HEREWARD PETERBOROUGH BRANCH
SPRING 2018 AGE BUMPER 24 P ITION FESTIVAL ED
www.waterways.org.uk/peterborough
The IWA charity registered number 212342
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Peterborough Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers
Made it! Happy but frustrated boaters at Welches Dam with the obstructions preventing any further progress other than to return to Salters Lode
HEREWARD - SPRING 2018
W
elcome to the Spring edition of Hereward which is a bumper 24 page issue featuring several articles and announcements relating to the IWA Festival of Water which this year is at St Neots on the River Great Ouse. As this is being written in early April it does not feel much like spring. After one of the coldest winters for some time we have had a very wet start to Spring. The Nene went into flood filling the valley from Wansford to Peterborough with flood water submerging fields and many of the footpaths in the Ferry Meadows Country Park. At a time when many of our members would be thinking about moving out of the area for the ‘season’ this must have been very frustrating. The Branch AGM took place in early March and we received a very interesting presentation by Ian Smith, the former CEO of the MLC on the history of System and some inside information on the Bill currently progressing through Parliament. The Treasurer was able to report a healthy financial situation. On the downside Stephen Heywood retired from the committee and the Branch wishes to record its thanks to Stephen for his services. However we are pleased to welcome Mike Daines who has been co-opted to the committee. Despite the very wet weather the Easter Cruise took place and seven boats took part with the planned itinerary being completed in full. The programme of Branch work parties concluded in March for the necessary break to avoid disturbances during the nesting season. These will reconvene in the Autumn with details to be announced later in the year. The main thrust for Branch for 2018 is to support the IWA Festival of Water which is being held at St Neots over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The poster opposite gives an outline of the planned attractions and the Branch will be represented with a stand on which we plan to promote our ongoing campaign to restore Welches Dam lock and the Horseways channel to through navigation. Impetus is also gathering at Region level in a joint initiative with East Midlands to reinvigorate the Fens Waterways Link project and the festival will be taken as an opportunity to launch this initiative. As it is expected the Anglian Waterways will see a large influx of visiting boats over the summer John Revell is proposing to arrange for a flotilla of boats to enter the Old Bedford River and cruise to Welches Dam over the period 19 to 22 August. If this is supported by boats visiting the other end of Horseways from the Forty Foot and Sixteen Foot then the futility of the lack of a through route will be demonstrated. Details are given elsewhere in this edition. As another aid to boaters visiting the festival, Chris Howes has put together some suggestions for places of interest near to our local waterways and these are included in this edition. 1
LOCAL CRUISING ATTRACTIONS CHRIS HOWES has produced a round up of attractions and places of interest in easy reach of the waterways boaters visiting the Festival of Water will be cruising. The round up starts on leaving the CRT system at Northampton and concludes with at St Neots. NORTHAMPTON—point of interest Becket’s Park is named after Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury notoriously murdered in Canterbury Cathedral. Henry II had summoned Becket to appear before a great council at Northampton Castle in October 1164, to answer allegations of contempt. Becket drank from a well on the edge of the park. Convicted on the charges, Becket stormed out of the trial and fled to the Continent. In 1170 Becket returned to England, and further upset the King causing him to speak the words “will no-one rid me of this turbulent priest”, which resulted in Becket’s murder on 29 December 1170. These days there are water points available and drinking unprocessed water is not recommended ! Beckets Park FOTHERINGHAY—worth a visit This was the site of Fotheringhay Castle which has significance in English History. Richard III was born there in 1452 and Mary, Queen of Scots, was tried and beheaded in 1587. The castle was razed in 1627, and there is nothing left other than the motte on which it was built which is worth climbing for the excellent views of the river Nene. Views of the village are dominated by a particularly fine Perpendicular style church, dating in parts to the 15th Century. A local farmer charges for mooring. LILFORD HALL– point of interest As you pass through Lilford Lock and under the picturesque bridge you are entering Lilford Estate which is crowned by a Grade I listed, 15th Century, stately home. Although not open to the Public, the views through the trees of the grand house remind one of days long gone ! 2
Fotheringhay Church
Lilford Hall
WANSFORD in ENGLAND—point of interest Wansford is beautiful village largely built of mellow Northamptonshire Stone. The old bridge which carried the Great North Road (now the A1) past the Haycock Inn dates from 1600 and is a scheduled ancient monument. The Haycock Inn is named from the story of an unfortunate traveller who, wary of sleeping in any inn because of plague, spent the night in a hayrick. The river rose in the night and the traveller woke to find himself floating down the Nene. He asked a traveller on the riverbank where he was, and upon hearing the reply "Wansford", asked, "Wansford in England?”. The name stuck, though the local inns are now fortunately plague free ! The next bridge carrying the rerouted A1 was constructed in 1929. For those of us who appreciate such odd things as cast concrete, its structure is particularly fine, including the words cast into it “Soke of Peterborough”. The final bridge, which accommodated a second carriage way for the A1 was built in 1975. There has been a river crossing in Wansford since Saxon times, and the three bridges neatly summarise a large part of the history of bridge building.
