Inland Waterways Association Northampton Branch Newsletter Endeavour February 2020

Endeavour Northampton Branch Newsletter — February 2020

BRANCH LEGACY HELPS FUND NEW CHARITY BOAT

The bow of the new boat Crusader Community Boating, based at Blisworth Marina, is a registered charity providing free boat trips for people of any age with physical or mental disability, as well as elderly people from care homes across Northamptonshire.

Full story on page 18

waterways.org.uk/northampton Printed by Colour Image. Phone 07821 894521 email colourimage@aol.com

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During 2019 the Branch has supported several worthy causes, won some awards and put in over 2,400 volunteer hours in our area—haven’t we done well?

How about helping us do even better in 2020 and joining us on our regular Task Parties to help keep the Northampton Arm in good order? Perhaps you have some excess pounds to work off after Christmas? You will be made most welcome and have fun in the process. Dates for the Task Parties are on page 4. Also see Geoff’s Arm Update and what’s planned for this year on page 12.

Things that have happened over the year: March Presentation of Towpath Talk Award joint third with £100 cheque Took part in CRT’s Open Lock Weekend at Lock 17 on Northampton Arm - the weather was awful and the gazebo nearly took off!

May Bernard and Sandie Morton attended Welford Arm 50th celebrations.

Blisworth Art Group visited M1 bridge to investigate site for proposed mural.

June Mural outlined, Rothersthorpe Primary School painted it and it was sealed.

July Unveiling of mural “Art on the Arm” with guest Richard Parry (CEO of CRT) who took the opportunity to present Branch with CRT certificate recognising over 10,000 volunteer hours on Northampton Arm. September Mini Boat Gathering at Stoke Bruerne’s Village at War weekend.

IWA Richard Bird Medals presented to Geoff Wood and Mick Butler for organising work on the Northampton Arm. October Geoff Wood and Mick Butler invited to give presentation at IWA’s Volunteer and Members Networking Day in London on the setting up and running of our Arm Adoption.

November Branch Annual Dinner with the second draw for the 100 Club.

Presentation of the John Faulkner award to Lottie Clarke (at 8 years old our youngest and most enthusiastic volunteer).

Three interpretation panels have also been installed on the Arm by our volunteers they are at Locks 1, 14 and 17.

If you haven't been down the Arm why not take a walk and see what’s been happening. The hundreds of bulbs we have planted will soon be putting on a great show!

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DIARY DATES

March 10th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch AGM at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Followed by Chris R Jones – Story of Raymond, Last wooden working boat April 3rd-4th IWA Milton Keynes Spring Clean-up working north from Fenny Stratford to The Galleon, Old Wolverton. If you can help contact pat.durham@watewways.org.uk 9th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: Mike Partridge – Tales at the tiller May 14th 8pm IWA Northampton Branch Meeting at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth. Speaker: John Pomfret - River waterways of NE England June 27th-28th Braunston & Historic Boat Rally Canal Festival at Braunston Marina. (See page 20 and back cover)

NORTHAMPTON ARM TASK PARTY DATES

March 1st,17th April 5th,21st. May 3rd,19th. June 7th,16th

Contact: geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk or phone 01604 453932 BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY WORK PARTY DATES March 5th, 8th, 19th. April 2nd, 12th, 16th, 30th.

May 10th, 14th, 28th. June 11th, 14th, 25th.

Contact athinabec@aol.com or phone 01908 661217/07721 319404 STOKE BRUERNE CANAL PARTNERSHIP WORK PARTY DATES March 11th. April 8th. May 13th. June 10.

Contact: stokebruernecanalpartnership.org.uk

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 As I’m writing this mid-January, I feel it’s not too late to say Happy New Year! We have experienced an unusually mild, if somewhat wet, winter so far. My garden is waterlogged (a good excuse to avoid working in it) and the River Nene has suffered from being under “strong stream” advice more often than not.

The general election came and went. Whatever your politics, it can only be something of a relief that the stalemate in Parliament has ended. By the time you read this, UK will be out of the EU … or will it? I for one will be overjoyed not to hear or read the word “Brexit” in the media ever again!

