East Yorkshire Branch
BRANCH NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2012
Beverley Beck on the weekend of the Queen’s Jubilee
A Newsletter in August ? We are publishing this newsletter a few weeks earlier than usual because there are some special events occurring soon which we feel members would want to know about and support. Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd September. Folk Sail Weekend at the Waterway Museum, Dutch River Side, Goole. See poster advert inside. Saturday 15th September. We look forward to the visit of Mikron Theatre Group who are presenting ‘Losing the Plot’ at7.30pm in the Derby and Joan Hall, Finkle Street, Cottingham. This is a fund-raising event so your Branch can continue to support local waterway restorations so we need you support and that of your friends, especially any who may have an allotment. Though tickets may be available at the door it would make planning much easier if you rang and booked your tickets with Roger Bromley on 01482 845099 or online. If you would like a copy of the poster then send your email address to bandrrobins.gmail.com or ring 01482 658254. I have some laminated copies for display outside. There will be a raffle and we would appreciate gifts to offer as prizes. Saturday 6th October Joint meeting with members of the North Riding Branch in the Westborough Unitarian Chapel, Falsgrave Road, Scarborough starting at 2.00pm. Mel Smith will give an illustrated talk on ‘Commercial Traffic on the Yorkshire Waterways’. There will also be some dvd presentations, tea and biscuits (of course!) and an opportunity to socialise. Parking may be difficult though there is Pay and Display parking at Sainsbury’s nearby but only for two hours, some on-street parking or use the Park and Ride. It is a 5-10 minute walk from the railway station. This is taking the place of the Whitby meetings so please support it if you can.
2
3
4
Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee with Beverley Beck Boating Association To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee on 2nd June Beverley Beck Boating Association organised a ‘Boat Gathering’ on Beverley Beck. Members of your Branch went along to support BBBA, to publicise IWA and to enjoy the festivities. Those of us who can remember the Coronation will know that it rained. A lot! Well it rained again for the Jubilee Celebration held at Beverley Beck though not quite as much. Over 40 boats lined both sides of the beck from the road bridge right up to the beck end. There were barges, canoes, sailing ships, narrowboats, cruisers and even a submarine. Our Branch stall was also there with the gazebo (very welcome in the wet) promoting local waterways, raising funds and making people aware of the IWA. Despite the rain we had many visitors throughout the day who bought books, cards, canalware, raffle tickets, flags and tried to win prizes in our games.
A superb Jubilee Cake was made by our secretary Chris and the day ended with us making well over £100 for IWA funds. Grateful thanks must go to all the helpers who turned up on the day to make this outing a success. Put a note in your diary to come and see us at the Folk Sail weekend at the Waterways Museum in Goole on September 1st and 2nd. If you have anything of waterway interest which could be used for display purposes or sold to raise funds please contact Roger Bromley or Chris Stones (01482 875894).
5
Market Weighton Canal walk.
A rainy day in June saw a few hardy members meet at Landing Lane Broomfleet for a walk along the Market Weighton Canal. We were hosted by Bruce Miles, a long-standing member of the Market Weighton Canal Society which is now seeing a revival with renewed interest being shown in the canal. Bruce was able to tell us about the industry of brickmaking which was once carried out in many sites along the canal and many other interesting facts concerning the waterway and its surroundings.
After a short meander because of the rain, we moved on to the entrance lock where the canal meets the River Humber. The lock is now seldom used for navigation due to a hefty charge being levied by the Environment 6
Agency who are responsible for operating the lock. In theory though, the canal is navigable for about a couple of miles by powered craft. The headroom under the M62 is around 3 metres at standard water levels. After a good look around we made our way into Newport to enjoy the delights of fish & chips from the local chippie. Alas it was closed so it was into the pub for a drink and a natter before making our way back home first stopping at the takeaway in South Cave to buy our supper.