The original Great North Road bridge over the Nene at Wansford still in use with The Haycock in the background.
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WANSFORD STATION-worth a visit The river meanders round a great bend after Wansford, before you come to floating moorings from which you can access Wansford Station (actually in Stibbington). This is the headquarters of the Nene Valley Railway. An absolute must to visit! The home of Thomas the Tank Engine and a host of historic steam engines, you can ride to Peterborough enjoying a line that has, over the years, been used for filming, amongst many others, Secret Army, a Queen rock video, Middlemarch, Goldeneye, and Murder on the Orient Express. It is rumoured that certain politicos are planning a topical remake of ‘the lady vanishes’! In September the railway will be hosting the famous loco Flying Scotsman which will be operating services along the line. A GWR tank engine crosses the Nene at Wansford with a train to Peterborough and below Flying Scotsman arrives at Wansford while visiting the NVR last year
FLAG FEN—worth a visit Flag fen is one of the most important surviving Bronze Age sites in England, and possibly in all Europe! It is home to a unique ancient wooden monument, a kilometre long wooden causeway and platform, perfectly preserved in the wetland. This was built and used by the Prehistoric Fen people 3,500 years ago as a place of worship and ritual. 60,000 upright timbers and 250,000 horizontal planks are buried under the ground along with many swords and personal items given as offerings to the watery fen. These are on display in a visitor centre and give an unique insight into Bronze Age life. Cont’d page 6………………. 4
STUART HOLMES BOAT SAFETY EXAMINATIONS PETERBOROUGH BOATING CENTRE
Chandlery
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RAMSEY RURAL MUSEUM—worth a visit This quintessentially English, independent museum, contains an eclectic mix of articles from bygone ages. It evokes glorious memories of a past of village fetes and strawberries and cream. Open from April through to October, all day on Thursdays, and in the afternoon on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Nearest moorings are either on the 40ft navigation near The George at Ramsey Forty Foot (2 miles away, but down a country road without a footpath) or on Ramsey High Lode, (1.4 miles away, past a 15th century Gothic gatehouse to a former Abbey). HOLME POST—point of interest Holme Post stands on the lowest land point in Great Britain at 9ft below sea level. In 1851 when it was decided to drain Whittlesey Mere (a boggy lake) a 12ft cast iron post was driven vertically into the peat until the top of it was level with the ground. The post was probably a reject casting originally intended for the Great Exhibition of 1851. As the peat dried the ground shrank and the post gradually emerged. Today all 12ft of the post is exposed, and a six foot extension has been added to the bottom of it. Fen folk say that a drained mere will sink the height of a man, during the life of a man. Judging from the evidence of the now exposed post, the ground has sunk 18ft in 166 years, which rather confirms this old rule of thumb. Holme Fen is quite a walk from the nearest navigable watercourse, which itself is quite remote from the main link route, which is why we’ve only included it as a ‘point of interest’, but if, like me, you are an anorak for the quirky and unusual historic artifact, then it’s a ‘must’. PRICKWILLOW ENGINE MUSEUM—well worth a visit Formerly known as the Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum, this is 2 miles up the river Lark from the river Great Ouse, and there are hard moorings close by. Drainage and the reclamation of land from the sea is key to the history of the fens. The museum contains a major collection of large diesel pumping engines, all of which have been restored to working order. The museum is generally open Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays, in the afternoon, from Easter until the end of September, but