NEW BROOM AT IWA Ar e you awar e that IWA has elected Paul Rodger s as its new National Chairman? He succeeds Ivor Caplan who served in the role for two years. Paul, unusually, is still in paid employment and is not a lifelong waterways enthusiast like previous incumbents. Interestingly, Paul found our waterways only five years ago after his wife bought him, as a present, a week’s volunteering at a WRG camp at Inglesham Lock. He must have enjoyed the experience as, within two years, he had not only joined IWA but had been appointed to its national Marketing Committee. His meteoric rise continued with him joining the Trustee board in 2017 and, later that year, the Finance Committee.

Paul has made no secret of the fact that changes are needed in the Association but he wants any changes to stay in tune with its roots quoting a stated aim from the very early days of being “an association to campaign for the regeneration of the waterways” . He acknowledges that IWA has “ a proven track record of delivering for the waterways and has the depth of experience needed to ensure the correct route is taken for the future”.

As an independent organisation, Paul believes that IWA is “able to be objective and take a flexible approach in tackling the competing demands across waterways interests. IWA is able to speak authoritatively on all issues and deliver effectively when action is needed”.

There is no denying that Paul has become Chairman at a time when there are significant challenges ahead. Perhaps the biggest is the negotiation for the future funding of our waterways which begins in 2022 as CRT’s current contract ends in 2027. Paul would like IWA to be able to provide the government with “independent scrutiny” as CRT seeks further funding.

In the longer term, he cites environmental challenges as being important too with impacts on water supplies (too little or too much) and the resultant effect on infrastructure (e.g. Toddbrook Reservoir), and diesel/solid fuel issues for vessels.

We can only wish him well and hope that any changes are well-thought out and considered … and take account of members views?

8 RED DIESEL. I was inter ested to r ead in the waterways pr ess that, in the Republic of Ireland, from 1st January 2020, lower duty diesel (green in Ireland) will no longer be allowed to be used in private pleasure craft, even if boaters declare and pay the higher rate on diesel used for propulsion (as in the UK). The system of declarations was brought in for the Republic and UK so that craft and waterside suppliers were not required to install separate boat and boatyard tanks to store fuel for propulsion apart from non-propulsion fuel.

However, the EU Commission disapproved, won the case in the courts and subsequently ordered governments to come up with a plan to implement the judgment.

The UK government set up a consultation last year which you may (hopefully!) have taken part in. It remains to be seen what will happen in the UK. The judgment will continue to apply as long as the UK is subject to European fuel duty directives. Will these cease on 31st January or on 31st December 2020? Will the government just “keep its head down” in the hope that more fundamental issues pertaining to Brexit will keep the EU occupied?

CRUISING PLANS. Have you been busy over the Chr istmas/New Year br eak planning some cruising for 2020? After a quiet boating year in 2019, Sandie and I are busy planning some trips to canals new during the year. When we started planning in autumn, we wondered if we would be impacted by water shortages but, as it hardly seems to have stopped raining since, we are quietly confident that we will be ok!

Don’t forget to consider including our Branch mini boat gathering at Stoke Bruerne in your boating plans for this year. We trialled “piggy-backing” onto the nationally acclaimed Village at War weekend in 2019 and, although the number of boats attending was low, members who attended (also by caravan, and motor caravan) reported that it was a thoroughly enjoyable event. In return for helping with the setting up/ dismantling the infrastructure or manning a stall or car park for a short time over the weekend, the Friends of the Canal Museum have promised us free moorings and free entry for the Saturday and Sunday (12-13th September 2020). If you haven’t been before, you don’t know what you’re missing – we hope to see you there! See advert on page 22 100 CLUB. Is this something else you ar e missing out on? Applications ar e now open for 2020 but will close on 29th February. You need to be an IWA member (but not necessarily a member of Northampton Branch) and over the age of 18. Each member may hold up to four separate stakes (joint members two stakes each) at the rate of £15 per stake per year.

