IWA Waterways Magazine - Winter 2020

Issue 269 • Winter 2020

waterways www.waterways.org.uk

WATERWAYS HERITAGE IWA’s new campaign highlights canal history

I DIG CANALS

Shining a spotlight on women in restoration

ACCESS ALL AREAS PLUS

The case for greater rights to enjoy our rivers

2020 Photography Competition Winners

001 Cover AH.indd 14

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Winter 2020 Contents Issue 269 • Winter 2020

waterways www.waterways.org.uk

I DIG CANALS

IWA’s new campaign highlights canal history

Shining a spotlight on women in restoration

ACCESS ALL AREAS The case for greater rights to enjoy our rivers

PLUS

5. Welcome

14

Column of the National Chair

WATERWAYS HERITAGE

6. News

The latest from within IWA and beyond

10. Campaigns Update

The latest on IWA’s vision for sustainable boating, plus a focus on waterways heritage

2020 Photography Competition Winners

14. Women's Work 001 Cover AH.indd 14

22/10/2020 10:45

COVER PICTURE: Holly bushes on the Mon & Brec Canal.

Heather Wastie reveals an often overlooked aspect of canal restoration

18. Access All Areas

24

The campaign for greater rights to enjoy our rivers

22. The Upper Parrett Regenerated

The completed Langport River Project WATERWAYS EDITOR: Amelia Hamson Tel: 01283 742962 E-mail: a.hamson@wwonline.co.uk FEATURES EDITOR: Sarah Henshaw E-mail: s.henshaw@wwonline.co.uk ART EDITOR: Claire Davis ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER: Laura Smith Tel: 01283 742956 E-mail: l.smith@wwonline.co.uk ADVERTISING DESIGN: Jo Ward ADVERTISING PRODUCTION: Samantha Furniss E-mail: s.furniss@wwonline.co.uk REPROGRAPHICS: Waterways World Ltd, 151 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1BG. Printed in England by Warners (Midlands) PLC, Bourne, Lincs Articles may be reproduced provided permission is obtained and acknowledgement made.

ISSN 0969-0654 A non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee (612245), Registered as a Charity (No. 212342) Founded: 1946, Incorporated 1958 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 E-mail: iwa@waterways.org.uk Web site: www.waterways.org.uk Interim Chief Executive – Sarah O’Grady Company Secretary – Genevieve Wilson National Chair – Paul Rodgers For press inquiries please contact: pressoffice@waterways.org.uk All IWA national and branch committee volunteers can be contacted by email: firstname.lastname@waterways.org.uk Nothing printed in Waterways may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless stated, otherwise IWA accepts no liability for any matter in the magazine. Although every care is taken with advertising matters no responsibility whatsoever can be accepted for any matter advertised. Where a photo credit includes a note such as CC-BY-SA, the image is made available under that Creative Commons licence; full details at www.creativecommons.org

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24. Come to Your Census

Advice for liveaboards in advance of the 2021 population survey

26. Restoration Hub

Recipients of the Waterways in Progress Grant

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28. Regeneration

The importance of planning in West London

31. 2020 Photography Competition

All the winners from this year’s contest

34. Going Underground Tips for safe tunnel travel

38. Year of the Volunteer

A look at the unsung role of branch secretary Seven reasons why your membership contribution is vital 1. IWA Canal Clean-ups led by our branches keep many waterways clear of debris 2. Restoration is kept high priority through funding for the Waterway Recovery Group 3. Over 10,000 days of volunteering each year will be supported with the right training, tools and materials 4. IWA can campaign to defend the waterways from unwelcome development 5. We can pass on traditional skills and workbased experience for volunteering young people 6. We can lobby the Government and work with other organisations to repair, improve and protect our waterways heritage 7. Your voice is counted when IWA speaks up for all those who enjoy the country’s canals and rivers

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Winter 2020 21/10/2020 12:03

Welcome

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operational activities with robust debate in a respectfully challenging environment.

This, if matched by strong, decisive leadership, will see the organisation not only reacting to changing circumstances in an agile manner but operating more proactively and with foresight, once again inspiring the passionate activism that marked the early years of IWA. Members and volunteers are the lifeblood of the Association and, while hosting our Waterway Webinars and speaking at branch meetings over the past few months, I’ve seen that the passion and energy of everyone across the organisation remain undiminished.

Trustees answered some challenging questions from members at the AGM that focused on long-term governance structures and strategy, campaigning, membership numbers/demographics, trustee accountability and management models. While these were answered confidently, they reveal important areas of interest that will continue to influence the focus of trustees. The Q&A session at the AGM was so well received that trustees are considering the best way to create a forum for communicating with members and volunteers on a more regular basis.

At our last meeting, trustees agreed to increase the number of board meetings to ten per year to allow more regular and direct feedback on specific topics.

Following our recent AGM, I would like to formally welcome our new trustees (see page 6), and I look forward to working with them over the coming years. I will also take this opportunity to thank retiring trustees for their service in the past three years. I’m pleased that they will continue as active volunteers across other key areas of IWA. Strengthening our governing board will continue to be a priority as we head into 2021 but it’s not just in the governance area that we need to encourage greater involvement. We have over 60 vacancies across the Association in branches, committees and other interest areas, so please may I encourage you to have a look at our wonderful new website and, if you have the skills, interest and passion to get involved, I’m sure there is a role for you!

I’m delighted that Sarah O’Grady, our interim Chief Executive, has settled into the role. She has given the staff team a renewed sense of purpose and, despite remote working, has fostered a highly productive and harmonious environment.

Our staff team also continues to show resilience and creativity, allowing much of our work to continue unabated and new initiatives to be taken forward.

I am particularly encouraged by the determination and originality that Ellen Hawes, our Fundraising Officer, is bringing to this vital role at a very challenging time. Her recent application to the Green Recovery Challenge Fund is centred on our strategic RISE themes, and is a exemplar for other areas of IWA in developing objectives that relate to geographical area or topical interest and which align with our overall objectives.

While it might be too early to focus on Christmas, I'd like to spread a little much-needed cheer and encourage you to share your love of the waterways with friends and family by sending an IWA Christmas card – we’ve got some great, new, striking designs this year alongside the more traditional offerings, so there's something for everyone.

Finally, as I said at a recent waterways event, the TEAM acronym is particularly pertinent in the current environment – there is much to do but I’m convinced that by working collaboratively we will prove that Together Everyone Achieves More.

Paul Rodgers, IWA National Chair

COLIN HARRIS

elcome to another inspiration-packed issue of Waterways. I hope you will take as much encouragement and motivation from reading its content as I have.

As I approach a year in the role of National Chair, I am pleased that the Association continues to have a strong impact across the waterways scene and that we are making progress in many areas despite the trying circumstances that have prevailed over the past eight months due to Covid-19.

With a second wave of the pandemic looming, it is clear that we will have to continue finding new ways of working over the next year as we seek to maintain IWA’s effectiveness, increase levels of engagement and adapt to a very different environment.

The strategic themes of Regeneration, Influence, Sustainability and Engagement are already beginning to have an influence on the activities, processes and structures within IWA. Labelled RISE, the themes are being adopted by trustees and staff as they develop clear objectives for 2021 and beyond. The next stage will be to encourage more widespread ownership of these themes for objective setting across the Association, particularly in branches and the major interest groups that are central to effectively delivering our charitable objectives.

The themes set the scene for clear governance, allowing our operational structures and processes to converge around one management model based on common goals and connected objectives. As staff and volunteer functions converge under the themes, we will be able to create a more supportive infrastructure with greater organisational learning and shared resources enabling a more collaborative environment.

In establishing an ongoing culture of change, we will need to create the opportunity for open communications throughout the Association where staff, volunteers, supporters and partners can all contribute to the development of the strategic direction, objectives and

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Waterways News

Waterways restoration in the new normal Several IWA branches re-started vegetation clearance, canal clean-ups and other activities this summer to ensure our waterways look good for all of the extra visitors getting afloat and enjoying the towpath throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Continuation of this type of work through the winter will depend on the impact of local lockdowns.

While no one could doubt the enthusiasm within the sector for getting back to work, there were concerns regarding the viability of doing so during the current climate. To get an initial picture of early post-lockdown canal restoration, we conducted a survey in August asking groups to report their experiences, concerns and issues.

Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions in July, work restarted across the restoration movement – but the sector had to adapt. With smaller numbers of volunteers and changes to working practices, such as no tool sharing, productivity has reduced as much as 50% from pre-lockdown figures. Groups have noted a drop in morale, with many older volunteers still cautious about returning.

Welfare arrangements on site have also had to change, i.e. volunteers having to maintain a 2m distance during staggered tea breaks.

The picture is not all gloomy, however.

Organisations have reported that the forced break in work gave them opportunity to step

back and assess their projects – from spending more time in the pre-construction planning (permissions, surveys) through to arranging the delivery phase of their restoration.

Projects have also benefited from increased public awareness at a local level with people discovering their canal for the first time and signing up to become members and volunteers.

The drop in fundraising events and grant opportunities has affected restoration groups but the pandemic has led to more creative approaches and the possibility of new sources of funding. Groups are also seeing more positive local authority support for their project, as post-Covid-19 regeneration efforts seek to revitalise green spaces.

