom lock but could not find any mooring places until 2 miles further on at East Marton. Again, a combination of low water and rocks at the water's edge.
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The next day started cloudy and cooler than the bright sunshine we had grown used to. Through the twisty section with the beautiful scenery we descended Bank Newton Locks with yet another Silsden hire boat. At the top lock at Gargrave we encountered our first traffic jam of the holiday – a barge and 2 narrowboats going down and the same coming up. Very unusual as during our time out we had suprisingly not met that many boats. We secured a mooring at Gargrave as Rich had found there was an Indian restaurant in the village – oh the power of the internet! The Bollywood Cottage turned out to be an excellent venue with food for all taste levels and a great atmosphere. This was now top of the favourites list, vying very closely with the Ephesus in Rodley. Why is it that where there are trees there are thrushes? And why do they sing so early in the morning? The sunshine was back and we passed through the final 3 locks at Gargrave with a smaller private boat this time and a leisurely trip back to Skipton where we found a mooring very close to the centre. After exploring Skipton again we met up with my brother and went to the 17th century Royal Shepherd alongside the Springs branch, where we took over the snug for an evening of good food and conversation. The Royal Shepherd has the distinction of being the only pub in the country with that name – thought to be after George III (nicknamed Farmer George) who created model farms at Windsor – and apparently it's haunted! Our last full day on the boat, no thrushes, but awoken well before dawn by blackbirds and wood pigeons. After yet another cooked breakfast we set off again in the sunshine and just outside Skipton we were overtaken by a runner who declared he was going to Leeds today – about 28 miles along the towpath. Further on we encountered a flotilla of day hire boats causing some difficulties before passing through the few remaining swing bridges to arrive back as Silsden. We had long-since discovered that some manual swing bridges could be problematical to operate but Rich had found that by jumping up and down on the end it freed up the bridge so it could be opened. Our
23 final evening was at Stefano's in the town, a very popular but small Italian restaurant which does fixed sittings at 6pm & 8pm. The food is excellent and comes with complimentary pizza and after dinner liqueurs. This went to the top of the favourites list, shared with Ephesus & Bollywood Cottage. We had to vacate the boat early next morning, so with no time to do it ourselves we trundled off to Keighley for our final cooked breakfast. Looking back over the last 2 weeks we had covered just over 100 miles, passed through 88 locks and 76 swing bridges, but it's the sense of peace and tranquility mixed with adventure that will stay with us for a very long time. Paul asked some questions last time but I haven’t recivied any answers. Here is another question along with reminders of the last ones. There are 38 swing bridges between Gargrave and Kirkstall—was the canal built with these originally, or were they converted from accommodation bridges? In any event why use swing bridges and why on this section of canal? How do you negotiate a swing bridge if you are single-crewed, given that thje handcuff lock and bridge handle are always on the non-towpath side? Opening the bridge leaves you with no way back to your boat, or having gone past the bridge. This is one of 38 swing bridges What are the upright 'fixings' pictured at Stockbridge, Skipton & Foulridge (amongst a couple of other places)? And what were they used for?
What are the triangular-shaped markers fixed to the Foulridge Tunnel roof, positioned every few metres but not all the way through the tunnel? Please send your answers to tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk and I will print them in the next edition
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Please let advertisers know that you saw their advert in Endeavour, that way advertisers know where they are getting noticed
The Branch is collecting old printer, toner and/or inkjet cartridges for recycling. I would be most willing to take them off your hands. This form of recycling may not generate large amounts of funds but, as they say, every little helps. Please bring them to the Branch meetings or please email me on sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk
WHILTON MARINA CHANDLERY Well Stocked Chandlery, Diesel, Pump out, 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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BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY Diana the dredger was ‘launched’ on Saturday 2nd September at Cosgrove by the actor Sir David Suchet who is a very keen supporter of canals and who had met BCS people previous at the Braunston Historic Boats Festival organised and run by Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina. Tim then invited David to attend our event and launched Diana which he was very pleased to do. A very successful day for the BCS with about fifty people in attendance’ For information Diana is the dredge recently purchase from CRT by the BCS before that she was the dredge used by Milton Keynes IWA in their annual clean ups. Diana is named after Tim Coghlan’s late wife Diana, he had approached us earlier in the year asking if we had a project he could support and loved the idea of Diana. When first purchased by the BCS Diana had sunk and was brought back to life by BCS volunteers including Alan Mynard who has restored her engine. Diana now joins our fleet of work boats at Cosgrove, including Louise and Percy where they will be continuing the work of dredging the Buckingham canal and other similar work for CRT in the future. Again we are always looking for more volunteers at all three sites so if any Northampton volunteers have any free time please make contact with me if you fancy working with Diana and our other work boats! Athina Beckett Buckingham Canal Society
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Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from October to May
The Boat Inn Stoke Bruerne Food and drink available No Meeting in December January 9th 2.30pm Your Waterway Videos Hosted by Bernard Morton
February 13th 2.30pm Speaker Phil Clayton –Curious Cuts March 12th 7.30pm AGM Followed by Waterway Quiz Quizmaster John Pomfret More details on page 4 The next edition of Endeavour will be published in February 2024
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Branch Chairman Bernard Morton
07785 375787/ 01604 858294
Joint Task Party Organiser
E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk
Michael Butler E-mail: michael.butler
Vice Chairman, Joint Task Party Organiser & Membership Secretary
Planning Officer
Geoff Wood
E-mail: geoff.wood @waterways.org.uk
Branch Secretary Sandie Morton 01604 858294
E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk
Treasurer
Paul Lynam
E-mail: paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk
@waterways.org.uk
Helen Westlake
E-mail: helen.westlake @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member Catriona Butler E-mail: Catriona.butler @waterways.org.uk
Non-Committee posts Website and Media Officers
Newsletter & Archivist
Gail Anscombe Email: gail.anscombe@waterways.org.uk Lynda Payton Email: Lynda.payton@waterways.org.uk
07305 893924
Branch Meetings
Tony Clarke
E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk
Committee Member John Pomfret
E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk
Lynda Payton E-mail: lynda.payton @waterways.org.uk
Vacancies Publicity Officer and Grants Officer
The Inland Waterways Association is a membership charity that works to protect and restore the country's 6,500 miles of canals and rivers .
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