There are two draws each year – one at the Branch AGM in March and one at the Annual Dinner in November – with the Branch retaining 45% of the income to support worthwhile local waterways charities and organisations and the other 55% being split into three prizes.

Thank you to all those who are already supporting this Branch fund-raising initiative

9 – it is our main way of raising money. If you would like to join, application forms are available at Branch meetings or from paul.lynam@waterways.org.uk or via our web page waterways.org.uk/ Northampton.

NEW WEBSITE. IWA Head Office is busy wor king on a r edesign of the website which they hope to launch in March. The new website will be more easily accessible via mobile/smart phones recognising how much time we spend on these gadgets. Keep a look out and tell us what you think! In fact, tell us what you think about everything we are doing. If you approve, we would love to know. Equally, if you don’t like something we have done/are doing, let us know. Or better still, come and join us on the Branch Committee. Our AGM is on 10th March (see diary page). We have vacancies and would welcome some “new blood” – we are a friendly bunch and meet in The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne on the first Tuesday of each month from September through to May. If you would like further information please contact me using the contact details on page 30

Obituary: Jean Hazel Blagrove Dearly loved Mother, Aunt, Grandmother and dear friend to many. Passed away peacefully on 4 th December 2019 aged 88.

The Funeral Service took place at St Mary's Church Stoke Bruerne on Monday 23rd December at 10.00 am and was attended by 170 friends and family followed by a wake at The Boat Inn. The family wish to thank those of you who turned up to pay their last respects. Jean is now laid to rest in Stoke Bruerne in the village that she and David loved so much. She is finally reunited with her beloved husband David and grandson James.

There was a collection and donations for James Borondy Trust can still be sent to John White Funeral Directors, 188 Watling Street East, Towcester, NN12 6DB Tel: 01327 359266

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.

Now how about sharing yours? Or maybe you could tell us about the boats you’ve hired or owned. Email your articles to me, Tony Clarke, via tony.clarke@waterways.org.uk

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NOTICE OF AGM IWA Northampton Branch NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Northampton Branch of the Inland Waterways Association will be held on Tuesday, 10th March, 2020, at The Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, commencing at 8pm.

AGENDA: (please bring this agenda to the meeting) 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8:

Apologies for absence Minutes of previous AGM held on 12th March, 2019 Matters arising Chairman’s Report Treasurer’s Report Statement of Committee size Election of Committee members AOB

Under the IWA Branch bylaws effective from 12 November 2007, there is no restriction on the maximum size of the committee. Tony Clarke, John Pomfret, Helen Westlake and Paul Lynam retires by rotation and seeks reelection.

It is no longer necessary for those who wish to stand for election to be nominated and seconded but all who wish to stand must agree to do so. Written consents from Branch members wishing to stand for election should be deposited with Branch Secretary Sandie Morton before the commencement of the AGM business. {signed) Bernard Morton, IW A Northampton Branch Chairman 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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NORTHAMPTON BRANCH 100 CLUB

ROLL UP

ROLL UP

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BE IN THE DRAWS FOR 2020 CLOSING DATE 29TH FEBRUARY We have launched the Branch’s own 100 Club to raise funds for Branch activities.

It will run annually, so we are asking for a single payment for each year for each share. Each member can have up to four £15 shares. (A total of 4 for couples with joint membership.)

Based on 100 members the prizes will be 1st £500 2nd £200 3rd £100

(These prizes will be adjusted pro-rata up or down if memberships are less or more than 100)

There will be two Draws — one at the AGM in March, the other at the Annual Dinner in November. The prizes in each Draw will be -

1st £250 2nd £100 3rd £50

(These prizes will be adjusted pro-rata up or down if memberships are less or more than 100)

We will, of course, publish the winners in Endeavour and report on how the 100 Club is doing in terms of fund-raising.

Application forms are on our website www.waterways.org.uk/ northampton or contact Paul Lynam details below If you have any questions, please call me on 07817 461842 or email paul.lynam@waterways.org.uk Paul Lynam, Branch Treasurer

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Northampton Arm Update 2019

By Geoff Wood, Joint Organsier It has been another very productive year for the Branch adoption group on the Arm with 49 Task Parties being run during 2019. Of these 24 were the normal scheduled ones, with the other 25 being extras.