it is advised to check their website before planning a visit. THE MYSTERY SMELL—point of interest During the high summer of 2017 many people reported a strong smell of cannabis, over a wide area between Denver Sluice and Ely. Eventually it was revealed that there is a legal cannabis farm (for medical use) at a ‘secret location’ that was probably responsible for the odour. If the lower part of the River Great Ouse appears to contain an unusually ‘high’ number of hippy boaters, it is not that the live aboard population of Cambridge has suddenly relocated, but the search for the fabled Mary Jane cannabis farm. QUEEN ADELAIDE—point of interest The first Oxford v Cambridge boat race took place in 1829 at Henley. The next race was held in 1836 on the Thames in London. The tradition has continued ever since, but only once has the race moved from London. In 1944 London was judged too dangerous because of the V1 flying bombs and the race was held on the Queen Adelaide Straight near Ely. 6
Cambridge University have recently built a new boat house North East of Ely and you may well come across them practising on the waters between Ely and Littleport. Although traditionally known as the ‘light blues’ their oars are now more green, allegedly caused by a past university boatman, who suffering from colour blindness, mixed increasing amounts of green into the paint for the oars over the years. As always, care should be taken to minimise wash when passing rowing boats, but as an ‘Oxford rowing man’ I do condone the odd “boo” if you pass a Cambridge boat! ELY CATHEDRAL—well worth a Ely Cathedral viewed from the visit river The Cathedral is known as the ‘ship of the Fens’ because of its dominant role on the landscape, visible from miles away. Its origins date back to 672 and the present building was started in 1083. It is an outstanding building, both for its size and detail. The entrance, lady chapel and choir have been described as “exuberant Decorated Gothic” and its most notable feature is the central octagonal tower, with lantern above. If you only visit one cathedral a year, this is the one to visit ! Ely has good moorings, and overstaying boats are regularly moved on, so you have a good chance of finding a mooring. STREATHAM OLD ENGINE—worth a visit Streatham Old Engine is a steam-powered engine on the Old West River, about 6 miles upriver from Ely. There are decent moorings. The engine was used to pump water from floodaffected areas of The Fens back into the river Great Ouse. It will be open to the public on 18 afternoons in 2018, so it is advisable to check their website for opening dates. HUNTINGDON—HINCHINGBROOKE HOUSE—worth a visit Is an historic house built around an 11th-century Benedictine nunnery. After the Reformation it was owned by Oliver Cromwell, and later the Earls of Sandwich. The house is part of a school, and is also a wedding and conference venue, but is open for tours on Sunday afternoons and some bank holidays. Huntingdon has limited moorings. ST IVES—worth a visit The bridge in St Ives, and the chapel on the bridge, have about as varied history as any bridge possibly could! The bridge is generally Gothic with pointed arches, other than two mismatched rounded arches. Oliver Cromwell ordered the demolition of part of the bridge and the installation of a draw bridge, to hold back Charles I’s troops. When they were later rebuilt, they didn’t match. The building on the bridge was a chapel up until the dissolution of the monasteries, and since then has been a private house, a doctors surgery and a pub, called Little Hell. There are three different sets of good moorings in St Ives. Oliver Cromwell statue, St Ives
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Mill Drove, Ramsey Cambs. PE26 2RD Tel: 01487 813621
billfenmarina@tiscali.co.uk www.b illfenmarina.com
Moorings occasionally available, £15 per foot per year + VAT, if paid annually. Slipway for bottom blacking from £120.00 Chandlery, Fuel, Gas, Toilets, Shower We stock Rylard & Craftmaster Paints, Anodes, Coflex, Rust Konverta, Incralac etc.