While thinking about the Market Weighton Canal The Branch has neglected this waterway over recent years but your committee was pleased to receive reports of efforts locally to make the canal more of a local amenity. As always there is a need to know what residents feel, so many questions need to be asked and the responses thought about in the hope that a way forward can be found which will please as many people as possible. The length of canal under consideration is from the main road in Newport to the M62 and perhaps a little further to the river Foulness. Initially the Branch has agreed to help with the funding of the Feasibility Study and beyond if possible.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
The River Foss You will notice from the programme listing on the back page that we are having a talk on the River Foss in November. If you fancy exploring the river with members of the River Foss Society before this talk then check the website www.riverfosssociety.co.uk for organised walks in the coming weeks. 7
The Great Gazebo
Yes, we now have a gazebo to give protection for our branch display stand and volunteers come rain or shine. We are so pleased that Chris and Dave are leading the use of the display and it is appearing at more and more events. Through it we publicise the waterways and IWA and raise funds to be used for local restoration projects. We need your support. You can help by informing us of events where we could take the great gazebo, donating goods to sell or materials for display and, of course, by staffing the display and sharing your enthusiasm for and knowledge of waterways with the general public. Chris and Dave’s number is 01482 875894, they’d love to hear from you. 8
IWA West Yorkshire Thwaite Mill boat gathering Looking for a constructive purpose for a trip out in our barge “Reiger” we decided to attend the IWA West Riding boat gathering at Thwaite Mill just outside Leeds on Saturday 30th June. Although our original application was to IWA we were eventually contacted by BW only 4 days beforehand to be advised we were to berth in Clarence Dock. This was after the Aire & Calder Navigation was reopened on 26th June as the flood locks had been closed following a period of heavy rain.
Our instructions were “you need to aim for the end of Clarence Dock on the right opposite where the U-Boat is moored, please moor parallel to the dockside in order to leave space for the Dragon Boat Racing”. Clearly the suggestion to aim for the end was a psychic understanding of my navigational skills. The presence of a U-Boat and a fleet of dragon boats did not give any more confidence in the safety of the mooring. As it turned out we were the only boat from the Thwaite Mill gathering directed to Clarence Dock or certainly the only one to make it! On entering the Dock we found 9
that the footbridge allowing entry into the Commercial section (The Far End) had to be opened by Clarence Dock Property Company employees no,t BW. This proved a slow process and we found ourselves being blown about the dock by the high winds on that day made much worse as they were channeled between the blocks of buildings surrounding the dock. One or two of the residential boat owners were certainly looking concerned as we closed in on them. Where we were instructed to moor needed a complete circuit of the dock on the very adequate pontoon before you exited if you could get by the U-Boat captain. As we wanted to partake in the BBQ organized by IWA West Riding on the Friday night and we were two miles from Thwaite Mill we had to find transport. With a serious lack of knowledge and information even in the Armouries I walked to the bus terminal having been given two different routes for this by Armouries staff. After suffering a long queue at the information desk the very helpful assistant advised me he would walk it but did offer the possibilities of an 110,140 or 189 from Hunslet Road. Deciding to use the bus as we left Clarence Dock we saw a taxi picking up a passenger and obtained a business card for the return journey. The BBQ was organized by Elaine Scott with help from the boaters moored at Thwaite Mill and was very enjoyable and gave a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. Thanks to Ken Morrison for the quality of the ingredients! A mobile call to Amber Taxis resulted in a prompt response slightly confused by the fact that a gate on the road to Thwaite Mill had been closed and locked after we had entered. On Saturday morning Clarence Dock was a hive of activity as preparations were made for the start of the Dragon Boat Racing scheduled for 9.30am. It was clear that between Reiger and the U-Boat moored opposite each other we had created something of a chicane on the dragon boat race course. Having also been advised that I should be wearing a lifejacket to get to and from my boat by one of the over zealous dragon boat officials we decided it was time to escape from Clarence Dock to the more placid surroundings of Thwaite Mill having established that there was space for us at the Mill.
10
We spoke to the Dragon Boat organizers and established a VHF communications link with them through Patch the skipper on Sobriety (which had arrived at Clarence Dock at midnight and moored next to the foot bridge) and slipped out after the third race.
Having met Mike Tucknott, (that rare creature, an IWA member and BW Volunteer) on Friday night at the BBQ who was responsible for berthing at Thwaite Mill we called to say we were on our way and he most helpfully opened the lock for us on the way down. Thwaite Mill was bustling with activity and Elaine resplendent in Bonnet, Boots and Black skirt was all action as she Bulldozed her way round the site. Meanwhile Peter her better/other half serenely glided around swan-like, camera clutched to chest looking for that winning photo opportunity. 11
We displayed the IWA East Riding banner on the side of Reiger and engaged several visitors in conversation and dispensed Pocklington Canal literature.