This accounted for over 2,400 volunteers hours for 2019 and over 11,500 hours in total from when we started in 2013.

There is a similar work pattern from year to year with some of the tasks being vegetation clearance suited for the winter period, with painting more suited to the warmer weather.

Litter is still a big problem on the bottom end of the Arm from lock 15 to lock 17 and especially around the Briar Hill area. We have collected well over 200 bags of litter, with shopping trolleys and other rubbish.

As you are probably aware we completed the offside mural under the motorway bridge with the Blisworth Art Group and Rothersthorpe Primary School with a grand opening in July.

We have also formed some smaller teams to undertake some specialised tasks as follows:Restoring the anti-vandal locks on locks 14 to 17, just waiting for spares to complete this.

Carried out a survey of the anti-slip paints and covering on the lock gates. This will be actioned in the better weather.

Set up a program for remarking the cill markers on all the locks back to standard.

Again this will be actioned in the better weather.

With CRT, we have set up a program to refurbish the Urbis notice boards in the local area.

We have also been well supported by our corporate groups Cummins Power Systems, Network Rail and Unilever.

For 2020 we have highlighted a number of projects over and above our normal tasks that we would like to implement as follows:Paint a mural on the north running offside slip road bridge abutment that has been heavily graffitied.

Overpaint the south running off side slip road bridge abutment that has been heavily graffitied.

Repair the offside fence between the motorway main carriageway and the south running slip road.

Install a further 50 metres of towpath at Wootton Brook.

I would like to thank all of our volunteers for the hard work that they have put in over 2019, and the great results that have been achieved. If you would like to join us you would be made very welcome. Dates are on page 4.

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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

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

Northamptonshire RESTAURANT º BARS º TRIP BOAT DINE IN STYLE IN WOODWARD’S CANALSIDE RESTAURANT SPECIAL EVENTS Sunday 22nd March Mothering Sunday Thursday 23rd April St George’s Day Celebrations

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

14 Joined up Thinking = Joined up Waters !

By Chris Howes, Eastern Region Chairman Sitting in my conservatory, in the middle of January, with the rain pounding on the roof, last summer’s water shortages appear only a distant memory. The past is, as they say, a foreign country !

There are two parts to water resource management. Getting rid of excess water (flood management) and guaranteeing a sufficient all-year-round supply of clean water to meet demand. For many years these activities have both taken place, but perhaps despite (rather than in accord with) the other.

Those of us who boat on the rivers Nene or Great Ouse will know how quickly these rivers rise after what can appear to be only quite modest amount of rain.

During a couple of incidents in 2019 the EA deposited over 100 million cumecs of water into the Wash, yet their underlying water ground levels remained alarmingly low. I remember waiting in the constant drizzle this summer for C&RT to open theBuckby Flight which was closed at night for ‘Water Saving’ despite the seemingly abundant water descending on me.

What was clearly needed was an approach to water management which balances and reconciles these apparently contradictory requirements. In an outbreak of ‘joined up thinking’ across the country five bodies have been set up, tasked with water management. Water Resources East (WRE) have been instructed to take an ‘holistic’ approach for our Region.

WRE’s first task is to guarantee an adequate water supply for East Anglia. The River Trent provides a supply of water in excess of the requirements of the administrative areas along its banks, and the plan is to move water from the Trent down to a new reservoir to be constructed somewhere broadly in the region of Holbeach.

The water companies have traditionally moved water in closed pipes, rather than by open channel. However, in the 1960’s the Great Ouse Cut Off Channel partly included open water transfer. The Cut Off Channel acts as a wildlife corridor, but is sadly closed to leisure activities, including boating.

At IWA we are arguing that moving water from the River Trent to this

Waiting for the big one!

15 new reservoir using existing rivers and dykes should produce as wide a range of benefits as possible. The Environment Agency and Lincolnshire County Council support this argument.