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The Chapel on the bridge at St Ives and right the picturesque waterfront which presents a ‘Dutch’ flavour
HEALTH WARNING—HUNTINGDON & ST NEOTS Huntingdon’s most famous son, Oliver Cromwell, was in part responsible for the death of the only English King to be executed, Charles I. St Neots’ most infamous son, John Bellingham, shot the only English Prime Minister to be murdered in Office, Spencer Percival.
ST NEOTS—journey’s end! St Neots originally comprised two settlements Eaton Socon and Eynesbury with a Priory between them. The name changed to St Neots when locals raided St Neot on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall in 980 and relieved them of their relics of the Saint and brought his bones back, as a ‘tourist attraction’. There is a mosaic set in the Market Square with a depiction of the world famous Alfred Jewel, made in honour of St Neot for King Alfred, and kept at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Many places have ‘tall stories’ to tell, but St Neots has the genuine case of the James Toller, "The Eynesbury Giant". Born in 1798, this unfortunate young man was 5ft 5in tall at the age of 10 and by the time of his death, aged 21, he stood over 8 feet tall. He is commemorated by a plaque in the town and his story is told in the St Neots Museum. In 1935 St Neots hit the front page of every newspaper, with the birth of the Town's own ‘fab four’ Ann, Ernest, Paul and Michael Miles, the first surviving quads, ever. They instantly became famous world wide and for years were adopted by Cow & Gate to advertise their products. 9
INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION Peterborough Branch
COMMITTEE MEMBERS CHAIRMAN: Chris Howes e-mail: emailchrishowes@gmail.com SECRETARY: Roger Green, 70 Windmill Close, Ellington, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 0AJ Tel: 01480 890215 Mobile: 07799 066001 e-mail: nb.chatsworth@gmail.com TREASURER: Roger Mungham Tel: 01945 773002 e-mail: rogerboatmans@talktalk.net EDITOR: Philip Halstead, 20 Cane Avenue, Peterborough PE2 9QT Tel: 01733 348500 e-mail: philipntricia@hotmail.co.uk ENTERTAINMENTS OFFICER: Richard Fairman Tel: 01406 380575 Roger Sexton
Andrew Storrar
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David Venn
Mike Daines
PETERBOROUGH IWA & MIDDLE LEVEL WATERMANS CLUB JOINT EASTER CRUISE—Mike Daines reports
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even narrowboats formed convoy in March on a typically British wet and miserable Good Friday morning. However, with each crews spirits higher than the massive low reported by the Met Office threatening freezing cold weather and even snow, we all set off to navigate to Whittlesey via the Twenty Foot River. Chris Howes squeezes under Infields Bridge
The very first challenge was to be the Infield’s Bridge on the Twenty Foot with a listed headroom of 1.6 m at normal levels and so with the system at winter levels it was assumed by collective judgement that all boats should get under but with so much rain of late, would they? The first three boats through reported back to those following that all had succeeded and with each subsequent and cautionary approach the remaining boats did too. However, it’s worth noting that in such situations where the highest point of one’s body are the fingers wrapped around the top of a tiller to check the clearance of said appendages with the underside of the bridge! On this occasion I judged it to be around two millimetres.
Buoyed with success we all motored on and as this being my first venture onto the Twenty Foot I found it to be wide and deep compared to some sections of the Link Route via March and Floods Ferry that in parts are considerably more narrow and shallow and that my boat seems to particularly hate! As the day progressed so did the weather deteriorate and by the time we arrived at Ashline Lock it was raining the proverbial cats and dogs. Shaun and Ann Hill in their narrowboat Nouveau Lady had arrived previously having taken the decision not to attempt fate at Infield’s Bridge and had secured the space for us all to moor at the Whittlesey mooring. A good team effort ensured that six boats were locked through in just one hour to join up for the evening albeit that one of the locks’ down gates paddles was in need of some serious attention. Saturday dawned after more torrential rain overnight to somewhat of a dryish truce but with reports of river levels flooding over moorings in Ramsey and at March it was quickly decided that a planned ‘protest’ lack of moorings trip to Ramsey be abandoned. With the promise of more heavy rain to come a vote was taken and agreed that we should all stay in Whittlesey and most likely retire to the pub for the duration and that is exactly what we did!
