East Yorkshire Branch
BRANCH NEWSLETTER SEPT 2011
‘Awe and Wonder on the Waterways’ One photo from the presentation which will be part of our next Sneaton Castle meeting, details inside.
Did you see this in IWA Annual Review? There, the last paragraph of the National Chairman’s Welcome letter on page 2 ‘That means that more than ever our members need to play an active part in IWA and through us to influence the agenda in the brave new world’ He is, of course, referring to the challenges and opportunities the new waterways charity will bring to the maintenance and development of the nation’s waterways. Reading this article coincided with a request from a member of the East Yorkshire branch about becoming more involved, to be an active member. Well there are many ways of becoming an active member which include:Joining the Branch committee Looking out for shows, fetes where IWA may be publicised Helping to staff the Branch display at a show Attending the social meetings to share experiences and ideas Talking to people on the towpath to tell them about IWA’s work Keeping an eye open for any development plans which may impinge on a waterway Joining a waterway society and offering to join working parties If you live near a waterway make a section your patch and keep it tidy. So many ideas Are you, will you become, one of IWA’s active members?
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Sneaton Castle 8th October Our Autumn meeting at Sneaton Castle, Whitby is on Saturday, 8 th from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. We hope to be joined by members of the North Riding Branch. The first part of the afternoon will be a talk ‘Social inclusion is not enough’ by Bob Watson. For many years Bob has been heavily involved with the Sobriety Project based in Goole so he has a vast experience on which to draw, especially on what the waterways have to offer to society. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion. After drinks and homemade biscuits there will be a visual presentation ‘The Awe and Wonder of the Waterways’ compiled by a local amateur photographer with the help of photos from Branch members. A time for ‘ooohs’, ‘aaaghs’ and memories of happy time spent on or around our canals. Your committee has been disappointed by the response of members in the north of the branch area for whom these meetings were planned. Our venue makes it possible to have a day out with all travelling in daylight and no parking problems at our venue; show us by your attendance that you want to meet with fellow waterway enthusiasts. -0-0-0-0-0-0-
Is it too early for Christmas? You will note from the Branch Programme that our Christmas meal and gettogether will be on Thursday 1 st December. The venue and time will be decided at the Branch committee on 22nd September. After that date please contact Chris Stones on 01482 875894. We have had some really enjoyable meals with good socialising over recent years; why not join us this year?
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Our autumn meetings Our September meeting has a change of topic and speaker. Rob Ellis will give a talk ‘Hull’s Maritime and Fishing Heritage’. Our fishing industry has virtually disappeared and the handling of cargoes has changed dramatically. This topic should be of wide interest so why not invite your friends? The October meeting is again looking back at the history of transport on the Humber and connected waterways. No doubt our speaker, Chris Horan, will be able to tell us about some of the old boats which are still about and where we may be able to visit them. Perhaps one of these could be the venue for a branch outing for next June.
And something to do this autumn Have you been on New Horizons yet, have you taken friends for a short cruise from the Melbourne Arm? Trips are still running on Sunday afternoons and soon we will have the glorious autumn colours so what could be better than a trip on the Pocky with knowledgeable crew members to guide you. Follow this with a visit to the visitor centre at Canal Head on the A1079, perhaps taking a picnic tea or enjoy a walk along the Pocklington Canal’s wide towpaths with so much wildlife to see. Check on the PCAS website www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org
Waterway facilities We have been asked to carry out a survey of the standard of waterway facilities, particularly sanitary stations. If you have found any which are looking neglected, ignored or are not as clean as they should be please contact the Branch or Head Office so that a national picture can be seen. Concern has been expressed from some parts of the country that all is not as we would like it to be.