Indisputably, people in general love water and the Government has recognised that a sense of ‘wellbeing’ has an actual monetary value in respect of decreasing strain and anxiety (savings to NHS) and is promoting walking, cycling, nature preservation, fishing, canoeing, surf-boarding etc as all good for us. What we’ve all known, for years, is now official - BOATING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH !

If this link to the Trent is made navigable it brings the aspirations of the Fens Waterways Link significantly closer. With the EA and Lincs C.C. the IWA has formed the Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor plan to ensure that the connection be open water. Even DEFRA are in favour !

Boston and Peterborough are geographically only 30 miles apart, but at present navigating between them by boat requires either a challenging Wash crossing or a torturous 250 mile, 135 lock, 15 day trip in a boat less than seven feet wide. When the Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor comes to fruition, it will only require a couple of days leisurely cruising !

We extend a warm welcome to the following who have joined Northampton Branch since the last issue of Endeavour

NEW MEMBERS Ms J Cattermole & Mr D James, W eedon Mr R Betts & Miss H Gordon, W ellingbrough

MEMBERS MOVED TO THE BRANCH Mr D Smith, Y elvertoft

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.

The Inland Waterways Association is registered as a charity (No. 212342)

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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

18 CRUSADER COMMUNITY BOATING UNVEIL THEIR NEW BOAT

By Colin Neal, Chair of Trustees Our charity, which is run entirely by volunteers, was formed in 2015 when we acquired Mountbatten Crusader, a 59ft fully accessible widebeam originally built as a trip boat for St John Ambulance in 1994.

Such is the demand for our service, in the summer of 2017 the charity began a fundraising campaign to purchase a new purpose-built trip boat. We were very fortunate in that James Mackaness, who had raised the funds to buy Mountbatten for SJA, offered to help once again.

Dave Garratt (Boat Manager) and I started internal disConstruction of the hull takes shape cussions about the outline specification of a new boat, inviting input from all crew members. A wish list was drawn up and we decided to go for another widebeam of a similar length and width (10ft 6in) as Mountbatten but to increase the size of the cabin.

Mountbatten has a large front deck and similar sized cabin. This is fine when the weather is equally fine. However, passenger numbers are normally limited to the number that can be accommodated comfortably inside the cabin (max 20) since we can’t rely on the good old British weather.

With our new boat, to be called Community Spirit, we wanted to be able to accommodate larger passenger numbers in comfort, regardless of the weather. One reason for this is that a future aim is to extend our current service by offering educational trips for schoolchildren. This dictated that the cabin should be capable of catering for a minimum of 35 passengers to allow for a full class plus staff.

After a visit to the Crick boat show and discussions with boatbuilders with the capability and experience of building a boat to MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) requirements, Colecraft emerged as our preferred boatbuilder. [A ll UK vessels carrying more than 12 passengers are required to have a Passenger Licence issued by the MCA.] Meetings with Gary Cole at Colecraft and their Naval Architect, James Pratt, were then arranged after which we commissioned production of a comprehensive specification and outline drawings, against which Colecraft were able to give us an estimat-

19 ed total cost, just shy of £250,000. Fortunately, this figure included all fees payable to the MCA who monitor the build at various stages.

By June 2019, we were in the fortunate position of being able to place an order with Colecraft, having secured funding from a number of sources, primarily charitable trusts, private individuals including our patrons, and our own fundraising activities.

Steelwork nears completion We are grateful to the IWA Northampton Branch for its contribution of £10,000 made from the John Faulkner Legacy.

With its hybrid propulsion based on a Beta Marine 75HP diesel engine, backed up with solar panels, we think Community Spirit will be the only passenger trip boat of its kind on the canals. Delivery of the new boat is expected in February 2020. After a period of crew training, Crusader Community Boating will then apply to the MCA for a Passenger Licence and hope to bring the new boat into service later this year.

Passenger cabin with blue protective film over panelling

We’re currently looking for additional crew volunteers. For further information, please see www.crusadercommunityboating.org.uk/volunteering.