Old River Nene in the rain
Sunday was flagged by the weather reports to be the best day of Easter and so after a leisurely breakfast and another superb team effort locking seven narrowboats back through Ashline, we all set course towards ‘The George’ on the Forty Foot. A leisurely cruise via Benwick saw as moored up again some three and a half hours later at Ramsey Forty Foot. There followed an afternoon of musical entertainment, courtesy of ‘The George’, interspersed with lots of good conversation and laughter throughout the rest of the day and evening which of course is what boating is ultimately about. 11
FESTIVAL FLOTILLA CRUISE Old Bedford River & Welches Dam As part of the supporting programme for the St Neots Festival two campaigning cruise events are being organised by Peterborough Branch member JOHN REVELL. The aim is to highlight the plight of the Old Bedford River and Welches Dam Lock. John outlines the plans for the events in July and August below.
Old Bedford River - An Update We established in 2017 that it is possible for boats up to 50' to enter the Old Bedford (OB) from the tidal sluice at Salters Lode, travel up to Welches Dam lock, turn there and leave by the same route. Welches Dam is one of the more challenging locations for IWA's Silver Propeller Award but it will appeal to experienced boaters with a pioneering spirit, an ability to reverse and a willingness to contend with mud, weed and bumps. Any boater wishing to use the Old Bedford in 2018 is advised to notify the Environment Agency with the proposed dates. My experience is that it pays to check tides etc with the Middle Level lock keeper before you notify the Environment Agency (EA). I plan to take my own boat into the Old Bedford on Saturday 7 July (approximate locking time noon) and return on Sunday 8 July (at about 1.30). Chris Howes (Lily May) and Jeff Walters (Ever After) expect to join me. To notify EA you email fay.summers@environment-agency.gov.uk AND rachael.rudd@environment-agency.gov.uk AND COPY to paul.separovic@environment-agency.gov.uk
IWA 2018 Campaign Cruise to Welney and Welches Dam Lock Sun 19 August to Wed 22 August IWA (Peterborough branch) and IWA (HQ) are planning a flotilla cruise to Welches Dam lock during August. The aim is to get a flotilla of boats into and out of the Old Bedford River (OB) and up to Welches Dam during the period 19 - 22 Aug in connection with the St Neots Festival of Water. We hope it will appeal to visiting and local boaters and those who are interested in the restoration of this ancient route to full navigation. We have given EA advance notice and will be developing these proposals over the coming months. We hope to organise a group photograph at Welches Dam lock which has now been closed and unnavigable for a staggering 12 years. The tidal channel leading to the Old Bedford sluice has already been dredged. (See page 17) Alison Smedley (IWA HQ) has agreed to co-ordinate the publicity for the flotilla cruise and we will be publishing more details nearer the time for example in Bulletin. a) Locking times We plan to limit the maximum length of boat to 50' and the number of boats to about 12-15. All boats will need to enter and leave the OB "on the level" so we propose to allow 2 consecutive days to get in (Sun 19 August about 12.20 and Mon 20 Aug about 13.30) and allow 2 consecutive days to get out (Tue 21 about 15.00 and Wed 22 Aug about 16.00). 12
The smallest cruisers (max about 18'6") can use the space between the tidal doors and the single guillotine gate as a lock and any canoes, punts or dinghies can be launched on the non tidal side. There are remains of a launching slipway at Welney but this is unusable. b) Facilities etc in the Old Bedford. The OB is 12 miles long, straight and entirely rural with fine views over flatlands on one side and the extensive Ouse Washes (Triple SSI and more) on the other. Access to the Ouse Washes (on foot) is easy at Welney and Welches Dam. Welney is half way along. The Lamb & Flag provides drink and food (breakfast, lunch and evenings) and accommodation. They have offered to provide an evening meal on Sunday night if we ask for this in advance. There are no official EA moorings, no official water tap and no elsan or pump out facilities. The only shop is at Manea, a long walk from the river. Manea also has take aways, restaurants and a railway station but check timetables as the service is infrequent. c) Suggested