It’s a mixed picture and going forward the volunteer sector will have to become increasingly versatile in order to adapt to the ever-changing situation. IWA’s Restoration Hub will be working closely with organisations within the sector to ensure we are all able to adapt and access opportunities on the horizon as Government funds to kickstart the economy come online, local ‘micro volunteering’ becomes more popular, and post-Brexit funding streams develop. The Hub can also assist with Covid-19 guidance and risk assessment templates to help groups plan and manage their return to volunteering.

The attraction of youth

IWA's new website is here!

Many organisations are wrestling with the need to attract new audiences who are willing to get active and involved, and the restoration sector tackled this issue head on at the recent Waterway Restoration Conference, jointly organised by IWA and Canal & River Trust.

Postponed from March, the event was held online for the first time and drew the largest audience in its history. Presentations included a session on governance, led by IWA’s interim chief executive Sarah O’Grady, a talk from ex-BBC journalist and liveaboard David Akinsanya about the importance of a diverse volunteer base, and a presentation on the power of heritage volunteering including how to attract and motivate these teams.

The focus of the conference went beyond simply encouraging new people to volunteer, and sought to inspire attendees to think about their succession planning and how to get younger people involved at senior levels.

The conference presentations are available to view on IWA’s YouTube channel alongside the full selection of waterway webinars, which have been running throughout the summer. The restoration conference seminar programme continues weekly into November and all are welcome to attend.

Please visit waterways.org.uk to view the newly designed IWA website.

We think you will be excited to see a much bigger focus on what’s happening locally to you. The waterways in your area, links to how you can get involved with our volunteering activities, related campaigns, and events will also be easier to find.

The most visited page on our site is the map of the waterways – waterways.org.uk/map. It is the best digital waterways map in the UK right now, including derelict routes and restoration locations, as well as Silver Propeller challenge sites and areas likely to be most affected by HS2.

Nearly 60% of visitors to our website use a mobile phone or tablet to browse, so we’ve made accessing the new site in this way more user friendly.

Over the coming weeks we will be sending you a personalised link to the website inviting you to take a look, sign up to any of our email newsletters, renew your membership, buy Christmas cards and much more.

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IWA Appoints New Trustees Following a recruitment drive among IWA’s membership, five new trustees were announced at the Association’s AGM in September. Earlier this year IWA notified its supporters of a change to the way that trustees would be chosen, moving from a membership election model to panel selection.

Dave Chapman, IWA Deputy Chair, who led the recruitment process said: “In our 75th year, and with plans to influence the regeneration of our waterways for many years to come and several trustee vacancies to fill, we felt a new approach was needed. We concluded that a more diverse board, with a wider range of identified skills, experience and perspectives, was required to ensure the most effective delivery of IWA’s objectives.”

The new trustees are Alison Woodhams, Nick Dybeck, Philippa Bursey, Ian Sesnan and Sue O’Hare, who between them bring professional experience in accounting, planning, HR, engineering and new technology, as well as senior volunteer experience from a breadth of organisations. The sixth vacancy was filled by IWA Chair, Paul Rodgers, who following selection by the panel returns for a second term as trustee. All six trustees will now serve for a three-year term.

Special thanks were extended to retiring trustees Paul Strudwick and Ray Carter, who had both completed a maximum 12-year term, and Verna Smith, IWA South East Region Chair, Mike Palmer, Waterway Recovery Group Chair, and Chris Howes, who all stood down from the trustee role earlier in the year.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:23

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Waterways News

AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT VIRTUAL AGM CYRIL STYRING TROPHY – IWA’s premier award, given to an individual IWA member who has, in the opinion of the trustees, made an outstanding contribution to furthering the Association’s campaigns.

The trophy was awarded to John Pomfret, who joined IWA in 1969 before becoming involved in the Inland Shipping Group throughout the ’70s and ’80s. In 1992 he took over the role of chairman of IWA’s former Conservation Committee, and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2000. He has served on Defra’s Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council (latterly IWAC), and authored a number of its publications, including Britain’s Inland Waterways: Balancing the needs of navigation and aquatic wildlife. John has been a member of IWA’s Navigation Committee providing expertise on environmental and inland shipping issues almost continuously for over 30 years. His understanding of VHF radio usage and potential problems arising between commercial and private boaters has been invaluable to the Association.

Furthermore, John’s intimate knowledge of a very wide range of inland waterways, especially those less frequently travelled, has also been an important resource for the Association which he has shared through his creation of IWA’s Waterways Directory.

JOHN HEAP SALVER – awarded to an IWA member who, in the opinion of the trustees, has made an outstanding contribution to raising funds for the Association.

John Brice was named as the recipient, having been involved with IWA Chiltern Branch for at least 25 years and raised over £50,000 in funds for projects including benches on the Grand Union Canal and a new slipway on the Wendover Arm. He organised annual lock-wind weekends, day trips and boat cruises as well as branch jumble sales at the Rickmansworth Festival.

CHRISTOPHER POWER PRIZE – awarded to a person, society or trust who has made the most significant contribution to the restoration of an inland waterway.

This went to Athina Beckett for her dedicated and enthusiastic contribution to the ongoing restoration of the Grand Union Canal’s Buckingham Branch. Athina joined Buckingham Canal Society in 1993 as a volunteer and in 1997 took on the job of work party leader, a role she continues to hold today. She has been particularly successful at encouraging corporate volunteering involvement with the restoration project. A cheque for £1,000 was presented to Buckingham Canal Society as part of the prize.

RICHARD BIRD MEDALS – received by volunteers nominated by their colleagues for the significant benefits they have brought to IWA over a sustained period.

• David Venn: David has been a member of IWA for the best part of 25 years and on retiring to East Anglia became chairman of IWA Peterborough Branch where he kept up pressure on the Environment Agency to retain navigation on the Old Bedford River, and led campaign cruises along Horseways Channel to Welches Dam.

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John Pomfret was honoured with IWA’s most prestigious award, the Cyril Styring Trophy.

Jack Wootton, IWA East Yorkshire Branch treasurer for 27 years, was presented with a Richard Bird Medal.

IWA West London Branch Secretary, Robin Bishop, received a Richard Bird Medal.

Adrian Sturgess, WRG volunteer and Richard Bird Medal recipient.

Tim Lewis

IWA’s annual Volunteer Awards were announced at the virtual AGM on Saturday 26th September, and introduced by Audrey Smith OBE, Chair of the Association’s Volunteer Awards panel.

• Robin Bishop: Robin is Secretary of IWA West London Branch, a role he has carried out for many years, and is well known across the waterways for his involvement with the Friends of Raymond, helping to take Raymond and Nutfield to waterways festivals. He is dedicated to improving the canals and can often be found at work parties.

• Adrian Sturgess: Adrian began volunteering with Waterway Recovery Group in 2005 and is now one of their most highly skilled excavator operators. He has volunteered on over 70 Canal Camps, training weekends and other national events, as well as countless regional digs. A former unsung hero, Adrian’s time spent teaching over 200 new plant operators has meant he is now one of WRG’s main ‘go to’ instructors.

• Jack Wootton: Jack joined IWA in 1979 and became treasurer of IWA East Yorkshire Branch committee in 1993, a role he held for 27 years. Jack also organised the branch’s annual outings, giving supporters the opportunity to visit other waterways around the country by car and by boat, and has been instrumental in the organisation of branch cruises.

• Colin Bird: Colin has been an IWA member since 1972 and joined IWA Chiltern Branch committee in 1995. He organised branch day trips, which were so successful that they developed into annual weekends away. He also utilised his knowledge of not only UK waterways, but also those of Europe, to bring an interesting array of speakers to branch meetings and virtual events.

IWA BRANCH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – given annually to the Branch that has made the greatest progress in promoting the Association’s aims and objectives during the past year.

IWA West Country Branch is a unique combination of campaigning and practical hands-on waterside volunteer work.

They utilise expertise from across the Association – engineers, planners and heritage advisors, WRG Forestry and WRG BITM volunteers – to advance the branch’s campaigning objectives, and the committee recognises the value of partnership, forging excellent relationships with local authorities. Their work is covered by local radio, TV and press, and the team makes the most of social media too to raise awareness of their activities.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:22

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22/10/2020 14:16

CAMPAIGNING WITH YOU

The ban on the use of red diesel for propulsion and UK’s 2020 Environment Bill are among some of the issues we’ve been campaigning on with your help. Here’s how we’re doing on these and other affairs…

IWA’s vision for sustainable boating

IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group has published a vision paper outlining initiatives that could ensure boats on the inland waterways don’t get left behind in the country’s progress to zero CO2 emissions by 2050. If implemented, the proposals would go a long way to ensuring that our canals and rivers continue to deliver benefits to society and the economy, and will be sustainable for future generations.

Proposals include: Investment in infrastructure – the installation of 300 shore power mains connection charging sites across the inland waterways network (as a starting point, investment on other waterways should follow). This would improve air quality by reducing the emissions from stoves for heating and engines run for charging batteries, as well as enabling a move towards more boats with electric propulsion.

National dredging programme – working with navigation authorities, investment in a dredging programme across the inland waterways to make propulsion more efficient.

This will also have additional environmental benefits on water quality and increase capacity for flood waters.

Research into biofuels – as existing boats and engines can have lives of 50 years and more (and the manufacture of new engines causes greater ecological and environmental damage than a lifetime of running existing engines) research into the production, use and distribution of biofuels is essential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of existing diesel and petrol engines.