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By Tim Coghlan In early October, I had the pleasure of meeting the music legend and TV primetime star Pete Waterman, when he visited Braunston Marina for the filming of an episode of a new six-part Channel 5 TV series, called Barging Britain: Then and Now. Following on the back of Tim and Pru’s now already timeless Great Canal Journeys – they both had the same producer – the take on this new series, to be shown in the spring, is ‘a tour along three of Britain’s most famous canals, looking back at the heritage and history that shaped them, and also looking forward to what they have become.’

Pete Waterman (L) with Tim Coghlan

Pete, 72, was accompanied by three other maturing celebrities – Jennie Bond, 69, the former BBC royal correspondent, Anne Diamond, 65, journalist and TV presenter, and 78 -year-old Bill Oddie, who started life in comedy and is now seriously into environmental matters, especially bird life.

The foursome had the use of two hire boats, a his and hers pair, travelling together and living on them during the filming, including eating and sleeping, as well as steering them and working the locks.

The Midlands episode, to be shown in two parts, covers from Stoke Bruerne on the Grand Union Canal to Braunston, and then the Oxford Canal to Banbury. For this they used a pair of Black Prince hire narrowboats – in their distinctive livery, but with all identification names removed, so as not to upset the programme’s advertisers.

I enjoyed a fascinating morning with Pete, showing him round our unique collection of historic canal buildings, including our 1792 dry dock, which is still functioning in much the same way as when it was built. He took a great interest in everything, whether we were being filmed or not.

Then Pete told me that he had known the marina before it became one in 1962, the year he became a steam locomotive fireman. He used to come with his grandfather in the 1950s to what was then Barlow’s Yard to go fishing in the unconnected canal reservoirs.

He had seen the working boats still being built and operated, carrying coal from the Midlands down to London.

For me it was a no-brainer to invite Pete there and then to open the 2020 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, which, after checking his work diary, he was delighted to accept.

Pete will do so on the restored former Samuel Barlow’s butty Raymond, which he may well have seen being built in 1958.

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John Faulkner Legacy Update John Faulkner kindly left legacies to IWA for boating and other waterways projects totalling £83,740. He also left a further £41,000 or so specifically for the Waterways Recovery Group.

As a committee we have tried to put forward a variety of projects to be funded, usually working with other organisations and charities. We reported in February 2019 the projects funded so far.

Elsewhere in this edition we report on the new Crusader Boat; meanwhile Friends of the River Nene are preparing for the final stage of their project to provide picnic waterside picnic benches.

Sculptor, the Canal and River Trust historic boat which is based at Stoke Bruerne and usually spends the season visiting shows and events, had two lots of work carried out in 2019, the 3rd and final stage is due to take place in 2020. These works were jointly funded with Friends of the Canal Museum.

In the Summer we completed the second mural under the M1, working with Blisworth Art and Craft Group and Rothersthorpe CE primary school and our Volunteers installed 3 interpretation panels along the Northampton Arm of the GU. Both of these projects recieved funding from the legacy.

Unfortunately Northampton Sea Cadets have decided for a number of reasons not to progress their major building project at the moment, so those funds are now available for other projects.

After adjusting for Cummins Engineering helping to fund the M1 Murals, there is a balance of around £27,000 in funding remains available to fund more projects. If you are aware of any potential projects do speak to any committee member.

Mini Boat Gathering in conjunction with Stoke Bruerne’s Village at War Again having a mini Boat Gathering at Stoke Bruerne’s Village at War on 12th –13th September. Moor ings will be in the Long pound fr om Wednesday.

There will be free entry into the Village at War if you volunteer to help as a steward, (or entry for the weekend will be £10). There are 3-4 hour slots so chose when you can help!

We will be organising a 2 course 1940s dinner at the Boat Inn with tea/coffee and mints on the Saturday night. This was a great hit last year.

Booking forms and meal details will be in the next Endeavour.