There were displays and stalls from rope work to IWA. But the main attraction for visitors was the “Free Boat Trips” offered by my hero Les Moss and the Safe Anchor trust who had four boats taking passengers for short trips and I understand the donations that went in the bucket on the landing gave a worthwhile return to the Safe Anchor coffers. We were fortunate enough to be shown over their latest Boat “Safe Anchor Lady” by Les which has incorporated many excellent features to accommodate handicapped people and wheel chair users.
I felt for the Humber Keel and Sloop society who had made a considerable effort to get Amy Hewson to Thwaite Mill and because they were past the Safe Anchor berth did not get the number of visitors they deserved. If at all possible the free trips should be furthest from the entrance to get visitors to pass all the other attractions.
We had booked an evening meal at Mumtaz back at Clarence Dock but with the use of the ultra efficient Amber Taxis we were able to get there and back for the Boaters Quiz organized once again by the redoubtable Elaine. Though it was a little regrettable that some of the questions were similar to previous ones if not the same . The picture quiz of bridges, which had the hand of Peter all over it, proved to be testing to all present.
12
Thwaite Mill in itself is well worth visiting, being a water powered limestone grinding Mill with most of its machinery in place and a working forge. On Sunday the collection of boats moored on the riverside was augmented by a large gathering of classic cars organized by the local car club. Altogether Thwaite Mill was an enjoyable weekend, which we would be pleased to visit again if IWA West Riding decides to repeat it next year. It is to be hoped the weather will be better and the river navigation difficulties avoided, leading to more boats attending. Thanks and congratulations to Elaine, Peter and Mike for their hard work and the rest of IWA West Riding for their organization. We are grateful to Andrew Brett for this report on the Thwaite Mill which was advertised in the April newsletter.
13
Pocklington Canal News Members of the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (PCAS) continue to organise working parties and are able to ensure that the visitor area at Canal Head alongside the A1079 and the stretch of navigable waterway which is navigable are kept in good order. They continue to raise funds through the work at the visitor centre and other activities but substantial funds are needed for a push which will extend the length of navigable canal and improve the canal environment. PCAS has joined forces with BW/Waterway Trust and various other organisations to prepare a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
New Horizons The Pocklington trip boat is having another successful year; have you been on it? There is a special extended cruise on Sat 25th August which at the time of going to press has one or two places. If interested give them a call.
14
Is it Christmas already? No, Christmas is a distant thought but this is the last newsletter before December so we need to give members details and ask for bookings and deposits. You will notice that we have changed the venue to Cottingham Parks Golf Club, Harland Way, HU16 5SW so that we can have a Sunday lunchtime meal on 2nd December. The lunch is 12 for 12.30 and the room is available until 3.00pm which makes it easier for members who do not like driving in the dark or live some distance away to be able to join us. Bookings to Chris Stones on 01482 875894, menu and price below.
Do make a special effort to join us, we would like to meet as many members as possible. 15
BRANCH PROGRAMME and other waterway events Autumn 2012 Venue (unless stated otherwise) Cottingham Methodist Church Hall, Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BD 8.00-10.00 pm. Use entrance down side of church.
Sat/Sun 1st/2nd Sept.
Folk Sail Weekend The Waterways Museum, Dutch River Side, Goole
Saturday 15th Sept Mikron Theatre, ‘Losing the Plot’ See inside Friday 21st Sept.
Commercial Boat Owners, Speaker David Lowe Inland Waterway Freight, the way forward
Saturday 6th Oct.
Joint meeting with N Riding Branch at Scarborough Details inside.
Friday 19th Oct.
‘Humber Estuary Service’. The safety of navigation on The Humber by Andrew Swift
Friday 16th Nov.
The Story of the River Foss Society by John Millet and Peter Hopwood
Sunday 2nd Dec.
Branch Christmas Lunch, Cottingham Parks Golf Club Details inside
2013 Friday 18th Jan.
‘All you need to know about locks’ by Paul Waddington
For more information about the Inland Waterways Association use the website www.waterways.org.uk or contact Barry Robins on 01482 658254 or 07885941983. For more information on the above meetings contact Roger Bromley on 01482 845099. The Branch email address is roger@roger.karoo.co.uk This newsletter is edited and produced by Barry Robins, 90 Carr Lane, Willerby, Hull HU10 6JU, tel 01482 658254 Note: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Association and should not be construed as such unless so stated.
16