overnight moorings i) Welney on the Salters Lode side of Welney Guillotine gate - and NOT on the fishing platforms closer to the road bridge. The Lamb & Flag is about 200 yards away. ii) Before Welches Dam pumping station bridge (close to RSPB visitor centre) and NOT outside the former lock cottage and other cottages between the pumping station and the piled entrance to the lock. iii) On the non-tidal river close to the tidal sluice at Salters Lode. d) Turning Points Boats up to 50' turned in 2017 at Salters Lode, by Welney guillotine gate and at the entrance to Welches Dam lock. Welney is the tightest. e) Depth The depth in the tidal channel leading to the OB varies according to the tides and also any floodwater in the main river. The depth in the non-tidal OB is generally good during "summer levels" except close to Salters Lode, under the pylons approx 2 miles from Salters Lode and other isolated spots eg near pumping stations. EA has not published guidance on the minimum depth for navigation although the height above "Ordnance Datum Newlyn" is known but of less use. f) Involvement of canoeists and other non-powered craft One of my memories of a previous unsuccessful trip into the OB was watching a canoe being launched just beyond the tidal sluice and then heading off towards Welney while a puzzled and friendly seal watched me in the tidal channel, no doubt wondering what on earth I was doing. I would welcome any involvement from canoeists. Portaging a canoe between Horseway and Welches Dam would be hard work but feasible and would present a very good photo opportunity. g) Other boats The tidal entry to the Old Bedford means we have to restrict the size of the flotilla this year. A good collection of boats including longer narrowboats neatly moored at Salters Lode would be welcome. In addition a gathering at Horseway lock is proposed. This is one of the destinations mentioned in the IWA's Silver Propellor Award Scheme. Horseway Lock is close to Welches Dam Lock (about 2 miles along a public footpath). Some may wish to walk there to await the arrival of the flotilla and to see for themselves how simple it would be to re-connect this route to the rest of the waterways system. One lock (Welches Dam) needs to be enlarged and modernised and the leaking Horseway Channel needs to be cleaned out and made watertight. 13
OUNDLE MARINA VILLAGE BARNWELL ROAD, OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH PE8 5PA Tel: 01832 272762
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Craneage, Slipway, Boat and Canopy Repairs, Engine Servicing, Toilets, Showers, Laundrette Keep up to date with the latest Boats for Sale, River Conditions and Marina News by visiting www.oundlemarina.com THE CHANDLERY IS OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK—9.00AM TO 5.00PM CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
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LOCK ETIQUETTE ON THE GREAT OUSE by a Visiting Boater As I arrived at Brampton Lock in my 50 foot steel narrowboat, the lock was set against me. I moored, and as I went to lower the top guillotine gate a shiny plastic ‘gin palace’ arrived at the lock behind me. I was surprised to see it, as it hadn't previously been following me up the river. I opened the heavy sluices on the bottom gates, and with the lock slowly emptying, returned to my boat and moved her up the moorings to better allow the newly arrived fibreglass cruiser to share the landing stage. However she showed no interest in mooring, preferring to hover below the lock. Not once during the 900 locks I'd been through that boating season had a two man crew left me to do a lock single handed, and certainly not when they clearly wanted to share it ! When the lock was empty I opened one of the gates, and brought my boat into the lock pen through the single gate. This meant the fibreglass boat had to let off its crew and open the other gate to get in the lock, or that I had to walk the length of the lock, cross a bridge, walk back down the lock, open the gate for them, and then walk all the way back again. "Oy you - open the other gate" the women on the boat shouted at me. I pretended I hadn't heard. "Open the other gate" she shouted again. I cupped my hand behind my ear. "OPEN THE BLOODY GATE" she shouted, and stamped her foot on the deck of her boat ! I looked at her in a quizzical manner. "Please" she added. I beamed a smile at her, gave her a