Alternative propulsion methods – research and development of alternative forms of propulsion, including hydrogen production and distribution, hydrogen and solid oxide fuel cells, and the use of supercapacitors, will allow these technologies to be developed and trialled in new-build boats.

More details are available in IWA’s Sustainable Boating Vision Paper.

Environment Bill IWA has responded to the Environment Bill, which is currently going through the parliamentary bill process, by submitting comments on heritage, air quality, water resources and biodiversity net gain.

In the submission, IWA: • Stressed the importance of built heritage as well as natural heritage, which we believe is not fully taken into account in the Bill.

• Highlighted that emissions from boats on the inland waterways are relatively small compared to other sources countrywide, but cannot be ignored if the UK is to reach zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The widespread provision of shore power mains connection charging sites would be a key way of addressing this. We also outlined the other findings of IWA’s Sustainable Propulsion Group’s vision paper, which was included as an appendix.

• Raised concerns about the impact on navigation authorities and restoration societies working to bring canals and formerly navigable rivers back into full use. The increasingly complex application processes are often viewed as merely bureaucratic exercises, and the licence costs and permit fees charged to these groups can be financial burdens.

• Outlined IWA’s view that biodiversity net gain is an opportunity to demonstrate the valuable role that waterway restoration plays in the enhancement of habitats and increase of flora and fauna across the country. A number of suggestions were put forward for how biodiversity net gain credits could benefit waterway restoration schemes.

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Red diesel consultation IWA has submitted its response to HM Treasury’s consultation on removing access to red diesel for propulsion on the inland waterways from April 2022.

In line with its work on sustainability, IWA’s view is that increased use of biodiesel would be more effective in the longer term in reducing emissions, and red diesel should therefore be retained until there is wider distribution and use of biofuels. IWA also considers that the cost to Government of introducing and managing the proposed change is likely to be in excess of any additional income from the increased taxation.

A key concern of the proposals is the impact on suppliers (including boatyards and fuel boats) and the likelihood that many businesses may decide to stop selling diesel altogether, making it difficult to obtain fuel in some areas.

IWA has also objected to waterborne freight not being given the same right to continue to use red diesel as railways, as this is likely to drive more cargo on to the roads. Roving fuel boats will see increased operating costs, despite the essential service they provide, threatening a loss of livelihoods as well as an important aspect of living waterways heritage.

IWA welcomed the proposed tax relief on any white diesel used for domestic use, with the supplier becoming responsible for claiming the rebate rather than the current self-declaration process. Previous research indicated that 60% for propulsion and 40% for domestic requirements reflects typical fuel use, but IWA’s view is that the new relief scheme should allow a flexible rate to accommodate fluctuations throughout the year, and variation between boaters who use a lot of fuel for propulsion and those who use less.

While boats with separate tanks could continue to use red diesel for non-propulsion uses, it is unlikely that suppliers would continue to sell both types of diesel. There is also concern that although boat-owners will not be required to flush their tanks to remove any red diesel dye, it is proposed that suppliers will have to flush their tanks and IWA considers this unnecessary and unhelpful.

IWA also highlighted the increased costs to registered charities (who were previously able to use red diesel at the full rebated rate) for carrying out their charitable purposes (e.g. getting disadvantaged or disabled children afloat or operating trip-boats to raise funds for restoring a waterway restoration), and has suggested that they should also be exempt.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:23

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Bridges, like this one at Braunston Turn, are obvious indicators of canal heritage.

Spotlight on...

WATERWAYS HERITAGE A new IWA campaign highlights the importance of our canal and river network’s rich, diverse history

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reserving the right to navigation and maintaining the historic infrastructure of our inland waterways have been at the heart of IWA’s aims from the beginning. A new campaign launched this year, seeks to highlight living heritage on the canals and rivers, as well as the continuing importance of preserving historic waterways assets for the enjoyment of future generations.

Part one of the Waterways Heritage report, published in September, builds upon IWA’s Value of the Inland Waterways by Nicki Schiessel Harvey (released November 2019), which showed that more work was needed to recognise these unique assets. In its broadest sense, waterways heritage can bring a multitude of benefits to local communities as well as boaters. In recent years, canal regeneration has been a catalyst for economic growth, and the tourism industry is thriving as many people are choosing to holiday closer to home. Waterways are free and easy to access, provide opportunities for volunteering and skills development, and offer sustainable modes of transport for living and trading.

Underpinning all of this are the historic structures, cultural traditions and collective memories of the canals and the people who once worked them.

Built heritage When it comes to understanding the physical side of our waterways heritage, the stats speak for themselves: Britain’s inland

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navigations are home to over 2,700 listed structures, 70 ancient listed monuments and five UNESCO world heritage sites. Think as big as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal and as small as a World War II pillbox on the Kennet & Avon.

Constructed as individual and independent carrying routes, our canals each have their own unique infrastructure and design.

To the untrained eye, many locks look the same with their blackand-white painted beams and mitred wooden gates. But compare the lock mechanisms requiring a windlass on the Grand Union Canal to the handspike-operated paddles on the Calder & Hebble Navigation, for example, and it is easy to understand how these variations could be lost if they weren’t given proper consideration during maintenance and restoration works. The same goes for the multitude of bridges, aqueducts, lock-keeper cottages, pumping stations, wharves and docks across the network.

There are also smaller details and artefacts that facilitated travel on the canals during the days of carrying, some of which are still relevant and useful today, others acting as reminders of times gone by. Wet and gritty towing lines from horses or between craft could cause considerable damage to unprotected stonework, so iron guards were fitted or rollers installed in areas of high traffic. Where these still exist, the markings caused by the ropes are important indicators of our working waterways. It’s vital that the public, developers and local authorities have an awareness of these often unnoticed and under-appreciated characteristics.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:24

A TILLSON

A TILLSON

Rope marks on a strapping post tell us about how the waterways were once used.

Signwriter Dave Moore. Skills and cultural traditions are important aspects of living heritage.

MIKE CLARKE

“Our inland waterways network is not a museum; it is a useable asset, its heritage a living one, and we want to ensure that it is protected in a way that is useable now and in the future” Living heritage Less obvious aspects of our waterways heritage can be brought together under the umbrella term ‘living heritage’. This applies to the everyday operation of our inland waterways, working boater culture and specialist skills related to boats and boating.

Traditional roses and castles artwork is commonly known beyond canal communities; however, the techniques for painting in this style must be passed on through the generations so that they don’t get lost in time. The same can be said for signwriting skills and heritage boat-building techniques that ensure ongoing maintenance and repairs to existing historic craft are carried out in such a way as to not damage the integrity or aesthetics of the original designs.

The distinct culture of the working boat people, which developed in isolation from land-based communities due to their nomadic lifestyle, is equally deserving of our attention.

The language of boaters, from the names given to equipment, skills and places, to that used in their music and stories, risks being lost if it falls out of use or is left unrecorded. Hawkesbury Junction on the Coventry Canal, for instance, has an official name arising from its geographical position (close to the village of Hawkesbury), but was better known to many boat people as Sutton Stop after the family of lock-keepers who resided there in the 19th century. There are hundreds of colloquialisms like this across the network, and it’s likely many more are already lost having disappeared from the boating vernacular as canal carrying ceased and waterways were closed.

Canal enthusiasts with a particular interest in heritage are essential to preserving these techniques and cultural traditions through events and the formation of groups or societies; however, as the waterways have evolved for use by leisure and residential boaters, people have found new ways in which to put into practice old skills. One example is where single-handed boaters use towing techniques, such as bow-hauling, developed by carriers for which the old splits in bridges are vital. Here we can see how living heritage is reliant on built heritage, and vice versa.

Risks While parts of our inland waterways are protected as places of special historical, architectural or scientific interest through various schemes, there remain many hundreds of miles of canals and rivers, plus their related buildings or artefacts, that are not safeguarded in any way. Often there is conflict between retaining heritage assets and maximising development value Winter 2020 012 Campaign focus AH AT SS.indd 13

Waterways heritage is about respecting the past while looking to the future.

of waterside sites, while small details and changes to the aesthetics of rural and urban landscapes can be overlooked.

Built heritage also needs protection from environmental damage. Increasingly volatile weather as a result of climate change puts structures at risk of floods and breaches, while the continuing spread of certain invasive, non-native species of plants and animals, such as Chinese mitten crabs and Himalayan balsam, increases the potential for bank erosion.

Future Waterways heritage is diverse and wide-reaching, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach that can be applied to preserving it.

Through the report, we are calling upon navigation authorities, councils, planners, developers and builders to consider heritage as they make plans for the future of our waterways and the features that surround them. Seemingly small changes can have a much bigger impact on the broader heritage but by consulting specialists developers can attempt to understand and mitigate any potentially detrimental effects before it’s too late.

Part two of the Waterways Heritage report, due for publication in 2021, will contain more detailed guidance and resources, including case studies demonstrating what lessons have already been learned and best practice suggestions for allowing our canals and rivers to continue to be treasured assets in an evolving world.

Download part one of the Waterways Heritage report now at waterways.org.uk/ campaigns/listing/waterwaysheritage-campaign. If you have any questions or concerns regarding waterways heritage, or would like to suggest a site suitable for use as a case study in part two of the report, please contact amy.tillson@waterways. org.uk.