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Funding of the Waterways Do you remember the towpaths of 30 or 40 years ago? I recall an enforced towpath walk along the Grand Union Canal near Long Itchington about 35 years ago. The wash from passing boats had caused the towpath to be in an awful state or very nearly non-existent in many places and it had not been repaired. In several place I had to leap across gaps, risk slipping or resort to climbing through hedges and walking through farmers’ fields. How would today’s fishermen with their trolley loads of gear have managed? What would have been the Health and Safety issues? Would it have been shut off by that very visible BW orange fencing? In recent years, due in part to the extra funding John Prescott granted BW, towpaths have improved significantly. On the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and many other waterways using the towpath as a cycling commuter route is common, fishermen can transport their equipment easily and safely and we regularly see family groups and walking clubs enjoying being by the water. Local authorities have gained extra leisure facilities for their residents at no direct cost. What has this to do with funding? Well, if the loss of income cannot be made up, something has to give. As anglers and those involved with boating, whether as boaters or providers of facilities, are two of the groups who provide income for the maintenance of our waterways perhaps they will be looked to help make up the shortfall. Sadly I see more boats up for sale than I have ever done in 40 years enjoying our waterways which suggests that there is a limit to licence fees, and anglers do not have to belong to clubs to enjoy their sport. Ideally it would be good to see local authorities whose residents have benefited from towpath improvements help with maintenance costs but their resources have been cut too! Barry Robins 5
BRANCH SUMMER OUTING The weather looked unsettled as we set off about 8a.m. for our day out, courtesy of the Safe Anchor Trust who are based at Shepley Bridge on the Calder and Hebble Navigation in West Yorkshire. We arrived early so after a coffee and comfort break in a nearby café, we made our way to the boat where we were warmly greeted and shown our transport for the day, a narrowboat called The Lady Rhodes. She is an elderly lady but very comfortable with choices of seating in the rear galley, forward saloon or seats in the bow. As the weather was being kind, the bow seats were quickly occupied, giving the passengers a grandstand view of the proceedings.
One or two of the men stayed on the counter, no doubt to offer their advice to our crew for the day, Reg and Dave. Teas and coffees were available on a ‘help yourself’ basis with biscuits as well! We steadily made our way ‘upstream’ helping at the locks and also having a turn on the tiller if we wished. This section is a mixture of river and canal and there is much to see.
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After discussion with our crew, it was decided we would go as far as Brighouse. We duly arrived around 1p.m. in the top basin and tied up. Reg and Dave remained on board for their lunch whilst we walked over the road to sample the local brew. Back on board, fed and watered (or something else!) we set off back to Shepley Bridge.
Another very relaxing journey found us back at base by 5.p.m. but our day was not over yet. Into the cars and a short journey to Stanley Ferry where we had booked a table at the canalside pub for a meal. A most enjoyable day was had by all. Good weather, good company, good food and a chance of a few hours peacefully travelling on the Yorkshire waterways.
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BRANCH PROGRAMME Autumn 2011 Venue (unless stated otherwise) Cottingham Methodist Church Hall, Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BD 8.00-10.00 pm. Use entrance down side of church. Friday 16th Sept
‘Hull’s Maritime and Fishing Heritage’ by Rob Ellis Note change of subject
Saturday 8th Oct
At Sneaton Castle, Whitby. 2.00-4.00 pm. See details inside.
Friday 21st Oct
Humber Sail and History by Chris Horan
Friday 18th Nov
To be confirmed at the September meeting
Thurs 1st Dec
Christmas meal, see inside
2012 Friday 20th Jan
Details will be in the January newsletter
Friday 17th Feb
RNLI (The Oddball Station) by David Steedvoorden
There will also be meetings on 16th March (AGM), 20th April, 18th May
For more information about the Inland Waterways Association use the website www.waterways.org.uk or contact Barry Robins on 01482 658254 or 07885941983. For more information on the above meetings contact Roger Bromley on 01482 845099. The Branch email address is roger@roger.karoo.co.uk This newsletter is edited and produced by Barry Robins, 90 Carr Lane, Willerby, Hull HU10 6JU Note: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Association and should not be construed as such unless so stated.
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