friendly thumbs up, and went to open the gate. You may be surprised to hear that the look she gave me as they finally entered the lock was far from grateful ! I returned to my boat and ostentatiously left them to close up the lock and fill it. However when they went to open the top guillotine gate the timer broke down and added an hour to the wait time, effectively trapping us in the lock together. They called the EA who turned up fairly quickly, but we still 'enjoyed' 20 minutes of stony silence in the lock together. A few days later I ran into the same EA engineer and narrated the tale of my unhelpful lock mates. He was familiar with the boat and suspected that after a good lunch they specialised in getting other people to work the locks for them, and had been waiting for a boat to come through, so as to 'piggy back' on the other boat’s crew working the lock for them. 15
WARNING
CONTAMINATED DIESEL CAN COST YOU UNFORSEEN EXPENCE
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St NEOTS FESTIVAL OF WATER—CRUISING GUIDES Branch Chairman Chris Howes has written four cruising guides to help boaters attending this years festival to get the most out of their cruise to St Neots. Titled “Upper Nene”, “Lower Nene”, “Middle Level” and “Great Ouse” the guides contain the essential information such as water points, moorings, where to find diesel and gas, pubs for drinks and / or food as well as the local shops. To get hold of the guides go to waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater where you can download them for free.
BRANCH WORK PARTIES A reminder that Branch work parties have now ceased until the Autumn due to the need to avoid disturbances to nesting birds. Details of next seasons’ programme to be announced later in the year. Below is a shot of the happy band of volunteers at the final session.
OLD BEDFORD DREDGING
Over the Winter dredging work has taken place at the entrance to the Old Bedford River
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Email: gregbassam@gbwatersports.co.uk 18 14
A cruise to yaxley John Revell describes how he recently reached one of the extremities of the Middle Level system by cruising to the head of navigation at Yaxley. To do this he managed to navigate under Exhibition Bridge! Only a swan for company on this tranquil stretch of Yaxley Lode. Photos: John Revell except where stated
A warm welcome for John at the head of navigation at Yaxley
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S
ince Bevill's Leam pumping station was built the only boating access to Yaxley has been from Nightingale Corner, just beyond Ramsey St Marys. However, this involves getting under Exhibition Bridge, the lowest bridge on the Middle Level navigations.
The Middle Level was affected by the Easter flooding this year but the new pumps at Wiggenhall worked very swiftly to control water levels. So that soon after the river levels were low enough, in anticipation of more heavy rain, I took this opportunity to head for Yaxley. This is a wide river with good views over some of the lowest land in the UK. You pass right along Whittlesey Mere which is being restored for conservation and wildlife as part of the Great Fen project. The other bank gives extensive and contrasting views over very productive farmland. The river was deep until the Yaxley railway bridge and then increasingly shallow up to the footbridge which is the head of navigation. We were warmly received at Yaxley - see photo. One of the people we met had lived in Yaxley for 42 years and not seen a canal boat there before (she may have missed my previous visits). There was no turning point so I had to reverse for about half a mile before turning just after the East Coast Main line Railway Bridge and stopping for lunch. There was less headroom at Exhibition bridge but, once through, I was soon moored in splendid isolation at Woodwalton Fen, which is the other end of the Great Fen project.
Yaxley Lode. Leaving Yaxley after reaching the head of navigation. It is a great pity that this attractive stretch of waterway does not see more use by boats. Photo: David Ashton
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Reversing under the low East Coast Main Line railway bridge as there is no room for turning a narrowboat at Yaxley. Photo: David Ashton
Exhibition Bridge approached from Nightingale Corner
And a tight squeeze to get under!
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