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 08:25

Rosemary Carden

Bob May Collection BCN Society

WOMEN'S WORK Heather Wastie shines a spotlight on the women often overlooked in the history of inland waterways restoration

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t is the weekend of 26th/27th September 1970. Margaret has driven her Mini to Parkhead, a derelict industrial area on the Dudley Canal, waste tip for Doulton’s ceramics. The whole area is buzzing with hundreds of enthusiastic workers clearing the locks. On the side of one of the locks there’s a small red tent belonging to Tina and her husband, Derek.

Their boat is moored too far away to sensibly commute, so they decided to spend the weekend living under canvas in the middle of the action. Tina and Derek are kneeling on the grass in white boiler suits, leaning over the side of the lock. As they haul up heavy rubbish and buckets of debris from the bottom of the lock, they commiserate with the muddy volunteers down below, knowing their turn will soon come.

Meanwhile Margaret – keen to help clear the vegetation – has picked up a sickle. They say a bad worker blames his tools, but in this case Margaret was justifiably disdainful of the implement in her hand: “Well, you’d have had a job to cut soft butter with it.” She set to work doing something about it – and word soon got round. Now in her 80s, Margaret has vivid memories of that day, when she had set out to dig but ended up being “the woman who sharpens the sickles”.

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'I Dig Canals' Both Margaret and Tina agreed to be interviewed for a research project entitled ‘I Dig Canals’, run by Alarum Productions in 2019/20 with financial support from National Lottery Heritage Fund. The event they described, which took place exactly 50 years ago, was called the ‘Dudley Dig & Cruise’. Another volunteer that weekend, Sheila, told us that the evening before she had made a treacherous 2-mile journey with her husband Alan on their ex-working narrowboat, Laurel. Her onboard logbook recounts: “Negotiated canal from Bumble Hole to Hawne Basin ready for Dudley Dig & Cruise. Experienced quite a lot of difficult patches with rubbish and scours [factory discharge pouring into the canal]. Finally arrived in darkness to rousing cheers.”

Sheila will no doubt have spent much of that journey lifting or leaning on a heavy shaft, pulling a rope or shifting her slight frame to rock the boat and keep it moving, until they eventually made it to the small gathering waiting for the cruise next day. She certainly kept fit, and to this group of enthusiasts a ‘cruise’ involved rather unglamorous onboard activities!

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 10:01

History

Accounts like these – fascinating, touching, funny and occasionally heartstopping – shed light on some of the volunteer roles women took on to further the cause of canal restoration in the Black Country and beyond. During the ‘I Dig Canals’ project, we recorded 19 long-form oral histories and several shorter ones which (once it is possible) will be available at the Canal & River Trust Waterways Archive in Ellesmere Port, completely transforming the currently available resources. To put it simply, there will be a women’s archive where previously there was not.

Covid hurdles

At breakfast-time the next day, the Mayor of Warley, together with other VIP guests, boarded Laurel. Leading a procession of four narrowboats, Laurel retraced the 2-mile journey of the night before, plus a further 3 miles to Parkhead – the site of the Dig – arriving at lunchtime. Sheila’s job was to provide refreshments for everyone on board as well as chat to guests en route, impressing upon them the importance of the stretch of canal they were travelling along.

Sheila and Alan are my parents. I was 14 at the time and wasn’t on board because I was taking part in a punishing 20-mile sponsored walk to raise money for the National Waterways Restoration Fund. The sum raised – £250 – was later donated to the Dudley Canal Trust (as it was then called) to help pay for the restoration of Dudley Tunnel. (The tunnel was reopened in 1973.)

above left: A female volunteer grimaces through the mud and toil at the 1970 Dudley Dig & Cruise.

Above: Shovels out at the Droitwich Dig, 1973. below: Sheila Smith and family with their first boat in the early 1960s at Autherley Junction, known as ‘Cut End’.

NLHF money enabled us to recruit, train and work with a dedicated group of 14 volunteers, as well as improving our own skills in oral history and documentary research. While I concentrated on the interviews, my co-director of Alarum, Kate Saffin, focused on documentary research, spending time at the National Archive in Kew and searching other collections in the Black Country for information and stories about the roles women took on more widely. Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust supported us by generously donating premises (and a boat on one occasion) for our events.

We had excellent training from Julia Letts, a very experienced oral historian and BBC radio producer, were able to employ our favourite filmmaker, Erin Hopkins, and provided work experience to a talented young designer, Laura Ndjoli, who created our logo.

When coronavirus struck, we were, thankfully, nearing the end of the project but were forced to cancel final public celebrations. However, this meant we were able to put more time and energy into a 56page book (snippets appear on the following pages), a short film and a series of 15 podcasts using extracts from the interviews. Details of these can be found on our website alarumtheatre.co.uk.

Inspired by the women whose stories we tell, Kate and I, together with project manager Nadia Stone, like to think we have embodied their never-say-die attitude. “Nothing was impossible in those days,” said Tina in her interview, “and it wasn’t impossible because we actually changed people’s minds.”

Four mayors in a Mini Once the Mayor of Warley and other dignitaries had completed their official duties, they needed to get back to their starting point. Someone asked if anyone had a car. Margaret – who by this time had sharpened quite a lot of sickles – said yes, she had a Mini. In a nutshell (no pun intended), Margaret gave them all a lift: “I ended up with four mayors – none of them small – in my Mini. I put the biggest one in the front with me, and the other three squashed in the back somehow.

The joy of the situation was arriving at the point where all the official cars were, with the official chauffeurs, and the look of sheer amazement on their faces.”

Winter 2020 014 i dig canals SH AH.indd 15

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 09:58

above: Female volunteers clear wood and vegetation at the Droitwich Dig.

Ashton Attack (ASHTAC for short) saw approximately 1,000 people work on the Ashton Canal and the Lower Peak Forest Canal over a single weekend in March 1972

photo by Harry Arnold MBE, reproduced by kind permission of Julie Arnold, Waterways Images Ltd

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Winter 2020 22/10/2020 09:58

Rosemary Carden

History

Rosemary Carden

Tina Gittings

right: Getting dirty was par for the course at the Droitwich Dig in 1973.

All photos and text are reproduced from I Dig Canals: How Women Helped Save the Waterways, edited by Heather Wastie and published by Alarum Productions.

The book is available, priced £10.50 including p&p, from alarumtheatre.co.uk.

Winter 2020 014 i dig canals SH AH.indd 17

IWA Waterways |

17

22/10/2020 09:58

British Canoeing has been calling for new legislation to clarify and secure the right to paddle on waterways in England and Wales.

ACCESS ALL AREAS Of the 57,600km of rivers in England, we have a right of navigation on 2,000km – little more than 3%. As the campaign to open up our inland waterways heats up, we look at progress to date and the main players driving this change...

N

arrowboaters may not have given the issue much thought.

On canals and some larger rivers where a Statutory Right of Navigation exists, a waterway licence allows us to enjoy the space without challenge. Get off the connected system and onto the backwaters favoured by smaller craft, however, and the picture couldn’t be more different.

“In England, if you’re by a river, on a river or in a river, there’s a 97% chance that you’re not allowed to be there,” says Nick Hayes, Right to Roam campaigner and author of one of this year’s most provocative reads, The Book of Trespass. “While the Crown is said to own the water that flows through a river, the landowner holds the rights to the riverbank, which extends across its bed towards an imaginary line drawn halfway through the watercourse. To kayak or swim along a stretch of river you must have permission from each and every one of the property owners on the banks.”

'Common highways' This is not the case in most European countries, he points out. And even in places like Australia and America, which are based on English common law, rivers are free to explore and enjoy as ‘common highways’, as the Founding Fathers put it.

“In Scotland, following the Land Reform Act of 2003, the public right of access supersedes the private landowner’s right to exclude. Rivers are effectively treated as Rights of Way. This freedom doesn’t exist in England except on rivers which have had a very specific act of government to declare public right of navigation. Even here, however, lack of clear signage can sometimes make it impossible to know which rivers are accessible and which aren’t.”

The contested nature of our waterways is felt most acutely by paddlers and swimmers. “Many of us run the gauntlet of being threatened, abused or worse, each time we venture out onto the water,” says Ben Seal, Places to Paddle manager at British Canoeing. As a consequence, over the last two years the organisation has significantly stepped up its efforts on access and

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environmental matters. Guided by the ambition to see ‘fair, shared, sustainable open access on water’, its Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign, backed

by IWA, has made significant strides forward in presenting a case to Government and building a supportive coalition for change.

Coalitions In recent weeks, for example, British Canoeing has been working in partnership with the Ramblers and the British Mountaineering Council to affect new agricultural legislation passing through the Lords.

In addition, the publication of Nick Hayes’ book this summer shone another spotlight on its campaign, presenting further opportunity to join the wider debate on access to the countryside generally.

The issue is likely to get even more coverage over coming months with the Government’s move to criminalise trespassing (it is currently defined in law as a civil matter). This could make it possible to seize the property and vehicles of trespassers “who enter onto any land without permission of the occupier with the intention to reside”. While the changes are aimed at travellers who set up unauthorised caravan sites, could it apply to liveaboard boaters as well? asks Nick. “If I were caught on land I hadn’t asked for permission to moor on, would this law permit police to take my boat?”

'Great benefits' But at the heart of British Canoeing’s campaign is the belief our waterways can make a profound difference on day-to-day lives. “Fundamentally, the case for more people to be more active and connected with nature is already made,” argues Ben. “Not since the end of the Great Wars has our nation Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:27

Access to waterways

more eyes to pick up on spillages or pollution, more people to clear the rivers of litter and obstructions, so improving the ecology of our most vital resources.”

