Great Ouse Branch
Ouse News - Spring 2023
NewslettercoveringtheGreatOuseandtributaries
Welcome to the 3rd unique newsletter !!
I am very pleased and very happy to say that Carole has made an excellent recovery from her unfortunate mishap. So our esteemed editor will be back at the helm for our summer Ouse News. From my two page versions it will be back to its glorious multiple page edition. We would love to have copy for future editions – please send us reports of anything you think will be of interest such as your journeys, wildlife or even your thoughts on the waterway authorities. Send to keithalderton@sky.com or peter.webb@waterways.org.uk
Branch Programme
Winter Meetingsare at 8.00 pm at the North Lodge Pavilion, North Lodge Park, Milton, CB24 6UD.
THURSDAY 23rd March 2023
Our Annual General Meeting, together with an update from the Environment Agency
Due to health issues and lack of numbers we have had to cancel our IWA stall at Reach in May (first time ever) and at Ely in July.
Hopefully our winter meetings will start again in October 2023
Please check the Summer edition of Ouse News for details.
New Members
We are pleased to welcome the following new members to the Great Ouse Branch.
We hope you will introduce yourselves to us when coming to an event or meeting
Asa & Amy Briggs. Cambridge
Chairman’s Corner
As I write this article, the snowdrops are out in full force and it looks as though we are finally emerging from a long cold spell. Time to think about boating once again! Last year, the only boating we managed to do was to have a much delayed cruise from one boatyard to another in order to have some hull repairs partially carried out. Our first trip this year will be to dry dock the boat once again in order to finish the remaining work. We have owned Watermist for 23 out of its 40 years life and hope that the refurbishment work will ensure that it is fit to cruise for many more years to come. Hopefully, the same will apply to us! Concern has been expressed locally regarding over-zealous enforcement of the rules regarding the permitted length of stay on Ely Waterfront. It has been reported that a boater has been fined for overstaying when adverse weather conditions prevented him from safely moving on. We, along with GOBA and other interested parties, supported East Cambs. District Council when they initially introduced rules to restrict the length of time boats could stay in the City. By all reports, the scheme has successfully achieved the original objective, which was to free up space to allow visiting boaters to stop, shop for provisions and enjoy the City’s facilities. It has now been suggested that these rules be relaxed over the winter months. I, for one, would oppose such a move, as we know from bitter experience elsewhere that once residential boats become established in an area it is very difficult to move them on. I am sure that sensible dialogue with ECDC will establish a practical solution to short term problems that will avoid the need to rewrite the rule book. After six years hard work, the EA has finally completed the ‘Ouse Washes Middle Level Barrier Bank raising works’. The works were required to comply with recommendations made by the Reservoir Inspecting Engineer. The crest level has been raised between Welmore Lake Sluice and Earith and a demountable flood barrier installed on the Welney Wash Road (A1101). A low-level section of the South Level Barrier Bank has also been raised between Sutton Gault and Chain Corner. On completion in October 2022, a training day was held to familiarise EA staff and contractors with the procedure to erect the barrier across the road in times of flooding. The demountable barrier now forms part of the 30km Ouse Washes Reservoir flood protection scheme.
I look forward to seeing you at the branch AGM on the 23rd March.
Keith Alderton (keithalderton@sky.com)Branch Meeting 23rd February 2023
At our February meeting we were pleased to welcome Sallyann Ford to give a presentation about the work of the Waterways Chaplaincy. As we cruise around the system we often see individuals or even entire families living aboard some pretty dilapidated boats. Many of these people often find themselves in dire financial or personal circumstances and need someone to turn to for help. The members of the Waterways Chaplaincy provide just such a service. Sallyann and her fellow team members walk the towpaths and man the telephones giving advice and practical assistance to help those in need with all manner of problems. Their dedication and caring attitude deserves to be much applauded. I would like to thank our speaker for providing such a thought provoking address.
Keith AldertonThere are about 100 Waterways Chaplains who operate along the canals or rivers across the UK. Chaplains are Christian volunteers from a variety of different backgrounds, perhaps partly retired and looking to be a volunteer and serve their community, or maybe just people who see a need along the waterways near to where they live.
All chaplains receive training and support from a member of the senior team and begin as Probationary Chaplains in a period of discernment before being officially licenced. Chaplains often work as a couple or a husband and wife team and, as chaplains, we are all very connected into our local communities. We aim to both respond to referrals and proactively ‘come alongside’ boaters in need, especially those with personal challenges.
Our aim at Waterways Chaplaincy is to provide coverage for as much of the UK’s 2000 miles of waterways as we can and we divide the waterways network into ‘Hubs’, from London and the Home counties, to Wales, East and West Midlands, Skipton to Trent & Mersey, Lancaster to Lincoln.
The East Anglia Rivers have a local Hub comprising a team of five volunteer Chaplains.
IWA Great Ouse Branch Committee
The existing Branch Committee has been together for a very long time Peter joined in 1996, Stephen 1998, Keith & John 2004, Enid
& Carole 2010, Gail 2014
Even our newest recruit has been on the committee for 9 years !! So once again we are appealing for people to join the committee.
We have 5 or 6 Committee meetings a year where we plan and manage our 4 winter public meetings plus any outings. We also take a publicity/ sales tent to a couple of fairs each year. (Reach & Ely)
At present we hold the committee meetings where we hold the public ones (North Lodge Pavilion, Milton) as this is central to those who come from Bedford, Royston, Bury St Edmunds, Lakenheath and Ely areas but we could be flexible.
Our committee meetings have plenty of friendly banter and we even have an itemised place in the agenda for a drink and cake break!!
We desperately need new ideas… so please, even if you do not want to be on the committee, give us your suggestions.