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RICHARD GILL

BSc, MABSE

30 YEARS WORKING ON THE WATERWAYS

Grand Union, Oxford & Leics Canals Rivers Nene and Thames RING: 07889 10 99 39 rgbarcos70@btinternet.com

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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

The Branch is collecting old printer, toner and/or inkjet cartridges for recycling. I would be most willing to take them off your hands. Also, we can get money for old mobile phones through the same company. This form of recycling may not generate large amounts of funds but, as they say, every little helps.

I am usually at our monthly social meetings at The Walnut Tree on the second Tuesday of each month from October through to May to receive any of the above. If you cannot get to one of our meetings, please email me on sandie.morton@waterways.org.uk Stop Press: We have just received a cheque for £34 for Branch funds.

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Wharf House Narrowboats Braunston Marina, The Wharf, Braunston Northants NN11 7JH

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BUCKINGHAM CANAL SOCIETY Most of the work over the last few months again centres on Bridge One at Cosgrove.

Whilst the concrete pour on the bridge is complete our volunteers are carry out the next task of completing the brick facing for the bridge and here we have been helped by a new bricklayer joining our team of volunteers, He is also experienced in dry stone walling again very useful to the society as we have a partly collapsed dry stone wall which needs a lot of repair work done to it. This all fits in very well as we have just received a grant to run training sessions on the art of dry stone walling.

The original towpath which went under the bridge is now open to the public so for the first time in about fifty years people are able to walk under the bridge and not have to go over the top!

The other exciting news is that the BCS now has it's own work boat Louise. Her previous owner delivered her to Brentford and over the Christmas holiday a team of volunteers move her from Brentford to Cosgrove assisted by a tug supplied by CRT. Louise is equipped with various items of equipment including a crane which will be put to good use on the Buckingham Arm over the next few months. Our volunteers have been attending several training courses organised by CRT so that they become fully trained on all equipment on her. We have already had requests from CRT to 'borrow' Louise for other projects which include working with a group of volunteers from Buckby locks who are carrying out a project along the towpath at Long Buckby.

Our AGM takes place on Saturday 21st March at 7pm at Buckingham Community Centre wher e the speaker this year will be giving a talk about Hayes Boats of Stony Stratford. We hope all IWA members will come and support us at the AGM and Cheese and Wine Social evening and you are also very welcome to come and see the progress being made at Bridge One, Cosgrove and at our other sites.

Athina Beckett

Work boat Louise moored at Cosgrove

29 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.

COMMERCIAL RATES 1/4 Page (box) £12.00 +VAT 1/2 Page (box) £25.00 +VAT Full Page £40.00 +VAT Other sizes by arrangement 10% discount for 4 issues paid yearly in advance 5% discount for 4 issues paid quarterly

CLASSIFIEDS (suggested donations) £1.50 for 22 words, 15p each additional word £3.50 for box around classified advertisement (nb. telephone numbers count as one word) £3.50 for photographs

Regular Branch Social Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from October to May inclusive at

THE WALNUT TREE INN, BLISWORTH, at 8pm

All members and non-members welcome Food and drink available

NEXT MEETINGS 10th March AGM Followed by Chris R Jones —The story of Raymond, The last wooden working boat

14th April Speaker: Mike Partridge — Tales at the tiller

12th May Speaker: John Pomfret — Rivers waterways of NE England The next edition of Endeavour will be published in May 2020

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Branch Chairman Bernard Morton 07785 375787/ 01604 858294 E-mail: bernard.morton @waterways.org.uk

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

Branch Secretary Sandie Morton 01604 858294 E-mail: sandie.morton @waterways.org.uk

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

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

Branch Meetings Catriona Butler E-mail: catriona butler @waterways.org.uk

Treasurer Paul Lynam E-mail: paul.lynam @waterways.org.uk

Newsletter & Archivist Tony Clarke

Non-Committee post Website and Media Officer Gail Anscombe E-mail gail.anscombe @waterways.org.uk

07305 893924 E-mail: tony.clarke @waterways.org.uk

Committee Member John Pomfret E-mail: john.pomfret @waterways.org.uk

Vacancies Publicity and Grants Officers

Committee Member

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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