Patience pays off Ben Seal combines paddling with a litter pick. A ‘citizens’ army’ could tackle issues of plastic and sewerage pollution in our rivers, he suggests, but they would need uncontested access to them first.

so needed access to the countryside for recreation and for healing. Pre-Covid, our country was already facing an increasing obesity crisis and catastrophic threats to our climate. Now, while we are still in the grip of a global pandemic, we have seen how immensely valuable access to green space has been for millions and millions of people.

“It is a simple fact that being physically active makes us more resilient to illness. It improves our mental well-being and, importantly for our environment, it brings us closer to nature. It stands to reason that if we cannot access these spaces on our doorstep, then sections of the population will not have access to the great benefits it brings.”

Canoe clean-ups As well as seeking new legislation to open up the waterways, British Canoeing also advocates greater protection of the environment, committing to river cleanups, action to address invasive non-native species and improving water quality.

Both Ben and Nick are scathing of counter-arguments that opening up our waterways could have a detrimental effect on the wildlife it accommodates. On the contrary, says Nick, “the more people are allowed to enjoy our rivers, the more motivated they will be to protect them. The more they have a visceral experience of the small-scale, micro environment of nature, the more they will care about the macro elements like climate change. Put simply, the environment is often better off for having more people access it.”

He points to a British Canoeing scheme which has seen kayakers on the Derwent take an empty bag with them on trips, returning with rubbish they have collected along the way. “With more people out on the rivers, there will be

While progress is undoubtedly being made, Ben is realistic that it may be years before our waterways finally become a fairer place for all. “Changing legislation is not something that is easy to achieve.

Very few Bills make it onto the statute book each year and in the present climate, legislation to affect access on inland waters is unlikely to be amongst the Government’s highest priorities. It takes time and patience. Many people point to the Kinder Trespass in 1932 as the defining moment in the fight for access to our mountains and moors. While it will go down in history as a major landmark for the movement, it took until the year 2000, 68 years later, for the Countryside and Rights of Way Act to realise the aspirations of those brave individuals.”

Nevertheless, he’s confident the campaign will go from strength to strength in the meantime. “With the future of how our landscape is managed by farmers currently being shaped, with National Parks and AONBs in the spotlight, with a surge of interest in being outdoors, especially on water, now is our best opportunity to be making our case for clarity on the right of access for all.”

For many people the right to access the waterways on their doorstep remains firmly disputed.

“IWA believes that canoes and other small unpowered craft are a great and affordable way to get afloat, and offer excellent opportunities to introduce more people, including children and young people, to inland waterways and the great outdoors. We welcome the charter published by British Canoeing and believe that if Government would introduce modern, comprehensive, legislation for England, as has been done in Scotland and is currently being considered in Wales, then that would bring welcome clarity to the law” Accessing rivers shouldn’t be a crime, argues author and Right to Roam campaigner Nick.

The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes (Bloomsbury, £20) is a meditation on the fraught and complex relationship between land, waterways, politics and power.

Winter 2020 018 trespass SH AH.indd 19

Find out more For further information on British Canoeing’s Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign visit clearaccessclearwaters. org.uk. The organisation is appealing for people to sign its petition to secure fair, shared and sustainable open access to waterways in England and Wales, as well as lobbying their local MP on the issue.

Alternatively, visit righttoroam.org.uk, the website launched by Nick Hayes and environmental campaigner/author Guy Shrubsole. They’re working to extend the Countryside and Rights of Way Act so that it covers more of the countryside as well as a greater range of activities, both on land and water.

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 08:27

IWA christmas

gifts & cards £7.99

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Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llangollen Canal Photographer: Purple128

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The project has breathed new life into the riverside at Cocklemoor with improved signage and additional seating.

INSET: Cocklemoor in 2019 before the works began.

THE UPPER PARRETT

REGENERATED

IWA West Country Branch chairman Ray Alexander hails completion of the enhancements to the non-tidal River Parrett, which have opened up 7½ miles of waterway to trail-boaters and other users

One of three new fishing platforms and an access path at Cocklemoor.

I

n the Summer 2019 issue of Waterways, we reported on how a grant of £179,000 awarded to Langport Town Council by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Defra was to be used to fund a number of infrastructure improvements on the non-tidal River Parrett. Together with a subsequent grant of £55,000, a further £5,000 from the Canoe Foundation, and other monies, the town council has been able to invest over £250,000 on the riverside and picnic area at Langport.

The infrastructure improvements have now been completed, thus bringing the six-year Langport River Project to a conclusion. The final works, comprising repairs to the lower section of the slipway and the construction of a car park and amenity area at Huish Bridge, along with the establishment of a half-mile all-weather riverside path from Huish Bridge to Langport, were completed in early October. It is hoped that a public opening event can be held next spring, when the 2021 season gets underway.

IWA congratulates Langport Town Council and the residents of Langport in achieving such a great outcome for their river and the town, which are already benefitting from an increase in visitors and a number of new businesses, all of which are most welcome. The West Country Branch thanks the Hon. Consultant Engineers, WRG BITM and WRG Forestry for supporting the river project, in a great example of ‘one IWA’ in action.

Below and Left: Before: the car park was flooded and in need of attention.

Now: newly levelled and resurfaced, it will be suitable for welcoming visitors to the area.

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Winter 2020 22/10/2020 12:12

Waterways News Focus

right: One of four new pontoons for use by trail-boaters, canoeists and paddlers.

above: It’s hoped that by repairing this old slipway, more boats will be encouraged to launch onto the River Parrett. below: Slipway repairs in progress.

above: Bird hide and seek! A resurfaced, accessible footpath has also been installed along the river between Huish Bridge and Langport to encourage people to enjoy waterside walks.

left: New businesses, such as this bike shop and bakery, are being attracted to the area thanks to the regeneration.

Photographs by Mike Slade and Val Saunders

Winter 2020 022 Langport river AH SS RA.indd 23

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 08:28

A unique access code will allow boaters to complete their census forms online.

Jeremy burge

COME TO YOUR

CENSUS Ahead of a census in March, the Office for National Statistics explains how liveaboard boaters can take part in the population questionnaire

I

n March 2021, every household in England and Wales will be expected to complete their census questionnaire – and, of course, that includes all people living on boats.

The census is for everyone. Once every 10 years, it helps build the most complete picture of the country. The whole population has the chance to provide information that ensures all communities are represented in decisions on funding and services. This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools or new transport routes.

Everyone – from young adults to the elderly and including visitors from overseas – must take part if they are here on 21st March 2021, or are usually resident in England and Wales. For the first time, it will be a primarily online census, making it easy for most people to complete on any device. However, while the census will be digital first, online support centres and paper questionnaires will be available for those who need them.

Liveaboard engagement Liveaboard boaters will receive a letter, either by hand from a census officer or in the post in March next year, with details of how to take part. The method depends on whether the mooring is registered with Royal Mail or not.

If registered with Royal Mail, the Office for National Statistics will send a letter containing a unique access code to allow boaters to complete their online census form. If someone is not registered with Royal Mail and lives in a marina, a census officer will deliver the letter. If people live on a permanent mooring or other location, the ONS will send a census officer to deliver forms to any households they can find.

During March 2021, even if people are away cruising on their boat, they will still be required to take part in the decennial event. The advice from ONS is to complete the questionnaire before you go.

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If a boater is not registered with Royal Mail and lives in a marina, a census officer will deliver the letter. The same goes for boaters on permanent moorings in other locations – the ONS will send a census officer to deliver forms to any households they can find.

“My advice for liveaboards is to make sure you have a postal point if you have a mooring,” says ONS’s Iain Bell.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:29

2021 Census

'Benefits for all' The man in charge of delivering the census is the ONS’s deputy national statistician, Iain Bell – himself a boater. Based in south Wales, he spends part of his time living on the Mon & Brec Canal with his partner.

“A successful census will help give the best picture of the needs of everyone living in England and Wales,” he says. “It benefits everyone. Based on the information you give, it ensures millions of pounds are invested in emergency services, mental health care, school places, hospital beds, houses, roads, GP and dental services.

“It is therefore crucial we reach everyone in the country – from people living in London’s commuter-belt to all inner-city communities; from those living in the countryside to student populations; the elderly and all ethnic minorities.

And, indeed, anyone like me, who spends time living on a waterway.

“There are some groups who are harder to reach than others, with language, living arrangements, technology and understanding of what the census is all being barriers for us to overcome. My advice for liveaboards is to make sure you have a postal point if you have a mooring. For continuous cruisers, being registered with a GP means analysis covers you as well.

“It’s crucial you do take part. If analysis that feeds policy decisions doesn’t reflect all sections of society then there is a risk of the needs of different groups not being met. Being able to complete it online will hopefully make it easier than ever for all of us to take part around our individual schedules, and in a way that is flexible to our living circumstances. We do recognise there will be some people who need paper forms or help getting online, and we have set up local census support centres to help with that.”

“Even if people are away cruising on their boat, they will still be required to take part in the decennial event” Covid implications There are also some changes to the way the census in 2021 is being run to reflect the fact the world has had to come to terms with the coronavirus pandemic. Iain adds: “Our design now means we can conduct the main census field operation without anyone ever needing to enter a house – or houseboat. All contacts will be socially distanced, field staff will be equipped with PPE in line with government guidance, while recruitment and training have been moved wholly online.”

Covid-19 has also made this census more important than ever. “Much like the 1921 Census after World War I and Spanish flu in the early 20th century, Census 2021 will be crucial in giving a snapshot of life in the 21st century,” says Iain. “It will highlight areas of deprivation, it will show the ethnic make-up of the country, it will provide information on our living arrangements, health, education and the jobs we do, and the data from it will help inform government policy at a local and national level for years to come.”

It is vital that the census sheds light on long-term trends, while also reflecting today’s society. It would not be sensible if data from the census still captured the occupation of lamp-lighting and didn’t now include social media analysts. Equally, the ONS no longer collects information about whether houses have running water and outside toilets but now collects more information to help provide the diversity information necessary for private and public sectors to serve the wide range of needs of different communities.

Other changes “All our planning has been about ensuring Census 2021 will reflect modern society and will be the most inclusive yet. Everyone can identify as they wish using the new search-as-you-type capability online and write-in options on paper if they need it,” Iain explains. “With community engagement being key, we are working with communities to ensure we engage safely in line with the government’s coronavirus guidance and are able to reach out using new forums that have emerged during the pandemic.”

Winter 2020 024 census SH AH.indd 25

ONS’s deputy national statistician, Iain Bell, is a boater himself, based on the Mon & Brec.

As well as questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity, there are new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for those aged 16 and over.

Gathering this information will ultimately help local communities by allowing charities, local and central government to understand the services people from different groups need, and monitor equality.

There is also a new question on armed forces veterans to help understand numbers, locations and age ranges of our armed forces community for central and local government, as well as charities that work with veterans and their families, so they are able to target resources and expertise where they are most needed to meet their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant.

Although results will be available within 12 months, personal census records (the information people will give next year) will be kept secure for 100 years. Only then can future generations view them, as when the 1921 Census records are made available to the public in early 2022.

Find out more For more information about the census, how to get support and the ONS’s plans for Census 2021, visit census.gov.uk. You can also call the census helpline 0800 141 2021 in March. For boaters in Wales, that number is 0800 169 2021.

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 08:30

restoration HUB:

Waterways in Progress grant projects

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CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST

Rewatering Renishaw Phase 1a Grant allocated: £50,000 In 2010, approximately 500m of the Chesterfield Canal channel was restored through Renishaw, Derbyshire, as part of a housing development. However, due to various issues, the stretch proved to be unuseable and delivered little benefit to the newly created community on the housing estate and wider Renishaw community.

Now the Rewatering Renishaw project seeks to transform and extend the derelict channel into a permanent waterspace that local people can celebrate and enjoy. The project is part of Phase 1 of the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s ambition to restore the canal to full navigation by 2027, the 250th anniversary of the canal’s original opening. The complete Phase 1 works will extend the current limit of navigation from the town of Staveley to the village of Renishaw, and include the construction of three new accommodation bridges, four new bridleway bridges, a lock, a railway overbridge, an aqueduct and approximately 5km of new or restored channel.

The entire Phase 1 of the project will take several years to complete and require over £4m to

CCT

WA’s 2019 Waterways in Progress report sought to demonstrate how well-thoughtout, partial restoration initiatives can start to deliver benefits right from day one. We followed this up in May 2019 by launching a new grant offering waterway organisations up to £100,000 to assist in funding a project or projects which promote the Waterways in Progress vision and values. The grant has been made possible by legacies that have been left to the Association.

Two big objectives of the report were to encourage local authorities at every level across the country to consider having at least one named member of staff responsible for the promotion and development of navigable and derelict waterways within their constituency, and to promote the idea of restoration works for today.

The scale of many restorations – especially in terms of the funding needed and construction skills required – could stop progress in its tracks.

However, if restoration groups can focus on smaller-scale projects that start bringing about positive changes from day one, benefits including local awareness and community support lead to the larger issues feeling more surmountable.

A key requirement for any organisation applying for the grant was that their project would start to deliver right from day one – and while the project did not have to necessarily deliver more miles of waterways it had to focus on wider benefits, such as creating partnerships, engaging communities and inspiring key stakeholders, as well as delivering on at least one of the key Waterways in Progress themes: • Channelling Regeneration – projects which bring economic benefits to the local area • Promoting Personal Development & Well-being – encouraging people to get out and about for both physical and mental health benefits as well as volunteering and learning new skills • Creating Community Spaces – projects which build social cohesion and instil civic pride • Enhancing Heritage & Habitats – the delivery of environmental benefits and/or the preservation of history and tradition for the benefit of future generations.

The Waterways in Progress Grant was launched at IWA’s Parliamentary Reception in 2019 and received 28 expressions of interest from 27 different waterways groups. Seven projects were invited to progress to stage two of the process and asked to submit more detailed applications for assessment. Four projects were successful. The Ashby Canal Association application was announced in the Spring 2020 issue of Waterways magazine.

be raised. The works at Renishaw (Phase 1a) can be completed much earlier and provide lasting benefits to the community long before either the Phase 1 works are completed, or it forms part of a fully restored waterway. This lasting and standalone benefit from an interim restoration stage is a prime example of the Waterways in Progress philosophy.

The grant, with additional funding from Chesterfield Canal Trust and Derbyshire County Council, will allow the trust to undertake the following Phase 1a work: • 550m of canal channel re-profiled to navigable standards • 1,050m of canal channel relined using a geosynthetic clay liner • 250m of stone gabions installed in the canal banks and waterproofed by casting a concrete face up to the water level • Clinker Wood side weir restored and a temporary pumping system provided to supply water from the River Rother to the canal • 550m of towpath resurfaced, making it suitable for pedestrians and cyclists. The current path is virtually impassable despite being the official public right of way.

Currently, the restored channel of the Chesterfield Canal through Renishaw does not benefit the local community.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:30

restoration hub

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Coed Gwilym Park Slipway Grant allocated: £18,000

Preparing the groundwork for the Coed Gwilym Park Slipway Project.

The Swansea Canal Society’s Coed Gwilym Park Slipway Project aims to encourage boating on the canal and attract visitors to the local area, while ensuring the waterway continues to be valued as a green corridor through the post-industrial landscape of Swansea.

Work is currently underway to dredge approximately 1 mile of the canal to navigable depth and further work is planned to restore locks and a pound to extend the navigable section of the Swansea Canal by 2½ miles. The Waterways in Progress grant will fund the creation of a brandnew slipway giving access to this stretch of canal to trailable boats and other small craft.

While integral to the long-term aims of restoring the canal, the project is also being undertaken with a view to hosting an IWA Trailboat Festival in 2023 to further raise the profile of the society’s work in the canal’s 225th anniversary year. The slipway will also permit the regular launch of the society’s workboat and new trip-boat. The passenger craft will be used to generate income for the society, running alongside its current canoehire operation, and help establish the canal as a destination. The more activity on the water, the more attractive it will be to visitors.

Another key outcome of the project is the upskilling of local volunteers giving them the opportunities to learn about formwork, concentrating and bricklaying during the construction process.

SCS

SWANSEA CANAL SOCIETY

WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

Shrivenham Canal Park, Grant allocated: £13,960 The Shrivenham Canal Park project aims to establish a small 4-acre park, owned by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, as a community and environmental asset.

The Waterways in Progress grant will help fund activities designed to increase the biodiversity, aesthetics and wildlife of the area, including the refilling of the 125m section of canal that forms part of the park. The grant application also includes the purchase of a solar pump which will take water from a stream to the east of the park and pump it to the canal section alongside the park.

A key aspect of this project is community engagement. The trust hopes to work with local community groups to establish ‘green teams’ to help support the ongoing maintenance of the park. It also hopes the waterway park will be used by kayakers and as a safe space by the community for rest and recreation on the route of the Shrivenham Circular Walk. Usage of this kind will demonstrate the value of the canal to local people and adjacent landowners.

WBCT

• A further 915m of towpath resurfaced to provide a circular 2.5km surfaced route incorporating the Trans-Pennine Trail • Eight picnic benches, made ‫שׁ‬om recycled plastic, installed across two locations along with three standard benches in other areas of the scheme. Two of the picnic benches will be suitable for wheelchair users • Installation of signage to encourage users of the TransPennine Trail to explore the canal and the village, plus the provision of 12 cycle stands to allow cyclists to secure their bikes.

Alongside the above works, the project partners plan to deliver the following additional works to futureproof the canal for navigation: • 210m of concrete and masonry wash walling constructed around Black’s Pit corner, in order to protect the banks around this tight turn • 285m of steel piling installed to the south of Barlborough Road Bridge, to provide future visitor moorings.

Early delivery of the Phase 1a works will also help to rebuild the support in Renishaw for the project and build credibility for the ability of the project partners to deliver the scheme. It will unlock the acquisition of further sections of canal from landowners who are supportive and prepared to sell the relevant land, but currently will not do so for fear of being left with a legacy similar to the ‘restored’ channel in Renishaw.

The key beneficiaries of the project will be the local community of Renishaw, who will be able to use the pleasant waterspace environment secure in the knowledge that it is not dependent on the future canal connection. The improved towpaths and 2.5km circular route will benefit the health and well-being of the local community and attract new visitors to this flat, waterside walk. Data shows that in 2018, over 52,000 walkers and cyclists were recorded using the Trans-Pennine Trail at Renishaw, but most bypassed the village without even realising it was there.

Cycle stands and picnic benches will encourage people to stop while exploring the route and take a short, pleasant detour into the village.

Shrivenham Canal Park.

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22/10/2020 08:31

regeneration We explore the importance of planning with IWA West London Branch

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lanning has been a key consideration for IWA from the beginning when mid-20th-century development threatened the very existence of our canals into the leisure age. Boating and the right to navigation were the levers to keep the canals open and the early campaigners saw the waterways as a national resource, a corridor open to all that connected rural areas with urban environments.

As a constantly evolving city, London is beset with planning applications for new and expanding developments every year, some of which have a direct or indirect impact on the waterways and the people who use them. For each application that has ramifications for the canals within a branch area, the documents – sometimes running to a hundred pages or more – are examined and a response provided on behalf of IWA where necessary. West London Branch covers the Grand Union Canal from Stockers Lock to Brentford, plus the Slough and Paddington arms, and while totalling just 36 miles, these waterways pass through nine different local authorities and 23 Conservation Areas, and 15 miles of canal are within Green Belt areas.

New pressures Today new developments and expanding transport infrastructure in London, such as the impending HS2 rail network and the expansion of Heathrow Airport, threaten the aesthetics and heritage of our waterways landscape, while new pressures caused by increasing population density and the repurposing of towpaths as walking and cycling routes for commuters jeopardise the integrity of urban canals.

Along the 13-mile Paddington Arm, for example, there are targets for anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 new homes over the next 20 years, and when looking at the impact on the waterway the influence from catchment areas beyond the line of the canal also has to be taken into account. Current towpath upgrades aim for a 2m-wide surfaced area with a 0.5m verge either side, but for how long will that be sufficient to accommodate the amount of traffic?

Environmental impacts are also on IWA’s list of priorities and the Association is looking at ways in which it can increase the biodiversity net gain of not only its own restoration works through the Waterway Recovery Group, but that of developers’ work along the canals too. We are always trying to go beyond mitigation and find ways to contribute towards reducing environmental degradation. New legislation will require mitigation but where IWA is involved in improvements along the waterways, we may be able to bank these and offer them to developers to offset losses elsewhere.

Sustainability The majority of planning applications are not concerned with the waterspace but IWA is always looking at ways in which it can influence planning or the use of funding to support sustainable boating now and in the future while, at the same time continuing to preserve the heritage of our inland waterways. There has to be a balanced approached – IWA is not here to stop development, which is not only inevitable but, in some cases, required. Every major development needs looking at from the perspective of a boater and, perhaps more importantly, a towpath user or local person. In reality, the vast majority of applications are small-scale projects, and there are very few that are formally objected to by IWA. Both Ray Gill and Roger Still have led the West London Branch on planning matters over the last few years, and IWA would like to thank them for their hard work. We’re looking to expand the number of planning officers across all of our branches, and if this is a role that appeals to you, please contact jenny.morris@waterways.org.uk. You do not need to have a background in planning, just an enthusiasm for the subject.

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CASE STUDY ONE

Uxbridge Moor Conservation Area

In 2014 a planning application was submitted for new housing on the Grand Union Canal at Waterloo Wharf (close to Dolphin Bridge 186) and within the Uxbridge Moor Conservation Area. The apartment complex would replace a covered timber warehouse next to Uxbridge Dock – the historically significant Fellows, Morton & Clayton boatyard, which is still in use today. The initial proposals were objected to as noise from the boatyard could have affected the proposed residential development, leading to restrictions being imposed on the boatyard and thereby threatening its future viability.

The planning officers also commented on the design of the apartments, which went through several iterations. The final design was accepted in 2017, featuring a small commercial area between the housing and the boatyard to act as a buffer, and the developer paid to have the roof of the dock re-covered and insulated to further mitigate any noise.

Before: the timber warehouse at Uxbridge Moor was earmarked for development as housing in 2014.

After: West London Branch had its say on the design of the new apartments at Uxbridge Moor, and highlighted the need to mitigate the impact of noise from the nearby boatyard.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:32

CASE STUDY TWO

Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation

OPDC

An ongoing project that West London Branch is involved with is the plan to regenerate a 650-hectare area through Old Oak, Park Royal and Kensal Green following the approval for a new HS2 and Crossrail interchange just to the north of Wormwood Scrubs.

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation first released its vision for what would essentially be a new town centre, complete with a commercial area supporting the creation of 65,000 new jobs and 24,000 new homes over the next 20 to 30 years, in 2015. The Branch’s interest is in how this will impact on the Grand Union Canal, which passes through the length of the site.

However, over the last five years there have been a number of problems affecting progress on the project, notably the building of the Elizabeth Line maintenance depot, a Crossrail site that occupies much of the area earmarked for commercial development in Old Oak South that lies directly next to the canal. Elsewhere, the company Car Giant, based in Old Oak North, made the case for remaining at its current location, which was accepted by the planning inspector, meaning the site can no longer be used for housing. Without these two key areas, the original OPDC vision has had to be scaled back, and some schemes that have already been approved could appear as strange, isolated developments along the canal, such as the proposed 24-storey block of flats at Scrubs Lane.

What was going to be a dramatic and sudden regeneration of the region is now a series of much smaller projects, although the longer-term housing and job creation targets remain in place. OPDC carried out research within the area and released its Canal Placemaking Study in 2018, which set out its new vision for the canal over the coming years. It focusses on encouraging leisure activity in safe, comfortable environments, facilitating movement both on and off the water, and nurturing the biodiversity of the canal as a green corridor.

Research carried out by OPDC fed into its Canal Placemaking Study.

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OPDC’s vision for the canal corridor is multifaceted but ultimately intends to benefit all waterways users.

OPDC

OPDC

Regeneration

OPDC is aiming to encourage community leisure activity on the Grand Union Canal.

ODPC is currently developing a Lively Bridges scheme to signpost people to the canal from the surrounding areas, and encourage businesses and facilities to be based at these easily accessible sites. A new ramp from Old Oak Lane to the towpath is awaiting approval and work could start on this in spring 2021. Other schemes include working with local communities to fill gaps in planting, particularly on the off-side, establishing open-access workshops for use by boaters, installing more boater facilities, and encouraging waterside businesses to rethink their canal frontages for the benefit of people and wildlife.

The construction of the rail interchange is due to go ahead over the next ten years, so there is little doubt that regeneration will take place in the area; however, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on development, particularly in relation to office-based working, could have an impact both in the long and short term. West London Branch will continue to monitor the planning applications and work with OPDC to ensure any changes to the line of the canal are beneficial to all waterways users.

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 08:32

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Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:35

2020

PHOTO COMPETITION All the winning entries from this year’s contest, judged by professional waterways photographer and writer Derek Pratt

S

nap happy amateur and professional photographers sent in over 400 images for IWA’s annual photo competition this year. The entries covered four categories – heritage & restoration, waterscape, built environment and active waterways – as well as the length and breadth of the inland network.

With such a variety of submissions illustrating the richly diverse nature of our canals and rivers, it wasn’t an easy task for our judge, Derek Pratt, to pick out the top pictures from each category, plus an overall winner. Derek’s Waterways Photo Library contains over 80,000 canal and river images taken over a period of 45 years, and he is the author of several books and articles on the subject, so he was well prepared to select the prize-worthy entries.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

Enormous thanks also to Derek for judging our 2020 competition, and to everyone who entered.

Winter 2020 031 photo comp AH SS.indd 31

Heritage & Restoration Lengthsman’s Cottage, Stratford Canal,

by Nigel Essery Derek said: “Nice overall photo quality – it could have found a home in a waterways archive from 60 years ago.

The two old working boats sit in front of a traditional Stratford Canal barrelroofed cottage. The formerly derelict canal is a gem of a restoration.”

Active Waterways Zouch on the Grand Union Canal Leicester Section,

by Nigel Essery Derek commented: “The photo has a narrowboat being steered towards a bridge with two lovely dogs enjoying the view, a nice blue sky and open fields in the background. The diagonal aspect of the boat gives impact to the overall image which is clear and sharp.”

IWA Waterways |

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Built Environment Moody St Pancras Lock on the Regent’s Canal,

by Tim Lewis “Technically this photo is spot on,” said Derek. “In the days of film photography this subject would have required a camera on a tripod and the use of a film rated at least 400ASA. Digital photography has made it possible to get sharp results in these conditions without a tripod – provided you have a steady hand!”

Waterscape and Overall Winner Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Linthwaite,

by Alan Stopher “This photo is outstanding,” exclaimed Derek. “The first frost sets off a beautiful scene with the lock and bridge backed up by high hills. Using a diagonal line on the right leads to the walker in red, providing a focal point and adding to the impact of the picture. The sun backlighting the trees in the distance puts a finishing touch to a lovely photograph. It reminds us that the canals still have other recreational uses even in the winter months when boating can be difficult. As soon as I saw it I gasped ‘oh yes, that’s the one’, making it the overall winner in this competition.”

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The dates for our 2021 competition will be announced in the new year – please visit waterways.org.uk/ photocomp for details.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:33

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21/10/2020 12:27

Boating through Standedge – Britain’s longest and deepest canal tunnel.

going underground

Dark, confined, damp and spider-ridden, tunnels can play on our deepest fears.

But navigating them doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience, as our briefing note explains…

T

here are 48 tunnels across the network, roughly equating to one every 40 miles. Yet many boaters feel so anxious about tackling them that they’d happily double that distance just to avoid one.

These historic structures can, however, offer one of the most exciting elements of any canal journey which, if you navigate them safely, will be memorable for all the right reasons. What follows should help clear up any confusion about when’s safe to enter, where lights should be pointing, what to do if you’re on an unpowered craft, and some basic steering tips. And there’s still more information on the IWA website for any lingering worries: read our full briefing note at waterways.org.uk/boating/tunnels.

Single- and two-way working In tunnels such as Foulridge on the Leeds & Liverpool, with its traffic light system, or Preston Brook and Saltersford tunnels on the Trent & Mersey, which have timed periods for boats entering at either end, you are unlikely to encounter oncoming craft unless one of you has ignored the lights or signs!

Many canal tunnels allow two-way unrestricted passage, allowing narrowboats to pass inside. Signage at the tunnel entrance will indicate whether two-way passage is allowed, or whether there are time restrictions on entering or if you need to wait for the tunnel to be clear (where short and straight enough to see all the way through). Note that passage by boats wider than 7ft through tunnels that normally have two-way working, needs to be arranged in advance with the navigation authority. With the growing number of wide-beam craft, particularly on the Grand Union Canal, you can expect more tunnels to be closed to other traffic to allow an authorised passage. Having said that, the number of incidents of meeting wide-beams in tunnels where permission has not been obtained is also on the increase.

Lifejackets IWA strongly recommends wearing lifejackets or buoyancy aids when travelling through tunnels in any type of boat. All users of unpowered vessels should wear

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One long blast on the horn on entering the tunnel can help other boaters know where you are.

a lifejacket, and the skippers of powered craft are strongly advised to do so too, particularly if travelling through single-handed.

If a person falls in the water while travelling through a tunnel, the darkness will be disorientating in addition to the shock from the cold water, and tunnels give added issues surrounding access and rescue. A buoyancy aid will help you keep yourself afloat, while a properly fitted lifejacket is designed to turn your body over and keep your face clear of the water, even if you are unconscious or injured.

Advice to skippers All boaters should take great care and keep a good lookout when navigating tunnels. Things to be aware of include catching up to the boat in front of you, and looking out for any unpowered craft that may be using the tunnel.

A boat’s tunnel light should not be aimed straight ahead but slightly up to illuminate the roof and in order not to blind the steerer of oncoming boats.

Users of powered boats should carefully read the

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:37

Tunnels

Before entering a tunnel ■ Switch on your headlight and some internal lights. Make sure that additional lighting in the form of a waterproof torch is available for the person steering.

■ Check there is no boat already in the tunnel coming towards you if it is too narrow for two boats to pass.

■ Ensure nobody is on the roof or sides of the boat.

■ Put on waterproofs if you’re worried about being dripped on.

■ Wearing a lifejacket is recommended, especially if you are single-handed.

Read the noticeboard at the tunnel entrance carefully for any specific instructions.

noticeboard at the tunnel entrance for any specific instructions, and to find out whether unpowered craft are allowed and therefore likely to be encountered.

Except where two-way working is the general practice, wait until the tunnel is clear of other boats before entering, or abide by the instructions of traffic lights or time restrictions.

Small unpowered craft Canal & River Trust allows small unpowered boats to use some of its shorter tunnels and a list can be found online: canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/1424. pdf. In general, CRT allows passage by small unpowered craft if the tunnel is less than 400m (437 yards) long and there are good sight lines through the tunnel.

Longer tunnels up to 650m (710 yards) long are included in the list if a single-way traffic system is in place. Passage of other tunnels can be requested by groups for managed events, which would involve closing the tunnel to other traffic for the duration. Boats being towed are excluded from these requirements.

When planning your journey, consider arranging for others to join you on the trip so that you don’t go through alone. Make sure you have a forward-facing strong white light of a minimum of 80 lumens (which can be a head torch) and that you have spare batteries for it, and don’t forget your buoyancy aid/lifejacket and whistle. You could also consider fitting reflective strips to clothing and paddles to improve your visibility.

On the day itself, don’t enter any canal tunnel unless signage explicitly states that unpowered craft are allowed. If you see any oncoming boats in the tunnel, even if two-way working is allowed, stay clear of the tunnel entrance and wait for them to leave.

Do not ignore traffic lights or timed passages – where these exist they apply to all craft, powered and unpowered.

Once you’re ready to go, turn on your headlight/head torch, ensure you’re wearing your lifejacket/buoyancy aid and that you have your whistle to hand.

As explained above, it’s best to enter the tunnel as part of a group of two or more. Proceed directly through the tunnel, no loitering or turning around. If you do meet a powered boat going the other way, keep to the right-hand side of the tunnel and be prepared for turbulence as it passes. You should also take care not to dazzle steerers of oncoming boats by avoiding pointing your head torch directly at them.

Inside the tunnel ■ In tunnels where two-way working is allowed, enter the tunnel slowly in case anything is about to exit. Once in the tunnel aim to keep in the middle of the channel in order to avoid scraping your cabin top or chimney on the walls.

■ Watch out for the changing profile of the tunnel – they are seldom dead straight!

■ Keep a distance of at least 160m (175 yards) from the boat in front of you (about two minutes apart at normal cruising speed).

■ If traffic is two-way, keep a good lookout for oncoming craft. If you meet an oncoming boat in the tunnel, slow right down and move over to the right.

■ In tunnels where unpowered craft are allowed, look out for small boats at low level ahead of you.

■ If you have to stop for any reason, turn off your engine. This will avoid any danger from exhaust fumes.

■ If you break down, sound long blasts on your horn to attract attention. Do not swim out. As a last resort, you could try to push the boat out using a boat pole.

■ All on board should avoid directing hand-held and head torches at the steerers of oncoming boats.

Watch your head! Pay attention to the changing profile of the tunnel.

Not all tunnels are open to unpowered boats – check with CRT first.

Winter 2020 034 Tunnels AH SS.indd 35

IWA Waterways |

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22/10/2020 08:37

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IWA Classies Winter20.indd 36

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37 21/10/2020 11:52

Robin also volunteers with Friends of Raymond, the charity which owns and maintains the historic working pair Raymond and Nutfield.

YEAR OF THE

Had you ever volunteered before taking this position?

In our final dispatch from the IWA volunteering frontline, Robin Bishop of West London Branch sheds light on the unsung role of branch secretary

How many hours do you spend on the role per week?

VOLUNTEER

Throughout the year it works out at approximately five hours per week. Of course, the busiest times are in and around each committee meeting.

Job Description:

Branch Secretary

Tim Lewis

The role of secretary primarily involves attending and taking down the minutes of all branch committee meetings, of which there are usually six per year. Before each one you’ll need to send out email reminders of the dates and times of the meeting, and compose and send out the agendas in advance too. After the meetings you’ll have to type up and issue copies of the minutes to all the committee members, plus Head Office.

In addition to the core work described above, a secretary also carries out general administrative duties on behalf of the branch.

Robin won a Richard Bird Medal at IWA’s annual Volunteer Awards in September for all his efforts for the charity to date.

He was described by his colleague Roger Hazelgrove as “always first to volunteer to promote the work of IWA and of the branch at events and festivals, where he is also pretty skilled at selling IWA merchandise”.

How long have you been in the role?

I joined my local branch committee in March 1996 and took over the role of secretary in April 2002 when the previous secretary retired. This means that I have been in this role now for 18 years.

What attracted you to it?

I’ve always had a curious fascination with taking down the minutes of meetings, so I suppose that was a major appeal.

Having said that, after joining the branch I took my time to discover what all the other committee roles entailed before plumping for this one specifically.

38

| IWA Waterways

038 Volunteer robin bishop SH AH.indd 38

I had never volunteered before taking on the secretary position, so it was all new to me. But I’ve subsequently become heavily involved with other waterways work, including the Friends of Raymond. I help to take Raymond and Nutfield to various canal festivals and enjoy talking to visitors about the boats. I feel quite passionately about the importance of improving the waterways and can often be found on work parties, getting stuck into repainting, clearing vegetation etc.

What do you enjoy about it?

I suppose I enjoy being able to help keep the branch functioning as it should be and communicating with my fellow committee members on all necessary matters. Just making sure things are working as smoothly and efficiently as possible is very satisfying.

Has the pandemic (and lockdown in particular) complicated the job, or in any respect made it easier?

Somewhat surprisingly, Covid-19 hasn’t complicated the job at all. If anything, it seems to have made my role easier. These days all our meetings are online, and so there’s no travel time lost getting to and fro between them. It’s so simple to book onto Zoom, without having to step foot outside your front door, and away we go. In theory, a branch secretary can now be based anywhere in the country and still carry out the main requirements of the job successfully.

What's been your biggest achievement in the role to date?

I can’t think that there has been any particular achievement to date, but I just love doing those minutes as the main part of my role. I get so much pleasure out of it that I was inspired to take on the position of secretary for the London Region committee too, as well as for Canalway Cavalcade.

What type of person would the role suit?

Anyone interested in applying for the role of branch secretary should ideally be able to communicate with others to keep the ball rolling. The only other important skill required is basic IT literacy.

Why volunteer with IWA? Getting involved with IWA is a fun way to meet new people and learn new skills while helping to improve and protect the waterways for everyone. Find out more at waterways.org.uk/volunteer.

Winter 2020 22/10/2020 10:53

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